Author's Note: Well, this is another long chapter. Again, wasn't sure where to end it. Anyway, lots of SasuSaku fluff in this one. I felt like having lots of SasuSakuness, since I've been starving for it. So, the Princess beginning was supposed to set the theme, and this may end up being a two parter. I like this idea of fairy tales and stuff like that for these two. Anyway, here's part one of this two parter. I know it's a bit too soon for Sasuke and Sakura to be falling in love and stuff, but this is when Sasuke starts to develop feelings. And he shows it. But don't worry. They won't admit it to each other yet. Still got tons of other pairings to go through. This chapter's gonna be NatsuHaru, an OC pairing of my own. Not a crossover of Natsu Dragneel from Fairy Tail and Fujioka Haruhi from Ouran High School Host Club or Suzumiya Haruhi from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. Just...So you know. Because no offense, those crossovers fail. Yaknowwhutimean? Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this, and next chapter will be coming shortly. Sorry this one took so long. Another thing, Hatsune Miku FTW.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. I own my OCs. And that's it. Chapter name...I don't own that either. Listen to "Romeo and Cinderella" by: Hatsune Miku and you'll understand. With English Subs. Seriously. Anyway, I own nothing but my OCs. Arigatou.
WARNING: CHAPTER IS RATED M FOR MATURE! JUST THIS CHAPTER! READ AT YOUR OWN RISK! THANK YOU! {And no, this chapter is not a Lemon, Lime, Cherry, or Mango. Had to say that.}
It felt like it was straight out of a fairy tale. Literally. He'd cradled me in his arms as he'd saved me from the dragon that had awoken to dismantle my tower. And I stood there, from the window as he'd slid to a stop amongst the boiling rocks and hollow mouth of the dead dragon, sword in hand, my billows of long crimson-pink hair blowing past my cheeks like scarlet flames. From my tower, my jade eyes had sparkled. My Prince had come to save me. I'd been told by my mother, the Queen of Victoria, that my heart would be rescued by the one with swirling eyes of the darkest ebony in the kingdom. Of course he'd have to brave the blistering heat of the deserts and the dangers of the jungles in order to reach me, but he'd come, she'd said. And here he was. Eyes of the deepest ebony onyx. Lustrous black hair that ripples in the breeze. Lips that smelled of ripe and crimson apples, sweet and enticing. My skirts rippled against my legs as I rested my hand on the window sill, his eyes catching mine. He'd come to me. He'd run to me and take me into his arms, before leaning forward to close the distance after all this time. The magic of this fairy tale wouldn't ever end. Time would stop my heartbeats the instant our lips would meet, and I would fall into serenity, into heaven as his arms cradled me like a fragile castle.
I heard footsteps behind me, and I turned from the sorrowful sky, my Prince stumbling out into the open, the doorway. My heart stopped as he lifted his gaze to mine, vulnerable in all aspects. The light dusting of dirt upon his face blushed into my eyes, blurring my vision as I watched him take two steps toward me, panting out of breathlessness. I wasn't an angel, a sight to behold. I was the crimson princess, the future Queen of Hearts. Haruno Sakura, the scarlet cherry blossom of my mother, the Queen of Victoria's spring field of cherry blossoms. The night was blooming behind me, as the wind ruffled my cerise bangs beside my temples, my jade green eyes barely open as they cried tears of happiness. All for him. I would shed thousands of tears for him, the one who'd saved me from my picturesque nightmare, and cradled my heart in gentle hands as my black lace stung the sides of my ribs. My innocence shattered as he crossed the room, his footsteps breaking the shards of radiance under the soles of his shoes as he walked forward to meet me in the center of my prison. I took one step into his outstretched arms, and drowned. One look from his beautiful eyes could kill. But it was painless, as his lips closed in on mine. Sweetness of the apples that grew in my personal orchard back at my birthplace, the palace of Victoria, my mother, Haruno Sayuri. My tongue danced behind my lips, my eyes narrowed with the yearning that flowed through my veins as he gathered me in his arms, lowering his lips to mine, closing the distance. Our lips broke apart, his onyx eyes hampered by desire, his skin wet as his mouth burned. But the only words he spoke, were the ones I'd been waiting to hear.
"I love you, Sakura."
It had felt so real. That dream had felt so real. I only remembered the feelings of his lips against mine, the grip of his lusting onyx eyes upon my heart, the hollow breaths I'd taken to compensate for my weakness and vulnerability. It had felt like reality, that beautiful nightmare turned fantasy. I rolled over at my mother walked through my bedroom door, my pink hair tousled around my face, as I held my pillow under my lifted chin, my covers tangled around my legs. The black lace that held the straps of my nightgown across my shoulders and covered the line of the tops of my breasts and covered my underwear glowed onyx in the light the open door brought into my gothic Victorian bedroom. An apple landed at my bedside, a ripe and round crimson one, like the one from my dreams. I looked up at my mother with a confused gaze. Was she mad at me? Was I late for school?
"Apple? What time is it?" I mumbled, picking up the apple in my right hand as I wrapped my left around the pillow. She crossed her arms over her chest, and leaned against the side of the doorframe. I blinked my sleepy jade eyes gently. I wasn't in the mood for sarcasm today. At least, at the moment.
"Sakura…You need to stop wearing black lace," she replied, pointing at my short and tight nightgown. I looked down, and sighed.
"Who asked you to look?" I answered, as I took a bite out of the apple, chomping with a soft smirk on my face. My chest did look good in this dress, I will admit. "You are married, and you are a girl, remember?"
