Important!: Guys seriously. The thing is almost done. I'm going to be posting regularly. And the chapters are going to be way up there. I need a beta to edit the chapters too. There's only so much a person can do. Now I know I haven't always been the best updater, but I've always updated at some point. Now all you who have reviewed and been loyal, thank heaven for you, you all warm my heart with your caring. But to all you readers who haven't reviewed at all what's the point of updating if I don't get any encouraging feedback? I may just take this story off, is that what you want?

(Arc of the Waxing Crescent)

Chapter 9: Hourglass

{Sakura}

"We'll begin with mediation Sakura-san, and go from there." With that the deity sat back down on her cushion, assumed the very uncomfortable looking Lotus position, settled her palms on her knees, and closed her eyes, at peace. It made me sick just watching her. Mediation had never really appealed to me, I thought of it as a useless activity that didn't get anything done. If I needed to sleep, I'd take a nap, then get up and back into the action of life. But with my ancestor looking like she wasn't going to move anytime soon, and in some kind of trance, I resigned myself to napping for a few hours. Even when Okaa-san had taken up meditation as well, I had rolled my eyes at accomplishing anything by just sitting there and closing your eyes.

And I was still very shaken from my dream encounter with this "darkness" that my foremother had mentioned, and I secretly admit that it had been one of the most frightening encounters in my life. Facing Orochimaru had been gut-wrenching in my younger years, but he had been mortal, able to be killed, maimed, and cut. It just seemed irritably hard. But this evil, this monster that had haunted my dream, it made me tremble to my very core. Waking up screaming, sobbing in terror, and the only thought in your mind was that you were going to die really got your heart racing. It was only after I had screamed my voice speechless and cried so hard into my little cocoon of blankets that I had realized that the danger had passed. Now I feared, no I knew, I would see those cruel eyes again, that grinning mouth if I so much as closed my eyes... I shivered, I really didn't want to close my eyes at all.

" I know you fear what you may see in your mind's eye, Sakura-san. But you can't let your fear of Orochi's powers disable you. I am here, and as I said before you are safe. I will not let him take you. Now stop dawdling, and sit your little butt down missy." Came the monotone voice of my "Obba-sama", making me glare at her for her wording. It was nice I was protected by her presence, but if she had not been in her mediation trance; I knew those words would have been biting, but playfully sarcastic. And such a notion was just too familiar for comfort, as I grudgingly placed my self on my cushion again; I confirmed where I had gotten my lashing, silver tongue from. And it annoyed me that one of my main weapons had been used against me. I could only thank heaven on high that she couldn't do a mean puppy dog eyes as I could. Then I would seriously be in trouble.

Resigning myself to this ridiculous chore, when we could have been training, I didn't even try to copy her lotus stance, instead sitting Indian style. I laid my hands on my knees, palms up, which were suddenly very clammy and shaky. I gritted my teeth, trying to over look my fear, stilled my body and shut my eyes tight. And waited....

And waited....

And waited.....

After a while I realized what was happening...

Absolutely fucking NOTHING!!!!!!!!

I threw my eyes open, and heatedly glared at the goddess of the night, putting every ounce of my agitation and blame into the stare. I watched and waited, never blinking until my eyes felt dry, and were about to burst out of my head. Suddenly her facial muscles twitched in stirring from her mindless "trance", and peeked from behind a heavy eyelid at me. I smirked in triumph, thinking of course I had won to get a very chiding, if not angry rebuke for my insolence. It would be sad when she proved me wrong.

She kept staring at me with the same intensity from the corner of her eye for some time. I waited for the reprimand, the scolding, or whatever irritated goddess/teachers are supposed to do to a mortal who wasn't following their instructions. But she merely stared right back at me, not even turning her head to look at me straight on, and kept playing staring contest with me. Then she batted a dismissive eyelash at me after a while, and resumed her meditation as if I hadn't silently challenged her and had tried to invoke a scolding from her. I gaped at her, and then pouted in defeat as I crossed my arms in front my chest and purposefully faced my back towards her. I grumbled mentally at the lack of reaction, feeling like a fly being batted absently from an indifferent person. I didn't like this at all, and it only made it worse that my attempt to foil this exercise had failed completely. Not even a twitch of the mouth or a glare in the eye at my brazen insubordination. Fear was long gone now, and I huffed as I settled back into my position.

