Obsidian eyes had shut , silence fell between the two of them .  That one word , Sasuke knew it , was filled with doubt .  A silent plea from his end for her to detach from him ; a silent plea from him for her to let go , a plea for her to become stronger . Sakura , he knew , was filled with a tender love , like a mother’s caress .        Her presence was calming , peaceful to the Uchiha . It was something he’d always wanted after the fall of his clan . Was he deserving of it ? Maybe not right now , maybe never . Sasuke didn’t expect much from people. . .yet Sakura had always surprised him . 

                The boy’s eyes strained to stay shut . He feared if he opened them. . .those blazing vermillion eyes would bore right into hers . His feelings pouring out with just a single look . No . This wasn’t his path to stay a peaceful life here amid Konoha and play ninja . Sasuke had to become stronger and if that meant leaving. . .he had to .   He wanted to take this path or else. . .he’d be force to . The people he cared about would be in danger. . .so in order to protect , he had to take his leave . 

   Frustration  . 

         Anxiousness .

                 Peace . 

             The memory of falling into her arms after being bitten by Orochimaru , the warmth of her presence , the safety . No ! He couldn’t do that again . Sakura putting her life on the line for him during the exam , calming the monster within with just her embrace and those amazingly green eyes .  His hand covered his face , his back towards her --- his Sharingan peeking forth from the space between his fingers . 

                      An image of his mother smiling , then poking his nose .

                      ❝ How many times do I gotta say it ?! ❞ The boy’s cheek puffed out as he rolled his light blue eyes , gaze not meeting the who he knew as Sakura . ❝ We’re not even alike , ‘ttebasa ! ❞ He jabbed an index finger at the younger version of his father ,  who was busy chatting with the midget version of Konohamaru . His verbal tic giving him away per usual when he got worked up over something . 

                    ❝ . . .?! ❞ A reflex or reaction he wasn’t sure . His body began to move on it’s own ; hand reach out after he’d fallen and grasped onto Sakura’s wrist . With the strength he had left he pulled her aside , a little roughly , out of harms way . Like hell -- a deep seething rage before a burning sensation behind his onyx eyes took place . The familiar sense of the Sharingan , the mental capacity to catch the attacker within a genjutsu . 

                                             How long would it last ? As long as Sasuke was still standing . His body a shield for Sakura . Sword ? He didn’t have it . All he could do. . .was put his trust in her . His body was weak , chakra low , but he’d be damned if he watched her get hurt . A cough of blood , eyes never leaving his opponent . ❝ Sakura . . .! I don’t know how long this genjutsu will last , but if you gotta move , use it ! ❞

@epiones​ asked:  “ we’re a good team, you know. “

The girl’s words bring a genuine smile to the reaper’s lips, a brow arched.   “You know what, Pinkie?  I think you’re right  ...  despite appearances...   you’re pretty good in a fight.”   

----   Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad having this human around  .....  at the very least she’d be entertaining!