Sparrow

*thanks for reading! i regretfully don't own naruto. if i did, itachi would live, and sasuke wouldn't be such a jerky turkey. lol. anyways...please rate and review! cookies for those who review!*

Chapter 36:

I smiled as Sasuke and I walked out of the children's village building, Riku's building to be exact. A crowd of ex-prisoners, as well as their small relatives, followed us out. I was happy. I had my own clothes back and a warm, fuzzy feeling as I watched the unparalleled happiness in the children as they reunited with their lost relatives. But, even though that feeling put a smile on my face, it was bittersweet. I couldn't help but feel homesick. I missed what it felt to be loved like that, with family and friends surrounding you. I couldn't help but think back to when Kakashi would train with me when he wasn't busy. Or when Naruto and I would go home together from Konoha's Ninja Academy, racing to see who would get to my apartment first. I've always won. But the bittersweet memories dug a hole in my heart. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to join the Akatsuki after all. I shook my head of the thought, though. If I hadn't joined, Itachi would definitely be dead. And I know Sasuke regretted it. If I hadn't joined, I wouldn't be as strong as I am now. And these kids wouldn't be able to see their moms, sisters, aunts, cousins, whatever. And Sasuke would be consumed by his pain and anger a long time ago. And I would be stuck in house arrest for killing the people who were trying to kill me. It was unfair. I sighed, silently telling myself that I had made the right decision. For everyone.

Sasuke looked at me from the corner of his eye. He then turned and walked away towards the forest, and I felt the silent command to follow. I did, waving back to the people I've helped, putting on a fake smile. Once they couldn't see my face, I let my smile drop. My heart throbbed in my chest. I looked down at the dirt under my feet, suddenly wishing to see the little ray of sunshine that I used to have: Naruto. His light really was consuming, back then when I felt it. I really did miss the knucklehead. I suddenly remembered one of our recent chance encounters. We were in the cave, when Gaara died. I hope he saved him.

"Suzume, come back to the village" Naruto said, looking back at me. "Come back with me."

A knot formed in my throat, nearly suffocating me. How I wished I could go back, but not to the village. Not to where they tried to kill me. No. I couldn't care less about the village. I wanted to go back to Naruto. I wanted to see him. I couldn't help it. I wanted to see him, Kakashi, even that hag Sakura. I just wanted...for life to be like it was three years ago. Only without the villagers trying to kill me. I missed the fun we used to have. I missed how everything was so...carefree.

"What's wrong?" Sasuke asked as we walked towards nowhere in particular, cutting off my train of thoughts.

I looked up at Sasuke, surprised by his sudden question. Then I shook my head.

"It's nothing."

He stopped and faced me. His mouth was set in a firm, hard line, as if he wasn't going to take that for an answer.

"Suzume. I know something's wrong. You're not yourself," he said firmly. "Tell me what's going through your head. Talk."

I smirked. "I thought you hated it when people talk to you about their problems."

He shrugged. "This is different."

I sighed.

"Don't you miss...the life you had before? Before everything became so...so crazy?" I asked him.

He didn't answer. I sighed again, running my fingers through my hair. I suddenly laughed. It sounded shallow, even to me.

"This is crazy. What are we even doing here?"

I paused and looked up at the blue sky. Birds flew towards an unknown destination. They were so certain. So sure. I kind of envied them. The sun shone low in the sky, painting it orange and lavender; puffy white clouds rolled by, carried by an unfelt wind. The trees shaded the small animals scurrying around us. The crows on the tree tops cawed, as if they were mocking me.

"What's the point of fighting anymore? What am I fighting for?" I asked no one in particular. "I just wish...I could have a life that doesn't revolve around someone getting killed. I wish I could just...be home. Somewhere. But who am I kidding? No one would let me have a home. The one place that had the potential to be called home...the people there tried to kill me. Why can't I just face it? That I'm just...not welcome? I just feel...that there's nowhere I belong."

Sasuke snickered. I looked at him and scowled.

"Yep. You're definitely not yourself," he said, a smirk on his face. "Where did all that idiotic optimism go? It almost sounds like you're depressed."

I stuck out my tongue childishly at him. We continued walking through the forest, the air between us blanketed by a thick silence. Finally, I broke it.

"Do you miss anyone? From Konoha?" I asked suddenly.

Sasuke ignored the question and continued walking. I smiled mischievously.

"You do, don't you?" I sang in a sing-song voice. "I kinda miss Naruto. I bet you do too! I mean, even I could tell you two were friends."

Sasuke rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"You know, maybe I shouldn't have asked you to talk," he said. "You ask too many questions."

