Chapter Text
Sakura’s heart raced as her footsteps pounded against the forest floor. The dense foliage seemed to close in all around her, branches reaching out as though trying to grab her small form, roots threatening to pull her feet out from under her. She could hear the leaves rustling behind her, a chilling reminder of the masked man pursuing her.
With each breath she took, her small lungs burned, and her legs felt heavier with every frantic stride. Sakura had always loved the forest and had spent many hours exploring some of Konoha’s woods but what was once a place of wonder, now felt like a maze of uncertainty and danger. Sakura’s wide green eyes darted around, desperately searching for any possible escape from the nightmare she was currently trapped in. The moonlight illuminated the branches, casting shadows on her path, her brain transforming each one into the body of a man.
The wind whispered through the trees, carrying the distant sounds of her pursuer's footsteps. Sakura didn’t dare look over her shoulder, fearing that a glimpse of the mask man would only fuel her panic. Instead, she focused on the uneven ground beneath her feet, doing her best to navigate the dangers lest she stumble and fall and become nothing better than a sitting duck.
Sakura’s determination fueled her forward. She jumped over a large log, stumbling slightly before taking off once more. How isn’t he catching me? She thought desperately. Sakura knew that she had some stamina, but her strides were small and whoever was after her must have been a shinobi of some kind, either from the leaf or perhaps another nation. Sakura’s heart dropped. She heard their footsteps bounding through the tree’s overhead, and she risked a panicked glance upwards to check if he was about to come crashing down onto her.
Her small frame darted through the trees, her pink hair a blur as she put into practice everything she had ever learnt from the academy and desperately weaved herself through the shadows. The forest seemed to stretch on endlessly and Sakura knew she had to reach safety and find help but knew that her small legs would give out far before the masked man’s. Sakura’s legs throbbed at the pace she was trying to maintain, as the masked man’s taunts echoed around her ears. I’m imagining it, she thought, he didn’t say a word to me.
Sakura could feel tears stinging her eyes, but she blinked them away furiously, refusing to let her fear overcome her. This was a game of cat and mouse, and she was the prey. I have too many people relying on me to die here, she thought, forcing her aching limbs ever faster. Branches scratched at her skin, some deeper than the rest, cursing blood to ooze down her bare arms and legs and tear at her signature red dress.
Finally, Sakura heard what sounded to be a river and knew that she must be nearing the edge of the forest. Adrenaline surged through her as she used the last of her strength to burst from the trees and stumbled towards what she realized to be a very large cliff, overlooking a raging river below. Gasping for breath, she looked around, her eye’s frantic as she tried to find another path to take.
She had made it out of the forest, but it was all in vain, the masked man was still behind her somewhere, lurking in the shadows, and Sakura had nowhere else to go. She felt the hairs stand up on the back of her neck, spinning her exhausted body around wildly to look into the darkness. Sakura took a panicked step back and felt the cliff edge crumble slightly under her feet, causing dirt and rock to fall into the chasm below. That was close, she thought, regaining her footing.
She looked around anxiously and finally saw him emerge from the trees. He looked exactly as he had in the alleyway. He walked towards her slowly and Sakura knew that there was next to no chance she would make it out of this encounter alive. You’re in control of your own destiny, she told herself. You’ll only die here if you let him kill you. The words were filled with confidence that she didn’t possess, and her physical body would inevitably let her down. Stupid, stupid, stupid, she screamed internally.
Sakura took one last look over the cliff’s edge and with one last defiant stare directed at her would-be attacker, turned and leaped as far as she could. Every muscle in her body tried to stop her, not agreeing with her brain’s plan at all but it was too late, and Sakura felt the wind whipping through her long hair as she hurtled down into the rapids below. She hit the water with a large splash, the air knocked from her lungs by the impact.
I’m drowning, she thought, her body carried away by the relentless current, each surge of water pushing her head back under as she broke the surface, pulling her ever deeper towards the river's dark bottom. Bubbles escaped from her lips as she couldn't stop her scream of terror as the fight began leaving her body, the cold numbing her already exhausted limbs, the water stinging her various cuts and scrapes.
