Prologue
It shouldn't be hard.
Sharp stones clattered under his sandals as Sasuke took slow steps towards the village gate. He had burned the original invitation without reading it, but Kakashi had written him again. The crumpled envelope in his hand was soaked with sweat.
"It would mean a lot to him, Sasuke. You know you're like a brother to him."
To prevent attracting unnecessary attention, Sasuke concealed his chakra. Being stared at was something he had always hated.
A swarm of birds flew over his head, reminding him of what time it was. It has already begun. Usually, he'd be punctual; it came with his speed and Rinnegan to appear wherever he wanted to be whenever he wanted.
Sasuke teleported onto a tree near the celebration. There was no doubt he was at the correct place because the hearty smell of food tickling his nose resembled ramen. The music wasn't as loud as expected, a comfortable combination of vivid and relaxed. Exuberant laughter was audible from the dressed-up guests, their attention focused on the door next to the outdoor area.
With tears in his eyes and a smile stretching over his whole face, Iruka stepped out of the nearby building. "They're coming!"
Sasuke's heart punched hard against his ribcage. His hand tightened its grip on the tree trunk, and the wood creaked under pressure.
Peeking through the leaves, the sun blinded him for seconds before he could focus again.
Music started to play.
Even though it was a relatively hot summer day, a shiver ran down Sasuke's spine, lifting every hair and making his skin crawl. He picked up a leaf and balanced it on his finger.
This was what everybody wanted. The best for all of them. Where it had led to all these years and how they had all known it would turn out. Now, his instructions were clear: jump down from the tree, let the groom hug you (even if it was annoying), shake the bride's hand and—
The crowd cheered.
Sasuke shut his eyes, swallowed, and took a deep breath. It was the moment.
I can't.
He turned away. His Rinnegan burned in his skull as he opened a portal to leave that place and go to–he didn't give a fuck about where he would land.
The moon might be far enough.
When he stepped out of the portal, the desert's dusty breeze pinched his eyes, the sand sizzling under his soles, dry heat enclosing his body like a coffin. He pushed the hood of his cloak deeper and started walking.
Later, Sakura would get a letter with his congratulations. She would tell the couple how busy he was, how sorry he was, that he wanted to come but couldn't. As if he couldn't teleport to every corner of the world. As if he couldn't take some hours off in a time of peace. But nobody would ever suspect anything because this was just who he was: A cold-hearted bastard who wouldn't even attend his best friend's—his brother's–wedding.
In the end, this was really who he was and would be. Naruto being Naruto would forgive him and forget about it as he always had.
Though, Sasuke knew he wouldn't forgive himself.
Nor would he forget.
Sommer: Hello! I'm back with a new story. It feels a bit strange because after my last story (my great love), I "dated" different stories but this one has been lingering in my mind for months and I continued writing it, so it's promising enough to try publishing it (aka introducing it to my parents–you!) Hehe. I wonder if you can guess what the topic will be. Anyway, I hope you liked the prologue, the first chapter will follow soon.
It was beta-ed by my lovely sensei IcyQueenWriter, thank you so much for your help and support.
