Hey, buddies! Sorry for the long wait. I'm not gonna give you lame excuses, and continue this blabber. Here's the new chapter ^_^ Your reviews and feedback in general is welcomed. Enjoy!
PS I do not own "Naruto" it belongs to Masashi Kishimoto ©
It's easier to run,
Replacing this pain with something numb.
It's so much easier to go
Than face all this pain here all alone…
"Easier to run" by Linkin Park
An unusual but strangely familiar feeling of your skin being touched, travelled all over Kakashi's back and continued to move towards his neck and then bare face. He remembered losing consciousness in the middle of the battlefield shortly after Sasuke had appeared to save his and Naruto's asses. The Copy nin felt someone's hands caressing his cheek as if they were brushing off some dirty spots. The sense of moisture gave him the idea that maybe he was being washed. Strangely, he felt tired but the stiffness in his muscles and bones was gone. A dull pain in one of his knees made him furrow his silver brow but he kept his eyes closed. He was lying on his stomach. Damn he hated that position but if the wound on his back was as serious as he thought it was, it was not surprise that they would place him like that.
The unknown hands dried off his shoulders and back then they disappeared for a minute. Maybe whoever was giving him a bath finished their job, judging by the floral fragrance coming from his hair. Kakashi sharpened his ears and cracked slightly open his right eye. For a moment his vision was blinded by the bright surroundings but then it cleared and he recognized his tent. So they had really moved him. The sound of splashing water made him avert his eye and search for the source of the noise. His coal gaze stopped on the figure of a short girl with pink locks tied in a high ponytail. Sakura? Her arms moved leisurely as she wringed out the sponge and lifted the washbasin effortlessly.
The Copy nin quickly closed his eye and knitted his brows. Really? Really? God, destiny or whoever caused this kind of things to happen was playing fucking games with him! This situation was almost identical to the one a year ago, yet so different. Suddenly he felt her hand on his hips and his body tensed. What the hell was she doing? The smooth skin on her fingertips brushed against his bare low back and sent shivers down his spine. Gently, he felt her sliding her hand under his hips and slowly lifting his pelvis up. Kakashi felt sweat drops appearing on his forehead. What was she doing for God's sake?! The Copy nin stopped his breathing as he felt her other hand sliding over his groins and undoing his belt. He gasped for air and jumped on his legs with terrified expression.
"What the hell are you doing?!", he yelled with eyes nailed at her startled face.
Sakura was frozen with arms at the position they were a few seconds ago. Slowly she came out of the shock and crossed her arms in front of her chest, "Why are you moving around like that? What if your wound re-opens?", the voice was cold and angry.
Kakashi suddenly remembered his injury and tried to move his back muscles. He was feeling good. There wasn't any stiffness and pain. His eyes travelled to his legs and he jumped slightly on place. They were moving again, "Did you heal me? I remember that I couldn't feel my legs when I passed out."
"Yes. Now, lie down.", she pointed angrily at his futon, "I may have patched you up but you're far from fully healed."
Kakashi obeyed silently, thinking, "Yeah. Just like the last time." The Copy nin stared at her, "Why are you here?"
"Pakkun call me.", she replied calmly and kneeled next to his bed with the washbasin.
As her hand was once again over his belt, Kakashi grabbed her wrist, "What the fuck do you plan on doing, Sakura?"
The pinkette glared at him irritatedly, "You're covered in blood – yours and another's. And, moreover, you stink. I cannot risk infecting the wound."
"I know but I can clean myself, Sakura. I'm not physically disabled."
"Thanks to me!", she growled annoyed, "You're not feeling the pain in your body because the effects of my healing chakra still linger inside your system. Once they wear off, the pain would come back. So stop fidgeting and let me do my job."
Kakashi frowned, "How come now's the first time your chakra has a post-effect on my body after treatment?"
"It's not the first time. Every time I heal you, part of my chakra remains in your system and continues to do its job. You don't remember it because EVERY SINGLE time you're so messed up that you are unconscious for at least a whole day and by the time you wake up the after effect is already gone.", Sakura explained angrily.
"Oh…"
"Now, can I resume what I was doing?"
"I guess.", Kakashi eased fully his back on the futon and stared at the ceiling trying to ignore the small hands untying his belt and unzipping his trousers.
