Reminiscence
-:-
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
-:-
It was a fine spring day, with the sun gently caressing the village of Konoha with its warmth. A young, six-year old girl lay down in a field showered by the new birth of the flowers, taking in the fresh air. Her pink hair gently flew around her as the wind passed her by, and she sighed contently as she was enjoying the silent beauty of her favorite season. Turning to her side and looking around her, she noticed someone was with her in the field. Looking closer, it was the boy she remembered her mother calling Uchiha Sasuke. Noticing his disheartened face and confused features, she slowly got up, and bounded towards him.
"Uchiha-san?" She asked.
The Uchiha boy looked at her, fearful of what she would do to him. The girl noticed his confusion, fear, and sorrow behind his eyes, and smiled at him, sitting beside him.
"Uchiha-san, are you okay?"
Hearing silence, she turned to face him, and noticed something was wrong. When they were first introduced in their early years, he was happy, bubbly, and enjoyed life. Where was that boy now?
"...Sasuke?" She asked, forgetting her manners and dropping the honorific.
The boy bolted upright at mention of his name, and began to uncontrollably shiver. Her emerald eyes bore into the boy, the feeling of sorrow overwhelming her. For some reason, she was attracted to this boy. They didn't know each other at all, and they had basically just met. But, they were only six years old, and did not yet know the wonders of love. However, she was old enough to understand that something was wrong, and that she should be polite to try and help him. Placing a comforting hand on the boy's shoulder, she smiled.
"It's okay, Uchiha-san. I'm here."
For the first time, the boy actually looked at the girl in front of him with his onyx eyes. He noticed her abnormally pink hair, and her unique emerald eyes. To him, she was a figure of kindness. For some reason, he felt he could trust this girl. Hesitantly nodding, he earned a brighter smile from the girl.
"I'm Haruno Sakura!"
The boy stared at her, and managed to faintly smile.
"Uchiha...Sasuke."
Haruno Sakura looked at him, and smiled. She loved the feeling of making a new friend. Noticing Sasuke looking at her, she turned to face him.
"Eh, Uchiha-san, is something wrong?"
The Uchiha looked away, embarrassed at being caught looking at her.
"Haruno-san..." He whispered shyly.
Sakura urged him to continue.
"Is your hair naturally that color?" He asked.
Sakura giggled.
"Firstly, just call me Sakura, or Sakura-chan, kay? Can I call you Sasuke-kun? And yeah...my hair is pink! I don't know why though..." She said.
Sasuke looked at her, and felt that the large hole in his gaping heart wouldn't be a hole after all.
"Hai...call me Sasuke-kun if you want..." He whispered.
Sakura smiled once more.
"Ne, Sakura-chan, how can you be so giggly and bubbly?" He asked.
The pink-haired girl laughed whole-heartedly, and let herself fall back onto the grass. Nestling into its comfortable feel, she smiled as she closed her eyes.
"I don't know, Sasuke-kun. It's no use to be sad all the time."
Sasuke looked at her, and remained silent, pondering what she had just said. No use...to be sad all the time?
The sun was beginning to bid good-bye to Konoha, turning the spring sky to an orange-pink tinge. The two children in the field were laughing and rejoicing together, happy that they had met each other in the first place. Noticing the approaching darkness, Sakura stopped, and gasped.
"Oh no! I need to go home! My mommy wanted me home before dark!" She exclaimed.
Feeling a pang of sadness ring through his heart at the mention of home, Sasuke nodded in understanding.
"Okay, Sakura-chan. Will you come back tomorrow?" He asked.
The pink-haired girl smiled.
"Of course! It was so much fun playing with you, Sasuke-kun!"
The boy smiled, the troubles of what had happened that day fading away.
"Ne...Sakura-chan...can I go home with you? I...need to be with someone...I don't think my...Kaa-san and Otou-san are home..." He whispered.
Sakura blinked, and nodded.
"Sure, I don't think Kaa-san will mind," She said.
Sasuke bowed gratefully.
