Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
…
Chapter 4
Koya cleared his throat rather loudly as he entered the lab where Sakura sat hunched over, thumbing through the endless piles of research they had gathered over the last two days. Even she was impressed with the sheer amount of work she had gotten done while hiding in the hospital, not returning home even once.
"Um…" Koya audibly swallowed again, urging her to turn her attention toward him. Swiveling on the stool she was planted on, she moved to face him, a singular pink eyebrow shooting up in surprise. Her poor assistant looked incredibly uncomfortable holding the massive bundle of lavender out to her.
She took it into her arms, eyes fluttering closed as the scent invaded her before peering down at the hand-written note wedged into it.
To the next storm.
That sneaky bastard. Yesterday it was an umbrella with a bow tied to it leaning against her office door. She appreciated the peculiar display of gifts, a sliver of amusement in her mundane days slaving away in this lab. Still, it didn't drive her any closer to seeking him out, she had decided he was hazardous to her health.
"Miss Haruno, don't take this the wrong way" Koya paused, nervously scratching his head before continuing again. "You should probably sleep at home tonight." Sakura frowned at his lack of eye contact, rising on stiff legs, twisting her torso to crack her aching back.
Her eyes widened at her reflection in the mirror in front of her, her disheveled state enough to scare any innocent bystander. Her hair was a mess around her sharp jawline, black circles hollowing her eyes. She looked far too pale and frail under the translucent lighting.
Had she even eaten in the last two days? She really couldn't remember, and she wouldn't bet on it; the room was still spinning from standing too quickly. Her eyes quickly met the floor in embarrassed defeat.
"How about we break for lunch, yeah?" Sakura tried to plaster on a reassuring smile for her concerned acquaintance, mouth instead settling into a pained straight line as she raised her eyes to meet his. His frown deepened as he shook his head.
"It's ten o'clock at night, boss." Her stomach dropped into tightly wound knots; she definitely hadn't eaten, then.
"You go ahead, I'll lock up behind me" she began, rubbing the flat of her palm to he eyes, the exhaustion starting to creep in now that she had stopped working. He eyed her carefully before finally nodding and walking off.
Once he was gone, her hands slid over the cold grey metal of the table beside her, splaying out to steady herself as she swayed on her feet. Sakura took slow deep breaths through parted lips, trying to drive away the syncopal episode that threatened to bring her to the ground. And here she was thinking Mashiro was hazardous to her health.
What health?
It took a long moment before she was finally able to leave the lab, her spinning vision settling into a blurry half lidded gaze, clutching the lavender to her chest as she exited the facility. It was a short walk to her house; she seemed to drag her feet the entire way.
Her stomach was roaring in protest, the knots felt like daggers in her empty stomach by the time she made it to her doorstep, a wave of nausea punching her straight to the gut. A cold sweat broke out onto the back of her neck as she fumbled with her keys, unable to make out the correct one through her vertigo spell before finally dropping them to the ground.
Sakura cursed her carelessness before she was met with a sheet of black, consciousness slipping away as she finally gave in to the overwhelming fatigue. Her small frame hit the ground with a loud thud as she passed out right on her own doorstep, succumbing to the darkness.
..
"Sakura? Are you alright?" It was muffled, but she could still make out that damned voice anywhere. Maybe if she pretended to be dead, Naruto would just go away.
She released an audible groan as her body was carefully lifted from the ground by a pair of strong arms, the motion doing little to stifle the torrent of nausea that whipped through her. Naruto handled her like fine china ready to crumble and blow away with a stiff breeze at any moment. She heard clinking of metal as he ruffled through her keys, finally making it through the entrance of her home.
"What the hell happened in here?" She had all but forgotten about the mess of coffee beans and glass in her kitchen. She had done well to avoid it altogether if her efforts to forget she had a home. He carefully laid her on the couch; she didn't dare open her eyes for fear of vomiting all over her floor, praying Naruto would do her this one favor and leave her in peace.
She heard plastic bags opening and closing, the strong smell of ramen sent her stomach in a gnawing frenzy as she cracked one eye open to peer over at him setting up two sets of chopsticks. He wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.
Sakura groaned as she slowly rose to sit, face coated with a thin layer of cold sweat from her fainting spell. If she had any energy left at all, her first priority would be ridding herself of the unwanted company; her cold trembling hands creeping up to cup her face in her hands.
