Chapter 2
"I would've never imagined that she would awaken so quickly."
Sarutobi said, looking at the unconscious girl sleeping on the bed. After calling the nurse, Tsunade, with the strength the boys always thought she had, had carried the unconscious rosette towards the clinic. The boys had followed, but by the time they had gotten there, they had already locked the doors, while Shizune, the school nurse and Tsunade's secretary, spoke together with the blonde in hushed whispers.
After tending to Sakura, Tsunade had immediately called Sarutobi and within the hour, the previous school principal was already there.
"Yes, I thought that it would be at least a week or month until that time, but the moment I lifted the sheet off the case, I noticed the change was already starting to take place, that's why I shooed the boys-"
Tsunade's eyes widened and she smirked.
"The boys, they saw her and they must've…"
Tsunade could have almost laughed at the irony if not for the sleeping girl in the room.
Sarutobi smiled and chuckled, his wooden pipe in hand.
"Yes, those boys, I knew they were different. Finding her so quickly and falling in love with her at first sight is just extraordinarily rare. I know that she'll finally be 'complete' if she is within their company."
Tsunade composed herself and smirked deviously.
"Yes, this year has finally gotten quiet interesting."
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Emerald green eyes slowly open and blinked at the brightness of the room, she had remembered waking up and losing consciousness, then hearing hushed familiar voices. Groaning, she slowly sat up and looked around. She was in a simple room, with white walls and a light green tiled floor. The window was open and a sweet summer breeze wafted in, the wind blowing the transparent green curtains. Sakura looked down to see herself in a pale blue shirt and white short shorts.
Suddenly realizing something, she lifted her hand in front of her face and flexed her fingers. She looked with awe and gently pulling the covers away from her body, she slowly stood up and just stood there. She took a step forward and smiled.
"I-I'm…awake…"
She said, her voice hoarse and dry. She looked around and saw a pitcher of water and a glass beside it and poured herself some water, drank it to sate her parched throat and lips.
"I could…drink…"
She whispered as if stating a secret. Suddenly feeling a hot surge of excitement and joy, she walked towards the window, and felt the breeze caress her beautiful face. Her pink locks danced with the wind and the sun kissed her being in a brilliant shower of gold.
Suddenly, she turned around slowly to the door, and her yes met with a warm pair of honey colored irises. Recognition fell, and Sakura smiled before launching herself at the buxom blonde, who in turn held her tightly against her slightly taller frame.
"Tsunade! Tsunade…I…I'm finally-"
"-Awake? I'm so happy to finally get to hold you again my little niece."
Sakura smiled teary eyed and nodded.
"Yes… but how?"
Sakura asked, as she gently pulled away. Tsunade hid her knowing smirk with a smile. She led Sakura back to her bed as Tsunade rolled in a cart with food. Sakura's tummy suddenly growled with hunger, and the younger blushed slightly in shallow embarrassment. While eating, Tsunade was informing Sakura about how the world had changed. Though Sakura knew, she wasn't at times right, so Tsunade had corrected her. She also told Sakura about how she got here and who brought her here.
"So much has changed… and I have missed so much. It's quite depressing."
Sakura said, suddenly feeling a bit sad and empty. After staying in the darkness for 4 years, according to Tsunade, it had made her miss out on so much. Tsunade felt pity for the girl and held her close again.
"Don't worry, I promise you you'll be there for the rest of it. You'll never be alone again."
Sakura nodded, feeling safe. Tsunade was her paternal aunt, the sister of her father. They had been very close, ever since she was 'born'. After cleaning up, Sakura took a bath and Tsunade gave her some clothes.
After changing, she looked at her clothes in the mirror; simply fitted stripped red and white long sleeves, a pair of cream colored skinny jeans and red tennis shoes. The clothes hung her figure quite well and it made Tsunade beam in pride.
"You look like your mom. But you get your bust size from me!"
Tsunade hollered in laughter and after assuring Sakura that she didn't have to hide her hair (as she had a very unusual hair color) the two set out to explore the school.
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The six teens sat in silence, watching the movie with disinterest. After coming back from the most shocking thing they have ever witnessed, they were all bent on questioning their drunk of a principal about what happened, but they were already locked out of the infirmary.
