Thank you to PixieGirl94 for pointing out some inconsistencies that I have not had a chance to fix! In case anyone is confused, Orochimaru is Sakura's UNCLE. I realized this mistake a few weeks ago in my notes and have been trying to fix it since. ALSO, Mori and Sakura are 8 years apart. That means when he 'died' she was 8, because he was 16. In this part of the story, she is 12 and he is 20. I really apologize for these; I'm working on changing some of the earlier chapters to make sure this is clear.

I hope this helps!

Enjoy loves ~

Chapter 17

Sakura POV

Why the hell do I feel so heavy?

Saki? Is that you?

Inner? What's wrong?

Inner sounds off. She doesn't have her usual bravado and bubbly personality seeping through her tone. I've never heard this tone before.

S-saki, I couldn't stop it.

After hearing it again, I can finally put my finger on it; Inner's scared.

Couldn't stop what?

That can't be good.

I couldn't stop Adam. He's here and I can't do anything about him. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Saki.

Finally, seeing her, I can't help but think the scene in front of is repulsive. She looks so sad, so broken, on the floor of my mindscape. It seems as though she has been beaten ruthlessly; her body is littered with cuts and blooms of white, indicating bruises. She's curled up on the floor, her eyes red from crying, and I can still see the tears raining down her cheeks.

I waste no time running over to her and cradling her in my arms.

Saku, what happened?! Why are you hurt? Who did this to you?

Under my skin, I can feel my blood boiling- who could hurt my precious inner?

That would be me.

A man's voice invades our space. I grip inner closer to me. Who the hell is that? His voice sounds haughty and even the tenor can't quell my racing heart because of the silky evil undertone it holds.

My, my, you haven't heard of me yet? Surprising, to say the least, I think I'm pretty popular.

His voice echoes throughout my mind space, making it feel as though his words were wrapping around me from every angle.

Who. Are. You.

I'm sick of him already.

The name is Adam sweetheart, don't wear it out.

This time, I could finally see him. He materializes about ten yards away from us. I examine him from his polished black dress shoes all the way up to his black suit – man is he tall – and finally, I meet his bright purple eyes. He has a slightly crooked nose, small lips, and black hair slicked back. He'd probably be handsome if he didn't seem like such an ass.

Thanks for the compliment.

He smiles at me, a wicked and unstable grin.

What the hell do you want? How did you get in here?

He snaps his fingers and a leather chair appears- he sits down and crosses his legs. He brings his hands together and stares at inner and I on the ground; I'm still holding her to me.

Why don't you ask miss bitch there? She tried to get rid of me once I showed up; however, she wasn't quite enough to get rid of me.

I pull inner closer to me when the venom in his voice swells. I can't trust him.

You did this to her?

Of course, I did, who else?

You're a fucking monster. Don't you dare lay another finger on her!

Oh sweetie, I can do whatever I please.

I gently lay inner on the ground and stand up. I wince as a whimper escapes Saku as she settles. No one can do this to her, not her, it isn't possible.

You are in my mind space; you will do what I tell you, Adam.

A sinister laugh fills the room and I watch him throw his head back in the process. With this short opening, I run at him. I don't know what I'm going to do, but I can't just let him get away with this.

I'm able to get within striking distance, but he strikes first.

At first, I didn't understand what happened. I had been right in front of Adam with a fist raised to strike, but now I'm laid out, staring at the black abyss of the ceiling. A second later, the pain in my jaw gives me the clarity that he had hit me. Fucking hard by the way my jaw is throbbing. Surprise isn't even the best way to describe my thoughts- enraged would be better.

I hop up and stare at the man; he has a grin on his face as he watches me. It takes a moment, but I was finally able to pinpoint how he made me feel- cowed. He looks at me like I'm prey, and he's the predator, and is that satisfaction?

Adam isn't just staring at me; he's staring at the blood dribbling out of my mouth caused by his assault.

I see red.

Trying again, I run at him and start to fight. He's able to meet every punch and kick with a block of his own. We continue to do this for several minutes, but it seems Adam is bored by the way he's only being defensive.

Try again, pinky.

I falter when I hear his voice. Wrong choice.

Adam uses his opening and kicks me square in the stomach, followed by another kick to the face. His dress shoes hurt like a bitch. He manages to kick me across the room, where I roll to a stop beside inner again.

Saki, you're hurt. Stay down.

Saku...you know I can't do that.

Look at that, like inner like outer. Both of you are pathetic. You couldn't even keep me entertained.

His voice sounds bored. I can't even look up to see what he is doing- I'm looking at inner. Saku looks so troubled; I just want to make her feel better.

Inner, it's alright. It's not like he can hurt me outside of here.

Sak-

We're interrupted by the sound of Adam cackling.

Does this asshole ever stop laughing?

You didn't tell her, did you 'Saku'?

