NINE

"You hit yourself?"

Sasuke glared at the physician who had asked the same question five times.

"A damaged rib and you just hit yourself at the door knob?" She added with a twitch in her eye. "That must be something really stupid."

Sasuke's glare intensified a thousand times when he heard that "supposedly unheard" comment. But he could not deny it. His excuse was pretty lame. Damn his super brain for not procuring a super excuse. He glanced at the two people who his conscience dictated as his friends. Naruto was leaning against the wall covered by flowery wallpaper. His arms were folded behind his head and there was no sign of worry on his face. Sakura, on the other hand, was the more emotional of the two. She was seated on a cushioned stool and she had both of her hands clenched on her knees.

"Man, don't look at us like that." Naruto grinned. "You look pitiful."

Sasuke cursed under his breath and turned away from the two. He never wanted to be pitiful in the eyes of anyone…especially Naruto who he regarded as inferior to him.

"Naruto…" Sakura silenced him. Somehow, she had grown accustomed to being with the blonde and the raven head. Actually, she felt like they had been friends since the day they were born.

"Alright, you're fixed." The physician smiled and gave his shoulder a little pat.

Sasuke looked at his torso for seconds before standing up and wearing his white shirt.

"Well, students, you must be on your way to your rooms now. It's almost daybreak." She gave a small yawn and closed the door after the three went out. Sasuke walked ahead and then was joined by the two after some seconds of silence.

"What happened?" Sakura asked.

"Yeah…what were you doing in another building?" Naruto added another question.

"None of your business." He gave a general answer.

"As always." The blonde jeered.

Sasuke gave him a glare but Uzumaki's system had become immune to such threat.

"Sasuke."

The three looked up and saw a man standing in their way. The shadow slightly dimmed his face but still he was easily recognizable.

"Uchiha-san!" The two greeted in chorus.

"What?" the younger Uchiha raised a brow.

"Didn't I tell you to meet me?"

"Hn." Sasuke took a step forward to pass by Itachi when he saw his brother look at him at the corner of his blank eyes.

"Shall we go otouto?" Itachi turned his back on the two speechless companions of Sasuke and walked. Sasuke didn't say farewell to his friends either; he followed his brother with heavy feet.

At the end of the corridor was Itachi's room. It was obviously designed to have the beauty suitable for the master of the house. The bed was draped by soft silk blankets and sheets. Countless pillows were laid about, inducing a perfect deep sleep. Valances hung above windows and they matched the smooth wallpaper the wall was designed with. The room was lit by a small chandelier and there were also lamps if one wants a dimmer environment. A phone was supplied together with a list of contacts (massage, butler, or any other service givers he wanted to call). A television larger than Sasuke's was available. A sofa seat for one was also inviting to the eye. All in all, the room was marvelous.

"Have a seat." Itachi eyed the sofa chair as he sat at the edge of the bed.

"Are we going to talk about that Ino? If so, be quick." Sasuke spoke but didn't speak.

"No, actually, she is not of my concern." Itachi gave a careless shrug. "I want to speak of the ambush."

"And what do I know about that?"

"I hope you could explain it to me." Itachi replied.

Sasuke was getting more vexed. "How the hell should I know about something that is not even connected to me?"

"Before we were attacked, a man called me and said that a ship will come to claim you and there was a lame threat of 'or else'." Itachi smiled. "I knew it was something bad so I didn't hand you over."

"Do you expect me to thank you'?" Sasuke crossed his arms.

"I know you already do." A sly smile was formed by his lips. "But I would rather know why that man blasted that luxurious ship just to kill you."

Sasuke's lips remained pursed though his eyes showed that he was somewhat getting the drift.

"I'm no telepath but his intention was obvious." Itachi stood up and took the wine bottle being chilled in a silver bucket of ice.

"I don't know."

Itachi placed the wine on a table and got two wine glasses. "You don't know?"

Sasuke bit his lip. So that Gaara was telling the truth. But why do they want to kill me? I have freely offered my services—why?

Itachi filled half of the glass and gave it to the younger Uchiha who took it unconsciously.

"Solaris from South Africa." The crimson-eyed Uchiha gave the wine a sip. "I think I prefer the sweetness of Novelino."

Sasuke knew his brother was giving him time to think whether to tell him some information or not. He stared at the clear wine motionless in the glass.

"I know you killed her," said the man just across him.

He stood motionlessly with lips dry and pursed.

"I could not believe that girl alone could make a poltroon out of you."

"What… do you want?" He finally spoke.

"If you do not want anyone else to know, serve me." The man smiled.

Why kill him? What was the purpose of killing him?

"And why were you in Gaara's room?"

Sasuke's head shot up. This jerk saw me?

"Yes I did." Itachi replied to the question obviously in the Uchiha's eyes. "Is there something you're not telling me?"

