"Sakura, you have a mission. It's a B-rank assassination."
The pink-haired girl's eyes widened, their green color darkening for a moment in fear and uncertainty. "B? Aren't assassinations usually only for ANBU or really high-level jounins?"
Her instructor nodded, but added nothing else. After a few seconds had passed, he turned to leave, hoping she would leave it at that and not make him explain anymore. She could, after all, go to the Hokage for the rest of the information, although it wouldn't be anywhere near as accurate as if she asked him.
"Wait, who are the rest of my teammates? Who are we assassinating?"
And of course it would be him that she asked. He was her instructor, and he was the one she would want her instructions from. Kakashi once again faced her, his one visible eye showing none of his usual laid-back attitude. "You have no teammates." He handed her a folder full of pictures and maps and other vital information before that news could sink in. "And Sakura? The girl will ask you a question if she knows what you're there to do. She'll offer you enough to make Sasuke return if he finds out. She'll offer you enough to make even Orochimaru want your power, but be careful. It comes at a great price. If you say no, the assassination becomes vital – you must do it or die trying." He smiled slightly. "Good luck," he whispered, and disappeared in a whirlwind of leaves.
Sakura stepped back, shaking her head. Alone? How could she do a mission – A B-rank mission – alone? She backed up even further, going faster now, thoughts flying through her mind. Assassination? There must be some mistake – this was Haruno Sakura he was talking about. Sakura who was always watching others' backs no matter how hard she tried. Sakura who couldn't even stop her team from falling apart after the attack on Konoha. She stopped. This was Sakura who finally had a chance to bring Sasuke back. She started to run, heading back to her house to pack. Whatever the price was, she would take what the girl offered, and bring back her teammates.
Kakashi watched from a rooftop and sighed. He already knew what choice his last remaining student would make – had known ever since Sasuke had disappeared, and maybe even before then. The gray-haired man stood and walked away. He would miss her, but it was for the best.
Within a month, the Haruno Sakura he'd known would be no more, but maybe that wasn't as bad as it sounded.
Sakura frowned as she studied her information. According to the photos, the girl standing just a few feet away, completely unaware that she could die any second, was the one to be assassinated. Sakura glanced back at the packet regarding why the girl had to be killed, brow furrowed in confusion. Apparently the girl was a demon of some sort, and in the photos she looked it: long teeth and an expression of pure fury on her face. However, the girl in front of her had none of these things. She was pale, with her brown hair reaching her thighs in a messy braid. She was singing random bits of songs, switching when she hit a wrong note, and that combined with her innocent expression and outfit – shorts and a too big T-shirt – made the girl seem nothing like a demon and more like a child.
"So what d'ya want?"
Sakura blinked. Maybe the girl wasn't as oblivious as she seemed. Sighing, she stood up and walked out from her cover in the bushes of the surrounding forest. At least the location of the house seemed demony enough, being in the middle of nowhere as it was. "My name is Haruno Sakura. Would you be Sonoda Aki?"
Aki blinked and nodded. "Yea, why?"
Before Aki could react, Sakura threw a kunai at her throat. A second later, she felt it pressed against her own throat and winced. Hopefully Kakashi knew what he was talking about, because while Sasuke and Naruto could probably have gotten out of such a situation, she certainly couldn't.
"You were sent to kill me? By whom?" the girl hissed, no longer sounding the least bit innocent.
Sakura hesitated. Although it was Konoha village that was paying her for this mission, it seemed only one person knew anything about it other than the Hokage. All the information had been gathered by. . . . "Hatake Kakashi."
Immediately Aki spun her around, studying Sakura closely. "You don't look like the type. . . ." she mumbled. Sakura stood as still as she could, hoping that it was a good thing Aki wasn't seeing whatever it was she was searching for. Finally, after a good three minutes, the demon pushed Sakura away. "Go away. You're too innocent – what need to you have of strength?"
Sakura's eyes narrowed. She knew she looked that way, but still . . . how dare she judge her just like that. "Kakashi said you would offer me power enough to bring back Sasuke. I will have that power, even if I have to take it from you after you're dead."
Aki looked as surprised to hear the venom in Sakura's voice as Sakura was. Then the surprise faded into satisfaction. Aki smiled wickedly, no longer seeming either like the naïve child she'd been earlier or the monster of just a few seconds ago. Instead she was now exactly as Sakura imagined a demon should look if it was in human form: dark, with a touch of insanity flavoring her features. There was also a wistful look hiding just under the surface, making Sakura remember what Kakashi had said. Why was the assassination only vital if she said no?
