"Thanks for the cakes Genma-san, they look really good." Sakura said, walking away from the bakery. "You're very welcome, come back soon." Said baker Genma replied, watching the girl walk away. 'That poor girl, she's the age all the beauties get taken. She so innocent she doesn't even realize she's a prime candidate.' He shook his head sadly before turning back to his work.

Sakura, incidentally, was well aware of this problem. She knew she was smart, more so than most in the village. She was fairly strong too; she beat up the old bully when he was picking on her. She also could hear the whispers of the villagers, 'That poor girl, she's too pretty for her own good. It's a wonder she hasn't been taken yet.' That and she has pink hair for crying out loud! If that doesn't scream unique; nothing does.

Sakura tried not to think about it, it scared her badly. She had constant nightmares about a giant, evil puppet chasing her, trying to eat her. It had long, pointed red horns; a twisted and demented face; and was controlling her friends and family. She always got away, but that wasn't the point. It was still scarring to have people you love try to help kill you.

"I'm home mom, and I got the cakes from Genma-san!" Sakura shouted as she entered her home. "Great sweetie, come here, I'm in the kitchen." She heard her mother reply. Sakura entered the kitchen and set the basket on the table. "I'm gonna go take a bath now, O.K?" "Go ahead, but be down in two hours for supper." Sakura nodded and headed upstairs to the bathroom.

After running a hot bath and putting in oils that smelt like cherry blossoms, Sakura got in and allowed herself to worry. She had gotten that feeling again when she was in town today. It felt like someone was watching her. 'It wasn't the demon though, right? I mean sure I'm smart but there are others even more so than me; although it does seem to go for the unique. No, my hair doesn't make me stand out that much; right? Yeah, I'm just over reacting. I need to calm down'

Sakura sank under the water, completely unaware of the dark presence on her roof, waiting and watching.

"AAAHHH!" Sakura screamed when she woke up the next morning. "What's wrong? What happened?" Her parents burst in looking around wildly. They saw their daughter crying in her bed and immediately tried to comfort her.

Once Sakura had calmed down, they asked what was wrong. She pointed to a doll lying on the ground near her bed. It had short, choppy pink hair and huge green eyes like Sakura. It also was wearing the same red dress and green shorts she had on yesterday.

"Oh no!" Her mother wailed and her father said "Now, now. I'm sure someone is just playing a mean prank. I'm sure the demon isn't interested in you" 'Why my daughter, why Sakura?' he thought in despair. They all decided to cling to that and hope it was true.

When Sakura went out that day she ran straight to her friend Hinata's house. "Hinata, I need help!" She wailed as she threw herself into Hinata's arms. She led Sakura inside and they sat on the living room couch. She sent a servant to fetch some of Sakura's favorite tea in hopes that it would help calm her down.

After a half hour and three cups of tea, Hinata finally asked Sakura what was wrong. She was really worried; something extreme must have happened. Sakura never acted like this; she was tougher than that!

"This morning sniff I found on my bed a doll. Look, it looks just like me! It even has the same outfit I had on yesterday." She showed Hinata the doll. "Konan got a doll like that last year, before she got taken. It looked just like her, with the blue hair and freaky yellow eyes. Oh Sakura, I think your next."

A/N Hey everyone, Tobi here! This is actually a story I had written for something else so I'm having to go through and change all the names. If you notice something doesn't seem right; kindly let me know. Anyway, thanks for reading and don't forget to review!

~Tobi Phantom