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Superstitiously looking left and right Kakashi carefully reached into his pouch, his fingers feeling along the spine before tightening his grip and slowly without a sound removing the limited edition Icha Icha. Leaning against the tree trunk on the ground he raised his knee to hide the book opening the cover with care and began to read the introduction.
Truly Jiraiya's best works, his old friend had excelled in the written art and Kakashi knew no other book that came anywhere as close to the beautifully erotic writing.
Flicking his eyes around he noted every one's position, his eyes searching for Sakura and Hidan, happily far away from him and his book. An uneasy feeling built in his chest when Hidan smirked at him, clutching the book to his chest.
The sudden whicker, snort and neigh in his ear had Kakashi yelping into the air and landing in a twirl to face Hades, kunai in hand. The stallion shook his mane and tossed his head in amusement before leaning forward and making a snapping gesture at the precious book.
Growling at the animal Kakashi narrowed his eye. Was the horse laughing at him? He could see the gleam in its dark eyes and the way it nearly pranced away from him crossing the stream to Sakura, it reminded him a bit too much of his Ninken
Distrustfully he watched the animal rub against Sakura, looking and receiving a loving petting before joining the other large horse under an oak tree. Whether it was due to the ever present mist and damp or from the unexplainable and downright scary display from Sakura - Kakashi was no fool and he hadn't gained his reputation for nothing, he could admit when something was out of his understanding and information needed to be gathered. But everyone was simultaneously skirting around Sakura and feeling out of sorts all day, with the quick stop for lunch nearly over they would go on until they stopped for camp again, and according to Hidan their travels would take about a week or more. He had scoffed and to everyone's confusion including the Akatsuki had lamented the slowness of Shinobi.
With a heartfelt sigh Kakashi rubbed his thumb over the spine of his book, securely tucking it back into his pouch joining Yamato and Naruto, the latter totally unaffected as he talked to Sakura now the animal was gone.
Nodding with a smirk Hidan winked, whistling merrily as he closed his pack, resting his Scythe on the trunk of a tree. Stopping Kakashi looked at him sideways.
"What did you call the horse in Konoha?"
A shit eating grin erupting over his face Hidan laughed. "The fucking beast."
Scratching the back of his head Kakashi's other hand checked his pouch was zipped shut and hard to open. "Sounds right."
Naruto was sniggering at Kakashi, all having seen and heard his yelp and jump, and while his summons were Ninken he was well versed in the attitude of cats. With a smack on the head that had his blonde teammate complaining and pretending to cry Kakashi walked over to his pack pretending nothing had happened, a trait well practised with Gai.
"If only Tsunade knew all these years what she had to do to get you to listen."
Yamato grinned softly at his Sempai's discomfort as Sai added with a slight smile.
"And to turn up on time."
Rummaging through his pouch the dark haired artist took a bit of charcoal and with short strokes, smudging and blowing on his sketch pad gained a look of satisfaction, quickly spraying the picture to allow it to set and keep. Motioning for Shikamaru, Ino and Chouji to join them he carefully tore off the page and turned it around.
Laughter filled the air, the humorous picture of Kakashi on his knees with a look of distraught horror as Hades destroyed his book easing the tension they all felt.
"Good work, Yeah."
Silently they turned to look back at Deidara who accompanied by Kisame had been looking over their shoulders to see Sai's sketch.
Looking at them for a moment Sai gave his old creepy smile and thanked them. "Thank you, I believe the Hokage will find it a good present."
Twitters erupted amongst them, Kisame's laughter joining before he went back to Itachi, Tobi dancing around trying to catch wisps of mist. Deidara exchanging a nod from one artist to another caught the real smile that started to appear on Sai's face when Kakashi commented.
"Of all things we taught you we should have left the jokes out."
Like a switch Sai smoothened his face and turning to his team leader dead panned. "Who said it was a joke?"
Lightening fast Sai whipped out a scroll and his ink brush, a strong hawk coming to life that instantly grabbed the suddenly rolled up sketch and flew up into the air towards Konoha much to Kakashi's chagrin.
"Take them in, teach them, save their lives and this is how I'm repaid?"
Kakashi lamented to the sky, blatantly ignoring the laughter surrounding him.
"Ahh but that teacher worship would get tiring; even you cannot be perfect all the time."
