AN: Sorry but we were very busy up until now! We'll be much faster with this story from now on!
"Sakura." Of all the ways for his day to end, Sasuke did not expect to be visited by Sakura. Sure, she was the main reason he had returned to the village, but he didn't expect to see her so soon. Letting out a soft sigh, Sasuke turned to face Sakura.
"Sakura. Why are you here?"
For a moment, Sakura simply stared at the Uchiha before she frowned a little, crossing her arms as she narrowed her eyes a little, feeling annoyed by Sasuke's greeting. He had been gone, for the most part, since the end of the war over two years ago. She didn't expect a big greeting, but at the same time Sakura had hoped for a warmer greeting.
"Good to see you too, Sasuke," Sakura finally responded, unfolding her arms. "It's been two years, and that's all you can come up with for a greeting?" she asked with a raised brow, smiling as if she was amused. Sasuke watched the woman for a few seconds before he sighed and gave a rare smile.
"I've been a bit busy is all," Sasuke admitted with a shrug, the Uchiha crossing his arms as he leaned against his house. "I was stuck in a different universe for the last few weeks," he added after a small pause, not sure how much he should let Sakura know. He didn't feel like worrying the pink haired woman for no reason, and so quickly added, "but I'm fine, I'm just a little tired. Bit hungry."
Hearing that Sasuke was hungry, Sakura smiled a little and asked, "Well, would you like to get something to eat? We haven't seen each other that much lately, so we could catch up as we eat." Sakura studied Sasuke as the man simply stared and for a moment Sakura was worried Sasuke would refuse her offer. But finally the Uchiha gave a slight nod and pushed himself off the side of his house, standing up straight before he began to walk. Sakura followed at his side, her hands behind her back. The two were quiet as they walked, both not sure what to say to the other. Luckily, the walk didn't last long and the two soon arrived at Ichiraku Ramen, both sitting down quietly.
After they ordered their food, Sakura glanced towards Sasuke with a small frown. "So...where have you been lately?" she asked after a small pause, trying to get a conversation going. "What have you been up to?"
Sasuke ate some of his ramen in silence before he looked back at Sakura, staring at her quietly as he thought of what to say. So much had happened in the last few years, he wasn't really sure where to begin.
"Well...Okay. I've been traveling. Mastering my new eye powers. Just...just mostly traveling," Sasuke responded finally with a slight shrug. Knowing that was barely an answer, Sasuke soon started talking again.
"Well, this one time, there was this village I stopped in. About...six months back, I believe. Six...no, it was seven months back. Anyways, I had planned to stay for only a few days. Rest up, gather supplies. That sort of thing. Well, on my third day, this man arrived in the village. Called himself 'Katsu'. I didn't pay much attention to him, at first. Around noon that day, though, Katsu approached me. He said he recognized the Uchiha symbol. Said it was the symbol of murderers and liars."
Sasuke paused for a moment, closing his eyes as he let out a soft sigh.
Sakura was silent for a moment before she asked, "And I take it that didn't go over well with you, did it?"
Sasuke looked over again with a small smile, shaking his head.
"Katsu claimed my clan was the reason his family was dead. Something about tricking Katsu's family years ago. I wasn't listening by then though, and just wanted to leave before I...well, before I lost my cool. We both know how bad that can be. I told him to drop it, and headed out not long after that. I noticed I was being followed, but decided it wasn't worth losing my cool over. But about 30 minutes later, Katsu jumped in front of me. Yelling at me, telling me I'd be paying for what my clan did to his family. This guy...He really wouldn't just drop it, you know? I told him to just shut his mouth and to go away. But, in the end, he wanted to fight me." At this, Sasuke chuckled lightly and shook his head. "Even knowing who I was, this man wanted to fight me."
"Well...what happened? Did you fight him?" Sakura asked.
Sasuke glared at Katsu, placing his hand on the hilt of his katana. "What do you want?" Sasuke questioned as calmly as he could. "I told you back in the village, leave me alone."
Katsu glared back in silence for a moment. "You're clan ruined my family! You really think I'd just forget something like that?" he asked after a moment of silence. Pulling out a kunai in each hand, Katsu glared more. "And now I find an Uchiha. You really think I wouldn't try to take my revenge?"
