Disclaimer: I do not own any Naruto characters or its ideas.

Chapter 4: Separation is Key

Kakashi is ahead of me as we run. The sound of our feet and pants are heard. I could feel my own heart pounding, causing the blood to boil in my ears and face. It was freaking hot, despite the cooling night air; if only I could take the hoodie off. Hisses from before ring throughout the vicinity of our hearing; multiple times.

Loud and clear; I imagine-to the Vampires-our heartbeats are loud and clear. "Time to speed up, kiddo." Kakashi looked back at me, and slowed himself only just enough, to grasp my clammy hand, then speed up tenfold, forcing me to the same. His hand brought me a sense of comfort-even in this situation-like it always did. I'm gripping as tight as possible. My grip loosens just a bit, due to making a sharp turn into an alley.

A fence blocked our path. "K-Kakashi." I wheeze, trying to remain calm and not pass out. He curses under his breath and motions me forward. "I'm going to lift you over, alright?" He laces his fingers together, and I step upon them like a stool. Easily, Kakashi boosts me over; we've done this before.

I grab the top of the fence, and using the strength of my arms, hop right on over, landing in a crouch; my feet crunching rock. "It's your turn." I turn back to Kakashi, who had his back now turned to me. "No." He replied sternly and tossed the twin wooden swords over. I catch them, cradling them against my chest. My facial expression was one of total confusion.

"What?" I shake my head. "Kakashi, we have to go now!" "No you have to go," Kakashi thrown back over his shoulder. "I'm going to lure them away."

"Are you crazy!?"

"This is not the time to argue."

Finally, he turns around to look at me. He looks sad, as well a deadly serious. I was incredulous. My brain couldn't process what Kakashi was trying to do, but my heart could and was frightened. "N-No, we leave together." I stammer and sputter.

"Sakura, I promised your Father I would protect you, and that's exactly what I'm going to do." His words are mind blowing. Promise to my Father? What? I was about to voice this, but Kakashi stops me. "Rule number four?"

"Kakashi-"

"Rule number four, now Sakura!"

I flinch; not once has he ever raised his voice at me. It reminded me of a lightning strike. "Always trust you mentor." I answer quietly, feeling defeated. Kakashi softens just a bit, appearing somewhat satisfied with my response. "Now, as I lure them away, you have to get out of this place, and get to the Raider's helicopter, understand?" He spoke quickly. I could only nod, not trusting myself to speak; all I would do was question and protest.

Right now, my mind was stuck on, why, why, why? It didn't make any sense to separate right now; it was ludicrous. "Well…at least take theses." I sob, indicating the swords. "I'll be fine." Kakashi said, revealing he still has my knife in hand; his last words and image of himself for me, before running back down the alleyway, then turning the corner, completely disappearing out of my view. My heart shattered right then. I've been abandoned, left behind; my worst nightmare came true, and the needy child in me was raving this.

The more rational, teenage part was denying that. Kakashi didn't abandon me; he'll be back. I'm staring straight ahead, long enough to see a bunch of blurred shadows fly by in the direction Kakashi went; Vampires using their super speed, and there was so many of them. Their hisses, snarls and laughter were loud and clear to my pulsing ears. I must get away like Kakashi told me to do.

Fear triggered survival instinct, and I run, clutching the two wooden swords, as if they're my lifeline; in a way, they are my lifeline. I turned corners, once, twice, several times actually. My breathing turning into short huffs, and my legs beginning that familiar ache; nothing compared to the ache in my chest though. All the running I've done, you'd think I would become accustomed the muscle aches. Right now, it felt new, and it traveled to my pounding heart.

All the running I have done, Kakashi had always been there by my side, and now…I refuse to think any further. So, I focused all my thoughts, and feelings, on my running, thus escalating my speed. I run four hours it seems; I run to the point where I can barely breathe properly. I'm force to stop. I had been so busy running, my surroundings are now more unknown than ever.

At this point though, I'm beyond caring. In front of me was a large building, and it was a utopia to me; a hotel for Survivors. I let out a hysterical laugh, waltzing right on through the broken entrance; my feet crunching on stray glass. I walk through the office like interior, heading straight for the staircase leading up. So many stairs and hallways to deal with.

Again, I'm beyond caring; combine that with exhaustion, you have a delirious teenager. Eventually I make it to a room; randomly chosen. There wasn't much to it. The walls are green and the carpet is blue, making it darker than it should be. The bed has no underneath; just a dirty mattress, with a small raggedy blanket and a pillow with no case.

Regardless of all that, I collapse on it.

It was happening again; that hanging ritual thing. A crowd had gathered, and up at the front was a wooden platform, with three nooses hanging above. Each noose was hung loosely around a person's neck; three nooses for three guys, who have their hands tied behind their backs. The one on the right had brown hair, the one in the middle was blond, and the left one was a dirty blond. "Who are they?" I ask, looking at my Father; Kizashi Haruno.

He was so tall compared to me; me, only reaching his knee. His hair was a dark pink, shaped like a cherry blossom, and his eyes are a shady blue. His side burns matched his hair, leading into an angular mustache. His face kind looking. He looks down at me with a sad and soft expression, and he tightens his grip on my hand.

"They're Raiders." He answered, turning his gaze back to the three. I turn my attention back to them as well. Their expressions are mixture of misery, anger and defiance. "Raiders are rebels, right?"

"Yes."

"And, the Vampires want to kill the Raiders?"

"Hush, Sakura."

I scrunched up my nose, not liking that Father hushed me, and then I noticed that the chattering crowd had already hushed up. A Vampire walked up on to the platform, hands clasped behind his back, clad in a black cloak with many straps and buckles. He was tall, extremely pale, with jet black hair up in a ponytail, traveling down his waist. With his golden yellow eyes and pronounced cheekbones, he was diffidently menacing, but oddly fascinating; most Vampires are. His boots threateningly clomp as he turns toward the crowd. The grin on his face reminded me of a snake for some reason.

"Who's that?" I ask in a whisper. My Father didn't answer. He was completely absorbed into the scene before him, with a hard look on his face; I didn't like it. "Well, hello again, ladies and gentleman," he surveys the crowd with a twinkling gaze; still grinning. "As you can probably guess by their attire, that these three here are Raiders." The people in the crowd murmur to one another, but Vampire holds up a hand to silence them.

They do immediately. "The Raiders claim himself to be heroes, they often claim for what they do is for the good of mankind, "Vampire starts pacing around. "But, is that really true?" Once again, he turns around. "Look around, my humans, look at this dump of a place you are forced to live I," he waves his hand over the crowd, rather dramatically. "The Raiders are the reason why you live this way!" The crowd once again murmurs.

Watching this Vampire, I begin to feel weird. The eyes on him had me transfixed; I swear he was looking right at me. Suddenly, sadness washed over me, as I gaze around our so called home. There was trash littered, and houses were either broken or just rotting away. The citizens themselves are dirty; I was dirty.

My clothes are in tatters, I could feel the dust on my face, and my too long bangs covered my wide forehead and nearly my eyes. It was all embarrassing. This lovely, civilized Vampire came all the way here to teach us, and this was how we presented ourselves; a bunch of dirty ruffians. I'm ashamed, and then I was angry. The Raiders are at fault for this!

If it weren't for the Raiders, I would look so much better, Dad would be healthier, and Mom would still be alive. "Stupid Raiders." I growl, clenching my small fists. From the corner of my eye, I see my Dad wince at my words. He pulled me against him, and covered with his large hand. The action confused me, and so did the Vampire's words.

Were the Raiders really at fault here? No, that didn't make any sense; not when the Vampires are the ones in charge. I grunt trying to move my Father's hand from my eyes. He removed his hand but kept his hold on my shoulder, as if afraid that I would bolt to the Vampire, but I know better than that, and yet… an alien side of me wanted to; a side that wasn't quite myself. I studied the faces around me.

The majority of them look so angry, and it wasn't directed at the Vampire, but at the Raiders. "If it weren't for their rebellious tactics, we Vampire would be able to focus on the rest of you, be able to help you all." Vampire explained. He tone took on a more soften, almost hypnotic tenor. The anger washed over me; anger at the Raiders, so strong, I shook with it. "Sakura, look past the surface of things." My Father's words snap me out of it.

"What?" I look up at him; the back of my head touching his stomach. "If you are able to look past the surface, you'll be able to tell what's lie or truth." I look at the Vampire again, but didn't focus on his appearance, or his words. I look through his snake yes, and saw…I didn't know what, but understood what my Dad meant. The Vampire was lying through his fangs, and everybody believed him even though it made no sense. "Why is he lying?" I ask. "Why is are they falling for it?"

"Beings capable of speech lie all the time, but with Vampires, it's a special case," Dad explained. "Vampires have this uncanny ability to control through some type of hypnosis." I frown at this. "Right now, these people are under the Vampire's spell, "he continued. "But, if you are able to look past the surface of things, you won't have to worry about it." I was immediately awed by this. Look past the surface of things, past the surface…

"Wake up." Soft and velvet deep. "You picked a bad time to be having a cat nap." I open my eyes only a fraction, thus making my vision blurry; a dark blur. Something touches my head, ruffling my hair; a hand. "Wake up." Less soft and more commanding. Kakashi!?

I bolt upright, and then groan, a major headache settling in. I fall back immediately, groaning some more. "K-Kakashi?" I call; my voice strained and raspy. "Not quite." I grimace, turning my head to the side. I'm greeted by a pair of dark eyes; not Kakashi's, but beautiful nonetheless. They're midnight onyx.

I gaze at the face they belong to. A fair skinned, beautiful handsome face; an angel perhaps? Raven black bangs framed the angelic face. His hair-raven black-is a spiky mess in the back, with a blue tint. "My guardian angel?" I said dazedly.

He chuckled, smirking rather ruefully. "Not even close." He said, and did the oddest thing; he caressed my cheek. It sent a pleasantly alien sensation up my spine. It triggered my senses. I'm in a room with a complete stranger; I realize and shot right up to my feet.

I dart across the room, clutching the two wooden swords. My view of him is much better, and I'm awestruck. He's tall, muscular, as well as lean. He moved with languid grace, as he stood up. "Who are you?" I ask nervously, intimidated slightly by his beauty. "Who I am doesn't matter," he replied blandly. "You on the other hand, matter, Sakura Haruno."