Chapter 1 – Taken
A Voice in the Wind For years, copying other people I tried to know myself. From within, I couldn’t decide what to do. Unable to see, I heard my name being called. Then I walked outside. —Rumi Chapter 1 – Taken The trade road hurtled down the arid mountainside, unraveling like a ribbon of gold […]
Chapter 2 – Perseverance
Grey mist covered everything, only languid streams of light filtered down through lacy branches to reach the base of the giant tree. The air had a pungent tang of wet earth and wood, save for a faint thread of smoke wafting from some unseen fire. Sakura cracked her heavy eyelids open, but could not fight […]
Chapter 3 – Harsh Words
Sometime in the night, the bindings on Sakura’s arms dropped away, and her hands slipped down the rough sides of the tree trunk. She blinked several times, the nighttime veil so thick she didn’t know if her eyes were open or closed at first. She had the vague sensation of a body beside her in […]
Chapter 4 – Ambush
Sakura lay in the tent a long time, watching the walls turn from leaden gray to the dingy ash color she had become familiar with by daylight. She had memorized every crooked seam, every dangling thread, every smudge of dirt. Lifting fingers into the air dejectedly, she examined her peeling, filthy fingernails. Sakura had prided […]
Chapter 5 – The Climb
Pink hair flipping suddenly into her eyes, the kunoichi crashed forward onto her knees with a sickening crack. She had been channeling chakra to soften her falls, but this one caught her by surprise. The moss-covered rocks were deceptively slippery, and Sakura had lost count of how many spills she’d taken. She’d remember this one […]
Chapter 6 – Out of the Darkness
Grey light seeped across the room. Persistent rustling hung in the air. A tiny pebble dug relentlessly into her stiff shoulder. In the dim light of morning, things were conspiring against Sakura. The rogues, who had plenty of time to rest the day before, were awake, shuffling and talking, inconsiderate of everyone. The din was […]
Chapter 7 – Black and Blue, and Red
Hot breath seared across her cheeks. Through tear-blurred vision, Sakura could make out the biggest one, Raiden, raging and hurling curses into her face. Several of the men she’d healed were closing in behind him. But all her power to fight back was eclipsed by the most basic need for air. Her mind was screaming, […]
Chapter 8 – Struggles and Triumphs, Part 1
Rubbing his chin gingerly, Katsuro eyed the girl with astonishment. She stared him down, cracking her knuckles. “Ready for another?” she said with a ruthless grin. “No,” he said laughing. She laughed too, then extended her hand. She gave him a glittering smile as she pulled him up off the ground, hair flipping around her […]
Chapter 9 – Struggles and Triumphs, Part 2
Swirling her chopsticks around the edge of her bowl, Sakura mulled the few things she knew about the boy. There wasn’t much. Grains of rice tumbled one at a time to the meager pile at the bottom of the dish. But how did he wind up with this bunch, she wondered again, tapping the sticks […]
Chapter 10 – Closed Doors
Though he had hoped to see a scroll in the morning, there was nothing for him when he brought up the water. He would just have to wait. So Katsuro slowly returned down the winding stairwell with an armload of fruit…and no answers. He knew this would end and they would have to leave. Then […]
Chapter 11 – Encounter
A pink tongue flashed once, twice, then was gone. Thin brown knees bent, and the lean body curved to circulate the still air around it. Even in the dugout hollow under the huge sandstone boulder, the air was still stifling. A steady crunching was fast approaching the hidden spot, though vibrations rippling beneath the sandy […]
Chapter 12 – Teammates
After following a few more curves in the river, Sakura looked up the flat bank to where an unassuming footpath spurred off, hopscotched across the water on broad stones, then rose with the land on the other side. They followed the narrow trail down to the river’s edge in silence. There was simply nothing more […]
Chapter 13 – Illusions
Genjutsus were difficult things to manage and not Katsuro’s specialty. But gauging from the pink bloom spreading across the kunoichi’s cheeks, he’d pulled this one off well enough. She kicked her legs gently beside him, blissfully unaware of their dismal surroundings. Not that the inner-workings of the genjutsu would have held any interest for […]
