Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. I don't own anything.
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An: Hey so I thought I would get a chapter out before my exams started (I don't know how much writing I will get done in that time) and well as you can see I did it. Well, at least it's the last exams of my last year, so it's better I get through them and then I can write more often.
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Thank you to my reviewers:
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nicolerogersXX
disgrace-angel369
GinsengH
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Hope you enjoy the chapter.
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Day 11
Heat registers in her sleepy mind; a comfortable warming heat of the solid body Sakura is encased in. Her eyes slowly part before snap open. Sakura's heart speeds up as her sleep hazed mind catches up with reality.
Sasuke's eyes have yet to open; his breathing is even. Sakura sighs in relief. She realizes she has time to get out of her entrapment before he awakes to find them in a compromising position.
A scowl forms on her face as she imagines he knew exactly what would happen when he came into the bed last night. Her blood starts boiling as she thinks about him having the audacity to even sleep in the same bed as her. Then her thoughts stop. Her mind trails to the fact that there was only one bed in their hotel room. There isn't even another cushioned furniture piece that he could have slept on.
Sakura calms when she thinks that she would have done the same as he did rather then sleep on the floor; she couldn't blame him for coming into the bed.
She stares at his peaceful face. All the stress of his years is drained and replaced by complete tranquility. Sakura steals one last glance and reluctantly tries to pull away from his grasp.
Full realization of how entangled she is hits when her movements cause Sasuke to unconsciously tighten his grip. Pressure is exerted on the back of her left calf and two spots on her back. Her leg is curled under his powerful leg. His one hand had travelled under her shirt to rest on her bare back while the other is wrapped around her waist to come to rest on her hip. Meanwhile one of her arms is kept immobile under his own.
Sakura huffs in an outward display of her annoyance. Moving her hand around and behind her back, she easily eases the arm around her waist off to lay beside him. Her movements are painfully slow to be sure he won't wake in the process of her escape. Sakura's eyes move between watching his face and looking at how she needs to move next.
Carefully she shifts all her weight onto her right arm and leg; freeing her other leg as she slips it out to the side. Straddling his leg Sakura struggles with her next task; getting his hand off of the upper part of her back.
After trying to reach his arm with her left doesn't work from the awkward positioning, she decides to move her body to free her right arm. Putting all her weight on her left side, she uses her right leg for a brace.
None of her actions seem to prove useful to her as Sasuke grips harder onto her back bringing her down; laying down on his chest. He turns with her; rolling to his side. Sakura feels a sudden clenching in her stomach as she drops to the ground. Her side hurts for a brief moment in her surprise.
She doesn't get a chance to calm her heart as the ring of the telephone alarms her once more. An arm reaches across and disappears all the same from her view as Sasuke reaches for the phone.
Pulling the phone to his ear, Sasuke hears, "Hello, this is your wake up call."
"Thank you."
He puts the phone back on the hook. Looking over to his left Sasuke notes that Sakura isn't there. Figuring she must have gone to get breakfast he grabs the covers and moves them so he can get off the bed. However he stops when he looks over the edge; spotting Sakura lying on the floor.
His eyebrow raises up on the end; eyes hold a questioning look.
Sakura scrunches her face in frustration and holds back a humanly growl as she starts to turn red under his scrutiny. "Don't ask." Getting up from her position she heads over to the washroom.
Perplexed at her odd mannerisms Sasuke brushes it off and gets changed while Sakura is occupied in the washroom. Deciding that he would like them to get out of the city as fast as they can, he goes to the foyer and into the dining area.
The complimentary breakfast of bagels, fruit and juice sit for the guests. The room has tables and chairs for people who decide to stay and watch the television. The news playing an updated story on the two thieves that are somewhere in the city. The pictures showing on the screen again.
Two of the five people in the room catch Sasuke's eye. Sitting in the middle of the room the two males haven't taken their eyes off of Sasuke since he entered. Sasuke looks away, continuing on his way to get breakfast.
