🌙

The second prince tested its sharpening with his thumb and finally looked at his night-time guest. She was standing close. Her trembling heart was in her sleeve and she couldn’t help it. Sakura sort of huddled. Something dangerous was in the air whenever Sasuke appeared. Everyone felt that being submitted to some survival instinct, especially when swords were blazing in his hands. There were various talks about his cold blood nature though nobody could verify the tales. Fierce in battles, Sasuke never lost a battle. He was rumored to kill for the sake of pleasure, was imputed with devil’s covenant. Others even told he was a demon. Those fables were fabricated by uneducated people indeed. Not a single soul knew him both in the battles and life as well as General Kakashi Hatake. He remembered an angry and embittered child who wished to become strong enough to prove his value whatever it takes. That time he was abandoned by his own father and brother and was spending his endless days imprisoned far away from the Emperor’s palace. His heart desperately needed love and care but in return he had been ill-treated by the prison guards. Years went by, put Sasuke through violence. His nature changed a lot, it became tough and ultimatistic under the pressure of the adult circumstances. Since childhood he was quite reasonable and possessed considerable skill in analytical thinking so he quickly found out the reason why he was in such a position. His wayward father decided his fate by believing that in future his existence would be a threat to preserving a birthright. The emperor was certain that someday the boy, influenced by his concubine mother’s will, would ask for more and intend to take the throne. The young prince loved his brother and mother sincerely and had loving feelings for the emperor as well in his own fashion though.

As is known, a loving heart can easily become infiltrated by hate.So it was only a matter of time before his heart hardened. Sasuke had been nursing rancour towards his father and that unfair exile for a long time. People around had become no more than a tool to serve his purposes. Then one day he finally got the chance to kill his wardens, violently avenging insults and beatings. If it hadn’t been for general Hatake, who brought Sasuke along, his destiny could have been much grimmer. Most likely Kakashi was trying to rebuild the bonds broken by his son’s tragic death that met him on a battle field. Hatake was experienced, strong-willed and far-sighted warlord fought in hundreds of battles. But even more importantly, he was a talented master that had taught gifted Uchiha’s kid everything he knew.

Belonging to the imperial clan visibly reflected in his every word, gesture and bearing, so cold and distant, almost arrogant. In the mirror Sasuke saw father and brother looking at him, their jet-black hair and high cheekbones he hated most in the world. His eyes, big and dark, screwed up a bit due to a constant need to stare into the distance, were the only thing he inherited from his mother.

— Does blood scare you, Sakura?

His words took effect as if suddenly awakening her. It didn’t take her a very long time to answer.

— No, it doesn’t. I detest the smell.

— I see. — He was staring at the blade thoughtfully, handling it in a balancing manner. Then looked at the girl again. Her hair was of a weird shade of pale pink. One would think she purposely dyes it somehow. This is the colour of clouds in the cerise sky on a frosty night. A young master suddenly got real close to her.

She wasn’t just scared. Sakura was pierced by a sharp blade, a way sharper than the one Sasuke used to make a deep cut on the palm of his hand. How the hell does she let it happen? She knew he could suspect her. God knows, she was careful until it came to protecting his life. That reckless mistake ruins her one right now. Now and always, her existence would be in a lot more danger than ever. She was going to dissemble her true nature until the point of no return when she wouldn’t be able to control it any more. No way she can be tamed like that! Oh, but she wouldn’t last long.

The second prince slashed his palm glaring right into her eyes as if he didn’t feel a sharp pain. With every passing moment it was getting harder to hold back for both of them. The cut started to bleed and the hot drops were falling down on the hardwood floor. Sakura felt dropping of each one, they burned through wood and right through her skin disturbing her mind, provoking and instigating. Sasuke was losing patience. He started again slowly carving his skin with the blade upward and making the laceration deeper. Sakura clenched her fists as tight as she could.

— Obviously, it’s not enough. — Sasuke raised his arm to strike. The sharp tip of the dagger was approaching to his body really fast.

— No, stop it! — She twitched her body and grabbed his hand trying to prevent a stab. An intentional injury is the thing she couldn’t endure.

— What’s the matter? My arm isn’t enough. You want more.

When her hands wrapped his wrist, Sasuke didn’t relax his grip and still was resisting. He craved for bringing it to the logical end, forcing her to confess an unspoken obvious. There’s no need to order since he’s manipulating. The second prince witnessed his family’s relationship full of severity even if it wasn’t for long. Being brought up in a rigid hierarchy of the royal family he had no choice but to inherit it.

— I’m begging you to stop! Oh, Lord, please. — Sakura said it in a trembling voice, it was a challenge to keep his hand still . After all, she was quite frail.

— I will. Just heal me as you did in that cave while I was unconscious. His deep calm velvety voice didn’t fit the situation at all. Uchiha stopped trying to resist so passionately however the dagger was in a dangerous position pointing to the body. An open wound near was driving her crazy. A blood smell flooded the nostrils.

***

— Nanny Mito, what if I don’t want to heal a person, well... what if I don’t like that one ?

Elderly silver-haired woman with a little rhombic mark on her forehead warmly laughed answering the girl’s question.

— You cannot resist your healing nature, Sakura. My child, you’re so innocent, aren’t you.

— Well, then I should heal bad people, too?

— Well, then you have to keep it a secret, that’s why we stay away from others, living our lives into the separate world of our village, constantly moving. — On the last word she softly pointed her finger at the girl’s nose.

— You really are a pure healer but you've got a lot to learn, dear.

***

Suddenly while pointing the dagger at himself Sasuke brought his injured hand close to her face and smeared her soft cheek with blood. She whined quietly in despair. Open wounds affected her greatly, more then internal bleeding or damage.

— Now I realize what you mean by detestation. — His voice permeated her mind all aflame. — Come on, do it.