She smirked, and lifted her palms up into the air, as I waved my legs up into the air, my covers dropping to the bed with a soft thump. "What can I say? I like it when you wear Lolita. It makes me wish I was young again when I see you wearing it."
I sighed, and tilted my head to the side, rolling it over on itself, as I gazed at her listlessly, like a still doll. "Really?"
"Yeah. That apple's your breakfast. I have to go to the grocery store again," she pointed out with a sideways glance. I ran my fingers through my hair lazily, as I bit into the apple again. She lifted an eyebrow at my lazy and alluring expression. I couldn't help it. I had to tease her, especially after that dream I just had.
"His lips tasted like…Heaven," I murmured, swinging my legs over the side of my bed and taking another bite out of the apple as I crossed my room to the window. My mother snorted, and turned abruptly.
"You're kissing boys at your age?" I turned my head, holding my apple to my mouth and biting it as I shook my head. Where did she get that idea?
"Nope, not yet. I had a dream where I kissed Sasu-" I stopped mid-sentence. It would be obvious if I'd of finished where my sentence was going. I didn't want to accept it just yet. I didn't want to let myself accept the fact that I had a crush on Uchiha Sasuke. That would just be…Horrible. But my mother was onto me.
"Uchiha…Sasuke…Huh?" I couldn't help but nod. It was too late now. I had already fallen, as I'd known I would. Biting the poisoned apple had been the biggest mistake of my life. I couldn't fight it now. She walked over to me, and smiled, taking my face in her hands gently. "My little cherry blossom…In love with someone…"
I jerked backwards, whipping my apple at her in embarrassment as I flushed bright red. "In love? What the hell, Mother, seriously!"
"Don't throw things! And yes, seriously! Just look at yourself!" I averted my eyes and blushing face from my mother, who picked up a mirror from my chest of drawers, and pointed at my self-conscious reflection. "Your face is so pink, so I know it's true! You don't have to hide it from me, Sakura. I'm not going to make fun of you for it."
I snorted. That was a big fat lie, and I knew it. "Yeah, right," I answered, nodding my head as I turned toward the bathroom. She blinked, a hurt expression flashing across her face. I opened the bathroom door, and sighed. "Like he'd ever fall for someone like me."
"Don't say things like that, Sakura. He'll fall for you; you just have to put your feelings out there. Kiss him or something!" I blushed at her suggestion, and stiffened. She paused. "You kissed him already?"
I swung around, and patted the air with my palms, blushing like crazy. "No-No, I haven't kissed him yet! I mean I have, just not on the lips! Look, look, let's just forget this entire conversation even happened!"
"Sakura," she started, as I frantically beat at the air, desperate for closure. I didn't want her to catch on. I didn't want her to figure out my issues, my biggest secret.
That dream was the compilation of all of the feelings I'd had buried inside of me for these past few days. It was Saturday now, meaning three days of school had passed, and each of those days had been exciting for me. I teased and taunted Sasuke, but as I did so, those feelings kept coming up and interrupting the flow of playfulness that guided me. I didn't know what to do. I'd debated between telling him how I felt and keeping it all to myself. But even as I held it all inside of myself, the feelings kept beating at the walls of my heart, begging for release. I had to tell him. Eventually. I couldn't tell him. Not yet. But I had to, because he had a right to know. My face flushed even redder, the scarlet of my cheeks setting off the pinkness of my hair. I was a mess. A strawberry scented, crimson colored, hopelessly in love mess. I watched my mother put the pieces together in her mind, and smirk, turning around.
"By the way, your father just let someone into the house," she drawled as she walked out the door, my heart pounding. It couldn't be. He had no clue where I lived.
"Your point?" I asked indifferently, cocking my head. She smirked, and lifted her index finger to her lips, as her right eye closed. I blushed fiercer.
"Mikoto-san and I are close friends, and she told me about how she has a son in your grade. So, I invited the two of them over for breakfast. Sorry I didn't ask you first," she replied, walking out my room door. I started trembling. Uchiha. Sasuke. Was. In. My. House. Holy. Shit.
"Shower! Clothes! Need them! Now!" I screeched, running around my room. The discarded apple I thrown at my mother stopped me. "Mother!"
"What?" I picked up the lint covered apple, and held it up to her, giving her a crooked expression.
"I thought you said this was my breakfast?" She smirked in response.
"That's the truth. Ladies do not eat in front of men, Sakura. Queen Victoria says-" I balled my right hand up, and crushed the apple in my clenched fist, waving it in the air in front of me angrily.
"TO HELL WITH QUEEN VICTORIA! SHE'S BEEN DEAD FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS FOR CRYING OUT FU-" My mother's glare silenced that thought. "-FREAKING LOUD!" I swung around to my bathroom door, and slammed it behind me. A thought struck me, and I opened the door again. "And for your information, I'm not a lady yet!"
"You're a woman, Sakura. Embrace it. Queen Victoria once said-" I slammed the door shut before she could finish that thought. I was sick and tired of her Queen Victoria crap. The woman was dead. She couldn't "say" anything. I didn't understand why she kept making that analogy. It was both annoying, and disturbing at the same time.
