Hey you guys!!! Haha I 'm finally back!!!! So first of all I have to thank all of you who had reviewed and favorite my story

THANK YOU GUYS, YOU ARE AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No really guys, thanks a lot…it means a lot for me to hear what you think about what I write. It also gives me courage to keep going.

But before I go on with the story I must thank a person who has been with me since the beginning….

xSushiixCooki3zx

She has reviewed every one of my chapters. I'm really happy you like my story that much.

Well, now the story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Haha

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CHAPTER 9

"DEFENDING WHAT'S IMPORTANT"

By: Sonamyangel

"Yo, guys! I see you guys made it after all" Kakashi said smiling when he saw the teenagers enter the village. He was quite proud of them for making it all by themselves.

"We have more important news, anyways," Sasuke said rushing to the entrance.

"What is it guys?" he said, catching up with Sasuke. Sakura followed closely behind.

"Orochimaru is going to attack the castle, we have to stop him" Sasuke said, greeting his teeth in rage. Kakashi frowned. 'So, his chakra is what I sensed'. "He is looking for something…a necklace I think…The princess is the one who's supposed to have it.

Sakura gasped. "The princess!!! Where is she ??!!" She yelled. Kakashi smiled back at her in a sort of calming way. " I personally escorted her to the palace"

"Where's Naruto?" Sasuke asked. Normally the idiot would be eating ramen or something.

"In the palace, I had a bad feeling when she mentioned the 'advantage' she had when she saw Sakura, and I told him to stay there with her, you know, just in case. Turned out I was right." He said, placing a hand on the back of his head. He glanced back and saw Sakura's arm all wrapped up with Sasuke's bandages. "Sakura, what happened to you?" he asked, halting almost immediately.

"The enemies hurt her. We should ask the guard of the palace and the police in here for backup. We may need it." Sasuke said with a smirk on his face.

He liked to face off difficulties were the odds were not exactly on his favor.

"So, the sound four are at the party too, huh?."

Sasuke looked at him surprisingly. 'how the heck did he know?'

"Yes" Sakura said. Sasuke wasn't answering, so she did it for him.

"I guess we should ask for backup. Sakura, when we get to the castle, you are going to take care of the princess." Kakashi ordered. She had demonstrated that she was able to handle rough situations.

"Roger"

"Sasuke; you, Naruto and me are going to defend the castle." He said nodding to him.

"Got it" answered Sasuke frowning. He was going to kick Orochimaru's ass this time. Little he knew that he was alive only by Sakura's powers.

When they got to the castle, they informed everybody and got ready for battle.

"Sakura-chan!!!" She turned her head towards the voice's owner and smiled widely. Naruto ran over to her. "I'm so glad you are Ok!! I was sick worried about you!!" He hugged her really tight. Sakura winced when he pressed hard against her wounded arm.

"Ah? What happened to you Sakura-chan? who did this to you??!!" He spat. That Sasuke bastard!!! He was supposed to take care of her.

"um…Naruto, this is-"

"No matter who did it. I'm gonna kick their ass, believe it!!" he said, fists in the air. Sakura just sighed. He was surely energetic.

Kakashi appeared suddenly in front of them. "Naruto, you are going to defend the castle with the rest of us. Sakura go and find the princess"

She nodded and ran into the castle's front doors. She ran through a corridor full of paintings of virtue's symbols. Finally, at the end of the corridor, she saw the huge throne room. She was amazed for a second until her gaze stopped at the presence of the princess, who was standing at the end of the room, in front of her huge and beautiful throne.

"Princess, what are you…". Sakura was confused. The princess was frozen on the spot with a weird look. 'Something is not right'. She frowned and searched her surroundings, then from behind the princess emerged a man.

He was tall, had dark hair and a weird looking red eyes that sent chills down her spine. Te headband that shined on his forehead was a Konoha band like hers. 'he looks so much like Sasuke-kun', that was the first thought that crossed her mind, but as soon as she saw the kunai that was pinned against the princess' back, she got into a fighting position.

"Who are you and what do you want with the princess?" she yelled with her fist directed to the front, showing that it was fully charged with her destructive chakra.

The man smiled and disappeared and reappeared at Sakura's back in less than a second.

