. . .is this late? I hope not. I've been busy with work and constantly on the computer with my friends. Everyone is IMing me like I'm a freakin' councilor. Yea well. . .I enjoy it and I do love them for it.
Hellbent
Chapter6: On keeping cool
Everything is lost, all the meticulous planning, the practiced conversations, the will to be strong and straightforward. I never expected my reaction would be so. .
. . .me.
Old memories flooded back of the last instant she saw his shadowed figure. His form although hidden in the was still visible as she could trace the outline of his lithe body to his spiky hair. His crimson eyes were visible in the dark and she concentrated on his feet, thankful that the hat and mask were still covering her face.
At the same time her face was in a decision between draining to a ghostly white or flooding to a lurid crimson.
She swallowed hard biting her tongue not to make a noise.
He stepped forward.
She tasted blood and slid back nonchalantly.
Her voice was caught up. She didn't know what to say or how to say it and in fear that she would say something foolish and start crying; she kept a still silence.
With each twitch of his eyes she felt a muscle pull in her body.
For the sanctity of the team. To bring back Sasuke-kun and protect Naruto, this was the only mission which I set for myself.
But I never thought of how difficult it would be to pursue this ideal. . . to make everything possible. Even now with Sasuke-kun standing right there in front of me, part of me wants to cry in his presents, kill him for leaving and hug him in relief.
They were together again to some extent and the relationship seemed to be right where they left off. Silent and awkward. Only this time Sasuke was unaware of the person standing in front of him was Sakura. And Sakura, instead of reacting to her inner feelings decided it would be best if she kept to herself. Because otherwise she would end up reacting to her urges.
Detached -ne? That's how it is suppose to be. But. . .
I can't kill him
Stubborn Sasuke-kun
. . .never
" Well?"
Sakura leaned back her stance rigid and threatening.
Sasuke didn't react only moving his chin to the side for a more menacing glare.
"What are you doing Akatsuki?" His voice was in an irritated rumble and before he could step any closer to her she jumped back running through the blind darkness.
. . .what am I doing?
Why can't I. . .?
The stone wall collapsed and she found herself outside the dark, stale, stone palisade. Her realization which stopped her was the smoke which made her gag and cough with vehemence. She cursed herself inwardly and jumped out to further clear her lungs. Sasuke stood in front of her with a look of suspicion and contempt.
Is it because I know. . .
She bit her lip and he spoke again.
" Well? Why is Akatsuki here?" The slightest twitch of his eyes the weight shifting from one foot to the other and Sakura felt the ground underneath her shake.
She was weary of her voice and in the deepest tone she could muster she spoke " . . .Orochimaru."
" . . .Kill him." He said brusquely with his usual air of contempt.
"I don't need him anymore."
" You will not interfere?" She said gaining strength.
" No, but I still won't let you leave. I detest the Akatsuki and to test my strength I'll be content in killing each and every member." Obviously the malice for his brother never wavered but for him to so sadistically describe their death –her death– made her cringe. His time with Orochimaru had an impact as the power of his aura, and hatred grew significantly.
. . .that he will never forgive me.
Time couldn't heal all wounds. Because Sasuke, being stubborn and vindictive kept slicing them open again.
It was inevitable, she knew it would come down to this. " All right then. . ."
The wind picked up causing the threads on her straw hat to dance and the bells to sing. Distracting and sweet it was a meddling sound which she overlooked.
Because Sasuke was gone.
Instinctively she swiftly turned around and kicked up as her other leg came around for a second hit. In success Sakura landed the first hit which caused Sasuke to lurch back. But catching the second foot he dragged her down with him. Awkwardly he landed on top of her.
Sakura's eyes widened then furrowed.
With a bulldozer right hook she knocked him off of her and twitched to the cracking sound. Her knuckles ached and were raw from chakra and impact.
Sakura gingerly took out a kunai and leaned over the fallen Sasuke, humor in her fiery green eyes. Jolting around she flung a kunai through the thicket of trees.
With a large poof by her feet Sakura stood up calmly, looking around confidently. Sasuke appeared in front of her appearing unscathed.
She smiled beneath her mask.
Sakura could smell the blood, even though he hid it well.
He also smiled, out of contempt and it waned in the air.
" A kunoichi with no special abilities that's what you are." He tossed the kunai to the side, slightly stained with blood.
When he charged in, Sakura could tell he was playing with her. His chauvinistic arrogance was definitely not charming. In frustration she lost herself and for a moment she aimed to kill.
Sasuke fell to the ground forcefully creating a broken crater. Blood filled the pool and Sakura crept closer.
Suddenly overcome with aghast Sakura stood still. From a medic's point of view a simple fact popped into mind. But from the strings she still refused to give up she was in disbelief.
Her hand caressed his shoulder before she pulled him toward her.
Sakura sat there shocked, with the taut body of Uchiha Itachi in her worn hands.
Fuck.
How long has it been?
When did I slip into his eyes and another
mangekyou sharingan?
Her surroundings were covered in the eery blue haze of the moon. The trees swayed in what seemed to be a numbed breeze and Sakura suddenly felt cold. The lunar glow provided a somewhat false mystical and serine scene.
. . .deja vu.
However unlike Itachi's mangekyou Sasuke's was a place of shadowed darkness and a midnight glow of lights. It was dark, cold and almost melancholy in feeling. Whereas in Itachi's sharingan her surroundings were motionless, crimson red with the sensation of blood avidly tickling the senses.
The only blood she sensed here was Itachi's pseudo body beside her and her own blood which trickled slowly from her wrists and ankles. The barbed bands constricted for her to notice.
And so she laid there soaking everything in. The pain of her constrictions, the taste of blood, the sorrow she felt which was the essence of Sasuke. She came to a brittle acceptance that her conscious condemned her guilty and allowed her body to continue to suffer as a punishment.
Itachi is the cause of Sasuke's suffering and my presents will only make it worse.
Sasuke stood above her and she tilted her head to the side unable to face him. His eyes narrowed and as if she was electrocuted Sakura's small body jolted upward. She whimpered softly.
Her heart ached. A much deeper, tearing pain than what the slick blade intended. The wind blew licking icicles on open flesh.
" Where is Itachi? Is he here with you?"
Sasuke leaned on the katana waiting for her answer. But impatient, he slowly relieved the pressure from her chest and slid the blade to her neck. He tapped the porcelain mask.
She could smell her own blood on the blade and remained mute.
" Let me see your face Akatsuki." He whipped off her mask revealing her familiar face. The cobalt painted glow were dim and shadowed her flowing pink tendrils, soft delicate face, and finally her jade orbs.
Sakura stared up to him with half lidded eyes, distant and guilt-ridden
He looked back with disbelief, annoyance and malice.
Everything was broken as she could feel it like the wet cold earth underneath her and the wind slapping her exposed face. Her breath was ragged as it was the first time she was taken by the mangekyou. The breath of the one above her grew silent and she clenched her teeth in angst.
"I'm sure he'll be glad to see you. . ."
Sasuke's voice was hoarse, deep and piecing. ". . .Sakura"
She couldn't prevent the tears.
Do you want Giant Pocky?
Review!