If she wanted to waste my time with this childish game, than so be it. I'd show her! I glared at her defiantly before I relaxed my body and closed my eyes again.

And then I promptly fell asleep.

Shadows danced about me in gossamer steps, circling about me in an almost teasing fashion, and planting silky cool caresses all over my body. I laughed at their playful mischief, their odd childish prancing about, as if fickle butterflies trying to choose which flowers to land on. So satiny soft they gave off dazing words, not quite tangible syllables of sound that rubbed my eardrums and fogged my mind. Their dance suddenly turned more quick, from a flighty floating to a full out spin, creating an even more hypnotic affect. They spun like a vortex, a tornado even as they closed in on me, and suddenly their dance was no longer fun to watch, no longer their touch pleasant. The scene suddenly seemed frighteningly off, their cold slippy skins sliding about me in flashes of freezing blows.

"Sakura...." My breath caught in my chest. Sasuke! Could it really be him? But it had to be him! No one had such a voice as Sasuke did! Oh thank the gods, he was safe. Our teammate had come back, my friend and past crush would be safe in our web of friendship! Naruto wouldn't have to suffer for the promise he had made to me, they could finally be rivals and brothers again! I could be comforted by the warm cold black eyes as he took in what he had gained in the past, and perhaps would be grateful for what he still had even after the loss of his clan! It really didn't matter though, as long as our comrade was back, my cool friend had returned, no matter how cruel or indifferent! I turned to embrace him even if he shoved me off a second later.

"Oh Sasuke-" My blood ran cold, my soul shrieked in absolute fright. Serpentine eyes of hatred and greed looked right into mine, gripping me in their red glazed stare. The scales shone an inky, oily black, full of the world's evil, mixed with the tar of humanity's sins. Yatama-no-Orochi licked his lips in a devouring hunger, his decaying, blood encrusted fangs baring his trademark monovalent grin.

"Oh sweet, little virgin flower. Come now and be with me. Come away from the cold, floating moon, and into the music of the dark. I will let you play with the dark shadow sprites, feed you the finest of the sweet elixir of my kind. Come with me, let me have you." It grinned, for it could not be a person at all. Everything seemed to die in me at the thing's words, for all light faded like a candle in the night. The other seven heads were rearing up in the distance. I would be torn apart.

"I will devour you, little girl!" The mouth gaped wide, descending on me as I wondered if my blood would stain this monster's teeth...

"WAKE UP, SAKURA!! DON'T let THAT SHIT-for-BRAINS SERPENT HYPNOTIZE YOU!YOU KEEP AWAY FROM MY STUDENT YOU MOTHER-FUCKER!YOU ARE NOT WELCOME HERE! GET AWAY FROM MY DAUGHTER! YOU WILL NOT TAKE ANOTHER LOVED ONE AWAY FROM ME! I WOULD DIE BEFORE YOU EVEN LAID A TAINTING, SLIMY FINGER ON MY DAUGHTER!"

The blow came swift, and spread from the backs of my thighs, tail-bone to the base of my spine. I stared widely in shock at the wooden roof of the training room as an enraged goddess hovered in my line of vison all angered elegance, and wide silver eyes. She had pulled the cushion from out underneath me, I slowly realized, Diantha-sama had pulled the cushion right from under me, forcing the entire backside of my body into agony. She had sensed that something was wrong, so she has wakened me accordingly. I watched silently as she ranted, still frozen from my dance with the devil, so to say.