Sakura glanced secretly at his expression. He looked totally unbothered by her actions. She thought he'd be a little more self-conscious. There was no particular logic behind that line of thought but she felt a little flushed and it would certainly make her feel better if she wasn't the only one like that. The kunoichi took off his trousers and did her best not to look at the swelling of his boxers. But whether she looked at it or not, she knew it was there and that sent a wave of heat to her cheeks.
The medic grabbed the sponge and wiped off the dirt from his legs, doing her best to keep her movements rough and lax. Unwillingly her hand brushed against Kakashi's groin as she was washing his thigh and a quiet gasp for air reached her ears. Instinctively she looked at the Copy nin's face and saw him staring at the side wall of the tent with a slight tension written all over his features.
Unable to keep her eyes from looking, she glanced at his crotch. Her cheeks blushed heavily and she looked away quickly embarrassed. Well, at least she knew that she wasn't the only one feeling nervous. She gripped the sponge tighter and continued her job with eyes nailed on her own hands. Suddenly, Kakashi's fingers wrapped around her waist and pulled her to him. The medic lost her balance and fell on top of his body.
His arms locked around her waist in tight embrace and forced her to look at his face. His mismatched eyes were staring deeply in hers and Sakura felt drowning inside them. How long has it been since she was this close to him? Her body was already reacting to their closeness. Her breathing was fastened and her pulse – irregular. The air in the tent seemed familiarly heavy and thick as if the oxygen had evaporated from the heat coming out of their bodies.
Kakashi smiled at her and she felt the world blurring around them. That, almost juvenile, smile melted every last one of her defenses. Her eyebrows knitted and she returned the smile with sad expression, feeling tears welling up in her eyes.
"I missed you.", Kakashi whispered.
Sakura suppressed a sob by biting her lower lip. Afraid, she nodded that if she was to try and talk the tears would start pouring out.
The Copy nin lifted up slightly his head and murmured, "Come here."
The kunoichi sniffed and lowered her head, pressing lightly her lips at his. The tears in her eyes escaped and dripped on his cheeks. Kakashi barely smiled not wanting to break the kiss. He opened up slightly his mouth and let his tongue lick gently her lips, asking for an invitation. Sakura sniffed once again and returned the gesture, allowing him full access to her mouth. The kiss deepened quickly and soon they were panting from the desire in their bodies.
Sakura supported herself on her elbows next to Kakashi's head and buried fingers in his hair. The Copy nin rolled up her pullover and the camisole under it. Why was she wearing so many layers?! Kakashi took off her upper clothes leaving her completely bare in front of his eyes. A smirk appeared on his face. No bra. The silver-haired jonin pulled her down, forcing her to bend over him. His mouth found Sakura's nipple and licked it hurriedly. The pink bud hardened and Kakashi felt another wave of heat pouring over his body, directing the blood to his groins. He wanted her and he wanted her really badly.
Sakura moaned in pleasure as his mouth gently bit the nipple and the kunoichi fully relaxed her weight on his hips, feeling his hardened member. The man under her groaned and she felt his fingers burying in her flesh. He wouldn't keep up like this for very long. The kunoichi escaped his grip and slid down, now sitting on his legs, near his ankles. Kakashi sent her a confused look but soon his eyes snapped closed as he felt her hand stroking his groins. His hands reached for her but she gently pushed them aside, forcing him to ease his back on the futon.
Sakura pulled down his boxers and wrapped her fingers around his length. The man gasped for air and moaned even louder as she took him in her mouth. The girl moved her head up and down slowly driving him to the edge. She felt the member pulsating only moments before he released it deep in her throat, the pinkette licked the tip of his penis, wiping off the last bits of his juice and then she raised her head, slowly crawling over his body, to look at him eye-to-eye level.
Kakashi's eyes were wide in shock but the satisfaction hidden in them was visible to the young medic. She smiled and pressed a slight kiss on his cheek. He seemed a little less tensed and nervous but she knew just from the look in his eyes that he was about to say something that she wasn't actually ready to hear yet. Sakura slid her hand over his abdomen and grabbed gently his relaxed member. The Copy nin took a sharp gasp of air and gripped her hand.
