Note to the reader: Sorry for the boring start guys. I'm pretty fazed by the school schedule! -- Thank you to the reviewers!

Plus, I am not sure with Kabuto's eye color so please correct me.

Summary: To achieve something, one must know the rules and how to break them.

CHAPTER II- The Condition

Death is nothing. It is not important if you die. What is important is how you die and why. And death is not the most painful thing. But the loss of all memories attached to the name of the deceased person is.

The windy night went still again and the skies revealed the moon once more. The moonlight passed the whole field and rested on the two individuals staring at each other. The girl was Haruno Sakura, head nurse of the most respected and highly accredited hospital. The boy was Uchiha Sasuke, the mysterious dead lover of Sakura who miraculously fell down from heaven. Sakura was dumbfounded for seconds while Sasuke was baffled by the situation. Even the very specific inanimate objects seemed to contribute to the awkward grotesque silence she was experiencing. Nothing was moving or bringing life to the place.

Sasuke found the scene foolish and boring and so he looked around and then stared back at Sakura.

"Sasuke? Oh my—" Sakura lost control of herself and so she flung her arms around his neck. Her tears spilled like cascades once more. She could not believe it. Sasuke—her beloved Sasuke was right before her again!

But before she could utter another word, Sasuke held her by her wrists and then pulled them to free his neck. He transferred his hands to her shoulders and pushed her roughly away. The unexpected reaction happened in a span of five seconds but the shock to Sakura lasted for minutes. She felt herself effortlessly pushed back to the ground. Her eyes were round as she looked up to him in disbelief. He pushed me…?

"Who the hell are you to do that?" Sasuke muttered and then looked over his shoulder to check his clipped wings. Still bleeding… "Hey mortal, lend me some of those things you call medicine."

Sakura wasn't moving. She just stared at him and her tears had gone dry. She didn't know what was happening or whether she was dreaming. Everything felt real—and yes, everything that was occurring was real. "Could you not remember me?" Her lips moved slowly as if she could not even convince herself that she was saying them.

Before Sasuke lost his patience on her, the skies expelled a brighter light and from there came down two more creatures bearing white wings. The two landed gracefully on the grassy ground and then their wings vanished into feathers falling to the ground. One of them had grayish white orbs while the other had a red short hair. Sakura immediately recognized the two new comers.

"Neji? Gaara?" Sakura felt the urge to stand up and study the faces of the two.

"Haruno Sakura, it's been a while." Neji smiled slightly and then eyed the Uchiha. "I see that you have a problem."

"Problem…? What are you—" Sakura appeared really addled herself. She took steps back before saying in a slow pacing, "I don't understand what's happening anymore."

Gaara moved towards her and then held her by the hand, "let's go in and we'll explain."

The four went into Sakura's house and then settled at the sofa set. Sakura could not help but stare at the three. All of them were dead yet they were there, sitting before her in complete ease. Maybe she was crazy or maybe she was dead as well.

"Sakura," her head moved upon hearing her name, "just believe us okay?" It was Neji who spoke. Sakura did not reply and so he decided to continue. "Gaara, Sasuke and I came from heaven." Snap. It felt unreal. "I know that you know we're already dead." There was still no response from the pink head so he went on. "But we had a problem there. Sasuke," he eyed the Uchiha who seemed not to listen at all, "did something wrong."

"What is it?"

"He drank from the fountain of oblivion." Gaara replied.

"It is a source of power, as the rumor said." Neji continued.

"In order to follow the Messiah's path, you must leave everything behind. And that promises you eternal life—and power." Gaara added.

"Why did he do that?" Sakura inquired as she took a glance at the Uchiha.

"No one knows. Probably, he wouldn't even remember why himself."

"What you are talking about is all non sense." Sasuke became irritated because they were chatting like he was not there. "I just need to get back to heaven as soon as possible."

"He doesn't remember you or his past life here in earth. All he recalls are the events in heaven—except the fact that he lost his memories." Neji pretended not to hear the Uchiha.

