9. BREAKING POINT

…..

"What should I do about him?"

"What…"

"What should I do about Uchiha Sasuke?"

"Do whatever you want, I don't care…"

"Hinata, are you sure about that? Won't you regret it?"

….

Sasuke remained silent the whole way to his apartment. While his silence could've been interpreted as peace of mind, his body language betrayed his internal state.

His leg kept quickly bouncing.

He roughly rubbed his thighs.

He massaged his neck.

He clumsily loosened his tie.

Back and forth; rinse, repeat.

He barely noticed when they reached his place. He could barely focus on his direct surrounding as his senses were overwhelmed by a mix of foreign emotions. There was the oppressing anger. That he knew much; he knew that feeling well enough to instantly recognize it. However, the other ones, the more powerful ones, he couldn't name them. He hadn't been able to understand them, name them or get rid of them. The reason behind his inability to recognize these feelings wasn't a mystery to him. After her, he had pushed everything down; he had fought his emotions lest he would feel them. People were supposed to feel their feelings to heal and move past them but it had been hard, so hard he'd thought he wouldn't make it… and it had worked at last. He had considered himself free when he started feeling anger instead of pain at the mention of her name.

That's what he'd thought when the anger burned through him realizing she'd tried to kill him.

That's what he had believed when he'd faced her with his friends and family the other day.

So, he couldn't understand why he had been feeling upset and uncomfortable since that evening. There's this bomb inside his chest ready to explode. Two thoughts came to his mind then: he shouldn't have gone as Kakashi had suggested, and he needed to let out his frustration before he got swallowed up by it. He felt so close to losing it.

He needed to get out of the car and away from everything.

"Wait." Itachi said.

Sasuke already had one foot outside the car when his brother spoke. His body protested when he turned around instead of going completely out. Sasuke wanted to get out of there as soon as possible but the way Itachi's gaze fixed him pinned him on his seat. A second, that felt like an eternity to him, passed by as Itachi kept staring at him, observing him. Annoyance arose inside the younger sibling.

The evening was cold enough for Sasuke to close the car's door. He waited, and waited but silence was the only answer to his quiet question. The annoyance was dangerously inching toward anger as his agitation grew. He didn't like the stillness, especially not when he was this tense. As he was about to speak, Itachi beat him to it.

"Do you still love her?"

The question was unexpected but the effect was immediate.

Sasuke was stunned to silence. The hand that had been massaging his face stayed midair as he faced his sibling once again. For one perfect second he didn't feel, didn't think, then anxiety, mixed with indignation washed over him. There's anger too. Sasuke felt attacked, accused of something he shouldn't have done.

"What the hell?"

"You showed neither indifference nor hate this evening." Itachi spoke calmly but his gaze was still intense in their examination, daring him to say otherwise. "You approached her for no apparent reason… and you've been restless ever since."

"So? It proves nothing!"

"You still didn't deny it."

"Do I need to? Isn't it obvious?"

"People don't always act the way you expect them to…"

"Well, I do."

"Do you, though?"

"You don't make any sense."

"Maybe. Still, this question is relevant."

"How so?"

"I wonder what you might do if she did come back to you. She looked quite fragile today, maybe depressed …"

He hadn't been the only one to notice it.

"Since when does it have anything to do with me?"

"She might need a savior at this moment… You might use it to your advantage or it might be your downfall."

Sasuke sneered at his brother after a few seconds. "We'll never know since this is the last time I meet her." He had tried to be as spiteful as he could with his sarcasm but Itachi looked unimpressed, which aggravated him more. Much, much more.

"This is problematic on many levels."

"For what? We don't need to meet to proceed with the rest." A thought crossed his mind; a mocking smirk stretched his lips as he prepared to spit venom and shut his brother's mouth. "Besides, you're the middle man. You can take care of everything; even fill the role of her savior if that floats your boat."

"I might." The older sibling answered without batting an eyelash.

Sasuke was pissed off and he didn't try to rein his emotions in anymore.