"Easy. It's still sensitive.", he said without averting gaze from her.
"I know.", she murmured and the silver-haired jonin bit his lip as he felt her chakra flowing inside his body. Sakura used the same massage technique when he had stiff shoulders but now it felt different. She pressed every nerve and pleasure spot, forcing him to harden again. In a matter of second he felt as full of energy and desire as half an hour ago.
Sakura stood up and unzipped her pants, "Take off your underwear.", she ordered with lifted eyebrow. When they were completely naked, she straddled him again and pressed her hands at his chest, pushing him to lie down. He looked at her surprised. Not that he opposed to the idea of her on top of him but it was quite unusual for her to do so. His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden flow of heat to his member as she slid it inside her. His mind went blank and his vision blurred. The softness and warmth inside her made him even harder and he lifted up his pelvis, pushing it deeper inside.
Sakura groaned in pleasure and dug her nails in his chest, curving her back in S-shape. How she needed him during that year! Oh, how much she needed him… that first and last night together one year ago left her craving for more. The countless dreams she had had with him had woken her up, wanting and sweating. There were times when she even considered trying to put out the fire with somebody else, a random stranger even. But she knew that the desire in her lower abdomen wouldn't be satisfied just by anybody. Her body wanted that man and that man only.
The kunoichi panted heavily from the fast pace they set. Kakashi had got his fingers into her waist as if he was preventing her from running away. The man had fixated his eyes on her face without even blinking. The animalistic desire that was inside them sent chills on Sakura's spine. "So much passion and so little time.", she thought unwillingly.
"Sakura…", he panted suddenly, with trouble in his eyes.
The kunoichi continued panting on top of him without paying any attention to his words.
"Sakura!", he whispered louder and stopped his movements.
Now the pinkette opened her eyes and glanced at him confused, "Why did you stop?", she panted and brushed a drop of sweat from her forehead.
"Naruto's coming…", Kakashi murmured and raised in sitting position with Sakura in his hands without breaking their physical contact.
Sakura's eyes widened, "What?", she focused on her surroundings and noticed Naruto's chakra signature closing in quickly, "Fuck." They had a few seconds before the boy would storm inside the tent.
Then Kakashi reached and grabbed the blanket which was folded next to the futon. He managed to unfold it on them and wrap it around Sakura's naked body when the Jinchuuriki rushed inside.
"Sakura-chan! Sasuke and Sai are…", Naruto silenced in the middle of his sentence, glaring at the situation in front of him, "What the hell is happening here?!"
"Well…", Kakashi cleared his throat, "She's helping me with the rehabilitation.", the silver-haired jonin scratched behind his neck giving Naruto an eye crease.
"The third division was forced to step back. The enemy army is currently invading the village through the North gate.", the shinobi reported calmly.
A gritted his teeth and punched the wall with fist, forming a small crater into the stucco, "Is there any specific movement which would indicate their purpose or they're simply trying to keep us busy.", he growled with barely suppressed fury in his voice.
"Not that's been reported, sir."
"But?", A shot him silent, demanding stare.
"I've noticed a slightly…suspicious…behavior of the Zetsu clones, sir. If I may express it that way."
"Continue."
"They seemed attracted to B-sama. In such a degree that they seemed oblivious of their surroundings. Almost like their objective is to capture B-sama." The shinobi furrowed his brows.
"Or more like…the Hachibi. They need the tailed beast inside him.", A growled and clenched his teeth causing a few muscles on his cheeks to contract and tremble. He thought for a moment. If Zetsu's clones were really trying to get to B, wouldn't that mean it's safer to take him to a hiding place away from the village. In the best scenario he'd drag away half of the clones after himself and the village would be safe. But he'd be put in grave danger if he can't escape them. A sighed deeply, running fingers through his white hair, "Ok. Here's what we're gonna do. Find B and tell him to get three other men and form a four-cell team. They are to head to Konohagakure immediately without engaging the clones that would pursue them in any type of combat until they in the reach of allied shinobi that can back them up."
A shadow of doubt passed through the face of A's busty assistant but the girl bowed respectfully and headed to the door.
The Raikage sighed once again and slumped in the stuffed armchair behind his desk. Nothing was going as planned. "Forgive me, Tsunade. I must rely on your people again."
Sakura ran but the time was running faster. Why would he do that?! He knew Sai was their teammate. Why would he fight him? Moreover, they were in the middle of a war zone! They could be both killed. Sakura increased her pace and missed the sharp look Kakashi sent her. The Copy nin was running silently behind her. The kunoichi was strongly against him accompanying them cause his wounds were far from healed but he insisted and she didn't really had the time to argue. Running across a battlefield was a difficult and a risky thing to do but they had no choice.
Dead bodies of Konoha shinobi and disfigured Zetsu clones were spread everywhere. Sakura noticed a fallen ANBU with a dozens of white corpses around him. He had fought magnificently and had died a suitable for an ANBU death. A sudden gust of wind tried to blow them away and the kunoichi looked at the direction it came from. A shinobi she didn't know, had sent a wind jutsu at a few clones, sending them flying back.
Distracted by the fights round her, Sakura missed the Zetsu clone that sneaked behind a tree trunk. As soon as they passed by him, the enemy launched dozens of poisonous prickles at them. By the time they reached him, Kakashi had already thrown a lightning enhanced kunai that stuck in the clone's forehead. Sakura jumped startled at the sudden attack, her eyes caught the glimpse of some things reflecting the setting sun's rays that was flying towards her. The moment when she realized what they were, it was too late for her to react. Just before they stabbed her, Kakashi bumped into her, pushing her out of their way.
The shinobi fell on the ground and rolled over. The kunoichi's eyes were wide open in shock. Suppressed images surfaced in her mind. But as soon as they passed before her eyes, she shook her head, chasing them away. She mustn't be affected by them again. Why did she do all that training? It wasn't meaningless. She was now stronger than before and yet she was protected once more. Sakura clenched her teeth and went to Kakashi, "Thank you.", she murmured through almost sealed lips. The girl turned around and ran again.
"Sakura…", Kakashi yelled after her but she didn't turn around. The man's gaze darkened and a shadow passed through his face. He licked his dry lips under the mask and chased after her with hands clenched in fists.
Sakura frowned and channeled chakra to her limbs, allowing them to glow smoothly. Sasuke had been fighting in the periphery of the village a little outside its borders in order for other shinobi not to recognize him. There's no way Sai would have randomly came across him, that meant their teammate searched for the Uchiha on purpose. Why?!
"Why are you getting so worked up?", Kakashi panted behind, finally able to catch up to her.
"They'll hurt each other. We cannot afford any more casualties especially ones caused by allies. What's wrong with those two?", the kunoichi growled and clenched her fist tighter.
"Don't forget Sai was Root agent before. He won't fall down so easily...", Kakashi said but he was interrupted by a sudden burst of sinister chakra.
"Neither will Sasuke. That's what bothers me. You don't know the full spectrum of his abilities. His source of power is unlimited, just like Naruto's. The only difference is that Naruto's drawing strength from his friends and Sasuke…He's just too deep in the shadows…", Sakura said without looking back. She knew Kakashi was staring her down at the moment with fixed coal gaze on her back, but he mustn't underestimate Sasuke anymore. It would cost him his life.
"Are you still in the light, Sakura?", suddenly Kakashi's voice startled her but the only sign was the slight tremble of her stomach muscles.
"I can sense them. We're close.", Sakura ignored him and increased her pace even more.
The black flames were burning just a half a meter away from the place where Sai had jumped. If he didn't evade that attack he would have been a glowing ember by now. The artist's eyes narrowed as the Uchiha yelled with mocking voice, "Is that all you've got…Substitute-kun?"
Sai clenched teeth but said nothing. Talking during a fight was meaningless strength consumption. He quickly sketched something on his scroll and a strangely huge tiger-like animal came out from the page. Sasuke shifted the katana in his grip and channeled lightning chakra on the blade. Suddenly just when was about to slice through the animated drawn beast, the animal burst into a splatter of ink.
In only a second he saw Sakura appearing right in front of him with eyes fixed on her teammate. The Uchiha noticed Kakashi arriving in front of Sai.
"Sai, put down your weapon.", Sakura ordered without breaking the eye contact.
"I think Sasuke needs to lower his first.", Kakashi replied switching his gaze to the kunoichi.
The pinkette glared at the Copy nin unbelievingly, "Sasuke's not an enemy. He didn't start the fight."
"How could you possibly know that? Were you here?", Kakashi growled annoyed.
Sakura took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down and raised her brow, "I simply trust him."
"And you don't trust me?", Sai said quietly with a smile.
The kunoichi widened her eyes realizing her mistake, "No, Sai. It's not like that. I…"
"I get it, Sakura. There's nothing wrong with this. After all, you were right about me. I started it.", the former Root agent smiled even wider.
"But why, Sai?! He came here to…"
"Enough, Sakura. I don't need a lawyer. ", Sasuke said angrily with low voice, pushing her aside, walking slowly forward until he was standing only one or two meters away from Kakashi, "So, what'cha gonna do, sensei? Substitute-san?"
"Don't play with fire, Sasuke.", the Copy nin growled with a barely hidden smirk in his eyes.
"Why not? I'm a Uchiha after all…Fire is in my nature, sensei.", Sasuke's eyes opened challengingly.
The moment Kakashi had swung his kunai at the boy in front of him, Sakura had blocked the attack with her ninjatō. The silver-haired jonin widened his uncovered eye in shock and backed off in fear that he might hurt her. She actually raised a weapon against him!
"There's no time for such quarrels. If you have the energy to fight, do it with the real enemy.", Sakura said indifferently and turned around, dragging Sasuke behind her for his sleeve.
Kakashi glared after them furiously.
Once they were far enough from Kakashi and Sai, Sasuke pulled away from Sakura's grasp. He froze in his steps and stared at her back. She wasn't moving. "I don't need you to protect me."
The kunoichi turned around slowly, "It wasn't about protecting you. It was about picking sides.", she faced him with a serious look, "I don't think you understand…I haven't met with Tsunade-shishou yet. I am a dead person to the most of the villagers. And for the rest I'm no better than you. We're in this together. You came to help me and my duty is to be next to you."
Sasuke took a deep breath and drew closer to her placing hands on her shoulders, staring at her green eyes, "You owe me nothing, Sakura."
"I'm sorry about earlier."
"It's OK. You weren't the only one at fault.", Sasuke smiled, "So, did you reconcile with Kakashi?"
"Well…We didn't really had the chance to talk…", the kunoichi blushed and stretched her arms, avoiding Sasuke's gaze.
The Uchiha took a deep breath and let his hands fall from her shoulders, "I see.", he turned around but then looked back at her, "Let me tell you something – a fire that roars wildly, burns away quickly." The boy smiled and rushed to the battlefield, leaving the confused girl behind him, staring with knitted brows at the spot where he stood a moment ago.
"Sakura!", Tsunade exclaimed happily and pulled the girl in her embrace. The pinkette stumbled and buried face in her shishou's chest. The sudden gesture startled her, "You should have come to see me as soon as you arrived in the village."
"Forgive me, shishou, but I got caught up in the clinic and I couldn't.", the young kunoichi smiled softly pulling away from the embrace.
"Leave us alone.", Tsunade ordered the ANBU guards and settled on the chair in front of her desk, waving at Sakura to sit in the other. "So, did you come alone?"
The pink-haired kunoichi's eyes widened for a moment, "No, shishou. Sasuke came here to help me."
"Help…you? Not the village but you?", Tsunade repeated softly.
"That's right, shishou."
"Strange. But I don't mind him as long as he doesn't turn into an obstacle for us.", the Hokage crossed her legs, "About what happened…"
"I have a favor to ask from you." Sakura stood up from the chair and kneeled in front of the older woman, interrupting her.
"It hasn't been a day since you returned and you're already making requests….", Tsunade laughed, "Tell me. I'll do whatever I can to fulfill it."
"Please, after everything is over, I want you to let Sasuke leave untroubled.", the pinkette bowed flat down on the floor.
The Hokage furrowed her brows, "About this…I can't say anything. We'll discuss it with him and the Elders after the war and then I'll decide. I'm not sure even if we'll manage to win the fight, how could I promise you anything…"
"No, Tsunade-shishou. I want you to give me your word now…please.", Sakura insisted with eyes fixed at the floor.
