A/N: This fic takes place in an alternate Naruto universe, where Danzo and The Order have been in power for 60 years. 50 years ago, a rebellious organization called the Akutsuki rallied up and infiltrated the Capital. They attempted to crush The Order and Danzo. Sadly, the Akatsuki were not successful, and as punishment Danzo forced some new laws into place for all 12 Sectors. "And so it was decreed that each year, the various sectors would offer up in tribute, one young man and woman to fight to the death in a pageant of honor, courage and sacrifice."

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"Sector 3, welcome! Happy 50th Senshi Games and Happy second Quarter Quell!" Our escort's voice booms over the speakers, causing several of us to flinch. I think I even see a twelve year old burst into tears. I can't help the small, amused smile that tugs on my lips. I remember my first reaping.

"It's nice to see all of these bright and smiling faces on such an early morning," He continues, his coal black eyes sweeping over us.

Our escort's name is Sai and he's probably the most plastic, fake person I've seen. Each year it's the exact same thing: He welcomes us, the same old propaganda video plays on the screen towering above the stage, and he explains everything as if we haven't been forced to live and breathe Senshi Games since we could toddle. The only thing that changes each year is the girl and the boy chosen and shipped off like cattle to be slaughtered for all to watch.

"I don't know whose faces he's looking at because they're definitely not ours," My best friend Ayumi mutters next to me and I laugh, but twist it into a cough when I see an ANBU turn its head toward me.

"Be serious," I try to scold her, but I can't even manage to bring myself to be serious. We've never been too concerned with reaping day, there are several thousand of teens in the village, so the odds are definitely in our favor. Plus, both of our parents are ANBU members, so we're pretty well off financially. We've never had to trade a slip of our name that goes into the final drawing for any supplies or food. I know I only have five names in that big glass ball and I'm sure there are some kids who have 30 by my age. I feel sorry for them.

"Sakura Haruno, I've never seen you serious a day in your life," She whispers back and I shush her, but smile knowingly. The screen starts up and I motion for her to pay attention to it.

"War, terrible war. Widows, orphans, a motherless child. This was the uprising that rocked our land," Comes a dramatic voice as several images of burning villages, sick children, and rows upon rows of gravestones fade onto the screen. The man comes back, "Twelve sectors rebelled against the country that fed them, loved them, protected them. Brother turned on brother until nothing remained. This is all thanks to the Akatsuki, a rebellious organization." The red cloud insignia comes onto the screen and zooms out onto a flag, a woman screams and blood splatters across it and the voice continues, "This group was gaining popularity and members rapidly until a spark was struck, creating a war between The Order and the Akatsuki."

"The Order wanted a peaceful, safe, and happy world while the Akatsuki wanted a chaotic and anarchist one. And then came the peace, hard fought, sorely won. A people rose up from the ashes and a new era was born," The voice continues on and I stifle a yawn, why did this have to be so early in the morning? I love sleep, so I always attempt to sleep in until the last possible moment. Most of the time my parents have to drag me off of my bed just to get me to crack open an eye. Since I slept in I didn't have time to do my hair and I had to hastily throw my pink hair up into a simple bun held in place by chopsticks. It's funny because the rest of me looks elegant and beautiful. I'm wearing my mother's traditional red dress with our family insignia on the back, the silky material hugs me in all the right places and I- for once- allow myself to feel attractive.

When you go to a school for gifted ninja, training to become an elite ANBU to fight at Danzo's side, there's really no room to worry about petty things like appearances.

"But freedom has a cost. When the Akatsuki and the traitors were defeated, we swore as a nation we would never know this treason again. And so it was decreed, that each year, the various sectors would offer up in tribute, one young man and woman, to fight to the death in a pageant of honor, courage and sacrifice." The dark, dreadful images of war are replaced with cheesy angles of victors, standing above the rest of the world, white and blue dominate the screen. "The lone victor, bathed in riches, would serve as a reminder of our generosity and our forgiveness," He says and my gaze wanders to our own victors sitting on the stage, all whopping two of them. We have Tsunade, a well-known, gambling, drunk woman and Kakashi Hatake, the ever attractive, mysterious, and seemingly unreachable man. Neither of them look very interested, considering how Tsunade is throwing back her fifth cup of sake since it started and Kakashi's revealed eye has not moved from the book in his hands.

