Tsunade never thought she would return to Konoha, not after everything she was put through the people she lost because they put their life on the line for the village which took them she was content with traveling with Shizune beside her as she gambled and drank booze to numb the sorrow she felt. Still, here she was walking back into the said village that she swore never to step foot back into all because she lost a bet with Naruto Uzumaki, who reminded her so much of the past she wanted to keep buried "Hospital here we come!" Tsunade looked around the village, seeing that it was still slowly rebuilding but was almost wholly rebuilt. She noticed people stopping to look at her and pointing while whispering in shock, "You're gonna heal Sakura-chan first before anything else!" Tsunade looked back at her old teammate seeing that he wasn't looking at her.
"You know your student talks too much."
Jiraiya chuckled and scratched the back of his head. "Well, there's never a dull moment with him hime-chan, so I'm okay with it." He continued to follow behind them as they entered the hospital, making themselves known, causing the staff to gasp at who was among them.
"Is that-"
"She hasn't been-"
"Tsunade-sama!"
Tsunade's brow twitched at all the murmurs in the crowd "Enough!" She yelled, causing them to flinch back from it, "You all have jobs to do, and gossiping isn't one of them! Now tell me where Sakura Haruno is!" She demanded as she glared at them, causing them all to get back to work while one told her where to find Sakura.
"She's this way, granny!"
Tsunade growled at naruto's nickname for her but followed him towards his teammate's room "Tsunade-sama, you're finally here." Her chocolate brown eyes traveled to where she heard the voice to see a female with silver hair that passed her shoulders to her mid-back. She wore black baggy jounin pants while wearing a black vest with a white circle on the back. She had jet blue eyes that watched her every movement as she looked at her companions then back at her "She's in here." She turned, leaving the door open for them to follow her in.
Once she entered the room, she paused as she looked at the prone figure in the bed, seeing her pale face bubblegum pink hair standing out on the white pillow her head rested on skin pale as the white bedsheets memories flooded Tsunade as she thought of another that Sakura looked like causing grief to hit Tsunade as she walked up next to her bed ignoring the eyes that were on her back as she lifted her hand to Sakura's forehead healing chakra in it "So is Sakura-chan gonna be okay?" She looked over at Naruto seeing that he was looking at his teammate in worry.
"She will be."
Layla watched as Tsunade's hand flowed with healing chakra as it was placed on her younger cousin's forehead healing the damage Itachi did to her mentally and physically "Thank you, Tsunade-sama from the Haruno clan for healing our heiress." Layla bowed to her, keeping her head down to show her gratitude.
"Brat, get up. You don't need to thank me. It's my job as a medic to heal others." Tsunade pulled her hand back from Sakura as she watched her slowly open her eyes groggily "Welcome back to the world of the living." Tsunade said as she continued to watch Sakura's reaction.
"H-how long have I been out?"
"Four days."
Sakura slowly sat up, shaking her head slightly and then looking at everyone in the room until settling on Tsunade, who was looking at her with an emotion she couldn't place at the moment since all she could think about was the in counter with Itachi and what he showed her. At the same time, she was trapped in his genjutsu, but that's when she remembered what happened to Kakashi, making her eyes widen as she was worried. "Kakashi-sensei! Is he okay? Did you heal him? Is he awake?" She asked question after question as her worry grew for her sensei.
"Calm down Haruno. I'm going to heal him next. I just came to heal you first." Tsunade told her as she turned around, leaving the room to go heal Kakashi now while Jiraiya followed behind her leaving Naruto in the room with her and Layla. "Sakura-Chan! How are you feeling now since granny healed you?" Naruto asked as he stood beside her bed, smiling at her.
Sakura opened her mouth but paused, closing it as she thought over his question. How did she feel? Physical? She was good as new. Mentally? She hated herself for being so weak her whole life she could never live up to anything, especially when it mattered the most. She couldn't measure up to anyone! Not like Layla can, she is the prodigy of their clan while Sakura was the weak heiress that brought shame to them. Layla was the perfect child in everyone's eyes. She did nothing wrong; she always exceeded their expectations for her, making the clan proud of her. She should have been the clan heiress instead of herself. At least then, she wouldn't disappoint anyone anymore. Layla was better than her in every way, and for that, resentment started to form in her.
"-Kura! Sakura!"
"What!?"
Naruto flinched back from her tone, hearing the venom in her words as she looked up at him. Her usual bright emerald eyes that shined in the sun now looked like a dull jade color that held nothing but hate and anger in them as her eyes focused on him solely. "I think it's time for you to leave Uzumaki-san. You can come back another time to see her." Naruto looked over at Layla seeing her staring at Sakura. Her eyes narrowed at her, but he nodded to her.
"O-okay! I'll bring Sasuke-teme next time! Bye, Sakura-Chan!"
Sakura's eyes follow him out of the room until the door slid shut behind him, leaving her alone with Layla, the last person she wanted to be around at the moment "What's wrong?" Sakura looked over at Layla and glared at her in anger and resentment. If she shocked her, Layla didn't show it.
