A/N: This is a very graphic story (extremely twisted). If you don't like, don't read. Themes of substance abuse, psychological manipulation, and many more will be present. TRIGGER WARNINGS.
UchiSaku. AU/ Graphic content, Rated M for a reason. Don't like? Don't read.
Summary: A rare and debilitating disorder took away her chances of living a normal life at a young age, now she is finally coming to a point in her life where she will have to traverse through different waves of crippling difficulty and revelations. UchiSaku. Dark themes ahead.
Ch 4: Birth of Venus
Sakura was overly ecstatic with how the first few hours of her day had gone. The first was when she woke up, it would mark the fourth day she had been awake, and the watch that Sasuke had given her proven to be more of a saving grace than she first thought it would be.
The second part was when Shisui came after her the moment she had woken up. Shisui was the most endearing brother for her, and how he would blatantly show his affections for her without a single hesitation. He was also the funniest, which helped her ease herself into the family of stiffs.
Today Itachi, Madara, and Sasuke aren't at home so they began doing the things they pleased right off the bat. Asides from making an overly sugary breakfast, they also made a fun mess of the kitchen.
Now, Sakura was frolicking in the snow and enjoying sledding up and down the short hill near their house. Sakura was too involved in her activity that she did not notice that Shisui was observing her with a grim look on his face. Nervousness was seeping into his skin the more he thought about the upcoming move for Sakura next week. The city was a big mess and although Shisui shared the same sentiments as Itachi when it came to thinking that Sakura was better off in a quiet and controlled environment, he also knew that it was no way to live for a girl her age.
There were too many secrets that they have kept from her, some too dark that it did not deserve to see the light of day, but now, the biggest concern he had was her finding out what Madara did for the family and as a living.
The Uchiha's have a long line of politicians and businessmen, but Madara was the most promising one right now in generations. The success came with the fame, and with the fame came the incredible amount of animosity aimed for them. Their biggest fear was that what if Sakura was brought into such a mess. She was the easiest target considering how close she was to them.
She deserved to be normal.
The winter did not stop Sakura from getting red in the face as she found difficulty in walking up the hill with the sled at hand. Shisui knocked off the look on his face as soon as he could before Sakura could notice. "Ah, Shisui don't you want to go down the hill with me?" Sakura's warm breath was steaming in the air, her pert nose, and the apples of her cheeks were a healthy pink. Her hair came down from her ponytail adding to her difficulty to move.
Shisui adored the vision of a lively Sakura before him. "I would love to but with our added weight we could go straight into the lake!" was his excuse. Sakura pouted at him and looked away, "Whatever! I'm too tired anyways."
A fan of pink replaced where Sakura was standing and fell just as fast before Shisui could realize that Sakura flopped on her back to the thick snow. The man began laughing heartily as Sakura furiously swung her arms and legs, "Snow angels!" as soon as she made her intended indent, she moved quickly to the next even surface of snow.
This time it was Sakura's turn to make Shisui happy. She was breathing heavily by the time she reached the seventh angel. "Are you ready to give up now?" Shisui gave her a cheeky grin, "No" she replied, but she was the one who refused to move at all.
"Come on, I'll make you some hot chocolate. Let's go inside." Sakura did not budge, Shisui sighed at this "I'll add in some of the whipped cream you love so much." Still no sign of moving. "I'll add the cinnamon spice you love so much." Sakura jumped, albeit in a very wobbly fashion. "Yes!"
Sakura was watching the American cartoons that Shisui brought with him. It was a tradition that they would watch shows like that together since such material was also kept from her. The reason that was given to her was because it contained foul language and vulgar actions, but it was mostly because Itachi was just scared that she might see something that could confuse her, or more specifically, make her realize how much she has already missed out on.
Shisui was more patient with her though, unafraid to make her see and learn about the pop culture references and entertainment. He would always make her aware that there is a bigger world out there, beyond the walls of their house, and the land of their country. He would encourage her to explore, he didn't want to keep that kind of luxury from her. He was almost the enabler of them all, from the good and the bad, he wanted Sakura to go through that experience, because he wanted her to fully understand that there would be someone beside her through it all.
