Disclaimer: Naruto and all related characters are copyrighted to Masashi Kishimoto.
Dedication: For all my faithful reviewers, who have stayed with me so far even though I update slower than snails (grins). For KathH, for giving me the lengthy comments I really enjoyed reading. I am glad that most of you are positive about my gigantic chapters …. Or is it too short? Heheh…
Warning: flashbacks, violence, angst, smut. For mature readers, childish ideals are not welcomed.
I have been dreaming…
A long... Never-ending, dream...
In that dream I have loved… I have hated…. I have died….
In that dream I have changed….
But perhaps, that was the truest form of my nature
I have dreamt of the past…
Or was it the catalyst to resolve my future?
Dusk
Chapter 3: Cascading Recollections
Dark….
Damp….
Rusty….
Knee deep in a pool of crimson liquid… Blood… So much blood….
The corrosive scent overpowered all senses. Nauseous. The scent of blood… the crimson life belonged to many unnamed visage… their haunting cries are still echoing continuously… miserably.
Somebody was pleading….
Stop… please, stop…
…a familiar voice… my own voice.
"Sakura…"
You stood there, cold and silent, like always. Drenched in blood, the crimson life dripped thickly from the tips of your hair… clotting on your skin. Black markings crept over your face and neck. Whiteness blended into your hair as they grew longer, your skin turned gray. There was a sickening sound of tearing clothes and claw-like wings sprouted from your back.
You opened your eyes… but your pupils are neither black nor red.
… only cursed yellow.
"They will pay for what they did to you, Sakura."
Haruno Residence, morning
Sakura woke up with chilled sweat.
The first thing that registered in her still fear-clouded mind was that her cheeks stung like a bitch. The second thing she realized was that she did not recognize her surroundings. She lifted one hand to rub her stinging cheek gently while her eyes searched around the unfamiliar room.
Where am I?
The room looked familiar but she felt like she was in a foreign place. Minimalist pastel green interior, a white sheeted western bed, and a flicker of sunlight filtered through the forest green curtain.
The recognition came with a sudden crash. Sakura realized that she was still in her own room.
The pinknette beat herself over her stupidity. She could not understand why she failed to identify her own room. In her startled wake, she had not expected the pastel colored settings. Her mind had expected something else… something white.
What the hell am I thinking?
Her alarm clock suddenly gave an annoying shriek and Sakura almost fell off the bed. She hit the OFF button grudgingly. School was only a few hours away, but she did not feel like getting up.
Aside from just having what must be the strangest nightmare ever, Sakura did not feel like she had been resting at all. She did not feel like doing anything but to curl up underneath her blankets and sorted out the unexplainable pain and twisted sadness in her heart.
Konoha Academy for the Gifted, Free Period, Library
The Library in Konoha Academy barely lived up to its name. It was old and unkempt. The floor was made of timber that whimpered every time somebody stepped onto it. The walls were lined with wooden bookcase cramped with outdated books. Three rusty metallic fans hanged from the ceiling, barely operating. Sakura dare to bet those ceiling fans were a couple of decades older than Sarutobi-sama, the school principle.
There were only several peoples in the Library. Some first years were occupying a large wooden table at the corner of the room, doing some geography project. Few seniors sat in front of the bookcases, giving occasional sneezes as they turn a dusty yellowish page.
Sakura and Neji, on the other hand, sat on a study desk facing a window that displayed the southern school park. Neji often tutored Sakura in Modern Physics since it was the only subject that Sakura had a hard time trying to grasp the concept.
"… is the cosmological model of the universe," explained Neji, not really noticing that his tutee was spacing out. "The primary assertion is that the universe has expanded into its current state from a primordial condition of enormous density and temperature… Sakura-san… are you listening?"
"Oh!" Sakura exclaimed sheepishly. She quit studying the wood pattern on the desk. "I'm sorry, Neji-san! I spaced out… again." The pinknette was really embarrassed. That must have been the third time she zoned out from her boyfriend.
Neji studied her face and she averted his gaze. "You're tired. Let's take a break," he suggested, neither mad nor disappointed.
"Sorry," Sakura repeated apologetically. She dared to look up and was surprised to find the handsome Hyuga's face in front of her.
Her heart instantly picked up its pace.
"N-neji-san," she whispered uncertainly, eyeing his lips.
They had never shared a kiss before. Ever since they had started dating, their relationships had barely progressed at all. It was not clear which one of them that was holding back, all Sakura knew that they just never found the right moment.
The Hyuuga leaned in, his intention clear.
Her heart was drumming in her ears. Should she kiss him? Was... was it really alright?
Sakura studied her boyfriend's face. His pale skin and charcoal eyes… his spiky black hair… Sasuke?
No!
Sakura gave the boy a shove in the chest. When she realized her mistake, it was already too late. The damage was done.
Neji looked at her in the eyes questioningly. "Sakura-san?"
Sakura did not dare to look at him in the face. "I… I'm sorry."
The Karate Captain shook his head, "No, I'm sorry. I should not have forced you."
You never forced me, said her inner self. "No, Neji-san," the pinknette began sadly, "It's not you… it's me. I'm sorry."
An uncomfortable silence fell upon them. Neither of them spoke for a moment, trying to absorb what had just happened.
"I should go," said Neji finally, "the team probably needs some help."
Sakura nodded, equally eager to step away from the awkward moment.
The Hyuuga prodigy gave her a polite nod before exiting the library.
Sakura sighed. What the hell was happening to her?! Inner Sakura was beating her self for pulling away just when they were about to get somewhere. Fan-girl Sakura was crying tearfully.
That Sasuke… why won't he leave her alone?
When she pulled away… did she pull away from Sasuke? Or was it because of the sudden guilt for trying to kiss Neji?