"There are a lot of things that I have not told you and I don't plan on revealing them." Sasuke stood up and placed the wine glass on the nearby desk. "I'm satisfied knowing that you barely know me." He paused as if thinking what to say next but right after the short-lived silence, he said, "is this meeting over?"

"Yes." This was the calm reply of Itachi to his stubborn brother. His eyes wore a melancholy shade of red. Heartless as the older Uchiha might have appeared to all, Itachi was still a brother to a clamorous child. He thought that maybe he was the only one who noticed that even though Sasuke was a man of a few words, he'd shock you with how much sentences his eyes try to say.

- - -

Two days had passed since Sasuke's encounter with Gaara. The next morning, the students were taken aboard for they were to go back to their school. Others were happy because of nostalgia while most wanted to stay.

Sakura was with Naruto when he went to Sasuke's room to see if he was ready to leave. They found the Uchiha sitting on his bed with his backpack near his foot.

Naruto found that scene dragging so he went in and took the Uchiha's bag by its strap. "Sasuke-teme, come on."

Sasuke stood up and took the strap away from the blonde's hand. He slipped his arm through one strap of the bag and walked behind Uzumaki.

Sakura, speechless as she was, contented herself with following the two out of the hotel.

There was a new ship at the small dock of the island. It was almost identical to the wrecked one except that it was smaller. Most students were already at the top deck, waving at the staff of the hotel. Chouji and Shikamaru were shouting Naruto and Sasuke's names to hurry them on board. Naruto ran ahead while Sakura remained beside Sasuke.

"Hey, I know that this is a bad time and I know you would not—well…" Sakura opened her shoulder bag and gave him an envelope.

"What's this?" Sasuke's tone was unmistakably cold but at the same time slightly curious.

"Please just read; he told me that I must give that to you no matter what." Haruno placed a strand of her pink mane behind her ear.

"Oi! Let's go to the top deck! The view is nice!" Naruto yelled from upstairs.

A smile creased Sakura's pinkish lips as she walked forward. Observing that the Uchiha didn't move, she stopped and looked over her shoulder. "Don't you want to come?"

Sasuke looked at her, telling her that he needed to be alone. He turned to a different direction and then headed for his room.

That night, the Uchiha mansion was devoid of light except for the young master's room. In there, Sasuke stayed awake as he sat in front of his study desk. Several strokes had been made on a clean large paper spread on the table but there were more erasure marks. His head found its rest on his left hand while the pencil that was repeatedly sharpened stayed in the clasp of his right hand.

Why dud they have to give me this job? The prom venue must be great or else everyone would kill him. He closed his eyes and then dropped the pencil. Well, he could trounce all who would complain about the venue design so there was no real fear. Emotional as it seemed, he felt like that project would serve as something sentimental in the future.

"I am not a designer." He told himself unenthusiastically. He pulled a nearby drawer open and then took out a hidden stick of cigarette. His teachers discouraged everyone to smoke while his fraternity 'brothers' told him it was heaven. Well, as for being a male, risky, fourth year student he would most probably try to do it anyway.

Sasuke pulled a lighter from his pocket and lit the cigarette. He tried to remember how his seniors, who were college students, 'smoked'. He placed it in between in his lips and then tried to inhale through his mouth.

The next thing Sasuke knew, he was coughing out loud. He forced his palm to cover muffle his coughs but the more he restrained himself, the worse the volume of the cough got.

Several knocks were heard from outside. Apparently, concerned servants immediately came to his rescue but couldn't enter because the door was locked.

"Uchiha-sama!" His butler called out. "Open the door!"

Sasuke didn't know why he couldn't stop coughing. Maybe he inhaled too much smoke and he failed to exhale as much as he inhaled.

"Here."

There was a sound of the lock being opened by a key. Seconds after, five people rushed in to support Sasuke who was half-way from falling coughing his lungs out. The four servants who rushed in were in total panic while the man who provided the key stayed at the doorway. His arms were crossed and for the first time, he actually laughed.

Sasuke, after recovering from the poor situation he was in, threw the man at the doorway dagger looks. But the more the young Uchiha glared, the longer the rare laugh lived.

"What is so funny?" Sasuke demanded in a shameful tone.

"Otouto, why do you have to be so young in mind?" Itachi, the laughing man, moved forward and dismissed the servants after helping the Uchiha recover. "First time?"

"Hn." He sat on his bed and then crossed his legs as if he were really a child. "Leave me alone."

Itachi's smile faded. He went to the light switch and shut the lights off. Sasuke opened his mouth to ask what the fuck he was doing but the older Uchiha silenced him with a look. He looked at the young man before him and thought that, indeed, Sasuke was too young. In fact, too young to be left alone in the world. Well, Sasuke had him but he knew, guilty as he was, he was always far away.

