Chapter Twenty: Control and Suppress
Ancient Greece:
Kakashi watched as Naruto and Sasuke rustled around vigorously before Sasuke gave Naruto a particularly hard kick. Naruto swore and let out a protest to which Sasuke ignored and lashed out with a punch to match. It was a normal day and activity, however it was not a normal aura. Sasuke was being more aggressive than usual, his anger rising and his attacks more violent. Obviously something was bothering him.
"What's wrong with Sasuke?" Kakashi asked as he leaned to whisper into Sakura's ear.
Sakura looked at him then turned her attention to where Kakashi was looking. And then he watched her face harden as she looked at Sasuke. "How should I know," she snapped irritably. "I'm just a mortal why would I know seraphim business. I have no place nor worth among them."
Kakashi's eyebrows rose with surprise at the bite in her tone. Scratch his earlier questions, what was wrong with her? And who put such ideas into her mind?
There was an advantage in having people think you only paid attention to your reading rather than them. They let their guards down and you could notice things that were usually kept hidden. And notice Kakashi had certainly done. He had distinguished a certain change of dynamic between Sasuke and Sakura weeks ago, but it was nothing like now. Two weeks ago they had suddenly gotten very quiet and awkward around each other. Sakura had reverted back to her shy self, while Sasuke seemed more agitated than usual. And everytime Sakura touched or even grew near Sasuke, the boy seemed to lock up. The pair was constantly casting glances at the other when they thought no one would notice.
Today Kakashi not only noticed the shift in their behaviors, but there was also a tension between them that he felt would inspire a wonderful read for Jiraiya's next piece of art. Unlike the shy and hidden glances that had passed unknowingly between them, today was nothing less than heated glares. While at the surface it seemed to be anger that fueled such glares, behind the veil of rage, there was something far more sensual and passionate of nature. It was the very look Sasuke was currently shooting in their direction as he and Naruto took a water break.
Kakashi followed his gaze just in time to watch Sakura's own fiery glare mirror Sasuke's before she went back to weaving the basket in her lap. Her face softened slightly as her resolve seemed to slip and a twinge of sadness came over her face. However it was a brief slip before she pulled her mask of indifference back down. As he watched her nimble fingers move to lace the wicker inbetween itself, he found his mind pondering a single question.
What happened in the past two weeks?
Ancient Greece: 14 days ago...
They were both silent as they pulled themselves from the bubbling depths from whence they entered. Sakura had attempted to climb out of the water immediately by herself but each time she attempted to pull or lift herself, she went sliding back into the pool as her hand or foot slid against the kelp covered rock. Sasuke climbed out with ease then assisted a struggling Sakura by lifting her free from the pool. The moment she was free she had pulled herself from his grasp and began to slip and slide over the flat rock to where their abandoned shoes were nearly stolen by the high tide.
They were both silent as they walked back to her family's manor. Neither of them willing nor knowing how to address what had happened between them. In truth nothing had happened, but the unspoken, unknown, and unfulfilled of what could have happened, hung heavily in the air.
As they came to a stop before each other, they again continued the silence. For a long time only unspoken locked gazes were the form of communication as they each searched within themselves for the meaning of what they had felt in that cave.
"Sasuke I–" Sakura began but Sasuke cut her off before she could speak further.
"See you," he quickly cut in with a jab to her forehead that was harder than usual. Powered by his haste to get away and understand what this strange feeling and urge was.
Sakura watched him go as a heavy sinking filled her stomach. Nothing had happened, she told herself, but something had changed between them. There was no denying it. She had feelings that had been growing far past what she looked for in friendship. For a long time she was not sure what she wanted from him. But today, as she stood in that cave before him as his head bowed nearer and nearer, she knew exactly what she wanted. Unfortunately, she was unsure of what he wanted from her.
She was no stranger to social hierarchy. While perhaps she was higher up according to social rule upon this island, she was nothing when compared to the many other mortals upon this earth. Across the waters that surrounded her small world, there were others that were far superior. In simple terms, she was an insignificant daughter of a farmer. How could she compare to Kings and Queens, Emperors and Pharaohs? She was no Helen of Troy, a beauty of such grandeur that wars were waged. Nor was she a priestess that had oracle powers to foretell the fates. She was a girl on an island with dirt beneath her fingernails.
And when looking at the ladder of hierarchy, Sasuke was superior to even the grandest of mortals. Therefore, these feelings she had were nothing but fantasy. Unfortunately, in moments like today, when Sasuke looked at her, in the same way he had months ago when he had looked up into her face with awe...she could not help but believe, maybe she could be a Helen of Troy in his eyes. Maybe, just maybe, she could be worthy of him. She just had to be brave.
Ancient Greece: Twelve days ago…
Sakura.
