So summer is here, i graduated and what not. so so so sorry about the chapters delay. i've been so busy, its not even funny. but now that i have some things out of the way, i'll have time for my stories again which totally makes me happy. plus, i'll have all the time in the world to dedicate to possibly this story and Accidents and a new NaruHina story that has yet to be titled as i have yet to have a good solid plot. i have some basic ideas but i have to have my full attention on it before i start. But yeah there's your recap of my past, of lets say,4 months ahah but yeah, so on with the chappy. oh and thanks to all you who reveiw!! it means alot to me to get so many awesome comments on my fic! it really makes me wanna put more in the chapters that would normally lay to the way-side!

♥Caricatures of Intimacy♥

Chapter 11- Substance

With life, there are always decisions to be made, but what happens when those decisions interfere with how you want to feel about something. Could choices change how you see someone and possibly alter how you wanted to see them in your mind? Sakura and Sasuke learn the hard way that sometimes you can't really choose who you fall in love with. It just happens. ☼

Leap of Faith...

Sasuke's gaze never wavered as her words struck him, but the mechanics of his mind were on a rampage, and his heart felt as though it'd tear through his chest at any moment. She stood calmly looking up into his eyes, her bottom lip between her teeth, patiently awaiting his answer. But his throat was constricted and he feared all he would manage was an inaudible noise that might pass off as a no to her. He didn't know what was worse, having the answer and her returning his feelings, or having the answer but being afraid she'd reject him. He'd have to say he'd pick the latter.

" Sasuke?"

Unknowingly his eyes had been blankly staring into hers as his inner dialogue seemed to rant on and on about the horrible outcomes of the situation he had gotten himself into. Had he just stayed at the training feilds, had he just minded his own business, he might not have felt compelled to whisk her away with candles and wine. What the hell had he been thinking?

But his mind suddenly went blank as he felt warm fingers slide up his arm and rest on his shoulder. He was snapped back from the inner depths of his thoughts to see Sakura take a step forward, closing the small space that separated them. Her eyes never met his, but followed the slope of his neck to his lips. Her fingers traced small circles along his shoulder, sending chills up his spine.

Her eyes lifted to meet his finally, the soft seafoam depths capturing him. The firelight and flickering of the candles danced along her face, illuminating her soft features. Pushing aside his fears, he let his hand slip around her waist, drawing her closer till their bodies meshed. Sakura had lifted her other hand and wrapped a fistful of his shirt in her fingers, pulling him closer. Her lips brushed over his cheek, her breath tickling his ear.

" Do you, Sasuke?" she whispered against the shell of his ear. She paused, expecting an answer, but Sasuke was speachless. Her hand swept over his shoulder as she pulled back to look into his deep dark eyes. His pulse was pounding under her fingertips as her hand came to rest on his neck. She leaned forward, her hand wrapped up in his shirt front pulling him down to her slowly.

Sasuke was lost in the moment. Had he been worried at all before, he was almost sure she knew what he wanted, but couldn't, say. His half lidded eyes watched her serene face close in on his, her dark lashes fanned over her blushing cheeks. But most of all was the sight of her cherry lips slowly nearing his. Without wasting another moment, he reached up, tangling his fingers in her hair, and pulled her to him.

Thier lips met in a passionate kiss. Sakura pulled at Sasuke's shirt, gaining some leverage over him as he tipped forward, his lips crushed to hers. His stomach swam with the adrenaline of her lips challenging his as she engaged their kiss further. Her lips parted against his and her tongue swept boldly over his as her hands ran over his chest. His lips were bruised and hinted a tint of purple as she drew back, but barely enough to lets his lips escape her. She left gentle, tantalizing kisses along his lower lip, cheek and jaw. He'd never felt such fear of having so much passion betwwen them without a single word being spoken to engage it.

His heart felt ready to explode as she drew back, looking into his deep onyx eyes that held a fiery depth in the dim lighting of the room. The fire's glow tinged his skin in a soft orange as she ran her fingertips over his face, tracing his lips slowly. He drew in a breath to calm his frantic pulse, but no matter what he tried, her touch continued to set his skin on fire. He knew he had to say it. The silence was stiffling, but they both knew nothing had to be said.

" Sakura, I..."

Her finger pressed to his lips instantly, setting his eyebrows upright in a shocked expression. She kept her gaze where her finger lay, his breath teasing her sensative flesh. Slowly her eyes drifted back to his and in them he saw fear, awe and something close to what he thought, caution.

" If you say it Sasuke, if what you tell me is how you really feel as I think you do, then this cannot get in the way of your exams. Promise me," she sighed as his eyes softened and his lips formed a smile against her finger. He reached up, grasping her hand in his and kissed her fingertip and he drew her hand away.