He didn't add anything else as he went back to his flat. Somehow, Itachi managed to make everything worse, but it didn't matter for his brother was wrong. He scoffed. Nobody could still feel anything for her after what she did. That much, he was sure. That much he kept telling himself. As the elevator was bringing him to his floor, memories of the afternoon came back. The anger, the feeling of seeing her up so close after such a long time, the pain… it was all incomprehensible still, he felt it nonetheless, felt it happen and he was in torment.

Boxing, that's what he needed to purge out all the unwanted thoughts and whatnot. A sort of peace came over him at the perspective as he focused on that… until something grabbed his attention on the way to his bedroom. Turning his head to the left, he saw a lone black suitcase.

It was his.

"What is my suitcase doing there?"

He comes face to face with Izuna, Kisame, Kakashi and Naruto. They all turned their heads in unison to his direction as they were interrupted. Kakashi sighed.

"You are leaving tonight, Sasuke. Itachi-San has already taken care of everything. You're going to London." Kakashi said, gaining no reaction from his adopted son. The older man sighed again as he rubbed his forehead.

"Don't even think about refusing this." Naruto added, guessing what was going on behind his friend's impassive face. "This is not the right time to channel your inner emo drama queen."

"What is all this shit about Kakashi?" Sasuke asked calmly through clenched teeth.

"What an impatient kid! No wonder he's from the family. Itachi-San is definitely the outcast." Kisame chuckled good-naturedly as he looked at Sasuke who didn't acknowledge him in the least.

"You've got to leave the country because of our little trip to the Uchiha mansion." Itachi said as he sat, crossed his legs and intertwined his fingers over his thighs.

"I thought Hinata was ready to fall back in love with me." Sasuke said as he looked at Itachi dead in the eye. There was no trace of humor on neither of their faces.

"What the actual fuck?" Naruto cursed as he looked at his friend. He loudly expressed the silent question that was visible on everyone's face except the Uchiha brothers. In fact, Naruto's eyes widened in surprise.

"Yeah Naruto, 'what the fuck' was my exact thought when he said that shit to me." Sasuke replied as he's still looking at his brother.

"She might but Obito won't and he's your biggest problem at the moment." Itachi replied simply, still indifferent to the commotion. "That includes your direct circle."

"That's why I don't understand why you brought Sasuke there." Kakashi added, his tone reproachful and bitter.

"This was bound to happen sooner or later. He's an Uchiha after all." Itachi turned back to his brother. "This eventuality was foreseeable, which is why I planned a trip well in advance of the visit."

"So, you knew what was going to happen, still you convinced me to come?"

"What, you didn't want to come?" Itachi stared at Sasuke with a cocked eyebrow; Sasuke frowned. "It isn't relevant anyway. I know what I'm doing."

"Of course you do. Still, I'm going nowhere. I'm not your toy."

"You're so dense sometimes it's not even funny!" Naruto threw his hands up in the air. He groaned in frustration then swiftly came in front of his stoic friend. "Didn't you just listen to Itachi, teme? It isn't just about Hinata anymore! It isn't just about fighting your ex! We're talking about Yakuza, man. Let me repeat it for you: if you don't go now, you are as good as dead."

"I'm not stupid like you dumbass, and I know what I'm doing. Besides, if the situation was to get ugly, you, Kakashi, Sakura and the baby would get involved. You guys, make my direct circle."

Naruto calmed down at his friend's concern."Kakashi and I are big kids, so we can take care of ourselves. As for Sakura, we've found a solution. Ok? So, breathe."

"Oh really? There're a lot of big kids dying nowadays. Unless y'all come with me tonight, she'll find you easily. All of you."

"Look, Kakashi has a long-standing situation to settle with Obito that goes far beyond your little catfights with Hinata or him being whatever-family-member he is to you. As for Sakura, she'll be seen with another guy all lovey-dovey, AND Itachi's been generous enough to provide her protection. As for me, I had a flight planned a long time ago, so I won't be there when shit hits the fan. Happy now?"

"Where are you going?"

"Colombia."

"What for?"

"Ugh, Sasuke! We don't have time for little chitchat here. The jet's supposed to leave in three hours and the travel to reach it is about two more hours if your unlucky star is not shining down on us right now."

