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General disclaimer applies. Warning - mature content.

Chapter Seven

Sasuke's POV:

Wisps of pink hair danced along pale, bare shoulders.

Green orbs stared distantly into the orchards of budding trees.

Slender fingers reached up to the silky stands of rosette hair that breezed into her eyes and brushed them carelessly away.

I watched every movement, every gesture.

I could hear the never-stopping pounding beat into my ears, the constant tempo ghosting my mind's thoughts as I observed Sakura from a safe distance. It was time. All these years, months, weeks I waited for this day. This moment. March 18th. Future Sakura's words chose this time to echo in my head, "That time… it was March 18th, exactly two months after I last saw you at the Sound base. That night… is the reason for Satoshi. Make sure it still is."

Future Sakura wanted this. I wanted this. It's for Satoshi. No, don't think of that right now. Sakura. It's…only Sakura right now. Would she want this?

I let out a steady breath and swallowed down the nerves that rested and shook in my chest. Mt heartbeat increased as I watched Sakura sigh and run a dainty hand through her short pink locks. My greedy eyes darted around her every move before I forcibly closed them and mentally swore.

I had been watching her for an hour now.

Move. Just go up to her and start. Talk. Say something. Move! MOVE!

Hesitation crept in and weighed heavily on my shoulders. I had envisioned this day for a long, long time. Now I felt like I didn't have enough time to plan this all out. What to say, what to do, how to act. Act? No, I couldn't act. Not like this…not for this. Plans. I had so many plans and ideas for what I would say to Sakura when this day finally came. More than one, a calm speech for whatever Sakura would say, however Sakura would react.

But they all faded away. It was too fake. Too planned. So much of this future Naruto and I were creating was planned and forewarned, scripted and deceitful. From Naruto leaving with me for Oto and tricking Orochimaru into training us both instead of just me. But Sakura…doesn't deserve to be lied to. Not when this single most important event revolves so completely around her. For her. All about her.

It's already different. So different. The way this meeting was supposed to go, the way Satoshi was supposed to be created. I had been consumed by the curse seal…and Sakura had been a victim. I inhaled sharply and fisted my hands, blocking out the searing memories my future self had made me privy to. I won't hurt Sakura. I'd never hurt her. All of this isn't just for Itachi.

It's for Sakura too. My most important person. My most important reason. The reason I made a suicide pact with Naruto, the reason I will return to Leaf, the reason that consumes so many thoughts, dreams, goals…the reason I'm standing here right now. But…the only question is…

What will she think?

I moved.

In the blink of an eye I appeared right in front of her. Black smoke dissipated, carried away by a light wind. I stood there, motionless.

Green eyes widened, followed by a small gasp and a stunned step back.

Onyx locked onto emerald and held fast.

"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura breathed, taking another tiny step away as arms moved up to her chest, as if to block an impending attack.

Hearing her say my name caused another reeling sense of unsteadiness, as if the very ground I stood on was shaking. Her bright green eyes stared at me in half wonder, half apprehension. I stared at her blankly, aware of the setting around us dulling in color as if it couldn't come up to par with her presence.

I had noticed it back at the sound base but standing right in front of her made it all the more clear. Sakura was beautiful. It was a younger version that had greeted my eyes at the Hokage office, when Naruto and I had arrived fifteen years into the future. The sight of her now was no less profound.

"Sakura…" The emotionless tone of my voice always slipped whenever I spoke to her now. From twelve to fifteen, that had never changed. "I need to talk to you."

"T…Talk to me…?" Sakura asked, as if she couldn't grasp the notion. Her voice was another thing that hadn't changed, as I had noticed in the future. "You made it clear in Oto that the time for talking is long gone."

I frowned as she slowly backed away and reached into a back pocket, pulling out black gloves that she quickly pulled on. I didn't make a move, opting to communicate that I didn't wish to fight.

"I disagree," I said calmly, "things have changed since I left you in Konoha."

"I know that," Sakura replied, her brilliant green eyes narrowing. "I'll show you some of those things!"

She disappeared from sight, bursting into cherry blossom petals. I stiffened, the meeting already going far, far off the one I had imagined and dodged a sudden right punch from Sakura as she emerged from the ground behind me. I turned around and swiftly grabbed the left fist that had been following her right one and tugged it towards me. She went forward, losing her footing before she kicked off the ground and flipped her body over mine in one great leap.

I lost my hold on her but quickly went forward, evading and blocking the numerous kicks and punches she sent my way before I grabbed her wrists and hooked a leg around hers so she couldn't escape. I fixed a steady stare onto hers, my black eyes darkening in warning.

"I only want to talk to you. I did not come here to fight you, Sakura." I stated harshly.

Sakura just tossed me a smile before she once again burst into her namesake of cherry blossom petals. The soft petals brushed my fingers that had been holding her before I slowly turned around, my black eyes bleeding to red.

"A genjutsu…" I murmured, scanning the surroundings with a distant frown. "Since the beginning it was a genjutsu."

