Is late because Kitty is flatass sick and busy with college crap ;w; Please know that Kitty loves all her readers and hopes that you will all understand that life comes first, and then reality will throw bricks at your face (wear helmets, okay? :D). I am still sick, and it's nearly April- ALMOST KITTY'S BIRTHDAY, FOR THE WIN! Let's celebrate by being awesome -puts on sunglasses, coughs-
I have recently got a boat load of questions on things in particular to Tasting Flesh -don't worry, this is not like the rant on Chapter Three, I assure you- and I am very grateful that you amazing people ask questions :D Questions are very good, and Kitty will be more then happy to answer them for you guys to see. So! Without further adiou (sp?), let the questions commence!
Will there be lemon?
Ahahaha xD I actually get asked this a lot for this story. Ahem, well, that will actually depend on you guys, honestly. I'm not the one to write very detailed and steamy things for my story (also known as smut). But lemon may be a bit different o3o I know that there are children on this website, who thing they can sneak past their parents to read naughty naughty things and think of themselves as the coolest kid EVAR...derp.
I will think that over for a while, because I don't intend on doing it right away (you know how long it took for Sasuke and Sakura to meet up, right?) but it's all going to be on YOUR guys' shoulders c: If you can somehow prove to me that I should write a lemon, please notify me. You guys need to be mature and not be in it for the naughty things, okay? It's not going to be worth my time writing something if all you want is steamy goodness and shibangshibang... What the hell am I saying?
Why can't Sakura remember anything?
Because that is part of the story C: If any of you have read the manga that I named inspired this story, Black Bird, then I think some of you can get the idea of the reasons why Sakura doesn't remember (but...it's not totally accurate to the manga, so no spoiler there). Anyhoo, it is part of the story, and it also gives me the chance to play around with Sasuke and Sakura's relationship when she was growing up (it's pretty effin' cute, in my opinion)!
Is Sakura a Demon/Demon God/ etc..?
Sakura is a species of the Forbidden Flower, there is no actual name for the 'creature' that she is, but she is not a Demon or Demon God because she is mortal. The Forbidden Flower is 'bred' from the human race, but that doesn't specify to make her higher then a human or lower then a Demon. She is somewhere in between and we shall learn more as we go along.
Why doesn't Sakura go to school anymore?
I got asked this a lot and I never answered ;w; Sakura graduated a year earlier then her other classmates, who would be graduation from school the summer of Sakura's eighteenth birthday. Since Sakura is a shrine maiden, she is not totally required to be educated onward for college (even though her GPA and grades surpassed most xD She's a smart cookie) her future career was obviously going to be at the shrine, since it is a family ordeal. I have seen this done in Japanese dramas when the character graduates early to fufill the family business.
Why do you ignore the bad Reviews?
Because they are simply not worth my time c: If they don't like it, that is their choice. I do not live to please everyone who reads and I have my right to ignore the bad.
So yep, I hope this answers some questions for those who have been curious and I haven't had the chance to properly answer c: You know that Kitty loves it when her readers aren't too confused or feel neglected by me, ne? Anyway, you guys all know what to do for the past 13 chapters; Reviewing, Following, Favoriting or doing nothing will make me very fuzzbally and happy! :D Thank you all so much and I hope you all have a wonderful day!
=xxx=
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The choice has been made of where I shall meet my fate.
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I have no wonder of what lies on the other side, but I would be so instinctive...
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To think for the worst, to expect the pain and to suffer the consequences.
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Is this really what fate has brought me to? And, now that I think of it...
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You are my fate.
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Tasting Flesh
Chapter Thirteen
Sasuke sat in the same spot at the Haruno Shrine as he does every morning, watching the sun come up with no emotions plastered on his face, unlike the other Demon species scurrying around the territory of Konoha in general. The Yamanaka family has ventured back to their house to pack for the journey through the door -the one that Sasuke used to get to this world- and they planned on closing their flower shoppe without warning and make it look like that nobody has ever set foot into the soon-to-be vacant housing; opening doors for another person who would dream of owning their own business with independence, and those Demons had the power to do such a thing. Deidara and Sasori were somewhere in the somewhat forest of cherry blossoms, commencing into their romantic relationship alone to what would happen in the Demon World, since Deidara has never been anywhere in that world with his own kind all around him; Sasori giving the blond man assurance that the redhead would stick by his side and will treat him to something more pleasant when they register their own room with a single bed...
As Sasuke started to let his head wander about his home, he started to remember his Japanese-styled 'castle', where his family was waiting for his return with his bride. He could just imagine his own private quarters, the comfortable sheets and plushed mattress of the futon bedding he would refuse to share with anyone. He never decorated his room like his mother did with the one she shared with her husband, of course, but he could think of the particular weapons he left on the floor and would have to pick them up himself when he went back home (since those servants of the Uchihas feared to touch the prized weapons).
