Prayer of the Refugee
Chapter 7
Die by the blade or live by her heart, a warrior's decision
Sakura woke with a start, her eyes flying open. She was warm under the thick blankets, but she was alone. Her mind struggled to remember where she was, and then it hit her. She was in Takashi's room. They'd slept next to each other the previous night, but now she was alone.
"Takashi?" She called, lifting her body a little of the mattress. He wasn't in the small room anymore, but she knew he hadn't left her. His sandals and belt lay in the floor where he left them the previous night, and his sword was still resting upright in the crevice between the bookcase and the wall to her right. The L.E.D lights of his clock showed the time to be seven thirty in the morning.
As she moved the blankets were disturbed and she caught a whiff of his scent off them. She lay back down, burying her face in the pillow and inhaling deeply. She sighed contentedly as she pulled the heavy blankets back over her body. She saw no reason why she couldn't sleep in, so she allowed the warmth enveloped her and soon she was drifting again, her consciousness slowly ebbing away.
Her mind drifted to the previous day, and the heavenly time she spent with her love. The place was absolutely gorgeous, and she'd loved the time she'd spent with him. For the first time nothing dark had hung over them. There was nothing to worry about in that moment. The final, climactic battle with Kaitsu seemed so far away to them. She had succeeded in memorizing every detail of that day: the sights, the smells, the way the rainbow formed from the waterfall, the way his eyes looked in the burning light of the setting sun. If that was the last time she got to be with him in a truly peaceful setting, she wanted to remember every detail of it.
Eventually her mind clouded and she allowed her mind to blank as sleep finally overtook her.
"Takashi…" She mumbled unconsciously as she drifted.
Takashi stepped through the small door, a grimace etched onto his face at the heavy rain.
"If it keeps raining like this it will flood in the lower districts." He mumbled. He wasn't wearing his shirt, and was covered by fresh, white bandages. There were far fewer than before, having healed all the injuries he could reach himself. They only covered his mid-torso now. His long hair was loose and shone damp in the dim light.
A smile spread on his face as he saw her, curled up in his bed asleep with a serene look on her face. Her breaths were deep and even, unsettling the stray bangs that had fallen into her face as she slept. Good, her dreams were untroubled. That was always good new to him. He knew that before, just three short days ago, she would've be writhing, moaning his name with tears streaking down her face. She'd wake up screaming; screaming for him not to go, begging him to stay, or screaming for him to come back to her, to be with her again. The thought made a wave of nausea spill over him as his smile turned into a look of deep sadness and pain
He was the one who'd torn her heart out. He was the man who'd broken her. It was his fault she'd woken up every night screaming for the last eight months. It was his fault that she couldn't go a second without having her mind and soul consumed by the excruciating pain of loss. Takashi might have well have ripped it out and crushed it in his hands. A hole was left where her love for him had once been. It was a gaping, bleeding void that seemed to go on and on. Even though he'd started to heal her wounded heart, the damage could never be completely undone, and he knew it.
He felt a tear slide down his face, and he wiped it away with the back of his right hand. Sakura was stirring now, and he was pulling his long sleeve, tight black shirt over his head when her eyes opened. Her green orbs opened slowly, and when they caught sight of him, she grinned.
She sat up sleepily, her legs folded and sticking out towards the end of the bed, her right hand holding her up, and wiped the sleep from her eyes, giving a soft yawn. One of the straps to her tank top had fallen from her shoulder and her hair was messy; stray strands of bubblegum pink poking out in random directions.
"Good morning, my love." He said in a loving tone as he leaned down to kiss her deeply. When he pulled away she was smiling softly at him. She ran her hands through his now dry hair, loving the feel of the silk-like strands.
"Good morning, Tashi-kun." She said.
"How'd you sleep?" He asked. He stood up and grabbed his belt, feeding the thick leather through his pants as he spoke. She almost whimpered when he pulled his long dark hair up into its low ponytail.
"Great!" She said; her arms lifted above her head and her fingers interlocked as she stretched her gorgeous body. She stood, preparing to roll up the futon when he put his hand up to stop her. "What is it?" She asked.
"I've already had my shower for the day, and I'm sure you want one. Why don't you go get your things from your room and I'll get the fire going for you?" He asked with a soft grin. She pouted at him.
"Are you saying that I stink?" She asked; her arms folded across her chest.
"Not at all, I just thought you'd want to get a shower before we left." He said in an amused tone. Her eyebrow quirked as he spoke those last few words.
"Where are we going?" She asked. Her voice hid her paranoia, but it didn't stop the white hot flash of fear and mild hysteria that coursed through her.
"Kakashi and I are going to spar. My ninjutsu, genjutsu, and kenjutsu are all above average, but my taijuutsu us a little rusty. . I've been using ken for so long it seems that my skill in that area has grown a little lax." He said with that soft smile. Sakura was greatly relieved. He was going to train, but he was taking her with him. He wasn't leaving her again. The thought suddenly seemed so irrational to her. He'd sworn to never leave her again, so why was she so ready to believe he was about to?
Sakura pulled on one of his dark blue yukata and left the room. Her footfalls were no more than soft thumps on the wood as she hurried around the walkway to her room. Once inside she walked over and grabbed the beaded bag that contained her bath supplies. She smiled as she exited the room into the warm spring morning. It was pouring rain, and she wondered vaguely if they were going to train in the rain.
She opened the door to find Takashi standing there waiting for her, a smile on his face.
"The water's ready for you." He said.
"So why are you blocking my way?" She asked, already knowing the answer. He grinned and reached his arm around her back. She got the hint and wrapped her arms around his neck as he bent and slung his arms below her knees, lifting her off her feet.
Sakura didn't mind the man-handling at all as he jumped the gap between the small overhang under the doorway to the open door of the bath house in about a second, the drops barely hitting them he moved so fast. He set her down and turned to leave, but she caught his hand.
"It's raining." She mumbled. He laughed.
"I don't think I'll be getting very wet." He said, turning again.
"Wait!" She said, tugging him back.
"What is it, Sakura-chan?" He asked. She saw the concern in his golden eyes, and she turned suddenly.
"Um… I want you to stay." She said in a barely audible voice. His eyebrow quirked as she spoke.
"Excuse me?" He said in an amused tone. This was interesting, that was for sure.
"I just… I don't feel right without you near me." She said. She turned to face him as she spoke. Tears sparkled in her eyes.
His look softened instantly as he pulled her into his arms.
"My love, it wouldn't be very wise for me to stay in here with you while you're naked. As much as I want to, I don't think I'd be able to control myself." He whispered with a wicked grin. "But don't worry, love, I'll be right outside, under that window." He said as he lovingly stroked her cheek with his fingertips. Sakura sighed against him and tilted her head up to allow him to kiss her, and kiss her he did. It wasn't long before she was whimpering against him again, and, despite her hardest efforts to control it, her leg rose into the air of its own accord. She growled angrily but they continued the deep kiss, only breaking when the need for air demanded it.
He smiled softly at her as she returned her leg to the floor, and she scowled. He laughed and turned, leaving her to her own devices as he closed the door behind himself.
Sakura stood there for almost a full minute before she turned and began to strip off her clothes. After she was rid of her clothing she added the sweet smelling oils to the bath and got in, moaning delectably as the hot water hit her skin.
Takashi, who was now standing under the small bit of overhang next to the window, shuddered at the sound. Even though he'd sworn to wait for her, he was still a man after all.
"Takashi?" She called nervously.
"Yes?" His voice came through the high window. She sighed in relief.
"Oh, it's nothing. I just wanted to make sure you were there." She said. Her head rested on her knees while her arms wrapped around her legs.
"You thought I'd leave?" He asked. She scowled at the amusement she heard in his voice.
"Asshole…" She mumbled. She dipped her head under the water and pulled it back out, smoothing her hair back over her shoulder. A soft sigh escaped her as she returned to her previous position. Her tensed muscles began to relax, and she shrugged her shoulders as her right hand rubbed the back of her neck, helping to loosen the knots in her muscles. "Tashi-kun, are you there?" She called.
"Yes, what is it, Sakura-chan?"
"I was just wondering… After you kill him, what are you going to do then?" She asked weakly. She winced at his heavy sigh.
"God willing I'll go back to Konoha and spend the rest of my days with you." He said darkly. His arms crossed behind his head as he spoke. "But I cannot promise you I'll live through this, Sakura. I think I can defeat him now, but it may not be enough." He added after a long pause. "Sakura, I might not be able to defeat him."
A long silence followed his words. Sakura didn't notice the tears that now streamed down her face. She didn't notice her muffled cry of anguish. He really didn't think he'd survive. Her mind was racing. Could he really die? Would he really not come back to her?
She didn't hear him call her name, or hear the door open a second later. She didn't notice him practically materializing next to her with his sheer speed. She didn't even know he was in the room until he wrapped her in his arms, holding her in a crushing embrace.
"Are you alright?" He asked; concern evident in his voice and expression. She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his chest and cried. "Sakura, what is it?" He asked, his eyes searching her visible features (which were only her shoulders up, for all you perverts out there) for any sign of injury. She started to beat his chest weakly as she cried.
"You can't die!" She sobbed. His eyes softened and he held her close. "You can't die… I can't live without you…. YOU CAN'T DIE!!" She yelled. She glared at him, her eyes red and swelled from crying. Her heart broke at his expression. It was one of pure anguish and regret. Takashi's eyes darkened and Sakura cried harder at the pain she saw. She broke her gaze, unable to look him in the eyes. She buried her head into his chest and sobbed. Takashi's thumb and forefinger grasped her chin and gently lifted her head up. He leaned down and kissed her deeply. His arms wrapped around her tightly. Sakura whimpered into the kiss, and, despite herself, she kissed back. The simple show of affection seemed to calm her greatly, and to ease her fears, if only a little.
"Sakura," he whispered, "I cannot promise you that I'll live, but I'll do my best."
"That's not good enough!" She sobbed. He held her for a while, and after a while her tears slowed to a halt. "I'm sorry…" She whispered.
"Don't apologize to me." He whispered. "I don't deserve it."
He was smiling warmly at her when she pulled back. He pulled her back into his embrace and she was smiling too.
"Um…" she said into his chest after a while.
"Yes?"
"Can you get out so I can finish bathing?" She said, smirking evilly. He blushed heavily and got up, turning around. "Go on, get out you pervert!" She said playfully. He muttered an apology, his face stained crimson, and left the small wooden bath house. She smiled and began bathing herself. "So how'd you know I was crying?" She said in an apathetic voice. The soapy wash cloth felt good against her skin. Sakura loved bathing. It was always very calming to her.
"Believe it or not I sensed it. It's weird. The same thing happened the first night you came to this place, and that night in the forest. I don't know why, but I sense when you're in trouble. It's hardly ever happened on such a miniscule level, though." He said in a thoughtful tone.
"Oh."
She finished bathing in silence, pondering his words. He did seem to appear whenever she was in need. Especially when she was thinking of him, she realized. Maybe it had something to do with it. She didn't know. It seemed like every day since he'd come back into her life she learned something new about him. First that he really was in love with her, second that he was incredibly fast, and now he seemed to have a psychic connection to her! He was the strangest man she'd ever known, and the only one she couldn't live without. She'd thought Sasuke was the one, but now that she had Takashi, she knew what she felt for him was far beyond anything she'd ever felt for Sasuke.
Yes, it was strange, but the feelings she'd had for Sasuke seemed miniscule when compared for what she felt for Takashi. She'd loved Sasuke's physical attributes, but she could never have guessed at the madness that consumed him. No one could of. When it came to Takashi, there was so much more. Sasuke had wounded her when he left, but when Takashi left, even if it was to protect her, he'd ripped out a piece of her very soul. He was everything to her. He was her life, her light, her love; without him everything seemed dark.
She knew he felt the same way. She could see it in the pained expression she saw on his face mere minutes ago, and in the way he didn't just embrace her anymore. He would crush the pink haired girl against him and bury his head into the crook of her neck. She could see it in the way he would tremble unconsciously at night, moaning softly, begging for forgiveness. She'd seen it when he'd begged her to forgive him for leaving, and in the tears that had stained his normally gentle face.
It had been the first time she'd ever seen him cry, and the first time she'd ever seen him show so much emotion. The feeling was strange, now that she thought about it. He'd always seemed so stoic, so impenetrable. Then, barely seventy two hours ago, he cracked and the walls fell. He was open to her now, and all that came with it.
"Sakura-chan?" he called, his voice floating through the window.
"Yes?" She said after a moment. Large clumps of pink suds ran down her shoulders as she washed her hair. Her fingers combed expertly through the soft pink locks, removing the tangles.
"Are you alright? You've been quiet for a while now." He said. Sakura noticed the concern lingering in his voice.
"I'm fine, Tashi-kun. I was just relaxing." She said. A splash echoed in the small bathhouse as she dunked her head underwater and scrubbed the shampoo from her hair. She stood up in the tub slowly, relishing in the feel of the water sliding down her skin.
"Are you finished?"
"Yeah, I'm done." She called. She'd barely wrapped the towel around her body when he opened the door. "Hey!" She called, hurrying to cover herself. He merely smirked at her and began to gather her things, placing them into the beaded bag she carried with her. "What are you?" She began, but was silenced when he picked her up suddenly, lightly swinging her into his arms so he could carry her. He walked over to the door, Sakura in his arms and her bag around his wrist, and jumped.
He bridged the gap between the bath house and the door in less than a second, and Sakura didn't feel a single drop of rain touch them as he moved. He was grinning again, the bright smile stretching across his face. Sakura smiled warmly at him, her hand raised to lovingly caress his cheek. Her fingertips followed the line of his cheek bone, down to his jaw. They deviated from their current path suddenly, diving into his hair and pulling him down for a kiss.
When they broke, he was grinning. Sakura looked around and, to her mild surprise they were standing in the middle of her room.
"This is gonna take some getting used to." She said happily, grinning at him. He returned it with earnest and set her down. She turned to her dresser and he turned around obediently, allowing her to dress.
In truth, his mind was focused on the moments before, when he held her barely clad body in his arms. She felt warm against him, the heat from the bath water lingering. She smelled sweet, like strawberries, and it seem to endear her to him more. He loved everything about her, and would die for her in a second.
"So where are we going to train?" She said as she pulled on all her clothes. This time she dawned all of her gear. She was dressed for combat. When she turned to him he quirked an eyebrow at her. "What, you think I'm gonna let you have all the fun?" She said, smiling.
"No, I was just hoping you would sit out." He said with a grim smile. She stopped halfway in putting her hair up in a ponytail and gaped at the young, and, she couldn't help but think, devilishly handsome Uchiha before her.
"Why?" She said, anger reverberating in her seething tone. She suddenly felt chills run down her spine, and not pleasurable ones either. His eyes were hard and they glowed with that unmistakable demonic power that seemed to consume him. She took a step back without realizing it and bumped into the small dresser in her room. Fear flooded her senses and she wanted to scream as his aura filled the room, freezing the breath in her lungs. From the feel of the air alone she knew he was going to kill her.
As suddenly as the feeling had overtaken her, it was gone. His eyes softened and dimmed as he moved towards her. Her knees went weak and she felt them give out, but before she could even drop an inch she was clutched against him, the warmth of his body dispelling the gripping fear and dire cold that had flooded her.
"Sakura, I'm sorry, but I want you to stay with Kaoru while we train." He said. She looked up at him, horrified, and, to calm her, he ran his fingertips along the lines of her cheek, collar, and jaw bones. He caressed every bit of exposed flesh he could reach. "Don't be afraid. She's coming with us too. I assume she wants to make it a bit of an outing." He said with a low chuckle. His look hardened suddenly, and his face was stern. "I don't want you to train with us for a good reason." He said, taking her hand in his, raising it to his face to gently brush his lips across her knuckles. He turned her hand to cup his face, and she melted against him.
"Why?" She asked in a dumbfounded tone. Damn him to the deepest hell! As much as she wanted to yell at him, to hit him, she couldn't do anything. When he was this intimate with her, she could hardly breathe.
"Sakura…"
he began, his smile dark, "Do you really think you can keep up with
me?" He asked darkly. The dark haired man leaned in and kissed her
and she whimpered. She was losing this battle and she knew it. She
managed to find her will and pushed him away enough to where she
could speak.
"I'm not an invalid, Takashi Uchiha! I can take
care of myself!" She barked. This was annoying her; he was so damn
protective of her! Did he really think her that weak?
"I know that." He growled, and judging from how deep it was, she knew it was meant to end the argument. "But do you really think you're a match for me? Kakashi, maybe, and you'd be probably give Inubo a good workout but come now, Sakura. I'm stronger than you, faster than you, and I know, by far, more ways to take life than you do." He said. She scowled heavily at him. Cocky bastard, wasn't he?
"Oh, so now you're a god?" She said in an acidic tone.
"No. I just know that I could kill you with very little effort, and judging by your reaction when I just barely flared my aura, you know it as well." He growled. Sakura did know it. That thought had crossed her mind many times when she'd first met him. His eyes softened again and he pulled her against him. "Sakura, when I train, I use my full strength, and if you got hurt because of me…" He said darkly.
"But Takashi…" She started, but was silenced by the look of frustrated pain on his face.
"You don't understand, Sakura! I'm a different person in battle! I don't want you to have to stare that person down! Don't you see? I could kill you with the slightest exertion of my full power! You'd never even see it coming!" He said, practically begging her. "Please, just don't try to spar with us. If you got hurt…" He trailed off. His head was bowed, and in the dim light, Sakura saw the tears begin to fall.
She wrapped her arms tighter against him, holding him close. He was really agonizing over this wasn't he? Was he serious? Would he, even if accidentally, hurt her? No, she knew he was physically incapable of hurting her, but he wasn't as sure as she was. He was terrified he'd end up killing her by accident.
"Shh, it's alright. If it matters so much to you, I'll stay out of it. I just hate to see you like this." She whispered. He pulled back from her, his head bowed.
"Forgive me… I'm so weak…" He whispered; his tone seething as he said those last three words.
"What?" She asked, shocked. "You are not weak! You're the most powerful person I've ever met! I envy your strength. And let me tell you something…" She said, her tone turning from hard to soft as she lifted his chin with her fore and middle fingers. "It takes real strength to open your self to someone. If you really were weak, you wouldn't have come back to me. You wouldn't have opened your heart to me, Takashi."
His head rose and his now dry eyes locked with hers. In seconds his lips were upon hers, moving softly in tune with them. Sakura whimpered into the kiss and ran her fingers through his hair, once again wrecking his ponytail. Takashi's arms slipped down from around her shoulders down to her waist, effectively pinning her left arm between them as he kissed her senseless. His hands stopped at the small of her back, dipping under her shirts and caressing the smooth skin of her back. Sakura sighed into his touch and her hand rested on the back of his neck, holding him to her.
They parted, barely, as Kakashi cleared his throat loudly.
"Um, I hate to interrupt, but it seems the rain's finally lifted, and Kenshin wants to leave now." He said awkwardly. He left the room without another word, though Sakura swore she heard him mumbling about needing to remember to knock from now on.
Takashi laughed. It was light and happy, like in the clearing the previous day, and it made her smile. His eyes locked with hers again, and once again, she was absorbed by the bright, but placid, gold.
"Thank you, Sakura." He whispered, leaning in for another long kiss. When they broke he lifted them up off the floor and Sakura finished fixing her hair. When she was done she walked over to him. He was fixing his ponytail, an annoyed expression on his face. "That's getting annoying." He said playfully, and she realized it was just an act. She poked him in the ribs as she walked out of the room. "Ouch." He said sarcastically. She turned around and stuck her tongue out at him and he laughed again.
It had finally stopped raining, and the sun was visible in the gaps between the docile gray clouds. Heavy drops of water fell from the trees, splashing to the ground with a light tapping sound. A cool breeze had blown down from the mountains, and both of them reveled in the cool wind on their skin.
Kaoru and the others were waiting for them at the gate to the small dojo. Kaoru was smiling brightly, Kenji held in her arms. Kenshin was smiling as well, but his was grim, knowing the violence to come. Even if they were just training, Kenshin Himura detested violence.
Kakashi was standing against the column supporting the gate, his book open. His eyes danced idly across the page, but she could tell he was nervous. The copy ninja tensed unnoticeably (except to her trained eyes, she's a medical officer, after all) as Takashi approached. Their eyes locked and he gave Takashi a grim smile before turning away from them and heading down the lane. He stopped by Inubo and whispered something. Inubo himself still refused to look at Takashi, deciding that studying the clouds would be a better use of his time.
Takashi's jaw was set as they began the long walk towards the gate. Kenji was playing happily in his stroller as Kenshin pushed him. He and Kaoru were talking aimlessly over such meaningless topics as the weather, what they would be having later that afternoon. Takashi had elected to carry the picnic basket along the long journey. It swayed slightly as he walked, his long stride shifting the contents unnoticeably. Inubo and Kakashi stayed behind the group, Inubo continuing to look at the clouds ahead of the aimlessly and Kakashi resigned to his book.
Sakura was studying the appearance of the city. It was the same as usual; a town that looked like it had been rapidly modernized, yet still held the look of an ancient city in some way. The modernization had been so rapid that parts of the city had fallen into disarray and been abandoned. This was demonstrated in the outer sections of the city, where few inhabitants remained. Most of the buildings were abandoned. The warehouse where they'd taken refuge that first night within the city walls was one such building.
It took a while for them to reach the city walls, and she noticed Kakashi and Inubo hadn't concealed themselves. Her eyes snapped to Takashi, an alarmed look on her face, but he merely quirked an eyebrow at her. The guards appeared to them, wearing black gi and white hakama. They dressed just like Takashi used to, she realized.
"These men are still our allies." Takashi said softly, his tone low so only she could hear him. "They are of the very few men left in this city who believe in justice, who haven't fallen under Kaitsu's mad will." He added darkly. The men seemed to recognize them, and although none actually saluted, there were several nods of acknowledgement. Takashi smiled grimly. "These men are willing to die to aid us. It seems that Kaitsu hasn't kept our destined battle a secret. If Kaitsu does move against the government and start a new revolution, these men will fight against him along side us."
For a long time they all walked in silence. It felt like an eternity, even though it was probably only ten or twenty minutes. They were now well past the gate and deep into the countryside. Fields lay to their right on the road, and the massive, sprawling forest lined the road to their right.
Sakura began to hum lowly, and Kaoru managed to strike up a conversation with Kenshin. Inubo and Kakashi were ahead of them, as Takashi and Sakura were walking a ways back from the rest of the group. Kakashi and Inubo were talking animatedly about something, and Sakura suspected they were trying to come up with a way to compensate for Takashi's intense speed. She highly doubted they could. Takashi was insanely fast; even if Kaoru had told them about his speed, she doubted he was moving as fast as he had when he carried her to that beautiful place.
Sakura hadn't noticed when they'd turned down a path to their right. She'd interlocked the fingers of her left hand with Takashi's right, and her right arm was raised, gently gripping his so that he was leading her. She was so absorbed in her own thoughts that she didn't notice when they'd arrived at their destination.
"We're here, my love." He whispered in her ear. Her attention returned. They were standing on the edge of a wide field. It was surrounded on all sides by the dense forest. At the end of the field was a rundown building. It looked like an old dojo, but, by the looks of it, it had long been devoid of occupants.
"Where are we?" She asked.
"This is where Kenshin trained me for the first time. This was the first place I called home after the massacre." He said darkly. She looked at him, her face full of concern. She knew he didn't like to bring up the time before the massacre up to four years ago. "Kenshin and Kaoru moved into the city when Kaoru found out she was pregnant and ever since the old dojo's been empty. Kenshin and I still use this field as a training area though." He added. Their conversation was broken by a loud sigh from Kaoru. She'd thrown out a blanket on the ground in the shadow of the trees.
The sun had finally broken through the clouds, making the temperature rise. Sakura could hear birds chirping all around them. Kaoru freed Kenji from his prison of the stroller and set the young boy on the blanket with an assorted array of toys. He giggled happily as he played.
"It's so nice to get out of the house for once!" Kaoru said happily. Her arms lifted above her head as she stretched. She was wearing a pair of jeans and a white tank top, along with shinobi sandals. Sakura fanned herself a little. It was humid, but the breeze didn't make it so bad. Still, she removed her blue cover shirt and gloves, along with her kunai holsters and pouches. She couldn't help but grimace at Takashi's grateful expression. He knew that it was her consent not to fight.
He turned and he and the other men began to cross the field. He turned back to her and smiled, and before Sakura realized she was moving she was running towards him. He caught her easily in his arms and leaned down and kissed her. She pulled back and he was looking at her with a concerned expression.
"Please, be careful." She whispered. He held her tight against her, smiling warmly at her.
"Don't worry, my love. I'll be fine." He whispered reassuringly. She sighed into his chest.
"I know… But I'm still allowed to worry, aren't I?" She said. He raised her face to look into her eyes before he kissed her again. When he pulled back, he was grinning.
"Of course, but they'll never touch me." He said; his grin widening as he spoke. She nodded and gave him a weary smile before returning to the shadow of the trees. Sakura plopped down on the blanket beside Kaoru, her arms and legs folded; a scowl on her face.
Kaoru looked over to her and, seeing her expression, laughed lightly. Kenji looked up momentarily from his toys at the noise, but returned to playing and giggling happily. Sakura glared at her incredulously, and Kaoru smiled softly.
"He only does it because he doesn't want you to get hurt." She said idly as she rummaged through the picnic basket, pulling out two bottles of water. She tossed one to her, and Sakura caught it, contemplating tossing it to the side in anger. That's when realization hit her, along with a growl from her stomach. She hadn't had a bit to eat or a single drop to drink all day. She almost ripped the cap off the water and drank it down in several gulps, almost moaning as the cool water hit her throat, sending a pleasurable sensation throughout her chest as it went down. "Thirsty, are we?" Kaoru asked, laughing behind her hand. Sakura blushed and turned her head away. "I'm just kidding, Sakura-chan, don't be so modest, geez." Kaoru said, handing her a rice ball. Sakura took it gratefully and ate it slowly, embarrassed. It was silent for about two minutes before Sakura remembered the real reason they were there. Her eyes shot in the direction the men had traveled, and she was astounded at what she saw.
Kenshin had shed his gi, revealing his thin frame. Kakashi had shed his vest and coat, wearing only a form fitting sleeveless black undershirt, and, of course, his mask. Inubo had shed his cloak, as well. All of the discarded garments lay in a pile to their left. She noticed all of their weapon holsters their as well, along with Kenshin's, and, having not noticed it before, Takashi's swords. Takashi was standing in the middle of the four, the other three forming a loose circle around him. Takashi was rigid and his eyes were closed. When they opened, she knew if she were close enough she would have screamed. The molten gold glowed angrily; in stark contrast with his now lose body. His legs didn't bend; he stood up straight as his hands balled into fists, both arms slightly bent.
"Well, here we go." She mumbled, mimicking her position in the tub earlier, her eyes glued to them.
"This is gonna be good." Kaoru said; her eyes just as intent on the scene as hers while one hand rested protectively beside Kenji. The small boy was toying with her fingers happily.
Takashi's eyes darted around. Kakashi and Kenshin were in his immediate sight, and he could fell Inubo behind him. His stance was loose and, to an untrained eye, seemed startlingly overconfident, but it was always how he preferred to face any enemy: Not bent or crouched; standing upright, facing his enemy without fear.
Kakashi
and Kenshin tensed. He could sense Inubo's movements behind him,
and easily ducked the high round house with blinding speed. Inubo
spun in the air, his Sharingan spinning angrily, and Takashi thrust
one leg out for momentum and brought his left fist up, catching the
unprepared Inubo in the stomach, sending the tall warrior
flying.
Takashi barely had time to regain his composure as Kenshin
and Kakashi were upon him in a second. They attacked from separate
sides, both charging, fists drawn back, but they were too slow. He
practically disappeared, rematerializing behind Kakashi and, grabbing
him by his shoulders, yanked him back. In one fluid motion he spun,
his outstretched left arm catching Kakashi squarely in the chest. The
white haired shinobi recovered easily, flipping back and launching
forward for an attack. He unleashed a round of punches, but Takashi
easily dodged most, parrying the rest with his right.
Kakashi smirked as Kenshin appeared behind Takashi. Takashi's eyes grew wide as Kenshin swung, the solid smack of his blow echoing in the small field. Kakashi took this chance and swung as well, another loud smack echoing throughout the area.
This time it was Takashi's turn to smirk. He'd caught Kakashi's fist in his right hand, while his left had swung around and bent behind his back to catch Kenshin's. It had worked, and now his body turned as his right hand closed over Kakashi's fist, allowing his arm to straighten and grip Kenshin's now trapped fist. With a burst of strength he pulled the two attackers into the air, spinning them with ease. Kakashi was released and sent crashing to the earth about seven yards away. Kenshin was released towards the sky, effectively crashing into Inubo, who was suspended in the air. Takashi appeared in the air before them, his body spinning as he delivered a powerful kick. Kakashi had recovered, and was about to launch himself forward when the other two came crashing into him, sending him slamming to the earth.
All of this transpired in about thirty seconds, and Sakura's eyes had barely been able to follow them. The three got up and regained fighting stances. This time Kakashi bent low, his arms crossed in front of his face. His headband had been long ago lifted, and his Sharingan was spinning menacingly. Inubo mimicked Takashi's stance with a smirk on his face. Kenshin's was the oddest, and yet, Takashi knew, the deadliest of them.
His knees were bent and spread far apart, his legs shifted, his stance now sideways. One arm was raised above his head, his palm open and elbow bent, the other held horizontally before him. His eyes were solid amber, and his gaze sent a chill down Takashi's spine.
Takashi acted first this time, but unfortunately his move was expected. He'd used his speed to get behind them, but Kenshin was already moving. Takashi recognized the swift strike, but was unable to block them from their speed. Kenshin's fists connected in a barrage of bone cracking punches. He brought his fist up from a low uppercut and caught Takashi in the jaw, lifting him off the ground. Takashi growled in frustration as Kenshin dropped to the ground, an upward kick sending Takashi flying.
Inubo and Kakashi were rapidly advancing on him, and he barely had time to react. His Sharingan activated and he contorted his body. His arm connected with Kakashi's jaw as his leg slammed into Inubo's abdomen. Takashi followed through with the attack, the force behind it sending Kakashi and Inubo spiraling away. His eyes rose just in time. Kenshin was mere seconds away, fist drawn back. Takashi once again spun in midair, smacking his sensei's fist away with his left as his hand slammed into Kenshin's face. The amber eyed warrior slammed to the ground so hard he skipped across the earth for almost twenty feet.
Even so, the master swordsmen wasn't defeated, and easily back flipped back onto his feat.
Takashi growled as he yet again contorted his body in mid-air to dodge Inubo. His punch would've caught him straight in the face if Takashi hadn't leaned back in time. Said swordsmen's foot rose, catching Inubo's jaw and sending him flying back. He spun to get his bearings, and saw Kakashi coming towards him.
He barely moved his body to block the attack, simply turning form the waist and outstretching his arm. His easily caught Kakashi's fist and swung the rest of his body into a full body roundhouse. His eyes grew wide when Kakashi raised his arm and blocked the kick.
"A trap?!" He thought viciously, just in time to fell Inubo's fist connect with his kidney. He arched his back involuntarily at the pain, his teeth gritted, and the copy ninja used his hand's newfound freedom to slam it into Takashi's stomach. Takashi doubled over in mid-air, only to cry out as Kenshin's downward kick slammed into his shoulder. He was sent barreling towards the ground.
Takashi recovered quickly enough to put out his arms and legs, landing on all fours before he spun away and to his feet. Inubo's knee slammed into the earth a moment later, exactly where Takashi had landed.
The demon of the shadows barely got a chance to breathe before Kakashi and Kenshin were upon him, unleashing full on barrages. He used his only advantage to evade them: his speed. He was able to dodge most of their attacks and deflect the rest, but the other two didn't seem to want to relent. In seconds Inubo joined in, and Takashi was on the verge of getting overwhelmed. The completely and purposefully sporadic barrages of punches and kicks sent him reeling away after every blocked attack, his Sharingan useless against their random strikes. They were all over him, refusing to let him gain or lose any ground.
Sakura was left dumbfounded at the speed and brutality of the three's unrelenting barrage. Kaoru was shocked. Kenshin had warned her that Inubo might get carried away by his anger at the young Uchiha, but Kakashi, and what about Kenshin? Then his words earlier on the journey to this place entered her mind.
"Kaoru, darling, we may get a little rough out there." He'd said. He'd frowned at her amused giggle. "I'm serious. I wouldn't be surprised if it got serious enough to leave injury. It may seem cruel," he added at her appalled expression, "but the only way to get him to wear he needs to be is to force him there." He'd said; his smile still there but dark and brooding, no longer happy and full of life.
"Takashi!" Sakura yelled as their speed suddenly rose to nearly three times what it was. They four were barely visible, mere blurs on the scenery behind them, as they battled. Grunts and growls filled the air, and suddenly one of the blurs went soaring away so fast there was no way he wasn't hit. It slammed into a tree, splintering the ancient oak. Sakura was about to scream as she practically jumped to her feet. "Takashi-kun?!" She screamed. She was a bit embarrassed by the wave of relief that spread through her as recognized Inubo's slumped form.
The silver haired warrior jumped up, taking off with a violent push of his legs back to the battle, an angry growl ripping from his throat.
Another loud crack echoed as Kakashi was sent flying back. He recovered, flipping back to his feet and sliding across the field before taking off back to the battle. Before he could return, there was a blast of wind.
Takashi had ducked down, spinning his body with a violent use of his muscles and spun into a mighty kick, sending Inubo and Kenshin flying back. Takashi all but disappeared as he moved, and he was on Inubo in seconds. His hands gripped Inubo's collar as they flew (he was still in the air when Takashi caught up to him) as his feet pressed down on his chest. With a vicious growled he kicked down. Inubo slammed into the ground, the earth blasting apart beneath him, debris sent flying across the field. Takashi used his momentum to go soaring towards Kakashi at a blinding speed, shifting his body to drop kick him squarely in the chest. The copy ninja slammed into the earth just a viciously as Inubo had. The ground cracked as he was all but planted into the dirt and stone.
Takashi turned in mid-air and his eyes began frantically searching for his ex-sensei. Kenshin had disappeared, and Takashi knew that with his speed, they should have run into each other by now. He touched down lightly and slid for a few feet, his momentum carrying the warrior a bit farther than intended.
Sakura was still on her feet, her mouth open slightly. This was incredible to her. He was so fast! They were all so damned fast! Although, it seemed to her Takashi had the advantage when it came to speed.
Kenshin appeared behind Takashi, dropped to one hand as he swung into a kick. Takashi jumped, narrowly avoiding the attack. He disappeared from everyone's sight and Sakura gasped. He was almost fifty feet above them, but Kakashi and Inubo were already on top of him.
Takashi blocked their attacks with a swift kick, sending Kakashi crashing back to the earth. Inubo dodged the kick and, a growl erupting from his throat, and he and Takashi almost completely disappeared.
Sakura could hear their grunts and yells as they battled. She could see their blurred forms when they reappeared, see the ground blasting apart with the intensity of the ferocious battle. One of the forms shot away suddenly, slamming into the trees so fast it took more than one down as it slammed into the dense forest. Dust and debris flew in all directions, and Sakura screamed. She screamed again when she saw Inubo standing in the middle of the field, smirking triumphantly.
"TAKASHI!!" She screamed; her voice hysterical. Her muscles tensed, preparing to propel her forward, to go to him, but she felt a hand on her arm. She whirled around and glared at the person holding her. She barely registered that Kakashi and Kenshin had left the fight. The only thing she could think about was Takashi. "LET ME GO!" She growled, struggling pointlessly against Kakashi's iron grip.
"Sakura, Takashi and Inubo need this. There's been unease between them since he left, and the only way this is ever going to be settled is if they settle it, here and now." Kakashi said. She could tell by his tone that he was serious.
Takashi appeared from behind the trees as a dark blur against the afternoon sun. Catching Inubo off guard, he slammed into him with such force that it carried them both all the way across the field. Inubo's feet dug into the earth as they practically flew across the desolate field. He'd caught Takashi's fist, barely, in his own. Both warriors' teeth were gritted and jaw's set as the growled angrily.
They crashed into the trees, the impact blasting the landscape into nothing but debris. The crater was almost three feet deep, and Takashi and Inubo were locked at the bottom, Takashi's fist trapped in Inubo's left hand, and Inubo's right hand locked in Takashi's left. Both were growling, amber and gold shinning malevolently as they struggled to overcome the other. Inubo raised his leg, forcing Takashi back with a swift knee to the stomach, but Takashi retaliated, slamming his forehead into Inubo's, sending his mind reeling. Takashi used it to his advantage, sinking his freed fist into Inubo's stomach. Inubo cried out, simultaneously kicking Takashi in the side so hard he was sent reeling back, barely stumbling to his feet as he fought for breath. Takashi growled, but was sent flying back by a sudden kick from Inubo. The attack had caught him dead in the chest, effectively removing his breath and sending him crashing back into the middle of the field. He was up in seconds, and everyone's eyes grew wide.
He was making hand seals; seals they all knew far too well. From within the trees there was a flash of light and Inubo leapt from the forest, his bow formed, and drew back in mid-air.
"NO!" Kakashi and Kenshin yelled simultaneously, diving forward, but it was too late. Inubo fired the arrow just as Takashi raised his arm, the massive chidori sending stray bolts of chakra through the air. One struck a tree just barely to their left, and before anyone could blink Kenshin was standing before Kaoru, who'd thrown herself over Kenji, with his arms thrown out. Takashi's body spun, giving the chidori its momentum, and just as his arm rose to Inubo, the two attacks connected.
The blast nearly knocked Sakura off her feet. She screamed as the gale force wind hit her, the air roaring in their ears. Bolts of chakra ripped apart the ground, and she heard Takashi yelling; whether out of pain or simple frustration, she didn't know.
"TAKASHI!" She screamed over the roar.
Takashi was barely holding Inubo's arrow at bay, the chidori still alight in his hand. He was growling viciously and yelling as the attack pushed him backwards. When he heard Sakura scream he regained his composure, and he tried desperately to divert the attack to the ground. But the force was too great, and the two attacks merely converged.
"NO, NO, NO!" He yelled. "I CAN'T STOP IT!"
His form was eclipsed by the intense light, and Sakura screamed for him.
The explosion was so intense it knocked them all off their feet, Sakura's and Kaoru's screams lost to the ragging wind. Stone and earth were sent flying in all directions as the blast ripped across the field. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the blast dissipated, and the last bits of stone fell to the ground. Sakura was up in seconds, nearly flying to the epicenter of the blast.
He was down on one knee, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he gasped for breath. His right hand was at the center of the nearly twenty foot wide crater, his fingers burned slightly from the intensity of the chakra. Sweat was rolling off his body in sheets from the exertion, and his eyes were wide with shock.
Inubo had landed almost thirty feet away, near the tree line. His bow disappeared with a flash of light, as he was almost as exhausted as Takashi was. That arrow was far more powerful than it should have been, than he meant it to be. He could've killed everyone there. If Takashi hadn't had the foresight to use the chidori…
Takashi glared at her when she put her hand on his shoulder, and Sakura back off instantly, stepping back almost four feet.
"Sakura?!" He said as if he'd just noticed it were her. He was on his feet in seconds, crushing her against him. Sakura pushed him back. "Are you?" He began, but she cut him off.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?!" She yelled. "You could've killed everyone!" She said. Before she could stop herself her hand connected with his face, the dull smack resounding in the now soundless clearing. Takashi stood there, dumb struck.
"But I…!" He began angrily, but before either could speak, Kenshin was between them, viciously slamming Takashi to the ground, an evil snarl ripping from him.
"YOU ENDANGERED MY FAMILY!" He growled demonically. The air was filled with Kenji's crying, and Sakura cried out, trying desperately to pull Kenshin off of Takashi, but he threw her off with a swift movement of his arm. Sakura fell to the ground, clutching her bruised arm. Takashi's aura suddenly flared and Kenshin dove back as if he was burned, landing close to the ground, growling. Takashi stood slowly, and Sakura couldn't help but think Kenshin had awoken a sleeping devil by his slow movement.
"Don't touch her!" Takashi said. His voice, unlike Kenshin's, was calm, but filled with unbridled rage. It echoed in his tone and in the dark aura that overwhelmed them. Sakura couldn't breath it was so intense, and when it didn't relent, she started to curl into a ball, trying to scream.
Takashi's body was tense, like a viper ready to lash out as he turned the full demonic power of his eyes on his former sensei. Kenshin pulled back ever so slightly, and suddenly Kaoru's voice filled the air.
"STOP IT!" She yelled, tears streaming down her face. Kenji was in her arm crying as she pointed to Sakura. Takashi's head snapped to the side, accidentally focusing his demonic eyes on Sakura.
Sakura saw them, and, in that one instant, she was truly terrified. Her body wouldn't move and she couldn't breathe or think. The only thing she could feel was the unbridled terror his gaze set in her. Her body shivered violently at the cold his aura brought.
Takashi was upon her in seconds, his aura evaporating as his eyes filled with tears. He crushed her against him as she sobbed violently, the ability to breathe only just now returning to her.
"Oh god, Sakura I'm so sorry… I didn't mean to… I… I… Oh god, forgive me!" He stammered as he crushed her against him. Kenshin was still glaring at him.
"Don't blame him…" Inubo said. "If he hadn't used the chidori I'd have killed you all." He said; his eyes glued to the ground. Kenshin rounded on him, murderous intent in his gaze.
"I SAID STOP!" Kaoru yelled. She'd walked over to them, Kenji still sniffing in her arms. "We all knew this could end up this serious. Let's just try and be civil now, for all our sakes." She said calmly.
"He put you in danger. He is no longer welcome in my home." Kenshin said; his tone dark.
"Kenshin?!" Kaoru said incredulously. "You are not going to kick him out into a violent city just because he got a little carried away!"
"But…"
"NO! This day has already gotten screwed up enough! Let's just try and enjoy the rest of it?" She begged. Kenshin's eyes softened at her tone.
"Very well, love. I guess we can go eat." He said; his warm smile back in place. He shot one more glare in Inubo's direction and followed Kaoru back over to their spot under the trees. He cast a questioning glance towards Takashi, and the Uchiha shook his head at him. He gave a look meant to be an apology before he, Inubo, and Kaoru all walked away towards the tree line.
"Sorry…" Inubo mumbled before following the others.
Sakura sobs had quieted now. She cried softly in his arms, her body curled into a haphazard ball. He gently ran his fingers through her hair, repeatedly mumbling his apology in her ear along with his soothing touches. She finally stopped crying after almost half an hour as she clutched him, her fingers digging into his chest. She could feel him laying soft kisses on her head, his fingertips gently stroking her collarbone. She leaned up and kissed him deeply, completely melting into him as his arms shifted, wrapping around the small of her back. When they broke, he was crying softly.
"Sakura… I'm so sorry… If there's anything I can do… to make this up to you…" He whispered, half begging her. She leaned back and cupped his cheek with her hand, pulling him in for another kiss.
"It's all right, Tashi-kun." She said; despite her words, he could still hear a bit of hysteria in her voice. She was still trembling lightly in his arms. "You just scarred me, Takashi. I'll be fine… But…" She began, biting her lip.
"But what?" he asked, his eyebrow quirked.
"Well, if you really want to make it up to me…" she began, "take me to that beautiful place we went to the other day. Take me there and don't leave until I say we can." She said, burying her head into his chest. She smiled at his low chuckle.
"If that is what you wish, my love. I'll take you wherever you like." He said, chuckling.
"How about you take me back home, to Konoha?" She asked hopefully. She felt his deep sigh reverberate through his chest.
"Anywhere except that. You know that's impossible." He said heavily.
"I know, I just thought I'd try." She said; her tone just as heavy as his. She frowned at his laugh.
He helped her to her feet, and the two walked hand in hand to join the others.
The afternoon passed with little else gone awry. The only disturbance in the now happy atmosphere that surrounded them was the tension between Kenshin and Inubo. Every now and the Kenshin would glare intently at Inubo, who refused to make eye contact with anyone.
When the sun began to sink behind the clouds Kaoru stood, stretching her gorgeous body with a loud, satisfied sigh. Kenshin laughed at her.
"Well I guess that means we should be heading in." He said with a laugh. They all stood and Sakura busied herself with helping Kaoru and Kakashi pack up the supplies they brought with them. When that was finished Takashi grabbed her hand and the two followed the rest back out to the main road.
"Kaoru-dono, Sakura and I are going to be taking a little detour." He said, grinning. They had reached the long, winding road. A warm breeze floated by, a harbinger of the summer heat to come.
"Oh." She said flatly. "Well don't be too late." She said. "And be careful!" She called, but Takashi had already scooped Sakura up and they were off, soaring into the trees.
"See you later!" Sakura called, laughter echoing in her voice. She smiled knowingly at him and she placed a hand on his shoulder, easily slinging herself onto his back. He grinned mischievously. Sakura braced herself for the coming blast of air. "Let er' rip!" She said, and the second his foot touched down, they blasted off, speeding through the trees like a bullet through the barrel of a gun. He was moving just as fast as he had that day, but she'd already experienced that. Now she focused on burying her head in his shoulder; on feeling him. It had felt like an eternity since they'd been this close, even though it had only been a short while. Any moment they weren't close felt like hell to her.
She inhaled his scent as her arms encircled his chest from under his arms. She could smell the salt of his sweat. His damp shirt was barely a testament to how he was earlier. When he'd held her after the battle he was soaked in sweat. Now it left a lasting salty tinge in his scent, along with a light dampness on his skin, but she didn't mind. She leaned her head back and inhaled deeply, relishing in the fresh air and in the feel of the cool wind blasting at her sweaty skin and through her sweat dampened hair.
He stopped suddenly, and, as before, she was crushed against him by the force of his stop. Her breath flew from her lungs, but she managed, barely, to hang on. He was laughing at her when she managed to regain her breath. She climbed off of his back and looked around. Once again, her breath was taken away by the sheer beauty of this place.
The cherry trees were still blossoming, despite the ever approaching and impending summer. The grass shifted in the breeze, and stray blossoms here and there blew up into the air. The waterfall was still just as breathtaking as before, the rainbow cast from its water still just as gorgeous. All in all, little had changed.