She could feel the weight of his stare from beside her, grinding her teeth as he sunk into the couch, making himself at home in her space. This was just like him; invading her privacy like he held stock in it, thinking nothing of how it would make her feel.
"I'm sorry," he muttered in between sloppy mouthfuls of ramen. She didn't know whether it was sincere; regardless, she refused to accept it. "I should've given you more space." His voice was uneasy as he broached the subject, and for good reason.
"You shouldn't be here" she retorted, pleased with the edge to her voice despite how weak she currently felt. Her head snapped back into the back of the couch, avoiding Naruto's blue-eyed stare. "I'm fine" she quipped, wishing he'd disappear altogether.
"You don't look fine" Naruto's voice rose over hers; she really wasn't in the mood to argue. Sakura's head lolled to the side to shoot him a pointed glare.
"I said I'm fine" she snapped, glancing at the noodles hanging from Naruto's mouth briefly, his eyes narrowing as her stomach betrayed her with a loud series of rumbles.
"You're not fine, you look sick! You haven't been home in days and look like you haven't eaten in weeks." The sharp edge to Naruto's voice cut her like a knife, voicing her fears. If it had been anyone else-Ino, maybe-she would've accepted a little constructive criticism. But not him. Not after what Naruto had hidden from her.
"You're not my father, Naruto" she hissed, standing abruptly. The word for the man she lost and missed dearly rang in her ears, vision blurring with angry tears. She rocked back on her heels, swaying on her feet.
Naruto jumped up to steady her, Sakura jerking roughly out of his reach. His expression was too much to bear. The guilt, pity and concern swimming in pools of blue despair. She hated being the recipient of such emotions, he didn't deserve to treat her like he actually cared.
"I'm not," Naruto softened at the mention of her dead parent, a rush of melting skin plaguing her thoughts. Her hands reflexively twitched, wanting to cover her ears against the screams that echoed in her mind. He paused before continuing once again. "But I am your friend." Naruto voice had dissipated to just above a whisper.
"Friends don't treat people like this, Naruto" her voice was wavering as she swayed, what little bite she had before now dulled into a meek defense. She didn't want to think of why Naruto had known about her syncopal episode.
"I don't need a bodyguard to keep me blocked off from the rest of the world." Naruto's eyes flashed with a knowing look, confusing and irritating her even further.
"Sakura we love you, we just want you to be safe" Naruto stepped toward her again as she reeled backward out of his range, tripping over the leg of the table and landing onto her back.
There it was, the lies he spouted to make himself feel justified in his actions to aid Sasuke. She felt her heart breaking in half, tiny cracks in fragile glass from the pressure of never being good enough. Why did he always choose Sasuke, after all these years, when would someone choose her?
Visions of her rocking in the fetal position on her kitchen floor surrounded by blood and glass shortly after her parents' deaths popped into her mind, a reel of memories she had buried so deeply she had all but forgotten the events. It came and went too quickly to process. Post-traumatic stress had a way of rearing its ugly head at the exact worst time.
The tears came violently at the thoughts, shoving them back down into their respective corners of her subconscious where they belonged, where she didn't remember. The severe loneliness from many years had her feeling like a prisoner in her own village, in her own mind; it crashed down on her all at once.
Naruto crouched down before her; his hands hesitant as he inched near her as if she were a feral dog. Sakura sagged as he drew her into him, the exhaustion winning over her defiance, her head smacking against his chest. His hand moved in small circles over her back, her body so numb she hardly felt anything at all.
"Sakura, you don't remember every-" Sakura cut him off with a shake of her head. Whatever he was about to say couldn't possibly help her.
"You don't love me, Naruto" she mumbled numbly, his hand freezing at her back. Her stomach roiled at the thought of pushing away the only person she had ever trusted, but she had to stand up for herself. She couldn't trust anyone anymore. She was alone.
"Please" she bowed her head even further, too much a coward to look him in the eyes. "I don't want to see you anymore." Naruto stiffened, releasing her quietly. She didn't dare meet his eyes as he stood, her own anguish swallowing her up whole.
The one-two bumping of her heart was loud in her ears, slow and painful in the moment of silence. Sakura's arms snaked around herself like a child in the frigid cold as she trembled.
Not a word was spoken as he left, a barely audible click of her front door signaling his absence. Just like that, her heart shattered, a million glass shards impaling her insides. Everything hurt; she lost the ability breathe altogether.
Sakura sobbed right there on the floor, the wailing cries echoing off the walls of her too-empty home. If she felt alone before, it had nothing on the deep void she felt splitting within her now. She crawled to the cupboard, snatching the nearest liquor bottle off the shelf to hastily unscrew the cap.
