Sakura No Yousei: Beginnings

" No."

" Yes."

" No Sasuke."

" Yes Sakura."

Her jade eyes shot him a dirty look before returning to the path, her head lifted high in her stubborn stupor. He couldn't help but laugh as she pouted and kept her narrowed eyes off of him. Apparently the thought of a third morning romp at her apartment didn't appease her. He had nagged, whispered, cooed in her ear the whole way to her house and she was being the usual bull-headed girl he was in love with.

" Sasuke, honestly, you think three times in one day would satisfy you… men…" she mumbled as he sidled up to her and took her hand. She pretended to ignore him as he lifted her hand to his lips and left a gentle kiss on the back of her palm, a Cheshire smile on his face.

" Come on, it'll be quick and fun," he sighed with the velvet voice that made her hands tremble in his momentarily. He grinned as he saw he was slowly wearing her down and let his lips press against her cheek lightly, Sakura's face flushing violently at Sasuke's public displays of affection. Older passerby's simply smiled at the couple, whereas a few girls passing by shot Sakura a dirty look and muttered on their way. But Sasuke glared them down and they passed by silently.

Turning his attention back to a now moderately embarrassed Sakura, he continued his whispers of sweet nothings the whole 4 blocks it took to get to her house. Sakura began to feel the too familiar rush of adrenaline and arousal and forced her mind to stay focused on her moving in with him.

" … and then I'll slowly slide your shirt off your body and taste you like I did last night," he whispered into her ear, Sakura feeling the prickle of goose bumps on her flesh. She now felt the full stir of heat in her lower abdomen and her hand instantly found the satchel at her side and she began her ritualistic snap and unsnap of the clasp.

Sasuke smiled wide before reaching around her waist and pulling her to his side. Seeing as she was ignoring him now at this point, he leaned his head over and tilted to push his lips to her exposed neck, letting his tongue flicker over her skin as he sucked gentle on her sweet skin. Sakura felt the gasp escape her lips as she pushed him lightly, trying to force him to act moderately decent in public, but Sasuke's lips remained connected with her skin. She hated to think of what a scene this would make had anyone they knew stumbled upon them.

" Ah the lovebirds."

Too late. Sakura froze and Sasuke's head lifted from her neck to look behind them at their unwelcome guests. Shikamaru and Neji stood with triumphant smiles on their faces as they caught the two in the naughty deed. Sasuke eyed them with disinterest before returning to Sakura's neck, finishing off the red mark that had already began to develop on her peach skin. Shikamaru and Neji just watched with disappointment and slight nausea as Sasuke left Sakura's neck to kiss her sloppily then pull her away toward her house.

" Nice seeing you guys," Sasuke said as he glanced back and raised his hand in a light wave. The two remained planted to the spot, mouths slightly agape. They shared a look before Shikamaru sighed and began to walk away with Neji.

" How does he do that? Ino would kill me…" Shikamaru said as the two spared one last glance at the couple before walking over to the training field.

" I don't know, but that Uchiha is one lucky guy," Neji said offhandedly as they smiled slyly at each other and prepared for their spar.


" Sasuke, please, can you focus for one moment without touching me. Goodness, you act as though you haven't seen me in years," Sakura giggled as Sasuke's arms wrapped around her waist, his face nuzzling against the crook of her neck as he stood behind her. She didn't mind the attention too much now that he was back, but lately he seemed a bit more needy to her and she wondered if something was wrong.

" How can you expect me to focus on anything but you?…" he sighed as he ran his hand down her arm to intertwine their fingers, his lips brushing delicately over her shoulder. Sakura could feel her insides turn to slight mush at the gentle kisses and soft touches that he left. She had to do everything in her power to push away the desire to pull him off to her room for a few hours of fun. But they had work to get done and Sasuke wasn't cooperating.

" Tell you what," she said while turning around in his arms to face him, " we can do whatever you want for the rest of the day if we can get my stuff to your apartment by 3, okay?"

Sasuke's face lit in a devious grin and he was suddenly gone in a puff of smoke, along with a stack of boxes sitting near her door. She laughed at his eager hurry and picked up a box filled with her clothes before she pushed the chakra to her legs and dashed up the street, arriving at his apartment only a few seconds later. Setting her things on the kitchen counter, she noticed boxes that Sasuke had brought from her house, but some others as well, labeled Uchiha in big red letters.

She walked over to the stack of boxes at the far end of the room and opened the top, finding dishes and sheets, clothes and toiletries along with other knickknacks he had lying around his apartment. She felt massively confused at the box's contents and turned to see Sasuke enter the apartment with an armful of boxes. He set them down and turned to see her watching him and noticed her hand lying on the open boxes he had stored in the corner earlier that morning.

" Sasuke, why are your things packed up too?" she asked as she closed the box and walked over to him. Sasuke couldn't help the embarrassed smile that plastered itself to his face.

" Yeah, I forgot to tell you earlier, but…" his smile faded and he became serious as she leaned against the counter next to him and watched him curiously.

" Well, I was thinking, I mean… I wanted to move back to the Uchiha Mansion… now it doesn't mean we have to stay there right away Sakura, we have plenty of time to move in," he began as he saw the shock on Sakura's face. She seemed to practically stumble as she pushed herself clumsily off of the counter to stand upright. Sasuke prepared to catch her, but her hands shot out to grasp his tightly. Her jade eyes locked onto his.

" Sasuke, are you sure? I mean the last time we were there, it was soo, soo depressing… I don't think I could live in a place like that," she said as she bit her lip. Sasuke just smiled warmly and chuckled.

" Well, while you train everyday, me and Naruto and some of the guys go over and clean it up. In fact, we put new furniture in it and got everything up and running. We even painted the outside for you," he said with a smirk. Sakura let her happiness flow over her clam façade and leapt into his arms and laughed joyfully. She had loved the large space of the house and the beautiful grounds it sat on, but up until now, she had never in a million years thought she would be living in the great Uchiha mansion.

" Oh Sasuke! Really? Oh I want to see it soo badly now!" she laughed as she grabbed a stack of boxes. Sasuke chuckled and prepared to follow behind her as she lifted boxes into her arms. She was about to turn and run from the apartment with Sasuke when she noticed two dark figures in the doorway in the doorway. Had Sakura been excited before, she was practically bursting.

" Oh Ino! Hinata!"

The girls giggled as Sakura set the boxes down and embraced them tightly. Sasuke just stood back and watched the group of girls chatter.

" So you're moving in now?" Ino asked as Sakura nodded gleefully, sending a wink over at Sasuke who smiled and winked back. Ino grinned deviously and pulled Sakura just outside the door, out of earshot of Sasuke. Hinata looked shyly down at her feet as Sasuke smiled at her, and Hinata waved politely before slipping nervously out the door. Sasuke shook his head at the shy girls behavior. Even though she spent so much time around him, she still never spoke. He still thought it humorous that she could stand Naruto's motor mouth when she spoke so little.

Just outside, Ino was interrogating Sakura as though she were a felon who had just committed a heinous crime. Her deep blue nails glittering in the sun as she poked and prodded Sakura's forehead with an evil smile on her face.

" I can't believe you and Sasuke are going to live together!" she hissed in a low voice, peeking around the door to spot Sasuke shuffling his feet and eyeing the floor. Her head snapped back to Sakura who wore a light pink blush on her cheeks, her fingers wringing one another.

" He wants me to go and live with him in the Uchiha mansion. He and the guys fixed it up for me," she said quietly although her insides squirmed to just run and see it at that moment. Ino's mouth practically fell open, her jaw hitting the ground in shock.

" Has he proposed to you, is this why?"

Sakura's eyes became as big as dinner plates as she lifted her eyes from the ground to lock onto Ino's blue eyes that seemed to have widened as big as hers.

" You don't think… he will, do you?" she asked timidly as she and Ino shared quick look before they screeched out, jumping and embracing each other. Unfortunately, Hinata couldn't escape the two as they yanked her into their holds.

" Oh, oh my god, he is isn't he?" Ino squealed as they huddled together, their voices low. Sakura seemed to feel the butterflies swirl inside her as their wings tickled her to her toes.

" Oh Ino, I don't know! Oh my god, this is.. so… oh my god, what do I say if he does!" Sakura gasped.

" Say yes of course! Goodness, I thought you had a brain behind that huge forehead!" She laughed as she poked Sakura's forehead again, Sakura chuckling and swatting her hand away playfully.

" Oh Ino…what if I'm wrong though…we've thought he would propose before you know," Sakura said as her smile faded to slight disappointment. Ino just pouted and placed her hands on her hips while letting out a sigh.

" Well, duh. But this is way different. Before you two were just dating, but this time, you're living together and in his mansion! What do you think that means?" Ino said with annoyance. Sakura felt too giddy to move and just inhaled deeply before concentrating on Ino's wide blue eyes.

" Let's just see what happens okay? I don't want to get my hopes up…" Sakura said just as Sasuke walked through the door and grabbed her hand. Sakura's head snapped to meet his mouth that pressed against hers roughly. She could hear Ino and Hinata giggle briefly before she pulled back for air.

" What's going to happen that you don't want to get your hopes up for?" Sasuke asked as Sakura stared into his eyes with a slight smile on her face.

Sakura blinked as though mentally slapped and let her jade eyes fall to her feet while muttering a meek " nothing" under her breath. Sasuke cocked his head at her sudden shyness and shrugged, figuring she and Ino were talking about matters that he would certainly not want to know about.

" So anyways, Ino, Hinata, if you two don't mind, I think I have to steal Sakura. We have somewhere to be right now and if we don't get there, Sakura will be breaking a promise," he said with a smirk as he nodded his head toward the large clock inside that hung in sight. Sakura felt her eye twitch as she noted it read 2:55.

' Damn him and his uncontrollable hormones,' she thought with a chuckle before she looked up at Sasuke.

" Fine, let's go," she said before waving off Hinata and Ino who had taken his comment as he had meant it and were busy hurrying off to avoid the situation Sakura had gotten herself into. Sakura sighed as she watched her friends escape without her. But then again…

She could feel Sasuke's warm breath on her ear, his steady breathing making her shiver.

She was almost happy to see them go, even if she slightly wished she was going with them. But Sasuke's hot kisses were now warming her skin and she didn't protest.

" Come on. Let's grab some stuff to get by for one night and head over there," he whispered to her before pulling her back inside.

Sakura picked up a box of silverware and some dishes while Sasuke piled boxes of their clothing into his arms. Sakura led the way outside and held Sasuke's boxes while he locked the door then followed him a brisk run as soon as he had taken back his things. As soon as they reached the gates to the Uchiha complex, they slowed to a walk.

Sakura was in awe at how different it looked. Every house, big and small, was painted a clean white, the bloodstains covered over. She let a sigh of relief escape her lips as she remembered the last time she had visited Sasuke's old home. She followed behind Sasuke, eying all the work he had put into making his home a comfortable one for her.

' Our home…,'she corrected herself. She would love to spend the rest of her days as an Uchiha, living on the vast lands owned by Sasuke; raising her their children and sharing sweet memories. She felt her heart flutter. It was a jump to go from moving it to having kids and growing old together, but she was still and always would be willing to follow him to the end of the earth, if it meant she could know his love for her was always there.

" Sakura? We're here."

Sasuke's deep voice brought her back form her fantasies and her eyes focused on what they seemed to be fixed on but not totally acknowledging. The symbol above the door to the grand house shone bright and brilliant against the dark stone of the Uchiha house. The red and white fan seemed to beam down at her and she let a wide toothy grin spread across her face.

Sasuke chuckled at her reaction to seeing her new home and lightly pulled on her hand with his free one.

" Come on, you haven't even seen the inside," he said as he wrapped an arm around her slim waist and drug her up the steps. Sakura tilted her head as she watched the symbol slide from view, the dark overhang of the porch blocking the red and white fan from her sight.

She heard the sliding of the screen door and lowered her head to step through the threshold into the dimly lit house. The floors glistened and gleamed, the light from a small lamp splashed over the clean floors in a magnificent display. The smell of leather met her nose and she let her feet carry her around the hallway till she came to stand in a large living room.

Her mouth fell open as her eyes scanned over the newly decorated home. All new furniture sat in the cozy room, a light crackle of a fire blazed in the marble fireplace. She had no idea his house looked so grand and expensive. She almost felt spoiled as she ran through the house, peeking in and out of random rooms, finding each fresh and clean, each more beautiful than the next.

And finally she came to a room, Sasuke in toe, the had a gold plate hung over the entrance. A single marking, "love", was articulately engraved and Sakura could feel her hand shake as she reached out to feel the cool metal of the door handle onher fingers.

" This is our room. I redid it especially for you. No one else has gone in here since the house has been remodeled."

Sakura bit her lips as Sasuke reached around her to place his hand over hers on the door handle. She felt a burst of excitement and let her hand push the handle down. The door swung open to reveal darkness and Sakura pout momentarily as Sasuke's hand left hers to feel along the wall for the light switch. As soon as the "click" resounded and the light flooded the room from the numerous sconces on the walls, Sakura let her mouth fall to a perfect "o" as her eyes beheld the most gorgeous bedroom.

Thick deep scarlet drapes hung over the window, the floor warmed in the flames that danced in the fireplace. At the center of the room sat a large four-poster bed, a sheer red curtain encasing the bed completely. Numerous silken pillows sat in heaps upon a rose quilt, Sakura petals sown into the delicate fabric. Scattered over the glossy oak floor were pink rose petals that stretched over the soft white rug that lay under her feet to the tied back opening to the bed.

Sakura let out a joyous laugh before she ran and jumped upon the bed, sending a shower of rose petals into the air around her. Each floated on the air before resting over her body. Sasuke smirked as he watched her sit up and look around. Her eyes reflected the warm red glow from the fire and her green eyes danced with excitement. Her lasher lowered as she tiled her head to look at him, a devious grin replacing her awed slack jawed expression moments before.

" So Sasuke…you have me for the rest of the evening, or did you forget my deal?" she asked coyly as she bit her lips and fluttered her eyes while playing with the hem of her shirt, lifting it slightly to reveal her soft skin. He slowly made his way over to her, stripping off his shirt as she began to giggle. His stride became more of a run as she threw her shirt at him and she had just enough time to crawl into the safety of the large bed before he came hurtling after her, letting the curtain around the bed close before pursuing.


Sakura sat at the large peninsula counter in the expansive Uchiha kitchen, the hot porcelain mug warming her fingers as she gripped her drink tightly. A soft coo from the waking birds outside drifted through the window and her tired eyes scanned the dark horizon that lay beyond the open door beside her that led to the patio just outside.

Her nightmarish slumber beside Sasuke had forced her to sit awake for hours. She had lain beside him, listening to his soft breathing, the sensual touches that his fingers traced over her soft skin. She had been having the same dream for soo many days. It had all started after he had left to pursue his desires with Orochimaru. She had watched his chest rise and fall, knowing that those powerful eyes lay dormant beneath his slumbering lids.

She uncrossed her legs and leaned back in her seat, sighing as the cold wood of the chair legs met her bare skin. Her steady hand brought the mug to her lips and she let the tepid liquid slide down her throat easily. She set the mug down quietly before standing and pulling down on Sasuke's shirt that she had taken to wear when she had decided to rise and start her day. Walking past the clock, she squeezed her eyes shut in frustration.

4 Am

Her bare feet lifted silently as she carefully tiptoed over to the open terrace door. The cool sticky air met her skin, raising the goose bumps on her arms and legs. She shivered slightly before walking over the cool stones that led down to a small stream that cut its way through the backyard. She stopped beside the clear water and let herself fall lightly into the tall grass. The cold dew tickled her thighs as she stretched her legs out before her, enjoying the feel of the crisp blades of grass beneath her fingers.

She let her eyes close, blocking out the faint light that streaked the sky in hues of pink and yellow. The darkness behind her eyelids was a welcome comfort and she gradually let herself recline into the tall grass around her. Her body ached and pleaded for sleep and she didn't resist, but allowed her mind to slip into reverie.

" Please don't hurt him… I beg you, take me instead, please."

" What could you possibly possess girl, that I could want for myself. Why shouldn't I kill this man?"

" I-I love this man, do not take him… if you must, take me…"

Sakura shifted uncomfortably, her body responding to the terrors running though her mind. That laugh, so cold and icy, echoed through her ears. So close, but she couldn't reach him.

" Please… I'll do anything…"

" Why are you soo weak, kunoichi? Leave here and I might spare you the sight of seeing him killed before you. Hesitate, and you'll watch before I kill you the same way."

" I can't leave, please…"

Sakura's closed eyes squeezed shut, pushing the warm salty tears out of hiding and let them trail over her chilled skin. A whimper escaped her mouth as she felt a burning in her throat, the constriction of fear in her chest

" You can't do this… They'll find you and kill you…"

" So convinced… this is a pleasure. You took him oncel, you won't have him again."

" Orochimaru, please… he's all I have left."

Her wide frightened eyes beheld the bodies scattered around her from the vicious battle. A face down body, clad in an orange jumpsuit, lay at her side, blood staining his battered body. Beside him lay her former sensai, his face turned up to the dark night sky, the Sharingan dull and listless in his wide eyes. She forced her eyes to meet the last remaining companion of her childhood, her love. His obsidian eyes pleaded with her to leave, his weakened body crumpled at the snake-like man's feet.

" Sa-Sakura… leave me."

She shook her head violently. She forced herself to pull forward, the horrendous pain shooting up through her thigh and searing the bloodied skin.

" Sasuke, I'll never leave you."

Sasuke gasped as she sat up in a flash, her skin pale and soaked with sweat. She sat trembling as she gained her bearings. The sun was peaking up over the valley floor, illuminating her in a soft orange. Her chin trembled before she pulled her knees to her chest and rocked back and forth, the tears spilling over her cheeks in waves.

Why couldn't she just live the life she had with him. Haunted, that's all she was. Every second that passed, she felt their time together slipping from her fingertips. She couldn't help the painfully cry that passed her lips as her tears feel heavier into the dark clothe around her naked body.

" Sakura?"

Her eyes opened wide at the sound of her name. She wanted to turn to face him, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. Instead, she felt his warmth envelope her and his arms wrapped around her. He pulled her between his outstretched legs, letting her bury her face into his chest as she turned in his arms. She gasped, hiccupping as she wiped at her eyes, her tears fleeing before she looked hesitantly up into his face. His dark eyes studied her flushed face streaked with tears.

With a gentle pull forward, his lips touched her cheek before he held her to him, her head resting on his shoulder. His free hand stroked her hair soothingly as her breathing slowed.

" Sasuke, do you remember that day, after you kissed me first? That dream you had?"

He nodded his head, tilting it curiously as she pulled back to look him in the eye. Her deep pools of emerald shimmered, her cheeks flushed delicately. She looked angelic like this, innocent and playful, but her eyes hid a sorrow that killed him to see.

" I can't stop this dream I keep having. Sasuke, I fear something is terribly wrong," she whispered. She tugged at the cuff of the long shirt she wore and used it to wipe at her damp cheeks as he watched her carefully. There was definitely something in her eyes that contained fear.

" Sakura, you'll never lose me. We're starting a new life together and I'll always be here. It was just a dream okay?" he said with consolation, his warm smile comforting her, but she couldn't help the pull of frustration and fear that seemed to float around her head.


" Anka, what do you mean by that?"

" I- I want to…leave here, that's what I meant," she said timidly while shuffling her feet. Her deep blue eyes studied her bare feet carefully, noticing the shimmer of light cross her toes and make the light blue nail polish shine. Gentai stood beside her, his matching sapphire eyes dancing with fear and desperation.

" Anka, we were just making a life for ourselves. Do want to leave that all behind just to return to our past?"

Her face showed her sting by his words as her blonde eyebrows dipped in pain. It was harder than she thought it would be, to tell Gentai that she didn't desire to live with him any longer. She loved him to no end, but he hadn't made any progression in their relationship and she had begun to doubt that he loved her back.

Instinctively, she ignored the burn that began to hurt her eyes, the tears that steamed over her blue orbs, making them as glassy as the lakeside they sat before. She watched the stream of fluffy clouds move along the lake's placid surface, their smooth reflection dazzling as they seemed to move in another world that lay beneath the cool waters.

' Why can't my life be like that, undisturbed, calm and peaceful. But it's not, nor will it ever be.' She sighed and hung her head, letting her cheek rest against her drawn in knees.

" Anka, I can't tell you what to do with your life, but you're everything to me," he pleaded. Her eyes turned to meet his and widened as she noticed the trail of a single tear that had stained his pale cheek. She hated to see him like this. It tore her apart that love had to hurt. She reached her hand forward, her slim fingers wiping the tear from his chin before coming to rest on his damp cheek. Something tugged at her, her lips strained before she let them open.

" Will you love me forever?"

His mouth moved but she quickly laid her finger over his parted lips. He silenced his answer as her eyes searched his.

" Will you promise to love me, no matter what? No matter if our lives are different and if everything was not okay between you and the world. Would you trust me to take care of you?"

He didn't even wait for her to finish. His answer was assured. He would love her forever, till he had nothing left but that single breath of air. Even still, she would be the only thing he would take that breath for. His smile told her everything and she let her hand fall from his face to rest on his neck.

" I will never love another so long as I live. You and me, always Anka."

He leaned forward, but not to meet her lips as she had expected. Instead, he reached his hand into his back pocket. She waited, and watched as his hand returned with a small white box. And at that moment, she knew they would never be apart, that she wasn't leaving.


Sasuke sat, his fingers linked and his chin resting comfortably atop them as he watched Sakura change into her dress before they headed off to dinner with Naruto, Hinata and the rest of the gang. She stepped out of the bathroom after fixing her long pink tresses up in intricate knots and spirals, a form fitting yellow sundress hugging her lean form nicely.

He had bought her that dress in hopes he would get to take her out in it and after much arguing over the black dress she wanted or his yellow dress, she obliged and put it on. Surprisingly she had loved it. The hem of the skirt rested at mid thigh, the light fabric billowy and elegant as she walked towards him. A simple golden ribbon framed her waist and tied up in a bow against her back and Sakura found that she had liked Sasuke's taste in dress for her.

She fussed with the this straps that held the dress up, but felt a hand rest on her shoulder as her fingers lifted the strap that had fallen against her upper arm.

" Sasuke, the straps refuse to stay on my shoulders," she said with a slight pout. Sasuke laughed as he tugged the dress down, the straps now comfortably stable on her shoulders. Her face lit in a slight blush as the soft ridges of her cleavage now became visible.

" Oh Sasuke, why did you have to pick this dress! Everyone can see down my top now," she said as she laid her arms over his shoulders with a smirk on her lips. He could tell she was playing with him, testing his will. He returned her smirk before wrapping his arms about her waist and pulled her closer.

" You know, we could just rein check? I'm sure they'd understand," he said slyly as his eyes roamed over her bare neckline. She laughed as he returned her tease, finding the arousal pleasant. Suddenly a grumble emitted from her stomach and she blushed, letting a small giggle out.

" Actually, I might have to rein check you," she said as she pulled away and walked with enthusiasm towards the door of their bedroom. He watched with anxiety as her hips swayed provocatively, her face turned to him and a devious glint in her emerald eyes. He did all he could muster to stand and follow her out the door and into the street. He lagged behind, enjoying the view while Sakura mumbled ahead of him, giggling time to time when she would look back and find his eyes on her.

" Sasuke, we're here."

He suddenly stopped as his mind wandered back to him and he found his arm linked with Sakura's as she led him through a low courtyard strung with lanterns and twinkling white light. Sitting around a large white linen table sat Hinata with Naruto, Gentai and Anka and Ino with Shikamaru. Naruto was the first to notice the couple and made their entrance known.

" OY! SASUKE-TEME! SAKURA-CHAN! OVER HERE!"

" Damn dobe," Sasuke said with a grin as he leaned into Sakura, his voice barely above a whisper. Sakura couldn't help the smile that bloomed over her face as they took their seats beside Naruto and Shikamaru.

" So, we hear you two have been quite busy," Ino said with a raise of her eyebrows, hinting secretly at Sakura who felt the heat rise to her face. Sasuke just let out a sigh of annoyance as he let his eyes slide to the side and give a look at Shikamaru. He returned the look with a slight smirk. Ino rolled her eyes and poked him in the ribs playfully

" Honestly," Ino continued, " you two have been living together for about two days and Sakura's apartment is bare and up for sale, same with yours Sasuke. Is there anything we should know about?"

Sakura shook her head, knowing where Ino was leading the conversation. Sasuke watched as Sakura picked at the napkin in her hand nervously, her lips between her teeth. Was she uncomfortable with what Ino insinuated, or was it that she was silently anticipating the thought? He felt a sinking in his stomach as he watched her emerald eyes stare blankly at her hands. Maybe she thought this was going to fast. But why else would she have moved in with him?

" You know Ino," Sasuke said suddenly, making Sakura's eyes dart to him beside her, " Sakura's birthday is coming up I had a little surprise in mind. Maybe that's what you're hinting at?" he said calmly as her smile faded. Ino knew Sasuke was turning the conversation around to avoid the uncomfortable scene and she silently praised him for saving Sakura from the embarrassment.

Sakura couldn't help the warm smile that spread over her lips as Ino quietly looked at her menu and the others dismissed the weird exchange. Sasuke grabbed her hand from beneath the table and gave it a squeeze. She returned his delicate hold on her and let her eyes settle on his. Had she looked up seconds earlier, she would have seen the slight disappointment in his face.

The rest of the dinner went well. The group discussed missions, tales of their sensai's relived memories from the ninja academy. As usual Naruto was center of attention as he rambled on about how he had defeated some great ninja in some foreign land. Sakura and Sasuke sat back and watched as he told his animated stories, Ino rolling her eyes as he exaggerated.

" Troublesome," Shikamaru whispered to Sasuke.

" You have no idea. I'm in his squad," Sasuke said as he watched Naruto impersonate

a monkey. Sakura giggle quietly beside him as Anka seemed to believe every word that poured form his rambling mouth. The night had begun to drag on, the dark night sky overhead winkling with a blanket of stars.

It wasn't till a light breeze picked up did the group decide to go their separate ways. They were just about to part from each other when a stirring shifted the air around them. All of them with the exception of Anka stood ready, reaching into numerous pockets and purses for a weapon. Sasuke activated his Sharingan to search the area. It wasn't till he let his fingers grasp his kunai tight did Sakura nod to the others.

" Enemies, maybe 10 or more, moving towards us. I don't know how they got past the guards, but they won't get much farther," Sasuke growled as they prepared for a fight. Anka huddled in the center, her knees trembling at the very thought of being attack with no defense. Sakura moved back beside the girl.

" Anka, this is a senbon needle. It's poison. Please use it if you have to. If there is ever a slight chance to run, do so. We'll protect you with our lives, understand?"

She nodded her head fearfully, her wide eyes watching as Sakura moved back beside Sasuke. He sidled up beside her, his mouth moving quickly, but she couldn't make any of it out. Sakura turned and left a gentle kiss on his lips before they focused on the rustling trees ahead. If there was ever a couple of ninja she respected most, it would be those two. Even in the midst of danger, they stood as one.

As soon as they had their full attention on the forest before them did streaks of black rush at them. Taken by surprise, they all attacked, sending a flurry of kunai at the enemy ninja that surrounded them. Ino and Shikamaru were back to back, fending off any treat, but none seemed to come their way. It wasn't till they turned did they notice Sakura and Sasuke under full siege. Ino quickly ran forward, shuriken flying from her fingers. Gentai had managed to set a barrier between Sakura and 3 enemies, but even more began to emerge from the tree line.

" SAKURA!"

Her head turned as she avoided a kunai that fly past her side. Sasuke was completely swamped. He was surrounded, but the ninja attacking didn't seem to be causing any real damage to him, or her for that matter. But as she attempted to move towards him to aid him, she felt a sting run up her leg and into her back.

' Senbon,' she thought in anger as she pulled a long needle from behind her knee. A second hit her in the arm making it go limp instantly as the poison seared through her skin. A ninja, clad in black, a mask over his face, knelt beside her stuggling form and lifted her clumsily onto his back.

" SAKURA!"

Ino and the others watched in horror as Sakura was carried away, but unable to aid they watched her disappear into the dark foliage. Sasuke was still locked in a battle with three ninja, attempting to free their circle they had formed around him. In the corner of his eye, he could see Sakura's pink hair disappear into the trees. He gritted his teeth with remorse as he heard the others cry out to her.

' She's been taken you fool, you let her get taken.' His mind tumbled over and over till everything went black. He struggled to open his eyes, but they refused. But his skin felt cold, as if he were walking through fog. As his surrounding began to return to him, he knew where he was.

" Orochimaru."


okay i know i suck, what can i say. I'm soo sorry for the terrible wait but school comes first and blah blah blah...anyways with summer nearing, i should find more time to work on my fanfics so the chappies should come out sooner rather than later! hope you all enjoy and i promise to update asap!

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