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CHAPTER 8: REGRETS
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''You're back!'' the young Sakura greeted him, getting up
''I said I wouldn't take long'' he replied, then before she could say anything else, he quickly added ''are you sure we're on the right path?''
Sakura nodded
''Yup! And I've checked everything, there should be no surprises along the way!''
''Good, let's get going then''
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'' 'No surprises along the way' uh ?'' Sasuke mocked as they ran on the mountains. Behind them, dead patients covered in blood were following them in fast paces - too fast for zombies, Sasuke thought! - and screaming. The scene could sound funny for those watching - or reading -, but for them, it was anything but funny.
''I'M SORRY OKAY'' she replied, closing her eyes and running as fast as she could.
''This way'' he said, making a curve, trying to find cover between some of the trees. Perhaps he could make the dead patients lose track of them?
When he stepped on a specific spot on the ground, though, he suddenly started to fall.
Sasuke didn't know how long he spent falling - it sounded like an eternity - but when he finally managed to get a good look at his surroundings again, he noticed he appeared to be on what seemed an underground tunnel. More specific, a rabbit tunnel, given the amount of carrots spread all the way and making a path he deducted he should follow.
''Sakura does seem afraid of tunnels'' he said to himself
Walking the only direction he could, he couldn't help but to notice that there were giant insects inside the tunnel this time, and they looked very ugly. Sakura had always told him she wasn't very found of arthropods in general, unless they were her dinner, like crabs. He tried not to make eye contact with any of them - Sasuke wanted to avoid fighting unnecessarily as much as he could - and kept on his way until he found what looked like a living room in one of the bifurcations.
''A living room in the middle of a tunnel, typical of Sakura'' he thought to himself. There was even the painting on the wall she had insisted they bought from a few gypsies when they were in town the previous summer. The chairs, the table, the fire - yes, there was even a fire -, the carpet, and everything around him made it look like a cozy home. Perhaps a rabbit's house?
But no rabbit ever showed up. Instead, a couple of canaries appeared, holding each other's wings like a couple would hold hands.
''Hello, stranger!'' he greeted Sasuke
''…''
''Perhaps he can't talk?'' the female canary said, looking at him with pity
''I'm Uchiha Sasuke, and I- ''
But as soon as he said his name, the ground started to shake and the canaries became agitated, horrified
''An Uchiha! This can't mean anything good!'' the female canary said
''Uchihas are never good in this world'' the male agreed
''No, no, you don't understand'' Sasuke corrected ''I'm here to help''
''That's what they all say!'' the female shook her head in disapproval. Then her eyes opened wide in shock
''He's coming! Hurry and hide yourself!'' she instructed, and suddenly both the canaries started to move around frantically, hiding the furniture as fast as they could and then standing in the middle of the tunnel like ordinary birds ''hide!'' the female whispered before, suddenly, starting to look like a common canary again.
Sasuke thought all of that was a complete madness, but did as he was told, hiding himself behind the couch, where no one could see him.
Suddenly, a hole appeared on the roof above them and a sole snake's eye became visible, watching them. The birds acted as real canaries, doing absolutely nothing, and Sasuke stood still, not daring to move an inch.
The eye observed them for a little while and then started to retreat. But before he disappeared completely, he glanced at Sasuke's direction.
When he was gone, both birds sighed
''You can come out now, dear'' the female canary said
When Sasuke got up and took a better look at them, he noticed that both canaries wore a yellow shirt.
''Uh…'' he started, unsure ''does any of you know the way to the next nightmare?''
The canaries exchanged glances
''It depends on what you want with it''
Sasuke was getting impatient
''I want to put an end to it'' he said, simply
''In that case, follow the tunnel on the right, dear'' the female canary said ''it should take you there''
Then her eyes widened again and she screamed 'he's coming again!' before both canaries started to run around and hide the furniture.
What a crazy couple Sasuke thought, and this time he didn't wait for the eye to come again, he took the way leading to the tunnel on the right and followed it.
What felt stranger, Sasuke thought to himself, was that the tunnel above him started to turn blue. Then suddenly it wasn't a tunnel anymore and he was on a bridge, a blue sky above him, with some dark clouds approaching.
Sasuke felt his heart ache as he himself recalled that day.
He knew what that nightmare was about.
