A/N:

You should belong to The Avengers, or The Justice League, or... The Power Rangers?

You're a life saver. Literally. And thanks for believing in someone you don't even know.


Chapter 9

The Most Constant Thing


"Inhale… Exhale…" A soothing feminine voice floated to ears. "Continue to slowly and deeply breathe in and out… And feel your forehead become more, and more relaxed… And as you breathe in and out… Let your jaw become more, and more relaxed…

"Continue to slowly and deeply breathe in and out… Feeling your neck become more, and more relaxed… Feeling your neck muscles become loose, and relaxed… And continue to slowly and deeply breathe in and out… Letting your shoulders become more, and more relaxed… And now let relaxation spread throughout your arms… Becoming more, and more relaxed with each breath…

"And feel the back muscles become more, and more relaxed… Letting relaxation spread throughout your back… And slowly and deeply breathe in and out… Noticing your leg muscles become more, and more relaxed… Letting go of tension with each breath out… And letting your calf muscles become more, and more relaxed… And letting your feet become more relaxed…

"And then take another really deep breath in… And as you breathe out, let all the muscles in your body become more relaxed… Seeking down, becoming more and more relaxed… And one more time, take a deep breath in… And as you breathe out, letting go of any tension, and becoming more, and more relaxed…

"Now go ahead and bring your focus of attention back to the room…"

Two curtains of lashes rolled up and unveiled bright green eyes that roamed around the space. Wooden bookshelves, oil paintings on the maroon walls, and the brown leather couch with a black-haired woman opposite her, welcomed Sakura from the trance.

"So, that's one way to practice Progressive Muscle Relaxation whenever you're stressed. You could also use that if you have trouble going to sleep. Speaking of sleep, how's your sleeping pattern lately?"

"It's still quite irregular, Shizune-san. I always try to sleep at 10, but then I just can't get myself to do so. I end up staying awake for thirty more minutes, or even for hours. There're just so much things going on in my mind, I think."

"I see… Try to practice that PMR, but if it weren't taking effect in the first nights, I recommend these sleeping pills." Shizune reached for the shoulder bag beside her and took out a small glass bottle. "Don't depend on these though; remember to continue practicing the PMR until you get the technique. How have you been faring with our calming exercises so far?"

Sakura grasped for the bottle handed to her. "Thanks… I find the visualization techniques the most helpful ones."

"That's good to know. Well, do you think you're ready for the next phase of our therapy?"

Am I? There's only one way to find out. I could do this. Sakura nodded.

"Are you sure about that?"

"I am."

"Okay, we'll start with pictures and then move on to sound recordings. Once you become comfortable with those, we'll move on to the real thing. That is, with your consent of course."

Sakura's gaze fell on the dark grey carpet. An actual gunshot? Could she handle it? She didn't want another one of those panic attacks. They were downright troublesome, not to mention embarrassing. A hand rested on her knee, and she followed it up to Shizune's soft dark eyes.

"Sakura-chan… we'll do this step by step. You've gone through this before, and you can overcome this the second time. We'll start next week; I'll prepare the visual aids first. That's it for today, all right?"

Sakura nodded with a polite smile. "Yeah, thank you Shizune-san."

"I'm glad I could help." Shizune withdrew her hand and gathered the papers from the coffee table and into her bag, while Sakura slid the medicine bottle into her jacket pocket. After Shizune was done packing, she looked back at Sakura and smiled.

"So, let's go meet shishou and your dad, shall we?"

They stood up and headed for the door. When they stepped out of the room, the temperature rose and Sakura's head was the source of heat. As usual, the ex-temporary waited at the hallway. She rolled her eyes at him and walked side by side with Shizune, fully aware that Sasuke was following them.

Shizune, now in her mid-twenties, was the adopted daughter of Tsunade. In a sense, Tsunade had been a mentor to Shizune when she was still taking up Nursing, hence the 'shishou' honorific. During her second year, Shizune had a change of heart and shifted to Psychology. But even though Tsunade didn't serve as a mentor anymore, Shizune still call her by the title.

