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THE BIRTHDAY PRESENT

Written by purpleblush017

Of chocolates and of fireflies

I will soon reach the sky

With the drape of lemon tea

I shall walk all over the sea

A touch from your hand

Can make me devour over any land

A cry of your muffled voice

Even the slightest bit leaves me with no other choice

For in this long and grueling journey

The price is—you finally being with me

And nothing shall compare

To the happiness my heart will receive under your care

cHapTeR 07: ' a LeecH iN thE BusHeS '

He and She

Dark and Light

Without the other,

Cannot survive.

The door graciously swung open.

"Itachi?"

Itachi smirks. "I have something to tell."

There, sitting on the elegant sofa were his parent drinking tea. "What in the blazes boy? Have I not taught you to knock before entering a room?" his father—the king of the Uchiha kingdom—Uchiha Fugaku lectured while rubbing his temples. It was a good thing that Itachi didn't see his parents making out, which was a few moments ago before he came bursting inside their room.

Itachi ignored his father's words and went on. "I have very good news for you my dear father."

Uchiha Mikoto placed her cup of tea on the table beside them and smoothened her dress. "What is it my dear? Do tell."

Itachi's smirk grew a few notches with a mix of excitement. "A very reliable source has indeed proved that what we believed in is to be wrong and false."

"Wrong? What are you talking about son?"

The oldest son closed the door behind him. "Haruno Sakura is not really pregnant with little Sasu-chan's baby. It's all a bluff. It seems like their sticky friendship is very, very sticky after all."

Fugaku was furious. "What?!"

Mikoto's eyes widen in shock. "Sasu-chan's lying all this time? My son actually lied just to…" she trailed off.

"This is preposterous!" Fugaku yelled. He eyed Itachi. "What makes you so sure about this information?"

Itachi pocketed his hands on his pockets. "This tip came from a very close person regarding our subject. We shall take this information highly, believe me, this might possibly be true. But if you're not as sure about this as I am, I suggest that we conduct a pregnancy test. Right, father?" Itachi smiled. "So, this is settled then? Agreed?"

"Aa."


There was green.

And hearts.

There was green and hearts.

"Oh no!" Naruto cringed. "Kakashi-sensei, is that—?"

Kakashi looked over as to where Naruto was pointing at. Far away from them, he could only picture small figures looking like a shape of a stick with dust trailing after it. Kakashi cringed at his sudden realization. "It is them, Naruto! Run!" he said dramatically, amusing himself at the blonde's reaction, which was the funny twitching of Naruto's lips and his panicking and fidgeting body. "Run for your life, Naruto! The fountain of youth shall devour you whole!" Kakashi screamed with a dramatic tone.

With this queue, Naruto ran—more like limped back into the palace.

Kakashi eyed the figure that seemed to be growing nearer by the second. I wonder why they're here.


As Naruto ran around the palace, searching for a nice place to hide, he incidentally caught glimpse of Uchiha Itachi entering a room. Not liking Itachi that much, Naruto believed that he's up to no good. He decided to spy on him. When he reached the door frame, Itachi had closed the doors shut. But that didn't stop him from knowing what Itachi was up to. He dropped to his knees and leaned his ear on the door hoping to hear whatever was going on inside the room.

"So it's settled then? Agreed?" the voice said. Naruto recognized it as Itachi's.

There was a reply. "Aa." It sounded like Fugaku-dono's voice.

"You sound so convinced my dear," It was Mikoto-dono talking, "Tell us what other information your seemingly reliable source has told you about our problem."

There was a pause, hesitation perhaps.

"Oh mother, there was a lot that my very reliable source has given me." Naruto's could distinguish the thrill in his voice. "You see, priestesses are checked accordingly by Tsunade if they still attain the certain requirement they need. And this requirement is like a rule: Priestesses must remain to be chaste. Tsunade believes that in order to serve the Lord, they must remain pure and innocent, thus, they have to stay virgins. She tests them every month.

"After asking Tsunade myself, she says that Sakura's test came in positive so, there is no way that Sasuke and Sakura could have formed a baby in just a short span of time when her last test came in positive three weeks ago."

Naruto was as shocked at the revelation. And from the gasp he heard in the room, the older Uchiha's are surprised as well.

"I cannot tolerate this! Sasuke will not make the fool out of us!" Fugaku roared.

"Hush my dear, relax. We will deal with this accordingly." Mikoto soothed him.

"What do we do with the Hyuuga's? Do they know about this Itachi?"

"No. Not yet, father."

"Good. I don't think this will do us any good once they knew that my own son is bluffing. This is certainly not good." he sounded in despair with a little mix of disappointment.

