Red Lilies

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Fleeing memories of war, screams and cries from people she could not name. The cold gripped at her from all sides.

It was hell.

A battlefield like no other plaid in front of her. Her eyes burned from the constant waves of energy flowing through the valley.

An open area with miles of – what used to be – grass covered land.

A perfect hunting ground.

Not a tree in sight that could cover her from those eyes. Eyes that found her at every corner. You have never felt watched until she was the one looking at you.

Knowing your every move.

Wanting to read your next step.

Waiting for a misstep.

Because, once she got you... there was no hope.

- "Run!" – she heard him shouting from the distance. – "It isn't working!" – he warned. Frostbite was the least of her worries.

Not to mention, there was someone else in there, risking it all.

She could not tell who they were... or what. But she could feel their presence. Nothing like the life energy emanating from the Goddess.

It was pure, strong, and unwavering.

Someone she only dreamed of becoming, a force to be reckoned with. – "What are you wating for!?" – However, they could not see what she saw. Feel what she felt.

Maybe it was part of her madness.

First, she saw ghosts, talked to them, even followed them as far as her legs would carry.

Then, she felt the presence of something more unnatural, creatures that smelled off. Weird noises when silence fell on the land, the smell of iron in the air as she felt the rush of wind hitting from all directions.

Her eyes saw a tree break in half.

By its own.

It was a sight for sore eyes, a girl losing her childhood and having to grow up quickly. Theres no teenage drama, no dances, and events to sneak into before the legal age of an adult... if you are a civilian.

Just battle, lies, secrets and lost faith.

The only thing she could trust, before it all went to hell, was what she could see and feel. Now, not even that could be trusted.

- "Haruno!" – he tried to reach her, but she had made a promise to herself... to her lost loved ones.

This was her last hurrah.

At the young age of 16, Sakura found herself tired and ready to join her fallen comrades. Doing it on her own terms.

When she saw the quiet and strong Gaara perish a few weeks ago, it was all she could take.

Only a few years had passed since she lost her blonde teammate to his own need to fulfil his wishes and become stronger.

Just a few months since her last team had gone missing after a failed recovery mission.

Time had passed in a blink of an eye for her, but it felt like ages.

Her decision was final, fight to death.

Maybe turn into one of those creatures she saw, a ghost maybe? A demon?

Whatever it was, had to be better than this, she kept telling herself.

Recently, since the Goddess took the valley as her own, said creatures had dwindled. As if the woman had sent them away... or. Sakura wondered. – "Hurry! She is getting to her!" – the shouts continued, but they seemed far and muffled.

"What if Kaguya had something to do with those creatures?" the pinkette wondered. Had this all been part of her plan? Turn people into slaves of their own mind?

- "Do you see them?" – she asked those three big eyes in the sky. – "Can you also feel them?" –

A set of two pale pupils and one red and angry iris stared back at her, narrowing at her question.

A bubble of laughter escaped her dry lips. – "I am asking if you can see ghosts." – the pinkette continued. Seemingly lost in her mind once more. – "Do you see that angel trying to help us?" –

Kaguya, with her army of creatures had been kept at bay by some force of nature Sakura had never seen before.

The lines of white energy drifting in the wind, working like chains and roping those creatures down. Even making a possessed man like Uchiha Madara have moments of clarity before turning around and rampaging over the valley.

A strange sensation had Sakura pinned to the ground, kneeling as her hands held that strange object that fell from the sky. It was the only thing keeping her hands warm.

Holding it near her heart, she sang her thoughts to the "angel".

"Please save their souls."

"Don't let her take them."

"If we must die... for her to lose this battle."

A single tear caressed her face as it fell onto the dead soil of the valley.

"Let us all meet in another life."

Her eyes drifted from focus; the blasts of energy were too much for her to keep holding on. Her friends were dying, and no one could do anything.

That special technique they tried had failed, only causing them an earlier death. Just like he had said before turning his back on them.

Like he did last time.

Unfortunately, she held on to that pain that came every time he rejected her. Because that pain was the last thing that connected them.

She knew, the same feeling came from the entire team 7.

Once you let it go, that means goodbye.

Forever.

- "I will hold on to this pain." – she whispered. – "The pain from losing you all." – she had no idea if anyone could hear her now, as she drowned in the darkness. – "So we may never lose our connection." –

As her body became limb, the roars of pain echoed in the valley. Massive explosions of power distorting their world.

Finally, it all made sense now.

As the pain disappeared and her mind was silent.

She could finally hear the angel speak.

"Your wish, will come at a cost."

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I would love to read your thoughts, if I should continue this story