Sakura. Sakura. Sakura. It was all that seemed to be on his mind. Consuming all other thoughts and plaguing him with memories and ideas that he was positive had never happened between them. The most common one was that last moment of when they were in the cave.
She had been standing in front of him. Her eyes open wide, her presence glowing in the ethereal lights above them. And then there was her body. Draped in nothing but a thin cloth that had become opaque in its wetness, leaving little to the imagination of what he would find beneath such covering. And he found himself imagining such things much too often.
Sasuke was no stranger to lust. It was a well worn tool when seducing mortals. And he had felt attraction before, you can only do so much when physiology takes over. However, he himself had never been overcome with a lust so powerful he had to take and consume the offering before him. But he had seen it happen dozens of times over the numerous decades he had collected souls. He had seen it consume mortals to the point where they had done atrocious things just for a few moments of passion. Murder, plot, even wars had raged because of the lustful attractions of a single person.
Yes, Sasuke had seen enough to know the signs and symptoms of such a powerful emotion. Which is why he knew that this was not it. These feelings within him were foreign. As his eyes roved over the peaks and curves of her body, he was not consumed with the desire to ravage her until he was sated. Be not mistaken, that urge was there, but the desire was not. He did not want to merely have his way and be done with her. No, he wanted to take his time. He wanted to peel away everything he knew about her and rediscover it in ways that he knew no man had ever done before. If he didn't know any better he would think that this is what lov一
Fuck.
The cursing within his mind stopped his thoughts immediately. What was he thinking? It was preposterous, unnatural. Obviously he had been spending too much time with her that her ludicrous ideals of romance were rubbing off on him. He let out an audible scoff, as if he were to fall for a mortal. But even as the scoffed remark resounded in his head, it was muted by the image of Sakura.
Sakura.
Sakura. Sakura Sakura.
He looked over to where she was sitting next to Naruto who was animatedly telling her a story. She let out a tinkling laugh that set Sasuke's senses into overdrive. As her laughter died down, her eyes moved towards him and locked with his. Her jolly features softened into a demure smile as she gave him a nod of acknowledgement before quickly looking away. Instantly he felt a reverie beginning to form in his mind. One of her standing before him, garbed in a sheer dress as she looked at him with that same demure expression, just before she let her hands slide across his bare chest, caressing the definitions of his muscles before moving down to his一
Fuck.
He needed to get away from her. He needed to separate himself and get a clear mind. Surely this was some side effect of his desire for her soul. For that was what it was, wasn't it? That is what his drive was back then, was it not? He had been sure of it then, but now...now he was not so sure. He didn't want to own and consume. He wanted to be gifted and privileged to partake.
Ancient Greece: Eight days ago…
It was a scenario that had been played numerous times. Sasuke stood by the underground lakeside looking for solitude when his usually absent brother, decided to be a nosey brother, and intrude.
"Something seems to be bothering you lately. What's going on in that head of yours?" He asked as he jabbed a finger in the middle of his forehead.
Sasuke was quiet for a long time. All the while, Itachi stood patiently next to him as they stared out across the lake. "Do you think it's possible that some humans were born in the mortal realm by accident?"
Itachi turned his head to look at his brother who was frowning at the black water. "What?" He asked, taken off guard by the obscure question. "Where is this philosophical thinking coming from?"
"It's nothing," Sasuke replied automatically, but with a prying look from his brother, he gave in. "There is this mortal, a girl-" Itachi raised his brow- "She is just...different. I don't know why or how to explain it, but there is something about her that just seems like she was destined for something greater. Like she belongs in our world and not the mundane one she was born in."
Itachi stared at his brother, perplexed. It was strange when Sasuke first confessed that he had made friends with the Namikaze boy. Maybe friend was not the right word, given how Sasuke spoke of the boy, but all the same, it was surprising that he was even social. But now, it was even more surprising that he had made another friend. A mortal no less. For a long time Itachi had feared Sasuke had inherited the pompous mentality that seraphim were above mortals, despite the fact that their entire existence depended on them. So really, who was the superior being?
Debates aside, it was comforting to know that Sasuke would deem a mortal suitable to enjoy amiable companionship. But again, Itachi was not sure if that label was quite correct. The tone in which Sasuke described her...It was almost as if…
Itachi shook his head. As much as he wanted his brother to be capable of those emotions. He also had to be logical. This was Sasuke, asking for anything above a tempter and temptee relationship was already pushing it.
He let out a sigh before giving an answer to his brother's inquiry. "Mortals are not meant for our world. They would constantly be victimized. It would be like throwing a rabbit into a circle of wolves."
"What if she couldn't be influenced."
Itachi gave Sasuke a perplexed look. "What?"
Sasuke cleared his throat. "I mean...hypothetically. What if said mortal was immune to temptation. What if even the strongest of our powers had no effect on her."
Itachi narrowed his eyes. "You mean…" he looked around, then lowered his voice. "A true soul?"
Sasuke's eyes widened. "So they are real? If she really was, could she-"
Itachi shook his head quickly. "Don't even entertain such an idea," Itachi warned. To think that his brother had found a true soul. He had read of them in the few markings within the manuscripts that alluded to confirming their existence. But Itachi had never seen or heard of one outside of the pages of ancient tomes. In fact, the only ones he had ever read about were during Hagoromo's time, when seraphim were created by the gods. It was a coincidence that Itachi had always thought odd. Was there a link to the disappearance of true souls and his kind's creation? To think that his foolish little brother had found one and was now thinking about bringing her here, to this place...the girl would be torn apart. "Mortals are born in the mortal realm for a reason. They belong there, not here."
"And if I do not want it that way?"
Itachi almost laughed at his brother's tenacity to stay stubborn even against the natural laws. "What exactly is she to you?" he asked curiously.
Sasuke was quiet for a long time. It was a reaction Itachi was not expecting. Could it be that his brother had found something worthy of his eyes? Something good and deserving of that worth other than power? Or was it the power this girl would bring him that had him so enticed? And this true soul, what kind of soul was it? Was she pure or evil?
"Do not spoil what is a precious commodity of that world Sasuke," Itachi said. "Treasure it and let it be the blessing that the gods gifted to that already struggling realm. It is best to let such souls run their course naturally and not get involved. I am sure she would make our world great, but she is not needed here."
Sasuke remained silent. The more he pondered his brother's words and questions, he realized that his brother was perhaps right. He was too involved, too attached. Yet even as he did his best to cement those ideas into the structure of his mind, something loose in the back seemed to echo answers and rebuttals to Itachi's words.
What was she to him?
Everything.
She is not needed here.
Oh, but she was.
It had been several days since Sasuke had seen her. He had been avoiding her. The last couple of nights he had been leaving signs and tokens at her windowsill to let her know that he was still there. A way to keep his promise to not leave, but also keep his distance. He wanted to sort out what had occurred between them in the cavern but the distance was not clearing his mind. It was only making it more muddled.
Ancient Greece: 6 days ago…
"Common Kakashi," moaned Naruto. "Just show me! Please, please, please! I promise I will master the other stuff later."
Kakashi let out a groan then set down the manuscript that he had been thoroughly devouring for the past hour. "Very well," he gave in as he got to his feet. "I will show you the hand signs once and that's it."
"Aw common," Naruto complained. "That's unfair. I am not Sasuke and can memorize it by cheating."
Kakashi shrugged. "Then you better pay attention closely."
Sakura watched Kakashi with a small smile before she turned to Sasuke. Immediately the smile fell into a small frown when she took in Sasuke sitting distantly from her. His attention was riveted to the stream that meandered through the meadow.
"I haven't seen you a lot this past week," she said, trying not to sound too clingy. She knew he had his own duties but still... "I've missed you."
Sasuke let out an eventual hum but his attention stayed glued to the stream. Slowly, Sakura inched towards him and put a small hand on his. Immediately he flinched and jerked away.
"What are you doing?" he said quickly.
Sakura retracted her hand to her chest and frowned. "Sorry, you just seemed distracted. I was just trying to…" her small shoulder came up into a shrug when she failed to form a full explanation. "Sorry," she apologized again. "I didn't mean to startle...or offend you."
Sasuke heard the veiled hurt in her voice and let out a tired sigh. "It's fine,'' he said. I've just been...distract一"
His words were cut short when she leaned towards him with her eyes open wide. His eyes darted over to where Kakashi and Naruto were disappearing into the wooded area. Realization dawned on him that this was the most alone they had been together since that day in the cave. Soon they would be completely alone.
"Sasuke," she said, his name sounding sweet as the honeysuckles that were growing wildly around the tree they sat under.
Her speaking his name drew his attention to her lips. Parted ever so slightly and tinted with the faintest of red, he felt himself being drawn in. Like in the cavern, he felt himself begin to gravitate towards her, his eyes solely focused on the pair of lips. And then he let them flicker up and he caught her eyes, once wide eyed and curious, they were falling closed with a heady gaze. His heart leapt and he pulled away.
"I have to go," he said quickly as he avoided looking at her, missing her rapidly blinking lashes as she seemed to come out of the stuppor herself.
In a blur Sasuke took to the skies and fled. All the while his mind raced until finally it clicked into place as to what he had just been about to do.
Fuck.
Ancient Greece: 5 days ago…
Sasuke pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a heavy sigh. He wasn't supposed to be thinking about Sakura, he was supposed to be focusing on the family dinner that he was currently sitting at. Lifting his head and opening his eyes, Sasuke focused on the conversation that was taking place around the large table.
