Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of the characters in it.

VII.

- Breathe -

"I demand to know what happened," Ino said through clenched teeth.

"If you keep ranting, the guards will come and kick you out of the shop."

Ino trailed after Sakura in the grocery store and didn't let her have a minute in peace. The lunch break had started a while ago and Sakura decided it's a good time to return to the Uchiha Household because after the shift her eyelids practically closed and her limbs didn't listen to her. The moment when her shift was over, the first thing she think of will be her bed and that she was in no shape to help anyone.

Sakura bit at her lip, Ino's various facial expressions were more than amusing, Observing her friend's behavior throughout the whole morning made her ponder over a subject in particular. She had always believed emotions were a human's strength and weakness at the same time. Once, she danced, and was easy to laugh, just because happiness wasn't that hard of a task back then. Was it the war or did that happen to everyone who left the haven of childhood? Nothing filled her with joy anymore. Judging from the ghosts around her, she wasn't the only one feeling that way. Nothing moved her and that was killing her because youth wasn't supposed to look like that. Youth was loud and reckless, and passionate. The best years of her life slipped through her fingers in silence and slumber.

Until last week.

Until she met another ghost that made her question her existence. A certain pair of eyes haunted and worried her like nothing before.

The very downfall of her generation was reflected in this man and as quiet as he was, his presence was like turmoil. Any natural disaster wouldn't have bothered her as much as he did because he had concluded the same she was about to conclude, maybe not now but far in the future — the remnants of what they called life weren't enough. The shell of that idea everyone called life had become so thin that one could see it crack. Life was outdated. Life disappeared with the first bullet that was fired four years ago.

Life was a memory. And no one remembered it anymore.

This man showed up with the strong desire to put an end to his days, convinced that they had nothing to offer him and that exact behavior served as a red light for her. People's hope had reached its limit, if someone in the dawn of his life had crossed the line, preferring death... considering death as a choice. It was a critical state, for all of them. And what better kick-start one could have than acquiring a new purpose?

Sakura didn't need a distraction, she needed a new aim. So did everyone else around her. That was enough to wrest her out of her continuous sleepwalking and hollow interactions with the others.

A funny thing to say but it seemed like Ino was the best teacher for now. She was just as weary as everyone until she found a way to put her potential to use. Although she treated Sai the way a child would treat their new doll, her intentions were overall good. In fact, Sakura had never seen her so vigorous and opulent, her voice was firmer and there was this determination in her eyes. Taking care of Sai created this new version of her friend, a better version and she wanted to do that with herself too, desperately.

She wanted that same ebullience to light up her own life. But what was her aim, exactly? She didn't have one. Or... at least that's what she thought. "Why are you with me anyway?" she murmured, leaning in to check the price tag.

"You haven't said a word since you came this morning. And you have this weird air around you."

"What are you talking about? I'm the same as I was yesterday."

"I'm asking you seriously."

"You gotta stop following me," Sakura said, absently.

"You are not yourself." Ino furrowed and after a pause put her hands in the pockets of her jacket. "So he's gonna die, after all."

"No," Sakura turned to her in astonishment. "No."

Ino gave her a pointed look.

"Тhe only way to get your attention today, I see."

Sakura didn't hold her gaze for long as the heat started rising up to her face. A flash of memory returned to her for a moment. She was usually a light sleeper, but it seems not being able to rest for three days in a row had tired her out enough so that she wouldn't reflect anyone putting blankets over her.

"He's gonna be fine," Sakura drawled. "I think."

"What'd you two do yesterday?"

"Nothing. We... drank tea."

"What?" Ino snorted. "Tea, at 4 am?"

"Y-yeah," Sakura glanced at her.

"Look," Ino recreated a weighing machine with her hands. "Being in love with a sociopath," her right hand raised on her eye level, while the left dropped down. "Drinking tea with a Mr. Scary at 4 am."

Sakura couldn't help but crack a smile. "It was just..."

"Romantic?"

"Necessary," Sakura shot her with a glare. "You remember that hyperactive patient I had a year ago? The one we tried to sit down for a minute so that he can eat his breakfast?"

"We had to sedate him in order to do that."

"Yes. That case is slightly resembling the current one. Only that my patient wouldn't..."

Ino waited for the end of the sentence but Sakura's voice trailed off.

"What?"

Sakura shrugged in helplessness. "I get the feeling he still thinks he's fighting enemies," she paused. "Had to calm him down with a herb."

