(Author's Note: Hello!!! This is my second chappie. I hope you guys enjoy… Actually, there's not much in here. Pretty boring stuff… Just read, and Review!!!)
DISCLAIMER: I don't own it…. Isn't that true enough??
CHAPTER 2: Someone New
That day turned to be a very happy day, except when it started to rain. They all scurried home after they said goodbye to each other. Sakura retreated to her room after she had dinner with Taiku. She put the teddy bear on her desk and looked at it fondly. She was happy that she had friends after all that she'd been through. She opened Neji's package and inside was beautiful bracelet of shells. She smiled. Ino gave her flowers from their shop, Hinata gave a barret in the shape of a flower, and Shikamaru gave her a board game, he said that it was one of his favorite games.
"I'm so tired…." Sakura said as she plopped onto her bed. She buried her head, deep into her fluffy pillows. She looked up at the ceiling, her hands still fingering the necklace that lay on her chest. She slowly fell asleep at the sound of rain drops falling…
'Sakura-chan… Don't you remember me anymore?' a shadow stood before her. It was the shadow of a young boy. She could not see his face but only saw the glimmer of a necklace, a necklace like her own. The shadow neared her, it said in an almost pleading voice, 'Please… You have to remember me!'
'I don't know you! Leave me alone!' she shouted as she stood up. She wasn't in her bedroom anymore. She was standing beside a river surrounded by Sakura trees. She looked at her reflection and saw a 7-year-old version of herself. She gasped, 'What's happening??'
'You have to remember me… It's time that you wake up.' The shadow neared her even more. She stepped back, her face twisted in fear. She took a step back. Her head started to throb tremendously and she fell in a heap. Her hand was clutching her head. The boy took one more step and the shadow over the boy's face was about to fade when…
She opened her eyes, her heart pumping faster than the wind blowing into her room. She sat up and slowly caught her breath. Her eyes turned to the door. She guessed that Taiku was knocking. She was still holding her head when she stood up, and opened it, there stood Taiku, all dressed up.
"Mistress, it's about time you woke up…" Taiku said as he handed her a kimono. She took it and thanked him. She closed the door and sighed. She grabbed her toiletries and jumped out of her window…
MEANWHILE….
"AAArrrggghhhh!! Why the heck did Kakashi-sensei ask us to go to Sakura-chan's house? He must've known that it was in the middle of this stupid forest!!" the blonde fox complained as he stumbled through the jungle-like forest. He had a few scratches on his face and arms, his companion, however, was unharmed. "Hoy, Sasuke!! Do you know where it is??"
"DOBE!!! She's your friend! You should know where she lives!!" a cold voice said. Naruto grumbled more. The owner of the voice stepped up beside him and whacked him in the head. He had black hair and had deep onyx eyes. He saw a flash of pink in the distance and said, "I'll go check that place over there. If you want to follow me, keep a safe distance."
He went ahead and stopped to find himself in front of a waterfall and a lake. He heard someone singing, which obviously was a girl. He hid himself in some thick bushes and his gaze fell on some clothes lying in a rock beside the waterfall. Then, he noticed a silhouette of a girl behind the falls. The girl was taking a bath. He felt himself turn red. He noticed how beautiful the girl's voice was. He was going to go nearer when he stepped on a twig. He looked down at it and when he looked at the waterfall, she was gone.
'Huh… Weird… Must be seeing things….' he said to himself. He turned around to find his teammate running towards him. He was grumbling about someone trimming down the forest. He smirked. Then, he saw a huge house just beyond the waterfall. He motioned his partner to follow him and off they went…
BACK AT THE MANSION…
"Taiku… When am I supposed to meet my new teammates?" Sakura asked as she came down the stairs. She was wearing her usual house kimono. It was yellow, embroidered with pink and purple flowers on the borders, and it had a pink sash. Her hair hung down to her waist gracefully. "I hope we get an easy mission."
"I doubt that, mistress. Kakashi-sama was very serious about it." Taiku said as he bustled around. He had been with her since she arrived in the Haruno Mansion. He was about 4-5 years older than her. When her grandparents died, he was the one who had taken full responsibility of her. He was like her brother in more ways than one. Sometimes, she even called him "Yuuhi," her brother's name. "I hope that you do not injure yourself while you are on your mission."
"Don't worry about me, Taiku. I have grown up and not as reckless as I used to be. Or so I think." She replied with a smile. At that moment, someone knocked at their door. She went to open it and Taiku went inside the living room. She opened the door and greeted the visitor, her eyes closed and a sweet smile on her lips, "Ohayo, welcome to the Haruno Mansion, how may I help you?"
