So the second chapter is up! If I can get some reviews, I'll keep updating. If not, I'm assuming nobody likes it.
Well, enjoy chapter two!
Chapter Two: Convincing The Enemy
"And though I know the world of real emotion has surrounded me, I won't give into it."
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Sakura's eyes slowly drifted open. She cleared her throat and squinted as light flooded her room from her window. Her mother had allowed her to live in her own apartment, considering she was responsible and would eventually have to move out. With her missions, she was hardly ever home anyways.
Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!
Sakura slowly sat up as her door flew open. "Sakura, you awake?" Naruto shouted as he barged through the door. "Yeah..." She mumbled sleepily, rubbing her eyes. What time is it? She took a deep breath. "Well get dressed, Sakura!! I wanna go train!" Naruto whined, frowning at her. "Hey, you okay?" He asked again, tilting his head and examining Sakura's expression. She nodded and stretched out her arms.
"Yeah, I just have a headache. I..." She trailed off, letting her gaze drift out the window. "...had a bad dream." She finished. Naruto's expression softened. He knew she had nightmares about when Sasuke had left. She sometimes would go over to his house in the middle of the night crying, saying she didn't want to be alone anymore. "The same one?" Naruto asked quietly.
Sakura pulled the covers off her legs. She pulled her head up to look at the ceiling, but as she did, she felt a strong jolt on the side of her neck. Pain. Her eyes widened as she rested her hand on her neck. "Go home Sakura." The words came flooding back. She swallowed hard. She knew this pain. It was the same as when Sasuke had knocked her unconscious three years ago. "Saaaaaakura!!" Naruto whined impatiently. "Come on...we're gonna be sooo-"
"Go on without me, Naruto."
"You're going to get sick."
"I think I'm sick. Tell Kakashi I won't be there." She smiled at Naruto as confusion settled on his face. "Ooook!" He said, smiling back. He turned around and walked out the door. Sakura stood up and walked to the window, watching as Naruto left her house. Was it just a dream? She ran her hand over her neck once more before heading downstairs to shower.
"Wow, strange dream. It's...different than the ones you normally have." Ino said, scratching her head. Sakura had run into Ino as she went for a walk out by the flower garden near the hot springs. Sakura explained her dream of meeting up with Sasuke, recalling how vivid it actually was. Ino jabbed her finger at the side of Sakura's neck.
"Ooww! Why did you do that?" Sakura whined, glaring at Ino. "Well, if you think about it, maybe it really happened." She said to Sakura, letting compassion drift over her face. "Maybe...it wasn't just a dream, Sakura." Sakura's eyes widened. Ino simply shrugged in reply. "You look horrible...sickly. Maybe you were out last night and caught a cold. He did tell you that you would get sick." Ino stated, walking off. "I have to go. Go home, Sakura!" Ino called, mimicking the words Sasuke spoke to Sakura. Sakura growled.
So it really did happen? But instead of going home, Sakura went to a deserted training ground. Her head was throbbing from all the thinking she was doing...and going home just sounded boring. He actually came back but then where is he now? Is he here?
"Damn!" Sakura shouted out loud, inwardly cursing herself. She shouldn't care. It's not important--that's what he said! It's not like he actually cares about her and Naruto. Wow, her head was really throbbing now. She ran a hand through her hair as she closed her eyes. I grew my hair long again just for him...but...
She opened her eyes and grabbed a kunai from her pouch. She didn't know what she was feeling. Love?...Hate? All she knew was that she was angry! At him. With one swift movement, she grabbed all her hair and ripped the kunai through, leaving her hair uneven and scraggly. She felt her eyes tearing up, but knew not to give in. She put her arm in front of her and let the strands fly away.
"I hate you, Sasuke Uchiha." She murmured.
"Impressive..."
Her heart dropped into her stomach. She twirled around and glanced up into the tree in front of her. There he was- again, sitting on a tree branch with his legs dangling. The emotionless expression looked actually a little amused. He slowly ran his eyes over her body, and after a few seconds, rested them on her eyes. Sakura clenched her fist. Her head was screaming and she could feel her face flushing, growing hot.
"You're sick, Sasuke."
"No, I believe that's you- you look terrible."
"That's not what I meant!" She shouted, wobbling a bit. Everything was looking a little blurry. She took a deep breath and turned around, in case her tears should fall. She could hear Sasuke's quiet, sadistic chuckle. She closed her eyes.
