EDIT NUMBER 2. HERE GOES NOTHING! ONWARD~
- 4 Years Later -
Why can't she sleep? Everyday for the last three years everything has been the same. She would lay in bed staring at her ceiling as she remembered the events of what happened that day. The day that her life changed and she could do nothing to stop it. Once she began thinking she couldn't make her brain stop working, so she would just lay there. If she did get to sleep, she would inevitably end up with a nightmare. If and when that happens she would get up and train her self so hard she will feel nothing but the adrenaline that spreads through her body.
She had just woken up from one of those particularly nasty nightmares, flashes of the dream made her clench her eyes shut willing not a sound to exit her mouth. She wanted to scream and cry and shout to the sky, but that would only make the nice people who adopted her more worried. She was twelve now, just graduated from the ninja academy. That was old enough to be able to handle herself, right? She shouldn't still be having these stupid dreams. Turning onto her side, she glanced at the small clock at her bedside. It was good enough, maybe she can get in a few hours to train before her sensai got there. He was notorious at being late, after all.
Slowly, she climbed out of bed and headed to the shower. Maybe the cold water will help clear her head. It was going to be a long day...
She was the only one at training field 13. She kind of figured she would be, it's only 0400. The sun was barely rising and Kakashi did say to meet at 0600, so maybe by 1000 he'll decide to grace everyone with his presence.
She started with stretching, maybe a morning jog will get her out of this funk. She was wearing a long red top that goes to mid thigh with a black tank top underneath, the symbol of her clan was stitched boldly in white on her back. She wore black leggings that stopped at mid-calf with red ninja sandals on her feet. The Hitai-ate that she worked so hard for was tied in her long pink hair like a headband, the hair that was in a ponytail.
She was just so tired. She wished she can get a decent nights rest. Just once! Maybe coming out here wasn't such a good idea, she lay down on the grass slowly, staring up at the lightening sky, she loved watching the sun rise.
She gasped, and sat upright, as the cool breeze of the crisp morning air passed by her slightly flushed cheeks. Had she dozed off?!
Twelve year old Yakushi Sakura sat against one of the large trees on the training ground. Her long pink hair blowing as wind passed her by, regaining her composure her tired green eyes distant, remembering what had brought her here.
It was a day after the graduates of the ninja academy learned who their teammates and new sensai's were. She was a little relieved when she saw her mentor and friend was their team leader. She was slightly disappointed when she saw the rest of team seven consisted of Uchiha Sasuke, she thought he was a arrogant jerk, who cares for no one, and Uzamaki Naruto, she has nothing against Naruto, not really, but he was childish, and immature.
So now, a day later, their new sensai told them to meet at this specific bridge without eating breakfast. Yea... like she'll trust the guy who made her run twenty-five laps around Konoha two years ago in the cold and on a full stomach, so she ate.
She loved Kakashi, or at least, loved him as much as she can love someone. He has been working with her since day one. Helping her with the unusual seal that was given to her, helping her cope and train until she was exhausted and ready to collapse. She didn't know what she would do without him, she didn't want to think what would of happened if he wasn't there.
"Sakura-chan!"
Sakura sighed, and turned around with a small smile on her face, "Hey Naruto."
Twenty-six year old Hatake Kakashi stood at attention in front of the third Hokage of Konoha, for once his little orange book no where to be seen as he waited for the village leader to start talking.
"There have been talk, Kakashi. People have been coming in my office with concerns of a fluctuating amount of chakra coming from inside the village. We have both felt it too, the chakra that was sealed inside her is straining to come out. It's taking its toll on her. We are at this moment privileged with the presence of two of the legendary Sannin's, the first time they've been together in years and even they came to me with worries! Tsunade-chan never expresses concern anymore!"The Hokage looked at the man in front of him, his hand coming up to rub at his eyes.
"This cannot continue to happen. Sooner or later she will be killed because someone will sense it coming from her, or, the chakra will build up in her so much that it explodes. I cant prevent anyone from sensing the chakra because its to strong and there is nothing I can do with that seal on her. This chakra is becoming to dangerous for her young body to handle. I thought you were training her?!"
