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CHAPTER THREE
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::Konoha City::
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"Who in the world falls asleep in the street, hm?"
"Apparently him"
Sasuke felt the seat under him move. He was in a vehicle, since he could hear fast paced music play loudly. His head rested against someone's shoulder he couldn't really see clearly due to the darkness in the car. When his support started talking again, he decided to close his eyes again and wait to see if he recognized his voice.
"What did Kouchou-sensei say, hm?" his pillow support inquired in a mocking manner.
Another man next to this one corrected the question, sounding less sarcastic. A smooth soft voice this guy had in contrast of the other's. Sasuke surely didn't know that voice.
"It was actually Sakura-chan who called me"
The young Uchiha immediately recognized that voice. It haunted him, there was no way he could ever forget his voice. Onyx eyes suddenly snapped open, staring with wide eyes at the silhouette of the man driving. When he made a stop in front of a red light, he turned sideways to whisper something to a man next to him. That man he didn't ever meet personally but recognized from bingo books as Hidan. The silver haired man laughed along with the one that offered support to his head, Sasuke later recognized that one as the crazy blonde he fought once, Deidara.
"My, my, what did she actually say, hm?" the loud blonde gasped when he suddenly felt the young man shift against his shoulder. "He's awake!"
Itachi looked from over his shoulder at his brother, a taunting smirk on his tired face.
"Next time, try making it all the way to your apartment" he said before turning over his attention to the wheel, moments later the light turned green.
"Mom says she's been calling you since morning. Why haven't you answered?"
Itachi looked down at his buzzing phone, not seeing how his younger brother glared furiously in return at the mention of their mother. "Speak of the devil, it's her. You answer"
The small black device was thrown over his shoulder at Sasuke, who clumsily caught it in his hands. He felt a lump in his throat when he saw the smiling image of his mother on the bright screen. Moving and breathing became a sudden difficult task for him, plus he didn't know what to do with the small object.
"Aren't you going to answer?" Itachi asked with a hard tone. He was looking at his brother's reflection, taking in how awkward he was behaving.
"Just press this button, hm" the blonde male next to him pointed to the green dot, but it was in that moment the buzzing ended and the screen read 1 missed call.
"Oh well, you call her back, hm"
Once Deidara told him this, the phone started buzzing again with the image of Mikoto appearing in the screen once more. Not debating more about it, he pushed the green button and instantly heard the voice of his mother.
"Itachi-chan?"
"Mom?" Sasuke muttered, the device closer to his face.
"Sasu-chan?" he heard her gasp, "Oh, Sasu-chan, I have been calling your phone since morning! Are you alright? Are you coming over for dinner tomorrow, honey?"
In the car, everyone was quiet and when Hindan started snickering; the quiet red head seated behind him smacked his silver greasy head. Itachi's phone was loud enough for everyone to hear, it's also amusing to Itachi's friends the way his mother speak to them. The only person that could understand them was Sasori – whose mother also smothers him at all times, so he completely understands the Uchiha brothers.
Once they reached their destination, Itachi turned on his seat and snatched the phone from his mute brother. Mikoto was talking none stop, enabling the younger Uchiha to respond any of her never ending questions.
"Mother, we'll see you tomorrow at dinner. I'll drag him there personally"
Itachi shot his younger brother a questioning stare. Everyone got out of the car, deciding then to wait outside the apartment building until Itachi was done. The loud blonde was stretching his arms, ridding them from their numb state. Same went for Hidan, w ho took it a notch further and cracked the joints on his neck to sooth the cramp invading his stiff shoulders.
The man briefly stared at Sasuke form the corner of his eyes. They strained over to Itachi; who was still busy talking to their mother– probably filling her in about Sasuke. For the first time he noted how Sasuke hadn't reacted as they all expected at first. The younger man always had a knack to get mouthy with them, specially with him and Deidara.
"You OK there junior?"
Sasuke turned to Hinda quietly, Deidara and Sasori were mutely waiting for his reply. They also noticed Sasuke's radical change.
"I'm fine"
"I hope you really are" the elder Uchiha spoke irritably from behind him. He stuffed his phone inside his pant's pocket after he was done deleting the missed call. "father is annoyed that you keep making up excuses every time mom wants you to visit. Really Sasuke, what is your problem?"
