Sakura's Fall to Middle Earth

Chapter Four

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There was noise... Noise she couldn't make out, but it was there all the same, despite the fact she couldn't make it out. It was loud, and obnoxious, which made her think it was Naruto coming to bother her after his return from his mission. Sakura felt her head and groaned before she opened her eyes, clearly feeling the affects of exhaustion from the night previous, she knew that she had worked hard at the hospital, but she didn't expect to feel this bad, for some reason she was in so much pain and her shoulder hurt like crazy.

"Hush now, Pippin! She's waking up."

Yes, that's what had woken her up, the sound of Pippin's chattering, not Naruto's.

…

Wait... Pippin?

Before any of the hobbits knew what was happening Sakura had shot up in her bed, screaming before any of them could warn her about sudden movement, she was still recovering from the affects of poison that had been released from her system. Sakura sucked in air through her teeth and grabbed her shoulder, looking down to see that she had started bleeding and that her chest was bound in bandages. She blushed and raised the blanket to her chin. She looked around and couldn't recognize where she was.

She was confused to say the least. She didn't know what was going on, she had spent a whole day in Konoha, now she was back in Middle Earth, what the heck was going on. Which was a dream, her day in Konoha or the half year spent in Middle Earth? She didn't know, nor had she the mind to think more about it, her shoulder was killing her and she had a bunch of hobbits scuffling to make sure she was alright.

"Calm now, dear ones, let her adjust to her surroundings." Said a familiar voice.

Sakura looked up through teary eyes, and saw Gandalf standing there, looking the same as he always did, just with a smile on his face. "Gandalf," she said in wonder and happiness, so glad to see that he was well, and appeared to be as fit as a fiddle, though she could see the hidden worry in his eyes. "you're alright!" She managed a small smile at the older man as she he reached out and patted her head.

"My dear girl, it is I who should be the one to say that to you. You were the one that protected this young hobbit and saved him from a Mogul blade. You are very brave." He nodded in thanks to her and patted Frodo's shoulder. "You are very lucky you did not perish where you had stood."

"I never got to thank you for what you've done, Sakura. I have no way of thanking you." Frodo said with sadness.

Sakura rubbed his cheek comfortingly. "Your safety is all that matters to me. Besides, I am use to doing things like these, you are my friend, and that is all the thanks that I need." She reassured him, struggling to maneuver herself into a more comfortable position. "Where are we?" She asked finally, after looking around her room, keeping the blanket tucked around her protectively, knowing that she wasn't showing anything, but wanted to keep some of her dignity intact.

The room she was in was beautiful, really, she had a wonderful view of tall trees and a waterfall. Her room was intricately made with dark woods and pale ivory. It was really something magnificent to the eye, and Sakura felt very honored to be in a place of such beauty. She felt a calming wash over her as the slight breeze blew in from the open window and she wondered how long she had been recovering, for it was only a day she spent in Konoha.

Gandalf smiled and leaned against his staff. "Why you are in Rivendell, the house of Elrond. Your healer, and a good friend to have." He winked at her mysteriously and motioned to the door, where stood Aragorn and woman and a man she had not met before.

"Aragorn, look, Sakura has awakened." Pippin exclaimed excitedly, grabbed Sakura's hand and holding it.

"I see that Master. Pippin." Aragorn said, coming to Sakura's side and taking her other hand. "We were very worried about you, you gave us all quite a scare, and I warn you not to do it again."

She flushed and ignored the way her heart leaped at the way he looked at her. Good lord, he was half her age, maybe more. Snap out of it. She chastised herself mentally.

"Sakura," Gandalf said. "This is Master Elrond, and Lady Arwen, his daughter." They both bowed to her and she did the same.

"Thank you, for all that you have done for me. I have no way of thanking you more." She said hastily, wringing her hands together nervously, the first time being in the presence of elves. It was very intimidating, they looked so... bright. It was like looking at living dolls, or something to that effect.

Elrond held up his hand and shook his head. "Do not thank us, Sakura, you have done more for all of us, then we could ever deem to express. Please, make yourself at home here. Rest is all that we ask in return."

Sakura nodded and looked down. "What happened?" She asked suddenly remembering the Ringwraiths.

They all exchanged grim looks, and Sakura's curiosity was beginning to reach its peak. "We thought we lost you." Sam said with a sorrowful expression that seemed to match all of the hobbits'.

"The poison brought on by the wraith, the King of the wraiths, could have very well turned you into one of them. Though," Gandalf looked around uncertain. "we do not really have history of a woman ever turning into a wraith. But you were very close to being lost into darkness, now we are just happy to see you well."

Arwen walked up to Sakura and touched the ends of her hair. "You are a unique one," she smiled. "you are very strong and wise for your age." She closed her eyes and turned to walk back to her father's side. "You are not sure how you came to Middle Earth, and you do not know how to get back to the world you have come from. That is what Gandalf has told us." She commented smiling at the old wizard.

Sakura didn't want to tell them she thought they were all just a figment of her imagination, so she kept what she knew to herself and nodded along with what Arwen said. "Yes, my lady. I-I do not know how I got here." She blushed at her stutter, wondering why the words were coming out all scrambled, as if she hadn't ever spoken the language before.

Elrond nodded. "In due time, we will find where it is you came from, but now, you must be famished and we have a lot to discuss when you are well."

Sakura straightened, she so very much wanted to get out of bed. "I feel well now, please don't make me stay in bed, not when there is so much to talk about and so little time it seems. I know the enemy is moving, and the longer we wait, the harder it will be to keep Frodo safe." She was never one to beat around the bush.

They all stared at her in wonder, but couldn't help but agree. "Very well, after you have freshened up, we will hold a council."

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Sakura saw Frodo fidgeting in his seat as a group of men and elves and dwarves alike all sat in a circle, the ring in the center. She placed her hand over his in comfort and smiled in encouragement as he settled. "Do not worry, Frodo. Everything will be fine." She whispered in his ear.

She sensed Sam, Pippin and Merry each hiding in their respective places of bushes and pillars, they were so obvious in their places that she needn't chakra to sense them. Gandalf was on one side of Frodo while she on the other, Aragorn next to her and Arwen seated between him and her father.

"Friends, you have been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor, either you unite, or you fall." Elrond spoke sagely, looking around at the many ones gathered together, strangers they all were, Sakura noted, but just like any time of war, distant lands gathered together to rule over the threat that wished to annihilate them. She sighed inwardly. Things were the same no matter where you were.

"Middle Earth stands on the brink of destruction, none can escape it." He directed his attention to the ring, and motioned towards it. All eyes were practically drawn to it. Then a man, she did not know the name of, stood and started making his way towards it, muttering things to them that she did not see important enough to pay attention to, all she knew was that if he touched the ring, he'd be doomed forever. Or, so she thought.

All of a sudden, just before the man's finger touched the ring, Gandalf stood and spoke in a tongue that chilled her to the bone, much like how the Ringwraiths did when they spoke to her. The area around them grew dark as Gandalf's voice rose and the trees grew windy and the leaves rustled in discontent. The elves were grimacing and Frodo was one of the worst of them, he was practically flinching in his spot. She knew that whatever Gandalf was saying, the ring was saying it back, a dark voice rose over Gandalf's, and Elrond looked discomforted as Gandalf finished.

"The ring is altogether evil." Gandalf said, walking back to his chair. "It should not be marveled at."

Sakura couldn't help but agree.

"It is a gift." The man said, Boromir, she had learned when Elrond called out his name just before Gandalf had spoken such a dark language. "A gift to the foes of Mordor."

Sakura narrowed her eyes at the man, her knuckles turning white in annoyance at his foolish audacity, did he not hear what Gandalf and Elrond were trying to say?

"You cannot wield it," Aragorn said as Boromir went on in a tirade. "no one can. The ring answers to Sauron alone, it has no other master."

Thank you. Sakura thought, looking up at the heavens.

"What would a ranger know of the matter." Boromir sneered.

Sakura's chair broke right under her hands, that did it.

"This is no mere ranger!"

Sakura paused in mid-launch to see a tall elf, with long blond hair stand and direct his fiery gaze towards Boromir.

"He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance. He is the heir to the throne of Gondor."

Sakura blinked out of her stupor and stared at Aragorn who looked none too happy about this news the elf spoke of. She didn't know exactly what any of what the elf had spoken of meant, but it put the other man back in his place, though he did have a few more choice words to say, and in his seat.

Sakura looked down at the split wood in her hands, and most of the attention was either on her or on Aragorn. But Elrond was more curious as to how Sakura broke his chair with her bare hands.

"Sakura, I see you do not agree with what Boromir has spoken of." Elrond said, standing up and taking the wood from her hands and glancing at her unblemished skin. "There is more about you than you let on." He smiled wisely at her.

Sakura crossed her arms. "I've seen what effect this ring has had on people, even me. It is dangerous, no matter if you think you could use it for good, it is useless, an evil wielder calls for an evil object." Her voice was strong and proud, leaving no room for argument.

"Aragorn and Sakura are right, we cannot use it." Gandalf said, back in his seat and his staff in his hands.

Frodo was watching all of this intrigued.

"You have only one choice, the ring must be destroyed. It must be taken into Mordor and cast into the fiery chasm from whence it came."

Sakura heard all this, but her eyes were held on Frodo, who looked deeply troubled, she met eyes with Gandalf and noticed his concern, before she knew it all of them were up on their feet arguing over who was going to take the ring to Mordor. She kept herself seated, and a comforting arm around Frodo as he continued to hold his head. Gandalf was yelling at the top of his lungs at the foolish beings who thought they were more better than the other to take the ring.

This was why she started to stand, just to get them to shut up and think wisely.

"I will take it!"

Her head turned sharply in Frodo's direction, shocked to see him standing there, and looking so firm in his decision. After he said it a few more times, everyone grew quiet. "Frodo," She spoke, walking towards him and leaning down on her knee to meet his eyes. "you do not have to do this." His best interest in her mind.

Frodo smiled and then looked back over at everyone. "I will take the ring to Mordor. Though, I do not know the way."

"I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins." Gandalf said with a smile smile as he placed his hand over Frodo's shoulder.

"And I will come with you." Sakura said, standing on the other side of Frodo. "I can't let you go off on some whirlwind adventure without someone like me to protect you." She winked at him and crossed her arms over her chest.

"And what can a mere woman, no less, an outsider to these lands, do?" Boromir said, towering over Sakura.

She glared at him and clenched her fists.

"Easy..." Aragorn said in her ear as he stood to stand beside her. "You have my sword." He said to Frodo.

"And you have my bow." The blond elf said.

"And my ax." The dwarf said, who before had no real liking towards elves.

"You carry the fate of us all little one." Boromir said, walking towards Frodo.

Sakura rolled her eyes.

"Oi!" Sam shouted. "Mr. Frodo's not going anywhere without me."

"I was wondering when you were going to show yourself." Sakura smiled, wrapping her arms around the shoulders of Sam and Frodo.

"Hey, we're coming too!"

"And here are the others!" Sakura shouted with glee as Pippin and Merry ran to stand beside her.

Arwen laughed by her father, knowing that with Sakura around things were going to be a lot different for all these men.

"Ten companions." Elrond said, his eyes traveling to all of them in wonder. "So be it. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring."

"Great!" Pippin exclaimed with a smile, looking up at Elrond. "Where are we going?"

Sakura smacked her forehead and everyone laughed.

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Sakura was talking with Arwen as she got ready for her journey. "I see you are holding off going home, now." Arwen said, helping Sakura tie her shirt. She had gathered together a new set of clothing, a long sleeved shirt that tied at the waist and it reached in length to mid-thigh, and some cream colored tight pants. She wore leather boots that were weather proofed, her old ones had been confiscated and Arwen warned that open toed boots would not do well in snow, for it was already coming to winter and it was beginning to grow quite chilly.

Sakura looked down at herself, covered in new elven garb, and sharp new daggers and vials of her homemade poison to take with her. "I do not know what has happened to me, but I had sworn to protect Frodo, and I've grown quite fond of being here. Home has not called to me... So I shall stay until it is my time to part."

Arwen nodded. "Take care of them, you are most probably the voice of reason they'll need."

"There's nothing like a woman to keep men in line." Sakura giggled behind her hand, her bright eyes landing on a solemn looking Arwen. "What is the matter?"

"You must promise me that you will also protect, my Aragorn." Arwen whispered, looking down at her hands.

Sakura blinked, finally comprehending. "You and Aragorn..." She smiled and took Arwen's hands. "I promise, I will protect him and watch him until I breathe my last breath."

Arwen's eyes widened. "Let's hope that does not happen!"

Sakura nodded in agreement.

"Oh," Arwen said, looking down. "they are getting ready. You should go down there." She instructed, handing Sakura her bags and helping her put on her cloak. "You have quite a journey ahead of you."

Sakura nodded and turned to face Arwen. "I'll keep my promise."

Arwen smiled gratefully and tilted her head. "Thank you."

Sakura smiled back and then leaped out of the window, Arwen's eyes widening in horror before she was falling down at top speed. Arwen shouted in surprise drawing the attention of everyone down below, and there were gasps of shock from all as Sakura sailed down, the wind blowing through her hair and deftly missing limbs of trees.

"Sakura!" Frodo shouted in fear. Only to blink in surprise as Sakura landed deftly in the middle of them.

She raised her head, meeting the blue eyes of her friend, Frodo and smiled reassuringly. "No worries," she said, standing and shaking out her muscles. "haven't done something like that in a while. Didn't think it would actually work." She grinned teasingly at them all.

Elrond raised a brow. "Much we do not know about you, indeed."

Sakura waited beside Aragorn as everyone gathered to bid them farewell. Elrond blessed them and then they waited for Frodo to lead them on their way. Frodo turned and faced both her and Gandalf. "It's going to be a while before we get back to the Shire, isn't it?"

Gandalf nodded, and Sakura gave and encouraging smile. "Don't worry, Frodo. You'll be home before you know it."

And with that, Frodo nodded and then started making it towards the outer parts of Rivendell. The nine following behind them, and the world ahead. Sakura stayed close to Aragorn and Gandalf, knowing that they were all probably walking into there peril, but she not having the heart to tell such things to Frodo or any of the other hobbits. It was best to let things go as they may, and keep her friends as safe as she possibly could.

"So," Legolas said, staring down at Sakura as they traveled. She had learned both Legolas' name and Gimli's through Elrond back in Rivendell, already they had been traveling for a couple days, no one talking much, just trying to get as far as they could before they ran into any trouble. "you are a warrior among your people?"

Sakura looked up at Legolas, and tried not to blush, he was so. . . pretty. No, that wasn't the right word, hansom didn't do him justice. He was so . . . something that it was hard to describe him. "Yes, so to speak. I come from very far away."

Sakura and Gandalf both agreed to keep her whereabouts just between her and the hobbits. She didn't want them to thing she was some sort of enemy or something else of the sort. She would tell them when the time came, just not right away.

Legolas nodded in understanding. "Do you have much experience with archery?"

Sakura looked at his choice of weapon and blinked. "Can't say that I do."

"Well it's a good thing, useless for someone to think that elves have the best means when it comes to battle." Gimli spoke up and showed his ax to Sakura. "Direct, and with your bear hands is the way to go, young miss." He smiled at her through his beard, and gave a pointed look at Legolas who just glared.

"And I suppose having no tact is the way to go, also?" Legolas said with an air of dignity.

Gimli spluttered and Sakura couldn't help but giggle behind her hand. Since they started, Gimli and Legolas did nothing but argue amongst each other. It was very amusing to all that allowed themselves to look upon the small rivalry between the two. Sakura enjoyed watching them, knowing that they didn't mean anything by it, but they did a good job of keeping things light in the days as the drew closer and closer to their destination.