Kakashi attempted to hide his scowl, "With all due respect, Hokage-sama." He said quietly, "but I've been training her for nearly four years... She has surpassed almost all of the gennin in her graduating class, besides Uchiha Sasuke, but their grades were close, and if Uzamaki Naruto tried harder and stopped with the pranks and trained some more all three of them could be the best.
"She is not weak Hokage-sama. She has mastered almost every jutsu I have taught her, and then some. Her mental will strengthened as opposed of her wanting to die nearly two years ago. You do remember that period of her young life, Hokage-sama?" Kakashi paused,
The Hokage listened intently,
"When I was the only one there for her at the time, because her foster 'parents' were out on a mission the seal nearly killed her, but she survived. She is far from weak, Hokage-sama" He sighed, "I think the three of them will be good for each other. They will protect each other like a family."
"Kakashi, what do you expect me to do?" The third asked neutrally, "The shinobi of this village are getting suspicious that something bad is happening. The Chakra is making the ninja high-strung. They are anticipating something. Something that I can not tell them of."
Kakashi stood there, staring at the Hokage stoically.
"Its either kill her yourself, or someone else will find her chakra and kill her. We cannot let something like this jeopardize the village."
"Hokage -sama." Kakashi started, "What if we help her use up some of her chakra. She does have perfect chakra control, if she can use some of it up each day, do you think maybe she will be able to handle it?"
"What do you propose Kakashi?"
"Tsunade-sama of the three sannin is a med-nin right?" Kakashi paused for a reaction, none came, "Cant she train Sakura?"
"I will see, it is up to my old student to decide"
"Thank you Hokage-sama"
Kakashi bowed in respect and exited the office.
'I am sorry Sakura... but it is for the sake of this village, and the sake of your mental health..'
The Third went back to his paper work.
"Itachi-san."
The seventeen year old teenager turned to the voice. His fists clenched at his side, he can't wait to kill this man.
"You have your duties. You know what to do."
"Yes, leader." Itachi headed towards the door, "it will be done."
Kakashi sat in a tree watching his three new students interact. It was amusing, maybe he should wait up here for a little longer...
Uzamaki Naruto was pacing back and fourth, rambling on about ramen and how much he wished he didn't miss breakfast.
Uchiha Sasuke was leaning against the fence of the bridge, hands in pockets. His head was turned upward to the sky, like he was wishing for more patience.
Yakushi Sakura was sitting cross legged on the floor, staring into space.
None of them spoke a word to each other. He will have to change that.
Kakashi sighed, and checked the sun. It was about 7 in the morning. One hour after he told them to come. He's early.
He jumped down onto the bridge, his three students turned to him.
Naruto and Sakura pointed a finger at him.
"YOU'RE LATE!" The said in unison.
Kakashi grinned slightly, "Sorry I got lost on the road to life-"
Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura scowled.
"Liar!" The two latter shouted, "Tell the truth, sensei!" Naruto all but growled.
Two figures jumped down from a tree in front of the hidden leaf village's gate. Wrapped in a black cloak with red clouds going to their knees, and a straw hat with a chiming bell hanging from it. The shorter of the two stepped forward into the space of the gate guards.
"State your business." One of the chuunins said nervously, he heard rumors about ninja in black cloaks with red clouds and none of them were good.
With one swift movement, both guards fell to the ground headless. The man turned around annoyed and looked at his companion, eyebrow raised.
Samehada was drawn by his partner Hoshigaki Kisame, The sword was feeds off of the chakra it absorbs when used. The man was a formidable opponent.
"By the bridge." Itachi uttered, sensing the seal he placed all those years ago.
Kisame nodded and followed the boy into his home village.
"You boys are so dense." Sakura muttered, looking down at the head of Sasuke, his body buried underground. "This didn't have to happen if you had just listened to me!"
Sasuke scowled, "Get me out of here already Sakura."
She gave a slight nod, and her hands immediately formed into hand seals. The ground around the young Uchiha spread apart, and Sasuke jumped out.