"I'll be there tomorrow" Sasuke appeared honest but Itachi didn't really buy it. He's heard his brother say the same many times and in the end it's Itachi and their father who have to comfort an upset Mikoto. Itachi simply shook his head as he walked past them and into the building.
The short trip to the sixth floor was quiet, aside from Hidan's fake coughing and Deidara's constant fidgeting. The elevator door opened to a long bright hallway. A dark gray carpet covered the entire floor, small intricate lamps hung from the walls for each ten feet and door. There were only six doors, indicating that the complexes were actually spacious. They all stopped at the very last one, close to the window that looked down at the busy street bellow.
"Your key"
"What?" Itachi rolled his dark eyes but repeated the question none the less. "I don't have one"
The door to Sasuke's apartment burst open a moment after before Itachi could face palm himself. Much to the males distaste, Sasuke's girlfriend stood at the door with fake teary eyes. It was only Hidan who voiced his dislike for the redhead, although that still earned him a nudge on the side by Sasori.
"Sasuke-kun I was so worried about you!"
Karin pouted her thick crimson colored lips, wiggling her body and batting her caked eyelashes as if the act could make her look any cute. Sasuke flinched at the sight though, but it was his brother who beat him to the punch.
"What are you doing here?" the older male questioned as coldly as possible. It was no secret that Itachi hated the redheaded female, specially since the woman had the guts to act extremely disrespectful towards his mother when they first met.
"Why hello to you too Itachi-niichan!" Karing winked at him, only getting amused by the fact that the man looked sick to the stomach when she did.
The woman threw herself at the young Uchiha; her black short shorts riding up even more and her white thin tank top hiking up higher. She pressed her ruby lips to his jaw, as well as the rest of her body to his own.
Even Hidan, who was a ladies man, found her unattractive. He and Sasori looked away at the sight of her.
"Get off me!"
"But Sasukins!"
"You heard him you leech" Hidan growled. The male group pushed past them so they could walk inside the not so small apartment which Sasuke paid with his paycheck he got from the school as a teacher.
Hidan dropped himself on the quaint navy blue couch, plopping his boot clad feet on the cherry wood coffee table. A grumpy blonde sat besides him, doing the same with his feet but folding his arms in a dignified manner. Itachi and Sasori remained standing behind them.
Their mood only got gloomier when the annoying woman walked back in with Sasuke, still possessively latching onto his arm. She went on and on about her day without a care in the world if her handsome boyfriend actually paid attention to her or not.
"I need to speak to you Sasuke" the elder sibling glanced at Karin, "In private"
"Hey skank, at least be a descent host and get us some drinks!"
Karin's face heated up in anger at what Hidan had called her, but left to the kitchen none the less.
Sasuke mused this was probably normal in this world. Because he had no doubts this was another world; the question was how he ended in it. In the shinobi world there were few methods to jump through universes, he just doesn't remember meeting them directly. He did notice though, his life here was exceptionally screwed up.
Comparing to his life before, this place made zero sense. As expected though.
Itachi dragged him inside what Sasuke presumed was his bedroom. Small but cozy. Plain white walls with a few pictures hanging from them, the queen sized bed in the center against the wall covered with dark blue bed sheets. There was a small dresser to the side and a desk beside it where most of his supplies for school were, along with his black laptop. On the floor, by the foot of the bed was a red duffle bag, and a tacky purple tote bag on top of it. It didn't take him long to realize that the luggage belonged to Karin.
Itachi looked down in disdain, not long after noticing the woman's belonging as well. His face contorted once more in annoyance.
"Why did you bring her to live with you?"
Sasuke remained quiet at this.
What was he supposed to say? He was sure as hell that he would never, but that couldn't apply here now could it?
His brother sighed when he got no response.
"Don't bring her to dinner tomorrow"
"Why?" Sasuke blurted out.
"Because I don't want her near out mother, that's why. Or have you forgotten how much of a bitch she acted towards her?"
The younger Uchiha tried to keep calm, although inside he was a burning rage.
