A/N: I am SO sorry about the long wait. School is a douche and finals are starting up. I hope you all can forgive me for the longer-than-usual wait! I love all the reviews, and I see every one of them.
And mind you, It is a small town. Everybody knows everybody, so Sakura didn't see any problem with going around to the park at night. She never had to grow up around much crime. Like she had stated in Chapter 6, there hasn't been any serious crime in Konoha in over 30 years. They didn't even previously have a police station for Christ's sake!
She also didn't want anybody to know, because-as in the actual Naruto series-she can be a very prideful person. Now read, enjoy, review, and live life because the next chapter should come quicker! Now I said should. Love you all, and oh, Happy Mother's Day! Go hug your Mother! :D
Sakura pulled at the loose strands of bubblegum hair, tucking them neatly in her fist full of tresses. Pulling the ponytail holder from her clenched teeth, she stretched the band around several times over the mass of locks. She finished the look with a few white barrettes and fake diamond studded earrings.
Satisfied, she stuffed a twenty dollar bill and her cell phone in her back pocket before snatching her traveling bag off the floor and proceeding to thump her way downstairs.
"Sakura! Honey!" she heard her mother yell from the living room.
"Yeah?"
Grunting, her mother stepped down from a newly placed ladder. "Help me get these old boxes down. I can't reach, what with my tiny arms and all."
The green eyed beauty giggled. "Sure."
Climbing up the tall ladder, she shoved her hand past a cluster of gossamer before finding the first wooden item and gently setting it down. It was a tiny box, made of fine cherry wood and polished to a glossy shine. Sakura eyed it curiously.
"What is that?"
"Oh, this." her mother gestures to the object of interest. "Is something repeatedly passed down the line of Haruno women."
"Oh."
"Yeah. That reminds me..." she huffed, and shoved the wooden container in her daughter's hand. "It's yours now."
"What exactly is mine?"
"Well, open it up."
The rosette stared at it blankly. "It's dusty."
"Open it." she urged.
Cautiously, the pink haired beauty lifted the tips of the lid, gingerly pushing it back and peering inside. A cloth of red silk endowed the inside of the dark maw, covering the mysterious object. She glanced over at her grinning mother, who enthusiastically nodded her head for her to continue. Sakura peeled back the edge of the aged cloth. Inside, sat a gem of pure emerald, threaded to a tiny diamond.. It perched on a silver chain and glistened in the early morning sunbeams that streamed in through the blinds. It was truly breathtaking.
"Wow...I don't know what to say..."
"Don't say anything. Put it on!"
"O-Ok." she said, gently plucking the beautiful jewel from it's resting place and twisting it in her thumb and forefinger.
The stone was carved in an elegant tear-drop shape, and the rosette fingered the tiny links of chain that connected the piece to a small fragment of diamond. The rest was linked to about a 16" chain. When she clipped it on and pushed her hair out of the way, the stone sat at the base of her collarbone, swooping above her breasts. She smiled and brushed her hand over it once more.
"Wow." she breathed. "Whose was it?"
"Beats me." Her mother shrugged. " I used to love wearing it as a kid and asked around, but nobody really ever knew the answer or looked into it. Now help me with these other boxes."
Nodding, Sakura stepped onto the ladder again, lifting box after box down her to mother. Every time her mother was busy fiddling with the flaps on the dirty cardboard, the pink haired beauty would look in the hall mirror and admire the way her new necklace shone. She would definitely keep this little treasure safe.
"Sakura, honey. What time are you supposed to be meeting your friends?"
"Uh, around 9:00, why?"
Her mother pursed her lips. "It's 8:40, dear."
"What?" she gaped. "How?"
"Well you see, honey, time never stops for anyone and when you spend it moving boxes for your short mother, it tends to fly."
"As if!" she laughed while kissing her on the cheek. "Bye Mom, love you!"
"Love you too. Be safe you hear? Call me if you need anything." she sighed. "Scratch that. Call me when you get to the hotel. Period."
With a mumble of 'My accident prone daughter...really should wear a caution sign...', her mother hugged her once more before the rosette bounded for the door. Halfway out, she sprinted back in and to the kitchen. Finding her exhausted father reading the daily newspaper while sipping half cooled coffee, she threw her arms around his neck and planted a chicken peck to his cheek. He sputtered a bit on his sip, before chuckling at her childish antics.
"Bye Dad, love you."
His eyes crinkled as he grinned back at her. "Love ya, kiddo."
The green eyed beauty's pink brows shot to her hairline as she caught a glimpse at the clock on the wall. She then slung her bag over her shoulders before bee lining for the door. She jogged down the steps and to the next block, before looking at the time on her cell phone and realized she only had ten minutes. She then preceded to run, only stopping once to say hello to Mrs. Yamanaka and promise her that when she gets back, she will work twice as hard to make up for her absence.
When the rosette arrived at the school parking lot, she was lightly panting and a few strands hung loosely from her ponytail. She walked up to her awaiting group of friends, who eyed her with amusement.
"Running late again, Haruno?" Kiba cackled. "Sasuke keep you up last night?"
"Shut up, Inuzuka!" Sakura felt her ears turning red, but playfully glared. "And he wishes!"
"I do, do I?" a deep rumble had the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. She whipped around to see her boyfriend smirking at her.
"Yes, you do. Who doesn't?" she joked.
"I don't, Hag. Never have, never will."
"Nobody wants to hear your mouth today, Sai." Ino groaned. "Just behave for once!"
"Whatever you say, Beautiful."
"Damn it, Sai! I told you! Quit calling my girlfriend beautiful, you troublesome idiot!" Shikamaru sighed.
"She is beautiful, is she not? Or you implying that she isn't?"
Sakura rolled her eyes at the typical fight, and turned back to Sasuke with a smile embedded in her face. She strolled over to him and pulled him into a quick embrace before lightly brushing her lips against his cheek.
"Morning, stranger."
"Since when have I been a stranger?"
"Oh, about a month ago, actually."
"Hn." he shrugged, but did not let go of her waist.
"Ew, teme. Get off Sakura-chan before you give her your ass-ness." Naruto yelled from the side. "We don't need another you running around here."
"Shut up, dobe. Where's Hinata, and why did she let you off your leash?"
"Wha- Teme, you take that back right now!"
"Everybody shut up and get on the bus!" Kakashi-sensei called from the front. "Single file. And no bathroom breaks, so you better not load up on drinks!"
Shuffling in, all the students picked where they wanted to sit, who they could bear sitting with for four hours, and the most comfortable sweatshirt to use as a good replacement pillow. Naturally, the stoners sat in the back, thinking they were safe to smoke there with the windows down. Karin and her groupies sat two seats behind Sakura and her group of friends. They all shifted around, finding acceptable places to make a temporary bed.
The rosette slumped against her boyfriend's side, molded into his arms like putty. She breathed out, closing her eyes in total preparation to fall into slumber. She felt the raven haired males arms jostle around a few times, which she ignored until the fifth time. She snapped her head up and narrowed her eyes at his handsome face.
"What are you doing?"
He paused and looked down at her face. "Pulling out my Ipod." he glanced down at the slick blue object, before holding a bud out to her.
She stared at it before pushing it into her ear. "Thanks..." she mumbled.
Listening to the smooth bass and drum mix to the opening measure of the song, she let her eyelids droop as the bus jerked forward and out of the parking lot. The pink haired girl once again fell against Sasuke before drifting off to sleep, letting the tiny music device vibrate her eardrum.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Walking down the corridor, her feet slowly pattered against the polished wood. Her slender fingers trailed the outlines of the smooth walls as she strolled to the garden. It was her day off and she felt like admiring the sakura trees, which were in fully lush bloom this time of year. Pushing open the slide door that led to the backyard, she silently watched her parents talk with a crimson haired young man, about the ripe age of twenty. The pink petals cascaded downward and fluttered to the littered ground.
Hesitantly, she walked to the bench where her parents sat, who were looking excitedly serious. All of the cluster of people (Including her parents, the young man, and what appears to be his servants.) turned her direction as she glided gracefully to them.
"Ah, Kaori." her father greeted warmly. "Just who we were looking for."
"Father?" she asked as she peered over at the tall boy adjacent to her.
"This," her father's chest puffed proudly. "Is Arata Kimonori. He wishes to have your hand in marriage. Isn't that wonderful?"
"Wonderful, if I were a blushing school girl who wishes to marry." she stated coolly. The pink haired vixen turned to the crimson haired male. "With all due respect, Mr. Kimonori, I have no intention of marrying you, nor anyone else for that matter."
As she spoke with her chin tilted defiantly, she could only think of her newly onyx eyed lover, who was off fulfilling his duty in Tokugawa. She bowed to each individual as she was taught, before pivoting on her heels to walk away. Roughly, she felt her mothers iron grip on her forearm, who yanked her a few feet away from the group of people.
"You listen here, ungrateful brat." her own flesh and blood hissed. "This is our chance of regaining our title as nobles back! Do you have any idea how wealthy Mr. Kimonori is? Do you want to live scrubbing floors for those damned Uchihas for the rest of your life? Do you?"
"Do not talk about them in such a way. They were the only ones to offer us work when things turned for the worse. We are indebted to them. And I do not wish to marry Arata."
"Do you want to die an old maid?"
She sniffed. "It is better than dying being married to someone I despise."
"Look here." her mother sighed tiredly, rubbing her eyes and dropping her daughter's hand. Kaori nursed it as her mother's attention was adverted to the ground. "Please give Mr. Kimonori a chance. I'm sure he will make you happy. Try, for us?"
Kaori sighed while rubbing her arm, but looked to the steel gray eyed man ahead of her. "I will try."
…
The green eyed woman slid the door to Arata's room open, pulling the most believable smile she could on her lips. She sat the tea set down gently on his table, pouring the steaming liquid in the cup and tried to push the beginning shivers at his burning stare back down her spine. There was something about this man that she just did not like, or trust.
"Kaori." he spoke with authority. "We will be going out to town tomorrow. I think it is about time we let everyone know I am courting you."
Silently, she pushed the hot porcelain into his hands before preparing herself a cup. Once a week she had been doing this, when she wasn't with Kanazawa that is. She would come to his chambers, serve tea, drink in tense silence, gather the dirty dishes, and leave. If he considered this to be courting, it was no wonder how someone as deathly handsome as he had no fiancee.
"You are courting me?" the pink haired woman snorted as she sipped her cup.
"Yes, I am." he ground.
"You barely speak words to me. I would like to be courted by someone who actually wants to get to know me."
She remembers the late nights Kanazawa and she had spent just lying on his floor, talking for hours about anything and everything. It had came out one night, as she was putting away his laundry. He had just burst open at the seams with emotional burden and heartache. One of the side effects of the terrible war that was raging outside the manor walls. She had listened, speaking only when necessary. When he was done pouring out his woes, she had never thought less of him, which he greatly appreciated. Since then their friendship had blossomed, and bloomed into a passionate romance. He was her other half. She swore that even if death be damned enough to part them, they would still find a way to be together.
Arata Kimonori may be rich, respected, and handsome, but he was no Kanazawa Uchiha.
"You never give me a chance."
She sighed, and lowered her drink. "That is because I don't want to give you a chance. To be quite frank, Arata, I have no desire what so ever to get to know you, let alone court or marry. Now if you will excuse me, I am going to reside to my chambers now."
She lifted herself off the floor, and began gathering the dishes in her hands. The next second, she found herself roughly shoved to the ground, the porcelain items in her hands went crashing down around her, creating a shower of glass shards. The pink haired woman yelped, rubbing her aching hand and wincing as she tried to move her twisted ankle. Looking up with wide emerald orbs, she shivered as the crimson haired man advanced at her.
"Let me make this clear, Kaori." he squatted down to her eye level. "I am not a man to be messed with. I am very powerful, in more ways than one."
She nearly cried out as he reached out and twisted a lock of bubblegum hair into his fist.
"When I want something, I take it. And that something happens to be you." he stared into her optics. "And if I can't have you, nobody can."
Sakura snapped upright, cold sweat breaking out over her skin, a silent scream bubbling up her throat and barely making it past her lips. When she looked around, she saw almost the entire bus looking at her with strange looks playing upon their faces. That dream was far too real; the fear was far too real. She could even feel the ghostly throbbing in her hand and ankle. Arata looked so much like Sasori that it brought back memories of that night last week.
She smiled sheepishly at everyone before turning to a sleeping Sasuke. She reached out her shaky hand, and gently poked his cheek. He did not stir, but barely open blurry onyx orbs and grunted at her.
"Hey, uh, I had a bad dream."
"Hn."
"Yeah, so... just hold my hand?"
He sighed, but complied and tangled their fingers together. "What is up with you? You're having a lot of bad dreams lately."
"I know, maybe I'm just stressing."
"Over what?"
"Med School entrance exams, prom...stuff."
He stared at her in response.
"Ok, you must be having bad dreams too."
"How do you know?" he raised a brow. She playfully touched underneath his gazing eyes, which had dark tints of evident lack of sleep.
"You aren't super human, no matter what you Uchihas think." she giggled.
"Aa." he paused, slowly trailing his eyes to outside the window. He stayed like that for a few beats.
"What is it?"
"What is what?"
"You're thinking seriously about something."
"Hn." he said. "I haven't spoken to my family since I moved here."
"Miss them?"
He scowled. "Hardly."
The rosette pressed her lips in a line. "I think you should go see them."
"I don't care what you think." he ground.
Taken aback, Sakura gaped at him. At first the comment had tears stinging in her eyes, because not only was she dealing with these stupid visions and feelings and Sasori, but now her own refuge was turning on her. Then she felt her famous short temper fuse go off and the sting turned to anger.
"Listen here, Sasuke." she hissed. "Don't turn on me just because you're aggravated with your family. I was only trying to help."
He looked down regretful. "I know, I know. My family is just a... touchy subject for me. I'm sorry for snapping. I do care what you think."
"Of course you do." she drawled out sarcastically. He rolled his eyes in response.
"You are one difficult woman."
"You're just figuring this out?" she laughed and he chuckled. He squeezed her hand.
"I want you to come with me."
The green eyed girl blinked. "What? To where?"
"I want you to come with me to see my parents."
"What?" her emerald orbs widened.
"I said-"
"I know what you said, I'm just wondering if you're serious..."
"Completely."
Her mouth opened and closed a few times. "Why?"
"You're my girlfriend. My parents deserve to meet somebody as important as that in my life."
"Oh." she replied, her cheeks reddening a bit at the flattery.
"So?"
"Don't you think it's a little early for that? I mean, it's been only a few weeks..."
He snorted. "I don't mind. I feel like I've known you longer than that. A lot longer. And if you don't want to go you don't have to."
"No! It's just a bit too soon. I heard guys normally wait a month or two before asking their girlfriends to meet the family."
"I'm not like most guys." he said, watching her raise a pink brow at that. "And I'm not going to see them for at least three months."
"Why the wait?"
"That's how long it takes to get in contact with them."
"Why does it take so long to just get in contact?" she asked, curious.
He sighed. "They are very busy people. They own a lot of companies and are responsible for a lot of people."
"So they're too busy for their own son?"
"Apparently."
Sakura sat there, looking into her boyfriend's somber eyes. Deep down, she knew he cared. It was a signature 'I-don't-give-a-crap' facade he puts on around other people, but she noticed that by the few dates she's had with him, it's been dropping more and more around her. She takes comfort in the thought he can let his guard down when with her, but it still pains her to see such raw, sad emotions. Ever the less, she's thankful he trusts her enough to behold that side of him.
She lifted up her hand that wasn't intertwined with his and ran it through his spikes, relishing in the silky feel. He glanced back at her, questioning her motive. The rosette leaned upward, tilting her head to the side and pressed her lips against his. He at first seemed surprised, but soon started to return the kiss with enthusiasm.
Boys will be boys I suppose, even if they are Sasuke Uchiha.
When she pulled away from the brief encounter, she smiled a toothy grin at the dazed onyx eyed male.
"I'm never too busy for you." she said. "Though I can be a lazy bum and the only thing I have going on is Stu-Co and my part-time job."
He chuckled. "Thanks for that."
"Anytime."
"Both of you shut up!" Sakura heard a sleep induced Naruto groan from the seat in front of them. "I'm really happy for you, teme, but can you please shut that flapping trap of yours?"
Sasuke leaned over the seat and pushed the blonde's head forward, and the green eyed girl laughed lightly as Naruto's forehead made contact with the seat in front of him.
"Ow, bastard! What was that for?" he said, rubbing his 'injury'.
"Hn."
"Sakura-chan!" the blue eyed boy whined. "Get your ape!"
"Get him yourself."
"You guys make a cruel couple!" he grinned, scooting closer the the sleeping Hyuga girl to his right. "Unlike me and Hinata-chan, who make the best couple ever."
"You're right." the rosette agreed. "You're a hyperactive, loud knuckle-head and she's a quiet, sweet, mild-tempered lady. You guys make a perfect pair."
"Mean. Just mean." Naruto mumbled, turning back around. "Wake me up when we get there."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Stepping off the bus, the pink haired woman surveyed her surroundings by swooping her orbs across the scenery. It was a bustling metropolitan area, with tall buildings and canals. Around the trees, you could see the tips of temples and old styled Japanese homes. She then cast her gaze frontward, eyes bulging at the gigantic hotel they would be staying in. Marble chiseled in the front with elegant designs carved into the outer shell of the facility. A huge grin spread across her face.
"Wow. We're really here." she breathed. "It's amazing!"
"Aa." Sasuke smirked, grabbing her hand and leading the way into the extravagant building.
When they entered the lobby, a smiling manager clicked her heels towards the raven haired male's direction. She looked about thirty with chestnut brown hair and liquid chocolate optics. Her bun was so tight it pulled on the skin on her face and her dark lipstick and black pant suit combo had an air of superiority complex swirling around the woman.
"Uchiha-sama! How nice of you to grace Kyoto's Uchiha Resort with your presence." she gushed, shaking Sasuke's hand firmly. "I trust your parents and elder brother are doing well?"
"I'm sure they are." he nodded.
"I see. Is this your party?" she plastered on another blinding smile. "Welcome."
"Yes...Are our rooms ready?"
"Of course. They were reserved as soon as you called."
The entire class marveled in the amount of respect and authority Sasuke held at such a young age. Even Kakashi-sensei had an impressed smirk on his masked face. The rosette coughed awkwardly, not liking the glares the female classmates were burning into her back. She fought the urge to wiggle her way out of the arm the onyx eyed male snaked around her waist. Sakura always wasn't very fond of this much attention.
The manager, Ms. Sabaki (Sakura actually took the time to read the name plate that rested upon her left breast.), held out a hand full of stacked room keys.
"Alright, Kids. Pair up with somebody of the same gender (Several couples groaned at this.) and send one roommate to get a key. The number of the room should be on the front right side of the key card." she called over the group of murmuring teens.
Sakura made eye contact with Ino, who was underneath Shikamaru's lazily draped arm, who jutted her head forward in approval. Tenten and Hinata done the same, as well as Naruto and Sasuke. They had all agreed on who was staying with who at the lunch table a few days ago. After the cards had been dispersed, the pairs began to make their way to the rooms. Sakura stood on her tip-toes and planted a kiss on Sasuke's jawline.
"See you in a little for the tour, 'kay?"
After a very tense elevator ride (Sakura hated elevators. Too many horror films as a child she supposed. She also didn't like the way that old businessman/pervert was staring at her like a lion at a piece of meat.), the two women opened a polished wooden door with the room number etched in gold fill on the surface, to reveal one of the most adorned rooms they've ever beheld.
"Whoa." Ino breathed. "Your boyfriend's loaded!"
The rosette punched her arm sternly. "I don't care! He could be dirt poor and my feelings wouldn't change."
A queen-sized bed sat across one side of the room, caught between two nightstands, which were the same garnished wood as the door and sported matching tasteful lamps. Stylish crimson curtains pulled apart to reveal a balcony that overlooked the skyline of the city. A flat screen sat on an entertainment center to left, and across the first bed mirrored another. The bathroom was right next to the entrance of the room.
"This is pretty lavish." The green eyed beauty whistled. "A little too much for me if I do-say-so-myself."
"Oh," the blonde began, tossing her things on one of the beds, claiming it as hers. "It's a nice change from the usual camping trip with all the rocks and bugs and fire hazards."
"I guess you're right." Sakura said, gently setting her bag on the other mattress.
"You know I'm right."
Even the beds were decorated in plush pillows and comforters. The theme of the room was obviously red and white, which made a lot of sense seeing as those were the Uchiha's signature colors.
