Sakura huffed in frustration, shutting the dusty tome in front of her with a loud thud. Pushing the book away, she pinched the bridge of her nose to alleviate her headache and got to her feet.

Heading to a different section of Night Raven College's massive library, she skimmed the shelves at the very back, knowing those housed some of the oldest books. Technically, she wasn't supposed to even be there, but well, what Crowley didn't know couldn't hurt him.

Ancient Curses, nope. Alchemy, nope. Divination, nope. Love potions, hell no.

Sighing dejectedly, she was ready to return to her table and pack up to leave, when one particular title caught her eye.

Huh? 'Runes, Sigils, Symbols and How to Use Them'? That could be of help…

Pulling the book from the shelf, she skimmed the first few pages, skipping the introduction. Leafing past the first couple of chapters on Protection Sigils, her eyes brightened when she came upon a section titled 'Runes to Stabilize Your Energy'.

Could this be…?

Putting the heavy old tome under her arm, she hurried to grab her bag and walked to the front desk, shifting anxiously on her feet as she waited for the librarian to note down her name.

Bidding the old man a hasty goodbye, she nearly ran out the door, clutching the book tightly and praying that things would be quiet at the infirmary that morning so she could continue her research undeterred.

She tried to keep her excitement in check lest the book turned out to be just another dead end, but she couldn't quite wipe the smile off her face at the prospect of regaining control of her chakra system.

It was still there, she could tell. It flowed through her, humming just beneath her skin, but any attempts to harness it had ended up in her chakra either simply not responding or flickering around her fingers for a few seconds before dying out. Utter failure.

If Crowley's words were anything to go by, the foreign nature of her system could potentially cause an energy imbalance, so the magic of Night Raven College was somehow blocking her in order to sustain itself. Crowley hypothesized that was the reason the Mirror of Darkness had shown such contrasting numbers that first day.

Her chakra was like magic in many ways, and at the same time, it was something entirely foreign. It made sense, really. If she were to look at this place as an ecosystem, it was only natural that it'd have its own survival mechanisms.

Still, her chakra was a huge part of who she was, the last remnant of Konoha still in her grasp in this strange place of magic and flying broomsticks and dorm heads who couldn't take a bloody hint even if it hit them in the face. Not to mention she'd be infinitely more useful to all of them once she regained control of it.

Deep breaths, Sakura. Deep breaths. You'll find out soon enough.

XxxxX

"Yes! That's it!"

"What in the world has you squawking like that, chit?"

Beaming at the older man, Sakura jumped up from her seat. "Doctor Gotrus, can I please take a couple of hours off? I'll stay late for the next couple of days to make up for it, but it's extremely important that I go find someone right this instant."

Rubbing his chin in thought, Gotrus swept her form with his piercing green eyes, likely noticing her unconcealed excitement. "Well, it's been a rather quiet day, so I suppose it won't hurt to let you go-"

"Thank you so much, Doctor Gotrus! I owe you one! I promise to make you those chocolate chip cookies again!"

Grabbing the heavy old book, she slipped out of her lab coat before he ever managed to finish his sentence, and his voice just barely reached her ears as she sped out of the room.

"I want extra chocolate in those cookies, chit!"

XxxxX

Catching sight of the unmistakable obsidian horns of the Diasomnia dorm head, Sakura sprinted up to him. "Malleus! Hi!"

He turned around, his glowing green eyes locating her immediately. He bowed his head in greeting, his lips lifting in his usual small smile. "Sakura. It is quite lovely to see you. How may I help you?"

Grinning at the dark-haired fae, she clapped her hands in excitement. "I'm looking for Lilia. Do you perhaps know where he is?"

Raising an eyebrow, Malleus hummed thoughtfully. "Well, at this time of day, he's usually running errands around the dorm. I am actually heading there myself."

"Great! Do you mind if I tag along?"

Malleus' smile widened, his fangs peaking from behind his lips. "You know I enjoy your company. Please, it would be my pleasure to escort you," he said, offering her his arm.

Giggling, Sakura linked her arm through his. "Lead the way."

XxxxX

"Eh? The child of man wants my help? How interesting!"

Sitting across from Lilia in Diasomnia's lounge, Sakura pushed the book towards him. "I found this in the library. It's my only lead after months of research. Please, Lilia. Can you help me?"

Lilia stared at her for a few moments as if trying to gauge how serious she really was about this, and then turned his attention to the tome before him. He skimmed the pages until he reached the one she had marked.

