Chapter 2

Pale eyes

Killing intent is the exuding of pure murderous intention and is used by amateur and pro ninja alike. It can paralyzean unsuspecting victim with fear, and if it's strong enough, make them see their own gruesome deaths. Compared to when a full-fledge ninja admits this aura that of a civilian is laughable. Hundreds of it focused on one person however, is enough to make an amateur tremble. As was the case with Naruto when we walked through the town, the villages would look at him with such hatred it was ridiculous. He had gotten use to most of it, but that didn't make it easier to watch, and so I diffracted killing intent at whoever glared at him. I didn't fool myself into believing it was strong enough to paralyze them with fear, I even caught Chunins saying how cute my killing intent was.

Fear of the unknown, that's what made then cower and look away. I was a child that mingled with the demon fox, who knew what I was capable of. Combining that with my killing intent, and I was an unknown threat. I was fine with this, exposed to killing intent – even this small – and exuding my own was good practice. In time it would prove useful against my future foes.

Naruto all but skipped through the streets, dancing around the glaring villagers, who were confused by his smile. It frustrated me to no end, how the villagers can be so cruel to a child. Naruto was one of the reasons Konoha could live in peace for so long.

The Third Great Shinobi War, a war that involved all the great nations, left all parties in a state of land of water was experiencing a coup, the land of Earth; a decrease in their military after the war, the land of wind had a treaty with Konoha and the land of Lightning…

The land of Lightning, north-east of the land of fire, and the home to the ninja village: The village hidden in the clouds or Kumogakure. In the center of the country are vast mountain ranges, whose many thunderstorms gave the country its name. Fromthese mountain ranges, many rivers flow to the sea, creating a very crooked coastline that displays an impressive oceanic beauty. There are many hot springs located within the country. The country's western border with the Land of Frost has a large dessert.

The natives of Kumogakure have dark skinand share a strong resemblance to the African descended of my old world. They fight with swords and specialized in lightning style jutsus. They were also "true ninja" in the sense that they lie, steal and sabotage for their own benefits. They even went so far as to kidnap Shinobi with outstanding chakra, as they attempted to do with Kishina however were foiled by Minato. They also used a signing of a treaty as a cover to kidnap a Hyuga for their dojutsu, The Byakugan. They failed the would-be kidnapper dead, and the Kumogakure claimed ignorance.

"We know nothing of that attack," they said, "he acted on his own, howeversore since he was the Head Ninja who was sent to sign a peace treaty. We require compensation, the body of the one who killed him, or there will be war."

Hiashi, the head to the Hyuga clan, was the said killer and he just so happen to have the Byakugan. The third Hokage not wanting war agreed, however, Hizashi, Hiashi's twin brother took his place since his Byakugan was "sealed." In the end, Kumogakure failed to acquire the Byakugan and a child was fatherless. This happened just two years ago, I was even at the welcoming festival. It was hard to set back knowing what would happen but cheesy as it may sound it was for the greater good.

I paused outside of Ichiraku uneasy, as Naruto ran in exchanging greetings. I had noticed it a while back but ignored it thinking it was just a random villager. But, I could still feel it, eyes on my back, or rather, Naruto's. They weren't malicious more curious than anything.

A soft jingle bell chimed, as Naruto emerged from Ichiraku to get me.

"Hey Sakura, what's the hold-up?" he asked with a tilt of his head.

So cute!

I looked away hiding my glee with a cough, his adorable face was dangerous.

"I'm fine, let's eat yeah?" I followed Naruto in and as immediately assaulted by the delicious fragrance. I was never a Ramanperson; I would eat it if it was placed in front of me. I wouldn't go out of my way to have it. However, I sat down on the provided stools, drowning in the scent of good ramen. I was reconsidering my life choices.

"What's this?" said Ayame, Teuchi – the ramen guy's – daughter. Her brown hair was tied under a white bandana. Her dark eyes eyeing me curiously, "Is she your girlfriend?"

Naruto went tomato red, stammering out denials, it was honestly deadly cute. I really wanted to watch some more however, the bells were becoming ringing in a panic.

"No no," I said waving the issue away, "Naruto is currently my best friend."currently because he could always be replaced, not that I would consider him boyfriend material.

