This is my first story on this account. I have decided to start writing stories on here in order to practice my writing skill. Sakura is one of my favorite characters, and I also love fantasy/adventure. So it seemed fitting to put both of the things I love together. I'm not sure where this story will lead, and how it will unfold. I'm allowing the story to simply happen as I go along. I am probably going to have roughly three chapters out by the end of the weekend! So please enjoy! Also please Review if there are any comments/mistakes to point out/ or ideas to add. I'm super open to all ideas/help. It's the very reason i'm writing on here. I can't improve my writing if I don't know what people like/dislike about it. ^_^
I don't own naruto, but I do own my imagination ~
"It is in the eye of the storm that is perhaps the most intimidating. You have already seen the destruction it has waked in its path; yet you have no idea what more is to come."
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Reborn in Fire
Chapter 1
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Shadows flickered across the walls; dancing along the smooth surface to the movement of the candle flames. The room was quiet; the only noise being the soft ringing in my ears. It was how I knew it was too quiet. The very atmosphere of the night seemed to be still, unmoving, as though time itself had stopped. The very air around me seemed to be hesitant, as though it had stilled waiting for something. Like a breath held in anticipation. It was the calm before the storm. What would transpire I did not know, but anxiety found its way into my heart rapidly scorching its fire throughout my veins. My body stiffened in response to the overdose of panic, and I closed the book I had been reading with a soft thud.
Placing it on the night stand I got up out of my bed, grabbing the candle as it flickered its orange warmth near my hand almost as if to caress me; the flames barely licking my skin with the sudden motion of my hand. My intuition was screaming to leave the house. I exited my room walking down the dark hallway towards my father's room. The orange glow of the flame danced around me rapidly, as though it was just as anxious as I. The only life to the still air was the flame dancing wildly; trapped on the candle wick with nowhere to run.
I peeked my head into my father's room to see him preparing to leave already. Whatever it was I had sensed he too had apparently sensed it. His dark eyes gave me a knowing look. No words needed to be exchanged in order to come to a silent agreement. He quickly grabbed a large bag and slung it over his back. I nodded in his direction as we rushed to the front of the house. He pulled back the curtain looking out into the dark silent word outside our small home. He placed up his two fingers in motion that the coast was clear. I hesitated with my fingers on the cold metal of the door handle, the cold seeping into them seeking out my warmth; devouring it with freezing cold rivers of sensation in its wake.
Opening the door I allowed the darkness to devour me like a shadow in the night, blending into the black still air as soon as I blew out my candle. My father was not too far behind me, his silver hair taking on an orange glow was the last thing I clearly saw before he snuffed the light out. We sat in complete silence along the side of the house as our eye's adjusted to the pitch blackness that surrounded us. It was like entering a void, without any idea of what direction you were facing, allowing this void to consume you and to spit you out where it pleased. It was humbling to be dominated by the darkness of the world, and it was something that was so familiar now in my life. The darkness that surrounded me felt like a welcoming blanket of security, a safe haven where I could not be found by that which meant harm.
As our eye's finally adjusted we were able to move forward over the large land towards the hill that separated our home from the village, keeping to the shadows of the trees. An eerie orange glow gave the illusion of a sunrise over the hill and the smell of burnt wood engulfed my senses. My body stiffened at the realization of what was beyond that hill. Fire.
We quickened our pace coming up to the top of the hill. All time seemed to stop as my break hitched in my throat. The village below was lit a flame; the fire lapping up anything in its path like a starving animal. I could feel my father stiffen beside me as we saw soldiers rummaging through the destruction. Agonizing screams could be heard over the sound of roaring flames, and the wood of houses breaking and collapsing. Villagers were trying to run from the slaughter of the soldiers, many did not escape.
Tears silently rolled down my cheeks, unnoticed by my awareness as I watched my village being destroyed before my very eyes. My thoughts could only worry about all those people, those innocent people below me. I felt my heart clench and beat hard against my chest cavity knowing that I was unable to do anything to save them. My father shifted beside me.
