for my pride and your promise.
00. prologue

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I just want to be normal… Sometimes… I think I may remember a time where I wasnormal… Where I had parents; a mother who held me to sleep; a father who smiled proudly at me… Sometimes… sometimes… I believe I was normal. I believe I had a family…

…but then I wake up…

That's the last thing she heard before she woke up – be in from a nighttime slumber, or a nap. Whenever she let go of her consciousness and slipped into the confines of her mind, she always heard those words.

They've haunted her for almost nine years.

It was no different when she was roused from her nap by a coworker. Lids parted to reveal haunted emerald eyes, and a heart-shape face was lifted to reveal a grim-lined frown etched on her naturally pale face. She brushed aside pink strands of hair that started to cling to her face due to her nap.

"Sakura-san, you honestly should get more s-sleep," her coworker suggested softly.

She sighed before turning to her coworker with a gracious smile. "I'm okay, Hinata. And Sakura's just fine. You've known me long enough to know how much I abhor the '-san.'" Sakura made a face to emphasize her point, causing the pale-eyed woman to giggle.

Haruno Sakura, a scientist/doctor of Konoha: ANBU – a government intelligence, medical and military agency. Sakura was brilliant for her age. Hardly nineteen and she had already majored in biological sciences before moving on and receiving a medical degree. She was a terribly hard worker as well, especially when she set her mind to something and focused with every ounce of fiber and concentration she could muster. She was gracious by nature, but when provoked and prodded in the right places, wouldn't mind lashing out without a thought to what the consequences may be. When it comes to work, she's sharply spoken and dominating on the field, but still extremely patient and calm with those she works with.

She had shoulder-blade length rosette hair that she kept in a messy bun – or well, whenever she started her day at work, it would be tight and tidy, but as the day progresses, it would always loosen, and she would never notice how messy it got till she ever went home (which, on some nights, she didn't). Everyone got a long with the emerald-eyed, twenty-three year old woman very well. She wasn't attention-seeking, but seemed to get attention without asking for it. It was hard notto notice pink hair after all.

And even though she was patient for the most part, she was demanding for most of the other time, like then and there as another coworker passed by and Sakura barked for some coffee (that she needed desperately). Hinata giggled to herself and watched as the obliging (and frightened) intern scuttled away to get Sakura's coffee ("Make sure you put eight teaspoons of sugar! Do you understand? Eight teaspoons! No more, no less!").

Hyuuga Hinata was Sakura's partner – at least that's what Sakura considers her as, and Hinata wouldn't have it any other way. Both women felt honored to be working with each other. While Hinata wasn't as confident and bold in her intelligence and abilities as Sakura was, Sakura knew the shy and bashful woman was very, very smart. Beneath all that blushing and stammering exterior, was an interior of never-ending knowledge, patience and understanding that Sakura could never have. Sakura appreciated the shortly-cut black haired woman very much, because she always kept Sakura calm and her temper in check.

Hinata only ever felt comfortable speaking to Sakura about things, but sometimes the Hyuuga woman became so engulfed in her work that she would start ranting without stammering, and it was always a sight to behold to see her demeanor change, even if for an instant before she caught herself and would trail off blushingly. The two had met each other when in university, and ever since had become inseparable.

Only their junior year in university, and they were already offered positions in Konoha: ANBU's medical agency. They eventually became so renowned and noticed in their field, and stood out for their knowledge, that they were gradually opened up to the research/intelligence agency. Their eyes were opened to an even larger world, and the possibilities of what they can do became endless…

And they knew they were still only at the beginning. There was still so much to learn, so much to discover…

But sometimes, Hinata felt Sakura was putting forth so much hard work for a larger purpose that she wouldn't share with anyone.

But whatever it may be, Hinata wanted to be there to help her pink-haired friend. She had done so much for the shy Hyuuga, and Hinata would do anything to help her, especially since sometimes, when Sakura thought no one was looking, Hinata would see Sakura looking so distant and her eyes so sad…

"Sakura-s – Sakura," Hinata started.

