Lonely Nights
Neji bundled down in his cloak, trying to shield himself from the snow. It swirled around the mouth of the cave with ominous ferocity. Neji closed his eyes with a small sigh, clenching his chattering teeth together.
Damn storm…
It had been going on for hours, and it showed no signs of letting up. Soon they would be penned in completely. It had almost been twenty-four hours…and this time Neji didn't have Sakura to share body warmth with.
Sakura may not have even been alive.
"Are we almost there?" Temari called over the blurring winds that blew snow back into their faces. All of them were shaking and the sound of their teeth chattering in unison echoed.
"The smell is fading because of the snow!" Kiba shouted. "Akamaru has a better lead on it than I do!"
Neji used his Byakugan, trying to see ahead. It didn't help. All he saw was a world of white. He blindly followed behind Kiba and Akamaru, just like the others.
"…there…" Kiba's voice was soft, and yet all of them heard it.
Neji didn't need his Byakugan to see the large, red stain at the base of the tree.
"Oh my god…" Tenten whispered, "That's Sakura's…?"
Akamaru sniffed the red and whined, tail tucked between his legs and ears limp. He sat down in the snow next to it, curling up as if he were trying to find Sakura and was confused on why she wasn't there and her blood was.
Neji just continued to stare at the large red pool. Small errant snowflakes drifted into the pool and landed on its thick, glossy surface.
Temari watched as the snowflakes slowly melted, brows knotted in confusion. She knelt down in the snow and dipped her fingertips into the blood, rubbing it between two fingers. She turned to Neji. "It's still warm. We're close."
"But she could be dead." Shino answered.
Kiba shook his head furiously. "They wouldn't take her body! They wouldn't take a corpse with them! She's ALIVE!" The others watched him in mutual sadness and anger, each of them wanting to believe what he was saying.
"He's right." Tenten nodded. "No one would lug around a corpse, especially not in this." She motioned to the raging snowstorm around them. "Besides, how can she heal Itachi's eyes if she's dead?"
"Tenten's right!" Kiba growled. "Sakura is definitely alive."
"Perhaps they made her heal Itachi's eyes and then killed her."
Everyone turned to look at Shino. Kiba's hands curled into fists, mostly because he didn't want to admit to the truth behind Shino's words.
"…but why isn't the body here?" Tenten asked, grabbing onto thin threads of hope.
"Maybe it was dropped a ways off." Temari answered coldly, not allowing herself to show how she felt. She needed to remain calm…she needed to remain calm. She was the leader of this mission; she had to carry it out perfectly. She couldn't let her emotions get in the way.
"She's not dead."
Temari gave a frustrated sigh at Neji's retort. "Dammit Hyuga, I want Sakura alive as much as you do, but there's nothing we can do! We can't change what happened and we can't ignore the facts!"
"…Sakura told me that Tsunade taught her the Genesis of Rebirth technique." Neji began, his eyes never leaving the crimson pool of blood, which was slowly being taken over by snow. A small, wry smile graced his lips as his eyes lit in triumph. "Sakura can't die."
"Damn, but I'm freezing." Kiba laughed slightly, pulling his jacket and cloak tighter around his body. Akamaru gave a whine as he tried to push inside of Kiba's jacket. Kiba let out a small yell as all two hundred pounds of dog managed to jam itself inside of his cloak. Kiba tried to spit the hair out of his mouth as he scratched Akamaru behind the ears. "You smell like wet dog."
Temari rolled her eyes from where she sat huddled next to Tenten. She was getting sick and tired of having to stop! The last thing she needed was for them to get completely snowed in.
There was a very good chance of that happening.
Shino blew into his sleeves in an attempt to keep his kikai warm. They shifted inside of him restlessly. He stuffed his hands into his pockets and continued to think warm thoughts: like a nice cup of steaming tea, or a bowl of hot ramen. Dear god, the cold is getting to me. I'm starting to think like Naruto.
Tenten blew into her palms, rubbing them together. Her breath left her mouth in puffs of steam, and every time she breathed in her throat and lungs ached. She tried to think of something warm, but the only thing that came to her mind was a distant memory of herself and Sakura as Chûnin.
"Oi." Sakura rolled backwards in the snow, landing on her butt. She grinned as she looked up at Tenten, shaking the snow out of her pink hair. "That's smarts. That is the last time I go against you in a snowball fight."
Tenten laughed as she dropped the snowball she'd been making. The packed clump of snow shattered when it hit the ground, sending up small clouds of powder. She saw down next to Sakura on the shrine steps.
"I still can't believe it's still snowing in February…" There was a small period of silence as both of them surveyed the scenery. "Do you think Kurenai-sensei, Gai-sensei, Neji, and Hinata are alright?" Tenten asked softly. "They were supposed to be back three days ago."
Sakura snorted, "Were you listening in at Tsunade-sensei's door again, Tenten?"
Tenten blushed slightly with a small frown, "Well, unlike you, I don't GET to stay inside her office and hear all of the important information."
Sakura shrugged, "Knowing all that information isn't as great as it sounds. My head aches every night when I leave. She has me sorting through papers now." Sakura let out a large sigh as she propped herself up on her elbows.
"…any word of Naruto and Jiraiya-sama?"
Sakura's shoulders sagged. "Iie."
Tenten bit her lip, "I'm sorry to ask, Sakura-chan, but it can't be good for you to worry and think about them anymore."
"I know."
Tenten turned to look at Sakura, hearing the small catch in her voice. She didn't want to sound mean, but she wanted the real Sakura back. She wanted the lively Sakura that smiled and joked and teased. She wanted her friend.
"I hear that Shikamaru is dating Temari of the Sand, is that true?"
Sakura raised an eyebrow, "Why do you think I'd know?"
"It has to be top secret information. If anyone knew that Shikamaru was actually putting forth an effort to do something, the world would end." Tenten teased.
Sakura laughed softly, nodding. "Hai, hai…I think it's nice that Shikamaru and Temari are together. They deserve each other."
"It's perfect, don't you think? After all, it's almost Valentine's day."
"Oh. Hai." Sakura whispered. "I hadn't noticed."
"Why not? You'll probably get a hundred or so Valentine's, especially from Lee, not to mention those three new Chunin who worship the ground you walk on—what were their names: Aarriko, Sato, and Shinta?" Tenten grinned.
Sakura tried to smile feebly, but her eyes began to water. Tenten was about to apologize when someone burst through the trees and landed in front of them. It was Lee.
"Tenten!" Lee greeted, "Sakura-san!"
"Hey Lee." Tenten waved, "What's wrong?"
"We have to go meet with Ino and Choji! We're heading out on a mission."
"Oh." Tenten nodded, "Alright." She stood and gave a feeble smile to Sakura. "Bye, Sakura-chan."
"See you later, Tenten." Sakura stood as well. "I guess I'll head back to Tsunade-sensei. She'll probably have something for me to do."
Tenten and Lee began walking back to Konoha and Tenten turned back to look at Sakura. She had sat back down on the shrine steps and her shoulders were shaking. Tenten knew she was crying. Her eyes saddened as she realized that Sakura was thinking of Sasuke, and the love she still held for him.
There would be no love for Sakura that Valentine's Day.
"…"
"…"
"…"
Sakura's brows furrowed as she peered up out of her half-open eyes. She blinked a few times, still not opening her eyes fully. Her vision was blurry and disjointed, but what she managed to make out was a low ceiling. There was no light, so Sakura guessed it was still dark outside. Or maybe there was a light…but a very faint one. Like the small amount that escaped from behind closed window blinds.
…but where on earth was she?
Sakura sat up slowly, clutching her head with a groan. Suddenly someone was beside her, pressing a warm mug into her hands. Sakura looked down at the steaming tea in confusion, before looking up at the person standing next to her.
"Deidara-san!" She smiled happily as she shifted on the bed. She looked down at herself in confusion. She was not wearing the clothing Itachi had gotten her. In fact…she was wearing a large mesh shirt and slacks—both of which were too big for her.
"Sakura-san." Deidara nodded back, a small smile on his face. He continued to watch her intently and Sakura found it suddenly uncomfortable. She looked away as the silence stretched. She took a small sip of the tea, almost groaning in rapture at the feeling of the warm liquid coursing down her throat, in stark contrast to the chilly nip of the air that had surrounded her the moment she had uncurled herself from her blanket.
She merely used the period of silence to look around the room. It was empty of inhabitants save for Deidara and herself. It looked as though other people had been in the room, however. Most likely Kisame, Itachi, and Sasori, by Sakura's guess.
Sakura wondered how long she'd been out. She knew that she had fallen unconscious after using the Genesis of Rebirth technique, so that probably meant she'd been asleep for a few days.
"Deidara-san…what on earth am I wearing?"
"Oh." Deidara coughed slightly as he rubbed the back of his neck and looked at the wall behind her. "Well, you see, your clothing was dirty and blood soaked, yeah. We had to get it off of you, yeah."
"Oh…how long have I been out?"
"Two days." Sasori answered from the doorway. He nodded at Sakura as he walked inside. "Good morning, Haruno-san. I am glad to see you in good health."
Sakura nodded, "Hai…thank you Sasori-san."
"Are you hungry?" Deidara asked expectantly. "After using the Genesis of Rebirth technique you must be famished, yeah."
"Oh." Sakura nodded absently. "Hai. Where is Itachi?"
"Downstairs. With Kisame." Sasori answered. Sakura fleetingly noticed a look of disappointment grace Deidara's features, but she pushed it aside in confusion, not knowing how to take it.
"Isn't this a hotel?"
"We're the only visitors here. We are allowed in the common room and the kitchens."
"Oh." Sakura smiled. I guess the innkeeper doesn't know he's housing Akatsuki—on the other hand, it's not like he'd deny them from coming inside even if he did know. Not if he planned on living for a little while longer. "Well then, I would definitely like some food. I can't remember the last time I've eaten a full meal!" She stood, tying the small cord on the pants tight as she noticed that they fell down past her feet. "This is definitely not Itachi's…am I wearing Kisame's clothes?"
"He was the only one with extras, yeah." Deidara grinned wickedly. "They're a little big."
"Just a little." Sakura answered back with another grin as she looked at the shirt that she was nearly drowning in. "But I can't stay in this."
"Itachi got this for you." Sasori handed her a package. "He said to wear it."
Sakura frowned, about to object when Deidara beat her to it.
"She still has the kimono I got her. Why can't she wear that, yeah?"
Sasori sighed. "Ask Itachi."
Sakura saw Deidara's hands clench as he frowned. She smiled at him, touching his hand softly with her own. "Don't worry about it, Deidara-san! I'll wear your kimono tomorrow, ne?" Please don't go starting a fight with Itachi… she finished silently, hoping she relayed the message to him through her eyes.
Deidara smiled with a small nod. "Alright, Sakura-san." He flashed her a brighter grin as he went to the door. "I'll see you outside, yeah." Then he and Sasori left.
Sakura unwrapped the package carefully, slowly pulling it out of the rice paper. What she saw made her smile, even if only slightly.
Apparently Itachi Uchiha could be kind when he wanted to be.
Or he had an amazing sense of humor.
"Sand…" Shikamaru sighed slightly as they landed inside of the country's border. He almost laughed in relief. For once they could sleep without fear of getting attacked by enemy shinobi.
The sand ANBU with them seemed to be a lot happier as well. A few of them talked with one another softly, laughing and joking.
"Let's hurry up, Shikamaru." Naruto called out in annoyance. "The faster we go see Gaara the faster we can go find Sakura-chan!"
"Hai, hai…" Shikamaru answered lazily, "Calm down, Naruto."
Naruto let out an agitated sigh but said nothing else as he looked around at the bleak landscape. "Look at all the Sand!"
"Yeah…" Ino answered, "That's probably why it's called The Village Hidden in Sand."
Choji snickered as Lee and Kakashi grinned at Naruto's frown.
Hinata came to his defense. "H-hai, Naruto-kun! There sure is a l-lot of s-sand."
Ino rolled her eyes in exasperation, muttering something to Choji about how sad it was that Hinata had to pretend Naruto was right about something so it wouldn't look like she was dating a complete idiot.
"Hey Ino." Shikamaru couldn't help but grin slightly as he looked back at them, "At least Hinata has someone to defend." It was a long going battle between himself and Ino, over the fact that even after all her boasting about being the most beautiful kunoichi in Konoha, she still didn't have a boyfriend.
Ino blushed softly before turning to look at the sky. She then turned back to Shikamaru. "Well at least—" She was cut off as a rain of kunai flew at them.
Shikamaru jumped to the side, his feet sliding in the sand and sinking in a few inches as he hurriedly tried to assess the situation. Standing in front of their group was the Sand ANBU sent with them. One of them was twiddling a kunai between his fingers.
I guess Temari was serious when she said that these ANBU weren't all that trustworthy. Shikamaru thought to himself as he tried to remain calm, putting a hand behind his back slowly so as not to draw attention.
Damn.
He turned to see that Hinata was helping up Naruto, who seemed to have been caught completely off guard. Typical Naruto…what a drag.
Sasuke and Kakashi were both crouched down in fighting positions.
Choji and Ino had jumped backwards, and each were grabbing into their packs for their kunai.
Lee was dusting off his pants with a frown.
Shikamaru looked up at the sky and then at the ground. The sun was high and they were in the sand ANBU's territory. That meant the sun impaired visibility…and the sand ANBU had the advantage of being familiar with their surroundings.
Shikamaru hated it when the odds were against him. Luckily…the high sun also meant something else. Of course, he wasn't about to saw anything as he began talking. "What's going on?"
The sand-nin didn't answer as they began pulling out weapons, including wickedly curved, hooked blades that Shikamaru guessed were standard issue for Sand ANBU.
"Attacking a Konoha shinobi group is a direct violation of the treaty between our two villages." Kakashi supplied coolly, apparently seeing Shikamaru's plan.
"We're doing what is best for our village." One ANBU answered through his mask. "If we must kill you to protect it, than so be it." Then he launched another barrage of kunai.
Shikamaru merely ducked as the kunai whizzed past him. The others jumped out of the way, scattering to draw the sand ANBU out of their group to fight one on one.
The Sand ANBU didn't take the lead. They merely watched stoically from behind their masks. It was as if they were toying with them and didn't even sense them as a threat.
They think they have the advantage as well. They haven't seen us fight so they underestimate us…Shikamaru mused. Lucky for us.
"Well?" Naruto growled, "Are you going to fight or not? When your Kazekage hears about this he'll—"
"We never attacked you." One of the sand ANBU answered amusedly. "You were killed in the retrieval mission to get back the girl from Konoha. The Akatsuki caught us and your lives were sadly lost in the battle."
"Che." Ino scoffed. "Your Kazekage isn't an idiot, you know. Anyone can see through that lie. Wouldn't it be kind of strange if all of you survived and all of the Konoha ANBU didn't?"
"It was all thanks to the valiant and courageous ANBU of Konoha, everyone knows they risk their lives for their allies and get themselves killed over petty things."
"Sorry for having a conscience…" Ino muttered to herself.
Kakashi then spoke, "Besides, what about Temari-dono?"
"A minor setback. We were going to incapacitate her in hopes of keeping her alive. We wouldn't want to kill one of our own, however mislead they are in believing you are the Sand Village's allies."
"But we are your allies!" Lee answered truthfully. He would have said more, but he wasn't allowed to as the ANBU continued to stare, a few of them beginning hand signs.
