sagara-megumi:

Title: Forgotten Tales from an Ancient Time – Chapter 2

Rating: T/PG-13

Notes: Well, this one took me more time than I expected, sorry for the wait. Very few things this time ^^

While searching for some images, I came across an official art of Sasuke as a Tengu and a beautiful and very detailed fanart of that same picture. So I decided to use those as the main reference. Here’s the link to the manga cover: https://es.pinterest.com/pin/386324474265450027/

There’s another note after the chapter to avoid some sort of “spoiler?“.

***It’s already very late here and I have to get up early, so tomorrow I’ll give the chapter a final revision. Please, be lenient if you see eye-sore mistakes ^^U

Glossary:

–udon: a type of thick wheat flour noodle
–youkai: a class of supernatural monsters, spirits and demons in Japanese folklore
**‘You’: at some point of the story, Sakura says to Sasuke that he’s not going to address him as ‘You′. There are a few words to say this pronoun in Japanese, more or less rude. In this one, Sakura is obviously referring to the polite one, but I wanted to clarify this so it doesn’t sound weird.

As always, if there’s something wrong (spaces, brackets, words in another language…), please, tell me.

Words: 6838

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FORGOTTEN TALES OF AN ANCIENT TIME

Chapter 2

The sunset was tinting everything in golden colours; even her green eyes, mixed with those tones became a strange shade of  light amber that seemed to shine like precious stones. Sakura watched it through the open window, pensively, sitting on the floor of her small flat. As soon as she had arrived home, she had washed her as best as she could, since she could not wet any of her bandages and changed into a mid-thigh red T-shirt with the print of a white circle imitating the stroke of a brush, even with thick drops of paint running down the red fabric. It had been then when all the tension from the day had finally taken its toll on her. Absentmindedly, she touched the bandage that she had on her forehead, bordering her hairline. Her wounds had not been really serious, though quite alarming because of so much bleeding. Apart from that and the cut in her leg, which was not deep, she was now feeling some pain in her ribs, probably from the hitting of her body against the steps, that the doctors in the emergency room had assured her that were not broken, and also she had some bruises on her chest and shoulders.

Then, she turned her head to the raptor that lay on a cushion next to her. The vet from a clinic nearby the hospital, where she had left it before going to be treated, had told her that even though the injury had not been fatal, if she had left it on the mountain, it would have ended up dying from hunger and thirst, since its feathers were damaged and it would take a long time for it to be able to fly again. She extended her hand and touched it with her fingertips, brushing over its chest, feeling its breath and the fast beat of its heart.

A black kite, he had said the bird was. She had looked it up on her laptop and the photos of it flying majestically on the skies had bewitched her, making her wish of seeing it healthy and free soon stronger.

The vet had also warned her that that type of bird was very dangerous and it was not wise to keep it at home. But somehow, she felt responsible of what had happened, though she still could not explain the presence of the bird on her lap. Or what had happened in the mountain. She was sure she had not tripped over anything. Moreover, she still could feel the sudden push she had felt on her back, so strong that it had almost taken the breath out of her lungs. Maybe it was true that there were still some Tengu on the mountain and she had managed to anger them, though she could not think of anything she had done that could be considered disrespectful. Or maybe, they were playing a prank on her. A very dangerous one, considering that if the stone against which he had hit her head had been just centimetres from its place, she would have been up there, being food for wild animals.

Despite her tiredness and that she did not feel like eating after all that had happened, her stomach rumbled loudly and she realised that she had not had anything since breakfast. Sighing defeated, not really wanting to move, and with a last caress to the bird’s neck, Sakura stood up, closing the window, and went to the kitchen, feeling as every muscle in her body protested against the action. Once there, she went to her fridge and opened it, looking at the food reluctantly. She was not in the mood for cooking or to have an elaborated meal either. Then, as she closed the door, she remembered the riceballs the old lady from the mountain had prepared for her and she went to her backpack, that she had left in the entrance. She took them out, feeling sad at seeing that one of the corners of the little parcel had been crushed. It would have been strange if, after the fall, they were still intact. Carefully, she unwrapped them. There were three riceballs, one of them still kept its shape, the one in the middle was a bit crumbled, but the third was almost squashed. She took them and put then on a plate, putting the crumpled one together and for the third, she took a fork of one of the drawers to eat it as best as she could. She took a glass and filled it with water, and after thinking about it for a moment, she took a bowl from one of the cupboards and filled it too.

When she returned to the living room, she stopped on her tracks. The kite was awake and standing up on the cushion, watching her with fiery eyes of the colour of blood. Swallowing a bit nervous, she took a step forward and it made a shrill sound as it opened its wings, though the one which was injured laid lifeless to his side, brushing the floor with its longest feathers. It was as if he warned her not to get closer.

She went still again for a few seconds and then, remembering some words from her mother regarding the living creatures of the nature, she knelt very slowly, lowering her eyes slightly so she was not staring at it. She left the things she carried in he hands on the floor beside her, and then, she nodded, folding her hands on her lap.

“My name is Sakura” for a moment, she felt a bit stupid talking to a bird, but she continued. “I was in the mountain when the branch fell by the small Tengu shrine. You were injured, so I brought you to the vet and he said that your feathers are damaged and you can’t fly yet” she looked around, not wanting to frighten the kite by using her hands to gesture. “This is my house. It’s not very big but I hope you feel comfortable here until you can get back to the mountain.”

The bird of prey had folded its wings as she talked, as if it was listening to her, and then, after looking at her for some more moments, sat down on the cushion. Sakura was bewildered for a moment. Then, encouraged by the progress, she continued.

“The vet said that you need to drink water to rehydrate” she pointed briefly to the bowl she had been carrying. “So, please, drink from this” she took it and, leaning on one hand, she stretched her arm as far as she could, pushing the bowl.

She returned to her original position and nodded lightly.

