A/N: Yo! I know I have some stuff I should be finishing, but I felt the need to give SasuSaku another shot! I didn't like my last story tbh XD

X

Sasuke's chest tightened when familiar racks of blood-curdling coughs filled the long and echoey hallway. They bounced off the walls and slipped underneath Sasuke's bedroom door, some even pounding right through the wood. Hearing these coughs reminded him daily of how sick his elder brother was, along with how there wasn't much Sasuke could do about it. It then reminded him of his parents' doings, and how his father was to blame for everything. They didn't deserve it, nor did they see it coming. No child should have to see the day their parents descend and drop them off at some apartment. When they asked their father why he did it, he never gave a direct answer. Or at least an answer that made some damn sense. Sasuke knew his mother just followed along, being the faithful wife she was raised to become, and he remembered the look on her face when he cried at her feet, clutching the edge of her skirt. The feeling of her arms wrapped tightly around him as he lay his head on her chest, her heartbeat lulling him to sleep, was something that crushed the young Uchiha. Mainly because he woke up to never feel it again.

The coughs started up again and Sasuke rushed to his nightstand. Rummaging through the drawer, he fingered a bottle at the very back before snatching it. It's contents were running out, Sasuke noted, but he shrugged it off as the coughing became more erratic. "Itachi!" He swung the door open and ran full speed to the small living room. He heard a splat! noise and grunted when he saw Itachi coughing in a once white rag that was now painted with red. Some spots were darker than others, signifying blood clots. The liquid overflowed the rag and spilled onto Itachi's thinning, pale hand.

"Brother.." Sasuke's stomach did a flip when he heard the struggle in his elder's voice, the cracking. The last fruitful beats of life barely lingering around. He was quick to take Itachi's bloodied rag from him, throwing it into the fresh pile of blood seeping into the floor's wood. Almost hysterically, Sasuke popped the cap open of the bottle and shook two pills into the palm of his hand, thrusting it to Itachi, who slowly grabbed them and tossed them into his mouth. The younger beat him to the cup of water on the coffee table, helping Itachi drink the pills down before he could try and refuse.

He gulped excessively and desperately and realization hit Sasuke. "Shit! He was thirsty. Probably too weak to get the cup himself.." he told himself, grunting again out loud as he moved the empty glass from Itachi's moistened lips. "Please, Aniki. You shouldn't even be out here. You should be in bed." Sasuke said, bending down to clean up the blood with the overly bloodied rag. Itachi silently stood as Sasuke did so, a smile on his lips. "I-I wish to be with you, Otouto, for my time is almost up."

In that second the mess on the floor was discarded and Sasuke had stood to shove Itachi back down onto the sofa. "Don't you dare say that!" he growled, his voice raising towards the end of the command. Itachi's drained eyes widened a bit before closing as he blinked furiously. "I'm going to get the money to pay for your treatment. I promise. We're almost there, anyway. I'm almost there.." Sasuke muttered the last piece to himself, frowning down at his feet. He curled his toes unconsciously, his fists clenching and unclenching at his sides with pure determination. He couldn't let his last connection be cut. "You will get better." The determination spilled into his words and persuaded Itachi to stand again before slowly walking to his room down the hall.

"Alright."

Sasuke only swallowed thickly as he returned to cleaning up the spilt blood, listening to the door to Itachi's room click closed softly. He heard and took careful note of how Itachi didn't believe he was going to heal. His mindset was fixed on how he was soon to die, and it was having an impact on his body. If Sasuke had never woken late at night that day about a half a year ago, he would've never seen Itachi throwing up blood in the toilet before having a small muscle spasm. He never would've known that Itachi was ill, and that he was planning on silently dying. Said weasel got an earful when Sasuke was no longer ignorant to that little plan.

While on his way back to his own room, Sasuke's phone buzzed in his pocket. He took it out, reading his message from a faithful friend:

Suigetsu:

"New location's Allston's corner in 30 mins. See you there!"

The raven then made a bee-line for the bathroom, stripping and hopping into the shower. If he wanted to be the first person to place bets, he'd have to be the first person there. Number one priority was making money. Nothing would stop him, considering he was probably the best Taekwondo fighter in all of Konoha. He'd remained unbeaten considering he chose his fights wisely and cautiously. Everyday he thanked his mother, wherever she was, for taking him to Taekwondo as a child. Although he expected to never master it, he got better through training with Suigetsu. Suigetsu was another person he thanked, and since he got better than his master, he promised Suigetsu that he'd repay him by letting him live with him once Itachi got better and took over Uchiha Corps. Despite the insecurities and doubts of the promise, Suigetsu nodded and smiled.