"Correct." I heard Sakura's distant voice say. "You didn't think I wouldn't be able tell if you were watching me? I knew almost right away."

She's improved, I thought with a small scoff.

"Then why didn't you expose me sooner if you knew I was there all along?" I asked blankly, my eyes hunting for her familiar chakra pattern.

"I wanted to know your purpose." Sakura said as my eyes narrowed further. The way she was speaking made it sound like the direction of her voice was coming from everywhere, making it impossible to track her that way.

"Purpose?" I questioned, finally noting a small green chakra residue behind a nearby willow tree.

"It wasn't what I expected. How do I know you aren't here to kill me? Back at the base, it seemed you would have certainly done so. I'm not weak little Sakura anymore, Sasuke-kun. I don't wait in the background for someone to save me. So don't expect me to fall so easily…I'm stronger now. Much stronger." Sakura said, her tone hardening at the end.

I bit back a growl, "I told you I haven't come to fight you, much less kill you!" I eased up my tone, "I just want to talk."

I vanished from my spot as well and reappeared in front of Sakura's crouched form under the thick tree. Her green eyes shot up to mine in surprise, the kunai in her hand tightening in her grasp.

"And you should know Sakura…that you can't hide from me."

Sakura's eyes bore no fear or indecision as she stood up straight, a wary glare on her pale face.

"Where's Naruto?" She demanded, keeping the kunai in front of her chest as if it was a wall separating us.

Thrown off guard, I immediately answered. "Oto."

"I don't understand…" Sakura whispered faintly, her green orbs staring into mine unblinkingly. "Why, now of all times, do you suddenly want to talk to me? You never told me anything. Why should now, three years later, be any different?"

"Like I said…things have changed since I left you on that bench in Konoha. Things that concern you." I said clearly.

"After you left me on that bench…you mean after you and Naruto abandoned team seven! Kakashi-sempai…and me." Sakura said.

"It's…complex. You don't know the whole story." I murmured, trying to swerve the conversation around.

"Liar!" Sakura shouted angrily, her green eyes burning. "You and Naruto, together, left for Sound to obtain power. You both left Konoha and with it – team seven! No, you took team seven away! And…" at this part, her eyes watered, "you both never gave me a second thought!"

"That's not true." I swore lowly, taking a step forward.

She took a step back, raising her kunai in warning. "It is true. Kakashi-sempai and I did everything and anything to try to find you two. To bring you back home. I would have done anything…" She trailed off, shaking her head while keeping her eyes locked on mine. "I promised myself…I told myself I'd get stronger so when the day came that I'd see you again I'd ask why…"

A tear fell down her cheek, "…why you left me behind!"

A gloved punch aimed for my jaw made me jerk away in order to avoid it. Then another, followed by a series of hand seals that caused the grassy ground below me to shake and, suddenly, melted into a quicksand-like substance. I jumped away to avoid it and Sakura was right behind me, slower but she keeping up at the pace I set as we sped tree to tree.

"Take me seriously!" Sakura called out, gasping when I suddenly stopped and knocked away the slew of kunai that came from her direction. I turned around and watched as, like I had earlier summoned while running, two black snakes with red glowing eyes appeared on either side of Sakura and wrapped around her form in a second.

"Not too tightly," I warned, caused the summoned snakes to hiss in acknowledgement as I jumped back onto Sakura's branch, standing right in front of her bound form.

"I left you behind because at that point, our paths could no longer stay on the same road Sakura." I said, staring as she bowed her head so pink layers covered her face.

"And what merges them now?" Sakura whispered.

I looked away, trying to search for words that could pacify her. Words that could make her understand.

"…I need to make something clear to you." I finally said, waving a hand that caused the snakes binding her to burst into black smoke.

I took another step towards her, carefully so she wouldn't back away. She still didn't raise her gaze to meet mine. Swallowing and realizing that I'd have to make contact with her at some point, I reached out and captured her thin wrist in my hand again, backing away myself from taking her hand instead.

"What is that?" Sakura asked in a sad voice, tilting her head upwards to now look at me eye to eye, even though I towered over her now.

"Naruto and I…it wasn't planned. I never intended on taking Naruto with me to Oto. He made that decision on his own." I said sternly.

"I see…but still, a part of you knew, ever since Orochimaru gave you that curse seal, that you would leave for Oto for power. To complete your goal to kill your older brother…" Sakura returned.

I tensed at the mention of Itachi and looked away, silent.

"So I was right," Sakura said in response to my silence. She said it like she had expected it anyway.

"Hn…I was conflicted for a while. But a side of me did know that it could be my only choice."

She tore her wrist away from me. "There's always a choice! And Naruto…why did he…" She shook her head, "It isn't like him! What made him leave Konoha behind? I know Naruto! He would never betray his comrades; he would never willingly leave Konoha!"

"Naruto and I…just realized we both had things to ensure and exact in our futures. That we both needed power to do it…we're using Orochimaru for this purpose." I stated tonelessly.

"Using Orochimaru?" Sakura echoed.

"I don't plan on letting my body being taken over by Orochimaru. I never considered letting that happen."

"Then…why are you here now? If you're only using Orochimaru for power, you should know that soon he's planning to take over your body soon! And Naruto – why is he so desperate for power that he would sink to going to Oto?"

I scowled at her last words but forced it away. "Naruto and I have plans, Sakura. Soon, everything will make sense to you." At least the parts we'll tell people, thanks to the amnesty scroll. Because Naruto and I had already cemented with each other that we'd never let them all find out what really happened to us in the future.

Sakura and I wouldn't even be a possibility if she ever found out.

"Explain them to me now!" Sakura said, sounding hurt and at the same time, hopeful. "Do you mean that Naruto hasn't betrayed Konoha? Or that you two have something planned after you escape from Orochimaru?"

"There are things that we have planned…"

Sakura cut me off, "Does Uchiha Itachi have anything to do with it?"

"…Hai. The whole of Akatsuki, in fact." I said determinedly, trying to be careful about how much I let her know. I knew I had to give her as much as I could though…especially if I had to ensure Satoshi's existence this very day. It was all so delicate, as if I could ruin any chance with a simple word. And I could.

I have to sleep with Sakura. I looked up at the darkening sky as my throat went dry. Very, very soon actually. My fingers started shaking slightly. They wouldn't stop, no matter how hard I fisted my hands or shook it off.

"Tell me…" Sakura asked, reaching out to grab my hand. She lifted it and held it in-between her hands. "Let me help. I'm not weak anymore. I'm a medic-nin under Tsunade…come back home. Both of you…come back home with me and I'll help you in your plans…please…"

"I can't let you help."

"Why?" She pleaded, her voice bathed in emotion. She always was too expressive for a ninja. The fact that it didn't change from when she was twelve comforted me in a strange way.

I stared at my hand clasped between hers and wondered briefly if she could feel my hand shaking. With my free hand I reached out and brushed my fingers up her right arm, nervous, and planted my hand at the back of her neck. I pulled her forward so she crashed into my chest and held her there. Her hands hit against my torso and moved to grip my white haori.

"What…what are you doing…?" She asked, her whole body going still.

"I…I said before I wanted to make something clear to you…" I answered, low and deep next to her ear.

"Sasuke-kun…why did you seek me out?" Sakura asked with a shudder.

I fell silent once more, a long pause filling the gap of our words. My curse seal prickled, probably disturbed by the turbulence of emotions that I was suddenly having. It was a great change from my usual emotionless disposition. Only Sakura. Only for her.

"I want you to know something." I finally said. The pressure from my hand on her neck slightly increased.

"…Sasuke-kun…" I leaned down and breathed in her cherry blossom scent. This only calmed my nerves a little. Sakura was rigid in my arms. "What are you saying…?"

I turned my head to the side and stiffened for a moment, before I forced any reservations away and pressed my mouth to her left cheek. I felt and heard her breathe in quickly. The hands on my shirt left to grab my forearms instead. I stilled for a second, waiting for her reaction until I made another move. Above all, I hoped she didn't feel my shaking fingers at the nape of her neck…

Experience was something I did not have in this area. Besides that disgusting accident with Naruto I had never kissed anyone before. Even when I was twelve I always knew that Sakura would no doubt be the one, but even so it's not like we even had an understanding before I left. To go from nothing to everything would be more than difficult. No, it wasn't nothing. Sakura and I…there was something between us when I left. It had taken root since the first time I had heard her talk about Naruto and called her annoying.

There was always something between us, lurking just beneath the surface and skimming the air around us. A 'what if'. A 'what could'. A 'what will'.

"That night…when you said you loved me," at this, Sakura froze even more and bowed her head into my chest, "I want you to know that…Sakura, I want you to see something…to understand…" I grabbed her chin and forced her to look at me eye to eye again. Stormy black met teary green and stayed. I leaned down until I could feel her breath fanning against my lips…

I kissed her lightly, feeling her stiffen in my arms all the more. She let out a whimper-like sound and tightened her grip on my arms. I held myself there for a few more seconds than I intended to, unable to stop myself. She was so soft, so…Sakura. It was better than any conjured dream and tasted so real.

I finally pulled away and watched her now cloudy green eyes stare into my onyx ones. "Sakura…" I said lowly, not knowing why but saying it nonetheless. She wasn't reacting. She wasn't saying anything. Panic welled with stress underlining it but I hastily pushed it back down.

"Sakura," I repeated, placing my other hand at her hip.

"You came to tell me…that you - ," She broke off as I pressed my forehead against hers. A heavy blush coated her cheeks and her breathing quickened.

"Always." I whispered as my black eyes stared intently into hers. Trying to convey. Understand what I'm saying – she needs too, she needs to know but she can't know everything – she has to know what she causes, what I'd do for her. Everything. Since I was twelve, since she cried over me in Wave, since she stopped me in the chuunin forest, since she told me she loved me with all her heart.

Only her. Only Sakura. Give in. Fall in.

Her eyes widened.

I kissed her again before she could say anything.

I sank the hand at the back of her neck into her pink tresses, my hand at her hip moved to encircle her tiny waist. I pulled her against me, biting back a sudden groan at the feel of her pressed against me.

"Sasuke-kun," she choked out when I released her.

I sighed into her hair, not letting her go as I felt her shiver.

"What…did you say…" a distracted disbelief.

Pride was not an excuse in front of Sakura. Not for what my future self had done to her. Not for what I would be asking of her. Not for what I owed her. Everything. Anything.

I held her around the waist and lifted her off the ground. She shrieked in surprise before I jumped and landed easily on the forest ground. "I'm…asking a lot of you. But try to believe me. I need you to believe me right now."

"Why…" She asked, confusing swimming in her eyes. "This isn't like you…why do you look so…guilty? What's the matter…?" She looked down at the hands holding her waist and looked back up at me with a questioning look that now border-lined concerned. "Are you shaking…?"

"No," I said quickly, inwardly cursing myself as I dug my fingers into her hips on reflex.

"Sasuke-kun…" Sakura was now stepping away, pushing on my chest to let her go. I didn't.

"I want you to know that I plan to come back to Konoha." I said, my eyes burning into hers. "Naruto as well. After we're done, we're coming back to Konoha."

"You're serious…" she asked quietly and I nodded. "Sasuke-kun…you're not making any sense. You're scaring me…if you do want to come back to Konoha – then come back now! Right now! Come home with me…!"

When I shook my head her face fell, all remaining hope demolished.

"If you won't answer me why then tell me this! Why are you here, telling me everything you can't or won't say? Why did you kiss me…do you really…?" She broke off, unable to continue.

"I want to give you a reason." I said to her.

"A reason?" She repeated with a whisper. "For what?"

"To wait…I want to give you a reason to wait…" I moved forward till we were barely brushing each other once more. "…For me. I want you to wait for me. There was always something between us Sakura…we both know it. Wait for me, Sakura."

"Sasuke-kun…I -…you, you don't deserve me to wait for you! You left! And I offered to go with you, but you still knocked me out and left me! Yet you took Naruto with you. It's not fair – you can't ask me that!" Sakura declared, half shouting towards the end.

"It's your choice," I said heavily, "But know that I mean this, Sakura. Even when we were young…I always knew that if I was still alive...my path would meet yours again. It was bound to. Meant to, even."

Sakura was shaking her head again, backing away once more.

I continued, "You're still in love with me." I stated, low and piercing. She has to be, she said so when we were twelve, at Konoha's gates. Things like that don't change. They can't.

Her green eyes widened a fraction before she turned her back to me. My heartbeat once more become erratic – does she intend to leave? No, I can't let her leave!

"Of course I'm still in love with you…" she began, soft and hurt, "Matters of the heart don't go away that easily. I…I don't even think I could stop…" she trailed off, not wanting to finish her thought.

"Good," I breathed, nearly sighing in relief at what she said. "Stay that way. Wait."

I watched her shoulders start to shake. Slowly, I walked up to her till I was behind her. Suddenly the memory of when I said Thank you to Sakura near the gates of Konoha came back to me once more. We were in the same positions, Sakura and I. I knew she was thinking of that too, because she tensed.

"Sakura…" I whispered behind her, making sure she could hear me like she had that night. "Thank you… for waiting."

Because now I know she will. She didn't leave. That was enough of an answer.

I heard a muffled sound leave Sakura's lips before her knees buckled. She fell back into my arms, as I quickly wrapped them around her waist. My throat was dry again, because now my mind was muttering frantic orders that had to be done. I leaned down and kissed the base of her neck from behind her, all the way up to her jaw in a slow motion.

I turned her around in my arms and faced her, relived she wasn't crying. No, her eyes were only watery. I pulled her forward and dipped my head down again once again to her pink lips, deeper than last time. I pressed hard against them, running my tongue against her bottom lip to show her my intention. She parted her lips then, and suddenly our tongues were engaged. I rubbed mine with hers, going by instinct since I had no experience.

I nearly started when I felt one of her hands slide itself into my hair, running up through my black spikes. I pressed her even closer against me, gliding one of my hands up her back to her neck. Sleeping desires of the last three years took over any other train of thought at that moment. They awoke and left me at a standstill, on the cusp of everything I ever wanted.

Sakura.

A cloud had descended upon me then, covered in a mist of greens and pinks. The next thing I knew, I was pressing Sakura's back onto the forest ground, our kiss never ending, never breaking. Gasps of air were stolen seconds, scorned and wasted. Actions turned bold, braver because of her tiny moans that would catch in the back of her throat and the small shivers that shook her entire body every time my hand caressed a bit higher or lower…

I kissed down her neck once more, mixing teeth along with it as I left red marks. I paused at the junction of her shoulder and bit down hard, carried away by my actions, by her reactions. I sucked on the pale flesh, addicted to her soapy taste combined with her natural sweet sweat. A haze of cherry blossoms. Her fingers that had been brushing up and down my back stilled and clenched into my haori again.

