Prompt: After the war, the elders make an attempt on Sasuke’s life while he’s resting at the hospital. Sakura intervenes.
Old prompt, but it seemed fitting. And because I don’t think Sasuke’s intentions are evil. It’s Sakura’s expression that scares me.
As she walked down the quiet corridors, Sakura stifled a yawn while she balanced Sasuke’s breakfast tray with the other hand. She was early; he wouldn’t be up yet. But she planned it that way. Sakura couldn’t help herself, constantly checking on him in the early hours of the morning for her own accord, a pleasant reminder that it wasn’t a dream. After all these years of waiting and hoping, Sasuke was finally back in the village.
Quietly, she entered Sasuke’s room and set the tray on the bedside table. She smiled. Normally, she would have left immediately afterward, content with the mere sight of Sasuke sleeping peacefully, ignorant of her daily morning visits. But that morning, as she looked down at Sasuke, Sakura realized the few minutes she allowed herself to gaze at him weren’t enough. She wanted to stay—just a little bit longer, just a few more seconds—and that would be enough.
Without realizing it, she began to stroke Sasuke’s hair, an intimate gesture, wondering what he dreamt about, wondering if the nightmares finally stopped. And just for that moment, even if it was selfish of her, Sakura allowed herself to pretend, pretend they were lovers, pretend he’d open his eyes, look at her and say—
“Sakura. We didn’t expect you to be here.”
Snatching her hand from Sasuke, Sakura whipped around and suddenly found herself face to face with the village elders, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane. She didn’t even hear them enter. Out of habit, she was about to greet them, but she stopped herself. Something was off. A knot formed in the pit of her stomach as she noticed the syringe in Mitokado’s hand.
“What,” Sakura said slowly, her eyes never leaving the syringe, moving herself to further block Sasuke from their view, “are you doing here?”
However, neither elder answered her question. They weren’t even looking at her. “Move aside, Sakura,” Homura said evenly, “This doesn’t concern you.”
She shook her head. “Not until you tell me what you’re planning to do.”
They exchanged glances, conflicted. But after a few moments, Homura nodded his head to Koharu. “We’ve come here to finish what Danzo started. We’re putting an end to the Uchiha clan once and for all,” she said calmly, as if she was merely speaking of the weather, “We just didn’t expect anyone to be here this early.” Koharu paused. “You especially.”
Sakura felt her blood run cold; her heart pound; her palms begin to sweat. “But—but why?”