“I’m going to have dinner now.”

She stood up slowly again, still not truly believing that she had been able to convey her thoughts to the raptor, and that it seemed to understand her.

Then, she pulled the low table in the middle of the room as far as she could in the room to keep as much distance as possible from the kite. Then, she went back to the kitchen and brought a tray with her food. She turned on the television, something that startled the animal a bit, and lowered the volume. She gave thanks for the food and then, started to eat, watching the news. Outside, it was already dark.

Soon after she finished her riceballs, Sakura yawned and decided to go to bed. She stood up, looking briefly at the bird of prey, which had not taken its eyes off her, and went to the kitchen to wash the dishes.

As she started to scrub the plate, she heard a soft sound and very slowly, she bent backwards to see inside the living room. The raptor had stood up and was approaching the bowl, carefully. Then, after contemplating the water for a moment, it dipped its beak in it. Sakura could not help a small smile, her cheeks flushed from her excitement. When she finished, she made sure to make a little noise, and when she returned to the living room, the bird was already on the cushion again.

“Today, I’m going to sleep really soon, little one” she said smiling before making her way to the closet, which was in the corridor, just outside of the living room.

She took her futon out and extended it near the door, taking the table and putting it against the wall. Then, she went away again, and when she returned, she was wearing her nightgown. Even if it was only a kite, she did not feel comfortable with the idea of changing clothes or sleeping without them, so she resigned herself to a hot sleepless night.

The raptor watched her as she switched off the light of the room and lay on the mattress, the only sound in the room being the soft humming of the electric fan. She had been careful to position it so the air did not hit him directly.

“Good night” she whispered softly, and then, he heard the soft rustle of the sheet as she turned on her right side.

The kite watched her back, illuminated by the dim light which entered through the window from the street, listening as her breath gradually became steadier and deeper, until he was sure that she did not pose a threat for him, and then, it allowed itself to close its eyes.

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The kite did not know how much time had passed, but it opened its eyes quickly, all its senses alert. A baby was crying on the other side of the wall and something about the whimpering made him uneasy, though it did not know what it was. Then, it looked at the bed, but the woman was there, peacefully asleep. Everything seemed calm, but the raptor trusted its instinct more than anything, and it told it that something was not right. Then, there was a quick movement to its left and it looked on time to see that a shape seemed to come off the wall. It slithered along the shadows of the furniture projected on the floor from the lights in the street, and though the raptor looked at It intrigued for a moment, thinking that maybe was one of those insects humans despised so much, the evil energy that suddenly filled the room, made it spring to its feet. Immediately understanding that it was no match for that speed, it shape-shifted into his human Tengu form as He took the first step, taking the sword from the sash around His waist and sank it on the wooden floor on one of the strange elongations, less than a metre away from the bed. The cut part wriggled and twisted, as if He had cut the head of a snake, and when he tried to grab the tentacle, it slipped between his fingers, leaving a burning trail along its way. The Tengu grunted, shaking his hand, the burning blistering his skin for a few seconds before it started to heal itself. When he looked around, it had completely disappeared.
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The Shadow cursed Its back luck as it crawled down the wall of the building and hid Itself between the bushes of the less illuminated corner of the garden behind it. When had that woman managed to get herself a supernatural guardian? And a Tengu no less.

Every fiber of Its now more tangible form shivered remembering the strength It had perceived in the blow, in his hand as he tried to grab It. He had almost done it. now, the Shadow needed to change Its plans and trace a new strategy to fulfill Its mission. A small smile made its way slowly in the darkness of Its being, realising that he had brought an unexpected thing from Its incursion, one that could help It to achieve what It desired. It would be more difficult and challenging, but not impossible.

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Sakura opened her eyes slowly in the dim light, awoken by a strange feeling deep inside her. As her eyes wandered from the ceiling to the window, they came across a man crouched by her futon, watching her with red eyes, dressed in ancient dark robes. All her body tensed and she opened her mouth to scream, but before she could do it, the man covered it with his hand with an amazing speed, using such a strength that she felt pain on the back of her head.

“Be quiet.”

He did not move His lips to speak, but the words sounded clearly in her mind, and Sakura stiffened. It was the same voice she had heard in the forest, warning her about the branch. She fought, flailing her legs, trying to kick Him and her fingers closed around His wrist digging them into His flesh. She knew it was futile. Despite His slender figure, His force was extraordinaire, but she refused to let Him do whatever He wanted without resistance. She looked to the side, and to her surprise, the kite was nowhere to be found. Had he harmed the raptor before attacking her? Angry tears filled her eyes and she looked at him, her pupils flashing with hate. Just then, she realised that the man had two dark wings on his back and that one of them had some of its feathers crooked. She looked at the cushion again, ant then at Him, and He nodded. Then, He loosened His grip and she took His hand from her mouth with a strong pull. She scrambled to her feet backing until her back was against the bookcases that covered the wall, as the man stood up as well. He was taller than her, a dark figure only partially illuminated by the street lamps. His skin was pale in contrast with his hair and clothes; but the eeriest feature about him were definitely His eyes, red as blood with strange black symbols in the shape of a star and what looked like three slits coming out of His pupils. If in her heart she did not have the suspicion of who He was, she could have swore that He was the Death Himself. But under his robe, she could see the glimpse of a bandage across his chest, and trembling, she realised that what he had implied was true.

“Y-You are the-?”

“I’m a Tengu” he stated, moving his lips this time.

She stared at him in confusion and incredulity.

“A… Tengu…?”

He nodded and crossed his arms on his chest.

“Ah, don’t do-” she said on impulse, taking a step forward and extending her hand, but just as fast, she let it drop.

“You mean this?” he said pointing to his bandage. “It’s not necessary, I’m already fine.”

She watched Him as He pulled at the white fabric through his underclothes, a garment made of net that she had seen depicted in ancient stories of samurai and ninja.

