This story will contain harsh lemons. Thank you.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of their characters they all belong to the creator Masashi Kishimoto

This chapter was edited by –Kristine X3-.

"To sit alone with my conscience will be judgment enough for me."

- Charles William Stubbs

Chapter 2: Kiss Me, Kill Me, Either Way It Turns Me On

Konoha seemed beautiful even in the darkest of night falls. Times changed and people grew older and more established. Well at least that's how life normally went, forward. Regrets and mistakes were inevitable, leaving the road ahead as mysterious as the number of stars shone above.

Nothing could change the fact that feelings were hurt along this road, but that's how life took its toll. Pushing the weak to their lowest point and hoping they would move on, become a better person, possibly stronger, while forgetting the past at the same time.

Frustration got the best of the prodigy in more ways than one; even if he didn't want to admit it out loud, his dreams said it all.

The nightly shadows were a wonder for him sometimes. His smooth taut chest exposed to the moonlight, dark hair messier than usual, and cool charcoal eyes that had seen too much of a bad thing. He was an enigma and a masterpiece wrapped in one, one look and you were transfixed, with or without the Sharingan. The moon bathed him with the glow and security of the night.

Focused on revenge was his main goal in life, nothing else mattered. Leaving the village and walking down that dark, shadowed path was his choice. His heart ached but his pride kept his emotions in check. Sasuke knew what he had to do and who he had to obtain this power from.

Although he was strong and pride filled, he lacked what he always wanted.

Love…

Something his mother gave him when he was younger along with his merciless brother. Life was always a screw over if you gave it the… "I can't sleep, might as well think about what I've done" thought. Take it as it was and don't complain, that was his ideal on life. People died, friends moved on, and feelings changed.

Going back to Konoha was a mistake but something bothered him as he left this place he once called home, a torn pain between power, pride and a small boy running for his life through the dark streets. For some reason he still felt as if he were running in the pit of nightfall, stumbling along the way.

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Emotions.

Emotions that fill the mind of unwanted thoughts and confusion, the unnecessary feelings pulling the heart to nauseate the stomach.

This night was a memorable one, similar to one many years ago. Why she had come here, she really didn't know but for some reason it felt right. Something pulled her to sit on the same exact bench, on the exact same road, and the same path that led out of the village.

She wouldn't cry over him; she had done it so many times it became tiring. Years had passed but the same feelings lingered.

Life was always unfulfilled; it was never filled with satisfaction. Always continuing to push her body, soul, and mind to their limits and further.

Her twenty year old body was not that of a young child anymore. She witnessed death before her eyes. During one mission she came so close to walking off with the reaper that she could feel her soul slowly succumb to his dark and sinful touch. But like her fellow teammates she would not give way to death's escape. She had goals, dreams, and ambitions and she will fulfill them one way or another. No more falling to her knees and crying helplessly from the sidelines. Time changed her and with growing years she blossomed to her full potential.

Sakura was different now, like a new spring time bringing fresh life to the old world. Sure her strength grew tremendously but with strength came wisdom and maturity. Though over time she grew less aware of her appearance others took notice to it. She was attractive and sought after by all the men, but it never impressed her. The sweet cherry was now an orange, sweet on the inside but bitter and tough on the outside.

That cheery smile greeted everyone, but it was never true; it always hid a regret that would pick at her heart every waking day. Even if she couldn't truly smile, she did it for them to at least provide some reassurance. Anyone that needed a little light in the dark would be rewarded by one of her smiles, the candle that lit the path. Too bad it never helped him walk through his dark and foggy course.

It was annoying thinking about him every morning and every dream filled night.

Arms wrapped around her legs for some kind of comfort, her gaze captivated the soft summer night. It was reserved as if something was hidden in secret that she didn't know.

Tonight Naruto had taken her on one of their many "dates" but something had her heart drop to the very pit of her stomach drowning in the acids of regrets and turmoil. The four words she dreamt of when she was a child came tottering out of the blondes mouth like a kunai to the heart.

"Sakura-chan will you marry me?"

Naruto had proposed to her, but for some reason her heart and her mind were not corresponding nor reacting to the scenario placed before her eyes. What do you say to a boy who grew up to a fine man that you don't want to marry?

The certain jolt and drop panged her heart and yet exhilarated her senses in ways she could never imagine. Looking into his cerulean orbs was similar to a murky lake, unknown of its depth and mystery. How deep could he actually love her? Sometimes seeing Hinata and him together gave her hope for them but he chose her over his destiny.

