A/N: crazymel2008 requested that I do a one shot from Sasuke's POV involving his feelings during 699. Unfortunately, I kind of couldn't do the 'time-skip after 2 years' because I have to keep this within the theme/story of my little series, so I hate to dissapoint, and I changed the chapter order to have it make slightly more sense. But this has barely any speech in it, since it largely revolves around Sasuke's inner feelings (because he's so quiet, who wouldn't want to know what he really thinks?) So, yeah, I kind of tried to do my best with this, so if there are any mistakes in spelling or word order etc... please tell me in the reviews because I'm a grammar freak.
crazymel2008, please don't hate me for not doing exactly what you asked :(
He wasn't sure what to expect when Kakashi's dogs appeared out of the blue. One minute, he was simply strolling out of a village, having assisted an elderly couple in fixing a hole in their roof, as part of his redemption. Fixing, and not destroying. The next, he was surrounded by four-footed companions of varying size and breed. They peered at him, pensively, as if they were on the verge of having something to say, but couldn't seem to fathom the correct words to say it. The tiny pug with a Konoha forehead protector seemed to flicker something in his memory. He'd seen it before during his Genin days, back when he was desperately trying to uphold a battle with the half-transformed Gaara. He frowned in confusion at the little dog, which stared at him, with a forever sombre expression. What was its name again? Pukan? Pekun? Ah, Pakkun, that was it.
"Uchiha Sasuke" the pug spoke, breaking the awkward silence, "We have been sent to you by Kakashi to deliver a message – no – a request, regarding your teammate"
Sasuke's frown grew deeper, as his features darkened, "My teammate? What's Naruto done now?"
Pakkun shook his furry little head, "No, not Naruto. I'm talking about the kunoichi, Haruno Sakura."
Sakura? A jolt of something indefinable ran like electricity through his previously aching muscles. What could they possibly request of him regarding Sakura?
Although he didn't show it often, he sincerely cared about her from the bottom of his heart. No, she wasn't his best friend, as Naruto easily slot into that place in his heart, but it could be said that his feelings regarding Sakura weren't simply platonic. Even he could admit that to himself, however he would never say that out loud. Especially not around Sakura herself or the Dobe. He never used to bear these feelings, but ever since their mission in Land of the Waves, he had been moved and yet surprised somewhat, by the extent to which she had mourned his death. He had felt, for the first time in so long, that someone actually appreciated his existence more than as a teammate. From then on, she had never failed to remind him of her ongoing affection for him, being the light which yanked him forcefully out of his darkness. And maybe…even if it pained him to say this…she wasn't as literally annoying as she was at first…she just annoyingly kept stirring up affectionate feelings within him that he couldn't fully understand…and maybe, it made his insides bubble with happiness whenever she devotedly referred to him as 'Sasuke-kun'.
His eyes focused intently on the tiny ninja-dog, as if to pry for more details.
The dog took note of his intensity, and reported "Kakashi has sent us to notify you on the mental state of Haruno Sakura" He paused, trying to muster the words in his mouth "Her levels of work-related stress, combined with her 'missing' you given the lengthy time you've spent away from Kohona, has resulted in Sakura developing a form of Depression"
Sasuke felt his eyes widen slightly, in paralysing shock, particularly when Pakkun referred to Sakura missing him. His breath caught in his lungs, as a deep ache spread within his chest. Sakura had always brought out the protective urges within him, even before he really acknowledged her, back when he jumped in front of her and Tazuna, arms spread wide, his expression determined. Emotional pain and conflict surged through his veins at the thought of hurting her…again…always hurting her.
But, a part of his being lit up in betrayal at her lack of faith. She had always had so much faith in him, never disappearing or wavering. It was her extreme faith in him that brought him back to her. And somehow, she of all people, would believe that he had abandoned her. Why would her faith crumble now? He sighed, mentally, realising that Sakura was only human. Although she was beautifully strong, both physically and emotionally, there was only so much she could take. The mere thought of her tears for him sent a shiver down his spine.
Sasuke nodded grimly at Pakkun, before turning in the general direction of Konoha and springing up to the nearest tree branch that was large enough to support his weight. The herd of ninja dogs exploded in a puff of smoke, leaving only Pakkun remaining with the Uchiha. He began his journey leaping from branch to branch, as Pakkun provided him with even further details that he was only half-listening to. But, the same word – the same name – repeated desperately on a continuous loop in his mind, Sakura…Sakura…Sakura…Sakura…
He had last seen her at the village gates, as he left for his journey of redemption. Hoping that she would understand his reasoning, he gently rejected her plea to accompany him.
"This is a journey of redemption for me" he explained, trying to tone down his voice, so that she wouldn't get the wrong idea that he disliked her company, "you have nothing to do with my sins"
No, she wasn't a sin in the slightest. In fact, the only sin that he could possibly relate to Sakura, was his previous attempts to annihilate her, which would never fail to evoke sharp pangs of guilt in his stomach whenever he cast his mind back. Sakura was…precious. She was precious to him in a strangely different way to Naruto.
His breath juddered slightly, as she peered down toward her feet, mumbling incoherently in disappointment. It only took a couple of steps until he stood before her, watching with a smirk, as she drew her head from the ground and stared at him, glassy eyed, face flushed.
Lifting his arm, he reached up toward her anxious face, pointing two of his fingers before gently prodding the soft skin of her forehead…The forehead that she hated…The forehead that he loved. Previously, this was a simple, yet powerful gesture of affection strictly between him and Itachi. But having seen Sakura in a different light to how he first saw her, he felt the sudden, necessary urge to share and continue the intimate gesture with her.
"I'll see you when I get back", he told her, softly. It didn't matter if she didn't yet understand what the gesture meant to him and Itachi, because he would turn it into a continuous symbol of his feelings for her. So long as she knew how strongly he actually felt toward her, she didn't need to understand.
His smile melted, as his expression turned sincere. "And thank you", he added, observing her expression as her memories flitted back to when he first left. Yes Sakura, he thought, even back then I still cared.
He didn't remember when Pakkun first stopped talking. Maybe it was when he realised that Sasuke had stopped listening, but it didn't matter now. He had been on the road for such a long time now, and he couldn't help but think that maybe it really was time to return to Konoha, to Naruto, Sakura and all of their friends. So, as he pushed the base of his foot against the bark of a branch, launching himself through the foliage, he smirked to himself.
Sakura, I'm coming home…
