I do not own Naruto - VZ

Sasori was impressed to say the least, almost awed at the girl who had once again proved herself worthy to spar him. In all honesty, he expected a quick fight with no challenge whatsoever. But of course the pinkette had a nasty habit of demonstrating how wrong he was. Now here they both were, on the battlefield once more. Although this time, he was not fighting her for mere amusement or for the sake of following orders. Instead, he di so out of pure curiosity. The red head wondered if she would be able to hold her own in a one-on-one fight with him. And consequently, she did.

To his surprise, rather than wait for his next move, Sakura decided to strike first.

This only pleased him more because he despised waiting.

The medic-nin ran straight for him, wicked intent plainly obvious in her eyes.

The puppet master then moved his fingers quickly, commanding his wooden soldiers to intercept her before she even got close to him. He willed the larger, thicker puppet with beady eyes to step in front of her and stopped there. His wooden creation's chest split wide open to reveal a heavy chord tipped with sharpened blade. Much like the one he had within his own body, and like before, it was laced with deadly poison.

Once again she surprised him, for she did not cease her sprinting. He tsked at her stupidity and sent the razor forwards. Immediately meeting with her form and running straight through her lithe and graceful body with a disgusting squelch.

He didn't know it was even possible for him to feel such dread and a sense of all honesty, he expected her to at least dodge his before he could perceive his opponent much better, he felt something amiss. In the distance, he could distinctly hear his partner's outraged voice. Bored eyes turned and observed the Akatsuki. The Uchiha and mist-nin had started walking over to him, their eyes narrowed and anger was coming of them in waves. Even the Uchiha' s bloodline was activated and glaring.

However, before anyone made another step, something almost unbelievable had occurred.

"I like you like this Sasori, completely vulnerable." Sakura whispered in his ear.

Sasori' s eyes actually widened, not expecting her to be alive let alone speaking to him.

Now that he thought about it, he was so concentrated on the Akatsuki members; he failed to hear a distinct 'pop' and a familiar puff of smoke. Indicating he had not killed the real Sakura, just her clone. In her place was a log, with his weapon embedded deep within the bark. Now here he was, standing without the protection of his puppets, with a kunai poised right above his heart.

Now he understood her words 'completely vulnerable'.

The medic-nin had her arms around his torso and her front facing his back. He thought he rather liked this position, he liked it a lot.

Naturally, he would do whatever any other cunning, sly man would do whenever in a problematic situation. Take complete advantage of whatever he had left.

So Sasori smirked (he noticed he had been doing that a lot lately) and dropped his arms. Effectively snapping the chakra strings that controlled his puppets.

But that didn't matter; he had a secret weapon that he only used in dire times, himself.

"How are you so certain that I'm at your mercy Haruno-san? Who's to say you aren't in mine?" He said slowly and clearly, wanting her to register each word.

"My blade is right over your heart Sasori, I can pierce it without any remorse." Sakura muttered with a kind of venom that even the puppet master could not hope to create.

She knew her words were harsh and that this was only meant to be a friendly spar but she wanted to prove to him how much stronger she had become. That she was better than the little girl who fought him once before. No, she had to intention of actually hurting him. Although the part of her that missed konoha demanded she stab him, right here, right now. Nevertheless, the pinkette stayed still. Wanting nothing more than to scare him a bit with her scalding remark.

The red head was not concerned with her cruel words, for he knew she did not mean it. He knew she was much to compassionate to allow such brutality to take place. So Sasori went for her bluff, daring her to actually do it. And also use this as an opportunity for his next attack.

Commanding his wooden joints to turn and twist, he moved his body so that he could tower over her instead.

Sakura was shocked when her victim had maneuvered his body in such a way that was humanly impossible. But then again, he clearly wasn't human. The puppet within her arms had basically turned around using his puppet-like dexterity and then he grabbed her hand, which was armed with a single kunai.

"Go ahead Haruno-san, strike me at my core." He gripped her wrist and held the blade between their bodies, right above his heart, almost penetrating the only living fragment of the man he used to be.

"You think I'm lying? That I won't take this chance to kill you once more?" She threatened, her green eyes sparking with flames of rage. Yet Sasori could see the nervousness hiding in those viridian depths, and he sought to make full use of it.

"You can…..but you won't." He shrugged, totally sure of himself. Looking for a moment, the young boy that merely longed for his parent's embrace. So boyish and young, as if he wasn't hurt and his hope for love hasn't shattered.

"You sound so sure of yourself." The pinkette noticed, giving him an annoyed expression.

"I am, in here." He gestured with his other hand, to his heart. Imprinted with the character for scorpion.

The indication was done rather sheepishly, something she didn't expect from the man before her.

Even the action itself was quite touching; this only worried Sakura even more.

The atmosphere was suddenly tense and filled with suspense. As if everything stayed still, waiting for his next move.

Sakura remained silent, thoroughly blown away by his declaration. It left her stupefied and awaiting his next course of action.

"Grant me this one request, before you supposedly murder me." He said, his hazel eyes darting between her green gaze and her lips.

Words died in her throat, fear filling her belly.

And with that, Sasori of the red sand did the most unexpected and unimaginable thing anyone could have ever assumed from him.

He kissed her.

PLEASE READ!

I hope you liked it, I know it's short but I wanted to leave it like that. Don't worry though, another speedy update is on it's way! Don't forget to review and comment! I absolutely LOVE hearing from all of you. Anyways...I'm SO VERY SORRY! i wanted to say thanks and reply to each of your reviews like how i usually do, but I don't have the time right now. It was actually a bit hard to update right now when I have to leave the house. -_-

Okay, enough of my ranting.

Till' next time! ;) - VZ