Gahd this was a bitch to write... i wanted to hurry through it soo badly and just make it half ass, but i glued my but to the computer chair and worked it out... and here's the results.

For all of you that would like to keep pure thoughts in your head, this is NOT the chapter for you... meh, pure thoughts, who need em..! VERY EXPLICIT SEXUAL CONTENT! thought you should know...

ON WITH THE CHAPTER!


Sakura No Yousei: Chapter 13- Till Death Do Us Part

Sakura's eyes fluttered to find the sun pouring over her face through the slats in her window shutters. Her head pounded and her eyes were sore and heavy. She blinked, feeling the fatigue as her eyelids screamed to be shut, but she forced them open long enough to glance around. Rolling over onto her side, she met the comfortable surroundings of her own bedroom in her apartment. To her surprise, a silver haired man lay slumbering at the foot of her bed, his body slumped forward in one of her kitchen chairs, his head lying near her feet on the soft bed. She also noticed two of her teammates cuddles in the corner, both sprawled out on the floor, a small puddle of drool around each ones mouth.

She chuckled lightly, but held her breath as the silver haired man groaned and lifted his head off the sheets, his weary eye opening to look at her. Sakura couldn't help the mixture of relief and anxiety that came from receiving that look. She felt her insides twist, her heart pounding madly in her chest. The tears were there, right behind her eyes, and she couldn't stop them as she stared at the man before her. She broke into sobs, her body rocking rhythmically with her unsteady gasps of air. She drew her knees to her chest, burying her face into the sheets around her thighs.

" Sakura, it's okay," Kakashi said soothingly as he stood up and moved over to her. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her shaking body to him. Her eyes opened, the tears spilling into the soft clothe.

" Sa-Sasuke… I-I-I n-need t-to g-g-go get S-Sasu… S-Sasuke," she mumbled through her dying sobs. She bit her lip, trying to wake from the hellish nightmare, hoping to find Sasuke's arms wrapped around her, but she lifted her eyes to meet Kakashi instead. ' Damnit, wake up! Sasuke!' she screamed in her head, her eyes clenched shut in desperation.

" This isn't real, Kakashi, he's here, in my living room, waiting for me," she said frantically as she struggled to rise, pushing Kakashi's arms off her. She lunged from the bed, her feet pounding the floor before she slid to a stop in her living room. It was bare, empty, no Sasuke. She clung to the wall, her fingernails scraping its surface as she sunk to her knees.

" Sasuke, no…" she whispered as pressed her forehead against the cold wall, the warm salty tears trailing over her lips.

" NO!" she yelled, her fist pounding deafeningly on the wall, the plaster falling to the floor around her. A strong hand grabbed her wrist from behind and her intense eyes whipped around to meet Naruto's frightened face.

" Sakura, it'll be okay, I promise," Naruto said. Sakura's face softened as she fell into his chest, holding him to her as he stoked her hair comfortingly. He smiled as she held him, her breath returning to normal. She sat up at him, wiping away the wet trails on her face.

Naruto helped her to her feet and led her back to her bed where he let her sit. Kakashi stood facing the window, his fingers opening the blinds to let his eye observe the movement of the people outside.

" They'll be here soon, we can't stay," Kakashi said as he turned back to his students. They all eyed him with suspicion as he moved to Sakura's closet and rustled through her things before throwing a large pack to Gentai.

" Kakashi, what is going on?" Sakura asked as she pulled the sheets around herself to keep warm as her teeth began to chatter. Kakashi opened the drawers to her dresser and tossed her the normal clothing she wore to practice.

" ANBU officials, they're going to want to hold us for information about Sasuke. I believe they already have Anka," he said, Gentai stuttering in protest.

" But if they have her… sensai I don't understand?" he said slowly, still trying to process everything.

" Look, they know we have information on Sasuke. I just wonder why it's taken so long. Sakura, do you remember when you and Sasuke ran away to find Itachi?"

Sakura nodded her head.

" Well ANBU has found out that you too have the cursed seal, meaning you've had contact with Orochimaru, meaning you know where he is. Let me put this as delicately as I can, and you won't be happy with it, so brace yourselves. If the hunter nin get the information out of you Sakura, they will track down Sasuke and potentially kill him themselves to ensure Oro never gets the Sharingan. The chances of his survival are now almost zero to none. The Leaf and Oro want him dead, do you understand. Sasuke is no longer simply a missing nin, he's a wanted S class criminal. He's dangerous, not for his ranking, but for his blood line trait."

Sakura sat, her face fallen into extreme pain and panic. She rose and ran to the bathroom, ripping off her clothing and putting her fresh clothing on, securing her hip and thigh satchels before running out and grabbing the empty pack from Gentai. All three followed as she ran to the kitchen, Sakura filling the bag quickly with food and medical supplies, its contents stuffed till she strained to zip it up. She tossed the heavy pack to Gentai quickly before grabbing her kunai and shuriken off the counter and walking quickly to the door.

" We need to leave now," she said before she started out the door, the three left to stare dumbfounded at her before hurrying themselves out the door. She turned in circles in the street, searching for any sign of any official looking ninja, but found it clear. She turned to the three before her before noticing a streak of black on a rooftop to her right. The others must have noticed as they all tensed and prepared to scatter. Kakashi signaled to Gentai and Naruto, who sped off up the street. Kakashi quickly grabbed Sakura's arm and poofed them out of sight, the lone ANBU coming to sit on Sakura's roof.

" They're running," he said as a second ninja appeared beside him. " Take the two rookie Jouniin that took off up the street, I'll take Hatake and the girl," he said sternly, adjusting the senbon in his mouth before disappearing.


Kakashi and Sakura ran swiftly along the rooftops, invisible to those below. Sakura's heart pounded madly in her chest. They were running, form ANBU officials. She would be in serious trouble if they were caught. Suddenly a man appeared before them, Sakura and Kakashi skidding to a stop as he smirked. The smoke billowed before him, a light wind blowing the dark smoke away from his face. Sakura scowled at the familiar face of the man standing in their way.

" Hand over the girl Hatake, she has information for the capture of a dangerous criminal," he said strictly.

" Sasuke is no criminal you bastard!" Sakura yelled, lunging forward, but Kakashi caught her arm tightly and pulled her back.

" No, run," he whispered. Sakura nodded and pushed the chakra to her feet, racing away, leaving Kakashi and the ninja in a rematch. Sakura turned back to see Kakashi lift his headband to reveal his Sharingan. If she ever escaped, she would have to thank him for saving her and Sasuke, if she could get to him in time.

" I've been meaning to repay you for that morning, Kakashi," the ninja said as he let the senbon in his mouth hang limply. " I know you've been keeping Sakura all to yourself. You fed me that bull shit about her being underage to keep me away while you've been fu…"

" That's not true Genma, and I advise you mind your own business," Kakashi said warningly as he stood ready.

" I'll get her Kakashi, even if I have to go through you," Genma said, his smile replaced with a scowl as his hand shot to his mouth and gripped the senbon fiercely before throwing it at Kakashi.


Sakura lunged through the window, rolling to the floor before she sprang up and closed the curtains hurriedly. Pressing herself against the wall, she watched as the dark streaks of ANBU ninja raced past the window. She exhaled in relief, wiping the beads of sweat from her forehead. She had managed to evade the ANBU ninja for now. But she was stuck in Kakashi's apartment. She felt trapped, but remained calm as she paced the room.

' What the hell am I going to do, I can't just walk out of here, they'll spot me easily,' she thought in desperation. She ran her hand through her pink strands before she remembered the ANBU uniform. ' He has to have one, he's ANBU, right?' she thought as she battled over her better half. ' But if you get caught, it could be worse than simply running, Sakura. You would be in serious trouble, with the hokage even!' Inner Sakura yelled. Sakura nodded, but she knew she had to do what she felt right.

She suddenly ran to Kakashi's dresser, flinging his clothes from the drawer till she spied what she was looking for. She pulled the ANBU shirt from the drawer and pulled her shirt off quickly before yanking the ANBU top over her head.

Returning to the drawer, she pulled out the white ANBU mask and set it on the dresser surface. Pulling her pink locks back, she pulled the hood of the shirt over her head, checking the mirror before letting a smile spread over her face. With her face and hair covered, she would be literally unrecognizable. Pulling the mask on, she adjusted her uniform before rushing to the window.

She felt bad for stealing Kakashi's ANBU uniform and it was illegal, but she'd need it if she were to escape and she would deal with the consequences later. Noticing the cost was clear, she slipped out of the window and jumped to the roof, her eyes examining her surrounding through the slits in the mask.

She had money, enough for food, supplies, whatever she may need. She just wished this wasn't happening so fast. She felt her mind ache from the sudden rush and urgency of things. She lightly walked across the roofs towards the Konoha entrance, hoping no one would recognize her. Dropping to the ground in a dark alley, she blended with the crowd before detaching and heading in the direction of the open gates.

She held her breath and tried to remain calm as she passed by the two guards standing at their posts near the entrance. They nodded, allowing her past. She merely glanced back before she stopped and disappeared, the light pink smoke swirling in the air. The men exchanged a hesitant look before shrugging and returning their eyes to the dark wooded path.


Sakura pulled the mask up to sit atop her head as she leaned back against the tree trunk, her leg dangling over the thin branch she perched herself upon. She had made it this far, but she was still a long way from the Lightning country. It would be a day at least before she got there. She sighed before rising carefully, pulling the mask back over her face before she leapt off the branched and raced through the canopy top.

She maintained her pace for a good hour before she slowed to rest, her legs shaky and unstable as she plopped down on the branch under her feet. She was exhausted beyond her body's limitations. It was strenuous to move at the pace she was traveling at, but she feared it would be too late by the time she reached the border between the Fire and Lightning countries, so she pushed herself to move faster, swifter. She let her strained breathing return to normal before she stood again, ready to continue along the tree line, but an echoing snap in the forest ahead made her tense.

' Great, either its robbers, or a bigger threat,' she thought with sarcasm as she pulled a few shuriken from her pouch and let them dangle from her fingers as she stooped low on the branch. Her eyes narrowed as the bushes before they shook, the leaves swaying unsteadily as though a person might stubble through the foliage at any moment. But the movement died as instantly as it had begun

. Sakura eyed the spot carefully before a hissing met her ears. She swung down from the branch just as a row of kunai embedded themselves in the thick trunk. She spun her feet out beneath her, catching herself in a low crouch as she skidded to a stop facing the tree.

She had little time to react as a trio of men surrounded her almost instantaneously. Although outnumbered, she felt confident in her odds against the attackers. Her eyes gazed over them before she rose up and lifted her mask to allow better vision.

" I thought I was in danger for a moment," she said with cynicism in her tone. The men let a low chuckle emit from their throats before the nearest to her spoke.

" Who says you aren't in danger, sweetheart. Just do what we say, and we'll let you go free when we're done," he cooed as he stepped forward to place his hand on her hip, but she quickly gripped his wrist and swung him onto his back. The other two backed away as she released his hand.

" I say," she stated as the man jumped to his feet and rubbed his sore wrist, his eyes narrowed at her.

" You little slut, we gave you a chance, now we're gunna have to kill you," he spat before nodding to his comrades who instantly closed in on her. Sakura smiled crookedly, her eyes glinting maddeningly. The two men made a lunge to grab her, but in that instant she had disappeared, their fingers grasping the wisps of pink smoke.

" Now now, you all look soo surprised that it wouldn't be that easy. What's the matter, don't you want to play?"

The men turned in circles, each searching for the source of her voice, but Sakura sat high above them, watching with amusement. Her eyes scanned the ground before she noticed a man was missing from her assailants. A sudden sharp pain in her side signaled his position behind her and her elbow instantly launched into his face, sending the man sailing to the ground, his body landing with a sickening thud.

Sakura fell from the tree, following his decent before catching herself on all fours. She spun up onto her hands as the men rushed at her, her hands spinning her neatly as her legs spread to knock the other two away from her. One hit a tree; his unconscious body sinking to the ground while the other rebounded and managed to send a shuriken at her before landing roughly on his side.

The sharp metal sliced up her front as she leaned back, the shuriken blades ripping her skin apart from her right hip to her left shoulder. Her blood instantly rose to the deep gash, staining the Jouniin shirt. The long tear in the shirt revealed her naked torso, but she left no time to gape as she summoned her chakra to her hands and sent a wall of fire at the last man who was attempting to rise to his feet.

The blast of fire hit his body and sent him crashing through the underbrush, ensuring his defeat. As soon as he was down, her hands clutched the clothe to her body. She was indecent and in the middle of the woods, with no change of clothes. She couldn't help but chuckle at her foolishness. She had been in such a rush to escape, she had forgotten an extra shirt.

Moving away from the scene of battle, she made her way into the woods until she stumbled upon a stream. Reaching the waters edge, she dipped her crimson hands into the clear water, lifting a handful of the crisp water to her side. She poured the water carefully over the gash, letting the water seep into the wound to clean out the blood. The Jouniin shirt clung distractingly to her body so she removed it, figuring she wouldn't come across anyone for a bit.

She eyed the damage with disinterest. A long tear through her skin stretched across her torso from her right hip to her left shoulder, the gash even cutting into the cleavage of her left breast. She grimaced as she continued to pour water over it, trying to slow the blood flow with the icy water.

As she tended to the wound, she was unaware of the eyes that watched her through the dense trees on the other side of the stream. Sakura moved forward, removing her ripped bra and cupping her hands to her bare chest as she moved into the stream. She knew the only way to slow the blood flow was to fully submerge the whole wound, so she gradually sank into the frigid waters, her teeth chattering as the water washed over her hips and up her stomach.

The dark eyes watch with a hunger as her hands left her breasts to rinse the blood that trailed down her peach flesh, the contrast of scarlet on her porcelain skin making his tongue trace over his lips with desire. How long had it been since he had seen her like this? His heart was sore as he watched her shoulders sink below the crystal surface, her pink hair fanned out on the water, her head tipped back in contentment. He longed for her lips, her pink supple flesh on his. Her emerald eyes opened as she rose from the water, the blood flow from the gash ceased. Her delicate fingers traced over her cut, the wound sealing itself as she healed it.

Sakura shivered at the sense of having her own chakra healing her body. It was a weird sensation that left her skin tingly and numb, or perhaps it was the icy waters that left her skin that way. She made her way out of the water, the strange nagging sensation following her as it had the second she had removed the shirt. She knew she was not alone, there was someone else there, she felt their eyes on her as she moved up the bank to the grass, picking up the shirt to press it to her wet chest.

He sighed in remorse as he watched her sit on the grass, her face tilted toward the sky, the suns warm rays shimmering on her wet skin. His body longed to move out into the opening, to reveal himself to her. He had seen her fight, he had seen her get injured and it had enraged him. He had nearly jumped out of hiding to rip her attacker to pieces, but he realized that wasn't wise. She had saved herself as well as him numerous times. Since when would she need him? As he watched her close her eyes in exhaustion, he wondered if she still thought about him, longed for him, like he longer for her, thought about her.

To be truthful, she was all he thought about. He should have been dead by now, in the grasp of the enemy. The reason he was still breathing, still moving, still thinking about her… well it was just that. Her. He didn't know what he was thinking when he had walked out on her and broken her heart, not to mention ripped his own apart. What would it take for her to forgive him now?

He figured she was over him, she had moved on. It hadn't surpassed his eyes that she had stolen Kakashi's ANBU uniform. He knew from simple observation. She had no ANBU ink on her arm as far as he could see and the only other ANBU ninja they knew was Kakashi.

Was she involved with Kakashi? He wouldn't put it past her to move onto a man that could give her what she wanted, and Kakashi was that kind of man. He had a feeling Kakashi had more going on in his mind about Sakura the day he had watched Sakura shower beneath the waterfall in the hot springs. But was Sakura truly that involved. He wouldn't venture to find out. He was comfortable just watching her as she rest her weary body in the sunlight.

She shifted to lie on her stomach and he leaned forward to get a better view. She had a slight smile on her lips as he noticed something that shocked him. At the corner of her eye, a glittering tear slid down her cheek, but her smile never faltered. What would provoke such joy and sadness? He desired to hold her, to wipe away her tear, but again he had to remain where he was. But there was something odd about the smile on her face coupled with the tear. What could she be thinking?

"…. Sasuke, I know you are there, don't hide from me anymore," she spoke out, her voice carrying over to him.

His breath hitched painfully as his dark eyes widened. How did she know he was there? Did she see him? No, he knew she couldn't. Then how did she know?

Sakura rolled over to her back, the shirt lying to her chest as she breathed calmly, although her heart was hammering within her chest. She knew she had seen those eyes, the glint of obsidian that was unmistakable amongst the tree leaves. He had been there the whole time, but she had denied herself the recognition until she was sure.

She had cheated; she'd admit that now. She had used her eyes, just as the Sharingan, to search for his chakra amongst the surroundings. He probably hadn't realized as she was staring into the sunlight, the bright glow from her eyes nearly invisible in the sun's bright rays.

A slight rustling in the trees beside her attracted her attention and she watched as the raven-haired boy dropped from the high branches and stood, his eyes locked with hers. She felt the odd sensation well inside of her; she fought back the tears that threatened to consume her. She wasn't upset, she wasn't even angry with him. The happiness and joy she felt was almost too great to describe.

He cocked his head to the side as another clear tear streaked down her face and fell lightly onto the ground. Her smile was one he had missed, the one he would see in his dreams as he lay beneath the stars at night, fighting to overcome the nightmares that haunted him.

She remained lying on her back, her face turned away from him. She wanted soo badly to leap up and run into his arms, to cry while he held her, to have his touch on her body. But she wouldn't give in, not until she knew he would never leave again. Never.

" How long, Sasuke?" she asked, her head turning to face him. He remained unmoving, his eyes scanning over her. He had missed her beauty, her smile, the warm glow in her eyes when she would gaze into his.

" Too long," he stated, a sincere smile on his lips. She couldn't help the girlish giggle that bubbled up and escaped her mouth. It was like a dream. Here he was, right before her, the handsome Uchiha that melted her heart, yet had broken her too. She sat up and rose to her feet to face him. They shared a long, unbroken gaze until Sasuke thought he would burst.

He wanted to touch her, to feel her rapid heartbeat beneath his fingers when he kissed her. He wanted to share the intimacy that they once had, where everything seemed to fade away from them when they held each other. He wanted the long nights of ecstasy, the teasing roam of hands, the whispers of love when they would lie wrapped up in one another.

He moved forward, Sakura's eyes never wavering as he came closer, her hands trembling slightly as they tried their best to hold the material to her chest. He was a mere breath away when he stopped, his dark eyes reflecting the desire and longing he had held inside. She returned his intimate gaze, her own fantasies playing out in her mind.

" Sasuke, touch me, let me know this isn't a dream," she whispered as her eyes left his momentarily to seek out his hand. She wrapped her fingers around his palm, bringing his hand to her chest, letting him feel the race of her heart as her eyes returned to his. He felt his hands slide down her chest, pulling the tattered shirt from her body in one languid pull. Sakura's lips parted as her eyes closed, Sasuke's own lips pressing against hers in desperate pleasure. His tongue swept into her mouth, the fiery sensation flowing from every pore in their bodies.

His hand caressed her breast gently, his fingers teasing her nipples. A breathy moan escaped her mouth as he deepened the kiss, his other hand wrapping around her naked waist to pull her tightly to him. She could feel his excitement from the shared kiss as his hips pressed against her urgently. She couldn't deny, she felt the lust rise throughout her as well. Her hands ran over his chest, her fingers finding their way into his soft hair, a deep groan rumbling in his throat from the sensation.

His hand slipped to her satchel, unfastening it quickly and letting it drop to the ground beside her feet. She pushed urgently against him, the obstruction of the satchel gone. She let her hands run down his neck tenderly, pulling at his shirt. He grunted and left her lips momentarily to yank the shirt over his head. He gazed over her body, his hands tracing over her breasts as she let her head fall back with pleasure. He took the opportunity to move his mouth down her neck and to her breast. His lips nibbled gently as his tongue traced lightly over her flesh, causing Sakura to moan openly as her hands gripped his shoulders tightly.

He teased her nipple with his mouth, letting the heat between them rise. Her breath escalated as his hand found its way between her legs. He stroked her gently, feeling her tremble as his fingers slid over her hot flesh. She gasped as his fingers slipped under the thin fabric, tracing their way downward. She sighed as they slipped inside her, creating a sensation she had never felt before. Sasuke's mouth continued to roam over her, his lips finally meeting hers. She wasted no time in expressing her pleasure as she wrapped her arms around his neck, her kisses deep and arousing. Sasuke could feel his will to hold out dissolve as her tongue traced over his bottom lip, her teeth nibbling softy.

He lowered her to the grassy ground, pinning Sakura beneath him. Her lips left his to dance along his neck, her tongue flickering over his flesh. He groaned as her hand felt its way down his waist to stop at his pants. Her other hands left his chest to undo his pants, Sakura tugging them down as he leaned down to take her lips. She couldn't believe that this was actually happening. Wasn't she just looking for him a mere 20 minutes ago and now here they were, wound up together in the erotic moment. Her lips left his as they caught their breath.

" Sa-Sasuke, I-I can't believe I've found you," she sighed through her heavy breathing. His obsidian eyes roamed over her face, memorizing it all. He could have lost this, all for his stupid goals. What goals would come at this cost, of losing the only one he ever loved? It wasn't worth it, but it was a continuous battle he raged within.

" I don't know how I ever lived without you, Sakura. Forgive me, please," he whispered as he let his head rest on her chest, he eyes closed as he felt her heartbeat. So rhythmic and calm, she was everything he was not.

" You never needed it, Sasuke. I would have loved you till the end," she breathed into his ear. He let her warm breath tease his neck before he lifted his head to gaze into her piercing eyes. The deep emerald captivated him as he felt himself succumb to the nagging sentence that clung to his lips. He had battled against himself to say these words, the second he saw her they had been dying to come forth, and now they were.

" I love you Sakura, I always will," he said, the instantaneous moment causing the curse to flare upon his skin.

" I love you too," Sakura replied, her own curse spreading over her skin. Her heart felt lifted, free. Could it be that she had unlocked herself with a few simple words. They were a struggle, but with the assurance that he felt the same, they seemed to come spilling from her lips themselves.

The burn on her flesh was immeasurable, but she fought against it as she focused solely on his captivating eyes. The Sharingan lit, his deep red eyes watched her closely, her inner thoughts revealing themselves to him. Her eyes glowed the eerie white as he lifted his hand to her face, his body slowly succumbing to the intense pain that ran form his neck to every nerve in his body. But he lowered his face till their lips met, the explosion of light behind his eyes blinding, a shock like lightning coursing through him.

If pain was bliss, it was enough to make him faint. Her lips pressed firmly against his once more before she let her head fall back, his hand instantly catching her. He rose off her, talking her in his arms as he held her trembling body. Her eyebrows scrunched in pain as her veins ran with fire, her whole body shaking from the indescribable burn.

Sasuke rocked back and forth, battling the darkness that fought to overcome his mind. He knew if he could hold out, he would last, he would win over this moment. It was just one step, but he would take it, for her. His eyes drifted down to the pink haired beauty that squirmed in his arms. He frowned at the pained look on her face, but knew that she would fight it to the end, for him.

Moments passed before her eyes shot open, her breath coming in gasps. It was over, she sighed inwardly as the curse reverted back to its origins, the ink fading slowly to the puncture scars on her breast. Sasuke watched her as she focused her eyes on her surrounding before coming to, the shocking green eyes meeting his at last. He was afraid she had passed out, her body hitching and convulsing in his arms. She smiled weakly as she lifted herself to sit comfortably in his lap. Her head leaned on his shoulder as she kissed his cheek.

" This is only the beginning, you know that," she sighed as his arms wrapped around her.

" I know, and I'm willing to do whatever it takes," he replied, his sure gaze lingering on her deep pools of emerald. She smiled warmly before she closed her eyes and snuggled up against him.

" You know I won't be accepted when I go back," he said, his eyes focused across the stream at the dark forest. He knew returning would only add to their problems, but he prayed the hokage would pardon him or at least allow him back to the Leaf.

" I know, but if you can't stay, I'll leave with you," she answered, Sasuke sighing in relief. She was still willing to follow him to the end of the world if it came to that, and for that, he would be forever thankful.

" Well, why are we just sitting here, we have a long trip back, and I have a serious scolding to receive," Sasuke said as he lifted Sakura in his arms and rose. Sakura wrapped her arms around his neck for support and welcomed his shirt as he handed it to her.

" We wouldn't want people to think things," he said with a chuckle.

" No, we wouldn't want that," she laughed as she met his lips lightly.


" To say the least, Tsunade almost died when I walked with Sasuke through her office door led by Genma. Let's just say she didn't pardon us without a proper punishment," Sakura said as she mused over the past day's events with Hinata and Ino. Sasuke rolled his eyes as Shikamaru, Naruto and Gentai poked fun at the bright tattoo that adorned both Sakura and Sasuke's foreheads.

So far, everyone in Konoha had grown tired of the talk regarding Sasuke and herself, and their group of friends had basically forgiven Sasuke for succumbing to the curse and becoming a missing-nin, even if he still had an eternity of mocking ridicule to remind him. But all in all, everything was how it should be, and their ritual of dining at the café had begun again with the return of their missing members.

" So what's the story behind the tattoos again?" Shikamaru asked as he leaned across the table to get a closer look at the angry looking mark that was etched across Sasuke brow line.

" Well, it's to keep track of us. If we leave Konoha, they'll know and our punishment will be increased ten fold, and by ten fold I mean the tattoo releases a poison that will paralyze us for 3 days. You know, the usual," Sakura said with a chuckle.

She was simply happy because they were offered a second chance. She definitely had to thank Kakashi for this one too, he had argued against Tsunade for the punishment rather than banishment. She frowned suddenly at the thought of her former sensai, not to mention lover. She hadn't seen him since she had gotten back… Well that wasn't necessarily true.

Flashback

Sakura heard the yelling clearly through the door, Tsunade's voice ringing through her office as she demanded Kakashi remain out of the matter. He in turn objected and demanded she allow them to remain in Konoha and serve severe punishments.

The argument had lasted for almost half an hour when the door suddenly opened and a furious looking Tsunade screamed at them to enter her office. Sakura and Sasuke shared a nervous glance before entering. Sakura had barely begun to pass through the door when Kakashi had bumped into her. Sakura's eyes met his and her face instantly flushed. He managed to smile before she felt Sasuke's hand on her lower back. Kakashi let his face fall as he nodded. She was back with him, it was more than apparent at the look Sasuke gave Kakashi. Sakura remained trapped between the two as they shared a glare, Sasuke's hand giving her a slight nudge. Sakura moved forward.

" Excuse me, sensai," she said in a weak voice as she moved past him, Sasuke's hand leaving her back momentarily to stop at the door, his eyes still locked on Kakashi's.

She was fully ashamed of herself and couldn't maintain her calm composure as she brushed past him and took a seat. His eyes had looked so… sad and lonesome. Her hands shook as she stared at her feet in guilt and hurt.

" Good luck," she heard him say to Sasuke, his tone sounding strained as he clasped Sasuke's shoulder. Now she knew… it was a mistake. Sasuke knew, she was positive of it by her simple reaction at the door. She kept her eyes focused on the floor as she heard Kakashi's footsteps at the door, a pause, then the click of the door shutting.

End Flashback

" Sakura, are you okay?" Ino asked as Sakura sat in silence, her face stoic. Sakura's eyes turned to meet Ino's worried stare.

" Oh, yeah, I'm fine… what did you ask about, Shika?" Sakura asked as she shook herself mentally out of her thoughts.

" Huh, um, the tattoo… you told me already though," he said hesitantly. Sasuke sighed and pulled his headband over the mark as Shikamaru's finger prodded it.

" Oh right, sorry, kind of out of it today," she added with a light blush. Sasuke kept his dark eyes on her as her face fell back to a blank stare.

" So why do you have one, Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked, snapping her back once again from her thoughts.

" Oh, well… one, for running from officials; two, for stealing an ANBU uniform and illegally impersonating an ANBU official and; three, leaving Konoha in pursuit of an S-class criminal without proper authorization," she said as she ticked the offenses off her fingers. Naruto gawked then laughed, letting his fist hit the table as his laughter rang throughout the café.

" You got one hell of a girlfriend, Sasuke. Man, that's a pretty bad record, Sakura. Will they let you take the Jouniin exams now?" he asked as his laughter died. Sakura shrugged, not really knowing the full extent of the punishment.

" I suppose I still can, but I might have to check it out with Tsunade-sama first. As for Sasuke, he has 3-month probation before he can actually do missions as a rookie Jouniin again," she said as Sasuke sighed.

In her mind, Sasuke had gotten off easy. She had been forced to do medic-nin work at the local hospital in exchange for probation. 32 hours in all and she was only allowed to work 4-hour shifts due to her abilities. It was going to be a long few weeks.

" I think we should go if you're going to get to your shift on time, Sakura," Sasuke said suddenly, Sakura turning to him as he stood.

" Oh right, I have to work tonight. I guess we'll see you all later?" Sakura said as she stood and pushed in her chair. The others nodded, Naruto laughing at her sad situation.

" Gah, dobe, shut up," Sasuke said as Naruto snorted and laughed. His face went blank before his eyes narrowed at Sasuke.

" It's almost 6pm Sasuke-teme, your probation starts in a few minutes. You'd best be getting home," he said in his singsong voice, Sasuke clenching his fist as he shot a dirty look at Naruto.

" Tomorrow, dobe, tomorrow," he said menacingly, his eyes a deep scarlet, the Sharingan wheels turning. Sakura sighed and tugged his arm lightly, Sasuke sending Naruto one last smirk before he and Sakura walked away. Naruto's face fell as he watched the two walk up the street.

" He was joking, right?"


MUAHAHAHA sex... luff it, luff it... okay so it wasn't sex, but close enough... wanted to leave SOMETHING to imagination...

I MISSED YOU SASUKE! muah he's so sexy, grrrowl... yeah, chapter 14 will be coming tou sometime soon. if you want something else to read i suggest leafychan fanfics, they're in my faves. She is and AWESOME author... oh plus i've started a KakaSaku fanfic called Accidents... its more humor than anything, but it really doesn't seen that way 1st chappy. go take a look, you may be surprised at the way they work out...

OH AND A SPECIAL THANKIES TO THOSE WHO STAYED WITH THE STORY THIS LONG! this is for you guys!