I don't own Naruto, and by the way, i apologize for the lack of Deisaku in this chapter. The explanation why is at the author's note at the bottom of the page. Sorry and enjoy! - VZ
The hallway of a plain old inn was charged with energy. The tense atmosphere was so thick, not even Hidan's triple bladed scythe could slice through it. The silence stretched on until the red head chose to break it.
"Let's not waste time-"
"You're right, we should decide who will escort Sakura-chan to the festival yeah." His blonde partner interrupted him with a fierce glare.
Yes, he respected his danna and maybe even admired him at some point, even though their views on art were extremely different. Yet he could not reign in the hostility that rolled of him in waves. Deidara knew from the moment his partner had looked at his blossom that he would have something else to disagree on with his partner. That day, on the usually stoic and bored face of Sasori was a flicker of emotion. It was small and it vanished as quickly as it came; however he noticed the change in his danna's behavior. At first, he paid it no mind at all. Why should he? The possibility that Sasori could actually feel in general was such a foreign concept to him. But now…. now he had no idea what to think anymore. Not when a certain pink haired medic was involved. In addition to that, the fact that he had kissed her first. The fact that he had touched what he had claimed his…made his stomach churn and his eyes glow green with jealousy.
Inwardly, he wanted to rip out his gold hair from its very roots. Envy was eating him at his very core. Unfortunately, it was not only his danna who was bewitched by her. His blue eyes saw how all the other Akatsuki members were infatuated with Sakura-chan. No, the aura she radiated was of kindness and passion. Innocence and strength and to top it all off with her fiery green eyes. It was simply too much for hardened and corrupt criminals to resist. Her inner and outer beauty was brilliant flame and they were the desperate moths. Little things that craved what they couldn't have, that longed for what they just didn't deserve.
"Actually, I was planning to say that I will accompany her tonight." Sasori said bluntly, his hazel eyes watching everyone else critically.
His words put a halt to all of Deidara's musings instantly.
But before he could retort, Hidan was already growling at the smaller boy.
"Oh Hell no! I'll be her fucking escort to this goddamn festival!"
"And what? Bore her with you're dull company? I think she'd rather spend her time with someone less…vulgar and crude."
The silver haired nin looked about ready to explode.
"Tch…..Listen you piece of crap…I don't give two shits about what you think. So stop opening that wooden mouth of yours."
The red head raised a red eyebrow with an amused glint in his half lidded gaze.
"I'm just speaking the truth. Would a lady prefer a gentleman over an oaf?"
"Why you fucking little….You better pray to whatever god you worship, because you'll meet em' soon after I'm done with you." Hidan snarled menacingly while Sasori merely crossed his arms.
"You're all bark and no bite."
The taller man's hand twitched for his blood red weapon.
Although Deidara knew that Hidan would never really kill Sasori, due to their leader's wrath later. Yet he had a feeling that the Jashinist had no qualms about hurting the wooden man.
"I will be the one to fucking take her to this shitty festival."
"That's what you think."
If he was irritated before, he was angry now. And the Uchiha's voice didn't help matters either.
"This is rather pointless. How about we allow her to decide?"
The arguing stopped abruptly.
It did sound much more reasonable. But as much as the blonde wanted to agree with Itachi's idea, he couldn't. The fear that she would pick someone else over him was maddening. He'd rather lose the pleasure of her company tonight due to Hidan's brutality or Sasori's calculating ways or Itachi's slyness than to her own choice of some other Akatsuki member. If he lost her tonight because she didn't want him….. he'd break.
"Finally! Someone is around here is actually thinking and using their brains." Kisame's voice drifted from the end of the hallway. Effectively grabbing their attention.
"Geez, I can hear you guys argue all the way from downstairs. Good thing everyone is out at the celebration getting drunk or laid. I bet the inn keeper would've hear you all kicked you out."
The agitated air around them lifted after hearing the mist-nin's words. Something Deidara was very grateful for.
"Anyways, where's the angel?"
"Inside." Itachi answered immediately.
"No shit."
"Just shut it Hidan yeah."
"Fuck you!"
The blonde turned his annoyed expression into one of disgust.
"I don't swing that way Hidan." He held both his hands up and the mouths on each palm were grinning madly.
Just as the immortal was about to swing his red scythe at the bomber, the old wooden door clicked and swung open. Revealing the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his life. And no, he was not exaggerating in the slightest.
