[Sakura's P.O.V.]
- Sakura... ? Could you make some dangos ? – the younger Uchiha's question just floored me that morning.
- Huh? Excuse me, what did you say?
- I asked if you could make some dangos – he repeated.
- But, Sasuke-kun… Those are kinda… sweet – I implied – And as far as I remember, you hate sweets, don't you…?
- Well, that's correct… Except for dango – he stated vaguely, avoiding eye contact – So?
- Okay, then… How much do you want?
- Lots. As much as possibile – when I heard him say that, I lifted onto my toes and swept his bangs away from his face to check his temperature – What do you think you're doing?
- Checking if you're running a temperature… And surprisingly enough, you're not – I added, furrowing my brow – Okay, I'll make some for you… - I surrendered, not having found any symptoms of a disease.
As he received a satisfactory answer, Sasuke walked out of the kitchen, leaving me there with Juugo who had been listening to our little conversation while sitting by the table.
- Shall I help you, Sakura-san? – he offered.
- Sure, if you'd like to – I accepted, smiling at him – Would you knead the dough? – I proposed and poured the ingredients into a bowl.
- Of course.
He took the dish I handed him, and I started preparing the sweet sauce. I turned my back to him as I was stirring a pot on the stove. None of us had said anything for ten or fifteen minutes, each occupied with their own part of work. Suddenly, there was a loud metallic clank of a bowl hitting the worktop. I peered over my shoulder to see what happened.
- Kill… - he whispered.
- Juugo? – I called, bothered – What's going on?
- No matter whom… Kill… KILL! – he kept repeating over and over, like a mantra.
His skin turned gray, his eye black, and some strange tattoo-like signs covered his body. He was behaving as if on a rampage. He ran his hand along the surface of the table, knocking over all the utensils, which ended up on the tiled floor with a horrible noise.
- I'm gonna kill ya! I'LL KILL YA! – he threatened, approaching me.
I had no idea what was going on, I didn't know whether I should run or try to help him, or if it was supposed to be just a sick prank of his.
- Juugo, stop it, please! That's not funny anymore! – I begged, drawing back until my back met the edge of the worktop.
Being unable to retreat any further, I hopped on the top of a cupboard, and started screaming bloody murder.
- Sakura-chan, what's up!? – Suigetsu called out, running into the kitchen – Damn, Juugo!
Houzuki didn't hesitate to jump on his teammate's back, and clenched his arms around his neck in an ineffective attempt to subdue him.
- SASUKEEEE, GET IN HERE! – yelled the water ninja – JUUGO WENT ON RAMPAGE AGAIN!
Having heard his calling, the Uchiha appeared in the room instantly.
- Hurry up, Boss! I can't go on like this for long! – whined Sui.
- Juugo, enough! – Sasuke growled.
[Sasuke's P.O.V.]
Due to my genjutsu Juugo went flying and landed amongst all the utensils scattered all around the floor. While falling down, he crushed Suigetsu into the ground with his body. Sui dissolved into a puddle and in that state, he slid out from beneath his unconscious teammate. When he reverted to his human form, he started to clean up all the mess. Then something on the stove boiled and spilled over with a characteristic hissing.
- Kuso, my sauce! – Sakura swore and turned the ring off.
Only then did I notice her. She was sitting on the cupboard or rather cowering, her knees under her chin, her arms around her legs. I suppose she would have melted into the wall if she could.
- Are you okay, Sakura? – I asked, intending to take her down.
- Yeah, I'm fine – she murmured half-heartedly, as she wrapped her arms around my neck and her legs encircled my waist. Apparently, she must have taken it for another chance to fasten onto me.
- You haven't hurt him, have you? – I enquired the girl that was still trembling in my embrace.
- No, I haven't… I didn't know if I should defend myself or if it was for real… What the heck was that supposed to be anyway!?
- Orochimaru's Cursed Seal was activated… It happens to Juugo once in a while – explained Houzuki, trying to sit insensible Juugo up in a chair.
- So it wasn't the first time something like this happened!? – Haruno was indignant.
- You bet it wasn't! – Sui denied – What's worse, only Sasuke can control him with his Sharingan.
