Chapter 4! Thank you everyone who read and enjoyed my story thus far. I don't own Naruto. Please enjoy the 4th installment of Petals in the past.
'Sakura.' came what was barely a whisper.
"Itachi? Where are you, I can't see anything!"
'Sakura, breathe. We did it. You succeeded. There isn't any need to be afraid. Just breathe.'
"I feel like I'm being crushed!"
'You aren't. Do you trust me?'
Choking back tears, I nodded. At least, I hoped I nodded. All the feeling had left my body and I had no idea what I was doing.
"Yes! I trust you, just please don't let me die. I'm not ready."
A soft chuckle permeated my dark shroud around me. 'I would never let you die, Sakura. Trust, and breathe.'
His voice was the last thing I heard before true darkness set in and I blacked out.
I woke up screaming. Something deep inside me let loose a guttural sound of pure terror. The sound of a door slamming open made me open my eyes to come face to face with my father, Kizashi Haruno.
His narrowed blue eyes scanned the room for intruders, but finding none, settled on me. I stopped screaming, but tears still pricked at my eyes. I hadn't seen him in years, and both he and my mother were thought to be dead after the latest onslaught to the village by Sound forces. I sent as many messages as I could, but I got no response, until it became too dangerous to send any more correspondence. But seeing him now, my heart filled with so much love and disbelief. We made it! Itachi actually made it possible for me to see them again. I hope he is as happy to see his new world as I am.
I couldn't help but reach out to touch my father's face, not fully convinced that he was real. My soft...small hand touched his rough skin. He was here. I was here! Movement out of the corner of my eye drew my attention to the door, where my mother Mebuki stood, kunai at the ready. I couldn't help it, tears sprung at my eyes, rolling freely down my face.
"Oh ho, my princess," my father comforted, "it's alright, it was just a dream. No one is here to hurt you. They would have to get through me first!"
My mother entered the room, putting her kunai away. "It's alright, sweet girl. It's probably just nerves. You will be alright, the academy won't be so bad, I promise you."
Although it was meant to comfort me, the tears only got heavier. I can't believe, after everything we went through, it worked. I had my second chance, and I needed to make the most of it.
"I will be ok, mom. I just had a really bad dream, that's all. Sorry to worry you."
She shook her head and bent over me to kiss me on the forehead. "Don't ever be sorry for something like that. It's my job to worry about you, you silly girl."
She stood straight and put an arm around my father as they both looked at me reassuringly. "It's both of our jobs to worry about you. We always will."
Kizashi frowned. "Hopefully not too much. I'm an old man, I can't take too much." Mebuki swatted at him. "Don't listen to your fool of a father. Now I know it's still early, but how do you feel about getting some breakfast in you before you head off for your first day. The sun will be up in about an hour, but I would rather you didn't rush."
I smiled. She always was such a worry wart. I nodded and swung my legs over the side of my bed and shuffled after my mother towards the kitchen. I wanted to enjoy all the time with them that I could. When I was a kid, it never occurred to me that my parents could die one day, but now I know that it's quite a real possibility, and could happen sooner than I ever dreamed.
Itachi POV
A small breeze fluttered my hair against my face, annoying me enough to wake me. Apparently little me had fallen asleep at the table on my balcony attached to my bedroom. My parents always insisted I have my own quarters for privacy. I am thirteen, what could I possibly need privacy for? I shook my head. It didn't really matter. Maybe they were unconsciously preparing me for a life of loneliness. What a dark thought. I overlooked the grounds before me. The main house had an expansive lawn leading to a lake, but beyond that, I could make out the twinkling lights of the entirely Uchiha town. Wait. I could see!
How fantastic, I could actually see. Sakura was amazing. The chances of this working were pretty slim, but something told me she could pull it off. The girl had guts. I hope she wasn't too traumatized by our little cosmic adventure. But then, I felt fine, so she must be alright too.
The sky was dark, but the promise of dawn peeked just over the horizon. The day would begin soon. But I couldn't help myself. I had to stand here just a little bit longer drinking in the sight and smell of home. Actual home. The breeze came again, bringing with it the soft scent of lavender. It was so calming, mainly because it reminded me of my mother. She was tough, but only because she cared about her children. Both of us.
Sasuke.
He is here somewhere too. Thinking about him fills me with mixed emotions. On the one hand, I love him with all my heart. I always have. But on the other, I can't help but feel shame for what he had done. And the fact that his shame was also my shame, for I was the one who pushed him to that point.
I would save my baby brother. No matter what.
The sound of voices in my home distracted me from my thoughts. The house was alive, so I needed to be too.
I made my way through my bedroom and out the door into the hall. I could hear chatter from the kitchen, and I headed towards it. No matter what my future held, I had to face it. No point going through all the trouble of coming here and hiding in my room for the rest of my life.