He recognizes one of the men's face; one he has seen a couple of times while going in and out of Itachi's office. Sasuke grabs two bagels in hopes of leading the men to believe that he hadn't thought anything of them.
He leaves the room with out anything else; noticing the scrape of metal against the wood floors he quickens his pace. Shifting the bagels to his one hand he pulls out his key card. Sliding it quickly into the slot he opens the door. Closing it behind him, he locks it and latches the door stopper. Looking through the peep hole he sees the two men outside the door.
Sasuke notices one of them pulling something out of their jacket. Using his reflexes he dives out of the way of the door, just in time to avoid being his by a flurry of bullets.
The commotion causes Sakura to open the door a crack. Seeing Sasuke on the ground she opens the door more. Crying out to him, "Sasuke!"
He looks over to her, "Stay there". Deciding now was as good of a time to move as any he moves over to the window. Opening the curtains he comes face to face with a grinning face and a gun. Sasuke closes the curtains and ducks down; narrowly missing the flying bullets. Glass shards come down in a shower beside him. However some embed themselves into his skin. Not wanting to test his luck and longer he crawls to his bag. Digging through it for a moment he finds what he wants; his gun and extra bullets.
Noticing the two at the front door have stopped shooting and have turned to kicking the door down; he takes the chance to run into the bathroom. Sakura gives a slight scream when he comes in. She stops after the short moment when she realizes that it is only him.
Get into the bath tub and lay down. He goes immediately to the vent close to the toilet. Pulling out his pocket knife he starts on loosening and pulling out the screws. The shorts screws take only seconds to release and soon the vent covering comes off.
A swift bang comes from the door. "Sasuke we have you. You might as well give up now. You'll never escape us." They pause for a moment. "Awe now don't play like that. It's no fun."
Sasuke looks over to Sakura feeling her gaze on him. He puts his finger up to his lips silently hushing her. Turning his hand around he beckons her to come closer. Making one last hand gesture he tells her to stay low to the ground.
He puts his hand out to her when she is within his reach. Sakura freezes in her place when she hears the now familiar sound of a shooting gun. Again. Again. And again.
A tug on her hand pulls her attention to Sasuke. He holds her gaze, calming her enough to get her to move again. He gently but swiftly tugs her and moves her into the direction of the vent. She bends as she quickly knows his plan.
Sasuke grabs a hold of his own gun as more bullets fly; coming closer to his and Sakura's direction. Checking quickly he sees Sakura fully in the vent now. He quickly takes off the safety on his gun, aiming and firing at the person on the other side of the door. Hitting on the first time. Unsure of how many are out there or if he hit fatally or not, he shoots four more bullets at the door.
He turns for the vent. As he does so searing pain races through his right arm; blood splatters on the wall in front of him. He lets out a hiss of pain. Sasuke doesn't lose time as he practically throws himself into the vent. He moves fast, but not fast enough to escape on more bullet to his side.
Blazing heat in his arm and side hinders his movements but he still gets to the end of the vent. A bright whiteness greets him as well as two feminine hands pulling at him. He is pulled upright.
Sakura gasps as Sasuke's wounds are immediately spotted. His eyes adjust quickly as he searches for an escape. "Sasuke" her voice wavering from her fear. She tries to get his attention but he isn't fazed. Sirens are heard by both of them.
"This way." He pulls her quickly to the side of the building. Standing flush with the wall he looks around the corner in the back. One of the gang's vans is outback and left running for the ones inside. Sasuke pulls Sakura with him to the van. Keeping her behind him he pulls his gun back out with his good arm. He holds the gun in front of him and whispers back to Sakura, "Open the door in.." He waits for her to go to the door. Sakura puts her hand on the handle and nods to him. He can see the unshed tears in her eyes, a look of worry and something unplaceable on her face. Sasuke nods back at her and gives her a small reassuring smile. He mouths to her "Three… two … one… now."
Opening the door quickly Sasuke charges at the inside with his gun at the ready. Finding no one inside he ushers Sakura in before getting in himself. He locks all the doors automatically and sits down in the driver's seat.
