a/n: it's been a while, i had the sudden urge to use a creative outlet and to push another chapter out for this three-shot. apologies in advance for the last chapter though, it's going to be a long while coming – i haven't even begun to figure out its logistics yet, and my life is only going to get busier from now… so thank you to anyone who has been and will continue to wait patiently, and again, i don't own naruto.
the unravelling
part 2: sasuke
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How long had it been since she had seen spinning red eyes? (Its presence is almost a warm comfort compared to the warzone-home-warzone-konoha that she lives with.)
Only a day after Naruto is buried, he comes back pleading innocence. At this, Sakura feels nothing but cold cold anger at how he single-handedly wasted all their efforts to bring him back, at how he could become so pitiful to achieve what he wants, but most importantly, that how stupid and untimely Uchiha Sasuke could be.
Because it's an execution. There is no point fighting, his crimes cannot be atoned and there is no Team 7 to make ends meet and save him. There is only Sakura.
There is still only Sakura on the date of the execution. He is brought to the podium, and he hangs limply like a dead doll – helpless, hopeless, lifeless – and at the sight of him Sakura feels a familiar anger seep into her bones.
But anger does not suit her, someone she once knew whispers, so Sakura turns and walks away from the scene, because no matter how much she hates him, she cannot bear to see another one of her boys go.
And it is only a whisper, but a whisper is all she needs, to hear him call out to her, withered and hopeless-
She looks back, meets his spinning red eyes, and that's when she makes her mistake.
How long had it been since she had seen spinning red eyes? Not long enough, it seems.
Of course. Of course of course of course. She should have goddamn known.
So long as Konoha stands Uchiha Sasuke will keep on fighting, killing and avenging. The man would like nothing more than to see it burn.
And she was just a pawn in his grand plans.
The sky spins faster and slows into a haunting orange that can only indicate one jutsu. It's like all of her nightmares came alive - taunting her, whispering her fears like a mantra-
God, she didn't think she'd hate anyone so much.
She was screaming again, screaming at him.
Let me out of this hellhole Uchiha Sasuke you sick bastard I hate you so so much-
Sakura.
So Naruto had to die for you to come back huh? You really just needed that last obstacle gone-
Sakura.
Shut. Up. What do I even have to do with this?! Get me the hell out of here-
The world shattered. Emerald eyes opened to a reality of destruction.
Sakura was panting, the adrenaline fear anger pumping through her veins.
Konoha was a warzone. In the distance she saw Sasuke fighting several ANBU at once, his katana streaked purple with lightning.
She had never moved so fast in her life. (Then again, she had never been filled with so much hate. Now she understands what Sasuke lived with, all those years ago, but as always she is the last to get there.)
He must've been tired, or maybe he let her. At this point, Sakura didn't care anymore, because the satisfying punch she landed sent him flying back through stone and wall.
She would have charged after him had arms not pinned her back, and a hand with fluid application shut down her main chakra points.
Someone she once knew is screaming in her ear (Sakura Sakura stop stop stop)but she cannot hear them cannot see cannot think other than kill that man.
She's screaming again, her own tears holding her voice like a vice, and everyone watches the great disciple of the Godaime fall apart for a team that never held together.
Sasuke looks up from the crater he was thrown into, and Sakura's eyes, bloodshot and green, meets his spinning red ones, and she hates how deceptively calming they are in this hole of a place.
If only you came sooner, she croaks hoarsely, if you had come sooner, things could have been so, so different.
(Because they did have a chance to rewrite the story, but Sasuke had already exchanged his pen for a sword.)