Another Monday has come around, my friends. And I seriously just want to thank all of you :) I've only done 6 chapters (not including this one) so far, and I've already received 53 reviews! To many, that might not seem like much, but to me it means so much :) Thank you to everyone who has reviewed :D

I've been informed that it is Halloween. Happy Halloween! I was never allowed to dress up... :( All that candy...Never to be nommed... I hope that this is a good Halloween present for all you amazing people who can put up with my excessive authors notes :)

Annnnd... I'm a beta for my author friend, Rainless. Her stories are great :D 'For What it's Worth' is hilarious, and 'A Cup of Rain' is going to be amazing once the plot hits full ball :) Seriously, go check them out, they're really good :)

And because I did get a huge amount of reviews for the last chapter, the thank you's will be down the bottom today :P But still... THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

You guys are seriously amazing. Sad that no one thought it was Gaara, but you can't win 'em all. Bet you won't see much else coming... I hope :) Oh, and... I've actually got to make Karin... Human. Please don't hurt me, it's hurting me too! Who ever heard of Karin as human, and not some psychotic, insane, bitchy, stupid and possessive demon witch alien... Thing? Meh. And in this chapter... I'm trying to be funny. I probably failed, but it's the thought, right? :P

Disclaimer: I (don't) OWN NARUTO!

Chapter 6

.:{*}:.

Little Imperfections

March 7th

Dearest Diary.

Sasuke's engagement to Ino has been announced, and I think that it is clear to everyone except Ino that he is unhappy about it. I wonder what could have possibly have made her so blind? He has been coming to me more and more recently of late, and when he does see me, he takes me many times. I feel disgusted with myself for this. He is engaged! The first few times, I pushed him away of course. I said to him, 'how dare you come to me, when you hold promises to another?' He merely shrugged away my protests, and took me anyway. I should resent him for that, but somehow, I cannot.

I do believe that I have made a friend. She is Ino's serving girl, and her name is Karin. She is against this marriage as well. She says that Ino will be bad for Otogakure, and I must say that I agree with her. Ino is spoilt, and will do anything to get her own way.

My mind seems to be overcome with thoughts, lately. I think about home; Neji and Lady Hinata. I think of my father. I think of Yue, Mikoto and Fugaku. I wonder about their deaths. I think about Itachi, and wonder about the amount of affections he is always bestowing upon me. I think of Gaara, and I wonder why he is always staring at me with those unreadable eyes.

But most of all? Most of all, I think about Sasuke.

The man sat on his bed, frustration eating away at his soul. He had been trying desperately to see Sakura. To speak to her. Enough time had passed so that he wanted to rip his hair out. It was March already. March! He should have been able to get a hold of her by now.

He knew, of course, that Sakura was sleeping with Sasuke. Who else in the court of Otogakure was named 'Sasuke'? No one. He knew that his master would not be pleased; his master wanted her pure.

The man had seen Sakura around plenty of times, and that frustrated him all the more. Whenever he could have gone over to her, he was either on duty, or she was with others. If he were to leave his post, he'd be fired, and that would seriously put a dint in his plans to speak to her. If he were to approach her whilst she was with another… It could have consequences that wouldn't be ideal.

He had gone back to her room at night time a few times, but it seemed that that bastard, Sasuke, was there every. Single. Fucking. Time.

The man was distracted by a flash of pink outside his window, in the gardens.

Sakura.

She was sitting by the pond again.

But this time, she was alone.

Without wasting any more time, the man abruptly stood, and left his room.

Sakura was tired. And sore. Kami, she was sore. She didn't think it was physically possible for one person to have so much stamina! Sasuke had a habit of proving her wrong, though. She wondered idly if he was taking some form of drug. Because, honestly, she just didn't think that it was possible for one person to be able to have sex that much and not need a break.

Twelve times. Twelve times in one freaking night! How was that even possible? Sure, she enjoyed his ministrations. Well… 'Enjoyed' being an excessive understatement. Closer to 'loved', 'craved', 'desired', 'lusted after'… But twelve times in a night wasn't just crossing the line, oh Kami no. Twelve times in one night was taking the line, snapping it in half, pouring acid on it, putting it through a shredder, crushing it with an elephant and dropping it into a volcano!