"What purpose is there in this plan," Itachi argued. "You have already destroyed the Senju clan?! You have your revenge!"
"Itachi," came his mother's warning from beside him but Itachi ignored it.
"The seraphim are already on their way to extinction, do you really believe that is worth some petty rivalry?"
"Careful nephew, your pacifism is showing," Madara remarked, his tone spiteful and full of hatred as he glared at Itachi. "Some may think you are weak or a traitor."
"There is no shame in wanting peace," Itachi argued. "However there is shame in not fulfilling our duty and purpose. Which is to sort out and guide mortal souls, not wage war with our own kind."
Madara clucked his tongue. "Mortals," he said with distaste. "Such weak creatures. They have no need to be gently guided, they need to be ruled into submission. Getting close with them does nothing but make us fools. Just look at the disgrace that Tsunade Senju became when she became transfixed with a mortal. Tobirama, despite our differences, would be rolling in his grave if he knew what she became." An arrogant smirk pulled at Madara's lips. "To be honest it's the only reason why I allowed her to live. It brings more satisfaction seeing the Senju diminished to a pathetic heartbroken shadow."
While Sasuke had not been paying much attention to the discussion, the last mentionings of Madara had caught his ear. "What happened to Tsunade?" Sasuke suddenly asked, drawing the attention of the small gathering to himself. "Why did you let her live after swearing to run your enemy into extinction?"
His brother gave him a deep frown and a small shake of his head. Itachi had warned him about drawing attention to himself around Madara but over the past year, Sasuke couldn't help it, he craved the recognition. His mother had a worried look as if nervous that the interruption would upset Madara. And his father gave him a look that suggested he was a toddler asking why grass was green and the sky was blue.
Madara let out a bellowed laugh, breaking the tension that had built from Sasuke's question. "Ah, yes. I have forgotten you're too young to know the stain of the Senju," he chimed with spite in his tone. "Tsunade Senju is nothing but a pitiful excuse for a seraph. She was never a threat nor will she ever become one. She was so weak she claimed she fell in love with a pitiful mortal who did what every mortal does. He died. Now she is nothing but a drunken mess that wanders the earth like the the rest of the pitiful creatures that inhabit that realm." He let out a disgusted scoff. "We are above such creatures, anyone who sees them otherwise are weaklings themselves that need not taint our kind."
Itachi glared at Madara. It was this kind of influence he was worried that his brother would inherit. With that in mind, he looked to his brother to gauge what he was thinking. There was a disturbed look on Sasuke's face that made Itachi wonder what exactly was going on in his mind. Was this curiosity brought about because of that mortal? How long ago did he meet this mortal and was he still returning to her? He had never thought much about his brothers attachment with the mortal since their discussion. But now, he was beginning to wonder if maybe it was more than just hypothetical talk. Was Sasuke actually considering bringing a mortal to their realm?
Across the table, Sasuke's mind was in frantic analyzing. Did he fall under that category that Madara was speaking of? Was he lesser because he was sympathizing with a mortal? Here he had the ultimate prize, the soul that would most likely bring him all the honor a glory that would finally bring recognition from his father and all of the council should he collect it. He knew Madara had taken an interest in him, but lately that interest seemed distant. All his life that had always been the only thing that mattered. Now, he had the guarantee to receive everything he had ever wanted. And here he was, protecting it, hiding it. Everything but claiming it.
But even now, as he tuned out Madara who continued speaking with his father on other matters, he could not help but think, Sakura was an exception. She was not like other mortals. She was higher up...but why? Did the gods perhaps make a mistake in creating her? A seraph without wings? They had to in order to have such...influence over him. She was like an evolved being, born with traits that made her better equipped for the world, for a bigger world, for his world.
He looked across the table to see Itachi watching him closely. Itachi's head tilted to the side as his eyes narrowed in concentration. That look reminded him of what his brother had said more than a week ago.
Do not spoil what is a precious commodity.
Those were the words Itachi had told him. And Itachi was right, as was Madara. Mortals did not belong. He would not betray Sakura, she was too precious. For the first time in his life, he would not be selfish. But even as he made that promise to himself, he had a hard time believing because he knew what he was. He was a demon, he was allowed to lie.
Ancient Greece: 2 days ago…
Sasuke balanced on the branch of the tree that allowed him to peak over the stone wall that served as a perimeter to the small manor. His eyes blazed almost obsessively as he stared at the window that he knew to be Sakura's room. With every beat of his heart, he felt a tugging urge. An urge to fly up to that window.
Distancing himself had proved to be more difficult than the last time. Which was why he was sitting outside and waiting for her to appear in the window. He just needed to see her. That's what he told himself. That seeing her would be enough to curb this craving of her presence he seemed to have developed an appetite for.