"Run princess…run!!!!" Sakura yelled as the shocked, but now free, princess stood frozen at the spot. Fortunately for her, Sakura's shouts got her out of trance and she ran as fast as she could to the door. Now she was alone with the man. She smiled. That meant…no holding back!!!

She swung around as fast as lightening with a fist full of chakra directly at his face, but she did a horrible mistake that didn't pass unnoticed by the man.

She looked at him right in the eyes.

Meanwhile…

The princess made it outside safely, but still scared to death, she started screaming at the top of her lungs, terrified. Sasuke, who was there at the moment, rushed to her aid.

"What happened? Where's Sakura?" he asked, kneeling to her side. His face anxious but his tone showed no emotion, whatsoever.

"She…a man…he wants it!!!" The princess was shaking violently and stuttering a lot, but that was enough for Sasuke. He knew what she was talking about. The same reason why they were attacked in the forest, the necklace Orochimaru was looking for and of course, who else could be??? (A/N: rhetorical question :p)

little he knew that the moment he had been waiting for would come before he expected. And he disappeared in a blur.

His eyes were as cold and expressionless as Sasuke's, but the only difference was the crimson of his eyes in which she fell lost the moment she directed her gaze to them. They had trapped her. She was in darkness…absolute darkness. She felt herself being pulled forward but couldn't move her limbs. It felt as if her soul was no longer in her body. The emptiness of her surroundings devoured her as her torture started slowly and painfully.

The man pulled Sakura to him by the waist and calmly reached for her neck, which was partially covered. "Do not even think about it…brother"

A cold and deep voice resounded inside the throne room, making emphasis in the last word he pronounced, as if spitting it out on his face.

"hmp" Itachi gave him his evil but calmed smile. Sasuke felt his blood boil in anger as his older teased his nerves. "Is this girl that important for you?" he asked, his hand falling to his side slowly. Of course he would enjoy some chat time with his baby brother.

Sasuke's anger incremented. He didn't know exactly why, not that he cared at the moment, of course.

Itachi chuckled at Sasuke's scowled face. "Foolish little brother, you need to get rid of those feelings of yours, in order to kill me, that's it."

Sasuke's chakra started to accumulate on his hand in his hand, as the sharingan appeared in his emotionless dark eyes.

"Don't even try it. You know you are not strong enough to even touch me. So don't bother and waste my time" He said reaching for her neck again, only to stop and look at Sasuke with calm eyes. "Did you really think you could fool me?" he said, dropping Sakura to the ground.

"I think I just did" Sasuke said, appearing a couple of seconds before Sakura hit the ground, grabbing her petite form in his arms.

Itachi just stood there pretty calm. As usual. " Very impressive, little brother." His voice was deep and didn't show any emotion but for people like Sasuke, who knew him, he could easily uncover the danger behind his tone.

Sasuke has masked himself with a clone who had the necklace resting on his neck. When Itachi's sharingan had spotted it and consequently dropped Sakura, the real Sasuke had appeared from above and grabbed her.

"Your eyesight is getting worse, I see, Itachi. You couldn't even distinguish me from a clone." Sasuke said proudly, while laying Sakura on the ground. Itachi's genjutsu was too much for an angel girl who didn't even know all the names of all the ninja countries, let alone knowing Itachi's powerful sharingan eyes and the danger they held.

As Sasuke got into a fighting position, Kakashi, Naruto and ANBU reinforcements appeared. The backup had arrived!!!!…well, just one little inconvenient….Sasuke didn't want it!!!

He was enraged by the fact that they were there to interrupt the fight he was so hard training for.

Itachi, on the other hand, was pretty much surrounded. "If you surrender, we don't have to do it the rough way" Kakashi said, earning a growl from Naruto.

"Why do you ask that? You know he is not going to surrender and…"

"Shut up dobe" Sasuke said, eyeing his brother. "None of you have a say on this. This is my battle."

Kakashi looked at Sasuke for his statement. He already knew this was going to happen sooner or later, but he was not expecting this early to be sincere.

Itachi's reaction was pissing Sasuke off. He knew he was going to get away, but Sasuke wouldn't let him. He had awaited this for so long that nobody was going to ruin it, but before the battle started, Itachi just smiled at him and disappeared before anybody could react.