Shikamaru watched them, his face cool as the others scattered. He put his hands in his pockets and cocked his head to the side. "It's high noon, isn't it?" He gave a small smirk as they all stopped their hand signs to look at him in confusion. "Like in those old Western movies. Are we going to have a shoot out?" He gave a meaningful glance to each of their shadows, which he had in his grasp. All of them glared from behind their ANBU masks.
Naruto grinned as his eyes narrowed. "Hey Sand idiots." They turned to look at him stoically. "Let's play cowboy." He then lifted his hand, a large Rasengan placed in his palm. He shot the force of the chakra up into his finger into a small, neat ball as he formed his hand into the shape of a gun.
"Bang."
Then he let the Rasengan go.
When Sakura descended the stairs of the hotel, all four of the Akatsuki members present looked up.
Kisame grinned, "How do you like the new clothes, kunoichi?"
Sakura couldn't help but grin back. "It fits better than your shirt." She motioned to the pants and yukata she was wearing. It was a black yukata and slacks, but the sash that went around her thin waist had crimson clouds painted on it. She avoided eye contact with Itachi as she sat down in the empty space next to Deidara. She thought if she did, she might blush. After all, he must have gotten it specially made…just for her…
And Itachi said he couldn't be a gentleman. Sakura inwardly mused; thinking back to the Haruno Clan symbol on the back of her yukata that also must have been specifically made. But I bet he didn't think of it alone…I wonder… She looked to Kisame, seeing him grin and wink at her.
Ah. Sakura mused. Kisame must have decided his drinking partner needed a new outfit. She giggled inwardly. I knew that Itachi never would have done this alone, especially out of the kindness of his heart.
She almost burst into laughter, but she kept herself cool and emotionless on the outside. First he'd have to get one.
You look like a real member of the Akatsuki now, Sakura. Deidara spoke to himself, smiling at her. He had to admit that she looked good in it. Part of him wanted to believe she really was a member of the Akatsuki. Then she'd be able to stay with them. Sh might even have been partnered with Deidara himself. However…another part of him was glad she wasn't. He didn't think Sakura could ever be the type to kill senselessly and without remorse. If she did…she wouldn't be the same person. She wouldn't be the Sakura that he…loved…
"Thank you for the outfit, Itachi-san." Sakura nodded, still avoiding eye contact, not just from him, but also from Deidara, who was watching her with a soulful stare as if he were looking through her. She caught Kisame's eye and grinned, with a wink of her own, telling him thank you as well. She supposed it wouldn't have been good for Itachi's ego to suggest that she knew Kisame had probably suggested it.
"So, what are we having to eat?" Sakura bent forward, elbows resting on her knees, leaning her chin on her hands. "I'm hungry."
"Let's see…" Deidara looked up at the ceiling, apparently shaken from his soul searching. "We have rice…rice…more rice…oh—and rice, yeah."
"I guess the hotel manager hadn't planned on being snowed in for this long?" Sakura asked.
"Na. We ate all the rest of the food, kunoichi." Kisame grinned. "Your loss. After all, we haven't had anything else to do for two days while you slept."
"Is the storm letting up?"
Sasori shook his head. "Iie. It will probably continue for a few more days before getting to the point in which we may travel."
"Ah." Sakura nodded. "Well." She stood with a brilliant smile. "I guess I'll go get us some rice then! I'll bring it out for the rest of you, if you haven't eaten." Then she walked into the outer room where the hotel manager was at his desk.
The four Akatsuki watched her go, each thinking different thoughts.
Sasori was planning on having a few sophisticated conversations with the kunoichi over the next few days.
Kisame was planning on getting her drunk, and getting himself drunk as well—as long as they were trap inside with other Akatsuki members, of course.
However, the other two Akatsuki's thoughts faintly mirrored each another, one hidden beneath barriers of the mind and locks on emotion, the other blatantly visible to anyone watching.