"It's ridiculous of her to be jealous of our mother. She aught to be grateful that father didn't kick her out of the house personally– she'd be in a coma as we speak"
That was enough for Sasuke to conclude that whatever Karin did had been absolutely horrible. He even wondered how he agreed for Karin to live with him, let alone still be in a relationship with her.
After the small fit, Itachi calmed a bit. He dropped a firm hand on Sasuke's shoulder, squeezing lightly. Mostly to calm himself before he could say something else.
"Just don't bring her" he told him, "I may not like the fact that you're dating her, but at least don't bring her to family meetings anymore. I know that she's probably the reason as to why you don't visit our parents anymore, but at least try to phone mother. She's worried about you and even though he doesn't say it, father is too"
His jaw clenched at the information, unable to speak for a moment. Sasuke nodded stiffly, "I'll call her more often"
"Good" Itachi smiled as he patted his brother's shoulder again, "Well, we'll let you rest"
They turned to leave the room, only to stop by the door w hen Itachi spoke again, "By the way, do you know if Sakura-san is currently dating anyone?"
The younger brother immediately stiffened at the mention of his actual lover. He didn't turn to look at his brother, but knew that he was looking at him with expectation.
"Why?"
"I want to know" Itachi replied nonchalantly.
Sasuke glanced back at him who was now leaning against the closed door that led them to the living room. He was looking down at his feet with mock interest, hands buried in his dark pants' pockets. Habit of his apparently.
In this world, he was with Karin– for some unknown reason. And if Itachi was interested in Sakura, that meant they talked to one another often. It made him feel squeamish, knowing that the woman he was supposed to marry sparked interest in another man that wasn't him. Specially his own brother.
"I'm not sure"
In truth he wasn't, but now that she was mentioned, Sasuke wanted to know as well. His brother nodded knowingly.
"I guess she will need to be asked"
Sasuke was left alone in his room, wondering exactly what he should do. His parents are alive, but he seems to have a distant relationship with them.
His older brother was alive and not a psychotic killer or hopeless pacifist.
But he didn't have her. Sakura; his former annoying fan girl and always loyal girlfriend.
An unknown feeling crept inside him at the thought of not being with her.
He just wasn't sure on what he should feel anymore.
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::Hidden Leaf Village::
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Sasuke did not get a wink of sleep the night before.
Obviously, with his long time crush hugging him so intimately he could hardly move.
He remained like a rock; stiff and unmoving. Embracing the moment with absolute gratitude.
The young woman had fallen asleep in his arms, hugging tightly onto him with a big smile on her pretty face. Sasuke was of course grateful that she stopped crying over her blonde friend, thus not giving it much importance to the fact that he couldn't disentangle himself from her grasp. But he thought over it, what she had said that is.
Sakura spoke of their wedding after she was done crying.
Of how many things she still had to do for the ceremony which was only a month away. She sounded so excited, even more when she informed him that in the morning they would be going on another date before the wedding.
Sakura had been upset before that their only real date they had was cut short due to a mission. With his and her constant missions, they never got the time to have outings like normal couples. But she had asked for permission to leave with him, since he had just arrived from an A ranked mission and Tsunade agreed to let her have the day off.
Sasuke tried to catch onto what she had said, merely nodding each time Sakura mentioned something he didn't know of. Moments ago he had come to the conclusion that nothing that was going around him was normal or made sense to him, but he was content. It would sound crazy if he informed Sakura that he didn't have any recollection of ever getting engaged with her or that he was even a ninja. That would just hurt her and it would make him look bad.
"Where do you want to go eat, Sasuke-kun?"
He glanced down at the girl, dark brows rising in question. Sasuke then remembered he didn't know what places there were, so he sighed and shrugged his shoulders in response.
"Anywhere is fine"
She nodded with a small smile as she finished wrapping his feet with bandages. Slowly she stood up, only to seat beside a fidgety Sasuke. Dark eyes shifted nervously from her to his feet, unsure of what to do. Sakura's smile only widened.
"What's wrong?"
"N-Nothing!" Sasuke squeaked when he felt her breath close to his neck, refusing to turn back to face her. It was obvious her face was close to his and he really wasn't sure what he would do if he looked at her now.
