AN: :) have fun, let me know what you think
28
To Retreat
"Sakura, my lipstick! Hurry! It's on the counter by my toothbrush, hurry!" Maria hopped on one leg, pulling up a pair of tights. The black dress bounced with her form. A spiral of loose hair sprang from her tightly wound bun.
Sakura darted across the room hitting the slightly open bathroom door with her shoulder, bursting into the room. "Got it!" she screamed, her hand appearing and flinging the red lipstick with deadly accuracy.
By some miracle, Maria caught it with one hand while the other finished the Dance of the Tights.
"My God, I can't believe he just disappeared like that! Actually, I can believe it. I knew I wouldn't be able to find him. I knew it!" Maria stuck back the piece of hair and tried to calm her shaking hand so she could apply her lipstick in the mirror that laid on the ground among the mess of clothes. "God forbid I try to find him to say I want to go with him! Dammit, if I can't find him tonight I'm going home right then and there!"
Sakura muttered to herself, her voice trembling while she obsessed over her flowery Kimono in the bathroom. "Have to be cool… be cool… oh god... S-sasuke-kun…"
"Sakura, we are female warriors. No man stands a chance!" Maria's grip on the lipstick tightened. "No Uchiha stands a chance!"
Was she trying to convince the young girl, or herself?
The festival had started 10 minutes ago, but they were still fretting over their appearance. The apartment was trashed. Clothes and makeup items cluttered every countertop, the floor only slightly cleaner.
Maria had spent the entire day searching for the elusive Uchiha but he was nowhere to be found. She had happened upon Sakura in the town, and in hysterics explained her situation. Sakura, with a red face, agreed to accompany Maria to the festival in the off chance Itachi would show up there. As well as Sasuke.
They were on an Uchiha hunting mission.
Maria screamed at her reflection. "This color makes me look like a damned clown!" She threw the lipstick across the floor.
Sakura screamed at her own reflection. "My forehead! Oh, my forehead!" she rushed out from the bathroom, and in near tears, fell down on to her knees next to Maria. "What do we do, what do we dooo?"
Maria's gaze steeled. She stared at herself for a long time in the mirror. Sakura leaned in closer. "M-Maria-"
"We fight Sakura," Maria grasped the girl's shoulders. "We fight like hell. We take every opportunity. And we never, never give up! Now stand up!"
The rose together.
"You look incredible." Maria said firmly, still holding her shoulders. Sakura blushed. "You're going to knock him dead."
"Y-you too… you're hair looks great like that."
"Wear your hair up tonight…"
A furious blush rose on Maria's face, tinting the top of her ears. As much as she wanted to say she hadn't put her hair up for him, she had done it. There was no doubting it. Unaware of this fact, Sakura tilted her head to the side in questioning. "You okay…?"
Maria coughed. "Yes! Yes of course."
It only took another 20 minutes for the girls to finish their pre-festival ceremony. In this time their nerves had slightly calmed. Slightly. Maria now was hyper aware of her hair, and Sakura was… well, always had been, aware of her forehead. In a feeble attempt to hide it she had pulled down some shorter strands to make a mock bang.
They both stood in front of Maria's door, ready to face the war that was their love life.
No. Maria didn't love him. She clenched her fists in defiance. A crush, yes, maybe… maybe! But definitely not love. She would never love him. Not an Uchiha. Too much baggage.
"Let's go," Maria said after five minutes of standing at the door. Sakura nodded, adding no words to Maria's declarance (?). When she opened the door a cold breeze blew in, stealing away what little warmth Maria had. A few snowflakes fluttered in. Maria groaned. "A winter festival! Winter!"
Sakura shut the door while Maria hastily put on a pair of warmer leggings under her dress and a jacket on.
"Okay…" Maria said grudgingly, " lets go now."
And off they went.
Soft glowing lamps lined the streets, children running with decorative masks twirled around the two walking. The festival was small, but heartily filled. Vendors were scattered along the road and called to passerbyers. Sakura and Maria paid them no mind however, their eyes were focused in their hunt for two familiar faces.
"Any luck?" Sakura asked, keeping her focus on the small pockets of gathered people. Maria shook her head.
