Chapter 2

The scent of rain lingered in the air. It had arrived suddenly, remaining in the dampness of the clearing. Flatlands folded out beyond them, where rows upon rows of crops spread out as far as the eye could see. Known for many things—from plantations to fisheries—the Land of Tea was a beautiful place.

Sasuke's clothing billows out from behind him as he speeds ahead, keeping a natural distance. He makes music. Keeping beat, his feet thump upon and branch and the chains around his neck shake.

Thump-ching, thump-ching, thump-ching…

"Why didn't you wake me?" Sakura says to his back.

"You were tired."

Sakura's brows furrowed in frustration. They'd agreed to four-hour shifts, but she'd slept through hers, waking only to the birds' cheerful chorus. Sasuke's words felt like a dismissal, a reminder of her perceived weakness. It stung, leaving her feeling childish and inadequate.

Tucking her bottom lip into her mouth, Sakura bit down.

Thump-ching, thump-ching, thump-ching…


Old, thatch-roofed cottages dotted the landscape, giving way to grander homes as Sakura walked the dirt road. Even the people bustling in and out of shops reflected the changing scenery, their worn clothes replaced with vibrant, expensive fabrics.

In the heart of the village stood a massive, stately building. Its red-stained columns symbolized luck, prosperity, and fertility. Beautiful golden letters spelled out kanji beckons, a stark contrast against the vibrant red, luring in guests. The hotel was renowned as a gathering spot for couples and lovers from all nations, and had even earned praise in the flirty magazines Sakura occasionally indulged in during slow nights at the hospital.

Sasuke moved through the entrance, a phantom in the dim, salt-rock glow. Sakura trailed behind, the heat in her cheeks a stark contrast to the cool, lust-filled air. Couples entwined in the line, their whispers a soft counterpoint to the rhythmic clack of her sandals.

Sasuke paused, his focus on a crumpled parchment. As he bent to catch the edge with his teeth, Sakura reached out, a voiceless offer of assistance.

He recoiled in a jolting, unexpected movement.

The rejection, so abrupt, so brutal, sent a wave of humiliation crashing over her. Sasuke's aversion to touch, a relic of his past, was a barrier she'd foolishly tried to breach. Retreating, her gaze fell to the floor, and she shrunk into herself.

The receptionist recited the hotel's policy, his voice a monotonous drone, "Do not contact unless of emergency. Is this an emergency?"

Sasuke's eyes narrowed, a silent challenge.

Unfazed by the Uchiha's intensity, the receptionist tapped his fingers impatiently. "Unless you are a guest here, I will have to ask you to—"

"How do I become a guest?"

The receptionist's gaze swept haughtily over Sasuke and Sakura, his arms crossing in a gesture of skepticism. "Well, this is a couples resort. Is this your partner?"

Sakura's breath hitched. She opened her mouth, but Sasuke's voice was sharp, brooking no argument. "Yes."

The receptionist's skepticism didn't waver, his tone dripped with sarcasm. "Ah, I should have known. You both seem...fitfully enamored with one another. Unfortunately," he cleared his throat, "we do have a waiting list. What are your names?"

"Haruno Sakura," she managed, her voice barely a whisper.

"Uchiha Sakura," Sasuke corrected, his voice firm. "And Uchiha Sasuke."

Sakura's mouth was dry, her heart pounding a frantic rhythm. The Uchiha name hung heavy in the air, a stark contrast to the receptionist's prior disdain.

"Uchiha!" The man's demeanor shifted dramatically, his voice oozing with newfound respect. "Oh goodness, please excuse me. I had no idea...we will, of course, grant you entry. I personally apologize for the hassle." He paused, a calculated glint in his eye. "We do require a...nominal fee, however."

Sasuke reached into his cloak as the man named an exorbitant sum, a price that sent a shiver down Sakura's spine. Sasuke dropped two gold coins, amounting to double the required amount.

The main walkway was made of wood, with waist-high railings. On either side, two large koi ponds undulated with varying colors of pink, blue, and orange-red. It smelled aromatic, but not in an artificial way.

"I'll pay half," Sakura turned to survey the area. "I mean really, 80,000 ryo? This place had better be all-inclusive."

"All inclusive?" Sasuke questioned, distractedly.

Couples laid about with leisure, some even sharing the same sitting area. Although they were inside now, the large skylight several stories above them sent beams of delicious warmth.

"Yes. Are meals included? Spa days, salons, et cetera? I can't imagine coming to this place as a new couple. Shouldn't that money go to..go to housing or something?"

An older couple held hands by the edge of the pond, watching the fish. Their eyes sparkled, and the scene captured Sakura's interest. When they turn to look at one another, grins stretched across their old, wrinkled faces.

Something hit her, at that moment. Though she did not know their story, Sakura wondered just how long they'd had the honor—the luck to experience such joy and love. Perhaps they'd earned some of those wrinkles together, hand-in-hand. She smiled, despite the jealousy that roiled in her chest.

Sasuke was not not nearly as interested in the goings-on around him. He entered the glass elevator before Sakura did. Others stepped in between them and rushed to fill in empty space. Her stomach dropped as the machine made its assent.

Flying upwards, the levels were simply a blur in Sakura's perception. One area looked like some sort of outlet or mall—she could see the fuzzy hue of lights and signs. The next level was perhaps a chain of restaurants. Working her way through held hands and pressed bodies, Sakura tried to stand closer to Sasuke. Before she could quite make it, the man disappeared, leaving a crumpled shopping bag in his place.

"S…Sasuke-kun?"


Naruto looked confused as soon as Sasuke dropped into view.

Blinking twice, he finally pushed out a broken sentence as he wiggled his now-empty fingers. "Uh, hey Sasuke…?"

There were some noticeable changes in the twenty-year-old. For one, his thick, spiky hair was shorn a few inches from his scalp, ridding him of boyishness. He wore a pair of gray, mid-calf bottoms and an open, bright orange jacket with a hood.

He's taller, now, but not as tall as Sasuke—never as tall as Sasuke. Sasuke smirked.

"Yo."

Hinata emerged from a nearby shop, pausing as she noticed the two men. With a respectful bow, she greeted the newcomer as she'd been taught since childhood.

"Hello, Uchiha Sasuke-san."

Sasuke responded with a slight nod, acknowledging her as a fellow child of aristocracy. The pleasantry, or lack thereof, did not last long. He turned back towards Naruto with a look of severity.

"Something's come up."

With an exaggerated, lengthy sigh, Naruto scratched his head, clearly perplexed by Sasuke's presence. His relaxed demeanor didn't exactly scream "emergency." Whatever Sasuke had said to the greeter must have been incredibly convincing.

Naruto looked around. Just around the corner, there was a concert hall with relatively private booths. It would offer them more solitude for whatever something had decided to ruin his long-awaited honeymoon.

Gesturing towards it, the ninja captured Hinata's hand and led them away from the bustling environment.

Sasuke trailed behind Naruto, maintaining a cautious distance. Although he hadn't anticipated a warm welcome, Naruto's usual enthusiasm upon seeing him was notably absent. Sasuke understood the distractions of newlywed life, but he also knew Naruto shared his unwavering dedication to their duties as shinobi.

Despite his reluctance to acknowledge it, Sasuke felt a pang of anxiety. It had been a long time since he'd genuinely cared enough about anyone to actively prevent a threat, even without the Otsutsuki looming.

With Sakura and Naruto absent, Kakashi was left as Konoha's sole protector. Sasuke couldn't help but feel irritated with the Hokage for assigning Sakura a menial escort mission, pulling her away from her crucial duties at the hospital. The irony of his concern wasn't lost on him; he'd once desired the destruction of Konoha and the entire shinobi world. Yet, as he felt the darkness of his chakra stir within him, he chose not to suppress the unfamiliar pull of his conscience.


Sakura found Naruto, Sasuke and Hinata deep within the recesses of a dim dining area.

Consumed by a surge of anger, she stormed through, her steps echoing with each rapid footfall. Ignoring Naruto and Hinata, her hand slammed on the table in front of Sasuke, her eyes locking onto his with a fierce intensity.

"Sakura?" Naruto asked.

She disregarded him. "Forget someone?"

Sasuke remained impassive, offering no reaction, explanation, or even a shift in his gaze under Sakura's penetrating glare. The tension in the air crackled, drawing the attention of nearby patrons as the once lively atmosphere grew heavy with unspoken conflict.

She passed the bag she'd been carrying to Naruto. Sasuke had obviously switched places with it, in his pursuit.

She was fuming.

Since the mission's start, which was her duty to complete, Sasuke had been cold and aloof. While she hadn't anticipated warmth or affection, she did expect a modicum of respect, both for her personally and for her rank as a Jōnin. Of all his offenses, abandoning her in a crowded elevator was the most galling, a blatant display of his utter disregard for her feelings.

"I am your teammate on this mission." Her voice sounded gritty. She knew better than to act this way. She was simultaneously demanding respect while making a fool of herself. "If you saw them, you should have told me. You shouldn't aban—"

Abandon

Left behind on that damned stone bench when she couldn't stop him from leaving.

She meant nothing to him then,

and even less to him now.

They were strangers, well and truly.

Sakura turned swiftly, leaving to cool off.

"We'll head out in the morning. That's the earliest I can do."

Naruto offers another glass of dark alcohol. He'd had several already, but he seemed unaffected in speech or hand. Sasuke wonders if he, too, cannot become inebriated. Orochimaru had put Sasuke through a myriad of torturous training. He was immune to poison, resistant to intoxication, impervious to temptation…

"Now, let's talk about Sakura. You pissed her off pretty well."

Sasuke slams the liquid back, thankful for the burn at the very least.

In the past, consumed by vengeance, Sasuke held a critical view of others. He reserved praise only for those who he deemed worthy. He could easily recall Sakura's Genin stats, but details like her birthday or favorite foods remained a mystery. Personal connection was irrelevant to his goals. Sasuke focused solely on his rivals and ambitions, leaving no room for Sakura in either category.

Something changed when he joined Team 7. Somewhere along the way, she'd become important to him. During missions, he found himself watching out for her, silently ensuring Kakashi and Naruto were doing the same.

She was the first person who had ever wept for him.

Sasuke closed his eyes, remembering her weight as he'd woken up covered in senbon. Her hair tickled, but her tears were scalding hot and his.

The man shrugged his shoulders.

"She cares about you a lot. You haven't sent her any letters back. You never see her when you come to Konoha. She's got to be pretty damned mad at you, but she…well, you know." Naruto continued.

She loves you.

Of course she did. But how was Sasuke supposed to react to that?

Appreciation?

Known for their intense emotion, Uchiha had difficulty controlling the absoluteness of hate or anger. Would it not be the same for positive emotion? Would love turn to obsession? Sasuke cannot think of anything crueler.

He did not love her. He also did not want to love her, or anyone else for that matter. He did not know how to.

He could hardly be a friend, for that matter.

There was so much Sasuke needed to atone for. He needed to see the world, study it, and learn how to be a decent human. Sasuke was not a decent human. He was a horrible, neurotic man who constantly tried to untangle the damage that he'd created as a boy.

"I know," He replies steadily, emotionless, though he was neither.


Sakura's footfalls matched Hinata's perfectly. They walked, sandals clacking in sync, on the wooden pathway. Making their way towards the greenery that covered the back end of the building, Sakura admired the flowers and their heady scents.

"I'm sorry I am taking Naruto's place," She says. "I know I ruined what little time you both had to spend together. I promise to make it up to you."

Controlling her chakra was far easier than controlling her emotions. Such was her eternal flaw.

"We are ninja," Hinata responded in her tender, understanding way. "Our duties come before all else. We have the rest of our lives to spend together."

Sakura cannot help but smile at this.

Sakura felt a connection to Hinata that she did not share with Ino. Hinata's affection for Naruto had always been evident. She would stammer and blush whenever he so much as glanced in her direction, and if he spoke to her, she'd become a flustered mess. Through the changing seasons and the trials of war, her feelings for him remained steadfast and unwavering.

"When a girl truly falls in love, her feelings don't change that easily."

Sakura had spoken those words in earnest to her friend not long ago, offering Naruto encouragement. Now, they echoed in her mind like a curse, a constant reminder of her unyielding longing for Sasuke. Feelings don't simply vanish, no matter how desperately you wish them away or how fervently your loved ones pray for change.

"I shouldn't have taken my anger out on him like that. I wasn't even made he vanished. It was–"

"...the accumulation of years of abandonment, and his constant lack of communication with you?"

Sakura barked out a bitter laugh. "Wow. Actually, yes. Am I that pitifully obvious?"

Hinata's face was serious and compassionate. "I do not pity you. I understand you. We are kunoichi, and as such, we suffer the plight of resonance. I feel the pain on your face as much as I would feel it in my own chest."

"What do I do?" The woman wipes her cheeks, though they remain dry. Perhaps she'd no tears left to cry. "I don't want–"

I don't want…

I don't want to love him anymore.

She could not say the words aloud; they feel like a betrayal, as if voicing them would make them irrevocably true.

All Sakura had ever prayed and wished for was Sasuke's return. It fueled her training, her determination in battle. Her love for him remained an unyielding constant in her life.

Years had passed, and everyone seemed to be moving forward. Her friends were starting families and assuming the responsibilities of their elders, but Sakura remained trapped in the past, clinging to a one-sided love.

Despite the growing realization that her feelings were unrequited, Sakura found this was something she could never regret. She would endure it all again if it meant Sasuke's freedom from the Curse of Hatred.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with hues of twilight. A gentle breeze rustled the trees, sending leaves and twigs dancing through the air. The approaching storm clouds added a touch of melancholy to the scene, shrouding the evening in a premature darkness. Sakura crouched down, her fingertips tracing the delicate petals of the Morning Glory flowers that lined the walkway. Their vibrant colors, shifting from white to purple, seemed to echo the fading light, a poignant dance against the encroaching night.

"Morning glory, unrequited love and obsession," Sakura says more to herself than anyone else. She plucks the delicate plant, runs her thumb across its velvety smooth surface, and then crushes it in the palm of her hand.


Naruto is in the room when they return. He offers a pitiful half-smile to the two, not bothering to comment on the puffiness of Sakura's eyes. As they settle, with the women sharing a loveseat and Naruto taking his place at the edge of their large, decorative bed, the man speaks.

"I need to leave by sunrise. The information Sasuke has shared with me is…concerning. I think it's worth a look, at the very least."

"Information?" Sakura licked her dry lips. "What's going on?"

Explaining what Sasuke had not, Naruto revealed that the chakra fluctuations had caused fear and worry in the surrounding areas. Sasuke believed that his Rinnegan could open a connection to the mysterious clan's location, potentially providing a pathway to the Otsutsuki themselves.

"He would enter by himself?" Sakura asked, not bothering to hide her skepticism and worry. "Who knows how many clan members might be there waiting for him—expecting him!"

Naruto sighed. "I agree. But if I don't help investigate, and the situation escalates, it could endanger everyone. If I don't go, Sasuke will jeopardize the fragile trust the Elders have in him by violating his travel restrictions and going alone. He's actually giving me the decency of a warning."

Raising his palms up, he beckons Hinata. Her pale hand slides into his. The man kisses her knuckles, an apology. "We will pass by Konoha on our way. We can all travel together, if you don't mind leaving a little early."

"I don't mind," His wife responds in her graceful, airy voice.

"What about me?" Sakura murmurs. "I can go with him–the both of you can stay and enjoy yourselves. Why does it have to be you?"

Scratching his head, Naruto's face turns red. "No offense, Sakura…but if we are opening a can of ancient Gods, I'd rather be at Point A than the village."

She shook her head. "I could send Katsuyu off, as a warning."

"And what? I'd just wait for them at the village after they killed you and Sasuke? We're heading out tomorrow, Sakura." His voice turned stern. "Go rest."