A/N: Thanks for the Reviews, thanks to them I got great ideas, and I'm very happy about it. Hence, this early update!This is my gift to you!
Warnings: This chapter is basically flashing back to years before when Sakura was little, a time where she wasn't in Konoha yet. The beginning of the next chapter might also be showing a bit of the past but more than half of it will be back in the present. I thought it would be a good idea to tell Sakura's and Koizumi's story?
Important Info: In my story, Before Sakura came to Konoha, she lived in a village with her clan, that she had forgotten about due to a huge trauma. So this was all before she found herself in Konoha. The Haruno clan hadn't been in contact with many other clans, they were more secluded, liking the Nature. They were also the most powerful clan, they surpassed the Uchiha Clan, but no one knew about it since they kept to themselves deep in the forest where no one goes.
Again, the leader has nothing to do with who he is in the anime/manga. Even who i think he is in the anime/manga. So don't imagine that hella deep and ugly voice speaking lol.
Disclaimer: Umm...If i owned the Naruto series...THERE WOULDN'T BE SO MUCH FILLER EPISODES! jeeez...how many filler episodes is that? About 50? WOW.
Behind The Smile
Chapter 19: Past Revelations: Radiant Garden's Story.
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The rays from the sun hanging high in the sky shone through various parts of the trees standing place near the edge of a very large forest. It sparkled the two seperate flowing rivers on either side of its span, and as the crystalline water currents reached a large cliff, they spilled down as waterfalls, into a very large, circular valley, its mountaneous cliffs growing with a vegetation of hanging leafs and strongly rooted trees. The drowing sound of the spilling waterfalls did nothing to drown out the nosy chatter and cheerful noises that could be heard along the busy streets of a village that was resting at the bottom of the valley. Its streets were paved with various beautiful stones and rocks. In on one spot was there an adsence of well cared for vegetation. Flowers, plants.
The Hidden Village of Radiant Garden.
Many of the people adorning its street bore a symbol on their clothing, a white-non filled circle; simple in its elegance.
..ooo000ooo000ooo..
Along a certain busy street a little figure could be seen moving through the crowd at a very fast pace.
"Koizumi-kun! Koizumi-kun!" A small girl at the age of eleven could be seen running through the crowds of the busy steet, a bright smile plastered on her face. She had long, pink hair flowing behind her, styled elegantly in a ponytail-hair down.The pins and clips looked to be madefrom the finest resouces. The long and elegant dress of white color she wore did nothing to impede her speed as she ran through the streets,h er emerald orbs glimmering with adoration as her gaze honed in a the certain back of an individual traveling in his lonesome.
The person, in which she had been trying so hard to get the attention of, slowed down to a halt as he looked behind him at the call of his name; he was very handsome, his chiseled face bearing a look of curiosity and wonder as to who had called him; the short part of his light jade-colored hair hung around his face, framing it as the rest was held back in ponytail at the base of his neck, its lenghts reaching the the middle of his back. His emerald green orbs shined with the glare of the sun as they scanned the area, slightly squinting as they seemed to focus on the little person running towards him though the busy street. A smile small graced his lips.
"Well if it isn't my favorite girl!" He bent down into a crouching position, letting out a small laugh as she ran into him, the force of her speed causing her to pummel into him, his body the only source of halt for her. When she stepped away to gain her balance, he let his hands rest in between his bent legs as his gentle emerald eyes looked up her beaming emerald, her height above his as he remained crouched. "How are you today?" His voice was very soft and gentle.
"I'm good!" She chirped.
"That's what I like to hear." He watched as her smile grew even bigger.
"How do I look?" She inquired, grabbing onto her dress, the motion making it slightly ruffle, as its long tressed puffed out on either side of her. Koizumi brought his hand in front of him and moved his index finger in a circular motion; in response the girl grabbed each side of her dress, in a ladyish way, twirling around a few times. When she finished, she curtsied, bringing her head up to give Koizumi her biggest smile.
"There's no other girl in this world to rival, Sakura-sama." He complimented genuinely. She didn't notice the way his face changed, he seemed awed, yet sad at the same time. For some reason a childish frown appeared on the girl's face. She crossed her arms and let out a little puff, pouting. She looked cute the way her lower lip puffed out.
