teamsevenn:

I WAS NOT PRepARED FOR THIS CHAPTER.

I love my baby girl Sakura more than the world, but I can’t help but feel this chapter was more about SASUKE and his feelings. As many have pointed out, Sakura’s reaffirmation of her love for Sasuke was a direct parallel to her first one in chapter 181.

She nearly repeats all the same words to him - I love you, no matter what, I’ll follow you anywhere, please, stay with me - and from Sasuke’s near identical response, he remembers.

Imagine how it must feel to Sasuke to know that her feelings haven’t changed. Sasuke willingly and knowingly went down a dark path. He purposely tried to sever ties with Team 7 and Konoha. He did dark and terrible things because he believed there was no other choice, no other destiny due to him or his cursed family. Even now, working side by side with his old teammates, he must continue down this path in order to set things right.

He didn’t asked to be loved. He never expected it. He doesn’t feel like his DESERVES it when his family paid the ultimate price and he’s left in this godforsaken world, carrying the burden of the whole Uchiha clan.

After Sakura tried to kill him in the Land of Iron, he probably assumed her feelings had changed. It’s what he wanted. Maybe he was relieved, in a way, just another love lost in his past, like his family.

So imagine when he heard Sakura’s words. Dredging up the feelings from a cool night under the moon. Despite all he is, and all he’s down, she loves him. Despite all the pain, she loves him. And this time I think he knows just how deeply and painfully she feels this love.

Because despite all the pain and hardships, Sasuke still loves his family deeply, and he can’t let them go. Sasuke knows this feeling. To go to the ends of the earth for the one you love. He knows what Sakura is capable of. He knows she will stop at nothing.

For a second, it leaves him breathless.

So he has to put her under a genjutsu. Because if he knows her, and he does, she will try to stop his and Naruto’s fight. And he doesn’t want that.

Her words managed to shake up his whole being and determination he’s so carefully built up over the years.

Such an annoyance.