This chapter is dedicated to a very special reviewer, tenshi303. She left an amazing review and is one of the main reasons I'm posting this up early. Thanks =]! It seriously made my day!
Burning.
Everything is burning.
Who knew emotional torture was physically battering?
Mind filled with torturous thoughts; heart bleeding.
Was this the end?
"Sasuke…When does the pain end?"
Clouds float overhead; their innocence deafening.
Who knew innocence was so fragile?
Fragile; Cherry blossoms are fragile.
"Sakura…Don't push me away."
Blinding smiles; loving laughs.
Distance kills ties.
Let the breath of love cleanse your being.
"Will you let me in, Sakura?"
Safety is warmth.
Enveloping those whose hearts have frozen over.
An unraveling safety blanket.
Thump…Thump...Thump…
"Sasuke, you're so cold…"
The flame hinders.
Thump…thump…...thu-
"…Sakura."
Silence
Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.
Heart racing fast; threatening to pound through her heaving chest. Tears brimmed emerald orbs as long and ragged breaths escaped parted, pink lips. Rosette strands stuck to the paling girl's face, clinging to her tear stained cheeks. Her legs kept moving at the same pace, people moving from her path; afraid of their fate if they were to get in the way. Everything hurt; inside and out. Her head pounded loudly; her heart beat in her ear as she went deaf to the sound of her own misfortune.
She was breaking.
Her heart felt as if it was being smashed to pieces. It was a familiar feeling that often came from the Uchiha but for whatever reason, it was never easy to deal with. She cursed incoherently under her breath, a steady stream of curses leaving her mouth as she reached her home. Frantically, she pulled at the door, realization dawning on her that it was locked. She fumbled for her keys, pushing the door open forcefully before walking into her house and shutting it roughly behind her. Her fists clenched by her sides as one of them held the bag. Looking around, she watched as a beam of moonlight hit her face, her jade eyes glistening with the newly formed tears. Dropping the bag, she moved to her couch. From there, her world crumbled. She fell onto the couch, crawling into a ball as sleep welcomed her tired eyes.
The power to choose is one of man's blessings.
Without it, consequences would mean nothing.
Consequences make us human.
"I hate you, Sasuke."
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Silence.
"…I know."
Days passed as Sakura worked double shifts at the hospital, training new medical recruits as an order from Tsunade. Sasuke began working with ANBU, completing dangerous tasks as he, Naruto, and Sai began forming brotherly bonds towards one another. Life didn't seem to be that bad.
"Sakura-san! Tsunade-sama wished to speak with you!" A voice called from down the hall. Shizune watched as the pink haired girl turned at her voice, her eyes a bit dull as she was most likely voided from sleep; typical Sakura.
The pink haired woman stood upright as she tilted her neck to the side, her hand moving to her eyes to rub the sleep that dawned across her being. Lately, she had been working long hours at the hospital, her mind drifting from the incident that had happened just a few weeks prior. It was almost like a distant memory; one that had desperately tried to fade into the darkened part of her mind. She had avoided it for a short while, but being away from her teammates had caused her brilliant mind to venture into it's own world.
Walking into the office, Sakura paused at the door, her hand tightening on the knob as her teeth clenched.
"Sakura-chan! Long time no see!" Naruto shouted as he engulfed the girl in an enormous hug. She smiled softly, patting him on the back as he squeezed her.
"Yes. Long time no see, Naruto." She choked out as the boy released and gave her a sheepish grin, rubbing the back of his neck. Sasuke watched from afar as Sakura eyed him, ignoring his presence as she stepped forward. Tsunade nodded to her, giving her a small smile as she greeted her.
"I hope you guys are ready for a mission! It's A-ranked." She paused as Sakura's breath caught in her throat. They were going as a team? Since when? She felt a growl reach her mouth as she refused to release her sudden build up of anger. "You need to escort a man by the name of Takashi. He's two years older then you guys. His father is a business worker in Tea and needs to attend a meeting; he plans on being the next owner of the business so his arrival is of the utmost importance." The group nodded as she continued.
"There was a sighting of hired assassins sent, what is led to believe, from Sound. So, be careful." Eyeing Sasuke, he stiffened, turning away as he scoffed. "Don't slip up…" She stated keeping her hazel orbs on Sasuke as the other two nodded, leaving the room.
"Isn't this exciting, Sakura-chan? We get to go on a mission together! It's been forever!" Naruto enthused as he hit his chest in happiness, a gentle giggle leaving the lips of the pink haired woman.
