Crystal Clear Diamonds (A Naruto fanfiction)

Chapter 36 : Untold Mystery

Third Person POV

Piercing. She had no idea what was coming for her. Ashley Takeda chose the quiet time to reflect - not something that she was used to, of course, but it was something worth getting into the routine of. She was high above, hidden amongst the foliage of the trees. The unnaturally large leaves of the humongous trees did so hide her quite nicely. The darkness of the night was even more helpful.

Insects were making noise, the cicadas decided to sing for our dear Ashley who was obviously oblivious to her surroundings. She lay on her back on a branch. Her balance was not something one would think was easy. She recalled her old life. Of course, she couldn't remember much however.

All she could remember was the days of being an orphaned child, with no one else but her best friend and attending school together. All she could remember was being repeatedly returned to the orphanage. All she could remember was the lightning that struck her. All she could remember was the events leading up to this day.

She couldn't even believe it. One day she was an ordinary, plain young girl with incredible stamina and speed and the next, she was a skillfully trained ninja, perhaps not fully in tune with her potential but needless to say, she exceeded the standard of the genin she was supposedly titled.

She had woken up merely minutes ago. She wasn't exactly sure how long she had been passed out for but it must not have been long for the young Uchiha boy and their orange comrade were still out cold. She still remembered the greeting she'd been met with the moment she had awoken.

Ashley POV

~Flashback~

"Unngh.."

"Ashley-Chan!"

I am soon enveloped in a tight hug, of which I feel something cold and wet touch my shoulders. I should be tense and on guard but somehow this didn't feel like an attack. I slowly open my eyes to spot flying pink hair in front of me.

"Sakura?"

The girl released me from her tight hug, it was clear she'd been crying and upon seeing me awaken probably caused her to cry even more. I rub my head and then the back of my neck. I remember what happened that caused me to black out and instantly I just ask her, "How is Sasuke?"

Her eyes begin to water a bit before she blinks it back a couple of times. She points to my left. So I was in between the 2 boys. "Did he..."

The familiar scene in front of me caused me to hit at the ground with both my fists but that was probably the wrong move as my entire body was aching terribly. It was as though I'd done some vigorous exercise and am having muscle ache.

I bend over Sasuke to look behind his neck. Damnit. I wasn't able to protect him like how I wanted to. Is this how destiny worked? In the anime, Sasuke received the cursed seal. I tried to intercept it and change the course of how this was supposed to be like however I failed.

"Don't do that.. your muscles are still tense..." Sakura says gently, sounding as tired as ever. The poor girl. I unclench my fists and look at her, "You and Sasuke have the same seal at the back of your necks.. but he didn't bite you, it's not been there before.."

I sigh, "I may know most things but I didn't know this."

"Thank you, Sakura."

"What for..?"

"For being brave and couragous for taking care of all of us as your teammates. You must've been scared."

Her eyes water and she smiles while shaking her head, "We are a team." I nod my head. Is this what sparked her interest to learn healing? "Uh.. Ashley-Chan.. you know how to heal.. right?" I squint at the two boys. Sakura aids me to my feet an I bend over Sasuke. He needs this the most. Without a moments hesitation, I begin by starting off at his arms.

After ending off at Sasuke's neck and head, I move on to Naruto as Sakura simply watches me in awe. I had just awoken and my chakra levels might not be fully recovered but this is the least I could do for my team. Especially after Sakura tended to us.

"You sleep. I'll keep watch now."

With that, she nods and almost immediately sleep took over her.

~End Of Flashback~

It's nearly dawn. I hear Sakura scream. That's probably due to a nightmare she had. I sigh as I sit myself up on the tree branch. I part a few leaves just in time to see Sakura toss a shuriken accurately in front of a squirrel. I could barely make out the exploding tag on its back.

I jump higher up into the trees to get a better view of the battle grounds. Now that Sakura was awake, I could go off for a while.

Take care of them.

I tell her before running off to follow the squirrel.

Soon I come across a small clearing and see Lee falling head first from the high brances, catching leaves as he went and counting. Just as he is about to catch the last leaf, I threw a shuriken which catches it and pins it against the tree just as Lee grabs the exploding tag off the squirrel just in time.

I nod before bounding away, back to my team 7.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////

"Sasuke enough!!" I yell, my hands outstretched and I am standing in front of him. Tears did well up in my eyes just slightly. Sasuke is not being himself right now. It's scary.

"Sasuke-Kun..." Sakura cries, hugging Sasuke from behind. I let the scene play in front though my own feelings of jealousy did show up. It was overridden by my fear and the tense atmosphere. Sasuke snap out of it!

After a while his mark starts to retract back and he slumps weakly down and I rush over, cradling him on my lap. Sakura's eyes were full of fear. "Naruto cannot know about this, okay?" I say gently to Sakura who simply nods.

"A-ashley-Chan... could you... would you teach me how to heal like you?" Sakura asks, still choking back tears, "I want to make myself more useful to this team." I nod my head. Sure as heck Sakura and I don't get along much but there are times I do pity her.

<<Time Skip>>

"Thank you Kabuto-san!!" Naruto yaps happily. I nod and bow my head slightly. I did my best not to showcase any of my abilities to him while we were together. I'd made myself seem like some clueless genin.

Though I'm sure Orochimaru would've already alerted him, somehow.

My team walks into the building ahead and we see a large square paper on the wall with writings on it.

"I think it's telling us to open both the scrolls together." Sakura observes. Sakura and Naruto then continue to open the scrolls, unsure if what Sakura said was actually true.

"They're summoning scrolls! Naruto, Sakura, let go of them!" Sasuke warns and the two nod their head and throw the scroll to the ground.

Iruka sensei appears.

"Sensei!!" Naruto screams happily running up to hug Iruka. Wow that kid sure has plenty of energy. Kyuubi child. Goku muses as I nod my head in agreement.

But you, you have far more energy and stamina as compared to that kid. I am the legendary.

"I get it, you're 10 tails, you're better. But aren't all tailed beasts equally powerful?" I ask Goku internally.

You are not all correct, child. I am the most powerful, creator of all. I want my chakra back. I have been weakened.

"Huh?"

All I could get from Goku was pure silence so I decide to let him be.