Both of them were thinking of how wonderful it would be, to spend a few moments alone with Sakura Haruno.
One of them denied his thoughts.
The other embraced them.
Both decided to try.
Sakura sat down in the window seat, looking out at the snow. Blurry splotches of light indicated windows in the distance. She began tracing small little pictures in the frosted window, swirls and curly-q's. She gave a small sigh.
I'm all alone here…and I'm starting to like them. She was almost pleading with her inner self to argue, to give her valid reasons why she couldn't and wouldn't care for these people.
For once, inner Sakura remained silent.
Great time to run out on me. Sakura grumbled to herself as she pressed her forehead against the cool window, closing her eyes.
"Sakura-chan?" Shizune peered into the Hokage's office. Tsunade was asleep at the desk and Sakura was sitting on the floor in the middle of the room, papers surrounding her. An ink brush was in one hand, a file in the other.
She was peering at it with strange intensity. She looked up when Shizune entered. "I'm just going over a few of Tsunade-sensei's papers. She's completely wiped out from work at the hospital."
Shizune swallowed, "Sakura, we need to wake Tsunade-sensei! We need her healing ability right away. It's an emergency."
Sakura stood abruptly, "She won't wake up, I have her something to keep her asleep for a while, since she hasn't been getting to bed well…" Sakura began walking to the door, "What is it?"
Shizune followed, "Sakura-chan, surely you don't think you can…?"
"I'll do it." Sakura nodded. "What happened? What's the emergency."
"Sakura-chan…" Shizune trailed off, then whispered as they headed outside of the Hokage building. "Sasuke and a few of Orochimaru's other subordinates attacked a group of ANBU. Ino's bleeding terribly. We don't know if she'll make it. We need Tsunade."
Sakura's eyes widened as she put a hand to her mouth, then began running at full speed towards the hospital.
"Sakura-chan!" Shizune called after her.
Sakura landed in front of the hospital, pushing through the doors and yelling out, "Where's Ino?"
The nurses and other medical shinobi all knew that Sakura was Tsunade's apprentice, and trusted her medical abilities more than anyone besides the Hokage herself. They all guessed she was there to perform the healing.
"This way." One of the nurses answered as she stood and began heading down the hallway. "We have five shinobi working on her, but we don't know what's going to happen."
"What about the other members of the team?" Sakura asked absently as she walked with her.
"Minor injuries. Apparently Ino healed anything life threatening and then was injured, because she didn't have any chakra left and the others were unconscious. When they came to, she was bleeding to death."
"Hai." Sakura nodded as they rounded the corner. Shikamaru, Choji, Anko, Shino, and Hinata were all standing outside the door. Anko, Shino, and Hinata had been on the mission with Ino. Shikamaru and Choji were her teammates of old. All looked horror stricken and completely helpless.
A man was sitting down with his head in his hands. It was Ino's father.
They all turned to look as Sakura walked by them. She stopped in front of Ino's father. "Yamanaka-san?" Sakura whispere .
He looked up.
"She'll be fine." Sakura answered back firmly. "I'm going in right now. The next time I come out of that door, Ino will be coming out with me, completely stable."
"Sakura…" Shikamaru whispered from where he stood, not believing her.
"I promise, I won't leave that room until she's healed enough to be moved to a waiting room."
Ino's father watched her with doubt, before a trust entered his eyes as he nodded. "Arigato."
Sakura smiled faintly as she headed inside, the door closing with a click behind her. She almost cried out as she saw Ino's limp form, blood still leaking from the large wound in her stomach. Or rather, what was left of it.
"Sakura-san!" Some of the medic's looked up, but most remain intent on their tasks, eyes closed as chakra rushed around them and into Ino's motionless body.
Sakura knelt down, taking a blood pill from her pack and forcing it into Ino's mouth she forced her to swallow as she looked at the full damage. She sat down right next to Ino, closing her eyes. "Everyone, leave. I need completely concentration."
