Chapter 6: I Wish I Wasn't
.:Save Me:.
I hope you all enjoy!
Sakura Haruno was afraid. Not of an object. Not of an idea. No, Sakura Haruno was terrified of herself. After she put Izumi in the hospital, her entire self image changed. Before the incident, she was the girl that could always keep control over herself. No matter what you did to her, she would always keep a tight reign over her immense power. However, when she fought Izumi, that all changed.
How could she let herself do such a thing? What happens if she does the same thing to Sasuke? Or her precious brother? No- she won't let that happen, but how can she when she has to fight? Well, her answer isn't ideal, but it's the best she can do the day after such a traumatic event.
Training Ground 7
Sakura's POV
"We're going to wipe the floor with him, yosh!" Nii-kun shouted the moment Kakashi-sensei disappeared.
"Hmpf," Sasuke scoffed, "you heard what he said, dope. We need to get the bells from him or else we get sent back to the academy. He only has two bells meaning one of us will be sent back regardless if we work together or not." Nii-kun looked at him blankly for a moment before a determined look settled on his face.
"I'm not letting any of us go back to the academy. We're a team and we're going to stay that way- screw his rules!" I couldn't help but smile inwardly.
No matter how much pressure you put on him, he'll always shine brighter. The sounds of another snort coming from Sasuke brought my attention back to him.
"I know that dope, but we don't have a choice in the matter." His eyes glanced in my direction before he quickly looked away. My heart tugged painfully.
He's afraid of me…
Granted, I did attack his clan member yesterday and sent her to the hospital. I know things are going to be tense between us because of it for a while, but, after talking to nii-kun, I didn't expect for him to be afraid of me.
Monster! Monster! He sees you for the monster you are!
Holding my breath and counting to ten, I stood from my crouched position. We were hidden behind a large tree so Kakashi-sensei still wouldn't be able to see me regardless. Either way, it's not like it matters. He hasn't moved from his spot in the middle of the clearing since we started.
He doesn't know he has a monster on his team- he hasn't seen why he should be terrified of you yet.
"Sasuke's right." I stated, squeezing my eyes closed. "We should split up for now. Maybe later we can try teaming up."
"But… Sakura-chan-" Opening my eyes, I gave Nii-kun as much of a reassuring look as I can.
"Don't worry. I'll be closeby if you need me." He was silent for a moment, but he nodded his head in the end. Nodding back at him, I shifted my gaze to Sasuke. "I hope you can trust me as a teammate again soon." Bowing slightly, I straightened in time to see the shocked look on his face. He looked as if he wanted to say something, but I turned on my heels and leaped into the trees before he could.
Soon, all of your important people will hate you for being a monster!
The sinister cackle that made my skin crawl filled my head. Taking in a deep breath, I scaled a tree on the far edge of the training ground. Getting to the highest point completely covered in foliage, I laid down against the trunk.
With you around, it's too dangerous for me to get involved directly.
Why? Are you afraid your true identity is going to show? Are you afraid you're going to kill them all!
Taking a deep breath, I focused all my strength to pushing that demon to the back of my mind. It gave a monstrous shriek, but after a few seconds, it went quiet. Letting out a deep sigh of relief, I slid my eyes closed.
Now I can focus.
Feeling the itching in my eyes, I opened them to see myself surrounded by five tendrils. Scanning the area around me, I didn't see any mist.
Good- that mean it's locked away for now.
Taking a breath, I flexed my fingers sending out my tendrils. It only took a few seconds for them to find my team. Closing my eyes, I focused on seeing through my tendrils. Three separate images appeared before me.
In the left one, I can see Sasuke crouched in the brush outlining the clearing Kakashi-sensei occupied. It looked as if he was trying to come up with a plan to attack him. Through my tendrils, I can easily see his chakra moving rapidly in anticipation.
Even if he does come up with a good plan, he's not strong enough to take on Kakashi-sensei alone.
Humming softly, I drifted my attention to the middle image. Nii-kun looked as if he was trying to find a place to hide so he can scope out the area, but he isn't doing a very good job. He's being too noisy for Kakashi-sensei not to hear him and he isn't watching where he's going very well.
And he's about to walk into a trap.
Sure enough, on the path he's heading is a hidden net. Taking a deep breath, I flexed my fingers again sending one of my extra tendrils into his head. Momentarily, I steered him into a different direction and to a safe hiding spot that he can watch Kakashi-sensei. Removing the tendril, I watched as he looked around confused for a moment before grinning to himself.
"This sneaking around is so easy I can do it without thinking!"
But it won't matter if you're being too loud, nii-kun.
Internally giggling, I brought my attention to the final image. It turns out, the Kakashi-sensei my two teammates are scouting is a shadow clone. In fact, the real one is underground. Somehow, he has enough light to read his little orange book, but he's still keeping a sharp eye out for us. After a few seconds, the visible part of his forehead creased as he closed his book. He raised his head, looking around only making the wrinkles worse.
He must be looking for me.
Sighing deeply, I opened my eyes, the images still showing through three misty tendrils before me.
Should I go out there?
