Chapter XII
A/n: proper word is 'sad' to describe my feelings. Here's where conflict is presented, a tight brotherly knot you all will soon try to untie with Sakura. I also like the portrayal of Itachi in this chapter.
Chapter Twelve Summary: tortured with unsolved problems and unanswered questions, Sakura finally gives vent to all emotions stagnated inside
The shift was over, even though Sakura was not in a hurry to leave the hospital,l while here and there those trivial little things of great importance seemed to make her stay longer. Try as she might, the girl failed to prolong her presence there and eventually found herself at the closed gates as she regarded the road. No wish to return home, though, since all she was bound to do there was sit in the gloom under the load of thoughts flying above in a crow-herd-like motion, and besides...
She was defeated.
'Come what may.'
This time it was long before the door opened, and she didn't look him in the eye.
- Is something wrong?
- Yes... I mean - no, I've come to apologize, - she began upon biting us her lip. - I'm sorry for the last night... I didn't mean to spy on you, it... just... happened by itself. Forgive me, please. And... that incidence in the bathroom... I'm sorry. Something must have happened to me.
With her head low and palms in a praying manner, Sakura stood quiet, tension causing inner shiver.
- It's no good, discussing things upon the door. Come on in, I'll make tea, - he stepped back and into the hall.
The girl, restive, raised her eyes,
- Itachi?
Half-turning, under the fading daylight, she caught his yet-noticeable smile,
- You're forgiven.
She exhaled on hearing that, as though a huge load has been taken off her mind, it got easier to breathe and the night, that was turning blacker by the second, seemed less obscure and not so menacing. With little to no sign of faltering, she followed Itachi into the near-native dim of the passage.
The jasmine-tea aroma she's got used to, was a solace, with care, she held the cup between her palms, narrowing eye-lids in contentment while musing on how habitual it seemed to spend nights here in the kitchen, for a moment she could make belief nothing had changed, it looked like... all was perfectly fine. Yet things past cannot be recalled, her thoughts' state looked the same within her mind, she couldn't get rid of them at once. To face and overcome obstacles, this's what a shinobi is meant for.
She sipped the cup contents hot before pushing headlong into the swamp,
- It... to speak frankly, I've come here to... talk with you. I guess, you know what it is all about.
- I can.
Then, you should remember our first meeting, you said your brother was sick. Did you mean that very thing?
I did.
Not without sadness Sakura rotated the cup watching little whirlwinds in the centre,
- Why? Why is he ... like this?
A slight sigh, then he leant back against the chair,
- I have already told you, affections are too strong in him, he is no calm person, always bursting with emotions yet unable to control them. He would never listen to me. Foolish, foolish little brother, - his voice, suddenly filled with strange sorrow.
She sized him us, eager to listen more.
- I told him, hate me, - in the same soft manner, as if talking to himself, continued Itachi. - All he was to do was listen what the elder was telling him. Under such circumstances, everything would have ended up simply, plainly. Either he would have killed me or I would have killed him, in any way we'd've attained only freedom. He turned out to be incapable of coping with his feelings because he could not aim at reaching the highest peak which was supposed to become his goal.
- Affections are too strong, - repeated Sakura before realization started burning its way. - It... what have you done?..
The girl covered her face with her palms,
- He... loved you. And you... you did all to deprive him of everything but you!
"I gotta kill one man."
- The sole thing on his mind was you. All he did, all he desired, all for you. Not a brother nor an enemy - but everything! Power? He couldn't care less! He craved for getting it only to make it a means of reaching you, for you to pay attention on him.
"I can't die... until I killed... my brother."
- As I said, - agreed the man. - Too much affection.
- How dare you… - Sakura barely whispered, limbs down on her knees, strengthless as they are. – He is your brother… How could you… make him such a…
- I didn't mean to make him like this, - a soft retort. – Though I do feel my mistake. I didn't consider that Sasuke wouldn't be able to cope with himself and break in the end. I am sorry.
They rested in silence while the girl desperately tried to collect ideas,
- So… What do we do now?
Itachi shrugged,
-Go on living. I hope you still have a chance to cure him, maybe just a bit. He has another purpose – revive the clan.
The kunoichi shook her head,
- How I wish you were right… I'd rather go home now, though, - it was getting tougher to stay here, the house looked like to be screaming of Sasuke and his 'disease'. – Itachi… what do you feel towards him
A small grin,
- I don't share this soft spot, if that's what you mean. Since he's my limit no more, he's just my younger brother.
- I see… Good, then, - a faint smile, for the first time during the evening. – Good night Itachi, and… thank you.
- Good night, - he replied with a farewell nod.