A/N: I can explain the long wait! I kinda...forgot about this story hehe.. -dodges weapons plus a frying pan- But then I typed this up like..two? weeks ago, but today was the only day I had free time to work on the rest. So here's this extra extra extra long chapter (4,965 words) as an apology! Don't expect all chapters to be this long. But they will at least be 2,000-3,000.
Safe and Sound Chap. 2!
Rating: T... but I might switch it to M. No, there will not be any lemons in this fic.
Dislaimer: No, I don't own Naruto! You don't have to rub it in TT-TT
~Sakura Pov (point of view)~
*BEEP* - *BEEP* - *BEEP* - *BEEP*
'Crapcrapcrapcrapcrap I have to turn that alarm clock off fast..!' Despite my body's protests, I forced to sit up and yank the electrical cord out of the wall all the while struggling no make much noise.
I gave a quiet sigh of relief after the obnoxious machine shut up. I sat still for a few moments trying to hear a groan or the shuffling of feet upstairs that signaled the consciousness of my father.
When I didn't hear anything I let myself relax for a moment and forget about the crap my life was filled with. However, that ended when the sound of the tree branch scraping against my second story bedroom window.
Careful not to make too many of the springs in my mattress creak, I eased myself off of my bed with minimal pain and onto the cold floor.
Refusing to let my teeth chatter, I rubbed my hands up and down my forearms in an effort to create friction. Looks like father was too cheap to pay the heating bill. Sigh. I'm not surprised.
Soundlessly, I slip into the hallway and into the bathroom. While in there, I hurriedly brush my teeth, comb my hair and apply cover up in the needed areas before returning to my room to finished getting dressed.
I knew I had to hurry to get ready for school if I wanted to get out of here before he wakes up. Kami, please don't let him wake up.
When father wakes up, there's three different way things could go. A-He'll wake up for a moment and just slump back over, dead to the world.
B- He'll wake up, but won't even acknowledge my existence (That rarely happens. I'm his personal punching bag.), or the worst scenario. C- He wakes up pretty grumpy. And seeks me out just to show me just how cranky he is. That one is the usual occurrence. Sigh. Figures.
But so far he's not waking up which is a gift sent from the heavens. I just hope I'm not jinxing it. Better cross my fingers.
I tiptoe over to my small closet to retrieve today's outfit. I decided to just hang my clothes instead of having to risk the loud creaking of the dresser drawers every morning and the chance of father waking up.
Looks like today it's a long sleeve shirt and jeans. But since it's mid October, no one will give me weird looks due to my clothing of choice. I hate it when they ask questions. I know they mean well, but still.
When I start to undress, I hiss as I feel goose bumps pop up all along my torso. In the cracked reflection of my mirror, I can see two very visible handprints on each of my sides. Those must've came from when he threw me down the stairs because he ran out of whiskey.
I hurry to pull my simple green long sleeve sweatshirt over my head with a pair of faded blue skinny jeans. Just as I pull my hair out from inside my shirt, I hear a loud groan and the sound of glass (beer) bottles clanking together along with a disembodied-like string of curses followed by sluggish footsteps getting closer to the stairs.
Crapcrapcrap. That meant I had 10-15 seconds tops to get through my window and down the tree, or face another beating. Oh goody. I race for my bag, still trying not to make much noise, which meant leaving my jacket behind.
I slide the window open about two feet, giving me more than enough room to squeeze through. Having done this many times before, I slip onto the awaiting branch with my bag on my back. Quickly, I shimmy down as fast as I could without irritating the multiple cuts or bruises on my body.
As soon as I was close enough to the ground, I let go of the branch, landing upright on the ground with minimal discomfort. I can faintly hear my door being slammed open and a yell of, 'Where the hell are you?!'
I shiver slightly and desperately run down the driveway and around the corner, out of his sight, should he look out the window.
Luck seems to be with me today. He didn't see me run away down the road. At least I hope not.
Today, like any other day, I arrive at school ten minutes early. With my head lowered I head towards my locker and retrieve my English and Grammar handbooks and head to first period.