"Arigatou..." He whispered.
Sakura smiled, and the two began to walk together to the Haruno residence.
-:-
The two had made it just in time before complete darkness. Sakura nervously knocked on the door, and heard scrambling from inside. She guessed it was her mother fussing over her lateness. The door opened, and revealed a very frustrated Haruno.
"Sakura-chan! I thought I told you before dark!" She said, worry escaping through her calm façade.
"Gomen, Kaa-san! I was playing with Sasuke-kun, so I forgot about the time..." She said.
At the mention of the Uchiha's name, Mrs. Haruno actually took in her surroundings after her daughter was found. Noticing the raven hair and onyx eyes mixing with the darkness, she gasped in horror, and ushered the two in.
"Uchiha...san! Wh-what are you doing here, Sasuke?" Mrs. Haruno asked.
The Uchiha looked at her. Could she possibly know?
"...I don't think my Kaa-san or Otou-san are home right now..." He whispered silently.
The Haruno looked at him sympathetically. She knew why he was there. If he went to any other house, the owner would know too. She shook her head unnoticeably, asking herself why the tragic event had to happen to the boy who was filled with happiness so long ago.
"That's fine, Sasuke. You can stay here for the night, if you want," She said.
The boy's eyes widened. He smiled, and bowed deeply.
"H...hai! Arigatou, Haruno-san!" He exclaimed.
Mrs. Haruno smiled at him.
"Anytime, Sasuke."
Sakura hopped up and down, overwhelmed with bliss.
"Yay! Sasuke-kun is staying with us for the night!" She ecstatically yelled out to the world.
Sasuke looked at the two figures before him, grateful to their kindness. Closing his eyes for a moment, he remembered. How could he forget something so tragic so quickly, anyway? He was only six. Noticing the silence, he opened his eyes again, to find a worried Sakura looking at him through her emerald eyes.
"Sasuke-kun, are you okay?" She asked.
Sasuke smiled at her, and nodded.
"Hai, Sakura-chan!"
Sakura returned his smile, and resumed her rejoicing.
"Let's go to my room!" She said happily.
Sasuke nodded, and watched as the enthusiastic friend of his ran up the stairs. Before following, he turned around behind him, and smiled to air.
"Otou-san, Kaa-san...is there love in this world after all? Even after what Onii-chan did?" He asked himself silently.
"Sasuke-kun?" Sakura asked, looking down at him from the top of the staircase.
Sasuke took a deep breath and smiled.
Tomorrow might be different, but today, I will forget everything that Onii-chan did, and enjoy today. Kaa-san...you always told me to enjoy life...I'll fulfill your wish this one time. Maybe Sakura-chan will make it everyday. I hope you watch me, Kaa-san...and Otou-san...I want to make you proud of me. I will become the best ninja of my year...and I'll live up to the Uchiha name, so everyone will be proud of me. And someday, I will avenge you. And someday...the Uchiha clan will be back.
"Sasuke-kun?" Sakura called once more.
Taking another breath, Sasuke turned to Sakura, and ran up the stairs to catch up with her.
"Coming, Sakura-chan!"
-:-
The night slowly faded away as the two friends snuggled close together, enjoying the warmth encircling their bodies. Sakura's mother looked at the two from the doorway, and brightly smiled. Silently closing the bedroom door, she walked back downstairs, and opened the door, as if she was waiting for something or someone to summon her.
"...poor Sasuke...I can't believe such a bright ninja...could do that to his family..." She whispered.
She looked to her left and found a kunai impaling her door, and swiftly dressed herself and disappeared, locking the door behind her.
Many ninja were assembled in front of the Uchiha compound, most remaining emotionless. It was rule to them; ninja were never to show their emotions. It was a sign of weakness.
"Pah. That Uchiha was such a bright ninja..." One whispered.
"I wonder where he is now," Another said.
The Haruno walked between the gathered ninja, and found herself standing beside her husband.
"Where is Uchiha Sasuke?" He asked softly, looking into her eyes.