"That damned snake! Who the Fuck does he think he is! Trying to take my student right from under my nose! How dare he! Thinks he's such a sneaky weasel does he?! Trying to steal right from the chicken house! May he be damned and roasted in Emmo-sama's eight hells! May that scale-faced thing-"

"Diantha-sama" My voice was small and cracked like a child's. I felt like my puppet strings had been cut, like I had never danced with death before. I felt my brain melt, flow down my spine and dribble into a toxic mess with my intestines. They swayed like a boat lost at sea, at the very beginning of a storm. It took her a minute to calm down enough to hear me clearly. It took her fifty seconds to understand my silent plea for her to keel down before me. It took thirty seconds to get up enough strength to my wired limbs to function properly. It took a second to latch myself around her like a buttoned-up coat, all clingy and snug. And the tears well... They had already arrived before I locked myself around her. Grace, nobility, pride could be shed for awhile. In fact I think I was due for that bout of humility.

I had stopped bawling after about an half-hour, soaking the goddess's clothes through enough for them to permanently stain. I may have produced salt-water from my eyes, but it felt like ink, smearing me in remembrance of my failure. Diantha-sama had been everything I could have wished she would have been at the moment. Though arrogant, insane beyond all reason and all that jazz, she was a competent grandmother as she has soothed me out of my water-works. Now I was standing against the door frame, just in case my empty body felt up to running away from it's destiny. I had gotten up to brood for a bit, and stir in my weakness like miso soup as the goddess remained silent as she continued to sit on the floor.

I suddenly thought of Hinata, my shy, pretty heiress friend. I remembered her at the Chunnin Exam, how that frail body had shaken under Neji's cold eyes and everyone's stares. She had always been quiet, weak, and pushed into her little corner. What courage, I thought, it must have taken even to step out of that corner's shadow, to get up after that first blinding-hit from Neji. How much it must have hurt to get hit like that, to watch as no one intervened, when no one shouted a "keeping going" or "you can do it!". And that elation when someone said it, a "I believe in you" that came from the soft lips of a cursed, annoying, wonderful, even softer-hearted boy. A boy who knew that feeling, and knew what a "I believe in you!" could do for a person.

I thought of that boy, and realized he had never said anything so profoundly perverse to me. Had never dared to utter those vulgar, wonderful words. I realized now I had always sought a "I believe in you!" from that foxy-boy. I had wanted it from my Uchiha teammate who has deserted us all, from my indifferent sensei who no longer even paid attention my way, a cold bastard who painted all the time, from my favorite girl pals, my legendary teacher, my colleagues at the hospital. No one had ever said "I believe in you Sakura!". Not one person.

They may have implied it, and usually that would do. But now my heart rang like a dead gong, empty without those words, that damned, cruel phrase. The only person who had ever said "I believe in you" was my Okaa-san, and she wasn't here to utter those words. Even Diantha had not said such a thing. I looked emptily at the goddess, all morose and calm. I think I hated and loved her in that one moment. She was making me realize how much I had neglected my emotional needs, and I hated her for it. This was an inconvenience I didn't have time for, but knew it was there. Like a splinter I couldn't tare out, like an itch I couldn't scratch, it all would stick with me until I righted the wrongs in my life.

"Sakura, please look at me, my sweet girl." I glared right into platinum crystals. She didn't flinch, but looked sad anyway. I looked on.

"I'm sorry about what's happened. I truly am. I'm not going to tell you anymore than that because I'd be boring you with the same speeches I've given already. If I could change this I would. But since you've consented you must have had a good reason to go on living right? Well think on your fear and also about those close to you. What matters more, living your life with your precious ones or the challenge at facing Orochi?"

I scrutinized her for a second before thinking swiftly. Living a life was a very big responsibility, but also a great privilege. I loved all these people, no matter their flaws. The fear Orochi instilled in me was potent yes, but like cheap alcohol the haze disappeared after a little while. I needed to overcome it, to face what was really important. My friends, my teachers, my boys. All of them, for them, for the village, for my fallen clan, for my mother, for Diantha, and for myself. Especially for myself. This was the ultimate obstacle, the true test. After this was over, what else would compare? Mind slightly made up I nodded stiffly to her. I would give this a try. She seemed pleased at my agreement and cleared her throat to speak.

