Authors Note: Hello readers! Due to a family member passing, I was away for quite some time. However, I am back now. Over the time I spent away I have been working on my writing and improving, so I will be going over this story and revising the first two chapters. Nothing major will be changed but I do feel like I was sticking a little too close to the show when I first started, so I will most trying to make the storyline a bit more original so it's more enjoyable!
The changes I will be making are in no way going to impact the rest of the story, so if you have already read to chapter two there's no reason to read back unless you would like to! To any new readers, I hope you enjoy! The pairing is still up in the air but this story is going to mostly be plot/action first and romance second. I have never had a Beta before but if anyone has any suggestions or tips on how to find someone to Beta for me I would be so thankful!
Be warned, this is an AU, so things will be different! Adding to the fact that I'm basically inventing my own Cursed Seal do not be surprised if Sakura has an affinity for a charka you aren't used to her having! That being said, I by no means want my version of Sakura to be Mary-Sueish. I'm working on keeping her as true to her original self as possible given the circumstances but if anyone notices that I start slipping please remind me nicely.
Constructive criticism is always welcome! Just remember I'm only Human and I do make mistakes.
That's enough of listening to me rant, please enjoy my story!
Title: If I Live
Author: ALightLit (Previously Remy Alvera)
Beta: -
Type: AU
Status: Incomplete - Ongoing.
Rating: T (Rating may change due to maturing characters.)
Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Kishimoto!
Pairing: Undecided.
Word Count: 3,087
Intro: It took one minute, one choice, and one girl, to mess all of Orochimaru's plans up. Sakura Haruno managed to beat fear – with love. She moved in front of her crush as a last resort. However, every victory has its price.
R&R
Chapter One| Here I Lay
雨
It was raining.
Team 7 wasn't exacly off to a good start in the Chunin Exams. Now having been attacked three times the team was down by two. One was passed out from a hit that was landed a little too hard, while the other was in some sort of fever induced coma. To put it shortly, things were looking grim.
And now it was pouring down rain.
Sasuke Uchiha had been top of his class at the Academy, number one rookie of the year. The girl he was currently dotting over had been the number one kunoichi in their class, her book smarts making up for what she lacked in physical strength. However, the blonde haired boy beside Sakura had been dead last, number one loser of the year.
They had made an unlikely team, but they were a team nonetheless. Naruto fought to protect Sakura, Sakura fought to protect Sasuke, Sasuke fought to protect them both.
It should have been him on the ground with a horrible fever, it should have been him writhing in pain and screaming for help, but the girl that claimed to love him had somehow taken his place, and he was suddenly absolutely terrified at the thought of losing her when he had already lost so much.
It wasn't fair.
"Sakura," Sasuke held the limp hand of said girl, watching her face twist in pain. "Please, don't die." The rosette had been waking up and passing out for the past five hours now, rolling around, clawing at her neck and screaming in pure agony before grabbing Sasuke's waiting hand and falling back into darkness.
After their battle with Orochimaru he had gathered both his teammates up by making one shadow clone – one was all he could manage after Naruto had tried to teach him the Jutsu.
The clone had pulled Naruto onto his back while the original Uchiha had gathered Sakura into his arms, and they dashed into the forest, looking for shelter from the gathering storm overhead.
They had found their shelter under a large tree that seemed to rise out of the ground – creating an arc. The back of the little wooden tree cave was blocked off by stone, while the front was covered in moss, hiding the three teens from sight.
Sasuke was certain it was the rain and Sakura's agonized screams that kept enemies away, most of them too frightened of what could cause such screams to try and find out where they were coming from.
"Don't die," He whispered softly, bowing his head slightly and resting his cold cheek against the girls burning hand.
He couldn't let her die.
Please.
暗闇
The darkness wrapped around her, covering her in a cold blanket of despair.
The darkness numbed Sakura, as she drifted in what seemed to be a never-ending abyss.
She felt lost. Oh so lost, in the middle of nowhere, stumbling around with her arms outstretched, wondering if she'll bump into a wall, or into a monster from her worst nightmare, wondering if maybe she'll step a little too far, and slip over the edge. She knew if she fell here she would never land again.
Does this darkness have a name?
She felt like she was drowning, warm liquid filling her lungs. It was thick, making it hard to move, hard to breathe. It was thick like blood.
This Cruelty. This hatred.
The darkness was becoming denser, harder to see through. She could barely walk, how had she ended up like this? A voice in the back of her head was screaming.
How did it find us?
Where were Sasuke and Naruto? Were they both here as well, lost and confused?
Did it steal into our lives?
Flashes of Sasuke declaring revenge, of Naruto sitting on a swing all alone, of her, crying over over dead, wilted flowers.
Or did we seek it out and embrace it?