A chuckle that came from the corner of the room startled Sakura away from her thoughts. She turned towards the source and found a man in black standing in the dark corner. His face was oval shaped and very thin, his cheekbones sticking out noticeably. He had fine black hair that reached the middle of his back. His yellow silted eyes were glinting in the darkness.
'That man… looks creepy', thought Sakura. "Can I help you?" she asked carefully.
"Sakura, sakura, sakura….," the creepy man 'tsk'-ed, his voice was slippery, the prolonged 'S' made it sounded like he was hissing.
Sensing the sinister air, Sakura stood up in alarm and stepped back. "Who are you?"
Her eyes darted around the room but it was empty. Where did everybody go?
The man gave an eerie smile. "I have heard the news that you've been found, Sakura-chan." His eyes narrowed dangerously, "So I just have to see you myself."
Sakura took more steps backwards. "What do you want from me?"
She put her hands into her jeans pocket but only found a needle pointed pen. Her cold her fists closed around it tightly in a desperate attempt to have a weapon.
The man advanced forward. "So the rumor was true, you have forgotten who you are." He looked at her up and down, like he was trying to judge something. "… or have you really?"
He suddenly disappeared and reappeared behind her. Sakura barely had time to react before on of his hand clamped over her mouth and the other circled her waist.
"!!" Sakura tried to scream, but it was muffled.
His hand was cold and marble white. It was slick and smooth… like a snake's skin.
"You still smelled the same," he whispered into her ears. Sakura shuddered in fear and disgust. The hand on her waist traveled upward, reaching for one of her breast.
Sakura suddenly had a flash of déjà vu.
His snake like tongue caressed her cheek. "What are you going to do, Sakura-chan? Now that Sasuke-kun had left you?"
The pinknette snapped. She popped the pen open and stabbed it into the man's wandering hand. At the same time she bit the hand that was covering her mouth hard.
He gave a pained grunt and released his hold on her. Sakura dashed towards the empty receptionist desk, grabbing a pair of scissor and pointing it towards her assailant like a sword. Her breath labored with adrenaline.
However, the man did not move to return the attack. He lifted his injured hand and licked the blackened blood that sprouted from the wound. "It seemed you really have forgotten, otherwise you would have given me your mean left hook."
He gave another sinister chuckle. "Interesting, this has made my plan considerably easier," said the snake-like man without a tiny bit mirth.
"Who are you!" demanded Sakura, her hands were shaking but her confusion had overridden her fears.
The man looked at her with a hint of twisted humor in his eyes. His presence started fading; becoming transparent like a ghost. "You used to call me, Orochimaru-sama," he replied with a satisfied chuckle.
When he was gone, Sakura could only stare at the empty spot.
"Until we meet again, Sakura-chan…."
Sakura screw her eyes shut and clenched her fists. She could still feel the slippery hand over her body. She tried to block the memories, but it was branded into her mind.
Why did these things keep happening to her?
The school bell rang, indicating the end of the free period. Sakura gathered her things and left the library at top speed, swearing that she would never return again.
Konoha Academy for the Gifted, 5th Period, Advanced Geometry
Advanced Geometry was one of those subjects that had the power to make you stare at the white board dumbly, wondering if the teacher was just making up the answers… since it barely made any sense at all. Those type of subjects always made you want to curse Newton… or whoever it was that founded Geometry.
Sakura rarely curse… well, at least not outspokenly.
… but, dammit! Kurenai-Sensei was acting like a bitch.
The raven haired Sensei was moody all the time and snapped every time the class got a little crowded. Sakura thought it was probably that time of the month, but Kurenai-Sensei had never act with so much frustration before.
"Ne, Shika-maru," Sakura whispered to the bored student that was sitting beside her. She could not believe that she was about to gossip with the Class President… but Ino was gone and Shikamaru was the only one she had left in the dreaded Geometry Class. "Do you think something happened between Kurenai-Sensei and Asuma-Sensei? I haven't seen him today."
"Eh?" Shikamaru turned to her with an expression that spelled 'bored-to-death'. "Asuma-Sensei? Who is that? A new teacher?"
Sakura froze. No. Way. Shikamaru could never forget about Asuma-Sensei. The lazy genius had Asuma for Homeroom Teacher the year before.
"Uhh, forget it," the pinknette muttered venomously under her breath.
Not Asuma-sensei, too?! She thought grudgingly. She had assumed that those Devourers would finally leave her alone. Obviously she was mistaken.
Shikamaru gave her a puzzled look for being so angry but he decided not to ask (since it would be too troublesome).
Sakura mulled over her thoughts. She promised herself that the next time she saw either Sasuke, Naruto, or Kakashi she would give them a piece of her mind.
"Say, Sakura," Shikamaru began another conversation.
"Mm?" the pinknette looked at the lazy genius questioningly. It was rare that Shikamaru willingly started a conversation. He was usually too busy dozing off and watching the clouds.
The Class President took a moment looking reluctant before he eventually came around and asked, "Have you seen Ino around?"
That sobered Sakura like a bucket of ice water. "Ino?" she asked back to confirm that her ears weren't just fooling her.
"Yeah…" replied Shikamaru. "I tried calling her house but I have somehow forgotten her number. I asked everyone else, but everyone looked at me as if I had asked them about the Theory of Relativity…."
The pinknette studied the Class President solemnly. (Shikamaru had forgotten something. Ino would have a blast if she was still around.)
Maybe… maybe Shikamaru was the same as herself?
The idea was completely eliminated as soon as it was thought. Although Shikamaru remembered Ino, he had forgotten about Asuma. His case was different than hers.
But may be… may be he knew something that she did not. After all, Shikamaru was not in the top of the class for nothing.