No luck at all. Maria sighed. She was trying to keep her spirits up, and not just for herself. She glanced down to the pink haired girl walking beside her. Sakura had gone all out on herself and honestly looked stunning, quite a few boys had stolen looks at her. And yet she was oblivious to them all.
"Sakura, you must have been pretty popular at the academy." Maria said, watching another boys gaze linger on the pinkette.
"I guess… me and Ino were always competing in looks. The last few years at the academy I got a few love confessions."
Maria whistled. "A few, eh? Did you accept any of them?"
Sakura smiled, but it did not reach her eyes. "No. Ever since I was young I had my eyes set on Sasuke…" She looked up to Maria. "How about you, Maria-san?"
Maria waved a hand across her face. "Ah, a boyfriend here and there. Nothing serious. None of them really worked out."
Sakura pursed her lips, and a blush Maria couldn't tell from the cold or embarrassment found her face. "Have you… had your first kiss?"
Maria's eyes widened. "My first… kiss."
Sakura nodded eagerly.
"Well, when I was fourteen I had been dating a boy for a week or so. We kissed at a school basketball match…"
"Basketball?" Sakura whispered in slight questioning.
"I mean, it didn't really have any emotion or 'love' in it. I guess I kind of regret it." Maria hummed, looking down to the perplexed girl. "Sorry, basketball is… a game where you throw a ball into this hoop thing…"
Sakura pointed behind Maria. "Kind of like that thing there?"
Maria turned. A small stand was tucked back off the sidewalk. Hoops lined the back wall and small bean bags were on display in a large container.
"Not… really. It could be fun to play that but we still have to find-"
"Sasuke teme! You're not gonna beat me at this!"
"I've beaten you at every other one so far, idiot."
A scream of frustration came from Naruto, who was head to head with one of the girls targets.
Half of the mission completed.
Maria shoved Sakura forward. "It's your time to shine," she whispered as Sakura tensed. "Knock 'em dead."
An intense focus crossed her face, bringing her eyebrows down and hardening her lips into a line. She moved forward. "Naruto! Sasuke-kun!"
Maria smirked, hanging back and watching the boys turn. Naruto was star struck almost immediately, no surprise there. Sasuke's gaze lingered but no emotions crossed his face.
"Stay strong, Sakura!"
"Yo."
Maria jumped at the sudden voice behind her. She spun quickly and came face to face with a familiar person, but not the one she was searching for. Kakashi waved lazily.
"Kakashi, you came to the festival?" Maria asked, crossing her arms and leaning forward a bit.
"I did, had to accompany someone here…"
Maria frowned. "Where is he."
Kakashi waved a hand in front of his face. "I came with Naruto and Sasuke. I didn't think it would be a good idea to let them go alone, and they needed some fun…"
Marias shoulders dropped, her harsh expression softening. "Oh, right. Sorry."
"But, Itachi did tag along." his eyes fixated on something behind Maria. "speak of the devil."
Maria turned. Itachi had stopped, staring at her with an incredulous expression. Like the last festival he wore his hair in a high ponytail. Flecks of snow had caught in his midnight black hair, and some had landed on his cheeks and eyelashes. A blush from the cold tinted his nose and cheeks.
Of course, he looked absolutely amazing.
"Itachi-san!" She said, her voice giving away her nervousness with its heightened pitch. "I've been looking for you… to tell you I wanted… I want… to come to the festival! But here I am, or here we are."
Itachi did not bat an eye, and only continued his gaze. "Forgive me, I was not aware."
Maria nodded. She looked for Kakashi to help ease the awkward conversation but he had fallen back to the hoop both where Sasuke and Naruto were locked in a match to the death. She cursed him mentally, but resigned to her fate and turned back to Itachi.
"So, you came with Kakashi and the boys?" she asked half-heartedly.
Itachi nodded. "Yes, we arrived a little while ago."
"I'm glad you're spending time with Sasuke." Maria said, smiling carefully.
Itachi's eyes closed. "... as am I."
"Argh! Sasuke teme, you cheater!"