"You really should stop calling me that! Everyone around here does.. I don't like it."
"Well you're the most important little lady here, Sakura-sama. Besides, it's suits such a beautiful girl.." He gave her a big smile, his eyes closing in the process. Hearing the suffix at the end of her name again, the little girl huffed again, spinning around in the opposite direction to let him gaze at her back in a surprised amusement. Koizumi let out a hearty laugh.
"Aww, come on, don't be like that Sakura-sama!" He chuckled more. He clasped his hands together as as he grinned at her back. "Say what, I'll make a deal with you.." sakura only let out another small huff as she crossed her arms.His eyes reflected thoughtfulness as he purposefully let out a small hum as he pondered in thought loud enough for Sakua to hear. His hands remained clasped together as his gaze transitioned upwards even more so as he contemplated. He slightly nodded his head.
His eyes sparkled with softness as he gently placed his hands on her shoulder, lightly turning her to face him. She didn't resist at all whatsoever, though her eyes still pouted as she waited for his offer.
"Whenever we're alone, I'll call you only by your name..no "sama"." Her eyes lit up, though she remained quiet, removing her arms from their crossed position as she waited for him to continue, as it seemed he were to say more. Koizumi brought a hand up to his face, letting a finger lightly tap his chin in continuous rythm as he let his eyes travel upwards again, a light and amused expression on his face. "Aaand I guess I'll have a talk with the Sakekage and see about us making a day where everyone is to call you only by your name.." His voice was light and playful as well. He let his playful, yet genuine eyes travel back to hers. "Would you like that?"
"Would you really do that?!"She exclaimed. Her smile grew bigger as she saw him nod.
"I love nothing more than seeing you smile. I'll make sure it happens, I promise."
"You're the best, Koizumi-kun!" She excitedly moved into his arms, hugging him breifly before planting a light kiss on his cheek. She then backed up, clasping her hands behind her, a blush on her cheeks as she bashfully looked up to him. She had caught him off guard as he had a slight taken back look about it. When a small, giddy smile started to curve the end of his lips, he was interupted as he looked to the group of men coming towards them.
They didn't look like the rest of the people, their apparel was completley different. Crowds dispersed, making way as they passed through them, whispered chatter breaking out.
"Koizumi-san?" One of the men in the group spoke out, his voice deep and stern. Their eyes reflected only a small note in gretting, no more. A serious expression crossed the young man's face as he looked up to them, his gaze stern as he looked up to them from his crouched position. The men looked to Sakura, and Koizumi followed their gazes, watching as they gave Sakaura a small smile.
The wary look never left her eyes, even as she gave them a small smile.
Koizumi purposefully let out a loud release of breath, resembling a cheerful sigh as he placed his hands on his knees, preparing to get up. Cheerfulness replaced the stern.
"Well, Sakura-sama, I must be on my way, I have a very important mission." Sakura watched him stand up to his full height before taking a few steps away from her. "Oh, and I heard Mira-san was looking for you. " He gave her an amused smile. "You shouldn't keep worrying her. Give her a break every now and then ok?"
Every now and then? It sounded like he wasn't gonna be here for a long while.
She didn't know the importance of missions, but something about those men unnerved her. She had never seen them before, and they looked too serious. Her whole life she had never seen outsiders. And now Koizumi was leaving with them somewhere. It didn't feel right. She couldn't help it as tears sparkled in her eyes as she watched them start to walk away. They didn't fall yet.
Something didn't feel right.
She bowed her head down, clenching her fists as she squeezed her eyes shut, trying to stop the tears.
"Sakura-san" Her head shot up to his gentle call, eyes slightly suprised to see he had stopped in his walking, his head looking back over his shoulder at her. What surprised her was that he had called her name without formality in front of others. A pondering smile traveled to his face at how it sounded coming from him. "I like that," However gentle his face was, a more meaningful expresson took place. "Not as much as I love seeing you smile..can you continue to smile for me?"
