title Selfish
summary But I want you to choose me always.
22 floors didn't seem that high up. With all the neat, silver buttons lined up inside the elevator, it was really just a matter of pushing the right one. It was another thing to be standing on the 22nd floor, though. Where it seemed like it was closer to drift up into the clouds than to plummet to the ground.
Those were the thoughts that crossed Sakura's mind as she stood on the balcony. Elbows leaning on the railing.
She tapped the glowing end of the cigarette against the ashtray. Feeling the burnt ends collapse into dust as they fell. Raising it to her lips, she closed her eyes. The smell of winter still flavoring the air. Something fresh. Something that bit back. She swallowed down those crisp breaths. Watching the smoke and mist puff out from her mouth
The door slid open behind her.
"You've been out here a while. Are you alright?" Itachi called.
"I thought you were sleeping," she replied. Because had sat up for a long time. Watching the steady rise and fall of his chest. Barely touching the top of his head for fear of waking him.
"Only for a little while," he answered.
Sakura didn't say anything, but she moved over to make space for him. Itachi stepped outside. He tossed a blanket from inside the room over her shoulders before he settled in beside her. Sakura let out another deep breath. Staring straight ahead.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him fiddle with the pack she had left on the railing. He leaned in closer to her. She turned her head to light his. Instead, he plucked her cigarette out, pressed his mouth to hers. Licked her upper lip as he pulled away. Took a drag from her cigarette, wearing a crooked smile.
"I'm sorry. You just looked far away. I wanted to make sure you were still here," he told her. Even though she hadn't asked for an explanation. Didn't particularly need one.
She closed her eyes. Leaned her shoulder against him. "I'm still here," she assured him.
When she opened her eyes, Sakura heard the hotel phone ringing. The other side of the king bed was too empty. For a moment, she didn't even remember why she noticed the emptiness. Until she heard water splashing in the bathroom sink. Rolling onto her side, she picked up the receiver. The indent was still warm as she settled onto her back.
"Wei?" she answered.
"Jing-Mei, we need to talk," Tobirama stated. Sakura held back a groan.
"Can this conversation wait?" she asked. Even though she already knew how he would respond.
"No. Why the fuck did you kill Uchiha Madara?" he demanded. She could almost imagine him shooting venom like a spitting cobra. Although, she was certain that he wouldn't appreciate such a comment in his current mood.
"Laang zing di sin aa, okay?" she sighed.
"It's difficult to be calm when you're out there stabbing high-ranking yakuza," he snapped in return. "I know Goh Go gives you a lot of freedom in Tokyo, but this is too much."
Sakura closed her eyes, Thumb pressing to her temple. "Look, I'm not stupid. Clearly I had a reason to do what I did. And your nagging is seriously not what I want to hear first thing in the morning," she growled. There was a pause.
"It's almost 1 in the afternoon, pok gaai," Tobirama responded as if she were slow. Sakura puckered her lips together. Eyes darting to the clock on the nightstand.
"...Hou sei la lei," she cursed at him. She thought she heard Tobirama snort.
Her eyes opened when she felt the mattress dip. Itachi sat at the foot of the bed, gathering his hair back in a ponytail. Elastic tie held between his teeth. When he caught her gaze, she rolled her eyes a little.
"What's the situation with Red Eyes?" Tobirama went on.
"I'm working on it," she ground out.
Her eyes were drawn to Itachi again. He flopped onto the bed, apparently abandoning the idea of tying his hair for the moment. Hands skimming up her calves. He rested his chin on her thigh. And when he went still, she focused her attention back on the conversation at hand.
"This really isn't the time for you to be fucking around in Tokyo. You should be here. Supporting my brother. You and Kabuto bitching has only made things worse," Tobirama added.
"If Uncle needs me, he will ask me directly. You are not in the position to tell me that," she enunciated. Slowly. Patiently. Her gaze drifted down when she felt Itachi stir. She caught him just as he tilted his head to press a kiss to her thigh. Nuzzling against the soft skin. Palms stroking up and down the outside of her leg.
"And don't act like this doesn't involve you too. You took Fai Tsai's side. You're not a neutral party," she went on. She stared at him as he grasped her legs. Pulled them apart. He licked his lips before he dipped his head. Disappearing behind the curve of her hip.
But she certainly felt him.
