Hey everyone! So here is my new story! I was so excited to start writing this! I think this story would be very different from the others I have written since this one is much more descriptive. I hope my writing has improved because I know it sucked pretty bad in my other two stories! lol I hope you will enjoy it! =^_^=
A young girl was awakened by the gentle chimes that hung on the porch.
She slowly opened her eyes. Her eyes registered a white ceiling. She blinked as she slowly turned her head to the right and her eyes focused on the white shoji doors. She turned her head back and stared at the ceiling. She sat up and stretched her arms as she felt her back become less tense. She sighed as she put her arms back down.
She stood up and folded her futon neatly. She placed it into the storage behind the shoji doors that was located on one of the walls of the room.
Her room was simple. The color of the walls was light green. The room was almost empty. There were a few unrolled scrolls hanging on the wall with images of cherry blossoms, rivers, and mountains. A big red fan with cherry blossom branches and scattered cherry blossom flowers hung on the wall.
She undressed and neatly placed her sleeping yukata on top of the futon. She wrapped bindings around her chest making sure it was tight. She put on her black yukata and then her black hakama. She put on her white socks and black geta. She tied her light pink hair that almost reached her bottom into a high ponytail with a thin black ribbon leaving her bangs to frame her heart shaped face.
She grabbed a wooden sword that stood in the corner of the room as she walked towards the shoji doors. As she slid the shoji door open a light breeze hit her face making her bangs flutter. She gently slid the door closed and took in the sunrise. It was five in the morning after all. She always woke up at the same time everyday. She walked on the wooden floor of the porch without making a sound.
After she turned a few corners she reached one of her favorite places. Her training ground. Fresh green grass moved with the wind. Flowers growing among the the trees and grass. The tree's branches swayed slightly with its fresh light green leaves. This was also one of her favorite time of the year spring.
She stepped off the porch and walked towards a cherry blossom tree. She stopped in front of it as she took a deep breath and raised her wooden sword above her head. She swung her sword in front of her. Switching position and the sides she swung to. She always practiced her sword skills along with the others she had. But this one was the most important one.
As she swung her sword and moved swiftly around the yard making barely any noise as her feet carried her through the grass, cherry blossom petals flew past her reminding her of that special day.
'Flashback'
A little five years old girl ran through the streets of the prospering village. Her short pink hair flew all over as she dashed towards her home with a big grin on her face. Her red yukata decorated with flowers and flowed around her making it seem as if her feet would leave the ground any moment. A white circle imprinted on the back of the yukata which was her clan symbol.
She carried a small bag with vegetables in one of her small hands. As she reached her home she ran with unimaginable excitement to the wooden deck of her home. As her feet touched the wooden surface of floor of the entrance she quickly took of her geta.
"Tadaima!" she yelled as she dashed down the hall and into the kitchen.
"Over here!" a gentle voice yelled.
The girl placed the groceries on the table as she ran off to where the voice came from.
She reached the room and slid open the door.
"Okaa-san! Otou-san!" she yelled with a big smile.
"O kaeri nasai, Sakura-chan." the lady answered.
Sakura grinned as she memorized the happy moment. Ayame Haruno. Her beautiful mother with long light pink hair and gentle aquamarine eyes. She was a kind and caring lady. Beside her sat a man with brown hair that was pointed in all of the directions. He had dark green eyes. Hiroshi Haruno. Her father. Was a great leader with generosity and braveness of a true leader. He was the oldest son of the leader of the Haruno clan.
A giggle disturbed her from her moment as she looked at the small child that was securely held in her mother's arms. Her smile brightened even more. The child was one year old and eager to explore the world. Yoshirou Haruno. Her little brother. His big aquamarine eyes that had a tint of green stared at her as his small arms reached towards her.
She giggled as she took one of his small hands into one of her own and she gently patted him on the head as he giggled. She dearly loved her family and would do anything to keep them happy and safe.
"Sit down, Sakura-chan." her father ordered as she happily complied and sat between her parents. Her father to the left and her mother with her little brother to the right. They were sitted before a small table which had several scrolls on it. There was one that caught her attention. A vanilla colored scroll with red tips and kanji characters written on top.
Today was the day. The day where she would be introduced to her clan's most precious and important possession.
Her father took the scroll which has caught her attention as he glanced at her.
