so thanks to all that have read/reviewed/faved! you have made me smile. let's see, what else...oh remember these are random memories that are happening to shino and sakura. i think that's it.
princess kaay...lots of love to you! sage sabotage sorry to confuse you...hope this chapter clears it up. pearls....big glomp! and star-princess14 thanks for the first review!
oh and i haven't said this in a long time, i don't own naruto, so i make no money from any of this. poor me....literally.
CHAPTER TWO Creatures and Ice.
Sakura was wrapped in the dressing gown and a blanket on the large bed given to her. As she had for many nights since the nightmare began, she tried to push her thoughts away, to no avail. Her dreams took over, and she could only succumb to them.
She could see her eight year old self. Jealous that her friend Ino was able to control nature, and her other friend Hinata, and Hinata's cousin, Neji, could read someones thoughts, Sakura felt that she was nothing compared to them. Kiba was a shape shifter, who could change into any animal, but also possessed the speed, agility, and senses of a wolf. Shikamaru could manipulate light and shadows, and make a person temporarily blind. Lee was faster than anyone else. Chouji could double his size. Naruto was able to send blasts of fire from his finger tips. Shino controlled metal and even shot spikes of iron from his arms. The village elders thought it curious that so many with gifted abilities were in their age group. Sakura found it annoying, because she did not have any.
Then there was Sakura, plain and ordinary, relying only on her own cleverness. Despite the constant reminding from her mother, Sakura could not see her own intelligence as a plus. Not when someone like Shikamaru existed. His mind stumped even their teacher, Iruka, but he was too lazy for it to matter.
The village prepared for the return of Jiraya and his wife, Tsunade. Each born in their small vilage, the couple travelled the world. Tsunade was a true healer, but it was a secret to anyone outside of the adults in the village.
While most villages had a person trained in healing, a true healer was rare. The ones gifted with this were hunted and enslaved by powerful rulers. Use of an unknown energy the healers could bring a person back from the embrace of death when trained properly. Tsunade, unbeknown to Sakura at the time, was such a healer. Though the woman made Sakura uncomfortable with the way she stared at her.
When the couple was ready to leave on their continuous journey, Tsunade leaned in close to Sakura whispering, "I'll return for you when you are ready."
Unsure of what she meant by the words, Sakura avoided the blonde the next two times she visited.
The winter of her ninth year, Sakura's grandfather fell and hurt his hip. Her mother was frantic to see her father and ensure the man would recover quickly. Sakura entered the bedroom of her grandfather, Theo. Green eyes blinked twice at the sight.
Atop her grandfather's body, were black creatures gnawing at his flesh. Sakura was gripped with fear, and to her shame, unable to remove them out of fear. The small black animals were the size of squirrels, with pointed ears, and greenish yellow eyes. Long slender pointed tails extended from their bodies, and they moved around on all four legs. Grunts and groans were the sounds they made, and they paid no attention to the young girl's gasps. The air made her skin cold.
She squeezed her mother's hand tightly, pulling back against it.
"Sakura stop that, come on," her mother urged.
"No, not with those things in there, don't go mother," she cried. One of the creatures looked directly at Sakura, and she felt ice run through her veins. "Get them off of him."
The elder Haruno woman looked at her with irritation, "What are you talking about? It's no one but your grandfather!"
Sakura's green eyes pleaded with her mother. The woman's face was weary with exhaustion, and her daughter was not helping her mood.
"Stay out of the way," she snapped and pulled her hand away from Sakura and walked to her father.
Sakura watched in fear that the creatures would attack her mother. The animals paid no mind to woman who was wiping the brow of the man. For the next day, Sakura would not step foot near her grandfather, but minded the animals working away. Sakura could see with each hour they worked, her grandfather became weaker.
The simple hip injury would not heal and the village healer came to see him. The man wrapped the leg with herbs and oils. He was not a true healer as Tsunade was, and could not make him better.
"Sakura, your grandfather is calling for you," her mother spoke, crossing over to her child. "He wants both you and Ganelon."
Sakura had been sitting on a stool in the doorway of her grandfather's room. Her brother, Ganelon, scrambled to his feet.
"Sakura, come forth," her mother beckoned.
She held her breath and climbed down walking slowly to her grandfather. The creatures moving faster on his body with a new sense of urgency. Weak green eyes locked with hers.
"Sakura my child," his voice barely above a whisper. His gnarled hand reaching for hers. "Come please."
Each set of eyes watched as she got closer to the man. A frown covered her face, and she stopped beside him.
In a voice soft and only meant for her ears, he spoke, "You see them don't you?"
Stunned at this revelation, she blinked twice. "Yes, but no one else seems to. What are they?"
Though in her own mind, she already knew. She needed confirmation of her suspicions.
"I knew you were special," he patted her hand. A strained smile on his face, as he coughed. "You saw them on your grandmother, when you were only three."
