Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

An AU SasuSaku Fanficition

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Chapter 6

Sasuke's POV

I sat down behind my desk in the study, and I made sure to have my journal open. I ignored the blond that sat across from me, chattering idly about god knows what, and dated the top of the page.

"What's up with you and the female?" Naruto asked when he noticed that I finally tuned in. I could hear the curiosity dripping from his voice.

I shrugged my shoulders refusing to answer his question. I'd rather let him form his own conclusions, rather than facing the truth of my reality. How is it that this person was able to find their way to me during this crucial time when I had nothing but revenge overflowing my entire being? I had one goal in my life.

To find my brother, and avenge my family.

I did not have time to open up to a complete stranger who was fated to me. I do not have time to get to know her despite the yearning I feel deep inside of me. My wolf was howling in agony and desperation to be beside her, to mate with her and make our bond undisputable. But the rational human side of me was not planning on giving her a chance under any circumstances. I could not be caught up in trivial feelings towards another person that would resolve in weakening my purpose and resolution.

I could not afford to.

"You know, not vocalizing what you're thinking isn't going to stop me from figuring it all out. Bastard, if it is what I think it is, then you're definitely going to lose chance at any type of happiness," Naruto interrupted my train of thought to administer what he expected to be sage and thought provoking advice. And it was, but I was still going to disregard it.

I peered up from my journal, and locked gazes with him. I was done with his one sided discussion of that person. With a complete detached and aloof tone of voice, I began my questioning. "What did you find out about Kabuto's whereabouts?"

He let out a huff and crossed his arms. "Ignoring me, eh? Whatever. Let me just say that I warned you as a brother, and will continue to warn you as your brother. But let's get to it. My team and I met up with an informant outside a small town sanctioned as Cedar. Ayato, the informant, was only able to give us a bit of information, like where Kabuto will likely show up next. He's been moving quite rapidly from town to town, likely dodging Kiba's scouting team. Kiba was able to infiltrate a few of Kabuto's labs, but they were a dead end with multiple loses of humans. He will be meeting up with Alpha Dan Hakushi at a bar out in the outskirts of Leland called the Fawn's Pub in four days time. That's where Dan conducts all his business as it is right across from his territory. Like 6 miles down east."

I wrote down key points Naruto was making, jotting down questions here and there that needed answers. "Where there any Itachi sightings in the towns Kabuto was operating at?"

"None," Naruto answered, shaking his head with remorse. My grip on the pen tightened.

"Have Kiba lead a reconnaissance team towards Hakushi's town. If they're meeting, then that means they must be discussing their next Alpha. They will probably be holding Kabuto's experiments on him that'll likely cause a stronger alliance between the two," I stated, bringing my index finger and thumb onto the bridge of my nose and squeezing. A slow pounding began to form at my temples and I gritted my teeth. Damn Kabuto! That slippery wannabe snake was just as evasive as his former master.

I sensed Naruto rise from his chair and approach me from behind. I growled warningly at him when he settled his two heavy hands on lower back of my neck. He ignored my warnings and began squeezing the stress out of my shoulders. "Relax man," he muttered, as he continued kneading. I rolled my eyes, then shrugged him off after a few seconds. I couldn't let him dissolve me of all my anger and stress. I needed it instead to fuel me and maintain my perceptiveness.

"I'm leaving the pack to you," I informed him, as I cracked my neck swinging it from side to side. "I'll be following the lead on Kabuto this time."

I heard him sputter and glanced up at him. His face was turning red, and his eyes looked serious for once. Anger was painted all over his features. I had an inkling as to why, but I could not bring myself to entertain it. I know what I am doing.

"What, idiot?"

"You seriously can't be leaving Sasuke. Not when she's come stumbling into your life."

I let out a sigh and leveled him with a scathing glare. "Finding Itachi is more important. Don't let me repeat myself," I notified him steely.

"Understood," he spat through gritted teeth.

I got up off my chair, and moved towards him. I let my hand fall onto his shoulder and squeezed. Once I felt his tight muscles release, I let it drop. "Can you do me a favor? This'll be the only time I'll be discussing and asking about anything pertaining to Sakura. Run a background check on her for me, will you? I need to know whether she'll be a danger to the pack. I'm letting this matter fall on to your plate. Do as you so please. I'll be leaving at 8pm sharp tonight."