"Oh, sigils and runes. Now, that is remarkably interesting. I'm quite surprised your eye caught this."

Fumbling with the hem of her shirt to keep her nervousness in check, Sakura bit her lip. "Is this something you can use?"

Closing the book with a loud thud, Lilia focused his wine-red gaze on her. "Sakura, I hope you realize what you are asking of me. This is really powerful, ancient magic. Magic symbols draw energy from the environment around them. You're essentially asking me to use energy to contain and stabilize another form of energy. That can get very dangerous very fast."

"That's why I came to you. I trust your knowledge. I trust you. Please, Lilia," she pleaded, reaching across to grasp his hand in hers, "please help me. You're my only hope."

He held her gaze for a while, and for a moment Sakura feared he'd deny her request, but he finally sighed, nodding. "Alright. I know what we have to do. I must warn you though. The spell is not entirely painless and at the end of the day, it might not even work."

She nodded resolutely. "I understand. Whatever happens, I'll be forever in your debt."

Lilia grinned. "Heh, watch what kind of vows you make to a fae, youngling. We do not forget such heartfelt words."

Feeling her spirits lift, she returned his teasing smile. "Then I promise not to forget either."

"Very good, young one. Very good, indeed." Abandoning his seat, Lilia motioned for her to follow him. "Let us not tarry any longer. After all, there is no time like the present and you humans have such short lifespans. You can't afford to waste a second!"

Giggling, Sakura followed the chirpy fae as he led her to a spacious room with a big fireplace, a long wooden table and intricately carved chairs perfectly aligned all around it.

He pointed at the chair closest to them. "Please, take a seat. You will have to take off your shirt for this one. The best place to carve runes is the back of the neck and down the spine. Your energy is stronger there, it's your central channel. If we establish stable enough pathways for it to move through your body at a pace that doesn't throw magic off balance, your chakra thing should get back to normal."

Sakura followed his instructions wordlessly, and she caught herself not quite caring that she was in just her skirt and bra in front of him.

Lilia hummed thoughtfully. "You're really serious about this, aren't you? In that case, I must tell you two things. One, this will probably hurt a bit. Two, in order for the spell to work, I will have to infuse some of my energy into you. Though not very likely, that might alter the nature of your energy. As I said, this is powerful, ancient magic. Are you willing to take that risk?"

Without missing a beat, Sakura nodded. "I'm ready."

Lilia's lips curled up in a cryptic smile. "Then let us begin."

Taking a deep breath, Sakura turned around, leaving her bare back exposed to him. She could feel Lilia's breath in her hair as he approached her.

Please, let this work…

The first thing she felt was a sharp pain shoot through her as Lilia's nails sank into the skin of the back of her neck. She could hear him whispering under his breath in a language she couldn't understand but she found it increasingly hard to focus on his words as the pain intensified.

She winced, a strangled cry rising to her throat as he carved his way downwards, close to the middle of her back. Every now and then, flashes of bright green light blinded her, followed by a burning sensation where the fae touched her, as if someone was pressing a hot iron to her skin.

Sakura gritted her teeth, her fingers clutching the wood of her chair tightly. You can do this. You've been through worse.

Finally, after what felt like hours, Lilia stepped back. "We're done. Are you alright, youngling?"

Breathing out in relief, Sakura sent him a smile over her shoulder. "I'm fine, don't concern yourself with me. Thank you, Lilia."

"Don't thank me yet, youngling. We have yet to see if the spell worked. Before we get to that though," he said, picking up a mirror she hadn't noticed before and aligning the glass with her back, "would you like to see?"

Curiously, the woman glanced in the mirror, taking in the fae's handiwork. Carved in a straight line from the back of her neck to the middle of her back, a number of intricate symbols adorned her skin, a faint green light emanating from the cuts where blood should have been.

"That's pretty in an odd, otherworldly kind of way," she whispered in awe, drinking in the sight of the symbols that would accompany her for the rest of her life.

"That's magic, young one. Now, let's see if all our effort paid off."

Throwing her shirt on hastily, Sakura sat down on the floor cross-legged, and closed her eyes. Breathing in deeply, she expanded her senses, plunging herself into the darkest corners of her very own being.

For a moment, she felt as if she was navigating a labyrinth with no light to guide her and no way of knowing where she was going. Still, there was something equal parts unsettling and exciting that led her ahead.

And there it was. The familiar feeling of her chakra that she had not felt in many months. It felt somehow different, more powerful and torrential than before, but it was still hers.

