Betcha thought I had died and was never coming back, eh? Well, I'm back with a new chapter. I hope you enjoy it, since I dont know when I'll be able to get the next chapter out.
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What we weft behind
Chapter 9
"Where are we going?" Sakura asks as they continue through the pouring streets. Kireichi hesitated before answering.
"We're going to my temporary home," she finally replies, taking a right.
"Temporary?" Sakura says curiously, trying to stay underneath the umbrella.
"Yeah, temporary," Kireichi clarifies, "Some weird guy is sheltering and feeding me in exchange for me to watch over his little bundle of joy. Not to mention his little bundle of joy is not even existent currently."
"Wow, he sounds really insecure if he cant take care of his own child," Sakura comments, trying to keep the conversation going. The previous silence had been uncomfortable, and eventhough Sakura had only met Kireichi, she couldn't help but feel that she wanted to know more about her.
"He has such a cold demeanor about him," Kireichi continues, "Maybe its better if he's not in charge of his kid. I cant even begin to imagine the emotional abuse it would go through."
"Cold demeanor? Man, that sounds a lot like Sasuke, but it couldn't be him. Sasuke would never take in a girl, even if it was for his benefit...would he?" Sakura wondered as she failed to notice the rain once again pouring on her.
"Hey, this way," Kireichi says, catching Sakura's attention. She looked over to where Kireichi stood with the umbrella.
"But, that's an alley way," Sakura says, slowly following her.
"That's right, it takes us straight to the back of my temporary home," Kireichi says, "I cant exactly come walking in the front door with a stranger. My 'employer' isn't exactly the warm welcome type." Sakura nodded her head in understanding.
"Sorry, I should have known that," Sakura apologizes, allowing silence once more.
Being in an alley made sakura think back to what had happened earlier that day. Sasuke had actually struck her. Then again, she did strike him back, and nearly ten fold at that. It just went to prove how much they had changed since the formation of team 7. It's as if they were never a team in the first place. Naruto was busy with his family, not to mention his dream of becoming hokage. Sakura, herself, wasn't even around again until recently, and even then, she's expecting to start a family. Then there was Sasuke. The one who was distant from the rest to begin with.
"To think I had loved him once,"Sakura thought sadly, "Enough to do what I had done, enough to..."
"We're here," Kireichi announces, breaking Sakura from her thoughts. Sure enough, standing at the end of the alley way, they were met with a small shed.
"You have got to be kidding," Sakura says surprised," Your employer and you live in THAT thing? Well no wonder he's impotent, who knows what kind of diseases that place holds. However, I dont see what's so bad about walking in the front door, he'd see me immediately, no matter where I entered from."
"Oh my god, you're annoying!And who said my temporary home was the shed. My temporary home is there," Kireich cuts in, pointing past the shed. Sakura gasped as her gaze wandered from the shed to the massive house beyond it.
"WOW, you never said your employer was rich," Sakura says in awe.
"Hn, didn't think it was important," Kireichi says dismissing it, "Now, the only window is in the kitchen, it's my short cut. However, its right above the sink. If you hit it, it'll make a large metal bang. If your stupid enough to pull that off, I'll claim that your an intruder to save my own hide."
"Hey! Where do you get off calling me stupid?! I didn't ask for your help!" Sakura says angrily.
"You didn't ask, but you still followed, didn't you?" Kireichi says approaching the window, "Now, be quiet." Sakura stubbornly crossed her arms because she knew Kireichi was right. So instead of continuously protesting, as was her nature, she decided to be quiet and follow Kireichi. They stayed below the window sill as they snuck up to the back of the house. Kireichi quickly peaked inside to check if the coast was clear. To her dismay, the kitchen was indeed occupied. Sasuke sat at the table sipping tea.
"Well atleast he's not doing something weird with that girl on the kitchen table," Kireichi thought relieved.
"What do you see?" Sakura asks quietly.
"Shh!"Kireichi says quickly. Sasuke noticed the noise and turned to look out the window. Luckily, Kireichi ducked out of view just in time.
