Much to my annoyance I had been moved out of Sasuke's bed when I woke up, returned to another hospital bed. At least I felt a little better and my vision was clearer, but I noted how I could not see as far with my ordinary vision as I used to. It was finally happening, the overuse of my Mangekyo Sharingan was leading me to visionary blindness. I wonder how much longer until I go completely blind? From now on I shall have to be more cautious.

Now that I was better I was allowed to leave the hospital, however I remained there almost all hours of the day in order to stay by Sasuke's side. His most frequent visitor other than myself was Sakura Haruno, who was as diligent as I was in bringing fresh flowers each day and sitting beside Sasuke. "Good morning Miyuki-san, lovely day today, right?" She smiled to me each time she arrived with her flower in her hands, looking as pretty as a cherry blossom.

"Yes." Inclining my head minutely, my eyes remained fixed on Sasuke.

"I brought some apples today if you want some. They're fresh from the market and I only picked out the ripest ones, so they're bound to be good." When I did not reply, Sakura merely smiled again and continued. "Ah, maybe later then. Is there anything I can get for you? Here, I'll pour us some water." Sakura had long since become accustomed to the fact that I rarely spoke, having spent every day for more than a week in my company. "I heard that it might rain later, though the sky doesn't look like it, it's so nice and sunny outside. You should really take a walk to refresh yourself, Miyuki-san. You'll feel much better afterwards."

"Hm." Noticing a strand of hair out of place I reached out and moved it, delicately brushing my fingers against Sasuke's cheek before then resuming my stoic posture. Although I said nothing I have grown to appreciate Sakura's ramblings, her light hearted chatter filling my mind with something other than a constant blankness. She would even tell me stories about times she and her team had gone on missions and the adventures they had shared. Sasuke had never told me anything and I learned a great deal more than I thought I would have. I should have asked him. I should have sat with him and talked more.

"And when we were children at the academy, Sasuke was always so popular with everyone but especially us girls. I even started a rivalry with my best friend Ino over Sasuke, though it's helped us become stronger kunoichi because of it." This particular piece of information caught my attention so I lifted my head a little and looked at the girl as she poured more water into the vase.

"You have feelings for Sasuke." It was not a question, for now that I reflected upon all that I had learned of this girl, I realised that it was true. She blushed deeply and tucked her hands against her chin as she curled inward a little from embarrassment, uncertain of how to respond. Hm. Sasuke never told me this either. Did…did he ever really tell me anything? I always assumed that since he did not tell me the contents of his missions or his relationships with others that there was nothing to tell, but perhaps all he had been waiting for was for me to ask him. "I am glad." Surprised, Sakura blinked at me and opened up a little, lowering her hands as she stared at me. "Glad that Sasuke has someone else to care about him."

"Oh, oh of course! I care about Sasuke a lot, and so does Naruto and Kakashi-sensei. We're a good team together, and we always have each other's backs. I can't wait for Sasuke to get better so we can go back to having fun every day and training to get better than we were the day before." Sakura grinned at me brightly as I looked at her vacantly. "If things can keep on going like this, then I'll be very happy."

"Hm…" I did not mention the fact that very soon her happiness would be ripped apart, for I was enjoying how nicely she was smiling at this moment in time. Let her continue with her little bubble of happiness whilst it will still last. Soon Sasuke will leave and I will follow him. I do not care if it will brand me as a rogue ninja, as of today I no longer have any interest in this village, for its fate was inescapable. Why should I care for what happens to it? Its officials were corrupt and cruel. They slaughtered children, babies, people who were completely innocent and without power simply for the name that they bore, for reasons that were of their own doing.

Had they not ostracised us out of fear for our Sharingan and strengths, they would have found formidable allies instead of enemies. A village was a village. It would be destroyed, rebuilt and then continue to grow. The people would also come and go like leaves upon the trees, blooming each spring only to fall in the winter, so what did it matter if some perished? There is nothing left here for me here once Sasuke leaves, so it will no longer be my concern.

I waited until the return of the one who was to be named the Fifth Hokage, Lady Tsunade, who was able to heal Sasuke of his affliction. She was someone whom I did not know how to interact with as she had so many strange quirks that I did not understand, so I simply sat in silence until she was finished with her work. "There. He'll wake up soon." She smiled towards Sakura who immediately started to cry with relief. "Aren't you his guardian? You don't seem all too happy about the fact I just healed this kid here. Not even going to say thanks?" I was unable to place her tone, for although it sounded teasing, there were also elements of authority and suspicion.

Rising to my feet I moved around the bed and made for the door at a leisurely pace, already thinking of how dusty the house must be by now and planning a very thorough clean. "Hey Miyuki-san! Aren't you going to wait until Sasuke wakes up? He'll probably want to see you." Sakura asked me, surprised that I was leaving but I did not stop, merely paused momentarily at the door.

"He will wake soon, therefore he is fine. I am not required here." And with that I left, though behind me I heard Lady Tsunade give a dry comment about my tough hearted attitude and Sakura desperately attempting to explain my personality type. Brushing aside their comments, I went home in order to prepare everything for when Sasuke came back. I dusted and polished, swept and scrubbed, aired and washed until everything was sparkling. By the time I was finished it was late in the evening, and just as I had put the last of the cleaning utensils away, the door opened.

