He had entered and joined sound-nin, with pride and utmost conceitedness. As the days passed, he grew more and more aware of the real dark purpose behind it all, though he kept accepting it, as long as it drew him closer to his goal. So he had continue to run into the darkness, in hopes of finding the power he seeks
However, as time drew on, he was finally aware of the illusion Orochimaru had set before him. Sasuke would never gain enough power to defeat Itachi. His own consciousness would be gone before he could reach such a level. Gone because he would no longer exist, because it would be Orochimaru inside his body.
For that very reason, he decided to sneak away in the morning, before his early training. It was not carefully planned. Actually, it wasn't planned at all. It had come to him as sudden as the light that beams when one flicked on the light switch. This was uncharacteristic of him to do so, but he did anyway. Aware of the small time he had left to escape.
"Sasuke-kun." The hoarse and low voice made his entire body solidify. His feet were rooted to the ground. His mind was a tangle mess and his loud thumping heart deafened his ears. The fear that he had had for Orochimaru during his chuunin exam resurfaced again, making his whole body numb. It had always been there but it was only now, when he awoke from his illusion, when he realized the position he had put himself in that it came at full force. Just like back then.
"Now why is it that you wish to kill your fellow sound-nins? I know they are weak little things but, what is that has enraged you to do so?" Orochimaru was toying with him again. He knew it, but he couldn't help but feel the fear rise even more within him.
Sasuke did not turn around to face his master, neither did he reply to his master's question. Instead he continued to stand, immobile.
"Ah…" He heard the snake sannin approach him. "I see."
Move! Sasuke screamed inside his mind. His body wouldn't obey. It couldn't.
"Well Sasuke-kun, at first I didn't like the idea proposed by Kabuto. I liked you too much to do that to you. But now, I think it would be best. You've become stubborn."
The morning air was misty and the sun was only beginning to rise while the birds slowly came out of their nests and began soaring dreamily and lightly into the foggy sky.
The hollow hole within Sakura's chest had filled slowly as the night drew on and now as she laid there next to the sleeping Uchiha genius, she felt peaceful, for once in quite a long time. She knew it would be gone sooner or later. Therefore, she tried to savour the peace she felt for as long as she could. Her cheek rested on his lean chest while her arms were wrapped comfortably around his torso.
"Sakura, who is it that will cure my eyes?" He was awake and spoke softly.
This was his morning greeting.
"She lives in the earth country, the hidden rock village. Sumi-san that is." She replied.
"Aa." His tone remained indifferent from yesterday, and the day before. It was what she had feared, although she did not feel as sad as she thought she would. Her chest did not fill up with hollow emptiness like those 5 years ago. It remained indifferent, like his tone, like him.
He silently sat up, snatching the clothes that laid messily on his side and began putting it on.
"I can wash it, if you are willing to wait." Sakura offered, suddenly a wife-like characteristic overcoming her.
"Ie, it is not necessary," was his reply.
Sakura was tired and the night before seemed to be nothing more then a dream. Forgotten and hidden away. Sasuke showed no sign of what he had done the night before and she, in turn, did the same.
It was a mistake. As she walked with much effort, she felt her eyes begin burning but she blinked and it was gone.
She hated it. How she loved him, felt betrayed and built a wall around her. Only to have that thin wall collapse yesterday when she thought she killed him. Then it was sex that she thought had more meaning than lust. But as it turned out, it was only that. What a way to end a fight. It was disgusting.
Her legs were tired and the Uchiha was relentlessly kept walking, amazingly not tired at all. It was already hard enough to walk as it is after…yesterday but they have been walking non-stop since the morning. They had not stop for lunch and it was nearing late evening. Sakura knew her chakra was completely depleted from yesterday and today and she knew that if an enemy attacked them, she would be easily killed.
When she felt a sprain in her ankle, she knew she was way over her limit. She stopped and collapsed on the ground, her face sweating and her once shiny pink hair, was dull colored and matted against her head.
Sasuke stopped walking the moment she collapsed and turned around. She saw that he too was tired although she knew he was a lot better off than she was.
"Sakura, get up." His voice was stern.
"We've been walking all day." She pointed out, though she knew what he would reply with.
"We're getting close."
