Before I start this chapter, I just wanna say "LutiBaby" You're awesome. You've guessed both the second and third place gentlemen correctly. Wohoo! You're a genius, that's what you are. And as a reward please enjoy this virtual hug from, well the hell with it; from Sasuke, Shisui and Itachi :D You're worth it. But don't pick favorites cuz they'll end up fighting over you ;)
Also many thanks go out to everyone who ventured a guess, and everyone who reviewed last chapter.
Now on with the chapter.
The Uchiha compound: one of the most spacious residential areas in Konoha (only rivaled by the Hyuuga's), acts as a sanctuary to all the Uchiha(s). And what a sanctuary, the place seemed to be endless; with giant trees adorning both sides of the terrain for as far as you can see. Giant modern houses stood on both sides of it. The houses were almost identical clearly reflecting their owners' need for discipline. However, they were all magnanimous and decorated in a way that made them look like palaces rather than mere houses. The prevailing colors throughout the terrain were: white for the houses and green for everything else. The only other color pallet in display was that of the Uchiha crest which was emblazoned on the highest point of all the houses. It's like a template; a glorious almost royal template that bespoke of the Uchiha pride and absolute need for order.
The only house that stood out was the main house. Said house was much bigger than the rest. Known as 'the mansion', the main house stood in the middle of the compound. The giant entity was thoroughly surrounded by its own gates. It was different, not only because it was ridiculously bigger than the other houses but also because it seemed almost royal, with white, gold and brown as the main colors. Once, you walk through the inner gates of the mansion, you're immediately greeted by the site of 4 giant water ways, extending from all the four gates towards the main house. They didn't seem like pools, but rather artificial lakes, which made the place much more stunning. The spacious area between those waterways was the mansion's garden and was the one usually used for throwing parties and get-togethers.
Today was no different. And even though Sakura has been here many times before, she couldn't help but feel so thoroughly mesmerized by the place. She's been here with Naruto on many occasions, when Mikoto-sama invited them over. The woman was so nice and sweet, which made Sakura doubt that she was even Uchiha related, let alone the clan matriarch. She welcomed them in and extended an open invitation to them. After all they were Sasuke's teammates, the only people he seemed to like, or in his case; the only people he felt something other than absolute disdain towards.
Sakura took her time scanning the place, once she stepped inside the mansion's gate. The place was littered with the who's who of Konoha. All dressed up and ready to mingle. However, the girl was relieved to see a few familiar faces. *Thank you Shisui.* she pondered, given that he was the one who so thoughtfully invited many of her friends to keep her company just in case.
Currently, she was looking at her two former teammates, who were standing to the side and having one of their animated conversations. The two seemed to stop, however, once they became aware of her and Itachi's presence. Their attention now fully shifted to the two new entrants. Sakura was in fact mad at her boys. However, at the moments she couldn't help but smile, at the two idiots she grew to regard as her best friends. Their familiar faces gave her a boost of courage as she made her way through the gates.
A few seconds ago, she was completely thrown off by Itachi's uncharacteristic apology, but right now her mind seemed to clear, as she beamed at her two best friends.
Itachi for his part was also eyeing the two miscreants. However, the look in his eyes was quite different from the cheerful one adorning his companion's features. He was regarding his brother with an all knowing glance that caused Naruto to take a few steps back. Before whispering to his friend in a horrified tone: "Does he read minds?". Of course Sasuke didn't answer that. Partially because it was a ridiculous question to ask and partially because he wasn't really sure, cuz the way his Aniki was regarding him at the moment was quite unsettling.
For her part, Sakura almost made a move to go to her friends. Happy to have something to divert her attention away from the incredibly confusing man standing by her side. However, her attention was quickly caught by a very loud exchange.
"That is so unfair. Just admit it. It's very clear now; you have a grudge against me." Shisui exclaimed deafeningly.