This is a training exercise. Granted, he wants us to work together as a team to showcase its importance, but I doubt that's going to be possible at the moment.
Especially if Sasuke is afraid of me.
Sighing again, I went through a couple ideas of what I should do.
Maybe I should have some fun with my new sensei.
Allowing a small smile on my face, I directed the tendril watching our sensei to wrap around the bells. On Nii-kun's image, I can see that he got impatient and decided to confront the clone head on.
I might have to save him in a little while.
Humming, I curled my fingers into a fist. Pushing chakra into my palm, I can feel the cool metal of the bells. Slowly, I opened my hand. Two silver bells sat in my palm, the morning sunlight reflecting off of them subtly.
"Isn't he going to be shocked to see these are gone." I mused before looking at the images again.
It seems like nii-kun is losing against Kakashi-sensei and still hasn't realised he's fighting a clone. However, Sasuke looks as if he's finally hatched a plan to get the bells.
"That's not the real one, dobe!" He declared, emerging from the brush.
"What?!" Before nii-kun could say much else, the clone through him across the clearing into a tree.
He's going to feel that later.
Sasuke threw a kunai at the clone before lunging after them quickly.
His ego is about to take a major hit.
Glancing at nii-kun, he's still slumped against the tree. Sending the tendril watching him into his body, I helped speed up the healing process.
He should wake up in a few seconds, but not quick enough to help Sasuke.
Looking back to him, I can see the motions of what Kakashi-sensei is planning on doing to him begin. First, he dodged Sasuke's punch aimed for his chest. As Sasuke twisted to roundhouse kick him, he grabbed his leg. Sasuke tried to twist again to grab the bells, but the clone threw him away before he could. Sasuke was able to land on his feet, but the clone was on him before he could blink.
For a few long seconds for him, all Sasuke can do is try to dodge the attacks. In the end, an uppercut to the stomach landed, winding him. As he keeled over, the clone gripped him by the back of his shirt and threw him across the clearing. Sasuke's body bounced on the ground twice before landing on his back.
This isn't looking too good for them.
"At this rate, you should give up. I'm sure after another year in the academy, you'll be ready to try again." A growl left Sasuke as he struggled to get to his feet.
"I'm not giving up," he painted, glaring at the clone, "until I'm stronger than everyone who's ever doubted me!" The clone opened his mouth to say something, but a heavy blow to the back of his head destroyed him in a puff of smoke. When it cleared, nii-kun stood stunned- his hands still wielding the thick branch he hit the clone with.
"I can't believe that worked." He mumbled, looking at his hands in awe.
It may have to do with the tendril masking your presence while it heals you.
I hummed standing from my spot.
"I might as well join them now. Besides, I have to give them the bells." Glancing at the bells in my hand, I contemplated where to hide them before settling on placing them into the weapon pouch tied to my thigh. Canceling my tendrils, I felt my eyes go back to normal.
I wonder what kind of predicament they're going to be in when I get there.
Vaulting down from the tree, I landed silently on the forest floor before taking off towards the clearing. When I got there, I stayed hidden in the brush to assess the situation before doing anything. As I thought, Kakashi-sensei came out from the ground. He still had his book in his hand, but it didn't seem like he was paying attention to it as he watched nii-kun intently. His forehead still had deep lines in it as if he's trying to figure something out.
Probably why he can't sense nii-kun.
Speaking of him, he's a few feet away from Kakashi-sensei and he looks a lot more bruised then the last time I saw him. I thought Sasuke would be in that position, but looking around, I don't see him anywhere-
Why is Sasuke neck deep in the ground?
I almost couldn't contain my laughter at the pure rage on his face as he wiggled his head.
This is a much deeper blow to his pride then I could have imagined.
Shaking my head, I snuck around the brush until I stood behind him. Placing my hands on the ground, I concentrated my chakra into my palms before shooting it across the ground towards Sasuke. I can feel the ground around him soften allowing him to wiggle out of the hole.
You're welcome, Sasuke.
I mused in my head. He was wobbly for a few seconds, but he was able to gain his balance. Immediately, he lunged at Kakashi-sensei just as he lunged for nii-kun. Sasuke was able to surprise him, knocking him off balance. Nii-kun stood as Sasuke straightened next to him. Meanwhile, Kakashi-sensei looked at Sasuke shocked.
"How did you escape my trap?"
"Shouldn't you be more concerned about us getting those bells from you?"
Maybe if he had the bells.
Humming to myself, I watched them for a while before deciding it'd be easier to get them the bells if I revealed myself.
Here goes nothing.
Taking out a kunai, I threw it at Kakashi-sensei just as I saw him tense to lunge at nii-kun and Sasuke. He easily blocked it, the stress lines on his forehead deepening as he watched me come out of the brush.
"Where have you-" A fist flying at his face cut off him off. Side stepping it, he shoved nii-kun away by the back of his head sending him tumbling to the ground. Blocking a kick from Sasuke, he sent his own at him but Sasuke was able to dodge it. Nii-kun and Sasuke attacked him relentlessly.
This is a perfect chance to give them the bells.
