"Haruno-san, Sakura has been released in the press."

There was some snickering before a quick ruffling, the sound of crumpling paper echoing through the empty air. And then there was laughter, a laughter that made one being in the room shiver, the laughter almost too maniacal for its liking.

"So, she hasn't been able to contact me – hah, of course she couldn't; I reject her calls to make her look bad like this – but she will come to visit in due time, to find the causes of her Father's death."

There was more evil cackling before the serpent-like voice erupted into the tense air once more.

"I'll let that damned child visit. But I won't let her steal the fortune that I worked so hard to steal."

The woman, whom bore a large pendant with an unmistakable 'H' and a large, almost obnoxious, diamond ring on her finger, laughed once more, before waving her hand nonchalantly to dismiss the maid.

"And maid," the woman said, before the maid was released to the freedom of the large mansion, "You dare tell of my deed, and you will not be able to tell it again."

There was silence, before a quiet, 'As you wish, Haruno-san' was whispered. The Haruno woman smiled, her smile able to send shivers down any spine, able to kill any innocent flower, able to mislead and to deceive.

That is, of course, how she had made it so far.

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Pressure Points
Chapter 5 – prelude to darkness

Disclaimer:I totally do not own Naruto.

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Sakura quickly made her way to the clinic, taking a bite out of her bagel while fixing the white coat around her. She was preparing herself for Yuri's daily check-up whilst getting in her daily dose of morning breakfast. The Haruno's mood in the morning was quite unpleasant, as the headline of the newspaper had been as thus: Legendary Haruno Satoshi Dead. Will his daughter fill his legacy? It really did peeve her to no end, when such reports about her family were so inconsiderate towards her father's memory and her abilities as a surgeon. Sakura had also caused a scene with the reporters, refusing to disclose anything else other than contacting her stepmother; but, in all truth, she knew nothing else.

Stepmother.

Sakura took a forceful bite out of her bagel as bitterness shot through her body, her stepmother's title and name poison on her lips. Her stepmother was an evil woman, marrying her way into a gigantic fortune. Sakura already had an inkling that it was her stepmother that had done something to deteriorate her father's health, due to the fishy fact that only a few months before, on a quick summer trip home allowed by Tsunade, that her father had been perfectly healthy. Being a naturally talented medic, she already knew that her father could not have contracted any disease nor sickness before he was able to notice the symptoms, because he wasa legendary surgeon; there was no way he could let such slip-up in his immune system occur. Therefore, she held to the suspicion that her father was killed, perhaps even murdered, and found a new hatred sparking for her stepmother.

"Sakura, this is my girlfriend, Hata Suzu."

"Hello, Sakura. It is a pleasure to meet you."

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"Dad! Mom died a year ago! I can't believe you!"

"Sakura, I think I love Suzu."

"You're replacing Mother! How can you already be marrying Suzu?! I don't like her!"

"Sakura, I love your mother very much. Unrivaled."

"Then why are you marrying Suzu?"

"There's something about her that I'm intrigued by, Sakura. I think I love her; really."

"It's not fair!"

"And why not, Sakura?"

Tears. Always tears.

"Because Mom wouldn't have remarried! She wouldn't have replaced you! She loved you, and she still does! How can you just throw that away? How can you throw your old marriage ring away and have a new one? I hate you, Dad! I – I – I don't even want to call you a father anymore!"

It rained that day.

"I told you, Dad. You even made Mommy cry."

It rained on the wedding day of Haruno Satoshi and Hata Suzu. And the sun did not come out until one week later, on the wedding anniversary of Haruno Satoshi and Haruno Akina. The next day, it rained once more, when the celebrations of the first week anniversary of Haruno Satoshi and the recently named: Haruno Suzu.

Sakura bitterly finished her bagel when the bitter memories of her stepmother's coming-to-family replayed through her mind. She had loathed her Father, loathed him for replacing her mother; Sakura knew that her mother still loved her father, even though she was dead and was looking on at the stars. But most importantly, Sakura loathed, despised, her stepmother, because once she had married into the Haruno fortune, her fake, sweet nature was thrown away and replaced by a serpent-like, insane, greed. Her stepmother, Suzu, was a greedy woman, and had abused Sakura before she had moved into the confines of the Konoha Medical dorms.

"Hn, I hope you're satisfied."