Sakura considered telling him her problems… but she then remember what Hinata had said to her the other day. Ino had been disposed because she saw something she was not supposed to see. Sakura did not want that to happen to anyone else.
No…. She would deal with this herself.
"I'm sorry… I don't know what you're talking about either." Sakura lied, hoping that she sounded genuine.
"Oh, okay." Shikamaru looked a bit disappointed but did not press further. He returned to the task of trying to fall asleep. He was the only one that dared doing that in the presence of Kurenai-Sensei (since he had mastered the subject anyway).
Sakura continued her reverie. She had notice yet another disappearance. Come to think of it, she had not seen Tsuchi Kin and Iruka-Sensei around that day. Tsuchi Kin was the perfect student, she never took a day off even though she was sick. A few seats in the classroom were also empty. Why had not anyone say something about it?
Did Sasuke do it? Or was it another Devourer?
Sakura remembered the creepy man in the library. Was he a Devourer, too?
The pinknette shook her head to chase away her thoughts. She told herself that there was probably another influenza season coming, and all the missing students were at home, trying to recover. She lied to her self. She did not want confirm the truth… because the truth might hurt more than she would have liked.
Konoha Academy for the Gifted, South Gate
Discounting the incident in the Library earlier that morning, the rest of Sakura's day remained uneventful. Perhaps it was because Sasuke had not come back to school and his name had magically disappeared from the attendance list.
Sakura began to walk home by herself. She was not in the mood for track practice and Neji had karate practice. She had met him before she went home, their conversation went normally and the Karate Captain told her that he might drop by her house later that evening. He gave no indication that he was upset over her rejection at the library earlier.
Sakura sighed in relief, glad that their relationship was still steady.
Her path home was not a long one. The street was vacant, bathed in afternoon sunlight. Everything seemed normal and Sakura could temporarily forget about the strange events that happened to her recently. For once, everything looked just like before Sasuke moved to her school. Everything looked normal and boring.
But anything ordinary flew out of the window when she turned around the corner that leaded to her house.
The entire view was all but empty grassland. Her house was gone. Her neighborhood was gone. The vacant police post around the corner, the stationary shop at the end of the street, the big mansion a few blocks away… everything. Everything was gone.
There was only a green meadow with grass as tall as her waist… as if the area had not been touched for the last couple of decades. In the middle of the empty field, stood an ashen blue creature. Its hair was white and long. The claw-like wings that spread across its back unfolded majestically.
Sakura could feel her lungs froze and she stopped breathing.
Sa- Sasuke?
The creature turned to her, looking at her with cruel red and black eyes.
Sakura felt her legs turned into jelly but she tried to be strong. In her confusion, she let her inner struggle free and he mouth ran faster than her brain. "What have you done?!" she yelled.
Her house… was gone.
Her parents…. What happened to her parents?!
"What have you done to them?!" she demanded fiercely.
The creature turned slowly towards them and gave a wild satisfied look, "I have gotten rid of them."
Her hands flew to her mouth, eyes wide. "Wha- what?"
A familiar sinister chuckle cut through the air like a knife. "Are they really that important to you, Sakura-chan?"
Sakura turned her frantic emerald eyes around. That voice…
Orochimaru faded in to beside the Sasuke-like creature. "Your house has automatically disappeared when we ate your parents. You should have disappeared along with them since their existence was gone, and yet you are still here."
The snake-like man chuckled again and gave a shrug. "Why do you think that is?"
Sakura was speechless. "You killed them… just to prove…?"
She felt sick and nauseous.
Because of me… they all disappeared because of me.
"Why…," she whimpered helplessly. "Why are you doing this to me?"
"I have nothing against you, Sakura-chan," Orochimaru replied in mock comfort, licking his lips as if he just had the most delectable meal. "But this is part of the deal I made with Sasuke-kun. He wanted to make you remember… I merely created the circumstances."
So the ashen blue monster was really Sasuke. Sakura did not know how he transformed him into that devilish creature, or who was responsible for making him that way... but what Sasuka had done was well past the line of her tolerance.
Sasuke…. What happened to you?
"Do you think… this is a joke?!" The pinknette shouted, letting her inner self took over. She glared at both men with hatred. "Do you get off by doing this to my friends... my family?!"
To make her… remember?
All that pain…all that lives destroyed… just for something so trivial?
"Sakura-san?"
Abruptly, Sakura whirled on her heels to find Neji standing not far from the three of them. Her eyes widened, "Neji-san…?"
The Karate Captain gave confused look. "I was on my way to your house but…." He looked around the empty vicinity and frowned, "What happened here?"
The pinknette felt a sudden urge to move and she ran towards the Hyuuga. She almost tackled him to the ground as her head hit his chest in a desperate attempt to hug him. "Why did you come?" whispered shakily to his chest.
"I felt the need to see you…," the Hyuuga replied uncomfortably, as if it was not right to voice such intention vulgarly. "It took me a while to find your house… I was suddenly unfamiliar with the directions."
Neji suddenly froze as he felt a murderous intent directed at him. He looked behind his girlfriend and found the ashen blue creature glaring at him with angry red eyes.
"Who are you guys?" the Hyuuga asked cautiously, understanding the danger of the situations.
"That doesn't concern you," said the creature impassively, eying the Hyuuga's arm around Sakura.
"My, that was cold, Sasuke-kun," replied Orochimaru, also eyeing the Hyuuga prodigy, but with a different kind of interest. His yellow silted eyes glinted with hunger.
The snake-like man turned to Sakura, "Your father was quite tasty, Sakura-chan." He suddenly moved so fast that it was beyond human sights.
"But I prefer somebody younger."
The snake-like man was appeared in front of Neji. A golden handled sword magically appeared in his hands and he pointed it to the heart.