Rushing forward, I threw a punch at his head that I knew he'd block. Seeing both boys reach for his waistband, I inwardly smiled.
They would've never gotten it that way.
Feeling Kakashi-sensei's hand grip my arm tightly, my feet left the ground as he slung me into both boys sending all of us flying. Before we landed, I quickly snuck a bell in each of their hands faster than anyone would be able to see. As we landed, we skidded across the ground before stopping. Staying on my back for a few extra seconds behind the boys, I waited until I heard the high jingle of the bells before sitting up. Nii-kun and Sasuke sat in front of me- identical stunned expressions frozen on their faces as they stared at the twin bells in each of their hands. A few feet away from us, Kakashi-sensei stood- completely astounded.
Well, I think this is a good ending to our first training session.
It turns out, when Kakashi-sensei stated that the one without a bell would be sent back to the academy, he meant immediately. Since he suspected one of the boys to end up the loser, he already came up with a way to detain them so they couldn't run away. To his surprise, I was the who failed. So, now I'm the one tied to a wooden post he placed in the middle of the training grounds while nii-kun and Sasuke stood on either side of me, trying to argue for my release.
"It isn't fair- you only had two bells to begin with! How do you expect for all of us to pass if there wasn't a bell for each of us?!" Nii-kun shouted, his face growing red.
"If anyone should be punished, it should be me or the dobe since we were the only ones who fell into your traps." Sasuke argued, stunning me. I never thought he would ever go against his own self interest for me.
Maybe he isn't as afraid of me as I thought.
"The rules are clear. Since Sakura didn't get a bell, she will be sent back to the academy." Kakashi-sensei firmly said. From the way he kept his arms tightly crossed and his back stiff, I know he isn't going to change his mind. Then again, I didn't decide to give the boys the bells if I wasn't prepared for the consequences.
"I accept my punishment, sensei." Nii-kun and Sasuke looked as if they wanted to argue, but I shook my head. Besides, I'm sure their lives will be much easier if they didn't have to worry about me hurting someone all the time.
Maybe I'll change my career path…
"Good." Kakashi-sensei's eye closed as if he was smiling, but I can still see the lines on his forehead showing that he's still trying to solve a puzzle. "I'm going to go get things arranged for Sakura's return to the academy. While I'm gone, you are not under any circumstances to release Sakura or aid her in anyway. If you do, I will send all of you back to the academy, understood?" Both boys were stunned.
"That's not-"
"Great! Now I'll be right back!" Before anyone could say anything, he disappeared in a puff of smoke.
"That's not fair!" Nii-kun screamed, pulling at his hair in a rage.
"Calm down, dope. He can't seriously send Sakura back to the academy." Sasuke tried to reason, but by the tone of his voice, I can easily tell he didn't believe his own words.
Better me than them. At least they will protect those around them instead of hurting them.
Maybe I wasn't meant to be a shinobi. Given my birthright, I'm pretty sure I'm only meant to be a weapon for destruction. Hell- I doubt I'm even supposed to be alive. Fate must have a sick sense of humor for allowing my birth in the first place.
Look at what a mess my mere existence has caused.
Before I was born I caused the death of dozens and destroyed the lives of many other. Since then, I've been a constant burden to mother trying to contain my dangerous emotions. Nii-kun and Sasuke both probably would have excelled a lot more in the academy if they weren't constantly fighting bullies on my behalf. Then there's Itachi-san.
Itachi-san…
I'm pretty sure I ruined his life somehow. He's been forced to be around me since my birth. Throughout my life, I can easily see the fear he has towards me grow everytime we're close. Now, his brother is my friend- his most precious person in this world. How much does he panic whenever he knows Sasuke is going to be with me?
Yeah, it's better if I just give up-
Weightlessness followed by my feet hitting the ground broke my dark train of thoughts. Blinking, I moved my now freed arms to my line of sight.
I'm… free?
"I don't care if we do have to go back to the academy together!" Slowly, I shifted my gaze to nii-kun. His childish features set in a determined line that left no room for negotiations, stared back at me. "I refuse to ever leave you behind."
"Nii-kun…"
"Even though he's a dobe," turning, Sasuke held a similar expression although he chose to look out towards the treeline, "I don't plan on giving up on you anytime soon."
"Sasuke…"
When did they become so… mature?
"You!" a threatening puff of smoke followed the booming voice. Our sensei's figure appeared as the smoke dissipated. His aura oozed odious intent, his single visible eye narrowed dangerously. "You disobeyed my direct order. As punishment…" The pause only made the thick air worse. "You all pass." In a snap, his demeanor turned friendly and congratulatory.
He may very well be bipolar.
"What?!" Nii-kun and Sasuke shouted.
"The point of this exercise wasn't to test your individual abilities." Kakashi-sensei started in a tone I would expect from the teachers in the academy. "No matter how skilled you are as an individual, it means nothing if you don't care for those who you call comrades." A fierce fire burned in his eye, his body going rigid as he stood proudly. "In the ninja world, those who break the rules are scum, but those who abandon their friends are worse than scum."
So that's what he wanted us to learn.