They had fallen silent at Sakura's words, the silver haired woman smiling happily as she teased her old sensei. Seconds ticked by without comment, Naruto looking at everyone rolling his eyes when they stayed quiet, scoffing.
"He was a lazy ass hentai from day one Sakura-chan.
"Thanks Naruto, Sakura –chan nice to know what my little Genin really think."
"You're welcome Kakashi-sensei."
Naruto gave the silver haired a thumbs up to his everlasting exasperation, Sakura watching with amusement until Hidan nudged her. Looking up Sakura nodded turning to address the group.
"Gather your things; we still have a long way to travel to make camp for the night."
Eyebrow twitching Ino waited for Sakura and Hidan to reach their horses before exploding into a furious semi whisper.
"Where the hell does she come off ordering us around like servants, she has no right to act all haughty, snooty ice queen."
Rallying on her team and friends she shook her finger at them, ranting a semi mimic of Sakura.
"I'm so great, why do you hide. . . they fear death . .they fear me. Lay de da shit. She's still Sakura, I was ready to give her the benefit of the doubt when she came back after disappearing for five years. But did she apologise – no. Did she come and tell me, her best friend – no.
She has no fucking right to act all in charge, as if she's better than us and knows everything."
Eyes blazing in anger Ino released a whoosh of breath, her chest heaving. She was sick and tired of waiting for Sakura to tell her what had happened and to apologise to her, her new attitude annoying the hell out of her.
"Did you ask her?"
"Huh?"
Naruto's simple words and sad sincere eyes shocked Ino. Chouji having opened another packet of crisps munched away saying in a spittle of crisps.
"He has a point Ino."
"Who asked you!"
Shaking his head, Shikamaru spoke quietly, Team Kakashi grabbing their bags and going over to the now mounted Sakura and Hidan. "Quiet Ino, we have a mission to carry out, sort it out later but for now calm down and if you're so desperate for answers ask her."
Catching the tail end of the conversation Kisame gave a sharp toothed smile, waggling his eyebrows as he passed with the rest of the red and black cloaked Shinobi.
"That's if Hidan lets you near Himegimi, you'd swear she really was a Hime with all her orders."
Slowly picking up her pack Ino sighed and followed the group as they twined through the forest, the rolling mist and icy grass making her shiver and come to a firm decision to ask Sakura the truth . . . when she got a quiet chance and the silver haired woman was alone.
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Sakura's body thrummed with restlessness, the need to escape and rush head first into the forest making her shift in the saddle repeatedly, switch the reins from one hand to another, put up her hood and put it down every few seconds. She kept looking around, peering into the forest, watching the mist roll around in tendrils on the ground and looking up to the sky seeking any stray breeze.
It was hours since lunch and the slow pace was getting to her. Travelling to Amegakure had been without delay, from Amegakure to Konoha partially slower but fast enough considering the Akatsuki travelled fast without a word of complaint and had actually set the pace. But now they were setting a steady pace so that the Shinobi would not collapse from exhaustion, it was too damn slow for both Sakura and Hades. The large ferocious stallion pulled on the reins and chewed the bit in anger when he had to slow down to keep pace with the Shinobi, a canter the fastest they could achieve.
"I need . . we need to run."
Desperation laced her voice, emerald eyes facing straight ahead not meeting Hidan, Hades pranced underneath her adding his own agreement. There was no need to say any more, Hidan knew her need to escape, to feel the wind as she and Hades flew over the land, to feel her heart beating and her blood coursing.
Stagnant the last few days Sakura had realised just how much her training and riding had kept her calm, in Amegakure she had felt and used her power, her anger bringing it forward yes but the calm she had had in the castle was lessening, the drop in activity taking away her release. In Konoha she had been quick to show her power, when they had arrived at the gates, with the council, in front of ANBU and Shinobi when she disappeared, in front of Tsunade, Shizune and Kakashi and not to mention with the Kyuubi.
She had used her Father's power more in the last two weeks than in the whole year at the Castle. The lust for blood and pain growing within her. When she had answered Tsunade's question in her office she had meant every word, imagining the blood on her hands, the warm liquid splashing her skin and clothes, the taste of it on her lips, the sounds and cries for mercy and pain. She had wanted nothing more than to kill at that moment, to tear the beating heart out of a One Power soldier's chest.
