Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto and so this story is only for entertainment purposes only. The manga Naruto is owned by Masashi Kishimoto.


Empathy
By: Kadeana

He was being led away by elite shinobi from every nation to assure his safe transport to what would be his prison. His hands were bound together, his feet shackled with chakra chains, and his eyes covered by a bloody cloth—eyes now permanently blinded as a consequence of his own madness. Eyes that were so coveted and feared that his entire clan was massacred.

An unspeakable act that the only person he ever loved, his older brother, was forced to commit.

Her love for him wasn't enough of an anchor to stop his descent into darkness. It was a burden he walked away from without looking back. He only had room in his heart for vengeance but finally after being defeated by Naruto . . . he let loose his vengeance induced hatred.

As he was walked by her, nothing could stop her hand from reaching out and grabbing his arm. No, not the cheers and jeers of the crowd—ecstatic over his capture—, or not even Kakashi-sensei—who reached out his arm to stop her because she shrugged him off—could stop this confrontation from being played out.

She hugged his back, one hand fisted and resting against his back . . . the other hand clutching his arm in a grip so tight, she knew he had to be in pain because of her upsetting injuries covering his body. Hot tears streamed down her face, her body shaking with silent sobs that she couldn't control even if she wanted to.

"Sakura." He stopped his trek forward causing his shinobi guard, that he was allowing to lead him away, to stop, as well.

"I'm still pathetic, aren't I?" Her voice was muffled by his back.

"Why are you crying?"

"Despite all you have done . . . despite it all. I-I can't help but mourn with you for all you've lost."

"I see . . . you feel empathy, for me."

"Despite it all . . . you're still the most precious person in my heart. I'm still pathetic, right? I haven't changed at all. I'm still that type of person you hate."

"I'm the most detestable person in this world . . . yet, you still cry for me." His voice went so low that she barely heard his next words, "You've changed. Never belittle that."

She stilled at his words and looked up. "Sasuke-kun."

"Until we meet again, Sakura."

"Until we meet again, Sasuke-kun."

As she released him and as the shinobi lead Sasuke farther away from her, both Naruto and Sai—her other beloved comrades—rushed forward to stand at her sides putting themselves and between her and the bitter jeers of the crowd.


A/N: Inspired by the last episode of the Japanese Drama, Untouchable. As the police was leading her brother away, the main character could not help but hug his back and cry. He was shocked that she still loved him despite all of the murders he committed (he even killed their parents) and despite the fact that he was crazy as hell . . . he was still grateful for her love, as well (He'd never received the emotion from anyone before but he still reacted to it with relief). I was inspired by the hug but used my own imagination to come up with the rest.

Love is a bridge of forgiveness for any sin.