She got used to it, I guess.

Sakura was different, though. As early as now, she was decided to become a doctor. If she couldn't prevent all the violent events brought by the curse of being a Haruno, she could at least find a way to save the innocent people who'd get involved. So, to start making that dream a 'reality', she had joined the 'address-Tsunade-as-shishou club', which now had two official members.

As they rounded one corner, Sakura spotted Kakashi beside a door right away.

"Kakashi-sensei!"

Kakashi turned and his eyes crinkled at the sides. The bandana was gone, but his usual mask remained in place. Two dark eyes were directed at Sakura; the left one having a vertical scar through the center when closed.

"How's life?" Kakashi greeted a jogging Sakura, who stopped in front of him.

"Better than before… but not in all aspects." Sakura's eyes flickered to the ex-temporary, before she faced the other guard by the door. "Hi Iruka-san!"

"Good afternoon Sakura-chan, Shizune-san." Iruka gave a smile of his own, mirroring the not-so-horizontal line across his nose bridge, which extended halfway to both cheeks.

Yup, wrinkles aren't the only face lines bodyguards develop. I wonder what would look good on Sasuke… I mean, what would destroy his good loo- I mean, would destroy his face… Though, it turns out those who get scars are the good guys, kind of like a memorabilia for their heroism. Never mind. Sasuke didn't deserve one.

"Sakura?" Shizune looked at her with creased brows, one hand already on the doorknob. "I said, are you coming in?"

When did she get beside me? "Yeah…" Sakura glanced to the right and found Sasuke standing beside Iruka. People move fast today.

She stepped inside the room behind Shizune, but not before catching Kakashi's narrowed eyes.

A roar of laughter; Sakura hadn't heard of it from her dad in a long time, not until now. Her dad was sitting behind the desk, while Tsunade sat on one of the chairs in front. And they were laughing. Maybe they didn't even notice the door had opened.

"Excuse me, Tsunade-shishou?" Shizune interrupted, appearing to be as baffled as Sakura was.

Tsunade turned to them, still chuckling. "Oh! You finished so soon?! Why didn't you knock?"

Shizune met Sakura's eyes with equal curiosity. "We did. Actually, the therapy ended right on the usual time."

Kizashi took a glance at his watch and looked up at them, smiling. "Well, time flies when you're having fun. We were just talking about our college days. Come here you two, join us."

The two members of the 'address-Tsunade-as-shishou club' walked over, took their seats, and joined the conversation.


Classes were over, but Sakura chose to stay in the library to do her research homework. There weren't just enough medical textbooks in their own study. She took note of borrowing some from her shishou the next time she'd see her.

Sakura was on her way to one of the long tables when she heard someone call her name. Her focus was diverted to Suigetsu, who grinned and waved at her. Suigetsu jogged to her side and retrieved a book from his backpack.

"Hey, uh… I'll just return this math textbook. Thanks for letting me borrow it."

Sakura held the book and smiled. "Welcome, anytime."

"You might want to check that later. I'm… not sure if some of my notes were left inside, or if the pages were still complete. I might've torn some pages off when I was doing that brain-wrecking homework."

A chuckle escaped Sakura's lips. "Alright, if you say so, I'll remember that. But you have to pay for property damage if there are any missing pages."

An unexpected voice from the side interrupted. "Hey girl face! What did I tell you about getting close to this freak?"

Suigetsu glared at Karin. "What did I tell you about calling her that? Keep your voice down, we're in the library, if you haven't noticed."

"I don't care! It's dismissal anyway." She huffed and scrunched her face. "Whatever, you birds with same feathers! You think you could ever be love birds? Think again. You're defying nature's law! Opposites attract, not the similar ones!"

Sakura raised a brow. "Love birds? Suigetsu and I are just friends. What's it to you if we talk or not?"