"Wow. Brilliant," Ino noted. "And you're going back?"

"That's the plan." Sakura sighed, moving to the cash-desk, where she greeted the woman there with a smile.

"What do you need this stuff for?"

"Stop asking questions, Ino," Sakura scolded, proceeding to pay.

As soon as she got rid of Ino, Sakura made her way to the neighborhood of the rich. With the car. She learned her lesson, moving around with the car created fewer problems. True, the police still pulled her up, but at the sight of her white overall under the coat, they let her go quickly. She parked in her usual place and took both of the bags and her own handbag on her shoulder. Her eyes were following the cracks in the concrete under her feet, it seems the rain had deepened most of them. It has always been a wonder to her how water could disintegrate even the hardest stone with nothing more than persistence... and time. Anyway, it was exchanged by another, irritating thought. These people gave out piles of money to keep their gardens and fences in perfect condition but the very pavement beyond them was cracked and unswept.

Sakura set the gate ajar and walked in. She raised her eyes and froze in place, involuntarily stepping back a bit. The surprising appearance got her unprepared and she couldn't decide what to do or whether to move, which ended up rending her motionless. A slender red-haired woman walked beside Sasuke. She wasn't tall, but heels gave her additional height. Sakura's gaze went from her legs up to her head and realized the girl wasn't much taller than herself but the skin-tight amaranthine dress along with the black overcoat created the illusion that she is. Her features were sharpened by the glasses she wore and the crimson taint in her dark eyes. Her face was attractive.

Sasuke's hand rested on her waist and guided her ahead, but his thoughts were elsewhere. And she... she smiled a confident smile.

Sakura made another step back, her back leaning on the iron behind her. Her confusion only seemed to grow stronger as she started asking herself what was she doing there in the first place. The anti-toxin, yes. But she could come another time.

"See you," Karin's hand slipped over his arm and he nodded, letting her go.

Her bold gait continued, eyes now fixed on Sakura and lips pursed. Her haunting eyes scanned Sakura from head to toe before she opened the gate wider, surrounding her. Sakura blinked at the cold apathy of that look held and for a moment she just stood there, fazed and staring into the air. Perhaps it was better if she comes by sometime after her shift ended. Her body made a circle and stepped out, to the street.

"Haruno," Sasuke called. "Come in."

Sakura turned around with a question in her eyes. Hesitation clouded her mind and she couldn't decide.

"It's alright, I can... come later."

Sasuke didn't reply, going back to the house instead. Sakura opened her mouth but closed it soon after, at a loss. Well... she did come all the way to the house. Wasting fuel and money and nerves. Might as well do her job and leave.

Sakura sighed and closed the gate, pacing slowly to the front door and past it.

Her breath was taken away once again because this time, the rosewood curtains were pulled and the sight was completely different. As she could clearly guess, the mahogany predominated in the furniture of the lobby hall, but the wide windows compensated for the dark atmosphere. Separated in two, the left section of the lobby was taken by a set of upholstered chairs and a table, now touched by the daylight, and in the back towered a wall of full bookshelves. The right section was more simple, with a round carpet, two armchairs, and a small table. Even the carefully encrusted frame of the fireplace wasn't as eye-riveting as the big gobelin-tapestry hanging above it.

Sakura slightly tilted her head. The artwork was exceptional and created the impression of something really old. In fact, Sakura was almost certain that it was the oldest object in the house. Seemed like the illustration was a family crest — a fan of two parts, red and white, on a black background. The most delightful detail from all was the chandelier above her head, imposing but elegant.

Sakura tore her gaze away from it as she reminded herself that staring like that for more than a few minutes would be considered a lack of manners. Once she gave up on the observation her eyes fell on Sasuke who was now standing with his hands in his pockets, watching her.

"Decided to steal something after all?" he asked evenly.

Sakura furrowed.

"I came to leave you these," she defended herself, puffing up her chest, "I'll leave them in the kitchen."

"Is that food?" Sasuke raised a brow.

"Yes." Sakura headed straight ahead, through the corridor. "You'll have to eat certain things. We usually give the patients all the vitamins and additional food supplements at the hospital but..." She didn't finish, already placing the bag on one of the counters and taking out the purchases. It was dark but she could see fairly well due to the dim light coming from the window on the far end.

"You can't just take full doses of a medicine and not eat anything," Sakura murmured, but the sound of a sparkling lighter dragged her attention and she turned around in disbelief.

