Chapter 8

Maybe if I do here. Sakura thought as she carefully examine the cuff around her wrists. After she took her shower, Sakura has been sitting on the floor on the opposite side of the bed looking through her cuffs for the past hour.

She also noticed the door has been fixed with wood justu similar to yamato taichou's.

It was awfully quiet when the girl got out of the bathroom. Sasuke was leaning against the headboard of the bed reading a scroll, not even sparing a glance when she walked passed him. The earlier situation didn't bother her as much after the nice warm shower. But still, she didn't want to strike a conversation knowing he would ignore or choke her or get mad over nothing anyway.

So she proceeded to sit on the opposite side and took out the kunai she hide in her shirt to work on her cuffs.

Sasuke didn't seem to care and even if he does, she would find other way to pick this damn lock.

It has been more than a hour for all she knew and Sakura sighed when another small line of cut surface on her hand.

Because the lock on the cuff was literally the size of a bean, she has to hold the kunai near the edge to control her movement and at the same time be careful not to let the sharp weapon cut off her fingers.

Ok, one more time. She picked up her tool again and decided to give it a few more tries.

Before she even placed the pointy edge into the lock, Sasuke's voice cut through the silence, her heart nearly jumped out.

"Go to sleep."

Without warning, the lights are off leaving Sakura half cut off in her process.

Let out her nth tiresome sigh, the pinked hair girl curled herself into her best comfortable position possible before closing her eyes.

Hopefully she can sleep off this coldness.

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The sound of her picking the locks did not bother him.

But, he just doesn't want her to do it. No, he isn't worry that she will break free cut he knew she wouldn't be able to unlock it. It is a chakra lock that can only be release with a input of the user's chakra.

What he is mad about is that he knows she knew this lock can only be open with that way but she still wanted to try.

Why try something she cannot get the result she wanted?

Che.

He glanced up from his scroll rather annoyed that she brought her finger to her mouth again seeping off the blood so they won't drip down her palm.

She cut herself again.

How many times has it been? How can she be this stupid.

He threw the scroll on the floor harder than he anticipated and turned off the lights.

Why does he care anyway…..

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How many hours has past? No idea, but all he knew was that it has been more than 2 hours. There are always times he could not sleep and his thoughts would drift from the memories of his brother and the hate towards Konoha.

Sasuke has to admit there are some psycho-things going on his mind because from time to time he would find himself thinking ways of killing konoha-nins. Any person would question their sanity and the rights or wrongs of thinking this kind of disturbing thoughts but to him…..

He didn't and he even enjoys it.

They are the cause of the Uchiha massacre, they only have their happiness because they had order Itachi to murder all member of his clan. Except him.

His brother has allowed him to live, allowed him to live so he can take revenge on those worthless liars.

Every night since the massacre, he has endure nightmares of the dead bodies surrounding him with only him alive. When he couldn't sleep at night, he would stared at the eerie empty street that was once lively.

It was dark.

His thoughts were cut short when his sensitive ears picked up small noises nearby. His ninja instinct made him immediately scanned the room but realized the only people in the room were only him and Sakura.

If he concentrate, he can hear a tiny voice coming from the pinkette.

Getting off his bed, Sasuke walked over to the small figure curled up on the opposite side of the room. The room was dark with no source of light but when he kneeled down with one knee to get closer, he can make up the small noises of her shivering form.

Her arms hugging her knees trying to gather up every little warmth she can retain. Her shoulder length pink hair spilled on the floor and few strands on her cheek.

Her small body shaking slightly and before he knew, his hand was touch her cold but soft cheek.

He withdraw immediately questioning himself what he was doing.

But found no answer.

Watching her sleep, a small memory flashed back.

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It was Christmas Eve and the 6 years old little Sasuke hurried home for the promise of lavish dinner. The outside was surround by layers of thick snow, he wanted nothing but to get home as soon as possible.

He huffed a warm breath on his hands and watched the smoke raised before completely disappeared in the night sky.

The streets were illuminated with colorful lights celebrating the holiday but nearly no one was on the street. Everyone was back in their home enjoying the feast with their families.

He was running again but his steps slowed and soon come to a stop when he saw something pink among the field of white snow.

She was sitting there hugging her knees on the small alley; he would have missed her if not for her unique pink hair. She sat there smiling sweetly at something, and Sasuke found himself shifting his eyes curiously at what she was looking at.

To his side, there was a small house with a large window, because it was dark outside, he can see what the people was doing inside.

There was a family of three celebrating the incoming Christmas. Though their food was not luxurious, he can tell they enjoy it like the happiest family on earth.

He was about to move on suddenly wanting to see mom and dad, but his legs brought him in front of the girl.

"Why are you smiling?" He noted she wasn't wearing much, her clothes slightly dirty.

"It's Christmas Eve." She answered without shifting her eyes.

Her hands were purple and so was her lips. There were snows gathering on her head indicating she has been sitting there for a while.

"It's cold, why don't you go home?"

He asked again.

She didn't answer immediately but he waited.

"I don't have one."

There wasn't a change of expression on her face when she said it, but the words ripped through making his heart ache.

Without a second thought, he removed his scarf and wrapped around her neck hoping it will warm her up.

"My name is Sasuke!" She blinked when he placed the warm fabric around her neck. He held onto her hand and brought her up to her feet.

"Come on! Dinner is getting cold!" He pulled her along heading back to the Uchiha mansion.

"What's your name?" He asked without turning around.

"Sakura," Her hands were cold, he noted.

"Nice to meet you, Sakura!"

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Sasuke let out an annoyed sigh, Why does it have to suddenly come back….

His thought was focus back on the girl in front of him. She brought her legs closer unconsciously gathering warmth.

Stupid woman, could have at least grabbed a blanket…

Though he accused, he suddenly remembered what he did earlier.

"Don't touch anything without my permission."

He gave another sigh.

He didn't expect her to listen.

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