Chapter 7: An Ode to Redemption

The Fifth Mizukage, Terumi Mei, indeed was a woman of class. Every detail in the receiving room was subjected to perfection; from the meat to the arrangements of the furniture that brought zen into the room. She had dawned in a white kimono with silver linings and embroidered lilies. Her hair was in a neat crimson bun with the layers freely curtaining her back. Everything about her was toned down in a forced attempt, for her authority and grace both exuded beauty that lit up with the lamps.

It was an intimate party of less than twenty-five people; a good group to discuss the goodwill of villages and, indeed, strengthen ties. It was also too intimate to get to know someone, and avoid one.

The moment Gaara and Sakura stepped into the room, it was bliss in dim-lit elegance – it felt like a date. The evening was warmed by the loveliness of the place; and visitors were at their best, signifying their elite stature. He glanced to his right and saw Sakura's natural beauty magnified by the scones and candles, but he never failed to miss the quiver of her lips nor the hesitation in her eyes. Gaara responded by reaching for her fingers softly pinching his sleeves as her hand was locked in his elbows.

They were cold, but he squeezed them gently in an effort to keep them warm, and to remind her he'd just be beside her.

"Ah, you must be Haruno-san," greeted the Mizukage as she pranced across the floor to meet them. "I'm glad to have finally met you. I've heard so much about you."

"It's good to meet you, too, Mizukage-sama," Sakura bowed.

"Come, I'll show you around. Do you find Kiri accommodating, so far?" the Mizukage started, as she pulled Sakura away.

He hadn't had the chance to hear her reply to the Kage as Kakashi simultaneously tapped his shoulders.

"Yo!"

"Kakashi."

"I see you're being accommodating to her, so far," he said casually, but mischief was slightly apparent from his voice.

"Aa. It's what a friend can do in times like this."

The Hokage chuckled. "I like you, Gaara. It's nice to see her in such a healthy state. Thank you."

"She's a strong woman, after all. Most of it was of her own doing. She's just too strong she refused to be gentle." This time, the lamps faintly drew penumbras across the Kazekage's face, highlighting saddened shadows.

"She won't show you her gentle side, eh?"

"Haha, not like that, Kakashi."

"Hn. Time does that to a kid."

At some point, Gaara wanted to see that childish fascination back in Sakura's eyes. To have her laugh at simplest things and cry in her deepest worries. To have him be that person who could watch each twinkle and each pouts, and be the man to wipe her tears as she slept. But now, all Gaara had ever been was an audience to a façade she had also forced herself to believe.

Haruno Sakura, with hate and despair, had lost her humanity through a vigorous training towards becoming a perfect kunoichi.

"Just, go talk to her," commanded Gaara to the older Kage as he walked away to talk to the others.

"Yes, sir."

"Really, it remains a mystery for me that Hatake Kakashi, sixth Hokage of the prestigious Hidden Leaf Village, remains to be a bachelor and had never had a girlfriend–"

"Steady girlfriend."

"–steady girlfriend ever."

"And I also wonder why the lovely fifth Mizukage is still single."

"Mmmm… I have a strong personality that no man could handle, is what they always say."

"And do you believe that, Terumi-san?"

She shrugged. "Do you think they're right, Hatake-san?" In response, the Hokage just chuckled.

Kakashi would have cornered Sakura and talked to her ages ago, but the Mizukage had cornered him instead. He only had one chance to talk to her, and it was just a casual bowing of the head when the Mizukage had introduced Sakura to Kakashi. It seemed that she wasn't aware of their relationship, but Mei knew Sakura was once from Konoha.

"It was a terrible mistake to let go of such a renowned medic-nin who might have already surpassed the late Tsunade-sama," Terumi Mei had lamented earlier as she introduced them both.

"Indeed," was his only answer, as he turned his attention to the woman beside the Kiri leader. Sakura was smiling casually, as though they were new acquaintances. "She was the Godaime's favorite. She had surpassed her at such a young age."

Sakura respectfully bowed, as what ethics had taught her. "You're very kind, Hatake-sama. Surely, I have a lot to learn."