Chapter 14 – Cruel Choice
Chapter 14 – Cruel Choice Gold light and green shadows dappled in and out of focus. Katsuro rubbed his tired eyes. Flinging an arm up to block the afternoon sunlight, he twisted his head for a better look around. But the quick movement set the world spinning. Katsuro squeezed his eyes shut, dug his fingers […]
Chapter 15 – Returned
Katsuro scanned the mesh of black branches for an out of place silhouette, trying desperately to find her in the unforgiving darkness. A short suck of breath was the only warning he heard before a fireball exploded on the spot where he stood. He evaded it with a quick roll. But instead of using the […]
Chapter 16 – Reckoning
In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer. – Albert Camus She didn’t recognize it the first time she saw it. Nor the second time. It was on the third time she picked her way down the little side street — the shortcut home, the one she had […]
Chapter 17 – Journey
Skirting the edge of a summer-dry field, the brown-haired boy looked every bit like one of the local farm boys. Ragged pants rolled just below his knees. An oversized jacket hung loose on his frame. A smudged farm sack was slung over over one shoulder, and a tattered straw hat was doing a poor job […]
Chapter 18 – Whole
From Chapter 17: “Sakura,” came a warm voice in front of her. She snapped her head up so quickly she nearly collided with the battered straw hat. But instead of the old farmer, she found herself looking into a smooth, young, very familiar face. Warm brown eyes shined at her. The corners of his mouth […]
Chapter 19 – Secret Places
Lovers find secret places in this violent world where they make transactions with beauty. Reason says, Nonsense. I have walked and measured the walls here. There are no places like that. Love says, There are. — Rumi Making quick work of the road, Sakura descended the hill, hopped over a shallow ditch and waded into […]
Chapter 20 – Sakura’s Mission
Tugging at the corner of her eye, Sakura slipped her hand quickly to her mouth, stifling a yawn for the third time that morning. But the collection of old farmers leaning against the water trough didn’t seem the least bit sympathetic. And the twin boys wrestling at her feet paid her no attention at all. […]
Chapter 21 – Perfect, Part 1
Padding down the tree-lined avenue to the Hokage’s tower, Sakura stepped into the shadow of an old hardwood. Soft light flickered down around her, speckling her arms with blue shadows. A few more steps, and she was back out in the dew-bright light of morning, with all of Konoha glistening around her. Save for the […]
Chapter 22 – Perfect, Part 2
Sakura paused outside the hospital doors for a moment, letting her eyes adjust to the deepening gloam. Across the broad avenue, the road to her home stretched out in front of her, soft and grey in the dusky light. She allowed herself one long, good look: It would be several more hours till she’d see […]
Chapter 23 — Perfect, Part 3
The branch bounced once, rattling the leaves around him. He knew it was careless, but he wasn’t slowing down. Knees buckled, he launched into the darkness towards the next limb. Katsuro hoped he could still catch her tonight. It was so late, it would be a miracle really. But she’d waited this late before, he […]
Chapter 24 – Assignments
Author’s note: So tired…but here it is! I will format it and post the chapter notes tomorrow (as well as post it to ff.net). But here’s a little early reading, if you’re so inclined! “There is no way you can back out of this one,” Tsunade said flatly. “We all have to go.” Sakura stood […]
Chapter 25 – Festival, Part 1
Come to the orchard in spring. There is light and wine, and sweethearts in the pomegranate flowers. If you do not come, these do not matter. If you do come, these do not matter. —Rumi, trans. by Coleman Barks Dropping her pack in the corner of the second floor room, Sakura leaned out the open […]
Chapter 27 – Festival, Part 2
From Chapter 25, Festival, Part 1: “Katsuro…is something wrong?” she said to the stiff line of his back. He stopped, fist balled at his side. She didn’t wait for an answer. Instead she dashed around in front of him, grasping his arm through his cloak. Sakura looked into his face, noticing for […]