'Perfect, Shinobi, not letting her emotions show either!'
Sakura didn't answer her as she looked away from her and clutched the bedsheets in her hand as an awkward silence filled the room as Layla continued to stare at Sakura, waiting for her reply, but as the seconds passed it was obvious she wasn't going to answer her.
"Saku-"
"What do you want?"
"I just want to know if you're okay."
Sakura laughed, but there was no joy behind it as it came out emotionless "Okay? Do I look okay to you!?" She sneered at her as she looked back at her rage pouring out of her now as Layla looked unaffected.
"I know what you must be thinking, Sakura."
"Oh boy! Tell me? Enlighten me on what is going on in MY own mind!"
"You're thinking your weak, pathetic excuse of a shinobi and that everything is your fault when none of it is. You are not any of the things you think you are."
White-hot rage-filled Sakura as she felt resentment towards Layla increased. What the hell does she know!? She never had to struggle like her! She didn't have to struggle for power like her! She didn't have to deal with her own clan looking at her like she was scum! She was always in everyone's shadow! She was in her brothers, Layla's, Sasukes, even Naruto's! No one has ever seen her. It was always everyone else "You know nothing! You never had to struggle like me! You were born a prodigy while I was born weak!" She spat out as she shook in rage, "You're the honor of our clan while I'm never even looked at! I'm tired of being in your shadow! Not anymore! I won't allow it anymore! Leave be the perfect child the clan sees you as!" Sakura watched as Layla's eyes widened in a split second but then went back to being emotionless.
"Is that what you want?"
"Yes!"
Layla walked toward the door and paused, glancing over her shoulder to look at Sakura seeing she was glaring at her with a dark look in her eyes "Even if you hate me now, Sakura, just know that I love you and that I will always be there for you no matter what the future holds for us." Layla slid the door open and left, leaving Sakura in the room alone to think.
Sakura covered her face with her hands as she thought about Layla's words to her but stopped as she heard the door open "I thought I sa-" she stopped mid-sentence as she didn't recognize the person at her door "Who are you?" She asked as the person entered her room. The air around the person screamed intimidating.
"Danzo Shimura."
Sakura's eyes widened as she recognized the name.
{+}
Layla walked into Kakashi's hospital room, seeing that he was awake and sitting up in bed while reading his famous book, making her smile slightly "Not even awake for an hour and already reading that book? Really Kakashi? This is a hospital where you should be recovering." Layla told him as she crossed her arms, watching as Kakashi looked up at her giving her his famous one-eyed smile as he placed his book down on his lap.
"Reading isn't hurting my recovery Layla-Chan, and besides, I'm behind on my reading. I need to catch up before Jiraiya-sama comes out with his next book." He said to her, "But I know you didn't come here just to scold me on reading this book. There's something on your mind. Sakura?" He asked as he saw her sigh and sits on the chair next to his bed.
"When did my life become so complicated, Kakashi?" Layla ran her hand through her hair as she stared at the ground, refusing to look up at him "It seems like ever since I became an anbu, my life has just spiraled out of control, and I can't get it; back on track." She looked out his window staring at the village. "I took an oath to protect this village with my life, and I will with no questions asked." Kakashi silently watched her, not interrupting as she talked to him "Lately though Kakashi, I don't trust the village like I used to. The person I trust the most is Sakura, but lately," Layla looked him in his eye, "She's so angry Kakashi I don't know what to do with her anger anymore. I've been trying to get it under control, but now after what Itachi did, she's angrier than I've ever seen her." Layla's tone darkened as she talked about Itachi "I feel like I'm losing her just like I lost everyone else in my life my parents, Shisui, Itachi, and now her Kakashi she's the little sister I never had I promised to protect her, but I'm failing." Layla looked down again, clenching her fist as she told Kakashi her problems and how much of a failure she was, but that's when she felt a hand on her shoulder, making her look up to see Kakashi staring at her with an understanding look on his eye as he once felt the same.
"Layla-Chan, I understand how you must feel, but you need to remember that you are only one person and that you put too much on yourself." Kakashi told her gently as he pulled his hand back from her shoulder, "Sakura was put through something traumatic. Her mind right now is trying to comprehend it, so she is lashing out at the closest person to her. You. Don't take anything she says to heart. She just needs time to understand." Kakashi gave her his signature smile, trying to comfort her but failing.
"I don't have time."
"What do you mean by that?"
Layla looked up at him, seeing that he was curious about what she meant by not having time "It's nothing." She shook her head as she stood up and gave a small smile "Get better soon, Kakashi." She turned, leaving the room, not giving Kakashi another chance to speak to her as she had somewhere else to be now.
