CHAPTER 25

~Sasuke~

How dare he even think about cursing Sakura? A gift, he had called it. I wish he would take his damn gifts to hell for once and for all or that at the least I could make sure he did this time.

Orochimaru move back, I could feel Sakura's face locked on me, her heart pounding loudly with fear and shock, but I didn't dare moving my eyes from him, not for a second.

"Since when have you loathed my marks so much Sasuke? Are you going to tell me you regret having yours?" Orochimaru asked me, amused curiosity in his slithering voice.

"Not at all, but that doesn't mean I want everyone else to have it." I lied, my eyes going to Sakura quickly. She met my glance and it appears she knew I was lying.

He didn't seem that convinced but he let it go. "Very well then." And he looked back at Sakura. "Too bad Sakura." He started leaning forward again, a smile in his face. I tightened my grip on the sword, ready to pass it through him if he didn't stop. I was about to protest, more like a warning to him before moving to killing treatment, when Sakura surprised me, interrupting me.

"If you don't get out of my face soon, you'll regret it." She said in a cold, menacing voice, narrowing her eyes, making them look like a pair of slim and frightful leaves were on her face.

He laughed out loud. Sakura's face filled with anger, she hated not being treated seriously and more in this cases. Her eyes rested on me and I could see she was close to punching him. I gave her a warning look- not that I would mind he punching him, but this time wasn't the best.

"Oh really? I'd love to see you try it my Sakur-"

I sighed. "Orochimaru, stop harassing her." I said in a cutting voice. I was getting annoyed at how he kept saying 'my Sakura', like he had a claim on her.

Orochimaru chuckled. "Ok then." He turned and said to Sakura, his back to her. "We shall meet again." And he started walking forward, finally jumping back to the next tree branch. From the corner of my eye I saw Sakura moving forward with a determined and murderous look on her face. I threw my arm in front of her to stop her. She seemed surprised. I looked into her eyes, warning her again. She nodded and righted herself and I was amazed at the communication we'd learned to have between us.

"Such a waist, all those years training you to keep your feeling out of the way Sasuke, it's such a waist indeed." Orochimaru lamented. I rolled my eyes, look who was getting all sentimental.

"Whatever, this is the scroll." I said while showing it to him before throwing it with a swift move of my arm.

He caught it and opened it, reading its content. "What?" He said in an angry voice.

We all reacted defensively immediate to the sound of his voice. He kept on reading and finally closed the scroll harshly.

"Has he lost his mind? We can't wait that long!" Orochimaru yelled at nobody in particular and yet it seemed to be thrown at me.

I glared. "He has a point –as I'm sure he mentioned it there- we need to have all the Akatsuki members at order together so this works."

"We can't extend the time, those pests are all over the place, and they'll probably have found us by then." He said to me.

"Sorry, but it's settled." I said to him coldly.

"Go tell him we can't wait that long." He ordered me, his voice sure, because he was sure I wasn't going to complain. I closed my eyes tightly and breathe deeply, guess again.

"Can't." I said, opening my eyes and glaring at him again.

"You can't?" He asked incredulous. I twitched my mouth, fighting a smile; he hated this rebellion against him especially from my part.

"What do we look like? Messengers? If you want to tell him something that badly, go tell him yourself." I told him.

He was clearly mad. I felt cold fingers in my arm. I jumped a little before turning and seeing Sakura.

"Don't tempt him, please." She whispered at me, just loud enough for me to listen, her eyes never leaving Orochimaru. To anybody else she might look fierce, a look of interest and seriousness on her face, but to me that was just a very fake mask, I could see how really scared she was. I frowned.

"Don't worry; I won't let him harm you." I whispered back, that guardian tone yet again in my voice and attitude. She looked up at me and nodded, but I could see she wasn't entirely convinced yet and that she wanted to act brave and strong for me. I ought to stop acting like this then. I moved the arm she was grabbing and embraced her lightly with it.

She seemed surprised by my gesture, but she didn't move away, she welcomed it.

Orochimaru glared at me. "Very well, then I'll go pay him a visit soon enough, although I don't guarantee it'll be a pleasant one. " And with that he left. We all exhaled in relief, letting go of out tense postures.

"What's with him? He's so damn scary." Karin said while shuddering.