"I know, that's why you can wait another day to get there." Sakura replied equally. What anger she had felt before was gone, for she didn't even have enough energy to stay angry. It was all too much for her, her body felt extremely heavy and being able to sit on the ground, not moving felt wonderful.
He gave her a glare, one that was still piercing enough for her to be slightly intimidated.
"I would continue if I could, you know that right?"
He looked at her silently and then did yet another thing she would have never thought he would do. He went over to her and bent down quietly. His hearing was impeccable for her had managed to know exactly where she was sitting on the ground and bent right in front of her so that she did not need to move much at all.
Sasuke had surprised her twice, yesterday and today. Life was telling her to stop assuming things.
Touched, she quietly thanked him( in which she received nothing more than a mere grunt) and got onto his back. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she laid her face onto his hard back and gratefully welcomed the relief of exhaustion.
At first his pace was slow but when he slowly began to realize that they were only a few hours away from their destinations, he picked up his pace and soon they were moving as fast as sound.
Sakura smiled inwardly to herself. He would finally be able to see again. Of course he was eager. As much as he would like to deny it, he was extremely eager.
"We're here." Sakura said softly to his ear when she saw the grand flourishing hill. The sky was completely dark yet the flowers and grass seemed to glow in a brilliant light.
The Uchiha genius was panting, exhausted from the hours of running and carrying Sakura. His body, she knew, had very little chakra left, and it was reasonable. Even if he were one with extreme stamina, two days or barely any sleep and continuous running would do that to even the strongest ninja.
Despite being so tired, she could feel his body shift slightly underneath her and she realized he wanted her off. Slightly embarrassed, she nodded and slid of his back.
The warmth of his body was gone and she felt mildly cold but readjusted to the difference only a few moments later. Sakura saw him stand straighter, no longer having to bear an extra body on his back and she felt guilty.
"Gomen ne, Sasuke-kun." She was a bother again, but this time she did not feel too guilty. It had been fun enough for her to ride on his back.
"It was necessary in order for us to reach our destination earlier."
"Hai."
The road leading up to the little cottage took a lot less time then she expected and before she knew it, they were both standing at the door.
Sakura raised her hand to the door and before she could even knock, the door opened to reveal an old stern looking woman.
"Haruno, Sakura?" The hoarse voice asked.
"Hai, Sumi-san! Its been a long time." Sakura replied enthusiastically and gave the woman a warm hug. The woman's stern face soften at the gesture but then her eyes traveled to the young man standing behind Sakura and her features darkened.
Sakura broke the hug and just when she was about to open her mouth to explain her visit, the old lady spoke first.
"Sakura, is that?"
The rose haired kunoichi turned her head back and looked at Sasuke, whos face was as stoic as ever.
"Hai, that is-"
"Uchiha, Sasuke."
Sumi-san's eyes narrowed and studied him carefully, noting the many scars on his arms, his toned body, and that he wore no forehead protector.
"Konoha's infamous traitor," deducted the old woman.
"What is he doing here?" Sumi-san asked sakura, her eyes never leaving Sasuke's pale ivory face.
The younger female didn't answer straightaway. She was hoping Sumi-san wouldn't be this way towards Sasuke.
"He is blind." Her elder stated.
Sakura glanced quickly at Sasuke and saw that although his face showed no emotions, his fists were curled into tight balls, his knuckles pure white and his stance was ready for an attack. He still held his pride high.
"I was hoping you could cure him, Sumi-san. You, being one of the best medic ninja in all the five countries."
"Why didn't you ask your sensei, Tsunade?"
"I don't think she would want to-"
"I don't either."
"Demo, onegai shimasu!" Sakura said with pleading eyes. The old lady looked once into the younger women's eyes and knew that she girl had fallen in love with the Uchiha traitor.
"He is not welcomed on my property. I will not heal him. Sakura, only you may stay and rest here for the night, he is to get off my land immediately."
Gomen! Much like the last few excuses, life has been going too fast for me to handle. I'm doing terrible in school and I'm trying to catch up on every subject as much as possible. I've actually written this chapter a month ago and I only needed to revise it but I didn't have time for that either. ;
Sorry for the long wait, but here is it . I hoped you enjoyed it. Any mistakes, please tell me. Review 3 please!