Hello, everyone! Here is the tenth chapter of Healing Demons. Please review and enjoy! :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. All rights belong to Masashi Kishimoto only.
SUMMARY: Sakura was a diligent medical student with dreams and aspirations of greatness. Sasuke's dreams had been crushed by a dark past, leaving him broke and depressed. What happened when these two crossed paths and their lives got interwoven together? Modern world AU
"It's nice of you to show up today, Sasuke," Naruto teased as the young man walked through the front door of the coffee shop. On any other day, Sasuke would normally have a short fuse for his friend's antics, but it wasn't like any other day for him. He had just been dropped off by Sakura after a long night of their hearts connecting. The introvert that nestled within him would be drained and lethargic after such soul-bearing, but he instead felt revitalized and happier than he had been in years; it was minuscule, but significant. He supposed he had Naruto to thank for that, but wasn't necessarily prepared to admit anything to that extent. He had to ease himself into opening up lest he get burned beyond repair. Sasuke merely brushed past Naruto as he opened the cash register, mentally crossing his fingers that there was a spare uniform in the back. He cursed his unpreparedness, but it wasn't as if he had intended to return anyway. His ears perked as Naruto called over his shoulder, "There's an apron on the hanger to your right! Throw it on and take my place. I'm putting you to work today."
Groaning internally, Sasuke rolled his eyes with his back to his friend as he entered the back break room to settle in for the day. The room was dank and small and felt suffocating. He'd rather sit back there and hide until the shift was over, but his conscience whispered harshly at him to stop running away with his tail between his legs. It was a simple job, one that an average person should be able to do with no complications. What was wired so differently in him that made everything so unnecessarily difficult? Grabbing the orange apron haughtily from the hook on the wall, Sasuke hurriedly tossed his bag to the ground and reluctantly fitted the uniform around his waist.
He still refused to wear the visor that he was expected to wear.
It was difficult to drag himself out on the floor; it felt like lead weights heavily clung to his ankles, making each step unbearably close to giving up. The sluggish feeling felt so comfortable wrapped around his shoulders yet served as a hindrance rather than a saving grace. Sasuke ran a hand through his barely ruly locks as he hardened himself to the work to come. As he walked up to Naruto, he intentionally avoided eye contact as he greeted him for the day.
"I'm not going to hold any meaningful conversations with anyone so don't expect that from me," Sasuke began as he adjusted his apron and stared appallingly at the growing crowd of early birds lingering outside the shop. He tried to not let the negativity he felt so fervently weigh him down just as he worked on improving himself. This job was a stepping stone, not a destination; it took a ton of willpower to keep reminding himself that. Sasuke turned to Naruto and added, "Same as last time? No unwarranted surprises?"
Naruto grinned mischievously and patted Sasuke reassuringly on the shoulder. Relinquishing his position at the register and motioning for his friend to take his place, he replied, "Same as last time, no surprises. It seems like you have too little faith in me."
Shooting him a dark look that promised consequences if he pushed teasingly further on a sore spot, Sasuke reeled in his irritation as his withered gaze focused in on the task at hand. It surely wasn't glamorous, and definitely was not desirable, but it was unfortunately what he needed to do for his first step of getting his shit together.
Grin and bear it, and cope with a beer or ten that night.
Sasuke glanced at the clock that hung high on the wall in front of him and took a large, shaky steadying breath. He zeroed in on the oxygen that coursed through his nose and down to his lungs, purposefully huffing warm air back out through his mouth. He repeated it until he felt his nerves were quelled enough for him to face the day with a mask of bravery.
Feeling somewhat calmed, yet not nearly enough, Sasuke squared his shoulders and prepared for battle. The thought of support coming from Sakura egged him on to keep pushing through inch by inch despite feeling like walking on hot coals. He imagined her sweet smile and even sweeter words, bringing him comfort despite the increasing fear that welled inside of him.
He could survive the day if he focused on that light she ignited and let it consume him.
