Note to the reader: Thanks for the reviews!
Summary: Hmm…just read. (smile)
CHAPTER XI- Final Confession
A week had passed since Sakura was rushed to the hospital while Itachi was taken back to the Akatsuki. Sasuke found himself checking on both of them alternately. He would cuddle with Sakura for about an hour and then he would stare at Itachi's sleeping figure for another hour. Sakura's thigh condition had almost completely recovered. Most of her severed muscles were healed by taking in protein capsules to increase reproduction and replacement of tissues. Itachi, however, was in the brink of losing both of his arms. If only the Akatsuki members weren't that smart, he might have been disabled now. But Sasuke was glad to confirm that he still could keep his upper limbs.
A week after, Sakura managed to walk with Sasuke to the Akatsuki headquarters. She personally checked on Itachi and sat by his side the whole morning. Sasuke was still the jealous guy but he managed to leave Sakura there and went to the house. It was a shock to himself he had the initiative to clean it. Perhaps it was because he knew that once Itachi recover, Sakura would finally get back to her own house. Or another option was she would probably be forced again to stay at the headquarters.
Crap. Sasuke thought. He began sweeping, then dusting, then polishing, then washing and finally organizing the things. How he knew how to clean the house, only god knew. Hours after, he managed to take a bath—the best way to reward himself after the unbelievable work.
Unknown to Sasuke, a cab had stopped in front of the house. The one who went out from the car was Sakura. She unlocked the door and barely closed it when she saw how clean the place was. Wow… "Sasuke?"
No response.
It was possible that someone broke in but it was impossible for that someone to clean the house. "Sasuke?" Still no response. She went to the kitchen and was even more amazed by how the plates and glass wares sparkled.
Sakura touched the spotless table when she heard a door close. She left the kitchen and checked the place for the source of the sound. I think it's from the room. She tiptoed towards her bedroom and to her surprise, it was even wide open. Slowly, she moved against the wall and peeked into the room. It took her long seconds to realize what she was seeing:
There was Sasuke completely wet and naked. His raven head was dripping in a teasing manner. Droplets ran down his muscle curves. His sexy back showed two scars of what must had been cuts where wings went through. His hands were on his waist and they led Sakura's eyes to another view: exposed to her was Sasuke's perfectly shaped ass. When the view was lowered, his nice thigh and leg muscles proudly presented themselves.
One… two… three…
"AH!" She screamed and slammed the door shut. The gorgeous Uchiha was startled by the sudden action. He didn't know (and expect) that someone would be right in front of the welcoming door.
"Why didn't you even close the door?" Sakura cried out from outside.
Sakura? Sasuke pulled a robe from the cabinet and opened the door again. "You're here?"
"Why didn't you even close the door?" She repeated and though Sasuke already had something on, she still refrained from looking at him.
"I didn't know someone was here okay?" The Uchiha explained.
"But even if there's no one in the house, you should still close the door." The pink head said in a more emphasized tone.
"I'm used to walk nude in my apartment." Sasuke shrugged.
Sakura only muttered, "oh Sasuke" before shaking her head.
"Why are you here anyway?" Sasuke walked out of the room to the kitchen and turned the coffee maker on. "I thought you were with Itachi."
"Someone in Akatsuki is an expert in the field of medicine so I'm not that needed." Sakura took two mugs from the cupboard. "By the way, I already called Shino." (She saw Sasuke twitch.) "I told him that we're alright. Tenten wanted to call the police because both of us suddenly vanished." She poured the liquefied coffee into both mugs. "What were you doing in the room?"
"I was choosing what to wear." Sasuke said after putting powdered cream.
"For what?"
"I just wanted to take you out."
"Take me out?" Sakura placed too much cream.
"Lunch. You haven't taken yours have you?"
"No, not yet." Sakura glanced at her coffee wondering why it tasted different.
Sasuke just smiled slightly and finished his cup.
The city: a large, dangerous, yet popular site to dwell on. It appeared appealing regardless of pollution, corruption and crime. There were schools, parks, resorts, churches and all other places pleasing to the eye. But the downtown nightlife was much more loved by the aggressive youth. Who needed parks when there were dark alleys where they could hang out? Who wanted schools if they could learn a lot in loosely restricted websites? Who needed resorts when there was always liquor to drown into? And who needed churches if there were night bars where they shout god's name while having sex? Plus, they got to worship tangible gods…like the sex god Sasuke.
No other had claimed that title yet even years after his disappearance from earth.
But that noon, Sasuke didn't really plan on a fucking spree; he actually asked someone on a real date. That was quite new to him since the interpretation of date for him was a trip to a motel or a bar. Or if he was a bit nicer, he's follow the policy, "dinner first, bed later".
Sasuke lowered his boy's cap and readjusted his already fixed collar. He was the confident type but now he felt unusually nervous. His onyx eyes were moving in varied directions as he sat silently in the taxi cab. He was unconsciously moving his knee up and down in a rapid motion.
"Sasuke?" Sakura pulled out her hanky and wiped a perspiring part of his jaw line. "Aren't you feeling well?"
"…" Sasuke nodded and pulled on the collar of his polo.
Sakura smoothed the Uchiha's undershirt and then looked at his nicely ironed polo he wore over his shirt. "You really look handsome in those clothes." She beamed.
He had a nervous smile as a reply and then he looked outside the window. I must plan. He bit his lip. Lunch, flowers…what's next? Movie? Think Uchiha. Sasuke told the driver to halt and then opened the door for Sakura. He eyed the place that consisted of restaurants, shops and other buildings which had all kinds of fancy things.
"Sakura, here." Sasuke placed his hands in his pockets and walked ahead. He took a deep breath and then smiled to himself. Why am I tensed? This will be easy Sasuke. Sakura strolled behind with her hands clasped behind her back. They walked for about a few more seconds before they reached a large restaurant that looked expensive. When they got seated and read the menu, it was proved that the restaurant was indeed costly.
Be natural. Sasuke crossed his legs and propped his chin against interlaced fingers. "You have something in mind?"
Sakura tried not to look at the number of digits on the list of prices. She wasn't sure if asking to go to a less posh restaurant would be nice. "This one perhaps." She pointed at a picture of sliced beef tenderloin with several spices on it.
"Save some for dessert too." He smiled. "Waiter."
"Sir?"
"Two beef tenderloin."
"Rare, medium rare or well done?"
Sasuke raised his brows to ask Sakura.
"Medium rare please." She smiled.
"Make mine same with hers." He turned to the pink head and opened a conversation. "So how's Itachi?"
"He's recovering unbelievably fast but I'm afraid he might not be able to move his arms for months." Sakura watched their glasses being filled by the same waiter. "Um… what happened to Gaara?"
Sasuke just shook his head and then forced a slight grin. Sakura could tell that it meant bad news so she didn't proceed further into the topic.
"Excuse me sir, ma'am." The waiter laid down the plates before them.
"December is in a few months and I'm planning on a trip to another country. Would you like to come?" Sasuke raised his eyes to meet Sakura's then he smirked. "Of course you would."
The other blushed. "Aren't you doing so much for me?" To think of it, Sasuke always made sure that she didn't have any choice.
The Uchiha cocked his head to the right and he seemed not to care about the expenses. "I heard that the sunset is really beautiful there." He didn't mind her question and continued eating.
"That's wonderful." Sakura answered with a soft voice.
Minutes passed without a word passing their lips. When Sasuke's plate had almost reached its emptiness, he called on the waiter for dessert. He wanted an ice cream cake with fruit slices all over it for both of them. When the waiter left, he turned to Sakura and then smiled. "Your cheek has bit of sauce."
"What?" Sakura looked up and apparently, her mind was floating off to somewhere.
Sasuke stood up from his seat and raised her chin. He bent his head to kiss her cheek. The pink head reddened that she looked to be in danger of fainting but nevertheless, she didn't dare move or it'd make the moment a lot more awkward. Some customers gaped at their direction while the others simply watched for amusement. Sakura, however, only moved when she felt the tip of Sasuke's tongue brush against her skin. She jolted and it sent Sasuke quite aback.
"…um, Sasuke…" she muttered. How could she forget how "sexually active" the Uchiha was in every kind of situation? Sakura tried not to look at the conservative customers who despised public display of affection. The raven head sat back and crossed his legs and arms. He always got his way no matter what.
"Sir, ma'am." The waiter, who attempted to look unaware of what happened, laid down the dessert.
Sasuke took a spoonful and noted, "This is good."
Now, almost all customers were watching how he ate. They followed with their eyes how his lips enclosed around the spoon and how his tongue flicked against his lips. Without any question asked, it was obvious that the sexiest part of the Uchiha was his tongue.
"I'm done." Sakura showed evident signs that she was eager to leave.
Sasuke gave his card to the waiter and took it back after signing something. "Shall we?" They stood and walked towards the door while everyone else eyed them with interest.