Sakura tilted her head around and peered up at her friend inquisitively. "Hmmm?"

"W-why do you work so hard?" she asked, genuinely curious.

The woman in question stared at Hinata thoughtfully before smiling.

Hinata could have sworn she heard her say "Because a friend needs my help," before the intern came bursting into the office, exclaiming, "Sakura-san! I have your coffee! I'm sorry if I took so lo – Aah! Sakura-san! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to spill on you! Forgive me!"

Hinata laughed nervously as she saw a vein twitch in the pink haired woman's temple. It was obvious Sakura was doing everything she could not to lash out at her intern, her shirt and skirt drenched with coffee and all. It took every ounce of willpower she had not to smack him, but rather to brush aside the intern's persistency as he tried to clean her up. She stood up from the chair and headed to the washroom.

"It's okay, Hiro-san. I'll clean myself up, don't you worry about it."

He watched her leave sheepishly.

Sakura muttered to herself about clumsy interns as she dabbed at her stained shirt with tissue that she had taken from Hiro. She went into the women's washroom and tossed the useless napkin into the trash before grabbing fresh tissue and soaking it beneath the faucet. She continued to mutter beneath her breath as she helplessly tried to clean herself up. It was a hopeless cause. She knew it wouldn't come out unless she had it washed in the washing machine. Sakura sighed heavily and gave up.

Eyes lifted and caught her reflection. She nearly did a double-take at what a messshe was. She already looked haggard and tired without the coffee stains, but now that she had the coffee stains, she looked reallybad. And she wasn't just saying that. She was a horrendous sight. Sakura rubbed her eyes (deep bags beneath them). She might as well go home, get a nap, freshen up, and come back to work… At least she'd be more presentable.

"Okay. I am going home," she concluded, making her way out of the women's restroom and back into the corridors of Konoha ANBU's Research Facility.

She went back into her office. She shared a joint one with Hinata, so while her desk occupied one side, Hinata's desk occupied the other. The pale-eyed woman was currently typing away at her computer and looked up when Sakura came in.

"I'm going to head home to freshen up, and maybe get a nap," Sakura said as she grabbed her coat and pulled it on.

Hinata smiled. "A-alright. Ja ne, Sakura."

"Ja, Hinata," Sakura waved her off, heading out of the office again. She paused and took a few steps back when remembering something she wanted to mention to Hinata. She stuck her head back into the office. "Oh! And I got the results for the lab test. Your aunt will be relieved to know all of the cancer cells have been terminated," she said with a smile.

Hinata beamed at her gratefully. "Thank you, Sakura. I'll be sure to call my aunt right now and inform her."

"Anytime, Hinata."

Sakura hummed to herself as she left the facility, her hands slipping into the pockets of her coat. Her heels clicked on the tiled floors, the sounds reverberating off the walls and ceilings and echoing down the halls. She passed by several other coworkers as she made her way to the front. It was only a quarter to nine in the morning, but then again, she hadn't gone home at all last night, having been caught up in some research she was doing. She knew she was getting closer to finding what she was looking for…

But there were still some walls and obstacles in her way. If only…

Sakura appeared deep in thought as she stopped in front of a sliding door. She stated her name loud and clear and a laser scanned her body before a confirming beep resounded from the entrance's security alarm. The sliding doors parted and Sakura stepped out on to the facility's front grounds. A circular path way circled a lush, green patch of grassy field where flowers and several trees grew. It was one of the few, rare sights of nature that was scarcely found in Konoha. Ironic, considering it was known as the city of leaves.