"Sasuke-kun?" The called prince turned his head to see the sleepy faced Haruno Sakura rubbing her dark eyes with the sleeves of the sweatshirt he placed on her the night before, making his chest clench a little bit when she stumbled a little over and slumped by his side. Her emerald eyes sparkled in the barely-there sunrise as Sasuke looked at her very stoic. "Where did everyone go?"
"They have jobs to do," he said simply and turned his head towards the trees again. He wasn't comfortable with saying that they were leaving the Human World, but it had to be done eventually. "We plan on going back to my world and you're coming with."
Still consumed with tiredness, Sakura blinked a few times and itched out a desperate yawn, noting how tired she was from the previous night's activity involving that hungry Demon chasing her in the graveyard. Sure, she wanted to freak out and hunt down everyone to scold them but her conscience was getting the best of her; making her think that this was suppose to be for the best of her, and Sasuke would be homesick... She couldn't put that burden on herself if Sasuke missed his home, and she will gladly trust him that she would have to follow the idea of moving off. She leaned her whole upper body, arms wrapped around herself in Sasuke's sweatshirt as she curled into a ball, and pressed herself against Sasuke's side and instantly felt him stiffen.
Sakura smiled a little bit as she cuddled her face into his fresh appearal of a black t-shirt and dark jeans, inhaling his scent that made her thoughts numb all her problems away, just like his own clothes reeked his masculine smell she could grow addicted to. "Why do you come here in the morning, Sasuke-kun..? Do you ever sleep?"
Sasuke's eyes glanced down to look at the long, pink hair shifting in the small wind that blew the slightly chilly spring air of the morning. "I do." He swallowed and let his eyes drift back to the trees fluttering. "I prefer to watch the sun come up in this world; it's different in my world. It is not orange and pink, but rather lavender and grey."
"Is everything different in your world?" she asked so innocently that it made Sasuke's stiff muscles relax a little.
"Yes... Humans and Demons are meant to be different, so our worlds are different too," he explained so simply. Afterwards, they both allowed the silence of morning take over until the first waking bird started chirping its melody to summon its family.
"Sasuke-kun," Sakura mumbled so sleepishly, "I'm still very tired..."
"Then go back to sleep," Sasuke whispered flat, but the hint of gentleness was so visible to Sakura that she cuddled even more closer to Sasuke's side.
"Tell me a story..."
"Hn," Sasuke snapped his head to look at the top of her head lolling on his shoulder, as if it belonged there -and Sasuke knew it was meant to take its place there-as his eyes stayed focused on the little hand slipping onto his thigh and resting there as she settled in better in his warmth. He just hoped that she didn't feel his heart starting to stutter within his chest.
"Tell me the story of when I was born," Sakura said so softly. "I don't remember anything about it and I am curious...of what it was like for you."
Similar to Naruto's hyperactive attitude for the story, Sasuke was taken aback by the different scenario with this particular lovely by his side. Granted, Sasuke didn't have a problem telling Naruto the heartmelting story of the night of Sakura's birth, but this was different. Totally different. With her, it was like telling a speech infront of a crowd that you had to reherse and wasn't allowed a slip of paper or ink upon the hand to cheat off of.
This girl had some kind of magic towards him to not act so normal around her.
Hating to disobey her request, Sasuke closed his eyes and looked back to what the past was like, as if it was centuries before the current time. He hated how time seemed to be so slow for this immortal God... But the memories were just as beautiful as a yesterday smile he saw on her face.
Sasuke opened his eyes on the couch inside the Haruno's livingroom, looking to his side to find that his older brother, Itachi, was already dozing off and making his usual gurgling snorts as he struggled in between the sleeping state and the awake state. Finding it annoying to listen to his brother's noisy grunts, Sasuke swung his leg up and kicked his respected brother in the ribs to jerk him awake.
A hissing noise was recieved when Itachi glared over and dared to launch himself onto his brother when the low, deep voice of their father snapped them out of their wishful chance to wrestle. "Don't. You're in a very respected house and the women need as much quiet as possible for the sake of the baby."
Itachi instantly nodded in understanding and rolled off the legless couch and went over to the recently made cradle that was on the ground infront of the fireplace, getting warmth for the upcoming arrival. It was constructed five days ago, thinking that the baby was to be delivered in that time when Mebuki complained for cramps, it now lays empty and wishes to rock something fragile. Itachi used his pinky finger to touch the cradling leg and watched it rock from side-to-side.
Sasuke simply groaned at his father and ran a hand through his black hair. "They have been doing this since this morning. What is taking so long for a baby to come out?"
Fugaku looked up from his book to peer at his estranged son. "You should never rush a baby coming out of its mother, it wouldn't be healthy for them. Human babies especially are noted to have difficulty 'finding' a way out into the world. Apparently, this one likes to take her time."
Sasuke instantly quieted himself then, thinking of what is going on strictly upstairs in the bedroom where Mebuki and Kizashi sleep. Sasuke's mother, Kizashi and Chiyo are there, helping the labored woman give birth since the idea to take a human delivering a Forbidden Flower at a hospital was...not customed to humans, per se. Giving birth to a Demon from a human is much more difficult and dangerous- But! As Sasuke forces into the minds of others, the Forbidden Flower is nowhere near the species of a Demon or a Demon God; it was in between, and it was surely giving Mikoto and Chiyo a mouthful to complain about for sure. On the inside, Sasuke was rather excited for the baby to come, and he was anxious to see the baby in that little cradle right infront of him that Itachi was playing with out of mere boredom.
Every once in a great while, such as this time, they would easily hear Mebuki's whimper and groans of pain from her contractions. Sasuke was only educated in bringing life into this world in the simple steps possible, even for a six-hundred year old Demon God himself: Have sex, wait nine months, baby comes out where the male went into the woman. He didn't know much about childbirth...or children for that matter, but he planned on changing that description within his mental resume after this one is born. Hearing Mebuki now, along with Kizashi's words of comfort, Sasuke wondered what it would be like to be in such pain because another living being in within you and you had to bring it into the world all by yourself; with all the strength you had and the energy you put into the process, all for a baby.
His baby.
Even in the times he spent with the married humans in their world, Sasuke always refered to Mebuki's swollen belly as his baby. Kizashi and Mebuki found no trouble with it, since they have not figured out a name for the little girl they were about to have in their little home. It only took a few times for Sasuke to say it for everyone to join in calling her 'Sasuke's baby'. He liked it, but he would never tell anyone that.
Both Kizashi and Mebuki have fallen to the idea that they would allow Sasuke to try and handle babycare, and get involved with the baby when it came to cuddles, bathing, feeding and other such things that would be out of Sasuke's mind to try and do. Although, what they didn't know already is that Sasuke planned on trying to feed the baby and give her the attention she deserved. Too bad that he didn't know anything to do with babies. Being the youngest child born into the Uchiha Clan in general, Sasuke has really never encountered an infant unless it was at a ball, where guests came with their little babies to show off.
Itachi, on the other hand, helped raised Sasuke since he was already a man when Mikoto gave birth to Sasuke, so Sasuke has been itching his older brother for pointers and advice of 'how to properly hold a baby' or 'what will happen if the baby starts hiccupping?'. And just because Itachi loved his little brother so much, he promised not to tell Mebuki or Kizashi of spoiling the surprise.
"What if the baby turns out to be a boy?" Itachi muttered teasingly to his father, causing Sasuke's already pale face to go five shades whiter. "You know, I hear sometimes human doctors mistaken the gender of the baby."
"Impossible," Fugaku growled to his eldest son. "Chiyo concluded that the baby was a female, and you dare to test her medical talents?"
Itachi simply shrugged and went back to playing with the cradle. Sasuke kept his death glare settled on his brother's head, just hoping that it would pop like a balloon to shut him up. His wish became halt, however, when Mebuki's contractions actually made an echoing sound for the keen ears to hear from the thick flooring as she cried out in agony. Sasuke looked up whent he sounds of footsteps scattered across the ceiling, making it noticable that Chiyo's elderly moves were quick and Mikoto's heeled feet were urgent and worried.
"Calm down, Sasuke," Fugaku ordered softly as he went back to reading his thick book. "She's on her way now."
"How can you tell, Father?" Sasuke asked without looking away from the ceiling with an intense expression. He was biting his lip out of mere impatience.
Fugaku smirked a little without answering. Surely, his son couldn't take up the smell of a newborn emerging like the king can. He could simply remember the time when Mikoto threatened to bite his head off whenever Fugaku ventured to close while the wetnurse was preparing for the arrival of both Itachi and Sasuke, simply because Mikoto didn't know if Fugaku was going to make the poor nurse mess up in catching or-
"It hurts, Kizashi!" Mebuki's cries echoed throughout the shrine. Fugaku thought of Sasori and Pakkun as lucky bastards since they left the building before all this happened.
