Bonus Content #1

Chapter 35 - Sasuke's POV

Everything was playing out exactly as Sasuke had intended. He'd monitored the sentry round schedules and he and Suigetsu had marked the surrounding forestry between rounds. The sentries had immediately noticed the marred trees and Sasuke was sure it would quickly be reported to the Hokage. All he had to do now was wait.

He'd been planning this for over a month now. Ironically, it was Cherushii that had made this all possible. It was she that had noted the attention Nakao was receiving from the Akatsuki, and it was pure luck that Sasuke had overheard her report about it to Orochimaru. From there, Sasuke dispatched his own spies to check the validity of Cherushii's claims and monitor Nakao and the rouge ninja that watched her. Sasuke had been too busy to undertake the task personally.

So that was how Sasuke and Suigetsu found themselves concealed and waiting as the morning wore on. Sasuke sat still and silent from their vantage point, eyes set ahead. Suigetsu, however, was constantly fidgeting and sucking on that water bottle of his. Sasuke began to second guess his choice in companion. Maybe it would have been better to bring Juugo. But he had figured, if things didn't go as planned, Suigetsu was the least alarming of his companions and was more likely to be able to trick Nakao if need be.

Not that Sasuke foresaw anything going awry today. Granted, Nakao had always been fairly skilled, and the dangerousness of the missions she was going on implied her skills had improved, as his had over the years. Still, Sasuke maintained the element of surprise and as long as he could lock eyes with her, he'd be able to subdue her quickly.

Suigetsu fidgeting worsened, and Sasuke sensed the male was about to make a comment when, finally, there she was.

It had been two and half years since Sasuke had lain eyes on Makase Nakao. Despite the time that had passed, try as he might, he could never forget how she had looked the final time they'd seen each other. She'd been soaking wet, her curly hair stuck to her skin. Her eyes had been sad and desperate.

Although he could not fathom why it should matter now, the memory still materialized in his dreams randomly. The dreams were always so vivid, as though he was reliving the moment all over again. He could feel the rain and the cold, the weariness of his body, the tangled mess of emotions. He would hear her voice call his name and he would look up to see her standing there.

He recalled the way he'd kissed her. Remembered the feel of her lips and how she had tasted. And though he scented blood and sweat on her, he could still smell her underlying aroma of vanilla and honey.

He remembered how she'd gasped against his lips when he slid that blade into her; still unsure how such a slight sound had echoed so loudly in his head. And even if some parts of the memory didn't appear in his dreams, her eyes always did. How they shook with pain and betrayal and grief as she gazed up at him with a hint of disbelief, even as he pulled the blade free, his lips still warm.

The Nakao he saw now was both the same and different from his memories. Sasukie watched as she wandered amongst the trees, her fingers tracing the marks he'd left with his katana. Her hair was still curly, but even longer than he could ever recall, reaching to her tailbone. Her curves were more defined, her legs longer; no longer the fourteen-year-old from his memory.

Even the way she moved was different. Every movement fluid, graceful. Her steps light, her eyes sharp. She was a weapon, honed and ready.

Sasuke had been so caught up in his thoughts, he almost started when Suigetsu let out a low whistle. "That's her? Your ex-teammate? You didn't tell me she was hot."

Sasuke hadn't told Suigetsu many things. He hadn't told Juugo or Karin anything at all, aside from the fact he needed to collect something from Konoha. Since Suigetsu was accompanying him, he'd informed him they were here for a person, his ex-comrade; but he'd told him nothing about her or why she was important.

Suigetsu assessed Nakao appreciatively and Sasuke felt a flicker of annoyance; even though Suigetsu's behavior was very much on-brand. But Sasuke quickly shook the feeling and turned his eyes on an unexpected variable. Nakao was not alone.

Just as he had always done, Inuzuka Kiba followed Nakao. Akamaru, much larger than when Sasuke had last seen him, padded alongside his master. But Kiba didn't seem to be paying much attention to his surroundings or the false clues. Rather, he seemed distracted, leaving Nakao to assess the area.

Nakao was still focused on her surroundings when Kiba began speaking. Sasuke was too far away to hear the conversation, but he did notice Nakao's body stiffen and her attention switch to her friend. For a moment, Sasuke thought he'd been caught and his body tensed. He'd been careful to mask his presence, but perhaps Akamaru had smelled him.

Sasuke needn't have worried, however, because all became clear when Kiba stepped closer to Nakao. One hand reached up to cup her cheek before his head dipped and he captured her lips with his.

"Oh…" Suigetsu blinked, amusement in his eyes. Sasuke felt the man's purple eyes slide over to him.

Sasuke was not surprised. He'd been fully aware that Kiba had held a torch for the brunette for some time, since they were kids. He'd never known Nakao to return those feelings, however. But then, two and a half years was plenty of time to change.

Suigetsu's attention was beginning to grate at Sasuke, though he revealed nothing, said nothing. Instead, he ignored the man, gaze set on the scene before him He watched the pair break apart and stood. He spoke without looking away.

"Distract him."

And then he was gone.

Author's Note: Welcome back!

I have another posting almost ready; I'm just missing a few sentences that I need to be juuuust right and they're not. But hopefully that will be resolved soon.

A reader asked if this story will be continuing on with the next generation and the answer is no. I've only read like the first seven chapters or something; I'm still salty about the pairings.

Thanks for reading!