We meet again; hope everyone is well and ready for another chapter. I know it has been a while school, summer school and more school has been the death of me but I'm all settled in now and back to get to work on my stories. Thank you for everyone that reviewed and all of you that have sticked around, putting up with my procrastination and long breaks in between updating but I will do my best to improve on that. You guys put a big goofy smile on my face. =D Anyway I want to keep this short so on with the chapter you have long waited for! Things are getting steamy.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Chapter 23: Confession Time
"There she goes," Naruto whispered loudly.
Sasuke smacked the back of Naruto's head hard. "If you do not shut your big mouth she will hear us you baka," he growled.
"Listen here chicken butt-"
Itachi jammed a sock into Naruto's open mouth. "If you do not shut that pot hole you call your mouth I will strangle you slowly, very…slowly," Itachi said his eyes turning red.
Naruto gulped and shook his head up and down.
"Uhhh, where did you get that sock from?" Gaara asked.
"I have no clue, it was just lying on the ground," Itachi shrugged.
Naruto started to gag; he ripped the sock out of his mouth and ran over to the bushes to throw up.
Haku rolled his eyes. "You guys may be hot but you are the worst kidnappers ever."
"Do not worry, it will be as a success," Neji assured them nodding his head.
Deidara groaned. "Seriously, who invited him?"
"I invited myself, I cannot miss up on the chance to do some kidnapping," Neji rubbed his hands together. "And its Sakura, jackpot!"
Shikamaru sighed. "You all have issues."
"Speak for yourself," Tobi huffed. "At least we are not boring."
Shikamaru stared at him with a blank face. "At least I have a girlfriend."
Kiba barked. "Oooouch, burn!"
Haku ignored them and watched as Sakura crossed the street, her book bag swinging back and forth on her shoulder. Her cherry blossom hair pulled into a loose bun. She had gotten rid of the tomboy clothes, now wearing a loose pair of capris and a lace tank top. She was comfortable and it was an outfit she approved of. She was starting to understand her own style, what she liked to call chic tomboy.
"Sakura could wear a garbage bag and still look lovely," Tobi sighed dreamily.
Haku snapped his fingers. "Okay let's go."
They jumped out of their hiding spots and surrounded Sakura as she made her way on the sideway. The streets were empty, the morning traffic making its way downtown.
"Hey guys, why aren't you in school?" Sakura asked. She glanced over at Haku. "What are you doing here?" She asked now confused.
"It's for your own good," Haku informed her. "Please…forgive me."
The guys spread out in a circle cutting off all of Sakura's exits.
Sakura laughed. "Are we playing some kind of game?"
"Get her," Haku commanded.
Naruto launched himself at her. Sakura grabbed his hand, twisted around his back and threw him over her shoulder.
"Oooooh, I think I just broke something," Naruto said weakly his face buried in the concrete.
Sakura's eyes turned to slits as she looked around the circle. "What is going on?"
"We are trying to kidnap you, duuuhh," Kiba told her their plan.
Haku hit his forehead with his palm. "Never work with amateurs," he told himself.
Tobi rushed up behind Sakura and started pressing on her neck with two fingers.
"What are you doing?" Sasuke snarled.
"Isn't there some kind of pressure point that can knock people out?" Tobi said in a frantic voice. He kept pushing around finding nothing.
Sakura elbowed him hard in the stomach then turning around to send him flying into Sasuke with a kick.
"You guys are crazy," Sakura breathed as she straightened herself back up.
Neji took this moment of opportunity to wrap and arm around Sakura's waist and pull her close to him, her back pressed against his chest. Sakura smirked as she got ready to hurt Neji in many ways imaginable when he put a handkerchief over her mouth and nose.
Sakura breathed in deeply being caught off guard. She felt her eyes start to get heavy. "Nooo I must fight it." She struggled but soon she was out cold going limp in Neji's arms. He caught her and lifted her up bridal style, her head resting against his chest.
"What in the world?" Gaara said angrily looking at the unconscious pink haired beauty in his arms.
"What," Neji said. "They always do it in the movies, so I purchased some sleeping powder!"
Haku cleared his throat. "Ooookay, that was different, but it shall do. To the car!"
Sakura groaned and rolled her head, her neck feeling sore. She tied to move her arms but found them bound tightly behind her back.
