Chapter 1
Hey Inner Sakura's thughts
Hey Sakura's thoughts
I do not own NARUTO !
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Sakura's POV
"Sakura, you have now completed my training. You may have even surpassed me. Congratulations!" my mentor praised me warmly with a soft smile.
"Thank you, Shishou!" I replied happily. 'Maybe I can go find Ino and have a nice cup of tea with her, and we can talk about the old days.'
You sound so old saying that.
Shut up Inner. I'm you too, so you just called yourself old.
And you just told yourself to shut up.
Shut u-! You know what, never mind.
I stopped talking to my Inner and realized that I had reached Ino's parent's flower shop. Suddenly, someone rushed past me.
"Whoa there, Ino-pig, slow down. Now tell me, why are you running out dressed like that?" I reprimanded.
"Didn't you hear?" said Ino, panting slightly. "Sasuke Uchiha is back! You better get going if you want to see him, Forehead. Forehead? Sakura, are you listening to me?"
I can't believe that Uchiha has the nerve to come back after what had happened all those years ago. No wonder Ino's wearing that skimpy outfit. Are you going to be dressed like that?
Nani?! No way! I don't even like Uchiha anymore.
Well anyways, you better go see him at least. He is, after all, your former teammate.
You're right, as always. I better get going.
I ran off, Ino following close behind yelling at me for ignoring her.
As we got near the gates, we could hear the fan girls screaming.
After all Uchiha did, they still adore him. Maybe you could let me come out and kick him in the balls.
No. I remember what happened the last time I let you out.
Flashback
It was the night before Christmas. Everyone was sleeping, except for a choice few, me included.
Yo. Sakura, let me out. Just for a bit, I mean it is Christmas.
Alright, alright, fine. But just for half of the night, okay?
'What can go wrong?' I had thought. Well, many things apparently.
First, Inner Sakura went to a bar. She got insanely drunk and trashed the whole place with her super strength. Then she intimidated some poor young man to pay for the damage. After that, she went to the town square and almost knocked down the gigantic Christmas tree that rose majestically from the center of the village. It took both Tsunade and Kakashi to calm her down. By the time I became sober, Inner had released me. I was left to deal with the aftermath.
"What's wrong with you, Sakura?" Tsunade thundered. "The Sakura I know would never get drunk, let alone make another person pay for her mistakes!"
"Yes, Sakura, I have never known for you to do this. What's happening? Is it depression? Anxiety?" Kakashi questioned. "Because if anything's wrong, I want to be the first to know, okay?"
"Stop worrying about me!" I retorted. "Everything is fine, okay? Leave me alone!"
That was when my troubles started. After word got out that I had gotten drunk, people started to be more wary around me. Even Naruto was nervous whenever I approached him. The only people who treated me normally were Ino and Hinata, but they were always training with their teammates and rarely hung out with me anymore.
End Flashback
Yeah. Maybe it is better if I don't come out. I am technically the source of all your problems, aren't I?
Yes, yes you are. Now stop talking to me.
"Sasuke! Marry me! Please!"
"We love you Sasuke!"
"He's mine! Not yours, not anybody else's!"
"No, Sasuke definitely likes me better!"
Ah. That reminds me of our genin days.
Feeling nostalgic?
A little bit maybe. Just go say hi so we can leave.
Obeying my inner, I pushed to the front of the crowd, the girls complaining about me "cutting in line."
"Get out of my way before I kill you all!"
I sighed. Ino could get very scary if you are in her way.
"I'm sorry, but I have to go see him. He is my former teammate," I apologized for Ino. "You'll all get your chance to propose to him later."
"That was a joke wasn't it? Because I think they took it seriously," Ino whispered to me.
I face palmed. Was I really such an idiot when I was a Sasuke fan girl?
Yes. You were. No doubt about it.
Did I ask for your opinion? No.
Party pooper.
"Hey Sasuke! Welcome back!" I said with a fake smile. "I'm guessing you killed Orochi-pedo, right?"
"Hn," he replied.
Wow. Same as ever I guess.
"Well then, I'm just going to leave, okay? See you some other time!" I turned to leave, instead running into Naruto.