"Whatever, Pig."
The blue eyed female paused. "Sakura?"
"Yeah?" she answered, tucking her things away in the dresser near her bed.
"Let's cut to the chase. Tenten is worried. Hinata is worried. I'm worried."
"About?"
"The bruises. On your arms and your hip and back. What happened?"
"What do you mean by that? I already told you-"
"We're not idiots. Those excuses were lame. You suck at lying!"
"Hm. I guess I do."
"Seriously! What happened? I'm your friend and I'm tired of you hiding things from me!" she cried. "I'm tired of pretending like everything is fine and knowing it isn't. You haven't been acting right lately, ever since a few days before Sasuke came around. I know that picture thing...was weird, but it was just a coincidence. It has to be! Tenten and I...we were thinking some..and... Is Sasuke hitting you?"
"What? No!"
"Then what is it? And don't you dare even think about lying to me, because trust me, I'll know."
Sakura sighed, defeated, and slumped on the bed. "Remember that night when Tenten saw me crying?"
"Yeah..?"
"Well, I went for a walk because I couldn't sleep, like I had said." Ino nodded for her to continue. "I had bumped into Sasori. He went a little bonkers and pushed me into a vending machine."
"That bastard! I'll kill him!"
Sakura stared at her. "How will you swing that? With your lip gloss?"
"Oh, shut up. But why didn't you tell anyone? This is serious."
"No it isn't. The man needs help, yes, but he didn't mean to...to an extent. Besides, knowing Sasuke he'd probably kill him and I'd rather have my boyfriend outside of jail, thank you."
"I don't blame him." she growled. "So what do you plan to do? Ignoring it isn't smart."
"I know. Just leave it be and I'll avoid Sasori like the plague." she shrugged. "And if he tries to do it again, bust out my mean left hook and tell somebody. I'm fine, really. Just let bygones be bygones."
"Promise?"
The rosette waved her hand. "Yeah, promise."
"I still can't believe you would ignore something this serious."
"I can't believe we're still on this." she groaned.
The next sentence Ino was about to say didn't have a chance to surface, due to a sharp knock on the base of their door. "Girls, be downstairs in ten minutes. Tour starts soon." Kurenai-sensei called.
"Coming!" they yelled back in unison.
"Seriously, you're fine?"
"Yes! Now come on." the pink haired girl pulled on her friend's wrist. "We have a tour around the one and only Kyoto to be honored with."
"Whatever, you nerd." Ino's eyes trailed to her chest, making Sakura quirk a brow.
"Pig?"
"Pretty necklace." she said.
"Oh!" The rosette's hand flew to her gem, tracing the outline of it with the tip of her finger. "Thanks."
"It's really pretty. It seems to glow!" Ino complimented. "Where did you get it?"
"My mother, or well, my attic. It's been passed down for generations I guess." she said, pushing open her door and making their way to the elevator. The blonde roughly punched the button.
"That sounds nice. Whose was it originally?"
"Beats me." the green eyed girl shrugged.
"Might be those underwear washing ancestors of yours!" Ino barked a laugh, making Sakura resist the urge to slap her silly.
"Shut up, you pig you!" She began, only to stop when she realized Ino might be on to something.
How could she be so blind as to not see it? Of course it had something to do with...Kaori, was it? It seemed like everything else did. Her dreams, her boyfriend, her looks, her attitude, her abuser. Why not let her also be the owner of her sole family heirloom? Can't that dead woman just leave her alone already?
"Hello! Earth to Bill-Board Brow!" The blue eyed girl snapped a finger in front of her face. "Yeah, planet Earth needs you back. Well, long enough to get your butt back onto the smelly bus. Really, they need to do something about that piss smell. It's making me gag."
Sakura rolled her eyes at her antics before climbing back into the bus.
"But seriously, you ok? Do I need to have a word with that crimson haired devil?"
"No, no. Don't tell anyone." Ino shot her a look. "Ok, Tenten and Hinata, but nobody else!"
"Fine."
The pink haired beauty slid into her original seat and waited for the rest of the crew to get on. Eventually, they all piled in and he bus moved to a jerky rhythm, making haste to the tour office. Sasuke looked down at the green eyed girl, who fixated her stare outside the window, watching the scenes blur by.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Huh?" Her attention snapped to the raven haired male.
