Ok so i know it's been a while and such since i've updated and that's for three reasons: 1) My husband bought Diablo III and has been hogging the compy, 2)I've post all the chapters that i've had written prior to posting the story, and 3) I had some changes and things to make to this chapter like adding a new ending and pushing the ItaSaku fluff to chapter 8 :) Sorry but i wanted to spend more time with it and i had to keep the underlying plor on the forefront of everyone's mind. So now that you know i'm guessing that yes it'll be weekly for updates unless i get chapters done super fast then i'll post sooner :)
Sakura stood in front of a very irritated Hokage and there had been only one time that Sakura had seen her master this irritated before; that was when she found out Danzo had assumed an intern Hokage-ship when she fell to Pein. She had hoped that she would never have to see this side of her master again but here she was and this irritation was directed at her.
"Explain to me again why you and only you did the autopsy on your mother?" Tsunade asked barely containing her growing anger at her pupil.
"I'm the only one who understands exactly how she died. I'm the only one equipped with the knowledge necessary to ascertain exactly what happened to her. Anyone else would have been unfit to deal with a freshly poisoned body especially since the poison that took her life is the exact same one I have been studying for over a month. I took the opportunity to presented to me knowing I probably wouldn't get another chance like this," Sakura explained in a strictly monotone voice her gray eyes staring at the wall just above her master's head.
"I cannot believe the words that are coming out of your mouth," Tsunade growled in exasperation, "Do you even know that it's your mother that you were performing an autopsy on?"
"I did."
"With the way you're acting I would presume you figured it to be some random nobody who got lucky and poisoned themselves."
"She was murdered," Sakura finally made eye contact with the Hokage, "And once I find the man responsible I'm going to rip him apart limb from limb!"
The pink haired medic slammed her hands against the Hokage's desk making the room rumble. Tsunade lifted an eyebrow daring her to continue…now they were getting somewhere.
Sakura stood back up after clearing her throat, "I apologize that was quite unprofessional. The rest of you can stand down."
Kakashi, Sai, Sasuke, Naruto, and Itachi all relaxed. In the office they stood in a half circle listening to her explanation while Shizune stood to Tsunade's left.
"So then," Tsunade opened her desk and pulled out a large sake bottle and a cup, "Since you did perform her autopsy what have you learned."
Sakura didn't answer.
"Unless it was another dead end and you've learned nothing again, but considering the amount of time spent over her body I would assume you had figured it out."
"I did."
"Explain."
Sakura's pink locks moved side to side as she shook her head, "I cannot."
"Oh and why's that?" Tsunade eyed her while downing her glass.
"Because it's irrelevant to anyone who isn't me."
"Arrogant today aren't we?"
"Just stating the truth Hokage-sama."
This made Tsunade growl, "I swear Sakura if you call me Hokage again I'mgoing to put you in a coma for a month."
"That would be unwise considering the situation."
"And what is the situation?" the chair popped up as Tsunade sat straight eyeing her mouthy apprentice.
"I'm the only person in the entire world that is capable of eliminating the user of this poison. I know everything there is to know about it and how to strictly counter it. I'm not saying this to be arrogant and I'm not trying to promote my self-worth; what I am saying is because of who I am…I'm the only one that can stop this killer."
A tense silence fell on the room at her declaration as the one word that Sakura intentionally made stand out was "who".
"You're referring to your bloodline then?" Tsunade asked to make sure.
"I am."
She sighed then downing another glass and as she set the cup down she eyed Itachi. His eyes were narrowed at his girlfriend.
"I believe that some people in this office need an explanation of what exactly you're talking about," Tsunade commented.
Sakura's back stiffened slightly as she turned to look at Itachi. She saw his hurt and intense curiosity as she examined him with a blank expression. His posture was stiff ready to pounce at a moment's notice, his hands balled into fists at his side but his face betraying none of his feelings, but his eyes telling her everything.
"I supposed I do…I did promise you an explanation didn't I?" she spoke noncommittally.
"That you did," he answered in the same voice.
A loud banging interrupted everyone as Tsunade yelled enter. In stormed in one angry and concerned long-haired blonde who made a beeline for her pink-haired best friend. Naruto and Sasuke knew better that to try and get in Ino's way when she was in a rage and they parted as Sakura turned her head to glance at her friend. Ino's eyes narrowed taking in her dull gray, what she head must have been true and she was going to make her friend pay dearly for her ridiculousness. Once she reached Sakura she grabbed her shoulders and forcibly turned her around to face her then slapped her in the face.
"How could you?" Ino yelled in Sakura's face, "She's your mother and you treat her like a fucking lab experiment!"
"I did what I had to do," Sakura explained turning her face back forward to glare at her best friend.
"Bullshit Sakura! Bullshit, bullshit, bullshit!"
"What the hell do you know anyway?" Sakura gritted her teeth trying to maintain her calm. If there was one person who could always get under Sakura's skin, it was the raging inferno in front of her.
"Everything Sakura!" Ino's eyes began to swell with tears and she shoved her out of the half circle, "I'm not the village's internal spy for nothing you self-centered harpy!"