"How soon can we do the pregnancy test?" Mikoto asked.

"Apparently, we can ask Tsunade to do it this evening if you will allow it."

"No! That'll give Sasuke enough time make a move on her. Let's do it as soon as Tsunade is ready. Send her my word to be effective immediately."

"Yes, father."

"No!" Mikoto argued. "I want Sakura-chan to be informed beforehand." She loved Sakura-chan like her own. "She's being through a tough time lately, after Neji and the baby issue."

"Damnit, Mikoto! The faster the results come in, the faster this problem will go away. This is serious! Do you understand the consequences of your son's reckless actions?"

"He's your son too, Fugaku! Besides, I am a woman myself! I'd feel violated if you just throw me in a chair and asked me to spread my legs while you search inside of me for another life being without proper information and preparation! That's inhumane!"

Fugaku ignored her words. "I believe that there are rumors around the palace that Sakura slept in Sasuke's chambers last night. How true is this rumor?"

"Oh, very true."

"I assume that Sasuke must have made a move on her last night." There was a sigh. "He must've planned this—"

"Actually, he didn't."

"Enlighten me, boy." Fugaku commanded.

"I sent people to keep an eye on Sasuke last night up until now. If these people of mine did keep an eye on them as how I asked them, then… the information they gave me is reliable enough. Ah, yes, I believe that dear brother didn't make a move on her."

"I see."

Naruto's eyes shot open. There were people hanging on the wall, trying to peak on Sasuke's window. Could they possibly be Itachi's spy? Or maybe, someone closer, who was there? Who was—? Kakashi-sensei himself! He was already there before he was! Could he possibly be the leech?

"What shall be your decision father?"

"Send Tsunade my word."

"Fugaku!" Mikoto protested. "Stop and think about—"

"Send Tsunade my word." He stood by his word as he repeated it firmly.

"Yes, father." Itachi bid his goodbye and left the room. After closing the door, he stared at the corner to his left where a blonde haired figure just passed by. He smirked. How obvious can he be? Let's see how you'd get away with this one, ototou. He thought before turning to his right and started walking towards Tsunade's quarters.


Naruto ran as fast as he could to reach Sasuke's room. There were only two things that were repeating on his mind. One: there's a leech among them, feeding Itachi the necessary information he needs. And two: Sakura and Sasuke have to get away from here as soon as possible, there's no time to waste.

Naruto burst the room open and looked over the window. There, he saw Kakashi reading his orange book, leaning on the tree across the window. Naruto pulled all the curtains down. Since there is a leech on the loose, he can't afford to trust anyone, even Kakashi himself.

"Naruto?" Sakura asked frantically upon seeing her friend wonder about unusually this morning. "What's happening? What're you doing?"

Naruto nudged Sasuke to wake him up. "I'll explain later Sakura-chan. I suggest you start packing your things right this instant. Light clothing will do."

"Huh? Packing? I don't understand." Sakura climbed off the bed. "Naruto…"

"Now! Do as I say Sakura-chan! I'll explain later." Naruto continued to nudge Sasuke harder. Sakura did what she was told to do "Sasuke. Pack. Itachi." Naruto said as soon as Sasuke opened his eyes. This statement instantly brought Sasuke to reality. He looked over Sakura who was done packing her clothes in a small feather-weighed bag.

"Let's go." Sasuke declared as soon as he got out of bed."

"What about your things?" Sakura asked.

"We'll buy." He declared and as soon as Sakura knew it, the three of them were running.

"Where are we going?" Sakura asked, slightly scared of what happening or was about to happen. "Please, tell me what's going on."

When they reached the field, Sasuke whistled and a few moments later, a brown horse came running towards them. "Climb." Sasuke ordered. Sakura cringed. She hates horses. She was about to protest when Naruto himself pushed her onto the horse. Sasuke mounted afterwards, sitting after her. "Naruto," he looked over at their blonde friend.

Naruto gave them a sheepish smile. "I'll tell them that you went to the city for shopping."

Sasuke nodded. He turned the horse the other way, facing the road.

"Naruto…" Sakura muttered, feeling sorrowful for this abrupt departure. It felt like they were never going to see each other again. Saying goodbye was never her thing.

"Sasuke-teme," Naruto called out, "Be sure to do it right, okay? I don't want Sakura-chan marrying that Neji. And Sakura-chan, take care of yourself for me! I'll be a good boy while you're gone, I promise!" He gave them a grin.

Sasuke nodded again before dashing out of the sight. When Naruto walked back into the Uchiha palace, Ino welcomed him with loads of questions. "Where were you?", "What did you do?", "Were you just with Sasuke-sama?", "Where is Sakura and Sasuke-sama?"

