A/N:

I'm not sure what's more addicting. Logging in to see the number of reviews/favs/follows or logging in to see the story stats.

It's really amazing that people from around the world could read this. But you know what's more amazing?... You!

And you know what's the second best 'more amazing' thing?... Another chapter!


Chapter 7

Gifts


The heavy bag had been protesting non-stop in the last sixty minutes. Two fists never gave it a chance to rest. Two steel eyes never lost sight of it. One metal chain hung it in place. One person wouldn't let it escape.

Arms alternately swung back and forth in measured speed and force. Sneakered feet sprang up and down the rubber mats in sync, before taking turns. Practiced squats and hunched shoulders suggested defense for attacks that never materialized. Then with one foot forward, one after the other, arms stretched again to land subsequent blows to the heavy bag of sand.

Short pink hair clung to the sides of a sweat-sprinkled face. Fast and short breaths squeezed their way into her nostrils and out her mouth. The constant fast beat played itself in her ears, in rhythm with the heavy drumming in her chest.

She shouldn't stop torturing this bag. She needed to train more. She had to be stronger. Because she had to be capable of protecting herself. Because she wouldn't lose another special person. Never again.

Sakura's movements caused the thin metal around her neck to rub against the skin, reminding her of one protector, one confidant, and another friend that left her.

Sakura stepped inside Tsunade's office and sat down on one of the two chairs in front of the desk. Thank goodness Tsunade sensed her strong dislike for the new bodyguard, and had mentioned they would talk about 'girl things'. His presence alone ruined her day, so she didn't need him following her around everywhere.

"You don't like your new bodyguard much, do you?" Tsunade said, as she took a seat behind the desk.

"He's a temporary. Kakashi-sensei is the only bodyguard I have and no one else."

"Let me guess, he made a bad first impression."

"It's dreadful."

"He's handsome, though… and your ages aren't far between." Tsunade folded her hands below her chin and stared at Sakura as if inspecting a specimen through a microscope.

"Very funny, aunt Tsunade. Me? With that temporary? Not a chance." Sakura waved both hands in front to emphasize the negative.

"That was a nice conclusion, Sakura. But I was gonna say he looked a bit too young to be a bodyguard."

Maybe the air conditioner wasn't on? Because Sakura's cheeks were getting warm and Tsunade's smirk reflected the sun's flare. "A-actually, I thought about that too. Um, so what's up? What… do you wanna talk about?"

Tsunade's smirk turned into a line. "Oh, right. It's a good thing you're here. I've been busy these past few weeks, so I couldn't find the time to drop by your house." She reached for the drawer under the desk and pulled it open.

"I just wanna visit Kakashi-sensei. I also had to deliver the book he asked for. Why?"

Tsunade lifted her arm from inside the drawer and held out a small box for Sakura to see. "I want to give you this."

The box was dark brown, with a natural wood texture, and with the lid hinged at one side. It reminded Sakura of the usual boxes in movies, where a man was knelt down on one knee and in front of a teary-eyed woman. She took it from Tsunade's hand and studied it up close before pulling the lid up.

A gust of air escaped the box and she inhaled it all in one breath. Rested on the white cushion, was a silver necklace. It had a clenched fist pendant – also made of silver – which appeared to be gripping the metal thread. Under the lid was a yellow sticky note with a scribbled message.

To the monster named Sakura, Happy Birthday!

"We found that inside Obito's jacket pocket. He had told Rin about it before he passed away; and requested that if he couldn't make it, I should give that to you. And that I should transplant his left eye to Kakashi."

Tsunade's voice served as a background to the whirlwind of emotions in Sakura's head. The reality of Obito's death slammed against her. She didn't deserve this. She was the reason why Obito was dead. It was her fault that Kakashi lost his best friend, that her dad lost one of his personal bodyguards, that an innocent life was taken, and that she lost a friend of her own.

She did it again.

The weight of the liquid in her eyes taunted her as her vision started to blur. The box in her hands shook, and she couldn't make it stop.

"Sakura?" Tsunade stoop up, walked around the table and sat down on the seat opposite Sakura. "Hey, honey… Look at me."

Sakura raised her eyes to meet blurred ones. She willed to keep the tears in, but gravity interfered and pulled the liquid down her cheeks. The now clear hazel eyes gazed back at her.

"That's it honey, let those emotions out."

"Obito-san's gone because of me, aunt Tsunade… It's because I'm not strong enough to protect myself, that other people have to do it for me. They risk their own lives in exchange of mine… And I'm not worth it."