"What are you two doing here anyway?" Sasuke cocked his head to the side and crossed his legs.

"Yes…that." Gaara took out a piece of paper and then handed it to Sasuke. The Uchiha unfolded the paper and read the content silently. As expected by the two, Sasuke's eye brows furrowed.

Uchiha Sasuke,

You have broken the law of contentment and drank from the Fountain of Oblivion. Thus, the judges have decided to place you under probation. The condition of your return: take care of Haruno Sakura during which the judges will observe whether you are worthy to be allowed to go back.

Sasuke's eyes moved from one person to another, ending up with Sakura. "I'm going to be stuck with this mortal?"

"Yes, until the judges decide to take you back." Gaara answered solemnly.

Sasuke and Sakura stared at each other for seconds until Sasuke ended the contact. "This is stupid. I need to go back—Augh!" Sasuke tried to stand but his injured skin (where the wings emerge from) made him immediately fall back to the sofa. Sakura automatically rushed to the pained angel and checked his condition. The two stood up and stopped over Sasuke.

"One more thing Sasuke, you can't hurt a mortal unless you have a valid reason to do so." Neji said before turning to Gaara. "Looks like Sakura would be the one taking care of Sasuke." The two bid Haruno good bye—and good luck. They went out, spread their wings and flew up into the clouds. Sasuke helplessly lied down in the sofa and looked away. He couldn't accept that an angel like him would be under the command of a mortal.

The next morning was a brighter and fresher summer. Perhaps it was because of the somehow lowered temperature or perhaps it was because Sasuke was with Sakura again. Sakura woke up earlier and yes, happier, than usual. She took out several bottles of medicine and rolls of bandages. She gently pushed the sleeping Uchiha so that he lied on his stomach. She checked if he was still in deep sleep before pulling his shirt high enough to expose his injured back. Sakura replaced the bandages which were stained by blood. She applied several liquids before placing new bandages on his back. There were two deep parallel cuts through his skin where his black (meaning banished) wings once emerged from. She took a long look at them before deciding to take Sasuke with her to the hospital. He needs stitches. She said to herself as she kept the materials she used and turned Sasuke to his side. Now that you're here, it's already perfect even though you don't remember me. Sakura bent down to place a kiss on his cheek when the Uchiha suddenly pushed Sakura down. Everything happened in a blink and the next scene was: Sasuke was on all fours on top of Sakura with his right hand on her neck. The pink head did not budge but she had her hands firmly clamped around Sasuke's wrist.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Sasuke's voice was low and threatening.

Sakura could not reply either. (Yes, one of the most stupid info-gathering tactics is strangling. How could the victim answer properly if he is being choked?) She was just tightening her hold around his wrist. She was already gasping when Sasuke decided to free her. He sat upright and averted his gaze, mumbling "damn mortal" referring to Sakura. The pink head rolled to her side and then continued massaging her neck. After seconds of silence, Sakura managed to breathe normally and sat upright.

"I need—" Sakura gulped to prevent a sob to escape her lips, "—to bring you to the hospital. You need stitches to close your wing wounds."

"I don't need stitches you idiot." Sasuke's insult was crisp and sharp. "If you close the cuts, my wings won't have cuts to go through."

"But you'll bleed intensely. And now that you're mortal—"

"Shut up." Sasuke said in a cold calm manner. "You don't know me or what I feel now. Stop pretending that you care." Sasuke stood up and left the room—slamming the door in the process.

Sakura looked down on the bloodstained bandages Sasuke left on the bed. She took one on her hand and gazed at the ceiling. Why do you test me this way?

On the other hand, the Uchiha strode through the house and stopped in front of the front door. He was about to turn the knob when he felt a stinging pain in his chest. This couldn't be. He bit his lip and clutched his chest as he took steps back. This is damn wrong. He found comfort in the sofa set. He was actually feeling the pain of Sakura. "The condition of your return: take care of Haruno Sakura." They were bound by the magic of the heavens.