Naruto just shrugged. "Maybe they went out for a walk, or maybe they're in a bath tub, I don't know. Your guess is as good as mine."

Ino didn't seem to buy his lame excuse. "Itachi-sama calls their presence for something urgent." She declared emphasizing the need of their presence.

"Well, you better tell Itachi-sama to go look for them himself because I don't know where they are. Have you checked Sasuke's room yet? Or maybe Sakura's?"

Ino eyed him. "I did. And both were empty."

Naruto walked past her, "Well, tough luck, Ino." He smiled his heart out. This'll buy them enough time to go and make babies.


"What!?" her brown eyes turned into flying saucers upon hearing the news. "How come you let them escape like that?" Furious, she accidentally breaks the arm of her chair in a single deliberation of a light punch.

"Ugh, we didn't know. Before the orders were given out, they were already gone." The man answered as he cowered in fear.

"What good of a soldier are you?! You're useless!" she was about to tackle the poor man when his comrade decides to take stop her.

"Tenten-san! Please! Leave this innocent man alone. You heard what he said; there were no orders when they escaped."

The Chinese-bunned girl slumped. "But Lee! They let Neji-kun's bride escape! Didn't you hear me? They let Neji-kun's bride get away!"

Lee gathered her up and tapped her shoulders. "I heard you the first time, Tenten-san. But there's nothing we could do but—"

Tenten's attention was suddenly turned to the man who just entered the room. "Gai-sensei!" Tenten called out as she saw the older version of Lee who wore the same green spandex walk over them and heave a sigh. "Any news yet?"

Gai shook his head. "Unfortunately, there was no lead at all. We have to start by scratch. Obviously, the kingdom is acting on protocol. They won't send a search party if the people weren't missing for twelve hours."

"WHAT!? Are they mad?" Tenten roared. "Neji-kun's bride might be dead in less than twelve hours! How could the Uchiha kingdom take this risk?"

"I know Tenten. But it's standard protocol. The Hyuuga kingdom would have done the same thing of this happened inside its borders. People can't just jump to conclusions and assume that these people ran away or escaped."

Tenten glared hard at the ground. "But… Neji-kun's bride—"

"Tenten-san…" Lee muttered feeling sorry and depressed as well. The three of them were sent by the Hyuugas late that night to keep a close watch on what's happening in the Uchiha palace especially on their friend—Neji-kun's bride-to-be. He couldn't blame Tenten if she felt as if they weren't doing their job.

"Ah, Gai! It's been a while."

Three heads turn to see who it was. "Kakashi-san." Lee an Tenten greeted him. "It's been a while too my fearsome rival! Do you want to duel with me? How about poker? Swimming? Racing?" Gai greeted. Kakashi just shrugged and went over them and saw their long faces.

"Naruto and I saw you coming earlier," Kakashi eyed Gai's two pupils, "What's wrong with you people? Has the fountain of youth dried up already?" Oh, I hope so. He hid a giggle for himself.

Lee answered him. "It's about Neji's—"

"Sakura." Kakashi finished for him. "She's fine. Don't you guys worry yourselves about something that small. She's with Uchiha Sasuke after all."

"But why aren't they searching for them? We've been here for nearly three hours and they refuse us to give the whole information. How come nobody's telling us anything!? It was two hours ago that we knew that Neji-kun's bride has fled with the Uchiha prince!" Tenten protested. "How come? Not a word about them?"

Kakashi only shook his head, "Standard protocol, Tenten, standard protocol. Since Sakura is assumingly with Sasuke, then there is a fifty percent chance that they'll come back before the twelve-hour limit."

"But there's also a fifty percent chance that they won't come back at all! Can we just please look for them? Make our own search squad?" Tenten pleaded.

Gai looked at her intently. "I'm sorry Tenten, Lee, but I won't allow that. We can't afford doing reckless things in a foreign country especially that we're representing the Hyuuga kingdom. Surely you don't want to disgrace the name of our motherland, now do you?"

Both Lee and Tenten bowed, ashamed as realizations dawned in them.

"What do we do now, sensei?" Tenten asked.

"And now, we wait." Gai answered.

We wait? Tenten hates waiting! Lee cringed in fear for what was about to happen.


"Sasuke-kun!" She called out to him as she tightened her hold around the horse's neck. Sasuke was riding the horse faster than she could imagine or even tolerate. How long were they going to keep this up? Surely, they need a break. Sasuke needs rest as well. But when she looked over to see his feature, nothing about feeling tired was etched on it. Instead, there was determination. Determination for what?

