In the Ceaseless Snow

🌸Chapter 1🌸

The sun was setting ever so slowly, the autumn breeze was dancing through the air, snow lightly coming down in a slow, steady pace, and a man stumbled out of a bar, slightly drunk. A look of sorrow crossed his face as he shuffled when he walked, hands stuffed into his pockets. He was a miserable sight. Mothers pulled their children closer to them and men with newspapers moved away from him, rather, not facing the glare that was etched on his face. The mere presence of him would make one melancholy, he radiated sadness.

The man straightened his posture a bit, sighing as he remembered the conversation he had on his phone earlier in the day. He reached a stop station and closed his eyes, reliving the moment for the umpteenth time.

"Hello? Is this Sasuke Uchiha?" Sasuke heard as he clicked the green button to answer the call.

"Uh, yes. Yes, this is Sasuke Uchiha."

"Oh, you're Itachi Uchiha's brother, I assume. You authorize his medications and consent forms, correct? You're his guardian to these matters?"

"Yes."

"I'm his oncologist, Dr. Arai. I've recently just checked his vitals, and... I'm sorry to say Itachi's case has grown worse."

"H-huh? W-we can fix it with medication, right?"

"I'm sorry. His cancer has become terminal. Medication will slow down the rate of death he is in right now, but it won't save his life. I'm sorry."

"O-oh. I s-see. Thank you for telling me. Means... A lot."

"Of course. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you in person, I was told not to. I also advise you to come to the hospital later today, he may want to speak with you."

"Itachi? Yeah, I'll come. I mean I always do, anyways."

"Yes. I'm sorry."

"It's fine. T-thank you."

"I'll take my leave. Goodbye."

"Bye."

The phone was left silent, and Sasuke's arm dropped from his ear. He couldn't believe it.

Itachi Uchiha, his brother, was going to die.

"Damn it." Sasuke mumbled as he walked onto the road towards the hospital Itachi was at, completely forgetting that the light hadn't turned red yet, and it was still yellow with a wait sign. A huge cement truck was headed his way, the honks from it becoming louder with every step Sasuke took. The other pedestrians yelled to the man to run back, but he didn't hear a word until the very last moment. He saw the trucks bright, flashing headlights and heard the screams of the people around him.

His eyes shook with fear. Was this his end? It wasn't enough time to run away, and he was frozen in fear. The truck came closer and closer, and he stood, shaking with fright. Suddenly, he felt someone grab the collar of his shirt and yank him over to the sidewalk where he fell over, gasping. Looking up, Sasuke found a pair of forest green eyes staring at him in fear, anger, and annoyance and he wondered how such different emotions could be mixed into one so easily. He heard people releasing their breath as sighs, soon cheers could be heard all around, but Sasuke didn't hear a word of that, rather he just kept looking into the green eyes that captivated him.

Applause for his rescue died down, and the people resumed their ways, walking back to their plans. Sasuke scrambled to get up and stuck out his hand, managing a slight smile. He looked at the girl who saved him and her most popping feature, accompanied by those green eyes, was her pastel pink hair.