"Sakura we must leave NOW." I didn't bother to give the scene behind me a second glance as I followed him to our stables. We ran as fast as our feet could take us, adrenaline temporarily giving us speed beyond our normal capabilities. The sounds of the soldiers yelling getting closer and closer to my hearing range. I was sweating, my body shaking of its own accord. My fingers trembled as I opened the stable door to my horse's stall. Her eyes were lit up with panic, as she swayed back and forth rapidly. I soothed her placing my hands along her side, trying to convince her that it was okay. We both knew it wasn't. The very air around us was filled with death and despair.
I didn't bother with a saddle, not enough time. I quickly placed the bit inside of her mouth putting the bridle on her head. I jumped on top of her, grasping the reins and guided her out of the stable. My father was already on his horse waiting for me. We nodded at each other as we galloped towards the forest. Loud yells of soldiers rang in my ears as they grew closer.
"Sakura no matter what happens, don't stop." The implications of what he said hung heavy in my heart, but I nodded my agreement to him unable to trust my voice. The streaks of tears stung with the cold air as it whipped passed my face. My throat felt as though someone's hand was grasping it tightly leaving me shallowly gasping for air. I was running off of instinct, unconsciously guiding my horse in and out of the trees.
Loud sounds of hoof prints sounded behind us. Howling, barking dogs sounded in the distance. My heart stopped and panic flamed throughout my body. They have found our scent and were gaining on us. I heard my father race his horse towards me, panic evident in his normally stoic features. Never before in my whole life had I once seen my father panic. The promise of death seemed to whisper sweet nothings into my ears, my body rigid. The feeling of pure despair swallowed me whole, and for the first time of my life I was lost. Logic and reason flew out of my being as pure instinct finished taking over my senses.
My father took the bag he had and threw it at me. I am not sure how I ever caught it. He looked like he was torn apart, and the pain on his face made my heart feel heavy; it was breaking at the notion of what was to come. I did not know what was in the bag, but I knew it was important. My father was a trader, and he always had very interesting 'trade goods' one could only find on the black market. Whatever was in this bag was something he deemed worth more than even his own life.
"Sakura they are gaining on us. We have to separate. I will distract them and give chase to Konoha where I will take safety with the king. I must alert him to what has transpired. You will have to take Basilisk's path to Otogakure. We will meet up there if I am not able to meet up with you sooner. You know the forest well, I have no doubts of your capabilities. A father could never be more proud of his daughter. I love you, be safe." His words were too few for me. We dare not utter the word goodbye, for it would mean there may not be another hello. He left my side before I could respond.
He twisted his horse around and ran directly into the storm. My heart cried out for him, my tears shed for him, I silently cried as I continued into the darkness as it devoured all the rest of me. My entire being became one with the darkness as the distance between me and my home drowned out the sounds of the soldiers, the dogs, and the death. My father would survive, I knew deep in my heart he would. He could take on an army if he needed to, and no one knew the forest like him and I did. He could escape without a problem. However my concern for him did not end, and the tears did not stop falling.
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Hours passed by as the tree's blurred passed me. I was deep into the forest now, miles away from my home. Zephyra's speed was slowing down; sweat drenching her sides. I eased her down into a walk. We were about to reach Basilisk's path. It was called this due to the untamable nature of this part of the forest of fire kingdom. My father and I were the only two crazy enough to come to this area. Due to my father's dangerous trade, we often used this path to smuggle goods to their buyers. This place was like a second home to me. My father and I have discovered that if you cannot tame a land, you must integrate yourself with it; become one with it entirely. You must give yourself up to the land just as with the darkness.
We entered into the beginning of the wild woods; the tree's here having a larger presence. Everything around me buzzed with life and power; even the ground beneath raced with veins of roots, their very essence overpowering my senses. I was numb, I was completely empty. Never had I felt so alone. I left myself to be completely unaware of all that was around me.