Naruto's loud voice called out over the murmur of the crowd. Sakura's joyous laughter rang in the background. Maria watched the group with a soft smile. Sasuke held a stuffed penguin, smirking at a twitching Naruto. Sakura stared at Sasuke endearingly while Kakashi leaned against the counter top, a lazy smile twisting the fabric of his mask. Maria's smile began to fade. For the first time in a while, she felt completely out of place in this world that wasn't her own.
"Shall we join them?"
"huh?" Maria turned back to Itachi, who had already taken a step forward to pass her and head towards the game stand. She hesitated for a moment but caught up with him easily.
"Itachi-san… I couldn't beat him…" Naruto stared at the ground.
"I told you earlier, focus only on yourself and your own techniques. Do not watch Sasuke."
Sasuke's sharp glare snapped up to Itachi. The older brother looked calmly down. "Do you want some tips as well, little brother?"
An electric tension filled the air. Maria almost took a step back.
"I can win without your help, Itachi."
"Very well, however…" Itachi picked up a ball from a basket. "Could you win against me?"
A dark smirk crossed Sasuke. "I've been training my entire life to beat you."
"Then let's see if your training payed off."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed, and he passed the penguin to Sakura, whose face exploded with shades of red. "M-m-me?"
"Just take it, Sakura. Don't be annoying about it."
Marias eyes narrowed. Was that a faint blush on Sasuke's face? Naruto screamed in frustration, Kakashi waved at him to try and keep him settled. "I have to win Sakura something too!"
"It's okay Naruto, I'm sure you'll get the chance…" Maria said. She kept her eyes on the older Uchiha, who seemed to be examining the hoops.
The vendor explained the rules; manage to throw the balls into the small hoops and you get a prize, depending on how many you get in. Sheepishly, the vendor confessed the game wasn't intended for nin, and that they would probably find it incredibly easy.
And they did. After 30 balls thrown neither brother had missed one hoop.
Naruto had lost interest, Kakashi had pulled out a book. The only ones still watching was Sakura and Maria, each silently rooting for their own boys.
Naruto's stomach rumbled loudly. "Hungry…" he muttered, his eyes glazing over. "Kakashi sensei… lets go get food."
Kakashi's eyes peered out from over his book. He hummed in contemplation, then gave Maria and Itachi a one over. "Alright. Maria, meet us at Ichiraku's when this Uchiha match is over. We can have some drinks."
Maria swore she saw a glimmer in Kakashi's eyes. "Sure," she said tentatively, then looked back to the boys, "if this match ever ends."
Kakashi chuckled then left with an incredibly pleased Naruto.
Maria turned back to the never-ending-death-by-hoop Uchiha pride match. Sakura was still highly invested in it, and was clutching the penguin to her chest for dear life.
Maria was watching, but not really the match. Her eyes kept wandering back to Itachi. His forearms flexed with each throw, large hands effortlessly and gracefully picking up the balls one after another and tossing them. He moved like fluid. His eyes locked on his targets, his black hair swaying gently with his movements… his lips slightly parted… slight fog rising when he breathed out… they looked soft. Maria licked her lips.
Itachis gaze broke and flicked to her for a split second before returning to the match. Her heart raced. Had he noticed her ogling him?
"Hey, you're Sakura, from the academy right? Remember me? I was in class 2-A… right across the hall…"
A boy appeared next to Sakura, smiling at her brightly. Her concentrated gaze on the match broke. "Huh?" she muttered, looking over the boy. "oh, Ryunosuke, right?"
The boys smile widened. "I'm flattered to have such a cute girl remember me."
Marias eyes widened to saucers. Sakura shuffled awkwardly on her feet, giving the boy a half smile and nervous laugh.
"Hey, lets go do something!" He said, seemingly oblivious to her aversion.
"N-no…"
"what, you came here with somebody?"
"No, but I-"
Sasuke suddenly stood next to Sakura, still holding a ball in his hand. "Take the hint."
Sakura's eyes widened, a blush spreading across her face. The boys eyes narrowed. "sheesh, fine…" He waved them off and stalked away, head hanging lower and hands stuffed in his pockets.
Sakura turned ro Sasuke. "Thanks, Sasuke-kun."
Sasuke scoffed. "He was distracting me."
