-

-

-

Agrigatou to runwithskizzers, HPBabe91, Rostta, dark dreamerx, and Tears like Crystals for reviewing! Also thanks to all you silent readers for simply reading. And the SasuSaku sketches are posted.

Music: "Don't Speak" by No Doubt.

-

-

-

-

B r o k e n T y p o g r a p h y

-

-

-

-

-

Chapter 6 - Always and Again

-

-

-

Thud.

He gritted his teeth as he punched the block of wood.

Thud.

Over and over again.

Thud.

His knuckles were already red. They were starting to blister from the impacts.

But he didn't care.

Thud.

He had to get stronger.

Thud.

Stronger…

Thud.

Strong enough to kill that man.

Thud.

"Alright Sasuke, stop for now."

Thud.

He ignored his teacher.

"Sasuke. Stop. Now."

Silence.

He continued throwing punches at the block of wood. A large spot was already worn away from his constant blows.

Stop.

His eyes widened slightly.

He saw his sensei's hand holding his fist, stopping it in mid-punch.

Silence.

"Stop, Sasuke. That's enough training for now."

Pause.

"Hn."

He turned around swiftly and sat down on a stump.

He watched as Kakashi approached him.

"Don't stay here. Go around the town or something. Take a walk."

"…no."

Silence.

He heard Kakashi-sensei sigh.

"Sasuke…just do it."

Pause.

"You might even run into Sakura."

He was up in an instant.

"Why would I care if I ran into Sakura? She's annoying."

Silence.

He glared as Kakashi smiled.

Damn. Busted.

"Well…if you don't care, then why are you so agitated?"

Pause.

He turned around.

"Hn."

Step.

Step.

Step.

And started walking away.

Silence.

"I'm not blind, Sasuke."

He didn't bother replying to Kakashi's comment.

Step.

Step.

Step.

Pause.

It wasn't like Kakashi knew anything, anyway…

-

-

Threads of sorrow

Anger

Hatred

Love

String together in an endless,

Intricate design

Of harmony

But then, when I look back

Her face appears

Created as an illusion by those

Ever twining strings

Of every color

Every emotion

Representing my sanity

Everlasting

In my mind.

-

-

Pink.

That was what was heading towards him through the crowd of people walking down the street.

Pink.

Her hair color.

Silence.

"Ne, Sasuke-kun! Konnichiwa!"

Pause.

He looked at her.

She was smiling happily and waving at him.

"…aa."

Silence.

He watched as she came up to him.

"It's a nice day, isn't it? How are you, Sasuke-kun? The weather was great, so I decided to go for a walk! It was lucky that I met you. But what are you doing here? I thought you were training? Are you going somewhere? Where-"

He interrupted her.

"Sakura. Stop asking questions."

Pause.

He watched her smile sheepishly, giggle hesitantly, and turn a little red.

"Ano, gomen Sasuke-kun."

"Hn."

"That means it's alright, right?"

"…hn."

"That means yes!"

It was good that she could interpret his simple language.

Silence.

"I was training. Kakashi told me to take a break."

Pause.

"Kakashi-sensei, Sasuke-kun."

He sighed as she corrected him, adding an honorific.

"Whatever."

Silence.

"So! Um…well, Sasuke-kun, do you want to go to Ichiraku's? It's already noon now anyway, and I haven't eaten lunch. Have you?"

He shook his head silently.

"Yosh! Let's go then!"

He watched her back as she headed towards the Ichiraku Ramen Stand.

He saw her turn around, looking confusedly at him.

"Sasuke-kun? Aren't you coming?"

He never said that he was coming.

She just sort of assumed.

"…aa."

He watched her smile light up her face again.

Step.

Step.

Step.

They sat down under the canvas of the ramen stand.

Luckily, the dobe wasn't there.

He didn't want their time together to be ruined by that loud-mouthed dobe.

"Ne, Sasuke-kun? What do you want to order?"

Silence.

"Pork ramen."

He hear her giggle slightly.

"…what?"

He saw her turn towards him, beaming.