"Sasuke?"
The quiet and unexpected call of his name nearly caused him to lose balance. He had been so focused that he had failed to realize the someone had been approaching. Looking down from his branch, Sasuke caught sight of Sakura looking up at him. One hand rested on the tree trunk while the other held a small shawl around her shoulders as a simple shift covered the rest of her body.
Sasuke's mind began to wander when she adjusted the shawl and a flash of her bare skin stretched across her collar bones and a peak of cleavage was exposed. Sasuke stared down, transfixed until he realized what he was doing. He did not lust after mortals, mortals lusted after him. Hardening his resolve, he jumped down from his perch. He landed only a few inches away from her with his gaze fixed on her face.
Her eyes widened at his abrupt appearance. Without taking his eyes from hers, he reached up and adjusted the shawl so that it covered her fully. "What are you doing out here," he questioned. "And why are you not dressed? It's the middle of the night, you should be up in your room...asleep." His tone came out hard and annoyed, fueled by the fact that this was exactly what he thought she had been doing, not wandering around in the night half dressed. It made him wonder just how often her wandering about was going unchecked with his mind so distracted lately.
"I was just…" She shrugged when she could not find a valid answer. "I couldn't sleep."
"Why not?"
"I don't know," she said, as she looked down at her hands that played with a frayed tassel that hung from her shawl. "Something just kept bothering me. Every time I tried to lie down there was something in me that felt tight. I couldn't relax so I thought I would take a walk. I didn't mean to come all the way out here, I just did. I didn't even know that you were here until I looked up."
As she spoke, she lifted her head as a curiosity befell her. "Why are you out here?"
Sasuke paused before he answered. "There were rumors of a rogue in these parts of the islands, I was just scanning the area, looking for him," Sasuke made as his excuse. "Anyways," he finished. "I was just leaving."
"Wait," Sakura cried as she reached out and grasped his hand in an effort to keep him from leaving. Sasuke paused in his departure, not bothering to turn around as he looked at her from over his shoulder. "I...I can't help but feel like something is wrong between us."
"Tch," he scoffed. "Why would something be wrong."
Sakura's brow crumpled. "I don't know. But everything has felt off lately."
"Your mind is just making things up."
"Then why are you avoiding me? Even when you're around you're not really." Sakura pressed. "Did I do something wrong? I have been getting your little tokens so I know you have been here, but I have hardly seen you over the past week."
Sasuke whirled around. "Did it ever occur to you that I have more important things than stick around some insignificant mortal?"
His words caused her hold on his arm to loosen as she ducked her head. "No, I just thought that maybe…"
"I don't have time for this Sakura," Sasuke irked. "I have a rogue to find. I can't be bothered with another speech about how you so desperately need me in your life. Unlike you, my role in this world has some significance other than sitting around and waiting for trees to bare their fruit."
Sakura flinched at his hurtful words but she recovered quickly. Her head shot up with a hard look. "Very well, if you have such highly important tasks, then why are you here Sasuke?" she questioned with a hard tone. "Why are you outside of my home? Why are you even in my life? If I really mean so little to you then why do you keep promising to be back?
Sasuke said nothing in return as he had no answer that would satisfy her. So Sakura continued on. "If you're just here to toy with me then please just do it. Get it done and over with. Have your way with me, take me and corrupt me. Push me to do vile things. Show me the evil ways of this world or tempt me into damnation, I don't care. Just do something, anything. I will do whatever just as long as it makes sense because this unknown is worse than any hell I can conjure within my mind." She tightened her grip again and held his hand in a beggar's plea. "Please Sasuke, I will do anything-"
He ripped his arm free from her grip. "Stop it," he snapped. His mind raced wildly, unable to focus on anything but her offerings. While her offering of herself was most likely empty and facetious, it made the imaginations of his mind run wild. She had no idea what she was saying nor the effect that her words were having on him. And that only served to anger him more. "You don't know what you are saying."
"What is going on with you Sasuke?" she inquired with almost desperation. "I know things in your realm have been tense, Naruto told me of the peace talks and the stress that all of your kind have been under. Is that it? Is that what is bothering you? If so you can talk to me. Just open up, let me in."
In her begging to understand his behavior, her shawl had fallen down from her shoulders and now hung from the crook of her arms. The result had been the revealing of the low cut and thinly strapped shift of her sleeping gown. The amount of exposed skin and the thinness of the material covering her unbound chest, revealed the shape and form of her womanly body. The sight of it made Sasuke unable to fully think.
He needed to get away from her. He needed to think clearly.