"Keep your nose out of my business!" Sakura demanded pushing back, "If I wanted your help I would've asked for it."
"I'm wondering the same thing Sakura. Why the hell didn't you ask for it?"
"Because I didn't need it."
"Bullshit again Forehead!" Ino gave her one last shove causing Sakura's back to hit the wall, "I can see everything and I don't need to be in your head to see it," Ino's eyes softened, "Look at you…you can't even relax, you look ready to snap and that's not even the half of it! Your eyes aren't green Sakura…why would you call on your inner strength if what you were feeling wasn't killing you inside?"
"Butt out Ino," Sakura's lip started to quiver and instantly stopped when Sakura allowed more silver to enter her eyes.
"No, I'm your best friend for a reason you stubborn woman and it's to prevent you from becoming an emotionless monster," Ino reached out her hand making Sakura flinch and move away from her.
"Don't you dare Ino," Sakura threatened.
"Talk to me Sakura."
"I have nothing to say."
"Forehead…don't make me beat it out of you," Ino instantly threatened seeing more silver enter Sakura's eyes, "Turn that damn thing off I want to talk to my best friend!"
"You are talking to her!" Sakura growled.
Without warning Ino slapped her friend again, "I said get out!"
"No!"
Ino went to slap her again but Sakura's hand caught hers.
"Don't make me come in there," Ino warned with hard teal eyes.
Sakura's own eyes hardened, "You wouldn't last five seconds."
"On the contrary you wouldn't be able to keep me out," Ino forced herself closer pushing Sakura back against the wall again.
"Want to make a bet?" Sakura accepted her challenge.
Ino shook her head, "Why bet something I know I'll win. It's no fun that way. You are obviously unbalanced and that's why Tsunade has your team training you every day for three hours until you're exhausted. Your unbalanced self, assures my success."
"Bring it!" Sakura twisted out of Ino's grasp but tripped over Ino's foot sending her to the ground. Angry at her clumsiness due to exhaustion Ino forced her hand onto Sakura's forehead and entered her mind.
Itachi and Naruto caught the falling girls as they noticed Ino activating her jutsu. They gently laid them on the floor making sure to keep Ino's hand connected to Sakura's head.
"It's good to know that Ino is doing her job. I haven't informed her of any of that information," Tsunade smirked at the two girls. She assigned the loud, in-your-face woman the job of watching the village for any outside infiltrators during they period of lull after the war. Anything out of the ordinary was to be reported directly to ANBU then she was to brief the Hokage with her observations.
"She's perfect for the job," Sasuke muttered watching the two girl's breath evenly.
"That she is, not just because she has a jutsu but also she can get anyone to talk about anything," Tsunade leaned back into her chair.
A small silenced followed as they watched Itachi move a pink strand from Sakura's face. "What are you hiding from me Sakura…" he whispered.
Naruto was the closest and heard his murmur, "Sakura didn't even know about her bloodline until her father died."
Itachi looked up at the blonde waiting for him to continue. Sakura wasn't able to give him the explanation so now he waited for her teammates to fill in the blanks.
"It first manifested during the Academy right after the funeral of her father," he continued.
"What manifested?" Itachi asked standing to face him.
"Her Inner personality," Tsunade answered pulling out sake bottle for the third time that day, "Everyone sit…this is going to be a long conversation."
Kakashi opted to remain standing so he leaned against the wall while the others occupied the couch and chairs.
"Sakura was born three weeks premature and her parents moved into the Village a few days after the Kyuubi attack," Tsunade began to explain, "She has always been physically weaker, her naturally petite body doesn't allow her to develop much muscle mass and since she was born early her developmental process was incomplete. It was part of the reason she was easily bullied as a child and that's how she met her best friend Ino." Tsunade nodded towards the fallen girls, "I should've brought Ino in earlier…she's the only person on the planet that can get Sakura to talk about anything. Sakura and Ino became the best of friends as you can see, Ino's forward personality to put it nicely was exactly what a smaller less confident girl needed to feel secure…psychologically speaking."
Itachi nodded in understanding, it made sense. He remembered Sakura saying once that she was teased and bullied as a child for her forehead and now to find out she wasn't physically able to even try and defend herself makes the offense for heinous in his mind. But then again, children hardly think those kinds of things through.
"Her father Haruno Lu Ten died shortly after she entered the Academy and that led to the manifestation of her bloodline," Tsunade continued, "Her bloodline…well it's perfect chakra control."
Itachi's eyes narrowed, "How is that a bloodline?"
"It's because of her two personalities that you've witnessed," Sasuke answered looking at his brother, "The typical Sakura has green eyes and is the soft hearted medic that everyone knows. Her Inner is the one that's the tactician and the warrior. Normally they function together in harmony but when she's unbalanced the extremes manifest like that night at the compound."
"Think of it as an almost glorified bipolar disorder," Tsunade cut it, "Are you aware of the disorder?"
"Not entirely," Itachi answered.
