Summary: PU OOC- The scroll Sasuke had found has the ability to write things into reality. Perhaps, he could destroy Sakura's relationship with Neji but why would he want that?
"Sasuke's thoughts"( I ) Realisation
Never pretend to love which you do not actually feel,
for love is not ours to command.
Alan Watts
Sasuke continued walking inside the tunnel with water dripping from his sides. He hated the way his wet clothing clung tightly along his skin but he chose to ignore it and focus ahead. The dark interior was very cold and all Sasuke had was his inner chakra to keep him from shivering. Sasuke decided to send his flames forward to test how long the tunnel was.
Puff
His fireball continued a straight line before dissolving slowly as the chakra on it was being used up. Sasuke made up his mind to get to the end of this tunnel or cave even at the sacrifice of all his energy. He began to run blindly ahead with just the flicker of his flames being sent ahead to guide him. His curiosity to know what lay at the end guided him to continue running.
Pant
Sasuke had been running for an hour and still the tunnel did not seem to end. Half of his chakra had been used up to sustain the flames sent wastefully into nothingness. Doubts conjured in his thoughts as he considered the possibility of if there was ever going to be an end. Suddenly he saw a glistening spark, which reinforced his hopes.
Maybe there was something there waiting for me...
Unexpectedly he heard a child's laughter. He couldn't recognize if it was a boy or a girl but the high shrieks of joy freaked him out a little. Images of his clan screaming for their life as Itachi slaughtered them cold bloodedly began to form in his mind. He covered his ears to block away the noise but as if by magic the laughing stopped.
He breathed out to relieve himself except the sound of a ferocious growling took over. Besides the inhumane animal call was a soft whimper of someone crying desperately for help. The wild sobs reminded Sasuke of himself when he crouched alone with the dead bodies of his parents.
Itachi I'm going to kill you. I'm going to find you and beat you to your grave...
Instead of a glisten or a sparkle Sasuke saw a white light. There was no animal, no child nor was there anyone crying. Amongst the light was a large grey coloured stone. He walked towards the rock and saw a scroll lying patiently for him to pick up. It was a small plain scroll preserved under the secluded tunnel.
He picked it up delicately because he was afraid that the paper would dissipate into thin air. A blue ribbon was tied neatly around the sand coloured scroll. Sasuke could feel the scroll motioning him to open it. It seemed to have a life of it's own as it awaited it's owner to disentangle the strings securing the contents inside.
As if to tempt me, words appeared on the scroll, "Open me if you dare..." which quickly dissolved.
"What the hell?" Cussed Sasuke in disbelief while his voice echoed along the empty tunnel. He grunted and declared to the scroll, "Oh I dare!"
His hands was about to untie the strings before his conscious told him that it was forbidden for a shinobi to open scrolls without permission. A ninja must be loyal to his superiors and orders, opening the scroll would make him untrustworthy.
Another message appeared, "I knew it, you're too chicken to open me..."
That was enough to piss Sasuke off. He was no chicken and he'd prove the scroll wrong!
I slid my fingers to the knot and untied the strings... I unraveled the paper only to find it to be a blank scroll... At the same time a feather fell out and floated onto the stone...
Sasuke grunted after his realization and thought, 'I came all the way for a blank scroll?' He picked up the feather and tied the string around the scroll before tossing it into his side bag. He was glad that his clothing was dried from running so that his teammates wouldn't become suspicious of him. In the distance came a speck of light so Sasuke decided to leave this tunnel.
Pfft what a waste of time!
Bright sunlight caused Sasuke to squint as his eyes adjusted to his lit surrounding. The grey clouds had all cleared replaced by fluffy white ones. Sasuke scanned the forest ahead of him before he spotted something pink. Sakura! From where he stood he made out Sakura sitting down while her hand reached out to her ankle. Perhaps she's hurt.
Sasuke began to imagine Sakura crying from her devastating pain. Sigh... If he went up to her she'd probably wrap her hands around him for comfort. Well, at least that was how Sasuke imagined her to be. One thing he did not know was that the Sakura he once knew was slowly changing and growing into a more mature young minded woman.