His voice drips with sarcastic sweetness when he says her name. I keep my eyes on inner as he talks, unsure of what he means.

What does he mean?

Saku flinches when I ask that. I see her take a breath before she starts talking again.

Saki, I meant to tell you. I wanted to wait until you talked to Tsunade-sama but, it seems as though the time as come-

Inner, please tell me, what does he mean?

I trust inner with every fiber of my being. There isn't anything she can say that would revoke that trust, so what's wrong? What is she keeping from me?

Saki, Adam is a product of your Ketsueki Noroi.

What's this Blood Curse Saku?

The Blood Curse is the Haruno Family Kekkei Genkai Saki. You awaken it once you have killed someone for the first time when you spill your first blood.

How come I don't know what it is? Wouldn't Mori have it? Dad?

My heart rate picks up. What the hell is this Kekkei Genkai? I'm from a mostly civilian family; how the hell do we have something like this?

Inner looks at me and shows her sympathy through her eyes. Her emerald eyes appear as though they're hiding more tears, and she looks so defeated.

I don't have the answers to those questions. You'll have to talk to uncle and Mori once you wake up and ask them about it. But I know that once your curse was activated, Adam showed up. I only know that he can hurt you Saki, whatever he does to you in here is reflected onto your physical body.

So if I choose to be finished with you I could kill you, her, and me all at once.

His voice scares me. The implication of this power is too much. How could he just choose to kill me? Why would he want to kill himself? What would there be to gain from it? My thoughts whirled in my head, making me dizzy.

I-i don't know what to say Saku.

I'm sorry Saki, I thought if I waited we could figure something out. I didn't know this would happen, I thought you would be safe.

Too bad so sad.

SHUT UP ADAM.

My frustration boils over. I can't take the onslaught of unanswered questions. Forcing myself to stand I look at the man who pisses me off to no end.

I will not give you free rein over my mind.

You won't have a choice.

There is always a choice.

This won't be your mind for long.

Not if I can help it.

Saki, mind space isn't safe for you anymore.

I look back over to inner and wince at her state again.

It isn't safe for you either, Saku.

I can take care of him, he can't kill me.

I'll find a way to, eventually.

You're a piece of shit, you know that right? I can't wait until Saki finds a way to get rid of you.

Funny, I don' think that'll happen.

Inner smirks at him and I can't fathom why. We've both had our asses handed to us, so why does she look so smug?

Eat your fucking heart out dickhead.

Before I could ask I felt an immense pain on my back. I can't help the scream that ripped through my throat. It felt as though fire was rushing through my veins instead of blood, but as quick as it came, it was gone.

Along with Adam.

Try again bitch.

His voice isn't as loud as it was. It seems to be farther off like he's behind a door of some sort.

Look over there Saki.

Inners hand is pointing behind me. I turn towards where she has her eyes locked and I notice the giant cage in the corner of my mind. Within it, Adam is sitting on his leather chair looking positively pissed off.

Sucks to suck Adam.

The sneer in my voice is evident. However, the amusement at his predicament manages to seep through at the end.

I turn back towards inner and I can see the relief on her face at his imprisonment. She finally sits up and looks a little better than she did earlier.

You need to wake up Saki.

But I don't want to leave you with him.

He's in a cage, I'll be alright.

But what if he gets out?

We'll deal with it if that happens. You gave your family a good scare; they need you to wake up soon Saki. Tell them what you were a part of.

I haven't even thought of my family since I got here.

Saku stands up and limps over to me. I catch her before she can fall and hold her close to me for a minute.

I hope you know how much I love you.

I love you too.

Inner pushes some chakra into my system.

I'm brought back into the physical world.

"Ow," I manage to whisper, feeling my body again.

Coming and going form my mind space is tough on my senses sometimes. They are usually heightened once I return and it takes a few minutes for them to go back to normal. That and my perception is awful once I'm back because I go from being in a dark space with no light to quite the opposite.

"Sakura-chan!" I hear someone gasp.

I crack my eyes open and grimace at the brightness that greets them. But after a few moments of squinting, I can see the concerned lavender eyes of my best friend. She has tears building up and a few slip out and fall onto my face.

"Hina-chan," I croak out.

She crashes into my chest in a bear hug and I can't help the laugh that comes out of my body. I slowly encircle my friend, my arms protesting, but that's soon forgotten because of how much I love her hugs. She holds me for a few minutes, silence stretching between us, but the feelings were clear; she's relieved I'm awake just as I'm happy she's here for me.

Reluctantly, she pulls away from me but, with her gentle hands, she helps me sit up.

As my bearings come back to me I can finally see where we are. The wood floor should have been a dead giveaway, but seeing the windows that lined the room and the desk situated in front, it's easy enough to know where I am.

Hinata backs up a few spaces from me and I look around me. Tsunade-sama, Shizune-sama, and Kakashi-sensei are right near me. Tsunade looks concerned and the feeling seems to be mirrored in the other twos eyes as they look at me. I give them all a small smile which seems to relax them a little.