"Well, I think it's better this way" Kakashi said. He didn't want to deal with Orochimaru and Itachi at the same time. Naruto just scowled at the lost of a could be an awesome fight, but deep inside, he knew it was the best too.

After all those fights their bodies were not fully recovered and that could be disastrous. Anyways, they still had to keep on guard on the castle and one by one they were gone. Just Sasuke and Sakura who was on the ground still, (A/N: '_'u) were left. Sasuke's thoughts were full with past memories from his childhood and regrets of not being able to do anything. Not even now.

When he snapped out of his trance, he noticed he was alone in the throne room with the unconscious girl on the floor. He kneeled down next to her and carefully, slipped his arms underneath her to pick her up. He couldn't let her on the ground…well, kinda obvious….

Sasuke closed his eyes and walked outside. The second he stepped outside a maid appeared behind him.

"Excuse me, where can I find a place for her to rest?" Sasuke asked politely. He was sure he was nice enough to his elders and betters, so he could get what he wanted.

"Is that the kunoichi that saved the princess' life?" the maid asked, wide eyed; her hands rested on her chest.

Sasuke rolled his eyes. 'She frickin' fainted!'. Even if this bothered him at some point, he gave her credit to be brave enough to stand to a man like Itachi. He knew more than anyone the power his brother possessed.

"Please follow me, sir." She instructed, turning around. He noticed there was a corridor next to the door he just left to where the lady directed. He followed her inside. They passed a couple of back doors and then entered a huge fancy corridor inside the palace. All of a sudden, she stopped abruptly, almost making Sasuke run into her because of Sakura's weight in his arms.

He sweat dropped, annoyed obviously. At the same time, the maid opened a door. A gorgeous royal bedroom came in sight. The bedroom was beautifully adorned with expensive and antique furniture. The bed was made of wood, and the beautiful design that was at the sides of it was strange, but cute at the same time. It was conformed of rare signs and clouds intercepted. he supposed that they had a meaning for the locals.

A vessel of white silk fell gracefully, slightly touching the ground. There was a drawer at each side of the bed and a big balcony with crystal doors where part of the decoration too. He thought it was too much.

He walked in and the maid left, closing the door behind her. He was left alone with her. Again. When he got to the bed, he bended down and laid her down very carefully.

Somehow the pink haired girl attracted his attention. Not really thinking on what he was doing, he slide a pink lock off her face, letting the light of her face engulf him. Suddenly, he realized what he was doing and pulled his hand away almost immediately. 'What's wrong with me?', he thought, practically slapping himself on his mind. He never acted like that around anyone, let alone somebody whom he just met days ago. He slide his hands inside his pockets and walked out of the room.

The maid was waiting outside for him and led him back to the throne room, and seeing that Sasuke knew his way from there, she left him there.

When he got to the outside part of the palace where he was when he princess came out, he sat down at the edge of the balcony and let the warm summer breeze wash his guilt and anger. He frowned. He wanted to get rid of his feelings really bad. Itachi was right. If he really wanted to defeat and kill him, he needed to get rid of them. They were of no use to him, whatsoever. They never were.

Somehow he was pulled out of his thoughts when Kakashi called his name. He turned around to face his sensei.

"Sasuke, it's late… you should go to sleep" Kakashi said, concern was present on his voice.

"Hn. I'm fine." He said coldly. He didn't welcome the gesture. He didn't need to be babysat by anybody. He could take care of himself perfectly.

He had been doing it really good this past years.

"If you keep overdoing yourself today, you won't be able to keep up with us tomorrow. Just look at Naruto and Sakura, they are resting now so if Orochimaru appears they won't—"

'Orochimaru!!' he thought suddenly at the mention of his name. He didn't wait until Kakashi was done, he just ran to the room Sakura was resting in.

Kakashi wasn't concerned because of his action. "Well, I guess he doesn't want to be left behind by his teammates" he said to the man that was next to him. "Kids" he said moving his head sideways. but when he turned to look the way Sasuke directed, he frowned. 'something is not right'

Sasuke was running as fast as he could. The sound of his shoes echoing on the walls and big rooms as he passed by at full speed.

