Sakura Haruno, The Fallen Cherry Blossom

Chap. 3: He joined them

I gazed at the stoic looking boy who was standing in the middle of the iridescent blue circle.

"Konohamaru Sarutobi, it is your wish to join and bind your soul to the Pack, correct?"

"Yes, Milady, it is," he responded, calm and direct, dark eyes shining brightly with bravery.

"Then say your vows," I say, my own self calm and honest, green eyes also shining.

Konohamaru took a deep breathe before kneeling. "I pledge my soul to the Pack, to become one with them, to protect them, to hunt with them, to shift with them. I pledge my soul to the High Alpha of the Sky, to guard her, to follow her commands, to stay beside her and her Pack members. With this pledge, I will combine souls with the Pack and High Alpha. Should I ever break this pledge, my life will be the one thing I lose. So please accept my vows, Lady Alpha."

I gave it a few moments before speaking. "I accept your pledge."

As soon as I say those words the wind seemed to pick up and the circle seemed to glow even more. I couldn't help the surprise that flickered onto my face. Then again so did the others (show they were surprised also, I mean). We watched in awe as chakra tattoos began to spread across his body.

It was like the design that Lady Tsunade had when she released her seal, Creation Rebirth, and also the Strength of a Hundred seal. But his it seemed like a combination of flames and vines. Konohamaru looked around at us confused, until Kosho motioned to his own body, making him glance down. His eyes widened with surprise before he blinked calmly and held out a hand, smiling faintly. We were confused until water came from the small Ookami river nearby and began swirling around the Pack. I looked at our new member, a smile growing on my face. Looking at the others, I can tell they agree. So I decided to go ahead and finish the ceremony.

"With my acceptance you will become part of the Pack. For tonight you will have to stay vigil. Tomorrow will be the celebration feast." I paused and glanced around at the surrounding wolves and humans. "For now, I bid you a calm and peaceful night. Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again." (a/n yes I know that's from the House of Night series, I used it on purpose)With the final words said, the circle disappeared and I stepped down from the altar. As soon as I did, everyone began conversing with each other and going back to their dens while I walked over to Konohamaru.

"Do you know the rules for your vigil?" I ask, forgetting if I told him or not. He shook his head no. "All you have to do is not speak and make sure there are no enemies. You're not allowed to speak until someone comes to relieve you. If there are enemies, howl. Until morning, good night."

~~~~~~~~ Place/time shift~~~~~~~~

"Please?"

"No."

"Pleeeeeeeeeeeeease."

"I said no."

"Please, Saku-nee!"

"No, Konohamaru! Besides you'd just get in my way!"

"No I won't! Promise, besides I want to try learning medical ninjutsu."

We stared hard at each other, neither backing down. "Tch, fine, but if you get in my way, I'm wrapping you up in duct tape and presenting you to Lady Tsunade as an offering."

Kono-kun fist-pumped the air before quickly darting over to my side, snatching my clipboard away. I sigh tiredly, watching him carefully so he doesn't try to write anything on it. Knowing him... he would.

Aww c'mon Saku-chan, give the kid some space. After all he did babysit the pups. And care for the injured. And stay up all night. And-

'Okay, okay I get it. Sheesh. Oh that reminds me...'

Hmm? What is it?

'Uh.. how do I ask this without being mean..'

Just spit it out Sakura!

'What's your real name?" I blurt out to him, facepalming at how rude that sounds. Kono-kun looked at me confused until he noticed the distant look in my eyes.

You're just now asking? Wow, took you long enough. It's Kagami, by the way. Kagami your Inner voice... wow that sounds weird.

I got jolted out of my thoughts when someone came rushing into my office.

"Sakura!" Kotetsu and Izumo came tumbling. I'm not kidding. When they threw my office door open Kotetsu tripped over Izumo's feet, causing him to trip while the latter tried to catch his partner and balance. That didn't work. They both ended up doing some sort of somersault and smacked into my file cabinet.

I looked at them wearily. "If my cabinet tips, you guys are refiling the folders."

They blanched before glancing at each other. Kono-kun looked up at me. "Aww c'mon Saku-nee. They didn't mean to. Besides, don't they need to tell you something?"

I gazed at him blankly before turning to Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. "What'd you guys need?"

"Lady Tsunade needs to see you in her office. It's important."Tweedle De- I mean, Izumo finally says.

I sigh. "Alright, thanks. Come on Kono-chibi-chan, let's go."

"Stop calling me that!!" Kono-kun exclaimed as we exited the office, the other two leading us. I made sure to lock the door beforehand so no nosy kids can get in there.

As we made our way up the tower, Kono-chibi-chan kept bugging Izumo and Kotetsu, trying to make them angry but they just ignored him.

"Kono-chibi-chan," I begin saying not looking away from the files, "Stop bugging them before I get the duct tape."

The response was immediate. Kono-chibi-chan squealed out a bit in fear and quickly, wrapping his hands around Kotetsus' and Izumos' arms and jerked them backward, trying to make them run into me. Didn't work. He panicked even more and ran off in the direction of the Hokage's office. I gave a soft, somewhat evil sounding chuckle making Izumo and Kotetsu look at me warily.

"What's so funny?" Kotetsu asks me cautiously.

I give him a innocent smile. "Nothing... I'm just planning. We better catch up with Kono-kun. Who knows what he'll do." With that we hurried to catch up with the young boy, me still looking through the files.

Finally catching up to Konohamaru (he was already by the door, the brat), I knocked on the door. "It's me, Sakura, along with Konohamaru, Izumo, and Kotetsu."

"Come in." Lady Tsunade called. I motioned for one of the guys to open the door, still looking at files (there's a reason I know alot of people (patients)).

As soon as the door was open I walked in. "You summoned me?"

"Sakura-chan! Guess who we brought back!

".. It's been along time.. Sakura."

And here's chapter 3. Off to the next one. Jin is on the side. (Hehe I left a cliffy!)