To Kat

Who taught me to prioritize studies first

QOTC: Don't for a second compare yourself to Sakura.

- Kiba to Hinata

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Chapter 55: Girl in the Rain (Part 1)

Sakura's first and a half week in the hospital had no variance. As usual she hadn't felt her baby growing since it was not even a months old, but the pinkette couldn't wait.

She couldn't wait to dis burden herself from it. She learned from the best--Obito didn't leave a manual instruction on how to toss it out, but with the Leaf men spellbound with the marriages and frequent concerns, her miscarriage could be the last thing they'd ever notice.

It was sad though, said her dark inner. Ino was aiming for the same ambition. Time was their only difference.

"That's enough thoughts of harming the baby." Tori said, braiding her pink hair. "You might want to reconsider your thoughts. I'm here for a reason: saving you and your baby. Doing your hair could be the last on my priority list if only you didn't look sad."

Sakura thought of Konoha 11 glaring over her coffin. If only, she thought rasply, if only I would stop being a burden. "There. See? You're pretty." Tori said, letting go of her mermaid styled hair. Sakura had seen most of the first generations of kunoichis either with their hair curled or tied or twisted in beautiful braids. Hers made her feel like a princess--as if here she was, alive and in representitive of the first doppelganger. Uzumaki Mito.

Tori handed her a royal hand mirror, decorated in cigarette black feathers. She forgot how the raven girl could easily bring forth objects and magical things by a wave in her hand. Black magic or ancient magic, Tori was a bird sent to her as a guardian. She might have known that due to the fact that she was all pitch-dark, sheathed in black dress, sometimes a skinny tube. A skirt that reached the floor like Rapunzel's hair.

She stared at herself at the mirror, a girl in pink bright hair and sparkling green eyes. They were always regarded as an empress's eyes, going back through time within the ancient wars. "Why are we doing this again?" She asked numbly, putting down Tori's mirror. Hinata was the dominant of kunoichis who is usually seen in braids, making her feel uncomfortable. The woman Naruto is truly in love with.

They loved with a love that was more than love. She will never be anything like Hinata, as Hinata would be anything but her. She was a princess, Sakura felt somewhat small and ordinary. Hinata's romantic relationship with Naruto was something she'd acheived over time, while Sakura could just peculate the blonde by disowning an unborn child. She finally understood why--during Ino Day--Hinata wasn't present. Either she had other affairs or that over the past week Hinata had spent enough time among Sakura's piling presence to have begun to find it comforting.

"I told you. Someone's visiting you today."

"Naruto?" Sakura asked in glee, happy to break an ice towards someone decent. She could never get tired being accomodated with the boys. Sometimes Kiba, seldom Shikamaru, not most of the time was Neji, moreover Kakashi who would sit next to her naming thousands of baby names. That had been what Sakura needed; someone who needed not to remind her that she was having a baby.

"Maybe," Tori said in suspense. "It's not a bad year, Sakura. Having a bad day doesn't give you bad luck, doesn't mean you have to see through the negatives. Have a little faith."

Sakura chuckled. "So what, you're my psychiatrist now?"

"Sort of," Tori smiled fondly. "What is something to hold on to, if not faith? You believe in God, don't you?"

God. Sakura's parents were partly devout when she was a child. She remembered Mebuki buying her a rosary, and when asked if their faith ethnic roots--whatever it was--was necessary in the Nations, Mebuki placed a secret finger between her lips. Since then, Sakura had been secretly relying on catholicism.

There was a rumor you couldn't get married without being baptized. And so here she was, a sixteen-year-old girl hiding in umbrage as a blessed Christian. Sakura blamed Christianity for making her feel weak and for that means she felt a far cry among Konoha 11. The entire population in the Shinobi realm consists of Shinto beliefs and buddhism, not that they frequently pray nor believe in it, there were rarely churchs built surrounding the map of ninja.

