Never Too Late

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At this point in time, there were a lot of things floating around helplessly in the corners of her mind. This kunoichi who had once had the perfect life was now holding on to her last shred of sanity. These past several weeks had been too difficult for her. It was as if the Gods had given her a wonderful life on a shiny, silver platter. And when she thought she was set, they snatched it away all together.

Her life was perfect; friends, family, talent, and beauty. Up until Sasuke left she then she pushed harder and he came back, only to be costing her a price; her parents. Obviously, she couldn't have her cake and eat it too. The pain hurt far more than having started off with nothing. Sasuke knew that all too well. The pain of breaking those bonds so so quickly... it was so unjust, so morally wrong and yet the world continued to turn regardless if she was willing to step up and do something about it.

She knew Naruto had grown a bunch thoughout the years and she had immense pride for him like a mother at her son's first baseball game. She knew his growth had saved her and countless people of their village but Sakura had grown up so much too. Of course some things may not ever change for her, like her feelings towards Naruto and the village or, her attitude, but her mind set will always stay strong and her goals will never change.

She had seen some gruesome stuff on her seven month mission. She cried the first two months and sucked it up for the next five. There was nothing wrong with crying; even now she still cried. Naruto cried, she even saw Tsunade cry. It was natural and normal.

But now, she wanted to be strong and looking strong meant showing no tears.

"Daichi!" She called.

She began to panick when no reply was heard. Sakura ran faster and faster through the grand hallway, her footsteps echoing off the walls and ceilings. The candles casted an eerie orange glow against the brick walls, her shadow was frightful. This child surely couldn't have out run her. She watched a couple of meters ahead of her, he wasn't in the distance, he wasn't behind her either. There was nowhere else he could have been. The silence was the only thing pounding in her ears.

"Daichi...? Daichi where are you?" She sighed realising that she must have fallen into a trap. Daichi was nothing but an illusion, a decoy to reel her in. Sakura grabbed a kunai from her thigh and held in a defensive manner. She continued to walk aimlessly. The path before her swerved and curved, there were corners she turned, places she thought she had already been. Undeniably, she was lost.

Fuck. She cursed. This was not how she wanted this to turn out.

"Come out!" She hissed. She waited. Nothing. Her black strands clung to her face in sweat. The kunai in her fist shook with anxiety and anticipation.

Suddenly as the walls narrowed, she reached the end of the hallway. The wooden door grew larger and larger with each step that she took towards it. This was it. Sakura clenched the door handles, her knuckles were going white from the force.

Inside, the room was stoney and cold. It was big enough that the heels of her shoes echoed off the walls. Droplets of water could be heard hitting the puddles with a subtle rhythm. And then she realized she wasn't alone.

Sakura swung the kunai behind her and anticipated the feeling of it piercing soft flesh. She missed and landed on her toes. She then pushed herself off the ground and attempted to punch the figure and yet again she was dissapointed to not make contact.

What the hell is going on? She stopped and stared straight ahead. Across the distance, the room elevated three steps up to a platform. There was a shadow of a figure sitting quietly on a golden throne.

Sakura's narrowed as the shadow solidified into flesh. "W-who are you!" She demanded, her voice course from frustration.

The figure changed it's sitting posture, switching it's legs over the other. He wore a navy blue robe that cascaded over the edge of the chair down onto the stoney floor. The air was tense as Sakura glared at the unknown male. His hair was dark, most likely the same colour as his robe and the eyes were narrow and silver coloured. He was strikingly, undeniably, handsome. His skin was a perfect olive tone, and she studied him following the oliveness of his tone creeping down into the opening of his robe.

She wasn't expecting this. She imagined a horrifying, raging, beast that was two-times her size, not a man of his stature. Sakura's eyes gazed suspiciously upon the man. This might as well be his human form.

"Well look who we have here..." he cooed, voice low and creamy, "you got a lot more prettier than when I last saw you."

Sakura scoffed, "Shut it. Were you the one who killed them?" It was quite unnecessary to detail her comments since it was obvious that he was indeed the killer.

