Blurred Reflection

Written by pandaholic.

Prologue – Who?

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

What we chose to do...that is what weaves our destiny. Our choices...

Sakura's emerald eyes softly gazed her reflection in the mirror. It seemed like a corpse with precious eyes, staring back at her with a dead shine. A small sigh escaped from her lips. She could never be truly happy, it seemed. She was one of most well-known students at the most prestigious universities in the nation – Konoha University, located in the scenic city of Konoha, or to be more specific, the medical center of the world. And she was at the top of the top.

But yet, she still couldn't find happiness in her life. It seemed that so many years of abuse and neglect from her father had taken its toll on her after all the years. Her eyes wandered to the scars on her arms, which she freely showed to the world, to let them know that she wasn't some preppy girl that was spoiled and got everything she wanted with money; the scars on her arms proved that she worked, and she was just like the people living on the streets, trying to make a living in their lives, just trying to survive.

Her delicate fingers touched every centimeter of the light scars on her even lighter skin, bringing back harsh and tough memories. A small tear rolled down her cheek as the memory of the pain and agony that had caused the scars flooded her mind.

So much red...

Sakura was only eighteen, and already she was rivaling the legacies of the best doctors and surgeons of her time. All the professors present in the university had high hopes for her future, knowing that no matter what type of medical field she decides to work in and make her profession, she'd be the best of the best, no questions asked. Even the university's headmaster, Tsunade, who was a worldwide "celebrity", known for her life-saving surgeries on a whim, knew that Sakura could rival her legacy.

Expectations...

Her emerald eyes wandered back to her reflection, the corpse once again staring at her.

Who am I?

The question filtered through the hard glass, and reflected into the corpse's eyes. Her reflection, it seemed, changed into a blur. Was that an indicator that she was still...trying to search for who she was?

A small teardrop began to form in her eyes as the same thought raced through her mind.

Who am I?

The teardrop slowly rolled down her cheek, the thought of her father never proud about her accomplishments seeming to make her heart stop. The scars on her arms, the dents in her heart...no matter what her father had done to her, she knew that he loved her the tiniest bit, and she knew that she loved him like any other daughter would. And knowing that the tiniest bit of love that he had for her wasn't enough to always make him proud of her accomplishments cut a deep gash in her heart.

Can I live up to these expectations?

Sakura's eyes wandered to her long, delicate fingers, moving them gracefully, observing them and all their worth. She wondered if they had enough control to make a specific cut that could determine life or death in surgery; she wondered if they had enough courage to cut deep and sew it back together. She knew that one slip, and her reputation was ruined.

She knew all the professors in the university would try to make it feel better by giving her words of encouragement that it happens all the time, but she knew they would have a strong look of disappointment in their eyes. But she also knew that Tsunade would still egg her on, and punch her back into reality if she didn't dare try another surgery. Tsunade would kick her back into shape, but would she be disappointed as well...?

Who am I...?

Who am I...

A/N: Hey everyone! Pandaholic. Here! I know, I know, another story...but this one just popped into my mind, and I've already gotten a basic storyline and ideas, so, whoot! I hope you enjoy this one.