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Sakura didn't know how far Mordor was Gandalf has said something about directions, but she knew it was a long way away; she was getting tired of walking for days on end without a sign of life as far as the eye could see. They hadn't ran into any travelers, but she could admit the scenery was beautiful. They had started to travel in the mountains and it was really something to behold, the wind was cool and fresh and the grass was green as far as the eye could see. They hadn't come into any bad weather, yet, thankfully.

"Do you miss it?" Sam asked her at one point, quietly and not disturbing anyone.

"What?" She asked curiously.

"Your home."

Sakura paused, she had come to the conclusion that her day in Konoha had only been a dream. She hadn't returned to Konoha since they started their journey, so she figured it was just wishful thinking in her mind. Though, sometimes, when they would rest for the night and she was awake in her sleeping bag or keeping watch. She would wish to be home and with her friends.

She missed Ino and Naruto greeting her with smiles everyday and treating her to shopping sprees or ramen. She missed everything there was about home, but she didn't want them to think that she wasn't happy being with them either. "Sometimes." She said softly, smiling down at Sam who had become quite fond of the pony they use for their travels.

"I miss the Shire all the time..." Sam said with a frown.

Sakura looked at the hobbit and wrapped her arm around his shoulders.

"I thought once we'd come to Rivendell that would be it, but I didn't want to leave Mr. Frodo and have him bear such a heavy burden all on his own."

"You're a good friend, Sam. Don't ever forget that, Frodo, all of us really are lucky to have you." She gave him a reassuring smile and squeezed his shoulder encouragingly.

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At one point in their journey they stopped and cooked a meal on top of a flat surfaced mountain. Boromir was training Pippin and Merry to fight and Gimli was telling Gandalf about traveling down into the mines of Moria. She didn't have a clue as to what they were talking about, but she wandered off farther away and had a look around. She had a bad feeling that she couldn't pinpoint and Legolas seemed to be thinking along the same lines as her.

"You sense it too." He stated, coming up beside her.

Sakura nodded and stared off into the distance. "Somethings not right... I feel as if we are being watched." She scanned the area with her eyes. "Go warn the others," she ordered. "somethings coming!" She looked back and watched Legolas shout something to the others, who started gathering their things. She jumped off a boulder and ran towards both Pippin and Merry who were scrambling around.

"Quickly you two," she said, grabbing them and lifting them as she jumped into the bushes. "be quiet." She whispered as everyone else hid.

There was silence, and then they heard it. Squawking and shrieking from above. They all watched as black flew above them and circled the area around them. Sakura could feel Pippin shaking and comforted him by holding him close and whispering in his ear. "It's alright, Pip."

They all clamored from their hiding places, the hobbits a little worse for wear. "What were those things? Birds?" Sakura asked, looking around them and patting Merry and Pippin's heads affectionately.

"Crebain, from Dunland." Legolas said darkly, glaring at the departing figures of the Crebain.

"We have to keep moving." Aragorn said, gathering their things.

"They are spies of Saruman, the way south is being watched." Gandalf said with a sigh, gathering his hat and staff.

Sakura sighed, knowing that for a while they weren't going to have any peace as long as Frodo had the ring. Suffice to say, missions in Konoha were a lot different from their mission here in Middle Earth, for one thing, they didn't move at top speed like she could, and another was that they had more ground to cover and so little means of transportation, and she was adamant in refusing to ride a horse.

We must take the pass to Caradhras."

Sakura looked up at the snowy mountains and gave a mournful grown. Someone just kill her now.

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Sakura sneezed and pushed her hair out of the way as the wind blew stronger in her face. They were finally on the mountains, traveling through the snow, Frodo was at her and Aragorn's side, while the other three hobbits were up ahead with Gandalf, Gimli and Legolas. Sakura stayed close to Frodo, for she noticed that he was breathing rather hard and he was growing sluggish. When he tripped and fell face first and started rolling was when she cried out in surprise as Aragorn caught him before he tumbled any further.

"Frodo," she said softly, reaching out and feeling his forehead. "you're burning up!" She exclaimed, reaching behind her into her pouch and pulling out some leaves. "Here, sniff these, they'll awaken your senses. Do you feel drowsy, any pain?" She was rambling when Frodo regained his frame of mind and reached for his neck, feeling around it and missing the hard metal of his necklace.

