Narrated by Sumiko – Nine Years Old
It's been two years since Sakura and I stopped talking. At first, it hurt—but then it started to feel like a relief. I tried to fix things, but it always ended badly. Ever since the thing with Sasuke happened, everything I did seemed to bother her. "Sumiko this, Sumiko that"... Like I was doing it all on purpose. And of course, her mom would get even more upset. My dad asked me not to draw too much attention so Sakura wouldn't feel bad.
That made me mad. Why did I have to stop being myself just because someone else was uncomfortable? I wasn't doing anything wrong. Sakura was smart, but she wouldn't stop with the Sasuke thing. To the point that just hearing "Sasuke Uchiha" made my stomach hurt.
It was annoying. It's not my fault he's rude. And not just to her—he's rude to me too. To everyone.
On top of that, even when I tried to stay low-profile, people didn't make it easy. Some looked at me funny because I was "a foreigner" or because they knew I was the child of an affair. They whispered things, and sometimes adults mumbled that I shouldn't even be in the village. I heard them, even if I pretended not to. I learned to play deaf.
Still, I kept studying. I liked learning. I spent hours at the library, reading about jutsu, ninja history, and medicine. I watched people a lot and trained alone whenever I could. In class, I didn't speak much, just enough so the teacher wouldn't think I was clueless.
I couldn't stop. I had to keep training. Because they would come for me. Just like they hadn't stopped searching for me these past two years. And it scared me, it really scared me—because I was just a nine-year-old girl facing trained enemy ninja.
Sometimes I felt completely alone. Even though Kizashi was with me, he wasn't truly there for me. Ever since the Uchiha clan's downfall, my father became more important in Konoha's politics, and he got tangled in things I couldn't understand.
But lately, things had changed. The Hokage now let me visit my mother from time to time. She was in a highly guarded place, but I was happy when I saw her. I got nervous before each visit. Sometimes I went with Dad, sometimes alone. When we talked, she smiled, but she also fell silent a lot. I knew her silences held secrets, but I didn't ask. I just wanted to be with her, even if only for a little while.
Today in class, I was so distracted thinking about her that I didn't even hear Iruka-sensei.
—Sumiko-san, if you're not going to pay attention, you can leave the classroom —he said sternly.
Some students laughed. Even Sasuke let out a mocking snicker. I sat up straight and stared at the board like it was fascinating, though my cheeks were burning from embarrassment.
—Alright, moving on. Time to hand out the test results! —the sensei said, changing the topic.
He called each student by name. Some looked happy, others not so much. Then Iruka raised his voice slightly:
—Haruno Sakura, Uchiha Sasuke, and Haruno Sumiko. Top scores in the class. Congratulations.
A murmur spread through the room. I felt Sakura's eyes on me. I really didn't know what she was thinking anymore. Sometimes she looked at me with hatred, and other times… like before. Like my sister. I didn't really understand our relationship anymore, but I still hoped it could get better someday.
Especially because putting up with Sakura's mom was becoming harder every day. Sakura used to defend me, but now, when she doesn't and I defend myself, I'm the one who ends up looking bad. "You can't insult your father's wife, Sumiko," my grandmother scolded me once.
In a way, it felt like a hierarchy. And whether I liked it or not, fair or not, I had to respect it.
But academy was almost over. Soon, I could choose my own path. One that belonged only to me. Until then, I'd have to keep enduring.
I wanted to be strong. Like my mom. A great kunoichi. And when the time was right, I'd go with her somewhere else. Even though I knew it wouldn't be easy. The Hokage kept a close eye on us. There was always an ANBU following me. But I also felt like they were protecting us… from something. I didn't fully understand what. I just remembered that before coming to Konoha, my mother and I were always running. I had strange memories of cold places, of people yelling at her...
Over time, I understood her family didn't love her. She confirmed it one day when I asked her directly. She told me we ran away because we weren't welcome there.
As for how she met Dad, I still don't know much. She just said she fell in love. And Dad never says more than, "We met on a mission." Sometimes I doubted if he was really my father, but one day I heard Mebuki shouting at him: "How am I supposed to live with her when she has that woman's face and your blood?" That day, I knew he was my father. And I also knew Mebuki truly hated me.
That was the same day Sakura told me I wasn't her sister anymore. That I was her enemy. Since then, I haven't felt like I have a home.
There was a time when Sakura was kidnapped by mistake—they thought she was me. But they rescued her quickly. Still, Mebuki never forgave it. She kept saying it was my fault they almost lost their daughter. She threatened to leave, to take Sakura far away. Dad tried to calm her, promised more security, but it was never enough. Mebuki always found new ways to make me feel guilty. Every single day.
And all that… just made me feel more tired and more alone.
Sometimes I wonder how I always end up at the center of every problem, even when I try not to talk to anyone.
I don't know when I got involved with Sasuke again. Maybe it was because of training or group missions… but something happened. And now they all hate me. Again.
I walked into the bathroom to wash my hands, thinking how peaceful the morning had been. But the moment I stepped inside, I felt it. That awful chill on the back of my neck. The stares.
—There she is —one of them whispered, with that sharp, annoying voice girls use when they think they've got power.
I turned slowly. Five. There were five of them. Sasuke's fangirl group. They always stuck together like a pack of bored wolves looking for someone to bite.
—Think you're special just because Sasuke-kun glances at you sometimes? —one of them snapped, crossing her arms.
—My mom says you're the daughter of a whore —another said, eyes narrowed like it made her tougher—. So you probably are one too. Stay away from Sasuke-kun!
I stood still. Inside, my blood boiled.
—I'm not interested in Sasuke —I said, trying to sound calm. I failed. Rage shook in my throat—. It's not my fault he doesn't want to talk to you.
That was like tossing a match into oil.
—Shut up! —one of them yelled and threw a trash bin at me.
But I was done staying quiet. Done being their punching bag.
I activated my seal, made a quick hand sign and—poof—Substitution Jutsu triggered just in time. The bin hit the wall with a loud thud and spilled dirty papers everywhere.
I reappeared just outside the bathroom, heart pounding like a drum.
I was angry. Really angry.
Not just because of what they said. Not just that.
But because, when they started yelling at me... I saw Sakura.
She was there. Washing her hands. She looked at me through the mirror. She heard everything.
And she did nothing.
She walked out, like she hadn't seen me. Like she hadn't heard a thing. Like I didn't matter.
—Why am I always the one who gets the worst of the world?! —I screamed to myself, fists clenched so hard my nails dug into my skin.
I didn't want to cry. I wouldn't.
Because I wasn't sad.
I was furious.
And one day, they'd regret ever making me feel this way.