I meant to update yesterday but that didn't work out as planned so here it is! It is short, but thankfully it's spring break! While that doesn't mean that I have absolutely no homework, it does mean that I will have some more opportunities to care for this story! I love the favorites, I love the reviews, keep them coming :) xo
I lay awake again, it's late but I don't watch the clock. I get out of bed and rummage through my bag until I find my calendar. It takes me a moment to recall what the date is; being locked up will do that. Naruto should be back any day now. This strikes fear in my heart but a sense of relief seems to settle over me as well. Not that it's done me much good lately, but I should plead with Tsunade to send him over as soon as he comes back. It might be selfish, but I need his support. I pull out a blank sheet of paper and start drafting a letter to Tsunade. Midway through, I hear a scream.
I run into the bathroom, grabbing a towel and filling a container with water. I fight past the bystanders to get into Sasuke's room.
"Everyone out!" I command before shutting the door in their faces. I dip the towel in the water and press it to Sasuke's forehead. His muscles are tensed and he grips the sheets tightly. His legs spasm and his breathing comes in short, shallow gasps. I douse the towel again, press it to his chest, "It's okay, Sasuke!"
"Ita - " Sasuke mutters, mouth trembling. I press a hand against his forehead and try to channel my chakra to calm him down. His hand shoots up and grabs my arm. With a force that shouldn't be possible given his level of sedation, Sasuke flings me away. I go flying across the room, my back smacking into the wall. I cry out and crumble on the floor, too pained to move, when Sasuke wakes up and realizes what he's done. His eyes, blood red, are open wide. He scrambles over to me, trying to make haste and fight the dizzying effects of the suppressant, "Sakura, I'm so sorry."
He pulls me up to a sitting position by my arm and I hiss in pain. Guards rush into the room, all ready for battle. A couple of them drag Sasuke away from me, pinning him against a wall. I try to stand, my body screaming at me to stay put. I support myself with a nearby piece of furniture.
"It's okay, let him go," my voice cracks because of the pain, "I was being clumsy and I tripped," a few of the guards look at me like they don't buy it, "And I ran into the wall. He was just trying to help me up."
Sasuke doesn't fight. His eyes are downcast. The guards that hold him peer at me questioningly. Nobody moves.
"Are you sure, Haruno-san?" one of them finally asks.
"He didn't do anything," I affirm, "Let him go."
Reluctantly, they release him. Sasuke doesn't move.
"Would you like us to stay in here?" another inquires.
"No, I'm not finished."
Gradually, slowly, they all file out, not all of them looking convinced. I lock the door behind them.
"I'm so sorry, Sakura."
I turn to see Sasuke on the floor, knees bent and head in his hands.
"Sasuke, don't apologize," I walk over to him.
"No," he shakes his head, hands fisted in his hair, "I've hurt so many people, killed so many that were innocent. I let Itachi down."
Sasuke starts trembling. I kneel in front of him.
"What? Sasuke, what are you talking about?"
"It's all my fault."
Even in his incoherency, I garner that there must be some truth to his words.
"Sasuke," I reach out to touch him and he flinches.
"Just leave," he whispers.
"No," I state firmly.
"GO!"
"NO!" my resolve solidifies, "I'm not going anywhere!" I take his hands and cup them in mine, "I'm not leaving you alone."
"I should never have come back."
"I wouldn't have given you another option," I say, speaking truthfully, I realize. Yes, I bargained with him, but I could never have lived with myself if I didn't put up a fight to save a friend's life. Suddenly, he's shaking prominently and tears are rolling down his cheeks. Without a thought, I pull Sasuke against me and lean us against the wall. I hold one arm around him and with my other hand rub circles into his bare back. He doesn't protest, rather he seems to go slack in my arms and lets the tears flow freely.
I continue my pattern down his spine until his body stills and his breathing returns to normal. He pulls away, face flushed slightly and eyes averted. I attempt to alleviate his tension, "I'm not going to give you the sedative anymore. I don't care what Tsunade says."
"Thank you," he looks at me briefly, eyes normal, and I get a sense of how helpless he must feel right now, as well as how unwelcome that feeling is to him. Sasuke stands and holds his hands out to me. I take them gratefully. He lifts me up ever so gently until I am standing firmly on my feet, "You should get some rest."
"You, too," I say, releasing his hands. As I leave, I become aware of how wrong this feels. I shouldn't be leaving him alone. But, he probably needs his space. I inform one of the guards that we're done and return to my room. The tears come instantly. That was painful. Frantically, I wipe them away, taking deep breaths. Get it together.
I see the letter waiting for me and sit down to finish it, scrapping the bureaucratic formalities, writing simply: I can't do this alone. I need Naruto's help.