The Hyuuga quickly pushed Sakura to the side and stepped back to avoid a fatal strike.
Sakura broke her fall with her hands and the rough asphalt wounded her palm, but pain was the least of her concern at that moment. She did not know what Orochimaru was trying accomplish, but the sword made it clear that the snake-like man had grave intention towards her boyfriend.
"Neji-san, run!" she yelled.
Neji was forced further away from Sakura as he swiftly avoided another attack from Orochimaru.
Sakura tried to help her boyfriend but two ashen blue arms went around her waist and she was pulled against a hard masculine chest. She struggled in vain, "Let me go!"
"No." Sasuke tightened his arm around the pinknette.
"Let me go! Please! Neji will-!" She tried elbowing her captor but he did not even budge.
"He will disappear," the monster whispered to her ear coolly, making her shudder. One of his clawed hands grasped her chin and turned her head forcefully towards the battle in front of them. "Look, Sakura. Look at his end."
Sakura looked.
Neji dodged again and again. Orochimaru attacked swiftly with his sword, looking like he was just playing with the Hyuuga.
The end came unexpectedly fast. Neji took a wrong step and his back hit a nearby wall. He barely had the chance to move when a sword suddenly went through his chest.
Sakura froze as she saw Neji doubled over in pain before his body cracked like a piece of glassware and bursting into a million shades of light.
"No!!" she yelled in anguish, her struggle renewed. She broke free from Sasuke's iron grip with unexpected strength, running towards where Neji had been standing seconds ago.
Silver pieces of bright light surrounded her… the leftover of Neji's existence. Her eyes wide in disbelief, she felt her chest tightened painfully.
He was close… So close, but she was unable to help him.
Sakura dropped to the ground limply, her brain refused to acknowledge what had just happened. Eyes wide and memories of Neji flashed through her mind. The first time they met. The occasional discreet glances. The time he asked her to be his girlfriend. Their one-sided conversations.
There was still so much they can do.
Orochimaru caught one shade, admiring its purity in the setting sun. He put the shade into his mouth and swallowed. "Delicious," he sneered, "such purity is rare to find these days."
Sakura glared at him with as much hatred she could muster.
The snake-like man only sneered at her and turned his attention to Sasuke. "I have kept my end of the deal, Sasuke-kun. Let us go."
Sasuke opened his mouth to answer, but his response was halted by a familiar baritone voice:
"I don't think so."
Sakura looked at black door that had suddenly appeared beside her. The lid opened and from there stepped out Kakashi. He looked calm like always, but his expression was grim.
"Kakashi," Orochimaru greeted the silver haired Devourer amusedly.
Kakashi did not even acknowledge the greeting and turned his attention towards Sasuke. "You disappoint me, Sasuke," Kakashi scolded the young Uchiha. "I thought you promised not to turn back to their side again."
Sasuke looked like he regretted nothing, "… the one I promised that to was not here anymore."
"Teme!" a furious shout belonged to Naruto interrupted the conversation. The whiskered blonde stepped into the setting from the same black door Kakashi had used. Naruto looked angry and hurt, his brilliant blue eyes were shooting daggers toward his raven haired friend. "How dare you return to that Snake-bastard!"
Sasuke returned the glare with another expressionless look. "There was nothing you can do for me," he spoke coldly.
Naruto's eyes flickered orange. "Bastard!!" he yelled furiously and dashed forward, a swrilling blue energy on one hand.
Sasuke leaped away effortlessly with. He landed a few feet away from Naruto. "Even with the Rasengan, you will not be able to make me return."
Naruto lifted ranging red eyes. "If you want to go… it must be over my essence."
"Naruto…" Sasuke closed his eyes. His transformed body slowly came back to its original state. His wings shrank to his back and his hair turned black. His skin blended gradually to porcelain color. When Sasuke reopened his eyes, it was red with three swirling commas. "Your essence worth nothing."
Naruto frowned angrily, "Say what?!"
"You and and have always known that this battle is meant to happened," replied Sasuke. He crouched to a fighting position, "I will defeat you."
The raven haired Uchiha suddenly disappeared and reappeared behind Naruto, pointing a killing kunai towards his neck. Naruto dodged with a minimum distance and rolled on the ground several feet away. He quickly recovered and lunged towards his opponent.
They were fighting! Inner Sakura yelled in panic.
Sakura did not exactly know why she felt anguished at the sight of the two best friends tearing each other. The battle had only begun for several minutes, but Naruto had already broken one arm and Sasuke fractured several ribs.
I have to… stop them.
She was about took a step forward when Kakashi interrupt her with a protective stance. "Step back, Sakura."
"But-," she watched as Naruto managed to punched Sasuke brutally on the face. "Ka.. Kakashi-san."
They will kill each other….
"Khu-khu-khu… you should worry about yourself more, Sakura-chan,"
Orochimaru appeared behind her, the sword that had killed Neji trusted forward. Kakashi shoved the pinknette to the side, blocking the attack with a short sword.
"Run, Sakura," the silver haired man gritted between his teeth. He pushed the sword forward making Orochimaru took a few steps back.
Sakura shook her head. She could not run and leave the battle. Not when everyone was fighting for her sake.
--
The battle had gone from wrong to worse. The force of battle had driven them from the empty field to the civilization area. The fight had gotten more complex as Kakashi had to knocked passing civilians and modifying their memories. Orochimaru, on the other hand, took a simpler method and just absorbed their existence.
Sasuke and Naruto was at the end of their battle. Both of them had given their all and used their signature move against each other. With a blast of energy, Naruto was flung backwards and hit a lamppost nearby before falling down to the ground heavily. Sasuke staggered on his feet and soon both of his broken leg had given up on him. He fell to the ground, unconscious.
