Note to the reader: Sorry for the super-duper late update! I was too busy…gah…damn life…
Summary: Why do you have to leave me behind Sasuke?
CHAPTER XIII- Rising Angel
By morning, Sakura received a call from Itachi that Dr. Haust was rushed to a hospital. Sasuke, who was deeply close with the old doctor, and Sakura, who also cared for him, decided to take the night trip back to the Fire Country.
By night, the two reached the hospital where Sakura and Dr. Haust were working and where he was confined. When they asked why the old doctor was rushed in, another doctor explained that he had a heart attack. He added that Dr. Haust was actually taken in late since he had no relative to call the ambulance. He was just seen lying on the floor by a neighbor who happened to pass by his house.
"And he's old to think of it." The doctor said to the two. "Just please go see him in room 300."
Sakura was about to follow Sasuke when a nurse called her for help.
"There was an accident in the 23rd street. We are lacking in nurses…if you could please—"
"Sasuke I—" Sakura looked at him with eyes asking for him to excuse her. "Please tell Dr. Haust that I wish him to get well."
The Uchiha watched the pink head rush away to the elevator. He saw her eyes lower before she turned away from him. There was a tone in her voice that he couldn't really tell if it meant something else... sullen yet hopeful. Sasuke sighed thinking that he was disturbing himself again and proceeded to the destined room.
Even if he quickened his pace, the corridors seemed to stretch longer as if preventing him to go there. Or maybe it was his fear of what he'd find there. I don't want to see. Something whispered. I don't want to see him dead. The Uchiha halted in front of the 300th room and held the door knob. After years of being harassed, this is the only time you feared pain? Great. He told himself. I don't want to cry.
Upon entering, Sasuke immediately caught sight of the old man, with half-lidded eyes, lying on the bed. Not yet dead… He secretly sighed to himself. A weak smiled from the doctor gestured the Uchiha to move forward so that he could look at him better.
"Dr. Haust…" Sasuke glanced at the tubes attached to the doctor's flesh. The next words he was to say dissolved in his mind.
"I'm glad that you came…" the old doctor breathed deeply and closed his eyes, though he continued speaking. "I need you," he moved his index finger to indicate an envelope of papers, "to take care of that; and give that to a lawyer."
The Uchiha picked the envelope which had a vintage smell in it. He scanned the papers inside and picked up a few lines. Documents on Properties? He continued browsing. Last Will and Testament… He gulped. …all my properties: insurance, benefits, house and lot… His eyes skipped a few more words. …will all be bestowed upon Uchiha Sasuke.
Sasuke's onyx eyes rounded upon reading the name written. Me?
"Doctor—"
"I don't have any living relative. And even if I did, I would still pass down everything to you since you are my son in my eyes."
"But—"
"No, do not question me Sasuke…" Dr. Haust showed a smile only a man filled with love could give. "I have already decided on that."
Sasuke felt utterly stupid for a moment—incapable of reacting to what had passed between their lips. He wanted to show his gratefulness yet he didn't know how. He didn't want to show that he didn't want to take Dr. Haust's properties because of guilt. He was ashamed. After seconds of meandering in nothingness, he uttered a soft "thank you".
Dr. Haust opened his eyes and then closed them again. He didn't look like a sick man to Sasuke now, but a contented man ready to cease breathing. His wizened face was placid and his hands were blandly lying on his abdomen.
Sasuke sat on the bed and beamed to himself. But that smile was still caused by that bitter guilt and gratitude. Do not question me Sasuke… I have already decided on that. Finally, the Uchiha let go of a large amount of guilt stirring within him. There was no use moping. He knew that Dr. Haust was weary as well… too tired to reawaken to another busy day of the mortal world. There was no practicality in giving back to him what he could not use any longer.
"Good night Dr. Haust… good night." Sasuke said to the seemingly sleeping old man.