I don’t want to die here. Not like this. She had heard drowning was excruciating and her body burned as she swallowed mouthful after mouthful of fresh water, her lungs screaming for air that she could no longer get to.
Sakura’s eyes snapped open, her breath coming in quick gasps as she jolted upright. The remnants of the nightmare clung to her mind like the shadows in her dream, her heart still racing from the exhaustion of the chase and the hopelessness and desperation she had felt trapped in the water. She took in a shaky inhale, feeling the cool reassuring air of the Aburame’s house filling her still aching lungs.
They shouldn’t hurt this bad, she thought. I didn’t actually drown. Her body had other ideas and it felt like she could feel every injury she had sustained from the unrelenting forest. She desperately patted herself down, checking her covered arms and legs but found nothing. Sakura closed her eyes as she continued to suck in grateful gulps of air and finally opened them to look around the mostly unfamiliar room. The soft rays from the moon made its way through the cracks in her window blinds, and she grabbed desperate handfuls of her bedding.
She was safe. She was at the Aburame’s and she knew that no one would get to her here. Shibi, Kaede and Shino wouldn't let them. With trembling hands Sakura pushed the blanks off her small body and swung her legs over the edge of the bed. She took a moment to collect herself, listening to the faint hum of insects that had made this compound their home outside, providing a much-needed soothing backdrop; it was a sharp contrast to the turmoil of her dream.
Drawing in a steadying breath, Sakura stood up and made her way to her window, opening the blinds as quietly as she could to stand and peer off into the Aburame’s back garden. She saw green flickers lighting the grass up and managed a smile despite wanting to do nothing but curl up in the corner of her room until the sun came up. As she stared off into the tranquil night, a shiver traced its way down her spine.
Her heart skipped a beat as her eyes locked onto a figure standing near the edge of the garden. He shouldn’t be here. How did he get into the compound without anyone noticing? She thought, breath catching in her throat, the lines between dream and reality blurring in the dim light. She blinked once, then twice, desperately hoping that her eyes were playing tricks on her. But when she looked again, the figure remained, the skull shaped mask obscuring his face and whatever his intentions were.
Fear surged within her, threatening to overwhelm her senses just as it had in her nightmare. Yet this time, she was awake, and the stakes were real. There would be no waking up if he decided to come for her. Summoning her courage, Sakura’s fingers tightened on the windowsill and the two stared at each other for a tense moment, her mind desperately trying to come up with a plan. Any plan! She screamed at herself. Think, Sakura, think. You’re meant to be one of the brightest in your class.
Sakura ultimately decided to do what she had desperately wanted to in her dream but hadn’t had the air for. She screamed. It wasn’t as high as she had hoped due to the lump of fear lodged in her throat, but the rest of the family would have heard it. Shibi was in her room before the last syllable had even left her lips, coming up behind her to look out the window. The masked figure seemed to flicker in the darkness before he was gone completely, like he had never been there to begin with.
“Did you see him?” Sakura’s voice was so low she didn’t even think the older man would have been able to discern her words.
“Yes.” Shibi replied coldly.
Kaede arrived soon after her husband, moving to the side quickly as he rushed past her. “Send word to the police station.” He ordered her as he left, Sakura assumed, to gather the guards to start his own search of the surrounding area. She watched as his figure came into view in the garden, other bodies moving to join him faster than she ever thought possible.
Kaede pulled her from the windowsill and pushed her gently towards Shino who had rushed out of his room also. Shino caught her by the shoulders as his mother ordered them to go into the living room and not to move a muscle. She also body flickered away, and Sakura shook in Shino’s hold.
“He was here.” She whispered shakily, burying her face into his chest. He was wearing a soft cotton short sleeved shirt and long comfortable pants that pooled slightly around his feet.
Shino did as his mother ordered, and the two children found themselves bunched together amongst the pillows and blanks, both looking in the direction of the door that Shibi hadn’t bothered to close behind himself in his rush to exit the house. Sakura looked up for the first time to look at Shino and found his mouth pulled down into a grimace, arms tight around her as he silently kept watch around the living room, his beetles buzzing nervously in his body as she felt him tremble slightly.