Aragorn was staring hard at Boromir as he raised the ring to eye level. Sakura turned and stared at Boromir also. She placed a hand on her daggers, ready to attack if need be. She didn't trust Boromir, and she didn't know why. He didn't show any ill will towards any of them, though he wasn't too keen on the fact that a woman was joining them on their quest, thinking she would just slow them down. She inwardly snorted, glaring outwardly as Frodo scrambled to a stand and held out his hand.

"Boromir, give Frodo the ring." Aragorn said sternly.

Boromir was dangling the ring in his hand, looking at it and muttering things to himself.

"Boromir," Sakura said, snapping him out of his stance. "this is Frodo's burden. . . not yours." She said, standing firmly behind Frodo.

Boromir, looked down once again then handed Frodo the ring.

Frodo took it hurriedly and placed it around his neck and under his shirt quickly.

Sakura turned him around and pulled his cloak tighter around his neck. "Do you need to rest, the herbs I gave you perked you up a bit, but it won't last. I can give you some medicine if you'd like." She pulled out a small vile full of pills. "These are from my home, they'll help you."

The hobbit stared at the pills for a long while before he nodded. "I trust you."

She smiled and took one out and gave it. "Chew it, it'll taste bitter, but it should break your fever in no time."

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As the snow blew at her from all directions, her grip on Pippin tightened as she walked on top of the snow much like how Legolas was doing, she was getting tired of seeing her friends struggle. They had made it almost to the very top of the mountain and there was a blizzard blowing from all directions, and she could see the wall of snow her friends was walking through was becoming too much for even them. "I have an idea, but I need you all to stand back against the mountain!" She shouted over the blizzard's winds.

She walked to the wall of the mountain and brought a minimal amount of chakra to her fist, and with a shout of strength she punched the side of the mountain, and watched as it shook and then relieved them of the hindering snow. She wiped her hands and looked proudly at her handy work. "There, that should do it for a while." She smiled and started to reach for Pippin again when she felt the shaking of the mountain. She was sure she hadn't put too much of her strength into her punch, so there wouldn't be an avalanche.

Legolas reached for Sakura's waist to hold her steady. "I hear a voice off in the distance." He shouted through the wind to Gandalf.

"It's Saruman!" Gandalf explained, falling against the wall as snow started falling from the top and caving over them.

Gandalf held his staff firmly in his hands as Sakura watched him say things she didn't understand. The mountain seemed to come alive as more snow fell from above their heads, without the help of Legolas she feared she would have fallen already.

There was a loud noise and they all looked up. She hadn't had time to think before Legolas slammed her against the wall of the mountain and then darkness as snow fell over them. She immediately started to dig and find Pippin as she reached the top and took a gasp of breath. Snow covered her from head to foot and she was freezing to the bone.

"We can't stay here much longer, the little ones will catch their deaths out here!" Boromir shouted, and Sakura reluctantly agreed.

"We should not waste our time here, we should go under, to the mines of Moria." Gimli exclaimed indignantly.

Sakura knew that was the last thing that Gandalf wanted to do, but she couldn't help but agree that any place was better than freezing to death.

"We'll let Frodo decide." Gandalf said softly.

Frodo was quiet and he met eyes with Sakura who was holding a shivering Pippin. "... We'll go into the mines." Was what he finally said.

Sakura saw the dread enter Gandalf's eyes as they turned and started making their way down the mountain. She helped Pippin steady himself as he shuffled towards Merry and Boromir. She slowed in her movements and walked close to Gandalf. "There is something you are not saying." She gave him a pointed look as she watched.

Gandalf looked down at her and pursed his lips. "In due time..." He whispered, taking the lead and walking ahead of Sakura, who followed behind rather reluctantly.

A/N: Okay, so I'm having a little trouble breaking away from the movie... sue me. I am going to change things up in the Mines of Moria, this is what I've been most excited about. Though, that is all I'm going to tell you. Please don't give up on me and continue to read this story. I will try much harder to break away from the movie and book. I hope you noticed the slight changes that I did add in this chapter.