Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Naruto, nor do I own the rights to the anime or manga in which the characters are derived. I do however own this story, since I am the one who wrote it. So keep your hands off!!! Thank you.
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Chapter 21

A white tiled roof met the groggy gaze of a certain witch as she regained consciousness in the nurse's office. Sakura sat up slowly, bringing a hand up to rub her forehead. There was a rustle of clothing from the side, and Sakura turned to look at a red haired woman wearing a white coat and a pair of black glasses.

The woman smiled down at her, tucking her clip board under her arm as she sat on the edge of the bed.

"Hello. Do you know who you are? Where you are?"

"My name is Sakura Haruno, and the last time I checked, I was in Konoha Academy."

The woman smiled, taking out her clipboard and making a note. "Good, good," she murmured. She turned back to Sakura. "So how do you feel?"

Sakura groaned.

The woman grinned. "Yeah, you'll feel like that until your powers settle."

"Powers?"

The woman nodded. "Yup. It seems that the punch to the gut that girl gave you was just the kick your powers needed to get into gear. Better late than never though, huh?" The woman got up and walked to a little sink beside a desk. Sakura heard the sound of running water, and when the woman returned, she had a plastic cup in her hand. She handed Sakura the cup. "Here, drink this, but slowly."

Sakura took a few small sips of water. The cool liquid ran down her throat, relieving the parched state of her throat. She took a few more sips before setting down the cup on the little side table next to the bed. "Thank you, Miss… I'm sorry. I don't know your name."

The woman smiled. "Oh that's ok. Actually, this is the first time that we've met. I'm the senior nurse here at Konoha Academy. You can call me Nurse Karin, or just Karin. Whatever you prefer."

Sakura smiled at Karin. "Thank you Nurse Karin."

Karin waved off the thank you. "No thanks needed. Oh, and your aunt has been called and informed of what happened. She should be here soon. If you want, you can stay here until she arrives. There's no point in going to class, unless you want to that is. The end of the day is just thirty minutes away." She paused, and then grinned, chuckling lightly. "I just rhymed. What do you know, I'm a poet and I didn't even know it." Laughing at her own lame joke, Karin got up and walked out the office door, telling Sakura that she had some paperwork to file before the end of the school day.

Sakura watched her go, smiling slightly. Her joke had reminded her of her father who also had a fondness for un-funny jokes. He had always made her laugh though. Her mom would just shake her head pityingly, but that didn't hide the grin that graced her face.

Sakura's journey down memory lane was interrupted as her path crossed with the memory of why she was sitting in the nurse's office in the first place. The nurse said that her powers had finally manifested, and that it would be some time before they settled around her. How long they would take to do that, she didn't know. The nurse didn't help because she hadn't said anything about it either. She would have to talk to Aunt Tsunade about it when she came to get her.

And then what? Inner Sakura piped up. What if someone notices how much stronger you are than all the other witches? Someone's bound to notice you know.

Then I'll just have to be careful about how I use my powers. Nothing to it.

Yeah, right. That will totally work.

Well, what else am I supposed to do? I am not transferring to another school, and I'm definitely not dropping out.

Well, no one's suggesting that. But now you'll have to be even more careful than you were before. Especially with trying to control your powers.

I know that.

Well, I'm just saying…

I know, and I appreciate your concern, really I do. But right now, I think I'm just going to take this one day at a time.

Good plan. I'm with you, all the way!

Sakura chuckled. Thanks. I'll call if I need anything.

Sure thing. I'm always here after all.

Sakura was about to 'say' something else when the office door suddenly burst open. Tsunade stood in the doorway, her hair in disarray, her breath short, and her face slicked with sweat. Sakura gaped at the sight.

"Uh, Aunt Tsunade? What happened to you?"

Without answering Sakura's question, Tsunade made her way across the room. She enveloped Sakura in a bone crushing hug.

"Aunt Tsunade…" Sakura gasped, "Can't…breath…air…"

Tsunade let go of her. "Sorry. It's just that I was so worried about you when the school called me. I thought for sure someone had found out…"

Sakura shushed her and pulled her down so that she sat next to her. "I'm fine. The nurse just told me that my powers have finally manifested themselves."

Tsunade's eyes widened with surprise. "Oh Sakura, that's great! Now you can learn how to defend yourself."

