Thanks to my freaking soulmate HomeSkillitBiscuit.93. She's da man. We started a collaboration story which will be out soon. :]

Btw, I mention the story title here. See if you can find it ;D

A loud crash sounded from the sky above, a sickening black enveloping the sky with an intense evil. Pouring rain struck the earth beneath, flooding sidewalks and roads. A shatter echoed through a dark, empty mansion. Lights from the crackling lightening illuminated the room every other minute, causing the face of a crazed Uchiha to glow with an eerie guise. Clear glass littered the wooden floor, reflecting the menacing eyes of the man standing above them.

Staring down, he could only see the smudged, faces of the ghosts of his past. His brother, his mother, father, cousins, teammates; they were all strewn by his splintered feet. His body was going numb, no longer feeling the passionate hate filling his chest. It was overwhelming him, beating his control.

Stepping over the shards, he made no move to show it hurt. A trail of blood followed him as he made his way towards the living room. His hand traced the wall, guiding him through the shallow home. Love no longer seeped through the once warm home. Instead, a bitter and cold draft made it's way through the house, encasing him in a fog of despair. He truly felt hopeless.

So close to being caught, it sent his blood cold. His composure is broken as he stares at the empty living room. He was almost caught. They are cautious around him. The feeling of failure was slowly creeping into his heart as he stared into darkness.

There is only so much a person can lie. There is only so much any human being can do before their thoughts and fears eat away at them. For Sasuke, keeping himself in check was a feat. The hate that's hindered him since he was a child was finally resurfacing after years of being built up. He finally just snapped.

He felt alone. There was no one here to guide him. No one to tell him he is doing the right or wrong thing. There was no one to look to for help. He is truly alone. In a place filled with people, a place he calls "home," there is no one there for him. That is the sad truth of a traitor. In the end, there will always be nothing.

A click brought him back to reality, another loud crash shaking the house. The sound of wet shoes hitting the floor caused him to freeze. His mind went blank as he listened to the intruder remove an article of clothing. After a small sniffle, they entered further into the house. Pressing his lips together in a thin line, the figure's footsteps became louder. Each one echoed deeper into his eardrum, the sound muting even the loud thunder outside. As they turned the corner, his body snapped.

A gasp sounded as the intruder hit the opposing wall, Sasuke's hand making sure to squeeze the victim's throat with enough force to enable a gag. Nails gripped his wrist, digging into his flesh as he held the being off the ground. As they suffered, he could feel a wicked smirk cross his face. The sound of torture resembled music. A sick melody of love he couldn't place.

"Sas…Sasuke-kun!"

The cry of help reached his ears as his eyes widened, his hand drawing back to his side quickly. Staring at the figure now on the floor, he only wished he could see her. The girl that was always there, whether he liked it or not.

"…Sakura?" He hesitated, his eyes darting around the floor in search for the pink haired woman. He heard her touch the wall, her breathing heavy as she held her chest, regaining her composure.

"What's wrong with you? Are you trying to kill me?"

Her words stung as he took a step back. His heart was racing, beating frantically in his chest as he looked for the owner of the voice. He was glad he couldn't see her face, couldn't see what she thought of him.

Putting his hand out, he touched the wall her head was leaning on, his forehead touching something sturdy and soft. It calmed his aching head.

Sakura stiffened as something hot touched her bare skin. Looking to the side, she took in the outline of Sasuke's hair as he rested on her. The warmth emanating from his skin caused her senses to kick in, making her forget the mishap from seconds before. Placing her finger under his chin, she lifted his head, allowing her to get a look at his face. He looked exhausted and worn, something completely out of character from the man she was used to seeing so emotionless and nonchalant. Touching his forehead, she moved the onyx bangs that clung to his forehead away, once again feeling the hotness that came from his perspiring skin.

"Sasuke, you're burning up."

The man nodded slowly, unable to take in the true meaning of her words. Noting this, Sakura grabbed his hand, carefully leading him towards his room. He followed without complaint. Opening the door to his room, she stopped and made no movement. Unable to be recognized as the usually neat and organized room she had known it to be, she took a step back and glanced at the man beside her. She shook her head, moving from his room into her own, which thankfully, was left untouched.