Shisui felt Sakura's head lull to the side and directed her head to rest on his shoulder. 'She must have tired herself out' he thought. "Would you like to take a nap?" Sakura sank in deeper to Shisui's side and leaned half of her weight on him. "No" although she said it in a way that it was achingly close to a whisper, Shisui couldn't help but chuckle at the amount of conviction she used behind it.
Shisui observed her eyes were half lidded now, and her cheeks held a fresh pink tint to them from being flustered. Shisui placed an arm around her directing her to lay her head on his lap. His fingers immediately delved into the mass of long pink hair on Sakura's head. It was obvious now that Sakura was no longer paying attention to watching 'the Simpsons'.
"Sakura, have you ever thought of getting a haircut?" Sakura hummed at this question. "I don't know. Will it look nice on me?" she half murmured. Ever so gently, Shisui tucked a long lock of pink behind her exposed ear showing more of her beautiful face.
"When we go to the city, there are different types of styles, but I'm sure most of them would look gorgeous on you." The sensation of pain alerted his nerves when Sakura pinched him. "You're so annoying" she said half heartedly. This time it was her turn to touch her hair. It reached her calf now, and she has never felt the need to pay attention to her looks, she thought that it would be a waste of time since she would spend most of her days asleep anyways.
Shisui squeezed her arm a little tighter as if he felt her melancholy. "Don't worry, Sakura."
Sakura was having an internal war with herself this time, she could feel the darkness edge in her vision, and in an almost physical sense too. Her extremities started to feel numb and relax almost too forcefully. She didn't mean for it to happen but her eyes watered at the assurance Shisui gave her. "Shh, it's alright. You're safe here. You can sleep, Sakura."
"Promise me, Shisui. We'll do those things in the city." She said all too weakly. Shisui soothed her hair down, he couldn't give a reply but in a few moments time her eyes closed down.
Painfully so, he also knew that there was an indefinite amount of uncertainty if her eyes would open in a few hours from now, or maybe weeks beyond then.
Itachi was the one who arrived home first, it was around seven in the evening and he immediately noticed the house being too quiet for the ones who occupied it the entire day.
His first instinct was to go towards Sakura's room only to see it empty. He vehemently denied the silent panic prickling the back of his neck and began calling Shisui's phone. The pickup was fairly fast, "She's sleeping in the study room. The room is warmer." was his reply.
Itachi began walking in the direction where the two of them were. Sakura was asleep, wrapped in the blanket available in the room. Shisui was near the window with a calm look on his face. "What happened?" Itachi asked as calmly as he could. "Nothing, she tired herself out. She had fun, which is important."
Itachi moved quietly positioning himself to carry Sakura out of there. The two brothers simply looked at one another, silently nudging the other one to expound further with how their day went. "She fell asleep around three in the afternoon. We weren't able to eat anything too heavy." Itachi politely nodded in acknowledgement to this.
"Thank you"
Sakura's breathing was light and even, Itachi tried multiple times to wake her up but it only meant that one of her attacks has already started. She won't be waking up anytime soon. Itachi already missed the laughter and the bright smiles she would give. He finally gave into the urge and placed a soft kiss on her forehead, slightly breathing in the smell of her peach scented shampoo.
Her long lashes tickled the surface of his skin, and his lips quivered in a slight fashion as he regained control of himself. 'It is a time for duty' he reminded himself. Itachi moved to take off his coat and place it on a nearby chair.
Itachi wore his cold façade, opening the closet where Sakura kept most of her night time clothes. Itachi would always pick with meticulous fashion the clothes that Sakura would be wearing. Even the type of cloth and the kind of buttons placed on them were thoroughly thought off by him.
During the winter time, he would often pick thicker pajamas with silk lining inside to make sure her skin would retain moisture and help insulate the warmth of her body. Everything would always be a size or two bigger than her fit frame for her added comfort. Itachi finally settled on a pastel yellow pair with big white buttons so none of them would come undone when she moves in her sleep.
