VIII
When Sakura and Light finally part, she leaves for her bedroom, clutching nervously at the collar of her gown. Light watches her exit, paying special attention to the silky fabric move ever-so peculiarly with her hips. Completely out of the vicinity, Light sigh in slight disappointment—he could've watched her all day. He then situates himself back on the couch and watches a historical documentary. It revolves around the subject of the war between humans and chakura-users, so it seemed pretty convenient.
It starts out with actual pictures of the battlefield in Japan, completely flattened out and black with death and fire. Corpses line the streets and dangle from dilapidated buildings. No one was left alive, nothing roamed—even the enemy.
Japan was decimated.
Light rolls his hand into a fist while taking his first sip.
The image is so clear, so focused and lacking of blur to contort it. He holds a rifle in his hands, sweating and panting, dirt sticking to his flesh with comrades' splattered blood. He kneels behind a collapsed tree, the thick trunk providing more than enough cover. Gunfire dives into the wood, shredding it to splinters. The zipping bullets dashing over his head throw him into a panic. His breathing deepens until a hand pats his shoulder and rests there. Light looks to his right, the sun almost blinding him. He is reminded that he's not alone by L's kind smile, the beams of sunlight behind his form depicting him as an angel.
"With military power being greatly depleted after the conquer of Italy, most civilians were drafted," the Narrator says plainly.
It's put so simply. Italy was conquered, but civilians had to be drafted—a minor inconvenience in the battle of pride. They say the number of casualties, but they don't say how they died, what some lived for or died for. They don't say that these numbers are people. And that the only way anyone could truly understand that fact is if they were there.
L says something, but his words are drowned out by combat. No matter what he said, even if it was a pestering insult, it was all Light needed. He didn't need to hear any moving speeches of encouragement, no sentimental lectures to tell him not to fear death or cower before his soldier brethren. All he needed to remember was what they were fighting for, why they were there.
The war ends several months ahead.
Subsequent to the conclusion of the program, Light continues to think, continues to remember and build his hate. He pays no attention to the unfinished drinking his hand, or the next program coming up—another war between America and some other country, fought hundreds of years ago.
The morning dawn gleams through the uncovered windows in the living room. The light shines over Light, making him glow with unintentional mastery.
He doesn't notice.
Sakura stumbles in, rubbing her eyes with a yawn, heading to fix some tea and a morning's breakfast. She stops when she looks at the back of Light's head. From her position, it's difficult to tell if he's asleep or not, so she quietly merges forth. Reaching the side of the couch, she sees his open eyes.
He blinks.
"Light? What're you doing awake so early? Did you sleep alright?"
Light lifts his gaze from the table in front of him, drifting slowly back into reality.
A woman with bright white teeth advertises how well an unknown brand of toothpaste works.
"Light?"
He faces the worrying beauty next to him, her quaint arm reaching out to place a hand on his shoulder, the shoulder that reminded him of what truly matters. "Hello, Sakura, Did you sleep well?"
He didn't notice her before now.
"Did you sleep at all?"
Light thinks for a moment, his face vaguely perplexed, "I don't know."
His blasé tone makes her sigh. And, figuring Light is strong enough to overcome his absent-minded nature without her help, she leaves for the kitchen, saying she'll make something for the both of them.
The distant memory of her chocolate delights runs across Light's mind, and he jumps off the couch in response, "I'll help you!"
They prepare a fried egg over nato with a bowl of miso soup. After the preparations are complete, they go to Sakura's back porch and enjoy the morning peace.
The border of the property is traced with trees, promoting privacy. The grass is lush and thriving, dripping with dew. In the distant, calm water rests in a large oval-shaped pool.
They sit on elegant—but not too flashy—chairs, set on each side of the loveseat wedged in between.
Light eagerly digs into the nato, pleased that he was able to sway Sakura's plan to douse it in salt. Sakura readies a mouthful, but retreats, resting it back in the bowl, "Naruto and I would always eat here for breakfast together."
Light stops eating, mouth full, remembering his deceased friend.