"What do you mean," she quickly asked. The grunts from the creatures increased in speed.
His lungs began to push hard to simply breath. He gasped, and Sakura's mother pushed past her and clutched his hand, sobbing. Soon she was at the back of the group of people, as Ganelon was presented to receive his grandfather's blessing. Three minutes later, she could hear her mother's sobs increase, and the nine year old Sakura knew her grandfather had gone to rest with his fathers. Moving through the crowd of people, she saw the man still, free of the creatures that plagued him.
From that moment, she knew she was gifted also. Though not a gift she wanted to share with her friends. Being able to see the death that haunted them all. Quietly she watched over the next few years as the creatures returned, taking someone with them each time. Faces of the suffering and dying repeated over and over.
Sitting up screaming, a shaky hand ran through her hair. The green eyes adjusted to the light in the bedroom. The sun was fading in the sky, and the pink and orange softened her prison.
Rushing in the room with his hand on his sword, was the guard, who was posted outside her door. Tall silver hair moved with his swiftness. The patch over his eye, and the mask covering his face gave way to his mystery.
"My lady, are you alright?" He scanned the room for a threat.
"Yes, I'm fine," she blushed at the intrusion. Her eyes never connecting with his. There was an aura about the guard that did not set well with Sakura. "If you don't mind, I would like to have my dinner."
"Yes my lady," the guard nodded to her. "I'll let your attendant know."
He walked to the door, but paused for a moment.
Turning back to her he spoke, "My Lady, Aidric has placed three others and me in charge of your safety. With that we serve you, and carry out you needs. Our loyalty is yours, not his."
With that he left Sakura alone once more. Not quite sure of his meaning, she sighed and stood. Unsteady, she stood to wash her face. Her wedding was in less than twenty four hours. Trapped she could only remember why she was doing this. This was all she could do for her country. Marrying this fiend would ensure he would not go to war with her village.
The sleeping bags unrolled, and Shino sat on a rock looking out at the sky. She was out there, and he would rescue her. Kiba made sure the horses were fed and watered properly. The caramel colored horse that was designated for Sakura nuzzled Kiba's face. Shino was sure the man missed his white wolf companion, Akamaru. The wolf was in the village along with Neji's hawk, Destiny, and Lee. The three would reunite with the party the next day. Naruto and Hinata were talking quietly. Having been married two days prior, it was not their ideal way to spend their first week as husband and wife, but since Aidric's appearance in their village Hiashi insisted. Neji and Shikamaru went over their plans once again.
Their band was small, but effective. His father had a gift for finding the appropriate weapon for each of them. Skilled in their own abilities, but also the weapons they each used. Neji with his twin broadswords. Hinata used two small daggers, or sais, concealed her sleeves. The blades that slide over Shikamaru's hand made his punches deadly. Lee worked with Shibi Aburame to come up with nunchucks from a light weight metal, that was as destructive as steel. It was the same material used on Kiba's staff. Naruto chose a sword, and Shino was deadly accurate with the chained scyhte. Though they each had a weapon of choice, they all were capable of fighting with a multitude of weapons, or hand to hand combat. Kiba, Shino, Shikamaru, and Lee all had swords as well.
As peaceful as their village was, the Elders were realistic and had every person trained with at least the use of a sword. Ino, Hinata, and Sakura were no exception. The woman faired better than most. Having such strong male friends, led the girls to be strong fighters. Strength of their women is what led them to this situation.
The sky faded from his vision replaced by a memory.
He could see himself on the side of the frozen lake watching the others. Slowly a few of his friends began to circle the surface. Their feet gliding and turning patterns on this ice. The natural grace of Kiba and Lee gave them an advantage, making it look easier than it was. Hinata and Neji were also pushing along with ease. Chouji and Ino clung to one another, while Shikamaru sat on the side of the bank with a smile on his face as Kiba showed off.
The metal blades were discovered by Shino and Shibi on their visit to a foreign village in the mountains. Shino had traveled with his father to deliver a sword to a noble man. During their visit he introduced the father and son to a favorite activity of his people.
Naruto grasped Sakura's hand attempting to turn on the curve of the ice. Shino narrowed his eyes at the pair.
"Son, she'll never know unless you tell her," his father's voice nudged him. Shibi stood watching more of the village children edge out onto the ice.
He had an uncanny ability to read his son's thoughts. Shino had always wondered if the man didn't share the same gift as Neji and Hinata. Though Shino knew better because Shibi had helped him with learning how to control his own power. Shibi could manipulate metal like Shino, making him an excellent blacksmith, but was unable to produce the metal spikes from his arms as Shino could. Like most of the parents of his friends, Shibi wasn't as strong as his child.
