"Shit. I can't train like this." Sasuke hissed in a frustrated groan as he tried to throw kunais and shurikens from a ranged target.

His wrists were being annoying and it burned like hell.

As he made every movement the wounds from his wrists would distract him. And just as he hissed a curse, the wounds from last night's torture began to bleed again.

"Tch, another waste of time, I have no other choice." he set off to the road of the hospital carefully clutching and hiding the secret infliction he had done in secret.

It was his entire fault really. Being lost in his own mind and being so easily controlled by his emotions that one thing he never thought of losing to. It's a thing that disgusted him, it was a form of weakness. If nothing more, Naruto's words only fit him right. "You're a freak!" everyone would think that. But he never dwelled on the matter anyway.

As he strode his way to the hospital, He'd come to appreciate the silence he was met with

The good thing about walking past the streets at this time was that there were only few people beginning to start off their day. So, the trip to the hospital was quite efficient for him.

It was quiet, very and nobody gave him any attention.

And not for long the building of the hospital came into view

As he entered the hospital the first thing that any living people who entered was to ask the information desk. "Oh! Uchiha-san! Good morning! Is there any help I could get you?" The brunette girl with the nurse outfit said. A name tag dangled on the left part of her uniform that says 'Ami'

"I need a physician." He grunted. "Oh! I would be guessing those are wounds?" Ami said and Sasuke nodded at this. "He's a walk-in doctor is that okay with you Uchiha-san?" Ami asked waiting for a preferral. Well they were Uchihas and they don't seem to trust just anybody with something.

"Hn, anyone available would be fine."

"Alright, Dr. Hiro-san is available at this hour. You should seek him at his office it's near the emergency area."

"Aa." Sasuke said and walked off.

The walk wasn't that long and that he made it within a spare of minutes.

The doctor was easy to communicate with. And it was just his luck as he stood there already on the operating room.

"So, Sasuke-san, what happened?" Hiro asked with a bright personality. "My wrists are bleeding." Sasuke said and started removing his bloodied wrist protectors.

As he scribbled on the medical chart. Which was probably his. 'fuck, my records are piling up.'

"Hmm…. I see, you seem to have previous ones like these as well." As he scanned the medical chart. And dotting out his pen once more.

"Is there any reason why your wounds keep appearing like this?" Hiro asked Sasuke. 'the bastard's testing me.' Sasuke thought.

He rolled his eyes and said. "They were bruises I acquired in training." The doctor didn't look convinced as he gasped at the wounds. Sasuke gave the doctor a final look that meant not to dwell on it any further. The doctor gave a defeated sigh and said.

"Well… It's been cleaned thoroughly. But these are big cuts Sasuke-san. I think some might even need stitching."

The sight of Sasuke's hand unravelled as the doctor completely removed the bandage from his wrists. It almost made Sasuke's stomach shudder. 'I am a fool.'

"Alright, I'll clean these up with some aqua oxigenada after I administer you with some shots and start stitching." "did you drink some antibiotics this early morning?" The doctor asked as he assisted him to sit on the medical bed.

"Yes." He answered shortly.

"What time?" As the doctor prepared and sanitized the needed medical tools and readied the syringes for the needed shots.

"4 AM." Sasuke answered.

"What milligram?" the doctor asked as he flicked the syringe with his fingers. And measuring the right amount of vial.

"Hn." Sasuke answered. The brunette doctor smiled and chuckled as he scratched the back of his neck. "I guess that says you don't know." He scribbled some things on the medical chart after washing his own hands and wearing some latex gloves.

"I'll administer you with a small injection of anti-biotic just in case you drank a very weak one, And… of course some anaesthesia."

Right before the first injection. The door gave out a loud thud. This startled Sasuke whom also looked at that direction,

he sensed a familiar chakra. His glaring towards the door only made him glare.

The doctor came up and peeped at the door but found no one to be there.

"Hmm… someone musta've bumped it accidentally. The emergency room is quite hectic today." And then he shrugged it off and approached a very troubled looking Sasuke.

'Tch! I have to be alert at all cost, someone is already spying on me.'

Under no conditions should people see him in this state, especially his teammates. He would never allow it. He could only die from humiliation, disgust, and self-deprivation. It would only hinder him from trying to get away from these selfish actions.

His mind is twisted he admits, and not any of this should be normal. Even though he'd said it in a million times.

He knew that he never deserved to do this to himself. So that's why his resort to life is to avenge his entire clan. Because he never deserved to lose a family, and they never deserved to die. So, until he was alive. He strives to hate and become much stronger than his brother. Then, after all of that, he wished the sufferings his mind gave him would disappear. Because if he killed his brother, then so are his nightmares.

