Take Her Home

Prologue

Sasuke-kun.

Sasuke lazily opened his eyes. Who was that?

Sasuke-kun.

Some one was calling out to him but he doesn't know who.

Sasuke-kun.

Sasuke whipped his head to right. Where is that voice coming from?

Sasuke-kun.

Sasuke looked around—his left, his right, his front and his back but no one was there.

Sasuke-kun.

The voice was high-pitched, indicating it belonged to a girl. Her tone was soft, cooingly calling out to his sweet name. It wasn't in distress which made the raven relax.

Sasuke-kun.

But who was it? Where is it coming from? And why is she calling out to him?

There you are, Sasuke-kun.

Sasuke turned around to face with a little girl whose locks shines like the cherry blossoms around them. On top was a red ribbon, helping her frame her face. Her eyes were reflective and Sasuke could see himself in it. She has this smile that reminded him of his mother—gentle and warm. She was beautiful but who was she?

What took you so long, Sasuke-kun?

The little girl disappeared in front of him when he heard the voice behind him. It was still high-pitched, but deeper, indicating she grew a few years old.

Sakura.

Sasuke looked back to the voice behind him and was faced with the girl again, now taller and older. Her pink locks were now long and instead of a red ribbon resting on her head, it is now the forehead protector with their village sign, Konoha.

The scenery around them changed. A while ago they were surrounded by cherry blossoms but now they were sitting on top of the cliff where the hokages' faces are carved. With them was another boy with blonde hair and wore an orange track suit but his features were blurry. Another is a man wearing a green vest. His face was covered by a mask and his forehead protector covered his other eye but his features were blurry as well, only Sakura was clear.

"Hey, Sasuke-kun. Can you promise me something?" she asked with her usual bright tone.

"What is it?"

"Promise me when you look for your brother to avenge your clan, you'd be doing it with us." she smiled.

"Of course, I would need your help. Yours and Team 7's." Sasuke returned the smile.

"Then pinky swear." she extended her pinky finger out to him.

Sasuke laughed in embarrassment with her childish actions but he still extended his pinky finger, locking it with hers.

The moment their fingers locked, the scene around them changed again. They were surrounded by huge trees as darkness enveloped them. Her long, pink locks were short again, as if it has been cut abruptly by a knife, probably by a kunai. Their hands held each other as she gripped his but her face...

Her face looked at him in horror and pain.

"Sakura, what's wrong?" Sasuke asked nervously.

Save me, Sasuke-kun.

The voice didn't come from her mouth but from around them again, just like earlier when they were surrounded by cherry blossoms.

Sasuke-kun... Please, save me.

Save her from where? There were nothing around but them. That's when Sasuke noticed their clothes were both ragged. Their skin filled with marks of bruises and scratches. Did a fight occurred?

Why didn't you save me, Sasuke-kun?

What?

WHY DIDN'T YOU SAVE ME, SASUKE?!

Sakura disappeared in front of him but her touch lingered with his. She was now a few feet away from him, her hands tied as she hang from the tree.

You didn't save me, Sasuke.

Sasuke opened his eyes and sat up. Sweat dripping from his temples while his bedsheets were soaked from it. His breath were deep and his eyes unknowingly activated the Sharingan—the Mangekyo Sharingan.

It's been the same recurring dream for 3 years ever since she was gone. Sasuke would dream of her until it will turn into a nightmare. Her disappearance was the reason why his Mangekyo Sharingan was awakened. His older brother said that he has to kill someone he loves to attain it but no, it only took the kunoichi's absence to trigger it.

Sakura went missing 3 years ago from her house. No evidence was left, no foul play and all her things remained..... except her. It seemed like she never existed, like she was a dream that everyone had seen but no, she was real and she's gone.

Team 7 spent the past 3 years looking for her. They know she's alive because they all have the same dreams and nightmares about her. It would always start with her calling out sweetly to them, only to end with her shouting why she wasn't saved.

Sasuke heaved a sigh once he caught his breath and looked at the frame on his bedside. There on top was Team 7's genin group photo.

Sasuke stared at his female teammate's face. He misses her. Everyday he's losing his mind due to her absence. Everyday he trains out of anger, blaming himself for her disappearance, asking himself why he wasn't able to sense the trouble that happened on that night.

He just wants to see her sweet smile again, stare at her hypnotic jade orbs and smell the scent of her pink locks. He's hoping that one day he could envelope her in a tight, longing hug, whispering "Welcome home" to her ears.

Her name was Haruno Sakura.

A genin kunoichi who has the potential to surpass the female sannin, Senju Tsunade, as the best medical ninja.

Yet one day she was home.....

..... and then she was gone.