But he could only chuckle and excused himself instead. Haruno Sakura had definitely turned been cold over the years. How could she act so indifferent? Act so tough? He would rather have her avoid him all night, be evasive or get mad at him instead of being so civil and unaffected.

All night he had eyed her, and she was irritating him already. She was so easy to read; she laughed the loudest, been too friendly to everybody, and she acted as though she was the most felicitous person in the world.

Then again, was there really any problem with that? None. It was fine that she tried to act tough. But Kakashi felt that she was doing it to spite him, to show that she was all the better away from all of the people who ever cared for her. But he couldn't blame it against her; he knew she was still hurting. So much so that it pained Kakashi to see her trying so hard to evade the grief.

"Mmmm… You've been staring at the medic since, I don't know, since she came?" The Mizukage whispered to his ear, catching his attention since she had been doing so three times now.

"Ahhh. Was I too obvious?" he asked peevishly.

"You want to talk to her? You think you can get her back to your village? She looks pretty much loyal to Gaara, don't you think?"

"Perhaps so. But she and I have an unfinished business."

"Oh! Unfinished business?" said the Mizukage, quite intrigued.

"Maybe you could arrange for us a private moment outside or somewhere, if possible?"

"Kakashi-san!"

This time, he faced her with a serious face and a serious tone that would have made anyone obey. "Mei-san, Sakura was my old student. She had run away from Konoha for her own personal reasons. Now that I have seen her again after a long while, I think it's time that she hears what I should have said years ago. Before she turns into a stranger her friends would no longer recognize."

Consequently, the Mizukage had led Sakura to the veranda to lure her away from the crowd. She boasted of the beautiful garden with a wide view of mossy forest back-dropped by a distant karst mountain, now with a hue of blue from the night sky.

It was still raining, of course, but had lessened in intensity; more like tolerable drizzles that soothed Saukra's disturbed aura.

"Wow! Mizukage-sama, your garden is beautiful."

The leader chuckled. "I know. I come here an hour everyday just to take the view in. The mountains look even better when the moon's out in a clear sky."

"Mmm, they're perfect." Sakura moved towards the rails, unmindful of the rain as she closed her eyes to relish the evening. An attempt to calm herself.

"I'll leave you to your musings, Haruno-san," and the Mizukage moved out. Back at the party, she signaled the Hokage that things were in order.

Moments later, Kakashi left the room to join Sakura enjoy the mystic beauty of the Mist. However, Kakashi had another thing in mind.

He knew his students better than anyone; thus he knew that Team Seven were all stubborn as a prick. Once he let her know of his presence, she would storm out.

Hence, he did what he had done to his two other students to force them to listen.

In a flick of his fingers, Kakashi manipulated a thread around Sakura against one of the railings. To spite her, he tied her hands above her head and bound her so tightly from stomach to toes.

"Kakashi! What the hell is this?" She screamed, struggling in vain.

"I need to talk to you, Sakura-chan."

"Yes, I get that. But there's a civil way of doing it, baka!"

"But a woman like you would not even have the heart to loan an ear."

She simply scoffed. "Then out with it. Gaara's waiting for me inside."

"Not so fast. I have a lot to say to you."

"Oh, put a sock in it, Kakashi. I've already heard what you'd have to say."

"Just wake up, Sakura," he began, prompting a step towards her.

"Hate will lead me nowhere, is that right, sensei?" she mocked.

"Yes, well I believe you have said the same things to Sasuke. Now you're as selfish and arrogant and closed-minded as he once was."

"Whose fault do you think was it?"

"I understand that. You've been through horrors I couldn't imagine myself," said Kakashi, trying hard to keep his voice firm. "But you don't have to push everyone who cares for you away. We've been with you almost all your life; we would have done everything to carry the burden with you."

All Sakura could do was close her eyes to spare herself from the intense weight of her old master's stare.

"I don't care if you'd never return to Konoha, or if you'd choose to live in Suna or whatever. All I'm asking is for you to stop the hate and let us back it."

Kakashi didn't know if she was actually listening, but he'd have to take the message across, one way or another. He tucked his hands inside his pockets and moved to lean beside the railings.

