Upload Date: 10/24/2022

AN: Bit if a warning that this chapter contains a very vivid memory of mature situations.

Obligatory statement that these characters are not and will not be mine.

Chapter 7 – Remarkable Deal

The trees were rustling as the wind swayed the leaves that still clung to their branches. The deep temporal climate of the Land of Fire was welcoming and Sakura allowed herself a moment of reprieve as she lay with her head on her hands. She stared out of the carriage window, careful to keep her expression blank as she worked through her thoughts, the exhaustion heavy and apparent now that they were so close to Konoha at the nighttime was oh so alluring.

She allowed herself to close her eyes and try as she could, she could not stop the painful memory to come crawling back…

"Sasuke?" Sakura repeated, her voice a whisper now as Sasuke stared blankly ahead, not even glancing in her direction. She could barely see him. His dark clothes and dark hair blending in with the night all too well. He laid in the grass and as she approached him, she sat down beside him and stayed there in silence until he was ready to acknowledge her.

And slowly he turned to face her, his red eyes holding so much grief that Sakura almost cried herself at feeling the ache in them.

Nothing she could say would bring his family back. There weren't any words that could bring him comfort in that regard. The only thing she could offer, the only thing she had to offer, was herself.

She gripped his hand and he lowered his gaze to look at their clasped fingers. "I know I can't do anything, but I'm here for you, Sasuke. I will always be here for you."

His eyes lifted back towards her and something in them changed. Perhaps he'd been wanting to hear something like that since the tragedy had happened. Since his whole would had turned upside down.

He put on a show of being indifferent most of the time, but he did care. His eyes now were proof of his hurt. And he had loved his family despite his strict upbringing. To lose them in this way was painful and she could only hope that her presence brought him some solace.

Sasuke leaned in slowly and Sakura's eyes widened in surprise, her heart beginning to beat erratically as she noticed his face was very much near hers.

"Sakura…" he breathed her name like a prayer and the air was so thick she could barely breathe.

The warm air around them pulsed and the noises of the frogs and crickets were the only things she heard as she felt him lean in.

Without another word he pressed his lips to hers, hesitant and awkward. The feeling caused them both to lean into each other even more, Sakura resting her hands against his chest and Sasuke pulling her closer, hands at her hips.

They broke apart, breathless despite the short kiss and Sakura's mouth parted.

"Sasuke I-"

He didn't let her finish as he covered her mouth with his again.

From there it was hurried and urgent, like a wonderfully enticing flame, and Sakura couldn't help the whimper that escaped her throat as she felt his hands at her hips move up towards her waist and she gripped his hair as his scent invaded her.

She loved him. She loved him so much.

She felt his tongue on her lips and she parted them and she was able to taste him. He smelled of pine and firewood and his mouth was warm against her.

Sakura moaned his name as she felt his mouth trace her jugular and his hands were busy untying the corset of her dress.

Sasuke pulled his shirt apart and threw it to the side, the warm evening becoming almost unbearable as he traced her figure with his fingertips as he began to undress her.

And she let him. She felt the hot air cling to her skin as he fully undid the corset and peeled the dress from her chest and his eyes darkened even more when she pulled the chemise off, pooling it at her hips.

Her face was red with embarrassment and it was only his expression that stopped her from covering herself in shame.

Sasuke gazed upon her like a dying man in ruin, with his eyes flickering between red and black, like she was the most beautiful thing he'd seen.

He swallowed hard as he traced her body with his eyes and he pulled her close to him again, pressing their chests together.

Sakura whimpered and Sasuke let out a grunt as he flipped her down to the soft grass, the remnants of her dress forming a soft blanket for her.

He kissed at her breasts and the feeling was so strong that she moaned again, this time louder as she felt his tongue dancing around them.

Her legs kept moving on their own, her body unable to relax, and she felt his length against hers, causing her to whimper as she pulled his lips back to her mouth desperate to feel him close again.