"Big mistake." His low, rough voice whispered into her ear sending chills through her body. Her eyes shot open. He was so fast! She didn't even feel him move. "Y-you're...playing with my head...making me think it was just a dream." She mumbled. As hard as she was trying to sound strong, her voice let all her insecurity escape her. She felt Sasuke run his fingers through the ends of her hair. "Don't turn your back on me." He stated threateningly. She let out a small growl.
"I already have." He could sense the anger in her voice.
"So is that why you cut your hair-?" He grabbed her shoulders tightly and swung her around, leaving them extremely close. His towering over her caused her panic to rise. "-And tried to convince yourself you hated me? Is it really because you hate me?" A smirk crept onto his face. "Or is it because...you still love me?"
A tear slowly trickled down her face as her breath caught in her throat. She started to squirm in his grasp, only to find his fingers digging deeper into her arms. His eyes bore into hers, showing no trace of emotion. "N-no...you're wro-"
"How am I wrong?" He countered. He knew he was ripping her apart emotionally. She tried to pull back again, only resulting in him tightening his grasp more and pulling her closer to him, where he could feel his body touching hers. Her eyes were closed tightly, trying to ignore the pain wrapping around her arms.
"I knew it." He chuckled out. His voice was slow and smooth. Her body started to tremble.
"N-No!" She shouted forcefully. She opened her eyes. "You turned your back on me...how c-could I still..." She strained herself for the words but couldn't bring herself to say them. He softened his grip on her arms, much to her surprise.
"Why? We could have helped you..." She whimpered. Sasuke's facial expression twisted into a frown. He released his grip on her arm completely and put his arms to his side. Sakura, in response, raised her arms in front of her, almost trying to create a wall between them. Why...why...
She let a sob escape her as tears ran down her cheeks, her hands now trembling furiously.
"How can you still cry for me?" He asked, sounding slightly irritated. Sakura covered her face with her hands, trying to calm herself. "Because..."She whispered.
He scowled down on her. "Because, you're still weak." He murmured.
"Loving you has nothing to do with being weak!" Sakura cried out, pushing her forehead against his chest. She gripped onto his shirt. He didn't budge. "You do still love me." He said, tilting his head down. She nodded softly against his chest. Why deny it? I just can't help it.
He groaned. Sakura expected him to push her away or something, but instead he rested his hand on her back. "That emotion is useless, Sakura."
"That's...that's not true!" She said into his chest, sending chills throughout his body. "I-it is the only thing that's kept me going." She whispered. "I need you, Sasuke. I don't know what else to say."
Sasuke only sighed at her words. "I can't pretend that we're still friends." He spoke roughly, causing her to flinch. "Why..." She quietly whispered.
"Everything's changed, Sakura."
She let one last sob escape her. She knew better than to let her feelings get the better of her, but she just couldn't help it. Everything just came rushing back. "Sasuke...our...friendship..."
"Never was and never will be."
"B-but..."
"Have you no shame? I left this village! I left you and Naruto behind long ago!"
Sakura winced. How could he say that? "Then why did you come back?" She asked bravely, still clutching onto his shirt. He sighed, clearly debating whether or not it was necessary to tell her. He raised his arms and grabbed her hands that were grasping onto his clothing, and slowly pulled them down. She let her hands fall limply at her sides as he removed his hands from hers.
"Simply to visit my home one last time." He stated. He ran his hand through his hair and exhaled a deep breath. Sakura wiped her eyes and nodded. When she raised her head, Sasuke noticed she was smiling. It was an innocent smile, like when she was 12. At least he told me.
Sasuke just scowled at her. She took a step back as to give him space, and his eyes lightened. She was trying hard not to beg him to stay. "How long will you be here?'
"Just the night." He replied quickly. She nodded.
"Can I ask...why the sudden interest?" She cursed herself inwardly for asking so many questions. He just shrugged in reply, letting his eyes wander anywhere except on her...her swollen eyes and red cheeks.
"It's dangerous, your being here." She said, letting her eyes run over his body. He's matured. She felt her face redden. He was still as cute as ever, if not more.
"Knock it off."
She looked at him as he was staring off into the distance, clearly annoyed. It's not like it wasn't obvious she was checking him out. She felt her face flush even more, though half of that was from her being sick. "If Tsunade see's you...she could lock you up for interrogation about Orochimaru-"
"He's dead."