"You seem so serious. It's unnatural."
Her nose wrinkled. "Yeah, it is, isn't it?"
"Look," he sighed. "If you don't want to meet my parents that much-"
She burst into laughter, and his eyes widened at her sudden action.
"It's not you." she smiled, laughter simmering to a giggle. "I just think it's amusing you still think I'm in my anxiety attack about meeting your folks. I'm fine. Just spacey."
"Aa."
A few more prolonging minutes later, the moving lug of vehicle screeched to a halt in front of the designated destination, prying it's doors open to relieve itself of the complaining students.
"Hush, all of you!" Kurenai-sensei commanded, and everybody stifled their voices. "Follow me to the front of the building, where we will meet up with our leading tour guide. Stay together everyone!"
Sakura began walking forward, when a tug had her pulled back slightly. She turned on the balls of her heels to find onyx eyes peering into her emeralds.
"Walk with me." he half demanded.
"I planned on it, but a please would be appreciated. Seriously, Sasuke, we need to work on your manners." she jested.
The raven haired male scowled. "Like I said, I don't care."
"Because you never care about anything, am I right?"
"No. I do care about some things..."
"Hm?"
Sasuke ignored her and insisted on pulling her towards the cluster of people, all listening to the shouting tour guide, whose perky voice made the rosette cringe. They all swam through the nearby tourist attraction, mildy interested. The pink haired beauty figured they all were awaiting to strip and dip into the hotel's inviting pool. She couldn't blame them.
Noticing a sudden change in Sasuke's demeanor, Sakura adverted her eyes to the wincing man. His hand made a sudden dive for the middle of his broad chest and he hunched over slightly. His breathing became irregular, and immediately the green eyed girl became concerned.
"Sasuke, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing. Let's keep going." he ground out.
"No, it's not 'nothing'. What is wrong?"
"Seriously, it's nothing. My chest just hurts a little."
"Bullshit! I know you're one to be able to take pain. It's obviously hurts enough for you to make your discomfort noticeable."
"And as you all know, Kyoto was a leading role in the Edo Era." the tour guide hollered, making Sakura look her way. "We are actually standing on the very place where the last battle that ended the war took place."
An idea struck the rosette."Ma'am?" she called after the perky brunette.
"Yes?"
"Do you know anyone who fought in the battle?"
"Oh, yes. Some of the more memorable would be Kioshi Matsurni, the famous general from out south. I do believe Yoruba Jimoni was also involved. And other rumors swirl that Kanazawa Uchiha fought here." The guide cocked her head to the side. "Isn't Sasuke Uchiha in this group? That would make him his great-great-great-great-and-something grandfather, would it not? See children, this is why history is so fascinating. You never know who you have ties with!"
The pink haired girl rolled her eyes and put an attentive arm around Sasuke. "You need to go lay down?"
"No."
"Stop being a stubborn ass and listen to your body damn it! I swear you boys and your pride will be the end of you."
"Hn."
"Come on." she said, not letting go of his side but slipping out of the group and leading him to the hotel.
It was only a few blocks from the area they were trudging through. The farther they got from the place, the less pale his face became. By the time they reached the automatic sliding glass doors, he was perfectly fine once more.
"What was that about?" Sakura asked as they plopped down on a lobby couch.
"I don't know." he shrugged.
"Well you should. People don't normally do that."
"If you haven't noticed, we aren't exactly normal."
"Touche." She thought for a moment. "Want to go swimming?"
"Not really."
"You really tend to suck the fun out of everything, don't you?"
"Aa."
"Just come!" she grinned, pulling at his hands. "There's not much else to do. It also gives you an excuse to gawk at me in a swimsuit without other guys around."
He pondered on it for a few beats, before caving in. "Fine."
"Ok, I'll meet you in the pool. I have to change."
He nodded, and she rode the elevator to her floor and slipped into the room. Her teachers were sure going to be pissed when they found out that she and Sasuke had left the group, but she couldn't care less. Rummaging through her drawers, she pulled out her favorite red two-piece and pulled it on, admiring her curves in the mirror and teasing her hair down; it was pointless since she was going to get it wet and tangled.
