#2: This Time Around

Fandom: Naruto

Pairing: Sasuke/Sakura; kinda sorta implied Naruto/Sasuke/Sakura

Rating: PG

Word Count: 448

Summary/Description: Everything is different, this time around.

Warning/Spoilers: None, except for some teeny, tiny spoilers for episodes in the 50's, 60's, thereabouts.

A/N: Sorta like, the antithesis to Teardrops (though it is NOT a sequel, or a side-fic). This Sakura is older, and has lots more spunk, and fight in her.

"Sakura, don't be stupid," Sasuke said flatly, not even turning around to look at her. He slid on his right armguard, and secured it tightly.

The kunoichi seethed quietly, piqued that he wouldn't face her. She stalked across the room, eased herself between the Uchiha and the table before which he was standing, stood on tiptoes until they were nose to nose, and squared her emerald eyes to his black ones.

"I'm coming with you," she repeated firmly, resolution teeming in her eyes.

Sasuke glared down at her fiercely, as if trying to cow her into changing her mind. She met the glower head on, hands clenched at her sides, unflinching and still.

He grunted angrily, and pushed himself away from her, running a hand through his hair in an agitated gesture. The looked he fixed her with was sharp and dark, and yet rent with something deeper and smoother that made the matte eyes glister.

"It's dangerous," he ground out harshly, enunciating each syllable like a death knell, ominous and clear. "You could…"

"Die," she finished for him abruptly, walking over. She held his left armguard in her hand; he allowed her to snare him by the wrist and fasten it on. "I know that." Her hands went to rest on his waist, then wrapped tightly around the circumference of him when he showed no signs of stopping her. "But I won't let you do this alone." Her voice was vehement, laced with iron. "He wouldn't let you, and neither will I." She pressed her lips into his chest, so that her next words were soft and muffled. It was no matter; he felt it vibrate on his skin, thrum throughout his veins.

"I won't let you leave like you did last time."

It was a long while that the two shinobi stood in the quiet of the room, locked together by two pale arms and an indomitable will. Sasuke felt himself begin to give in, and cursed them both softly, wondering when they would lose that knack to make him crumble.

When he finally moved, it was to gently release himself of her tenure, and turn softly on the balls of his feet. She watched him as he silently collected his mask and his arsenal, and walked to the door.

"Come on," he said in a low voice when he breached the entrance. "The reconnaissance team reported that Akatsuki headquarters is somewhere in the marshes of the Water Country; they think that's where they're holding him."

Sakura nodded her understanding in a quick jerk of her head. She donned her mask, collected her supplies, and was out the door after him, nary but a step behind.

A/N: Aww… Akatsuki's kidnapped Naruto, and Sasuke and Sakura are going to rescue him. How quaint. How sweet.

…Review?

(Merry Christmas, everyone. :-))