I hopped into my shower after discarding my clothes upon the floor, and immediately lathered my hair up with shampoo. It was refreshing to smell the sweet scent of strawberries and cherry blossoms, and I enjoyed the comfort I felt because of it. But below that sense of comfort and happiness, I was feeling nervous. What should I wear? What could I wear? I thought back on the black lace comment, and flinched at the idea of wearing my lacy things. God forbid he got a nosebleed because I looked hot in lace. I coughed up suds, and blinked my jade eyes shut as the smell of chamomile and lavender that was infused into the water flooded into my nostrils. I felt like a princess, with the way I was pampered. And princesses longed for their princes. Maybe he was mine?
My dream came flooding back to me, the swaths of long crimson hair that had billowed out beside me as I'd leaned my entire front side out of the window, screaming for him to be careful as he took on the dragon. And all through it all, I'd known that he wouldn't fail me. I'd known that he wouldn't let me down. It wasn't in his nature. I'd watched faithfully from the window of the tower, cheering him on whenever I could, praying into my billows of scarlet hair that he'd be safe, that he'd survive. The dragon had been fierce, and yet, with one last jab with his lightning enclosed blade, he'd cut off its head. I washed my body off with soap, and lathered up again, sighing as the feeling of kissing him burned in my veins.
All of the fire, the desire, the lust. It was all as raw and potent as it had been in my daydreams. My heart had blossomed into a spinning cherry blossom flower, my soul swirling inside of it as the words written on the surface of my heart etched themselves into my being. It was terribly obvious now. I knew that he probably could figure it out. I was flirting with him for the past week, and I knew that as well as he did. But he hadn't shrugged me off. He'd allowed me to taunt him, to tease him, and entice him. Whether it was leaning my face extremely close to his so that our lips were practically touching, or laying my forehead upon his and sighing his name through my parted, trembling lips. My heart had been so close, so close, and yet he hadn't taken it. But he didn't reject it either. I smiled as I rinsed off, and lathered up my face with astringent after I put conditioner in my hair. He didn't hate me, as I'd assumed. He actually…Tolerated me?
I still had every intention of staying out of the fight for Sasuke. I didn't care that I had all of these fantasies and dreams about Sasuke and I kissing and making out in burning towers and bubbling waterfalls. I refused to fight for him. It wasn't my style. And I'd promised Ino that I would stay out of it. Regardless of the fact that I now knew that I was in love with him, at the very least I had a huge crush on him, I wasn't going to give in to the side of me that wanted to fight for him. That would go against the girl code, whatever the hell that was. Or Etiquette for Ladies. Whatever the hell that was as well. I wasn't lady-like in any aspect. My style of speaking was sloppy, my fashion sense was too dark and Victorian, my looks weren't sultry enough, and I just wasn't built for it. Sure, I had a good sized bust, and I had nice legs and perfectly sloped hips, but that didn't mean anything to him. Sasuke wasn't out looking for a girl, so I shouldn't even think about getting with him. I knew that if I decided to think about asking him out I'd get hurt in the end. And I wasn't in the mood to cry at the moment. I rinsed off my astringent and conditioner, then shut the faucet off after shaving, and stepped out, wrapping the towel around myself. I huffed at my mirror, and turned the knob, opening the door.
"Sakura?" My eyes went wide, as I lifted my index finger, my right hand lifting from my towel where it had been securing it to stay tied around myself.
"S-S-S-Sasuke…W-Wh-What a-are y-you d-d-d-doing i-in m-my r-room…?" I stuttered, as my right hand trembled in midair. He shrugged, and shoved his hands into his pockets, turning away.
"I got bored. Your mother and mine are so annoying, with all of their girly stories about shops and stores in the village," he explained quietly, as I stiffened, returning to my normal self, crossing my arms over my chest angrily.
"That still doesn't explain why you decided to come up here and disrupt my shower!" I shot back, narrowing my jade eyes. He copped a smirk, and lifted his eyes to mine shyly. Or…What I thought to be shyly.
"I had nothing better to do, and I was bored," he answered calmly, my right hip swaying out to the side as I shifted on my feet. I was trying my best to ignore the fact that the only thing I had on was a towel. And that we were in my room. Alone. All the things we could do.
"You seem to not understand the urgency of this situation, Chicken Butt," I started, tilting my head and lifting my chin, my index finger at the spot under my eyes, my fingertip lolling across the flushed patch of skin lightly. Sasuke blinked his timid onyx eyes, expectant. I smirked mechanically. "I don't have any clothes on."
"So?" I jumped nearly ten feet in the air at the flippancy of his reply. I was naked. In my room. Nothing but a towel on to cover myself, and he was being laid back about it? What was he, made of steel? My body jerked in a muscle spasm.
"H-How can you be so calm about it?" I demanded, crossing my arms over my chest again, as I jumped backwards, putting distance between the two of us. Sasuke smirked at my embarrassed blush, and sighed.
"I don't see what you're getting so worked up about. Who cares if you're naked? At least you're making the effort to cover yourself, unlike some girls we know," he answered. I blushed fiercer. This morning was definitely interesting. I desperately patted at the air again, blushing as scarlet as a tomato.
"No, no! I'm not getting worked up at all! You're the one who was-" I felt something slip. Something warm, wet, and soft. Sasuke's eyebrow lifted up, his onyx eyes expectant. The warm, wet, and soft material that had slipped dropped to the floor at my feet, my back straightening.
Bursts of blood spurted out of his nose, and he struggled to cover it up, screwing his eyes shut tightly as he squealed like a little girl. "Saku-!"
"Eh?" I looked down, then stifled a scream of my own. Of all the times for my towel to come undone. I snarled under my breath as my entire body flushed out of embarrassment. If I had to look at the bright side, at least my lower body was covered. His eyes opened just a crack, another slip. Never mind. I was screwed.