She smiled faintly, and looked at the huge manor.
"He is with Sakura-chan. Don't worry, they are sound asleep. Are you finished patrolling? Or was every ANBU called to duty as well?" She whispered.
"Half my team is still patrolling Konoha. But I was summoned here. They're already taking the bodies away...to the graveyard. Makes you wonder, doesn't it? I wonder why he had left Sasuke to live alone. Sometimes, I wonder what possesses the mind to cause so much distress. Sasuke is only six. It wouldn't be a surprise if he completely changed tomorrow," He said.
His wife nodded, and she sighed.
"But the problem is his age. I doubt he'll be that bubbly for a long while. Can he even withstand standing there, covered in black, bearing his clan's symbol, while hearing the names of all his deceased loved ones?"
"You mean at the funeral? It's his decision. But the Uchiha clan is a strong one. He probably possesses many of their qualities. I doubt he'll miss the last chance he can to see his family. But...what scares me, is how his parents' bodies were found. His mother was sprawled on the floor, and his father was on top of her. Itachi hid himself well, but he found Sasuke...and Sasuke probably saw his parents' bodies. Wouldn't that haunt you, Kiyami?"
Haruno Kiyami looked at her husband, and smiled.
"I've already experienced it. It's horrible why he had to," She whispered.
Her husband threw a comforting arm around her shoulder, and snuggled into her long locks.
"Don't worry. Someday, he'll probably...heal."
She smiled, and nodded.
"Hai, he will. I've already healed. But it still leaves scars, you know? But...when he finds the right person, they'll fade away."
She felt her husband nod, and sighed as she saw the bodies of the deceased clan being carried away.
-:-
Sasuke awoke earlier than Sakura, and softly got out of bed. He still remembered the happenings of yesterday, and frowned. Stretching, he noticed Haruno Kiyami at the doorway, peeking at him.
"Sasuke, will you come with me, for a little bit?" She whispered.
The young Uchiha nodded, and followed her downstairs into the living room.
"I'm sorry, Sasuke..." She whispered.
He was surprised. So everyone did know. His onyx eyes held no emotion; all of his happiness had left him the night before. She took the silence as acknowledgement to continue, and looked at the boy before her.
"They're going to have a funeral, Sasuke...would you like to go?" She asked.
He looked at his knees, and held back his coming tears.
"H...hai."
She smiled at his bravery, and ruffled his raven hair.
"Would you like me to get all of your belongings from your house?" She asked.
"Iie. Please, let me live there, Haruno-san. Let me stay there," He whispered.
She smiled at him, and nodded.
"Hai. Whatever you like, Sasuke. But just remember, Sakura-chan and I are always here for you, okay? Come back...whenever you like."
The Uchiha nodded, and proceeded to walk to the door.
"Sasuke, do you want anything to eat before you leave?"
He shook his head, and smiled.
"Iie, Haruno-san. I'll eat at home. Tell Sakura-chan good-bye."
Haruno Kiyami nodded, and watched his retreating figure. Even at her age of thirty, she still acted like a teenager. Were those the effects of growing up alone? She sighed. She didn't even remember her surname when she was young. She heard the door silently shut, and heard her daughter making her way down the stairs.
"Ohayo, Kaa-san..." Sakura said drowsily, rubbing her eyes as she walked into the living room.
Her mother smiled at her.
"...ne? Where's Sasuke-kun?" She asked, still half asleep.
"...he had to go home, Sakura-chan. You'll see him later. We need to go somewhere after your Otou-san comes home, okay?"
Sakura nodded sleepily.