If we were to become more…

The image of Naruto in a 'kiss the cook' apron appeared in my mind and doubled over. I covered my mouth and tried to not to let the laughter out. I remembered vaguely Minato wearing an apron holding a ladle; it did nothing for my compositor.

"Well aren't you guys full of energy,"Teuchi turned around and placed two ramen bowls down in front of us. My bowl was filled with ramen, narutomaki, memma, boil eggs, seaweed and pork to the sides. The presentation was amazing, and way doing a great job at wanting to eat it, I was drooling.

"Thanks for the food!" Naruto announced breaking out of my daze. I mumbled my own thanks and dig in.

Where his chakra end and ramen began was last to me, he was literally mixing his soul into the meal. Ichiraku ramen, we truly were eating his passion.

I swam in an ocean of flavored soup, sank down on a bed of pork and pillows of eggs. Noodles like visible wind floated by, a tree of seaweed leaves and narutomaki trunk, casting a shadow over me as I touched into my bed, memma blanket as covering. I liked my lips savoring the taste. I opened my eyes slowly vaguely wondering when I had closed it. Looking down, I was greeted with an empty bowl. I blinked, but the image didn't change, my bowl was empty. Since when!? I looked up to see everyone watching me with varying degrees of horror. Ayame's eyes were with her face flush, covering a smile no doubt with her had. Naruto was genially horrified, and Teuchi… he was pleased!?

"What did I miss?" I asked.

"S- Sakura-chan," Naruto stuttered trembling terribly. "What, was that face?" he looked so horrified was my face that bad? I looked to Ayame and Teuchi but got nothing but an approving nod from Teuchi and an embarrassed glance from Ayame.

Yeah, no help there.

With I sigh I lifted my empty bowl "another!" I demanded. Naruto sighed in relief and got working on his own bowl. I wasn't a ramen person but I was seriously considering becoming a regular here.

/

I was in the middle of my morning jog when I heard a yelp flowed by the sound of something crashing down. I looked around to see petite women with lilac hair dressed in a pale blue kimono, surrounded by scattered goods. She gingerly touched her ankle that had already turned red, standing out against her pale skin. I sighed shaking my head and mumbling about clumsy girls under my breath as I approached her.

"Hey, are you alright?" I asked reaching out a hand to her. Pale eyes looked up at me and I stilled.

"Ah, I'm sorry," she said flushed "I twisted my ankle it seems. I'm alright, promise."

She was a beautiful woman with long hair and wide eyes, eyes that belong to the Hyuga clan.

What was a Hyuga doing out here so early anyway?Grocery shopping?She must be from the branch family.

She tried to stand up but winced when she put weight on her already swollen ankle. She was saying her thanks for the concern, but I was watching her injury. I had been practicing my medical skills, and could now heal minor wounds, especially with my small chakra reserves. I knelt before her and reached out for her ankle, she flinched but relaxed when I didn't touch it. Green glowing chakra lid up my tiny hands and I worked in concentration. I had practiced on the animals in the forest around my base. I had used the poor things as target practiced, and when I landed a hit, as test subjects. I had only killed two fishes before I figured out the proper output. Too weak and it won't work quickly enough to keep them alive, too much and well… they exploded. I had been horrified, the cells multiplied too quickly and the body could no longer contain it. And that was the reason for experiments, so you didn't kill your patients.

I exhaled relief when her leg healed without incident; she flexed it and found no pain. I smiled proudly, she was my first human experiment, but I was on the right track as she still had her leg. She looked at me with awe, I felt a bit guilty having treated her like a lab rat.

"That was amazing!" she exclaimed, "I was unaware there was medical ninja's this young!" I decided not to point out that there were plenty of young medics during the war. They needed as much as they could get; anyone with the slightest hint of chakra control was taught medical Ninjutsu and sent into war.

I smiled politely instead and replied modestly, "I don't know all that much, I can really only heal small things" I scratched my cheek blushing for effect.

"That much is amazing! Our clan is incapable of medical Ninjutsu because of our-!" she paused abruptly, covering her mouth. I raised a single brow at her pause before I realized. She was about to reveal a clan secret. I chuckled, giving my best innocent – I don't know what you're talking about-face.