Once we came upon the river deep within the trees I stopped Zephyra and allowed her to take a drink, as I myself cupped my hands into the cold water and brought it up to my mouth. I didn't realize how dry my throat had been until I felt the sensation of the cool liquid going down it, soothing the parched flesh as it passed over it. It seemed there was not enough water in the river to quench my thirst as I hungrily and greedily drank as much as I could.
Finally a sense of relief washed over me as I finally satisfied my thirst. Underneath the thick canopy of the forest it was impossible to see where the moon was located, so my sense of time was completely lost. I shrugged it off as I found a comfortable base of a tree to curl up in. I did not have any weapons with me, and so I knew when the morning came I would have to gather supplies to make one. A list of survival needs went through my head as I relaxed into the support of the tree's trunk. I was avoiding my thoughts purposefully.
As I closed my eyes to rest I felt the dull pain of a headache developing from crying. A few salty tears still ran down my face dropping into the earth below as if to escape reality. The roots of the tree enveloped me as if comforting me; as if trying to console me. Zephrya make a soft snort as she found a place near me to rest, her dark black coat blending in with the night.
I feared nothing as I closed my eyes again. My body felt limp and unable to move any further. The adrenaline was wearing off and I was fighting to stay awake. Any worries of predators drifted away with the last of my consciousness and I welcomed the black void which once again swallowed me whole.
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I felt warmth flicker on my face as it spread across my cheeks; caressing my skin in a velvety embrace of golden light. My eyes flickered open to a scene of endless green. Panic was the first sense to overcome my morning stupor as I jumped up from my little nook in the tree and took in my surroundings. Flashbacks of the previous night flooded my memory and I found myself placing a hand on the rough tree bark in order to hold myself up. I felt the familiar symptoms of shock race through my being as I tried to calm myself. Breathe in. Exhale.
Slowly, carefully, deliberately I allowed my breath to calm myself down. I looked over at Zephrya, her dark eyes piercing through me with concern. I didn't need to speak her language to know she was worried about me. As if to further prove me correct she walked over to me slowly placing her muzzle into my free hand. I gently stroked her soft muzzle as I fought back the tears that threatened to fall once again.
I didn't have time. I could not be emotional if I wanted to survive. I had no idea if the soldiers were on my trail, I didn't have weapons, I didn't have supplies, I didn't know where my fath. . . .
SLAP.
Zephrya stepped back from me in a panic at the sudden movement. My cheek stung and I bit my lip harshly as I shook myself together. I had to get a hold of myself in over to get through this. Looking to my side I saw the package my father had given me. He wouldn't have given it to me if it wasn't important, he would have taken it himself. More than likely this is what the soldiers had been looking for last night. My intuition may have led me to know something was amiss, but perhaps my father knew this was coming.
I stared at the package long and hard a tingly feeling of anger slowly seeping into my empty shell of a body. The fiery raw emotion bursting rapidly throughout me as everything came together in my mind. My father risked it all for this PACKAGE? My village has been destroyed, and I have been separated from my father; unsure of if he is dead or alive. ALL FOR THIS DAMN PACKAGE!
I angrily opened the bag to see what stupid item could possibly be worth so many lives. I violently took the box out of the bag inside ready to smash it. As I reached into the box a bright flash of green shot out throughout the forest burning my hand. I yelped pulling my hand back; the item falling with a thud to the ground. Zephrya whinnied loudly, thrashing about as she fled away from the item. She stopped several feet away pacing wildly in panic. Caressing my hand I looked for any damage seeing a small red burn fester around my palm. I looked to the item on the floor.
Woah.
There before me sat the largest emerald I had ever seen. Bright and beautiful; a deep green like I had never before seen. It had intricate designs etched into it, and I was almost fooled into believing it perhaps looked like scales. What had that light been though? Magic?