"There, all done! Please don't do any strenuous activities for a week. It would reopen the wound. And just like I said, The hospital is quite hectic today. You can't just grasp any medic nin here. They're very limited people. And they are needed in a very serious case."

Sasuke grunted at this and muttered his 'thanks' to the doctor.

He left the operation room and walked to the hallways knowingly going in the wrong direction as he sensed a familiar chakra. 'Tch, I think I have an idea who it was outside the operation room I occupied just minutes ago.'

"SASUKE-KUUUUN!" an annoying screech was heard after that he felt someone latched tightly on his arm.

"Get off me Ino." He said annoyingly while struggling to save his wrist from any contact. He pulled her off his body frustatingly. And the girl was literally reluctant.

"Awww… common you're no fun Sasuke-Kun! I was just gonna give you the biggest kiss when I felt your chakra earli-"

"Get off my face Ino." Sasuke cut her off. He looked irritated and ready to snap.

"wha- what? Why?" Ino exclaimed.

"Didn't you hear me? I said leave me alone!" Sasuke said with finality. She just had to be so clingy at this hour. It's too early for all of this mess.

"And, don't ever follow me!" he said in seriousness.
Ino gasped at this and rolled her eyes annoyingly.

"Really Sasuke-kun, you should be upgrading your social skill more!" She said in a girlish manner which made him want to flinch more. If he didn't learn all of those etiquette lessons from his mother about respecting women she would have been beaten into a pulp already. She had no right to spy on his privacy.

Finally facing him casually. "It seems today is not the day I changed that about you. But I'll never lose to that forehead." She said as she flipped her hair. Why do they keep going on about this? It just sounded like foul play. It was so annoying.

"Anyways! It was nice seeing you! Good bye Sasuke-kuuun!" She waved off flauntingly despite him being a rude prick.

'Tch! She was the one who spied on me. I'd be in a real big trouble if she used that mind transfers of hers.' He grunted at this and finally walked on the right direction.

Unfortunately not only for a few steps away from the scene did he felt a much more familiar chakra. It felt strong emotions, one that he might feel of confidence and oddly firing determination, it was of rare occurrences for him to feel her this way. After all, he never really did try to get to know her any better than Naruto and Kakashi.

The sight she saw of her. Short pink hair, resolute green eyes and a hint of smile that displayed self-pride as she hastily strode faster and frankly trying to avoid a room she just passed. She was clutching a thick book that seemed to weigh ¼ of her body. How can she manage to bring that all the way around in the hospital?

Just after a few seconds she crashed onto him and like he expected. As she was about to fall, he already caught her steadying and holding firmly on her shoulders.

"tch, you should be more careful." He said in his usual tone.

"Oh, Sasuke-kun! I'm sorry I was in a hurry! I'm helping out in the hospital. The ER is quite hectic today." Sakura answered as she smiled sheepishly. 'phew that came off better than I had wanted.'

"Hn, I've been told." Sasuke replied as he noticed she got nervous all of a sudden.

"I didn't know you volunteered help." he answered as he gave her the fallen book.

"Thanks. Err Actually, I've been volunteering in the hospital for almost 3 months now." She showed a look of disappointment but immediately changed it to a brighter one before he caught it.

Sasuke's eyebrows seems to have rose at this. He looked amused. Shouldn't she be training instead of volunteering? It'd be much better if she can take care of herself more than helping others.

It was just very typical of her. That's why he always felt the need to protect her. Because she always cared about others and forgot to think about herself.

"Anyways, Take care Sasuke-kun! I need to help out in the hospital I'm in need of a very important study today. I'll see you at 7!" She waved off with a sweet smile.

"hn."

'smiles, her smiles are always so innocent.'

He thought as he watched her retreating back and hurried for the stairs.

For a really weird reason he found her smiles the most comforting. Yet never really dwelled on the matter. There were more important things he needed to do. Like training for the finals. And get stronger and kill his brother

He scowled quietly for thinking this way and followed the path to team seven's training grounds.

It was only for a moment when he started training and came back from the hospital all patched up from his self-inflicted wounds.

He looked very serious and keen on his training until

he felt an enigmatic presence lurking in the forest. He activated his sharingan in secret and continued to train so he wouldn't look obvious.

'Chakra.' One that seemingly is ranked as jounin or chuunin if he knew maybe even anbu. Someone was watching him from the shadows.

'Tch, he never even bothered to hide it.' He thought as he threw the kunai he was holding that was supposedly aimed for the training dummy to the open forest.