"Kakashi and you are adults and can do whatever you feel like. Your plan for Sakura is stupid though. Why isn't she coming with me?"

"Itachi brought it up and said it wouldn't be such a good idea because her family and friends still live here. Also, Hinata might still track you down and find what country you're going to. Who knows what kind of contacts she's got from her husband over there?" Naruto said as he kept counting off his fingers. "Hell, you can't just run away penniless and homeless with a pregnant girl!"

"Sasuke doesn't need to worry about money or accommodation." Itachi said to Naruto, and then faced his brother. "If you wish to have her with you, I can do something about that as well."

"OMG! Can you adopt me as your second brother Itachi-nii?" Naruto whined with his hands clasped together. Sasuke rolled his eyes and scoffed at the ridicule voice Naruto used.

"There's no need because I'm going nowhere."

"Why are you being so stubborn Teme?"

"Well, Baka, Didn't you say that you'd let me make my own decisions since you've finally accepted in your almighty generosity that I was already an adult?"

"You forget about the part where I said 'unless it's harmful'."

"Okay, enough of this shit!" Sasuke said as he massaged his nose bridge. He was silent for some time until he spoke again. "Everyone, get out."

"Don't you understand? The enemy has power and money and you're getting in their way, Sasuke. There's nothing you're going to get except us killed. Look, this isn't even about-"

A dreadful sound pierced through the walls.

The sudden ringing of the doorbell got everyone tensed in the living room except Sasuke. The five other men stood ready to fight as their strained muscles warmed away the cold, icy path left by surprise and impeding danger. Itachi and Kisame pulled out their guns. Naruto almost jumped on Sasuke who was heading for the door.

Sasuke's flippant attitude annoyed some and time seemed to slow down for others as he looked through the lenses of his door. He wasn't surprised when his eye fell on the newcomer. It had been like that since he moved in, but it never had happened to him before. Once again, his mysterious neighbor saved him by calling the janitor to put an end to the annoying ruckus happening in the building… Only difference was the noise came from within his flat instead of his neighbors'.

"Iwaki-San." Sasuke greeted.

"Ah, young people nowadays! No respect for their elders. Why are you guys always upsetting Miwako-baa-Chan! You make my work such a hard task! When older people used to live-"

"Who the hell are you?" Naruto started then stopped dead when he saw the man. "Ah! You're there. He, he!"

"You're there too. Unfortunately." The old man sniffled. "I've never doubted you were that kind of boy but it's surprising of you, Sasuke-kun! I'm utterly disappointed in you, young man!"

"Hey, everyone! This man is Iwaki, and he watches over the building. There's one of the neighbors who hate noises and always call upon him to put order. When his kind warnings don't work, he calls the Police. This man never fails to fulfill his hard and admirable task."

"Ho, ho, ho! You little liar! Are you bribing me with compliments or what?"

" I just wanted them to know how dedicated you are to your task. They were leaving anyway." Sasuke looked over them with a sharp gaze. "Would you like to share a cup of tea before getting back to work?"

"He, he! I don't know… There's a lot of work and all that." The old man said as he entered the room with much gusto.

"Oh, come on. You deserve rest too."

Sasuke managed to get rid of them all under Naruto's curses. He stayed with the old man who wouldn't stop talking his ears off. When Iwaki finally went back to his job, Naruto swiftly entered the door. Sasuke just rolled his eyes. He didn't expect that but it came as no surprise to him though.

Naruto sat in front of the coffee table and stared disapprovingly at Sasuke. The latter heavily sighed. The night seemed to never end, he had a lump in his stomach and Naruto had decided to be a pain in the butt.

"Sasuke, once again I'm telling you, the risks are too high. If you don't care about yourself, at least do for Sakura and the baby. They won't hesitate to go after Sakura and the baby once they're done with you."

"I took it your plan's perfect."

"It is if you care to stay alive long enough." Naruto hissed then tried to compose himself to explain everything to his friend as calmly as possible. He knew for a fact that anger, as a mean of persuasion, didn't work on Sasuke. On the contrary. "If you're still alive, they'll have time to see Sakura with someone else and certainly assume her child isn't an Uchiha. If you're still alive, Itachi will have time to do something about your shares. If you're still alive-"

"Ok, ok, stop it."