She took a long swig, the unfamiliar burning igniting a path down her throat, settling into a creeping fire in her stomach. Her world was up in flames, everyone she had ever loved seared out of her heart. It was a wonder, then, why she felt so incredibly cold.
..
The sun beamed in through the kitchen window right into her temple, worsening the pounding in her head. She had fallen asleep, back against the pantry door, bottle in hand. Swollen eyes were pinched by track marks of dried tears.
Slender fingers brushed against her face, the warm green glow coaxing the hangover from her. It was a blessing and a curse; to be able to become so toxic and dangerous to herself and wipe it away in an instant. It made things easy to forget.
Sakura made her way over to Naruto's discarded display of ramen, the recent conversation ringing in her mind like salt in an open wound. She inhaled the bowl despite its cold broth and noodles of rubber, pondering if she should even leave the house at all today.
It was the Summer Solstice; at least she didn't have to go into work, she really couldn't deal with Koya's worried face today. There would be no curfew tonight due to the festival-not that it mattered, she no longer had anyone to go with-a day of freedom.
Sakura barked out a pained laugh at her situation, the noise so unfamiliar and alien to her it almost made her cringe. Coffee beans still dotted the floor, the liquor bottle gleaming in the cheerful ray of light. Maybe she should just start drinking now, maybe she was slowly losing her mind.
It had been a while since she had last showered, it took even longer to untangle her mess of pink hair than usual under the hot water of the long shower she stood in. Her hips were too prominent for her taste; hands working the soap down her breasts and over her flat stomach, frowning down at her appearance.
Stepping from the shower, she decided not to waste the day lying in bed feeling sorry for herself. Sakura felt near-mania as she cleaned the entire house, scrubbing every nook and cranny so violently that her fingers burned. Her hands were so dry by the end of the morning the flesh was taught and cracking,
The next stop would be her parents' graves. The anniversary of their death weighed heavily upon her; it was hard to reminisce on anything other than burning flesh and indescribable loss. She barely reflected upon what their faces actually looked like, fearing the curl and bloat of the heat that had changed them forever in her mind.
Sakura knew the amnesia surrounding the event was her own minds' coping mechanism of blocking out the painful memories, but sometimes she wished she could just remember some semblance of the month that followed in order to find some sort of closure. It had been an entire year and still her body denied her this. She guessed she didn't deserve that, either.
She was surprised to see a wide bouquet of assorted flowers resting between her parents' tombstones, glancing around quickly to pin down anyone she could recognize. The graveyard was sparse, whoever visited had long since come and gone.
Sakura silently kneeled before them until her eyes grew heavy, the breeze stiffening as the sun began to sink down behind the trees. All she could focus on was how defeated she felt in that moment, having not even the gull to apologize her inability to save them. Her knees were tight and aching by the time she finally rose and departed.
The village was alive in its preparations for the festival to come that night. People looked genuinely happy for the first time in a while as they decorated storefronts, hanging lights and playing music. She made her way down the street, wanting so badly to feel excited, to feel anything at all.
She couldn't look at the empty lot that once was her parents' home, reduced to nothing but rubble as she quickly passed by; it would always be too soon. Her sigh came out more like a groan as Sakura slid into bed as soon as she made it home, curling into the soft whites of her pillow and sheets. If she slept the entire night away, she wouldn't be upset.
..
Her brows furrowed at the gentle rapping that sounded from her front door, there was no way in hell she was getting up to answer it. The gentle padding was replaced with aggressive pounding, threatening the sturdiness of the wood secured snug in the frame.
Sakura threw a pillow over her head. Out of sight, out of mind.
"Get up, you bitch! We won't take no for an answer!" Oh, Gods, no. Ino's screetching from outside felt like a drill into her brain, no amount of pillows could drown that out. "I will break down this door so fast!" Sakura was sure her neighbors were about to call the Konoha police.
She dragged her body out of bed, clothes wrinkled from sleeping fully dressed, sleep marks fully evident on her face as she threw the door open. Ino grinned widely, clasping her hands together before pushing Hinata through the threshold against her will.
"Sorry Sakura, it was her idea…" Hinata seemed nervous, Sakura was sure she knew everything that had transpired between her and Naruto the night prior. She couldn't help but wonder who's side she would be on if she knew the story in its entirety.
"Well, you can't wear that out tonight, we need to fix this ASAP," Ino began, pulling at her creased top, urging her to take it off. Sakura dreaded the thought of Ino playing dressup on her, the woman had no sense of modesty, her own purple crop top and low-riding skirt showing more skin than ever necessary.
"I'm pretty good at makeup, too" Hinata trailed off, thumbing her own sleeve. Sakura rubbed her temples, eyeing the two as she scrambled to find an excuse to stay in.
Ino seemed to sense this, pulling her to the kitchen to fumble through her pantry. She swiftly poured three shots, slamming the bottle back on the table with a loud clunking sound, turning determined eyes toward her.
"We never get curfew-free nights, and you look like shit." Ino declared, gesturing widely toward her frazzled hair and sideways top. Gee, thanks.
"So let us do this for you, it's been too long" Ino crossed her arms over her large chest, lips pressed into a firm frown. Hinata was looking at the ground; Naruto must have put them up to this.
"If I'm being forced to go out there, I'm not doing it sober" Sakura scowled as Ino cheered, their glasses clinked, downing the familiar fiery liquid. This was not going to end well.
If she had ever stood a chance keeping up with Tsunade in the past, it was a stark difference to now, four shots in and she felt like she was floating atop the ground, her insecurities masked by the liquid courage.
Sakura blinked rapidly at her reflection, studying the girls' handiwork. She almost didn't recognize herself; her hair caressed her back in soft pink waves, the subtly natural application of mascara and eyeshadow made her green eyes pop. She looked more alive than she had in years, the touch of blush and concealer masking the many sleepless nights she had suffered.
The black and emerald halter kimono Ino brought her was far too tight for her liking, the double slit providing little reassurance, but it would have to do. The sleeves hung loosely off her shoulders, exposing the pale rounds of her shoulders.
Hinata's gasp pulled her from her thoughts as she exited the closet, her wide eyes and hands clasped over her mouth a reassuring sign. She was dressed modestly formal, not an inch of exposed skin to be found; Sakura would expect nothing less.
"Now that is what I'm talking about!" Ino was already nearing a blackout, empty bottle swinging loosely in her hand, other fist pumped into the air. Sakura pried it from her fingers, setting it gently on the table before she dropped it. They exited into the warm night, a slight breeze dancing on her exposed skin.
They walked through the village robust with noise and color. It was a strange sight, natives and foreigners blended together in celebration. They followed the small parade through the streets, picking out familiar faces among strangers, Ino dragging the two of them around like ragdolls.
They settled into a table, Sakura's chin resting on a small closed fist, eyes flickering over happy couples dancing together in the common area. The air had a humidity to it that only threatened imminent rain; she wondered how long it would hold off before ruining the festival altogether.
"Shouldn't you be with your fiancé tonight, not hanging out with two drunks?" Sakura peered over at Hinata, catching her off guard with her questioning. Her pale eyes were cast downward, hesitating before responding.
"Naruto was so busy with Hokage duties, he might not actually make it out tonight" she replied. Sakura felt a sadness within her words; maybe she wasn't the only one suffering from loneliness.
"Sakura…" she began, a nervously thumbing the hem of her sleeve. Ino was busy tossing back a bottle of wine, the woman was a bottomless pit. "I don't agree with what Naruto and Sasuke are doing to you." Sakura's jaw tightened, the proclamation doing little to put her at ease.
So, she had always known. The woman had never raised so much as a finger in her defense, her words were just that-words, nothing else.
Wine sputtered out from Ino's mouth, turning toward Hinata in surprise. The blonde must not have been clued in to her situation. "What are you talking about?" Ino drawled out, glaring at the two of them, wanting to be in the know.
In a different time, Sakura would've considered Ino one of her closest friends, gushing over Sasuke's affections and competing over nearly everything. Time and circumstance had pulled them apart, neither of them had been there for eachother following the war-both had jobs too important to spare much social time-and it had created a gap in time that Sakura didn't feel they could get back in this very moment.
"They're being overprotective" it was a weak excuse, it angered her to simplify it so, but Sakura really didn't want to pull back all of those layers right now. Ino's eyes narrowed, clearly not buying it.
"You should be happy then, right?" Sakura's eyebrows shot up with incredulity, for a moment she didn't understand.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Ino was slurring now, her ugly side surfacing under her heavy intoxication. "Sasuke-kun is chasing after you, and you act like you're too good for him? Who do you think you are?" She took another swig, Hinata frowning as Sakura's back straightened, anger flashing dangerously in her eyes.
"Some of us actually pulled our weight in the war, and here you are sitting on your high horse, too good for love" she hiccupped, Sakura's hand tightening on the edge of the table, the wood groaning before it splintered and broke off in her grasp.
Sakura stayed quiet, her moment of heavy silence speaking volumes. Hinata gaped at the blonde as Sakura slowly rose, the understated sort misery mixed with pure fury enough to make her want to break the woman in two.
Sakura gazed out over Ino's blonde head; the happy partygoers suddenly all lying dead on the ground, blood swirling into a pool around them. Lost limbs lay scattered about, messes of protruding bone and torn flesh. The music turned to an aggressive static in her brain as she glanced down toward an angry Ino.
How could she not see all the bodies?
A shove to her back had her whipping around to see none other than Kiba grinning sheepishly, pushing her forward again as Ino tried to stand, falling back down into her seat in a drunken stupor. The static faded back into the laughter and music of the people around them. They were all alive again.
Kiba frowned deeply at her, yanking her along with him with a shake of his head.
"No use in spending our one free night fighting old friends" he began, slapping her back before continuing. "You look like you could use a drink." She had to wonder when Kiba had become so level-headed. Still, she hesitated, glancing back in the direction she came.
"Come on Sakura, you look hot as fuck. Screw Ino, she's just hammered. We're all a little messed up after the war, she's just taking out her own insecurities on you" She brought her fist up into his shoulder at the compliment, sighing as she fell in step with him.
"You got to actually save people in all of that death, I wish I could say the same" Kiba chuckled ruefully, clasping his hands behind his back as he walked.
Sakura slowed to a stop behind him. He looked so much like his younger self when they were still in the academy, when everything was so easy. She saw the ghost of his child form in him as he walked, a mirror image before fading back into his adult form. He tilted his head back over his shoulder upon noticing her absence at his side, frowning at the pained expression on her face.
"When is it going to get easier, Kiba?" she wasn't sure he could hear her broken whisper over the roar of the party, her shoulders sagging. He closed the distance and slung an arm around her, pulling her along despite her obvious protests.
"It's never going to get easier, dumbass, we're all messed up for life" Sakura scoffed at him, pushing him off the path as he laughed. "But you can't do this alone, either. Maybe you should just go get laid."
"Kiba!" She hissed, a roaring heat rising to her cheeks. He really was still the same bastard she always knew. He pulled his long brown hair into a messy bun, winking at her over familiar tribal facial markings as they sat at the bar, wasting no time ordering an entire bottle to themselves.
Sakura felt her stress melt out of her as the alcohol crept further into her system; she felt weightless as she slammed the empty glass down in unison with Kiba. Their festivities had drawn some attention; nobody had ever gone shot-for-shot with him without ending up in the hospital, and nobody had seen Sakura out in public for years.
"Damn Sakura, you're no joke, but you're never gonna beat me" he fell off his chair at that, the people around them cheering. Sakura slid off her seat, accusatory finger pointed down at him.
"I can kick your ass at anything, you name it" he was in her face without a moment's notice, a drunken competitive electricity sparking between their scrunched noses.
The night had flown by.
Sakura threw Kiba out of the chair for the third time before she realized she had blacked out for a moment while arm-wrestling him. The stakes were now triple or nothing, and she couldn't afford to drink anymore. Her elbow ached as she flexed her fingers; she was a glutton for a good bet.
A few people booed Kiba's unconscious form lying spread eagle in the dirt, the dust settling over where she had launched his body. Her arm remained upright as she scowled down at him; a twinge beneath her breastbone at the thought of retiring early alone.
A large, calloused hand engulfed hers with a warmth that made her own hand tingle, green eyes meeting familiar gold pools as Mashiro slid into the vacated spot. He was all tanned skin and flowing white hair, loose strands dusting his exposed chest and sharp jawline as he grinned lopsidedly at her.
His hand tightened around hers, the group yelled for them to start, and she prepared to take him down in one swift movement. Thin pink brows furrowed in frustration at the man's strength; they were deadpanned in the middle of the table, her slender arm trembling against his relaxed posture.
Sakura growled out, a massive flare of chakra budging him a few inches, honey irises igniting with a fiery amusement. A sweat broke out, dampening the back of her neck as they tugged back and forth, a crowd gathering around them.
Mashiro blinked slowly under heavy lids, long white lashes sweeping across tanned cheeks. He was obviously drunk with the way he swayed; how the hell was he still this strong?
The humidity was thicker now, coating her in a film as the wood groaned under the pressure. It creaked in protest against them as they both leaned forward, her nails digging into the flesh of his hand. The heated flash that danced across his eyes went unnoticed by Sakura; soft pink lips pulled into a determined frown as she inched even further in.
That was when she felt it: the familiar dark chakra somewhere close by. He was here and watching her. Sakura couldn't have mistaken it for anyone else. She lurched forward in her frenzied state, so close she could feel her opponent's hot breath ghost over her lips.
The table finally gave way, snapping in two to pull them into one another. Sakura yelped in surprise, her body launching forward. They were an entanglement of limbs, her hands lodging against his exposed molded chest. Their combined intoxication was enough to weaken their reflexes, foreheads colliding as his hands shot out to catch her by the sides of her arms.
Sakura moaned in frustration as the scenery around her spun, a harsh wave of nausea washing over her from the impact in her drunken state. Green eyes snapped shut in an effort to drive away the gnawing vertigo, her head lolling down to smack against something unbelievably warm and firm. She struggled to remember when she had just been thinking about.
A soft rumbling beneath her drove her pink brows further in, the vibrating sensation beneath her causing her to fingers to curl into the unstable foundation, the soft thin fabric bunching in her grasp. Sakura tilted her chin up, prepared to level the figure with a snarky comment.
She froze, heavy lidded emerald eyes wide and unmoving. Mashiro was laughing, his one-thousand watt grin wide and unapologetic, the deep rumbling moving his entire torso. His eyes were crinkled shut in a genuine joy that she hadn't seen or felt from anyone in so long it felt outlandish to her; she couldn't tear her eyes away from him.
She blinked as a water droplet plopped onto her nose, it wavering before hitching off the side of her nose and rolling down her cheek. Another droplet plodded onto her cheek, trailing down her chin and onto the white-haired man's chest she lay upon.
Her fingertips quickly brushed over her eyes, relieved to find them dry. She was so drunk she thought she may be crying as the expense of someone else's happiness.
How pitiful.
The droplets fell, one hot bead after another, Mashiro's laughter settling into a satisfied chuckle. She stared as his chest heaved, the rise and fall rocking her body with it like a current. A long, drawn-out exhale of contentment sent his eyes fluttering open, long white lashes sweeping upward as he peered down at her.
The fire in those gold pools ignited her, setting her skin ablaze. Rain trickled down to flatten her hair against her face, lips parting ever so slightly as the heat spread throughout her body. She willed herself to look away; but her body was rooted in a molten pool of gold and whites.
Those eyes.
Sakura could feel there was so much she didn't know about the man, and delightfully perilous mix of mystery and danger that pulled her in and warned her away all at once. He blinked again-Sakura thought her mind was playing tricks on her-his eyes flashing a bright bloody red before settling back into gold.
Her breath settled on the tip of her tongue with a sharp inhale, foolishly wondering if Mashiro could feel the pounding in her chest on top of his. His hands slid downward; touch dangerously light as he brushed past her shoulders to rest on her waist.
He blinked slowly downward at her, gaze unwavering as his fingertips folded into her flesh before releasing, an unspoken request for consent. Sakura's audible swallow seemed to be enough to satisfy him, finally curling over the small of her back. The small motion was enough to make her throb with anticipation, wanting more. Heat quickly invaded every inch of her body.
It was only with the flash of lighting did she catch a brief glimpse of her surroundings; they were alone there on the ground beside the bar; only fabric separating the two from one another-everyone had left with the onslaught of the rain.
Thunder boomed shortly thereafter, but Sakura was unnervingly calm in his grasp. Mashiro's joyful grin melted into a sensual smirk, his eyes darkening with a desire she was stunned to find directed toward her.
She was suddenly acutely aware of his large body beneath hers; her hips dipped into his parted thighs where he firmly held her. She was sure he could feel her hardened nipples through the wet fabric of her dress against his bare chest. She didn't dare move; cheeks turning a delicious shade of pink with the sharp exhale that escaped her.
To the next storm.
Sakura was unhinged.
…
A/U: Whew! I'm really having fun with this fic; I feel like this could end up being a really long one! Thanks for appreciating my OC development, I want to introduce him piece by piece. Things are about to get heavy! S/O to those who have stuck with me so far as I work out the kinks in my writing style, this only being my 3rd story. Y'all are the best (:
