Colder Spots
cliché'd
The first time Sakura reaches out to him is in summer, late at night. Most of the villagers have turned in already, but Konoha's only bar is still open, and it is where he finds her, perched on a high stool, clasping a dish of sake and definitely more than a little tipsy.
Oh, Tobirama, she waves at him through the open store front when he passes by. Do you want some? She gestures excitedly at her drink, but knocks it over in the process. The liquid spills over the counter and down onto her lap.
Ahh, shoot, she grumbles. When she raises one hand to order some more, he firmly grabs her wrist and tells her dryly, I believe you've had enough.
That line is so cliché, she grumbles, but lets him pull her off the stool and out the bar anyway. They walk through the darkened streets in silence. At some point, Sakura heaves a weary sigh and adapts that faraway look that tells him she's thinking of her home.
It used to be like this, you know? She says quietly. We would go out, and someone would always tell me I'd had enough and walk me home. It used to annoy me back then but now… She tips her head back to look up at the stars. Her voice sounds weirdly choked when she mutters, I wish they were here to tell me I've had enough, or that I talk too loud, or that I am troublesome. I wish…
She begins sobbing, quietly, tears spilling down her cheeks and dripping off her chin. Tobirama isn't sure what to do. So he just takes a hold of her wrist again and leads her through the night to the inn where she has rented a room. By the time they reach the wooden house she is shaking, and somehow (he doesn't quite remember how) she has managed to lace her fingers through his. He lets go of her once they reach the front door.
Tobirama, Sakura croaks, and reaches out almost as if she wants to grab him. He watches her with a raised eyebrow. After a moment, she pulls back her hand, clutching at her chest instead and averting her eyes. Right… Safety hazard, she whispers, before disappearing into the building.
Tobirama looks after her in surprise. Has she just almost asked him to stay? Preposterous. Something stirs in his chest, something unpleasant, something that almost feels like a guilty conscience but not quite all the way there, and he stomps it back down as soon as it has appeared. They are not friends, after all, and he is under no obligation to care for her, is what he tells himself as he trods through the darkness back to the Senju compound. They aren't even on amicable terms with each other.
Then why does he feel a little bit bad for her?
Maybe because he's lost people as well.
A/N: Ouch, Tobi is so cold. But worry not, dear readers! He'll warm up soon enough. Sakura's now been in founding-era-Konoha for a little over four months (I like to imagine that she arrived in early spring), so it's about high time Tobirama looses some of that constant mistrust. Next chapter is a long one, so stay tuned!
word count: 491