DISCLAIMER: I do not own the 'Naruto' or 'Naruto: Shippuden' series or characters!
'DAMNED IF I DO YA! (DAMNED IF I DON'T)'
Sasuke smiled fondly at me as I ran across the room in two strides, and threw myself directly into his arms, wrapping him up in a rib-crushing hug. Naruto and Sakura were both staring at Sasuke, each with different expressions on their faces. Naruto had a suspicious, and distainful expression on his face, while Sakura had a hopeful and eager forgiveness in her eyes. Everybody else were highly surprised to see Sasuke of all people standing in the doorway, forgetting all at once that we weren't in the real world. It was Kiba who spoke out first with angry accusations.
"What's that traitor doing here?" Kiba snarled, baring his teeth and wrapping a protective hand round my wrist.
I turned around and shielded Sasuke with my body as I stared at Kiba with mortification, while Sasuke glared resentfully at him. I felt Sasuke's hand taking mine, trying to calm me down. But before Sasuke or I could talk, voices started raising and angry threats flew across the room at us.
Getting fed up with the constant hostility surrounding me 24/7, I had no choice but to put the calming jutsu on everybody once more. My eyes flashed again, this time more insistently and everybody slumped into states of complete tranquillity, although the looks of hostility and determination to snuff out Sasuke's existence was still plain on nearly everyone's face.
"Everybody calm the fuck down!" I ordered angrily, scowling at my friends who were all trying to sit up after being hit with the whammy.
"We are in ceasefire mode, okay? Sasuke's visit is a once off trip!" I hissed, firmly, my teeth bared and probably looking less than attractive than I had been previously dubbed. I felt my fists clenching and my whole body was shaking.
"You fucking tricked us, Akima!" accused Ino, standing up and pointing furiously at me and Sasuke. I seethed with hatred as I fixed Ino with a homicidal glare as I rose to my full height and prepared to storm over and beat the living crap outta Ino. But to my shock as well as Ino's, Sasuke grabbed my shoulders and locked his arms in an iron grip making it virtually impossible for me to go and tear Ino limb from limb.
"Why don't you shut up for once?" I whispered in a dangerously low voice. Ino instantly looked afraid of me. Good. So did everybody else, especially Sasuke who knew me the best. Let them be afraid of me. I'm not 'little miss push over' anymore. Sasuke and I wanted to break free from his overbearing father, and we've both managed to do this - albeit in two totally different ways.
"I did not trick anybody! I told everyone that there was going to be a 'mystery guest'. But what pisses me off the most is that if Sasuke hadn't walked in and somebody else had, you would treat them differently." Everyone looked at Sasuke, guiltily.
"I can't see why you can't just give him a chance." I whispered, resigned and sighed hugging myself and looking anywhere but at my friends, who seemed touched by what I had just said. Sasuke's hand decended on my shoulder and he started rubbing it soothingly. Naruto stood up from my bed and came over to where I was still standing and shielding Sasuke from any potential angry blows from my hostile mob of friends.
Naruto was stony faced and glaring at Sasuke coldly for several seconds, which was making me feel extremely anxious. I searched Sasuke's eyes and face, and was surprised when I realised that my handsome, blue-black haired cousin was relaxed and had no form of hostility at all. The one thing that hadn't changed was that Sasuke was smirking at my boyfriend maliciously – but he was true to my words and was strictly here for a 'ceasefire' reunion with his former team mates. Eventually, Naruto smiled at Sasuke and put out his hand towards Sasuke, inviting him to take it and shake it. Sasuke looked down at Naruto's hand, suspecting a trick and took it somewhat reluctantly, shaking it and looking up at Naruto's face questioningly.
"I'm game! What about you, Sasuke?" Sasuke's confused expression smoothed into a playful smirk when he realised that Naruto was for once using his brains and trying to be mature and play nice. He shook hands vigorously with Naruto, sealing the truce.
"For tonight. But then things return to normal the moment this vision ends. I haven't changed my plans. And I'm NEVER returning to Konoha."
Naruto and Sasuke stopped shaking hands and then immediately started squeezing their hands so tightly I winced, even if they refused to. Typical bloody males...