"It's a hard technique to learn I have to really concentrate to do it right," I said she relaxed her mistake overlooked. I changed the subject.

"Do you need a hand?"I said as I began to pick up the scattered fruits.

"Ah, I'm sorry!" she bent and began to help; soon they were all gathered into two separate bags. I weighed one and looked up at herincredulously; the bag was at least 20 kilo. I had thought her a civilian among the Hyuga but it would seem I was wrong. She was defiantly a ninja.

"Here I'll carry one, so you don't have another accident," I said carrying the lighter of the two.

"Eh that's alright I wouldn't want to trouble you" she protested. I gave her a blank look.

"How many times have you fallen since morning?" I asked. Her silence was telling, she was a ninja for sure, or at least can use her chakra properly. A ninja wouldn't twist there ankle like that at least not so easily, she was what may be called "clumsy." I was mistaken when I thought her from the branch family member; she didn't have a seal, under her bang. She was probably sent on errands because she was so clumsy and couldn't fight properly. With a heavy sigh, I turned and begun to walk.

"My name is Sakura, Sakura Haruno." I introduced myself. She ran to catch up with me when she realized I wasn't stopping.

R-Rabenda, Rabenda Hyuga." she said as we made our way to the clan compound.

The Hyuga compound was huge. The walls around the compound form a circle and a pathway separating it in yin and yang. Two huge buildings on either side of the divide. The head of the main family lived in one and the branch house the other. The entire compound had a sense of balance. Even the chakra in the air was calm and balance.

Rabenda led me to a small kitchen nearest to a dojo, where I could hear combat. we packed everything out in recorded time and I received takoyaki on a stick for my troubles.

"Thanks again for helping me, I really appreciate it" she said drinking tea. We sat on the well-polished Engawa, eating.

"No problem," I said past the food in my mouth, "you should be more careful" I swallowed "Especially around stairs." I was serious but she laughed

"I will," she said chuckling. Food done, I rose to leave. I brushed the wrinkles out of my dress. It was more of a shirt really, reaching just below my thigh.A pink sleeveless, with a pale mesh long sleeve top, a slit at the front and back that connected at the collar. Matching pale loose pants stopped under my knee a buttoned cuff tightening it around my leg. I had left my white sandals at the front.

I turned to Rabenda to wish her farewell only to notice she had stopped laughing. She stared horrified at me, or rather over my shoulder. Too late I felt the new chakra, it was cold and fluffy and soft?

Ice-cream?That was the first thing I thought of when I felt the chakra. Looking around I was met with cold pale eyes and a face hard as stone.

Hiashi, the head of the Hyuga clan, stood glaring at me. the exacted mirror of his twin brother Hizashi, his long black hair flowed down his back, pale eyes, dressed in a loose-fitting white robe with a long-sleeves, brown haori.

He killed a cloud Shinobi with a single touch, and right now his eyes promised me the same fate. Rabenda came to my rescue, blessed angel.

Lord Hiashi, good morning" she bowed and I mimicked her. He didn't take his eyes off me as we raised our heads.

"Who," he gritted out; "is this?" veins ran to his eyes, signaling the Byakugan's awakening. My body stiffened, it felt like I was completely naked in front of a crowd. I wanted so badly to cover myself but I couldn't move. He wasn't seeing my body; he was seeing all the places he could touch he had to touch to kill me.

One touch and I'm dead. I just had to run today, didn't I?

"This is Sakura; she healed my ankle and helped me with my groceries" Rabenda explained. She was so brave to even looking him in the eye.

"She healed you?" his eyes narrowed on me, "medical ninjutsu?"

"Yes it was quitegood at it" her eyes sparkled, "my ankle was healed within minutes!"

"What clan are you from?" he asked.

H-Haruno" I struggled out he was so intense. He had to be looking at my chakra pool; I felt his eyes on my soul. I vaguely registered that I could feel him looking at me, and wondered in the back of my mind if it was the same for all dojutsu.

"That's not a Shinobi clan

"No," I confirmed, "Though both my parents are Shinobi, I'm from a civilian clan."

"Did they teach medical ninjutsu?" he was becoming far too interested.

