Note to the reader: Thanks for the reviews! Anyway, someone asked: if the condition prohibits Sasuke from hurting humans, why could he attack Haku? Um, the condition states that Sasuke could not hurt a mortal unless he has a valid reason to do so. Self-defense, I believe, falls under those "valid reasons".

And yes, you might be wondering where Itachi had gone to. That would be answered soon. (Winks)

Summary: Fear beats hard work when it comes to getting what you want badly.

CHAPTER VI- Fatal Obsession Part Two

"He broke some bones but he's going to be fine. He would not be able to speak for a day or two. He wouldn't be able to move his limbs for a week or so."

Where…am I…? Sasuke thought though his eyes remained closed.

"How about his injuries?"

Itachi? Sasuke recognized the voice of his brother.

"He's recovering fast. No need to worry."

"Thank you Dr. Haust."

Doctor… Haust…? Sasuke seemed to find the name familiar.

"He's been my patient ever since he came here so it's really my pleasure to take care of him now." He felt two gentle taps on his shoulder. "Well, excuse me gentlemen, I have another patient." The door opened and closed right away.

"Got into trouble again?"

Sasuke's eyes moved under their lids. He wanted to move but his body did not oblige.

"Good thing Kisame saw you fall. If he had not killed that person, you might have died." There was a pause. "Too bad you left him there… if only Kisame's condition was worse, he might have died as well."

Haku? Sasuke suddenly recalled that he got hit while climbing up the rope ladder. The scene came back at him and those emerald eyes showing panic and pain appeared again. He could no longer remember what happened next. Perhaps he blacked out…

The silence was occupied by the sounds of the hospital machines attached to him. He felt that his whole body was drained of its full strength when he opened his half-lidded eyes. He caught sight of Itachi sitting by his bedside with a cool expression.

"Ohaou otouto…" Itachi's lips curled into a seemingly evil smile. "You shouldn't wake up yet. You have only slept for four hours."

Sasuke's eyes moved from Itachi's blood red orbs to Kisame's fishy face. He parted his lips by millimeters but no sound came out. His onyx eyes closed again and he felt himself crave for sleep. He sensed a light movement beside him and then someone kissed his forehead. "Get well fast or else I'll have Sakura at the altar in no time—and I guess you wouldn't like that." After which, there were footsteps heard and the door opened and closed for the second time. Now that he was alone, thought came swirling at the same time. He thought of what happened recently:

He thought of Father Luis… he asked himself why the old priest was terrified of his appearance.

He thought of Itachi… he asked himself why he let the older Uchiha revive his past incestuous feelings.

He thought of Gaara and Neji… he asked himself why they knew his past.

He thought of Sakura… he terribly questioned himself why he needed to put up with her and at the same time enjoy it. He became curious of what he did feel for her before…

He thought of heaven… he asked himself why he drank from the Fountain of Oblivion. That was the vital explanation to all those questions and yet he could not remember the reason.

He thought of himself… He wanted to know if he was interested in knowing his past… perhaps he was now…

Sasuke's thoughts were startled by the door. Soft careful steps came afterwards as the door closed. Haruno? He opened his eyes slowly and to his mild surprise, he saw Kabuto instead.

"Sasuke, I thought you looked worse." A sinister smile crossed his face. He lifted the rim of his glasses and then looked out the window. Sasuke noticed that Kabuto was not in his nurse uniform but he had an injection in his hand.

"How are you?" the silver head asked. "Oh… haha… I forgot that you could not speak. Your vocal nerves were slightly severed because of the acupuncture needles. Two hit you here." He pointed at an area of his own neck. Kabuto turned away from the window and approached Sasuke's bed. "Master Orochimaru wanted to see you personally but, of course, he couldn't." He saw no sign of emotion in the Uchiha's eyes making him think why. "So he sent me to check on you and…" he took the cap off the injection, "to give you a gift."

When Sasuke saw the injection and Kabuto's smile, he became afraid. He didn't know why but the injection projected some kind of warning to him. Dammit… His eyes bore signs of panic and mistrust. He knew that he was in trouble since he could not move. He parted his lips but no sound came.

"See you around Uchiha…" After that statement, he injected the substance into him. The Uchiha could not fight Kabuto off and he could only curse inwardly. In a matter of seconds, Sasuke felt his heart beats quicken… his eyes suddenly shot up and he gasped for breath. Everything became vague and Kabuto's triumphant look vanished into darkness.

In a flash, everything went still…

Sasuke saw himself falling down from the clouds… he fell right into a pool… the pool became thousands of hands touching every inch of him—literally… he looked up and saw that the clouds turned crimson… it began to rain… he looked up again and saw Sakura lying on a cloud drinking blood… at that point, he began to laugh like a maniac…

"Sasuke!"