"And why would I hold a grudge against you, Shisui-kun? I'm just saying what the public has decided." The toad sage replied lazily. He was standing with both arms flung around two random women, in pure lecherous fashion. The man was seemingly unmoved by Shisui's tirade.
Watching this scene closely, or rather listening halfheartedly while he flips through the pages of his favorite novel was none other than the copy ninja himself.
Sakura huffed at her sensei's antics, *He couldn't even tear his eyes away from that porno novel, long enough to wear a suit.* she mentally berated, shrugging her shoulders at her sensei's antics.
Sakura then shifted her attention to Itachi questioningly. The Uchiha prodigy understood the unasked question and replied impassively, "I have informed you that he was in the middle of an argument."
"You haven't told me it was with Jiraya-sama. Why is he fighting with Jiraya-sama?" She questioned confusedly. *That's just weird.*
A hint of humor made its way across Itachi's eyes as he replied, "Shisui has recently discovered that Jiraya-sama is the editor of Konoha's leading magazine." The Anbu captain said simply.
Sakura blinked in confusion, while Itachi inclined his head, so as to indicate that the answer to her question is about to be given.
And sure enough, as if on cue Shisui exclaimed, "Just admit that you have made me number five on the hottest men list on purpose." He screamed. "It's just not fair. It doesn't even make any sense for there to be 4 people before me. I mean fine, I'll let Itachi slide. But, Minato-sama as second, he's married for Konoha's sake. And Kakashi over there being third, really?" Shisui said sarcastically.
At that, Kakashi actually raised his head from the book he was reading and stared impassively back at the livid Uchiha. "What is that supposed to mean, Shisui-san?" Kakashi questioned trying to sound offended but failing miserably. Truth of the matter is: he couldn't care less what rank he came in. He only looked up on instinct, when he heard his name being called.
"It means that no one has even seen your face before. How can you possibly be ranked as hotter than me!" Shisui complained. "And please don't get me started on the Hyuga." He added miserably.
"Calm down Shi-Kun." The toad sage said distractedly, as he flashed a smile at one of the two girls, currently wrapped all over him.
"Don't tell me to calm down. I sent you flowers and chocolates to change your mind." He yelled. "I thought you were a woman. I actually thought that I was being disregarded because the editor was a woman that I have once dated or something. I didn't know it was you." Shisui exclaimed in frustration.
"I thoroughly enjoyed your gifts." Jiraya said humorously.
"Spare me Jiraya-sama. You know what…." Shisui started but before he could finish his sentence something caught his attention.
Sakura could only blink in confusion, as Shisui suddenly flickered a mere step away from her. She didn't even have time to register what was happening before her flamboyant date dragged her half way across the garden and over to where he was originally arguing with the sanin.
"See." Shisui said pushing Sakura towards the elder man, and keeping his hands firmly in place over her shoulders. "This is my date. If I wasn't the hottest man in Konoha would I be able to have such a beautiful woman by my side." Shisui screamed, causing Sakura to blush a deep shade of red. "I mean look at her. She looks like a golden goddess."
"She sure does." Jiraya said with a creepy wink. "My, have you grown Saku-chan." He said obviously flirting with the much younger girl. And suddenly Sakura was very aware of the fact that she was standing in the presence of the three most perverted and thoroughly lecherous men in Konoha; Jiraya-sama, Shisui, and her very own sensei. And man was that a tough spot to be in.
"And she's my date. Mine." Shisui exclaimed. "Come on kitten. Tell them that I'm hot." Shisui said casually as Sakura turned to face him.
"Hah?" Was all the girl managed to say.
"Tell them Kitten. Come on don't be shy. Tell Jiraya-sama that I'm the hottest man in Konoha." He said in a husky tone, yet again flashing Sakura his patented smoldering look.
"Hey don't drag me into this." Sakura replied crossly. *If I don't watch what I'm saying I'll never hear the end of It.* The girl pondered.
Shisui flashed her a hurt look, "So you're saying that the list is fair kitten, how could you? After everything that I have done for you."