Kakashi had been defeated, eventhough he had managed to put quite a fight. With his opponent out of the way, Orochimaru had turned his sword towards Sakura. The Snake Sanin was also not in his perfect conditions, he took a stumbling step towards the pinknette.
Sakura had no time to be scared. She put up a brave face and positioned both of her arms in a defensive position in front of her chest.
"It's just you and I again, Sakura-chan," Orochimaru leered affectionately.
Sakura hid a shudder. "I won't come with you," she replied, stepping backwards.
Orochimaru smile sinisterly. He dashed forward and slammed Sakura to a nearby wall, raising her off the ground with a hand gripping her neck. "Don't worry, Sakura-chan. You are at the end of your usefulness."
The pinknette clawed the hands that was squeezing her throat, green eyes widened. She could not breath… was Orochimaru trying to kill her?
"What do you… mean?" she choked with much effort.
Orochimaru leaned forward and whispered to her neck. "I have been trying to get close to Sasuke so I can help him reach the level 2 curse seal."
What?
"Thank you, Sakura-chan. You had given me that opportunity."
Sakura felt sick. Her head throbbed from the lack of air. How long had she been held like this? She should have been dead by now.
She was seeing white. Another déjà vu.
"If you kill me… Sasuke-kun will never come to you"
There was a swishing sound and suddenly the hand that was squeezing her neck released its grip. Sakura dropped to the ground, coughing.
She vaguely aware that Orochimaru was screaming angrily, but the dancing spot behind her lids were distracting her. Something heavy and wet fell into her lap. Sakura opened her eyes only to see a piece of pale hand. Something had cut Orochimaru's arm off her.
It had not been a clean cut. The tendons looked more like it was ripped out of its socket forcefully. There was blood everywhere.
Sakura wanted to scream, but her nauseous won over and she almost retched at the sight.
"I told you not to touch her," a deadly voice reclaimed her attention. She looked up and saw Sasuke in half transformed state, eyes smoldering red. He was throwing Orochimaru afar.
The Snake Sanin stood up slowly, spitting blood. "Tsk," he hissed, clutching his arms where the lower part had been torned away. Orochimaru lifted his silted yellow eyes, "I will pull back for now."
The Snake-like man faded away, going transparent and fading fast. "But remember, Sakura-chan. Sasuke-kun belongs to me."
Sasuke took a step forward but he did not have enough strength. His body returned to its original state for being unable to continue the transformation. He feel on the ground, legs twisted in a weird angle.
Sakura was frozen for several moments. The events were going too fast for her mind to process. Her confused eyes fell upon the unconscious Kakashi. Around the corner she could see Naruto's body, sprawled against a rubble stone that used to be a wall.
Are they… dead?
Everyone… everyone is gone….
No!
She crawled towards the battered Sasuke, kneeling by his bloodied fallen body.
"Sasuke-kun…," she called to his closed eyes, praying that he would respond.
The Uchiha opened his eyes; they were back to their original black color. He looked at her blankly, like he did not feel the many wounds covering his body. "Sakura," he called, his gaze softened as he noticed tears that were rolling down the pinknette's cheek.
Sakura studied his wounds: the hole on his stomach at the size of Naruto's fist, his missing right arm, and his broken legs. There was so much blood, the crimson liquid was pooling around his body, soaking her skirt and shirt. She did not dare to touch him, he looked like he was about to shatter. He looked like he would not be able to hold on much longer.
"Don't die…," she whimpered pleadingly. Even after all the things he had done to her, and the things he did to her friends and family, seeing him like that was tearing her inside. Sakura could not deny it anymore… she was attracted to him. Her entire being was calling to him. "Please….," she repeated, silver tears soaking her cheeks and her throat tightened. "Please don't die…"
"Hn," he gave a weak snort. "Stupid," he taunted feebly before coughing up blood. "I won't die," he coughed again furiously. He looked away from her frightened gaze, ashamed that he was rendered helpless.
"Tch… all this power," he murmured, "… and still weak."
"Please …" Sakura stroked his bloodied face tenderly… desperately.
He looked at her with half lidded eyes, his strength leaving his body. "Remember Sakura…"
Sakura clutched his only arm, "I…"
"Remember who you are…."
He finally closed his eyes, his arms went slack against her.
"No!" Her emerald eyes widened in horror.
But no matter how many times she called his name, his eyes did not open.
"SASUKE-KUN!"
Why do humans…
…need another?
Why do they hurt and love each other?
Why do they die… and left their loved ones miserable and alone?
If in the end we will be left by the one we care the most…
… then why do we need to find love?
Why do we meet the one half of our heart?
She remembered now.
An tinkling music box…. playing a reminiscing melody. A sad… and lonely tune.
Broken images… Multicolored light filtered by artistic tinted window. Fading echoes…. so distant… and yet so close. Events so foreign… and yet familiar at the same time.
"Sasu…ke…-kun?"
The way they met… it was an unchangeable destiny.
"I'm sorry! I didn't see you there!"
His dull black eyes … and how they reflected his inner struggle.
"Hi! My name is Sakura! And you should shake the hands of someone who introduced herself to you."
His stoic manner … as if he had given up on emotions.
"You are so mean, Sasuke-kun!"
Those feelings that have yet to be comprehended….
"Sasuke-kun, thank you."
Those words that have yet to be conveyed…
"Sasuke-kun, I…"
Those wish that have yet to be fulfilled...
"Don't worry, Sasuke-kun! I have an idea!"
… and everything that was not suppose to happen …
"Sasuke-kun!!"
That day … that time….
"No! You're all mistaken! I'm-!"
Those unjust actions… the pitiful act of self defense….
"Gone… everyone… everyone is gone…."
Sakura remembered now.
Just like how everything had ended that day…. Everything had also begun that day….
