Yay! The Third Chappie!
Now then… Hm… I guess I should really start this chapter… We're starting to get to the cute Sasusaku parts, and meeting all the friends.
BTW… have you guys heard about the NEW NARUTO MOVIE? I just found out about it! SOO awesome! I can't believe Sasuke actually flirts with Sakura! While watching the trailer seeing Sasuke flirt with Sakura, I squealed! It's sooo awesome…
Though it was awkward when my dad and brother stared at me weirdly…
ANYWAYS…. I will now start the chapter… but after I reply to reviews, since I want the readers to know I actually read their reviews!
….
So… here is the long list of replies I will go through. I'm probably only going to reply to people who actually have names or give some kind of identification, since it's kind of hard to reply to the guests.
However, I want to thank the guests, so I'm doing a general reply to all of those guests out there, I just want to let you guys know I'm actually reading your reviews!
Ok. Here goes…
Guests: Thanks for all of your reviews! I'm glad you like my fanfic! Especially the one who wrote the very long review! I loved reading it! I hope you all continue to review! It's amazing how many people out there love Sakura like I do as well. As you can probably tell from my writing, I'm a total Sakura fan. I just loved her new awesome personality in the Shippuden series. I'm glad that some of you can tell about the people who are criticizing a little too harshly make me want to stop writing and some of you actually read the authors notes at the top and bottom too! Thanks to all of you for your support! I hope you all continue to review!
Kisa Black: Hahah… Well… Does this chapter count as a cliffie? I'm not exactly sure. Here's your next update though. I ended up shortening the schedule since I have so much time on my hands!
StereoHearts19: Thanks. I'll continue! Of course! It'd be great if you put on your other reviews.
Nuria Sato: haha! I totally LOVE your long review. You're really into it aren't you? I'm glad! No, I hate the fact that Sakura was picked on because of her forehead. Her hair does make her different from other people, so she will still be picked on a bit, but she's got experience, and her cousins will scare off the bullies! Hm. I hadn't really planned on Sasuke getting too jealous, but I'll keep that in the story cuz I like the idea! Maybe in the next chapter I'll add in more to that idea. Poor Itachi will be stuck in between. Thanks again for the review!
kitare: Thanks for reviewing! I know that everyone's pretty excited about Sakura meeting everyone in Konoha. Please review some more!
Sakura'sGhettoInner: Thanks! Hahah! Yup! Little Sakura! I like her when she's younger. She's really cute as a kid.
XxBirdxOfxHermesxX: Thanks! Haha! I haven't really made their second meeting too dramatic, but I hope you like it in this chapter! I like the review pane as well! It's pretty convenient for me! Here's the next update!
animelover171: Thanks! Here's your next chapter!
PostiveCharm416: Thanks! I'm glad you like this story! Here's your next update! Hm… She's probably going to become a ninja after the next chapter or two. I want to try to build on Sakura's bond with Sasuke and Itachi.
Wow… So many reviews! I'm happy happy happy! Hm. Maybe I can pick a reviewer of the chapter for every chapter. I'm still debating with myself whether I should do this though…
My idea was that the reviewer of the chapter gets to PM me an idea for the story if they want to, or something, and their idea will be considered. I have a plan for this story so I can't mess around too much though, or it will totally – mind my language – screw itself over – so… I'm not entirely sure.
They will be recognized though and their review will be posted in the author's note above the story, so even the guests get a chance at it, though for the guests they won't be able to give me their idea since I'm not entirely sure if its them or not. Tell me what you guys think.
Now then, let's get started with the Third Chapter… Shall we…?
-SasuLovesSaku4Ever
Legend:
"Thought"
"Speech"
"Spirit/God/Goddess/Any spiritual-like being"
"Sakura's inner"
"Demon/Tailed Beast"
"Emphasis"
Singing (Translation)
– Point of View P.O.V. – (Place)
Chapter Number: Chapter Title
A Light and Shadow in the Past
Chapter Three – To Bring Music into Life…
– Sakura's POV – (Konohagakure – The Village Hidden in the Leaves)
I had found a quiet spot in the park to play music. Everyone liked to stop by and listen from time to time. I only played songs I made when I was alone and when I was sure no one would come by. I played songs that our band had made when people were around to listen to on my guitar. I also played on my violin from time to time as well.
The festival was a few days from now and I found myself playing my violin as usual. When I heard someone crying and sobbing in the forests… I stopped playing and looked towards the direction of the cries. Akane was there and looked up at me. "Sakura? Something wrong?" She asked. I looked at her and she got up following me into the forest. We found Hinata being beat down by a few boys.