They were too young. He was too rich. She was too ordinary. They were nothing more than friends. They were neither married nor betrothed. And yet none of that mattered to Sakura anymore. So many things were pushed to the back of her mind as she spoke the words that she'd been hiding for a decade in her heart.

"I love you." She whispered, feeling him pause against her lips. "I love you so much, Sasuke."

It was like ice had overcome him because he let go of her instantly and turned back from her, his fists tight at his side.

Embarrassment overcame her and she covered herself up as best she could. "Sasuke?"

"You need to go home now."

She felt tears welling up in her eyes. "Sasuke-I-"

"Sakura," the tone in his voice had changed, become lower into something that made her shiver.

Indifference.

"Sakura, you need to leave."

Rejection and embarrassment flowed through her as she wordlessly obeyed.

A bump in the road startled Sakura out of her memory and she opened her eyes slowly as she oriented herself again. She was still in the carriage. Sai was still in front of her, his head tilted.

"We should be there by midmorning." He stated, clearly perplexed by her odd behavior, but unwilling to ask or care what had brought it on.

A lump formed in Sakura's throat. With a little luck and she wouldn't run into him at all during this brief trip, but then again luck had not been on her side in quite some time.

"Understood."

She was maddeningly beautiful and the offer was tempting.

She brushed her brown hair over her shoulder, allowing him to view her chest fully, the low dipped corset showing her ample bosom as she gave him a coquettish smile.

"Maybe another time." He murmured, tearing his gaze away from the woman with a soft smile of his own.

"Ya sure blondie?" she asked, her Kiri accent strong as she tussled his hair, winking at him. "I'm real good company."

Naruto was about to deny her again when he caught sight of a familiar man, with a mask covering half his face in the distance near the entrance.

"Not for tonight, I'm afraid." Naruto spoke, standing up and downing his drink, tossing a few bills on the table.

Not far outside of the brothel a man rested against a tree, staring somberly up at the sky as Naruto walked towards him.

"Having fun?"

"Was going to, if you hadn't showed." Naruto remarked.

It was a lie of course. The persona of being a womanizer was something he had adopted from his late mentor. Women held many secrets and that was one thing that Jiraiya had taught him very well.

Zabuza shrugged. "It took some time to dig into what you requested."

"And?"

"Nothing's changed. The rogue is still being hunted, but from another squad, the Kiri Anbu. We do not interact with them often, but they're deadly. I'd keep him in your care for a bit longer."

Naruto sighed. "What about the other matter?"

"Oh that," Zabuza muttered almost in disinterest, "He's positively waiting for him to die to take that eye away, but it appears he will wait until nature handles the dirty work for him."

"Bastard."

"I'd keep those thoughts to myself if I were you."

Naruto grimaced and put his hand into his pocket and wordlessly handed Zabuza a small pouch. The Kiri nin glanced inside and gave Naruto a small smirk before closing it and placing it in his trousers.

"How much longer will you be on the island?"

"Until Neji Hyuuga awakens."

"Around the palace they say his fate is as good as sealed."

Naruto shook his head and grinned as he walked away.

"That asshole doesn't believe in fate. Not anymore at least."

Beyond the entrance to Konoha, Sakura could not stop fidgeting as she tapped on her dress as they rode through the village, the Hyuuga estate looming in the distance as the sun shined brightly.

The enormity of their home never failed to overwhelm Sakura and as the carriage was brought to a halt she glanced warily at Sai. "Will you be accompanying me inside as well?"

"There's no need. I will wait for you inside the carriage."

"It may be a long conversation."

"Not a problem. I brought plenty of ink." Sai responded easily, as he pulled out a long quill, an odd material to sketch with surely, but then again Sakura knew very little of art.

She stepped out slowly and settled her worn down clothes. She had brought herself a new dress with some of the money Naruto had sent with her, but seeing as how she was soon to be in the presence of Lord Hyuuga, perhaps she should've spent more money on something nicer.

Oh well, she sighed and slowly knocked on the door.

A few seconds went by and the door was opened by a tearful looking Hyuuga servant whose pale eyes went wide as she looked upon Sakura's face.