"I was just imagining what Naruto no baka would say if he heard that you didn't order miso ramen."

Pause.

"Hn. What did you order then?"

He watched her do a thumbs-up, quite freakily like bushy eyebrows.

"Chicken ramen! Beat that, Naruto no baka!"

He smiled slightly.

She really was amusing sometimes.

And beautiful.

Spirited.

Courageous.

Optimistic.

And maybe…

Just maybe…

That was why he was attracted to her so much.

Stop.

He blinked.

"Sasuke-kun? Sasuke-kun? Ne, Sasuke-kun?"

He stared at her.

She was waving a hand in his face.

"…?"

"Oh! Sasuke-kun, you're back. You sort of zoned out there!"

Silence.

"…oh."

He watched her nod furiously.

"Aa! It was weird. You kind of smiled, then got this distant look in your eyes. And-! Uh…ano…er, never mind."

His curiosity was peaked now.

"What?"

He saw her look away, face a little pink.

"It's…nothing."

"What?"

She couldn't just leave him hanging like that.

He had to know.

"Tell me, Sakura."

Silence.

"Ano…well…you sort of stared at…uh…me."

Shock.

Silence.

"…what?"

Pause.

"Um…you were…sort of looking at me with this far away look in your eyes."

He stared at her.

He knew that she was uncomfortable with telling him this piece of information.

"…Sasuke-kun?"

His face was turning red.

No way.

He did not stare at her.

Not while he was thinking…those thoughts.

He could feel the skin on his face heating up rapidly.

No doubt, he looked like he was on fire.

"You know, Sasuke-kun…"

He looked at her.

"You would want to eat yourself."

Silence.

…he did not understand that.

He watched as her face turned extremely red.

"I meant, you're as red as a tomato! A-and, you like eating tomatoes, r-right?!"

He suppressed the urge to start laughing.

His face…

And tomatoes.

"I would want to eat you too."

Silence.

Crap.

Crap crap crap crap damn.

He did not just say that.

No.

Way.

In.

Hell.

But…

He saw her staring at him with wide eyes, mouth open in disbelief.

Oh, the irony.

He did.

"I-I meant, you're as red as a tomato too, so…yeah…!"

He tried to justify himself quickly.

It didn't turn out that well.

Silence.

"Here are you ramen."

Thank kami for the Ichiraku ojiisan.

Their bowls arrived and they sat there, eating in silence.

Pause.

"Um…Sasuke-kun? Uh…d-does yours taste alright?"

He could tell that she was trying to start a normal conversation, patching up their previous embarrassment.

"…aa. Yours?"

"Hai."

Silence.

Well, this was awkward.

"So."

Pause.

He heard her giggle slightly.

He turned to face her, in the midst of slurping a noodle.

"What?"

He watched as she looked up at him, smiling.

"Oh, nothing, Sasuke-kun. Um…so, what?"

Pause.

"…what do you want to talk about?"

He saw her face register surprise.

Since when did he want to talk to her?

Well, since now.

"Um…I don't know. How about…the other genin?"

"…whatever."

He heard her giggle again.

"Well, you're the one that asked me what I wanted to talk about, Sasuke-kun."

"Aa. I know."

Silence.

"Ano…well, what do you think of Hinata-san? She seems really nice, and was quite determined in her battle with Neji-san."

"…hn."

He felt her sigh in dismay.

"Sasuke-kun, this won't really be a conversation if you keep on going 'hn'."

Pause.

"I thought you could determine what they meant."

Silence.

"Aa, but still! What in konohana is 'yes' or 'no' supposed to be to this question?"

Sigh.

"Fine."

He felt her look at him in anticipation.

"Hai…?"

Pause.

"She's too weak."

Silence.

"Sa-su-ke-kun!"

He turned around to look at her, frowning slightly.

"What?"

He watched as she glared at him, pouting.

"She was against Neji-san! He was konohana's number one rookie genin last year!"

Pause.

"She's still weak."

He saw her groan, rolling her eyes.

"Okay, okay, fine. What about Lee-san?"

His eyebrows instantly furrowed and he glared at nothing in general.

