Chapter Two


Sakura blushed a bright red as Sasuke landed in front of her. She had no idea what had prompted the Uchiha boy to fight her but she couldn't help but feel flattered. He had never participated in one of these unless the fighter was one of the best in the Academy. So far he was undefeated but that wasn't the point. His opponents always came out of their fights with him having learned something profound about being a ninja. They never told anyone what it was but you could see it in their eyes.

Sakura bit her lip and her eyes shone in happy excitement. Everyone of them changed. Now it was her turn. She slid into a loose fighting stance and held her clenched fists out in front of her. She vaguely heard Iruka telling them to fight but she was already in it to deep to give him any attention.

She eyed Sasuke closely. She knew that her chances of beating him in a taijutsu match was practically zero seeing that, outside of her psycho strength, she really had no talent in it what-so ever. Quickly her mind ran over the rules the Academy had set down for these matches.

1: No fatal or overly damaging attacks

2: Follow the orders of the mediator

3: Stop when your opponent is unable to continue.

Sakura smirked. Nothing that says jutsus aren't allowed. Perfect.

Sasuke stared at Sakura in disinterest. She hadn't moved once since he had entered the ring except to fall into a taijutsu stance. She didn't make any attempt to attack him or show any inkling to do so. In fact her eyes where slightly dull, like the lights were on but nobody was home. He sighed. What a waist of energy, climbing up here only to face a lifeless opponent. She was probably stunned by the fact that he was sharing her breathing space.

Well. That made two of them.

A shuffle came from the girl's direction and Sasuke glanced disinterestedly in her direction. Her hands were clasped behind her back and she seemed to be fiddling anxiously with her fingers.

"N-ne. Sasuke-kun?"

Sasuke didn't say a thing. Instead he shoved his hands in his pockets and blew out a soft breath; which was probably the closest to a sigh as he had ever been.

Seeing she wasn't about to get a response Sakura blushed darker.

"W-well I…I was just wondering. Why, um, why did you agree to fight me?"

Irritated and wanting this idiotic fight to end Sasuke said the first thing that came to his mind. The truth.

"Your idiot cousin thinks that you are a challenge. He greatly overestimates you."

This time when Sakura's blush darkened it was from anger. Her green eyes flashed dangerously and she glared darkly at the arrogant Uchiha.

"Is that so?" She said. "We'll see who is being overestimated when this fight is over!"

Behind her back Sakura's hands came together in the final seal of the set she had been forming in secret.

"Illusion: Mirror of Darkness." Sakura's voice was barely a whisper as her chakra began to flow from her combined fingers and weave an illusion that captured not only Sasuke, but their whole audience as well. Hey, if you're going to pull something big you might as well make it grand.

Annoyed by Sakura's boasting and stupid blushes Sasuke took the initiative. His speed was blurring and Sakura's eyes shifted dizzyingly as she tried to follow his movements. She kept her hands up close to her face, hoping to block any strike the Uchiha boy would send her way. She gasped and her eyes shot wide in surprise when Sasuke disappeared completely; seconds past like hours as she tried to search him out. It wasn't until it was too late that she was able to sense him. Just before his fist crashed into her jaw.

A crack was heard and Sakura cried out as she was flung from the ring to land heavily on her head. The gathered students along with Sasuke all stared in horror as Sakura's neck snapped cleanly, killing her instantly.

XXXXXXXXXX

Uzumaki Kairi hummed softly to herself as she sorted the stacked papers on her desk. Her last class had left for the afternoon and she was happy to have some time to herself for once. Her children were still in their last classes so she would have at least a half an hour before she was bothered. Or so she had thought before the frantic sounds of pounding feet and terrified screams filled the air outside of her open window.

"Move! Get out of my way!"

Kairi was startled. In all of her time as a teacher she had never heard Iruka sound so angry and horrified. Something terrible must have happened. Kairi had just stood up from her desk when Ino's voice froze her solid.

"Sensei!" Ino sobbed. "Sensei she's dead!"

A murderous aura began to roll along the field and Kairi gave a startle yell as she realized that it was her son.

"Naruto!"

A breeze was all that was left in the classroom as Uzumaki Kairi disappeared from sight.

XXXXXXXXXXX

It was an interesting thing, watching people swarm around you as you lay almost ten feet from where you are standing at that moment. Sakura shook her head. It was very, very odd indeed. Turning to the left her eyes landed on her opponent and her mouth nearly dropped to the ring.

Uchiha Sasuke was crying.

"What the hell?" Sakura said as she moved closer to him.

His eyes were distant and he looked to be a thousand and one miles away. His lips were moving but now sound escaped them. Sakura was puzzled as she kneeled in front of the almost trembling boy. Her eyes narrowed in confusion and she focused hard on his lips before she was able to make out the words they were forming.