And Sasuke knew, that very moment he saw Dr. Haust smile and the second the monitor gave off warning sounds, it was the start of the old man's deepest slumber. Nurses ran inside the room in panic but the raven head simply moved away from the bed with the aged envelope in his hands. Now he understood the tone of Sakura. As a medic, she knew that age would eventually kill the good doctor. But she didn't want that knowledge of medicine to dictate when he would die. She wanted to remain hopeful but then…
He's dead.
Sasuke automatically went out of the room, still composed, still tacit. But when he saw the emptiness of the corridor, he felt the floor stretch out again… he felt the fear of pain again… and then, he began to weep.
The cars were moving to either side of the wide road to let the ambulance swim through the building traffic. Sakura, who was loyal to her responsibilities, was sitting in there together with other paramedics. A road accident sent a ten-wheeler truck to drive against a restaurant and a lot of people got stuck under the vehicle. Others were badly thrown off by the impact while others were just dead shocked.
Sakura was already preparing the interior of the ambulance for the numerous victims. She even called for more ambulances and a chopper to go with them. The sirens filled her ears with energy—she had to save lives again. So when the vehicle stopped, she led the paramedics into the sanguinary scene. She yelled for stretchers and for wheeled beds. She talked with victims to keep them from swooning. Blood and sweat mixed in her palms and on her civilian clothes but she didn't care. Sakura was more than eager to save lives for she failed to save her most loved one—Sasuke.
Sakura was traumatized but she didn't really show it. She didn't want any one else to die because she couldn't help them. You could not help everybody. A doctor told her one time when she blamed herself because a young girl under operation died.
She placed a young girl on a stretcher and watched her being taken into the ambulance. She was afraid to be the cause of death of someone even if she was really the cause or not; it didn't matter.
Sakura suddenly paused for some seconds to get a whole look of where she was. A scene of death.
Silence.
It was as if the people before her were doing a realistic pantomime. No cries. No shouts. Just dramatic actions that would make most people gasp and cry.
Bang!
She turned her head and saw a church across the restaurant. It was where the sound of the gunshot was from. It was the only sound she heard…or maybe the only sound her ears cared to hear. There was something significant in that church… something familiar…
Sakura walked towards the church and then her walk turned into a run. And as she ran, the noise of the pain-laden people rose deafeningly into her ears. Her footsteps echoed throughout the Romanesque styled church and though she didn't see anyone, her speed increased. As she neared the altar, she saw someone with white hair sitting at the very first wooden bench. He was still… frighteningly still.
"Father?" She heard herself gasp.
No response.
She ambled towards the old man and when she saw him, she let out a shriek.
Father Luis… dead… with a gunshot wound at his left chest. A silver locket hung around his neck and it was opened to reveal two pictures: Sakura and Sasuke. She knew it was hers—that locket—the one she lost in the forest. And seeing it there, around the dead priest's neck, sent her into a panic.
It was not good.
Tears streamed from her eyes as she tried run away… run away fast… never to look back even though Father Luis was someone close to her. But her shrill cries were abruptly stopped when a clenched fist drove hard into her stomach. She was knocked out in an instant and she didn't see who claimed her from the church.
The Uchiha was sitting with his fingertips against each other while the envelope rested on his lean thighs. It had been an hour but there was no sign of Sakura. The ambulances that responded to the accident had done three round trips to deliver the bleeding patients to the emergency room. He had seen the same set of nurses rush in and out of the hospital doors but the pink head was not one of them. He grew anxious and finally, after some more minutes, certain, that something happened to Sakura.
He stood up and approached one nurse who sat down on a couch when her shift was finished. "Excuse me; may I know if Haruno Sakura is still in the field?"
The nurse, while observing how his eyes showed a worried glint, took out her cell phone and called the others in the accident site. Sasuke examined the face of the female nurse as she conversed with another medic. After some more seconds, she ended the call and said, "They said that they didn't see her there. They don't know as well where she is now. They thought she came back here early."