"No, I learned it on my own." My statement was met with silence both of them becoming deadly quite. I wondered what I had said wrong, replaying the conversation in my head"

"Come with me," he said as he turned and walked away, I thought of running but Rabenda – bless her soul – took my hand and walked after him. Once again I regretted not sleeping in.

We arrived at the dojo moments later; it was a huge space with polished dark floors and ink paintings on the walls. The space was empty say for three; a small girl in brown overall, her dark blue hair in a hime-cut, a young boy in matching overalls his long brown hair tied at the tip, and an old man that had to be blind, long hair flowing down his back in matching outfit to Hiashi.

I heard the sound of bells as the girl looked up to see Hiashi enter, the same bell that I heard before.

"Hinata, Neji" he called and I stared. The two children turned to face him and bowed. Hinata Hyuga was the most adorable girl I had ever seen. So young she still had round cheeks her pale eyes wide and filled with innocents.

So cute! Her cuteness rivaled Naruto's; they were met for each other.

"Welcome back father," she said and the taste of strawberry fit the air or rather my senses. I glanced at Hiashi as he nodded to his daughter's face still hard.

What's this? Is that affection I sense? Well, this is interesting.

Neji spared me but a glance before looking at Hiashi; he wasn't as cute as Hinata, his face already starting to become a permanent glare. What a waste.

"Neji you will be entering the academy this spring. I would like for you to test your strength against this child," Hiashi said and my heart stopped. Me, fight Neji! The child prodigy of the Hyuga clan? I knew it! Today is the worst.

"Yes lord Hiashi" Neji said obediently, he didn't look thrilled but he didn't object.

"Say, why do you want him to fight me?" I asked; because I wanted to know why I was gonna get my ass kicked.

"You show promise," was all he said before walking over to stand beside the old man. Hinata stood to the side with Rabenda, she looked conflicted and her bells trembled.

The Neji standing before her was nothing compared to the man he would be. He was shorter and weaker, but no less a treat, especially to me.

Sighing in defeat and took a boxing stance as Neji took the Hyuga stance.

"Let's have a good fight," I said weakly, he didn't acknowledge.

"Begin!" Hiashi shouted and Neji charged.

His palm flew past my face as I quickly dodged, reflexes the only thing that saved me. He turned and struck again and I moved away. He wasn't using chakra so there was no real threat but my body moved on its own each time. This was my first real fight since I rebirth.I gritted my teeth and throw a punch at his face. It was gracefully deflected, and he took advantage of the opening it provided. Pain exploded in my chest, air knocked out of my lunges, I staggered back. If this were a few years in the future that would have been a k.o. catching my breath quickly I charged again. My punch was defected to the side as before; I twisted my body and attacked with a roundhouse kick. It missed its mark as he stepped out of range, with my back turned he stroked me in the back. I fell to my knees before rolling away.

He didn't let me recover; charging at me striking me as I was down. I was on the defensives dodging where I could and blocking anything I couldn't, which still did damage. Ever retaliation was met with a brutal counter.

It wasn't a fight, it was a slaughter.

I hit the mat for the last time and decided not to get back up. The old man was nodding with approval and Hinata and Rabena looked horrified. I thought of the signs that said today was going to be so horrible and found that there was none. Misfortune was stealthier than a ninja.

The image of a girl with short black hair and icy blue eyes overlapped with Neji as she spoke.

"Are you just going to give up?" the words brought me back to a life before this. As a child, my mother had entered me in various dancing competitions. She had said it was because I was so graceful, but I knew she'd only done it to spite our neighbors.

I had never won once, and I soon realized that it wasn't a competition but a game for profit. The judges let the person that the people wanted to see even if they weren't talented. One season I had made it to the semi-finals. It wasn't because I was a crowd favorite; I was just more liked than the others and made for a good opponent to the finals.

I was placed against not only the crowd favorite but also the guaranteed winner if her track record was anything to go crowd screamed her name as she danced gracefully around the floor, even my parents were mesmerized by her.

I didn't try to compete when it was my turn; I knew the outcome and wouldn't struggle. I fell then and didn't get back up. I stood and left instead. The final words I heard were…

"Are you just going to give up?"

Giving up would imply I even had a chance and stopped before making use of it. Everything was already planned; this was how the outcome would always be. No one expected anything different so why fight against the current.