"What's bothering me," he began, doing his best to keep his eyes focused anywhere but at her chest, "is that I have an annoying mortal that is sticking her nose into business she has no part in," Sasuke growled in agitation. Despite his efforts, his eyes dipped down to her chest and the rushing of his urges caused him to grab a hold of her arms with a tight grip. It took him two deep breaths before he could pull his eyes back up to meet her wide green irises. "Now will you please cover yourself, go back into your damned house, and stop fucking annoying me by wandering around at night!"
Tears poured down her cheeks as she ran away from him. Sasuke did not even bother to watch and make sure she went back into her family's manor. Instead he kept his eyes glued to the spot where she had been standing next to the tree. He let out a roar of annoyance and slammed a fist into the side of the tree. It let out a groan as it cracked slightly but not enough to make it fall down. Heavy breaths escaped him as he tried to calm himself. He hated and loved her obliviousness to the effect that she had on him.
The image of her standing next to the tree was summoned back into his mind. Along with the idea of how easily that linen gown could have slipped from her shoulders to expose two perky breasts. He thought about how he would have been able to run his hands across the smooth skin and memorize their shape with his touch. It had been everything his body had been urging him to do. Her small and delicate body would be nothing to lift and angle against the tree to a degree that he knew he would have sated both of them rigorously and numerously. Her legs would wrap around his waist while her hands would dig into his back and grasp at his hair as he一
His mind halted when he realized what he was thinking of. But he was not sure if it was a blessing or a curse that he had caught himself. For while he had rid himself of his mental fantasy, the physical evidence of such a fantasy was now pressing painfully within his trousers. Sasuke let his head fall forward against the tree as he let out a curse under his breath.
Fuck.
Ancient Greece: Current day…
Sakura watched the pair as they sparred. While she had been snappy with Kakashi and dismissed his inquiries, it had nothing to do with her lack of caring. In fact, she cared very much. The only problem was that she didn't know the answers, and everytime the concern passed through her mind, Sasuke's last words to her had replayed in her memories.
They had hurt. It was not as if he had never called her annoying. But in the past, it had almost served as a term of endearment and fondness. But the other night there had been no such affection, whatsoever. He had never used such harsh language or tones. Sasuke had tried to push her away before, and she had fought through it. But she could not help but think that this time was different. Sasuke was not just avoiding her, their whole dynamic had changed.
However she could not put the blame on just him. Some of that change had been her fault too. The way in which she saw him had changed and it was difficult to treat him as she did before. She didn't like to see him irritated or frustrated. She didn't like to see him angry and violent. She did not like to see him the way he was now.
She watched the sparring for a moment as she paused in her basket weaving. Sasuke maneuvered around Naruto, grabbing his arm and twisting it painfully. Naruto let out a yelp as a sickening sound of his shoulder popping out of place echoed over to where her and Kakashi sat observing. Sakura flinched at the sound and look of pain that went across Naruto's face.
Normally this kind of thing would not happen. She had seen them leave a bruise or maybe a small laceration when using weapons, but never something of such intentional infliction. So when Sasuke moved forward to continue his attack, it was even more surprising. The violence in which Sasuke was handling Naruto, Sakura had only ever seen once, when the rogue seraph had targeted her. But that time had been out of protection and duty, to see him inflicting such violence towards someone who was supposed to be his friend was...disturbing. And it seemed Kakashi agreed with such thoughts.
"Sasuke that's enough!" Kakashi called out. It was as if Sasuke did not hear and if he did, he did not care as he continued to ram his fist into Naruto's side. Immediately Kakashi was to his feet and flash stepping towards the tangled pair. "I said that's enough!" He repeated as he pulled Naruto free from Sasuke's hold.
Naruto fell down to the ground in a slumped heap as he let out several moans of pain. Sakura, who had gotten to her feet much slower than Kakashi, raced to his side where she bent down and began to look over Naruto. With gentle hands she helped him remove his shirt to take a full look at the damage. As soon as she saw the extent, her stomach churned.
His back was battered black and blue and the deformed look of his dislocated arm disturbed her. For a moment she paused in tending to the moaning Naruto to look at Sasuke. Kakashi was standing before him as he gave a hard lecture on the manors and rules of sparing which seemed to go unheard. From over Kakashi's shoulder, Sakura could see Sasuke's expression which was stony and closed off. Only his eyes, which were dark and gleaming, seemed to be the only expression of emotion within his face.
As if sensing her eyes on him, Sasuke's dark orbs twitched to the side to look past Kakashi's shoulder to her. She froze under his hard glare as she felt the strong and mixed emotions within the dark abyss of his eyes center on her.