'I guess I could go to the Yamanaka flower shop before heading there.' Layla thought as she exited the hospital heading to the flower shop, her mind focused on Sakura remembering the hateful look on her face. 'I promised to protect her, so why am I doing such a lousy job at it?' Layla looked around her to see the villagers smiling, chatting among themselves with not a care in the world how she envied them so much. They don't have all the pressure of being a Shinobi on their shoulders or being a spy for Konoha against their own family. They don't face life and death situations every day or see loved ones die in front of them like she does. She was-
"Welcome to the Yamanaka flower shop!" Layla blinked and looked around. It seemed that she was deep in thought and came to the flower shop on autopilot "What can I help you with, Layla-San?" Ino asked as she smiled at her welcoming.
"A dozen Pink carnations, please."
"Coming right up!"
Layla watched as ino prepared her order. "Sakura is awake. You can go and see her." Layla told her as Ino wrapped a string around the flowers stem, holding them together for her.
"Are these for her? Because pink carnations represent never forgotten." Ino asked as she turned around and held the flowers out to Layla, watching as she grabbed them, shaking her head at her question.
"These are for someone else."
Ino frowned.
"I'm sorry."
Layla chuckled and smiled sadly as she placed the money on the counter. "It's okay. He's been gone for a long time." She turned to leave the store but paused. "If you do go visit her, just a warning, be careful what you say." Layla walked out, leaving Ino confused by what she meant.
"Okaa-San, can you watch the store!? Sakura's awake. I want to go see her!"
{+}
Layla silently walked through the Uchiha graveyard to a tombstone that was off to the far side by itself under a tree. "It's been a while, I'm sorry." She kneeled down to the ground pulling the weeds out around the tombstone. "I haven't kept up with keeping your area clean. I'm sorry." She placed the flowers in the pot next to the headstone. "I miss you. I hope you know that." She brushed her hand against the stone tracing the writing on it "Shisui." Layla bowed her head as she mourned for him still. Even after all these years, she still can't get over his death.
"Are you done mourning?"
Layla tensed as she looked behind her to see a hooded figure with a mask of a demon covering their face from view. "What the hell are you doing here? I thought I told you to stay the hell away from Konoha." Layla demanded as she stood up to face him, waiting for his reply to her question.
"I'm here to hear your answer. I have given you more than enough time to decide."
Layla clenched her fist as she glared at him in anger "No, that's my answer." She told him as she turned back to stare at the stone again, waiting for him to leave so she could be at peace.
"The Haruno clan is done for. They no longer are a clan to be proud of Layla. Accept it. You need my help to deal with your clan." He stated to her, watching as she turned back to him, leveling him with a glare, "You can glare at me all you want, but it's the truth if they could be saved, it already would have happened. Your dear cousin wouldn't have suffered as much as she does now." He watched as she grew angrier at his words but chose not to say anything to him. "I'm done waiting for your answer Layla." He said as he reached into his cloak.
"I can save my clan! I don't need your help! Besides, what you want to do is the same as Danzo! You want to massacre them just as much as Danzo! But I can tell you have your own reason to get the Haruno out of your way." Layla declared as her eyes changed to pink, her petals spinning rapidly, causing the masked figure to snort.
"I suppose I'll have better luck with your cousin then." He pulled out a kunai getting ready to attack her.
"You won't go anywhere near her bastard!" Layla watched as he disappeared, making her tense as she felt a presence next to her, but she quickly body flickered a safe distance away from him.
"Shisui of the body flicker. He was truly fast with that technique, and he passed it down to you to take over, but you'll never be as fast as he was with it." He appeared behind her, kunai coming down, but she quickly did a substitution "Your devotion to your cousin will be your death; I can see it now. You'll die soon." He told her as he saw her appear again, "May not be today or tomorrow, but soon you will."
"Who are you? You never told me your name."
"Me? I'm someone you don't want to get on the bad side off." He grinned behind his mask as he put the kunai away and looked at Shisui's tombstone "You should really get over his death." He turned to leave but paused as he sensed a kunai coming and caught it without looking at her "my name is kizato." He vanished after saying his name leaving Layla alone, eyes wide as she recognized the name, not believing it was him.
'It can't be him.'
{+}
Ino walked through the hospital hallways with purpose as she made her way to Sakura's room, feeling anxious as she got closer, but she slowly came to a stop when she saw two anbu guards by her door 'What's going on? Why is there anbu by her door?' Ino thought as she got closer to Sakura's door, ready to say something to them.
"No one enters."
'What?'
"What do you mean no one enters? Since w-" the words die in her throat as she sees Danzo in the doorway staring at her, his hand resting on his cane, his presence making her hair stand on end as she clenched her hands, gulping as he walked by her.
"Danzo-sama."
The two anbu kneel as Danzo walks by them, not saying anything to them, trusting that they will follow after him, which they did, leaving Ino standing there alone, her eyes following them until they are out of sight. She walked into Sakura's hospital room, ready to ask what that was about but stopped as she took in Sakura's form seeing that she was sitting up her head bowed her hands slightly clenching the bedsheets in her lap, her skin looking paler than it usually is her body shaking as she's breathing heavily.
'Anxiety attack.'