"You're actually out of bed and doing something productive today, what a surprise!" a voice called out to Sasuke as he tiredly pushed through the glass door to the sidewalk outside at the end of a grueling shift. He recognized the voice, grew to loathe it. He had enough interaction with it to last a lifetime, and knowing the inevitable conversation he'd have with the owner of that voice made Sasuke wish he had cowered in bed that day. He wasn't prepared or willing to speak with his older brother. Groaning to a stop, Sasuke spied an immaculately dressed Itachi leaning on the jet black passenger door of his car. Tch, it was typical of him to show off, parading around like he owned the ground he walked on. Sasuke halted to a stop, gripping the bag slung over his right shoulder tighter as if it could reel in his bubbling vexation and narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "It's good for you to get some sun; you're way too pale and sickly-looking."
The anger accumulating under Sasuke's skin snapped like a twig; it had an extremely short fuse and merely the sight of Itachi had it reaching its boiling point.
If someone were to ask Sasuke why his brother brought such animosity to the surface, he wasn't sure if he could necessarily form a coherent response. He associated Itachi with many unpleasant memories he hated dwelling on day in and day out. And ever since his darkest days, rotting in a jail cell, wallowing in enough guilt to knock the breath out of him, it seemed as if Itachi had a holier-than-thou attitude and treated Sasuke like a charity case.
He was a basket case, maybe, but never a charity case.
"Shove it, Itachi," Sasuke replied darkly, animosity dripping off of him like venom. He had endured an entire shift of work he'd rather not do, so he couldn't deal with speaking with someone he'd rather sweep under the rug. Sasuke knew it was irrational to harbor such thoughts about someone so close to him, but he needed to cling to something to keep himself from sinking further into the deep dark unknown Itachi seemed to represent for him. It may not have been fair to his only sibling, but he really couldn't have cared less as long as he walked away unscathed from the burning fires. He needed to end the conversation before it got out of hand. "I don't know what you're doing here, but just know I won't listen to anything you have to say. Leave me alone."
"Come on, Sasuke," Itachi replied, crossing his arms as he continued to lean against the dark sedan. Sasuke knew he was prepared for war, so he really needed to build up his arsenal. He warily watched, discreetly angling his body away from his older brother, framed for either fight or flight. "It must be so exhausting to carry around that chip on your shoulder. It's probably why you're always stuck in bed rather than living your life."
"There are reasons that chip exists," Sasuke growled, taking tiny steps in the other direction. His gaze remained sternly on his brother, hoping that he could err his grievances through the ferocity in his eyes. But, would that be possible when he couldn't place a finger on the true emotion that laid so heavily inside his chest? Was it actually anger, or something completely different, much more complex? "After all this time, I would've expected you to understand that when I tell you to leave me alone, I mean it. It doesn't give you an invitation to ambush me at work."
"I've given you more than enough space, I would think. There is a limit to the amount of isolation I will allow," Itachi coolly replied. His nonchalance crawled under Sasuke's skin like insects itching to burst out. He had pushed everyone away, urging them to leave him be to breathe in the darkness; it was torture for him on the inside, but Sasuke never really considered what it could have felt like to be on the outside looking in. Was it just as excruciating? He decided instantly he didn't want to know the answer. "Won't you come with me to my office? I have things I'd like to go over with you."
"I'm not going anywhere with you," Sasuke bit out, turning to face Itachi fully. He had to wrack his brain to wrap his mind around the audacity of the question; showing up outside of his place of work unannounced, dripping with arrogance and false swagger, expecting to whisk him away to a place he'd vow to never return? It was equatable to kidnapping. "I've always wondered who you thought you were, but now I'm questioning your sanity. I've been more than clear that I want our lives to be kept separate. I'm not a part of your twisted reality nor do I intend to be."
"Ouch," Itachi responded, his voice without a trace of hurt or surprise. Sasuke warily watched as he shut his eyes and reached into his jacket limned with the deepest hues of navy blue and coal. He pulled out his phone and deftly searched through it until he landed on what he was determined to find. Slowly handing the phone over to Sasuke, insisting multiple times until he finally caved in, taking it from his grasp and looked at the screen, Itachi continued. "Your tough guy act will only protect you for so long, but there are others more sensitive than me that are deeply hurt by your harsh words and lingering absence. I shouldn't be showing you this, but this is our mother all but begging me to reach back out to you. Be the bigger person, send an olive branch, whatever it may be. You can call me all the nasty names in the book, but I'm the one who's really going out on a limb here."
