Since I posted this chapter right after the last one, I didn't see any of the reviews you guys may have posted after reading chapter 13, but I hope you enjoyed it. I recall reading reviews from the previous chapters about Sakura's friends founding out who she really is. Well, here you go. :) Though its only one person finding out at the moment. Please enjoy :)

Chapter 14: To Know the Truth

Sasuke looked around the area, not being able to spot anything through the darkness. Where was he? What happened to everything? To everyone? Footsteps could be heard walking toward him and it had him spinning around to see the one approaching him. It was a woman. A beautiful woman by many physical standards with long, flowing white hair. Bright red eyes looked at him as she continued to walk closer in her long, white dress. Red eyes. . . They were eyes that he had seen appear a few times in jade before. They also held the same intensity, as if this woman knew all of the secrets of the world and had felt a great deal of pain. Could this be the same woman that Sakura had made that contract with? What was she doing there? And what did she want with him?

The white haired woman stopped a few yards in front of him, her eyes never leaving his as he took in her appearance and tried to make out the situation he was in.

"I'm sure that you have figured out who I am, boy." she spoke firmly. Sasuke arched a dark eyebrow at her as she continued, "I am Kaita, the banshee that Sakura has made a contract with. The one you don't particularly care for."

Onyx eyes widened in shock. What? 'How does she-' he was about to inwardly ask himself but was cut off when the female spoke up.

"Know? It is simple." she replied, crossing her arms over her chest. "I am a spirit. There is not much that I don't know of the human realm." Though it wasn't the entire truth, the silver haired woman wasn't about to go into the details with someone that would have no use of her blood trait.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes at the female practically glowing white in the darkness. "Why am I here?"

"I know that Sakura does not wish for you to know of the truth."

Sakura? The Uchiha's ears instantly perked up at the sound of her name and what the banshee was possibly going to tell him. The truth? What truth?

Kaita wasted no time replying to his inward questioning. "She does not wish for you to know who she really is. I, however, do."

Dark eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Why doesn't Sakura want me to know?"

"She is afraid that you will feel betrayed." the woman replied calmly.

Sasuke frowned deeply. What could Sakura ever do to make him feel betrayed? He couldn't think of anything that she could possibly do in order for that to happen. Unless she would do the same thing to him that Itachi did, which he seriously doubted she would ever do.

"What truth are you talking about?" he asked her and watched as Kaita closed her red orbs slowly.

"Let me show you. Her memories."

Onyx orbs widened in shock as the scenery started to spin around. Her memories? What did she mean? Slowly, everything began to settle down and the Uchiha landed on his feet. He instantly began to look around and soon noticed a little girl with bright pink hair walking with her friends through the area. From the look of it, they didn't notice he was there and he quickly realized that he knew all of the children, but only one stood out to his attention. She couldn't have been more than six years old.

Something seemed off. Where was he? Where was Naruto? If he remembered correctly, she was hardly ever around other females her age, just Naruto and him. If these were Sakura's memories, then where were they?

"You must be confused." Kaita spoke beside him, though he didn't bother to look over at her as he watched Sakura stop beside a tree and look over a railing at someone, a cute little blush adorning her cheeks as if she were looking a long time crush. The Uchiha didn't waste anytime as he walked over to the railing and placed his hand on the cold metal, his onyx orbs widening with the sight he saw. It was him. He was just sitting there on the roof of a building all alone with the most isolated look on his face. He didn't remember this. To answer the woman's question; yes. He was very confused.

"Sakura is not originally from your time." Sasuke was so shocked, he couldn't even utter a word as Kaita continued. "This is Sakura's life before she traveled back in time, before you know her as she is. This is also after the Uchiha massacre. You wish to know and understand Sakura, experience her memories first."

With that, the silver haired female disappeared from his side, leaving Sasuke to himself as he watched his younger self turn around abruptly and Sakura try to hide her embarrassed self behind the tree beside her. So Sakura had a crush on him in her former life? Somehow, that didn't surprise him. In fact, it seemed almost natural. What didn't seem natural however, was the fact that she had a whole other life that he wasn't aware of. Time travel. . . He guessed anything was possible and he was eager to find out more about her. He would have to find some way to thank Kaita later for this opportunity.

Suddenly, the scenery shifted around him and he found himself standing in a different area, though it looked very familiar. In fact, the place would be one he would never forget. The Academy. Instantly,directly in front of him, he spotted himself sitting at one of the tables, his elbows in the wood in front of him and his hands folded in front of his mouth and chin. His eyes. . . They were so cold. . . Was that really him? Onyx eyes looked up when there was a loud ruckus at the doorway and spotted Sakura and the one he knew as Ino Yamanaka shoving each other, trying to get through the doorway. The way he had remembered it, it had been Naruto she was trying to beat into the room, not Ino.

What had shocked him though, was his reaction to her when she asked to sit next to him. He had practically ignored her, acted like she was only a waste of space. Thinking back to his own memories, Sasuke remembered what Kaita had said during the last scene he was witnessing. It was set after the massacre. So something had to have changed during his time that altered everything. Perhaps it was when she had went to the compound for him. Had she not done that in this time as well? That would explain his distant behavior.

The Uchiha didn't have long to contemplate the scene as the teams were being called out, though he did manage to hear that their team was the same. Slowly, his feet landed and he found himself standing outside near the village gates. Onyx eyes immediately spotted long, pink hair and he silently listened as she talked to the back of his form. She spoke of ill words towards Naruto and his lack of parents. His own voice rang through his ears as he replied to the shocked kunoichi, eventually calling her annoying. A word that Sasuke had noticed she did not particularly care for to begin with. And yet. . . when he had said it to her before. . . she had only smiled at him and laughed it off. Had she been hurt every time that he called her that word. . ? How could he be so clueless?

Just as quickly as the last time, Sasuke watched as the area shifted around and he was met with a sight that shocked him. His recognized the surrounding scenery as the Land of Waves. When they were protecting Tazuna, the bridge builder. Sakura held onto his lifeless body as needles stood erupt in his skin, yet she didn't seem to care about them. She stroked his cheek lovingly as tears ran down his face. Then, slowly, he began to wake up and she flung herself at him, crying. The Uchiha's frown hadn't left even as he listened to the other him complaining that she was heavy.

She had cried for him. She had cried only for him. Somehow that thought filled him with relief as he thought back to how he hadn't seen her shed a tear when she thought he had died. Though she had looked concerned for him. Now he knew why. It was because she knew that he wasn't dead. She knew that and yet she had still shown concern over him. That thought filled him with even more relief.

Memories and memories that weren't his own constantly ran through his unconscious mind. Memories of their later missions as genin, of the Chuunin exams, of the Land of Snow mission that they had just completed, of other missions that they were supposed to do after that. He hadn't spent a lot of time on any of them specifically, though Sasuke hadn't failed to notice how cold and distant he seemed to be towards everyone. Especially Sakura. He had seen his fights with Naruto and how hard Sakura tried to stop them. He had seen the worry in her eyes as she gazed at his back.

Though it wasn't until he took in the scene of one fateful night that had his eyes widening and he knew, he just knew, that this was one of the most important thing in the female's mind. One of the things that haunted her very being.

"Watch closely, Sasuke." Kaita spoke within his mind. "Put your fingers on his forehead."

The Uchiha watched, still silent, as his other self walked farther away from the kunoichi. He could see his eyes, they were hard and cold, set in stone on his decision. From the look of it, he was leaving for good. Slowly, Sakura turned around to look at the back of his head.

She spoke out, her voice hurt. "Why, Sasuke? Why won't you ever tell me anything?"

Onyx eyes widened and the male's face fell, watching as tears ran down the female's face and the other him did nothing except continue to walk away.

"Why is it always silence with you?" Sakura continued, "You've never shared a single thing w-"

"Why should I have to tell you anything?" he questioned back, his voice harsh. Sasuke stayed completely silent as he continued to take in the scene. "Just keep your nose out of my business. It's none of your concern."

Though the Uchiha could hear the harshness in his voice, he could also get a good view of his eyes. They looked almost pained. What was it that Kaita had said? Put his fingers to his forehead? Sasuke did just that, walking closer to a self that he had never met and yet was quickly beginning to dislike.

"I know you hate me." the pinkette stated, "Even in the beginning, you couldn't even stand me."

Sasuke frowned deeply at her words and slowly, carefully, placed his the index and middle finger of his right hand on the other male's forehead. Almost immediately, emotions that were not his own came rushing through him. Pain, anger, hate, regret. L- No. Sakura was wrong. He hadn't hated her. The truth was far from that. Even in her past life, Sasuke had never hated her. So many emotions, but his hate had not been directed towards her. He had been consumed by the desire to kill Itachi.

Sasuke pulled back his fingers and looked back over at the female, crying as she told him not to leave. Perhaps he could do the same thing to her. Walking over to her, his face began to deepen with guilt as he took in her teary features. Closing his eyes and letting out a shaky breath, he placed his fingers onto her forehead. Unaware to him until that last moment, being able to connect to the kunoichi's emotions would be his undoing.

Sasuke let out a loud grunt of pain as he slammed his other hand into his chest and clenched his shirt tightly. Her feelings. . . her pain. . . it was as if it were his own. Tears rolled down the Uchiha's cheeks in strong waves, unable to stop them. Such powerful emotions brought on so quickly, it instantly gave him a massive migraine. The feelings he had felt from his other self were nothing compared to hers.

Such pain. . . It was as if someone had rammed a fist through his chest, pulled out his heart, and left him there to die by himself. The loneliness. He had felt that for himself before when his clan had been murdered, but it couldn't even compare to this. She depended on him, she needed him, and she was begging him to stay. The deep level of love that he felt inside of her was incredible and as she said those words, they too couldn't compare to the truth. Sakura had truly, deeply, cared for him and he had done nothing but walk away from her.

No, he was about to do something. Sasuke watched as his other self appeared behind the kunoichi and it was then that he realized. They were the exactly same height. Both males were the same and it was as if he were looking at Sakura herself. Which meant that it couldn't have been too far into the future.

"Sakura. Thank you for everything."

Onyx eyes widened at the look in the dark haired male's features. He was frowning, a hint of a smile not there at all, and his eyes were heavy. Sad. Mournful. Just looking at himself, the Uchiha knew that he had not wanted to leave her. Yet, he felt that he had to.

Since his fingers were still on the female's forehead, Sasuke could feel her lingering emotions as she was knocked out. Love. . . Betrayal. . .

~~SCENE CHANGE~~

Sasuke woke up with a start, shooting out of bed and throwing the covers to pool down at his legs. Sweat adorned his body in heavy waves and his body shook in tremors, images from the long dream he had just had flashing back through his mind. He could still feel everything as if he were living through it. He was sure that he could have kept going if he had stayed asleep, but the pain. . . It had been too much for him to handle. He had felt betrayal before, but never so bad. And to think that he had been the cause of it. . . Sasuke didn't want to believe it.

Bringing up his hands to cover his face, he could feel hot tears running down from his eyes, though he didn't care if someone woke up and saw him. He didn't care if someone saw him as weak at that moment. Unbeknownst to him though, after awaking, only one had stayed in the room long enough to see if he would awaken anytime soon.

Sasuke didn't say a single word as he felt a pair of warm and caring arms slip around him, pulling him close to a feminine chest. Even before he wrapped his own arms around the female and before he could fully see who it was, he knew it was her. For who else could be so delicate with him as if he meant the world to them? Who else could run their fingers through his dark hair as he cried pathetically in the clothes of their chest? No one other than her could be so gentle with him. Only she could make him feel like a child again. A foolish child. Although foolish he might have felt, he also felt cared for. Accepted and acknowledged. There was no one else he was constantly being compared to. There was no one there telling him that he was weak. No one there to make him feel worthless and yet. . . that was the only thing he could come up with to describe himself at that moment.

