Fallen
And just like that, she watched as her identity slips away right before her eyes, she was no one but a ghost of the past.
The first thing she could muster was the throbbing head followed by the flashes of memory that went senseless to her. The overwhelming pieces quickly suffocates her already weak state as the matter made it much worse.
Sakura tried to open her eyes but to no avail as the darkness continues to loom her mind. She kept on struggling to escape from being trapped in between a bleak memory and the need to see the real light out there. It felt like an eternity since her first attempt, though none of them succeeded. The need to give up simply calls her again, just like the maleficent laughter and the blade that yearns for her life back then.
She tried to control her fast beatings of heart by inhaling deeply but that somehow brought a choking effect to her lungs. Not ready to surrender to her inner struggle just yet, she attempted to force her eyes open. The curiosity in her started to spark, though smaller than before. Her eyes managed to break into a small slit only to shut again due to the piercing light. Feeling the pressure lowers, she opened her eyes again in a successful blink.
The next one had her trying to move her limbs though all burned in pain, causing the girl to hiss. Lifting her head in trial, she fell back on the thin mattress underneath her. Sakura tried to recall each injury she felt and one by one, those memories morphed into a bigger and better picture in her head. There was no part of her that could function well except for her concussion-like brain and her arms.
'From the fall and the boulder.' She recalled as she reached up to her head, fully bandaged now. 'The poisonous arrow.' She moved her legs in unison though it barely budged.
Being as stubborn as ever, she pushed her limits into sitting herself up despite the strong protests of her still-healing head. She can't surrender to the pain forever nor can she give up ever so easily. Blinking her eyes to get a clearer view, her sight can't seem to spot any further than the side counter that was littered by medical supplies. None she can't recognise but she chose to ignore them.
Sakura was here due to a reckless pursue. She was here to be used for whatever dreaded reasons there were to come. And she was here too, due to the captivity of the unknown group of betrayers. Her mind grinded out all the possibilities though it only resulted into one. It was unmistakably the culprits of the Uchiha, sent to their base as spies and to stir out troubles and Sakura hated the fact that she could overlook such things. Sometimes, her cautious and precise analysis fails her to the extent of the aftermath affecting those around her with such great danger and she could not forgive herself for that small but gravely mistake. She couldn't care less of her own life given the choice of ensuring the others were alright. But who is she to question their safety when she herself had fallen for such a simple trap, not to mention being captured alive into the enemy's territory. When the drastic measure calls once again, she would never let herself being used by the enemy to gain any information to betray her country.
The moment the double doors flung open, Sakura's eyes became extremely cautious of the shadows that entered the room. A girl with bright red hair walked in first, followed by a taller figure not far behind her. Sakura's hand fisted upon the mattress sheets as familiarity washes over her consciousness. It was none other than the prince himself, Sasuke Uchiha. His presence simply meant disaster to Sakura as her worst nightmare was confirmed into reality. She was indeed taken into the enemy's den and to make the matter much worse, she was unarmed down to her agile thoughts. The pursuit had really taken its toll on her.
There was nothing left in her mind at the meantime, no ideas on how to outsmart her enemies into escapade. She was simply too deep into their compound to be able to bust out a way towards safety. She could feel her composure slipping away as fear completely takes over her head now. Whatever these people had in mind, it does not take a genius to figure out that it was nothing but danger.
Going with brutality was out of the option since she could be easily outnumbered despite only two people in front of her. More might be standing right outside, waiting for the right moment to strike. And another point where the other person was the best fighter in battlefield according to what she had heard from her comrades back then. Sakura doesn't need a solid evidence to prove the prince's abilities for she had watched him in action a few years ago. The time spent after that would only mean that the latter had trained to be better than the best.
Hence, this leads to another hunch. Sakura was sent to the infirmary instead of the dungeon the second she was caught. And if there is one thing for sure, no host will hold their prisoner away from torturous purposes in order to obtain secret information. Hence being detained in the enemy's territory is the worst case scenario for everyone that understands warfare too well. But in stark contrast, Sakura was let to heal instead of suffer. It could only meant that the Uchiha will be expecting something from her though she wasn't sure of what. These set up could be a playout of a mind game too, because it was always more than meets the eye.