His eyes opened one more time, just as I was tightening my right hand at my naked hip. Without a second thought, I flung my fist forward, and slammed it into the side of his face as hard as I could. "AGGGHHHHHHHHH!"
"Damn pervert," I snorted, pulling backwards as he slammed into the headboard of my bed, crossing my arms over my breasts as carefully as I could. But that didn't help my situation out any. They…rebelled. Footsteps echoed up the stairs, along with a few screeches as my feet touched the carpet under them.
"SAKURA, PUT SOME CLOTHES ON THIS INSTANT!" My mother screamed, covering her eyes on reflex. Uchiha Mikoto screamed and turned away, hiding her face from my naked body. I turned to them, and jerked my arms across my chest out of embarrassment.
"MOTHER! MIKOTO-SAN!" I screeched, dropping to my knees on the floor and clawing for my towel as Sasuke rolled around on my bed, whimpering in pain from the black and blue knot on the side of his face. I desperately struggled to cover myself, making a break for the closet, and grabbing random clothes. Black ruffled skirt, plain white button up shirt, black lace-edged tights, black ribbon, bra, underwear. With the items I needed in hand, I flew across the room into the bathroom, as an eerie shriek rose from my bed.
Once I slammed the door behind me, I flattened myself against the surface of the door, and panted. Why did he have to show up at that time? And why the hell did my horrible tying skills curse me like that? I couldn't help but flush. He'd seen me. No boy, with the exception of my father for obvious reasons, had seen me that vulnerable. It was a hair raising experience that usually went even further in most cases. How close I'd been. But the fact that he'd turned away and covered his eyes was…Nice of him. He hadn't stared like Naruto probably would've. Except for the fact that he'd opened his eyes again, at the same time my towel had fallen to the floor completely. I hadn't been able to contain my anger then, and I'd slammed my fist into the side of his face out of rage. Were all boys this perverted? So much for my thinking that he was made of steel and wasn't affected by anything at all. Some knight in shining armor.
I pulled on my underwear, and slid the skirt on over my hips, smoothing the tiers and ruffles down gently with trembling hands. My cheeks were bright pink as I attached the clasp of my bra and adjusted the straps, before pulling my shirt on over top of it and buttoning up to the third from the top, the steam from the shower transforming my bathroom into a sauna. I swiped on some lotion and deodorant, brushed my teeth, ran my hair brush through my pink locks before shaking them out, my black ribbon in hand. I gathered my rippling cerise hair in my hand, and deftly tied it back, before bending over to pull on my tights. As I finished with putting on my tights, I held my hands out beside myself, and smiled. Aside from the buttons, I looked pretty good. I sighed, and turned to the door, opening it with a twist of the knob.
My mother looked up from the writhing Sasuke, and snarled. "SAKURA!"
"WHAT?" I demanded, planting my feet and standing my ground. "I DIDN'T DO IT ON PURPOSE!"
"TO HELL WITH THAT! LOOK AT THE KNOT ON THE SIDE OF HIS FACE, SAKURA! THERE'S NO WAY HE COULD'VE GOTTEN ONE JUST BY FALLING!" she thundered, Mikoto flinching from the volume of her voice.
"Sayuri-san, it's alright. I'm sure he's not angry with her," Mikoto pleaded, my mother settling down with a soft snarl. I braced myself, and narrowed my eyes. I knew that punching him was wrong, but I'd lost my cool. How could I not? Sasuke lifted his hand out from in front of his boiling crimson left eye, and glared at me.
"LOOK AT MY FACE! IF SHE WEREN'T A GIRL, I'D KICK HER ASS!" I flinched, as Mikoto swung her head toward her son, a scowl on her face.
"Sasuke!" she scolded, her onyx eyes narrowed. My mother turned toward me, and lifted her finger, and beckoned me closer. I had no choice but to obey.
"What?" I drawled, as I walked over. She pointed to the mark on Sasuke's face, and gestured to my hands.
"Heal it." I jerked my head back, and widened my eyes in surprise. She didn't falter. She didn't break. She stared right at me. I slumped my shoulders forward, and crawled up onto my bed with a sullen expression on my face. I reached for Sasuke's face, my hands hovering beside his head.
"Can I…Touch you, Sasuke?" His answering glare was furious, as he rolled toward me, fire spitting from his blazing onyx eyes. But the reassuring pat on his shoulder from my mother softened his anger slightly.
"Hn," he replied, allowing me to lift his head onto my lap. And so there he was, laying his shoulders and head onto my thighs as lightly as he could. He didn't want me to touch him, and I knew it. I couldn't really blame him, to be honest.
"Now, Sakura, I don't want you to leave this spot until you've fully healed his face, got it? And then, after that, I have an errand for you." I jerked my head up, and glared at my mother with as much anger as I could muster. She was so dead to me. Mikoto smirked at her son who was pouting against my thigh.
"Don't look so sad, Sasuke. Didn't you want to be here?" Sasuke snorted, and shut one of his eyes as his face flushed.
"Tch, I can't stand her." My head dropped as if a thousand bricks had slammed into it. My lip curled up mechanically.
"So you can't stand me, eh?" I asked as calmly as I could manage. Sasuke shifted under the green radiance that was my hand on his cheek, and blinked up at me, bored.
"Hard of hearing?" I resisted the urge to punch him in the face again, but just barely. My right hand trembled against his temple, as he blinked those narrowed onyx eyes. My mother rubbed his shoulder soothingly, and sighed.
