I. KNOW YOU ARE THERE
vi. Chapter 5: Nightmares
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My eyes are closed but I'm awake
I wish the dream would never end
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For an unknown reason, the nightmares had returned. Everything had been alright so far. He had just stopped taking the pills because he felt alright; he had already got rid of that disease. Or at least that was what his doctor had told him. The room was lugubrious. The dark haired tried to peer in the darkness. He shook his head at drifted his gaze towards the clock. It was already 3 am. He looked down and was surprised to see her. And he smiled. But just slightly.
She just had her eyes closed- because he knew she couldn't sleep. He pulled her closer and caressed her arms with his thumb. Kissing her forehead lightly, he rested his chin on her head and tried to get some sleep. However, as soon as he closed his eyes, the dream rewound. The same lack of light, the same amount of blood, the same high-pitched screams. His eyes shot open and his breathing got heavily and very violent. He felt as if something was missing inside him, a memory. He looked around him again.
'I don't remember coming to my room. What's wrong with me?'
"Mhn…" Sakura yawned, stroking his bare chest with her slender fingers. The emerald eyed girl tilted her head to face him and muttered: "Sasuke-kun?"
"Ah."
"What is it? You ok?" she asked, worried about him. She had arrived when he was already in bed but she had noticed something different when she lay down next to him.
"Just had a bad dream." he replied, hostile.
His head was spinning and all he knew was that he was on the cold ground. He closed his eyes and that was it. He then realized that he wasn't able to control it anymore and that the other one had taken control of his own body. He wouldn't return home that night. He wouldn't be able to keep his promise to go out and take her to dinner. He regretted it then.
He couldn't remember a thing about that strange dream. Just small memories would come to his head: blood and screams. He just shook his head to make those horrible thoughts not take over his brain.
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Naruto watched the rain fall, resting his head against the window. Little drops would tap his window. He loved that sound. It made him feel like he wasn't alone at all. His phone vibrated in his jeans' pocket. A soft grin appeared upon his face when he read his girl's name on the XPERIA's screen. He corrected himself. He wasn't alone anymore; he was dating the cutest girl ever. He didn't even dare to think about it: he answered with the first thing he came up with. A few minutes after, he got a reply and heard the doorbell ring. He didn't even bother to turn around when the door was sprung open. His smile grew wider when he felt those familiar petite arms pull him into a sweet embrace. Filling his lungs with the vanilla essence her wet hair emanated, he turned around and hugged her back.
"What's going on?" he enquired, referring to the text she had sent him a few minutes ago.
"Has Sasuke told you anything?"
Naruto hated it when she replied with another question. He sighed in reply, shaking his head. The blond rested his head on her laps and she entwined her fingers in his yellow locks, stroking his scalp. Her gaze turned to the ramen themed calendar Jiraya had given his godson. It was already March. In just two days it would be March 28th. Sakura's birthday to be more precise. Sasuke's behavior should relate to that. She just couldn't find another reason.
"Hey, let's just call it a night babe. If he really wants to tell us, he will."
Even though, deep inside, I know he probably won't. That Sasuke-teme... Always keeping important information to him.
"What about a ramen then?" she suggested smiling. "Heard from Tenten that the one you like was on sale until tomorrow."
"Ramen sounds awesome Hinata!" he exclaimed with a laugh. "Is the only thing my stomach needs right now."
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Sakura smiled when she saw Sasuke walking up to his locker, just where she was standing. Sasuke had been waiting outside of the changing rooms to make himself sure that he and Sakura were going to be the only ones there. She materialized just to feel his soft lips against her cheek. She giggled when he looked away embarrassed. His whole body was covered in sweat due to the intense soccer training.
"I don't usually take showers at the school. It will just take a couple of minutes." he said and she just nodded in reply.
She heard the water running and almost swore she heard Sasuke humming. But she thought it was her mind playing tricks on her and ignored it. And just like he promised, he walked out of the showers a few minutes later. His hair smelled like peppermint and Sakura's face turned red when she saw Sasuke almost naked. He only had a white towel around his waist. Sasuke wasn't really paying attention to her actions. He was busy looking for his clothes in his locker. He did smirk when he looked up at her –her arms were crossed against her chest and she was looking to the other side, really abashed.
"So you don't say anything when I'm in boxers yet you get embarrassed when I'm wearing a towel?" he jeered.
"I-it's not the same Sasuke-kun..."
She closed her eyes rapidly when the object of discord fell to the floor. She knew that he was just doing this to annoy her. I'm glad that the rude morning behavior was just because of his nightmare. She materialized without noticing and Sasuke took advantage of that. He wrapped his arms around her slim waist after putting on his navy blue boxers. He didn't know what was the name of the relationship they had. But he didn't care at all. He just liked it the way it was.
"Ever driven a motorbike?" he asked her, as they run towards the mentioned vehicle.
"Where did you get that?" Sakura asked back, as she seized the helmet and put it on –or at least tried. Sasuke tried not to laugh at her attempt and simply helped her adjusting the straps.