A moment passed until he heard a soft sigh from her, since he didn't feel it again near his neck, Sasuke knew it was now safe to face her again.
"You've been acting weird Sasuke-kun. Are you sure you're feeling alright?"
He nodded his head as a reply, taking a sharp intake of breath at the same time for courage.
Kami-sama, she was so beautiful, specially when she looked at him with those big sparkly eyes of hers. Rosy cheeks accentuating her soft porcelain skin and smooth cherry lips forming a cute irresistible pout.
His head snapped again to the opposite direction as he also tried to shove away the idea that ran past his mind that specific moment.
"Sasuke-kun?"
I want to kiss her...
A frown formed at the thought. Sasuke was sure a younger version of him would be slapping him back and forth, reminding him that this was Sakura he was thinking about. And that he needed to cool down because he was out of character.
In midst of his inner battle, the Uchiha failed to realize a certain green eyed woman had walked around to face him directly. With the palm of her hand she gingerly touched his flushed cheeks as if checking for his temperature, then his forehead.
The hairs at the back of his neck stood, once he registered how close she was– he instantly jumped back again and away from her tender touch.
"You feel a little hot, maybe you're coming down with a cold"
She's your fiancée after all. It would be alright that even she wouldn't find it awkward.
The man nodded to himself. A confused Sakura about to ask him his condition, came to be interrupted by Sasuke's warm lips; which shyly pressed against her on.
It didn't take her long to respond to his kiss and to take it up a notch.
Her delicate hands tangled in his dark silky hair, only to pull his face closer to her own as much as possible to deepen their kiss.
Numbly, she tried to remember when was the last time they have kissed like this, not minding the pecks and quick kisses they gave each other in front of others – mostly due to him not wanting to. The sad reality told her that this was actually the first time, this was even the first time he initiated something with her.
In closed doors, she always tried to be loving, in the end he would give in- probably remembering that was what couples did. And at last he would get carried away. She didn't know how many times has Sasuke tried to get her in bed with him, but to no apparent success. Sakura had stated clearly that she wanted to wait for their wedding night, wanting her first time to be special. He understood for the most part.
This Sasuke– now on top of her– wasn't the Sasuke she was getting used to before.
When she felt his wondering hand slip dangerously lower down her hip and to her bottom, the roseate began to squirm from under him. Pushing him away by his shoulder, she actually succeeded on stopping their make-out session.
Sasuke stared down at her with dark quizzical eyes.
She blushed a pretty shade of pink as she looked away from the adorable face he was making. A tortured little boy having his favorite toy taken away.
"Y-You seem to be feeling fine now, c-can we go now?"
Sasuke's charming smile had her nearly hyperventilating. He sat up, not bothering to fix his messy dark hair. He offered her a hand which Sakura gladly took, and pulled her to her feet with him.
"Let's go eat first." he announced, now much more confident with himself. "I'm hungry"
Sasuke was sure he would be fine now, at least when it came to Sakura. He'll try to take in any other surprises with an open mind.
They stopped at the front door, where their shoes were neatly stacked next to each other. He noted the funny style to them; open toed sandals. Also slightly heavy on the feet.
He slipped on his black sandals, and silently followed his lovely fiancée towards the door. She turned for a moment only to wrap a black scarf around his neck, which was already covered by the thick cloth of his turtle neck wool shirt.
"It's cold out there" the girl informed him as she also adjusted on her own red scarf. Emerald eyes briefly wondered down his form, only to rest on his dark pants that seemed to be missing something.
"You're not bringing your weapons?"
"What for?"
"Never mind" she shook her head, deciding it was best to just forget it. What she found curious was that he didn't even bring his katana with him, Sasuke was one of those few ninjas that took his weapons with him everywhere, even if it was to a reunion with friends.
When Sakura opened the door, Sasuke nearly jumped off his skin when a random person flew past over their heads. He hopped from the building across from them to the next one and then the next, until he was lost from sight. Shortly after a group of four men flew past them again, going in the direction the other one had before.
He looked down at his feet flabbergasted, telling himself over and over that he was just hallucinating and that he did not just see people fly overhead. Having an open mind obviously didn't work, when everything he knew as a teacher hadn't prepared him for this. Sasuke turned over to Sakura for an answer, but only found her frowning at the direction where the group went.