When I slide the door open I'm mildly surprised to see another person already seated. I've never seen him around here before…he must be a transfer. I glance at him briefly before taking my usual seat in the back left corner, opposite side of him.
From the corner of my eye, I see his hands folded in front of his face, and his…his hair. It's shaped like a chicken butt. As if feeling my stare, he turns to me with a scowl on his face. I barely catch a glimpse of his eyes. They were a deep onyx that seemed to stare straight through me for a split second before he rolled his eyes and turned his head away.
I turn back to my desk and pick at my nails in my lap with a grim smile on my face. No one seemed to like me. They always looked once with a judging, or belittling stare.
That's how it's always been for me. I've learned to ignore most of it, but there's the occasional look that just pangs me. What did I ever do to them? What was wrong with me?
I sighed and looked out the window to my left. I watched the raindrops pelt the glass pane before the each slid down, creating their own zigzag shaped path before dripping to the ground below. Hm. Must be nice to go you're own path with nothing in your way.
I was brought out of my (depressing) musings when I heard the door slid open again and the chatter of students as they shared the weekend's events and the latest fashion trends and whatnot.
I never paid any attention to any of that. I just kept my gaze locked on the rain-soaked world outside. Oh how I wish I could just go away.
~Author Pov~
Sasuke rolled his eyes when the other students began filing into the classroom, gossiping about the most recent hookup. Then, almost immediately, gasps were heard and he could feel all of the stares upon himself. 'Never fails.' He sighed.
Sasuke heard the girls squeal and make their way towards him. If he wasn't an Uchiha he probably would've gagged upon smelling the god-awful amounts of perfume they all drenched themselves in.
'Want to go out with me?', 'No way! He's mine, I saw him first!', 'How about we get a cup of coffee sometime?', 'Can I have your number?' and so on.
It felt like an eternity before their sensei finally made it to the classroom. Damn him for that.
The man walked in, and cleared his throat to get everyone's attention. Sasuke observed the man's appearance. Silver hair that spiked to one side with a mask that covered his mouth and left eye and an orange book in one hand.
Everyone immediately silenced, giving him his or her undivided attention. "Ah, it appears we have a new student. Care to introduce yourself young man?" He asked, never taking his eyes away from his book.
"Hn." Sasuke grunted. "My name is Sasuke Uchiha. That's all you need to know."
Before he could finished his sentence, most of the girls had already fainted. "Nice to meet you, Sasuke. I'm your sensei, Hatake Kakashi." Kakashi nodded and returned the chalkboard, discussing that day's lessons.
Not bothering to pay any more attention since he already covered this lesson at his previous high school, Sound High, he looked out the large windows all the way on the other side of the class room, seeing that it had begun raining.
Unbeknownst to him, his eyes drifted to the girl with-was that pink?- hair looking out the window as well. He remembered finding her staring at him after she sat down at her desk.
Sasuke looked at her from the corner of his eye, seeing her unconsciously rubbing her neck. He couldn't see anything since her hair and her hand were in the way. 'Hn,' He thought. 'Who cares.'
Sasuke shifted his attention back to the sensei, ignoring the quick glances from the other girl students and their annoying giggles that followed. 'Tch. How pathetic.'
The rest of class slowly dragged on for what seemed like an eternity before the bell rang. Students sighed with relief as they began gathering their belongings, ready to head to next period.
"Wait, class." Kakashi interrupted. "I need to assign someone to escort Uchiha Sasuke. Right away, manicured hands shot into the air, begging to be chosen.
Kakashi's gaze swept across the class before landing on someone. "Mmm. Tamaki Wantanabe. You are to show Sasuke the school. Class dismissed." Feminine groans and whines sounded as they left the classroom. Sasuke grunted and looked down at the shrimp that was to escort him.
The kid was only 5" tall with no muscle whatsoever with glasses. A geek. (A/N- Geeks rule!)
Sasuke sighed and motioned for him to lead the way. Tamaki hurriedly shot out the classroom door. Sasuke snorted. No way was someone like that going to show him around the school. He could do it himself. As he was about to step out into the hallway, he felt someone collide into his shoulder.
