Chapter 28: Beyond Belated
Little Falcon: yes, yes, I know I've been gone a long time. Trust me, it wasn't easy getting back to writing especially when you've experienced the greatest writer's block in my whole writing career so far. Anyway, I'm back and I pray that you guys still want an update from me.
Standard Disclaimer: I only own the idea that's all. If I did own this series I'll be the happiest person on earth!
His hot kiss bruised her lips as he pinned her body to the wall as soon as they entered their room. Unlike his usual passionate gestures, his touches were hard and hasty when his hands almost ripped the clothes off her back. With a sharp moan, his lover only allotted a few seconds for surprise before she, too, reflected his tenacity at almost greater passion.
Sakura knew the reason for his sudden actions and understood him absolutely. Two significant men from her past, who she thought she lost, waltzed back in and demanded to be a part of her life once again. With the length of time Sasuke and Naruto spent with her, it was only natural that Gaara be threatened. This was his way of claiming her as his woman… every part of her is his and no else's.
His unruly red hair was drenched in sweat when his feral domination was finally sated. Beneath him, his seductive goddess was still catching her breath while her passion misted eyes held his possessive gaze. On her swollen lips was a growing smirk then her shaky arms wound around his neck to pull him in to seal their lips in a gentle caress.
It unnerved him that she could read his thoughts all too easily. At the same time, it amazed him that someone could figure him out so much as she could. Their relationship transcended any standards of normalcy but he wouldn't have it any other way. His chest swelled with pride that called such woman of worth 'his'. Letting her get under his skin was probably the best mistake he made. That night, neither spoke but both of them heard.
From the corner of his eye, he caught movement that could be dismissed as nothing by most, but his senses told him otherwise. Acting nonchalant, he proceeded with his normal affairs while taking note of his talented stalker- this person kept a distance far enough to ensure a quick getaway if he's been compromised yet close enough to make sure he wouldn't lose sight of his target. Glancing at his rear view mirror, an arrogant smirk formed on his lips as he realized the identity of the stranger.
The fresh snow crunched under the soles of his custom-made leather shoes as he walked into a certain area of a forest that was hidden from the public's eye. His breaths made visible vapour in the air as he continued further until the snow was knee-deep. "I would have to say. It's pretty nostalgic to be spied on once again. The last fool who attempted to tail me was skinned alive years ago," he said in a casual tone as he pocketed his hands.
"Spying is for people you don't trust," from a distance, she stepped out of the barren tree and smiled innocently. "I trust you completely," her long pink tresses caught a number of snowflakes that were beginning to descend from the grey sky. Even with her thick winter clothes, her effect on him was astounding.
Being under her piercing gaze, his heart made an unannounced skip. There was no hint of hostility in her eyes or any sort of tension in her body as she approached him. "Funny, if yesterday didn't happen, I would've shot you by now," in the back of his mind, he couldn't wait for her to close the distance in between them. After all, she had been so far, far too long.
Sakura replied with a slight grin as she was at arms-length. "Would it be rude of me if I said that I won't be missing any of those moments?" Putting her hand on her hips, she cocked her chin mockingly. Funny, there was no trace of awkwardness she expected given their situation. "Naruto told me where to find you,"
With a visible sigh, he resigned his expectations. This was probably as close as they can get. "It's not like you needed that fox's help to track me down," true, it wouldn't take much to trace his whereabouts since she had been doing that for the longest time. "So, to whom do I owe the visit for?" His onyx eyes widened in shock when she flung her arms around him and embraced him fiercely.
"Arigato," her voice was trembling as she repeatedly uttered her heartfelt thanks. Upon seeing him she was already holding back her tears but when he was so close, she no longer had the strength to do so.
Even without actually seeing, he knew that she was crying. For some reason, he felt like ten feet tall; like he saved the universe from some menacing threat. So, this is what it feels like to be the good guy… "Haven't you said that already?" His hands stiffly made a move to return the embrace. He tried to keep his voice as monotonous as possible but his resolve was quickly dissolving at each falling snowflake.
"I'm sorry…I'm so sorry for losing faith in you, Sasuke-kun," her hug grew painfully tighter but he didn't mind. "When you do things that betray who you are, it can be very difficult to recognize yourself," at this moment, she didn't care about her tough façade anymore. Her tears came relentlessly. "I'm glad… that despite all I did to you; despite all the things you were forced to do, you're still you," gripping his coat, she cried harder- her unsaid apology.
His pupils dilated upon hearing her words. Without another thought, Sasuke wound his arms around her petite form and hung onto her like dear life as silent tears trickled down his chin. "I have to thank you as well…"
"For what?"
"For staying alive…" With all that she's been through, it takes a great deal of mental stability to be able to stay alive and sane. Being several inches tall, his covered her petite body with his as he relished the feeling of her in his arms. Right then and there, he knew that this was the most intimate exchange they can ever share.