Is that why he still went through with tying me up? Did he think I would convince nii-kun and Sasuke to abandon me? To be fair, I did want them to, but I don't think he stuck with the initial plan just because he had a hunch I had doubts about being a shinobi. Could he have been testing me? Did he think I wouldn't sacrifice myself for my precious boys? Or-
You were more than willing to abandon them to fend for themselves as shinobi to make life easier for you. Monster! Scum!
My breath hitched at the harsh hiss ringing throughout my head. Is that what I was really doing? Abandoning them to save myself grief? But… Sasuke is afraid of me and nii-kun is-
Excuses only scum would use to make them feel better.
Closing my eyes, I took in a deep breath. I can't believe that demon is actually making a point. When did I start trying to deceive myself from reality? When did I start losing the strength I spent so long building?
When did I stop fighting?
No- I won't give in. I won't stop fighting for those I love. The day I do will be the day I roll over in my grave. No matter how what happens- no matter how much my precious people may end up hating me- I'll never abandon them. Even if they leave me forever, I will never leave them.
That is my goal.
Opening my eyes, Kakashi-sensei's dark orbs stared back at me. I can easily see confusion and curiosity within them even though he tried to conceal it.
"You are dismissed. Be ready for a workout next time." With those words, he turned away from us, his orange book inches away from his nose. A relieved sigh sounded from nii-kun to my left.
"Finally! We'll be super strong in no time!" He punched the air. Sasuke grunted, moving pass both of us to get to the exit.
"I doubt that will happen anytime soon for someone as dense as you."
"Hey- take that back, teme!" Nii-kun rushed after the Uchiha fuming.
How can I abandon those knuckleheads?
Inwardly rolling my eyes, I allowed my features to soften as I walked after them.
"If I may, Sakura-chan." Pausing, I glanced over my shoulder. Kakashi-sensei's book was no longer in sight and he faced me fully.
He looks serious.
I hummed, turning to him.
"What is it, sensei?" He regarded me for a long time, his eye giving away little as to what he was thinking.
"Naruto and Sasuke never touched those bells."
Oh, so he's suspicious.
"They each had a bell." His eye narrowed the slightest amount before smoothing.
"Because you gave them to them."
"I don't see how that's poss-"
"How did you get them from me?" I blinked slowly, rolling through different scenarios based on the next words I choose.
I don't think he's been told the truth about me. If he hasn't been trusted with that, why should I disclose it to him?
"Don't underestimate those two, sensei." He blinked, a flash of annoyance and bewilderment crossing his eye. "I'll see you at the next training session, sensei." Before he could speak, I twirled on my heels and sped away.
Well, it looks like I'm going to have to keep an eye on my new sensei.
A Week Later
Normal POV
Sakura Haruno was afraid of herself. That much has been proven from her own cautiousness since she lost control during her spar with Izumi. However, before the fear, Sakura Haruno has always remained one thing: a fighter. Whether she's fought physical or mental battles, Sakura Haruno has always fought. There has never been a battle that she has not tried because Sakura Haruno doesn't simply accept defeat.
Even since the bell test a week prior, Sakura hasn't physically fought alongside her teammates in fear she may lose control once more. Instead, Sakura fought a mental war against the demonic voice whispering dark impulses into her ear. If she ever hopes to protect her precious people against those that would harm them, then she can't be at the mercy of her own mind. So, silently, she's fighting. However, the consequences of her invisible struggle are very much visible. The greatest of them, is with her relationship with the Uchiha heir.
After their training sessions, team 7 routinely joins Itachi to fine tune the skills they learned. Sometimes their sensei tags along, but usually Shisui and Izumi are consistently present, but that is where the problem lies. Izumi hasn't personally interacted with Sakura since she was wounded by the pink haired girl. However, that is mainly due to Sakura strategically finding creative ways to avoid her. Given that Izumi and Itachi are together more often than not, Sakura indirectly has to avoid the older boy as well.
To some, Sakura's actions may seem cowardice. Who would think you're strong when you're avoiding the problem you should be trying to fix? In the moments when she watches the Uchiha heir and his female companion, she believes the same thing. Although, again, how can she hope to prove she's not a danger when she doesn't have complete control over her own mind? No- she can't do anything but train harder to tame that demonic voice. In the meantime, Sakura Haruno does nothing more but keep a watchful eye over her precious people. Protecting them from anything that would do harm to them- including herself.
Once more, Team 7 is scheduled for another grueling training session with their Jounin sensei. However, there is one important member missing from the group as is becoming the norm. Of course their sensei is concerned for his absent student. What teacher wouldn't take notice of one of their student's week long disappearances? At the same time, what can he do?
He's tried to find her on multiple occasions to try and talk to her, but, somehow, he can't find a trail. Given that he's infamous for his tracking capabilities and genin aren't known for being spectacular at hiding, he's more than alarmed. If it wasn't for Naruto announcing that she goes back home at night, he probably would have alerted the Hokage by now. Speaking of which, it's about time for the jounin to have a conversation with their village leader.
