Wow, update within 2 days...it's the end of the world! Lol sorry I'm just hyper. Anyway here's the next installment. This chapter is like a story unto itself but I think it fits Land of Leaves well. This also serves as my 'make up' work for the lack of interaction between Sasuke and Sakura in the last chapter. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Naruto isn't mine in any way, shape or form. I do own the plot though.

Land of Leaves

Chapter 10: Moonlit Rain

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As much as his body wanted rest, Uchiha Sasuke's mind wouldn't allow him to. He's lying down on the, albeit, dusty bed in his apartment, doing nothing but stare at the ceiling with his hands behind his head. He just stared at the peeling paint of the ceiling above him as if it's the most interesting thing in the world.

And maybe it was…

He used to do that when he was twelve, a genin of Team Seven. He would always stare up at the ceiling to plot his trail towards power, and revenge. What he had to do, what he had to avoid, what he needed to improve himself in, he thought in those long nights while staring at the ceiling with his back on his bed.

And now he's doing it again…

Sasuke felt like he had gone back in time, like he's a genin once again. A loyal nin of Konohagakure no Sato. As if all he did up until now was null, that he's, once again, a twelve year old boy, thinking about his ambitions. Such is the power of nostalgia…

But the peeling white paint always reminded him that he's now a missing nin.

A part of him, honestly, had thought about what if he never left? Now that Itachi's in Konoha, Sasuke's travel from country to country has been a waste. All those years of searching was now void, his target came to his starting point. The very village that they had both betrayed…maybe he might have become stronger here too. Sakura, who was the weakest of Team Seven, had grown exponentially without betraying anybody. So strong in fact that she could go up against him.

But then, Uchiha Sasuke had always convinced himself that he was different from others…

He subconsciously frowned. Yes, he's different than they are. His chakra and his very blood were cursed yet theirs are pure. They had grown and fought to protect, while he did the same to kill, to take the life of his own blood brother. They were free from any suffering while he's caged in it.

They don't know how lucky they are, he thought.

Sasuke stood up and walked towards the picture of the old Team Seven. He remembered that he slapped that picture down before he left, not able to look at it again, afraid that his courage might waver if he took another glance in this precious picture. But now it's standing again, displaying a moment of Team Seven as it was 10 years ago. Sakura probably put it back when she cleaned the place, as Kakashi had mentioned before. He picked the picture up, dust has settled in the corners of wooden frame it seems. He held it with both hands, as if it's a very precious possession. And it was as he looks at it now. He then ran a finger on the glass pane, his eyes glazed with nostalgia and maybe even regret.

It was a picture that they had to participate in for their records, for the officials to have a visual on who's in which team. Sasuke remembered that day. He, as always, was one who arrived first. Sakura arrived just a few minutes afterwards…

Ohayou Sasuke-kun!

Then the dobe would arrive next, about half an hour after Sakura did…

Ohayou Sakura-chan!

He would then glare at him and grunt.

Sasuke-teme! Why are you with Sakura-chan so early in the morning, huh? If you do anything bad to her, you'll pay.

Sasuke would only grunt back.

We're supposed to meet here, dobe.

Naruto would, of course, fight back.

Why, you! How dare you ---

Only to be bonked on the head by Sakura. Their sensei would then arrive two hours late with a lame excuse that went something along the line of…

I got lost on the road of life…

Naruto was still angry at him when they took that picture, complaining on the fact that Sasuke's not cooler than him, not even close. Sakura, being the girl that she is, was excited that she'll get a chance to have a picture with her precious Sasuke-kun. Sasuke didn't mind nor did he care but it annoyed him when Kakashi placed a hand on his head. He wasn't a kid anymore, he complained but the Jounin only had a smile visible through his mask.

