I don't own Naruto or any of the Characters in the series.
Punishment Jutsu
Chapter 7: Unfair
"Why is life so unfair? Itachi-nii?" Young Sasuke looked up at his brother with tears in his eyes, "Daddy doesn't love me." Sasuke sniffed and rubbed his sleeve on his runny nose.
Itachi turned and looked down at his brother. His face was stern but his eyes softened looking at Sasuke. He knew life as the second child was hard. Sasuke was lucky he was not a Hyuuga or he would have been branded with the caged bird seal by this age. Clan life could be cruel and harsh. Itachi rested his hand on his otouto, "It isn't that Sasuke-nii-chan. He scooped the eight year old boy up in his arms and gave an uncharacteristically soft smile for his baby brother. He hugged Sasuke, "Father doesn't mean to overlook you. He's doing what's best for the clan. He really does love you. It's just not his way." Sasuke nodded in understanding yet still pouting, "I still don't like it. Daddy doesn't pay any 'tention to me."
Itachi squeezed him once more, and then set him on the ground taking his little hand in his own, "Come on Sasu-chan we can go to the training ground and I'll show you how to throw a shuriken."
"Yeah!" Sasuke cheered and jumped up and down excitedly. He looked up in admiration at the boy who would nearly wipe the Uchiha clan off the face of the earth not even a year later. Neither of them knew the tragic paths they would be forced to take by fate. Sasuke smiled and tugged his Ani-chan along, "I love you Itachi! You're my favorite big brother!"
"Hey," Itachi mockingly chided, "I'm your only brother you little dweebe! …I love you too, I guess." Sasuke pouted for a bit but then he laughed. Itachi laughed with him. Sasuke loved his brother's laugh it was warm and golden like honey and just as sweet. What's more he noticed that he heard that laugh less and less after his big strong brother became a full fledged ninja. He relished the sound and continued to pull his willing captive toward the training grounds…
Sasuke opened his eyes, they were red and puffy. He rubbed them. No he wasn't crying, he tried to tell himself. 'Its just allergies,' Sasuke thought denying the truth.
Sasuke rarely had a dream like that one mostly it was the nightmares of the blood of his mother and to a lesser extent his father's blood. These were worse in a way warming his heart at the pleasant memories he had of his big brother. His Hero turned Villain. The sweet times only served the remind him of the level of betrayal his brother had sunk to.
It was daybreak and Sasuke knew he couldn't sleep. Kakashi never told them to meet at the bridge so he assumed training and missions were postponed for the time being. Once he was ready to face the day he headed for the Hospital instead of the bridge. It didn't matter to him weather or not they had training or a mission. His mission at that moment was to go see the dobe.
He was not far from the hospital and it was a really nice day out. He wished he could just calmly stroll about the village like a normal person, but there were girls on his trail where ever he went. He took the roofs mindful that there were still two very persistant girls that could take that route also, but Sakura was likely with that girl.
Sasuke stopped on the ledge of a squat little building. He had noticed pink and that fawn colored hair of the girl. He groaned but still he wanted answers. He hopped off the roof and bore the gauntlet of annoying lovelorn girls and crazy declarations.
"Sasuke-kun!" One girl screeched and then a group of them were on him like white on rice. A tall girl with curly balck hair and dark eyes smiled at him revealing perfect teeth. He rolled his eyes, yes she was pretty and all but he happened to be more into blonde, male blondes. At least one particular male with blonde hair. He wondered why she didn't go find herself a boyfriend that would appreciate her good looks. "Sasuke-kun," She shoved another girl out of the way. She grabbed him by the arm and batter her eyelashes at him. 'Geesh! This girl is worse then Sakura.'
"Sasu-kun," She pouted. He quirked a brow, but didn't bother to correct the girl. "Sasu-kun, will you take me out to dinner tonight, please?" She looked hopeful biting at her lip in a way that any other guy would have found to be really sexy, but he shrugged her off his arm and walked away with out even an acknowledgement. He pushed his way through the throng of girls. Looking for the distinctive pink of Sakura's hair. To think the day came when he sought out her rather then Sakura looking for him.
Sakure followed Chiyo into a store. Sasuke ran across the street and when he was close enough to not resort in shouting at her he called, "Sakura stop."
Sakura was facing away from him she had been browsing perfumes on the counter near the store clerk. She dropped the bag she carried and there was the sound of something glass breaking. Sakura turned around slowly. She was blushing and smiling, "Sasuke-kun? Hello."
"I'm looking for Chiyo-san," Her smile fell a bit but then she nodded, "She's further in the shop looking at some new clothes since she came with nothing. Sasuke nodded and brushed past her. Sakura sighed and turned to pick up the bag that was leaking the expensive hair treatment she had purchased. She had issues with frizzy hair since her hair was so light and feathery so she used special conditioner. The green colored oil soaked into the cloth bag coating all the other contents, "Shoot!" She frowned she didn't have enough money to buy another bottle and the money she was getting for Chiyo was going to just about cover her basic needs, plus some new clothes. Sakura sighed, "Maybe we will get a mission soon and I can buy a new bottle…or maybe I can beg mom and dad for a loan."
Sakura almost regretted when she had insisted that she pay rent. She was making money as a Gennin, and her parents almost refused but her pride would not let her take no for an answer, and she learned that things were far more expensive then she had once thought. She looked in her purse. There was enough to get lunch for she and Chiyo. She smiled she was doing fine, she would make it work. Unlike that idiot Naruto who manages to not have lunch just about every day and he mooches, "He doesn't know how much things cost. I bet his mom takes care of everything for him." She didn't know he didn't have a supportive family, nor did she realize that her parents were not applying her rent and other payments on bills but setting it aside for their daughter's future. By the time she would turn eighteen she would have enough to buy a modest house, or possibly make a down payment on a much nicer home with her husband, whomever that would one day be.
Sasuke found Chiyo looking at some large dresses looking depressed. He cleared his throat. She was startled and jumped a little. "Oh," She clutched at her chest, "You startled me…Sasuke, right?" he nodded. "How is Naruto doing?" Shje looked genuinely worried when she asked that.
"Not well, I need you to tell me about that jutsu, that man, your father used. Can you cancel it?" Sasuke said evenly staring at her through hardened eyes. She fidgeted nervously and bit her lip she was looking past the boy out the window of the store. Her eyes widened and then she clutched at her waist. Her face scrunched in pain and she passed out without speaking another word.
Sasuke got Sakura and explained what had happened. Sakura actually yelled at him, "What sis you do? My god Chiyo! Sasuke stay with her while I find help!" With that she ran. Sasuke didn't know what to do he just hovered over her until her eyes fluttered for a bit and she whispered to him, "Shin, he's alive." She closed her eyes again before Sasuke could ask who shin was. And soon Sakura came back with a man in green spandex. He flashed a blinding smile then looked at the girl seriously. Sasuke wondered who this weird guy was. Sakura answered for him, "This is Gai-sensei he had a team of genin. He's good friends with Kakashi-sensei and he said he could help bring Chiyo to the hospital. Gai just grabbed the girl and whisked her away. Sakura went behind and Sasuke followed them. He had been headed that way after all.
{It's short, and I know it's weird. It takes after it's mother…A.K.A. Me! I'll put up more as soon as my mind spews it out!}
