"Imagine seeing a photo of someone you know, but it was taken years before you met them. As if they're not quite finished, they're... they're not ready."
© Doctor Who
Uchiha Sarada.
The mysterious girl who survived the Uchiha massacre and only now showed up in the village. The first thing Sakura felt, trying to picture Sasuke-kun's stepsister, was jealousy. Stupid to be jealous of a sister—even a stepsister—for her brother, but this girl lived with him in the apartment, could cook him breakfast, spend time with him. She had the right to it, while Sakura had to settle for missions where Sasuke-kun was reserved and silent. And with Kakashi-sensei around, it was awkward. And Naruto...
Sakura clenched her fists. God, he was so annoying with his constant flirting. His face flashed before her eyes. Squinted eyes, idiot grin, and: "Heh-heh, Sakura-cha-an!"
Embarrassing her in front of Sasuke-kun. Righteous indignation filled Sakura's soul, and her thoughts snapped back to Sarada.
Now Sasuke's face came to mind. Cold gaze, sharp profile.
"She's not my sister. She's nobody."
He'd said it with such disdain...
Her excited heart calmed a bit. Sasuke-kun despised Sarada just like everyone else. Everything was fine. This creature had no advantages.
Creature... For a moment, Sakura felt sorry for the unfamiliar girl. Maybe she didn't deserve such treatment, just like Sakura herself, and Sasuke-kun poisoned her soul every day with his indifference? Or maybe she was already grown up and didn't care.
The Uchiha clan was said to be very strong. She'd love to get a look at her. She'd know how she felt about her only when she saw her.
And yet Sarada rubbed Sakura the wrong way sight unseen. Girl against girl was wolf against wolf. One single boy could destroy female friendship from the ground up. Sakura had learned that lesson when she got burned by her friendship with Ino.
Screw her. Ino-pig. If Sasuke-kun thaws and chooses me, I can do without your friendship, shannaro!
But Sarada turned out to be nothing like what Sakura had imagined. Seeing her next to Sasuke-kun's guardian, Sakura immediately guessed this was the Uchiha Sarada she'd been thinking about for days. There couldn't possibly be any other girls in the Uchiha clan.
Her peer, a skinny short bookworm mouse. Short dark hair, big black eyes. Or did the glasses make them look big? She didn't resemble the "creature" Sakura had painted in vivid colors. Just an ordinary girl. Sakura felt sympathy and budding envy at the same time. Sympathy because Sarada seemed calm and polite, not dazzlingly beautiful like Ino. And envy because Sakura's pure girlish intuition told her this mouse wasn't as simple as she seemed at first glance. She was confident enough in herself, while Sakura was acutely aware of her own uselessness on the team.
"Worse than Naruto," Sasuke-kun had told her once.
Her heart stung painfully. Truly, no worse insult.
And how she'd addressed Naruto! Did they know each other? From where? And back on the bridge, Sasuke-kun had said Sarada was Naruto's friend. What was going on?
They dragged the struggling Naruto home, and Sasuke-kun headed to the training ground, while Sakura went the same way, but by back routes.
I'll just peek. No one will notice. Wonder what Uchiha training looks like. So, the training ground behind the water tower. Wasn't that the one near the park?
The park came into view around the corner. Walking along the paths, Sakura reached the edge, where benches and streetlamps lined the dirt road. Across from it, behind a tall fence, was the training ground. Sasuke had just opened the gate and gone inside.
"Sasuke-kun!" the older Uchiha, the guardian, called out cheerfully. "Finally. Alright, kids. Let's go. While you're still fresh. Attack me."
"Both of us?" Sasuke-kun asked.
"Exactly."
Sakura noticed the doubt in his glance at his stepsister. She just modestly adjusted her glasses.
"Who do we have here?" a saccharine voice purred in her ear.
Sakura jumped.
"Huh?!"
Ino loomed right over her shoulder.
"Ino? What are you doing here?"
"Same as you—came to watch Sasuke-kun."
