Fading Light

Chapter 5: Eyes Opened, Hearts Closed

Over the fourteen days, Sakura had recovered from her severe case of pneumonia. A number of her scars were beginning to fade or still healing, but the burns remained, and her skin remained a shade of white that was paler then the bed sheets.

Sasuke kept his eyes on Sakura, but his mind was teetering elsewhere. His thoughts remained on Itachi. Remembering their encounter before. His defenses, agility, control, speed, and techniques, it was all perfect. Of course, you wouldn't expect less from the Uchiha prodigy.

But throughout that entire fight, there were two things that bothered Sasuke.

During the fight, Itachi had predicted every move, every step, every emotion, every thought, every breath… Itachi had known everything. The stubbornness of Sasuke and his pride that was so protective over Sakura, he knew all of it.

Am I truly that weak? That predictable? The thought of it all made Sasuke realize how much difference of strength there was between him and Itachi.

The other thing that was bothering him, it made Sasuke feel low. During the fight, and when Itachi had suddenly appeared next to Sasuke, there was a pang of emotion that dug through his skin.

Fear.

Realizing the level Itachi was on, had made Sasuke fear his ambition as an avenger. His entire life was to kill that one man, but when the chance finally came. He had been scared out of his wits. Sasuke had been paralyzed by fear. Unable to think, unable to act. He was a weakling… A coward… He had been afraid of completing his life's goal.

But, if he did kill his brother, what was there to do after that? What was there to achieve? Every day, he trained so hard, just to surpass his brother. There was always the determination, the perseverance, and the rivalry that caused him to continue the excruciating pain of nonstop training.

After the fight, Sasuke had realized, not only did he have to reach his limit; he had to surpass them in order to avenge his blood.

After that fight, there would be something. His thoughts and sight looked towards Sakura. She would be waiting for him, and help him restore his clan. Suddenly, another word of Itachi struck him. He was weak. His hatred had been blown away by Sakura's undying love.

But had that made him weak? Was being covered in warmth, devouring his strength? Was his relationship with Sakura really worth the trouble of not being able to defeat Itachi?

Suddenly, Sasuke realized what Itachi meant.

Sakura was his weakness. Destroy her, and he be would nothing but anger and sorrow. If Itachi threatened Sakura, then Sasuke would become distracted.

For this fight…he'd have to leave Sakura behind.

But could he? After all, they went through, the pain, the sorrow, the helplessness; she still held that contented smile. Her eyes would still shine with the same warmth, but there was so much pain hidden as well.

But if he did, then she wouldn't be involved anymore. She wouldn't get hurt; she wouldn't have to suffer something that wasn't hers to deal with.

But did he want to end their relationship? After all they went through, he wanted to end it now?

Or was he being selfish?

Sasuke made his decision.

Standing up, Sasuke made his way out the door.

Taking one last glance at the woman before him, Sasuke closed the door and walked away.

(Scene Change)

She opened her eyes. Everything seemed blurry.

Am I dead…? Her sight focused. She saw Kakashi, Naruto, Hinata, Ino, Shikamaru, and Chouji.

Fortunately, she was alive.

Unfortunately, they noticed she was awake.

"SAKURA-CHAN! YOU'RE OKAY!" Naruto cried out, throwing his arms around Sakura into a full bear hug.

"Naruto…You're hurting me…" Sakura said hoarsely. Naruto disconnected the bear hug, and threw his arms around Hinata, who became s shade of tomato red.

They all fussed about (or most), making Sakura feel helpless.

It was funny, after all these years; none of them really changed. Naruto was still loud and obnoxious, Hinata was as shy as a skunk, Kakashi was still notorious for being late and overly obsessed for his Make Out Paradise. Old habits die-hard.

Ino was still self conceited and overly obsessed over her beauty (but over Sasuke), Shikamaru was scrawny with brains, and Chouji was obsessed with food, also still known for the taboo word 'fat' or 'fat ass'.

They never really changed, yet some how they were all paired off. Naruto and Hinata were engaged. Kakashi met up with Kurenai. However, she threatened him that they would be over if he didn't put away his lecherous book, and kept being late for their dates. Figured.

Ino and Shikamaru were in what Shikamaru phrased as an 'abusive relationship', simplified as an 'abusive girlfriend'. Chouji had been arranged with a girl in some other village in the Leaf country. Even Neji and Tenten got over their pride and were in an awkward relationship. That figured to. Sakura smiled. It almost seemed as if they never grew up.

Hold on. Somebody's missing. Naruto…Kakashi-sensei… Hinata…Hmm… Sasuke!

"Where's Sasuke?" Sakura asked.

"Dunno, he was here for the last fourteen days, but he wasn't here today," Naruto stated.

So I've been out for… fifteen days?! Damn… No wonder I'm drowsy…

"He probably went out. After all, he's been cooped up, let him have some room. He's most likely at home resting," Kakashi remarked after Naruto's statement.

"You're right. I shouldn't be such a worry wart," Sakura replied. But still… I can't feel as if something is wrong.

They chattered on. Mainly gossip and previous missions. Funny how none of them brought up the subject of Itachi...but it was an inevitable subject.

"So, Sakura, what happened with Itachi?" Naruto asked with concern.

The mood changed instantly, and it almost seemed as if the room darkened.

Sakura's eyes were half lidded. The torture she went through, it almost seemed as if it never happened. Like a nightmare, it would be forgotten the next day. But it happened, and no matter what did happen, she would never forget it. Sakura looked towards her audience.

