-✘-

Sasori felt exhausted.

He had been busy catching up with tons of work after he took the time to meddle on business he had nothing to do about. He took on Sakura's birthday planning, managed to track and talk to Konan, manage to talk and create yet another beef with Sasuke, and talk to Sakura's parents into telling their daughter the truth. It was not an easy feat.

Talking to Mebuki and Kizashi was trickier. He didn't know how to play it, if he was going to be aggressive in pushing them to tell the truth or not. He really didn't have the right. In the end, he decided to play it cool. It wasn't exactly blackmailing them, but maybe in a way it is. He had told them about knowing the truth out of the blue, earning a confused look from them. He told them he spoke to a woman named Konan who used to work for the Uchiha company and knew something about the accident.

They utterly believed that Fugaku was behind it. They didn't hold any grudge for that man, given that it was just rumors that it was their plot with no evidence. Revenge is not something they want as well. It's just that they no longer wanted to be involved with them.

He also explained that he spoke to Sasuke and how he had tried to keep the secret for a long time before he figured it out. Like he said, it wasn't blackmailing them, but Sasori believes they were smart enough to not risk Sakura hearing the truth from someone else and not them. He only knows they would do it sooner. He really can't face Sakura with all these things burdening him.

What is he even doing this for? He ran his hand through his hair, sighing.

Sakura?

It was undeniable how hopelessly in love he is with Sakura. He shouldn't have done this if he wanted to pursue Sakura. Konan was right, digging this truth out will only be bad for him. Then why? Why would he do this?

Is it because he remembered how Sakura was hurting and how that reckless Uchiha had the same look on him? Why the hell would he do all of this for him or for them? He doesn't even want him near her.

Then maybe.. he was somehow doing it for himself. If Sakura did fall for him, he wouldn't feel at ease knowing some other man made it possible for him. He wouldn't feel at ease knowing that he would have Sakura because another man gave her up. If Sakura knew the truth of behind Sasuke's intentions, would she come back to him or would her heart be finally free? Is that why he has been holding back these past few years? Just so Sakura could possibly love him for being him? It sounded so stupid.

Somehow he regrets this. He shouldn't have meddled and continue to waited for Sakura until her heart was finally free to love someone else. He should've just waited and shutted the hell up.

But what would be the reason behind why Sakura spent her birthday night with him? She clearly still doesn't know the truth. Does she not care anymore how that jerk broke her? It really got on his nerves. Still, he missed Sakura, but needed the space to think. He hadn't spoken a word with her since the morning after her birthday. He only hoped she was doing well, and really really hope she's not spending the nights with that jerk.

Sasori lies in his bed, exhaustion fills him. Just as about he was to fall in deep slumber, his phone rang. Her named popped out.

Sakura.

He bolted right up.
"Sakura.. sorry I've been bu-"
"Did you know?" Sakura said on the other line, cutting him off, her tone serious.
"Know what?"
"About Sasuke leaving me. Did you know?"

Sasori was.. speechless for a moment. He didn't know how she knows, if it was from her parents or Sasuke, but he has to answer. He swallowed.

"I knew" The redhead responded, his tone still calm. He heard Sakura chuckle on the other line but knew how cold it sounded.
"How long have you known?"
"Not long. Just a few weeks a-"
"How long were you planning to keep it from me?"

"I didn't want to be the one to tell you" He finally says.
"And you expect my parents would tell me something they already kept for five years?" Sakura sounded cold, but Sasori had felt a tremble in her voice.
"Let's talk about this in person, Sakura. Where are you?"
"I don't want to see anyone right now."
"I want to explain."

"I want to be alone. Please do me a favor and take over our project at Youbi for now. You wanted to do that right? I'll let Sasuke know. And please don't go looking for me."

Sakura had dropped the call before he could answer or say anything else.

Fuck. He just had to meddle.

■ ■ ■ ■

First thing in the morning on a Monday, was when Sasuke had seen Sakura's notice of absence and her intention of having Sasori replace her via email like he had asked of her before. Truly, it was out of the blue. If he knew about it, he wouldn't have ignored her last week.

He tried to set aside his thoughts of Sakura, but failed. Was this her way of getting back at him? Seduce him into doing something so intimate with her and leave? He probably deserves it, he hated to admit. But he had long prepared for that.

Sasori arrives shortly at the building, showing up in place of Sakura, but immediately heads to Sasuke's office before his desk.

"I will be taking over Sakura's project." He declares.
"Temporarily?" Sasuke asks.
"I'm not sure." He says in a low voice. Clearly something was up. Sasori couldn't help it, but he fell onto Sasuke's couch, his face troubled. "Sakura wanted to be alone" He says after a minute of composing himself. He had gathered the courage to tell Sasuke that the secret has been revealed, but for some reason, he couldn't manage to say it. What was the point of telling this guy?

"I see" Sasuke responded, earning a glaring look from Sasori because that's all he could say. He didn't even ask why. "Are you frustrated that you couldn't come?" He adds, but the redhead ignores his lame teasing question.

"I'm quite surprised you're still so persistent of keeping your secret even if Mrs. Mebuki and Mr. Kizashi had spoken to you about it already."
"If they revealed it now, my efforts for the last five years would've been in vain. She doesn't deserve another emotional baggage with this." He says.
"And if Sakura knew the truth, what would you do?"
"Then I guess I'll have to bare with the consequences."
Sasori left his office immediately with a sarcastic chuckle and disapproving shake in the head.

