Here I am again, having found a new beta-reader who will help me with my previous chapters and, hopefully, with the ones which are yet to come. Thanks to Chizune.
I would also like to thank Kaydreams for reviewing after such a long time. It is encouraging to see that there are people who are still interested on this story.
Here goes chapter 7.
"After all you've told me about Sakura... Think about it. A mysterious appearance. No single memories. The ability to use chakra... don't these things sound familiar?"
Sasuke reflected on Tsunade's words for a moment. And he then understood what she meant. He knew someone else who had been through the same as Sakura. It was, in fact, someone whom he and Sakura had met that same morning.
"Sai?"
Chapter 7: He, She, Feelings, Time
"That's exactly who I was thinking about." Tsunade replied, seemingly satisfied with his deduction.
"But, even if these things coincide, I am not sure these incidents are related. Think about it. Sai appeared under totally different circumstances. He was just a scared boy, who was found crying in the surrounding woods one day. We took him in, assuming that he was an orphan from war. Assuming that, from the shock, he didn't remember his precedence."
"Isn't it the same for Sakura? She doesn't remember anything, judging by what you said."
"But Sai was just like any other ninja. He started showing a little talent for jutsus and, just like all of us, he was sent to the Academy where he improved as a ninja. He has developed normally as a student, training to improve especially with his ink techniques. Okay, he has always been deeply linked to Root, but that is not important. Sakura… she's a totally different case. She's already a ninja. She has an amount of chakra which can't be compared to Sai's. And, even though we have always assumed that Sai was an orphan who lost his memories due to the shock… we can't do the same thing for her. It's impossible and irrational to try to link both cases."
"I am not sure about that, Sasuke-san. There is just something that… Well, I don't know." She rested her front on her hand tiredly, in a troubled gesture. "You are dismissed, Uchiha Sasuke. Today, you have given me a lot to think about."
Sasuke obeyed. He bowed his head and, as he went out of the door, he heard Tsunade give out a deep sigh.
-
"Oh, Sasuke, you're home! Sakura, dear, Sasuke's here!"
Sakura was in her new provisional room, brushing her long hair, when she heard Mikoto's scream. She immediately stood up, threw the hair brush onto the dressing table and went down the stairs calmly, trying to keep her head up high and walk in an elegant manner, just like Mikoto had recommended her to. She didn't want to seem like a bad-mannered person. If the son of the woman who had been taking care of her arrived home, she would go and greet him. Plus, she thought, he had found her last night, so it was something she felt forced to do, despite his cold attitude towards her.
She discretely crept into the kitchen, where Mikoto was brewing tea and Sasuke was sitting on a chair, with his usual stoic face and cool demeanor. Mikoto asked her son:
"So, Sasuke, how did the meeting with the Hokage go?"
"Well, it was quite brief. I was given a mission, and I just talked to her about a few things. I then went to train for a bit. And afterwards, I went to the office to help around but Dad and Itachi were doing well, so they just gave me a few papers to sign and then they sent me home."
"Well, I'm glad everything went well. Ah, Sakura, you're there! Look, Sasuke!"
The Uchiha son slowly opened his eyes and turned around, fixing his gaze on her for a few seconds. Judging by the way he was looking at her, he must have known she was there since she had gone in. After staring at her uninterestedly for a few seconds, he turned around again and took the tea Mikoto was handing him.
Sakura frowned. She knew that Uchihas weren't very keen on being overly sweet, but he could at least have made a comment on her new dress.
"Welcome home." She said indifferently, strangely hurt by his lack of enthusiasm. He didn't answer. She took a seat opposite of him, and took a cup of tea from the tray on the table. Mikoto sat besides Sakura, putting on a warm smile.
"This afternoon, Sakura and I went shopping. We've bought her some dresses and casual clothes, shoes and even a training suit. We also went to the flower shop, and we got a few bunches to put in the living room. There we even sakura blossoms on sale. Since they were the first of the year, and they are said to bring good luck, we got some branches with a few buds. Ino was there, and she and Sakura seemed to get along very well, right?"
"Yes, Ino is a very kind and amusing person. While you were deciding on the flowers, we talked about a lot of things."
"She invited you to have a snack with her tomorrow afternoon, so what are you going to tell her?"
"Well, the truth is that I don't know what I should do. I am afraid that, if I accept, I'll go there and, one way or another, blow up my cover. There are so many things I just don't know… and besides, I won't go without your permission."
Mikoto burst out laughing. Sasuke and Sakura stared at her.
"Sakura, dear, of course you can go! And besides, it will not be a questionnaire. I am sure that you will not talk about things which will need preparation. As long as you answer what you think is right, I am sure that everything will be alright."
"And what if she asks me something like my parent's names or things about my past? I will not have an answer to that."
"Well, you can make that up, and if you do, be careful to tell everyone the same thing. This morning, I laid out for you the basic story of your life. So, form that base, you can expand on it however you want to."
Sakura seemed to doubt for a second, but her face lit up afterwards.
"I think I will manage by myself. I will just have to create my own past. Thank you so much, Mikoto-san."
"And what do you think, Sasuke?"