Sasuke's shower was quick; he wasted no time in dressing into his traditional white vest that was cut at the shoulders, using his purple belt to keep it closed. He slipped into his snuggly white training pants that made it easy to use his legs, and lastly heavy black boots. After tucking his boot cuts in, he slid on his black fingerless gloves and walked softly to Itachi's bedroom door. A heavy sigh escaped him; he knew how much his elder brother despised his street fighting. He wouldn't have done it if he didn't have to, but making burgers and stacking cans of beans on their rightful shelves for about eleven hours a day didn't offer enough for Sasuke's liking. These street fighters were getting a lump sum of money, and if Sasuke picked the right person, he was whistling his way home with bulging pockets.

He knocked softly, the buttons from the gloves adding to the noise. A reply wasn't given, as expected. "Itachi?" he whispered into the dark dome after opening the door. Itachi's room was pitch black, the only light being from the moon shining on to his bed from the window. He could see the weasel's body, stiff as wood. "Itachi, I'm going now. I'll be back.."

Sasuke looked down forlornly when Itachi grunted in response, then closed the door. After hearing the click, he dashed out of their small apartment.

X

"Welcome, to the king's corner! Ladies and gentlemen, place your bets wisely!"

Sasuke counted all of the money he had snatched on his way out. Four hundred was good enough, and he planned to leave with more. Suigetsu walked at his side, counting the money he took as well. Suigetsu only had about a few twenties, but he knew of Sasuke's cause for street fighting.

A redhead ran up to them, fidgeting with her glasses. "Sasuke, Allston wants to fight you." Suigetsu smirked, scratching the back of his head. "Karin, you and I and HE ALL know that Sasuke could totally kick his ass!" he bragged. Karin scoffed. "You're always so damn reckless! This is why you lose your battles, because you don't know how to pick them, moron!"

Sasuke nodded. "She's right, Suigetsu. I don't want to fight him. I don't know for sure if I'll win, and since it's pretty risky, I'm going to have to back down." Karin smiled smugly while Suigetsu sighed heavily. Allston was known to be undefeated, and he'd always had his eye on Sasuke. Ever since he was thirteen and they went to school together, Allston had practically begged for a duel.

But being the person he was, Sasuke always declined and dismissed him. This never stopped Allston, however.

Karin wrapped her hair up into a high ponytail before removing her glasses. She folded them, thrusting them out to Sasuke. "I'll keep him settled for tonight." she said. Karin had learned traditional karate from her father, and her skills were indeed impressive. She'd handled guys before. Sasuke bowed his head gratefully then took her glasses. He placed him in his pocket and watched her run off.

"That girl is so damn stupid. C'mon, let's go earn some money." Suigetsu mumbled, him and Sasuke doing exactly so.

They had gone through an hour of the night, sometimes tag-teaming. Sasuke earned himself double his initial amount. He had picked the rich kids that believed they'd win with only two or three paid classes. He pretended to be weak and sloppy with his moves, giving them a few hits before knocking them senseless with a swift kick of the head.

He was already getting closer to his goal. Stretching his muscles after his tenth battle, counting up eight-hundred and twenty dollars, he called for Suigetsu. "I'm going home now. Would you like to stay the night?" Suigetsu rubbed his chin in thought before smiling. "I'll pay for Chinese take-out. It's been awhile since I've seen Itachi, anyway."

They had begun walking off when they heard a familiar yelp of pain. The boys noticed a swarm of fighters crowded into a corner. They heard the yelp again before a thud of a body hitting the ground. Sasuke dashed over and pushed his way through the crowd.

As he thought, Karin was lying on the ground.

One side of her face was bruised a dark purple, the bruise creeping down her neck. Her open sides were also bruised, and her exposed calves were bloodied with scrapes. Sasuke watched as she shook violently in an attempt to pick herself up. The crowd then went wild when her body gave up and she fell back down.

Sasuke kneeled down and slid one hand under her neck and another on the small of her back. He hoisted her up into his hold. He noticed the blood dripping out of her nose. "Are you alright?" he asked. Karin had gotten beaten before, but never to a point like this.

She was always able to get back up. Sasuke glared darkly when she nodded so slowly. Only he was able to catch it. Suigetsu kneeled by his side, "Dammit, Karin!" He took her into his arms when Sasuke passed her over, watching as he stood.

Sasuke looked around, his glare still in place. Everyone grew silent and turned to the source, and Sasuke didn't expect to see who was there.

A girl with bubblegum pink hair tied into a small bouncy ponytail. Her eyes were large and innocent, a seafoam emerald green. Her cheeks were rosy and sweet, and she wore a dark sports bra and red joggers. She too had a few dark bruises admiring her body. He'd never noticed her around before. She looked downright puny and out of place.

But Sasuke didn't underestimate her one bit. Karin was never one to fall in the hands of defeat that way. "I challenge you." he said darkly. The girl looked at him, and he noticed her eyes scan his body as if analyzing his skill that way. She then smiled. "What for? I've got plenty tonight. I don't need any more money." Sasuke's eyes narrowed.

"I have eight-hundred and twenty. I'll bet it all."

The crowd of people witnessing murmured before cheering it on. Suigetsu's ears perked. "Sasuke, what the hell are you doing?!" he yelled. He was ignored, and the girl closed her eyes in thought before smiling wider. "I've got four-hundred and sixty. It's a battle you've got." Sasuke cracked his knuckles.

A woman came from within the crowd, holding a tray. Sasuke placed all of his money on the tray, and the girl did too. Sasuke smirked. "Tell me your name so I can remember that I've kicked your ass." The girl laughed. "Call me Sakura. And you?"

"Sasuke."

"Alright, you guys know the rules! I want a clean fight!" the woman said, standing between Sasuke and Sakura. Sasuke got into his fighting stance, standing sideways with a small bounce of his feet to get energized. He watched her, noticing her place one foot in front of her and one behind her.

He quickly recognized her fighting style. Capoeira. Once the bell sounded Sasuke ran forward, ignoring Suigetsu's cries behind him. Sakura ran forward too, and they clashed. He spared her no mercy, punching her square in the nose.

To his surprise, she was unphased, for she moved her body upside down into a handstand. Sasuke felt himself watching her move gracefully, taking in her marvelous body movements. He then snapped out of it when he felt hard sneakers collide with his face a couple of times. He backed up and held his nose, feeling the warm liquid in his palm.

Sasuke smirked at her, seeing her holding her own dripping nose. They both removed their hands and ran for the kill again, Sasuke allowing her to throw a few kicks. He blocked, skidding backwards from the force of every kick. He prepared for a kick in the head, lifting his leg, but as soon as he extended his leg he was knocked in the face by a heavy fist.

She was much stronger than he'd liked. He attempted to quickly recover from the punch, but as soon as he did he was sent to the ground on his back when she slid her legs under him. He rolled away and onto his feet.

Sasuke released a cry of pain when Sakura sent him flying again, having kicked him deep in the gut after he gave her a good kick in the face. His head collided with the cement ground, and then the countdown began.

"Sasuke, you have nine,"

People screamed and cheered for him to get back up, worsening the pain of his headache. His limbs felt like jello.

"Eight,"

His body shook as he searched for some type of energy. He gripped his head, feeling warm blood emitting from somewhere on his scalp.

"Seven,"

Suigetsu cried for him to get back up, and he thought about Karin. Then Itachi. His head pounded when he got to his knees, and it felt as if his brain was melting.

"Six,"

Sasuke whimpered as his head throbbed, and his chest bounced as his breathing picked up.

"Five,"

The kick he got in his stomach began to throb as well, and his muscles grew weak. He was still shaking like a leaf in the wind when he got to his feet, and people cheered loudly. The countdown finished, and he staggered forward.

Sakura was giggling at him. He snapped into focus, and in a second her giggling image was replaced with her spitting blood on her knees. Sasuke then grabbed her by her neck, dragging her back up to her feet.

She gasped and clawed at his wrist. Sasuke let go to try and kick, but he angered her. She was indeed very angry, for she began swinging kicks at him mercilessly. He had gotten a kick in his chest, leg. He blocked, then another kick in the face.

He soon found himself back on the ground, imagining how Karin must've felt. The girl was quick, and strong. His countdown began where it left off.

"Four,"

His throbbing headache returned stronger than ever, and he squeezed his eyes shut. Sasuke gripped his head, curling up into a ball to try and rid himself of the pain.

Sakura was still angry, for she grabbed the collar of his vest and hoisted him up, punching him in the face. Sasuke punched her back, and the two began staggering around like useless rag dolls as they punched and punched. Face, chest, stomach. Sasuke was satisfied with her bruised and bleeding face, but he was sure he looked no different.

Soon enough he had knocked enough pain into a punch, and Sakura was on her back on the ground. The woman holding the tray of money began counting. Sasuke crossed his arms as he watched her struggle. He was certain he'd be walking home with one thousand two hundred and eighty bucks.

Closing his eyes to try and relax his muscles, he was ignorant to the pair of legs literally sweeping him from his feet. He fell forward, and everything happened too fast. In an attempt to stop himself, all of his weight fell on his right arm. He screamed when it crunched underneath him, and he banged his forehead on the floor again.

He couldn't process that Sakura had gotten back to her feet and was now being announced as winner. The woman held her arm high in the air by her wrist, and in Sakura's other hand the cash. "No.." he mumbled.

He'd lost all of his money. The money for Itachi's treatment was all gone. He was so close to saving his brother. Once his brother healed, he would've been able to take over Uchiha Corps. and they'd find their parents. Things would've gotten better.

Sasuke felt his eyes sting, and his vision was blurry from the building tears. He'd worked so hard. "No.." he repeated, a sneaky tear dripping out of his eye and down his cheek. Now their future was going to fall. Crumble. Drown in the deepest pits of hell.

The new throbbing in his head caused his eyes to roll to the back of his head before his vision went black.

"Sasuke? Sasuke!"

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A/N: Lolzzzz next chapter will be out soon. I hope you guys liked it! *^*