"So, that means Itachi won?" Maria asked.
Sasuke's glare could kill. "No. He hasn't won anything yet."
Itachi placed the ball he held back in the basket. "Next time we will finish this match Sasuke."
Sasuke hn'd and stalked ahead of the group, Sakura hot on his heels. Itachi and Maria followed them a little ways back, all headed towards Ichiraku's.
Soft snow fell slowly, the large flakes melting as they hit the ground. There was no breeze but the air still had a chill to it. Misty breath from the festival goers rose into the air. Small ice sculptures were dotted around the streets, the glow from the hanging lanterns playing off their surfaces. Children laughed as they hid behind the thin parts and distorted their faces.
Maria and Itachi walked side by side. Neither one spoke to each other. Up ahead, it looked like Sakura was trying (and failing) to get responses out of Little Uchiha. Maria took a calming breath. She was going to have to try too.
"About last night…" she began, "I'm sorry if I crossed any boundaries."
Itachi looked down to her, but his stoic expression did not change nor did he falter. "You did," he started, "but I did not mind it."
"Oh." Maria said quietly, wholeheartedly not expecting that reaction. "T-that's good then."
Itachi looked away from her. "For that matter, I don't think I would mind it if it happened again."
"Oh." Maria repeated, now dumbstruck.
Sakura turned and met eyes with Maria, giving her an embarrassed smile. She still held the penguin close to her chest. Sasuke paused when he noticed she wasn't paying attention to him, and he also looked back to Maria and Itachi.
Maria swallowed. "I wouldn't mind either." she said softly.
Ichiraku's came into view. It was packed but they had no trouble finding the boisterous Naruto. He was three bowls deep when they got their seats, Kakashi just finishing his first. They ate together in an awkward state of limbo of friends, no one truly knowing how to talk to one another. The two girls kept their tabs on their Uchiha's, and soon the festival quieted down. By that time, Kakashi had successfully managed to convince Itachi to have two… or three drinks. Maria was not so easy to convince, but still had her share.
She hiccuped, then covered her mouth and excused herself.
Naruto yawned. "Time to go home…" he muttered, patting his stomach and gazing lovingly over his five completed bowls of Ramen.
Sakura stifled a yawn, and Maria could make out a slight tiredness in the young Uchiha.
"Sakura-chan, lemme walk you home." Naruto said, turning to the pinkette.
She held the penguin closer to her. "You live in the opposite direction, idiot."
Naruto frowned. "I don't min-"
"I'll see you tomorrow!" Sakura exclaimed in a hurry, "We can do something tomorrow!"
Naruto scratched the back of his head. "Well… okay then. See ya guys."
Everyone said their goodbyes as Naruto stumbled off into the darkness. Silence found its way into the group, now that their main source of conversation had departed. Sakura stifled another yawn. Maria looked down to her. "Sakura, maybe you should head home before your face falls into your ramen."
Sakura opened her eyes up wider, and tried to hide her glance at Sasuke. "I'm fine." she said quickly, sitting up straighter.
Sasuke ignored them and continued his bored stare.
Sakura caught this stare and deflated. She rose from her seat, still holding the penguin close. "You're probably right," she said with a laugh. "See you later, Sasuke-kun." She held the penguin back out to him, finished with her job of holding onto it.
Sasuke made no moves to take it back.
Itachi looked down at his little brother. "You live in the same direction as she does." he said swiftly.
Sasuke bristled at this, but stood all the same. "I know." he said, turning to Sakura and walking past her. "Let's go.
Sakura's eyes widened, and she hesitated for a moment. But her feet caught up with her mind and she hurried to join his side. They walked off together under the street lamps, Sakura still holding the penguin.
Maria leaned on her palm, smiling at the two. "Awww," she cooed. "So cute. You're a great wingman, Itachi-san."
Itachi hn'd, and rose his glass to take a sip.
Kakashi also rose his glass. "So, your house or his tonight, Maria?"
She coughed loudly. "Excuse me?"
Kakashi ignored the stare Itachi was giving him. His eyes twinkled a mischievous light, but his smile was innocent. Maria was frozen to her seat. "I… I don't know. Maybe my house. Maybe his… It doesn't really matter, does it?" she began to ramble, and really started to feel the effects of the booze. Her face flushed and her cheeks became warm. It was part alcohol, part embarrassment.
