Fade to Black (Naruto fanfiction) - DISCONTINUED

Companions

Location: Konoha Hospital; the following day

Sasuke sat up as he stared at the covers over his leg with lifeless eyes. The scenes from last night appeared in his mind: his parents' death, and Itachi's tears.

Sasuke walked out of his hospital room and walked to the information desk until he heard some nurses talking about Itachi. He hid behind a corner.

"...only the little brother and the girl were spared. So pitiful."

"...he betrayed the village and became a missing-nin."

'But why would nii-san do that?...He didn't kill the clan. I believe in him.'

He ran quickly ran out of the hospital.

He was confused. He wanted answers. The entrance to the compound was blocked by yellow caution tape. He ignored the warning, went under the tapes and ran to his house. The compound was like a ghost town. As he was about to enter the house, the horrendous scene appeared in his mind. He shut his eyes tight but he had to do this. He walked around the house and opened the door to every room, trying to find something, anything. There was nothing. Everything was the same as when they were last placed. He ran out of the house but stopped in his tracks when he saw a piece of paper pinned to the wall in front of their house with a kunai.

That wasn't there when he arrived though. Unless...He ran towards the wall and pulled out the kunai.

"Protect each other. Until next time."

'Nii-san.'

Life somewhat came back to his eyes but no matter how much life returns, it will never go back to the way it once was. His clan was massacred and his parents were brutally murdered. He can't go back to how he was before; a part of him broke. But one thing was sure, he will believe in Itachi no matter what.

Sasuke ran back to the hospital and asked the nurse at the front desk for Sakura's room number.

He opened the door slightly until he saw Sakura staring intently at the wall in front of her.

Sakura sat up on her bed and closed her eyes. In her mind she replayed the scene she saw last night up to when she got knocked out and engraved it into her memories. The presence she felt, seemed familiar yet at the same time felt like it was completely different. Maybe she was caught up in the moment and wasn't thinking rationally but the presence she felt last night was a little similar to the one who killed her parents. Not identical.

'Orochimaru, I'll find you.'

Sasuke was taken back by her expression. It was the same as that time when some classmate of theirs mocked her situation without knowing anything. Then again, he doesn't know anything either. Sasuke saw hatred and a murderous intent in her eyes. He made a worried expression. Sakura...

'Playing house is over, but...' Sakura held out her hand. 'I'll never forget your warmth...Itachi.'

"Sasuke." Sakura sensed Sasuke and gave him a smile.

Sasuke entered her room.

"Itachi-nii didn't kill everyone." Sakura told him what she knew so he wouldn't blame Itachi for the death of everyone.

"Yeah." He gave Sakura a somewhat relieved smile knowing that she also believed in Itachi.

~

The Hokage paid a visit to Sakura and Sasuke later in the day to discuss their living arrangements.

"Sakura, would you like to live with a foster family? I have already spoken with the family and they agreed on adopting you and Sasuke."