It started as a spark, but it soon turned into a fire that spread throughout her body, warming her and electrifying her every cell.

It felt like home.

Her eyes snapped open and she gazed down at her hands to see them glowing brighter than they had ever glowed before, the light a darker green than she was used to, but it was still hers.

Her vision grew blurry and a choked sob rose to her throat. "Lilia…Lilia, it worked!" She turned her watery gaze to him. "It worked! I have my chakra back!"

The chirpy fae smiled at her. "Indeed, you do. My congratulations, child of man."

Jumping up from the floor, she threw her arms around his neck, and hugged him tight. "Thank you, Lilia. I am in your debt."

Patting her back much like an older brother would, Lilia flashed her a teasing smirk. "That's the second vow you've taken today. Be careful, dearie, or I'll ask you to deliver."

Deliriously happy, Sakura beamed at him. "Give me your best shot!" Grabbing his hand, she started pulling him with her. "Come! There's a whole bunch of things I want to try, and we need to find an open field at a safe distance from the school. Come!"

XxxxX

"Apologies for disturbing you, Lord Malleus, but I believe I just saw Sakura drag Lilia out of the dorm by the hand."

The dark-haired prince raised an eyebrow at the information. "Are you quite sure, Sebek?"

"Yes, My Lord."

Malleus stood from his seat. "Now that is something I wish to see for myself. Let us go."

XxxxX

Leona's ears twitched as the sound of people talking loudly reached him.

Groaning in annoyance at having his sleep disturbed, he popped an eye open. "What in the world-"

"Leona, there you are!"

Sitting up, the lion leaned his back against the tree he'd been sleeping under. "Ruggie? What the hell is going on? What is all that yelling?"

"It's Sakura. Something happened. She was seen dragging that Diasomnia bat to the fields outside the school grounds and now people are curious."

Leona's eyebrow shot to his hairline. "Eh? What did that troublesome herbivore get herself into this time? Come on, let's go find out."

XxxxX

"Trey! Ace! Come quick!"

"Cater? What happened?"

The ginger-haired man grinned. "Something pretty damn interesting. Come along now!"

XxxxX

"Huh? Is that Idia Shroud I see heading towards the fields, brother?"

Jade looked up from his smartphone to see the ever-reclusive head of Ignihyde walking away briskly. "I believe it is. Why, something big must be going on if Idia was convinced to leave his room in broad daylight."

Floyd grinned. "Wanna go check it out?"

Jade hummed thoughtfully. "Well, I suppose Azul could wait a few minutes longer…"

XxxxX

"Gotrus! A moment!"

Looking up from his paperwork, Gotrus raised an eyebrow. "Headmaster Crowley. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Dire pushed his hat up. "If I may ask, what exactly did Sakura tell you she was doing when she asked for some time off?"

Staring at the masked man curiously, the older doctor crossed his arms across his chest. "She did not specify. Did she get in any kind of trouble?"

Dire chuckled. "I believe," he said, clearing his throat, "that you need to follow me."

XxxxX

Grinning widely, Sakura surveyed the open field in the middle of which she stood. At a safe distance from campus, it was a little larger than Training Ground 7, with a small cluster of trees on the right but no large boulders or other such obstacles. If things went according to plan, she'd have to speak to Crowley about declaring it of limits for the student body and making it her training spot.

"Alright! This will do!"

Lilia chuckled at her enthusiasm, glancing at the crowd starting to form on the edge of the field. "You have garnered quite an audience, youngling."

Sakura blinked, only then noticing the familiar faces watching them curiously. "Huh? Malleus? Leona? Doctor Gotrus too? What are they all doing here?"

Her red-eyed companion hummed in amusement. "If I were to hazard a guess, I'd say the sight of you dragging me about turned quite a few heads. Word travels fast in this school."

For just a moment, Sakura thought she ought to feel at least a little embarrassed, but the thought was almost instantly squashed by her overwhelming desire to put her newly re-acquired chakra to the test.

Shaking her head, she cracked her knuckles. "It makes no difference. Do tell them to keep their distance, Lilia. I won't have any of them getting hurt by accident."

The fae raised a questioning eyebrow. "Oh? Do you intend to try something dangerous?"

Smiling cheekily, the young medic shrugged. "I suppose that remains to be seen."

"Fair enough. Do proceed, child of man. Why, I have not felt this curious in a long while!"

Waiting for Lilia to take his place beside Malleus, Sakura made a mental list of tests she needed to put her chakra to before she could deem it safe to use on the daily. After all, medical chakra could just as easily turn to poison if not handled with the utmost care, and she did not quite know the extent of the change her system had undergone because of Lilia's spell.