He had caused his pink haired teammate a great deal of pain and he quickly found himself questioning the reason that she stayed around him, if that indeed happened to her. Why would she want to be around him after he had betrayed her? Everything made sense to him now. The questions that she had asked him before about what he planned to do with his revenge, about the secrets that she kept from him, about her sudden outburst at the Land of Waves. He understood why he would catch her staring off into the distance when she thought no one else was looking. So he had been the cause of her pain and she was still suffering. . .

"I'm sorry." he whispered through his tears into the fabric of her shirt, though he wasn't sure if she had heard him or not. As she began to rub soothing circles along his back and apply healing chakra to his raging headache, he soon found himself not caring if she had heard or not. For some reason, he knew that she could tell. He could feel it. . . the bond that he had with her. Or was that just something that he wished he could feel? Was it just wishful thinking on his part and she actually hated him? He hoped not. Why did she stay around him if she hated him then? Why would she go to so much trouble to be his friend if he betrayed her? Why was he even crying? And why did his heart feel like it had been torn out?

Sasuke noticed immediately that Sakura wasn't going to say anything while he continued to cry and she most likely wouldn't even after he stopped. However, unlike what he had expected she would do, the kunoichi leaned back a bit and cupped his cheek. Onyx eyes looked up as the female upturned his face and they slowly met gazes. The gentle and caring look on her features had his throat going dry instantly. Sakura's jade orbs were soft and loving as she looked down at him, her smile just as caring, as she carefully swiped at some of the salty liquid falling from his eyes with her thumb.

"Such beautiful tears." she whispered as she continued to look over his distraught features that were quickly becoming flushed.

The Uchiha's eyes widened at her words and his lips slowly parted as the female leaned forward, skimming her lips gently over the teary substance running over the top of his cheek. After placing a soft kiss on the area of skin that his head band usually covered, Sakura pulled his head close and tucked it under her chin. Bringing up a hand to run his fingers through her long, pink locks, Sasuke tried to rack up anything to keep his raging head busy. He tried but within seconds, he would fail miserably, the only thing being able to keep his mind going being the words she had said to him. That and the way he couldn't keep his heart from pounding loudly.

Sasuke's tears had stopped moments ago when the kunoichi had kissed his forehead, yet the fact that he had cried was evident in the way his eyes burned and the way his head constantly pounded against his temples. The dark haired male didn't have to wait a moment longer for the kunoichi to make her move, applying gentle, healing fingertips to his temples instead of the back of his head like before. It was as if she were able to read his mind, though that didn't surprise him. It never did. Or perhaps she just knew what would happen after he stopped crying and she was just being considerate. Either way, he was grateful. It didn't take long for his headache to disappear and onyx orbs closed as the female lowered her fingers to place one above each of his eyes, pouring soft, soothing chakra into them.

The Uchiha said nothing, even as the kunoichi maneuvered around him and laid down on the bed he was still in. Sliding her legs on either side of him, she pulled him gently back so that he laid the back of his head on her stomach, his body in between her legs. Gentle fingers racked through his dark locks, silently calming down the male that couldn't help but blush softly at her actions.

Sasuke gritted his teeth, eager for his racing heart to calm down some way or another. He was almost positive that Sakura could feel it pounding through his chest and straight into her waist. If she did feel it however, she didn't say anything about it. Ugh. What was wrong with him? Why couldn't he calm down?

'Damnit.' the Uchiha inwardly cursed at himself, frustrated that he had no idea what had gotten in to him. Before, it was rare for him to blush in front of the female, much less anyone else. Now he couldn't stop. Was it because of the dream he had had? Was it because he had felt her feelings as if they were his own? That must be it. The things he was feeling at that moment weren't his own, he was sure of it. He wasn't blushing like a little school girl because he liked her that much. His heart also wasn't beating like crazy because of the feelings she had felt towards him. He especially wasn't feeling loved by the way she held on to him or the way she had called his tears beautiful.

Alright, he knew that he was in denial with that last part. Sasuke couldn't help but feel loved by her actions and he also couldn't help but want her to continue. Turning so that his cheek nuzzled comfortably against Sakura's clothed abdomen, the dark haired male brought his arms up and burrowed them under the female's lower back, pulling her up closer to his flushed face.

"I know." he whispered quietly.

"Know what?" Sakura questioned gently while running her fingers through the male's dark locks.

Sasuke replied, his voice still quiet as he looked at the wall of the room they were in, "Who you really are."

The kunoichi seized her movements as her face fell and her eyes widened. After a few seconds of silence between the two and Sakura slowly got over her shock, her gaze calmed down into a firm yet stoic expression. So Kaita had showed him her memories without her permission, not that she could do anything about it now. All that was left was to see how he would react to her from now on.

"How much did you see?" she asked him calmly.

"To when I leave." Sasuke replied, listening to the female's pounding heart through the cloth of her shirt and the skin of her stomach.

"I see." Sakura replied quietly, her gaze softening weakly in relief. So he had no idea about what happened after that. He had no idea that he tried to kill her and Naruto, along with trying to destroy the whole of Konoha. He had no idea that he started a war against their home and he had no idea about her family. . . So in a way, no. He didn't know who she was and that realization brought immense relief upon her. It wasn't long until the pinkette found that the dark haired male had fallen back asleep and breathed easily upon her stomach. The thought of him sleeping on her didn't bother her, considering that they had slept next to each other a few times already, but she couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy. How would Sasuke look at her from that point on? Would he accept her if he found out more about her? And what was the cause of his actions right after waking up? Why was he crying? He had been crying in his sleep as well, though she figured it was a dream that concerned Itachi, not her.

