Here is the final chapter! Sorry that it took so long to update. Like many other fic writers, I encountered a few months of having a broken lap top. But, I got a new computer (finally), and typed this up as fast as possible. I hope you enjoy!
Thanks to everyone that Faved/Reviewed. You guys are truly awesome. This time I grant you one wish :)
Once again I do not own Naruto.
"I'm so dead" kept playing in her mind, over and over. What had she been thinking? She had merely been taking an innocent plunge into the cool waters when she had felt him fast approaching. It was on some sort of magical whim that had boosted Sakura into acting like a flirtatious water nymph. Goading him into loosing his well balanced Uchiha self control and watching him struggle to keep himself in check. It was as amusing and as it was rewarding when he did dive over the deep end. Sakura couldn't keep the blush from her cheeks when she thought of how well stacked things were in her favor. She had the upper hand on him at the moment.
The question was, where did she want to go with this new found influence over her dark haired team mate? Sure it would be fun to ruffle his feathers some more, but how far did she really want to take this? She thought that the chances of it becoming more than just a few fun nights of reckless abandon were pretty slim. Or actually non-existent. Sakura sighed to herself as she made her way back to camp. Reluctantly she began to ponder on her own forgotten, locked away and banished feelings toward said Uchiha. The first emotion that surfaced was one mixed with both anger and regret. The Uchiha was one big fuck-tard. He had treated her with silent contempt for as long as she could remember.
It was like all the sudden he discovered his own penis and then finally months later figured out what it was for. She had watched him pursue their mutual female acquaintances and how each time he swung and missed, leading him to strike out continually. Sakura had been rather surprised when he turned his attentions on her. What had made him change his mind? His treatment of her has not changed too much. Sure he acted slightly caring early today when he had told her that she had done well with the mission, but Sakura felt that it is a poorly covered ploy to get her pants off. Sakura then chided herself. She of all people was getting fully immersed in her anger toward him and not allowing him to maneuver out of it. He was an ass and no amount of time would ever change that, but she had to admit that he hadn't been necessarily one to her over the last couple of years.
Now the question still remained on how she truly felt for him. She could say with decisive clarity that it wasn't love. That had fizzled out long ago. Though she did admit that even if love wasn't there anymore, she was not completely closed to the emotion. It would have to take a lot of effort on his side if it were ever to blossom again. She concluded that what she felt for him was nothing less than a certain understanding of his character, and a possible hope for some sort of deep relationship with him. What type of relationship depended on him. It could end up being a strong friendship, something more or even something less. Sakura, had over the years come to understand what she wanted and needed out of a long term relationship, and sorry to say it, but poor Sasuke-kun didn't fit the bill.
The night had been a long one for Sasuke. After being tortuously abandoned by his female team mate, he had to resort to drastic self induced pleasure. When said act was completed and the milky mess taken care of, Sasuke had bitterly contemplated on how his luck with women had decidedly gotten worse as he has gotten older. They no longer were drawn to him like metal to a magnet. He has after all changed from being the unfortunate victim of a catastrophic event, to one that is viewed with a certain scared awe. Father's wouldn't let their daughters within thirty feet of him. It wasn't because they were afraid that he could easily steal their innocence, but rather that they didn't want to taint their family name with association to the Uchiha's. The Haruno's were no different.
Sakura on the other hand didn't seem to mind being associated with him. But, Sasuke knew that he was fighting an uphill battle when it came to winning her affections. He had to show her that things between them can change and not always be so hot or cold. He had gotten past the first step in getting her to notice his advances but the second step was going to be considerably more difficult. She was going to have to learn to accept them.
The early morning light brought a very sleepy Sasuke back to the edge of camp. Upon entering the clearing he found that Naruto and Sakura had migrated to sleeping next to each other. Naruto's arm was snugly arched around her waste and his hand was precariously close to cupping her clothed breast. Sasuke could feel his vision skyrocket to red. Who the hell did that blond idiot think that he was? "That's it", Sasuke quietly seethed, Naruto's hands are coming off. Who cares if he can't perform jutsus anymore. If he really wants to become the next hokage he's going to have to learn to sign with his feet. Before Sasuke reaches Naruto, kunai in hand poised for determined amputation, he see's the offending hand inch closer to her. Sasuke watches in stunned amazement as Naruto's hand cups her breast and gives it a gentle squeeze. Sasuke is so engrossed in Naruto's actions that he doesn't notice that Naruto himself, is giving him an evil smile. A small moan is emitted from Sakura's sleepy lips as Naruto gives her nipple a twisting pinch.