"Show yourself." He said as he glared a few meters away from the training dummy he was training with just minutes ago.

"Hmm… It seems you have caught me. Uchiha"

A red head boy stepped away from the shade of the trees and came forward gracefully.

"Pleasantries." Gaara said in a very calm but dangerous voice.

"What do you want Gaara?" Sasuke glared and growled.

"Oh, nothing I just wanted to get to know my opponent better." He smiled. "Maybe this way, I could know your weakness." The intense glares he had sent off to Gaara did little than to mock him.

"Oh wait, I think I wouldn't be needing that. You already are."

Sasuke grunted and strengthened the glare he only gave at Gaara. Sasuke's fist whitened from rage.

He dare say that to his face. He hadn't even seen his skills when he trained for this examination 3 months ago.

"I can't feel nothing but excitement at the feel of your bones being crushed by my sand." He said and smiled wickedly and gave a dark laugh.

Sasuke the arrogant guy he was happened to earn himself a challenge. "Why don't you ask yourself?" Sasuke said in a dangerous tone and readied for his battle stance. Taunting him.

"A challenge I see…" Gaara's knuckles turned white from the tension. His eyes gleamed in attempt for murder. His bloodlust getting all excited as he felt the need to kill something immediately however he composed himself. There was little time left for him to mock a weakling.

"It would be a shame if I killed you right now." Gaara said tauntingly. Sasuke growled audibly and Gaara almost let off a snicker.

"Besides, I want to see you die in front of the audience." Gaara smiled and continued.

" I will show them just how much of an excuse you are for a ninja." He laughed darkly. That's it, He just snapped. He had to have his head right now.

"Tch! Why you-!" Sasuke said as he launched in front of him.

"T'Hahahaha." Gaara looked so twisted. His lips plastered on his cheek too widely as he saw his plan unraveling, getting him all worked up and looking like an idiot.

"STOP!" A tough female voice rang out of nowhere.

"Gaara! Where have you been? We've been looking everywhere for you!" A blonde sand ninja said. She looked familiar but he never really gave an effort to remember her name. It was no time for pleasantries.

"Temari. Get out of my way." Gaara glared.

He looked like was ready to snap. The girl could only gasp as she looked at Gaara nervously, as sweat dripped from he brows.

The Kazakage their father would surely have their heads if Gaara created more trouble. Yet it could also get her killed if she stopped him. Handling Gaara was a very much delicate matter. One wrong move and you're dead.

She willed herself to speak and not to chicken out. It was her duty anyway. They were still siblings, in blood or not. Even though it killed for her to think this way.

"Father is looking for you." She said as her heart beat too fast.

Just as she said this a Boy carrying puppets and wearing make up came rushing into them.

"Gaara, Father has sent us to fetch you. He has a very urgent matter to discuss with us please must come along, immediately."

The newcomer said this with obvious nervousness. The tension could just kill them.

"Fine." Gaara said in finality. He glared at the Uchiha and gave him his wicked smile.

"Till then, Uchiha…" Gaara said as he turned around following his siblings to the open forest.

"Tch! That bastard." Sasuke muttered and continued to glare daggers behind their backs.
He composed himself and started to train more.

Giving the kunai a harsh grip and throwing it with force. He had to let his frustrations out. He had to train and become much stronger. Truly those sand siblings were always bored and looking for trouble.

Sasuke wanted nothing more for the exams to end.

He willed himself not to dwell on what just happened earlier and continue to strive harder on his training. Yet, seeing it as it is the doctor had said that doing strenuous activities for the matter would reopen his wounds and it would likely render him useless in training.

He looked at his arm and instead remembered the events before going to the hospital.

'Hn, Sakura.'

It was already 7:30 and surprisingly enough Sakura was running a little late past behind their team meeting.

"I got it!" Sakura said in finality. Sachi could only gasp. 't-this kid…!'

"Let me see, let me see!" Sachi said excitedly. after knowing the results and the poisoned blood returned to its original shade she could only jumpp in glee and hug the kid tight.

'That's amazing Sakura-chan!" she screamed in delight!

"The formulas are finally done! Now the rest is up for distribution!" Sachi exclaimed.

"We'll handle it from here, I know you're running a little late for your team training. I'm truly sorry for that!" Sachii said in a bow.

Sakura checked the clock on the wall and gasped."Oh no! You're right!" She gave out a horrified expression. What would Sasuke-kun say to her about being tardy? but she didn't dwell on the matter far longr when she remembered that this antidote she had just created will save many lives as of this day and the next.

"It's okay Sachi-san it was a pleasure working with you. And I'm glad I could help!" Sakura said happily.