The demon examined the child before her again, searching the girl's eyes. Aki still held by her earlier assessment that the girl was far too innocent, but there was something else. She was asking for the power, and was bright – she wouldn't pass it on to one who would bring destruction to the line of demons. This Sakura girl would acknowledge when her time was up rather than fight it. "Are you really willing to give it all up? Surely he told you that the price was great."
Sakura bit her lip, not liking the way the demon had phrased the first question. Still, she nodded. Even if she had to die or take Sasuke's place, she would do it if it would save her teammates. She wouldn't be left behind anymore. "I'm sure."
Aki grinned, looking more insane than ever. Sakura hadn't asked what the price was. Perfect. "Good luck then. After I give it to you, you have two minutes to ask me questions. You came just in time." Not giving Sakura time to wonder what that meant, she lunged forward, jerking the girl's neck to the side and biting into the soft flesh waiting there. Aki paused, savoring the scent of fresh blood – a scent she hadn't had the pleasure of smelling in decades. Then she sucked, determined to help the blood out of the wound as quickly as possible. In her arms, Sakura struggled weakly, although it was obvious that the fight was merely an instinctive reaction. Sakura had already made up her mind about what was happening and was not going to turn her back on it.
Finally Sakura stilled, only enough blood remaining in the body for it to continue living for a few more minutes. Aki pulled back, smiling at the girl's expression. Even dying, Sakura's eyes still shone with determination, perhaps even brighter now that she was so close. "Don't worry, just drink this and you'll be fine," Aki whispered, tearing the flesh on her own throat apart and pressing the pink-haired girl's mouth to the gash. At first Sakura gagged, unable to take in the blood, but after a second began messily lapping it up. Aki allowed her to, not worrying about the blood pouring down her form. She wouldn't die from losing her blood. Not yet.
After what seemed like hours, Sakura regained her mind and pushed herself away. Absently licking blood from her lips, she watched the now almost white girl in front of her. "What – what was that?"
The girl smiled. "You're now the demon, not me. Remember, use your time wisely – you may only ask me questions for two more minutes."
Brow furrowed in confusion, Sakura asked what seemed like the only sensible question. "Why two minutes?"
Aki shook her head, walking over to a small circle of stones barely large enough for one person to stand in. She raised her head to face the sun.
"What am I then? How am I stronger? What exactly happened?"
The girl tilted her head. Was it just Sakura's imagination or did she look suddenly older? Aki answered this question, though her voice was almost too soft to hear. "You're a demon. You are. . . ." Abruptly she stopped talking and jerked. Now Sakura was certain – the girl was definitely older.
"I'm what?"
Sonoda Aki never answered. The fire started slowly, a slight blackening of the skin on her throat that turned into a small flickering light eating its way across her body. Sakura ran over – tried to beat out the flame – but could do nothing. Aki grasped her shoulders and pulled her close, the fire licking at Sakura's delicate skin. "Thank you," Aki whispered, tears dripping from eyes that hadn't produced them for almost a century. Then, eyes widening as she suddenly understood something, Aki kissed the green- eyed girl. Sakura pulled away immediately and just in time to avoid the firestorm that sprang up around the former demon.
Just as quickly as it had started it was over, leaving a girl who was once Haruno Sakura, a kunoichi of the Hidden Leaf, alone in a clearing next to a circle of white stones. Within the circle were the remains of Sonoda Aki, now naught but a pile of ashes. Sakura touched her burnt lips lightly. With that kiss she too shared some understanding of what had happened. She smiled wryly, a look that seemed so very out of place on her features. Sasuke would be coming home very soon.
Author's Note: So is it any good? looks hopeful I've had this idea bouncing around my head for the longest time, and finally decided to give it a try. To answer some so far unasked questions, I'm taking the idea of vampires and turning it a bit inside out. I'm trying to look at the myths associated with them and change them so that I can explain them with some small bit of logic. However, as I'm going with the idea that this is actually a sort of demon, I have to change a very small bit of my logic. More will be explained in later chapters or author's notes. If you have any questions on why something happens, ask because it's possible I haven't though about that yet and I want everything to make sense. waves Well, bye!