"Hisashi's seven now, and I'm betting she'll be genin next year. She had managed very well without a mother, for she had Sai and Naruto taking good care of her. She has Ino and Hinata-san and Ten-ten by her side always. Shizune, too. She's a very lucky kid; far from the cursed Uchiha she should be. All because Hisa-chan grew up with love from the people around her." There was a hesitant pause before he continued. "I just pray that hate would not stem from the very person who bore her.

"I agreed to bring you to Suna to heal, not to distance yourself from those who love you. You've changed for the worse, Sakura. I cannot feel any emotion from you, only indifference. You've lost your heart, your humanity."

"Kakashi," she hoarsely whispered, after a tensed silence. "I never wanted to hate her, would never want to hate my own child. But I couldn't stop it. It stays there, Kakashi; I thought in time, it'd go away. Ignore it; then maybe it'll disappear. But it never did. I still hate her for being a living remnant of a past I wanted so badly to forget."

"It was a past you gambled to keep Sasuke alive, Sakura. Don't you remember?" This. This was what she had failed to consider.

Air got stuck in her throat as she hitched a breath. She had never thought of it that way, she painfully realized.

"You had done something so valiant, and now you regret. What do you think would Sasuke feel had he heard you?"

"This has nothing to do with Sasuke at all," she interrupted. "Stop using him to make me undone."

"It has everything to do with him, Sakura! You agreed to Madara's wish all to keep Sasuke alive," Kakashi pointed out, unable to keep the intensity from his voice. "I may never understand what you've been through; but I'd forever look up to your selfless sacrifice. You have done something very few would do.

"Thus, it should be pride, and not hatred, you'd be feeling. Rape had taken only your body, but never your heart. Not even your soul. Always remember that. It's time you stop thinking you were a victim of it; for even when you've been violated a thousand time, it will never change the fact that you are Haruno Sakura."

Yes. Yes, he was right. Didn't she say the same thing to herself before? Back then at that cursed room?

And yet, time had finally created a fortress so high, she had lived in it so comfortably. She needed additional time, yet again, to heal. For real, this time.

Sakura was openly crying now; Kakashi's words hit home so hard she couldn't think straight, couldn't discern the right feeling to have. She couldn't say anything back.

The Hokage had already untied the ropes that bound her. She sank to the floor and wrapped herself to keep her from sobbing uncontrollably.

It had been years since she allowed herself to let loose, to let herself drown in emotions. Kakashi knelt before her and laid a hand in her head, like he usually did when these kids were young.

"Come on, Sakura, let's get back inside." But she never moved. Instead, she curled up on the floor and drowned in her tears.

Sasuke. Would it really be enough to forget the pain and say it was all for Sasuke she went through all the suffering? Maybe so. But now, was it still worth it to forgive when the one she had sacrificed a part of her life to was already dead?

Perhaps his death had nothing to do with her sacrifices; after all she had kept him alive as she had planned. Then, perhaps it was just bitterness eating her up. Unable to get past his death, more so with all the inauspicious events that had transpired in her life.

Could it be that Madara's child with her had been an unfortunate being to whom Sakura could vent all the resentment to? Perhaps so. Then, how cruel she had become.

She allowed years pass her by; but how much time did she need to feel fine? Time never helped one heal. It could only make one temporarily forget.

But it could undo everything in just a few, calculated events. If so, then time was by far crueler than she was.

How long should she have to wait for her heart to beat once more with a soul devoid of darkness?

She was indeed taking her time lying on the floor. Kakashi had already left, maybe half an hour ago. But it was another thirty minutes until Gaara came for her.

She must have been asleep, as the Kage tried to move her. But just as she was about to carry her up, he put her down. He then left her, after Gaara softly – he grunted – stroked her head.

When she finally stood, she wiped her eyes with the sleeves of her kimono, randomly pinned the loose hairs falling down her face, and fixed the obi tightly around her waist.

Afterwards, she went back inside. Yet just minutes later, the distraught woman moved out of the building, Gaara tailing her like the stupid dog he was.

"Gaara, I know my way to my own house. I'll be fine." Said dog finally gave up and silently stood at the doorway until Sakura was out of sight.

However, the worn-out girl in a kimono didn't go straight home as she promised.

