Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Chapter 12

Emiko woke with a start as the sound of thunder crashing echoed in the distance. She was sweating and panting heavily, her eyes darting around to see where she was. She had just had a nightmare.

A nightmare of Orochimaru raping her because she stood up to him and said that she refused to be treated so poorly. Orochimaru had raped her, and then a few weeks later had forcefully impregnated her. It was all torture for Emiko and Orochimaru enjoyed every bit of it. The dream was soon interrupted after Orochimaru confirmed to her that he didn't have any romantic feelings for her, and that her purpose was to serve him and make him happy, no matter what he asked. It was then he began conducting an awful embryo testing experiment on Emiko that left her body feeling as if it was burning from the inside out.

Emiko saw that she was still inside the cabin on her mission to Kirigakure. She tried to pace her breathing and slow down, but was still shaken, especially from the thunder that added to her shakiness. Once she had calmed herself a bit, she noticed something amiss. Sasuke was not inside the cabin, and the washroom door was open, meaning he was outside somewhere in the vicious storm.

Curiosity taking ahold of her, Emiko walked outside, traveling the area around the cabin. It was night, and no stars were visible thanks to the clouds. Occasionally the sky was brightened by the lightening that flashed across. Emiko felt like she was walking further and further away from the cabin without any progress until she spotted what seemed to be lightening on the ground in the distance.

She tilted her head, finding the display odd. However focusing on the object in the distance, she noticed it was a constant form of lightening, not just a flash from the sky. As she moved closer the sound of lightening crackling became more prominent. It was then she noticed the chirping of birds sound that emitted from the lightening and realized that she was staring at a Chidori. Her slitted eyes focused on the form that was holding it and saw a drenched Sasuke.

Emiko was puzzled as to why he was out here training in the middle of a thunder storm. The Chidori in Saskue's hand began to take shape and turned into a blade. With the blade Sasuke easily pierced through several trees, causing them to tumble. Only moments later a bolt of lightening struck the ground where the last tree had been. It quickly disappeared as if angry that the process of nature had been disrupted.

Emiko's hair was standing on end from all of the electrified surroundings. 'Impressive.' Emiko thought. 'He really lives up to the standards he has shown everyone.' She took a step back, about to turn around and find her way back, but she stepped on a branch, a cracking sound echoing through the forest. She noticed Sasuke's instant reaction, turning around to face her, his chidori not wavering.

She gave him an apologetic smile for disturbing. Sasuke's chidori dissipated into tiny charged particles as he headed in her direction. "One thing is for sure, you enjoy trying to be discreet." Sasuke commented. "What are you doing?" He eyed her. Emiko had her arms crossed, clenching her elbows. It didn't seem as if it were out of cold, because more so her posture seemed a bit tense.

"You know, if I don't let it go then I will be plagued by these feelings until I do. Orochimaru-sama will keep pushing at me, trying to break me to my limits." Emiko spoke, breaking the silence. She stared at Sasuke who simply met her gaze and crossed his arms.

Emiko was beginning to read more and more into Sasuke's actions since he began to act as her comrade. Although crossing his arms may have seemed intimidating, she realized his attentiveness meant his was silently beckoning her to continue.

"Sasuke, you've really flattered me by helping me and caring about my situation. If it weren't for you I'd still be dense and manipulated. Even though I wasn't very receptive to your words at first..I'm really thankful." Emiko stated, trying to form a small smile.

"There's no need to thank me." Sasuke brushed it off as if he didn't do anything special. "The most important thing is that I don't have to tell you over and over for you to understand. You should understand by now that there is no hope for what you call a relationship with him." Sasuke spoke.

" Sasuke, you know I can't help but think you're jealous of Orochimaru-Sama." Emiko said, chuckling at the humor of the thought. Sasuke looked taken back. "Of course not." He spoke firmly, causing Emiko to look at him curiously as if she were misunderstanding him.

"Why would I be jealous of someone like him? He's not particularly admirable material. I don't wish to be the type of person that manipulates everyone around me to do my bidding, nor someone who gives someone false hopes, takes advantage of their body, and leaves them with emptiness." Sasuke stated, distaste showing in his features

"Right." Emiko felt the stab that came with those words, although they were not meant to be harmful to her.

"I'm sure if I were to be with you, you would not appreciate my being overly subservient to Orochimaru-sama would you? Although I do wish to forget about being attached to him, it's habit that I give him quite a bit of respect, and I'm positive he won't take much back talk about anything..." The kunoichi spoke worriedly.

Sasuke let out a sigh. "If you're asking for advice then you should know the sooner you show less admiration and interest towards him, the less of an impact it will have when you start disobeying his wishes more often. There are situations you can limit, and some you may not seem to be able to get out of. But, I did tell you to leave that to me." He spoke.

Emiko shivered, being the less covered of the two in the rain. "But, what if I'm being around him? Would you not think something of it? Like I'm still holding onto my feelings, or that things that happen are two sided instead of just from Orochimaru-sama's side?"

It wasn't that Emiko doubted her feelings that she asked him this. She was intent on pushing herself away from Orochimaru, however considering the past events, it could possibly look like she was carrying on her feelings for Orochimaru since Sasuke wouldn't be beside her with every conversation or contact she had with the sannin.

"Well, that's where you have to keep my trust. You already have it now. But, I'm not going to tell you who to stay away from since it's your choice. So if you do go back to having feelings for Orochimaru then you choose to do so. You obviously will accept the fact that things will stay the way they are and you will be used, and feeling alone until Orochimaru decides to get rid of you." Sasuke informed the kunoichi.

Emiko bit her lip. "And...you would let him get rid of me I assume?" She asked. "Possibly not. But I can't intervene with your decisions. And if I did intervene only when it got to that point, you still made your decision on your feelings. I don't intend to betray you, so if you really want to be with me I would be expecting you not to betray me." Sasuke spoke.