"Yeah, but I think it also means that I need to be even more careful about keeping my true identity a secret Aunt Tsunade. People might find it suspicious that my powers have a little more kick than other witches. They might find it so suspicious, they may come the conclusion that I'm the Cherry Blossom Witch."

It was Tsunade' turn to shush her, looking around nervously. "Quietly Sakura, someone might here you. But of course, you're right. We're really going to have work hard to make sure that you get full control of your powers as soon as possible."

Sakura agreed. "Absolutely. There's no time to waste, so let's go back home and start training." Sakura swung her legs over the bed, and then paused as she looked over at Tsunade. "Um, by the way Aunt Tsunade, what happened to you? I mean, you look, well, awful."

Tsunade looked down at herself, smiling ruefully. "Well, the thing is that when I got called by the school, I jumped into the car and drove right over. Except that on the way here, one of my tires blew out and I didn't have a spare with me. I called a tow truck, and ran the rest of the way here."

Sakura gasped. "But that means that you ran over five miles to get here!"

Tsunade grinned, shrugging her shoulders. "I did used to be a runner in school, and I go out for a jog every now and again to keep in shape. A seven mile run is nothing for your aunt."

Sakura grinned, than a puzzled expression came over her features. "Aunt Tsunade, if the car blew a tire and you called a tow truck to go get it, than how are we getting home?"

"Uh…"

Sakura sighed. "Right. So walking it is then." She stood up, wobbling slightly on her feet. Tsunade came up beside her and took her arm to help her balance. Sakura thanked her aunt before they both made their way to the office door.

As Sakura approached the door, a sudden shiver slithered its way up her spine. Her eyes jumped to the door in surprise and panic. She dislodged herself from her aunt's grip and rushed to garb the door handle, whipping the door open.

She stepped outside, searching the hallway for any signs of life, or lack thereof if her instincts were correct, but she didn't see anyone. She turned her head from side to side, trying desperately to spot even a flicker of movement. Tsunade came up behind her cautiously.

"Sakura? Is everything ok?"

Sakura looked back at her worried aunt, than gave the hallway one more sweep with her eyes. Her shoulders drooped in defeat and her hands went cold with fear. She shook her head.

"No, there's nothing wrong. I just…no. Nothing's wrong."

Tsunade looked apprehensive for a moment before gently taking hold of Sakura arm again. "Come on, let's go home. You'll feel better once you get a goodnight's rest."

Sakura allowed her aunt to lead her down the hall towards the front entrance. Her thoughts were abuzz about what just happened.

What could that have been? I only feel like that when…

When a vampire is nearby.

I know, but it couldn't have been, could it?

I don't know, but if I were you, I wouldn't take any chances. Remember that we don't have powers against them, but they have powers against us. Whoever it was could try to get your powers for themselves.

An image of cold crystal blue eyes flashed in her mind, causing Sakura to involuntarily shiver. Beside her, Tsunade walked closer to her, thinking that she was shivering because of the cold.

What do I do then?

I say tell Tsunade.

I can't do that. She'll pull me out of school.

Do you have any other ideas?

Sakura thought for a few moments as she and Tsunade walked out the front entrance. Behind them, the final bell rang that marked the end of the day. Sakura heard chatter and the patter of sneakers as kids exited their classes.

I could ask Naruto, Ino and Sasuke for help. Maybe they know of ways to keep vampires away.

Oh yeah, that will go over well. I can see it now, 'Um guys, would you mind helping me keep away a vampire that wants to take my powers away because I'm the freaking Cherry Blossom Witch!'

Sakura cringed. Ok, maybe that's not the best plan.

Mhmm.

Sakura stared at the ground as it passed by her. She frowned in frustration. I can't think of anything!

Inner Sakura growled. You had better think of something fast Sakura, or it's the end for you and me.

Sakura was so busy arguing with herself, she didn't even notice the little shiver that ran down her back, dismissing it due to the wind. She didn't even notice the pair of cold blue eyes that followed her from one of the towers windows of Konoha Academy.

A pair of bloodless lips curled upward as the owner watched a certain black haired girl and her aunt walk down the street and out of sight.

"Well well, I never imagined such an opportunity would come my way. After all these years, I will have the chance to gain unimaginable powers."

A white hand rose up from the darkness, coming to rest on the window sill, the translucent skin sizzling slightly due to the heat of the sun.

"Yes, soon your powers will be mine my little cherry blossom. Soon, you will beg for death…"