The man stood up and made his way down the steps, "Let's not get hasty now. We've just come face to face, my dear Sakura. Now, tell me more about yourself." He smiled seductively. She would not be fooled by this. Sakura slowly backed away and got ready for combat. Building up chakra, the kunoichi ran full speed with her fist clenched towards the man. She brought her arm back to initiate the hit then as she flung forward, he caught it with one hand. The impact caused air to rush out between them. Immediately, he pulled her in close and took her face in his other hand.

His silver piercing eyes gazed into her shocked jades. Her eyebrows furrowed as she attempted to break free. No use, his grip was tough.

"Sakura..." He whispered bringing her face nearer to his, "how about we get to know each other."

Sakura gritted her teeth. "Fuck off."

She kicked him hard, knocking him down and flung back.

The man chuckled sending harsh chills down her spine. "Well, that wasn't very nice." He was suddenly behind her, breathing down her neck. "You see, I came from a place where I ruled evrything. The land, the people and it seems that I had been release here though a summoning jutsu." He chuckled again softly into her ears, "You'll get to know that I'm not a very nice person... if you disobey me that is."

"What are you?-" Sakura demanded.

The man suddenly forced a sharp object into her back which made her writhe in agony. Sakura let out a scream only to be heard by no one. There was something seeping into her back, blending into the her blood. It made her paralyzed and her speech and movement was forced to a halt.

Suddenly horns started piercing though his skull and a strange and immense chakra washed over her. It was like the devil himself had appeared. All of a sudden a wave of depression, sadness, worry and anger hit her like a powerful tidal wave.

It was too much... she blacked out from the pain.

When she awoke, she was no longer in the grand stoney room but in fact, she layed quite comfortably on a bed with silk blankets and lacy rimmed pillows. The tiny room glowed by candles sittling idley on the night stand.

She panicked.

Sakura rummaged around the room looking for her weapons and gear but was left hopeless when nothing turned up. Suddenly a sharp feeling shot through her back and she winced in pain. Ugh... that bastard did something to me, she hissed as beads of sweat began to appear on her forehead. Her body tried to fight the toxins that he injected into her before she fell unconscious but she was succombing to it. Shit. Her plan was in vain. She had to get out of there because clearly she hadn't thought things through. Then she noticed her hands. They had markings from her palms up onto the inside of her arms. The script was like a tattoo; a foreign forgotten language. There was no way her tongue could twist in the right way to mutter these words.

A mirror was stationed driectly across the room for her. Slowly she walked up towards it, her body trembling with fear. The girl she saw in the mirror scared her but Sakura knew it was herself. The same pale white skin glistened with sweat, her green eyes were still bright but yet she scowered as her eyed narrowed. Her lips quivered, they were a deep blood red. Sakura slowly brought a hand up to her lips, licked her fingers and tasted the blood. Her reflection suddenly smiled menacingly.

She gasped. With fear, Sakura rushed through the door and out into the hallway. But soon after, her body lagged and protested in such movement. She couldn't continue as she was.

Her fingers ached as she clung onto the brick walls, the sweat remained on her moistened skin.

Nonono! This couldn't be her. The metallic taste lingered in her mouth and a sick twisted part of her longed to taste more. Snap out of it Sakura! She told herself. Stop it! This isn't you! Don't succumb to it!

She stared at her hands, the characters of the script pulsing on her skin...

Take it Sakura... Take my gift... Said the voice as it echoed in her head. "No!" she screamed grabbing her black strands in agony. "I-I won't! I can't-!"

Wouldn't you like sweet, sweet revenge...? Take my power and kill me with it, Sakura. Don't be afraid...! Stop resisting!

She screamed unable to fight the large amounts of energy pouring into her. She thought about her parents and the power lightened off her, she thought about Naruto and the village and an ease came streaming into her conscience. There it was, she was starting to resist the evil powers and then he flashed in her mind. Those eyes, those scary red eyes. So full of hatred and sorrow. "Sasuke..." She whispered, unable to control it anymore. Her finger nails clawed into her scalp as this dark energy invaded her soul. She shrieked and thrashed around, the pain was much too great.

Then, the power ended up engulfing Sakura. This once sweet little girl was now dripping in fury and hatred.

Hey, I hope this chapter wasn't too out there for you guys! please read, review and enjoy! Thank you.