Chapter 1: The serpent's memories

Sakura's day started out as normally as the rest. She woke up, showered, dressed in her usual outfit, and after she dried her hair, she brushed it so it shone. "Sakura, Come on! Your squad is going to wonder where you are!" Tsunade called out. Sometimes her daughter could be so slow.

Sakura looked in the mirror and noticed her mark was acting up. It was a curse seal mark that she had on the top of her left breast, she'd had it for as long as she could remember. She could also remember the day she received it as well.

Flashback:

"Come Sakura. It is time for you to have your power and do as your father tells you." Orochimaru told her. Sakura had only smiled because she had always been a 'daddy's girl'. Sakura braced herself for the pain she knew it would cause as his fangs sank into her flesh.

She eventually got used to the pain and the schedule as her father taught her to wield the power of her curse seal and the power of her 'serpent's eyes'. Every time her anger was apparent, she would lose control and her father would punish her for it. Eventually Orochimaru sent her on missions, the latest; annihilate the village hidden in the clouds. Sakura's dark power and abilities were too much for the village to handle and it was wiped out. It was the fourth village in all three years of her life.

On her way back to Otogakure, Sakura realized she didn't like being her father's weapon anymore. She was a different person. He had the heart to kill mercilessly, she had the talent and the power; she is one of three children of two sannin. Orochimaru and Tsunade. Very beneficial to her.

Sakura's given name had been Sakuya Orochimaru. As soon as she made a fleeing plan to leave Otogakure (village hidden in the sound), she fled to the only place she knew she'd be safe. Sunagakure (village hidden in the sand).

End Flashback

Sakura smiled as she remembered the connection she had had with the youngest child of the Kazekage who had taken her in for a few years. She also remembered the training she had with Gaara and all he taught her.

Flashback:

"Gar-Gar! Train today!" the little three and a half year old girl said as Gaara was training in the empty field. Gaara smiled because it seemed to him that wherever he went, Sakura would follow. He loved it, he finally had a friend and they made a vow to stay that way, no matter what.

"Kay, Saku! Come here, I will show you the same techniques I have, only with water. Kay?" Gaara said. He also inwardly smiled at the nickname she had given him. She had a hard time pronouncing Gaara, so she came up with Gar-Gar. Sweet actually.

Sakura squealed and got up and stood facing him. Gaara showed her the movements to harden the element. Gaara's created a Sand Shield, Sakura's created a Water Barrier. Gaara decided to work on it with her awhile before moving on to the next technique. Sakura didn't seem to mind. She loved spending time with Gaara. She seemed very relaxed by his presence.

Sakura and Gaara lost track of time and noticed they were late getting home when they saw the sun was no longer out. They raced home and Gaara bumped into someone as he and Sakura turned the corner to go to the mansion. "Hey, it's the freak and his girlfriend!" a voice called out. Gaara felt the anger rising at being called a freak and didn't want Sakura to be brought into the middle of it.

Just as he was about to kill the person, Sakura's voice called out. "Gar-Gar! No! Stop! Please, don't lower yourself to his standards. Besides, you heard what your father said. If you kill another Suna civilian, you will be banished from Suna and disowned by the Kazekage." Gaara stopped gathering sand and turned. Sakura's emerald eyes stared at him. Gaara could see the tears welling up. With a barely stifled sob, Sakura's tears spilled over to run down her soft skin. Gaara felt guilty and stopped. He walked over to Sakura.

"Saku, I'm sorry. Please don't cry. I won't do it again. I promise." Gaara whispered as he hugged his only friend. Sakura sniffled and then smiled at him. For some reason, they felt drawn together. Sakura leaned closer and Gaara leaned closer and their lips met in a soft kiss. Being small (Gaara is 4, Sakura is 3 ½ years old) they instantly pulled back and said 'eeew!" together. Then they giggled.

"Grownups actually do that and like it?" Sakura asked Gaara. Gaara smiled and laughed. Sakura giggled as Gaara hugged her again.

"I have seen Temari do it often enough. She seemed to enjoy it well enough." Gaara replied and grabbed Sakura's hand, Sakura let him pull her past the gaping man and towards the mansion.

End Flashback