---
Chapter Four: Hopeless Causes
---
Sakura blinked her green eyes open at first light, stretching and getting up as quickly as she could. Neji was sound asleep. Good. She turned towards Gaara's spot and clamped a hand over her mouth to stifle a scream. He was right there, right in front of her face. He was hanging on a branch. They had brushed noses. His wrinkled slightly, as if the contact disturbed him. "I don't sleep, remember?"
The kunoichi lowered her hand and gave a watery chuckle. "I know, but you didn't have to scare me like that!" she whispered, grabbing a change of clothes. "I'm going to take a bath, okay? Don't let anyone... well... come." She blushed furiously, and he have a small smirk. "Oh, shut up," she hissed, walking off.
Gaara chuckled mentally and looked after her. She looked very pretty there, with the first shining rays of sun in front of her. Her hair was still brown, but it sparkled in the sunlight with the barest hint of pink in them. She was walking gracefully, hardly touching the earth's surface (or so it seemed). He watched her for a long time, until she turned to go to the stream and went out of his vision. He sighed, kneading his forehead with the heels of his hands. What was he thinking?
---
Sakura tied her hair up to the top of her head and quietly slid into the stream. It was chilly from the night, but the sun on her face was blissfully warm. She brought out the lavender-rose petal soap Hinata had given her for her birthday and lathered her hands, scrubbing her body furiously to get rid of the smells of sake and tea. They weren't neccessarily bad smells, but she didn't want anything to remind her of what she had to do that night... and what she had to repeat this night, as well. She sighed, itching to wash her hair, but didn't. With all the scrubbing and soap, her dye would come out, and she hadn't bought a second carton.
Instead, then, she leaned against the banks of the river and closed her eyes, listening to the way the water trickled, the wind brushed the grass, a soft footstep sunk into the ground...
A footstep?
She leapt out of the water, grabbing a kunai from her pile of clothes, not caring that she wasn't wearing anything. And then, suddenly, she did.
It was Sasuke.
She gave a small 'eep' and put her body back underwater at once, but not before his eyes widened and he smirked. "Sasuke! What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be at Konoha?"
He shrugged. "I got bored, and thought I'd check up on you." He sat by the bank of the stream.
"Go away! I'm... I mean... go away!" Sakura's face was red; she was shaking with barely suppressed embarrassment and rage.
The handsome Uchiha dipped a finger in the water and stirred absentmindedly. "I came here to get a drink," he said truthfully, taking out his water container and scooping up some. "Now that you're here, though... how's the mission going?"
Her mouth opened. "I'm... I'm not telling you!" she spat, watching him drink the water with a calmness that was, at the same time, exceedingly... cool. She shook her head.
He swallowed the water. "All right, then. And by the way... I like your hair better pink."
So did Neji, she thought with an inward smile. She couldn't help the way the smile showed on her face, and Sasuke smirked again. A victory. "Yeah, I do, too," she said softly. "But, if it's for the mission... it'll come out, though."
"That's good."
She nodded, fingering a mahogany lock. "Hey, wait!" she said suddenly. "I shouldn't even be talking to you, teme!" She grabbed her clothes and covered herself with them, standing from the stream and walking up to the bank, preparing to leave. "I don't even know why you're talking to me... after all, I just wouldn't understand, would I?"
"Sakura..." He stood up.
"And you can save your apologies and hugs, and you can save trying to catch me off guard," she stormed angrily.
"Sakura..."
"Because if I couldn't get a hug and apology when I was twelve, why now? Why now, huh? Answer me that!"
He hugged her. Again. Except this one was fiercer... and she wasn't wearing anything. Her heart pounded a mile a minute, and her cheeks flushed even more. "S... Sasuke... no... don't..." she protested weakly. He ignored her and gently spoke into her neck, his warm breath tickling her. She felt a trill of excitement go up her spine.
"Sakura," he breathed, "I was out of line. I'm sorry. And for the 'why now' question... Sakura, I think I've always loved you..." He raised his head and looked into her eyes. They were confused... and weakening. The anger was gone. "I've just never realized it." And with that, he captured her lips in a forceful kiss.
Sakura's eyes were wide as saucers. She relaxed slightly, amazed at the turn this had taken. Too amazed to say anything. "Sakura," he said into her mouth, "don't tell anyone I'm here. Please."
"...I have to get back to the camp," she whispered. He ignored her and continued to kiss her.He bit her lower lip gently, then licked it to soothe the sting. She let out an unvoluntary moan, and he laughed into her mouth, using his tongue to play with hers. She mustered up all of her will and broke the kiss. "Really... I do... they'll be looking..."
