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Traveling with Sasuke was a quiet affair. He's said more in the first twenty-four hours of their reunion than he'd said in the last week. It wasn't that he was ignoring her, he just didn't talk much. Maybe it had to do with so much solitary travel or that his two previous teams had at least one loud-mouth that left little need to speak up.
Or maybe he was just shy and didn't like to talk.
Sakura tried not to let the silence get to her. When they were younger, she'd have tried to force conversation. Years of working delicate surgical operations taught her patience. She busied herself with observations about her mysterious traveling companion.
After so many years of desperately chasing after Sasuke, it was nice to be in his company. His strong silence was almost reassuring at this point. It wasn't his former brooding silence. She'd have loved to know what was on his mind, but after many conversations with Ino about men and their private thoughts, she realized it wouldn't be nearly as creative as whatever her imagination might dream up.
The only sounds that emanated from Sasuke was his quiet breathing and the soft clink of his kunai when he leapt up into a tree.
He stopped abruptly.
Sakura paused, trying to sense what had disturbed him. A few fast moving chakra signatures approached nearby — there were at least a half-dozen of them. While the Great Shinobi Nations had formed alliances, it didn't mean there weren't still rogue ninja serving special interest groups.
The chakra signatures weren't particularly strong, but did indicate shinobi rather than regular bandits. They obviously weren't expecting company since they hadn't bothered to mask their chakra. Both Sasuke and Sakura had masked their chakra out of habit.
Sasuke raised his hand and did a few hand signals. Sakura wasn't familiar with the signs. They weren't the same ones Konoha used. Maybe it was something he'd learned under Orochimaru or with his Taka teammates.
Apparently, she was supposed to move some particular direction, because Sasuke looked at her over his shoulder with a glare of frustration.
Sakura used the hand signs every academy student memorized. 'Use Leaf signals.'
Sasuke's brow creased and then relaxed. He held his hand up again and used standard Konoha basic sign language. 'Go left, do not engage.'
Sakura hurried left, careful to stick with the thickest boughs of the trees and to keep both her chakra masked and to silence any sound she might make. A bead of perspiration broke across her forehead in anticipation. The idea of fighting alongside Sasuke both thrilled her and gave her anxiety. She knew what she was capable of, but other than their last battle in the war, it had been years since they trained together. She had a vague idea of what all Sasuke was capable of, but how much did he know about her abilities?
If they did engage these rogues, it would be important to not get in each other's way while simultaneously protecting one another.
"He has the weirdest requests," one of the rogues complained.
"His money is good," another argued. "If he wants us to collect amniotic fluid from mid-wives, I'm not asking questions."
Sakura frowned. Why would someone need amniotic fluid? Surely, it wasn't for anything good.
"I'm not sure he is the correct pronoun," a third rogue added.
She could see the group as they passed briskly on the ground beneath the trees. They each had a barrel strapped to their back. If they were full of amniotic fluid, Sakura had a bad feeling that Orochimaru was running experiments and growing his own test-tube babies.
Sasuke signed once again to her. 'Stand down. Harmless.'
Sakura didn't think they were harmless, but what they were doing wasn't necessarily illegal. Though, Sasuke was the lead on the mission, so she would restrain her urge to investigate. Orochimaru had been given some sort of pardon from Konoha due to his aid in the Great Ninja War. He was allowed to do his experiments as long as he kept a certain distance from the village and refrained from abductions.
They continued on their path once more. This time, instead of contemplating the nuances of Sasuke, Sakura felt her mind drift to her work regarding the mental health of children affected by war. How does one teach morality to someone that was an innocent victim of violence?
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It was strange for Sasuke to be traveling for days with Sakura and not be conversing. He'd worried that he would have to silence her and had been surprised that she seemed perfectly capable of keeping her own counsel. He'd actually been looking forward to her friendly banter, curious what she'd talk about.
He was terrible at small talk. He studied the cultures of other villages and nearby peoples so that he could infiltrate, but even then, it was hard for him to blend into a crowd. With Sakura's glaring pastel pink hair you'd think she'd have difficulty blending into society — but she did so with ease. She made small talk, made strangers feel comfortable, and seemed to genuinely care about everyone she interacted with.
Sasuke didn't understand how that worked.
His mother had been able to make others feel comfortable around her — even those outside of the clan. He would consider it a female thing, but Karin and Ino certainly didn't have that particular talent. And frankly, he wasn't that familiar with any other females.
Currently, they were taking a small break to consume a late afternoon meal. Not once did Sakura complain about being hungry, though he knew she had to be starving. He was starving. Once again, he thought he'd have to put up with a pampered princess routine and was surprised to see his former teammate perfectly capable of keeping up with him — even though he was a prodigy with an impressive bloodline.
She was so different from the twelve year old version he'd been so familiar with. Though, he'd cared about twelve year old Sakura too — she'd genuinely cared about him. He didn't even want to think about the times he almost killed her — would have without Kakashi and Naruto's interference. It wasn't until the last battle in the great war that he truly understood her growth. When she released that chakra seal on her forehead and summoned a slug just as massive as his snake and Naruto's toad.
