-19-
„The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word 'crisis.' One brush stroke stands for danger; the other for opportunity. In a crisis, be aware of the danger - but recognize the opportunity."
John F. Kennedy (1917 - 1963), Speech in Indianapolis, April 12, 1959
„Some relationships start with fights... But, usually only in romantic comedies. Life's not the movies."
Takayuki Ikkaku, Arisa Hosaka and Toshihiro Kawabata, Animal Crossing: Wild World, 2005
„Love is everything it's cracked up to be…It really is worth fighting for, being brave for, risking everything for."
Erica Jong, O Magazine, February 2004
--
Do you know how it happens…in movies? A girl meets a boy. They fall in love first instant. They both get instantly stupid. Then, they realize they want to stay stupid all the time. And so they stay together to stay stupid. Forever.
For a while there, I thought I could finally stay stupid and completely ignorant to what the rest of the world thinks about my love object.
However…
I was so stupid that I broke my own stupidity.
And for what?
Oh, come on, Yamanaka! You perfectly know for what. You were still hoping that your beloved ex-boyfriend would realize that he made a mistake, getting rid of you. You're such a bitch.
Like you didn't know he just got bored of you.
Like you didn't know he just wanted to use you.
Like you didn't know…didn't know that he never loved you.
Like you didn't know you were risking everything.
Like you didn't just lose everything.
Ino Yamanaka kneeled in front of the window of her own house, water dripping from her wet hair and leaving stains on the carpeted floor. She flinched when she moved again, trying to stand up: the pain between her legs didn't go away, not even after two days. A sad smile crept onto Ino's lips. That's not your body, you idiot, that's your soul. Your sinful, bitchy soul.
Ino didn't stand up. She couldn't lift her body.
Do I deserve to live?
Everything stayed motionless…except tears…and blood on a broken glass…
-x-
Sakura stepped inside her and Sasuke's home with a relieved sigh. Those exhibitors are driving me nuts! Why the hell I should draw a painting, if I don't want to? Sheesh, what the hell is wrong with them anyway? Have they no respect for artists anym-
"Itachi?!" Sakura yelled when she saw Sasuke's big brother sitting on a couch and looking straight at her with his mysterious grin.
"It's been a while, Sakura" he greeted her.
"How did you…"
"Sasuke has enough sense to keep an extra key, hidden above the door" he closed his eyes for a while, then looked up at her again.
"I meant to speak with you"
"Well, you could've just called me" Sakura shrugged and tossed herself in an armchair in front of Itachi. Jules jumped onto the backrest oh the armchair and nervously waved his tail, looking straight at the guest "what do you want?"
"From the way you speak" Itachi noted calmly "I assume you disapprove of me, working for the hospital"
"You're not working for the hospital. You're working in! And the place you're working in bothers me" Sakura barely held her anger "why do you want Sasuke to slip up so much"
"I don't. I just think he could learn some safer ways to treat his patients"
"Oh, so you're all about the teaching now" Sakura leaned forward "you know, I don't believe a thing you say. You almost cost that woman her life, because you put restrictions on Sasuke's department" she scoffed "you seriously think I don't get anything, do you?"
"No, I think you get a little too much" Itachi let out a little, mute laugh "Sasuke, on the other hand, doesn't get a thing. Neither about patients, nor about you. Truth is, he's too lucky to have you around"
"Oh, so now you're telling me I should just ditch him of your recommendation?" Sakura cocked her eyebrow at him.
"No, I'm saying you will ditch him of my recommendation" Itachi stated calmly.
A minute of silence.
"Is this some practical joke?" she asked, her voice trembling a bit.
"No, it's actually a proposal" Itachi stood up and walked to the window "as you know, I'm now in a position, when I can take away the thing Sasuke's best at: medicine. If I get him to screw up, which is very likely, considering his reputation among all the doctors, he'll loose his medical licenses and will end up never practicing medicine again. Actually, right now this is the easiest thing to do"
"And?" Sakura whispered, her eyes wide and full of fear. She was afraid to know the following answer.
"And there, I have a proposal. I resign from Konoha Medical Committee and never interfere with my brother's life again IF you agree to go away from him" Itachi turned away from the window and looked down at Sakura.
"And…come back to you?" she gulped.
"No" Itachi scoffed "I don't think you could ever live naturally and unrestricted by my side, so no. That would be too much to ask from you" he walked closer to Sakura "but you must leave. As far away from Sasuke, as you can. And never come back"
"Why are you doing this?" Sakura whispered in trembling voice "why do you hate him so much?"
Silence.
Some sadness mixed into Itachi's voice.
"My brother is…straight-forward, brilliant and an ass. And he always gets away with it. He still has friends, has life, has a job he enjoys so much. He has you. Truth is" Itachi scoffed again "there will be a time, when he comes to a thin red line, where he won't be able to get away with it. I don't hate him. I just…care about him"
"And that's your way of showing it?!" Sakura yelled and stood up "you're his bigger brother! You're supposed to protect him from bad things, not do them to him!"
"It's necessary. Because you also won't be happy with him"
"I am happy with him!" Sakura's cheek was touched by a hot tear "I love him" she whispered "don't you get it?" Itachi sighed inaudibly and brushed the tear away from her face.