Sitting him onto the bed, she turned the light on, examining him further. She winced as she noticed the cuts on his feet and knuckles. Pushing his tense body onto the bed, she began to remove his shirt, hoping to cool off his burning skin. Swiftly moving to the bathroom, she wet a towel with cold water, bringing it to him and rubbing his body down. In turn, Sasuke sighed in relief. More relaxed, he closed his eyes, the world around him spinning.

"Sasuke?"

Her words were sweet and passionate. He missed the way she used to speak to him, so kind and true, her feelings never dwindling, despite his cruel treatment towards her. She was stubborn like him, and yet he never saw it that way until now. How many other things did he and Sakura have in common?

"What?"

His answer was quiet compared to her question. He couldn't find the energy to reply with his usual coy demeanour. He was letting his walls fall down.

"Try to rest. You're really sick."

Turning his head, he eyed her. She was nothing but a thin figure sitting beside him, his own body bigger than hers. He only noticed now that she was pushing chakra into his system, slowly healing his aching limbs and extremities.

The underlining fear of sleep was something he experienced daily. Not waking up the next day always seemed like the higher of the two possibilities. Yet, he couldn't tell which he wanted more some days.

A soft blanket was placed over his chest as comfort welcomed him gradually. The cold cloth on his head allowed the head ache to subside. Feeling the bed beside him shift, he noted she was sitting at the edge of the bed. Blinking, he used his elbows to prop him self up.

"Are you hurt?"

His question seemed cold and out of place, even to his own ears. He could see her hair whip to the side, signifying she turned around. Her face was blank, and everything seemed darker than usual.

His statement caught her off guard, her body tensing as she turned her torso towards him quickly. The man seemed different. Confused and distraught, it was obvious something was making him feel this way. She couldn't tell whether it was his illness or his conscience that was the culprit.

She eyed him, his face showing his truly warn and sick state. After a minute of looking him over in silence, she sighed and stood.

"Lay down. I'm going to change and heal your eyes."

The man complied, his eyes focusing on the ceiling as Sakura left the room. The want to shower was overpowering, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. She too was worn beyond belief. Sasuke always took so much out of her. All the energy she had during the day is immediately drained in his presence. It was odd and annoyed her greatly, but it was her job. She has to help him. A part of her was thankful, though. For once, she has the opportunity to show him she was there. Whether she wanted to be by his side or not, at least he knows she's there for him. He definitely knows.

Returning from the bathroom in white shorts and a forest green shirt, she sat on the bed, wanting to curl up and sleep. With a roll of bandages in her hand, he waited for the man to shift his body, a normal routine the two had developed since her stay. Sasuke moved his head in her direction as if on cue, his eyes blank. Looking at him, she couldn't help but see her old teammate staring back at her. It was a wish that would never come true.

Placing his head on her legs, it caused some leverage for his head. He shut his eyes routinely, awaiting for the peaceful chakra to envelop his senses and bring him to sleep.

Her hands steadied themselves by his eyelids, skimming the surface of his skin as a blue light emanated from it. She could feel his body ease against her as she shut her eyes, concentrating on his chakra points. After a short while, she frowned.

"You used the Sharingan."

A silence followed her statement, never receiving an answer. Looking down at him, she could tell he seemed slightly troubled from the way his eyebrows made wrinkles in his forehead and making a face resembling a cringe.

"Why?"

Her question was so simple, and yet he couldn't bring himself to answer it. He bit his tongue, not showing that it effected him. The tight feeling in his chest returned as he focused on ignoring it rather than answering her question.

"Why are you doing this to yourself?"

He wasn't sure how to take that question. He felt it was more rhetorical than asking him. What was he doing to himself? Surely she was just being emotional again.

"Aren't you tired of fighting? When will it stop? This hate, it's killing you…" Her voice trailed off as the chakra flow from her hands dwindling. Opening his eyes, he looked at her, the stinging in his eyes becoming more apparent.

