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Chapter 2: Voices Carry

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The bird kept chirping inside the box non-stop. Sakura stared at it and then averted her gaze to his wing.

-"Oh your wing! Does it hurt?" Sakura was about to reach for him but the bird back away.

-'Who the heck are you? Tell me!' The bird chirped.

-"Shh, don't worry. I'm not going to hurt you. I only want to see if your wing has healed yet." Sakura said softly. The bird was still very cautious.

-"Don't worry, as soon as you heal I'll let you free." Sakura said.

-'Free? I'm not really a bird! I'm really human! That's right, you can't understand me because I'm a bird.' The bird chirped. Sakura smiled at it.

-"Just trust me." The bird thought for a moment and then walked forward to Sakura's reached out hand.

-"Ok, let's see…can you move your wing a little?" Sakura asked. The bird did.

-"You can understand me! You must be a very smart bird."

-'Maybe because I'm not a bird. I'm really human.' The bird chirped. Sakura petted the bird and then put him back down in the box.

-"I have to get ready for school. I'll be right back." Sakura grabbed her clothes for school and went to the bathroom. The observed her room.

-'This looks more like an attic than a bedroom. How did I get here in the first place? But why am I a bird? The last thing I remember is having that fight with Itachi and then I left home to take a walk. Then…'

-"I'm back. Luckily, Mother and Father have left already and Inari is at daycare. That way I can get you some food." Sakura said as she slipped on her sneakers.

-"You must be confused seeing that you are in my room. Well, my name is Sakura Haruno and I'm 12. I go to Konoha community school."

-'That's my school! I go to your school!' The bird chirped. Sakura kneeled down at the box.

-"I have no idea whether you belong to someone or are wild. But for a wild bird, you sure are obedient. What could your name be?"

-'Sasuke! My name is Sasuke Uchiha!' Sasuke chirped.

-"But I'm sure when you heal you'll be free then." Sakura said. She grabbed a brush and started brushing her short pink hair. Sasuke noticed how Sakura was very skinny for a 12-year-old. She was also very pale but she was very kind. Sakura grabbed her backpack. She was wearing a jean skirt and a dark pink hoodie. She felt cold today and her throat kind of hurt.

-"I would bring you to school with me but I don't want to risk you getting hurt." Sakura said.

-'So you're going to leave me here?' Sasuke chirped. Sakura heard the doorbell ring.

-"That must be Naruto-kun! I'll see you later so I can give you some food. Please don't leave this room." Sakura then waved good-bye at the bird and left downstairs.

~*~*~*~

-"What took you so long Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked as Sakura closed the door behind her.

-"Sorry, I found this bird yesterday and now I'm trying to take care of it." Sakura said.

-"A bird, huh? Was it hurt?"

-"Yeah, its wing was slightly broken but it's getting better. When he's recovered, then I'll release him." Sakura said. Naruto nodded.

-"Sakura-chan, have you heard about Sasuke Uchiha?" Naruto asked.

-"I have heard of him but I've never seen him before. Why?"

-"Because he's missing. Papers have been posted all around town searching for him. Apparently he has been missing for over a week." Naruto said.

-"But doesn't he like skip school all the time?"

-"Yeah, but this time he hasn't been seen anywhere. Ordinarily, he would come back after only two days." Naruto said.

-"I hope he's ok." Naruto nodded.

-"You're still coming over today, right?" Naruto asked.

-"Yeah, I have my things ready. But would it be all right if I bring along the bird? I can't leave him home alone." Sakura said.

-"I don't mind." Naruto shrugged.

-"Thanks." Sakura smiled at her friend but her thoughts were drifting to something else. She has heard of Sasuke Uchiha before. She knew he was extremely popular around her school. He used to go to a private school since he was rich. Konoha Community School is the cheapest school you can find in Konoha. Adults who attended that school never got far in life.

If you went Konoha Community School and attend college and then become successful, you would be considered the luckiest person in the city. The chances of that are very slim unless you attend a private school like Konoha Academy. Sasuke was known to skip school every now and then but he managed always get straight A's. But Sasuke never was far from home for more than at least 3 days.

-"Do you think he was kidnapped?"

-"What?" Naruto asked.

-"Kidnapped. Do you think Sasuke was kidnapped?"

