Chapter 10: Radio Friendly Unit Shifter

It was all for nothing.

There was a buzz of static in her ears, and the entire world spun around. Daze, Guilt, Sickness. Inferior words. No, this state of mind was so shatteringly intense that Sakura was surprised that as of yet she had failed to slip into a spinning vegetated state. If it were not for the occasional piercing feelings she got from the things she heard, she would probably have achieved this a few seconds into this monotonous state that claimed her. This drone, mixed with these randomly occurring jabs of emotion that struck her kunais, was the most horrifying thing Sakura had ever felt. For when you thought you would finally be released into a blissful sleep that took you away from the drone,these pinpricks would wakeher beforeshe fell asleep and broughther back down into the endless nothingness that so tortured her. And all the while, she had no one around to at keast endure it with, and a great loneliness not to mention lack of hope, added weight onto this alreadyexcrutiating burden of pain and unrest.

Hell had never been so real.

No, she was still alive. She could think, her basic functions were working, she was totally aware of everything and everyone around her. She responded and emoted to everything in every way a young woman in her present circumstance should. No, everything was going on, including her, and at a level that satisfied her best friends into thinking she would be okay.

But she existed outside of time, and as she wore on, so did the ordeal. The worst part was, she had no way out whatsoever, for even if she killed herself, it would still wear on.

But maybe Hell might not be so bad, after all, Satan might look like...

No, she would not venture down that path.

But maybe Satan would look like...

Shut up brain.

Well, I'm dying anyways, look there's Satan.

Oh, wow, yep, that's him.

No, dumbass, that's Sasuke.

No, it's not, it's Satan, Sasuke hates you.

Hates us.

Whatever, point is, it's more likely Satan than Sasuke.

Okay, if you're this delusonal on your own, maybe you should let me out more.

Screw you.

Don't you mean 'screw me.'

"Yes! I mean no! Oh shit. I'm saying this out loud aren't I?"

"Yes, and frankly I'm a bit scared."

Told you it was Sasuke.

She faced him stonily. "Well, I am too."

Sasuke sat next to her and took her hand in his. "Sakura, you really hurt me today."

If tears could have come, they would have. But they couldn't, so Sakura did not say a word.

"But you didn't mean to. I understand why you did it, and I admire you for it."

Sakura withdrew her hand. "But you also hate me for it. So cut the bullshit and tellme how you really feel."

"There aren't words to describe how I feel."

"Join the club."

Sasuke looked at her. "So what does that make us?"

"Fucked up and made for each out," replied Sakura, falling back onto the bed.

Sasuke followed suit. "So, we understand each other because we don't?"

"Basically."

"Sakura, will you do something for me?"

Sakura rolled over in annoyance. "Sasuke, I'm tired for christ's sake. Not to mention I just had an abortion.. I'm not in the mood."

"Neither am I."

She faced him once more. "Okay, then what."

"I need to cry. I havn't done so in over twelve years and frankly, I have a lot to cry about. I have too many tears stored up and I need to have someone to cry with."

Sakura stroked his cheek. "Get over here."

Sasuke leaned his head on her shoulder and cried. He cried for his mother. He cried for his father. He cried for his cousins and aunts and uncles. He cried for himself. He cried for Kakashi, Naruto, Ino, Lee and everyone back home. He cried for Konoha. He cried for every woman in this Harem. He cried for Lady Tojo. He cried for Sakura. He cried for Aira, the little girl he had never met. He cried for his brother and everyone he hadever killed. He cried for the child he had lost not one day ago. He cried until his tears were gone and all that was left was the soaked pink hair next to him.

She was sleeping. How pretty she was. But she looked so much at that second curled up next to him like the child that he almost died. But then he was reminded. There was another chance. Another chance. Always another chance. His clan would be restored and it would be restored with the little former kunoichi curled up next to him. Could she be a ninja again? It would be a blessing. She deserved to have her future back.

He wanted to help and protect her. He wanted to do that with every fiber of his being. He had done that a lot as a kid, and it had always made him te closest to happy he could manage back then.