"Fair enough." replies Naruto, finally releasing his hand and leading me away from Sasuke as everybody cautiously got to their feet and advanced on Sasuke.
It seemed that Naruto's act of civility had inspired everybody that Sasuke was going to be true to his word. Considering that Naruto had not been slaughtered by Sasuke, point blank. Naruto and I sat down next to each other on my bed and snuggled into each other as we watched Sasuke catch up with his former friends who were treating him with kit gloves and standing at a distance away from him. Sasuke appeared not to mind this at all.
Sakura, who was staring at Sasuke nervously, was sitting ramrod straight on my doona and trying not to be obvious when observing Sasuke. However, she was taken aback when Sasuke caught her eye and gave her a small smile that made Sakura blush bright pink and grin back shyly.
"What did I tell ya?" I teased and grabbed Sakura's hand excitedly.
The second half of the party took off and pretty soon it was as though we had travelled back in time to two years ago and everybody was laughing and sharing jokes and stories like before. Except everybody was still suspicious of Sasuke, despite what I said, and were wary when asking him questions and allowing him to join in their conversations.
Music blared from my iPod which everybody danced and sang along to, and even some of the boys started doing 'air guitars' and similar movements to the embarrassment of their girlfriends and most of the others. Occasionally, couples went in and out of the bedroom to have some moments alone in private bliss – Naruto and I among them. But every time I did this, I always felt frustrated that Sasuke and Sakura remained stubborn about their obvious attraction towards each other.
I mean, poor Sakura was actually too nervous to say anything to Sasuke, for fear of being rejected like so many times before. Even when both of them had plenty of times to be alone together and actually have a conversation or even flirt together. I decided to do something about this. After a few hours of party time, Sasuke broke away from the large circle of boys who had gradually reverted back to their loud, boisterous selves and who had eagerly accepted Sasuke back into their little loop.
I saw my chance.
"Hey, I'll be right back." I promised Naruto and Sakura whom I had been laughing and talking with and kissed Naruto on the cheek as I hopped up from the couch and bounded over to where Sasuke was perched on my couch with his usual bored expression on his face. According to Sakura, who told me later on, Naruto was very reluctant to do this because of what had happened before between Sasuke and I, but Sakura had firmly stopped him saying:
"Let her go, Naruto!" Naruto frowned at Sakura.
"I'm still unsure about Sasuke, Sakura." I heard Sakura sigh before answering with a clipped voice.
"Akima trusts him, Naruto. Besides if you're worried that he's going to hurt her again, remember that Akima told us that Sasuke's attack on her was just a ruse to put Orochimaru off the scent." I looked over at them and saw Naruto roll his eyes and shaking his head resignedly.
"You're always determined to see the good things about Sasuke aren't you?" He said, flinching as he fully expected Sakura to hit him like she always did when he insulted or annoyed her. But she didn't, which surprised Naruto until she saw the sorrowful expression on Sakura's face.
"It hurts too much not to, Naruto." Sakura replied, quietly. I smiled slightly and sat down next to Sasuke on the couch. Sasuke was leaning his forehead on his clenched fists and was brooding about something. As I sat down he stiffened up.
"Ino, if that's you. You've got 30 seconds to get lost." he warned through clenched teeth.
I giggled, feeling Naruto's protective gaze burning into my back. I looked over briefly at him and saw to my amusement that Sakura had given up on trying to distract Naruto and she had been pulled into a conversation by Temari, Tenten and Hinata – whom I noticed, was still staring longingly at Naruto, who was oblivious as usual. I winked at Naruto who smiled back. I turned back to Sasuke who cracked his knuckles when he realised I hadn't moved away from him.
"Does Orochimaru know you're here?" I asked Sasuke, poking him in the shoulder.
Sasuke looked up at the sound of my voice and looked into my face, smiling and looking slightly annoyed. Obviously, he was relieved it wasn't Ino with her usual fawning gaze and constantly trying to rub herself up against him. Sasuke shuddered at the memories. Privately, I wondered if he would have the same reaction if it had've been Sakura instead of me asking him this question. He placed his hand on my arm and squeezed reassuringly.
