(Sasuke's POV)

Everything hurts. I don't think I can move. I can't see either. Those gang members are going to wish they were never born when I get my hands on them.

If I could move them…

All I remember is walking on the river, getting hit with the senbon and then waking up, and hearing her.

-Flashback-

As I awaken, I feel someone touching me. Soft.

But it could be an enemy. I jolt and question who it is.

All I hear is a voice I don't recognize say, "Hello Sasuke-san, you're on your way back to the village."

Village? The small village? But the gang members? They must've captured me. I need to know!

I open my eyes to see nothing but shadows. I can't see! They ruined my eyes! My lineage!

I tried to sit up and demanded my captors, "I can't see who you are, and I don't recognize your voice. Again, before I get angry, who are you?" All I can feel is someone's hand on my shoulder, pushing me back. How DARE they touch me!

I'm about to push them away when I hear the familiar bell-like voice that haunts me. "Shhh, Sasuke-kun. You need rest." "Sakura?" I try to ask but it comes out a mumble as I feel sleep overtake me.

I'm so glad it's you.

-End of Flashback-

I try to make out the shadows in the room but to no avail, I cannot see anything. I smell anti-septic and flowers? I force myself to sit upright. I must be in a hospital.

I hear the door open and the clicking of heels. My eyes narrow. All I can see is a shadow of a woman?

"Who are you?" I ask harshly.

The clicking stops, I hear scribbling on a notepad and more clicking. I can feel someone sit on the bed and put their hand on my forehead.

I push it away. "Answer the-"

"Sasuke-kun, what are you able to see?" I recognize the voice to be Sakura's and relax.

"Nothing but shadows." I speak lowly.

She makes a noise of acknowledgement and scribbles again.

"Well, Kakashi will be here to get your verbal report on what happened and you should be released soon. I'm glad you're doing better Sasuke-kun." I feel her hand on my shoulder and indulge in the warmth. She leaves, and I start to feel cold once more.

Another knock on the door, and I hear someone come in. "Who are you?" I ask.

"I didn't think it was true when Sakura told me that you were blind. Now I see the truth." A voice I recognize to be Kakashi's states.

"You're here for my report aren't you?" I ask.

He makes an approving noise.

I told him, start to finish what happened; hearing the scrawl of a pen on paper, in which I can only assume he is taking notes.

After I finished, he thanked me and left.

I sigh and lie down, closing my eyes to sleep.

In my dream, it was a memory of that day I left for my journey.

She stood in front of me, with her pink hair and green eyes, looking at me sadly. I can admit she's beautiful. Full of life, and colorful. Color I won't see again.

As the memory played, I noticed the colors fading to grey. She asks if can come with me, but her green eyes fading to a lifeless silver. As I'm about to poke her forehead, I poke blackness. She's gone.

I wake up in cold sweat.

"Are you alright, Sasuke-kun?" I hear her say to me.

"Hn."

"I just wanted to tell you that you're being released from the hospital. Unfortunately, you cannot leave the village for three months due to your condition. But don't worry, we're finding a cure for it."

Three months? But those gang members!

I shakily stand up and feel her arm around me, steadying me. "Easy now. Why don't I walk you home?" She says. I don't disagree, and she helps me walk out of the hospital.

"OY SASUKEH!" A loud voice I can only recognize to be dobe's shouts. Sakura reprimands him. "Hey, he's healing. Not so loud."

"Oops sorry. Anyway it was great to see you back on your feet, believe it! I have to go meet someone." He says.

"Ooo is it another date with Hinata-chan?" Sakura mocks. Naruto sputters a no and races off.

I hear her laughing to herself and pulling me to walk. I comply. She talks about the hospital, how much she's missed me and the latest gossip, while I listen.

I realize, I don't mind listening to her. I kinda like it. Startled by this revelation, I try to push down those thoughts.

"Well here you are. If you need anything, don't be afraid to ask. I'm here for you." She opens his door, and ushers him in. "Good night, Sasuke-kun." She says as she leaves. I grab her wrist but let go.

"Good night, Sakura." I say as I find my way to my room.

(Sakura's POV)

I don't know what that was about but I think he needs my help.

I briskly make my way to the Hokage building. I have to ask for this favor.

Knocking on the door, I hear a "come in," and push the door open.

"Sakura-san, to what do I owe the pleasure?" My former sensei asks cheekily.

I sit down in front of his desk and begin, "As you already know, Sasuke-kun's condition could take a while to find a cure for. In the meantime, he needs help readjusting to everything. I propose that I can assist him in his activities so that he is able to take care of himself. I also propose that I be put in charge of the research because I will be able to monitor his eyes."

Kakashi strokes his masked chin. "That sounds good. But curing blindness is next to impossible. And restoring both of his kekkai genkai is beyond impossible."

"I understand that, but I have recently been working on some research on restoring more sensitive cells to the human body. It's a build off the prosthetic arm research we accomplished. I believe this may help. I also believe it may have been the poison that caused this but I need more research." I say to him.

"Alright. I give you the clearance for this project, but how are you going to balance assisting Sasuke and researching a cure." He asks.

"I'll find a way. He may have to come with me while I research. I will also need a team." I say.

"Done. Also I'll file in a leave for you at the hospital for this project. You are officially in charge of Sasuke. Just don't overwork yourself. Sasuke's first thing to see shouldn't be a dead Sakura." Kakashi jokes.

"Hey! Don't say that. I'll be fine." I feel the red on my cheeks. "Thank you. I'll begin tomorrow."