As soon as the pain subsided, he decided to go back to where he left Haruno. It was no use to rebel against the condition. He just had to be extra nice and then that was it. He took an exasperated sigh and then entered the room. Sakura eyed him, waiting for Sasuke to say what he wanted to say. "I think I can't do anything." Inside, he cursed her to death.

Sakura looked at him and then smiled weakly. She walked towards the cabinet and drew out clothes. "Here, wear these."

Minutes before Sakura was considered late, the two arrived at the hospital. Sasuke appeared comfortable with the cap and shades Sakura provided. She didn't want anyone to see someone 'dead' walking around. The two went into the hospital with full caution. The daily routine was the same: the staff greeted her, she smiled at them and most of the people there eyed her with much respect. Sasuke thought that watching Sakura all day long was boring and uneventful. What would happen to her when everyone seemed to like her?

Sakura led the Uchiha to her office and after changing into her uniform, went with him to one of the operation rooms. She locked the door and motioned him to the bed.

"Please wait—" Sakura pulled out a mobilized tray with tools. "—and don't touch anything."

Sasuke was about to take a scalpel and test it on his skin. "Hn, whatever."

Sakura shrugged and began pulling out more things from the cabinet. She sterilized the items and then laid them on the mobilized tray. "Take off your shirt so I can have a better look." Sakura said while putting on disposable gloves. Sasuke silently obliged as he pulled his shirt upward revealing a muscular well toned abs. He placed his shirt beside him and then watched the pink head press the injection to ensure its use. She looked at him before plunging the anesthesia into his skin. Sasuke felt uncomfortably numb as he twitched to his side.

"Stop moving." Sakura mumbled as she started joining the surgical needle and thread. "Don't worry you won't feel it much."

"I don't fear pain." Sasuke replied coolly as his muscles relaxed.

Sakura applied several disinfectants and then began stitching the left cut first. Sasuke amused himself by watching people pass by the one side glass. He could see their worldly affairs while he was unobserved. He watched them walk into sight and then disappear. And without any reason at all, his attention was caught by a man with a pony tailed silver white hair. His round eye glasses perfectly fit his smart look. He mused on what seemed useless to him. Who is he? And after questioning himself, the man who made him interested looked at his direction. Sasuke didn't know if the man could see him but his eyes seemed to do so.

"Sasuke," Sakura tapped him lightly on the shoulder, "are you alright?"

"What?"

"I was asking you something." The pink head continued stitching his back.

Sasuke looked at the glass once more but the man wasn't there anymore. "What is it?" He inquired without looking at her.

"What was it like?" She paused for a second and then continued her work. "What was it like in heaven?"

"Everything there was great." He replied with less enthusiasm than his words depicted. "Everything you need was there in an instant. Everyone was treated equally. But this earth of yours," he smiled to himself, "this is somewhere I'll never be able to survive in."

Sakura didn't reply to what he said and continued stitching. After some minutes, Sasuke spoke. "Do you know all nurses and doctors around here?"

"Most if not all." Sakura answered.

"Do you know the name of a man who works here who has a silver white hair in a pony?"

"Hmm," Sakura cut the thread after finishing cuts, "if I don't know him by name, I may recognize him by face. But I don't know anyone with such description." She placed the needle down and then moved the tray. "I'm done."

Sasuke hastened up in wearing his shirt and then headed for the door even if his back still felt numb.

"Where are you going?" Haruno was just about to take off her surgical gloves. "Your stitches—"

"Mortal—what's your name again?" Sasuke looked at her before leaving.

"Haruno Sakura." The pink head solemnly replied.

"Haruno let me tell you this. It's my duty to guard you but I think it's a waste of time." Sasuke continued. "I'll let you be and you let me be. That will make me happy." He added and then went out of the room.

Left alone again.

