SMOKESCREEN

CHAPTER 5

thoughts.

- Sakura at age of 6 -

Mikoto kaa-san finally allowed me to take up martial arts. Itachi nii-san said I really had a way with her. I didn't know what that means, but I do know that soon I'll be doing the cool moves that Sasuke-kun showed in the past months, and I get to learn with him too.

Sasuke-kun has been really nice to practice with me after class ends so that I could catch up with him. He says that I am strong, but my moves are too weak. So what does that means? Am I weak?


PREVIOUSLY...

Itachi only stood back up, his arms releasing her shoulders that had ached from his subconscious stronger grip. Taking a deep breathe, the dark hair male pulled out his cell and gave it a dial before speaking into it.

"I want you home right now."

SASUKE'S POV

His was driving far out from Diamond and out of the commercial area, towards home, his midnight orbs still frantically searching the streets, hoping to catch a certain rosette making her way home. Just then, his phone rang, it was Itachi.

Quickly answering, the teen blurted before even giving his brother a chance to speak.

"Sakura's home?"

But the older man only muttered for him to return home then. From his tone, Sasuke could tell that it was a serious matter, but nevertheless, the one call had ensured his dear Sakura to be backed home unscathed. Unscathed – I hope.

SAKURA'S POV

Sitting in the bathtub of the bathroom she shared with Sasuke, the pinkette forced herself to relax and forget about the previous incident. I mean, especially since Itachi nii-san isn't making a big deal about it.

With a deep sigh, Sakura submerged herself into the tub of warm water, all the way just below her nose. After lining her emerald orbs around the chicly designed bathroom, she drew down her lids, allowing herself to get a quick shut eye.

SASUKE'S POV

After parking his car in the Uchiha's underground carpark, the young male hurried up to the main house, striding quickly past greeting maids and servants, the pale man was ushered to the living room to where Itachi was waiting.

Eager to be reassured his pink maiden safe return, he assumed her to be in company of his elder brother. With that in mind, he quickened his already hurried pace.

Upon entering the room, the young man was disappointed to only see Itachi who had his back towards him as he looked through one of the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Keeping his tone calm, Sasuke enquired, making his presence known. "Where is she?"

Scoffing, the elder of the two finally turned around, his tone grim."If you had cared, you wouldn't have forgotten about her."

His black irises were focused on the dark carpeted flooring, displaying his regret. "I know, .. "

"Knowing isn't enough Sasuke." The long hair man cut in, his tone had softened from before. "You should know of our mother's instructions, to keep Sakura safe."

"Let alone that, it was never a good idea to have a girl going to dangerous places like those, especially alone. I know it's not your fault, but you could at least try to remember."

The tone of Itachi's voice transiting at every few words caught the younger man's attention. Looking at his brother, he managed to catch that brief strained look that seemed to melt into his voice.

"She was violated. She was almost raped."

Almost immediately after Itachi had dismissed him, Sasuke hurried up to Sakura's room, hoping, once more, that she wasn't too badly traumatized.

Like any Uchiha, Sakura was taught to keep hide any sign of weakness. Like Sakura as she is, her obedience and determination trained her to be a fine member of his family. But being Sakura, she never could keep her emotions away too long. Worrying that she have been bottling up her fear, when Itachi claimed she displayed no signs of any trauma, and was almost like herself, the obsidian hair male had to control his urge to dash to her room.

Opening the white washed wooden door, the anxious young man took a step into suite size room.

"Sakura?" he eagerly called out. Hearing no response, he searched the room. Failing to find her, her turned towards their bathroom. Giving two light knocks on the door, the lack of reply continued. Pressing his ears to the door, he heard nothing. It was almost silent as a graveyard; then again, it would be almost impossible to hear anything through fine wood such as this. Inwardly, the dark hair teen berated himself for such ignorance. For god's sake, this is part of an Uchiha household.

Moving his hand towards the knob he attempted opening it, but not before he knocked once more. With the fail of response, Sasuke turned the knob. It was unlocked as usual.

For as long as possible, whilst the two shared the bathroom, neither had ever bothered locking to the door. However, it was not because the two trusted each other with privacy, but they were simply unbothered, and would sometimes even barge in while the other was in it. Of cos, like any supposedly siblings or roommates, or whatsnot else they would be referred as, they had arguments over the use of the lavatory. They were so use to seeing each other, that it bewilders the young man even wondered why he'd still get turn on by the sight of the rosette on other occasion, when she was not in any form of nudity.

Frowning at the inappropriate timing of thoughts, the young Uchiha pushed the door opened.

It was not the first time she fell asleep , and it wasn't the first time he caught her doing so either, neither was it the first time he disapprove of it. At instant sight of the sleeping beauty in the tub, Sasuke lamented. "SAKURA!"

Hearing the sudden call of her name, said girl jolted up from her slumber. Turning towards the voice, her surprised expression turned to one of annoyance followed by one of fury. Not sounding any acknowledgement to her childhood friend, the pinkette picked up a wet bath sponge and threw it at Sasuke, who managed to dodge it before returning to mind her own business.

"I thought I told you to quit doing that, it's dangerous." He chided, but however continued to stand there, focusing his obsidian orbs on her pastel pink locks as he search for a way to apologize to her.

After about five minutes or longer, he noticed the young woman before him getting up, boldly bearing her nakedness as she walked across the bathroom to dry herself. Finally putting on a bathrobe, she finished whatever other businesses in the bathroom, then head towards the doorway where the brooding male was still stoned in his position, his face was down cast.

For anyone who didn't know him better, would be surprise to see an Uchiha, or rather even Uchiha Sasuke, blatantly exposing emotions like this. But Sakura knew better, between the two, nothing was hidden, yet being Sakura, it was still not enough of an act of apology. Lifting her dainty hands to his strong chest, the pinkette shove Sasuke hard, to allow herself access out of the lavatory, her anger clearly displayed. She was throwing a tantrum, and the both know it, but she didn't care, and he had no choice but to put up with it. After all, I did break a promise.

Closing the bathroom door behind him, he remained where he was, his gaze trailing behind the pinkette as she proceed to put on some clothes.

It was not easy, to offer to make up to someone, especially when she has almost everything. Sighing once more, the ebony headed male moved over to Sakura, who just finished putting on her clothes.

"Sakura." He called out, but said girl ignored him as she moved over to her dresser and sat down whilst she dried her long tresses. She was about to get up and lift when Sasuke started over, leaving him no other possible solution but to trap the angry female. Placing each of his huge hands on each side of the seat, the tall man had to bend down, or rather kneel, in order to be on the same level as she is. A frown was etched on his pale features, but no doubt one could read the ache he held for the girl when he heard what almost happened to her.

Sakura turned away, refusing to face him, and it was not only was she angry with him, but also how she didn't like that look on his face. He was upset, upset that she was angry, and he probably knew what happened too, and he was upset over it, and she knew it. And she didn't like the fact she was the cause of his distress. No, she just didn't like to see him sad.

"Look, I'm sorry Sakura. And if there's anything I could do about it I would. And you do know I've never been good at such, so you have to let me know, so I can make it up to you." His tone was almost much too soft, and gentle as he hoax her to stop being angry with him.

Sakura hated this, almost every time it happened. Cos as they both know, it was impossible for her to stay angry for long, especially at him. Turning to glare straight at his pair of midnight orbs, she mumbled with a pout. "I really hate you, you know that?!"

At the moment she spoke, the man knew he was forgiven. With a cheeky grin, he brushed off her comment," Nah, you love me too much to do that." Earning him a swat targeted for his head. However, he caught her frail wrist, then gazing at her emerald irises, he added seriously, "I'm really sorry."

Leaning in to give her a hug, Sasuke muttered an almost inaudibly," Stay safe."

A/N:

Helloes. short chappie here, I know. But no worries, I already have started on the next, now its only a matter on how well I keep up.

School reopens next week, I'll try to update one more, but no promises.

And that's about all I guess.

I did like the last chapter's response. Thanks a million to you guys.

Although reviews are still terrible.

Well, let's hope for the better while I continue with the story.