Sasuke's breath shallowed as he squinted his eyes in the rays of sunlight that filtered through his eyelashes in an attempt to read the glass screen; Itachi had not been lying. As he carefully sifted through the brief conversation his family members exchanged at his expense, gripping onto the validity of Itachi's claims, he read further despite the voice in his head screaming not to. He buried himself in the words, seeing his mother vent her regret her loss of touch with her youngest son and express her desire to make things right with him. Sasuke was shell-shocked as his chest tightened at her belief that all was lost between them, unable to salvage a disintegrated relationship. He really shouldn't have been so surprised considering how adamant he'd always been to keep shutting everyone else out of his life, but seeing the reality of it in hard, stone cold writing was a slap in the face, a bucket of ice cold water poured onto him.
It took everything he had in him to school his features into cool indifference.
"I…" Sasuke began, whispering as his voice struggled to get a foothold to support itself. He didn't know what to say or how to respond, but he did know that he deserved every last bit of shame that consumed him in that moment. He still didn't want to go along with Itachi, more for fear of facing the aftermath he left behind rather than the anger he clung to for so long. His emotions rocked back and forth more than the waves in a stormy ocean and it was starting to take a toll on his resolve. Sasuke decided that he'd much rather curl up under his ragged covers and sleep it all away rather than facing it head on. Defeatedly sighing, handing Itachi his phone back and dropping the worn bag from his shoulder to hang by his side, Sasuke let the pure despondency he felt reflect transparently through his tired eyes. He was so tired, so spend. "I don't deserve your pity, so tell Mother you tried, but failed. Put the blame on me, since everything else is already my fault anyway."
"It's not a matter of what you deserve," Itachi began, placing his phone delicately back into the pocket sewn intricately into the inside of his jacket and fiercely looking at his listless younger brother. He took a step, then another, and another until he could place a large, warm hand on Sasuke's bony shoulder. "If it was, you'd deserve a swift kick in the ass. But it's not. It's about the love we share as a family and how it's not nearly as delicate as you believe it to be. We're here, and we always have been, Sasuke."
Sasuke shrugged his brother's touch from him, not yet ready to accept the affection that he'd rejected for so long. He wasn't prepared to admit that he may have been at least slightly wrong all that wasted him. Taking a shaky step back to put some space between him and Itachi and willing his legs to keep him standing upright, Sasuke glared at him with all the energy he could scrounge up and replied, "Even if you were telling the truth, I don't believe that feeling extends to all members of our family. You can't speak for those who refuse to show their face."
"Such as whom, Sasuke?" Itachi inquired, the first remnants of concern bleeding through his words. He took a few steps back from where he was standing to lean back onto his car, crossing his arms and folding into his original position. He continued, "I most certainly can vouch for those not here because unlike you, I've kept in touch with them. It's time to get your head out of your ass."
"You'll have a hell of a time convincing me that Father still cares what I'm doing with my life. He's too busy with his stupid business to bother with the son he essentially disowned," Sasuke countered, tossing his bag back over the shoulder that was now cold with the lack of Itachi's reassuring touch. He would never admit that the simple gesture made him fill with longing for that familial warmth he'd been so deprived of.
"Why don't you speak with him yourself, then? It seems you two have a lot you need to hash out," Itachi said, pulling his keys from his pocket of his pants, clearly hand-crafted from the finest materials. The jangling of keys between Itachi's nimble fingers reached Sasuke's ears, taunting him, daring him to back down as he usually did.
Sasuke didn't like that; he refused to let his older brother be proven right.
"I'll go with you," Sasuke replied with a misplaced hardened resolve, stepping closer to his brother in an attempt to feel stronger, larger than he truly was. He repelled the notion of coming across as the coward he really was and it was all Sasuke could think of doing to put on that false bravado. Squaring up his shoulders and puffing out his chest minutely, he continued. "I'll come with you to your office. But I still refuse to speak with our Father. Not that he would be too destroyed by that, anyway."