It had been Hidan who had calmed her. Somehow he had taken her lust and need from her, his warm hand had reached out, caressed her neck and she had relaxed, her body tingling with the sudden adrenaline crash but no longer was she desperate for blood and pain.
But now it was beating upon her again. Her hands trembling and body filled with a growing anxiety. She needed an escape, a release and soon.
"Sakura."
Hidan had barely spoken her name when she let Hades have his head and they galloped off crashing into the trees, twigs and branches catching her hair and clothes, the wind throwing dust into her eyes and her heart pounding in her chest.
The yells and screams that were raised behind her faded quickly, her laughter ringing in the air as a smile took over her face and the adrenaline in her blood soared.
"Sakura!"
Hidan's roar interrupted any questions galloping after Sakura as if the hounds of hell were at his heels.
Quick exchanges of shock at Sakura's sudden departure as well as worried mutterings and Team Kakashi and Shikamaru set off after them at full speed.
Looking back Kisame gave Itachi a questioning look, himself, Deidara and Tobi ready to follow the others.
"You not coming?"
"Nnnnn."
"Why, un?"
"Tobi wants to follow after Sakura-chan, Tobi doesn't want to get lost."
A tiny smirk playing on his lips Itachi walked past them leisurely answering in a voice that held a hint of lecturing.
"You can catch up?
Deidara flipped his hair out of his eye, his left hand coming up to the camera at his eye and zoomed in, the clicking noise loud and stark in the quiet forest, the mist slowly dissipating and the ice melting as the sounds of birds filled the air once more.
"That's creepy you know."
Kisame gestured around him taking in the waking land, Tobi climbing a branch to talk to a bird about the weather and migration.
"Wish he'd migrate, un." Deidara muttered rolling his eyes at the sight of his partner. Sighing he lowered his hand allowing blonde hair to once again cover his eye sighing.
"Can't see 'em, yeah. The Konoha idiots are running that way."He raised his hand in the direction to show them. "But I can't see Hidan and he was the first after her. Not even a Chakra trace."
"Neither of them gives off Chakra." Kisame added rolling his shoulders, remembering when they had arrived in Amegakure and then disappeared in Konoha.
"So what do we do, yeah?"
"Follow Konoha."
"Tobi will lead!"
Deidara gritted his teeth at Tobi, the masked idiot jumping ahead and whistling "Follow the leader", Itachi walking behind him and Kisame bringing up the rear, quietly listing off the equipment he needed to re-bandage and clean Samehada.
Far ahead of them laughing wildly and for the first times in days feeling herself Sakura held on tightly to Hades reins, the dark stallion galloping faster than the eye could track, streaming in and out of the shadows, jumping over fallen tree trunks and tiny streams just for the fun of it. Pulling Hades to a stop she looked back over her shoulder listening to the crashing of trees, waiting for Hidan to appear. Spying his silvery hair Sakura winked at him when his scowling face fell on hers and heeled Hades, springing off with a laugh. A cursing Hidan following behind.
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"Tell me they stopped. Please tell me they stopped."
Ino begged, her knees collapsing sending her crashing to the leaf littered ground, her breath coming out in raspy wheezes.
Clutching his large abdomen Chouji bent over, hiding from view behind a tree but all heard the retching as the food he had consumed for the day came back up, the large man groaning in pain coming around and falling on the ground near Ino. With a bit more decorum Shikamaru bent over head hanging, resting his hands on his knees and breathing deeply, filling his pain filled lungs with precious air.
Sai and Yamato leant against a tree catching their breaths, while Kakashi stood up straight praying to Kami to keep him looking strong, his chest heaving rapidly and his heart thumping in his chest. Looking as if he could keep going Narutp grabbed both Ino and Chouji and dragged the two unwillingly off the ground, the slight sheen of sweat and barely laboured breathing making Ino scowl at him muttering.
"We don't all have mad freaky energy."
"C'mon, they're not that far now." Naruto argued, dragging them with him as they stumbled in his grip, Shikamaru sighing followed bent over, Sai and Yamato leaning against the other when Kakashi gave up and as Shikamaru passed leant on his shoulder. The pineapple haired shadow used complaining.
"I can't go further."
Kakashi grunted. Sai piping in.
"Ugly better be hurt to do this."
"She will be when I get my hands on her." Ino swore, eyebrow twitching, giving up she tapped Naruto on the shoulder and climbed on his back, sighing in relief.