Sakura loosened her hug and leaned back a little so that she was able to look into my eyes. Finally, she let go of me.
- Sasuke-kun, are insane or what!? – she attacked me – You're completely irresponsible!
- What are you talking about?
- None of you have mentioned that something like this could happen, and you left me here with them alone for a couple of days!
- But nothing happened when I wasn't here… - I reminded her.
- But could have happened! – she started pummeling my chest – He could have killed us all!
- Calm down, Sakura! – I retorted, grabbing her wrists with one hand – You're right, I haven't thought about it… - I agreed when she stopped struggling.
- Can't I help him somehow? Maybe it's curable? – she asked in a hopeful voice.
- I don't think so, Sakura-chan – said Suigetsu – I guess it's in his DNA…
- But he's gonna be alright, isn't he?
- Yeah – I reassured her – We'll take him to his room and he'll be alright in a few hours.
- What's going on in here? – I heard the voice of my brother, who put his hand on my shoulder – You're being so loud I can't hear my own thoughts.
- It's nothing, Nii-san – I responded, touching his hand to let him know it's me – I'll explain it to you later, let's go. Suigetsu, help Sakura clean up this mess, I'll be right back and we'll drag Juugo to his room. And you, Sakura, call me when you're finished.
[Tsunade's P.O.V.]
There was a faint knocking on the window pane behind my back. I turned around in my wheelchair and saw a small blue bird perched on the sill. I ignored it, assuming that it'd probably just shit on that ledge and fly away. Nothing further from the truth. It was still there and kept pecking on the glass until I gave up and opened the fucking window. Only then did I realise it had a roll of paper attached to it's tiny leg. I untied the string and it flew away. I was deeply shocked when I recognised Sakura's handwriting. I slumped back into my chair and read:
Dear Tsunade-sama,
I know I behaved brashly. Please forgive me, I shouldn't have spoken to you like that.
I am aware of the fact that you are probably sick with worry about me. I am safe and sound, and perfectly fine. Please, don't look for me, don't make ANBU chase me. I joined Sasuke-kun. Don't fear, I am safe here with him. Sasuke-kun takes good care of me and I am sure he wouldn't hurt me.
I hope we will both come back to Konohagakure soon. Until then, please, tell my parents that I am alright.
Again, I am very sorry for my behaviour.
Your Sakura.
P.S. Sasuke-kun has no idea I've written to you.
My heart nearly stopped. So Sakura was alright, she was alive. What a relief! I called for Shizune immediately.
- What is it, Tsunade-sama?
- Here, read it – I handed her the paper.
- That's from Sakura! – she noticed gladly – Do you think she has a plan? – she frowned when she read the whole message.
- I'm more than sure she has, Shizune. The question is whether the plan is a good one – I added, standing up.
- On the other hand… - she began, looking at the letter – It might have been Sasuke who made her write this. He could have even written it himself, using his Sharingan. Although that wouldn't sound naturally, then.
- So you think the last sentence is just a ploy? This can either confirm or contradict the genuiness of the letter… Kuso! That bird didn't look like a messenger one either! It didn't even wait for an answer, nor did it have a letter pouch…
- Well, this may be a sign that she has actually sent it in secret. If it wasn't Sasuke who had planned it all along. What are you up to, Tsunade-sama?
- Give it to Shikamaru, I want him to check if there is any hidden information in the letter.
- Hai!
- Shizune, wait.
- Yes, ma'am?
- And… Dismiss all the ANBU squads that are looking for Sakura – I decided, although I wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do.
- B-but…! Are you sure?
- No matter which one of those two wrote the message, it seems to be clear that Uchiha has no intention of hurting her. Besides… Naruto's already on his way there.
[Kakashi's P.O.V.]
- I'm sorry, Naruto. He's not here in Suna; I'd have known if he had trespassed country borders. Are you trying to bring him back to Konoha again? – asked Gaara.
- Not really. I need his help, 'cuz… you see, Sakura-chan is missing. Most likely she's been kidnapped – explained Uzumaki.
