Hello, everybody!! Sorry for the delay. For anyone who reads Dragon Boy and Princess,  I just put it on hiatus. I just need time to get my creative juices going. So I hope you can forgive me. I'll try to get it up and running as soon as possible, but anyway here is chapter 12.

            The day immediately after Shizune's death was the funeral. As if mocking her loss, it was nice and sunny outside. The burial was short, as it was custom in the village. No words were said. There was simply a moment of silence before Shizune's body was put in a coffin, and lowered into the earth. It had felt wrong to Sakura somehow that there wasn't a word of goodbye said. It should have been done differently, but Sakura didn't speak up because she was simply too drained.

            Unexpectedly though, the whole village had shown up, to the exception, of course, of Nashiro and his gang. Sakura had been both grateful and terrified that so many people had shown up. She didn't feel like engaging in conversation with anyone because she was sure that if she did, she would break down. Thankfully, she was saved from any interactions by the presence of Naruto and Sasuke. To her protest, they had stayed by her side throughout the entire funeral, effectively keeping away any unwanted people. Akio and Soraya, the only ones to seem to want to talk to her, had tried to catch her eye several times, but Sakura avoided them

            Sakura was frankly surprised that the village had accepted Naruto and Sasuke so silently. Then again, their quiet acceptance was probably only in the face of tragedy, and it would probably soon wear off.

            Another thing that had bothered Sakura were Shizune's last words to her; Go home, she had said. But where was home? This village was the only home she had ever known, but clearly Shizune had been referring to something else, someplace else, but where? Had she perhaps been referring to wherever she had come from all those years ago? But Sakura didn't know where that was. Shizune had never talked about life before the village, and Sakura had never asked. But Sakura pushed the question from her mind for the moment; she was too exhausted emotionally.

          Sakura had spent the rest of the day sleeping on and off, only waking to eat whatever food had appeared in her room. She didn't know where the food was coming from, and didn't particularly care; it all tasted the same to her. She knew that Naruto and Sasuke were keeping watch over her; Naruto because he always walked in to bring her food, and Sasuke... well she didn't have any proof Sasuke was, but for some reason, she could feel that he was there, watching over her.

          As for Sasuke, Sakura's thoughts of him kept running around in her head, like dogs chasing their tails. Why had she let Sasuke lead her away from Shizune's body when she hadn't let Naruto? Why had she immediately calmed down as soon as she realized that she was in his arms? Why did she associate him with safety? These feelings spoke to more than just a crush; Sakura could feel it in her bones. But what did it mean? This connection they shared was like nothing Sakura had ever felt.

            After the fifth day, Sakura had had enough. She had never stayed inside for so long a time, and for some reason it was making her feel... weak. She needed to get out. So before dawn had even shed its first rays, Sakura whipped off her covers, braided her long hair, threw on a red dress, wrapped a shawl around hers shoulders, and stepped out into the chilly night air. She closed the door as gently as she could behind her, and set off across the village. It was quite a contrast to what it was like during the day; normally, the village was bustling with activity and gossip, mostly spread by the women, whereas the men were out plowing the fields, or going off to market, but now all was silent except for the cold breeze blowing.

            Sakura walked briskly through it, anticipation mounting in her as she approached the outskirts of the village. She broke into a run, desperate. The tree line came into view, and she sprinted, her heart beating insanely. As soon as she stepped past the first tree, an immense wave of energy rushed through her body, strength seeming to seep into her skin down to her very bones. She slowed her pace, but did not stop running until she had reached a deep part of the forest. It was pitch black, the foliage blocking out even the light of the moon. She stumbled, and decided to stop, slumping against the thick trunk of an oak tree. It was as if she were breathing freely for the first time, clean fresh air entering her lungs.

            This, this was what home felt like. Wait. Home. Go home. Sakura stood hastily. Could this be what Shizune meant by home? The place Sakura felt most at home was the forest, and Shizune knew that. Could this be it? Sakura turned on herself, looking up through the black foliage, and she remembered what else Shizune had said: I'm glad to see that you're in good hands. Did Shizune know that Sasuke and Naruto had come from the forest? Had Shizune herself come from the forest?

            Sakura sunk back against the tree; the realization that Sakura really knew nothing about Shizune had hit her. She put her head in her hands. She had never bothered to ask anything about where Shizune had come from; she had been content with only having someone who cared for her, and took interest in her, but never took any interest in Shizune in return. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she gasped for breath. She had been selfish. She clenched her fist in her dress over her heart. It hurt, it hurt so much; the guilt, the grief, all of it. She hated herself in that moment.

            A soft light now crept through the foliage, warming a section of Sakura's face; it was dawn. Suddenly, Sakura heard a crack nearby. She hastily wiped her tears, and stood up, looking around in the near darkness. She slowly turned in a circle on herself, surveying the trees around her. Glimpsing movement behind her, she whirled around and saw a red eye. Her scream died in her throat. 

I hope you liked it!!! I know it's short, but let's just say that it's necessary. I hope you liked, and please vote, comment, and share. Love you guys. Ja ne!