::animeaddict99:: Sooo…my Beta is nowhere to be found. O.o That means this story will be unbeta'd until further notice. That stinks…doesn't….it….yeah.

If anyone else is interested in becoming a Beta for this story, please tell me! It would be appreciated a lot!

In other news, I've recently become DeiSaku OBSESSED. I'm basically Saku-anthing obsessed, but I've just read the most amazing DeiSaku fic ever…

It's called Let's Love, by Sinister Voices, and it's pure genius.

Ehem…so it actually kind of mused me into writing this chapter.

Fluff ahead!

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Chapter Seven

Mission Status- No Pity Needed

Fate Determined By Luck

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She awoke with a 'thud'.'

The 'thud' being Uchiha Sasuke dropping her from his grip.

"Oww…" muttered Haruno Sakura, rubbing her sore bottom. Considering she had drifted off into a deep sleep about mid-way into the journey, this was a rude awakening. She blinked her jade eyes slowly, a blurry picture started to shift into a clear one.

She was home and at the gate of Konoha with Sasuke at her side. She had dreamed of watching Sasuke walk through the gates…but not like this. Her kimono painfully rode up her sides, revealing her thighs. Placing her hands in front of her, Sakura thrust herself to her feet, peering over at Sasuke, whose dark cloak covered his body.

"Well," Sakura began, biting her lip periodically, "are you coming in, Sasuke-sama?"

The figure moved slowly toward her, as if not knowing what direction to go in. Seeing as Sasuke had made it this far- blinded- it surprised her that he didn't know his way now.

"Give me your hand," Sakura began to say slowly. "I'll lead you through town."

Quietly, Sasuke shakily reached his arm out, patiently awaiting for his hand to be taken by hers. When it happened, he seemed to flinch, which was a small surprise for Sakura. She was so used to seeing him being cold as stone, but this was different. Sasuke was bending, self conscious, even insecure.

Sakura slowly reached the gate, passing through easily, for the guards had seen her previously, and she was a well-known ninja and medic through out the village.

For the first time in awhile, Sasuke spoke. "Where are we going, Toreishii-san?" he asked quietly as he felt himself being gently pulled by Sakura's side.

Sakura thought carefully about her words. "…to my apartment," she mentioned.

The scene of Konoha as Sakura strolled, whirled around her head. She hadn't been there in awhile, and she was happy to be home.

She didn't want attention thrust upon her, or Naruto's loud, "Sakura-channnn!" filling the air, so she quickened her pace, dragging Sasuke with her.

X,X

They reached Sakura's apartment in five minutes flat. The teenager slid her fingers under her doormat, pulling out a spare key, and thrust it into the door, the entry unlocking. "Please," Sakura muttered kindly. "Come in. You're welcome here."

Anytime, baby… Inner Sakura chimed.

Sasuke followed obediently, trying to sense the presence of any upcoming furniture in his path.

Sakura lead him with her hand and voice. Tugging him gently, she stated, "Gomen- I have no comfy couches or seats. All I have is some wooden ones, or- oh!" Rushing with Sasuke in her hand, Sasuke tripped forward, stumbling to follow her.

"Here," Sakura stated quietly. "I'm sure you're tired. It's late." She patted the bed in front of them. "Take the bed. You look exhausted." Sasuke didn't move. He didn't seem to know where the location of the bed was.

Chuckling quietly, Sakura placed one hand on each of Sasuke's shoulders and led him to the bed. "Here," she offered. She was feeling almost like his personal nurse, treating him to carefully. "Sit."

Sasuke sat quietly on the edge of Sakura's bed as the pink-haired girl bent before him, pulling off his shoes. Standing in front of him, a blush covered Sakura's face. "Do you need help taking off-"

"No," he replied nonchalantly as he untied his own obi, his shirt easily off of his shoulders. The red on Sakura's face doubled as she excited the room.

"Uh…well…" she stuttered, "good night!"

With that, she exited the room as flushed as ever.

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The night passed slowly as Sakura sat on the roof of her house, staring at the stars in the sky. The feelings she harbored for Sasuke seemed to be larger now than ever. This new side of the missing-nin intrigued her, but it also created a source of pity for the boy. But Sasuke had never been the one to let others pity him. So why was he being so accepting of her care-taking now?

A sigh excreted from Sakura's mouth. If only Sasuke could see…both physically and mentally. If only Kabuto had the power to heal Sasuke's eyes…or if only he was willing, she might be able to persuade him to return to Konoha.

Okay, okay. To tell the truth, Sakura had no idea how the restoration of Sasuke's eyesight would aid her, but the pity that she harbored for him was only increasing. Sasuke had barely anything in this life. Maybe he'd be happier if he had something as important as his eyesight back in his life.

It was decided then. Haruno Sakura, former apprentice of the amazing Tsunade, would heal the eyes of the Uchiha Sasuke.

Enough minutes passed for Sakura to assume that Sasuke was asleep. Creeping back inside the house, Sakura peered over at the sleeping nin. He seemed so calm, so like himself. A small smile formed onto Sakura's lips as she approached the bed and sat next to where he slept. Reaching her palms out to his black orbs, Sakura closed her eyes and gently pushed chakra into the pupils, trying to sort out the mess that had formed.

After awhile, Sakura's hands began to ache, and she retreated the chakra, a sigh escaping her lips. "This might take awhile," she thought, rising from the position. Checking to make sure he was still in a slumber, Sakura stole a kiss on Sasuke's pale forehead, and left the room to instigate some sleep of her own.