The Uchiha's eyes opened and felt like his throat was being grated… scratched at different intervals of pain… There were several nurses began checking him as one slowly injected a depressant into his bloodstream. Sasuke's eyes gradually closed and his heart beat slowed down. His status returned to normal as he fell back into slumber.

Two days passed and Sasuke recovered his voice. The nurses occasionally went in to his room but no one explained what happened. He had no visitor until one morning. And unexpectedly, Neji and Gaara came.

"How many times did you fall that night? Twice?" Neji practically laughed about it but there was concern in his voice.

"Shut up. If you don't know the feeling of that, be my guest. You should try it sometimes." Sasuke said sarcastically.

"No thanks. In the first place, I am in the right state of mind so I don't go jumping down a cliff without any support. And secondly, I am not the one under probation. So I don't have to risk my life for someone." Neji replied coolly.

"Why did you two come here anyway?" the Uchiha asked after seconds of being annoyed.

"To check on you. What else?" Gaara crossed his arms.

"I'm fine." He said flatly.

"I can actually see that." Neji pointed his look at Sasuke's bandaged limbs.

"If you're here to piss me thank you but I already am." Sasuke snarled.

Neji's look suddenly sharpened and was about to retaliate when the door opened. Sasuke's eyes darted to the door then back to the two but they were gone.

"I heard voices." Said an old doctor who approached Sasuke. After receiving no reaction from the Uchiha and after carefully observing his face, the doctor's eyes became watery and a weak smile crossed his face. "It's…really you… yes… a miracle…"

"Excuse me?"

"Oh, yes, I forgot what Itachi said." The doctor sighed heavily and wiped his eyes. "Never mind Sasuke…" he limped to the bed with a cane in one hand and a record in another.

"How is Haruno?" Sasuke asked immediately.

"Miss Haruno is in a better state than you. The hospital will release her in a day or two. You, on the other hand, have to stay for at least a week or earlier." He stopped and checked Sasuke's immobile arms. "You will be able to move your arms soon."

The raven head was silently observing the old doctor's face before speaking. "What did Kabuto inject me with?"

"Who?"

"Kabuto. A nurse from this hospital."

"I am not aware of anyone who's in charge of you by the name of Kabuto." The old doctor paused, thinking. "Do you mean this Kabuto was the one who injected you with Charlatan?"

"Char—what?" The Uchiha's eyebrows met.

"It was Charlatan that was injected to you."

"What's that?"

"It's a kind of drug which is fatal in the long run. It triggers hallucinations… and also damages your internal organs greatly." The doctor's eyes were sullen. He recalled the past Sasuke whose life depended on drugs and sex. Now that Charlatan was introduced to his body again, he might unconsciously crave for it once more.

"Sasuke, I have to warn you not to take that again." The doctor limped towards the door muttering, "I have to report this" to himself.

"Hey," the Uchiha called, "may I know your name doctor?"

"Haust… Dr. Haust." He smiled sadly and went out.

The next morning, Sasuke was over delighted to have his arms mobile again. With the incident off his mind, he quickly asked his nurse to get him a wheel chair. The next thing was, he was speeding to the elevator and his nurse was running after him.

"Mr. Uchiha…" the female nurse managed to get in the elevator before the doors closed. "You… shouldn't… go… without… me…" the unfortunate nurse was panting hard and her hands were on her chest.

"Just leave me alone." The stubborn Uchiha crossed his arms defiantly. His eyes waited for the letter 'G' to light up. When the elevator stopped at the third floor, Dr. Haust came in and saw the two. "Good morning. How are your arms?"

"They're fine." He replied dryly. The nurse rolled her eyes and commented.

"Doctor, Mr. Uchiha decided to run off without me."

"Didn't you hear me? I—am—fine." Sasuke glared at the nurse.

"Room 420, sixth floor." Dr. Haust winked at him.

"What?" Sasuke, who was quite surprised, asked.

"I believe you want to go to the information desk on the ground floor. It's no need… I know her room."

The Uchiha blushed slightly and turned away.

"And Miss Aya, you could let him go on his own."

"But—"

"He's going to be alright." Dr. Haust nodded towards Sasuke. "Oh," he looked at the panel and said, "here you go—sixth floor."

The doors slid open and Sasuke rolled his wheel chair out. He looked over his shoulder and watched the doors close. After wondering if he had been acquainted with the old doctor before, he moved on. The corridor seemed empty for only a few people walked along it. He scanned the doors for room 420 until he saw himself in front of it.