And she wouldn't even have been so angry and sore if it was just the sex that went twelve times. No, after each… 'Round', so to say… He would have her orgasm to make himself hard again.

So, if she did the maths right, she could presume that she'd had at least twenty four orgasms the previous night. Not only was her pelvis and surrounding area hurting, but so was her head.

If he came to her that night – which he undoubtedly would – she was putting her foot down (or closing her legs) at two, because she knew that he wouldn't just settle for one. Hell, if she (or his stamina, which it seemed, did have a limit) let him go as much as he wanted, he'd probably be ravishing her right at that moment. And all that day. And all the next night. And all of the next day. And probably for all foreseeable days and nights in the future.

What the hell was he trying to do, anyway? Trying to set a fucking record? Trying to have her as many times as humanly possible before matrimony consumed him? Trying to sate his lust for sex before he was married, so that he wouldn't feel the need to have sex with Ino once he was married? Trying to… No, he wouldn't… He wasn't trying to impregnate her, was he?

That son of a bitch! She was sure that that's exactly what he was doing! Well, sucks to be him, because she was taking certain medicines to prevent pregnancy from happening. Oh, she was so going to confront him that night. And there was no way in hell that he was going to even touch her, unless he answered.

Smug, she started to relax underneath the warmth of the sun. That is, until she heard a voice.

"Sakura?"

She turned her head, wondering why that voice sounded so familiar, and her eyes quickly alighted upon the red haired boy who had tried out to become a guard.

"Do I know you?" She asked him politely, and he looked around carefully.

"Would you follow me, please, Sakura? I need to speak to you."

She nodded, before following him. There was something about his voice, something in the way he stood, which seemed so familiar to Sakura. She just couldn't put her finger on it. He led her to a more secluded part of the garden, before turning to face the roseate.

"Thank Kami that I've finally gotten a chance to speak with you," said the boy, turning to face her.

Sakura gasped with shock.

Gaara wandered the extravagant halls, trying to keep a certain pink haired girl out of his head. He couldn't explain his desire for her. He'd never felt so drawn to a woman before. He'd seen women who were prettier, and he'd seen women who were far worse than she. But somehow, this one just stayed in his head.

Sakura.

She was infuriating! How could one girl have so much power over him? He thought of her day and night. Whenever she was within the vicinity, he would have to stare at her. Let his eyes roam her petite figure, her tantalising lips that held a natural pout, her curved nose, her fiery viridian eyes, her soft pink locks, the natural blush on her creamy peach skin, the curve of her breast…

He wanted her. He wanted her like no one else. She was Otogakure's prisoner, under the protection of the two princes, but it didn't matter to him. Why should it?

Oh yes…

Prince Uchiha Sasuke. Even one who was blind, dumb and deaf would be able to tell that they had history. Fortunately for Sasuke, his bride-to-be seemed to have the intelligence of a slug, and was thus oblivious to the obvious sexual tension between Sasuke and Sakura. How far that history went, Gaara was both curious and hesitant to find out. If it was subjected to no more than a few drunken nights where lust had overcome their sense, then Gaara could live with that. He just had to have her.

But what if it was more? What if she were some sort of mistress, or concubine? What if he warmed her bed most nights?

Begrudgingly, Gaara felt that he could live with that too. But only if once he started to have her, then nobody else would touch her.

Gaara smirked to himself.

It seemed that this wedding would gain him more than just an alliance.

Karin walked the halls, a smirk plastered on her face. She was finally free from her pain-in-the-arse 'Lady', - for the moment, at least – and so, could push aside the simpering idiot she pretended to be in Ino's presence. She was currently making her way towards her new found… Acquaintance, she supposed could be an adequate term. Compared to her 'Lady', Karin did possess an IQ that wasn't in the negatives. Admittedly, she could be immature and childish at times, but in general, she knew some of the best ways to manipulate a person. Not that Karin was trying to manipulate Sakura! Well, not much, anyway. She just wanted the wedding called off, and she knew exactly how to achieve that.