Sakura paused beneath the shelter of the overhanging ceiling to stare contemplatively at the rain. She hadn't expected it to be raining when she stopped out of the office but, alas, it was pouring indeed. Such a shame she forgot her umbrella… Heaving a sigh and sagging her shoulders, Sakura braced herself to step out into the rain, but instead of being met by an onslaught of water, she felt nothing. She peered up bewilderedly and saw there was an umbrella over her head. She followed the arm of the owner and stared in shock at whoit was that was holding an umbrella over her head. She never had many encounters with the man, but Sakura would have to be dumb not to know who the head of Konoha's ANBU Military Agency and the Head of Defense was.

Sakura bowed hastily. "Orochimaru-san! You've startled me!"

The snake-like looking man chuckled, his voice silky smooth. "I apologize, Haruno-san. I saw you were about to walk out into the rain, and I would not feel right letting you do so knowing I have an umbrella in my hand."

Sakura smiled. "That was kind of you. But it is not necessary. My vehicle isn't far from here."

"Aa, well," he smiled, golden eyes peering at her coolly. "I'll walk you to your vehicle. I'm glad I caught you anyway. I was hoping to talk with you."

She looked surprised. What would the head of the military want to talk toherabout? But she did not deny his offer and together they walked out into the rain, both huddled beneath Orochimaru's umbrella. Sakura felt rather… bashfulin his presence. He was such a powerful man, so it came as a shocker to her that he wanted to speak with her.It was strange, but flattering.

"I'll cut straight to the point, Haruno-san," Orochimaru started to speak, his voice clear over the pit-patteringof the downpour. "I've heard many great things about you from Tsunade, all of which I believe are true. They have to be for you to be taken directly under her wing."

Sakura merely blinked rapidly.

"There is a project I'd like to request your help with," he said. They stopped next to her vehicle and he turned to her confidently. She continued to stare at him in shock and wonderment. He wanted herhelp? "I wouldn't want to ask but Tsunade's personal apprentice. And I have heard many things about you from several other colleagues as well. You are intelligent, and I require the aid of someone as intelligent as you."

"What… kind of project?" Sakura asked curiously.

"We have made… a recent discovery," Orochimaru said with a pause. "I'm sure you've heard the story of… the Vessels and the Keepers?"

Sakura's eyes went wide.

She gasped. "You –"

"I believe we've found one of them," Orochimaru stated calmly. "I would like for you to monitor the specimen. Find out what you can about him."

"Me…?" Sakura whispered out loud. She was still shocked. "Isn't it dangerous though, for the Vessels to be apart from their --?"

"Yes, but we have been monitoring it – him.He is a remarkable looking being. I'm sure you will learn much from studying him. Are you not interested?"

"No—Yes! I am!"

"So you accept my proposal?"

"I… Yes. I do."

Orochimaru smiled, although his smiles looked more like smirks. "I'm glad to hear it. And I've heard you go nowhere without your partner, Hyuuga Hinata? I can arrange for her to help you as well."

"Thank you, Orochimaru-san."

"We'll be in contact, Haruno-san. Your office will be moved to sector 4." Sector 4 being a military base. There were several sectors – each one ranging from a military base to a research facility. Sakura nodded. "And I'll inform Tsunade."

"Aa, I think I'd like to tell Tsunade-shishou myself," Sakura said as she unlocked her car, Orochimaru holding the door open for her. She climbed in and he smiled at her.

"That's understandable. I'll be seeing you around, Haruno-san."

She nodded. He closed her car door and he walked back in the direction of the building. Sakura was holding on to the steering wheel tightly. But she didn't notice. She was too busy realizing her heart had been beating harshly against her rib cage the whole time. She was excited. She was nervous and excited and hopeful…

I'm getting closer, she thought, letting out a breath she felt she had been holding the whole time. She started her vehicle and the craft trembled and vibrated as it lifted into the air.

It won't be long…

Her brows knit in determination as she sped to her home.

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…but then I wake up…

And I'm alone.

But then... I wasn't always alone when I was awake. I had him, and he had me. I've been searching for him. We lost each other somewhere back…

…I hope he's okay. I know he's searching for me, too. Sasuke, he – we look out for each other, you know?

We've always only had each other…