"Lemme check if she is-"
"Kizashi, I swear, if you leave my side to look down my legs, I will rips you in half!" Mebuki howled as she held Kizashi's fingers hard enough that Fugaku heard his joints cracking painfully. Fugaku shook his head sorrowfully, feeling sorry for his friend that he was now suffering what Fugaku had years back. As he glanced to his youngest son, he noticed that he was turning his own thin lip red from constant chewing.
"Sasuke, calm down."
"Hn..."
"Mebuki-chan, it is time to push!" Mikoto's hyperactive giggle rang through the ceiling, causing Sasuke to grip the armrest until it started to snap into splinters.
=xxx=
Sasuke was now pacing in the livingroom with that simple, blank stare to nothiness as Fugaku finished the last page of his book and Itachi found some amusement in watching his younger brother wobble around and mutter inaudible curses towards time and human's pace here and here; yet his face was completely blank and emotionless as he continued to stomp around silently, just wishing to break something with his bare hands. The shrieks and whimpers from Mebuki ceased and an unknown shrill of cries flooded the room about a half hour ago, causing Sasuke to stand up...
When nothing happened, that was when he started pacing. He wasn't worried, he was just becoming impatient.
Those cries he heard, was weak and way too young to be coming from any of the adults that lingered in the shrine, making it obvious that it was something Sasuke had been waiting for some time already; his chest thumped when he heard the whimpering cries from the unknown source, and even wanted to growl out to the noise when it went quiet, wanting it to make more noises to assure that it was alright in the other room. Fugaku had to always assure the younger son every few minutes that it was normal and the delivery will be settled here shortly.
Sasuke just didn't want to wait anymore.
As if answering his unheard demands, the shouji door slid open and stood Mikoto with a bright smile planted on her youthful features. She was cooing, as she only would do to something that got her excited (which, in the Uchiha family's defence, didn't take all that much) and she was hopping on her little feet for Itachi and Fugaku to get up and follow her. She was speaking too fast for Sasuke to care for a listen, but he slowly registered that the remaining males in the room didn't give him a single glance as they ventured out of the room and bowed to Chiyo -who seemed to have popped out of nowhere- and escort her way into the livingroom with her hands filled with a bundle of blankets.
Sasuke's heart stopped.
Chiyo's old face glanced Sasuke's way briefly, a cat-like smile upon her wrinkled face as she slowly strolled over to the heated fireplace and settled the bundle inside the little crib that Sasuke forced Itachi to stop fooling around and left the room without another word at hand, sliding the door shut from Mikoto's prying eyes and shooed the queen back upstairs to tend to Mebuki's resting state and Kizashis'. Sasuke vaguely remembered that Kizashi had been bitten by an infected Demon and was suffering from stomach issue and constant lack of energy, and it was amazing that Kizashi had forced himself to stay awake for his beloved's labor pains and need for her husband's attention and handholding.
Finally getting the peace and solitude he was wishing for the past few hours, Sasuke realized that he wasn't entirely alone. His head slowly turned to the small cradle he helped construct and saw the little dangle of the lime green babyblanket from over the edge. It was bothering him as of right now, so he took slow, silent steps over to the little crib and got to his knees; reaching a large hand to pluck the corner of the cute blanket and flipped it into the cozy box-
Sasuke found the face of a newborn baby, the first he has ever seen in centuries. It had a very chubby, round face and filled cheeks resembling the color of roses; so red and plump with the flushness it had. The eyes were closed and the little fists were curled above her head as the very tiny fingers twitched against the faint color of its pink hair. Sasuke became curious about that, wondering how would that color grow as she got older. The little hands, however, made Sasuke's hands do its own movements...
Sticking out his pinky finger, Sasuke leaned a bit closer to the freshly bathed body cuddled in blankets and all and carefully poked the flimsy knuckle and suddenly found the baby girl squirming with a faint gurgle, and her own hand curled around the appendage with the weak grip a human would have. Her face scrunched until she forced her big eyes open, revealing a sudden flash of emerald shine that startled Sasuke a bit. He knew Kizashi had faint green eyes, but he didn't know that the inheritence would make everything so much brighter. She looked so much like her father, yet she was all her own features that made her so unique and special.
Out of the blue, the baby started cooing up to Sasuke and squirmed around in the cradle, her hand still latched to his finger. She made a happy noise, spit starting to bubble from her little mouth and a her gummed teeth grinning. Sasuke couldn't help but lean closer, just to see every mark she had on her face and there was none - She was simply perfection within the first moment he placed his black eyes on her.
He felt the whole world melting around him, becoming alone with this one and only being right infront of him that was a simple baby; so little and scent of a newborn flesh, hot and red in the face...