Sasuke had leaned on the countertop against her and the cigar's head glowed red between his fingers. Sakura was astounded but didn't dare say anything while he slowly breathed out a puff of smoke. His eyes weren't even on her. Easily noticeable, he thought about something and whatever it was, it wasn't in the room.

Sakura furrowed at him, folding hands. "There are all sorts of toxic chemicals in those, you wouldn't want to smoke now."

He took another drag from the cigarette, this time meeting her eyes. The obsidian in his acquired an odd glimmer that made her hold her breath. She was almost completely sure that last thing was with the only purpose of angering her. "I'll come later," Sakura snapped, ready to go but he stepped to her, leaning to reach something behind her and trapping her in the process.

Sakura stiffened due to the sudden and uncomfortable closeness of their bodies. Nevertheless, she refused to give out any signs that it confused every sense of hers. The bitter scent of the cigarette smoke intermingled with something sweet, she assumed it was that woman's perfume and didn't help much either. After the first wave of daze, she remembered seeing an ashtray on the counter. That was his point of interest, surely, but she still couldn't move or think straight.

It wasn't that she found him intimidating in a way, it was rather his stunning features. She had seen many faces throughout her life experience but none had such a magnetizing effect. It was a firm, cold beauty, catching the eye immediately and it frustrated her way too much.

"I should go," Sakura muttered, slightly shifting backward and blushing against her will. Inches away from her, Sasuke stood still for a few moments more before stepping back and letting her take a breath. She was afraid that he had recognized in her another target over which he could exert his power since the moment she fell distracted by his eyes, at the hospital.

He started pulling up the sleeve of his shirt and she took on with finding the second ampoule in her bag, glad that they were already straight to the point. Sakura managed to get herself together for the procedure, but the silence extended through it and the loudest noise being her breathing was quite unsettling.

"You wanna go for a walk?" Sasuke suddenly asked and startled her.

"Now?" She tucked a hair behind her ear, glancing at her watch.

He remained silent and waited for her answer.

"Sure. Why... why not?" Sakura shrugged, taking a breath. "I still have a little time."

Just when Sakura thought she's seen everything from that neighborhood, another element surprised her. There was an alley that connected all of the houses and continued, far from the asphalt and the city noise. Looked like an inner, miniature park and there were no people whatsoever.

"I never thought there is such a place in Konoha," Sakura looked around in awe.

"It's a private alley."

"Is the owner someone from your neighborhood?"

"Practically the whole neighborhood owns it. Everyone paid from their pocket to keep it from turning into another business center."

"That's wonderful," Sakura said, eyes dropping down to the ground.

Scattered, wet leaves colored the pavement in red, orange, and brown spots as if purposefully arranged like that by a painter. The same antique lanterns guarded the path against both sides and here and there a lonely bench added a slight variation to the scenery. The atmosphere was rather ghastly because of the fog that covered the area and there was something adventurous in the fact that she couldn't see the end of the road. The only way to find out was to follow it and see what awaited her behind the corner.

"Do you come here often?" Sakura glanced at him, feeling bold. "It's a beautiful sight."

He walked beside her with a very odd, curt pace, tense shoulders, and an overall stiffened posture, hands still in his pockets. He seemed somewhat uncomfortable, but she didn't pry for the reasons for it. "I don't," Sasuke replied, the same exasperation as before upon his face.

Sakura looked ahead, peering into the mist. Alright. He sure was fun at parties.

"I only come when the blossoms open up, in Spring."

Sakura turned to look at him in surprise. "You mean..." she didn't finish, suddenly a blush darkening her cheeks.

So all these bare trees around them, they were all sakura trees. Why did he bring her there in the first place? Actually, why did she agree to come was the more important question. Convincing herself that she's just a medical person taking care of a patient's health was slowly becoming a part of the list of excuses. And that excuse blended with the actual reason for her behavior. She lied about having time, she was in fact running late for the hospital.

You haven't changed at all. You're still as foolish and naive as you have always been. Her entire body flinched a little at the familiar voice as she registered there were no police officers around. There was no one around.

No... That was different. She wanted to be here and it wasn't like it was that dangerous for her in any way. She could defend herself. Perhaps sharing that she had practiced karate for years and had a black belt wasn't a way to go. That she preferred to keep for herself. After receiving the belt, she gave up on karate and kept on with the gym. Anyway, she had some doubts, but her skills should be enough to dominate in a fight against an Elite Soldier.