The pink-haired girl's eyes widened, their green color darkening for a moment in fear and uncertainty. "B? Aren't assassinations usually only for ANBU or really high-level jounins?"
Her instructor nodded, but added nothing else. After a few seconds had passed, he turned to leave, hoping she would leave it at that and not make him explain anymore. She could, after all, go to the Hokage for the rest of the information, although it wouldn't be anywhere near as accurate as if she asked him.
"Wait, who are the rest of my teammates? Who are we assassinating?"
And of course it would be him that she asked. He was her instructor, and he was the one she would want her instructions from. Kakashi once again faced her, his one visible eye showing none of his usual laid-back attitude. "You have no teammates." He handed her a folder full of pictures and maps and other vital information before that news could sink in. "And Sakura? The girl will ask you a question if she knows what you're there to do. She'll offer you enough to make Sasuke return if he finds out. She'll offer you enough to make even Orochimaru want your power, but be careful. It comes at a great price. If you say no, the assassination becomes vital – you must do it or die trying." He smiled slightly. "Good luck," he whispered, and disappeared in a whirlwind of leaves.
Sakura stepped back, shaking her head. Alone? How could she do a mission – A B-rank mission – alone? She backed up even further, going faster now, thoughts flying through her mind. Assassination? There must be some mistake – this was Haruno Sakura he was talking about. Sakura who was always watching others' backs no matter how hard she tried. Sakura who couldn't even stop her team from falling apart after the attack on Konoha. She stopped. This was Sakura who finally had a chance to bring Sasuke back. She started to run, heading back to her house to pack. Whatever the price was, she would take what the girl offered, and bring back her teammates.
Kakashi watched from a rooftop and sighed. He already knew what choice his last remaining student would make – had known ever since Sasuke had disappeared, and maybe even before then. The gray-haired man stood and walked away. He would miss her, but it was for the best.
Within a month, the Haruno Sakura he'd known would be no more, but maybe that wasn't as bad as it sounded.
Sakura frowned as she studied her information. According to the photos, the girl standing just a few feet away, completely unaware that she could die any second, was the one to be assassinated. Sakura glanced back at the packet regarding why the girl had to be killed, brow furrowed in confusion. Apparently the girl was a demon of some sort, and in the photos she looked it: long teeth and an expression of pure fury on her face. However, the girl in front of her had none of these things. She was pale, with her brown hair reaching her thighs in a messy braid. She was singing random bits of songs, switching when she hit a wrong note, and that combined with her innocent expression and outfit – shorts and a too big T-shirt – made the girl seem nothing like a demon and more like a child.
"So what d'ya want?"
Sakura blinked. Maybe the girl wasn't as oblivious as she seemed. Sighing, she stood up and walked out from her cover in the bushes of the surrounding forest. At least the location of the house seemed demony enough, being in the middle of nowhere as it was. "My name is Haruno Sakura. Would you be Sonoda Aki?"
Aki blinked and nodded. "Yea, why?"
Before Aki could react, Sakura threw a kunai at her throat. A second later, she felt it pressed against her own throat and winced. Hopefully Kakashi knew what he was talking about, because while Sasuke and Naruto could probably have gotten out of such a situation, she certainly couldn't.
"You were sent to kill me? By whom?" the girl hissed, no longer sounding the least bit innocent.
Sakura hesitated. Although it was Konoha village that was paying her for this mission, it seemed only one person knew anything about it other than the Hokage. All the information had been gathered by. . . . "Hatake Kakashi."
Immediately Aki spun her around, studying Sakura closely. "You don't look like the type. . . ." she mumbled. Sakura stood as still as she could, hoping that it was a good thing Aki wasn't seeing whatever it was she was searching for. Finally, after a good three minutes, the demon pushed Sakura away. "Go away. You're too innocent – what need to you have of strength?"
Sakura's eyes narrowed. She knew she looked that way, but still . . . how dare she judge her just like that. "Kakashi said you would offer me power enough to bring back Sasuke. I will have that power, even if I have to take it from you after you're dead."
Aki looked as surprised to hear the venom in Sakura's voice as Sakura was. Then the surprise faded into satisfaction. Aki smiled wickedly, no longer seeming either like the naïve child she'd been earlier or the monster of just a few seconds ago. Instead she was now exactly as Sakura imagined a demon should look if it was in human form: dark, with a touch of insanity flavoring her features. There was also a wistful look hiding just under the surface, making Sakura remember what Kakashi had said. Why was the assassination only vital if she said no?
