'...' - Eliza talking to Inner Sakura.
... - Inner Sakura speaking.
A groan escaped my lips, followed by a rare bit of fowl language. Why me...? I grumbled moodily and buried my face into the nearest pillow, trying(and failing)to squash the monstrosity currently beating my brain into mush.
Sobbing mentally and balling my fists, I hit them repeatedly around my head. If anything, that only aggravated the headache some more, but it was obvious that I was in no state to think rationally at the moment.
Luckily, it was only a momentary lapse of stupidity. After massaging and kneading appropriate pressure points, the torturous throbbing quieted to a low hum - a welcome change. Finally content, I opened my eyes- Then promptly shut them. I didn't know what to expect, but it certainly wasn't this.
Wonder what is was?
...pink. It was pink. The rosy color mobbed my vision, causing me to harshly choke on my spit. Pink?! I let out a little squeak. Since when did I have pink pillows? Nonono.
Pushing myself slowly up into a sitting position, I rubbed my eyes roughly and waited for them to clear up. But when they did, my heart almost stopped for a second time. Memory after memory abruptly flooded into my mind, awarding me with yet another splitting headache.
The lasts moments of my death. Ninja. An unfamiliar couple. Blond hair and flowers. Some military academy. A brooding...pretty-boy? I was really starting to get sick, looking through so many images of him... There were thousands, I tell you.
When the multitude of images finished assaulting my mind, I flopped back down onto the unfamiliar bed and curled up into a ball. By now, I was wishing someone would just stab me in the head just to relieve the torture. It felt like something decided to host a boxing match in my head and pounded their fists repeatedly into the walls of my mind. Add in a crowd of roaring fans...and you have succeeded in recreating my worst nightmare.
Let it be known that I was not a happy camper.
...yo...
I could have sworn-
... Yo.
What.
Yo! Inner Sakura here!
...next thing I know I have a talking person in my head. I'm hallucinating, right? Right. Maybe I'll just go back and somehow...float back into my dead body. That's it...I crawled back under the unfamiliar covers and squeezed my eyes shut, wishing desperately to go back to how things were. Let me go back. Please let me go back. Pleasepleaseplease. I'm begging you, okay? Tell me this isn't real. Tell me this is a dream. Tell me-
Are you an idiot?
I bolted upright. Again? Okay, okay. I'll just reply and...see what happens. Calm down and breathe. You got this.
'N-no.'
That's right. So don't pull this hallucinating shit on me!
'So...who were you again?'
The name's Inner Sakura! Listen will ya?
'Alright, I'm Eliza. But if you're Inner Sakura, then I'm, no, the body that I took over is Sakura's?'
Sweetheart, how long did it take you to figure that one out?
I huffed in annoyance. 'Even if you are a complete stranger, I'm just going to say it straight out: I don't like you. Heck, I could be even more truthful and say I hate you. Where is she then?' I felt my heart rate gradually slow, the boisterous voice strangely soothing.
That's cute. Trying to be all intimidating are we? Sakura's just in dormant form, in some deep chamber in your mind. She'll awake sooner or later, so don't worry your pretty little head.
A buzz of worry suddenly appeared in my mind, betraying her nonchalant words. Is there something she isn't telling me? Hmm... I brushed it off, making note to ask later. After all, it was her business and not mine. It wouldn't be right to pry.
'Well, okay. But really, I can't help but notice...' I retaliated with an insult, 'You have great talent Inner Sakura. Talent for being a complete ass.' There was a zing of indignation.
Don'tcha want answers or something? You'll never get them if you start paying me some real respect!
'...fine. I'm sorry, okay?' The amusement beneath my voice gave me away.
Are you kidding me? You're giving me such a shitty apology? I'll only overlook this once ya hear?!
A probing sensation suddenly materialized in my mind, 'What are you doing Inner Sakura?!'
Oh, shut up. I'm just arranging your memories, dummy. Your head hurt before because Sakura's memories was forcibly transferring over. The reason you're acting like an amnesiac is because you haven't registered them yet. Come on, you didn't even know who I was! Now-
'Wait! I still have...have... Don't...'
Sleep.
0o0o0
When I awoke, I was faced with a peculiar feeling. It was preferable to the headache of course, but strange nevertheless. If I were to describe it in words, it would be like I had aged a few years somehow.
Memories that were Sakura's were now mine, and they were carefully interwoven into my collection of memories. Say, if I thought about animals, then it would have led to the animal-hunting trip Sakura went on. And if I thought about...
Oh, oh god no. My eyes widened in sudden horror and realization, throat constricting painfully. I trembled and swallowed thickly, hands tightly clenching the silky pink sheets surrounding me.
H-how?
Everything w- was just a cruel joke. I mean, this was taking this a bit too far isn't it? I was currently Sakura Haruno. Haruno! Someone supposedly from a fictional world! What a compete far-
Hate to break it to you honey, but this is all real.
'What... What was I going to do then?! Even though Sakura was practically useless, she had a main part in the actual plot! A god- A plot!'
Well, last time I checked I wasn't part of any fucking fictional plot. I'm real. R-E-A-L. Now get that through your thick skull!
'O-okay. Let's say that you are real. What am I going to do then? A stranger! In her body! And besides, weren't you her sharing her body before? Why aren't you concerned about her at all?!' I covered my wail with a pillow, adding a few hoarse, panicked screams into it as well. To my embarrassment, I also felt tears prick my eyes.