"…Sasuke-kun…" Sakura managed, squirming under me restlessly. "Matte…"

I slid the hand that was rubbing circles on her hip down her thigh to her knee. She made another nervous sound. Her skirt and her shorts were now enemies of mine, useless and getting in the way. The same went for her red tank. I pushed one of my legs – that she was trapped in-between – against her bare one.

I pulled away from her neck. Dark satisfaction crept into me as I watched the red, almost blue mark that remained because of my efforts. I looked at her face then and met her wide eyes. She appeared a bit panicked. A pink blush stained her cheeks and her breathing was shallow, mimicking mine. I stared at her wordlessly for a few seconds before I shifted to press my cheek against hers.

This seemed to calm her, if only slightly. Her right hand that was fisted in the white material of my shirt ghosted up my back once more and stopped at the back of my neck. After what felt like a deliberate beat, she placed her warm palm over my curse seal.

I instantly stiffened in her arms, wondering what she was doing. Sakura traced her fingertips along the curse seal, making it prickle and causing odd tremors to wrack there way down my spine. I felt like ripping her hand away on instinct but even so, I let her do as she wished.

"…Does it still pain you?" She asked, her soft voice barely a whisper.

"No." I answered tersely. The curse seal was the furthest thing from my mind right now.

Then her hand finally stopped tracing it and instead she pushed up from the ground with her free hand and leaned over. I shuddered into her when she pressed her lips against the curse seal.

"I'm glad." She distantly answered.

I stared at her as she wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me down. Our lips met once more, like magnets, and again we were in a struggle for dominance that she always seemed to let me win. When we broke away I was already attacking her collarbone, moving downer while my searched and found the zipper of her red tank. Without a pause of hesitation this time, I pulled it down. I continued kissing down her chest, in-between her breasts and down her flat belly. One hand with gripping her thigh, the other pushing away the red tank till her arms had slipped free from it.

"…Sasu -," I cut her off when I sat up and took her with me, the sudden change in position throwing her off guard. I kissed her again – all possessiveness and want and terrible need leaking through the connection while my hand fumbled with her white bra.

Finally it had fallen away to the ground where it belonged. She squeaked and gasped all the more when I kissed her chest again, my left hand holding and squeezing the exposed soft, perky mound until I had surmised the right pressure. The pink hue on her face had traveled down to her neck now, making her look all the more like the flower she was named after. Even her flesh felt akin to petals, no, they shamed them even.

"Sakura," I groaned, dragging her against me. I tore off my white haori and laid it out on the ground behind her. For a second I was disgusted with myself that this setting of forest earth and wilderness had to be the one where Sakura and I…

I pushed it away. It couldn't be helped – though Sakura deserved a bed and a wedding gown and flowers and chiming bells.

She arched into me and all thoughts of bells and beds evaporated from my mind. The feel of our naked chest pressed together was more stimulating than I could have ever expected. My nether regions seemed to ache now, and on driven instinct I edged myself between her legs and grinded into her. "Sakura…" I half muttered, half moaned.

"Sasu…ke-kun…why don't we slow…slow down?" She asked dazedly. Her green eyes were dilated and her hands quivered as they moved down the planes of my chest and halted at my stomached, dangerously above the waistband of my pants.

I nuzzled her neck, purposefully ignoring her question as I moved downer to her belly once more. I burrowed my head into her stomach, licking and kissing my way up again to her breasts and continuing the pattern. My hands were rubbing her thighs, and at the fifth time I went all the way up to her black shorts that she wore under her skirt and yanked them down.

She dug her fingers so hard into my waist I could feel her nails break my skin. I dragged myself up to her head again. Now she was past panic. I pressed our foreheads together and kissed her chastely on the lips. I mouthed her name against her lips and groaned again when I felt my hardened manhood rub against her exposed thigh.

I hugged her so tightly against me I could feel her pounding heart next to mine. Merging. Meeting. The fingers that had been dug into my waist left and slipped into the waistband of my black pants. There was a lapse in time and a shuddering sigh from the tiny pink girl crushed beneath me before she began to pull them down, along with the black boxers I wore underneath.

I said her name again, a depraved sounding mantra when I felt myself touch the soft skin of her inner thigh. Temptation. Longing. Want. Guilt. All the darker emotions and needs combined and pushed through, breaking free from the usual ice hold that shielded them all.

Vivid green met black again and I swore she saw what I was trying to say. She kissed me again, long and deep and so light and gentle that it almost tore me apart. Her lips were bruised and red, her eyes loving and mirroring her own desire that she held for the boy that owned her heart.

I carefully pushed away her panties, pulling them to the side and bunching up her skirt in one fist. My pants and boxers were at my knees now; I was hovering over her with an intensity I had never felt before. Only her. Only Sakura.