"Hiya!" he pulled the straps to stop the horse. Sakura looked at their surrounding. There were in a clearing near a city. "Sasuke-kun?" she searched for him and found him to be on his own feet. "What are we doing here?"

Sasuke ran his hand in circles on his horse's long neck affectionately. "We're going to make an appearance in this city and a few others." He answered as they walked into the city which was buzzing with people scattered everywhere, minding their own business.

"But why? I'm already here right? I mean, I didn't go to with the Hyuuga's—"

"Exactly the point. Obviously, someone wants you marrying that Hyuuga Neji aside from the people involved in the contract." He answered as they walked about the city.

Sakura looked puzzled. "But, who?"

"I have a good hunch. But he's got a lot of people under his command. He organizes his strategies accordingly and executes them almost perfectly. If I have not meddled with each of his plan, you would have long been married off to that bastard Neji."

She scowls, "Don't call Neji-kun a bastard, Sasuke-kun! He actually let me go off last night peacefully. He even offered me a ride home," she trailed off as she lost balance and wiggled to her side. "Can I please get off now? I don't want to be on this thing!"

Sasuke smirked. "Shut up and enjoy the ride." He always loved to tease her, especially with her 'Horse issues'. Really, why would anyone be afraid of such creatures?

"Enjoy the ride? How can I enjoy this stupid ride when I know I can walk better by my two lovely—"

"Short."

"—legs." Emerald orbs widen. "Hey!" she pouted but decided to let it slip this time. As they walked into the heart of the city, people seem to recognize Sasuke's raven hair and his drop-dead gorgeous charm.

"Look! It's Sasuke-sama!"

"What? Uchiha Sasuke-dono?"

"Really? In the flesh?"

"As in, in this town right now?"

"Ah! Uchiha-sama indeed!"

"Sasuke-sama! We love you!"

Ah, of course, the girls with the flying hearts did not leave the picture. The attention they were getting was overwhelming. Sasuke is like a celebrity, no, more than that. He charmed the people with just simply walking past them.

"Let's go." Sakura heard him say before mounting on the horse and riding it as fast as he can again. After doing the same thing in three villages they stopped at the abandoned area in the deepest clearing in the training grounds of a seemingly deserted city. Finally, she dismounts from the horse.

"Where are we?" she unconsciously asked herself. Sasuke led his horse to a cabin with water and grass. He gestured her to come inside the cabin herself and she did. After doing so, Sasuke told her to enter a worn out cabinet. She was about to retaliate when he pushed her as he followed right beside her.

To her surprise, the worn out cabinet is a secret passage to a hidden shelter underground. It was small yet reasonable. There was only one bed, good for two people. Beside the bed was a shelf of food and drinks. "Are these safe?"

"Yes." Sasuke told her.

Under the bed was a circular carpet which was colored blue with silver dragon patterns all over it. In front of the bed was a small table with wooden chairs. And that was just about everything. It was really just for emergency usage only. Perhaps a shelter for a family during war.

"Naruto and I discovered this place years ago. Whenever we need to go and hide, we always come here." Sasuke said as if answering Sakura's supposed to be question.

"But why are we here? Why are we hiding?"

Sasuke took a sat on the wooden chair. "You heard what Naruto said; he doesn't want you marrying Neji and neither do I."

"Back there, on the village, the appearances that we made. What about those?"

Sasuke closed his eyes. "It's our decoy. It'll give us at least twelve hours or less to…" he trailed off. She waited for his continuation but it seemed like he wasn't going to continue his sentence.

"Sasuke-kun! At least give me some credit here and tell me what's going on." She pleaded.

Sakura grunted. "Please, I need to know! I am involved in this!"

"Sasuke-kun!"

He sighed and leaned back on the table. "Remember about the thing I said about you being pregnant?"

"Yes…" she blushed. "Why?"

"When I uttered those words, they were not true. Because I know for sure that they won't allow you to wed that bastard if they knew an Uchiha heir is forming on your womb." Sasuke begun to explain, obviously not feeling comfortable about the conversation. However Sakura suddenly remembered what Itachi told her.

"My father wont allow your unborn baby be deemed of the honorable name of the Uchiha. That twerp inside of you has an Uchiha blood in its forming body. And for the other side, lets just say, they wont let go of their hold on you as well, Sakura.

"Thus, a feud between the Uchiha and the Hyuuga kingdom may erupt. If that didn't please them, both kingdoms will go on 'war-freak' mode."