"What about him?"

Okay, maybe he said that a little too forcefully.

He felt her look at him curiously.

"Ano…do you not like him, Sasuke-kun?"

Silence.

"…no."

Pause.

"Why? He's very brave, courageous, and kind!"

He scowled.

"I just don't like him."

He heard her sigh again, and felt her shake her head exasperatedly.

"Oh, Sasuke-kun…"

Silence.

"Well, what about…Naruto no baka?"

Snort.

"Annoying dobe."

He heard her giggle.

"I knew you'd say that, Sasuke-kun!"

Pause.

"Then why did you ask?"

He felt her smile cheerfully.

"Because I wanted to make sure, Sasuke-kun!"

"Hn."

"Mmm…Neji-san?"

He turned around again.

"Strange."

He saw her frown slightly, then nod.

"Aa, I agree. He's…well, I don't like him. He's so cold! And so mean to Hinata-san too. She's his cousin, for kami's sake!"

He was now frowning at her.

"…they may have had a horrible family history."

Silence.

He watched her face turn a little guilty and glum.

"…oh. I never thought of that."

Silence.

He saw, out of the corner of his eye, that she was looking at him cautiously.

"…gomen, Sasuke-kun."

"It's fine."

"O…okay."

Silence.

"Eeto, er, how about Kiba-san?"

He sighed.

"Too loud and obnoxious. Kind of like the dobe."

He felt her nod her head in agreement, once again.

"Aa, I think so too! But, I think that he's still better than Naruto no baka."

"Hn."

Pause.

He finished his ramen and set the bowl aside.

He turned to watch her.

She was still slurping the last noodles of her chicken ramen happily.

He saw her turn her head to look at him.

"Ano, Sasuke-kun, what about Shino-san? I thought he was a bit creepy. I mean, he has bugs! In his body! That's just…"

He surveyed her shudder.

Silence.

"Hn."

She was giggling again.

"You're a man of few words, Sasuke-kun."

Pause.

He smiled slightly.

She definitely knew how to brighten up his day.

-

-

My hand reaches out

Seizing at those colorful threads

Those

Glittering in the moonlight

Colors of serenity playing in my mind

Dancing around me like mischievous ones

Taunting

Taunting

Always taunting

I clutch at one

But it sways

And floats away

From my hand

Flying

In the wind

Away into freedom

From my harmony

-

-

He closed his eyes.

Focus.

Focus.

Focus.

Gather chakra into one hand…

Imagine.

Chakra…

Sizzling in wild directions.

Powerful enough to cut through anything.

That chidori

Focus.

Smirk.

He leapt forwards.

And plunged his hand into the cliff side.

"Chidori!"

Boom.

There was a huge explosion of smoke and dust.

Dirt, rocks, flying everywhere.

He could feel the ground rumbling underneath his feet from his powerful blow.

Power

And then…

The dust cleared.

He could see, plainly, a large crater in the side of the cliff. The mountain wall.

He smirked.

"That's quite good, Sasuke."

He heard Kakashi walking up, to stand by his side.

He watched Kakashi survey the damage.

"Very good."

Of course.

Step.

Step.

Step.

"Hn."

He heard his sensei turn towards him.

He could feel Kakashi smiling slightly underneath that mask.

"Ah, Sasuke. You performed the chidori, created a huge crater in the mountain side, received praise from me, and all you can say is 'hn'?"

Pause.

"I'm a man of few words."

He heard Kakashi laugh slightly.

"True. True. The few words, very true. Now, I don't know about man…"

He turned around.

"Whatever."

Silence.

"Well, Sasuke, you shouldn't try the chidori again for some time. How about we spar, now?"

Pause.

"Aa."

"Finally, something other than that grunt of yours."

He heard his sensei laugh again.

"Well then."

He turned to face Kakashi, his stance ready.

He watched as his teacher put away that orange book.

What was it called? Icha Icha Paradise?

Some lame perverted book, anyhow.

Pause.

"I'm coming."

His feet tensed.

But then…

Suddenly…

He saw Kakashi look up, away from him.