"Lets do this together, Sasuke." She crossed her arms in front of her chest and gave him an expectant stare.
The avenger smirked a little, "hn."
Sakura took that as a yes and they took off to find Kakashi, sensing his and Naruto's chakra not too far away from them.
A explosion sounded as soon as they got into the clearing where their teammate and sensai was, in front of the two young gennin. Skidding to a halt, Sasuke and Sakura backed up a couple of feet, confused.
Sakura gasped, as the seal on her back burned hot, burning a whole in the material it was hiding in. The girl bent over, gasping in pain. It hasn't done that in years.
Sasuke stared at the seal in wonder, and shock. He has never seen something like that before. Kakashi and Naruto arrived at their sides then, Kakashi bending down to help straighten his student.
"Shit." Kakashi swore, "he's here"
"Who?" Naruto and Sasuke asked, confused.
"Uchiha...Itachi..." Sakura mumbled, blinking around the dust in the air.
Sasuke froze. Had he heard correctly?
"Well, well. I would of never guessed my little brother would be on the same team as the Kyuubi and Haruno Sakura."The soft, mocking voice sent chills down everyone's spines.
'That voice..' Sasuke stared in horror, as his older brother and a shark looking man stepped up to them.
"Haruno?" Naruto questioned.
"Give us the Haruno and no one shall die." The shark man said.
Sakura stood straighter, "H-Here..to finish the job you started all those years ago huh?" she said weakly.
"Job?!" Sasuke asked, confused.
"You want that seal off you Haruno?" Itachi asked, impassively ignoring his brother, "I've been feeling whats been happening."
"No...if it comes off... it can destroy everyone.." She whispered.
Naruto and Sasuke froze.
"Leave here Itachi! Sakura isn't your toy to play with anymore!" Kakashi shouted.
"Who are you to tell me what to do Hatake?"
"The day you left my student to die in her own self pity!"
Sakura's head turned towards the ground, not wanting to meet anyone's eyes. It was the truth.
Sasuke and Naruto looked at her incredulously.
Sasuke was shaking violently, he was about to step forward and charge at his brother but Sakura held him back.
"If you want to Kill me...Itachi...then kill me and end my miserable life" She muttered, stepping forward.
Her three teammates froze.
Itachi smirked, "Well young Kunoichi, sorry to disappoint. I'm not here to kill you.."
"Then why...?"
Kisame spoke up, "Our leader takes interest in you. He wished to meet you."
Kakashi narrowed his eye and stood protectively in front of Sakura, "Akatsuki will not take Sakura."
Kisame appeared in front of the only blond there, and grabbed him. No one even saw him move.
"Give me Haruno or the Kyuubi container gets it." The shark man stared at all of the impassively, "We do not need him yet."
Sakura flinched.
Itachi's Sharingan stared at Kakashi, and Kakashi lifted his forehead protector to the rightful position, but diverted his eyes.
"Don't stare at his eyes Naruto!" Kakashi shouted.
Naruto, as confused as ever, complied, and struggled against the sharks grip.
Sasuke charged at Itachi then, and threw a fist which was easily blocked and countered with a elbow to the ribs. Itachi took a step foward, hoping to knock his brother out but then -
"NO WAIT!" She shouted, staring in horror, "I-I'll go! Stop hurting them!"
Everyone faced her. She ran out from behind Kakashi and stood in the middle of the men.
"Leave Naruto and Sasuke alone!" She sniffed, her nose was dripping, "take me and leave them be."
By this time, a squad of ANBU entered the clearing, some froze as they watched Itachi calmly walk up to Sakura, kicking his brother out of the way. Before Kakashi could react both Konoha nin, and Missing Nin vanished, Kisame soon after, using his Samehada to absorb the boys chakra.
Kakashi fell to his knees, what just happened? That wasn't supposed to happen this way!
A member of the ANBU unit came to check on him while two more went to his students. The rest went to go report to the Hokage, knowing giving chase was not going to work.
TBC...