“You should leave it like that for some more time” she said in a soft voice. “The vet said-”

“And what can a human know about us?” his words were edged with disdain, and that angered her.

“Well, obviously nothing, but he was taking care of a badly-injured bird, and put all his energy in saving it. The least you can do is show some respect for his feelings.”

He looked at her with sharp eyes, and she felt fear inside, knowing very well of what a Tengu was capable of, but His only response was to drop His hands to His sides and turn to the window, looking outside.

Sakura studied Him as the light fell on His beautiful features. Tengu were never depicted like that in books and legends. They always talked about red-skinned men or humans with bird traits; or in the ancient tales, they were monsters with bird feet or sharp teeth. Now that she could see it clearer, His hair was similar to soft feathers, framing His face and standing on end at the back, darker than the ones in His wings. He looked over his shoulder at her, and she blushed at being caught staring.

“Go back to sleep.”

Sakura could not say a word, and she did not move either. Her mind was still in a turmoil, processing all that had happened quickly, starting to understand things that before were obscure. But not only that. As a woman, she did not feel at ease having a strong stranger man in her room, even though, technically, he was not one. However, she could not tell him that.

“Do I bother you?” a small smirk drew across His lips and her face became hot, realising that He had guessed her thoughts perfectly. “Would you be more comfortable with this appearance?”

Suddenly, He was not there anymore. Instead, it was the kite who looked at her from the same place by the window. For a moment, it looked like It had nodded, and then, It took Its place on the cushion, sitting down cosily.

Sakura lowered her head, and then, not really feeling like standing up there what was left of the night, she made her way to the mattress and lay down, looking at the ceiling, trying to focus her attention in the shadows that moved each time a car passed or the air from the electric fan moved the curtain, but not being able to help a side glance to the window, aware of the eyes of the raptor on her. She did not know how much time had happened but, without realising, her eyes closed and she was engulfed in a dreamless darkness.

.

Sakura woke up with a soft intake of breath, not really knowing if what had happened the night before had been real or a product of her imagination. However, as her pupils focused and she turned her head to the open window, her eyes fell on the sitting figure of the Tengu a few metres from her. He had His head turned to the side, staring outside.

So, everything was true.

He seemed to perceive that she was not asleep anymore, because He turned His head and stared at her, His dark red eyes a bit different from the night before, less menacing, but strangely unreadable.

“This place has changed too much” He tilted His head again. “The clothes, the houses, the way society works… From here I can’t barely take in the whole city. So many buildings, so many people… so many useless worries…” he sighed. “There’s no place for us here anymore…”

“I think you’re mistaken” Sakura had sat on the futon and was threading her fingers through her short hair pulling it back. “Kyoto is still a city full of spirituality. Even though you can feel that things are not the same since you were here, I assure you that there is something special here that it’s impossible to find in most cities in Japan” she smiled a bit and got up, putting her hands in her waist and stretching her back. “If you could stay for a bit, I could show you.”

He smiled lightly, giving a last glance to the city.

“Maybe I’ll hold you to that” she looked at Him with surprised eyes, all traces of sleepiness gone from her face. “I’ll be staying here for a while.”

“Eh?” his mischievous side found her confused expression extremely pleasant. “W-What do you mean?”

The Tengu stood up and walked to her.

“You saved my life, so I’m on your debt. And I don’t like that, much less in the case of a human.”

“But, you saved mine first!” she protested furrowing her brows delicately, a very small pout appearing on her lips.

“You prayed at my Clan’s shrine” His tone became softer and Sakura was left without words to reply with. “Nobody had done it for years.”

“But… that was nothing…”

“For you, maybe, for us, it means that we’re still alive in someone’s mind and heart” a small smile drew across His mouth. “So, I hope you don’t mind having me around until I can satisfy it.”

For the moment, the Tengu decided, he was not going to tell her about the ‘thing’ that seemed to follow her around. He wanted to know first if she knew it and what type of supernatural being was. One thing was for sure, it was not a good one.

After a few seconds musing over His words, Sakura smiled, going to the window and leaning on the frame.

“But, there aren’t any trees nearby…” she said looking at the houses in front of hers. “Oh, but there’s a park near the train station” she pointed at a place she could see on her right, behind some buildings.

However, the Tengu was not paying attention to her. He was looking around the flat with evident distaste, but also with something akin to resignation in His pupils.

“I’ll live here. Though it’s quite small, I think I’ll manage.”

“What?”

“Why not?” a thin line became visible between His brows. “You decided to keep me until I recovered from my wounds, didn’t you?” the Tengu smirked. “Then, take responsibility” He nodded lightly and Sakura was sure He was mocking her. “I’ll be in your care from now on.”

.

When Sakura had looked at the alarm clock some time after the Tengu had made her flat His home and she had resigned to her fate, she had been surprised to see that it was almost midday, so she had decided to prepare an early lunch. She was really hungry, so she had made a huge dish of cold udon with vegetables, and fried shrimps, adding some pieces of grilled meat to His plate. She went to a lot of effort, trying to make everything perfect, from the food to the presentation, since she did not remember when it had been the last time she had cooked for someone.

She came back to the living room carrying a tray and put both servings carefully on the low table in the middle of the room. Then, she bowed deeply in front of the Tengu, who was still sitting by the window.

“I’ve made lunch. I’ve tried to make as nutritious as possible so you recover your strength soon” she lifted her head and looked at him with hopeful green eyes. “If you pleas-”

“I don’t eat.”

Sakura closed her mouth and stayed in that posture for a second, a deep crimson colour spreading across her cheeks. Then, slowly, she straightened.

“Ah,” an embarrassed short laugh left her lips and she averted her sight. “I… suppose so…” she fidgeted a bit. “Well, then, if you don’t mind, I’m going to…” she gestured to the table and then, she turned and sat down.