"I can't go much more . . "
Chouji stopped, mouth open in astonishment at the sight of Hidan and Sakura circling the other in the dip below them. Hidan's Scythe resting on a nearby tree as the silver haired man slightly stooped, kunai in hand facing Sakura who was in some sort of semi crouch, a kunai and tanto in her hands, wide anticipating smiles on their faces.
Yamato sat down on the ground, uncaring of the cold or damp watching in amazement, voicing all of their opinions as they collapsed on the ground to watch.
"How the hell can they?"
Below them Hidan smirked, slowly walking to his left, eyes trained on Sakura, flicking down to the blades in her hand, the blades he had given her.
"You should know better than to go off like that Sakura."
The lilt in his voice as he said her name made her insides clench, a tingle spreading through her body. Smiling she waited, waited for the attack, the lesson. The words that fell from her lips hardly surprised her, but she was amazed at the sultry tone of her voice.
"Going to punish me H'dan?"
A look of smug and dark satisfaction stole over Hidan's face, his eyes darkening with promise, a lusty chuckle filling the air making Sakura shiver.
"With pleasure."
With a swing he struck, Sakura raising her kunai to block and lashing out with her long bladed tanto cutting through the air with a whistle, barely missing Hidan's lower kick as she pulled back. Returning his smile she attacked, blades whirling in a deadly dance of steal and flashing light.
"Are the Konoha Shinobi okay? Tobi thinks they look like they got squished by a roller, all floppy and stuff." The crunching of footsteps accompanied Tobi's declaration, the orange masked man plopping down and making punching movements, commentating on the fight below them.
"We're not the ones who got lost." Naruto growled eyes widening as Sakura spun, ducked down and kicked Hidan in the calf, sending him to the ground, the big man twisting and flipping himself back on his feet, a slap ringing through the air as he hit her.
Kakashi barely took his eyes away from the fight, both amazed and guilty at the skill and grace Sakura exuded going toe to toe with her silver haired opponent, the fight resembling a complicated and deadly dance. But he could see both of them holding back slightly and it only took him a minute to realise that they were enjoying themselves more than they were looking for a fight.
"We're just clever that way, followed you." Kisame smirked, tongue licking his lips and tasting the air, Deidara crouching down next to him watching the fight intently.
A loud hiss filled the air, eyes flying back to see Sakura wipe blood off her arm, her fingers rising to her lips and tantalisingly lick the blood off of them. A growl from Hidan and they all sat up straight a new tension in the air as the two attacked each other again.
"You sure the kids should be watching this old man?"
"Want the hell fish face we are not kids!" Ino spat, her breathing finally returning to normal.
Deidara scoffed just as Kakashi realised what the fight was in one sense representing.
"That's not a fight."
Curious glances and "Huhs" came their way when Hidan suddenly enveloped Sakura in his arms, dagger under her chin, rubbing his body against hers sensually. The heaving of Sakura's chest was borderline obscene, her breasts pushed up and out by Hidan's grip, her eyelids fluttering as Hidan dipped his face into her neck. Suddenly she reared back, hitting him in the temple and with a twist spun away, her touch lingering before she slashed out, blood appearing on Hidan's cheek his lip already bleeding profusely just as Sakura's was. Eyes darkening with lust and bodies loosening as they faced the other.
"That is foreplay."
Itachi answered, riveted to the scene before him, the sexual tension palatable. He ignored the uncomfortable shifting of those around them as the lust grew, he saw the Yamanaka's girls eyes wide open, her breathing labouring for another reason, her hands clenching in her lap, and she was not the only one affected so.
Hidan swept Sakura's legs out from under her in a feint, kunai and tanto dropping to the ground when she suddenly reached out and grabbing Hidan's arm brought him down with her. They tumbled to the ground wrestling for control, both panting and struggling as the tightening in their bodies increased, throwing any and all other thoughts out of their heads.
With a buck of her hips Sakura flipped Hidan over, catching him by surprise and grabbing his hands held them above his head, her body screaming in the new position of straddling him, her upper body stretched over Hidan's her lips only centimeters from his as she looked into his purply pink eyes.
Her body thrummed, her eyes lowering to the cut on his cheek and over to his bleeding lip, a moan escaping when Hidan shifted below her, his rock hard body pushing against hers, delicious tingles shooting up her spine.