Itachi stared long as hard at his younger brother, likely analyzing his every expression and thought that flitted across his face. Sasuke trained his features into hard stone, fighting the inner turmoil that jabbed him at every turn. After a pregnant pause, the older Uchiha closed his eyes and agreed. "Fine, just because we have a lot to go over. But, like always, just know I won't be letting this go."
"So you keep reminding me," Sasuke annoyedly responded, a vein popping out from the top of his strained temples. He had to bite his tongue until it nearly bled to keep from letting anymore unkind words slip through his teeth. He watched as Itachi pushed up off the car with a resounding creak emanating from the passenger door and followed his feline movements around to the driver's side without daring to move a muscle. His focus remained solely on Itachi as he slowly carried himself to the car and reluctantly opened the door. "You'll see eventually that your energy is wasted on trying to salvage something that no longer exists."
Sasuke unceremoniously plopped himself into the leather seat. The smell of the brand new car wafted into his nostrils and flooded his senses as he slammed the door shut with as much energy as he could muster, shaking the entire vehicle; it was as petty as he could bring himself to be. Scrunching his nose is disgust, Sasuke sank back into his seat and chose not to dwell on the fact that Itachi bathed in enough money to allow himself a new car every month.
He certainly wouldn't put it past his brother to be that materialistic.
Sasuke didn't bother putting on his seat belt; if he died, the blood would stain Itachi's hands, and he'd be free from his personal never-ending misery.
Staring straight ahead as he spotted Itachi sliding into his own seat out of his peripheral vision and heard the definitive clicking of his seat belt, Sasuke crossed his arms and sulked. It felt childish, he realized, almost as if he were throwing a temper tantrum for being forced to leave the park after a long, joyous day. But, he wasn't leaving somewhere he held dear and he certainly did not have a cheerful day behind him. He couldn't stop the pout from forming on his lips and the scowl he wore from marring his features. Sasuke supposed it was a regression on his part, but as long as he could retain his dignity just a little bit longer, he could dwell on how wrong it felt to go against his will later on that night.
He just needed to bare the rest of the afternoon with false courage, hiding the negativity that felt tattooed permanently to his soul.
"I hope you eventually come to your senses, Sasuke," Itachi's voice broke through to him. Sasuke didn't bother acknowledging his comment with any sort of response, but the older Uchiha pressed on, knowing that he'd retain his words one way or another. No matter how hard Sasuke tried to shut out the world, it always came back to haunt him, pestering him like the nuisance it was. "My arm is getting sore from constantly holding out this olive branch. It's nice to see you taking baby steps to meet me halfway."
Sasuke couldn't bring himself to form a retort or even feel bitterness to his statement. His clouded vision had always been a source of vitriol for him, but it wasn't until recently that he had wanted to make a semblance of an effort; he supposed he had Sakura to thank for that. It was both reassuring and disconcerting to have that miniscule progress confirmed by someone on the outside. It made him break from the haze of disassociation for a brief moment to see that what he was experiencing was, in fact, real and his actions truly had consequences, whether he did something or not. His mere existence can cause a ripple effect that could induce tsunamis in someone else's life.
He was so used to feeling like an insignificant speck that the realization made him feel uncomfortably narcissistic. He most definitely was not the center of any universe.
"Don't expect much else from me," Sasuke replied, sinking further back into the firm leather seat and sticking the bottom of his worn boots on the front console, scuffing up the pristine cleanliness it proudly presented. He chocked his childish behavior up to being in his older brother's presence; old habits really died hard. But it was, in reality, a defense mechanism for him, something he felt obligated to fall into to harden his outer shell. Only time would tell if it was effective or not. "I can only take so much."
"I'm well aware," Itachi responded, jamming his keys into the ignition and turning on the car. The shaking Sasuke felt was not due to the car; it was far too new, had far too smooth an engine to disturb its passengers. He merely felt a slew of emotions accumulating, shooting out like quills of a porcupine, hindering him, making him unable to form a reply. He stared straight ahead, grunting as he tried to ignore Itachi as best he could. "Believe me, I'm grateful you just agreed to come along. You don't have the best track record when it comes to doing something for someone else's benefit. But I promise I won't keep you long as long as you promise to stick it out. I'll get you back in time to sulk by yourself at home. As ideal Saturday night for you, is it not?"