Sasuke's angry glares, Naruto's ambitions to become noticed, her weaknesses.
What happened to us? That we now send our children into the world like we send young men to war.
Sob's had shaken the small child's form as she crouched over the new grave, glaring at the name engraving, begging for it to be a lie.
Hoping for their safe return, but knowing some will be lost along the way.
Rain falling down as a four-year-old cried out for her brother, clawing at the damp earth that he was meant to lay beneath. A body had never been found though. It was a hole in the earth meant to comfort his civilian family.
When did we lose our way?
Sakura thrashed around in the darkness, crying out for help, wishing for the memories to go and never return.
Consumed by the shadows, swallowed whole by the darkness.
She could feel it picking at her like her light was slowly fading away, bowing down and giving in to the evil that threatened to overtake her.
Does this darkness have a name?
Cruel laughter filled the air, bouncing off the none existent walls and echoing back to Sakura's ears, never ending, making her feel as if she would go insane.
Is it your name?
"Oro...chi…maru…" His name was not uttered in fear, in the call of mercy, but instead, in a whisper of help.
"Weak," Someone laughed; Sakura shuddered as cold fingers brushed across her burning shoulder. "Do you want power?" The voice hissed like a snake.
She tried to push against the darkness.
"So weak, you couldn't even save your brother." The voice dripped with disappointment.
He's right…
Sakura reared back at the sound of Inners defeat. Her fight against the darkness flattered.
Was he right?
重要人物
Sasuke let out a small breath; he had been up all night caring for Sakura, taking care of that fever of hers, and trying to keep her safe. He wasn't sure why Naruto was still out, nothing he did would wake the idiot up.
He was exhausted, he needed sleep, but no sleep would come.
Three sets of footsteps were coming closer. Sasuke's heart rate picked up as he peeked from under the moss, watching the three Sound Ninja wearily. Orochimaru had been from sound too.
"We know you're there," The one covered in wrappings called out. "We're here for the girl, Uchiha." Sasuke's eyes narrowed.
Why Sakura? If she hadn't jumped in the way, would it be him that they would be after? It didn't make sense, what did Orochimaru do to her? Making a last minute choice, Sasuke rose to his feet and strode out of his hiding place, his head held eye and face set in an emotionless mask.
"You're not getting her." He said coldly, observing the three Ninja and how they tensed as he stepped into view.
"We have direct orders kid, give her to us or watch half dead as we walk away with her." The tallest sneered, glaring at Sasuke.
"No," He replied simply, before slipping into a fighting stance. "Not a chance." His eyes narrowed.
Sasuke Uchiha had already lost so much, he lost his family, his clan, he couldn't lose anything else. He would fight to protect Sakura, it was the least he could do for her after she saved him from the fate she was now suffering.
Because of the three Sound Ninja, Sasuke missed how dark chakra started to pool out of the mark on Sakura's neck, and how the air around her crackled slightly like lightning had hit nearby. she whispered Orochimaru's name in complete and utter desperation – as if asking for help, as if he would save her.
Beside the slumbering Naruto, Sakura whispered Orochimaru's name in complete and utter desperation – as if asking for help, as if he would save her.
悪
"I can give you power," Sakura gasped in surprise as two amber eyes suddenly shinned through the darkness, staring at her. They reminded her of snake eyes. Flashes of Snakes as large as house's made the young girl cringe back.
A pale face followed the eyes, and soon, the whole man stood there, holding a hand out to her, it was an offering.
"You were too weak to save your own brother, to help your teammates, to win the affections of the one you desire." The man chuckled darkly.
Could she bring herself to say no to what he was offering? One side of her wanted to scream and hit the man, she could tell the 'power' he was offering was complete and utter evil, but another part of her hesitated.
If she accepted, maybe she could help Naruto and Sasuke; maybe she could do something more maybe…
Sakura struggled weakly against the darkness that held her in place in front of the man, it was unrelenting. She fell to her knees, the darkness was too strong. Orochimaru crouched in front of her.
Maybe…
"Can you really turn down the chance?" His amber eyes narrowed.
The chance to…
Sakura stared up at his molten eyes that shined like beacons in the darkness, a way of hope.
The chance to catch up to Naruto and Sasuke-kun.
To not be overlooked.
To make sure she never lost another loved one.
Are you sure about that? About this path you'll take if you accept?
Yes! I am weak! All I've ever done is sit back and watch Naruto and Sasuke move on ahead of me. I claim to know more than Naruto, to be madly in love with Sasuke, but it's all just empty words!
Sakura felt her skin prickle as an odd sensation washed over her. Her heart stuttered and flattered for a second.
I have to do this. I have to become stronger or I'll always be watching from the sidelines, I'll never be able to protect anyone, I'll always be the one protected, I can't give up.