~~SCENE CHANGE~~

A few hours after Sasuke's crying incident, he had woken up to see that Sakura was no longer in the bed with him. He had frowned at first, disappointed that the female wasn't near, but then he had looked over to see a note on the floor next to his mat. It was from Sakura and it told him that she went to visit Naruto at the hospital. When the Uchiha had gotten to the hospital to check on the blonde as well, he had found a sight that had him smirking. While Naruto still slept, Sasuke found markings all over the male's face that consisted of swirls and the like. The dark haired male knew from the grinning look on Sakura's face that she had been the one to do it. It wasn't long after that Naruto woke up and blamed his marked up face on the Uchiha. Then he had blamed it on Kakashi, who had shortly arrived in the room before Sakura.

The day was more or less uneventful, the only thing worthwhile being the Princess asking them to stay for another day to rest up. Naruto had ultimately agreed to the idea, having more time to goof off. Kakashi was neutral on the idea but didn't argue that it would be good for them to rest and get their energy back, though mainly for the one that had just gotten out of the hospital. Neither Sakura nor Sasuke brought up what happened between them and the Uchiha was grateful for that. The group had been given a tour of the kingdom and were told that they were welcome any time. After that, Sakura had asked the Princess if they were to become allies and the woman agreed. They then decided that the woman would work on a treaty for the Hokage to sign when the team got back to Konoha.

It was nearing dusk and the team were in the room that was given to them for use. It was the same room as before and it was relatively large and decorated. The door to the room was a sliding one and it was made of paper, decorated with large, snowy mountains with the sun setting behind them. On the opposite side of the room was a sliding door with the same decorations that led to a balcony outside. Four bed mats sat on the floor in neat rows where the team slept. There were paintings decorating the walls along with a few bookshelves that adorned numerous of books and scrolls.

Sakura let out a loud yawn into her palm and sat down on the mat that she was sleeping on, which happened to be in between Naruto and Sasuke's. Kakashi had his mat on the other side of the blonde shinobi and he was currently leaning on his side with his open book on the ground beside him, his head being held up by his palm while is elbow rested on the ground. Sakura glanced over her best friend's blonde head to look at the back of their sensei. How could one book be that interesting? He had to at least read it three times over by that time. So why was he still reading it?

Frowning, she drowned out the sounds of her two teammates talking to each other about who knew what as she focused more on the silver haired jounin. Curiosity racked through her, wondering what could possibly be so interesting about those books. Letting out a sigh, the kunoichi stood up and shortly made her way over to the front of the copy ninja. Crouching down to her knees, she placed her elbows on her folded knees and placed her chin in her palms. Jade orbs blinked calmly as they looked over the man's face.

Feeling eyes on him, Kakashi nonchalantly looked up and met the curious gaze of his pink haired student. Arching a silver eyebrow, he asked, "What is it, Sakura?"

The kunoichi tilted her head to the side and asked without hesitation, "What's so interesting about that book, sensei?"

Kakashi looked back down at his book, noting which page he was on, before holding it out for the petite female. "Why don't you look over it for yourself?"

Sakura arched a pink eyebrow and reached out for the book. She knew that it was written by Jiraiya so it had to have some kind of smut in it. But what could Kakashi find so interesting about the Icha Icha series?

"No, don't do it, Sakura!" Naruto yelled as the female grabbed the book and brought it closer to her face for inspection. Holding out his arm with a distraught expression, the blonde looked at the pinkette as Sasuke tilted his head so he could look at the female as well, though with a stoic look.

Sakura ignored Naruto's rant and began to skim through the pages of the book Kakashi had given her. So far it didn't seem so bad, nothing at all like she had imagined it, especially from Jiraiya. Then, flipping to another page, jade orbs began to skim over the contents. Everyone watched in silence as Sakura's eyes slowly widened and her jaw slackened, causing her mouth to fall open. A few moments later, everyone watched as a deep blush appeared on the kunoichi's cheeks.

Kakashi let out a chuckle as the female handed the book back to him, though with a blush still adorning her features. Naruto closed his eyes and a frown adorned his lips as he asked, "Is Sakura actually blushing?"

"No!" Sakura yelled while standing up, her flushed face only deepening, along with Kakashi and Sasuke's amusement.

Since Naruto's eyes were closed, he didn't see the jounin's pillow being thrown at him until it was too late. The blonde let out a grunt when the soft item connected with his face and stayed there for a moment before it fell to the male's lap. The blonde's eyes were still closed but his expression showed that he wasn't pleased with what had happened. Standing up and clenching his fists out in front of him, he opened his eyes and threw the pink haired female an irritated pout.

"Sakura! Why'd you throw that at me?!"

"Because you lied and said that I was blushing!" she yelled back before gritting her teeth in defiance.

Naruto closed his eyes again and placed his hand on the pillow beside him, which happened to be his pillow even though Kakashi's was closer to him and right at his feet. "You were blushing. It was as plain as day to see." he commented casually but then a sly grin took over his features when he added, "Why? Did that book mention something about you and Sasuke?"

Sakura's face lit up with horror as Naruto began to pucker his lips and make kissing noises. The two other males in the room arched their eyebrows, though not bothering to say anything to the duo. Kakashi, however, hadn't failed to notice the small tint of red that crossed the young Uchiha's cheeks at what the blonde was referring to. Before Sakura could do anything, a pillow was thrown at her and smacked right into her shocked face. The pillow slowly fell to the ground and it revealed a frowning pinkette.

Naruto opened his eyes and blinked at the female that was furrowing her eyebrows and biting her lip, almost as if her feelings were hurt. Concern instantly filled the blonde shinobi and he stood up with a guilty expression. "S-Sakura? I didn't hurt you, did I?"

Sakura then brought a hand up to her left eye and began to rub it, her face falling and her lips parting. Naruto's face fell into absolute shock and sorrow as he jumped over Kakashi's body that was still lying sideways on the floor. Standing in front of the kunoichi, the blonde placed his hands on her shoulders and tilted his head to the side to get a better look at the female's face. His blue eyes widened when he saw a single tear run out of the corner of the eye that she had been rubbing.

"Oh no, Sakura! Don't cry!" he yelled, shaking the female's shoulders back and forth. "I'm sorry!"

