Chapter Two:
Waking up the next day, Sakura stretched and showered and thanked kami that her mother brought her clothes. Feeling still confused about everything, training could wait until tomorrow. The note took her attention. Deciding on civilian clothes, Sakura changed. A regular red V-neck t-shirt, and a skinny-fit black pants, cut right above the ankle. Parting her hair to the side and adding a red clip, Sakura felt good. Finally showering after a few days felt so good. Her stomach growled.
"Well, first things first is food."
Walking towards my home were a couple food stalls. Breathing in deeply, the scent of tempura caught my attention. Hospital food just does not compare. Walking right into the small stand, that was designed like the Ichikaru Ramen stand, I noticed a few differences. Instead of one row of seats in front of the counter, was a like a very small dining area. Four small tables decorated the room and bar seats lined the counter with little arm rests. A cozy place. Since the war I haven't been out at the newer restaurants.
"And what can I do for you miss?"
"Vegetable and Shrimp tempura please?"
"Coming right up!"
I sat down at the bar and inhaled the delicious scents that did not involve blood, and antiseptics.
A man with short green hair and dark blue eyes addressed me from behind, "Haruno Sakura?"
He was dressed oddly and had a dark blue cloak and gold earrings. The white designs on his cloak seemed foreign and seemed like it was from a faraway place.
I looked at him with a cautious look.
"Ah it is you, Tsunade's apprentice! The one chosen to set us free."
"I am sorry, who are you?"
"Oh you must not be fully awaken yet, please let us talk."
Hot green tea was placed in front of the two of them, "Green tea on the house, I heard you went up against the rabbit goddess, tea for you and your friend."
"Arigatou."
The server nodded and went back to the kitchen.
"You are as beautiful as the story said you would be. I cannot wait to take you back!"
"Excuse me?"
My hot bloodedness came and I looked at him, "Take me where? You can't be serious, who the hell are you?"
The server came back, diffusing the situation quickly, "Here's your order miss, and it came with miso soup and white rice."
I glanced at him and nodded politely.
"Oh manners too! You are a treat dearie!"
I glared at him, "Are you a psycho? I have no idea who you are or why you're saying these things. Either explain this to me now or I will pound it out of you."
The man just sat there staring at me with a smile plastered on his face and eyes closed.
I found it quite creepy and had my hand clenched and ready to attack him any moment.
"More sauce?"
The server came back out.
Glancing quickly to the waiter, "No thank you."
When I glanced back, he was gone. Standing up and looking around quickly did nothing, he just vanished.
Sighing, I went back to my food.
Just some crazy fan right?
Leaving a tip and money on the table I stealthy moved in the shadows to avoid people and friends. Not that I didn't like them, I just wanted to be home and in my room. I'd love to see them tomorrow, today is just one day to myself.
Arriving at my normal sized home, I looked at the door in relief, "Finally."
Collapsing on my green couch and stretching out. I checked my charka levels, which were normal but my charka pools seemed to be a little bigger. Maybe the exertion of that anomaly of power caused it. Maybe that's all it was, an anomaly that will never happen again. Looking at my bag on the floor I wondered. I molded my charka and expanded it throughout my house. If anyone was watching it would be through her windows. Well it would look suspicious to close my blinds and curtains so early in the day. Anbu is probably watching me for her safety and the odd charka that appeared.
Taking my bag to the bathroom upstairs, there were no windows in there. Complete privacy. It would make sense, to unpack a bag with shower items in the bathroom. Walking as casual and calmly as I could, I walked into the bathroom and shut the door. Pulling out various garments and items I found the neatly folded note.
My mother's beautiful hand writing lace the paper with grace and elegance.
Sakura,
By now you must be wondering what is going on. I never would have thought the genes were in this family. Your father's genes are quite different from many others. I didn't see the reason to mention it since you showed no sign of developing it. After so many generations the blood becomes diluted and when no signs are shown for so long, I assumed it had died out with your great great grandparents. Forgive me Sakura. We should have told you. It is a very long story that your father told me. I wish he could have, but he has been busy making preparations. To receive full power and control, there is a ceremony to be given to you, hence the unusual attire in your bag. Please come to the old shrine outside the walls. The one you use to ask if Ino could come along when you were younger. Bring the attire but put it in a bag, leave fully stocked for a long mission. It'll be cumbersome and we will be there for quite some time. We won't be in the protection of Konoha there. Do not be followed or watched. It is an ancient ceremony that cannot be viewed by others.
Love,
Your mother
PS There is a special object in your special attire, wear it before heading towards us. It'll help aid you.
Now this is out of the ordinary. A bloodline limit? Ancient ceremony? All the secrets? What the hell is going on? There's nothing on the Harunos in the archives. Nothing even suggesting any of this.
Frustrated and annoyed I picked up the shrine maidens outfit and unfolded it. A necklace fell out. A pink cherry blossom with one petal darker than the rest. It had a gold chain and a white diamond in the middle.
A little less annoyed from the beautiful necklace, I put it on and gazed at the mirror. It did suit me well. But I never received jewelry before. Maybe it was just part of asking for forgiveness from my parents, or part of the ceremony?
Sighing again, I unpacked everything and repacked a normal standard blue, ninja backpack and beige med-nin bag. Packing three changes of clothes, one ninja, one civilian and the bulky shrine maiden clothes. Soldier pills, medical treatments, energy balls, empty vials, antidotes, hair tie, medical bandages and solutions, weapons, food packets and two scrolls. Throwing a pen in for good measure and mini bottles of biodegradable shampoo and body wash, as I remembered a river close to the shrine.
Sakura wasn't sure how to feel, her mother, out of the blue talking about a power and ceremony, where the hell was she? This sprung on her so suddenly. Why was there some weird guy talking to her at the restaurant? The immense charka? There's no way, it has to be some sick joke. To cure the curiosity and possibly have a tantrum at her mother, Sakura decided sleep was best for tonight and tomorrow she will get it all cleared up.
.
.
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Drifting off to sleep and still feeling odd since the incident with Akatsuki, Sakura failed to notice anything. The air around her house was charged with sparks of charka, and a dark figure loomed near her home.
.
.
.
White fluffy clouds filled the sky and drifted slowly over the grassy field. Rocks of all different sizes were scattered throughout the scenery, and uncut grass tickled her bare feet as she sat down on a comfortable rock. Looking down at herself, a red yukata with a cherry blossom pattern with branches seem to drape over her. A light pink obi was tied around her with a golden cord tied in the middle of the obi.
When she looked up, a small brunette haired child stood before her. His hair was unkempt and short that reminded her of Naruto's haircut. The boy's eyes were the darkest green she had ever seen before. His dark blue plain yukata went nicely against his lightly tanned skin and his outfit was a little shorter to accommodate for his small size.
"Onee-sama, look!"
She looked at him with a gentle smile, "Yes, Hiroshi?" She was calm but had no idea how she knew his name.
Hiroshi held out a small pinkish white Sakura petal and blew on it. It quickly turned into two, then six, and then they were everywhere gently falling around her. The petals seemed to glow a soft light that fell around her. Instead of thinking genjutsu, she felt at peace and tranquil. A small giggle erupted from her lips and playfully ruffled Hiroshi's hair.
"Onee-sama, you can do it too!"
Hiroshi took her hand and a small Sakura petal landed in her palm. Curiously, she touched it and felt warmth spread throughout her body.
"Onee-sama, when you're here, it flows more freely, push the warmth out."
Being unsure of what he meant by this, she instinctly pushed out the warm feeling into the petal without knowing how. The petal started to glow and thousands of petals rained down steadily covered in a strange light.
"You did it!" Hiroshi giggled, as he danced around grabbing her hand to join in.
In the distance she heard something. It was faint but it was getting louder and louder.
"Sakura!"
"My name is not Sakura." She stopped what she was doing and asked questionly at herself, "Is it?"
The boy stopped also and looked at her, "Sometimes when you're here, it's easy to forget things that are as simple as your name. To not think and to 'relax the powers out' is something that is common thought among us until you are awakened."
She tilted her head to the side not quite understanding what was said, but familiarity with the statement felt like déjà vu.
"SAKURA-SAN"
Sakura sat up quickly looking around her room in alert.
Another knock was heard at the door.
Throwing a bathrobe on quickly, Sakura answered the door.
"Oi! Haruno Sakura!"
A man in Anbu attire stood before her with a loin mask.
"I am here to give you this scroll on behalf of Hokage-sama and also ask you if you have felt any change since the hospital."
Sakura sighed, of course Tsunade would have done this, "I have only felt better since my charka is recovering but it is slow since my reserves are small."
"Hai, and have you considered training today?"
"I know not to use any charka and only physical training."
"Ah perfect, always logical and this is sufficient enough for the Hokage. Good day Haruno-san!"
Sakura smiled at him and quickly shut the door to examine the scroll.
Ah yes, the results she requested for herself.
Everything was normal as expected of her ordeal. Massive blood loss, broken bones, fractures, internal bleedings, and multiple contusions and the list went on and on. At the end of it was her blood work, very low amounts of iron, as expected from blood loss, and charka cells empty. Her eyes widen, it must have been really bad for the core part to be empty too. The crease between her eyebrows deepened. If she would've read the report not knowing it was her, the chances of life would have been less than 30 percent if medical treatment wasn't immediately given, also Tsunade was there to help. Annoyed at her weakened state and now slightly fragile body as it was healing, she threw the scroll on the kitchen counter.
Slight doubt in her abilities formed thinking of her strong teammates.
"Let's see what the hell this ceremony is."
Efficiently getting her mind off of the scroll and onto the personal mission. She wouldn't have to do the ceremony today, but asking questions seemed appropriate.
Strapping her backpack on she stayed in the shadows and ever since Loin-san left, no one was following her. Seemed Tsunade just wanted her observed for an extra night.
Almost running into Ino's team took some effort not to get caught. It seemed Shikamaru noticed her but respected her wishes not to be seen. After all, everyone at least knew she was in a fight and was injured and Ino did bother people a lot with her loud mouthed heart. He smirked a little her way knowingly and she was on her way as soon as the platinum blonde was out of sight.