Acceptance leveled into her eyes and she smiled. Just like the ones she used to reserve for only me when we were twelve.

I choked out her name again, this time it felt like with just her name I was speaking promises to her. Unspoken. Unsaid. But there all the same.

"Sakura."

I leaned down and bit back another groan when she wrapped her smooth legs around my waist, my manhood brushing her belly for a second before I adjusted myself. I placed one hand at her hip, the other at the nape of her neck. Closing my eyes, I entered her in one swift motion.

Her cry resounded in my ears, broken and pained. I immediately grounded to a halt, and, panicked myself that I had truly injured her, started pulling away but then she wrapped her arms around my neck and whispered, "Don't."

I didn't. I stayed still and waited. I couldn't stop myself from reveling in the feeling of being inside her, feeling her tight walls around me. It was all heat and bliss. Fighting against the instinct to move was easy enough when Sakura was hurt. I berated myself mentally, hating myself now more than I ever thought I could stomach –

Her legs tightened their hold around me.

I let out a deep moan, and held her tighter on reaction. I pulled my head away from her neck where I had buried my head and stared at her cautiously. Her emerald eyes were bright with pain, but she gave me another small smile and nodded. When I didn't move, she shifted her hips along mine again, making a circle-like movement that left me reeling.

I grabbed both of her hips then, not being able to take it anymore. I slowly pulled out of her and then sank myself back in. Repeating the motion at a slow pace until I heard her pained whimpers become breathless moans. I greedily watched her face, full of love and compassion and forgiveness and welled myself in it.

When she cried out at her climax, she said my name over and over. Sasuke-kun. That fed my lust too, because it unraveled my own release. I kissed her lips hard and brutally, pouring myself into her as our joined bodies and mingled breathes reached an earth shattering peak.

Sated and gasping, I rolled off of her and pulled her on top of me instead, so I wouldn't crush her with my weight. I sank my hand into her pink tresses and wrapped the other protectively around her waist, pressing her hard into me. I would never get enough of the feeling.

A craving for purely Sakura was now ingrained into my mind. Burned. I was already envisioning myself taking her again and again…

"I love you…"

I snapped my eyes open and looked at Sakura to see her staring at me through half-lidded eyes. She wore a faint smile again. Sakura reached over and placed a soft palm on my heated, sweaty cheek that had black spikes from my bangs matted to it.

"Always, no matter what you do…Sasuke-kun…I love you with all my heart." She promised, tears falling down her ethereal green eyes and dripping onto my bare chest.

"I'll come back for you. I promise. You have my word, Sakura…" I said, my voice sounding foreign to my ears, unused. "Don't cry…Sakura."

Stop. You can't cry. Please don't –

Unbidden flashes of the future self's memory tore into my mind again – Sakura's scared teary eyes, her shaking body, her terrified screams as he/I held her down with arms covered in the black marks of the activated curse seal, red and pink and frantic green -

"Sasuke-kun…"

I started and when I looked her in the eye again, I saw that she had closed them. Her pale skin glowed in the now moonlit night. Her breathing evened out until I was positive that sleep had claimed her. Exhaustion also tugged at my eyelids but I forced them to remain open when all I wanted to do was lie with Sakura and forget…and savor…

I sat up and carefully eased her into my arms so she wouldn't wake up. With slight difficulty, I managed to pull up my boxers and pants, and wrapped Sakura in my white haori for the moment. Even though I hated it, I placed her sleeping form under a genjutsu so I was sure she wouldn't wake up again. I refused to leave her out here though.

I dressed her quickly and with as much respect as I could give, even though I had seen her naked anyway. I collected her things and packed them away in her backpack and slung it over my shoulder. Then I picked her up bridal style, still wrapped in my haori and made my way at a maddened pace to Konoha.

From Wave, I arrived at the tall Leaf gates by midnight, masking my chakra all the while. I looked around and, wary of the guards, managed to sneak my way through with minimal difficulty. I didn't know whether Sakura was still living at home with her parents but that hardly concerned me now. After locating her familiar balcony that I knew lead to her room, I jumped on it quietly.

I pushed open the glass doors and flowing white curtains and set her down gently on her bed, unwrapping her from my haori and hastily pulling it on. I stared at her for a moment, longer than I should have given the circumstances. Giving in to greed once more, I leaned down and kissed her again, inhaling her scent with an aggravated sound that I had to leave.

I pulled away and walked to the glass door of her balcony before I could be tempted again. It had happened. By a miracle, Sakura and I…

Or maybe it wasn't at all like that. You knew she'd give into you. She always does. She would do anything for you – she said so herself.

I didn't acknowledge those string of thoughts, for more my benefit than anything else. I had come to Sakura tonight with a duty, a purpose. And…it came true. I looked back at her, so amazed at the prospect that I found myself walking over to her again and placing a hand on her stomach.

Tonight…Satoshi will exist because of tonight. Is she…already pregnant?