The Uchiha knocked. No response. He turned the knob silently and saw something which infuriated him. There was a man with round black shades sitting by Sakura's bedside. Their hands were together and it seemed as if Sakura had just stopped laughing. It took them seconds before they noticed Sasuke's dagger looks.

"Sasuke, come over here." The pink head pulled her hand back and motioned the Uchiha to get in. After seeing his state, she smiled and spoke with a medic's tone. "I think I should stop worrying. I am glad you're well."

"Yeah… obviously you're glad." Sasuke glared at Shino who stood up and moved away.

"So it's true that you're back." Shino said softly and placed his hands in his pockets. And still, you're too possessive.

"Who the hell are you anyway?"

Sakura and Shino exchanged looks. "Oh, yes, this is Aburame Shino. You two have met before but only for a few times."

There was no response from Sasuke.

"I think he wants to know what's in your hand." Shino fixed his shades which blocked his eyes from the Uchiha's death glare.

Sakura immediately recalled that Shino held her hand a while ago. "This? Shino showed me a caterpillar." She held out her palm to let the Uchiha observe the black and red spiny caterpillar. "Shino was just entertaining me… I used to fear them until—"

"—this Shino came." Sasuke finished her sentence. "I think you're still busy." He made a gesture that he was about to go when Shino took the caterpillar from Sakura's hand and bid her good bye. He walked towards the door, paused and looked at the Uchiha at the corner of his eyes.

"I believe jealousy is a good sign of affection." He muttered so that only Sasuke could hear. Aburame went out without another backward glance leaving Sasuke somewhat between defiant and embarrassed.

"Sasuke?" Sakura's eye brows went up in question.

The Uchiha was looking down on his bandaged legs and his lips didn't move to answer.

"By the way, I have to thank you for saving my life there." She smiled weakly.

"I just did that so that I could go back immediately." Sasuke replied with his eyes still averted.

"…I know." She replied silently.

No words passed between them for a moment until Sasuke looked up to her and said, "Sorry… I didn't retrieve the locket."

After mentioning the locket, Sakura suddenly burst into crying. Her hands covered her pale face and her hair fell allover her face. Sasuke didn't know what to do. He bit his lip and moved his arms as if trying to stop her from crying. Panic dwelt in his mind as he looked at the door hoping that no one would come in.

"Haruno—"

"If I w-wasn't s-stupid enough to stay a-and look for it—"

"—hey—"

"—you sh-shouldn't b-be in this s-state! I should n-not have stabbed—" a sob interrupted her words and she began crying again.

Now he got it. Sasuke remembered that Sakura stabbed Haku at the back to kill him. And he knew well that attempting to kill someone for the first time was a big deal—especially those who were not trained.

"Don't—stop thinking that way." He moved closer to her bed. He pushed himself up the bed with all the strength of his arms.

"Sasuke—"

"I'm just sorry okay?" Sasuke retaliated with a slightly higher tone. He sighed and shook his head. "Look, Haruno, I don't know why but… would you please stop crying?" he took Sakura's hands off her face. What is this feeling? Who dictates me these words? He surveyed her face closer. You do. A voice replied. "If you cry, then they would definitely kill me." He was referring to the judges of heaven.

Sakura laughed softly and placed her hair behind her ears.

Sasuke looked around and took a red round band from the desk. "Turn around."

"What?" Sakura wiped her eyes with a finger.

"Your hair is a mess."

Sakura obliged and quickly moved so that her back was turned to Sasuke. Without a word, the once obnoxious Uchiha began fixing Sakura's pink mane gently. He brushed her hair with his fingers and carefully tied it with careful hands. Sakura felt Sasuke's palm brush up the back of her neck as he finally fixed her pink tress.

After doing the unexpected action, Sakura looked over her shoulder and saw Sasuke looking right at her. His eyes were passionate but calm. It was as if she was seeing the same old Sasuke who she forever loved. She smiled and in a quick motion, she launched herself to Sasuke. Her arms tightly surrounded his neck and her face was buried at his shoulder.

"H-hey—what—" Sasuke blushed scarlet and tried to get Sakura off him but his arms did not move. Did he really want her to get off him? Only his heart knew…

A week had passed boringly before Sasuke. He simply waited for Dr. Haust's last instructions and reminders before tracking his way out of the hospital. Sasuke got a call from Sakura, who was released days earlier, that she would fetch him. She added with emphasis that he must wait for her. "Newly released patients should be guided accordingly." He recalled her say. But stubborn and proud as Sasuke was, he got out alone and walked along the main road.