Sasuke closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them, his left eye had the Rinnesharingan and his right eye had his Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan.
"Last chance to leave," Sasuke said, starting to lose his cool. Katsu of course refused to leave, gripping his kunais tightly as he rushed at the Uchiha.
The fight didn't last long, and when it was over, Sasuke remained standing, Katsu laying on his back as he bled badly.
Sasuke stood over Katsu, glaring down at the man, a twisted smirk on his face as he pointed his bloody katana at him. Laughing a little, Sasuke said, "I told you not to fight me. I told you to just leave. But you just wouldn't listen, would you?"
Katsu coughed up blood as he looked up at Sasuke, pure terror in his eyes. "P...please, just...let me go," Katsu begged weakly.
Sasuke paused then, tilting his head a little as if thinking it over before he smirked again and shook his head. "I gave you a chance, Katsu. I told you to just drop it. But when do you do? Insult my family. Insult me. I warned you."
With that, Sasuke very slowly pierced Katsu's heart, slowly sinking the blade through him until it was stuck in the ground beneath the man.
Sasuke was silent for a moment. "I didn't fight him. Katsu left finally," he said in a calm tone before going back to eating his ramen. Sasuke couldn't tell Sakura the truth about his slip up, knowing it would only upset her. He had upset her enough already for one life. Sakura nodded a bit and for a while the two simply focused on their food, eating in silence.
Sasuke, surprising himself, was the first to break the silence.
"What about you? Any stories to share?"
"Well, you might not have heard since you've been busy, but I started a clinic for children. After the war, there were a lot of people that needed help, so...I've been a bit busy with that," Sakura admitted with a smile and a shrug. "You know, I'm still surprised you waited long enough for us to make you an arm before you left," Sakura added.
Sasuke glanced at his wrapped Zetsu arm and stared at it in silence for a moment before shrugging, frowning a little. "I didn't deserve this, but I knew you guys wouldn't stop bugging me, so I agreed to it," he admitted with a shrug. "You guys slowed my trip down a bit, but...Oh well. The arm has been pretty useful I must admit." Sasuke studied his arm for another few seconds before slowly looking over at Sakura.
"Ah...Sakura, I think I should be going home. Like I said, I'm feeling drained..." Sasuke said after a small hesitation. He saw Sakura frown as he stood and turned quickly.
"I'll see you tomorrow right?" Sakura asked.
Sasuke nodded once before he looked back at Sakura, giving the woman a weak smile. "Sure thing."
When Sasuke was away from Ichiraku's Ramen, he let out a long sigh and shook his head. "Sorry, Sakura...I'll be gone before you see me again." Even though Sasuke wanted to see Sakura, he still felt as if it would be best if he left first. He knew Sakura'd be pissed if she caught him, so the Uchiha decided he would leave the same night after packing new clothes from home. Go home, pack, and leave. That sounded easy enough for him.
When Sasuke arrived home, he quickly unlocked his door before letting himself in, shutting the door behind him. He leaned against the door as he thought of all he would need to pack. "Just change my clothes and grab some supplies," he decided with a nod, pushing off the door and heading to his room.
When Sasuke finished packing, he turned to leave but stopped when a photo caught his attention. Sasuke picked the photo up and smiled only slightly. The picture was taken after the war, a month after the war ended. The picture had Sasuke, Naruto and Sakura standing together. Naruto had his usual goofy grin, Sasuke had a calm look, and Sakura had a small smile. The three looked tired, but otherwise happy. Or as happy as they could be. Looking at the photo for a second longer, Sasuke began to put it down but instead slipped it into his bag to take with him on his journey. He wasn't really sure when he'd be coming home again.
When Sasuke was sure he had everything he needed, he left his house and locked it up once more, resting his head against the door. "Well, I guess it's time to leave again." With that, Sasuke left his house and began to walk, heading towards the village gates. As he walked, Sasuke kept telling himself it was for the best if he leaved before he could see Sakura again.
"If I stay too long...If I see her...I won't want to leave," Sasuke pointed out to himself in an angry whisper, clenching his fists as he walked. "What good could possibly come from me staying? It won't end well for anyone," he added with a small nod.