'Sorry Ino, I'll make it up to you.'
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Sakura went to one exit not used anymore. It used to be for Uchiha's elite for special missions. In case of attack, younger Uchiha's would use it to go to a safe house outside the village but was partially destroyed from the massacre.
It was well hidden in a private back yard. It was a grey stone well with standard woodwork and a dark blue roof. An engraved Uchiha symbol on the handle of the well. Tsunade informed her of this when the idea of renovating the compound came into question. Secret tunnels where everywhere. It would take years to come up with a plan without a clan member's help. The well was boarded up and possibly filled in with dirt. Sakura took a board off and laid it carefully on top of the beams inside the hollow roof. It was dark inside the well. Sakura slid her small body inside the well and scaled down the wall. It was made for children after all with wide footing on the stones.
She landed on a dirt pile and it was partially covering the entrance of a tunnel. Seemed as though it once did but over time it eroded and someone didn't finish their job.
Using her hands to dig the dry powered dirt away, she slid into the tunnel. The tunnel itself was 4ft tall and 2 feet wide. Looking for a match or anything, Sakura grabbed the wall to steady herself. She felt a rope and pulled it. More dirt filled the well behind her and small torches were lit.
Walking in an odd position and realized the best way to fit in the short tunnel was to run at full speed with her arms to her side and half her body bent forward.
Determination filled her and ran at full speed. 10 minutes later she saw a light and slowed down. A hole about 2 feet in diameter was above her. Spots of sunlight came down. Lifting herself up, and removing vines, grass and plants, Sakura was in the middle of the forest. Grumbling, she knew where she was but the shrine was another 40 minute walk and will feel even longer with her healing minor injuries.
The sunlight is beautiful and the whole forest looked alive and lush with green with speckles of flowers everywhere. Where has she been this whole time? When was the last time she was out here?
The path to the shrine was not far off, it was a simple flat stone path with a couple of old pillars along the path that were stone and lit by monks in the afternoon. It is supposed to lead spirits to the shrine and into the burning candles and incense to please them and release them up into the sky. Sakura sighed, crossing a small wooden bridge with red railings over a river.
A memory washed over her.
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Something was off, Naruto was buying large bottles of Saki which would be fine since Tsunade sends people on errands for her special drinks. But she knew Naruto, he gave her a bright smile, "Hello Sakura-chan!"
His voice was fake. She could feel something off with her teammate.
They had just seen Sasuke at the Summit where all the Kage's met to create the Ninja Alliance against Madara.
She went after him an hour later giving him some space first. When she finally found him, he was not the happy Naruto she knew.
Naruto was casting a downward stare into his hands and had empty bottles of Saki besides him.
"Naruto."
There was no response, he was just sitting there up against a tree.
Walking towards him, the smell of alcohol covered him.
"Naruto?"
Naruto's eyes harden and swiftly picked up a Saki dish and flung it behind her, breaking into little pieces on a tree.
"HE DIDN'T FUCKING DO IT! DAMN THE COUCIL. HE WAS INNOCENT AND SASUKE WAS DESTROYED BY IT!"
Sakura flinched but came closer, folding her knees under her, she came face to face of an angry friend. This wasn't Naruto.
Wanting to calm him down, she decided being close and listening was the best option.
Naruto grabbed her shoulders tightly and his nails dug into her and his usual blue eyes glared red, "Sakura, Itachi was ordered to kill his clan and Danzo was behind it all."
Sakura sat there stunned.
"The Uchiha's were planning to overthrow the Hokage and Itachi stopped them!"
Naruto's anger was rising and Sakura knew she had to put him out soon but it was so surreal.
"Naruto, who told you?"
"Sasuke did. Danzo made the order and Itachi didn't want Sasuke to grow up with knowing the village ordered it. Itachi made Sasuke oblivious!"
Naruto ranted further telling her everything. Sakura shed tears for her ex-teammate and pulled away from Naruto. Her arms were bruised to Hell and back. Without warning she dove into Naruto's arms and held onto him tightly and cried.
This could have been dealt differently and been prevented. Naruto had confronted the Hokage who sought the council, learning everything. Sasuke didn't have to witness anything. Naruto's anger ceased having her tears drip through his attire and heard her sobs.
An innocent man condemn, a friend ruined for life, a needless murder came to light, Danzo, a leader, had too much control and secrets. Their friend, teammate, was gone from this act made by this over powered leader.
It was the past, they couldn't change it but somehow got a better understanding of Sasuke's path towards darkness.
.
Sakura shook her head out of a daze, she was still on the small bridge. Her mother use to say it was a bridge of memories. Strong memories that held significance would emerge. Sakura brushed it off. Strong memories will emerge no matter if it's a bridge or not.
Slowing down to the small pavilion that was a good mile from the shrine, Sakura spotted her mother. Mebuki was dressed in a white kimono with red trimmings and simple wooden sandals.
This is getting so weird.
Please review and let me know how to improve or trash the story. I am on the fence about completing my old ones or deleting them. So PLEASE let me know if I should keep or trash it.