Through the Darkness To You (Sasuke x Reader)

The door shut behind me with a soft click, and for the first time that night, I allowed myself to exhale.

Home.

My limbs moved on autopilot as I slipped off my sandals and walked through the dark apartment. I didn't bother turning on the lights until I reached the bathroom.

The mirror caught me before I was ready.

I froze, staring at the stranger in front of me.

My eyes were dull. My skin pale. My hair clung to my face in messy strands. But what drew all my attention was the gash under my left eye—a thin, angry red slash that curved slightly along my cheekbone. Still raw. Still fresh. It would scab soon.

But it wouldn't fade.

It was going to scar.

My eyes drifted downward. I rolled up my sleeves slowly.

Bruises covered my arms—Fingerprints. I could almost feel the grip again. The way they held me.

I stepped out of my clothes, dropped them in a pile on the floor, and turned on the shower. Steam fogged the mirror instantly.

The water was scalding hot when I stepped in, but I didn't adjust it. I let it burn. I let it sting. It felt like penance.

The soap stung the cut under my eye. My ribs ached with every breath. My knees trembled beneath me.

When I stepped out, the mirror was fogged over. Maybe that was a blessing.

I got dressed slowly— I dried my hair half-heartedly and let the rest hang around my face to cover the wound.

Sleep didn't come easily.

I tossed and turned for over an hour before I gave up and stared at the ceiling in silence. My body was screaming for rest, but my mind wouldn't stop spinning.

———

The next morning, I woke before sunrise. My body ached in every joint, but I forced myself out of bed.

Kakashi had told us to meet early at Training Ground Three. He hadn't said why, just that it was "important."

I pulled on my usual black shinobi pants and tightened the wraps around my legs. My shirt was long-sleeved, covering every bruise from sight. I tied my pouch to my thigh, adjusted my forehead protector, and left my hair down.

Anything to hide the scar.

The walk to the training ground was quiet.

When I arrived, the others were already there.

Naruto was pacing in wide circles. Sakura stood nearby, arms crossed. And Sasuke—he leaned against a tree, arms folded, silent as always.

I slowed my steps instinctively.

"Y/N!" Naruto yelled the second he saw me.

He ran toward me, full speed, grinning.

I opened my mouth to warn him—but too late.

He threw his arm around my shoulders in his usual, rough, too-tight side hug. "There you are! You're usually the early one!"

I barely got out a sound before pain exploded in my side.

"Ah—!"

I tensed, a hiss escaping through my teeth.

Naruto froze.

"Wait... what?" He pulled back, frowning. "Did I hurt you?"

"I'm fine," I said quickly, adjusting my posture to hide the pain. But my hand automatically moved across my ribcage, shielding it.