Their conversation was cut off abruptly when they heard a moan escape from Sakura's mouth. Ino remained still on top of her best friend but they watched as her hand tightened ever so slightly on Sakura's forehead. They continued to observe as Sakura's body twitched before Tsunade called their attention back.
"Bipolar has two different spectrums: manic and depressive. In Sakura's case when she's manic her Inner is in control and her silver eyes are the indicator of it. Sakura's typical personality gets pushed aside and her Inner warrior takes control…in extreme cases as in her eyes becoming purely silver she has lost all rationality. The dull gray that you saw earlier means her inner is in primary control but she's still a rational human being thanks to her typical more dominant depressive side."
"Sakura's not depressive," Naruto glared at the Hokage.
"No she's not I was just illustrating the difference," she shot Naruto a look, "When Sakura is perfectly balanced it takes her maybe three tries to perfect something. She naturally knows how much chakra it would take to complete a task unconsciously. It is why she can work long hours at the hospital with average chakra reserves, she doesn't over exert herself over mundane things like other nurses or med-nins do. She uses exactly what she needs then moves onto the next. She knows when she's low and how much she needs to squeeze out of each cell to make it happen."
Silence followed as they all watched Itachi for his reaction…or to even betray any type of emotion. But nothing, he sat forward perfectly still his hair obscuring any discerning features.
"Why silver?" he finally asked after a few moments of silence.
"Chakra in general for shinobi is the combination of physical and spiritual energy," Kakashi looked up from staring at the floor, "Sakura's personality splits there between physical and spiritual. The silver comes from her spirit which has already been described as her warrior or tactician personality."
Itachi nodded again in understanding, "So when she's unbalanced it means she over exerted herself with one personality and the other can become more dominant."
More mumbling came from the corner as they turned to watch the girls again. "Stop it…please stop…" Sakura pleaded in a soft voice.
"That's correct," Tsunade turned her eyes from Sakura to Itachi, "It's why her team was ordered to maintain her balance with intense trainings. Her logical and medical side comes from her physical personality and that's the one we all know and love. She's exhausting that personality so her Inner can manifest easier."
"Well her inner can be fun at times too," Naruto commented with a small laugh.
Sasuke agreed with a small smirk, "She can be a handful."
"Even so when they mesh in perfect harmony you have the true Sakura," Sai stated looking at Itachi, "One who is kind but unrelenting, compassionate but strict, one who will look you in the eye and call you out an all your faults but then heal any injuries she gives you in the process. She's perfect when she's balanced."
"Geez Sai you should've made your feelings known before Itachi stole her away," Naruto nudged his shoulder.
Sai crinkled his brow at Naruto, "What feelings?"
"Leave him be Naruto," Sasuke smirked at the two of them, "Sai wouldn't know a romantic interest if it bit him in the ass."
"Interest?" he asked, "You mean a girl?"
"Or boys depending on your preference," Sasuke teased making Naruto snicker.
Sai pondered the statement for a moment then answered seriously, "No…I think I would prefer girls."
"Alright enough," Tsunade couldn't help but smile slightly, "You three can finish that conversation later."
"We definitely need to find you a girl," Naruto muttered with a small smile.
"If we're shopping for me we might as well shop for Sasuke as well," Sai sent a fake smile over to Sasuke.
Sasuke growled, "Don't bother…I have a line of women waiting for me…"
Itachi sat on the couch with his head in his hands tuning out the playful banter between Team Seven. It all made sense finally, everything they've said and everything he's seen. The flash behind her eyes before she fought, her irritability when she overworked herself, the extreme exhaustion after an intense training session…it all finally came together with this one explanation. He could see now why her teammate's calls at the compound fell on deaf ears…Sakura was usually a person to listen to others before making a swift judgment. She was a medic and she always needed facts before making theories. But during her rage she lost all common sense and acted out of pure…hatred, desire, rage, and instinct. If she primarily went for intimidation she succeeded but then again the frontal charge hadn't won her any brownie points and the elders were more than furious with her now. They would still stop at nothing to bring her down to her lowest…but seeing her today, standing next to her mother's dead body he realized she was at her ultimate low. The dull gray, he realized, meant she wasn't able to cope with the loss so instead of wallowing she did what she needed to do. She relinquished control to her stronger Inner personality who wasn't as affected by the humanizing emotions as the other side was and she did her duty.
And he couldn't help but admire her for it.
She could have wallowed, she could have wailed and sobbed over her mother's body until he came the next day to her but she didn't. She steeled herself against her own vulnerable emotions and did her duty as a true shinobi would.
A sudden mumbling drew everyone's attention to the best friends on the ground.
"Just tell me why." They heard Ino whisper softly in the silent room.
"Because…" was Sakura's choked reply, "I can't allow anyone else that I love to get hurt. Especially if I'm not able to protect them…"
The girls fell silent again occasionally twitching for a few more minutes.
"Well done Ino," Tsunade whispered as she stood and walked slowly over to their bodies. She laid a gentle hand on both of the girl's shoulders and whispered in their ears, "Come back now…Ino…Sakura…come back."
