The Uchiha Sweetheart Chapter 21: BLOOM Sakura BLOOM, a naruto fanfic

THE uchiha Sweetheart

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE: I'm Here

Many things happened in the following days. Sakura was assured that everything would turn back to normal after Sasuke had been revived. But everything was turning nightmarishly wrong. The Uchiha seemed to have been woken up from a terrible dream. He was constantly resentful and ill-tempered even to Sakura who became positively terrified of him. The worst came when Sasuke's superiority complex skyrocketed heaven-high which resulted into a fierce battle between teammates.

It was scary. For the first time, she was scared of looking at Naruto and Sasuke. Sakura cringed at the memory. And soon, her eyes began to fill with tears which she wiped away quickly.

Sasuke was approaching.

"Sakura." He said in a cold voice. It was a chilly night. The wind blew constantly, making her shiver. Sasuke's cold voice didn't make her comfortable.

"Sasuke-kun…"

"What are you doing here?" he asked, his brows furrowed.

She stood up from the bench, a determined look in her eyes. "Sasuke-kun, where are you going?"

Sasuke narrowed his eyes, his fists trembling. "Go back to sleep. It's late."

"You're leaving, aren't you?" she asked in a trembling voice.

He gritted his teeth. What an annoying nosy girl. The last thing he needed to see right now was her tears.

Those tears.

Those fucking damn tears that made his knees all wobbly.

I hate her eyes.

I hate her face.

I hate her tears.

I hate her…

…damn, I HATE HER THE MOST.

The intensity of my hatred for her is just like… how I'll do everything for her.

"Sakura," he said, hating how he said her name. "Go back to sleep."

"Why! Why won't you tell me anything? Why won't you talk to me!" she cried, her eyes streaming. "Talk to me!"

What would he say? Beg to her? Tell her to wait for him? Make her promise not to date that white-eyed Freakazoid until he comes back? What would he say?

Goodbye…?

"You're going to him… to Orochimaru… to seek power… to betray Leaf, right?" He didn't respond. "Please, tell me it isn't. Tell me." She begged, her heart beating so fast… so fast… then slowed down then fast again…

"I'm going to join Orochimaru."

Sakura felt a stab to her chest, to her heart. Bits by bits, she felt her heart tore into many… pieces.

"J-join…?"

Her eyes were wide with horrified shock. Her bottom lip trembled and more tears fell. "You're going to BETRAY Konoha! Did you hear yourself! Listen to yourself talking! This is YOUR home! This is Konoha!" Sakura half-yelled, near hysterical.

"I don't care." The dark-haired boy spat cruelly, turning to face her which he regretted. He flinched inwardly at the sight of her. Her usually blissful eyes were streaming with tears, her cheeks and skin were so pale that she seemed to glow in the dark and her face was tear-strained and twisted into a painful frown.

He willed himself to talk again, to convince himself that he's doing the right thing, that his decision was permanent and would not be swayed nor be broken by her tears. He swore to himself before he left her sleeping an hour ago that HE WILL LEAVE KONOHA, NO MATTER WHAT HAPPEN NO MATTER HOW HE'LL DO IT, HE WILL LEAVE TO PURSUE HIS GOAL.

And he remembered with a wince that he swore it with his Uchiha Iron Will… and looked like it was breaking, his Uchiha Iron Will was breaking, crumbling and crumbling like bread crumbs.

Pathetic.

Sasuke felt sick. Seemed like big brother bastard Itachi was right. He let a pretty, pretty face to manipulate him. He became a sick pup licking Sakura's heel.

NO! No. I'm not a puppy. I am Uchiha Sasuke. Avenger. AVENGER.

His face hardened as his coal eyes turned cold. "What I desire is power. Not a home."

Sakura gasped, taking a step back as though Sasuke had hit her in the face. "What happened to you?" she asked tearfully, her eyes were filled with raw pain and disbelief. "How could you say such horrible things? Oh please—" She sucked in her breath, her eyes widening in realization. "Don't tell me… please, don't tell me this is about your revenge. Don't tell me… don't Sasuke-kun—don't… DON'T DO THIS!" she cried, close to hysterics.