Sasuke searched for the mysterious man as he walked briskly through the corridors. He went into the elevator and then went out when he reached the first floor. He wandered around there until he caught sight of the person he was targeting. The man with the pony was speaking with an old lady on a wheel chair. He increased his pace as he approached the man. And as if time slowed down, the man slowly turned his head as Sasuke neared him. The mysterious man smiled and fixed his glasses as he bid good bye to the old woman and turned to Sasuke. The raven head stopped at his steps and then observed the man from top to bottom.

"May I help you?" The man started the conversation.

Sasuke did not respond but he met the man's grey orbs.

"Hahaha… Uchiha, Uchiha…" he chuckled and sharpened his gaze. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Sasuke was alarmed. How the hell did he know me? I have not seen him before.

"Of course you haven't." the man smiled in an intimidating manner. He noticed Sasuke's shocked expression and so he added. "Don't worry, I can't read minds. Your reaction was just too obvious."

"Who are—?"

"Yakushi Kabuto." The man answered and after which he turned his back on him.

"Sasuke!" someone called him from behind that made him look over his shoulder. It was the annoying Sakura again. When he looked back at Kabuto, he was gone. Sasuke walked towards Sakura and found a new person to meet beside her. "Sasuke," Sakura nodded to him and forced a smile; "you do remember Itachi don't you?"

Uchiha Itachi did not haul himself and fuck the sanity off Sasuke like he would probably do before. He just stared at him without much care to spare. Sasuke stared back at him likewise. "Sasuke, so you're back." There was no sign of excitement or disbelief in his tone.

"No, I don't remember him." Sasuke replied to Sakura's question. "I thought I told you to leave me alone Haruno." For some reason, Itachi's hand clenched until his bone knobs went white. The younger noticed the spite building up in the scarlet orbs of Itachi. "Who the hell is he anyway?"

"He's your older brother Sasuke." Sakura answered with a weak, seemingly forced smile.

"Hn. Another mortal." The raven head mumbled and then walked passed them.

Itachi, who kept himself quiet, turned. He wanted to grab Sasuke's shirt and trounce him but he felt a gentle hold around his wrist. It was Sakura holding him and shaking her head slowly. She knew his intention and she understood why but she couldn't, of course, let Itachi hit her Sasuke—or her once owned Sasuke.

Sakura was left alone in the hospital. Sasuke went away to somewhere he didn't bother to tell her. Itachi, however, volunteered to stay but Sakura almost begged him to go. She didn't want to keep the older Uchiha from changing his lifestyle just for her. She did her tedious job until midnight when almost everyone was on their comfy beds. Suddenly, she missed the old Sasuke. Sakura was changing into her civilian attire when she stopped and opened her desk drawer. She pulled out a silvery accessory and then opened it. It was the locket of Father Luis. The good old priest decided to give it to Sakura after Sasuke's death.

The cut-out pictures made Sakura laugh. Her laugh sounded melancholic rather than enthusiastic. She wore the locket and went out of the hospital. The lights of other corridors were already closed but she managed to make her way through them. The dark corridors reminded her of the incident when she heard horrible moans which scared her. And when she ran because of panic, Sasuke looked for her… only now… he was leaving her.

"Miss Haruno." She turned and saw a man with the round glasses and pony tail.

"Good evening." Sakura didn't know if she was obliged to know him for he wore a nurse uniform. "You're new here?"

"Yes," he shook hands with her, "Yakushi Kabuto. I heard a lot about you and your expertise in medicine."

Sakura smiled and began walking with the man towards the exit.

"So I believe you could help me with a problem."

"You have an illness?"

"No," the light made Kabuto's eye glasses shine, "someone else needs your help." He led her outside the door where a taxi cab was parked. She looked at him curiously and then gazed at the car window which was slowly opening before her.

The car window fully went down exposing the man sitting in the cab. He was smirking with his snake-like lips as his trademark. "Good evening Haruno Sakura."

Before she knew it, she was already immobilized by fear. She didn't know why but whoever it was she felt that she was facing death.

END

Okay, I already fixed the last two paragraphs. Saw the difference? Thanks for the reviews.