Chapter 31: The Truth Revealed
A/N: Hey everyone, I stay true to my word so here's the next chappie. Hope you'll read and review.
Sakura tasted blood in her mouth then soon after everything faded. Gaara caught her just in time. The others together with the hokage ran inside the room.
"Kazekage-sama, we're just trying to ask her a few questions," one advisor tried to calm him down. "And since when was there been a council without the Kazekage and Hokage?" Tsunade demanded for an answer as she examined Sakura's condition. Silence was their reply. "I'll deal with you later," the kazekage's tone sent shivers to their spine. He's furious.
"This is very bad. I'm doing the best that I can but if she doesn't wake up tomorrow. She might never wake," Tsunade swallowed hard.
They all watched her that night and throughout the day. "She could've recovered easily if not to be reminded of her parents' death. Now she's battling both her physical injuries and her depression as well," Shizune informed the rest.
The day progressed and still no sign of he waking up. They took turns on watching her first was Ino and Shikamaru. Ino placed stargazers at her bedside table and sat on the nearest chair. "Sakura, why won't you wake up? We're here for you. You're not alone. I promise I won't tease you anymore… so… wake up already," she started sobbing Shikamaru wound her arms around the mind walker as she cried openly.
Next were Naruto and Sasuke. The Uchiha protégé only looked at her and turned away hurtfully. "Sakura-chan, we're here to visit you." The whiskered ninja proclaimed cheerfully just like old times. "Stop it Naruto. She's not going to wake up," "Shut up!" he warned. "Sakura-chan will wake up. She's strong she always found ways to surprise us all. So Sakura-chan, why won't you wake up? Sasuke and I and also Gaara are here for you. We've been worried sick you know. Ever since your parents died… you haven't cried a single tear at all. Sorry to leave you like that… we just went to visit Gaara and kick his ass for not coming to your aid. Sakura have you forgotten already? We're supposed to be a family. I know you feel alone but that's not true… we're here for you… we share the same pain of loneliness… Sasuke… Gaara… You… and … me. That's why Sakura-chan, you have to wake up," Naruto's brilliant blue eyes were filled with sadness but at the same time hope.
There was only two hours left for her to wake up. This time the last person to watch her was Gaara. He didn't say a word he just brushed away the strands of hair that covered on her face. She would come back to me… I know she will.
Everyone stood by her side as there was only minutes left for her. Ten… Nine… Eight… Seven… Six… Five… Four… Three… Two… everyone grew tense all eyes focused on the sleeping kunoichi. One… Ino started crying in Shikamaru's arms. Naruto and Sasuke looked in the other direction hurtfully. Gaara never let his eyes leave Sakura. "I'm sorry… it seems she has lost her battle," Tsunade declared slowly when they all left her room.
In his mind, Gaara still can't register what just happened unconsciously looked at the window. Azrael sat there obediently as they fell into sadness. The sun was peaking through the desert followed by the screeching of an unusual bird. That kind of bird doesn't live in the desert.
Sakura's eyes shot open upon hearing the screeching of a falcon she knew. She sat up and looked out the window. Seeing the falcon circling the nearest building, she removed her blanket, got out of bed and jumped out the open window. "Wait! Arcia!" she shouted as she landed in the nearest rooftop.
Everyone jolted out of their misery upon hearing Sakura's voice in the room. They hustled back into the room to see her empty bed. Gaara ran out of the room before anyone could catch up to what was happening.
Sakura was already tired even though she did not exert that much effort. Damn! My body is still not functional. Arcia, she's the falcon that Kyo uses as messenger. She arrived on the roof top where the falcon was constantly encircling. Upon seeing her, Arcia dropped the small blue orb. Sakura had to dash to catch it. Soon after, the falcon flew away.
Gaara was the first to arrive and see Sakura catch the orb desperately, followed by the others. He was approaching her when she intentionally dropped the orb on the roof top.
In an instant, the rooftop was covered in snow and snow flakes still rained even though they were in the middle of the desert. Then they started to hear a particular male voice…
"Kyo-neechan," Sakura whispered as she opened her hand to the falling snow flake.