-"I don't think so. For a guy our age he seems to handle himself pretty well." Naruto said. Sakura nodded.

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-"So your homework for tonight are pages 13-14 numbers 1 to 49." Kakashi announced. The class groaned.

-"Do we have to?" A student asked. Kakashi nodded his head.

-"Class dismissed." Kakashi said. Students piled up to the door.

-"Yes! Time for lunch!" Naruto cheered. Sakura smiled.

-"Let's go then." Naruto and Sakura left for the lunchroom then. They went to their table and sat down. Naruto without delay took out his ramen to eat. He then stopped and turned to Sakura who was reading a book.

-"Sakura-chan…"

-"It's ok Naruto-kun. I don't feel hungry." Naruto stared at Sakura with a hard look.

-"Liar. Wait right here." Naruto got up from his seat and left the cafeteria.

-"Naruto-kun." Sakura groaned in defeat. Naruto came back after a few minutes with a sandwich and carton of milk.

-"Here." He handed Sakura the food.

-"Where'd you get these?" Sakura asked. Naruto grinned.

-"Courtesy of Kakashi-sensei." He said. Sakura hugged Naruto.

-"You're the greatest friend I ever had." She murmured. Naruto blushed.

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-Asuma's Art Class-

-"Ok class, so we're going to be working on sculptures." Asuma-sensei said. Ino yawned.

-"Boring."

-"Ms. Yamanaka, I would be more than happy to send you to the office instead of enjoying my class. It's your choice." Asuma-sensei warned. Shikamaru and Neji sniggered. Ino turned her head away in anger.

-"Nice job." Tenten mocked. Ino stuck out her tongue. Naruto whispered something in Sakura's ear and she began giggling.

-"Ok, you may begin you projects." Asuma-sensei said.

-"I'm going to do a sculpture of a bowl of ramen? What about you, Sakura-chan?" Sakura pondered over that thought.

-"I'm not sure." Naruto patted her back.

-"I'm sure you'll think of something." Sakura nodded distantly. She was thinking about that bird she found last night. She was worried about him. What if her parents came home early and found him? Sakura would surely be in trouble. Sakura locked her knees together and gulped.

-"Naruto, do you think the bird might be ok?" Sakura asked.

-"Yeah, why wouldn't he be?" He asked.

-"Well, my parents don't know he's there. They don't like pets." Sakura replied.

-"You're coming over tonight, bringing along the bird would be good if you're that worried."

-"Yeah…" Sakura wavered. She watched as Naruto sculpted the clay into a bowl. It didn't look much like a bowl but Naruto tried. Sakura then felt something hit her back. She turned around and saw a ball of clay rolling around the floor.

-"Who did that?" Naruto demanded. His eyes shifted over to Neji. He was snickering. Naruto stomped over to Neji and punched him on the face. Neji fell back with a bloody nose. Asuma-sensei stood up with a furious face.

-"Naruto! Go to the office now!"

-"But—."

-"Now!" Naruto slumped his shoulders and left the art room. Asuma-sensei sighed.

-"Tenten, take Neji to the nurse."

-"Okay." Tenten helped Neji up and helped him to the nurse. Sakura sat in her seat trembling, she could feel the glares Ino and Shikamaru were giving her.

-"Naruto-kun…" Sakura said in a low voice.

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-Gym Class-

Sakura changed into her gym clothes reluctantly. They were just a pair of blue shorts and white t-shirt with blue cuffs. Naruto hasn't come back from the office but Neji did. His nose wasn't bleeding anymore but had to have a bandage around it. Ino and Tenten told some classmates lies about what really happened. The lies made some of the girls shun Sakura even more.

The girls left the locker room and went into the gym. In the gym, you had to sit on the bleachers but no one wanted Sakura sit with them. Usually Sakura would sit with Naruto but he wasn't there. Sakura looked around and her eyes landed on boy with brown hair. He had a dog sitting next to him. He also had to red upside down triangles on his cheeks. Sakura took a deep breath and walked up to him.

-"Hi…may I please sit next to you?" Sakura asked in a meek voice. The boy looked at her smiled.

-"Sure!" Sakura smiled and sat down.

-"I'm Sakura Haruno."

