Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Facing Consequences ❯ Flashbacks ( Chapter 1 )

 

FLASHBACKS

 

I woke up earlier than expected that day. Tsunade-hime asked me to do a new mission. I was plainly glad that she chose me. So with a smile on my face, I preceded my daily routine.

 

After taking a bath for 20 minutes, I searched for my ANBU uniform which contrasted my hair completely, I picked the hooded one, it would be unwise for me to let my hair down during the mission. I am the only pink-haired girl in Konoha, and letting my hair down would give away my profile. But it would be fine to let myself be known behind Konoha's borders, but if the mission would occur outside Konoha's boundaries, the hood will be essential for me.

 

I sat in front of my mirror, combing my hair absent-mindedly while staring at my 18 year old self, clad in black, my pink locks falling down my shoulders and swaying behind my back. I closed my window and headed downstairs. Grabbing my house keys, I glanced at the clock quickly and exited my apartment. 'Still early' I reminded my self.

 

9:00 am, Thursday, it's exactly five and a half years when Sasuke left Konoha. He talked so much about leaving. I never thought he'd really do it. He told me, that day, after our training. I could still remember his words ever so clearly, and still, even if five years had passed, its stays unsullied in my mind. As if he had just said it, and it still hurts me just as worse as the first time.

 

I tried to stop him, I told him how I felt about him. I told him that the love I have for him isn't the childhood crush I had for him before. But he just smirked, telling me that all of those I just said are merely figments of my imagination. He told me that he'd never be capable of feeling love, especially for a girl like me. He wanted to leave, but I didn't let him go. I grabbed his arm, but he yanked me away and threw me down. His sharingan eyes glaring at me. Until now, those red orbs with spinning block dots troubled my dreams. Then I would wake up crying and quivering.

 

I tried to stop him but he didn't even look back. He did not see the saline droplets staining my cheeks. He didn't care at all… He left for power, he left because he wanted revenge. I want him to come back. Back to us… to me. But im afraid he wont.

 

Five years passed, many things changed. Shikamaru and Ino are together now, no need to be surprised about it. Shikamaru's a Jounin, while Ino's a chuunin, I'd love to tease them, telling them that another lazy Nara in Konoha would be nice.

 

Hinata's also a chuunin, she isn't that shy anymore, but she's still timid and blushing whenever Naruto's around. Her cousin Neji is also an ANBU, a hunter-nin from what I've heard.

 

Well, Naruto…he still had that crush on me, he's a really dear friend to me, he's always there when I need someone to talk to. Since Sasuke left, he became really close to me. And me… well…I became a chuunin at 14, then a jounin at 15, and now, a medic-nin for the ANBU team. I became one because of him. I wanted very much to be a hunter-nin then. Why? Sasuke was declared a missing-nin, exiled ninja of the Leaf, but I wasn't good enough to be a hunter-nin, but I have been placed in the medical team, thanks to Tsunade-sama's teachings.

 

Being an ANBU helped me change, and im proud of it. I haven't got over Sasuke…yet. But I've lost mainly all my emotions for him. But even though some memories about him lingers in my mind, I can say that Im no longer the Sakura who hopelessly chased after the child prodigy by the name of Sasuke Uchiha. The moment Sasuke left the Leaf, the Sasuke I knew died… he died.

 

Right now… in Tsunade's office, A new mission was placed upon my feet. I have longed to be involved in this kind of mission. Retrieval. Tsunade had not told me whom to retrieve. She wanted to wait for another individual. A hunter-nin. The one who would be my partner during this mission.

 

==End of POV==

 

"Sakura?" Tsunade's voice rang out the room.

 

Sakura's thoughts snapped back to reality once more as she turned to the door, thinking her partner had arrived. But still, he hasn't. Considering how long she had waited, he would be almost as late as Kakashi-sensei when they had meetings before. Sakura turned to the clock and frowned, actually he was not really late, its just 9:30 in the morning, and the roseate haired-kunoichi arrived at 9:00. This meeting should still be held at 10. She had turned up early that surprised even the Hokage. She admitted that it was clearly her fault that she had to wait this long.