"Ms. Haruno! Is that you?"

Sakura searched her memory, before realizing that this was Hinata's handmaiden. She vaguely remembered a woman slightly older than her taking care of Hinata in their younger years.

"It's me, Natsu. Will you please inform Lord Hyuuga I have a message from Lady Hinata?"

Natsu instantly burst into loud sobs and buried her face in her hands, causing Sai to poke his head out of the carriage window. Sakura glowered at him and he gave her a very cheerful smile before hiding inside of the carriage again.

Sakura was ushered in very quickly and it was only a matter of minutes before Lord Hyuuga, the Hyuuga elders, and Lady Hanabi all came down the stairs in the rush, anxious to hear what had happened.

"Ms. Haruno," Lord Hyuuga's voice was deep with worry and Sakura almost forgot to bow to him, surprised by his non-formal greeting. "Ms. Haruno, please tell us where Hinata is. Has she arrived with you?"

"She has not, Lord Hyuuga." Sakura admitted, "She is doing well. She does not have any lasting injuries from our horrid ordeal. Right now, she is at the Kiri hospital, overseeing Lord Neji's care."

"Did those scoundrels hurt my sister?" Hanabi asked loudly, her face streaked with tears.

Immediately Sakura shook her head vehemently. "Absolutely not." she asserted. "Hinata had minor wounds from injuries related to our escape-"

"Can you be sure of that, Ms. Haruno?" one of the elders interrupted, a grandparent of Hinata's, Sakura presumed. "Were you with her the entire time or did they ever hold you apart from one another?"

Sakura's face heated at their question. The insinuations were evident. "We were together the entire time." She clarified, gritting her teeth. Instead of worrying for their family member's care they were more concerned with appearances and Hinata's virtue.

It was a bit of a half-lie however, as she had been separated for a couple of hours from Hinata's presence when Naruto had taken them, but she knew that he had not harmed her. The Kiri pirates truly had not broken them apart at any moment. Those were the facts she had to say.

"If she is doing well, then why has she not returned to us?" Hiashi spoke, his loud voice causing the rest of Hinata's family to grow quiet as the mumbles and whispers among them grew silent.

Sakura gripped her fingers tightly. "Lord Neji is in precarious health at the moment. Lady Hinata thought it best to stay with him and the rest of her family there as none of them are equipped to travel at the moment."

"Her obligation is to return home at once." His tone was icy now and despite the relative respect she'd been treated with, Sakura had no doubt this man could explode at any moment. "She will not remain with the branch family when her main family is here waiting for her."

"With all due respect, Lord Hyuuga," Sakura started, inwardly wincing at Hinata's message looming in the back of her mind, "Kiri has been very accommodating of her situation and I believe that her cousins should be recuperating briefly. I have a letter from her, if you'd like to-"

"Hand it over." He ordered, extending his hand.

Sakura grimaced at his rude tone and wordlessly obeyed, pulling out Hinata's letter and he tore it open quickly and read it, frowning before folding it back up neatly and placing it in his robe.

"That daughter of mine has gone and grown a backbone." He murmured, his pale eyes distant as he stared at Sakura, seemingly glancing right through her. "At the most inopportune time it seems."

Naruto walked briskly as he once again arrived at the hospital.

He had honestly not imagined considering staying here as long as he had, but there was something that pulled him close to Hinata. Whether that was pity or guilt, he was not quite sure.

He saw her again, holding her cousin's hand as she spoke out loud to him and brushed his hair back with her other hand.

He wondered what would have happened to him if he had had that sort of love from the beginning instead of finding it years later in the form of a perverted old man who taught him the best and worst of the world.

Naruto gave Hinata a warm smile as he approached her and nodded at her in greeting. She stood up, as she always did and bowed at him, her face red, no doubt from the exhaustion.

It had been over a week now that she had been waiting here.

"Any change?" he asked, looking over at Neji's unconscious body.

"He's healing," Hinata answered quickly, "But he has not shown signs of waking up yet."

