I'm really sorry it has been so long and that this one is so short. I'm going to really try and devote the time that this story requires.
Today, the sun doesn't seem to be shining as brightly. I have an aching feeling it has something to do with the approaching escorts that will be knocking on my door in less than a minute. I try to remember what Kuro-san said. I'm brave, resilient, I can do this!
I take a deep breath and collect my things, then open the door. Tsunade sent four guards; large men with no faces and defined bodies. I'm a little insulted as they rush to relieve me of my belongings; I'm perfectly capable of handling myself. Nonetheless, I can't help but want to make them work in order to get me to a place I don't want to be.
They take me through the front gates of Konoha, purely for the sake of appearances, before leading me a little ways into the forest. When we're at a reasonable distance, we double back, taking a secluded route into the Uchiha compound. Dread worms its way to my heart, slipping its arms around me in a tight coil.
"Tsunade-san would like us to remind you," one of the guards says to me as I pause before entering the refurbished home, "You are not to leave the premises without her permission. A week's supply of food is on its way now. We will be outside if you require our assistance. Guards are stationed throughout," his eyes flicker to the window where out of my peripheral I can see Sasuke passing by, "Do not hesitate to ask for us."
I nod and enter with an uncertain look back.
How is this ethical?
But it's not about ethics when it concerns the public's safety, at least in Tsunade's eyes.
As I ascend the stairs, each creek announcing I'm one step closer to purgatory, Sasuke appears at the upper level.
"Your room is the second door on the right, I'll be across the hall."
"Thanks," I can't look at him, so I look past him, to the second door on the right. He stands in the hall, his large frame blocking my way. "Sasuke, please move."
"Sakura, I just want - "
"Please," I beg, feeling my limbs start to shake, "I can't - just please move."
He steps aside and I slip by, turning into the bedroom and locking the door behind me. But I won't be able to hide all the time. I have to face the fact that this is my life for a presently undetermined period of time.
It must have been eight or nine the next evening when I finally emerged, though not by my choice. I hear a clatter from downstairs and shouts coming from outside. I rush out of the room and race outside. Sasuke is punching right and left as a hoard of guards descend on him.
"Hey!" I call out above the dissidence as a group of soldiers runs forward. "What's happened?!"
"He's trying to escape," a passing nin says. She ushers me forward, "We need you to sedate him!"
"On it!" I rush back into the house and grab my medical kit. Finding my supply of sedatives, I take a syringe and bolt back outside. The scuffle has moved and Sasuke seems to be putting up a fight. I pocket the medication and dart head on into the brawl. Sasuke eyes me and starts dragging the throng away. He's pulling back. I feel a sort of thrill that he doesn't want to fight me. Is he scared?
He should be.
I slip into the shadows of another home. I take a breath and map out my path to Sasuke. I have to be quiet, stealthy. I can take Sasuke by surprise. He's much larger than me, so I can't risk him seeing me coming or I'll have no chance. I clamber up a nearby tree and peer at the scene below. Sasuke is looking for me, but in the wrong direction, subsequently allowing a nin to get a good shot in. Sasuke stumbles and I realize now is my chance. I swing onto a lower branch, picking up momentum and fling myself at him feet first. The force knocks Sasuke onto his stomach, but as they struggle to hold his hands and I scramble for the needle, Sasuke breaks free and elbows me in the ribs. I'm flung onto my back and guards rush to restrain him, but Sasuke is a force to be reckoned with. I sweep my leg under him, pulling out his feet. Before he can recover, I straddle his waist to keep him on the ground. The guards hold his hands steady. His teeth are gritted as he stares into my eyes, like he's imploring me not to do it, like he's hoping for mercy.
He doesn't deserve it, I realize. He has killed, has assisted in killing, and singlehandedly put this compound up in arms. Uchiha Sasuke is dangerous, manipulative, and merciless. And then I can't help myself, I can't stand the way he's looking at me right now; I swing my fist and his lights are out. It is without a doubt one of the most satisfying moments in my life and it's just a bonus when there's no struggle as I turn his head to insert the needle and drain the sedative.