"Shhh…" Tsunade took the box and placed it on the table, before covering Sakura's hands with hers. "It's not healthy to keep blaming yourself, Sakura. Don't say that, you are worth it."

"But it's the truth. They protect me 'cause I've always been weak… even after all those trainings, I'm still weak!"

"No, honey… It only becomes the truth, because that's what you wanted to believe." Tsunade tucked the stray strand of Sakura's hair behind an ear. "A world icon had once said, 'Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.' You have that will, Sakura… everyone does. You just have to believe in it… in yourself.

"Boxers, football players, weight lifters, doctors, accountants, architects, engineers, construction workers, you name it. They didn't win their own fights with the physical strength alone. Strength was just the outcome of their perseverance, hard work, and discipline. And all of those factors require a strong will. Strong will is the true measure of strength.

"So, don't say you're weak just because you couldn't beat up some guy who was practically a giant compared to you. Just the fact that you can move on in your life despite the losses you experienced already says so much… That you are a strong young woman, Sakura."

If she were strong as Tsunade had just mentioned, then why did it feel like it weren't the case? Instead of serving as instruments to become stronger, the losses only ripped out chunks of the strength she had been building. And that meant she would have to work her way in filling those voids again. So, maybe she was an exception to those people who had a so called, strong will.

But still, she appreciated Tsunade for trying to ease her thoughts. "Thank you, aunt Tsunade."

This thing around her neck wasn't only a special gift from Obito. It was also a reminder that her efforts weren't enough. If she were much more skilled in fighting, she could probably beat up the bad guys herself. And maybe no one else would have to get involved in all her mess. She had to learn how to take care of her own problems. No one would ever have to take a bullet for her anymore. No one would ever have to be harmed in exchange of her safety. No one would have to leave her again.

Obito was right. She wasn't a princess anymore. She was now the monster. And she liked it that way.

If it wasn't enough to have knowledge about self-defense, then she'd make sure to be good at taking offense as well.

With a last throw, her right fist collided with the already agitated bag, and its metal chains roared in surrender. She turned on her heel and walked over to the bench against the wall.

As soon as Sakura was seated, she grabbed the towel at the side and dabbed the layer of sweat off her face. Then, she put the towel back down, swiped the one-liter water bottle next to it, and took a generous swig.

She was just starting to gain control of her breathing when it hitched in her throat as she remembered something.

Where's the ex-temporary?

Green eyes wandered around the room, which was twice the size of a dance studio. Different types of exercise equipment decorated the floor, and full length mirrors were fixed on chosen wall areas. Some of their bodyguards were here as well, in order to keep their bodies in condition.

To her right, where she had come from, different types of punching bags were set; along with an open area for sparing. Near the bench she was sitting on, were the free weights, such as dumbbells and barbells. At the other end of the room and to her left, were rows of stationary bikes, rowing machines, elliptical trainers, and treadmills.

Her eyes detected what they were looking for and stayed at one spot. On one of the treadmills was the ex-temporary.

Sasuke was focused at running in place, looking like in a TV fitness advertisement. His whole image screamed black except for the white towel draped around his neck. Black tee for a top, a simple black cotton gym shorts cut just below the knees, black sneakers and socks… hold on.

This was getting a habit. She seriously had to stop noticing his clothes and posture. She didn't give a damn even if he chose to wear rags.

Yes, I don't care... Oh wait, that wasn't right... No, I don't care...Yeah… I don't.

Ignoring him was a success in the past hour. On second thought, she hadn't been paying attention to anything else but the punching bag.

He must have gotten bored and decided to exercise.

Although he was now her official bodyguard, her plan wasn't still dismissed. In fact, the unexpected news just added to the challenge. She was still determined to make him quit, because he was a robber. He had completely stolen her Kakashi-sensei's place.

She glared at the back of his head, waiting for the disarray of black hair to light in flames.

"I thought I'd find you here."

Sakura turned to the side, only to recognize her ex-bodyguard standing near the foot of the bench. She looked away almost immediately. The water bottle in her hands, somehow, was more worthy of her attention.

"I see… So, you're still not talking to me." Kakashi took a few steps forward, sat beside her and tried to start another conversation.

"How long have you been in here?"

A few seconds ticked by before Sakura let out a defeated sigh.

"Why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be with dad? After all, you're now one of his personal bodyguards."