I strolled out of the study, and went over to my room.

…

Sakura's POV

My heart was pounding so hard, I thought it would beat right out of my chest and leave me dead on the ground. It was so hard processing the information Hinata and Ino just launched at me. It had to be impossible. Although the signs were there. I felt safe in his presence, like not a single thing could bring me harm. When I looked into his eyes, the world completely faded away and became nonexistence except for him and I. His touch made me feel like I was about to melt from pleasure, a deep heat pooling at the pit of my stomach, and when he held me in his arms, it left me feeling content and comforted me more than anything else in the world. It was no wonder I felt attracted to the man.

But I still denied it.

Nothing good has ever happened to me in my life, except for the short time I had with my surrogate brother Itachi, and even then I was suffering. The thought of a mate has never crossed my mind before, and I could not entertain it now. I needed to get out of here as soon as possible. Nothing good will ever stay good in my life. And a mate now sounded more like a curse instead of a blessing. I had people after me who'd rather see me dead instead of alive and happy.

"I-I don't think so," I stuttered out. "Maybe he took pity on me," I tried to reason with them in order to cast such thoughts out of their minds, and myself at a close second.

They both looked at me like they couldn't believe the words sputtering out of my mouth. And Ino proved me right a few seconds later. "You can keep telling yourself that, but we know Sasuke. You have to be mates. There could be no other reason as to why he's treating you this way," Ino tried to explain, yet I made sure it fell on deaf ears. I stared at Hinata, trying to plead with her through expressions from my eyes. I needed to convince them that we were not meant to be.

I suddenly remembered important information that would help me convince them. "He's g-gay," I announced seriously, my heart is aching from that revelation. It didn't matter if we were mates, because there could be no future between us. I was broken and he was gay. "It wouldn't w-work out between us."

I heard a snort coming from my left where Ino sat, and peered up at her. Her face was turning red which was a cause of concern for me. "Are you okay?" I asked worriedly, watching as she slapped her hands over her mouth as if to muffle herself.

My concern was for naught, because a few moments later she and Hinata began bleating with laughter. I watched as Ino literally fell onto the floor, rolling about not caring that her clothes would be covered in dirt. Their giggles were so contagious that a smile blossomed onto my face.

"What's wrong?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"Sasuke's not gay," Hinata divulged, wiping tears from her eyes. "Where did you hear that?"

"Alpha Naruto."

"Oh, Sakura. Naruto-kun just teases Sasuke like that. It's because he's never really been interested in any girl ever in his life," Hinata explained as she slowly calmed down.

Ino seemed to have sobered up because she got up off the floor. "Girl, Sasuke is as straight as a rod. You should see how he tortures Naruto for bringing up his sexuality. Unless," she began, wiggling her eyebrows.

Hinata took the bait, and I too wanted to hear what she had to say. "Unless what, Ino?"

"Unless, they're having a romantic affair behind your back. Imagine that. It'd be so hot to see," Ino squealed, a faint blush dusting her cheeks. "Maybe that's why Sasuke lashes out at Naruto. He doesn't want his secret revealed, that he has the hots for your mate."

My eyes widened at the information she departed. What if that was true?

Hinata shook her head and let a small laugh. "Fair enough it'd be hot to see, but Naruto-kun is mine, and mine alone."

"A possessive Hinata is a precious Hinata," Ino cooed, walked over to Hinata and embracing her, the latter turning red at Ino's words.

How could I be gullible enough to believe that? I wanted to smack myself. But it was better to believe Sasuke was unattainable than to hope that we have a future together. I was almost sorry for ruining the lighthearted atmosphere, but I could not have this spread any further.

"I can't stay here too long. I needed to get going soon no matter what. My friend is waiting for me, and I-I'll be discussing it w-with Sasuke later." I revealed cautiously, stumbling here and there on my words. Either way, I did need to leave this pack soon. Albeit with or without their knowledge.

"Discussing what with me?" A deep voice boomed from the entrance of greenhouse. A voice that caressed me to the point where I felt faint enough to sleep.

It was Alpha Sasuke.