Ino ran to the side of the bed to comfort Sakura, trying to calm her down. "Sakura, it's okay! I'm here! Focus on my voice. Everything is fine." Ino quietly spoke to her, "You're safe. You're in Konoha." Ino whispered, rubbing Sakura's back as she started to hyperventilate.
She couldn't breathe. Why couldn't she breathe? Why are the walls closing in on her? Why was she so weak? What did she do to deserve this? Why were there so many expectations for her? Why was she failing everyone? Why does Ino care for her? She's a screw-up, and she ruined their friendship! Everyone that gets close to her always dies! She can't protect anyone! Black dots started appearing in her vision until she saw nothing and went limp in Inos arms.
"Sakura!"
Sakura watched as Danzo came to a stop beside her bed, his one eye looking down at her, his hand clasped on his cane, but she got the impression that he really didn't need that cane to help him walk, but the question that was in her head had to be said "What are you doing here Danzo-sama?" She asked as she swallowed. His presence was intimidating. She now regretted kicking Layla out. She needed her comforting presence to overpower his intimidating one.
"Are you loyal to Konoha?"
"What kind of question is that? Of course, I'm loyal to Konoha!"
Danzo tapped his cane on the ground harshly, causing Sakura to flinch "Don't use that tone with me, Haruno. I will not tolerate that." His one eye glared at her telling her that he was in no mood to deal with her attitude "What are you willing to do to protect Konoha?" He asked her, watching as she stared at him, confused by his question.
"I'll protect Konoha with my very life if need be," Sakura stated as she watched Danzo stare at her and then turn to look out the window. The tension in the air was thick as she waited for him to speak.
"Your cousin once said the same thing."
"W-what?"
Danzo turned slightly to stare at her, then looked back out the window staring at the village. "Konoha is my home, and I will protect it the way I see fit." Danzo told her as he continued to look at the village, "Your clan poses a threat to Konoha." He stated to her, hearing her gasp in shock that he knew, "Layla has told me everything."
"What? Why!?" Sakura felt betrayed. How can Layla go behind her back like this? Telling one of the elders of Konoha what their clan is planning is asking for a death sentence! How could Layla betray her like this? This is what Layla must have been hiding from her. All the sneaking around was just for her to go to Danzo.
"She believes your clan is too far gone and is planning to kill them all, including you," Danzo said to her, watching as she stared at him, emerald eyes wide open in shock at his words.
"Y-you're wrong! Layla wouldn't do that! I know her!" Sakura defended her, not wanting to believe his words to her that cut her deep in her heart.
Danzo smirked, seeing the hurt and betrayed look on Sakura's face "Do you really know her, though? She never told you that she came to me confessing your clan's crime or that she was planning to kill you all because she thinks it's the only way." He watched as Sakura shook her head, not wanting to believe him. "I have different views from her. I think there's another way." He watched as Sakura started to mumble to herself, "All you need to do is sign over your clans' rights in Konoha to me."
Sakura's eyes widened at his words to give up her clan's rights? She couldn't do that! She doesn't believe a word he said to her! Layla would never plan to kill the clan! She wouldn't! He is lying to her!
"I won't."
Danzo clenched his hand around his cane in annoyance as he watched Sakura look at him defiantly "And let Layla massacre you all? I'm giving you an out so Layla won't kill your clan and yourself!" Danzo told her annoyed as he stared her down seeing as she flinched at his words.
"I don't believe you." Sakura glared at him "Even so. I will never sign over my clan's rights!" She snarled at him.
"I suppose Ruka lived a long life then."
"What?"
"Layla is going to kill you all, so that includes her unless you sign over the rights, and I can save her."
Sakura bit her lip. He was lying, right? But what if he wasn't? What if…Layla was planning to kill them all? That includes Ruka! She refused to let Ruka get hurt by anyone!
'He's lying outer! You know Layla! She will never do this! She always swore to protect you with her life, and you think now that he comes along and says something, it's true!? Use your head!' Sakura bit her lip, drawing blood as she listened to inner she was right. What the hell was she thinking, almost believing him!
"Leave."
Danzo stared at her for a moment and then turned to leave but paused at the door. "I'll be keeping an eye on you." He then left, leaving Sakura there shaking in the bed.
{+}
The next day, Sakura was released from the hospital just being told to take it easy and not overwork herself, which she won't. She didn't wait for anyone to come to get her. She decided that she wanted to be alone and think about everything that had happened the past week. 'Is Layla really planning to kill the clan?' Sakura thought, worried as she pictured what could happen if that occurred.
'She wouldn't.'
'Why do you have such faith in her? We can never compare to her! Itachi showed us how weak I am! Layla is the better option than us! She hid going to Konoha's elders and confessing what our clan was doing! That's treason, and that calls for the death penalty, so I can see why she would do it!' Sakura thought angrily as she hurried through the crowded streets of Konoha, heading straight to the compound.
'Because outer! She is there for you through this all! When will you stop acting like this! You're taking your anger out on her for no reason! She wouldn't do this…she wouldn't.' Sakura grits her teeth as she listens to inner deep down, she knows she was right, but her trust in Layla is shattering.
