Into a New Path

6

"Sakura Talking."
'Sakura's Thoughts,'
'Inner's Thoughts,'
"Inner Talking."
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*4 months later*

Sakura had developed a bit of muscle and had trained her legs and fists until she couldn't lift them up to move herself. Progress was quickly being made and it sastisifed Madara to no end. The girl he had chosen had stopped crying and took her training seriously. He won't lie when he says that it took time, but he could see and feel the small amount of chakra she possessed turn bigger each day. "You'll be turning 6 soon. The shinobi academy accepts younglings of that age. You will join the academy and show that you are the best. Take your place at the top." Sakura let out a small yes and looked at the tree she had trained on. She'll admit when she says that the tree had seen better days.

The poor tree had been split in half, and the dead leaves of the tree were laying around it. Her soft hands now felt rough to her and small scars showed on her small legs. "The academy?? That means.. I'll get to make friends. I won't be alone anymore!" She exclaimed, and Madara frowned. "There's no need for friends for a road full of hate. Especially a vengeful road, it doesn't need distractions." Sakura quickly shook her head, "That's not true. Mom always said that it's good to have friends. So that they can support you in times of need," she said and was met with a moment of silence. "Do remember that friends never stay. They always leave you behind." Sakura let a frown show on her face and got up. "I'm sure that won't happen, Madara."

"You have jutsu training later on. Don't get side tracked on childish things." Sakura sighed and left the clearing, making her way to the busier part of the village. The usual whispers surrounded her, but she paid no attention to them. There was no point. The older people that were friends with her parents didn't bother to attend their small funeral. She didn't bother to pay attention to them. She passed and dodged many people and had found herself on a small playground. ,'A playground?? I haven't been here for a while.' She carefully walked to a lone swing and sat on it, slowly relishing in the memories she had with her parents. She remembers her mother pushing her on the swing and her lovely smile.

Her dad would always be sitting on the ground ready to catch her incase she fell. She remembers their warm embrace and their loving gazes. She took a deep breath and started swinging herself. She missed her parents and her old house. A small breeze blew her hair in the wind. From a far distance, she looked out of place, like a fragile doll. But if you looked close with a trained eye, you would see the pain in her eyes. ,'Fire Style makes my mouth hurt,' . Fire style was the first style of jutsu she was learning. Madara said that it was important to learn that jutsu. It was a priority to him, so she followed his order. The playground was more like a park with different slides to play on. It was empty for now, but she knew that it would soon be filled with kids.

She was excited to play with them. Sure, she knew she had to ask permission from Inner, but there was a small chance that he would say yes. She kept herself on the swing and soon the park began to fill with kids. She excitedly jumped off the swing and stretched her muscles. "Inner, can I go make friends?" Sakura whispered and looked at the park that was full of laughing kids. "No, Sakura. You have to train. You have to become strong and powerful. Avenge your parents. There's no time to fool around with those children. Train like if you were in war." Sakura quickly let out a frown but nodded along. She looked at the park one more time and spun around. Heading to a private clearing she could find. She was going to train.

The lone swing was left alone to swing in the wind, waiting for a friend to play with.