Within minutes she became wan and exhausted by the inner hard-fought battle. Sakura wasn’t able to control the flow that beamed out of her palms anymore. Her heart pulsed with hopelessness. She let go of his arm and catched Sasuke’s hurt palm dumbly. The light filled the chamber on a sudden.

Never had he seen and felt the like of it. A tender emerald glow was warm, it took away the smart of his wound like the waves rolling out. His life was an everlasting rough battle. There was Death, the withered old hag, plodded after him and every second Sasuke felt her dank and putrescent breath. He often brought her along, served her with all his strength, welcomed her and called her a houseguest.

She was different. She was a life itself, totally irresistible. The overpowering force resting on her shoulders was a witness of the beginning of time. The light spellbound and the second prince even thought that if God exists, it doubtlessly is a woman. Her healing and loving hands were mother’s or sister’s ones that sent calm and serenity. It was something overwhelming and all-embracing, infinite in its simplicity and harmony. His eyes followed the vanishing cut, disordered and rambling thoughts filled his mind and emptied his lungs.

— So it’s true... — Sasuke was trying in vain to find expressions to describe the whole thing happening before his eyes. — This magic... it’s amazing... — The words had paled barely formed. The power of speech didn’t make sense anymore. — How is it possible? I mean... how do you do that?

Having finished the regenerative process she looked right into his eyes. The norms of etiquette didn’t make any sense for her either. Sakura had nothing to hide and she felt a sudden rush of bravery which was ridiculous in that situation.

— I was born like that, that’s all. This is my gift.

All of a sudden, her courage had gone with the thought of her shaky position. Healers keep the devine gift secret even though it was created to cure diseases and bring hope for the best. It is really paradoxical. She had thought about it a lot. There was a time when things were different for them. From time immemorial it had been a blessing that could prolong lives openly. With the development of the society and the emergence of many new early social institutions there came a menace to their safety. Healers lurked in the shades of remote mountains and gloomy woodlands. The extinction began inevitably. There were usurpers, rulers and feudal lords who kidnapped and sold healers, exploited their powers. Some became slaves, healing wounds of the troops, and died of exhaustion. Others were extirpated to prevent them from falling into enemy’s hands. In the Middle Ages when the darkness and fear of the unknown ruled minds, the way of living of their kind had totally changed. The need for protection made the healers’ lives secluded and reclusive. The fact of their existence was almost completely erased from time and only barely alive old women kept that dim remembrance in their legendry.

The magic of the moment disappeared and brought back Sasuke’s self-possession and clarity of thoughts. At that moment hardly was he able to call in memory the feeling he had experienced seconds ago. It was slipping from his mind and finally vanished.

— What will you do with me? — The girl’s slightly shaken hands condemned her inner worries. The form of that question was to his liking so he was taking his time to answer. She kept silent and was watching his actions. Sasuke wiped the blood off the blade with the sleeve of his hanbok and then put the dagger on the table.

— Let’s change your question a little, shall we? What will you do with you? — He looked at her with smiling eyes. — However, you haven’t got many options. Just two.

— What are you talking about? — She swallowed.

— You see, the Emperor has suddenly remembered his son exists and invited me to go back. Why don’t we play a perfect scene of family bonds and loyalty giving you away as an act of a true filial love? You will be healing his army until you will die of exhaustion. I’ll strengthen my position and have more influence over the court.

Or... — He paused upon the word and let himself take a good look at her observing how pretty she was when she’s scowling. — ...you will be mine, you will serve as a healer for my people and me. Certainly, — Sasuke wiped off the blood from her cheek with the back of his hand.— I'll be much more gentle with you than my father.

His sudden touch made her heart stir.

— I’ll give you some time to think about it, Sakura, but you have to make up your mind. — Those words were soft-spoken closely. Unexpectedly, Sasuke’s lips touched her cheek. She seemed to forget how to breathe. He started to drop weightless kisses going down her neck.

The thought which Sakura had been banishing since their first meet, arose again involuntarily. Somehow she was ready to allow Sasuke to subject her to his will. Is it his special gift? Nonsense! Did she lose her senses? By revealing a secret she destroyed the opportunity to help people in need not in power. Healers have been struggling for existence and freedom through the ages and she just compromised herself and her nation.

A sudden knocking interrupted his delicate kisses. Wooden sliding doors were moved apart and there came an aged eunuch. Sasuke winced, moved back and breathed out angrily, giving him an irate glance. The incomer gave a bow and delivered the Emperor’s message.

— Sire, His Royal Highness invites you to the throne hall.

— Begone!

Uchiha’s get-out-of-my-sight look was so decisive especially when he reinforced it with a threatening step forward.

— Yes, Sire! — The messenger’s face was distorted with a reverential awe. He made a series of deep bows while he was quickly backing away.

The prince readdressed to the girl and his voice softened:

— Make a decision and let me know, Sakura.

She answered him with a bow and went out of his chamber. Left alone, Sasuke came to the window again and spoke to himself:

— Father invites me to take part in the council of war... What is his real interest?

He was wanderingly watching the darkling forest beyond but the stream of his thoughts flowed further away that woodand, those mountains around the palace and it’s schemes. It was the first time he’d ever thought that he wanted to hold her healing hands in his arms and listen to her leisurely tales about the ancestors. A sudden wish to take healing off her hands overpowered ambitions that drove him through life: hate, desire for power and revenge. That feeling rocked his world.

She found the way out of the labyrinths of palace corridors. The cold night wind pierced out the clothes but the heat of her flushing cheeks was the only thing she felt. Paper lanterns were swinging with the wind and followed her by lightening her path. Sakura was on the way to her chamber hiding the third option in her sleeve. It was cold, elegantly designed and oh, so sharp.