Even though it was noon, the sun was replaced by low clouds. Many people had abandoned their umbrellas and walked to and fro shops. A few had already predicted that the clouds meant rain so they brought theirs instead. Sasuke was one of those who saw the upcoming rain but he loved the cool weather. He loved autumn best—it was the time of the year when it's cold and rainy. But ironically, he died years ago during fall one rainy night. Stop thinking about it… you're still on a date. He stopped by a shop and bought Sakura motley of flowers in form of a bouquet. After paying, he walked again while Sakura strolled behind.
Every head turned as the Uchiha passed. He overheard one saying that he looked like a model. Another giggled while another whispered that she wanted him as her boyfriend. He enjoyed the attention too much that he forgot he still got a companion. He only looked back when he noticed the fact that Sakura was supposed to be near him.
"Sakura?" He turned and saw Haruno standing feet away from him with her full attention on the store before her. Sasuke approached her and then read the name of the store: A Bride's Dream.
"Sasuke," she faced him with those eyes showing complete admiration, "could we go in there for a moment?"
"Sure." Sasuke apparently shrugged and took the bouquet from Sakura with one hand. He followed the pink head into the store and sat on an available seat. Sakura went to a mannequin that wore a simple white tube gown glazed by beads and sequins. It was embroidered with a petal design and lace was added at the bottom to add beauty. It had a matching head dress with flower design.
"May I help you?" a woman stood beside Sakura.
"I-I was just taking a look." Sakura was startled by her presence.
"Are you sure ma'am? This gown is perfect for garden weddings and—let me see—yes, I could not recommend another design. It's perfect for your shape. Or maybe ma'am you want to check the others—?"
"I am not going to get married." Sakura abruptly raised her tone slightly at the woman.
Sasuke immediately looked up to Sakura with an unreadable expression in his face. The pink head didn't seem to notice him for she continued looking at the gown. "Sorry for my outburst." She apologized to the woman and gazed at the white attire.
"Sakura?" Sasuke stood up and placed his free hand in his pocket.
"Oh, Sasuke, pardon. We can go now." Sakura left the mannequin's side and absent mindedly went out the door. After thinking, the Uchiha motioned the woman to approach him and then looked at the gown. Sakura, on the other hand, stood at the pavement with an image of the gown floating in her mind. She only came back to herself when she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"You okay?" Sasuke handed her the bouquet.
"Yes." She smiled and then sighed.
"How about a movie?" The Uchiha took her by the hand and led the way.
The mall stood a block away from where they were so they just walked. The number of people they saw enter the large building reminded Sasuke the number of customers that came regularly into the bar. Such past was ignominious but was worth a glance once in a while. That past molded him into what he was now and he was sure he didn't regret it. What he only hated was being connected to that bastard Orochimaru.
They took the elevator to the fourth floor where the cinemas were. All the scheduled movies had started except one which was a horror one. "Are you fine with it?" Sasuke asked. Sakura nodded for she didn't really mind. The raven head paid for the tickets and followed Sakura into the movie house. The place was empty and the lights were still on. They sat on the seats which had enough distance from the screen. Seconds after, people came in and most of them were couples. Sasuke immediately knew what he was bound to see.
When the movie started, he observed that everyone got their eyes glued to the screen. When the character in the movie started suspecting her friends' disappearance, he also noticed that the other people's attention was disappearing. When the character was being chased by the murderer, most couples were already in a lip lock. When the character escaped death, the audience pretended that they watched everything all along.
Sasuke smirked to himself and then looked at Sakura who was still unmindful (or pretended to be so) of what was happening around her. He closed his eyes and then slowly drifted far into slumber. Unknown to him, the pink head was in deep thought again. Like the character that was afraid of losing his boyfriend to the murderer, she was also in fear of letting Sasuke go. The Uchiha was doing a good job in protecting her so it was not impossible for heaven to take him back. He was angel after all. She rubbed her eyes and glanced at Sasuke who was sleeping with his chin supported by his palm. Until when would she be able to keep him?
…
"Sasuke… Sasuke…"
The onyx eyes of the young Uchiha opened to the pallid light of the cinema house. He saw people standing up and walking to the exit. "The movie is over. I can't believe you fell asleep." Sakura smiled and helped Sasuke up.
"Maybe I'm just tired. I cleaned the house you know." Sasuke adjusted his boy's cap and followed Haruno out. "It lasted for two hours?" He eyed his wrist watch. "Where do you want to go next?" The Uchiha inserted his hands into his pockets again.
"Could we go to the nearby park?"
"Sure."
They ambled towards a large park with benches and a play ground at the side. They walked by the fountain at the very center of the park and sat at the brim. They had just talked for almost an hour when a sudden burst of rain ended their conversation. They rushed, laughing, under a canopy while waiting for a taxi. As soon as they got one, they aimed for home.