Konoha Street, Late Afternoon
The memories that had crashed down upon her conscience were like a cascading waterfall. It was intense… however, not unpleasant. It was like she had finally awakened from a deep sleep. It was like she had been living in a monochromatic world and had suddenly realized the true colors of everything.
The feeling was like being reborn.
Her eyes snapped open, not brilliant emerald, but a soft sea foam color. Her gaze challenging the new world around her. 'Never again,' Sakura swore to inner self.
With Sasuke's head was still on her lap, Sakura eyed the vacant street with the bodies of her fallen teammates around her, but this time with determination in her eyes.
The pinknette stroke Sasuke's closed eyelids gently with her thumb. She knew he was not dead. Devourers could not die because they had given up their right to live a long time ago. However, they would succumb into an eternal sleep if they received a grave injury.
Sakura could not let that happened to him. Not now when she had finally remembered who she was.
Not when they still had a lot of things talk about.
'It's sad, but…,' the pinknette thought as she closed her eyes, diving into her mind. 'Looks like my vacation is over….'
It has been a long time since she had to use her power. Sakura pondered the fact that she might be a little rusty. But then again, the power of a Devourer was not something you learn… it was something you received upon birth. Like breathing, your body remembered how to do it.
He hands glowed minty green as she concentrated her chakra to them. The light twinkled ghostly on her solemn sea foam eyes. She brushed her hand upon the hole on Sasuke's stomach and the wound became alive almost instantly.
Sakura watched new pinkish muscles sprouted and weaved together while a layer of skin cells start multiplying to cover the new the flesh. The wound had disappeared in matter of seconds.
As expected.
The pinknette closed her eyes in concentration. She pushed her chakra into the Uchiha's body, invading his blood streams and rebuilding his body from the inside. She pictured him with both of his hand and unbroken legs.
When she opened her eyes again, his body had been completely healed. He had recovered his missing limb and his legs were in their perfect conditions. He was still covered with his own blood, but Sakura knew that he would be okay.
"Sasuke-kun," she whispered softly. "It's time to wake up," her hand stroked his stained cheek tenderly, a reminiscing gesture.
His eyes were slow to open. The lids quivered for a moment before lifting leisurely. First half-lidded and then he looked at her with lazy onyx orbs.
She gave him a smile, the only kind of smile she manage to give him after that day. It was a tender slightly sad curl of her lips. It was a mix of faith, relief, regret, assurance, and affectionate emotion.
Recognition flashed over his gaze and he returned her smile with a small lifting on the corner of his lips. "I knew it was you," he spoke a little bit hoarsely.
She nodded remorsefully. "I'm… sorry."
He sat up with no trouble and pinned her with an intense look.
She averted her eyes, leaning forward and dropping her head on his right shoulder. "I won't run away again," she spoke softly against his neck.
"…good," he replied with an almost nonexistent sigh and lifted his hand to pat the nape of her neck.
The mild mood was broken when somebody cleared his throat form behind the reunited couple. "If the two of you are not going to kiss… a little help here would be nice, Sakura-chan."
Sakura snapped her head up and looked her with widen eyes. Naruto was sitting up rather difficultly a few feet away. Apparently he had regained consciousness thanks to his rapid regeneration.
A feeling of relief overcame the pinknette. She released herself from Sasuke's loose grip and launched herself to Naruto with a joyful cry. "You're okay!" she exclaimed as she embraced the blonde tightly.
Naruto sputtered several 'ow' and 'ouch' but he laughed and hugged the pink haired girl back. "Welcome back, Sakura-chan."
"… dobe," muttered Sasuke grudgingly, loud enough to be heard by the whiskered blonde.
"Teme!" Naruto retorted back to his self-proclaimed rival, and if not for Sakura that was holding to his frame, he would have lunged at the raven haired teen despite his injuries.
Sakura knew that Naruto was still sour over Sasuke's betrayal, but the blond boy was naturally quick to forget his vengeance. Naruto usually prefer to express his dislike for Sasuke into a full blown bickering. The pinknette shook her head helplessly. Those two would never change. She tuned out the boys' continuous bicker and started healing Naruto. Most of the his critical wound had been partly healed so she did not have to do much.
Kakashi was still unconscious a few feet away. Leaving Naruto and Sasuke to continue their arguments, Sakura approached to the silver-haired man. Kakashi was not bleeding as much as Sasuke and Naruto but most of his injuries were internal. She performed a quick chakra scan and quickly worked on his crushed lungs. He started breathing normally two seconds later. Within a minute, he had opened his eyes and was sitting up with a hand massaging the bridge of his nose.
"Headache, Kakashi-Sensei?" Sakura gave him a sympathetic smile. Kakashi always had a headache whenever he was woken up by Naruto and Sasuke's bicker. It was something she could not fix since the headache was mostly because of his mental frustration.
He looked at her with a scrutinizing gaze before his eyes crinkled in a familiar harmless smile. "So you have returned."
The pinknette nodded, "I'm sorry for the trouble I have caused."
Kakashi sighed in frustration. "They have been at it nonstop," he referred to the bickering boys. Naruto was grabbing the front of Sasuke's shirt, both of their face was only a breath close. The stoic Uchiha only stared back emotionlessly, completely indifferent even though Naruto was thowing a fiery holler.
The argument ended when the young Uchiha said something that made Naruto froze and release his hold. Sasuke brushed imaginary dust from his bloodstained clothes and stalked towards Kakashi and Sakura like nothing happened. The whiskered blonde followed his friend grudgingly a few steps behind.
Sasuke stopped next to Sakura. He did not touch her, but Sakura knew that as soon as they were alone, he would make sure to renew their bonds. She shook her head to chase away that train of thought. Now was not the time to be thinking such things.