-:-
It was a dreary, spring day. The birds were no longer chirping, and the sky threatened to rain down upon Konoha. Everyone was gathered around near the graveyard, each holding a white flower, silently letting their tears fall only on this day. There were too many caskets to count; but inside were almost all of the Uchiha clan. Every person in Konoha knew how strong and powerful the Uchiha clan was; they knew it was a complete loss to their village, having most of them dead. Sasuke stood there, eyes emotionless, staring at the caskets of his mother and father. Their faces looked serene, and he was happy they were in a better place. He still remembered how he found them, and it haunted him. How can Kaa-san and Otou-san hold their peace now? His tears were not spilling. It seemed he no longer had tears to cry. Many sympathized the young Uchiha. To grow up alone at such a young age was torture. Many walked by the caskets of Fugaku and Mikoto Uchiha, tears dripping onto the moist grass. Many placed a comforting hand on the young Uchiha's shoulder, knowing that it wasn't enough, but it would do. They walked by, slowly, sadly, looking at the deceased clan.
The sky had decided it too wanted to cry. Soft raindrops fell upon the villagers gathered outside, and many hesitantly rushed home after saying their condolences to the fallen Uchiha. Many children were heard rejoicing, loving the freshness the rain had brought them. Sasuke remained in front of his mother and father, silently looking over, silently asking himself why he was so weak. He felt another hand placed on his shoulder, but this time, did not tense up to the feeling. It was familiar. Smelling the scent of cherry blossom, he smirked, and breathed the scent in. It soothed him. He remembered, the one and only festival he had wanted to go to, his mother had taught him the values of 'fun'. He remembered all the stalls and games, all the sights and scents, and all the happiness. But that was all gone now. Someone had taken that away from him.
"Sasuke-kun...I'm sorry," He heard someone whisper.
Nobody was there that could call him Sasuke-kun, other than his friend, his one and only friend in the world. Even at their young age, they understood the values of life and death. He felt warmth emit into his left hand, and a hand go atop his head, and another on his right shoulder. Turning around, he saw Sakura had taken hold of his hand, her mother had placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, and her father placed a hand on his head. They were all smiling at him, hoping to make him feel at home, and telling him that everything was okay. Nobody knew how much he wanted to smile right then and there, but he knew that he could never smile again until everything was set straight. He felt the warmth from his head and shoulder disappear, but still felt the warmth in his left hand.
"Sakura-chan, we need to go. Sasuke needs time alone," her mother called.
She refused to move. Her mother sighed.
"Sakura-chan, Sasuke needs time alone. Please come with us," She said.
She still refused to move. Sighing in defeat, her mother turned to Sakura's father, pleading for help.
"Sakura-chan. Listen to your Kaa-san. Please Sakura-chan," He said.
She still refused to move. Her parents looked at each other, and sighed. Nothing could move their daughter right now, and they knew it. Giving in to defeat, they began to walk away.
"Sakura-chan, before dark, okay?"
She nodded.
The two stood there, hand in hand, the rain soaking them through. They watched as every visitor recited condolences, placed a flower by each casket, and left. They watched how much pain everyone was in together. Finally, it was over, and the last one there was the Hokage himself. That ended the funeral.
It was still raining, and the two still stood there. Sakura did not want to move without Sasuke, so she stood there with him, waiting for him to let go. He still held his many flowers in his hand, holding them like they were his lifelines, holding them like they were his mother and father. After what seemed like eternity, he began to move, Sakura slowly walking with him. He placed the flowers by his relatives' caskets, and ended at his parents'. He did not want to let them go. He could not let them go. Pain stabbed his heart every time he thought about leaving them alone there. Finally making his decision, he slowly placed the flowers there, his tears mixing in with the rain.
"It's okay, Sasuke-kun. I'm here for you," Sakura whispered.
Sasuke didn't say anything. He couldn't say anything. Letting go of his parents was so hard for him, and it pained him to know that there was no more of Kaa-san or Otou-san. There would be nobody waiting at home for him, asking him how training went with his Onii-chan, or asking him if he had fun. The only thing waiting for him was silence.
"It's okay, Sasuke-kun. You were strong..." She whispered again.
Sasuke remained silent. He was strong? He strongly disagreed. He wasn't strong enough to stop his clan's massacre; he wasn't even strong enough to stop his brother. What made her think he was strong?
