Author's notes: this chapter's short but it's a kind of turning-point of the story. Things will grow complicated from now on.
Read and review)
Chapter III
Chapter Three summary: Sakura decides to take a desperate step. Her dangerous investigation turns into uncontrollable obsession she cannot get rid of.
- Sasuke?
- Hm?
- Tell me why did you entreat Tsunade to save your brother's life? – Sakura distracted his attention from the newspaper. He focused on her. Under the fixed look of the black eyes Sakura felt such great discomfort as if she was chilled to the bone. These were the eyes of a stranger. Unfamiliar eyes.
- Why?
- Well, - she was covered with confusion. Her husband's stare, it was too scary, she sensed hostility in it. – Just interested.
- I had some reasons. That's all you've got to know.
- But I…
- Quit it.
'I'd better stop questioning and be quick about it'.
Sakura stood hiding behind the wooden wall of Ichiraku ramen keeping an eye on the road. The rational part of her mind mocked at her saying all she was doing was nonsensical. She didn't give a hang now. Her legs would bring her there once she finished the work.
'What do you need? What do you want to clear out, to prove by this your observation?' Her mind strained itself. Sakura didn't brush off these thoughts nor did she notice them.
She had to know.
The response came soon after.
She didn't know why she was doing this. The hope that some day it will be over and he would be coming back to her? The frenzied effort to understand? Or maybe all things together.
Day by day she was coming here to wait for Sasuke. From time to time he wouldn't turn up at all nor would he come home.
'He may be really busy at work', - Sakura thought bitterly smirking.
Spying had dragged her in, she has become painfully addictive, alcoholic-like. This was far worse than lonely nights she spent in the kitchen.
She watched Sasuke going by and delirious whirlwind revolved faster in her head.
What was wrong? How come everything she believed in turned to be something else?
Why has Sasuke become so alien? Has he ever been different? What is he thinking about? What does he want?
She had thought she knew him, loved him. True, she loved that very Sasuke she knew. But has he ever been 'that Sasuke'?
Does she love 'this Sasuke'?
Can she love him provided she knows nothing about him?
Most of all Sakura dreamed about understanding him. At home in the ample rooms of the Uchihas' residence he seemed too far, he appeared to have fenced himself off with a touch-proof glass wall from her. Sakura's hands slid along the smooth surface not finding a gap.
Now and there at the moments he went past her Sakura saw the answer almost too close, suffice it to catch it, but every single time it slipped away through her fingers.
What are you searching for, Sakura? What are you dreaming of? What do you want?
Who are you, Sakura?
'I'm going mad'.