She swallowed back the noise that almost tumbled out of her mouth. Her free hand moved to touch his head. And when his lips puckered around her favorite place, her fingers tangled into his hair. Holding him in that sweet spot as his tongue laved over it again and again. His breath hot against her. She half-listened to Tobirama as he spoke.
"You sort of left me with no other choice."
"Tobirama, I'm not stupid. You made a choice. At least be man enough to stick to it," she uttered. Surprising herself at how steady her voice was.
She felt Itachi's hand twitch a little. He had probably had his suspicions. But hearing the name out loud was a whole different animal.
"Stop acting like this is all business. You're letting a personal grudge cloud your judgment. How long are you going to blame him for that day?" sighed Tobirama. She frowned. That had caught her attention.
"For as long as he's to blame," she replied. Her grip loosened. Hands stroking through his hair. Her breath caught as Itachi's finger eased into her. Slipping in, and then out just as slowly. He added another. Keeping up the easy pace. Her hips began to move to meet him as she struggled to keep her breaths even.
"Look. Jing-Mei," Tobirama sighed. And he suddenly sounded tired.
"My brother has his doubts, but I get the feeling that you're right. Come back to Hong Kong once Red Eyes is awake. We need to figure out what to do next." And this time, it was less of a demand. More of a request. She would have used the word 'plea' if she didn't know Tobirama.
Itachi's fingers eased out of her. He sat up, licking his lips with a smug expression. And Sakura reached her hand out to him. He crawled over to meet her. Weight pressing to his elbow, let her hand close around his wrist. She brought his hand up to her face. She took his damp fingers into her mouth, eyes locking with his. Running her tongue along them to lick them clean.
Something shifted in Itachi's gaze. The smile was there, but it was something a little more mischievous. He pulled his hand away. Sakura arched an eyebrow, challenging him.
"I'm kind of laying low right now. I'll catch a flight back once things cool down a bit," she told Tobirama. Tongue dragging over her lower lip.
Itachi's hands slid under her legs, yanking her into his lap. She felt him rub against her. And she knew that self-satisfied look he gave her was from feeling how wet she was. She pulled the phone away from her mouth as he slid into her. His heat delicious as it stretched and filled her.
Sakura just barely caught the tail end of Tobirama's question.
"What? No. I don't need you or anyone to come get me. I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself," she assured him. And as she spoke, Itachi rolled his hips against her particularly deep. He caught the way she bit her lip. He did it again, wicked smile curling his mouth.
"Look, I've got to go. Unlike you, I don't have the free time to sit around listening to a nagging old man," Sakura said.
"Diu lei. You ungrateful little-"
She disconnected the call. Tossing the phone aside, she reached up. Itachi leaned over her, letting her wrap her arms around his shoulders. She kissed her way up his throat as he rocked against her. Her hands slid down to grip his upper arms.
"Oh. I'm sorry. Was that an important call?" Itachi asked, pretending that he cared. And Sakura laughed. Head falling back against the pillows, she looked up at him.
"It kind of was, actually. So you better find a way to make it up to me," she replied.
"Well, I'm sure I'll think of something," Itachi quipped. Her nails dug into his arms as he thrust into her particularly hard.
It was nearly dark outside when Sakura pushed Itachi off of her. And she barely had the energy to do even that. He continued scattering kisses down the back of her neck. Lips lingering on the black koi tattoo. Feeling the raised skin from the old scar that it hid.
She sighed, resting her cheek on the pillow. Arms like overcooked noodles. A shiver ran through her as the sweat began cooling off her body.
"You're heavy," Sakura grumbled.
"Sorry," Itachi said as he sat up.
Her eyes followed him as he got out of bed. He unfolded one of the robes the hotel had left folded up on the dresser. Stuck his arms through it and tied the belt. He picked up the menu for room service. But when he went to pick up the phone, he found the cradle empty. Sakura found it under one of the pillows and held it out to him. He accepted it, as he glanced through the dinner menu.
"My throat is dry," complained Sakura.
"And my back is going to hurt like hell tomorrow," she added. He chuckled as he caught on. Finally looking at her again.
Itachi sat on the edge of the bed. Stroked his hand over her cheek.
"I'll order us dinner. And after we eat, I'll give you a massage," he offered.
Her eyes narrowed. Sakura turned her head away from him.
"No point in lying. You're going to use the massage as an excuse to do something else," she accused. He laughed. The sound mellow and warm.
"I'll be on my best behavior. I promise," he answered her. She pretended not to hear him as he bent to kiss the top of her head.