"Aw, come on Sakura-chan! Why don't you come have ramen with us!" he whined.
"No. I have work to do. I'll see you tomorrow for training, though. See you soon!" I said, actually leaving this time. "Hey Ino. Are you coming with me?"
She was standing next to Sasuke with hearts in her eyes. I was surprised to see that the whole Konoha 11 was there, and Tenten and Hinata were both blushing at the sight of Sasuke.
Hm. Interesting. Tenten and Hinata both have miniature crushes on Sasuke. And here I thought Tenten liked Neji and Hinata liked Naruto. Interesting.
That is interesting. I better warn Hinata and Tenten. They need to get rid of that crush.
Oh, Sakura, are you jealous?
Psh. No. I just don't want them to feel the heartbreak I did.
I walked home, thinking all the way. Sasuke was looking at me weirdly. I wonder what he's up to.
Nothing good I bet.
Sasuke never does anything good.
Hm. You're right. What happened today, you're never this smart.
Inner. Stop talking now.
Hn. You never listen to me.
There's a reason you're on the inside, and I'm outside.
She shut up after that. When I got back home, I realized that I had no food. I was really hungry, but the closest restaurant was Ichiraku's.
Darn it! You can't go there! Sasuke's probably there with Naruto and Kakashi-sensei!
I know, but I'm really hungry.
Fine, darling. Your loss.
Bracing myself for the worst, I trekked toward Ichiraku's. When I arrived, I noticed that the only customer was Anko, who was eating her dango. Whew. Turns out Sasuke didn't want to come her to eat.
Spoke too soon.
"Sakura-chan! I guess you decided to join us after all!" Ugh. Naruto's here and Sasuke and Kaka-sensei are most likely right behind him.
"Shut up, dobe," Sasuke commanded.
Right again, Inner.
You owe me 5 bucks.
I never agreed to a bet!
Whatever.
It's not like I can pay you anyways.
Touché.
"What did you say, teme?" Naruto yelled.
"Both of you, stop fighting!" I screeched, annoyed.
"Hn. You shouldn't be talking. You're weak and annoying," Sasuke said.
I was appalled, to say the least. Then the person I expected least to reply said something that made my blood go cold.
"Yeah! Sakura-chan, you've gotten weaker since that, umm, incident."
At Naruto's remark I became livid, but I was sad as well. I never would have thought that Naruto would insult me, especially since this time it was intentionally.
"Now, now boys. I'm sure Sakura has been training at least a little bit. Though I did notice that she has been slacking off at the hospital. You're sure there's nothing wrong?" The last sentence was directed by Kakashi toward me.
Unable to reply due to the lump rising in my throat, I ran away as fast as I could (which was pretty fast), tears forming in my eyes.
"Tch. See, you are weak," Sasuke taunted.
His words echoed in my ears as I fled for the safety of my home. Luckily, Inner was silent the whole time. I don't think I could have kept her in.
When I got home, I collapsed on my bed in a fit of tears. Maybe I should leave the village. No, never mind. They would notice immediately, and try to send Naruto after me. I finally figured out that I have been treated as a little girl. I never got the most difficult missions. Oh well, it's only Sasuke and Naruto who think I'm weak. If I avoid them and stay with my other friends, I'll be able to cope.
The Next Day
I woke up refreshed. I was able to sleep pretty well last night, due to Inner's reassurance that my plan would work. I decided to go find Hinata and Ino to train. On my way to the Hyuga complex I saw Kiba. He was acting strange. I waved to him but he looked at me in disappointment.
"Hey Kiba, what's wrong?" I inquired.
"Sakura, I know you were sad when Sasuke left, but you could have tried harder," he said.
What? Could have tried harder at what?
He probably thinks you could've tried to get over Sasuke. Maybe he wants to go out with you. It's not the first time.
"No Kiba, I won't go out with you, get over it." I pushed past him.
"What are you talking about?" Kiba asked, confused. "I meant that you stopped training. Face it Sakura, you've gotten weaker and weaker."
Dang it! That means Sasuke has already told at least 1 person how "weak" I am. Better go find Ino and Hinata and see what they've heard. Walking around, lost in thought, I hadn't realized that I was nearing Hinata's house.
