Sasuke Uchiha and I

Chapter 19 - Reunion

A/N - I absolutely love this song, it's both sad and happy at the same time and I believe it fits in perfectly for this chapter, especially the end.

Sasuke's P.O.V

I watch in agony as I see her about to plunge my blade through her heart. I scream, and my vision blurs red in frustration as I see her close her eyes. Not wanting to see what's about to happen I close my eyes too, but then I hear a strange thump and I open them cautiously, just in time to see Winter whack her head on the ground. 

Confused, I look to where Orochimaru is pinned on display against the tree and see Sakura on top of him, not Winter. I know I should feel some sort of remorse or dread for my old friend, but I only feel numb. Winter's going to be okay. 

"No! Oh no! SAKURA-CHAN!" I hear Naruto cry out as he sprints across the open field. He pulls out my katana and catches Sakura's body as she falls toward him. Tears streaming down Naruto's face, he holds her against his chest, crying without shame. 

Giving Naruto a moment alone, a man with short brown hair makes his way towards me, his mouth set in a solid line. "If I break this chain, will you run?" He asks me, his head bowed in pain for Naruto. No doubt this isn't his first time in seeing a comrade fall, and he knows how Naruto feels. 

"I don't know." My voice comes out broken and hoarse from all the yelling I had been doing. "Now that Orochimaru is dead, I'm free from his control." Just now, I can feel the mark on the back of my neck fading. 

"That girl needs more help than you can give her. She's messed up pretty bad. It would be safer for her to return to the Leaf village where we have a great medic who can help her." I notice how he says it would be safer for Winter to return to the village but not me.

"What about me?" 

"You're wanted for many crimes, Sasuke Uchiha. I think it's obvious that you would be under very heavy surveillance, interrogated and charged with your crimes. We can offer the girl's safety but not yours." To my disbelief, the man breaks the golden chain and steps back. Facing away from me, he crouches down and comforts Naruto.

"Aren't you afraid I'm going to run?" I manage to say in my shock at the amount of trust he's giving me.

His head turns back towards me and he nods grimly towards Winter. "Between you and me, I know you're going to do what's best for her." He turns away and helps Naruto stand. "Let's go Sasuke, we should get back now. I'll send word to ANBU about Orochimaru's death, they'll take care of Orochimaru's henchmen."

I slowly walk towards Winter where she lies on her side. Cuts mar her body and her face is paler than usual, taking on the appearance of death. For some reason I'm afraid to touch her, even badly wounded she still looks angelic, I don't want to break her. 

Gently reaching out with my hand, my fingers stroke her hair, tucking it behind her ear. My thumb brushes the top of her cheekbone, right underneath her eye where a bruise has started forming. Even though she's comatose, her eyes flicker underneath her eyelids almost as if she can sense my presence, my touch.

She would go so far, for me? What did I do to deserve her? "Wait for me." I manage, picking up Winter and cradling her against my chest.

******

( One month later)

Winter's P.O.V

A faint humming noise buzzes in my ear waking me up. My legs stretch out and I reach my arms above my head, my back screaming in agony as if it hasn't moved in its position for a long time. I breathe deeply and let out a long yawn as I roll onto my side, my eyes starting to open.