Another thirty seconds passed before Sakura's eyes fluttered open along with Ino's. Tsunade helped each girl sit up against the wall and watched as both had steady streams of tears rolling down their cheeks.
Sakura wiped her nose before she could become more embarrassed due to snot, "Thank you Pig."
"Anytime Forehead," Ino let out a heavy sigh as followed by a breathy chuckle, "Your Inner is one scary lady."
Sakura choked out a small laugh, "Think I don't know…I live with that harpy every day." Ino laughed with her.
Tsunade stood after handing each girl a handkerchief that they used to clean themselves up and headed back to her desk. After trying to look presentable Sakura stood upon shaky legs using the wall to support herself. She stabilized herself then looked up and focused on a set of beautiful onyx eyes. Placing one foot in front of the other she slowly made her way over to Itachi and stood before him.
"I'm so sorry," she whispered bringing the hanky up to wipe away more tears.
"You have nothing to apologize for," he told her sitting straight on the couch.
"I kept secrets from you…I was afraid…"
He stilled her words when he reached up and grabbed her hand, slowly leading her towards his lap.
"All is forgiven Sakura," he whispered into her hair.
She gasped again curling tightly into his chest as her arms wound around his neck holding onto him for dear life. She didn't care about her audience, the only thing she wanted at that very moment was to feel safe and secure in Itachi's arms.
"Sakura!" Ino yelled in the black expanse of her best friend's mind, "Sakura!"
There was nothing…not a sound or a glimpse of light just…nothing. Ino couldn't see any definition to anything only a black expanse that seemed to stretch on indefinitely.
"What are you just going to leave me standing here? Not even a hello?" the blonde asked again not gaining a response, "Find I guess I'll come to you."
Slowly placing one foot in front of the other Ino began to walk in one direction hoping for all intents and purposes it was the right way. She was inwardly proud of herself that her voice didn't hint at the overwhelming sense of worry that was inside of her. Her father had described this type of scenario to her once, that when you enter a person's mind and it comes up with nothing it can only mean one of two things either they're dead or their soul is lost. For Sakura, she was lost.
Ino walked for only a short time trying to discern anything in the smothering darkness. In usual darkness people can often find shadows and see the silhouettes of trees or buildings to at least give them a sense of direction. But in the mind, darkness yields nothing…no thoughts, no memories, nothing…just a large empty space with nothing filling it.
"Sakura…please come talk to me…" Ino called in a normal voice.
The echo her voice created was unnerving…there really was nothing in here. Seeing her mother's dead body and then performing the autopsy on it obviously did quite a number on her mentally as well as emotionally. She stopped then a sudden thought coming to her; if her voice echoes then other things will echo too. If Ino concentrated and searched for either Sakura's voice or the Inner's voice then she could use that as a sense of direction rather than just wandering in this complete darkness.
Resolved to do just that Ino conjured herself a chair then sat with her eyes closed and listened.
Nothing…
Silence…
Stillness…
Wait…there! Ino rejoiced inwardly not wanting to disturbed the silence so she could listen. To her right she could hear the murmurings of voices…well at least one voice. That has to be her. Or at least her Inner…my guess is the latter.
Ino stood, her conjured chair vanishing, and she quickly walked towards the voice she could here. Being as silent as a ghost she steadily crept closer until she could divine two voices in the darkness and a small beam of light up ahead of her. The light seemed to shine out of nowhere but Ino could distinctly see her best friend curled in the fetal position and crying in the middle of it. Another glance upward and she saw the darker Inner personality thundering above her with only silver outlines blending into the dark walls of Sakura's mind making the personality look ten times large than she actually was.
"Get up! We did what we had to do and now it's time to move on!" the Inner personality ordered.
"I can't…" Sakura's body whimpered. Ino could hear the tears coming from her friend.
"We've worked too hard to fall this far," the Inner argued again, "Don't make me take over and go on another rampage!"
"No!" Sakura shot up to her knees, "We can't afford another run in like that!"
"Well it got you to sit up now come on, Ino is here and she's not supposed to be!"
"I don't care if she's here," the body slumped back down onto the ground resuming the fetal position.
The Inner's eyes started shining with pure silver indicating its outrage. Ino decided to announce her presence before Sakura got herself in trouble with…well herself.
"Hey! Just leave her alone will ya!" the blonde called out as another light turned on lighting up her body, "She obviously needs a moment."
The Inner personality shifted her silver hate filled eyes from the Sakura body to the intruder.
"Yeah it's me and I found your annoying hide, now get down here so we can talk," Ino ordered crossing her arms in front of her.
The Inner grinned manically, "As you wish sweet Ino." In a flash of light the dark wispy form changed into a dull silver corporeal aura. The discolored body was the exact shape and size of Sakura right down to her clothing with black holes in her eyes sockets and mouth indicating that while this wasn't a real being, it was still a spirit. The smile widened as her Inner walked up to the sneering best friend.
"What did you want to talk about Ino?" the Inner asked with her hands on her hips.
Ino had to fight off the awkward feeling she got watching the darkness come and go as the Inner moved her mouth to speak. "Well for starters are you the least bit sad about the passing of your mother?"