Sasuke watched as Sakura cast her eyes away from him and it did nothing to improve his mood. As he tuned out Kakashi's beratment of his violation of the rules of sparing, Sasuke watched as Sakura gently tended to Naruto. Her first task was resetting his shoulder which she did with surprising quickness and strength as she gently lifted his arm into position then forcefully yanked it back into place with that strength Sasuke always had a hard time wrapping his head around. As Naruto cried out in pain, any guilt or solace that he would have felt was lost when Sakura's hands began to move across his back, tenderly touching the muscles as she inspected the purple blotches that marred Naruto's tan skin. She palpated his side and Naruto took in a hissed breath as she prodded at the place where several of his ribs were most likely broken.
It rebirthed the rage that had spurred him to push the spar so far. Had Kakashi not been standing between them, he would have most likely pounced. This revelation was disturbing to Sasuke. It was one thing to be protective of Sakura, but he refused to be possessive. That meant claiming her. And while it was not in the sense of claiming he had originally refused to do, he was not willing to give into claiming her at all. Not in any way, shape, or form. He would not give into such weakness. He would not give reason for Madara to find fault in him, or anyone for that matter.
"...back to her home," finished Kakashi.
The last of his words were the only ones that grasped his attention as Sasuke moved his eyes away from Sakura, who was still crouched over Naruto, to look at Kakashi.
"What?" Sasuke questioned.
Kakashi let out a heavy sigh and turned his back to him as he walked over and pulled Naruto up to his feet. The blonde seraph gave out a loud grunt as he stood and straightened. With his students arm draped over his shoulder, Kakashi looked to Sakura.
"Thank you Sakura, but I believe your abilities, while great for those you serve, do not extend to the skill of our kind," he said gently before throwing a hard look to Sasuke. "See to it that she gets home safely, I noticed there have been some rogues making their way through these isles."
At his words Sakura quickly stood. "Oh that's not necessary, I can-"
"It would give me peace knowing that you will get home safely this evening," Kakashi interjected. "Is that not right Sasuke?" he called out, not looking at the dark seraph. "Can I trust you at least know how to properly escort Sakura to her home?"
Sakura's green eyes flashed over to where Sasuke was standing, his dark eyes avoiding her yet again. The last thing she wanted was to be left alone with him. But at the same time, she could not deny the hope that maybe they could fix whatever rift had fallen between them.
"I would never let anything bad befall her," Sasuke said sincerely.
With that promise, Kakashi nodded his head and he and Naruto took to the skies. After the rush of the wind from their wings settled, Sasuke began to walk towards Sakura. For a moment she expected him to do as he always did, walk past and expect her to follow. Instead, he paused before her. With slow movements, he raised a hand to her face and ran a thumb across her cheek.
With a gentle rub, he brushed off a smear of Naruto's blood that had somehow managed to soil her skin and withdrew his hand. "Don't touch that seraph, you have no idea what kind of diseases he carries."
Sakura crumpled her brow as she watched Sasuke begin to walk in the direction of her home. Since when was Naruto that seraph?
"Come on," Sasuke called over his shoulder. "I don't have time to waste.
For a moment Sakura was struck with familiar nostalgia but with his last words, she was reminded of the sudden rift and distaste he seemed to have for her. Not wanting to further that rift, she obediently followed behind, keeping herself a few paces behind as they walked in silence.
When they reached her home Sasuke stopped just before the gateway and turned to her. Not expecting the sudden stop, Sakura ran face first into his chest. Stepping back with a dazed look she felt his hands come up and stabilize her as she looked up at him. As soon as she was steady his hands let her go as if she burned him.
She gave him a quizzical look as he took a step back from her and put his hands in his pockets. "What is wrong with you?" She blurted out as she watched him shift uneasily from one foot to the other.
Sasuke stilled and looked up at her, his eyes turning hard as he frowned. "Nothing," he replied testily.
Sakura folded her arms and glared off into the dimming surroundings. "That didn't look like nothing to me back there with Naruto," she said firmly, earning a sharp look from Sasuke which she ignored. "I understand I might be insignificant to you, but Naruto is—"
"I don't think you're insignificant."
Sakura paused in her interrogation to look at him. "What?"
Sasuke was pinching the bridge of his nose as he let out a sigh. When his hand dropped, he looked at her with a soft expression. Taking a step towards her he reached out and plucked a portion of her hair and examined it.
He knew it was a bad idea but he was tired of being angry and it was obviously doing nothing to stop what he was feeling. He just needed to be in control. With that conclusion, he thought if distancing was not working, then perhaps desensitizing himself to her would be best. So he played with her hair, relishing the smooth shine as he let her scent fill his nostrils with slow, controlled breaths.
"I don't think your insignificant," Sasuke repeated. "I do care about your wellbeing and I think you are important to your world...and mine."
Taken aback by his change in attitude, Sakura opened her mouth to say something but Sasuke held a hand to her lips.
"But you don't belong in mine," he said, more as a reminder to himself than to inform her. "And I only bring danger to yours."