"Sakura." he said in a stern voice. "This is our clan's most treasured item. Since you are a member of the ruling family you will have to keep this safe. No one except our family and your grandfather has seen this scroll but anyone from the clan would recognize it as soon as they see it. If anything ever happens to your mother and I, you must keep this safe. You must keep this safe no matter what, even if it costs you your life." he finished.
Sakura gulped. Feeling the responsibility weighing on her shoulders. But nothing would stop her from holding this responsibility.
"Hai!" she answered in a cheerful voice as her eyes sparkled.
Her father grinned as her mother hugged her which was followed with a hug from her father.
"Otou-san, can I see what is inside?" Sakura asked with hopeful eyes.
Her father shook his head as he closed his eyes.
"Not not. You will be able to see when the time comes." he said as he glanced at his wife.
"But when is that?" Sakura persisted.
"When you are older. The clan's leader will fully introduce you to the clan's council and the secrets will be revealed." he said.
She still wasn't as satisfied. But at least she knew that she would get to see it.
'End Flashback'
She swung her sword to the side as a bead of sweat ran down the side of her face.
The corner of her lip raised slightly at the memory.
She swung again as another memory appeared.
'Flashback'
She heard a scream. Immediately recognizing her mother's voice she rushed into the house from the garden in the back.
She heard loud crashes and dashed to the kitchen. She stopped at the entrance of a room that was located near the kitchen as she heard groans. Her eyes widened as she felt the hair on her neck stand up. On the floor lay two big men. One had blood on his head as she watched it gather around his head and the other's shoulder was bleeding. She also noticed a big gash on the latter's ankle.
She heard a cry of pain and her little brother's cries. She immediately dashed to the kitchen. What she saw next made her heart drop. Her father's head and arm was covered in blood as he stood in front of her mother who held her little brother with tears and fear in her eyes. Her father was clutching his arm as he gritted his teeth. His sword at the other end of the kitchen. The room was illuminated in moon's light as most since the candle's had been blown off and somewhere on the floor.
In front of him stood a man a few inches taller than him in a black yukata with his hair in a high bun. Next to him stood a man a bit shorter than her father in a dark purple yukata with short hair. He had a very big complexion. She noticed the muscles in his back flex as he stepped forward.
She panicked. She was shaking uncontrollably and she felt perspiration ran down her neck and forehead. Her eyes quickly searched the room. She heard a groan from her father as she saw the taller man kick him to the floor as he landed near her mother.
As her eyes landed on a knife that was laid on the counter she grabbed it without hesitation and dashed in front of her father.
She held the knife with her two small hands as it pointed towards the man.
"Sakura!" he father shouted. Fear evident in his eyes.
"What are you going to do, little one?" the man with the bun asked while chuckling.
"I will k-kill y-you!" she said with a shaky voice. She knew she didn't stand a chance against them but she had to do what she could. Realization hit her that this are her last moments and she should do whatever she can to save her family. Even if it would cost her her own life.
"You're foolish child!" the two men laughed.
"You have beautiful women in your family. We will have some fun with them after we finish you off!" the with the bun said with a disgusting glint in his eyes.
Sakura's eyes narrowed yet she felt her fear rise. She heard her father growl as he attempted to stand up.
She barely realized what happened next.
The man with the bun stepped forward as he started to raise his sword towards her. He grinned like a psychopath.
A small black figure dashed in front of her as the man's sword was deflected with ease and his arm had an enormous gash in his arm. The man fell back while clutching his arm while shouting profanities. The black blur dashed to the shorter man and sliced his stomach and kicked him to the floor.
The figure stopped and turned around.
Her breathing hitched and her heart started raising.
In front of her was a boy with black spiked hair. He looked a few years older than her. He had very pale skin and was about two heads taller than her. He had striking onyx eyes that sparkled slightly from the moon's light. He wore a black yukata with a white rim at the collar. He slowly lowered his sword to his side.
Her small hands let the knife drop to the floor with a loud clink as the realization that they were saved hit her.
She dropped to the floor as tears started spilling out of her eyes and her frame shook with small sobs.
She felt a hand on her head and she raised her head.
The boy stood in front of her with a small smile.
"You did great. You are very brave." he said with a soft and comforting voice.
She nodded her head as her lip quivered.
A few men with swords in their hands dashed into the room and Sakura jumped.
"Where are-" one of them was interrupted.
"I took care of them." the boy answered. "But I think there are two more in the house." he said as he stepped away from Sakura. She immediately missed the comforting hand.
The man nodded as he turned his head to the left as a signal. A few men immediately dashed into the hallway to explore the house.
The boy started walking out while a few more man came in.