"S-Sorry." The pink haired girl mumbled, catching her balance on the wall. "Hn." Sasuke grunted. He stepped back to give her room through the doorway.
"What class do you have next?" She looked up to meet his eyes. "Hn. History." Sasuke saw her nod. "M-Mine's chemistry. But the classrooms are next to each other. I'll show you." She lowered her head and walked out the door ahead of him.
As she did so, Sasuke finally got a clear view of her neck. On it, was a long jagged edged scar. That was what she was rubbing earlier. She noticed his stare and casually brushed her hair over her ear, hiding it from his view.
After stopping at their lockers, she stopped in front of a door labeled 'HISTORY'. "Well, here you are." She spoke softly. "I'm Sakura by the way. See you later." She turned on her heel and walked to the door across the hall and slipped inside. Sasuke nodded and stepped into his class as well.
Choosing the seat in the very back to the right like the other class, Sasuke settled into his signature position. Hunched over with his elbows in the desk table and his fingers clasped in front of his face.
Tuning out the sensei's lecture about ancient wars and all that crap, Sasuke once again found his thoughts straying to that girl. 'Sakura...' He thought. The name suited her well. Sasuke couldn't deny the fact that she intrigued him.
So far she was the only female who didn't drool and ask him for dates, or fainted in his presence.
Instead, she was quiet. 'Definitely rare qualities in a teenage girl.' Sasuke thought with a huff.
Once again, he was forced to introduce himself, and again drooling and blushing girls came up to him and asked him pointless questions he ignored.
Sasuke's thoughts drifted to the ugly scar marring Sakura's neck, and inwardly grimaced when he thought of how painful it must've been when she received it.
He'd seen some on the Akatsuki members, but those were from the multiple gang-related fights they'd been in. Which left Sasuke wondering: How did she get that?
"Sasuke Uchiha!" His sensei's shrill voice brought him out of his ponderings. "Please," She sighed, exasperated, "No spacing out. Now," She said, turning back to the board. "Back to the lesson…"
Whispers of 'He's such a bad boy!' Met his ears. He returned to his hunched stance with his flingers clasped together. He shut his eyes irritably, but was once again thinking about that girl. 'Sakura…' He thought.
Annoying. Sasuke concluded. Who cares? He shouldn't let the thought of some random girl get in his way. He had to get stronger. He had to kill his brother. Sighing once more, he focused onto the teacher's lectures.
~Sakura Pov~
I can't believe he saw my scar! Oh no oh no. He might say something. But, then again…he didn't really strike me as a person who talked much to begin with.
Like me. I rarely even talk unless it's to either ask or answer a question. That's all. No, I didn't have any friends. I'm a total loner. A loner with good grades however.
Even with the circumstances at my house and school, I always make sure to complete my assignments and study extra hard. Can't get into Med. School with D's and F's, now can we?
Med. School is my only way out of this hellhole called life. My mother was a doctor before she got pregnant with me, but quit to stay home and raise me. She never liked the idea of hiring a nanny to raise her only daughter for her.
My heart panged at the thought of my mother. Oh how I missed her. I remember her tenderness, her songs she would sing around the house to fill the silence. But most of all, I could still remember the way she smelled. The sweet scent of Vanilla fit my mother perfectly.
Sometimes after one of father's temper tantrums, and lying in my room, I can almost swear that I can smell Vanilla wafting about.
In my dreams, I can hear her voice. Singing a soft melody like she always did before. When I have dreams like that, I never want wake up. But, like they always say: All good things must come to an end. How very true.
"Sakura." I'm startled awake by the sudden voice, jarring me out of my trance-like state. I look around the classroom and see that the bell must've rang. No one was in there besides Kurenai-sensei and I.
"Is everything okay Sakura?" She tilts her head to the side, a look of genuine concern written across her features. I didn't notice I was tracing the scar on my neck with my fingertips during my checkout. I know she noticed too because she kept glancing down towards the area covered by my hand.
I nodded numbly and hastily stand up to gather my things. I start heading out the door when she stops me. I give her a silent, curious glance.