"Itachi, this is your brother Sasuke." His father slightly pushed the nine year old Sasuke forward. Itachi was already fifteen by the time he met his brother for the first time. All the while, he felt that he was an only child being taken cared of a father. He saw his mother once or twice but he couldn't really remember her face. His father and his mother had agreed to take different paths.

"I want to go to okaasan." Sasuke stepped back without even looking up to see Itachi's face. Sasuke couldn't even hold his father's hand.

"Don't you want to sleep with us just for one night?" His father asked.

"No."

Itachi didn't see him again until he was fifteen. Sasuke was sent to the mansion Itachi bought for himself because his father was abroad and his mother somewhere unknown. The younger Uchiha had never grown to like him even though he tried to pull him close.

"What?" Sasuke started when he saw Itachi approach him.

Those handsome crimson eyes became gentle yet piercing still. He continued on his way and sat on the bed and then took Sasuke by the shoulders.

"Fuck—"

"Shhh…" Itachi pulled Sasuke back and rested the raven head's back against his chastened chest.

"I'm satisfied knowing that you barely know me."

Unknown to Sasuke, it hurt Itachi to hear those words for he had always wanted to be a brother to him.

"Let me go!" Sasuke tried to pull Itachi's hands off his shoulders but his strength escaped him. He leaned against his brother and though his system rejected the brotherly comfort, he felt slightly at ease. He stopped and heaved a heavy sigh from his tight chest. He looked around him and saw only darkness of the room.

"Rest otouto…rest…"

Sasuke's eyes lowered and slowly, he fell asleep in his brother's arms.

The night of the next Saturday filled Sasuke's mind with choices. The envelope Sakura gave him was an invitation to Neji's birthday party. And that party was during that night. He called Naruto but he was not at home. Shikamaru and Chouji were not invited even. Sasuke immediately concluded that the invitation was for fun. He could already foresee that Neji would just make him the laughing stock of all the rich guests there. But there was one thought that made him hesitate about not going to the party.

It was Sakura.

Sasuke knew how much Neji enjoyed girl friends. He knew that the party would be one hell of a dirty rave. And Sakura, being timid and innocent, would most probably be the object of his lust and jokes. He somehow feared what would happen to his 'friend'.

Sasuke looked at the clock and then reread the invitation. He thought of the party again and the time he's waste on Neji's irritating words. But what about Sakura? God, when did he ever consider her as a friend? He bit his lip, thought for the last time, and then grabbed his car keys.

The music was booming from the Hyuuga mansion that midnight. Cars of different brands were on display as they were parked inside the vicinity. From outside, it could be seen that the lights were off and disco lights were on instead. There was noise of obvious drunk people and some girls were even shrieking. Someone even got out of the door with her high-heeled shoes held by her hands. Her boy friend held her champagne glass as he laughed.

Sasuke's Bentley rolled in front of the residence and looked at the mansion with great disgust. After staring at the scenario for a while, he glanced at his wrist watch and realized that he was two hours late. He shook his head and parked the car just outside the gates and then headed inside the Hyuuga mansion.

The interior situation was even worse than what he saw from outside. People looked mad as they danced wildly without the slightest care about their attires. Most didn't care about what the other people thought. Well, who would have thought that the party was a disgusting one if all were lovers of raves and crazy getaways?

Sasuke moved through the thick crowd of dancing men and women. A lady in a really mini skirt offered him a strong wine but he refused and moved forward. He couldn't even hear his own voice when he asked a classmate if he saw Sakura. The classmate only shook his head and began shouting the lyrics of the song being played.

I knew this was a bad idea. Sasuke ran his fingers through his raven hair and then made his way to the staircase. If everything on the first floor was fast and crazy, the people in the second floor were of slower pace. There were fewer people staying at the corridor, though, he couldn't still count them. He asked another classmate about Sakura but he only confirmed that she was seen with Neji a while ago.

Sasuke ventured through the dark corridors. He constantly bumped into people who either cursed him or invited him for a drink. His disgust even grew when he heard someone throwing up in a half open bathroom. Most were almost lost in their lip lock and someone even brushed her lips against his ear.

"Hey Neji!"

Sasuke turned and tried to figure out where the voice came from but the atmosphere was hazy in his eyes. He strained his eyes to see and fortunately, he saw Neji enter a room.

He peeked into a room and saw Sakura seated on the bed with half emptied champagne in one hand and a purse in another. Her pink hair was tied up and she wore mascara and eye liner though she didn't really need them. He also saw Neji who was in front of a full length mirror, fixing his polo shirt. Sasuke wasn't into eavesdropping but he did anyway.

"Enjoyed the party?" The Hyuuga asked as he looked at her through the mirror.

"Yes… but it's tiring. I couldn't dance anymore." Sakura raised her glass and then sipped the content.