Eyes blazing Hidan tore his hands from Sakura grip and rolled her over, burying a hand in her tangled hair, the other holding her waist as he swooped down and devoured her mouth, licking and suckling her pink lips, sweet coppery warm blood flowing into his mouth the moan that was released indecent. He rolled his hips against hers revealing in her whimpers and the nail cutting hold she had on his arms, her body arching and grinding against his so deliciously.
Ino blew out a long breath fanning herself as Hidan and Sakura's kiss evolved, more explicit and intimate than any film – that she would admit to watching – she had seen, the mist covered ground a setting any director would envy. The tension and emotion was plain to see, the uncomfortable coughs from Shikamaru, Yamato and Naruto showing they felt it too. Chouji was looking away a light blush on his cheeks, Kakashi whipping out his book, his own eyes darkened in lust as he tried to relax commanding.
"Better break them up."
"Embarrassed yeah?" Deidara snorted, Itachi walking to lean behind a tree seemingly unaffected as another loud moan filled the air.
"Are they having sex Sempai?" Tobi quipped, his voice holding the innocence of a child but his body was stiff with tension, Itachi more intent on watching the masked man than the couple below them, Deidara scowling at the idiots words.
"Is it safe to break them up?" Sai queried his head tilted as he watched the ever growing passionate kiss grow between his old team mate and the silver haired Akatsuki. It was fascinating to watch such an intimate act but he could see the ferocity in the kiss, the possessive way each touched the other. Years of watching people's body language and learning how to act and respond to situations easily letting him know that care was needed, neither would approve or be happy to cease their obviously satisfactory activity.
Hidan's hand finding its way under Sakura's top was enough for Kisame, sex was no fun if he wasn't going to get any. Grabbing Samehada from his back he jumped into the clearing and in one swift powerful swing threw Hidan off Sakura.
Hidan's vicious growl had Kisame backing off, sword back on his back and hands up in a surrender gesture.
"Can't have all the fun asshole."
Catching her breath and righting her torn and rumpled clothes Sakura willed herself to calm down, her blood rushing through her veins, hands clenched by her sides. The sudden fire that had filled her and erased all rational thought was gone embarrassment at having been caught with Hidan filling her. She had known they were there when she was fighting but everything had faded away, in the last few minutes only she and Hidan had existed. Nothing else had mattered, control was out the window and the second he had kissed her she had been in true ecstasy, his body covering and caressing hers, the taste of him in her mouth, the power coming from him, the need and want. So heady it had sent her spiraling forgetting everything else.
"Sakura?"
Hidan watched her through narrowed eyes, he felt the embarrassment but the gentle nuances of it cleared letting him relax, knowing she wasn't embarrassed at what had happened but that they had had an audience.
Standing up she sent him a reassuring nod, gathering her wits and using them like a cloak, her face calm and serene telling them.
"We should . . "
"Make camp for the night."
Surprised at the interruption Sakura looked at the stoic Uchiha, an eyebrow raised in question but a smirk following when he nodded at the group sitting on the ground. They had caught their breaths but exhaustion after such a long run was evident in their faces, the sweat drying on their skin.
"Agreed." Sakura nodded, hands twisting her hair back into some order, missing the looks of unadultered relief as she walked over and picked up her weapons, putting them securely back under her clothes invisible to the naked eye. "A rest would be welcome."
Ignoring the laughter that followed Sakura walked through the trees, Hidan only a few meters behind until she found Hades. Grabbing the stallion's reins she patted his neck and turned back towards the group.
Hidan stood in front of her just out of Hidan's reach, a questioning look on his face as he looked down on her.
Emerald met purply pink and everything faded away. Hidan's warm hand reaching out to take her free one, raising it to his lips for a kiss, holding it to his chest, his heart beat loud, steady and reassuring under Sakura's palm.
Hades shook himself at the sight, blunt teeth snapping at Hidan and a loud hoof stomping made Sakura giggle, the large stallion not happy with the attention his mistress was giving the silver haired man. Leading him past Hidan, she stopped and leaned up, a soft kiss on Hidan's cheek making both smile. No words were needed, the smile they exchanged more than enough as they returned to make camp for the night.
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Dia Duit,
Well first off big huge thanks to everyone who reviewed, Tell Them now has over 500 reviews. I am positively awed .
Thank you! X xx
Thanks to Kisukebenihime and fierynightangel.
Lots of Love,
The Rose and the Dagger x xx