My mother's laughter hit my ears like a drum. All I wanted to do was run to her. Hold her. Apologize on my knees for all the horrible things I had done, even in the name of good.
But I can't do that.
They must never know. And I can't go raising suspicion as soon as I got here.
I entered the kitchen, and almost choked on my own spit. There in front of me were my parents.
"Oh, Itachi!" my mother cried. "I didn't know you would still be here, you normally disappear on us. Good morning!" As she carried my father his coffee, she bent to land a kiss on my cheek. "I'm so happy! I wasn't sure you would be able to take Sasuke on his first day at the academy, you are always so busy nowadays."
I must have looked confused, because she eyed me with worry. "You are still taking him, right? I wasn't sure, I-"
"Of course I will take him, mother. It's an important day. I wouldn't miss it for the world."
My father made a sound behind me, and I turned to see his deep frown.
"If it's such an important day, where is he? Did he sleep in again? That boy will never understand the need for punctuality. What a child."
"He is a child, dear." My mother tutted at him. "He's only seven."
"He will be eight soon, and it's about time he becomes a man. Like his older brother. Itachi never disappointed me like Sasuke has."
Just then there was a crashing sound from the hallway, and the sound of frantic footsteps.
"I'm here, Father!" Sasuke cried, a smile on his face.
"Late, as always."
The smile slid off my brother's face just as quickly as it had appeared. I always hated my father for that. He never missed an opportunity to put Sasuke down. Not this time.
"Sasuke isn't late for anything, Father." I said calmly. No use letting him see the venom I had for him.
My father narrowed his eyes at me. But he doesn't scare me anymore. I already killed him once.
Sasuke started pulling at my sleeve, and I looked down into his sweet young face. "Yes Sasuke?"
"Are you taking me to the academy today, big brother?"
"Of course. You are going to be a great ninja, Sasuke. You will make us proud, I know it."
Even though my father sat shooting disapproving glares at us, anything would be worth the smile and admiration on Sasuke's face. I didn't protect him like I should have last time. I'm such a fool.
Soon it was time to leave, and the two of us left, my mother waiting at the door to see us off.
"I love you honey! You will be great, I know it!"
She always was full of love for us. How she got stuck with Fugaku is a total mystery to me, and always has been.
We walked steadily to the academy, the sunrise casting amber light on everything it touched. It was like a dream to me. Sasuke chatted to me the whole way, wondering at all the things he would learn and the kids he would meet. I knew Sakura would be readying herself for the academy too, if she wasn't here already. I had to find a way to get in touch with her so we could approach the Hokage together. I didn't like her plan, but I didn't have a better one. To free the Uchiha clan, we had to have a little faith. Or at least, that's what I think she would say.
The Uchiha have a hard debt to pay, ever since the nine tailed fox attacked the village seven years ago. The only ones capable of controlling the mighty beast was someone with the Sharingan, so instead of investigating, everyone was punished. I often wonder why the Hokage let it happen, but then, what was he supposed to do? The beloved Hokage at the time had died, and the people wanted action.
Of course, I could just bring them the corpse of the actual guilty party, Obito Uchiha. He has to be lurking around here somewhere.
I chuckled at the thought. A thirteen year old child bringing in the broken body of the word's most dangerous and powerful criminal? It might raise a few eyebrows.
"Big brother? What's so funny? I was just telling you about how all the girls keep chasing me. That's not funny at all, you meanie."
"I'm sorry Sasuke. You are right, that's not funny. But you shouldn't be mean to them just because they like you. They just think you are great."
Sasuke frowned. "I'm not stupid, Itachi. I know those girls only like me because I'm an Uchiha and our family has money. They don't like me. Not really."
"That's a little dark, Sasuke." I said, concerned. No child should be bothered with the thought that people only like him because he's from a wealthy family.
"It doesn't matter anyway. I don't like any of them. Girls are gross and distracting. They always try and take me away from training to sit and talk to them."
I couldn't help the laugh that escaped me. "My brother, the lady's man." I chortled, breaking into a soft run.
"It's not funny, Itachi!" he cried, following me.
Soon we made it to the academy, Sasuke panting behind me. I bent my knees to get on his level and poked him in the forehead.
"Ow! What did you do that for?"
I just chuckled, turning away from him to survey the courtyard full of all the other academy students and their chaperons. A few faces seemed familiar, but no pink hair in sight. No blonde little boys either. I wonder if she found him already. Something in me told me that she wouldn't be able to resist seeking him out.
Sakura POV
I had to chase off both of my parents this morning. They kept insisting I needed someone to walk me to the academy, but I finally convinced them that I was a big girl and could take myself. In reality, I was much more interested in finding a certain blonde and didn't want to face their questions and judgment.
