Cursed Saint

Halloween Special: Konoha Manor Ghost

Hey guys. This is a Halloween special, as well as a contest entry in BookClubFanatic's club. Imagine this as a first chapter of a new manga, so there won't be any major major action or anything. Also, it was kind of rushed because of timeline... Sorry. But hope you enjoy.

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"You know, they say if you see the Konoha Manor Ghost, it will haunt you for the rest of your life."

When Ino had first said this to Sakura, she'd just brushed it off as a joke. She had been dead set on going through Konoha Manor. Someone had mentioned Sasuke appreciated bravery, and during Halloween, one of the best shows of bravery was facing the Manor. Most girls quaked in fear and refused.

But Sakura was going to do it no matter what, both to prove her bravery to Sasuke and to herself. To increase the amazing feat, she'd also pledged to go alone.

Nobody had seen the ghost. It was just a superstition.

It had to be some terrible luck that Sakura saw the flicker of transparent, shrouded figure.

This time when Ino advised Sakura to be superstitious and smart, she didn't hesitate.

"So you're telling me that you are cursed by the Konoha Manor Ghost?"

Ino nodded, gripping the hand of her pale friend. "Surely you've heard of it," she replied in place of Sakura.

The tanned boy glanced over Sakura. He'd introduced himself as Kaine when the duo had entered the Konoha Spirit Hunters. It was a small shack that most of Konoha's residents avoided, claiming the Hunters a bunch of weirdos. Even when people finally gave in that they needed someone, they'd usually go to a monk or priest. But the Hunters claimed they had something more.

"I've heard of it, yes. But I'm not the one who could help you," Kaine said, leaning back in his seat.

The shack was a nice size, and it was well furnished with pretty comfortable chairs. Sakura fiddled with a loose string. It was easier to focus on the small, realistic things then that they were there trying to hire exorcists. This was all so ridiculous.

Even as she thought it, the image of the flickering white figure peaking around a corner reappeared in her mind. Sakura shivered and returned to the conversation as Ino spoke up.

"What do you mean you can't help us?" she snapped.

Before Kaine could reply, the door to the shack opened. All three faced the newcomers, Ino and Sakura twisting in their seats to do so.

"Who are these two?"

The speaker was a blond boy with bright blue eyes and odd markings on his cheeks. Sakura thought he looked vaguely familiar. His school uniform, unlike Kaine's dark grey one, was the same fiery red as Sakura's. Perhaps not all the Hunters went to the same school.

The second person stepped out from behind the blond boy. Sakura felt her eyes widen slightly. Pale eyes met her own, a combination of black and white bangs falling in front of his face. Like the blond boy, he also donned the boy uniform for her school.

Sakura had to admit - he was cute.

"Haruno Sakura," the ravenette said, startling the blond before he could interrogate further. Realizing he'd spoken out loud, the boy offered a small smile. All the while a pink blush spread across his cheeks.

His cuteness had just jumped to a childish adorableness. Their eyes locked, and the boy opened and closed his mouth a few times. Finally he gulped and shifted his focus to gesture toward Ino.