UPDATE :D

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

"I'm falling more in love

With every single word I withhold.

I'm falling more in love

With every single word you say.

I'm falling head-over-heels for you."

Chapter 24

"Is the target in sight?"

"Affirmative."

"Alright, let's go in for the kill."

But just as they were about to close in on the shadow they'd been following for nearly the whole afternoon it suddenly darted to a different location, out of sight and out of reach, causing a momentary panic to wash over the ninja. Quickly turning on their heels, they all faced in the direction where their target disappeared to, holding their breaths and trying to be as silent as possible. They had the area surrounded. She was around there somewhere. She had to be.

"Shit," a voice cursed into his microphone after a few moments of fruitless silence. They were so close—so close this time. "You've got to be kidding me."

More voices filled their headsets, one shrill and another exasperated, one with this opinion and another with that, an ear-splitting argument ensuing not long afterwards, not that anyone made an effort to stop the two.

They didn't understand it. To their surprise, this target was cleverer than anything else they'd dealt with. Not only was she fast, she always seemed to know exactly where to run off to whenever one of them got too close, waiting for the exact moment before making her escape, much their frustration. The team of ninja continued to scour the area for any sign of the target, but it seemed useless. She was nowhere to be found. However, that didn't matter. They knew couldn't go back home empty handed; failure was not an option, especially if it was because they simply lost the target.

"Wait," someone said, finally butting into the argument. He swore heard something to his left. "Everyone stop moving, and shut up."

Immediately, the voices stopped mid-sentence, the higher voice throwing in one last snide comment before the return of near silence and static, trying to listen for any sign of the target. At first it seemed like another false alarm—which was the case quite frequently during this particular mission—the leader about to instruct his team to start moving back where they came when the first voice cut in, yelling, "There! I see it! The target is moving east! Everyone move, now!"

There were a few close calls—fallen objects here and pushed civilians there—but they definitely had the target within reach. And after chasing her down for what seemed like forever, the team finally had her cornered, finally had her where they wanted. All possible escape routes had been blocked; there was nowhere else she could go. Slowly, one of the ninja approached her as the rest of the team watched his back, ready to jump into action if need be. But hopefully things wouldn't get too physical this time—the instructions were specific: bring the target alive or else.

"So," he said, about an arms length away, smirking as he watched her continue to search for an escape, stopping in her efforts momentarily to hiss, "have you got anything to say for yourself?"

At first there was only silence, her back facing them, refusing to give them the satisfaction. He repeated the question—Well, have you?—forcing her to finally and stiffly turn her head towards the ninja, glaring with her menacing eyes, waiting just a few more seconds before giving her answer.

"Meee-ow!"

"Get her!"

Together, the four ninja pounced on the cat as she tried to make a run for it, all of them caught in a scuffle, caught in a wave of grunts and scratches before one of them finally had her in his clutches, the cat sending him a defeated scowl. He rolled his eyes and let out a sigh of relief. The mission was officially a success, though no one was lucky enough to leave the scene unscathed, covered in small but many scratches from the cat's sharp claws.

Holding the cat by its collar and at an arm's length away as they walked towards the Hokage's office, Suigetsu made a face as he mumbled, "Well, that was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be." He stole a quick at the cat, his grimace deepenng. "At least with the other ones we only had to worry about finding where they were hiding. But this one, this one was a total b—Ow! Why—you! Stop scratching me, will you, you stupid—Ow!"

The cat managed another scratch at Suigetsu's arm, and he had to wonder how easily it would be to make a choking look like an accident. Why the owners would want such a miserable animal was beyond him. He turned to Sasuke. "Hey, Sasuke! Not that I'm saying I don't enjoybeing mutilated by stupid house pets and all—" Scratch. "—but when are we actually going to get some real missions? I am so sick—" Scratch. "—of these idiotic—" Scratch. "—'Missing Cat Retrievals'!" Pause. Scratch. "Will you stop that?"

"Seriously, Sasuke-kun!" Karin huffed, addressing him but not looking at him, never really looking at him anymore. "All we've been doing is chase these stupid fucking cats around the village for the past month! This is Genin work!"

Pause.

"Well," Juugo said softly, "technically, Sasuke is still a Genin."

Karin blinked. "That doesn't matter!" she snapped, feeling her face turn red. "This is still bullshit!"

The cat began to scratch at Suigetsu's arm more wildly. "Yo, Four Eyes! Would you keep it down? It seems that your voice is upsetting the stupid animal even more."

"Shut the fuck up!"

"Why don't you!"

Sasuke could feel the impending migraine but said nothing, clenching his jaw as he allowed his teammates to bicker the whole way to the Hokage's office without another word, not that anything he could have said would have been made the situation any better—because frankly, he was feeling the same exact way. Though, when he was given his first mission, Sasuke wasn't surprised it was just to find some family's missing cat. In fact, he expected it. It would be too much to believe it would be anything more. And honestly, he couldn't say he was too surprised that their next few missions were of the same caliber.

He figured this would only last a week or two at most—after all, they did just finish a whole year on probation. But he was wrong, and Sasuke was beginning to lose his patience.

However, no matter how frustrated or tired he felt, Sasuke kept his temper under control: when he debriefed Tsunade about their mission, when he finally and calmly told his teammates to just shut the fuck up already, and when he walked towards the training grounds—because he knew there was someone waiting for him. And knowing that it was her, that she was his, was the only thing that was keeping him sane at this point.

"That was fast," Sakura said when she heard Sasuke approach her, genuinely impressed. She glanced at her watch; she wasn't expecting him for at least another hour. She turned her head and smiled. "This must be a new record."

"Hn."

"What was that, your fifth cat this week?" Sakura asked. But Sasuke merely rolled his eyes and ignored her teasing, plopping down on the grass next to her and closing his eyes. She laughed, lightly tracing the small scratch marks she found on his cheek and his neck. "Well, it seems you've been injured on this mission, Sasuke-kun."

He sighed. "Then, heal me," he murmured.

Sakura tilted her head, scrunching her nose. "Nah, I'd rather not," she said as Sasuke opened one eye with a questioning expression. "They're battle scars. I think they make you look—tough." He opened the other eye and shot her a look. She laughed. "I'm serious, Sasuke-kun! I think we might have actually found your true calling." She got to her knees and waved her hand in front of her. "I can see it now: Sasuke Uchiha, Cat Whisperer. It has a ring to it, no?"

"Sakura," Sasuke said, his tone enough of a warning; though, it did little to stop her.

"What? Don't you agree? Cat Whisperer."

"No."

Clearly, he didn't find it as humorous as she did.

Sakura pounced on top of him, but Sasuke, still unamused, looked away. "Come on, Sasuke-kun!" she said, her hands on his shoulder as she straddled him. "You know I was kidding!"

However, much to her dismay, he still refused to look at her. Sakura pouted. "Oh, Sasuke-kun," she sighed, leaning forward as she began to leave a trail of butterfly kisses on Sasuke's neck, sending just enough chakra to her lips to heal the cat scratches. She felt his muscles tense as he swallowed, making her laugh as she placed each new kiss gently on his skin. "Don't worry," she said, her hot breath a light caress. "This won't last forever." Kiss. "And if it does—" Kiss. "—you'll still be—" Kiss. "—my number one ninja."

Sakura couldn't help but smile into his skin when she finally felt Sasuke relax as she began to run her fingers through his hair and heard him let out a soft exhale. Her kisses finally led her to his face, but as she was about place her last kiss on his lips Sasuke wrapped one arm around her waist and switched positions, Sakura suddenly finding her back against the grass as she looked up at Sasuke.

"Number one?" he asked, smirking.

Sakura wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a peck on the lips. "Yup! Whether a ninja or cat whisperer, you'll always be my number one," she said, winking. She just couldn't help it.

Sasuke shot her another unamused look before gently lowering himself over her and finally placing his lips on hers, wanting to smile as he felt Sakura smile into his kisses, wanting to laugh when he heard her laugh as he kissed her neck, returning the favor and leaving his own trail upon her skin—because she was contagious; because she was intoxicating.

And as Sakura lied with Sasuke, her head resting against his chest as she heard the low beating of his heart and watched the clouds float over them after their moment had passed, a contented sigh escaped her lips. Sometimes she still couldn't believe it, half expecting to wake up and find that Sasuke had never returned, that she'd made it all up, and that he was still out there somewhere, lost—because sometimes it just seemed too good to be true; because she used to believe this was only possible in her dreams. But this was real. Sasuke was actually beside her, holding her. And she was happy (so, so happy).

Sakura stole a glance at Sasuke. His eyes were closed and his breathing had slowed; one arm was propping his head up, while the other was wrapped around her waist, contentment written all over his face. She smiled; he always looked so peaceful when he was like this. And as she continued to observe him and thought about the past three and a half months, only one word ever came to mind: wonderful.

He was just so good to her.

"Sasuke-kun?" she said gently, wondering if he'd hear her.

"Mm?" Sasuke responded, eyes still closed. So he was still awake, Sakura remarked. She said his name again, but he only answered with another mumble.

She chuckled. "Are you listening to me?" she asked. But Sasuke merely gave another soft reply and shifted their bodies so they were on their sides as he pulled her closer to him. Looking up at Sasuke, Sakura took a deep breath.

Be brave.

"Sasuke-kun, I," Sakura said, hesitating at the last moment. But after taking another deep breath and pushing away her doubt, Sakura tried one more time. "I love you."

It couldn't have been more than a few seconds, but the silence felt like it lasted a lifetime. Slowly, Sasuke opened his eyes and looked at her. She was blushing, but her eyes remained locked on his face. She looked so sure, and he knew she meant it. "Sakura . . ."

Say it.

You love her. You have loved her. For a while now.

But Sasuke didn't know what was wrong with him. He couldn't say it. He couldn't say what he's known for a long time. Choking. "I—"

"No, Sasuke-kun. It's okay," she said, stopping him—though, at this point, he didn't even know what was going to say to her himsef. "You don't have to say it. I'm not making you say it. I'm not forcing you. I just," she paused and gave him a reassuring smile. "I just thought you should know." Sakura placed her hand on Sasuke's face and kissed him. "I love you, Sasuke-kun, with all my heart, with all my soul. I love you."

Sakura gave him one last smile before she nuzzled closer to him and closed her eyes. A soft sigh passed from her lips, her breath softly grazing the skin on Sasuke neck. But this time, it didn't tickle; it burned. Sasuke just didn't understand it. He didn't—

You're still afraid.

His breath hitched. "Sakura, I—" But he stopped.

She had fallen asleep, smiling all the same.

"Hey Sasuke-kun, I just realized something."

"What?"

"Both of our first kisses were with Naruto."

"Shut up, Sakura. That was—Wait, you what?!"

"Oh, don't give me that look, Sasuke-kun. It was such a long time ago!"

"You and Naruto—"

"It was nothing, I swear! We were so young! And that was before—Oh!"

He kissed her and looked away. "Just . . . shut up."

It was getting late. The sun just set and Karin was walking home after having dinner with her team, minus Sasuke of course. Not counting their cat retrieval missions, Team Hebi barely saw Sasuke anymore, most of his time spent training or with his new girlfriend doing who knows what. Karin grimaced at the thought. They might have still been teammates, and they might have their share of pointless missions, but it had been months since the last time Karin and Sasuke had actually spoken to each other. Karin was still hurt, her bitterness amplified due to Sasuke and Sakura's blossoming relationship. And Sasuke—well, he was Sasuke, tight-lipped as always.

But just as she was about to make the last turn before her apartment Karin suddenly felt Sasuke's chakra heading in her direction. She shook her head. Speak of the devil. She turned around and saw him on the other side of the road, walking in the opposite direction. Karin looked at the girl he was carrying in his arms and scowled.

How sweet. How fucking sweet.

But as usual, Karin wasn't going to say anything; the time for that had long passed, she liked to tell herself. However, this time Sasuke must have sensed her, too, because he stopped walking and turned in her direction, simply staring at Karin with blank eyes, with eyes so different from the way he looked at Sakura. And suddenly, Karin had the urge to go up Sasuke and punch him, Sakura-style. She laughed bitterly.

Would that be enough to finally get your attention?

They stayed like that for a while, staring, but neither of them said anything, neither knowing what they could say. But Sasuke must have gotten tired of their staring game because he looked down at Sakura—with eyes so different from the way he looked at Karin—and began to walk away without another word.

And Karin was left alone.

Just like she always was.

Song: My Beautiful Rescue – This Providence

Fluff and humor. I hope you enjoyed the chapter! I'm sorry it took so long to update, but with classes and school and all, it's just so hard to keep up. Hopefully, the next chapter won't take such a long time to write and edit. So let's keep our fingers crossed!

And as always,

Read and Review!

GhostofYou