CHAPTER FOUR

Lightning crossed the sky in a spectral pattern. Rain flooded the streets, and soon the roads became slick with mud and loose gravel. Kakashi walked from the main building. He knew the signs and they were all pointing towards war. Everyone it seemed knew something was coming. Leaders of important gangs were being killed off, one by one the ninjas were destroying the great chain of evil. But many gangs were angered by the hidden leaf. To noble, to justified, we should kill them all. That was on these corrupt ninjas minds. This storm would bring them.

The leaders had decided Sasuke was not a threat, especially since he was killing some of the leaf's greatest enemies. Under the watchful of team 7, and Sakura especially, he would fine. Kakashi only fear, was that the two young adults would do something reckless in battle. He would prefer his team stay alive, and sane.

Sakura rolled over in her sleep, sweat plastering her pink hair to her head and face. Rain was pounding the windows, creeping into her dreams sending images of death, pain, suffering. She struggled to stay afloat in this battle field of complete hell. Darkness clutched at her, then finally grasped her in its hand, its hand just like Gaars (sp) in the Chunin exams. She let out a scream, hoping, praying someone would find her.

"WAKE UP SAKURA!" she awoke and sat up, colliding with the hard, bare chest of Sasuke. She shook, violent shivers running down her body, cold sweat seeping into her already wet nightgown. She stared straight ahead her eyes open wide with fear. Sasuke allowed her to lean on him, but kept his arms at his side. Slowly he eased her off of him. She blinked twice, and looked at him, as if just relizing he was there.

"Sasuke, I'm, uh, sorry," she peeled herself off him and sat next to him, her chest heaving in the humid air, "Did I wake you?" she looked at him with new eyes. No longer filled with fear.

(Sasuke's POV)

She looked at me and I smirked. She smiled and looked at our feet. Her plain, deep cut nightgown was sticking to her, showing off a full, um. It was reavling, especially for a girl, no, she was a woman. A woman who all the men in the village loved. They always asked for Sakura when they were injured, and some boys from the 9 rookies took extra time watching when she fought.

Sakura was beautiful, my eyes widened as I realized this. In the rainy night, with the moon offering little light, but you could still see what an attractive and not big headed forehead woman she was. I felt my face redden and stood, looking away.

"Try to fall back asleep, alright, no more nightmares, they're to loud," a small, pale hand gripped my wrist.

"Please, stay a little longer, I, I don't like being alone," she said quieter. Then she looked down, as if her words were some sort of confession, something to be ashamed of. "Forget it Sasuke, I'm just overacting,"

I watched her struggle to stand, finally I just gripped her shoulder and pulled her close.

"Is it your leg again,"

"yah, no big, but I don't think the bruise was what was keeping me limping," she gave a smile and attempted to sit down on the hard couch, "It'll be find after some rest, I'll just sleep I-,"

"Just sleep in the bed," I can't believe I'm suggesting this.

"what,"

"you heard me, just sleep with me,"

I walked into the bedroom, followed hesitantly by Sakura. She walked to the chair, as if she was expected to sleep their. "The bed Sakura," I sighed at her naive ways and seated myself on the cold part. She sat hesitantly where I had been sleeping, then slowly lowered herself to the soft sheets. I climbed under the comforter and turned to face the ceiling, well aware Sakura was staring at me.

We laid there. Me in my pants, bare-chested, her in a short, white nightgown that was slowly becoming see through. Soon I felt her hand in mine. I didn't pull away, but let her hold it. Soon she was asleep. NO matter how hard I tried though sleep wouldn't take me. Whether it was the fact rain was pounding against the window, or that Sakura was sleeping right beside me. Finally though I felt sleep nudge me over the edge, and it took me.

(Sakura POV)

I awoke, breathing in the smell of sweat and man. Man? I opened my eyes all the way and sucked in air at the sight of Sasuke. His raven hair spilling all over the pillow, lean, muscled chest gleaming in the weak morning light. My head had been resting on his chest, and I felt his hand on by back, keeping me close. Whether or not he was awake I couldn't tell, he was emotionless, but then again he was almost always emotionless. I removed his hand and crept out the door to go change out of the damp nightgown.