The Uchiha sipped his tea distractedly
"I think that, if you think before you talk, and you don't start saying things which contradict each other, nothing has to go wrong."
At least, he had not refused to let her go. Maybe he didn't hate her as much as she had thought.
Or maybe he did, and he was just trying not to get his mother mad.
That doubt clouded her thoughts. Judging by his attitude towards her, she deduced that he didn't like her. She didn't want him to despise her for whatever reason. After all, as far as she knew, she hadn't done anything that could possibly make the ninja loathe her. He was her saviour, and she would eternally be grateful for that. Nevertheless, that didn't mean she didn't find him arrogant and cold. Sakura stood up, and put a hand on her chest.
"Okay! I will be sure to make you feel proud of me, Mikoto-san."
"I'm sure you will, dear."
Sakura started picking up the tea cups and cleaning up the table, while she thought happily about how great her life was at that second. Being a person who only needed simple things to be happy, with love from her adoptive mother, friendship from her new acquaintances and respect from her father and oldest brother life seemed so great! The only thing which darkened her perspective was the thought of her saviour who, despite having bothered to pick her up the previous night, seemingly hated her.
-
Sasuke reflected on the events of the day. His head hurt just at the thought of the many things that had happened. The discovery of Sakura's power was the thing which he found the most mysterious.
During dinner, both Sasuke's dad and Itachi had complimented Sakura on how good the dress looked on her. It was not like the dress didn't suit her- in fact, it did- but he had just felt bothered by the excess of compliments with which both (especially Itachi) had showered her. He felt like his family was quite hypocritical when it came to Sakura. All that she had done ever since she had come was bother them, especially Mikoto, and the only thing they did was compliment her? Of course, he knew it was now too late to tell her to leave, but he still felt bothered by the fact that they had taken a stranger in.
"Even though she's gorgeous?" his inner self teased him. Sasuke threw another fire jutsu at him.
However, there was one good thing he had noticed about her. She wasn't one to just take everything for granted. She knew she had been taken into the Uchiha family because they were generous and it was not really a problem (they could have had ten children and still maintain their great living standard, since their house was enormous and their bank account had more than ten ciphers), but she still worked hard to try to help as much as she could and, that way, express her gratitude. That effort she made was one of the things Sasuke appreciated.
Sasuke laid on his bed and took out of his pocket the scroll that Tsunade had given him previously. He started reading it. A few maps of the location they had to search around were included, with notes and other data to help them do their work. As he studied the position of the tents, he realized that Tsunade was right. It was not just passing ninjas. They were an organized group. The disposition and orientation of their camp was that of a defensive situation, made to detect any possible intruders and eliminate them as soon as possible. Even though they were not included in the map, Sasuke could imagine the traps which were settled around the camp.
Judging by the information, it would not be an easy mission. But Sasuke felt happy. He liked challenges, and this looked like a good one.
As he was finishing with the scroll, he heard a very soft knock in the door. He sighed. It was probably Sakura. She was the only one who knocked in that house. Mikoto just banged on the doors, Itachi came in without anyone asking him and Fugaku never went: if he had to talk to anyone, he would summon them to where he was. That way, they learnt to respect the head of the family.
"Come in." he sighed.
Just as expected, the pink-haired girl peeped into the room.
"Come on, don't just stand there like a statue! You're wasting my time."
Sakura went in, and closed the door behind her. Sasuke left the scroll on his lap, crossed his arms and stared at Sakura.
"So what do you want?" he asked.
The girl fidgeted nervously, looking at her hands. However, she seemed to gain some courage and she then asked in a low voice.
"Sasuke-kun, do you hate me?"
Sasuke sighed, taking his hand to his forehead. He knew that this girl was going to give him a lot of headaches.
"Why do you think so?"
Sakura, more calm seeing that his reaction wasn't that of anger, raised her gaze and fixed it on his. They both started at each other with intensity for a few seconds. Sasuke could feel the great force which Sakura transmitted.
"Well, because you never talk to me. As soon as I say something, you stare at me like I said something stupid or something you didn't like. You completely ignore me most of the time and, when I talk to you, you either don't answer or you talk to me like I am someone despicable. Aren't those enough reasons?"
The Uchiha was left stunned for a second, but nevertheless smirked. She was certainly one with character. She didn't resemble at all the girl whom he had found twenty four hours before. In that short period of time, her character had changed completely, from naïve and soft-spoken to fighter and smart.
"You have misunderstood me completely, then. I don't hate you. You haven't done anything for me to hate you. All that happens is that you can't expect me to like you straight away. You've only been here for a day and, even if we have gotten to know each other, that doesn't mean I am forced to adore you."
"Well, it's true that we don't have to desperately fall in love with each other but, since we are now living under the same roof, don't you think we should do everything we can to get along?"
Sasuke sighed once again. He folded the scroll and left it on the table. Since he predicted that it would not be a short conversation, he thoufht that they might as well get comfortable. As he sat straight on his bed, he motioned her towards the chair. She understood, and sat down. She then brought up her knees and hugged them. Sakura then seemed to realize something, and her expression changed from that of defiance to a slightly ashamed one.
"I'm sorry." She simply stated.
"What for?"