She was fuckin' missing all this time! Shit! Sasuke forgot to thank the nurse and sped towards the front doors of the hospital. He forgot all about Dr. Haust and he was even oblivious of the envelope still clutched in his hand. He bumped against pedestrians and ran in front of a cab to stop it from driving further. When he got into the cab, he yelled at the driver to bring him to the accident site—fast. The poor driver obliged for he feared the Uchiha's rage.
His onyx eyes were glowing crimson… for some reason. He didn't see, of course. It seemed to appear because of the drive of his emotions. But how onyx became red was unexplainable by science.
The site, when they reached it, was still in shambles but the only people present were the onlookers and some reporters. There was one ambulance, perhaps the last that Sasuke caught up with. He almost leapt out of the cab (and forgot about the envelope inside) and then he pounded on the doors. He demanded for Sakura but the nurses there didn't have a clue where she was. He was about to grab one of them by the collar when someone screamed.
"They found a body!" Another shouted and pointed at the church.
Body? Sakura? Sasuke ran away from the ambulance and dashed into the church before everyone else. From afar, he already recognized the man sitting, motionless like a statue, at the very first wooden bench. It can't be… His pace slowed down and when he reached the body, he only managed to let out a gasp. He stood still as if thinking whether to embrace or to cry on Father Luis' lap. But he didn't do either. Sasuke was staring at the locket worn by the priest. One look and he knew who was behind that shit.
Forgive me Father for I have sinned… I couldn't keep this from happening…
Sasuke laid Father Luis down and moved away as the policemen came. He was done crying for Dr. Haust… though he felt worse pain than before. His eye ducts were not responding to his mourning. His eyes were simply getting warmer as if blood was filling up every ocular nerve he had. Sasuke gritted his teeth. He wanted to get to him. That brooding viper… that child molester… that egregious cunning menace… You fucking piece of shit! He cursed inwardly before storming out of church.
If he could only flay him alive...
But Sasuke had a problem… he didn't know where to go. So this is the time you hide you lunatic! You damn— He was not done badmouthing Orochimaru when a car swiftly drifted in front of him. The door opened and Itachi's face poked out from it.
"Get in." He commanded. And the other obeyed.
Itachi overtook a lot of cars towards the part of the city where there were countless buildings. His arms had fully healed and his face remained calm and expressionless.
"Goddammit!" Sasuke yelled and then panted.
"Shut up otouto." Itachi moved the wheel to a perfect a sharp curve. "Yelling would not help."
"Then tell me what I should do!" Sasuke shouted all the more. "It's my fuckin' fault! What if she got hurt? What if—"
"Shut up or I'll make you." Itachi eyed the younger Uchiha for a second before returning his eyes to the road. "Red eyes… I never knew you could feel that much anger."
"Is this the time for the eye talk? And where are you taking me!"
"Foolish otouto." Itachi swerved gracefully on the road. "Of course I'm driving you to her."
Sasuke stared at his older brother. "You knew?"
"They just discovered." Itachi was pertaining to his other Akatsuki members. "And right now, maybe they're having a great cross fire."
Sasuke was still dumbfounded.
"It was coincidental." He paused and reached the speed limit of the car. "More of an opportunity."
The Uchiha was speechless and for some reason, his nerves relaxed and the warmth in his eyes subsided. His gorgeous onyx orbs returned their shimmer and beauty.
When the car turned to a corner, a noise of exchange of bullets increased in volume. Itachi stopped their car and then handed a gun to Sasuke. "See that building over there? Kisame said that they're at the top floor in that room."
"Okay." Sasuke muttered.
"Let's go." Itachi opened the door and ran into the fighting scene.
Meanwhile, Sakura was standing by an old rotten bed. She was shivering as she watched a silver haired man come into the evening light.
"Kabuto!"
"Good evening Haruno." He smiled and then fixed his glasses. "It's about time we took you from there."