To the side…

He turned around.

Silence.

"You shouldn't hide, you know."

His eyebrows furrowed and he stared at Kakashi.

Who was his sensei talking to?

Pause.

Step.

Step.

Step.

Shock.

It was…

Was…

Sabaaku no Gaara.

Gaara of the Sand.

Silence.

"What are you doing here?"

Kakashi's voice rang through the clearing.

Pause.

Step.

Step.

Step.

Silence.

"…I don't know."

He could tell that Kakashi had stiffened slightly.

He frowned.

Gaara…didn't know?

Pause.

"What do you mean by you don't know?"

Silence.

"I…don't know."

Pause.

Then…

"You…"

Shock.

Gaara…was talking to him.

His frown deepened.

"What?"

Silence.

"You…have the same eyes."

Pause.

Now he was confused.

"What?"

Step.

Step.

Step.

He watched as Gaara took a few more steps towards him.

"You…have those eyes. My eyes."

He could feel a sense of foreboding and dread creep into him.

…eyes? Gaara's eyes?

Silence.

…what was Sabaaku no Gaara talking about?

Pause.

Step.

Step.

Step.

Silence.

"Don't come any closer."

Kakashi was suddenly at his side, staring down Gaara.

He was silent.

"You have no business here, Gaara. Go back."

Pause.

"You…"

He stared sharply at Gaara.

"What do you mean?"

Silence.

"You…have those eyes. Eyes…filled with hatred. Hatred of the world. Vengeance. An avenger…"

Shock.

He stiffened.

Avenger…

He was an…

Avenger.

How…?

"Go."

Kakashi's tone was forceful.

"Don't interrupt Sasuke's training. You're not welcome here."

Silence.

He saw Gaara turn around.

But…

The redhead gave him one last look.

"I'll…be watching."

And then…

Sabaaku no Gaara left.

Leaving him in a worsened state.

Eyes…

Eyes

He had the eyes…

Of an avenger?

That he hated the world?

How…? Just how, did Gaara know?

Silence.

The same, huh?

He smiled bitterly.

Yes.

They were…much the same.

-

-

In my dreams

That terrifying silence

Prevails all

Glistening

Strands

Everywhere

Crisscrossing at every angle

Mocking me

Taunting me

To reach out

And touch one

And yet

I can never

Claim one for myself

For they all

Pass right through me

Giving me a taste

But nothing to keep

This dream

Makes me cry

For I can never

Ever

Prevail

Once and for all.

-

-

"Sasuke-kun…"

Sasuke-kun…

Sasuke-kun…

Sasuke-kun…

That voice repeated his name.

Over and over again.

He tossed and turned in his bed.

A flash of pink appeared in his mind.

A beautiful smile.

A cheerful face.

As bright as a sunny day.

Waving…

Always waving.

"Ne, Sasuke-kun!"

Unchangeable.

"Ohayo, Sasuke-kun!"

Her

"So, Sasuke-kun, what do you think…?"

She was always smiling.

He had rarely seen her unhappy.

And her face…

Kept floating through his head.

Her words…

Imprinted in his mind.

Something he carried around with him, every single day.

"Sasuke-kun…are you okay?"

"Sasuke-kun, do you need anything?"

"Sasuke-kun, what did you have for breakfast?"

"Sasuke-kun, you're a man of few words."

Her beautiful voice.

Her caring tone.

Always playing through his head like a broken record.

Was this what it felt like…

To be in love?

To have her dominating his thoughts every day?

To dream of her, endlessly, over and over?

To feel his body tingle at her comforting touch?

To long for her to be next to him, smiling, and saying his name?

"Ne, Sasuke-kun…"

"I, Sasuke-kun…"

"I love you."

Thump.

He sat up swiftly, accidentally knocking his head on the headboard.

He cursed, and rubbed the sore spot.

Silence.

She…

No.

It had been a…

He closed his eyes tightly.

Wondering why he felt a twinge of pain…

Here.

He clutched his chest.

And closed his eyes.

It had been…

He didn't even want to think of it.

Silence.

His heart…

Paining.