"You're not driving with that arm!"
Sasuke ignores her plea. "Brace yourself." He doesn't wait for any sign from her putting the van into drive and stepping on the gas. The sudden start causes Sakura to lurch backwards.
As he does, one of the gang members comes around the corner. Running as he sees the van taking off.
Sasuke swings the van around and drives towards the male.
He stops running when he sees that Sasuke is the one driving the van. His face dropping in pure astonishment before pulling into a look of realization. He has moments to spare as he gets out of the way.
Sasuke pulls the van out and onto the road; disappearing into traffic. He takes the quickest route out of the city; speeding the entire way. With the attention of the police and the city on the hotel he easily speeds past all obstacles normal with city traffic.
As Sasuke drives Sakura is able to pull herself to the passenger seat. She sees his concentration on not getting into a crash and decides now may not be the best moment to bug him about his wounds. Looking down at his arm she scans over the torn and bleeding flesh. He isn't using the arm to drive so he has left it resting on his lap.
Looking further down she notices that his shirt is soaking with his blood. His blood flowing on both his front and back side. She swallows the lump in her throat.
Sasuke follows the Barstow Freeway out of Barstow.
Sakura watches the blood flows steadily out of his wounds; mesmerized. Snapping out she reprimands Sasuke, "We need to stop now. Go to a hospital or something."
Sasuke chuckled briefly before slightly grimacing. "We need to keep driving. I want you to check for a first aid kit in the back. Make sure there are tweezers and lots of gaze. And if you can find it, I'll need vodka."
Sakura made to get up stopping and returning to her original position. Shock and worry cross her features. "You're… going to-"
"No. You'll have to do it. I can't reach." Sasuke waits for Sakura to move again, but she doesn't. He slows down the speed of the van before he pulls over to the curb; stopping and putting the van into park. He turns to Sakura.
The horror she feels at his statement is evident by the look in her eyes and on her face. He takes her cool hands into his one hand. Trying to slightly comfort her while bringing her back to the moment. Sasuke calls to her, "Sakura."
Her eyes focus and look directly into his. She chokes out her words, "I-I can't."
"You can. You have to. I would but I won't be able to do it properly. You need to do this."
"What about going-"
He interrupts her, "-to a hospital. We can't do that. When ever people go in with bullet wounds or stab wounds or anything like that, the staff at the hospital are obligated to, and do, phone the police immediately. Look Sakura you need to do this for me. You need to be strong." Sasuke receives a small, unsure nod from the shaken girl. He gives her a reassuring nod and squeezes her hands slightly. "Good, now go try to find tweezers vodka or scotch and lots of gaze."
Sasuke turns back to the steering wheel, starting the van and speeds off again. Once sure of her stability, Sakura walks into the back; holding onto anything she can grab. Searching for the requested items, she easily comes across a first aid kit. The contents hold all but the alcohol; though that is easily replaced by the rubbing alcohol found in the kit.
She goes back into the passenger's seat. Settling down before preparing herself mentally for what she is about to have to do.
Sasuke pulls the van over; checking on either side of the roads for anyone coming in the distance. Seeing the road is all clear; Sasuke motions for Sakura to go into the back of the van. He pops the cigarette burner out of the van and takes it with him to the back.
Sakura moves hesitantly behind Sasuke. He takes the kit from her hand, opens it, and sets out the items he needs. Setting the cigarette burner on the ground he grabs for the tweezers. He sterilizes the tweezers then sets it to cool. Sasuke then searches for something flat and metal; eventually finding an unused metal spoon, he sets it on top of the burner.
"You alright?" Sakura can't trust her voice enough to speak; she nods instead. "Okay. I'll talk you through it. The one in my stomach was a through-in-through, so we'll do the one in my arm first. You need to get the bullet out with the tweezers. You're going to insert the tweezers pinched together, then when you find the bullet get it out. Sakura," He makes sure he has her full attention before continuing. "No matter what sounds I make you need to continue." She nods once more.
