The Two of Us

02 | Alone Together

Sasuke, Karin, and Suigetsu were gathered in the living room, discussing their plans on how to find Itachi. Maps were scattered on the table, pinpointing Akatsuki's hideouts, hopefully one of those places is where they'll find Itachi.

"Hey, Sasuke. You still haven't told us about that woman we found yesterday. Who is she? And how do you know her?" Suigetsu asked after they discussed the conclusion to their goal.

"It's none of your business."

"Oh, but it is! We found her and you were obviously shocked!" Sasuke's mind trailed to what happened yesterday and how he avoided the questions team Taka bombarded him.

*****
Sasuke went towards the stairs to head downstairs after hearing Karin shout about a gift. It wasn't because he was interested, he was curious. Why would someone bring him?

Upon arriving downstairs, he was shocked on what was bestowed in front of him. He didn't expect a human gift, and most of all, he didn't expect it to be Sakura.

"...Sakura?"

"He– Oh, you know her, Sasuke? We found her unconscious by the river. Figured that maybe she'd be useful to us since she's from Konoha." Suigetsu explained. Of all people they could find, it has to be Sakura—a Konoha kuniochi, and his teammate. The very teammate who he left at the bench.

Feeling a lump on his throat, he didn't hear Karin calling out to him. "Sasuke? Do you know her?"

"Hn. Just bring her upstairs. We'll take turns in watching her."

Sasuke went outside to take a breathe of fresh air. Somehow, he felt suffocated to see Sakura. He knew his previous team, team 7, is chasing him, trying to bring him home. But he didn't expect this. He didn't expect an unconscious Sakura in his vicinity.

His senses were suddenly alarmed, if she's here that means Naruto is near. He didn't want to encounter him just yet because he doesn't want any delays in executing his revenge.

Yet, he can't help but wonder... Why was Sakura alone? Why was she unconscious? He smirked to himself realizing that she was still that same weak girl, the damsel in distress that's supposed to be saved. How annoying.
*****

Sasuke's thoughts were interrupted when they heard a loud crash above them. He looked up to see Juugo falling from the ceiling. Immediately, he went to the stairs to head upstairs and attack who ever sent Juugo falling. He figured that rather by heading to the hole in the ceiling, a surprise attack is even better.

Surprised by the scene he found, he expected another man to be in there but no, standing there above the hole on the floor was Sakura with her clenched fist. Did she do all of these? He thought to himself. Where was the weak, cry-baby Sakura he knew? How did she managed to create such a mess and leave a monster like Juugo unconscious in just one blow.

"Sakura." he called. No emotions can be heard from his tone but it was loud enough for the pink-haired kuniochi to recognize who was speaking. She turned her heads towards him and there he saw the same green jade orbs he saw months ago when they found Orochimaru's hideout.

"S-Sasuke?..." They stared at each others eyes for a moment. Sasuke observing the emotions flowing through her eyes—confusion, anger, hurt, loneliness, longing. He don't know which one it screams, but he can definitely see it clearly.

Sakura was the one who broke the silence. "What the fuck, Sasuke? Why the hell am I here? What did you fucking do this time?"

Shocked with the sudden cold greeting, he realized she wasn't calling him 'Sasuke-kun'. He expected tears to form in her eyes but there were nothing. He expected her to run onto him, trying her best to stay close but she stood on her ground. She was no longer the Sakura he left. She was gone.