"I'm sorry for my daughter's behavior. I can assure you, she won't hurt you again after this," she pointed out, throwing me a side glance. Oh how I wanted to punch that side glance off of her face. It was mocking me, glaring into my jade eyes with searing laughter that pissed me off to no end. My hand flattened against his cheek, his eyes softening a bit.
"Hn," he answered, Mikoto giving him a slight look.
"Sayuri-san, why don't you and I start on breakfast? Mamoru just left, so wasn't that our cue?" My mother jumped to her feet, and lowered her index finger to me threateningly.
"Sakura, you stay right there and hold him as close to you as possible. Apologize before I come up and get you, understand?" I let my head hang, my eyes locking together with Sasuke's smoldering onyx ones. He still wasn't very happy about my beating his face off. I didn't blame him. I heard my mother's footsteps stop by the door. "Oh, and by the way…"
I lifted my head, my pink hair sliding past my cheeks. "What now?"
"You really have grown in the past few years!" I flushed, and pulled my shirt downward, embarrassed. Sasuke's nose bled once more, as Mikoto and my mother's heads slid toward each other, their eyes glued to one spot in particular.
"WHAT THE-?" I jerked my shirt back up, and buttoned the buttons as fast as I could, Sasuke's eyes narrowed as my hands flew all over the place, his nose bleeding profusely. My mother and Mikoto busted out laughing on the floor, and Sasuke trembled as he struggled to suppress his laughter. I glared down at him from over my chest, my own glare burning his smirk to ribbons. "SA-SU-KE!"
"Don't be stupid," he retorted, turning his eyes away from me. I jerked from a muscle spasm out of surprise. He glanced back at me with one eye. "Now, are you going to heal me, or not?"
"S-Shut up!" I exclaimed, my cerise side bangs bumping against my temples, my face blushing bright pink. "I'll heal you when I feel like it!"
"Suit your own self," he replied, turning his eyes away as I swung my head toward the window.
"S-Sasuke?" I started softly, unsure of where I was going. Sasuke sighed, and looked up.
"What?" I swallowed, and lifted my index finger to the spot under my eyes, and shifted nervously. What the hell was I thinking? CHA! I'll tell you what I'm thinking, Chicken Butt! I'm beautiful, shannaro!
"Do you…Think I'm pretty?" He widened his eyes, and rolled over onto his back, much to my surprise. A soft smirk curled his lip up, and he blinked once.
"Hn," he answered. I blushed, and my jade eyes throbbed. CHAAA! What does that mean, douchebag?
"Am I…More like a woman to you then?" His smirk grew brighter, as my hands fell onto the sides of his face, green fire enshrouding them.
"Hn," he repeated, much to my annoyance. SHANNAROOO! ANSWER THE GODDAMN QUESTION, MORON!
"Sasuke!" I cried, lifting my left hand to my heart tightly as I tossed my head. "Do you have a crush on me?"
His eyes didn't move. Didn't widen, or narrow. He just smirked. "What?"
"D-Don't play with me!" I exclaimed, my left hand balling up as I jerked it away from my chest, my pink hair shielding my glistening irises. "I want to know!"
"Don't ask me that yet, Sakura," he murmured gently, grabbing my left hand softly. "At this point, I still can't stand you."
My jade eyes widened as his fingers wrapped around my wrist, and lightly pulled my palm back to his wounded cheek. "S-Sasuke…"
"That good enough for you?" he asked, his eyes taking on their dull and bored glow whenever they looked at me. It meant that he was annoyed. Forced with no other option, I nodded my head once.
"I guess," I answered, the small knot on the side of his face slowly but surely fading from his cheek. "Anyway, did you actually want to come here?"
"None of your business," he retorted, as I swirled my palms across the sides of his face lightly. He looked up at me with threatening eyes. "What are you doing?"
I smirked, and leaned my face downward, resting my forehead close to his. "I'm healing you. Isn't that what you wanted?"
"Don't get so close," he ordered, lifting his hand from my wrist, and planting it on my chest. My heart rose to meet his palm, as his eyes widened. "S…Saku..ra…"
I smiled through my flushed cheeks, and held his wrist against my heart. "Tongue-tied?"
His cheeks flushed bright pink, and Sasuke shut one pulsing onyx eye and turned away before I could catch it. "Tch, you wish."
"Whatever," I replied teasingly, sticking my tongue out at him playfully as I pulled backwards. His lip curled up into a soft smile, as I ran my fingers across his cheeks again, checking for other wounds and abrasions. When none came up, Sasuke's smirk faded.
"You finished?" I nodded in response, Sasuke's onyx eye bright. He lifted himself up, and turned toward me, clearly uncomfortable. "Th-Thank you."
I smirked, and cocked my head. "It's no trouble, Sasuke-kun."
"Don't call me that," he shot back, lifting himself from the bed and walking toward my bedroom door. I followed, stifling laughter. He swung around, and flung me a glower. "WHAT?"
"N-Nothing! You're just kind of cute when you're angry!" I blurted out, and immediately regretted my words. But Sasuke's smirk made it all worthwhile.
"Whatever," he pointed out, opening the door. I balled my right hand up, and took a deep breath, rearing backwards.
"QUIT SHRUGGING ME OFF!" I screeched, slamming my fist into his side. Sasuke as a result tumbled down the stairs, as I swung my fist back to my right side, and stomped toward the stairs as he rolled down them head first. "THAT'S WHAT YOU GET IDIOT!"
