Sorry about the long wait! School sucks for multiple reasons starting with my dear good old English teacher that makes me want to commit suicide. But, hey, you take what you get, right? So, dear dudes and dutette, this is chapter four. It's not as funny as the other chapters. But, I needed this if I wanted the story to move forward. So, here goes nothing.

Thank you ninjacat001 for reviewing! Anonymous reviewers rock! I used to be one not too long ago and I know how it feels!

Disclaimer: I do own Naruto… NOT.

Normal/ "Talk"/ Thoughts/ Inner

Messing with Sasuke: chapter three

….

Sasuke shoved Sakura inside the tent. She knew that there was no point in fighting back so she laid her sleeping bag as far away from him as the tent would allow.

Naturally, while doing this, she was screaming at the top of her lungs professing all the ways she's going to use to mutate him into a bloody unrecognizable Uchiha pulp, how she will dismember him and feed his limps to hungry hounds and so on and so forth.

But, all protests suddenly died and an unnerving silence fell on the two ninjas. Fearing something was wrong, the avenger looked over to the girl –or woman- next to him. The sight that he encountered made the ice around his heart melt just a teeny tiny microscopic little bit.

She was sleeping, a peaceful expression on her face that conveyed her good and care-free nature. There was a strand of hair that rested on her cheek. Sasuke fought very, very hard to not reach out and tuck it behind her ear.

How can someone sleep that fast? He didn't know and didn't care. He was relieved that her rants had come to an end.

"Good night," he murmured.

Why he said that? He would never know.

And even after wishing her good night -which was new to him- he was still starring. He was doing a lot of starring today. And, this fact did not sit well with him, not one bit. He needs to go to sleep. Right. This. Minute!

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After several hours,

.

.

This was asinine!

They have been hopping through trees for over eighteen consecutive hours. Even with the Kuuybi chakra, Naruto was dead beat –he passed 'exhausted' about seven hours ago. Sai seemed paler than usual. The others were no better. But, they were too preoccupied with their thoughts to listen to the cries of pain and exhaustion their muscles were sending them.

Tenten and Sakura were in the lead, followed by the brooding men. Naruto and Sai were in the back trailing after their teammates looking like they just ran a marathon, only this was worse.

Tenten was fuming. She and Neji have gone through similar accommodation on several occasions. She was not in the least bit affected by that…ok, maybe just a little.

The reason she was upset -although upset is a preposterous understatement- was not due to her staying in the tent. It was how she gotto the tent. All was courtesy of her best friend a.k.a. the Human Ice Cube who dragged her to the tent, none too gently. She knew he hated the Uchiha and he would not stand having a friend of his sleeping anywhere near him. But, did he not know that there is such a thing as "asking nicely"? Subsequently to her irritation, she decided to ignore the Huuyga. Therefore, she hopped in the front of the pack not sparing him a glance.

As if he would ever be affected by the silent treatment! God knows how much that boy worships silence. It's a nuisance how quiet he can be.

It doesn't make him any less cute though.

Which side are you on?

Neji's, duh!

On the other hand, to say that Sakura was unfazed by last night's sleeping arrangement would be a downright crime. She was mystified by Sasuke's behavior. It's so uncharacteristic, so un-Sasuke like. She had censured him that morning for last night's events and demanded an explanation. She got a "hn" in response. Typical! Also, the fact that they slept five feet away from each other didn't help her situation at that moment.

But, it did help her last night.

Last night, his sent was so comforting to her that she fell to sleep almost immediately, enveloped in the smell of what she can only describe as fresh forest air.

But, now as she looked back on the previous night's events, her sole desire is to crawl under a rock and stay there for the next millennium or so, until everything she knew had vanished and everyone she ever met was either dead or dying. Yeah, that seemed like a good plan and easy to come up with. The execution part however was a little tricky.

She needed to get away from the boy before somebody found out about her clandestine sedative i.e. Sasuke's scent. If that happened, she was, to put it in simple terms, screwed. So, she surreptitiously hopped next to Tenten.