"That Naruto must of done something again"
They walked in silence until they reached a small welcoming joint, the door to the place was wide open so both could feel and smell the delicious warmth of food with in.
"I have been dying to come here, Tenten told me they have the best dango in Konoha"
Sakura's emerald eyes gleamed at the thought of the delicious food.
A small slim woman greeted them in and showed them to their table at the back of the place; most private. Meanwhile Sasuke took note on how some of the people within the restaurant began to shoot deadly glares at him. If looks could kill, he would of dropped dead on the spot. Other guests just didn't seem to care about his presence.
One old woman in particular voiced out her dislike for him, downright even insulting Sakura as soon as they sat not so far from her.
Her trembling wrinkly hands were formed into tight fists under the wooden table, the olive green table cloth did nothing to hide the fact she was pressing so hard.
She had such a firm hold on her chopsticks, Sasuke swore they would soon break. Weary blue eyes glared harder on him when the old woman noticed he was looking at her.
"That damn traitor, how can he walk in here so gallantly after all he's done" her rough voice didn't waiver as she spoke. A younger woman next to her quickly began shushing her in panic, trying her best to not glance back at the Uchiha.
After that, Sasuke shifted uncomfortably on his cushioned seat. Still being able to feel the hard stare poke holes through his head. It really did make him uncomfortable to be stared at by so many people when he himself knew nothing about what got them so fired up.
"Don't let it bother you"
At the sound of Sakura's voice and amazingly soft touch to his hand, Sasuke could finally relax a bit. Sitting less rigid on his seat, he grabbed a hold of her small delicate hand, trying to distract himself by running the pad of his thumb on Sakura's smooth skin.
"You should only care about the acceptance of your friends, not some random old lady with nothing better to do in her life but gossip"
The Uchiha looked at her from under dark lashes as he took in gladly her comforting words, even if he didn't know why he should even be comforted.
"I know you don't like people to talk about your past and I support you" she spoke softly so only he could hear, her warm hand smoothing away a few strands of his dark hair that had fallen over his eyes. "and like Naruto told you before, I will kick anyone's ass that dares to mess with you"
After that, they ate without caring that people were still looking.
They had a fun time chatting with each other for nearly two hours.
Well, Sakura more than Sasuke– considering he didn't even know what to talk about.
She informed him that while he was away for his Anbu mission– whatever that was– she had learned a few tricks from Rock Lee that she wanted to show him. Amongst many other things related to their wedding and work.
As the day passed by, they enjoyed their time together by going into random shops and buying trinkets that would capture her attention. Like one for example, they had gone inside a clothing store where she found a black kitty cap for the winter. She had tied the long thick yarns with black pompoms in the end under his chin, forming an adorable ribbon. Sakura was surely surprised that instead of getting angry, the handsome Uchiha had only cornered her against a wall to kiss her silly. To complete her shock, he bought the hat and did not remove it at all through the rest of the day. He only decided to ignore the curious stares from people. To show her support, Sakura bought herself a white kitty hat to match his own.
At the end of the day, when the star exploded sky caught their attention. Sakura had walked them to a remote part of the village where the river that ran through Konoha began to enter the borders. It was a small clearing with very few trees around, best of all; they had a great view of the night sky.
They laid down next to each other in comfortable silence, with their fingers entwining together as they watched in fascination nature's beautiful show.
Now Sasuke can honestly say that today had been the best date he ever went on.
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The following morning, Sasuke woke up alone and cold on the huge bed he shared with his beloved. On top of her pillow was a note that explained to him that she had been summoned to the hospital by Tsunade and that she left breakfast made for him.
With a resigned sigh, the semi-groggy man dragged himself out of bed and into the bathroom where he proceeded with the typical morning ritual. He dressed in his dark clothes, very similar to the one's from the day before. Not like he could vary since his wardrobe wasn't all that colorful.
He skipped to the kitchen, amused that he could jump from the very top of the stair case– of about ten steep steps, and land perfectly on his feet. Although not enjoying the cold surface of the wooden floor against his bare feet once he landed on the living room.