"Now I know it may seem a bit unorthodox, but I want to try something with you." I raised a pink eyebrow at her, my eyes speculative. But I complied as I got into my previous Lotus stance, and she kneeled down behind me. I silent begged in my mind. I would do anything for her, anything at all, just not....

"Close your eyes, and center your mind." Came the clear order from behind me, but I didn't budge. Not even to bat a single eyelash, not even one fucking blink. Ths shaky determination I had just mustered disintegrated into thin air. Seems I wasn't as sure as I had thought I was. The toxic fangs of Orochi seemed to mentally pierce me with it's poisonous venom of fear. I would not move because I was thoroughly, absolutely, fucking terrified. I admitted this to myself wholly and fully. I started to shake, silent tears gathered in my eyes in cold fear.

No way was this the right path for me. I was better off dead by Diantha-sama's sword than confronting the world's evil. There was no way I could smite that fucking thing, a creature that inspired a kind of hopelessness and terror in me by a mere glance. I couldn't do this. My mother and the moon goddess must have made a mistake. I was not a celestial warrior, no savior to my clan, no bringer of hope or strength. I wasn't the Maiden or the Key. I wasn't made of the tougher stuff to take on things like this. Akatsuki sure, Orochimaru fine, but not that thing. I would rather become an insomniac, and go insane like Gaara had for awhile than do this. Anything but this.

"Please Sakura do not fear. He wishes to deter you from this path, for he fears what you might become. I can't say I can always protect you, I can't say that Orochi is not frightening, like cold hatred and death animated looking at you. You see your down-fall in those all-seeing red eyes of his. I know because he to tried to sway me to his cause before any of this mess. When he first came for me in my dreams he wasn't as he truly is, he assumed a form of a handsome man with a gentle voice and garnet eyes. I was an adolescent girl than, dreaming of love and fearing duty. He almost had me when my powers inadvertently protected me from his greed. Since then he has been hell-bent on having either me or one of my daughters. He wishes for what he has been refused all these years."

"I can not lie. This is a dangerous, hard, scary, if not an extremely painful path to follow. Even with your excelled ability you may not fully get everything right away. Even gods make mistakes Sakura. It's what makes us people, more normal and less perfect. I've lost almost everything to this creature, and I don't want to loose anymore of my family. I don't want to loose you..If something were to happen to you, it would certainly hurt me in the greatest sense. I don't want to loose you too."

My heart sank in my stomach, yet it inflated like a balloon. It pressed into my guts, and made them sigh in emotion. The tears poured out without so much as a sob from my chest, which was oddly constricted. Caught between doubt, terror, and love my body couldn't function. My brain was hazy, in amidst of unknowns, "what ifs" and determination. I don't remember where it came from, I believe from my bones though, the metal streamed through my cells and into my body. It coated my heart, clung to my limbs, made home in my brain. My barriers were erected then like adamantine, my will pushing at my conscious like a hot tumor, like an ember ready to explode. The tears stopped, quick and precise. My eyes turned feverish with the shine of the iron behind my eyelids.

"I told you didn't I? I'm not qualified for this job, I'm still a kid. It's not fair to push this crap on me. But god forbid, I try and live my life the way I want to. People just don't get it. I'm tired of being left out, of being the puppet or castoff of all the people in my life. I'm getting so sick of all these prissy attitudes like "We need to protect you" or "I'm sorry".

This shit is getting old, real fast. I need to do this, not because I have to, but because I want to. I'm doing this whether you or that slimy little garden snake like it or not. The world will go on if I die, but like hell if I'm letting that bully take over my life, and ruining it. He's trying to take away my choices, and like hell if I'll let some "ancient evil" take control of my life, because only I can decide what's right for me. So what if I'm scared? I have people to protect, a disease to cure, and a world to "save". So thank you for trying to give me an out, but no thanks. I'm sorry though..." I felt her stare at me through my back, I turned to find her shocked beyond words, her pretty lips open.

