Hopefully you guys enjoy this chapter; I had a lot of fun writing it, especially the end, so much fun in fact that I almost made myself late for work. Reviews are always appreciated as is everyone's devotion to this story! Thank you all xo


I want to own her. No, not like that. But I feel possessive. I just - I don't want anyone else to have her the way I have. And it disturbs me beyond all reason that somebody has. I didn't expect her to wait for me for over a decade. And if she were still in love with me after all these years, I wouldn't know what to make of that. But when we fought last night, she said the sex was meaningless. Does she really feel that? I know we're not together, but it's not meaningless. At least not to me. There's a reason I keep lusting after her, I just haven't figured it out yet. I refuse to believe I'm the only one affected by it.

I like the way she feels beneath me, on top of me, against me. Her lips are so soft and fuck they feel amazing wrapped around me. I fist my hands and turn out of the room. I think about her too much.


Naruto and Kakashi give me a knowing smile when I join them in the living room.

"Don't," I warn, choosing to sit on the couch, away from them.

"We did not say a word," Kakashi smirks, "Curious that you and Sakura were gone at the same time, in the same place."

"Curious," Naruto repeats. I glare at both of them, "Did you finish that quick, Teme?"

"There are pills for that, Sasuke," Kakashi suggests. I pinch the bridge of my nose, irritation flaring to life.

"Don't be ashamed, it happens," Naruto's voice takes on a lilting tease, "It takes time to develop technique."

"If she ever complains about my technique, I'm sure you'll be the first to know," I say sarcastically. Naruto shoots out of his chair, pointing an accusing finger at me.

"You have slept with her!" his voice is a criticizing whisper as he storms up to me, "Damn it, Teme."

"What? Does it bother you?" I smirk as his expression becomes unnerved.

"Yes," Naruto seethes, "Because it means nothing to you."

"And you think it means something to her?" I narrow my gaze.

"Yes, I know it does," Naruto glowers down at me. Meanwhile, Kakashi simply watches this hushed discussion unfold.

"That's not what she said."

"What do you mean?" Naruto looks confused.

"She said it was just meaningless sex," I shrug, but again it irks me. It's not meaningless, it wouldn't be happening again and again if it were. Naruto bites back a response.

"I think what Naruto is trying to say is don't hurt her and treat her with respect," Kakashi leans forward, "Right?"

"Yeah," Naruto says after a beat of silence. His anger is surprising. Who does he think he is? Sakura is a grown woman. She can make her own choices. It hits me then, the irony of that thought. She can make her own choices and if she decides she wants to have sex with me, then it's great. If she decides she doesn't want to have sex with me. . . Well, I just have to find a way to deal with that.


I splash some water over my face, trying to rid myself of the distinct pink blush that mars my skin. I should not be taking such pleasure in Sasuke's actions and words. I slip my hands over my stomach and perform the contraceptive jutsu before I forget. I have to find a way to make this last longer if we're going to continue our affair. I dry my face and return to the living room. It looks like a standoff with Sasuke drawn defensively on the couch, Kakashi leaning forward to mediate between them and Naruto towering aggressively over them both.

"So were you all just pretending to get along for my sake?" I jest and take a seat beside Sasuke.

"Why didn't you tell me you slept with him?" Naruto's disappointment seems to stem more from the fact that I didn't share that information with him rather than the act itself. I round on Sasuke in a second.

"What did I just say?" I growl, thankful that the guards are no longer in earshot. They seem content with giving us a wide birth.

"I didn't tell him. He figured it out himself," Sasuke grimaces. I turn my aggravation on Naruto because apparently nothing is sacred anymore.

"I didn't tell you because you didn't need to know. It's not something I want to advertise," I try and speak calmly.

"I get it, Sakura, I'd be ashamed, too, if it were Teme," Naruto's eyes narrow aggressively at Sasuke, but he doesn't pay Naruto any mind. Rather, Sasuke gives me an apologetic look.

"Oh, shut up Naruto," I snap.

"Why? What's the difference between this time and any other guy you've dated? You've always told me what's going on," Naruto sounds upset, hurt. The question hangs heavy in the air and it all seems to quiet for my answer. I refuse to speak. Not for Sasuke's satisfaction and not for Naruto's curiosity.

"Sakura has every right to keep secrets," Kakashi says softly, "Just like the rest of us."

"It's not a big deal," I raise my eyes, "I didn't ask what you and Hinata were doing the other night."

Naruto lowers his head, shamed.

"On that note I should probably go," Naruto starts for the door, "She's probably wondering where I am."

I stand before he can leave and pull him into a hug. He returns it and I feel a soft pang of guilt.

"You're still my best friend," I whisper, because these words are only for him, "You'll be the first to know if anything is wrong."

"I know I've said it many times, but I worry about you."

"That's what people do, but the only reason you're so paranoid about it now is because it involves your other best friend," I say when we step apart. Naruto nods in understanding, "And don't worry, I'm not afraid to put him in his place."

"Well, then consider me back up," he grins and waves to Kakashi, "I'll be back soon."

"Hug Hinata for me," Kakashi calls and Naruto salutes in response before stepping outside. I close the door behind him, noting that the evening is already upon us. It seems so sudden but only because I slept in so late, "Well who's hungry?"

"Now that you mention it, I could go for some food," I rub my stomach as it grumbles lightly.

"Sasuke, will you help me?" Kakashi motions to the kitchen. Sasuke regards me briefly, but I can't seem to look him in the eye. Honestly, I feel a little mortified. Soon, they both stand and move to the kitchen.


"Do you think she's mad at me again?" the words are out of my mouth before I can stop them. I busy myself with preparing the fish.

"Sakura? I think she's more embarrassed than anything else. Naruto is anything but delicate," Kakashi shakes his head as he chops the vegetables. We keep our voices low since she's still sitting in the living room. "She'll get over it, Sasuke. She just doesn't always like for certain things to be common knowledge; Sakura's an intimate person. She grew into it after you left."

"Is that because of the people that attacked her?"

"She told you? Yeah, I'm sure that had something to do with it," Kakashi starts sautéing the vegetables. I hand him the sliced fish and start on the broth.

"What about the guys she dated?" again, I can't keep the words in my mouth.

"What about them?"

"Never mind," I shake my head. I'm probably better off not knowing.

"There's a reason it never worked out with any of them," Kakashi glances sidelong at me.

"You think it's because of me?" I turn to face him. Kakashi shrugs.

"It bothers you doesn't it, Sasuke?" he eyes me deliberately.

"What?" I have the urge to turn away defensively. I clutch the countertop to steady myself.

"You don't like it when she's mad at you. You don't like hearing about her with other guys," Kakashi opens his mouth to continue.

"Stop it," I say roughly.

"Make me," he taunts, unfazed. My knuckles turn white as my grip tightens. "She's a beautiful woman, Sasuke. Any guy would be lucky to be with her."

"Why are you saying this? What are you trying to accomplish?"

"I'm trying to get you to see through your own stupidity and stubbornness," Kakashi points at my head, "It's like I said before, you have to treasure life. That includes cherishing the people in it."

"What makes you think I need that reminder?" my tone is dark, seething.

"For somebody that lost everyone at one point in his life, I think you need to be reminded more than anyone. Even if it's only of the fact that you still have people in your life to cherish."


Sasuke watches me throughout dinner and afterwards, before we get ready for bed. I think he's trying to gauge my mood, but he doesn't say anything until I'm bidding Kakashi goodnight. He follows me into my bedroom.

"Are you okay?" he asks and again he looks at a loss as to what to do with himself. His shoulders are tensed.

"I will be," I offer a reassuring smile, "Naruto just caught me off guard, that's all."

Sasuke nods in understanding.

"He really hasn't changed much."

"Not in that aspect, no," I give a small laugh but silence starts to settle between us. I push myself onto my toes and peck Sasuke's cheek. "Thank you."

He takes it as an invitation to draw me against him and place his lips on mine. I respond with enthusiasm, running my tongue over his mouth in what I hope is a seductive offer. He pulls back, a little breathless.

"Will you come to bed with me tonight?"

"Sasuke," I start, caught off guard, "I don't know if that's such a good idea."

"Kakashi snores," he protests softly. I laugh, shaking my head and Sasuke cracks a smile.

"Yeah, I remember that."

Sasuke catches my lips again and I can't help but marvel at how natural it feels. Kissing is becoming commonplace with us now. I slip my fingers into his hair, grazing his scalp with my nails. He pulls back again.

"If you keep doing that, we won't make it to the bed," his deep voice is scintillating, sending a thrill down my spine. A smirk settles on his lips.

"I never agreed to spend the night with you," I simper, teasing.

"Then, I'll fuck you against the wall again," his eyes go dark with promise causing heat to pool in my abdomen. But I won't back down yet.

"Actually," I arch into him, acting as if I'm stretching sore muscles out, and graze my thigh along the inseam of his pants. Sasuke shuts his eyes for a moment, "I'm feeling kind of tired. I think I might turn in for the night."

Sasuke brings a hand up to my cheek, ghosting over my skin before slipping down my neck and sliding over the material of Kakashi's shirt, outlining my breast. My breath hitches when his thumb circles my nipple and travels further down. Sasuke's eyes are locked with mine, the smirk gone. He traces the curve of my waist then his nimble fingers invade the waistband of the boxers I wear. But before he's even touched me, he retracts his hand. A pitiful whimper escapes me and I realize then how wound up I am. His smug smile returns, causing defiance to blaze within me.

"Good night, Sakura," he turns on his heel, shutting the door behind him.

Fuck.

I fling my clothes off and settle myself on the bed. Immediately, my hand flies to my clit and I start rubbing furiously, desperate to sate this arousal fast. With no reservation whatsoever, my thoughts go straight to Sasuke. I can picture him on top of me, thrusting into me. Kami, I can almost feel him inside me, so thick, throbbing.

Sasuke.

As quickly as my orgasm builds, it recedes, just out of my grasp. I quicken my pace, desperate to get it back. It's no use. Frustrated, I stop, my chest heaving with the exertion. I pull my pajamas back on and slip under the sheets, willing sleep to rid me of this discomfort.


I tread downstairs with heavy steps. Kakashi's snores follow me almost all the way. In the lowered light of the living room I can see all the guards sitting about eyeing me speculatively. One of them actually follows me into the kitchen, but I pay her no mind. I take a tomato and bite into it.

I think of my mother again and how she taught me to harvest tomatoes from the garden. She planted every kind of tomato for me. One day Itachi and I almost destroyed them when we were sparring in the backyard. I can't walk through this house without a long lost memory coming to the forefront of my mind. Especially when Sakura's not around. She distracts me. She makes being stuck here tolerable.

What would have happened if -

"Sasuke," Sakura's soft, drowsy voice draws my attention to the doorway of the kitchen. She rubs her eyes, "You can't sleep?"

"No," I shake my head and take another bite of the tomato. She slips past the guard who gives her a little nod before withdrawing to the living room. Sakura pulls herself onto the counter across from me, swinging her legs beneath her.

"Because of Kakashi?" I nod in response, finishing off the tomato and tossing it in the trashcan.

"Why can't you sleep?"

She shakes her head. I cock an eyebrow at her in confusion.

"I just can't sleep," she shrugs then reaches behind her into the cabinet to pull out a bar of chocolate. She breaks off a piece and sees me watching her with an incredulous look. She hands me the chocolate, but I shake my head, "Just take it. It's better than tomatoes, I promise."

I roll my eyes and take the wedge, popping it in my mouth. I've never been very keen on sweets. She watches me intently so I try not to make a face, but it's saturated in sugar.

"I don't know how you can eat that everyday."

"It's an addiction," she admits, biting off a chunk for herself.

"Is this how you eat when you're at home?"

"Pretty much," she says with a small laugh, "I don't really have time to eat when I'm at the hospital so I'll bring little snacks. Then I'm usually too tired to make anything when I get home so I'll just eat some rice or something. Obviously I'm not a culinary master like you are."

"Did your parents never teach you how to cook for yourself?" I joke.

"Not really," she bites off another piece, "Is that how you learned?"

"Yeah, my mom taught Itachi and I. It came in handy after I left Konoha."

"Were you scared?" she asks suddenly, "When you left, I mean?"

She looks at me so unabashedly, her curiosity brazen. I can see though that she catches herself, reeling it in a bit because she tries not to expect an answer from me. She's guarding herself from me and I don't like it. I know that if I were to ask her something just as personal, she'd answer it without question. The compulsion to gain that trust from her spurs me into response.

"Yes," I lower my head for a moment, but force my eyes back up to hers, as difficult as it is to face the truth, "I was terrified. But if I focused on my anger, I didn't feel the fear."

"When you finally saw Itachi," her voice is barely above a whisper, "Were you afraid then?"

I have to think about that. I don't want to, but I delve into that painful memory for her; when I finally found him and we had nowhere to run from each other in that desolate clearing. Looking back, I can see how weak he was, how ill he'd become over the years. He wouldn't have lasted much longer. Even then, in his eyes, I could see his admiration, the love he still felt for me.

"No," I ultimately answer, "I felt almost peaceful, like everything was finally falling in to place. It gave me a sense of relief to see him." Sakura's eyes search mine for an answer to a question I don't know. I step toward her, drawn by the force of this memory with Itachi, "He used to do this thing, he would poke my forehead, and tell me 'next time,' when he was too busy. I was always begging him to spar with me, to train me. But being a prodigy didn't give him very much time to be spent at home. So that was his way of apology."

I stuff my hands in the pockets of my pants to keep from enacting it.

"Like this?" Sakura lifts her forefinger and puts it squarely on my forehead. I can't help but chuckle at the benign expression on her face. I lift my hand to pull out her middle finger so that it rests by her index.

"Like that," my smile falters as I feel the tightness in my throat, "That was the last thing he did, before he died."

Sakura's lip trembles but her fingers stay strong, applying the smallest pressure on my skin. I can see in her eyes that she's processing what it means, what Itachi was trying to tell me in his final moments. Then, I realize, she does understand. Her hand drops as she wraps her arms around my neck and pulls me close. Her legs open to rest on either side of my hips. I don't hesitate to link my arms around her back and rest my head against her chest. Sakura's chin settles atop my hair as her small fingers play at the nape of my neck. I close my eyes and breathe her in while the ghost of her touch lingers on my forehead.