Karin wanted Sasuke. Plain and simple. Black and white. There were no 'ifs' or 'buts'. She wanted Sasuke. She had desired him for a number of years. Karin wasn't naïve enough to believe it to be something as weak and foolish as 'love'. No, her desire was purely lust, just like basically everyone else's was. She couldn't name one single female in the whole palace who wouldn't pass up an opportunity to get into Sasuke's pants, even if it were for just the one night. Of course, Itachi was a fine catch also, but Sasuke… Sasuke just had a certain pull about him. There was something about his persona that made pretty much all women hornier than a bitch in heat. And Sakura was the lucky 'bitch' whom Sasuke had found a particular taste for. Naturally, Karin just wanted to… Take advantage of the friendship that Sakura seemed eager to build. Just call in a few friendly favours.

Ever since Karin had called Sakura over to her that day she'd hidden in the bushes, Karin knew that she'd made the right choice. Sakura was an innocent girl, with good intentions, and obviously completely naïve. She was ignorant of the manipulation that could pass as everyday banter in the court. And unfortunately for Sakura, Karin was well practised in the manipulation. Of course she never intentionally did anything to hurt anyone with her manipulations. That would be just cruel! Taking advantage of another's ignorance… That just gave her an unfair advantage! And after being caught up in a few manipulations with true masterminds, Karin knew which one excited her more. Of course, it was always funny to watch an ignorant run around in the dark, but it was even better to watch a mastermind fall. Hence, Karin would, for the moment, leave Sakura out of her larger schemes, and only use her to… Help… Clear the path of a few obstacles. Namely Ino. Sakura need never know what was happening. And besides, by December, Sakura would be dead anyway, so it would hardly affect her in the long run. If anything, Karin was making her last nine months a bit more exciting. There was nothing wrong with that, surely?

The red head turned into the gardens, and upon not seeing Sakura seated at the pond, frowned. Where could the roseate be? She wandered the gardens, wondering if Sakura was just running a bit late, before hushed voices met her ears. She wouldn't have bothered listening if the words 'Get You Out' weren't swept by her ears with the passing breeze. Curious, she wandered over to the voices and hid in a bush. Knowing that her red hair stood out like a sore thumb, Karin had to refrain from seeing the faces, and instead tried to piece the identity via voice. She easily picked out the female voice: It was Sakura. However, she had no idea who the male was.

… "But how did you get here? Does… Does he know that you're here?" Sakura whispered, her voice desperate.

"With a shit load of patience I don't usually possess. And yeah, of course he knows I'm here! He sent me!" The unknown man responded, his voice as muted as Sakura's. Karin had to strain to hear what was being said.

"But how will you get me out? They say that they won't set me free unless I reveal my Lady's location – assuming she's still at the safe house. Is she still there?"

There was a short silence, in which Karin could only presume that the man was making some form of physical movement.

"But even after all of that, how are you planning to get me out of here? I can only leave my room if I want to go to the gardens. Otherwise, I must be accompanied! I honestly don't see how this will work." The girl's voice sounded sad. Defeated. As if her greatest wish had been denied after she was only seconds away from receiving it. "Of course I'll help in any way I can to escape. But I can't get my hopes up too high. I only have until December. Then, all I face is torture, until I either speak or die. I am so afraid, yet at the same time I can't bring myself to feel the fear. It's for Hinata's sake, so I will endure it, and take death when it comes. But I think I'd be a fool to not feel fear, wouldn't I? I crave home so desperately, but I cannot get my hopes up that I may return. If I don't return, and I allow myself to hope, then I feel that the pain from that would be too much. If you do help me escape, then that'll be all the more joy to my heart." Karin could almost feel the sad smile upon Sakura's rosy lips.

Karin heard the man sigh. "You can't give up, Sakura. I'll get you out of here, I promise. Just you wait and see. I will get you out of here. I'll get you out or I'll die trying." The man's voice sounded so sure, so certain, Karin wondered if he'd even thought about the possibility of failing. 'Probably not,' she mused. She heard Sakura laugh softly, the sound carefree.

