HOME | DD

Description
The loud, rhythmic ticking of your clock echoed through your small sitting room. Despite the rather violent storm going on outside, it was all you could hear. The time, judging by the last set of quiet chimes it had given off, was around 3.am. Each time you heard the minute hand slowly clink into place, your heart sank a little more. For what felt like the hundredth time, you pulled back a curtain and looked into the darkness for any sign of life. Even if it hadn't been storming, there was no moon tonight, meaning that everything around you was pitch black. Letting the curtains sway back into place, you turned your back to the window and sighed. “He should have been here hours ago.” With hot tears threatening to spill over onto your cheeks at any second, you dropped down to the couch and pulled your knees to your chest. “I knew this was too dangerous.” Falling onto your side, you buried your face in the couch and tightly shut your eyes. “Why wouldn't that idiot just listen?”

Some time later, the sound of your front door slamming shut jarred you from your sleep. You weren't sure when you'd fallen asleep, or even how, but you were wide awake now. Already sure you knew exactly who had entered your home, you jumped off of your couch and rushed towards the sound. You hadn't even stepped foot into the darkened room yet, but you already knew something had to be wrong. When you did walk into the darkened room, it looked empty. Squinting your eyes, as if doing so would somehow help you see things more clearly, you called out to him. “Sasuke?” There was no answer. Maybe you had just been hearing things. A little disappointed that your mind had been playing tricks on you, you finally mustered up the courage to turn on the light. Only then did you see him. Slumped just inside your door, drenched with rain, a look of pain twisting at his face, was Sasuke. “Sasuke!” Heart racing with worry, you rushed over to him and quickly took his face in your hands.

“Don't yell.” Voice weak, Sasuke wasted no time scolding you. “Someone's going to hear you.”

“You're hurt, again.” As you looked him over, the memory of a very similar circumstance flashed through your mind. Last time he had come to you injured, however, he had Suigetsu to help him. This time, he was alone. Who knew how long he'd trudged through the rain, hurt and weak. He should have stopped to take care of himself, not kept going. Luckily, he didn't seem nearly as bad off this time as he had on that day. Even now, the memory sent a shiver through you.

“I'm fine.” Letting his head rest against your shoulder, Sasuke tried to dismiss your worries as quickly as possible. “I'm just tired is all.”

“Don't lie to me Sasuke. You're bleeding.” It wasn't a lot of blood, but it was enough to soak through the back of his shirt, staining it a muddy crimson. “What happened?”

Obviously unaware of the fact that he was even bleeding, he sighed. “I don't remember.”

You knew he was lying to you, but you weren't going to pry, at least not now. What was important now was making sure he was okay. “Come on. I need to look at your back.” Wrapping an arm around him, you managed to get Sasuke onto his feet and situated on the couch. Without a word, you helped him out of his cold, wet clothes and prepared yourself for whatever you might find. Holding your breath, you looked down at his back. Upon first glance, the scene looked gruesome. You knew that even a little blood, mixed with rain could look like a lot, but you couldn't stop yourself from shaking.

Sensing your worry, Sasuke looked over his shoulder at you. Sure enough, your eyes were filled with fear. No matter how much you wanted to hide it, you couldn't. Instantly plagued with guilt, Sasuke fixed his eyes forward, refusing to look at you again. “What is it?”

“You're freezing. You're going to make yourself sick.” Trying to sound strong, you started the task of cleaning him up. The more you wiped away, the smaller his injury seemed to be. Finally, you were able to locate the source of the bleeding. On his back, was a small, but terribly deep wound. It looked almost like he had been stabbed. “This hit really close to your lung Sasuke. You've got to be more careful. If it had gone even a little bit deeper...”

“I'm fine.” Not about to let you finish that sentence, Sasuke cut you off. “You worry too much.” Lowering his already quiet voice even further, he half whispered out his next words. “You've always worried too much.”

“No, I worry the right amount.” With his injury already as patched up as you could manage, you stood up and gathered his clothes from the floor. “You're just lucky I can fix you up every time you come to me half dead.” Scoffing, you turned away and started out of the room. “Now stay there. I'll get you something else to wear.”

“Every time?” Though he wanted to follow you, and actually tried to do so, Sasuke's body wouldn't allow it. Now that he had finally sat down, his adrenaline had faded, allowing the exhaustion and blood loss had set in. “This doesn't happen often.”

Returning with a clean set of clothes, you couldn't help yourself from lightly reprimanding him as you helped him dress. “This sort of thing wouldn't happen at all if you'd just stop trying to sneak in to the village you know.”

“Yeah I know that.” Wincing slightly as he shrugged on his shirt, Sasuke gave you a sideways glance. “But how would I see you?”

His words should have been sweet, but they only weighed your heart down with guilt. Yet again, he was in a less than pleasant situation because of you. Sure, he'd probably get himself intro trouble one way or another, even if he didn't come to see you. Still, you didn't like the fact that you were adding to the list of reasons why he might get himself killed. “You could stop coming to see me, or you could take me with you.”

Both of those suggestions only made him sigh. You had made them before and he'd turned you down then. Why would you think that he'd suddenly agree? “You know I can't do that.”

“Okay.” Nodding firmly, you turned around and prepared to leave him. You knew you must have seemed cold, but you couldn't take this anymore. Weeks, or even months of him being gone, only for him to return to you in horrible condition was no way for either of you to live. No matter how much you wanted to be with him, this had to stop. “Goodnight.”

Before you had taken a single step away from him, Sasuke tightly wrapped his fingers around your wrist and pulled you back to him. “You're not going to argue?”

“Nope, I'm not.” You wanted to of course, but you knew it was pointless. The two of you had fought over this many, many times in the past. It never changed anything. Sasuke was stubborn. He wasn't going to do anything unless he actually wanted to. “But the next time you come knocking at my door, I'm not answering.”

Sasuke's hold on you tightened. “What?”

“You keep telling me that you're going to be careful and not to worry, but I can't help it.” As you spoke, you felt a salty tear fall onto your cheek. You had tried not to get emotional, but it was no use. You had been holding back for a long time, and you couldn't do it anymore. “I'm not doing this anymore.”

Though he couldn't see your face, Sasuke could tell by the wavering in your voice that you were crying. Tugging gently at you, he tried to make you face him. “Don't do that.”

“Do what?” You knew you weren't fooling him, but you weren't ready to admit that your emotions had taken over.

“...Cry.” Using all of his strength, Sasuke pulled you onto his lap and wrapped both of his arms around you. With his face pressed against the sensitive skin between your shoulder and your neck, he went completely silent. After a moment or two, he spoke in a quiet, exhausted sounding voice. “You're asking for a lot you know.”

Knowing he was right, you nodded. “I know.”

“It's going to be dangerous, and you'll have to leave everything behind.” He was obviously trying to change your mind, but it wasn't going to work.

“I know that too.” You nodded again.

Realizing that this was his only option, Sasuke sighed. A part of him was glad that he'd have you around more often, but another part of him was honestly a little scared. Without the protection of the Leaf Village, you were going to be in more danger than ever. “It's going to take some time, for me to find somewhere safe.”

“I know.” Turning around to face him, you carefully let your fingers lace behind his neck. “I'll wait for you.”

“I know you will.” Lovingly taking your chin between his thumb and forefinger, Sasuke tilted your face down and softly kissed your remaining tears away. “You always have.”