Sakura turned away angrily, arms crossed over her chest.
"Yo! Go for it, Sasuke-kun!" Ino yelled, waving her arm.
"You, you... What are you doing?" Sakura stammered in panic. "Now he'll notice us. Look, he's looking."
"So what? Even better. Not us—me," Ino adjusted her long ponytail. "Why would he want forehead girl?"
Sakura clenched her fists.
"Ino!"
Their budding spat was interrupted by the older Uchiha's cheerful call.
"Hajime!"
Sasuke dashed forward and hurled shuriken. The guardian vanished.
"Where did he..." Ino started.
But the older Uchiha suddenly appeared behind Sasuke-kun and struck him with a spinning kick. Sasuke flew back and hit the fence. Sarada's eyes flashed red.
"No-no!" the guardian warned.
"Sorry... It just..."
Her eyes went black again. The guardian vanished. Sarada assumed a stance with kunai at the ready.
"Behind you!" Sasuke-kun rasped.
Sarada turned, but too late. She met the same fate: a kick sent her flying to the fence. She didn't recover—the guardian appeared right in front of her, ready to slam her harder into the fence, but Sasuke-kun got in the way and blocked the blow.
"He protected her..." Sakura breathed.
"Go, Sasuke-kun!" Ino squealed.
"Quiet down. That guy... He's definitely a jonin, like Kakashi-sensei," Sakura said in surprise. "Why go all out against them in training?"
Sarada had caught the fight's rhythm. With Sasuke, they attacked the guardian, but none of their strikes landed. The older Uchiha dodged or blocked every attack. Whistles and cloth snaps filled the air from the fast moves.
"He's not even going all out," Shikamaru drawled and yawned.
"You're here too?" Ino said in surprise.
Choji crunched chips nearby.
"New Uchiha. Worth a look," Shikamaru replied.
"Didn't think anything interested you in life. But wait—you know him? That adult one..."
"You said he's not going all out..." Sakura added.
"Heard about him. Parents mentioned him. This is Shisui of the Body Flicker. If he went full power, you wouldn't see him at all."
"We barely see him anyway."
"We do. Those two," Shikamaru nodded at Sasuke and Sarada, "are fighting something. So we see him."
"He's not bad," Ino cooed sweetly. "Almost like Sasuke-kun, but even better."
She playfully tucked a strand of hair behind her eye.
"What, Ino, lost your mind? He's like ten years older," Sakura muttered.
"Nah," she shrugged. "Not ten. Five maybe."
"I'd say seven."
"Fine, seven."
"Still too old! So you're giving up on Sasuke-kun now?"
"Not giving up. But admit it—Shisui-san looks more impressive."
"He's a jonin," Shikamaru drawled lazily. "It'd be weird if Sasuke and that... uh... girl beat him."
He squinted.
"I've seen her somewhere."
Sarada and Sasuke-kun were panting hard, bent over double. Uchiha Shisui gave them a break.
"That's enough. Now spar with each other."
Sasuke wiped sweat from his forehead. Sarada adjusted her glasses. Shisui leaned back against the fence.
"Hajime!"
They charged. Their fight was more interesting. Against Shisui, neither Sasuke nor Sarada could do a thing, but against each other...
Whoa, Sakura thought in surprise. She's almost as good as Sasuke-kun. And he's a genius. Best in the academy.
The mouse really wasn't simple. Behind the helpless bookworm image hid a talented kunoichi.
Stronger than me and Ino. Both of us together.
"Guys," Choji mumbled through chips. "Look, Naruto's here to watch too."
"Whaaat?!"
Sakura looked around. Sure enough, at the other end of the path, an orange jumpsuit was visible.
Shannaro... We dragged him all the way home just for him to show up here? R-r-r...
"Shannaro!" a voice called from the training ground.
Sakura froze. The dirt road trembled underfoot. The ground on the field cracked and heaved, and Sasuke hurried back to the fence. In the settling dust, at the center of the wrecked training ground, stood Sarada's slim figure—she'd torn up the earth with one strike.