Won't it be boring to lose here?

The voice was my own but I didn't say it.

I stood in a warping dark space, purple mist swirled around me; I looked ahead and stared at my reflection, she didn't look, please.

Are you just going to give up at every turn?

AndnowI'mtalkingtomyself.

I sighed, Neji's really strong, Ican'tbeathim.

We don't stand a fighting chance against anyone, not Zabuza, Orochimaru and sure as hell, not Madara. Sakura already lost to them remember? What's the point of training if you don't intend to change anything?

It's boring to just give up when you haven't given it you're all. You'll never know what might have been if you had tried.

We last before we even fought back then, but wouldn't it have been more exciting to show them just how much better you were than her.

I looked away.

It's different here! Our story has already been told but we don't have to follow its example. We have already broken the rules by befriending Naruto. We can change things!

You'll never know unless you try, this wasn't in the main story so you don't know the outcome, it could go either way. That boy is not the Neji we know, he's a child - prodigy sure - but he's nothing compared to what he will be. We have a fighting chance. Take it!

She clenched her fist trembling.

Didn't we decide to live an exciting life this time? Wouldn't it be exhilarating to fight all against Neji Hyuga! The genius, prodigy just for the thrill of it! We are not like Sakura we live for exciting and will die with a satisfied smile on our face.

My eyes widen as she grew larger until she towered over me, color her colors faded living only white that served as her outline.

"Inner Sakura" was written on her forehead.

This is our life we choose how we live, it's boring to just give up, lets fight.

A thrill ran through me as a grin split my face, Hiashi paused mid-sentence. I got back on my feet staggering a bit when I looked him his eyes went wide just a bit before narrowing. My smile was not a nice one, it was cruel and fitted with bloodlust.

My first fight shouldn't end so boring, what was I even thinking.

I ran healing chakra all throughout my body to heal the sore muscles and numb the pain.

"My name is Sakura Haruno," I said with a bow "I look forward ti out fight."As I said it, I through the pale top off and released my restrictive seals. The cloth flattered to the ground, between us.

"The real fight begins now."

The clothing hit the ground and I charged.

Neji was ready for my attack but not my speed, without the gravity seals I was as light as a feather and faster than he could see. My fist sunk into his stomach and he coughed before being thrown back by the force. He stopped himself from going too far gripping the floor, causing it to squeak. I bounced lightly on my feet delivering quick punches to the air.

Neji soon recovered from his shock and attacked, I leaped into the air and came down with a dropkick. With his hands crossed he blocked, he grabbed my ankles and I dropped my knee in his face. He released me and I delivered a backflip kick to his chin for good measure. Landing on all fours I swept his legs from under him, he hit the floor with a thud.

Without buy seals I naturally faster as was the aim, I wanted to imitate Rock Lee, I think I might have succeeded. Neji's eyes blazed with anger, the table had turned in a 180 fashion to my side he was the one on the defensive.

Not fun to get your ass kick is it?

The air was hot, scorching even, the heat radiated from Neji as he stood. A bird, no a phoenix blazed around him. His Byakugan activated as he glared at me, here was hoping he hadn't learned the Gentle Fist.

He launched at me palm raised and going for the kill, my head hit the ground as I bent backward, his attack sailing over me, missing entirely. Everyone gawked at my flexibility; I had thought that flexibility essential for a ninja to have. I had broken my body and put it back together, to achieve that end. I was the worst pain I had ever felt in either of my lives, and I wished for the sweet relief of death through it all. At the end of it, I had a flexibility that would give Orochimaru a run for his money.

I aimed my knee for his stomach but he rested his hand in it and flipped away. I stood upright and smiled at him as he took his stance, he charged and I met him halfway.

We exchanged deadly blows, neither of us backing down or giving the other time to recover. Blow for blow, pain for pain. This! This was a fight!

Inner roared as I kicked him sending him through the open doors and into the courtyard. The day was now in full swing the sun passed the horizon. Not caring for my surroundings I gave chase, leaping off the engawa coming down with a punch.