"I thank you for your faith. But I have to go now. I'm meeting a friend." Karin took that moment to dart from the bush and go somewhere inconspicuous, lest Sakura start to suspect her of eavesdropping. Karin was a bit annoyed at what she'd heard. She wasn't planning on telling anyone. If Sakura wanted to escape, then let her. All it would do was get her out of Sasuke's bed, and possibly into her own. No, the thing that annoyed Karin was the possibility that Sakura would escape before the marriage could be cancelled. That would just be troublesome. She saw Sakura sit back down on the bench and walked over to the roseate, wiping all the annoyance from her face and replacing it with a welcoming smile.

"Sakura, dear. How have you been?" She cooed, sitting beside the pink haired girl. Sakura offered her a smile in return.

"Well, thank you. And yourself?"

"Fine, fine," Karin replied, flicking her hand in the air as if her answer was of no concern. "How has your day been?" Her voice insinuating more meaning behind the simple question.

The rosette's cheeks flushed a pale pink, and she quickly averted her emerald eyes from the red head. "The same as any other day." Karin could tell how hard Sakura was fighting to keep her voice normal, but she knew that it wasn't easy.

"Sakura, it is no secret that you are sleeping with Sasuke, so there is no need to be embarrassed. I've had my fair share of men, so you can speak your mind about it." She watched from her peripherals as Sakura's face flushed bright red, putting her hair to shame. But there was also a slight longing in her eyes, and Karin immediately knew what that longing was: Sakura wanted to talk about her night time escapades. "Seeing as you are quite obviously far too embarrassed to talk about it, I'll ask the questions. How good is he?"

Sakura choked slightly on her spit, but managed to (hopefully) hide it with a large hacking cough. "Sorry," she apologised for the cough. "I had a bit of none-of-your-damn-business stuck in my throat." She offered a large grin up to the red head, and said girl chuckled lazily back at her, before giving a cough of her own.

"Sorry, I had a little bit of bullshit stuck in my throat. I'm not stupid Sakura. You want to talk about it, and I'm offering my ear. I won't judge you, so just tell me. How good is he?"

Sakura was still bright red when she stuttered out her answer. "Uh… He's… He's really… Really… Good." Aside from her mortification of telling another person about her own personal sexual endeavours, Sakura felt… Good, being able to speak to another about it. It felt good being able to talk to someone, and feeling as though she wouldn't be judged. Wouldn't be dubbed as a 'whore', or a 'harlot'.

"See, now we're getting somewhere." She smirked at the girl, before continuing her questions. "What's his record?"

Sakura's orbs leaked confusion. "What do you mean?" She asked, and Karin sighed.

"What's his record for taking you in one night?" Sakura's cheeks coloured once again, and she mumbled an out an answer. "Sorry? Didn't quite catch that, sweet cheeks."

Sakura cleared her throat. "Twelvetimesinonenight," she gushed, and Karin just blinked at her.

"That's great, Sakura. But answering in English will really help with this communication issue." She looked smug as Sakura's shoulders slumped.

"Twelve times," she murmured. "His record is twelve times in one night."

Karin just stared at the roseate, flabbergasted. "Twelve… Twelve time?" She eventually spluttered. "Is that even humanly possible?" She eventually managed to ask, and Sakura's face seemed to radiate from her flush of embarrassment.

"Apparently so," she muttered. "I'm personally wondering if he's on some sort of drug."

Karin couldn't help but laugh at that. "I wouldn't think so. He's probably just suffering from a serious case of 'Ino – itus'. It's not uncommon. Anyone who has to spend an unbearable amount of time in her company, or, in Sasuke's unfortunate case, spend a lifetime with her, has to deal with the depression in any way possible. In Sasuke's case, it probably just gives him a massive sex drive. Anyway, when did he do this?"

Sakura flushed again. "Last night," she said, and Karin gaped at her.

"I'm trying to decide on whether I should feel jealous or sympathetic. On the one hand… You slept with Uchiha Sasuke twelve times! On the other hand… You had sex… Twelve times in a row. You must be in some terrible pain." Sakura could only grimace at the red head as if to say 'you have no idea'.