"Sakura, if there's something bugging you, you can tell me. Okay?" She gives me a reassuring smile as I once again nod, but this time with a small one of my own.
As I exit, I hear the warning bell ring through the halls and walk a bit faster through the halls with my head lowered.
Once I get there, I get into my locker and shove my books inside and slam it shut. I don't need to retrieve any books because this period is Gym. Oh goody.
As soon as I get there, I rush to change into my red and gold colored gym shorts and shirt along with my gym shoes. I didn't worry about any bruises showing because they were mainly focused on my torso. Any other strays, I can blame on falling or something; And my wrists have enough cover up on them so I'm good. I meet with the rest of the class who's being barked at by Anko-sensei.
"Alright you maggots! Five laps around the gym! Go, Go, Go!" She yells, motioning wildly for us to get going. As the rest of the girls mumble complaints, I pull ahead, eager to run. Running is one of my favorite things to do.
For me it relieves stress and gives me time to think. On the days that father works late that's when I go for runs around the block. I wince slightly as the muscles in my torso begin to protest, but I run through it.
I'm halfway finished with my first lap before the other girls could even start running. I snort- well, exhale harshly when I hear them complaining about having to run. Geez, it was only five laps.
I run the rest of my required number of laps without complaint. When I jog over to where Anko-sensei was standing, she gives me a pat on the shoulder and congratulates me. For a split second I feel myself go rigid from the sudden contact but I compose myself and walk over to the water fountain.
When the others are done with their laps around the gym, she has us line up to do push-ups. Ouch. Not going to be fun.
I get into position and when Anko-sensei blows the whistle we all begin. It's difficult to focus when your arms are begging you to stop. Once again, I don't focus on that, and instead the task at hand.
But then, the strangest thing happens. As soon as I focus my thoughts and energy to my push-ups, I feel a tingling sensation running through my arms and it seems like it's easier to lift myself up.
Was I going crazy, or was this really happening? Who knows? Maybe father knocked something loose in my brain when he threw me down the stairs yesterday.
When we were finished, Anko-sensei ran us through a few more physical drills before dismissing us when the bell rang, signaling the end of the period. I rush out of there to change before the rest of the girls could get in there.
Walking into an unoccupied changing stall, I hurry to get my regular clothes back on. Huh. Seems like I hurry to do things a lot, don't I? Must be force of habit, I suppose. When I'm finished getting re-dressed, I slip out of the room and back into the crowded hallway soundlessly.
I don't need to return to my locker since this period is Lunch. As I walk to the cafeteria, I begin to think of the boy from homeroom. Uchiha Sasuke was his name. He was the silent type too. I can't describe the feeling that washed through me when I felt his gaze upon my neck.
I tried by best to cover it up before he could see all of it, but
in the back of my head I still know he saw it. I hope he doesn't ask any questions. Like I said, I hate it when people ask questions.
I enter the noisy cafeteria bustling with activity. I head over to one of the side snack bars and purchase an apple and a bottle of water.
As I go to walk back out of the room, a loud shout causes me to turn around. "Oi! Oi! Girl with the pink hair!" When I find the source of the screaming, I see a boy with blonde hair and bright blue eyes staring right at me and waving frantically. I give him a curious look before seeing Sasuke sitting by him. Hm. Someone makes friends fast.
I walk over tentatively, unsure of what he wanted. "Yes?" I mumble. "You're Sakura, right?" He asks, flashing me a toothy grin. I nod my head yes and he starts to laugh. "Wha-What is it?"
What did I do? I don't even know this person! "You're the girl teme wouldn't stop talking about!" Huh? Sasuke told him about me? The blonde boy received a harsh blow to the ribs from said person. "Dobe, I only asked one question about her." The blonde waved him off and turned back to me.
"I'm Naruto! I will be future Hokage of this town! Believe it!" Someone's hyperactive. "You already know the teme, and this is Hinata, Ino, Kiba, Chouji, Shino, and lazy ass Shikamaru!" Each person either nodded or smiled and waved.