The blonde frowned, "I can't do that, Sakura. I know you understand how things work around here. Even if it's a request from you, I can't overlook Sasuke's behavior and let him roam freely."
Sakura slowly stood up and clenched her teeth, "The truth is that you won't even discuss it with him, am I correct? You've already decided what you're going to do.".
"You know that I answer for the safety of the people, Sakura. As the Hokage, I cannot simply remit his punishments, and even as a person I can't force myself to absolve him of the sins he committed towards you and Naruto."
Her head was hanging down but the kunoichi raised it up and stared at her teacher's caramel eyes, "Tsunade-sama, if you can't forgive him in your heart, then how am I supposed to forgive Konoha for its cruelty in the past?"
"What are you trying to say, Sakura?", Tsunade raised a brow confused.
"Nothing, Hokage-sama.", the kunoichi said politely, "Then, if I can't change your mind, I guess my presence is not required on the battlefield. May I leave?" the young kunoichi bowed respectfully and turned around walking slowly toward the door.
"I was prepared to overlook everything that happened to you, Sakura, and let you return to your normal life. But if you step out of that door now, you can forget about ever returning to Konoha.", Tsunade stood up and glared at her student.
The pinkette smiled coldly and rummaged through her pouch, pulling out her forehead protector. Sakura glanced at it for a second and then threw it on the floor, "As you wish, Tsunade-sama." The girl walked out of the door, closing it quietly behind.
Sakura stood silently in the corridor, staring at the photo on the wall, wondering why exactly there was a portrait of the Third Hokage in this apartment. Sarutobi's gentle features were gazing condescendingly at
her as if they were judging her immature and hasty actions. Was it really necessary to overdo things like that? The girl shook her head. Leaving Sasuke was not an option.
After hearing the truth behind the Uchiha massacre her former teammate's actions attainted fundamentally different meaning. She felt that they became closer than ever before, almost as if those secrets were the thickest component forming the wall around Sasuke's heart and now with them gone, he and she finally got the chance to understand each other.. The boy didn't deserve another betrayal, not after what Konoha did to his family.
Sakura took a deep breath reassuring herself: she had died once already and the sun had risen again in the next morning; Konoha would continue to exist and to protect its people, ideals and secrets; Hinata would provide Naruto with the warmth and comfort he got from the kunoichi up till now and Kakashi…he would simply continue to live his life like nothing had happened between them. They would all survive.
The kunoichi turned around and headed towards the exit. She needed to get her backpack.
"Hold on, Sakura-chan! I don't understand… What do you mean you're leaving…", Naruto chased after the girl.
"Exactly what you heard. I am leaving Konoha with Sasuke.", Sakura increased her walking pace, readjusting the backpack on her shoulder.
"Did he put you up for this?", Naruto growled, "He can't just…"
"He doesn't even know yet.", Sakura interrupted her friend.
Naruto caught up to her and grabbed her for the upper arm, "Sakura-chan, listen to me!", the girl tried to escape his grip but failed and the Jinchuuriki turned her around to look in her face, "Tell me what happened. I finally have you back. You can't just possibly be so selfish and to leave me again." Naruto saw the sadness in her eyes. She actually didn't want to leave but was she forced to? "Did you talk with Tsunade-baachan?"
Sakura nodded, slowly calming down, "I asked her to let Sasuke leave if everything ends successfully. She refused."
"But…", Naruto slid his arms, letting her off.
"I understand her completely but I cannot leave him behind without caring what happens to him. Not after everything we've been through.", Sakura walked to the nearest tree trunk and dropped her backpack, slumping on the ground heavily.
"You know that you can tell him to get out of here before it's too late and you can continue to live here. It would be as if nothing happened.", Naruto smiled sadly.
Sakura knew how difficult it was for him to say those words. So many years spent in hopes and futile attempts to bring him back and now he had to face the impossible dilemma of choosing between her and his best friend, "I won't leave him behind. It's just not right. Many years ago I put a heavy burden on your shoulders, Naruto. And I'm sorry for that. Really sorry. I never should have asked you that." The kunoichi eased her head at the tree trunk.