Sasuke was so busy scolding himself that he didn't even notice he was being watched until it was too late.
Almost at the gates, Sasuke froze when he heard a voice coming from behind him.
"This looks familiar, doesn't it?" Sakura asked softly. Sasuke closed his eyes and took a breath before letting it out.
"Why are you here, Sakura?" Sasuke finally asked, making himself sound more annoyed than he actually was.
Sakura stared at the Uchiha quietly with a small frown before she shook her head. "Why...?" she finally asked.
"Why what? What do you want?"
"Why do you always do this?!" Sakura finally snapped, starting to lose her calm, her anger rising quickly. "You're trying to leave! Why?! You said you would see me tomorrow!"
"No...No I didn't. All I said was 'sure thing'," Sasuke pointed out slowly, refusing to turn to the woman. He wanted to just end the argument as quickly as possible, but deep down he knew that this wouldn't be a simple chat. He knew it'd end in a screaming match.
"What?" Sakura asked slowly and in a quiet voice. "Are you serious? So you just lied right to my face, then!" she yelled at the Uchiha, clenching her fists.
"Get off my back, Sakura!" Sasuke finally snapped back. "What do you want from me? Hm? You expecting me to, what, stay in Konoha and spend my days with you? My journey isn't done yet, Sakura. I still have things I have to do. Things I want to know. If I stay in the village, I can't do that!" Turning to face Sakura, Sasuke glared at the woman and added, "You can't tell me where I can or can't go, so just leave it be!"
Stepping forward, Sakura grabbed Sasuke by the collar of his shirt and pulled him close, glaring back as she shouted, "Get off your back?! How about you stop being an asshole for once?! I care about you, Sasuke. Why can't you just stop running away?!"
"Running away? I'm busy! I don't have to stay here if I don't want to. We're adults now, Sakura, I can leave if I want to!"
Sasuke pushed her away then, but Sakura held on and brought him down with her. As soon as they hit the ground, Sakura shoved Sasuke away roughly and quickly got back on her feet, cracking her knuckles.
"Then bring me with you if you feel you have to leave! I'm not the same weak little girl I was when you left years ago, Sasuke. I can help you, if you take me!" Sakura watched as Sasuke got up as well, the Uchiha brushing himself off. The two stared at each other in silence for several seconds, Sasuke seeming as if he was thinking over what Sakura said.
But finally, Sasuke shook his head.
"No. I'm not going to bring you, Sakura. It just wouldn't end well, okay? You don't want to go with me. I could be gone for months, or even years at a time. I'm not going to drag you around like that. It's better if you just stay here. Okay?"
The next thing Sasuke knew, he was getting punched in the face by Sakura. Having not expected it, Sasuke wasn't able to react in time, and so fell back from how hard he was hit. Sitting up, Sasuke wiped blood away from his mouth while looking at Sakura in a stunned silence. He never expected Sakura would actually hit him, and for a few seconds was oddly happy to have her react for once. Rubbing his jaw slowly, Sasuke remained where he was as he studied Sakura before finally getting back up on his feet. Though Sakura was clearly angry, Sasuke, judging by the fact that he wasn't knocked out by the punch, could tell she was still holding back. Wiping his mouth one more time, Sasuke activated his Sharingan and shook his head.
"I'm not taking you. That's my final answer," he finally repeated.
This time when Sakura swung at him, he ducked out of the way and grabbed her by the ankle, flipping Sakura onto her back before stepping back, placing his hand on his katana. Sakura was quick to recover however and was back on her feet in the blink of an eye, glaring at the Uchiha once more.
"You aren't leaving without me, Sasuke. I'm not going to just let you walk away and leave again. I won't use my full strength, but I'm otherwise not going to let you leave. You said you were tired, right? Only your normal Sharingan is on."
Sasuke let out an annoyed sighed before he placed a hand on the hilt of his katana, glaring at Sakura. "Sakura, just drop it and walk away alright? Tired or not, I can still knock you on your-"
"I'm not as weak as you keep thinking, you jerk!" Sakura interrupted and rushed forward, punching at Sasuke's face. Sasuke quickly hopped back, but Sakura kept following him, the pink haired woman attacking quickly. Sasuke dodged each hit as best as he could but eventually Sakura landed a hit on his jaw, knocking him down once more. Sasuke dragged her down with him and flipped her over him, knocking her away from him before he got back on his feet. The Uchiha quickly ran over to Sakura and pinned her down, holding her arms above her head.