He pulled away, brushing a piece of hair away from her face. "Of course." His voice was a low rumble. "See you soon, hm?"
"Right..." He was gone. Still in another world, she dressed and walked back to the camp. She saw that Neji was up now, and making breakfast out of fish. She tried not to let her asonishment show, but it was hopeless. She nearly collapsed by the fire.
"Sakura? Are you okay?" Neji asked, concerned. "You look... I don't know. Dazed."
Don't tell anyone I'm here, his voice echoed in her mind. "I'm fine," she said. "Just a little tired."
The two boys shot each other glances, but she didn't care. She felt... amazing, but also extremely confused. The kiss was wonderful... her first real kiss (not counting ones from ages four to thirteen)... but she wasn't sure if she liked the person that had given it to her. Sure, Sasuke was handsome, and kind to her (now), and... well... to say the least, irresistable with that smug smirk and those cool onyx eyes that sparkled when he pulled her to him... and the way his face had been so close to hers... closer than any boy's had ever been before... she subconsciously gave a sigh, not noticing the increasingly concerned looks on both of her companions' faces. "Are you sure you're okay?" Neji asked. Gaara said nothing, but surprisingly put a hand on her shoulder. The touch jolted her out of her reverie.
And then there's Gaara and Neji, she thought, feeling miserably puzzled. I'm in love with three guys at once! ...that's so typical.
"Hai, I'm sure," she told them, smiling slightly and feeling guilty for wondering what their kisses would taste like...
---
The day passed, for the most part, uneventfully. At five o'clock, Sakura started on her makeup, tying a mirror to a tree and doing what she remembered Temari and her aunt telling her. Unlike Temari did, though, she left a little skin visible at the hairline on her neck... her aunt had told her once that it was like wearing a miniskirt if you lived in the Western world. She smiled slightly at the memory and continued to apply the stuff. She put on a little blush, a pale, peachy color, and enhanced her eyes with a bit of color, too. It wasn't traditional, but it couldn't hurt. She softened her eyebrows and rouged her lips, and she was finished.
This next kimono was just as amazing as the last one. It was a deep emerald green that would bring out her eyes spectacularly, with deeper-green vines outlined in shining gold thread and flowers in varying shades: pink outlined in silver, blue outlined in gold, and red outlined in silky white. The flowers seemed to be alive, as did the grasses at the hem that were made from smooth, lovely green silkthread in different shades. The underkimono was a shade of light pink like the other kimono's was, but this one had light blue rivers curving up it, with fish embroidered in silver. She sighed when she looked at the obi, and called Gaara over for help, as Neji was getting their dinner ready. It was a beautiful obi; blue, with gold, silver, blue, and green designs of waves on the shore. Gaara wrapped it expertly under Sakura's instructions and secured it all with a silver cord.
She looked at herself in the mirror. "I wish I could wear one of these every day," she marveled. Gaara snorted, but he looked properly stunned once again.
"It's nice," he allowed, black-rimmed eyes staring at her.
She turned around and smiled. "It is, isn't it... Panda-chan!"
His least favorite nickname caused him to narrow his 'panda' eyes. "Don't call me that," he said, irritated (and slightly amused, but he knew better than to show it).
"Oh, butPanda-chan, you look so cute!" she smiled, lifting a hand to touch his face. The contact surprised him, but she kept going, running her fingers softly over his tattoo, over his forehead, over his closed eyes, over his nose and lips and cheeks... "Gaara..." she whispered, "why don't you like it when anyone touches you?"
His eyes opened, and he grasped her hand firmly but gently, pushing it down. "Because," he said, "I can love only myself to survive." It was a motto he'd been taught long ago, and he felt liked he was betraying his mother by even thinking otherwise.
"Gaara, that's not true," Sakura said quietly. "You need love from others to survive, don't you? I know I do. Probably everybody does."
"No one loves me, and I've survived," he said stiffly as they walked back to camp.
Sakura was silent for a moment. "I love you," she defended softly.
He stared at her, and she smiled slightly. "Y-you do?"
She nodded. "I'm confused, though, Gaara. You and... and two others, as horrible as that is." She looked at him, hoping that he'd understand. "And Gaara... I'm scared."
They were at the edge of camp, and Neji was looking at them curiously. Gaara looked at her. "Me, too."