Sasuke was confused. He had followed Sakura from the Mizukage's place. In fact, he had been watching her since she and Gaara took off from her apartment. So, he was positive that she wasn't on her way home.

It was quite difficult for an international criminal already presumed dead to be stalking around the Mizukage's house. So he was a few hundred meters away, with only is Sharingan to rely on. He had witnessed the scene between Kakashi and Sakura, alright, but was unable to make out of their conversation for Sakura was bound with her back to him and Kakashi's mouth was covered, making it difficult to lip-read.

Going around the forest at the back of the Kage's mansion was nothing new to Sasuke, for he was familiar of a path nearby that led to the mountains. Also there had been times before that Taka had to monitor the Kage, and they had done so at a distance, sheltered perfectly by the mossy forest.

When Sasuke saw Sakura went back in, he moved so that the side windows were visible; but he saw her at the front door instead. For that, he moved closer.

However, he had known Kirigakure long enough to guess Sakura planned to go someplace else.

She was walking promptly, alertly, with no signs of her being lost in thought.

Sasuke couldn't understand the situation Sakura was in with Kakashi. But if the Rokudaime had tied her up and she was moping the way she was, the Sakura must've been in deep shit – stubborn as she was. And what was Gaara's role in all of these? Why was he acting as though he had known her well enough, no, too well much to Sasuke's liking.

Wasn't she married to that painter guy or something? After all, they had a kid together.

Sasuke followed Sakura to town, with so many questions confusing him. He was now walking less than ten meters away. If she had heard his footsteps, which she should have with all her kunoichi trainings, then she didn't heed.

When buildings and establishments were already in view, he closed in. They were at the othr side of town, where it was the busiest at night.

She then entered casually in a pub filled mostly by men. This was an inappropriate place for women, especially in an attire such as hers. Sakura walked towards an empty table near the counter and signaled to the waiter as she sat.

"Two bottles of warm sake, please. His eyes narrowed as he watched her from the entrance before taking a seat in a corner.

He didn't know if he'd be pleased at the fact that people weren't eyeing him for being so mysteriously cloaked, since all eyes were on the young lady who just boldly joined in their nightly debauchery.

Tch! Sasuke gritted his jaw. She was clearly looking for trouble. True enough, when her order came, she gulped one bottle down until it was empty. She held her coughs and distaste in after putting the bottle down.

She was really stupid, he thought. She just went on and rigged the whole bottle down her throat without even observing the etiquette of pouring it in a sake cup.

And just when Sasuke thought she was quite able to handle alcohol, he was proven wrong. For she was still as new to liquor as the first time he saw her drink that memorable night in the Land of Iron a long, long time ago. One bottle of sake was enough to get her drunk; more so when she quaffed it all down in one go, he's betting she wouldn't be remembering anything anymore.

She was mindlessly twirling the bottle now, even the empty cup. Sasuke motioned for the waiter, but instead gave him a different kind of order.

"Go sit over there and talk to her," he pointed his head towards Sakura's table.

"What? Why would I do that?"

"Because I'm paying you to do so," he snapped, as he slammed a bill worth a hundred down the table. "Now do as you're told and don't tell her I ordered you."

The money would have been a week's supply of food for the team. But Sasuke didn't seem to regret what he just did. After all, it's not like he's living in poverty now. He's still an Uchiha. He found ways.

The waiter occupied the empty seat next to her. "Isn't that too much for you to handle?" he started.

"There's nothing I couldn't handle," she answered. "Shall I buy you a drink?"

"No, that's fine. I'm still on shift."

"On shift? Then what are you doing sitting with a lonely girl like me?" she slurred, now unable to keep her head up.

"You're lonely, huh?"

"Oh, you have no idea," was her response, as she eyed the man while she went for another gulp on the second bottle.

Sasuke didn't know why he asked the waiter to sit with her. Maybe because she looks so broken, she needed company. Or that curious part of him provoked him, where he wanted to know what was happening to her. Then again, Sasuke knew from experience that Sakura was a bad drinker and a bad drunk, in which she wouldn't remember anything anymore with just one bottle.