Then stand up. If you accept this path, then stand.
A violent shudder ripped through Sakura's body, and somehow she found the strength to stand up in the darkness, to push herself higher until she could stand.
Yes, I accept that path.
The evil man before her grinned, his sharp teeth gleaming in the darkness as he offered his hand to her once more.
Her heart beat stronger than it ever had before. It beat with a purpose.
守る
Sasuke hit the ground hard and rolled, avoiding two kunai but getting grazed with a third. His world spun and his ears bled. He dry heaved as the high-pitched sound waves assaulted his ears once more.
He was losing, that wasn't right, how could he be losing to these guys?
He pushed himself back up right before one of them – Zuko, was it? – kicked him in the stomach, making him spit up some blood as he slid across the ground, mud splashed and stuck against his pale skin.
"This really all you got?" Zuko laughed, and sent Sasuke flying into a tree with a gush of wind from his hands.
The Uchiha crumbled to the ground.
"Pathetic," The bandaged boy sighed and shook his head.
"We were hoping for more of a challenge." Kin mumbled, leaning against a tree calmly.
It was raining lightly. Sasuke slowly pushed himself up, spitting out some blood and glaring at all three of them. He tensed as Zuko made a move to hit him again, but a voice stopped the attack.
"If that's the case, then you should have looked for us." All four Sound Ninja jerked back in surprise and looked up towards the tree line.
Neji Hyūga stood calmly with his arms crossed in a tree, his teammates Tenten and Lee beside him. A branch below them, stood Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji, who all looked much less confident than the team above them.
Ino had tears streaming down her face, partly out of fear, and partly out of seeing her crush get beaten up.
The first team was much more threatening than the second team that much was for sure. Zuko nearly laughed aloud.
蛇
"The snake which cannot cast its skin has to die. As well the minds which are prevented from changing their opinions; they cease to be mind." Orochimaru chuckled as Kabuto turned towards him, looking confused.
He had felt the new flare of chakra on his skin, leaving a tingling sensation behind. The girl had actually survived. Perhaps she had more talent than he had first thought.
"She lived," He said simply, enjoying how Kabuto's eyes flashed in surprise.
"What will you do with her then, My Lord? After all you used the new seal on her; we don't know how the Cursed Mark of Lightening will react. " The younger man raised an eyebrow. He couldn't help but wonder what in the world his master was planning.
"She is mine now; I, of course, will claim what is mine." He pushed away from the tree he had been leaning against with ease, and then he hesitated. "It will be your job to watch the seals progress." He said simply.
"Perhaps with time I will be able to also collect the boy," The Sannin titled his head to the side. The two of them together, for him and him alone. The thought made him run his tongue over his lips in anticipation.
"I can't wait to see what she will be capable of." Orochimaru chuckled, before waving a hand towards the gray haired boy.
"You know what to do, go." Kabuto bowed, before disappearing in a swirl of leafs.
Things you might want to know:
Sorry for the cliff hanger! Thank you everyone for all of the reviews! 36 almost for just two chapters! You all are amazing!
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Why didn't I have Orochimaru mess with Naruto's seal like in the show? I love the 9-tails, and Naruto is a main character in this story. By having Sakura be more active during the fight Orochimaru didn't have quite as much time to deal with Naruto, as such I figured a good enough throw at a solid tree would put just anyone out of commission, and seeing as how Orochimaru is rather strong, 12 year old Naruto didn't stand much of a chance.
By not messing with his seal allows me to play around some with that leak of chakra in his system and how he acts.
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Why a Cursed Seal of Lighting? Well! After seeing all of the actual seals in action, It was hard to try and be original and come up with something interesting. I didn't quite want to give her the same Seal Sasuke got the first time around because it's kind of boring, so instead I made my own! This way I have a lot more to play around with for the story.
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How did Sakura live? Very simple, motivation. Motivation can do amazing things for people, I feel that because she didn't fight the seal, instead she completely accepted it, and that helps her stay alive. Instead of her body rejecting the sudden overkill of dark chakra that will be humming in her veins she'll accept it.
The real question is if the chakra will accept her.
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Please continue to leave reviews! At the end of each chapter, starting with the 3rd chapter, I will be asking small questions (i.e. What is your favorite anime? Favorite Jutsu? Favorite Clan? etc.) and I would love for some feedback! It's amazing to get to know the people who are reading my story and to maybe even get some ideas from the readers!I apologize for the gap in time of posting!
Translations –
雨- Rain
暗闇 - Darkness
重要人物 – Important Person
悪 - Evil
守る - To Protect
蛇 - Snake
Let it be noted that I do not own 'Does This Darkness Have A Name'.
- Lalit