Sakura smiled evilly. "There isn't a God. Not a God who created this world of damnation." It's a filthy goddamned world. So many sufferings, Obito would usually say. You are an incredible fool to believe on what people less believe in now, medic.

She turned to her shoulder, feeling an absence of sound. "Tori?" She asked suddenly as if she found it unbelievable that she was by herself. "Tori?"

A shadow bolted in her back. Sakura felt it, that spooky passing of gale.

Sakura suddenly remembered what Tori told her. Someone's visiting you today. And the thought of Tori vanishing would simply mean it as a bad omen. How could Tori just leave her be? Would it be possible if some raging lunatic--

She grabbed a kunai from her drawer. She held it, a weapon as her pawn, holding it the way she would always go front during the missions she'd be assigned as a leader of young genins.

Hell, doesn't mean she is pregnant doesn't mean she doesn't know how to take damn well care of herself. There was a CCTV camera bugged ontop of her room, Sakura stared at it, as if sending it an unnerving warning. Try to send reinforcements, and you're dead. The curse mark activated upon her. She could feel it expanding, feel that hotness and overload of power environing her. She closed her eyes to focus on that dark spot so she wouldn't be powerless to her opponent.

When she opened them, her other eye color turned purple.

Not an angelic princess, are you? Said Inner Sakura. Shut up, says her real subconsciousness. I'm trying to concentrate here.

She was not a master of tracking, but she wondered if she could do it. And she couldn't. Sakura stomped her feet for trying. How is it everything she does--everything she literally tries--does not fall back for her? Then, suddenly, she felt that everyday unceremonious chakra she always knew that was so close yet so far. Behind her, it stopped. He was standing right there, a beacon on her cloudy stall of life.

Sakura widened her eyes. She was tearless, yet. She wondered if this was real. She thought of what kind of pill her awful shaggy nurse had slipped in her water this time. Is this real? She asked her Inner Self. If this isn't, wake me up.

She turned around to see Sasuke standing. The love of her life, who stood there wet, soaked within the filter of rain, a blank look and somewhat there were little portions of blood stained in his grey shirt.

*P L A Y S O N G* (this one is soo romantic uhg)

"I killed an ANBU today." He said, as he'd avoided staring at her. "I had to see you."

Sakura remembered the day she'd performed surgery upon him. When it took every inch out of her to get her inside the hospital--to let her mind suck everything indeed and to pray for one thing; and one reason that made her believe in God. God, if you can heal him, heal him.

And he woke up that fearful moment, coughing and was so stubborn.

Now, Sakura thought, it was deja vu. Typical Sasuke who would always do something critical and irrevocable, for the sake of seeing her, if it means of doing wicked and repugnant, he'd rather be a bad person.

She plodded towards him. His scent hadn't changed: blood and rain. There was lust in his eyes, lust both of them wanted.

She wanted to grab him and kiss him. She wanted to let him touch her and consume her in a huge amount of guilt and pleasure, and that was okay, because in a millenum she didn't think she would still see him again. Live to see that the father of her child is still alive and well, breathing, and apparently, still killing people. She could almost laugh at that if Sasuke's expression wasn't so dull and sad.

She slapped him in the cheek. "Where have you been?" Tears fell like waterfall, and Sasuke stared back with Sharingan eyes. They were red and shimmering ruby, an image of blood at the same time a beautiful bewitching red. It hit Sakura soon as he'd turn them into Mangekyo Sharingan, filling Sakura with images that have happened to him for the past months--Wakana turning blind, Obito concealing a deal with Sasuke, Sasuke stroking her hair before he would have left.

He was talking to Obito with a deal that he would transplant Uchiha Madara's left eye to Kakashi's daughter, since Rin's right Sharingan had fully outgrown.

"If you truly love Sakura, you would let her go." Obito said, sitting against his table. Behind him stood a pyramid of boxes that consisted a pair of Sharingan eyes. Obito laid three of them, one from Uchiha Shisui, the second was Uchiha Naori--the first ever female ninja who has created Izanami, and the third was the glorifying Uchiha Madara. His sparked the most, Sasuke thought, apart from Naori's. Naori's was female like and you could easily identify them as light and filled with love.

