It took Sakura a few minutes to compose herself again. She kept trying to dry her tears so Sasuke wouldn't notice.
She took a deep breath, put some water on her face, and entered the room. Sasuke was lying on his side and immediately tried to sit up when he saw her.
"Hey" he said softly.
"Hey" she said making her way to the chair next to his bed "how are you holding up?" she finished.
"Bit better, I am sorry I wasted the food you made" Sasuke said.
"Don't apologize, it's not your fault" she added.
"I guess it didn't agree with my stomach" he said.
"Well, I have something to tell you" she said apologetically.
"What is it?" he said calmly tapping the bed inviting her to sit in the bed next to him.
Sakura sat next to him and took a deep breath. He rested his head on her shoulder.
"You've been so brave" she said while grabbing his hand "I am very proud of you" while squeezing his hand.
"I appreciate what you are doing for me" he said.
"You've so so so brave" she said again with tears building in her eyes.
"What is it, Sakura? I can do this" he said.
"I know" she said "I know you can" she said "I just know you deserve so much better".
"I really don't, just tell me" he begged.
"The results of your blood test are back" she paused "you were given some heavy drugs" she finished.
"I am aware" Sasuke said.
"I know, but you haven't had those in a while. When you are exposed to these substances for a long time, the chemistry of your brain changes, and getting used to not having them can be very difficult" she added.
"Are you saying I am addicted to those drugs?" he asked calmly.
"Unconsciously, it might be the reason why you are not feeling well" she said.
"Makes sense" he said "I'll be fine".
"You will, but these are going to be very difficult days. All I want you to know is that I am going to be here with you every step of the way" she said as tears escaped her eyes.
"Hey, hey, it's okay. I'll be fine and you'll be here with me" he said trying to comfort her.
"It's just really unfair" she said.
"It's alright" he said "I think I might deserve it" he finished.
"Please don't say that" she said.
"Look, I am seeking justice because I will not condone injustice. I have done horrible things and I will happily pay for my sins" he said.
"This is not the way" she said "you've made mistakes, but you don't deserve this. You've done so much for this village" she added.
"Sakura, I appreciate you trying to be positive, but I cannot deny what I have done and I won't run anymore. I am no longer excusing myself" he said.
"That is not for me to decide. I just want you to know that I know you have been through a lot and that if you ever want to talk, I am here" she said.
"Thank you" he said with a soft smile and kissed her hand.
He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"Yeah, I have a bit of a stomachache" he said accommodating himself again.
"Would you like some tea? That might help" she offered.
"It's alright, I enjoy your company much more" he said.
"Sure, what do you feel? Is it a sharp pain?" she asked.
"It's not a big deal, it is sort of like a spasm" he said.
Her hands lit up green as she started healing his abdomen.
"So, what's new?" he asked "I don't know anything about you" he asked.
"Oh my, where is Sasuke and what did you do to him?" she asked jokingly "I see you asking questions and being affectionate, where is the real Sasuke?" she said laughing.
"Nothing much, I have been working a lot. I opened my own clinic with Ino" she said.
"What kind of clinic?" he said.
"Mental health for children" she answered.
"That's impressive" he said as she blushed "you said Ino? As in blonde annoying Ino?" he asked.
"Yeah" she chuckled "what about you? what have you been up to?" she asked.
"Making stupid mistakes" he said.
"Right" she answered.
"What you achieved what you wanted? What was it you said?" Sasuke asked.
"When?" she asked.
"Back in the day, when Kakashi asked" he added.
"Oh gosh, it was so silly" Sakura said "how about you?" she asked.
"Well, yes and no. It's complicated" he said while sighing.
"I am sorry, I shouldn't have asked" she said.
"No, it's alright" Sasuke said.
"You look a lot like him" she whispered.
"Like my brother?" he asked "I know, it is hard to look at myself sometimes" he confessed.
"Do you miss him?" she asked.
"More than you can imagine" he answered bitterly as his eyes watered.
"Hey, I forgot. Do you want me to give you a haircut?" Sakura asked trying to deviate from the difficult topic.
"Sure thing" he said wiping his eyes.
She helped Sasuke to the living room and started giving him a haircut.
Sasuke was a little shaky and kept moving his hair.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"Yeah, just feeling a bit funny" he said.
"Let me know if you need anything" she mentioned.
"Sure thing" Sasuke answered.
"Alright, done" she said "what do you think?" she asked.
"I love it" he answered with a soft smile "I feel more like myself".
"Do you want to go play a game or something?" she asked.
"Actually, I want to rest a little" he said.
"Alright, would you like me to help you to bed" she asked.
"No, no, I will just stay here on the couch" he said.
She helped him to the couch and went to cook for a while.
She went over the papers that Katsumi gave her stating that Sasuke would have to go to court at 2:00 pm. She had time to clean around a little and make dinner.
"Hey Sasuke, wake up" she said shaking Sasuke's arm softly "dinner's ready".
"Hey" he said "I am actually not hungry".
"Are you sure? You have not eaten much today" she argued.
"I have an upset stomach" he said.
"Would you some tea?" she offered.
"No" he said while shaking.
"Are you sure?" she asked.
"Yes, gosh stop asking" he yelled "I am so sorry, gosh I am sorry" he kept on repeating.
"It's alright Sasuke" she said sitting next to him "how can I help?" she finished.
"I don't know" he said as he was beginning to hyperventilate "I feel sick" he added.
"It's alright, remember I told you things were gonna get ugly for a bit" she reassured him.
Sasuke didn't answer, he kept on rocking back and forth.
"I feel sick" he said again.
"Would you be more comfortable in bed?" she asked calmly.
"No, no" he said while rocking still.
"Bathroom, perhaps?" she mentioned.
"No, gosh, please stop talking" he said quickly.
She just stood there and waited a little bit.
"I am okay" he said "I am okay" he repeated a couple of times.
She just moved towards him and pressed her fingers against the bridge under his nose. After around a minute, she removed her fingers.
"Don't stop" he said.
"Is that helping?" she asked to which he just nodded.
She kept her hand there until Sasuke moved his hand.
"Feeling better?" she asked.
"yeah" he said.
"Alright, I am going to eat, and I'll make some tea for you" she said.
"Please, don't go" he said nervously.
"It will be quick, I swear" she said.
"Don't take long, please" he quickly replied.
She began wrapping dinner for her and set the tea.
"Sakura, please hurry" he said.
"Coming" she said while putting everything in a tray.
Sakura was worried. She knew that more hours were passing since Sasuke's last dose of drugs, so withdrawal was setting in. She was very worried about what was to come.
She sat down with him and gave him the tea.
"I am okay" he said.
"Alright" she answered.
"I am okay" he kept on saying every time he sipped on the tea.
"Hey, you are doing great" she said while putting her hand on his back.
Sasuke jumped nervously when she touched him.
"It's everything alright?" she asked taking her arm away.
"Yeah, I am just feeling hot" he said.
"You don't have a fever" she said touching his head.
"It's inside, like my chest and my feet, I don't know, maybe it's my stomach" he complained painfully.
"Take a deep breath" she comforted him.
He started breathing in and out with her.
"You are doing good" she said.
"Are you ready to go to the room?" she asked.
"No" he said.
"We don't have to" she said "let's stay here until you are ready".
She helped him lay down on the couch and he accommodated his head on her lap.
Sakura knew it was going to be a very long night but it had to happen before he could get better.
She hoped for the peace to soon return.