He’s not wearing his glasses, Sakura thought absentmindedly, allowing herself all of one second to take in his blue eyes and long eyelashes. He must get them from his mum. She looked away from him, aware that he had woken up as panicked as she had and didn’t want to make him uncomfortable by staring. There are bigger things to focus on, she reminded herself, and pushed herself even harder into his hold. The security of his presence grounding her and staving off her still mounting hysteria.
They were both too scared to speak, and listened to the commotion happening outside of the house before finally Kaede came back into the room, followed by a member of the police force that Sakura didn’t recognize. He had shoulder-length, dull black hair, dark eyes and had a beauty mark on his forehead. “This is Tekka-san. He has a few questions for your Sakura-chan.” Kaede said solemnly, not even the sight of the two children curled up together was enough to even brighten her now serious features.
Tekka walked over and looked down at them, before deciding to take a seat on a nearby chair so as to not frighten the children further. Kaede took her own seat on the floor next to them, reaching out a hand to hold Shino and Sakura’s already connected one and squeezing gently. Tekka was very direct with his questions, using as few words as possible and pulling out a notebook to record her answers.
“How did you become aware of him?”
Sakura took a deep breath, words coming out slightly stuttered from nerves. “I had a nightmare, Tekka-san. I woke up and went to the window to hopefully look at the fireflies and I saw him standing there. I screamed and Shibi-san immediately came into the room before Kaede-san sent word to the police.”
Tekka nodded, not looking at her as he wrote her answer down. “What was your nightmare about?”
Sakura turned teary eyes on Kaede. “Do I have to tell him?” She whispered.
Kaede frowned slightly, looking at Tekka for a moment. “I don’t think her nightmare is relevant, Tekka-san.” The Uchiha looked like he wanted to protest before Inabi walked around the corner.
“I’ll take it from here, Tekka-san. Fugaku-sama would like your help searching further into the woods around the compound. You will be escorted by an Aburame shinobi.” Tekka scowled slightly before taking his leave, stopping, despite his apparent ire, to nod respectfully to Kaede, “Aburame-san.” and left the room.
“Pink-chan.” Inabi started, before stopping to look at the two children for a moment. He sighed and took Tekka’s recently occupied chair. “Did you notice anything different about the masked man this time?” Sakura shook her head in the negative, untangling her other hand from Shino’s to wipe away a few loose tears that had managed to slip down her cheeks.
“I’m sorry Inabi-san, I didn’t. I…I wasn’t sure he was even real at first.”
Inabi nodded slightly at her, “And your nightmare?” Kaede sent him a sharp look, but Sakura didn’t mind talking about it with this Uchiha, despite wanting desperately to forget the entire dream.
“He was chasing me through the forest…I woke up after I had jumped off a cliff.” She added softly. “I drowned…” Sakura felt Shino’s arms tighten around her almost painfully at her last words and closed her eyes defeatedly.
“You’re safe Sakura-chan. Why? Because you have to be. Anything else is inexcusable.” Shino whispered the words by her ear and Sakura couldn’t control the sobs that began to wrack her body. She nodded and Kaede moved over to wrap her arms around the two children, Shino not even protesting, and stared at Inabi.
He sighed once more, “We have to tell your mother about this.” He said.
Sakura knew he was right. She couldn’t shield her mother any longer but knew in her heart that Mebuki was the strongest woman she knew, and she would do everything in her power to protect her from whatever was going on, even if she was preoccupied with her father. “Your father will understand why she would have had to leave his side, Sakura-chan.” Kaede added softly, and all Sakura could do was nod miserably.
After some time had passed, Shibi entered the room with Fugaku. “We could find no trace of him in the immediate area, but we have more shinobi looking in the woods. Unfortunately, I fear he is far gone.” Shibi spoke evenly.
Fugaku stepped forward. “I am asking for your discretion; I would like to keep this incident quiet from the other clans.”
“Shouldn’t the Hokage hear about this?” Kaede asked. Shibi and Fugaku shared a glance, before the Uchiha clan head answered.
“Not yet, Aburame-san.” Sakura didn’t know what to make of that answer but decided to trust that the adults were making what they thought to be the right decision. “I will however notify your mother personally but not quite yet. To keep up appearances, I would like everyone to act as though this never happened.” Kaede looked furious.
“How can you possibly keep this from her parents? What if it was one of your children in danger?”
Shibi sent his wife a stern glance. “I am in agreement with Fugaku-san. You will not breathe a word of this to anyone.” The man and wife stared at each other, a silent battle of wills before Kaede looked away.
“Yes, husband. I demand an explanation as to why though.”
Shibi nodded, “Of course, I just ask that you all trust in us for now.”
Sakura wasn’t sure how she could pretend that she wasn’t absolutely terrified and craned her neck awkwardly to look at Shino. He was staring at his father, his blue eyes more intense than Sakura could have ever imagined. Finally, he whispered, “I trust my father, Sakura-chan.”
After a moment, she replied. “And I trust you, Shino-chan.” Before leaning back against him, making herself more comfortable in his arms.
“I expect both of you to be at the academy in the morning so try to get as much rest as you can.” Shibi said. That was easier said than done. Sakura glanced up to look at the beetle themed clock in the corner of the room and realized that it was close to five in the morning and resolved herself to sit here with Shino until the last possible moment, only comforted by the fact that this would be a secret from the other children.
“I will also schedule more patrols around the compound with Shibi-san’s permission, and at the academy and the hospital.”
Fugaku said softly.
Sakura jerked violently, “You don’t think they would hurt my parents, do you?” Fugaku said nothing for a moment, causing her to look between Kaede and Shibi desperately.
“We are unsure who it is and what their intentions might be Sakura-chan. It’s best to let Uchiha-san do as he sees fit. The extra security is most likely not needed but it would be better to be safe than sorry.” Sakura couldn’t argue with that. The hospital should be secure, she thought sadly.
Finally, the Uchiha’s took their leave after receiving word that the search had provided no leads to where the masked man might have fled to. “I’ll see you around pink-chan.” Inabi whispered, sneaking a peak at Fugaku to see if he had heard the childish nickname he had bestowed upon her. If he had, he pointedly ignored it and said his own farewells, leaving the four of them alone once again.
“I’m so sorry-” Shino actually brought his hand up to cover her mouth. She licked it. No response.
“Sakura-chan, please stop. Why? Because it is gross.” She childishly licked once more before she caught sight of a small hole near the inside of Shino’s arm. That must be where he releases his insects, she thought, intrigued that she had never even thought about how their bodies must work. He finally removed his hand, wiping it on her shoulder in revenge and the four of them sat in silence before Kaede released them to go and make them breakfast.
“I don’t want either of you to let the other out of your sight.” Shino nodded at his father's words. “Obviously that doesn’t extend to sleeping and the bathroom.” He added, making sure that he covered all of his bases in case the two children took his words too literally. Sakura and Shino both blushed brightly but neither made a move to distance themselves from one another, and Shibi left to join his wife in the kitchen.
“You have very pretty eyes, Shino-chan.” Sakura whispered, and Shino brought his now dry hand up to sheepishly run his fingers through his messy hair and rub at his eyes.
“Thank you, Sakura-chan. Though, they are not as beautiful as yours.” Sakura couldn’t possibly blush any harder, so she decided to shyly mumble, “Thank you.” After a while they had to detangle themselves so they could go and eat, Sakura consuming more than she had the previous morning despite the jarring last few hours, and soon the sun had risen, and they were walking to the academy with Shibi.
He placed a hand on both of their backs, “If you need anything, all you have to do is tell Iruka-sensei and I will come back to the academy.”
Sakura nodded gratefully. “Thank you, Shibi-san. And thank you for…” Sakura’s words failed her and Shibi only nodded and gently rubbed her back, doing the same to Shino.
They were seated at their desks; both looking worse for wear and studiously ignored every single one of their classmates entering the room. Sakura was watching one of Shino’s insects walking around their paper and put her hand out in a silent invitation for him to climb onto her hand, before bringing him eye level to look at the iridescent green and yellow painting his tiny body and wings. Sakura spent most of her academy day like the one before it, barely listening and she was out under her and Shino’s tree without even knowing how she had gotten there.