"Ne, Sakura-chan, do you really dress like that when you stay at home?? I didn't know you wear stuff like that!" a voice called out. Her sweet smile disappeared and was replaced by an evil glare. Naruto was answered by a punch in the head. He rubbed the bump and smiled at Sakura. He bowed his head, the bump showing and all, and said, "I knew you were gonna do that!! So, heal it!!"
She sighed. She could never refuse Naruto. He was a dear but ANNOYING friend. She was going to do what she did yesterday when she noticed the lone figure behind Naruto. She looked at him, transfixed. Naruto, surprised that she didn't heal him yet, looked at who she was looking at.
"Oh yeah, Sakura-chan, this is Uchiha Sasuke. He's my teammate!" Naruto said. Sasuke gave a curt nod and Sakura did the same. Something about him made her think. He looked so familiar. She rubbed some ointment on Naruto, her gaze still on the silent guy. "Are ya gonna let us in soon? We have to talk to this guy named Taiku…"
"Oh yeah…" she blushed, embarrassed. She let them in and brought them to the living room. She also brought drinks for them and left them to have a private conversation. She was going to do some private thinking herself and went up to the roof. She sat there, looking at the sky, her hands on her knees. She had changed back to her normal outdoor clothes and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, the wind playing softly with her hair…
FLASHBACK
"MOMMY!!! I have a cut!! It hurts!!" a toddler Sakura wailed as she ran to her mother. The tall, serene woman knelt down, not worrying about her pristine kimono, to look at her crying daughter's little wound. She looked exactly like Sakura except her eyes showed much more wisdom and grace. "What're we gonna do, mommy??"
"I'll show you something, honey. It's something only the two of us can do." The woman whispered to her daughter. Sakura stopped crying, reduced to small sniffles, and listened intently to her mother, her bright green eyes watchful. Her mother kissed her index and middle fingers and touched Sakura's wound. The cut glowed and disappeared. Her eyes widened and she took a closer look at her now-gone wound. "Remember, we're the only ones who can do this. Our kisses and our tears have healing powers but tears have a more powerful effect. That's why you should be careful about our secrets."
She nodded, a kawaii smile on her lips. Her mother smiled back at her and took her hand. They looked towards their house and saw their family waving at them. Her brother was running towards them, his powder-blue hair flowing with the wind. Sakura smiled and ran ahead to greet him, "Onii-chan, where are you going??"
"Father said that we have to go home now. Mom has to cook soon! It's almost dinner time. And he told me to fetch you." her brother said as his dark-blue eyes landed on his mother. His face was red. Sakura tried hard not to laugh, knowing that he might chase her. Her mother laughed and started walking home, her children walking beside her…
END OF FLASHBACK
'Mom… I miss you more than ever. Dad… I need your advice…I'm so troubled. Things are getting out of hand Onii-chan, if only I knew. If only I knew if you're still alive….' She sighed to herself. She did not want to remember anything anymore. It was the last thing she needed. 'What am I supposed to do? I'm doing my best to control it… But it's coming… I'm scared…'
"Mistress?" a voice interrupted her private thoughts. She turned around and saw a blue head popping out from a window. She stood up and walked towards Taiku. He had a very uneasy expression on his features. He wasn't very good with heights. "I was hoping that the two gentlemen would have a word with you. They seem to want to talk to you before you go."
She nodded. The head disappeared and she turned around, taking one last look at the sky, remembering her brother's last words. She sighed and her heart felt heavy, she was not at peace…
"Sakura-chan!!! Guess what? We're going to be your teammates!! Isn't that great?" Naruto exclaimed happily as she entered the living room. She closed the door and sat at the couch in front of them. She was still looking at the other young man beside Naruto. "Oi… Daijobu??"
"I'm fine Naruto… I feel just a bit weird." She said. Sasuke had a cold look on his face, almost like Neji's. But he made her feel weird, as if she knew him or something. (A/N: cough cough dense people don't get this…) Her hands clasped together and on her lap, she asked, "So, is sensei coming today? I haven't seen him for a week or so."
"Yes, he'll be here when he wants to… He's always late…" Naruto grumbled. Sasuke smirked and mouthed "dobe." Sakura just smiled, not letting her guard down, she wasn't that easily amused. "I just hope we get moving before night comes."
"So, what are we going to do? I should have a briefing of this mission, too, you know." She said, her eyes staring at her folded hands. Sasuke was staring at her, too. He looked away, not saying anything at all. Even Naruto had no idea of what they were going to do. Three hours passed, Sakura shook her head and looked up, eyes flaming with rage, "Aaaarrrggghhhh!!! Where is that stupid man??"
