Hello again. Kelso here. I really don't know if I should continue this story with all the less than positive feedback or no feedback coming my way. But anyways, here's ch 3 for those who read this story. I don't know how long it will be until I update it; I'm in a rough patch in my life right now, so my writing spirits are not that high. Please review and give back. Thanks.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Masashi Kishimoto does.
Chapter 3- Discovery
The dark haired man sighed and wiped the sweat from his brow. It was hotter then hell here but then again. Hell was always hot. His legs took him farther down into the underground. Meeting this woman was a pain; he really hoped that her information was worth the fight. The black path crunched under his feet as he would hit lose gravel. Every once in awhile his feet would hit a lava stone. He knew he was getting close. As the path got more treacherous; the screaming in hell increased. He had no idea what the woman had done in her life to get sentenced in the last layer of hell but she did. Itachi didn't want to ask. The woman he was meeting with was psychotic. Maybe on the borderline of sociopath. He was luckily that she hadn't killed him yet; he actually had a sick feeling that this woman was attracted to him. The rest of his tainted soul shivered; he was no coward but there was no way in hell that he would give her a chance. Itachi squinted his eyes to find the wall with his bare hand. As he got deeper; the flames of hell faded. The place he was going to was deeper then hell. It was the devil's play place. With the darkness evading the path; his footing slipped slightly which presented bodies hanging from the walls. Some were chained, some were hung and some looked like bites were taken out of the corpses. His eyes roamed around from face to face. The man recognized some of his 'friends.' He hadn't seen his best friend in a couple of days since a delivery of new tainted souls came in. Itachi rolled his eyes at the man who was excited for fresh meat. Fresh women were easy lays. Itachi tried finding him yesterday; he must have been a little tied up. He shook his head; it was Kisame's fault for his own fate. His feet continued to crunch downwards still following the path but his eyes still roamed the black wall. He was indifferent when his eyes spotted a pair of usual faces.
His mother and father.
He knew he would follow them to hell after killing himself. He was disgusted as he approached closer to them. His family was weak; his father died with a scream etched on his face. Apparently he couldn't cut auditions for being a demon. Getting tortured non-stop for seventy two hours was the test. If Itachi had failed; his soul would be food for the devil. Like his father's. Itachi slowly passed them; letting his eyes linger on his mother's face. Her tear tracks were still noticeable on her fair skin. The ink black hair of hers was missing. Someone or something had ripped the hair from her scalp. He felt nothing as his eyes looked for her missing ones. It was obvious that the same thing that took her hair had took her eyes. Then finally he passed them on the path. Though something bugged him. Where was his pathetic little brother Sasuke?
It was a pleasure to kill his younger brother; especially since he was after his woman. He fought with Sasuke the day before he killed him. When Sasuke had confided in him about his growing feelings for her. Itachi had laughed in his face; claiming that she didn't know that he existed. Itachi had taken her virginity just because he could and maybe it would turn his brother off of her since she wasn't pure anymore. While his woman was sleeping; he slit his mother's throat while she was resting for the day. His father died by drowning in his own poison. Arsenic was an easy find. It served the bastard right. The drunk could have his whiskey lungs.
He saved his clean hands for his little brother's blood. He waited for his brother to come home from school that night. Itachi didn't have to worry about his woman barging in for he send her on her merry way home. Before she had left; she had kissed him good bye and told him she would call him. Itachi smiled at and told her don't bother. He smirked as he could remember the scent of her tears in the air as she ran away from him. He had shattered her heart. It took hours to break his brother's spirit but after one last scream and tears of pain going down his face. Itachi watched as his brother's soul faded away and said some parting words; 'Cry little brother, that's all you're good for.' He just sat there and stared at his brother's cold body in his arms. He could feel the stickiness of the blood on his body; in a sick way it soothed him. His ears perked up; listening to the police sirens wail in the distance. At first he was treated as a victim until the cops checked out the house. He laughed as they slapped handcuffs around his wrist. An hour after his arrest; they threw him jail. Alone. Shortly after he killed himself by cutting. The idiots forgot to check him for weapons and his small pocket knife did the trick. Itachi smirked at the memories but he focused on the task before him.