The pinkette was wearing a red and white kimono, so red that the color reminded him of freshly split blood and so white that it gave him memories of snow. The top of her dress was purely white, but around the knees, it would slowly blend into the deepest of reds. From pink to scarlet to red, it was eye catching and made her look all the more stunning. He was an artist, he looked into details and maybe even deeper. So he wasn't surprised when even the red obi around her slim waist caught his attention. It hugged her curves nicely yet not too tightly. Just right. His blue eyes traced every line and curve he could spot as she moved towards them. An anxious but radiant look on her slightly flushed face.
Deidara felt his heart skip a beat when those lovely green eyes landed on him for the briefest of moments. Pink lashes framed those expressive eyes, eyes that he wished that he could forever look into. And her hair, which was now short and messy, exposed that swan like neck for the entire world to see.
Those lips that quirked up in a tiny smile tempted him greatly.
"You look ravishing my Sakura."
The warmth that had spread through out his system was suddenly invaded by a frost that was caused by a certain Uchiha. He practically purred her name! Oh how much he wanted to pummel that smug look off his pale face.
The blush that painted her creamy cheeks was a pleasing sight. He could only hope that he would be the reason for it one day.
"Thank you Itachi. Well, you did pick it out for me. I hate to admit it but you have good taste."
The dark haired man smirked slightly and leaned close to the girl as they all started walking to the stairs, whispering something into the girl's ear so that no one else could hear it. The funny thing was, they were all highly ranked ninja. If they couldn't hear the words, they could most certainly read Itachi's lips with no trouble at all.
Deidara focused his eyes on his face, which was turned intimately towards Sakura's exposed neck, where his lips were based right under her ear.
The position itself made his blood boil.
However, the lips he was about to read and the words he was about to comprehend would make his blood do much worse things than just boil.
You are absolutely right my blossom. I picked you didn't I?
The blonde rolled his eyes at the man's cheek.
Although, I have a feeling that you would look all the more ravishing without the dress.
The cliché line should have been corny yet he made it sound so…(he hated to say it) erotic and sensual.
He could feel his hands clench into fists. His blue eyes scanned the area and noticed that his fellow Akatsuki members were busy doing the same.
Deidara saw Sakura move and glare furiously at Itachi, her cheeks red. Were it from anger or embarrassment he didn't know.
When the medic-nin replied that he was a pervert, he felt rather proud with her.
But of course, Itachi being the sly weasel that he was, whispered yet another reply that had her blushing so hard, he wondered how that was even possible.
It's not like I haven't seen everything already.
Kisame, Hidan, Sasori and Deidara almost choked at that.
She replied as they descended the steps and into the ground floor of the inn.
Do you plan too?
The look in her eyes were challenging, daring him to reply.
A part of him wanted to say that she was playing fire. That Itachi would most certainly attempt to get intimate with the blossom once more. Yet another part of him wondered. Wasn't he doing the same? Playing with the emerald fire that was commonly known as Sakura Haruno? The blonde knew, that if he didn't play his cards right, he would end up getting burned.
Deidara didn't have to read Itachi's lips to know his answer. He could already see it in those dark and bottomless eyes of his.
"Naruto, for the last time…I do not know when Sakura-chan will be coming back!" The Hokage yelled at the blonde boy who wore a frustrated expression on his usually happy and whiskered face.
"Why not?! You're the Hokage! You should know that!"
"Shut up! I don't have time for this non-sense, I have an entire village to run! She will come back once her mission is accomplished!"
Tsunade put one hand on her hip and the other was rubbing her forehead in hopes of ridding herself of the terrible migraine that he was causing.
"But when will that be?! I asked her before she left and she said that it wouldn't take long. Maybe even less than two weeks!" He held up two fingers and waved them in the air like a madman.
"Naruto….." She warned him.
"This is crazy! It's almost been two whole months, that's waaaaay longer than two weeks!"
"Naruto….." Her voice got a bit louder.
"And I need my friend back, plus she's an awesome medic. Not that the nurses aren't or anything. It's just that she heals much better than anyone else I know. But since you're the Hokage, you must be better. Wait- you're her master, of course you are!"
The Hokage's patience snapped.
"NARUTO!"
The demon container trembled and gave her a nervous grin.
"Y-yes?"
"GET OUT OF MY OFFICE AND DON'T YOU DARE COME BACK UNLESS I SUMMON YOU!"
He was then promptly kicked out of her office and thrown into the streets.
"This sucks." Naruto grumbled, kicking a pebble with his foot along the dusty road he was on. Sadly, the stone bounced off a nearby pole and hit him square on the forehead. This made him groan and rub on his head, much like how Tsunade was doing earlier.
"Nice shot." An amused voice called out.
The blonde ninja turned hastily, following that voice. Which led to a tree branch above him.
"Kakashi-sensei?"
"Ah….as sharp as ever Naruto."
His student huffed and crossed his arms childishly.
"Hm? No comeback? I expected more from you." The older man commented while never taking his eyes off his precious orange book.
It was silent once more and Kakashi raised a silver eyebrow as he read.
"Now this is surprising….You're not talking my ear off as usual."
When he didn't receive an indignant answer he presumed his blonde student would have, he frowned a bit.
"Are you running low on cash for ramen? If so, don't bother asking me for any money."
Naruto suddenly shoved both his hands into the pockets of his bright orange jump suit. His lower lip was jutting out slightly. He sighed,
"Alright, I'll be generous today. Five seconds. That's how long I'll stop reading and you will tell me what's bothering you."
"A minute."
Ah, so he speaks. Kakashi thought with a sly grin.
"Five seconds."
"Fifty seconds." His student pushed.
"Four seconds."
"Thirty!"
"Three-"
But before Kakashi could even finish his statement, Naruto started ranting on about their pink haired teammate not coming home, his constant worrying and Tsunade's refusal to divulge any information about her.
Once the boy had finished spewing words, the famous copy-nin reclined further into the tree and started reading where he had left off.
He had to hand it to Naruto, it took about ten seconds before he had yelled at him for not caring about the pinkette, and he expected him to crack at six.
One dark eye rolled at the sight of his worrying student.
"Did you hear? Kiba and his team got back just yesterday from their mission. Rather quick if you ask me…but then again, its expected if you have a hound or two who's a marvelous tracker."
Blue eyes widened in incredulity.
"What?..."
The copy-nin stood up, his eyes never leaving his book.
"Oh, do you play shogi? You should. I'm sure even your tiny brain can comprehend the rules…I think….And try playing against the Nara heir, I hear he's a genius."
"…Sensei?..."
As if Naruto had not spoken, he continued to talk.
"By the way, if you need any practicing and I'm busy-"
"Reading porn?" He asked, raising both his blonde eyebrows and giving him a pointed look.
"Romantic literature." Kakashi corrected as the boy below him rolled his bright blue eyes.
"You should check on the Hyuuga, he won't go easy on you."
And after those odd words, his sensei vanished, leaving him feeling more alone and confused than ever before.
An hour later, heard footsteps approaching him.
"Be careful, you look like you're about ready to explode." A familiar and lazy drawl called his attention.
"I think he looks constipated." Someone said and chuckled at his own joke, which in his opinion wasn't very funny.
Naruto refused to open his eyes and check who was talking to him, or he at least assumed they were talking to him. He was currently seated on the bench where he had almost kissed Sakura-chan, the memory alone brought a hot blush to his tanned cheeks.
"Ooh, look, he's as red as a tomato."
Yeahp, they were definitely talking about him.
A bark interrupted his thoughts of a certain pinkette.
The second he opened his eyes, he regretted it.
There, right before him, were three of his friends.
Oddly enough, Kakashi-sensei had mentioned their names earlier today.
"Kiba, Neji and Shikamaru?"
The Hyuuga nodded regally, the Nara scratched the back of his head and yawned while both canines were grinning, showing their pointy fangs.
"What are you guys doing here?" Naruto was weary, as much as he wanted to hang out with his pals, his mind was too busy fretting over Sakura.
"Aw, don't you miss us?"
Kiba pouted as his huge dog whimpered pathetically. However the blonde knew that they were just mocking him.
Rolling his blue eyes, he smiled just a bit.
"Shut up Kiba…sorry if I'm out of it. I just miss Sakura-chan. And she should have-"
"We know." Shikamaru linked his hands behind his head, looking like the perfect picture of boredom and calm.
"-been back by now…wait..what?"
"Kakashi-sensei came to all of us and hinted that you might need our help." He continued, glancing up at the sky where he watched the clouds drift by.
"Huh? Why would I need your help?"
This time it was Neji who spoke to him, rather irritably.
"You want to go search for Sakura yes?"
It was silent for a while as Naruto slowly yet surely registered everything he's heard from both his sensei and friends.
"Absolutely!"
The three nodded once more before Kiba gave a wolfish grin.
"You know what this means right?"
The blonde shook his head, a question mark evident on his face.
"We need a scent to search for Sakura-chan."
"Oh…okay."
Kiba's grin grew in size as he leaned closer, as if whispering a naughty secret.
Instantly, he leaned in to hear what he had to say.
"Let me tell you a secret Naruto. We need something that she uses a lot. Or something with a really really strong scent. For example, something with her hair….fingerprints….or some used laundry."
"Like an old shirt?"
"…something like that."
"Okay! Let's go to Sakura-chan's house!" He gave everyone a thumbs up and a huge grin.
THe three of them gestured for Naruto to lead them to the girl's house since they all didn't know her well enough to bother finding out where she lived.
A minute later, four ninjas were crammed into the bedroom of one Sakura Haruno.
"Well, it's not as girly as I thought it's be." Shikamaru mumbled before falling on Sakura's bed and snuggling to her pillows. A minute later, he was snoring.
"Geez, I didn't think he was this lazy." Naruto commented as he searched for some old laundry.
"I saw him working all night at the tower." Neji said, standing in the middle of the room, appearing very out of place in his teammate's bedroom.
"Jackpot!" Kiba's exuberant voice called out, gathering all of their attentions, even the Nara heir opened one eye to see what the dog boy had found.
The blonde's eyes widened, as did everyone else's at the garments that the brunette clutched in his hands.
"Is that?-"
"Hell yes." He answered Naruto with that same wolfish grin.
In both his hands, were Sakura's undies.
The next second, Kiba was on the floor with the demon container trying to land a punch on the boy.
"You're worse than my sensei! At least he didn't go through a girl's underwear!"
The brunette rolling on the floor dodged a kick in the groin.
"I'm not as bad as him! At least I don't read porn in public….besides….Sakura is no girl, she's a woman." Kiba growled appreciatively as he held up a black, lacy pair of undies.
He could feel something wet and warm dripping from his nose.
Suddenly, his treacherous mind imagined his pink haired teammate in that black fabric.
…..
Oh
…..
My
….
Kami
…
The dripping turned into a steady flow.
"Oh Kami! You're imagining her in them aren't you?" Kiba questioned, an evil glint in those dark eyes.
When Naruto didn't deny it, the dog boy laughed heartily, his hand immediately started covering the blood dribbling on his orange jump suit.
"Well, well…it seems even the human ice block has emotions."
Naruto turned sharply and saw a streak of pink across Neji's usually pale face. His blue eyes darted to Shikamaru, who had both eyes opened with a surprised look, and both his eyebrows were raised.
What made the situation all the more worse and embarrassing, was that Kiba had begun sniffing the cloth he held tightly in his hands.
He remained silent while he waited for their tracker to finish his business.
"Damn….smells…..so…."
"..so?..." the blonde asked tentatively, unsure.
"…fucking delicious."
The silence that followed his statement was unbearably awkward.
"What the hell did you just say about my teammate?!"
"I'm serious, here you smell." Kiba threw the black lace in his direction and he had no choice but to catch it, at least that's what he kept telling himself.
"What? No way." Naruto felt like his face was on fire.
"Yes way. You're kyuubi enhanced senses may be as good as my canine ones….so, take a sniff."
The brunette urged him, daring him to do it.
But would he?
…..
I'm sorry Sakura-chan.
With a flushed face and a trembling hand, he brought up the undies and took a short whiff.
Which turned into a longer one, then a longer one, and then finally Kiba had to snatch the fabric from his hands before he inhaled the thing.
"Told you."
The blonde nodded dazedly, his senses still tingling from the onslaught of smells. It was like sugar and spice. No other way to describe his best friend's scent. Sweet yet tangy, saccharine yet tart. A bittersweet combination that made his mouth simply water.
"Not to interrupt your drooling or perverted fantasies, but I'd like to point out that we better leave before the Hokage will summon for someone."
The logical voice of Shikamaru jarred him from his thoughts.
"Oh…yeah." He nodded and so did Neji.
"Wait…don't you like helping at the tower?" Kiba wondered as they readied themselves to leave.
The Nara heir tsked and put both his hands into his pockets, slouching.
"Yeah well…paperwork is a bitch."
"Wow." The pink haired woman smiled at the yellow glittering lights that were hanging suspended over their heads. It gave the streets a warm and romantic glow. Crowds of people were gathered around several food stalls or games where they ate and played like they had no worries. It made the smile on her face grow, just seeing the happiness that everyone in this quaint little village radiated. What made the setting even better was the sky. Clear and dark. She could see each silvery star against the ink black sky with clarity. But there were also splashes of color from the confetti that fell from the rooftops where children were having fun throwing them at the adults. They were giggling and laughing as the rest of the town enjoyed the festival.
The pinkette saw many women-wearing kimono's as well. However, she was glad to say that hers was the most unique.
Now that Sakura thought about her dress, a memory from the day before resurfaced instantly.
"You're very lucky you know."
The old lady who wore a warm smile said as she put on the kimono. Her words confused her greatly.
"Excuse me?"
"Oh, no need to be so bashful dear. No one can hear us back here." She knocked against the wooden door of the store's dressing room. Sakura furrowed her brows as the woman continued to speak with mirth dancing in her eyes.
"I don't understand, I'm lucky about what?" She wondered out loud, her hands touching the silky fabric of the dress.
"I can see it plain as day."
Her green eyes faced the storeowner, curiosity shining in them.
"The man loves you."
The medic-nin promptly choked on her own saliva.
"Are you alright dearie?"
"…..yes, I'm just a bit…shocked with your words."
"But how? I can see and hear how much he cares for you." The old woman tightened the obi sash around her waist.
"His voice is so warm and intimate when he speaks of you, or anything pertaining to you I'd imagine."
Sakura remained quiet as she spoke, afraid that her voice would falter and eventually stop.
"And did you notice how he requested for specific colors?"
She nodded slowly, finding it a bit odd as well.
"I can bet you my entire kimono collection, that those colors are inspired by his family crest."
Her heart skipped a beat.
"Why would you assume such a thing?" Her voice was cautious, curious if the woman recognized Itachi from the Uchiha clan.
"Why the way he holds himself is a clear sign of nobility! So regal and proper, just like a prince."
Sakura rolled her green eyes with a fond smile at the lady, who was giving her wink.
"Finally, His eyes follow wherever you go. As if there was a thread connecting the two of you."
A moment later, Sakura spoke. Her voice was tentative yet strong. Something she had to commend herself on later.
"It's impossible. We can't be together."
"And why not?" Goodness, it sounded like the lady was actually reprimanding her!
"…There are countless reasons."
"Like?" She prompted the pinkette.
The old woman's gaze met with her own in the mirror, waiting for her to answer.
"He can't feel that for me…or anyone for that matter."
The smile on the woman's face grew and so did the warmth and understanding in her eyes. She spoke with a motherly tone, much like how her own mother would explain things to her as a child.
"Let me tell you something dear, all men, no matter how old or young, no matter how reserved or brazen…"
Sakura bit her lip, afraid for what she would hear and how she might react.
"…No matter how cold or emotionless…can feel, especially for a woman. He just has to find the right one for him."
She shook her head, in hopes to rid herself of these thoughts. Her brows furrowed as she contemplated what the old lady had said about men and how all of them could feel. Was Itachi an exception?
But before she could ponder any longer, a pair of arms encircled her slim waist and held on tight.
"What the-?"
"Shhh….be still my doll."
And with that, Sakura and her captor disappeared from the middle of the festival.
AUTHOR'S NOTE : please read! Especially if you're wondering where is the Deisaku I promised.
Okaaaay…..I know I put a preview in the last chapter….and I'm really sorry but I couldn't fit it in. Actually, this chapter is much longer than the other ones. Anyways, I hope all my wonderful and lovely reviewers will forgive the lack of Deisaku in this update. But do not worry! The next one will have the preview in it, trust me. Okay, I'm hoping that you guys wont hate me for that. On a lighter note, hope you like this chapter! And lots of thanks and love to all my readers and reviewers, you all mean a lot to me! :D – VZ