- Oh, so you want to defeat criminals with another criminal? Sounds like a plan…
- If you say he's not here, then we have to keep going…
- Didn't you find him in Ame? – the young Kazekage was quite surprised.
- And why would he be there? – I interjected in the conversation between my student and Gaara.
- Haven't you two heard of the murder in Ame?
- Have you, Kakashi-sensei?
- No. I don't know anything about it – I admitted.
- Not so long after the Summit of the Elders of the Fire Country, Konoha's Elder has been killed in Amegakure. There's a rumour that it's Sasuke who did it. I guess you should check this out.
- That may be a good clue, dattebayo. Kakashi-sensei, who was our representative?
- As far as I know, Danzou was supposed to be there – I answered.
- Danzou? Which one is that, dattebayo? I don't recall the guy… - said Naruto, scratching his head characteristically.
- That's the one for whom Sai used to work before joining our team – I reminded him.
- Oh, that gaffer! Hey, but why would Sasuke kill him, dattebayo?
- Naruto… You may not understand it now but, believe me, Sasuke had good cause to do so… - I stated – That would also mean that the rumours were true and he really had killed his brother.
If Sasuke killed Danzou, he must had learned the truth about his clan. And the truth surely didn't make him abandon his revenge. There was a reason why Itachi didn't want him to know. I assumed Shimura was the first aim on his list and I feared Sasuke wouldn't confine himself to only one murder. Knowing his determination, he would soon find the other two Elders and we could only hope no-one else would be harmed. The problem is, if Sasuke decided to attack Konoha… then Naruto wouldn't be able to defeat him yet.
[Sasuke's P.O.V.]
- What is it, Brother? Do I … Do I smell dango?
- That's for a change after that gunge Sakura has been stuffing you with – I said, sitting cross-legged beside my brother on his bed.
- You're overindulging me, Sasuke, and I am the one who should be spoiling you… - Itachi pointed out, resting his head on my shoulder.
- Nii-san we're both too old for being spoiled, don't you think? – I asked, as I took a skewer with three colourful dumplings and dipped it in sweet sauce.
- You may be an adult, Sasuke, but for me you'll always be my little Otouto – he assured me and ate the dango I gave him.
- That's because you remembered me as a child…
- Uhm… That's right, I'd like to see you now, I'm curious how you look like now – he admitted and opened his mouth, awaiting another round dumpling – I bet my little Otouto has grown up into a ladies man, huh? – he teased me, still munching.
- Don't talk while eating – I grunted, and shoved next portion of his favourite sweets into his mouth so that he shut up.
- Kawaii! – we both heard a squeaky voice coming from behind, as we had just realised, ajar door.
Itachi looked ridiculously with his mouth wide open, waiting for me to give him the fourth ball, which he didn't receive as my hand froze midway.
- S-Sakura!? – I wondered, which caused Itachi to straighten up.
- Oh, forgive me boys, I've just… I was about to come round and heal Itachi's eyes as usual and then I saw you two and just couldn't help but watch… - she owned up, slowly entering the room – You know, Sasuke-kun, you could have told me those were for Itachi, I'd have made them anyway…
- Ooh… My beloved little brother doesn't want to show his kindness off, ne, Otouto? – he was ribbing me, while he slung an arm around my neck and pecked my on the cheek to humiliate me even more.
- Get off, Itachi! – I snapped at him, tugging on his hair that was pulled into a ponytail.
- Ouch! – he grained with pain – Ashamed of your brother, huh? Someone's blushing here… - he added, ruffling my hair.
- No, I'm not! Anyway, how can you tell if you can't see me? – I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me.
- I don't need to see to guess that, besides… I'm absolutely sure it makes Sakura think you're even more 'kawaii'.
- Hn. Urusai*, Itachi!
- My foolish little Otouto, I'm not saying anything – he promised and poked my forehead.
- You two really are adorable together, so cute – Sakura sighed, making sheep's eyes at us.
- Sakura, if anybody finds out what you've seen here… - I threatened, giving her one of my grimmest stares.
She smirked mischievously in response, and that smirk of hers was rather ominous.
*うるさい [urusai] – literally 'loud', often used also as 'shut up!' .