I hate him

I don't understand why you're so worked up about this. Last night was the best you ever slept.

Exactly!

You lost me.

He has this effect on me. He makes me feel safe knowing that he'll always protect me making me let my guard down. He's one of the few people that I can be myself around that knows me outside the hospital shifts and the missions.

I'm still waiting for the bad part.

Too lost in her thoughts, Sakura didn't seem to notice they had reached their destination: a small village in Lightening Country.

It was late in the afternoon.

The village, although of an inconsequential size, had a substantial number of inhabitants, judging by the busy streets. The reason for its appeal is evident. Various shops, huge buildings and multiple conference rooms were located in this town. The village was obviously a center of commerce. As they entered the village, the six ninjas were in awe from the aliveness of the town –though they still thought that Konoha was better. They were taking the view that settled before them. But, naturally, Naruto had to ruin it.

"So, listen up people!" he said in a self-important voice ignoring the exasperated looks his companions were giving him "I was thinking…"

"Wow, thinking Naruto? That must have been hard to experience for the first time," Sasuke interrupted. His voice came out a whisper just so his companions can hear.

Sakura and Tenten snickered while Neji smirked.

"You know Teme? When I become Hokage…"

"You mean when hell freezes over," Sasuke interrupted AGAIN. The Teme was just asking for it.

In truth, Sasuke was fairly sure that the knuckle-head is going to Hokage. It was most likely if not inevitable. But, what kind of best friend would he be if he didn't invest in a chance to infuriate Naruto? Not a good one that's what!

"As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted," Naruto said while sending a dirty look to Sasuke who just rolled his eyes "maybe we should take a look around town. We did arrive sooner than usual, five hours early to be exact, all because a certain team captain refused to take a break" here he turned his glare towards the Huuyga prodigy, not that the latter was in the least bit fazed by the glare.

"As much as I hate to admit it, it is a good idea." The mission leader said "We'll split up. Tenten and I will go to the meeting location to see if the client has arrived yet. The Uchiha and Sakura-san will look for the accommodation that Tsunade booked for us for the night and sign in. And, Naruto and Sai," he paused not knowing what good those two idiots would do "well, you two do whatever you desire."

Without waiting for approvals or objections from his team, the white-eyed man walked away headed for the meeting point. After muttering 'self-conceited jerk', Tenten followed her crush.

Well, that's not exactly what the Kuuybi vessel had in mind. But, as long as he got to do what he wanted, he was not one to complain.

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Sakura and Sasuke walked through the streets searching for the hotel with their reservation. The former was not happy with getting stuck with this… this… there not even a name for it. But, what she didn't know is that, same as her, Sasuke was anything but happy for various reasons that, miraculously enough, had nothing to do with Naruto.

First of all, there was the incident of the other night. Do you remember his plan of going to sleep right after he realized he was starring? Yeah that one! It didn't go so well. As a matter fact, he didn't get a wink of sleep. He spent the night watching Sakura in fascination feeling a sense of protectiveness over her. And when Sasuke didn't get his beauty sleep, he tended to get a bit irritable –as opposed to his normal love-trust-and-pixie-dust mentality most of the time. Needless to say, Sasuke was in a bad mood.

Second of all, Sakura was ignoring him, more than usual. He knew that she was upset. But, she used to stick to 'hello' and 'good bye'. But, today she the only words she has addressed to him were "Mind explaining what the hell last night was all about?". It was said in such a loud voice, his eardrums were still aching.

Third of all, he had a bad feeling about the nephew that he was supposed to escort. If there was anything that Sasuke did not like, it was being kept in the dark. He didn't appreciate going on a mission without having all the details. After all, that's what every skilled Shinobi such as himself would feel in his position. Ignorance certainly is not bliss when it comes to ninjas. If anything, it was a death wish.

"Here it is," Sakura said pointing at an enormous building.

The hotel was clearly fancy. That was what got Sasuke doubting. Tsunade and fancy never meshed together well.

"Are you sure?" he asked askance.

Something snapped in Sakura's mind. You can almost hear the "click" sound.