"I better take a shower." Sakura went directly to her room and went to the bathroom. Sasuke squeezed rain out of his cap and then took a bath as well. But even though he took a bath later than Sakura, he still managed to finish first. He left a towel on his head and then he retied the straps of his bath robe. He lit up the fireplace and sat on the couch. Wearing a night gown, Sakura came to the living room minutes after. She had a long silk over clothing and her hair was clamped up.
Sasuke stretched his arm over the backrest while Sakura laid two cups of coffee on the table and then sat beside Sasuke. "It's good we didn't catch colds." She sipped the brown liquid and gazed at the dancing flames.
"Something wrong?" He gently pulled Sakura's head towards his shoulder and then stroked her hair with his fingers.
"I had a great time." She replied but her eyes remained on the fire. She paused and then asked. "Sasuke, when the time comes… will you go back to heaven?" The Uchiha stopped and then answered a soft, "probably".
"If you'll go away again… before you go…" she paused and whispered, "Leave a child in me."
Sasuke was surprised—more of shocked. It was not new to him to hear someone ask for sex but Sakura? And she even wanted him to get her pregnant! He could not speak for seconds until her heard the fire cackle. "Are you sure?" Those were the only words his dulled mind formulated.
"Promise me." Sakura closed her eyes. She didn't know how long she could keep the Uchiha close to her. Sasuke didn't respond but kissed her instead. Their lips remained in contact for seconds until the phone unexpectedly rang. The pink head immediately broke the kiss and answered the phone.
"Hello?" (Sasuke cursed the caller for interrupting.)
"Sakura, it's Itachi."
"Itachi?" she gasped.
"Itachi?" Sasuke stared at her.
"So Sasuke's there. Good." The older Uchiha replied.
"Itachi I thought—"
"I'm fine. Kisame is holding the phone for me." He said flatly. "I think Sasuke wants details of my little trip to Orochimaru's lair so if you two could come, I'm here to explain."
"We're coming." Sakura hung the phone and then turned to Sasuke. "He wants us to come."
By evening, they reached the Akatsuki mansion. They were invited to eat dinner with the members. They obliged and waited for Itachi, who was seared at the head seat, to speak. Itachi's bandaged arm hung from his half open red and black cloak while the other laid on his lap.
"I thought you couldn't move your arms?" Sasuke noted.
"I can but I can't move it for a long time. I can't use it too much as well." The other Uchiha replied.
"Have I told you that your brother is a monster?" Deidara remarked. "He could get better thrice the recovery speed of humans."
"Enough compliments." Itachi spoke blankly just after Sasuke sniggered. "Ley's get down to business." The supposed to be "dinner" became a silent meeting. "You're right Sasuke, I went to Orochimaru. I could have killed him right then and there but there was one thing I didn't expect. He has other minions other than the faithful Kabuto."
"So he still got his recruiting power." Sasuke crossed his arms.
"Most of them are teenagers who seemed to be trained to hold guns." The crimson eyed Uchiha relaxed and leaned comfortably against the back rest.
"Now he's recruiting people for protection? I thought he only knew how to rape them." Sasuke's words were not in a form of a joke. Some of the listeners looked at him in accordance to their curiosity.
"What I don't understand is why he's doing all of these." Sakura said.
"You are one of the reasons Sakura but you are just part of the preparatory stage. He told me so." Itachi replied in recollection of their conversation before bullets rained down on him. "When he gets healed, he'll proceed with his revenge."
"For what? For nearly killing him?" The younger Uchiha shrugged.
"His wrath dates decades back. That was caused by a breach of contract between him and many people. Our father and Kakashi's father were included."
"What?"
Itachi closed his eyes and then restated what transpired when he met Orochimaru:
"I knew you'd be here." Itachi was about to pull his gun when he heard other guns click and he knew that the users were just hidden in the dark.
"Itachi… it has been long…" he hissed. "You're here to kill me? I can't let you do that… yet." Someone pushed Orochimaru's wheel chair into the light. It was Kabuto. "Do you know why?"
"…" Itachi actually didn't care.
"You father," his snake eyes glowed in anger and triumph, "he owed me a lot." When he saw that he got the Uchiha's attention, he proceeded with sarcastic enthusiasm. "We agreed on doing business together with Hatake's father and many other people. The business was importing and distributing a kind of drug. My cover up was great for that drug could also be used in medicine. A hallucinogen…" Charlatan. Itachi thought.