His short tour that afternoon did not go futile for he found himself back in a very familiar place. Sasuke ambled further and reached a structure which was apparently closed. A note said: Open from seven pm till three am. A night bar. He thought as he pushed the unlocked door open.

The place was slightly disarrayed. Some chairs in upside-down position were on the tables. There were still tissue papers and cigarette butts on the floor. The place smelled strongly of beer, smoke and money. The bat had a few unclean shot glasses and some uncorked wine bottles. Dimmed rays of light penetrated the gaps of the blinders which covered the windows. The light lit a path which led to a corridor with doors at either side. As he walked towards the corridor, his footsteps echoed. Some doors were open and a distinct scent filled the air.

Sasuke could not be mistaken… it was the scent of sex.

He opened a room and saw that it was neater than the rest. His onyx eyes wandered from one corner to another and they ended up on the red bed sheet. I could not be wrong… He closed the door behind him and approached the bed. I know this place. Sasuke felt the urge to climb up the bed and search for something under the pillows. There, he found a brown pack of cigarettes with one left for smoking. I've been here. How he knew where the pack was hidden puzzled him all the more. Sasuke was getting a lot more convinced that he was once a human who tackled this path.

If he found the other pieces of his memory, he'd definitely understand why he drank from the fountain. And perhaps, he would also comprehend his past and the people in it.

Sasuke stretched his arm and opened a drawer from the bedside desk. He pulled out a lighter and placed the last cigarette between his lips. Sasuke was unsure with what he was actually doing but he smirked to himself and lit the cigarette anyway. As the Uchiha inhaled the mint flavor of the cigar, his mind became at ease… He lied down, his eyes straight at the ceiling, as he puffed out smoke from his supple lips. He felt like his body was alleviated of worldly affairs and troubles. A smile voluntarily crossed his face and his eyelids lowered.

He continued to smoke… he needed this heaven… badly. He could hear his own heart beat and he was even entertained by the sound of his breathing…

Inhale…

Exhale…

After minutes, he fell asleep and the finished cigarette fell from his lips to the bed.

…

…

…

"Who is he?"

…What?

"Wait, call the boss."

Who's there?

"Oh my… I think I recall this guy…"

"I know! I know! He's Uchiha Sasuke!"

The Uchiha opened his eyes upon hearing his name being mentioned. After rubbing his eyes to clear the vague image, he saw three women with badly done make-up around him. They were surveying his face intently.

"No way… he's—"

"What's the commotion all about?" A plump lady wobbled into the room with a tobacco stuck in her mouth. "The bar will open any minute now! Get yourselves—" She stopped when she caught sight of the drowsy Uchiha lying on the bed.

The three women retreated when the woman moved closer to Sasuke.

"What's your name boy?"

"Wha—?"

"Name… your name?"

"Sasuke." He managed to sit upright and he observed the room.

"You look familiar boy." The plump lady spat as she tilted his face with his chin. "Are you applying for this job?"

"What job?"

"Yes, you slept here… you owe us one. You could take Hojo's place first." She turned her back on him and went towards the door. "Get yourself ready. The customers are waiting." And with just that, the door shut.

Sasuke slid off the bed and tried to walk but his legs trembled with instability. He fell to his knees and got his arms on the bed. Dammit… what's happening? But his question was not answered. The door slowly opened and a sluttish woman entered. The candles around served as the light which illuminated the features of the person. Sasuke managed to get up the bed and panted heavily. He didn't notice that the woman was already taking off whatever's left on her. And as soon as he noticed her, she was already devouring Sasuke.

"Here is your new home." Said a man with a sly smile as he introduced the fourteen-year-old Sasuke to a couple of people.

Sasuke looked up to the long-haired man and followed him into the room.

"Here's your room for now on."

"Thank you." Sasuke smiled. Being alone in the world at a young age, he needed a guiding hand before him.

Sasuke was shaken awake by a knock on the door. He was naked on the bed with just a blanket to conceal his god-damn-sexy body. He sat up and saw a stranger walk up into the room. The man four one thousand bills on the desk and approached the Uchiha. Sasuke, because of his weakness, could only follow his lead…

"Where are you going?" little Sasuke asked the man. "You're the only one I know here."

The man's yellow eyes glowed with subtle menace. "You'll know a lot more people, my Uchiha. But for now, I need to go somewhere else." He smiled and left Sasuke in the room.

The next thing Sasuke knew, he was crying out loud as strangers fucked him all night. Both men and women tasted him and though he tried to go, he just couldn't… until he got used to it… until he enjoyed it… until he lived by it… for years…

The door shut after the fifth stranger left. Sasuke was lying on the bed. He was panting, drenched in sweat, hard and sticky. His fists clenched as he thought of all the shards of memory which flooded his mind. The feeling of being raped by strangers was relived that night…

The yellow-eyed man came back just before the bar closed. He went straight to the room and saw Sasuke still being harassed by a handsome teen. When the teen noticed that he was being watched, he stopped and began clothing himself in a slow manner.