Sasuke rested his finger near Naruto's growling face. He wondered what the fox-boy was doing now. How strong is he after ten years? Sasuke had always feared Naruto to an extent. He might always have the head start but when they last saw each other, on that falls that separates the Country of Fire from the Country of Sound, Naruto was catching up fast. Sasuke somewhat feared that Naruto might have exceeded him, a fact that his pride wouldn't be able to take.

The last time they saw each other, Naruto mentioned to him that he was a brother that he never had. Sasuke wasn't able to acknowledge that in a positive way though, for the word brother only translated to Uchiha Itachi, the murderer of his clan. But somehow, when Naruto said that, Sasuke appreciated it. He had turned Naruto down in every way, may it be in skill, looks and even in the affection of their teammate but still the fox-boy accepted him.

To an extent, Sasuke is thankful of that. If not for their separate paths, he would have had accepted Naruto as his brother too, a younger brother he never had. Obnoxious and idiotic, the way that Naruto just was, Sasuke might have regarded him as family.

Obviously that wasn't the case…he chose his own path. Revenge. While Naruto chose his…Justice. Two completely different ideals existing within two close friends, it was inevitable that they'll fall apart. Sasuke had a gut feeling that someday, Naruto would be the one that would take his life. A part of him had hoped he would for it was going to be the only honorable thing that he would have done to himself. It would also serve as his apology, for their ruined friendship and a destroyed heart of a friend.

Sasuke then slid his finger down from Naruto to the younger version of the present Hokage. She had a really bright smile in the picture, happy and not a care in the world. She was just happy that she's in a picture that her Sasuke-kun was in.

She was so different back then…

Sakura had always been the angel between two demons, him and Naruto. She's the caregiver and their sister figure. She worried for them and did whatever she could, which at the time wasn't a lot but she did her best. Sasuke both loathed and cherished her. He had hated the way she would always cling to him and how weak she was in combat but he held her in high regard as a friend. He respected her wit; a trait in which she outclassed him, for Sakura was smart. Sasuke was intelligent but his forte had always been in his skill for fighting, not strategizing. Sakura always used her brain and he admired her to an extent because of it.

She had also been a well needed mediator between him and Naruto, although, to Sasuke's advantage, she had always agreed with him. Sakura would always punch Naruto after such an argument. She would then smile at Sasuke.

And it's that smile that annoyed the hell out of him…

When she smiled, it's as if she didn't have a care in the world. As if she didn't have problems, even if they were in a life and death situation. Sasuke, inwardly, hated happy people. He hated it because he thought that if he's not happy then why anyone else should be happy. He loathed her smile.

She maybe the light and he was the dark but Sasuke had feared her too. He feared the way she understood him, way that she would risk everything for him and the way she loved him. Her affection didn't go unnoticed by him. She was always displaying it, from the suffix in his name to every little thing that she had done for him. It annoyed him. She was such a girl, a statement that he, himself, wasn't able to understand. Sasuke never understood why she would spend hours just to look pretty even though she could've spent the time training. That was one of the reasons why Sasuke thought she was weak.

Then came the exams…

In that small span of time, Sasuke have to admit that they bonded considerably. That was when he started acknowledging her, to an extent. That was when she decided to grow up too. If it weren't for her that time, they would never have made it this far.

That was also when his fear started…

She suddenly matured, changed. She became stronger and much more insightful and understanding. It was then that she had started to learn how to break his barrier. Through silence…

Sasuke remembered, a little after the exams, the way she would just look at him without saying a world. Scrutinizing everything he does, feeling for what he's up to. Sasuke had never felt vulnerable. He knew she was worried about the curse seal but the way that she's studying him just shot through his very bones. He would sometimes return her gaze with a glare, she would then only smile and turn away, and dismissing the glare she had just received. He then noticed that her clinging had reduced gradually, much to his relief. She had started loving him from a far right after the exams, well as a far as Sakura could go anyway, but at least she respected his space after that.

Sasuke replaced the picture frame on the drawer top and looked out the window. It was like that fateful night 10 years ago, dark, and dreary with a full moon lighting the city. That night was the time he was truly grateful to have known her.

