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The land of waves was shrouded in heavy mist. Navigation was difficult. The signs on the road were of no help, either, considering how unmaintained and infrequent they were. Sasuke recognized this path after travelling it once, in the opposite direction he was now. A direction away from Konohagakure. It had been a long time since then, and this was no time for him to reminisce. But, he found himself doing so anyway. As he and his companion, Suigetsu Hozuki, made their way towards the bridge, they heard the sound of a tourist boat from underneath. The engine made a loud pitter-patter sound that echoed and rang in their ears, but the noise slowly faded as the duo made their way further into the mist. They had been travelling days to reach the bridge. It was a quick detour, required due to a promise to Suigetsu.
When Sasuke looked up, he pretended not to feel surprise or sorrow at the name he saw. The Great Naruto Bridge. Sasuke did not forget the events that transpired that day. He never would. He could only wish he could erase those memories - erase those connections… the bonds that tie him here. They were unneeded in the path he was heading. But, even so, there was always a longing for the past lingering in the back of his mind.
They slowly made their way across the bridge, Sasuke seemingly reluctant within the beginning for reasons unbeknownst to Suigetsu. He attempted to make small talk but Sasuke did not budge. He only studied bridge with an odd gleam in his eyes. It seemed that Suigetsu caught this. Sasuke always made it a point to disconnect himself because it made it easier. He couldn’t exactly describe what it even was. He believed in what he was doing. He was steadfast in his belief that Konohagakure was a corrupt institution that should pay for what crimes it had committed against his clan. But, his faith in himself wavered under Orochimaru.
He would never admit it aloud, but some days, he wished he could be permanently encased in the memories of Team 7. Sasuke had the responsibility of protecting and maintaining his status as the last remaining member of his clan in Konohagakure, but it used to be a problem for another day. He missed Naruto’s stupid laugh at his own jokes. How he could watch him forever, pretending he didn’t feel something warm brewing in his chest. He missed Sakura tumbling over herself, yet proving her competency and intelligence as a ninja in the next moment. Most of all, he missed Kakashi. Sasuke didn’t quite understand him, back then, but he knew that Kakashi was the first - and maybe only - adult who actually saw and understood him. Kakashi never made him feel belittled. He felt cared for.
Sasuke still had an inexplicable hate for Kakashi. It wasn’t about him as a person, but rather what he stood for. He stood for Konohagakure. He cared, but he couldn’t grow a spine. He would defend Sasuke, but only as an individual. His care didn’t extend to his people. As soon as Sasuke defected from Konoha, it meant that he was an enemy. The past was moot. Sasuke used to think that Orochimaru saw him with a respect and recognition that Kakashi could not have. He was mistaken. Expectations and attachment came with disappointment. He wouldn’t make the same mistake, again, with assembling Team Hebi.
“Sasuke?” Suigetsu asked, eyebrows raised.
Sasuke looked up at him, nodding his head as an indication to continue.
“Dude. You’re… just…” Suigetsu cautiously began, “acting weird? We’re only here for a sword.”
Sasuke narrowed his eyes, pursing his lips. He responded after a beat, “Keep moving.”
Suigetsu promptly obeyed, refraining from further questioning. Suigetsu didn’t need to know anything. It wasn’t his business. Inexplicably, Sasuke felt the heavy weight of shame on his shoulders. All he could do was tuck those feelings into himself and will his mind go blank, lest he open himself up to thoughts he did not want to entertain. He focused on the heaviness of the humidity, on how the mist was oddly cool. Ignored Suigetsu’s continued attempts at small talk until he got the hint and went ahead without him. There was one thing Sasuke could admit, as he traced his hand along the stone of the bridge. He would forever be stuck here. The Great Naruto Bridge, he thought to himself again, scoffing. Traces of his blood had seeped into the stone, etched permanently into its history. Never to wash away.