Chapter 3: Disenchantment

Sakura heard the suite's main door open, signaling the return of Naruto and Kakashi. She was in a sofa busying herself with scrolls and a few magazines. They didn't pry on her, or even asked why she'd left so suddenly in the prison, thank goodness.

"We brought you lunch," announced Naruto, lethargically.

"That's fine, but I'm not hungry."

"'Kay," and Naruto dumped her lunch to the garbage, in which surprised Sakura and was about to reprimand the blonde, but the latter just went out of the door again.

"What's up with him?" Sakura asked, and Kakashi looked at her as though she wasn't serious.

"You tell me, Sakura," and he plopped down beside her.

"No, seriously, is he mad at me? Was it because I walked out?" At first, Kakashi didn't answer and just flipped open one of the many books he enjoyed reading. But when she continued to glare at him like that, he conceded.

"Ok, yes of course he's mad."

"Why? Does he take it against me that I couldn't stand the tension?"

Kakashi shrugged. "Maybe he was just expecting too much from you. He might have been hoping you'd be the bigger person and at least try to forgive and forget. After all, Sasuke's in prison now."

That left her pondering for quite a while that afternoon; but she was still upset that nobody thought of what she might have possibly felt after what Sasuke had done. That mindrape before he went off the last time.

Sakura scoffed, she sounded like a brat. Maybe Kakashi was right. Remembering Sasuke's lifelessness earlier today, she realized that maybe it was time to close that book of hatred and let him know that she could still be supportive.

What the heck, maybe I can be that bigger person. She'd just try; no harm in that, was there? And so, she rushed to the market and rummaged for things she knew he could use inside. Toiletries, a few change of clothes, food maybe? Like tomatoes, he still did like tomatoes, right? And fruits.

She stopped whatever she was doing, and contemplated her actions. This was fine, right? She was just being the bigger person, and it wouldn't freak him out if she brought him stuff, right? It's not like she did it out of love. Maybe just something to get her conscience settled, yes. But it was more for being that bigger person.

The clock tower said it was a quarter past two in the afternoon. She still had a lot of time before visiting hours ended, but she didn't waste any time going to the prison. Sakura repeated the procedures she had done earlier today. She already knew the way into the hall, yet she was still accompanied by guards.

She looked fresh and determined to just get this meeting over with, but inside, she was shaking. She couldn't trust herself from acting inappropriately in front of him again. Especially when her actions must have insulted him today.

It's not like all's well for me anyway, even when he's already incarcerated! She thought, justifying her walk out. Pain was still etched so intricately in the depths of her heart. It was only the hopes of having the pain somehow fade away upon seeing him for the last time.

How, after all, could you move on from the heart ache of having been attempted to be killed by the one you love? Not only for one attempt, but no less than several times. That's a silly question. You move on in that very instant. Once was enough, but having it repeated again and again, that's stupidity.

Hence, Sakura cursed herself over and over. But could you blame her? When her heart still clung to that boy who so sincerely thanked her for her feelings, or that man who caressed her before asking her to forget. Or that man, so distraught and lost, who looked at her with what seemed like hopeful eyes just a few hours ago.

Then again, all of these could only be wishful thinking, more so when she refused to confess that she still believed in him. For doing so could easily make her undone.

She was now sitting at the first table near the stairs; and as usual, she was the only one there. While waiting, she prayed that Sasuke wouldn't want to take any visitors, or that something came up and they're closing up early today. But before she could even finish praying, the steel bars of the gates squeaked open and there was Sasuke, dull and unattractive, held by the doorway.

But despite his aura, lacking so much of that aristocratic stance he and his clan was once known for, she was breathless. He sat across her, and looked at her blankly. As if he was bored looking, he laid back on his chair and tapped his fingers on the table impatiently.

"I, I brought you something," she started, and she noticed that his eyebrows moved in confusion. Sakura then opened a basket under the table, and brought out two onigiri. "Uh, there are necessities in the bag, and, and um, I hope you're not stuffed." She handed his share of onigiri, but when he didn't take it, she fumbled with it and awkwardly placed it in front of him.

"Also, S-sasuke-k, Sasuke, I'd like to apologize for what I did today. Maybe I was just unprepared." He didn't answer; but if she would look up from that speck on the table, she could see that he was intently studying her.

He was curious what made her return. Her resentment and disgust were pretty much obvious with the way she almost glared at him earlier today. He was equally suspicious of her motives. Although the Sakura she had known in his younger years was nowhere near a manipulative and sleazy kunoichi, he was wary. After all, if he recalled, she had once tricked him into helping him when she was actually there to kill him.

She was rambling now, although she was still nervous, she was looking settled in her seat, trying to make eye contacts but only minimal. She said she was now a top medic in Konoha, and time after time she was still sent to A-rank missions for she was already a Jounin. ANBU was her dream title, but with all the work in the hospital she didn't have time to take the exam. Maybe soon, she continued.

Her fingers reached for her onigiri and she started taking in small bites. "You should try it, Sasuke, it tastes good," she said. And she upheld her act as though there was no history between them that drifted them apart. And this only made Sasuke more cautious. He still couldn't find a reason; she couldn't possibly be planning on killing him then and there since there were guards everywhere.

There was a long pregnant pause before she inhaled deeply. "Sasuke, y-you see, I, I don't know where to start, but I just want to tell you that whatever happened in the past, I wish to bury it somewhere and start anew. I still tried the understand you, Sasuke. Although, there are times that I fell short."

She had practiced these lines over and over in her head before she went to see him. She was afraid that she might sound scripted, but she at least wanted to show sincerity in her words, even feign it if need be. Today, however, as she the words came out, emotions flooded her, and she found herself actually meaning every word she said. But regretting that she did….

She bit the insides of her cheeks to keep herself in check. "I am still willing to understand you; maybe I would, for a long, long time. I may not, may not l-love you like I used to, but I could be a friend. Let bygones be bygones. It may not be easy, but maybe, in good time."

He could see tears rimming her eyes, and she refused to look at him. Maybe she was serious and didn't have any bad intentions, after all. Silence enveloped them once more. When it was too awkward that he didn't say one word to what she said, she took the basket from under and rested it on the table.

"I need to be going now; they might be worried about me," she announced, and took his onigiri back into the basket. They stood, and she took in his face, his hair. With a lot of courage mustered, she reached out and took his hand to hers. She was surprised he didn't flinched.

His hands felt awfully cold and coarse, in contrast to all her softness. Still, her grip was strong.

"I wish you well, Sasuke-kun. I hope someday, you'd let us take you in when you get out." Her eyes still roamed around his face; this time she wasn't ashamed to show her tears rolling one after another.

He still looked apathetic, or bored. She left it at that, and walked past him.

"Sakura," for the first time, he spoke; his voice still as deep and strong as before. The way he said her name stirred indescribable feelings from within her. Immediately, she turned. "You aren't coming back, are you?"

"What?"

He scoffed. "I figured as much. You didn't have to say all those things if you're planning to disappear."

"I-I'm not!" she lied.

"Forget it. I understand if you don't." With that, Sasuke started walking away to the gates leading to his cell; the basket left untouched. Sakura watched him, writhing that he was calling her a liar (even if she actually was). She tried to be the bigger person, he was arrogant enough that he couldn't even say something back to what she said so earnestly - except for the part where he figured him out, again.

"Hey jerk!" she called out, and he turned with an irritated but amused expression. "What is it with you if I didn't come back to visit?"

"Because you said big things, and it's shameless if you couldn't live up to it," he retorted. "For a minute there, I almost believed you. But clearly, you changed. Maybe we all did."

AN: Thank you all again for the reviews and the favorites, and for simply having the time to read my fic. It's keeping me out of my school requirements, but I'm enjoying it! To hell with thesis! :)

Enjoy, guys~~ :3