A/n: The idea for this came from the song "I Miss You" by Incubus. If you have the song there on your computer, why don't you play it while reading this fic? It kinda sets the mood. If you don't have the song, then read it anyway.
Panacea
There was nothing pretty about the view, he thought. Atop a hill he stood, giving himself a clear view of the entire village as the colors turned slowly from the bleak white of winter to the warm pastels of spring. The air smelled of crisp verve, as new grasses shoot from the soil and trees sprout new leaves as a proof of life after the long winter bout. The beginning of the new season brought cheer to everybody in the village but not to him. He wondered. He used to like spring; but now, he despises it.
Spring reminds him of her.
It was spring three years ago. Naruto had managed to drag him back to Konoha—bloodied and battered, but still in one piece. It was after he managed to kill his brother that his blond ex-teammate struck him. He was rendered too weak with his earlier battle that he was beaten within a few minutes. He was on a stretcher carried by Shikamaru and Kiba when he entered the village. In his blurred vision he saw her, a pink head amidst the dull crowd, eyes holding the same anxious look she used to cast upon him years ago. With that, he could not help but feel a bit pleased that he was back.
Tadaima.
With the very last of his strength, he forced out a small smile to her before he completely lost consciousness. He was not sure if she caught sight of it; but she did, and smiled back at him.
It was spring two years ago that he was released from prison. He was no longer a missing-nin nor a class S criminal. He was back again to being a normal shinobi. She was there, along with Naruto when they freed him. She did not jump at him nor did she squeal in glee. She just stood there and said, I'm so glad. You're really back.
He nodded. Tadaima.
It was spring a year ago when he asked her to marry him. Inside, he trembled in fear when he saw her hesitate. But when he looked up at him and said yes, all his self-control left him as he engulfed her in a strong embrace. When they broke the embrace, she saw that he was crying.
Why are you crying?
…
Are you in pain?
No…No more. You just healed me.
She smiled. And then she wiped the tears off his eyes with her delicate finger. Her skin felt so light against his. He felt the warmth of happiness inside of him swell as though he was a wanderer who finally found his home.
Yes, home. Tadaima.
It was this year's spring and he felt hollow.
He averted his view and turned to the tombstone atop the hill. In loving memory of Uchiha Sakura. She was gone. His spring was gone. He lost her to childbirth, along with their son. Now he was back to living in winter… no, a far harsher winter than before.
He clutched his chest where his heart was supposed to beat. He could not feel any, only pain. Pain that seemed to tear his flesh little by little. Where are you now, he asked. Would you come back to me and take this pain away?
She was his panacea.
Was. But not now. She was gone.
Crimson blood watered the grass atop the hill while he lay on the ground, source of it all. Large slits from his kunai adorned both his wrists. He felt life ebb away from him as quick as his blood did. He just laid there with a dazed smile.
He thought he saw her reaching down at him when he took his last breath. And then, he felt incredibly light. Where was he?
Tadaima.
Owari
A/n: I haven't written any fics for such a long time, and I want to make a comeback! So I guess this could be a teaser… somewhat. I hope to get myself writing again. I want to continue APWCH. Hope you like this one.