"Hey! Leave her alone!" I said. The boys looked up and laughed.
"You think you can beat both off us civilian girl?" They asked.
"No, but I can." Akane said. The boys looked up at Akane's glaring face in fear. "Beat it, kids." She growled, looking ready to kick both of their asses. I smirked inwardly when their arrogant looks turned to fearful cowardly looks as they stepped back in horror when Akane stepped forwards.
"Sorry!" They yelled as they ran off like dogs with their tails between their legs. I walked up to Hinata and held out my hand.
"It's ok. They're gone now." I said. Hinata looked up at me in surprise.
"Wh-who are you…?" She asked shyly.
"I'm Sakura! That's my cousin, Akane!" I said.
"Oh… Arigatou…" She said shyly. I smiled.
"No problem! Hey, you should really try and stand up for yourself you know?" I said with a smile as I helped her up. She looked up in surprise at me.
"U-um… ok…" She said shyly.
"Sakura." Akane called. I looked to see she was leaving.
"Oh! Coming!" I yelped. I turned to Hinata. "Ja ne!" I said. She looked down, but then suddenly she stood up. I noticed her steady stance. She seemed to be determined to do something.
"Um! I'm Hyuuga Hinata!" She blurted out suddenly looking up at me. I blinked in surprise before smiling.
"It's nice to meet you, Hinata-chan. I have to get going now! I'll see you some other time!" I said as I left the area, noticing Naruto behind the trees watching Hinata. He had seen Akane and I as well. I caught up to Akane and we went back to the house to prepare and practice for the festival.
The days passed by, and I noticed Hinata would always go by the spot where I played music to listen to my music and enjoy it with one of her guardians. Her guardian would also enjoy the music very much. Naruto hadn't seemed to recognize me from the island, but then again, he had more on his mind than a girl from an island. Being the Fourth Hokage's son, he was usually trying to get away from his escorts and guards.
He was a mirror image of his father so it was expected that he would be recognized as the fourth Hokage's son, and if the enemies of the Fourth Hokage could hold him hostage, they could even bring down the whole village.
I had seen many Uchiha around the village, but I never saw Sasuke or Itachi or their parents. I didn't bother searching though, knowing I would meet them sooner or later. Team 7 would be formed no matter what. The Rookie 9 would become ninja. The Konoha 12 would fight together.
I knew that.
If those specific teams hadn't been created, and we never had met and learned to fight together as comrades, then we may never have survived the attacks from Orochimaru or the Akatsuki.
The night of the festival, my cousins and I were setting up in the park. We would finish our performance just before the sun set and the fireworks started. I was setting up with my guitar and strumming lightly as the audience gathered.
We would be performing in front of the lake, at the bottom of the hill. The people would be able to watch the fireworks from their places on the hill. It would be a good view of the sky for the fireworks.
Akane and Asami both had their electric guitars, and Miyuki had her drums ready. I had my acoustic guitar and the microphone in front of me. We would be playing a song called "Perfect Day", that I had written.
I started strumming as I sang softly into the microphone. I recognized many people in the crowd watching. Hinata and her parents along with Neji, Tenten, Ino and her parents… I noticed Naruto and his parents. They seemed shocked and surprised. I knew they must have recognized me. Itachi who had been at the top of the hill turned around hearing my soft voice. I knew he recognized it. His parents and brother seemed to recognize me as well.
Dare mo inai douro de (On a road with no one around)
Ryoute wo hiroge aruita (I spread my arms as I walked)
Me wo tojite kara watashi wa sotto (Closed my eyes and then)
Kokoro no naka de (Softly in my heart)
Chiisana kake wo shita nda (I made a little bet with myself)
Akane started playing her electric guitar softly along with mine, joining in on the music. Itachi and his parents along with Sasuke had joined the audience along with another group of people.
Hakusen kara ochitara make (If I fall of the white line, I lose)
Mukashi konna no yatteta (I used to do such things in the past)
Ahh~
Nanka natsukashii na (This is kind of nostalgic, isn't it)
Asami and Miyuki had started playing their instruments joining in on the music. I sung louder and louder, with more emotion and strength in my voice. More and more people were joining the audience at the hill. I closed my eyes and sang the song as I knew it. I enjoyed the beat of the music flowing through me. I felt as if I was another person completely… It was amazing. The music flowed through me naturally and my emotions connected with the song as I sang.