 

"Sakura? Are you ok? If you want, you can still take a walk outside and wander around. Its too early anyway." Tsunade smiled.

 

Sakura turned to her and nodded. She walked out of the room and wandered around the village. "I was just being enthusiastic about the mission that's all." She smiled to herself. Thinking it would be nice to have a tranquil moment before plummeting herself into the mission being offered, she went to Naruto's house.

 

Knocking three times with no one answering, she concluded that the agitated nin is still asleep. "Well, lets give him a surprise." She entered his apartment with a crinkled nose. "Does he even clean this house? Sasuke's might be a little neater than my fox boy." Sakura had developed the habit of calling Naruto her fox boy, just as Naruto calls her "my Sakura-chan". It was a simple gesture of friendship between them.

 

Her smile faded at her mention at Sasuke's name. She had the habit of comparing the both of them, in which the Uchiha heir would always win. But at the moment, being fond of Naruto made her see traits that her childhood crush did not possess. She felt guilty as she remembered how affectionate gestures by Naruto went unnoticed by her. After Sasuke left, she realized how much caring Naruto could be. He was always there for her, even though she didn't ask for it.

 

~Flashback~

 

"Sakura-chan?" Naruto inquired. It was raining, their training for the day had been canceled.

 

Sakura had visited her parents' grave for the fourth time that month. Naruto would always come with her. But this is the first time he had seen the girl cry.

 

"Sakura-chan?"

 

"Naruto… this was this day when my father died… I promised on his grave that I won't cry… but…" She hugged herself and cried upon her parents' grave. She didn't care whether she was getting wet. All she wanted was to stay there.

 

"Its ok to cry Sakura-chan. You're getting wet, we should head back now, I don't want my Sakura-chan to get sick." He smiled his little fox-grin.

 

That grin would always remind Sakura of how pathetic and childish he used to be. That grin of his always brought a smile upon her face. It was really comforting for Sakura to have Naruto by her side. She always felt secured and protected.

 

Naruto had grown, a lot. His whiskers are much lighter now, barely noticeable. His blond hair shone brightly now. His azure-blue eyes now as deep as the ocean. Sakura smiled, Naruto had grown to be respected in the village, and he had definitely become a perfect shinobi of the Leaf.

 

"Well? Shall I escort my cherry blossom home?" He smiled, offering his hand.

 

Sakura smiled and nodded, taking his hand.

 

They both ran under the rain.

 

~End of Flashback~

 

Sakura sighed and looked around the room. It was a mess. She would always come here in the morning to fix his things. It was the least she could do to repay the boy's benevolence towards her. She proceeded to the kitchen to wash the dishes. She wasn't surprised to see the bowl of ramen pile up in the sink. She was getting used to it.

 

"Naruto… what would you do without me?" she whispered to herself, smiling.

 

"My house will be a total mess." A voice behind her spoke.

 

The pink-haired kunoichi need not to look behind her. She unquestionably recognized the owner of that voice. The childish accent is still there, the affection also present. Though it had deepened a bit for the past years, she still knew him. She kept quiet.

 

"…and I will have no one to call my Sakura-chan!"

 

She smiled. He said it yet again, she wiped her hands on the nearby hand cloth after finishing with the dishes. She turned to him and crossed her arms across her chest. "Then what will my fox-boy do if his Sakura-chan leaves?" She focused her eyes on her feet.

 

Naruto's smile faded as he stared at her. "Another mission?"

 

"Yes…"

 

"How long--?"

 

"I don't know"

 

"Whom are you going with?"

 

"I don't know"

 

"What is your mission?"

 

"I don't know Naruto." She sighed and went to find the kettle to make tea. Then she sat down on the chair beside the table.

 

"What?! Tsunade-hime sent you to a mission when you don't even know it yet?"

 

"Well, she's will, later."