She could almost taste the bitterness in her words as she twisted the bottle cap open then close repeatedly. Betrayal screamed in her head. Her Kakashi-sensei didn't want to be with her anymore… just like everyone else. Maybe that eight-year old princess still lurked in the corner after all. In the end, she would always remain alone.

And that was exactly the reason why she needed to train more. She had to learn how to fight alone, since no one would stay at her side and fight with her. They either wanted her to remain in the background or they would choose to stay away.

If she was able to confront her fear of Karin, which she had done in verbal form, maybe she could also overcome the fear of fighting the kidnappers. Funny, the ones who noticed and wanted her most were also the ones whom she was struggling to get away from.

A familiar set of leather blocked the bottle caps view.

"Here. I was gonna give this to you on your birthday, but you-know-what happened, so…"

The sound of a plastic bottle hitting the rubber flooring was heard. Sakura just stared and kept quiet as a thousand words inside her mind battled to be picked up.

Kakashi continued. "I thought you need it now more than I do, since I already have a pair to start with. If it's too late for a birthday present, then… how about a gift of apology?"

Slowly, she raised her hands to hold the object as if it would break if she weren't careful enough. Her eyes moved up to meet Kakashi's right one.

"Seriously?... Are you sure you're giving this to me?"

"Hmmm… Let me think about it." Then a crinkle appeared at the corner of his eye. "What do you think?"

She scooted towards him and caged him in a hug. "Thank you so much Kakashi-sensei!"

"I knew you'd like it."

Sakura pulled away and furrowed her brows. "Are you kidding?!... I love it!"

With both hands, she held the black leather gloves close.

She remembered the child who was trying to hold onto the memory of her late bodyguard. The girl who had been secretly wearing Sakumo-san's old shirt that looked like a dress on her. The girl who sneaked inside Sakumo-san's empty room to search for clothes or pictures for remembrance, and found these exact same gloves at his bedside drawer.

These gloves still didn't have any scratch on it, and the leather varnish still shone. Kakashi did treasure these, for these are not ordinary gloves; this pair symbolizes the support, confidence, and love of a father. And since it belonged to her now, Sakura would gladly share those values. Those values weren't only displayed by Sakumo-san, but also by her Kakashi-sensei.

"Sakura, does this mean I'm forgiven?"

She beamed. "What do you think?... BUT. I just wanna make it clear that these don't fall as bribe. You still have to suffer for letting me get stuck with that ex-temporary."

"I know."

"Hey Kakashi-sensei, I just noticed. Since you can only use one eye for now, why don't you just use a full face mask? You look like a pirate with that bandana headband over your left eye."

Kakashi's gaze shifted down to the floor. His lone eye lost focus as if he were seeing in his mind's eye, and then he looked back up with that signature crinkle at the side.

"Well, I wouldn't want to be mistaken for one of the enemies, would I?"


Following someone like a puppy was never his thing. But so was the case in being a personal bodyguard. He wasn't used to this. He was always the one being stalked, and it was never the other way around. Not until now. This job was an insult to his pride, but he would have to choke it down nevertheless. He had to.

Their footsteps echoed in the hallway, as he fixed his eyes on the bright pink hair before him.

It didn't help that his charge was a pain in the ass; a typical spoiled brat who did whatever the hell she wanted with her life. Her childish behavior was testing his patience. A part of his duty was to keep her out of external danger, but he wondered if it was also his duty to prevent himself from inflicting the harm.

This job wasn't as easy as it first looked like. He now had great respect to those who truly did this for a living, like the other bodyguards in the Haruno mansion. From standing for almost twenty-four hours of the day, accompanying the charge almost everywhere, checking the premises before the charge arrives, to devising plans on where they should walk through; it was not a good way to live life. If he were another person, he would've laughed out at his own thoughts.

Who was he to judge? His lifestyle didn't belong to the 'ideal' category either.

If it weren't for his goal, he wouldn't have considered this occupation. So far, so good; no one suspected him, except for the one who had read his application records… Kakashi.

It was a good thing that Sasuke saw him enter the archive room. Once Kakashi was out, Sasuke asked the keeper and confirmed his speculation. Kakashi might just be concerned about his previous charge and wanted to check on Sasuke's background.

How pathetic. He had gotten attached to the charge. He was acting as if he were the overprotective father.

That was fine, because Sasuke had made sure that his records didn't have any loopholes. But Kakashi's interrogation at the hospital had alarmed him. Kakashi knew about his brother. How could he have neglected that Obito must have told Kakashi about it?

No matter. The stories a dead man had spoken of, could easily be altered. Sasuke would just have to be more careful around that Kakashi.

