Mystrivin: Well, here is an interlude as I think about where I want her to go in the past, how I want things changed, etc. Obviously, this is going to be AU, as the "cannon" I'm using is going to be different, which will be mentioned by these lovely memories. I realize that some of it is repetitive, especially at the end... Please bear with me. I'm not a very good writer and I'm working on it. Oh, and it's half the size of the last chapter. Critiques and reviews of all kinds are appreciated.
Chapter 2: A Falling Interlude (Somewhere between up and down)
In the sensation of falling, she opened her eyes. Floating images rose slowly past her. They were moving pictures, as if she was watching all of her memories simultaneously on separate screens, swirling and rising from behind. The way the air moved about her gave her the impression that she was falling, yet the way the pictures simply drifted away made her feel as if she was floating down. There, the memories.
"Kakashi-sensei!" I cried.
He stood above me, a pike skewering him. Blood fell like water. He turned his only visible eye toward me, smiling.
"I told you. I will protect my team... With my life..."
He fell.
Flash.
"Stupid brat! Making me late to my own war meeting." Jaraiya shouted as we jumped roofs. I was told to fetch him when we realized that Jaraiya was being held up.
I giggled. So like Naruto.
Flash.
I was working on patients in the infirmary tent, they didn't look good. There was too much blood being lost and not enough medical ninjas. Oh, how I wished that there were more trained to be medical ninja. If only I could have convinced a Hyuuga like Hinata to study medicine. But now, it's too late.
"Sakura-chan! Sakura-chan!" Naruto rushed in, looking distressed, tears clearly treatening to fall. "Tsunade-baasan! She's... She's..." I didn't even let him finish the sentence, I rushed out.
That was the day I found out that Tsunade had died.
Flash.
I was waiting at the gate. Naruto promised me he would take him back, even if he had to use force.
I knew he would bring him back. He promised me. I even knew that he would give his life to fulfill it. Even though he failed back when we were both gennin, and again as we were chuunin, I knew.
It was fact.
Sasuke would come back to me. Back to us.
Maybe he will be Naruto's brother.
Flash.
"Hey, are you hurt?" Naruto asked. I had just finished an intense training session with Tsunade. But she said something that hurt me. It was about Sasuke.
I shook my head pitifully and said no.
Naruto didn't need to know my problems, he had enough of his own already.
Flash.
"Ne... Sakura-chan. I have something I need to tell you. Especially since we are teammates." He looked serious. I've never seen him this serious before.
"Yes, Naruto-kun?"
That was the day I found out that Naruto was actually the container of the Kyuubi. It shocked me, of course, but strengthened our friendship. I knew he loved me, but I had no room in my heart to look at him like that. But, I had room enough for a brother. A blond, loud, idiot one. I smiled softly.
Flash.
The Godaime was standing on the platform, using it as a podium to address her people. I stood behind her with Shizune, since we were both her apprentices.
"Today, the Sound has displayed an act of agression." She was nearing the end of her speech. It was time. "Today, we will have peace. Tomorrow, we will be at war."
The sound was something to really listen to. A sound that should never be heard. The sound of cheering declaring war.
Flash.
Relief flooded over me as we confirmed that he was dead. We did it. Together. As a team. I looked on at Sai and Naruto, they both had a smile on them. I smiled back.
"We did it. We defeat them."
Akatsuki.
Flash.
I was assisting Naruto in his battle against this Akatsuki member, one who looked so much like Sasuke. He was fast, but Naruto would win. I knew he would win. I knew that we, as a team, would win. I pursed my lips into a thin line and glanced at Sai, then Naruto.
Nodding, Naruto looked at me and Sai briefly. "Let's do it."
Flash.
Kakashi was lying on the hospital bed, his usual orange book in hand. How many times has he read it now? Nevermind, I don't want to know.
"Naruto-kun, tomorrow, we will start your special training."
I hope Naruto improves because of this. I hope we can save Sasuke because of this. We must become stronger. The both of us.
Flash.
I was at the gate with Naruto. He was leaving and it was kind of bittersweet.
"Train hard, Sakura-chan!" He yelled, waving his whole arm in the air as he walked backwards over the hill with his sensei.
"I will! You better not slack off!"
The memories came faster now. Almost as if they were rushing to the end.
Flash.
Naruto really did it. He beat Neji.
Flash.
Ne... Naruto, that looks like something that Sasuke did. Copying my love's moves! What an insult!
Flash.
Naruto looked different, he had red eyes, fangs, claws. He was holding the snake summon back.
"Ne... You alright? Scardey-cat?" He mocked Sasuke.
Flash.
With a poof of smoke, our sensei finally appeared. I don't know why we even bother to wait for him. But it does provide me with alone time with... Sasuke... kun. -blush-
Flash.
Argh! Why am I on the same team as that idiot? He's so... Annoying!
Flash.
"Sakura-chan," Mom said, giving me a kind smile. "We've enrolled you into the Academy."
I swelled of pride until I felt I would burst.
Flash.
"Look! She's walking!"
Flash.
"...'Ga-san."
"She said my name..." Mom looked so happy.
Flash.
"What shall we call her?" He asked.
"Sakura." She whispered.
Flash.
The memories floated away from her, passing her by and spiraling upwards into the darkness. Now, she felt like she was truly floating instead of falling and pretending to float. While in midair, some unknown force uprighted her. There was something solid supporting her. Was it ground? Stepping forward, she peered into the darkness, turning this way and that.
"... He - Hello?" She asked the darkness hesitantly. Her light voice echoed.
She looked around.
Nothing was there.
Nothing but her.