'I'm tired inner.' She replied back as she bowed her head as she entered the compound gates hearing murmurs in the crowd but choosing to ignore them as she made her way to her home not bothering to stop by her aunt's house she just wanted to be alone for a while to think about everything that is happening in her life.
Sakura opened the door to her home and walked in quickly shutting the door behind her as she made her way to her room but paused at the family picture on the way making her heart clench painfully seeing the happy faces staring back at her 'Why? Why does everyone I ever love leave me or betray me!?' She thought bitterly as she continued walking to her room.
"You're finally home."
Sakura tensed and pulled out a kunai quickly and body flickered in front of the person slamming them into the wall kunai held at their throat as her pink eyes glared into soft grass green eyes "What are you doing here?" She snarled as she stared into her aunt's eyes seeing the sad look in them "Don't you dare pity me!" She pressed the kunai into her skin but not hard enough to draw blood.
Saki stared into her niece's hate-filled eyes that were directed at her which she couldn't blame her for hating her "Sakura-chan you were right." That's all Saki could say as she looked away from Sakura, missing the confused look on her face as she pulled away. "Suki would be so disappointed in me for how I'm letting my husband run the clan and not sticking up for what I believe in." Saki looked back at Sakura seeing her put the kunai away looking away from her now as she listened "You're so much like your mother." Saki smiled gently at Sakura "She would be so proud of the ninja you are becoming. I know I am." Saki walked up to Sakura and placed her hand on her shoulder. "I hope Ruka grows up to be just like you standing up for what you believe in and never letting anyone put you down." Saki pulled Sakura in a hug, surprising her as she stiffened at the contact.
"Aun-"
"This isn't why I'm here though." She pulled away to look Sakura in the eye "While you were in the hospital the elders tried to make their move." Sakura's eyes narrowed, waiting for her to continue "They almost took the heiress title from you and gave it to Ruka." She told her watching as anger filled her eyes.
"They can't fucking do that."
"Technically they can Sakura but I stopped them, you're still the heiress to this clan and no one is taking that from you." Saki told her seeing that she was getting angrier "They are going to make their move now that you're awake Sakura we don't have much time left I can't protect you." Saki stated to her watching as Sakura's eyes widened.
"Protect me?" She bowed her head shaking making Saki believe she was crying but she then threw her head back and laughed "That's funny when have you ever protected me?" Sakura glared at her and took a step forward threateningly "You protected my birthright that's all you did and let's be honest here aunt Saki." She spat out her name in venom causing her to flinch "If it came down to a life or death situation you won't save me you'll go for Ruka and I don't blame you for that she's your daughter after all hell I would choose to save her out of all of you." Sakura smirked cruelly at her as she looked over at the Haruno crest that was on the wall and pulled out a kunai "This clan everyone keeps talking about is getting ridiculous!" She put chakra into the kunai and threw it at the symbol both watching as it embedded itself into the wall a crack going through the crest causing Saki to flinch "I don't hate you aunt Saki I just can't stand how you stay on the sidelines when I needed your help or even your daughter." She turned away and pointed to the door. "Thank you for telling me I'll figure something out to stop them now leave." She demanded as she refused to turn and look at Saki to see tears in her eyes.
"I'm sorry for failing you but please if it comes down to it save my daughter before anything else."
Sakura didn't respond as she heard the door slide shut.
'Outer?'
No response.
'Outer!?'
"Why?" Sakura trembled as tears threatened to fall as she stumbled to her room opening the door "It's too late for apologies." Sakura bit her lip from crying as she walked to her bed "It's too late to save them." She whispered as she collapsed onto her bed "The only way might actually be to massacre them all." Sakura covered her face with her arm as she cried all her frustration out.
{+}
Layla knocked on the door to Sakura's home but no one answered "Sakura!?" Layla called out as she waited to see if she'll come to the door but she didn't making Layla worry as she decided to enter the house "I'm coming in!" Layla warned as she entered the house seeing the kitchen and dining room were empty but she soon stopped in her tracks as she stared at the kunai that was embedded into the wall, the Haruno crest having a crack straight through it "What's this?" Layla whispered as she started to walk to sakura's room in a hurry now "Sakura!" She called out to again but no answer making her open the door stepping inside the room to see Sakura on the ground her back against the wall as she stared at the opposite wall with black bags under her eyes making her worry as she took a step towards her.
"Stay back!"
Layla stopped as she stared at Sakura in confusion "What's wrong Sakura? I was told you left the hospital two days ago and no one has seen you since then! I was giving you time to process everything but now I'm worried about you!" Layla stated to her watching as Sakura stared back at her with wariness in her eyes "Have you even been sleeping?" She asked worriedly.
"Are you planning to kill the clan?"
Layla froze eyes wide as she stared at Sakura in shock, wondering how Sakura even knew about that "What? No!" She exclaimed seeing that Sakura still looked at her in warry.
"Don't lie!"
"I'm not! Do you honestly think I can kill the clan!? You know me Sakura, I wouldn't do that!"
