I wake up from darkness, only to lay eyes on the pinkette covered in blood and bruises. Sakura? Why didn't I protect you...What happened to me? "Sakura...point out the ones who pummeled you into that state!" I sneer as I look at the battered girl in front of me. She blinks in surprise. "Sasuke..?"
"Who was it..?!" I demand. Running through my veins is a power I haven't felt before. This power...! Is this from...HIM?! "It was us!" a cocky voice replies. I look around at the people surrounding us and pinpoint the one who spoke. Sakura looks at me fearfully. "Sasuke...your body...!?" I look down at my arms and see it covered in a strange mark. "Nothing to worry about. I feel fine...strong...bursting with power! I got it from him." And then I open my eyes.
Why was I dreaming about that? I sit up in bed and try to shake away the memory, but it's no use. She was so weak back then. If that happened now...They would be no match for her. I sigh and stand up, only to see that I wasn't where I was expecting to be. I'm in a hotel room and I hear a shower running.
"Oh...right." I remember. After watching the fireworks last night I decided that we should just stay in the town instead of traveling back to our hideout. Sakura was exhausted from the trip, and I wanted to get away from the watchful eyes of the masked idiot. Sakura was a little embarrassed about sharing a room, but all we had left of the money from Tobi went into the one room. And of course the room only had one bed.
I hear the shower turn off so I slid out of bed and walk over to the window. The city was bustling with people. Looks like the festival is still going on. It'll be easy to—
"It'll be easy to leave today. So many people are going in and out of this town, no one will notice us." I turn around to see Sakura towel drying off her hair. She was wearing her new combat clothes, again. "Yes. So I'll shower and then we can get going." I reply to her as I walk over to enter the bathroom. "Wait." Sakura grabs my arm, almost enough to hurt given her strength. "Sasuke, where are we going to go? I don't want to go back to those...those people!"
"...I'm not sure yet." I admit. She shakes her head. "When were you going to decide? And when was I going to be told?" Sakura lets go of my arm and hangs her head. "Have you always been this way...Sasuke?" By the tone of her voice I can tell she's holding back tears. "You know...I may not remember anything, and I may not act like my old self...But I don't know if I've ever understood our relationship." Sakura...I'm sorry. Before I can voice my thoughts, however, she runs out of the room. Out of anger I punch the wall, leaving a huge hole. Should I go after her...? Maybe she needs time to think...Ugh, I don't know her at all. I pace the room back and forth.
If she leaves and runs into anyone we know...What is her problem? I thought everything was going so well. Isn't this what she always wanted? I sigh and then decide to let her do what she wants. I step into the shower while I wait for her to come back.
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
It's been an hour and half since Sakura ran off. I was about to go looking for her when someone pounds on the door. I sense that the person seems low on chakra, so I open the door. "Sasuke." Sakura breathes and clumsily walks in. "What-what happened?" I scowl at her. She waves her hand dismissively. "I ran into someone in the streets. They got all mad at me and wanted to fight. I took 'em down with one punch, and it actually made me feel better. I decided to practice some in a nearby forest...you know, just to calm myself down. I guess I practiced so much that I used up most of my chakra. But I'm fine, really." She gives me a weak smile. I gently sit her down into a chair. "Sakura...about earlier..."
"I'm sorry, Sasuke. I kind of overreacted. I just...I had a dream last night, and I think it was a memory. Or...multiple memories. They all had you, and...You-you would do things without consulting me, and it would hurt me. One had something about a mark on your neck, and I tried to stop you from continuing the exams, but you wouldn't listen to me..." Tears streamed down her face. "Sasuke, I didn't want to lose you. I mean, obviously you finished okay, but at the time...I just felt pain." Sakura sniffles.
"...I had something similar last night,too...Sakura. It was from when I received the curse mark."
"R-really? I thought you said you don't dream?" She replies in surprise. I nod. "I don't...I haven't in years...But it was around the same time that your dream took place."
"Do you think someone put a genjutsu on us?"
"No, as far as I know no one has that ability. And what would be the point of it? I think it's just a coincidence...A very odd coincidence."
"Oh..." She looks down again. "Sakura..." I put my hand under her chin to make her look at me. "I'm...sorry. I've never...I've never been open. All that was on my mind was revenge for my clan when we were younger. You and Naruto tried to get in, but I always pushed you away. Even since leaving the village...I've never overcome that. I'll try to be better about that, okay?" Did I really just admit all that? "Thanks...Sasuke." She gives me a genuine smile and wipes the tear stains off her face. "So...where are we going?" She finally asks. "I think...we can stay here. Just one more day. It'll give us time to decide what to do."
"Okay. Then what do you want to do, Sasuke-kun? Like for breakfast. It's almost 9:30 and I'm starving! And I would rather not have soggy cereal this time." She teases as we both stand up. Almost on cue my stomach growls loudly. Sakura lightly laughs and grabs my hand. "I heard that the hotel serves breakfast all day during the festival! Which is a good thing, too, because we used all of Tobi's money on this room."
"Actually...I brought money. Just in case we planned on leaving. I also brought this scroll that is holding all of our belongings." I pull two scrolls out of my bag, one reading Sakura and the other Sasuke. "Wait, you were prepared for us running away?" She gives me a smirk and I return one back. "Well...I think you're stronger than any of those three I had picked out. Tobi might be onto us, though. So after today we really need to head out. If you want to..." I can feel my face start to heat up. I just want to keep you safe, Sakura.
"Sasuke..What was our goal, again? To destroy Konoha?" I squeeze her hand and nod my head. "Then let's hurry up and do it. All of our problems started there, and I have a feeling that once it's gone...we can make better memories."
A/N: Not too long, I know. I've worked on it like three different settings, now, but I think I'm satisfied with it. What do you guys think? Please leave a review! Thanks for reading!