A/N: Sorry for the late update. I was a bit down I got so little reviews on the last chapter I placed effort on so I thought "this whole story probably sucks after all. Why have I been writing it? Maybe I should just stop doing this…" something-like-that kinda thought you know. But I appreciate those who really took their time to review it. I guess one is better than none…no wait, A LOT is waaaay better! LOL anyway

Reignashii: Yes, if I don't. Hmm I probably won't but the reason for it might be a bit "blaaah" HAHA

guest: Yea I'll try and finish it. Thank you! ^_^

And to those I didn't mention but still left a review…thank you thank you!

CHAPTER 25: The Beast Begins To Creep

Gravel crunched as their sandals pressed on the unpaved route. It signaled their close arrival to the village but darkening heavens told them they were late. The walk back should only have taken more or less thirty minutes but they took longer than that. If anything, they should have been back before sun down. There's no escaping the inevitable queries of their tardiness now if someone were to be pushed with curiosity. But it's not like there's anything to hide aside from the existence of the meadow. They just looked for the plants, did a healing session and talked…for hours it seemed.

Inner Sakura couldn't help but pull her hair out in frustration. "Cha! How can you be distracted at a time like this! This is no vacation damn it! We're on a mission here!"

Sakura although calm on the outside, couldn't help but agree to her raging conscience.

"I'll wait here" she heard Hisashi say as they neared the Hara's front door.

"Aren't you coming in?" Sakura looked back to him, Inner Sakura now silent.

"It's okay. I have a few things I need to do after this" was his reply. She fathomed possibly he too was dissatisfied with himself for the lack of time management. She promised herself this will be the last time she leaves the village for other matters. No more minor ''errands" if she could help it. Sakura thought maybe she had become comfortable with the place that she didn't mind doing all the extra work too. But even if the village appears safe and sound, they shouldn't be letting their guard down. She ought to remind herself that.

"Oh okay. I'll just bring these inside" referring to the herbal plants and flowers she brought back with her, "I'll be right back with the medicine". He nodded.

She headed straight to their room after placing the ashitaba in the kitchen cupboard, refilling the empty container Natsumi had once stocked the herbal drug. Sifting through her bag by her futon, she grabbed the analgesics she had carried with her and headed back outside to where Hisashi was waiting.

"Sakura-chan, you're back" Naruto greeted as he stepped out of the bathroom.

"Yes, sorry I'm late. Let me just give this to Hisashi-kun and I'll do surveillance"

"That's alright, Sasuke got it covered"

"I see. I'll relieve him then"

"Nah, that's fine" he replied, wiping his blonde hair dry with his towel. "But just let him know you're here. It'll stop him from worrying"

She frowned puzzled but decided to dismiss Naruto's statement. As if Sasuke worries. "Okay".

Like he said, Hisashi patiently waited for her outside. "Here" Sakura started, "Take this every six hours as needed". She handed him a small container and in it was the analgesics she tried to convince him to use.

"What if I won't need it?"

She scowled.

Laughing he replied, "Okay, okay. I'll take one when I feel the slightest of pain"

"That's not a narcotic you know, you won't get hooked as I said".

"Yes ma'am"

She smiled and punched him on the shoulder playfully, "Don't call me that!"

She was beginning to like how easy it was to actually be with him; like she'd known him all along. He had already helped her so much, first from her attacker and now with the plants. And back in the meadow, she was able to understand a little bit more about him, learned something about his personality and even had a peak of his hard past. He had become a part of her life now, and her to his.

But thinking back about things he'd done for her made her feel like she's beginning to be incompetent again. How long does she have to keep on relying on others instead of being someone they could rely on? She has so much progress to do. So much that she thought she couldn't keep up.

"Thank you by the way for showing me where to find the ashitaba"

"Hey it's me who should be thankful to you. For patching me up" unconsciously he touched the wound by his chest, "I could almost feel it healing faster"

"Yeah it should be. You did a great job culturing those plants. They are more effective when they are nurtured properly"

He sheepishly placed a hand at the back of his head, "I'm not that awesome"

"You are" she smiled, "And don't worry, I promise I won't tell anyone where the meadow is. If I have to, I'll let you know"

"I trust you completely" he replied, eyes of sapphire locked into hers.

She didn't even realize up until now how he towered over her. His height is probably at par with Sasuke's. And for some reason, he made her feel safe and at ease. So at ease that she didn't mind that they were just standing there, outside the deepening sky, face to face with each other. Only the clashing of their eyes did all the talking. His eyes…they were too enchanting…

"Sakura…" she heard him say softly. "I-"

"Sakura!" a voice more forceful than the first snapped her out of it. She closed her eyes to block her tingling sense of exasperation from the voice's preposterous perfect timing.

Up by the roof, Sasuke stood watching both of them, as usual with his stoic appearance.

"I better go" the kunoichi said reluctantly.

"Yeah. Me too". Hisashi gave a friendly nod to their unexpected companion above while Sakura headed to where Sasuke was. "I'll see you on the day of the festival", he added and bid farewell.

"Alright" she smiled looking back and then joined her prickly teammate.

"What the hell took you so long?" The Uchiha demanded the moment she landed on the metallic surface with him.

She knew this question was coming but she wasn't really up to answering. To be honest she didn't know why she didn't manage her time appropriately. It wasn't like her. She told him she'd be back right away but she didn't. Not that she really regretted her actions either.

"I'm sorry. I got distracted from the time" she replied, not meeting his eyes and began to scan the area hoping the Sasuke will inquire no more. "You want to endorse me with anything?"

"Don't change the subject Haruno"

Haruno?

"Where were you?" he asked again, scrutinizing her.

"I already told you that before I left didn't I? We went looking for the plants"

"I believe you also told me you'd be right back. Do you even know what time it is?", irritation glazed every word.

"Yes Sasuke, I know what time it is. I'm not a child" Now he's being annoying. She was about to feel guilty for her unpunctuality but his sourly attitude had changed her mind. "I'm sorry I'm late but I'm back now okay? I'll take watch from here"

Sasuke exhaled, trying to calm himself. If he wanted to know where she was and what she was doing, being petulant was not the best way to do so.

"It's fine" he stated after a short pause, "you just got back, you can go ahead and rest"

"It's okay. I'll manage"

She's so damn stubborn. Trying to maintain composure he said, "You didn't even eat yet"

"I had something along the way. Really, I'm okay"

Fine. If that's how she wants it. "I'll stay with you then"

"What?" she looked at him confused. "Why? You don't really need to"

"Will you just…!" he clenched his teeth, trying to stop himself from telling her to just shut up. Why does she keep opposing him today?

She shook her head in surrender and decided to let him be. Sakura supposed Sasuke already did an initial scan around their perimeter, maybe even a second too, but decided she could do one herself just to be sure.

"Everything is fine" he told, realizing what she was trying to do, "you can relax and sit for a little while"

Sakura looked at him as if trying to figure him out. Is it my imagination or is he trying to be nice? She believed nice was a bit implausible for Sasuke but may come in rare; might as well grab the chance. She took his word for it and sat down next to him. She anticipated a lengthy silence so it came as a surprise for her when Sasuke was the one to start a conversation.

"Sakura" he said, "Really. Where were you?"

If it hadn't been for the promise she made to Hisashi, the way Sasuke said it would've made her tell him the truth. There was curiosity in his face, entangled with something like worry, doubt, disappointment… she can't clearly tell.

"I'm sorry" she replied with sincerity, Wow. How many times has she said 'I'm sorry' already "but I can't tell you"

He smirked but there's no hint of amusement in his façade; only disbelief…and hurt? "You keep secrets from me now?"

"It's more of a promise than a secret, Sasuke" How can she even elucidate it? It's not like they even share secrets to begin with, but she had never kept anything from him either. "In time, I might be able to tell you. But I swear we were just looking for the ashitaba…"

He ignored her last sentences and glanced at her. "Who did you make a promise to?"

Eh? What a weird question. "To Hisashi-kun"

"We've gotten pretty close with him now huh?" heck she even calls him with a –kun. He can't believe it made him think about how she used to call him with that long before. Not that it really mattered…okay fine maybe just for now. It just made him wonder what the hell happened…

"Yeah. He's alright"

The soft smile she made along with her answer made his chest tighten. It shouldn't but somehow it pained him to know someone else out there is capable of making her smile like that. Yes he had hurt her number of times, but even he knew, even if it was only once, or even if he didn't get to see it, she smiled like that because of him. But not anymore.

You are such an idiot, Sasuke. The Uchiha thought to himself. And before he could stop, the inquiry just spilled from his mouth, "Do you like him?"

Shit! Why did he even ask such a stupid question? What would he get from knowing what her answer will be? He doesn't even like Sakura in the first place. He doesn't even know how he should react when he hears a reply. If she said 'No' where would that take him? What does it matter? It shouldn't even matter but how come he could imagine a tug on the side of his lips. And if she said 'Yes' should he be happy about it? That way she won't be such a bother to him anymore and won't pay him any mind since she'll be focused on someone else...Fuck! he didn't want her to be focused on someone else!

Sakura didn't even squirm, blush or do anything that stated the question perturbed her. And somehow, it worried him…

She might have been thinking about her feelings for Hisashi already that his query didn't make her the slightest bit uneasy.

"There's nothing that I don't like about him". A rephrase was probably the safest way to answer. Because to be honest, Hisashi had stirred something within her too but she couldn't grasp what it is just yet. Sakura didn't want to make anything out of it for fear of misinterpretations; it might mislead her. Yes Hisashi gave her the butterflies, and he makes her feel special but she doesn't have a certain answer for now. "He's nice to me. And he is a good friend"

"Friendship probably isn't the only thing in his mind" Sasuke mumbled to himself.

"What?"

"Nothing" If she won't tell him where she was, then he'll try something else. "Why were you late?"

"About that," she shifted, "Honestly, I just lost track of time"

Unconsciously, his fist began to tighten. What the hell were they doing together that made her forget to be punctual? A part of him didn't even want to know, but the other half overpowered it. "Why? What were you doing?"

"looking for the plants. It was a bit of a long walk too…"

"And?" Sasuke could tell there was more than just that.

"We talked about…things" she noticed Sasuke was going to ask what those things were by the reaction he failed to conceal, "Nothing in particular. Just random ones"

"And it took you a whole day to talk about random things?" he huffed in suspicion, making her temple twitch in annoyance. "You could've just talked while you travelled"

Not meaning to, Sakura was on defensive mode, "I did a healing session with him which took a while. We were already in a place that supplied a lot of medicinal plants so I thought we should take advantage of it. Besides, if we wanted to go home we still have to make sure Hisashi-kun will be left in good condition for him to be able to protect the village sufficiently before we leave. I knew he was in pain but he was trying to hide it so I had to convince him to let me heal him and even take some pills. He was a bit stubborn about it" Sakura went on like her mouth just had diarrhea.

"Are you done?" All this talk about Hisashi is boring him.

She frowned.

Ignoring her, he continued, "Didn't I tell you you don't have to do all this things Sakura? Why do you always try to waste your time and energy?"

Her jawed dropped. "You think helping others is a waste of time?"

Ignoring her, he continued, "Or is it because it's him that's why you've been treating him so special?"

"What? Where did that come from?" What is this idiot talking about?

"I saw the way you looked at him today Sakura. You like him don't you? And this healing time you do is just an excuse for you to spend your time with him"

Sakura can't believe what he's saying right now. Does he think that she's doing this only for Hisashi? Or for her own pleasure? Does Sasuke seriously think she's doing this on purpose because she wanted to be close to him? In short, that she's flirting?

Hot blood began to rise filling her with fury that reached almost to the brim; so close to overflowing.

She gritted her teeth and clenched her fist trying to control her temper as she menacingly replied, "I hope you're not being serious right now Sasuke"

"Why? What if I 'am?"

He was so aware of her rage right now but he didn't 's her fault anyway, for being late, for not telling him where she was, for treating that bastard Hisashi like he's so special, for spending too much time with him today. She was the one making him feel like this. To be so irritated and annoyed it's absurd. And frustrating!

"Do you really think of me like that Sasuke? That I'm such a…a flirt?" saying that mere word about herself even wounded her. For Sasuke to suggest she was like that killed her a thousand times.

"I never said you're a flirt Sakura" he looked at her exasperated and angry. How could she even think of something like that?

She willed her tears to go back where they came from. Hurt now replaced anger. If she cries in front of Sasuke now she'll never forgive herself. She shouldn't be so affected with what he says and she should've gotten used to this kind of attitude already. "Well it doesn't sound different from how you said it earlier"

"Well, it is" he glanced, "I don't get why you like to be around him so much"

"Why? What does it matter to you?" she stated, her composure now returning, "Why do you care if I go out with Hisashi-kun anyway? You don't even like me" He's beginning to frustrate her right now. What does he want her to do? Maybe in a way, she is treating Hisashi a bit more special compared to others, and just rightfully so. She couldn't just ignore somebody who happened to save her life. But why is Sasuke acting like this? If she may, the Uchiha has been acting kind of childish. Sakura can't just follow whatever he likes her to do or not do. And she can definitely spend as much time as she like with Hisashi. If he thinks she's so obsessed with the sharingan prodigy, that he's the only man she'll focus on he's dead mistaken.

And then it hit her.

Maybe that's it. Because he's not the only one she's focused on maybe he…Something dawned on her. It seems irrational but it may be possible. "Sasuke…" she started, curiosity tainting her face, "Are you…"

Orbs of onyx shot blades at her. The look on Sakura's face, gave Sasuke no doubt about what she was conjuring up in her mind. Her absurd, girly contemplations peeved him to overkill. "If you're thinking what I think you're thinking right now, then you're way out of your mind". He can't believe he actually stayed here to talk to her like he needed to clear something out. Heck! There is only one sure thing. Sakura will always be Sakura - Annoying. "I'm leaving"

Flames flickered as it collided with the slimmest of gentle wind that lost its way into the dark and ominous cavern. Its light casted eerie shadows that have hidden who-knows-what in its number of holes and crevices that outlined the jagged walls. And inside the mouth of this hollow, two voices that dwell in its unusual comforts conversed.

"How soon do we put this plan into action Ganryuu?" the hoarseness of his speech cracked a chill in their fortress of rock. "My thirst for blood needs to be quenched"

Across from him by the pit of fire sat a burly man, middle-aged it seemed, facing the dancing embers. Compared to the other, this being looked average. Such a wide difference from the first one who's garbed with pure black cloak making his head appear as if it is floating above an abyss of onyx. The second man, Ganryuu, however, wore gray pants and cut-sleeved clothes. The only thing amiss was the metal cuffs and dangling chains that clung to both his wrists. The objects made him seem like a convict who just managed to escape prison bars, the irons making clanking noises with every movement he made.

"Patience Karasu. Let us settle our strategy and move forth from there" He intertwined his fingers under his nose and looked at his comrade ready for business, flames mirrored in his malevolent eyes. "Now tell me again where we can find our new prospects. You have all the information by now I assume. Enlighten me"

"I already told you" he replied peevishly. "They are at the village of herbs"

"Yes" He sounded intimidating like poison was wrapped in the single word. "And you did not quite tell me how the hell we're going to find the damned place now did you?". He knew that particular village was difficult to find to the point that some even questioned its existence. How Karasu could figure out a way to get there was way beyond his comprehension. But he'd rather not settle too much on such information, all he wanted was a certain shinobi occupant, not particularly the way. Karasu was gifted with gathering intel, using different means to acquire them was one of his specialties that he never bothered doubting him with the facts. At any rate, that dark cloaked entity always gets them right.

The masked man frowned; his crimson eyes a piece of evidence that failed to conceal his apprehension despite his dark disguise. He could sense danger from his companion's tone of voice. Although Ganryuu looked so typical, almost like a mere human, Karasu knew he was nothing like so. He was the type one shouldn't judge just by means of vision. Appearance after all can be very deceiving. And Ganryuu took that to his advantage. He can be deadly, incalculable, and often times a loose cannon. He had to remind himself not to provoke this man - if he can even be considered as one.

Trying not to sound unhinged he answered, "It's not something you should be concerned about. I've already discerned the entrance to that village a long time ago"

"Oh?" the other replied with forced curiosity, his chains making lethal sounds, as he lowered his hands. Karasu can be so full of himself.

"But the place holds nothing for us. Yes, they have the plants but even I know of its disadvantageous side effects when used inappropriately. When things have flaws, I don't have use for them. So I never bothered wasting my time with that village. Not up until now," he licked his lips with his pointed tongue as if tasting something delicious, "Now that I know our prey is there. I can just imagine the sweet sound of a dying shinobi's screams". With excitement, he shivered.

The other man huffed. "You and your sick killing desires still amuse me. So now" he continued, "how sure are you about this one?"

Karasu had been researching their subjects. So far most of them were good. But good is not enough. They have to have the right substance in order for their plan to bear fruit.

"Feisty I heard. It will be a fun kill"

"No. I'm talking about the abilities this particular person possess". Karasu's indirect answers were starting to get him impatient.

"It will be hard to lure them. They are stubborn but" his blood cerise eyes glistened, "like any other ninja in Konoha, they all have a weakness"

"You are still very vague about this you're wasting my time" He stood up, rattling yet again his metal bonds. The unpredicted gesture made the covered man jump almost making him topple over the wooden log he was sitting on. But Ganryuu made no bout. "It will take us a few days to reach our destination. We'll talk as we travel"

Feeling relieved the action wasn't one with aggression Karasu cooperated, stood up, took his zanbato and assisted with putting out the fire. "Right! I'll give you the information. You sort out a plan"

"As usual" came his placid reply, "Do not fail me"

A/N: You guys know what I want right? HAHAHA ;) *hint hint* (copy paste Ganryuu's placid reply here _ )