Ok! So chap. 1&2 are really only supposed to be one chapter (poor Gaara, you must feel so left out)- but it screwed everything up when I tried to add them together in the aftermath... so please be content with how the story is as of now!

This is indeed based off of the series Song of the Lioness by Tamora Pierce. There will be romance, and both the love and the battles will be more graphic than the book. It will also not follow the series completely, as there will be quite a few changes made. That said- It does not mean that Sakura(Alanna) is necessarily going to follow the same romance patterns or partners in the book/ the plot will also take on a new life of its own

Chapter 1&2 are on the shorter side/Note: Rated M for future chapters.

AmayaNaomi- Thanks pointing out the mistake! That was huge and I can't believe I missed it- anyways, all fixed

Ch. 1

Sakura paced back and forth on the cold stone floors, slippers swooshing as her hands bunched in the linen of her gown with irritation. Her father had finally written the letter of summons that would bring Sakura to the convent at the Fire Temple, where all young noble women learned the arts of deportment and dress. Then finally at the age of sixteen, they were sent to the royal palace to find a husband in a Knight or other noble man. Sakura's scowl deepened and the voice within her head screamed in frustration. This all would have been good and fine, perhaps, had her mother not passed away when she was born.

After that, however, her father quickly shut himself in his library and lost himself in his documents, sometimes taking years to do research on them. He blamed himself for Lady Momo of Haruno's death, but more than anything, he blamed Sakura. Once she started to look like her mother, Lord Haruno stopped visiting his daughter all together, and left her care to the town healer, Shizune, and the village man at arms, Yamato.

Sakura was only ten years old, but gosh darn it, she knew what she wanted, and this wasn't it. Folding the letter into one of her pockets, she gathered her courage and went to face Shizune, and see what the older woman thought about the plan she had concocted.

Shizune lived in the village at the base of the mountain castle. Herbs hung on wire to dry, and the symbol of a medic was carved into the wooden sign that hung from her doorway. Sakura always loved how Shizune's house smelled, and when she walked in, she was greeted with a smile and a warm hug. Although Shizune had raised her like a mother, Sakura felt she was more of an older sister; wise and caring, and thorough. Noticing the look on the young child's face, Shizune knew this wasn't a visit of pleasantries. Nodding towards a stool by the fire, the woman and the girl took a seat.

"This is to be sent out tomorrow" Sakura said, looking down and away. Shizune handed the young child a tissue to wipe her tears and examined the letter. She knew the day would come, but she had figured Sakura knew too. "But," Sakura began, steeling herself. "I want to go to the palace instead. I want to become a knight, and fight evil and save people. I've had plenty of time to think, and I've made up my mind."

Shizune was surprised for a moment but that quickly faded. Sakura was extremely strong willed. Although she had her whims, when she was true about something she always said as much. Bright jade eyes looked straight into hers, and didn't waiver.

"There hasn't been a female knight in over eighty years, Sakura. If you choose this path, you must hide that you are a girl." Shizune eyed her, testing the youngling's resolve.

There was a moment's hesitation as Sakura stroked her long pink hair, the color of soft cherry blossoms. It reached down to her back and shone softly in the light. It was truly the only girlish thing about her, but Sakura had taken care of it her whole life, because it was her mother's hair. Slowly but calmly, she finally looked up. "Then let's cut my hair off" she replied. "I'll do it."

Shizune nodded proudly at Lady Momo's daughter, who was so much like her in spirit. Looking towards the fire once again, they discussed other various issues of the path the girl would walk, and how they would be addressed. At last, Shizune turned to Sakura and handed her a list of special herbs that when placed with charka, called by common people the Gift, brought the power of the Gods. "Before I make my final decision, I must look into the fire, and try and See."

Sakura's nose scrunched up. "I thought you didn't have enough Chakra to see?" She asked, and when Shizune only began to sweat a little, Sakura shut up and gathered the supplies. Returning at last, Sakura handed the plants to the older woman, who was chanting and tossing them into the fire. Slowly her hands began to glow a soft yellow, the color of her chakra. Then without warning, she grabbed Sakura's left hand and reached forward with it into the flames.

Shizune's eyes stared wide into the fire as she listened to silent words. Sakura's attention was soon drawn in by the fire, and within it a picture began to form. Tall black building rose from the ground, piercing the desert sky. In the center of the city was a black square that ate up all light, and didn't reflect anything. A chill ran down her spine as an evil feeling crept into the pit of her stomach. In that instant, though, Shizune let go of her hand and dropped her own into her lap. She then seemed to speak to the sky, "It will be done, Mother."

Sakura wanted to ask Shizune what she saw, but she was too scared. Instead, she turned to see the woman's final decision after noticing that there were no burn marks left by the fire. The older woman seemed to be looking at Sakura with sadness in her eyes, and a distance. That soon faded away, and Shizune once again picked up the little girl's hands.

"It shall be done," Shizune said and paused, then started again. "Whether you become a knight, or not, is up to you; but the Gods have allowed it. It will be a tough path, filled with bruised and aching bones. You might even die in a battle. And have you thought on the lives you will take yet, doing these heroic deeds? Have you thought about the families that will be left without fathers and sons?" Sakura started to speak and Shizune stopped her. "Heal child. I have taught you everything a village medic can teach, but your potential is immeasurable. Heal, if only to make up for the lives you will take. There is no way to cleanse your hands of blood, but healing will help. And healing is harder than killing, mind. Gods know why, but you've a talent for both."

With that she released Sakura's hands. Sakura sat still and digested the words. She knew she had a massive store of Chakra, but she was scared to use it. If you didn't have perfect control it could eat you up. She shook the thought away, One step at a time, she thought, I'll worry about tomorrow when it comes.

Sakura handed Shizune the scissors, and in several minutes her hair was shoulder length. Cotton candy locks fell to the floor, discarded like old clothing. Looking back at her was a young boy with pink hair, wispy bangs, and a round face. His jade eyes blinked in unison with hers. "Congratulations, Sir Sakura." Shizune commented as she placed her palms on Sakura's shoulders proudly. "I'll worry about talking to Yamato, who will be your man-servant at the palace. I won't be going with you, but since I do the book keeping I'll make sure the money is sent. I'll try and visit once a year, but I might not be able to. You were always better at forging your father's handwriting, so you take the letter and do that tonight. You set out tomorrow, so be ready in a tunic and breeches, under your riding cloak."

Sakura blanched at the mention of Yamato, since he was much stricter than Shizune, but nodded anyways. If Shizune had a plan to talk him around, then she had no choice but to believe her. Yamato would be able to work for the Palace Guard again, as he once had before leaving to work at the Haruno estate, and that would at least make him happy.

Shizune handed Sakura a beautiful crimson velvet ribbon tie for her hair, then sent her off to finish her chores and hopefully get a few hours of sleep.

As Sakura sat in bed that night, for what might be the last time for the next eight years, she thought only a moment on missing her home. Instead she imagined life at the palace, of meeting the other pages her age, and finally of becoming a hero and going on epic journeys. Finally she fixed her eyes on the revised letter from her father, and recited its contents as a mantra to help her fall into a deep sleep. The kinds of sleep she wouldn't be getting again for eight years.

To the Lord Training Master,

Please accept my son Sakura of Haruno for training as Knight and Paige. I address that any and all issues and personal matters should be taken up with Yamato, his man at arms. Money shall be sent quarterly for upkeep.

My thanks,

Lord Gin of Haruno