Chapter 9
In the Forest country
Sakura collapsed down on the ground with a deep sigh. They've been walking for almost one day with few short breaks and for all this is also her fault. She thought... thought...she is able to keep up with Sasuke's tempo of walking and running, but hell she was wrong. Of course she wasn't that tired, but he sure knows how to torture her. But he just doesn't know this, because if he would have knew there would be nothing to convince him to continue. And he noticed it this now. Now, when they were just a half day away from a mansion. Idiot.
" I told you I'm not tired." she breathed out, killing him with her glare.
" Just look at yourself, Sakura. You are barely breathing." he retorted.
" I'm just fine!" she snarled.
" There is no need to be so impolite, Sakura!" he put dry branches one one place and started the fire. It was nearly midnight and it was quite cold. She didn't notice it until someone made her stop and now when she is cooling down the cold air is making things even worse.
" I told you I don't want to stop!" she said with more calm voice, but irritation was still there.
" Well then tell me when you were about to stop?" he asked, when he sat down, opposite her.
" Never." she didn't hesitate.
" Your legs are shaking like mad." he stated when he saw her legs shaking hard. She grabbed them and made them stop, but it didn't help a thing.
" I'm fine." she murmured under her breath and channelled her chakra in her hands and sending warm impulses through soar legs. It have never happened to her that they would shake like this after a day of running. She had gone through way more worse, but her inner tights were just like a part of another body right now. And she could thought of a reason or two why is this time different. It's just that she wasn't sure about it...
" I wonder what you were doing last night..." he smirked a wicked smirk. " Something unusual must be going on down there." the way he said there it made her blush and press her legs together as much as she was able. What the hell was he talking, that pervert.
" Pervert!" she shouted in his face and started ignoring him. " And just for an information, there was nothing going on last night!" she added and showed her back to him, cursing him under her breath. And what pissed her even more what that he didn't say anything after that. What he did was chuckle and nothing else. Nothing!
Sakura waited for few seconds and then turned around to find him taking off his own shirt, which was all covered in sweat. His hands were in the air when Sakura stopped breathing, he pulling sleeves off and every single muscle on his torso was able to see. If she wouldn't be sitting that moment she is more than 100% sure that she would landed on the ground. And the light of a fire... it made it even more hotter. It was like in a porn dreams.
So the shirt was off and god like body was revealed in its glory. She tried to find words to describe that particular moment, when he stretched himself and a expression on his face. He was tired and his muscles were overworked. The feeling wasn't strange for him, no. He is a shinobi, he is used of this feeling and state of his body. His eyes met hers, from under his forehead two black eyes in a shadow of a fire burned. Burned her with a mischievousness and playfulness. An expression she wasn't used of it.
" What?" he asked while he had leaned forward to reach his bag.
" Nothing." she answered and turned her back to him again, trying to cover her blushing.
" Oh, c'mon Sakura. Don't you tell me you're going to act like a child!" he teased her and pulled new shirt over his head. The last one he had possessed.
" I'm not acting like a child!" she opposite him. " I...I..." she tried to find a suitable excuse. "I'm giving you some privacy!" she blunted first thing she managed to remember.
" Well then, you can turn back, miss little girl. I'm decent!" she ignored his little nickname he came up just now and turned like an adult, with a poker face on her face.
" You sure take your time." she mumbled and avoided his eyes. " Give me that you've stolen in that shop." she said and reached her hand towards him, again without looking him.
" Oh, I hope you're still not mad on me, because I didn't let you stole new cloths!" he pulled some fruits, bread and cheese out of his bag.
" I would have bought them!" she snapped back and violently (but again, not that violently) out of his hand.
" With what?" he continued putting oil on a fire.
" I've got a money!" she lied.
" Yeah, like I do!"
" Just shut up!"
" What's wrong with wearing my cloths?" he asked after few moments of silence. " They are clean if this is what worries you!"
" I don't like wearing someone's else cloths!" she said with a annoyed voice.
" Well then if you don't like my cloths, you can take them off and pass them to me." he suggested, but a suggestion didn't sound funny to Sakura. She almost choked on her own food and once she was able to breath normally and speak in a clear tone, she wanted to kick his ass badly.
" What the fuck are you saying?!" she watched his standing up, on the other side of a fire with a smirk on his face. With a fucking smirk on his face. A bad feeling ran through her body. Slowly he stepped around a fire, which was some kind of a barrier, a safe one between the two of them. Sakura leaned back, like she was trying to escape from him, but she was glued on a grounds where she was sitting. Uchiha slowly kneeled next to her, with a smirk on his face.
" Take them off." he said in a low voice, with a weird kindness.
" Hell no!" she said with a determination.
" I will say just one more time and if you won't cooperate I will take them off myself." he ended with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
Sakura felt sick. Really sick. She was still confused... were they sleeping together last night or was she just walking in her sleep. Something was there, but was it just a dream or what? Soreness between her legs wasn't just a coincident, she will be damned if it was. But was it just a destiny or something else, that her gaze jumped down on his collar and then it hit her.
Before he wore a shirt which was covering his neck and shoulders. But this sleeveless black shirt, showed to Sakura enough to turn the fire away from her. A smile, a wide smile drawn on her lips and she didn't move away from him any more. She leaned towards him, her tongue slowly and seductively ran on her lower lip, making him to glance her lips. And he wasn't a fool not to notice how kissable were, not that he wouldn't have knew that before.
" Make me." she whispered. The light was just enough for themselves to see each other in a dark. Fire was dying slowly, but the other fire was just getting bigger and bigger.
" Are you seducing me Sakura?" he answered.
" You tell me." she giggled quietly. " Do you need those scratches on your blades and shoulders to be healed... or..." she put her hand on his and squeezed it. " Do you need them to be deeper?"
" Take your clothes off." he whispered and with a sudden movement pinned Sakura on her back, his hips between hers and trembling hands trying to find their way to her skin. " For god's sake take them off or I will rip them off!" he groaned and pulled open her shirt wider and kissed her between her breasts. And he sucked and he licked until she moaned.
" My...ahh... my... you sure get all fired up, by just few innocent words." she whispered in his ear. In deed she was confused when she woke up in the morning without him by her side. But this... everything came back to her. Every moan, every thrust, every arch... it was all real.
" Few innocent words..." he chuckled. " Innocents is whole other definition when we are talking about you, Sakura..." he breathed between their kiss. She couldn't think, his touch on her skin was like one way ticket to heaven. Dreams or not, now she is absolutely awake!
" But...this is just a scratch from a fight with that shinobi..." he added with a smirk on his face. Sakura froze on her place.
WHAAAAT????
" Wait...what?" she asked with a whisper, burning in her cheeks of a shame she felt, kicking herself for being so stupid.
" This scratches...are from fighting with a shinobi back there in the inn." he repeated, enjoying every second watching her face, which was burning in shame and horror.
" Oh..." she wanted to twist her own neck for being so damn stupid! How she couldn't think of that before!! Of course, he was fighting with that fucking shinobi and he...obviously...got scratches! ' Damn it Sakura, sometimes you're dumber that Pig is!' She tried to climb from under Sasuke and go kill herself, or at least buried herself for a decade or something like that. " Let me go." she said, not able to meet his gaze.
Sasuke gently grabbed her chin, making her face him. She was looking away from him, but he moved her face a bit more that their gazes met. A dim light was shining on her face, her pink hair were now darker, green eyes shining like jade. It made her another Sakura, like a nymph from another world, a part of her Sasuke has never saw before. He could die watching those eyes, swim in them, dream and breath. It was like he was watching deep in her soul, seeing true her. He could felt her body against his, her breast raising and falling, brushing slightly next to his torso. He was charmed, that's for sure.