It's a perfect day
Hikokigumo hashitte oikaketa (I chased after the contrails)
Itsuka te wa todokutte (One day I'd touch them with my hands)
Sou shinjiteita kedo (That's what I believed)
Sora wa amari ni tookatta kara (But the sky remained to far beyond my grasp)
Chippoke na jibun ga kanashiku omoetanda (And made me feel sad about how small I was)
Omoetanda (It made me feel…)
Moshimo ima inseki ga (Even if, right now, a meteor)
Futte kiteru to shite mo (Is hurtling down towards us)
Watashi wa kigatsuku koto mo dekizu (I probably wouldn`t even realize before)
Tengoku yuki de (I went up to heaven)
"Maa ikka sore mo ari kana" ("Well whatever, I suppose it could happen")
Ano hi chiisana bouken (The little adventure we had that day)
Sukoshi tsuyoku nareta you na (I feel like it made me just a bit stronger)
Ahh~
Taisetsu na omoide (That precious memory)
Ahh
It's a perfect day
Hikokigumo hashitte oikaketa (I chased after the contrails)
Kitto te wa todokutte (Surely I could touch them with my hands)
Dare mo shinjite nai kedo (But nobody really belives that)
Watashi shitterunda yo, datte (But I know. After all,)
Hora mieru (Look, I can see them)
Zettai tsukamaerun dakara…! (I'll catch hold of them for sure)
Ikidomari (A dead end)
Tobikoete hashiru (But I'll leap past it and run)
Doko made mo (As far as I want)
It's such… Such a perfect day
Tachidomatte sora wo aoidara (When I stopped and looked up at the sky)
Aoi aoi kyanbasu ni (Across that clear blue canvas)
Hitosuji no kumo ga kakenuketa (Stretched a single trail of vapor)
Itsuka no sora to onaji (Just like the sky I once saw)
Dakara ima (So for now)
Mou ichido dake te wo nobashita (I'll reach my hand out just once more)
Te wo nobashita (Reach my hand out)
Ahh..
I opened my eyes and the crowd clapped in applause. There was loud cheering from many ninja and civilians as well. I smiled to Akane who nodded back in approval with a soft smile on her face. I turned to the audience and introduced our band.
"Hello everyone. Thank-you for listening to our performance today! We're known as the Haruno Akatsuki (Spring's Dawn). I'm the main singer, Haruno Sakura. These are my cousins, Haruno Akane, Haruno Asami, and Haruno Miyuki! We'll be performing in Konoha from now on, so if you like our music, please come and listen! Thanks!" I said smiling.
The crowd cheered again and applauded. The fireworks exploded just then and everyone quieted down watching as the fireworks began. I smiled happily and we packed up. I asked if I could leave and go out on my own. Akane allowed me to go, but told me to get back to the house before my curfew. I nodded and they brought the instruments back home.
I hung around at the lake after the fireworks and I noticed Itachi at the dock, alone. His parents and his younger brother were coming towards him, but they didn't seem to be in a rush. I decided to talk with him once again.
"Konbanwa, Itachi!" I said. He spun around in shock.
"Sakura. It's really you after all." He said with wide eyes. It was surprising to see Uchiha Itachi with a shocked expression on his face. I smiled and hugged him. He hugged me back and chuckled.
"It's been a while since I last saw you. You've grown up a little bit." He said. I noticed he had the way finder's string hanging from his pocket. I smiled.
"You still have the way finder!" I said as he let me down. He nodded and pulled it out.
"It's done a lot for me actually. I think it's quite the good luck charm. My teammates haven't gotten hurt at all on the last few high-level missions we've had." Itachi said holding it in his hands.
"Really? That's great!" I said. Itachi chuckled and patted my head lightly.
"You've given me a great gift." He said with a smile. His face turned to a soft curious look. "So why are you and your cousins here?" He asked.
"Oh. I wanted to become a ninja!" I said. He looked shocked. I could sense his parents and his brother close enough to hear our conversation.
"Wait. Wait… Aren't you the clan heir?" He asked.
"Yup!" I said smiling proudly. He stared at me confused.
"Then why are you all the way out here, so far away from home?" He asked.
"Hm… It's a bit of a long story… but to make it short… I decided I wanted to be a ninja, a year after I met you. Kaa-chan and Tou-san didn't know about my decision of course, not until I told them." I said sitting down on the dock.
"And they just let you come all the way out here? You're the heir to the Haruno clan aren't you? What about leading the clan?" He asked. I could tell that his parents were staying back and not interrupting our conversation curious about me.