Inner's eyes narrowed but the only way Ino knew that was because of the dark gray eyebrows curling around the pure jet black sockets. "I don't have the luxury or the ability to feel that feeling to which I'm eternally grateful," she sneered.
Ino sighed, "Well then you should know better than to sit there and push for Sakura to move past something that she needs help doing."
"We have dwelled on this long enough and if it weren't for me she would still be in a pathetic heap on the floor of our house!" the Inner screamed, "We don't have time to sit here and wallow in our own self-pity when we have family to kill!"
Ino's eyes widened and she dropped her arms from under her breasts, "What did you say?"
Inner sneered before turning around and walking away, "Get out, you are not needed or welcome."
"Explain yourself you arrogant self-centered mongrel!" Ino demanded following after the Inner, the light above her head following her.
"We're not explaining anything to you, now leave!" She turned and demanded again stomping her foot on the ground.
"Make me!" Ino challenged.
The Inner's eyes turned wicked as a large smiled graced her face, "I was hoping you'd say that."
Without warning the silver form disappeared into the darkness and Ino got into a defensive position waiting for the strike.
"Sakura," Ino called out to the body, "Sakura get up please…I need your help."
The Sakura body that was a spitting image of the real one didn't acknowledge the pleas and continued to cry.
"Sakura, don't make me pull an inner on you," she threatened softly.
That caused a small hiccup to erupt from the crying girl's mouth, "She's gone Ino…my mother is gone."
"I know sweetie and I'm here to help but I need some help in return," she replied.
"That's what I'm here for!" Came the Inner's voice from right above Ino.
She reacted instantly and dodged the punch that was aimed for her head. When she turned around to counter she only spotted darkness.
"Sakura your Inner is out of control if you don't pull yourself together you're not going to end up the same person once I'm through with this," Ino pleaded.
"What do you mean?" Sakura lifted her head to look at her best friend.
"Look around you Forehead," Ino instructed waiting for the next strike, "What do you see?"
Sakura wiped her nose with the back of her hand like a child and did as asked, "Darkness."
"Yeah and it's all your doing."
"Mine?" Sakura asked confused.
"Yup," Ino answered, "And if I'm the one that has to restrain this spirit of yours I'll have to lock her away and you can kiss all your plans for the future goodbye because you won't be the same anymore."
"So I have to fight her?" she asked confused.
"No just subdue her, put her back where she belongs," Ino answered as she dodged a combination attack from the Inner.
"I can't…I don't know what to do?" Sakura looked down at her hands hoping they would have the answer.
"Concentrate Sakura…this isn't you, this nasty waste land," Ino told her, "Put yourself back together! You've figured everything out now stop living separately!"
"But mama…" she whimpered.
"Yeah I know Sakura," Ino not sensing any killer intent aimed at her person knelt down next to her friend, "But you need to be strong Forehead please pull yourself together for the other people who love you!"
Sakura looked up at her friend with lost eyes.
"Don't tell me you've forgotten about Naruto or Sasuke, Kakashi-sensei, Sai and don't you dare say you've forgotten about that hunk of a man Itachi," Ino smiled at her.
"Itachi…" Sakura smiled lightly.
Ino nudged her shoulder, "You gonna leave him behind?"
Sakura wiped her eyes and nose and in the next instant Ino was ripped away from her grasp by the silver Inner. Ino immediately went on the defensive breaking the Inner's hold over the torso.
"Now's the time to choose Sakura!" Ino called defending against Inner's taijutsu combinations, "I don't want to have to seal you!"
Sakura watched battle with a sense of helplessness, "No, stop it!"
"Make me you pathetic excuse of a kunoichi!" her Inner yelled landing a powerful kick to Ino's abdominals launching the blonde across the endless expanse.
Sakura's eyes narrowed dangerously as she slowly stood to her feet, "I said stop!"
The Inner was by her side in a second and grabbed her by the collar, "And if I don't?"
Sakura's gaze hardened as she stared into the bottomless obsidian eyes, "You are a spirit and you reside inside of me."
Her Inner smirked and released her hold. Sakura cringed and berated herself for accomplishing a smug smirk that could rival both of her Uchiha's…When the hell did I learn that?
"Oh you learned it a long time ago," her Inner answered, "And stop thinking because I will still hear everything you say weakling."
Just then Ino leapt at the Inner landing a solid kick to the base of her spine, "I'm your opponent."
Inner picked herself up easily and met the blonde with a wicked grin, "That. You. Are."
"Stop!" Sakura shouted, "You answer to me so stop it!"
"No!" Her Inner called back as she put Ino into a choke hold and began to squeeze.
"Let her go!" Sakura called walking forward and stumbling over her feet.
"Make me," her Inner challenged making Ino gasp, "A spirit holding onto a spirit hmmm, wonder how long this will last."
Sakura cringed at the harsh violence her Inner was displaying and decided to try a more subtle approach. She held her hand up in a placating manner, "Just stop ok. There's no need for the difference we can now live in harmony."
"What makes you think that?"
