One year later – KonohaNarrated by Sumiko – Seven years old
The fresh air in Konoha tickled my nose as I walked hand-in-hand with my dad. Sakura, on the other side, was chewing her onigiri with a happy smile. It was a beautiful day—the sun was shining without burning, and the breeze was soft, like a gentle hug. I loved moments like this. Everything seemed perfect, like nothing bad could happen to us.
"Sumiko-neechan, you've got a rice grain on your cheek!" Sakura said, laughing and pointing at me.
I quickly touched my face, and she burst out laughing.
"Just kidding, there's nothing there," she said with that mischievous grin.
I rolled my eyes and laughed with her. I liked having a sister. Sakura was funny, and she always defended me when her mom said mean things. Mebuki didn't really like me—you could tell—but Sakura took care of me. That made me feel like I belonged. It wasn't just me and Mom anymore. Now I had Dad. And Sakura.
We were walking through the village, and everything felt warm and happy. Dad's hand was big and strong, and Sakura's laughter filled the air. Everything was perfect.
Until it wasn't.
A masked ninja walked up to Dad and whispered something to him. His face changed in a second. He went pale, like he'd swallowed a block of ice. He gently let go of my hand.
"Girls, I have to go. Be safe and don't be late getting home," he said quickly, then vanished—like the wind swallowed him.
Sakura and I looked at each other. I felt a tiny chill, but we kept walking to the park like nothing happened. We didn't want to ruin the day.
There, we ran into Ino.
"Sakura, your huge forehead is shinier than ever!" she teased.
I saw Sakura tense up. She grabbed my hand and walked away. Her laugh sounded fake, forced.
"Hey, I don't think your forehead's that big," I told her. "And besides, you've got a pretty face."
Sakura looked at me in surprise and then hugged me tight.
"Thanks, Sumiko-neechan!"
That made me smile. Seeing her happy made me happy. When she spotted a dango stand, her eyes sparkled.
"Let's get some dangos! My treat!"
I didn't say no. We went, and after paying, Sakura made a face.
"Ugh! I forgot my change! Wait here a second."
I nodded and stayed there, smelling the dangos. Everything smelled sweet and calm. It was a peaceful scene.
Until it wasn't. Again.
I turned—and bumped into someone. I almost fell, but a pair of hands caught me.
"Sumiko-chan…" It was Sasuke.
He looked different. Thin, tired-looking, with dark circles under his eyes. His face was serious, but when he saw me, he looked a bit less angry. Maybe because he knew me.
"Are you okay?" he asked, helping me up.
"Y-yeah…" I said quietly. "And you?"
Sasuke hesitated.
"I'm fine," he said. But I didn't believe him.
Without thinking, I held his hand. I just wanted him to feel less alone. He stood very still—but he didn't pull away.
"Actually, no," he whispered. "I have a lot of nightmares."
That made me sad. I remembered my dad talking about the Uchiha clan tragedy. I still couldn't believe it.
I squeezed his hand a little, so he'd feel something good. Sasuke looked at me with no expression. I didn't know if he was uncomfortable or if it helped—but I wanted to give him peace.
But then he let go quickly and looked away.
And then Sakura came back.
"Sasuke-kun!" she called out, wrapping her arms around his neck in a hug.
Sasuke froze. His shoulders stiffened, and his face turned cold. I noticed. I didn't know if Sakura did.
She smiled warmly.
"I've been worried about you. Why did you run off so fast?"
Sasuke closed his eyes. Like everything was just too much.
"It's none of your business."
Sakura looked down. I took a small step back. But Sasuke looked at me—a sharp, cold look. Like I was annoying too.
"I don't want you to talk to me. I don't care about being your friend. You're just two dumb, useless little girls."
He turned and walked away. Cold. Without looking back. His back got smaller and smaller, and everything felt empty.
Sakura and I stayed quiet. But then she spoke.
She suddenly snatched the dango from my hand, angry.
"You're such a hypocrite," she said, eyes full of rage.
"Huh? What did I do?" I asked, confused.
"I saw how you looked at him! You held his hand! You betrayed me. Just like your mom. A man-stealer."
It felt like something hit me hard in the stomach.
My mom's face flashed in my mind. Her sad smile and tired eyes.
"From now on, we're not sisters. We're enemies, Sumiko," she said, without honorifics. Her voice was cold.
And she left.
"…Nee-chan," I whispered.
I stayed there, heart tight, and the dango on the ground.It wasn't a pretty day anymore.I felt awful.
Omniscient Narrator
Night had fallen over Konoha like a heavy, humid blanket. Fireflies flickered in the garden, and the Haruno house slept in apparent peace. But inside, everything had turned to chaos.
Sumiko hovered between sleep and wakefulness when she heard the first sound. A creak at the hallway window. Then the dull thud of footsteps. Fast. Silent.
She didn't have time to scream.
Two shadows burst into her room with impossible speed. They overwhelmed her in seconds—an arm around her neck, a hand over her mouth. She fought back. Bit, kicked, scratched. She did everything a seven-year-old girl could do to resist.
But it was useless.
They dragged her out like a broken doll.
Her kimono was torn, hair tangled. Blood stained her knee, and a deep scratch ran down her left arm. Even so—she didn't cry. She wouldn't give them that.
The night grew colder as they crossed the village's edge. They moved through the trees like trained shadows. Kirigakure ninjas—she knew by the symbol on one of the protectors she glimpsed for just a second.There were three of them.They were taking her.Why?She didn't understand.
But then, just before they could fully escape through the deer forest—
The air changed.
A whistle sliced through the darkness.
And everything stopped.
A rain of kunai slammed into the trunk in front of the enemy. Moments later, several hooded figures dropped from above. ANBU.
What followed was chaos. Sharp blows. Brief explosions. Choked-out screams. Sumiko could barely stay on her feet. She slipped free during the fight and dropped to her knees, trembling, arms over her head.
When it was over, one ANBU approached her. He stared for a moment, like he couldn't believe what he was seeing.
"She's injured. But alive."
"Is this the girl from the pact with Princess Murakami?" asked another, incredulous.
"The same one," the first replied. "The girl they found a year ago. Kizashi Haruno's illegitimate daughter."
A brief silence.
"Ever since Mushani woke up, the Mist's attacks haven't stopped," said a third voice, deep and barely audible behind a cat mask. "I'm not surprised they want her back."
"Why should we risk ourselves for her?" snapped one. "She's not even from Konoha. If we hand her over, maybe this all ends."
Crouched down, Sumiko barely understood the words. But her chest tightened.Were they going to give her away?
Another ANBU stepped forward. His voice was firm.
"The Hokage has his reasons to protect her. There's a pact with Princess Murakami. One that must be honored. Whether we like it or not."
"And if the enemy doesn't honor it?" the first one asked bitterly.
"Then they'll learn what happens when you break an alliance with the Leaf."
The ANBU fell silent. The one who seemed to be the leader knelt down and carefully picked up Sumiko.
"You're safe now."
But she didn't answer. Her eyes stayed wide open, unblinking.Like she couldn't believe she was still alive.
And as they carried her back, Sumiko wondered, silently,how many more timesshe would have to survive something like this.