The process of removing all of her clothes was easy for Itachi, seeing as Sakura was close to being two times smaller than he was. In their family, Itachi was the third tallest amongst the siblings, but that doesn't mean he was short by the regular standards. His above average height gave him a sure advantage paired with the blessed genetics of their family.
Itachi brought the temperature of her room up as Sakura was left in nothing but her underwear. It was true that she had grown into a very beautiful girl much like what Shisui had told her a while ago, and that was one of the main reasons as to why Itachi was secretly very adamant to keep Sakura from the rest of the world.
He proceeded to remove her bra, pretending to be desensitized to the bouncing motions her breasts had made when they were finally unbound. His eyes roamed over her flat belly and proceeded with her underwear, slipping it down between her toned legs.
He placed clean underwear and clothes on her finally, and he finally began starting with the difficult task. He inspected her hands, checking for unwanted stains or injuries. Her nails have become too long and a bit uneven from god knows what they have done today.
Ever so carefully, Itachi began cutting and filing them, making sure they were trimmed to the right length and smoothen out so she wouldn't scratch herself in her sleep.
Her feet were next, and he noticed that there was a bit of redness from her soles that indicated that she had definitely played outside and did heavy activities. He trimmed her toenails and began massaging her calf and feet just to make sure that she wouldn't be in stiff pain when she wakes up a few days from now.
The silence and the warmth of her room placed Itachi in a stupor as his hands moved on their own on her calf. A noise came from Sakura which snapped him out of his situation. "Sakura?" he called out and she looked at him with the glazed eyes of a spellbound girl.
"I want sweets" she said softly, if it weren't for the silence and his sharp hearing he wouldn't have understood what she just said. Before he could stop Sakura from sitting up, she dangled on her bed, leaving her legs on it as her torso sluggishly went under her bed.
Itachi watched curiously what she has hidden in her 'Secret' safe this time.
Itachi knew that she had one.
And he never thought of reprimanding her about it. He too kept his knowledge of her not so secret safe, a secret as well. Sakura was just a girl, and she is allowed to keep secrets of her own… at least the ones that he deems safe.
Sakura slid off of the bed in her trance like state, she couldn't keep her eyes open anymore but she was moving. Her hands found the pack of chocolates given to her by Sasuke and she began stuffing them in her mouth.
Itachi sighed at this behavior. Not all of his brothers are aware of this, but sometimes Sakura would eat in her sleep. His biggest enemy was sugary treats because they can come in smaller sizes. He doesn't have eyes on her at all times.
In a loving fashion, Itachi wordlessly reprimanded the dazed girl, removing the sweets in her hands and directing a glass of water to her mouth. Automatically she began drinking without hesitation. Itachi firmly pressed his thumb and forefinger together in between the hollow of her cheeks to open her mouth and inspect if there was anything left for her to chew. Ever so innocently her soft tongue came out and licked her lower lip.
Like a magnet, his eyes couldn't leave the soft and pink mouth. It was warm and inviting underneath the pad of his thumb. The strong smell of peaches lulled him further into a trance, as if he too was affected by Sakura's current state. Her eyelids finally closed and her head fell backwards with her mouth slightly open.
Itachi willed himself out of his state and finally laid her down on his lap as he did the nightly routine for Sakura. His hands found comfort in the soft pink tresses on her head. He loved her hair long; it made her look unrealistic in this world. She looked like the fairy of spring; just like the one their mother would tell stories to them about when he was younger.
"We'll be leaving in a few days, Sakura." He said quietly to the sleeping girl. "The travel won't be too long, just a couple of hours. When you wake up, we'll do the things you have always wanted to do in the city." His hand cupped her warm cheek, enjoying the warmth and softness that she provides.
"I wish I could always keep you this pure and safe, Sakura."
Sasuke was right beside Sakura who was still sleeping peacefully. The hospital room that was given to them was rather spacious courtesy of Dr. Tsunade Senju. It left somewhat of a bitter taste in his mouth as he swallowed the promise that he had given her back in their sacred hiding place.
He was a bit antsy himself, he was anticipating a variety of emotions that Sakura will be feeling when she wakes up in a hospital room instead of the new house they'll be temporarily staying in.