"Well, moving on," Karin continued, "how big is he?"

Sakura choked on her spit, and Karin had to thump her back to stop the poor girl from suffocating. "What?" Sakura eventually managed to gasp meekly.

"How big is he?" She repeated, and Sakura turned her head aside.

"I… I don't think I really -"

"Oh come on, Sakura. Lighten up! You said he was good in bed. That could mean anything! He might just be really good at head. All I'm asking is this: Is he a tiny little twig, or could you put a coat on that thing, shove it on a horse and cry 'giddy up!'?"

Sakura's hands by now were covering her flaming cheeks. Her eyes were closed and she was just mumbling "I am not having this conversation. I am not having this conversation…"

Karin snickered. "Sorry, toots. You are having this conversation, and you will answer the questions. Don't be so scared about talking about it. I don't care, and you'll feel better about it if you do talk. So come on, spill."

Sakura just shook her head. "I don't really feel comfortable talking about this…"

Karin sighed again, this time in agitation. "Okay, is he bigger or smaller than five inches."

"B… Bigger…" Sakura stuttered.

"Six inches?"

"Bigger…"

"Seven?" Karin raised her brow in surprise.

Sakura made a choking noise and pointed up with her index finger.

"Eight?"

Sakura scrunched up her face in humiliation. "That's about it."

"You lucky bitch! My biggest was only ever seven inches! How the hell did you snag that?" Karin was in a state of shock. Seriously, eight inches would dish out some incredible pleasure. "More to the point, how did you keep that? With a cock that big, I'm surprised that most of the women in court haven't raped him." Karin was so preoccupied by her ramblings that she didn't notice the sad look that painted itself on Sakura's face.

"I 'snagged that,' back when he was still fighting against my home, Karin San. I 'snagged that', because if he didn't take me then I would have been raped by most of the men in the war camp. I 'kept that', because he was my first, and I have had none but him. Hence, I haven't caught any diseases from other men. I am not only humiliated because I have slept with him, Karin San, but because he took my virginity when I was meant to save it for my marriage bed. When I wanted to save it for my marriage bed. He took my virtue, and now I will be lucky if any man finds me desirable again. He has dishonoured me. If I should ever go back to Konoha, then I would be lucky to ever find a husband. Who would want me, when another man has had me, out of wedlock, with my permission? I am tainted, Karin San. I had a man back in Konoha whom I had cared deeply for. Whom I had wanted to marry. He probably would have been able to ignore the fact that I had slept with a man to keep my Lady safe, but I doubt he could forgive me after I have continued to sleep with said man. Back in Konoha, I would be considered a whore. My name would be spat upon, should I ever go back. Sasuke bedding me is nothing to be rejoiced. I do not regret the act. I have had many chances to say 'no', and I have not. But if I could bring my virginity back, I wouldn't hesitate to do so," Sakura said, her voice forlorn. Her eyes were averted, but Karin could hear the tears that Sakura was trying desperately to hold back.

Karin watched as the roseate rose from the bench, and silently made her way back to her room. The red head's face was impassive, yet thoughts were swirling around in her mind like a swarm of angry bees. She was jealous, oh Kami was she jealous! Not only was Sakura sleeping with the man whom she had long desired, but Sasuke could obviously dish out some incredible pleasure. What's more is that Sasuke didn't look like he would willingly leave Sakura's bed any time soon.

She left the gardens, her mind in overdrive.

Sakura had a secret. A personal one. It wasn't life altering, it didn't hurt anyone, but it would cause her extreme mortification if anyone found out about it.

Whenever she was alone, she would go to the bathroom, strip off her clothes and stand in front of the mirror. She would try and see what everyone else saw when they looked at her. She felt that the mirror could show her all of her insecurities. All of her little flaws. On her bad days, she would rant on about all of her imperfections. On her good days, she could find something she liked about herself.

That day was a bad day.

Sakura knew she wasn't ugly, but she couldn't find the will to describe herself as pretty, either. There were too many little imperfections.