Such monstrous strength... and... that's my line...
What was going on?
Sarada pulled the blanket up to her chin. Her body ached. She wouldn't sleep tonight. After training, her arms and legs were covered in bruises and scrapes, small cuts, and Shisui had hit her gut so hard her insides still cramped.
It was her first time fighting him. Before, Shisui had only watched her train with Itachi or fought Itachi himself. Today, Sarada had a perfect chance to confirm he fought as mercilessly as her renegade uncle. Shisui made no allowances for her long training break—he threw her straight into the fire. But this time, Sarada played smarter. She knew it'd be like this and was ready. When she felt outmatched, she said so right away. Let Sasuke snort in disdain, but in training, Shisui showed no pity or leniency. If you didn't stop him, didn't yell "Enough! I'm dying!", it could go on forever.
Overworked muscles twitched nervously, impossible to calm. Her knees had shaken during training, and without her father's help, she might not have made it home.
Sasuke hadn't softened at all since their first meeting. His inner world remained a mystery to Sarada. She'd never understood what went on in his head: not in early childhood, not in the future. Bratty, cold, arrogant, sharp... But fighting shoulder-to-shoulder, they'd synced perfectly. If it'd been anyone but Shisui and they'd used Sharingan, their opponent would've had a rough time.
The day was full of impressions. Training, Dad... Mom. Sarada had been stunned seeing her parents dragging a limp, battered Nanadaime Hokage by the arms, his forehead protector comically slipped over his eyes. And a living mom... Not the child she was afraid to even scold, but a girl just like her. Mom had even said something to her... about a minefield? Or what? Sarada barely kept her composure, didn't throw herself at her neck—that would've been weird; didn't burst into tears—wouldn't want her parents and the future Hokage thinking her hysterical.
How strange it was to look into living Mom's eyes, talk to her. Fine, Sasuke and Naruto—they shared a past now. But Sakura... No. Mom looked at her with a stranger's gaze, thinking her own thoughts, not suspecting she was seeing her child. Not guessing the guy helping drag the future Nanadaime—who she already liked—was truly her future husband. This wasn't... Mom. Just like Uchiha Sasuke wasn't her father. Not yet.
They're not my parents yet, and I... I can't treat them like parents. So Dad's my stepsibling, and Mom... some unfamiliar girl who who-knows-what she thinks of me.
Sarada rolled onto her side. Her bruised elbow throbbed.
Meeting the Nanadaime shook her no less than talking to Mom. He'd changed. Funny and awkward with that headband. Confused. But no longer a kid—her peer too. Like Boruto, but not Boruto. Boruto was too loud and cocky, while Naruto... Hard to judge; she'd seen him once, and he'd acted weird. Stammered and barely got a word out. Shell-shocked on the minefield? Could be.
But his gaze.
Sarada huddled up. Her body still twitched nervously. Naruto had literally devoured her with his eyes, and she realized she dreaded another meeting. They couldn't interact like before: big sister and mischievous kid. Everything would be different. But how?
"Why is everything so complicated," Sarada thought, drifting off.
Pain or no, she'd tired herself out in training.
"Planning to laze around all day?"
"Mmm," Sarada mumbled from under the blanket.
Sleeping in the living room was inconvenient. Always someone walking, slamming doors, grumbling.
"Girl, get up," the same male voice purred right in her ear.
Sarada peeked out cautiously and saw Shisui's face centimeters from her nose. So close even without glasses it was sharp. She pulled the blanket over her head again.
"Too close," she drawled hollowly from under it. "What are you doing, Shisui-san?"
"Waking you. Now you're scared and definitely won't sleep again."
The voice came from farther away.
Gone... Sarada surfaced again. Sasuke, watching from the entryway, just tsked and shook his head.
"Kindergarten."
Yeah. From the outside, Dad looked way more serious. He had no idea how terrifyingly serious Shisui-san could be. Better never to see him like that.
Chills ran over her skin at the memory of Shisui's Mangekyo pattern.