For now, he had to earn the older Haruno's confidence. It didn't matter if he didn't like this job; he was always good at what he did, especially if his goal was involved. He would have to play the bodyguard role well, and there should be no room for them to doubt him.

Sasuke continued walking down the hallway as he trailed after the brat. He didn't know where she was heading to, but he certainly wasn't going to ask. He refused to initiate a conversation.

"You don't need to follow me to the main study, you know. I'm pretty sure I'm safe in my own house."

That answers the silent question. "Hn."

The brat responded with a low growl, which earned his smirk. She wasn't the only one who could mess with who. One trump card he could play against her rude comments was being unresponsive. That was easy. He could control his expression if he wanted to. That was a part of him; a part of who he had chosen to be as he grew up.

There were a few instances when she was able to catch him off guard, and his mask would slip. But they would remain as such… a few. One event had been at the pool, when he had unwillingly given her the satisfaction of seeing his scowl. That was a lesson learned; he shouldn't show a negative reaction to the brat, since that was what she wanted.

This brat wasn't just an ordinary one though. She punched. Hard. Sasuke's bruise had lasted for a week and a half. There was no doubt such strength was the product of all her weekend workouts. And that was another typical thing about rich kids. They tend to be overly conscious of their figure and measure everything on their plate. Although this brat didn't care about how much she ate, Sasuke assumed she compensated for it by working out.

Finally, they stopped at one door. She pushed it open, and then walked inside the room. He was about to follow suit when he was stopped in his tracks.

"Teme?"

Sasuke knew that voice very well, and he was hoping it wasn't who he thought it would be as he turned around to face this person.

Oh, hell no…

"Sasuke-teme! It IS you!" The blonde male jogged to his side and raised both arms to prepare for a bear hug.

Sasuke stepped back. "Don't even think about it, dobe."

"Aww… Aren't you glad to see your best friend? We haven't seen each other for ages and this is what I get from you! You really hurt my feelings teme."

"What are you doing here?"

"Glad to see you haven't changed! Same old asshole that you are… ah… good times, good times… I'm gonna be working here teme, just like I said way way back… I'm gonna be the best bodyguard in the world! Better than my old man! How about you? What are you doing he…" He gasped and raised both hands over his mouth. "Don't tell me you also work here, teme?!"

"Looks like you haven't changed yourself… Dobe."

"This is just so cool! You know what this is called?! It's fate! Fate brought us back together, teme!"

"Would you please keep it down out there?!" Another shout came from inside the study.

Great. Just great. Two loud people together. Just what he needed. As if one crazy brat wasn't enough. The dobe had to add to the equation. Sasuke could almost feel a migraine coming.

"Who's that teme?!" The blonde shout-whispered.

"Kizashi-sama's daughter. My charge."

The dobe peeked inside the room and froze. Three seconds. He raised a fist against his chest and turned to Sasuke in slow motion, before starting to shout-whisper again.

"Oh my God!... Teme, I think I'm in love! This is love at first sight, I'm telling you!" With both hands, he clutched Sasuke's collar. "You've got to introduce me! Now!"

Sasuke fought the need to punch the dobe in the face. "Fine. Just get your hands off me."

As soon as the dobe released him, Sasuke stepped into the room. Sakura was sitting at one of the two long tables near the bookshelves. She was busy reading a thick book and taking down notes.

Sasuke remained beside the door and watched the dobe stood in front of Sakura. Since she was consumed in her work, she didn't look up to see who it was.

The dobe cleared his throat and looked pointedly at him. Sasuke inaudibly sighed; he couldn't believe he was doing this.

"Sakura."

She raised her head to look at him. With furrowed brows, she turned to the dobe and back to Sasuke's direction.

Sasuke jerked his head toward the dobe. "Naruto."

"Huh?"

"Heya, Sakura-chan! It's an honor to be graced by your presence! I'm one of the newly recruited bodyguards here! As the teme had said, I'm Uzumaki Naruto, at your service!" Naruto grinned wide and looked at Sakura with a glint in his blue eyes.

"Wait. Did you just say you're an Uzumaki?"

"Yeah!... I also said, heya Sakura-chan! It's an-"

Sakura raised a palm while her brows furrowed. "I don't get it. Are you related to Kenshin Uzumaki?"

Naruto's grin retreated into a soft smile. "Oh. Yeah, he's my late mother's cousin."

Sakura's eyes fell down on the table, and then met Naruto's once more. "I'm sorry."