"And what exactly have you done for me?" Sakura asked incredulously.
Shisui looked flustered for a second, "Umm, well nothing yet, but I was planning on getting you a drink from the bar, that's got to count for something, kitten."
As an answer Sakura merely rolled her eyes.
"Fine, but the list isn't fair. At least admit to that, kitten."
"Of course the list isn't fair." Ino said, suddenly materializing out of thin air.
"Ino-chan. Why would you object to my list?" The toad sage questioned.
"Because Sasuke-Kun was supposed to come first." She said simply.
"As much as I hate to agree with that brat; it's only fair that the hottest guy around ranks first. My Sasuke-Kun should've been number one." Karin said, eyeing Ino venomously.
For her part Sakura started wondering how the hell those two appeared so suddenly. *Weird.*
"Of course not: that constantly constipated looking brat could never come first. The first place is for real men, such as myself." Shisui declared, puffing his chest out in what he considered as the epitome of masculine pride.
However, a second later he drew back, as both Ino and Karin made their way towards him, standing in front of the renowned play boy, as if they were lions ready to pounce.
"What did you just say?" Karin asked darkly.
"Did you just compare yourself to Sasuke-kun?" Ino added just as ominously.
Shisui took another step back before once again grasping his date by the shoulders and using her as a human shield.
"I'm much hotter than that brat." Shisui screamed, now safe behind a very confused Sakura.
"Stay out of this Billboard-brow."
"Yes, there is no room for pink haired freaks in Sasuke-Kun's life." Karin threatened.
"I'm not trying to interfere. For God's sake people are you really fighting over this. This is just ridiculous." Sakura said waving her hands in exasperation.
"Oh, look who thinks she's so wise." Ino declared sarcastically.
"I just think….."
"No one cares." Karin said crossly, while Ino nodded in consent.
And just like that everyone was yelling at everyone. Ino was screaming at Sakura for speaking as if she knew better than everyone else. Karin was screaming at Shisui for having had the audacity to compare himself to Sasuke. For his part Shisui was busy yelling at Jiraya-sama, while still keeping Sakura as his shield. Jiraya, however, wasn't paying any attention to anything but the girls at his sides. That left Kakashi-Sensei who was purposefully ignoring the whole thing in favor of reading his beloved novel.
However, Sakura wasn't so lucky as to have her favorite reading material with her. Actually, she also wasn't blessed with the ability to tune the whole world out at will, the way her beloved sensei did. *Lucky pervert.* she twitched with irritation.
"For God's sake people stop talking!" she screamed. And suddenly the arguing parties suddenly quieted down eyeing the combustible pink haired ninja wearily, before Jiraya decided to speak.
The toad sage heaved a sigh before forcing himself to deliver an explanation, "Today's generation; you're too hasty. He said simply. That's why women gravitate towards older men." He said smugly.
Shisui flashed the older man a dirty look. "What does that have to do with anything?"
"Nothing, I just felt like informing you of this." The lecherous sage sang.
Shisui rolled his eyes, barely restraining himself from face palming. "Can you believe this man, Kitten?"
"Sure I can." She said simply. "He's just like you." She added truthfully.
Shisui pouted, but before he could object Jiraya interjected.
"You're interrupting my time with those lovely ladies." He said lazily.
"Well, I deserve an explanation to the injustice that I've suffered." Shisui declared, now diverting his dramatic outburst towards the sanin.
"Fine. Here's your explanation. I'm not the one who puts together the list. It's based on the opinions of a large sample of Konoha women. And believe it or not that's how they view the hottest men. But rest assured that if I did author the list; the highest ranking man would be the true hottest man in Konoha." Jiraya declared.
And as an answer to his last statement of who the true hottest man is; Karin and Ino spoke in unison; "Sasuke" while Shisui confidently and simultaneously stated, "Me."
The three eyed each other venomously. The two girls seemingly seconds away from decapitating Sasuke's cousin.