Tsume could communicate with animals, but not transform like Kiba. Shikakau could control shadows, but not blind a person with light or place them in complete darkness like Shikamaru. Neji and Hinata could read a person's thoughts and their intentions and past actions. Their fathers, were only able to read a person's present thoughts. Her father could cause the plants to grow, but Ino could talk to the trees. Chouji was able to double his size, like his father, but could the sound of his voice was a strong whirlwind of power.
Naruto's father was killed during an attack on the village, but was known as that generation's strongest warrior. When he was young, the village feared his ability to spark fire. The blonde did find a home between living with Shikamaru, Kiba, Shino, and Chouji's families. Lee was the same, with his family dying during the same battle that took Naruto and Neji's family. Hiashi, Hinata's father, took in Neji and Lee.
"If I have to take her from someone else, then she is not mine to have." Shino replied.
Shibi frowned at his son's answer. Like any other parent he wanted Shino to be happy, but it was not in Shino's nature to compete for attention. Plus each week Naruto confessed his undying love for the pink haired girl. Not only was it Naruto, but Lee too. Sakura would politely as a young maiden should, rejected them. This is what gave Shibi hope that his son was the one she was holding out for. Kiba would reassure the man of his thoughts.
From all the voices on the frozen pond, Shino could pick out her laughter.
"You have a point, but Naruto has not progressed any." Shibi continued. The elder man looked down at his only child. "Perhaps, she is waiting for her prince."
Just as the words left his mouth, Sakura glided in front of the pair.
"Shino, are you not going to join us," she questioned. Her voice full of hope, and her eyes shining bright as the sun in the sky. "You have introduced this activity to us and !
With a short scream, Sakura fell on the ice, giggling as she did so.
"Sakura!" Shino stepped out on the surface and pushed forward with confidence. He slowed and got down to where she was sprawled. "Are you hurt?"
"Sakura!" Naruto also cried, and bolted to join her. Clumsily, he knocked into Chouji and Ino, ending up in a tangled mess.
Kiba and Shikamaru could be heard laughing at the scene. Shino attempted to pull up Sakura, her skates sliding from under her body, and the pair fell together. His immediate concern was her well being, but the laughter from her was contagious.
"Are you certain that you are not harmed," he examined her, once again. The warmth of her mittens sent a shiver through him.
"No, Kiba keeps laughing at me," she pouted. Finally able to rise to her feet, she gripped his arm for security.
Shino moved his hand to the left and the metal on Kiba's skate bent for just a moment, sending him into a snow bank.
"Shino," the inu cried out before he landed.
"Thank you," she smiled. Her green eyes looked into his.
"Would you like to continue to skate with me," he asked nervously.
"Please. This seems much easier for you." Sakura complimented. Her hand still rested on his forearm. "I do like it when I can go a little faster."
Shino grinned at her enthusiasm. "A feeling of flying?"
"Yes, exactly," she sparkled.
Shino gripped his treasure tightly, and pushed off to move at a greater speed. They moved around the ice like this only falling when Sakura lost confidence in herself. Even so, he would smile with her and pull her up to start again.
"Do you not trust me?" Shino looked down at her. "I will not let you fall. Have faith in me."
"I get scared," she blushed at her confession. The smoothness of his voice made her stomach tickle.
"Do not fear. I will not allow you to be injured," he promised and moved faster again.
Her stomach knotted, but she allowed him to lead. Soon they were all racing, and Tsume invited all skaters to the tavern for hot cider. That was the first day Shino felt confident about Sakura's feelings toward him. He watched closely to see how her laugh was different for him than Kiba or Naruto. The way her eyes sought him across the room, and her cheeks would redden at his gaze. Days after his fourteenth birthday, Shino felt the seed of love start to grow faster than he could imagine.
"Shino," the inu's voice called him back to the present. His elbow nudged Shino, and he handed the man a cup of water. "Are you going to be able to do this?"
"Yes, I will." Shino responded. The next phrase a lie. "I am fine."
Not fooling the other, Kiba simply replied. "When you are ready to share the truth with me, I will listen."
Shino thought he would never be able to share the truth with this anyone. The truth that he secretly feared Sakura would not return with them. His fear that she would stubbornly refuse. She was being forced into this marriage, to save their country. Could he convince her the country was prepared for war with Aidric and his men rather that her serving a life as that man's wife. Would she agree and stand by Shino's side. This is what Shino feared most, and unless Neji or Hinata decided to pry, he was unable to share this with anyone.
geez i hope that wasn't too random. it does gve you an idea of their powers and the beginning of shino and sakura's little relationship. i didn't get as picky with the ages like i have with other stories. this was kinda of loose and free handed. i guess i can't really say it's a medieval setting either. when i wrote it in my head it was written better, but when i got the chance to sit down and type, the general idea was there....and the specifics not so much. i blame short term memory loss. and television.
anyway read and review if you'd like.
terri