"SAKURA! GET DOWN HERE!" Sasuke rolled over onto his back, and panted, flinching as he coughed. Mikoto ran toward Sasuke as I snarled from the top of the stairs, crossing my arms over my chest, steam blowing out of my ears and nose. My mother slammed her foot into the floor. "NOW!"
I pushed off from the stair case, and front flipped forward, my arms up over my head, my knees glowing with chakra fire. "SA-SU-KE!"
"SAKURA!" I didn't listen. My knees slammed into his gut, his eyes widening extremely wide as he broke my fall. Dust and wood rose up from the ground under his back, as I slid my knees off his abdomen and planted them beside his elbows. I grabbed his collar in my hands angrily, and hauled him up off the floor.
"WHY DO YOU ALWAYS ANSWER ME WITH "WHATEVER" OR "HN"? WHY DON'T YOU EVER ANSWER ME LIKE A NORMAL PERSON?" I started, his onyx eyes barely open. Mikoto and my mother took a few steps back as pieces of wood flew through the air around us. "Why do you always shrug me off? What do I mean to you anyway? Why do you always act like I'm such a pest? Am I really that annoying to you?"
He snorted, and three black dots spun from his pupils, dragging ruby light behind them. "WHY DO YOU ALWAYS PUNCH ME WHENEVER I DON'T ANSWER YOU THE WAY YOU WANT? ARE YOU ALWAYS GOING TO BE THIS WAY? WILL YOU EVER CHANGE? GROW THE HELL UP, SAKURA!"
"DAMN JERK!" I cried, swinging my right fist across the top of his head, Sasuke's glare frightening as he snarled up from the floor.
"Quit hitting me," he ordered, as I stood up from the ground. I bit my bottom lip, and leaned my hand down to him as he rubbed the back of his skull, his eyes widening. "Sakura?"
I smiled, and tilted my head, shutting one eye playfully. "It's just a hand."
"Sakura, I want you to heal him-" Sasuke glanced over at my mother, and shook his head, eyes narrowed.
"I'm alright. You don't have to baby me, Sayuri," he answered, as I pulled him to his feet. I took a step backwards, and let go, knotting my hands behind my back. His glare rested upon me next. "And you…Stupid Forehead…"
"That's enough Sasuke, Sakura. Why don't you two go out and get some fresh air?" Mikoto suggested, taking my hand and leading me toward the door. My mother looked over, and nodded.
"Sakura, make sure you stop at the candy shop. We're out of sugar, cinnamon, ginger, mint, and pretty much everything. Got it?" I slammed my foot into the side of the table angrily.
"WHAT THE HELL AM I? A SLAVE? GET YOUR OWN DAMN SPICES!" I thundered, eyes white with blinding rage as I pulled on the knee high ebony boots by the door.
A hand clamped down on my upper arm, and hauled me toward the door. "Quit your complaining, and let's go."
"Whoa, Sasuke, not so hard!" I exclaimed, stumbling toward him as he started toward the door, his onyx eyes narrowed. "Sasuke!"
"Just shut up!" I widened my eyes, Mikoto and my mother staring at him, slack jawed. His lone ebony eye glared back at me. "You're so annoying."
"Me? Annoying? You're tripping me!" I complained, much to his annoyance. Sasuke snapped his teeth together, and pulled me toward him just as the door slammed shut behind me. My hands slammed into his chest harshly, as he swung my legs up, and secured me in his arms. My pink hair swished beside my face as I wrapped my arms around his neck loosely, and stared at him, wide eyed.
His gaze was even, as the wind rippled his black bangs into his ebony irises. "Will you be quiet now, Sakura?"
I couldn't speak. I couldn't breathe. This was the second time he'd held me like this, bridal style no less. I could feel the curve of his right wrist under my knee caps, the security of his left arm against my back. And even on my doorstep, with passersby stopped to gawk at the two of us, his touch remained. His onyx eyes maintained the contact with my throbbing jade ones, his heartbeat held steady against my right side. I couldn't help but revel in his presence, his closeness. I wanted so much, but the spellbindingly hollow look in his eyes stopped me. I watched my pink strands of hair lick at the sides of his face, my jade eyes locked in his mesmerizing irises, my heart beating rapidly in my chest. I could feel the strong and steady beating of his heart as well, but the smell that blew off of his lips touched my senses. My eyes limply closed, as my lips parted, breathing it in instinctive to me. Temptation rose, butterflies long dead awoke, as my feelings swirled to the surface, dancing under my skin. My lips trembled, as I slowly opened my eyes into soft, round emerald orbs. Vulnerability radiated from each and every pore along my skin, and I hated it. But I couldn't help it. He had me at his mercy. As always.
"S-Sasuke…" I hated how my voice trembled just then. I loathed it from the bottom of my soul. His lip curled up into a smug smirk.
"Good. Now let's go," he answered, hopping down the stairs. I widened my eyes as he held me level in his arms, and even as he landed on the ground, I wasn't jarred at all. He walked out onto the sidewalk, and started toward the candy shop, glancing forward for a split second, before returning his gaze to me. "Are you alright?"
"Do I look hurt to you?" I asked without hesitation, Sasuke's black eyes smiling slightly.
"Whatever," he replied, turning back to the sidewalk. I smirked, and watched the passersby gape and or stare. But Sasuke didn't seem to care. He just kept going, facing straight ahead. I bit my bottom lip, and barely closed my eyes.