As if on cue, a puff of smoke revealed a silver-haired man with half his face covered. Sakura had her arms crossed over her chest, Naruto was grumbling about something, and Sasuke had a bored look on his face. The man had the latest version of "Icha Icha Paradise" in his hands…
"WHERE the heck have YOU been?!" Sakura flamed out. Naruto literally jumped on Sasuke, frightened at her sudden outburst. Sasuke, too, was surprised but he didn't show it. He shoved Naruto away, amused that the fox was scared so easily. He gave a slight smirk and watched Sakura. Her eyes had become huge circles with really dark outlines. (A/N: You know, when they're extremely scared or mad or something) "Kakashi-sensei, let me guess, you were late because some kid was bullied and you just had to save him for, say, three hours!?!"
"Wow, Sakura, you're good!!! How'd you know?" the silver-haired man said. You could literally see the smoke coming out of Sakura's head. She had a lot of veins popping out. Naruto was gripping the couch, scared that Sakura might explode again. Sasuke was still observing the conversation between student and teacher. (A/N: Quite the observer, ne?) "Anyways, I had to team you three up so that we could do this mission successfully. Here's the info, we look for a person. The Hokage said that this person, or should I say female, is the reincarnate of the Wind Goddess. Yes, I know, sounds absurd, but we have to find her so she would be on our side. The Hokage said that she has extreme and extraordinary powers. The legend, I will tell you during lunch. Ok, let's go!"
"What? We're going after some dumb reincarnate? Why can't we fight evil people or something?" Naruto complained. Sakura was unusually quiet. Sasuke was looking at her, a concerned look on his face. Kakashi had his hands on his pockets and led the team out of the living room. "Man, this sucks big time!"
"Naruto, if we end up not having her on our side, you'd be fighting someone extremely strong. Remember, she has extraordinary powers…" Kakashi replied. They all said good-bye to Taiku, who wished them a good and safe trip. He smiled at Sakura and she gave a faint smile in return. "Besides, I hear that she's supposed to be pretty and stuff. Goddesses are supposed to be pretty. Like Celestial maidens or something."
"I don't care. Wait… you said extraordinary powers, right?" Naruto asked. He looked at Sakura who was still quiet, as if she were in her own world. Naruto smiled, his eyes turning into slits. Sasuke saw the mischievous grin on Naruto's face and wondered, silently, of what he was up to. "You mean, like healing powers or something? Sakura-chan can heal! She can!!"
Sakura looked sharply at Naruto, her eyes having shouting, "I'll kill you." Naruto stepped back a bit. He didn't want to get hit. She was strong, for a girl. But he still wanted to prove to Kakashi that she did have extraordinary powers. So, he got a kunai from his holster and held it above his wrist. Sakura eyes him dangerously. Kakashi had a lazy look on his face, so did Sasuke. They did not believe the dobe…
"Naruto… I will kill you!" Sakura said as she stepped forward, her hand raised in front of her. Naruto was still smiling his signature grin when he cut himself on the wrist. Sakura inhaled and then exhaled. The other guys were shocked at what Naruto had done. He could die in a matter of minutes. Sakura just sighed. Letting a lone tear escape her eye, she let it slide down to Naruto's wound. The wound glowed and shrank until it completely disappeared. Naruto was jumping up and down happily. "Stupid fox, you should be thankful that I'm your friend. Are you crazy?"
"Well, that was… different." The silver-haired man said, after a while. He was quite shocked at what his student could do. And she was not even a shinobi. How could she possess such healing powers? She never did cease to amaze him. "Ok, here we are. Now, we just need a place to eat, then off we go!"
"RAMEN!! I want ramen, please?" Naruto said as his eyes were glued to the ramen shop on their left side. They all sighed since they knew this was going to happen. Besides, that was the only food shop near them and they were extremely hungry. They all nodded and stepped inside the shop. They went to a secluded table since they had much to talk about. The waitress came and took their orders. When she left, Naruto asked, "Hey, what about the legend??"
(A/N: Wahahahah!!! Cliffhanger! Oh well, guys, I need reviews before I can set this another chapter of this baby up! Please, please be kind! I'm just a new author. But it won't hurt to criticize. I can learn from that, too!!! Anyways, in the next chapter, they go and visit the newly found ruins of the Wind Goddess' shrine. Actually, it's not in ruins, they'll just discover something else. Then, stuff will happen from then on!! Ok, I'll gladly accept all the comments and suggestions!! Yes, thank you! And I hope you liked this chappie!! Ja! -chibiabi)