"I'm just concerned about mother Earth. You could be the cause of its destruction. Especially, with a freak like you? It's gonna be an apocalypse. Nobody wants to see a cave man with pink hair and a large forehead in the new world!" Karin finished with a round of snicker.

There was a thick glass wall around Sakura and Karin's words just bounced off the surface as she threw them. Right, those words mean nothing to me now. "Too bad that so-called 'nobody' happens to be you, and you alone, Karin. 'Cause I doubt you'd be included in the next world with that attitude of yours."

Karin's jaw dropped and she emitted a sound that resembled a hyena's grunt. "You bitch!" She stepped forward and swung a palm toward Sakura's face, but then a hand gripped her wrist, stopping her arm in mid-air. Dark amber eyes widened and drifted to Suigetsu.

"Your behavior's getting over the top. To think, you'd resort to physical abuse? What's your problem?"

Karin looked down and shook her arm free from Suigetsu's grip. "You losers are the problem! You are such eye sores!"

Then she stomped off, exiting the library.

"What's wrong with that woman? She didn't seem agitated this morning." Suigetsu murmured.

"Must be PMS or something." Sakura shrugged. "Thanks for the save, though I could've just avoided that hit. So, is this the part where I flail my arms like an idiot and yell 'my hero'?"

Suigetsu gave a sheepish smile, rubbed the back of his head, and his eyes looked at anything but Sakura until they rested at one spot over her shoulder. His eyes widened and his grip on the backpack strap tightened.

Footsteps approached, and Sakura didn't have to turn around to see who it was.

"Who's this?" demanded a low indifferent voice from behind.

Sakura sighed. "He's my friend, okay? I know him."

"I don't."

"Well, you don't have to. What are you doing in here? Aren't you supposed to stay outside the door?"

"Everyone around you could be a suspect. Karin said you're in danger."

Sakura turned on her heel to the side and stepped back, so the two males could fully see each other. "I'm not in danger now, am I? This is Hozuki Suigetsu, a schoolmate and a friend of mine. There, happy? Actually, you're right. Everyone could be a suspect… including you."

Their eyes clashed and remained so for hours and hours.

Then he smirked. "Hn."

"Uh…" Suigetsu fastened the bag strap further on his shoulder. "I gotta go now, Sakura-chan."

Sakura finally looked away from the ex-temporary and at Suigetsu. "Yeah… Take care, bye."

"You too…" He risked a look at Sasuke. "Nice meeting you, man."

Sasuke didn't reply. He just followed Suigetsu to the door with his eyes.

"Just leave him alone, okay? He's a good guy." Sakura started walking to one of the tables, sensing Sasuke's presence behind her. He could pass as a shadow, always where she was at, on the background, and clad in all black.

"Is he your boyfriend?"

Sakura halted in place and spun around. "What?! No! A boyfriend is not on my priorities list, and will never be one. That's the lamest thing you've said so far. Congratulations."

A glare of annoyance was Sasuke's response.

The two settled at the table and Sakura started with her research, finding appropriate books on the shelves, then returning at the table to take down notes again. Sasuke just sat on the opposite chair the whole time, under Sakura's request (orders).

The chair slid towards the table as Sakura sat down once more. She ignored the ex-temporary while turning pages of the book she just brought over. Did he think he could get away with what he'd said? Sasuke was still on her bad side, in boiling melted lava.

How dare he state things as if they were facts?...

'You have trust issues.'

'You doubt everyone.'

Who does he think he is? A psychic? Well, he's a quack, because he's wrong… He is, isn't he?

Dammit! Now, she was starting to doubt herself. All because of his words. What he said shouldn't affect her this much. She knew herself more than anyone else. Yeah… She shouldn't believe that. He was only stating his opinion. And it didn't have to become her reality.

With the way he spoke, Sakura bet he had always won debates at school. If he ever joined such activities, that is. He was probably more like an anti-social student.

