Author's Note: Wow, at first, the reviews were coming in kind of slow, but I couldn't complain. And then the next day, it just came all at once! Oo That left me little time to prepare this chapter! So very sorry for the delay everyone!

Bloody Knives

Chapter 3

Recap:

"He killed everyone related to him in anyway besides his little brother, Uchiha Sasuke whom now rules the kingdom by himself. Itachi escaped the Uchiha Kingdom and was offered a high position in the most dangerous assassination group, Akatsuki. Uchiha Itachi was the one that killed your mother and father because your father took something valuable to them. He stole a rare scroll filled of many secrets of the world, of it's past, and of it's future." She took a deep breath before resuming the story. "And, they were sent out to kill him and his family that knows of this information. They still do not have the scroll. I kept it safe with someone I trust dearly with. And now, you are the only one left of the Haruno family. Uchiha Itach will kill you without mercy in his heart."

End Recap

A long pregnant silence hung in the room. No one dared speak as Sakura absorbed all the sudden information. 'Uchiha…Itachi… Something tells me that he wasn't looking for their precious scroll… Something…' though, she carelessly shrugged her suspicious over her shoulders and continued thinking of what was happening.

The blonde interrupted her from her thoughts, "Haruno Sakura, I will give you a choice. You stay here with me, and I shall provide you the necessities and teach you (I warn you that I will be very strict) everything I know since I sense a small sparkle of potential in you… Or, you can keep living in that 'house/shop' and continue the family business. You have one pick… Choose wisely girl."

The guard, Kakashi seemed to be interested with the choices given as he thought to himself, 'She's taking this long to think? Anyone would seem desperate to get themselves into the royal castle, she's a strange peasant girl she is.' Kakashi concluded.

Sakura made up her mind…

Somewhere Deep Within the Forest

Something was luring inside the deadly forest filled with witches, dark magicians, warlocks, and even a couple of vampires and werewolves here and there. Though, the source of blood and power seemed to be in the center of the forest, the most dangerous part of all.

A man with long raven black locks tied low with a red string and held his bangs out was crouched just upon a river and looking at himself with disgust in the reflection of the river. He couldn't bare (grammar?) to see all this blood. It was truly a wonder of how much he loathed the smell and sight of blood, but doesn't seem to both killing others. Some of you must have already figured out, his name is Uchiha Itachi.

'I've done my duty, but where is that cursed girl?! She is next, and I shall find her.' He said with guaranteed in his voice. 'Pink hair and green eyes says the Leader, though how is so hard finding pink hair?!' Itachi started scolding himself. 'Leader will definitely not be pleased of his progress. If this girl finds out of this scroll, and reads it… Well, I myself don't even what to find out.' With that he dipped his hands in the river and started scrubbing hard to get the dried blood off. The worst thing he hated was the scent of dried blood. It smelled of metal and maybe iron, but much worse for the stench was much worse.

The weasel gave out a sigh as he started scrubbing harder, just to get this filth off his hands out of frustration. 'I should wash immediately once I'm done…' he wrinkled his nose in disgust.

The Royal Castle with Tsunade & Sakura

"I see… If that is your choice, than so be it." Tsunade summoned the guards to take Sakura away back to the village. "Before you go… Are you sure you would not rather stay here?" Tsunade never had a daughter, and wanted Sakura to be somewhat like hers.

The cherry blossom thought for a couple of minutes before answering, "I'll only be a nuisance to you and the guards. I won't be able to see my friends, I'll be just like a bird trapped in a cage."

The Queen sighed in sorrow, "I never had a daughter you know? I've always wanted one so badly, I would even adopt. I did, and the baby boy was just so loveable, sweet, caring… Naïve… He knew little about the world outside this small kingdom in here. He then escaped, wanting to see the world of its wonders… He was naïve and thieves killed him with no mercy. Though, you, you are old enough to know the wonders of the world, the deep seas, and even the laws of nature. Please… Just… Please just stay for at least a month, and then I'll ask you once more if you still want to go back." Sakura was shocked of the Queen begging and pleading desperately for her to stay.

"…" She was silent. "Fine… Of what price though?" she didn't just want to stay at the castle for nothing.

"Everyday, except for Sundays and Saturdays, I will be teaching you magic. I sense a small flicker of sorcery inside you. I could disappear any time now unless trained well. It will grow eventually… What do you say?" Tsunade gave an eager smile.

Sakura waited before answering, "Fine… But, I do not want to be imprisoned in this castle. I have my rights to be out as well."

"You can be outside any time you need, but come back at 7:00 dark." Tsunade nodded. "Ah, one of the rules here are to not keep on hats inside. I'm sorry, but you'll have to take that off."