Sasuke looked worse than he should have done considering he had only just come out of the hospital, but I was not surprised by it. Not only had he fought with Naruto, but also with the four Sound Ninja who were destined to collect him later in the evening. Turning around, I scanned him up and down but made no comment. "Welcome home Sasuke." Dark eyes glowered at me intensely, wrapped entirely in his own head of demons. I did not know what else to say to him so I stood there quietly, watching as his shoulders heaved with dangerous breaths.

"Why?" Why? Why what? "Why…is it always the same? Why is it that no matter what I do, I'm always behind? I can't catch up to him…and now Naruto is overtaking me…IT SHOULDN'T BE LIKE THIS!" Alarmed at how intensely Sasuke was reacting to his emotions, I drew back a step as he flung out a hand to slice at the air. "I'll kill him, one day for sure, Itachi will die by my hands." Once more turning an accusing glare upon me, I froze in place as Sasuke stalked closer, looking as if he wanted to rip me to pieces just to sate his bloodlust. "Not even you were a match for him. I heard how you fought him and lost. You're just as weak and pathetic as I am. No wonder I'm falling behind. From now on, everything is going to be different. I'll never lose again, I swear it!"

For a long time Sasuke huffed and puffed at me, his erratic breathing mirroring the deepness of his rage as his eyes burned with the bright crimson of the Sharingan. What could I say to him? I could not defend myself as I knew it was true, I was much weaker in comparison to Itachi, but I had not exactly been using my full strength or had any real intent to defeat him. This I could not tell Sasuke, so instead I simply turned and walked towards my room, deciding that there was nothing I could say which would placate him. "I am retiring for the night. Sweet dreams, Sasuke."

Once safe behind a closed door, I sank to the floor and hugged my knees tightly with a morose feeling of guilt and sadness. For a while I listened as Sasuke paced about the apartment, going back and forth until eventually going into his room, however I knew that he was not going to bed. Rather, he was packing. I listened in silence, never once making a sound even as he came to my door. Realising that he intended to come inside, I hurriedly moved to my bed and got underneath the coverings, pretending to be asleep and ensuring to take slow, deepened breath.

Opening the door slowly, I listened as Sasuke gradually crept inside, moving like a mouse in order to supposedly not wake me. He came all the way to my futon then knelt down, sitting beside me for a while. Sasuke did nothing but sit and watch me for a fair number of minutes, and although I was unable to look upon his expression, I knew that he would be in deep conflict with himself. Finally I sensed him reach out his hand whereby he brushed his fingers against my hair, gently caressing the strands away from my face before then leaning closer. "Forgive me…onee-chan." When I felt his lips touch my temple, I almost smiled with happiness.

I had to mentally remind myself to maintain the pretence of sleep. Waiting until Sasuke had left the building altogether, I got up and lifted my hand to touch my face where he had kissed me. Sasuke had never shown affection like that in so long, I had almost forgotten what the sensation felt like. It was soft and pleasant, warming my cheeks with a rosy glow of loving warmth. Deciding that I did not want to waste a single second, I hurriedly got to my feet and rearranged my bed into neatness, straightening the covers and plumping the pillow before changing out of my yukata for my preferred ninja garb.

Out of habit I almost put on my Konoha protective band, but when I looked upon it in my hand, I realised that I would no longer have any need for it. I could not leave it behind as it would become too obvious that I had chosen to leave of my own volition, so instead I packed it into the bottom of my bag then placed several layers of folded clothes on top. I took very little, wanting to make it seem as if all of my belongings were left behind, however there were certain items that I was loath to abandon.

Mostly they were things of sentimental value such as photos, but I knew I could not take them. Instead, I took the time to write out my will, detailing my wishes in full as I explained to whomever it may concern, that if I did not return within a fortnight from today's date, it was because I was unable to keep Sasuke from leaving and that it meant I had either been killed or captured. I then gave specific instructions of what I wished to be done with all of our personal affects, before I then signed the will and left it neatly folded over on the table.

Knowing that Sasuke had also taken very little of his own belongings, I went into his room, apologising as I did so for invading his privacy before adding more of his clothing to my own packed bag, placing them on the top and included a few other things, such as a book or two that I knew he preferred, a spare change of shoes and the scarf I had knitted him for when the weather became cold. Satisfied I had all that was necessary, I made to leave the room however when I passed Sasuke's desk, I noted that one of his picture frames had been turned face down.

When I lifted it up I found that it was the photograph taken of when his team first formed, all four of them standing together though he and Naruto looked very unhappy about being placed on the same team together. He must have lingering regrets about leaving his friends behind, else he would have ignored this photo entirely. Should I take it with me? Hm…no. It will only cause complications, it is best to leave it alone.

Returning it to the exact position I had found it in, I left the home I had lived in for the past four, almost five years. I had grown a little fond of it, but I knew that once I pass those doors, I will never again return to it. Most likely it will have new occupants by next month, and they will begin their lives here under the same roof where I had watched Sasuke grow. I do not like change, but for his sake, I must adapt. I will never have a home again from this point on, so I allowed myself one final look inside, recalling a few of my happiest memories within it before drawing the door shut and thus, closed this aspect of my life forever.