Failing to figure out their purposes, she could only try to play along to whatever games they set. In order to understand them better, it is always better to keep your enemies close. Take the right steps, and one will be spared a life.
The two continue to walk towards her, eyes stayed still on her and as intense as Sakura's. Though the Senju medic easily ignored the other stranger and focused more on the one and only acquaintance she could possibly had in the land that hates her for the blood that flows in her. Not-breaking eye contact, the two continued to trap themselves in a non-verbal exchange of thoughts, as if able to hear each other out without the help of words. Plus, Sakura was much in a devastated state to actually pop out a straight-out question to a possible murderer of hers like in most cases. She does not see the need to communicate to the two in order to learn the disaster that landed upon her despite the fact that trying to remember back those memories hurt her head severely each time. Though the stubborn part of her would rather experience the latter rather than the other.
The sudden sound of throat-clearing disrupts the intense eye-conversation the two was in as Sasuke turned to the window whereas Sakura's glare shifted towards Karin, which caused the latter to fidget a little from it. Sakura could sense the anxiousness from Karin's side in which she could understand it really well as she was feeling the same way. The difference would be that she was masking her fear with hatred in order to look intimidating despite being trapped in a weak state.
Karin cleared her throat once more. "Has the pain subsided?" she cast a quick glance from the wooden clipboard and back at Sakura though was replied with a short moment of silence.
"I don't suppose one will ask that question when he was the one that tried to kill me." She scoffed, looking elsewhere despite the highlight in her statement leads to the Uchiha prince right across the room.
Feeling her patience being challenged, Karin adjusted her glasses with a visible scowl. "Incase you are missing the point here, we are kind enough to spare you off any interrogations." She ended with a loud huff.
Kind. That word alone had Sakura almost smirked due to its thick sarcasm. There is no need for anyone to remind her that she, of all people, do not rely on kindness for the sake of her life especially when that intention came rolling out of your enemy's lips.
"You could've been tortured if it wasn't for the prince's words." Karin leant closer to intimidate, though Sakura remained calm.
"Why?" she stood by herself and gave the other medic a steely gaze.
Sasuke could hear out each and every word clearly from the other side of the room, as much as the small gestures the two showed due to great contradictions. The last statement got the prince's full attention by surprise, causing him to turn away from the window view and towards the two.
As expected, he knew of her despite only met her for a few moments back. Her bright mind and undivided kindness towards any stranger such as him during the worst case scenario possible. Though the latter part could be hardly seen and that reminds Sasuke of how time and cruel reality could harden someone to the core. Sakura was not an exception. She too was just another young but worn out soul due to the never-ending war their countries had brought upon.
A small part of him had actually thought of bringing an end into it while he could but stubbornness had him fight for what he think is right towards an ending he desired. That small part of him was easily pushed to the darkest corner of his mind every time he had came to think about it, like now. Sakura somehow triggered that in him and there he was again, coming up with another way to shut away that thought all at once. Through direct confrontation.
He paced closer to her bed with the patient purposely ignoring his nearing presence not until he was close enough. "You will benefit us in terms of medical." Comes a truthful fact that Karin couldn't deny.
"And what makes you think that I'll help? I'd rather die." Her words affect him as much as any poison does. And the stare she gave him, if her looks are meant to kill like his, they would have engaged in a heated up battle right now.
Sensing his rage, his eyes turned into a dangerous mixture of crimson, one that Sakura had witnessed and was currently terrifying Karin. But Sakura managed to harden up her stand and appear cold.
"That will not happen." He answered in full confidence and started to head towards the door. "You were already dead to them."
With a powerful stride, he exited the room leaving the doors close with a loud bang.
The day she felt herself completely healed, despite the constant hateful glares from the medics, Sakura had decided to seclude herself from the prying eyes of the guards. She knew of their commands all too well; to keep an eye of the prisoner and not to let her escape. But sneaking away from them was an easy task for her.
Without much of a notice, her feet had dragged her all the way down the empty hallway and to an open-air balcony overlooking the villages outside the castle gates. The flickering torch and the distinctive chatters could be heard despite being miles away from the place. It almost feels peaceful somehow, almost. Sakura was not even close to a place that holds such meaning. Being trapped or rather captured in the den of the enemy instead. Her eyes went beyond the borders, she could almost imagine the routines that run every night just to keep intruders away from Senju. Just like any other day when she was with them.
