Before Sakura had realized it a week passed and it was Friday. Her bags were packed ready to go back to the real world. Her headband never left her head nor did the scratched headband around her wrist move. It was a reminder that not everything has a happy ending. Rubbing her forehead she picked up her bag. Kakashi was leaning against the wall.
"You've done well Sakura," the older man said softly.
"Thanks Kakashi-sensei."
Kakashi watched the girl he trained twice. She had grown since the little girl he knew so long ago. Now stood before him was a woman on a mission. His eyes drifted again to the headband around her wrist and sighed softly. Even after all this time she held onto her love for Sasuke. Sakura clicked the lock on the sword case shut. When Tsunade presented her with the twin of the first blade Sakura almost cried. Kakashi watched with a heavy heart as the girl didn't even shed a few tears. The twin of Sakura's blade had been given to Sasuke, very few people knew that. They had assumed that she had lost the twin in a battle but only himself, Naruto, and Tsunade knew about where the twin was.
"You all right Kakashi?" Sakura asked calmly.
"Yeah Sakura, just thinking."
"This week has gone by fast hasn't it?"
"Yeah it has."
"So you coming back to see the others?"
"I'll be there in a few days."
"Tsunade is worried Sasuke won't remember in time to help me when the time comes."
"I'm sure it'll take a bit of a push to get him to remember Sakura. Sasuke was always a bit hardheaded."
She smiled at him before going past him towards her waiting mother. The older woman took her up in a hug and led her back to the car. Sakura sighed as she looked over her shoulder at the house that hand been her home for the past week. Once they were in the car driving Sakura looked out the window and her mind was in deep thought.
"Sakura?"
"Yeah mom?"
"There is a dance tomorrow."
"I obviously can't go."
"I made arrangements and I bought you a dress while you were away."
"Maybe I didn't want to go mom."
"But Sakura you could make a grand entrance wearing your headbands."
Sakura's hand came up and absently traced the headband on her wrist. Her fingers moved over the leaf symbol and the scratch mark over and over again absently.
"I don't want them to notice it's me mom."
"Why Sakura?"
"Because I'm different."
The older woman sighed. She needed to get Sakura to go to this dance. She had gotten word that Sasuke's engagement had been broken off. Mrs. Haruno knew that Sasuke had to tell Sakura himself but it wouldn't matter because he didn't even remember who he was. Even if he didn't remember there was a chance that he'd fall in love again. Her daughter's eyes were a darker shade of green. They were harder and not showing any of the girlish innocence that Sakura once held.
"Sakura go to find yourself again to mingle among your friends."
"I don't want to."
"Sakura please. You can stay an hour and then leave if you want."
"Mom…"
"What are you so afraid of?"
"I'm not afraid of anything mom. I'm tired and I haven't…"
"Gaara wouldn't stop calling me asking where you were."
"Don't you mean Sabaku no Gaara?" she asked bitterly.
"No, you're best friend Gaara. He's been worried about you."
"I'm just a means to an end."
"I can give you a hooded black cape if you wish to hide yourself and the bands and a mask."
"Mom I don't…"
"Sakura you're a senior in high school soon to be 18. There aren't many dances left and it might be your last you never know."
"Thanks mom," Sakura stated dryly.
Sakura knew better than anyone that it could very well be her last days on earth. The truth was that she wasn't ready to face the others yet especially Sasuke. There was a minor detail that she remembered when she was in the middle of training that made her start and then her opponent had gotten the best of her. With that memory so vivid she didn't know if she could face him again. Flopping back against the car seat she stared up at the cloth ceiling of the car.
"I'll go but only for an hour."
"All right. You're going to be the prettiest girl there!" her mother gushed.
Sakura sighed in annoyance and knew she was going to regret this. It was one of those feelings you got in the pit of your stomach that told you that something bad was going to happen. She was glad the dance wasn't tonight. Her entire body ached. All she needed right now was a hot bath and a nice long sleep. Yawning slightly she couldn't wait for that hot bath.
