Chapter Eight: "On the edge of things much?"

Kakuzu wasn't the soppy type, I mean, it didn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out, even someone lacking normal intelligence qualities could look at him and think of him as a rough exterior, with hard eyes and even harder skin. Strong as the knots that sewed him together, so why the fuck did he have so much trouble removing this…child's troublesome hands?

She had no right to even be touching him, so with his reluctant permission she had checked him, now she decided to torture him with her stunning sky blue eyes that showed no fear, hatred or disgust, an unreadable expression that at the same time; albeit he would never admit, made him feel…warm.

Including right now, fuck especially right now! She should really let go and move away, he wasn't known for being predictable in any situation, she knew he killed, she knew he was tough as leather, she knew that he could snap in any given moment.

But she was wearing his clothes; she was under his responsibility and maybe even cares…

At this point the author knew she was rambling and instead went back to the young woman who had a thought that grew into a realisation until it involved into an urgent instinct to move away before he got pissed like before.

Yeah they hugged, no big deal, didn't mean he had turned a new leaf!

With an inward sigh she closed her eyes and as her hand moved about a few centimetres, a large, warm hand drew over the back of her head, some of the flaxen strands running through the tanned fingers as he leant forward and kissed her.

"Kakuzu?" Kakashi echoed Sakura's inquiry and put his fingers beneath his chin as his gaze looked upwards in apathetic thought.

"If he is the one I think you are talking about, he is an ex-Akatsuki member"

Sakura froze, mouth going dry and a shiver ran through her.

"Are you sure?"

"That's the only Kakuzu I know who is majorly referred to without the use of his surname, why?"

"Well…err…no reason; just…heard the name in a conversation and got curious"

"Oh well, that's all I can say really" his eye crinkled close with a smile and he rubbed the back of his head.

"Why is he an ex-Akatsuki?"

Kakashi thought again, Sakura was feeling a little impatient but was familiar with her old tutor's ways.

"Probably just got annoyed with the whole thing"

Sakura raised an eyebrow and said.

"Huh? You can leave Akatsuki by just getting pissed off by it?"

"Apparently"

"But…it's an elite force, and a much disciplined one at that!"

"Yes, but it is human…well mostly anyway…so, oh I don't know Sakura, I'm not the best person to ask, no one really knows much about the Akatsuki and Kakuzu has been gone for years, so its obvious his resignation wasn't such a big deal"

Sakura pouted and put her hands on her hips.

"Well do you know who I can ask?" she asked, feeling her heart sink as she remembered the shopping market, and Ino.

"The people who were talking about him?" Kakashi replied. Sakura attempted to stop a face palm until she realised something that subtly showed with a shine in her eyes.

Ino is never without her mobile phone

It took a few moments for Ino's brain to figure out what was going on, but it took her body less time to react, her cerulean gaze was hidden beneath slowly closing eyelids as her heart fluttered manically in her chest like a small bird in a cage, yet her arms stayed limp by her side.

It was warm, hot even; the thing Ino was probably most surprised about was how soft his mouth was, considering his external solidity. He tasted of cinnamon, hot chocolate, and the slightest bit of just original…man.

His slowly moving lips were not forceful or too light, they varied in pressure and Ino could just follow until they were both out of breath and moved away from each other.

She didn't taste of cigarettes, or alcohol or anything bitter like the whores he used to have; she was sweet, like vanilla and blueberry. Wow…how soppy was that? But he didn't care anymore-

Bbbbrriiiinngggg

They moved away from each others, both their eyes were wide and both drew their gaze down to Ino's pocket.

Bbbbrriiiinngggg

Ino cursed loudly as she swiped the phone from her pocket and glared daggers at the caller screen, before her gaze softened into anxiety and before Kakuzu could prevent her, she clicked: answer.

"Hello?"

"Ino?"

"Billboard brow?"

She was too surprised to take significant note of Kakuzu making a neck slicing motion.

"Turn. It. Off" he hissed.

"Jeez Ino, you could address me by my actual name one day?" Sakura growled from the other end of the phone line.

"Why are you calling?"

"Where are you?"

"Why does it matter to you?"

"Are you with Kakuzu?"

Ino involuntarily paused and Kakuzu looked about ready to rip the technologic device from her. That was totally hot. Ino grinned at him sensually then turned away as he made a noise of disbelief and vexation.

"Why would that be important, Sakura?"

"Isn't he an ex-Akatsuki member?"

"What the fuck Sakura?"

"Isn't he?"

Ino glanced back at Kakuzu.

"Kakuzu…An ex-Akatsuki?" she declared purposefully loud, with an incredulous expression and her bodyguards eyes snapped open and his body went rigid.

"You have got to be kidding me billboard brow, he is my bodyguard"

Kakuzu cursed loudly.

"Why the fuck would you tell her that?"

"You're bodyguard?" Sakura sounded confused.

"Yeah, you know my dad, if he hasn't got his eye on me, he has paid someone else's eye to do so, no big deal, you know I only told you about him to make you jealous, candy-hair" Ino lied effortlessly and Kakuzu stopped having a frenzy and nodded his head in approval.

"Seriously though Ino-pig, where have you been, I haven't seen you-"

"Sorry Sakura, must dash, duty calls, talk later, yeah? Bye!"

Ino cut her off and sighed lowly, relieving herself of inward tension.

"See Kakuzu, she won't know anything-"

"Stupid…woman! That phone call can be hacked in seconds and people may already know where we are, I should just destroy that damn item"

Ino hesitated then pouted, narrowing her eyes.

"Well sorry!"

"That's all you can say for yourself?" he sounded unimpressed.

"You are a great kisser"

Kakuzu was officially stumped as she clicked her phone shut, put it in her pocket, then strutted past her bodyguard with a cheeky smirk that made him look back with a smile.

"Girl talk"

"What, un?"

"That's all the phone call consisted of"

"That isn't important, yeah"

"The fact the stupid rich girl picked up the phone is"

"Why, un?"

"We now know where she is"

"Come on, can we give this up, yeah?"

"And have the leader found out we ignored this"

"Fucks sake, un"

"Don't bother me with your whining, let's go"

"Send someone else; I don't want to get beaten up by Kakuzu again, yeah"

"Just because you are weak"

"You try carrying a naked woman and fighting, yeah!"

Sasori sighed irritated.

"Let's tell Itachi and Kisame"

"So where we going now?"

"My place"

"Sexy"

"For protection"

"Duh! I knew that!"

Ino laughed and threw her golden locks over her shoulder as they came out of the forest and back to the lodge.

"Get your stuff, get in the car" he claimed and went inside, grabbing his own belongings which only fit in a small bag.

Probably a Wallet, weapon and tampons Ino sniggered to herself.

"Take your time" he called from the lounge as she made her way to the bedroom.

At least they didn't need to worry about sleeping arrangements in the double bed.

Ino took a moment to think about Kakuzu's house, would it be like him? Sturdy, strong but with a sense of warmth, wooden beams and plain interior?

Or maybe he was secretly into magenta tiger fur and chandeliers.

Wait, she bet he had a whole army set up, camouflage sheets and wallpaper and practise guns on the wall.

"If you don't hurry up woman, we won't ever get to my house"

Kakuzu stood in the doorway, eyes bored. Ino closed her packed case with pursed lips then went up to her bodyguard.

She just looked at him.

"Wha-"Kakuzu annoyed remark was cut off by Ino ripping down his mask and kissing him. Again.

He grunted in surprise as his body melted into hers, bringing a muscular arm around her slim waist and holding her frame to his sweetly, licking her lower lip gently for access.

But she moved away, a slightly stern look in her eyes.

"You really think you can just kiss me like that before, and then stroll around calling me 'woman' and treating me like the rest of the luggage like before" she growled, then picked up her suitcase and walked out past him.

"Get a move on, man" she called and Kakuzu held in a breath and counted to ten, replacing his mask and following her out slowly.

Yeah, she was being cheeky, but she couldn't carry on acting like this around him, he was a man after all, and he had very suppressed needs that threatened to overflow from his self control whenever she touched him or looked at him like that.

Take her to his house; lock her in spare room with magazines and clothes, then wait for father to ask for her back, that's what he would do.

A/N: Sorry for late update, but your favourites, alerts and review really motivated me, so I will really try to be more efficient. I know, I broke my slow build up rule but seriously, eight chapters and no kiss? Even I was getting bored.

It's refreshing re-doing this and having to correct things less and less, I must have slowly improved :)

#LAW09

To Fantasy is now Non-Fiction: I'm so glad you are interested in the pairing now! Ahaha, and indeed, Ino is not one to simply take insults and not deliver! I hope his house design pleases you and thanks yet again for another review!

To Kigaroo: Oooh, you may be closer than you think. Both very interesting ideas and you will soon see! It's cool to see both sides of the spectrum, I personally can see him living in either. Thank you for the review! :D

To sun drop (again): To gain two reviews from someone who does not review often is an HONOUR. It has been a delayed chapter and I am glad you enjoyed it, please do not die! Ahaha, oh I'm thrilled to hear that, sometimes I think I am being too cruel with cliffhangers but it does indeed keep one reading and to know you are hooked is awesome, thank you so much faithful reader!

To fan no longer on the verge of tears: I am glad you are no longer crying! (or nearly) to hear your happiness is so very uplifting, haha, impending indeed! and hopefully not as late! *adjusts collar sheepishly* ahahah, that was a cool little story and I'm so glad you're excited! Love you too! My indeed faithful reader! :D

To Aj Blakes: Thank you so much! I will update as soon as I can! :)