The Tengu frowned, following her with his eyes, not really understanding why she had reacted like that. It was not like she did not know, so versed as she seemed to be in legends, deities and youkai. And probably, she had been eating alone more than a few times. However, seeing her there, on her own and in silence, seemingly so far, made him strangely uneasy, and with a tired sigh, he lifted from the floor and walked to her. On his way, he picked up the bowl filled with water that she had given to his kite form the night before. She watched him, the tip of her chopsticks resting lightly on her lower lip, as he sat down at the table.

“I’d want to use this while I’m here, can I?”

She looked at the bowl. It was an old one made of ceramic, with a small chip on the brim, hand-painted with a motive of little birds and mountains. She had found it in a small village market while on a short trip with her mother, and though it was something most people would have already thrown away, it brought her memories happy memories of her childhood and could not bring herself to do it.

“Of course” she said with a small smile.

With a small gesture thanking for the food, the Tengu picked up one of the small pieces of meat and before He could bring it to His mouth, she averted her eyes and concentrated on her own food.

The alarm clock on one of the bookcases ticking away the seconds was the only sound in the living room for a while, apart from the occasional clink of the plates on the table.

“Why are you so quiet now? You were really enthusiastic before.”

She fidgeted a bit uncomfortable and, not knowing why, feeling on the defensive.

“Sorry, but… I’m not used to having lunch with supernatural beings. I don’t really know how I should behave…”

“Would it be better if I resembled a human?”

“Eh?” the question had left her dumbfounded and she looked at him with big round eyes.

In the blink of an eye, the wings disappeared and his pupils became completely black as if they were two bottomless pools of ink. He looked like a normal man, except for the blue robes he still wore, and Sakura had to blink several times to realise that it was not an illusion of her mind or a trick that he had pulled on her.

“Come on” he beckoned her to pick up her bowl again with his chopsticks, an amused glint shining in his eyes at her reaction. “Keep on eating.”

She did as she was told, but after just one bite and several glances in his direction, she set her her food down.

“Your Tengu form does not bother me.” she started and he shifted his attention to her, suddenly interested. “It’s what you said before…” he paused as he left his bowl of water on the table, having drunk a few sips. “You said you didn’t eat before…”

He lifted a brow.

“That’s what irking you?” he picked up half cherry tomato. “I’m not like humans that need to feed lots of times every day. I only do it when I get worn out, or when I receive offerings from the villagers down the mountain. It would be disrespectful if I threw them or let them spoil” he ate the bite and then continue. “You made this for me, so…” he nodded faintly. “Sorry…”

A sweet smile drew across her lips and the tense atmosphere that still lingered vanished completely. They continued eating for a few more moments before she spoke again.

“Um, I have another question.”

“You’re very annoying, you know?” he retorted back biting on a prawn.

“But it’s important” she shifted in her cushion for a moment. “How… should I address you?” he lifted a brown, looking at her with a bit of curiosity. “I mean, I can’t call you ‘You’ if I have to tell you something.”

He finished swallowing some of his food before answering.

“As you please, but definitely, not ‘little one’” he said frowning, pressing his lips in a thin line.

She tried to suppress a smile by hiding it behind the bowl of udon as she sipped some cold broth, thinking that it had bothered him a great deal to be called that when he was in his bird shape. As she set it down, she cleared her throat.

“But, I can’t do that” when he turned his head to her, seeing his really irritated expression, she tried to explain herself quickly. “My mother taught me that if you give a name to a supernatural being, you become its master. Even though the bond can be broken later through a ritual, I don’t want to…”

“He,” he regarded her with an amused smirk, his black eyes shining with a small spark of interest. “So you have knowledge of those details…”

“My adoptive mother is the Priestess of a Shinto Shrine” she said, smiling proudly, looking behind her at a photo that showed a blond woman with ceremonial robes and a little girl, clearly the woman he had in front of him, dressed in a kimono. “She made sure that I learnt every intricacy of the rites and rituals,  beliefs and legends, probably with the hope of me inheriting the post one day.”

“And? Are you planning to?”

“Um” she seemed to think about it for a moment before answering. “I don’t know yet. I love my work and when I decided to pursue a career, she took an apprentice…” after a moment, she looked at him with a slight frown. “But let’s not stray from the topic” he shrugged and looked at the last half of tomato before picking it up, and she sighed a bit exasperated. “Do you have a name?”

“Hm?”

“A name” she said a bit louder and slower, as if she was talking to a half-deaf old lady. “I suppose that in your Clan, you didn’t call each other ‘Tengu-san’.”

He chewed slowly, looking around, clearly struggling with the question and what answer he could give, and after a few seconds, Sakura understood that maybe she was intruding in an extremely private matter for him. And also, she realised that she had been talking to him as to any of her friends. And he was not. Biting her lower lip softly, she lowered her head.

“I’m sorry, I-”

“My father named me Sasuke.”

She lifted her head and saw that his cheeks had acquired a light shade of pink and his eyes seemed distant, like in a faraway land. Or time. A soft smile made her way into her lips.

“Then… do you mind me calling you ‘Sasuke-kun’?”

He made a displeased face.

“That sounds extremely disrespectful.”

“Well, I’m sorry, but I’m not going to call you ‘Sasuke-sama’, as if I were a teenager utterly smitten with an actor, or with her senpai at school” she took some udon from her bowl. “And period.”
.

The baby started crying again sometime in the late afternoon. After lunch, some more complaints to her about the way she wanted to address him and taking a short nap, Sasuke had felt curious about her books and had spent a good amount of time taking a look at the titles and picking up the ones which caught his interest. He had finally decided on one and had settled himself in his usual spot by the window, reading.

“Is it always like that?” he asked, frowning, as she knelt in front of him and served him some green tea in the bowl beside him.