Still caressing my hand, I slowly and carefully stepped towards the emerald lying on the ground, momentarily forgetting my poor frightened horse. Wonder and curiosity took over and I gently bent next to it, looking at my faint reflection in the beautiful green surface. Holding my breath I leaned my hand forward, the urge to touch the stone greater than my fear of being burned again. Unconsciously I was being pulled towards the stone, like a string was attached to my hand edging me along towards it.
My hand connected with the warm surface of the stone, a buzzing sensation pulsating up my arm. It rapidly crawled its way up my body, as though searching for my intentions. I was mesmerized; time stood still and thoughts eradicated themselves from existence. It was just the stone and I. The forest disappeared, Zephrya disappeared. It felt as though the stone was greeting me; saving this unknown space for just itself and I. A connection we were making in this place where no other living being could possibly enter. I was stuck in a complete trance until the oddest thing happened.
The stone began to crack open. Oh shit oh shit. THIS IS BAD! I BROKE IT. OH NO! PLEASE STOP CRACKING STONE NO NO NO NO….I watched in horror as the stone broke away before my eyes. My eyes beginning to tear up again in defeat realizing I had broken the thing my father may have risked his life to save.
A small little green head popped up, its golden eye's staring intently at me. Is that a . . . ?
It crawled towards me; stretching its little body out as it slowly moved towards me. Zephyra stilled behind me not making a sound. My breath was again hitched in my throat as I awaited. I couldn't move; I couldn't think. The little creature crawled into my lap meeting my gaze. We looked into each other's eyes. Those little golden eyes took me into a spiral of memories flooding my senses. Darkness enveloped me; there was no light; there as only sound and pure emotion. I felt as though I was being lifted up, curious I felt the presence of that which touched me.
Pure, loving, white energy filled my senses. Purity. I felt excited; I felt home. I felt strongly as though that which I have always been looking for had found me instead. I felt the sensation of directing my energy out towards the beautiful pure energy that held me; it was burst the fled from my being outwards towards the energy. Then I felt like I was falling; at the same time feeling my energy connecting myself to the other being.
Complete understanding of what had occurred enveloped me as I was brought back to reality; back to the forest with the little creature in my lap. I placed my fingers delicately onto the little dragons head and stroked it softly; trying to express the emotions I was feeling physically towards it. I remember once a woman was talking in the village about her experience of having her child. I remember specifically the moment she so excitedly described.
The little new born cooed happily in his mother's arms as she placed her finger into his small hand. I smiled happily at her as I crossed the market to greet her.
"Amelia congratulations! I haven't seen you before the birth." I brought my attention to the small little infant waving a finger at him. "Hello little one."
"Oh Sakura dear thank you. I'm beyond happy. I just can't tell you dear." She looked up from her child, her blue eyes piercing mine. "The connection you feel with your child is like none other in the world. When you first see your baby all you feel is pure love, you can't imagine how you ever lived without them before. There are no words exchanged; however you just know you have an inseparable bond."
I looked down at the little dragon in my hands and knew without a doubt it was the same feeling the woman had described. This little magical creature had connected with me in such a mystical way. Realization hit me as I looked at the broken egg before me. I was in the most dangerous part of the fire kingdom, with no supplies, without my father, and with a baby dragon that had just chosen me to connect its life to. I looked over to Zephrya as she gave me a look that read 'you are in deep shit.' The little dragon curled up inside my lap and I knew this was only the beginning of what was to come.
Sitting here in the quiet forest, Zephyra silently grazing behind me, the little dagon curled in my lap sleeping as though it had never slept so safe, I knew it was again too quiet. In this soft short moment of time everything seemed fine, everything seemed as though it had always been this way. Not an animal stirred; not a sound dared to ruin this moment and it was then that I knew. . . I was in the eye of the storm.
So there we have chapter 1! Chapter 2 shall be out tomorrow evening. There will be more of a background of Sakura coming up very soon :3 See you soon!
Ja nae ! ! ! ~
-BloomingSakuraLotus
(Credit for cover image belongs to: art/SasuSaku-Rememberance-388244968
only using it for now until I make my own. Didn't have enough time tonight)