Her eyes watered even more as he said this. She tried to bring a smile to her face, but instead her lips pursed together as she looked to him. Even more so when she noticed his facial expression slump as his head slightly, in a sort of sadness as he noticed her about to cry again.
"Koizumi-san. There's no time." He glanced to the men before returning his gaze to Sakura.
"When I get back, it'd be a great honor if I was greeted with your smile." He said this meaninfully, giving her a small defeated smile before turning to walk away.
She took a small breath before blinking her tears away.
"Koizumi-kun!" She didn't check to make sure he had stopped to look at her, she put the biggest smile on her face that she could, letting her lips reach from ear to ear, her eyes closed with a sort of glee. After a small moment she finally opened her eyes to look at Koizumi, his eyes soft and seemingly grateful as a ghost of a smile appeared on his lips.
"That's what I like to see." He said softly before continuing his way.
She watched them until they were out of sight, crowds continued to disperse from them, taking a few moments to fill the gaps, resuming the usual chatter. Though it wasn't the same, they were almost hushed, seemingly unnerved by those men.
She took a big breath before turning on her heels and walking up the same street she had ran down..it curved up in a sort of spiral as it weeved through the village. Everywhere she went she was greeted with the usual "Sakura-sama". She would reply with a small smile and curtsy.
..ooo000ooo000ooo..
Her figure was defeated as she continued to walk, the nosy chatter of all the people almost deafening; it was when she passed a ramen stand did something out of all the chattering catch her ear.
"Koizumi-kun is soo handsome!" Sakura's head snapped to look at two young women, swooning over a certain young man. They didn't seem sober in the least. With Curious eyes, Sakura stayed nearby, listening to their conversation.
"He's really strong.."The other drawled off in thought.
"I tried talking to him once. He's soo nice..but all he said was good morning before he asked me if I had seen little miss princess."
"Is that jealousy I see Hiruka?"
"Well for goodness sake even when he's in the middle of something he drops it just to go talk with her! Even if he can't leave his gaze soo follows her till she's out of sight. That's a little to much don't you think?"
"I think it's kinda cute."
"Yea, for someone who's married you would say that Kinta. Don't get me wrong I love that girl, Sakura-sama's smile brightens up any room, but..he's always with her."
"Well he was assigned along with Mira to protect her specifically after her parents died. They wrote that in their will themselves..it was almost inevitable he'd get feelings for such a beautiful girl, being around her all the time..that is, if he thinks of her that way as you say.."
"Do you see how his eyes light up whenever he sees her?It seems to me he's taking that protection a little to far...if it wasn't for the age difference I'd bet he had a thing for her!"
"Who says he doesn't? He's only four years older than her...though thirteen and seventeen, I guess this young it might be too large a gap. Though look at Sakura-sama's parents."
"Goodness you're right. I mean her father was eleven years older than her mother..that didn't stop them."
"Love is love."
"I guess so..Well..I heard that Koizumi was going out on a mission today, won't be back a week at the earliest. It'll be the first time our clan has actually talked in person to outsiders, won't it? I hear it's important. The other clan was…the Sound I believe?"
"Hm, for some reason I think something bad is going to happen…"
Sakura's emerald eyes wavered in direction of the ground for a moment, taking in everything she had just heard. In her daze she walked off, breifly looking at the sun as it began to set with its clashing colors before walking along the streets once again.
She couldn't help but notice another set of nosy chatter, this time coming from a small group of men in the tavern.
"No, seriously, I've been thinking about it. That other clan has called all of our best ninja's. Why would they need to do that? Aren't they just making an agreement?"
"You're overthinking things, seriously give it up." Another man mocked. He looked rugged, letting his bushy hair fall all about his face.
"No, he has a point. Having all our best ninja's depart leaves Radiant Garden in jeopardy." Another man spoke up. The man who he had agreed with spoke up again.
"Exactly. And Koizumi, he's the strongest of us all, without him, no matter what ninja's we have here, this village will go down fast. I have a feeling Radiant Garden is no longer as safe as it used to be."
"I have the feeling something bad is going to happen.."
That's the same thing those women had said earlier. They thought something bad was going to happen. Radiant Garden was no longer safe? And Koizumi-kun, was something bad going to happen to him?