"Hello there," Sasuke muttered in a surprisingly soft tone. His pinky curled a little inside her grip, making her little mouth form into an 'o' shape as her attention switched towards his palm. Her other hand tried to move on its own, causing problems for her since her muscles and nerves didn't do what it was commanded. Sasuke's eyes softened to a degree that seemed unknown to others if they were to glance his way.
"You're very curious...and little," he continued, his voice becoming more quiet and simple under the heat of the fireplace. "Very little and fragile."
The baby made a simple cry of amusement, her face scrunching with the bother of her other arm not latching on properly to his sleeve. Tilting his head to the side, Sasuke watched as the baby started to play around with the energy of a hyper pup, making it so unhuman for a child to be only a few hours old and try to be so active with herself. She wasn't human after all...
She was Sasuke's bride.
"I have never seen a newborn baby before...you're the first one," Sasuke spoke softly, his other hand reaching inside the crib and allowed her other hand to grasp his thumb and become more pleased. When he heard the baby giggle so happily, he smirked. "You have a big forehead...and little hands, nose and little feet. Pink hair and green eyes..."
The baby cooed a bright giggle, sending the echoes throughout the warm room. Sasuke's eyes closed when the baby dragged his thumb into her mouth and tried to bite him, making a gurgling noise to try and play; he glanced down and smirked. "Your parents want to name you Sakura. I like that name; it is like the tree you have in this world and mine, that is the only thing we share between our worlds..."
Sasuke kept himself quiet for a while, just to listen to the noises that the baby makes. Never before had Sasuke enjoyed the weird noises that humans make out of their mouths and noses; he simply found this little thing adorable - and he was never going to tell anyone that but her when she understood him a bit better. After the long while of watching and listening, an alien noise started to hum outside the opened window, taking Sasuke's attention in a way that no one wanted to witness: frustration and the evil dominance that the Uchiha family possessed took way of Sasuke's gorgeous features as he glared to the emerging glow of hungry eyes and drooling teeth of Demons.
Of course, these Demons were the poor kind -the kind that Sasuke found to be so foolish- and they figured they could get what they want just by simply begging. And that is what they started to do...
'Can we see the baby, please..?'
'She looks so cute and sweet. Allow us to play with her for a little bit.'
'We're a little hungry-'
The last question was not even said as Sasuke bared his teeth and literally growled at the opened window, causing the baby to stop making noises herself altogether. The shrilling screams of the hungry Demons dispersing from the window, pleasing Sasuke to ease his tensed shoulders now and turn his attention back to the baby...
Who simply looked at him curiously before reaching her hands up for him to hold her.
Sasuke was taken by surprise by the baby not crying out of fear, since he has scared Demon children often by even glaring. He was very hesitant at first, but he slowly reached into the crib and was gentle to wrap his long fingers around the baby's ribs and lift her into his lap. When this was performed, the baby did a toothless smile and made a happy noise when she found a spot on his lap, laying back onto his arm and cuddle into his belly. Sasuke's free hand slowly traced the baby's faint pink hair, admiring the bravery she had, and just being a few hours old.
He swallowed shyly. "You are...very special, Sakura."
As if understanding him, the baby squirmed happily in his hold. She cooed and giggled a bit more as she grabbed his fingers touching her head and smush her face into his palm, as if kissing his hand in the sign of affection; and that simply made Sasuke's heart melt.
"Very special."
Sasuke glanced down to the now wide-awake girl resting her head on his thigh, seeming so comfortable and calm to be this close to him. He was surprised all over again to just see her relax and take in the story he had just told. He could hear her heart thumping hard against her chest, but her breathing was so calm... This was a good sign in Sasuke's case.
Sakura nibbled her lip shyly before speaking. "I like that story, Sasuke-kun. Is that really true? Everything that happened..?" She rolled her head to look up to him with a small glitter in her eyes, as if she was hopeful for something else.
Sasuke stared before nodding. "Yes."
With that, Sakura beamed a bright smile and flushed her cheeks adorably. Despite being a twenty-year old, Sakura was now acting so childish and free; being like she was lovestrucked for the first time in her life and she was enjoying it to the fullest. She pulled her head back into the pillowing position and pressed her cheek into his leg and her hand held onto his knee, saying to herself and him that she didn't intend on moving.
Careful to be himself, Sasuke raised his hand and carefully tucked a lock of her pastel hair behind her ear. Before he could retract his hand, however, Sakura's own little hand reached up and grasped his index and middle finger. She pulled his hand back and placed it upon her neck, forcing it to stay by brushing her thumb across his knuckles. Sasuke's chest twisted in the sweet pain he liked swirling in his ribs, obeying her silent wish and kept his hot hand on her fragile neck -the most vunerable place on any living thing- and she took the challenge to trust him with her most fatal point. He loved every minute of it.