"You always tell me the clan is too far gone! It makes sense you would!"
"I will never massacre them Sakura."
"Liar!"
"I'm not Itachi!"
Silence filled the air now as they both looked at each other in anger.
"Who told you I would massacre the clan?"
Sakura looked away from her.
"Danzo."
Layla tensed as she hears the name anger filling her as she clenched her fist she warned Danzo and he didn't get the message now she has to go have a talk with him.
"Why did you go to the elders? Knowing about what our clan is doing is a death sentence, Layla."
"I thought it was the right thing to do at the time."
Sakura stood up slowly as she looked back at Layla.
"What else did he say to you Sakura?"
"He told me you were the one who suggested killing the clan and that he opposed it so he came to me so that I can sign over my clan rights to him. Of course, I told him no."
Layla nods to her.
"Good."
"The clan is making their move."
"What?"
"Aunt Saki came to me their done stalling."
"We don't have time anymore it seems."
"They're most likely gonna do something in the next couple of days."
"You need to sleep Sakura. I can tell you haven't slept tomorrow. I'm having Kakashi come to the training grounds. I'm teaching you how to get out of a Sharingan genjutsu."
{+}
"Ready Sakura?"
"Yes, Kakashi-sensei!"
Kakashi pulled up his hitate showing his Sharingan and stared into sakura's pink eyes trapping her in a genjutsu as Layla watched silently her mind wandering to Danzo.
'I warned him not to go anywhere near her but he didn't listen. Danzo will pay for trying to turn her against me by making her have doubts in me.' Layla thought angrily as she watched Sakura feeling her chakra spike slightly disrupting the genjutsu.
"Good Sakura but that was easy. I'm going to put you in hard ones now." Kakashi explained seeing her nod to him as he placed her in another more advanced one "I have a mission so I won't be able to stay long Layla-Chan." Kakashi told her seeing her nod at him.
"Okay, Kakashi, I appreciate your help. I don't want Sakura getting caught in Itachi's genjutsu ever again." Layla told him smiling softly at him.
"You can't protect her forever Layla."
"I know."
Silence filled the surroundings as they both watch Sakura struggle slightly with the new advanced genjutsu but she slowly overcame it and broke free panting slightly as she glared at her Sensei.
"You should have told me you layered the genjutsu!"
"Oh? I must have forgotten Sakura-Chan."
Sakura rolled her eyes as she waited for the next genjutsu.
Kakashi wordlessly placed her in a genjutsu "She always did have an affinity for genjutsu." He reached into his pouch ready to pull his book out and read.
"I swear Kakashi if you pull that smut out I will burn every copy in Konoha." Layla threatened seeing him pale and take his hand out of his pouch gulping "When do you leave for your mission?" Layla asked as she crossed her arms.
"An hour ago."
"I swear you and being late to everything."
"I wanted to help my cute little genin before I leave."
Layla sighed.
"Go Kakashi before you're even more late than you already are."
"Fine." Kakashi looked at Layla, seeing her stare at Sakura with love and protectiveness in her eyes. Why did he feel like this was the last time he'll see her like this? "Layla." He called out to her watching as her blue eyes looked at him "Be careful." That was all he could say as he watched her tilt her head confused "Don't do anything dangerous while I'm gone." He told her seeing her eyes narrow.
"What do you mean Kakashi?"
"Just be here when I come back."
"I'll still be here, after all, you still owe me a rematch."
"Of course."
Kakashi vanished just as Sakura broke out of the genjutsu panting.
"Where Sensei go?"
"He has a mission to get to."
Sakura nods.
"Now come at me with everything you've got."
Sakura didn't need to be told twice as she ran at Layla kunai out.
Layla and Sakura spared both not holding back as they use everything they've been taught Layla was proud of how far Sakura has come she was becoming a strong kunoichi of Konoha and heiress to the clan but she still had a long way to go before she can beat her but she was giving her a good workout by the time they were done Layla had Sakura pinned to the ground kunai at her throat as she panted heavily.
"Good job Sakura but you still have a lot to learn."
Sakura groaned as Layla got off her and put the kunai away holding her hand out for Sakura to take, which she did as Sakura winced slightly "You should get home and rest." Layla smiled at her as Sakura rubbed her side nodding as it was dark out now.
"See you later."
Sakura walked out of the training grounds chakra depleted, her muscles aching slightly covered in dirt and bruises "I feel like Layla was still holding back." Sakura mumbled as she walked the streets of Konoha in a daze as she was exhausted but that's when she sensed it the chakra that was heading her way made her look up to see Sasuke with a backpack.
'What's he doing? He can't have a mission. This is the only road out of Konoha!'
"Sasuke."
He stopped and stared at her with emotionless eyes.
"Sakura."
This couldn't be true! Please don't let this be true! He can't be leaving, he just can't be! Konoha is his home! He-
"What are you doing out here?"
Sakura clenched her fist.
"I was training."
Sasuke just stared at her but then continued to walk around her "You should go home you look exhausted." He didn't stop he kept walking closer to the gate.
"Stop!" Sakura turned around, staring at his back seeing that he listened to her "You can't be leaving Konoha!" She refused to believe he was leaving Konoha.
"I can't get stronger here."
Sakura's eyes widened, he was really leaving just cause he believed he couldn't get stronger here? "What do you mean you can't get stronger!? You can! I'll help! Sensei can help! We all can!" Sakura told him, seeing that he was listening to her, "You can't just leave team seven…your home." She whispered brokenly.
"Kakashi trained you over me and you say this place is my home? This place stopped being my home when my clan was massacred." Sasuke snarled as he turned slightly to glare at her "It was always you or naruto. Kakashi never bothered with me, especially during the chunin exams. He chose you over me." He watched as she flinched at his words.
"Sasuke I'm sorry if you feel neglected but that's not what it is! Leaving won't help you at all!"
"I need to get stronger to avenge my family."
"Revenge won't make you happy! It'll just eat you up inside!"
"What do you know about me?!"
Sakura felt tears come to her eyes but she refused to cry.
"Sasuke please I know how it feels to lose your parents I lost mine I watched as my mother walked out the door to her death. I watched as my big brother left for a mission and didn't come home. Trust me I know how it feels to be alone. I may still have my clan but I've never been more alone than when I was little."
Sasuke listened to her words he never knew that about her so it was all new information to him but still that won't stop him from leaving even if they were somewhat alike.
"Orochimaru can help me get the power I need."
Sakura's eyes widened at the name "You're going to that snake? The one who killed the third?" She couldn't believe her teammate was stooping so low "Do you honestly believe he is just going to give you power for free?" She asked, seeing that he turned back around.
"Whatever it takes to kill him."
'I can't allow this.'
"Sasuke you are my family team seven is my family! So please don't go! If you leave team seven won't ever be the same, we're a family!"
"You're really annoying."
Sakura took a step back in shock at his words.
"I won't allow you to leave Sasuke!"
If she didn't train with Layla she would have been able to stop Sasuke from appearing behind her but she was so exhausted and weak that she couldn't stop him from knocking her out.
"Thank you."
"N-no."
Sakura collapsed in Sasuke's arms unconscious, a lone tear falling as he placed her on a bench that was off to the side he then walked away leaving her on the cold bench.
How could she have failed? Another person leaving her, making her feel even more alone than she already did. Why does everyone leave her? Was she really that unlovable?
{+}
The sun began to rise in Konoha shining on Sakura's figure that was unconscious on the bench causing her to groan as she slowly started to come to opening her emerald eyes to see the blue sky "Wha-" she paused in her sentence as she recalled what happened last night.
Sasuke walked towards the gate her trying to stop him from leaving but failing like she always does when it matters the most he was going to Orochimaru!
Sakura shot up her eyes wide as she got off the bench in a hurry "I need to tell Tsunade-sama!" She said as she hurriedly took off in the direction of the Hokage building running through the streets dodging people that were walking around "He can't be that far away yet!" She whispered as she saw the Hokage building come in to view pushing herself fast as she entered it and ran up the stairs ignoring the receptionist that was at the desk yelling to her.
'I don't have time to waste!' Sakura thought as she sees the door to the Hokage office not bothering to knock as she entered it to see Tsunade at her desk doing paperwork with Shizune beside her holding Tonton.
"What th-"
"Sasuke left the village!" She blurted out seeing Tsunade's eyes narrow at the information.
"What do you mean?"
"Last night! I tried to stop him from leaving but I was so exhausted from training that I couldn't protect myself from getting knocked out! He said he had to leave for revenge, that's why he is heading to Orochimaru!"
Tsunade's eyes widened as she looked over at Shizune seeing that she was shocked as well at the information "Shizune bring me Shikamaru, Naruto, Choji, Kiba, and Neji ASAP!" Tsunade yelled to her seeing Shizune nod and run out of the room to get them leaving Sakura and Tsunade alone.
"Please Tsunade-sama send me on the mission too! If Naruto and I both face Sasuke we can talk him into coming back!"
Tsunade sighed as she rubbed her temples with a headache forming "I can't spare anymore ninja Sakura I'm sorry." Tsunade told her looking at her to see the sad look on her face as she bowed her head fist clenched, "We're already short ninja from the invasion and being sent on missions."
"I-I understand."
"I think it's best if you go home and rest."
"I'm here if they need back up."
"I know."
Sakura turned and left her heart clenching knowing that she wouldn't be sent out to help retrieve her teammate. All she could do is count on Naruto to save him from this path.
'Outer Naruto will bring him back.'
'I know.'
Sakura walked past her compound having a different destination than going home.
'I'll wait by the gate so I can see them off.' Sakura thought as she hurried to the gate, seeing that they weren't there yet. 'They should be here any minute.' Sakura looked to the ground, anxiety bubbling in her chest.
"Sasuke.."
"What do you know about me?!"
"More than you know."
"Sakura-Chan!?"
Sakura looked in the direction the yell came from to see Naruto running to the gate and the others behind him "What are you doing here?" He asked stopping in front of her seeing her bloodshot eyes stare into his own blue eyes.
"N-naruto I-I…"
"Sakura, we really don't have time for this."
She flinched at Shikamaru's words knowing they were true "I know." Sakura looked into the forest behind the gate "Only you can save him now naruto." She looked back at him, seeing him stare at her in shock "I couldn't stop him." She chuckled brokenly at her failure "I tried to stop him from leaving last night but I was weak and I couldn't do anything. I tried to keep team seven from falling apart but I failed." She smiled bitterly at her words.
Like I always do
"Now it's up to you to talk sense into Sasuke and bring him home…to team seven."
Naruto could see the pleading look in her eyes and could only nod a newfound determination setting into him "I'll bring him back, that's a promise of a lifetime! Believe it!" He forced a grin to his face as he gave her a thumbs up.
"Thank you."
"Let's go!"
Sakura watched as they took off into the forest, hoping to build up in her at naruto's words "I need to see Ruka." Sakura whispered as she took off in the direction of the compound she needed to see Ruka to give her some peace of mind right now.
{+}
Saki quietly moved around the kitchen preparing breakfast for her husband and child as they both sat at the dining table waiting for the food listening to Ruka talk "-and then I was called up to spar against another classmate and I won! I can't wait to tell onee-Chan about yesterday!" Ruka chatted happily not noticing how her parents grew tense at the mention of Sakura.
"I'm sure she'll be so proud of you."
"Really okaa-san!?"
"Really."
Daisuke kept his arms crossed as he eyed his wife's form noting that she wouldn't look at him or even speak to him her form was tense as she forced a smile on her face at their daughter trying to stay strong for her it was obvious she was still mad at him for the meeting with the council and a part of him was too he just couldn't speak up during the meeting when his wife was lashing out at them trying to talk sense into them he-
"Auntie." All eyes looked to the doorway to see Sakura standing there with stress-filled eyes as she looked at Saki then Ruka the stress in her eyes faded away when she looked at her younger cousin "Imoto." She spoke softly as she smiled faintly at her as Ruka got up and hugged her.
"Onee-chan!"
"It's good to see you Saku-Chan."
Sakura nodded slightly as Ruka pulled back and started to talk about everything she missed. "We had spars yesterday at the academy onee-Chan! I won mine! It's all thanks to the training I'm getting! But I won from a move I saw you do though!" She beamed with pride as she led Sakura back to the table and had her sit next to her as they waited for breakfast.
Daisuke was ready for a comment from Sakura when Ruka brought up the training he expected it from her but he was shocked when she didn't make a comment or look at him when Ruka said it she just looked so defeated when Ruka was talking her eyes didn't show any spark in them like they usually do or even have the anger that usually is there they just looked blank like she had nothing left in her to say or do and that somewhat worried him to see her like that.
"You're the best onee-chan!"
'I'm not though.'
"I can't wait to be strong like you onee-chan!"
'You'll be stronger than I ever was.'
"Onee-chan after the academy can we train please!"
Sakura stared at her and nodded to her question "Of course I'm free for a while." She watched as Ruka squealed grinning at her in pure happiness at the thought of spending time with her.
"I won't let you down onee-Chan! I'll show you how much I've improved!"
'You won't be a failure like me.'
"We have a clan meeting tonight, don't be late."
Sakura looked over at Daisuke and stared at him blankly and nods at him not saying anything to him as she looked back at Ruka seeing that she was looking between her and Daisuke trying to figure out what is going on.
"Onee-chan are you okay?"
"I'm okay Ruka."
Liar
"Breakfast."
Saki placed the food down and took her seat watching as her family started to eat in silence but that's when Daisuke spoke.
"How's your training with your eyes?"
Sakura looked back at him and placed her chopsticks down, giving him her full attention "It's been going well uncle, I'm actually getting a handle on them." She said to him as she looked back down to her food "I'm only on the second stage but Layla is helping me master it." She picked up her chopsticks to continue eating.
"Hn."
Saki saw the difference in Sakura when she walked into the room her eyes no longer held the spark of anger in them like they usually did they just looked devoid of emotion and that didn't sit well with her as she didn't even get a reaction from her when Ruka talked about her training 'This clan is destroying you.' Saki thought bitterly as she continued to eat in silence.
"Why don't I walk you to the academy today?"
"Okay, onee-chan!"
Ruka got up and ran out of the room to get ready "At least finish your breakfast!" Saki yelled after her daughter but then sighed as Ruka didn't come back.
"Two weeks."
Sakura looked over at her uncle seeing that he spoke.
"You have two weeks left with her."
"What do you mean?"
Daisuke leveled his niece with a stare and closed his eyes as he placed his chopsticks down on the table "It starts in two weeks and after that everything changes from there Sakura." He stated to her seeing her emerald eyes finally show anger in them as her chopsticks snap in half in her hold.
"I understand."
"I'm ready onee-Chan!"