She couldn't help comparing herself to other girls. Like her Lady Hinata, for example. Hinata was the image of beauty. Her dark, waist length hair that was streaked with blues and purples. Her eyes that put mother-of-pearl to shame. Her rosy lips and her creamy skin, which was always adorned with a rose petal blush, especially in the presence of Naruto…

There were the ladies of the court. Their hair was always beautiful and glossy, done into intricate designs that probably took hours. Their figures automatically lowered Sakura's self-esteem. Their skin was so beautiful; not a single scar to mar their flesh.

Sakura looked down at her body, and grimaced at the few scars that dotted it. She could remember where she got each one; there was the scar on her right palm that she had made when herself and her Lady Hinata had mixed their blood, to become blood sisters. There was the burn mark on her thigh from when she had accidentally spilt the tea on herself whilst serving it at dinner one time. There were a couple of scars littered all over her from the assault off the brutes from the camp. And there was the stab wound near her stomach. Sakura could clearly recall the day she received that.

.:{*}:.

'Sakura Chan?' Hinata called softly, and watched as her pink haired best friend walked into the room.

"Yes, Hinata Chan?" Sakura asked quietly as she lowered the tea cakes onto the small wooden table top.

Hinata lowered her eyes slowly, her cheeks heating up slightly with embarrassment. "Are you going to the markets today?"

Sakura looked at her Lady, perplexed. "Why yes, my Lady. Why do you ask?"

Hinata's cheeks coloured further, leaving Sakura to look at her with questioning eyes. "Could you take me with you?" Hinata's eyes were averted completely from Sakura's gaze. "I know that I am not supposed to leave the Hyuuga compound, but at the same time, that is the exact reason I want to. I am so curious about everything… If you were to tell my father that I was just having an afternoon nap… I could dress in some of your clothing, if you'd allow me… I'm just so curious as to what is out there. Please Sakura Chan, take me with you." At the end of her speech, her eyes were focused intently on Sakura, the pearl orbs pleading with the roseate.

Sakura sighed softly. "Hinata Chan, this could be dangerous. What if you get found out? Your father would have my head! And the markets are not the safest of places… It is full of crime. I don't know, Hinata Chan…"

"Sakura, please. If my father finds out I will take the blame for it. I am so tired of these same four walls. I crave a bit of freedom."

Eventually, Sakura gave in to Hinata's request, and an hour later the two girls walked into the crowded market place of Konohagakure. Hinata was dressed in a pale blue dress that went to her knees, whilst Sakura was in a green dress of the same style. Both had short sleeved white shirts under their dresses. Hinata stared at everything in wonder, completely intrigued by all of the stalls and the different people. Smells permeated the air, creating an interesting blend of meats, baked foods, spices, incense, materials and garbage. Sounds rang out in a sort of deafening drone, ranging from the idle hubbub of the crowd to the vendors screaming out the deals that they were offering.

"Alright, Hina Chan, I have a list of things that we have to buy." The girls had agreed that calling Hinata by her full name could be dangerous, as someone may recognise her. Hence, they had decided to go with her shortened name 'Hina'. "First off we need some apples. Cook wants some because he's making an apple pie for dessert tonight." Hinata nodded at her friend and stuck close by her side as they wound through the crowd.

An hour later, Sakura's basket was filled with apples, fish, breads, rice, and beef. "Hina Chan, I still have some ryou left over, and we have a bit of time. Would you like to get a bun from the baker?" Hinata quickly agreed, and the two girls went over to the baker where they bought their treat. It was as they were sitting on a stone bench that trouble struck. A man came up behind Hinata, holding a knife to her throat.

"All of your money, all of you food. Now," he ordered the girls. Hinata's face had drained of blood in fear, and she was staring at Sakura with terror struck eyes.

"Sakura Chan…" She gasped, and Sakura acted quickly. She pulled out a small pocket knife from the folds of her dress and held the blade to the man's temple.

"Let her go, and no one needs to get hurt," she bargained.

The man was dressed in rags, and obviously desperate. His skin was filthy, and covered in dirt. His eyes were wild, darting around like rabbits trapped in a cage. "No, no, I want your money and your food. Give it to me, or else she dies." He cocked his head towards Hinata, and Sakura fought to stay calm.