Sakura let out a sigh of relief and pulled her hand back, ignoring the way Naruto shook her shoulders around. Looking at the side of her index finger, a single, pink eyelash rested. Not a moment later, the shaking of her upper body stopped and the blonde shinobi looked down to see the eyelash as well.

"An eyelash?!" Naruto yelled incredulously. That was what Sakura had been so worked up about? Then again, it was Naruto who had been worked up over the whole thing, thinking that he had hurt Sakura in some way or another, even though the eyelash went in her eye in the first place because of the pillow he had thrown.

Letting out another sigh, Sakura looked up at the blonde looking at her with a relieved look before a grin took over her features. Naruto's face instantly picked back up with horror and anticipation and he was fully expecting a pillow to the face. As if in slow motion, the blonde's body flew back over Kakashi's body and landed back on his mat.

Jumping over the calm copy nin's body as he watched, the kunoichi landed on top of the person she saw as a brother with another pillow armed. Jade orbs watched playfully as the blonde smirked up at her and did a hand sign. The room instantly filled up with shadow clones of Naruto and the female glanced around to see how many pillows were now in the room. At least twenty. Sakura stood up straight and a smirk crossed her lips as she threw the pillow down at the blonde male below her, only for the body to disappear in a cloud of smoke. A massive pillow fight. Should be fun. Sakura silently wondered if the two silent observers would join in as well. She would most likely either have to ask Sasuke or make him join by force, in other words, throw a pillow at his dark head. Kakashi would probably sit back and keep score and deflect any pillows that came his way.

A loud battle cry of 'Charge!' echoed throughout the room as all of Naruto's clones shouted in unison. Getting into a battle stance, Sakura held the pillow down by her side as all of the blonde clones held their pillows in the air, preparing for the fight that was about to ensue. Not a moment later, the clones began to circle the kunoichi and she jumped in the air.

Sasuke watched the beginning scene with interest and he couldn't help but think back to the dream that he had had earlier that morning. Was Sakura really from the future? As he watched her land on one of the clone's heads with her hand to use it as leverage as she swung the pillow in her hand around, the Uchiha wasn't sure if his dream was really true or if it had just been that; a dream. Then again, Sakura hadn't denied it when he said that he knew she was from the future. So maybe it was true. But if it was, why did she act so childish at times? If he had betrayed her then why did she act so carefree around him and smile at him so kindly?

Sasuke's thoughts were cut off when something fluffy connected to his face. Frowning and furrowing his dark eyebrows, the pillow fell to the ground and he was met with the sight of about ten grinning Naruto's and a smirking Sakura with the hand that wasn't holding the pillow on her hip.

"Its no fun just watching." Sakura informed him, causing Sasuke to slightly narrow his eyes and for his frown to deepen. Did she really expect him to join in on something so ridiculous? Then again, she had gotten him to act like a child before; when she had gotten him to play in the rain with her that one day and they had went to her house, both soaked to the bone.

The pink haired kunoichi could feel a frown slowly appearing on her lips the longer Sasuke stared back at her. After another moment, the female shrugged and let out a sigh. Turning to look back at one of the Naruto's, which she that was a clone, she smirked, "I guess Sasuke doesn't like us enough to play." Tilting her head to the side, her smirk turned sly as she added, "Think we should do something to change that?"

Mischievous snickers could be heard all throughout the room and the Uchiha felt dread fill his being as everyone in the room looked back over at him, every last person in the room other than him wearing smirks. He could even feel Kakashi smirking over at him. Even his sensei was taking his enjoyment out on whatever was about to happen. The next thing he knew, all of the Naruto's were jumping in the air and landing beside him with evil grins and their eyes sparkling. Sasuke could do nothing as his arms and legs were pinned down to the ground and he looked up to see Sakura straddling his hips.

Narrowing his eyes at the female, he knew that she was the mastermind behind what was happening. Though he didn't particularly mind her on top of him, he didn't want the blonde touching him or holding him down. "Get off." he gritted out and began trying to move his arms and legs, struggling to get his teammates off of him.

"No way." Sakura and Naruto chided at the same time, which had the Uchiha furrowing his eyebrows.

Sakura's smirk didn't falter as she leaned forward toward the scowling male and placed her hands against the side of his stomach. The pinkette didn't fail to notice Sasuke's eyes widening and he began to struggle under her more when he realized what was about to happen. With a soft laugh, the kunoichi began to gently tickle the male, her fingers scraping across the fabric of his clothed sides. She hadn't dared to tickle him before and she was taking a risk of him being ticklish at all, but she just then found out that he was by the way he was biting his lower lip.

Sasuke felt the pinkette put a bit more pressure into her hands' movements and he did his best not to squirm under her. It didn't take long though until he was really struggling to get out of her and Naruto's grasp and a few, short laughs left his lips.

Sakura couldn't help but smile when she heard a laugh escape the Uchiha's lips and her smile only brightened when Naruto joined in with his laughter. It wasn't everyday that people heard Sasuke laughing, in fact, she was sure that she had only heard it a few times before, but every time it had her smiling. The kunoichi could see tears forming in the corners of both of her teammate's eyes and the scene finally had her laughing. Stopping both of her hand's movements, Sakura placed both of her palms on her knees and let out another wave of laughter as Sasuke, Naruto, and his clones did the same thing.

Amused chuckling caught Sakura's ear and she stopped laughing for a moment to look over at their sensei, his body turned toward them and his hand to his chin. Grinning at the man, Sakura picked up the nearest pillow and tossed it over at him. "What are you laughing at, Kakashi-sensei?" she asked as the pillow actually managed to hit the jounin in the face. A loud plopping noise could be heard and the pillow fell to the mat next to him. Another wave of laughter sounded that included all three genin as the silver haired man frowned.

It didn't take long for the laughter to quiet down and for the clones to disappear. It also wasn't long until the three settled down for good in their respectable places and got comfortable under their covers. Not much was said other than good nights and the first to fall asleep was Naruto as his mouth hung open and soft snores left his throat. The next was Sakura. She had fallen asleep facing toward Sasuke, one hand tucked under her pillow and the other resting near her cheek on the pillow. Her lips were slightly parted but her breathing was calm and even.