Dr. Tsunade wanted to take advantage of the moment that Sakura is in right now. The very same equipment and devices hooked on her to help monitor her situation right now still unsettled him even as an adult his age. It still reminded him too much of the time when he was a child.
A warm hand placed itself on his shoulder and he didn't have to look up to know who it was. "Don't worry, Sasuke. Sakura will be discharged the moment she wakes up." The comforting tone Itachi gave off was comforting but did not give him enough assurance.
"It's not that easy, Itachi. I know it pains you too to see Sakura disappointed." Itachi could not give another response to this seeing as Sasuke was just speaking the truth.
The door opened with loud clacking noises of high heels on the floor. The very same doctor that they were speaking of came in with a stack of papers at hand. Sasuke stood up at the sight of her and bowed deeply in respect of his future mentor. Itachi nodded in her direction and in respect.
"Good afternoon to you both. I would like to thank you for choosing and letting me be a part of Sakura-chan's situation. I have heard of her case thanks to young Sasuke here." Tsunade gave him a small smile but immediately came into business.
"Please sit, the both of you. I would like to discuss something."
To their silent horror, this was something they couldn't ignore completely. All three of them were finally seated and ready to listen to what the doctor had to say. The files on the table were now neatly placed and a majority of them were placed right in front of Sasuke.
"With the permission of the hospital and, granted, you, Itachi Uchiha, the legal guardian of Sakura, to let me see her files, I have made a solution and a better idea on how to help." She paused a little, but directed her stare in both of their direction.
"Apart of this, I have done my own research for the past couple of months as I waited for your confirmation in the past. There are enough cases of people being affected from the Kleine-Levin Syndrome, but not enough to know the exact and usual long term effects of it."
"Most sufferers usually, revert back to their own self right after their sleeping spells and they usually fall into a pattern, but Sakura might have a different case since her sleeping spells have started at a very young age, which I also want to observe and see for myself." Tsunade began opening some of the files right in front of Sasuke and showed the both of them some of the cases similar to Sakura's and the treatments done to them.
"Most of the people affected with the KLS have gone through hormonal treatments and other medication, but seeing as this syndrome doesn't have a cure or any effective method and study that fully guarantee's her safety once conducted there isn't much that I can't do I'm afraid."
Itachi's face kept cool and calm, but Sasuke was somewhat confused. His eyes darted back and forth between the files right in front of him. "However," Tsunade caught his attention this time, "most of the patients have had intensive therapy and sessions with their psychologists which helped ease them and better effectively reintroduce them to society."
"The very reason I want Sakura to be here the moment she wakes up is because I want to see her in her different states. People who suffer from KLS most especially at a young age have a difficult time from derealization. My intentions are clear, and right now I would like to see how well I can help Sakura cope into a new environment."
"She is still considered a minor at the age of seventeen, and as you said her symptoms have been easing up, letting her wake up for longer periods of time. I would like to take the opportunity to give a better grasp at her current overall mental state."
"I see." Itachi said calmly. His hand found Sasuke's back, "Me and my brothers will talk about this." Tsunade watched him up close and nodded. She opted to leave not soon after leaving the two of them behind.
Sasuke was quiet, obviously frustrated and angry. "There is nothing much we can do, Sasuke. Don't push yourself over something you have no control over." Sasuke's brows began knitting together, although he should have known better than think that even the best neurologist and psychologist couldn't play god, it still got to him.
Itachi, being the voice of reason began convincing him to relax and think more about it. "You're right, Itachi. The best thing we can do right now is waiting and help Sakura adjust, I'm just more worried about how she can cope quickly… what if she finds out the truth?"
The silence in the room began to suffocate the both of them.
What if she finds out?
Itachi felt cold for a moment just thinking about this. It would be impossible for it to happen but one couldn't be too careful as the saying goes. "If it does happen, the best we can do is just trying and talk it out like normal people would."
A/N: Will write u 2 page smut for 5$
It's a joke, chill. Should I make an where you can ask me everything under the sun?