"I can't do that, sir. I can give you this bun, but that is all. No one needs to get hurt."

The man was getting skittish, more and more paranoid by the second. Sakura likewise, could feel her heart beat rapidly increasing. She'd been in a few of these situations, and that's one of the reasons why she was hesitant about taking Hinata out. She knew from personal experience that if you gave them the food and money they'd kill anyway to get rid of witnesses. If you could calmly rationalise with them, there's a chance that they'd let you go. This man, however, was different. He was desperate. Sakura could see it in his eyes. Acting quickly, she moved the knife away from Hinata's neck, whilst pushing Hinata to the side, out of harm's way.

The two rolled around, Sakura trying to take the knife away, and the man trying to bury the blade in her flesh. Passers-by stopped in front of the scuffle, a mix of fear and indifference in their eyes – You could tell by their expressions which ones rarely came to the market place.

Sakura didn't think about the crowd as she wrestled with the stranger. She didn't think about anything except how to keep the weapon away from Hinata. So when the knife bit into her just above her left hip, she didn't immediately register the pain. It wasn't until the man scurried off her and ran into the crowd, and Sakura was lying on the ground that she noticed the blood.

And the pain.

Her vision wavered, teetering on the edge of darkness. She registered Hinata running towards her, and her arm being slung around Hinata's shoulders. The rest was black.

.:{*}:.

Sakura shook her head at the memory. She'd nearly gotten fired for that, and it was only at Hinata's insistence that she had kept her job. They had been foolish back then. Only fourteen. The click of the bathroom door and arms around her waist alerted Sakura to where she was and what position was in.

"Sakura," Sasuke purred, "nice to see you're already ready." He lowered his head to lay a chaste kiss on her collar bone, quickly working his way up with more heated kisses.

"Sasuke, I need to –mmph!" Sasuke had finally found her lips and had taken full advantage of their open state. He broke away to attack her neck again, and Sakura tried to fight the haziness of lust to speak to him. "Sasuke, can you just wait a minute?"

"No," he rasped whilst removing his shirt.

"Sasuke, please listen to me for a minute," Sakura asked him while trying to keep her hormones in check.

"Later," he said impatiently, pushing her back into her bedroom and kicking his breeches off. He gently lowered her onto the bed, kissing her lips furiously. He brushed his hand down her side and skimmed his finger along her treasure before he smirked. She was soaked. Without wasting a further second he aligned himself and pushed straight into her. Sakura gasped and arched into him, all thoughts of coherent speech suddenly wiped from her mind.

.:{*}:.

"Sasuke, could we please talk now?"

"Hn."

"Sasuke, what the hell are you trying to pull?"

"Hn."

"Don't you dare even think about doing that again until I've said this."

"Hn."

"Sasuke, if you're trying to kill me via excessive sex, then congratulations: I'm a walking corpse."

"Hn."

"What I'm saying is… Sasuke, you can't have sex with me as much as you currently are. I mean… Do you realise how sore I've been all day?"

"Hn."

"What the hell are you trying to pull, anyway? If you're trying to set a record, then I think you managed that after the tenth round. There was no need to prove your point another two times."

"Hn."

"If you were trying to prove that you have a ridiculous amount of stamina… Point proven!"

"…"

"Sasuke, you'd better not be trying to get me pregnant."

"… Hn."

"Sasuke, I will not be your scapegoat! You cannot impregnate me just to get out of your marriage!"

"… Hn."

"Look, Sasuke, I am taking certain herbs to stop myself from getting conceiving. I will not have your baby! I do not want to be known as a whore around the court. Please stop trying to impregnate me purely to rid yourself of Ino."

"Hn."

"I feel guilty enough as it is about the fact that I'm sleeping with an engaged man. I don't know what I'd do if I had his baby as well."

"Hn."

"You know, I'm half tempted to just call this whole thing off. Why do you – mmph!"

.:{*}:.

"… I really wish you wouldn't interrupt me like that."

"… Hn."

"Don't get me wrong, you are really, really good in bed. But there are only so many times I can be smashed into the mattress before my pelvis crumbles."

"Hn."