Sasuke wasn't sure whether or not Kakashi was asleep, but he wasn't about to ask the jounin. He preferred the silence of that moment as his onyx gaze looked over the features of the pink haired female beside him. Her long bangs fell to the pillow below her as the rest of her long hair fell in a pool behind her and under the covers. A soft smile crossed the male's lips at the female, knowing that she couldn't see it. He had thought about it ever since Sakura stopped tickling him. He didn't care. He didn't care that she was from the future. He didn't care if she was older than him mentality wise. It was true that her past affected who she was to that day, but either way, he was glad. He was glad that she could bring light to his life in some way or another. Even if it was flirting with him or chasing after him like she had done in her past that he had seen or if she was making him laugh or training with him, he was glad that Sakura was there with him. And he knew that no one would ever be able to replace her. Ever.

~~SCENE CHANGE~~

Sakura stood on the edge of the Hokage mountain, her lithe form standing atop of the third Hokage's head as her jade orbs looked over the village she had grown up in for thirty years. After leaving the new Land of Spring, it had been a two to three day trip back to Konoha. The trip had been boring more or less, nothing too special happening other than her and Naruto goofing off like on normal occasions. Instead of heading right toward her home with Naruto like the blonde had wanted, the kunoichi wanted some time alone to think, something Kaita had asked her running through her mind. Sakura wanted to see her parents and Kyoun again after more than a week of being away on their mission to protect the Princess, but she had more important matters to attend to.

The banshee had asked her as soon as she stepped foot into the village if she desired more power. Sakura was skeptical of the question, though she was sure that she could get stronger still. Even with her previous ANBU ranking and her massive power from her past. She had completely memorized herbs for her medical jutsus, the common and rare ones and their effects on the human body and mind. She had built up her immunity to every kind of poison there was in both times, many thanks to Orochimaru. Sakura's taijutsu could easily rival Gai's and she if tried, she was sure that she could take out each jounin and ANBU officer in the village.

The kunoichi wasn't exactly sure how to feel about that. Either she was just that powerful or Konoha was just that weak at the moment. The sad thing was that Kakashi, or even the Hokage, had no idea how much power she truly had. After she had turned sixteen, Sakura didn't waste anymore time trying to get Sasuke back, instead she decided to use her time wisely and train like crazy. She also didn't waste most of her time for the past six to seven years this time around either, making sure to build up her immunity to poisons and her chakra. How much more powerful could she get? Should she take up Kaita's offer? Would she finally be able to take down every single one of her enemies? Could she protect Konoha solely by herself? What about Orochimaru? She would finally be able to tear him apart like the bastard deserved to be, though she was sure she could do that at that point anyway. She would make him suffer for everything that he did to her. She would make him suffer for the death of her whole family and for taking Sasuke away from them.

Sakura gritted her teeth as images of flames and tears flashed through her eyes. No. She didn't want to remember. . . She had tried hard not to focus on the memories when Kaita brought them up before and she didn't want to remember them now. She was only fifteen. . . She wasn't strong enough yet to stop him. . . Her little brother. . .

"No." Sakura mumbled, shaking her pink head to clear out her depressing thoughts. She had accepted their deaths long ago. She had accepted. . . but she hadn't moved on.

A look of determination filled the kunoichi's jade orbs as she frowned down at the village. "Kaita." she called out firmly.

Upon hearing the call, the silver haired woman appeared in the distance, standing on the carved head next to the pinkette. Her long tresses and white dress blew through the wind as she looked down at the petite female with her intense, red eyes. "Yes, Sakura?"

The kunoichi wasted no time in turning to face the spirit woman and giving her full attention. "What's the catch?"

A light smirk adorned the dead female's features as she replied, "You catch on quickly. There is, indeed, 'a catch'."

Sakura nodded her head, showing Kaita that she had her full attention and the woman didn't hesitate to continue.

"The Suri clan was one that was around for centuries, since the very beginning of the establishment of shinobi." Kaita stated calmly, her crimson eyes not leaving jade. "We were a wealthy clan of natural born doctors and medics, often serving Lords and Daimos. This was the work of our Kekkai Genkai. Over time, our blood trait became sought after for personal gain. Either that, or we were wiped out on sight because of the fear of our power."

"What sort of power was it?" Sakura questioned, arching an eyebrow in interest. She knew that the Uchiha clan was ordered to be wiped out because the council feared their power, but for another clan to be killed out as well?

Kaita turned her body forward to look out at the village as she replied, "Our eyes and mind hold a power far greater than any Uchiha or Hyuuga could ever possess. However, our clan became few and were considered as outcasts. Soon there was only Gran Gran and I left."

Sakura put her finger to her chin in thought and wrapped her other arm across her chest. "Just like his son, Orochimaru's father craved power and manipulated you in order to get it."

Kaita nodded in return and then added, "It wasn't long until he found out that he couldn't get a hold of my clan's power and ended up taking our lives."

"The last two survivors of the clan." the pinkette spoke quietly, mainly to herself.

Kaita turned her piercing gaze over to Sakura at that moment. "I want you to carry on my clan's blood trait."

Jade orbs widened in complete surprise, not understanding what the banshee was talking about at all. How could she, a Haruno, carry on a blood trait of the Suri? She wasn't related to them at all, the last of their kin having died practically forty to fifty years ago. "How?" Sakura questioned, her gaze hardening as she looked at the silver haired woman skeptically. Although she now knew what she wanted, it still sounded absolutely impossible.

"I will be able to alter your DNA so that it is possible." she replied calmly.

A pink eyebrow twitched at that. Sakura didn't exactly fancy the thought of having her DNA being screwed around with but. . .

"You wish for a way to return to your time, yes?"

Now that got Sakura's attention. Her jade eyes widened at the woman before her, not quite willing to believe that it could be this easy to find the answer to the question that had always lingered in the back of her mind. She had told everyone that she would be back, but she had yet to find any possible way to do that. Nodding, the pinkette gave her deathly companion her honest answer.

