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The Maze
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A maze, he's in a maze. All the meandering corridors are confusing him, and his mind cannot seem to work correctly. It's dark and cold and somewhat familiar. He knows this wooden floor, recognizes the pine scent.
He doesn't know why, but even though he's tripping over inert bodies and slipping in puddles of blood, he keeps on running.
Why is his body looking so small? Where is he going? Is this another nightmare?
He wipes his sweaty forehead as he turns another corner, his chest heaving. It feels as if he was burning alive, and it is taking him everything to not just tear his shirt apart.
A sudden dark chuckle startles him, and he hastens his pace. The familiarity of the voice sends goosebumps to his burning skin. He's not ready to face him; he's not strong enough. So there is only one thing to do: run until he finds the strength to win this fight and avenge his family.
With a determined frown, Sasuke processes the images in front of him. He realizes he somehow knows the way out and follows the trail of blood as it descends the corridors. Quickly, he makes his way to the center of the maze, and with every step, he feels himself grow taller, faster, stronger. But his already burning skin now consumes him, and soon he cannot bear it any longer. He lets out a cry of pain and slows down, a hand clasping his neck.
There is no way he will make it on time.
"Foolish little brother."
His head jerks at the sound of Itachi's voice, and Sasuke tries to take a step forward but collapses to his knees under the pain. His eyes close in defeat, for he knows he could never beat his brother. Instead of fighting, Sasuke settles on waiting for his life to end. And somewhere along the way, a tear rolls down his cheek, quickly followed by another. Soon, he finds himself sobbing and shrinking to the size of a child. He's a baby, he realizes. Nothing more than a cry-baby, and he's going to die alone.
And as that thought crosses his mind, a cold touch brushes his forehead, and he leans into it.
"Shhhh," a soft, feminine voice says. "You'll be just fine."
The familiar scent of rose engulfs his nostrils when he sniffs away his tears, and his body relaxes. The hand clenching his neck retracts; it doesn't hurt much anymore.
"Don't worry, Sasuke-kun. I'm here, and I'll take care of you."
He snaps his eyes open upon recognizing Sakura's voice. Before his own eyes, his hands expand, the muscles in his arms swelling. His skin still feels warm, but now he can bear the pain. Thanks to Sakura, he can carry it to the end of this maze.
With one big inhale, Sasuke lunges forward again, now more determined than ever to find his way out.
All of this thanks to Sakura.