Before he was assigned team 7, he was brought in to personally review their records with the hokage to make sure he was prepared. As he expected, the files for Sasuke and Naruto were thick with information. Sasuke's filled out with all relevant info on his school record (which was impeccable) as well as his strength gauge based on his performance in the academy. Being the second in line to taking over the Uchiha clan, Kakashi wasn't surprised the boy excelled in basically everything. On the other hand, Naruto's file was far less impressive when it came to his academy record. Shockingly, he had fairly average scores though he still ranked near the bottom of his class, yet his ability gauge was in the top tier. Normally, Kakashi would be confused about such a lopsided report on a student, but the classified pages in the file more than explained it.
As it turns out, Kakashi was unaware that his late sensei's son is the vessel for the nine tailed fox demon. What surprised him more, is that the boy was never told- not even by his adoptive mother who is very aware of that fact. He grappled with the idea of telling him- he's still trying to figure that out if he were being honest. Wouldn't it be safer for him to know what he's capable of? Then again, if the Hokage and the blonde's mother all decided it's best for him to not know for now, who is he to make that call?
Maybe I should speak with Toshira-san about it. Is the thought that always crept into his mind after thinking on it. However, his thoughts always trailed to his female student.
If he does ever speak to the sibling's mother about Naruto, he has to ask about Sakura as well. To say her file was less than pitiful is an understatement. Besides her grades being in the top tier of her class, there's nothing. There wasn't even an ability gauge as her results kept coming back inclusive whenever she was tested. According to the notes, she would show wildly different levels of skill as if she were holding back. That is what scares him the most. If between the ages of 6 and 12 she had to consciously lower her abilities, what can she really do? What kind of power does she have to need to hold back?
And what is she capable of doing when she can hide from an ANBU level tracker?
Kakashi has a hunch the answers lie with whoever her father is. On her birth certificate, there's no name where the father should've been. Whoever filled it out simply left it blank. Along with a sheet of paper stating basic information like her address, list of contacts, and a brief physical description, it's barren.
Sasuke and Naruto's had detailed notes on their personalities, family background (including birth parents for Naruto's case), and a prediction of their future careers. Why is that missing for his female student? He highly doubts she didn't showcase a personality throughout all 6 years she spent in the academy nor did she show no signs of interest in a specialization as a shinobi. Honestly, the most details came from her mother's background- and even that was minimal.
Why isn't anyone asking more questions about this?
By this point in his thoughts, Kakashi can't help but get frustrated. Why does it seem like no one in the village cares that a 12 year old girl is possibly Jounin level or higher is only labeled as a genin? Why isn't her mother being asked more questions about who her father is?
Why does it seem like I'm the only one that cares?
Even when he asked Sarutobi, the older man was uncharacteristically serious about keeping it a secret. Normally, that wouldn't have bothered him if it weren't for Naruto. Why is it that it's okay that it's almost common knowledge amongst shinobi that Naruto is the kyuubi vessel but no one is allowed to know who Sakura's father is?
At this point, Kakashi always finds himself needing to distract himself. If not, he'd go in circles for hours until he made himself frustrated enough to go demanding answers. Given the confidential nature of the information so far, he doubts that would lead to any real answers. Once or twice he's found himself wanting to ask Sakura himself, but after their first conversation, he doubts she'll tell him.
If I had to guess, I'd say she doesn't trust me yet. That thought alone has restrained Kakashi enough to not snoop for answers. If he ever hopes to learn anything, he needs to prove himself.
Who would've thought I would be the one needing to prove myself to a genin? The thought almost made him want to through his head back and laugh. If the situation were different, he would. However, he needs to maintain his composure for now. Besides, what good would it do if his other two students began to worry too?
For now, I'll let it go, but I won't be left in the dark forever.
"Sakura isn't coming again?" Sasuke asked facing his blonde haired teammate.
From the his crossed arms and the annoyed undertone of his voice, you'd think he didn't really care about his missing teammate. However, if you looked closer at his creased brow and tapping foot, you'd see the telltale signs of worry. Standing a few feet away from them in the clearing of their favored training ground, their silver haired sensei had his nose buried in his orange book.
To the untrained eye, he appeared completely indifferent to the conversation. If you looked closer, you'd be able to see how his lone eye stayed glued on the two boys, his back rigid. Of course he wanted to know more about why his student kept skipping training, but the chances he'd get those answers from Naruto are slim to none.
"No." a deep sigh left his lips, his hand rubbing the back of his head. "She said she had something important to do so she won't be able to come."
"Something important that's lasted all week?" Naruto rolled his eyes at the mocking tone.
"I wouldn't worry too much about it for now." A scoff made Naruto narrowed his eyes at his long time friend.
"I'd expect more from you, dobe."
"What's that supposed to mean, teme?"
"What kind of brother would let their sister run off without caring where they go?"
"She didn't run off!"
"But do you know where she is?!" Naruto reeled back, blinking in shock.
"I think this is getting a little too heated." the laid-back tenor of Kakashi's voice brought both boy's attention to his approaching form. "Naruto, I think what Sasuke is trying to say is that we're all concerned with Sakura. Do you know where or what she might be doing?" Naruto stared at him for a long time before sighing deeply once more. Hanging his head, his hands balled into tight fists at his sides.