Naruto lay down on his bed, and stared at the ceiling. He had caught a glimpse of the girl and wow. If she had been beautiful enough as a doll, as a living person, she was gorgeous, no, ethereal. Her slim and curvy frame, ivory colored skin that shone like alabaster in the sunlight, her gorgeous long pink locks that tumbled down in waves, her full pink and plump lips…she was so damn beautiful.
He wasn't the only one thinking like that. The others couldn't believe it if they hadn't seen it for themselves. A doll, turning into a human in mere seconds, it was unfathomed and quite frankly, impossible. Sasuke had seen the girl as well, and he hasn't seen anyone as beautiful as her in his entire lifetime. Neji sat there thinking of how she could have easily been passed off as an angel. Gaara was awestruck. The sudden change of the beautiful doll to a girl had shocked him. He knew there was something strange about that shop, but now, even if he witnessed it first hand, he was still so confused. And being confused was never like Gaara. Kiba was playing with a ball, tossing it in the air continuously. Sure, he probably wasn't so serious. He couldn't have possibly fallen in love with a doll. But, the moment Tsunade lifted that cloth; he knew that something was going to happen to him. Something wonderful… And it did, he had truly fallen in love with a doll, but, maybe now, since she's an actual human being…may, just maybe… he thought, then smiled goofily.
Shikamaru was taking it surprisingly well. He already knew the story, so he knew that it was possible, having seen it himself. He lay there on the couch, feigning sleep, thinking of Sakura, when a ring broke the silence. Naruto picked up his phone and placed it beside his ear.
"Shino? Oh, hey, what's up?"
"Naruto, you're never gonna believe this- Naruto, you have to come to the courtyard dude!"
"Choji, what are you talking about? And stop speaking all at once, I can't hear you."
Naruto, not being able to hear properly because of his two friends' arguing over who gets to tell him something so important, put it on speaker.
"Hey guys, you're on speaker."
"We saw Tsunade walking around the school with somebody we never saw before. We got curious so we kinda followed them. Man, I almost got a nose bleed dude! She is HOT, like extremely. And guess what? She had frickin' PINK hair!"
The six boys' eyes widened, and without even closing the TV, they rushed out, Naruto cutting the phone call short.
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Sakura wandered around the halls, fiddling with the new smart phone Tsunade had given her. Her aunt had to leave to take care of a few things, so Sakura was left on her own to explore. She had already memorized the halls and rooms of the enormous school and now all she wanted to do was to wander around some more, to feel…Alive again.
Taking the phone, she plugged in the head set and scanned through the music Tsunade had already put in there and chose something randomly.
Tonight is the one thing left,
And I haven't said it yet
I'm falling, and the writings on the wall…
Sakura felt the music, and began to hum, even if she didn't know it really well. Going up some stairs, she turned left and walked into an empty hall. Scanning the lockers, she almost danced at the beat of the music but not one to embarrass herself, just swayed a bit to the music. Stopping in front of an open window, Sakura stayed there and looked at the view. It was insanely pretty, with a clear open blue sky, the sun shining high above them; the trees surrounding the whole campus seemed to glow under the sunlight and the small figures of the students below, made it look like a painting that moved.
Sakura was so absorbed to look at the view that she didn't notice a group of students who were coming closer to where she was.
Secret Love, my escape…take me far, far away.
Secret Love, are you there…will you answer my prayer?
"Senpai, senpai, Tobi finished his homework since Tobi is a good boy!"
Sneakers squeaked on the polished tiles.
"Yeah? Then let me copy it."
The footsteps came closer, but Sakura couldn't hear them, as her music was blocking out any sounds.
Please take me anywhere but here…anywhere but here!
"But I can't, since that would be bad, and Tobi isn't a bad person."
"Tobi, you are too loud, please refrain from speaking so loud in the hall way. People might be disturbed."
A smooth, velvety like voice said. Someone scoffed.
"Oh come on Itachi, no one is here? They're all probably in class or something."
Itachi sighed, but stopped short when Tobi pointed out someone,
"No, there is! Look, look, Tobi see's a girl, a very, very pretty girl!"
Tobi said, jumping in his place excitedly as he pointed. The others looked at the direction to where he was pointing and while some gaped, some were just speechless.
