Chapter 3

Impossible things are possible when you learn to see things with the heart.

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"Sasuke!"

Sasuke Uchiha stirred from his position and grunted as the cold, hard floor cradled his figure. But when he finally came to his senses after recognizing the angelic voice, he immediately sat up, despite the headache he felt by doing so. He squinted his eyes and saw the love of his life running to his aid. And that made him smile.

"Sakura.."

She then hugged him, as if all her fears vanished by their mere physical contact. He weakly wrapped her arms around her waist and locked the sobbing pinkette in his embrace. He got a chance to assess the situation. Looking around, the Uchiha noticed the tall, glimmering glass walls that encaged them. It was surreal, really.. One moment, he was being attacked in his own bedroom, then the next, this?

He sighed. There's no use in contemplating the past events anymore. Sasuke needs to be strong for the pinkette.

"Sakura, what happened to you?" He softly asked, combing her unruly hair with the use of his fingers. She momentarily pulled away from their hug and wiped the tears that stained her pretty face. Sasuke would never get tired of looking at her.

"S-Sasuke.. He came. I-It was dark...and a man came then pierced his sword through m-my chest. I don't know what happened after..t-then I woke up here." She managed to say in between her sobs. Sakura Haruno is an emotionally unstable person. She doesn't often show this other side of hers, but now seems to be the safest time to just let it out.

Let all the fears she felt evaporate with her tears.

She doesn't need to act all though and mighty in a situation like this, Sasuke knows that too.

Something's happening to them and whether they like it or not, they will have to face the inevitable, together.

Because what's life without the beauty of taking chances?

*

Sakura Haruno's POV

"What are we going to be now?" The man beside me asked, but I was too preoccupied with the large door ahead of us. Maybe because it's the only thing in here that isn't made of glass. "I reckon we need to go through that door," I said absentmindedly. Sasuke was hesitant, I can feel it.

"What's waiting for us on the other side?"

I looked up and smiled bitterly at me. I'm not sure. It was then when I drifted my gaze to my right hand did I realize a black bruise slowly spreading across my skin. What the heck? I hid my hand behind my back when Sasuke turned to grab my other hand.

Somehow, someway.. His touch made mr everything feel better. Is that even possible? When a single person's touch can mean the world to you? That's why falling in love is frightening. It's like everything is magnified. You start noticing the small changes that can be of great effect someday. We all start being a little more observant and selfish that turning back to your comfort zone wouldn't be as easy as before.

Together, hand in hand, we walked until the huge door was infront of us. With a light push, it opened and soon enough, we stepped inside the deadly darkness.

An abyss was on the other side. No soul dare disturb the deafening silence that enveloped me and Sasuke.

Tick..tock..tick..tock..

The air was suddenly filled with the noise produced by a clock. I spun around and saw the entrance gone. Chills went up my spine especially when Sasuke dragged me to run somewhere.

"S-Sasuke!"

We ran.

Across the dark, empty room. The noise began drilling my head with an eerie rhythm. We finally stopped. He turned to face me and muttered, "I-I saw someone behind you.. Someone's going to kill you, Sak." He scanned the surroundings, making sure no man would just swoop in and stab us on the spot.

Green eyes met terrified dark orbs.

"Sasuke.. We need to get out of here. The sooner we do, the sooner we'll be out of harm." Deep inside, I know it's true. There's always something about the dark that makes you want to run away from it. An uncertain curtain shielding oneself from the light.

They need to get out of the dark.

But the question is, how?

Suddenly, the ticking grew louder. The sound made them cover their ears. We were so indulged with the merciless noise that hammered our heads that I haven't noticed the flooring sinking. I loud out a blood-curdling scream when we started falling down..down..down.

It was endless.

The fall made me feel sick!

I closed my eyes and waited for the painful landing. Who knows what we're in for? But to my surprise (and utter relief) my feet found their way in midair, soon I felt the solid ground nestle me. I kept my balance and spotted Sasuke who just landed just a few feet away from me. He hurried to my side and spoke,

"Where are we?"

I shook my head, "I have no idea."

We were currently standing in the middle of a sidewalk. The busy street was ahead of us and tall buildings towered the skies. The sun's rays were deflected by fluffy white clouds and in a distance I can even see a few kites suspended in the air. People were rushing pass us, literally passing us! It's like we aren't anything near solid. And I have a hunch that they can't see us either.

For the cursed gift lies beneath the soul,

Thou should seek for time's heart

Embedded within the subconsciousness of mind,

To escape the peril which awaits thy mortal;

If fault not found in memories relived,

Before the stain devours soft whole skin,

No choice would be given to thee

But to extract the impurity from vessel's blood

And vanish the remains left to see.

My vision focused again. The deep voice suddenly disappeared before I could even remember what he said. Sasuke stared at me worrily, his hand on my shoulder. "Sakura, are you alright?" I blinked, feeling my knees go weak. The message was a little nerve-breaking. It was like every word punctured my brain, forcing me to decipher it's meanings. Secretly, I stared at the spreading black bruise at my right arm. Yep, this must be the "stain" that devours my skin.