"Sakura, don't be a nuisance." Sasuke said in a low thick voice. He saw her winced horribly.

"How… how could you talk… to… m-me… like that?" she whispered, wide-eyed. "You… you… never talk to… to… me… like t-that…"

Sasuke watched her tears fall harder like a rainfall. He wanted desperately to tell her to stop crying, to tell her that everything would be alright, that he… will

STAY.

But he clenched his fists harder.

NO.

"Sasuke-kun, please, PLEASE— I beg you, don't go! Revenge will never bring you happiness and satisfaction! It will just make you more miserable! Plus… Itachi-san's… is powerful! He will kill you!" she said, fresh tears falling from her eyes.

"I'm not going to be killed. Once my revenge is done, nothing will matter." He said coldly.

Sakura gasped, stepping back. "How could you say that? How about… me?"

He bowed his head. "It's no secret to you that my ultimate goal in life is to achieve vengeance."

She clenched her fists. "How about me? Am I important to you?" she demanded, with trembling fists.

Sasuke took a deep tired breath. This drama was overly annoying. He had to finish this once and for all. "You know how important you are to me." The Uchiha said in a low cold voice.

Sakura's body quivered. "NO I DON'T! If I am important to you— you WON'T do this! YOU won't break your promise— you won't leave me!" she shrieked.

She took a step forward. "Please, I beg you— don't leave."

"Don't do this." Sasuke muttered in a pained voice.

"I beg you! Please, stay. For me… for my happiness…" Sakura begged, crying out to him.

Sasuke bit his lower lip, his fists shook. "I can't." he said coldly, staring at her with hardness. "I can't. You know I'll do everything for you but not this time." He said sternly.

Sakura let out an angry hiss. "DAMN IT!" she cursed, stamping her foot. When she looked at him, her eyes were full of vicious determination. "You choose! Me or your revenge! Pick one and stick with it! Is it me or your revenge!" she cried, her cheeks were pale and her whole body was starting to convulse.

He looked at her sternly. "Sakura, don't do this."

"CHOOSE!" she yelled, tears making its way down to her pale cheeks. Sasuke refused to look at her and he turned his back on her.

"Don't make me choose, Sakura. I swear you don't want to hear my answer." He said cruelly.

Sakura burst into tears.

"I'm making you! Pick one and stick with it! I swear Sasuke-kun— I SWEAR— if you leave, I'll go after you! Even if you're going to Hell and stay there— I'll chase you and bring you back even if I'll die trying!"

"NO."

"I swear I'll kill myself!" she cried, taking a step forward to grab his arm to make him turn around and face her. But Sasuke swung around, facing her angrily.

"DON'T BE STUPID!" he yelled.

SLAP.

Sakura slapped him hard across his cheek.

"How dare you say such thing? This is not stupidity! This is about making you stay!" she yelled in a trembling tone, crying worst than ever. She watched him touched his cheek where she hit him. He gave her a cold glare that made her shiver.

"Go home."

"No…" she choked, her composure breaking down as her heartbeat quickened and her breathing became ragged. "Please, Sasuke-kun… please— I beg you! Don't go. Don't leave. I'll do everything. Just tell me and I'll do it. I'll do everything just to make you stay…" she said softly, tearfully.

Anything? Everything?

Wait for me.

Love me.

"Sakura," he said, narrowing his eyes. Don't look at her eyes. Don't look at her. Don't listen, don't listen. DAMN IT! Just leave. LEAVE NOW before she changed your mind!

"You're annoying."

She replied with a sob.

"No one's going to stop me from leaving and seeking power. NO ONE. Even you."

She looked at him tearfully, more tears flowed as she stared at him with sadness. "I always thought you're not going to leave me. I always believed that you will always be there. You promised—"

Her words stabbed his heart. Each stab punctured his heart.