Her country, her safehaven and yet it felt as if those memories were so far away. It feels like the hope she usually carries around had left her being the moment she was dragged into this cursed country. She felt betrayed by that feeling somehow, but there was nothing she can do to return that.
Sakura's eyes flickered around at the quiet surrounding, completely free from any unwanted attention. A perfect escape had passed through her train of thoughts over and over again, but the aftermath that comes if she is to be caught red-handed was simply unbearable. As much as she wanted to step out of the place she hates from the bottom of her heart, she has to act smart enough to keep herself alive. There was a moment not too long ago when she was first awakened from her unconsciousness where ending her life seemed to be a temptation to solve the problem foremost. She was enraged at herself for producing such a timid and meaningless way of thinking. As long as there was the slightest hope of returning to Senju, she would risk it.
Distant moving lights caught her eyes next, causing the girl to lean against the metal rail and stare. It was the floating lanterns released by where Sakura had hunched to be the heart of Senju. Its yellowish light was unmistakable, she noted further. The reason behind that became the main question in her head. That was until a larger one was released, the emblem imprinted on it was clear enough for anybody to acknowledge it.
'You were already dead to them.'
His words looped in her mind, causing the girl to connect the points all too well. The floating lanterns were meant for the deceased. In this case, for the deceased her. A hand went up to her lips as the emblem became clearer to her eyes, getting blurry by seconds as tears started to fill. Sakura felt herself trembling next, still trying to conceal the urge to let her wavering emotions free.
Reaching her limit, she cupped both her hands on her face and started sobbing silently. The gut-wrenching pain was no match for the pain that she received from her attackers. She was broken by the thought of her loved ones all weeping upon their loss of her, being constantly engaged by the worried thoughts only to know that she was gone from the world for good. Her parents and friends, both she treasured with all her might. How badly she wants to break free from this place and run right back at them, to hug her father and mother tight and assured them that she was alright. But of course, that idea alone had served just as a faraway dream of hers.
Her knees weaken next, causing the girl to crutch. Wrapping herself to her knees, she cried her heart out to every concern that passed her mind to each and every one that plays an important part in her life.
And just like that, she watched as her identity slips away right before her eyes, she was no one but a ghost of the past.
The sound of trotting heavy boots that comes next did not escape her hearing but she could not care less of being caught, for now that her ultimate weakness took over the moment she learned the truth behind the prince's words. Those footsteps then falters away as if retreating. The smallest part of her mind was puzzled by what she heard but chose to ignore the details. It was one of those times where she stopped being cautious and decided to face whatever consequences there is that waits for her. Leaving her life in the hands of what fate has prepared for her without a fight.
Hours passed since she stopped her mental breakdown as the night gets older. Sakura was still staring across the wide grass field that stretches to the border, mind void of thoughts nor emotion. Whatever plan that goes on in her head had all vanished completely. She felt empty as if her soul had indeed left her. So does all the traits that she possess, from being sensitive down to determination.
Deciding to return to her chambers, she did not bother to look sideways when entering the hallway. Eyes casted downwards since she walked out the balcony, completely oblivious of another pair of eyes that looked out for her since she got there.
Emerging from the shadows was the prince, leaning lazily against the cold stone-wall.
His sight stills at the figure of the broken girl before him. Gone were the courageous girl that saved his life once during a dreaded storm. While a part of him wanted to bring back that side of her, another piles up regrets upon his harsh words after witnessing her broken state. No matter how cold her endeavour had came to, there was still a part of her that looks up to a bright possibility and Sasuke was there to make things worse.
If reality could do any more good to him, the truth behind the scenario would be revealed with time to the girl.
Ruffling his hair out of annoyance, he continues to stare at her weak saunters until she was out of sight.
A/N : Back with a new chapter and would like to apologise for the slow progress of this story as I needed some time to gain inspiration to write a new part. I would also like to thank those who still stay by this story and an advanced 'Happy Holiday' wishes to fellow readers. :D
-Callester-