Chapter 3: Everybody's Fool
A black abyss, that's what this was...that's why he couldn't think...why he couldn't control his body. He had no control. That thing sleeping inside of him...that darkness was slowly bleeding out...red and white...and burning to his very core. He lashed out...trying to find an escape...swiping at every thing he found...He was angry...she had done it this time...she'd betrayed him...she'd went against his wishes... She wasn't afraid, hm? Oh...she will be...she will be afraid...and it would be so delicious...watching her emerald eyes, so full of fire and passion, now burn with fear. Oh, she will be frightened. He'll let her get a taste of the monster lurking within him..the demon that so desperately needed a release...and it'll taste coppery and bitter and yet so grotesquely fulfilling.
"I NEED CHAKRA RESTRAINTS NOW!" Ino yelled at the top of her lungs, trying desperately to hold down his flailing arms, ignoring the burning sensation of Sharingan so cruelly sent in her direction.
"Come on Ino, you had no problems looking at me before, hanging off of me like some whore. Your mother would be so very ashamed," the Uchiha said, venom dripping from every lash of his tongue.
She growled, "Sasuke, no matter what you say, I will not look into your eyes. I mean it."
He gave a dark chuckle, "The sight of you is just so deliciously...foolish. Holding down a man twice your size...and what adds the cherry atop the sundae...you think you are winning." She paused as her blue eyes widened in fear, slowly looking down. He smiled at her, "As I said...foolish."
Ino's curse was a mere murmur as his eyes locked with hers, before he sent her flying across the room. Her head connected with the side of a metal table before she slid helplessly to the floor. He smiled at the sight and began to rip off his restraints. The ANBU who were told by Ino to stay back, now flooded the room. Sasuke smirked as they all looked straight into Sharingan...all except one. He smirked at the shinobi avoiding his eyes, staring at his feet.
"Well, looks like I've found the sharpest tool in our shed..." he said and walked forward, "Your name?"
He heard a scoff, "Always so full of yourself Uchiha."
Sasuke growled, "Hyuuga!"
Neji looked up, Byakugan in full affect, "Just like old times, hmm?"
The raven haired boy smirked, "Should be a bit nostalgic."
Neji flew forward and directed a kick to Sasuke's stomach which was easily dodged. The Hyuuga smiled, his arm flying behind him to latch onto Sasuke's wrist.
"Remember old friend," he slammed Sasuke into the ground, "You're still injured. You should be resting. Correct me if I'm wrong."
Sasuke growled, "I'm still able to kick your ass Hyuuga!"
Neji smirked, "Sasuke," his tone softened, "Your body has suffered enough in the past week, give it a rest."
"Like hell I will," he growled back and flipped Neji over his back, landing a kick in his jaw.
Neji sighed as he landed on his feet, "Hakke Kūshō!"
Sakura huffed as she ran down the hall of the hospital, 'What the hell is going on down there?!"
"Hakke Kūshō!"
Sakura stumbled, her eyes widening, "NO!" She ran faster, "NEJI DON'T!"
She could hear her the roaring of wind and a fatal crash causing her breath to catch in her throat. 'Kami no, he's too weak to handle even that attack! Neji, what are you thinking?!' The pink haired girl reached Sasuke's room and panted as she leaned against the door frame. All of the ANBU in the room blinked and looked around. Their gaze finally all landed on Neji who was standing over a barely conscious Sasuke. Sakura's eyes traveled to Ino was unconscious on the floor, then to the metal table behind her that was covered in blood on one corner. She shook her head and ran to Sasuke's side, lifting him so that he was leaning against her chest as she knelt on the floor.
"Get Ino and get out," she said coldly.
Neji stared down at her, "Sakura, don't let your feel-"
"That was an order Hyuuga!" she barked, "This is my hospital, my rules! Get out!"
Neji sent a fierce glare at her, which she returned, before turning and picking up Ino. He nodded at the other ANBU for them to leave, which they did. Sakura shook her head and looked at the last ANBU member.
"Please shut the door," she said softly to the younger boy.
He nodded slightly at her and left the room, closing the door behind him. She looked back down at Sasuke to see him glaring up at her.
"I don't need your protection," he bit out at her.
"Like hell you don't Sasuke," she matched his tone, "What the hell were you thinking, fighting Neji in this state?!"
Her eyes filled with worry as he narrowed his own at her before pushing himself up on the bed railing. The raven haired boy sat down on his bed, looking away from her and out the barred window.
"Sasuke," she sighed as she lowered herself on the bed next to him, "I'm just worried about you is all..."
He growled, inching away from her, "That's exactly my problem! It's not supposed be this way! It's my job to protect you, not the other way around!"
At first, his remark left her speechless before her eyes hardened, "How are you supposed to do that when you've been gone for four years?! You don't know me anymore Sasuke!" Her voice softened, "I'm not the little girl you left on that bench all those years ago..."
He looked away from her, letting his emotionless mask slip back on, "Yeah...right..."
She glowered at him before standing up, "Fine, if this is the way its going to be. Then fine, get used to me being around Uchiha because as of today, I'm practically your parole officer."
"Hn..."
Sakura shook her head, turning around to stomp out of the room. He smirked before moving behind her with lightening speed and pinned her to the wall by her throat. She gasped and kicked her feet which were dangling in the air.
"Wha-" she choked as he squeezed tighter.
"As I thought, still weak...The same annoying little girl I left behind."
She glared at him, "Bastard," she choked out.
His hand constricted tighter around her throat, "Just because you grew into your forehead, doesn't mean you can disrespect my parents."
Sasuke gave her a hard look before he dropped her to the floor, gasping for air. He turned away from her and sat on his bed.
"Leave..."
She glared up at him as she pushed herself off the floor, nearly toppling over but gripped onto the bed railing. He stared at her as she stumbled to the door and grip the brass doorknob. Her head turned to the side.
"You're becoming just like him," she choked as she slid against the door, burying her head in her hands, "You're sick Uchiha Sasuke...in more ways than one..."
He glared at her, "What are you trying to say Sakura?"
"You're just like him."
"Like who?!" he yelled.
"ITACHI!" she yelled back and he froze.
"Wha-What?" he stuttered and shook his head.
She stood up shakily, "Itachi, you're just like him. You are becoming what you're running from Sasuke."
He shook his head again and looked up at her, "Get out!"
Sakura stared at him and jumped when he yelled again. She turned and walked out of the room, locking it behind her. Glancing at the ANBU members outside the room, she stood in front of them.
"No one is allowed in this room besides the old Team 7 and The Fifth, understood?"
The ANBU captain nodded, "Understood ma'am."
She smiled at them and tucked her key inside her lab coat, "That means you too Captain, if he tries to coax you into opening the door; page me right away."
"Yes Haruno-san."
"Good," she nodded her head and turned to walk down the hall, stopping at the nurse's station, "Is Hyuuga Neji still here?"
The nurse looked up and nodded her head, pointing towards Sakura's office. Sakura's nose twitched and she crossed her arms over her chest.
"Yamanaka Ino, which room is she in?"
"She's in room 212, ma'am."
"Thank you," she said breathlessly and stalked to her office.
Neji stood in the back of her office, his back against a large cherry wood bookcase, an angry expression plastered on his face. She smiled at him before sitting in her black office chair behind her desk, folding her hands as she leaned her elbows on the desk.
"Can I help you captain?"
"Don't play dumb with me Sakura," Neji said in his usual deep monotone, "You are lucky I'm not reporting your previous actions to the Fifth."
"What previous actions?" Sakura asked mindlessly as she sifted through some papers.
"I said don't play dumb with me. You are obviously letting your feelings cloud your better judgment. He is a criminal Sakura. He is no longer a ninja of Konohagakure, your teammate, nor the Sasuke we used to know."
"How do you know that?" she barked.
"Its obvious dammit. You don't go through years of training with an S-class criminal without some fucked up effects to show for it."
"I-" Sakura bit her tongue and looked away, "I know that..."
"Then why-"
"He is my patient Neji, he was way too weak to handle that attack. And-" she closed her eyes as she choked out, "Because he's still Sasuke-kun Neji..."
"Not anymore," he turned, "Be...careful."
The Hyuuga opened the door and exited the office, closing it softly behind him. Sakura buried her face in her hands and sighed deeply.
I'm sorry if there are any typos or anything. Hope you enjoyed the chappie!! Please review!!!