-"I'm Kiba Inuzuka and this is my dog Akamaru. You can pet him of you like." Akamaru went onto Sakura's lap and began to sniff her then he started to lick her face. Sakura began giggling as she held Akamaru.

-"Hey, he likes you." Kiba smiled. Sakura smiled back. After Akamaru stopped licking Sakura's face, he went back to Kiba's side.

-"I've never really seen you around here." Sakura noted.

-"Yeah, I just moved here. But I've seen you before. You usually hang out with that blond-haired kid." Kiba said.

-"You mean Naruto-kun?" Sakura asked. Kiba nodded. Ironic then was how Naruto came into the gym at the time Sakura said his name. His face was angry as he looked down at the slip of paper he was holding.

-"Naruto-kun! What's wrong?" Sakura asked as she ran up to him. Kiba followed suit.

-"I got stupid detention! I won't be able to go home until an hour later after everybody else leaves." Naruto complained.

-"Hey, I'm Kiba Inuzuka. Nice to meet you." Kiba said extending a hand out towards Naruto to which Naruto shook.

-"Naruto Uzumaki." Naruto responded.

-"Naruto-kun, let's go to the bleachers now." Sakura said tugging onto Naruto's sleeve.

-"Okay." Naruto, Kiba, and Sakura went back to bleachers and began talking.

-"Cool dog." Naruto said pointing to Akamaru.

-"Thanks!" Kiba said.

-"So where are you from, Kiba-kun?" Sakura asked.

-"I'm from Suna. My parents own a animal shelter and are veterinarians." Kiba answered.

-"That's so cool!" Naruto exclaimed.

-"Yeah, it is." Kiba chuckled.

-"Do you have lots of animals?" Sakura wondered.

-"I do. But none of them are mine. They belong to other people. Akamaru my only pet."

-"That's nice." Sakura grinned. Kiba grinned back.

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-"I wish I didn't have detentions, Neji started it!" Naruto cried out as he headed for the detention room.

-"I'm really sorry, Naruto-kun." Sakura said.

-"For what?" Naruto asked.

-"It's because of me that you got detention." Sakura whimpered.

-"It's not your fault. I was the one who punched Neji in the nose not you." Sakura then perked up and smiled at Naruto.

-"I'll be right back Naruto-kun." She yelled as she ran down the hall.

-"But don't you have to go home? School's over!" Naruto called out but Sakura was already gone.

~*~*~*~

-"Asuma-sensei!" Sakura called after. Asuma turned around and saw Sakura behind him.

-"What is it, Ms. Haruno?" He asked.

-"About Naruto-kun, it wasn't his fault! It was mine! Neji threw a ball of clay at my back and so Naruto-kun got mad. Please don't get him in trouble, it's me you want." Sakura said. Asuma looked at Sakura astonished.

-"I see. I guess it's Neji who deserves the detention for hitting you first."

-"So you won't give Naruto-kun detention?" Sakura asked.

-"No, I won't. But you need to do something for me." Asuma said.

-"P-pardon?"

-"You're failing my art class really badly. I want you to work on your clay sculpture for extra credit so you can pass my class. Is that clear?"

-"Y-yes."

-"Okay then. You may go home." Asuma said. Sakura nodded and ran back downstairs to tell Naruto the news.

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-"I can't believe you got me out of detention, Sakura-chan!" Naruto exclaimed as they walked towards Sakura's home.

-"It was nothing." Sakura said meekly.

-"It sure was something!" Naruto put his arm around Sakura and chuckled to himself. Sakura blushed lightly.

-"My parents aren't home yet." Sakura said as she and Naruto entered her house. They walked up the stairs to Sakura's room.

-"Ah! How are you?" Sakura asked, rushing up to the box. The bird looked up at her.

-'I was so bored!' He chirped. Sakura giggled and patted his head.

-"What's that?" Naruto asked.

-"This is the bird that I told you about." Sakura responded. Naruto went to Sakura's side. He tried to pet Sasuke's head but Sasuke pecked Naruto's finger.

-"Hey! That hurt!"

-"Sorry, he doesn't seem to be good with strangers." Sakura explained. Naruto muttered something under his breath and rubbed his sore finger.