"Good." Neji smiled and then looked over his shoulder.

Sakura pulled dress down as if embarrassed of her thighs. She placed her champagne down and then watched Neji climb into bed.

He lied down with arms folded behind his head and smiled. "Are you ready?"

"What?" Sakura blushed as she uneasily shifted from her position.

"Come on, if you were another girl you'd know that."

"I'm sorry but I don't—" Actually, she did get what the Hyuuga was trying to say. She tried to stand but Neji held her by the wrist firmly.

"Still a virgin? I prefer that."

"Neji NO." Sakura tugged her wrist free and was to walk away when Neji pulled her back and began kissing her.

"Stop!" She tried to push him but he was obviously stronger.

Sasuke didn't waste another second. He barged into the room and punched Neji to get him off her. Sakura only managed to shout to stop the fight but Sasuke drove his fist against the Hyuuga's face all the more.

"STOP! OH MY GOD PLEASE STOP!" Sakura cried out, attracting several men into the room.

"You fucking—"

"Shit…" Neji saw blood oozing from his nose.

Sasuke was restrained by two men for he seemed to be lunging for more.

"What was that for Uchiha?" Neji snarled. "Isn't she my girl friend? I can fuck her whenever I want."

"Asshole!" Sasuke gritted his teeth.

Neji glanced at Sakura who was shivering at the corner of the room. He shook his head and said, "We're through."

At that very moment, she cried silently. Sasuke was freed upon Neji's signal. He went over to Sakura and pulled her up, urging her in a rare soft manner to stand and follow him. She gave her whole control over Sasuke who supported her as they went downstairs. When they had gone out of the mansion, Sasuke let her into his Bentley and then drove.

Sakura was still sobbing and her mascara had tainted her cheeks with black. She was wiping her tears with a handkerchief but the more she wiped her face the more the mascara got smudged.

"What the hell did you see in that guy?" Sasuke spoke through gritted teeth.

"When did you care? You don't know him." Sakura sobbed.

"I don't?" Sasuke retaliated. "Fuck…"

The car stopped in front of Sakura's house just before the hand struck one in the morning. Before Sakura got out, there was no movement from either of them. Sakura was sitting still while Sasuke had both elbows on the wheel and his face was on his hands.

Sasuke muttered. "That was just not right."

Sakura faced Sasuke and felt her chest swelling with joy. She laid her head back and then closed her eyes. "Thank you."

Sasuke released his face from his hold and then laid his head back as well.

"But you know I just lost my boy friend." After those words, she clapped her hands to her eyes as she cried. "I love him."

"Damn it Sakura, you love that guy?" Sasuke glared at her. "How many times do I have to tell you that you're stupid?"

Sakura's sobs became her reply.

Sasuke rested his arm on the wheel and then looked out his window. After seconds of thinking—or hoping that he was indeed thinking—he went out the car and went to Sakura's side of the car. He opened the door, and offered his hand.

Sakura's black tainted face looked terribly sullen, nevertheless, beautiful. She looked at the raven head's extended hand as if asking if he was sure he was not sick or anything. The Uchiha showed slight impatience and it urged Sakura to hold onto him and get out.

Sakura stared at Sasuke's stern feature. His hand was comparable to cold marble but his eyes were warm with emotions.

Sasuke read her transparent face and then quickly dropped her hand. "Just being a friend if that's alright with you."

"What's the sudden change of heart?"

Sasuke walked ahead to the doorbell and pressed it. "I just hate seeing idiots like you being wasted by men when actually they are way better than what they think of themselves."

Sakura crossed her arms to retaliate but later, she smiled.

Seconds passed before the same gruff man came out. His drunken face lightened up when he saw how good Sasuke was clothed. But when he caught sight of Sakura, he snarled and yelled at her to go in.

Sasuke watched the girl enter the house then followed by the man who seemed to be her father. He turned his heels and walked towards his car. He sat at the driver's seat and stared at the long road before him. After seconds of contemplating, he started the engine and drove off.

He recalled the lady in his past and she seemed to be reincarnated into Sakura's being. He felt that god gave him another chance to at least save her for he couldn't save the lady. Something told him that he only cared for her for she reminded him of someone… but his conscience wished he cared because she was not like the lady but because she was Sakura.

END

A/N: I am terribly sorry for the mistake. In chapter eight, a man sent Sasuke a message containing these words:

Time is of the essence. Before the Suna siblings leave that island, kill Temari.

I don't know why the hell I placed Temari there. This should be the right message:

Time is of the essence. Before the Suna siblings leave that island, kill Gaara.

I am really sorry! I was actually shocked when I saw that. Thank you for noticing it and telling it to me. Thank you!

So, there are questions to be answered! Hey, I think this is becoming more of a mystery than comedy.