 

"Oh that's comforting." Naruto spat sardonically as he strode around the room. He was worried about his teammate. He became a little protective over her since her breakdown when Sasuke left. And he wanted to protect her.

 

"Don't worry Naruto, I'll tell you as soon as I was told." She smiled at him.

 

Naruto just nodded and sat at the chair across the kunoichi.

 

Several seconds passed silently, but the whistle of the teakettle soon shattered the silence around them. "I'll get it, just go fix your room Naruto." Sakura announced, standing up.

 

Naruto just sighed and disheveled his hair before disappearing to his room.

 

Sakura chuckled at the boy's childish actions, she then proceeded to make tea. A few minutes passed as she heard the droplets of rain on the roof. It should have been soothing, but rain only made her remember the Uchiha, which she had tried to stop from his departure from the Leaf. It was then she realized that she still loved the Uchiha, even in the tiniest corner of her mind and heart. She still loved him.

 

~Flashback~

 

It was the night before when Sasuke left. She let herself get soaked by her tears and the raindrops falling on her.

 

Dried mud was covering her dress and dried traces of her tears were upon her face the next morning. The sun's rays peeked through the branches of the trees surrounding her. Her eyes fluttered open as the light penetrated her eyes. She blinked… once… twice… a teardrop escaped her eye once more, remembering last night's events. The sun shone brightly above her. But she didn't want it. She wanted the rain. Raindrops are her last memories of the Uchiha.

 

Darkness.

 

Rippling waters..

 

A raindrop, or was it… tears?

 

The Uchiha fan.

 

Sasuke-kun…

 

Come back…

 

Back…

 

Sinister laughter.

 

Sasuke-kun, is that you?

 

You are weak… I loathe you.

 

Don't go…

 

Weak…

 

Sasuke-kun.

 

Teardrops.

 

Rippling water…

 

Darkness…

 

"Sakura-chan!!!"

 

Naruto?

 

"Sakura-chan!!!"

 

I want the rain…

 

"Where are you!"

 

Naruto… I want the rain, give me the rain…

 

"Sakura-chan? Wake up! Open your eyes!"

 

Darkness… very dark… cold.

 

"Sensei!! I found her!"

 

"Sakura?"

 

"Sakura-chan?"

 

Silence.

 

Rain… where is the rain? I want it… I need it…

 

~End of Flashback~

 

"Sakura-chan?"

 

Sakura's eyes snapped open as she looked at Naruto. "Yes?"

 

"You're crying…" He reached out.

 

The kunoichi backed away, wiping her unwanted tears, "No, uh… something got in my eye." She smiled.

 

Naruto pretended to believe her, but he can see sadness in her smile… Her smile was once again half-hearted, her smile for the past five years. He missed the smile that was as radiant as the sun. It was so when Sasuke were still present. Her smile was the truest. Oh how he missed that smile, there was also sadness in her eyes. He sighed as his own eyes averted to the window. Rain.

 

'I want the rain'

 

He frowned. She remembered him again. That bastard. Still making her cry even though he wasn't there makes his blood boil with fury.

 

She looked out the window. Seeing that the rain stopped, she sighed and decided that she better go. "Ne, Naruto… here's your tea. I have to get going now." She smiled at him and placed the cup in front of Naruto.

 

Naruto just nodded bidding her farewell. "Take care Sakura-chan, the streets are slippery with mud you know. I don't want my cherry blossom to get hurt." He smiled.

 

"Naruto, im not as clumsy as you," she teased as she vacated the apartment.

 

Naruto smiled at the kunoichi's retreating form. Her hair had grown to its original length. It fell silkily down her back and ended just above her waist. Sakura had grown into a lovely woman. It would be to lie to say that there is nothing to like about the girl. Her eyes were as green as the spring grass, her smile that would encourage anyone, lips that would tempt any man to kiss. Her physical features were just perfect, she had all the curves that any man would want. It is safe to say that he was getting more and more attracted to the kunoichi. She also had that strong will and kind heart. But that bastard… he clenched his fists, he broke her.