"Hope you got the point."

Sasuke felt a pulsating pain start inside his head. He massaged the sides of his head, and then stretched his neck. It helped, a little, not enough. The knot in his stomach didn't go away. The fact that Naruto stared didn't help. Not feeling relaxed that much, he went to serve himself some alcohol in the kitchen. After a few glasses, he felt lighter, ready to face his situation, and the blond sitting in his living room. He came back to the living room with the bottle of sake and two glasses. He poured one for his friend and another one for himself.

Naruto remained silent for a few moments. He waited for his friend's response, which did not come. So, he watched him. The dark-haired young man looked more relaxed than he did in weeks. But the blond wouldn't be fooled, not when his friend looked a little lost, a little tired while staring at nothing in particular on the floor.

Happiness for the blond required two things; one of them included family. His friend was lucky to have found a brother, an uncle and he had a child on the way with an amazing girl. Yet, Sasuke wasn't half that happy. Instead, he was moping around, brooding and worse of all, he wanted to stay in Konoha! Naruto couldn't understand what was really going through Sasuke's head. There was no logic in his actions. Itachi was ready to fly him away and fix everything. What's the point of exposing himself like that? Didn't he care about his own life?

Was there something he's missing?

Suddenly, Sasuke looked back at him.

"I give up." Sasuke said, but Naruto looked puzzled. He elaborated. "I don't want the money. They can keep it for all I care. I'll just focus on my child. Thinking about him makes me feel…" He trailed off, but his small smile was worth thousand words.

"Yes! That's the spirit right there." Naruto nodded as he finally took a sip of his drink while Sasuke was through half of his. "You can let it go now, cut your losses, maybe change your name… and then come back after a couple of years."

"No, I'll stay in Konoha."

Naruto was dumbfounded for a minute before sputtering. "Are you -insane?"

"Look, we both know that she just cares about money."

"Exactly-"

"That's why I'm gonna go to her house tomorrow again. I'll sign whatever paper she needs to hand over my rights or something."

The blond shoved down his bewilderment. "Maybe you should talk first with Itachi-"

"No-"

"Sasuke, you listen. At least, he'll give you one bodyguard… or two. Your plan seems to be sound but you never know. She might be insane."

"No, he won't. He'll just try to talk me out of it."

"I hope he does, and if he doesn't, he'll still get you protection."

"If he doesn't convince me he'll just try to ruin my plan."

"I ain't sure about where you're going with this."

"Uncle Izuna and Itachi are determined to knock her out of her position, so I'm their best shot for now."

"Is it that bad?"

"How about this? Itachi suggested getting into her pants this evening."

Naruto coughed out his drink and wheezed so hard, Sasuke had to bring him some water. "No fuckin' way." He said between chuckles. "Maybe you should warn him."

Sasuke scoffed. "What for, maybe they deserve each other. They both sure love money just as much." He downed too quickly the rest of his drink, coughing in the process. This conversation was leaving a bad taste in his mouth.

"Be careful with hating everyone. Itachi's nothing like her, he's a good guy and he's family. I think he's trying to get closer to you. Don't miss your chance."

"Even so, he's still after that money. In fact, a lot of people are after that money." Sasuke stayed silent as he reflected on his last words. "I won't get involved anymore but I'm sure as hell not running away."

Naruto suppressed the need to groan and complain. "Look, I know Konoha is home but-"

Sasuke chuckled lowly, his eyes becoming dimmer. "Hasn't feel like one in a long time."

"Uh… no matter how you feel, it's still though. You even have projects and stuffs here."

"Something tells me she isn't just going to let me accomplish them."

"Yeah, well, Itachi isn't going to let her either. I'm sure he's going to figure out something. You won't always have to live away."

"I'm sure he is." Sasuke replied with a mild bite to his voice. "But, even if he did find something, there's nothing left for me here anyway."