" What?" she snapped, that special moment was gone. Her brows narrowed, telling him that she was annoyed.
" I will get you dress once when we will be in mansion, it must be near to the town." he said and brushed away a strand of her pink hair away from her face. " I like your hair this way...it's more you..." he whispered and in a moment he was again on his feet, stepping closer to the fire, his back turned towards her.
She picked herself on her elbows, quite shocked from a statement he stated few seconds ago. He likes her hair...he sure is weird. But like hell she will kill herself one day! How she couldn't think of that?!?! So obsessed with an answer, if she had sex with his or not. And not being an idiot, she was hoping she had. But this was more than an answer. She didn't... damn it...
She stood up, brushed away all the dirt which was on her cloths...Sasuke's cloths and stepped on other side of a fire, started unpacking food Sasuke has stolen in the shop. It was a piece of bread, some fruits and water. They will eat more once they will be in mansion, for now she will be happy with what she has. Glancing Sasuke across the fire, he had his eyes closed, slowly chewing his food. His face was sure different since they've been in the same team. Now was darker, but in the same way, right now softer.
She moved her gaze on flames, listening the sound of burning wood. Just how they've ended like this?
-
" I'm telling you, we will come faster if we go this way!" Sakura pointed on the right path, glaring Sasuke.
" No..." he said through his teeth. " It's this way!"
" Like hell!!!" she cursed and poked him in his chest. " This path will lead us through jungle!"
" Well, yours will be like going to the tiger's cave! This way will lead us right to the Grass's base!! Don't forget, we're still in Grass country, where they are dying to have my head on a plate! And yours too!"
" I can't help you, if you have so bad reputation! And why would they like to have my head on a plate? I didn't do anything to them!!!" she hissed. " It's the faster way! Once when we will be in the mansion we are safe!!"
" But this way, you're risking to get out or position! You know this will be one big rumour in Grass country and there will be no hard work for ANBU! We will be dead before sunset! Is this what you want, Sakura?!?"
" Of course I don't want it...-" she started, but Sasuke was tired of arguing with her, so he simply grabbed her and put her on his shoulder, started walking left side.
" Now be a good girl, be still and stop hitting me." he mocked, jumped on a tree.
" I will give you 'be a good girl, be still and stop hitting me', once when I will kick your soul out of you!" she growled out and hitting him with her fists in his back.
" Sakura..." he growled. " You are inviting those Grass ninjas to find us."
" Well then, let them come. Then I will kick them and then you!" she turned her head and said to him. " And stop looking in my ass!!!"
" What about if I hold you in bridal position, would it be more comfortable for you?" and for him of course, since his back is already all blue and black, but like hell is he going to admit something like that...
" I can jump myself and don't forget, we are still on a mission! This will go in my report! Mark my words!" she said it with an authority in her voice. At least she thought that she said it that way...
" As you wish... leader!" he said and stopped. She was standing in front of him and suddenly his body was looking so mighty in that sunlight. His face was darkened, because of a shadows that day and eyes were even darker that they were. If she would be a little girl she would definitely screamed, but now...a fully grown (except her ahembosomahem) kunoichi she can only kill her fear and hope someone would save her...maybe a squirrel would jump from somewhere...
" But then again...if you're going to write this down...maybe you should write also this... Sakura is letting her guard down," she raised her finger to opposite that, but he continued"... Sakura is kissing missing-nin," she blushed, but he, there again, keep on continuing, "...Sakura is seducing a suspect..." he mouth fell open, blush even darker, " ...and, she is too focused on this mission, to even see the true situation!" he ended with a smirk on his face.
Maybe this would be a moment she would burst and start insulting him back, maybe punching him in his face, but all she did she turned her face away from him. Sasuke was a bit confused, because he kinda wanted her to start yelling on him, so that he could do his way... but he achieved the right opposite.
" Sakura..." he called her name and she turned her face to him. And he saw in her eyes that he hurt her with his words...again.
" Sakura, look..." he started, but she stopped him with raising her hand in front of his face, making him shut up.
" You arrogant son of a bitch!" she murmured under her breath, but her temper sure was rising. " If you wouldn't be suck a dick and leaving Konoha in first place, we wouldn't even be here!"
His expression darkened. He and she knew she started a conversation which was delicate...very delicate... " You know my reason, well too much."
" And I find them stupid!" she snapped.
" I had to kill him..." he said back.
" We could help you!"
" No, that was between me and my brother. Not yours not Naruto's not Kakashi's problem."
" Oh right..." she crossed her hands on her chest. " We were weak."
" I'm not going in this conversation again." he stated, his eyes stayed on Sakura's determinate as hers.
" Like hell you're going to start it!"
" We need to move," he changed conversation, his eyes weren't on Sakura, but looking behind her. " someone is coming."
" I know that and it's not ANBU, just three men, but they are not shinobi's." Sakura turned herself and gave a better look on that three men. Their chakra was minimal and if they were to be shinobi's she could kill them on her own.
" How can you be so sure?" he asked, with a annoyance in his voice. After all it's he who has a ability to see it...among other things...now his Ego has suffered.
" Because someone, who stayed in Konoha and was and is Fifth Hokage's student knows about chakra in shinobi and ordinary people." she hit his Ego even more and make him shut up.
They have hide in bushes, which were enough big, since they were enough green and big for them to cover themselves...for just in case. Sakura was kneeling on her knees, supporting her weight with two hands of hers observing three men, approaching to them. Sasuke on other hand was behind Sakura kneeling on one knee, leaving Sakura to do the job. He was busy with looking her bottom, which was right in front of him.
He had to admit to himself, that was a piece of art, for sure. Even she was in his cloths, that didn't mean he couldn't see. Of course he wished for a bit different clothing, but hell, he has to be happy with what he has in front of him. But even if he wanted to gaze it for eternity, he snapped out of his fantasies and lowered a bit more. Now he moved next to Sakura and gave a look to three men, who were moving slowly with big backpacks on their backs. Their legs were all muddy up to their knees, sweat was all over them. They were wearing traditional hats on their heads, and old T-shirts. They weren't from high society, that was for sure, but this doesn't mean they are to be trusted. Some chakra movement caught his attention. Is it possible...
" Sasuke...backpacks..." Sakura whispered with a horror in her voice.
" I know..." he whispered back, realising they were having people in those backpack, slaves for their country. He's heard about it before. Forest country in famous for kidnapping poor people and then sell them further to underground organizations, rich land lords and even to important politicians.
" We have to help them..." she whispered.
" No, Sakura." he put his hand on her shoulder, stopping her. " you mustn't."
" And why not? This is illegal, we must stop this! And I know we aren't Grass ninja's, but I can't just sit and watch." she hissed.
" I know you want to help them, but who ever is in charge of this, knows they are coming and even if we stop them now, he or she will send people who will look for them, missing-nin's for exact. And we have to hide and not exposing ourselves." Sasuke pointed out, still holding her for her shoulder.
Sakura wanted to help those people, but Sasuke was right. They have to play it low, or else they will be on their way to Konoha, facing Danzou...even she won't forgive this for a long time...really long time.
" Ok..."she whispered, turning away from Sasuke, slowly moving further in the bushes.
*
" Look, there is a town." Sakura pointed on small town, which was shining in night lights. They've been walking for the rest of a day, away from main road, keep themselves in low profile, barely even talking. Pink haired kunoichi was still in shock for what they've seen, Sasuke was walking after her, making sure they didn't leave any traces.
" We will be there before it gets even more darker. Maybe an hour or so." Sasuke looked down on a small valley and a shiny small town.