"I… I don't know." His voice was barely above a whisper startling both males, but they didn't dare interrupt him. "There… there are things that go on in her her head that I wish I can help her with, but I can't- no one can." As the two looked at their blonde teammate, a silent understanding fell over the group.
No, they can't help they're female comrade in whatever battle she's facing, but they'll be damned if they don't get stronger so they can.
Itachi's POV
"It's been awhile since we had some time to ourselves." Izumi suddenly stated, her legs swinging as she leaned against the tree we perched into. Humming softly, I couldn't bring myself to give my full attention to her.
What happened to Sakura's eye?
That day keeps replaying in my mind since it happened. I also haven't seen any sign of the pinkette within that time too.
But why did it happen?
In all the years I've known Sakura, I've never seen her do anything like that. I've never seen her hurt someone- hell- I've never even seen her retaliate against the school kids that use to attack her. Though, the most haunting part about that moment was the look on her face.
The right side of her face looked normal- indifferent as always- but the left side still plagues me. It's like something else was trying to take over. Her left eye turned dark red, and her pupil elongated to an oval. It was wide, shining with some kind of wild instinct that screamed danger. Three black tear drops shimmered beneath the eye in a crescent shape as if cradling her eye. Even with all of that showing how something not good was happening, the swirling dark purple chakra surrounding her right hand creating claws sent chills down my spine.
The aura radiating off of that chakra was monstrous. Despite the distance, the pure power suffocated me. In my entire life, there's only been one instance in which I've felt something as overwhelming as that.
The nine tailed fox.
Given my ranking, I and very few others are allowed to know who Sakura's biological father is. As of such, we all were tasked with learning whatever we can about what she's capable of and report back to village leaders about our findings. Knowing that she's the daughter of a demon, it's a guarantee that she'd display some abnormally strong abilities, but keeping in mind that her mother is a normal civilian with health complications, every thought that it would dampen whatever powers she would have.
Yet here we are.
I don't know what she's fully capable of, but that small glimpse tells me that it's far beyond what anyone could have imagined. Adding the fact that she didn't even try to hurt Izumi that day, I don't want to know what she can do when she wants to hurt someone. Better yet, what will she be able to do when she's mastered whatever abilities she has? Or, what can she do now?
I could ask, but…
No matter how hard I try, I can't shake the anger bubbling towards her. If I'm honest, I feel a wide mixture of emotions whenever I think of her, but I can't even begin to sort through them. The most recognizable of them is the only one I can rationalize at the moment- anger. Yes- I am angry that she put Izumi in the hospital for five days. I'm angry that she never explained herself. I'm angry that she ran away from what she did. I'm angry that she never told me the truth.
Then again, what reason have I given her to trust me?
Blinking slowly, I allowed myself to take in a deep breath and release it.
Maybe I'm the one being childish in this situation. Despite how she acts, she's still a child. Being five years her senior, I should be the adult and approach her for answers. I should be the one to get a reason as to why the incident happened in the first place.
That would also mean I'd have to know how to approach her.
When it comes to that, I'm at a complete loss. How do I begin that subject? Should I start off casually? Would it be better if I'm upfront? What if-
"You know," I blinked, shifting my gaze to Izumi, "I'm worried about Sasuke-kun and his team." She paused for a moment before letting out a shuddering breath. "I love training with them, but, if I'm honest, I'm… happy Sakura doesn't come anymore."
What?
"I know that sounds bad." She quickly added, an awkward smile trying to soften her tense features appearing on her face. "It's just…" Her expression dropped, a crease appearing on her forehead as her hand raised to the place Sakura injured her. "She seems… kind of monstrous, don't you think?"
Monstrous?
Well, she is the daughter of a demon that easily is classified as a monster. However, that doesn't necessarily mean that she is a monster.
"I mean," she fiddled with the hem of her black turtleneck nervously, "have you ever seen her do anything… kind? Or even smile?"
Have I?
Now that I think about it, I can't think of a time that she has. Not including how she acts around Naruto and Sasuke, she doesn't seem to really care for other people. To be far, I doubt the people she's met have given her many reasons to care for them.
But what about the Hyuuga and Yamanaka girls?
Before they graduated, I used to see both girls trying to befriend Sakura, but she never gave them the time of day. She brushed them off as if they were desperately trying to via for her attention and she found them to be annoyances. After a while, I noticed the duo stopped trying. If they were trying to be her friends, then they clearly didn't do anything bad to her, so why didn't allow them in? Then again, I haven't spent much time around her to have an answer.
Wait… why did I stop spending as much time with them?
Technically speaking, it's my job to keep close tabs on the Haruno family, but I've been neglecting that duty within the past couple years. It's been since the night Sakura stopped the mission the elders gave me, to be exact. Why did that make me stop going around them? Maybe… could it be that, back then, I was-
"I wish you spaced out like that when you thought about me." raising a brow, I turned fully towards her.
Where did that come from?
I guess she noticed what she said as a pink tint dusted over her cheeks as she turned away from me.