"This is how we remember our past. This is how we safeguard our future. The risk is great, but the reward is even greater. Happy Senshi Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor," It concludes and the video comes to a close, ending with a small text on the bottom of the screen: this message is approved by Danzo and The Order.

My feet grow suddenly cold as Sai takes his place once more in front of the microphone, "Now, it's time for the drawing!" My stomach flips and I realize that this is the first time I've been nervous all day, five slips in that glass ball have my name in them. I feel myself beginning to shake when a hand gently grabs a hold of mine, I look and find Ayumi gripping my hand as if she senses my nervousness. She squeezes it and I squeeze back just as the escort reaches the glass ball. I know I'm being silly, I won't be chosen. She lets go and I hold my breath, praying it's not a twelve year old like last year.

"And the young woman chosen for the honor of representing Sector 3 is," He says and reaches in, he digs around for a bit and pulls out a slip of paper. Here we go.

"Sakura Haruno," He states and looks expectantly out into the crowd. I stare at the stage, uncomprehending. Wait, what? My name was just called? My hands shake terribly and I can't move. This isn't right. My name was only in there five times!

"Sakura?" He asks and my name tumbles throughout the big space. People start whispering, several faces turn my way if they know who I am and I feel someone push me roughly forward. I stumble and try to collect myself, putting one foot in front of the other.

As I feel my feet walking me forward I realize that this is real. This is happening. I look over my shoulder at Ayumi, who's as white as a ghost. I can't stand the crushed look on her face and I turn back around. Like flipping a switch, I turn on my ROOT training and take a deep breath. No emotions. From here on out, I need to be the hunter, not the hunted.

I make my way up to the stage, ignoring all of the people looking at me. Their pitiful gazes burn the back of my head. I hate knowing what it feels like to be on this end of the stare. All of these years, it was me giving pitiful looks to the unlucky tribute.

Now I am the unlucky tribute.

"Sakura Haruno!" Sai bellows, lifting my hand above my head when I'm all the way onto the stage, "The female tribute for Sector 3!"

No one claps, unsurprisingly, no one ever does. This silence isn't just a stubborn silence, I notice, it's a surprised silence. Ninja are almost never chosen for the games, considering how there are so little of us compared to the normal population and we never have to purchase tessera. My escort isn't even fazed, he drops my hand and continues onto the next tribute. The stage lights are hot and blinding against my face as I look out into the large crowd of kids. I squint and see the black cloaks of the ANBU standing at attention, their animal masks shrouding their faces from view. I suddenly and desperately wish that they didn't have to wear masks. I want to see my parents. I want to see my dad give me a reassuring smile. I want to see my mom give me a playful wink.

"The young male who has the honor of representing Sector 3 is," He says, dragging my gaze back to the second glass ball of names. Whoever he pulls is someone who has to kill me. Who I have to kill. A part of me wishes for a young, shaking civilian, just so I don't have to worry about them. The other part of me scolds myself, no civilian could survive this, hardly of them ever do.

"Sasuke Uchiha," He announces and several feminine gasps erupt throughout the crowd and I barely manage to stifle one myself. Sasuke Uchiha? Just the most attractive boy to ever grace Sector 3's streets? He doesn't even hesitate as he strongly and surely makes his way up to the stage. I even see a smirk on his lips.

Not only is he the most attractive, he's also the top of the class at the ANBU Academy. I've seen him fight once, during a school competition. He's silent, fast, and deadly. He also has Chidori, an extremely powerful lighting technique. In fact, the only other Ninja skilled enough to have mastered it is Kakashi Hatake himself.

Whispers and complaints bubble up from the crowd, mostly from the women. Two shinobi this year and one of them is the famous Uchiha? Sai has to raise his hands and shout for people to pay attention.