When she came downstairs, the onyx eyed male was already seated by the pool, waiting for her to arrive. She pushed open the door and set down her sandals and phone next to the seat Sasuke was occupying. The rosette blushed at his physic, never having seen the boy shirtless before. She was right, this man does have an eight pack.
"Ready?" she smiled.
"Sure."
She dove in, shivering as the cool water made contact with her flesh and sent goosebumps sprouting across her body. She emerged and slicked her hair back, jutting her head towards the raven haired male as an invitation. He dived in after her, barely making a splash. Sakura felt something brush against her calf and she laughed as he came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
She turned around and flushed a tad when she noticed how his eyes roamed over her body.
"Can I help you?"
"Possibly." he smirked, sending another knot to her stomach.
"Is that so?" she asked, lightly trailing her fingers down his chest, to his abdominal, and back up to his shoulders.
His onyx gaze darkened with every touch as his muscles rippled. She repeated the action twice, before noticing a barely-there marking on the middle of his chest. It was a lighter shade than the rest of his body, and as she traced along it, it felt like reconstructed scar tissue underneath her skilled medic-to-be hands.
"What happened here?"
"Nothing. I was born with this."
Her suspicion grew. "Really?"
"Yes, really."
"Strange, it looks like more like a scar than a birthmark."
He pulled her hand away, and tensed. She then realized that he was slight miffed and embarrassed, which was new. The rosette figured he was unsure of it, like she was about the tiny dimple on her right shoulder. Without saying anything, she leaned down and brushed her soft lips against the marred skin and uplifted the corner of her mouth when his wide onyx orbs looked into her emerald ones.
"It's fine." she said, rubbing the pad of her thumb over the spot where her lips touched. "I think it kinda looks cool."
"Hn."
He gently pulled her face upward in order to gaze into he searching optics. The raven haired male bent down and crashed his lips against hers, pulling her into his torso. She returned the kiss with vigor, focusing on the heat flowing between the two, the coiling feeling in the pit of her navel, and the lapping water that surrounded their bodies. When he finally pulled away reluctantly, they were both out of breath and still had their eyes closed.
"Think we should get changed before everyone gets back?" the verdant eyed girl asked, unmoving.
"I suppose."
They waded out the pool and toweled off, only before a hoard of student piled in and Sasuke was tackled to the ground by a blonde blur.
"Teme! Where do you think you're going? You already ditched us at the tour-which I am deeply offended." he screamed. "You still have to play Chicken with me and Hinata-chan and Sakura-chan!"
"Get off me, dobe."
Sakura giggled at their playful quarrel. "I guess a game or two won't hurt."
Both boys stared in her direction.
"What?" Sasuke started. "You're not serious."
"Yes! Thank you! See, teme? Sakura-chan is fun. Why can't you be fun like her? How about you get that stick that's shoved up your ass and-"
Naruto never got to finish his sentence as he found himself emerged in the pool water, being thrown in by not the onyx eyed male, but Kiba.
"Do you ever shut up?"
"Do you want to die, Kiba?" Naruto hollered.
The rosette smiled, happy yet anxious things were (Somewhat.) coming together. Sasori and Arata obviously have some kind of connection. As does herself and Kaori. And Sasuke and Kanazawa. If she were correct and Arata and Sasori were as similar as she expects, she fears things ahead look a bit bumpy. As long as she avoids said man like the plague, she'll be fine.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"So what are you thinking?" Hidan asked, watching as Sasori paced through the Akatsuki base.
"I have no idea."
"The Uchiha brat is obviously getting to her first. And that little incident by the vending machine last week didn't help-"
"For God's sake, I know!" he yelled, agitated.
"I'm just saying, things don't look too great."
"I know..."
A darker skinned man spoke up. "Not to mention Itachi knows quite a bit of dirt on us. It's not going to be easy."
"It's fine, Kakuzu. With every obstacle, comes a plan."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. I'll just make her see how much she truly does care for me."
"How do you propose to do that?" Hidan inquired.
"When there's a will, there's a way." he grinned darkly. "Because if I can't have her, nobody can."
A/N: Thank you once more! Reviews help the writer's block go away and the chapters come faster. Always greatly appreciated! :D