"You know Sasuke I can give you a few pointers on what she likes and what makes her scream, if you would like." At these words Sasuke's glare darts up to Naruto. His determination to rid the man of his hands only increases tenfold and he takes a step forward. "You should know that she loves to be fondled when she sleeps and woken by being pounded into." At this statement Naruto lowered his hand to grab her waist and then ground his hips into her. A very throaty moan emitted by her, left a certain Uchiha with a parched mouth and a desperate need to kill Naruto. Forgetting any semblance of sanity, Sasuke launched himself strait at Naruto with a sudden change in plan to no longer only rid Naruto of his wondering hands, but also a small appendage that would leave the fox-boy neutered.
Naruto barely escaped, and retreated by bounding off into the trees all while laughing hysterically. A small frown marred the Uchiha's face before he too ran off into the woods in pursuit.
Why was she so warm? Kept flowing through her groggy mind. In fact Sakura felt like she was on fire. Moss green eyes slowly opened, only to close instantly. The image that she saw was for one, too bright and too early to deal with. Rolling over and emitting a low groan, Sakura opened her eyes once again. The trees that had so nicely shaded them yesterday, were now massive pillars of glowing fire. She swiveled her head around and noticed that yes, the whole surrounding forest was ablaze. What had set the two of them off so early in the morning? It can't be past seven thirty. Looking around some more she found both Sai and Kakashi standing to watch the two pummel each other.
Sakura rose herself up and walked over to her sensei. "You know Sakura, for an elite shinobi, you sure do sleep through anything." Her eyebrows furrowed at Kakashi's comment. "They have been fighting for over an hour, but only started because of your salacious moans." At this Sakura's cheeks stained themselves while she sputtered out.
"What does that mean?"
"Is it custom to fondle someone when they are asleep? I read that only two people in what is called a 'relationship' grope each other. I thought that you and dick-less where no longer together?" Sai commented. "You did seem to highly enjoy it."
Marred with extreme anger Sakura was at a loss for words. Only after a few minutes of controlled breathing could Sakura emit even a coherent statement. "No Sai, groping is usually not recommended" Swallowing down her anger some more, she made a very heated statement of how dead Naruto was when she got her hands on him. Sakura then turned away from the two shinobi and mentioned that she was going to take care of the flaming pillars of death.
A jubilant chuckle cascaded from Kakashi. "Too bad Jiraiya isn't here to write about this."
"Maybe you should pick up where he left off." Sai suggested.
A low rumble vibrated from Kakashi's chest. "I do not think I could capture the raw tension between the three of them. So which one?"
"I say Emo has the best shot"
"Naruto. How much this time?" Kakashi glanced at Sai while pulling out his wallet.
"Fifty. But if Sasuke wins then you have to give up reading those favorite books of yours." After a few seconds of contemplation Kakashi nods his head in agreement, but added that if it ended in a draw, then Sai would have to buy Naruto his rations of ramen for the next month. A small scowl graced the former root member's face, then he too nodded his head in agreement. Both of there heads turned towards the woods as they heard a particular loud crash. "Shall we get a better viewing position?" Kakashi poofed out of existence and was quickly followed by Sai.
Sasuke had to admit that the highlight of their explosive fight was when he got a nice clean cut along Naruto's shoulder. The idiot had kept spewing off his 'ten ways to pleasure Sakura' list. With one swipe of his Kusanagi, Sasuke had effectively shut the idiot up. That's when Sasuke found Naruto attacking full force. The fight had, from that point on, turned from just the simple need to kill Naruto to one where both were going all out, and the last man standing was the ultimate supreme shinobi. Although isn't that how their fights always turned out? He took a glance around. Most of the surrounding trees where ablaze. Naruto's wind based jutsu's were only fanning the fire. The blond had even figured out how to use that to his advantage. Sasuke on many instances had to avoid deadly flames that he himself had used against Naruto.
"Fact number seven, Sakura loves to be cuddled." Sasuke's head snapped to the side to avoid a well placed swing by Naruto. "Fact number eight, she's strong but needs support sometimes." Naruto danced away from Sasuke's intricate taijutsu. "She's going to need someone to stand next to her, not in front, and not someone who coddles her. Someone to treat her as an equal."
"Why are you telling all this to me Dobe? You should concentrate on the fight, or I will wipe the floor with you." Spat out Sasuke.
"Fact Number nine, She's emotional." At this point Naruto landed a hard kick on Sasuke, sending him across the clearing to slump on the ground. "She's hot tempered, warm hearted, cool and collected, and extremely volatile. She loves with all her heart but can never truly hate anyone, but has a hard time forgiving grievances against her and those she loves." At this point Naruto was next to Sasuke slowly crouching down to look him straight in the eyes. "Fact number ten, your in love with her." At this Sasuke plasters a large frown on his face. Naruto's eyes that had held a hard edge to them softened as he added, "And she doesn't love you." Sasuke's frown only increased more. He knew that, why did Naruto have to rub it in. A thought spiked with jealousy floated through his mind.
"Do you love her?"
A low chuckle that flowed into loud laughter burst from Naruto before he could answer, "Yes." The blond shook his head at Sasuke's heated reaction. "But, not like how you do."
Calming considerably at this statement Sasuke let out a petulant, "Then, how?"
"I'll be honest, I could never love her as a sister, nor as just a friend with what we have done together. I have seen sides of her that she hasn't shown to anyone else. But, I am not in love with her. She is something precious to me. Someone that deserves the best. And as unfortunate as this world is, you might be that 'best'. Granted you are going to take a lot of work to make that happen." Naruto slowly stood up and offered a hand to Sasuke, who reluctantly took it. Both stood facing each other, hands paused in a hand shake. "But, like I told Sakura, if you hurt her in anyway I will end you. Plus I will be there to pick up the pieces, and just may fall back in love with her." A large smile grew across a whiskered face when he felt Sasuke's squeeze his hand quite forcefully.
"I will make sure that will never happen." A smirk ghosted across Sasuke's face as he and Naruto had came to an agreement. Maybe Naruto's annoying list would become useful after all. Before either of the two could realize it, a large wall of water engulfed them. A few minutes later found them floating along the surface with a pinkette standing over them with a coy smile on her face.
"I am sorry to interrupt your strange love fest, but we need to get back to Konoha." Sakura turned to leave but before she got far she sent a barely hidden amused smile their way. "Besides Sasuke, if it was Naruto all along that you wanted, you could have just told me. I know a few tricks up my sleeve to get his pants off." She jumped away fast enough to avoid the kunai barrage sent by both the drowned boys.
Off in the trees a short distance away sat two shinobi who were quietly arguing about the out come of the recently viewed fight. Each held their betted fifty in their hands as they discussed the finer points of the fight. Small petite hands snatched up the winnings. She looked at the two stunned shinobi and shook her head. "Since both of you forgot the third variable, the one that ultimately won, I will be taking these." She smiled at them before adding. "But as a further part in the bet, and as an easy way to get back at Naruto for starting this whole mess. You two, for the next month, have to make sure that he doesn't get one drop of ramen to ever touch his lips. I don't care how you do it. I'll even give back your money if you succeed, I may even double it."
"Women can be conniving." Muttered Kakashi. Then a smile grew underneath his mask. "This might be a good chance to see if Naruto's detection skills have improved any." Sai only nodded his head in agreement.
The rest of the trip back to Konoha was uneventful. The boy's brawl seemed to have calmed down whatever dispute they had with each other. In fact Sakura watched them on repeated occasions move closer together to whisper to each other. Pink eyebrows twitched in annoyance. They were up to something. She hoped for their sake that what ever it was, had nothing to do with her.
Late in the day found the five shinobi at the gates of Konoha. All Sakura wanted to do was head home, and put some distance between herself and those smoldering charcoal eyes. They hadn't really left her form too often during the trip.
When Sakura walked towards the street that lead to her home she noticed a head of violet hair moving their way. A large smile melted onto her face as she began to formulate a plan to get the young Hyuga to at least talk a few small sentences to her dense team mate. So distracted by her plan, Sakura didn't notice how Naruto went flying in front of her. As elite as he is, Sakura watched in stunned amazement at how he epically flailed to try and regain his balance. Who would have thought that the man that defeated, the Uchiha Madara, would trip over his own feet. Sakura's smile changed to one of barely hidden amusement. Bubbling laughter erupted from her lips, but was cut short by a deep chuckle that emanated from her right. Her pink head whipped to the source, only to have her mouth fly open with shock.
Of course! There stood, not two inches from her, Adonis himself, with all of his mythological sexiness exuding from his every pore. His lips were tilted up in a sly smirk, while his bottomless eyes burned into hers. Nothing, absolutely nothing, could move Sakura from her spot. She would have to be very careful. Sasuke was weaving a very powerful spell on her, and she had to admit that right now all he had to do was lead her some where dark. She would be all his. Her thoughts were interrupted when she found her eyes following the movement of his hand. He lightly touched the bottom of her chin. Sakura closed her mouth with a decisive snap. "You know gawking at me will get you in trouble, Sakura." Did he just purr at her? She swatted his hand away as fast as she could. Sasuke's grin only increased as he watched her velvet cheeks turn a brilliant shade of magenta. Smirk still in place, he murmured to her, "You should watch this."
Her eyes moved from his lithe form to fall on the scene playing out in front of them. There stood a very bashful Naruto talking to Hinata. It was interesting to see the ever confident blond blush and fumble with his words around the violet beauty. Just when Sakura thought that Naruto had given up asking her out again, she watched Sasuke bend down, pick up a small stone, and chuck it at the back of Naruto's head. The blond sent a scathing look back at Sasuke, but turned around and professed loudly to Hinata that she should go out to ramen with him. A very excited but bashful Hinata agreed to join him immediately.
A bright smile followed the two as they rounded the corner. "You know Sasuke, I have been trying to make that happen for months. Maybe you should consider retiring as a shinobi and becoming the village match maker." She smiled up at him but blushed instantly at his next comment.
"Hn. I suppose my next target should be you." The way that his eyes lingered on her made goose bumps ignite all over her body. Sasuke then began to walk away, but not before glancing back to give her a wink. Sakura gulped down her racing heart. It was official, she was in way over her head. How had the tables turned on her so fast?
Across town lay hidden two elite shinobi. Mics buzzing every once in a while relaying vital information on positioning. "One hundred, says that he breaks down and cries."
"Two, says that he steals her bowl."
Not far from the two shinobi sat a very flustered blond. Every one of his precious bowls of ramen kept disappearing. Blue eyes snuck a look at his date. There was no way that she was stealing them. Maybe if he ordered one more he could gulf it down before, who ever was messing with him, could act. Wait no better yet, he would try his best to wait until he got home. He had a huge stash hidden there for emergencies such as this. Later that evening Naruto dropped off Hinata with a stolen kiss, and a promise to take her out again that next Friday. As he approached his front door, Naruto checked all of his traps. Nothing was sprung or out of order. Still the ever cautious ninja, Naruto ventured carefully into his house. When he reached the cupboard where his delicious ramen lay hidden, he found to his utter disappointment that every package was gone. One lone tear fell before cerulean eyes turned hard, and a declaration of war was proclaimed.
Broken chuckling was heard through Sai's mic. "I suppose I owe you one hundred."
It had been almost a year since Naruto and him had hatched this half baked plan for Sasuke to woo Sakura. Phase one had taken a lot longer than either had anticipated. Sakura was not going down without a fight. Every time that Sasuke felt that he had her cornered, she would scratch and claw her way out. Sasuke's first goal was to rid Sakura's dependency on Naruto. That had been easier than he had thought. Naruto and Hinata had been dating since their first night during what Naruto had dubbed, the war on those evil ramen stealing bastards. The next step for Sasuke was to be Naruto's replacement. He meant to be there as a close friend. So close that he was almost always around her. He had succeeded in getting her used to his presence. Sakura even recently began to seek him out.
He had to admit that there was a substantial amount of chemistry between the two of them. He truly enjoyed her company. She was making him allow emotions out, that had been buried deep. He thought back to the time where he had first fully laughed in front of her. She had looked completely shocked. Sasuke had just discovered who was behind the dobe's ramen problems, and offered a suggestion that the two of them join in the sabotage. She had smiled warmly and then began to divulge her daily ramen stealing itinerary. He had been shocked on how elaborate the whole thing was.
Being the friend was extremely hard for Sasuke. She had become a goddess. Men noticed her left and right. He swore that some days his eyes were going to fall out of his head from the amount of glaring that he needed to do. His presence didn't deter Sakura from accepting a few of the date proposals. He had to grin and bear through watching other men be with her how he wanted to be. The other men never lasted longer than the initial dates. He had a feeling she only accepted them to piss him off. He knew that she knew what he was doing. It had become a game between the two of them. She would push, he would pull, she would run away and he would hunt her down.
After months of truly getting no where. Sasuke was about to resort to drastic matters. He had just gotten back from a week long mission with Sakura where they had to pose as newly weds. She had constantly molded herself to his side. Her warmth had been calming and pleasing to the Uchiha. He had even received a few chaste kisses from her. One night under the need to be seen as the newly wed couple they were posing as, they had to pretend to have sex. He loved how flustered she had been. He could feel through their clothed nether regions how wet she was every time he moved against her. The noises that she had emitted, made the Uchiha want to rip the flimsy barriers away and take her for real. Neither one of them spoke about the dry humping, but he could tell that she had been thinking about it. Her eyes after all had been lingering more often at the space below his belt. He was going to have to act soon while he still had her cornered.
Today would be the day, he would make sure. Waking up early brought the Uchiha to team seven's training grounds. To his delight he found a young pink haired women already training there. In a flash he was in front of her. "Go on a date with me" he demanded.
"What if I don't want to date you?" she countered back.
Sasuke took a step forward, "You and I both know that you want to. Stop denying it."
"Do you think that you and I could work?" She gave him a coy smile. "Sure we have all the sexual tension necessary to have nights full of wild sex, but that's not all that a relationship needs to have in order to survive."
Sasuke let out a small chuckle, "The only way that we are ever going to find the answer to that, is if you finally allow me to take you on a date."
"Oh I think that we are way past the initial first date." Sakura gave him another sly smile as she closed the distance between the two of them. Sasuke held his breath in fear that one stray wisp of air would blow her advancement away. She slowly reached up to wind her long fingers through his hair. Her feet went to the tips of her toes as she brought his face closer to hers. Soft moist lips met his. The smooth gentle pressure of her lips morphed slowly into stronger and impassioned neediness. Sasuke couldn't get his mind to wrap around any other thought besides the sensations she was sending up and down his spine. A quick swipe of her hand across the front of his pants made him stand to attention and emit a long grunt.
Sakura only responded by diving her tongue deeper into his mouth and tugging some more at his now erect penis. There was nothing that Sasuke could do. She had complete power over him. All he could manage were small grunts of approval and the movement of his own wondering hands. Her body was amazing. Each curve unique to her. Each gasp or moan splendid to his ears. Before he knew what had happened, Sakura had pressed him up against the nearest tree. A fleeting thought in his head, pondered at the idea that she should be the one with her back against the rough bark. Without any control over his movements Sasuke was at a loss to how he would even maneuver her there. Sakura was, forceful. He could feel her need poor out of every movement she made.
Sure enough she was also impatient. She tugged at his hand and placed it where Sasuke had been dreaming the last few years about. Through her thin black shorts Sasuke could feel her heat. His hand moved to cup her fully. In response he got to view her lovely neck roll back, exposing a milky surface area that he could not help but dive in to bite. Her pulse quickened beneath his ivory teeth. A guttural 'Sasuke' left her lips as he began to rub her up and down in lazy motions. She was so forward. He had not been expecting to get to this point anytime soon. All he had wanted from her today was a yes, to his date proposal. There was no way that she was getting away from him now.
Spurred by what he could only call more impassioned impatience Sakura dove her hand under his pants and deep into his boxers. She was not shy. She grabbed him full force and gave no mercy. He grunted, she needed to slow down. There was no way that he was going to last if she kept up this pace. He felt his pants fall to the ground, which were quickly followed by his boxers. His mind went to shades of black when he felt her tongue reach out to taste him. What was this woman doing to him? He tried to make her stop, slow down, anything before it was too late. She only shh'd him and told him that she wanted to watch him as he came. He watched her as she placed one hand on his throbbing cock, while her other snaked under then hem of her very own shorts. Sasuke's eyes went wide as he watched her eyes roll back from her very own ministrations.
She regained a bit of focus, positioned her lips at his needy tip. Slowly she opened her mouth to take him in. Her mouth was hot, her tongue pulsing and her moaning vibrations were intoxicating. Was she really going to make herself come by pleasing him? This woman was extremely dangerous. All he could think about was the look her face would make when she came. He watched her pulse two fingers in and out, all while her mouth stroked him. It was not going to be long, she was so damn skilled. Her breathing was becoming harsh, matching Sasuke's own. His hands held a vice grip on the bark of the tree. The only thing that was holding him up was her constant head bobbing and sheer will power on his part. Her breath hitched and he had the pleasure of feeling her vocal cords vibrate through her orgasm. He was not long for this world. She picked up her pace. Diving deeper and tongue swirling harder. He had never felt anything so wonderful. He could see her sly smirk grow as he came down from his pleasured high.
At this point he sunk to his knees and held her face in the palms of his hands. He kissed her long and slowly. "So is that a yes to the date?" She had merely chuckled at him.
"First there is something that I have been wanting to collect from you." Sasuke's eyebrows furrowed in confusion then shot up, when Sakura slowly unzipped her red top. She slicked her hands up her body to rest on her pert breasts. Sasuke had to admit that she was skilled with her hands. Her simple movements were making him quiver with anticipation. She looked at him straight in the eyes. Slowly, she receded her lower lip to be pinched between her teeth. Her eyes then lowered to his once again erect member. "You know I have been dreaming about the day that I could sink myself onto you." Sasuke let out a small grunt of frustration. She could have had that years ago, he thought in irritation. But she continued, "You have been, for years, someone to me that was off limits. And when you finally did turn your attentions on me, I felt that you needed to suffer a bit for all the torture you put me through. I was going to continue this for a while longer." A very disapproving growl rumbled from his mouth. "But, after our last mission together I couldn't get you and your pleasurable movements off my mind. So I decided to meet you here, today, to take what has been rightfully mine for years."
Sasuke watched as she began to crawl towards him, body motion smooth as a panther on the prowl. He made no motions to stop her. He was going to continue to let her be in control. Smooth legs surrounded his and a molten core made slight contact with him. She looks coyly at him, asking him with her eyes if he was ok with her moving forward. His answer was to grab her hips and force himself into her. Her back arched and her breasts danced the dance of his ragged thrusts. She was a vixen. Tight, hot and uncontrollable. Soon Sasuke found himself seeing black and his body exhausted. When he opened his eyes he found her looking down at him. A small smile on her lips, "Thank you Sasuke-kun for letting me take your innocence. Don't worry, next time it will last longer." Wait, what? She stood up off of him and moved toward her clothes. Longer? "Naruto had the same problem, but I suppose our first time wasn't quite as..." She looked back at him and his stunned face, before a mischievous smile spread at her lips. She finished her sentence with a playful, "quick."
Oh she knew him good. There was no way that he was going to let her get away with a statement like that. He knew exactly how she would pay. He would take her on that date. He would make every attempt to make her blush and then he would convince her a few months later, or whenever she was ready, that she had to make it up to him for the rest of their lives. He could tell that Haruno Sakura was going to be a highly entertaining catch.
Off in the distance four shinobi sat contemplating what they had walked in on. "I can't believe you guys!" Exclaimed Naruto. "Do you turn everything into a bet?"
Kakashi merely shook his head, "Recently, yes."
"The final count was thirty six seconds." A quiet voice stated.
"Is this, what it feels like to be a 'pervert'?" asked a truly curious Sai. His eyes were wide and a small stream of crimson ran from his nose. The ex-root member then reached for his wallet and handed some bills to a waiting petite hand.
"And you!" Naruto wined. "I can't believe you joined in. Let alone won the bet." He looked at a slightly blushing Hinata. She merely shrugged at him and said that she wasn't exactly ignorant of the adult world. She then mentioned to him that she had more than enough money, to buy him a few bowls of ramen to help him recover from his shock. He quickly agreed, leaving behind two smiling shinobi.
"Disappearing bowl technique?" A masked clad shinobi shook his head in affirmative.
Once again thank you so much for reading my fic! Hopefully you enjoyed the end. Did I go to far? Not far enough, lol. I'm discovering that I am somewhat of a pervert, and like to make the characters in the story do some deviant acts. Anyways, hopefully my writing isn't horrible, but if it is please let me know :) Until the next fic!
Oh and please review. I am not above begging for them.