"Whats..."Sakura starts but is silenced as Kireichi smacks a hand over her mouth. She signals for Sakura to move up against the side of the house. Sakura catches the nervous look on Kireichi's face and complies. Had she known it was Sasuke looking out the window above them, Sakura would have immediately refused to go any further with Kireichi. However, the fact that she was indeed unaware of it, is what kept her going for a safe haven for the night. Kireichi slowly released her hold on Sakura's mouth as she sensed Sasuke move away from the window. Unfortunately, she felt him coming back. Kireichi tensed up, thinking that she had been caught. Instead, she heard the lock of the window before sensing Sasuke move away once more. This time, she sensed Sasuke had left the room completely.
"He knew we were here," Kireichi says letting out a breath she didn't know she had been holding,"He didn't know who we were, but he knew someone was here. Next time, hide your chakra." Sakura was about to protest again, but Kireichi interrupted.
"And he locked the window too, damn it!" Kireichi says pounding her fist on the window. Unfortunately, with her super human strength, she easily shattered the window.
"Crap..."Kireichi says regretting her action. That's when they heard a sliding door at the side of the house.
"Oh, no, he's coming to find us," Kireichi says trying not to panic. She had never had to think of a plan so quickly before. However, being a natural born genius, she managed it. Quickly she performed hand seals as she felt Sasuke getting closer.
"Come on," she says, grabbing Sakura and running up the side of the house with her perfect chakra control.
"What are you doing here?" Sasuke asks as he turns the corner. Kireichi breaths a sigh of relief on the roof.
"My bunshin should keep him occupied,"she whispers.
"You locked my window," Kireichi's bunshin replies in a calm tone.
"Your window? I believe this whole house, including the window, is mine, and now you've gone and broken it," Sasuke says irritated, "what's wrong with going in the front door?"
"I swear I've heard that voice before," Sakura wonders.
"Isn't it obvious? It's quicker this way,"The bunshin says in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Hn," Sasuke replies, "Doesn't matter, fix the window and take the front door from now on. You could use the excercise." The real Kireichi, furious at the comment, had grabbed a hold of a nearby shingle, crushing it with all her might.
"Whatever," Her bunshin says, disappearing around the other side of the house. She could tell Sasuke had gone back inside as well.
"Hasn't the guy ever heard of a back door?" Sakura asks curiously. However, the question fell on deaf ears. Kireichi's in particular.
"Call me fat, huh?...," Kireichi says fuming, "Just for that, Im going to make sure that his kid's first words are shit, damn, hell..." She went off on a rant.
"Sorry to interrupt your future plans, but...now what?" Sakura asks, making sure Kireichi heard her this time.
"There," Kireichi says pointing, "The chimney."
"WHAT?!" Sakura nearly screams, "We're going to go down the chimney?!"
"Hey, if a FAT guy like Santa Clause can do it, so can we, "Kireichi says, leaving no room for argument. By the look on Kireichi's face, sakura knew she shouldn't push it.
"Fine," Sakura sighs, "The chimney it is."
10 minutes later...
"Shimmy slowly," Kireichi reminds Sakura as she scoots down the chimney after her.
"Uh, Kireichi?" Sakura's innocent voice calls in the darkness of the structure.
"Ugh, Erg, what?" Kireichi grunts as she continues on her way down.
"...I'm stuck..."
"...Oh dear god..."
20 minutes later...
"Ow, ow, ow ,ow, OW!" Sakura whines as Kireichi pushes on her with her feet.
"Oh, stop being such a cry baby. It's the only option," Kireichi says.
"No the other option is for you not to wear cleets!"
"Complain, complain, that's all you do," Kireichi says pushing harder.
"Ow ow ow...hey, Im loose," Sakura says finally.
"Uh..." Kireichi's unsure voice says.
"What?" Sakura asks as she cheerfully continues to shimmy down.
"...Now Im stuck..."
Half an hour later...
"Keep pulling," Kireichi says as Sakura tugs on her torso.
"I cant. Its hard enough to support myself in this chimney," Sakura says struggling, "You might be stuck for good. Try to wiggle a little." Kireichi complied and attempted to move. In the next moment Kireichi came free and both girls toppled to the bottom of the chimney in a heap of ash.
"I didn't tell you to pull THAT hard," Kireichi coughs as the ash settles.
"Not my fault that you fall like dead weight," Sakura counters while trying to crawl out of the fireplace.
"I was wondering when you were going to come down," A male voice calls from the room.
(Dramatic pause! ...Sorry, I had to :P)
Kireichi nearly freezes as she awaits to be caught by Sasuke. However, when the ash cleared, she found that they were in a study and Sasuke was no where in sight.
"It was heard keeping the master out of here all this time," Sigfried comments, sitting in a nearby chair. Kireichi quickly stands up to explain herself.
"I uh, this girl, she, " Kireichi struggled, "...please dont tell him." Sigfried nearly bursts with laughter.
"I had no intention of doing so child. I find there is no crime in inviting a friend over," The old man says with comfort. Kireichi smiles, relieved, and looks over at Sakura.
"Im sorry sir," Sakura says feeling the need to explain herself as well, "I wouldn't usually enter someone's home unlawfully, but I didn't know where to go..."
"Shh," Sigfried says silencing her, "No need to explain. You've done no harm."
"I, uh...thank you," Sakura finally decided to say. Sigfried just smiled kindly at her.
"Ah, what a mess you both are," Sigfried says standing up, "How about a bath for the Lady and the little miss."
"Oh, no," Sakura says nervously, "I couldn't. I mean, it's not my home..."
"Would you rather we throw you back in the rain?" Kireichi asks annoyed. Sakura immediately shut up.
"That's what I thought," Kireichi continues, walking over to Sigfried, "Is it a clear path to the bathroom?" Sigfried nodded his head.
"The master is occupied in his room currently," Sigfried says walking over to open the door, "after you, my ladies." Kireichi smiled and immediately walked out into the hall, Sakura close behind.
"What's that pounding sound?" Sakura asks curiously as they walk down the halls. Kireichi and Sigfried stop to look at eachother.
"You dont want to know," Kireichi says simply before continuing to the last door in the hall. Sakura just passed it off, curious of what was behind the door. As soon as the door swung open, Sakura was in awe. She had never seen a bathroom so big, much less a tub the size of this one. Not to mention it had a seperate shower.
"Hn, she reacts the same way as me when I first saw it," Kireichi says amused. Sigfried chuckles lightly at the comment.
"You ladies may send your clothes down the laundry chute and I'll wash them as soon as possible," He says before turning to leave. Kireichi closes the door, leaving only her and Sakura in the masterpiece bathroom.
"Are you just going to stand there?" Kireichi asks grabbing a small robe off the hangar.
"Oh," Sakura says out of her trance,"...Uh, Where do I go?"
"You can take a bath,"Kireichi sighs, "I feel like a shower right now."
"Ok," Sakura says nodding her head. Kireichi walks behind a screen and removes her clothes replacing them with the robe.
"What are you waiting for?" Kireichi asks as she reappears from behind the screen.
"Oh, right" Sakura says as she grabs another robe to follow suit. Little did she know, that a small Uchiha crest rested on the back of the robe, right on the top.
"Don't forget to put your clothes in the laundry chute," Kireichi reminds Sakura before she disappears into the shower. Sakura does as she's told and finally settles into a nice warm bubblebath. About 20 minutes later, Kireichi was done with her shower and was content to just sit in a chair waiting for Sakura to finish.
"Why do you like him?" Kireichi finally asks out of no where.
"What?"
"Your fiance," Kireichi clarifies, "If he does these things to you, then why do you like him?" Sakura was silent. Her head was turned away and Kireichi began to not expect an answer.
"I dont really have a choice," Sakura says, lifting her head with a sad smile.
"What do you mean 'you dont have a choice.' Your a shinobi, you should be able to do what ever you want," Kireichi says, rejcting Sakura's answers.
"That's where I dont make such a good ninja...," Sakura responds, "My emotions rule me. If someone does something for me, I feel obligated to return the favor. I cant seem to escape it until I do." Kireichi thought for a second, piecing together her words.
"So the, are you saying that this is all a great big favor your returning to him?" She finally asks. Instead of giving a yes or no, Sakura decided to explain.
"About three years ago, I made it my mission to train in the hidden mist village. Unfortunately, my training gained a lot of unwanted attention. After awhile I ran into some trouble with a group of assassins. After awhile they had deemed me defenseless. I was on the brink of death. Then at the last second, I was saved. Maro was my hero. He saved my life and then continued to take care of me until I got better. I honestly didn't know how to repay him, but then he started to like me. Many other villagers even claimed that he loved me. Then after...," Sakura stops, "I dont know why I'm telling you this."
"Because, Im someone who's willing to listen," Kireichi insists. Sakura looked over and could tell Kireichi was serious. What else could she do but continue?
"Alright," Sakura says, "Eventually, Maro's feelings for me became clear. And as soon as he proposed to me, I knew what I had to do to return the favor. He saved my life. It would only be logical to repay him by giving him my life next to his."
"Eventhough, it feels more like your shackled to him? I just dont get you. You seem pretty strong to me, why were you deemed defenseless in the first place?" Kireichi says, angry at Sakura's attitude.
"I wouldn't have usually frozen up in a battle like I did. However It was the type of assassins that mattered," Sakura says turning away again.
"What kind of assassins were they?"
"They were oto-nin..." Sakura says, voice trembling.
"Sound ninjas? Why would that matter?" Sakura let out a deep breath.
"I...I loved someone once," Sakura choked out, "He was my team mate. However, he had an intense hatred for his brother and it led him to abandon Konoha, and he became a missing nin."
"He became a missing nin? But why did he leave you behind?" Kireichi asks more curious then ever.
"The feeling wasn't mutual..."
"Huh?"
"He didn't love me in return. He didn't think kindly of me at all for that matter," Sakura says sadly.
"Let me guess, he became an oto-nin." Sakura nodded slowly.
"Somethings actually been bothering me," Sakura says. Kireichi listens intently. "You know that locket you got me? What pictures do you think I'd put in it?" Sakura asks, completely switching the topic. Kireichi's thought were jumbled as she was caught off guard by the question.
"Well, I'd guess, A picture of you and this 'Maro' guy, and then a picture of your first born," Kireichi finally says.
"That's just it," Sakura says quietly, "Maro's child will not be my first born."
"What?!" Kireichi says in disbelief. "A few years after he left, the man I loved was sent by Sound to establish a sort of treaty with Konoha. He had returned and I was so happy...but he hadn't changed," Sakura says, "Some celebrated his visit, and I came to find that he was a more tolerable man when he was drunk. Eventually, that drinking led to both our undoing. I woke up beside him one night, and nine months later I had a child."
"What happened to the child?!" Kireichi blurted. Sakura stared for a second then regained her composure.
"I dont know," Sakura says shaking her head, "Neither me nor the man I loved would take the child. Only Tsunade-sama knows where she is."
"So, it was a girl?" Sakura nodded her head once more.
"I feel...horrible. I never even looked at her face. Tell me, Kireichi, If I ever met her again, do you think she would forgive me?" Sakura asks near tears. Kireichi was pained to see Sakura cry. She hesitated before giving her sure answer.
"Of course she would..." Sakura stared at Kireichi in disbelief.
"The way I see it," Kireichi continues, "It wasn't your fault. Any smart person would understand that and forgive their mother in a heartbeat. Their father on the other hand, that's a different story." Sakura had started smiling again at the comment. Kireichi had never been so happy to see it. They sat there for a good few minutes, content in eachother's company.
"So, this guy that you loved...What was his name?" Kireichi finally asks. Sakura lifted her head.
"His name was...Sa..." Suddenly the bathroom door swung open with a loud BANG.
"What the hell are you doing here."
"Sas...SASUKE?!"
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There you have it, Sasuke gets to see Sakura in the bath tub(Not that its anything he hasn't seen before, Cha!) As always, read and review! Then if you look back at that lovely little word "Impotent" some people dont know what it means. So basically, the definition is "Not getting the job done." So obviously I mean that Sasuke is not getting the job donecough, cough as far as creating an heir goes. Oh, and if you were wondering about the pounding noise...well let's just say it can be whatever your heart desires, mainly because if you dont get it, Im not willing to explain...So, until next time, Ja ne!