 

Even though the cherry blossom tree's roots wound deep into the earth, its flowers were fragile. As his Sakura-chan's will is strong, her heart is vulnerable to pain. He swore again, no one would hurt his Sakura-chan. No one. If it is for his cherry blossom's safety… he'd die.

_________________________________________________________________ _______

 

Making her way to the Hokage's office, she met a timid, dark-haired girl walking side-by-side with her best friend.

 

"Hey Sakura!"

 

Sakura's head shot up as she looked for the owner of the voice. She smiled. "Ino" her eyes moved to her right and greeted her companion. "Hinata-sama."

 

"Ohayou Sakura-san…" the Hyuuga heir responded. "Where are you headed to?"

 

"Tsunade-hime's office."

 

"Another mission Sakura?" It was Ino who spoke this time.

 

"Hai… so, how's it going between you and Nara?" said Sakura who abruptly changed the topic. She wasn't so excited about it anymore, but rather, nervous... as well as curious.

 

"Just fine"

 

"I see… I'm happy for you." She smiled.

 

Ino could only nod. Sakura had been like this since Sasuke left. She no longer had that smile that was only reserved for the Uchiha. They wanted to see it… one more time. But they knew it was impossible. For that smile was only present when the Uchiha was around.

 

"Well, why don't we eat together?" Hinata urged.

 

Sakura looked at the girl questioningly.

 

"Well… y-you will be leaving… s-so I think it would be nice for the three of us t-to eat together before you g-go." Hinata stammered, hoping the girl would agree.

 

Sakura wanted to be alone for a while. She wanted to think. "Hinata--"

 

"That's a great idea Hinata! Well lets go then!" Ino agreed. She knew very well that Sakura wouldn't agree. But Hinata had a point, this will be the last time they would be together for a long time.

 

Sakura smiled inwardly but agreed eventually. She was being supported and cared for by her friends. At least she could repay them.

 

It was Hinata's turn to smile. "So, where shall we eat?"

_________________________________________________________________ _______

 

A dark brooding boy looked out the window, a smirk on his face. "Rain huh?" He then went to his bed and sprawled on it, looking up the ceiling as he did. His hands rested behind his head. "I'll have my revenge… soon. But first, there's something I must settle." He then closed his eyes, a smirk playing across his handsome features.

 

Just then, a knock was heard upon the door. "Uchiha-san?"

 

The Uchiha heir looked up, annoyance all over his face. "Damn it… What?"

 

"Orochimaru-sama wishes to talk to you."

 

"Maybe later when I care."

 

"But he said it was important."

 

"I don't care, tell him I'll be coming later."

 

"If it is what you say."

 

He closed his eyes as footsteps faded away. "My name is Sasuke…" he whispered silently to himself before drifting to sleep, having the same troubling dream since he had left Konoha; a dream regarding a blanket-clad girl… with her hair as smooth as silk. He could see her, the curves that the thin blanket enables him to see. He would always see her every night… residing in his dreams, she never said her name, and he never remembered how she looked like when he wakes up in the morning. She would lean forward, planting a kiss on his lips. His cursed-seal pricked.

 

'Its just a dream…'

_________________________________________________________________ _______

 

"Hinata…"

 

"Hai?"

 

"Thank you, I really appreciated this treat."

 

"It was nothing Sakura-san, you deserved it." Hinata blushed timidly as they walked out the restaurant.

 

"Ah, that was a delicious meal." Ino smiled.

 

Sakura laughed lightly before someone called her name.

 

"Sakura-san!"

 

The pink-haired kunoichi turned around and smiled. There is another friend of hers, clad in a green jump suit. Rock Lee. She waved, the boy also had great affection for her, in which she was flattered deeply. He was just the same as Naruto. "Ohayou Lee-san" She noticed that there was another individual who followed closely, she smiled and whispered to the blond girl beside her, "Check out who's here."

 

"Huh? Who?" Ino inquired looking around, her eyes lightened as she ran over. "Shikamaru!"

