Chapter 162: Nightmares Come True
Disclaimer: This Chapter contains violent content. If you or someone you know is experiencing something similar, please seek immediate help.
The village lay swathed in shadow, and the streets finally died down.
Under the pale moonlight, Sasuke walked quietly towards the village gates. From the perch above the gates, Arthur could see the impending confrontation.
Sakura stood glancing nervously at the walkway leading to the gates. She had been coming to the gates each night, waiting to ensure her intuition was wrong. But when she spotted Sasuke emerging from the shadows, her heart raced.
There he was—the object of her affection and concern, moving closer yet again away from the village she held dear.
"What are you doing here, Sakura?" he asked, his voice devoid of inflection.
"This is the only road that leads outside of the village," she replied, feeling quivery. "I've been coming here every night to make sure you won't leave."
Sasuke fell silent. As the seconds passed, the tension built. There was an invisible thread tugging at the hearts of both individuals—one buried in thoughts of pain and revenge, the other suffocated by an overwhelming sense of loyalty.
Who else could have been pulling that thread but Arthur?
Just as the moment threatened to deepen, he shifted from the shadows and materialized from behind Sakura.
Hearing him, she swiftly turned around and saw the abrupt and jarring presence. The sight of him caused her to gasp in both fear and confusion.