The demon examined the child before her again, searching the girl's eyes. Aki still held by her earlier assessment that the girl was far too innocent, but there was something else. She was asking for the power, and was bright – she wouldn't pass it on to one who would bring destruction to the line of demons. This Sakura girl would acknowledge when her time was up rather than fight it. "Are you really willing to give it all up? Surely he told you that the price was great."
Sakura bit her lip, not liking the way the demon had phrased the first question. Still, she nodded. Even if she had to die or take Sasuke's place, she would do it if it would save her teammates. She wouldn't be left behind anymore. "I'm sure."
Aki grinned, looking more insane than ever. Sakura hadn't asked what the price was. Perfect. "Good luck then. After I give it to you, you have two minutes to ask me questions. You came just in time." Not giving Sakura time to wonder what that meant, she lunged forward, jerking the girl's neck to the side and biting into the soft flesh waiting there. Aki paused, savoring the scent of fresh blood – a scent she hadn't had the pleasure of smelling in decades. Then she sucked, determined to help the blood out of the wound as quickly as possible. In her arms, Sakura struggled weakly, although it was obvious that the fight was merely an instinctive reaction. Sakura had already made up her mind about what was happening and was not going to turn her back on it.
Finally Sakura stilled, only enough blood remaining in the body for it to continue living for a few more minutes. Aki pulled back, smiling at the girl's expression. Even dying, Sakura's eyes still shone with determination, perhaps even brighter now that she was so close. "Don't worry, just drink this and you'll be fine," Aki whispered, tearing the flesh on her own throat apart and pressing the pink-haired girl's mouth to the gash. At first Sakura gagged, unable to take in the blood, but after a second began messily lapping it up. Aki allowed her to, not worrying about the blood pouring down her form. She wouldn't die from losing her blood. Not yet.
After what seemed like hours, Sakura regained her mind and pushed herself away. Absently licking blood from her lips, she watched the now almost white girl in front of her. "What – what was that?"
The girl smiled. "You're now the demon, not me. Remember, use your time wisely – you may only ask me questions for two more minutes."
Brow furrowed in confusion, Sakura asked what seemed like the only sensible question. "Why two minutes?"
Aki shook her head, walking over to a small circle of stones barely large enough for one person to stand in. She raised her head to face the sun.
"What am I then? How am I stronger? What exactly happened?"
The girl tilted her head. Was it just Sakura's imagination or did she look suddenly older? Aki answered this question, though her voice was almost too soft to hear. "You're a demon. You are. . . ." Abruptly she stopped talking and jerked. Now Sakura was certain – the girl was definitely older.
"I'm what?"
Sonoda Aki never answered. The fire started slowly, a slight blackening of the skin on her throat that turned into a small flickering light eating its way across her body. Sakura ran over – tried to beat out the flame – but could do nothing. Aki grasped her shoulders and pulled her close, the fire licking at Sakura's delicate skin. "Thank you," Aki whispered, tears dripping from eyes that hadn't produced them for almost a century. Then, eyes widening as she suddenly understood something, Aki kissed the green- eyed girl. Sakura pulled away immediately and just in time to avoid the firestorm that sprang up around the former demon.
Just as quickly as it had started it was over, leaving a girl who was once Haruno Sakura, a kunoichi of the Hidden Leaf, alone in a clearing next to a circle of white stones. Within the circle were the remains of Sonoda Aki, now naught but a pile of ashes. Sakura touched her burnt lips lightly. With that kiss she too shared some understanding of what had happened. She smiled wryly, a look that seemed so very out of place on her features. Sasuke would be coming home very soon.
Author's Note: So is it any good? looks hopeful I've had this idea bouncing around my head for the longest time, and finally decided to give it a try. To answer some so far unasked questions, I'm taking the idea of vampires and turning it a bit inside out. I'm trying to look at the myths associated with them and change them so that I can explain them with some small bit of logic. However, as I'm going with the idea that this is actually a sort of demon, I have to change a very small bit of my logic. More will be explained in later chapters or author's notes. If you have any questions on why something happens, ask because it's possible I haven't though about that yet and I want everything to make sense. waves Well, bye!