His promises.

His words of thanks.

His wish.

His hope.

You don't know anything.

YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING!

Angered, eyes filled with raw pain, confused and upset, Sasuke yelled. "I'M DOING THIS FOR YOU!" his voice shook with anger.

"YOU'RE BREAKING MY HEART!" Sakura yelled back.

Crack

Something so fragile, so delicate broke inside of him. Pieces and pieces of her memories began to swivel before his eyes. The memories of her he held dear, the memories that made him alive, humane and satisfied all these years. Everything was breaking… like glass.

He remembered the dream Orochimaru sent him, the dream that involved her future.

She was smiling

She opened the door

Red eyes glowed in the darkness

Sasuke…kun?

No…

Who…?

A smile

He stepped out of the shadow

She gasped

Itachi…san?

Sakura-chan…

Silence

Then blood

Lots of blood

Sasuke…kun…

She whispered

Her blood

His tears

Sakura

He whispered

Sakura

Sasuke…kun

Sakura

Don't

Leave…

Me.

I'm leaving for our dream

Tears fell from her eyes. Sparkling like pearls.

"YOU LIED TO ME! You said you wished for my happiness— you said MY happiness is your happiness too! You lied to me! Everything… everything you said to me, you promised to me… was it all a lie?"

"…"

"Answer me, Sasuke! Answer me!" she yelled, sobbing. "Don't just stand there and play deaf! For once, you listen to me! Answer me, damn it! Was it all a lie? Was it?"

But Sasuke didn't say anything. Instead, he took a step forward towards the gate of Konoha.

Startled, she scrambled forward. "Sasuke-kun, if you step any further, I'll scream!" she warned hysterically.

SWOOSH

"Huh!" she gasped. In a blur of color, Sasuke appeared behind Sakura. For a moment, time seemed to freeze. Wind blew softly, lifting her hair, her scent filling his nostrils. This… was the point of no return. It's now or never.

It's her or his revenge.

He closed his eyes tightly. Sakura

Sakura

I want to be happy.

I want to stay.

I want to give you everything.

…but—

"In my life, I have two obsessions: revenge and you. If I have to choose one, my heart will die and cry."

"S—Sasuke-kun…" she whimpered.

"I'm sorry."

"Sas—ah!"

Thud

Her body collapsed and swiftly, his arms caught her fragile body, cradled it with utmost care and tenderness.

"I'm sorry." He said.

"Sasuke-kun…"

"If you leave me,"

"I'm sorry."

"I'll die of broken heart."

I'll love you forever…

And ever…

and ever.

A group of Genins stood in front of the great gates of Konoha.

Naruto stood in front of the group, grim-faced. I'll come and get you bastard! Wait for me and I'll bring you back home! Even if I have to break your arms and legs, I'LL COME AFTER YOU!

He was a cheerful boy, everybody knew. But he's still human. Naruto didn't recall any situation wherein he felt this anger. This was the FIRST time he felt it.

I'll kick your sorrrrrrrrry ass, Sasuke-bastard for making my Sakira-chan cry. He clenched his fists tighter. I told you— I TOLD YOU— you can mock me, insult me BUT never— NEVER make Sakura-chan cry.

He turned as he heard her footsteps. I'll kill you then get your soul back from Hell, make Oba-chan heal your body and kill you again and again and again but of course, killing you will make Sakura-chan cry and I promised myself that I will never make her cry.

"Naruto…"

"…" he felt terribly sad, watching her precious tears fall. He never expected that there would come a day where she would cry because of her precious Sasuke-kun.

"I tried so hard… so hard to make him stay… I even told him I'll kill myself!"

"!" that… bastard!

She eventually cried. "I wasn't able to stop him. If… if only… I was strong… I could have stopped him but… I'm weak…" she said bitterly.

He gave her a bright grin. "Sakura-chan,"

So, I'll bring you back—black and blue but nevertheless, alive for the sake of Sakura-chan's happiness! I will always protect that smiling face— the face that took away my sadness!