When he reached the doorknob, he heard slight movement inside the room and he rushed inside. Fear was evident in his eyes as his heart beat was uncontrollably fast and loud. As he made a quick inspection without letting his guard down, he noticed no one was there. The curtains, whatsoever, were being shaken violently by the cold night air from outside. Sasuke noticed the balcony was open and walked towards it to close the doors, shutting the cold air immediately. He was positive he had sensed his brother's chakra when he touched the doorknob. He frowned and was about to throw something in rage when a soft sight caught his attention. Sakura rolled on the bed. He sighed and approached slowly to the bed where the pink haired girl was lying. She was trembling because of the lack of covers. He grinned. He knew from before that she gets cold very easily. He got inside the pink vessel and slid the covers over her careful not to wake her. But when the covers reached her waist, she opened her eyes slowly. He didn't notice as he was already turning around to leave.

"Sasuke-kun?", she whispered.

He looked at her surprised for a second as she sat up on the bed. "Are you ok now? He asked, looking seriously at her.

"I guess so, what happened?" she asked confused.

"you got trapped in a genjutsu by my brother" He answered.

Sakura noticed the change on his voice immediately at the mention of his brother. 'So that's why he reminded me of Sasuke !!!' Sakura thought, as she inquired to herself, 'what the heavens is a genjutsu???'

Sasuke was eyeing her carefully. She seemed lost. His doubts about her came to him again. Sakura noticed this and changed the topic quickly.

"Why did your brother tried to hurt the princess??"

Sasuke was taken aback. He surely was not expecting that and instinctively frowned. "Because he is a traitor." He replied darkly. Suddenly, the memories came back making him shake a little in anger and pain.

Sakura saw him and felt guilty for bringing the topic. He was about to walk away when she seized his hand and pulled him, so he fell back sitting on the bed.

"Why…why are you saying that, Sasuke-kun?" She asked. Even if he didn't look at her, he could sense her concern and worry.

"He is the only reason for my existence. Revenge is my only goal and I will kill him no matter what I have to do to gain power. I will make him pay for everything" He said, gritting his teeth and transforming his hands into fists. She frowned in a worried way. He was sure full of hate and guilt. It was sad for her to see him so motivated by hate. She thought hate was the most despicable thing. It makes you not able to see quite clearly the situation and moves you in the wrong paths. She closed her eyes sadly.

"He killed everyone that I loved, and left me alone in the dark. He made me deal with the loss and guilt when I was just a kid."

Sakura's eyes were full with sadness, that it was impossible not to notice it. She felt horrible for him and wanted to hold him, to let him see that he was not alone. Not now. She sighed quietly as a silence tear escaped from her green orbs, making it way down her face. She sobbed softly making Sasuke turn around to face her. "I'm so sorry" she muttered softly.

Sasuke was moved. This was the first time he felt somebody was truly sorry for him. He could just feel it. Not that he liked the fact that somebody felt pity for him, but her concern was genuine and somehow, deep inside, he thanked her for that.

"Nobody should be forced into a lonely childhood full of hate" she sobbed.

He frowned in deep thought. She was right, but it was too late for him now.

"Sakura-"

"I mean, look at you!! You have no emotions whatsoever!!" she said, a little rougher than she meant to. This, of course, enraged the Uchiha. She had just called him a doll without feelings. The 'consideration' (A/N: that's how Sasuke calls concern) that for once was starting to touch him, left immediately and completely.

"It's non of your business, anyways" he said in the coldest voice he could muster and got up slowly.

"That's why you are helpless" she muttered between gritted teeth. Oh damn, she was mad. Not a good sign. He was not just gonna go like nothing had happened. 'KYA!!!! You jerk!! You are now going to get it, come on , bring it on!!! cha!!!' Inner Sakura yelled inside Sakura's mid her huge fists banging forward and backward at full speed.

Sasuke stopped dead on his tracks, turned around and locked his eyes into hers. "What did you just call me?" ha asked slowly and dangerously.

Sakura frowned heavily. It was as clear as water that both of them were enraged. "Exactly what you heard. You- are- HELPLESS" she said, remarking every word of her last sentence in his face.

He frowned while seizing her. He forced her to stand up only to push her against the wall with a 'thud'. "Do not call ME helpless. You know absolutely nothing about me…" his tone was as dark as it could be. Danger was raising as his rage showed on his voice.

