Azumi's POV
It's been a while since I've seen Sasuke
I stare out the window of my bedroom as the rain continues to lightly grizzle down, the weather matching my mood. It's been over two weeks since I've seen my friend and although I know it could be that he's busy with the academy I can't help the pit in my stomach that feels like it gets bigger every time I ask one of my parents about the said boy. There's something going on and no one is willing to tell me a thing. I let out another sigh as I continue to stare out my window, my head continuing to reel with questions on why everybody is acting so strangely around me. My parents will do anything to avoid the subject of Sasuke Uchiha and my brother has been silent, ignoring everybody and keeping to himself.
I'm pulled out of my train of thought by the sound of someone knocking on my bedroom door.
"Come in"
I move myself away from my window and instead choose to take a seat in front of my dresser. It may be midday right now but because of the clouds covering the sun, the rain, and the lack of light in my room it's quite dark in here.
"Azumi" my mother says softly as she moves to take a seat besides me. The ball in my stomach tightens. I'm not dumb, I know something is wrong and whatever it is I know I will not like it. It's obvious by the way everyone is acting, I just wish they would tell me already.
We sit there in silence for a while as my mother picks up my hairbrush and begins to run it gently through my hair. The only sound is the rain, beating gently against my window.
"W-would you like to go see Sasuke?" The knot in my stomach feels as if it loosens, I'm happy that I can see him, because that means he's okay.
"Of course I would! I haven't seen him in two weeks and no one will tell me why!" I turn around and give her an excited smile.
"Listen Azumi, I don't want you to get hurt so I need you to understand this before we see him, can you do that for me?"
She turns me fully around now so that I am facing her directly, my smile disappears and now that knot has returned in full force, my heart hammering in my chest. I don't know how but I manage to make myself nod at her not trusting myself to say a word.
"Sasuke's been through a lot so I don't want you to expect him to be his usual self okay? All you can do is be a good friend to him and try to understand him okay?"
She tucks a strand of my hair in as she finishes her sentence, a comforting smile gracing her lips. I give her another nod in response.
"Okay, go and put on your coat, we'll go see him now"
She stands up from her spot, my legs finding strength to quickly get up and find a coat to put on. I move silently but quickly - my only goal being to get to Sasuke as soon as possible.
When I'm done getting ready I meet my mother at the entrance of the house, grabbing a hold of her hand as we begin to leave the house.
This isn't the way to the Uchiha Compound
I think to myself quietly, as I turn my head to the direction we should've turned towards Sasuke's home. I squeeze my mother's hand tightly towards me, my eyes looking up at her questioningly. She looks down at me softly, stroking my hand before we continue our way. I decide to not think about anything and instead focus on my feet as they continue to move forward.
Left foot, right foot.
I repeat that to myself over and over again before mother stops. I glance up to see that we've reached our destinatinon.
The hospital.
The knot in my stomach is getting too much for me to bare and now I'm beginning to feel nauseous.
Why would Sasuke be here?
"What's wrong honey? You feeling okay?" Mother asks softly. She's looking down at me again with that same comforting look, I stare frighteningly at the entrance to the hospital then back to her. I force myself to nod again, still not trusting myself to speak. My mother holds my hand tightly, but still comforting and leads me into the hospital. She doesn't ask the lady at the front desk for the room.
She's been here already
I conclude as she continues to lead me past a series of doors before she stops in front of one. I take in a deep breath and hold, trying to ease the anxious feeling in my chest.
"Remember what I said Azumi. Whatever happens do not take anything to heart. I need you to be a big girl and be there for Sasuke okay? I'll give you two some space and wait out here for you, so take as much time as you need" Mother says encouragingly, I give her a small smile in return before I knock gently on the door to announce my entrance.
I'm greeted with silence so I just allow myself to enter the room.
"Sasuke-kun?"
I call out softly, shutting the door behind me. The room is dark, the only light coming from the window, the rain still hasn't stopped and it continues to be the only sound filling the room. I stand at the door taking him in, he's sitting up on the hospital bed, staring blankly at the wall in front of him.
Oh Sasuke, what happened to make you be like this
I blink away the tears beginning to form in my eyes as I walk towards his bed. He still hasn't acknowledged my presence, the wall in front of him the only thing he chooses to focus on. I take a seat beside him before I reach a hand out and rest it on his back. The contact seems to snap him out of whatever trance it is that he's in because he starts to slowly turn his head towards me.
Sasuke
My eyes begin to water again as we make eye contact. Behind his eyes is so much sadness I didn't even know it was possible for a person to even carry. I knew something terrible must have happened to him, but I couldn't bring myself to ask him anything. I move closer to him and wrap both my arms around him, enveloping him in a hug. The only thing I could do at the time to show him I was there, that no matter what happened he would have me. Slowly his hands started to grab onto my top as he buried his face in the crook of my neck, soaking it with his tears. I allowed him to cry for as long as he needed, however long he needed me here I would stay.