What does that have- have to do with anything? I care! We've always been together, damn it! What'd you expect?! I'm really dealing with a moron here... *sigh* Make use of Sakura's memories, and soldier your way through the plot! You died once, and God apparently gave you a second chance. You're supposed to make fucking use of it! Not squander it like some piece of trash! This is Sakura's body, and I want her to actually return to it!
'I know, I know. But is it so bad that I want to stay out of everything? I'm just a simple girl, after all. I- I didn't ask to die! Now, I've lost all the people that I love! I'll never see my mother, little sis, or my older brother anymore! I miss them... So much... Besides, ha! Ahahahaha! You must be crazy if you think I can last a second in this blood-crazed world. A wimp like me can't possibly be a shinobi!'
Did ya forget? You have me! The one and only, Inner Sakura! I'll help you survive even if it blows this presence to bits! So stop moping around like some broody punk! You're not the only one who's operating in dire situations you know? I have my problems, and you have yours! Yet you don't see be being a little downer about everything! Start putting on your big girl pants on and deal!
'No! It's not that simple! I've lost...everything. You- How can you know what I feel? You're just a voice!' I fling off the suddenly too hot sheets, curling up into a ball.
'Y- You can't just expect me to play super hero and save the two of you. I- I'm just power-' I stopped abruptly, another realization gradually dawning. There... There were other powerless, innocent characters who were going to die, and here I was, acting like I was the only person living in the world. Stupidstupidstupid. But what about them? Who was going to care about them? I knew what was going to happen, yet I made no effort at all to help.' I swallowed thickly.
...they're not just characters, you realize. People, made out of flesh and blood, is what they are. I've told you. We're not part of a fictional plot.
I chose not to reply.
Char- No, people, were also trying their hardest to survive, and I was just being blinded by my own selfish needs. I had put aside their determination and now, I was just so... Ugh, I was heartless. Besides, their daily lives practically revolved around loss! I was just being a stubborn little kid, adamant on believing only what she wanted to believe.
You know what? Screw the consequences. The most I could do is live Sakura's life properly and save as much people as I possibly could. I was no heroine...but I could at least try. Trying was something that even I could do.
'Inner Sakura, you're right. Th... Thanks.' Inner Sakura was really starting to earn my respect...
That's exactly right brat!
...and there it went. I mentally rolled my eyes. 'Weren't we over name-calling?'
Haha. Not a chance, ya little shit.
'Why you-'
"Sakura! Time to get up!" a loud feminine voice called from downstairs.
"..."
What are you waiting for idiot? Reply!
"Sakura?"
"Y-yes moth- mom!" I stumbled over my words in a hurry to get them out of my throat. Somehow...hearing the voice of Sakura's mother made me pause, reminding me of my own. I set those thoughts aside, knowing exactly what would happen if I lingered; runny noses and tears. I didn't want to create a mess I couldn't clean up.
Stepping out quickly from the warm bed, I yawned and stretched, feeling my bones pop satisfyingly. After making my bed, I padded over to the bathroom and looked in the mirror. A grimace slowly made it's way to my face. As expected, it was weird.
I shook off the feeling and splashed water on my slightly swollen eyes, starting on my daily routine.
Walking out of the bathroom, I was suddenly faced with another dilemma. Dresses? Worn them about five times in my whole life- complete truth. They simply had way too much drag and were...impractical. Rummaging through my closet, I managed to find a nice, red kimono-styled shirt and a fish net one. Slipping both on along with Sakura's usual black shorts and weaponry, I was pretty much taken care of.
Though when I tried to walk out the room, Inner screeched at me to stop.
Eliza! What do you think you're doing?! Why are you going out like that?
What do you mean? I think I look perfectly fine.
Your hair is like a rat's nest! Sakura would never walk out like that!
Huh? Come on, Inner. It's not that bad.
At least put a comb through it! Please, I begging you! At least I want to look pretty!
Okay, okay. Don't panic. I'll go back and brush it. Hey, I'll even put it up! Happy?
Honestly, Inner was making a fuss over nothing. If we were actually going to this military academy, tangled hair was nothing. It was going to get messed up anyways, so why bother? Well, I can agree with putting up, but that's it. Eh...maybe I was just being lazy.
You better.
True to my words, I brushed my hair and pinned it up into a sleek bun, even hiding a few senbon through it. It couldn't hurt to be over prepared. Hehe, if anyone tries to grab my hair, they'll be in for a nasty little surprise!
Imagine their faces contorted in surprise and pain, never expecting such a level of pure genius! I smirked to myself and tied the forehead protector on the table like a headband.
You're sick.
'Whatever Inner.' I shook my head, walking down the stairs and smiling a greeting at Sakura's mother. "Good morning...mom."
She beamed at me, "Good morning, Sakura. Breakfast is on the table if you want it." I nodded absentmindedly and grabbed an apple from the table. "Oh! I almost forgot. Sakura, your father and I will be going out for a business trip again. Don't forget to lock the doors, and take care of yourself! Don't let any boys in either! Especially that Sasuke of yours..."
I smiled at her again and nodded my understanding, mentally making gagging noises. Waving at her from the door, I headed out, munching heartily on the apple. Finishing it in a dozen or so large bites, I licked my lips and wiped the sweet juice dribbling down my chin.
Sakura really has nice parents... How nice. Now, getting to the academy...
"Oof!" Who..?
0o0o0
Well, left you guys a cliff hanger! I really hope I do Eliza's feelings justice, so please tell me if it feels like she's too accepting or flat. Pushing criticism aside, you guys are awesome! So many favorites, follows, and reviews in just a few days? Mind blown.
Reviews would really make my day!