"We've figured it out…all of it. We know everything and now is the crucial time to work together. We need to find Mother's killer and we need to take him out. We need each other…now more than ever," She lowered her hands seeing her Inner lighten her grip on Ino.
"Just tell me why," her Inner demanded.
"Because," Sakura's eyes filled her tears but she squared her shoulders and answered, "I can't allow anyone else that I love to get hurt. Especially if I'm not able to protect them…"
The Inner dropped Ino unceremoniously on the floor and walked straight up to Sakura and stood nose to nose with her, "About time you come to your damn sense woman."
Sakura smiled sheepishly, "You should know me by now that I'm kind of a slow learner without you."
The Inner smirked again, "That you are."
Sakura smiled as the Inner placed both hands on her shoulders and began melting herself into the physical form. Ino watched with a smile as doors and walkways started forming inside the dark expanse. Sakura was putting herself back together. She now had a new purpose since her original purpose to protect her mother was now over. Now she had to protect her loved ones and her new purpose. Ino stood and dusted herself off and approached her friend.
"I'm glad our plan worked," she commented shooting a mischievous look at her friend.
Sakura's eyes widened, "The hell is that supposed to mean?"
Ino shrugged, "Why do you think we mostly fought with taijutsu…we were conspiring," she whispered at the end.
Sakura groaned, "You two are evil."
Ino chuckled holding up her first finger and thumb indicating 'a little'. Sakura just sighed and started walking when an entertainment center popped up before her.
"Oh yes," Ino purred plopping down onto the nearby couch, "You sure got style."
Sakura just stopped and stared at the apparition, "Where did this come from?"
"From you, Forehead. Obviously your subconscious is telling you and me that you have something to show me," Ino stood up and opened the movie cabinets on either side of the big screen TV.
"But I…"
Ino cut her off, "Geez Sakura nobody is this organized in their head. Oh look at you, you naughty girl," she opened another cabinet, "A whole section dedicated to one person…or should I say man."
Sakura looked at the DVD Ino was holding with one large red word written on the front…Itachi, "Oh no. No, no, no, no, no. Not uh, you put that back Pig."
"Why?" she asked innocently, "Do you have something to hide?"
Sakura growled, "Bite me."
"I'll leave that to him," she quipped but placed the movie back none-the-less.
Sakura was about to retort when her mind was filled is a low call, "That sounds like Tsunade-shishou."
Ino grumbled, "She always ruins the good moments. Whatever I guess we'd better go huh?"
"Wait Ino." Said girl turned to see the beginnings of tears in her friend's eyes.
"Thank you…for helping me find a new purpose again," Sakura smiled as the tears began to flow.
Ino walked up to her and pulled her into a big hug, "You're my bestie, this is what bestie's do. Oh and for the record they talked about you while we were occupied so you don't need to do any explaining."
Sakura continued to smile and nodded that she understood as Ino released her then disappeared in a flash of blue light. She knew she didn't have long until her own self was pulled back into consciousness. Walking up to the opened memory cabinets she glanced at the section specifically labeled after her current boyfriend. Only a few DVD's were present but obviously her subconscious was telling her that he was going to be around for a while, judging by the empty shelving in the cabinet. She sighed as she closed the door and the entertainment center disappeared from her sight.
The next thing she knew she was waking up on the floor of her master's office.
Three days. Three long days of minimal sleep. Three days since she found her mother lying dead on her kitchen floor. Three days since she locked herself in the autopsy room dissecting and analyzing the poison that killed her mother. Three days since Ino helped Sakura put her mind back together. And three days since her relationship with Itachi took another step. He rarely left her side in those three days, always around and always protective. The first time she realized his protectiveness she was happy which also startled her. She should be peeved or irked that he felt like she needed his constant presence around to feel secure. But then the more she thought about it the more she appreciated it because she realized that she needed it. Needed it with every fiber of her being.
Now she was here surrounded by friends in the large cemetery to the east side of the village. She was dressed in a long black dress that hung down to her ankles and slit up just past her right knee. The fitted bodice covered her entire chest and scooped around to the back leaving it bare but still covered her bra. She fingered her long sleeves as the Pastor from the small parish her mother frequented continued his monologue. She hadn't listened to a single word he said and she didn't care. She knew he would talk about Kya's life sharing things to lighten the atmosphere and helping people remember her as a living breathing person rather than the corpse that was enclosed in the dark wooden casket behind him.
A strong arm wound around her shoulder and she looked up to see Itachi watching her intently, dressed in typical shinobi black for funerals. She gave him a half smile as her curled his arm around her left shoulder. She felt him bend his head to whisper into her ear.
"Where did you get that necklace?" he asked looking at the large pink sapphire jewel hanging from her neck.
Sakura glanced down to answer him, "Daddy bought it for me when I entered the Academy."
She fingered her favorite necklace taking in the beautiful craftsmanship. Hanging from a gold chain the pink sapphire was shaped in the likeness of her namesake, a Sakura blossom. On either side of the bloom were gold and green leaves that hooked into the gold chain hanging from her neck.