"Sasuke." He turned toward me, stopping at the corner. "Put me down."
"You're trembling," he pointed out, his grip tightening ever so slightly. I ignored my shaking, and shook my head.
"I'm fine-" His forehead came down on mine, his lips coming so close, but hesitating before they could fully press against mine. My eyes widened, then quivered.
"You're trembling," he repeated softly, his breath billowing over my face. "Stop it."
I jerked my head back, and regarded him in bewilderment. "Wha-What?"
"I don't like repeating myself," he pointed out, before reverting back to his normal bored demeanor. I blinked, and nodded once.
"O…kay," I answered, lightheadedness washing over me for a split second. He was close. Much too close. But I only came even closer. Our faces were mere centimeters apart now, and even Sasuke blushed at the sudden lack of distance between us. "Keep holding me."
His lip curled up. "I'm not holding you. I'm carrying you to keep you quiet."
"Same difference!" I shot back, my eyes narrowed playfully. He sighed, and turned back to the sidewalk.
"Whatever," he replied, and kept walking straight toward the candy shop.
Despite my previous nervousness, I was enjoying my current situation. The scowling looks on the girls' faces were well worth my previous embarrassment. I was being cradled by Uchiha Sasuke, the hottest guy in the entire village. No, scratch that. The entire world. Sasuke was so hot, that the sun was millions of degrees below zero in comparison. I shook my head, and screwed my eyes shut tightly. No, I couldn't act like a fan girl. I was in his arms now; I had to act lady-like. I had to be controlled, disciplined, and calm. If I overreacted by the slightest degree, I wouldn't put it past him to drop me flat on my ass. Especially after the past few stunts I've pulled. I was surprised that he was even holding me this close to him at all. He was so vulnerable right now, and yet, his walls were completely destroyed. I couldn't see anything guarding his heart from my wandering irises, my lips inching closer to his. I sighed, and pulled back again. I had to make up my mind. This closeness was enough. Enough for now. I looked back, facing straight ahead, and narrowed my eyes as Nakamura Haruhi sauntered out of the candy shop, a sullen look on her face.
"Who's she?" Sasuke asked in a quiet voice, as I bristled. I snarled under my breath, and blinked.
"Nakamura Haruhi. She's dating the owner of this shop's oldest son," I muttered, as Sasuke came to a stop a few feet away from the shop.
"Misaki's brother Natsu?" I nodded, as he put me down carefully, my arms falling from his neck. My left hand slapped to my hip almost the instant I landed on the ground, as I tensed my right hand at my side.
"Natsu's been dating her on and off for years now, since I've been a little kid. I think she's the biggest bi-" Sasuke gave me a one-eyed look. "-witch in the entire village, but no one listens to me when it comes to these things."
"Has she done anything?" he asked smoothly, turning to me. I crossed my arms over my chest.
"Would I be complaining if she hadn't?" I shot back, leaning toward him. Sasuke snorted. I reached out and slapped him. "IDIOT!"
"Quit hitting me!" I took a step backwards, crossing my arms over my chest again.
"Jeez, you're so stiff," I muttered breathlessly. Sasuke lifted his hand from the red mark on his left arm, and snorted again.
"You're so stubborn," he answered, before turning back to the shop. "Your mother has a long list of things we have to get, Sakura. Might as well get it done."
"Sasuke," I started, before swinging toward him, my skirt rippling at my side. He blinked. "You don't get it."
"Don't get what?" I lifted my index finger toward the bristling Haruhi, her tensed fists, her pouting expression.
"Natsu…Must have dumped her. Again. Haruhi's never gotten so worked up before, but I've seen her this angry only four times. And each time, the reason was Natsu." Sasuke narrowed his eyes.
"Your point?" he replied, clearly bored and uninterested.
I sighed, and grabbed his collar again, starting toward the shop with exasperated huff. "Come on…"
"S-Sakura, let go of me!" I gripped his collar tighter, and hauled him behind me, passing the sulking Haruhi, who turned and glared at us.
"Take good care of your boyfriend, Sakura," she started, her eyes narrowed angrily. I glanced back at her, Sasuke's black hair blocking my sight. She choked on a sob. "Or else they might leave you!"
I narrowed my eyes, and smirked slightly. I'd been right. I smiled gently, and nodded. "I'll be sure to keep that in mind when I get one, Haruhi-chan."
"Sakura? Are you there?" I turned toward the voice, my fingers curled around Sasuke's collar in a death grip. The disheveled hair of Tamura Natsu appeared from the doorway, and he smiled at me brightly. "So it is you! And you've brought…Uchiha Sasuke? Wow, I never thought I'd see his face around here again. Especially after I kicked his ass."
"Go ahead and try it again, you son of a-" I turned quickly and jabbed my free hand into Sasuke's gut, the boy slumping toward me. I released his collar and held the panting Sasuke against me as I turned back and smiled.
"Hey Natsu-kun," I replied, holding Sasuke gently. Natsu glanced at the flinching boy in my arms, and back at me, completely ignoring Haruhi's sobbing and tears. "How are you today?"
"I've been better." He glared right at Haruhi, his eyes suddenly icy. I blinked, and tilted my head to the side, slightly confused. What had happened between them this time? I pulled Sasuke closer, and took a few steps toward the shop, and smiled at Natsu.
"Do you mind if I take this idiot inside?" I asked sweetly. Sasuke's choked snarl scratched against my collarbone, rumbling against the side of my neck. He was fighting to stay conscious. Natsu gave me a skeptical look.