Cha! I yelled in sync with Inner as we neared our prey. My knocked bruised as I missed and hit the ground instead. Shaking off the pain I smiled at Neji who was breathing heavy. My heart pounded in my ear my breathing heavy as his but a grin still split my face. Inner had been right giving it my all was exhilarating.

My hands aced from using them as a shield against Neji's wrath. I decided to use my feet for the remainder of the fight, I wasn't much of a taekwondo fighter but how hard could it be?

I did a poor imitation of Chun Li, one leg up, knee bent, a hand arcing over my head palm up, the other around my knee palm down. I wasn't very impressed but Neji eyed me with caution. I charged him kicking at his head; he blocked it griping it hard. Trapped I brought the other up but that one too was held captive, I grinned victoriously. Bending backward I placed my hands on the ground; I flipped using my legs to launch him into the air leaping up after him.

I raised my leg high over his head; I was next to impossible to dodge in mid-air.

"Heavenly foot of pain!" I cried, it was a move from Tsunade but what she didn't know won't hurt me. I delivered a punishing ax kick to his abdomen sending him crashing to the ground. He flipped at the last second landing on his feet sliding across the ground. I landed in a crouch, standing slowly and stared at him.

We stood motionless say for our breathing, the wind blow taking the leaves with it. A bird flew from a nearby branch, a sole feather its parting gift. It fluttered to the ground painfully slowly.

Hiashi and the others stood on the engawa watching and waiting. The feather touched the ground and we attacked.

I was lost in the adrenaline; the blows were nothing but a dull sensation. My eyes were only for his pale orbs, a grin painted on my face.

Inner was having the time of her life, I was sure must of my attacks were here doing. Excitement overwhelmed me; this thrill was what I had always wanted, what I had died without.

I loved every minute of our fight; we had long since given up on dodging only doing it to take advantage of openings. It felt like a dance like I was dancing with him in a ballroom. Headlights on us everyone watching, the dance floor ours alone.

My eyes never lift his, neither his mine, it was just us. No one else mattered nothing else mattered, the world didn't exist outside the ballroom. We heard only the music of our hearts beating in our ear and fist clashing. We danced beautiful, graceful and brutal.

We blocked each other's attack and leaped away panting. The sun hung high in the sky our shadows below us. It was noon I noticed distantly.

We couldn't keep doing this something had to give, neither of us had stamina left. I was relying on my chakra to keep me standing, controlling my own body like a puppet, but the show was coming to an end.

We both seemed to come to the same conclusion and readied for a final attack. We suddenly launched at each other.

"Shannaro!" Inner and I yelled fist flying forward.

My attack landed home sinking into his stomach. I grinned pass the pain of his attack in my chest, I coughed the same time he did. I finally broke eye contact as they rolled over in my head, the world spun as I fell on my back.

Neji staggered a little before he too fell to the ground.

Hiashi appeared moments later looking down at us a faint smile on his face. The world went black soon after.

That night I got an air-full from my parents with all the injury I had they were worried. I apologized but couldn't bring my self to regret it. I had fun. The next day I kidnapped Hinata, Leaving a note saying as much for Hiashi. I could feel his rage from my base. Naruto had been waiting their for me, he was a bit upset about me ditching him the day before but after stuffing him with food, all was forgiven. Hinata hid behind me the whole time until I through her into the lions den, or in this case Naruto's arms. It took quite a while but she begun to calm down around him. he didn't remember her as the girl i the snow, but it was obvious she never forgot.

I thought her the way of the herbs and she caught on quickly, especially after I informed her of how often Naruto got hurt. I even got the two to have a small spare, of course Hinata would run to Naruto every time she knocked him down, which happened a lot. There was something beautiful about the two of them interacting like that. Hinata being worried about Naruto and him trying to act tough her her.

They were destined to be together, and would never fight fate. I felt a ping of envy at the love they would share something I wouldn't be able to understand.

With a smile on my face i walked over to the would be love bird.

"Hey you guys have anything planed for the Sakura festival?"

hello my little Night Walkers. Sorry for not posting yesterday, i changed the script last minute. this might happen again just putting that out there. Hope you guys i enjoyed the log chapter, it was fun to write. Next chapter is my favourite. stay tuned. untill next time, Night Song.

Chapter 3 Love of Spring.

"Whats wrong with me!?"