For countless times, Sasuke entertained the concept of him leaving Akatsuki, finding Sakura and staying at her side as they fend off whatever threat their insidious organization decides to throw at them. It came when he was about to close his eyes at night and when he opens them in the morning. However, the cruel slap of reality would tear the idea out of his mind almost as instantly as he thought of it. Akatsuki wasn't just some club you can walk out of and if it weren't for him, a lot of people associated with Sakura would've long been dead. He never wanted to see her lose someone again… not when, this time, he has the capacity to pull the strings of fate in her favor even for a limited time only… even at his expense.
Their sentimental moment was interrupted by the persistent ringing of her phone. Reluctantly, Sasuke drew away from her as she was the first to let go. Judging by the way her eyes lit-up, he didn't need to ask who was on the other line.
"Are you with him?" the voice on the other line had a bit of an edge as he inquired.
"Yeah, I just need to talk to him a bit more,"
"It's too dangerous to be outside. Just bring him here,"
Sakura blinked a few times then turned towards her quiet companion. "Are you sure?" She was afraid to ask but still did. Honestly, she has considered bringing Sasuke to the mansion but it wouldn't sit well with the other so she discarded the idea but now that it was being suggested liberally, she can't see a reason to refuse it.
"Don't make me change my mind," with that, the call ended.
The way she kept staring at her cellphone, even if the line was already dead, caught his attention. "Sakura, what's the matter?" He prepared himself for the worse as he held her shoulders and made her look at him.
With her brows furrowed in deep thought, she answered "You've been invited to our clubhouse,"
His eyebrow rose in curiosity. "Really?"
The whiskered blond leaned on the marble countertop as he heard the entire phone conversation. After all, it wasn't like the red head made any attempt to not be heard by everyone present in the kitchen. "Bold move, Raccoon," in his short stay with their company, Naruto found himself growing closer to the least sociable person around. "I suggest not throttling Sasuke as soon as they arrive… wait about ten minutes," grinning widely, before running for his life.
"Are you sure that's a wise move, Gaara? We hardly know the guy," The dog lover sat back on the couch and pulled Hinata to sit beside him. "Naruto is cool but having a former enemy around is something that we have to get used to first," stating the facts, he gained the approval of the others around.
"It's not just that…" Ino stared at her half-drank coffee and sighed. "Sakura, Naruto and Sasuke were in the same team, weren't they?"
Side-glancing at her, the lazy genius nodded his head. "Yeah, I've heard that among the Shadow Children, their combination is the best there is," Shikamaru replied without sugar-coating the truth.
Hinata, Tenten and Ino inwardly flinched as the gnawing fear in their chest grew worse. It wasn't impossible that Sakura would rather set out with her old team than with them. No one can deny that the lady doctor's caliber was in a totally different level than theirs. It had been like that ever since the beginning and it stayed like that until today.
Suffocating silence hung in the air that even their huge dog, Akamaru, decided to walk away from tension.
"Do you have so little faith in Sakura to doubt her this much?" Gaara crossed his arms in front of his chest defensively as he glared at the girls. When Ino was about to say something but her thoughts never made it out of her mouth. Chewing her lip, the blond kunoichi just sank further in despair. Naruto, who was eavesdropping at the corner, smiled approvingly. You've got yourself quite a catch, Sakura-chan. Of course, this is something he wouldn't admit even at gunpoint.
The familiar sound of an engine's powerful roar outside stole everyone's attention. A red Lamborghini darted out of the dark forest and drifted to a stop in front of the mansion and soon after, a dark convertible did the same. The obvious winner of the race hopped out of her ride and walked over to the raven-haired driver. "Too many years, and you still eat my dust," Sakura clucked her tongue as she shook her head to gloat.
"Give me a break, this car is for business meetings and not for breaking the speed of light," Sasuke resigned then let his eyes marvel at the looming Victorian mansion. "Really? This is the best you can do?" He figured out that it was his turn to be arrogant. Following her lead, they stood at the cobwebbed doorstep. Two wooden doors stared back at them. His eyebrows knit together as he caught something interesting about it. Upon closer inspection, his far-fetched guess was suddenly reality. No way… as if to confirm further, he glanced at Sakura only to have her shrug her shoulders in reply. Knocking on the door, the sound that was elicited came from no wood he has encountered but he has heard that sound before. "Triple-plated Titanium… not too shabby," easing out a compliment, he watched her slide away a brick on the wall.
When Sakura gestured for him to come over, he did so and saw the digital scanner. "I'm gonna need your thumb," his eyebrows rose in response. After the first scan was done, "Voice confirmation needed," the computer's programmed childish tone made him jerk back inwardly.
"Do you really have to use my voice during those years?"
"Don't be so cocky. I also used mine and Naruto's in other programs," she playfully nudged his side with her elbow. "Now, say your name," by the way she said the word, he fully understood what she meant.
"Broken Blood," just like in the horror stories, the double doors automatically creaked open. "Even if he was the one who invited me here, I wouldn't be surprised if he shoots me…" Sasuke was cut short when the first thing he saw inside was a Desert Eagle aimed directly at his head.
BANG! The gunshot resounded throughout the place.
Little Falcon: Read and review onegai…