"He doesn't own me, Akima. As far as he and that freak Kabuto know, I'm sleeping off the training session he and I had just had before going under this vision."
I nodded, understanding.
"Fair enough. How's it goin'?" I asked, pulling my knees underneath my chin and resting it on them.
"I've been to training sessions with Orochimaru more exciting than this." Sasuke drawled in a bored voice and slouched back on the cushions. Ino, when Kiba wasn't looking winked flirtatiously at Sasuke which he pulled a face at and scowled looking away.
"For a guy whose supposed to be intelligent, you're acting really stupid at the moment." I replied disapprovingly. Sasuke snorted in amusement and looked at me incredulously.
"Oh? And how am I being stupid?" he inquired, smirk in place. I gestured all around at our friends with my hand as I replied.
"You're expecting that everybody here won't be pissed off at you for ditching us and Konoha." Sasuke sighed frustratedly as he flung an arm around my shoulder and pulled me close.
"Akima. You're forgetting that I don't care what people think." he reminded me.
How could I not forget? I thought. Then I felt another pair of eyes burning into me. I looked over to where the burning feeling was coming from and grinned in amusement.
"Not even Sakura?" I said sneakily, raising an eyebrow at him. Sasuke looked at my scheming expression and frowned suspiciously. He then looked over at Sakura and I followed the gaze and laughed when Sakura immediately pretended that she hadn't been looking over at us. But the blood flooding her cheeks gave her away instantaneously. Sasuke almost smiled but sighed in irritation and shook his head.
"What about Sakura?" He asked, using a 'not-again' tone. I wrapped my arms around his left arm and moved closer to his ear as I replied excitedly.
"Do you know what Sakura thinks of you?" Sasuke closed his eyes exasperatedly.
"What does she think of me?" He droned, then looked at me with a 'get on with it' expression. I pouted at his expression and he grinned cheekily.
"Thought you didn't care what people thought of you." I teased, trying to get him to lighten up. Sasuke rolled his eyes and snarled through his teeth.
"Akima. I love you, but don't make me hurt you... again." he reminded me, by subtly but gently poking me in my wounded stomach with his index finger. I winced slightly and hit his arm in retaliation. A shadow descended on the both of us.
"What are you talking about?" Sasuke and I looked up into Naruto's face and Sasuke nearly burst out laughing at the expression we both saw on there. It was clear that Naruto was getting jealous at the attention Sasuke was receiving from me. I smiled amusedly and shook my head as I patted the cushion seat beside me. Naruto sank down beside us and took my hand possessively in his, causing Sasuke to raise his eyebrow at the obviousness of the movement.
"We're just talking about Sakura." I replied to Naruto and then indicated this fact by pointedly looking over at her. Naruto nodded and then looked back at Sasuke, waiting for him to start speaking again.
"As for you, Sasuke, don't ask me stupid questions. If you still don't know how Sakura feels about you, I'll explain it to you." I promised. Sasuke groaned in irritation.
"Although, it's so bloody obvious." Sasuke huffed in annoyance.
"You're such a pain in the ass!" I smiled sarcastically.
"Thank You." I drawled, smirking. "That's one of the reasons why you love me, Sasuke." I affectionately punched Sasuke's shoulder and he retaliates by trapping me in a gentle headlock.
"I give! I give!" I begged, laughing as Naruto stiffened beside me. I sat up pulling my fringe out of my eyes and kissed Sasuke's cheek, both of us remembering the many times he used to put me in a headlock to get his own way when we were children. Sasuke smiled slightly, but then sighed sadly and looked away from me, studying Sakura.
"Look Akima. The only thing I can remember about Sakura was that she used to be really annoying, very clingy and ALWAYS agreed with everything I said..." I looked at Naruto who smirked as he remembered.
"So did Ino. Remember that?" I reminded him. Sasuke frowned at Ino who was now making out heartily with Kiba and was oblivious to the attention she was receiving from Naruto, Sasuke and I.
"Yeah. Don't remind me..." Sasuke muttered, pulling a repulsed look due to the slurping sounds coming from the affectionate couple in front of us. I pulled Sasuke's face back to mine, he pulled free frowning at me.