"Hate can't kill you, Sakura. You of all people should know that."

Her eyes widened at his blunt answer. She was a doctor and she knows that medically, there are only a few links to emotions and physical health. Eying her hands, she bit her lower lip. Something was killing him. And it wasn't a simple fever.

"Then what's your excuse?" A pent up anger was slowly seeping through her veins. His cool demeanor is undeniably a cover up of something he doesn't want to tell anyone. Why is he always hiding things?

He turned his head; a frown making it's way to his lips. She was talking out of place, something she hardly did to him. It was annoying and his headache was returning and making his thoughts foggy.

"You're being stupid. Just stop talking." He sent a glare towards her. If only he knew how close they were to one another. The distance from one another was so close, something she would kill for previously. But now, they seemed farther apart than ever. Fate is so cruel.

Blinking, she tried to restrain herself. The betrayal she felt made her stomach churn. He never cared. Sasuke was always first in his own mind. She would never be taken into account. What would it take for him to realize that he's always been first to her? Even now, without even realizing it, he was first in her life, whether she liked it or not.

"You've become a monster…"

Her voice was just above a whisper. Sasuke strained to hear her as the words flew from her mouth. She never regretted them as they torched his skin and triggered the burning hate within his core to surface.

Sitting up abruptly, he pushed her away from him, causing her to fall closer near the edge of the bed. She caught his body hovering over her through the curtain her hair provided. Placing his body over hers, he was too close for comfort. His knee was placed between her legs, near her thighs. Both of his large forearms were placed by her head, his hands resting on a portion of her hair, keeping her in place.

Feeling her silky locks between his fingers brought a dull calm feeling to his frantic thoughts. Thinking back to the day before, he remembered seeing it for the first time, touching it as it ran through his fingers effortlessly. Their skin touched, her bare legs touching his own skin, sending a chill of a peculiar feeling running through his system. Her face was a blur as he kneeled above her, looking for anything that looked remotely familiar to him. Her pale skin was all his eyes could take in

Frustrated, he activated his Sharingan, the outline of her becoming more clear. He heard her gasp, but ignored it. He just wanted to see her face. Something that showed him she wasn't as different as she perceived herself to be.

A cold hand brought him back to reality as his eye widened. Placing her hand on his face, she stared into his blood red eyes. It was filled with a flurry of emotions, something unfamiliar when it came to Sasuke.

Swallowing hard, she ran her thumb across his cheekbone. He flinched slightly, ready to pull away, but her grip on him prevented it.

It was odd touching him in such a way. She has hated him for a long time and now she was trying to comfort him. She blames it on the compassion she developed for the general public through doctoring. Feelings had nothing to do with it…

"Sasuke…" She wanted desperately to tell him he was wrong. To tell him he was only hurting himself. But when has he ever listened to her? "Please stop. Using your Sharingan will make you worse."

She had to care for him. It was the only way anyone has gotten through to him. If Naruto was successful in getting to him, then why can't she? She wanted to be one of those people that could help Sasuke. He never searches for assistance, even when he's down and dying. She wants to be the hand that pulls him through the dark. He has to let her do her job. Being with him and taking care of him, that's her job.

Crimson turned to black. Shutting his eyes tightly, he was in obvious pain. Trails of blood came from his eyes blinked hard. Looking about, he frowned, his teeth clenching against one another.

"I can't see, Sakura. Sakura…?" His words struck her. Her chest became tight as his blood fell onto her cheek. Mixed with her own salted tears, even she couldn't understand why she was crying. What was happening to her? To them? Was this how fate intended it to be?

It was like he was crying. The trail of blood coming from his eyes resembled her own tear streaks that were beginning to stain her cheeks. She knew he wasn't, but even thinking that they could be feeling the same sadness made her feel a bit better about letting her emotions drip from her eyes. It made crying seem not as intolerable when they both seemed to be doing it. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she spoke with a cracked voice.

"W-what?" Her heart was beating frantically against her sternum, threatening to burst. She hated this feeling that was beginning to overwhelm her. Sasuke changing seemed to have the same effect as him leaving. It was almost too much to bare.

"I can't see you anymore."

Biting her lower lip, she tried to swallow the lump that was quickly forming in her throat. She only wished to sob harder as he said those words to her.

He can't see her. All she had worked for is gone. He ruined it. He didn't care enough about himself or her to keep himself from using the Sharingan.

What was her real worth? Did she mean anything to him at all? As she lays underneath him, he stares at her with the same broken, bloodied face. It was like they were starting over. He doesn't know who she is and in turn, she truly knows nothing about him. Were they ever on a team together? Or was her imagination taking her to dreams that she could only wish for? The pain in her heart told her otherwise.

The irony was killing her. She was always able to see him for who he was. Yet here she is, right in front of him, and he could still see nothing. Blinded by hate and revenge, he never bothered to look in her direction. It was the sad reality she had to face. Maybe he should stay blind. Stay the way he's always been: blind and impenetrable to everything that didn't have to deal with Sasuke. He should be used to this feeling, right?

Choking on a sob, she nodded slowly.

"You never could," she whispered softly, more to herself than him. She could tell her heard it, his face contorting itself to show his confusion and hurt. He knew it was his doing.

They lay deathly still, Sasuke's body oddly close to her as he kneeled above her. She stared at his bloodied face, her thoughts taking her into her own self-pity. Sasuke seemed to be lost in his own train of thought. The two were at a loss of words as they tried to make sense of what was happening. It was a dark night in a dark, dreary home, covered in misfortunes.

Lifting her hands slowly towards him, she pressed her hands against his bloodied face. Gently wiping away the blood, she noticed the stains on his cheek. Another drop of his blood hit her face, but she didn't mind. The blood on her hands were staining her pale skin. Maybe this was what fate intended, that she picks up the pieces of his broken heart, only to wait until he breaks it once more. Always the girl that cleans up his bloodied burdens, never to speak out against him. His tool of comfort that kept him sane. The only earthly pleasure a traitor could possibly possess. That is who she is. A shadow of an unfortunate past and a dream of a hopeful future.

Her actions sent his mind reeling. Her touch was like the wind caressing his skin, leaving behind only goose bumps and a faint remembrance of her presence. He longed for the peace she managed to bring to his mind and soul. It was a medicine only she could give him. Like the wind, he can't grab her, hold her. For whatever reason, it seems like being with her will only bring him pain. She's the definition of purity and innocence and for him to be with her would corrupt that. Even he didn't have the heart to destroy such a complex and beautiful being. It was too unholy.

"You don't have to-"

"I want to."

He could hear the hurt in her voice. She seemed unsure of herself, like even she didn't know why she was doing such a thing for him. And yet, it was natural for her to help people.

Her hands lingered on his cheeks, taking in his features as a bolt of lightening lit the room. Despite his evil, he looked serene. It was odd placing the two together, but he always managed to look so strikingly beautiful.

Removing her hands from his hot cheeks, she pushed him gently off of her, her fingers touching his damp shirt. He sat against the headboard of the bed, his head bobbing back and forth slightly, wincing as pain shot through his eyes. Sighing, she grabbed the forgotten roll of bandages by her side, unraveling them as she prepared to put them on his eyes. Laying it out carefully, she then pressed his eyelids shut, sending soothing chakra into the cells of the damaged organ. Sighing, she noted the major digression after using the Sharingan. Shaking her head, she stopped channeling the chakra.

Picking up the roll of bandages once more, she placed them over his eyes, wrapping it around his head until there was nothing left. Sitting back and studying his face, she frowned. He looked sick and defeated. His body was drained of the life it once had. Seeing him like this, she wasn't sure if she should feel a sense of payback or sorrow. As her old teammate, all she wanted to do was hold him, and tell him everything would be alright. But as a traitor, she only wished to spit on his face and laugh at his misfortune. Yet, at the moment, she couldn't tell which he was. Was he her old teammate? Or the traitor Uchiha, a murderer and fiend only out for revenge? Who is this man before her?