"Not really." Jiraya told the three, who looked very confused at the moment. "The hottest man in Konoha is none other than the most masculine man around, the most experienced in the matters of love, always being seeked out by thousands of women all over the leaf and trusted to bring them true satisfaction, the one and only, ME." He announced for the whole world (or in this case the entire party) to hear.
Sakura found herself both creeped out and darkly entertained. However, a second later all hell broke loose and the girl had to physically cover her ears at the ensuing indignant uproar. For Shisui, Ino and Karin were taking being loud to a whole new level, while Jiraya and his two girls seemed to have joined in the yelling parade, just to emphasize on how hot the perverted sanin really was.
*Kill them all!* Inner Sakura screamed.
*What?* Sakura questioned a little taken aback by her alter ego's sudden yet serious appearance.
*Kill them before they deafen us. Those idiots are just way too infuriating to continue living. Pummel them all!* She egged.
*Shut up.*
*Kill them!*
*Go away!*
*KILL THE PERVERTS.*
"OH FOR THE LOVE OF BOOBS PEOPLE, WOULD YOU JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP!"
And suddenly the whole party seemed to go quiet, all eyes fixed on the glamorous little pinkette who was still fuming, yet slowly realizing what she just did.
A second later, her noise induced rage started to dwindle, and the girl blushed. "Yes, I just said boobs." She said in a low tone, as an attempt to seem confident, under the combined weights of the oh-so-many wide eyes. This seemed to get everyone's eyes off of her, as they returned to their banter, which she knew full well, had a new topic, namely, her.
"How lady like of you." Came a hiss from right behind her making her literally jump in the air, while shrieking.
The girl could have sworn that it was Shisui that was standing behind her a second ago. And from the looks of it, even Shisui didn't seem to know how the hell he came to be standing behind Karin instead. For in the place he once occupied stood one thoroughly creepy, sanin.
"O-Orochimaru-sama." Sakura said, her face being drained of color by the second.
"Sakura." He hissed in greeting. "I've been looking for you." Came his chilling snake like tenor.
Sakura blanched.
"Leave the girl alone, Orochimaru." Jiraya declared, and for once Sakura was actually grateful for the perverted sage's presence. *I'd take a pervert over a creep any day.* she pondered.
Orochimaru however, didn't seem to heed his peer's statement. He purposefully ignored it in favor of putting a cold hand on Sakura's shoulder, "A word?" He ordered, but his throaty tone made it clear that it was a command. And before Sakura could gather her troubled thoughts, or any of the people in the vicinity could voice their creeped out ones, Sakura was being dragged away, everyone else fixed under an icy viper glare.
"O-O-Orochimaru-sama?" Sakura questioned a second after the man stopped walking and turned to the girl, who now held a very close semblance to a deer caught in the headlights, her inner-self long since having abandoned her troubled mind.
"Tell me Sakura." He hissed. "How are you?" He added companionably.
Sakura almost drew back at the unexpected tone.
"Whaa…"
"I'm checking on you, Sakura." He added in a tone reminiscent of a pedophile talking a four year old out of his trousers. Sakura gulped at the unpleasant image. *HOLD ON TO OUR TROUSERS!* inner Sakura managed to declare, a second before going back into hiding.
"umm, fine." She managed after a very long moment. *RUN!*
"Good." He said darkly. And the smirk and now half slit eyes made Sakura aware that nothing good was going to follow this statement. "I need to ask you something Sakura?"
Sakura could only look sheepishly back at the scary man. Absently wondering,*How did Shishou manage to tolerate him when they were a team.*
"How are the Uchiha boys?" He questioned expectantly.
"Hah?"
"How are Sasuke-Kun and Itachi-Kun?" He elaborated, his extremely short tether seemingly becoming shorter by the second.
Sakura blinked, "they're fine." She said confusedly. "They're right there." She added, unable to help herself. After all why the hell was he asking her that, when the two were standing but mere inches away from him.