"You also wish that you could somehow stay in this time." Kaita stated knowingly, giving the petite female a gentle smile as a calm gust of wind blew through the air, sending white and pink to follow in it's wake.

Nodding again, the kunoichi waited for the woman to continue. "With my clan's Kekkai Genkai, you will be able to alter it so that the worlds combine to your liking."

Jade orbs widened yet again and her face fell as the hand that was to her chin fell down to her side along with her other arm. Could she really do that? Could she really go back to her own time and still keep the relationships that she had in this time as well? Could she go back and keep her promise to Naruto and have Sasuke with them? It seemed almost too good to be true.

"All I have to do is carry on the Suri blood trait?" Sakura asked, her disbelief evident in her voice.

Kaita nodded and then began to walk towards the female that had to be about a foot and a half shorter than her. Running her index over the pink haired kunoichi's cheek, right under her left eye, she continued, "I do not care for the name, so it will be a trait that will now belong to the Harunos. Just imagine Sakura. . ."

Said female blinked in response and tried not to focus on the deathly cold touch of the woman in front of her.

"How powerful do you imagine a child would be if this trait were to be combined with an Uchiha's or Hyuuga's?"

Now that was a scary thought. Sakura didn't want to imagine a little toddler running around with the ability to alter dimensions and time and be able to put people into a screwed up world of their choosing. It was like having a little Itachi crawling around on all fours with an unstable mind. The thought made the pinkette shudder. Then again, she wasn't entirely sure what the Suris' Kekkai Genkai consisted of. Kaita had said something about her clan being wealthy doctors and medics.

Pulling back her hand, Kaita looked deep into Sakura's deep, jade eyes. "Are you interested?"

"Yes." the kunoichi nodded but then gave the taller female a skeptical look. "Could you explain the blood trait more thoroughly though before we get to that whole altering DNA thing?"

Kaita nodded her head and began to explain in great detail. "When I alter your DNA, it won't change the way you look, if that's what you're worried about." she stated first and noticed the visible sigh of relief that the pinkette let out. "Much like the Sharingan, there are five stages of the Nurenkai. All will only be unlocked once you hit a certain age point."

Sakura nodded, taking in the information with vast interest as she ignored the loud chattering of the villagers below the Hokage monuments.

"Stage one is unlocked at the age of five." the banshee began again in a calm tone, "This stage helps with medical jutsus greatly since it allows you to see what the normal eye cannot. That includes being able to see into a person's body to see their chakra network, blood, bones, and organs, along with any illnesses that they may have."

When Kaita mentioned that she would be able to see inside a person's body, Sakura didn't even flinch. She guessed it was because of her previous title of being a medic, having already seen the worst possible things life had to offer.

"Stage two is unlocked at the age of ten. Unlike the first, this stage will give you the opportunity to see more into the physical and spiritual realm. This is often referred to most as 'the sixth sense'. Something that animals tend to possess, unlike most humans."

The pink haired female tilted her head to the side. So that was why Kyoun had growled at Naruto that one day in the forest while on their mission to protect the bridge builder. She knew that he could sense the Kyuubi inside of him, but she wasn't entirely sure how. Perhaps this is the reason?

"You will be able to sense, see, and hear things that others cannot. Although, unlike animals, you will also be able to look through objects, such as the earth.

"Stage three is the age of fifteen. It allows you to be able to sense thoughts and see memories under certain conditions. Also, you will be able to find any person you desire. Depending on the circumstances is how you will be able to find them. This stage is extremely useful for tracking."

Sakura couldn't help but be incredibly interested in what Kaita was telling her. The Suri clan had such a useful Kekkai Genkai. It's such a shame that people either used them or killed them. Suddenly, Kaita's crimson eyes grew stern and the pinkette knew that what she was about to say was extremely important.

"Stage four and five are by far the most dangerous and hardest to control. At stage four, at thirty years of age, you will be able cut through dimensions and space, which makes for an excellent defense and offense while fighting. However," she stated firmly as the pinkette continued to give her undivided attention. "at the beginning of this stage, you will feel light headed, your eyes will bleed, and your skin will crawl. You will be put through such an agonizing pain that you will wish that you would perish. Depending on your tolerance for the pain and your acceptance, the sooner your mind will shut down and you will go into a comatose state where the spirits of my ancestors will be able to help you learn how to control your new powers. The comatose state can also happen with the other stages depending on your ability to adapt, however, with the fourth, it is inevitable."

Sakura couldn't help but gape at the silver haired woman in slight fear, though she wouldn't back down from a promised, torturous pain. How bad could it possibly be. . ? "Why is the age so far apart between stage three and four?" she questioned, furrowing her pink eyebrows.

"It was so that the people of my clan could grow and adapt until they reached that age. It takes many years for one to understand the physical and spiritual realms of this world and before they can unlock future abilities, they first have to understand all that there is in this world.

"Since your mental age is different than your physical one," Kaita continued in her normal calm voice, "your case might be quite different."

Pink eyebrows furrowed in contemplation as Sakura asked the question she had been holding for a few moments, "So you mean that since I'm technically thirty, I could go into the fourth stage at any time?"

"Precisely." Kaita replied, "However, I do think that the stages will happen in order."

The pinkette nodded her head in understanding. "But what about the fifth stage? When do I unlock that?"

"At the age of thirty-five." the banshee replied, "In five years, you will be able to manipulate time to your liking."

Sakura's face immediately brightened up. Five years? She only had to wait for five more years in order to complete her promise to Naruto and ensure that Konoha was safe from any danger. But wait. . . something didn't add up. "If that's the case, then why did your clan die out? Couldn't they have just made it so that they lived on?" she questioned skeptically.

"That is true." Kaita nodded, closing her eyes. Opening them again, she stared straight into Sakura's jade orbs, much like she had done the whole time through their conversation of power. "However, exactly like unlocking the Mangenkyou Sharingan, there is a price you have to pay in order to achieve it and most of my clan did not wish to make such a sacrifice."