He was preparing to leave then, standing where he is now and looking up the very same window. He had made up his mind. Sasuke could still remember what he was thinking that time.

This is for everybody's good…and for my revenge.

He had sounded so strong and powerful that night. He had made a decision for himself and he was going to stick with it. But now, looking back, Sasuke only felt so alone. Within himself he had wished that someone knew that he was going, that someone would see him off. Even if it's for his own selfish desires, Sasuke had wished that someone would be there.

He wasn't really surprised that it was her.

Against all odds she knew he was leaving. He never mentioned anything to her but still she was there, convincing him to stay. She did everything she could, from saying that they'll be happy if he stayed (he knew that it was a desperate lie) to confessing her love for him to threatening to scream. He was afraid that she'll arouse the guards at the time because of her shouting but, nonetheless, he was glad that she was there.

Sasuke then found himself leaving his apartment, defeated in trying to sleep. His house just brought back a lot of memories, good and bad. He looked around. It was way past midnight and he expected Anbus scattered around the apartment complex, ready to pounce him if ever decided to escape but to Sasuke's surprise there was none. What Kakashi said was true then, he won't be having guards. Could Konoha be anymore stupid? Sasuke only stuffed his hands in his pockets.

He wandered about the village with his gaze on the ground. It was an old habit of his; Sasuke wasn't a person who walks head up high like Naruto does. He hated the world…or at least most of it. It was cold. The shirt he has on wasn't much protection from the cool breezes that blew on him. Good thing Sasuke was used to the cold. He kept going, tracing his steps from when he was young.

He then reached the cobbled stone of the street the leads to the city entrance. Sasuke kept his gaze on the ground as he got in the silence of the night. The only sounds that he could hear were the grazing of his heels on the street and the fallen leaves that scrape each other the wind carried them away.

It was frighteningly just like that night ten years ago…

He lifted his gaze forward, half expecting her to be there, her hair obscuring her emerald eyes. But she wasn't there; it was only an empty street, littered with debris. Sasuke only grunted and turned his heel. Up ahead would be a security outpost for sure, no need to waste chakra and limb in a battle he won't win. He cursed the jutsu that Sakura had given him.

Emerald eyes then flashed in his mind. It wasn't that bright jade green that he remembered from his boyhood but deep ones that only held resentment and power in them. She's changed so much. Her voice was cold and hard, the opposite of how they were 10 years ago, for then they were caring and warm.

"What do you want?"

Honestly, it wasn't what he had expected her to say but that's what he got. A part of him froze when she had delivered that. But then his very soul was frozen, it didn't change a thing. Maybe, somehow, he was proud that she grew up, that she changed. She's stronger now. He could now say that there wasn't a weak person in his three man cell in the past. She now knew how real life was like. How it was so different from that little perfect world she always daydreamed about.

Sasuke found himself in another part of town. A place that he didn't want to return to again, he is now trailing the route to the Uchiha District of Konoha. He still dreamed about that nightmare that took place here over a decade ago. Blood of his brethren was tagged on the walls. Bodies of his close relatives dumped on the ground.

The bodies of his parents lying motionless under his brother's gaze…

Nothing else could anger Uchiha Sasuke more than relieving that night. That night destroyed him.And his brother made him suffer by sparing him.

Sasuke clenched his eyes shut in the memory. He didn't want to open his eyes, fearing that he may see those lifeless bodies littering the streets again. He shut his senses too; afraid that he'll feel his brother's chakra as he felt it when he was a little boy. He wanted to turn and run, just like he did before. He wanted to get away as far as he could but his feet were planted on the ground. He feared for the worst of his past to slap him on the face again.

But only a gentle breeze met him. There's no stench of blood in the air, only the aroma of trees. He didn't recall having a huge garden in that district when he was young, so where did the smell come from?

