Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Resonance ❯ The Beginning ( Chapter 1 )

Resonance

Bleak. The world was bleak in that sort of lukewarm way that slowly, like a virus defeats life and purpose. Every day blended in with the next, all dawns and sunsets became the same tone of reddish orange paint. People walked past and shadows covered their faces, each and every one of them meaning nothing, seeing nothing.

Sasuke maneuvered his car into the crowded parking space jamming the breaks viciously as if physical action could dispel the pessimistic and desolate thoughts. He used to be angry, now he was just too tired to be angry. Grabbing his suitcase he stepped out of his average car into his average life.

He walked past the tumultuous entrance and penetrated the odious abyss that was Württemberg Corporation where he felt his soul had abandoned him long ago. Sasuke swiped his identification card at the security gate and with heavy steps moved through the gray halls as usual resonated with nothing but the silent steps of expensive shoes on plush carpet.

He looked at his watch, he would be a few minutes late but he could not bring himself to care. The interminably long hallway seemed to swallow him in oppression. The ordeal finally ending with his figure facing an assuming set of black double doors.

Sasuke took a deep breath and twisting the handle propelled himself into “the cage” as he liked to call it. The smell of pristine pine trees assaulted him, the brightness of the morning sun blinded him, and he silently questioned why he had gotten up that day.

Blinking slowly he let his eyes adjust to the golden environment of the spacious office. Building tops greeted him from across clear glass. It provided the grandiose background the old man sitting behind the modern black desk relished his visitors seeing.

“Ah, Mr.Uchiha, you grace me with your presence…..how kind of you.”

It was said with that mockingly slick and at times lazy drawl that sophisticated people grow fond of when the world has shown them everything they cared to see. It was almost as slick as the old man's black hair.

“Good morning sir.” Replied Sasuke standing as stiff as a heretic before the holy Inquisition. Gentle dark eyes regarded him from across the room with what some would call fatherly affection.

“Sasuke, why don't you come and have a seat.” The slickness was still there, but some had been stripped away and replaced by traces of sincerity. The young man relaxed his shoulders a fraction and sighed while reluctantly stepping forward and securing a leather seat that squeaked annoyingly against his form.

“I think you know why I called you here.”

Sasuke looked straight ahead; pondering if those particles of matter fluttering above the dark head could be considered dust, and if so, what would the man's reaction be if he were made aware of the impending danger his pristine head was under.

“Yes, I suppose I'm vaguely aware.” He finally responded in a detached manner that forced the other to frown causing even more wrinkles to appear over the white forehead.

“It's been months and you have yet to adjust to this change.” There was a touch of scolding in his tone, but the concern was more evident.

Sasuke's mind took flight again and as if analyzing a mathematical problem he marveled at the tact of the other man. He had used the term “change”, an euphemism, to refer to death. Maybe he should try to see it that way too.

“You seem to be captivated by nothingness Sasuke, and I cannot allow you to dwell on this anymore. You must fight it; life needs to go on. You are a young man with a bright future ahead of you and many possibilities to be exploited.”

Oh yes the future, everyone seemed to remind him of the future. They seemed to summon this spirit of nothing in order to motivate him into nothing.

“I know its difficult, to go on alone, but it's the natural order of things.”

Natural? There had been nothing natural about it. But he didn't believe in fate or destiny, or anything for that matter. The only thing he believed in was his self. And he had failed.

“Please, you must say something, anything.”

Dark eyes migrated from the metallic surface of the hard desk to the wrinkled concerned face that was scrutinizing him.

“Thank you for your concern sir, but I assure you I'm dealing with this change in the correct manner.”

The old man sighed quietly and closed his tired eyes while pressing a hand to his face as if trying to guard off against exhaustion.

“You are by nature a stubborn person. I know this will not change. You are wasting away inside a shell, you have lost yourself, or given up yourself. If things continue in this manner I don't know what will happen, and I do not care to find out.”

Sasuke blinked slowly, satisfied with the outcome. The old man had gotten tired and would send him away and not concern himself with him anymore. That suited him just fine. He could immerse himself in trivialities and who knows maybe years from now he could find his soul again.

“So I have decided to intervene in a way that will steer you away from this path because I feel that as it stands, I'm the only one who can. I'm sending you to South Africa for the negotiation and subsequent establishment of our new branch there.”

For the first time in months Sasuke experienced an emotion that resembled something human. He wasn't sure if it was anger, shock, or a strange mixture between them.

“Excuse me?” It was said a degree more forceful that was intended.

“I believe I made myself quite clear. I will not allow you to loiter around and waste away. This is the reason I called you here today.”

His statement had all the potential energy of being final. Sasuke however continued protesting against this sudden decision with all the enthusiasm of an emaciated concentration camp prisoner. As such he was made aware that his flight would be departing within a week and he should make all arrangements necessary to be away for a while.

“I can't believe this.” Sasuke said under his breath as he closed the doors to the office behind him.

The man had no right to do this, and yet he did. He was the only living person he had left who had any right to say anything or do anything pertaining to Sasuke's wellbeing. This fact however did not mean that Sasuke was pleased with the turn of events. He was annoyed by the situation, he was twenty-five for God's sake! He was entitled to waste away if he wanted to.

