Chapter Six - Midday Situations
They traveled until dawn, thankful for the lack of incidents after their earlier encounter with the Iwagakure shinobi. All night Sakura had been toiling over the information the now deceased nin had given her. She had two concerns really: The fact that they now had to deal with both Iwagakure & Kumogakure shinobi and that one of Tsunade's spies had turned on them. Neither were good news and neither were something she had any particular resolution to. She'd have to send a message to her shishou as soon as possible, but the best way to do so was unknown to her at the moment.
At least she had two highly skilled shinobi with her now, rather than just one. Not that she didn't trust in Kiba's talents, but two were definitely better than one. It evened their chances of survival if a group of hunter nin came along.
"It'd be best to stop soon," Tenzou suggested as he looked at the minutely lightened sky. "No luxuries tonight, Sakura. I don't care to have a run-in with both Iwagakure & Kumogakure, so no fire, no hotspring, nothing". Sakura frowned; she wasn't stupid and she certainly didn't need someone telling her what to do.
"Yes, father," she said half-joking. "And, if that's the case, this is my bed over here," Sakura added, pointing to a particularly grassy spot near the base of a tree and half-concealed by bushes.
"I'll take first watch," Kiba interjected; he didn't like the idea of the older jonin watching over Sakura while she slept, let alone to keep his hands to himself. His eyes seemed to rove her body enough; there was no telling what said hands would do.
Sakura cast a pretty smile in his direction. "Aw, thanks Kiba," she added, before removing her pack and unrolling her sleeping bag. When Tenzou set up his own bedding only a few feet away from Sakura's a small growl managed to escape him, but, luckily for him, he was already sitting up in the trees, nose keen and eyes sharp. He still didn't miss the fact that the man was so close to her and they were quietly sharing a few edibles. Beef jerky, crackers, they were even sharing a bottle of juice that Sakura had brought along. Kiba really wanted to be the one she was sharing that juice with, but she didn't seem to think about him. His annoyance getting the better of him, he spun around, eyes averting from the two down on the ground.
Sakura glanced up at that moment, noting Kiba's stiffened back. Had she done something to offend him? Was he embarrassed that he'd been kissing her earlier? Angry that Tenzou might know? She wasn't really sure, but she didn't like getting the cold shoulder from him.
Tenzou, finishing his jerky, sighed. He was sitting right beside her, but it seemed her mind was somewhere else, on someone else. Tenzou wouldn't call himself a jealous man, but he certainly couldn't say this change didn't irk him. He also couldn't blame Sakura. He'd been the one to turn Sakura away, albeit it was for her own good; she didn't deserve someone like him, with his twisted background and involvement in ANBU, she was too pure and good for that, for him.
"Hey," Sakura started, voice low, "Why are you here anyways?"
"Hmm?" He frowned. "I told you earlier, Godaime-sama said-"
"She did not," Sakura interrupted bluntly, "I know my shishou and I know she doesn't make last minute decisions on missions like this. If she didn't have faith in Kiba and my ability to get this mission done she wouldn't have sent us, but someone else instead. So don't try to pull that crap with me; I'm not stupid."
"I never said you were, Sakura," Tenzou said solemnly, head tilting downwards and body leaning towards Sakura. His voice a mere whisper he said, "I believe you're the exact opposite, in fact. And, you're right. The Godaime didn't want to send me. I requested it of her after I heard you were going on such a mission."
"Why?" Sakura asked, brows knitting together, "did you think I couldn't manage the mission myself? Do you really think I'm so worthless? God, it's as bad as Kakashi back when I was a genin!" She hissed the last words through her teeth, anger starting to rise to the surface as she stared at the top of the older man's lowered head. "I never realized you were such an as-"
"I didn't do it because I didn't believe in you, Sakura!" He snapped, grabbing her wrists tightly in his hands. "I…" Tenzou hesitated, frowning, "I did it because I was afraid. Afraid that you might not come back, afraid you'd get hurt, afraid I'd lose you."
"Wha-what are you talking about!" She exclaimed quietly, fully aware of Kiba hovering in the trees. "You," she half gasped, half laughed, "rejected me! Or did you forget that little detail, Tenzou? I can't do that again. I can't feel anything for you right now," she whispered.
"Sakura, please, try to understand-"
"No, Tenzou, I won't understand. I don't understand. If you felt something for me, why say no? You had me then! I would have done anything for you, despite knowing nothing about you. God damnit!" she cried.
Kiba felt the tic in his jaw start just as he heard Sakura's last words. What kind of bastard was he that he could turn Sakura down? To hurt her as he apparently had made Kiba want to tear into the man himself despite his possible involvement with ANBU.
"I'm sorry Sakura," Tenzou started, "I-I really didn't know I'd hurt you so badly. It was never my intention, believe me. I hold only the utmost respect for you. I have every confidence that you're one of the strongest kunoichi, no, shinobi of Konoha. I had to turn you down though. It's not something I'm willing to explain, but I had my reasons."
Sakura sighed heavily, "And that, Tenzou, is why I'm glad you said no back then. If you can't trust me with anything now, how could you have loved me then?" Turning her back to the jonin sitting there, Sakura lay down on her sleeping roll, hands clasping together against her chest. She wanted to cry, she needed to cry, but something in her just wouldn't let the tears flow. Something else was crying out to her in the back of her mind, telling her it didn't matter if Tenzou didn't trust her, couldn't love her. There was someone else out there, something right, perfect. Now, if only she could find it.
Yawning sporadically, Kiba watched the sunlight filtering through the canopy in the early morning hours. Despite his tiredness, he didn't quite care to speak to the older man nor did he really want to wake Sakura from her sleep, however fitful it was. But, Kiba was also fully aware he wouldn't be able to make it much longer as a competent watchman.
So, grudgingly, Kiba leapt from his spot in the tree and landed quietly on the ground, chakra cushioning the impact. He approached Tenzou slowly; he really wanted nothing to do with this man. Then again, he didn't think waking Sakura up would be a safe thing to do. Tenzou would take this watch and Kiba would situate himself as close, yet unobtrusively, as possible to Sakura.
"Oi," he grumbled brashly, foot pushing at the older jonin's back. Tenzou woke impossibly quick startling Kiba when he abruptly sat up.
"What? What is it? Is there-"
"Calm down," Kiba bit out, annoyance evident in his voice, "I just figured you could take the second watch."
"Oh," Tenzou said, apologetically, running a hand through his hair, disheveled from sleep. "Sure, no problem."
Kiba was surprised once again when Tenzou actually patrolled the surrounding area rather than just keeping watch. He figured, somewhat smugly, that it was mainly due to his lack of the keen sense of smell Kiba possessed.
Moving in Sakura's general direction Kiba was somewhat perturbed, but also somewhat relieved to see that, while he'd been waking Tenzou up, Akamaru had finally appeared again. He'd been missing most of the day, probably out looking for wild dogs Kiba had thought sardonically. But now, there he was, lying curled up against Sakura's back looking for all the world like he belonged there.
Kiba sighed heavily, before situating himself against another tree, on a not-so-soft patch. But he could care less about the scratchy blades of grass beneath him; this was the best spot inconspicuously close to Sakura.
Reclining against the tree at his back, Kiba watched Sakura's face for a moment. Watched the slight parting of her lips as she exhaled, the soft smooth curve of her cheek not cradled against her hands. Would it be so awful of him to crawl over to her and curl up against her back much like Akamaru? Only he'd lie against her, back pressed to his chest, legs curving together. Akamaru could move around to lay at her stomach if it was really necessary, Kiba groused to himself.
Yet, Kiba stayed put, only too aware of the jonin making his way through the dense brush around them. Even sitting this close to Sakura was probably enough to earn a calculated glance from Tenzou.
Kiba suddenly had to wonder when he'd started caring about what others thought. He'd never been one to act as anything but himself just for the sake of others' opinions. But he found himself trying to make Sakura happy now? To prevent any problems between himself and someone she apparently thought highly of, at least before she'd talked to him earlier that day? Just what the hell was he doing? How had Sakura, as cute as she was, managed to worm herself into his conscious so wholly in such a short amount of time?
Tearing his gaze away from her calm face, apparently, whatever dreams had been plaguing her before were now gone, Kiba noted that Akamaru had lifted his head and was now staring directly at him. A queer sort of look was plastered over his canine features, a look that only Kiba could decipher. It was a challenge. Even as Akamaru clambered to his feet and made his way around to Sakura's front to curl up against the hollow Sakura's curved body made, Kiba knew it was a direct and blatant dare. And he was never one to back down from a dare.
Peeking around and sniffing at the air, he made sure that the older jonin wasn't around. He'd worry about the man finding him curled against Sakura when the time came, but for now, Kiba didn't care. Leaning forward, grass crushing beneath his hands and knees, he crawled what few feet there were between him and Sakura in the first place. And her intoxicating scent was once again filling his senses, wordlessly drawing him in even closer.
"Sakura," he breathed out, nose close to the curve of her neck, eyes sliding shut to inhale deeply. Akamaru growled quietly from his place near the kunoichi's stomach causing Kiba to cock one brow before peering over her petite form at his friend.
"Sleep, baka," the dog said as quietly as possible so as to not wake Sakura. Staring wide-eyed at his companion and feeling rather indignant, Kiba was tempted to growl back. Just what did Akamaru think he would do? Take advantage of the poor girl while she was asleep? Then Kiba realized that it was more likely that Akamaru just wanted to get a good day's sleep as they would, if no incidents occurred that night while traveling, reach Lightning Country and then they would both have to begin their search for Kumogakure.
Damned if hidden villages weren't a pain in the ass. He understood why, of course, but it was still a nuisance in his honest opinion. Although, at that moment, Kiba couldn't keep his mind focused on the mission, instead it was drifting to thoughts of how silky Sakura's hair looked in the sunlight sneaking through the trees overhead, or how with each breath she took her shoulder would raise just the slightest bit and a little more of her fragrance would find it's way to his nose.
In his current position, though, he wasn't exactly comfortable. He was sure his palms were turning green from the chlorophyll in the grass and having his knees bent for so long was causing them to ache; someday he'd have to retire from being a shinobi because of those knees. Not too mention that he was exhausted. Running for an entire night had the tendency to do that to people.
Finally giving into the invisible strings pulling him towards the pink-haired woman, Kiba lay on his side, drawing closer to her, chest pressing to her back. She shifted slightly against him as he slid one arm under her neck, which before had looked to be at an awkward angle, and then threw his other arm lightly over her waist.
She's so tiny, he noted, palm smoothing over the fabric covering her side. Yet so damned strong. Unable to contain his smirk, Kiba pressed his lips to Sakura's shoulder blade, instead hiding said smirk from whom he didn't know. As she stirred again, practically in his embrace now, his smile turned to a different kind entirely even as sleep crept over him. Snuggling closer, hair tickling his bicep, the girl in his arms placed soft lips on his skin and left them there while they both slept.
Sakura wasn't sure if waking to a well muscled, warm arm stuck to her face with the aid of sweat was a good thing or a bad thing. Obviously, even with her considerably small view through half closed eyes, the arm was rather sexy for just an arm. The well toned bicep beneath her head was defined and manly at the same time, the forearm strong. And manly, Sakura's mind added again. But the hand, the hand was the killer for Sakura. She'd always had a thing for men's hands and this one was no exception, except for the fact that it was an exceptional hand. Large, but not too large, calloused but not grotesquely so, the nails were a little longer than most men's, but well kept and clean. But what got her was how powerful they looked. She knew what that power felt like in her own palms, but it was simply a different kind.
Thoughts of that hand gripping her thighs, touching her skin, touching her flitted through her mind before she could stop them. It didn't help that the owner of said arm was also breathing softly against her throat, or that she could feel their lips on her skin, or their other hand curled against her stomach.
But, while one part of her was enjoying the warmth he emitted, another part of her was screaming to get up and away from it. The part that could still recall where she was and just who she was with. She knew it was Kiba that lay next to her from his chakra, but her reason for worry was not the canine shinobi behind her, rather the waves of absolute rage she could feel pulsing within Tenzou's own chakra. Why he should be upset was beyond her really. He was horribly confusing, Sakura had to admit. First saying he wanted nothing to do with her in that way, now saying things that had her wondering if she hadn't simply been delusional and heard only what she wanted. Though, she couldn't honestly be sure if it had been what she wanted. And Kiba's warm, relaxed, well toned body pressing against her backside was making her question that even more so.
"Kiba," she whispered, hand coming to smooth over the taut skin on the underside of his forearm. And again, this time a little louder, "Kiba."
"Hmnn," he growled, obviously not ready to get up. But, if her eyes were correct, it was nearing night. They would need to leave soon and why Tenzou hadn't woken them up yet, she didn't know. Better yet, why hadn't he woken her up for her watch? She'd have to be sure to ask him about that later.
She wiggled against the warm body behind her, not for any particular reason, just that he was so damn warm she didn't quite want to get up, even with Tenzou's angry aura hanging over her. Even as she thought this, Kiba stretched behind her, arms moving from their current position and extending over his head. Which left her head to thump against the ground.
"Ow," she deadpanned as Kiba groggily cracked his eyes open, the pink softness of Sakura's hair his first sight. He couldn't resist as he buried his nose into the silky mass.
Tenzou's stringent voice started both into sudden alertness when he spoke up, "Isn't it about time you two got up? We do have a mission, you know. Or have you forgotten about Kakashi, Sakura?" His words were meant to hurt, she knew as much; it was impossible to go as many years as she had as a medic and on a team with her boys to not know when certain words were meant to cause pain. Still… knowing didn't stop the guilt that lanced through her heart.
Much to Sakura's surprise though, Kiba replied with a bark, "Yeah, yeah. We still got another thirty minutes before dusk; don't get so huffy." Barely able to contain her snicker, Sakura grinned, eyes squeezing shut. She thanked Kami her back was to the others, though she was certain Kiba wouldn't mind her amusement.
His voice much calmer now and somewhat guilty, Tenzou said, "Just… get up, would you? We need to discuss some things before we head out. We'll reach Lightning Country today and we'll have to be much more careful. We know the general area of Kumogakure, but it's said to be well concealed. That's why Godaime selected you for this mission, right, Kiba?"
Kiba merely nodded, nose rubbing in Sakura's hair still.
Sighing, Sakura moved to get up, instantly displeased when the warmth left her back. She patted Kiba's shoulder, smiling lightly and saying, "Come on then."
After clambering to his feet still in his current half-asleep state, Kiba meandered along behind Sakura, who made her way over to Tenzou's perch on a low tree branch.
"Well," she started, "we're awake. What's the verdict?"
Hoping down to the ground, Tenzou presented a map of the Lightning Country and pointed. "Kumogakure is somewhere in this area."
"Eh?" Sakura interjected, "Isn't that a pretty mountainous area?" She pointed at the various markers in the area.
Tenzou nodded, "Sure is, Sakura." And then he smiled at her, a genuine smile that told her everything was going to be fine between them, if only for the time being. But she knew, that in the end, she would make it right either way.
"So, lets just get to that area and then I'll sniff the village out. There are bound to be plenty of odors coming from it; it'll be a piece of cake. The only problem might be getting into the village," Kiba explained.
"I suggest we go covert. Dress down as commoners, maybe traders," Tenzou said, tapping his chin.
Sakura quirked a brow at his suggestion, "Okay, but… what exactly are we going to be trading, senpai?"
Her former sensei merely grinned, "I'll tell you when we're closer."
Sakura was utterly tempted to protest, but, she figured she probably really didn't want to know until the time came.
The night was mostly uneventful. Made up of two things - running and short awkward moments between the trio. She couldn't say she fully enjoyed the company for solely that reason, but the Lightning country nearly made up for it.
She loved the gradual change of the temperature. It was cool, but not horribly cold, even at night. The moonlight was plenty bright enough for her to see the landscape slowly altering. From dense forests of oaks and redwoods to sparse pines and firs littering the area. From bright emerald grasses of the fire country, to more lichen type mosses that clung to the less fertile ground in the higher altitude of Lightning. Thick clouds hung even in the night sky due to the elevation and amount of moisture in the air.
Sakura found it to be absolutely enchanting. Unlike Konoha in so many ways, though she had to admit she would never give up her home for anything.
She did, however, audibly gasp when they came upon their first cliff. The sheer plummeting edge of the dark gray stones paired with the small lake below and the greenery blanketed in a soft haze mystified her. She'd never seen anything like it. Sure, she'd seen canyons and great oceans and such. But something about this was just so serene and gorgeous. It almost disgusted her that people that might have captured her sensei in order to satisfy their greed were allowed to live in such a place.
She didn't have long to enjoy the view though as Tenzou and Kiba continued on, quickly leaving her behind.
Jerks, she thought instantly, scowling. They could have at least waited for her. The thought only served to remind her why exactly they hadn't slowed down. Here she was standing staring over an amazing landscape while Kakashi could very well be undergoing intense physical torture. She hated the idea, was completely repulsed by it. If any of them had so much laid a hand on Kakashi she'd destroy them.
Mind once again on the mission rather than the scenery, she wondered about Tenzou's idea for their disguise as merchants as she sprinted after her quickly disappearing comrades.
She caught up to the two men eventually, Kiba had halted, face tilted upwards as he inhaled deeply.
"I smell something," he uttered before shooting off through the trees quickly chasing the scent to its origin.
"Hey!" Tenzou called out in hopes of stopping the Inuzuka.
Tenzou cursed to himself, shit, he better not get too close or our cover will be blown before we've even established it.
Two words - I SUCK... this was oddly enough, so hard for me to write. My mind kept going blank every time I opened the document... so annoying. So, needless to say, it's not a chapter I think very highly of... try to enjoy, haha... but, the story should pick back up after this (not necessarily my updates... been working too much -.-')