Sakura gasped. Something in her chest lurched. Is it true? "How?!" Her eyes widened. Sasuke couldn't have...could he? "Did you?" With a small 'hn', he nodded his head, leaving Sakura gawking at him. Was this the real Sasuke? After about 3 minutes of silence, Sakura sighed. "You've really changed, Sasuke."
"You've changed yourself."
With a small chuckle, Sakura put her hands on her hips. "You told me last night I hadn't changed at all." He only growled.
"Well, it's not much...it's more physically." He said, making eye contact with her. She bit her lower lip.
"Is that good?" She asked innocently. Maybe she was imagining it, but it looked like a small trace of red appeared on his face. He started scowling at her again and thrusted his hands into his pockets.
"Not in that way."
Sakura giggled. "What way? I don't know wha-"
"Sakura...you're annoying." He cut her off. Much to her surprise though, his voice wasn't rough. He turned around and left his back to her. "You aren't as shy as when we were younger." Sakura nodded.
"I've grown...and spent alot of time with Naruto." Sasuke flinched. Sakura bit her tongue. Maybe he doesn't like talking about Naruto. But still...she wanted to know if he thought about him. "He's got a lot stronger training under Jiraiya." Sakura finished.
"Hn."
"You know..." Sakura hesitated. She didn't want to upset him but..."You should see him."
"No."
"Just see him!"
"No."
"Why?"
"I didn't come back to see him, or even you for that matter. If I wanted to have a future with you guys, I would have never left the village." He shouted sternly.
Ouch, Sasuke... Sakura sighed.
Ok, so he hates us. But wait. "Do you not want it, or think you can't have it...a life in the village?" She questioned. He didn't budge. "Sasuke...did you obtain the power you desired?"
After a minute, Sasuke slowly nodded. Sakura smiled inwardly.
"Well, who will train you now?" She asked cautiously. Sasuke slowly turned around and looked at her, with a solemn look on his face. "Sasuke, if you stay here and train, you can only get stronger." Sakura said, breathlessly. If she upset him, he could very well kill her. But much to her surprise, his eyes widened, giving Sakura the impression he was considering it.
"I'm not interested in rekindling any relationship with you or Naruto." He stated.
"Well, as long as your here at the village, I think we'll be okay." Sakura said with a smile. Sasuke's face filled with uncertainty. "I can talk to the Hokage about your return. Because you came back of your own free will, your punishment will probably be light." Sakura explained anxiously. She wanted Sasuke back more than anything, not that she really wanted to show it.
If there was some way she could convince him to stay, she would find it.
"You talk like I'm here to stay." He said coldly. Sakura's expression darkened a bit. Sasuke slowly raised his hand and laid it gently over the curse mark on his neck. "Even if I stay, I won't stay long. I have something-"
Emotions- anger, hatred, sorrow...it all flooded into his eyes. "-I have to do." He finished.
Sakura only nodded. She knew he had to kill his brother. After all, that was his only true motivation. "Yes, I understand. But please..." She pleaded. "You can only get stronger. Consider it! Power is all you want, right?" She asked, feeling her heart grow heavy. He could never love...I know that.
He said nothing, only looked at her. They both just quietly stared at each other, letting their conversation sink in. After what felt like hours of silence, Sasuke groaned. He obviously didn't like this idea all that much. Sakura was growing desperate.
"So... what would my punishment be?" He murmured. Sakura's mouth fell open. Did he really just ask that? Is he going to stay? She swallowed hard.
"Um, well I imagine you'll be withheld from missions, and you'll probably go through interrogation." She explained, pushing her hair behind her ear. Sasuke only nodded, while Sakura smiled. "So you'll stay?" She questioned hopefully. Sasuke clenched his jaw.
"Just to train." He said. Sakura exhaled a deep breath.
"Well then, we should talk to Lady Tsunade as soon as possible!" She stated as Sasuke looked at her bewildered. He couldn't believe he was doing this.
"And you can convince her to lighten my punishment?" He hadn't known Sakura had trained under the Hokage and had ties with her, or that Naruto had left for 2 years to train with Jiraiya. Sakura explained some recent events to Sasuke on their way to the Hokage's office.
Thank you...Sasuke.
Next Chapter: The Punishment You Receive