"I haven't been out here since…"
He swallows his bite, contemplating if he should leave, if maybe he's violating the sacred grounds of their deep-seeded love.
"I'm glad to be here with you," she confesses, fiddling with her food.
Light stiffens with wide eyes, lightly blushing and filling with anxiety. Snapping out of it in the next second, he continues on with his meal, eating rater fashionably hence forth.
When they finish eating, they indulge in the calm atmosphere of the environment. Birds chirp and dance in the sky with one another. A small breeze picks up, brushing their hair to one side.
Light watches her smile at the sun hiding behind large, puffy white clouds, the dimmed light illuminating all of her enticing features. And, deciding it be the perfect opportunity, he moves over to the loveseat, sitting closest to her, and tentatively wraps his fingers around her soft hand. She doesn't realize until several moments later, her delayed reaction making Light calm to his successful act of bravery.
When she does finally notice, her eyes open wide. She looks down at their intertwined fingers, first with just her eyes, then her face moves along with the motion. The sight forces her racing heart to leap, skip beats, and fill her with blossoming serenity.
Light makes sure to keep his line of vision forward, just in case her reaction is that of disheartening. Purification beads at his forehead as he struggles with his breaths, the anticipation of rejection being far too awesome.
He manages to keep his eyes locked on a lady bug daintily resting on a blade of grass.
With his greatly enhanced vision, this task is feasible.
Sakura's grip tightens.
Light nearly jumps out of his seat in shock, composing himself directly afterward to look into those Jade orbs without fret. A small smile appears on her lips. His heart still pounds against his ribcage, but gazing at the masterwork nature created, his being spreads with tranquility.
Their faces begin to close in.
Light gradually closes his eyes, wanting nothing more than this moment to seek fruition.
Sakura's half-closed eyes scan Light's alluring image, her lips wishing to discover his, until Naruto sits in front of her instead.
She jolts away, shaken. Light opens his eyes in wonder and exhaustion, this teasing getting significantly stressful. She slips her hand from his grasp and steadies herself on her feet, stammering. Light rises to his feet, holding out his arms to comfort her almost-traumatized reaction. She shakes her head and takes a step back, lifting her arms to create a barrier between them, repeatedly saying "no" in a trembling voice.
"I, uh, I'm sorry. I-I have to get to work now." She hustles to the door, knees ready to buckle. Sliding the door open, she squeaks out, "Don't forget your things when you head out." And she's gone.
Light drops his arms in defeat.
Twice he's finally had the opportunity to claim the treasure he's so longed for, ever since laying his eyes on her, and he's failed both times. He flops back on the loveseat, groaning, thinking his approach was enough to send negative signals before the attempted kiss. He tries to convince himself that this isn't right, that his best friend wouldn't appreciate Light's moving in on his widow nearly directly after his demise. Light tries to convince himself that it would be best if he stayed away, so that Sakura may mourn, properly, and she wouldn't have to struggle drastically between past and present. But he is too enamored with her to stop now, having felt what her flesh is like, the scent of her naturally sweet aroma, the sound of her harmonious voice. It is all too tantalizing.
He must have her.
L steps out of the elevator to the training room in which his former team was assembled—only now it is empty. His team still undergoes scrutinization. He crosses his arms, visibly irritated with Light's decisions.
But his irritation can only go far.
Despite all that he has done, and all that he will do, L can only hate Light so much. He can't help but appreciate him for what they went through, for sticking by each other's side even when one was injured and it would've be so easy to abandon them. Putting aside their differences, they could be close friends—but L could never do it. L knows he stands no ground when compared to Naruto, the bond he and Light shared.
He shakes the notion off, along with his accompanying jealousy.
Meanwhile, Sasuke and Neji walk the streets under transformation, looking as two young women, blonde, with baggy clothes and running shoes. Neji's hair travels down to his back, straight an flexible, whereas Sasuke's doesn't pass his shoulders, layered and stiff with product.
They look as twins.
"Why are we getting this guy a couch again?" Sasuke drones on, complaining with a slouch in his shoulders.
"Because he damaged it trying to save your measly life."