So why would he go about giving a hundred to some random guy to talk to her? When he knew the probability of this man harassing her in the process; and he knew how much he wanted to ask the questions himself.

Well, for one, the revelation of his existence would be quite complicated. His security, as well as hers, was at stake. But perhaps it would be her answers which hindered him to confront her.

"If you ever get lonely again, miss, you know where to find me." Sasuke saw the man winked.

In turn, she giggled. "Oh, if you ever get sick, just look for Haruno Sakura at the hospital and you'll have the best medical experience you'll ever have."

"Ah, Haruno Sakura, is it?"

"Yep!"

"Tell me, Haruno Sakura, what are you doing in the the hospital?"

"Hmm, let's see. Well, I'm a doctor there."

"A doctor! Then, why haven't I seen you in town before?"

"That's because I just moved here. I'm originally from Suna."

Suna? Sasuke arched an eyebrow.

"So what's a Suna doctor doing here in the Mist? Sand's too boring for you?"

"Nah," Sakura answered, taking another drink. "The Mizukage requested for assistance and I'm here to train the medics."

"Whoa! Seriously? Then you're some bigtime medic ninja?"

She chuckled. "I don't know about being bigtime; but yeah, I'm a medicnin."

"What a lame-ass attempt to be humble," he joked.

"What a jerk!" As they were sharing a laugh, the dim lue and red lights went off at the far end of the bar. Only then did Sasuke notice a stage with guitars and mic propped up.

"Hey, Haruno Sakura, do you have any place you need to be, with you dressed so elegantly like that?"

As she shook her head, he beamed and stood up.

"Great! Be my guest," the waiter winked at her again and turned to take his apron off, then headed to the stage. His eyes were forever fixed to the only female in the room, even when he hung the guitar over his shoulder and signaled the two band members behind him to start playing.

As the drums started a soft beating, and the bassist on the other side of the waiter plucked gently, he said over the microphone, "Thank you everyone for coming here tonight. Enjoy the food, the booze and the music."

All the while, Sakura was flabbergasted with the waiter's random actions. She had turned to watch him up the stage, hence prompting Ssuke to stand and move toward the door where he had a vantage view of her and that straightforward waiter.

He started strumming, still gazing over her. "For the loneliest woman in the room." Then, he closed his eyes to sing. Sakura was flustered, but she was smiling genuinely at his gesture. This certainly wasn't the effect of alcohol, Sasuke mused.

Fell past a cheekbone hill

To a piece of her floor

The hope of the world in an awkward spill.

Oh, she'd lie on her bed

And stare into harsh white light

And think that her heart's not right.

Cause love took her hand like a thief,

Took her heart like a robber

And the feelings that scare her become her relief.

Sasuke had blocked out everything around him – the people, the lights, the aroma of fermented rice and alcohol, the music – to silently watch the woman breaking silently across him.

It wasn't long after her face had radiated a wonderful smile that her cheeks looked strain and her eyes could no longer keep up with the contact. Sasuke could clearly see her tight grip on the sake bottle and how she painfully bit the sides of her cheeks.

There were pools in her eyes, of which she refused to let go of. Would it reliever her if she cry it all out? Would it fix her if he revealed himself tonight?

Just let me run where I want to run

Just let me love who I want.

In a flash her heart is slain, you have to ask in all this pain.
Was your heart too soft? Was your love in vain?
Was your kiss too weak? Were your eyes too tired?
And much too young to be in love?
And much too young to be in love?

Just keep your head and don't give up.
Or call the fools who date smart.
Lose your head just for your heart.
Just for your heart.

Sakura took one last drink from her bottle before standing. The waiter suddenly stopped singing, but continued abruptly. She turned to the stage and smiled to the man singing his heart out.

"Thank you," she mouthed and bowed low. She ran through the door, past Sasuke whose eyes spied her under his hood.

Still, Sasuke couldn't understand what could have upset her. Her current situation, Kakashi, Gaara, her tears. It didn't seem to make sense at all.

Of course, he continued to tail her, and found her sitting on a bench on the outskirts of town. She was gazing at the entrance gate just meters away from her position, as though contemplating whether making her way past it would be the best idea.