"W-Wait!" Sakura shouted.
The boy stopped and turned his head back to look at her.
"W-What is y-your name?" she asked with a hint of hope in her voice.
"Sasuke Uchiha." he answered with a small smirk as he turned and left the room.
"End Flashback"
She slightly smiled at the memory as she felt a familiar clench in her heart.
She was interrupted from her thoughts as a voice called out.
"Tadashi-kun!" a female voice called out.
Sakura turned around.
"Hai?" she asked.
"You are training again. You shouldn't force yourself so much. I just wanted to tell you that breakfast will be ready soon and you should go take a bath." the lady with short black hair and black eyes said.
"Hai, Shizune-san." she answered as she walked towards her.
She dried herself up with the thin white towel. She let it fall to the floor as she reached for the neatly folded clothes in one of the square shelves.
She put on her undergarments and made sure to tighten the bindings around her chest. Afterwards she put on her light blue yukata and white hakama. She dried her hair with a small white towel. She brushed her hair with her fingers and afterwards tied it up in a high ponytail with a white ribbon. She looked in the mirror that was located to the right of the multiple shelves and made sure she looked presentable.
She dropped the used towels into a basket that stood on the floor. Taking a bath after training sure was a nice thing. She reminisced how her slightly stiff muscles relaxed in the water of the hot springs. She headed towards the shoji doors and quietly exited and slid the door shot as she headed towards the kitchen. As she neared the kitchen she could smell the rice.
As she entered the kitchen she saw Shizune placing bowls of rice with fish. She made her way to help her.
"I am sorry for not helping you with breakfast, Shizune-san." she said with an apologetic look in her eyes.
"Oh, don't worry Tadashi-kun! This is easy and you know perfectly well that I love to cook." Shizune answered with soft laughter.
Sakura smiled a barely visible smile. She always enjoyed Shizunes food. Shizune also taught her how to cook. She would always say that she had surpassed her and that she made the most delicious food she had ever eaten. When she cooked her food always came out different and tasted different compared to Shizune even though she is the one who taught her.
As Sakura placed the last bowl on the table a figure dashed towards her and hugged her around her waist. Sakura wasn't surprised. She had felt his presence second before he appeared.
"Good morning, Sakura-chaaaaaaan!" the boy shouted.
She frowned slightly and lightly smacked him on the head.
"Itai!" he shouted.
"Yoshirou! How many times have I told you not to call me that! You are not a little kid anymore! You are a fourteen year old boy who will soon become a man!" she scolded him with slightly narrowed eyes.
"Gomen gomen! But today is a special day and I really wanted to call you by your real name." he said as he sheepishly rubbed the back of his head.
Her eyes softened the corner of her lip slightly raised up as she pulled him into an unexpected hug. She cradled his head to her chest and petted his shaggy brown hair that looked just like their father's hair. His widened eyes softened as he wrapped his arms around her waist.
She hadn't shown as much emotions as any regular girl would but she always showed affection towards him. They were very close. More than any one would think or imagine. She was his everything and he was her everything.
"You're such a good boy, Yoshirou-kun." she said as she let him go.
He grinned quickly dashed towards the food. He sat on the floor. His legs folded beneath him as he sat on a flat pillow and rubbed his hands together as his eyes glinted with hunger.
Her face returned back to its blank mask yet her eyes seemed to give away her emotions at times. "Don't eat yet. We have to wait for Tsunade-sama." she said calmly knowing that he would follow her order.
"There is no need to do that." a voice came from the doorway and Sakura immediately turned around and bowed slightly.
"Good morning, Shishou." she answered.
"Good morning, Tadashi, Shizune and Yoshirou." she answered with a small smile as she moved towards the table and motioned for everyone to sit down.
Everyone at the table put their palms in front of the chests as they clapped their hands together and said a quick 'Itadakimasu' in unison.
Tsunade. The master of this beautiful house. A great and giving healer. She was known for her amazing skills in healing all over the country. She is also Sakura's mentor, a mother figure, and a person she greatly admired and looked up to. She saved her life life. Literally.
As everyone finished the food Sakura poured green tea into the small cups that were placed on the table. As she poured the hot liquid her mentor eyed her as she took a sip of her tea.
"Tadashi. Are you prepared?" she asked as she lowered the cup from her peach colored lips.
"Hai, Shishou." she answered instantly.
"When are you heading out?" her mentor questioned as she took another sip of her tea.