But she really wondered how he was as a high school student. Had he always been this cocky? This indifferent? This serious? Had he been a bully? Or the one being bullied? Had he been a straight A student? Or one of those who often got suspended or kicked out?

Curiosity won over, and she looked up from the book to the person across the table.

Sakura cleared her throat. "I was just wondering… Where have you graduated from?"

The indifferent expression was on. "Far from here."

That was helpful. "I mean, what school?"

"OHS."

Otogakure High School? That is far. "Were you an honor student?"

"Hn."

Oh that makes so much sense. "Yes or no?"

"Yes."

"Aa… Were you a bully?"

His eyes narrowed. "What's this about?"

She shrugged. "Just curious."

He stared at her for four seconds – not that she was counting – and raised one corner of his mouth to display the trademark smirk. "Maybe."

Damn! He wouldn't give straight answers anymore. She just knew it. Anyway, she did gather some information. So, he was smart, no doubt about that. And he had graduated from OHS.

Hold on… Why would a graduate from Oto be working in Konoha? He… might want to extend his horizon? But if he graduated with honors, then why was he working as a bodyguard? Surely, he could've considered jobs where more mental ability was required, instead of the physical. Or he could've continued studying for college.

"If you don't mind me asking… Why did you choose to be a bodyguard? I mean, yes, it's a decent job. But you've graduated with flying colors, and you're still young. You're eighteen after all…"

"Nineteen."

Huh? "Sorry?"

Stare.

"But… you've mentioned before that you're eighteen…"

Stare.

Jerk! How would I understand if he remains si…lent…

A spark inside Sakura's head activated her neurons and processed the stimulus – or the lack of – that Sasuke had presented.

"Oh… When?"

"Yesterday."

Would you look at that; she had just gained more info. For the first time since they'd met, Sakura offered Sasuke a genuine smile.

"Then… belated Happy Birthday."

Silence settled around them and Sakura resumed doing her research. The atmosphere somehow became more comfortable than earlier. Maybe the lava had cooled down, and maybe it was forming into a hard rock. Maybe.

Sakura's attention shifted to the book Suigetsu had returned. This could be a good time to examine it. She reached for the textbook, turned the book sideways, and flipped through the pages with her thumb. There was a distinct folded yellow paper pressed somewhere in the pages. She flipped the pages once again, stopped at where the note was, and picked it up.

Ha! I knew you'd scan this book like I told you to. You may think I'm a chicken for writing this here. I just can't say this to you in person. Here it goes. I like you, Sakura-chan.

I just need to let it out and let you know. I understand if you don't feel the same. I kinda figured out that much. Hope this doesn't cause any awkwardness. Friends?

Suigetsu

Yeah… Friends…

Sakura put the note back in between the pages, still stunned about the confession. This wasn't the first time someone had said or had written those words to her, but Suigetsu was her friend. And she had never imagined him to be as someone more than that.

She already had a lot on her plate, and she wasn't planning to add a love life on it. Besides, if the suitors knew about her messed-up life and how 'abnormal' she was, Sakura doubted if they'd pursue her.

The book slid back to its previous place, and Sakura refocused on taking down notes. One more reference book before she was done. She stood up and walked to the bookshelves, leaving Sasuke at the table.

No one else was in the library now, except for the librarian at the far side, Sasuke and her. Sakura glanced outside the window. She hadn't noticed the sun had set. The streetlights and the moon's glow had taken the responsibility of illuminating the outdoor landscape.

After passing by a few shelves, Sakura was finally at the medical books section. She scanned the book titles, tilting her head to the left and reading from bottom to top.

Endocrine… Endocrine… Here it is!

Sakura raised a hand and reached for the thick book just above her head. She managed to pull it halfway out the shelf. And half of the book's underside was the last thing she registered, before the lights went off.

Sakura gasped. Her spine stiffened. Everything was black.

The darkness pictured uncertainty… the unknown. It showed her the secrets of an abandoned building, or the inside of an old closet.