Once they arrived home Sakura put her bags down on her bed and carefully put her laptop and sword case on her desk. Digging through her bag she pulled out the picture of Team 7 and placed it on her night stand. Taking down her hair she went to take a long bath. Sakura was able to get her body to relax enough and the muscles stopped hurting. Once she was done with that she quickly dressed for bed. Sighing heavily she fell asleep.
The next morning she woke up to her mother knocking on her door. Sakura was glad her mother had woken her. The dream she had hadn't been so friendly. Despite the fact that she had been training as hard as she could she managed to finish her latest book. The latest copy was sent to her editor. Running her fingers through her hair she went towards the sword case.
"Sakura are you up already?"
"I'm up."
"Good get up and shower we're going to go get your hair done."
"Mom, people will see."
"No they won't I promise."
Sakura dressed in a buttoned down shirt and black pants. Slipping on her shoes she followed her mom.
"You didn't shower?"
"I took one last night."
Sakura still had her crimson Leaf band in her hair and the scratched one around her wrist.
"Sakura why do you keep that scratched Headband?"
"It's a link to the past."
Sakura wouldn't say anymore than that. When they arrived Sakura looked around nervously for anyone she knew but no one. Carefully she took out her Leaf headband and wrapped it around her other wrist. The woman took her and sat her down in a seat and did her hair up. Her only request had been that her bangs hand freely so that her headband would stay in place. Her hair was up in a small twist and the rest of the hair hung down in curls. The woman wanted to put pretty hair clips but she refused.
Getting up the two woman returned home. Sakura went to her closet and took out the dress. The creation was obviously pink though more of a baby pink than the bubblegum pink of her hair. It was a spaghetti strapped dress. The material felt like silk against her skin and it flowed down to the floor. From just under her breasts down flowed light pink lace flowed around the dress, in between her breasts the lace had a slit that ran to the ground leaving a view of the silk material underneath. Sakura felt sad. She had never had a chance in the past life to have fun like this. On a hook beside the dress was a black hooded cape. Smiling she put it on. Taking her headband off her wrist she tied it back in place trying not to disturb the elegant curls.
Once she was ready she came down and her mother took pictures much to the pink headed girl's embarrassment.
"My baby is so pretty," her mother gushed.
"Mom stop being a sap."
"Knock them dead."
Sakura rolled her eyes in annoyance. They went to the car and drove to the music hall where they'd have the dance.
Sasuke sighed in annoyance. He didn't know why he was there. Just about everyone had a date except for him, not that he cared anyway. Even Gaara had a date. Looking around the room the set up kind of made him sick. It was a Valentines Day dance. So hearts and pink everywhere on the walls and floor. There were very few splashes of red. The soft murmur of the dancing couples stopped suddenly. Looking up he noticed a cloaked figure walking in. It was a woman obviously. Something about her made his heart beat speed up. Guys and girls alike gathered around the new arrival wanting to know who it was. The girl skillfully dodged their attempts to talk. Tenten walked up to the girl and hugged her much to everyone's shock and amazement. The girls let go of each other and the girl's hand came up. There was something silver and blue wrapped around her wrist. The hood fell back to reveal pink locks. His eyes traveled to her headband. It was red with a silver plate on it. There were gasps in the crowd as they recognized the band for what it was. It looked familiar to him for some reason so he moved forward towards her.
Sakura looked around at all her friends once Tenten made her take the hood off. The familiar faces gasped at the band in her hair she guessed. The one around her wrist was hidden in the shadows of the cloak. That band was reserved for only one person's eyes. A slow song began to play. The couples scattered to dance with their partners leaving Sakura to watch them sadly.
"Will you dance with me Sakura?" a familiar deep voice said from behind her.