"It's beautiful," he commented squeezing her shoulder.
"It's my favorite…it's the only tangible belonging I have from him," she responded looking back up at him.
He smiled softly and pressed his lips to her forehead lingering just slightly to make her heart flutter. She loved it; it was one of the things he had started doing these past three days. His silent affection, those small tender moments that made her realize how deep his affections for her were. And she also realized how true and pure her own feelings for him were as well. She knew she loved him even if she wouldn't speak it yet. They had only been seeing each other for a month and a half…definitely not long enough for someone to confess those feelings without driving away the other partner. So she let him in and let him comfort her like nobody else could and then she would wait for the opportune moment to confess that she did indeed love him.
A small music group played next as Sakura turned her attention to them. On the rare days off that Sakura had gotten before and after the war her mother would drag her to various village functions and one was attending musical concerts. They set up just to the right of the audience and the lead player gave the cue. It started with the zithers plucking lightly as they set of the main theme. Then the bamboo flute entered with a counter melody, Sakura vaguely remembered her mother calling the flute a Hocchiku. Something stirred in the air then…like a ripple effect that touched her very soul. She closed her eyes letting the soothing music whisper to her as it sang its silent message.
Chakra…she thought lightly opening her eyes to watch the musicians sway in time with each other. They are linked through small chakra bonds with their instruments. No wonder you loved going mother and I was too tired or irritated to really pay attention…I'm sorry.
The wind picked up then and she heard the surrounding area come to life. Birds began chirping and the earth hummed in slow harmony. Her spirit felt free as the wind swirled around the attendants before rising again in a slow swirl taking fallen flower petals and leaves in their wake. Sakura smiled remembering and visualizing her mother sitting next to her, relaxing in her chair at the edge of the village drinking in the soft sounds from the musician's instruments. The concerts were always held on the edge of the village by the thickest trees and now she knew why. The earth and its inhabitants sang with the performers.
Mama…
She wind came back tossing her shoulder length locks up into the air before releasing them again. She glanced up eyeing the fallen petals and leaves swirling in the air's wake in bright contrast to the overcasting clouds. It was almost like her mother was trying to comfort her saying look for the small thing Sakura, don't let your gloomy feeling get in the way. She watched the flower petals now identifying them as sakura and roses play in the air, bouncing around and flipping in different directions as the clouds subtly grew darker. The tiny veins running through the silky texture began to shine softly in response to the chakra infused wind. The musicians were brilliant, whether this was intentional or not it was beautiful to witness the true power of music.
I love you mother.
The performers finished letting the last notes become absorbed into the surrounding landscape before retaking their seats in the audience. The birds stopped singing, the earth stopped humming, and the wind died leaving the area empty once more. Sakura sighed watching the small pink sakura petals fall away slowly back down to the unforgiving earth to rest once more, just like her mother would forever rest in her grave.
Sakura was so engrossed in her own thoughts that she failed to notice that people were starting to leave. Itachi was standing now in front of her offering his hand to help her stand. She smiled sadly then extended her hand that she didn't know was clutched against her chest and slowly stood making sure her feet were securely under her before taking a step when she was immediately grasped by her best friend Ino and pulled into a fierce hug. No words were spoken because none were needed. They kissed each other's cheeks and smiled before Sakura was pulled into another hug by her other favorite blonde.
"We're here for you Sakura-chan," Naruto whispered into her ear, "Believe it."
She gripped him tightly prompting his own tightening in the embrace. Naruto released her when his shoulder was tapped by Sasuke who took his turn hugging his other favorite teammate. Like with Ino they didn't need to use words to convey their solace and promises to each other, she knew that he would stay on her side no matter what, and protect her when she needed protecting.
Sai was next and he held her against his chest lightly, "Well Ugly, what are you going to do now?"
She smirked at his not so innocent question before looking up at his questioning glance. She decided against answering, her plan against her mother's killer was not yet in effect and for the time being she had to keep everyone in the dark. So instead she just kissed his cheek and winked before turning to Kakashi for her final team hug.
The rest of the offers of condolences passed by in a blur, she would and nod accepting the offers but wouldn't offer anything in return. It didn't bother her or the attendants since they could reason out her odd behavior with grief. When most of the population left the surrounding shinobi tensed as the three high Elders of the Uchiha clan walked up to her. Itachi and Sasuke both flanked with blank faces betraying none of their inner tension as Itachi secured his arm around her waist possessively. Sakura kept her head slightly bowed until she saw their feet then looked up keeping her emotions schooled.
"Dr. Haruno," Fugaku spoke, "We offer you our deepest sympathies for your loss."
She nodded not responding when she glanced towards the other two elderly men. They returned her stare and she smiled inside knowing they weren't going to say anything and leave it all up to the Clan Head.
"If there is anything we can do to help ease the pain of your loss, my sons will be sure to inform me," Fugaku nodded towards Itachi and Sasuke.
She nodded again and sighed in relief when they turned and left without another word.
"My sons will inform me…" Sasuke grumbled irritated at his father's choice of words.
"Easy Sasuke…at least we now know they will back off," Itachi placated his brother.