"We earned tons of money until your father discovered the real use of that drug. The drug was more of fatal… and it's made to be abused by addicts. He got support from Hatake and so they turned the business in. They got less punishment of course for they voluntarily got apprehended. But I suffered years of torture in prison!" He spat.
Itachi did not react.
"And when I was freed, I swore to kill them. The Uchiha clan was a large clan but the members were helpless." Orochimaru sneered.
"I don't care about my clan." Itachi said with a blank tone. "But because of the massacre, I got accused of murder. It was more of a benefit." Itachi thought of the Akatsuki.
"You don't care? But you appeared one night to avenge your clan. And you even got to rescue that Kakashi."
"I didn't avenge my clan." Itachi's crimson eyes were plain fatal. "I had to kill you or else you'd come after my brother next."
"Too late isn't it Itachi?" Orochimaru smirked. "I have already turned him into a slut."
"Wrong again." The Uchiha touched the handle of his gun. "I have already tasted his virginity before you did." That happened two years before the massacre.
Orochimaru did not speak for some seconds until he was reminded that he got the upper hand. Once he kills Itachi, there would be fewer obstacles. "Keep Haruno safe for me Itachi until I get her. Don't worry; she's not part of the big plan." After that, he snapped. Itachi fired the bullets but because of the number of shooters, he was shot down.
When Itachi was done with his narration, he sipped juice through a straw placed in his glass. Everyone was silent—and was blushing… especially Sasuke. He expected the listeners to grasp the idea that Orochimaru was planning a killing rampage but instead, the word "virginity" got stuck in their heads.
"Why do you even have to mention that part of your conversation?" Sasuke yelled in embarrassment. Itachi seemed not to care for he simply raised his eyebrow.
"So…" one of the Akatsuki members shrugged and stirred the soup with his spoon. "Is the meeting over?" He was eyeing Sasuke who was terribly red.
Itachi moved his arm to reach food but Sakura stood up from her seat and took the spoon instead. "I'll help you." She smiled and sat right beside the older Uchiha. Sasuke, on the other hand, excused himself and went out of the mansion.
The rain had finally stopped but it left puddles on pavements. The clouds were slowly making their way out of the view. The sky was becoming clear enough for the stars to be exalted. The moon was comparable to a virgin still veiled by the mist of rain.
Virgin. Sasuke smirked to himself after some time alone on the road. You bastard. He tried not to laugh at what he heard from Itachi. He wasn't angry; he was just surprised to hear those words from him. Sasuke walked and thought about what Sakura said earlier. That was the first time in his life that he thought hard before leaping to bed. He felt a large dose of responsibility pour down on his face. Sasuke halted and looked up; he realized that he was in front of the church. He walked up its steps and found the place to be empty. He approached the confession box and touched the door. He missed that place.
Sasuke entered the box and sat comfortably. He looked through the wooden lattice border and saw a familiar man. "Father Luis, good evening."
The old priest smiled and clasped his hands on his cane. "What is it my son?"
"Actually, I would just like to talk." He smiled.
"I'm listening son." Father Luis' was hoarse yet his tone was gentle and sincere.
"How are you Father?"
"I am fine son but weak. Age has eaten up my strength." He smiled. "How about you?"
"I'm alright so far…I'm coping up well with changes in my life."
"That's good to hear."
"But there are some things in the past I can not leave. I wish I could still carry a part of my past to my future… my guiding hand."
Father Luis coughed and his wizened hands trembled. "Son, you have to learn to let go sometimes." He paused and then forced a weak smile. "I learned that myself. When the boy I considered my son died in my arms, my next days were haunted by misery. But I thought… I am to die soon too so why do I weep?" Father Luis wiped a tear with his thumb. "And soon, I would be able to embrace my son again." He stopped when he heard a sob from Sasuke. "Pardon young man."
"Father… I am…" he shook his head and covered his eyes with his palms. "Don't speak of death Father." He sped out of the box and transferred into Father Luis' area. "You don't have to die… don't leave me Father!" He embraced the old priest's waist. "Your son is here… embracing you… you don't have to die!" The tears just came spilling from his eyes.
Father Luis shook his head and brushed Sasuke's hair with his wrinkled hand. "My son… is gone…"
Sasuke's eyes rounded. He could never prove to the priest that he was the Uchiha he once knew. He stood up, moved out of the box and smiled. "I'm sorry Father… I really am…" He turned to the exit and ran into the darkness.
END
How about it guys? A detailed action between Sakura and Sasuke in the next chapter? I have only one request… pray for me. I'm afraid of the punishment but I want to take the risk. administration will kill me.