Chapter Eleven
Fresh air whips through my short air and spins around me as we leave the large front doors. I had almost forgotten how good this feels. Sasori stops right outside of the building and takes his sandals off, slowly, holing them in one hand. Looking to me, he seems thoughtful for a moment, and then says, "Can I trust you to hold these for me?" I look to him surprised, why would he want me to carry them?
"Yes, I will," I say, slowly taking the sandals. How was he so sure that I wouldn't hit him with them to make him stop? How was he so sure that I didn't want to escape? I mean, I do want to escape- but I want to see Itachi again even more that that. Sasori starts to run; his feet now silent on the stones and rocks that didn't seem to be affected by him running on them, as if nobody had stepped there. My head bobs to the tempo of his steps and I find myself almost tired. The town rushes past us and my mind wanders back to Itachi. I had hated him with every fiber of my being just for still being alive, I feared every movement he made- and now, now I almost kissed him and I'm disappointed when I don't? Has my fear turned to love?
My cheeks don't blush, and my heart doesn't flutter when I think this. It would have done that for Sasuke. When I think of this, I only feel regret. Have I fallen in love with an Akatsuki member? This could kill Sasuke, Naruto, Kakashi-Sensei, and the two other anbu black ops they're sending with him. Am I so stupid? Could this all have been a trick by Itachi? I try to hold back the sea of tears that were surging forward. Sasori, continuing his running, looks back to me and softens his grip. Can he tell what I'm feeling?
The buildings continue to rush past us, long empty streets with large and small empty houses- what happened here? Sasori's pace slows down as he turns a corner. I look up, we're stopping. Sasori completely stops in front of a small sized building. The type that most wouldn't give a second glance to. It was a shamble, the windows wide open, the door hardly part of the house anymore. Slowly and carefully Sasori sets me down onto my feet and holds my firmly, but not painfully by my wrists. I stumble my first step and Sasori helps me stand straight. Slowly he leads me into the small building and I am reminded of how Itachi first led me into the other building. Again I strain to keep my tears at bay.
The doorway led straight to a small hallway and Sasori led me through it, past two empty doorways to a small room. As he opens the door, he led me into a small and forlorn seeming room. So this is my new keeping place. Quickly, after I understood that, I leave Sasori's hands and sit down in the far corner. Sasori closes the door behind us, and then walks over to me. What is he going to do? Hit me? I look away from him as he gets closer and try not to show my fear; expecting pain at any moment.
His lips brush my cheek and I look up- did he just kiss me? I touch my fingers to my cheek and look to him confused. "Wh- what was that?" I ask, surprised. I wasn't sure if I was angry that he would dare touch me, or flattered that he kissed me. At the moment, I felt both.
Sasori sighs, then goes and sits on the other side of the room, which was only five feet from me. "Sakura," he starts, his nearly lifeless looking eyes staring at mine. "I have to ask you a question," I look to him, what is it? "I need to know if you have any feelings for me," he looks to the ground beside him. I looked to him shocked, what did he just ask? How do I answer that question? Sasori's gaze stayed on the ground. I keep my silence- what am I supposed to say?
Sasori slowly gets back up to his feet and walks over to me. Crouching down to my height again, he continues to speak. "Sakura, after this is over, I'd like for you to stay here, with me," I look to him and back away a little. After all of this; being a hostage, being constantly hungry, getting hit in the stomach with Shark Skin so many times so that my chakra would be gone- and he wants me to stay? If Itachi had asked, I might have said yes, but Sasori? What has he done since I got here? I try to think back, but I can't remember any wrong he has done to me. I sit there for a moment- surprised at myself; am I actually considering this?
Sasori seemed to be able to red my emotions, "I don't expect you to answer now." Slowly he leaned in and this time, his lips met mine. I didn't try to stop him, but then again, I didn't kiss him back either. His lips were cold and harsh, not what I expected my first kiss to be like. Slowly he backs away, opening his eyes. I sit still, what do I do or say? He kissed me- Itachi never came close until just now- but Sasori hardly spent any time with me and he asked me to stay. Then again, I hardly know Sasori at all. I look up to him and decide. I know how I must answer. Sasori looks to me curiously and I breathe in, preparing myself to answer.
"SASORI- GET AWAY FROM SAKURA." Itachi come crashing through the door, his eyes red with sharingan- like Sasuke's. I lean back a little, Sasori whips around to Itachi, anger, which is the only true emotion I've seen Sasori show, darkens his face. I look to Itachi- did he say Sakura? Sasori keeps his enraged glare on Itachi. This is the first time I've ever heard Itachi say my name.