Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Note: I'm going to try and come out with chapters for this story every day, if not, every other day. Enjoy! ('.')
"Good work team!" Kakashi said as he took another bite of beef Ramen. They were all sitting at the Itchi Ramen stand after their mission was over.
"All we did was fill in potholes..." Naruto grumbled, "When are we going to get a real mission, Kakashi Sensei?"
Kakashi sighed and ducked his head, ignoring the question he'd heard all day long.
"You should be grateful Naruto" Sakura Chided, "Real mission or not, Kakashi Sensei is treating us to Ramen."
Another grumble, then, "So what is wrong with your face Sakura? It looks kind of swollen..." he peered closer, nearly falling off his stool to get a better look.
"I- I don't know what your talking about Naruto." she stated with her nose high in the air.
"Well it kinda looks like you got beat up..."
All through this conversation Kakashi and Sasuke kept eating while listening intently.
Sakura was raising her fist back to give Naruto a good punch to the face when Sasuke said, "He's right Sakura. You do look bruised."
Deflated, Sakura said mumbled, "I, well, I... Umm, you both must be mistaken..." she put her head down, with a humiliated blush on her cheeks a played with her chop sticks.
"But Sakuraaaaaaa" Naruto began, when Kakashi interrupted, "Now, now boys, let's let Sakura eat in peace. This is supposed to be a treat for doing well on the mission so I recommend that we sit back and enjoy it." Both boys placed their attention on their food. Sakura glanced up at Kakashi to find he was looking at her. Reading his eye, she thought that he might know. But how? She thought back to other times when questions like these came up and would quiet the boys down. He knows, he has too. Kakashi grinned and finished his bowl.
Naruto piped up, "Sensei, how come is that even when you eat we some how never see you without your mask?" This got everyone's attention.
"Because Naruto," Kakashi grinned again, "I'm smarter than you." He made a hand sign and disapeared in a poof of smoke.
"WHA-? He didn't even pay the bill!" Nartuo yelled. Sakura and Sasuke sighed, looked like they'd be getting the tab again.
..::::..
Later that evening, after the bill was paid and Naruto had already stomped home, Sakura was preparing to leave. "It's dark" Sasuke said, "I'll walk you home." Then he stepped beside Sakura and kept pace with her.
She adored Sasuke, and it was rare that he paid any attention to her, but she couldn't let him see her father. She knew he'd be way worse than usual tonight because of the way she left him last night. She didn't know how Sasuke would react, but she had to keep it a secret. She hoped that Kakashi didn't know, but if he did, he hadn't said anything thus far, so maybe he wouldn't.
"Um, that's nice and all Sasuke, but you really don't have too." She looked at her feet, waiting for his reply, and when he didn't, she went on, "I'm a trained ninja, I can handle it if anything happens."
Again silence. And when she went to say something a third time (they were getting closer to her house now), he stopped her by talking, "How did you get that black eye Sakura?" Not once did he look at her.
She stuttered, "I, uh, like I said earlier, I- I don't know what you're talking about." She looked down ashamed, she hated lying to people, her teammates especially.
"You're lying Sakura" he said
"Really, I-" she started again, when he stopped.
"Sakura, I want to know who gave you that black eye. Now."
She stopped to, but kept quiet. What was she supposed to say? They were now standing in an abandoned street, about two blocks away from her home, it was late now, the moon was high in the sky.
"Sasuke" she whispered. Oh no, she would not cry now.
He appeared in front of her, looking down into her eyes. "Tell me Sakura."
"I..." there was a shrill scream in the distance. "Oh god, mom!" Sakura took off running in the direction of her home. How could she not think about her mother? Damn, she couldn't believe she'd left her there, alone and unprotected.
She raced there and by the time she had reached the front door another scream pierced the air. "Mom!" she cried, flinging the door open. What she saw had her wanting to puke, there her sweet mother was, pinned against the wall by her father being beat, his knuckles bloody. Her mothers eyes were swollen shut, her jaw bloated as well, but she still managed to say, "Run baby run!" before her fathers fist rained down upon her again.
Sakura burst in and snatched her father off of her, but in the process ended up in a tangle with him on the floor, his drunken weight holding her down. "Ooh, look ah wa we haf here..." his eyes were blood shot, there was know telling how much he had had tonight. "So you want to be a reeeal women do ya?" he slurred, tugging and tearing at her red ninja wear.
"Get off!" she struggled, but his weight was too much and she was too tired from yesterday's beating. He finally managed to rip down enough to unveil her barely-there breast. They were covered by medical wrap but it was still humiliating. She heard her mom sobbing in the corner and tried to heave him off one more time, but failed. His hand was sliding up her leg when his weight, and his hand, were gone. She breathed in deeply, "Sasuke!" she gasped.
He was on the other side of the room, beating her father brutally. "Sasuke! You've got to stop, he didn't mean too!"
"Shut up!" Was his reply, so she crawled over to her mom and started what little medical jutsu she knew on her mom.
..::After Sasuke had stopped and her mother was asleep::..
Sakura leaned against the wall, with barely enough energy left to keep her eyes open. Sasuke walked over, he had carried her mother upstairs for her. Her father was still laying in the corner wear Sasuke had left him. He could be dead for all she cared at the moment.
"Sakura" he kneeled to get a better look at her, "How long as this been going on?"
She didn't answer, just sat there, inhaling deeply. She smelled sweat, blood, and misery, if that was possible.
"I'm not patient Sakura", even through his mask she could sense underlying tones of anger. Was he mad that he had to fight at her expanse?
"Sorry" she mumbled. For a second, she thought she saw his eyes widen in shock, must have been her imagination.
He held out his hand and stood up, offering her help. She put her hand in his, grateful. Neither said anything for a few minutes. "I'll help you upstairs" he finally said, putting his arm around her back and taking most of her weight. She tripped a couple of times on the way, but he steadied her. She pointed out which door lead to her bedroom and they stepped in. He lay her down on her bed, and stood over her, clearly waiting for an explanation.
Silence.
"I, I guess I'll see you tomorrow?" she offered a weak smile. He kept staring. "Sasuke, I-"
"I'm telling Kakashi tomorrow." he stated.
She jerked upright, pain shooting threw her entire body, "No! Sasuke you can't! My mom-"
"Is being hurt too. It's for the best Sakura."
By now she was crying, "Sasuke please! He's my father!"
His eyes closed to slits.
"Please Sasuke, please! I'll do whatever you want!" The sobs were wracking through her body, causing even more pain.
"He tried to rape you Sakura. He would have if I hadn't stopped him."
"No, you can't believe that. He would never...He's my father! They'll put him away forever!" The last word was yelled. He couldn't do this, he wouldn't, would he?
Sasuke glared at her for a moment. Thinking, she guessed. Contemplating what he'd do. "You have four more days with him." He declared. "We won't have a mission for the next few days, so you can rest and spend time with him." He said, "But on condition, Sakura".
"What?" She asked feebly, she was a little afraid of what he'd, say, but she had promised him anything.
"I will be keeping an eye on him" then he turned and stalked towards the window, where he jumped out.
Sakura lay back in bed. Four more days. The last days she'd ever spend with her father. Before she could think more on the topic, she drifted into sleep, her mind riddled with nightmares.
..::::..
So how was this chapter? Quite a bit longer than the first. I think it turned pretty much just like I wanted it! Draaaaamatic! :D
So do you guys think I got Sasuke's personality right? I think I'll make him softer later on
Reviews are GREATLY appreciated!