Hello, dear readers. I decided to write this Fanfiction because I always thought Sakura received so little for all her efforts, and I wanted to imagine a world wherein she could unleash her full potential. She is a character to whom I am deeply attached.
As you read the story, please let me know which pairings are most interesting to you guys. I know this story comes many years after Naruto (OG) ended, but what can I say? Sakura's always been on my mind.
Please read and review! I would love feedback, any feedback, because this is my first fanfiction. Happy reading!
I do not own Naruto.
—Peregrine Passage
….
Haruno Sakura felt tears fall on her dried, cracked lips. Lips so worn and withered that blood mixed with her tears—the taste of iron and salt seemed permanently affixed to her taste buds. Sakura began to sob.
Dear child, you, too, desire peace in this world, do you not?
Sakura's breath hitched at the familiar goddess' haunting voice. It was beautiful but harsh, like the cry of wolves. Sakura couldn't get a word out.
Dear child, you've journeyed long as a sojourner in this world for the sake of the people you love. If you had it to do over again, would you save them? Would you prevent the future you see before you?
In her paralysis, the tears kept coming. But Sakura's eyes widened as she saw the opportunity for which she'd been questing for so long.
"Yes! Yes, I would do anything to change the past. I'd fix it all. I know that you know dimensional ninjutsu, so send us back. Send us back with our power and let me change the world, protect the ones I loved. It was never supposed to be this way," she choked.
Hmmm, rumbled Kaguya. You are expressive and admirable. I do not wish to see the world destroyed. In order to send you to the past, I must take you to a parallel dimension. Everyone will know Sakura, but they won't know you. In order to make the exchange, you must sacrifice your younger self's life, if you wish to take her place.
Well, shit. I suppose It's my life to give, thought Sakura. She swallowed. "Fine. Let's proceed."
There's more. The sacrifice must be true. It is easy enough, giving up one's own life; but how about those you love most? In this new timeline, you must also forfeit the lives of your parents if you wish to proceed with your mission.
Sakura's hair stood straight on her neck. A deep sense of panic and outrage enveloped her. "What for?! To prove my sincerity? Aren't I here? Haven't I already given you my life?"
Kaguya was silent. After a few minutes, Sakura began to sob again. She let herself cry for exactly three minutes; one minute for each life lost.
"Let me speak to them first," demanded Sakura. Kaguya only nodded and the silhouettes of two adults and one youth materialized before her. Sakura took a breath. She shook a little and tried to smile.
"Mom, Dad, and little Sakura,—" Sakura tried to get the words out, tried to speak clearly through the tears, but her mother, Mebuki, raised a hand.
"It's okay, honey. Kaguya here has done the explaining for you." Mebuki, Kizashi, and younger Sakura all approached the adult Sakura.
"I am so sorry," Sakura said to her family. "Please forgive me."
Kizashi shook his head as he pressed her against his chest in a warm hug. "You don't have a choice. Don't blame yourself. Your mission is bigger than us. Sakura-chan, know that you will always have our love, no matter if we are there or not."
Mebuki looked at her with reciprocal tears in her eyes. "That's right, honey, you'll always have our love. I wish it didn't have to end this way between us."
Little Sakura wrapped her arms around her elder's waist. She looked her older counterpart straight in the eye. "I know you have the weight of the world on your shoulders but… You have to save Sasuke-kun. Please. This is my last request."
Sakura squeezed her harder, cooing, "of course, whatever you want. I will save Sasuke-kun."
Little Sakura looked up at her and squeezed her hands as tears poured from her shining, green eyes. "I am so proud of you, nii-chan. Inner says hello."
Sakura smiled and nestled her nose the crook of her smaller version's neck. Stay with me a moment longer.
Time's up, clipped Kaguya.
"I love you all," Sakura said through the strange mix of tears with a smile. Then, she watched the three of them, all bearing mysterious and bittersweet smiles, dissipate into the atmosphere. Sakura's hand stayed there for a while, suspended in a reaching motion, toward where her family had stood not long before. Sakura felt raw—her family had been simultaneously revived and then killed all over again, but this time it was Sakura who had been the cause of their death.
If I didn't have to save the fucking world, Sakura thought, furious with grief, If this mission were any less important, I wouldn't have gone through with it.
"What's next?" Sakura asked hoarsely. She was quickly learning that everything had a steep price, that nothing she'd ever experienced came close to what was happening now, and that this mission was simply bigger than her family,—she wondered why sacrificing one's family was a condition… it seemed designed to isolate the subject, perhaps to minimize distractions and vulnerabilities during the difficult journey… or maybe it was just a twisted desire of Kaguya's to see Sakura suffer; she really didn't know. But she didn't care anymore.
Pick the ripest fruit,—the only fruit,—on that towering white tree, little one. Bring it here. First, draw these seals,—copy them exactly as I show you,—and infuse chakra as you write.
Kaguya then instructed Sakura in the painting of extremely complex and nuanced seals on the ground. She drew the binding circles in her own blood.
Before you go, child, know that our powers will remain intact, but you must cultivate my powers in order to use them. It may take a little time for my powers to aggregate in your body once you've crossed the boundaries of space and time. When you feel my power, begin your training immediately.
Retrieve the golden fruit sitting atop the tree north of your position. Sit in the middle of the circles, child, and think of home. I will send us back.
Sakura planted a foot on the trunk of the old, dead, bone-white tree. She was surprised it could still bear fruit. After Sakura managed to grab the golden, round fruit from the top of the tree, she simply stepped off the branch. She rocketed downwards; Sakura relished the brief free-fall before landing lightly, despite her disheveled state. Slowly, sluggishly, Sakura walked to the center point of the intricate designs. She sat down, cross legged.
Now bite, ordered Kaguya, her terrifying authority ringing in Sakura's ears.
Sakura was so tired. With a sigh she closed her eyes and bit wholeheartedly into the Fruit of God, savoring the sweet flavor and taught, supple skin, and letting the juices run freely down her chin, soothing her aching throat. Light exploded from the coded symbols and glyphs, blinding Sakura, before everything went black.