When I was back in my traditional wear, I made my way to the kitchen, only to find Sasuke guzzling down water, out of the bottle. I leaned against the frame and watched him in the fridge, laughing to myself. He turned and caught my eye.

"The cups are above the stove by the way," he turned and shoved the water back, and closed the door. He exited toward the bedroom. I suppose he didn't realize during the night how we had, oh. I guess. Cuddled? No, it was a very, professional embrace. Just like his kiss. HIS KISS, I had forgotten he had kissed me. Best not to bring it up though.

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK.

"Anybody awake?" I hurried to the door and opened it to Kakashi's face. He glanced over my shoulder and I turned to see bare-chested Sasuke watching from the bedroom. He smirked underneath the mask and looked at me, our eyes now only about a head and a half away. Sasuke was as tall as him, but I would never meet his height.

"Very funny, what is it?"

"Listen," Kakashi started in a soft voice, "the elders have agreed that something is coming. We sent Naruto out early this morning, he reported that a large, huge army of missing nin was coming our way. We need to gather every capable ninja, no students though," He smiled at me and leaned close, "Don't give up yet, he'll come around, I promise," With that he left. I watched him walk way and give a backward wave.

"So there is going to be a battle,"

"Apparently," I watched Sasuke follow Kakashi, no fully clothed. I realized he had abandoned his quarter length pants and shirt for similar, but longer and completely black clothing. I reached behind the door and grabbed my slash, fastening it around my waist. Saskue stopped, and I slammed the door and sped up to continue with him. "A battle,"

"There will be death,"

"We need to protect the village,"

"They're after me,"

"Don't give your self so much credit," I glanced at him. He had a small smirk on his lips, and I could tell he wanted desperately to laugh. I smiled and reached for his hand, unsure if he would hold it, especially in public, but as I read for it he turned and pulled me into a alley, pushing me into the familiar, hands above head postion.

"Listen to me," he whispered harshly, "Don't get cocky, these guys, there tough, to tough, for, for"

"For what! A girl, me!" I hissed at him shaking my hands out of his reach and digging them into his upper arms. His hands grabbed my waist, pushing me hard into the clay wall behind us. His face became so close to mine we were touching.

"Maybe,"

"Don't underestimate me Sasuke. I'm ten time stronger then I was before you left. I can take care of my self,"

"NO you can't, you need my protection!" I kissed him. There in that alley, with our hands violently gripping each other, I kissed him with as much passion and fiercety as I could. HE pushed back and lifted me higher on the wall and I groaned. He took that opening and slipped his tongue into my mouth. We stayed, groaning in that alley until we could hear other ninjas going to defend the village. He set me down and slowly took his lips off mine. I could feel his hands caressing my back and one even dipped lower and stroked my thigh. But then just as I was feeling a burning sensation throughout my whole body, he withdrew and stared at me. I was at a loss. Did I do something wrong?

"Let's go," he said in a choked, husky voice. He grabbed my hand and we stepped back onto the street, but he let go just as quick. We hurried down the street as if nothing had happened and met up with the ninjas. I stepped after Sasuke until we were standing next to Kakashi and the other team leaders. They were giving a long speech about fighting, trust, and loyalty. It gave no comfort. I was a speech an uncaring priest gave at the funeral of someone he didn't know? Hollow, but still, it made me reach for Sasuke's hand, and behind our backs, he gently stroked my trembling fingers. Then he dropped his hand and went to talk to Kakashi. I could see Hinta and gave a small wave, progressing towards her and the other 9 rookies.

(Regular POV)

The sky was a deadly gray. There was no rain like last night, but it threatened to come down any minute. Weapons were being sharpened and ninjas were eagerly awaiting there chance to fight. Who would make the first attack? Would we wait until the missing nin were upon us, in the gates, flying over the structure, or would we merely charge at them?

The question was easily answered as the air stirred and two new ninjas had their necks sliced. The battle for the village had begun.