'I didn't mean too. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.'

Sakura's hands flew to her mouth. She had forgotten. The Uchiha Tragedy. How could she have forgotten? Her sister had been there. Her cousin had been there…Naruto had been there.

Tears filled her eyes as well as Sakura reached out a trembling hand to touch Sasuke's cheek.

"Kai…" Her voice was less then a whisper. It was a brush of air. But it did what it was meant to do. Sasuke's eyes grew wide as he was snapped from the genjutsu and saw the very alive face of Haruno Sakura.

"What happened? I thought…you were…didn't I…?"

Sakura shook her head hard. "It-it was a genjutsu. I'm sorry. I didn't think…I-I…I broke the rules…I forfeit."

"You broke the rules…" Sasuke's voice was soft but hard as he glared at the girl before him. "You broke the rules…" His eyes flashed red and he harshly pushed her away. All traces of tears were now gone from his face as he glared down at the pink haired girl sprawled on the floor of the sparing ring.

"I hate you Haruno."

Sakura bit her lip as she watched him storm away as her stunned friends gathered around her.

"I know." She whispered. "I'm so sorry…"

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

"What were you thinking Sakura! Do you even know how much damage you have done?" Kyo's eyes were ablaze and although Hikari and Kairi felt for the girl neither of them was willing to help her. Even Naruto wasn't going to come to her defense.

Sakura sniffed as she stared at the ground. Everyone was there. Except Sasuke of course. He hadn't left his room since he had stormed away after their fight.

"Answer me! Do you know what you have done?"

"Yes! I do! I'm sorry alright? I forgot!"

A dark blue aura slowly began to shadow the room as Kyo's anger reached its peak.

"You forgot."

Sakura flinched.

"And just how did you forget Sakura? Did your pride blind you in such a way that you would forget one of the bloodiest nights in our village history? We were there. You saw the after effects. So just how did you forget?"

Sakura's shoulders shook as she remembered that night. Hikari had been bleeding badly when she stumbled into the Haruno estate. Everyone had gone to help. She had wanted to go too, but she was to young. She had to stay behind.

She lost her parents that night.

"If you ever do anything like that again Sakura. To anyone. I will strip you of your status as a ninja and a Haruno. Do you understand?"

Despite the gasps of his wife and cousin Kyo remained unmoved. He would not budge on this and for that Sakura was glad. If she was not to afraid of him at that moment she would be proud that her cousin made such a clan leader. Even if he was an Uzumaki.

Itachi glared at the girl, although Sakura felt as though it had been greatly muted, and uncrossed his arms as he slowly moved forward to take Kyo's place.

Reaching out the Uchiha Head placed the very tip of his finger under Sakura's chin, forcing her to look up.

"He is my brother. Hurt him again and I will feel obligated to kill you."

Sakura gulped and nodded.

"I-I understand Uchiha-sama. I…I will be more conscious in the future."

Itachi nodded and turned away. Hikari smiled slightly at her sister before she turned to follow her fiancé from the room. Soon the Uzumaki family left as well and Sakura allowed her body to slide to the floor as she wrapped her arms tightly around her body. Tears once again filled her eyes but this time she did not try to stop them as they slid down her cheeks.

The words had been harsh. But she had deserved every one.

"Oh Sasuke," she whispered. "I'm so sorry."

End Chapter Two


Kaliea: So what do you all think? Weird huh? But you wanna know what's happening don'cha? Well guess what? I'm not tellen'! Nya nya! Any way, please review and let me know what you think! Thankies!
Review Answers:

grim reaper sakura: True. Naruto isn't like that in the show. But he has parents in this story who actually care about him. I think it really would make a big difference.

Silentsakura: Not much romance in this chapter at all. Sorry. Maybe the next one.

Dearie: Eh-hehe. I guess the winner was Sasuke…kind of anyway…

Taeniaea: Thanks! I hope you keep enjoying it!

gof22: I do read the Naruto manga although I have no idea what site it was that you wrote because doesn't show that sort of thing. If you could tell me again I would be grateful. Thankies!

flaming kitsune 666: Uhhh. I guess in a way she did…sort of…

ShinkuNoTenshi: Well he didn't stop thinking she was weak but now she definitely knows his weakness.

Dragon Man 180: Oh he fears her alright. And hates her. Poor Sakura-chan. And to think, she's supposed to be the smart one…

S-Wanderer999: At the moment Ino is kind of impartial although she does seem to show a slight favoritism to her childhood friend. I'll let you figure out who he is on your own until I go into that further in the future.


Kaliea: Thanks again for your reviews! They're great! Lovens to everyone! Ja for now!