In simpler words, my mind finally voiced out it's final conclusion.

"Sakura?"

"I need to find something beyond my memories. Beyond my past that contradicts my future. There's a reason why this curse was given to me. H-He's giving me a chance. If I can't find what needs to be found before....um..a certain period of time, he'll extract it from me by blood."

Sasuke was seriously looking at me.

"Extract?"

I nodded, urging myself to be brave. "Y-Yeah. He's gonna kill me."

*

Sasuke stayed silent ever since I told him. I, on the other hand, tried keeping my blackening arm hidden. It's a good thing I'm wearing long sleeves. I can't tell him about the bruise, he'll get too worried. I don't want to have him share my burden anymore. Having him here for an unknown reason is already too much to ask. I don't want Sasuke to think I'm gonna die.

"What exactly are we looking for again?"

I gave him a weary smile. "Well, since I have no clue where I can find the heart of time itself, then I guess we should just find my younger self.. This is one of my pasts afterall."

He just nodded and started walking off ahead. I stared at his back and felt disappointed. He's acting cold again and I don't know how to counteract this personality of his. I was so used to having him annoy the hell out of me. Silently, I followed him, keeping a keen eye for a flash of pink. Just when we were about to pass the playgrounds, something pulled me to a certain direction. Sasuke must've noticed it and rushed to my side.

We peeked behind the bushes and saw my six-year-old self, sitting on a stone bench holding a cone of vanilla ice cream. Sitting next to me was my dad.

"I didn't know you had a thing for vanilla. I thought you were crazy for strawberry." Sasuke whispered beside. I nudged and glared at the smirking raven-haired boy. "Just because I have pink hair means I love everything that resembles pink, idiot." I tried ignoring his boyish smile even though deep inside, I was so happy he started being himself again.

We watched the scene in front of us.

"Daddy, am I different?"

"Hm? What makes you say that, pumpkin?"

I saw my younger self look down, bangs casting shadows on her eyes. I suddenly felt the surge of nostalgia seeping in. This is a distant memory. I hardly even remember my childhood days because to be honest, it wasn't that happy. I always knew I was different from the other kids and daddy would always cover things up. I can't remember exact details from this part of my past, but somehow, I knew what my younger self replied:

"Daddy.. I see things. Scary things. I see something whenever I stare at other kids' eyes. It's like a dream, but it's not."

My dad brushed her bangs away and patted her head.

"You're not different, Sakura.. You're just special."

And those words marked something inside of me. Am I? I wanted to much to know. Why? Of all the people who wanted something extraordinary in their lives, why must I be the one to suffer such visions?

I longingly looked at my father who tried to cheer me up.

Sasuke poked my cheek so I spun to meet his gaze.

"Sakura, I have a question."

"Shoot."

"Can you see my future?"

That made me uneasy. I wish I could. I tried to many times to do that to him.. Trying to see a glimpse of his future, you know. But after several attempts, it was useless. Whenever I stare at Sasuke's black orbs, I'd just get lost in them. I can't see anything, and it still disturbs me. This is the first time I haven't been able to predict someone's life. At first, I thought I was just tired or stressed, but I know that's nearly impossible. Sasuke is a different case and not being able to see his future makes me want to think that he doesn't have one. Not even with me.

I sighed and shook my head reluctantly. "Unfortunately, I can't. I don't know why or how, but even though how hard I try, I can't see anything in your eyes, Uchiha."

That confused him for a second.

"What? So.. I'm different, too?"

I shrugged and gave him a sheepish smile. "You could say that."

Sasuke gave me a curt nod and drifted his eyes back at the younger me and my dad. A unreadable emotion flashed on his handsome face.

"Why don't I see your father? I mean, I've been visiting you at your apartment for a few weeks now yet you don't tell me anything about him. Where does he live now?"

"He's dead."

That made his head turn back a me. I fought the urge to cry and elaborated,

"Daddy died in a car accident when I was seven. My aunt supports my financial needs."

Yeah. Being independent at the age of seven's really a challenge for anyone. A few years back, my grandmother took me in but she still has her own life. So when I turned sixteen, I moved out and started living alone, having a full scholarship to help me out. My aunt, who works somewhere in France, ships my monthly allowance.

"What about your mother?"

I shrugged. "I never got a chance to meet her. She died giving birth to me."

"Oh. I'm sorry about that. Don't you ever feel lonely?"

I laughed, humorlessly. "Of course, I do.. But being sad about it doesn't make any difference, right? Loneliness is friend I got used to over the years. People are scared about it, that's why many of them rush their lives without even thinking about the outcomes. But I guess, it all depends on a person's perspective. If you think you're alone, you'd feel more pain."

That made him silent, again. Seriously, I have a bad habit of not being able to keep my mouth shut. I can't help it! Opinions are meant to be brought out into the open. People who choose to keep ther thoughts to themselves barely make the best of it. Just then, Sasuke Uchiha surprised me when he wrapped his arms around me. My face was burried into his musculine chest and I felt my cheeks heat up abnormally.

"You're not alone anymore."

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