Suffering in Silence

I went up to my room as soon as I could. My mind set in disarray at the shocking revelation of Itachi's demise.

I had always thought that as soon as I was rescued I was immediately given the transplant. All the questions I had asked had led me to that conclusion. I was already scheduled for the procedure, so if I was found and in need of a new heart that would have been fine as all the paper work had already been completed.

But I was wrong.

Orochimaru had kidnapped me that day, despite what the police and my parents think I know he is the one who took me.

I remember surprising number of demons, all small powered ones, had suddenly swarmed me while I was sitting on the grass reading a book about a princess fighting for her countries freedom. Inner fought them off but at that time she wasn't as well equipped for fighting. After my return Inner forced herself to learn how to defend herself and protect me. By sneaking into nearby dojo's and gyms to learn how to fight them and, with the help of our spirit friends, she learned how to focus her energy onto me to track where I am.

But when we were thirteen Inner only knew the basics, she didn't know how to track or destroy demons. Only how to temporarily make them go away. Because of this when I was grabbed while she was preoccupied with the demons Inner wasn't able to help me or go with me. She had to stay and wait for some word I was alright, and with every hour making her weaker from not feeding she couldn't focus enough to even attempt to try and locate me as our friends tried to teach her how.

I remember all this yet once I was forced into that car I can't clearly recall a thing.

It was all a blur except for the short times of lucidity that conforms it was Orochimaru and Kabuto there. Along with whom I now know was a tied down Itachi.

I lean against my door and shut my eyes hoping I could work through my murky memories in hopes of finding out some sort of way to identify the condition my fellow captive had been in while still alive. Nothing.

Tears slide down my cheeks as I slide down to the floor. My eyes squeezed shut as more old fears and forgotten worries cloud my mind.

Orochimaru had always been interested in me ever since he learned I could see demons. Out of all the doctors in Seven Swords he was the only one who had actively talked to me as if he believed that I was seeing more than hallucinations. But whenever another doctor or nurse came by he would treat me as if I was another patient, instantly change his words. I couldn't tell what was the truth! His belief or denial. This went on for a long time, constantly confusing me and making me even more uncomfortable around him. After Ino came I didn't look towards the yellow-eyed man for emotional support. I had Ino who understood me in a way Orochimaru never would. Through me she saw the demons.

After my constant, absences and rejections of group therapy I had finally been allowed to go private therapy, because of my young age and Ino's recent relocation I was quite depressed for a short amount of time causing the demons to attack me even more. The doctors tried to convince me that group therapy was good for me but I couldn't stand being around Orochimaru ever since the snake started constricting around his body.

So I had gotten a compromise. Once a week, one hour group therapy and the other 6 days 2 hours of private therapy. It was the best offer I knew I was going to get. But oddly enough a few months after Inner came when I was nine Orochimaru left. I didn't see him again until I was taken.

A sickening thought causes me to snap my eyes open, the first thing I see is Inners concerned expression about a foot from my face.

"Sakura," she whines.

"It's my fault," I whisper.

"What?" she asks.

"It's my fault he's dead." I explain.

Her eyes harden and for a moment I thought I saw a hint of the demon marks showing.

"It's not your fault!" she snarls at me. "It's not your or his! It's Orochimaru's! He murdered Itachi! He's the one who killed him and did gods know what to him for six months! None of it was your fault! None of it!" Suddenly caught in an embrace I lay my head on her shoulder.

I sniffle and snort as sobs broke out of my throat as Inner tightens her grip around my neck. She doesn't understand! If I had just not stayed away from the mad doctor maybe Itachi would have lived and not spend his afterlife trapped as an adorable little Weasel-Otter!

"Maybe, maybe not." Inner mutters in my ear.

Damnit I must have been thinking out loud. But that doesn't help the fact that I know it was my fault. It is easy to see now, Orochimaru was responsible for the demons who prevented Inner from finding me. He attacked me and healed me right after the paper work for the transplant had been completed. But why Itachi? I just don't know…

"Ahem." Coughs a voice.

Instantly Inner whirls around into attack mode to face our intruder.

There, in the moonlight from my window, floats Itachi. His adorable furry form stares at us seriously with his grey shirt, glowing red eyes and low pony tail.

He flicks his ear..

It took us roughly 2.5 seconds to let out loud squeal of delight at his cute furriness!

Inner leaves my side, trying ti catch the little spirit as I sit back and cover my mouth to contain my laughter.

A frantic knocking at the door causes me to jump up from the floor.

"Sakura," mom calls. "Are you okay? I thought I heard you screaming."

A cringe settles on my face as I open the door to let her see I'm fine.

"I'm sorry mom I just dropped something unexpectedly and it surprised me. I wasn't screaming I just…squeaked." A chuckle as I hear Inner demanding her ler her catch Itachi.

She frowns, her dulled green eyes swimming in pain and worries as she reaches up to cup the side of my face. Her thumb gently rubs away a trail of tears that has yet to dry.

"Today has just been too stressful for you; I shouldn't have told you what happened. At least not like that. I should have told you earlier but…" her eyes squeeze shut as if to prevent her from confronting the truth. "I couldn't bear to see you suffering any more then you already do. You're my daughter, I'm supposed to protect you! Ye-yet I couldn't do anything!" She sobs out, her hands now rubbing her eyes in an attempt to stop her crying. A thump causes me to glance and see that dad is coming up the stairs, worry set in his face. Another cry returns my attention to my broken mother.

"I couldn't save you from that monster! I can't protect you from your mind! From the demons you see! All I can do is watch you…" Dad embraces her, he holds her red and soaked face to his chest, letting his white shirt be drenched in her tears. He looks at me and I see his face, usually covered in idiotic smiles and happiness holds a weariness I have never seen before.

"Sakura," he whispers, "why don't you go get ready for bed? It's almost time for your medicine." With a weak smile her leads mom down the hall with him towards their bedroom. All I do is stand there and watch as they cling to one another; both holding the other for support from the stress of raising me.

A good daughter would have called out to them. A great one would have run and hugged them; giving her parents hope and comfort to brighten up their night. But I don't' because I'm not a great daughter or even a good one. I love them but they will never understand me. I understand why they never told me the truth about my first major operation, I truly do. And even though I know what I should do, I can't bring myself to take that first step. I just stand in the doorway watching them shuffle back to their world of reality while spirits and demons are playing tag behind my back.

No I'm not a good daughter, I think as I return to my room and quietly shut the door. My eyes brimming with tears but none fall.

I'm a bad one.

A/N:

Okay, well this was way shorter than I thought it would be and it ended on such a dark note too! I didn't think that would happen! But I had to show another side to Sakura. An imperfect side that even Inner has no part of.

Why?

Well if I didn't then Sakura would almost seem…Mary Sue-ish. All gentle and well-mannered while having guys through their love at her and magically getting out of any situation with everybody being happy. That isn't her and it especially isn't Inner. I mean Sakura hasn't been given a chance to do anything and all day she has done things according to the other characters except for when she stopped Naruto from taking her to the nurse. Other than that she really hasn't been given the opportunity to act out. And learning that you're the reason your new friends brother has been dead for years is a shock to anyone.

So what do you all think of Sakura's development so far? Of Inners?