I was getting close to the academy when I spotted him. He was on the grounds, but away from everyone. I could see the other kids looking at him, and whispering. I have never wanted to punch a child so much.
But then, I was a child now too. That was an adjustment. My mom still picked out my clothes, for Hokage's sake!
Ignoring the kids huddled together, I headed straight to the swing set where Naruto sat sideways, looking dejected.
"Hey, can I sit here?" I said. I think I scared him, because he jumped a mile high.
"Is this a joke? That's not very nice, just leave me alone."
Gods, he sounded so miserable.
"No dummy, it's not a joke. You looked all alone, so I thought I would come and say hi. My name is Sakura, by the way. What's yours?"
"Naruto." he mumbled, not meeting my eyes. How many times had kids played this cruel prank on him just to throw dirt in his face and run away?
I jumped up to sit in the swing next to him. "Hi Naruto, it's nice to meet you. Do you want to be my friend?"
He did look up then, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "R-really?"
"Absolutely."
His smile would put the sun to shame, he was shining so much. I will never know how to thank Itachi for giving me this opportunity. The way Naruto was treated still makes me sick when I think about it. Nobody is ever laying a hand on my friend ever again.
"Do you want to go see if anyone else will be our friend?" I asked, hoping he would come out of his shell a bit more.
"Oh," he said, slumping a little. "They don't want to be my friend. They all hate me."
"But why?"
"I don't know. It's always been that way. Everyone is mean, so I pull pranks on them."
I couldn't help but chuckle just a little at that. Of course you would pull pranks, you little punk.
I reached out and took his hand. "Come on, I'm sure there is someone here who would want to be our friend. Having friends is great, they make you feel good when you are down, and they can make you laugh!"
He still looked doubtful as I tugged him towards the main courtyard. The kids assembled there parted like magic, no one willing to meet the eyes of the famed 'demon container'. What shit. Then I saw him. Standing taller than the younger kids, his dark hair hung in a low ponytail. Itachi seemed to be scanning the area. Was he looking for me? He should know I would be here somewhere. I started tugging Naruto towards the two Uchiha brothers, holding fast to his hands.
Itachi POV
I finally spotted her. A bright spot of bubblegum in a sea of black and brown. She was parting the children like the red sea, towing behind her a little flustered Uzumaki child. If she could see how pink the poor little boy's face was, she probably wouldn't be holding his hand so tight. In a way, it was cute.
She was making her way towards us. What was she thinking? If people thought that we knew each other, people might start to ask how. I small panic started to creep in as she got closer. Then, the pair were in front of us.
"Can we help you?" Sasuke asked, more than a little sneer in his tone. How could he know any different? He was raised the same way everyone else was in this village, with hatred for this little boy who did nothing wrong. It was truly pitiful.
"My name is Sakura, and this is my friend Naruto." she stated evenly. Little Sakura is adorable. She seems so serious.
"I don't care who you are, go away."
"Now, Sasuke," I said, shooting him a pointed glance. "You are being rude. What can we help you with, Sakura and friend Naruto?"
"Are you Itachi Uchiha?" Of course I am Sakura, but you already know that. This must be killing her. What is she planning?
"My friend is shy, but I heard that you are really strong. Will you spar with us? And if we win, you have to be friends with us."
I could feel a smile break out on my face before I could stop it. Is she serious? That's her plan? It's kind of insane, but also genius. Now we can talk whenever we might see each other later and I can keep my promise.
"My brother wouldn't bother with you! He's so strong, he could easily beat you!"
Was my brother always so uptight? Her plan is good. Even if she loses, which she will have to to stay in character, it will still open up a pathway to friendship.
"I think I have to accept this duel, Sasuke. She did approach me outright, it would be rude not to."
"But they aren't worth it!" Sasuke whined.
"You would turn your elder brother into a coward, Sasuke?"
His face flushed red. "Of course not!"
"Then I will spar with them. But I believe it's almost time for your first day at the academy to start. Why don't you bring them home with you, we can spar at our house, we have plenty of room to train."
Sasuke stared at me indignantly. Sakura is too good. If we start Naruto and Sasuke's rivalry early, they might even become decent friends by the time Sasuke killed everything in our old world.
Sakura stared me down with determination shining in her green eyes. "You better not be tricking me!"
"I would never. After school, I will spar with you. If I lose, I will be your friend. Promise." I held out my hand with my pinky finger out.
"Pinky promise."
She wrapped her little pinky around mine, and we shook on it. I guess I have a sparring match later today. Who knew my day would be so exciting?
I think little Sakura and Itachi are so cute, don't you? I liked the idea of a little sassy Sakura, so I thought it would be cute to have her challenge Itachi. If anyone has any side notes, please review and let me know. Thanks for reading!
-Kurohime1024