"Just drive," Sasuke spat, turning his gaze to the window. As he felt the car shift into drive, Sasuke peered into the store he was leaving behind. It was so small, such an insignificant building, but it held so much potential for him. He was still deciding whether he wanted it or not, but he couldn't deny the impact he knew it would inevitably have on him.
Sasuke locked eyes with Naruto's fierce blues through the store's freshly wiped-down window as he noticed a ghost of a smile blemish his face.
Goddamn him and his keen sense of sight.
The long halls of the hospital were imposing and intimidating, much more daunting than they had been previously. Sakura looked all around her in awe with brand new eyes: shuffling paperwork, beeping monitors, coughing patients, and bumbling nurses. This was to be her new home for the next few years, and with a pinch of hard work and tenacity, the remainder of her career. Her backpack hung snugly to her squared shoulders, packed full with the necessary papers she needed to lock everything in and make it a done deal. The anticipation filled her veins and spilled into her blood.
Sakura's springy step carried her through each corridor by memory; she had spent the better part of her nights sitting at the sides of ailing patients and busy doctors. As of that day, she would be the one taking hold of the reins and steering her own ship. She felt like a tiny fish in a big pond, but it didn't matter as long as she could put her extensive book knowledge to good use. Sakura quickly smiled to herself as she excitedly made her way to the office she was told to go to.
She was nearly skipping as she made it to her destination, swinging herself through the door frame. It was a bustling office, filled to the brim with buzzing interns and determined doctors. Sakura had a moment of pause as she drank in the controlled hecticity swarming all around her; she was confident it would become a source of comfort for her in due time. She was prepared and felt like a kid on her first day of school.
Her eyes excitedly searched for a familiar face; she had researched the hospital's most prestigious doctors thoroughly enough to recognize them. Whether that made her creepily over-prepared or not, Sakura didn't care. She would always much rather be overly prepared for any situation than be caught off guard with her pants down.
It was a chronic necessity at that point in her life.
Landing her gaze on a blonde woman that possessed an intimidating but motivating stature, Sakura audibly gulped, coating her dry throat enough to lubricate her words. Internally, she went over her parents' advice like a mantra.
"Stand tall, maintain eye contact, firm handshake. Project your confidence no matter how miniscule it may be."
Determined to put one foot in front of the other, Sakura tightened her grip on the strap of her backpack and pushed forward. She had met Tsunade Senju before many times during med school. Why was she now feeling a bout of insecurity and apprehension? She was certain it was because though she had worked day in and day out to get to where she was, the prestigious doctor still held her future firmly in her grasp and it made her feel powerless.
Sakura hated feeling that way.
Grateful that Tsunade...Dr. Tsunade...Dr. Senju didn't appear too preoccupied with other matters, she stopped directly in front of her new designated mentor and waited for her to notice. She refused to be a bother; Sakura had always been one to exude too much enthusiasm, much too quickly and others would be put off by it. She needed to make a good impression and start off on the right foot.
Biting her soft lips, Sakura braced herself as the weathered older woman glanced up from her work and studied her. She felt utterly scrutinized, stripped bare as if Dr. Senju could see right through her to the insecure young girl that resided deep within her. Sakura nearly withered beneath her stare, yet remained firm as she formally greeted her.
"H-Hi, good morning, Dr. Senju," Sakura started, clearing her throat a second and a third time. She flashed a nervous smile, hoping she didn't come across as too crazy. She had to maintain her sanity; if not for herself, then most definitely for her future patients. She could do this without screwing it up. She had to. "Sakura Haruno, reporting for duty. I am ready for everything you need me to do."
A pause. A pregnant pause, increasing by the second. Dr. Senju heightened her weighted stare, gently placing her fountain pen on the white desk with her pristinely manicured fingers; they were a vibrant turquoise, Sakura noted as she darted her eyes away, feeling awkwardly judged. She should have expected it, she supposed, but it didn't lessen the insecurity the silence dug up to the surface. Tsunade placed her fierce palms flat on the table in front of her as she finally spoke.