" I promise, as long as you can promise me something," he whispered. She cocked head to one side, her eyebrow raised with a playful smirk.

" Okay, and what would I have to promise?" she asked coyly as she searched his eyes. She felt anticipation seep through her. What could he possibly want her to promise? Without warning, his hand around her waist pressed her to him and he buried his face in her soft hair, his breath billowing like feathers over her sensative skin. Her face flushed pink and her shaking hands clung to the front of his shirt.

" Promise me that you'll let me love you, just me, no one else," he cooed in her ear. Bright scarlett rushed into her face as he pulled away, his dark eyes taking in her reaction. Her eyes fell to his chest, her knees shaking. She couldn't lie, to herself or him. It's what she'd wanted for so long. Someone to hold, to cherish, as her own. She felt panic suddenly rise and supress her excitement.

" I-I ... " she bit her lip suddenly to break of her nervous studder before he would notice her shaky voice, but the tilt of his head signalled his obvious realization she was shaking like a leaf in his hands. When last had she heard those words?... It had been soo long ago, but hearing them now, it struck up the memory like it had been yesterday.

He had smiled just like Sasuke was, repeating those words the same way against her cheek as she clung to him. The scent of the rain and pine wood had saturated his clothing and filled her nose as she buried her face in his shouder. His fingers, rough and calloused, gently combed through her hair.

Sakura caught herself in the daydream as she looked up at Sasuke, meeting his curious gaze. It penetrated her, looked through her to the inside, trying to see what it was she hiding. She slowly backed out of his arms. Sasuke's fingers lightly dug into the cloth in the back of her shirt as she pulled away from him. He could feel the steady lump in his throat grow harder as she finally pulled from his grasps. Rejection stung.

" You don't feel the same way, do you?" he said evenly, trying to control his painful breathing. He tried to keep calm, but the beat of his heart sent waves of cold sweats down his back. He felt so stupid. He watched her as her fingers wrung her shirt in her hands nervously, her eyes downcast as they scanned the oakwood patterns of the floor. She bit her bottom lip and a glint of a tear fell to the floor. His eyes widened as the soft patter of her tears hit the wood paneling.

" I do, Sasuke. I really do. I'm j-just scared," she whispered. This was certainly not the reaction he had expected when he had daydreamed about confessing his feelings for her. Leave it to Sakura to be a complete mystery. He began to feel the ebb of the rejection as she looked slowly up at him with tear rimmed eyes, her seafoam irises shimmering and pale. He smiled weakly and pulled her into his arms, hugging her tightly as she pressed her cheek to his chest.

" I never thought I'd see you cry," he said softly into her hair, feeling her skin goosebump as his breath sent shivers down her spine. She muffled a laugh against his shirt and sniffed back her tears, wiping at the salty trails that gathered at her chin with the back of her hand.

" This is so pathetic. I never cry," she said with a mirthful smile as he looked down at her. He regarded her quietly, his eyebrows furrowed in worry.

" What are you afraid of Sakura? Is it me?"

She shook her head slowly. It wasn't that easy, she mused. No, she was fearful of getting that close again to someone, only to be let down. To end up broken hearted and left all alone with no explaination.

" I should tell you the truth about something," she said carefully, searcing the onyx colour filling his calm gaze. He nodded, urging her to continue. She led him back to the couch and came to sit crosslegged, facing him.

" Awhile ago, I think about a 2 years ago, before we had ever met, I was engaged to be married," she began slowly. Sasuke's eyebrow rose and she smiled with a chuckle.

" Let's just say I wasn't as bright back then. I had fallen for this ANBU luitenant who worked on the medical floor of the ANBU headquaters with me. I'll spare you the details, but we dated for a time and then he proposed. He said we were meant for one another."

She laughed, but grew quiet as she began to think back. Her eyes fell to her lap and she continued.

" We had bought a house, intent on being together forever, starting a family, all the things a happy couple in love would do. I thought he loved me as much as I loved him... but it wasn't like that," she said sadly, her downcast eyes shaded by her lashes.

" He had gone a mission to Sand and apparently while he was stationed there, he met someone else..."

Sakura drew in a deep breath, putting on the best facade she could manage as the pain came back with each word she said.

" He came back a month later, and told me that he had fallen in love with someone else. The day before he had gone on that mission... he had said the same thing to me that you had. It just brought back alot of memories for me, one's I'd rather forget. I don't care for him anymore, don't get me wrong," she said quickly. Sasuke simply nodded but regarded her with stern eyes.

" I would never Sakura," he said strongly. Sakura smiled faintly.

" I know you wouldn't Sasuke. That's why I trust you. That's why," she bit her lip," that's why I love you."

She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. Drawing back barely, she whispered against his lips,

" I promise. I'll be yours, you'll be mine."