"No, actually, I don't even know how to identify a hotel. That's how a weak konoishi I am," She said huffing, already walking towards the hotel.

"That's not…" he began.

Sakura stopped dead on her tracks. Was he about to explain himself? Or, dare she say, apologize? Maybe, he felt guilty because of his not-so-nice behavior. Either way, she looked at him, not daring to interrupt him.

"Hn"

And, he proved her wrong yet again.

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Neji and Tenten were in front of the main building in the village, the meeting sight that was mentioned in the mission file. They have been standing like this for nearly three hours. Tenten had her back to Neji, obviously willing to go to any length to ignore the guy.

This did not sit well with Neji. He was about to apologize before…

"You must be the ninjas from Konoha," Came a deep voice

Both nineteen-year-olds turned around to came face to face with an old man with two younger –much younger- men each on every side of him and three women. They assumed the older man was the weapon maker. He had an air of nobility to him but still had a friendly aura. His smile was gentle and his voice was comforting. The young lads are probably the son and the nephew. And the three women are most likely the maids. Both Neji and Tenten bowed.

"No need for formalities. As you must have already guessed I'm Daisuke the weapon maker. This is my son Denjiro" Daisuke said pointing at the man to his right who gave a curt nod.

Denjiro was a twenty-one year old man. He had short brown hair and dark green eyes. Tenten smiled to the boy. She thought the guy was not half bad looking. If she didn't have the world's biggest crush on Neji, she would have gone for him. Neji on the other hand didn't like the guy so much. He didn't like the way Tenten was smiling at him. She didn't even know the guy. Why would she be smiling at him?

"And this is my nephew Akemi." He added gesturing to the man on his left.

Said man smiled. Akemi was also a handsome man with black hair and blue eyes and about the same age as Denjiro. His frame was lean. It was obvious that he had some kind of training in the art of ninja. But, seeing as he didn't have a head band, his training wasn't formal.

"Where is Haruno Sakura?" Akemi asked out of the blue.

Both ninja's were taken aback by his question. How did this man know about the medic in their team? But, they answered him opting to address their questions to Sakura.

"She, along with the rest our team, is checking into a hotel for the night. We are to leave tomorrow morning for Konoha," Neji answered for the both of them

"Very well, but, we have to make a stop along the way. I have a function to attend," Daisuke said

"I have no information of these plans. I'm afraid it might stall the mission."

"Oh! No, it's on our way! How about we go to meet the rest of the team while my uncle fills you in?" Akemi offered.

Neji complied.

On the way to the hotel, Denjiro noticed the scroll Tenten was carrying. He had enough experience in the domain of weaponry to recognize such a scroll immediately.

"You are interested in weapons?" he inquired.

None of your business, Neji thought. But, he didn't voice his thoughts.

"Yes, they're my specialty," she said with a grin. She always prided herself on being the mistress of weapons of Konoha.

Soon enough, the two engaged in conversation. Denjiro was extremely impressed by Tenten's knowledge of weapons. She was almost as knowledgeable as he was. And, being the son a weapon maker that tells you something.

This guy is pretty interesting, Inner Tenten chirped

I second that, Tenten for once agreed with her inner.

Three feet away from them, Neji was fuming. He was half listening to what Daisuke was telling him. He just wanted to get to the godforsaken Hotel right this minute. What's with all this chitchat between his friend and this boy? All along the way Neji was glaring at Denjiro. If looks could kill, we would have been reading the boy's obituary by now.

Finally, in answer to Neji's prayers, they reached the hotel. Tenten and Neji were also surprised to see the size of the hotel.

"Either the Hokage was feeling very generous when she organized this mission or she was very much drunk," Tenten said to Neji renouncing her silent treatment. But, he was not off the hook. She will get her revenge. Tenten always did.

"I root for the latter," he said. Although, he would never say this out loud, he was ecstatic that Tenten was no longer ignoring him. It was none other than friendship that pushed that warmth into his heart when she talked to him.