"Nice save there Sasuke, he was so close to-"

"I know." I said, interrupting Suigetsu. I didn't want him to verbalize the words of something that didn't happen and it'll never will.

"Gifts, how dare he call that thing a gift?" Juugo said harshly and cursing.

"Let's forget this and go back, we have to be prepared, you heard him, he'll probably go attack us if we don't go his way which is exactly what's happening."

"All right." They all agreed, clearly relieved to leave this place. They went on ahead. I was about to go follow them when something tugged at my jacket's side. I uttered a gasp and turned to see Sakura's hand filled with my jacket in it.

"What's wrong?" I asked her immediately, straightening up.

She looked at me, her mouth open, but no sound came out. She looked down.

"I-I just wanted to thank you for you know, saving me from him." She said while twisting her hair nervously, her face flushed red. Ah my dear Sakura, yet again your delicate side.

I grabbed her right hand and grasp it into mines. She looked up at me in surprise.

"S-Sasuke…" She uttered and for a moment I was lost in the sound of my name on her lips, it had been so long since I'd heard it, the familiar voice and name like a forgotten lullaby.

I lowered my head and placed my forehead on hers, listening to her breath caught and her heart pound wildly. I smiled.

"There's nothing you need to thank me about, that's why I'm here, to protect you." I told her in a soft, soothing voice.

She moved her head and turned away, leaving my head floating on nothing. I sighed.

"Well, that's all I wanted to say, and, and we should probably go follow the others…" She said, still nervous, taking out his hand from between mines. I let go and soon enough we are running. She kept her distance though, always making sure she was around two or three tree branches ahead of me.

. . . . .

Sometime later I felt it. I thought they weren't going to caught up with us at all, I guess I underestimated them. A kunai flashed in front of me before hitting a tree trunk on my right. I sighed in annoyance, just what we needed. The distance between Sakura and I –the one I've been meaning to cut- was now saving her, she kept on running, oblivious of what had happened which right now was a good thing. I just hope I was the only Hidden Leaf ninja target, that way she would be safe.

"Uchiha Sasuke." I hear someone call my name in a superior voice. I turned my head slowly and found myself looking at Rock Lee. I narrowed my eyes, just my luck.

"I'll finally be able to get my last fight with you." He said in that annoying, determined tone he always used. He hadn't changed much.

"Last?" I inquired, not really interested in making small talk or asking stupid questions, the more time I made the farther Sakura gets from here.

"Exactly, 'because I'm not planning on letting you live after this!" He yelled and attacked. I concentrated mainly on dodging, still making time.

However when I consider she was a good distance from here I started attacking for real. He was shocked and taken back by my sudden change, his moves got clumsy before coming faster and faster. Damn it, I didn't have time for this guy.

"Strange they sent you here alone Lee." I said my voice not yet breathless.

"I wish, the others are probably attacking the other people that came with you by now." He said, letting me know all the information I needed in a single breath. Great, I needed to end this fast and go get Sakura the hell out of here. I jumped back and thought for a second. Curse mark or Suzano'o? ... Curse mark, the latter was too exhausting and it brought too much undesired attention.

Orochimaru's presence had made the mark sting again, like it was restless. Time to let it work then. I just needed a distraction, that's all. I just wanted to get rid of Lee, grab Sakura and run for it, taking her to the hideout, the only safe place we had right now.

I closed my eyes as I felt the marks extend all over my body and then, the heat of the transformation came. I closed my eyes; I could feel power and strength taking over my weak in comparison body. I heard my jacket ripping behind me, letting my hand-like wings out. When I opened my eyes I felt renewed. I had begun to forget what it felt to have this power. It felt so good… Stop, I couldn't afford the mark to take over me right now. Sakura's in danger, she can be discovered, I have to get her out of here, I need to protect her. This seemed like enough reason to keep me sober from power. That is before that bastard's voice appeared in my head. Don't fight your hunger for power Sasuke, welcome it, for it is a good thing and you have the power to feed it. I closed my right eye in pain, my face twisting in a grimace; get out of my head you damn Orochimaru! But it was too late, I realize after I heard his laugh echoing in my head, that my neck was on fire, the cursed mark burning with restlessness and impatience. My head snapped up. If the only way to quench it was by using my power I would do it. Lee's confused and fearful expression made me smirk. At a lightning speed I appeared behind him and said.

"This is going to be fun."