"He didn't do anything, it was all…the lady." They have to be careful when using names.
"He took us in, that's all he needed to do."
"Yeah, I get that, but he's just going to get caught anyway. I mean, when you guys left me on the floor, I had to have left a trail."
"We'll just have to hope that bleach he was using to clean it up works."
The two hush for several moments while a crowd walks past them, a result of a passible crosswalk. In the midst of the crowd, there are two men talking. One has the glasses, the other has short black hair—these are their notable qualities.
The one with glasses smiles, "She's a hard worker too. She only just started because she was at the hospital for personal reasons. But she blows the rest of the secretaries out of the water. I'll give her a raise soon for her hard work."
"What's this gal's name again?"
"Sakura Haruno."
Sasuke catches wind and turns around, halting. Neji takes heed and stops as well.
"S-…" Neji quickly cuts himself off, "What is it?"
Sasuke lunges for the two men speaking, "Did you say Sakura?" His voice is harsh and demanding, but the two men aren't about to take that form of behavior from a woman. They shove him off with a threat.
Meaningless.
Sasuke takes one of their shoulders and whips him around, "Where is Sakura?! I need to see her, it's urgent!"
Neji slaps his face, gravely disappointed.
"Just tell her already Aoi, what could the harm be?"
"You're right," The man with short black hair stares into Sasuke's eyes with a glare, noticing something. "You're really strong for a woman. You're practically holding me off the ground."
Neji grips Sasuke's shoulder, signaling that they should go.
"I work out," Sasuke spits.
"I guess, but you shouldn't be out here, you should be at work. All women's jobs start at eight, and it's ten. Even the ones that don't work, they're not allowed outside until the women's work shift is over—unless they have a lot of power, like the Mayor or something, or if you have a permission slip written from the Department—which is rare."
Neji yanks Sasuke back, making him lose his grip on the man. "Let's go," He whispers.
Filled with rage and defeat, Sasuke reluctantly agrees.
The man smiles while pulling out his phone as they leave in the opposite direction.
Speedily turning the corner, Neji pulls Sasuke into an empty alley, slamming him against the wall. "Are you insane?"
"What? We can just change our appearance."
"No you idiot, I meant that recklessness. Do you understand that Sakura has moved on, choosing Naruto over you?"
Sasuke grits his teeth, "Shut up."
"She's probably moving on to someone else now that he's not here anymore."
"Dammit Neji—"
"I'm not saying this to egg-on your demented actions, but for you to realize that she is irrelevant. We're here for one thing and I don't want to die before I see tomorrow, but you will do just that if you keep this up. We aren't here for Sakura, got it?"
Sasuke sighs, scowling, "Got it."
Neji releases him and transforms into a lanky man with straight-cut hair just beyond his shoulders. Sasuke transforms into a strapping man with shaved brown hair, bangs still long enough to whip from his eyes. They wear trench coats with suits underneath.
Sirens can be heard in the distance.
"Try not to freak out," Neji says.
It comes closer and closer, moving at an extraordinary speed. In not to long, a vehicle stops at the corner they confronted the two men—whom still stand there, explaining the situation to the hidden identities of the officers.
As Sasuke and Neji walk by, one of the five officers yells sternly, "Halt!"
They do.
The officer walks up to them, gun in-hand, face masked by black glass. "Did you two see anything?"
"See what?" Neji is calm and collected.
"Two women, blonde, assaulted these men in an attempt to assassinate one of their employees."
"Women? Doesn't that bring their name to shame. I can honestly say I didn't see anything of the sort."
The two men that were "assaulted" listen in, brimming with frustration and embarrassment at the fact.
"And you?" The officer looks in Sasuke's direction.
He shakes his head with an innocent look, "No, sir."
The officer pauses for a moment, "Alright, you may go."
Sasuke and Neji bow at the officer before turning and continuing their walk. Sasuke waits many minutes before taking out the business card that man had in his pocket, having swiped it in the tussle.
"Can we go someplace before getting the couch?"
"Sure, as long as it's not too far off from where we're headed. Where?"
"Just follow me. I know it well."