Sakura stared up at him and with a small, delicate hand she reached up to his and grasped it. Slowly, she took his hand away from her mouth and held it to her chest, just above her heart. "Is this what this is about again? You being a danger to me." She questioned almost irritably. "I thought I already told you, I don't believe you would hurt me."
A look washed over his face that was one that she had not seen for quite some time. It was the predatory one that had always made her feel weak at the knees. He raised his hand just high enough to grasp her shoulder and pulled her to him. With his head bowed close to her ear, he took in a deep breath of her scent as he opened his mouth.
"Trust me Sakura," he whispered dangerously. "You have no idea what I wish to do with you."
A shiver ran down her spine as she felt his hands move up and tighten in her hair. And all too soon he was pulling away from her, leaving her with a pounding heart and dizzy mind.
"I love you."
The words fell from her lips and immediately she brought her hands to her mouth as if to stop the words, but it was too late. They had already been spoken and they had already been heard. Sasuke spun around and stared at her.
"What did you say?" Sasuke inquired, not believing what he had just heard.
Sakura remained frozen with her hands clasped over her mouth as her eyes bulged in shock. Finally, after a long pause, she lowered her shaking hands. "I...I love you," she repeated in a hushed tone.
Sasuke stared mutely back at her. All he could feel was the rushed thundering of his heart within his chest. How? When? Why? The last question was the most perplexing. The only time he had heard those words fall from a person's lips was from his mother, and it had been decades when such affections were verbalized. Acceptance and approval was his downfall. He craved approval, but had difficulty accepting it in certain forms and from certain types of people.
"No you don't," Sasuke finally managed to say after a long pause.
His answer seemed to surprise her as her brow furrowed. "Yes I-"
"No you don't," he interrupted sharply. "And don't ever even fantasize such things."
His purpose was to keep his urges under control. However if he knew that his urges would be welcomed it would make it that much more difficult. And it was something he could not let happen. She had pretty much already offered her soul up to him the other day, something that was still tempting, but he cared too much to tarnish. However if she offered all of herself, whole body, heart, and soul, he was not sure he could quell the temptation so easily with some unmeaningful words delivered with a harsh tone. No, if he let her offer everything there would be no letting such an offer pass him by. He had to stop her, he had to keep her from ever giving such an offer to him.
The stubborn expression that always intrigued and annoyed him came to her face. "You don't know how I feel."
"Then you are foolish and delusional to even let such ideas and feelings be harbored within you," Sasuke replied in a monotone, doing his best to keep anything escaping his flat facade. "What do you expect to gain from such a confession? Do you expect such a thing to be requited? What would I, a superior being, gain from accepting your measly offering? Why would I want it?"
The glassy shine that came with the building of her tears glistened in the moonlight. "I do not expect anything," Sakura said quietly. "I was just trying to be honest."
Sasuke clucked his tongue. "I didn't ask for your honesty."
Sakura's watery eyes hardened as she glared up at him. "I didn't say it was for you," she snapped. "I was trying to be honest with myself. I have been denying these feelings for months now. Do you not think I know it is foolish? But I would be an even bigger fool to deny what my heart wants, to at least give it a voice."
Sasuke ran a hand through his hair and let out a sigh of exasperation. He paused in his agitation and looked at her. "What do you want from me?"
"I just want you to be happy."
He advanced on her. "You want to make me happy?" he repeated, causing her to nod vigorously. At her affirmation, Sasuke leaned close to her. So close that there was not even room for a full breath to pass between them. "I want you to move on, Sakura. Forget about these ideas and forget about those feelings. Do not even think for a second that they will ever be returned."
Sasuke giving us some serious Geralt of Rivia vibes in this chapter with his mental dialog lol. Anyways 98 percent of this chapter was not planned and due to that it got longer than expected and the main part I meant to post just didn't quite flow with the dynamic (Yes trust me I thought there was going to be some final acceptance as well but I guess even the author surprised herself) so this is a preamble of what I originally had planned. I hope you liked it, if not I promise you the next part will be up by March 1st (I just need to edit), if not I will owe you guys something, I don't know what but that is how confident I am that I will have it up by the weekend. Maybe a one shot or something of someones choice I don't know, anyways that's not important what is, is my thanks for your support and feedback from the last couple of chapters. Ya'll are awesome! Next chapter will be Ancient Greece again and (Spoiler) I promise they will finally stop this nonsense of suppressing their feelings. Oh and also I hope the timeline was not too confusing, I rearranged this chronologically, backwards, forwards and every other which way to get the right flow of everything.
KahnaNe: Thank you so much and hope this brings purpose back into your life ;)
burrblefish: Thank you as well for giving this AU a chance and I am glad you love it!