"Aah, you're right, Naruto. It'll be good." Sakura moved away from the group as they exited the building, both of the men looking at her as she waved. "I have to go and pack now. I'll see you tomorrow, Naruto!" Her emerald eyes gave a slight twinkle as she turned away, her pink tresses moving rhythmically behind her as she moved from their sight. Sasuke grunted as Naruto nudged his side, a small chuckle escaping the boy.
"She really hates you, Teme." Sasuke growled, punching the boy over the head, causing a low groan to erupt from the blonde.
"That was your fault, idiot!" His tone hardened, staring at the previous spot Sakura was positioned. Scoffing, he moved in the direction of his house, leaving Naruto to writhe in pain, alone.
The sun rose slowly over the horizon, Konoha gleaming in all it's glory as birds awoke and chirped. Small noises of the rising inhabitants made the land come alive.
"Sasuke! Look at the sunrise! Isn't it beautiful?"
Silence.
Smile.
"Yes, It is Sakura.
The sun brings even warmth to the darkest of souls.
She is the sunlight.
Sakura sighed as she shifted the weight in her bag. She had another sleepless night as she yawned, her hand moving to cover her mouth. She shook her head, removing the sleepiness from her emerald eyes as she tried to cover up the fact she was barely awake. The sight of large gates became dominant as she drew closer to the familiar gates, her eyes moving to a familiar bench as she winced, quickly pacing away faster from the returning memory.
It was their bench.
Sakura greeted the blonde with an energetic smile as he waved back at her, his blue eyes sparkling just as hers was.
"Hi Sakura-chan! How are you feeling?" he asked as he moved closer to her, his head tilted downwards as he went to look at her. She nodded slightly, her smile never leaving her face as she giggled.
"I'm fine, Naruto. Just a bit tired, but besides that, I'm great!" She stated as a man's presence finally became known.
Sasuke watched from afar, his blood silently boiling as he watched in frustration.
He was being ignored. This, he discovered, was unacceptable. He scoffed as they made conversation, his obsidian eyes narrowing at the blonde's back.
If only looks could kill.
A loud shout was heard from behind the three as a man came forward, his eyes shining mischievously as he gave the group a toothy grin.
"Hello, there. My name is Takashi. You must be the three ninjas escorting me." He chuckled in his deep tone, the collar of his white buttoned down shirt blowing in the invisible wind. He had dark blue hair as it fell in strands on the sides of his face. It reached the beginning of his neck as his bangs swept to the left, giving him a mysterious look as it covered his light purple eyes. He had a nice build, nothing similar to a ninja but of a fit man. His eyes moved over the group of ninja, looks of curiosity over all of their faces. His shining eyes stopped on one out of the three.
Pink…
He pushed passed Naruto as he ignored the huffing and stream of curses coming from the man's mouth. Taking Sakura's hand in his own, he kissed the top of it, his eyes meeting hers. A small blush crept to the girl's face as she shook it away, her thin eyebrow arching itself upwards as she gave him a look of confusion and suspicion.
"Hello, my dear. What is your name?" He asked seductively, unconsciously licking his bottom lip as Sakura eyed him carefully.
"Sakura. Haruno Sakura." She stated curtly. Nodding, he stood upright, flicking his navy blue locks from his face as he placed his hand on his chest, a bit of a dramatic pose as he shouted to the sky.
"Haruno Sakura! The name given by angels! I can't wait for you to accompany me on this perilous journey, where I hope to win over your heart!" Sakura coughed awkwardly, her eyes widening as she looked at the man. Naruto shouted from the side, his face red with anger as Sasuke's eyebrow twitched in annoyance.
"Is this guy…for real?"
Hours passed as the group walked along the dirt road, the sky becoming hazy as the sun began setting. Looking up, Sasuke peered at the golden sun, his hands in his pockets as he sniffed the air.
"Something is…Off." He eyed Naruto who turned to him, nodding as he patted Sakura on her back. She refused to turn around as she simply nodded in understanding. The group had grown accustomed to this sort of communication. Being together for as long as they had, it was presumed. A shiver rose on the girl's spine as a rustling was heard, her eyes narrowing at a bush on the side.
"Get down!" Came a scream as Sakura bolted towards Takashi, grabbing him and pulling him to the floor as she placed her body over his, a blush creeping to the man's face as he smirked.
