Re-Cap

Sakura smiled before hopping off the bed with Obito following after, "I'm glad that knowing makes you feel better…later Hidan-san! Come on Obi lets go raid the dango stash!" Tobi snickered as he followed the young pinkette to enjoy some sweet treats. She had already taken a look at Itachi's eyes and planned on waiting until everyone else was asleep before addressing Tobi's since he doesn't like to take his mask off in front of others.

Chapter 7: Sweet Saboteurs, Challenge Posed

Sakura was sneaking into the fridge to steal the stash of delicious dango that Itachi stored in the fridge. She then saw a box with his name on it and without Tobi noticing slipped a note in with money for twice the amount of dango since she stole the last of his. She giggled as Tobi bounced around with the dango and decided to lead him back to her room which was on the private family wing side of the house.

As the duo entered the bedroom Sakura closed and sealed the door so no one would interrupt them. She sat on her bed with Tobi munching on the stolen treasure while she simply relaxed with the older Uchiha happily, 'I won't always have this so I might as well enjoy it while it lasts…' She thought to herself a little bitter. 'Of course he's being manipulated by Madara and I have to find a way to help without making an enemy of him.'

Tobi was content to relax with the pinkette enjoying the warm and relaxed atmosphere in the room with her. He could tell Sakura wanted to bring something up with him but he knew pushing her before she was ready wasn't wise. He gave a little flinch when she accidently tickled him near his hip and heard her giggle in response. He poked her in retaliation and was forced to whine in defeat when she didn't even flinch as her eyes twinkled up at him in amusement and…concern?

"What are you so worried about Cherry-chan? Tobi will make it better!" He asked being silly causing her to smile. Sakura moved up and cuddled him warmly, "I'm worried about a few things…let Cherry-chan see your eyes and handsome face Obi."

Tobi held a small smile as she gently removed his mask to see his face and smirked as she blushed, "Well?" His voice returned to its deeper register where Sakura just gave a light smile a soft look in her eyes, "You haven't changed Obi…you're as handsome as you were the day we met. Now sit still and let me check your eyes."

Sakura gently placed her hands at Obito's temples ignoring his smirking countenance. Her chakra gently traveled from her fingertips into his eyes allowing her to map out the optical pathways to all the nerves attaching to his eyes. She saw a small amount of build-up that she was quick to clear with her gentle practiced touch. She moved closer kneeling around his legs straddling his lap almost when her chakra brushed against a sensitive set of nerves causing him to groan.

Sakura so focused didn't realize the effect she was having on Obito who struggled to stay still. Her position placed her slightly above him and her chest was in line with his gaze. Obito placed his hands at her sides gripping her carefully biting his lip to stop himself from moaning. 'I didn't realize healing could feel like this!' Sakura suddenly withdrew her chakra gently and commented, "Careful not to overuse your Sharingan. The more you use its Mangekyo stage the worse the damage is and the quicker it happens."

Sakura began to move back when her chakra filled hand landed on his chest lightly and he moaned from the sudden contact causing her to move back, "I'm so sorry I forgot most medics chakra doesn't feel like mine! Are you okay Obi?"

Obito shuddered slightly relieved for his loose clothing and laughed lightly, "I'm fine Sakura…I didn't know healing could feel like that."

Sakura blushed and admitted quietly, "That's because normally it's not meant to…my chakra reacts differently to you then others because we are," She paused to think of the best term, "We are what Tsunade would call chakra compatible. Our chakra signatures mesh well and complement each other…it's not common and can cause adverse sensations."

Obito chuckled and clarified, "You mean it can cause an aroused state?" Sakura blushed and nodded in agreement, "That is one of the things it can do. I'm sorry I normally test the chakra network before getting to work. I'll understand if you want a different medi-" Obito cut her off chuckling and pulling her back into straddling his lap, "I don't need another medic. I like having you around Blossom."

Sakura smiled with her eyes closed and placed her forehead against Obito's shoulder while saying softly, "I like being around you too Obito…but," She sat up and met his gaze her eyes hard, "Don't play games with me." She gestured between them, "I know you like to play flirt you did it plenty when I was a kid but, don't be so intimate if you don't mean to truly see it going somewhere." Her voice was kind but firm as Obito's eyes widened in surprise.

Sakura continued quietly as if they might be overheard but Obito could hear the plea in her softened tone, "I'm not a child Obito. I'm not going to blush and laugh it off any more like I did as a kid. I've always liked the time we spent hanging out together and playing pranks." She started fidgeting with her fingers as she continued, "You're a smart and fun guy Obito but, you're experienced and have seen so many things that I'm just learning about. So don't play with me that way…if you mean it then it's okay but, if you don't mean it. Then stop the flirting before someone gets hurt." Sakura pulled herself off of his lap and stood to go into a drawer in the dresser she pulled out a chain with her clan crest as a pendant and held it out to him.

Obito took the necklace curious and looked up at Sakura uncertain, "Sakura what is it?" He didn't want to scare her out of finishing knowing it took guts to confront him this way. 'Brave girl…no she's a woman now. Even if, she lacks the same experiences that I've lived through.'

Sakura nodded at the necklace, "Here's what I propose you wear that chain for a whole month…it's your get out of jail free card. If you flirt with me the whole month and don't return that necklace to me I will consider you a formal suitor." She held up her hand to prevent him from interrupting her, "If at the end of the month you return the necklace to me I will know you aren't interested in a relationship with me and the flirting comes to a full stop."

Sakura gestured almost nervously, "This is done in a way that's private so no one else sees anything amiss and no feelings get hurt. Fair?"

Obito allowed his eyes to soften as he put the necklace on before standing up and moving over to Sakura. His soft hands framing her cheeks gently he kissed her temple with a soft acceptance of her terms, "Fair Sakura-chan," He wrapped his arms around the young woman who seemed to sink into his embrace in relief as he accepted her terms.

'No more games Sakura-chan…I just hope you know what you're in for with me. Once the suit is formalized and I return a gift to you with my crest I will never let you go.' He took a deep breath of her spring fresh scent and held her closer, 'I already lost Rin because I didn't take my chance. I won't make that mistake twice.'

Sakura muttered a final phrase that made Obito begin to think, "It is better to face the cruelty or reality and fight for a better life, then to exist in an eternal lie. I'd rather you make a decision for us and stick to it."