"Tsunade-sama," I say softly, "are you alright?"

My teacher looks at me and I can see her hesitate for a moment before she too comes forward and hugs me. Surprise fills me; Tsunade isn't one to show affection like this, something must be wrong.

As she pulls away I panic and say, "What's wrong? Is everyone okay? What happened?"

She chuckles at my questions and I feel a hand in my hair. Turning towards the owner of the said appendage I see Kakashi-sensei with his loan eye shining with relief. He ruffles my hair and takes his hand away.

"I feel like we should be asking you those questions, child."

The booming voice of the Hokage is one I recognize instantly. I gaze towards the source of the sound and see the small man sitting on the front of his desk. He looks just as he had when I saw him last, but there's a pinch to his forehead between his eyes that gives away his underlying concern and stress.

Having not realized he had been there, I took this chance to look around the office we're in. Across the room, I can see Haku and Zabuza on the couch, and a little to their left are Mori and our uncle.

Before I know what I'm doing, I stand up. A little wobbly but nothing I can't handle, so I start to walk towards the two of them. A few of the people behind me are saying something, but I'm not focused on them. I'm looking at my brother and uncle.

As I get closer, I feel the tears build up in my eyes as memories I didn't know I had flashed across my mind. Being with my brother and Haku in Mist. The times he would promise to train me when I got older. How they would play with me. My trips to Rain to visit uncle. Parading around with him and meeting shop keepers, vendors, and even some ninja. How I would love to go around town with him and ride on his shoulders.

The tears start to roll down my cheeks.

The memory of my parents choosing to seal my memories before we moved. How it started a fight with Mori – who was 12 at the time – uncle, and mom and dad. The fact that it took them almost a month to finally convince him to do what he said they would regret one day. Then the memories flood me from inner and how she had been listening to the sealing at the time and how utterly gut retching it was to hear uncle cry.

As I finally stop in front of them a sob comes out of my chest and I fall into my uncle's arms.

Third POV

Orochimaru caught his niece as she fell into him. He's surprised at this reaction, just as he had been when she started crying when she walked over to them. Holding her, he feels her sob and her small fists gently hitting his chest.

"Why would you do it," she whispers to him, her voice cracking.

Mori and Oro felt their hearts constrict at hearing her speak.

"I didn't have a choice, you know that Cherry," the Sanin whispers back, a soft tone that none in the office had ever heard him use before. He tightens his hold on his niece and effectively stops her weak attempts at hitting him.

"Uncle...I'm so sorry," Sakura cries into his chest.

"Don't apologize Cherry, it's okay."

After a few minutes of their tender embrace, she pulls back and looks to her brother.

Mori's on edge, unsure of what his sister is thinking. She obviously had been through something serious earlier, and she had been so pissed at him just yesterday, he isn't sure what kind of Sakura he is facing. She reads his face and he watches her smile a little. Mori relaxes slightly, feeling more at ease.

"Mori-nii-san," she whispers towards him.

Without waiting, Mori picks her up out of their uncle's arms and hugs her close. He needs to feel her next to him, to know she's okay, to know that she forgives him.

"Sakura-nee-chan," he whispers back, hugging her tightly.

He can't help the relief that washes over him when she squeezes him back just as hard.

"I'm so sorry," he says to her, rubbing her back, "I didn't know how to tell you. I didn't know what I could say without causing you pain. I've been so worried about this day and yet here you are and-"

"Nii-san," Sakura interrupts him with a small laugh, "it's alright."

Time isn't something either sibling makes note of. It's been four years since the two of them were together and no one wants to step between them. Besides not having her memories from a young age she also hasn't had her brother since he 'died'. Sakura never wanted to let her brother go, even for a second; afraid he would disappear if she did so.

However, the adults in the room knew that they needed to start talking to Sakura as soon as possible. Kakashi, always full of surprises, is the one to break the silence.

"Sakura-chan," he calls to her and waits for her to turn towards him.

He takes in her appearance and feels a moment of refreshed fear at the bruises appearing on her skin out of seemingly nowhere. The blood that had dribbled down her face is dry, but he can't help but notice it sticking to her face and reminding him of how it just happened a few minutes prior. His protective side came out and he wanted- needed- to know what went on for it to materialize on his little students' body.

"Who is Adam?"

A/N

Hello lovelies, just dropping in to say that I appreciate and love all of you 3 I wouldn't be here without you lovely readers and I hope you know how much I enjoy creating this story for you =)

I've been working a lot lately and haven't had too much time to write, but I am doing my best! With school starting in a few weeks I want to get some more chapters done so I can – hopefully – be able to update on a weekly/biweekly basis.

Let me know if there is anything you want to see in upcoming chapters, have any predictions, or just wanna leave some love ~

Till next time lovelies