"Sakura, I hope you're alright. I'm sorry I had to leave like that. I know I just couldn't take another painful separation so before we can be acquainted with each other, I left. Don't feel guilty… though I know you already are. You knew what I've been through and I'm glad that when we fought you did not hold back at all. You must really be a person of honor I'm glad that even for the briefest moment I proved that,"
"The day I saw you by the river, I was very reluctant to help you. Saying that, I don't even know this person why should I help her. But then you muttered a person's name and there were tears in your eyes. I knew then that I had to help you. You still had a purpose to live. I felt you were worthy of saving… I kind of proved that when I returned to our ruined village. Sakura… I truly thank you. I'm sure they would be thanking you as well. "
"When I saw you, you had a severe head injury so I was left with no choice but to use my technique. I placed the memory of my most important person in you and carved her finger pads in yours. I apologize for not asking your permission… and I thank you because even if it was only for a few months, being able to laugh and talk Sayuri again was the heaven I never dreamt of."
Sakura raised her shaking hands to see her finger pads.
"My technique is not for healing so your injury isn't completely healed. Try to minimize your chakra usage alright? Sakura… I know you already realized this but I'll still tell you anyway. I had a choice of letting Sayuri's memory inhabit your body and you could've dissolved like a forgotten memory but… I believe that no matter how painful… no memory should be forgotten… that's why I brought you back. I did not erase all the techniques from the village I'm sure everyone would agree that you'll use it appropriately."
"Listen, I have no idea on what you've gone through before we met or should I say before I saw you and I sure am in no position to give you any advices but… the only thing I can say is… cry. When something good or exciting happens you smile the same thing you must do when painful and sad things happen. It's very easy to force a smile but it is very difficult to hold back your tears…"
Sakura sank to the ground and tears started to form in her eyes but she held them back.
"Sakura… crying doesn't prove that you're weak. On contrary, tears are the evidence of strength. When you cry, it's true you feel very vulnerable but what happens soon after is that you feel better and stronger than before. That's the secret of strength, letting yourself laugh or cry when needed."
This time she was openly crying. Gaara held her as Naruto and Sasuke sat by her side.
"Don't be like the people in the village of the hidden moon who forgot how to cry. They only adopted the name of the mythical village to serve as their sanctuary. You see the village… started only from powerful individuals who lost everything. One of then was… me, the last of the Shinguuji. Using my bloodline limit in replacing memories, every one in the village lived on their false life forgetting their past… forgetting how to cry. I on the other hand, cannot use my technique on myself that's why I lived miserably before but when I met Sayuri… all that changed but… I guess… not everything can go so right."
"Sakura… as I told you before you mentioned a name when I met. I was surprised you said that same name when I placed Sayuri's memory on you. You said the name… Gaara. I thought my technique failed when I heard you say that but I proved that I was wrong. It's because this person named Gaara is very important to you that no technique can fully remove him from your mind."
Gaara held her tighter as she sobbed against his chest.
"Sakura… never forget who you are. There are people around you who still needs you and you need them as well. Believe in them… as much as they believe in you,"
She looked at Gaara, Naruto and Sasuke then to the others that smiled at her.
"We'll meet again one day and maybe when that time comes we can personally introduce ourselves to each other. I promise… we'll meet again."
Something flashed before her eyes. The crystals formed the figure of a person then it revealed a man with short orange hair and almost orange eyes, holding his hand up in front of him. Sakura extended her arms and somehow placed it against his. "Promise," they said simultaneously then the figure as well as the snow disappeared.
Sakura felt her eye lids were giving way so before she let that happen "I'm sorry… everyone," she murmured as she drifted to sleep in the sand master's arms. Tsunade walked to her side and examined her and then sighed in relief "Its okay, she's just asleep," then they all smiled and then laughed as Gaara brought her back to bed, brushing away her tears with his kiss.
They let Sakura sleep while they convened in a room.
"Now that Sakura's safe, we can talk about what really happened to her parents," the hokage opened the topic.
"The message on the wall called her phoenix so it's connected to Sakura being the last templar," Sasuke shared.
"What about the assassins?" the Kazekage sat on the nearest chair.
"They bit their tongue off before we can squeeze anything out form them," the shadow master answered lazily.
"But… they're really skilled to infiltrate the village's securities and kill two of the most talented jounins." Shizune voiced out as she stroke the pig's back.
"Err…" they all turned back upon hearing a voice. Standing up, the gang was about to pull out their weapons when... Sakura emerged from the shadows. When was she here? I haven't sensed a presence at all when we entered this room. Tsunade thought off as she dropped her guard.
"Sakura… what are you doing here?" her sensei asked.
"Can I join the discussion? After all it's my problem you're talking about," she pointed out as she looked at everyone's bewildered expressions. "Since when were you there? Neither I nor Akamaru traced your scent?" the dog ninja inquired. "Oh I was here when everything started," she replied as she took a seat beside Gaara who she graced with her most charming smile.
"Besides I can tell you everything I know," she supported. "Are you alright now?" Naruto asked intelligently. The kunoichi in question looked at her blond teammate intently "Actually… no. My parents were just murdered. I almost died. I had a different memory placed in my head. The village that took care of me was burned to the ground and the person who saved me went away. So the truth is I feel awful. But… I'll be better I promise," she said frankly while winked at Naruto who was struggling hopelessly feeling he asked something offending.
Almost everyone was tensed upon hearing her reply to Naruto's question. Even the always calm Kazekage had to hold Sakura's hand in reassurance but they all settled down when they saw her winked at him playfully just like always.
The discussion resumed. They were al surprised when Sakura was the first to talk about the most sensitive topic.
"Tsunade-sama, what did the autopsy say about my parents' death. Well aside from the fact that they died because of my technique," she said honestly.
"Sakura you didn't kill them," Naruto corrected gaining the agreement of Sasuke.
"The autopsy revealed that they suffered a great deal before they were left to die," Shizune answered for the hokage.
"What do you mean like they're being tortured or something?" Ino questioned tactlessly.
Then Tsunade nodded slowly while her eyes were pinned on her pupil.
Sakura winced on hearing her best friend's question and yet she contained her anger.
"Those people called me Phoenix so they know about me being the last summoner. If only I can remember what I've read in the halls of knowledge before I was attacked," she bit her thumb in frustration.
"Sakura-chan what is it you've read? Try to remember?" The noisy shinobi pressed the matter further, completely forgetting Tsunade's warning about her injury.
"Shut up, fox! Haven't you forgotten that she must not be forced to remember? You are such an idiot," Gaara said calmly as he whispered to Sakura "You don't have to force yourself to remember."
"What did you say, you moody raccoon!" Naruto countered.
The two somehow took their uniqueness lightly and decided it would make a great joking matter. Sakura can't help but chuckle at their pointless argument. Wait… Phoenix… that's right… why can't we ask him?
Abruptly standing up, Sakura took the attention of everyone. "What is it?" Ino blurted out. "Why didn't I think of that before?" she asked herself but everyone heard her. "What?" Naruto was excited to hear her answer.
Grabbing her pendant, she called to him. Her chakra was visibly seen by everyone, "Sakura don't your head injury might…" Shizune tried to stop her. "Please…" she opened her eyes "Believe in me," she pleaded as blood trickled from her head. Gaara swallowed hard and was the first to agree followed by the others.
Illidan… come to my aid! She summoned him mentally while her head started throbbing. The next thing they knew a black phoenix appeared from the setting sun with silver flames as his feathers and flaming crimson orbs as his eyes.
They all panicked when it was heading for the window. A bright flash blinded everyone and the next moment a man with long black hair wearing a black armor with intricate designs of a phoenix stood before them.
Sakura was sweating and was panting when her summoning was complete. Gaara settled her down her seat. "Master," the man acknowledged as he knelt in front of Sakura.
"Illidan, there were men who killed my foster parents. They called me phoenix do you have any idea who would do this?" Sakura questioned him in between her deep breaths.
"Many people would be interested in the last heiress of the skills of the templars… but then… you said that they referred to you as phoenix," Illidan clarified.
"Yes,"
Rising from his kneeling position, he looked intently on his master's eyes. "These people might know something else."
"What do you mean?" Naruto dared to ask.
"The knowledge about the mythical creatures that a templar can summon is long forgotten but then... so they have seen you summon me," he asked his master.
"I was not aware I was being observed," she answered truthfully.
"The only thing that they would be interested in me would be…"
"WHAT!" they all asked as their patience wear off.
"There was a ritual, you see, one meant to contain something. I am one of the guardians of the seal. The other two are the dragon and the unicorn. But then… the seal is still incomplete. So it is still possible that the one that is contained can be released." He revealed horridly.
"What is this thing you are guarding?" the hokage inquired.
"We do not speak of it. All we can say is the tailed beasts that roam this world are only created though the fragments of his powers that leaked out while they were sealing it,"
Everyone grew nervous. The tailed beasts are only fragments of its power! What the hell is that thing then!
"What do you mean by saying that the ritual is still incomplete," Sakura was the only one who had retained a level head.
Illidan looked at her and then slowly approached her. Sakura was stunned when Illidan walked right through her, as she heard in her mind "Master it is not safe to talk loudly about this matter. I cannot tell you anymore. Ask the ancient archivist named Furion in the distant east. He knows everything about the seal. He will be the one to find you if…
A/N: Alright, this is when I get naughty huh full of twists Hehehe. Hope you read and review. I have a new Gaara-Sakura one shot hope you'll read it. (Iron and Sand)