Heaven's Regulations {Rewrite}

Chapter 16 ~ Nightmares

Hello again, my awesome readers! I hope you had a great week. Please enjoy this chapter!

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Sasori stared into the depths of a cat mask void of any emotion and felt something unusual pierce his heart.

Something that had not hit him since Harumi's death - no, it had never hit him even during Harumi's death.

This was different.

He had never felt this way before.

This was not the pain of losing someone.

This was the pain of hurting someone-

-and knowing that you lost them because of it.

And he had no idea how to deal with this pain.

Watching Rin, he wished he could take back everything he had said and done to her in the past weeks. Especially the night before.

It's all your fault, Sasori.

Again.

When can you learn to stop screwing up?

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Rin studied Hiruko through her mask. She could feel the emotion rolling off of Sasori.

Overwhelming. Is this what Sasori is feeling right now?

Regret. Pain. Heartbreak.

And immeasurable guilt.

As Rin watched the puppet move with her every step, she could almost see the redhead inside, curled up in his world of bitterness and pain.

I can't stand watching him like this.

So she stopped.

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Rin stopped. Sasori jolted himself out of his waking nightmare.

"Sasori, are you sure you want to keep going?" she asked softly. It was as if she knew. He turned his puppet head away.

"I'm fine. Let's go," he replied gruffly. The redhead could feel her worried gaze trained on him through his puppet and her mask. Darn that girl. She can read anyone.

Nonetheless, Rin did not push on.

"If you need, you know I'm here," she said quietly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Okay, Sasori, we're spending the night here," Rin said, trying to hide her exasperation and worry. It was the fifth time the redhead had tripped since they had entered the forest area, making steady progress in unclaimed land towards Iwa.

"No," he replied immediately. She flinched with hurt at his harsh tone.

Shoot, he saw that, she thought when the puppet beside her turned his head away.

"We need to rest for tomorrow, Saso-"

"I don't."

You totally don't, Sasori.

"Well, even if you don't, I do."

"Well, you're a hindrance. Go back." Rin ground her teeth, suppressing her hurt and frustration. She said nothing.

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Sasori knew he was horrible at this thing called "empathy".

But even he could feel the hurt rolling off Rin.