Onaji Sora Mitsumeteru Anata ni

by Azu feat. Spontania


Chapter 7

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"I want to see the same sky you gaze at."

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Drip

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Drop

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Sakura cautiously opened her eyes as the continuous rhythm of water falling from above resounded in her mind. Unconsciously, her hands scattered around the floor, searching for anything that might ease her aching mind.

Finding nothing, she diverted her task into staring at the ceiling above. There, Sakura could make out the old, rusty pipes intersecting behind the dim room, water dripping from the leaks, making the cold, dirty floor wet.

Propelling herself up into a sitting position, Sakura regarded the cold atmosphere with resentment. Stretching her shaky legs as she stands up, Sakura's hazy eyes focused at the long narrow hallway in front of her. It was straight and dark, but contains different door shaped entrances that probably lead to different passages.

Walking towards the isolated corridor, she thought that it would probably take time for her to venture into each room and find out what's inside. Furthermore, she doesn't know whether each hallways lead to other rooms, creating an infinite number of things for her to know.

This made her head ache worse.

Whether she's dead or not, Sakura doesn't know. The only thing she could remember is the feeling of pain piercing throughout her body.

But the idea of being dead does not bother her the most. It's the familiar, menacing aura radiating around the poorly lit hallway that is giving her the creeps.

As if on instinct, Sakura's feet started moving, leading her to the only thing that, despite the danger lurking, is not foreign to her. Reaching a particular section, Sakura turned left and began to walk deeper into the slim passage.

Despite her clouded mind, Sakura's heart was thumping really fast.

Interrupted by the sudden light coming from a head, Sakura looked up. Her feet taking nonchalant steps after the other, and before she knew it, she was standing before a huge gate; a paper inscribed with the kanji word for seal was keeping the cage like door locked.

That was where the evil chakra came out the strongest.

Her mind turned alert in a second, her eyes darting from left to right of huge prison

'What is this?' She thought to herself, the hairs on the back of her neck standing. She was overwhelmed with the urge of screaming in fear, calling someone for help. But due to the sheer pride inside her heart, she decided not to. If the death reaper will judge her, the least thing she could do is act like a true shinobi til the end.

Clutching her curled, right hand in her left, Sakura bravely approached the cage.

"Hello?" Her voice echoed inside the hollow room. Her right hand extended as she reach for the door, her left hand curled on her chest. As her hand slightly touch the cold door, a loud growl erupted from the dark cage.

Behind the wooden bars, Sakura could barely make out huge monster like eyes and sharp pointed teeth.

"You look awfully a lot like her."The thing behind the bars spat, his voice sending a wave of dread throughout Sakura's body.

Hearing the familiar voice, Sakura drew closer. But before her body could fully enter the small gap between the bars, sharp like claws appeared in front of her, all deadly and big.

Sakura's eyes widened at the sudden movement, her body quickly jerking away from the cage as a loud scream went out of her throat.

"Hey! What was that for!" She clenched her fist beside her before summoning her best glare. Her heart was thumping in an awfully fast speed inside her chest but she doesn't want to show it.

"Damn that woman! And damn you! Seeing your petty little face reminds me of her! As soon as I get out of this dame cage, I'll kill you!"

Sakura froze as the silhouette earlier became clearer. Behind the bars is a huge like fox, orange fox like monster, sitting with his sharp claws clenched on his sides. He has nine, huge fury tails behind him, all swirling in the different directions.

"W-What are you?" Sakura's voice cracked, her body turning cold in fear.

The aura the fox was giving off was screaming with rage, his red, slit eyes boring holes in her body. If looks could kill, Sakura's body would've been slaughtered by now.

"Eh? You have the guts to visit me here yet you still don't know me?" The monster's voice was deep, a growl emitted from his throat.

Sakura's mind turned blank. For once she was left speechless.

The creature glared at her, his eyes contorting in anger. A string of nausea erupted in her chest. Deeply, she recognized that stare before.

It was the same cold glare that the villagers were giving her.

But unlike their cold and hateful stares, the monster's glare was different. His glare was full of hatred; it was full with the intention of killing her.

Unlike the villagers, he was truly mad at her, angry for something she has done.

Sakura then felt angry for whatever she has done.

"Cut that look before I kill you!" Sakura jumped when his hands clawed the cage trapping him.

She was looking at him with remorseful eyes, something that the creature had never seen before.

"I'm sorry.." She whispered as she stares at her feet, her hands clenched at her side.

Kurama sneered at the guilt looking girl in front of him. His blood was boiling with rage, for her to dare show him such look, for her to dare show him like she understands.

The Nine tailed fox doesn't need pity. He's strong, powerful, everyone fears him, everyone loathes him. No one has truly cared. Yet, somehow, the small gesture has sent something entirely new to the nine tailed fox.

He had seen people cry before; calling for the loved ones he killed. This, though, is the first time someone had shown pity for him. The first time someone felt sorry for him.

Somehow, it felt, annoying, it felt insulting but deep inside, it felt relieving at the same time.

