LJ Community 31 Days

August 15 - You recognise the fragrance of one you desire, and a less obvious sadness.

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There was no spring in the Village of Sound, it was always summer and fittingly enough, somewhat like hell: a boiling cauldron of sin and evil. Sasuke found that he didn't mind it that much, the changing of seasons has never affected his daily routine: practice, missions, sleep, practice. Seasons to him, was never more than another measure of time, carrying the inevitable into fruition.

But for some unknown reason, he was standing today at the Valley of the End. The wind was blowing strong, carrying with it a few stray cherry blossom petals. Sasuke raised a hand and plucked the pink silk pieces out of the air, crushed it and brought it to his face. He closed his eyes and inhaled...

It was a fragrance almost forgotten: unfamilliar yet nostalgic. Spring was beautiful in the Village of Leaf; the cherry blossom trees had started bloom and the air was clean with the smell of new grass. Colour bloomed once more in the Endless Plains.

Another memory rose unbidden; the flash of green eyes, pale limbs and hair the colour of cherry blossoms. The figure smiled and flung her arms out to him in welcome and called out...

"Sasuke-kun"

"What is it, Kabuto?" His voice was toneless, masking his inner turmoil. There was a melancholic air about him.

"Orochimaru-sama requests your presence in the main hall immediately." Kabuto's glasses glinted in the sunlight. "There is news of the Akatsuki and your bro..." he halted and corrected himself purposely, "... and Uchiha Itachi."

"I will return soon. Leave me now."

Kabuto departed without another word. Sasuke opened his palm and flung its contents into the winds, and watched the leftover rags of his heart disappear in the distance.