He could feel her pulse, feel every breath she inhaled and exhaled as she relaxed under his hold.
"Sasuke-kun," Sakura called in a soft whisper, not breaking the emotion surrounding them alone. "Can you stay by my side when we go to your world? I don't want to feel alone... I want you to stay with me."
Sasuke closed his eyes, taking in her words carefully and locking them away somewhere no one but Sakura can have the key to. He breathed in, inhaling the sweet cherry blossom scent and her own smell that would drug him easily. "Aa."
He could just feel Sakura smiling against him.
=xxx=
Sakura played around with her long hair, finding nothing else to do as she watched Sasori move left and right over and over again. Sasuke had left a while ago without saying why, but he was 'kind' enough to wake Sakura to get her off his leg and make her comfortable; but now here she was, no one to talk to or hang out with to the point that she could die from boredom! She was dressed now in her purple summer dress (as told by Ino) and had her hair down...not unless she add a touch of Sasuke's sweatshirt into the attire; she claims that she was getting cold, and no one has said anything about it since. But still, as this lovely teen sits on the porch like a good girl, she can't help but wish to break something to free her anger og being left alone-
"Sakura."
Nevermind that.
Pakkun wobbled up to Sakura's side and plopped himself down before scratching his ear with his hind leg. He made a long grunting noise before sneezing. He looked up to see Sakura smiling down to him, as if he was an answer to her prayers. "Are you doing well today, Sakura?"
"I'm doing just fine," Sakura nodded mostly to herself before she started to fiddle with the strings to Sasuke's sweatshirt hood. "Where have you been, Pakkun? I feel like I don't see you enough anymore..." She pouted a little bit. "Do you have a girlfriend or something?"
Pakkun barked a scruffy laugh. "Nah-ah, I was just checking around the neighborhood dogs to see if they can watch things here while we're gone. Chiyo is going to have my fur for a scarf if I don't come along with you guys."
"What would they need to watch here?" she asked curiously.
"Because," Pakkun's upperlip curled into a braggin smile, "we canines are known to protect our loved ones from danger, from the things you can't see. That is why we are man's best friend; both Human and Demon man!" His curly tail wagged in excitement, causing Sakura to smile as she looked away.
"Cats are pretty cute, too," Sakura included.
Pakkun fell over. Sakura watched him perform of what looked like to be a seizure of shock, twitching and making this odd growling noise like he used to make when he ate too many marshmellows. Sakura giggled as she reached over and picked up the pug, settling him upon her lap and cuddled him like a teddy bear; pressing a smooch ontop of his head.
"But you're adorable, Pakkun. No cat can ever replace you!" Sakura cooed sweetly as she smushed her cheeks against him. "I'm sorry if I disturbed you." She scratched his ears softly with the tips of her fingers, slowly coaxing Pakkun's growls into purrs.
"Ngh...just don't say it again," begged Pakkun as he rolled limp. He was now in pure heaven.
Sakura giggled and glanced up, seeing Sasuke arriving with that same look on his face; so serious and dominant, but also something else that Sakura can't grasp all the way. Recently, Sakura has started to find herself curious of Sasuke's features and personality carefully, always coming closer to his body and taking the chances of touching him -but it was always very little, from tips of fingers to tugging his sleeve- and she was always respectful for it. As well to that, Sakura was finding herself...attracted to Sasuke, and she finds herself rather nervous for it.
Sakura wants time. Time to know Sasuke better and time to remember the things that made her...feel this way for him so long ago; she wanted that form of closure with herself as soon as possible. And, maybe someday, she can have a happily ever after with this new lifestyle she was thrown into.
She inhaled, breaking a sweet smile when Sasuke looked at her. Sakura was careful to set Pakkun back onto his feet, and he gladly scampered off when he saw a squirrel in the distance, and she got up from the porch and walked over to her dark prince. She fought back herself from skipping like a child, but she did let a hop escape herself as she stopped infront of him and he too halt.
"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura chirped with a smile, assuming that he needed something bright to look at.
Sasuke, on the other hand, simply stared down at her. She slowly felt herself regretting the approach, but it was soon drowned with confusion when his large hand came from his stuffed pocket and carefully grabbed a lock of her pink hair. Looking curiously at it, as if it was the most oddest thing he has ever seen, Sasuke rubbed the strands in his fingers carefully before tucking the lock behind her little ear. He glanced to her face and saw how the blush was starting in her cheeks, yet her face was so blank that he had to fight back the smirk.
"You're still wearing my clothes," Sasuke said as he refered to the black sweatshirt that contrasted from her pale features and bright hair. He noticed her shiver and nod shyly as she looked down. "That's fine. You need to stay warm..."