"I can lead the clan if I want to… but really, everyone on the island is just one big family. There's no need for a real leader. Remember what it was like? Everyone is equal. My father seems like the leader, because everyone respects him so much." I said. Itachi sat down and sighed.
"Isn't your clan specialty music though? Shouldn't you be focusing on a musical carrier?" He asked. I smiled.
"What do you think about children's lives, Itachi?" I asked changing the topic.
"Their lives filled with peace and love… A life of purity... but I don't understand what the has to do with-" I cut him off.
"Hm… I think that children should be allowed to follow their dreams." I said. Itachi looked surprised at me. "Dreams can be made a reality, if you have the courage and the will to try and reach out for them. Don't you think so?" I asked. Itachi looked surprised but he seemed to understand.
"Hm… You're right…" He said. I nodded.
"Kaa-chan and Tou-san say that if I chase my dreams, I can be better than just a doll controlled like a puppet." I said. Itachi's eyes widened. His parents seemed very into listening in on the conversation. Sasuke was only watching us. I looked at Itachi. "I'm free. They said they didn't want to be obstacles. They didn't want me to hold anything back…" I said.
"You wanted to see more didn't you?" He asked me.
"Hai… I wanted to see what was beyond that blue ocean and the blue sky… that's why I was always sitting out at the cliff with that tree." I said.
"Following your dreams… I want to do that." Itachi said.
"You want peace... right…?" I asked. Itachi nodded.
"Then, I can help you too. I wanted to become a ninja to do that. We know the island is an example… Spreading that happiness and peace… It would be amazing… Ne?" I asked. He nodded in agreement.
"Wait, then how did you find out about Konoha and my village?" He asked.
"Um… Well… actually, Tou-san told me his parents were also ninja from clans… He knows about the different ninja villages in general… He had a few things that would help me when I learn to control my strength and he gave them to me… We moved to Konoha because of the history of the village… It's because the village has been the source of many problems… but also the most peaceful village." I said.
"So do you know what clans his parents were from?" He asked. I shook my head, lying slightly. I didn't want the elders or any ninja targeting me to train me to become a weapon for the village.
"No. Not really. His parents had run away from their clans. He was given a few clan relics that they had taken since his father was a clan heir. He didn't know much about their power… only a few things he told me. I don't really understand it myself…" I partially lied.
"Hm… Do you really believe we can do this? I mean… Bring peace to the Shinobi world…?" He asked.
"Courage is the magic that turns dreams into reality." I recited. He looked at me in surprise. I stood up. "I read that from one of the oldest scrolls on the island library… I think it's true… but you have to believe as well."
"Hm… Alright. It's a promise." He said. I nodded holding out a pinky. We shook on it and he smiled lightly. "Do your best to become a ninja, Sakura." He said. I nodded with a determined look.
"I have to go now. I'll see you some other time, Itachi!" I said. He nodded and I rushed off.
I ran past his parents and Sasuke who was the same age as me at the moment. Sasuke made eye contact with me, a dark look on his face. I wondered what was with him. He looked… jealous… Wait.
JEALOUS?
I sweat dropped. That was just great. Sasuke's bond with me was off to a bad start… because of the connection I had with Itachi.
I got back to the house ready to practice my technique in controlling water, moving it around, solidifying, and turning ice back into liquid.
I had pretty much gotten solidifying it down, but turning ice into liquid was a little harder. I had to vibrate the chakra so that the molecules started to move around and space out to turn ice to water. It was hard because if I vibrated the chakra too much, it would shatter the ice and turn it into sparkling ice particles.
Days later, I was playing my guitar when I noticed Sasuke staring at me. He seemed to admire my music, but also looked jealous. I finished practicing and packed my things as the people left, when Sasuke walked up to me. "Hey, you're Sakura right?" He asked. I nodded. He had a glare on his face. I sweat dropped. "You know… Itachi's my brother." He said, almost possessively.
I sweat dropped.
"Really? That's cool! Itachi is really cool you know. You're really lucky to have him as a brother. I have my cousins but I don't have any older or younger siblings…" I said innocently trying to calm his mind and get him off of the idea that I was 'stealing' his brother in a way. His expression quickly changed and Sasuke sighed.
"He's always on missions though… and he doesn't really have time for me…" He said. I looked at Sasuke feeling slightly sorry for him.
"Your name's Sasuke right?" I asked. He looked up at me.
"How'd you know that!" Sasuke asked in shock.