"Come on, sit with us!" The pretty blonde haired girl I assumed to be Ino said. She motioned towards the table and Kiba scooted over, allowing me room to sit right next to Sasuke and Naruto. "Thanks." I gave them a small smile and they returned to their earlier conversations.
I wonder why I'd never really seen this group around before. They seemed like they wouldn't go unnoticed. As if reading my mind, Ino turned to me. "We're in another section of the school, lunch is really the only time we come to this side." I nodded in understanding. I sat there quietly and drank my water. I don't have much of an appetite but I force myself to take bites of my apple as well.
When I finished, I stood up to throw my trash away. As I turned around to go back to the table, I collide with something hard. Stumble backwards but a hand caught my wrist. I look up to see Sasuke staring down at me.
"Sorry." I breathe. When I looked back up at him I felt him run his thumb along the rough edges on my wrist. I noticed my sleeve rode up and apparently he did too. I saw that the cover up had worn off and my scars very visible.
Before he had long to see them, I snatched my hand back. "Rash," I said, "Don't touch it, its contagious." I lied, hoping he'd believe me. He nodded but still had a slight look of disbelief on his features. The bell rang and I excused myself and ran off to my locker.
I threw it open and tried to catch my breath. He didn't have long to see them. He didn't see what they really were. He couldn't have. I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm fi- "Sakura?" It was Ino. "Sakura, are you okay?"
I compose myself and turn to her. "Me? Of course I'm fine." I give her a smile. "Shouldn't you get to your section of school though?" She waved me off and rolled her eyes. "Our sensei is always late. I just wanted to make sure you were alright; You left pretty quickly back there."
"Oh that, I just want to be early for my class to get a head start on Geometry and all that." I lied. I really hate lying; She was just trying to be nice. But even if I told her the truth, she'd think I was a freak and would never look at me again. "Well, I got to go." She said, turning to leave. "It was nice meeting you!" I smiled and agreed. After I retrieved my required supplies, I left to my class.
Once again, I wasn't the first one to my class. Sasuke too shared this period with me. Dangit. I take my usual seat in the left back corner with him in the right. He doesn't say anything so I open my book and began writing down quick notes.
Before long, the rest of the class filed in and we received a new assignment. I finish mine rather quickly and walk to Asuma-sensei's desk to turn it in. I turn around and see that Sasuke is right behind me, turning in his paper as well. I advert my eyes to the ground and go back to my desk and continue to write notes.
Before I knew it, the bell rang and the next three periods pass quickly. I head through the halls of the school, hoping to get home quickly so father won't be too angry. I put my remaining books away in my locker and walk out one of the doors.
Hardly anyone walks. Everyone else has a car that they drive. I can't stand being in one. Ever since the accident, I guess you could say I've developed a fear of them. That's why I stick to walking.
When I round a corner, my house comes into view. To a passerby, it wouldn't' look like an abusive drunken bastard lived there. My father hired a gardener to keep the lawn looking nice.
I cringe as I walk up the steps of the porch. I open the door quietly as possible, but it still squeaks rather loudly. I stand there for a moment, but all I hear is snoring coming from the kitchen. I slip inside and close the door and shoot up stairs and into my room.
I start on my homework from chemistry and history. Those took about two hours. By then it was five, but I forced myself to look over my various noted from each subject. There goes another two hours.
By then it was 7 p.m. and it was beginning to get dark outside. I put all of my things back into my bag and I stood up to stretch. But as I did, my bag clattered to the floor. I stood there in horror.
I heard the loud snoring stop and grumbling start. Oh no. Oh no. "SAKURA!" I heard him bellow. Stupid. How could I think this day would go nice? I heard stomping up my stairs so I just cowered in the corner of my room. I couldn't lock my door, since there was nothing to lock it with.
My door was slammed open, and there father stood. He wasn't drunk since I couldn't smell any alcohol on him. He must've gone somewhere today. Great. Since he isn't drunk, that means going to be worse.
"Where were you this morning, Sakura." He walked over to me and yanked me up by my hair. "S-school." I squeak. "Tch," He threw me to the floor and I hit my head against the wall. "You lying slut."