"She won't make it, Sakura-san. We've tried everything. The blood clotting pills aren't working."
"Go!" Sakura ordered, only half paying attention as healing chakra rushed through her arms and into Ino. She didn't know if they complied as she drifted into a trance.
Sasuke did this…Sasuke almost killed Ino…Her mind babbled insessently as she continued forcing her chakra into Ino. Nothing was happening.
It was Sasuke…all Sasuke…Nothing. It was as if Ino's body was rejecting the healing process.
Dammit! I'm not trying hard enough! Sakura screamed at herself. Dammit Sasuke! I hate you. She used her anger and desperation as inspiration, thrusting her life energy twisted with her chakra into Ino. Suddenly she saw an improvement. It was working…she was being healed!
I won't let Orochimaru win…, I'm going to heal her! And if Ino dies…I'll kill you myself, Sasuke. Sakura was shocked her the vehemence in her voice, but she pushed it aside as tears blinded her eyes and splashed into the wound that was growing smaller and smaller with every passing second.
She felt a roaring in her ears as her body began to ache and grow limp. Almost there. She pressed more chakra into Ino, and heard her gasp in pain—fully aware of her surroundings.
She also heard someone open the door and cry out, "Sakura-chan!"
That, however, was the last thing she heard as she toppled backwards onto the cold, hard floor, feeling herself go cold. Only one thought was running through her mind. Thank god I didn't have to go through with my promise…thank god Ino's alright…I don't have to hate Sasuke-kun…
Then everything went black.
"Sakura-san?" Deidara whispered as he came upon the pondering kunoichi. She looked up from the window, smiling softly.
Deidara sat down beside her. "What were you thinking about, yeah?"
"…my friends in Konoha."
"Oh." Deidara nodded stiltedly.
Sakura smiled rather sadly. "Hai. My best friend, Ino. I was thinking back to the time…to the time Sasuke almost killed her."
Deidara looked up. "When he was with Orochimaru, yeah?"
"Hai." Sakura nodded. "I saved her…and I almost died, or so they told me later." Sakura couldn't help but smile slightly. "I guess I used my own life energy to heal her, instead of just chakra. That's the only reason it worked. But I made Ino's father a promise. Apparently I came through with my end. Ino was healed enough to actually walk out of the room…I of course, had to be rushed to Tsunade on a stretcher."
Deidara watched her. "You risked your life for her?"
"Of course." Sakura answered truthfully, "She was my best friend—still is. We have our differences, but I'd die for her and she for me."
"You almost did die, yeah."
Sakura looked at him, wondering at the…relief…in his eyes. "…hai."
Suddenly Deidara leaned forward. Sakura watched him, feeling his breath on her lips as she did nothing to stop him…for some odd reason she didn't want to. She felt his lips touch hers and she merely pressed her own against them, before Deidara pulled back with a small smile, his eyes bright.
"I'm glad you didn't, yeah."
"Me too." Sakura whispered, wondering at the light feeling in her chest. She didn't know why, but she didn't mind that Deidara had kissed her. It was like with Neji, it was a wonderful feeling, even if she only thought of them both as friends.
Sakura blinked as she grinned at Deidara, who was staring into nowhere, like he didn't believe what he'd done was real. "Ne, Deidara-san?"
"Hai?"
"Let's go get some tea!"
Deidara smiled as Sakura dragged him into the kitchen.
If sunshine had a flavor, Deidara guessed it would have tasted like Sakura's lips. That taste…he would never forget the deliciousness and sweetness of her. Perhaps it would have been better for both of them if he had.
(A/N: Short chapter this time, sorry! I've been busy and decided to cut this one short so you'd all have something to read. Nothing really interesting happening yet, but it should soon. After all, when stuck in a cold place, things are going to have to heat up! Especially after that kiss! Whew!
Thanks for all the reviews and I'd love even more. Review as much as you want! Oh, I went back and edited the first five chapters; so now they're easier to read, thank the lord.
The next chapter is going to be…interesting…)