"After we finish eating. I need to grab my belongings." she answered as she sipped her own tea.
"Are you going to visit them?" Tsunade asked as she eyed her carefully.
Shizune's and Yoshirou's eyes instantly shot up to look at Sakura. They eyed her with concern.
"Hai." she answered calmly. Her face blank and composed as usual.
Tsunade let a sigh escape her lips.
"Sakura." she said. Sakura's eyes instantly shot up to meet her mentor's worried amber eyes. She barely ever called her by her name.
"You have been through a lot in your short life. You grew up much faster than you should have. You experienced things that no one of your age should." she sighed once more as she continued. "We are always here for you and we are your family. Never forget that. You are strong and you have worked hard for ten years as my student and you have gone beyond my expectations. You have surpassed the Legendary Samurai." she said as she chuckled at the last part. "You two are going to pass." she said with a smile.
"Hai, Shishou!" Sakura answered with gratitude in her eyes. A small smile appeared on her face. She seemed to smile more in the last few months Tsunade noted. She guessed today's long awaited event was the reason.
"You should get ready, Tadashi-kun." Shizune said. "Do you need any help?" she asked.
"No, thank you. But thank you for yet another delicious meal. I will greatly miss your cooking." Sakura answered with a small smile. Her eyes glinted with amusement when Shizune's cheeks slightly turned pink.
Sakura glanced at Tsunade as she nodded her head in approval that she could leave.
"Yoshirou-kun, finish up quickly and gather your things." Sakura said as she exited the kitchen and headed to her room.
"Hai!" he answered as he hurriedly drank his tea.
"She really has grown up." Tsunade said with a sad smile but with proudness in her eyes.
Sakura entered her room as she slowly surveyed the room. She had spent countless nights studying the scrolls her mentor had given her. She had physically trained for years and had dropped onto her futon without any strength left in her body. It had been tough but it had paid off.
She came towards the enormous fan that hang on her wall and stopped as she looked at the light pink cherry blossom petals that decorated the fan. Without taking her eyes off she fan she swiftly kicked one of the boards on the floor and it quickly sprang up. She looked down and gently reached for the object that was under the wooden floor board. She put the board back to it's place as she stood up and glanced down at the object. In her hand she held a sword that was safely located in it's black case. She felt the leather handle of the sword. The sword was a gift from her father when she was just a little girl. She always had an interest in swords. She remembered how much she wanted to start practicing with the sword yet her small and unexperienced hands could barely lift it.
She had gained muscles throughout the years from the hard and strict training from her mentor. She could now easily hold the sword with one hand. It almost felt as if she held a knife in her hand. She strapped the sword on the right side of her waist making sure it was secured in place she slightly tilted the enormous fan towards herself and took out some kunais and sendbon needles. She placed the kunais on a strap around her right thigh and hid the senbon needles in the sleeves of her yukata which had special compartments made especially for weapons.
After she was done she headed towards the shoji doors as she grabbed a bag with clothes and her other belongings. Before leaving she looked over her room one last time as she slid the shoji doors shut. She headed to the garden where she had trained early in the morning. After reaching the garden she headed towards the cherry blossom tree and kneeled before it. She dropped her bag beside her.
"Yoshirou, could you make some fire?" she asked feeling her brother's presence.
"Hai, onii-san." he answered calmly. Yoshirou came towards her and made fire on the grass. Adding some small pieces of wood to the small burning fire.
Sakura felt the presence of Shizune and Tsunade behind her. She could feel her mentors intense gaze on her back. She knew she had to do this. This needed to be done for her and her brother's safety.
She quickly took out a kunai out of the left sleeve of her yukata. Shizune watched with worried and sad eyes. Tsunade's gaze slightly intensified as her gaze also saddened. Yoshirou watched Sakura with worry.
Sakura grabbed the top of her ponytail sliding her hand backwards until she was satisfied with the length. She closed her eyes as she swiftly brought her right hand up and cut through her hair. Her brother watched with sad eyes. He knew how much her hair meant to her even if she didn't show it. She always took great care of her hair.
Sakura glanced at the hair she held in her hand. She murmured a silent apology as she threw her hair in the fire. She watched as the flames devoured her precious hair. She stood up as the smell of burning hair reached her nose.
"Shizune-san, I don't want to be a bother to you but could you please clean this up?" Sakura asked.
"O-Oh sure! No worries, Tadashi-kun!" she answered as she snapped out of her daze.
"We should be going now, Yoshirou-kun." she said as she headed towards Tsunade and Shizune.