Sakura breathed in the fresh air mixed with a hint of river water. The moon above was full but hidden behind the luminous clouds. Stars twinkled in the infinite space and for a short minute, she felt small. Memories crashed her thoughts and he entered it once again. Like every moment of silence she received, Sakura could never close her mind. Sasuke was either in her thoughts or her inner self was fighting her demons, either way it was perplexing.

"Sasuke." His whispered name carried with the gentle wind. "How could you leave me? What did I ever do? All I wanted was to be with you and yet…"

Tears filled in her eyes. It was hard to remember anything and confusing when she tried. Her heart was broken in two but was held with one thin string of hope. When she sorted her feelings it was always incomplete. Crying over him midnights and calling for him in her dreams were rare now but for some reason all the emotional stress came crashing down. A wave of depression and despair were falling on her like leaves fall off a tree. Delicate hands placed on her face to conceal any tears that had fallen and any sobs that escaped her lips. Nothing ever seemed right after he left. Every moment she walked with Naruto was just a reminder that they only had each other to remember him.

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Walking back into Konoha was always easy when it was in the middle of night. Years of remorse was just another kick to make him strive and remember what he needed to stay focused on. His insides lurched at the thought of seeing his former team again, few encounters in the past was nothing compared to coming back. After Orochimaru's "unfortunate" death he went on hiatus in search of secrets about Akatsuki, mainly his brother, and went on from there. So far they had retrieved eight of the nine tailed beasts; their goal had been simple all along. To dominate the world, they would have to obtain these demons and to be feared by all Shinobi.

Sasuke's body ached and hunger consumed his concentration. Thinking about Akatsuki, Team seven, and Itachi was the least of his worries right now. Finding luxury would be hard in this village especially for missing ninjas. Locating his team could wait till morning, he had to find a way to make this as discreet as possible.

The familiarity never left his senses; everything was so comforting even in his tired body. His soft steps echoed, mixing in with the rustle of the leaves. His breath grew shallower as he walked closer and closer to his destination, but his heart gave a skip.

Memories from the years before flooded his mind, her cries and pleas to stay and the piercing green eyes that watched him as he turned his back to the village and to her feelings. Turning that slight swerve would blur his vision and intoxicate every crevice of his thoughts while the memories resumed their movie. Fast forward to Naruto fighting for him to stay, giving his all but losing his best friend in the end. Never, when he was away, did he forget his team, his friends, his family. It had all been planned, it had always been thought through, but somewhere between planning he was now left with uncertainty. But as quickly as his movie had been played it was stopped with the vision before him.

There she was, the girl from his past, and the woman in his dreams. More and more, his composure grew tense and his battling emotions were hidden with his defense. Out of all the nights, how could she be here? Maybe she had been out for a stroll or had to take a moment to think. This had been, after all, a perfect place to dwell in one's thoughts while shutting out the rest of the world. The moonlight showered her with its luminous peeks between the broken clouds, casting an elegant glow on her form. It was as if this moment was theirs, which nobody else would be here to disturb them. Just the two of them. His heart pounded on his chest and rang in his ears; palms growing damp with his fear. Before he caught himself, he had whispered her delicate name that only he could hear before the wind had trailed it off.

How did one step make things anymore difficult? It was as if his whole life would change if she saw him waltzing back into her life, but that's what he wanted right? That had been his intention all along, to come back and gain another pair of shuriken for his pouch.

There was only one way to find out, he had to move forward, make a move, make a sound, make a-

"What are you doing out here so late at night? Just out for a stroll?"

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-Tbc-

Authors Note:

Special thanks to: Anj, Ai, Angie and of course the editor Kristine.

To my readers: Thank you for your patience and please leave a review and you will get my undying love and a cookie.

To flamers, haters, and people who love to bash: I love constructive crit. as long if it's tasteful, I don't want... "Your story sucks", "This is gay", "WTF $# $#$", or anything similar. Please do it with respect and tell me kindly what I should fix, add, or leave out. I do not disrespect you so do not disrespect me, if you do I will shoot you down...btw do you disrespect yer mom (or anyone similar)!?!?! You've been warned don't be immature, have some respect. I'm not mean... I had to speak for all readers, writers, etc. I'm tired (meaning pissed) of seeing bashers (or whatever you call them) talk smack about other writings when they can't do it right without using a curse word or something immature. GROW UP!

Thank you for your time please LEAVE REVIEWS!

I get hits but no reviews, it would be greatly appreciated even if its "OMG gr8t please upd8 gtg" I will appreciate it with sincerity. Next update will be up to (15 reviews).

Thank you once again,

-Alicia E... yo!

07-29-07