Disclaimer: Sis didn't own Naruto, only her story plots and her OCs.

8—The Mind Killer: Fear

Sakura had made up her mind. Even if her parents didn't want her to go to the dance this Friday, she was going. She'd aced the mock exams after returning home two weeks ago. Her father had finally smiled, but it didn't make Sakura happy. It just confirmed her theory that her parents only cared about themselves and how they could further themselves through their child. Was that why her brother had left to take up a medical position in Africa? She sighed and looked over at the dress she'd be wearing this coming Friday. It brought a smile to her face. She'd been waiting for a reason to wear this dress since Ino had given it to her two years ago. What better reason than on her 'first date'.

As she got ready for bed, she thought about what Ino had told her on Halloween about getting out from under her parents' thumb. Maybe the blonde was right. Maybe it was time for her to put her foot down and let her parents know that it was her life and she was going to live it how she wanted, not according to some self-serving plan they'd set aside for her. She laid down and stared at her ceiling for a few moments. She arched her brow as she heard a tapping noise. Getting up, she went to her bedroom window and looked out.

She gasped and almost fell backwards when she noticed a pair of eyes staring at her from the tree next to her window. They were black and cold as they stared at her. She watched as the boy to which those eyes belonged crooked a finger at her. She shook her head, tears gathering in her eyes. She was frightened and she made no move to hide the fact. Without a second thought, she ran towards the bathroom that was attached to her room and she shut the door, locking it. She had her cell phone in hand and she called Hinata.

The Hyuuga girl answered, her voice groggy. Sakura could feel the tears leaking down her cheeks. "H-Hinata, help me!" She whispered. The sound of glass shattering had her crying out in fear. She really wished her parents hadn't picked this week to fly to a conference in Germany.

"Sakura, what's wrong? What was that noise?" Despite the hour, Hinata's voice was crystal clear now. Sakura bit her lip and looked at her linen cabinet. With a strength only explained by adrenalin, she pushed the large oak cabinet in front of the door, blocking her only exit, and her stalker's only entrance.

"Sasuke was outside my room in the tree. He motioned me to open the window for him and when I didn't, he broke the glass out. Hinata, help me! I'm so scared! Mom and dad are in Germany!" She was openly sobbing now. She could hear Hinata yelling on the other side of the phone and prayed the cabinet would keep Sasuke out until help arrived. She yelped at the first bang as it startled her.

She curled up in her bathtub and tried to think happy thoughts. The sound of banging got louder and louder and she could hear Sasuke cursing as he struggled to get in. She cried over and over, trying her best to remain quiet but unable to stop. She was actually surprised when silence met her sobs. She opened her eyes and noticed that the cabinet had been moved a bit to the side, but it had tipped and now was lodged against the wall on the other side. She looked around and noticed there was a deafening silence.

"Sakura!" Her head whipped around as she heard a man's voice. She bit her lip and stayed where she was. "Sakura, it's Neji; where are you? Can you hear me?" She sighed in relief and called out.

"I'm upstairs! I'm trapped in the bathroom! Hinata knows the way to my room!" She could hear several sets of feet approaching and she sank to the floor, tears of relief streaming down her already soaked cheeks. She sat there, on her bathroom floor, as Hiashi and Neji worked together and managed to dislodge the cabinet from the door and let her out. She ran into Hinata's arms and wept loudly.

She looked up when Hiashi made a low sound in his throat. "Whoever broke this glass was wearing gloves. I have no doubt that the person responsible for this had other things on their mind this night." Sakura sniffled and put her head against Hinata's shoulder. Hinata looked at her father, who nodded and headed towards the downstairs to call the police. Neji stayed by the window, just in case. Hinata took Sakura over to the bed and sat her down. Sakura was too shaken to argue.

Without even asking, Hinata grabbed a bright green suitcase from under Sakura's bed and started putting clothes in it. She put enough clothes for a few weeks, and all the toiletries Sakura would need in the bag and zipped it up. Sakura watched on, her mind numb after her ordeal. She did, however, have the presence of mind to have Hinata pack her makeup, her dress, and a few accessories. When Hinata was done, Neji took the bag and escorted the girls downstairs.

Hiashi was standing in the living room, a phone to his ear and a frown on his face. "No, I'm not pulling your leg. Someone shattered the glass of Sakura's bedroom window and tried to snatch her." Sakura bit her lip. What was Hiashi thinking calling her parents like this? They wouldn't come back just because she'd been attacked. She noticed Hiashi's mouth drop open slightly. "She is your daughter, Hiroji. She is frightened and in need of your comfort!" Sakura shook her head and reached out to Hiashi, who looked surprised. Her eyes begged him to hang up.

"It seems I was mistaken. Sakura appears to be fine." Sakura thanked him silently as he just stood there, obvious displeasure on his features. "Right, I will keep an eye on her. Enjoy the remainder of your trip." He then hung up and stared at her. "Sakura, why did you do that?" Sakura looked away, shame on her face.

"They won't come back just because I was almost attacked. I'd have to be dead before they'd come back willingly. I would just be punished if they had to cut their time in Germany short." She stated and then looked at Hinata, who knew all too well how true that was. When Sakura had been in a traffic accident at the age of nine, her parents had been in New Zealand. The bus she'd been riding had de-railed and she'd been hospitalized in intensive care. They'd had to cut their trip short by four days and they'd made sure Sakura never forgot it.

Hiashi, for his part, looked appalled. Sakura shrugged and scuffed her shoe on her kitchen floor. "Hiashi-san, would it be alright with you if I stayed at your house until my parents came home?" She asked nervously. She was surprised when Hiashi put his hand on her shoulder gently. She looked at him and noticed the softness in his eyes.

"You may stay with us as long as you wish, Sakura." Her emerald eyes sparkled with unshed tears and she smiled at him, nodding her thanks. Without another word, they left.