She looked at Naruto, Kakashi, and then finally Sasuke. The four of them were finally together again. Just like how it used to be.
"We have been staying here too long," Kakashi began to break the silence.
No one disagreed with him. The effects of their meddling in the area were too great. It was time to move to another city.
"You guys ready to go home?" asked Naruto, conjuring a black door out of nowhere. The door opened and revealed the alleyway in the fourth dimension.
"Hn," Sasuke voiced his agreement.
Sakura looked around her, her eyes glued to the space where the Haruno Residence had been. The Sun had almost set. The dusk brought an odd silence to the darkening meadow. She thought about the humans that had disappeared from the area. They were victims of her recklessness. Had she not been trying to run away from her past, would they got involved?
"Wait…," the words slipped out of her lips before she had actually thought about it.
The three men looked at her questioningly. Naruto was tilting his head to the side cutely. Kakashi was giving her another studious look. And Sasuke… Sasuke was frowning.
The pinknette decided that she needed to do it. Otherwise she could never let go of her short memories as Haruno Sakura.
Her life as Haruno Sakura was like a brief nap filled with sweet dream.
She had had parents that care for her.
She had gone to school.
She had made friends and had a crush on a cool Senior.
A reflection of a human life she had abandoned…. Long… long ago.
The pinknette clenched her eyes remorsefully, fisting her hands.
No… there was no turning back. I regretted nothing.
However….
Sakura opened her eyes, the sea foam pupil hardened with determination. She looked at the onyx orb belonged to Uchiha Sasuke, her mate.
"Sasuke-kun, I… I have a request."
There were some things that might still not be too late to be undone.
Konoha Academy for the Gifted, Classroom, Lunchtime
Ino hated rainy days. Rainy days made her uncharacteristically mellow and subtle. She chewed silently on her fried tempura, looking outside the window as rain soaked the garden. Her sharp ears were tuned on, trying to catch snippets of the conversations around the room. After all, she was not the Gossip Queen for nothing.
So far the only news she had was how angry the school was for loosing the National Karate Championship for the third time in a row. Ino thought that was to be expected since that good for nothing Kinata Dosu was not doing so well as the Captain… he kept getting the team into disqualification. It was a wonder why he had been elected as the Captain for the second time in a row… aside from him having a brutal strength.
The blonde girl heard a sigh form her friend that sat in front of her. Hinata had not been touching her food at all. "Something wrong, Hinata?"
The Hyuga girl shook her head. "No, I was just thinking."
"Mm," the blonde frowned suspiciously. "You can talk to me, you know."
Hinata nodded.
The classroom door suddenly slid open and there was Inuzuka Kiba. "Hey, Hinata!" he yelled with his loud and obnoxious voice. "Somebody's looking for you!"
Hinata looked at him and saw TenTen standing beside the boy. The Chinese girl looked disheveled and lost. Their eyes met and Hinata suddenly understood that they were suffering from the same problem.
The Hyuga girl stood up and excused herself from Ino. She approached the pair at the door. "TenTen-Sempai, you wanted to talk to me?" she asked the Senior.
"May I have a minute?" asked TenTen uncertainly.
"O-of course."
TenTen nodded, "Let us go to the library."
Hinata excused herself from Ino and left the classroom with the senior. They were silent on the entire trip to the other end of the school, both trying to arrange what they were going to say.
The library was deserted like always. The lights were still on and the receptionist was dozing on and off in front of the computer screen.
TenTen lead them to one of the study desk near the window, "How about we talk here?"
Hinata nodded in agreement. "What is it that you want to talk to me, Sempai?"
TenTen shifted uncomfortably, her eyes darting from Hinata to the floor and back again. "Hinata, I know what I am going to ask is going to be weird…," she began slowly.
Hinata could already guess where the conversation was going.
TenTen shook her head to chase away her nervousness and squared her shoulders. She looked at the Hyuuga Heiress in the eye, "Do you remember having a cousin?"
That was it. TenTen remembered Neji also.
Hinata nodded solemnly, "Yes. I remembered Neji-nii-san."
TenTen's chocolate brown eyes lightened considerably and she looked livelier. "I knew it! I knew he exists! Where is he now, Hinata-chan? Why can't anyone remember him?"
Thoughts reeled in Hinata's mind. Why did she and TenTen remembered Neji? Why didn't anyone else?
"I don't remember anything except his name and his face," said TenTen desperately. "I can't recall where he live or if he had gone somewhere… I only knew he exist…. And that I… I…."
"TenTen-san," Hinata took hold of the Senior's hand in comfort. "I don't know where he is now," replied Hinata slowly. "But Sakura-chan might know something about it…."
"Sakura?" TenTen wiped the brimming tears in a hurry. "Is she your friend?"
"I… I'd like to think so," said Hinata absently, deep in thought. Apparently she was the only one who remembered Sakura. No one in her class remembered ever having a new student named Uchiha Sasuke either.
"Do you think this Sakura can help us find him? Can you introduce me to her, Hinata?" asked TenTen eagerly.
Hinata looked out side the window into the rainy park. "I don't know where she is, Tenten-san."
The rain kept pouring down the earth for a few days forth, as if it was mourning at the loss of a few innocent souls. Buried under the fallen cherry blossom petals in the Konoha Academy central park was a red chopstick, forgotten by its owner and friends.
Konoha Academy for the Gifted, Rooftop.
The view from the Konoha Academy had once been Sakura's favorite. However, now as she watched the city being covered with rain and mist she could feel nothing.
The gray sky rumbled with far off thunder and the rain was drenching her skin. Sakura did not mind the cold and depressing weather. On the contrary, cold and nothingness was exactly the mood that she had grown accustomed to. Coral colored locks was dangling in front of her sea foam eyes as she watched the students without umbrella dashing into the building.