Itachi rose from his seat. "I think that's it for tonight." he said, pushing in his chair and laying his hand on the back of Maria's.
When his fingers brushed against her back she suppressed a shiver.
"Yes." she mumbled, grabbing her purse and laying out some money on the table. "It's pretty late now."
Kakashi sighed, swishing the alcohol in his cup. "Retreating, Maria?"
She gave a quick glare to the man but did not respond to the quip. "Goodnight Kakashi!"
Itachi and Maria walked back to her house in silence. Her heart throbbing loudly in her chest the entire time.
The house was not magically clean by the time they got back. Itachi had given Maria a look, which she brushed off with a blush. Before she could make any moves he had taken the couch and told Maria that she would be sleeping in the bed tonight. Disappointment rose in her stomach. She had wanted to spend the night with him but…
She stood in the dark and empty bedroom and sighed. She wouldn't push anything. With her mind humming and eyes slightly blurred, she made her bed and climbed in.
She could not sleep.
Maria tossed and turned, and it was not because of the alcohol. Her mind spun over what Kakashi had said about her. "Retreat…" she muttered, finally having enough of the constant inner dialogue in her head, and sat up in bed. "I never retreat."
She uncovered herself and stood, moving towards the door. When she opened it she was greeted with Itachi rising from the couch.
She paused. "I… must have woken you. I'm sorry. I just, you know…"
Itachi stayed standing. He watched Maria with an intense focus. "Of course. Kakashi was drunk, he didn't know what he was saying."
"Oh yeah, totally." Maria said, laughing in relief. "Completely wasted." A silence formed between them. Maria looked to the ground, avoiding Itachi's gaze. "Alright, then… goodnight?" She shrugged with a small laugh, backing towards her door.
Itachi hesitated. "...Yes. Goodnight."
Maria shut the door behind her but did not move. She leaned against it and closed her eyes. She lifted a hand to her heart. It beat unsteadily. He looked like he wanted to say something to her, but of course, he kept himself guarded. Her eyes opened steadily. She knew the only way to get him to open up would be to push at least a little bit. It's what she did last night after all.
The clock's ticking seemed to grow louder with each passing second. The room, filled with darkness, was flooded with moonlight as a cloud broke. Maria turned and opened the door.
Itachi stood a mere foot away. Maria moved back, her heart rate skyrocketing. The moonlight shone against his face, lighting his features. His eyes did not blink, they did not move as she met his gaze. His lips parted slightly. They both moved at the same time and closed the distance between their bodies.
Itachi held her just between her neck and head, pulling her in closer. Maria wrapped her arms around his shoulders, melting into his body, his touch, his mouth. Feverish deep kisses soared her high, making her body float and heat. His free hand held her waist, holding her steady against him.
He pushed her back into the room, down to the bed where they made no stops in ravishing each other. Her hands reached for more, running down his arms, feeling the biceps contract against her greedy fingertips. His mouth moved against her own, opening her up and filling her with his taste.
One of his hands found its way to the hem of her dress and pulled up, revealing her goosebump ridden thighs and subjecting them to the mercy of his touch. His fingertips touched her infuriatingly lightly. She arched into him and squeezed her thighs together, begging him for more with her intensity. He pulled her dress up higher. Maria lifted her body as Itachi effortlessly slid the black dress off. She pulled on his shirt which he easily removed. The breath spent away from each other while removing their clothes was two moments too long. They always came back to each others mouths, and now their bodies moved against each others, soaking in each others heat.
Fireworks exploded in the sky and filled the room with vibrant flashes of colors. They broke apart for air, the only noise in the room their pants and the soft explosions of the fireworks. Red and blue and green flashes lit Itachi's face. He hovered above her, arms on each side of her body. She breathed heavily, sweat running down her forehead.
"You wore your hair up." He said softly, another firework exploding.
Maria nodded. "Is that why this is happening?" She asked.
Itachi smirked. "It might have had something to do with it."
She smiled at him. "I'm glad I did it then."