Sasuke was crying. He was crying for the sake of Kakashi's daughter, and Sakura.To Obito, this had been the second time he cried. The first one was Itachi's burial.

He was reminded of that ceaseless pain, how he would carry it out on him--being the second last of his clan who had put an end to Itachi's life. Moving on caused him casualties and taught him meaningful things. He knew how to love, he learned how to fight for the things he was desperate not to lose. Now, between Sakura and Rin, he didn't even think twice of his answer. His decision had been final by then.

"Give him Madara's eye." He said, as a tear of blood was shred from his right eye. He also might think of having a transplant, too, since until now Itachi's eyes laid on Obito's altar. He wanted Sakura to be the one handling his brother's eyes, no one else. But now that seemed entirely plausible. "I need a week. You can give that to me, right?"

Obito smirked. "Certainly, nephew."

"You chose Wakana over me." Sakura said, almost teary-eyed. "I understand. I can survive on my own, and she's just a little girl who doesn't deserve to have that fate for the rest of her life."

"It's not safe where I am. Where I go, I'm a precious target to anyone."

"So we'll start a new life in Hoshi. That's what we want, isn't it?"

Sasuke placed both of his hands to her cheek softly, straining her with blood. "There is no escape, you understand me? Don't be stupid. I want you to be free. Be free of me." He raised a necklace in front of her, and Sakura recognized it like a shot. A scarlet ring that hung that said, "Shuiro." Vermillion. Itachi's ring. Sakura saw it once in Kabuto's laboratory, regardless of how the raven got it.

The rings were considered the propriety of each member. She could picture the entire scenario, one tiring night, how twelve of them have performed a ritual to honor their devotion to their organization they have given their lives up for. They left everything behind, moved on with only their special gifts left with them, and some, maybe were even left with hidden memories of their family, as much as they would try to deny it. The souls of Sasori's parents still lived within his puppets. Deidara lost his siblings to a fire that brought up a wild blast. Nagato possessed Yahiko's body as a form of movement to get over with the fact that he was already deceased.

"That's your brother's ring--necklace." She corrected. "Why would you want me to have it?"

"Because what I'm about to say, is probably the most selfish thing."

"Sasuke, don't go there--"

"I love you, Sakura." Sasuke said. "And it's the fact that I love you that I can't have you. I don't deserve you--but Naruto does." He leaned closer as he kissed her forehead, Sakura's eyes a minute from breaking into tears.

Sasuke smoothened the pinkette's hair, realizing that Tori's skills were really impressive. He wondered a couple of years from now, if ever she'd kept her hair long or short, he would want to see that child of his running along from afar, her hair braided as if she was the most beautiful princess in the realm.

"Kami, I wish you don't have to forget this." Sasuke said, his eyes swifting in Mangekyo Sharingan. They were really dazzling, Sakura thought, that she might want to fall asleep and forget the world. "But you do."

* FAST FORWARD TO 1:51*

Oh oh oh oh

Oh oh

The rest had been history. Sakura stood in front of her opened window, staring, pondering. She was alone, a ring placed in her necklace. It was there, always has been. She brushed her silky hair using her fingers realizing Tori had braided her. What just happened?

She decided to shut her doubts. She crept in bed as she hugged her pillow. There was a bit of blood in her face. She touched it and wiped it, thinking it was just some mess. This time, she was able to sleep.

Shikamaru, flicking his new Asuma-like lighter, stared quietly from the camera.

✦✦✦✦THΣ THIRD UCHIHΔ✦✦✦✦

THE END OF THE AFFAIR

Hiashi's funeral turned out simple. Konoha 11 came, a beeline of people who wore black clothing and black shades. As much as Hinata only wished for a small gathering, they had to put their name in the invitation to be there for her.