Beating. Endlessly.

A…

She had said that…

"I love you."

But…

As much as it pained him to think.

It had been a…

A…

A…

Dream.

Yume.

Just a dream.

Only a dream.

Silence.

And once again, he smiled bitterly.

It was sad…

He was so love that,

He could even dream of her confessing her love to him…

But she never had.

She had said that she liked him.

That she wanted to go on a date with him.

She had been annoying to the point of frustration.

Pause.

Always saying…

"I really like you, Sasuke-kun!"

"Will you go on a date with me, Sasuke-kun?"

And he had always turned her down.

Leaving her with a look of bitter disappointment.

But she had never said…

That she loved him.

Silence.

But…

She had cared for him.

Fought for him.

Cried for him.

Hurt for him.

Was that…love?

Unsaid?

Love…

Communicated through actions, and not speech?

There was a saying…

"Actions speak louder than words."

Her actions…

The crying.

Fighting.

Hurting.

Caring.

Was it…that?

Was she maybe, too shy to say?

"I love you."

Or was it, that…

She simply did not know her feelings?

As he had once said…

"We're twelve. I have no time for romance."

So maybe…

Just maybe…

She was still confused,

As he was.

Her mind, a torrent of thoughts.

Wondering.

Always wondering.

Why she did things for him.

Why she cared so much for him.

When he always shunned her.

Always.

Silence.

But then…

Eyes.

Red eyes.

Loomed up before his mind.

Mangekyou.

Silence.

Mangekyou Sharingan.

That person

That person, would kill…

Make his life miserable.

And her…

Would she die, because of him?

If that person ever found out?

Would if be his fault…

If she was ever hurt, by the Mangekyou Sharingan?

Would that person go so far as to…

To kill her?

To spite…

His foolish little brother.

The last survivor

Of the Uchiha massacre?

Pause.

"…they may have had a horrible family history."

"…oh. I never thought of that."

"…gomen, Sasuke-kun."

Silence.

At least…

She understood.

His pain, in it.

The Uchiha massacre.

Seeing his parents, dead.

Watching his family die.

Every. Single. Person.

Slaughtered.

Like animals.

By that person.

Dying…

They were all dying.

Underneath the full moon.

And him…

Walking into his parents' room.

Calling for his brother.

"Nii-san! Nii-san! W-what happened?!"

The cruelty of it.

For…

His brother.

The person he thought that would comfort him.

Answer his questions.

Protect him.

Ended up…

Killing his whole family.

And leaving, him to suffer.

All for the sake of power.

Mangekyou Sharingan.

The torture of it…

Watching them die.

Over and over again.

"Okaasan…"

He could feel his eyes burning.

"Otou-san…"

Pause.

But…

He couldn't cry.

Crying, was a weakness.

And…

He didn't like seeing her cry.

Crying…

Exposed a person.

Their frailty.

But, her

She was frail, in her own way.

Like that sakura crystal he had bought, for her.

Made of crystal…

Easily breakable.

It had to be handled with care.

Like her.

Silence.

He buried his face in his hands.

He was a mess.

Emotionally.

She…

Had a horrifying power over him.

What would he give to see her alive?

What would he lose to not see her death?

And…

Would she die for him?

For that…was his question.

-

-

My death

Connected

By those lethal threads of fate

Coming towards me

Slowly

For it

Is the only one I can reach

And come into contact with

For my sanity

And freedom

Love

Of this

Can never conquer

And, I know

That once

I touch that dark thread of death

My life

Will come to an end

Sniffed out

And I,

Never, a chance

To tell her

My love

But…

That doesn't matter

For, she is gone

And I, an empty shell

Away…

Gone away.

I reach out

Grasping

At that black void surrounding me.

-

-

-

-

-

Wow, that was a longer concluding verse of the song. Sasuke-kun…so tortured. And Gaara, having to add to that too.

The lyrics in this chapter are from a song of mine called Grasping at Strings.

Anyone that reviews gets a Sasuke-hugging-Sakura plushie! -waves plushie around- The temptation…you know you can't resist.