"Tell me, Sasuke, who does?" she shot back, grabbing his shirt pulling him violently. Instead of exploding in rage, he just looked down, as in shame that she was so right. "Sasuke-kun…you can't keep your feelings, your past, yourself from us. It just makes it more difficult for you and for the people who cares for you" she said softly, letting go of his shirt slowly.

He didn't move. It was really hard for him to let his emotions go, but somehow she was right. He just didn't want to admit it.

She whispered his name softly. She didn't mean to hurt him. She lifted his chin with her petite hand and locked her eyes on his.

His eyes focused on hers as a foreign feeling made him close the distance between their faces. It was pressuring him and he didn't know what was it, but he gave in to the need to touch her lips with his own. He was dying to know what they would taste like.

Sakura, on the other hand, was totally overwhelmed by his look. It was so different now. She closed her eyes the moment she felt him get close enough to feel his breath. The soft and hot air that emerged from his lips touched her neck and made her shiver for a moment. She didn't know what she was feeling, but she liked being this close to him and being able to make him understand that there were people who cared for him as much as she did. His nose touched hers softly before moving sideways. She opened her eyes for a second to see his face. His eyes were closed and his face was relaxed, giving him a vulnerable look. She was the only girl who had seen him like this before, but she didn't know; not that she cared anyways…

She smiled sweetly before closing her own eyes, giving in completely to their sweetest moment together. Sasuke's lips touched hers slightly and softly, like tasting the most delicious thing on the world, savoring it slowly to get the full flavor of it. Slowly, anxiously, wanting it to last forever.

Their kiss was soft, innocent and sweet. It was her first kiss and so was his. When they broke apart a minute later, she opened her eyes slowly. Her green emeralds making contact with his beautiful dark gems. (A/N: I'm talking about the eyes '_'U.) She smiled as she noticed the deep crimson blush that covered his face, making herself blush too. 'he is adorable!!'

The moment Sasuke looked up, he saw her smiling and blushing and he understood he must had been blushing too and immediately turned his face away. The silent moment between them was awkward and uncomfortable, when Sasuke suddenly broke it.

"You better rest. Since you are recovered now, it's possible we are leaving tomorrow first thing on the morning." He said with his usual tone.

Sakura's expression changed from happiness to shock. "What?!, but what about the princess and the necklace?? And Orochimaru and your bro-"

"That's not our problem anymore" He said, cutting her off. He was right. After all, their mission was to only escort her to the palace, and she was here now.

"But…" Sakura wasn't familiarized with the ninja policies. 'You do what the mission requires. Nothing less and nothing more." There was no moral on what they did, whatsoever. She sighed. "I just don't feel it's right" she said quietly.

"That's why we are not supposed to show our feelings" Sasuke uttered frowning, with his eyes closed. This was annoying.

Sakura sighed deeply. "That's not right"

"That's how it is. That's what they taught us at the academy. We are merely weapons." He said coldly. He didn't really cared how people saw him. He was used to it. Sakura sighed loudly again and turned around. This was getting them nowhere, really.

Sasuke turned around to face the door.

She put her tomb and her middle finger at the sides of her wide forehead and sat down, shaking her head sideways.

"Try to rest as much as you can. I'll come to get you tomorrow." He said before grabbing the doorknob to get out.

"Goodnight, Sasuke-kun" Sakura whispered shyly.

"Hn" was his only answer, but it was enough. It was a mere sound, but for Sakura, it meant a very clear 'goodnight'. She smiled when she got a quick sight of his grin. He knew she had figured out his style. then, he exited the room.

Sasuke closed the door behind him and leaned against it for a second. What was happening to him was a real mystery to him. He was really confused and, enraged turned his hands into fists so hard that his knuckles turned white. A moment before he got here, he was thinking of a way to get rid of his feelings and then there he was…opening entirely to her and also, demonstrating a heated care for a girl he hardly knew.

"This is bullshit!!!" he growled to himself as he turned to walk to his bedroom.

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Sakura closed her eyes and touched her lips slightly with her fingertips. She sighed deeply closing her eyes, then suddenly, the realization caught her.

Breathing deeply and with her heart racing, she recalled what her boss had said to her:

"He will change so many lives if he doesn't follow the right path"

"I will kill him, no matter what it takes…"

she suddenly gasped. "he… my assignment…is HIM!!!!!"