Changing Fate

Chapter 4

Sakura woke from her sleep but did not open her eyes. She was lying on her stomach enjoying the heat from the sun rays on her skin.

She reasoned that if she did not open her eyes then she could stay in this blissful state forever. Reaching out in search of her husband she was met with empty sheets yet again. She opened her eyes, groaning in annoyance, and propped herself on her elbows to look around the room. No sign of Sasuke.

Her clothes still lay on the floor where they were thrown last night but his were not there. Knowing that Sasuke had been up long before her, if he even slept, bothered her. He was leaving her out of his plans, again. She got up to dress and brush her teeth before heading out to the kitchen.

As she opened the door the delicious smell of breakfast flooded her nose. She padded down the hallway to the kitchen. Inari was seated at the table with Tazuna as his mother cooked. He was uncharacteristically quiet and Tazuna had a grim look set on his face.

Sakura sat across from Tazuna, "Where's Sasuke?" She could tell he knew something and she wasn't budging until he told her. He looked down at his hands and and let out an exasperated sigh. "Just leave him be for now Sakura. It's best for you to let him finish what he is doing."

Her suspicions were validated by his words. She noticed the man from last night was no where to be seen. All traces of his presence had been scrubbed from the room. "Where is he at Tazuna?" She asked again, more firmly this time.

He was about to open his mouth to respond when the back door opened and slammed shut. Shuffled foot steps could be heard coming towards the kitchen and then Sasuke appeared before them. He had a trail of blood coming from his right eye, it trailed down his jaw and neck into his shirt. Judging by the stain he had used his visual prowess multiple times. He was leaned against the wall for support and rested his hand on the hilt of his sword, which was also covered in blood.

"Sasuke." She said quietly, shocked by his current state.

'What has he done to himself?'

"I know who's behind the explosion and now has possession of the scroll." He seemed satisfied with himself, finding this information. Sakura couldn't stop thinking of what he had to do to figure that out.

"Sasuke." She said again as she walked to stand in front of him. She could see the exhaustion in his face now that she was so close to him. She grabbed his free hand and led him back to their room, "Come on, let me get you cleaned up and heal your eyes."

After gathering a basin of water and some rags from the bathroom Sakura closed the bedroom door behind her. Sasuke had sat on the edge of the bed with his elbows resting on his knees and his head in his hands. Even when she was right next to him he did not raise his head. She used her fingers and lifted his chin until he met her gaze.

Her heart constricted. She could see the emotions playing through his features; sadness, anger, even shame. He looked exhausted, she would've bet that he didn't sleep at all last night.

"Do you want to talk about it?" She asked him gently as she started wiping the blood off his face with a damp rag.

He stayed quiet for a moment. He opened his mouth to speak but shut it, he repeated this cycle a few times before finally figuring out what he wanted to say. "I lost control. I let my anger take over and it felt . . .good. It shouldn't have felt that way and I loathe myself for it." He went quiet again. Sakura truly knew what he was going through. Since his and Naruto's last fight he had vowed to change his ways, to not let his anger get the best of him. It was taking a toll on him.