Ch 28 — The Stolen Child, Part 1
I wonder in what field today wanders my little dragonfly chaser. —haiku by Lady Chiyo, on the death of her only son at age 9 From Chapter 27: He closed his eyes. The only sound now was of his own blood thrumming in ears. His breathing began to modulate. Then slowly, slowly, the hand knotted […]
Chapter 29 – The Stolen Child, Part 2
The days and weeks before the full moon were some of the longest in the eight-year-old’s life. But eventually they all trickled away. The night of the full moon Naruto sat in the shadow of the tree, scanning the courtyard for any sign. His stomach still ached, but this time it was from excitement. The […]
Chapter 30 – Loose Ends
Author’s note: Chapter’s finished, just have to add notes. Will do that later tonight! Enjoy! Sakura curled the hair behind her ears and took one last look around. She had to get going. She couldn’t put it off any longer. With a sigh, Sakura left the small inn and stepped out into the lane. The […]
Chapter 31 – Cracked
Author’s note: At long last…. Sakura wiggled her wet toes before stepping into another pool of golden light. Streams of morning sun angled down through the canopy of Konoha’s ancient forests, dappling the shinobi trails. Scuffing over a patch of moss, Sakura’s shoes flung out dew in big sparkling arcs in front of her. She […]
Chapter 32 – Shattered
Sasuke stood in the sun outside the Hokage tower. The edge of a mission scroll curled around his hand, catching the light of the first truly seasonable day of spring. Everything seemed brighter. For the first time in, well, as long as he could remember, he felt almost…okay. The warm air had lured everyone out-of-doors. […]
Chapter 33 – Inner Demons
I am a wing…. I am the wing of a bird…. I am the wing of the bird that has left…and will not return. Chapter 33 — Inner Demons Inoichi stood in the middle of the barn and surveyed the haggard faces of the old farmers around him. Konoha’s interrogation team was methodically working the […]
Chapter 34 – Washed Away
Author’s note: Sorry this one took so long! Still editing this chapter, but I think it’s mostly done. (But please excuse in typos, errors, etc.) Will post notes later tonight. Chapter 34 — Washed Away The darkness that surrounded Katsuro, insulating him, was punctured by an insistent white light. It bore steadily into his eyelids, […]
Chapter 35 — Stolen Assets
We cannot tell now, But let us try a small test: If we both survive, Will it be I who forget Or you who fail to visit? — Anonymous, love poem from a Heian-era Japanese courtesan Sakura knew Tsunade was locked in a closed-door meeting. That was precisely why she chose this day to deliver […]
Chapter 36 – Into the Rain
“We got two coming up the road,” Joro said as he peered through the binoculars. Katsuro sighed. He had been fairly comfortable, leaning back on the angled rooftop in the shade of an old chimney. He sat forward, propped his elbows on his knees and looked closely, trying to see what Joro saw. Katsuro could […]
Chapter 37 – Running Away
Author’s Note: Chapter notes to come soon! Itachi pinched the bridge of his nose and stifled a sigh. But Katsuro didn’t relent. He sat across the table looking straight past Itachi’s dango stick and into his black eyes. He wanted an answer. It had been the only bright spot on the horizon for a week […]
Chapter 38 – Losing Everything
Sometime before dawn the rain stopped. Katsuro thought he might even be able to sleep, though he was soaked through and water pooled around him. But he was sorely mistaken. Every time he manage to nod off, flashes of what he’d lived through came violently back. Koro’s strangled scream through the woods. Joro’s fear-rimmed eyes […]
Chapter 39 — A New Beginning
Author’s note: In the first few chapters I did not name the members of Katsuro’s team who gave him such trouble on the way up to the temple, after they’d ambushed Sakura. I have since named them — Raiden and Fumio — as they make an appearance here. Katsuro moved stealthily through the dark camp. […]
Chapter 40 – The Death of Katsuro
From the moment they stepped back into the camp, Katsuro should have known things weren’t going to end well. Itachi strode through first, cold and aloof, as usual. His soundless footfalls, the sure marks of his shinobi training, never strayed from their purpose. He moved confidently, as if he were the only person in the […]