Eyes filled with so much pain. She opened her mouth, and began. She didn't even realize that she was talking. She was just blurting everything unconsciously.

By the time she was done. They all held a look of horror on their faces, even Kakashi, who had already heard the story once.

"Am I pregnant?" Sakura asked.

"No," Kakashi replied. Well, there was one thing off her chest.

Eventually, they all left, giving their best of wishes.

Sakura looked out the window.

Sasuke…

(Scene Change)

Sasuke collapsed to the ground panting. It had been about half a month since he left the hospital. I wonder how Sakura is doing now? Sasuke slapped himself mentally. He had abandoned her. They weren't together anymore. He wasn't supposed to think about her at all. She wasn't his business anymore. She wasn't his anymore.

A smiling image of Sakura entered his mind.

That smile.

Always filled with so much warmth.

So much content...

Sasuke slammed his fist into a tree, which snapped in half and fell to the ground.

Sasuke was panting. Anger was burning the blood in his body. He could feel the hatred slowly devouring him. Yes… That was good.

Forget about Sakura.

Forget everything that happened.

Sasuke closed his eyes.

Don't love her…

Hate her…

Make yourself want to kill her…

To feel her blood on your hands…

To see her breathe her last breaths…

To watch her die before your very eyes…

A small smirk appeared on Sasuke's lips. He could feel it.

The anticipation, the urge to taste blood.

Sasuke understood.

Become evil.

Feel the lust for blood.

Become corrupted.

Sasuke's smile turned into a wide psychotic grin.

He was going to kill Itachi. More then just because of the ambitions of an avenger. He was going to kill Itachi, by the lust for blood.

Sasuke laughed.

He needed it…the blood. He needed to see it. Feel it. Smell it. Taste it. He wanted it.

Sasuke opened his eyes.

Sharingan.

(Scene Change)

Sakura was on her bed. Staring at the ceiling, Sakura was only thinking of Sasuke. Where was he? Why didn't he come? Why was he leaving he alone?

The door opened. Sakura's eyes moved the intruder and then back to the ceiling.

"Hello Sakura-chan," it was Naruto.

Sakura continued to stare at the ceiling silently.

"Why won't he come?" Sakura asked.

"Sasuke?" Naruto asked.

"Doesn't he care? Did something happen?" Sakura asked.

"I don't know. I never really talked to him," Naruto replied.

"It's been almost a month. I haven't seen him Naruto; I want to see him so badly. Has he talked to you? Does he talk about me?" Sakura asked.

"I haven't talked to him for a while, I haven't even seen him." Naruto answered.

"I don't care if he hates me. I just want to talk to him. Just see him. If I don't," Sakura put on a small smile, with no emotion, "I'll wither away."

Naruto walked up to Sakura and took her hand. Sakura turned her head. A small tear ran down her cheek.

"I'll bring him back. Just like the last time when he left. Don't worry," Naruto said reassuringly.

Sakura nodded and closed her eyes. She slept.

Naruto left the room.

He went to Kakashi's house. Knocking on the door, no was no reply.

"Kakashi?" Naruto called out.

"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto yelled.

"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto shouted.

He was getting frustrated now.

"KAKASHI-SENSEI! GET OFF YOUR FRIGGIN' ASS AND DROP THE LECHAROUS BOOK YOU BIG ONE-EYED DOBE!" Naruto screamed out.

He panted.

"Damn… Exactly how deaf is that fart," Naruto panted.

Somebody tapped his shoulder.

Naruto turned to the intruder, ready to attack; he took out his shuriken and threw it.

It was Kakashi, and luckily, he had missed.

"Er hello Kakashi-sensei," Naruto said while rubbing the back of his head.

"What was with this 'ass' and 'one-eyed dobe." Kakashi said in a monotone voice.

Naruto began to rub his head a little more frantically.

"Er...yeah… Well you see, I was just going to ask about where Sasuke lived," Naruto said with his childish grin.

Kakashi sighed.

"And for what reason?" Naruto's expression darkened.

"For Sakura. She's not doing to well, I just thought I might do something for her," Naruto said softly.

Kakashi nodded.

"I know I'm going to regret this later, but…"

(Scene Change)

Sasuke entered his small apartment. He took a brief shower and sat on the couch. Just thinking to himself about how he would fight Itachi. He needed the satisfaction of it. To know that he had avenged his mother and father.

There was a loud obnoxious knock on the door.

Sasuke went up to answer the door.

When he opened it. He saw Naruto.

"What do you want dobe?" Sasuke asked in a cold tone.

Naruto glowered.

Even by Naruto standards, he did not look pleased at all.

Not at all…

(End Chapter)

AN: HELLO! I'm back! I got a touch of myself during the past week and extra days. I got my braces which hurt like hell. My friend it not getting arranged. (sighs in relief) I'm relaxed and better then ever. My head is so much clearer and I got a load off my chest. Was rehab great or what? (well it wasn't really rehab, it was more of mental help…)

Yes, I had a few mental problems along with a few medical ones. My job is over since the place I work at comes from time to time. I doing much better, and I'm glad to be writing again. Hehe, since the last chapter was SOOOO short, I made this a little extra long. Hehe. I am FINALLY getting somewhere with this story, and actually KNOW where I am going! Oh joys!

Well, I hope to be updating soon, I have new ideas for another story, not Naruto, but maybe another time. Oh and what I said about the double ending, that has been cancelled into one ending, so now it's all good. Well got to go, I've got loads to do! Good bye!