"Sakura, huh?" Dr. Senju began, leaning on her hands, slowly closing the distance between the pair. Sakura brought her eyes back to the doctor's deep browns as she watched the cogs within her mind turn and turn and turn; whatever was going through her expansive thoughts at that moment, Sakura could only hope was good. "Well, you've certainly proven yourself by getting this far. I've heard good things about you through the grapevine."
"I'm glad to hear that," Sakura replied, smiling broadly and exhaling the internal breath she had been holding. Her shoulders relaxed and she felt like she was in the clear from that initial hurdle. "I'm glad my reputation precedes me."
"Yes, it appears that way," the older blonde woman replied, tentative speculation still lacing her voice. The lack of certainty in her words cause Sakura to tense slightly once more. "Though you've done exceptionally well in the past, it doesn't mean you've cemented your place here. It will be tough and demanding, and only the strongest will make it. I will only believe your worth when I see it with my own two eyes."
Sakura was taken aback; Dr. Senju was never known for her easy-going nature, but she wasn't necessarily used to point-blank bluntness. She would have to grin and bear it and not dwell on whether or not it was good or bad for her. Worrying about something she knew she couldn't change wouldn't benefit her in any way.
That was something she had to keep reminding herself, both in her professional and personal life. Her weakness was her desire to instigate change, whether it was warranted or not.
"I, uh, I," Sakura stammered, frantically scrambling her brain for an acceptable response. She grasped the first words that seemed appropriate to salvage the direction of their first formal interaction. Straightening her spine and sticking out her chest, Sakura continued confidently. "I will. You'll be able to see with your own eyes that I'm capable and ready."
"Capable and ready," Dr. Senju echoed, maintaining her level tone of voice and standing straight back up to mirror her new protege. She crossed her arms across her large chest and paused once more. Was her goal to intimidate Sakura, to make her squirm uncomfortably and begin to second guess herself? If so, she was an expert in more than one thing and deserved a gold medal. Unfortunately for Dr. Senju's impromptu test, Sakura was determined to stand her ground. She remained silent as Dr. Senju finally spoke once more. "We'll see about that. There's a difference between being well-versed in textbook jargon and knowing how to react in real-life situations. Life and death is no longer a concept, it will become your daily reality."
"I am ready," Sakura began, trying to state her case, but failing to find the words through her frustration. There was a reason she trained to become a doctor over a lawyer; why was she being put through the wringer when Dr. Senju had even confirmed herself that her reputation was a positive one? Shouldn't that have been enough? "I'll prove to you my knowledge is extensive and my studies will not be for naught. Test me on anything at anytime, and I'll pass with flying colors."
"That won't be necessary," she replied nearly too quickly, letting her hands fall and collect the papers laid out in front of her. Dr. Senju let her attention switch from Sakura's confuzzled eyes to clearing her workstation. Sakura felt acutely crestfallen as she continued. "You need not focus on citing information word for word. That's not what we're here for or what I expect from you. Not everything is so black and white."
Sakura took a brief moment to digest Dr. Senju's crash course; she had been so focused on making a good first impression that she hadn't taken into account that there may have been no need for niceties in such a fast paced environment. It occurred to her that she may come face to face with a bout of culture shock and she needed to buck up fast or she may not make it.
The blunt nature of her new mentor effectively grilled that in within a matter of seconds.
"I understand, ma'am," Sakura replied, eyes following Dr. Senju as she turned around and her white lab coat swished behind like a long gait. Overlooking the brief twitch that seemed to roll off of her, Sakura bit the inside of cheek and pressed on. "I am competent and I am willing to keep learning as we go. I may not have the amount of experience that you do under my belt, but that is what I am here for. I only ask for one chance, one shot from you to show you I am not all talk and I bear no empty words. I ask you believe in me and let me become your apprentice."