-"Oh! I have to feed. You must be hungry." Sakura took out some bird feed she was able to buy with change she found on the sidewalk earlier. She placed the feed into the bowl she laid out for Sasuke. The bird looked at the food strangely but then began eating.

-"You're going to need a name but what name?" Sakura asked as the bird ate.

-"How about Sparks?" Naruto asked.

-"That's more of a dog's name. But what about…Sasuke? You know, after the boy who disappeared days ago." Sakura said

-"You mean that Uchiha kid? I suppose that's a good name." Naruto said. The bird looked up at them.

-"I am Sasuke Uchiha! That's my name!" The bird chirped loudly. But of course, no one understood him.

-"Well, you should get your stuff ready. Iruka is picking us up here in like 15 minutes." Naruto said.

-"You're right. Naruto-kun, make sure Sasuke finishes his feed." Naruto nodded. Sakura began getting her stuff together. She put some fresh clothes in her bag and even her favorite book. Meanwhile, Naruto was observing Sakura's bedroom.

-"You don't have much stuff up here, Sakura-chan." Naruto said. Sakura bit her lip.

-"I don't really like having a lot of stuff. I like keeping it simple." She lied.

-"I guess that makes sense."

-'Where are you going?' Sasuke tweeted. Sakura grabbed another small bag and put most of Sasuke's stuff in there.

-"My parents would be mad at me if they found out I brought a wild animal here. That's why I'm bringing Sasuke with me." Sakura said.

-"I'm sure Iruka wouldn't mind."

-"I know." Sakura replied. Sasuke moved around in the box. 'I want to get out of here but my stupid wing won't move.' Sakura though. When Sakura had all of her bags.

-"Okay, let's go Naruto-kun." Sakura said. Naruto nodded. He grabbed Sasuke's box and he and Sakura went out of the house to wait for Iruka.

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-"So how are you doing so far, Sakura?" Iruka asked, serving both Naruto and Sakura a sandwich.

-"I'm well." Sakura said with a smile. She poked at her sandwich while Naruto was already eating his. Iruka noticed this.

-"Is there something wrong with your sandwich?" Iruka asked. Sakura shook her head.

-"No." Sakura forced herself to eat the sandwich but already felt her stomach rebelling against the food. Sakura was almost never fed at her house so she wasn't used to getting a lot of food to eat.

-"Hey Sakura-chan, what's wrong with your arm?"

-"What?" Sakura looked down and gasped. She forgot all about the burn marks she got from when her father shoved the hot bowl of soup into her arms. She was so stupid to take off her sweater right in front of her friend.

-"I spilled hot water on me when making soup." She lied.

-"Didn't your parents take you to the doctor?" Iruka asked.

-"Y-yes but the doctors said there was nothing to worry about." Sakura answered. She felt heat rise up to her cheeks.

-"I'll be right back, I think Sasuke wants some fresh air." Sakura took Sasuke into her hand and went upstairs. She entered the bathroom and set Sasuke by the window.

-"Why was I so stupid? Please god, don't let them find out, please." Sakura prayed. She turned to the sink and let the cold water run onto the burn marks. She clenched her teeth as her burn stung. Sasuke watched her.

-'Those burn marks are going to get worse if you don't go to a doctor." Sasuke peeped. Sakura smiled at Sasuke.

-"I'm going to be fine Sasuke. Don't worry." Sakura said. It was almost like Sakura knew what Sasuke was thinking. Sasuke flew over to Sakura's shoulder.

-"Hey, I think your wing is getting better." Sakura remarked.

-'That's good.'

-"Then you'll be able to go back to the wild." Sakura smiled genuinely at Sasuke. They went back downstairs where Naruto was watching some TV. Sakura sat down next to him.

-"Hey Sakura-chan, what do you want to do now?" Naruto asked.

-"Hmmm…about we watch some movies?" Sakura asked.

-"Sure!" Naruto took out some movies but unfortunately for Sakura, they were horror movies. Sakura tensed up and Sasuke felt it.

-'You're not scare of some scary movies, are you?'

-"Um, Naruto-kun? Don't you have any other movies?" Sakura asked trying to sound casual.

-"Yeah, I do but horror movies are way better! Especially it's dark outside!" Naruto exclaimed. He put the disk in and sat back down on the couch. Sakura groaned in defeat. The movie started and Sakura inched closer to Naruto. He chuckled and placed a blanket over her.