“No…” she stood up and went to the table, where she had her laptop which she had been using to check her email and the library website to see some photographs of the exhibition. “It’s strange, because she’s always been a very quiet and friendly girl” she sat down and put her chin on her hand, propping her elbow on the table. “Maybe she’s ill…”

She stood up again and made her way to the corridor.

“I’m going to see my neighbours…”

Sasuke frowned, pursing his lips a bit, musing over what she had told him. Probably, it was not important, but seeing the things that had happened lately, it was better to check if it truly was just a sick little human brat. He stood up from his position and, as he followed her, he turned into a kite. It was better to go unnoticed.

.

“I’m really sorry for the bother, Haruno-san…”

When Sakura was opening the door, she had found her neighbour already in the hallway, unfolding a baby carriage, and he had apologised even before she could greet him.

“No, it doesn’t matter” she said with a smile, moving her hands in front of her to downplay the situation. “I just wanted to know if little Youko-chan is ill…”

“We… don’t know…” the man brought a hand to his head and scratched it nervously. “We brought her to hospital yesterday and they run several tests on her, but the doctors said they did not find anything strange… We’re going back today-”

In that moment, his wife came out carrying a whimpering baby in her arms.

“Oh, Sakura-san…” she nodded with a troubled smile. “I’m so sor-”

“No, please” Sakura put her hands up to stop her. “Don’t apologise. If Youko-chan doesn’t feel wells, she has to say it in her own language, right, Youko-chan?” she said bending forward and touching her red cheek softly. “Please, let me know what the doctors said when you come back, and if I can do anything.”

They nodded and bowed their thanks profusely and Sakura watched them as they strode away with quick steps. With a sigh, she came back into her flat and took her sandals off. Sasuke was there, with his arms crossed and a pensive expression in his face.

“Is something the matter?”

He turned without a word and she followed him.

“I don’t think so…” he murmured softly. “I hope not…”

.

After an early dinner, Sakura and Sasuke agreed on going to bed soon and, after watching some television, something that fascinated him, and answering his questions about said invention, they started to get ready.

“Are you sure you’re comfortable there?” she said extending the futon on the floor, watching as he sat down again by the open window.

“Hm, I’m fine” he leant his back against the wall and bent one of his knees up, putting an arm on top of it. “I don’t sleep much anyway.”

“However, you still have to recover from your injuries.”

“I told you I’m alright now. My wounds heal much faster than those of  you humans” he pulled a bit on the bandage under his robes. “I’ll take them off tomorrow. It’s starting to get itchy.”

She made a non-committal sound and then, turned off the light.

.

A strangled cry took him out of his slumber a few hours later. Sakura was lying on the mattress, tense as the string of a bow, her head tilted back in a pained expression.

“What.”

“My stomac-”

A high pitched pained moan cut out her words and immediately, Sasuke perceived the smell of blood in the room. Her blood. Immediately, he went to her side, his pupils changing their colour to a crimson hue and a six point star appearing in them. He scanned the room, but there was nothing that rang an alarm in His mind.

A stain of blood appeared on her nightgown, growing bigger by seconds, and without any qualm, he lifted it, leaving her midsection exposed. Sakura did not have time to protest, she was in great pain, and also confusion, seeing Sasuke’s face of astonishment.

There were deep scratches on her stomach and thick drops of blood ran down her flesh, pooling around her belly button, some of them falling on the mattress. Sakura whimpered again as a point of blood appeared on her skin, making an horizontal line and then starting again, crossed it going down, and he understood that they were no scratches. Someone, or something, was writing something on her skin. He had never seen that kind of magic, though He had heard His ancestors talking about old rituals to mark preys or enemies. And He knew that it would not stop until the message was finished. Sasuke furrowed His brow as a new stroke started and she clenched her teeth, trying to muffle somehow the scream that was about to come out of her throat. How had whatever was doing this been able to approach her? He had been on alert since the night before, watching every corner of the house but He had not sensed any supernatural presence near her. However, He did not have time to reflect on that idea, as her hand searched convulsively for something to grasp and finally clenched on his hakama.

“Hey…” He whispered, feeling bewildered and uncomfortable, being that the first time a human touched Him.

Her only response was to turn on her side and curl up like a new-born. A thick drop of sweat run down from her forehead mingling with her tears into the pillow, where she was trying now to muffle her scream.

“St-Stop… i-it… please…” she whimpered tearfully.

“I’m sorry…” and He realised that He had said it from the bottom of His heart. “I can’t…”

She looked at Him with her only visible eye, darker than before because of the dim light and the pain, but he did not see any trace of  reproach o resentment against Him for not being able to help her. She panted before a new stab of pain tensed her body again. Her other hand flew in the air, fisted tightly, as if she wanted to hit whatever was doing that to her, and He caught it mid air. Her fingers opened like a flower under His palm and, after tensing in agony, they closed around His. Her hand was damp with sweat and her fingertips and short nails dig into His flesh but He did not feel any hurt.

They stayed like that for long minutes of pause and pain, until finally, she relaxed with a soft moan of exhaustion and did not move for some time, and after being completely sure that there was no other presence in the room apart from them, He returned to his human appearance. He opened his mouth to talk, but closed it again, without uttering a syllable, None of the words that were going through his mind sounded right in a situation like that. The suffering she had experienced was something that nothing that he said could alleviate. So, he decided to keep silent. Instinctively, he extended his free hand and brushed her damp hair softly, pulling some strands away from her cheek and putting them behind her ear. She opened her eyes a bit and turned her head to him, still feeling out of breath, and tried to smile. It was wavering and crooked, but it showed her inner strength, and he returned it with one of his own, feeling a deep respect for her.

“Can… you…” Sakura, letting go of his robes, moved and winced, a low hiss and a groan leaving her lips, but when Sasuke tried to stop her, she shook her head stubbornly and continued speaking, a little winded.  “Can you… take a look…?”

She finally managed to lay on her back and lifted her free arm to cover her eyes. Sasuke, inhaling slowly, took the thin fabric drenched in deep crimson blood of her nightgown and uncovered her stomach. Most of the cuts were still bleeding but the angry swollen skin that surrounded them, made possible to decipher what was written on it. Sasuke read the characters and swallowed hard, his eyes opening in horror.

“What…”

he lifted his face to see Sakura watching him with a grim expression, that became even deeper. She pressed her lips in a thin line.

“I want to see it.”

“No” that only word was said in a terminate tone,  lifting his head to her, his pupils turning hard with determination and anger.

“Sasuke-kun…” he moved his head negatively and she sighed frustrated, despite the pain. “Your expression is telling me that something is really wrong and it’s scaring me. So please, let me see it.”

“It’s better if you don’t.”

“I’m going to know sooner or later, as soon as I see myself in a mirror… I beg you…”

He looked at her intensely for a few more moments, but seeing her eyes full of resolve, he finally sighed, defeated.

“You’re going to regret it.”

“I know…” he saw the light of her pupils waver. “There is a small mirror in the second room on the right in the corridor, in the cupboard under the washbasin.”

He came back a few seconds later with the item she had requested, and Sakura had barely had time to recompose her desperate expression and clean the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. She clenched her jaw as he sat down next to her and shifted the mirror, so she could see. As soon as her features showed her astonishment, he knew that that was the correct angle, and inwardly, he braced himself for her true reaction once she understood that they were not simple scratches. Her eyes widened slowly as she deciphered the upside down characters, reflecting sheer terror, her features changing into a gesture of incredulity first, a mute scream later.

‘Mine.’

TO BE CONTINUED…

Extra-note:

The word ‘mine’ in Japanese is written with more characters than in Western languages, so that’s why Sakura’s “torture“ is longer than expected. For those curious, the one I used (the more neutral one) is written like this:

わたし

のもの

xxlovendreamsxx:

Title: patience (or lack
thereof)
Summary: Exasperated by the slow process of Sasuke and Sakura getting
together, Kakashi and Naruto discuss their relationship.
Disclaimer: I don’t own Naruto.
Prompt: An Outsider’s Point of View
Rating: K
A/N: I tried to get this out for ssmonth but couldn’t manage to
before a very important visit arrived! Oh well, at least I still whipped this
out ahhaa. I think many of you will love this one 🙂

---

“Those two are impossible.”

Never looking up from his forever-favored
little orange novel, Kakashi merely hummed in reply, distractedly stirring his
chopsticks into his miso soup’s steaming broth. “Give them time, Naruto,” he
drawled. “It’s only been six months since he came back from his journey.”

But his former student didn’t seem to feel
the same, throwing his arms up expressively. “Exactly, Kaka-sensei—it’s been six months!” he exclaimed. Naruto leaned
his head back against the frame of the chair, groaning hopelessly. “What the hell
is Sasuke doing?”

At this, Kakashi glanced at him, lips
tugging lightly under his mask. Naruto only proceeded to lean forward again and
shove a handful of noodles into his mouth, features annoyed. It was just like
him to get frustrated that things weren’t moving along fast enough between his
two best friends.

“Sasuke is healing and trying to put his
life back in order,” Kakashi calmly settled to explain, returning to his
beloved book. He absentmindedly poked at a piece of grilled eggplant. “He’s
spent years away from us on a path that he knows now did neither him nor anyone
else any good, and now he’s trying to come to terms with all that.”

A snort of pure
disbelief sounded beside him. “Oh come on,
he’s had two years to work through that—and you know he’s been doing great
lately!”

That was true
enough. Still, Kakashi simply shrugged in response. “Maybe not well enough to
his standards.”

Keep reading

behindheremeraldeyes:

SasuSaku Month 2017
.
Day 05- Blood, Sweat and Tears
.
Title: Heal
.
Summary: It’s been a rough day for Haruno Sakura, and even if there’s nothing he can do, Sasuke is tired of just watching as she destroys herself. He doesn’t want to see her hurting herself. Not anymore.
.
A/N: I’m so so sorry for taking so long to post this one! It took me forever to finish and I’m not really sure if it ended the way I wanted it to end. I’m a bit insecure about this one, so please, forgive me if it turned out weird. No matter what, I hope you’ve enjoy it! Please, tell me what you think about it!
.
.
.
“ SHANNAROU!!”

A characteristic, crashing sound followed her raging mantra for what was probably the 30th time since they had arrived. Huge stonewalls were falling apart around her, dust dancing with the breeze and sticking to her panting body. She was breathing hard— they could see—but it didn’t take long for the pinkette to charge yet another punch at another rock.

Haruno Sakura had been doing that for hours now, and even if her chakra levels were incredibly low, the girl showed no sign of quitting her activities that soon. She was pissed, completely taken over by frustration and disappointment as she condemned herself to use all her muscles until exhaustion.

She was punishing herself. She was irresponsibly driving herself to her own limit, and even if they wanted her to stop, neither the Uzumaki nor the Uchiha moved a finger to prevent her from breaking another rock. It would be of no use, they knew it, hence, the only thing they could do for her at that moment was watch.

All they could do was watch as she destroyed herself.

But just watching never did either of them any good. Especially not when it was clear that she needed help.

“ For how long does she usually stay like this?” His voice was low when he asked that question, his eyes not leaving the girl for a single moment as she was still destroying rocks. Sasuke had his hand hidden inside his pocket, and he rested his back against the trunk of a tree that stood some good meters away from her. His expression was as stoic as always, but his best friend knew better than to simply assume he didn’t care about the rosette.

Sasuke was worried about her. They both were, but unlike the raven haired boy, Naruto had seen her like that before. He had already seen that side of hers, and for having already tried everything he knew to make her feel better, the blond knew leaving her alone was the only thing that truly worked.