But maybe it was not such a bad idea; a hidden portion of his mind ventured to suggest. Maybe he needed to get away; maybe he should get away. However his pride still bristled at being treated like a child with no say in his own life. He thought he had enough of that from them. To be treated like that even when they weren't around seemed sacrilegious.

Such thoughts brought on memories he rather not experience and with a silent sigh he pushed himself into the world around him again. The shades of gray had turned black for him. Everything was constantly black now. Even the vibrant colors of the morning failed to evoke in him any sort of sensation. His senses were dead.

During the proceeding week he managed to arrange what little business he had to be postponed for an indefinite time. After all, his uncle had not made any statement regarding the termination period of his enterprise. From his point of view the entire thing was pure insanity, and he was sure the members of the committee had cried murder over the favoritism.

But the old bastard should suffer some for daring to interfere with his business, and as such was not worthy of sympathy. The last two days he spent in his apartment were a blur of inertia. Only noting faintly that the food in his refrigerator would develop mutant qualities and could eventually destroy humanity, and maybe he should throw it away. Despite this possible development Sasuke contended that the outcome of it would not be quite so catastrophic and thus the food was left untouched.

In this manner he found himself a Sunday morning standing awkwardly with various suitcases around him in the middle of the airport. His uncle had appeared sometime after nine at his apartment and hauled him off. During the drive he had been given all the papers necessary for a legal stay in the country, along with various warnings and advice. Sasuke had stared out the window and tried to think of some way to get out of the whole thing. His brain refused to cooperate and develop some sort of genius plan that would blow his uncle away into the realm of dishonorable defeat.

“…..as such you must make sure to participate in the meetings, but Smith will keep track of most of the information so you can have some moderate amount of free time. Sasuke?”

“Hmmm?”

“Did you hear a word of what I just said?”

“Hmm…”

His uncle made a noise of exasperation in the back of his throat that sounded suspiciously like a dying seagull, although Sasuke had never heard one he was sure it sounded something like that. But the airport was drawing closer, he had to make another attempt now or it would be too late.

“I don't see how my going there will help. I have no knowledge of anything pertaining to this new branch. It would be better for me to stay here and carry on with my usual services.”

His uncle's eyes glinted evilly in the rearview mirror. He threw Sasuke a sidelong glance and with a smirk he asked.

“Oh really? And pray do tell what those services have been for the past few months?”

Sasuke thought about his long hours sitting in front of the computer screen staring at nothing in particular and the line of drool he sometimes found on his shirt after a particular comfortable nap. But in his defense the charts of information had seized to mean something to him, they just looked like those squiggly circles with black and white lines that people use to hypnotize. He frowned, and with the corners of his lips turning down in disgust at everything and especially himself he faced his uncle with something akin to determination.

“I acknowledge I haven't exactly been productive, but I've done some very profitable things for you in the past. You can't deny that, and as such I think I'm entitled to a second chance before you decide to pack me up and send me to some remote portion of the Earth like an exiled pest.”

His uncle nodded at that and thought for a moment before replying.

“Because I'm aware of what you are capable of it is that I'm going through so much trouble to bring you back into yourself. Sasuke I can't possibly say that I understand your pain, but I can try to imagine it. I'm not unsympathetic believe me. I just want what's best for you.”

Sasuke's fists clenched unconsciously at the mention of the word “pain.” His uncle didn't understand, couldn't possibly understand and Sasuke didn't exactly feel like he wanted to explain. Not to him, not to anyone. Lost in the shadows of his mind Sasuke failed to see the airport approaching and only when he had been ushered inside and guided to the proper gate did he snap out of it.

“Listen uncle I can't go--!”

“Sasuke you have no reason to stay. Give it a chance, at least give it a chance. If not for yourself do it for me, I have never asked anything of you. Just this once listen to someone.”

Sasuke's protests died on his lips with that last sentence. Yes, his stubbornness had been the cause for many things. His failure to listen had been the catalyst on many occasions for loss. So who cares if he went to South Africa? His uncle was right he wasn't being productive here. There was nothing tying him here. He could be a blob of non-existent material in another country just the same.

Without another word Sasuke nodded and turned away walking to his respective flight. He didn't know what to think so he didn't think. He turned once before passing the security control gate to catch his uncle smiling slightly and mouthing “Good luck!” to him. He wanted to smile back, but it seemed he had forgotten the necessary motions for the action so he waved feebly and disappeared down the long hall.

The trip was horrendously long. He had a stop in London where he had almost missed his other plane due to his inability to follow directions and refusal to ask for help. Smith had found him staring at a human sized map in a corner of the airport and in between chuckles had pulled him into the right direction. Sasuke didn't think it was funny, but he refused to give the saucy man any more material to tease him with. After 24 hours of insufferable planes, airports, and people Sasuke found himself in the lively Johannesburg International airport.

His nerves were frazzled by the long trip, his hair looked ridiculous, his black suit was askew while Smith looked like he had just come out of a long vacation. With his olive skin and brown hair falling boyishly over an open and average face that tricked everyone into honesty. Damn him. But Sasuke consoled himself with the fact that at least he had made it to his destination.

If he had been aware of what life had in store for him, if had been able to glimpse one specter of upcoming events he would have crawled back into a plane and flown himself back to America faster than a cheetah caught a wounded gazelle. Unfortunately he was not developing psychic powers as of yet so he was just relieved about being on land and boarded his ride to the hotel while muttering ways to murder his uncle under his breath.