A/N Yay! Quick update! :D
The reviewers from both chapter 13 and 14: frostbird, Misery's-Toll, , LibertyForFreedom455, XxKiraKojimaxX, eveningstarxD
Thank you all so much for reviewing!
Just out of reach...
Sakura
It wasn't anything special, really.
It isn't anything special, really.
Nope. It's not special that Sasuke shows up in a freaking limo wearing a tux (something his fangirls would die over) with that stupid smirk on his face and that glint of smugness that seems to fill the whole room.
Compared to him, she looks like nothing, a stray bulb that is weakening, weakening, until.. pop! Light gone. She can feel the surge of red threatening to bloom over her cheeks, even though it probably won't show under the dim moonlight.
"You ready?" he asks.
She nods, and Saskue ushers her into the front seat, right next to him. Sakura's head is spinning, making her question her sanity. Is she really smiling? (Well, in a dazed sort of way, but smiling no less) Is she smiling at him or the limo or the tuxedo or what? Is she really laughing and joking with Sasuke? To ensure the world makes sense, she establishes a point rather quickly.
"We're just going as friends."
A point that sucks all the comfort out of the air instantly, leaving Sakura to deal with the sudden awkwardness.
"...Right?"
For about a second, maybe, Sasuke grips a bit tighter on the steering wheel. "Right."
The girl wonders if he's even qualified to drive.
Bright lights are flying out onto the dark pathway when they arrive. By the sound of it, tons of people have already entered, surprisingly. And Sakura thought they were early.
"The food and stuff. It runs out," Sasuke states in a matter-of-fact tone. His face is expressionless, except that wave of calm that's always there, accompanied by the laid-back look in his eyes. Some of the other girls that are also arriving shoot scowls at Sakura out of jealousy.
She wishes she was like Saskue sometimes. Like now. Sakura latches onto the sleeve of his tux and drags him inside.
The building is full of people, all dancing or chatting beneath the blaring music (ears hurting) and wild strobe lights (eyes stinging). Sasuke apparently agrees, for he doesn't complain when she drags the two of them to the hallway where a few tables and chairs are set up rather messily. Sakura blinks a few times to make sure that her eyes are still working, and sighs.
"Sakura? Sasuke? What are you doing here?"
The surprised voice echoes down through the hallway, creating a distant effect, but it's rather obvious whose voice it belongs to.
"Naruto?"
The blond comes running with a smile plastered on his face. "I never expect to- Why are you-?"
Then he halts just in front of them, eyeing from left to right carefully. Something sparks in his (thick) head. "You...came...together?"
Sakura is about to object when Sasuke says, "Yeah. We came here together."
Naruto's eyes widen. Sasuke glares at him. "Well then, who did you come with? Unless you came alone, of course." The last part is almost a threat; one that Naruto notices.
"I did come with someone, for your information," Naruto snaps. "I came with Gaara."
"I didn't know you were gay."
Naruto hits him on the back of the head. Sasuke, clearly not pleased with this reaction, he changes tactics.
"Pssh. That monster? Really? Strange company you keep. He's mad, you're mad; it all works out." The hatred in his tone makes Sakura flinch, but neither of the boys notice.
As if Naruto wasn't stressed enough already.
"Well, if you haven't noticed, you're part of that 'strange company', so I suggest you shut up about stuff you don't know."
"What I know is that the rumors are true. If you're not careful, you're next."
The corner of Naruto's eye twitches. "He's okay, you know. Not as bad, just a bit quiet, that's all. No one's just ever given him a chance-"
And that's all Sakura hears. She walks back into the gym, feeling a little bit more light-headed than before. Every tiny flash of light seems to be either dark red or jade.
You're looking for him.
Yes. Yes I am.
After what seems like ages of looking, her eyes start to get tired again from the constantly flashing lights, and she decides to go back out into the hallway.
She gets a drink of water, just enough time to think about what to do next. Naruto is, apparently, gone, so is Sasuke. Hinata doesn't seem to be here, nor does, well, just about any other face she knows.
Wiping the stray beads of water around her mouth on her arm, she sighs deeply.
There's a distant scream, coming from the other end of the hall, where the path turns a corner. Sakura shrugs it off, thinking it's just another girl, excited for whatever reason...
But wait. The gym is the other way, where the light is brighter. Her heart stops.
Then she runs.
The other way? Yes.
That is, if she was the Sakura before, scared of everything and everyone, afraid of facing any dangers, staying out of the way. It's a strange hope, but hope nonetheless.
Temari is standing in Shikamaru's grasp, staring with glazed eyes into what appears to be an empty classroom. Her eyes meet brown ones.
Shikamaru shakes his head. "I don't think you should go in. Can you get-"
But she barges past his flimsy attempt to block off the door. Inside, she finds scattered desks and chairs, abused. The few that have managed to avoid the violence has been pushed out of the way, near the walls.
Sasuke lays on one of these desks, eyes closed. A part of his mouth is smeared with blood, and a black-blue bruise is starting to appear on his forehead, glossy with sweat. Near him, standing in the shadows, is Gaara, staring at the motionless body. He's grinning, but not a genuine grin that one makes to express happiness. More of something that a killer makes, a combination of insanity and cruel glee molded into a smile. Monster.
The redhead's eyes are fearful, but is the only thing that betrays instability. Does a monster fear its actions?
Shikamaru's voice comes from the doorway. "I told you. I've called his brother. He hasn't gotten anything worse, like a fractured skull. He only crashed into the desk, that's all."
So he says. The specks of blood on Gaara's knuckles say different.
"Gaara?" she asks, approaching the boy with caution. He seems to not hear her, still staring at Sasuke. Now that she's closer, a slight tremble of his body is visible, along with small movements of his lips.
The words are no more than a breath of wind, but also something more.
"Think that he could sneak up on me and Shukaku, huh? I showed him... Hope you're happy, did this for you..."
Gulping, she takes another step. Temari's wild sobbing can still be heard, along with the slurred 'I thought he was okay! He was okay!' mixed in between.
He is okay.
She puts a hand on his shoulder. She can feel him tense beneath her touch, his breath getting faster. For a moment, Sakura expects him to punch her, or something. But nothing comes. Getting braver by the moment, she dares to squeeze reassuringly.
Itachi comes.
Sasuke's brother.
Do you know what this reminds me of?
That day.
When I helped Gaara.
I hope he'll (who?) be alright.
He'll be alright.
Gaara.
Stupid.
This is a hospital.
He is my patient.
Just a patient. Just a person in need.
Shikamaru is gone. Temari is gone.
This is my chance.
Slowly, drag him down to the floor.
Confusion emits from his being.
"I'm here."
Guilt. Well, not quite, but close.
His eyes are not stars, bringing hope.
I shall make them into stars.
I am not afraid. My fortress is strong.
(Of course.)
Run hand through hair. It feels like sand; rough, but slides through fingers easily.
But there's a spark in his eyes. Pale hands push away.
Push me away. Deep growl.
(Not yet. Too fast. Gradually.)
Yes. The pyramids weren't built in a day, and neither will my bridge to him.
The silence is golden.
"You came with him, right?"
His voice is a rasp, containing none of its usual smooth.
"Yes."
There. Another flash.
"...Gomen."
I wish I knew what he was saying.
Doesn't sound like English.
I reach for his hand.
BAM
Door bursts open. I am a deer in headlights.
I thought my fortress was strong.
"Ha! So you are dating! Knew it knew it knew it!" Laughter of a crow.
Apparently, Ino's cannons are stronger.
(She doesn't know anything.)
The walls crumble. So does the bridge. Everything collapses into one, hopeless pile.
I run.
Push him away and run.