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When his vision was clear enough for him to recognise everyone in the scene, Sasuke hurried to take young Sakura out of the way just as his version in the nightmare aimed a chidori at her. He grabbed his arm and pushed it away a second before it hit her, just as Kakashi had done in their reality.
''So you've made it this far'' the nightmare said
Sasuke, on his part, was shocked. So he knew what his purpose was and what had been going on?
''Yes'' he managed to say ''and I don't intend to be stopped here''
Sasuke had never in his life imagined to fight such a real version of himself. Or, at least, of his older version, before reason came to him. Before Sakura.
What he wasn't expecting , though, was that he would have to use that amount of chakra so soon.
His only advantages were his rinnegan and the fact that the nightmare's sharingan started to make him blind over time, as he overused it in their fight.
But Sasuke's heart wasn't all in that fight. Part of him was feeling terribly, terribly sorry for having ever caused - or tried to cause - Sakura any harm. The worst part of the nightmare was not the fight, but to deal with the feeling of guilt that took over him as soon as he saw that bridge and realised what that nightmare was about.
Sakura still had nightmares about that night. And she never told him.
She didn't want him to feel guilty about having ever done that to her. She was always smiling at him and pretending everything was alright when, deep inside, she still remembered that day, and it still haunted her.
Feeling a wave of determination fill him, Sasuke did the best he could to finish his foe. But for some reason there was no sign of the crystal.
It was only then that realisation struck him.
Killing the nightmare's Sasuke didn't solve the problem. The problem was that he was Sasuke, and he tried to hurt her. He was actually still trying to harm the young Sakura, who ran desperately from one side to the other trying to find a safe place.
Forcing his Sharingan upon his foe's, Sasuke entered his mind, bringing him into a genjutsu.
Sasuke would never hurt Sakura.
In the genjutsu, Sasuke showed the nightmare each and every moment he had spent together with Sakura. From the moment they first met, to their last night together, when he almost lost her.
Every mission they ever spent together
The first time she said she loved him
The moment he left Konoha again, but this time promising to return
When he kept his promise and came back
When she helped him rebuilt the Uchiha's District
Their first kiss
The first time she slept over
The first time she made him breakfast
When she was nominated chief of the hospital and he couldn't help but to feel extremely proud of her
When he first saw her saving a life
The time when she repeated she loved him and, finally, he felt the meaning of those words
Their first dance together
When he asked her to move in with him
When she accepted
When she made his house a home again
When he first admitted to himself he loved her
And when he told her that
Each moment filled with a wave of feelings so strong Sasuke felt dizzy
When the genjutsu was over, the entire form of the Sasuke from the nightmare had turned into a red crystal. The layer of hate and need of revenge gone, and the Sasuke from inside, the fragile young boy still learning how to love, revealed himself.
''Sakura'' he started, looking at the sky above them ''I'm sorry'' then he closed his eyes ''and thank you''
A bright light started to shine from within him before he shattered in one million pieces, only one bigger piece in the shape of heart remaining.
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''What was that'' the young Sakura was flabbergasted, her jaw dropped in shock
Sasuke said nothing
But he was feeling everything.
''Two left. Let's go''
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Sasuke wasn't at all pleased when they ended up in a large mansion and he heard male voices coming from the inside.
''Ohhhh I love this place!'' the young Sakura cheered
Sasuke gave her a deadly look
''Let's make it quick''
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Inside the house was worse than Sasuke had expected: there were in total 7 men, a complete reverse harem, and each of them were stunningly handsome. What was worse, they all wanted to stay close to Sakura at all times, tickling her and telling flirty jokes that were making Sasuke's patience decrease rapidly.
''We are looking for the next nightmare, care to tell us where to find it?'' he asked for the third time.
But none of the men paid him any attention.
''Sakura, let's go'' he finally said, but as soon as he touched her arm 7 pairs of eyes looked at him angrily, so angrily Sasuke was taken aback and let her go.
''Don't mind him, boys'' she said ''he has no manners''
The men in the room started to laugh as if that had been the funniest joke in the world
''Aren't you the cutest thing, Sakura-chan? Please stay with us longer''
''Let me massage you, I'm sure you're tired!''
''Please accept this rose as a token of my love for you''
''I bought you these chocolates, Sakura-san, I hope they please you''
''I'm sorry I wasn't part of your past, can I make it up by being part of your future?''