Sakura began eating her bento box, trading Shino pieces of her fish when Sasuke once again approached them and sat down so the three of them formed a tight circle. Sakura was too tired to even consider being excited at the other boy's presence and numbly offered him an Onigiri as a peace offering. He took it and placed another box of Dango down in front of them.
Shino and Sakura both stopped what they were doing to each pick one up and dig in, thankful for the sugar. Sakura spoke around her mouthful happily, “Thank you, Sasuke-kun. Would you like the last one?”
Sasuke shook his head. “I don’t like sweets.” Sakura and Shino turned on each other, holding their now empty small wooden sticks. Sakura playfully wielded it like a sword and stabbed gently at the other boy, careful not to hit him.
“We can fight for it, Shino-chan.”
Shino shook his head, a small smile on his face. “It’s all yours, Sakura-chan.”
Sakura pouted but decided that the Aburame would probably win and quickly grabbed the last stick before he changed his mind. Shino didn’t look as bothered as he had yesterday about Sasuke’s presence and Sakura let herself relax, thankful that the two boys wouldn’t fight today.
Sakura rested her head on her hands, elbows supported on her crossed legs and let her hair drape over her face as a temporary shield. “I assume you heard something from your father Sasuke-kun.” The dark-haired boy seemed to hesitate before sheepishly nodding.
“I won’t tell anyone.” He whispered, glancing around.
“Thank you.” She whispered back. Sakura peeked at him for a few long seconds and realized that his presence wasn’t stirring up the feelings it had once done, and she was far happier sitting in a companionable silence with the two of them than anything else she had fantasized about.
Shino’s cuter, her brain whispered, Sakura couldn’t disagree. She was proud of herself, feeling like the last few days had aged her considerably. She didn’t want to concern herself with silly crushes, right now all she wanted to do was ensure the safety of her friends and family. What about your crush on Shino? She thought. Sakura blushed slightly but it wasn’t something she wanted to think about, he was her best friend, and she didn’t want to do anything to embarrass herself and jeopardize that.
She shared a glance with Shino and smiled and nodded subtly to Sasuke, Shino bumped his shoulder against hers and she worked her courage to ask him what she had wanted to do after her run at the lake a couple of days prior. “Shino and I usually hang out after the academy is over. If you ever feel like joining us, you’re welcome to Sasuke-kun.” Sasuke looked at them, the instinctive scowl passing his features before he could stop it and Sakura felt disappointment brewing in her chest.
“I’ll think about it.” He finally answered. Sakura shrugged, happy with his answer, and they went back to enjoying the sunshine.
“What would you like to do this evening, Sakura-chan?” Shino asked quietly.
“Whatever you want to do, Shino-chan.” She mimicked his reply from yesterday and watched his face give away his amusement. She let out an exaggerated sigh.
“I’d like to continue some of the training Shibi-san gave me. We could do that.”
Shino nodded. “That would be a good distraction.”
Sasuke seemed to perk up at the idea of training. “I would join.”
Sakura willed the smile to stay off her face. “I haven’t made much progress due to everything going on, but I would like to try my best to get better.” She said quietly.
“I will ask my father if Uchiha-san may join us in the compound. Why? Because it would be a good opportunity to spar under his instruction.” Sasuke looked pleased with Shino's idea and Sakura thought it was a great excuse for some much-needed bonding.
Shino turned to Sasuke, “They will be friendly spars. Why? Because the whole purpose is to help all of us improve and not to show off.”
Sasuke scowled at him but understood that his previous actions had made the boy wary of him and nodded, not trusting his mouth to not spit out some kind of insult that he didn’t really mean. “To get better.” He agreed.
Sakura sent both the boys a genuine smile and clapped her hands excitedly. “I can’t wait. I hope Shibi-san says yes!”
Sasuke chimed in, “If your father is adverse, I can arrange for one of my clan members to oversee us.” It was decided and the three of them casually leaned back onto the grass, Sakura deciding to take a quick power nap.
She would need all the extra rest she could get to hopefully keep up with the two boys.