"And I'm getting on you're nerves?" I asked.

"Yes."

"Good. A little nerve dancing can be good for you. Helps with patience."

"Right now I'm not feeling the virtue."

I laughed, forgetting what I was so depressed about. Sasuke looked at me and almost smiled. Almost. I could see it in his eyes, the way they softened, but he didn't allow it to come on his face. He turned his back and continued walking. I had the sudden urge to hug him. A mischievous smile made its way to my face and I was ready to pounce on him.

"Don't you think about it," Sasuke warned, startling the balance out of me.

I fell. I got up and shook my fist at his back.

"Darn it! Why'd you go and scare me like that?" I cried.

He turned and faced me. I took that opportune moment to pounce on him. He caught me, but fell back onto the ground. I was laughing on top of him, pinning him to the forest floor.

"Gotcha!" I cried. "Now...how to make you smile... Hmm...do you have any ticklish spots?"

Sasuke raised an elegant eyebrow. He couldn't help but wonder if something in Suzume's head was knocked loose in one of her fights or something. But he couldn't help but love the way her eyes danced, only a few inches away. He was happy to see her this way; she was back to her usual self. Instead of being down. He didn't want to admit it, but what she said earlier worried him. He dismissed the thought as the melody of Suzume's laughter once again rang in his ears. He could feel the heat rush to his face, but expertly pushed it aside. Not a flush of red was seen.

"Get off," he said, but secretly, he didn't want her to.

He couldn't understand this feeling. Something was seriously off with him, or so he thought. He felt emotions that he forgot he possessed. And he felt them just for the beautiful girl on top of him. He smirked inwardly, already guessing what she would say.

"Bite me," Suzume said, her beautiful voice challenging.

He could arrange that.

In one swift, graceful movement, they switched positions. Suzume lay completely stunned as Sasuke pinned her beneath him. Her eyes widened as Sasuke's mouth was mere centimeters from her neck. His breath sent shivers racing down her spine. Sasuke licked the base of her neck and gently bit it. Suzume gasped and let out a small, surprised, and involuntary moan. He could feel her heartbeat dance under her skin, and he had to admit, he liked it. He licked where he bit her, then bit down again, harder. Suzume yelped, and he could feel her heart speed up even more.

How he loved those sounds.

Her breath came in small gasps, and her eyes were closed. After a few seconds, she opened them, the green jewels seemingly seeing right through him, straight into his soul. Wanting. Needing. Begging. Scared. He couldn't help but love those eyes.

"S-S-Sasuke," she stammered, a beautiful blush covering her face. It was a beautiful contrast to her green orbs. "I-I didn't mean that literally..."

"Too late," he said, a smirk forming on his face.

Excitement grew in the pit of his stomach, and he realized what he really wanted. He wanted her.

I couldn't understand it. This feeling. Was it just excitement? Or was it something more? I was scared, too, but the hormone levels in my body overruled that insignificant emotion. It was an addicting feeling, and Sasuke was the reason I was feeling it. I could feel my blush deepen as he kissed me gently, almost comfortingly, on the lips. He knew what I was feeling. I've never seen him like this before, but I have to say I like it. Or is that my perverseness speaking? Either way, I wanted it. I couldn't help it. Sasuke's weight pinned me to the ground, and I didn't even struggle. I didn't want to. Right now, I felt like I would do anything for this beautiful boy on top of me. Anything at all.

The sun finally set on what I realized was the second day we were on this island. I smirked into Sasuke's kiss. Two more days to go until this mini not-so-vacation-like vacation was over. And if those remaining days will be like this, I've died and gone to heaven. Maybe this won't be such a bad vacation after all. Heh. As I said. Perverseness.

Sasuke kissed me again, this time rougher, more passionate. Like there was a need in him that only I could fulfill. I knew what he wanted, and I kissed back, just as passionate. A cool hand slid down to my stomach, and I felt butterflies flutter there. My heart raced, and I let out a small moan. Even with Sasuke's weight keeping me on the ground, I still felt like I was high. My blood rushed in my ears, my heart pounded in my head. Butterflies fluttered still, in the pit of my stomach, never dying down; it's as if they're immortal. I felt my inhibitions loosen and leaned into Sasuke's touch as he gently kissed my throat, giving me that shockingly addicting feeling again. Yes. This is what I wanted. What I needed.

By the smirk Sasuke gave me as he looked into my eyes, I could tell he knew it too.

...

Darkness gave way as the the full moon shone high in the sky, illuminating the forest with her unearthly glow. A large cloud rolled in and covered it, blanketing the world once again in darkness, as if the moon herself turned her face away from the actions she saw.