DISCLAIMER: I don't own Naruto

THE SCARLET SASUKE

By Angelic Dawn

Sakura brought a cup of hot green tea in and sat down at the table. Hinata and Naruto were already sitting down. She blew on her tea and took a sip. Naruto was guzzling down a big bowl of ramen whilst Hinata just had a glass of water.

"Good morning, guys" Sakura said.

"Morning Sakura" said Hinata. "How are you?"

"I'm okay. Living in this little hut is a bit of a drag. Can't wait for our next assignment."

"Yeah, but that's a life of a ninja, Sakura." Naruto said. "You've gotta be able to adapt to any situation that throws itself at you."

"Yeah, you're right, Naruto."

"Have you heard the news?"

"What news?"

"Apparently the legendary bandit, Sasuke has escaped from jail. He is on the loose right at this very moment."

"Oh no! Really?" said Sakura. "Does anyone know where about he might be?"

"No. He moves with such speed and stealth that nobody can seem to catch up with him."

"I remember that man. He was young and handsome, wasn't he?"

"Of course, he was absolutely dreamy. He had the most gorgeous black hair and he was big and strong, But also fast as anything. He's had his way with a number of the local girls over the years. None of them cane resist him. Those lucky girls."

Naruto got up from the table after finishing his ramen. He grabbed a rice cake from the table.

"Well I've gotta be off" he said. "This Sasuke guy is a nobody. Legendary bandit, my butt. He's just a wannabe ninja ripoff. I used to know him when he failed to become a full-fledged Ninja. It's just a crime that he gets all these girls and all this notoriety."

"Not jealous at all are you Naruto?" asked Sakura.

Naruto was taken aback. His mouth opened in shock.

"How dare you Sakura! I'm more of a man than he ever will be."

"Yeah right. There's no way you compete with him. He's so strong, brave and handsome."

"Yeah, Naruto" Hinata said. "Didn't you once get beaten by him once?"

"I don't remember that."

"You challenged him to a fight and apparently he kicked your ass. Just a rumour though."

"Well it's just a rumour!" Naruto shouted. "It's not true!"

"Oh Naruto, just stop being so jealous. No man could compete with the legendary Sasuke. It's not your fault."

Naruto was at a loss for words. He thought he better leave before his manly pride was insulted anymore.

"I'm going out. Someone has to get the food round here. Obviously a real man's job. Guess you won't be wanting to eat anytime soon."

Naruto turned around.

"Oh Naruto, we're sorry" said Sakura. "We didn't mean it, we're only kidding. We love you really, you know that."

Naruto wasn't listening and he stormed out.

Sakura and Hinata looked at each other for a moment silent. They then burst out laughing. They tried to stop themselves but the more they tried the more they laughed.

"Oh poor Naruto." Hinata said.

"We should stop giving him a hard time; I think he's getting really annoyed."

"It's just a joke."

"Do you have any other details about what happened to Sasuke?"

"Well you know, he was jailed 3 months ago for the theft of that jewellery. He was sentenced to 5 years and to escape from a maximum security prison is some feat. I have no idea how he did it, but I'd sure like to know. Rumour has it also that he has a famous clan that follow him round. It's one of the most notorious clans in the whole world and responsible for all those kidnappings that took place a few years ago."

"Kidnappings? My, these guys are dangerous then."

"Yep. They operate in complete stealth and nobody's ever been able to catch them."

"How was Sasuke caught?"

"Apparently he just gave himself up. To increase his legend and myth, he wanted to disappear for a few months so people would forget about him just for him to reappear. All this is purely rumour, of course. On the report that I read yesterday, it said he's looking for a new recruit to join the clan."

"New recruit?" Sakura asked taking another sip of green tea.

"Yes. Everyone's on edge. Anything can happen now."

Sakura closed her eyes for a moment and leaned back on her chair.

"Can you imagine being Sasuke's new recruit?" said Sakura.

"Yes I can actually. It would be such a dreamy experience. Just to be near the man. He is such a skilled fighter as well, imagine what you would learn."

"Yeah, I could just imagine him carrying me off to his secret hideout. I'd be kicking and screaming and pounding on his back but secretly I would love it."

"Easy there Sakura. Be careful what you wish for because it might just come true."

"Isn't that what you dream of Hinata? To be in his powerful embrace? You know you'd love to be his bandit bride."

Hinata laughed.

"You know what, I think it is."

They both laughed. Sakura got up from the table and took Naruto's empty ramen bowl and her cup towards the sink. There was a loud rumble sound coming from outside.

"Looks like Naruto's back early." Hinata said.

"Yeah, he must be wanting to prove himself."

There was another loud crash and suddenly a man dove through the wooden roof of the hut. He stood in front of Sakura who just stood still staring at him in shock. He was a tall well built young man, with a blue shirt and pale shorts. Sakura looked closely at his face; she recognised him. It was the legendary bandit, Sasuke.

She began to step backwards. Sasuke took a long look at Sakura. A small girl with the most beautiful long flowing pink hair he'd ever seen. She looked like a flower blooming in spring. No words were spoken. Sakura and Hinata were too shocked and Sasuke was not a man of words. He was a man of action.

Sasuke stepped forward quickly. Sakura gasped but he was much faster than she was and she had no time to react. He placed his hand round her waist, and reached down underneath her thighs and scooped her up into his arms.

