[ "Some awful things" is definitely an understatement. It's because of him that Sarada is without a family. She doesn't know that, does she? It almost seems like he's been deceiving her all this time, being gentle and patient and kind. That's not who he is, even if that's who he wants to be. He's been trying to move away from his past, but as time goes on, it seems to strengthen its hold on him. He's tied down to it, immersed in it.
He doesn't want to drag her down. Sakura, who is so beautiful, sweet, and smart, so much like Rin yet so different, has a long, happy life ahead of her. A life with Sarada. To share that life with him, well, it'd be a waste.
But he's a selfish man. He always has been and always will. If he were any different, he would have graciously allowed his life to end, but instead he's hanging onto what little he has left, Sakura being among them.
His tears dried up long ago, but he still gets urges to cry. They come and go, causing his throat to swell and his eyes to burn when things are too quiet, when he's spent too much time in his own head. Sometimes he wants to cry when he looks at Sarada.
He feels happy. It's a lot like feeling sad.
His eyes seem to unfocus as she holds his stare, cheek pulling away from the palm of her hand as he adjusts against the tub, gripping the edge with his free hand. He leans forward, trying to press his face against the damp skin of her neck. ]
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He doesn't want to drag her down. Sakura, who is so beautiful, sweet, and smart, so much like Rin yet so different, has a long, happy life ahead of her. A life with Sarada. To share that life with him, well, it'd be a waste.
But he's a selfish man. He always has been and always will. If he were any different, he would have graciously allowed his life to end, but instead he's hanging onto what little he has left, Sakura being among them.
His tears dried up long ago, but he still gets urges to cry. They come and go, causing his throat to swell and his eyes to burn when things are too quiet, when he's spent too much time in his own head. Sometimes he wants to cry when he looks at Sarada.
He feels happy. It's a lot like feeling sad.
His eyes seem to unfocus as she holds his stare, cheek pulling away from the palm of her hand as he adjusts against the tub, gripping the edge with his free hand. He leans forward, trying to press his face against the damp skin of her neck. ]