"…" She was moving away from Kabuto who was approaching her in a horrifying manner. "What do you want?"
"A simple task." A hiss came from the opened door hidden by the shadows. "Very simple indeed."
Sakura's heart was pounding… Orochimaru! She basically screamed at the top of her lungs in her imagination. The infamous killer was now before her with that unfading smile. What do they want from me?
"To cure my master's arms." Kabuto read the palpable question in her eyes. "Simple isn't it?"
"Kabuto, unfortunately, didn't have that much education in medicine while you—who have the skill and the knowledge of a doctor can heal me."
"There are a lot of doctors there! Why me!"
"Uchiha Sasuke… he's the other reason. A revenge on him…" Orochimaru's sinister smile lengthened.
Sasuke… Sakura thought as she moved but his a bed behind her.
"The deal is simple." Kabuto shrugged. "Heal my Master and then you can go. If you don't…" his glasses shone with menace, "then I have to kill you first and then finish off the rest." If there was one good point Kabuto had over Sakura, it was his condition. He studied her well and he knew how she didn't want anyone to die for or because of her. He was good in threatening and simple chats that would make one nod one's head.
Kill them…? Kill Sasuke…? No… She unconsciously touched her abdomen. It can't happen again…
What did she not want to happen?
That night when it was raining.
When she stood alone in the park with an umbrella in hand.
She was told to wait there for him.
And so she waited.
Until she saw him.
But she became frightened when she saw him.
He no longer looked… human.
She ran… passed through him… and dropped on the ground.
Pain. Rain. Pain.
He turned and they talked.
She cried.
They kissed.
He was gone…dead.
DEAD! Something screamed inside her head. DEAD! She was scared… more scared than before for she didn't want to lose Sasuke twice. "No!"
"So you want them to follow Ino's path? That's your choice." Kabuto showed her needles. "Choose how they are to die then."
"No! Stop it!" Sakura cried.
DEAD!
"Cure me and all will pass." Orochimaru raised his damaged arms. "I will forgive the Uchiha for shooting my arms dead."
Sakura's emerald eyes, which were once full of joy when she was a rank one college student, were now blurred by tears and fear. How could she let everything in her life get so complicated? One reason was Sasuke… wait… he was the only reason why her life got so complex but then…
The noise of the guns caught her attention. Blood everywhere. Death just lying at the base of the building. She saw some of the members of the Akatsuki being shot down. Why? For her? She shivered.
"We could not wait forever." Kabuto told her in a soft tone.
What will you choose Sakura? Save them? Or save him? Do you trust the words of that Orochimaru? Or would you take the risk? She closed her eyes. All she ever wanted was to graduate, serve the hospital and then stay home as a good mother and wife.
No. She didn't want to lose him now.
Sakura sighed and then in a low voice, told Kabuto, "I'll heal your master… just leave Sasuke alone."
Selfish. Kabuto smirked. "Very well… just get here what you need. You must finish it now."
Sakura slowly walked towards a cabinet and pulled out bottles and instruments. Forgive me.
The Uchiha managed to get away from the crossfire but a couple of thugs blocked his way and began another shooting spree. Think of Sakura. He shot down two but unfortunately, he got low in ammunition. He didn't have a choice but to run towards the shooting enemies if he did care about the time. Shit. He dashed from one blocking to another before he pinned one to the ground. After trouncing him to near death, he used him into a human shield to cover some of the bullets. After that, he ran towards the other gunner and grabbed his gun. He killed the five thugs and then ran towards the building meters away.
Sakura, I'm coming! He ran towards the doors but when he was about to enter, he heard a loud shout from Orochimaru.
"AAH! WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO ME!" Orochimaru twisted and turned on the bed as he seemed to swell. Soon, his breathing became shallow and then he fell off the bed.
"Master!" Kabuto tried to calm Orochimaru but unfortunately, he was beyond control of himself. "What did you do!"
"Histamine phosphate…" Sakura dropped the bottle and then muttered. "Die Orochimaru."