"It's just because... things are changing so quickly. I feel somehow lost. It has only been a day since this life started for me, but I already feel like it's the only one I have ever had. That's why I forget that this is my new life, and that I have no right to interfere with those people who already had bonds much before I came in. I was selfish, and took the liberty to judge people I am not familiar with, just like I judged your actions before. I also act like I am a full member of the Uchihas while, in reality, I am just someone who is being taken care of by a generous family. After reflecting on it, I've realized that I was just being egocentric, thinking it was your entire fault and not blaming myself, when truly I am the one most at fault. That's what I am apologizing for."
"Don't start trying to make yourself feel bad about it. The most logical thing in this situation would be to recognize your mistake and accept it, trying to look forward and not trip over the same stone twice. The time you spend sulking will be wasted time, so try to give it your best from now on, and make all the efforts you can to help other people. I know you must probably be suffering, not knowing where you come from or where you're going to, but that doesn't mean you can't make people you appreciate happy, even if it's just an ephemeral happiness."
Sasuke felt like a teacher lecturing a child. Nevertheless, Sakura smiled, not bothered by that fact. It was a very bright smile, a pure and sincere grin which Sasuke had never seen from anyone.
"Thank you, Sasuke-kun. I truly misjudged you. You are a very kind person."
He just grumbled. Sakura kept on smiling.
"I will follow your advice. From today, I will always try to make everyone smile, and not judge them if they don't. But, in return, you have to do so, too."
"I'm sorry, but I'm not the kind of person who will just smile all day and make other people happy. I try to do it in my own way. But I also try my best to protect those who I care for."
Sakura moved restlessly on the chair.
"By the way, Sasuke-kun, I heard you talking about a mission today. Your mother explained a lot of things to me today, like who the Hokage is and a little about this village's history and previous Hokages, but she didn't mention missions. Are they dangerous? Will you be alright?"
"Yes, everything is always like that. I am a high-rank member, so it's not unusual for me to go on missions. A group of ninjas just go and do what the Hokage tells them to. In this case we have to go and check on an irregularity in the border with another country, but it's not something dangerous." Sasuke was lying, but he could not tell Sakura about it. "I will be off on Tuesday, and I will probably be back by Friday."
"Thank God. I thought it was something more dangerous. But, if you put it like that..."
"Even if it was something dangerous, I would be alright. I am used to dealing with criminals and such."
"Well, that certainly sounds dangerous... but I'll root for you. Even if it is just a normal mission, I will be supporting you with all my might from here. You and the rest of your group. So be sure to come back safely."
"By the way, now that you mention it, Ino will be in my group. So you might as well give her your support tomorrow. I'm sure she will appreciate it greatly."
"Okay, I will make sure to do so. Thank you for telling me, Sasuke-kun." She suddenly took her hand to her mouth, and put on an ashamed face again. "Sorry! I mean, I don't know if I should call you Sasuke-kun, since we are not that close yet. Would you rather have me call you "Sasuke-san" or "Uchiha-san"?"
Those names sounded wrong in her lips. He usually felt bothered when other people talked to him informally but, to his surprise, he found himself saying.
"No, don't worry. Sasuke-kun is fine. I'd rather be called that than "Uchiha-san". It sounds weird coming from you."
Sakura laughed again.
"And besides," the Uchiha said. "We're family now."
"Yes..." Sakura smiled dreamily. "From now on, we are."
-
The smell of fresh cherry blossoms filled the room, dark except for the moonlight which came through the window. Sakura was sitting in front of her desk, with her head resting on the palm of her hand, while she held a branch of sakura with the other. She had already changed into her pijamas, the one that Mikoto-san had bought for her. It was deep green, with a mid-sleeved buttoned shirt and pants which got to just under her knees. It was loose on her, but she liked it that way: it was much easier to move around. She had chosen it because she found it practical. Since it was neither long of short, it could be used indistinctly throughout the year.
Sakura was deep in thought. She was supposed to be sleeping but, after her conversation with Sasuke, she had many things to think about. After they had decided to try to get along, Sasuke had helped Sakura to create the basic layout of her past, in case someone asked. He had also given her useful tips regarding what he thought they would ask her and how she was supposed to answer. However, if they asked her something she wasn't comfortable with, she could always change the topic or just pretend it was something which she didn't want to talk about.
After all, Sasuke had ended up being a great guy. However, his stoicism and indifference had made her get a wrong impression of him. From then on, Sakura decided she wouldn't treat Sasuke as her saviour anymore, but as a friend, and as family. Was he her brother? Her father? She didn't think he fitted into any of those categories. While she could perfectly imagine Itachi as being her obnoxious big brother, Mikoto as her gentle mother and Fugaku as her cool father, she was incapable of making him belong to any of those categories. So, after breaking her head, she decided not to classify him. Sasuke was Sasuke, a member of her family.
Sighing, she left the branch again in the vase, where it was supposed to be. She closed the curtains, making the milky white light dissappear, and she lay on her bed, in complete darkness. It didn't take long until she was fast asleep.
To be continued. Please, review. Thanks to all of you who have read up to here. I am very interested in knowing what you think of this fic so far.
COC
