Rayne Says: I love this story! I have it all planned out in my head. (Unlike Akatsuki Heartbreaker) To answer Miss Anonymiss, the Akatsuki and Hana's (Sakura's) friends, won't show up for a while. It's going to be centered on Hana and the fact she's alive and the "how the hell am I alive?" question. But someone she knows will show up within a couple of chapters maybe. Also, Sakura is being referred to as Hana, just to remind you if you forgot.
Recap:
That was the day when I truly died…
The day the cherry blossom wilted…
And the white flower bloomed…
Reborn
I wake up to the glaring sun stabbing daggers in my eyes. Muttering curses at the light, I go deeper into my cave- not really caring if there were any animals that could possibly kill me. Sitting in the back corner of the cave, I rest my head on my knees and continue thinking.
I had spent a considerable amount of time last night coming up with a story- my story. I am Shiro Hana, age 17, civilian on vacation from a small village in the Land of Waves. I am going to Suna for my well-deserved vacation because some friends had recommended it. I am in no way aware of any attacks to the Kazekage. Hell, I don't even know what a Kazekage is.
Sighing, I lift my head away from my knees. I send some healing chakra to my neck to relieve the stiffness. First things first, now that I have my story, I need to change my appearance. Well, just my clothes. For one, they're covered in dried blood. For another they're torn beyond recognition and show way too much skin for my liking. Also, I could use some water, even though, strangely enough, I don't feel dehydrated.
I carefully stand up, taking time to stretch all of my sore muscles. Walking out of the cave, I send a glare at the terrible sun (which ends up being a losing battle, as I'm practically blinded) and set off in search of an oasis.
It's only about a half hour later that I come upon such an oasis. Sparse trees offer little shade, but a small glade calls to me with the sound of running water. When I reach the glade I sink to my knees and lap up the water. Upon the first sip, I drink hungrily, devouring the liquid to quench my now thirsty throat. Wiping away the wetness from my mouth, I finally take full notice of my surroundings. It truly is a secluded place, because as far I can see there appears to be only two ways into the glade. The shade offered is Heavenly and lie back on the slightly mucky ground.
I really need a bath…
Knowing that the only population surrounding me is flora and fauna, I carelessly strip off my dirty clothes and step into the water. The almost freezing temperature of the water feels so wonderful after the heat of the desert. Using my hands, I scrub at my skin so hard I'm sure that I'm leaving bruises. Dipping under the water, I scratch at my scalp until I'm that most of the ingrained sand is gone. I remain in the water a little longer until I'm sure that I'm starting to risk hypothermia.
I walk out of the water and sit back down on the bank. Grabbing my clothes, I put them in the water, washing the muck and grime of battle and travel away. After I'm content with their semi-cleanliness, I lay them out to dry in the sun. Still stark naked (with the fabulous Necklace still adorning my neck), I wander around the oasis until I spot what appears to be a fruit tree. Thanking Kami- shock- why the hell does that piss off the Necklace? I have no idea why the mention of Kami should piss the Necklace off so much, but I guess I'll have to avoid that word.
I reach up to the branches of the tree and grasp some of the fruit. Plucking it from the tree, I put the mysterious fruit up to my nose and sniff. It smells safe and doesn't appear dangerous or poisonous. I gingerly take a bite of the fruit and almost moan in happiness. Taking another bite and another, I devour the fruit and quickly grasp more.
When my sudden hunger has been sated, I walk back to my clothes. Staring almost happily at my clothes, I grab them and hold them before my eyes. These clothes are too easily identified as Sakura Haruno's. I am not Sakura Haruno. Quickly grabbing my top, I shred it in half horizontally. Discarding the skirt completely, I put the black shorts back on, following up with my new-and-improved shirt. It barely reaches under my breasts (thankfully my standard kunoichi issue bra was not damaged).
Staring at my reflection in the water, I finally get to see what I look like now. Indeed, my hair is nearly white and outrageously long. I'll have to cut it when I get to Suna. The Necklace gives me a short shock as soon as I think this. Apparently, the Necklace likes my hair long. Well too fucking bad for you, Necklace.
I decide my hair is currently hopeless and pick up the bottom half of my shirt. Creating a makeshift ribbon, I tie my hair back into a messy ponytail. Giving myself an once-over in the water, I decide I look okay. I certainly don't scream shinobi, at least.
I walk out of the oasis, glad at my recent luckiness. Hopefully, my luck will stay for a while. I don't want to think of what could happen to me if I was caught in Suna. I shudder at the array of situations that present themselves to my imagination, before turning back to lighter thoughts.