''You're my one and only, Sakura, will you give me honor of making you the happiest woman in this world, by my side?''
''You have repainted my life with colors that were previously unknown to me, Sakura''
Sasuke was pissed
''Sakura, let's go''
Sakura sighed
''Boys, boys, easy now, there's enough of me for everybody'' she assured them ''now, will you be so kind as to show us the path to the next nightmare? The crystal pointed to this house''
''Why, of course! Why didn't you say so earlier?'' one of them said, making Sasuke use all of his self-control not to chidori him.
''This way, mademoiselle'' another said, leading them to a room full of mirrors ''please come back soon!'' then he closed the door and left only Sasuke and Sakura inside the room.
''Aaaaalright, what now?'' she asked him
Sasuke thought for a second, analysing each and every mirror carefully. There was only one that wasn't reflecting their image.
''Should be that one'' he said, touching it to find out that it was, in fact, a portal. He stepped inside and was teleported.
''Why always mirrors?'' Sakura grunted before following him.
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Sasuke found it weird when he opened his eyes and found himself in a place that resembled Konoha, yet still there was something different about it. He walked across the streets of the village feeling that everything was both familiar and strange at the same time.
''I'm positive Kizashi-san has never become Hokage'' he mentioned, looking at the Hokage Rock.
He knew where they were.
Sakura had told him once about that one time when Naruto and her had been teleported to an alternative reality in which everything was the opposite as it was in the real life.
''I was afraid we'd come to this nightmare eventually'' Sakura commented, drawing Sasuke's attention to her ''I fear you won't be able to pass this one, Sasuke''
''And why is that?'' he frowned
Sakura sighed
''Because what's wrong here is a feeling, the feeling of loneliness and abandonment Sakura felt when she realised she had no friends or family here. I doubt there's anything you can do to change those feelings''
Sasuke clenched his teeth. He had come this far, he wouldn't give up here.
Sakura needed him.
After a while walking through the new village, he decided to make his way to Sakura's house. Perhaps he would find a clue there.
To his surprise, he did.
In the living room, he found something very strange: her parents and even Sakura were there, but it was like it wasn't really them, but only an image representing them.
''A memory?'' he guessed, looking as the image fluctuated sometimes ''it looks like a happy memory, but it doesn't seem complete'' he voiced his thoughts.
Kizashi was sitting in the couch, his left hand looking like it was holding something, though there was nothing in his hand. Mebuki was coming from the kitchen, her arms ahead of her body like she was carrying something, but again, there was nothing in her arms. Sakura was sitting on the floor next to a Christmas Tree, looking happy as she opened something in front of her, something that wasn't there either. Sitting next to her, Naruto and Sai were looking at her with expectant eyes. The fire was put off behind them.
''Perhaps if I put things in the right places?''
Walking through the house, Sasuke found a tray with biscuits, a cup with hot chocolate and a wrapped present in different rooms, and he quickly brought them back to the living room, placing each item in the right place.
Nothing happened, though.
''Hmm…'' he was sure he was on the right path, but there was something missing ''it's normally cold during Christmas, perhaps if I light the fire?''
Just as he used the fire jutsu and the fire was lit, the whole room became brighter, laughter could be heard and for a moment the images moved, continuing what they were doing.
Outside, the sky became a little brighter and the quiet village started to make a little sound.
''Looks like I have to bring back Sakura's happy memories if I want the lonely feeling gone'' he concluded, glancing at the happy place once again before leaving the house to find where the next happy memory was.
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Sasuke was right when he guesses the next place where a happy memory would be was Ichiraku's.
He arrived there to see all of Sakura's friends reunited, celebrating. It was as if a movie had been paused, because they were all in the middle of doing something.
Sasuke walked through the restaurant to find the missing pieces of the puzzle: Tsunade's sake, Naruto's ramen, Kakashi's Icha icha Paradise, Sai's painting brush and his canvas - for he was eternalizing the moment in a painting -, and Sakura's flower bouquet.
When the memory came to live and Sasuke saw the happiness it emanated. He almost felt envy that he wasn't there when it happened.
But what made it worse was that each and every memory of Sakura's he was retrieving in that nightmare happened without him. He wasn't in a single memory, he had missed most of her happy moments in her life because he was away seeking a stupid revenge. At least 6 new memories followed that one and none included him.