He slowly opened his eyes and looked up. Instead of the ghost town that was the Uchiha District, Sasuke faced a vast orchard. He whipped his head around. He was positive that this was the place he once called home from all the landmarks. But why isn't there any buildings, houses, stores? Where is the police station that the Uchihas had manned in the past?

There was nothing…except trees and grass.

He tentatively walked under the trees. They were cherry trees as he found out in closer inspection. They smelled just like the fruits they would bare soon. They all stood in a cadence, almost, perfectly lined up. The cold early morning breeze made their branches dance.

He walked on, half-fascinated, half-infuriated at what happened in the old Uchiha District. What had Konoha done? How dare they tear the district down to plant Sakura trees on the land? He then started feeling the weight of the Chains of Atlas on his limbs. Sasuke immediately forced asinine thoughts from his head. He would have a very long talk with Sakura about this.

He continued on, his footsteps barely audible through the grass of the orchard. It was darker here than in the city. The leaves of the trees blocked the moonlight, leaving sparse glimmers here and there. He continued his investigation, left and right he turned his head, only finding nothing but trees all around him.

Then a glimmer soaked by the moonlight caught his eyes.

Up ahead was a clearing, odd in a way for an orchard. Sasuke decided to go there and see for himself what's up ahead. He gingerly stepped into the bright clearing in the middle of the cherry orchard. There on the center, a black marble tablet stood proudly under the moonlight.

Sasuke moved towards the stone tablet. The tablet itself was moist, morning had begun to form it seems. His prediction about the morning dew became null when he felt his clothes sticking to his shoulders. It was raining lightly, so light it's almost a mist that showers the grass and trees under it.

Sasuke rested a hand on the five foot tall tablet, only to notice that there's something carved on them.

"It's a tribute to the Uchiha's that died…" a soft voice spoke.

Sasuke almost jumped out his skin, "Who are you…?" He snarled as he tried to look for the intruder.

"It's just me…" Sakura came out from under the darkness of the trees, wearing a cloak to protect herself from the cold rain. She took the hood off her head and continued, "I can't sleep either."

Sasuke gritted his teeth as he watched her turn her head upwards towards the sky, savoring the light shower on her face.

"What have you done to the district?" He demanded firmly.

She didn't answer for a while and kept her eyes closed, her face still upturned towards the heavens.

"Answer me!" He half yelled.

"What use is there for a ghost town?" She asked.

Sasuke clenched his fist, trying so hard to keep deadly thoughts on his head, "You have no right to…!"

Sakura had cut him short, "It wasn't by my orders. Tsunade-shishou was the one who signed the demolition order."

Sasuke growled and was ready to charge at her in fury but his arms just pulled him down on the ground. He cursed that damn jutsu.

Sakura lowered her face from the rain and looked at him. He never looked so idiotic and weak to her till that moment, she sighed, "Don't you get tired…?"

Sasuke shut his eyes closed, dismissing all the murderous thoughts that was running in his mind. He then slowly pushed himself off the ground.

"Don't you get tired of hating?" she asked again.

Sasuke only furrowed his brows and replied as calmly as he could, "Why did she do this?"

Sakura sighed; it was exactly like him to answer a question with a question, "Tsunade-shishou wanted to make a tribute site to the once respected Clan of Uchiha."

"Then why the fucking hell did she demolished the city!" He shouted.

She was unfazed though, "Answer my question then you'll know why."

Sasuke took a few moments to register what she had just said. Answer her question, huh? Don't you get tired of hating? His answer was simple, "No…"

She frowned, "Why?"

He didn't answer.

"Tsunade-shishou got tired of seeing the Uchiha District as a ghost town, with blood smeared on its walls." She walked towards the tablet, "She said it was time to acknowledge the true legacy of the Uchiha Clan, not as a clan murdered, but a clan respected by the whole nation."

She paused to touch the monument, "All of your clansmen that died that night, their names are now here."

