Title:Sacrifice
Author:TinaMustDie
The hallway is an eerie shade of gray (reminds him of too many nights spent under the stars), and he can just barely see her outline through the shadow she's standing in. This is his home, their home, and he's never felt so out of place.
Sasuke doesn't have to see her to know she's crying. He can smell it.
"You know, I really do hate you."
It's not said in the emotional tones that had signified tears years ago. It's just there. Monotone. He never expected this, and it terrifies him. This is not the Sakura he thought he knew.
"You show up after years, Sasuke. So long, and they don't love you anymore do they?"
The truth hurts sometimes.
"Not that you ever really cared. About me, about anyone. Just you, always you." she takes a shuddering breath, composure fading fast.
"I can't do this anymore."
Her words are like a slap to the face. He can feel his heart skip a beat.
"I have given you so much. Everything Sasuke. It will never be enough, will it?"
She chokes out an angry sob, hating herself for crying.
"You are a burden to me."
She locks those green eyes on him (though really they're books, always have been easy to read), bloodshot and rimmed red, making them shine that much brighter. He thinks he wants to die with all the grief in them. The hate seems to cut through the dark and the heartbreak, and oh, the heartbreak. Just as bad, if not worse, than his own, because Sakura had appreciated what she'd lost. (Her freedom)
In that moment, he sees himself through her eyes. It is a pitiful sight. (broken, bitter, cold, sad, gone)
He can't stand it. She turns away, and he makes a desperate lunge, catching her wrist in his hand.
"Let go."
It is not a request.
His grip on her wrist tightens (barely there, she's so thin, malnourished), and he feels a foreign panic sweep over him. This was not how things were supposed to be. She's leaving, and he deserves it. He feels as though he's drowning in the irony.
"Sasuke, let go."
Her voice is shaking now, thick with the emotion he needs to hear. The emotion that's going to keep her with him. Her resolve is crumbling fast.
"Please, please, let go of me," she begs, and he knows she means more than the hold on her wrist.
She won't last much longer.
Finally, she falls to the floor, sobbing, and relief washes over him. She's still here. Still his. (He's so goddamn selfish)
He gathers her up in his arms, kissing the top of her head. (It's a sadistic move more than anything) He rocks them slowly back and forth, clinging to his last shred of humanity.She's all he has. He'll cherish it.