"It's enough?"

The teen's eyes twitched. An angered look was fixed on his face as he wore his shirt. His eyes, which bore two different colors, were fixed on the other man's yellow orbs. As soon as he had clad himself, he walked out without another glance.

Sasuke began to cry softly, his hands clenched into a small ball of fury and shame. The long-haired guy sat at the bed and took out a pack of cigarettes. "Here, this will ease the pain."

Sasuke did not budge at first. He felt a cold hand brush against his waist down to his pelvic bone. While his back still faced the man, he took one and the man lit it up for him. At first, he chocked because of the smoke but after some more trials, he got used to it.

"Boy, get yourself fixed." Someone spoke from outside. "The bar is closing." The same voice of the plump woman brought his senses to present. She knocked thrice after her statement and moved to the other room. Sasuke pushed himself up slowly and surveyed the dark ambiance of the room. The candles burned out and the curtains covering the windows dimmed the room all the more.

He slid off the bed and used the wall for support. Sasuke didn't feel like leaving the room. He wanted to sleep though the night and perhaps forget what happened and what he recalled from the past. Who is he? He asked. So…it's all about sex. He told himself humorlessly. Sasuke groped his way towards a full-length mirror and stared at his nude body. He traced the kiss marks all-over his body with his fingers and then sighed heavily. What am I thinking?

The phone rang that midnight at Sakura's house. Hoping that it was Sasuke, she almost stumbled over a low stool just to get it immediately.

"S-Sasuke?"

"I-It's Ino." Sakura was slightly surprised because Ino's voice was trembling.

"What is it? Is there something wrong?"

"C-Could you come here? Shikamaru's abroad and my maids are missing." Ino paused and then continued with a lower tone. "And our electricity was cut off. I have called someone to fix it. There's a lot of weird things happening and—" Ino stopped when it suddenly rained. "I feel like someone's here."

The rage of thunder and lightning scared Ino making her drop the call. Sakura was alarmed by Ino's fear. She knew well that her best friend was brave so it was a mystery why she suddenly felt terrified. Sakura, forgetting all about Sasuke, took her umbrella and called a taxi cab.

She was dropped off by the driver at an intersection. So she walked her way towards the Nara mansion. She rang the doorbell but no one answered. To her surprise, the gate was even open. As she walked towards the front door, she eyed the enormous structure. The lights were out and some windows were left open. Sakura lowered her umbrella and knocked thrice. The door swung open revealing a dark sofa set.

"Ino?" her voice echoed though out the mansion but the thunder was the only thing that responded. Sakura felt the chill of the midnight breeze up her spine. She placed her umbrella down and sauntered up the staircase. The lightning flashed through the windows, casting numerous shadows on the path.

"Ino? Where are you?" Sakura tried to call out but the thunder drowned her voice.

She reached the second floor and at the exact moment, the lightning flashed and it cast someone's shadow on the wall. "Aaah!" Sakura screamed and moved back nearly toppling a large vase. She quickly returned the stability of the vase and walked further. "I-Ino?" A door of a room swayed open because of the wind. She, feeling the darkness on her path, gulped hard. Sakura managed to hold the door knob and closed the door behind her. She walked over the carpet… getting closer to the four poster bed. There was a figure on the bed but she couldn't see well.

"Ino?"

No response.

Sakura continued to towards the bed… she needed to see Ino… she touched the bed sheet and to her fear, it was … wet. Her chest was pounding with terror… her eyes were round… she didn't want to expect this…

Finally, a powerful strike of lightning revealed the scene:

Sakura saw Ino lying on the bed with stabs all-over her. A knife was pierced right at her womb…killing her child instantly. Ino was in a position of great stress—as if she struggled 'til her last breath. Her eyes were still wide open and her lips were parted allowing blood to ooze freely. The bed sheet was tainted with fresh blood…

Sakura stood there… her mind was dulled by the traumatizing scenario. Her emerald orbs were fixed at Ino's blank eyes which seemed to stare back at her.

…god…

The lightning lit the room again and a man in a corner was unconcealed. He had blood on his body, a knife on his hand and he possessed two grave-looking sheepish eyes…

END

Thanks and please help me… what is the right spelling of 'otouto'? If I am wrong please correct me. More mysteries eh? We'll be solving them one at a time. (wink)

I know it's choppy so forgive me. (sniffs)