Thunder
After the lightning comes the thunder.
He had almost killed her with his chidori, almost struck lightning through her heart and, by extension, through his own.
He didn't break down on the battlefield—no, he couldn't let himself. The breakdown came later, in private, when he knew Tobi and the others were nowhere within reach of him.
He closed the door and locked it, staring at his hand in the darkness—the very hand he'd almost struck her with—and the thunder hit him then, hard.
The shock wave that went through his entire body was deafening.
He collapsed against his bed, screaming in silence, and clawing at his covers. Kicking himself mentally.
How stupid was he? How insane?
He'd almost killed Sakura.
"I'm sorry," he mumbled into the sheets. "I'm so... sorry."
The electricity that pulsed through his veins now was enough to shock him back to sanity—enough to convince him that he'd lost his grip on reality a long, long time ago. All this time, he'd been searching for the wrong thing, following the wrong path.
Vengeance had never really been the answer—but he'd be sure to get it now.
Tobi would pay for what he almost led Sasuke to do.
...
Author: Like I stated in the first chapter of this, in my story that moment is the turning point in Sasuke's situation. The act he'll spend quite a long time atoning for... So I hope it doesn't seem like I'm reflecting on it too much.
Honestly, I don't see enough people playing up the impact that moment should've had on their relationship.
Hope you like it! Tomorrow's should be lighter, what with a theme of "laughter" and all, but you never know... ^^;
To my reviewers:
Seiren Cross: Thanks, I'm glad you think so! ^^ I'll try my hardest to keep at it. :)
Jenni Saba: Cool, I'm happy people are finding it on both my accounts! ^^
Rokuna Aldebaran: You've got no clue how happy that makes me. I'm glad that my writing gave you that feeling! I'm also happy you think a pink-haired son would be cool. :D