 

"Geez, you are so troublesome." Shikamaru smiled a small smile as she hugged the girl lightly before turning back to the crowd. "Haruno-san, Is it true that you have a new mission?"

 

"Hai, you've heard right." Sakura smiled.

 

"Sakura-san, take care of yourself." Lee approached the girl with a hand on her shoulder.

 

"I always do." she smiled sadly, she'd miss them during the mission. That's for sure.

 

Her gaze went to the linked hands of Shikamaru and Ino. She is happy for her best friend, and she envied her. She finally had love in her life. While she… had lost hope in it.

 

"Sakura-chan!!!" A voice shouted from afar. She almost laughed as she turned around to greet the person.

 

"Naruto"

 

"Hey, what's with the crowd around here?" Naruto looked around, looking and smiling at each one of them. When his gaze fell on Hinata, the girl flushed deeply. "Ohayou Hinata."

 

"O-ohayou… Naruto-k..kun" She twiddled her fingers.

 

Naruto raised a brow for a second and just shrugged. He then looked at Sakura. "So, any news on your mission?"

 

"No, not yet. I was just headed to Tsunade's office."

 

"I see, you want me to go with you there? Its not like im going to do anything anyway."

 

"No Naruto, you can stay around here, I'll be just fine." Sakura inwardly scoffed at Naruto's inability to notice Hinata's feelings for him. 'Naruto you idiot, you're hurting Hinata!' She, of all people, knew how it feels how to be ignored, and she didn't want Hinata to feel that way as well.

 

With a simple wave of a hand, she left the group of people that she considered as her friends, her purpose of living, the only thing that makes her want to go on living and the only ones who can make her life worth living.

 

Having no more ideas on what to do inside the village, Sakura decided to wander into the forest, not really having the idea why her feet led her there. Tears sprang to her eyes once more. Too many memories have returned at the moment she stepped into that particular clearing. The place where Team 7's first training was held and also… our last… A slight smile crossed her lovely face as she remembered their first training.

 

~Flashback~

 

Sakura hid under the bushes, watching Naruto fight their sensei 'fair and square' as he called it. Their task was to grab a bell by lunch, Kakashi told them all to hide, so they did, with the exception of Naruto. She sighed and shook her head. This boy just can't go any dumber.

 

Soon, Naruto was tied up in a tree… and Kakashi-sensei? Well he was lecturing him alright. She listened to them both.

 

"A Ninja should think beyond reasoning." Their teacher said.

 

"I know that already!"

 

"You don't! That's why I'm telling you, Idiot."

 

"Idiot?! Who are you calling an idiot? Come here I'll kick your ass you idiot!"

 

Sakura sniggered slightly, but that was before their sensei was caught in a series of attacks that Sasuke just sent him. She was about to scream when she realized that their sensei had done the substitution skill. Sensing Sasuke run away, her 12-year-old self ran after him. But sensing their teacher near, she stopped her pursuit. "Im safe… he didn't see me."

 

"Yo Sakura…"

 

~End of Flashback~

 

"Yo Sakura…"

 

The kunoichi opened her eyes in surprise as she stared at the person in front of her. She scowled. "Sensei! You almost gave me a heart attack!"

 

He laughed, "Yeah well, sorry about that." He then sat down behind her. "So what are you doing here?"

 

"Just letting time pass. Tsunade-sama's going to give me a mission later." She spoke. She was surprised that she talked about her mission comfortably with her past sensei.

 

"Yeah, I've heard about it. Do you have any idea about it though?" his face darkened as he mentioned about the mission.

 

But it went past Sakura's notice, for she was looking at the ground, her knees pulled up to her chest. "No…"

 

"Well Sakura, I want you to be strong during the mission, also… take care of yourself."

 

"I always do sensei…"

 

"No you don't."

 

Feeling a little insulted, she didn't respond, but deep inside she knew he was right. She can't take care of herself all the time.

 

~Flashback~

 

"Sakura?"