"Plus, Sakura was only thirteen at the time." Sasuke looked at Sakura as I continued talking about her to him.
"A lot has changed in two years, Sasuke. Sakura's more mature, wiser and less wimpy than she used to be, and she's not so clingy any more. And as Naruto and I found out the hard way when Kakashi made us do that bell test again to test our new abilities (Sasuke pulled a smart aleck, unsympathetic face when I mentioned this), she can crack the Earth's surface with her fists."
Sasuke raised an eyebrow when he learned how strong Sakura had become in two years: "Impressive."
"But Sasuke, despite your absence in our lives for the past two years, Sakura still maintained that 50 foot sign with flashing light bulbs projecting how deeply she feels about you that EVERYBODY, except for some reason, you, can see from a mile away." I explained, patiently. Naruto scoffed and nodded in agreement.
"You're telling me..." He muttered and jumped when Gaara, Kankuro, Neji and Shikamaru suddenly laughed really loudly in our ears. Gaara noticed him and came over with this huge grin on his face. Whatever they were talking about must have been really funny.
"Naruto, you've gotta hear this. C'mon!" He drags a confused Naruto off the couch and incorporates him in their group as Kankuro retells his story to a confused Naruto. Sasuke then looks over at Sakura, who is laughing and joking around with Temari, Tenten and Hinata, and took in what I had just said. A thought suddenly occurs to him.
About bloody time.
"Sakura loves me unconditionally even for my faults, and despite the fact that I drop kicked Naruto back at the waterfall, and ditched you and her?" I smiled triumphantly.
"Correct. Sakura adores you. She will always adore you..." I paused, causing Sasuke to look over at me in surprise.
"Even if you kill her someday." I whispered, looking away from him. Sasuke stared at the floor and was forced to take in everything I had just told him. He swallowed uncomfortably.
"Thanks Akima. You've given me a lot to think about." Sasuke looked up at Sakura and flinched when he found himself looking directly into her piercing green eyes that told him that everything I had just told him was 100% true. Satisfied by the expression on Sasuke's face, I got to my feet and moved towards Temari, Tenten, Hinata and Sakura to join their conversation but felt Sasuke instantly grab my wrist, stopping me in my tracks. Looking back, I was greeted by a stern, but incredibly stubborn expression on his cold, bored handsome face.
"Love or not. It doesn't change anything." I groaned in frustration and scowled at him.
"No shit. It never really occurred to me." I said, dryily.
Sasuke raised an eyebrow.
"Wow. Attitude much?" He drawled. I shrugged. "Only around you." I replied, poking my tongue at him and screaming out in surprise when I was tackled by Sasuke who laughed and wrapped me up into his arms. My outburst caused heads to snap towards us, concerned. But when they realised Sasuke was just mucking around they went back to what they were doing. Naruto and Sakura however were staring sternly at Sasuke and watching him very carefully.
"Akima! C'mon, we're playing Truth or Dare!" announced Tenten, waving me over. I got to my feet drunkenly.
"Coming!" I replied, pulling Sasuke to his feet. Both of us winced when a stinging pain flared up from our curse marks. Something was pissing off Orochimaru back in reality. I seriously hoped we weren't going to be having a repeat performance of what occurred back at his lair. Sasuke started rubbing his neck in irriation and I looked questioningly at him, since he knew more about Orochimaru than I did.
"What's Orochimaru pissed off about now?" I asked, under my breath. Sasuke shrugged, not giving a crap about his Master's temper tantrums.
"What's he not pissed off about?" he retorted and strode off towards Naruto and the other boys still absently rubbing away the pain from his neck.
"Play nice with Naruto and the other guys." I called out, teasingly. Sasuke looked over his shoulder at me and gave me a sarcastic look.
"Oh, joy!" he drawled. I scowled at him.
"Stop being rude, Sasuke!" Sasuke shrugged at me, rolling his eyes and sauntered over to the group of laughing teenage boys. I strode over to where the girls were sitting in a circle and sat down among the group of giggle girls who were shooting me surreptitious glances.