Two firm arms suddenly entrapped her frame to the metal railing. "Is this what you want?" Sasuke whispered against her ear.
Sakura could not help but shudder. His voice was ice cold… colder than the weather, but it evoked burning emotions all over her body.
Too long… It has been to long.
"…yes" she replied softly. Her eyes closed tightly and her fist clenched against the metal bar. Her body… was remembering. Her body was shivering with anticipation.
The arms closed around her frame, pulling her body against his hard chest. She gasped, feeling the electric shock going down her body. His body was bigger and stronger than hers. She enjoyed the feeling of being shielded from the world.
"Do you miss me … Sakura?" he drawled on her ears, teeth scraping her lobe that was stiff with cold.
She held back a moan. The pinknette lolled her head backwards against his shoulder. He mind was flashing with images… an old memory… so raw and dirty. "Sasuke…," she breathed meekly, overwhelmed with the cascading emotions.
"I'm going to have you." Sasuke was smirking against her temple, she could feel it. His right hand slipped underneath her shirt and continued towards her firm breasts. He did not squeeze them directly, but his long fingers were teasing her hardening nipple with feather-like touch.
She could not help but whimpered pleadingly, "…Sasuke-kun." Her breath started to come out with hot pants, mingling with the cold air and forming puffs of mist.
His other hand trailed up her things and teased the bare and sensitive skin underneath her uniform skirt. "You are mine, Sakura." He kissed her neck, biting the clammy skin and tending the bruise with swirling tongue… over and over.
Sakura was starting to feel dizzy. She clenched her thighs together, feeling the growing arousal. The rain was colder against her skin, teasing her heightened sense mercilessly. "Sasuke-kun...," she pleaded again.
Please don't tease me…
Her hand shot up to his shoulder, gripping his pale skin, slippery with rain. Her reminiscing fingers slipped underneath his wide collar, searching the base of his neck.
The seal… the cursed seal….
She found what she was looking for and he let out a rough groan.
Sasuke spun her around briskly, her hip hit the metal bars with force but Sakura barely noticed because he had crushed his mouth with hers in a raw kiss. She opened her mouth readily, moaning wantonly as his tongue explored every corner her mouth, reclaiming what was his.
Without parting from her lips, he lifted her frame so she was sitting on the rail. His impatient hands pushed both of her knees apart, not caring that he was being rough, and then grinded his arousal against her core.
Sakura reacted with a choked moan, unintentionally biting his tongue.
The pain only spurred his lust further. He dragged his hand towards her nape, roughly pulling her head backwards and started attacking her neck.
The rain was falling hard on her face, forcing her to close her eyes. She could only moan helplessly, feeling at his mercy. He was being extra rough, but that did not mean that she did not like it.
Make me feel…
His right hand was travelling up and down her thigh before slipping further underneath her skirt. Sakura's eyes snapped opened, her hands clutching his shoulder as she realized what was going to happen. "Sasu-,"
Sasuke quickly pulled her panties apart and jabbed his two icy wet fingers into her opening, swirling the hot wetness immediately. His fingers pumped in and out, rain mixing with her cum.
The pinknette cried out his name hoarsely, throwing back her head. Sakura raised one hand to muffle another scream that tore out from her.
'We're still on the top of the school!' She subconsciously reminded herself. Few floors below them, Kurenai-sensei was probably still giving her Geometry lecture.
"…Sasuke! Not here… Ah—," she gasped, going crimson in the face. But Sasuke didn't stop. It has been too long since he could be with her like this. He was not about to let anything stop him. He quickened the pace of his fingers; his thumb touched her jewel and rubbed them with swirling motion.
"…please—" Sakura gasped, fighting to keep her head clear. But the reeling lust and his talented fingers just made her want to give in. "Sasuke-kun…" she was getting wetter as her orgasm neared, thanks to Sasuke's aggressiveness.
"Please, no…."
He grunted against her shoulder and reluctantly pulled away. Both of his hands left her body and gripped the metal bars on either side of her frame tightly. His mouth sought hers in a rough and bruising kiss, as if he was trying to punish her for denying his pleasure.
Sakura retuned his vigor with a sweet apologetic kiss, trying to calm both of their raging emotions. She felt somehow relived and a little disappointed. No matter… from now on they would have plenty of time.
When she ended the kiss ended with a soft peck on the lips, both of them was already breathing normally. She leaned her forehead against his. "Sasuke," she started hoarsely, "I'm glad I—"
He pulled back and shook his head.
Sakura sighed and nodded. Heartfelt conversations had never been their thing. They made Sasuke uncomfortable and Sakura just never knew how to voice her often mixed emotions. From the very start, their relationship was very physical. A closer presence. A calm brush of hand. Desperate embraces. Apologetic kisses. Angry sex.
"Let's hurry back," he said tonelessly, onyx eyes watching the gray sky with a far off look.
"Yes," Sakura slipped off the metal railings, smiling a tender smile for her mate although he could not see it. Her hand reached for his, "Let's go home."
I don't want us to be separated.
Never… never ever.
Cascading memories… the recollection of my soul...
A perpetual dream… trapped between the hands of time…
That long… long memory of a dream
When did it all begin?
To be continued
Grammatics Edit: 14 April 2008
Note:Finally I have time to edit this chapter. The change will be mostly unnoticeable, but it's better than nothing. I know 'pinknette' is not an actual word... but that just suited Sakura so well I have to use it. Hahahha.
Word count: Appx. 9100 words.. wow... I broke my own record. I hope this will get me even with my slow update.
I can't promise to update more frequently, but I can promise to update as soon as I can. Especially since my midterm will be held next week. Gakh... my brain still refused to study...
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