Sasuke smiled and pulled her to him, their lips meeting slowly. The candles flickered out around them, all burned to the wick and the darkness enveloped them as they carefully made their way back to the bedroom, ready to make a new life together without holding back.

Burn Out...

Sakura turned in the arms of her captor, his warm skin pressed to her bare back. She giggled as his lips left tiny kisses along the nape of her neck, his hand pushing aside the long locks of pastel pink hair. The soft morning glow was a welcoming touch as it streamed through the wooden shutters on the window, slants of light illumintaing the couple tangled in sheets.

" Good morning," Sasuke whispered, not wanting to break the peace of the early morning with his voice. Sakura giggled softly as his hand found hers and entwined their fingers. She turned to face him, his sleepy eyes cracked open to peer at her.

" Good morning," she repeated, pressing a chaste kiss to his lips. She pulled back to search his face, the handsome features she loved to look at so much. His raven strands hanging in his face, his deep, dark eyes, his soft smile. She could fall in love with him each day just by the sight of him. He interupted her musing with a sqeeze of his hand in hers.

" What's so interesting about my face?" he chuckled as she blushed faintly.

" Nothing," she replied bashfully," just thinking to myself."

He quickly rolled her underneath him and she let out a yelp of suprise, finding herself pinned beneath him. His eyes roved over her exposed body and her face flushed a deep scarlett as she struggled beneath him, her embarassment apparent by her rosey cheeks.

" Sasuke! Come on," she laughed as she wriggled beneath him. She went silent as his lips pressed to her collar bone and she sighed. " That's not fair," she breathed as he trailed his tongue along her neck to her earlobe. Her fingers dug into the fabric of the pillow case bunched at her wrists as his teeth grazed her earlobe and explored her supple skin.

" Sasuke," she moaned softly as he pulled away, her neck marked with a hint of red in a perfect little circle. Her eyes fluttered open at the extacy of his touch and she furrowed her eyebrows in a mock glare as he gazed down at her.

" You left a mark didn't you?"

He smiled deviously and she wriggled beneath him, trying to break free.

" I told you not to leave a mark!" she laughed as he pinned her tighter, his hands holding hers securely above her head.

" Why shouldn't I again?" he asked coyly, knowing the answer as he had heard it hours before but the look on her face when she had told him had simply caused him to smile. And as he had assumed she would, her pink lips drew into a pout and she looked away, her face flush.

" Because my co-workers will say something," she said under her breath before snapping her eyes up at him, the livid green pools blazing. " And I don't want them to think anything is going on!"

He laughed heartily as he released her arms and sat up. She followed, propping herself up with her elbows as he sat straddling her thighs. She smiled warmly and leaned forward to kiss his shoulder before pushing him over and rising from the sheets. He tumbled backwards before watching her go, her lean form basked in warm sunlight, her lightly tan skin glowing as she slipped through the door way out of sight.

He leaned back on his arms tucked behind his head and gazed at the cealing as the shower sounded from the end of the hall and the shift of the shower curtain signalled the start of the day. He groaned, realizes things wouldn't always be like the night before, wrapped up in her warmth as he drifted to sleep.

Training was still the most pressing matter at the moment and with a hesitant shift of his weight to the edge of the bed, he sighed and made his way lazily to the kitchen to make breakfast. As he pulled dishes from the cabinets, he noted the squeak of the shower faucets and the rustle of the shower curtain again.

" Quick," he said with a smirk.

" As ever," Sakura answered as she strolled out of the bathroom, wrapped in a towel and an extra wringing her hair. She smiled and continued down the hall to get dressed. Sasuke watched her go. Maybe it was just how good his towels looked wrapped around her body, or maybe it was the fact that she seemed to blend perfectly with his morning routine, but he could certainly get used to having her around every morning.

He returned to his work, starting breakfast, and making sure to make just enough for two. Sakura returned a few moments later, the soft clack of her knee high books announcing her entrance to the kitchen. The chair behind him scraped the floor as she pulled it out to sit and he looked over his shoulder to find her smiling at him.

" What's the hurry?" He raised his eye brow as he searched her, hair braided neatly and resting against her clothed back. Her Jouniin shirt clung to her torso, her pants rustling quietly as she shifted in the chair.

" Ah, there's some meeting this morning on the exams and paper work. Tsunade-sama is being uptight about regulation more than usual and I'm thinking she's eager to see the turnout this year. I know I am," she said with a smile. He laughed before piling eggs on her plate and setting it before her. She smiled wide.

" You spoil me," she said as he sat beside her and she left a gentle kiss on his cheek before eating.

Sakura quickly finshed, folding her napkin beside her plate and turning to face the clock. Its brightly painted face read 10:05. Sakura sighed. 10 minutes till she had to be at the meeting. Sliding out of her seat, she grabbed her plate and headed over to the sink.