I skirt the entrance I tried to enter yesterday, doing a complete 180. Approaching the gate, I quickly judge the level of the shinobi at the gate. A Chunin and a Jounin, not too difficult. I walk up to the gates slowly, trying to look rather careless and innocent.
"Halt! State your name and purpose!" the Jounin says.
"Um… I'm Shiro Hana. I'm on vacation from my job," I say hesitantly.
"What do you intend to do while on your "vacation"?"
"Oh, you know, rest and relax. I plan on going to a hot spring sometime, maybe read a bit, and eat and sleep. Nothing too exciting really."
"Papers?" the Chunin says.
All the color abruptly drains from my face. Damn! I forgot all about the papers! "P-papers?"
"Yes, we need proof of identification, also a visa if you have one."
I'm totally screwed- or I would be if it weren't for my quick thinking. Using my gender to my advantage, I pull a move so brilliant I'm sure that if I weren't Shiro Hana, I wouldn't have had the guts to pull it off. No, I don't flirt or slut it up with the guards.
I start to cry…
Big, rolling tears fall down my face as I start to hiccup nervously. The guards look at each other with a "What the fuck do we do now?" face.
Eventually the Chunin says, "Ma'am, do you have your papers?"
"I-I f-f-f-forgot th-them," I wail. "I l-left them lying on the c-c-counter."
"Ma'am we can't let you in without papers," the Jounin says.
"Please," I beg. "I haven't had a vacation for months. My friends told me how wonderful Suna is. I need to go!"
"Ma'am-"
"Please, I won't cause any trouble. I'm just a citizen. I promise I won't do anything but what I stated earlier!"
"Well, I guess if you don't cause any trouble. You can go."
"T-T-Thank you!" I cry.
Wiping the tears away from my face, I start to stumble through the entrance to Suna. When I finally pass the guards, I let a smirk cross my features. Suckers.
Walking through the semi-busy streets of Suna, I let myself take in the city. Seeing as how I had been rushing to save Kankuro's life earlier, I hadn't been able to fully appreciate the city. But while I'm taking in the sights, mentally I'm making a list of my "mission" objectives.
Number One: Get a hotel.
Number Two: Get food.
Number Three: Take a real bath.
Number Four: Research the Necklace
Number Five: Gather information.
Number Six: Avoid all shinobi possible, especially the Sand Siblings.
Now, you might be thinking, "Hana, how are you going to do all that? You don't have money." Well you see…
I might have pulled my first criminal act on the way here…
Such as robbing a fat, jolly merchant who is so kindly going to provide me all of those services. Don't worry, he's still breathing. I don't think he'll even notice that I took any. There was so much money in there, I don't think he'd even notice if I took one of the hundreds of money-filled chests. I took a sack-filling amount (which actually in monetary value equals more than I make in a year of shinobi work).
Walking down the streets of Suna, I soon come upon the hotel district. I settle on something nondescript, not too suspicious nor too flamboyant. I enter the lobby of the building, pay for my room, and am taken to said room by a shy, mousy girl.
I lie on the comfortable futon, almost sinking into sleep before I remember that I need a real bath. My stomach chooses to grumble at precisely that moment so I choose to take a quick shower instead. I turn the water as hot as it can go, and scrub ferociously at my hair. Small amounts of sand, gravel, and blood drain from my hair. I step out of the shower, dry off, and dress slowly. I pull my fingers through my hair, attempting to detangle the numerous knots (and fail miserably). Locking my room behind me and pocketing the key, I leave the hotel and go off in search of food.
My nose leads me to an entire area dedicated to the culinary arts and I take in the smells with delight. I go from stall to stall, eating bits and pieces here and there, but many of the things are too expensive for my tastes. Upon following a familiar scent, a nostalgic smile breaks out on my face. I walk into the shop and sit down on a stool. Gazing happily at the cheap prices, while inhaling the delicious smells, a man appears from what I assume to be the kitchen and smiles at me.
"Hello there, how may I help you?"
"One miso ramen please," I say handing him a couple of bills.
Maybe Naruto wasn't so stupid after all…
Little did I know that my luck wasn't just luck,
That my being here held a purpose,
That dark horror awaited me,
That the hell I thought was over was only beginning,
That my life could get more fucked up…
Rayne Says: Cool chappie huh? If any of you recognize the necklace from somewhere, feel free to guess. I chose the most unlikely of situations to bring her alive. No hidden kekkai genkai, no demon, no mysterious savior- take a guess.
Review, pwease? I wuv the weviews! Tachi wuvs weviews too! Wight, Tachi?
Itachi: Review or die.
Rayne: Don't be so mean! (They might not review then!) Please review and ignore the brooding weasel! Till next chapter! Buh-bye!