She plopped down in the grass, laying back and stretching contentedly. Takashi sat softly next to her, though he remained sitting, one leg bent, and his arm resting on his bent knee while the other supported him, his free leg laying flat on the grass. She pulled on his arm and he looked down at her. She pouted, and he chuckled at her. Takashi lay down next to her, smiling, and kissed her deeply. He wrapped his arms around her as his legs intertwined with hers. In seconds Sakura was whimpering into the kiss, sighing contentedly as her arms wrapped around his neck.
Takashi growled as she destroyed his ponytail, and Sakura pulled back, a blush creeping up on her face. He smiled at her, and she buried her head into his chest, sighing. He ran his fingers through her hair, smirking as he wrecked her ponytail, but she only clutched herself closer to him. Her arms slipped down, pinning themselves between their bodies.
"I'm sorry about earlier." He whispered.
"Don't worry about it." Sakura said impassively. She didn't want ruin the companionable silence that had grown between them. "Thank you for bringing me here, Tashi-kun." She said, snuggling deeper into his chest. She sighed as her cheek found his heart, the steady beat calming her.
"It's the least I can do." He said softly; just as content to maintain the silence as she.
"Takashi… what do you want to do with your life, after all this?" She said after a while.
"I'm not sure." He said. His eyes were following something else as he spoke, but before she could ask, his hand shot out, catching something. He pulled it around to show her. A small white flower she wasn't familiar with had gotten caught on the wind. He reached down and slid it into her hair just above her ear, smiling warmly. She leaned up and kissed him. "I may have an idea though." He said when they broke.
"Oh really; well I'm breathless to hear it." She said, sitting up and leaning over him. They kissed again, another long, soft, sweet kiss that set her soul on fire. When she finally pulled back, he was grinning. "I love you." She whispered, gently running her fingertips along his collarbone as he'd done to her earlier. They rose into his hair, and she began to lovingly run the long strands of silk through her fingers.
"Not just yet, I'm afraid." He said quietly, pulling her hand from his hair and gently brushing his lips across her knuckles. He smiled wickedly at her.
"Why?" She asked, curious.
"It's a secret." He said. "I can't tell you. But don't worry, my love. You'll find out soon enough."
Sakura sighed in defeat and lay against him, frowning. She knew better than to push him. He played with her hair idly as they returned to the companionable silence that they so enjoyed. Sakura was dozing on his chest when he rolled her over and lye her gently on the grass. She opened her eyes slowly and watched him. He removed his shirt, the thin cotton peeling from his sweaty skin. She gasped quietly.
His torso was covered in bruises and scrapes. He faced away from her as he began to heal the bruises and cuts he could reach. It was when he turned slightly towards her to get to a bruise on his shoulder that she noticed the worst of them. His entire left side was a deep black, purplish color.
She moved silently to his side; he didn't even know she was approaching until her fingertips brushed the massive bruise. His teeth gritted and he hissed as she touched it, ever muscle in his body tense.
"Don't move." She said softly. Her fingers brushed a stray lock of hair back behind her ear. She made the hand seals and placed her hand on the bruise. Takashi sighed as warmth spread through the area, simultaneously shrinking the large contusion. Takashi looked back at her, gratitude etched onto his face.
"Thank you." He said softly.
"Don't worry about it." Sakura said dismissively. "I am the medical officer for this mission after all." She said, smiling sarcastically. Some mission this had turned into. Sakura sighed heavily, centralizing her concentration on the task at hand. Her chakra channeled into his body and the massive bruise shrank again, lightening under her healing. Takashi sighed contentedly when she finished. Takashi made to move, but she held him still. "I said don't move." She said, half in irritation, half joking. He gave a low growl of defeat and resigned himself to his fate.
Her fingers danced over his skin, skillfully locating every bruise and cut, pumping chakra into the various gashes and contusions that covered his torso. Every lesion healed quickly under her touch, and she moved on to the next. The tensed muscles in his back and shoulders relaxed instantly at her touch. The feeling of her warm, soft fingers moving deftly across his skin gave him chills. Her bright green orbs scanned his injured flesh, easily finding the wounds. As she worked, she marveled at the number of scars on his body. Most were flat and pale with age, time thinning them down to nothing, but there were still a good number of highly conspicuous scars that covered his body. The worst of which was the cross shaped scar from his left shoulder down to his left hip, the second mark starting from about six inches from his shoulder leading down to just past his abdomen; it bore an eerie and uncanny resemblance to the scar on his sensei's left cheek. Almost unconsciously her fingers traced the long, thin white line from his shoulder to where it disappeared at his belt line. He cleared his throat loudly and she almost flew back from him. He laughed softly.
"You know, the larger of the two wasn't from Kaitsu's blade." He said, pulling her back towards him. He pulled her into his lap and went to lovingly stroke his cheek, but she noticed his burned flesh. She gently took his right hand and channeled her chakra into the scalded and reddened flesh.
"Who left it then?" She asked, her head bowed as she worked. Her brilliant green orbs lifted to meet the dazzling gold, looking at him through the waterfall of bangs that had fallen into her eyes. He smiled softly and lovingly brushed them away, revealing her face to him. He leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. As he pulled away, his warm breath blew in her hair as he sighed heavily.
"It was a parting gift from my brother." He said darkly. She looked up to him, and saw his eyes filled with pain. Comprehension dawned on her.
"Itachi?" she asked in disbelief.
"Yes. It was the only thing my brother ever gave me."
A tense silence followed his words, and Sakura tried to busy herself with healing his hand to reject the overwhelming tension, but it hung over her like a thick cloud, threatening to explode with thunderous emotion. She knew he didn't like to dredge up these particular memories, and that they caused him great pain. After a while his hand was healed, and when she released it, he flexed his fingers, testing them. He looked down and saw she was still wearing her gloves. His eye narrowed and he took her left hand, despite her protests, and peeled it away. The skin underneath was purple and bruised, an echoing reminder of Kenshin's rage.
"This isn't good!" She thought hysterically as his eyes scanned the injured flesh, his fingertips brushing across it. She buried a gasp in her throat as his fingertips pressed lightly at the center of the swollen flesh. "He'll kill Kenshin for this! I know it!" She thought hysterically. The vision of his blade gliding through Kenshin's flesh with the same ease as when he killed those men that first night sent shivers down her spine and waves of nausea rolling through her. The thought of seeing the normally kind man's blood spraying through the air as Takashi's blade rent him in half wouldn't leave her mind. Then again, today had proven that, just like his student, Kenshin had a dark side. Did he really deserve her pity after he hurt her and had clearly intended to kill the man she loved?
She almost cried out in surprise when she felt something very warm on her skin. His hands were surrounded by green flames as they ran over her tender, bruised flesh. She recognized the technique from somewhere, but it just wouldn't come to her. So she watched him as his fingers drew lovingly across her skin, and embraced the warmth that flowed into her from his hands. Then it hit her.
"This is the same technique you used to heal my wounds that night in the forest isn't it?" She asked, dawning comprehension etched into her features. He smiled weakly but didn't answer, instead inspecting the now healed flesh, the flames gone from his fingers.
"Yes. This is the technique I used that night." He said after a while.
"How does it heal everything, not even leaving a scar?" She asked. "Come to mention it… you were going to use it to heal…" She stammered; a blush on her face. "To heal the… the internal wounds with it, right?" She asked, curiosity far outweighing her embarrassment. "I've never seen a technique that can heal to the point where scarring is eliminated. Where'd you learn it?"
"It was a long time ago, during the revolution. I saved an old healers life during a raid, and to repay me he taught me the juutsu that was his life's work: The dragon's breath juutsu. It uses your chakra to regenerate cells on a molecular level, but it also generates new cells where needed. For example, it you're cut and a large amount of flesh was removed, I can regenerate it with this technique, along with the lost blood. It's rather remarkable. Although, I can only heal wounds inflicted by a blade and other minor injuries. I never quite mastered the art of regenerating and healing bones." He said idly as he toyed with her fingers. She sighed at the feel of his calloused fingertips on her skin.