"Now you're just looking for excuses to brood. Since when is Konoha not your home? Your ass grew here, all your friends are here. I don't know if it's your fourth glass of sake talking but-"

"She's ruined everything, Naruto. Even that." Somehow, amidst his rant, Naruto heard Sasuke, and something inside his friend's words made him stop talking. Sasuke's look shut the blond up, literally, figuratively. "When I walk down some streets, I see her. When I heard some songs, I see her. She's everywhere. Not one day goes by without my mind conjuring her up. She's haunting me."

"Are you sill-" Naruto asked after some time went by. His voice was barely above a whisper, his stance and tone betraying his feelings. He dreaded the answer. Out of anxiety, out of omen.

The same cocktail of emotions took ahold of Sasuke. He tightened his fist, yet his hand kept trembling under the weight of fighting to keep everything unwanted bottled inside. If he kept repeating it as a mantra, as a prayer, maybe then it'd at last free him from his incomprehensible turmoil.

"It's not love, Naruto. I know what being in love feels like. This isn't it." He looked up at Naruto, stared at him. He defied him to contradict him like Itachi did that evening. "It wouldn't make any sense to love someone that despises me, stepped onto my heart and tried to kill me. You know me Naruto. I'm not like that and I tend to be easily unforgiving."

"Well, I… I don't know what to say. I don't know yet, but you'll figure out a way."

Naruto didn't add anything else. Sasuke breathed again. He even allowed himself to tease his friend. "Here we go again, with your Talk-no-Jutsu."

"Here we go again blablabla." Naruto singsonged with disdain, even though his voice was still affected by their previous conversation. "What's up with that? It doesn't even mean anything. By the way, it's just called motivational speech, okay?"

"Either way, I feel unmotivated, so you suck at it."

"Tch, you'd miss 'em speeches if you went to England and its gloomy clouds."

"Wow, you know about England's weather? Do you actually read baka?"

"I actually read, okay? I ain't no dumb blond, teme." Naruto huffed. "Anyway, I've got a date."

"Karin, uh? I remember last time at the bar… So, this is it, uh?"

"Fuck no! Going out with a relative is more than gross."

"…What do you mean?"

"I've been trying to find my family. I didn't find anything about my father and with little I've got from the orphanage about my mother, I found about Uzumaki family and later, about Karin. It's really amazing to discover you don't come from another planet -poor superman."

"Why didn't you say anything earlier about her or seeking your family?"

"You've got so many problems and wouldn't stop mopping around, so I didn't want to add mine on top. Everything's okay now… She's changed from the girl you knew. I'd have loved to have you in the family too. Uzumaki Sasuke kind of sounds… uh…"

"I'm grateful to not be related to you and Karin. Also, it sounds ugly."

Sasuke smirked and Naruto laughed.

"You fucking dickhead."

Despite their constant fight, Naruto was precious to him. He was his closest friend after all, and he was grateful for what the blond had been doing for him since the beginning his problems. It had sucked less thanks to him. If he were to follow his instincts he'd have told Naruto that but it wasn't his style. Maybe someday, he would actually show it instead of interiorizing everything.

"See you Teme."

Naruto opened the door, and everything went downhill.

Sasuke heard an odd noise. It was a muffled and it sounded three times. Sasuke looked back at the entrance, confused, and saw Naruto fall to the ground, blood tainting his tanned fingers.

The adrenaline rushed violently through Sasuke's vein and hurt him; his brain seemed to work faster and not at the same time. His gut twisted violently, urging him to vomit. Nothing came out.

He immediately realized that his friend was bleeding and groaning. But the one minute of slow motion his mind went through was enough for the shooter and his crew to enter abruptly into his living room.

Obito was standing a few steps from him, staring impassively at him. His face didn't stand out from his accomplices, all frozen in that same cold mask. But of more immediate importance was the silver gun that was pointed toward a bleeding Naruto, a finger on the trigger, ready to fire. Another one was against his temple, and Obito moved a bit to the side.

"Your friend might survive but one word and he'll follow you." Obito said.

Two of the three men that came with Obito seized Sasuke by each arm and their obvious strength made any move impossible.

"What do you want?"

