...Only Memories Left...
Chapter 1 - Broken
How long had it been? The seasons seemed to blur one after the other.
Summer,
Fall,
Winter,
and spring,
nothing made sense anymore. Not the color of the sky, which at the present moment was a peculiar shade of purple and red, nor the shape of the clouds. I had never been able to figure them out anyways. "Look!" The little kids would shout. "Its a puppy!" And they would all stare with glee. Yet, as I looked up, I saw nothing. Nothing except just what it was, a cloud. But how could that be? I was the one with the special gift of sight. Why was I cursed with being blind?
Had that been my mistake?
Maybe I was just looking too hard. Or maybe, the children were just crazy.
Insane,
demented,
mad,
delirious,
absurd,
ridiculous,
and foolish.
All seemed plausible–excuses. "Stop being immature!" I'd tell them. They only stared at me with curious eyes and returned to their non-sense. But those curious eyes burnt me. Their glare was unbearable. It was full of confusion. How could they be so..so-s-..so stupid! I'd distance myself from them. Both out of annoyance and distress. Dare I say I feared them? Their beady eyes and uncaring behavior? Maybe. Just a little bit.
Had that been my mistake? Yes.
Was I afraid of becoming like them?
Smiling,
laughing,
jumping,
running,
loving again.
Perhaps.
I was doomed from the first frown. From the first glare and thought of hate. How I hated them. Those who could smile, who could laugh who could jump, who could run, who couldlove...without a care in the world. They had no reason to cry, except maybe over a treat not received, or a wish not granted. Foolish reasons. Foolish kids. So detached was I from them that it only took a second to sell my soul away and betray them.
I still see whats in front of me. I still breathe. I still think. I still move. However, I do not feel. Darkness blocks my path–shattering my breath and freezing my movement. Trapping my feelings within, then releasing what's left of me to the artificial.
I could turn away. I could easily break through. Yet I cant. How am I to break a promise forged in blood. Blood of a clan long spilled, dead, and forgotten. A noble clan, powerful and pure! Ancient and praised!
I am alone.
I am not.
There is another.
He still survives.
He must die.
I must kill him.
He will die.
By my hands.
Give me power. Make me stronger. I will do anything. Take my heart, rip it out and break it to pieces. Steal my soul and send it wherever you please. Take all of me, just give me what I need. I'm not strong enough yet! I must work harder!
I'm on my knees. Cant you see? Are you also blind like me?
Blinded by power.
Is that my fate to be?
... Or am I too late...
The sharp colors were practically blinding. Spring was anything but pleasant to me. I'd prefer to be lost in the snow or stranded in a desert. Places where destruction thrived. Not where nature flourished. I feel powerless once again. There's nothing I can do to stop it. The plants are awakening from their long slumber. Their colors more vibrant than before. Their scent delicate and intoxicating. So much that it makes me repel at just the slightest touch.
But I cannot escape from them. They are all around me. A vast forest of colors.
Pinks,
reds,
and even purples.
Sakura tree's bloomed endlessly. There was one that happened to catch my eye. It was a small tree... almost fragile looking. Its flowers were not the brightest. Its branches not the strongest. It would not last. It never could.
Had I really fallen so low as to study trees? It was all his fault. Once what I need was gotten from him he would pay dearly. Instead of training at the current moment, or teaching me something to make me stronger, he decided to leave. It bothered me to no ends extent. And it had not been the first time. He had left many other times before to who knows where. He truly lived up to his character. A snake at heart.
I did not expect him to be kind to me. And like wise he knew I would be just as hostile to him. I came to him on my own will, yes. But in no way was I about to degrade myself and become a slave. I knew better. As did he. I still smirk each time I think of kimimaro. What a devoted fool he had been. And as such, he had payed it with his life. To think, however, he was the only reason I was able to make it to the snakes lair partially uninterrupted.
My body unconsciously tensed as I felt another presence come closer and closer to me. Looking down from my current position in one of the tress, I noticed a lone figure. It was about two-hundred yards away from where I sat.
It was strange to me. People did not usually travel alone. Especially not through these corrupt territories. They must have been mad.
I smiled as the figure came closer. He wore a long cloak covering his head and concealing his body. It was unmistakable as to who it was however. The white mask gave it away.
An Anbu.
Finally, some fun.
I decided it must have been a pretty bad Anbu. Not only was he alone, but also out in the open. It reminded me of a ninja... a ninja from my past.
