Break Me

Course of Action

Sasuke exhaled softly before stepping onto the river's calm surface. A rainbow of fish danced beneath his toes, as if the thunderstorm from the night before hadn't happened. The skies were clear, the sun was shining, and the birds were chirping happily. The only indicators of the storm were chunks of wood and other various debris floating down the now steady current. Cold eyes glared daggers into the clear waters beneath them.

Sasuke could remember the water violently smack itself against its surroundings, destroying everything in its path. It was funny how something that could heal could also destroy. He might have even chuckled if he was in the mood.

Holding his palm out to his face, Sasuke stared at the faint scars that seemed to be painted across his ivory skin. He'd been lucky enough to grab onto the tattered rope just as it was cut—he had his quick reflexes to thank for that.

Another annoyed breath escaped the Uchiha's lungs as he ran the same hand through his raven tresses. He had underestimated her. Never would he have thought that she would do something as foolish as to send herself to her own watery grave.

"You're afraid of death."

Sasuke could tell by the woman's reaction alone that this statement was true however, not in the way that he had assumed.

The Hyuuga wasn't afraid of dying—in fact, that was probably what she wanted the most. Her past wasn't the happiest, after all. No, she was afraid to see the people closest to her die. It was probably why she had been on a mission alone in the first place.

Sasuke nearly trembled as he felt an all too familiar feeling wash over him. A wave of sadness entered his gut as the graphic flashbacks of his childhood played over and over in his head like a broken record.

It was something that overcame Sasuke more often than he'd like, no matter how hard he tried to suppress his emotions. His eyebrows knitted together as his memories hit him all at his once.

Flashback~

"Are you sure that this plan is a good one?" A deep voice asked from the shadows.

Sasuke gave the man before him a serious look. Although half of his body was swallowed by the darkness of the small hideout that they they stood in, Sasuke was still able to see the red glow of his eyes.

Sasuke shot the silhouette an annoyed glare before he answered. "What do you take me for, Madara? I'm no fool. The Hyuuga has direct access to the village and its secrets, not to mention the Byakugan. I have not seen the village in ten years—she's the puzzle piece that we've been missing."

A dark chuckle came from behind Madara's mask as he folded his arms across his chest. "It must have been fate for you to have crossed paths," he spoke thoughtfully.

Sasuke snorted as he turned to leave. Madara was somewhat correct. He was quite lucky to have run into the Hyuuga. She held an array of information that would ultimately aid his cause. Whether she chose to speak or not, he had the ability to extract the information that he needed. She was easily his missing puzzle piece. A pawn in this chaotic game that he and Madara were so eager to win.

The key to avenging both his brother and his clan...

Sasuke glanced over his shoulder once more before leaving. His voice was cold as he spoke, leaving a slight chill in the room.

"Konohagakure will suffer; I guarantee you."

Flashback ended~

Sasuke blinked as a tanned hand entered his line of vision. His dark eyes settled on a deep lavender as he entered back into reality.

"Yo! Earth to Sasuke... What's with the long face? Do you really miss her that much?" Suigetsu asked playfully as he turned his attention to the sword in his other hand, lavender eyes dancing along the blade and its detailing. "Wow. This woman has some pretty good taste. Pretty heavy, too."

An annoyed look etched itself across Sasuke's face as he grabbed the katana from his teammate, his grip tightening around the hilt.

"I found it downstream, not too far from here," Suigetsu spoke, throwing a thumb in the opposite direction. "It was at the bottom of the river. No body, though."

"What have you found?" Sasuke asked, as he skillfully placed the katana next to his own. Onyx eyes shifted to Jugo as he noticed a bird perched upon the man's shoulder.

"She appears to be near a Tanigakure village. Her body was dragged from the waters earlier this morning."

Sasuke's ears perked up at the new found information. "Is she alive?" Suigetsu asked, curiosity drenching each word.

The bird on his shoulder chirped noisily before taking flight. Jugo gave the Uchiha an apologetic look before answering. "They're not sure. Maybe, if we were to ask Karin—"

"No." Sasuke spoke sharply, cutting him off. The mere sound of the woman's name caused his blood to boil. To think that he'd trusted her with such a responsibility. 

"No?" Suigetsu questioned, a look of confusion twisting his features. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

"Let's leave this be for the time being. Her general location is all I'll need for now."

Suigetsu frowned childishly. "Must you be so mysterious?"

Sasuke grunted in response as he began to walk away. He knew she was alive—her chakra was weak, hardly noticeable, but that wasn't what gave it away. Their minds were connected. He could feel her conscience wavering, her thoughts wandering...

A slight smirk cracked his stoic features. "You can't escape."

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Long time, no see! This semester was hell, but I still shouldn't have made you guys wait so long! I'm sorry 😭

Any who, thank you to those of you who leave feedback! That is very much appreciated~ ❤️