And in that small dark hospital room I made a silent promise to myself, that no matter what happened, I would always be by Sasuke's side. He was my best friend, my family, my person, and no matter where life would take us that would never change.
~*~
The rain's stopped
I stare up at the night sky which is still covered with clouds. We just got back home from the hospital, I had wanted to stay longer but the nurse had advised us that visiting hours were over and Sasuke needed to have more rest so I left hesitantly. I never did get to find out what happened yet, but I didn't mind yet, I was glad I got to be there for my friend. I stood at the entrance of my home continuing to stare out at the sky as I remembered my friends eyes and how much sadness had been in it.
Nodding to myself I decided against entering my house and instead turned back and made my way towards our Clan's shrine, a clear goal in my mind. When I finally made my way to the shrine I removed my shoes before making my way inside. The room was mostly empty, save for the statue of our first ancestor and her sword displayed in front of her statue. Dozens and dozens of lit candles in front of them. I grabbed a match from the table near the entrance and knelt in front of the shrine, lighting a candle. After lighting it I got on my knees, bowing deeply towards the statue.
I, Azumi Kurokawa humbly kneel before you
I squeeze my eyes shut silently praying that the same miracle that was blessed upon me all those years ago would somehow happen again. I let out a sign before sitting up, still on my knees and placing my hands in front of me, looking at the statue.
"My mother and father had told me you are the reason that I am able to be here today. I will always be grateful for that. I know that you've already done so much for us but I have another request to make.. I have a friend, his name is Sasuke. I'm not too sure what's going on but all the grownups have been acting strange and Sasuke... he's not himself.. I've never seen him like this before..."
I trail off as the tears return to my eyes. I shake my head quickly and rub my eyes aggressively.
"Anyways, I would do anything for him to be happy again. It's just...j-just seeing my friend like that, I want him to be happy again. So I beg of you please take his pain away, so that he will not hurt. I beg you, please grant my wish" I say desperately, bowing again and allowing some of the tears to fall again.
"There is nothing I can do for your friend, his destiny has been set" A voice said, it sounded like it came from every direction of the room. I sat up shocked and looked around but nobody else was in the room. I rubbed my eyes again, wondering if I just imagined the voice. Opening my eyes, a woman was sitting in front of the statue, her long black hair cascading around her and hugging her like a waterfall. I didn't need to ask to know who this was. She was beautiful. That much was obvious. And her presence made me feel warm inside, like everything would be okay. That is until I finally registered what she just said and the knot in my stomach came back.
"What do you mean that there is nothing you can do?"
"It is just as I said my child. I can do nothing as what's done has already been done. His destiny has been set. All I can tell you is to stay by his side, be the light at the end of a dark tunnel, so that he won't go down the wrong path" she says again, trying and failing to speak in a way that my 7 year old self can fully understand.
I already promised that I was going to stick by him..
"What do you mean wrong path?" I asked, not fully comprehending what she meant by that.
"You will understand, in due time, for now, just continue as you were" She said again, before taking a step towards me a golden chakra emitting around her hand as she laid it atop my head. My eyes fluttered shut at the soothing sensation of it and when I opened my eyes again, she was gone.
Takashi's POV
I stand leaning against the wall of the small hospital room as I observe the young boy in front of me. He sits in the bed in the middle of the room staring at the plate of food in front of him, he hasn't taken a bit and has just been pushing around the food, not in the mood to eat.
So young and he has already been stained by the ways of this cruel world, I think as I stare sadly at him recalling the times he'd be running around my home with my daughter always up to mischief.
"Listen Sasuke, as you know, you probably will not be able to return to the Uchiha Compound.. However, you are most welcome to stay at our home with us, we will look after you. You have always been a good friend to my children and I look at you as one of my own so if you'd like there is a place for you. I also understand why it might be uncomfortable for you so there is also the option from Lord Hokage where they can fund and prepare an apartment for you. Just know it is your choice to make and we will all support whatever you decide"
"I'll take the apartment" Is all that comes out of the 7 year olds mouth, his voice hoarse from its lack of use. I give him a nod, having already guessed that he would prefer to live alone.
"Alright, just know there will always be room for you in my home, you are always welcome" I said walking up to him and ruffling his hair. It doesn't go unnoticed by me as he slightly flinches back when my hand came into contact with his head. I give him another small smile before bidding him goodbye and taking my leave.
And thus, he has been tainted with the Curse of Hatred at such a young age.