There was something about him however, that sent shrills down my spine. Getting a closer look at his mask, I realized it did not look like a typical Anbu one did. They were the same colors, but the designs differed. While the other ones I remembered had been made to look stoic, this one almost seemed to smile at you. A devilish smile. There was a greater emphasize on the eyes, which in turn had, for lack of a better word, a beautiful design around them. A dozen swirls all around perhaps, fooling the eyes into believing they were endless.
He walked with grace and power in each stride. Perhaps it would be my curiosity that would be my downfall. If so... then be it. I had to find out just who it was behind this mask. Hopefully it would be a challenge. Something to appease the sudden boredom I had been plagued with. Flowers were not that interesting.
I smiled as he stopped about twenty yards from where I was hidden. He looked around for a while until finally locking his artificial eyes on my position. I gladly jumped from where I sat. Stretching my muscles quickly as I landed.
To my surprise, he knew perfectly well who I was.
"Uchia Sasuke." A muffled voice called out from behind the mask.
"Hn." I replied.
"What a pleasant surprise." I could just feel the smirk forming behind his mask.
"Ah, so you know me?" I eyed him. His reply was a quick nod. Both acknowledgment and an insult at the same time.
This was becoming interesting. I eyed him dangerously, "So does that mean I know you as well?"
The Anbu stood still for a second. It did not confirm my belief, nor did it deny it. It was obvious to me however. The guilt was all too palpable in the air. This air—that held undeniable familiarity around it.
"Shall we find out then?" I challenged.
He became more and more intriguing to me as he surprised me yet again by agreeing to my challenge. I was sure that I would have to force him to battle. Maybe it was not someone I had known personally. They were never as bold.
I did not care at the moment though. A glaze for action had already covered my eyes.
The concealed man reach inside of his cloak for what I could only assume was a weapon. Of course, my assumptions were correct. But would the surprises ever cease? A sword was taken out... one I had never seen before, yet everything should have made perfect sense.
It was a traditional looking sword—its hilt, covered with bandages, a peculiar color of wine. A single string protruding from the top danced freely in the wind. There was a pink bead at the end, followed by the smallest feather I had seen yet. There was however, nothing special about it. The blade was not especially long or short; and as far as i could see...it would be no match to my own.
I was hoping to at least be met by partial skin as he held his sword—easing my doubts that this person was not human at all; but alas.. all my eyes met was a black gloved hand.
"You could easily end this, you know. All I wish to know is who you are...and perhaps I'll release you unharmed."
Were my ears betraying me? He was laughing. At me?
"You fail to see though," his muffled voice replied, "that I am not yet your prisoner for you to be announcing my release in such a way. Besides... that would be no fun."
I couldn't help but to smirk at his remark. He was arrogant; too arrogant for my taste. But...that could easily be put to an end. I drew my sword, daring him to make the first move. He was but a pawn in my little game of chess.
Yet he did not move; he only stood staring at me through artificial eyes. But I wondered if he could even see through that mask...I had never had the chance of finding out. In a way...he had already made the first move. It was his choice—he was to be the prey and I the predator. How could I deny such a request.
I charged at him at a fast pace; not at all what I was capable of, but enough to surprise him. And still, he did not move. The first couple of attacks laid down were very basic; instinct was all that was needed. He seemed to know the secret behind my sword. By just a glance, I could tell he knew my sword would break his in half. He dodged each attack, making sure the only thing I made contact with was the ground.
I have to admit, I was a bit hesitant to let me guard down and go all out. This person was a mystery; I knew not the secrets that lay beyond his mask nor the ones that comprised his Jutsu. Then again, what fun would I have if I knew everything?
I moved faster and faster, well beyond the speed able to be attained by other beings. He was having no trouble keeping up, but he would not be able to fully dodge my moves in the way he was doing so for long. I could already sense his speed falling behind that of my own. Only inches from him, I swung my sword aiming for his head. He quickly reacted by leaning backwards and attempting to knock me to the floor as he swung his feet clockwise. He had to be a fool; such a simple move wouldn't work on me. I jumped up and moved a reasonable distance from him once again.
Back to the start.
My eyes narrowed as he finally gripped his sword with two hands. And so I charged at him even faster than before, this speed I knew for certain he could not reach, unless he were hiding something. But even so, he did not attempt to move. I watched, almost in slow motion, as he brought his sword up to eye level and quickly struck it down into the unsuspecting ground.
It took all the force in the world to stop me at that moment. I watched amazed as the ground parted from the spot where his sword had pierced it, quickly heading towards me. It looked almost like an explosion as the large and small fragments of rocks parted from the earth and quickly fell back down.
This time it was he who positioned himself in a defensive stance and dared me to move. All I could wonder was why he had revealed his power to me. There must have been something more behind it. He could not be such a fool. Or was I just giving him too much credit?