"Uh-huh," Sakura squeaked. Her green eyes were looking everywhere else but at him, and she couldn't help but sense his amusement. She swallowed thickly and shifted her weight on her feets.
"I spoke to everyone else and I have decided to bring you along first," Sasuke explained next as he let go of her hair and placed his hand back into his pocket. "It would be best if we leave right now; the Yamanakas will bring your stuff lateron."
"Eh?" Sakura perked her head up. "So soon? What's gonna happen if we leave before everyone else? Where is everybo-!"
"They've decided to allow us to go first, for protection..."
Sakura's face fell a little. "Protection..." She didn't like the idea of everyone acting so accordingly for her sake, like she was the most fragile thing in the whole world. No, Sakura wanted to take herself into her own hands and be her own guard! She knew she could do something worthwhile and show everyone that she isn't weak.
Noticing her discomfort, Sasuke inwardly grunted and took the same hand out once more and reached to hook his first two fingers with her pinky and ring finger. He knew that this was a bit over the top for him and her, but he wasn't the kind of person who was verbally comforting...neither was he the physical kind. Sasuke didn't let go when her body stiffened, and he did his best to be quiet when he spoke.
"It's okay..."
Sakura didn't stop herself from leaning forward to press her head on Sasuke's chest. Sasuke, being a head taller then her, was able to look down to the top of her hair as she cuddled her cheek against his bicep and sighed softly. His heart was just pounding hard and he knew that she could feel it against her soft skin; but she simply pressed herself closer. Sasuke didn't wrap his arms around her -like he used to do back in the day- but he allowed her to reach up and use her free hand to wrap around his neck in a gentle hug.
"Thank you, Sasuke-kun," she whispered sweetly against his chest, her eyes closed. Sasuke stood still as stone as she clung closer to him, the closeness of their bodies startling Sasuke with an odd electric tingle jolting up his spine. "Thank you."
"Hn..." Sasuke's eyes softened to be half-lidded as he pulled back gently, their fingers still hooked together, and he started walking down the trail to the rocked wall. "We need to hurry, I sent a message to Dobe and I can just hear him getting impatient."
Sakura giggled sweetly as she willingly followed him, her grip on his fingers tightened as he led her past Konoha for the last time. It took Sakura a while to actually register that she was leaving her world; the one she was born into and raised in, going to school with normal people and went to normal shops and places to meet friends. She was leaving the Shrine that was said to be her future and home for the rest of her life, but now...
Sakura stole a glance to Sasuke. 'Now...he is said to be my future.'
It wasn't that she didn't want a future with Sasuke -of whatever she was suppose to be to him- but she couldn't help but feel so lost with herself around him. She doesn't remember much about Sasuke, what her feelings were to him or how she can explain that she feels something now for him. She would constantly question herself if she dared to say that she loved Sasuke, or that she was just taken away by his good looks (and who wouldn't fall for Sasuke, ne?). But for now, Sakura would keep herself at the secret that she has a little crush on Sasuke, and nothing more.
No, it is only a crush.
The walk to the forest seemed so short to Sakura, just having her head filled with her crush and saying silent goodbyes to Konoha one last time when she encountered the doorless frame that haunted her on her birthday. Looking up to it, Sakura could recall the ghost of herself chanting for her to follow. Thankfully, Ino explained that she was capable of bringing small mental images from the past to the present...whatever that meant. Sakura didn't remember owning a red cloak in her childhood.
Then again, she didn't remember her childhood all that much.
"Is this how you got here, Sasuke-kun?" she asked softly, admiring that actual beauty this door had. Looking so old and worn out, and nature took the time to decorate the cracks and broken edges with green veins and leaves. She turned to see Sasuke nod absentmindedly. "How can you... I don't know," Sakura waved her hands around in slight frustration, "open the door? Do you say a magic word or a button that is hiding?"
"You ask a lot of questions," Sasuke stated with a soft sigh, letting go of Sakura's hand and approached the door. "Some things never change." He raised both of his hands and leaned against an unseen shield in the middle of the doorframe, as if something was there. Sakura's mouth dropped open, and Sasuke couldn't help but try and show off a little as he focused all of his energy into the invisible thing, causing an eruption of colorful sparks and lightning-styled shrieks. Slowly, a cloud-like form swirled around within the doorframe and hummed, the obvious smell of cold and frost invaded Sakura's nose as she watched carefully with great interest.
"Wow..." Sakura sighed in a dream-like tune, her hands gripped to the black sweatshirt she was wearing.