"Then why are you crying?"
"Because I hate to hurt him. And I hate to even think about leaving him"
"I see" Itachi walked past her and stopped only in front of the exit door.
"Find happiness somewhere else, Sakura. My proposal is on. You can sink with him, or you can save him from a life-time of misery. You know him better than anyone else. Without his job, he will be miserable. I'm waiting your answer"
And he closed the door, leaving Sakura in an overflow of tears.
Jules jumped on her lap and stroke his head through Sakura's wet cheek, purring silently to comfort her.
"Jules…what should I do?"
-x-
Sasuke was sitting behind his desk, legs on it, and playing with red yo-yo with a sign Coca-Cola on it. Karin walked in.
"I have a case, so spear me some hours" she stated.
"What kinds of patient?" Sasuke cocked an eyebrow at her.
"Nothing you'd be interested in" the woman sighed "she cut her veins and lost a lot of blood. Physically, there's nothing wrong with her, as long as she gets blood transfusion"
"And mentally?"
"That's the part where I'm interested and you're not, right?" Karin smiled lightly at him "why are you interested in this?"
Sasuke shrugged.
"No reason. Just needed to make sure you won't screw up, while my brother's roaming around"
"Hey, I know he was a jerk with that woman, but giving respiridone to a dying patient did seem a little-"
"It was the only way, and you know it" Sasuke cut her off.
"Yes, I do. I also know you should talk to your brother" Karin sighed and turned around to leave "that might help, you know"
Great, now everybody around me has at least once said the infamous phrase "talk to Itachi". If they're trying to teach me that something's more important that my pure hatred to him…oh well, that's a shame. Oh well, it's almost four. Time to go home. Better stop at the supermarket or Sakura's going to steal my before-sleep coffee… again.
-x-
Naruto was lying on bed, reading some article of medicine. Hinata was sitting in front of a desk, slowly mixing cards in her hands. Naruto rolled over and looked at his (now) fiancée.
"Hey, I thought you weren't doing this thing before the baby is born" he noted, frowning his eyebrows.
"I know" Hinata answered in a whisper "but…I really feel like throwing the cards now, Naruto"
"But…why? Is there something wrong with you two?" he walked to Hinata and knelled down, putting his palm on her belly. Hinata smiled warmly at him and touched his firm cheek.
"It's not us, dear. It's Sasuke…and Sakura" she explained.
"What? What's wrong?" Naruto's eyes widened even more.
"I'll know soon" she turned away from him "just….give me few minutes"
-x-
It was a late evening, when Sakura and Sasuke were sitting together, in front of sparkling fire. They weren't talking, weren't doing anything, just sitting there, hugging each other.
"Sasuke" Sakura suddenly whispered in barely audible voice.
"Hm?" was his barely audible answer.
"I forgot that I haven't told you something" she whispered on.
"Is it something embarrassing?" he asked. It would usually come with a sound of irony, but now Sasuke's voice was steady, low and…somewhat tired.
"No" Sakura smiled vaguely. She turned her head and gently pressed her lips to Sasuke's ear "I love you" she whispered. It didn't even leave a glimpse of a word in a room…but it left a huge sparkle in Sasuke's heart.
"I thought that was kinda obvious" he said, smirking…with pleasure.
"Idiot" Sakura whispered, also with a smile "it's when you're supposed to say 'I love you too'"
"Fine" Sasuke turned Sakura's face gently towards his and placed a soft, warm kiss on her lips "I love you too" he whispered, hot breath pouring on Sakura's lips.
A small tear rolled down Sakura's cheek.
Sasuke brushed it away with his finger and looked at her inquiringly.
"Sorry" Sakura laughed a little, trying to hold back the rest of the tears that were threatening to pour out "I guess I…got a little sentimental"
"Or just tired" Sasuke checked her pupils, then her pulse.
"Are you playing doctor now?"
"Hey, I am a doctor" Sasuke smirked "and you're going to bed" he took her by waist and knees and lifted in bridal style. Sakura hugged his neck and attached herself to Sasuke's strong body, when he was carrying her upstairs.
"Is my condition that bad?" she whispered, when he laid her on the bed. Sakura's arms didn't seem to have enough strength to let Sasuke go, so he just climbed into the bed and attached her to himself.
"Seem so. But you can tell me what is really off once you get some sleep" Sasuke brushed some strands of pink hair from her face.
"Don't go anywhere tonight" Sakura whispered, her voice trembling a bit "please"
"I promise"
-x-
Itachi was sitting in his apartment, watching the nightlife of New York City through panoramic windows. Around him, the only source of light now was his cell phone, which he flipped open to read a text message.
A victorious smile bloomed in his lips.
Then…a small tear.
Then, a soft, but sad scoff.
"Figures"
--
A/N: So, as you can see, this story is about to meet its end…so, next chapter….we'll find out (I hope) whether Sakura's leaving or not….and even if she does, whether she'll come back or not (personally, I'd like to know that too :DDD) so, thankies once and once and ONCE again for reviews and….see you guys later.