Sasuke stared into Sakura's eyes. Sakura stared back. She didn't struggle, her body was in too much shock and wouldn't allow her to.

"Such beauty" said Sasuke. "Looks like I've found my new recruit. I have come to take you away, young lady, to a better life."

Sakura fainted.

Sasuke looked down at her sleeping face. She looked so cute. At least with her fainted, she wouldn't cause him any further bother. He then turned to Hinata who was now standing by the door.

"Stop!" she shouted. "Where do you think you're taking Sakura?"

Sasuke said nothing. He simply blew a kiss to Hinata. She stared blankly for a second and then fainted, sliding slowly down the wall into a heap. Sasuke smiled at what he'd accomplished. Happens every time, he thought to himself.

Sasuke then carried the unconscious Sakura out of the hut.

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Naruto came back soon after. He was carrying armfuls of fruit and a bag of rice.

"Hey guys, I'm back!"

He was confused at the lack of response. But then he looked down at the floor and saw Hinata unconscious.

"Oh my god!"

He dropped all the food immediately and tended to Hinata. He leaned over to her and slapped her lightly on the face.

"Hinata? Hinata?"

She didn't wake up and Naruto was getting a little bit worried. Naruto then picked up Hinata up off the floor. He tried hard to get her weight balanced as both of them were about the same size. He managed to get her balanced after a bit of fidgeting and wobbling. He then carried her into the bedroom and laid her down onto the bed.

Naruto ran to the kitchen area to fetch a wet cloth. He placed it on her forehead. Hinata stirred and groaned."

"Hinata, are you ok? What happened?

"I-I-It, was Sasuke. He came here."

"Sasuke came here? But how?"

"He took Sakura. Oh Naruto, it was just like a dream. He blew me a kiss. I've never been kissed before. It was like nothing I've ever seen or experienced before."

"He took Sakura! We have to go get her back."

"Not now, Naruto, I'm tired."

"Yeah ok, you stay here and rest. But are you sure it's safe here now?"

"I'll be safe in my sleep and in my dreams."

"Ok, Hinata, if you say so. Take care."

Hinata closed her eyes and fell asleep. Naruto looked at her and checked that she was asleep. He then bent over and kissed her lightly on the forehead.

"Stay safe, Hinata."

She smiled in her sleep, but it wasn't clear whether she was actually conscious of what Naruto was saying. It must have been that kiss, he thought. But Naruto wasted no more time. He grabbed his knife and headed out the door on a mission to kick Sasuke's ass and rescue Sakura. Some legendary man he was, Naruto was going to show him what legends were all about.

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Sasuke was still carrying Sakura in his arms as he walked through the forest. He looked down at Sakura to check if she was ok, he was a little concerned that she had been unconscious for as long as she had. All the girls swooned for him, but they usually got up in time to enjoy it as well.

He moved closer to the end of the forest and there was a small cave up ahead. He adjusted Sakura in his arms; she was as light as a feather. Carrying her was no problem for such a great thief, it was even quite enjoyable. This was his greatest heist.

Sasuke carried Sakura into the dark cave. Once inside he put her down for a moment and grabbed a piece of wood that was next to him. He then lit it by banging two stones together. Once the wood was on fire he lit the lantern above him which lit up the path ahead.

Sakura stirred and held her head. She tried to open her eyes, but she was still quite sleepy. Sasuke grabbed underneath Sakura's arms and pulled her up into a standing position. He had no time to waste. Sakura opened her eyes and looked around her. Why was she in a dark cave? She remembered what happened now; she remembered the man who carried her off was none other than the legendary Sasuke.

Sasuke looked into her eyes the same way he was before. Sakura was still a little drowsy and was trying hard not to faint again. She knew that if she fainted now there was no way she'd be able to escape his grasp. There was little she could do anyway with his strong arm wrapped around her waist supporting her and with her arm wrapped around his neck. She tried to struggle a little but he held her close and strong.

"I'm sorry, my beauty. But I must hurry. Please understand I do not wish to harm you. I have no time to waste for a futile struggle."

Sakura then held out his hands and pressed the pressure point on Sakura's neck. She groaned before falling unconscious. Sasuke picked her up in his arms as she fell and continued walking down the cave path. It was long and dark with only a small dim lantern to guide him through. But it was a path he had taken hundreds of times before and he was not going to get lost.

When he got to the end of the path he looked down. There was a river running through the cave that was a good twenty foot down. There was an old rusty ladder for him to climb down. So he removed his arm from underneath Sakura's legs, whilst keeping his other arm firmly round her waist to support her in a standing position. He then bent down as she fell limply over his shoulder. He stood up straight and with Sakura nicely balanced on his shoulder he prepared to climb down the ladder.

With Sakura over his shoulder he could now use both hands to climb down the ladder safely and the ladder definitely didn't look safe as it was. Once he had climbed down the ladder he saw a small boat tied to a post. He'd obviously placed it there himself as it was all far too convenient.

He stepped into the boat and it rocked slightly but he put Sakura down and untied the rope. He began to row out of the cave. Once out in the daylight, there was a huge ship waiting nearby.

"We're almost home, my beauty." Sasuke said as he watched Sakura's peaceful sleeping face. She looked so innocent and helpless. He was undeniably attracted to her. The question was she attracted to him? Sasuke thought such a question ridiculous. There wasn't a girl alive who wasn't attracted to him and this girl would be no different.

Finally he had a partner and a bride.