Even if it took him some time to get used to that idea, eventually, Naruto understood that there was nothing he could do for her.

Keep reading

sagara-megumi:

Title: Till Death Do Us Part

Rating: T/PG-13

Notes: Sorry to keep you waiting, but at last, the final chapter is here ^^ It’s sad but at the same time accomplishing because it’s the first time that I finish a multi-chaptered story and that I write so much in such amount of time.

The notes are a bit long this time, but I’d like you to read them, since they can be useful.

This time, the prompt is symbolic. Looking for information for my next story (that hopefully will use some of the prompts I still haven’t done) I found on a book about Japanese Mythology that the snake, among other things, symbolises lust. Imagine the possibilities that opened in my mind at that moment *grin* Regarding the slug, the only thing I could find was the healing power, so Sakura gets stuck in the medical field once again.

I decided that both their names are written in kanji, since both of them belong to old families (I haven’t seen any examples of this written in hiragana/katakana, like in the manga). For those who feel curious…  団扇 佐助 // 春野桜 (I know that in Sasuke’s case those are the kanji for “uchiwa“, but… ^^U)

The events described in the fanfic are my impressions after watching several videos and reading about the topic. There will be mistakes, of course, so I apologise in advance.

Be aware that the rating has gone up. There’s nothing really explicit but you’ll know what’s happening. If I labelled it incorrectly, please don’t hesitate to tell me. Since a few years, the rating system has been a mess. I’ve found really strong things under the M/R and even the T/PG-13 tags and really innocent ones under T/PG-13 so, I’m more or less following my instinct.

Thanks to the lovely @isa-chi who put up with my ramblings and my frustration, and advised me on a couple of topics especially related to OOC. And also to all the people who read it, sent messages, liked, reblogged and followed me, waiting patiently for updates. You don’t know how happy each of those single things made me. And thank you to @sasusakumonths for organising it. It’s been really fun ♡

As always, if there’s something wrong (spaces, brackets…), please, tell me. I hope you enjoy this final instalment 🙂

Glossary: I’ve tried to keep the Japanese terms to a minimum, though some things are not accurately translated

–uchikake: the bridal kimono. It can be white (the most common used for the ceremony) or with colours (normally used for the celebration). it’s much more heavier than a normal kimono, and it’s tied differently too.
–onigiri: riceball
–nori: the seaweed that is wrapped around the onigiri

Words: 7339

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TILL DEATH DO US PART

Drinking a sip of her coffee, Sakura observed as Sasuke started to complete their marriage form, the pen in his right hand tracing the kanji of his full name slowly, as if he feared to make a mistake. They had decided to fill it and take it to the Ward Office together so, early in the morning, Sakura had gone to his apartment carrying the documents she would need.

Keep reading

lavendersmiles:

SasuSaku Month 2017

Day 29: Connected Feelings

***

FFnet link 😀 

***

“First of all, thank you for allowing me to have this interview in you amazing mansion, Sasuke and Sakura,” Ino, famous magazine editor and friend of the Uchihas, smiled as she took a seat on a rather comfy armchair in the living room. The married couple sat at the sofa across from her.

“It’s actually more convenient for us, Ino, so no biggie,” Sakura confirmed.

“I only agreed because I lost the bet,” Sasuke piped in. His wife chuckled and held his hand. “Take it as a lesson not to bet with me, anata. Besides, I owe Ino a favor. She wanted this interview very badly.”

He sighed, giving in. A maid came to serve them drinks and some snacks. After a few minutes of eating and idle chatter, Ino finally started with the main reason why she came.

“So as you know, I’m making a feature about modern couples and their families. Sasuke, a general in the army, and Sakura, chief doctor of Konoha hospital. You guys have been married for five years now, and you have Sarada, my precious goddaughter. So tell me, how it is like after saying your wedding vows?

The couple looked at each other and smiled tenderly. “I think the major difference is moving into one house,” Sakura responded. “Other than that, nothing much changed… well… aside from my last name. Sasuke-kun’s my friend, first of all. We fell in love, became a couple, and got married. Throughout those years of knowing each other, it felt natural just being together.”

“We still learn new things about each other, though,” Sasuke supplemented.

Ino nodded. “You guys are super busy as well. I know Sasuke has to go around a lot. And you, Sakura, being the chief doctor is no joke. How do you find some family and couple time?”

“It can be tricky,” Sakura admitted. “Sometimes our free time doesn’t match. But we make sure that as much as possible dinners and Sunday mornings are allotted for us. When our schedule allows, we take vacations too. It just needs perfect time management.”

“And when you guys are apart, how do you ease the loneliness?”

Sakura smiled and rested her head on her husband’s shoulder. “Modern technology is a blessing, of course. We send our good morning texts, have calls as long as possible… like a true couple in a long distance relationship. Absence does make the heart grow fonder in our case. At the end of the day, we know that we have each other to come home to.”

A gentle smile appeared on Sasuke’s face. “Though we’re apart, we know that our feelings are truly connected.”

“And how do you confirm that?”

Suddenly they heard the pitter patter of little feet, followed by a giggle. Both Sakura and Sasuke smiled as their daughter came towards them, obviously awake from her nap and running away from the maids in charge of her. The pinkette opened her arms and the little girl hugged her mother. She laid her on her lap and her parents held her chubby hand.

“Because we have her, our daughter Sarada,” Sasuke answered.

lavendersmiles:

SasuSaku Month 2017

Day 7: Love You Goodbye

***

FF Link 😀

***

“Do you really have to go?”

“It’s only temporary.” She held his hand and looked straight into his eyes the color of the night. “You know it’s my dream to study at SU. Four years isn’t long. No matter what, I love you, and I know that our goodbye will turn into hello once again.”

Both didn’t mind the crowd and kissed, though it was a bit bittersweet. After one tight hug, the couple left, hopeful and looking forward to the day they will be together, and that would be forever.

.

.

.

Sakura took another bite of her ice cream. Beside her, Sasuke was looking at the two who took the spotlight not so long ago.

“I guess true love’s kiss doesn’t work in the real world huh, Sasuke-kun? I mean, I guess it could in some cases, but it can’t stop two lovers from separating.”

He scoffed. “Fairytales are not real to begin with, Sakura.” Then, he turned his look on her after the couple couldn’t be seen anymore. “Besides, they could still contact each other. What’s the internet for?”

Sakura gave a slow nod. “True. But I also know another use for the internet.”

“What?”

“Research. For that History project we have due next week. I woke up early on a Saturday like this just for it. And then what do I get? Waiting. Waiting for Naruto to get here in the park. We agreed to meet at 8. It’s 10 now!”

Sasuke understood her pain. “That dobe. You want to drop him?”

“Sasuke-kun! May I remind you he is our best friend and it is mean of you to do that.”

The raven haired lad just smirked. “It would be fun to let him beg for it.”

“Sasuke-kun!” Sakura hit his shoulder playfully and chuckled. Then she resumed eating her ice cream. “At least I have this strawberry ice cream. Ice cream will never disappoint me.”

He cleared his throat and looked at her. “Courtesy of?”

The pinkette rolled her eyes and hooked one arm with his. “Thank you for the ice cream. Want some?”

“You know I don’t like sweets, Sakura.”

“Sucks to be you, then.” They resumed their comfortable silence, waiting for their blonde friend to come.

“Ne, Sasuke-kun?”

“Hm?”

“Would you cry like that guy if I leave?”

He stiffened. After recovering from her question out of nowhere, he removed the arm that clung to his and instead held her hand. “I won’t let that happen.”

“Come on, humor me a little. What if?”

Sasuke looked ahead, lost in thought. Sakura nudged him and he looked into her eyes. “We’ll still be under the same sky. Goodbyes are a part of life. But no matter what, you’ll still be one of my most precious people.”

She smiled at him and rested her head on his shoulder. From afar, they saw Naruto running towards them.

“Hey lovebirds!”

“YOU’RE LATE!” they both exclaimed.

lavendersmiles:

SasuSaku Month 2017

Day 6: Thank You

***

Author’s Note: I had written almost all the prompts, but got stuck with this one and day 7. But it’s dooonneeee~ (Still need to write ten prompts to complete SS month 2017 tho)

FF Link 😀

***

“Thank you.

“Thank you for the eight years, ten months, and fifteen days that we’ve spent together. Thank you for the immeasurable memories that I’ve made with you. Thank you for letting me laugh with you. Thank you for lending your shoulder for me to cry on. Thank you for being patient with me. Thank you for all the sacrifices. Thank you… so much.

"Thank you for letting me be myself. Thank you for showing your real self to me. Thank you for letting me be a part of your family even for just a while. Thank you for being a part of mine. Thank you for loving my friends. Thank you for supporting me. Thank you for letting me support you.

"Thank you for everything.

"But most of all, thank you for letting me love you. I’m letting you go now.

.

.

.

"Sakura, are you alright?”

She hurriedly wiped the tears that fell. “I-I’m okay, Sasuke-kun. It’s just that… that part hurts so much. Please continue.”

He sighed, and then proceeded to continue reading the book she requested him to read out loud when insomnia both struck them.

.

.

.

“And so, the two lovers hugged each other under the light of the moon, happy to be with each other again. Koichi held her hand and looked straight into her eyes.

"It will be three more years until I return. Will you be able to wait, my love?”

“Aiko smiled and nodded. "I’ve waited twenty-two years to meet you. Three more years would seem like a month compared to it. As long as my heart is yours and yours is mine, waiting will be worth it.”

“They sealed their promise of forever with a kiss. No one was happier than the two anywhere else.

"The end.

.

.

.

Sasuke looked over to his wife, her hands clasped together and a smile on her face. "Finally, after all the heartaches and troubles, they’re together. Isn’t it amazing, anata?”

“It’s…”

“Too sweet?” Sakura laughed. “I know romance novels are not your thing, Sasuke-kun. But the old lady gave it to me in gratitude and I just can’t say no. She said it is one of her precious belongings and it would be a shame not to read it.”

“At least the antagonist got the punishment she deserves,” Sasuke added.

“I know right! Ah… it took us two nights to finish it.”

He just gave her a look. “We are travelling and helping people, Sakura.”

The pinkette’s face broke into a cheeky grin. She then cuddled closer to her husband. “Thank you for reading it, anata. Though I know you didn’t like it.”

“Hn.” But he did like it, or more specifically, liked the way it pleased her greatly. He couldn’t say no to her, especially now that she’s two months pregnant. He tucked the book away and held Sakura closer.

He wouldn’t admit it when she says he’s the cuddling type, but it was obvious.

“Good night, Sakura.” He kissed her forehead and then caressed her stomach. “Good night, our baby.”

Sakura’s heart swelled with happiness. “Good night – or should I say good morning? – Sasuke-kun.” She gave him a chaste kiss on the lips and held his hand on her womb. With a small voice, she added, “Good night, papa and mama.”

Both looked at each other with a tender smile. The tranquillity of the night called them to sleep, and sleep they did.

thespringflower:

My (late) contribution to the SSMonth:

SasuSaku Month 2017 – Day 29: Feelings connected

Summary: Their feelings are connected even during the worst times.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Rating: T
A/N: This is my first fic and it is a bit sad… Do not read if this is not your thing.

Many thanks to @yurama, who beta-read this Fic.

***

Sakura had sensed his chakra before he had even reached the porch, but her brain had already tricked her so many times that she preferred to wait. He eventually would open the door if he was really there. Or maybe not… After several minutes went by, she was sure that he was standing by the front door. Static. He hadn’t taken a step in any direction and she knew why.

Keep reading