"I will bring him back!" he said with a thumbs-up sign. She gasped.

WAIT FOR ME BASTARD!

"N…Naruto…!"

He grinned. "It's OK! I will bring him back to you!"

More tears fell from her eyes.

He stopped.

"What's wrong, Sasuke-sama?" one of the Sound Four asked.

He looked up. "I forgot something."

The Sound Four frowned. "What was it?"

He smirked sinisterly.

"My heart."

"Stop crying, Sakura-chan. It's very uncomfortable seeing you crying." Naruto said, giving her a smile.

Sakura wiped her cheeks.

"Sasuke-bastard will surely be back! I will definitely bring him back! This is the promise of the lifetime! And then, I'll kick his ass and he'll be black and blue! WAHAHAHA!"

She eventually smiled. She knew Naruto will not break his promise.

"Literally." He said with a mocked sinister dramatic pose, a hand on top of his chest.

The Four frowned. The Uchiha kid sure was weird.

"I'll come back and get it." He turned towards the way back to Konoha.

"Chotto,"

"What?" he shot back coldly.

"We'll give you a new heart. How about it?"

He scoffed. "No thanks."

"Orochimaru-sama is waiting for you."

The Uchiha faced them squarely. "Tell him I'll come someday." He smirked.

"Sasuke-sama—"

"Is Sound a beautiful place?"

"Spring is pretty gloomy out there, I remembered Iruka-sensei telling us."

The Sound Four exchanged glances. What's up with this boy? They watched him walked away.

"Should we stop him?"

"Orochimaru-sama has weird taste."

"He's running away."

"Did he change his mind?"

"No. Let's wait for him."

"Naruto." Neji called.

"Nani?" he asked, looking at the Hyuuga. Neji pointed towards the gate of Konoha. Naruto's blue orbs widened.

"B—BASTARD!" he yelled, making Sakura to jump in shock then spun around so quickly.

Her jade eyes widened. "Sa— Sa…SASUKE-KUN!" she gasped. The other Genins watched apprehensively.

Hands inside his pockets, Sasuke lifted his downcast eyes. "Yo."

Everyone jaw-dropped. What a very un-Uchiha thing to do. He sounded so casual as if nothing extraordinary happened.

"YOOOOOOOOO?" Naruto mimicked, very annoyed. He ran towards to meet Uchiha. "YO? YO? YO?" he yelled to Sasuke's face.

Annoyed, Sasuke brushed Naruto aside.

"Oof!"

"Sa… Sasuke-kun…" Sakura whispered, who seemed to float towards them. "Did… you forget something…?" She didn't want to keep her hopes high. It would hurt so terribly.

The Uchiha frowned slightly, cocking his head sideward. I think I did. "Maybe." He said, shrugging.

Naruto swelled sooooooo hard that his head was in danger of bursting. "WHAT KIND OF ANSWER WAS THAT!" he yelled. Sasuke totally ignored him; he watched Sakura's tears fell and sparkled.

"What was it?" she stepped closer.

Sasuke's face remained stoic. "You're crying again."

"Yeah! Damn you! You're always making her cry!" Naruto shouted.

Sasuke's eyes flashed. He bowed his head. "It's… annoying, seeing you cry all the time." He said in a low voice.

More tears fell down to her cheeks.

"You… you… WISEASS!" Naruto shouted. "Don't—"

"Shut up, dobe."

Naruto's nostrils flared.

"Sasuke-kun… Sasuke-kun… Sasuke-kun… please, please… Stay." She begged. "Please…" she clasped her hands together as if praying.

"Give me one reason to stay."

She blinked. "…I…I…" she didn't know what to say. What words could make him stay?

"Because…" she began tearfully.

In the end…

Sasuke looked down to her teary face, watched another tear after tear rolled down her pretty cheeks.

"…I'm here."

…it would be only you who can make me stay.