Sasuke nodded. "It is going to be a bit cold, so you need to keep that sweatshirt on." He turned his head and held out his hand carefully, silently asking her to take his hand that she knew was already warm - and so is his body. "I won't let you go, Sakura," he added in softly, assuring her small worries away.
Sakura took his hand with a smile and held on tight. "I trust you, Sasuke-kun!" she declared with a determined 'humph'. Sasuke simply smirked and walked slowly into the clouds, slowly melting away into the greying darkness that Sakura had no idea what was on the other side.
Sakura inhaled and exhaled, looking at the last of Sasuke's arm when she took her first steps through the door to the Demon World.
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I never thought that I would see anything so different in my life.
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Never before had I seen such a different color of the world...
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And here, with you by my side, it is not so scary as I thought it would be.
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In the cold, you hold me; In the moment of fear, you speak to me...
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Please don't let me go.
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Sakura buried her face into Sasuke's shoulder, shivering from the chilliness nipping at her bare legs, ears and cheeks. She could stop herself from shaking as she clung to Sasuke and her other hands gripped his hand that was said to guide her through to the next world. She exhaled a shaky breath before shutting her eyes tightly.
"It's cold," she said out of the blue, allowing Sasuke to listen to her carefully. "It's really cold in here, Sasuke-kun..."
Sasuke didn't respond, which Sakura did not mind. He was busy with something else as they both floated in what Sakura could have guessed as the universe in a nutshell; stars, metalic strings zipping by their bodies like shooting stars. Milkyways swirled in some places with the blending colors of blue and purple hues and shades; the small planets of diamonds and other gem-like jewels sparkled, and Sakura started to name them as the planets she knew from memory.
She looked around now, interested and happy to share this moment with someone 'close' to her. "It's really pretty here, Sasuke-kun," she whispered quietly, hoping that it will get him to talk.
It didn't. Instead, Sakura felt something wrong as the feeling of Sasuke's fingers disappeared from her grip. Pulling herself back, Sakura couldn't find the handsome face of her dark prince, finding instead a woman's face...
and a red cloak.
Emerald orbs widening, Sakura bit back a cry of fear as she remembered the horror of realization this person carried on her back. The red clothes and the pale skin was all too familiar, but the additons added to her was something she couldn't ready herself for; big, brown eyes that were the similar eyeshape to Sakura's, and short hair that resembled the color of dark chocolate cake that Sakura could eat all day. The overall facial features, however, was all resembled to Sakura. From the doll-like lips, rosy cheeks and soft skin that was like looking into a mirror.
"Y-you..." Sakura whimpered, unable to finish her sentence.
The girl's hand graced upward, taking Sakura's hand that she held with Sasuke's as their fingers linked together perfectly, fitting the missing puzzle in such an eerie way that made Sakura's heart stop. The girl smiled, her lips curling sweetly as her brown eyes sparkled.
"Who are you?" Sakura blurted out. "Where is Sasuke-kun?"
She continued to smile and look at her and Sakura's hands together. Her voice was so similar to Sakura's as well, but different in tone. "I am just like you, Sakura... I am a friend of Haruno Sakura, I am the past, present and future of you; I am you."
"What is your name..?" Sakura asked softly. She gripped the girl's hand tightly, just as she did with Sasuke's hand before he disappeared.
She smiled, pulling Sakura by the hand and somehow changed the scenery from space to the same meadow she was first encountered with the unnamed female in the red cloak. As Sakura glanced during the change, she saw the same heartshaped birthmark on the girl's left hip, exactly like Sakura. Together, they both sat on the grass on their shins, their hands still together as the setting went into place of a grey sky and colorless grass and trees, making the two girls the only colorful things in this new setting.
"Your name?" Sakura asked once more, hoping with all her might that she will answer.
The girl smiled, her eyes softening as she settled both their hands on her lap. Looking down to see the matching skin tone both girls shared as her delicate fingers touched Sakura's soft knuckles.
"My name...is Nohara Rin," she answered sweetly, and Sakura knew from that moment that things were changing to something she couldn't grasp right away.
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The Forbidden Flower has the flesh of a Savior...
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Blood to heal the dying, Flesh to impower the weak, and the body to rule kingdoms.
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Only one can be born at a time, and the distance between the births are great.
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The Gods choose who will take her as the bride, and the fate is sealed...
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But there is no such thing as happy endings.
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=xxx=
AUTHOR'S ENDING NOTE-...-wheezes like a sick goat- I can't spoil too much until next chapter D: So sick...the only thing that keeps me going is you guys having a great day...-looks into distance- I see a light... oAo
Remember to do those things that Kitty likes, please, make a Kitty feel better by Reviewing, Following, Favoriting or doing nothing. AND SMILE!