"Itachi. He really loves you a lot." I said. Sasuke looked surprised. "He told me all about you. You are his most precious person. I can tell. I think he loves you even more than your parents. He might be busy all the time, but he cares a lot about you."
"Really…?" He asked.
"Yeah. He told me about how you always love to chase cats, how your hair is shaped like a cockatoo, how you're skilled for a kid that's your age. You might not progress as fast as he does, but your potential, he told me, is higher than his. Speed in progress doesn't matter. What matters more, is how much you can grow in your strength." I said.
Sasuke pouted in embarrassment at the fact about his hair and the cat chasing, but he brightened at the fact about his potential. "He… he really said that about me?" Sasuke asked in surprise. I nodded. It was true. Itachi told me about Sasuke and he had said all of those things.
"I wouldn't tell anyone anything. Don't tell him I told you that. I think he would rather kiss his cousin, Shisui, than admit he said that about you, and he told him his cousin is very very annoying." I said giggling.
"You even know about Shisui-nii?" Sasuke asked in surprise. I nodded.
"But… how come Itachi can talk to you so easily…? How come he doesn't talk to me?" Sasuke asked.
"Because he doesn't need to…. Your bond as brothers is much stronger, than my friendship with him. It's easier to talk with your friends, but your bond as brothers gives you a stronger bond that I can't reach. You can help each other improve and always be there to help each other." I said. Sasuke looked at me curiously.
"Do you think… that my parents would let me learn music?" He asked.
"Yeah. I think so. I know your parents listened in on the conversation that Itachi and I had on the night of the festival. Hey, you're going to be in the academy this year right?" I asked. Sasuke nodded.
"We'll be in the same year. I bet I'll be a better ninja than you." I said grinning. Sasuke shook his head with a smirk on his face.
"No way! I'm not going to get beat by a girl! Especially one with pink hair!" He said with a grin.
"Hmph! We'll see, cockatoo head!" I said playfully.
"That's a promise!" Sasuke said with a smile holding out his pinky. I grinned and hooked my pinky with his. We shook pinkies.
And so that was the beginning of my strange rivalry and friendship bond with Sasuke.
I heard from Sasuke a few days later, at the park, we met, and his parents and brother nearby, keeping an eye on him. He was holding his guitar case and he sat beside me, telling me all about how he managed to get his parents to get him a guitar, and get them to find someone to give him lessons.
I decided to get him a little ahead by teaching him a few notes and the basics. He was eager and happy to learn. He was determined to try and best me at playing the guitar. I laughed and told him it'd be decades before he could beat me.
Akane often watched over me in the park, when she wasn't busy making arrangements with our new sponsor… I had been shocked when I found out that the Uchiha Clan was willing to sponsor our music. It seemed that my bond with Sasuke and Itachi had also helped get the head of the clan, Fugaku, to agree with his wife, Uchiha Mikoto, in sponsoring us.
Mikoto adored all four of us but she would always glomp me first. I was the "cute and innocent" child, in the group. Sasuke was still jealous though, even though I had talked with him about it. Akane and Itachi both became good friends once again though I could tell there was also something deeper in their bond of friendship.
I would watch them closely when I had time, but I had to focus on the problem of the Uchiha Clan and the Elders first, or it would end up badly for the both of them.
I had to fix this.
Failure was not an exception.
Coming up next… Chapter Four: To Meet and Destroy the Painful Past…
Some of you can probably already tell what's going to happen in the next chapter from the title and the foreshadowing I used at the end. Those of you who don't get it, will just have to wait for the next chapter and it depends on your reviews how much closer that update date gets. I liked the reviews from the last chapter and the chapter before, so I updated earlier than planned for both chapters.
BTW, the song that Sakura sang was "Perfect Day" by Supercell. I think that the voice is sort of like Sakura's Japanese voice. Argue with me that I'm wrong if you want, but this is what I think. I'm not trying to insult the singer of Supercell either, so don't take it offensively if it is offensive. I love the voice of the singer from Supercell and I like Sakura as well.
I'm not sure about the translations, but it's what I found off the net. You should listen to it. I think it's an amazing song.
Yay! Remember, the more 'good' reviews, the faster I'll update!
Actually… I couldn't help but update early cuz I was feeling so good.
I am still feeling pretty good, so the deadlines for me to write the chapters will be shorter and updates will probably come sooner!
Chapter 4 Will most likely be posted before or on… July 18th depending on how much you guys put in for reviews! I updated early because I liked all the reviews I got, especially the longer reviews. Please continue to review, all of you!
-SasuLovesSaku4Ever