Gaara was scared? The almighty Gaara was scared of something? It was shocking, Sakura decided. But it makes me feel better. Maybe that's what he was aiming for. "Arigato, Panda-chan." She smiled at him and went forward.
Gaara watched her from a distance, his mind in a turmoil. If Shukaku was one to cry and rage, it probably would have. That girl doesn't love you. She's toying with you.
Gaara felt compelled to believe the demon, but he shook his head, smiling slightly. No, she's not. She's telling the truth.
He watched with a bit of jealousy as Neji tucked senbon needles disguised as hair ornaments into Sakura's ornate hairstyle, and slid flat blades into her fan. He watched with even more jealousy as he tucked a kunai into her obi and picked her up to carry her back to the teahouse as he had done the night before.
He watched as they left, talking and laughing, and he realized with a start who one of the two other people was.
And the second of the two was sitting on a branch above him, scowling furiously.
---
Sakura met Yoko in the hallway and smiled slightly. "Yoko," she said quietly, "for last night... domo arigato."
The girl smiled slightly and bowed. "It was my pleasure, ma'am. Well... not exactly my pleasure, but for you, I did it without complaint."
Sakura laughed. "Well, I'm flattered. Such a thing may happen again tonight... but this time, I'll help you carry him, all right?"
Yoko's eyes widened. "Oh, but you couldn't, ma'am! Not in that lovely kimono! And it's... it's my place to do that, not yours!"
Sakura's eyes twinkled. "I insist. I'll change. It's all I can do for your help. I know you aren't exactly treated like royalty here, are you?"
Yoko flushed, afraid to say anything that would go against the teahouse.
Sakura laughed again. "It's all right. Go ahead and have some tea. I'll call for you when I'm ready."
Yoko nodded and left, black hair falling from its bun. Sakura shook her head with a smile. Poor girl. I'll be sorry to leave her...
The door to the teahouse opened, and she hurried to get into her place, sitting by the table as she had done last night. Tanaka Satoya entered, his stomach preceding his face, and sat, looking lusty and excited. "My dear blossom," he said in what he probably thought was a husky voice, "I have awaited this moment for the entire day."
You probably spent the entire day trying hangover cures, Sakura thought with a mental smirk. "Oh, Satoya-chan honors me, as always. Would you care for sake and food?"
"Hai, domo." He ate a rice ball and drank the sake quickly, as he had last night. "Now... what were we talking of last night, Saachi-san?"
"Oh... I was asking you where these 'helpers' of yours are located," Sakura said carefully, filling his cup again.
"Ah, hai." His head bobbed in a nod. "I remember now. Alas, though, my darling... I'm afraid I can't tell you."
Sakura was struck with panic, but didn't let it show on her features. Instead, she looked sad and sniffed. "I... I understand if you don't trust me, Satoya-chan..."
"There's one thing that will help me tell you," he said with a devious smile.
Sakura was disgusted, but feigned innocence. "Oh, Satoya-chan... please tell me what..."
He didn't answer, but went to the other side of the table and kissed her neck. Sakura shuddered, but tried to calm herself, remembering the weapons she had, the self defence she'd learned... the ability to knock someone out with a touch of a finger... She stroked the man's neck and breathed lightly on his ear, managing to make her kimono go up to reveal her thigh as she poured him more and more sake. He drank it all, and his eyes once again became glassy.
She cringed as his hans loosened her obi, causing her right sleeves to fall down, revealing her bare shoulder. She felt like throwing up as he kissed it, and felt so again when she felt something hard press into her leg. What a perverted old man... ugh... "Now, my brilliant Satoya-chan," she said seductively, stroking the hardness lightly and hating herself for it, "whereare the headquarters?"
He moaned. "Here in the village... underground... it's under... the old okiya... geisha house..."
She smiled. Bingo. She found the cluster of nerves in his neck and pushed in with her thumb. He slumped against her, totally out of consciousness. She sighed in relief and redid her kimono, taking off her makeup withacloth on the table."Yoko!" she whispered out of the door. The maid came running quickly. "Domo," Sakura said. "He's in there. I'll be right with-"
She heard something outside. It sounded like a muffled thump, like someone landing on the ground. Her pulse quickened. "Go outside and start towards his house. Hurry. There's danger here."
Yoko looked frightened. "What?"
"Just go, Yoko!"
"But ma'am... if there's danger... you're all alone..."
"I can handle myself, Yoko," Sakura said, looking at her in the eyes.
Yoko gasped. She's not really a geisha, she thought with amazement. She's a spy of some sort... "I won't tell anyone, ma'am."
