A/N: I suppose that this chapter deals more on how Sasuke didn't want to be weak any longer. The trauma part of the fic is from his encounters with various opponents that were stronger than him; or the trauma we have when we see that scene where he thanked Sakura, knocked her out and LEFT. Anyways, this is more of a drabble than a fic but I hope you enjoy it all the same.
Disclaimer: Naruto does not belong to me. Only Kishi-sensei was capable of creating this treasure of a manga.
Summary: Sasuke's POV on the night he left to go to that paedophilic Sannin.
Day 9: Trauma
Sasuke awoke with a start, hand immediately grasping the kunai under his pillow, panting to catch his breath. He looked around the room in suspicion, sensing that he was being watched by those snake-like eyes. After moments of inactivity, he lowered his guard, but still holding on to the kunai, and breathed in deeply. He couldn't go on like this; he couldn't go on after seeing that he was so weak as compared to the others. Being weak was a vulnerability that he could not afford.
He closed his eyes and recalled the time where he and Sakura were attacked by Orochimaru; the time when Gaara entered a rampage which ended up hurting Sakura; the time Itachi entered the village and placed Sasuke in a genjutsu that he couldn't break out of. His brow furrowed, no, he has to get stronger so that he can defeat anyone that stood in his way. He remembers the power that flowed through him from the curse seal and unconsciously, his hand reached up to rub the spot where Orochimaru had bitten him. He closed his eyes in contemplation, and Sakura's face flashed in his mind, her bright smile, her laugh, her soft look of gratefulness when he told her that Naruto was the one that saved her from Gaara.
His eyes snapped open, Sharingan whirling in anger. No, he has to become stronger than Kakashi, than Gaara, than Orochimaru, then Itachi, than Naruto. He has to become stronger so that he could protect the ones that he cared about; so that he wouldn't lose anyone ever again; he needs the power to avenge his fallen clan members. Staying here in Konoha was making him soft, making him weak, making him lose focus on what was important.
Making the decision, he got out of bed and started packing; taking only what he needed. He made sure that everything he needed was in his pack before he took one last look at the photograph of team 7, silently saying his goodbyes and then heading out the door.
He walked out of his apartment, knowing that he was being watched by some of Orochimaru's spies. He paid them no attention knowing full well that they wouldn't attack him since Orochimaru needed him. As he neared the village gates, he saw that someone stood ahead of him.
"Sasuke-kun."
~Up next, Day 10~