The forest of Sakura trees blurred around me; their colors no longer affecting my senses. I felt him move towards me as well...our blades were but mere seconds from each other. This it was it, it was over. He was the one that had made the mistake.
Or so I thought.
But as I expected to hear the sound of metal on metal, I was shocked to hear quite the opposite. There were dozens, maybe even hundreds of vines and tree branches that surrounded his sword and in turn blocked my own from reaching his. He swung his sword in a circle and from the ground more branches forged in chakra began to surround me.
It was not possible. My sword was not strong enough. But...it was suppose to be unstoppable.
It felt as if I were in a cage; trapped as my opponent watched me struggle from the sidelines.
"What are you?" I yelled at him. But my only reply was the sure sound of a smirk behind his mask. I made a mental note to swipe it off his face as soon as I was free. I had to give him credit though, for I did not expect to have to use any Jutsu at all...yet here I was.
I closed my eyes and smiled as i felt my body temperature rise. It felt as if my whole body were on fire. Pure ecstasy. My opponent took a step back as the first spark emitted from my palm. And soon, I was covered with them. Chidori taking my entire body and soul over. I was so full of it I could feel it in my throat. Its soothing music filling my senses; sweet rapture.
I screamed, or at least I attempted to do so. And in an instant, the cage that surrounded me vanished into ashes. He took another step back as the lightning that surrounded my body called out for him. I wasn't even aware that my feet had begun to move; all I could think of was striking him down for trapping my as if I were an animal. I concentrated my lighting in one hand as i drew closer.
He stood and prepared himself, raising his sword to eye level. If he were smart, he would have ran. But I could tell, he was not that much of a coward.
It was like a blinding light as we finally met. There were swirls of pink and reds too. I stood my grown as my vision finally cleared. He stood almost 10 yards away from where we had clashed—the energy put into my attack had pushed him that far. He was using his sword, struck in the ground, for support. I was surprised he could stand at all.
The wind blew against him and he held on tighter. I watched silently as his cloak was slowly sliding off of him; until, in one swift gust...it was gone.
My heart skipped a beat.
Maybe it was two...
Or even three...
It could not be.
I told myself, maybe it was just the reflection of the fair colors of the trees...but that made no sense. The strands of hair seemed almost endless; defying gravity as they danced in the wind. Blending in perfectly with their surroundings.
"You..." I whispered; fighting to maintain a mask of my own. I was losing that battle.
The crack down the middle of the Anbu mask formed by my Chidori attack finally broke in half as a small fragment of the mask fell towards the floor. The person before me rose their hand towards the mask, passing a gloved finger through where the crack was, until finally they gripped onto the edge of the mask.
'NO! Don't take it off!' I wanted to yell at that person, but nothing left my lips.
The mask was torn off and now laid as small pieces of rubble on the ground. I dared not look up from it. I did not wish to see what I would be met with. There was still one large piece left within the rubble. It used to be an eye. Some of the designs were still visible; and it almost looked as if it were crying.
I blinked.
Maybe once.
Maybe twice.
It was a million times.
And as I looked up, I could have sworn I was swimming in a green ocean. Her eyes tore straight through me—blaming me for much more than a broken mask. Maybe it was for forgetting her name—however, with such an appearance...it was obvious.
"Sakura..." I said to myself. But the wind did not wish to give me the ability to keep secrets. It carried it to her as well.
She closed her eyes and smiled at me as her soft giggle reached my ears.
And everything came rushing back to me. All the painful memories of finally belonging...
End Chapter 1
Yay!.. not only is this my first Naruto fanfiction, but also the first time I've attempted first person point of view. Its much harder than I had originally thought it would be .. .. reading it over.. I accidentally switched to third person a couple times..lol. Anywho.. I hope you guys like. More coming as soon as I can possibly manage to get some free time. Don't expect it too soon tho . But anyways.. I really had a ton of fun writing the first part of this chapter. I think i re-read it over like a million times )
edit - to answer some questions... yes, it will be a Sakura/Sasuke pairing, sorry that I didn't mention that before; and also sorry to the people who don't like the pairing...they happen to be one of my favorites. Of course, I can understand why some of you may not like them very much after reading the way they are portrayed in some of these fanfictions. Dont get me wrong.. some of them are fine... but come on guys.. theres a certain point when it becomes ridiculous!
Now then... I don't want to make Sakura a weak character in this story... maybe only for a little while when it comes to her past.. but you guys will see soon enough. I don't want to reveal too much of the plot because that would just be no fun. heh Oh.. and sorry for any spelling mistakes and grammar.. it hates me T.T
Love,
Fate's Princess