"Shades keep the tears in." Kiba said, popping a gum.

"Are you even allowed to eat here?" Ino asked. Former enemies, yes, Hinata thought, a few days from now they'd be the first to rejoice for Hiashi's death. He re-established the Harvest, the spirit animal that could have forced the chuunins to rebel against the Leaf. He was the villain holding a monster's crotch who pretended to be holy, pretended as if Konohagakure was in dire need of him when truth was even Tsunade would pour a Sake for him.

"A toast, Shikadagu, for the death of an old friend who threatened me for years!" Tsunade said, raising her green bottle into the office. "Tsunade-sama, you're making a lot of noise!" Shizune said in her best level of anxiety, holding a tray of two more Sake. Shikamaru, who had just gone from the funeral and hurried to travel to his majesty's tower, scratched a finger. She couldn't even speak straightly.

Neji's coronation occurred afterwards. Not that he wanted to rejoice too soon, but perhaps the people were in need of a little distraction. He had it too, after the night of the celebration, TenTen secretly stole him. She pulled him, and dragged him in their room where they made love.

Later morning Neji sent word to the Nations, proclaiming the freedom of the Side. It was to unite and avoid hostility among them Hyuga people, since first of all--what was the purpose of taking them out, referring them as slaves, if they were torn from the same sheet? The seal remained within them however, it was the least thing Neji could have done for Hiashi.

I am not Hiashi's successor. I am born with Side blood, blood my father spilled by means of protecting this clan from those who would try to take it down and steal it. Hiashi wanted to eliminate a Hyuga blood, which is something I cannot forge to happen. We are a family. Together we make an inseparable team. Therefore it is my honor, my duty to deliver peace among us relatives. The freedom of my fellow Side friends, I give to you.

All of them were happy except for one.

Hinata stared and stood in front of Naruto's apartment, a frown in her face.

This is probably where memories of him and Naruto are most preciously scattered like glass. This is where they usually cuddle, make dinner, it's as if this had been her short childhood. Childhood is said to be the kingdom where nobody dies. Her childhood in the Hyuga Clan had been ugly.

He came. He opened the door of his apartment, went out and looked at the girl of his dreams. She was wearing a black miniskirt, and it fit her naturally as it did during the Lord Third's funeral. He would never stop admiring every piece of her, as if she was victory he'd lost in battle.

"Hi." Naruto said in shame.

He heard of Hiashi's funeral and of Neji's big day. He wasn't present on both occasions, but he did visit his former rival on the night of the party in order to congratulate him. "My father died."

Naruto didn't say anything. He thought of the irony: Hiashi wanted him dead.

"Kakashi-sensei was there. Ino came. TenTen. Sakura dropped by for a bit." She was holding her umbrella tightly, like a memory. "Everyone showed up. Everyone but you."

Naruto thought of Hiashi, his death, and if he were standing behind him. Love; it's what started this war and why you children bore the burden of having fought for our sake, and that those among you who may not live long enough to perceive their next generation. You and all my children fall for the same meaningless thing. "I can't. I can't see you anymore."

Hinata slapped his cheek. Then she was gone, she went off running in the rain hiding her tears. Sad people love the rain--it reminds them that the world gets sad also. She grabbed her phone by her pocket, and stared at the list of people. She dialed Kiba.

Naruto, on the other hand, went back in his apartment. He drank his Sake that was waiting for him at the table, and drank more. He'd sipped another, and another until he felt himself freed of a curse Hinata had placed upon him. A love that he was forced to let go of.

Once upon a time they were together, once upon a time there was a sparkle in their eyes whenever they spoke. Once upon a time all that would become history.

Because breaking up with Hinata would be the most hateful detestable course he'd done in his life, and worse--was that something later that night, would happen.

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7.3.14 HAPPY BIRTHDAY NEJI

edited 3.25.15

(Let's just keep it this way lol)

VOMMENT

Aww Neji's supposed to be here... Right here...:(