He had, in fact, helped her quite a bit. What would her life be like if he had not been the head of the harem? She'd be wondering what the Hell Ino was doing here while still believing him dead. How had she thought that? Who told her he was dead? How had that happened?

-

A tired life. That was what she was.

Mariah Tojo had survived her life and now she wished to sleep for a long time; as long as possible. But as long as possible was absolutely no time at all.

What would she do when her husband was in prison? Go back home? No, then her family would seal her up into a convent. Something she could not have happen.

She could live with Sakura and Sasuke. Would they mind? No, they wouldn't. They would be grateful for efforts at saving them, and then? They would do it. This was not plotting or manipulation. It was the truth. Mariah Tojo hated bullshit.

So maybe the convent would not be too bad, considering the snake she had for a husband.

But if she did go and live with them, what would she do? Be an old grandmother, live her life through Sakura and her children? No, she had no intention of doing that. But then again, what were her options?

Despite the fact she hated being restrained and always sought her own life, she had no idea what she was really looking for. She had no dreams, no ambitons. All she wanted was her independence and to do something.

Well, hadn't she fought to free a dozen women from the hands of a perveted schmuck? Yes, but it proved to be useless. Oh, shit. Life sucked.

No, she'd get a divorce and a nice little settlement. Get a small house out in the country, write poems and letters. End up dying and having people find her stuff and publish it and call it genius.

Shit, she'd be Emily Dickenson.

Well, that was not too appealing. But what else? Be someone's crazy aunt? Shave her head and join the Hare Krishnas? Go to college and become a biophysicist? No. Time sucked. She was too old to become a model or actress, and professional athlete and ninja were out. Maybe she could start her own cult. She had always liked rabbits. No, people would think they were hares and call it Wicca.

She could become the crazy rich woman of some village and join some town council. Or perhaps she could go into politics. Or maybe become a fashion designer. Or maybe...

Now that was a good plan. Mariah went to her computer and began to type.

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Sakura packed her clothing and records up. She would be out in two weeks, she should start packing now. Too bad she couldn't take that net thing above her bed. It was so cute.

Sasuke, she knew was packing too. But he didn't have much. Sakura had enterred his apartment yesterday in shock. The walls were white, there was lame brown carpeting. No TV, or record player, just a small metal computer on a white desk. The only thing of distinction was the air. It smelled of spices, only so heavily it was almost too much. It just reaked with it. Air fresheners were plugged into every outlet, incense burned, and there was poperee. What was it about this god damn smell?

Sasuke did not seem to mind it though. He seemed to be fine living like that. But there was no way Sakura was going to live like that after she got out. No, her room was too nice. She would fix that old mansion so it looked like a mix of 1969 and 1432. She wouls not tolerate to live without decorations and art all around her. Maybe she spent time she could be using to train to decorate things, but at least she had a hobby. Sasuke needed a hobby. Being a brooding ninja was all he had. And since he had gotten his revenge, it now had no purpose. The only thing that kept him somewhat sane was his duties here. But once he left, then what?

Oh yeah. That.

Okay, fine, he still had something to do. But that wasn't enough to take up all his time. Sakura did not think Tsunade would be so welcoming to Sasuke after he betrayed the village. He probably would not have any real missions for a while. So that did not leave him with much. Besides, Sakura did like a well-rounded person. And if she had to live with them, it was a requirement. Not to mention after the horror she had just gone through, she was not exactly keen to become pregnant again.

But what could the guy do? There was the singing thing. Yeah, maybe he could sing for parties and stuff. But then again, he only sung because the girls liked it and he felt sorry for them. He did not seem to fond of doing it in public. So maybe that would not work out.

Jesus Christ. He was such a headache no matter what he was doing. She was always worried about him. She could not see how she would be able to cope if children got involved. Perhaps she may be able to manage. Maybe.

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AN: Not the longest chapter, but I thought it would be useful for foreshadowing. After this, I am planning to have only two more chapters. However, I have other ideas, and if you guys want it badly enough, I'll write another twelve. Buh-bye. Rand R