She turned around and smiled at him. He had his hand held out to her. Reaching forward she took his hand and he lead them out to the dance floor. His arm wrapped around her waist pulling her close to him. Leaning forward she rested her head on his shoulder. Their free hands were intertwined. Sakura felt content in his arms knowing that it wouldn't ever last.
"What's the headband for?" he asked softly.
"Which one?" she asked softly not realizing the mistake.
They stopped and he brought up her wrist and looked at it closely. Looking up into his dark eyes she wondered if he'd remember. There was nothing but confusion and something else that she couldn't define.
"What does this symbol mean?"
"The Village Hidden in the Leaves bestowed these bands to teenagers that displayed great ninja skills after graduating from an academy. Then they were placed in a three man team with a sensei and they would train together. So it's the symbol of the Leaf Village."
"And the scratch mark?"
"When a Ninja feels they cannot abide by the rules of their Village they scratch the band and declare themselves a Missing Ninja. The person this band use to belong to abandoned his village for the sake of power."
Sakura was getting all choked up remembering all this. Pushing back from Sasuke she fled from the man into the crowd and ended up on a balcony. Staring up at the stars she allowed her tears to flow. A presence behind her didn't even make her start. Arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her back against his chest. She knew the scent surrounding her. It was a dessert smell, one of wind and sand.
"I'm sorry Kura," he whispered softly.
"It's all right Gaara. You and Neji had no other choice one way or another I had to become who I once was."
Gaara sighed behind her and rested his chin on her shoulder.
"What did the Uchiha say that upset you so?" the red head asked softly.
Sakura brought her wrist up showing him the scarred band. He looked at it closely before dropping it. He knew exactly who that band belonged to once.
"It's his isn't it?"
"No, it's not his. This band belonged to a Missing Nin that died a long time ago."
"There is always hope Sakura."
"Hope is something I can't afford to believe in."
"You're starting to sound like him and I combined Sakura. Hope was something that not many of us had but we believed in something other than the power."
"He still left and you became something greater than yourself."
Gaara tried to understand but couldn't even fathom what she had gone through. It was one of those things that kept him from asking half the things that he wanted to, like to ask why it was that she still held on even though there was no chance that he'd return to her. Gaara shook his head and let go of her to move in front of her so he was facing the doorway.
"So tell me what happened while you were gone?"
"Training, more training, and did I mention training."
"They ran you into the ground?"
"No exactly. The first day yes but as more came back to me the rest was easy."
Sakura looked out over the balcony over Gaara's shoulder sadly. He must have noticed because he was in front of her really close bringing her chin up gently.
"What is it?"
"I can't tell you," she sighed softly.
She wasn't even sure how to go about telling the person that should know what should have been said a long time ago. Some part of her was determined that he never know, especially if he was engaged to someone. It wouldn't be fair if she brought up the past now. Suddenly her phone went off. Looking at the number she was confused on who it could be.
"Hello?" she asked.
"Be warned he's coming for you," a voice hissed over the phone. "But for his vessel more over."
"I'll see all of you burn in hell before that happens."
"What makes you sure you have a chance?"
Then the line went dead. Sakura cursed softly. Putting her phone away she looked at Gaara.
"I take it wasn't a friendly call," Gaara stated dryly.
"I need you to spread the word among our peers that tomorrow we're meeting up and its time to be reunited with our teams."
"Should I tell them now?"
"No, let them have their fun tonight. Tell them when the dance is over. Make Naruto help you, and if he doesn't comply tell him I said so."
Gaara nodded. With a few hand seals Sakura was gone. A startled gasp made him turn around to see a dumbfounded Sasuke. Gaara rolled his eyes before pushing past Sasuke to go find the blonde Kyuubi vessel.
Sakura landed heavily in her room. She crashed to her knees and tears began to flow down her face. Her hand curled into a fist and she slammed it down on the ground. The house shook a bit but no damage. Getting up she stood before her vanity and furiously tore out the hair clips. Her hair swayed freely. Going to her closet she removed the nice dress and cape. She changed into a pants and a tank top. Going to her box she pulled out her kunai pouch and strapped it to her hip. Going to the katana case she brought out the twin swords. Strapping them to her back she was ready.
"Sakura are you all right I felt the house shutter?"
"I'm going out to train mom."
"Sakura…"
Before the woman could protest Sakura was gone.
Sakura landed softly in the middle of a forest. Before training she always turned her phone off to avoid being disturbed. Unsheathing both swords she began an old dance that so long ago she created herself. It was the beginning of her jutsu for these twin blades.
Two hours later and a decimated clearing later
Sakura breathed heavily before turning her back on the damage she had done. Her muscles didn't ache like she thought they would. Looking at her phone as she turned it on it was around midnight. Sighing again she poofed home and landed gracefully in her room. Sitting down at her laptop she began to type furiously.
They didn't know. She slid across the ground to try and stop her flight. Her skirt flared up and around her legs. Her gloved hands were bringing up dirt as she slid. She had felt his aura close. There was no mistaking it for what it was. Without regards to her mission or what she knew she had to do she leapt forward into the trees. Green blurred past her in an unending wave until the tree line ended. There in the middle of the battle field stood a familiar form. He was taller and more defined. His hair was a bit longer and wilder. There was no mistake in who it was. They didn't move towards each other or greet one another after a long time. The green and black ribbons danced and fluttered behind her. Finally getting tired of waiting she jumped from the tree she was perched in and landed ten feet away from him still facing his back. For a moment she wondered if that was all she'd ever see of him, his back.
"What are you doing so close to the Leaf?" she asked.
She wasn't going to demand anything of him because it would be pointless. He'd reply with his two letter response and that wouldn't get any answers.
"Not happy to see me Sakura?"
"Sasuke you are to close to Leaf."
He turned around and his eyes were a bloody red. Sakura didn't even flinch as she stared into the deep crimson pools. If he wanted to hurt her he would have done so already or so she told herself. Tilting her head to the side she looked at him curiously there was something different about him but she couldn't exactly place what it was. She'd never dare to hope that he'd come back to the village. She had long ago relieved Naruto of that pledge even though she was sure that the blonde was still looking.
"When did you take up swords Sakura?"
"A year ago."
She carefully drew both blades. Sasuke hadn't even moved an inch. On reflex she twirled the one in her right hand before doing it seconds later with its twin. She knew that he wasn't here for idol chit chat so she looked him in the eyes again.
"What are you doing here Sasuke?"
"Passing through."
Sakura wanted to growl at that answer. It was the same one every time. Couldn't he change it for once and use something more interesting. She was about to say something when he added. "To see you."
"Why me and why now?"
"Do I have to have a reason?"
"Stop asking questions to avoid answering mine."
Before she could snap at him further he was in front of her. His hands touched her cheeks gently. It surprised her. Her grip on the blades relaxed. She knew that she shouldn't be doing this, but old habits die hard. Sakura pulled back from his touch even though she knew she wanted it. Stepping back far enough she resheathed one of the blades and left the other in her hand. The ribbons fluttered.
"You should go Sasuke before the ANBU catch you."
There was something in his eyes that made her curious again. He was showing small emotions but they were there. He reached forward again and pulled her against his chest. His hand came up and gently caressed her face. Leaning down he kissed her softly before pulling back and vanishing.
"I think I'll keep this katana for old times sake Sakura, see you around," she heard him whisper in her ear from behind.
Sighing in annoyance at his antics she wondered where he learned that from. Shaking her head she turned and returned back to the village and trying to think of a good excuse as to why the twin of her blade was missing.
Sakura smiled at that small bit and saved the document before stretching and changing. Slipping under the covers she drifted to sleep knowing that tomorrow was going to be another long day.
A/N: This chapter was a bit longer than most. Hoped you enjoyed. Review Please!!