Sakura was still oblivious to the people and just continued to hum gently, then having memorized the chorus, started to sing it softly.
"Secret Love, my escape, take me far, far away…Secret Love, are you there, will you answer my prayer? Please take me anywhere but here…"
A vibrate from her phone stopped her from signing, and she pulled it out of her pocket to see that Tsunade had texted her, to ask if she was hungry, so that they could have lunch together.
Sakura quickly texted back a reply, and was about to leave when someone's voice stopped her.
"You have a great voice."
Sakura spun around to see a group of teens, maybe just a bit older than her, were staring at her. Sakura looked at the blonde who was smiling at her, then came closer to her. Sakura felt uneasy. She had never seen these people before, and the fact that the blonde dude was still coming closer, she opted for ways to just run away from them.
"Hi, I've never seen you before, my name's Deidara, what's yours?"
Deidara said, taking her smooth pale hand, and lifting it to his lips, gave the back of her hand a kiss, before looking at her.
"Uh, my name's Sakura…"
Sakura said slowly and cautiously. Sure, Deidara was handsome, with slightly tanned skin, with his long blonde hair in a high ponytail and his lone blue eye twinkling with untold mischief, Sakura still didn't know him, so that just set of more flags to run away from the sensual blonde.
"Is there anything that you want from me?"
Sakura asked slowly, gently taking back her hand from Deidara's gentle grip.
Deidara looked shocked for a moment before smiling, an unknown emotion showing in his eyes.
"Oh nothing, can't I just introduce myself to a beautiful girl such as yourself?
"No fair! Deidara-senpai is taking the girl all by himself!"
With that, someone pushed away Deidara and a new face launched itself at Sakura's vision. Black spiky hair, pale smooth skin and a goofy but lovable grin spread across his face, his red eyes piercing her soul in the most innocent of ways, and a pair of goggles sat on top of his head, Sakura could feel that this one was way better company than Deidara.
"Hi Sakura-chan! My name is Tobi! And Tobi thinks that you are very pretty!"
Or not. Sakura smiled at him awkwardly before answering.
"Thank you, I guess?"
Tobi looked at her before squealing, then with incredible strength, lifted her and spun her around, making Sakura yelp at the sudden force crushing her smaller frame.
"Oh Sakura-chan's so cute! Hey, hey isn't she cute?!"
Tobi said, bringing her closer to the group of three who were giving her very interested glances.
"Yes she is cute, very cute, but Tobi, she couldn't breathe, so I suggest you let her go now before she faints."
Itachi said. The childish boy pouted before nodding and slowly let down the now scared girl, but none of it showed in her face.
"I apologize for my cousin, Sakura. My name is Itachi Uchiha, very nice to meet you."
Itachi said, putting out his hand for a hand shake. Sakura sighed inwardly, finally, someone a bit civilized, she thought. Shaking his hand in a firm yet gentle grip, she smiled at him, some of her hair getting in her face.
"It's very nice to meet you too, Itachi-san"
Sakura said, and was about to push her stray hair behind her ear, when Itachi lifted his hand and pushed it back for her, in a manner almost lovingly. Sakura blushed and quickly took back her hand. Itachi almost whined at the loss, but did so inwardly.
"U-Um, thanks, but you didn't have to do that."
"Itachi, isn't it proper to introduce her first to all before hoarding her for yourself, yes?"
A husky voice said behind him and Sakura inwardly groaned, not more of this, I just want to leave, she thought, and a new face appeared before her. He was tall, with maroon colored hair and hazel nut brown eyes. He was pale and very fit and he was smiling at her with a sort of recognition.
"Hello there sweet, my name is Sasori Akasuna."
Sakura could feel as though she's seen him before and looked at him, slightly confused,
"Hello, Sasori-san."
He smiled at her and traced her cheek to her jaw line in such a gentle manner, that Sakura froze on the spot,
"Such detail, and so delicate…you are truly like art, aren't you not, sweet?"
Sakura could now almost feel in her gut that she knew him from before,
"Sakura sweet, this is-"
"I can introduce myself Sasori."