"I'm sorry I hadn't already shown you my true resolve until now."

Tears came down like raindrops from those glazed eyes, her body twitched with something special, her guilt building up like an aneurism in the brain. I smiled.

"Now what was this crazy idea of your's?" Her watery eyes looked at me asking 'Really?'

My own, all glittery with metal and magic, said back 'Why yes, of course.'

(Hyuuga Compound)

The reed mats kept the sun out, the only light a small globe oil lamp, casting the room in vague shadows. A spacious room with fine ink painting, sleek wood furniture, a large futon with a wide span of expensive cloth to ensure the most comfortable sensation. Such finery was beautiful, admirable and so...empty. Actually the entire room, though spacious, seemed to sparse for someone's living chambers. The only hint of personal touch was on the far table next to the bed, a wide, thin structure, slight put off from the futon.

Lined with significant photographs in well made metal frames. They depicted smiling faces, full of laughter or joy. Small, but important nick knacks were decorated around the photos, each a treasure holding a story of a good time and precious memories. The flame in the lamp flickered slightly, disturbing the steady shadows. Wide, doe pearl eyes blinked through a feverish haze at the material memories, mostly staring at one picture of herself and a precious comrade, her eyes agleam. Soaked blueberry colored strands of long hair lay stuck to her forehead and neck, the burning fire inside having cooled enough to make her delirium from her fever calm. Every limb ached, her chest pressed tight, her head in a fog of confusion and pain. Her strength seemed to have been zapped from her, like static electricity.

"You need your rest Hinata." The white eyes didn't even blink, they kept on in their staring. She gave no answer.

"You're making everyone worry about you, you know!? Neji's wearing himself thin! Shino and Kiba are walking on egg shells, not knowing what to do! The girls are already worried enough. You need to take care of yourself." The kunoichi huffed slightly, her frustration leaking into her chiding. The blank eyes narrowed slightly.

"Don't make this about me, TenTen. I know what is happening, and I certainly didn't wish this on myself. I am aware of my condition. So please be kind enough to keep your inner guilt under control, because your vindictive displays aren't flattering." The voice was horse from lack of use, soft as always, but now had an uncharacteristic bite to it. TenTen flinched, unused to the hard truth from her usually sweet friend. She rubbed her eyes tiredly, before she sighed.

" I'm sorry, Hina-chan. I didn't mean to take my problems out on you. It's just with everything going on, I just can't seem to get all these emotions out. Everyone's running ragged, and with the way we haven't found anything...And the boys..." The figure in the bed shifted slightly.

"Any word?" The brunette shook her head sadly.

"Not a one, save that message Shizune delivered. I mean everyone just seems even more worried now. I mean we can sense that she's safe in her house, but its locked up tight and she won't answer any message or her doorbell. It's just nerve racking. I want to bust that door down, no matter what her wishes are. And to lay off her lame-ass, bastard teammates?! Come on! The least she could do was let us warm up on their sorry hides! Just one good beating before she gets her rightful justice! Maybe a bit of acid, a kunai slash there, maybe even some stab wounds...They wouldn't even be able to trace any of it back to us... I mean it would be so easy, there would be no barriers holding us back. Once they mess with one of us, every restrictions just seem to melt away, no matter what consequences may come later..." When she had ranted her voice had been harsh, had rung with needed vengeance, but it suddenly started to crack like wood.