It wasn't that kind of a fight that followed, though. Sasuke started coughing all of a sudden and slowed down to a complete stop, fighting for a breath. Sakura immediately took his hand to check the pulse. "Goodness, not now. It was a bad idea to go out." She looked up at his face with heavy concern, he was even paler than before. The panic spiked her heart rate immediately. "I don't have an anesthetic of any kind."

His breathing was shallow, she barely heard it.

"It's, uh, it's okay. It will be over soon." Sakura almost leaned on him, leaving no space in between. There were a couple of techniques that came up to her mind. Things she should definitely say to a person who's having a hard time breathing, no matter a panic attack or something more serious. Most doctors were skeptical about the actual use of these, believing that only a chemical can help in these cases but Sakura had seen their effect and was certain that actual words could help in some cases. Depended on the person, of course. Desperate time, desperate measures, she thought.

"You just have to-to breathe, okay?" her fingers closed around his wrist as he clutched at his chest.

There was this line that popped up in her head, of a textbook she studied from one night. Physical contact reduces stress in the area of the brain that registers pain. She found that to be fascinating. If not something else, at least it had to have a calming effect. Otherwise, he would have recoiled from her touch by now. He was still having a hard time normalizing his breathing, but Sakura stood beside him, persistently and quietly going over the phrases in her mind like a mantra, not paying much attention to anything that surrounded them. None of the sentences meant something to her until she stumbled across one in particular, in her constant, mechanical flow of words.

"You are—" Sakura started in a soft tone, but cut it off, suddenly deciding the words sounded strange to her. Different. Not that it wasn't true, just felt a bit more... intimate. "You are safe with me."

"I know," Sasuke managed to give her a tormented reply, although it held a healthy dose of annoyance.

Sakura met his eyes. Perhaps more than five inches shorter, she had to really look up. It probably had to disturb her that the only time his expression took on some momentary softness, or rather weakness, was when he was in heavy pain. She imagined the uncalled twinges of cell degradation was good enough a reason for him to quit the act for a minute or two. For her great relief, it took him a couple of critical minutes to overcome the attack and his breathing gradually returned to its usual state.

"I'm just..." Sakura lowered her eyes to his chest, searching for words. "I'm just trying to help."

"Of course you do," Sasuke snapped, backing away from her.

Sakura put her hands in her pockets slowly, looking at him. There was an awkward silence in which neither of them moved. She wondered where she's going wrong. Something of a lump had formed in her throat and she tried to swallow it down. He clearly didn't want her help and now all she was in his eyes was an intruder, a pathogen. It was that terrible... beautiful darkness in his eyes, making her feel so distant, so alien and so unwelcome.

"Let's go back," Sasuke tried again as if yet to begin using something slightly different than an imperative. And after a moment, not having the nerve to wait for her, he walked away.

Tears blurred her eyes as she paced ahead, evening with him. It seemed like the cold beauty came in a package with a cold heart. Was it possible for a man to survive when he's isolated so much of the human that his reflection depicts him to be? In these times... she was afraid the answer wasn't what she wanted it to be.

They returned to the compound in silence and Sakura started to leave, certain that not only her presence wasn't preferred, but she was getting dangerously late too.

"Thanks for the walk," Sakura smiled at him, despite the bitterness. "It was a nice change from the office." She was met by cold silence, again. Her body half-turned, stepping away. "I'll be going."

"You had a question," his voice stopped her and she was taken aback.

"A question?"

"You can ask."

Sakura couldn't remember saying anything about a question out loud but she did have one that she tucked aside. Was he a mind-reader or something? "Okay," she murmured under her breath and after a brief pause gathered the courage to speak out loud. "Are you and Naruto close?"

He didn't haste to reply, his gaze piercing through her as ever, steady and focused, with a soldier's precision. A wave of warmth washed through her body as she stood under his gaze, feeling like prey.

"No."

She nodded, turning around. As she suspected.

A/N: Thank you for reading. I'm sure that if the AU was really 'real life' Sakura would've slapped him hard for acting like that but... then again Canon!Sakura loved him over the two attempts he made to kill her. I keep that in mind. Gosh, I love Sakura so much. As for Sasuke, I ain't a smoker but damn, him smoking was even sexy to imagine.
(I am an asthmatic, by the way, and I know what it's like to not be able to take a breath; I used inhalers years ago but I've had times when someone's words had calmed me down without having to use them so I thought it's not impossible.)