Dr. Senju remained rooted in place, giving no indication that she even heard Sakura's declaration. Sakura's heart raced a hundred miles a second, her palms her perspired more than they ever had, and her tongue became leaden and dry. She felt so certain, so confident she didn't crave anyone's approval, yet she found herself hanging on every minute movement Dr. Senju made, anticipating any reaction she may have, good or bad. Sakura licked her lips and braced for the worst.
Her anxieties came to a halt when she heard a breathy laugh come from the older woman in front of her.
"Ma'am?" Dr. Senju began without turning around, causing Sakura to internally flinch. "Please, that's what you'd call someone who's old. I'm not old."
"Oh, I'm sorry, Dr. Senju!" Sakura amended, immediately bowing in apology though her mentor could not see it.
"Dr. Senju was my grandfather," the older woman replied, turning on her heel to face Sakura with a teasing smile on her face. Phew, at least she wasn't angry. Smirking, she continued, "Call me Tsunade, or even shishou, and we'll get along just fine."
Immediately, Sakura felt a heavy weight lift off of her shoulders and she let a bright smile shine through, projecting the blooming hope she let grow within her chest that her new shishou couldn't physically see. Sakura excitedly stared at Tsunade's white back as she turned back around, gripping both backpack straps tighter within her grip.
"I won't let you down," she promised, determination shining brighter than ever. Sakura watched intently as her shishou began walking away. She refused to take it personally; getting closer to her was yet another hurdle she'd have to overcome. She had no idea where to go from there, but she would surely figure it out.
"Are you coming?" Tsunade's smooth voice rang out as she reached the threshold of the office doors. Sakura's ears perked up as her eyes widened, spying her mentor as she spun on her heeled foot and stared at her fiercely in the eyes. "We have much to go over before you're even remotely ready to work by my side."
Without another word, Sakura dutifully followed her out the door and into the unknown future. Her bright pupils dilated in anticipation as she stared straight ahead. She had a long road ahead of her and so many experiences to witness. She was exhilarated by the very thought of jumping right in and saving a life. And what excited her even more is that she knew exactly who she wanted to share every last moment with.
The car ride with his older brother had been a steady stream of silence filling his pores and digging into his ears like nails on a chalkboard. He may have agreed to go along with the charade, but he wasn't going to humor Itachi with any meaningless conversation. They had made their way through the organized chaos of their family-owned office building; Sasuke found that he resented how upscale the whole environment was.
Each wall - if you could even call them that - were long slabs of glass that filtered in the sunlight in rainbow fractals.
He had yet to warm up to the rays that creeped up his pale skin.
Staring straight ahead and ignoring the inquisitive stares that burned at the back of his mussy head, Sasuke reminded himself that the nosy people surrounding him had no idea the kind of things he'd been through. No one knew the entirety of his story, and they weren't significant enough to be granted a grain of information.
Instead of focusing on the fact that he suddenly became the most interesting thing in the large, open-concept room, Sasuke dropped his gaze to his booted feet, zeroing in on the echo of his heavy steps across the marble flooring. He may lose his way as he followed his brother to his office, but it was a small price to pay to bask in the bliss of ignorance.
He was used to being lost, anyway.
"Sasuke," Itachi's deep tenor sliced through his thoughts like a hot knife through butter. Anchored by the intrusion on his thoughts, Sasuke's focus snapped away from the vicious murmurs snaking their way into his ears and deep down into his consciousness. He reluctantly dragged his eyes over to his brother as he stepped towards the solitary office tucked into the far corner. The building suddenly became too suffocating, too warm for him to bear and Sasuke all but shoved Itachi to the side with his shoulder to toss himself into the welcoming respite the office offered. He needed to put distance between him and the others even if it meant being stuck in an enclosed space with his brother. "Oh, well, I was going to say make yourself at home, but it looks like you're well on your way to do just that."
Sasuke mustered up just enough energy to shoot him a withered glare. He couldn't feel but an ounce of irritation when he felt so consumed by the muttered nothings that crawled beneath his paper thin skin. "You brought me here, so it's only natural."