-"I know how much you hate watching horror movies without this blanket." He said. Sakura nodded and placed the blanket all around her. Minutes into the movie Naruto put his arm around Sakura but occasionally Sasuke pecked at Naruto's fingers. It wasn't until that Naruto gave up and scowled at the bird.

-'I feel suffocated when you do that.' Sasuke chirped. Naruto ignored Sasuke and resumed to watching the movie. Sasuke felt it when Sakura tensed up at the scary parts.

-'It's just a movie; it's not real.' But soon Naruto shut off the movie because Sakura began crying at the one scary part.

-"It's not real, you know." Naruto said.

-"I know. But it's still scary." Sakura sniffed. Naruto grabbed a tissue and wiped the tears away from Sakura's eyes.

-"Nothing scary is coming you way. If something ever did try to hurt you then I'll protect you Sakura-chan, I promise." Naruto smiled. Sakura blushed and nodded. Sasuke pecked at Naruto's finger.

-"Ow! Geez Sakura-chan, Sasuke sure doesn't like me."

-'You flirting was making me sick.' Sakura petted Sasuke's head.

-"I'm sure he didn't mean it."

-"I'm sure he did." Naruto muttered under his breath. Sasuke inwardly smirked.

-'Dobe.'

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Iruka walked into the bedroom of Naruto and Sakura. They were playing some cards while Sasuke was eating some seeds in his box.

-"Time for bed, kids." Iruka announced.

-"Aww, can't we stay up a little bit longer?' Naruto whined. Iruka shook his head.

-"Sorry Naruto, but Sakura's parents called and they want her home early tomorrow." Sakura gulped.

-"They called?" She asked in a strained voice.

-"Yeah, your father seemed annoyed. Did he have a bad day at work?"

-"Something like that." Sakura mumbled. Iruka nodded.

-"Okay then, lights out." Iruka switched off the lights and closed the door. Both Naruto and Sakura scrambled into their sleeping bags. It wasn't then until Naruto began snoring while Sakura was wide-awake. She crept out of her sleeping bag and tiptoed over to the box of Sasuke.

-'Shouldn't you be sleeping?'

-"You know Sasuke-kun, I'm nervous of going home."

-'Wouldn't you want to be with your own family?' Sasuke could not comprehend what the girl was saying. At one moment she seems like a sweet girl who has nothing to worry about but in the next she was very timid.

-"Ne Sasuke, I think you're the only thing that I can talk to without a problem." Sakura said. Sasuke titled his head in confusion. Sakura slightly giggled and went back to her own bed again. When Sasuke was completely sure that she was asleep, he flew out of box to the open window.

-'I've got to get out of here.'

~*~*~*~

Sasuke flew into the night with no way knowing where he wanted to go. He just needed to leave that place as soon as possible. The whole town was sleeping and not much was outside. He landed on tree branch sighed.

-'What in the hell happened to me?' He wondered to himself. But in that exact time Sasuke felt a strange sensation erupt in his body. He suddenly felt heavier and claws were becoming human feet again. Sasuke then saw himself as a human again but was unprepared so fell off the branch.

-"Ugh. I'm back to normal? How?" Sasuke examined himself but looking around his body. He was back in the clothing that he last remembered wearing.

-"How did I turn back into a human?" Sasuke thought out loud.

-"Maybe because it's a full moon out tonight, Uchiha." A voice said. Sasuke whipped around and his eyes widened.

-"You!"

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To Be Continued…

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A/N: Finally! I updated the 2nd chapter! Sorry, but as I said in chapter 16 in Senior Year, I have so much schoolwork. I will update this when I have time but I'm still working on the next chapter of Lonesome Girl. Thank you everyone who is still waiting patiently for the next chapter on that story. If anyone is confused with this chapter, just message me or tell me in your review and I'll reply with an answer.

PLEASE READ AND REVIEW

Here's a preview of the next chapter: Chapter 3

-"You're the one who turned me into this bird!" Sasuke yelled. The woman rolled her eyes.

-"Relax Uchiha, there is a reason why I did that."

-"Who knew one of the legendary sannin would do this sort of thing." Sasuke said with sarcasm dripping from the words.