As she stepped up onto the wooded porch that went around the whole house she stopped. Shizune sniffed slightly as tears slid down her cheeks. She quickly glanced around and afterwards enveloped Sakura in a hug. "Take care, Sakura-chan." she murmured quietly. "I will." Sakura replied as she hugged her back. After she was released from the hug she looked at her mentor.
She did not expect what happened next. Tsunade enveloped her in a warm hug. Sakura's eyes slightly widened from shock. "Good luck, Sakura-chan." she whispered with affection. Sakura's eyes softened. "Hai, shishou." she answered as they separated.
"Heeey! How come he is the only one who gets all the affection? Not fair." Yoshirou exclaimed as he folded his arms with a childish pout on his face yet his eyes glistened with playfulness.
Shizune giggled as she enveloped him in a hug. Yoshirou grinned as she let go. They headed towards the gate of the house. After reaching the gates Yoshirou and Sakura turned to bid their goodbyes. "Good luck, kiddo. Take care of your aniki." Tsunade said with a smirk as she ruffled Yoshirou's hair. "I will, Tsunade-sama." he answered with a grin.
"I think you are forgetting something, Tadashi-kun." Shizune said with amusement in her eyes. Realization hit Sakura and she was about to sprint back to the garden. "No need to do that." Shizune said with a smile as she handed Sakuar two small cherry blossom branches. "Arigatou." Sakura replied.
She hoisted up the bag on her shoulder as she held the flowers in her left hand. "We'll be going now." she said as she turned around to start walking. "Ja ne, Shizune-san, Tsunade-sama." Yoshirou shouted with a grin. "Do your best!" Shizune shouted with a smile as she waved her arm. "Sayonara." Sakura said as she waved her hand slightly. "I'll see you soon." Tsunade said with a smirk.
Sakura and Yoshirou walked through the streets of Konoha. People greeted them with smiles wishing them both good luck. They were both well known in the area they lived in. After all they saved countless people from being robbed, raped, or even killed. They were their heroes you could say.
Sakura's head felt so much lighter after cutting off her hair. She almost felt as she was a little girl again. She would have kept her long hair if she had a choice but she wouldn't risk exposing herself.
"Onii-san, we're here." Yoshirou said with a calm voice as he worriedly glanced at her.
Sakura nodded as she entered the cemetery.
As they reached the graves of the people that were dearest to them they stopped.
Sakura and Yoshirou bent down and sat down with their legs tucked underneath their bottoms as they brought their hands in front of them and put them together.
They sat in silence with closed eyes as the gentle spring wind moved their hair.
They prayed for their loved ones that had left them too early.
Sakura opened her eyes and placed the cherry blossom flowers on their parent's graves.
"Otou-san, okaa-san." she gritted with a sad and gentle smile.
Yoshirou stayed silent next to her.
"Gomenasai, okaa-san." she said quietly as she touched her hair that was short now.
Her mother always wanted for her to have long hair but she only saw her with short hair when she was a child. She didn't get to see her long and beautiful hair. But Sakura was sure she was watching her from the heavens.
"Otou-san, okaa-san, Yoshirou-kun and I will make you proud today. Please watch over us." she said as she stood up glancing at Yoshirou.
As he stood up she enveloped him in a warm hug.
"I will take care of you." she said as he returned her hug. He was her everything from the moment their parent's left them. On that day she promised herself that she would protect him no matter what. He was her most precious person.
As she let him go she smiled at him.
"Let's show them what we got." she said. His eyes widened. She smiled a true smile once again. He grinned back at her. "Hai, onii-san." he said.
They walked towards the exit of the cemetery. Sakura's eyes lit with determination.
Today was the day that she had waited for ten long years.
Today she would fight to become one of the soldiers of the police force.
She trained so long and worked so hard.
Today she would finally see him again. Her hero. The one that gave her those wonderful few months to spend with her dear parents that she loved so much.
Today she would finally see him. The one she fell in love with from the moment she saw him.
Sasuke Uchiha.
Oh my god! I can't believe I finished the first chapter! It took me so long! But I am so glad I finished the first chapter! The other chapters won't be this long. Well, maybe some? he he he I know this one is long and probably confusing. But everything will be revealed in the chapters to come so don't worry. Please review and tell me what you thought! I will probably update in two weeks. Not sure yet since I am busy with school but I am on spring break right now so I might update earlier! Oooh I am so excited for your reviews! Ja ne! =^_^=