On The Same Path [SasuxSaku]

Chapter 7: Memories

~ Inside the genjutsu ~

Open your eyes, Sakura.

Like a distant whisper carried through the darkness, Sasuke's voice echoed in her ears.

Sasuke-kun...

Sakura!

Sasuke-kun... I... waited so long...

A memory flashed before Sasuke's eyes. An older Sakura sat alone on the bench where he had left her that first time. Snow drifted down around her as she stretched out her hands, trying to catch the falling flakes in her palms.

Sakura... I...

I... keep looking at the moon... Counting days... Counting stars...

Another glimpse. Sakura stood on the balcony of her apartment, gazing up at the moon with tears in her eyes.

Sakura, we don't have time!

Time... you never have time...

Another memory surfaced. Naruto's wedding. Sakura stood beneath the evening sky, her smile gentle and composed for everyone around her. Yet every few moments, her eyes drifted upward, searching the horizon. Perhaps waiting for the silhouette of a hawk. Waiting for him.

Sakura, please wake up! The insects, the liana... they bit you! We need to heal you, how do we do that?

Light and fire, of course...

But they are inside you!

Electric shock... you know what to do right, Sasuke-kun?

~ ~

Without wasting another second, Sasuke stopped his genjutsu and held her hand.

A small, extremely light, chidori stream started from his fingers and engulfed Sakura.

"What are you doing!", Yuu shouted from behind him but he ignored him completely.

"Don't stop the healing." Sasuke ordered and his voice left no room for questions or negotiations. Sasuke wasn't the leader of this mission but his mere presence emitted an aura that made it clear that he was not someone you could argue with.

After a few seconds, Sakura's body began to stir, and Sasuke could feel her chakra slowly reviving. He let the Chidori dissipate. Then, without thinking, he transferred some of his own chakra to Sakura to expedite her healing. His chakra reserves were nowhere near Naruto's, but he knew they would be enough. Enough for Sakura to heal herself.

Never in a million years could Sasuke imagine using his chidori to heal someone.

Yuu stopped his healing as well, and just stumbled backwards on the ground. Sasuke could tell Yuu had fully exhausted his own chakra in order to heal Sakura and he could not be more grateful.

"Get some rest, I will look after her for the night."

Extremely weak from chakra exhaustion, Yuu nodded and left to rest in the other room.

Sakura's breathing had returned to normal, and Sasuke could tell that she would probably be fine once she woke from her sleep. He watched her quietly for a moment before shifting his position, leaning his back against the wall. Only then did he realize that he was still holding Sakura's hand. For a brief second, he considered letting go. Instead, he adjusted his grip ever so slightly and remained where he was, his torso resting against the wall while Sakura slept peacefully on her futon.

It's to ensure I'm able to sense any fluctuation in her chakra, he told himself.

It was practical. Necessary.