The Remembering...The Return

What the Sharingan Sees!

Four years have passed since that fateful battle in the forest. In that time Sakura had truly matured both mentally and physically, and she was now twenty years old in age. Her new apparel was a simple yet very intimate one. It consisted of a mid-thigh form-fitting, burgundy triangle-top dress with a split on each side running high. The straps of her flat burgundy sandals wound tightly up her legs and thighs. Seductive and deadly was the perfect description.

Sakura had handled Orochimaru's "business" exceptionally well. Her father had been layed up for the past few years, committing a slow regenerative process. It was a paining process. When Anko had used the Twin Snakes Mutual Death jutsu, the serpents did more than just explode. They had released a toxic venom as well, something Orochimaru never expected; and Anko never intended. The screams of pain emitting from his quarters made it difficult for Sakura to visit him. Seeing Orochimaru in that state did nothing but fuel the hatred for Konoha that she had. But that wasn't all. Things had become even more…complicated. Sakura was on her own now. Sasuke left to find and kill Itachi. Haruno refused to be a part of it, her mind focused solely on vengeance. The relationship had been cut short, and the pain was at times a bit overbearing. But how could love blossom when it was surrounded and based off of hate? And then, the way he just walked away from her, made it seem as if Sakura had felt that sting of betrayal before, a long time ago.

Since Uchiha's departure and Orochimaru's condition many young suitors had joined in the ranks to follow Sakura. Something that the original followers hated passionately. It was not to be said that these newcomers didn't assist and work very well, no. But they were boisterous and insolent, too busy trying to gain her attention. Their master was beautiful and strong; who wouldn't want her? However, the number of suitors over the years had dropped dramatically. The men saw each other as competition and Sakura saw them as nuisances…they killed each other for her affection, and she killed them just because they annoyed her. What's more, they could hardly be called trustworthy…except for one.

Sakura crosses her legs, her split running up, and stares at the group before her. Her green eyes turn into slits and narrow. There still wasn't much known about Sakura's power, even after all this time. She had the strength of a Jinchuriki, but she wasn't. This made it difficult to be defeated. How could something unknown be killed? "Pathetic," she growls out in disgust. "I knew you were despicable but never could I have imagined this! Working for Konoha! The nerve of you." It was true. The group of three that stood there before her were traitors to Sakura's cause. Killing in her name, but giving details about the evil society's existence and purpose away to the most "persuasive" clients; in this case, it was the Leaf Village. When they do not answer her accusations Sakura sighs out wearily and then wears an evil smile across her lips. "Well, you won't be any trouble from now on. Hmm…" She raises her hand and points it in their direction and after a few minutes the lightning strikes and annihilates them, the screams ringing. As her hand smokes Sakura asks the muscular figure beside her, "Renji, are there any more that I should know about?"

"We have our suspicions mistress, but no proof. Your original followers and I are working hard. I won't betray you mistress." Renji, his bottom length dark blue hair, turns his silver eyes to her, positive in his statement.

Sakura slouches her body over to left armrest of the chair. "I am sure, sweet Renji. You'll follow me wherever I go won't you?"

"It's not a question that you should even ask. You know my answer Sakura." She smiles softly. Renji was never more than a friend, but he was LOYAL; a rare trait nowadays. His name fit him well. He was balanced, receptive to cooperation, the ideal partner, and he seeked peace…for Sakura that is. She rises from the chair and stretches. "Sakura…" Sakura turns quickly to look around, but she couldn't find anyone. This voice was different, not one of the people who worked for her and her father. It came like a far away dream: "SAKURA...!" A painful, far away dream. She clutches at her hair and drops slightly.

Immediately Renji catches her fall. "Sakura? Are you OK? What is it? What's wrong?"

The young female shakes her head in wonderment. "N-nothing. I'm fine. Just tired is all." She regains her balance and brushes Renji's stabling hands from her. "I'm fine," she whimpers again. Without another word, Sakura leaves from the main hall and heads for her room. Something strange was happening.

***Kakashi was sitting patiently on his windowsill when it happened. A sudden surge of electricity flowed through his body and shocked his heart. Kakashi grabs his chest and leans forward, coughing and taking a gasp of air. His black pupils then drift off to the land beyond Konoha. The horizon. "Sakura…" he whispers. He didn't look any different than before. Leading Team 7 was a real task, since it didn't really exist anymore. The village seemed willing to forget about Sakura and move on…but not he, or Lady Tsunade. There was always hope…and it had finally come.

***One week had come and gone. The strange voice was growing stronger, more powerful. This voice made the kunoichi's heart accelerate greatly, brought weakness to her knees. What was this? Who was this? And that wasn't all. Dreams had been keeping her up at night. She could see the ones she had fought, not as her enemies but friends. How was that possible? Before long Sakura had memories of missions, fights, love. But these were not the memories that she recalled; not what her father had placed in her brain. Because Orochimaru had left his daughter unguarded in his recovery, her mind had begun to wander, to remember the truth. He could not manipulate her. His chakra wasn't strong enough for another bite as he had done those many years ago. His greatest fear was becoming a reality.

It happened on that day. Sakura had finished seeing her father when everything came back. What triggered it? Orochimaru had said, "I still can't believe Sasuke left again. He's always leaving you broken, hmm, Sakura?" That had done it. The night he had left when she was a citizen of Konoha had suddenly pounded her brain. From there, everything else: her childhood, Team 7, training with Lady Tsunade…everything. Sakura clutched at her head and fell out of the bed beside her father. "Sakura? What is it?"

"No…" Everything. The vow she had made to fight for the weak. Her scream rings out, "What have you done to me? Orochimaru!"

Realizing what was happening, Orochimaru calls for Kabuto and the others. "Restrain her! Her memories are coming back!" But Sakura takes off from the room and runs. She runs like her life depended on it. And in a way it did. There was one person that she could be sure she could trust. As she runs into a large room, she calls, "KYO! HELP!" The gigantic snake slithers out of the darkness and raises up full height as his mistress stops in front of him. As the followers of Orochimaru enter the room, he lets out a deafening hiss, and wraps his tail around her. No one was going to threaten her. The memories that she tried to deflect pelted her hard now, with a great pain. Sakura screams out, tear streaming down her cheeks as the truth sets in. All of those people she killed. She enjoyed killing them, that's what it made it even worse.

Orochimaru steps forward in between the crowd. "Sakura. Please, it's not as bad as you think it is."

Sakura points an accusing finger at him. "You LIED! All of the things you said were lies! And I believed you." She clutches at her hair again. "I should kill you…this isn't who I am."

"You're wrong. This is who you were meant to be. Evil…"

"No!"

"Wrong and twisted…"

"Enough…"

He smiles slightly. "A murderer.."

"I SAID SHUT UP!" A great force roars. Her hair raises and her eyes become slits. She raises both of her hands up in the air as the crowd before her gasps in surprise. From her hands shines energy of light. It expands, electricity flowing around it. Within moments, there is an explosion.

The force of the explosion is so great, that even in Konoha it can be felt. Tsunade looks out her window at the faint glow in the distance. "What in the-?" She then turns to, "Kakashi! Take a team and investigate that immediately!" Kakashi nods and vanishes.

Hours later, as the Black ops, Naruto, Hinata, Jiraiya, and Kakashi begin to file out of Konoha's gate, they stop short. "Something's coming!" one of the Anbu exclaim. Eyes strain into the nearby forest and weapons are ready. And then, a voice cries out, "Kakashi-sensei! Kakashi!"

And then, a figure comes through the trees, jumping from tree branch to tree branch, a large form slithering close behind it. Naruto asks, "What is it?" Hinata grabs tight to Naruto's arm.

A breakthrough. The Leaf ninja are so appalled by what they see, they can scarcely believe it. Stepping through the tree foliage is a young woman, her clothes torn and scorched, her hair pink and her eyes green slits. Behind her is a large snake looking tired and worn. Naruto whispers, "Sakura?" Her eyes glance at him, but find their way back to the one form that she wanted to see the most. It was the last face and voice she remembered from the time she had been captured. "Ka-Kakashi…sensei." Kakashi is taken back. He is too shocked to say anything.

Sakura leaps down from the tree, and the Anbu stand ready. Was she still under Orochimaru's influence? Could she be trusted? Even Kakashi takes on the form of the Sharingan to be able to read her moves. However, Sakura ignores this and stumbles directly to Kakashi. He lets her approach. As the sound of her feet tapping sloppily on the ground grows quieter and slower the ninja seem to relax. Behind the investigation party, groups of other Konoha ninja gather behind them. Kotetsu and Izumo managed to radio in Sakura's arrival. Had she come to destroy Konoha? If that was the case, they were gathered together to defend their precious village.

But as the seconds tick by, it becomes apparent that that was not the case at all. Lady Tsunade pushes her way through the ninja and gasps at the sight of her once pupil. Pity overwhelms her. She had been hurt for so long and deceived by the one she thought loved her most! It was obvious the strain of the truth that had been embedded on Sakura's heart and emotions. Sakura, her eyes growing heavy can hear a familiar tune ringing in her head. It had been called, "The Place Where Wishes Come True II." She had heard Kakashi humming it once before when they were on a mission. It was so smooth and gentle and peaceful that it once lured her to sleep. In fact, her mother had hummed it to her as a young child. They most have been the only people who knew that song.

Finally at her destination, Sakura stops before Kakashi. His face reveals a complete calm. Hers is emotionless. A few moments of silence ticks by. Finally, Sakura smiles softly. "I…remember…Kakashi-sensei. I promised I would protect…the people I love…You promised to help me…"Her eyes grow faint. "Is it…too…late? Can u…help…mmm?" She begins to fall down, the seriousness of her injuries finally becoming too much more to bear consciously. But Kakashi reaches out for her and catches her body, kneeling down on a knee. He looks at her peaceful face, a soft smile playing across her lips. The song begins to resound quietly in his mind as well. A tear slides down his face. A large shadow looms above him. Hatake looks up to find Kyo's face hovering before Sakura. But the expression of the snake isn't that of anger or threat. It is of peace and acceptance. Kakashi, seeming to understand this, reaches a hand and meekly touches Kyo's nose, giving a nod. The Jonin pulls Sakura's head towards his neck. He presses his face against hers and whispers, "No…It's never too late."

To Be Continued…