X,X

The next few days seemed to pass by quickly. Sakura had gone out to get her hair cut, visit comrades, heal Sasuke's eyes, and do a little grocery shopping, leaving Uchiha Sasuke bored and alone. Sakura had gone to check up with Tsunade, who had been surprised by the loss of so much hair. Nevertheless, Sakura reported her findings, including Sasuke's blindness, her invitation to stay, and Kabuto's part in the plot. Grateful to see her pupil, Tsunade wished Sakura more luck, and Sakura departed back to her apartment.

The night of her third day in Konoha had appeared, and Sakura stumbled into her apartment with two bottles of beer in her hand. "Sasuke-sama," she called, "I brought you some booze!" She laughed as she slapped the liquor into his hand.

"You're drunk…" Sasuke observed, popping the cap and bringing the ice-cold alcohol to his lips.

"Nooooo…" Sakura protested, "I'm just a little tipsy…" Giggling, she plopped her self down on her bed next to him, also taking a generous gulp of the liquid. "I mean, like, it's sooo annoying that everyone's all like, you're drunk, what's wrroongggg? I, like, and then, I'm like, nothing has to be, -hic-, wrong! Can't I just drink?"

A blank stare appeared on Sasuke's face as he sighed and took his second sip. "I mean I'm stressed, but that's like- I dunnno, just, yeah." Sakura dropped her empty bottle to the ground and gave another sigh, trying to gather up her senses. "I'm just tired and stressed, and I want everythin' to be, -hic-, like it used to be." Her voice trailed off as Sasuke began to speak.

"You mean you don't want to be with Orochimaru?" Sasuke brought up.

"Hell no," Sakura whispered, looking down at the floor. "He's, -hic-, disgusting, -hic-, and perverted, -hic, and-" Sakura paused, "a monster."

"You don't act like that usually," Sasuke retorted.

"You don't defy Orochimaru," Sakura stated matter-of-factly, "unless you want to die…or if you have somethin' he wantssss."

Sasuke peered toward her voice, a look of pity showing on his face. "Run away," he stated kindly. "I'll cover for you. I'll tell him you died-"

"No!" Sakura erupted unexpectedly. She peered sideways, averting her gaze from his. "I-I-…" she spoke. She was not going to reveal this mission…especially not him.

The next statement was not the truth of the situation- but it wasn't necessary a lie either.

"If I left…" Sakura said quietly, her hands clasped together, another small hiccup escaping her lips, "…I'd probably never see you again."

A look of surprise appeared on Sasuke's face. Sakura stood up to leave the room- but tripped on the empty beer bottle she had dropped earlier. Her body seemed to fall towards his in slow motion, his knee in between her legs. Out of instinct, Sakura pushed her arms forward to catch herself, but in turn she pushed Sasuke over onto the bed. She was mortified by the position she was in now, however comfortable it was.

"I-I'm sorry Sasuke-sama, I-"

She was cut off by an arm that was thrust around her neck. Sakura panicked.

"Sasuke, I-"

The next thing that happened surprised both of them.

He kissed her.

It was unexpected, defiantly enjoyable- but incredibly unexpected.

It was surprising he had found her lips, but he had, and he was in control.

Sakura's eyes remained wide open with shock. She had not expected her small sentence and fall to create such an…em...intimate position.

When she didn't respond to Sasuke's lips on hers, Sasuke sat up, lips still connected, forcing Sakura to sit on his lap, his…well…warmth touched her leg, and he continued to wrap his other arm around her waist, gently pressing harder on the maiden's rosy lips. A small moan escaped from Sakura's lips, egging Sasuke on.

Sakura's mind was boggled, but her body and heart seemed to cancel out her mind, and she placed a hand on Sasuke's obi, and one into his hair, instigating a kiss of her own.

Seeing this action as an, "ok!", Sasuke pried Sakura mouth open with such feeling that Sakura felt her stomach tingle. Tongues began to tangle, strange sounds began to echo, and Sasuke quickly won a war of dominance.

The kiss ended as quickly as it had started, and it was Sakura who pulled away, panting.

She placed both hands on his chest and questioned him.

"Why?" she asked in a whisper.

Sasuke looked down, a blush covering his face. "Hn," he responded. He didn't seem to know himself what the reason for this attraction was.

Sakura gave a genuine smile that hadn't appeared since before this dreadful mission began.

"Idiot," she muttered, giving his a playful punch to the chest.

"Hn," he agreed, falling back, a slightly happier aura filling the air of the small living quarters.

Laughing, Sakura fell forward back onto him, using his chest as a pillow. Being as drunk as she was, she was asleep in a matter of minutes.

She had finally gotten what she wanted.

And he didn't even know who she really was.

Well, satisfaction always has a price, right?

Only time would tell, and Sakura was hoping for more of it.

X,X

::animeaddict99:: Aiii! I loved writing the kissing scene.

So, things are really rolling now, you know? That scene kinda inspires me to do a fanart of my own piece of fanart. I can almost picture it. :P

IMPORTANT

I'm having a FANART CONTEST. All you need to do is draw a piece of fanart about this story for me…and you will be put in the running to win a one-shot by yours truly about ANY two Naruto characters. This contest will be running until the END OF THE STORY…which isn't that far away. I'm estimating a 15-ish chapter story.

Anyway, good luck! HINT:: Couple-y pictures are loved! (The ItaSaku scene, KabuSaku, SasuSaku, heck, even OroSaku). DO IT! You knoow yoouuu waanntt toooo.

And don't forget! If you're looking to be a Beta, I need a new one!

Love you all!

PLEASE REVIEW!! I have more alerts than reviews right now. Oo