"A little present from my uncle." he responded, lifting up her delicate body and placing her on the back seat.
"This is my very first time in one of these things. So please be careful." she begged, finally answering his first question.
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Sasuke had only told her to hold him tight, but he didn't know she was going to take it that serious. Back in middle school, there were some rumors that she was strong enough to beat him in sparring but he didn't buy those lies. He bought them then. He felt as if his ribs were almost destroyed. They had stopped by an abandoned beach and were watching the sun go down. Sakura had dematerialized but, due to his gift, he was still able to see her. So far, of all the dresses she had worn, the one she was wearing that day was his favorite. It was white –just like most of the time- but was lace. It reached the middle of her thighs and went straight down. He –unlike her- wasn't staring at the sun at all. No. He was staring at her.
'She is so pretty.' he couldn't help thinking, as she closed her eyes enjoying the ocean breeze. 'I want to kiss her. But not her cheek. I want to kiss her lips.'
"Sasuke-kun?"
"Yeah?" he shook his head for a few seconds, to wake up from his daydream. 'What are you thinking Sasuke? She is a ghost. She won't feel anything if I kiss her. I want her to feel everything. It would be pointless.'
"Let's go to the movies."
And again, Sasuke couldn't say no. Instead, he smiled a bit and took her hand.
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"The pills aren't working Madara. I think he should see another doctor. He is getting worst nightmares."
The Uchiha Corporation CEO just stared boringly through the window. It was more than obvious that the pills weren't working. His nephew had two of his attacks in a row, the week before. This was really getting out of control and he wasn't completely sure of what he was going to do next. He turned his gaze back to the other Uchiha in the room and dropped his Parker pen on his desk. He intertwined his fingers, still looking at him. Nonetheless, a phone call interrupted the battle of glares. Madara closed his eyes and picked up the phone.
"Tell him that I will be down in a minute Karin." he told his red headed secretary.
Yes Sir.
"Is it him?"
"Yes Obito. I'm sure you will love to see your cousin Itachi again." he replied, again boringly. He just couldn't understand why he was so eager.
Obito just gave a macabre smile.
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They had had fun, like always. They had watched a comedy and even Sasuke had laughed at bit. Sakura had suggested going for some pizza, after the movies, but tomorrow Sasuke had school. He had to wake up early if he didn't want to miss the bus. According to the weather broadcast, it was going to rain heavily. With that weather, he wasn't going to walk to school. It was already midnight when Sakura decided that it was time for her to rest a bit too. She would leave a note.
Sasuke-kun,
I have a little meeting to attend to
I will be back in a couple of days
Take care,
Sakura
Sasuke looked so innocent when he was asleep. Sakura thought he looked really cute. She giggled to herself when she heard an almost unnoticeable snore coming from his lips. He had told her that he didn't snore. She reminded herself of telling him later on. She kissed his forehead and stroked his hair.
She was surprised when Sasuke's phone's screen started to shine. It was a text of Itachi saying that some Obito guy had arrived unexpectedly and that he was going to stay with him. She shrugged and stroked his hair for the last time. And after that she dematerialized. And left. They were already waiting for her in the Downworld station.
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"Sir. He is waiting for you outside. Please be careful. It looks like he is not in a good mood."
Orochimaru took another sip of his globe full of white wine and nodded. Kabuto, his loyal servant, made a hand sign and the guard opened the door. Orochimaru remained unfazed until he was able to see the hooded man holding what he had asked him to bring. The hooded man, whose face couldn't be seen, knelt down on one knee and left the package on the ground, then bowing. Orochimaru nodded again and Kabuto strolled towards the package to pick it up.
"It was very quick. Didn't expect you to make it so fast." he flattered, checking the package and making sure everything was complete. He roamed the documents and put them back in the package.
"The money." he deadpanned.
"Kabuto." Orochimaru called and his servant handed out the envelope.
The hooded man did the same thing Orochimaru had: check the package he had just received. It looked as if everything was complete. But actually, something very important was missing. And he was so angry that he threw the package away, running to charge at the man who hadn't fulfilled his promise. Orochimaru was very lucky to have a fast servant. Kabuto had blocked the attack but he wasn't strong enough to keep up with that man. He called the other guards, but it was too late. The hooded man was already heading to the exit of the room with nothing in his hands.
"I will come back tomorrow and hopefully you will have those pills by then." he hissed right before stepping out the room. "If you don't, consider yourself dead Orochimaru. No one plays dumb on me."
"But you don't need those pills, do you? You are better without them. You can be yourself. Those pills just restrained your power."
"It's none of your concern, you filthy snake. I don't even know why I accepted doing this."
"Maybe because I'm the only one who can get you those?"
"I've got more contacts than you think." he turned around to face him. The moon's beam reflected on his onyx eyes.
"We will see my dear Taka. Or should I cal you Sasuke?"
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A. N: MUAHAHAHAHA! *bad attempt of making a macabre laugh xD* Cliff hanger!
So uhm... yeah. Way too much things to develop right? I think the last part made many things clear, but not all of them.
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