Chapter 17

Eyes don't lie, whenever they are as open and as bright as those sky-blue gems that smiled so brightly.

She could confuse his brightness with the warm lights from the food stand, it was almost unreal. She could not remember such a real and bright smile aside from those Hashirama had for his brother and friend.

You could tell right away who a true friend for the tanned man was by just seeing that smile, she wondered if that was the same here.

The blonde had a spark that was not hidden away from this world.

Sakura had no idea how to respond. All she knew at the moment was hunger.

Her rumbling stomach had her mind narrowing on the delightful ingredients the shop owner was kind enough to explain, a little too much at times. – "This meat is found on the side of the cow, right here." – he pointed at his body, trying to give the pinket an idea of where the food comes from.

Not like she remembers seeing a cow in her life.

A nervous smile was all she could master as she dumbly mumbled her thanks over and over. In the end, she opted for whatever her… guard?... caretaker?... what was he supposed to be again?

Turning slightly, the man was comfortably sitting with both hands holding his nape in a restful position, sating at the sky and birds above while the blonde seemed to be chatting to himself at this point.

A glimpse of midnight orbs stared at her for a millisecond before turning away.

Those looked very familiar.

- "I'll have whatever he has." – she whispered to the chef's daughter as she wrote down the orders.

- "Anything else, hun?" – the dark-haired woman began to explain a drinks menu. After politely cutting her off, the pinket asked to water and sat down.

Too much excitement from strangers trying to be kind. The stand was filled with warmth and delightful smells that caused her mouth to water, the other patrons seemed to come by for their orders and sit down in a small eating area. It was all so…

Peaceful?

Is this the whole purpose of a place like this? She wondered.

Kids ran and giggled in the distance, parents talked and watched as the minutes ticked away before the sun would go down.

Sakura wondered what happened after they all left, would this place be cold and dark? Or would there be other activities to entertain yourself with?

A small pang of jealousy hit her.

Not a single memory of her having fun, running, and laughing. No friendly faces to remember fondly, no childhood stories to tell.

No bonds to share.

Kakashi had friends, it was obvious people knew him and would want to have a conversation over a meal.

She wanted that.

Her mind drifted to another world.

A world where she was just like them, the four would get together in this very stand to talk, hang out, do whatever their lives would offer.

Would she be a warrior just like them?

Had the been born in the same village and time as them, would she be someone they wanted to have around?

What kind of family would she have?

Her thoughts were interrupted as two bowls were placed in front of them, steam caressing her chin as she sniffed the air. A hum escaped her lips and she turned to those lazy charcoal eyes of his.

An expecting smile directed at him.

The warrior seemed to have noticed her silent question, with a sigh, he took the quickest bite she has ever seen.

Stunned and amazed, she couldn't even see the noodles enter his mouth and even wondered if his dark mask had any opening.

A few blinks of silence and she heard a blurt of laughter coming from the blonde. – "I reacted the same way! Believe it!" – he whipped his mouth and leaned to her. – "Sakura, right? I haven't seen you around, are you new?" – his smile was very welcoming, but the question was not something she wanted to answer.

Or knew how to…

- "I told you; she is visiting." – answered Kakashi in a bored tone. – "Now stop talking with your mouth full." – he scolded lightly.

The blonde ignored the man and leaned even closer. – "Have you been here before? Want a tour?" – he continued talking and taking bites of his noodles. – "We should hang out!" –

Sakura was speechless.

Not because she did not know how to answer, that was no longer the issue, but because she had no chance to answer as he spoke to the speed of life.

He seemed to type to have more energy than he can spent out in a day.

All she could do was nod every now and then with a smile and take small bites. Indeed, the food was just what she needed to warm her up. She was given a smaller bowl as to avoid being overwhelmed by the explosions of flavours since it was her first ever.

She leisurely ate while enjoying the back and forth banter between the three men, mostly being carried by the blonde.

The man, she noticed, at the far end was quiet. But reacted to the blonde in a very familiar way. As if they could go on all day and still be friends even as she saw his vein pop out.

Again, she saw herself being able to be the person to engage like that. Talk to them and have them enjoy her thoughts, conversations, comments… anything.

They had just met and all she could muster was her name and a few nods.

What a loser…. She thought to herself.

But, she still thought of those men who found her. Would they be fine with her making friends? Was it too dangerous to get close to anyone other than the four of them… even though it looked like Tobirama wanted to strangle the Uchiha as much as the Uchiha wanted t to strangle the Senju…

It was a weird dynamic.

Sakura found herself confused over what her future would look like. She still had no idea what her present meant.

Once she helped the people, what next? Will she be wanted? Needed? … loved?

Uh.

That word made her uncomfortable.

It made sense to her thinking anyone would want to be loved and love back. But, why does it give her a feeling of dread?

"Because no one will ever love you as I did" – that voice. It echoed in her mind. A strange ringing echoed and muffled everything around her. "Sakura, you don't need anyone."

Turning to the park, she could not see whoever was speaking. The men where talking to each other, but the voice was… not from a man.

A woman?

"You only need my love, dear Sakura."

Please stop, she told herself.

"You don't need their fake smiled."

They are real!

"They won't want you if they knew."

Knew what!

….

Silence.

The ringing continued, louder and louder.

She kept asking, what did she mean? The voice would not answer back or stop that awful ringing.

What do you know!?

….

No response.

Her head felt like it would explode. Her mind now shut as she tried to hold on until it stopped.

- "Sakura?" – a hand landed on her shoulder, seemingly bringing her back. Suddenly, everything was as if nothing ever happened. – "Sakura. Are you okey?" – the voice continued.

Turning, she found the sharp gaze of Tobirama. – "I…" – she tried to answer, confused over what just happened.

His brows were knitted, and his jaw seemed like it would pop. He carefully licked his lips and held her gaze. – "What are you doing here, Sakura?" –

She was about to answer, turning towards Kakashi.

However.

Kakashi was gone.

What?

Tobirama gently squeezed her shoulder, gaining her attention once again. – "Who brought you here?" – he continued. Worry and suspicion marked his expression.

Sakura searched for answers on his crimson gaze, flickering her eyes towards her surroundings. Tall trees – taller than she has ever seen – surrounding them, thick trunks with heavy branches that could crush her if they fell. Spikey green grass caressing her ankles and irritating her.

This place felt off.

She was no longer sitting on a bench, eating warm noodles in a bright park filled with life and people.

They were both standing in the middle of a small opening in a dense forest.

One thing she noticed right away, was that she could hear Tobirama's controlled breathing.

The forest had no sound.

Not a single bird could be heard, nor the wind brushing through the trees, not a single cricket… nothing at all.

Fear gripped her throat. Turning with pleading eyes, she tried to speak. – "Tobi, what is this place?" –

He swallowed hard. His Adams apple catching her eyes. – "This is a restricted are, Sakura." – his tone was controlled, but she could tell he was not trying to scare her… only stating something very important.

She should not be here.

Ever.