"They aren't real, I heard you say.
But in my heart is where they'll stay.
And as long as to the dream I resist
They will in my mind always exist."
-
-
"E-excuse me?"
Sakura cradled the phones receiver to her ear, gingerly stirring spoonfuls of browned sugar into her oatmeal, watching as the sweet steam began to rise, translucent against the white washed walls. Morning sun danced across the delicate embroidery of the tablecloth, casting palm-sized rainbows against the surface of her small meal, a cup brimmed with chilled milk and spiced oatmeal.
"I'm sorry sir but whatever you're selling, I'm not interested. Your company called us last week, we already have enough magazine subscriptions."
The phone was quickly returned to its place, a corner of the kitchen riddled with old grocery lists and a small stainless steel toaster, while Sakura irritably skimmed through the newspaper, bored with the usual political articles and adds of sales price furniture. In-between the different sections was a sandwiched flyer, headline reading, 'Mysterious Killings' in bold red ink. It was a statement issued by the police a month ago when the curfew was instated, men and women being found dead all across town, a serial killer's work no doubt.
The papers were swept into a neat pile before being dumped carelessly in the old recycling basket by the door, left for trash day, which would not be for another week. The since dried oatmeal was scrapped into the sink's disposable drain and the dishes coated with lemon soap, mornings small tasks coming to a close. The phone broke through the peaceful silence, almost as if demanding attention, eventually silenced by the click of the answering machine but no message came.
'Damn salesmen, don't know when to give up.'
Sakura departed, preparing herself for work, but while she was being preoccupied with clothing and lotion she failed to notice that the answering machine had begun to blink red, someone had indeed meant her to hear them.
"Sakura, listen, I'm not a salesman. It's Sasuke, you're neighbor? I'll call at a better time then."
-
-
-
"Ino, wait, wait!"
The rapping of spiked heels against concrete echoed through the somewhat empty streets of downtown Konoha, curfew rendering the city deserted during late hours such as these. Sakura was dressed for the autumn cold but her companion, a tall, blonde haired girl, had brought nothing to block the sharp winds and was hurrying ahead, eager to bask in the warmth of her own home.
"Stop! Ino, we can't get separated, not nowadays!"
This made the teen slow, a look of surprise and fear marring her usually calm features, no one liked to talk about the murders, even the young and careless. Suddenly the buildings about them seemed to turn to shadow and every figure they could make out formidable. Quickly the pair returned to each other's sides, hands grasping at the other, pride and sense forgotten.
"T-Thanks Forehead, you startled me!"
"Let's just go home, Ino P-Pig."
Finally after what seemed to be years they came to the crossroad where the two would split, something both dreaded profusely. Stalling Ino began complaining of the extra hours they had put in at The Ramen Bowl, manager Tsunade being unfair in taking the day off. Topics began to run thin though and both bid each other goodnight before bustling on their own way, panic biting at their heals.
'Oh no, the cars not in the driveway! Where are my parents, where?'
The Uchiha house stood formidably, a tall castle of black, but yesterday's admiration was gone, she had been safe, now she was alone. Beyond, the lights of her house were dim, indeed no one was there.
Dread and adrenalin coursed through her body, feet turning numb with the force of her stride, she was about to bolt, race to the comfort of her own doorstep, but something made her stop.
A light flickered in the window of her bedroom, not enough to be noticeable when entering from the other direction, like a candle or flashlight, dim, casting not but a thin outline. Suddenly the figure of a man became visible, standing by her closet, by her door, crouched in waiting.
"Oh… God."
Suddenly instinct overcame her and she found herself beating blindly on a nearby door.
"Sasuke! Sasuke! God, please, open up!"
She glanced at her room for a moment and let out a desperate scream realizing the person was now gone, the door ajar.
"Sasuke, help, he's coming!"
Then there was warmth, a familiar smell, and two firm arms encasing her. Footsteps echoed close behind but already the door was being shut. Already the person, whomever it was, was to late, Sasuke was with her, he was holding her. The relief was unimaginable; the feeling of the boy so close brought the most intangible joy.
"S-Sasuke, I'm sorry, Sasuke thank you, thank you."
She felt herself sobbing and she felt the floor lift from beneath her feet, she felt the cotton of his shirt, and she felt her tears being wiped away.
"Don't cry, I'm here, don't cry."
-
-
-
"Oh, the years we waste and the tears we waste
And the work of our head and hand
Belong to the woman who did not know
(And now we know that she never could know)
And did not understand."
-
-
-
Edit: Yes, it is somewhat short but I have posted two chapters in two days and in all honesty I thought it better left with her in his arms. When I wrote this I began scaring myself silly (I'm weak at heart, sigh,) An apology to those who don't much understand, I was sick today when I wrote this.