"Not here, Sakura-san! It's much to public." The girl grunted, rolling off the man as her gaze was brought to a chuckle from a tree to the right of her. She scoffed, pulling a weapon of her own as Sasuke and Naruto stood beside her, their eyes moving towards the man that jumped down from the large branch, his feet hitting the ground softly.
"Tch…Bastard." Seethed the girl as she watched the man approach her.
"You…Pinky. I know you. You're that medical ninja from Leaf, am I right? What would you be doing protecting an idiot such as Takashi?" He snickered as Takashi glared at him from behind the group. Sakura remained silent; the air growing thick as she shifted uncomfortably.
Suddenly, a swarm of projectiles made their way from the trees and bushes, heading towards the group of ninja. Sasuke stepped in front of Sakura, his katana unsheathed as he blocked a barrage of weapons to her front while Naruto took the back. She looked at them in surprise as she glared at Sasuke's back.
"What the fuck are you doing? I can hold my own!" She yelled at them, though mostly directed towards Sasuke, whose head shifted from looking straight ahead to over his shoulder, his onyx eyes meeting the girl's.
"Hn." Sakura rolled her eyes, her eyes moving to the client who looked on fearfully, his eyes darting around as he watched in confusion.
A ninja cloaked in black bolted from a bush on the left, his target being Takashi. Sakura moved from her spot, her fist pumping with chakra as she flickered in front of him, a smirk on her face as their eyes connected for a split second.
"I don't think so…" A fist of blue slammed across the masked ninja's face, his body stopping short as he was pushed backwards, his body slamming through trees. His body finally crumbled to the floor; his being going cold as he died; his eyes remaining open- the look of shock. The ninja whom addressed her previously gaped in horror as he continued to barrage the men with attacks. Soon, a mass of unknown assassins launched from the trees, attacking the three as they all became fully aware of their surroundings.
This was going to be war.
Naruto heaved a man that was coming up behind him over his shoulder, slamming him into the ground as he performed seals.
"Kage Bushin!" Ten look- a- likes of the blonde appeared, surround a large mass of the men as they fought each of them off. "Be careful guys! They're strong!" He stated as he was slashed across the face with a kunai.
"Tch…Dobe!" Sasuke grunted in annoyance as he was charged by three masked men. He held his katana in a defensive position as he activated his Sharingan; commas swirling in anger as h watched them carefully. Lightning spewed from his sword in sporadic jolts as he launched the sword at the men, moving with speed and grace as he tried to injure them in anyway possible; just enough to make a final blow.
Sakura watched as men moved to make the kill, her hands clenching as she sent punches of fury, her chakra grazing passed their cheeks if she missed a blow. Her body burned; her eyes held the intent to kill.
The number of men seemingly decreased after a short while, the three ninjas panting as they fought off each man individually. A ninja sneakily made his way behind the pink haired woman, her mind preoccupied on the man whose kunai was clashing with hers as she tried desperately to push him away. Takashi noticed this, his eyes widening.
"Sakura-san! Watch out!" Sasuke's attention turned behind him as he slashed a man across the chest, the assassin writhing in pain as he choked, crumbling to the Uchiha's feet; cold.
"Sakura!"
Sasuke flickered towards her, the masked man raising his katana over the girl's head. Emerald eyes were faced with cool metal as she watched in horror, the man bringing his arms down hard.
Splash.
Drip…Drip…Drip.
"S…Sasuke?" Whispered the girl, small droplets of crimson running from her cheeks and forehead down her face, moving from her chin in small drops.
It was raining red.
Silence enveloped the area as Naruto killed the last of the men as he turned his attention to his two teammates.
Sasuke pulled his Katana from the man's abdomen, the man's eyes growing dull as he sank to the floor. Sasuke grunted as he fell from his spot, clutching his shoulder. Sakura shook her head, the shock from what had just occurred fresh in her mind. Sasuke's eyes shut as they returned to their cold black, Sakura crawling in front of him as she inspected the wound. She furrowed her eyebrows, her face scrunching in concentration as she placed her hand on the wound, mending it together.
Blue diminished as Sasuke eyed his wound then his teammate.
"Why…Did you stop?" He panted as he glared at the girl. It wasn't the time to be afraid of blood, nor for her stubborn attitude to take effect as she refused to look at him.
"Sasuke…The katana…It was poisoned"
When life falls apart,
It takes love to pick up the pieces.
"Sakura, I can fix your heart."
Silence.
Drip…Drop…Drip…Drop.
"You can't fix what you've broken, Sasuke."
Please Review!
~Serenity