With the help of the moon's faint glow, her eyes adjusted to the dark. Everything was in silhouette. The solid spine of the books guided her hands, as she tried to make her way back to where Sasuke was. Her heartbeat increased with each step. As if she would be attacked out of nowhere any moment now.

"S-Sasuke?" She called out.

Sakura arrived at the aisle beside the windows, where the moonlight was more abundant. The path was more noticeable here, although still dim. She staggered along the aisle, holding onto the rows of teak bookshelves.

As she took one particular step forward, a sudden weight was placed on her shoulder… it was a hand.

With a shriek and a practiced defense move, Sakura balled her fists and whirled around, launching the right forward. Her fist collided with a palm, which closed in and held her fist in place. Unable to pull it back, Sakura threw the left, but then another hand gripped her wrist.

"It's me."

Sakura opened her eyes, which she just realized had been squeezed shut. A black tie against white shirt greeted her. She looked up and recognized Sasuke through the moonlight that blanketed one side of his face. The faint glow caressed his features, accenting the recesses and arcs, creating an elegant play of shadows.

Only now, did she realize how much he towered over her, about a head taller; and he could be close to six feet. The scent of wood after a rainstorm, with a hint of leather, overwhelmed her sense of smell. And she wondered why she hadn't noticed it before at the Root District.

Then there were his eyes, mirroring the darkness around them. She should have been scared, just like a few seconds ago. She should have been frightened of the dark… of black. She should have… But the effect was the opposite. Her pulse quickened, and fear was out of the possible causes.

The lights came back.

Sasuke let go of her hands, scanned the tile flooring, and picked up the small flashlight, which he might have dropped in her moment of paranoia.

"You okay?"

Sakura rubbed her left wrist with her right hand, trying to get rid of the tingling sensation from his grip. "Yeah… Sorry about that."

"Hn."

His eyes flickered to her wrist, and her cheeks reacted ahead of her, suddenly a temperature higher than boiling water. Sakura bowed down at her watch and rotated it to cover the previous action.

"Th-that's odd. It's only 7… The library closes at 7:30. What's up with the lights?"

Sasuke looked around the library with narrowed eyes. "I'll ask the school guard later. Hurry up with your homework."

"R-right." Sakura scurried back to the medical books section, quite grateful for a reason to get away from him.

What's happening to me? Oh, God… Please don't let me go completely insane…


He saw it again… the raw fear in those green eyes.

Sasuke glanced at the door beside him. His charge was behind that wood; inside the room she banned him from entering. And he was standing at the hallway, at the spot she designated as his post.

During her shocked state, just before Sakura distinguished his identity, he saw the same fragile person in the dirty alley. The one who struggled for support… The one whom he associated with a particular seven-year old boy…

The atmosphere inside the airport was the same as any other day. Busy. People walk in different directions, sporting a variety of hair and skin colors. This scenario wasn't new to him, but it never failed to amaze Sasuke.

His eyes and mind wandered around the concessions and shops, while his hand was in his mother's grasp, leading him to the departure lounge. They reached a room full of chairs; one of the walls was entirely made of glass. He could see the giant planes outside from here, and the thought of boarding into one delighted him.

"Okaasan! Are we going to fly again?"

Mikoto crouched down to Sasuke's eye level, still holding his hand. "Sasuke-kun, you have to stay here in Ame. I and your otousan just need to fix something in Konoha. We'll come back for you once everything is settled, okay? We'll leave you in Sarutobi-san's care for a while."

Sasuke turned to the said man, who was talking with his otousan at the corner. He didn't want the idea of being separated from his okaasan. But if it was only for a while, then it could be fine. He refused to cry here either, not in his otousan's sight. The two men finished their conversation and started walking toward them.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was an old man that his parents recently got acquainted with. Although he wasn't sure why they trusted Sarutobi-san, Sasuke had learned to do the same. The old man settled beside him, while his otousan turned to the most beautiful woman in the world.

"Mikoto, are you certain about your decision to go with me? You know you don't need to. I can handle the situation on my own."