The woman had told him to hook right with the fork in the road. Itachi followed right. He smirked as his eyes landed on a cave just like the woman had said. Itachi slowly approached; he didn't want to spook the woman. There was no telling what was up her sleeve. The cave was well hidden in the rock. Itachi climbed over many mounds of lava rock; burning many parts of his body. His feet were numb with pain. He was careful about his precious body part as the rocks got rather close. He hissed as a burning rock scorched the inside of his thigh. As he made it over the lava rock; his footing slipped. Rocks tumbled onto the ground with a loud thump. "Who's out there?" yelled out a woman's voice.
"Karin," stated Itachi. His voice bounced around the rock walls and a woman peeked her head around the corner. His dark eyes landed on the red headed woman. He watched as her naked body stepped out of the shadows. "Itachi. About time you showed up. Follow me," ordered Karin. Once his two feet reached the ground; he followed behind her. Definetly behind her. Itachi was like any normal man if a decent woman presented herself. His eyes were locked on her. His bare feet crunched under the rocks. Itachi followed her past the mouth of the cave. He squinted his eyes to find some light at the end of the tunnel. The candle was resting on a small table with two stools. Then she suddenly stopped. His feet stopped too but his eyes still roamed.
"I can feel you staring. Look somewhere else."
He smirked with her sudden statement then turned his eyes away. Itachi plopped himself onto the small stool; resting his tender body parts. "Don't flatter yourself Karin. You invited me here remember?" He smirked again when Karin let out a very unladylike like snort from her throat. "This wasn't my idea. I have my orders." Then the pale red headed woman took the opposite stool. The cave was quiet and only the flickering of the candle wick popping every once in awhile was the only sound. Then Itachi got up. He wasn't in a rush to go anyway and not that he had any place to go anyways. This woman was wasting his time. He started to walk out of the cave but he was stopped by a small whisper. He whirled around, "What did you say?"
"I said wait," sighed the woman.
He stared at her, "Well? Put the offer on the table or I'm leaving," stated Itachi.
Karin sighed, "An angel left a doorway open to earth. He wants us to see her so we can take a soul up there then jump through the doorway," explained Karin.
Itachi arched his eyebrow at her. "Why?"
"He wants everything. Heaven, present and hell; he wants to rule them all. All we need to do once we hit earth is find the angel's charm and kiss them. If an fallen guardian angel kisses their charm; they go back to heaven and the doorway shuts. If a demon kisses the charm; the doorway to hell opens," stated Karin.
Itachi was intrigued and he walked back to the stool. He gracefully plopped down on it. "How do you know all of this?"
The woman scoffed at him; pretending to be insulted, "His assistant was much too pleased to pass the information on his behalf." Itachi just looked at her. Every time she would say 'His' or 'Him,' it sounded like it was a name but it couldn't be. The devil was once human too. It was annoying as all hell. Fear is something for the weak. The weak should not be in hell. "Use his name for god's sake. It's not that scary for crying out loud. We're in hell; you can't get anymore scarier then that," snapped Itachi.
He watched as the woman furiously shook her head and quickly stood up as getting ready to run. The shadow of the candle light flickered on her naked body. He was surprise by the scars on her arms. Bite marks and from the looks of it; there was more then ten. "If you say his name, I'm going," stated Karin. He was half tempted to challenge her. Half tempted to cross the line but something inside of him was holding him back. Which was surprising. His sense of mercy died with his family. Itachi decided it wasn't mercy but pure curiosity. He wanted to know more about this mission, if there was anymore to know. Also he wanted to know more of her. Not sexually but what she did to deserve hell. He sighed. "Why?"
It was Karin's turn to sigh,"Because. There are somethings you shouldn't talk about in the darkness of hell. Speaking his name is one of them." The light flickered and Itachi had to smirk at the reaction. His smirk only grew as the stupid woman looked around paranoid. She was worrying for nothing. He had no fear towards the man who had tried to claim his soul. Itachi had no feelings. He was a man of stone. Nothing could touch him. As her last sentence died on the cave walls; silence took over like an old friend. Their were no words between them as they stared at each over the one single flame. Itachi stared unemotionally as the woman cringed with a new scream piercing in hell. The cave amplified her screams to ten fold. The echoed bounced around, teasing them. Itachi wondered just what kind of punishment would they receive if they fail. He would bet his brother's soul that the devil's rule was the same as his. No mercy.