Sakura turned after staring at the retreating elders and walked towards the casket that was being lowered into the ground. She observed as the casket stopped six feet from the surface and the dirt began to pile on top sealing away her last family member. The turf was placed over the top then the employee nodded to her and left.
Sakura knelt on top of the freshly placed earth and let a hand rest on the headstone with her father's and now mother's name. Her father was a shinobi for Konoha and since he was buried here, her mother was also allowed to rest with him. The very eastern side of the cemetery where the funeral was held was specifically reserved for shinobi with civilian wives or vice versa. Sakura lifted her hand and traced the indentation of names on the headstone followed by the Leaf symbol that accompanied all shinobi deaths. Adjusting her position Sakura bowed her body to the earth her head barely touching the end of the headstone.
Father, I'm so sorry that I didn't fulfill my vow to protect mother. Please forgive me and accept my new heartfelt vow to you and to her. Mother, forgive me please. I didn't want this to happen to you even though I know you somehow expected it. But trust me when I say I will avenge you. Father, mother, I will set this all right and I will avenge your deaths. This is my vow and my promise to you as your daughter…your legacy.
Sakura sat up then drew a shruiken that she had slipped up her sleeve. Scooting back closer to the headstone she slit her left palm drawing a fair amount of blood then dropped the metal tool on the ground. Dipping her right pointer finger into her blood she began to draw symbols on the headstone. After she completed the last stroke Sakura lifted her hands and removed the clasp of her necklace and placed it in the center of the circular writing. Next she withdrew a medium sized scroll and placed it with her necklace in the center.
With this seal I bury my heart…I have no family, only my team, my friends, and my boys. I will return again when I have fulfilled my oath to you.
In two quick seals the blood collected to the center and the necklace and scroll disappeared into the headstone. She choked out a small sob as she placed both of her hands on the names of her parents. She knew what she had to do…but why was it still so hard to let go and do it.
The ground behind her grew heavy as she sensed Itachi kneel behind her. She took a deep breath before letting out a shaky sigh and Itachi took that as his cue to touch her.
One arm snaked around her waist and held her against him while the other took her bloodied hand and removed it leaving a small trail of blood on her mother's name. Sakura's other arms retracted as Itachi stood them both up not breaking his steady hold.
"Come, it's going to start raining soon," he told her as the thunder rumbled above them.
Sakura glanced up seeing the clouds were significantly darker than they were a few minutes ago. She nodded and turned around resting her head against his chest. Her left hand lifted of its own accord as Itachi examined her self-inflicted wound.
"Heal it before it becomes infected," he said lowering her petite hand back to her eye level.
Sakura complied and lit her left hand up with green healing chakra. In a few seconds it was as if she didn't make that seal, she didn't make the vow, almost like everything that just happened, didn't. She turned her head quickly glancing at the headstone they stood next to and saw her blood resting inside her mother's name. There was her vow sealed in blood over her mother's name and her mother's body. She knew she couldn't turn her back on it now and the only way to move was forward.
A lean maroon haired young woman sat at the top of a large tree. Her chakra was completely sealed as she observed the funeral near her. Sakura was there surrounded by people as they offered condolences and sympathy for her loss. Long maroon hair shifted around her as the wind picked up again.
This is wrong…he's already started her conditioning.
There's nothing we can do…
There has to be! There has to be a way!
He cannot be defeated! If he could then her father would have found a way and not defected!
But…
Ice blue eyes immediately shot upward as the clouds grew steadily darker. Her mood was affecting the natural overcast and if she wasn't careful she would lose it causing some serious destruction.
We have to find a way to help her.
There's nothing we can do, she is the target and we are nothing but servants.
It was true…she was nothing but a servant to The Lord and his son, her master. She would never amount to anything and she didn't have the strength to do it alone. She needed her sisters and something else inside of her whispered that she also needed her pink haired sister below. Haruno Kaminari was nothing; it's what she's been told her entire life. Kunoichi were born as servants to the men, they were taught what they needed to know…nothing more and nothing less. It was a pathetic existence, Kaminari decided. She was who she was because of overpowering, domineering men. If she had it her way she would save all of her sisters and escape the hell they were all exposed to. She would save all the children, the mothers, the abused, and she would give her life to do it. That evil man just needed to die…but she wasn't strong enough to do it.
Control your thoughts it' been storming for a few minutes now.
We need to report anyway and see what Lord Haruno wants to do.
She stood slowly and climbed up to the top most part of the tree holding on with her chakra. The thunder soothed her troubled spirit as she leaned her fair face back and opened her mouth to taste the pouring rain. Thunder…her namesake…was who she was. Opening her eyes watching as her lightening danced across the sky she raised her hands to the sky calling her electricity to her.
Take me home. She whispered in her mind then vanished in the crash.
http : / www. youtube. com/ watch?v=SkNq_ibO6p4 (spaces included) The former link is the music i picked out for the funeral...it's absolutely gorgeous and it fit perfectly with the effect i was trying to make with my writing i encourage you to listen to it!
Read and review please!