Anger is now filling Uchiha Sasuke's chest. It took all his self control not to plunge down on the ground once again. He tried to take this rationally but his inner demon was telling him that this was an outrage, an insult. He breathes deeply, trying to tame his anger for the first time in his life. He then looked up towards the monument; some names were painfully familiar to him:

Uchiha Inabi

Uchiha Shisui

Uchiha Uruchi

Uchiha Yashiro

He remembered those people. He saw them that day just before that massacre happened. He then desperately looked for the two most important people in his life:

Uchiha Fugaku

Captain of the Konoha Military Police Force

Jounin

Uchiha Mikoto

Wife of Uchiha Fugaku

Jounin

Sakura took a step back and watched one of the remaining Uchihas lightly touch the marble tablet. She knew that they were his parents. She did a research on the Uchiha Clan when they were making this Tributary Tablet. She just kept silent, respecting this time of mourning from him to his parents, her gaze on the grass below. After a while, she decided to turn take her leave.

Sasuke ran his finger lightly on his parents' names. The last time he saw them, they were on the ground, lifeless. Blood covering their bodies and his brother towering over them with bloodied hands, it was painful. Sasuke rested his forehead on the stone, trying so hard to reignite the hate that was branded in his heart that night but all he could feel was sadness, guilty and most of all loneliness. He wanted to cry but tears just wouldn't come. He had cried enough for them.

"Don't you get tired of hating…?"

Sakura's voice echoed in his mind. Was this the feeling of being tired to hate? He wasn't able to produce hate in his heart within the sight of his parents' names.

He quietly muttered, "Is this what you called tired of hating, Sakura?"

She didn't answer for while. She was about to take her leave and let him drown in mourning, she's tired of comforting him. She answered his question by simply saying, "Yes…"

"I'm seeing that night flashing through my eyes but instead of hating him more I'm feeling numb instead." He confessed. His gaze was fixed on the running beads of water down the marble monument.

She looked at him above her shoulder. He was still kneeling in front of the marble with his head against the cold stone, his fist clenched on a handful of grass. His clothes were sticking to his body as they got drenched by the moonlit rain.

"Then you are tired of hating…" Sakura silently said, "Let them go. You're hate and anguish just burdens them more than they were already."

"I can't…" He choked out, "I just can't."

She didn't answer. Sakura knows when she can and can't help a person. She's a medic nin. There are times when if she gives it her all she could still save that person's life but there are also other times that she knew that, try as she might, it's all up to the patient. This was one such time.

"It's all up to you Sasuke." She said as she lifted her face once again towards the heavens, welcoming the cool drops on her face. She loved this place. Come spring, it was hard to believe that a massacre happened here in the past. This place was just stunning. She would sit in this orchard for hours, meditating. This was her private sanctuary, people were afraid of entering the cursed land of the Uchihas but she still came here. To her, this place was comforting. On sleepless night like this one she would just stray in here, strolling among the trees that shared her name. This is where she studied on spring days, where she meditated…this is also where she mourned.

She wanted to mourn with him. As a friend, she felt like it's her responsibility to but she just can't. She wouldn't. This is his trial, his obstacle; he had to face this alone.

She untied her cloak from her neck and laid it on his, now shaking, shoulders. They didn't exchange anymore words. Nothing else was needed, just a mutual respect of a friend and a mourner, of comrades. She then slowly retreated away, back to the Hokage Tower.

Sasuke felt a warm cloth over his shoulder. Her warmth. He just realized that he missed that warmth she always showered him in the past. It was calming and welcoming, something he had never experienced after his mother died. He heard her soft retreating footsteps.

"Thank you…" He whispered.

She stopped for a while and said, "You're welcome…" before she disappeared once again, glad that she was able to say those words in return this time.

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Sorry for their pitiful conversation, specially those who expected such a lovey dovey scene. I'm going to warn you now that this story wouldn't hold such fluff due the circumstances in the plot but I'll try my best!

RXR! Thanks for reading!