"Bastard!" Kabuto yelled and threw needles at Sakura. The pink head smiled and fell off through the open window.
From below Sasuke watched in horror as Sakura's body sped down towards the ground. His eyes were turning crimson again and blood rushed inside him. No! She was going to die!
No…
NO…
NO!
"SAKURAAAAAA!"
At that very moment, wings tore from inside his flesh and protruded through his shirt. His wings bled as he drove up in midair and caught the falling mortal. Sakura's eyes opened upon feeling that someone broke her fall… and it was Sasuke. He gradually reached the ground and then placed her down.
On the other hand, Kabuto was about to escape with Orochimaru's dying body but Itachi appeared in the room before he could move and then shot him down.
Meanwhile, Sasuke was embracing the pink head tight. He was relieved to find that Sakura was uninjured. The needles missed her for she fell before they even hit her. He was caressing her supple flesh, keeping her near him as long as possible. "Don't you go without me you hear?"
Sakura uncontrollably cried and nodded before burying her face on his collar. Sasuke planted a kiss on her forehead and then embraced her again.
After recovering, the Uchiha pushed Sakura gently away from him and then smiled.
Such sweet smile.
"Sasuke… your back…" Sakura muttered as she pointed at his wings. Her eyes were round as she examined the white blood-stained wings behind Sasuke.
Sasuke was even more shocked than she was now that he remembered it. He didn't expect it…
"What does this mean Sasuke?" Sakura felt her fear come back to her.
"I'm… no longer mortal… they…they returned me…" Sasuke said more to himself than to her.
Suddenly, a loud thunder shocked them. The sky gave off lightning strikes and there was strong wind blowing in a circular motion. The clouds above them parted and an ethereal light showered upon them both. The wind was getting stronger… and the lightning strikes were longer.
Sasuke looked up and saw the light inviting him to return… welcoming him home…
Sakura knew that it was it… the end… his return… he had done well… he had protected her with his life. His mission was over… he was not a fallen angel anymore. She saw Sasuke smile… was he happy that he was leaving her behind?
"Sasuke!" She cried out. "Sasuke!"
The Uchiha's smile faded upon seeing Haruno on her knees with tears overflowing from her eyes. Sakura I— The thunder growled louder and the wind seemed to want to carry Sasuke off to heaven.
"I love you!" She shouted even though her sobs tried hard to restrain her from doing so. "I love you! Just please remember that!" She let out a heavy sob. "Don't leave—" She stopped and with all her might, she smiled. "Don't leave—your goal… Get up there!"
She saw Sasuke smile.
And she forced a better mask of happiness.
"Good bye Sakura." Sasuke raised her chin and kissed her for the last time. His wings flapped and he slowly floated above the ground. Sakura got up to her feet and grabbed Sasuke's hand.
"Sasuke!"
The Uchiha's lips quivered. Sakura… A suppressed tear twinkled in his eye as he held Sakura's left hand with both hands. You have never heard my last confession…
Their eyes met… such fast passing seconds…
Finally, Sasuke let go and flew slowly up while his eyes remained on Haruno. I'm sorry…
Sakura watched him fly away to the light. The pain was building up fast but she could not spill it out. She wanted to bleed to death when she cried out in a loud voice. Her face drenched in tears; her arms embracing herself and her forehead against the ground.
"SASUKE!"
He could not hear her anymore…
The rain poured down on her as she continued screaming for Sasuke and asking him why he had to go. But it was no use… he was gone and now, she was certain, he was not coming back.
END
Oops! I haven't placed that this chappie is the finale! Harhar! Sorry to my readers…this chap is choppy and fast-paced. (it's 1:40 a.m….) Thanks to my reviewers!
By the way, about the Histamine phosphate, it's real. But I'm not sure if it causes instant death after symptoms of Histamine Poisoning. Haha…Just used that crap… Better check out for yourselves if you're curious.