He picked me up again but this time it was by my throat and slammed me against the wall. "I got a call from your school today, some bitch named Kurenai. She asked questions, Sakura. Questions you promised," His grip tightened on me. "Nobody would ask!" With his free hand, he through a punch into my gut. I gasped and doubled over. "Father, please." I whisper weakly. Again, he picked me up like a rag doll and slammed me against my mattress. He straddled me and ripped of my shirt.
I screamed but he bashed my head into the headboard. "I'm not going to rape you, slut. Nobody wants you. No one would even try." He hissed. Instead, he reached behind himself and pulled something out of his pocket.
I instantly recognized it. It was his pocketknife. "What are do-" He slapped his hand over my mouth and flicked the blade out. He grinned evilly. "And to remind you that no one will ever want you," Tears were streaming down my face by then. "I'm going to do this."
He brought the knife down and began etching what felt like letters into my skin. I was screaming by then and trying to squirm out of his hold. "Please!" I yelled as loud as I could, but it was in vein. His hand muffled all of my pleas.
After what seemed like forever, he stopped cutting me. "There." He laughed. "Now you'll always know that you're an ugly slut." Before I could react, he slapped the abused area hard. I screamed again but this time he muffled my cries with his mouth.
He forced his tongue into my mouth and began groping me. I started freaking out. He'd never done this. He shouldn't. After he was done, he slapped me across the face and smirked. "Get some sleep dear." He mocked and left my room, slamming the door in the process.
I lay there mortified. He just…my father just…no. I looked down and in a diagonal line along my flat stomach, were the words 'Ugly Slut.' The cuts weren't so deep to where I'd lose a lot of blood, but they were sure to scar.
They were red and angry, so I got up and fished out my small first aid kit from under my bed. I plucked out two alcohol pads. This was going to hurt. A lot. But it was the only way to avoid infection. I tore a packet open and pressed it to my right side.
I bit my hand to muffle my cries. God damn that hurt. I panted and moved onto the next word. Again, I tore open the second packet and this time pressed it to the left side of my torso.
After that torture ended, I bandaged myself, using the rest of my gauze from the kit. I secured it with some medical tape. I turned my lamp off so I was in total darkness. I pulled my thin blanket around me, but the cuts continued to throb.
It continued for a few minutes, and I willed for it to stop. Just as I did, I felt the familiar tingling sensation spread and it soothed the angry throbbing. I flipped my lamp light back on, and I peeled away the bandages.
They weren't bleeding anymore. They were still sore, but I could deal with it. All that was left were scars that still spelt those truthful words. It was just like gym. Wait. Did I stop the bleeding on my torso? To test my theory, I but my thumb enough to draw blood.
Again, I focused my energy to the new cut. Then something freaky happened. My thumb glowed freaking green. Before I knew it, my thumb closed up and there was no sign it was ever bit open, minus the small drop of blood.
What just happened to me?
A/N: Cliffy-ish ending! I know, I'm a sadistic witch. What do you think this unique ability Sakura has developed is? I'm pretty sure you all know haha. On a side note, I got a puppy! He's a pit bull (I love pit bulls) and his name is Tobi. Although my mother insists on spelling his name 'Toby'. It's weird calling something else Tobi, because I'm so used to being called that xD
Next Update: I'm almost on spring break so...give me like...2-3 weeks.
Review responses-
.S: Aw, I'm glad you liked it! Thanks for the reviews on my other stories too! ^^
JuliaAbadeerSkellington: I update as soon as I can! Please, just no evil armies of Orichimarus or Karins! -dives behind the couch I'm sitting on-
Tika Kaika: I really liked your review because you made me think up of a (in my opinion) really cool plot, thus helping this fic. And yes, you can have a cookie! -hands you one-
Hama431: I have updated.
Chierra: Don't worry, I'm not going to abandon this fic :) and I'm glad you find it interesting! And I'll add detailed abuse.
If any of you have any requests for things that you want in this fix, go ahead and tell me! I'll do my best to incorporate them! And if you have any questions, I'll be more than happy to answer them! Reviews and tips for writing are welcomed! Cookies to all who have reviewed!