When he left, the raven leaned at the back of his chair with a heavy sigh.

Sakura leaving out of the blue was already enough to think about.

He was already determined to stay within her vicinity to keep her at ease, but that was it. That was the least he could do until she was ready to move on, but it seems she had already decided to do so, and that was no problem.

The problem arises with the idea of her finding out about what happened five years ago. It worries him that she'll be burdened with another emotional trauma after everything she did to move on. This has been exactly what he was avoiding.

After she had left, Sasori had taken over the project. He dared not to ask Sasori about Sakura's whereabouts anymore after he had lost contact with her for weeks now. It was better off this way, not knowing where she was.

But even though it was better off this way, it tormented him, and realized that this what she must've felt like when he had left her life without a single goodbye. Her sweet revenge, indeed.

Regardless of what had happened, he was at least thankful that he was able to meet Sakura again.

When weeks turned into a couple of months, he had finally accepted this consequence.

■ ■ ■ ■

The time she had heard the mere conversation of her parents and Sasuke, she had never imagined that she could break even more. She was already in pieces, but felt like she broke more all the way until she's fine dust.

After Sasuke had left their table behind hers, she stood up, and horror filled the eyes of her parents as they were quick to notice her. Before they could even ask if she had heard everything, she had left quickly, headed back to their house, took her luggages and gathered things in her room before her parents could arrive and explain.

She simply could not stand the revelation. She felt broken, worst than she had ever felt for the last five years, yet her tears were absent. She was hurt, and she was angry. To know that everyone knew the truth except her. They have kept everything from her. For what? Is this what they call the best for her? When did her parents or Sasuke decide what best for her? That's bullshit.

She drove away quickly from their house, not knowing where to go, but that was fine, anywhere was better.

She checked in at a hotel a little far from the city, more than an hour away from it, and took a warm shower. She stood there feeling empty, contemplating on her next move and where she goes from here.

Still, she has responsibilities left. Even if she didn't want to talk to anyone, she could at least tolerate a conversation with Sasori, despite her anger at him for keeping the truth from her. She couldn't stop herself from suddenly taking some her anger out on Sasori at their phone call. She just wanted to let him know she'll be gone for a while and asked him to take over the project. He wanted that anyway. A small guilt comes to her, after logic fills her head and realized that Sasori only knew about it for probably just a week or two. He was probably taking action on how to tell her. Hell, he may be the one behind everything.

Yet, she refused to talk to anyone for now. She had no energy to explain herself, but managed to at least send her parents a message of "I will be out of town". She didn't want to be found. She wanted time for herself. Time to think about what she had happened and what she'll do next.

After a day or two, she managed to at least think of what she wanted. She wanted her old life. Her nostalgia. Back when life was just simple.

She decided to head to the farm fields, where she and her mother had used to live. Their old house was locked away ever since they had moved to the city, but it was still habitable. Thankfully, Sakura still had a spare key she always kept at the back of her purse, and was able to enter the messy and dusty house.

For the next few days, she had spent the entirety of her time to clean up the house and wash the futon she used to sleep in. It felt great, she was distracted and got some sense of relief after cleaning so much. Yet, Sasori and Tamaki had been reaching out, asking her whereabouts.

She only managed to respond to them with a vague answer, apologizing to Tamaki for leaving abruptly, but she can't bring herself to ask her to come, she wanted to be alone. Sasori on the other hand was worried, and had been asking how she have been. She would just respond with a simple "I'm okay" and he would be quick to shut up. He only wanted to check up on her.

Her parents would reach out to her day by day, but wouldn't dare ask where she was. Her mother would just remind her to eat, and her dad would tell her to be safe. She appreciates their concern, but what happened was still too painful for her.

Sasuke, on the other hand, had never reached out. She really didn't expect him to.  She lies down to rest at the tatami of their old house, sighing.

Her eyes cloud a little at thought of him though.

Despite how she thinks it was stupid of him to follow her parents request without even confronting her about it, it got her thinking if he really did love her. It seemed like it.

All her heartbreak and spite of him was probably in vain. He was doing it for her sake, but she never asked for it. She didn't want it. Her feelings about him confuses her now. Should she be mad at him?

Regardless, she was not ready to talk to anyone. It was enough to let them know she was okay.

When the couple weeks had passed, Sakura had taken the liberty to explore their place again. Some neighbors still recognize her and greets her. She later arrives at the ramen shop where she used to work with Sasori.. he was still called Aki by then. It was open, and when she entered, she received a warm welcome, like always.

"Sakura? Is that really you?" The man said.
"Yes! It's been a while, Mr. Namito!" She beams a smile at the man behind the counter. He looked a bit older now, his gray hair showing.
"My, have you grown! Come, I'll prepare a ramen for you.. on the house." He smiles.
"Really?? Thank you!"

Sakura had felt a little more at ease as she slowly savors every bit of the ramen, and the nostalgia it gave her. It was her little way to distract herself from everything else.

"Do you mind if I help out?" Sakura asks, bringing her bowl back to Namito.
"What do you mean?"
"I'd like to help out here again."

"My.. but I heard you work at your father's company now."
"I'm on a long vacation, but I want to do something else than just lie around. Plus, I'll take one ramen as payment each night." she grins.

For now, she wanted to keep the remaining sanity she has in her.

Start anew.

Away from everyone..

..for now.