Release her

„Let's go!"

Sasukes face darkened under the cover of black clouds. A blackness impossible to lighten. Impossible to tell when the first rays of sunshine will break through, turning darkness into brightness. Into the gentle smile, she's been missing for years.

Shaking with cold, her hand ran over to the collar of her jacket, clutched both sides pulling the warming fabric closer to her neck. The green eyes spotted his shape, the white jacket, that was about to leave at that very moment.

He won't wait. Time for her to go.

Her eyes closed for a second as she breathed in deeply moving a little reluctantly forward. The dry dust scrunched under her feet and its loud noises made her feel insecure. She had to be on guard, she was walking over a battle zone after all. By instinct she let her eyes wandering around, detecting a rash of smashed rocks, blood-stained stones, dirt and..she paused.

Hasn't there been a gasp just this minute?

With a tight feeling in her chest, she turned her head and made an erratic step backwards, something got taken her aback. A shape was lying on the dusty bedrock, curled up, unmoving.

Still alive?

Her feet were moving on their own as she came closer only then realizing that it had to be a woman. Long, red hair covered her face, the slim body literally showered with dirt. Dark blood was oozing out her shredded top and Sakura instantly let herself down on her knees. Even if she didn't know her in person she considered it as a healer's duty to save her from death. In fact she didn't even question healing her.

Concern appeared on her features the moment she crawled towards the casualty and examined her with sharp, green eyes. The rattling breath of the young woman was unmistakable, her pale face had already lost the color of life. Sakura didn't take much to realize that if she didn't help now, she would perish under her very nose. She quickly placed a hand on the woman's chest, wiping dirt and mud to the side to finally recognize the entire seriousness of the wound. It was situated right under her heart and..much bigger than she'd expected. Sakura heard a faint cough, the chest under her fingertips started trembling.

"Everything's going to be to alright.", she said in a soft tone, while letting green chakra flowing into the wound.

"I can help you."

The redhead blinked at these words. Painfully raising her heavy eyelids, a blurry image of a kneeling girl came into sight. I can help you. Karin opened her mouth. She was meaning to say something, to ask who she was and why she would help her, yet the only sound that escaped her lips was a dry croak.
"Relax.", the gentle voice muttered. "You soon will be on your feet again."
The flood of chakra suddenly increased bringing her mouth to twist into a sad smile.

Helping her..a stranger. Phh.. was she serious?

Her body and soul relaxed gradually, the pain inside her grew weaker and weaker every time. She had almost closed her eyes, fully surrendered to the pleasant, warm feeling within her, as a second figure showed up from nowhere. She didn't need to see who it was. Despite her weakened perception she had recognized his chakra immediately. A prickle spread through her chest as she raised her arm in an helpless attempt of catching Sakura's attention.
Indeed it seemed as though the girl was that deep in healing, that she hadn't even noticed the danger lurking behind her.

If I could only..

Karin's arm slowly started moving, shiveringly reaching out for something to get a hold of.

If I could only reach a piece of her coat and..

"AHH"

Sakura startled. Within a blink her head swung around and emerald eyes stared down in horror. There was a foot standing upon the scratched arm of the redhead, having rammed the soft skin violently into the ground. She could hear bones cracking, saw the arm gotten painfully squashed under Sasuke's weight. Her eyes began to burn. In sheer disbelief.

"It's surprising that you're still alive Karin."

The pressure on her arm intensified making her yelp. Her face was soaking in sweat, blood dripped from her nose and the pain she felt almost overpowered her.

"Then again it's no surprise..."

In no time he'd reached out his hand grabbing Sakura at her collar and set her back on her feet, close to his side.

"...if you had to heal her."

The cool, patronizing voice rang in her ears. She felt his grip only too well, the hand, that been wrapped around her sleeve, not making any move to let go of her. Sakura's gaze fell into stiffness. Might she only be dreaming? The collapsed woman on the ground, Karin, bathing in blood, with an expression in her eyes, she won't be able to stand any longer. And Sasuke..
No, it wasn't a dream. For that the thought of him just felt too real.

"Have you done this to her?", she asked in a broken voice. "Were you the one battered her like that?"
The young man at her side kept silent. Karin spat blood. The wound on her chest hadn't been able to close completely.
So much blood.
And no way to stop it.
She faced away from her, unable to endure the pitiable sight for one more second. Watching a human being passing by..she just couldn't bring herself to.

"Don't you want to release her from pain, Sakura?"

"..."

"I bet you want to.", he murmured. Before she even had the chance to open her mouth answering back she felt something smooth, sharp at her palm. A Kunai? Hesitantly clasping the haft she pulled the shiny weapon up to her side.

"Fine. Kill her with this."

She paused for a moment. Her still gaze focused the ground with her legs tightly pressed together and her head bowed down. Strands of pink hair covered her profile. She felt Sasuke beside her, felt the destructive aura surrounding him, his killing intentions.

The hand still clutching the kunai slowly lowered down.

"What? You can't do it?", he asked seriously, though she could sense the barely perceptible sarcasm behind it.

She didn't respond.

"Haven't you told me that you would do anything for me just now? Even leaving Konoha and destroying it with me? How can I believe you, if you're already holding back from eliminating a stranger?" Raising his eyebrows he gave her profile a sharp, piercing glance.

"That is.." She took a deep breath, forcing her voice to keep a neutral tone, didn't make it. "..the alliance of blood I formed with you...isn't that proof enough? If you die I'll die with you. How much more loyalty may one single person offer you, Sasuke-kun?" Instead her voice was filled with emotion, bitterness, yet she didn't face him taking her feelings out on the ground.

"You avoided my question, Sakura.", he said coldly, narrowing his dark eyes into disfavor.
"Having formed the alliance with me may show that you theoretically want it. However, theoretically wanting wouldn't lead me to anything. I want you to put your words into practice."

Into practice. How many people probably had to loose their lives for his power being put into practice? She only could assume it.

A weak cough broke the silence. Sakura's facial features appeared strangely haggard, when her eye fell on Karin who had to spit blood again. She suffered. Badly. If there wasn't anybody out here helping her soon, she would choke on her own blood.

"Well then.."Her emeralds widened as she felt a sudden breeze behind her. A sensation caused by his cold voice leaving shivers everywhere his breath was touching her. "Show me with your own hands how serious you are about me. Go and kill her."

"There comes a time when you have to choose between turning the page and closing the book."

Finished.
I hope it was endurable, I am no native speaker so that the chapters aren't that long since I spend a hard time on writing my text and translating it afterwards. It would be a big help if someone beta-read for me, preferable Germans who're living in America or England xD

"J'ecris" already told me she would be willing to help me yet I'd feel bad about choosing her as I didn't officially ask around first;)

This story is going to be pretty extreme and deep. I'll try as much as I can portraying sasuke's psychiatric side and sakura having to deal with it. I already have the whole plot kept in mind and I can tell you that I try creating something original.

ReadYa...(hopefully^^)

Lucy