Sasuke continued, "And I tried to make my words come to reality." He slightly blushed. "And then you ran away with that bastard, and I…" his blush deepened. "Assuming that they have found out that I was lying and bluffing, you'll automatically be wed to that bastard. From what the dobe said, they are going to conduct a pregnancy test on you. And since both I and Naruto doesn't want you to be wed with Neji…" he paused.

"You'll rape me?" she asked innocently. "Like last time?"

Sasuke glared at the ceiling, "I will," he couldn't stare at those green eyes. "If it's the only thing that'll keep you away from the Hyuuga's clutches."

Sakura stared at him for a few moments. "What if I'll just go and accept the marriage with Neji-kun? It's what my father wants for me." she watched intently as how his reaction changed from the uneasy face to the distraught and angry one.

"That'll never happen." He stated firmly. "They'll have to kill me first."

What was that flicker of emotion he just showed? Could it be?

"What if I'm in love with Neji-kun?" she asked, deciding to further.

There was a pause before he answered, "I'll erase your memory and lock you on a tower where nobody can save you." Interesting mind you got there, huh, Uchiha? "Besides, you'll die first before falling in love with that bastard." He smirked.

She seemed to ignore the insult on Neji. "What if I ran away? From both of you?"

She saw him clench his fist. "I'll hunt you down like some sort of animal. I'll search everywhere till I find you." Sakura who seemed to be lost and dazed with Sasuke's romantic words in its own way, found herself walking over to him. "And if I don't find you, I swear, my restless soul will and I will haunt you for the rest of your life."

She unconsciously asked, "What if I'm in love with you?" not that she minded her sudden question. "What will you do?"

Realization dawned in her; this was false hope after all. She got it all wrong. All wrong!

Sasuke says with the utmost innocence and purest tone she has ever heard. "I'll cherish you for the rest of eternity."

Birds chirped outside.

"What if we're in love with each other?"

"We'll elope, move to another place to start anew. And then we'll make lots and lots of babies until you're menopause." He turned to look at her face, which was a few inches apart from his. There seemed to be a glowing smile on his face.

She pouted. "Mou! Sasuke-kun! Don't tease me! It's not funny." She slumped and crossed her arms above her chest.

"Sakura," Sasuke called her.

"Hm?" she didn't look at him, but if she did, she'd see the seriousness and the tension on Sasuke's eyes. He looked at her eyes, ogling at her unique pink hair, drowning in her beauty, inhaling her warm presence.

"What if I'm in love with you?" he asked and Sakura twitched.

What would you do?

What would you say?


"Fugaku-dono! Fugaku-dono! News, sire!"

Fugaku turned around to see the messenger bow at him. "What is the news?" he looked over to Itachi and his wife who were abruptly listening as well. "Is it about Sasuke and Sakura?"

"Yes, sire." He bowed so low that it seemed like his spine was about to crack. "Sasuke-sama has been spotted."

"Where?"

"In a couple of cities in the heart of the kingdom, they have been seen in at least three villages, sire."

"I see." From the background, Itachi smirked. "What were they doing there?"

"It seems like they were shopping."

"Aa." Fugaku closed his eyes, thinking. "Then, there is no need for a search party anymore, is there?" he asked, not waiting for an answer.

Itachi smiled evilly. Clever, ototou, very clever.


"What if I'm in love with you?" Sasuke asked. And in that small room, his voice filled it, echoing, ringing again and again in Sakura's head.

What if I'm in love with you?

Sakura twitched. All of the hair in her body immediately stood up as if she'd seen a ghost.

You don't know what you're saying, Sasuke-kun…

She relaxed, took down a couple of deep breaths.

If you're in love with me…

Sakura smiled.

I'll…

"I'll be the happiest woman in the whole world."

A pregnant pause, hesitation in the air.

"Then," Sasuke started, "You'd understand and agree to have sex with me and bear my child." He sounded pleased and at the same time, oddly disturbed.

There was a moment when she thought he'd choke on his words, but she ignored it as she smiled at him and cupped his cheek. "You make it sound so un-romantic Sasuke-kun." Sasuke snorted. "But…I will agree to have sex with you…" she shook her head.

"But in one condition," she said firmly. Sasuke nodded. "Do it as if you're in love with me, Sasuke-kun. Pretend that you care." With hesitation first, Sasuke nodded nonetheless.

Sakura smiled sadly.

We won't have sex, darling…

We'll make love.


Purpleblush: This chapter has been POLISHED, I think. If ever I left out some grammatical errors and misspelled words, please do tell and I'll check it again. For the previous chapter, this scene:

"Itachi?"

"I have a proposition to offer…" he smirks.

--here, Itachi is actually talking to the Leech.