"Sakura-sama!" Sakura looked up to see a person jogging in her direction. She already knew who it was. "There you are!..Don't ever run off like that again!" Sakura closed on eyes letting a huge smile make it's way to her face. She let her tongue stick out as well. She looked adorable.
"Sorry, Mira-chan!" A woman with light green hair made her way towards Sakura. Her relieved emerald eyes, looked into Sakura's playful ones.
"We have to get ready for our banquet! Hurry, it will be evening soon!"
..ooo000ooo000ooo..
"Sakura-sama! Come back!"She made no indignation as to hearing Mira's call, her small legs continued to carry her as she sprinting through the same street she had the other, only this time there wasn't crowds of people doing everyday things with light-hearted chatter. People were scattering, running as well, there were bodies littering the ground.
Chaos.
Flames acted as the backround to all the collapsed buildings and decimated stone-cobbled streets. They provided a slight like to the otherwise starless, opaque night scan. Screaming and hollaring, battle cries acted as the deafening background noise.
Tears acting as a cleaning to the blood splattered all over her face and clothes. It wasn't hers. As her tears grew in amount she squeezed her eyes shut as she lowed her head, continuing to run; the tears flew behind her in a pattern-like trail.
Flashback
It was the first time she had ever seen anyone that wasn't from the Haruno clan. He had a thing that she remembered was called a forehead protector. It had a strange symbol on it, it looked like a note, one you would see on a musical book. The man was looking at her with scary eyes, vicious eyes.
From her position on the ground, Sakura tried crawling backwards. She let out a little scream as she collided with a body that had been dead long ago. She could hear the flames roaring, becoming bigger.
"Sakura-sama!" The little girl looked up to see a group of villagers run up to her, standing in front of her and the Sound ninja. She saw the two women in which she had listened to their conversation the other day. They ran in front of her, shielding her body with their own.
Sakura watched in horror as the men fought, trying to protect her. The women covering her screamed everytime one of the men were hit. Blood was splattered everywhere. She couldn't move her body, let alone open her mouth to scream. There were more Sound ninja around them now. Countless numbers, all very powerful.
"Please don't kill her! She's just a little girl!" One of the women begged. But the merciless ninja didn't care for her words as he kept advancing on them. The women hugged her tighter, squeezing their eyes shut, waiting for the blow.
Blood splattered all over Sakura's face and clothes, the women who were once owners to the blood fell to each of her sides, lifeless. Her wide eyes traveled to look to one of them, looking as her eyes still remained open, the same as they were before the blade had touched her.
Her heart pounded in her chest as he wide eyes traveled to look at the shinobi walking towards her. She couldn't move, she couldn't cry, she couldn't get over the trepidation that paused all her reaction. She could only watch as the katana-like sword was raised high, ready to come slashing down at her.
She had wanted to see Kozumi-kun. she had wanted to know he was ok, that he had survived the trap he had been led to outside of Radiant Garden. She wanted to see him one last time.
Her eyes squeezed shut, more tears traveling down her face as she awaited her death. she could feel the abrupt chance in the wind as the sword swung down at her.
Koizumi-kun!
The clashing of weapons send a large echo throughout the wide streets, its sound resonating louder than the burning flames or the shouts and screams of people.
Her eyes shot open, widening as she looked at the person standing in front of her. His long emerald colored hair flew out behind him, the only constraint the tie that held it in a ponytail, it continued to rise and fall as a small silence ensued; the only noise was the distant, backround noise coming from the rest of the village.
His once emerald eyes were glowing a bright pink as he sternly held gazes with the one he had clashed with, a simple kunai at his use. Beads of perspiration dotted his forehead, and long, deep, ragged breaths moved his chest in and out through his forcingly calm breathing.He must have just arrived in Radiant garden, and he looked to be wounded, as if he had to fight before he could have made his way back to the village.
The blood dripping to the ground before him proved that.
Letting out a barely discernable grunt, he knocked the shinobi off balance before stabbing his own kunai into the mans' head. He fell to the ground immediately. No time transpired before more of the Sound shinobi surrounding rushed towards him. And he took them on.
She zone out as her emerald eyes stared blankly in front of her, every once and a while she would she pink chakra explosion, hear the many different noises of the battle which ensued. Soon..all that drowned out, all she could start to hear was her own heart beating, her own slow, shakey breaths.
She didn't know how much time went by before she snapped out of it, her wide eyes looking up to Koizumi as she slowly crouched in front of her.
"Sakura-san." Her eyes widened even more if possible, as he called her by her name. No "sama". "Are you hurt?" She looked up to her face from her position on the ground, observing how he smiled to her gently, even with the taught lines etched in his face, signifying he was in pain. Exhaustion clouded his eyes at the same time softness adorned them.
Her lower lip started to quiver as she looked at him, tears filling her eyes once again. Her only smile at her more as he let his arms rest in between his legs. It was then that she jumped into his arms, letting a few sobs out into his chest. She felt him return the hug as he rested his head on top of hers. She didn't notice the way his facial expression turned to that of a serous one, a furious one as he looked around.
"Sakura-sama!Oh thank kami-sama!" Both their eyes transitioned to the distance, trying to see past the smoke lingering in the air to a woman running towards them. When she was closer her features distinguished her as Mira, the woman who had taken care of her for years now, since the death of her parents.
Koizumi lifted up his head as she neared, crouching down in front of them. Sakura only glanced to her before buried her face into Koizumi's chest, it only made him wrap his arms around her tighter.
"Is she okay?" Koizumi nodded, taking a long look at Sakura as Mira brought her hand to stroke the young girl's hair. "Can you take her away from here?"
"O-Of course. But where, there's no way for us to go."
"Konoha." He started, his face stern. "It's not far- I don't know how the people are there, but I know their not anything like these guys.."His words were sounded by a tone of distaste as he spoke of the ones attacking their villge. "East from here. That's the only direction you have to travel. I don't know how long it will take, but you have to get out of here now."
"No." She muttered quietly. She could hear all the screams around them, feel the heat of the fire threatening to burn them alive. She felt safe with Koizumi, even if they weren't safe. She had buried her body into him more, though froze when he couldn't help but let out a small grunt of pain as he closed his eyes.
"Koizumi-kun, are you okay?" Mira-chan's worried voice sounded their ears as Sakura slowly leaned away, her emerald eyes looking down to his bleeding abdomen; some of his blood has stained the exact spot parellel to his on her dirtied dress.
"Sakura-san.." The little girl looked up into Koizumi's pink eyes."Please go with Mira-san to safety."
"Not without you!" Sakura tried to persuade him.
"It's my duty to protect Radiant Garden. I can't abandon this village."
"Then let me stay with you! Please don't abandon me!"Koizumi smiled and gently grabbed Sakura's face with both of his hands.
"I won't abandon you, Sakura-san.. Please believe me, we will see each other again." As soon as he stood up fully, he took one last glance at Sakura before running in the other direction, disappearing in the flames.
End Flashback
He was still here, she knew he was. She was headed in the right direction. She had to be. She could hear the clashing of weapons in the distance. The more she ran, the closer it sounded. She would be there soon.
"Please Koizumi-kun! Don't die! " Sakura's little body managed to run even faster. Her legs moving faster and faster. She could see figures in the distance now. One she was able to recognize immediately. He was up against hundreds of intruders that stretched out as far as she could see. He was in horrible condition, he was losing a lot of blood and he looked exhausted. He wouldn't be able to continue much longer.
"Koizumi-kun!" She saw his head snap in her direction, his eyes greatly widening in surprise. He was about to make his way over to her, but suddenly a jolt of unbearable pain ran through him. He fell down to one knee. Tears in her eyes, Sakura kept running towards him, never taking her eyes off him. She saw as he looked to the side, eyes wide, at something that was coming towards her. Sakura's eyes traveled to where Koizumi was looking at. Her eyes widened.
It all seemed to go in slow motion as Sakura's body was still running motion. All she could do was turn her head to the side as the ninja came at her. At the last moment, Sakura saw a body appear in front of her. It was Koizumi. She had no time to scream his name. The sword went right through him. Some of Koizumi's blood splattered onto Sakura's face. The young man still stood his ground, letting out a grunt of pain as he spit out blood.
The Sound ninja took his sword out of Koizumi's body, letting out an amused grunt. Koizumi fell backwards.
"Koizumi-kun!" Sakura tried to catch him, but her small body couldn't support his weight. They both fell to the ground, but Sakura sheltered his head on her knees, preventing it from hitting the hard ground. He winced in pain from the impact with the ground, a small stream of blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
"Koizumi-kun!" Sakura kept calling his name, hoping he would hear her. He had to. "Don't you die, Koizumi-kun! You can't leave me all alone! Don't leave me!Please!" She looked at his injuries, there were many. A small puddle of blood was steadily forming underneath them. "Oh God!" Sakura thought back to things she had learned to stop blood flow. The little girl grabbed the bottom of her dress, and using her teeth, ripped a huge chunk off. It took her a while to wrap it all the way around Koizumi, her small body also came with short arms. She saw him wince in pain as she tightened it. She was now at his side.
Sakura let out sob as she saw his eyes slowly open, looking up at her. "Sakura..sama..please get away from here."
"Don't call me that! And I'm not gonna leave you, Koizumi-kun!Please…please be okay.." Sakura grabbed onto the young man, crying into his chest. She lifted her head up, and tried to put pressure on his wound, but she had little weight to do that.
"Sakura-san…I'm sorry." The little girl didn't answer him, she didn't want to look into his eyes, to see that saddened look. That's how all these people looked when they died, she didn't want to see it. She kept trying over and over again to keep applying pressure. But the blood kept pouring out. Sakura kept on sobbing, her face covered in tears. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying and trying to put all her weight onto the wound. Her breaths became labored gasps, as she still tried to contain her sobs. She kept wishing for his wounds to hill, for somethingm anything, to save Koizumi.
She didn't pay any mind to the sudden tingling sensation that vibrated through her hands, nor the strange warmth that surrounded her eyes. She was only concerned with trying to save the one person who mattered to her most since her parents died. She couldn't let him die too.
His eyes had opened once again, looking on at Sakura in astonishment. He felt that tingling sensation on his abdomen, where her hands were placed, and he knew that sensation all to well.
He looked at her hands to see them glowing a bright pink, so was his wound. There was no way a girl her age could heal to this level, let alone heal at all.
"Sakura-san…" The little girl opened her tear filled eyes, and looked at him, proving the fact further. He wasn't looking into deep emerald eyes, instead he was gazing into glowing, pink eyes. Ones like his. He was the only one in the clan, the whole history of the Haruno clan who could activate the Shiyuki. Sakura was the second.
This girl..was the future of this clan.
"We can't let you do that girl!" The Sound ninja mocked with his deep voice. He made his way towards the couple, attempting to grab Sakura's small arm, pulling her away.
"No.." Sakura muttered. When it looked like the sound ninja made contact with Sakura's body, a pink chakra barrier appeared where he touched her. It sent him flying a few feet away. The little girl was still for a moment. After a few seconds she slowly turned her small head to look at the Sound ninja's all around them. They were circling them as far as she could see. She brought her head back down for a few more seconds, before slowly standing up. You could see where she had torn the large piece of her dress.
Koizumi looked up at her, surprised.
This chakra..
"Nice show, you little brat! What's a little girl like you gonna do!" All the Sound ninja's laughed.
"You will pay.." The little girl muttered. She didn't know that she had practically healed his most critical wound. She beleived him to still be dying.But, she could feel this..chakra..swelling up inside of her. She stood still for a moment. Suddenly, her head snapped to the man that had stabbed his sword through Koizumi. Her eyes were glowing even brighter.
"You will pay for what you did to Koizumi-kun!"
Thanks for reading!
I hope you liked it!Again, your reveiws gave me this totallly awesome idea! I'm so happy! squeals. Thankyou all for your support! Another chapter will be out within this week. I'm so motivated! Hehe! Be prepared for some juicy action next chapter, with the whole Itachi, Sasuke, and leader thingmaggiger!