"Sasuke-kun, you can't stop everything. You were strong, because you're still living, right?"
He turned to look at her. She was young, but she possessed knowledge. She possessed philosophy. Had this happened to her before?
"I remember...when someone closed to me went away. I cried and cried and cried, but nothing's ever gonna bring them back, you know? But you didn't cry as much as I did, Sasuke-kun! You were strong, and you let go. Crying isn't gonna do anything, you know?"
Her emerald eyes were gleaming at him. His onyx eyes were empty. He couldn't answer her. He couldn't tell her. If his Onii-chan saw him, he would call him weak. But somehow, she knew this. She just continued comforting him, not caring if it had any effect on him at all. He was grateful.
"You know ,Sasu-kun, when it rains, I always think the sky is crying. But you know...when the rain reaches you, it's like it's cleansing you of pain! And when it's done, all your pain is gone! Poof! Gone!" She happily said.
Sasuke looked at her amusingly, and smirked at her. Noticing the darkening sky, he looked to Sakura. She would be in deep trouble if she didn't get home. The rain had ceased, and the air was filled with the fresh scent.
"Saku-chan, you should get home now. Your Kaa-san will probably be angry with you," He said.
Sakura looked at him, and blinked. Was it really that late already? Looking up at the sky, she groaned.
"Oh no! Kaa-san will kill me! Are you coming home with me?" She asked.
Sasuke looked at her, and sighed.
"No, Saku-chan. I need to go home," He said.
She was confused. Nobody was there at home.
"But...nobody's there with you, Sasu-kun!"
Sasuke shook his head, and smiled at her.
"It's still my home, Saku-chan. I'll walk home with you, but I won't go inside," He said.
Sakura pouted, and gave Sasuke a muffled 'hmph' before the two started off.
After fifteen minutes, they reached Sakura's house. It wasn't fully dark yet, so Sakura was still fine. Knocking, the two heard the creaking of the floorboards, and waited for the door to open. When it finally did, Sakura's parents emerged from the door, looking at the two curiously.
"Ah, thanks for walking Sakura-chan home, Sasuke," Her father said.
Sasuke nodded politely as they were fussing at how sick Sakura could have gotten if she had stayed out any longer.
"You're not coming in, Sasuke?" Her mother asked, noticing him standing on the doorstep.
"Iie. I'm going home," he said.
Sakura's father eyed the boy carefully.
"Sasuke, nobody is there to take care of you," He said.
Sasuke shook his head, and slightly turned around to view the wet street.
"It's still his home, Otou-san," Sakura said.
Sasuke turned to look at her, and found her smiling at him. Her parents softened their gaze at him, and nodded.
"We're here for you if you need anything, Sasuke. Remember that," Her father said.
Sasuke nodded. Sakura's father gave him one last smile, and disappeared. Her mother looked at Sasuke, and sighed.
"Come if you need anything. You are always welcome," She said.
Sasuke nodded once more. Having the feeling that Sakura wanted to talk to Sasuke alone, she too disappeared inside, leaving the two alone once more.
"W...we'll still play together, right, Sasu-kun?" Sakura asked.
Sasuke looked at her, and smiled.
"Hai! Together," He said.
Sakura regained her confidence in him, and returned his smile.
"Then, good-bye Sasu-kun! I hope to see you," She said.
Sasuke felt pain in his chest as the words 'good-bye' came into his mind. It was as if she was saying good-bye to the old, happy Sasuke. Did she really know?
"...Bye Saku-chan. Thank you," He said.
Sakura smiled at him. Before she could register what was happening, she felt herself pulled into a friendly embrace. Unknowingly to her, Sasuke was smiling then, and crying. He was crying and smiling his last until everything was right again. As quickly as it had come, it had gone.
"Good-bye, Saku-chan," He said once more.
Sakura waved good-bye, as she watched his retreating figure.
-:-
Owari
-:-
Thanks for reading! It was originally meant to be a oneshot, but I can continue it if you like. Please let me know in your reviews. :3