Chapter 8
One Small Change
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
A/N: If there is asterisks around a work or group of words then there will be emphasization on it at the end of the chapter. Thank you! -Lizzie.
Sakura wrung her clammy hands behind her back, shuffling her feet awkwardly in the presence of the three Konoha elders. Don't they realize this is awkward? Beads of perspiration fell down Sakuras' face as she looked around the room. "We assume you are wondering why we called you here." Homura stated, cold tone echoing around the previously silent room. Sakura only nodded, ignoring her Inners' snide remarks.
What do they need? Just get to the point! Setting her wrinkled hands in front of her, Homura spoke once again. "It has come to our attention that during the event of the Sound and Sand, your parents defected to Orochimaru." Sakura felt like someone hit her with a bag of bricks. "Why?" Sakura didn't recognize her own voice. It sounded so small and quiet. Not filled with her usual exuberance. "We don't know their motives. It's truly a perplexing situation. You're dismissed." Bowing, Sakura ran from the room with tears in her eyes. Ignoring the curious stares of others as she passed by, Sakura ran straight to the first place she thought of. The playground.
Sitting on the swing, she looked down at her clenched hands. Flashback. Six year old Sakura was sitting on a swing, softly pushing herself with tears running down her face. What was so wrong with her? Sure her hair was pink and sure her forehead was a little bigger than most kids, but that didn't mean that she was a freak! Or it does. That caused her to cry harder. No matter what she did, those kids would always tease her. She tried everything! From covering it with her hair to tying a piece of fabric on her forehead to hide it.
Why couldn't they be nicer? Why was she never good enough? She would always be a failure… And a freak too. She cried harder. "Hey Saki! Mom wants us home for dinner- Are you okay?" Her father asked. "T-they h-hate me!" She cried, jumping into her fathers' arms. Patting her back sympathetically, Sakuras' dad spoke. "That's ridiculous. They don't hate you Saki, they're just jealous. People like them thrive on making others feel bad because they feel bad about themselves. Get it?" Sakura nodded shakily. "Good. Let's go. Your mom will be mad if we don't make it back for dinner in time." He explained to her. She then got off the metal swing and held her dads' hand. "Daddy?" "Yes?" "You and Mommy will never leave right?" Sakuras' dad got a distant look in his eyes before shaking it off and replying. "Of course."
"Pinky swear?" She asked, holding up her pinky. He chuckled lightly before linking his much larger pinky with her small one. "Pinky swear." Flashback Over.
How long had you been planning to leave? How many empty promises have you made to me? Was it all just an illusion? The parents that I loved… Was it all just an act!?
How long have you been lying to me?
Abruptly, Sakura stood up from the swing and headed towards the nearest training ground. She needed to let loose all of the emotions she accumulated over the past few days. After a few minutes, she arrived. It was deserted unsurprisingly. With the whole invasion and preparations for the funeral, most shinobi would be busy even at this late hour of the day. Dismissing her thoughts, Sakura walked to the nearest tree and started to annihilate it. Spurred on by her Inners' anger filled rant, Sakura started to hit the tree harder and harder with uncoordinated punches and kicks. She didn't care if she was splintering her limbs, she didn't care that she was bruising herself. Besides, who would notice anyway?
7-7-7
Kakashi knew something was wrong when Sakura wasn't in her room. Call it a gut feeling, call it paranoia, he just knew. Seeing the note on her comforter, he walked to her bed and opened it.
Dear Kakashi sensei, Sasuke, and Naruto,
So you're probably wondering where I am. An ANBU came and I the council wants to see me. I'll be back home after that. Promise! Love Sakura.
The note only assured that his gut feeling was right. Why on earth would the council want to see Sakura? It could only mean something bad. Why else would they want to see her? Since Naruto and Sasuke were already asleep, Kakashi knew that this was the most opportune time to see exactly where she went. Ignoring the familiar lurching sensation of a teleportation jutsu, Kakashi approached the timid looking receptionist that was working in the Hokage tower.
"K-kakashi!" She squeaked, immediately straightening her posture and patting her honey blonde hair down. "What brings y-you here at this h-hour?" She stuttered with a light blush on her cheeks. He ignored it, fangirls were no anomaly in Konoha. "Do you know if Sakura Haruno has left here yet?" "Um, yes. A-about 45 minutes ago she left the m-meeting between her and the e-elders." She informed him. Okay, to the training grounds it is. With his famous eye crinkle smile, Kakashi spoke. "Thank you." She blushed a darker shade of red. "N-no p-problem."
7-7-7
Once again ignoring the sensation of a teleportation jutsu, Kakashis' visible eye widened minutely at the sight that greeted his arrival. Bloody and panting, Sakura was repeatedly punching and kicking a large tree. To the untrained eye, it would just look like she was practicing taijutsu. But he knew better. She was sobbing, tremors shaking her small frame as she repeatedly continued to attack the tree with no coordination whatsoever.
If she continues this, she'll severely injure herself! Hastily, he ran in front of her and held her bloody fists tight in his grip, successfully preventing herself from further injury. It was then that he took in her entire appearance. Her normally bright green eyes were now dulled and clouded over from her constant tears. He knew that look, he knew it so well. It was a look of guilt and grief. Alarmingly, he also took note of her hands and feet, now covered with blood and small wood splinters from the tree. Gently, he let go of her hands and caught her as she sank to her knees. "It's okay, I'm here." He whispered to her. That was the moment she broke down.
A/N: Hi! I hope you like this chapter! -Lizzie:D