"Sasuke, although you carry around a lot of coldness, you do have quite a few chivalrous thoughts inside of you." Emiko said. She gazed at Sasuke who was pretty much soaked down to the core, his hair clinging to his face, and his shirt clinging to his chest, showing his muscles. Emiko wondered how it would feel to be affectionately embraced by his arms. Would it feel like Orochimaru's embrace? Would his kisses be firm, sloppy, or well initiated?

Sasuke caught Emiko staring at him. It was evident by when Emiko's eyes suddenly shot up to meet his. "Um," Emiko began. "I think we should go back now it's only getting worse out here." She said, turning her back on him and walking away.

Sasuke grunted in response, but was soon past her. Emiko ran to keep up, noticing that the rain was indeed falling harder. Once they arrived at the cabin Emiko headed straight for the bathroom, leaving a trail of water in her wake. She dried herself with a towel and changed into dry clothes. When she went back to the main room she saw Sasuke had did the same.

She sat next to him, facing him. Emiko felt the need to be close to him. She didn't know if it was because she was starved of affectionate attention, or because she wanted Sasuke. She believed it was both. The kunoichi was curious about how Sasuke's body would feel against hers. However, she also felt affection for the boy that had been hiding underneath her stress and worry.

"Sasuke," She began. The Uchiha met her gaze. "I don't know how much I can offer you, but I want to try to be with you. All this time I've been with you it has helped fill the loneliness I have. I can't imagine how nice it would be having you by my side if just being your friend helps with the happiness I've been missing."

"You don't have to offer anything. This isn't a bargain. We'll both help each other." Sasuke spoke. "But I don't want to disappoint you. I think I'm a bit dirty, and I don't want to bother you with my weakness." Emiko stated, "If you'd accept me, I'd be glad, but I just hope I don't crush your expectations." She sounded a bit unsure.

"Are you worried about me or yourself? You should still be applying the concept of doing what you want without worrying about others. Including me. If you try to satisfy every time you make a decision, you will continue to drive yourself insane." Sasuke spoke, gazing at the kunoichi with a curious expression.

" I am worried about you...but..." Emiko began. "But, I also think you're saying this as an easy excuse not to get hurt." Sasuke stated abruptly.

Emiko's eyes widened at the unexpected remark. She clenched her fists together, but not out of anger, out of nervousness. She was surprised Sasuke had seen through such a simple statement. He was right. She was still feeling a bit of nervousness. After all, Orochimaru had said what seemed to be nice things to her before she found out he really rejected her at heart. It was a bit understandable, however Sasuke didn't seem to want to keep things as is.

"Don't concern yourself with that." Sasuke spoke, staring into Emiko's still slightly widened eyes. "It's easy to see what you're thinking of since your words say one thing, but your body seems unsure." He said.

Sasuke reached over and grabbed one of Emiko's hands. Emiko was surprised by this action, but soon relaxed her hand. "Baka, If I didn't think you were good enough then I wouldn't even bother with you." Sasuke poked her forehead with his finger.

He pulled her closer and used his free hand and placed it on her head, hugging her to his chest. Emiko was surprised by his sudden action, but couldn't reject it. His body felt warm, and the arm around her felt comforting. She laid her head against him, now situated in between his legs.

They sat in a comfortable silence. Emiko was still getting used to how Sasuke felt, and the care he was giving her. She was practically relishing in it. Sasuke moved so that he was now beside Emiko, with an arm still around her waist he laid down beside her and closed his eyes.

"Besides, do you really think I enjoy being alone myself? I'm used to it, but that doesn't mean there is loneliness. I'm just used to not letting it show." Sasuke spoke.

"I wouldn't imagine it's fun for anyone." Emiko stated. Now that she thought about it, none of Team Hebi has seen this much of Sasuke. Sasuke didn't allow them the pleasure of seeing his deepest thoughts, although they couldn't understand many of his feelings to begin with. Emiko was the first of Team Hebi to get that privilege. She smiled to herself, imaging she should be honored.

Emiko felt Sasuke tug at her waist, pulling her onto her back. He placed one of his arms above her head, and one to her side, hovering above her. "Another thing, you don't have to worry about being weak. I won't let you stay that way for long." Sasuke commented, a smirk slipping onto his face.

Emiko nodded, blushing at how close Sasuke was. Gathering a bit of boldness Emiko placed her hands around Sasuke's shoulder and pulled him into a kiss. Sasuke didn't expect this bold move, but kissed her back. Emiko melted against Sasuke's warm lips. Her hands slid from his shoulders down to his chest. She smoothed her hands over his pale abs, amazed at the texture. Emiko never realized how good of a body Sasuke had. His constant training surely paid off. She could only imagine how the rest of his body looked and felt.

They separated momentarily, but soon rejoined their lips together in another kiss. Emiko hands were sliding lower until they reached the rim of his pants. Suddenly, Sasuke grabbed the kunoichi's hand. They broke away from the kiss, and Emiko stared at him questioningly. "You shouldn't worry about that." Sasuke expressed, seriously.

"It's fine if you want to...after all, you'd want to claim me right?" Emiko questioned, giving him a small smile. "I don't want to do things that way." He said. Emiko looked at him puzzled, as if there was something amiss.

"I shouldn't have to make you 'mine' that way. Anyone can do that with you technically, but you're only mine once you start mentally seeing yourself as such." Sasuke commented. Emiko stared at him for a moment before chuckling. 'Fair enough.' She thought to herself.

She rolled over on her side once more, causing Sasuke to do the same. This time however, his back was against hers. "There's less than a few ours before sunrise. Take advantage of that time." Sasuke stated.

A/N: Reviews are awesome!