Sakura felt an unsettling turning in the pit of her stomach as she licked her lips that were suddenly extremely dry. "What sort of sacrifice?"

"You must watch the murder of a loved one." she replied.

An eery feeling settled upon the whole area along with silence as a gush of wind blew passed them. Suddenly, it was like the whole world had died down into silence. Slowly, what was seconds when it felt like minutes, Sakura began to regain her thoughts as she looked sorrowfully at the ground. Hadn't she already suffered through that once? Why would she have to go through that again? It wasn't fair. . .

"Although, since you have already been put into that situation before," Kaita spoke up, causing the pinkette to look up at her through her bangs. "You might just have to wait until you turn thirty-five."

Sakura nodded her head in reply. She hoped that was the case.

"Are you ready?" the silver haired woman asked calmly and the kunoichi gave another nod in affirmation. "Then let us begin. Give me your hand."

Sakura arched an eyebrow at the woman but did as she was told and handed the woman her hand. Suddenly, the scenery around them quickly shifted as if they were being sucked into the ground and the pink haired kunoichi soon found herself standing in the center of a dark room.

Jade orbs couldn't see a single thing until her silver haired companion waved her hand through the air and multiple sets of candles that were on the walls lit up with bright flames. Sakura took quick glances throughout the room, taking in all of the details that she could. It was definitely an underground base somewhere below Konoha. She could recognize it as one of the hideouts under the village in case it got attacked and the people needed to evacuate. Turning around to the side, the pinkette saw the open hallway that was emitted with darkness that no doubt led to other rooms and the main hallway that went up to the village above.

"Why are we here?"

"We cannot afford to be interrupted." Kaita replied calmly, lifting up the pinkette's hand to inspect it closely, the red and orange light from the candles' flames dancing over her warm skin.

Turning her attention back to the silver haired woman, Sakura looked at her hand in the woman's grasp also. "Let me guess, one slip up and I could die, right?"

"Yes."

"Great." Sakura groaned and went back to looking around the average sized room, that was until Kaita said something again.

"Sit down in the center and hand me a kunai."

The kunoichi reached into the pouch attached to the top of her shorts and pulled out the requested blade before handing it to the woman and taking a seat on the ground in the exact center of the floor. Not even flinching when the silver haired spirit grasped her right hand and slid the kunai across the pad of the tip of her middle finger, Sakura watched curiously as the banshee did the same to the middle finger of her other hand.

Kaita said nothing and watched the blood start to flow from the small cuts of the pinkette's fingers. Sakura crossed her legs over one another as the silver haired woman pulled out a strand of her long hair and wrapped it around the cuts on the pinkette's fingers. Jade orbs blinked curiously as Kaita took the blood that was on the kunai with the pad of her thumb and began to smear it on the floor, doing so until a complete circle surrounded the kunoichi's body.

Placing her upturned hands on her knees, Sakura watched Kaita continue to smear her blood on the floor, making odd looking designs in formations that she had never seen before. The only designs that she could even begin to describe were different sets of circles, though they seemed to be the most important. In front of the pinkette, a fine, red line started at where her legs were crossed together and then swirled out and around multiple times until stopping behind her and ending once it touched the circle around her.

Not far off where the line started at her knees, there was another open circle along the line and then another further down, only with two circles, one inside the other. It went on like that, three circles in a set together, and then four. Yet for some reason, at the end of the swirling line, there wasn't a fifth design.

Sakura turned her gaze back up to the woman when she stepped in front of her and looked down into her jade eyes. "I'm sure that you realize this won't be a pleasant experience."

The pink haired female's features turned serious and determined and her tone was very much the same as she replied, "If it will help me keep my promise to Naruto and still protect Konoha, I'll do anything."

"Very well." Kaita nodded and then began to perform numerous hand signs that the female had never seen before. It seemed her deathly companion had a lot more up her sleeve than the pinkette was aware of, like the fact that she could possess chakra, though none of which surprised the petite female.

The silver haired female placed her hands over the pinkette's and closed her crimson orbs. Sakura glanced down to see that the red blood that was smeared on the floor was slowly turning the darkest of black and the dirt around and under them became crimson.

'How odd.' the kunoichi thought to herself right before she gritted her teeth and turned her gaze to see what her dead companion was doing. It had felt like her skin was being pulled back from her bones, starting at the cuts in her middle fingers and when she looked, she saw that Kaita's own fingers were slowly sinking into her skin somehow, though her fingers turned see-through as they continued to sink in and the kunoichi couldn't feel it. Once the silver haired woman had her entire left hand inside of Sakura's right, the pinkette could no longer feel anything in her hand or wrist whatsoever.

Sakura let out a gasp when the taller woman grabbed the kunai that had been placed on the floor some time ago and stabbed it through the kunoichi's right hand, yet for some reason, the wound didn't bleed, even as the woman removed the weapon. Stabbing it through the pink haired female's other hand, Kaita placed the weapon on the ground outside of the circle around them and began to sink her hand into the female's just like what she had done with the other.

"Prepare yourself, Sakura." the banshee warned, "You haven't shown any pain so far, but that will soon change."

The pinkette nodded her head. "I'm ready."

Kaita nodded her head in return and looked straight into the other female's eyes. Sakura gritted her teeth as she watched the veins on the underside of both her wrists turn gray, the blue that it was before slowly disappearing. Tingles racked up the kunoichi's arm, starting at her fingers and then all the way up to her shoulders. The tingling feeling soon reached to cover Sakura's entire body and her body became completely numb. Letting out a shaky breath, jade orbs glanced up to meet crimson and both females nodded again. Biting her lower lip, the pinkette closed her eyes and tried to prepare herself for the pain that Kaita had warned her was coming.

Not a moment after, there was a loud, earsplitting, pained scream coming from within the underground base that would last for another hour or so. No wonder Kaita brought them to an underground base; so that no one could hear Sakura's screams.

~.~

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