Her confidence and her strength at that time had finally captured his frozen heart. And after she saved him and Naruto from death's door, he'd been enamored by her inner beauty as her medical chakra washed over him. He brought death and destruction, but she'd learned to bring life and healing.
She and Itachi would have made a great match.
"Are you okay?" Sakura asked, her brow furrowed in concern as she gazed at him from the side.
Sasuke schooled his features. He hadn't realized his last thought had been so obvious on his face. "I was just thinking about Itachi," he confessed.
"Oh," Sakura said, with a nod. She didn't know about his brother's convoluted life. She didn't know he was a true and noble hero.
"I wasted a lot of years being angry at him," Sasuke continued, relieved to have something to talk to Sakura about. "He killed the clan under orders of Konoha's counsel and Danzo. The Third Hokage was against it, but allowed it. The clan was planning a coup. He and my cousin Shisui were trying to stop it. They were the only ones capable of peacefully stopping any conflict. But Danzo didn't want peace and he fatally wounded Shisui wanting to claim his Sharingan eyes. He managed to take one, but Shisui found Itachi before he died. He begged Itachi to kill him in order to awaken the powers of his Sharingan and gave him his remaining eye."
"The amount of eye transplants that happen within the Uchiha is staggering," Sakura murmured.
"Itachi agreed to kill the clan, if he could save me. He was supposed to slaughter the entire clan under Danzo's orders — if you leave even one, he or she will become an avenger," Sasuke explained. "The Third promised to take care of me, much as I assume he promised Naruto's dad he'd take care of him. He failed on both accounts."
"Did he? Because the Third assembled Team Seven under Kakashi. I think the friendships with our team basically led to the victory of the Great War." Sakura neatly folded the handkerchief her onigiri had been stored within. "Ninjas don't usually have easy lives."
"I want my children, if I have any, to enjoy easy lives," Sasuke said, rubbing between his eyes. "I'd like to think the sacrifices over the last few decades would finally lead to a peaceful society."
"I assume Itachi then infiltrated Akatsuki under orders too," Sakura surmised.
Sasuke nodded. "He avoided killing when he could. He was a real pacifist. I often wonder what he'd have done with his life if he'd not been born a ninja. I suspect he'd have been a chef."
"And what would you have chosen?" Sakura asked.
"A police officer," Sasuke said, echoing a childhood dream. "Funny, considering I became an international terrorist." He looked at her, studying her profile and remembering her awkward answer to Kakashi's questions about their life goals when they'd first formed their Genin team. "What about you? What is your ideal peacetime profession?"
"Honestly, I can't think of anything more rewarding than medicine," Sakura confessed. "It might be nice to be a mother one day. I think if Lady Tsunade had a chance, she'd give up all her power just to have a family with her long-lost fiancé, Dan." She grew quiet. "She talks about it when she's had a rough day and drinks too much sake. I don't want any regrets."
"Is that why you're here with me?" Sasuke asked.
"If I didn't at least try to have some sort of real relationship with you, Sasuke, I would regret it." She stood and started to stretch. "I can't keep playing games with you. If things don't work out this time around, I plan to move on."
Sasuke felt his heart constrict at the statement. This really was his last chance with Sakura! He knew the time would come when she'd get tired of his emotional immaturity and uncertainty. "For what it's worth, I'm really glad you came." Sasuke stood behind Sakura and hugged her to him interrupting her stretch. "I'm trying. I just don't know what it's like to be in a relationship."
"Care for one another, be affectionate, be trustworthy, be honest, and be vulnerable," Sakura listed. "Any relationship — romantic or platonic — should have these traits as the foundation." She smiled at him. "Thank you for telling me about your brother."
Sasuke nodded. He was capable to talking, but only on limited subjects. "Do you like to read?"
Sakura's smile faded. "Do I like to read? Are you kidding. Did you not pay attention to me at all in the academy?"
Sasuke scowled. "Studying isn't the type or reading I meant. I mean books — literature for fun."
"I prefer non-fiction. I'd rather learn something while I'm reading since my free time is limited," Sakura explained.
"Perhaps we could read the same literature and discuss it — for future conversation topics," Sasuke suggested.
"I would love that, Sasuke," Sakura said. She reached for his face and gently traced her fingers across his jawline.
Sasuke raised his hand to the back of Sakura's head, threading his fingers through the hairs at her nape. He leaned down and pressed his lips against hers, enjoying her gasp of surprise. He pulled back once he'd run out of breath and pressed his forehead against hers. "Let's find a nice place to rest tonight. There's a remote hideout I've used before about ten kilometers from here."
"And we can decide what book will be the first in our newfound bookclub," Sakura teased.
Sasuke's eyes flickered down to her lips, bruised from his kisses. "Sure." He had other ideas in mind.
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There was a magical atmosphere to the remote hideaway Sasuke referred. There was a waterfall and a hot spring and the actual hideout was the cave hidden behind the waterfall. As the water descended down into the springs below, a rainbow refracted the light.
"In order to get to the cave, one must have perfect chakra control," Sasuke explained. "It's not really a good place to stay long-term, but for a night or two — it's ideal." He led the way through the dense trees and then to the incredibly slick stones. "The hot spring is incredibly relaxing."
"It's not sulfuric?" Sakura took a deep breath, enjoying the clean, fresh scent.
"No rotten eggs stench," Sasuke agreed.
They reached the cave behind the waterfall and dropped off their travel packs. Sasuke led Sakura to a stable edge to enjoy the waterfall up close. The roaring sound made it difficult to hear. He wrapped his arm around Sakura's shoulders and drew her close to his side. "After a night or two here; it will be hard to leave."
Sakura closed her eyes and enjoyed the cool water falling around them splashing her face. "Cold waterfalls, hot springs, and a secluded cave — I think you found paradise."
Sasuke pulled her away from the waterfall into the cave. "How about we enjoy those hot springs?" His hand slipped from her shoulder and he took her hand. She laced their fingers together, making the connection more intimate. The roar of the waterfall became more akin to to white noise and was no longer deafening. "Itachi found this place. He would come here to use the hot spring to help his lungs. He had a pulmonary condition."
"Steam is very helpful with lung congestion and if he had some sort of restriction pulmonary condition it would certainly be therapeutic," Sakura answered, her tone clinical. "Was it an infection or something genetic?"
Sasuke hesitated. He wasn't sure exactly. Neither of his parents had a problem, but there were a few members of his clan that had pulmonary issues. It was an Uchiha clan secret, but if he was going to bring Sakura into his life, why not tell her? She might be able to do something about it. "I don't know for sure," Sasuke said quietly. "I remember a few others in my clan growing up having some sort of problem."
"It could be fibrocystic disease. The lifespan of one that inherits that is usually somewhere in the teens to late twenties." She squeezed his hand. "Both parents would have to be carriers and the smaller the gene pool the higher the chances of inheritance. If you like, I can do a thorough check to see if you're at risk?"
"Maybe later," Sasuke muttered. If he did have that condition, would she be even less likely to tolerate his hangups? He was already struggling to let down his emotional guard around her and was missing half his left arm. If he had this genetic disorder would that be the trifecta that finally ended her interest in him?
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Twelve year old Sakura would have died of happiness to know that one day she'd be naked in a hot spring alone with Sasuke Uchiha.
All the grime and exhaustion from the past few days washed away in the warm mineral waters. Sakura sighed in relief and giggled when she heard Sasuke do the same beside her.
"What?" Sasuke asked, cracking open an eye.
"It's strange to see you so relaxed," Sakura explained.
"I never thought I'd have someone to share this place with," Sasuke confessed. "Much less a lover and companion to do so."
Sakura twisted around and moved to straddle Sasuke, her legs comfortably wrapped around his hips and his groin snug against hers.
Sasuke's eyes opened fully and a slow smile spread across his lips. "Hello there," he said softly. His arms banded around her as she traced her fingers across the contours of his muscular chest and abdomen. He cringed slightly and she drew back her hands.
"What's wrong?" Sakura's teasing smile was gone and replaced with her serious clinical face.
"Nothing really. My elbow is sore from the prosthetic," he explained.
"Well then take it off, let your arm rest," Sakura suggested. "This is the perfect place to do it."
"I didn't want to make you uncomfortable." He released his hold on her and removed the prosthetic, setting it on the ground near the hot spring. Hesitantly, he moved his right arm back around Sakura.
She laid one hand back on his chest and rested the other on the stump below his elbow. Her palm glowed green and a surge of healing chakra rushed into the inflamed flesh and calmed the rapid-firing nerve endings.
Sasuke felt the tension in his muscles start to relax and he exhaled a deep breath as his discomfort subsided. He was relieved Sakura showed no disgust for his injury — he'd grown quite self-conscious about it. It was a reminder of his stupidity. That battle with Naruto had been completely unnecessary and only served to maim the both of them.
Sakura returned both hands to his torso, tracing lazy circles. "I've got an idea for our first book," Sakura said, leaning close to the side of Sasuke's face and nipping his earlobe playfully. "How about the Kama Sutra?"
"Or maybe Shunga: The Essence of Japanese Pillow Talk Eroticism?" Sasuke suggested, his lip twitching into a smirk.
"Why not both? I'm sure we can find practical applications for both," Sakura said.
"Nothing better than dating a hot nerd," Sasuke declared.
"You say that as if you aren't a hot nerd yourself," Sakura countered.
"Less talking," Sasuke murmured. He shifted his hand towards Sakura's bottom and adjusted her so that she would be easy to enter as he throbbed in anticipation.
"If you're waiting for permission, you have it," Sakura said, reaching down and grabbing hold of his fully erect member and guiding him inside.
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A/N: So, honestly, not sure whether to rate this T or M. The intimate scenes aren't graphic, but the topics will be decidedly mature. So, I'm rating it M just to be on the cautious side.