The thought dawned on me that Satoshi – that bratty twelve year old mirror image of me could already be taking form…

I nearly smirked but shook it off. The thought was more than a bit disturbing. I have an heir…Sakura gave me an heir…I've already revived the Uchiha clan…

But no. First things first. It was all according to plan. I'll kill Orochimaru, then Itachi, and along with Itachi Naruto and I will kill the rest of the Akatsuki, finishing off with Naruto's father – the Leader. Then, we'll return to Konoha with the aid of the amnesty scroll, I'll marry Sakura and Naruto will no doubt marry the Hyuga girl. Satoshi and Kenji will exist, Naruto will become the Hokage and I'll probably join ANBU and become captain.

It was a bit far-stretched, but why wouldn't it turn out this way? We had made too many sacrifices, experienced too much pain and hardship, and lost too much blood and years, for us not to have that. We will have those things. We have to. We deserve to.

Then, everything will have worked out. All our goals will be achieved.

And I'll have Sakura. For good.

I stared at the girl in question and brushed away some of her pink locks that fell on her forehead.

"Matte."

With that whispered word, I left.


Naruto's POV:

The sun was about to set, making red and purple clouds appear in the softly lit sky, the yellow sun diminishing as it began to make its daily decent.

I heard the barks of Akamaru nearby and heard Kiba calling the now huge mutt over, saying they were going for a walk.

Team Kurenai had been on this mission in Cloud for two weeks now, from what I could tell. Of course, it wasn't hard to figure out since it was a simple recon mission and Shino and Kiba had been discussing the facts about it earlier that morning. Even easier was finding them. After sending out sound-nin to scout and sniff around for any leaf-nin activity – it was easy to discern Team Kurenai from the other stats.

"Three ninja, one female the other two male and all wearing leaf headbands. One male has clan markings on his face and travels with a nin-dog, white in color. The other male wears a long coat and shades that covers his face, along with his high collar. The female has white eyes and dark hair – recon mission. They have been asking around Cloud villages for information on Akatsuki whereabouts. One of ours spies in the close-by import shops made us aware of this, Uzumaki-sama. Do they fit the profile you requested?"

They did. Perfectly in fact. It had been Sasuke's idea to start with, and although it had benefits, as soon as the sound-nin reported this much needed information to me within the week I had requested it…Sasuke had wasted no time separating their heads clean from their respective bodies.

We can't have them running to Orochimaru, Sasuke had said in a bland tone. It's less of a risk if they're dead.

Dead men speak no secrets.

"Do you want to go, Hinata-chan?" Kiba asked, cracking his knuckles with a grin on his face. "Just you and me and Akamaru!"

I instantly scowled. What the hell is Kiba saying?! No, implyingI knew I never liked that guy…

"No thanks, Kiba-kun. Gomen. I think I'll just set up the fire for tonight." Hinata said quietly as I mentally cheered. Go Hinata-chan! That's my girl!

Kiba looked disappointed but nodded nonetheless. "What about you, Shino?" He asked grudgingly, glancing over at the silent Shino standing at the opposite side of the wide clearing.

"…I think I'll join you." The bug-user said after a moment. "There are many insects this forests contains, more than I'll be able to explore in the time allotted to us. However, I think I can make a bit more progress to my research…" he muttered, the last part mostly to himself.

What a creepy guy.

"Suit yourself!" Kiba said with a wave to Hinata was they jumped up into the trees above them.

"We will be back soon, Hinata-chan. Then I'll assist you in preparing dinner." Shino said, giving her a curt nod.

"Stop sucking up to her, bug boy!" Kiba snorted, throwing his comrade a glare.

"It's called manners, Kiba," Shino said sounding like he was speaking to a child, "Learn some. Now, we'll head northward. Let's go."

"Hey, shut up!" Kiba shouted after Shino, who was already racing through the trees. "And I'm the one who's leading, baka! This is me and Akamaru's walk time!" Akamaru barked as the pair swiftly departed with another curse from Kiba, racing after Shino.

Hinata let out a little sigh as she watched them leave. "They'll never change." She said with a tiny shake of her head, a small fond smile curving her lips before she turned around and started preparing the logs for the fire.

Figuring now was the best time since Hinata was alone; I stepped out of the darkness into the campsite.

I had accidentally stepped on a twig on the way, causing a snap sound that made Hinata jerk her head up.

"Na…Naruto-kun…?" Her white eyes were wide and smothered in disbelief.

I took another step so the setting sun's light lit my face and watched her eyes watch me. I took in the sight of her – the long dark hair that tinted blue, the pure white of her eyes, her milky skin, the jacket she wore, and the expression of utter distress and hope that marred her face.

"Hina…Hinata-chan." I said, my forced calm voice held a twinge of nervousness.

Suddenly it was all too much. I watched her stand on trembling limbs and turned away and disappeared into a burst of smoke. Even when she cried out for me to stop – "No, NARUTO-KUN, WAIT!!!"