In the kitchen, he found his breakfast on the middle of the table, appearing absolutely appetizing through the plastic cover. Sasuke wasted no time in eating what his lovely fiancée had made for him; the delicious fluffy pancake practically melted inside his mouth, tasting the sour-sweet jelly in delight. It was something simple, but rightfully done, and he obviously appreciated that she took time to even cook for him.
In the midst of extraordinary bliss, a loud knock broke through his temporary paradise. He had opted to ignore whoever it was, but the knocking was persistent and was beginning to get extremely annoying. Who ever it was, he or she had absolutely no manners.
The young man quickly made his way to answer; after all, the faster they leave, the faster he can return to his breakfast. He yanked the wooden door open, nearly bringing it off its hinges. Sasuke had no time to react before he found himself pushed back inside the house with arms tightly wrapped around his neck and glossy lips pressed persistently against his own.
The young man stared wide-eyed at the one and only, Ino. His mind turned turbulent, his insides churned unpleasantly. It felt so wrong to be kissed by her and on the place he knew was reserved only for Sakura. In an instant, Sasuke had pushed her away, only to glare at her with angry onyx eyes that expressed nothing but rage. He swore he felt something change in them, feeling his eyesight shrink for an moment. There had been probably some change, since Ino gasped in surprise. Or it could be that she had never seen him that pissed before.
The moment passed just as quick and the blonde woman was once again closing in on him with angry lustful eyes.
"You told me you were going to cancel the wedding" she spoke shortly on a sultry tone. Her fingers tauntingly ran up his now stiff arm. "I'm tired of waiting Sasuke-kun, so either you tell her now or I will gently break it to little Sakura"
Out of impulse, he'd grabbed a firm hold of her slim pale neck. Shocked blue eyes stared in fear at him by the sudden aggression. He felt the change in his eyes again, but decided to ignore the strange feeling in them this time.
Her words echoed in his head, the teasing manner in which she mentioned Sakura's name pissed him off immensely. Sasuke's hold on her neck tightened, welcoming the odd feeling of pleasure in watching her struggle.
"I don't know what your problem is, but listen to me carefully because I will not repeat myself: I will never leave Sakura, I love her. And if you or anyone else tries to hurt her in anyway, I will kill that someone slowly and as painfully possible"
Ino sneered at his words, her hands holding tightly onto the one holding her neck. In an instant he had released her, the cold glare in his face never wavering.
"I know you don't love her," Ino wheezed while smoothing her palm over the slightly bruised skin on her neck. A mocking smirk formed her lips when she saw him flinch, not for the reason she was thinking though.
"You told me– you moan my name when we make love" she continued tauntingly to whisper close to his ear, by now confident that he wouldn't do anything else to her. True enough, he felt immobile and repulsed by her proximity.
Sasuke couldn't remember. He couldn't summon up any memory of being with her. But then again, he guessed he didn't have to.
The moment he woke up to this strange place, was the exact moment Sasuke realized nothing was the same anymore.
To his life before and to his life now, the poor confused man didn't know what to make of it or decide what was real. One thing he was certain of, and that was how he felt about Sakura. If he made a mistake in being involved with Ino, he would assume the consequences instead of being a coward.
What he said before, he meant it. No one would harm his pink-haired lover, not even him.
Albeit being so sure of herself, the sudden dark aura that emitted from the Uchiha still startled the blonde. Her glossy lips twisted into a crooked smile in a failed attempt to hide her discomfort. She still highly believed that she had complete control over him, even if he said otherwise.
"You better leave and do not look for me again," his eyes bothered him again, although what he liked best was the result they had over Ino. He scared her, whether she tried to hide it. "I will not let you manipulate me or hurt Sakura with your venomous words"
Ino glared in return and even though her act was beginning to falter, she didn't want to feel intimidated by his now bleeding eyes.
"I'll leave" she ground out with a bitter smile, "but you better break your engagement or I will open my mouth. And believe me, my word has more credibility than yours. She will hate you!"
Ino didn't wait for his reply, she was gone before Sasuke could retort. One thing was for sure from Sasuke's part. Now that he's tasted heaven, there is no force on Earth that could even bring him back. He'll fight for Sakura.
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To Be Continued…
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A/N: Thank you for reading and for reviewing!