"Pshhh, she is waking up," she heard someone say.
Sakura opened her eyes to see nothing but darkness, little flashes of stars appearing before her eyes.
"Should we remove her blindfold?" she heard a deep voice ask.
"Okay that's definitely Itachi, what is going on?"
Sakura felt rough hands brush over her cheek as they went behind her head working on the knot of the blindfold. The piece of fabric slowly floated into her lap. Sakura squinted her eyes as they adjusted to the dim fluorescent light over her head.
Tobi rubbed his hands together slowly. "Welcome to the dungeon Sakura," he said in a bad vampire voice.
"What is going on?" Sakura asked wanting to know wiggling her arms behind her back trying to break free.
Haku chuckled. "Well it's very simple, we kidnapped you."
Sakura looked her friend with a blank face. "What?"
"Well it's about time that we find out who you have an interest in, one of these fine gentleman," Haku said squeezing Gaara's arm, Gaara shrugged it off quickly.
"This…is ridiculous," Sakura sighed moving her hands. "And untie my hands," she growled trying to sit up but found she couldn't move an inch "Wait…you guys tied me to a chair?!" She gasped now noticing she was fully restrained.
Everyone quickly pointed in Itachi direction. "It was his idea."
Itachi smirked. "What can I say, I love tying people up."
Sakura blushed deeply as she lowered her head.
"Hmmm now, I just said I like to tie people up, where is your mind wandering to," Itachi asked watching as her pink hair swished back and forth as she tried to get herself free.
"I'm not thinking anything," Sakura blurted out, her cheeks now becoming red. "Where am I?" she asked changing the subject.
"Well we cannot disclose that kind of top secret in-"
"We are in Sasuke and Itachi's basement," Naruto told her. "At their mansion. We're in a mansion, we're in a man-"
Itachi smacked the side of Naruto's head. "Thanks, Blondie."
Naruto was oblivious as he rubbed his face. "Your welcome!" He beamed
Sakura scanned the line of guys standing in front of her. "Er, why am I here again?"
"I told you, we're here to figure out who, out of all these guys, is the one you like." Haku stated.
"Wait-what?!" Sakura exclaimed.
"You know, the one you desire, the apple in your eye, the one your heart beats for-"
"Alright, I get it," Sakura verbalized through clenched teeth. "You kidnapped me for this nonsense; I am missing school because of this!"
Naruto fisted pumped. "Don't worry your pretty head about that, I have that all under control."
Kakashi looked up from his book studying the figure sitting in Naruto's seat.
"Hinata, why is they a Naruto scarecrow next to you?"
Hinata glanced at the fake Naruto out of the corner of her eye. Naruto had made figures of everyone and pasted horrible low quality color copy pictures on the faces.
"I-I-I'm not r-really sure," Hinata fidgeted with her fingers.
Kakashi sighed deeply as he turned his attention back to his book.
Sakura then took notice to the circle of chairs that were all facing her direction and the other guys coming down the steps.
"Okay let's take our seats," Haku ordered.
"It this some kind of meeting," Sakura said looking confused as they sat down all looking at her.
"Stop looking at me like that," Sakura barked feeling uncomfortable.
"We are just staring at you normally."
"I was referring to Neji."
Neji seat was the closest to her and was burning holes into Sakura's clothes, her skin feeling warm. A newspaper wacked Neji on top of his head. He rubbed the sore bump. "Ooow, that kind of hurt."
"You deserved it," Haku nodded. "Anyway as we all know our poor, poor Sakura is oblivious to love with her being a tomboy and all."
"There is nothing wrong with that," Sakura huffed.
"Well of course there is not but it was made you into this person who has just an impossible time telling when someone has an interest in you."
"I know who does."
"Yes, after I pointed out to you, before did you ever entertain the thought about these gentlemen liking you," Haku gestured to them sitting in their seats.
"I…guess not."
"Exactly, these guys have undying love for you and I think it's about time that you found out."
"More like lust," Sakura whispered under her breath.
"Let's get started, first there is Deidara," Haku pointed to him. Sakura stole a glance at him really quickly. "Did you know that he had an interest in you?"
"Y-yes."
Deidara smiled brightly, his bangs getting in the way of his eyes. "Oh yeah."
Haku moved on. "Gaara?" Well I guess that's obvious since you dated him. What about Sasori?" Haku asked standing in front of the other red head.
Sakura frowned. "Sasori does not like me."
Haku paced the room. "Are you sure of that? Because I think otherwise."
"Yes I'm sure," Sakura and Sasori said at the same time.
"Yeah Sasori is not into her," the other guys piped in.
Haku pulled out his magnifying glass. "Yes I thought so to but if one looks very closely at the clues you can tell in fact that he does."
Sasori smirked. "And how did you come to that conclusion?"
"Well by actions of course, your very protective of her, you generally want her to be happy whoever it is with," Haku said.
Sasori nodded his head silently.
"But everyone else fails to notice the ways you look at her, eyes are the heart of the soul, the longing looks, and the way your eyes glaze over as you fantasize."
Sasori sat quietly not saying a word now.
"Oh my gosh," Naruto gasped. "You do like Sakura."
"Shut up," Sasori growled.
"Are you blushing?"
"No I do not blush," Sasori scuffed at the ridiculous idea tugging at his shirt collar.
"And as you can see he does not deny it."
Sasori crossed his arms and stared at the ground refusing to make eye contact with anyone.
Sakura gulped as she blushed too. "Sasori likes…me."
"Well moving on," Haku said stopping in front of Tobi. "Everyone one knows I love Sakura-kun!"
"Yes, yes we know."
"And-"
"Okay, okay, I get the point they all like me," Sakura sighed.
"Hmmm you do?"
"Yes I get it Tobi, Itachi, Neji, Gaara, Sasori, Sasuke, and Deidara, all of them."
"I never stated I had any interest in you," Sasuke glared at her.
"Sooo you just go around kissing girls and pulling them into closets," Sakura pointed out. "Yeah that's perfectly normal."
Sasuke was silent as everyone looked at him.
"Okay I get the point; can you just untie me, please?" Sakura said, resorting to begging, she did not like the way this was going.
Haku smirked. "Oh we are just getting started Sakura dear."
"All of them are missing," Tsuande frowned over her paper work.
"Yes," Kakashi told her. "And from my observations that usually hang out together so I can conclude that they are all together.
"Hmmm skipping I see, we'll get to the bottom of this," Tsuande smiled. "Send Gai in."
"What else is there to talk about?" Sakura said getting frantic. "And my hands are really starting to itch."
"We are only tipping the iceberg and do not think that we are loosing your rope, your far to dangerous."
"Yeah you would easy escape and over power us all."
Sakura chuckled softly. "Whhhhat, you guys are crazy, I'm just a ordinary girl."
They all stared at her with blank faces. "Okay fine."
Haku paced the room again now wearing a plaid trench coat.
"Where are you getting all this detective stuff?" Naruto asked.
"Oh I brought at earlier since I knew we would in interrogating Sakura. So Sakura we know who likes you but we don't know who you like."
"Yeah, I am very interested in hearing that," Itachi said darkly rubbing his hands together.
"Uhh, could you stop doing that, it's creepy," Kiba said backing away.
"Why are you here?" Sakura asked Kiba.
"Well we were not going to miss out on the fun and besides Naruto, Shikamaru and I were not going to school when we could skip. The only person that did go to school was Shino."
Shino stared back at the teachers who were watching him carefully.
"So Shino, do you want to tell me where your friends are?," Tsuande asked politely
Shino blinked behind his sunglasses. "I honestly do not know.
"Arrrghhhh, what do you mean you do not know," Tsuande said getting annoyed slamming her fist on the desk.
"I cannot say that I was paying attention, my bugs needed feeding."
Tsuande sighed and sinked back into her desk chair. "Back to square one."
"Sooooo Sakura-"
"If that is your real name!" Naruto pipped up.
"Why would that not be her real name?" Haku asked looking annoyed.
"Her parents could have named her Naruto for all we know," Naruto explained.
"Who would want the name Naruto other then you?" Gaara asked.
"Why not? It's an awesome name that holds great authority, no matter where you go you will get respect-"
Itachi stuffed a sock in Naruto's mouth and shoved him into the basement closet. "Enough of that."
"Hey," Naruto banged on the door after spitting out the sock. "It's pitch dark in here."
"Well if you weren't speaking nonsense you wouldn't be in there," Haku told him.
"Hey guys, you gonna let him do this to me?" Naruto said. "Gaara? Kiba? Sakura?"
"I'm tied to a chair, remember?"
"Gaara? Kiba?"
They sat there silently looking around the basement.
"Fine," Naruto kicked the door. "I know when I'm not wanted."
"Annnyway, Sakura, would you be willing to answer a few questions," Haku said rubbing his fake mustache.
Sakura's eyes turned into slits. "What kind of questions?"
"Well, have you ever had feelings for any of the fine gentlemen present?"
"…"
"Sakura?"
Sakura's cheeks blushed bright red. "I don't want to answer these questions."
"So that means you have, right?"
"…"
"Or you haven't?"
"…"
"Will you say something woman!" Haku shrieked.
"I have had no interest."
"Uh huh," Haku circled around her. "Do you find them attractive?"
"What?"
"Find them appealing to the eye?"
Sakura glanced around the circle. "I don't feel comfortable answering that."
"It's obvious you do," Itachi smirked.
Sakura glared at him. "Oh really."
"You called us sexy yesterday when we were in our suits," Itachi refreshed her memory.
Sakura mentally started to beat herself up.
"Yeah you have complimented us all actually," Neji pointed out.
Sakura laughed nervously. "I was just joking, ha ha, you know."
"So you honestly do not find any of them attractive at all?" Haku asked wanting to clarify.
Sakura opened her mouth to speak.
"No lying to me," Haku said giving her the puppy eyes.
Sakura turned away from his face quickly. "Crap, I can't lie to him when he is doing that."
Sakura cleared her throat and stared down at her lap, the only safe place for her eyes to be. "I…guess-"
The basement door opened with a bang and two pairs of footsteps headed downward. Kisame and Pein became visible in the dim lighting.
"Itachi, you told us to meet you here?" Kisame said confused looking around at everyone.
"Is that the blue guy?" Naruto asked through the door.
"It's a skin condition," Kisame barked.
Pein surveyed the situation. "Are you torturing people?"
"Not exactly, we are just trying to get some top secret information out of Sakura," Itachi stated.
The two turned their heads to glanced at the pink haired girl tied to a chair in the middle of the room.
Kisame smirked. "Nice, kind of kinky don't you say Itachi?"
Itachi glared at him. "This is for information purposes only."
Pein pulled out a knife out of his pocket. He flipped it up and started to work at the dirt in between his fingers nails. "You got her to talk yet?"
"Nope…not at all," Haku said looking a little scared at Itachi's friends. "W-who are you?"
Pein silenced Haku with a look. "Never mind I do not need to know."
Sakura squirmed in her chair. "Why do I always end up with crazy people?" she thought to herself.
"Well you got any ideas?"
Neji stood up and walked up to Sakura until he was standing right in front of her. "I do," he grinned evilly.
"What?" everyone asked actually curious at his idea.
"Sakura is extremely ticklish," he started wiggling his fingers.
Sakura's jaw fell open. "Oh no."
"So Gai what do you think?"
"Well considering we have no evidence I am going to have to get my right hand man!" Gai cheered.
"What the-"Kakashi and Tsuande were interrupted when Rock Lee busted through the door.
"Don't worry Gai-sensei I know Sakura's scent exactly, I am like a hound dog, I will find my cherry blossom!" Rock Lee cheered louder.
"LET'S GO!" they both shouted running out the door.
"Okay?" Tsuande said slowly following them. She sighed deeply. "Kakashi will you put the filthy piece of trash away and come on?"
Kakashi sighed himself as he slipped his book into his jacket pocket. "It is great literature."
Sakura used her feet to push her chair all the way to the corner. The boys still advanced coming in from all sides.
"This isn't funny guys," she panicked looking around.
"Don't worry Sakura, it will be fun," Neji smiled.
"You look simply adorable when you're frightened," Itachi complimented her.
Sakura locked eyes with Gaara. "You're really going to do this?"
Gaara scratched the back of his head. "Welll…." He didn't finish his sentence but still kept walking towards her.
"Deidara?" Sakura panicked watching as he inched closer himself.
"Don't worry Sakura, it will be quick, yeah," he assured her winking.
Sasuke too had no trouble making his way to the corner.
There was no way she could let them tickle her. She would be putty in their hands and the beans would spill, she could not talk.
"Think…Think!"
Sakura's eyes lit up as she had an idea.
"Okay, okay, I will tell you," she said quickly Neji's hands inches away from her stomach.
They stopped in their tracks. "Tell us what?"
"Who I like, wait no…who I love," Sakura started acting to save her butt.
"Whoooooooaa you love someone, that is deep," Haku sniffed rubbing at the corner of his eye.
Sakura lowered her head to roll her eyes but kept on with the charade. "Yes love, I have tried so hard to bury these feelings but I-I can't keep doing this anymore it…hurts," she sniffed.
Pein smirked seeing what was happening. "These guys are so gullible."
Neji kneeled down and rested a hand on Sakura's knee. "It's okay Sakura you can tell us, they will be fine," gesturing to the rest of the guys.
She was so tempted to kick him with her free leg but she controlled herself.
"No you guys will be too hurt," Sakura sniffed an actual tear rolling down her cheek.
Gaara started to get concerned. "Sakura are you okay?"
"Yes but I can't hold this in much longer, the truth is guys, I love, I-I love, I love-"
"Just spit it out already," Naruto shouted from inside the closet.
"It's…Pein."
Neji gapsed and fell on the floor in shock.
"What the-" Itachi said.
"Ewwwww," Tobi said.
Sasori met eyes with Pein and sent a nonverbal message. Pein nodded.
"Yes him," Sakura started to scoot her chair in his direction.
Gaara stood their speechless. "Umm okay I'm totally confused," Kiba admitted.
Haku looked at the two with hearts in his eyes. "This is so beautiful!"
"Shut up," Sasuke growled. "What is going on?"
"Untie me," Sakura asked them.
"No," Sasuke said harshly.
"Untie me…please," Sakura looked at them with puppy eyes, her emerald eyes glowing in the light putting them in a trance.
Haku untied her from the chair and she stood up quickly. Her hands were still bound behind her back.
"Could you untie my hands too?" Sakura asked.
"No," Itachi glared at Pein. "You have some explaining to do."
"Yeah," Deidara agreed. "How can you like him?"
"Yeah when do you ever see him," Naruto asked from the closet. "Can someone let me out of here?"
Kiba walked over to free Naruto. "Yay free at la-"
"Zip it!" Neji cried. They all stared daggers at Pein; he stood their nonchalantly flicking his knife in and out.
"What do you even like about him?" Kisame asked now curious to this new relationship.
Sakura started to walk towards Pein slowly. "What girl doesn't like a guy with a face full of pierces and uh cold heartless eyes."
"If you wanted a bad boy there is one right here," Itachi pointed at himself.
"Yeah well you aren't like Pein," Sakura said facing him. She gave him a look she hoped would get him to help her.
"Well I do have to admit, Pein is kind of hot," Tobi nodded looking at his friend.
Everyone gave him a strange look.
"I am comfortable with myself!" Tobi told them. "I'm sexy and I know it, Sakura look at this body," he screamed starting to strip.
Sasuke knocked him over the head. He turned his focus back to Sakura and Pein. "Continue."
"Well uh," Sakura muttered trying to think of something.
Pein wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close. "Just get over it."
Neji screamed as he fainted on the ground.
"Whhhhhhattt, this is so out of character," Naruto stated.
Itachi gave his friend an icy look. "Yes it is, you never said anything about this before."
Pein used his other hand to work on the ropes around Sakura's wrist cutting through them slowly. Sakura stood completely still as he worked.
"I'm so sorry guys but Pein…he is my prince charming," Sakura faked smiled brightly at him.
Pein gave her a blank look as he dropped the rope behind them Sakura's hands finally free.
Itachi breathed in slowly. "Really?" he said with a hurt look on his face.
Sakura stepped forward one step and look towards the stairs. "Now 'gentleman'" she started. She revealed her free hands and ran halfway up the stairs. "Do you actually think I love Pein, I love nobody! Later suckers!" she cheered running up the steps. She ran back down and peeked her head through. "Thank you so much Pein, I will pay you back, whatever you want" Sakura said quickly running up the steps again.
Itachi took a moment and blink. "What?"
Pein flipped his knife in the air. "You actually thought we liked each other. You guys really don't know me. And seriously tying her up so you can figure out which one of you she had a thing for. Lame."
"We have been deceived," Neji said getting up from the floor.
"Thank goodness," Tobi said finally gaining conscious. "I thought she actually loved him."
Sasuke wasted no time getting up the steps.
"Well what are we waiting for? We have to catch her," Haku stated.
Everyone filed out of the basement and was soon on her trail.
Sasori walked slowly over to Pein and shook hands. They both nodded to each other.
Kisame looked over at the two. "Soooo we were not invited to torture anyone.
"You picked up anything?" Gai asked Rock Lee as he sniffed the air.
"I believe so," Rock Lee stated. "It is faint but I can smell strawberries, this way," he pointed heading into the woods.
"Are we really going to follow them?" Kakashi asked reading his book ducking under a branch.
"We have no other leads and when I find them, they are in big trouble," Tsuande said angrily punching a tree.
Sakura finally outside took a breath of fresh air; she crossed the street and looked at the Uchiha mansion. "Gosh those people are crazy."
She was not going to fight them now considering they were able to kidnap her, they were capable of more than she thought and she was not taking any chances.
She heard heavy footsteps hitting gravel and turned to look over her shoulder. Sasuke was exiting the compound, now caught sight of her and was heading her way.
"Pinky," he growled.
Sakura took no time to rest as she started running off down the street. She heard commotion behind her, the others were out and hot on her trail. She looked down at her feet. She was wearing sandals, not exactly the best for running in, her feet already getting sore. She made a turnout of the neighborhood and made her way down the side walk.
"Sakura wait," Haku huffed running almost of out breath.
Sakura still continued on best she could. She looked down at her boobs bouncing all over the place. She had gotten rid of all her sports bras and tried the ones her mom had sent her. Her new bras were not secure at all, her chest ready at any moment to hit her in the face.
"Ughhh this can't get any worse."
As she turned the corner a string on her lace tank top got stuck on a branch and she was jerked back.
"You have got to be kidding me," she puffed yanking at the shirt trying to set it free. She used full force on her last tug and the fabric could not take anymore and ripped into two. Sakura shrieked as she stood shirtless beside the tree her arms going up quickly to cover her chest.
"Sakura," she heard Deidara puff as he came around the corner first. "What's wronnnggg…."
He stood their speechless and she he eyed the shirtless Sakura in all her glory. The bright blue bra noticeable on her milky skin.
"What is it?" Sasuke and Itachi asked together as they caught up with him.
Soon all the guys stood still as they looked on at the shirtless girl. Her arms were squished over her breast which only made the matter worse giving them a clear view of her cleavage.
They all turned around quickly. Deidara wiped at his nose as blood droplets started to run down. "We saw nothing."
"Yeah," Naruto said his back turned. "I do not see two flesh mountains-"
Gaara slapped the back of Naruto's head.
Tobi looked over at Haku who had not turned around and was still looking at Sakura. "What are you doing?
"Come on guys, you know I don't like gir-"
"That does not matter, the boobs still have power," Tobi said turning him around.
Sakura stood there still half naked. She glanced around; luckily they were behind a house with a lot of trees. Hopefully they couldn't see her. "Uhhh…"
"We are not going to ogle your body we are gentleman, now let me give you my shirt," Itachi said pulling his shirt off, Sakura got a full view of his bare muscular back, sweat beads ran slowly down from all the activity he had been doing.
"Hey, why do you get to give her your shirt, yeah?" Deidara questioned taking his off his shirt; his shoulder blades looked like he should have angel wings, sharp but still toned.
Sakura gulped.
"No she can have mine," Gaara started stripping as well his biceps flexing.
Soon except for Haku, Naruto and Kiba they all decided to strip down.
"I only need one shirt," Sakura informed them her mouth dry.
Itachi threw his to her quickly before anybody else could. She quickly stuffed her arms through the sleeves and pulled her head through the opening. The shirt fell down and settled on her thighs looking like a dress, her capris visible at the bottom.
"Okay… the coast is clear," She told them.
They turned around slowly to see she was covered. Itachi looked on in pride as Sakura wore his shirt. She walked over to the tree to retrieve the rest of her tank top.
"That is some cheap fabric, you should not shop at that place where you got that from," Haku informed there.
"Or you could get your whole wardrobe from there," Neji smirked. Sakura sent him a glare.
She balled the tank top up and clinched it within her fist as she eyed them all there.
"Errr could you stop looking at us like that, your scaring me," Tobi whined hiding behind Sasuke.
"Do you know how angry, no furious I am with all of you?" Sakura barked stomping her foot.
Haku cleared his throat nervously. "Well uh Sakura-"
"What gives you the right to come and kidnap me and hold me at ransom just so you can find out if I have the hots for one of you?"
All of the guys turned their heads to glare at Haku. He shifted nervously under their glazes.
"You call yourselves 'gentlemen' real gentlemen do not go around kidnapping people they potentially like; they don't tie people up to chairs and try to use their weaknesses against them."
They stared silently as she ranted walking back and forth pounding her fist.
"We just-"
"You what?" Sakura said cutting Deidara off.
Haku stepped forward. "Sakura don't be mad at them, it was all my fault, it was my idea, they just wanted to know if you liked one of them, you have never been in a relationship before-"
"Heyyy what am I?" Gaara pointed to himself.
"A real one for more than a week," Haku continued. "I just wanted you to be happy. These guys are hot and willing."
Sakura's face softened as she started at her friend. His long locks blew in the wind. He looked so tiny and vulnerable. She walked over to him and engulfed him in a hug.
"I understand Haku but I am happy and I don't need a man to make me happy," she told him.
"Uh huhhh you tell him girlfriend," Naruto snapped his fingers.
Kiba slapped his forehead. "You're a disgrace to male kind."
Haku grabbed Sakura's hands. "I know, you're very independent, you can still be in a relationship and I just want you to have the same thing I have."
Sakura smiled. "It's fine, I know you meant well but you guys can't force me to express my feelings, I don't even know my own feelings."
"Your feelings?" Gaara said looking hopeful.
Sakura tuck her hair ear. "I am just as confused as you guys okay, I…I have been experiences something new that has never happened before," she said looking down at her shoes.
"Wait so you do like one of us?" Sasuke asked nonchantly.
"I never said that," Sakura said quickly blushing. "Look when I figure out myself I will let you guys know okay but could you please not do something like this again."
They nodded their heads happy she was not mad at them anymore. Itachi walked over to Sakura and wrapped his arms around her.
"I'm glad," he grinned. "You know you look very good in my shirt," Itachi said giving her the once over.
Sakura's cheeks turned to bright tomatoes as she threw Itachi off of her. "Oh no you don't, you guys are still in the dog house."
"What?" Deidara said.
"You think you can get off this easy after what you did," she wagged her finger at them. "You guys know me too well," she grinned evilly. "I will get my revenge."
Tobi gulped. "You're scaring me."
"I like it," Neji wiggled his eyebrows.
"Well you guys have fun Haku, Naruto, Kiba and I are going to get some lunch."
"Wait a minute, how come they get to go," Neji pouted.
"Haku had good intentions, Naruto and Kiba though they tagged along, not really sure if they knew what exactly they were getting themselves into," Sakura eyed them.
"I was promised free dog food," Kiba confessed.
"See they are so gullible, they weren't the real masterminds behind this operation," Sakura glared at Itachi.
Sakura linked arms with Naruto. "Now come on, I will give you pointers on how to get Hinata."
"Oh boy, I could use them."
"You don't stay," Kiba said sarcastically.
"Awww," Neji said saldy. "I want to go."
"None of you are going anywhere," Tsuande's voice boomed as she turned the corner. Rock Lee, Gai and Kakashi followed soon after.
"Cherry blossom!" Rock Lee cheered as he ran over to her hugging her tightly.
"Rock Lee, I can't breathe," Sakura gasped.
"You guys are in big trouble; you skipped the whole day of school!" Tsuande went on. "What have you guys been doing?
Kakashi looked up from his book and surveyed the small crowd. They were sweaty and looked like mad men. Itachi was shirtless and standing next to Sakura who was now donning his shirt. Naruto and Tobi both had bruises on their faces. "I don't think we want to know."
"I'm sure it was very youthful, maybe they went for a swim," Gai sensei said observing their wet clothes.
Tsuande shook her head. "Horrible staff," she muttered. "Doesn't matter what you are doing, we caught you red handed for skipping, so you will all be serving detention…tomorrow."
"Awwwww tomorrow is Saturday," Tobi whined.
"Well you should have thought of that earlier, be at the school 8 am sharp and if you do not show up," she said crackling her knuckles. "I will have a worse punishment for you."
Tsuande stormed off Gai following after her. Rock Lee bid his last farewell to Sakura before following his teacher.
Kakashi's eyes crinkled as he looked at the group. "Well I hope you have fun tomorrow."
Sakura eyed the boys. She was going to be stuck in the same room with them for hours.
"Ughhh awww man."
"Dora!" Naruto shouted.
Sakura glared at him. Itachi caressed her cheek bringing her attention to him. "Well my sweet princess, looks like I will be spending the day with you, you can return my shirt tomorrow and don't bother washing it, I want your scent to still be on it," he winked at her walking away. Sakura watched as his butt swished back and forth as he walked down the street. She had to admit, he had a great butt. She slapped her forehead. "What am I thinking?" she said aloud.
"See you tomorrow Saku, yeah," Deidara grinned still shirtless. She watched as his shoulder blades move as he swinged his arms.
Everyone bid their goodbyes and Sakura was soon alone standing on the sideway in Itachi's big shirt.
She sighed deeply as she ran her fingers through her hair. "Well it just got worse."
And that is a wrap for now. Thank you all for reviewing and I can't wait to bring you the next installment, Chapter 24: Survival of the Fittest. I shall leave you guys with a sneak peak! =D While the sneak peak may seem like the whole chapter is Itachi based, it is not. This sneak peak is two separate parts from the chapter.
Sneak Peak:
Sakura gasped for air her hands resting on her knees. She looked in the darkness for Sasori.
"I think we lost him," she said wiping the sweat of her brow. "Hopefully."
Sasori grasped at the air and found a switch, he yanked it down and the dim light bulb swinged back and forth lighting up the janitor's closet. Sasori grabbed the door knock and twisted it. "It appears we are locked inside."
"Just great," Sakura growled. "Well I guess it is just the two of us."
Sakura heard a crash in the corner and darted her eyes over quickly. She squinted her eyes to try to make out what was in the darkness.
A figure came forth and stopped in front of them, the dim light shining on his face. "Make that three," Itachi smirked.
"What are you doing in here?" Sakura glared at him.
"It was a good place to hide before you locked us in cutie."
Sasori silently took a step towards Sakura. She gulped as she watched the two have a glaring match.
"That's right; Sasori likes me, well maybe," Sakura thought to herself.
Sakura thumped them both in the chest. "Okay break it up, any bright ideas how we can get out of here?"
Itachi rubbed his chin and looked around at the ceiling. "There may be one way."
"What?"
Itachi grinned down at Sakura. "We will need to use you."
Itachi glared at Sakura. Wait…he was glaring at her.
"You have no idea."
Sakura stood there silently and watched as he paced around the classroom, his hair swishing behind him.
"You're like two different people."
"Two different people," Sakura said confused.
"Yes you go around teasing us, kissing us-"
"Whoooa I do not go around kissing you guys, you kiss me," Sakura said correcting him.
"Well then what about when you kissed me at the sleepover," Itachi reminded her.
"That was a dare," Sakura pointed out.
"Doesn't matter, it still counts, with Tobi, Deidara," Itachi said bringing up more examples. "But then you say you're just joking, well it's not a joke to us…to me."
Sakura gulped. "Where are you going with this?"
"Do you know how that makes me feel, do you know how hard I have to control myself?" Itachi asked her.
Sakura took a step back.
Itachi's eyes turned red. "It takes a lot of control…but sometimes I just want to let go. I don't think I can control myself…right now."
Sakura gulped loudly as Itachi advanced slowly towards her.
"I-Itachi," Sakura said quickly her arms feeling like jelly. She couldn't move them, she should have punched his lights out by now but they stayed at her side betraying her as the lion came forth to take his prey.
End of Sneak Peak