Once Sasuke got closer he was slightly disappointed to see no tears...
Sakura sensed a presence before gazing into his eyes. She spoke, "Whoa! Sasuke? You scared me, I thought... never mind. I twisted my ankle so can you please help me?"
"Ok, how can I help you?" He asked.
"I guess you can just support me a little?" She replied.
Sasuke didn't know what he was thinking but he offered, "How about I piggyback you?"
Sakura looked at Sasuke with a confused expression and thought, 'Is this the Sasuke I know? He's being awfully generous...'
Heh! Why am I being kind to her? Now she's going to jump at my offer...
"Nah... I can still walk with your help." She responded as she clutched a hold of Sasuke's arm, which caused him to flinch.
Sasuke placed her arm around his back to help support her but as soon as pressure was put on her ankle she cringed in pain. Her free hand clutched into a fist and she tried desperately to hold in her tears and pain. She promised to never look weak in front of Sasuke. She cursed herself from being clumsy to have strained her ankle.
"Does it hurt?" He asked.
"No." She replied flatly and continued hopping with Sasuke beside her. She would not give him the pleasure to despise her from her weakness.
Sasuke compiled with Sakura's wish. If she didn't want a piggyback ride then he would not force her to have one. He didn't want her to feel that he was obligated to help her. He also didn't want her to mistake his kindness for any further feelings towards her. 'She was nobody she meant nothing to me,' he reminded himself.
Sakura hopped for an hour before the pain around her ankle felt almost unbearable. She felt a slight dizziness from overworking herself to cover her pain. Sasuke felt Sakura's grip around his shoulder tighten. He glanced at her tense look and realized she was fighting a tear from rolling down her cheek. Her eyes were all watery and swollen.
Why did I let her go through the pain? Was it the right thing to do? Will she hate me for it? I just can't... I can't let down my façade...I'm sorry Sakura...
Sakura couldn't take it any longer. Hell, she couldn't even feel her left foot anymore. She lost her balance and slipped but luckily Sasuke caught her other arm and supported her weight on his chest. In a way, Sakura looked like she was giving Sasuke a bear hug while he held her by her waist.
"Eh..." He didn't know what to say but his hand went up to Sakura's face to wipe away the one tear she held back. No words were needed for this gesture and he managed to get Sakura on his back. He thought that she had gone through enough.
Sasuke didn't want to admit it but he felt honored to have Sakura on his back. She was very light and he enjoyed the tickling sensations of her hair on his right ear. He could smell the faint scent of her hair and he wondered what shampoo she used. It smelt like cherry blossoms just like her name.
He watched her eyes close and listened to the change of her breathing. She was sleeping on his back but he felt at ease with her. She slept peacefully like a little girl, except she wasn't a little girl as Sasuke felt her small breasts pressing onto his back. A smirk appeared on his face before he decided she was someone he'd protect over. He promised to guard her and not let her get hurt.
I don't know why I'm telling myself this... But I want to be with somebody...I don't want to be alone anymore... Perhaps this way I could set myself free...
Durian: Oh I wrote this chapter but I'll keep the original idea Ikuiku-chan. Yes, next chapter is called: Jealousy Strikes. I've never written a humour fic so I'd be honored if you guys would give me some ideas. I hope this fic isn't moving too slowly because I like to describe things, it helps me make the story more believable.
INFO: This is a parallel universe so although they are ninjas the chuuin exam never existed. The characters are roughly 13 years old besides Gai's team. The time is July and next chapter is focused on Neji's birthday. The pairing is Sasu/Saku but I think it'll take some time before they become official. Love doesn't just appear in mid air and Sasuke's façade doesn't just break down in a meager few chapters... Each chapter will be roughly 1500 words to save my time.
Thanks: Ikuikun,Cuito, Sweetlilbee, E-chan Hikada, Mourning Fox, swt-angel-babi3 and Cherry Blossom Gurl13 for giving this fic a chance.
Reviews mean a lot to me, for one they will put a smile on my face XD... so I hope you can be supportive and give me a shout out...