I need to test control, ferocity, chakra manipulation, and rate of chakra consumption. What to try, what to try…

Her eyes lit up when the name of a jutsu popped inside her head. It was exactly what she needed, and it would provide one hell of a show for the curious onlookers awaiting her next move. A part of her – a defiant, slightly arrogant part of her – could not wait to see the looks on their faces.

Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes, and went through the hand signs slowly, making sure each of her movements was precise and in perfect harmony with each other. Forming a snake seal, she brought her two fingers to her mouth.

"Katon: Goryuuka no Jutsu!"

The stream of fire that emerged from her lips was unlike any other fire jutsu she had ever seen, and she certainly couldn't remember her own fire release looking like that.

Its shape shifted, and the dragon that rose to the skies was absolutely massive. It coiled its fiery body in circles, the flames having a strange green tint to them under the reds and the oranges and the yellows. Lilia's words rang in her head again, and she couldn't help but think his spell had indeed altered her chakra nature somehow, though not in such a way that she could no longer control it.

The dragon snapped its jaws as it flew above the field, roaring ferociously as it dove low only to shoot up towards the clouds a moment later. Sakura stared transfixed, hardly believing that fiery creature was her own handiwork. Fire was not even one of her chakra affinities, and yet her dragon was easily the most magnificent fire jutsu formation she had ever seen.

What…What kind of energy did Lilia infuse my body with?

Making a mental note to ask him later, she released the jutsu, and with one last roar the dragon dissipated. Sakura sighed happily, feeling a weight lift off her chest.

At last…

"What in the seven hells was that, herbivore?!"

"What kind of magic is that? I've never seen anything like that before!"

"Is that her unique magic? Did you guys know she even had magic, in the first place?"

"Breathing semi-sentient fire? Sakura, where did you learn to accomplish that-"

"Lord Malleus, she-"

"You have a hell lot of explaining to do, chit!"

Listening to her friends' astonished chatter, Sakura couldn't help the laughter that rose to her lips and she clutched her sides, feeling genuinely happy for the first time since she stepped foot in this strange world.

Nearly skipping over to the unruly crowd, she threw her arms around Leona, who wasted no time in returning her hug and demanding answers. Giggling at his behavior, she let Cater sling his arms around her shoulders, patting his back and thanking him for the barrage of compliments he threw at her. She kissed both Leech brothers on the cheek and even Idia let her pat his wispy hair, knowing that she enjoyed running her fingers through the cool, blue flames.

Towering over her, Malleus leaned down, allowing her to wrap her arms around his neck to hug him in celebration.

"It appears I now have competition. Would you be interested in a fire-breathing contest?"

Grinning widely up at him, Sakura winked playfully. "Bring it on."

XxxxX

Off to the side, Gotrus and Dire watched the scene unfold with varying degrees of interest and amusement.

"It appears you have quite an assistant, Gotrus."

"Heh, don't forget you dumped her on me, Headmaster."

"Oh? Is she such a terrible inconvenience then? In that case, perhaps I should offer her a different job. I'm certain Divus would be more than happy to take her off your hands-"

Gotrus glared at the masked man. "Hands off the chit. She stays where she is."

Crowley cackled, his golden eyes watching him curiously. "Oh my, have you grown soft, Gotrus? She must have made quite an impression."

The doctor watched as the young woman took the Draconia heir's offered arm, and they started walking away, followed closely by the other students, each of them appearing eager to hog her attention and attack her with all kinds of questions. His peculiar assistant seemed to have a permanent smile etched on her face, laughing at whatever it was the Diasomnia dorm head was whispering in her ear.

"She's unique," he finally said, turning his gaze to the setting sun, his lips lifting in a small, fond smile, "and I happen to like unique things."

TBC

Saki has her chakra back, yay!

I know, I know. No pairing in this one, but I felt this chapter needed to be written. I really enjoy writing it so I'm thinking of including a pairing-less chapter that will be "common" for all separate one-shots every ten chapters or so. Meaning, anything that happens in such a chapter will apply to all one-shots from then on. For example, Sakura will have her chakra for all coming stories in this collection.

What do you guys think?

I hope you enjoyed this!

I have a Malleus/Sakura one-shot in the works that's coming next, so keep an eye out for that.

Reading your thoughts always makes my day, so drop me a review if you have a minute to spare.

Until next time,

Lots of love!