CRIMSON INSTINCTS

Chapter 3, Team 7's Mission

Sasuke's P.O.V
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"Who would've thought?", Sakura beamed, " I mean I guess we all already knew but I thought they'd wait a couple of years before tying the knot".

"Mind I tell you, they went through hell and back to be able to share this news with us today", Kakashi said, eyeing a leaf blowing by, "it even hurts me to remember all that they've gone through", his eyes go pained.

At this I lower my head in shame, hating how clueless of a child I was back then. But I'd have to get in line, because Naruto seemed even more upset than I was.

The weather was soft on the skin with a hint of wind tickling strands of hair. Sincerely, this is the best time and place to fall in an ocean of affection.

"I never heard the full story", Sakura said, searching Kakashi's face, "but whenever I look at the two of them, they make me believe that true love is not out of grasp...you just have to follow the lead of the wind and you'll reach your destination.."

"Ugh again, Sakura, we all know who you're talking about", Karin folds her arms, glancing at me, she continued, "it must be a wind of storm if it leads you into the arms of Sasuke Uchiha".

From the edge of my vision I catch a glimpse of Sakura's red tinted face, but my sharp eyes were kept on the red haired girl.

What's her deal? Why all these comments? Why so bold all the time?

I can't even comprehend my feelings for anyone at the moment, not with all that's going on. Everywhere I go, I keep hearing my brother's name chanted in praiseworthy history. I haven't been seeing him much ever since he became father's right hand man.

Feels like I'll never be able to compete with him. If I take five steps at a time, then he's already fifteen steps ahead of me.

Im happy. I should be smiling. I should be by his side in light of this news.

But that's all the things that I can't do.

What I can do is sulk against a tree and try to fight off all these intrusive thoughts.

I was just the vessel that was meant to replace Itachi if he were to go off the rails.

I look back up at Kakashi who starts talking again, but my mind pays no heed as I continue with my trance of thought.

That's right, father won't even look at me or acknowledge my existence unless it has something to do with Itachi.

I stare up at the sky in hopes of some comfort and peace, taking in a deep breath I exhaled, letting all but one thought go.

It doesn't matter what I do or how much stronger I can get, in the end of the day, I will always be overshadowed by his actions, heroics deeds, and love life.

I know things have never been the best for him up until this point, but it's like as if he never went through all that he did.

It's like...he never realized that despite his desperate attempts to shield me...he just ended up doing more damage from what was originally intended.

Now I'm just Sasuke Uchiha, Itachi's kid brother.

Somewhere along the lines, my perception of whether I love him or hate him has blurred, rendering me somewhat distant from the older brother I once cherished and loved.

But I'll have to get it together. His life has been as hard as it is. The last thing he'll need is a nagging shadow. A thorn in his side.

Somewhere along the lines...I think I'm not the only person who lost a piece of their once happy life. I think of this as I look back between Naruto and Karin.