"I have truly no words! You know we could offer you a position here in the hospital if something comes up! I'll arrange the paperworks and all will be good!"

Ami said happily and Sakura gasped as Sachi giggled.

"Besides, you've been helping out for a while now, and I've been guessing it's what you wanted in the first place when you came here. Am I right?"

"Yes! Of course!" Sakura said excitedly. "Thank you so much Sachi-san!" she screamed in delight and hugged the 20-year old medic.

"aww! You're welcome Sakura-chan!" and she hugged back. Truly Sakura was too sweet for her own.

"I will do my best and I promise you won't ever regret this decision!" Sakura said in finality and hurried for the door.

"I must go now! Sasuke-kun must already be there!" Sakura said and ran off for the training grounds.

"wait-! Sakura! you're wrist...!" Sachi exclaimed. Yet after she uttered these words Sakura was already out the door. 'Oh, dearie that girl could be really reckless.'

"Oh, shoot I'm super late!" Sakura said as she ran on the streets of Konoha looking at her watch it already read 7:48

Sakura could only gasp and gave out a horrified expression. She wasn't always the type for tardiness. She always showed up on time and kept that record straight up. That is until this fateful day.

'This may sound lame but Kakashi sensei isn't there yet anyways. And Naruto always comes up after an hour. That leads to Sasuke probably training alone on the training grounds.'

'heh. This is never happening again.' She thought.

After a few minutes of sprinting Sakura managed to arrive at the rendezvous.

and spot the boy she endeared.

"Hn, youre late." Sasuke said as she arrived at 7:56 almost 8.

Sakura cursed mentally. "Ah! Sasuke-kun! I'm sorry. It took a while for us and the medic team to complete the formula but all is well and-!"

but was cut off by Sasuke already close enough within range. And soon enough he grasped her wrist that was injured. She hissed from the pain.

It was still bleeding profusely. 'I had completely forgotten about that!' Sakura gasped in surprise.

"What happened?" Sasuke asked as he inspected the wound. "ah-! Eeeh. S-sasuke-kun" she said muttering lamely. She just had to act all shy whenever he was this close.

"You should take care of yourself more Sakura." Sasuke said. as he puled out some ointments and bandages.

"It gets really annoying." As Sasuke wrapped her wounds with the bandages.

She couldn't see his expression because of his hair blocking her view. But she knew that he only cared. Yet seeing him like this only made her feel like a burden.
The thought of his wrist having the same injury as hers were quite beguiling.

But she had intentionally cut her wrist this way so she could let him know that she noticed.

"Please, do the the same." She gave a somewhat pleading look as she replied secretly muttering the words and looked away immediately.

Sasuke caught sight of her expression and heard everything she said.

Sakura already knew what his wounds meant the very first time she saw it.

although the thought was so unbelievable she knew everything was possible no matter how much she wanted to deny herself she knew that he did it to himself intentionally. and he was suffering more intensely and was keeping it to himself alone again.

"What do you mean?" He asked in assumption. and stopped at his actions.

"Iiie! w-what? I didn't say anything" she all but said ridiculously.

'I guess I'm not quite ready to face him with this matter, but I have to!' She thought nervously

"Tch whatever." He said as he continued to roll the bandage around her wound. She was acting all weird again.

He felt slightly good when the injury was covered from his view. But the very reminder of her wearing these bandages only made it worse. Because underneath his wrist protectors he also worse of them.

He had a personal pull from his gruesome feelings when he saw her with this kind of injury. And he knew very damn well what it was.

Sasuke being the teammate he was only worried for her well-being and seeing the sight of her wrist bleeding only made his stomach churn.

"Ah- Thank you. I'm sorry. But you see I had to cut myself so I could test out the poison with my blood. And cutting it this way will give out more sample so-" Sakura said in a weak tone.

This in turn only made Sasuke pause on what he was doing. His expression looked unreadable. But turned away immediately.

The intentions for both of them were downright different despite how the same process of the injury goes.

Her wound meant to save others. While his were to hurt himself.

Oh, the irony.

'tch, always hurting herself and helping others.'

He made the wrong assumption. And for the first time he was glad.

"Hn, whatever." He said.

Ever since the events from the forest of death she had begun acting this way. And it irked him because he always noticed.

"Just, don't do it again." He muttered the last part and tied the final knot.

He was met with a deafening silence from her which was odd. And quite frankly she was staring at him with an intense expression. Something that she only gave out when she was so sure of something.

AN/ i'm so sorry! I don't edit lol. these are just drafts and english ain't my first language.