SNOW GLARE

CHAPTER 9

The damp air stung Sakura's nostrils as she entered the dimly lit jail; her gaze drifting into the cells of the prisoners lined up on either side of the walkway. Surprisingly enough, a number of young faces stared back at her as she passed by, all baring a look of curiosity that rivalled her own. All in all they looked innocent enough on the outside, that's until you take note of the heavy iron chains linked around their red raw necks and ankles, a mere precaution that was most definitely supported by various binding jutsu in each cell. Twisting her lips, the medic tore her gaze away, instead opting to stare down at her feet; I bet half of the shinobi in here would jump at the chance to reoffend, I shouldn't give them an ounce of my sympathy, they've done something to deserve this.

The jail cells in the centre of Konoha were very rarely graced with the presence of a new inmate, a majority of the 'sentencing' was handled in combat; in addition to this, all who committed treason were sent to solitary confinement located north of the township. All of this made for an overly eventful few days for team Taka, the newest cell mates to be introduced to their prison population.

Rolling her eyes, Sakura silently noted a four ANBU squad standing in front of a cell she was approaching; it wasn't even necessary to ask who they might be monitoring, there was only one answer given their excessive presence. If they know what's good for them they will step aside, hopefully it's a group I know.

Naruto's eyes narrow as he gazes further down the tunnel over Sakura's shoulder; I wonder if Sasuke mentioned what happened when he visited me, then again, she would've pummelled me by now if she knew. Either way, this ought to be interesting.

Sakura strode up to the cell the ANBU were guarding, her slender fingers wrapping around the ice-cold iron bars; the muscular back of Sasuke immediately meeting her gaze. His iconic raven hair slicked back in a messy fashion, shoulders relaxed at his sides and gaze clearly fixated on the brick wall before him, despite noting her presence.

"When did he last eat?" Sakura demanded, her eyes snapping in the direction of the nearest ANBU operative, but only silence followed; "You do realise that sustenance is essential to survival don't you? How ridiculous!" Gritting her teeth the medic turned back to face to the cell she pointed to the lock before her; "Release him, Lady Tsunade has placed him under my care until further notice."

"We're going to need proof of that claim in order to release him into your care," one of the ANBU replied, his pale canine mask facing her as he crossed his arms across his chest, clearly unimpressed. "Did she give you a letter? I can't simply believe the words of a potentially compromised shinobi at a time like this…"

Naruto growled lightly, his teeth exposed as he tried to stay out of the conversation, They would've trusted her if it was any other person in this cell. Where is all this doubt suddenly coming from? If she wasn't trustworthy we would've known by now.

"She doesn't need to give me a letter, she is the Hokage and I am her student," Sakura fires back, her eyes narrowing as she tried her best to keep her temper under control for fear of worsening Sasuke's situation. Twisting her lips, she reached up to the ANBU's face to remove his mask, as his hand instinctively wrapping around her slender wrist. "I want to know who I'm speaking with since you seem to have an issue with me. I regularly work with the ANBU force as a field medic, so surely it won't be an issue," the pinkette notes as she innocently gazes up at the expressionless mask; I also want to know who to not heal on the battle field, it's clear they don't trust me let alone like me.

"Honestly what is she going to do anyway? Sakura and Sasuke will probably be followed on the old woman's orders the entire time anyway," Naruto snapped, smashing his clenched fist against the iron bars; tiny fragments of debris cascading from the ceiling. "Honestly, why are you acting like she has committed a crime when she has done nothing of the sort?"

Sakura remained focused on the ANBU before her as she saw Sasuke's figure lurking beside him from within the cell, clearly irritated at what he has overheard. "You will release him now or you will be on the receiving end of my bad temper. I've tried my hardest to be patient with you," the kunoichi replies somewhat calmly, her knuckles cracking as she tightened her fists; "Do you really want to try my temper?"

"The rumour is right by the way," Sasuke added, a sly smirk spreading across thin lips as he gripped the bars closest to the ANBU in question; "She has always had a nasty temper."

Sighing the ANBU moved aside and unlocked the jail cell, "Look, I'm not trying to cause trouble. If anything goes wrong it's your fault Sakura."

Naruto swings the cell door open, his eyes fixed on the cowering ANBU before him; something wasn't quite right about this ordeal, to the point that it was unsettling. "If you didn't want to cause trouble you would've acted professionally rather than spouting accusations like you did…"

Rushing into the jail cell, Sakura stood before Sasuke, his face was somewhat paler than usual, but other than that he seemed relatively okay; bloodshot eyes aside. "Let's go get you something to eat, we have a lot to talk about."

A smirk crept back across the Uchiha's visage as he slowly made his way past his former team mates, his feet instinctively leading him towards the exit; the patter of their footsteps following that of his own.

Suddenly a low growl slipped from between Naruto's lips, his form lunging forward as Sasuke instinctively spun to face him just as Naruto slammed him up against the nearest brick wall. "Why now?" the blond growled, shaking his weary rival roughly; "You better not be manipulating her, or I swear to God!"

Eyes widening, Sakura stopped dead in her tracks; What is going through his head? I thought he was past this?

Sasuke swung his head to the side, a knowing grin teasing at the corners of his lips as he gazed back at his rival; You'll never stop chasing her will you dobe? "The timing wasn't planned and Sakura's too smart to be manipulated, if you know anything about her you'd realise that."

Eyes twitching, Naruto punched Sasuke in the jaw, his bones making a loud crack as he laughed softly his fingers tracing over the point of impact; "That's the best you've got? No wonder you've never beaten me."

"Naruto!" Sakura yelled as she grabbed his chin; "Calm down! There was no need for that!" Releasing him she walked over to Sasuke, inspecting his new throbbing jaw, "Don't antagonise him in order to get the reparation you think is required."

"You don't deserve her," Naruto snapped, his temper rising as he met his rival's eyes directly, Even I don't deserve her!

Sakura took a step back from Sasuke, pushing Naruto towards the exit. "Why don't you head outside first? We will follow shortly," she suggested, her eyes pleading him to calm down.

Sighing Naruto turned away, his lips pressed together tightly as he struggled to muster a response; "I'm heading home. This has ruined my mood anyway. I'll check in on you, I won't let you stay alone in your house with that lunatic for any longer than necessary."

"Naruto, it's fine. I'm an adult, I can handle things on my own," Sakura explains slowly, her arms plaiting under her breasts as she sighed heavily; "I don't need you to fight my battles or protect me. I'm more than capable."

"If that's how it is then I've heard you loud and clear," the blond growls in reply, hesitantly storming out of the building, the heavy door to slamming behind him soon after.

Turning her attention to Sasuke, Sakura soon found herself in a minor predicament; his perfect lips had evolved into a confident smile, something her heart wasn't quite prepared for so soon after such a frustrating display. No matter how she looked at it, he really was dangerous in more ways than one; the feeling that washed over after he confessed on served to make him more of a hazard. Was he really being truthful? At the time she didn't even think to question it, the authenticity was present in his tone, his actions; but what if there was more to it than met the eye?

"I need to ask this just once, Sasuke. When you said you loved me, did you mean it?" the pinkette asks suddenly, her voice straining as her throat tightened, unsure of what response she should expect in return to what was a rather insulting question. "I just need to know what yo-" her sentence cut short by her beloved's lips crashing upon hers, a wave of heat to tearing through her body in response to his actions. Within seconds his left arm wrapped around her waist, the other felt its way down her side; who knew that he was capable of such passion? Brows raised in shock, Sakura froze; only after long moments did her hands shakily move up his waist.

Breaking his 'response' Sasuke pressed his forehead against Sakura's, his heart racing as he stood silently before her, unsure how to proceed; "I meant it. Don't ask me that again, it's annoying."

Sakura smiled as she stepped backwards, bright emerald orbs fixed on his lips for a moment; "You're the annoying one for not opening up properly the other day." Slowly turning away, the medic slipped her hands into the pockets of her jacket, shooting her beloved a look over her shoulder as she took her first step forward; "Come on, let's go. You need to stay at my house until further notice, Tsunade's orders. Besides, the other prisoners are starring at us…"

Eyes widening, Sasuke took a better look around them, countless bright eyes shining in the dimly lit cells around them in response to his silent enquiry. I almost forgot about the fools lining these halls, they're so quiet it's unsettling…

Tsunade sighs as she rubs her temples, Sasuke you are probably more pain than you are worth; the Hokage thought, silently sipping some of the sake sitting before her in an effort to distract herself. "Sai come here for a moment," she mutters under her intoxicated breath; a puff of smoke instantly appeared on the opposite side of her desk revealing the lanky pale shinobi. Looking up at him, the blonde's honey oculars remained cold and stern, "Starting today Sasuke will be residing in Sakura's home. I want you to find out if he has an agenda here by any means necessary."

Sai nods as he bows politely, "Yes, lady Hokage. The ANBU officers assigned to watch him in jail were assigned to monitor him from a distance until he enters Sakura's home. I will take the mission from there personally." His dark, void eyes meet Tsunade's, "I do have to ask, when will the trial for his crimes be held? Our job as ANBU is to irradiate threats to the safety of our village; isn't he exactly that?"

"I know, but until I talk to Sasuke myself there will be no trial. He is technically under house arrest, so there won't be any issues," the older woman explains slowly, struggling to find confidence to support her own comment on the situation at hand. I better not regret giving you a chance to explain yourself Sasuke, and if you harm even so much as a hair on that pretty little head of hers there will be hell to pay.