Sasuke felt for the first time extremely guilty for not having taken part of most of Sakura's happy moments in her life. For being away when she was the happiest.
The world started to shine brightly again, but something told Sasuke there was still one happy memory to retrieve. He searched the entire village for a place where Sakura could've experienced something that made her elated, but he couldn't find anything.
A faint hope started to grow inside him when he concluded the only place he hadn't visited yet in the village was the Uchiha's District.
Their home.
He wasted not another second and hurried there, entering the house to find out he was right: there it was, the last memory.
Sakura was in the living room with both arms in the air, and nothing else.
Sasuke knew what that memory was, though.
He lit the candles, closed the curtains and found the CD with her favorite song, placing it on the radio and pressing play. Then, he came closer to her and placed both her hands around his neck, wrapping his own around her waist.
The memory came to live as they danced together, slowly and intimately, looking straight into each others eyes. Sasuke might have imagined that, but he could swear the image's face became crystal clear to his eyes, and he could see Sakura's eyes shining just as they did when they first danced together in the real world, a bright smile on her lips.
The world around them started to turn into colorful butterflies as it dismantled, but Sasuke wasn't paying any attention to his surroundings: he only wanted to focus on the girl he loved, right in his arms again.
When finally all the world dismantled, Sakura started to disappear soon, but she managed to place a small kiss on his cheek before her body was gone.
Then the world around him started to become so bright he had to close his eyes not to get blinded by the light.
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When finally he was able to see again, Sasuke noticed he was at a wedding. He looked around in confusion.
''Where's that damn crystal'' he asked himself, walking around. The guests looked at him strangely because of the clothes he was wearing - totally inappropriate for a wedding - but said nothing. After all, he still was Uchiha Sasuke.
''Teme!'' he heard a familiar voice call him ''I'm glad you came'' he said, patting his shoulder ''you know how much this means to me''
Although everyone's faces and forms were a little blurred in the dream world, it was impossible not to tell that he was Naruto
And that he was the only one wearing a white suit
Sasuke had a bad feeling about this
''Where's Sakura?'' he asked
Naruto laughed
''Teme, teme! Don't you know it brings bad luck to see the bride before the wedding? She should be here soon, walking down the aisle right to my aaaaaaaaarms!'' he sang
Sasuke didn't wait for him to say anything else. He ran to find Ino, the only person who would know where Sakura was.
''Ino'' he grabbed her arm and made her turn to him
''Heeey!'' she complained, looking at him angrily
Sakura's dream were very, very real, Sasuke thought to himself. Ino annoyed him just the same.
''Where's Sakura?''
Her expression turned stern
''Why do you ask?''
''It's none of your concern''
She gave him a 'then I won't help you' face and Sasuke inhaled deeply, trying to control his nerves
''I need to talk to her'' he said simply
Ino sighed and pulled him by the arm to a counter
''I don't know what you want with her, but she's happy, so don't screw up''
''For a dream, you're very annoying'' he mumbled
She said nothing
''Please?'' he said after a while
Ino considered him for a moment and then agreed
''Just don't ruin everything'' she begged him
Sasuke nodded
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''Sakura?''
She was beautiful
Even though Sasuke couldn't see her face properly - because she wasn't the young Sakura, she was just an image from her brain - he could tell she looked like the most beautiful woman in the world in that wedding dress.
''Sasuke-kun? What are you doing here?''
On her finger, a ring shone in red.
The crystal
''Sakura, I know it makes no sense, but I need your engagement ring'' he said, coming closer to her.
Sakura brought both her hands closer to her body, protecting them from his grasp, and took a step back
''Why? What is going on?''
''It's a long story, but you shouldn't be marrying Naruto'' he said ''this is a nightmare''
''No, Sasuke'' a voice called him. He turned around to see the Young Sakura ''this is no nightmare. This is just a dream. Because it came from the good memories you returned to Sakura, the crystal ended up here. But it's not a nightmare, it's just a dream. And a very good one''
''But if I don't get the ring'' Sasuke started ''will I be able to move on to the last nightmare?''
The young Sakura shook her head
''You need to break the crystal and end this dream''
Sakura retreated, protecting her ring
''End…?''
