Chains

                                                          C          H          A         I         N         S

I was unaware of the events that took place downstairs after Sasuke left me. I hadn’t realized that I fell back asleep totally exhausted and by the time I showered and ripped the sheets away from the bed wishing I could toss them out the window, that’s when I caught sight of the feud in the driveway.

I watched as Itachi struck Sasuke across the face. He still remained impassive while the elder screamed at him. Then the blows became heavier. His knuckles cracking across the lower jaw of his young sibling sending him reeling to the left. He stumbled and regained composure. But then another blow, this time to the other cheek, open palmed.

I felt tears forming in my eyes, burning. I could no nothing but watch as Sasuke was yanked to his feet by the collar of his shirt and the elder inaudibly screaming something a mere two inches from his face. I watched the purple bloom swell against the corner of his lip, blood trickling over the side of his mouth as he allowed the elder to continue his wrath.

Eventually his anger subsided and he left Sasuke to loiter in his spot dazed and seemingly confused. He brushed the tips of his fingers against the tender flesh wincing slightly before turning and entering the house. I imagine getting ice is in order.

For some reason I got the urge to help him, then again it is in my nature to do so due to my profession. When I reached the door I met no resistance. I thought it odd but didn’t have time to dwell on why it was left open. I raced down the steps until I came across a sagged Sasuke slumped in a chair. He sits with his back towards me but I can tell he’s exhausted.

He’s cradling his good cheek against his palm and has a poorly wrapped pack of ice touching against the sensitive swell on the other side. I go to the fridge without saying a word looking for whatever I can find and then rummage through the cupboards. Like so many times before I can feel his eyes upon me.

I find the first aid casting aside the generic brand of bandaids stuffed at the top finding the ointment and a couple other expensive brands I’m not familiar with. I pull a chair adjacent from him planting my bottom firmly on the wood and parting his legs to slide up to meet his height.

I gingerly move his fingers and get to work on dabbing with a wet cloth at the corner of the dried blood. I assess the other side next, not so bad, looks like that was just a warning. I imagine the younger one easily able to push the buttons of his brother without hesitation and I don’t question what type of rivalry ensued during the argument.

“Does he know?” I look up through my lashes, keeping my face in idle irritation but keep it at bay too concerned with completing the task of getting the swelling down.

“I told him.”

“Why?” I wasn’t expecting him to be so brutally honest.

“We were discussing what it is we should do with you. I made the mistake of profoundly stating we should let you go.”

“And he took that as us having relations?”

“Apparently.” He winces when the pressure on my fingers increases as I apply the ointment. I grab a bowl and fill a glass of water instructing him to swig, swish, and spit. The bowl fills with diluted blood that starts out red but gradually turns a pinkish tinge.

“Were you really...going to...”

“Not anywhere here. I didn’t tell him the specifics but I drummed something up yesterday when I was watching you sleep.” My cheeks turn the same shade as my hair. I draw back.

“What?!”I bite my lower lip completely embarrassed that he actually gawked at me while I was passed out.

“I was willing to withdraw some money and set you up somewhere in the tropics. Not all of it, but just enough for you to live comfortably. Don’t want you getting a big head and me having a reputation as a sugar daddy.” He smirks and winces when he slights his eyes in my direction.

I wanted to use my own twitching palm to connect with his smug arrogant face! But I withhold it and remind myself he’s just baiting me.

“Sasuke!” I bark back at him. He chuckles softly before withdrawing away from me to put his full weight against his chair. His foot lifts and connects with the edge of my seat and he begins to scoot the legs back pushing me away.

“I can hire my own nurse. Relax.”

I roll my eyes at him and cross my arms not arguing with the gap he’s put between us.

“Why hasn’t the Hyuga family paid?” Sasuke seems to be chewing on something. Mulling it over in his head. I can see it through the crack of his mask. He straightens drawing in a deep breath looking to me.

“They did. It’s the person we’re working for. Like all who get greedy he wants more. He wants to secure the future of his family in the next...I don’t know, hundred years or so and therefore wants to usurp their empire.”

“Your boss?”

“Temporary one. He hired us, so.” He shrugs his shoulders crossing his legs by the ankles and propping his hands behind his head.

“Usually it doesn’t get to Itachi, but this asshole is proving to be more trouble than he’s worth. He asks for the impossible and demands a restricting service from us.”

“If they paid you have to release her!”

“If we did that then Danzo would know, and if he knows she’s returned he outs our business. We stay out of the media for a reason.”

“Then leave the business and get honest jobs.”

“Listen princess, it isn’t easy like that. I can’t just snap my fingers and poof we live normal lives. Danzo has a far reach, no matter where we’d run, how deeply we could hide, he would find us and snuff us out.”

I fiddle with the end of my shirt.

“What if...what if she lays low?”

“I can’t trust her. Not even by your word. Sorry Sakura.”

I bow my head sullen. “This isn’t fair...” He watches me as I shove up and away from my seat making my way to Hinata’s room opening the door with ease. She sits on the chair she’s come to like while observing the woods out her window.

“Hinata...”

“I know.” I stand there stunned. She just smiles her soft Hinata smile at me.

“You know what?”

“Why do you think I offer no resistance?”

“You can’t be serious! You knew?!”

“After you escaped Itachi came into my room to ask your whereabouts. He laid everything out for me since I’ve been cooperating. It was...a pleasant talk considering what happened.”

“Hinata!”

“I wanted to tell you. I did. I even pleaded to the man our age to let you go unpunished after I found out the truth. I really did Sakura.”

I frown sitting across from her at the bedside.

“And you’re alright with this?”

“I am. They really haven’t hurt us Sakura. We’ve been treated with kindness and fed.”

“You have to feel...angry that you’re put into this situation!”

“I am. But you know me. I wont outwardly show it and despite them doing what they did I bear them no ill will. I put all my anger on this Danzo character. I’ve never heard of him but I bet father has. I trust in him and them to deliver us safely back home.”

“How can you blindly put your faith in everyone like that?! We don’t even know these people!”

“Sakura...you’ve gotten feelings for the man our age, don’t you?” I stutter and quiet.

“I-I...”

“I know you have. There’s no denying it. The dynamic between you two has changed so much and even you’ve started to lose your hostility towards them.” I look away from her ashamed. She touches her hand to the back of mine.

“Don’t be ashamed. You will always be my friend and therefore I could never judge you for your actions. Not unless you purposely killed someone.” I shake my head at her. How can she be so light hearted like this. How can she take this situation lightly? Who the hell am I to judge her for being calm and accepting like this?

Didn’t I basically do the same thing when I drew Sasuke to me and kissed him? I dug my own grave of shame when we spent the night together. I sigh softly.

“We all should talk. Get this out in the open now that they revealed their plans.”

“I agree. But we must wait for the elder to return.”

“I think he’s out on an angry drive right now.”

“He might be...but we don’t have to be held up in here.”

“S-Sasuke is downstairs though...” There’s a small quirk in her lips.

“Ah, so you do know his name.” For the second time today my cheeks burn hotly.

“Y-yes.”

“Then let us join him.”

As we sit there awkwardly letting the ice melt through our silence we all begin to chat in small bites to one another. Eventually we talk out in the open...until the front doorknob turns...