"We've talked about this, Fugaku. We will resolve this problem together. We've gone this far in protecting our family. Your parents and brother are mine as well, and I want to protect them too… them and… our sons…"

"It's entirely my fault. I trusted the wrong guy. If only I hadn't allowed that ungrateful bastard–"

"Fugaku." Mikoto gave a warning look and glanced at Sasuke.

"My apologies. I got carried away." Fugaku sighed and faced Sasuke. "When we get back to Konoha together, I want to see you top that exam you've been reviewing with your okaasan. Only then, will I agree to accompany you on that year-end fieldtrip. We'll be going now. You're never too young to look after yourself. Remember what I told you the other day. Make me proud."

Sasuke grinned and nodded a dozen times, he couldn't believe his otousan was smiling at him. "I will otousan!"

Mikoto squeezed Sasuke's arms and gave a soft smile. "We love you." Then she leaned forward to kiss both of his cheeks and engulf him in a bone crushing hug, which he gladly reciprocated.

"I love you too, okaasan."

Mikoto pulled back to look at Sasuke and at the man beside him. "Take care you two…"

His parents had boarded the plane, and Sasuke waited for it to pass by. His eyes were fixed at the runway, with the wire-mesh fencing in front of him. He had managed to convince Hiruzen to let him stay a little longer and let him observe the planes that would take off. So, they waited at a road parallel to the runway, just beside the airport's boundary.

They stood right next to each other, backs leaning against Hiruzen's car.

"There! You see that? That's the plane where your parents are in." Hiruzen pointed at the plane that had just started travelling the runway.

Sasuke's eyes followed the white giant as it journeyed on the even ground. His head slowly moved from right to left, in sync with the plane's smooth motion. It was nearing the end of the runway, so the plane took off into the air in succession. Gliding up like a bird that was learning to fly… Getting higher from the ground… Flying to the sky…

BOOM!

Nothing. That was the only thing in Sasuke's mind as the scene unfolded before him. A cloud of flames covered the white giant; red, yellow, orange, and black molded together to consume the white. The flames glued themselves to the plane as it smashed back to earth with thick black smoke.

Then a hand covered his eyes.

But it was too late.

He had already seen it. Pictured it. Recorded it. Archived it in his memory.

It was too late.

Because he was now helpless. Broken. Destroyed.

"AAAAAAH!"

Sasuke crashed back in the hallway. That's Sakura!

He lunged for the knob and threw the door open. Not on the bed. Not on the reading nook. Sakura stood on the desk chair, both feet on the seat.

"What is it?" Sasuke scanned the room for threats, staying in place.

Sakura pointed at the floor, on a spot near the bed. "There's… There's a spider over there!"

Sasuke sighed. It was logical to be scared of a six-foot man with pure muscle, pointing a 45 caliber at your forehead… but of an arachnid? Sasuke shook his head in disbelief.

Women. "You're overreacting."

The hairy eight-legged creature crawled under the bed.

"AAAAAAH!" Sakura held onto the backrest, feet still on the chair. "Kill it!"

Annoying. Sasuke stepped forward and considered chasing the little monster away, just to stop the brat from screaming. Then realization made him step back once again. He smirked.

"Hn. I don't think so. I'm not allowed in there."

Sakura's jaw almost touched the carpet. "Just forget about that! I repeal that statement at this very second! Hurry! Have you seen how big it is? What if it's poisonous?!"

"It's a house spider."

Fast footsteps made Sasuke turn to the hallway.

"What's goin' on here? What's wrong Sakura-chan?!" The dobe shoved him off the doorway.

"Naruto! There's a spider under my bed!"

Naruto gasped and threw Sasuke a look of disgust. "Teme! How could you let Sakura-chan be in grave danger?! Don't worry Sakura-chan! I'll save you!"

Sasuke didn't say anything more and resumed his post. His life was the evolution of misery, the improvement of the term, or its growth. And it had everything to do with associating himself with these people.