An almost commanding, yet alluring voice shook Sakura out of her trance, and turned to face the last person in the small group. He was tall and muscular, with very pale skin and gorgeous orange hair that glinted under the light. His eyes were purple and ringed and on his face were piercings, snakebites, studs and a ring attached to his lower lip. Despite looking like a mafia boss, he was extremely handsome, like everybody else she had been introduced to so far. He was looking at her with enigmatic eyes and smiled at her slightly.
"Hello there cherry blossom, my name is Pein, such a pleasure to meet you."
He said and took her other hand that wasn't kissed by Deidara and did the same.
"Yeah, nice to meet you too."
A vibrate came from her phone and she knew that it was Tsunade that texted her.
Stepping away from the group, she bowed a bit,
"Well, it was nice to meet all of you, but I should get going. Bye!"
With that, Sakura sprinted down the hall, ignoring the cries of Deidara and Tobi.
"Wait yeah! What year are you in?!"
Deidara sighed when she disappeared as she took a turn towards the stairs.
"Well that was upsetting; we only got her name yeah."
The three other stoic males grunted, but remembered her ethereal appearance. Sasori could have sworn he had met her before, but just couldn't remember it. Pein was disappointed, he had only gotten her name, and then she disappeared. Itachi was looking at his hand and had on a dreamy look in his eyes. Tobi was pouting, when they all had a revelation to themselves.
I want her.
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"I'm going to school?"
Tsunade nodded and smiled at the girl's eagerness. Sakura's smile faded when she realized something.
"But, aunt Tsunade, I haven't even finished my studies before…"
"Oh, can't you remember? You were already abnormally smart, for a thirteen year old. You graduated at the age of nine from elementary school and skipped first, second and third year of high school. You were so smart that the teachers had nothing else to teach you, and you knew almost everything, from math, to science, foreign and Japanese literature and arts, social science and music, as well as Physical Ed; a child prodigy, you could say."
Sakura started slowly remembering and nodded.
"I could remember now…"
Tsunade smiled and ruffled her hair.
"Well, I for one am extremely proud of you."
Tsunade had already arranged for her to be enrolled into the school. It was a few weeks after the start of the first semester and the request was approved.
"I've taken care of everything. You'll be living in the dorms, but I couldn't arrange for you to be in the girls' dormitory, so you'll have to be in the co-ed dorm building. I'll support you since I'm now your legal guardian. I'll leave it up to you to go shopping tomorrow. You also have to buy your supplies in the mall. Your schedule is already fixed."
Handing her a slip of paper and a key.
"And you have to move in the dorm at least tomorrow. Oh, and your classes start next week."
Tsunade said, smiling at her accomplishments for the day. Sakura smiled at her gratefully,
"Thank you so much aunt Tsunade…"
Tsunade smiled and ruffled her hair.
"Well, I am filthy rich, and I don't have kids, you're the only one closest to that position, so why don't you just call me 'Mom' now huh?"
Sakura looked at her shocked and smiled tearfully.
"Okay, thank you so much, mom."
Sakura said, hugging her. Tsunade hugged her with just as much force and let her go.
"Well, from now on you are officially a seventeen year old fourth year high school student, living under my care."
Slipping to her a shiny black credit card, Sakura took it gratefully.
"Yeah, I am!"
"Oh, yeah, since you missed so much of your birthdays I'm giving you a few late birthday presents."
Leading her down to the School parking lot, Sakura's eyes widened at the sleek black Ferrari that Tsunade had presented to her. At the back seat, lay a few more bags. Shizune, who had been guarding the car, hugged Sakura fiercely.
"Sakura-chan, it's been such a long time! I missed you!"
Sakura hugged her back tightly,
"I missed you too, Shizune-nee."
Shizune was her mother's niece. When Sakura was five, Shizune was eleven. They were close as kids, and Sakura truly did miss the older girl,
"Thank you so much Tsu-, I mean mom, but you forgot that I don't know how to drive."
Tsunade just waved her hand,
"Then we'll get you a license, you're a fast learner, so you'll catch on."
Sakura sweat dropped at her care free attitude but smiled,
"Okay."
Just then, a shout was heard across the parking lot, and Sakura looked up to see a few boys running towards their direction,
"Tsunade baa-chan!"