"..I mean they can't just go around ruining people's lives like hat! And especially that garbage they spouted was complete lies! Not strong enough my ass! And to be so cruel to someone who's sacrificed for and helped them! Someone who's never done anything directly vicious to them! I'd hate to see them affectionate if this is them just being friendly! I mean she didn't do anything to deserve that...She's so nice, and warm and giving and strong...She can be to bossy, blunt, or hot headed some times but that's no reason to have said those things! She's dedicated towards them, loves them above even herself and they can't see that she's been killing herself just trying to gain their approval! And to deny her this chance to fight that Uchiha bastard too...It doesn't make sense...Why would anyone want to hurt her ? Sakura....doesn't deserve any of this! Oh Sakura, what have they done to you.....?" Near tears, her chocolate eyes glistened almost orange in the light from the oil lamp.

The heiress stayed in silence, letting her friend weep for the both of them. She had been crying all three days as she let herself be taken over by sickness. Now the tears had run dry, plus TenTen needed this cry. She doubted her prickly, saddened comrade had mourned the loss of what this entire experience was supposed to have meant to Sakura. It was supposed to be her "coming out", too show off her true colors and skills. Sakura wasn't just an accomplished medic, she was a deadly fighter.

She could see the cunning that hid itself behind sea-foam eyes, or true emotions behind the fake, cheerful smile. Sakura had been hurting for a long time now. Even with Sasuke, Sakura knew Naruto could hold to the promise he made to her, that bringing back her past crush wasn't impossible. That she could help too. But after her mother's death, Sakura hadn't been the same. They had been exceptionally close, closer than normal families were. But she remembered the darkness, the shadow that lurked in Sakura's eyes, even now. She hadn't moved past the loss of the one parent she had loved with all her soul. And the mention of her father, well..., Sakura had made in crystal clear never to ask about him again.

The cherry blossom had secrets, big ones, ones that she kept even from her teammates. It made her wonder, how they could be so stupid as to not to see the pain that dwelt in Sakura's eyes day after day. It made her sick at the thought of that prospect. How it must have felt that the people you cherished the most to not even bat an eyelash at your obvious pain, no matter how good you were at covering it up. That was the notion that got Hinata really steamed. It wasn't that men, even close ones, underestimated their fellow female comrade. That sort of crap happened all the time, and if not in action. then in their minds.

It was the blunt disregard for someone you should have seen as family, someone you sacrificed for and who supported you through everything. The person that was there when it really mattered, that you didn't spurn with your ignorance. Sakura must not have told her team about her mother's death, because perhaps she knew she didn't want to appear more "weak" than normal. Sakura had the annoying habit of having little confidence in herself and being so irritatingly selfless. While endearing, it eventually got old real fast, bordering on annoying. She wasn't weak, and she should have a lot of more confidence in herself. She was the Gondaime's apprentice for crying out loud! Ino had come to Sakura for medical training, she did most of the battling in the fight against Sasori of the Red Sand, and was on the support team in route to help out with the pair of Akatsuki that killed Asuma-sensei. Sakura was powerful, she just couldn't see it for herself. Come to think of it....

We all haven't been the best thing for her entirely.

We girls may have been her support line all these years, but she needed room to breath, to reflect and heal. Who knows, this might have been the best thing to have happened to her. Her teammates are idiots, but Tsunade often smothered Sakura, protecting her, and making sure she never got too close to danger unless surrounded by her team. And her girlfriends could only be there for her so much, since we were often away on missions or had clan business. While this situation was horrible and stressful, maybe Sakura really did need to train, if not to get stronger, than to reflect on her life.

"I think she needs this TenTen." The voice held an assertiveness that was rarely seen. Confused chocolate brown eyes looked up, still watery from tears.

"What Hinata-chan?" The aching, stiff form of the heiress turned to face her friend. Though looking quite frail and sickly, her pearl eyes gleamed bright.

"Saku-chan needs this right now. She needs to work herself out before she teaches her team a lesson. She wants to prove them wrong!" Suddenly the Hyuuga stood up quickly, if not a bit shakily in her bed. TenTen jumped to her feet, about to scold her for moving in her condition. But the energetic flush in her face was not to due to fever, the shine in her white eyes having nothing to do with tears. TenTen was floored. Such confidence, she thought, such energy all of a sudden! Hinata got into a excited pose, arms bent and raised, a fist in the air.