"Actually, I was the one to arrange this. Miss Haruno and my cousin are acquaintances and I couldn't possibly allow her or her companions to stay in less than the finest accommodations. And, my cousin insisted on it," Denjiro explained smiling at Tenten who smiled back.

"Thank you for your generosity," she said.

Neji sorely wanted to Jyuuken something namely someone.

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Sakura was clad in a pair of yoga pants and a top, sitting on the couch in the hotel room which was obscenely grand and luxurious –not that she was complaining. It was more of a suit than a room. The place had a living room with what resembles a kitchen, two bedrooms each with its own attached bathroom and a balcony with the most breathtaking view of the town.

This is the good life!

I concur, she mentally said letting a long contented sigh.

She was however taken out of her thoughts by the knocking on the door. She opened the door to be greeted by a glowing Tenten and a Neji that was glaring everything to hell. The perfect couple! Sakura stepped aside and after they walked in she turned her back to the door more than willing to go back to the comfort of her couch.

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Sasuke was walking out of the bedroom when it happened. Le choc! He almost let go of the dirty clothes that he was carrying. Key word here is 'almost'.

Sakura felt strong masculine arm encircle her delicate waist.

The hell… she thought

This guy obviously had some kind of a death wish. And, Sakura was more than willing to be his Fairy Godmother.

He was about to get his wish and then some, Sakura thought already pumping chakra into her fists, this should be fun.

In one swift elegant move, Sakura pivoted on her left heel to deliver the fist of doom, as Naruto came to call it, to the stranger currently hugging her. But, as soon as she saw the aforementioned stranger, she lowered her fist to stare in complete shock mainly because this person was not a stranger. Not by a long shot.

Sasuke dropped the clothes deciding to take matters into his own hands. But, the next thing Sakura did, made him freeze in his place, and so did the blood in his veins.

After getting over her initial shock, Sakura tackled the dark haired man into a hug squeezing the living daylights out of him. The man returned her hug with just as much enthusiasm.

She hugged him! She is STILL hugging him… giggling nonetheless, Inner Sasuke screamed.

Indeed, Sakura was giggling. But, Sasuke was too shocked to do anything to stop that melodious sound. He liked that sound, but not when provoked by somebody he wasn't practically fond of, somebody like this man. Who is this man anyways?

"Who is this guy Sakura-Chan?" Naruto said frowning as if he was reading Sasuke's mind. He and Sai came back about an hour earlier too exhausted to continue with their grand tour of the town.

"Oh," she began awkwardly after disentangling herself from the mysterious man "this is my friend Akemi. We met on a mission. He was assisting in uncovering a biological weapon. Akemi, these are my teammates and friends, the loud blond idiot is Naruto" that earned her a "HEY" from said idiot who was of course ignored "The guy over there is Sasuke Uchiha, and the other one is Sai. The ones over there are…"

"Neji-san and Tenten-san, we have been introduced, Sakura-Chan"

Then, she turned to Akemi who was the one to interrupt her and noticed the extra two men and three women beside him. She inquired him about this.

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After a lot of talking,

They now knew the whole story about his relation to Denjiro, and history with Sakura, how they requested that she be on the team and how they needed to be escorted to Konoha. And,

He's calling her Sakura-Chan, CHAN!

The blood that was previously frozen in Sasuke's veins was now boiling.

He was in the middle of gritting his teeth into nothingness when Naruto nudged him in the arm. Sasuke made a grunt to show that he was listening.

"This guy needs to stay away from Sakura-Chan," Naruto whispered somehow able to keep his voice down. If that was not proof of how serious the blond was, then Sasuke didn't know what was.

Sasuke agreed with the dope. This guy was getting too close to Sakura for Sasuke's comfort. She was his lo… cru… friend. He couldn't have some random guy hurt her. No sir! No way! Not in a million years.

Sooooo, love it? Hate it? You're welcomed to say it. All you need is to push that magic button that says review the story! It's not so hard, is it?

Every time I write a chapter it turns out longer than the one before. Weird!

Sorry for the late update…again. BLAME SCHOOL! Ok, so maybe I'm to blame too… but mostly school.

REVIEW PLEASE!

Peace out!