"I didn't…" she sighed deeply, her shoulders sagging slightly.
What's wrong with her?
"Izumi-"
"You know, I've had a crush on you for a long time. I'd say I even love you given how long it's been." I blinked.
Is… is she confessing to me?
Since when did she feel this way about me? How did this start? Most importantly, how am I supposed to respond?
"Izumi," the words I wanted to say slipped my mind faster than I could process them. Sighing deeply, I gave up trying to find the perfect way to phrase what I want to say. "I can't say I feel the same. I haven't given much thought to something like that." For a few seconds, I saw pain flash across her eyes before understanding slowly softened her features.
"I understand." She smiled brightly, finally relaxing. "You have a lot on your mind right now, right? I can wait until you have time to figure it out. I'm a patient girl." For some reason, her words made me feel drained as the thought of all the work I've been doing settled in.
ANBU, clan duties, trainings, missions- Sakura.
At this rate, who knows when I'll figure it all out.
What I do know, something has to change soon.
Maybe then, I'll be able to sort through all my emotions.
Sakura's POV
The shock of a tear rolling down my cheek snapped my attention to the present and from the imagine of Itachi-san and Izumi.
I'm such an idiot.
I had a hunch that Itachi-san would be with Izumi. I had a feeling they would be talking about something. How could I know they would be talking about me?
And they both know you're a monster.
Closing my eyes, I let out a shaky breath.
All I wanted to do was give Itachi-san more energy. He's been overworking himself again, but…
Seems like you were right- he does think you're a monster!
Slowly, I raised my hands, covering my ears. That demonic laughter echoed even louder in my head as I curled in on myself. Squeezing my eyes closed, I can sense that devilish purple mist swirling, brushing against my skin mockingly.
Why not show them what a real monster is?
Letting out a shaky breath, I quickly give Itachi-san a tendril and break my focus on him.
He… he didn't even try to defend me…
That hurt the most. Why can't he… care for me?
He'd have to be insane to care for a monster!
Allowing one more tear to fall, I wiped at my eyes harshly. Wrapping my arms across my eyes, I focused all of my energy of barricading that demon deep into my mind. This time, it didn't even fight back. It just succumbed with a lingering cackle. When it was gone, there was a deafening silence. It was so quiet, I almost wanted to let that demon back out, but I can't.
I won't let you get the better of me- I won't let you control me.
Taking a shaky breath, I lowered my arms to rest on the ground beneath me. Leaning further into the tree behind me, I summoned three tendrils and sent them to the training ground I'm supposed to be in. Thankfully, my team was still in the clearing.
It looks as if they're finishing up training. No one's seriously injured, but my boys look exhausted while sensei only seems troubled.
Probably still wondering why he can't find me.
Maybe I should speak to him at some point. Then again, if I tell him the truth, will he think I'm a monster too? Will he leave our team because of me? Will he hate me because of what my birth cost this village?
Maybe in the future, for now…
No- he's not ready to know yet. Or better yet, I'm not ready to tell him yet.
Sighing, I gave Sasuke and Nii-kun enough energy to kick start their own natural regeneration. Cutting the connection to them, I brought back the unused tendril to me. Gazing at it, I thought about what to do with it before a thought popped into my mind.
When was the last time I checked on mother's condition?
If I'm being honest, mother's health problem is the perfect distraction. The complexity of it requires all my focus leaving no room for any other thoughts. Plus, if I take another look at it, maybe I can find a way to fix it. Flexing my finger, the tendril shot out. Within seconds, an image of my mother appeared before me as another tendril materialized.
She stood in the kitchen, humming softly as she chopped vegetables. I couldn't help but smile softly at the sight. It never ceases to amaze me the calming aura mother radiates by doing everyday tasks.
No wonder father fell for her.
Flexing my finger again, I closed my eyes as the tendril entered her body. Focusing on the tendril, a mental diagram displayed in my head of mother's internal organs. Her lungs- the source of her health problem- weren't in good shape at all. In fact, they're worse than I've ever seen them.
What happened?
Frowning, I looked through her organs once more before I noticed it. The beginnings of an infection building in her chest. I can't tell what it is. It doesn't look like any of the examples I've seen of a cold or any other infection commonly treated in the hospital. Crinkling my brow, I focused a small bit of healing chakra to it through the tendril. For a few seconds, it looked like it was going away, but then it came back and started to spread.
What is that?!
Through my panic, I accidentally canceled the connection.
Mother!
Leaping from my position, I bolted towards the house barely registering my eyes going back to normal. Alarm bells blared in my head even when I burst through the front door. Mother, still standing in the kitchen, snapped her attention to me, her eyes wide.
She's still ok.
I couldn't hide how my shoulder's sagged while she placed a hand over her chest.
"You startled me." She breath exasperatedly. Laying down the knife, she motioned towards her. Doing as she said, I stood on the opposite side of the island. She stared at me for a long time before tilting her head to the side. "What's wrong?" the slightest crease in her brow told me that she's worried.
She should be worried about herself!
"Mother… do you feel… sick?" My heart pounded in my ears as a surprised look crossed her eyes.