 

"Sakura-chan!"

 

Sakura just closed her eyes as she felt someone lift her from the ground. She was still weak from the night's events. She wanted to stay in the forest, where Sasuke left her. But as she felt lifted, she heard the rustle of leaves that indicates that she was being taken away from the forest clearing.

 

"Sensei? What happened to her?"

 

"I don't know Naruto. We'll ask her when we get her to my house."

 

Naruto just nodded and jumped after Kakashi.

______________________________________________________________ __________

 

"Sakura, open your eyes…"

 

Slowly, she obeyed. She felt blankets around her, a bed beneath her, and a pillow under her head. She sat up and looked around her. She wasn't home, then, where is she?

 

"Sakura?"

 

"Sakura-chan… what happened?"

 

'Naruto?' It took a while before her mind registered the voice. "What… happened?" Sakura's voice was shaking as she gripped the blanket around her.

 

"Yes Sakura, what happened?"

 

'That's sensei's voice…' she thought. She kept quiet and didn't answer his question.

 

"Naruto found you covered in mud at the forest. What happened?"

 

"Sasuke-kun… he…" uncontrollable tears fell down as she whispered his name.

 

"What?" Her sensei asked.

 

"…he left… with a sound nin." It was then she broke down.

 

"What?!" Naruto shouted.

 

~End of Flashback~

 

"Sensei… thank you for taking care of me. That day…"

 

"You're my student. I care for you, as I care for Naruto and Sasuke."

 

"I know."

 

"Well, just wanted to see you before you leave for your mission." He stood up and looked at her. "Be strong Sakura, don't get your feelings involved."

 

Sakura stood up abruptly. "What do you mean sensei?"

 

But Kakashi already left, leaving the kunoichi alone.

 

'Be strong Sakura, don't get your feelings involved.'

 

Sakura again sat down under a tree, overlooking the river. She sighed and closed her eyes. After a while, she heard a thump against wood… kunai… another thump, lighter… shuriken… clash against metal, this one struck her a long time to register the sound. Her hand crept to the tattoo on her shoulder, somehow it comforted her to know that she is an ANBU. She took a deep breath and placed the mask upon her face and went over to the noise. Hiding her presence as well as her chakra, she walked over to the source of the sound. She smiled slightly, she recognized fully the mocha-colored hair and the pearly-white eyes of the person in front of her. "Neji-san…" Sakura placed a hand behind her.

 

"Kunoichi, what do you want?"

 

"You do know me right?" She then entwined her fingers, smiling behind her mask.

 

"Haruno-san, don't underestimate me."

 

Sakura dropped her hands beside her limply and slumped a little. "How did you know…?"

 

"Beside your voice, the hand behind your back are one of your mannerisms whenever you greet a person. Second, when one entwine hands, it means that he or she had seen the person before or at least, knew the one he or she is talking to, its familiar. Lastly, slumping like that with your arms limp indicates that im correct."

 

Sakura sighed and nodded, removing her mask. "Neji-san, you're too observant. Anyway, what are you doing here?"

 

"If it isn't too obvious enough, then I'll tell you, im training."

 

"Oh…" she laughed nervously.

 

Neji broke her gaze and walked past her to gather his kunai. "Now, if you will excuse me, I should be leaving, I still have more to do."

 

Sakura looked up at the sun and flinched, "its high up…" She gasped as she saw the positioning of the sun, almost mid-day, about ten o'clock. Her eyes widened and turned to Neji, but he already left. She then headed back to Tsunade's office. "Tsunade-sama!" she burst inside.

 

"Sakura" she smiled, "don't worry, you're still the first one here. You're partner hasn't arrived still."

 

Sakura sighed and sat down, looking at the clock, "9:52, still not that late." She then closed her eyes and waited. Eight more minutes passed when a knock was at last heard upon the door.

 

"At last…" Sakura smiled as her gaze went to the door, but due to some unknown reason, her face was heating up while her heart rate increased as the door slowly opened.

 

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