"What did you do to him?" he asked, confused. I lifted my right hand and stroked the back of his head gently, smirking callously all the while.
"Just paying him back, with interest," I answered, Sasuke's exasperated breathing fading slowly from the side of my neck, his lips parted against the smooth skin of my throat. Almost like he was a vampire preparing to bite. I wouldn't put it past him to bite me out of spite. Natsu smirked, and nodded.
"You'll never change, will you? Alright, bring him to Misaki," he suggested, taking a step away from the doorway as I half dragged, half carried Sasuke into the shop awkwardly. I hadn't had time to put him on my back. I didn't have the strength to carry him. And besides, a little dirt in his shoes wouldn't hurt, right? "I'll deal with Haruhi."
I swung my head back toward him, my eyes wide. "Deal with her? What the hell happened, Natsu?"
"Just leave it…" I swung toward the new voice, the door slamming shut behind me. The heap of blood on the floor coughed, and sobbed. Sasuke's cheek dropped to my shoulder, my eyes flashing toward him. I'd hit him too hard?
"Misaki, are you alright?" I asked, dragging Sasuke toward her. She lifted her face from the bloody spot of her left thigh, gently pulling at the shards of glass buried in her flesh. I hugged Sasuke close to me, Misaki's eyes wild.
"That bitch…She knocked one of the displays on the table over on purpose. I saw her do it! And Natsu…He walked down just as Haruhi "dropped" the biggest shard of glass into my leg. She tripped me, and stabbed me! All because I get in the way of Natsu and her quality time!" Misaki sobbed, pulling at the shards of glass with feeble fingers. I tightened my right hand into a fist, and shifted Sasuke, gripping him tighter.
"Haruhi…Stabbed you? For that reason? Are you serious?" I dropped to my right knee beside her, heedless of the glass that jabbed into my leg, lying Sasuke across my back in one fluid movement. His head rested against the left side of my neck this time, his breathing soft and light against my collarbone.
"I'm positive. She had this evil glint in her eyes when she did it. Oh Sakura, my life is such a mess," she cried, bursting into tears as she pulled out the last shard. I lifted my hands away from Sasuke, and rested them across her wound, my fingers glowing with emerald fire.
"Your life isn't a mess. You have me, Daisuke, and Natsu. And even this moron right here!" I answered, leaning my face into Sasuke's soft raven colored hair. Misaki glanced over at him, and touched his face gently.
"Is this…Uchiha Sasuke? What did you do to him?" I smirked, and buried my lips into the luminous black cocoon that enclosed them, smiling softly.
"I paid him back, with interest," I repeated, Misaki's lips curling up into a soft smile.
"I see. You haven't changed, at least," she answered, wiping at her eyes. I nodded my whole head once as I turned toward her.
"Yeah. Anyway, are you hurt anywhere else?" I asked, concern flooding my voice. Misaki glanced upward, and shook her head.
"No, I'm not. Thankfully. But is Sasuke alright?" She poked and prodded the sides of his face anxiously, clearly concerned. I rolled my eyes, and sighed. Why did everybody all of a sudden care about Sasuke? Sure, he was my partner in crime, but still. This was too much.
"For the last time, Sasuke is fine." The breathing along the side of my neck strengthened. Then arms wrapped around my stomach, and tightened.
"You want to explain to me why you punched me?" That was fast. I turned my head to the burning onyx eyes at my temple, and smirked.
"You were getting a bit wild, so, I quieted you down." His eyes narrowed into tight ebony slits. I just glared right back. Although furious, his embrace felt wonderful.
"Well then, glad to know you're alright, Sasuke," Misaki pointed out, slowly rising to her feet. Sasuke and I glanced up at her, and I stood up, helping Sasuke to his feet with a gentle grip on his hand.
He, in turn, wobbled and lost his balance. "Sakura!"
"You're getting soft," I pointed out as I hauled him back up on his toes, Misaki giggling quietly. She'd seen us at the beginning, back when I was spitfire and he was the lone wolf. Granted, we were still the same as back then, but much more…What was it? I couldn't tell.
"Soft my ass. You punched me!" I lifted my palms and smirked.
"You left yourself wide open," I started, much to his annoyance. "And I decided to take advantage of the opening. What's wrong with that?"
"Need you ask?" I jerked my head back at the huskiness in his voice. His gaze held emotions. Feelings. Desires. And yet, he was still angry.
"Whatever," I answered flippantly, folding my arms over my chest, and turning around. It was only then that I noticed the screaming that was echoing outside.
"YOU TRIED TO KILL MY SISTER!" Natsu shouted, Sasuke and I's eyes widening at the same time. Misaki burst into tears again, falling to her knees on the floor. Sasuke dropped onto the floor next to her, emotionless, yet full of emotion at the same time.
"I DID NOT! I DROPPED THE PIECE OF GLASS BY ACCIDENT! WHY DO YOU ALWAYS ASSUME THINGS LIKE THAT? IT HURTS MY FEELINGS!" I swung my head toward the door, and took a few steps toward it, tightening my right hand. Shadows danced across the window, which I knew to be a crowd gathering. But what didn't make sense was Misaki's part in this.
"I'm going out." Sasuke's head bobbed as he nodded.
"I'll let you handle it," he replied flatly. I narrowed my eyes at him.
"I find your lack of faith in me very disturbing," I answered tunelessly. Sasuke's lip curled up.
"All the more reason to relish my lack of faith, since it disturbs you." I huffed, and reached for the door.