"Domo arigato, Yoko. Now go, hurry!" Yoko hurried away, dragging Tanaka, and Sakura stepped outside. It could be nothing, she thought, hoping she was right.
Someone grabbed her from behind. A kunai was pressed to her back. "We know you're a ninja," a voice hissed. "We know that you have our headquarters now... and that's not good. We'll have to kill you."
Sakura sucked in her breath and made handsigns right before the kunai slit her throat. The kunai instead cut wood, and the men behind her, three of them, growled in anger. Sakura tried to run... Damn this kimono! she thought angrily. She took the kunai out of her obi and cut the skirt and her sleeves raggedly, running faster, pushing chakra into her feet.
The three men were over her, then in front of her. "Where do you think you're going?" the one on the left hissed.
"She's a pretty one," the one on the right said, amused.
"Maybe we should keep you, instead of kill you," the leader agreed, advancing, a smirk on his masked face.
"You won't get the chance!" Sakura hissed, forming handsigns. "Suiton: Daibakufu no Jutsu!" she cried furiously. Water poured from around her, smashing her opponents into trees. She leapt into the air and took out her fan, slicing it downwards. Blades flew from it. Three struck the one on the left, and he fell into the torrent of water. Two hit the heart of the one on the right, and he did likewise. The last one hit the leader, and he grimaced as it sliced his leg deeply. Sakura felt raindrops.
"Feisty," he grinned evilly. "I like that."
Sakura ran again, jumping into the trees. It started raining full force.Gaara... Neji... even Sasuke... where are you?
Suddenly, a kunai pierced her arm. She cried out in pain, but kept running, trying to get to the camp. She heard the shuriken before she saw them and ducked accordingly, but a couple sliced her legs. She stumbled and fell, panting. The man stood over her, grabbed the collars of her kimono, and lifted her. "There we go," he said. Blood seeped from his wound and Sakura's.
She gathered chakra into her leg and kicked him in the stomach, sending him yards back. His eyes widened as she took out her hair ornaments and threw them expertly, her wethair tumbling down her back. The dye was wearing off with the rain, and her hair was now completely pink. The senbon needles pierced his stomach, and he yelled in raw agony. Sakura gasped as he got back up. "You're coming with me," he grunted, "if I have to die to get you there..." Sakura looked around. She was out of weapons...
She punched the ground. Her chakra was so great that it created a shockwave, making a crater that made her opponent fall. His eyes widened further. She's strong!Sakura ran as fast as she could... no, faster... and he was following her still...
How can he still be going? she wondered desperately. He caught up to her in a great leap and tackled her to the ground. Her chest felt like it was on fire as she grabbed his arm with the kunai, turning and trying to fight him off. Her strength flooded her arms, and she pushed him off. As he came towards her again, she wound up her fist and punched. Hard.
Her opponent fell to the ground, holding his nose. "You... bitch..." he snarled.
"HAKKE HYAKU NIJUHACHI SHO!"
Those four words filled Sakura with such relief she could hardly stand it. "Neji! Gaara!"
As Neji attacked, Gaara scooped her up. "Are you okay?" he asked with surprising gentleness.
"Hai..."
"You're wounded," he said darkly, eyes narrowing.
"Gaara... no..." She looked worried.
When Neji was done, the man was barely standing. Gaara raised his hand. "SABAKU KYU!"
Sakura watched in horror as the sand covered the man. Neji sighed and covered her with his body. "I don't even want to watch this..." he muttered, holding her close. "Don't look."
"SABAKU TAISHO!"
There was a barely-heard scream, and then splattering of blood. Sakura held onto Neji tightly. "I hate it when he does that," she whispered.
Neji nodded, stroking her hair, and watched in relief as the rain cleansed everyone of the blood. Gaara scowled as his sand went back into the gourd and returned to Sakura and Neji. "He was going to kill you," he growled. "I only returned the favor."
Neji stood, helping Sakura up. "Well, at least that's done. Did you find th-" His white eyes widened and he pitched forward. Sakura screamed as she saw a Fuuma Shuriken sticking out of his back. Gaara's sand shield had protected him, but he turned to find whoever had thrown it.
Sakura felt hands tighten around her waist and turned to see one of the men she thought she'd drowned. "GAA-" He clamped over her mouth and used the same nerve-cluster technique she had used on Tanaka. I hate irony... Sakura thought dully as she blacked out.
The last thing she saw was Gaara, turning with eyes wide and angry.