Sakura turned and found Sasuke walking next to her, his hands shoved into his pockets. She quietly questioned his now darker, more mysterious mood and aura about him, the emotion in his eyes something she couldn't quite comprehend. She offered a tiny, hesitant smile, the sorrow of the day before still lingering on her lips.

He wanted her to change, and she couldn't do that. Not even for him.

"When am I ever satisfied with those crap reports?"

"Your stepmother honestly hasn't accepted any of your calls?"

Sakura forcefully laughed, looking her friend in the eyes with mock amusement.

"You kidding? That bitch probably hates me as much as I hate her. And trust me, Sasuke, that's a lot."

Sasuke remained silent, allowing Sakura to continue.

"I don't see what my father found in her. They met randomly, and apparently, it was love at first sight! I really loathe my father, you know? He just – he just replaced my mother. It rained on the day he remarried. And I was honestly not surprised."

"Does it rain when someone in heaven is sad?"

It was a childish question, he knew. But he felt that he was a child around Sakura; he had known her for years, and it was the only way he was comfortable around her. They had both changed in ways that were obvious, and in ways that were hidden, and even he was uncomfortable with the fact that Sakura hid behind a mask. His eyebrow rose when Sakura let off a tiny smile, her usual, cheery eyes becoming downcast and dull.

"I think so, Sasuke."

Silence reigned between the two as they continued to walk to the clinic, their footsteps in perfect sync.

"Are you visiting Yuri, Sasuke?"

"I wouldn't miss it."

Sakura smiled.

"You love her a lot, don't you?"

"She's probably the only one who loves me back, eh? And she's like my little sister. I know what it's like to have no family. Yuri is a smart little girl."

Sasuke smirked, a new, hidden emotion shadowing in his eyes. Sakura quietly nodded in agreement, but kept her own inner conflicts within.

She disagreed with him, with only one thing: Yuri wasn't the only one who loved him back. Sakura just wasn't sure if he loved her.

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"Mommy, stop!"

"Yuri, run away. Run away now!"

"No, Daddy!"

Bang. Bang. Bang. Blood.

"DADDY!"

"He – he's evil, Yuri! He – he cheated!"

Tears. Or was it blood? It was hard to tell.

"Mommy, how could you?! I hate you! I hate you!"

"Oh my –"

"Mommy, STOP!"

Bang. Bang. Bang. More blood. And silence.

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There was a rush of chaos in the room, as nurses and doctors began their fight to save the little girl. Yuri's heart and sped up remarkably, at such an unstable pace that she could die in moments. There were screams for Tsunade and Sakura, both of whom still had not arrived.

"What the hell is going on?!"

There was silence, before nurses and doctors were shoved out of the way. They all stared amazed as they found the Haruno quickly taking control of the situation, listening to the loud beeps of the heart monitor to help further her understanding of the situation.

"What the hell are you doing just standing there? Contact Tsunade immediately!"

Nurses quickly sped out of the room, splitting up for a more effective search for Tsunade. The remaining nurses and doctors stepped back to allow the Haruno her space, knowing from experience that the medic was a solitary one, angered at the slightest slip-up if her assistants were not doing their job correctly.

"She had a bad dream, Sakura. At this rate, I'm not sure if you're going to be able to slow down her heart. It's remarkably fast, and her brain isn't sending any messages to her nerves and to the heart to tell it to slow down."

Sakura quickly turned around with anger, and was met with the most stunning, intimidating red eyes.

"What the hell is that, Sasuke?"

He quickly ignored her question and moved beside her, analyzing Yuri's condition and ways to help save her. But even he knew, as much as he hated to, that there was barely any chance for her survival. Her heart was too unstable beyond repair. He was not as naïve to believe that she was guaranteed alive.

"Sasuke, what the hell is up with your eyes?"

"It runs in the family, doesn't it, Sasuke? I had no idea it had been passed to you. I was almost certain you would have told me you possessed such a power."

"...Power?"

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A/N:So, uh, again, I'm not sure what to think about this chapter. XD
Anyyway, more twisters and potential dangers arrive!
Uhm, also, I apologize for the mild cussing/swearing.
Again, I'm trying to make this a serious fanfiction.
The screwed up actions are coming, I guarantee you!

Thank you for reading and for reviewing!
Shout out to all my reviewers!

I love you all! (: