Konoha smelled different. The air was no longer filled with the scent of a new path, a clean slate, a beginning. Now the wind that blew her hair to all sides was filled with the bitter odor of losing. Sakura was coming back here to bury her dreams and her future. She needed to do this for him and his family.
The thought of this filled her with sadness, but she could not give up. This was the decision she had made. And she didn't tell Sasuke about it. She wouldn't be able to look him in the eye and say those few words. Not after all this time. She loved him too much and felt his love too strongly to be able to announce to him that she had to leave. Because that was all she had left if she wanted to keep his family safe. Sakura needed to get out of Konoha and look for a new home. She couldn't return to her home village either. There were her friends there whom she could put in danger. Therefore, she was going to settle in an unknown part of the world. Away from it.
Would she ever return to Konoha; to Sasuke? She would like to. If she survives and finds that she is no longer wanted by some people, she will come back here. But until then, she'll keep her head down.
She has gained a bad reputation anyway. Fugaku probably told a few people about her suspicions and they reached further, to other people. Sakura knew this because the gaze of his aunts, both closer and further away from Sasuke, pierced her. They whispered one to the other and pointed fingers at her. Behind their words were fears.
"Don't pay attention to them." whispered Sasuke in her ear.
He squeezed her hand tighter, letting her know that he was beside her no matter what. Sakura was grateful to him, because she didn't know how many more stopping people who turned away at the sight of her she would see. She was sick of their curiosity.
"Easy for you to say." she muttered under her breath, ducking her head down.
Sasuke didn't hear her words (very good). He smiled slightly at her and turned into a side street, separating them from those piercing gazes. It took them longer to get to the house, but they reached it in greater peace.
Opening the door, they were struck by silence and darkness. Inside, everything was in place. If someone had been here, at least they were smart enough not to leave any traces. Still, Sasuke turned on his sharingan anyway and looked through every room, just in case. He preferred not to run into an unexpected visitor.
He waved his hand, notifying her that it was safe. Sakura closed the door behind her, took off her shoes and walked to the living room. She put her luggage down on the couch.
"We'll unpack, get some rest, and then tomorrow we'll go to my father's, just as you wanted." informed Sasuke.
Sakura watched as he paced around the kitchen, looking in the cabinets for soup. She always bought instant ramen so she could eat it on a rush or in a situation like now, when they had nothing else in the fridge.
Finally, he pulled out what he was looking for and put the water on. Not once did he turn to face her, even though she hadn't spoken for a good five minutes. He probably didn't want to rush her or thought she had accepted his message and that was that.
"I would prefer today." she finally spoke up. Sasuke suspended his hand in the air "We don't know how much time we have left. Maybe the man is lurking somewhere and—"
"Even if he is lurking you have me. I'm a trained shinobi. You really have nothing to be afraid of." he tried to dissuade her from this plan; Sakura, however, had other plans. She would rather be done quickly with what she wanted "I always come back in one piece, remember?"
"Yeah, I remember you saying that, and then you came back in a different state."
She sat down on the couch, putting her hands between her thighs. She shouldn't say that.
"It was on purpose."
The kettle began to whistle. Sasuke took it off the heat.
"I know." She lowered her voice "Sorry, I'm just upset."
"I see." He poured the ramen and set it aside. Sakura hid her face in her hands "That's why you need a moment's rest. I'll take care of you." He sat down next to her. She looked at him from between her fingers.
"I..." It had been a long time since she had been so grateful. And it pained her that she had made such a decision and not another.
Sasuke stood up, directing his steps to the bathroom, but then the bell sounded. He sighed loudly.
"Or I'll do it later." He said with annoyance.
Sakura saw him disappear behind the wall, then heard him open the door. For the first few seconds, no one spoke, so whoever was standing there could have been - an old acquaintance, someone completely unexpected, or an enemy.
Thinking little, she jumped up, hoping Sasuke was okay. She believed in his abilities, yet fear gripped her entire body.
Before she reached the end of the living room, someone's voice rang out.
"Sasuke, how good to see you."
She knew well to whom he belonged.
"What are you doing here, Shisui?"
Sakura leaned against the wall located at the end of the hallway. She could only see the man's head from over his shoulder. Shisui hadn't changed a thing, that much was clear, but his eyes betrayed him. He was exhausted. Because of his position in the clan, he probably had to do more work, and stress and fear added to that.
"Information travels fast." He waved Sakura over, "I found that I would visit you and bring your cat with me."
Shisui walked around Sasuke and displayed the cat carrier to Sakura. The cat meowed, and her heart beat harder.
"Nori!" the cat answered her with another meow "Thank you, Shisui." She took the carrier from him and put one arm around him "I've missed you so much, baby."
She opened the cat and took it in her arms. Nori nudged his again and again with his nose on her cheek. She loved this cat with all her heart.
"Well, the only one who can be happy." Shisui said unexpectedly. Sakura and Sasuke both froze, and turned their eyes toward him "Did I say something wrong?"
Sakura and Sasuke looked at each other.
"No." replied Sakura.
"Yes." stated Sasuke contradictorily to her.
Sakura understood that he still had to hold a grudge against his cousin for what happened not so long ago. Although, was it Shisui's fault? They couldn't be sure of anything now. If not then, the man could attack her any other time.
"You're giving me conflicting signals here." she laughed awkwardly "But okay, I'll get used to it. How was it?"
Sakura didn't feel up to explaining everything that had happened to him now. She didn't want to bring up these topics at all, but she also couldn't leave her friend without answers. Shisui was just worried and curious.
"The funeral itself wasn't the best," and a few other things, she added in her mind, "but overall we rested a bit. It certainly wasn't boring."
"Aa, I'm glad about that." He brushed his hair away from his forehead, and Sakura already sensed something. Shisui was acting too nervous "Sasuke, can we have a word?"
She knew.
"Why are you excluding me?" she was angry.
"I'm not excluding you, I swear." He walked up to her and grabbed her hands "I would never do that. I just need to talk to Sasuke about something. It's a sensitive subject." he tried to explain.
Sakura didn't like that.
"And it concerns me, doesn't it?" he didn't speak up "It's unpleasant to talk about someone behind their back. I want to participate in this conversation." she made her conditions clear.
Shisui let go of her and began stomping his foot, arranging in his head another explanation of why she couldn't be there with them.
"I can't, Sakura. I really can't." He came up with nothing better "I beg you to forgive me this once. Fugaku is already angry with me anyway. I can't upset him even more."
He put his hand on her shoulder, begging in spirit to let him leave her behind this one last time.
"So now you're sticking with him. I understand." She crossed her arms over her chest.
"It's not like that." Shisui was almost pulling his hair out of his head "I won't talk about what he suspects you of." She shrugged her shoulders "Sakura. What happened to you? Don't you trust me anymore?"
"And how am I supposed to trust people when even those closest to me turn out to be hypocritical and—" she quieted. It didn't make sense. Shisui wouldn't say anything in her company anyway, and if she wanted to find out anything, however, she had to let it go "You're right. I should not lump everyone together." She looked at him with her big eyes "I'm a little stressed, I hope you understand."
She looked meaningfully at Sasuke, conveying to him mutely that she wanted to hear what they talked about later. She had no intention of spoiling her relationship with Shisui because he didn't deserve it, he had apologized for what he had done and only wanted to rebuild their relationship, but she wasn't going to live in ignorance either. Oh no. Especially since the topic of conversation was her.
"Thank you for believing me." He bowed to her gently "Sasuke?"
He muttered in response and together they entered his office.
Sasuke walked over to the desk, pushed back the chair and sat down in it, looking at Shisui carefully. From the very beginning, as soon as he found his cousin at the doorstep, he suspected that he had not come just for a simple visit. Everyone in their family had some sort of entitlement to deal with; they never came without a lot of importance. Sasuke was used to it.
He rested his hands on the armrests, tilting his head to the side and watching Shisui's eyes wander around his office. He decided he would no longer sit in silence.
"I don't like the fact that my wife isn't here either." he spoke up, which forced his cousin to refocus on him "She should participate in our conversation."
Shisui grabbed his head, pushing his slightly curly hair back.
"Would you like to stress her out more?"
Sasuke scratched his chin.
"It seems to me that this ignorance will stress her out more. She's been walking around constantly shaken for the past few days after a letter from my father." he said, lifting a shred of mystery.
He would be lying if he said he didn't want to lull his cousin into a mild sense of guilt. He still held a grudge against him for the recent breach of his trust. Sasuke realized that Sakura had forgiven Shisui (if she could him, after everything he had done to her, why couldn't his cousin), but he still couldn't let go. That night was etched too strongly in his memory. Although, was it solely about that event?
"That's what I assumed would happen." he muttered to himself "Listen, Sasuke," he placed his hand on the desk with a bang and leaned toward him, "we don't have time to argue about what was better to do. For me, the most important thing right now is Sakura's safety."
"And you think it's not for me? She's my wife."
"Yes, unfortunately." he twisted his nose.
The atmosphere solidified. Sasuke didn't like his words. They reminded him too much of Sakura's now ex-, he guessed, friend.
"What was that supposed to mean?"
"The fact that our family dragged her into this. If it weren't for your father and his sick whims, Sakura wouldn't be here." He nodded; he was right "I'm sure Fugaku wants to put the blame on her, but I don't know what that will do to him."
There was a silence that dragged on, as if indefinitely. It annoyed him.
"Tell me right away what you mean, rather than pause and think I'll guess,"
"There, just a moment." he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small piece of paper "I found this at your father's office." He handed it to Sasuke "I shouldn't go in there, but I found that if I want to find out something, I have to look in the best places. Nothing has happened since you left, and that surprised me. We had previously discussed in deliberations that others also sometimes felt as if they were being watched, and suddenly after you two left, those concerns disappeared. Fugaku told us his assumptions, and then somehow they spread and people calmed down. However, they want Sakura to move out of here."
"This is ridiculous. She is not guilty of anything."
He opened a piece of paper and began to read. There were only two sentences written on the leaf - 'Watch your step. Don't think you will overtake me, I am always two steps ahead of you.' They were so similar to the ones they had received. Sasuke shuddered.
"We're not a hundred percent sure, but this card is proof that she wasn't the only one who was stalked and harassed." this was to be expected "Since they threatened Fugaku himself, something must be up. But what?"
And why didn't Fugaku say anything?
"I don't know, but I intend to find out. And as soon as possible." He stood up, clutching a piece of paper in his hand "Tomorrow I'll be at my father's house along with Sakura, maybe we'll find out something there."
"Good. Just be careful." Shisui followed him to the exit "Watch Sakura as carefully as you can."
"I'll do everything to keep her safe."
"You really love her, don't you, Sasuke?"
He didn't turn around.
"Are you still asking?"
They left the study.
Water dripped onto her shirt. Sakura stood in the kitchen, sipping the tea she had just made. She decided that she would take the opportunity to wash off the sweat from the trip and make herself something warm to drink. Eavesdropping on Sasuke and Shisui's conversation would have been too much of a breach of trust, so she quickly abandoned the idea.
The creak of the door informed her of their reappearance in the living room. She turned, immediately catching eye contact with Sasuke. He merely nodded to her, which reassured her a bit.
"Are you leaving already, Shisui?" she asked, walking toward her friend.
The Uchiha stopped and turned to her.
"Yes, work calls." He explained briefly; Sakura sensed there was more hidden in this "Take care, Sakura."
"Mhm." she embraced him, pulling him tightly closer to her and putting her lips near his ear "Will you and Itachi have time to meet tomorrow?" she whispered quietly enough for Sasuke not to hear her.
"So soon?" he also said it in a whisper, not revealing her words "What are you planning?"
And what she wasn't planning, she wanted to say, but held back. She couldn't afford to let anyone find out or guess ahead of time. She was anxious to get it done, and such a Shisui could spoil everything.
"Don't worry about it. Do you have it?"
"Unfortunately, no. Itachi and I are leaving tomorrow for a two-day mission."
She will miss them.
"Then another time." Who knew when that other time would fall "Good luck tomorrow."
She stepped back, smiling at him as broadly as she could. She put on another mask, saying that everything was fine and no one should care about her, though that wasn't true. Sakura was breaking her own heart and was still going to break it for other people. But what one didn't do for loved ones.
"Thanks."
He said goodbye to them and left. Sakura was left alone with Sasuke again. She walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. She needed his warmth, even for a second.
"Have you washed yourself?" his voice reached her unexpectedly.
She looked up, noticing that she had wet his shirt a bit. So she stepped back so as not to stain him more.
"I took a quick shower. I have very tense muscles on my shoulders and I thought it would help a little, but it didn't do anything for me."
As if to confirm her words, she felt pain in her shoulder area. She groaned, trying to massage the sore spots. Unfortunately, it was still the same. She could try endlessly to get rid of this persistent feeling, and it still remained the same.
"Bring the ointment from Temari and I'll massage you." She felt Sasuke's hand on her shoulder.
"Oh, you're saving me, Sasuke-kun!"
She pulled a tube from her luggage and handed it to Sasuke as they sat down on the couch. Sakura took off her blouse, staying in just her bra. She didn't turn around to look at her husband's face, but she sensed that there was a small smile hiding on it and redness in the cheeks. Sasuke, after all, was also sometimes shy like her.
The cold ointment made contact with her warm skin. The circular motion and warming sensation slowly broke up tense muscles. Sakura thought this was a good time.
"So, what did you two talk about?"
"Shisui is just worried about you." His breath pounded against her bare shoulders "He asked me to protect you."
"Sweet." she smiled under her breath "You didn't talk about anything else?"
"He was talking about his observations some more. Nothing interesting." He assured her "You have nothing to worry about."
She nodded, focusing again on that wonderful feeling of relaxation. Sasuke's hands were so gentle and firm at the same time. He knew how to do massages well. Why he hadn't suggested it to her earlier, too.
Sakura was absorbed in the calmness that engulfed her entire body that she didn't even notice the first time that Sasuke leaned over her. And then he kissed her shoulder. Only after a long time did she shake off her trance and glance at him from over her shoulder. His eyes were fixed on her face.
Sasuke stared at her like that for a moment, then took her face in his hands and kissed her lips. His lips slowly brushed hers. He savored this kiss. So did she. His fingers wandered over her cheeks, and her fingers blended into his hair.
A knot formed in her stomach. For two reasons - the first was the pleasurable feeling that always accompanied her when she got close to her husband; the second was a sense of unfairness. How could she let him get so close to her now, when she was going to leave the next day?
Sasuke deepened the kiss, but she withdrew slightly and kissed him on the cheek. She couldn't do that to him. She put her arms around his waist and asked:
"Can we stay like this?"
And he didn't have the heart to refuse her.
"Aa."
The egg landed on the plate. The aroma of the food wafted throughout the kitchen. Sasuke took out the chopsticks and placed them on the tray, which he took in his hands and headed to the living room. Last night, he and Sakura had fallen asleep haphazardly on the couch. They were so tired that they didn't even wake up once during the night. It was already another night for him without nightmares. Nor any other dreams.
Entering the living room, he saw Sakura stretching. He got up early from her and decided to make breakfast, as he had no time to waste today.
"Hey." He greeted, placing the tray on the coffee table "How did you sleep?"
He looked at her, watching her movements. Sakura sat up, rubbing her eyes, then leaned over and perched on her food.
"Mm, good." She grabbed the chopsticks "When did you get up?"
She began to eat.
"From about half an hour ago." He put his hands in his pockets "I needed to call Naruto and let him know we'd be coming to see him for a while."
He expected her reaction. Sasuke knew Sakura wasn't fond of changing plans, much less now, but he had a purpose. He was only doing it for her.
"What for?" she asked with a full mouth.
"You'll find out soon enough." He didn't want to make her uncomfortable, but kept telling himself that he was doing it specifically for her safety "Now, get going. We have to leave soon. My father doesn't accept lateness."
"Fine with you." she didn't discuss further.
Sasuke felt bad about all this, however, he quickly shoved these thoughts to the back of his mind. He couldn't lose himself in it again. He wasn't hurting Sakura, but more protecting her. This he had to realize every minute.
Sakura ate her breakfast to the end and headed for the bathroom. The seconds passed quickly. Before he had time to look, they were already walking through the streets, heading for Naruto's house. They spoke little to each other during this time - Sakura occasionally hinted something about shopping and dinner. Both were absorbed in their own thoughts. And neither of them knew what the other was thinking.
They arrived in front of Naruto's door. Sasuke knocked and a short time later his friend appeared.
"Sasuke! Sakura-chan! I missed you guys!" He embraced Sakura and nodded to him, "Come in and make yourself comfortable." He let them inside.
It had been a long time since he had been here. Practically nothing had changed, except for the scattered toys in every corner and the strange smell that indicated the presence of a child. Sasuke was proud of his friend and his fulfillment of his dreams. Naruto wanted to bring help to others and be recognized, and he did that by being an important personality in the Hokage's ranks, a sensei and an active ninja. In addition, he started a family. Something he hadn't had since he was born.
"We didn't come for long." Sakura snapped him out of his thoughts.
"I know, I know." Naruto led them into the living room "You're in a hurry. At least have a cup of coffee." no one refused him "Sakura, would you watch my son? He's playing in the living room. And you, Sasuke, help me." he winked at him.
"Sure."
Sakura did not object. Neither did Sasuke. He moved behind his friend, and in the distance he heard Sakura's voice greeting little Boruto. He himself had only seen his friend's son twice through his busy schedule and the stress of recent events. He felt the need to apologize to Naruto for neglecting him in such a way, but he extinguished that urge; his pride would not let him.
They reached the kitchen. Naruto set the kettle and began to remove mugs from the cabinet.
"Got it?"
Sasuke couldn't wait any longer.
"Of course! I've had little time, so it may not be the best and most comprehensive information I've ever found, but it's there." He took out a small scroll from his pocket, "Here."
He looked at the little bundle and smiled. This should protect Sakura. At least for a while. If Fugaku didn't have anything in hand.
"You're finally up to something." He said with a slight smile.
"Oi, without such." Naruto almost laughed "I've helped you many times before."
Sasuke confirmed his friend's words, at which the latter poked him gently on the shoulder. Naruto poured hot water over the coffee and stirred it. They motioned to Sakura.
"Here, this is yours."
Sakura stood with Boruto in her arms. Naruto placed the cup on the coffee table, and Sasuke couldn't take his eyes off her. She looked so beautiful. Her hair was perfectly styled, her lips were a hint of red, her eyes sparkled in the sunlight. Sasuke became more and more in awe of her every day.
He tore his gaze away from her and transferred it to the child. Boruto was a mixture of Naruto and Hinata. Even he could see that. And Sakura with the baby looked so... natural. Maybe someday they would be able to start a family of their own.
"Oh, thank you." Sakura put Boruto down on the floor and walked over to them, taking a seat on the sofa "So, will you finally tell me why we're here. Because it's definitely not for coffee alone."
Sasuke knew he would eventually engage in this conversation.
"I did a small favor for Sasuke." replied Naruto cheerfully, sipping his coffee.
"What kind of favor?" there was silence; he glanced at his friend, nodding so that he wouldn't accidentally give anything away "Why is it again that no one wants to tell me anything, hm? Sasuke, remember what you promised."
"I also promised to protect you. I will present the information from Naruto to my father in front of you, but until then you shouldn't know what they are hiding. For your sake, believe me."
"It's more for me to do things for your sake." she whispered, "Never mind. Since I'm about to find out the same thing as you anyway, I won't argue."
Sasuke really wanted the best for her. He only wished not to disappoint her again. But most important to him was her; alive and whole.
The pleasant breeze that blew in through the open garden door cooled her face. Sakura felt sweat on her forehead and the rest of her body. She was getting incredibly nervous. Just a moment ago she had been at Naruto's house, listening to his son's chatter and playing with his toys, and now she was sitting at the wooden table with Sasuke's father and begging in her spirit that everything would go her way.
That persistent little voice in her head told her incessantly that this was a bad idea; that she should apologize and leave before it was too late. But she couldn't do that. If this was the last time she would see Sasuke, let her at least take every opportunity she was given to look at him.
Her husband sat across from her and looked at his hands, as if he could sense for himself that there was something wrong in her behavior. Earlier, he had been reading a scroll from Naruto, preoccupied with its contents. Sakura really wanted to know what was inside it; what was it that caused such a reaction on Sasuke's face. However, she had to wait.
Fugaku finally sat down at the table, choosing a chair at the end of it so he could see them both.
"Are we waiting for anyone else?" asked Sasuke.
"Do you think I would call an entire meeting just because of you guys?" Fugaku snorted "Please, Sasuke, have some sense. You should be happy that I want to listen to her at all. Even being in the same room with her can be dangerous."
Sakura pressed her lips into a thin line. Was it good or bad that the Uchiha himself feared her? She didn't know, but she felt bad about it all. Yet she needed to hear some bad words to have the courage to declare her planned departure. Without that, she would have backed off.
"Stop it, father,"
"Let him talk, Sasuke." she interjected, "I want to hear what he thinks of me."
Fugaku flashed his tongue. It was the first time Sakura had seen him act like this. He looked like he was losing patience with her. Sasuke's father had changed since she first saw him.
"Haruno, Haruno... I doubt you want to know."
"I want to. Tell me." she didn't let up.
"Let's start with the fact that you are not suitable for our family. I don't see you as a further wife for my son." it hurt; very well "Secondly, you didn't have that many requirements, and as I didn't have a grandchild, I still don't. Aren't you even too good to become a mother?"
"Father!" a rumble spread through the room. Sasuke stood up and slammed his hand on the table, "You are crossing any boundaries at this point!"
"Son, don't get so upset-"
"Third?"
Sakura needed to hear more. One more thing and she would say it. That was all it took for her to completely break down. And breaking one of her vows.
"Third, your presence could bring doom to our clan."
That was enough.
"That's why I'm going to leave." Even the birds stopped chirping. Sakura didn't dare look into Sasuke's eyes; that sight would have broken her heart "Since I will prevent bloodshed with my departure, I will do so gladly."
Fugaku looked pleased. That was probably what he expected - that Sakura would remove herself. That could be inferred from his earlier words.
"Excellent." He stood up, ignoring his son, "I'll prepare the divorce papers."
"No." Sasuke spoke up for the first time since Sakura finally revealed her plan "No!" they flinched "It's not Sakura's fault! How many times do I have to tell you, father?" he took a scroll out of his pocket "I asked Naruto to search the documents in the hokage tower from a few years ago, when Gaya died. And please, look what he found."
Sakura leaned over the unfolded scroll. From this angle, the writing was barely legible to her, but she managed to read the one most important thing, the reason - the friend of the younger son of the head of the Uchiha clan.
"Someone ordered the murder." She whispered, "It's horrible. Who could have done it!"
It took her breath away. Gaya really was killed because of her connections to Sasuke.
Sakura looked at him. How did he feel? What was on his mind now? Would he shut down again and replay the horrible events in a loop?
"There is no such data here, but one thing is certain - the elders knew who killed Gaya and did nothing about it."
Sasuke sat back down. He didn't look at her.
"So it must have been someone closely connected to them,"
"And as usual, you know more than you should, Haruno." Fugaku looked angry. But with what?
"I'm just trying to think logically, that's all." She explained, not having the strength to argue further; the most important thing for her now was Sasuke "That means..."
"You are not guilty of anything. You stay in Konoha." the tone of his voice seemed cooler. Sasuke had been hurt a lot. And by the people ruling the village that was his home, but also her.
"That doesn't prove anything," he said.
"In my opinion, it proves it."
"So, I met with you for nothing?"
"For nothing?" Sasuke ran his eyes over his father, "You learned an important thing just now, father. Do something about it. Call a meeting and present your evidence. Tell the people that there is a risk of danger. Increase the security on the perimeter of the walls, because I haven't seen the one from the Hokage." He pushed back his chair and approached Sakura, "Do anything."
He took her hand and together they walked out of his house, leaving Fugaku behind.
The silence overwhelmed her. It was chilling. Since they returned home, Sasuke hadn't spoken a word. They had stopped for a little shopping on the way, so now he was busy putting things away in shelves, refrigerators and cabinets, uninterested in her presence next to him. Sakura stood leaning against the wall and looking at him, biting her nail cuticles.
She hurt him, even a lot. It could be sensed from a mile away. Such was the consequence of not thinking through the other paths her plan could take. She thought of only one, and that's how it ended.
She couldn't look at his suffering any longer.
"I'm sorry." she saw his hand tremble "I didn't think it would end like this." she added more quietly.
Sasuke leaned against the countertop, still facing her.
"You thought you'd get away with it and walk away."
Oh, she couldn't deny it, because it was true. As she thought about it now, she saw so many inconsistencies in her behavior. How could she have behaved like this? Was the stress of the whole situation on her an excuse? Sakura really wanted to believe that.
"I'm sorry." She said again, because she had nothing more to say as an apology; that was all she could afford "Are you very angry?"
"Yes, Sakura, I am." he finally looked at her "You made such an important decision on your own. You say beforehand that you care about me participating in the decision with you, and then you do something like this."
The pain in his eyes... Why did she do this to him.
It squeezed her stomach to the point of making her sick. She had never done such harm to a loved one.
"I'm sorry." She walked up to him and leaned over, covering her face with her hair; tears gathered in the corners of her eyes "I'm really so sorry, Sasuke. I didn't mean it... I was afraid, I swear. I care about you too much..."
She almost couldn't speak, there was so much pressure in her throat.
"Sakura..."
She felt his touch on her shoulder. Sasuke held her down to keep her from falling. She needed to cry. The accumulated worries had found their outlet and she couldn't help it. Sasuke still held her, and his warmth was the only thing she felt, until then.
Unexpectedly, she felt a quick sting on her cheek and fresh blood dripping down.
She looked back and spotted a kunai stuck in the wall just behind her, with a note attached that had one word on it - 'Leave'.
Sasuke didn't know what he was supposed to do anymore. What would bring a smile to her face again. From his father's letter, Sakura was falling apart with each passing day. He had no idea how to stop it.
He stroked her head, not leaving the bed an inch. Sakura finally fell asleep, after crying for a good forty minutes earlier.
He couldn't even be angry with her anymore. Each of them made extreme decisions for the sake of the other. Sasuke just needed to protect her. If he gets pushy over it, that's fine. What was important to him was her well-being.
That didn't go away. That stress and guilt was still with her. Sakura could no longer keep her emotions in check. Recent events were veritable contradictions. She didn't know how to interpret it.
She had been going to work for a week in a bad mood, and although she was glad that she managed to come back and at least then be able to take her thoughts away from heavy topics, this grip on her whole body was not going away. Ino's absence was also crushing her. Her friend had given birth and spent her days at home, so Sakura didn't see her, causing her to have to boil all her negative emotions inside.
Ino's mother gave her more and more tasks, so Sakura certainly wasn't bored. She was just putting out the last of the flowers on display when she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"I can see you're very tired. You've been sitting here since morning. Go home."
She swallowed her saliva.
"I can stay until closing time. I really don't mind." She set the vase against the glass "You have a lot of work to do, so I'll be happy to help."
It wasn't that Sakura didn't want to go home. It was more about her aversion to stressful situations, which had been happening to her more often lately. Sakura didn't want to listen to Sasuke's explanation again that she should stop thinking so much about the note. She loved him, but he was overreacting. She had a right to feel that way.
"Go, Sakura." The woman's tone did not take objections.
Therefore, Sakura left. There was nothing left for her to do but return. Maybe Sasuke wouldn't be home yet. When he returned to work, he sat over the scrolls longer and would go out more often to, as he told her, clan collections. He insisted on picking her up to get her home safely, but he didn't expect to have so many responsibilities on his mind, so he abandoned that plan.
She walked slowly, gloating at the sight of happy people not paying attention to her. Beyond the Uchiha clan's mura she was the main attraction, and here she was not much of a surprise. She was amazed at how much things had changed - she had previously avoided going out to see ordinary villagers, but now it was the complete opposite.
She was passing a bakery when Lee came running out from around the corner. He glanced at her, ran past, then backed away.
"Sakura-san, I haven't seen you in a long time! Where have you been?" he ran in place, smiling at her. He was always so positive.
"And here and there. I had a lot of errands to run. Nothing much." she waved her hand.
Sakura tried not to show after herself that something was wrong. She preferred not to drag innocent and unaware people into it. Lee didn't need to know about anything.
"Then since you're back, why don't we start our training all over again?" he looked so excited that Sakura had all the urge to agree; but she couldn't "Youth and strength are the best things that could happen to us in life!"
"I can't unfortunately, I'm sorry, Lee."
"Are you pregnant?"
This question she absolutely did not expect.
"What? No." she laughed nervously "That's not the point. I just don't have time, that's it." Lying to him wasn't the best idea she was capable of coming up with, but Lee was reading too much into some things.
"I understand in that case." he did two squats, looking at her uninterruptedly "Would you at least like to go to the park? I'm supposed to meet my teammate there."
"Sure."
Sakura was eager to take advantage of the opportunity to be out of sight of her husband's clan.
So she went with Lee to the park, where they sat and chatted for an hour, after which time Neji, whom Sakura only had the opportunity to meet for the first time, came over and spent another half hour with them, only because Lee begged him to wait a while because he needed to talk to her some more, even though Sakura thought their topics had exhausted themselves some time ago. Lee, for his part, always found something new to discuss. This time it was Sakura who did more listening than talking.
At least she spent the afternoon in a pleasant atmosphere. But she couldn't say the same about the evening. Again, everyone was looking at her. She could see Sasuke's aunts' eyes on her. They followed her with unscrupulous glances. Because of Sasuke's absence from her, they could do whatever they wanted. They were not ashamed of their actions.
Sakura nearly ran into the house, fleeing from their judgmental words that increasingly left their mouths.
Going deeper she noticed the absence of Sasuke. It was almost eight pm, and he was still gone. This was strange. Even when he left after nine, he was back by seven pm. And today he left even earlier, at seven. Where was he? Surely at work? Sakura hoped so. She tried not to get paranoid just yet.
"Nori!" she called out to the cat for a meal.
The pet came running to her after a second and began to tickle her leg. Sakura laughed under her breath and poured food into his bowl. She stroked Nori's back and behind the ear. Then the sound of the door opening reached her ears. Sasuke had returned.
Sakura took the two mugs and bottle of lemonade she had made before leaving for work and went to the living room, where she sat on the couch and waited until she saw Sasuke in the hallway. She decided to start a topic first so he wouldn't have time to ask her the same thing for the hundredth time.
Sasuke walked further in and stopped at the sight of her.
"Hey."
"Took you a long time to work today."
She grabbed the bottle and began pouring him a drink. She indicated with her head for him to come over.
"My father told me to review an additional ten scrolls." He explained, walking over and taking a sip.
"You've been getting more all the time lately. Don't you get tired of it?"
Sakura kept up the same conversation over and over again, refusing to let him ask his recent favorite questions - what you've been doing, how you're feeling, were you thinking about this, and about my father... And so on and so forth.
"I'm getting tired, but I won't do anything about it. Itachi and Shisui haven't returned yet, and there's no telling when that will happen. They are prolonging this mission a lot. It's making me do for three." Sakura nodded, "Sorry, I'll try to be home more often."
"Mm, they need you. Don't worry about me."
"Don't say that." He put her hair behind her ear "What do you want to do today?"
For the first time, he deviated from his formula. Sakura smiled. This was what she had missed.
"Shall we watch something?"
They still had three romantic comedies left to finish his mother's entire large collection.
"Aa." He squatted in front of the box and started looking through the discs, "I'll try to take the twenty-third off."
Sakura was already about to ask why exactly on that day, but then she quickly remembered that they had July and his birthday was coming up. She had even forgotten about such things. This was slowly going too far.
"I'm glad." She answered him without any extreme emotion.
Sasuke put the disc in the player and turned on the TV. He set the volume and joined her on the couch. Sakura covered him with a blanket and laid her head on his shoulder.
And so the next three days passed for her. Until Sasuke's birthday came, and she still had nothing to give him.
She remembered his day, but through all the fuss she had put off buying a gift until the last minute, and now she was sitting in the living room with him beside her, and had nothing for him.
There was still a whole day ahead of her - Sasuke got that one day off - but she didn't even know what to buy him. Maybe asking him wouldn't be such a bad idea? Doing what he wants would be best.
"Sasuke?"
"Hm?"
"Umm..." she didn't know how to put it into words "I know this is not how you imagined your birthday. I don't have a gift for you, so I thought maybe you could tell me what you wanted—"
"Kiss me."
She blinked.
"Excuse me?"
"As a gift, I'd like you to kiss me."
Sakura stared at him, as if expecting him to say that he was joking. Nothing of the sort happened, however. Sasuke was deadly serious. And she couldn't refuse him - it was a gift after all, right?
She moved closer and captured his face in her hands, then pulled him close and kissed him. Her lips muscled his very slowly, not greedily. She was sweating over it. Sasuke took his time, too. He deepened the kiss, hooking his fingers into her hair.
Sakura moaned. It had been a long time since she had felt such desire from him.
No. Not lust, but love. Sasuke was doing it with love.
He went lower with his lips, kissing her neck. A shiver ran through her body. That funny feeling she experienced for the first time with him and didn't want with anyone else.
"Sasuke..."
He didn't answer her. Instead, he picked her up and, still kissing over the exposed pieces of skin, carried her to the bedroom. There he laid her on the bed, gently and carefully. He stared at her so deeply that Sakura blushed all over.
Sasuke leaned over her, beginning to undo the buttons of her dress.
"Do you want this?" he whispered into her mouth.
Sakura didn't even have to answer for him to know the answer. She only did so out of the excitement that swept over her body.
"Yes, very much."
She didn't wait long. Sasuke pulled off her dress and squeezed one of her breasts. She, meanwhile, busied herself with his shirt. They undressed each other, delighting in each new piece of exposed skin. They acted as if they had an eternity ahead of them. Infinity. And it was never like that in life. There was always an end to something at some point. But not for them; not now.
His hand wandered over her stomach, eliciting a tickle. Sakura laughed sincerely and loudly for the first time in a long time.
"What makes you laugh so much?" he asked, with a hint of joy in his voice.
"Nothing, and nothing at all." She wrapped her legs around his hips and pulled him closer to her. She felt his body against hers. She began to rotate her hips, eliciting a reaction from him with pleasure, "Do you like the gift?"
"Hm, I'll like it even more soon." he kissed her.
And after a while, their bodies became one. Sakura's focus was not on the feeling that had once enveloped her in previous intimacies with Sasuke, but on the new kind of love that was created in that moment. She didn't think it was possible to start loving someone more, and yet she did.
Their moans and words of adoration filled the entire room. Sakura longed for this time to last forever.
Sasuke's accelerated breathing echoed in her ears. They lay snuggled into each other; all sweaty and tired.
"I'm going on a mission tomorrow."
"Yes?" she poked his cheek with her nose "For how long?"
"Two days." He pushed her hair away from her face "That's why I'd like to spend the rest of the day here with you."
He turned Sakura onto her back and pressed his lips to hers.
Walking around the village in the late evenings was a torment for Sakura. Every shadow, loud sound or glance from a passerby made her want to run away. Sakura did not experience an ounce of rest during those two weeks.
Only when she reached home did she let out a held breath.
"Nori!"
She took off her shoes and headed for the living room, incessantly calling the cat. The vision of spending the rest of the day under a blanket, with tea and the cat at her side, watching another romantic comedy was tempting. Sakura needed at least one evening of complete relaxation.
She walked into the living room, singing cheerfully under her breath. She felt that nothing bad could happen to her tonight.
"Nori, come to me! Food!"
She took food from the shelf and poured it into the bowl. She waited a while, but Nori still didn't appear. He must have been accidentally locked up somewhere. Sakura decided to look for him.
She hadn't even walked halfway across the living room when a shiver went through her. Slowly, asking in her spirit that what she had just seen out of the corner of her eye was not true, she turned her head and encountered a sight that would forever remain in her mind. Nori was lying with his belly ripped open, his guts out and his mouth split open. Beside him was a piece of paper - 'These are the consequences of you staying'.
A terrified scream ripped from her throat. She fell to her knees, drenched in tears.
"Sakura..."
His voice joined her cacophony of pain. She glanced at him - all bloody, leaning against the wall and holding his stomach. Sasuke took a step forward, then collapsed, unable to stand any longer. Sakura's world crumbled.
we are already slowly approaching the end, so the next chapter will be the climax of the story, and in the next chapter a little explanation