The glowing rays of the sun filtered through the small window that led into a grey, ashen grey room, the wardrobe was black, no picture frames nor any decorations.
Sakura blinked as she felt the warm rays on her face, it was the day to be put into teams and she really wasn't feeling up for it, yet she had an obligation to Itachi Uchiha.
'Please..... Look after my Brother' His words echoed her mind as she got up, walking to the clean bathroom she stepped into the shower. Her pale pink hair sticking to her back as she rubbed Shampoo and conditioner in.
Sighing as she washed and rinsed herself she took a towel and dried herself off.

Looking in the mirror, she saw a small girl with long pale hair, ivory skin and dulling green eyes. No spark could ever gleam in her dead eyes yet why did she still get up and walk? Because she was determined to prove to everyone! She WAS not some simple child. She was not some weak girl.

And with that mindset she left the bathroom to go train by the lake, her training gear strapped on as she grabbed her weapon holster, tying it tightly around her leg.
Walking out of the dull apartment, she ran towards the viridian green forest's that seemed to call for her, soft whisperings were heard throughout the hazy mist as she dropped her bag.

Sakura cracked her knuckles as she channeled her chakra to enhance her muscles, getting on the floor on all fours she started her daily workout.
"Start with one by one and I'll get there!" She growled as she started her own harsh torture. Pushing up and down she was trying to reach her goal of five hundred push up's.

Next she rolled onto her back and started her sit ups, sweat already started to drench her clothing, sticking to the nape of her neck as she growled to push herself harder.
Hours passed as she trained herself till exhaustion, her body was trembling as she felt the searing pain run through her body. The sun was high above her as she stopped her intense training regime, standing up she dusted herself off as she saw how grim she looked.

Bruises had formed on her skin as she had hit herself a couple of times, her skin was covered in sweat and dirt, her hair was a tangled mess. Sighing Sakura grabbed her stuff as she trudged home, ignoring the pitying glances from other people. she could always feel them, they dug into her skin as they always seemed to be saying.

"Poor girl, her mother wishes...'

"Stay away from her..."

"I heard she murdered him.."

"Is she a...."

"Monster..."

"Demon.."

"Murderer..."

Some of the insults did affect her, clenching  her fist she had a blank face as she walked straight home, her tangled messy hair swayed behind her as she marched her slim little body back to her home.

Opening the door she was met with the grey interior, her eyes dulled a bit as she closed and locked the front door. Stretching in the foyer she walked to her small room, grabbing her clean clothing as she walked to her bathroom, starting up he warm water.
As she undressed she was pulled back to the time her father would help her bathe, when she was little she adored him more than anyone in the world. It only goes to show that not everything last forever.

Stepping into the warm water she leaned against the wall as she closed her eyes, the water was a smooth, warm river that swirled around her. Relaxing her muscles as well as washing the sins she seemed to always have on her mind.

Oh stop being a baby, Sakura you are weak, you will never progress by being this weak. Her dark inner voice broke her out of her peaceful trance. Glaring at the wall she clenched her fist as she sighed, she knew already that her Inner voice was right. Every. Single. Time.

Stepping out of the warm water, her hair had become lack luster and more dull, her skin was taut and paper white. Glancing at herself as she dried off she muttered a few curses as she pulled on a dark red Turtleneck sweater. Pulling on some skin tight leather pants, and knotting up her combat books she looked at the clock.

"Ah.....? Was there school today? Yeah.... I missed two hours." Sakura mumbled to herself as she used a small wind jutsu to help dry her hair. It was the only wind technique she knew of as she brushed her pink locks. Pulling everything into a ponytail she grabbed her books and started to dash to the academy.

------------------

Naruto had his face head down on the desk as he waited for Sakura, she was late for class and Iruka seemed to notice Naruto's mood.
The olive skinned man walked over to the down hearted boy, placing his large hand on the blondes silky hair.
"Hey Naruto why the long face there buddy?" He asked as he leaned down to inspect the whiskered boys face.

"Ah.... um... it's nothing Iruka-Sensei." Naruto answered as he scratched his tanned cheek. Leaning away from the teacher he twirled his pencil as he thought of where Sakura could be. His crystalline blue eyes scanning the room and door as he tried to catch a flash of pink.
Still seeing nothing he sighed as he looked down at the homework he had in front of him.
I should study, so I can pass with Sakura! His cheer that ran through his head kept him encouraged as he started to look for the answers in the textbook.

Iruka was confused as he leaned away from the small boy, this wasn't the lazy prankster he knew. No this was a different person, standing up Iruka walked back to his desk, reaching for the hard wooden seat so he could sit down, when the door creaked open.

"Ah.... gomenasai Iruka-Sensei. I'm late." There stood the short pink haired girl, her dull eyes scanned the room until she saw her best friend working hard, looking around more she saw a few kids talking about fashion, or the next meal their parents would provide for them.
It made her face screw up with disgust as she pulled up her hoodie she had snagged on the way out of her home. Walking over to Naruto she toon a seat beside the foxy looking boy.

"Ah! Saku-chan is here." Naruto smiled brightly as he wrapped his arms around her waist, inhaling her flowery scent as he leaned on her shoulder. "I missed you, where you training again? Or did you over sleep?" He asked, his eyes open for her answers.

Sakura looked at him as she ruffled his hair, "I was getting some good training in. I'll bring you to the grounds later." She smiled at him catching the attention of a brooding boy.

Sasuke looked at her from the corner of his eye as he tried to ignore the yamanaka in front of him, as well as the 28+ girls trying to gain his affection by screaming in his ear.
'Why can't they just shut up? For once in their damned worthless lives?' Sasuke thought as he sighed. Looking over to the window to try and get some peace he was blocked from that right when the childish grin of Ino Blocked his view.

"Sasuke-kun! Why can't we spend some private time alone?" Ino leaned in as she tried to show her non-existent chest to him.
Grunting he looked away from her as he glared at the table.

Sakura glanced over at Sasuke as she gave him a fake smile, her grin was too tight, her muscles tense as she turned away.
Looking at her books she started to write down her homework and the extra lessons she had missed in the morning.

---------------

The academy had ended without hitch, all the kids running towards their parent's loving and sheltering arms. The eyes lit up in affection as they praised their beloved children.
Three kids stood to the side, away from all the happiness that seemed to soak through the air like a sponge. Sakura glanced at Ino, her pink hair covering her eyes as she turned around, walking away.

Naruto, who was watching her the whole time, followed her gaze as he felt himself growl a little. His eyes flashed a deep scarlet red before he plastered a heavy smile, chasing the girl he admired so much. Maybe to the extent of liking her more than a friend.
"Sakura wait up for me!" He sang out as he caught up to her. His face was bright as he grabbed her slender hand, his heart pounded in his chest as he could feel the burning tips on his ears.

"Oi Naru..... Why...." Sakura paused as she looked at him in his beautiful blue eyes. "Uh.... never mind." She gave him a smile as she looked away, squeezing his hand slightly.
Naruto knew in his heart, he could hear her silent words that she kept locked away. 'Why didn't you leave me? Like everyone else.' His mind echoed as he squeezed her hand.
Because. You are the same as me in many ways Sakura. He answered her silently as they watched the sun go down together.

"Lets fight until we die Sakura. Train harder to survive." Naruto's hoarse voice rang out as Sakura glanced up at him.

"Yeah....."

A promise was formed, unyielding in the words of two broken people who found solace in each other