"I know where they are, girl." He hissed dangerously. And Sakura took a few steps back instinctively. "I meant to ask you; how are their bodies?" He added drawing on every ounce of patience he had.
Sakura froze.
"D-Did you just… A-…."
"You seem to have gotten very close to them since I last saw you. And from what Anko told me you're sure to have bedded at least one of them." He said, pausing to eye the girl almost enviously. "Tell me." He whispered, leaning closer to the girl, his eyes glistening with anticipation.
The medic has never and I mean NEVER, in her 19 year old life been more creeped out by anyone or anything, and she has seen a lot of creepy things. And for the first time in her life she felt about ready to pass out, currently consumed by a feeling of dizziness and an uncanny sinking in her stomach. Actually, the only thing keeping her up at the moment, was the knowledge of just how dangerous this man was, and how utterly absurd it was to pass out with him around.
Sakura was one second away from giving into her survival instinct and running away, when an angelic tone echoed from behind her. "Sakura-chan." Came the soft tenor of her savior.
Sakura turned around to find the friendly face of the Uchiha Matriarch beaming at her. "It has been a long time since you…." Mikoto started, but got cut off when Sakura flung herself into the woman's arms.
"Mikoto-sama." She said relief evident in her voice.
Mikoto was a little thrown off at first, but when she glanced up and saw who Sakura was talking to, realization dawned upon her.
"Orochimaru-sama."
"Uchiha-hime." He greeted. And to answer her uncannily knowing suspicious glance, he added; "I was merely asking Sakura to dance."
If it were anyone else Sakura would have called him out on this lie. However, she was just content to let it go, given that she really was terrified of this man.
"I see."Mikoto said, knowingly. "Well, I'm sorry to interrupt you but I really need to talk to our young Sakura." She said in a motherly tone, flashing the girl who was now staying very close by, a comforting look.
Without a second look the viper like sanin turned on his heels and left, seemingly not happy with the interruption.
Sakura heaved a sigh, causing the lady to flash her, a knowing glance.
"That bad?"
"You have no idea. Thank you."
Mikoto smiled, kindly at the girl. "It really has been so long since I last saw you my dear. Why haven't you come to visit me?"
Sakura blushed, "I'm really sorry Mikoto-sama. You know that after becoming a Jonin I was ushered into the academy and I have been swamped with work ever since."
"Is that really an excuse dear? I grew to regard you as a daughter ever since you and Sasuke were on the same team. And I was really disappointed when you stopped coming. Especially that you still see Sasuke."
"I'm really sorry Mikoto-sama." Sakura said earnestly. She really did like the woman, but ever since she became a Jonin she didn't have much time for anything. She barely had time to see her boys, let alone join one of them for dinner at his house. That really made her feel bad, and Mikoto seemed to notice.
The lady flashed her a kind smile. "Never mind it my dear. The important thing is that you're here and that from now on you'll come to visit me, even if Sasuke is being a jerk."
"Of course I will." Sakura declared gratefully.
"Mother."
Both women looked around at the female voice, and Sakura instantaneously felt her muscles clench in and of themselves, at the sight of the woman who made her suffer not so long ago.
"Hey Sakura-chan." Anko greeted almost sarcastically, before instantaneously shifting her attention back to Mikoto.
"Mom." Anko started. "I need to run something by you."
"Sure Anko dear." Mikoto concurred, her clever eyes shifting back and forth between the two girls who were apparently sizing each other up. "Excuse me dear." She finally told Sakura who nodded her approval.
The two women moved to the side, and Sakura kept an eye on them as they moved out of ear shot.
However, before the girl could start thinking about what she was going to do next, she heard a voice that she knew oh-so-well.
Sakura, came a smooth lilting tenor, causing Sakura to turn around and face him.
"Itachi-san."
"That was quite the display." He said simply, and Sakura blushed at the mention of her latest outburst.
"Oh, you heard that." She said shyly. "I didn't see you near."