Neji Hyuuga was one of the strongest men the Leaf Village had to offer. At the beginning of the ordeal, he had almost been thankful that the Kiri pirates had disposed of him, avoiding him not only a tough fight, but one with a former comrade. Now he felt ashamed that he had ever felt grateful for that.

Her face was laced with worry and a stroke of pity overcame him. It was almost laughable. This woman who could very much buy his entire existence did not deserve pity from him. Not because she was undeserving, but because he had no such cause to ever pity her.

"Your cousin is strong, Hinata." He spoke up, resting down in a spare chair near the foot of the bed, not breaking his gaze away from Neji's body. "He will survive this."

Hinata nodded, her face solemn. "I have faith that he will overcome this."

Naruto noticed that her words, despite being steady, did not contain the faith that she had spoken of.

"Do you recall the fight we had?" he inquired suddenly, causing Hinata's face to contort in confusion. "The fight that Neji and I had when we were children?"

It was hard to forget. Years back when she was still a kunoichi and Neji was more uptight, Naruto had faced Neji in battle to become promoted to Chunin.

"I remember." She uttered softly.

"Neji was fixated with his destiny." Naruto remarked fondly, "He loudly proclaimed to me that because I was born with nothing, I would die having nothing as well. 'Tis was the burden of a failure like me."

Neji had been largely bitter in her youth because while he was clearly the most talented of the younger generation of Hyuugas, he would never be allowed to head the family. That head could only ever be Hinata or Hanabi. He was reduced to a mere branch leader when he should be the next true lord.

That was the only thing that Hinata looked forward as heiress. Perhaps one day she would have the power to change that and give him his rightful place.

Hinata almost immediately began to sputter out a long apology, her face red with embarrassment before Naruto stopped her by laughing and waving her apology aside. "It was years ago, Hinata. I told him that I didn't give a shit about his fate and that I'd make something of myself despite my upbringing."

"I did not that you had been the one to bring him to his senses." She admitted, looking up at his face, "I thank you for giving him that lesson."

"I beat him down into the ground with much effort," Naruto recalled, "He has always been quite stubborn."

Hinata nodded, eyes sparkling. "I do not think he's yielded in battle or business since."

Naruto smiled. "I told him that contrary to me, he was nothing of a failure and he needed to fight against whatever destiny he thought he was heading towards."

His words echoed in her mind and she gripped Neji's hand, the warmth soothing her.

"The words you spoke to him are truer than his words to you." She agreed.

"You do not think he was speaking the truth about my being a failure?" Naruto scoffed, half teasing as he looked back at Hinata.

"Not at all. You've worked hard to be who you are now. You've made something of yourself despite having nothing." She paused, before continuing with a warm smile crossing her face. "I suppose fate has to buckle in the face of strong-willed men like you."

There it was again, that strange feeling in the pit of his chest that was a mixture between warmth and comfort, a kinship perhaps? Yes, it felt similar to the feeling he had with Sasuke, who knew of his pain and suffering.

Hinata knew the pain of feeling worthless.

"So, you see," Naruto spoke, his voice surprisingly gentle, "Neji knows not to follow fate anymore. Dying would be too easy and he's much too stubborn for that."

Sakura was exhausted by the time she left the Hyuuga estate. She crawled into the carriage in a very unladylike manner, as Sai so kindly pointed out, and they were off again. She covered her head in her hands and closed her eyes as she processed what Lord Hyuuga had said.

He would ensure that Hinata never again left this village, as that act of remaining with her cousin had been the ultimate betrayal. And because Lord Hizashi and Ko were also gone from the Land of Fire, he couldn't very well just leave Hanabi by herself in the village to go fetch Hinata himself.

It was an awful future and the pity that Sakura normally left for Hinata increased tenfold.

She wordlessly uncovered her head and stared blankly out of the window.

She suddenly sat up as she recognized the street they were on; the aging clan symbols still evident despite the worn paint.

"Sai, where are we headed?"

"Hmm?" He barely raised his head as he turned to look outside. "Oh, there's a business deal I have to arrange for Naruto while we're here. You don't mind while I handle it quickly, do you?"