The cherry blossom hesitated before letting her short pink locks fall to above her shoulder. People inside were wide eyed. "Witch!! She's a witch! Burn her! Burn her!" someone random called out as he pointed accusingly at the frowning Sakura.

"I command you to be quiet or else I shall throw you in the dungeons with Ibiki as prison guard!" Tsunade pointed at the man as her other guards sent him elsewhere. Just as the man left, Tsunade appeared in front of Sakura, "I'm terribly sorry for letting you hear that. Your hair is beautiful, dear. These stupid superstitious these days… They'll burn anything their afraid of. Now I know why you always wore that hat. You should keep it down more."

Sakura gaped, "And let me get burned?! I think not!"

After hearing Sakura's outburst as they walked towards the right grand hallway and upstairs, Tsunade burst out laughing, "Sakura dear, no one will harm you. I'll promise you that."

"That's impossible. You cannot stop death." Sakura glared at the wall. It wasn't that she wanted immortality. In fact, she thought of that as a curse, and death as a gift.

"I agree. I can't imagine anyone living forever, just watching all of their friends die." Tsunade concluded.

"Mn." Sakura gave a curt nod.

Just as Tsunade opened the door she said, "This will be your room. I got it prepared for your arrival just in case. I hope you like it. I suggest you rest for a while. I'll send Kakashi in with your dinner because I'm having a special dinner with the Hyuugas' visiting Konohagakure. I hope you don't mind!" with that, she closed the door, leaving Sakura in the most beautiful room she as ever laid eyes on, better yet be in!

The walls were a burgundy red with carved images of an old willow tree. She felt the leaves being carried by the wind on the walls and could nearly feel the cold breeze. The floor was a nice dark brown carpet that warmed her feet. The bed must be queen sized at least, and the sheets and blankets must be made of silk and cotton all the way from China and Egypt! There was also a large silver vanity. The mirror was so clear that anyone could have made a mistake for speaking to a mirror. The chair was small and perfect for Sakura to sit; it was made of strong steel and iron. The curves upon the backrest were so beautiful she traced each part. The room wasn't so large, but it was actually a bit small. She liked that. She gasped as she saw the closed curtains made of crimson red velvet and gold yellow embroidering in the edges. As she swiftly moved the curtain aside, she saw a large glass door and as she pushed, the window door opened with ease and outside was a balcony with a patio and two chairs.

As Sakura took a deep breath, she could easily smell the roses and lavender from the garden towards east of the castle. The sight was beautiful. She could see the entire village and could easily see the mountains. "Amazing…" It felt as if she was in the center of the universe. Just as she closed the glass door gentle, though kept the curtains to the side, she looked in the bathroom and nearly everything inside were made of marble. The tub was very simple, but certainly not cheap at all. The sink held many herbs and bath salts plus warm fuzzy lavender towels.

"I must not get used to this…" Sakura said to herself.

Surprisingly, Kakashi entered the room with a tray filled with delicious food, "And why not? You should be honored to stay here."

Sakura glared at him, "Because I am loyal to my family. Haruno may not be a clan name, but I loved my mother and father very much to just give up royalty life and work in a tacky pie shop once again. I don't care if I starve myself. If I did, then I would be able to see my parents once more." She sat herself on a rather large wooden chair with complicated carvings, and Kakashi set the tray on the small table next to her.

The pink haired maiden thought he was going to leave, but was surprised that he helped himself to sit down across from her in another seat, "That's very brave of you Miss Haruno, but wouldn't you show a little remorse for your mother and father? I heard from Iruka that you didn't even shed a tear…"

"…" She clenched her pale thin hands. "I miss them… a lot… More than I sound or more than I seem to… But, I don't want to cry. I can't cry because then my mother and father up in Heaven will feel guilty and they'll cry for me. I don't want to hear the cry. I never do and I never did." Sakura bit her tongue hard enough to draw a little blood just so that the tears wouldn't fall. "It's not fair…" she muttered.

The masked white haired man sighed. Kakashi was definitely not the sympathetic type of person, or the comfort type either. He awkwardly patted her back as Sakura flinched from his light touch. Hatake finally took his leave, but before he left he gave her one of his special wrinkling eye smile and said, "Sakura, you and I would get along just fine then."

This left the girl curious and brought her to stop sulking in her sorrows and brought her to curiosity. Though, just as Sakura was about to take a short noon nap, she didn't notice strange eyes staring at her through the crack of the door.

Author's Note: Ooh! Who could it be?! XD Well I know, but I'm not going to tell you until the next chapter. Please review! I'll update as soon as I can just as long as I'm satisfied with my review amount. Thank you!