"Heh, I suppose," Itachi replied through his smirk. Maybe it was the appearance of his ever-evasive humor, but Sasuke dismissed the agreement his brother nonchalantly offered. He watched Itachi like a hawk as he stepped into his office after him, shutting the wooden door solidly, effectively placing a barrier between them and the rest of the world. Sasuke internally thanked the universe there were no windows on it that anyone could peer through. The older Uchiha perched upon his dark mahogany desk casually, opting to forego his throne-like chair. "I suppose I'd like you to find comfort here, anyway. You never believe me, but your presence has been sorely missed around here."
Sasuke was honestly getting exhausted hearing that; if he wanted sweet lies to be consistently force fed to him, he'd attend one of the extravagant dinner his mother hosted. The words always held underlying animosity with an aftertaste of the mistakes of his past. Though Itachi swore up and down there was nothing left to hold against him, Sasuke always felt the horrors he felt melt together when he was taunted with lie after lie.
He squeezed his eyes tightly shut to try and chase away those looming memories.
Feeling like he could no longer stand, Sasuke chose to drop himself unceremoniously into the soft leather chair in front of him lest he fall pathetically to the floor. All he could do was stare blankly ahead and sigh heavily, huffing hot air out through his mouth to alleviate the pressure on his chest.
"Why did you need to drag me all the way here? What's so important?" Sasuke griped, firmly placing his palms on his knees for stability and leaning forward. He needed an open window, but there were no options on such a high floor in the building. There was no real instigator, no true reason he should have been feeling so anxious, so neurotic, but he felt out of control. He tried to swallow his increasing breaths, but it was like trying to get a lump of coal down his throat. "Why put me through this?"
"I won't pretend to understand what's going on with you, Sasuke, but I'm going to try and empathize," Itachi responded evenly, clasping his hands in front of him and resting them on his lap primly, fixating his focus solely on Sasuke. The somberness wafted from his older brother, filling the room and surrounding him like a blanket. It made it harder to breathe, harder to remain in place. But if he were to run away, he'd have to face all the people outside and Sasuke immediately knew he couldn't do that. He was trapped. "You're clearly going through a tough time, but you don't need to shoulder that burden yourself. I promised you that you could lean on me, but time has passed, Sasuke. You should have let your experiences help you grow, not keep you rooted to the ground. I want to help you flourish, nudge you in the right direction. But you have to let me in."
Sasuke wordlessly leaned back into the chair, causing it to groan under his weight. He brought his right hand up to his chapped lips and chewed on his rough nails. He nibbled on his damaged nail beds and nipped on the dead skin that clung for dear life to the tips of his fingers.
He weighed his options, flipping them over and over and over again in his mind until they became all he could see. He pictured his life up until that point, dark and desolate, lonely and cold. Then he imagined the complete opposite: bright smiles and warm embraces.
True happiness.
It felt so out of reach, such an obscure concept, that the words felt like drivel that he'd continue to ignore. But, he found himself slipping in them and losing his already unsteady footing.
He tasted the light and he craved more, he decided. He was so unsure before, so scared of the unknown. One thing he was finally sure of was his desire to change. He was still terrified, but his need to become a better version of himself overtook his childish anger against his brother. Sasuke supposed that the first step he needed to take was to slowly release the vendetta he held so closely to him and accept the hand Itachi offered.
It filled him to the brim with anxious trepidation and shameful guilt, but he needed to do it.
He could do it and see if it was worth it in the end. If this was a moment to prove himself, Sasuke could use it to prove Itachi's true intentions as well.
"You'd never understand," Sasuke began, pulling his abused hand from his mouth and dropping it into his warm lap. Eyes downcast, he paused for a brief moment, quietly hitching a breath before continuing. "But I suppose you don't need to know it's been hard for me."
"I guess I'll take that as the beginning of a dialogue…" Itachi began, his voice coated with pleasant surprise. Sasuke kept his head down but dragged his gaze up to his older brother, remaining obscured by his dark locks riddled with dead ends. The older Uchiha added with a smile, "I'll take it."
God only knows if he would live to regret his decision to cave in.
Hello everyone! This was chapter ten. I hope you enjoyed it! This definitely a plot-driven chapter, but much, much more Sasuke and Sakura interactions to come! How do you think everything will turn out for them? Stay tuned!
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