"It's cool, Sakura-chan!" Naruto shrugged, before his face lit back up into a grin as he motioned to the seat across from Sakura. "Can I sit here?"

"I don't see why not."

After the slow torturous noise of chair legs scraping against the wood plank flooring, Naruto took a seat at last. The room fell back into silence as Sakura went back to taking down notes, and as Naruto gazed at her in admiration. In an instant, he grinned, then took a deep breath.

"Hey Sakura-chan, what's your favorite song?"

Sakura didn't look up. "Depends on the genre."

"Well, what's your favorite genre?"

"Depends on my mood."

"Oh… Then… What mood are you in now?"

"Pissed."

"What's your favorite genre when you're pi–"

"Cut it out! Can't you see I'm studying here?!"

"Oh! What subject's that? Not to brag or anything, but I'm good at math, especially at calculious."

"It's calculus."

Sasuke tuned out the conversation before him and analyzed the situation he was in. This wasn't good. The dobe could blow his cover.

Naruto was his childhood – it was terrible to even consider this – friend. And the dobe knew so much about him and his brother. Sasuke couldn't let the dobe ruin everything he had worked hard for. He would have to silence Naruto down in the subject concerning his family. Now, if he could only think of a good way to blackmail the dobe…


The deserted alley amplified his footsteps. The streetlights barely reached this part of the block. It was fortunate enough that the full moon lit his way; between trash bins and old carts scattered against building walls that were filled with graffiti. The thick overcoat wasn't sufficient to keep the cool night breeze away. So, he picked up the pace to increase his body heat.

He stopped at a service door of one abandoned building, or what was believed by many as abandoned. With a raised fist, he tapped the door for the memorized and practiced code.

There was a covered rectangular-shaped hole at the door, located just about eye level. The cover was lifted on the other side, revealing two eyes.

"Oh, it's you." The sound of unlocking bolts followed, and then the metal door leaf swung inward. "Thought you wouldn't make it."

"I had to watch my back and drop by some places first before I got here. Standard precautions."

The man nodded and made way for him. "They're waiting for you. Everyone's upstairs. Don't mind me here, I'm just your ordinary watcher. Sucks, really."

"Hn." He proceeded to walk down the narrow hallway and passed by the kitchen, or what used to be one.

What a typical hideout for criminals.

The place was neglected, alright. Even the government didn't care about this part of the city. This district was known as a place for people who were at the bottom of the pyramid. At daytime, the streets were quiet with only a few persons. But when night falls, this place was a sanctuary for homeless people.

The Root District was the only part of the city that hadn't been renovated since World War 2. The redevelopments had been centered at Konoha's Central Business District and its adjacent residential areas. Since this place was the farthest from the CBD and at the border of the city; it had become the least desirable place to stay.

Eventually, crime rates had increased within the area and criminal organizations had lurked here. As a result, many police raid operations had happened until such time that even criminals stay away from this place. Since then, illegal organizations had been hiding under legal ones, where they secretly perform their activities. And so, the police's attention was diverted to investigating the big companies.

But this set of criminals he joined was different. They knew what they were doing. Although this building wasn't their main hideout, they chose to conduct meetings or assemblies here. They chose their rendezvous at the cliché spot, where the current police would think they were less likely to be found.

Their affairs were also his concern now. No matter how dirty their works were, he just had to play along. Joining the organization was a difficult process itself. But he had only done that for one reason: to get to the person he needed to take revenge on.

He stopped at one door and knocked, before turning the knob and stepping inside the room. Two charcoal eyes scanned the area.

A long table for twelve persons was set at the center of the dimly lit space. Most of the seats were occupied while some persons were standing at the sides. Everyone turned to his direction, but his eyes remained on the person at the end of the table. Thrilled black eyes against sickly pale skin stared back at him.

"Orochimaru-sama."

"Ah… Here's my jack of all trades. How's everything going at the mansion?"

He smirked. "They don't have a clue."

He took a seat at the lone vacant chair beside Orochimaru and paid attention to every detail of the plan. The discussion was about another attempt to kidnap the Haruno girl. He mentally took note of who would do what, and when would one take action.

One person at the table asked. "What about the choice of weapon, Orochimaru-sama?"

A dark sneer marked Orochimaru's features. "We had chosen the knife last time only because the birthday girl had to drive, and we didn't want to scare her any further with one of her 'phobias'… But since our dear Sakura-chan didn't seem to appreciate the little present… I think we should use guns this time."


A/N:

"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will." by Mahatma Gandhi

Can I say review... please?