Sasuke was torn inside. He needed the ring, but could he end Sakura's happiness again?
''Sakura, this is an illusion, just a dream'' he tried to reason, more to convince himself than Sakura ''your life is out of here, back in the real Konoha, with me''
Sakura released a mocking laugh
''With you? You never cared about me, Sasuke-kun!'' Sasuke couldn't see clear, but he knew her eyes were full of tears ''how can you say something like this?''
Sasuke understood. This nightmare was a trap set by the Shadow. He knew Sasuke wouldn't dare harm Sakura.
''You probably don't remember this'' he told her ''but when we first danced together, you told me I danced like a wild duck''
Sakura stood silent
''When you first slept over, you made me watch all of your favorite movies with you and you got upset because I slept in the middle of the first one''
He stepped closer
''When we first kissed, it was because you had a hiccup and you told me to scare you so it would go away''
He took a lock of her hair and placed it behind her ear
''When I asked you to move in with me, you choked so hard on the milkshake we were sharing that it came all from your nose, it was gross'' he laughed lightly
Sakura giggled
''We've never been a perfect couple, Sakura'' he continued ''And I've hurt you so much… But you never gave up on me''
She tried to lower her head, but he lifted her chin and made her stare at him
''I need you trust me this time too''
Sakura hesitated for a second
''I'm happy like this, Sasuke'' she said ''like I've never been before''
He felt his heart ache
''But I trust you, so if you really need this ring, I'll give it to you. I've always put your needs before mine anyway'' she smiled lightly ''I guess this is what they call 'love' ''
He kissed her forehead when she slowly took the ring out of her finger and placed it in his hand
''Thank you, Sakura'' he said
Then closing his fist tight, he broke the ring.
The entire world around them started to dismantle, the fragments rising up in the sky until they disappeared. Sasuke gave Sakura one last look, her dress turning black before she started to disappear too.
Then he left.
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''What happened?'' Sasuke asked when everything went dark. Sasuke was left in a dark, endless room, stepping on what seemed like water.
''Sasuke'' he turned around and saw the young Sakura on the other side of the room, her back to him.
''What's wrong? C'mon, let's move on to the next nightmare'' he urged her
Slowly, she started to turn at his direction
''I can't let you pass through this last nightmare''
When she turned completely to face him, her eyes were red and her hair started to dance like it had come to live.
''I was hoping you would fail eventually, but you're a stubborn little rat, aren't you? Why not let things happen as they should?'' she ran a hand through her own hair, trying to contain her anger ''But that's enough, I can no longer tolerate you nipping at my master's heels''
Sasuke's eyes widened as she rose in the sky and opened her arms wide, the entire world turning red and many figures from the past nightmares he'd fought against reappearing, all together, next to the young Sakura.
''Your little adventure in the Dream World ends here, Uchiha Sasuke''
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SUUUUUPPPPPP ?
I was super fast to post this chapter, wasn't I? I'm impressed! Hahahahah
I had the best time writing this, I hope you have as good a time reading it :3
Any predictions as to what will happen next? Let me know!
Nooooow, replying to my amazing guests:
- monsuno power: YOU WERE RIGHT FROM THE START, BOYYYYYYYY! You're way too clever, it's impossible to surprise you xD I'm sorry it has been tiring for you lately ): Please don't give up on whatever you've been doing, I'm sure you can do it! Do your best and you'll already be a winner! And I think you two are connected because of your style of writing and also because you always post reviews together hahahahaha Buuut, it's just a theory! Hahahah I hope you can enjoy the end of the year, and in case I don't post a new chapter before Christmas: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I wish you lots of happiness and success in your life! Big hugs!
- Bleach power: LET'S DAAAAAANCE! Hahahahahahah I love it too xD Aaaand you were right about young Sakura too! You two are so clever AAAAAA ! I hope you like this new chapter! I'm glad reading this story makes you happy! It makes me twice as happy when I read such sweet reviews as yours ! Thank YOU for always taking the time to write me a review and share with me your suspicions as to what will happen next! I love to read both yours and monsuno power's reviews, they make my days! In case I don't see you before the end of the year, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year ! Please continue to be such a sweet and kind person, I wish you all the best! Big hugs!
I hope to see you all soon, everyone! Big hugs!
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Blackfan Diamond