"I'm sure you can guess." Obito firmly pushed his gun against Sasuke's temple. "I'm quite surprised -astonished even. You came to defy Hinata and insulted her openly this evening, and yet you came back to your apartment, without security on top of that. I can't believe Itachi is this stupid."

So that was how everything would end. Naruto would die because he had been too stupid, too slow. It would be his entire fault because he couldn't… he stared back icily into Obito's eyes.

"Just finish what you came for instead of telling me how much you enjoy wagging your tail for her."

"Maybe you deserve this after all."

"Go ahead then!"

Obito moved back in front of sasuke, blocking his view of Naruto. He pressed the muzzle of his gun against Sasuke's forehead who stared straight into his eyes without flinching. Sasuke wasn't breathing anymore.

"Obito?"

"Yes Zero."

As soundless as it did when attacking Naruto, the bullet pierced the air.

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Hinata had conjured up the same images over and over again in her head to such an extent that they were anchored deep within her, seeping into her veins and her heart, leaving burning anger and pain in their wake. She would rather just feel the anger without the pain involved, but that was enough for now.

After going through the list of her enemies, she went again.

Rage and pain roared inside.

She could feel it.

Taste it.

Sasuke and Sakura getting married with a dark haired green eyed little boy holding one of their hands. They'd both smile condescendingly at her, mock her for being naïve enough to hope for such a life with him.

Danzo taking part at the wedding too. He'd belittle her, conspire with Sasuke.

Itachi and Izuna pulling her out of the house, kidnapping her. They'd bring her to an isolated place where they'd leave her to die.

Madara, the torture he made her go through, stripping away any hope she held for her future. He'd taken her in, made her play all of his sick game and never actually married her. She remembered discovering that Izuna was right, that their marriage certificate was a fake one. This scenario, unlike the previous ones, was not a figment of her imagination.

Each time she repeated the images inside her head, they grew more wretched, more hurtful. She added, every time, more elements that didn't necessarily reflected reality but that fueled her hatred nevertheless. Unfortunately for her, the more her anger increased, the more her despair and her pain did proportionally.

Her life couldn't continue like this.

No.

She jumped to her feet.

All of her dreams have been shattered and she was a shell of her former self. She realized she couldn't survive if she stayed this way, not when she was about to lose everything, not when the mere sight of Sasuke still affected her… not when she's so many enemies out there. She needed to be something more, something ruthless, dangerous… a monster.

Like Madara.

Yesterday was her first panic attack. She'd thought she was dying. Her past, especially Sasuke, was killing her little by little. One step at a time. He wasn't going to win.

Hatred.

Vengeance.

Once she made up her mind, she went looking for Zetsu. Unlike Obito he would help. That much she was certain of, because unlike Obito, Zetsu didn't care about her. Obito… She'd wanted to ignore that fact but how can she after yesterday. He'd tried to talk her out of her stupor, defended her against the other Uchiha, his own family, and he'd hugged her throughout her panic episode. Time and again she had been at his mercy, yet he'd never taken advantage of it. Yesterday proved to her that Obito wanted to feed the light inside her… and Zetsu her darkness.

So that's why both men didn't agree on whether or not she should torture Danzo that was held captive in the basement. Zetsu saw that as a good initiation into this new life she's choosen, a good way to get her hardened. Obito was bargaining though. He was trying to see the point of her becoming another Madara but she saw through his mask, through his obvious attempts to preserve what was left of her innocence. She could see through his words, yet she couldn't read the look he was giving to her.

"I guess it can't be helped." He said, as he held her gaze with the cryptic look.

"I can't stay weak forever, Obito-san." She said, her tone diametrically opposed to the one from yesterday. Her stance was still opposite to his like previous days, but she hoped he could read her gratitude and her affection. For good measure, she spoke again. "This isn't anything personal…"

"I know Hinata…" His voice grew a bit softer around her name, but his eyes stayed the same, never betraying his emotions.

"Thank you…"

"Then I guess you'll be happy to learn that Sasuke's dead."

They stood there for a long, frozen time. It was the equivalent of five heartbeats –five heartbeats during what time stopped, universe ended for Hinata. But in reality, time never stops and the universe never fails to move on.