Title: Hallucinate
Summary: The petals slowed down, coming together to form a shape. They compacted together, molding into a head, a torso, arms, and limbs. The basic shape of a human further molded into that of a girl. The pink petals then faded to pink hair, and the rest of the body followed, forming the unmistakable image of Sakura.
Rating: K+
Prompt: Hallucinate
Warning(s): Some slight violence and blood.
Notes: Stand-alone-ish.
Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to its owner.
-S-
When Sasuke was six, back in the good old days (before the bloodshed, the sleepless nights, and the loss), he used to climb the cherry blossom tree in his mother's garden. His mother loved gardening and had the gift of a green thumb. Every spring, they attended the Cherry Blossom Festival for the festivities (and not just because his family had given generous donations.) He remembers it was one of the rare times that the compound's private Uchiha Garden would be open to the public. Even after moving to a penthouse, far away from his old home, Sasuke still visited the gardens.
After he graduated, he always paused to admire the cherry blossom tress every chance he got. It was nice to see different types of cherry blossom trees whenever their missions took them away from the village. This habit continued even after he left and cut ties with Konoha.
-S-
Today, after being sent on another bloody errand for the Akatsuki leader, he separated from the others for a few moments of solace. He found a sturdy cherry blossom tree fully bloomed. He decided that for just a moment, he would pause, and he would rest. He leaned against its large trunk.
He sat under the tree, not minding the petals that swirled around him, separated from the branches above by the gently blowing breeze. They drifted down, some landing on his hair as he rummaged in his backpack for bandages.
He treated his wounds and watched, mesmerized as the petals danced around him. Slowly, they drifted closer and closer together. Then, they picked up speed as they surrounded him and the trunk. It was like being inside a tornado of pink petals.
As they came closer, his vision was almost completely obscured by the flowers. He could barely see anything past the pink. His mind (his heart) brought up unbidden memories of a pink-haired girl. He was reminded of her, of Sakura. Of how her hair would be the only thing he could see whenever she hugged him.
The petals slowed down, coming together to form a shape. They compacted together, molding into a head, a torso, arms, and limbs. The basic shape of a human further molded into that of a girl. The pink petals then faded to pink hair, and the rest of the body followed, forming the unmistakable image of Sakura.
His eyes widened as the figure moved towards him, kneeling down beside him. Her hands reached out to cup his face. One remained to caress his cheek and the other moved to stroke his hair. The feeling of the figure's hand in his hair was so familiar. He remembers that it was the exact same manner in which Sakura would comb her fingers in his hair. Some part of him reasoned that Sakura was a nymph and had visited him in the form of a tree spirit. But his logical side quickly argued that it was a ridiculous notion. Then, what was this in front of him?
His thoughts came to a halt as she moved her face closer to him. She was so close he could feel her breath fanning across the side of his face. Then, she moved even closer, until her lips brushed against his ear as she whispered, "Come home, Sasuke-kun. You're not safe here." She kissed his cheek gently, her lips so soft against his skin.
And as he turned his head to try to look at her face, to look deep into her eyes, she moved away.
His hand reached out, trying to touch her, as her own hands left him. But when Sasuke's hand had reached Sakura's face, she gave him a soft smile, and dissipated into a million petals.
"Sakura," he whispered, wishing he could make her reappear. If just his memories could materialize her, surely the spoken call would be stronger.
But it was of no use. The petals had dropped to the ground, utterly lifeless. One last petal drifted down in front of his face and landed on his thigh. It landed on one of his wounds. The petal landed directly in the center of the rapidly soaking bandages. He suddenly felt a sharp sting in the area. It was enough to break him out of his reverie.
He swept the petal away and inspected the wound. There was a strange color mixed with the blood. He rapidly unwrapped the bandages and realized he had been poisoned.
The color, it was exactly like the poison Team 7 had once encountered on a mission. He remembered that Sakura had crushed cherry blossom petals and applied it to the gash on his arm. He gathered the petals, headed to a stream, cleansed the wound, and applied the petal paste exactly the same way Sakura had once done. He felt immediately better.
"It can cause hallucinations, drowsiness, and muscle paralysis, Sasuke-kun," he remembered her telling him as she treated his wound. "Victims of this poison fall asleep and never wake up."
As he rewrapped his wound, he silently thanked Sakura, again.