"Your tributes for the 50th annual Senshi Games!" He bellows and we stand by his sides, both emotionless and ready to kill. Or, I hope that's how I seem, because honestly my legs feel like jelly.

"Now shake hands," He orders us, smiling his fake smile and we turn towards each other. We shake hands and I feel dread washing over me. This person in front of me isn't just a pretty face, he's a lethal murderer. I know I've officially gone bonkers when I find myself smirking. The irony is terrible: The only time I get to touch my long time crush is when we're getting prepared to kill each other.

And the funny thing is, I almost had a chance at winning until he joined.

. . .

"Sakura!" My mother cries, opening the door. My father follows in close behind her. I stand up to greet them, pushing my emotions down. I had let myself be at ease while I was alone in this stifling sitting room, waiting for my guests to arrive. They're both still in their ROOT uniforms, minus the cloak and mask. My mom starts talking first.

"Sakura, listen to me. You're one of the best in your class. You can win," She says and I nod, her stern eyes soften and they search my face and she gathers my hands in her own. I'm surprised at the tender contact. It's not that I've never really felt it from her before, but it's been a while. I think that they've been trying to toughen me up these past few years.

"Please, please try," She pleads, voice rough and tears in her eyes. I blink in surprise, I've never seen my mom cry. My dad isn't a different story, he looks so desperate and helpless.

"I will. I'll try," I choke out, my own emotions becoming too much for me. I can't cry, there are bound to be cameras and the Capital will soak up my pink face. If the other tributes see I've been crying I'll be pinned as an easy target, a weakling.

"Remember your training, don't hesitate," My dad tells me and I nod. "If you ever get in a tight spot, just use your strength," He continues, looking like he can't say much more without breaking. I swallow, looking at my parents. This is the first time I've seen them so upset. My mom drops my hands and she swiftly pulls me into a hug and I hug her back, desperately wanting to cling to her forever.

"We love you," My mom says, voice thick with emotion. It's too much and a few tears spill over and down my cheeks. I break away and wipe at them hastily until they're gone and I've recollected myself. I repeat with my father, resting my head on his chest, breathing in his comforting scent.

"Times up," An ANBU barks and I look at them miserably. I don't want them to go, but we know better than to not listen to orders.

"Here, take this as your token," My father says urgently, as if just remembering. He unclasps his necklace holds it out in front of him. Dangling at the end is a small locket with our family's insignia engraved on it. In the games each tribute is allowed to take one token to represent their family or sector but in actuality most kids bring something to help them remember home.

"But dad, this is yours," I start to reject it but he drops it into my palm and closes my fingers around it. He leans to whisper in my ear, away from the prying eyes of the shrouded ANBU in the doorway.

"Keep it, only open it when you really, truly need it," He tells me and I nod, tears blurring my vision. I didn't know you could open it, I look down at the golden locket. Dad has worn it underneath his uniform for as long as I can remember.

"Okay, let's go," The ROOT member snaps.

"I love you both!" I cry before they're pulled out and the door is slammed roughly behind them. I collapse onto the luxurious couch, breathing deeply. No tears. I try not to think about how that's the last time I'll see them.

I have a lot better odds at surviving than a majority of people since I've spent my whole life training. But then again, I thought my odds were a lot better than the majority with the reaping.

Maybe I need to reassess my outlook on life.

Hi guys! I hope you enjoyed the first chapter. This fic is kind of a pain to figure out stuff with, like what kind of technology does that universe have? The Naruto universe is just a place from Kishi's head, not taking place in any specific area or time. So I've decided to just make this a place from my head!

There are cameras, televisions, cars, airplanes, and other advanced technology although most of it is in the Capital, considering how the Sectors are poor. You'll see more of it as we progress in the story.

OH! Also, Senshi Games = Warrior Games.

I would LOVE it if you reviewed, but I'm not going to like, send you into an arena to fight to the death with 23 other kids if you don't.