" Location isn't so good. The valley is small and not hard to hide, which means we will have to watch our back even more." Sakura was a bit worried.
" Where is that mansion?" Sasuke asked once they started walking down the hill, avoiding the trees.
" About two hours out of the town." she turned her head, meeting his eyes. " In 45 minutes if you're running."
" You've been here before." that wasn't a question, as many others questions/ statements he likes to point out.
" Once." she admitted. " Tsunade-sama wanted to take a break and she took me with her, saying I work too much." she smiled on that one. " So here we stayed for a month, me, Tsunade-sama, Shizune-san and Ino." we had a great time.
" Why didn't you tell this to me before?" he asked.
" Because I don't share my personal life with suspects and missing-nin's. Now shut up and walk faster." she said without any soul in her voice and speed up her tempo of walking.
Missing-nin tried to say something on that, but knew better if he is going to keep on putting oil on fire it will get bad...really bad. So being a smart guy, he will swallow this one...it's going to be hard...but for the sake of peace between them... he will get his opportunity. Soon enough.
They've reached town fast, since Sakura had her tempo which was faster than running. Pink haired partner stopped at the entrance to the town and stayed shocked. Yes, she has already been here, but never went into the town, because someone called Hokage said it's better to keep it low. And she knew it wasn't because she wanted peace from the locals. She wanted gambolling and having peace in front of us.
Sakura's forehead narrowed. She will tell to Hokage a lession or two once she sees her next time. And her stomach twisted in a strange way. But when will she be able to see Tsunade again? When will this end? Of course she wanted to hide and keep it low until things fall back in order, but she wants her life back. Shifts in the hospital, training with Kakashi, Sai and Naruto, going out with Ino, Tenten and Hinata...all this will be away from her for kami-sama knows for how long.
A hand landed on her shoulder. She turned around and found out it was Sasuke, who was looking her like he would ask her why did she stop now. With a quick nod she started walking and they've entered the town, which was on bad reputation...at least it looked like that. Drunk people, prostitutes, suspicious people, sings to the strip clubs, pubs, some shops...a place, where Sakura didn't feel safe. And a hand was still there, Sasuke was actually holding her very, very close to himself while they've been walking through the crowd.
Yes, she's been groped few times, but she was keep on repeating in her head like a mantra: keep it low, keep it low, keep it low, for kami's sake! Even she is enough strong to break everyone's yawns here in this town, something deep inside of her was keep on telling her that it would be better if she just hold on Sasuke.
" Look, there is a shop. We can buy some food and cloths for you." Sasuke said in her ear, pushed her slowly in a direction where the shop was still opened.
" We have no money." she reminded him.
" Actually." Sasuke turned around, when a fat men, who was already drunk and he also looked wealthy, showed a wallet, full of money. " We have." and there was his smirk.
Sakura stood with her mouth opened. He just robbed a man! " You idiot, robbing a person on a main street with hundred of people around you!!!" she hissed, hitting him hard in her ribs.
" Aw.." he winced. " Don't hit me like that...and don't worry, I'm an expert." she raised her eyebrow.
" I can see that now..." was all that cam from her mouth and entered the store.
There were cloths...many cloths. And her eyes sparkled like to a 5 years-old child when he sees extra big candy. But knowing their budget was a bit limited she killed that desire to look every single dress in a store...which was really hard, she walked to the part where pants were sold. So she grabbed one piece of black jeans, a white T-shirt and underwear. Her heart was tearing apart, when she knew this was all she can allow to herself to buy, she walked to Sasuke with a face as a young puppy, a sad puppy...
" What?" he asked and looked down on her cloths. " Is that all?" we he was surprised.
" Yeah.." she said with a sigh.
" We have enough money in this wallet to buy every single piece in this store." he said with a plain voice. " Go and take some more cloths."
It's Christmas, right? Sakura's eyes shined of happiness, so that she forget for a second that they are on a mission and hugged Sasuke. If there is a thing what can make a girl happy is allowance that she can buy more things. So she let him go and pulled him behind her.
So she decided to take new pair of shorts, for training, two spare shirts, one a bit warmer, towels and underwear. She was in heaven and Sasuke is buying it. Her childhood dreams, for sure. So once everything was bought, they went to the grocery shop and grab as many food they could. Since it's going to be long time to hide.
" This will be enough for a month, except for a milk and meat. But I believe we will be able to preserve the meat, so this will last enough time." Sakura happily said and held the doors for Sasuke that he was able to get out with all those bags of food.
" Yeah." was all he said and now walked behind her...close to her, since hands were flying around like flies.
" So how much money do we have?" was next she asked.
" A bit more than 7.812 yen..." Sasuke answered and glared to a men who was eyeing Sakura.
" I guess that it will be enough for a bit longer, right." there was no more so crowded and Sakura already saw the exit of a village, when a owner of a shop jumped in front of her.
" Welcome strangers in the Forest country!" he greeted with a wide smile. Sakura jumped a bit back, since that man was practically standing in front of her face and made a cute face, as Sasuke thought of it. " Would you like to enter my bar? We have gambolling machines and poker tables, and first try is for free! I know you want to try it" I can see you have a luck hand, my lady! Please enter and try it." the old man grabbed Sakura's hand and tried to pull her in, but Sasuke grabbed his and gave him a hard squeeze. Old man's gaze jumped on Sasuke's with a horror, when he heard his bones start to crush.
" What are you doing?" he started to screaming.
" Let her go." was all he said and squeeze more. Old man loose his grip and Sakura pulled her hand out, but without any hesitation hit man in his stomach, make him puke and blackout in one place. Like hell is he going to mess around with her.
" Let's go." Sakura said and without any other word left old man on the floor. " You know I could handle him on my own."
" I know." was all the black haired man said and kept on walking behind her.
*
Moon was high on a night sky when Sakura and Sasuke reached Hokage's mansion. Since it was full Moon, they were able to follow the path without getting lost in the way there. Again, they barely speak a word, now not because Sakura refused to, but they were both tired. Of course they were happy to finally be in front of Hokage's mansion and their shelter was no longer under a tree or on a meadow. Soft bed, warm shower, safety. Mansion wasn't small, that's for sure. It was quite big, but there again, this is Hokage's mansion we are talking about.
Mansion wasn't somewhere in the woods, but it was on a hill, half build inside of it. The view was stunning, specially at the evening. But there again. If you would be looking from a far you wouldn't be able to see it, since is so good in fitting into the habitat around it. Whole mansion was made out of wood and stone, a traditional style made whole construction even more stunning.
" This is it." Sakura smiled a smile to Sasuke and went towards the entrance. Above the front doors were a Fire country sign, a kanji for a fire. The keys were behind a stone in a small hole, which was barely visible. And before she could opened the front doors she had to send her chakra through a hole, which was next to the knob. After seconds of dead silence a click was heard and doors opened on themselves.
Sakura turned to Sasuke and grinned. " Tsunade-sama invented this out. To keep out the intruders."
" Hn." he raised his eyebrow and entered the house. She clearly wants her possession not to be touched.
His team mated turned lights on and whole glory of a mansion showed to him. Well a bit of it, since this is just a living room with a kitchen and huge table in front of a large window. There was a fireplace with large sitting places around it, kitchen was huge and new. Hell he was surprised at the sight he saw.
" Welcome to the Forest country...in Hokage's mansion!" Sakura stood in the middle of a huge place, smiling to him.
Hi guys!
Yeah, finally is here! I'm sorry for being so late, but you know... university...holidays...you get a picture...:) I would like to thank you for reading (and reviewing...:PP) and I hope next chapter will be updated soon...:)
and only now I saw that I had to correct some things, before I update, but I didn't so, sorry about that...:)
take care, Arruin.-
