In the Ceaseless Snow

🌸Chapter 4🌸

It was freezing, and Sakura didn't know why. If she told Itachi, he would probably just snarkily reply,

"Probably because it's, you know, winter."

Speaking of Itachi, Sakura was starting to wonder if he was right. As much as she hated to admit it, she needed friends. Her mother would have said the same thing, just in a much more passive-aggressive manner. Sakura paced in front of the bar. It wasn't just any bar, but the one where she met Sasuke—where she saved his life. Maybe, she thought, I should ask him out instead of the other way around. She started pacing, shivering slightly as the snow fell around her, and—she would never admit this—unconsciously avoiding the cracks in the sidewalk. She paused. But maybe I shouldn't. What if he says no?

She could practically hear Itachi face-palming. Okay, he probably won't reject me...but should I do it anyway? She didn't even get to make a decision before she heard a familiar voice saying, "Sakura!" Her head whipped to the side and she fought off the sudden bout of dizziness. At least Sasuke didn't notice. He came closer, a nervous smile on his face. "How are you—"

"Do you want to hang out this afternoon?" she asked, cutting him off. Sasuke blinked, obviously startled. He stared at her blankly for a second, then a smile slowly grew on his face.

"Uh, yeah, I do! Are your parents okay with that?"

Sakura immediately shook her head. "Don't worry, they won't be a problem." Sasuke gave her a weird, suspicious look, but it disappeared as quickly as it came.

"Okay. How about... Well you see..." he trailed off a bit, "my brother is in the hospital," he finally said. "Do you want to come with me to visit him?" Sakura blinked then quickly opened her mouth to say something, only to be cut off by Sasuke's phone.

Sakura blinked, smirking a bit, "Is that the first Menma ending?"

Sasuke nodded. "Yep, it's Breeze. Sorry, give me a second." Sasuke pulled the phone out of his pocket, then frowned slightly. "Why would she be calling at this time?" Shrugging, he answered and put the phone up to his ear. "Hey, Hi-" he paused. "What do you mean?" His eyes widened. "Are you saying that—" More silence.

Sakura, sensing something sensitive was going on, said, "I'll go now. You have my number, right?"

Sasuke absentmindedly replied, "Yeah," before going back to listening to whoever was on the other end of the phone. Deciding not to look a gift horse in the mouth, Sakura turned and walked away after a quick goodbye. How do I tell him that I don't want to visit his brother in the hospital? Or that I already know his brother, who's in the hospital? Sakura could not think of an answer.

-

Sasuke hung up his phone, then stared down at it blankly. Why... Life wasn't fair, but it felt like it seemed to be extra hard on his family. Why can't something just go right for once? Deciding not to think about it, he moved on to his next task.

Me:

Sorry about that. It was kind of important. Anyway, we're going to the hospital, right?

Sakura:

It's alright. I can't go to the hospital with you, though. I have some important family business. Sorry!

Me:

Okay. Hope everything is fine!

With that, Sasuke turned his phone off. He stood there in silence for a few seconds. I thought Itachi would have liked to see a face other than mine or the nurses. No, don't feel bitter. Sakura has her own life to live. Shaking his head, Sasuke turned and walked toward the building he had been visiting nearly every day: the hospital. He would have gone later, but...