I was watching the guards when Hinata walked out with Neji.
"Hey Hinata, look, it's that weakling Sakura," Neji said.
"Y-y-yes. S-s-sakura, why haven't y-you trained h-harder?" Hinata stuttered.
"Hinata. How could you believe those lies that Sasuke told you?" I asked. "I thought you were my friend."
"I'm sorry Sakura, but I noticed it too. You were getting easier to beat in our spars. I just had to accept it," Hinata said.
Oh no. My best friend just admitted I was weak. My life is over. I hope Ino will be at home to console me.
"Fine Hinata. Maybe we shouldn't be friends anymore," I said agonizingly. "I'll stay away from you from now on."
As I walked away, I heard Neji mumble to Hinata, "Stay away from her. She's not worthy of interacting with a Hyuga of your status."
I was downright depressed now. I need to find Ino. When I got to the flower shop I saw that she was working in the front today.
"Hey Ino, let's go spar together!" I called out.
"Sorry, I'm going to train with Shikamaru today," said Ino. "You're just a little beneath my level, you know?"
What? Now Ino has heard that I'm weak, and she believes Sasuke!
"Why Ino? Aren't you my best friend ever? Why would you do this to me?" I cried out.
"Sakura, just accept your fate. I think it's time you stopped being a ninja. You just don't have the skills or determination."
I'd like to say that I stood up for myself. Instead, I ran away crying my eyes out.
It's okay Saku. We'll move on from this.
How could they? They were my best friends, almost sisters. I thought I could get through this, but I can't. I'm leaving tomorrow. I'll be a rogue ninja, or I'll join the Akatsuki. I'll come back someday to take my revenge.
'Atta girl! Come on, pick up the pieces and meld them back together. Now go take a walk in the forest to clear your head and make a plan, okay?
Sure. Whatever you say Inner.
I walked toward the village on the outskirts of town. It was really quiet, almost too quiet. Suddenly, a whoosh was heard. I looked around warily, scanning the bushes for any sudden movements.
Behind you!
Thanks.
I turned around and saw Itachi and Kisame, wearing their Akatsuki cloaks with the ugly hat. I mean seriously, hats are out of fashion right now, shouldn't they know that?
Saku. Concentrate!
Oh yeah.
"What are you doing here this close to Konoha? Are you here for the Kyubi?" I inquired quickly.
"No," Itachi responded. Oh how I hate his voice. It's just so much like Sasuke's, emotionless and flat.
"To elaborate on what my partner here said, we are actually here for you. Our leader wants you to join the Akatsuki," Kisame said with his shark-like smile. "He has been interested in you, and due to what is happening in Konoha, we decided this was a good time to ask you to join."
How does he know about what's going on?
Oh who cares. This is the perfect chance. Should we leave with them?
I don't know, you choose.
"Give me one day to make my choice. If I decide to join, I will be waiting here tomorrow at noon," I dictated.
"Alright," Kisame grinned again. "See you."
On my way home, I thought about their offer. Then an ANBU poofed in my way and said that Shishou wants to see me.
"Shishou, you called?" I called into the room.
"Yeah, yeah, I heard from Sasuke that you are weak. Since he is a fullfledged, ANBU-level shinobi, I agree with him and order that you train more from now on. You may leave," Tsunade mumbled incoherently. I could still understand it though, and was stunned. Not strong enough? Train more? Weak?
Girl, let's join Akatsuki!
For once I totally agree with you.
I ran out the door, rushing home so I could pack. Then I went to sleep.
The Next Day, Noon
I waited nervously in the clearing, wondering when the two would arrive. Just as I was thinking about leaving and coming back in a few minutes, they arrived.
"You ready, Pinky?" Kisame asked.
"As ever, Fish Sticks," I retorted.
"Oh, feisty, I see," he teased.
I ignored him.
I turned around and looked at Konoha one last time as I took out my kunai knife and drew a jagged line through the metal of my headband.
"Goodbye Konoha," I whispered softly.
"Let's go," Itachi said. We ran swiftly through the trees, heading toward my new future. My new home hopefully.
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