Whatever happened to her? She wasn't that headstrong woman he had grown to know years ago. Today, he found her in a feeble state of breaking down, and she had refused everyone who tried to comfort her.

Was it, perhaps, his death that brought such sadness upon her?

He just stood there, watching her from her sides as she gazed upon the great gates. Was she, perhaps, waiting for something? It reminded him of his flight from Konoha decades ago. But he didn't allow his thoughts to linger in such distant memories.

For doing so could break his resolve of not sharing that empty seat beside her.

They both stayed like that for a while; him looking after her at a distance, and her with eyes so hollow.

Hours later, he noticed her head rolling to her sides; then moments after, she laid herself on the cold bench. It was just how he left her as he fled from the village a long time ago.

This woman really had no decency at all. She was new in a strange town, wearing thin kimono in the middle of the night, and she had to choose an inappropriate place to sleep. Really, Sasuke muttered, she's annoying. As always.

Even after all these years. Even when she had supposedly grown older and wiser, she couldn't take care of herself. Must here always someone reminding her that, reprimanding her, looking after her? She slept there with the whole world ready to feast upon her body; from mosquitoes, to frogs, wandering beasts, and men!

And to top everything, that stupid woman was drunk.

She was, in his eyes, fragile and vulnerable and masking under a façade of strength and stability. For even a thousand battles she had won with just a sheer powerful stroke of her fist, after molding large vessels of chakra into her tiny arms, she frowned as everyone went home after the celebratory toast. For her heart continued to grieve for everything she had lost in order to win.

In his eyes, she was no longer the cheerful girl and she had lost each childish enthusiasm, just as he had. As Naruto and probably Kakashi had. Just as every shinobi had outgrown and had forgotten.

In Sasuke's eyes, even when Sakura had bloomed to be one of the best fighters and had made a name for herself, the sorrow paid for all the glory would never suit her. For she was spring: young and fresh and always hopeful, always cheery. Always light and sunshine; always everything he's not.

Seeing her broken in every possible way, seeing her now in disillusionment, as she had been the last time they were together, made him believe that there can only be this kind of life for him.

But still, as he leapt to sit on the tree branch above him, as he leaned back and watched her sleep on a distant bench, still there was this familiar, old feeling of willing obligation to be the one to look after her, be the one to protect her and keep her away from everything that could make her cry.

Then again, if it was him who caused her troubles, would he be willing enough to stay away, as he had been doing for almost all his life?

Could spring handle the freezing death winter brought?

The drizzles slowly turned to rain, and there was an urgent need for shelter. Sakura was a medic, a very good one. Should she catch colds, she could easily cure it.

But her desolation had turned a switch in him, and he instantly jumped down from the tree to scoop her up from where she lay – so careful not to wake her. Reasons and logic were all thrown out of his rational mind as he carried her back to town, and hopefully secretly bring her back to her house.

Sasuke focused on the cold rain, since if he allowed himself to feel that warmth in his arms, he might certainly be turning around and rushing towards the mountains instead – taking Sakura with him.

It was an awfully lot of willpower to refuse that option when she suddenly stirred and peered at him with dreamy, or was it sleepy, eyes.

"Ah, Sasuke-kun's ghost," she mumbled; alcohol reeked from her mouth that Sasuke wanted to scold her right then and there. "Sasuke-kun's ghost looks so real; you look like him, smell like him. You even smirked like him."

He couldn't look at her, and instead just had his eyes on the road. But if he would, he'd melt instantly for she was the happiest girl he could ever see, despite the rush of tears that blended with the pouring rain.

"Sasuke, you are the most annoying person I have ever met, but, t-thank you. Thank you for finally visiting me. I have prayed for your ghost forever," she said, finally closing her eyes again.

"I don't ever want to wake up again," was her last whispers, as she curled to sleep in his arms.

AN: Right on time, as promised. But still, sorry for the very long hiatus.

It was depressing me to continue writing, the final scenes of this chapter. But I had to stop there, else the magic might be lost. Hope you still like this new development.

Readers of Of Redemption, I hope you had that nostalgic feeling as I had remembering the story.

Tell me what you think! ~enjoy :3

Insert song: Love Affair, by Copeland