Sakura ran.
The man behind that mask just had to be Sasuke.
She could make out the figure just in front of her, hands stuffed into his pockets, head bent, unfamiliar ANBU mask lengthening his shadow.
"Sasuke!"
The figure didn't stop.
Anger fueled inside her.
"SASUKE, YOU STUPID JERKFACE! I'M TALKING TO YOU!"
She slapped an open palm on his shoulder and attempted to spin him around intimidatingly. All she effectively did was spin herself around to block his path.
Whatever floats your boat, loserHer Inner shrugged aimlessly.
Sakura growled.
"Who are you?" She spat nastily. The ANBU didn't look the least bit taken aback, as if he had expected it all the while.
He remained silent.
She let out a roar of frustration, and ripped off his mask.
At first, the face was shrouded by moonlight, and the features were rough and distorted by the shadows cast. He looked straight at her, dark eyes boring into her own, never blinking.
She gasped.
"Oh, my god…you…you came back."
She reached up to his face and gently turned it to face the light.
And retracted her hand as though he had a disease, horrified.
He was streaked in blood.
He didn't look away, ashamed.
Because he was making her feel ashamed.
"You smell like him." He whispered.
Her eyes dilated like saucers.
"Sasuke, you have to believe me when I say that it didn't mean anything."
He didn't answer.
"It was a ploy! He was going to make you have to go with him, and he used me!" She cried in anxiety. She grabbed his hands, and drew him closer, holding them just below her shoulders for dear life.
He cleared his throat.
"Is it true?"
"Is what true?"
Silence.
"Sasuke, tell me."
After more silence, she shook his hands, as if trying to bring him to life. But he already was. Living, but dead inside.
"He said…he said you…you two were mated." He whispered the last word so quietly, and so full of sorrow, that Sakura felt tears drop from her eyes, landing on the hands she was holding so closely.
"He lied."
Sakura stared at him, his disbelieving face. He wanted to believe her. He just didn't know how.
Her eyes traveled downwards, and rested on his Adam's apple. His jaw clenched in thought, his shoulders were even more slouched than usual.
"Miruko is waiting for you at home."
Her nails dug into his skin.
"Is that all you can say! You risk your life for me, and now, I tell you my deepest, darkest secret, yes, my deepest darkest secret, as corny as it sounds, is now up for grabs because I accidentally told you. And you tell me Miruko is waiting for me!"
"What is your deepest, darkest secret?" He asked. She thought there was a hint of amusement in his voice, but looking into his eyes, there was no trace. He was dead serious.
"You know what it is." She said through gritted teeth.
"I'm afraid I don't."
Sakura closed her eyes.
Say it, you melodramatic moron.
And this time, her Inner wasn't joking.
This is for my cousins, who made me feel beyond special.
…maybe you should all do the same.
XP
AlternateEndings.