Sakura grabs the tweezers; her stomach feeling queasy. She goes to sit by his side; getting in the most comfortable position for her to get the tweezers in his arm. Taking a deep breath before moving in with the closed tweezers.
Seeing her hesitating when touching the entrance Sasuke feels he needs to push her forward, "Just do it."
He clenches his teeth and holds his breath; bracing himself to make the least amount of noise possible. Sasuke watches the girl grip his arm before she move in with the tweezers. A searing pain rushes through his entire body causing him to tense. After seemingly forever Sakura touches the bullet with the tweezers. It only takes her a moment to pull the bullet out.
Sasuke looks up at the girl. Her eyes are watering with tears that are threatening to fall.
She looks sick, and Sasuke is unsure of how much more she would be able to handle.
He grabs the rubbing alcohol himself and pours it over all three of his wounds, only bringing a slight hissing noise from the agonizing shots of pain coursing through his body.
The worst comes next as he moves the spoon onto his wound on his stomach. The cry of agony breaks from him causing Sakura to cry out as well. The moment the pain rushed through Sasuke he pulled the spoon away; unable to properly cauterize it properly. He pushes the spoon against the wound again. This time fully cauterizing the wound.
He puts the spoon on the burner again. Once it has heated enough again, he grabs the spoon. Bringing it around his body to the entrance wound. He is able to cauterize it without the hiss; this time prepared for it.
Sasuke heats the spoon up again. Gaining a moment in time, he focuses on the smell of burning blood and flesh. Looking to Sakura he sees the tears cascading down her cheeks.
Knowing he won't be able to reach around to the wound on the back of his arm he calls to Sakura. "Sakura. Sakura! I need you to gather together and do this. I can't without opening the others again."
Tears run down her face. She shakes her head in the negative. "No-no-no-no-no-"
"Yes, Sakura, I can't do this by myself. You need to do this." He puts the spoon in her hands.
She hesitates while something catches in her throat. Sasuke reassures her with another nod and by placing his hand on her thigh. He squeezes unconsciously when she brings the spoon to his arm; not touching yet. He moves him hand to her arm then pulls forward on it; closing the distance of the spoon and his wound.
He holds her arm long enough for the wound to cauterize. Letting go, Sakura throws to spoon.
Knowing she is about to release her stomach's contents she whips open the passenger's door and jumps out. She makes it three meters away before collapsing to her knees. Last nights supper pushes its way back up and forces its way out of her mouth. Sakura grabs her hair out of the way at the last moment.
She purges five times onto the ground; eventually dry heaving once all the contents of her stomach are gone.
Sasuke calmly waits for her to be finished as he rubs her back.
She finally completely finishes; out of breath and disgusted. Sasuke hands her torn pieces of his ruined shirt. Wiping her mouth clean of the vomit, Sakura closes her eyes and releases a deep breath.
"Sorry."
Sakura looks to her side where a down cast Sasuke kneels. The male looks dejected by his actions; the cause of her discomfort, but it seems like his apology covers far more then just the last twenty minutes. She realizes that his apology encompasses the journey as a whole; for the kidnapping, for tying her up, for Karin, for driving off a cliff, for almost taking her to her death, for the illegal things he has made her an accomplice to, for the shoot out at the hotel, for making her tend to his bullet wounds, for everything.
Her eyes soften and fill with tears once more; this time running straight down her face. Sakura can't help but wrap her arms around him. Sasuke's eyes widen and he tenses for only a moment as he feels a long forgotten feeling bubbling inside of him; comfort.
Sasuke readies himself to push the girl and the feeling away. Feeling small drops of warm liquid on his chest makes him stop. He calculates his next movements and the effects of what would happen if he were to make which moves; but as he feels the girl tighten her grip and start to tremble slightly, he finds himself not caring.
He lifts his good arm and wraps it around the girl. Sasuke buries his face into the crook of her shoulder; allowing himself to drown himself in this feeling.