"But look, about before… Why do you hate Ino so much? Have you even really given her a chance?"

"…"

"Sasuke?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Why not?"

"…"

"Come on, Sasuke! Don't keep trying to keep all of this inside. You can tell me, you know."

"Hn."

"Sasuke, please. If I'm going to be your… Well… If we're going to continue this, then please at least tell me why you spend your nights with me instead of with your fiancé."

"… No."

"Sasuke Uchiha, you are such an arse! Get out! This is ov – mmph!"

.:{*}:.

"… I hate you."

"Hn."

"So much."

"Hn."

"You are such an arrogant, egotistical jerk."

"Hn."

"Selfish, rude, stuck up bastard."

"…"

"You either tell me why you hate Ino so much, or this is over."

"… Hn."

"I mean it."

"Hn."

"That isn't even a word."

"Hn."

"I hate you."

"Hn."

"Get out, Sasuke! Get out, and don't come back."

"… She insulted Yue."

"…"

"… She said that Yue was a stupid little child who deserved what she got. She said that my parents were idiotic, and that Yue must have been a bastard child because she had different coloured eyes. She has only been after me because of my looks from the start. She treats the servants like shit. When asked why she wouldn't marry Itachi, she said that it's because 'he isn't worthy of her'. She said that whoever killed my parents and Yue should kill Itachi, purely so that she can rule alongside me. She said that Otogakure is a piece if trash. She has insulted my family and my home, my people and my servants. Do you need any more reasons?"

"Sasuke, I… I'm sorry, I didn't…"

"Just go to sleep, Sakura."

What ya got to say about that, huh? XD Every time I write Karin as a normal person... It makes me shudder O_O Oh yeah, thank you's right... XD

And to thank my lovely reviewers who got me further than I'd asked them to. You definitely deserve this as a thank you :): Chantrea Moonbeam: It did make me smile, thank you very much :D; Rainless: Thank you, thank you, thank you! And this is why I love you :D; river of the sand: Yeah, SasuIno makes me shudder too, but I guess that writing is also meant to put you out of your comfort zone :S This story is doing a great job of that for me :S People are absolutely ridiculous. Have I ever mentioned how much I love getting your reviews? No? Well, I love getting your reviews XD; JessiiNinja: 'Twas a sad chapter, I suppose. Haha, I'm blonde too!; anEpicBanana: XD XD XD; ouygolg: I hope you love all upcoming chapters too :) You shall have to wait and see... :D; Crying Silver Fox: Aw, thank you, love :) I'm glad that this makes college homework more bearable, but I hope that this doesn't distract you too much! :S; Brandi.N: Thank you, love :) And you shall have to wait and see... :); Alipiaoca: InoSasu makes me want to puke too, don't worry. Sleeping pills work a charm, though :) Aaaand, he's gonna stay shadowy for a little longer still. Shh! :D I LOVE BATMAN!; Lunacorva: That is why you must read authors notes, love. It's called 'time skip', and it's meant to leave the reader confused and guessing :); just me: I remember when I went to your place and you had that crazy fanaticism with Twitter... I am seriously honoured that I've taken the #1 spot on your browser :D; watchingtherain1: Bugger, but oh well :) This story has heaps of twists, which have yet to be revealed. And yeah, I know what you mean. Children... Tch.; Ken: I am continuing the story :P I update every Monday, because I haven't finished writing it :) Thank you for your review in DLMG, it made me smile :)

Told you there was a lot :D I think I got everyone... :O

That's basically all the information I have for you guys... Would it be bad of me to do something similar to last time, and ask if I could get to 65 reviews before my next update? That's only 12 reviews, I'd never ask for something ridiculous like "Give me 1,000,000 reviews before next monday, else I'll never update again! Mwahahahahahaaaaa..." That's just... No. Of course I'll still update, 12 reviews or not, but it'd be nice to have them. Again, I'd never say no to a few more, but... Getting to 65 seems reasonable to me :)

Oh, and please, please don't favourite without reviewing. That's like, my own personal pet peeve... Kudo's for alliteration? Eh... I try :)

-SapphireRivulet xoxox