It was the first time I had heard her shout, yet at the same time my legs refused to obey.

I ran away.


It was past midnight now.

It's March 19th now.

My fingers tapped the wood floor below me as I laid on my futon, restlessly – anxiously – waiting for Sasuke's return from his trip to meet Sakura. Unsettling thoughts more than often jumbled and stumbled through my mind. Did it work out? He hasn't come back yet so does that mean it happened? If it did, I had to remind myself that was a good thing. For Satoshi.

The other hand though curled in a fist to punch the Teme, not believing that he had actually set out to sleep with Sakura-chan…even if it was part of the plan. Shrugging off the protective feeling for my sisterly teammate and past crush wasn't so easy. Humph.

But the pass of this day made another thing all too clear to me – my own pre-planned meeting with Hinata would be happening very, very soon. Too soon. I nearly gulped when I remember the earlier events of today – after all my effort of finding Hinata while she was on a mission was wasted! I couldn't even talk to her! I just… ran away!

If I can't even talk to her or mumble out a "Hey, Hinata-chan! Long time no see!" how the hell am I going to make her fall for me in a few weeks?!

I'm doomed. I don't have the history that Sasuke has with Sakura-chan. And Hinata-chan may have a crush on me, but that could have changed now that she thinks I'm a traitor to Leaf. On top of that, Sasuke has it easier because Sakura-chan's actually in love with him!

Hinata-chan barely knows me!

I pounded the ground with my clenched fist in aggravation.

Just then, the door swung open and what could only have been Sasuke walked in. I sat up instantly.

His hair was covering his eyes and his shirt look wrinkled and – it assaulted my keen nose like a tidal wave.

He was covered in Sakura-chan's scent.

So I guess it really did happen…

"Sasuke…" I started, not sure what to say.

Without a word, Sasuke walked across the room, grabbed a few things from his dresser, and proceeded into the bathroom. After a moment, I heard him turn the shower on and after a fifteen minute wait, he finally came back out. I was still sitting there in the same rigid position on my futon, eyeing him like a foreign object that had just waltzed into the room.

"Uh…" I scratched the back of my head when I say him, dressed in a black shirt and boxers now, sit down solemnly on his own futon. "How did it go?" I asked uneasily, watching his blank face almost nervously.

His black eyes moved away from the wall opposite him that he'd been burning a hole through and snapped to mine with a steady glare.

I gave him an awkward grin. This is uncomfortable…

"Sakura…" Sasuke said, and I inwardly noted the possessive way he said her name. Well, that aspect was more noticeable at least. Sasuke had been like that for a while now, ever since our trip to the future…and maybe a bit before if my suspicions are correct… "It happened. Sakura and I…we're together now. Or, at least, on hold. I asked her to wait. She is. She…will." Sasuke finished.

I stared at him for a minute. "So Satoshi's gonna - ,"

"Yes," snapped Sasuke. "Drop it, dobe."

"Well, excuse me teme!" I said indignantly, "I'm just worried about Sakura-chan!"

"She's fine," The Uchiha said tersely, "She's…going to be fine."

It sounded like he was trying to convince himself more than me.

I frowned, feeling a bit bad for him considering I'd be in the same position in the near future. If things work out.

"Sakura-chan wanted this, Sasuke. She asked you to ensure Satoshi's existence." I said, trying to cheer him up even if the words 'Sasuke' and 'cheer' simply did not go together.

Sasuke closed his eyes and nodded, not saying a word.

"Right…" I muttered, frowning again. "So…what was it like?"

Sasuke's glare could have killed me on the spot. I raised my hands in mock defense, "I'm only saying! Wouldn't you ask? Come on, already! Can't you give me a few pointers, at least? You're the one who should be grateful I'm not killing you for doing that to Sakura-chan!"

Sasuke scoffed, "It's none of your business what I do with Sakura."

"Yeah it is! I'm her best friend and favorite teammate!" I said proudly, crossing my arms.

Sasuke snorted at that, "No you aren't, you're just the dobe she puts up with and scolds from time to time."

"Am not!" I shouted, insulted.

Sasuke just smirked and looked away, muttering things like "deluded" and "baka."

I grinned, knowing I had at least eased up some of Sasuke's bad mood. Jeez, you'd think the guy would loosen up considering what he did. Then again…I guess it'd be a lot of pressures, knowing you were creating your future son while trying to get through to Sakura-chan in one go.

I winced.

"So…" I said after a pause, "Do you have any advice?"

"…Dobe." He cursed, laying on his futon and giving me his back. From that point on, no other sound was emitted from the stoic Uchiha.

In a few short weeks… Hinata and I…

I laid back on my own futon, shutting my eyes closed as my imagination went into overload off all the terrible and unforeseen things that could happen on that night. If could never happen and Kenji would never exist. It would be all my fault. All my attempts to meet her could all turn out in vain.

For now, I'll just have to wait and see.


A/N: Woot, that was LONG. What a monster. (smirks) please review!

TWITCH AND SPAZ