"Sakura, just stop. You know there's no point in fighting. It didn't work with Naruto for the longest time, what makes you think that YOU can beat me into listening?" Sasuke asked quickly and quietly, leaning close to Sakura. Sakura glared up at Sasuke, but slowly smirked.
"Sorry, Sasuke. Maybe you're right..." she began before suddenly headbutting Sasuke in the face roughly, the Uchiha grunting as he was knocked off Sakura, his nose bleeding. Sakura quickly pinned Sasuke down, easily holding him with her strength. "Now listen, damn it! Why do you always try to run away?! You know I love you, Sasuke! Naruto and Kakashi-sensei love you too! People miss you! So why are you trying so hard to run away again?!"
Sasuke stared in silence up at Sakura, his Sharingan spinning slowly as he watched her for several seconds before he finally spoke.
"I don't want you coming with me, because you'd end up hating me, Sakura!" Sasuke yelled at her, his Sharingan spinning faster. "I'm not going to take you, Sakura, and that's my final answe-"
Before Sasuke could finish his words, Sakura suddenly punched him in the face again, busting his lip. Nose and mouth bleeding, Sasuke began getting angry once again. Looking up into Sakura's eyes, his Sharingan began to glow in the night, and Sakura suddenly froze, a blank look on her face before she slowly got off Sasuke and stood up. Sasuke stood up as well then, and stepped away from Sakura before she returned to her normal self.
"Did you just fucking brainwash me?!" Sakura screamed when she had control of herself again. Sasuke could see the anger in Sakura's eyes when she turned to him and knew right away the fight was going to just get worse.
"You wouldn't back off, so yes, I used my Sharingan on you, Sakura."
Finally, Sasuke's Rinnesharingan slowly turned back on in his left eye, the Uchiha letting out a soft sigh as he looked at Sakura, shaking his head.
"Look, Sakura, just leave, alright? I don't want to hurt you anymore."
"Then don't leave! It's that simple! You don't want to hurt me?! Then don't leave without me, Sasuke. You keep saying you don't want to hurt me, yet in the same breath say you still won't take me with you. Why? You said I'd hate you? For what?!" As she spoke, Sakura clenched her fists, angry yet wanting to give Sasuke one more chance.
Sasuke stared at Sakura, a frown slowly coming to his face as he thought over what he wanted to say. Finally, Sasuke sighed softly and turned away from the Haruno woman, shaking his head.
"I'm not exactly a saint, Sakura. I don't want you seeing...Well, if I lose control, I don't want you to see what happens," the Uchiha finally said, looking down, his tone slightly annoyed. Sakura watched Sasuke, surprised by his answer. Sasuke still struggled with his darkness?
Shaking her head, Sakura said, "Sasuke, I don't care. I can help you, okay? I promise, I can help you stay in control if that's what you're worried about. Sasuke...You know I wouldn't judge you. I promise..."
Turning back to Sakura, Sasuke frowned a little more before taking a deep breath. "I can't, Sakura...I...No. I won't let you see that. I've already disappointed you more than enough for one life. I don't want to fuck up anymore. So...no, Sakura. I'm sorry, I can't take you with me."
As soon as Sasuke refused once again, Sakura was in front of him again, slamming her fist into Sasuke's stomach. Sasuke coughed up blood, surprised that Sakura still wanted to fight, but quickly calmed down and gripped Sakura's wrist roughly and sent a small shock of lightning nature chakra into her arm, shocking her hard enough to make her move back, but not hard enough to do lasting damage. Sakura held her arm as she stumbled back but shook her head and glared. "So you're finally going to take me serious?" she asked.
Sasuke nodded once. "I know you won't just back off, Sakura. So you give me no other choice. I'll fight you if that's what it takes." Shaking her arm, Sakura nodded a little.