Her eye twitched and she glanced outside again, her breathing becoming unsteady.

"I do mind. Take me home right now."

There was a curious expression on his face. "Why?"

"I do not have to explain myself to you."

"But if you do not tell me what is bothering you so much, I will not change our route." Sai sat up and looked at directly in her eyes, his expression changing from one of amusement to one of seriousness.

If there was one thing that Sai respected, it was Naruto. It would take a hell of an excuse in order to get him to delay this business.

Sakura bit her lip in anger, almost making herself bleed, before crossing her hands over her chest.

"Forget it. Handle your business. I'll stay inside this carriage."

"Not a chance." He replied and Sakura's face heated in anger.

He put up a palm to stop her outburst. "I'm supposed to take care of you until you're safe in your home. Captain's wishes."

Sakura felt like screaming. She had worked so hard to ensure she would not be near this area, his home, and now her very companion had brought her to his door. What irony.

The carriage stopped and Sakura stared down at the floor. Sai noticed her expression and wordlessly gripped her arm in his and gave her one of his strange smiles.

As strange as he usually was regarding people and emotions, he had noticed she was anxious and respected her enough to not comment on it.

The house was still as enormous as ever, but Sakura knew all too well that a majority of the inhabitants had died by this point. It was a façade. Nothing more.

The door opened and a woman with dark hair and eyes opened it and peered curiously at Sai, before seeing Sakura and her eyes widened.

"Sakura, is that you?"

A small smile crossed Sakura's face as she nodded, gripping Sai's arm tighter as he remained unfazed. "It's a pleasure to see you again, Lady Uchiha."

A vague look of irritation crossed into the older woman's face. "It'll always be just, "Izumi" for you, Sakura. No need for formality between us."

Sakura merely nodded, unable to say anything in response.

Confusion swept across her face as her eyes darted between Sai and Sakura before opening the door wider. "To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?"

"We are here to see Lord Sasuke, if he's available." Sai spoke, his voice effortlessly calmer than Sakura's rapid heart.

Izumi's eyes flickered again towards Sakura's hold on Sai. "Who should I say awaits him?"

"An associate of Mr. Naruto Uzumaki."

Izumi nodded and extended the door wider, allowing the pair their first glance into the noble Uchiha home. "Very well. Please remain in the foyer while I search for him."

"Thank you, Izumi." Sakura said quietly as Izumi left the room.

Sai moved to let her go and Sakura shook her head.

She needed support right now. She needed something to hold on to because if she didn't, she felt that she would faint.

Sai couldn't understand what she was feeling, or why Sakura had been so reluctant to accompany him to see her teammate. She should have been glad, should she not?

The whole situation was utterly confusing to him, but if holding him brought her comfort then he would endure, despite the uneasiness that human contact caused him.

The sound of steps from the stairs made her freeze as she felt a chill run through her.

That presence was unmistakable.

She couldn't see him descend the stairs as Sai was in front of her, but she didn't mistake his voice as he spoke.

"You aren't the usual associate that Naruto sends."

Sai turned around to face Sasuke. "Jugo was indisposed at the moment, so I came in his stead. I'm Sai."

As soon as Sai moved to her side, she noticed him freeze.

His expression widened, just a bit, and his eyes flickered down at their intertwined arms before slowly narrowing his eyes as he looked at Sai again.

"Sakura." Was all he said. There was a brief moment of hesitation before he bowed curtly at them both in greeting.

She was too frazzled to do the same.

"I had heard you were kidnapped by pirates." Sasuke continued, his voice aloof and distant. "It's good to see that you are doing well."

Naruto must have kept him informed, but she couldn't imagine Sasuke just asking Naruto for that sort of information. It was most likely just a courtesy. After all, they hadn't spoken in years. Any affection he had once held for her as his teammate was surely long gone by now.

And despite telling herself that, she couldn't speak to respond to his words. Her heart had almost beat out of her chest when she had heard his voice and seeing him now, taller, sterner, more serious, it made the silly yearn in her heart grow stronger.

Sai nudged her ever so gently as she kept staring at him and she finally bowed hastily.

"It was…a daunting experience," She responded, blushing as she realized her throat had gone dry. "I'm…glad that you seem to be doing well also."

Sasuke opened his mouth, almost as if he were about to ask her something, before the indifferent coldness overtook his expression and he turned to look at Sai.

"Shall we talk business then?"

"Of course."

Sakura sat down beside Sai as he and Sasuke both examined the small pouch that Sai had boughten inside. Sakura knew, even without any of them confirming it that it contained the stolen Hyuuga jewels.

Why Sasuke needed them, he did not offer and neither she nor Sai asked.

The conversation as swift and quick. It was an easy exchange and it was clearly something that Sasuke had done previously, as his knowledge of Naruto's comrades was evident.

She had not known how intimately involved he was in Naruto's business, but she supposed that was only reasonable.

He and Naruto were close after all. Neither of them would ever say it, but Naruto was almost a brother to Sasuke, especially now that almost all of his family was gone.

Sasuke stood up and grabbed the bag of jewels and walked over to a portrait which opened up to reveal a locked box behind it. He opened it with a key in his pocket and pulled out a stack of bills that he turned to give to Sai.

"Count it. If everything's satisfactory we can consider this matter concluded."

Sai did so wordlessly and upon seeing that the amount was correct he nodded at Sasuke.

"It looks appropriate, Lord Sasuke. Thank you for your time today."

Sai and Sakura rose from their seats. Sai did not miss the way in which Sasuke stared at his companion and he wondered if perhaps there was something he was missing.

Neither party seemed completely at ease at the moment.

"If I had known of your marriage I would've congratulated you earlier," he spoke stiffly, holding his head high. "Please accept my dearest congratulations."

Both Sai and Sakura paused before looking down at their intertwined arms.

"Oh, we're not married." Sai corrected quickly, a smile crossing over his face as he saw both Sasuke and Sakura widen their eyes in shock. "Naruto wanted someone to keep a close eye on her before assuring her safety, that's all."

Her face was hot. Sai and his ever-unknowing personality would get him killed one day, she was sure of it. If not by her then surely by someone far less understanding.

Sasuke only faltered for an instant, before tilting his head curiously. "My apologies. I assumed-"

"You needn't worry." Sakura interrupted as she noticed that Sai was only too happy to intrude again. If she did not stop him from speaking who knows what else he would say.

She stared at Sasuke, his dark eyes unyielding against her own and for an instant she allowed herself to give him an honest sincere smile.

"I'm glad to see you're doing well, Lord Sasuke."

He grimaced, before bowing at her again. His expression had softened, just a tiny bit.

"Take care of yourself, Ms. Haruno."

Despite the formality of their goodbyes, each of them felt better than they had at the beginning and Sakura was more relaxed as she and Sai took their leave.

He helped her into the carriage before instructing the driver to her home and Sakura sighed in relief when she finally arrived outside of her home, the sun beginning to crawl lower in the sky.

"This is where I leave you. You can reach us via Lord Sasuke if you need anything at all."

She leaned against the gate of her home and nodded at Sai. "Thank you, Sai."

He nodded, before waving. "Goodbye Sakura."

She began to walk slowly up the stairs to her humble home and knocked twice, hearing the familiar footsteps come to the door.

Her mother opened the door and her eyes widened as she saw Sakura, alive and well at her doorstep.

She screamed at Sakura's father to come quickly and despite herself, Sakura felt tears well in her eyes.

"I'm home, mother."

Author's Note: A little bit of a focus on Sakura who I felt deserved a strong foundation in this story. Sasuke's family situation in this fic is slightly different than the usual "all family died" situation as you can see. I guess we'll see how the next chapters turn out.

Thank you all for your continued support, especially Kakau and Crinightnight. Your kind words keep me motivated to continue the story week by week 😊.

As always, please continue to review! I love hearing feedback and like to hear your thoughts.