Not Afraid Anymore
Chapter 3: Distance
Sakura sat at the corner of the Leaf Hospital Cafeteria with a small bowl of anmitsu and a cup of tea. She continued to look out the window, barely touching her food. She contemplated how the hospital and the streets were clustered with activity, even at this time of night. The cafeteria hours rarely ever ran a 24-hour shift, but tonight was an exception, and probably not just tonight, rather the rest of the week. With all the medical-ninjas on call, they would need constant nourishment to replenish their strength and chakra, not to mention the overflow in patients. There was constant loitering around the hospital grounds, the lobbies were filled, and most of the rooms were occupied. Supplies were replenished often, gauze and antibiotics at the top of the list. It was an interesting sight in her eyes, everyone working together for the common good of the village and its people; it swelled her heart with hope.
She wondered if Sasuke was also taking in this sight, if perhaps this view could change his feelings towards the village. If he could see that not everyone within the walls of this village was rotten.
"Sakura, what a rare sight to see you here, I would have thought you'd be running around the hospital helping the injured." Lady Tsunade asked as she approached her table with a tray of food and a bottle of sake.
"Lady Tsunade? Shouldn't you be in your office attending Hokage business? Shizune will go into hysterics if she does not find you there." Sakura countered with a grin at her mentor.
"Also…should you be consuming alcohol in a hospital?" she said with a questioning brow.
Lady Tsunade took a seat across from her and smiled. "It's three in the morning Sakura, what do you take me for? Besides, the hospital needs as many medics on the job as possible, Shizune and Ino are also here." Replied Tsunade as she took a sip of her sake.
"As for the sake…it's a good day. No harm in a little celebratory drink. Eh?" Lady Tsunade said with a confident smile while waving the small cup of sake in front of Sakura's face.
Sakura gave her a painful smile and dropped the subject. She's the Hokage, after all. Doubt anyone will wrestle it out of her hands. Sakura thought comically.
"Lady Tsunade, tell me, is everything okay with Sasuke?" inquired Sakura as she took a bite from her anmitsu, her eyes focused elsewhere.
Lady Tsunade paused and looked up from her bottle of sake. She set it down, leaned forward lacing her hands below her chin, and closed her eyes. Taking a deep breath, she finally looked at Sakura. "Keeping in mind that I promised leniency, he has been given a second chance so long as he cooperates. Sasuke has been reinstated as a citizen of Konohagakure, but has been stripped of his status as shinobi for the time being until we figure what his role in this village will be. It's only fair considering the part Konoha played in his family's demise. His animosity was justified, and despite so, he saved the village." Lady Tsunade concluded as she sat back and began picking at her food.
"I see…thank you." Sakura said with a contemplative smile. She was happy.
Lady Tsunade noticed the change in her demeanor. She has not change when it comes to Sasuke.
"Despite everything, you continue to love him, don't you?"
"Is it that obvious?" A blush forming across her cheeks.
"I wasn't born yesterday. Just be careful. He is in a difficult place right now. I do not want you to get your hopes up." Lady Tsunade said firmly.
Sakura was surprised by her honesty but grateful for her words. She knew she meant well. She cared and Sakura appreciated it.
Sakura gave her mentor a nod with a small smile and continued eating.
Sasuke could not sleep.
As he sat on the window sill, he took sight of the village, or what is left of it. Kakashi had left an hour ago to check up on "friends and comrades" as he put it, leaving him to his demons.
The village was still busy even at this time of night. Their arrival from the Land of Lightning brought in a commotion. People were celebrating along the streets; he could see shinobi on the roofs of the surrounding structures celebrating and drinking to their hearts content, and medics coming in-and-out of the hospital with supplies.
It unnerved him to be back at the village that stripped him of his family, his brother. To see them so happy and at the same time ignorant of the reality that surrounds them. But at the same time, deep inside him, he also knew that these people are not responsible for his family's demise. He understands that now, at one point he was bitter with anger and hate so great it blinded him from the truth, it drove him to do unspeakable evils.
He would honor Itachi's dying wish, for his sake, and his own.
As he continued to contemplate the outside world, another thought plagued his mind. His former teammates, Naruto and Sakura, had proven that they would go to the ends of the earth for him, but why? If anything, he deserved to be treated with hate and indifference, not showered with devotion. Their loyalty to him irked him. What made him so special in their eyes for them to keep holding on to him?
Naruto was the bigger offender compared to Sakura and Kakashi, he never went back on his word, even when he tried to take his life. Exchanging blows is their language. It made sense for them. As for Sakura, she was more reluctant, he could tell. She was more withheld. He did not blame her. He had treated her with cruelty and indifference to the point that he almost took her life.
He became angry at the memory. He pressed a hand to his face as it twisted into a deep frown. Full of regret.
Dammit.
While too far gone in his thoughts, he failed to notice another presence in his room.
"Sasuke-kun?" silently called out Sakura as she stood in his room, the darkness absorbing her physical features.
He turned to Sakura. He was not expecting to see anyone, least of all her.
Reluctantly, Sakura took a step forward and placed a small paper bag on his bedside table and then stepped back and met his wondering gaze. "I know you said you did not want anything earlier when I offered, but I thought you might want something later on…" Sakura confessed, barely meeting his lingering gaze.
Sasuke continued to gaze at her, taking aback by her actions. Seeing this side of her that he thought was lost to him brought back memories of a younger Sakura, of the days when she would constantly worry about his wellbeing.
Maybe everything was not lost, after all…
"Ah" replied Sasuke as he hopped off the window sill and took a sit at the edge of his bed, arms at his sides.
Sakura stood quietly for a moment contemplating if she should stay longer. Part of her wanted to be at his side, but the other side did not want to intrude. She decided it was best to let him rest.
"Also, Lady Tsunade informed me that your housing arrangements have been decided. I am not aware of the details myself but she will come by tomorrow to give you the whole report." Sakura said as she turned towards the door, reaching for the handle.
"Sakura…"
The sudden sound of her name coming from of his lips made her pause and turn slightly. He was now standing a few feet away from her. Damn his speed. She thought. He continued to study her; it made her nervous to be under his gaze.
"What is it? Are you hurting, Sasuke-kun?" whispered Sakura while avoiding his gaze at all cost.
"Thank you."
Her head snapped up, and she subconsciously turned and took a step back, her figure meeting the cold metal door. For some reason his words hit a nerve, making her panic. Memories flooded back into her system, and she quickly turned around grasping the handle of the door while trying to keep her breathing steady.
Sakura, thank you for everything…
He did not miss her reaction, he knew what she was thinking, or rather remembering.
"…Alright, Sasuke-kun…you should get some rest. It's been a long day for you." She turned around and gave him a small smile. She pulled down the handle of the door and stepped out with a silent goodnight leaving Sasuke alone.
He stood suspended in place as he realized the gap that's come to exist, and that he was the one to drive that wedge between them.