"Sick?" She hummed, the crease in her forehead becoming more prominent. "Why do you ask?"
Please just tell me.
"I'm just-"
"Tell me the truth, Saku-chan." The words didn't sound harsh, but the look in her eye told me she was serious.
If I tell her, then maybe she can tell me what I don't know so I can fix it.
"I've been… I know you have a medical problem with your lungs." Her features softened.
"I don't keep it a secret." she chuckled, leaning against the counter.
"I also found an infection near your lungs." her face slowly slipped until it was blank. "I've never seen it before so it's still fairly new. That means we should have enough time to find a cure for it. Chakra appears to make it worse, but if you can tell me more about what you were told about it then I can-"
"Is this why you've been exhausted lately?" I blinked.
"I'm not-"
"Sakura." her warm hand covered mine, a soft smile on her face. "If it's my time to go, then there's nothing we can do about it." My heart skipped a beat.
No-
Is she giving up-
I won't let her die-
What does she think she's doing-
I won't let her die on me!
"I can-" a gentle hand on my cheek and soft eyes consuming my vision silenced me.
"I will not send you to an early grave to save me."
"But…"
"Neither of us know what it will take to cure whatever is wrong with me. It could require all the power that you have- and I will not allow you to sacrifice yourself me." My vision tunneled, the back of my eyes burning.
She wants me to give up-
Who does she think she is-
I can't-
She'll shut up and let it happen-
I can't-
She can't stop it!
"You are my good girl, Sakura." Her smile brightened- as if she isn't talking about dying.
Dying-
She won't-
Mother is dying-
She's not allowed!
"You are my good girl and because of that, you are surrounded by love. Even though you haven't noticed it yet, know what I'm telling you is true." Her forehead pressed against mine, her bright green eyes the only thing I can see. "Continue to cherish your precious people. Even when I'm gone, promise me you won't forget what's most important in life."
When she's gone-
She's not leaving-
What's most important-
She is!
"Promise me, my sweet, sweet Sakura?"
Mother-
Save her!
"I promise." Her eyes sparkled. She kissed my forehead, and everything after never processed in my mind.
Mother… is dying-
No!
Six months. Six months. Six damn months is all we got. Mother's infection spread until it completely infected her lungs. In the first few months, she was fine, but little tasks made her winded. In the third and fourth month, she had to quit her job because she couldn't walk without her lungs closing. In the fifth month, she caught a cold that deteriorated her health. She refused to go to the hospital leaving her bedridden. Now, in the sixth month- the sixth damn month- her body has given up. She's been through too much pain to fight anymore, but through it all, she's never lost her smile.
Nii-kun spent half his time with her and the other half away from the house. I haven't told him exactly what's happening. Mother doesn't want him to know, but he knows she's not getting better. In the beginning he tried to be optimistic. He tried to tell everyone that she's going to get through this in no time. When she got worse, I saw all hope vanish from his eyes and it's only going to get worse.
Squeezing my eyes closed, I allowed my eyes to go back to normal. With moonlight spilling into mother's room, the natural sound of crickets singing, my mother struggling to breath, I have to tell her that tonight is the last. The infection is taking her life tonight and I can't do anything!
"Mother…" Her pale face turned to me, her thin lips turning up.
"It's okay, my good girl." Her weak voice never lost it's soothing tenor. "I had a feeling." I swallowed hard, fighting the burning in my eyes. "Do you want to spend it with me?" My throat swelled.
"Mother?" Nii-kun's head peeked around the door as he slowly opened it. Mother shifted her gaze to him, her smile still bright.
"Naruto-kun, would you mind spending the night with me? I feel so much better having my sweet babies with me."
On her last night-
Do something!
"How can I ever deny you?" Nii-kun smiled, but the creases around his lips gave away how hard it was to do it. Mother was barely able to raise an arm to gesture him forward. When he settled in on her left side, she turned her gaze to me.
"Saku-chan?" I slowly slid my eyes closed as I climbed into the right side of her bed. Wrapping an arm around her waist, I felt Nii-kun hug both of us to him. "Now, this brings back memories." Mother whispered. "I love you, my sweet Naruto."
"I love you too." The crack he tried to hide made the first tear fall.
"I love you, my good Sakura."
"I love you, mother." The weak smile that made her eyes green eyes sparkle was the last expression she gave us. Her eyes slid close, her breath slowed to a stop, and her warm body began to cool.
Mother-
She's not gone-
I wish I wasn't-
I can bring her back-
So obedient so I could have-
Let me bring her back!
Squeezing her closer to me, I cried louder than I've ever done before.
I hope you all enjoyed! This chapter ended up being a lot longer than I thought it would, but it's okay since I made you guys wait so long before. I also wanted to tell you guys that there will be 5 more chapters of this story before the sequel comes out. Between the time of this story ending and the sequel, I will be posting a revamped version of another story I wrote called Who Knew. If you're interested, please check it out! Thank you again for all of your love and support with this story. Let me know what you think of it so far (I read every comment you guys leave)! Next update will come soon. Until then, I'll see you all next time!