Sasuke opened the car door for Sakura as a few paparazzi snapped shots of the still 'it' couple in media.
Sasuke mentally rolled his eyes. People were too involved in other peoples business.
Walking back to the driver side Sasuke thought back over the last few months, at how they had been working past the business and desire relation, along with how Sakura had adapted quickly.
She wasn't camera shy anymore instead she blatantly ignored them or posed now.
Pulling away from the curb Sasuke crawled into the throng of traffic.
"People still believe we are an actual thing." Sakura sounded amazed by their steady rouse.
Stopping at a light Sasuke replied with a sigh, "We don't give them any reason not to. A whole month or so has gone and we are still the top story, it's actually annoying. Usually they get bored by now, move one."
"Oh stop pouting Sasuke we were the center of attention at that party and they are waiting or more. Where are we going by the way?"
"I honestly don't know. I figured we'd just roam around. If you're in the car next to me your body guard it makes my job easier because you can't drift off." Sasuke spoke with an air of bored indifference making Sakura laugh.
They drove around the city limits before Sakura voiced her idea to walk the mall.
Sasuke cringed at dealing with more press but obliged.
The mall was three stories high with close to a hundred different stores both for the middle and high class society in Konoha.
Since the party Sakura had wiggled into high end clothes at her fathers demand she represent him.
Today she had chosen calvin klein dark skinny jeans with her favorite pink flats. Her black cashmere sweater shielded her from the cool autumn air as the seasons changed.
Sasuke too had opted to wear a thick leather black biker jacket with a white T and blue jeans with his trusty boots.
As Sakura climes from the car Sasuke reached into the glove box to retrieve his military grade handgun and tucked it into his back waist band. There hadn't been any attempts on Sakura since the first time but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was coming.
Sakura linked her arm through Sasuke's as they walked into the mall. People milled around like cattle between stores.
Taking an elevator up to another floor Sakura caught a glimpse a jewelry store and drugged the Uchiha along. Glass show case slimed the walls and store floor. Scanning the back case Sakura locked eyes with a beautiful piece.
Sitting in the center of the case a simple pink diamond the size pencil eraser sat on a black chain flanked by two white smaller diamonds.
"We call it the cherry blossom. Quite fitting a name I would say." Sakura jumped when a store clerk spoke to her.
Looking at the necklace again Sakura smiled and agreed. A few more moments passed as she admired the simple piece before moving on to another case.
Sasuke had been watching Sakura silently an after she walked to another case talked quickly with the clerk before the two left.
Sakura continued to go into stores without buying anything but stopped when she caught Sasuke looking at a kiosk.
Seeing an opportunity to sneak away to get the gift she had spied earlier for Sasuke. Walking one store down Sakura quickly stepped in grabbing the item before Sasuke noticed her absence.
Smiling at the clerk Sakura walked out feeling satisfied with the gift. Looking down in the bag Sakura checked for her receipt and the little box.
While her attention was on the bag a man dressed in casual clothes with a shock of blood red hair quickly grabbed Sakura's arm from behind knocking her balance off.
Stumbling back Sakura fell flush against hard muscle and was locked into place at the mans chest with his steel hold.
"Scream and poison that can render you paralyzed will be injected into your bloodstream before you even blink."
Sakura stilled immediately. Fear gripped onto her body sending ice through her veins.
The man took her stillness as indication of obedience and pulled her toward the down escalator.
People milled around them and Sakura was shocked at their blindness.
Racing to think of a way out and coming up with nothing Sakura knew that getting on the escalator would be disastrous as they crept closer to it.
The finality of her life being held by this strange man was lead in her stomach making bike rise. Tears burned her eyes as they got closer.
"One foot on that escalator and your death will be come very public Sasori. Let her go. Now." Sasuke's voice was laced with raw foreboding.
"Ah Sasuke, ever the hero. Although last time it almost cost you an agent if I recall." Sasori's smooth voice ignored the bold promise of his death.
As the words were spoken Sasuke pulled the hammer back on his flock and pushed it further into Sasori's spine.
Releasing his hold Sakura stepped away quickly and stood next to the glass railing.
People had moved to form a large circle around the scene.
"All these people get to see the heroic attempt of the Sasuke Uchiha, but today will sadly be an unhappy ending. You can't save everyone Sasuke." As Sasori spoke his last words Sasuke couldn't move fast enough.
Sasori lunged at Sakura knocking into her, the force of the contact against the glass railing shattered.
"NO!" Sasuke's plea did nothing to stop what came next.
Time slowed down as Sasuke watched the two clatter over the side free falling to the first floor below.
Everyone had stopped moving or breathing. The mall fell deathly silent as glass clattered against hard floor and blood pooled around the two still forms.
A heartbeat passed as the public processed what happened. Collective 'oh gods' scattered around some even dialed 911 but with little hope it would change anything.
Sasuke at some point had ran down the escalator racing to the bodies.
Disbelief ran his blood cold.
This wasn't real. This didn't happen on his watch, his clients didn't die dammit!
Inching closer with shock easing his system Sasuke suddenly stopped when movement caught his eye.
Blinking hard Sasuke watched Sasori's body again shift, and in seconds Sasuke was pulling the man over onto his back.
Beneath Sasori lie a wide eyes pinkett covered in blood not her own.
Looking back at Sasori's body as it lay sprawled onto the floor blood seeping from a stomach wound Sasuke pieced together the situation.
In Sakura's tight clenched hand was a switch blade coated in blood.
Somehow Sakura had pulled a knife and when Sasori launched himself at her the knife dug into his abdomen. The amount of blood on the floor and Sakura told Sasuke Sasori had passed out or was on the verge of dying.
Sakura lay still on the floor with the knife held in her right hand. Warm blood soaked into her cloths and her skin.
Sasuke was quickly at her side trying to pry the knife away.
"Sakura it's okay give me the knife." Sasuke spoke gently as a person would do for a scared child.
Releasing the knife the shock sprang into Sakura's neves. Shakes riddled her entire body and tears pooled from her eyes. Sasuke feared moving her body for risk of more injury but instead gripped her hand.
"Shhh. Sakura I'm here it's okay. You're going to be okay. No don't move the paramedics are coming." Sasuke rubbed a finger across Sakura's cheek wiping away tears.
Sitting in the waiting room for a doctor to come out with details on Sakura's condition had felt like eternity.
Gathered in the waiting room was Naruto who stood pacing the room with Hinaa trying to calm him, Sasuke leaned against a far wall, and a white haired man wearing a scarf over his lower mouth and a scar trailing his left eye shut.
"She will be alright. We are sending her home with Vicodin for the pain and shock."
"Injuries."
"Surprisingly after taking that fall and landing beneath she was extremely lucky. A few bruised ribs, sprained wrist, and mild concussion. She is very lucky."
"Thanks Tsunade. Is she ready for transport?"
"Not for another hour. Her father has been contacted but I'm sure you are well aware Kakashi that he is not happy. The press is also blocking the hospital ER entrance. Your team or rather agent of one almost got one of my best doctors killed."
Tsunade sneered her last comment directing it solely on the Uchiha who flinched ever so slightly some might have missed it.
Sasuke turned rage filled eyes on the busty blonde, "You think I fucking wanted this to happen!? I was doing my job until she walked off I didn't plan on having her almost die dammit!" Sasuke voice was livid and low.
"If you were doing your job actually watching her then you wouldn't be here Sasuke." Tsunade's voice was equally livid and flat.
Turning on her heel Tsunade headed to the ER entrance to deal with the pestering cameras.
Sasuke felt his nails bite into his flesh from his strong clench.
Naruto had stopped moving and stared at Sasuke who was breathing heavily.
"Oi Sasuke calm down. Sakura is fine and-"
"And what Naruto? Huh? Sakura almost died because of me. Almost the second time-"
Naruto turned smoldering blue eyes onto Sasuke, "She's not Karin Sasuke. That wasn't your fault and neither is this. Stop ducking blaming yourself for thugs not in your control you bastard! Get your shit together Sasuke you can't stop everything."
Hinata grabbed Naruto's arm as he advanced toward Sasuke stopping him before the two men both got admitted into hospital beds.
"Enough!"
Sasuke glared at Kakashi and Naruto too turned his attention to their commander before swearing and walking you the ER Hinata trailed behind.
Silence filled the void between Sasuke and Kakashi as the steadily stared at each other.
"Naruto is right Sasuke you need to stop blaming yourself for the accident with Karin."
"That was my mission. I was captain and she almost died, because I let her go undercover to try and find out why women were being murdered." Sasuke's voice was raw as he spoke biting back rage that was directed at himself.
"But she didn't. Karin was in fact saved by the very woman you currently guard. And Karin also discovered that night that the murders hadn't been random but organized to locate said woman. Sasuke you need to let go the blame of Karin's accident, she knew the risk as do we all when it comes to this job. We willingly put our lives on the front lines. No one made Karin go undercover. No one made Karin go in deep to the point that those men attacked her. Karin has told you and everyone else she doesn't place blame."
"I should have told her to back out Kakashi that's the point. If had made the order Karin wouldn't have scars to live with and jugo and suigetsu wouldn't have retired. Just like today if had been watching Sakura more closely she wouldn't have to be in a damn hospital on pain killers!"
"Sasuke this man is right. This ain't your fault neither was Karin's accident by the sounds of it. I don't blame you, no one does."
Sakura's voice was slightly slurred and low as she climbed out of a wheelchair.
Sasuke winced at her figure. Sakura had dried blood partially still on her hands, pink hair was a mess of tangles, and her white lab coat was pulled across her chest to cover her bra.
Sakura leaned against a wall allowing the lab coat to peek open slightly. While in the ER the doctors had torn of the bloodied shirt and given her doctor coat to cover with.
"I mean when this drug wears off the pain will suck but I don't mind. Honestly today had been a learning experience. I am never walking off in public again." Sakura's words slurred even more as she giggled at her own joke and swatted at the nurse trying to sit her back into the wheelchair.
Kakashi watched with pleased approval as Sasuke moved to Sakura's side and got her to sit back down.
Sakura kept her hand in Sasuke's and allowed her eyes to slip shut.
Soft snoring had the two men looking at the nurse in confusion.
"Vicodin makes patients drowsy. While in the meds she will need to be monitored. No heavy work, stress, operating machines, or skipped meals. I have place a print out io instructions in the plastic bag of her few belongings. Numbers to call are also in the bag. Take care of her gentlemen and goodnight."
"You heard the nurse Sasuke. Take care of her and good night. Call me if you need anything, Naruto will swing by occasionally to check on you but overall I am keeping you as her guard. I'll deal with the minister just make sure ms. Haruno gets well."
Opening his orange book and quickly walking out of the ER Sasuke was left with little choice but to take his drugged up and passed out charge back to his apartment.