To know that the shinobi world hasn't truly gone mad.

Kurama stared at the frail looking child in front of him. She was shaking, the hands on her sides turning white because of her grip. However, her face was void of anger; it was void of the emotion he was accustomed to see from people like her.

She was acting strong yet showing that she's weak at the same time.

And for one of his containers to act so weak despite being in his presence was foreign.

Not even his previous jinchurikis cried before him. Kushina had always been strong when speaking to him, hiding her fear as she tells him of his hatred. She was one of the people he felt angry for being strong.

He could still remember how he would lust for her death, think of how she would taste in his mouth.

'And it would've been a reality if it weren't for that wretched girl'

Image of a pink haired woman shielding the Namikaze couple from his claws appeared in his mind.

Before she appeared, Kurama was savoring the moment of tasting Kushina's fear. It was one of the best things that happened in his life, the time when he could see the villagers of Konoha hopeless, the time where even Minato's façade isn't enough to cover his fear.

All of those things ended because of that one nuisance.

And she was standing before him right now, looking at him with sorry eyes.

He doesn't know whether he'd be glad or annoyed at her. Yes, she's broken, but not because of what he's done.

Anger riled up inside him.

The blooming guilt in him changed into a blissful resentment.

She's torn..

Hurt..

And he would make it worse..

Soon, he thought, soon he'll be out of this prison.

"You really don't know who I am?"

His voice resounded in the cage.

"Pathetic! To think that I've been inside you all this time!" He laughed. "Minato must've done a good job in hiding the truth"

Sakura's attention snapped back at him, her eyes staring at his with disbelief. This made the grin on his lips widen. "What are you talking about?! What do you mean about you being inside me all this time?!"

Her voice was strong, replacing the soft, understanding one a few seconds ago. This made him laugh, it was a wonder how someone's mood can change so easily.

"You don't know?" He laughed, making the whole room rumble. "Don't you know the great tragedy of October 10?"

Sakura raised a mocking eyebrow at what he said. "Of course I do, that was the day when Konoha was struck by the great typhoon! Many died that day, leaving our village in shambles." She proudly shouted, crossing her arms in front of her chest as she remembers Iruka's exact words. The tenth of October was one of Konoha's historic days, not only did it speak of the great storm, it is also the day when Naruto was born.

The monster inside the cage roared in laughter. "And that's the best excuse Minato can think of?"

Sakura bit her lower lip as she watch the huge fox roll in glee. "Hey! What do you mean the best excuse he can think of?" She seethed, angry at how he was mocking one of the men she respects. Minato had always been there for her, guiding her in her problems. She won't let some weird fox mock him like that, especially in front of her.

"You know what! You're pathetic! I'm leaving!" Closing her eyes, Sakura turned as she faces the passage she came from. But before she could take a step away from the huge cage, the beasts' commanding voice stopped her. "Your life is a lie, little girl. Minato had always been lying at you. Heck, the whole village has."

The sadistic grin on his face grew when Sakura turned around. By the look on her face, the ninetails knew he has struck a chord.

"What do you mean—"

"The storm never occurred, it was just a lie made to hide the truth."

Sakura made an annoyed with her tongue, "You expect me to believe that what you're saying true?"

Kurama mentally laughed at the girl's front. 'I'll break you soon, little girl….'

"Ahh. You see, twelve years ago, just after the end of the Third Shinobi World War, there was a great and powerful beast that attacked the peaceful village of Konoha." The nine tails told in a bored like voice, his head was lazily placed on his front arms while his eyes continue to bore holes on the pink haired child, watching her every move.

'He's lying…' Sakura assured to herself, her heart skipping a beat inside her chest. Her instincts telling her to run, shut her ears and go back to Tazuna's house. "I won—"

"Hundreds, no, thousands died that day, both civilians and Shinobi as Minato, the reigning Hokage tries to stop fearsome beast." His eyes glint as he watch the girl's eyes widen with realization.

"A-And how does that i-involves you?" Sakura stuttered, knowing clearly the answer to her own question. After all, she didn't top the written exams without nothing.

Kurama laughed at the trembling girl, his aura tripling than before. "Ahh…" He smirked, nearing his face to the cage. "You see, I was the beast that killed thousands that day..."

"So wha-?..."

"And I happen to be inside of you."

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"That's right my dear, you, and I…

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"Are one."

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Kuro drew out a heavy sigh as he continues to stare at the young lad in front of him. Itachi was seated at the chair across his, his black locks handsomely framing his stoic face as he casually drinks the tea he has prepared.

He sighed again, but this time quite defeated. The young Uchiha has been visiting his house for quite some time now, asking whether his niece was okay, if he was managing to handle the eatery alone and, if Tsubaki has finally awaken.

Picture of a raven haired boy, barging in his silent house while he was sleeping entered his mind. He would've thrown the next thing to him, which was the orange book he was reading before he fell asleep, if he hadn't saw the fragile looking body of his niece, dangling in the boy's arms, unconscious.