"What do I get out of this?" asked Itachi. He wasn't weak with breaking the silence; he wanted to know if this mission would be worth it's weight in gold. Besides being on the devil's slaughtering list didn't seem like a great idea. She smirked and he arched his eyebrow at her. Why was she so damn happy? His eyebrow was still arched at the woman when she decided to take back to her stool. The old thing creaked under her weight and Itachi had cough to hide a laugh. He settled on the idea that the stool was old and it had nothing to do with her weight. Besides, the idea was only funny to him since she completely ignored it. "You're going to love this Itachi. The angel that fell to earth," smirked Karin. "Was your brother."
The dark haired man laughed like he never laughed before. The cave echoed in his laughter; it was sickly brilliant. If he agreed to help 'him' then he would get to kill his brother with his bare hands once again. The fruit was too tempting and Itachi's jealously ran deep. "Who's the charm?"
"I believe you know her," started Karin. The her part made him curious. Usually in heaven; charms are assigned to the same sex. Just what did the Hokage have up his sleeve? Itachi's brain cranked with many names of females from earth. None really stood out. That or he had too many women before he died. "What's her name?"
"Sakura Haruno."
Ironic. His bastard brother was trying to take his woman again and the fight for her would never stop. Even in death. Sickly ironic and Itachi loved it. He could kill them both now. "When do we start?" He looked at Karin full fledged in her face. Her eyes were in flames matching the deep fires of hell. He knew his eyes looked the same. Itachi would kill them and gargle their blood down his throat. Soon it would be one happy reunion of that night. Except their parents but they were in no shape to die. Since the dead can't scream. The woman smirked back at him. "Now."
They were silent as they walked beside each other down Konoha avenue. The sunny day attracted the crowd. An ocean of all kinds of people were out floating around. Her eyes jump from person to person; the first interesting face that her sea foam green eyes landed on was a mother. The mother was dragging her screaming children out of a restaurant by the ears. She cringed as the mother passed her on the street with her children in tow. The small child had a huge set of lungs on him. Sakura's squinted as shifted over to Sasuke's reaction to the child. His pale face gave nothing away if he was disturbed. The blank expression of his engulfed his whole body. She didn't know what to think about his indifference; it wasn't normal. Sasuke had react to something.
Her second face that caught her eye was a rude bastard. She spotted him coming her way; he was going to wrong way in the sidewalk traffic. As the crowd grew closer to her; she scooted close to him. Not by choice but just the case of lesser than two evils. As she walked; her shirt would graze just on his. Her heart skipped a when her hand grazed his warm hand. Sakura looked at Sasuke again; seeking any reaction. She got nothing. His reaction to her disappointed her to no end. He felt nothing towards her. She was nothing to him but a roof over his head. When her hand rubbed his again; he stepped away from her. Sakura's heart pained. He was being cruel but not knowing it. The pink haired woman sighed and continued to watched the crab ass man walking her way in high speed now. Sakura just knew his was going to be an asshole by the huge scowl on his face. The asshole was slamming into people right and left; Sakura knew her fate before it even happened. As he passed her on the sidewalk; his broad shoulder slammed into her slender frame. She lost her groove and her feet stumbled. Her hand rubbed her entire shoulder while she whirled around to give the man a piece of her mind but to her surprise; she continued to walk forward. Not by her own free will. Sakura stared at his pale hand enclosed around her arm. Her eyes narrowed. Why was he touching her now? Sasuke wanted nothing to do with her before and now he had the balls to drag her down the street.
"Let me go," hissed Sakura. She tried to give Sasuke her full on death glare along with her threat. The man ignored it. Sakura stomped her feet down to fight him but she only got to trip over her own two feet. She was just about to give him another dose of her punches when she stumbled by his immediate stop. Her slender body slammed into his chest. A small sound escaped her throat and she stumbled over her own two feet once again. Her face grimaced; knowing that the concrete street was going to give her a personal greetings. Sakura braced herself for impact as the sidewalk grew closer; she slammed her eyes shut. Waiting for the pain.
Nothing happened. Sakura opened her eyes and blinked several times. Her face was inches from the concrete but not touching. The warm force around her waist kept her from falling. She looked up. His eyes were darker black with the shadow of the day. Sasuke's face was close. She knew and understood that he was a very handsome man but this close. Just a simple look in his eyes could hold her heart prisoner. Forever. Never in a million years would that secret leave her lips. Forever was a long time for anything. She didn't know just how bad she had fallen for this man. Sakura prayed to god that she wasn't in love with him this quick. Love; just the word made Sakura's heart going into overtime. She mentally laughed. She was so screwed. Love had full blown hit her and she was suffering from the love punch. Cupid was a sick bastard. She didn't even know the guy. All she knew about him was that he fell to earth; claiming to be her guardian angel. If she ever had the time and he wasn't pissy; Sakura would have to ask all about heaven. If he didn't leave her first. The slight pressure increased as she was being yanked up from almost falling which snapped her out of her thoughts.
Sakura licked her lips and her heart filled her chest as he lifted back onto her feet. "Thanks," said Sakura. She appreciated the gesture and waited for his reply. In her head; she was daydreaming that Sasuke would pull her into his arms and plant the most romantic kiss on her lips. Reality was less exciting. The man shrugged his shoulders at her and grunted the usual indifferent 'hn.' Then he started walking away. Sakura mentally growled at the gorgeous man and followed him; being very aware just how good his backside looks. Sakura watched her feet as she walked; half embarrassed about her new discovery and half leery of her own two feet. She knew that she was klutz but she didn't know it was this bad. Or she never realized it until now.
She multitask between watching her feet and watching Sasuke. While she was focusing on her feet; Sasuke had suddenly stopped and Sakura slammed right into him. Again. The woman was surprised that he hadn't gone crazy and pissed off from all the times she had run into him today. Sakura knew if there positions were switched; she would have gone psychotic on her ass but apparently Sasuke was a man of patience. Surprised that Sasuke hadn't said a word to her about her ability to walk; Sakura just had to see what had caught his attention.
A fruit stand. Her eyes landed on many of her favorites. Cherries, strawberries and grapefruit were all crying out to buy them. For once Sakura agreed with the fruit. They looked amazing; the coloring was perfect in every way, shape and form. She grabbed one giant grapefruit to let her eyes roam all over it. Sakura squeezed it to see if the fruit ever hit the ripe perfection; it was solid. So she had to buy it. Sakura grabbed all her favorites into her arms; mentally salving each and every taste. Then her perverted mind roamed over just what can she do with the fruit and Sasuke. She felt a blush creep up her neck as a different kind of heat came from her back. Her eyes glanced to the ground just to see a shadow of a man standing above of her shadow. Her shadow blended in along with his as she waited in line to pay for her pickings.. Her mind rolled with his scent in the air and she knew, in that moment just who was behind her. As she was about to turn around to greet him; a tomato appeared in her eyesight.
It was a beautiful bright red tomato. The fruit itself was almost too beautiful to eat; until she heard a juicy crunch sound. Her eyes grew wide as she whirled to face Sasuke. He was wearing happy smirk on his face as he crunched the tomato to death. Sakura was in shock; not so happy as the fruit murderer and she wasn't very happy with him. period. "Sasuke," hissed Sakura as she dragged him away from the line. "I still need to pay for that." The man shrugged his shoulders at her and took another juicy filled bite. Sakura was standing close enough to get splattered with the guts of the tomato. She wanted to smack some sense into the sexy head of his but she couldn't. She was just in awe with him as he happily chomped on the stolen fruit. He was a guardian angel for cripes sake. Stealing was a sin. Sasuke should know better then that.
Sakura shook her head. Still suffering from the surprise that an angel could steal. She walked back over to the counter and laid all her fruit on the table. The bigger man smiled at her wholeheartedly. Sakura couldn't help but to return the favor. Guilt would drive anyone crazy and Sakura was no different. As the man charged her for the fruit; she peeked out of the corner of her eye. Sasuke was still chomping away at the lone tomato. She just stared as the sun hit him the right way underneath the street venders tent. His black eyes shined red along with the sun and his dark hair looked darker than what she had thought. She was lost in her thoughts until a hand landed on hers. "Madam. It's going to be $11.74," said the man.
She nodded her head and started digging through her pockets; looking for that twenty dollar bill she had earlier. Then a thought crossed her mind. He probably didn't charge her for the tomato since mr. chomp-a-lot was over there killing it. "Sir, can you add one tomato to that please," smiled Sakura. Hoping that the man wouldn't realize just what Sasuke did. The man smiled at her, "It's Chouji and you are?"
"Sakura? What are you doing here?"
Her eyes narrowed; this person was not who she wanted to see right now. Instead of replying to the question that she was asked. She replied to Chouji, "My name's Sakura." The bigger man smiled at her and held out his hand to shake hers. Sakura was just about shake Chouji's hand when Neji lean on the counter beside her. His pale face was distorted in anger when he looked at her but he turned from her to Chouji. He turned to the bigger man and said, "Fat ass, you're wasting your time. Sakura here is just a little cock tease. Trust me, I would know." With the last part Neji had taken his fingertips and tilted Sakura's head back. Her eyes narrowed at the man and slapped his hand away.
"Go away," hissed Sakura towards Neji. She looked down at the change that was being placed into her hand by Chouji. "Don't worry about the tomato," stuttered Chouji as he stumbled away to help the other customers. Sakura violently put her change away into her pockets; turning her back on Neji. Her eyes flickered around to spot Sasuke. Tall, dark and handsome was no where to be found to chase this pain in the ass away. She started walking away from him; just to have Neji grab her wrist to tug her back. Again; he used his fingertips to tilt her head back. "I asked you a question. Sa-ku-ra. Be polite and answer it," smiled Neji. She knew that he was threatening her politely but not enough smiles in the world would have her think differently of this creep.
"I'm shopping Neji. What the fuck does it look like?" snapped Sakura. Okay her answer wasn't very nice but then again, it was Neji. The asshole deserved it. The man smiled at her again. "Obviously. Where is Ino? I would like to see her," smirked Neji. Sakura's eyes narrowed as her heart pained. The small smirk reminded her that this was her own battle since Sasuke was gone. No one else should be allowed to smirk; in her heart, it only belong to Sasuke. Neji's other comment about Ino just rubbed her the wrong way. Ino had told her from the very beginning that they had history. Neji chose today of all days to imply all the gaps that she had missed.
"I bet," stated Sakura. She tried breaking from him only just to have his arm snake around her waist; keeping her prisoner against his body. Sakura wasn't happy at all with the way his body was reacting to her. She could feel him hard and ready. Her body twitched in disgust. Which just made her even happier that she didn't sleep with him. "You know she won't sleep with you anymore Neji. Not since the rash insistent happened." Sakura shouted the last part which got her slapped. Her face stung with the force of the hit and her hatred for him grew. A crowd of people watched them; curious about what was going to happen next.
Neji was smirking when Sakura turned her face back to him. She could feel a small warm line from her lip; she was bleeding. "Don't worry about me Sakura. I have plenty other women around," smiled Neji. With his free hand, his slapping hand; he waved. Through the sea of people; a petite brown eyed and haired woman stepped from the crowd. Sakura opened her mouth to say something incredibility rude which would end up with her getting hit again; just to have Neji's lips slammed on hers. Sakura heard the people in the crowd gasp as the drama got more intense. Through her open eyes; Sakura saw some of their mouth dropped in shock. Oh, she was shocked alright but not as shocked as he was going to be in a few minutes.
She wrestled her body away from his just as he broke the kiss then Neji threw her to the ground. Sakura landed on her stomach with a grunt. Then felt a hand on her shoulder; Neji flipped her around onto her back. Sakura had a flashback of her first time with a man and shivers broke out though her body. Even though her first time wasn't by force; she wasn't ready. She had only thought she was in love but in fact he used her and sent her packing. Sakura had did everything in her power to forget about him over the pass four years. She didn't even remember his name. Sakura glared at the man approaching her with her eyes flickering every so often to that girl. She placed her around their age or slightly younger. She was scared; Sakura could tell. The way she was hugging her arms around her and the fact that she was shaking. She had no idea just what kind of monster Neji was slowly becoming. Until now.
"Sakura, you don't know just how long I've waited to see you lay on your back," smirked Neji. He took another step closer to her. Sakura just waited on the ground like a good little girl. One more step and this asshole was just about to get his just desserts when the woman grabbed his arm; holding him back from her. "Neji-kun. This isn't right. Let's go back home and stay in bed," demanded the woman. Sakura arched her eyebrow in surprise. She had a lot more respect for the woman now but respect doesn't protect anybody worth shit. Neji threw the woman down, "Shut up Tenten! I've never had a woman refuse me until this bitch!" shouted Neji as he pointed at Sakura on the ground. "I will not be denied again!" Sakura got in defense mode as Neji stomped over to her; trying to grab her ankle. She growled as Neji tried to get her.
"Are you really going to rape me in front of all these people?" snapped Sakura. She stared at the useless crowd. They were all just watching and they would probably continue to watch as she got raped. They wouldn't do anything to save her. Hell if Neji wanted to murder her right then and there. He would probably be able to get away with it. Sakura watched in horror as a pure smile crossed his face, "I love having an audience Sakura." The thought of being raped didn't fly with her one tiny bit but he wasn't close enough. Sakura put on her best smirk and her hatred lit up her eyes, "Come and get it then."
She dared him. Sakura knew it wasn't the brightest idea and she was fairly bright. This one opportunity was her key to get the hell out of dodge. Neji stepped closer to her; trying to use his hand to pin down her ankles. He was a smart man but not smart enough. That one last step put Neji close enough to receive one swift kick to the face. Sakura's leg danced with the vibrations as her foot made instant contact with his jaw. She cringed with all the others as a cracking sound introduced itself. Sakura climbed back up off the ground onto her own two feet. Neji was down on his knees; hands holding his bruised face. She wanted to hit him again just for kicks but decided against it. She walked over to her fruit to snatch it then she ran.
As the wind blew into her ears; she could have sworn hearing Neji's voice screaming her name. She continued to run and never look back. Ten minutes later, Sakura slumped onto a street bench. She well aware of how tired her legs and lungs were but she continued to watch. Sakura didn't know just long she would have until Neji would spot her. "Sakura." Her shocked and tired body jumped ten feet high. Once her heart attack disappeared; she was glad to see the owner the of voice. Her eyes followed Sasuke's shadow walking gracefully around the bench. He plopped down beside her and patted his stomach. Sakura ignored him. Until he patted his enlarged stomach louder. "What!" snapped Sakura as she looked at him.
His black eyes stared at her and nothing was said. Her hatred for Neji melted away as his fingers trailed over her bruised cheek. "Where have you been?" whispered Sasuke. Her heart pounded as she broke the staring contest. She had the urge to kiss him. To melt with him. To fall for him. She knew that if she looked at his eyes, his face again. Her battle with herself would be undone. "I had a run in with an ex-boyfriend," replied Sakura. Her heart lit on fire when he took a hold of her chin and tilted her head back. She watched as his eyes roamed across her body. Sakura ached in need. Her lips wanted to be caressed by his. Her body wanting to know the pleasures that Sasuke could provide. She bit her lip.
"Neji did this to you?" growled Sasuke. He was furious that she would like a creep like that get so close to her. Especially since they didn't break up on the cleanest terms. He was enraged with himself for not being there to protect her. He had left to hit an all tomato stand. He was pissed that he was engorging himself in a sea of tomatoes while she was getting punched around by that creep. Sakura ripped her face out of Sasuke's grip and suddenly stood up. She faced her back towards him to compose herself then finally turning around. "Yes. He hit me and roughed me up a bit. Nothing I couldn't handle on my own," bitterly snapped Sakura. Then Sakura was whirled around with a very angry Sasuke invading her personal space. He didn't notice just how close they were but she did. One more inch and their lips would be touching. Sakura blushed as her lips ached in need. She had never reacted so strongly to anybody before.
"YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE HAD TO HANDLE IT ON YOUR OWN! IT'S MY JOB TO PROTECT YOU!" shouted Sasuke then he snatched her into his arms. Sakura was shocked by the upset man. His arms were holding her so tightly she felt all his strength. He was trying to shelter her from the world and all the evil in it. It was new to her. No one had ever wanted to protect her as badly as the man holding her right now. She laid her head on his chest and closed her eyes; listening to his heart beat. It was pounding like a caged animal. She looked up at him and her heart raced as fast as his when their eyes met. Her body shivered which had nothing to do with the weather. His arms clasped over her her shoulders as her body understood the hint. Her eyelids fluttered shut as she raised to tip toe to meet him. She could feel his warm breath on her lips and waited for him to close the distance. "Sasuke," whispered Sakura. She felt his trembling lips hover over hers just about to give her all the passion he had to offer.
"Oh my!"
"Don't let us interrupt you!"
Then drunken laughter echoed around the street and the clumsy clatter of their footsteps traveled farther away. Sasuke's eyes bolted open and he gently pushed the pink haired woman away. It was a close call. So close. That if those drunken people hadn't disturbed them; Sasuke would be kissing his second chance at life goodbye. Literally. Kakashi would have never let him hear the end of it. Sasuke stepped away from her; ignoring the sharp pain in his chest and the throbbing of certain body parts. "Sakura," stated Sasuke to get the woman's attention. "I still need clothes." He hoped that this mission would distract her from what was just about to happen.
Sakura opened her eyes when she felt him push her away. Her feet landed back onto the ground; she was no longer floating on cloud nine. A deep throb went through her chest and threatened to escape through her throat. She bit her lip as hard as she could just to have her lip start to bleed again due to Neji's smack down. Sakura built up her wall again; trying not to let her eyes grow warm and swimmy. She would not cry because of this; she had been rejected before. This was nothing new. She nodded her head in agreement when Sasuke mention the reason of leaving the apartment in the first place. She inhaled a deep breath and said,
"Alright, let's get going. It's not like we have all day," smiled Sakura. Her heart throbbed as he gently smiled back at her. The second smile of his that she had seen. She walked back towards the direction that she ran from to go the big shopping mall. Her eyes would flicker to the ground every now and then to make sure he was still there. Not a dream. She smiled sadly; she was so sure, so confident that his heart was beating because of her. Sakura felt like a shit for assuming anything. Like the old saying goes, 'Assuming makes an ass out of you and me.' She now knew just what her parents have meant.
In no time; they passed the fruit stand and Neji was no where to be seen. Sakura counted her blessings where she could get them. The crowd that had watched the whole scene had dispersed. Not a familiar face to be found. Another blessing. Sasuke didn't need to know just how bad things had gotten. It would be her dirty little secret. Five minutes and a couple of turns later; Sakura and Sasuke entered the giant mall. It seemed out of place with the small town rustic scenery and the mom and pop shops. The head people that ran the small little town thought the giant mall would attract people. Little did they know. Most of the farmers left and some of the shops that couldn't compete were forced to shut down. Instead of attracting people; the mall chased them out. Making their small town slowly into a ghost town.
Their footsteps echoed inside the quiet mall. Only a few strangers and workers were walking around. The smell of different food engulfed her senses. The first floor was made up food shops. Just smelling them; made Sakura think that she hadn't eaten all day. Coffee wasn't breakfast; to much of her disappointment. She shook her head and continued on the mission. The shop that she first wanted to hit was on the third floor. The third floor was for males only or cross dressing women. Like sometimes Sakura was guilty of. Boxers were just comfortable; nothing could beat them. Sakura snatched Sasuke's wrist to keep him from wondering off again. Though she would probably have no problem finding him this ghost town. She was glad that he willingly let himself be dragged by her as they walked to the elevator. Sakura stopped and pushed the up arrow button. She stood there; still touching him and he wasn't fighting her a bit. The elevator door dinged as the bright light blinded Sakura. She stepped into it; taking Sasuke with her. Sakura had this thing about elevators. The whole thing about a metal box being held by metal wires that are just waiting to go snap then crashing down to go splat at the end of the shaft. Yup, Sakura did not like elevators. Though they are a necessary evil. She leaned over and pressed the yellow button of three. The door shuts and the metal wires were doing their job.
There was twitch in the light. Sakura's fear of elevators was okay until the elevator stopped and the box turned black. A humming sound ran through the elevator and the blue was the new blinding yellow. It was at least better then no light at all. Sakura pressed all the buttons; nothing lit up. She looked to Sasuke; who seemed as calm as can be. Sakura jumped when a phone rang. At first she looked at Sasuke, "Why would I have a cell phone Sakura. I have only been on earth for one day remember?" smirked Sasuke. She shook her head and patted her pockets then came to realization. She must have lost it during the tete-on-tete with Neji. Her shoulders slumped as the ringing died just to start back up again. She wanted to mentally smack herself for forgetting about the emergency telephone in the box. She shakily grasped the red receiver in her hand and picked it up.
"Hello?" answered Sakura.
"Madam? We are trying our best to get out. Our best crew is on this. Don't worry."
Don't worry? Really? Sakura was pretty sure this guy was on crack or something. Saying don't worry is like telling fire not to be hot. Just not possible. She ignored all the man rambling and cut the the chase. "How long?" There was a sigh on the other side of the line. Sakura was pretty sure she wouldn't like this news. She would bet her favorite coffee mug. "It could take hours."
The pit in her stomach dropped when her assumption was right. She was stuck. In elevator. Alone. With Sasuke. She hung up the phone and hid into her little corner. In her mind, she kept chanting, 'at least it can't get worse right?' She just stared at the wall across from her when Sasuke's voice startled her out of her own thoughts. "Sakura. We need to talk about what almost happened." Her eyes looked at the man leaning against the elevator wall. Sakura had just answered her own question and she was beating herself up for it.