Chapter 41 – Akatsuki’s Assassin
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats. — H. L. Mencken Out of the nothingness came a white light. It cut across him. He was dead. He knew it. And this was his Death: A blinding light. A cold room. A […]
42 – Two Worlds, Part 1 – Into the Shadows
Author’s note: Early chapter release! Will have notes and a preview of 42, Part 2, up in a few days when I post on ff.net. These chapters will delve deeply into Sakura’s background and powers, and the duality of life in and out of Konoha. Thanks for reading! Lots more to come! Sakura stretched her […]
43 – Two Worlds, Part 2 – The Hidden Forest
Sakura left the streets of Konoha behind and set off for the for the woods outside the walls of the village. This errand for Tsunade was different. The instructions were scant. The destination was at best dangerous. At worst…well…. She didn’t want to think about that…. She was going into the Forest of Death, after […]
44 – Two Worlds, Part 3 – The Red Thread
Sakura quickly changed out of her shinobi clothes and into a civilian skirt and side-zipped vest, then left for her childhood home. She may have looked like she was a civilian but she was more alert than ever to being noticed. She watched for Sasuke down the dark lanes of the shinobi district. She didn’t […]
45 – Two Worlds, Part 4 – Those Left Behind
Well after dark, after she’d run her errands, showered and changed back into her shinobi clothes, Sakura scaled a building wall in the center of Konoha, hopped over the spine of the roof and down into a secluded balcony. Several nins were already there, leaning out and watching the parade a story below. Sakura landed […]
46 – The Green Light
Sakura, Sasuke and Kakashi left out of Konoha under the cover of darkness, before dawn’s first rays cracked over the sleeping village. Kakashi explained briefly that he had a lead on something big and that they needed to go. Time was of the essence. They trusted Kakashi so they went. No questions asked. But as […]
47 – The Odd Ones
They stopped for a few hours overnight, taking refuge inside a crevice that slashed down a sandstone monolith. Tired to her bones, Sakura sat down hard on the cold desert floor. She let her head fall back against the rock wall. Barely visibly beyond the top of the fissure, the night sky was reduced to […]
48 – We Move as One
They worked through the year, but they still were not a team. The chunin exams were approaching, and Kakashi warned them if they didn’t figure it out they wouldn’t make it through the exam. They would most certainly be killed. But even his most stern warning didn’t get through. And after a small mission went […]
49 – Master and Student
Sakura heard muffled voices in the darkness. For a moment, she was completely disoriented. She shook her head and realized she was on the ground. There was a dim light from beyond the edge of the cavern wall, and she remembered the cave…the explosion…. A deep, male voice was speaking somewhere in the darkness…. “That […]
50 – The Puppet
From Chapter 49: Chiyo’s far-away voice echoed down through the darkness. It was clear and unforgiving. “Get to work. It’s the only reason I let you live.“ Sakura blinked into the darkness. She took a few steps forward, hands grasping air in front of her, feet shuffling— But a stone caught her toe and she stumbled […]
51 – Perfect Vessels
From Chapter 50: “Sakura of the Leaf,” Chiyo rasped. Sakura leaned in to listen, wondering if, at the end, Chiyo had some message to pass on. Sakura was not so heartless as to deny an old woman her last wish— Chiyo’s eyes locked on hers. Her hand gripped her forearm, clawing around it in the […]
52 – Who to Trust
The sun was warm in Tsunade’s office. Everything looked familiar, felt familiar, even smelled familiar. It was comfortable…and yet somehow deceptive. It kept playing tricks on Sakura’s mind. It made her feel like nothing had changed. But Sakura knew, standing in this office, she had to confront the truth she’d been avoiding for days. Everything […]
May 13, 2015 @ 3:20 am
Hello. I can’t wait for your next chapter for this fanfic! >_<
May 28, 2015 @ 7:51 pm
Yay! Thanks – it will be soon!!
February 27, 2023 @ 10:36 am
Can you please post the next chapter I really miss this story