Dread crept into him when he realized what happened.

It wasn't the first time the black haired girl fainted. Truthfully, it was something that the two of them have been undergoing for the past years.

"It's been three days.."Itachi started his voice emotionless yet firm. "And she's still asleep."

There was a long pause between the two.

Itachi stared at the man across him; he was quite annoyed at how the later just ignored him, considering how he was never ignored by anyone before.

Placing the cup back on the table, Itachi gracefully placed his elbows on the table while he interlaced his fingers under his chin, his gaze never leaving the brown haired man.

Kuro silently sneered at the man before him. Giving out another deep breath, he nodded. "Yes, and it would probably take more days now, so leave." He spat to the stoic young lad.

Itachi, despite knowing the older man's irritation, stood up and made a motion of going to the raven haired woman's room. "I'll check on her to see if her temperature has decreased." He was a few inches from her door when Kuro's deep voice resounded from the kitchen.

"Why are you doing this? If you're planning to court my niece, better get out! She doesn't need a traitorous ninja like you. And I don't need another head to feed in this house!"

Itachi silently laughed at the man's statement.

"I am not making a move on your niece; I am simply concerned for the well-being of a friend and a co-villager. And, I am loyal to my village, and to the people who lives in it, so please do not accuse me of being traitorous."

Itachi glanced at the presence behind him, his coal black eyes staring at Kuro's relaxed form by the entrance of the kitchen while a barely visible smirk grace his lips.

"Also, you would not have to worry about a new person to feed in your house. My salary from working in the Akatsuki is simply enough to feed twenty more people, not to mention my income would increase more once I become the head of my clan."

Kuro's jaw dropped as he watched the Uchiha heir disappear inside the room of his niece.

"Y-You can court my niece anytime!"

"Tch."

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'Hn. Please do not be fooled, I am simply doing this for my mission. Nothing more, nothing less'

Kakashi sneaked a peek from his pink haired girl. Unlike her usual bubbly self, she seems uptight and troubled lately. Something that even his densest student, Naruto noticed her sudden change after she woke up this morning.

Bringing his eyes back to his orange book, Kakashi silently recalled the events from two days ago. They were all fully healed, except for Haku who is still recovering from some of his bruises. It seems that Sakura's small knowledge about medical ninjutsu turned out to be a great help, something that he, as a sensei, is truly proud of.

Though, he still can't remove the feeling that there is something wrong about her odd behavior.

"Sakura-chan! Look at this! I developed a new technique from my sexy no jutsu! I'm sure Tou-san would be really proud once he learned that I combined his kage no bunshin technique with my own!" Naruto's loud voice boomed from afar.

He, together with Sasuke and Zabuza is helping Tazuna finish the bridge, after all, Zabuza did knocked out most of his workers, rendering them useless for a week. He smiled at the sight of his newly found friend helping the person he was just about to kill a few days ago.

Zabuza reflected his actions during the past years and repented for his sins, something that Haku was really thankful for. Now, they pledged to protect Tazuna's village in turn for accepting them with open arms.

Smiling at the 'youthful' men in front of him, Kakashi was suddenly distracted by an eerie presence besides him. But as quickly as it came, it suddenly disappeared. Glancing at his side, the white haired man took note of his tense looking student. Her hands were clenched while her head was down casted.

For a moment, Kakashi's heart skipped a beat.

He knew the presence before. It was the same one he felt during his battle with Zabuza, and the same one he dreaded twelve years ago.

"I'm tired, Kakashi-sensei? Would it be okay if I go back earlier than you guys?" Sakura was smiling yet her voice lacked the usual joyful tone she possessed, her bangs hiding her eyes from his view.

"Sure." He nodded, book a few inches away from his face. "You do look like you need a rest, Sakura."

Sakura gave a small nod at the white haired man before facing at the direction of the bridge builder's house.

"And Sakura." He called out. "I'm proud of what you've done to Haku."

"I simply mended some of his wounds, sensei. They're not even fully healed yet."

With that, Sakura went back to their headquarters, her pace quick and tensed.

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"I wasn't talking about your skills."

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"I was talking about how you taught him the value of friendship."

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'Something that I hope will be the thing that would save you someday..'

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Kakashi stared at the disappearing form of his student.

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"Guess I'll have to make a report soon."

My dream to become the Hokage was the only thing that kept me moving, it was the only thing that gave me hope.

Hope that someday I'll be accepted, that someday I'll be loved.

That someday, I'll become the sun that would shine over everyone.

I just want to see the same sky Naruto and Sasuke at. Feel what they feel, see what they see.

But I'll never be like them.

Clutching my head as I stifle a sob from coming out of my mouth, I stared at cold floor beneath me.

Now I understand why they hate me.

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After all…

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A monster can't look at the sky, much less be the sun.

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A/n: Gomenasai! I'm really sorry for the late update. It's just that I've been busy with a lot of things lately, moving to a new school. Anyways, I'm really thankful for the reviews. I'll try to update soon and belated Happy SasuSaku month!