That she could walk after training was news to Sarada. So she'd stopped the spars in time yesterday. She didn't know where Sasuke had gone, but by lunch he was back and announced:
"Sakura's waiting for you outside."
"Me?" Sarada said, stunned.
"She said you. But who knows," Sasuke replied irritably and spat: "She's getting on my nerves."
"Me?"
Sasuke started to argue but paused and declared:
"You too."
So he'd meant Sakura originally. Sarada clenched her fists tighter.
God, he pisses me off. Mom, why'd you pick him? Why not Nanadaime? R-r.
Sarada went downstairs. At the entrance, hands clasped behind her back, paced a girl with pink hair. Spotting Sarada, she smiled warmly and waved.
"Hi! You're Sasuke-kun's sister, right?"
Sarada adjusted her glasses.
Wonder what Mom wants with me? Though she doesn't look like Mom at all. Same hair, similar face, but everything else...
Regret gripped her soul.
"I'm Haruno Sakura," the girl continued warmly.
"Uchiha Sarada."
They bowed slightly.
"We met yesterday. I wanted to get to know you."
Sarada exhaled. Mom seemed friendly.
They walked slowly down the street.
"They say..." Sakura began cautiously. "They say you survived..."
"I don't want to talk about it," Sarada cut her off quickly.
Slippery topic. Too many questions could come up. Shisui had somehow convinced the Hokage and Sasuke somehow—who knew what he'd told them—but Sarada couldn't do that.
"Uh... Sorry."
"It's fine."
Sarada adjusted her glasses again. She noticed she always did that when nervous or angry. Like Shisui scratching his nape, her hand went to her nose bridge even if her glasses were fine.
Gotta break that habit.
"So you're stepsiblings with Sasuke-kun... Same dad?" Sakura pressed.
"No. His family just adopted me. We're not blood-related."
"Really. So what? You're a genin—you'll be on a team?"
"Don't know. All teams are formed. No spot for me. I'll just train."
"I saw you fight Sasuke. You're... impressive," Sakura said with clear respect.
"Thanks," Sarada replied modestly. "But I think it's still not enough."
Sakura gave her a strange look.
"Sarada-san, is it true you knew Naruto?"
"Yes. We... were friends as kids."
"He's been acting weird since you showed up in the village."
Sarada adjusted her glasses.
Damn, again. This damn habit.
Ino waited in her flower shop. Seeing Sakura, she tossed off her apron and dashed out.
"Well? What'd you find out?"
"They're not related."
"So..." Ino frowned. "Sasuke-kun has to marry her."
She and Ino hadn't gotten along in ages, but the sudden rival united them.
"What are you talking about?"
"Sarada's Uchiha. To keep blood purity and kekkei genkai, Sasuke-kun marries her."
Ino pouted.
"Not a fact," Sakura objected excitedly.
"Uchiha are like Hyuga—marry within. It's the rule."
"But there are tons of Hyuga! Almost no Uchiha left..."
"Exactly. So he marries Sarada."
"I thought Sasuke-kun didn't like her," Sakura admitted, recalling his disdainful snort when Kakashi-sensei asked if she was his sister.
"Come on, Sakura. Remember their training? They read each other's minds. He protected her, took hits for her."
"But that's just teamwork. Naruto and Sasuke too..."
Ino shook her head.
"You're such an optimist. It's obvious, I tell you. She'll snag Sasuke-kun."
Sakura slumped. Whatever Sasuke said about Sarada, he clearly respected her, acknowledged her level. They fought like partners against Shisui of the Body Flicker, while Sakura would've been useless in Sarada's place. She panted at Sasuke's heels as he strode ahead arm-in-arm with Sarada, and any respect for the Uchiha girl instantly turned to burning envy. Sarada wasn't stunningly beautiful, but definitely cute, and strong and talented too. No match for Sakura.
"Don't mope, forehead. We still got that hot older guy."
Sakura went berserk.
"You're the forehead, pig! And what's with you chasing grown men?"
They clashed again.