Summary: When he wallows in self-pity, it is the hardest thing to get him back to normal. To her, however, she is willing to risk her life to stop him from suffering any more.

Pairings: Sasuke/Sakura

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, at all. All the characters belong to Kishimoto Masashi-sensei.

As Time Passes

Bittersweet

The knife was calling to him, a glimmer in his onyx eyes as his hand twitched. He longed to see strips of crimson trailing down, dripping slowly to the floor. He longed to feel with wind biting at his vulnerable flesh, pain searing in his body. It was morbid, but it was his only escape from reality.

He did not need to see someone die, especially to save his life from his attacker. He was too weak to defeat him, and the only punishment fit for him was to die. However, his subordinate seemed to think otherwise. He engaged his attacker in battle, dying in the process. During this time, the Godaime managed to reach them, along with her entourage, effectively chasing out his attacker, his brother, the Uchiha Itachi.

"Sasuke-kun?" called out a familiar voice as she stepped into his apartment. Of course, he could have lived in one of the abandoned houses in his family's land but there were too many memories, too much pain lingering there. "Sasuke-kun?" Still no response. Her face creased with worry as she ventured into his room. Her jade eyes widened when she found him holding a knife, ready to wound himself. "Sasuke-kun!" she gasped as she bolted towards him, effectively disarming him.

"What do you want, Sakura?" he deadpanned, his eyes devoid of any emotion, not that there was any to begin with but there was always that spark of determination within them. Sakura said nothing as she tucked away the knife, sitting down beside him afterwards. A scowl formed on his face as he moved away slightly, the female making no motion to move closer. "What do you want, Sakura?" he spat out, his onyx eyes ablaze, annoyed at her silence, her intrusion, her unwelcome attention.

"It's enough, Sasuke-kun. You don't need to blame yourself for his death," whispered Sakura. The act of even breathing in front of a very pissed off Sasuke took an iron will, so much more for talking.

"You didn't see the way I lost to him. I should have died," he muttered bitterly.

"Then what about me? I thought you didn't want anyone else to suffer because of you." Those were brave words, the ones that escaped her lips. In the blink of an eye, Sakura was pushed up against the wall, her feet dangling slightly. His hand held her neck tightly, any tighter and she would choke to death.

"Leave me alone," he hissed dangerously, his eyes flickering from onyx to crimson then back. Sakura gasped as she tried to get more oxygen into her system. Letting her go, the warmth that emanated from her flesh still lingered on his hand. "Sakura, just go," he muttered as he clenched his fists in frustration.

"No," she said fiercely as she approached him, crushing her lips against his in a kiss of sheer desperation. Sasuke felt her tears drip onto his face, the salty liquid entering his mouth. His arms wrapped around her frail body, pushing her body closer to his own. "Please, let me help," she whispered hoarsely, her jade eyes filled with sincere concern.

"Aren't you afraid of me? Don't you fear the fact that I can kill you without remorse in this state?" he spoke, his voice shaking, though not noticeable, as he eyed the woman before him, his lover.

"No, I'm not. You aren't your brother. You have a heart, Sasuke-kun. Stop wallowing in your self-pity," she murmured lovingly, solidly, as she touched his face, "Your love for me and mine for you is proof enough."

"Shut up and satisfy me," he whispered huskily, pushing her down on his bed, all earlier thoughts of pain, remorse, guilt and self-pity gone with those few words of hers, something no one else could have done.

"Sasuke-kun…" she whispered into his ear.

"Yeah?" he mumbled in between fevered kisses.

"I love you."

- Owari -

Dark. Very dark. It seems like nice scenario to put them through, a test of their love. Of course, we all know that Sakura will be able to pull through, with the occasional bouts of depression, but does Sasuke have the mental stability to carry on?

With Sakura's help, I'm sure he'll be able to pass whatever test their love goes through.

In any case, these stories aren't going to be long, since they're the type devoid of any major storyline. If these one-shots inspire you to write any more, by all means go ahead.