Lawsuit II
ItachiSakuraSasuke
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"Itachi?"
He tried to pretend that the voice would go away. Desperately, he tried to act like there wasn't a water-logged voice in his ear. He hummed a response, not moving.
"I-I…c-can you come and get me…?"
He grimaced at the thought, sighing lowly. "Where's Sasuke?" Almost immediately there was a choked sound at the other end of the line and he frowned. "Alright, forget I asked. Where are you?" Sakura sniffed a response and he faintly recalled the street a few blocks from where she and Sasuke lived. "I'll be there in five minutes."
There was a soft click and he forced his eyes open to stare at the canopy above his bed. Phone cradled in hand, he tapped an irritated rhythm on his chest and sat up, pulling on some pants and a shirt.
This had better be important, Sakura.
--
Sakura stared out at the street blankly, legs drawn up to chest as car after car swept their lights over her, briefly but lingering. Gravel crunched quietly under fast-paced tires, but she paid no attention and instead watched the sidewalk carefully. It was a – seemingly – long while until a car finally pulled over to the side of the street, and she instantly recognized it as Itachi's sleek sports car. Wiping her eyes on her sleeve, she got up and opened the door; and without looking at him she managed to buckle herself in. She dropped her hands in her lap limply and waited for him to go.
There was a long, tense silence for a stretching moment. "…he did that to you?" She forced her eyes out the window without even a nod. There was a heavy sigh beside her, and he took one of her hands gently, placing a Styrofoam cup inside them. "Drink."
The car started, a low hum in the silence, and then the lights were flashing by quietly. Sakura popped off the lid, sniffing the contents of the cup curiously and finding – much to her pleasure – hot chocolate. "You got this for me?"
He gave her a sidelong look, and was no doubt scrutinizing the ugly bruise forming against her left eye. "I thought you might need it. What happened?"
She winced, warming her hands on the cup. "I…we started fighting. About…about seeing you. And I hit him and…he just gave me this look – he's never given me that look…ever… - and then he just hit me. Like it w-was nothing." She twisted into herself, sobbing and helpless, defenseless and open. Itachi clenched his hands on the wheel calmly, staring out at the road.
It was a long moment before he could speak. "Then what?"
She gave a little gasp, as if just remembering he was there. Taking a moment to calm herself and gather her breath, she downed a large portion of the drink. "I…left. And I was walking until I got cold, and then I…I called you." She seemed to remember something, and turned to look at him hesitantly. "I hope…I didn't wake you up…?"
Ah, yes. He was something of a night owl, and he was sure many people had told her so. "Of course not. I'm glad you called." Empty words. He frowned at the street, wished they were true. "You'll stay at my house tonight, and we'll figure something out tomorrow."
She seemed to sag, relief seeping from every pore. "Thank you, Itachi. You don't know how much-…"
"Save it," he ordered, then grimaced at her shocked look and softened, "I already told you: it was my pleasure."
She seemed to let this sink in with a slow nod, then turned to the window and gazed at the passing lights with hot chocolate warming her fingers.
--
Sasuke woke to a splitting headache the next morning, sprawled across the couch. The house was empty and dark around him, suffocating in its silence. He sat up and peered around, trying to work his cotton ball of a tongue.
"Sakura?"
His only answers were shadows.
--
Ah, yes. Angst, how I love you so.
I was reading the back of a book yesterday and it said, "Wouldn't life be amazing without angst?" And I just…um, no. I love angst.
Love.
(: