Sunday, April 21st, 2013.
Hey guys! New chapter today!
I know I said that I'd add Matsuri and stuff, but I ended up not doing that. I started out with near writer's block and ended up with 4.5k words off just SasuSaku, really.
I hope you enjoy it regardless - this is a SasuSaku story after all, and it's supposed to be the main couple. But it's a couple I haven't focused much on until now because I had to give other characters and the plot some light.
So...I hope you enjoy.
Answer to last Question of the Week: Two words: Inappropriate fillers. Now don't get me wrong - I don't hate all fillers. In fact, I love quite a few of them. But here's where the "inappropriate" part comes in: like I said in the last chapter, fillers, to be good has to follow certain lines. It has to END - it can't drag on for what seems to be forever. Where it is placed has to be appropriate, too, which is the main part. Like now in the war...every episode seems to be filler. At least one of them that I watched was about ALREADY CREATED CHARACTERS. It focused on the love of Hayate Gekko and his fiancee, who's name escapes me at the moment. Yuna? Maybe. But yeah...I think I already talked about fillers in the other chapter. But I don't hate them, like I said. These latest ones piss me off though because they're innappropriate.
Also, thank you White Tiger of Onyx Star for getting an account. I have a way to contact you now. :D
Thank you, my beloved reviewers and readers, as usual, for giving this story a piece of your time.
Disclaimer: Nope. It's still not mine yet, guys.
Since I have 99 reviews at the moment, I want to get this out:
IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT!
My 100th reviewer will get a one-shot with any couple I ship dedicated to them - basically all the couples here and some others. The plot will be up to them, but be warned - I can't write about I couple I don't ship at least a little bit. I just can't. If I don't believe in it, I won't write it. So that means no ItaSaku, InoShika (I may be lenient on that one, knowing how popular it is), any yaoi or yuri couples (as I've stated before, yaoi and yuri aren't my style), SasuHina, NaruSaku, etc. Kay?
So yeah. Go 100th reviewer!
Same thing goes for 150th, 200th if I get that much, etc.
The 50th reviewer of ReWind will get the same treatment.
So yeah...SasuSaku galore! Enjoy!
And don't forget to review!
Chapter 26: Of Curse Marks and Romance
Sakura POV
"We need to get out of here, Sasuke-kun!" I shouted, pulling said boy along with me, away from one of Orochimaru's snakes that was chasing us for a reason lost to me.
When Naruto and I found Sasuke and Gaara, the two were engaged in a battle – Gaara partially transformed, while Sasuke's curse mark had already spread to half of his body. It was obvious Sasuke was fighting a losing fight.
Naruto had distracted Gaara and engaged him in battle, while I dragged Sasuke away as quickly as I could.
However, there was no sign of Matsuri anywhere. She hadn't reached here yet. That can't be right…she left first, she should be here!
Something must have happened. You know her, how much she loves Gaara – if she could've helped it, Gaara would be calm right now and with her. But obviously, that hasn't happened. Maybe someone intercepted her…
We can only hope she's alright, since we are busy with Sasuke.
Yeah…
"Sakura…" Sasuke hissed, gripping his shoulder tightly and gritting his teeth. Of all times for the curse mark to act up!
I took us behind a conveniently large tree, even for this forest. I cast a genjutsu to distract anyone or anything coming our way, and sat us down.
"Is the curse mark acting up, Sasuke-kun? Do you have any injuries?" I asked, sitting in front of him, while looking him over for any large gashes. Stupid question…of course it's acting up!
Thankfully, I only saw a couple scratches and bruises, but judging from his breathing pattern, he either got punched in the gut really hard or one of his ribs are cracked.
I hope it's the former.
"Yeah…a-and no, just bruises and shit…" He hissed again. Just how much pain is he in? Sasuke doesn't use curse words that loosely…well, he uses them, but not that loosely.
"No cracked ribs? Your breathing…" I said, wiping sweat from his brow, formulating a plan slowly.
"Maybe…"
I pulled Sasuke to me, pulling his hand away from his shoulder, and swayed softly as I held him, reminding me of the night in the tent that he let me in for the first time.
Meanwhile, I healed the cracked rib after searching for it for a moment. I couldn't do it completely due to our position, and I wanted to concentrate on Sasuke himself now.
"Deep breaths, Sasuke-kun...deep breaths…I'm here…" I can't believe I can't do much more than this! I'm so useless…
Following my command, he calmed down slowly, and the curse mark retreated to his neck and left side of his jaw, just creeping up to his cheek. I kissed his hair softly. Oh, Sasuke…I'm sorry…
But why isn't the curse mark completely gone? I mean, I don't understand why it retreated now but why not completely?
Orochimaru must be close, fighting the Third…that bastard!
He wrapped his arms around my waist for a moment, pulling me closer to him, and digging his face deeper into my neck, the side of his neck with the curse mark exposed.
Momentarily, I relished in our closeness, then sobered for both our sakes. This isn't going to be easy…we have to make it around the Third and Orochimaru's fight, without anything happening, and get to the village to assist in its protection. If one of us is too injured, we need to head to the hospital.
When his breathing calmed, Sasuke pulled away, and shakily stood. He pulled me up with him. "We need to get going," he said.
I nodded, and we jumped into the trees, wary for anything that could get in our way. I slowed down though – Sasuke was still winded from the pain of the curse mark.
We almost made it around the fight of Lord Hokage and Orochimaru –or what we assumed to be their fight, from the voices and sounds of debris falling, explosions and destroyed forest– before a snake had wrapped itself around my throat. Yup…Oreo's nearby alright.
"Got you, girly," it said.
The snake was too thick for me to wrap my arms around it and pull it off. It was the same one that was chasing us earlier. It was also strong and I was more concentrating on breathing. Since I need to breath and all…
I noticed absently that it slipped something white into my pouch.
"Sakura!" Sasuke yelled. "Get off of her!" he said, pulling a kunai from his pouch.
I saw with dread that his curse mark was quickly spreading to his body, going as far as down his body and to the right side of his face. Luckily, his whole body wasn't covered with the dark marks – part of his right side and his arm were still bare.
"Ah, ah, ah!" the snake said. "One move and I kill her, boy." It tightened its hold.
Sasuke stopped his advance toward us, and put the kunai away. But the dark anger in his eyes did not vanished. Instead it grew. No, Sasuke-kun…Why am I so useless? I can't do anything!
The lack of oxygen reaching my brain led me to fall to my knees. The snake made sure I could still breath just enough to stay alive, torturing me.
"I. Said," Sasuke emphasized darkly. "Get. Off. Of. Her."
His voice sounded just like when it did when the curse mark first took over, in the Forest of Death; dark, and almost…evil. It frightened me more than a death via snake suffocation. (1)
"Oh, I will," the snake said. "Right after thissss!" It leaped off of me and lunged toward Sasuke, spitting something very small and very round from its mouth and into Sasuke's. EW!
Then, it bit Sasuke's neck before he could move away. At the exact place Orochimaru did. He screamed.
Soon, the snake dropped from Sasuke's neck and onto the ground. I quickly ran over, my breath almost back, and sliced its head off.
"Double injection…just to be safe…" it said, its life slowly sapping away. It's kind of creepy watching a snake talk after its head is cut off.(2)
"You will be Orochimaru-sama's soon, bo-" I threw another kunai at its mouth, shutting it and taking away the little life the snake had left.
I pulled Sasuke onto my back, mentally thanking my abnormal strength and training, and ran as fast as I could out of the forest.
Once we were out of the forest and past the arena, I ran to the closest place we could be safe – a discreet single story motel that was empty. Everyone was out fighting the Sound and Sand nin.
I took us to the closest room, and deposited Sasuke on one of the beds, rushing to the bathrooms for a first-aid kit.
Once I found it, I went into the mini-fridge for bottled water.
I rushed back to bed, and maneuvered Sasuke's back against the headboard, pulling both our shoes off and taking place on the bed beside him.
"Sa..ku-…ra!" He grunted out. He continued to scream in pain, and from my panic and worry for him, tears started to flow from my cheeks. But I ignored them.
"Sasuke-kun! What's going on with you?!"
It occurred to me that what he swallowed from the snake must be doing this to him and is connected to the curse mark, since it was fluctuating sporadically - moving quickly and all over Sasuke's body while glowing red.
Then, I had a flash of a memory – but it wasn't mine.
Itachi must have sent it…is it..Sasuke-kun's?
The memory was of Sasuke taking the very same pill that he had just swallowed, surrounded by the SN4. Just like this time, the pills caused him immediate pain, and he fell to the ground in pain just like he did this time.
But in the memory, he fainted. Quickly, the SN4 stuffed him into a covered in seals barrel and ran off into the night.
"You need to die once, to reach the final level of the mark…" Sakon had said.
Suddenly, I was reminded of the paper slipped into my pouch by the snake.
Hoping it had answers, I pulled it out, unfolded it, and read it.
The pill and poison injected by the snake is not going to kill Sasuke. That is…if he's strong enough. Which I'm sure he is.
He will survive it and come to me soon, little girl.
He will advance to the second level of the curse mark. Tranforming into a beast that will quickly change your pretty little mind about your childish feelings about him. Of course, if they didn't change, that'd make things more interesting, wouldn't it?
But be warned Haruno Sakura…I know there is something different about you, and I will find out what. I will kill you if you get in my way. Or worse…
-Orochimaru.
That sick bastard gave us a letter?! And he knows we care about Sasuke romantically? Creep!
At least now we know what it does…it confirms what the memories said…
Whether the pain lessened or Sasuke grew tired, his screams were reduced to whimpers, groans, and the occasional yelp.
I grabbed a cloth and wiped his brow, taking time to clean and bandage the cuts that he had, softly and soothingly; I didn't want to make him suffer more.
I put the first aid kit, and made Sasuke take a sip of water. His sounds afterward were less hoarse.
I pulled the sheets over his body on the bed, and climbed in with him, having him lean against my chest while I caressed his hair.
He gripped my other hand tightly, and I did the same.
"It'll be okay…I'll be right here with you the whole time…don't worry, Sasuke-kun…I'm here…" Were some of the things I said continuously like a mantra. For him, and for me.
After what felt like an hour –but could've been 10 minutes– Sasuke started screaming again, and the curse mark acted up once more.
I panicked, my mind scrambling at something I could do for him. What can I do? What can I do?!
We need...we need to distract him!
R-right! Distracting him will take his mind off the p-pain! A-and then, we can make him f-fall asleep.
Even in my head I was a mess, and the urge to cry was getting stronger. But I couldn't cry – I couldn't show weakness anymore. I need to do something.
"Sakura…Sak-…Sakura!...Stay….please!" Sasuke ground out, pulling me closer to him violently. It occurred to me that my presence, somehow, must calm him.
Maybe I was right, because the curse mark, which was reaching his right forearm, retreated back to his right shoulder; it continued to glow however, and he in turn, continued to scream.
But soon after, his curse mark started spreading around his body again.
And then, as if this situation couldn't get any worse, and his screaming couldn't get any louder, it seemed that the seal that Kakashi placed on Sasuke's curse mark was…burning away. Glowing just like the curse mark did around his body, but disappearing, spiraling, away. Kakashi-sensei's seal is disappearing? Is whatever's happening too much for it or what?!
Sasuke's screams increased, and so did his anguish.
The distraction! I need…a distraction…something to shock his senses into thinking about something else…
Before I knew it, my lips were on Sasuke's, kissing him.
When I realized it, I was shocked, but I didn't stop. He froze…I guess that was really surprising for him.
I cracked open one of my eyes –when had I closed them?– and saw that the curse mark was somehow merging with his skin, but he didn't seem to be in pain.
At least, not in as much as before. He wasn't screaming anymore, for instance. For obvious reasons
Slowly, getting over his shock, Sasuke kissed back, and his other arm made its way around my waist. He pulled me on top of him, remaining on his back. I weaved my fingers into his hair. I can't believe it...he's kissing us back!
Our kiss slowed. It held no lust.
There was love from my side, as well as worry. Through the kiss, I could almost feel the pain Sasuke was feeling, and the feelings of want I knew he must have had: the want – no, need to be loved, after losing it so harshly at the Massacre; want for a refuge, in all his pain, not just physical pain; and more that I can't identify but made my heart twist painfully.
So I gave that refuge to him. I gave him that love. The best I could right now. I'd give him almost anything he wants. Almost. As long as it doesn't hurt him or Naruto… And I know it's pathetic, how much I am a slave to my love for him, how much I hurt for him, without him even knowing it, but it's something I've come to deal with for years. If he's happy, and if Naruto's happy…if the ones I love most are happy, nothing else matters. Nothing.
Suddenly, Sasuke jerked upward, almost as if in pain, and our lips separated. I heard a loud ripping sound as almost fell off the bed.
Sasuke, seemingly coherent again but panting heavily, pulled me back into the bed.
We both looked behind him.
There were large….claw-like marks in the bed and through a few of the pillows where Sasuke's back was only seconds before.
I turned to the boy himself.
He was staring his at his hands in horror, staring at his transformed body. "W-what i-is this?!" He yelled.
His skin was a gray sort of color, his lips blue. His hair was a much lighter blue, and it was much longer and spiked violently outwards.
He had a black four-pointed star on the bridge of his nose and across his cheek bones. The part of his eyes that should've been white was now black, and his normally incredibly-dark irises were replaced by a startling gold color.
It occurred to me that this must be Sasuke's second level of the Curse Mark. Karin told me it looked different for everyone, and I couldn't help but think, as much as I hate to admit it…Sasuke still looks handsome like this. Even transformed, Sasuke is still good…stupid Uchiha blood.
And on his back, however, wing-like, were two pairs of grotesque, webbed hands.
Finally, here's the kicker: you know the seal, Kakashi's seal to repress the curse mark?
Gone.
Sasuke's POV
Wh-what j-just happened to me?!
Calm down, calm down! NOW, OUTER!
Calm down? How can you expect me to calm down when I look like a monster!
Behind Sakura, across the bed on the wall, was a large mirror, and in it, I could see my horrific transformation.
The "wings" were the most terrible. They were frightening, grotesque, and worst of all…throughout my horror, I've been feeling this surge of power through me and I hate to say that it felt-, no…feels….almost delicious.
A dark voice in my head, other than mine and my Inner's, has been whispering about the power surging through me, telling me to let It take over and get rid of "the pink nuisance" in front of me.
My breathing escalated.
You're having a panic attack! Calm down!
But I didn't listen. I'm a monster! How could Sakura stand to be so close to me like this?! SEE? Even she's looking at me like I'm a disgusting-….thing!
She's just as shocked as you are! Now shut up and calm down! I'm a little busy fending off the Thing in our head – he's trying to get you to lose control and get rid of me! I'll be gone for a while, Outer…
I couldn't stay calm, I couldn't. Could you? H-how did this HAPPEN?!
"Sasu- Sasuke-kun! Calm down, please calm down!" Sakura said, trying to take hold of my arms and keep me still.
How could she stand to be so close to me?!
I pushed her away, trying to get as far away from her as possible. I found myself against the headboard of the bed, but I was so panicked, I couldn't tell myself to turn the other way and get off the bed.
"Get away, get away!" I screamed. "I'm a monster, GET AWAY!"
I kept screaming that for what felt like hours, but what was probably a couple minutes, fighting Sakura to keep her away from me for her own good. She doesn't deserve to have to deal with a demon! She deserves better…get away from me, Sakura!
"Sasuke-kun! It's okay, it's okay!" She tried telling me, but I refused to listen.
Then, in the midst of trying to keep her away from me, one of my claws dug into her right arm, leaving a long, thin, but relatively deep gash on her arm. One of my wings' claws also accidentally pierced her left shoulder.
She screamed in pain. My blood ran cold. I didn't-…I didn't m-mean t-to…I-…
Pulling my hand away from her and moving my body away –to remove the claw out of her shoulder– I froze, and I could feel my throat constrict and eyes and nose burn.
"S-s-see? T-told you…I'm a m-monster…you should stay away…a b-beast…I'm a beast, Sakura…d-don't you s-see?" I hate to say it, but I was doing my best not to let any tears fall. I hurt her…I hurt her! She did nothing but help me and I HURT HER!
Didn't it feel good? Why not do it again? Bite her on her neck, even; claim her as yours…she should know who she belongs, to, Sasuke. Why not show her?
Who are you? Shut up!
It must have been the invader that Inner talked about…but its voice didn't stop me from trying to climb off the bed and away from this motel room – and as far away as possible.
But before I could, Sakura, wincing, grabbed my hand and pulled me back onto the bed.
Now! Take her now, Sasuke!
Be quiet!
NOW, Sasuke!
Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP!
I didn't realize tears were falling until I felt Sakura wiping them away.
"It's okay," she said, giving me a comforting smile. "I'm not leaving you. I'm right here; it's okay now."
I gave up on trying to keep her away from me. I need her right now. I need her.
She pulled me into her arms, and I buried my head in her neck, crying my heart out.
I cried for the fear, pain, and misery I felt now. I cried for all of the pain I felt at my brother's betrayal; the pain of the broken bond between myself and Inuzuka's – the break that my brother caused, but I fed.
I thought I had cried for all my pain before, in the tent that night with Sakura. I guess I had more than I thought.
But this time, I also cried for the way I treated Sakura before, the way I treated Naruto and others before I had gotten to know them.
I cried for my mother, who had lost her eldest son, most of her family, and is always doing her best for me.
I cried for my father, who had done the best he could for his clan only for almost all of them to be killed by the prodigy and successor; his son.
I cried for Shisui and Hana – who had lost a friend, a love, and a brother.
I cried for anything I could and couldn't think of.
Being here, in Sakura's arms again, I didn't care. I was just grateful she didn't seem frightened of me.
And throughout all of my tears, she whispered kind words into my ears; "Let it all out, Sasuke-kun," "It's okay, now," "I'm here." She also weaved her fingers through my transformed hair, which still soothed me, regardless of the color, length, and texture.
When I stopped, we laid there on the bed, silent.
But I needed to know what happened to my body.
"S-Sakura?" I asked, tentatively. My voice still shook, but it was much steadier now than earlier.
She looked up at me.
"What…happened… to me? Do you know, Sakura?" She nodded.
"Oh, Sasuke-kun! I'm sorry…I'm sorry I couldn't do anything!" She said, and I could hear easily that she was doing her best to hold back tears. But why? She have a right to cry in a situation like this, why now?
"What? What do you mean?" Is there anything she could have done? But how does she know what happened to me?
"It's the…It's the second level of the curse seal, Sasuke-kun. It merged with your body. I'm surprised you're in control of yourself now…Karin said-" she cut herself off.
"She said what?" I need to know…I need to know!
"Karin used to be an experiment of Orochimaru's, and she said for everyone with the curse mark, there comes a level two curse form, whether or not you awaken it. Your chakra and strength is multiplied by ten, and anyone in the form transforms after their marks of the curse encase their whole bodies." She paused and took a deep breath, still holding her tears and sobs in. "Everyone's appearance is different. She described what some others looked like, and she knew it'd happen to you…I've never seen anyone like this before, but I know this is the 2nd level."
"Why aren't you scared of me?" I blurted out. I couldn't help myself. "I look like a monster! A fucking demon, Sakura!" My voice broke, and I wanted to beat the shit out of myself for sounding so weak…and letting those fears out.
I'm going to put aside the fact that I was sobbing moments before and replace it with my fear of her leaving. Why'd I ask? She's sure to leave now!
"I-I'll admit, I was a bit frightened when I first saw your transformation. But…it was more out of surprise and fear for you, I wasn't really that scared. I'm not now." She said, wrapping her arms tight around my body, her cheek against my clothed chest. "Even now, somehow…you're still handsome, like always. I'll admit the wings freak me out, though."
I was stunned. Truly stunned. "…What?"
So she finds us handsome, does she? Oh, wait. We already knew that.
Not now, Inner!
"Beneath all of that, you're still Sasuke-kun. And best of all, you're in control of yourself! Th-that has to c-count for something, r-right?" She couldn't hold the tears back anymore, sobbing in my chest.
As much as I wanted to lean back on the backboard and hold her, I couldn't because I didn't know how to control those…wings. I've done enough damage to this bed.
And just as that thought crossed my mind, the wings retracted into my back. It wasn't pleasant, but it didn't hurt very much, and before I knew it, I was falling backwards.
Into the pillows, thank goodness.
Sakura, surprised, let out a yelp and fell on top of my chest, and as I realized later, on my lips, too.
It was on accident!, I told myself. But then, I felt it.
She was kissing me again. Kissing the abomination I've become. Not. Caring. At all.
And I kissed her back.
I wrapped my arms around my waist, and she had her arms in my hair again; I'm think she does that because she remembers how much I enjoyed it that night in the tent.
I was careful of her shoulder and arm. When I thought about them again, I had flinched and tried to pull away, but Sakura pressed harder to my lips, so I couldn't.
Soon, I forgot about the injuries I inflicted, though. What can you expect? I'm a healthy 14-year-old boy kissing a pretty –not now, Inner– girl for the second time of my life while she's on top of me on a bed. Alone. Why complain? Shit…now I sound like a pervert...like Naruto…
Forget him! Like you said, you're lip-locking with a pretty girl that likes you! Don't think about anything else!
But I couldn't help but wonder…I know she may like me, but are her feelings stronger than a crush? Is that why she's kissing me now? And before? Or was before just to shock my brain and forget the pain?
Whatever it was, it worked.
By the way, did that Voice win whatever battle you had? It invaded my head earlier.
I tried. It's here to stay, man, as much as I hate to say it. I don't think it'll show up much though…just in your curse mark forms, and…
"And" what?
…Around Sakura…maybe.
…Of course, I thought sarcastically. Why, though?
Anyway, It knows that we feel something for Sakura. Whether it's a crush if that much, or more, It knows and It also knows Sakura cares about you a lot. It knows all about us; me and you. It wants Sakura…It wants her gone, or, It wants her in a way I can't understand. Or It wants you to want her. I don't get it.
What do you mean "want"?
Not sure myself…I don't know if "want" means sexually, or like a possession, or what, Outer! Just be careful around It, 'kay? I think It could take you over if you let It…don't.
…I won't.
Good. Now shut up and let's kiss her.
Which I continued to do, by the way. This time, I learned to breathe through my nose during the kiss, so it would last longer. So sue me, I like it.
When we pulled away, needing air –Inner was damning the necessity of oxygen like the pervert he was– I thought about what my Inner said, about what we feel for Sakura.
I'll admit I do. Something. But love? I don't know. Doubt it. I think I like her. Okay? There.
That certainly explains what I was feeling back on that one mission with that Kino bastard…God, I hate him. Well, maybe hate's too strong a word. I reserve that for other people...
"Strong dislike" it is, I guess.
He hasn't done anything to you. You're just jealous.
…
Thought so.
I still don't like him.
I started when Sakura climbed off the bed. "W-where are going?" I'm not panicked. I'm not. Really.
Looks like Mr. Tsundere's back, everybody!(3)
Shut up.
Sakura turned to me, surprised, and then smiled. "I'm not leaving. I'm just going to get a wet cloth for…um…"
"Oh," I said dumbly. Right…I hurt her…
When she came back, she took the cloth and wiped the blood away from her legs and arms, and I held her steady by her shoulders just in case she fell off the bed. She was sitting on the edge after all.
You keep telling yourself that.
After she was done with cleaning and healing her wounds with medical ninjutsu –Now that I think about it, I should ask her about that– I blurted out an apology.
"I-I'm sorry, Sakura." I said, looking away. "I didn't mean…I didn't mean to hurt you."
She looked shocked for a moment, then patted my cheek, turning it towards her. "It's alright. I know you didn't. I'm fine now, alright?"
I nodded.
Deciding to change the subject, I asked her a question.
"Sakura…" I asked, as we sat next to each other against the headboard of the bed again, propped against the pillows.
"Yeah?" She was drawing circles on my right hand, holding it, and it calmed my still-jumpy nerves somehow. But only a little bit.
"How do I turn back? Did Karin tell you?" Her face grew sad again, even though she tried to hide it. She's too easy to read sometimes.
"I…don't know. She said the people she saw were experienced with it if they were in control of themselves, so I assume they just transformed back on their own. If they couldn't control themselves, she said, they turned back in their sleep after tiring out from rampaging." She explained. "So…the only thing I could think of is willing yourself to transform back."
"And how do I do that?" I said, harshly.
I'm not trying to be mean…I'm just…frustrated, I thought, when she looked hurt.
And she's just trying to help. Man…why're you such an ass all the time?
"Sorry," I said quietly.
"It's okay." Sakura said, offering me a quick, small smile. My heart skipped a beat. It wasn't because of the smile…it was just the prospect of being able to change back, is all; that made my heart beat like that.
Damn, you're hopeless, aren't you?
"But as far as transforming back goes…maybe commanding your body mentally will turn you back? It's worth a try, isn't it?"
I sighed, but tried it.
It took a while.
A while full of repetitive mantras and ridiculous mental commands to my body to turn back.
Then, I tried closing my eyes, concentrating. I imagined my normal self and concentrated hard on that image.
I opened my eyes when I felt my body changing.
"It worked!" Sakura cheered, smiling.
I nodded. "Aa," I said.
She pouted. "Great. I had you speaking sentences before and now you're back to your monosyllabic speech pattern."
I shrugged. "Hn."
She rolled her eyes.
But then, her face became solemn, thinking deeply.
"What are you thinking about?" I asked.
"What to do now…are you able to fight?"
I nodded.
"Then are you alright with heading into the village and fighting off the invasion?"
"Aa," I said.
"Then let's go!" She jumped off the bed, grabbed her things, stuffed them in her pouches, and put her shoes on.
I did the same and was about to follow her out of the room when she stopped, searching her pockets for money, and pulled out a couple bills. However, her face fell at the sight of them.
"Not nearly enough to pay for what we did to the room," she said, pouting.
I rolled my eyes, and pulled some money out of my pockets and placed a good amount on the bed, pulling Sakura with me as I closed the door.
"There," I said. "Done."
"But Sasuke-kun!" she protested. "I should at least pay for some-"
"No," I said, cutting her off. "I did all of the damage and I'm rich anyway. Let it go."
She pouted again, but gave up, knowing she couldn't change my mind.
She's cute when she pouts.
I ignored him again. Did you forget? I can be stubborn.
You mean Tsundere.
Not listening to you…
We exited the motel, but I stopped her before we could head to the main part of the village. "Something wrong, Sasuke-kun?"
I fidgeted, blushing and trying not to look at Sakura. It was kind of hard, considering the girl had pink hair. You can't miss that!
"Um…Sakura-…about before, in the motel. Um…" I got out. "When you said you wouldn't leave me…and us-…you know…" I didn't have the guts to say "kissing" aloud, and I hated myself for it. I'm such a damned wimp.
Satisfyingly, however, she blushed, and stuttered when she spoke. However, to my digression, it disappeared as she spoke more. "O-oh…r-right, th-that…" She took a deep breath and stepped closer to me.
It took more will power than I'm willing to admit to not take a step back. "I meant what I said, Sasuke-kun," she spoke, softly. "I promise not to leave you. You can count on me, you know? Naruto, Kakashi-sensei, Sai-kun…we're all here for you, even if you don't show it. Especially Naruto…he loves you like a brother, Sasuke-kun. Kakashi-sensei like a son, and Sai-kun thinks of you as a friend."
"A-and you?" I said. "What about you?" Why did I stutter?
I didn't get a blush, but I got a warm smile that made my heart –cringe– thunder. "You'll know." She said mystically.
What a pretty smile…
Yeah…
YES! You admited something! We have progress, people!
She hugged me quickly. "Just know that I care, alright? A lot."
She tip-toed to whisper in my ear. "And by the way…" she said quietly. "I liked them." She liked it when we kissed?
Gee, thanks Captain Obvious, for that valuable information.
What Sakura did next caught me off guard, and I couldn't reply.
She kissed me on the corner of my mouth – not quite considered a kiss, since it was more on my cheek than anything, but it still made my face burn.
Then, like quicksilver, right after, she was already running into the city, yelling back, "Hurry up, Sasuke-kun!" like she hadn't just kissed me or anything.
Until her shout, I was standing there dumbly, holding a hand to my face where she kissed me.
You are sooo whipped.
If I am, so are you!
Yeah, but I admit it! That's the difference!
…Shut up, asshole.
(1): "Death by suffocation!" If you've guys seen any of the English dub of Naruto Shippuden, or have watched English funny moments on YouTube, then you probably know that line. It was Deidara when he was choking Tobi with his legs. I thought of that line when I wrote the one in the chapter.
(2): I'm pretty sure snake heads or bodies can still move for a little bit after its head has been cut off. I know a chicken head can still squawk and run around because I've seen it. Thanks, Dad, for that wonderful experience, as well as having to pluck the damn thing. Ugh... I've always been more of a beef person anyway.
(3): I'm pretty sure you guys know what it means to be "tsundere" by now. If you don't, I don't want to make this chapter longer by explaining it, so I ask that you look it up (this is already nearly 7k words). I decided it was time we saw the tsundere side of Sasuke again, so there you go!
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Love 'ya guys, and adios!
-Cherry