"That's incredible." She said, laying her head on his chest. He wrapped his arms back around her slim frame, and she snuggled even closer to him. "I've never heard of such a powerful technique. I doubt even Lady Tsunade knows how to use it." She added.
"No. She does. She taught me how to use it to heal the larger wounds during one of my longer stays in Konoha. It was rather impressive, but she never mastered it either. The man that taught it to me could restore whole limbs." He said idly as he ran his fingers through her hair.
"Are you kidding me?!" She yelled. Her jaw dropped and she pulled back, though, she was still sitting in his lap. He merely smiled softly at her.
"The sun's setting." He said suddenly, his gaze shifting from her to the horizon behind them. She turned in his arms and settled into him, his bare, rock hard, warm chest acting as the perfect pillow. "Lean forward for a moment." He whispered, and she silently obeyed, her attention captivated by the setting sun. He pulled his shirt back on and pulled her back against him. She sighed into him as she watched the blood red sunset.
"Oh Takashi this is incredible. I love it here." She said happily, turning in his lap to kiss him. He kissed back, and when she pulled away, he scowled. She laughed softly.
"My love…" He mumbled after a while.
"Yes?" She asked, turning in his arms.
"Just a moment…" He said, lifting her off of him as he spoke. She sat on her legs when he set her down.
"Takashi what is it?"
He smiled warmly at her, and his fingers began the familiar journey over her collar, cheek, and jaw bones, before pulling her in for a kiss. He kissed her rougher than before, more passionate, but still gentle and chaste in its intentions. She melted against him, and he wrapped his arms around her in a possessive hold. She threw her arms around his neck and whimpered into the kiss. She jumped when she felt his tongue against her lips, and gladly opened them to him. She felt a tinge of fear at this deep of a kiss, but it was erased when his tongue began to run itself along her own. It sent electric jolts of pleasure coursing through her body. She moaned this time, and pressed her body against his. Her eyes rolled behind her closed eyelids as she guided his hand to her aching breast. He cupped the soft mound and gently caressed it, running his thumb over her clothed peak.
At the same time they returned to reality and both pulled back, gasping. Takashi crushed her against him, and she didn't protest. The desire for physical contact was still burning in her.
"I'm sorry…" He stammered.
"Don't be." She said suddenly, pulling back. She guided his hand back to her breast and guided his hand in a circular motion. "I don't mind if you cop a feel here and there." She said, grinning wickedly.
"Don't." He growled suddenly, pulling his hand away.
"Why?" She asked, slightly hurt. His expression softened as he looked into her eyes. His fingers gently ran through her hair, and she nuzzled his palm, her hands rising to it.
"Because, if you allow me even that much, I might loose control over the beast inside me." He said softly. Before she could react he was speaking again. "I want to do it right this time, my love."
"What are you talking about, Tashi-kun?" She asked, completely oblivious.
"Sakura…" he whispered, pulling her in for a soft, chaste, and rather quick kiss. When he pulled back he had something in his hands. "I love you, Sakura. I'd die for you. You are the light in the darkness, and you've saved my soul from the chaos of my past. I wish I could repay you, but my debts to you are far too great. This is all I can do." He said. She nearly fainted when he held it before her. The small, velvet black box was open in his hand, and what was inside took her breath away. It was a simple ring with a gold band, but set on top were three large diamonds, the center larger than the other two. It was an engagement ring. "Sakura, will you marry me, my love?" He asked quietly, his eyes glued to her green orbs.
Sakura was in shock. Her mouth hung open, and she was sitting perfectly still. Things rushed through her mind, irrational thoughts of screaming no, thoughts that he would just leave her. She was starting to hyperventilate, hysteria rushing through her. What should she do? She was only sixteen after all. Well, almost seventeen, but still. It would break him if she said no, but did she really want to? She knew he loved her, and she knew he'd never leave her again, no matter what the consequences of the choice. She couldn't live without him, and he couldn't live without her. He completed her. He was everything to her, and she was his world. Sakura made up her mind.
"YES! OH GOD YES!" She screamed, practically tackling him back into the soft grass. She crushed her lips against him, and he returned her kiss with earnest. It was so intense it made her toes curl and her leg lift into the air, despite being on the ground. He poured everything he had into this kiss. All of his pain, his love, his sadness, his need; Takashi poured his soul into it, and Sakura returned it. It was a moment of pure understanding. Sakura and Takashi had completely given themselves to each other, and all that came with it. He wrapped his arms tight around her, and she returned the strong embrace with vigor, and it looked like they were trying to crush themselves into one as their legs intertwined. Sakura moaned into the kiss, and they stayed locked in that heated kiss for almost three full minutes. They refused to break, but finally relented to the burning need for air.
When she pulled back, he was grinning like she'd never seen before. His eyes held a light of happiness in them she didn't know the normally silent man was capable of. She was grinning as well, and when he slid the ring onto her finger, she wanted to scream she was so happy.
"I love you, Sakura." He said, planting soft kisses on her knuckles and fingers between his words. "I cannot imagine a world without you." He added as his lips moved to her neck. She sighed as his lips brushed the sensitive skin.
"Takashi…"
"Yes?"
"I'm sorry… I know this seems cruel." She began. "But I have one condition." She said quietly.
"What?" Takashi asked, pulling back from her neck. He looked curious more than hurt, but Sakura was afraid that he was just hiding it. She smiled reassuringly at him, and lovingly stroked his cheek with her fingertips. "What is it my love?"
"If you want me to marry you, my condition is this: One, we wait until after this horrible battle is over, and two: we have to get married back in Konoha. These are non-negotiable Takashi." She said heavily, that last bit in response to his pained expression. He really didn't think he'd survive, did he? "If you don't think you'll survive, why'd you ask me, then?" She asked; her tone more acidic than intended. She automatically regretted the scathing comment when his eyes left hers. She could see the hurt in his gold eyes.
"I love you, Sakura, and I want to be with you. If it will give you peace of mind, I promise you. I will kill Kaitsu, and then I'll take you back to Konoha, to our home, and then we'll be married. I swear to you Sakura, I will live out the rest of my days in Konoha with you." He said softly, but she could hear the seriousness of his tone.
"I love you too, Takashi." She said, almost moaning the words as her lips crushed against his. When they broke she lay there in his arms, warm and content, her eyes taking in the ring on her finger.
"Do you like it?" He asked, his hands softly caressing her back and shoulders.
"I love it." She whispered, her gaze lifting to the stars above them. The sun had long ago, and the sky glittered brilliantly with patchwork clumps of stars. The full moon cast a pale glow to everything, and Sakura once again had her breath taken away. The moonlight cast an ethereal glow off of the waterfall. A light mist had risen in the canyon between the plateau and the waterfall, and the light shined off of it. All in all, this was the best moment of her life. She was in the most beautiful place she'd ever been in, with a gorgeous guy, who'd just proposed to her and sworn to take her home, to live for her. Sakura Haruno, soon to be Sakura Uchiha, was in heaven. Her long, bubblegum pink hair blew in the gentle breeze as she sat up, resting on her hands, her legs outstretched. "Thank you, Takashi." She whispered, turning to lovingly stroke his cheek. He grinned at her.
"So I take it you won't want to leave for a little while?" He asked; that same grin on his face.
"What do you think?" She said, grinning at him.
"I thought so." He said, smiling as he sat up next to her. "But we should be getting back to the dojo. Kaoru's probably throwing a fit." He said, half laughing.
"Just a bit longer, Tashi-kun; I don't want this day to end." She begged.
Sakura spent the next few hours lying in his arms, warm and content just to be near him. Takashi seemed to have that warm smile permanently placed on his face as he held her, and soon, she was dozing in his arms.
A/N- Well, I hope you enjoyed the fight and my little surprise at the end. There's more action to come in the next chapter.
