Sasuke's POV
Mother. I want my mother. I don't feel safe. I live my life only in the past. Everywhere I look I see my family's shadow. The poison in my body is spreading. It eats me alive. It started out as a sharp pain on my neck, where Orochimaru bit me, but with time, it enveloped my bones, my muscles and it captured my heart in a black curtain of pain. I used to comfort myself with the thought that not just I am alone. There were Naruto and Sakura and even that insufferable Gaara of the sand. However, the last time I went to the hospital to check on Naruto, I saw the way Jiraya talked to him, like a father. At least that's what I felt. They left the village together to train. When I found out, a stone weighed heavy on my heart because there was one less person alone like me. I miss my father. He was a tough man, but he always defended me even though he never exteriorized his feelings. I looked up to my brother and father. That cursed Itachi! Why did he have to ruin everything?
After Sakura became a pariah, she became even lonelier than before. I was spying on her. It gave me joy to find out there is one more person alone like me. The pain in my neck didn't bother me that much back then. Even if I imagined she was still talking to that Suna boy, I was certain their relationship couldn't last. Long distance relationships never work. Then, I saw them walking together in the park, having fun, and most shockingly I saw Sakura giving him presents. I was envious because I knew their connection was strong enough to last. I saw the way she looks at him. My mother used to look at me that way. I miss my mother. If she lived, I would protect her and my life would finally have a purpose.
I am so angry with that Suna boy who isn't even half as handsome or as smart or as cool as I am and still he managed to keep Sakura by his side for years, while I failed.
I tried killing his sister to get revenge on some level. It happened when he was meeting with Sakura after I knew they had had a fight. That creature, Kankurou, her brother, saved her in time and she almost cut my hand from the elbow with her gigantic fan, so I had to retreat. It was a tactical retreat, but I heard her laughing, screaming at me "You coward!" I'll make them swallow their words.
For some time, I thought I could use Kakashi's talents to become stronger, more powerful, but I soon realized that the man restrains himself around me. He avoids teaching me everything he knows, so he has become just as useless to me as everybody else. He is now an ANBU member again. A joke of a teacher! I have been training by myself for a long time now, but I can't seem to evolve at the rate I want to. The fact that I am not strong enough eats me from the inside like cancer. I have to be stronger than Itachi, no matter the cost. Orochimaru gave me an ultimatum. He is currently working with the Akatsuki into hunting down the tailed beasts, that means Gaara too. He promised to help me become the strongest ninja by all means. He even said that I will have the honor to kill Gaara with my own hands, but for this to happen I need to prove my loyalty by bringing a human sacrifice to his cave. I first thought about Sakura. She is the only one stupid enough to come with me if I tell her there's an emergency and we have to save somebody. I will knock her out on the road and take her to Orochimaru, where I will split her heart in half with my kunai. Then, I will finally have power! Power!
I am waiting for an opportunity to fool Sakura into coming with me. I can't help it. If she chose not to be with me, it means she is against me. I'll send her head to Gaara gift wrapped. Hihihi!
For months I have been thinking of a plan. I had to make up a story convincing enough for Sakura to come out of the village with me. No matter how stupid she is, she insists on following every rule. She would never get out of the village without a written order from the Hokage. I don't mind being an outcast, but I am certain she won't accept it. I have to wait for the next mission. I tried to catch her alone and talk to her so she would grow trust in me so she won't have doubts when we'll leave. But she is always with the Hokage, that Tsunade and her friend, Shizune. She is training as if the weakest girl in Konoha can ever become an elite ninja. Ha! She sometimes sleeps in the Hokage tower. I wonder why that old hag lets her do that, since all she cares about are gambles and alcohol. Sakura must be bribing her to get rid of her mother.
I considered taking Ino with me instead of Sakura, but by analyzing her behavior, I noticed Sakura is more malleable, more obeying and more scared. In addition, she is more honest. That Ino is very shady, she hides her true intentions and only does something if she gets something in return. I need a girl who will do things without thinking too much. When Ino also appeared in the Hokage tower, I found my opportunity. She kept making life hard for Sakura, so I conveniently bumped into Sakura on her way back home and talked to her. She was distant and cold, but after I told her that she had no reason to be worried because I don't like her, she relaxed. She now smiles at me. It works! My plan works!
Sakura's POV
I have to get out of here fast. I can't stand it anymore. I have recently found out that my mom has been talking to boys my age pretending to be me. She flirts with them, asks them for dates, then she comes home and tries to shove them down my throat.
"Just go to one date and see how you feel. You don't have to do anything with him."
"Mom, do you hear yourself when you talk? I am in a relationship with Gaara."
"He's far away. He doesn't need to know."
"What do you mean? You want me to go out with boys behind his back? Do you realize what everybody will say about me?"
"What do I care what everybody says? It's important to find a rich boy whom you can manipulate to help both of us. You and I are a family. You don't want to live like this the rest of your life, do you?"
She means live a poor life. I am not poor. I have an average salary. I don't know what more my mother wants: to live in a castle? I already have everything I want. I want nothing more.
"Of course you don't care what others think, because they don't badmouth you. Why don't you get married?"
Her face became black. She has the same hateful look in her eyes ever since she and dad separated as if she blames me for it. Why do I feel like she wants to punish me by finding me another partner? How much does she wish to make my life miserable?
"You don't care about me at all. I have sacrificed everything for you. Even now, all I think about is your future and you only push me aside."
"Of course I care about you, but you have to understand that this is my life and I choose who I go out with. I am not going to cheat on Gaara."
Mother sighed from the bottom of her heart. I hate being a disappointment. I think she is about to cry. I feel mercy for her. She takes my hand between her rough palms and begs me with teary eyes.
"Please, go to a single date with this man. He has a good salary. He said he can offer you anything you want. He is 46 years old and he is a little shorter than you, but when I talked to him, we got along so well. I think you'll like him."
"46? Do you want me to go on a date with someone 30 years older than me?"
I try to pull my hand back, but my mother holds me tight.
"Of course you got along well. You and he are the same age! Why don't you go out with him instead?"
"Don't be silly. He wants a young beautiful girl like you."
I feel like throwing up.
"How long have you been talking to him?"
"3 months."
"What? I want you to never talk to men in my place!"
"Sakura!"
"Leave me alone! Let go!"
I jerk my hand and set myself free of her hold. I stand up from the chair with the intent to leave. My mother desperately turns her head towards me and cries rivers.
"Sakura, I have already set a date with him tonight at 8 pm. I told him you will be waiting for him in front of the restaurant. I'll make a fool of myself if you don't go. Think about me. He's going to look for you here if he doesn't find you there, at the meeting place. What will I say to him? I can't tell him that I am the one he has been talking to, not you. Think about my honor, please."
Gaara...
Don't go.
I pity her.
Yes, and she is going to use it against you every chance she gets.
What should I do? I sigh and look at the clock. 7pm.
"I'll go but just this time. I won't do anything with him and don't even think about talking to anyone else pretending to be me again!"
"Fine, fine. Put on a nice dress. You have to make a good impression."
"I don't because I'll tell him from the start that I don't like him. My work clothes are perfect for this occasion."
"You are wasting this opportunity. You're so ungrateful!"
I get out of the house before I have to hear all of the insults she throws at me. Gaara is very upset, I can feel it.
I am only going to tell him that I don't want to have anything to do with him. I won't even enter the restaurant.
Sakura, what would you say if I got out with other girls just to tell them I don't like them?
Gaara, please. You know very well that I am not the one who has been talking to this man. I don't even know him. My mother dragged me into this. I'll keep the line open for you all night. You'll see I have no one else beside you.
Gaara sighs. I hate these situations.
Promise me you'll move out and that you'll never do anything like this ever again.
I promise. I promise you are the only boy in my life and I will move house tomorrow. I'll stay with dad. It can't be any worse.
Fine. Keep the line open.
Of course.
I arrived at the meeting point before that man, which was even more awkward. He apologized for being late and even told me how pretty I am. I left the line open so Gaara could convince himself I wasn't cheating on him. He had dark brown hair and brown eyes. He looked presentable. He was wearing a suit, which meant he made an effort for this date and I ended up feeling a little bad for him but even worse for me.
"I am sorry, but there's a misunderstanding. My mother has set up this meeting and you've talked with her all this time, not me."
He was frozen in shock in front of the restaurant. I didn't enter, just like I promised my boyfriend.
"How is it possible?" The man was trying to understand what I was talking about.
"My mother pretended to be me while talking to you. I have only found out today. I am truly sorry."
"I see. Since we are here, would you mind going inside? Give me a chance."
"I am sorry, but I already have a boyfriend. I apologize for putting you through this."
"There's no need to apologize. In truth it is not your fault. I read the disappointment in your eyes when you saw how short I am anyway, so it's ok."
Gaara is laughing. I know he is happy because he is way taller than me.
"I am sorry for making you feel uncomfortable. I hope you have a nice life next to your boyfriend. Good bye."
He bowed before me and left before I had time to recover from shock.
He was kind.
He was polite. I was afraid he was going to beat me.
Not all people are animals, my dear. He had no reason to treat you bad. Now, when are you moving out?
Tomorrow morning.
Perfect!
I am happy again.
You know, I think it's better that I've told him the truth. This way, even if my mom keeps talking to other men on my behalf, word gets out and everyone will know she is a fraud.
Of, Sakura. What do I have to do to convince you to move here with me?
Ask me to be your wife.
Will you marry me?
I didn't mean to ask me right now...
But when?
Gaara...
I am afraid someone might steal you from me if you keep living there.
I smiled from the bottom of my heart.
You know what? Ask me again next time we meet and I will say 'yes'.
Do you promise?
Yes.
Fine. You won't regret it.
Notes: Another chapter with Sakura's adorable mother:)) Sorry, but it had to be done. We will see more of Sakura's father in the next chapter and then a roller coaster of actions will happen. This was the silence before the storm. Please let me know what you think about this chapter. Thank you all for reading:D