Running at each other, Sasuke ducked under a punch and spun around Sakura, roughly kicking her in the back to knock her away before he pulled his katana out and stabbed it into the ground. From his katana, a stream of electricity rushed at Sakura. Seeing the Chidori, Sakura quickly jumped up and out of the way. Sakura tried slamming her fist down on Sasuke but the Uchiha dodged, Sakura causing the road to crack. Sasuke rushed up and grabbed his katana as he ran by Sakura, heading outside of the village.
"Get back here!" Sakura yelled as she ran after Sasuke. When the two were finally out of the village, Sasuke turned to face Sakura.
"You're the one who lives in Konoha. I don't think they'd be too happy if you destroy the village trying to attack me," Sasuke pointed out, his Mangekyou flashing on in his right eye. "So I took us out of the village. More room to fight." Sakura looked around for a moment then glanced back at Sasuke, nodding slightly. "Unless you want to stop this pointless fight?" Sasuke added. With no response, he just scoffed. "Yeah...Yeah, I kinda thought you would react like that."
Despite his words, Sasuke simply stood and stared at Sakura, his Sharingnan studying her face quickly, the Uchiha slowly frowning. Why was he being so damn stubborn? He WANTED Sakura to go, but at the same time he was...scared? If she went with him, Sasuke wasn't sure she'd always be safe with him. The thought of Sakura getting hurt, or worse dying, gave Sasuke a pained feeling in his chest. Why couldn't he just admit he cared? Shaking his head, the Uchiha took a step closer to Sakura before pausing again. Sasuke stared once more before he kept walking up to Sakura, slowly, the Haruno woman staring, unsure of what Sasuke was doing. Sakura watched as Sasuke's Sharingans slowly faded from his eyes. Stepping up to Sakura, Sasuke stood silently for several seconds before he slowly poked her forehead, keeping his fingers on her as he spoke.
"Okay, Sakura. You win. I...will allow...you to go with me," Sasuke finally said, deciding to shut out his voice of doubt in his mind. "Tomorrow, we'll have your last day here. Then the morning after, we'll head out," the Uchiha added softly and gave Sakura a small, tired smile. Sakura simply stared, surprised by Sasuke's sudden change of attitude, but slowly nodded.
After getting over her confusion, Sakura blinked and then smiled nervously. "Sasuke, uh...Your face is pretty bloody. Let me help you."
Sasuke paused, tasting the blood and nodded with a small chuckle. "It seems you hit pretty hard when in a bad mood," he commented and wiped some of the blood away. "Here, you can come over if you want," he added and began walking.
When the two returned to Sasuke's house, Sasuke set his bag down and went to the kitchen, splashing the blood off his face. When he turned around, Sakura was there. "Hm...?" Sasuke asked.
"I can heal that real quick," Sakura replied and placed a hand over his lip and nose, her hand glowing green for only seconds before Sasuke's wounds were gone. Sasuke rubbed his jaw a bit then nodded, offering a small smile.
"Is your arm okay?" the Uchiha asked after a moment of silence. Sakura glanced at it then back at Sasuke, nodding.
"Sasuke, why'd you change your mind so suddenly?" Sakura finally asked, getting to the topic that had been on her mind the entire walk home after their small fight. Sasuke had gone from flat-out refusing, then suddenly he had agreed. Sakura of course wasn't complaining, but she sure was curious about the Uchiha's logic. Sasuke leaned against the kitchen counter and crossed his arms, frowning as he watched Sakura.
"Sakura...You do matter to me. You and Naruto, you guys...You did save me from going down a very dark path. And...well, the reason I refused in the first place was...I was afraid, I guess. You love me, you said." This just got a confused look from Sakura so Sasuke continued. "Sakura, everyone that's loved me is dead. I was worried that you might not be safe on our trip, I guess. I was worried...Well, that you wouldn't be safe, or I'd hurt you somehow. So I refused. But...I don't know. I do care about you though, Sakura. So I decided to stop fighting and just let you go with me." Sakura nodded once and offered a small smile.
"Sasuke, I promise I won't get hurt or anything. You won't regret agreeing to take me, when you leave," Sakura promised then laughed softly. "Anyways, if tomorrow is my last day here, it'll be a pretty busy day. So...we should get some sleep. Goodnight, Sasuke. I love you." Sakura gave Sasuke a tight hug before she walked away, leaving the Uchiha alone in the kitchen.
"Goodnight, Sakura."