"She's going to prove to herself and to those damn bastards that she's fucking awesome, that she's truly the ass-flinging warrior we see her as! To hell with those sexist nimrods! Sakura will just beat the facts into their hides when she comes out for that prissy Uchiha's rescue mission! We'll just have to be there to support her! HELL YEAH!" TenTen blinked away tears, relieved to see her friend better, enthralled with her charismatic speech, a bit disturbed at her insanity.

Than Hinata fell down on the bed in an almost dead faint.

Of course TenTen rushed over to see the flushed heiress who was grinning like a drunk and looking quite sheepish.

"Guess I overdid it a bit, huh?" TenTen looked at the bewildered Hyuuga and promptly broke into laughter. She than latched on tightly to the frail heiress, feeling much better herself.

"Damn strait Hina-chan! Wait till those assholes see what our Saku-chan can do! She'll put them in their place!" Hinata chuckled with her, returning the hug as much as her stiff arms would allow. Her eyes than snapped open, but softened.

Why had it felt like Sakura was smiling with them?

{Sakura}

"Listen to my voice" The darkness came...

Sakura....

"Fear not what you can't see, I will guide you." It seeped into the room....

Come with us......

"Feel my hands, my power, and know no confusion," It grew angry.....

Fear me moon-child.....

" Travel with me, know that no perils will befall you, for I will fight for you." Concentrate...

Listen to me!

"Calm your mind, let your heart slow, let your soul drift." Silence...

LISTEN TO ME!

"Go through your soul, let all your thoughts leave you. Peace is all you need to know" Breathe...

DO NOT IGNORE ME HALFLING!

"Let me show you what I can teach you, what I can give you." Light....

I WILL TEAR YOU APART, SAKURA!

"Let me show you...." Awaken....

Diantha's voice had faded suddenly in the echoes of my mind as she helped me meditate with her guidance in voice. I felt her massive, pure power warming me from behind. Suddenly the darkness of snake scales disappeared, and with them, the fear. It was transformed into blinding colors, causing me to go into vertigo for a minute. There was nothing but swirls, and fogginess at the edges of my vision. I felt a stinging pain in my eyes, but stared into the light despite the pain. I would see what only my foremother could see, the world at its most simplest anatomical form, the bindings that tied the living to their bodies, everyone's own personal chakra signature, the world at it's simplest, the true emotional bonds that tied everyone to everything, their souls... their hearts....

It was as if everything had been broken down, leaving outlines and colorful energies in their wake. I recognized instinctively these were object's molecular make-up, and life force. I turned to the Moon God, and my eyes widened! Such beautiful heavenly light, so smoothly platinum like the moon itself, so mighty in its silent power! I looked around me in speechless wonder as I gazed at this new world before me. It was as if the night sky, the entire universe was spread out to my soul. The sheer beauty left me breathless.

"For if you let me.." I looked to the goddess.

"...I can show you wonders beyond your imagination" The metal inside me sighed, breathing bubbles in my blood, and butterflies to my brain. My heart popped. I shivered inside, down to my capillaries as I gazed into those bright eyes.

And knew, knew I had made the right choice.

"So how was that?" I breathed softly, the magic still tingling in my head, my eyes still seeing the beauty of the soul world.

"Amazing" I whispered. I had the vague notion though that I was commenting on sex....Oh well.

"See, as long as I guide you through your meditations for the next few times, you will eventually fight off Orochi. Your metal and spiritual shields are your greatest asset. I need to train you mentally before I can teach you the other arts. But for someone who's never meditated before you seem to have an edge on concentration.' I smiled at her compliment.

"Must be from being a medic-nin. Can't become distracted."

"But Sakura, there's one thing you must do before the rest of your training really begins. A tool you must use to set the plans in motion. It's on the coffee table". I raised and eyebrow.

What now?

I gaped slightly.

"What is it?"

I looked at the object on the table, curious at its design. It was a vase or some kind of transparent jar. I stepped closer to it, peering at the dark wood, engraved with sacred kanji, a two part glass ornament in its center, the bottom end holding pale sand that looked like crushed diamonds with rocks of blue in it. I looked to my new teacher expectantly, not really knowing what to make of this strange "tool" she had set before me. She smiled softly in amusement.

"It's an hourglass Sakura." I blinked in confusion. What was an hourglass? Some kind of mystical sand holder? I glared at the thing slightly, it seemed useless to me.

"I found it a long time ago in Suna, it's a neat creation. It's an old fashion way of keeping time, mostly for cooking. But I've tweaked this one to serve a much more glorified purpose." I pursed my lips, and turned to look at the delicate instrument again. This little thing was going to help me? How? It wasn't weapon, concealed no poison, held no important knowledge on its sides. What could I possibly use an "imperial" cooking timer to help me become stronger and face the world's evil? Tell me, please.

"It's not weapon Sakura, it a tool to turn time to our cause. Stir things up, get the vortex of time and dimension at our fingertips to manipulate it as we need. Eventually you'll be able to turn time to your own means, and I can't personally do it because you must initiate the training, since it is your choice. Plus we have train your mind first, remember? This little gadget of mine will fully trigger your bloodline once you turn it to let the sand fall, but we're able to gain a large amount of time to train you till you're just right to face the world mostly on your own. Your gene isn't fully mature yet so this way we can unlock your true potential by triggering the gene we want to fight . Eventually you'll learn control here, and use it in the outside world till you fully develop on your own time. It's here I'll only be teaching you the basics, and how to harness your powers. It's up to you in the end to grasp them in your own hands."

I looked at her in bewilderment. Why exactly were we triggering the thing in my DNA that would kill me? And how was I supposed to use these "basics" of her's? By just turning a simple egg timer? I didn't know whether to laugh hysterically or cry. I looked at her expectant face. It turned away sharply to face the hourglass.

Probably neither.

I reached for the stupid ancient clock when Diantha just happened to pipe in again.

"Once you turn that glass over, once that sand of time flows slowly free, there's no going back. You'll be announcing to everyone and everything you're proclaiming your birthright, to your clan, to your kekkai genkai, to your mother's mantle, as my decedent and heir. It will travel from the heavens to hell, demons and immortals, human and shinobi will know, some how will feel that pulse of released power. Orochi will feel the pulse and his pursuit will increase tenfold...."

I glared at her in a chiding manner, my eyes hard and daring her to continue. The metal was grinded in my teeth, mushed itself in my marrow, seethed in my ribs. She had the decency to look sheepish.

"Sorry, sorry Sakura. I didn't mean to question your resolve. Just wanted to make sure you were informed..." She chuckled nervously, slight afraid of her granddaughter's temper. I smirked in satisfaction and nodded my head. Ready. She nodded back in a sad kind of way, all reminiscent and vague. But enough of living in the past, I needed to grasp my future, for surely time was truly spilling through my hands like mercurial sand. I didn't hesitate as I grasped the wooden bars of the glass, praying into its pale sands. Let me show you, what I am, what I was, what I can be .

I flipped and turned the hourglass firmly, letting the once bottom heavy ornament become lightened as the empty part stood on the bottom now. I watched a small grain of sand slowly fall, felt my blood whisper silkily into my ears, but ignored it. I turned away fully from the table, ready to join my grandmother in her lessons, not a thought in my head save what amazing things she could show me and what I might one day do. I walked over to her and bowed in respect to my new teacher. She smiled, and we walked back into the training room. Let the sand fall.

After all there was no going back now was there?

(Amegakure)

Odd eyes of pink and grey snapped open in recognition. A blue haired woman stood silently in the corner. His piercings gleamed even in the dark, the Rinnegan spiraling in contemplating emotion. They shined fiercely as he gazed into the night sky, the full moon ominous. The woman stayed silent.

"It has begun."