" So what do you think you'll have to discuss?" Sasuke asked behind her. She turned around and leaned against the sink, folding her arms over her chest.

" I'm not sure. But whatever the case, we'll have to get serious about training from here on out. I hear the proctors are going to be rougher this year," she said with a sly grin.

Sasuke knew she had full confidence in his abilities. He had grown so much since being under her watchful eye and having her guidance with his Sharingan. He had to admit himself, he was feeling cocky about the exams, but he knew better than to let his new found power go to his head. As long as he had Sakura to train him, he felt confident in the exam turnouts.

Sakura walked over and kissed him before grabbing up her bag from the couch and walking to the door.

" The meeting should be done in about an hour. Meet me at the training feilds, okay?"

Sasuke nodded with a smile and she closed the door behind her. She walked down the small flight of steps, pausing to take in the cool morning air whisking past her face. She stepped into the fresh snow and started her walk to the ANBU offices a few blocks away. Frosty blankets of snow glittered untouched from the empty streets while birds sang their wake up calls from the frozen branches of the cherry blossom trees lining the road.

The still morning carried the voices and laughter coming from the ANBU courtyard and she turned the corner past the coffee shop to enter the alley way that served as the entrance to the conceiled ominous building. She spotted Ino and Naruto outside the doors, talking about the recent upgrade in the exams.

" Totally unnecissary," Ino said as she folded her arms over her chest, " my student requires twice as much attention as last year. It's insane the lengths Tsunade-sama is going to to get our new recruits ready for the battlefeild."

" Yeah, well lucky I didn't have to take on a student. I'd have no idea what to do with him," Naruto said with a chuckle. Ino smirked before noticing Sakura approach.

" Sakura! Good morning!!" Ino exclaimed with a wave. Sakura smiled and nodded before meeting Naruto's eyes. He watched her suspiciously as she walked up and joined their circle.

" How are you feeling?"

Sakura turned to the fox boy, meeting his gaze evenly.

" Much better, thank you," she said with a grin. She wasn't sure what it was, but Naruto's whole demeanor was off. Could he tell something was up?

" Feeling better about what?" Ino asked with raised eyebrows. Sakura shrugged.

" I got drunk two nights ago and had a fit getting home. I would've gotten caught in the first snow storm if it hadn't been for Sasuke, Naruto and Neji," she explained. She could stand to leave out her attempted rape. Ino had enough to worry about as it was.

Naruto remained silent as Sakura had hoped he would, but not quite enough.

" Sakura, mind if we talk?"

She felt the bubble of anxiety. What could he possibly want to talk about? She nodded to him before shrugging to Ino and following the blonde boy inside to an abandoned corridor void of ninja. He turned to her suddenly and she had to stop abruptly to prevent running healong into him.

" Woah, Naruto, what's the deal?" she asked as she backed up a step to give them space to talk.

" Something is going on with you and Sasuke and I wanna know what," he demanded suddenly and Sakura's eyes went wide by his tone.

" Naruto..."

" No! I'm serious. He's acting completely not like himself. He was staring at you the whole time we were at the bar and then after you had hit him and stormed out he got all depressed then hauled out of there with me and Neji trailing after him. I had never seen him so panicked. When we found you, he was ready to kill that guy Sakura. He'd never acted so upset in all my years of knowing him."

Sakura watched Naruto quietly as he finished his sentence. He was genuinely worried about Sasuke. She smiled and leaned against the wall. He cocked his head, curious to her attitude.

" Naruto. Sasuke's fine, okay? I promise," she said with a reassuring pat on his shoulder. She brushed past him, but didn't get far when he turned around and stopped her with his words.

" He loves you."

Her feet stopped moving and a cold sweat began to form on the back of her neck. Sasuke didn't want Naruto knowing about them for good reasons. Her eyes widened. She was stuck. She couldn't find her voice. " This is bad, get yourself out of this Sakura!" Inner Sakura demanded. She slowly looked over her shoulder. Naruto's face went slack at the pleading look in her eyes.

" You love him too, don't you?"

Author's Notes:

Wow o wow. so sorry bout the like 4 months this took to get out. i've been soooo busy and its killing me, i swear. but aside from work and what not, i'm slowly finding time to devote to my fanfics! ah i missed them so much! so i'm hoping you all don't wanna kill me, cuz really, i am sorry you had to wait this long! enjoy!

Next Chapter!

Chapter 12: Keeping Secrets

-Sakura struggles to keep Naruto's mouth shut about Sasuke and her feelings for one another

-The meeting with the Jouniin turns out to be disasterous as Tsunade reveals her reasons for being eager about the exams

-Sasuke's training intensifies as Sakura forces him to push the Sharingan's abilities

-Emotions run high as the holidays approach!

Be looking for this chapter to come out in about a week or two!

Thanks

Black