"I was greeting the guests by the gate."
"You're kidding, was I that loud?"
And for an answer Itachi merely smirked.
"Sakura." He started suddenly turning serious. "There is something that I need to tell." he paused for a second scanning her petite form cautiously. "Actually, I have tried to tell you that quite a few times before." He added just as seriously.
Sakura tilted her head slightly her curiosity peaking.
But before Itachi could say anything, "Sakura." Came another very familiar voice, causing Sakura to turn around.
"Sasuke-Kun."
"I need to talk to you." Sasuke said seriously, nodding semi-respectfully to his elder brother.
"Ototo." Itachi warned. "Sakura and I are having a conversation." He said impassively.
"I really need to talk to her, Aniki." Sasuke said in a similar monotone.
Itachi however, was unmoved, as the two boys stared each other straight in the eyes. Mikoto and Anko, as well as almost everyone who was standing close by, were suddenly paying attention to the scene unfolding.
"Leave, Sasuke." Itachi ordered.
Sasuke took a step back out of respect for his elder brother; however, before said brother could say another word to the girl, a determined look crossed the younger Uchiha's face. And just like that he moved forwards and grabbed Sakura's hand drawing her towards him. And before she could even register what was happening his smashed his lips into hers, causing her eyes to go wide, and just as soon as he dragged her towards him, Sasuke released her.
Sakura backed away in disbelief, she tripped over her own two feet, but she faintly steadied herself at the last possible minute; her jaw hitting the floor with such force that she could've sworn that she heard it snap.
The Kunoichi was vaguely aware of everyone's eyes on her, aghast and in utter disbelief. All the esteemed Uchiha guests now watched the scene unfold with an unmistakable sense of surrealism clouding their every sense.
However, Sakura could only stare at the cause of her strife, as he stared impassively back at her, as if he didn't just shock her into oblivion. Next to him his brother fumed dangerously.
"Did my son just…" Mikoto-sama Itachi and Sasuke's mother began in awe.
"HE JUST KISSED HER!" Naruto finally screamed assuring everyone that what they thought they saw really happened.
*OH KAMI!* Sakura and inner Sakura exclaimed in unison, for once coming to a mutual agreement.
"S-Sasuke?" Sakura finally managed.
"Oh, how adorable." Anko exclaimed in an eerily cheerful tone. "You finally did it Sasuke-Kun."
For her part Mikoto raised an eyebrow at her soon to be step daughter, "Finally?"
"Ah, don't you know mother? Sasuke has been harboring the biggest crush on Sakura-chan, since like ever. And she even had a thing for him." She chirped. "Oh this so exciting; seeing lovers come together. They're just like us aren't they, Itachi-Kun?" she added sexily.
However, said Uchiha was busily involved in a deadly staring contest with his smug younger brother.
"Wonderful!" Mikoto exclaimed happily, causing the poor pink haired medic to snap out of her trance. "Finally, my two boys are happy." She said sincerely. "Honestly, Sasuke, the clan council has been exerting so much pressure on your dad and I; that we would've had to arrange a marriage for you if you didn't find someone soon." She said tiredly, before she beamed. "But, there's no more need to worry. You're with my little Sakura now." She exclaimed dragging Sakura into a warm embrace. "Oh, thank God."
Sasuke suddenly twitched at the news. The boy knew nothing about his would've been arranged marriage.
By this time Sakura was thoroughly frozen, completely unaware of anything that was going on. The only thing that seemed to drag her back to reality was when Anko exclaimed: "Well, Itachi-Kun, this seems like a good time to run this by you. Mother and I were thinking that it's high time we announced our engagement."
"Oh, yes dear." Mikoto screamed happily from Sakura's side. "When Fugako returns from his mission I want to be able to tell him that his eldest son has finally announced his engagement and that our younger son is well on his way. Now that's news."
And at that Sakura's mind drew a blank. *I'm screwed.*
Poor, Poor Sakura. Hehe.
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