"It wasn't the promise I gave you the thing that kept me chasing after him, Sakura-chan. He's like my brother. I love him as much as I love you. You two and Kakashi-sensei are my only family." The Jinchuuriki kneeled before her with a wide smile on his face, "If you leave with him, won't it mean that he's more important to you than us with Kakashi. Sensei would be crushed, I would be too. I just got you back."
"Naruto… I know what you're thinking. Believe me, I know. I've had a year to think those things over and over again. The fact, that you see me here alive, alone is a miracle.", Sakura sighed deeply, "I should have died a long time ago but Sasuke sacrificed his own safety for me…"
"He owed you at least that much…that idiot.", Naruto cursed mutedly.
The kunoichi stood up and grabbed her backpack, looking at her closest friend, "Listen to me. I cannot leave Konoha as easily as you think. You still need my help. I'm not a heartless person. I will stay here till all this is over. If we die, I'd die knowing that I've paid my dues and if we somehow survive, I'd be able to leave with my mind at peace that you're safe."
Naruto sighed, "It's good that you're not leaving now. That means I still have more time to talk you out of this insanity."
Sakura smirked, "Stubborn as always. Let's go."
"Where to?"
"Did I forget to tell you that you were spending some quality time with me and Sasuke?"
"But…"
"C'mon, Naruto, I know you two missed each other. We might die tomorrow, let's use the time we have to the fullest.", Sakura put her arm around his shoulders and dragged him after her.
"Hinata would…"
"She would understand you, don't worry…", Sakura snickered.
"If somebody see me now, it would wreck my plan…hiccup…to be the Hokage one day…", Naruto lisped drunkenly.
"Naahhhh…hiccup…Tsunade would simply kill you for drinking during a war time.", Sakura slurped the saliva gathered in her mouth, "Here, I'll burn the alcohol in your blood."
"You're drunk, Sakura.", Sasuke intervened from the futon next to the fire where he sat, "You'll mess him up."
"Shaddup, Sasuke, you, old wet blanket!", the kunoichi frowned, "You didn't even drink one sip of the sake I brought you."
Naruto giggled, "If Tsuande-baachan finds out you raided her hidden alcohol supplies you're even more dead than me, Sakura-chan…hiccup."
"Hush! Why should I care?...hiccup…I'm not a Konoha kunoichi anymore…", the girl pulled Naruto to her and placed a hand over his liver, letting the chakra to flow into his system. The Jinchuuriki frowned, feeling his metabolism fastening. Soon the expected headache appeared with the familiar thirst and dryness of the lips. Damn that hangover. The female medic sighed deeply as she removed her hand from the boy, "There. With two or three hours of sleep and two aspirins, you'll be as good as new…hiccup…tell Hinata to massage your temples…hiccup…in the morning.", Sakura tapped him on the shoulder and staggered to the fire, "Now, excuse me but I'm wasted."
Naruto laughed with pained, from the forced hangover, face and waved at them, reeling through the trees in direction to Konoha.
Sakura slumped heavily on the futon, next to Sasuke and placed a hand over her own liver. Before she had any chance to sober herself up, the boy's hand had covered hers. "Don't. It's better for you if you sober up naturally.", his voice was quiet.
"It won't be better tomorrow…", the girl lisped.
"But it's good now…it was an emotional day, Sakura, you deserve a little time to slack."
"We're in the middle of a war, Sasuke…hiccup…what's more…we are in the outskirts of the village…there's nobody around us…"
"Shh.", the Uchiha placed a forefinger on her lips, staring at her eyes, "I'm here to protect you." The fire reflected on her irises, making them look more like amber than emerald. Why hadn't he noticed till now how breathtaking they were? His finger travelled to the cheeks, contouring her face.
The touch was light, lingering, leaving weirdly feeling trails after it, as if a silk veil had caressed her skin. Sakura closed her eyes, enjoying the sensation. It was calming her down, chasing the anxiety away from her heart. Suddenly the touch became different, warmer, sending chills down her spine and arousing goose bumps on her skin. She raised her hand and felt the sensation of silky hair locks. A hazy notion in the back of her mind told her it was Sasuke's head. What was he doing? She felt his nose nuzzling gently against her neck. This was wrong but she needed to feel needed, wanted. Her fingers gripped tightly his locks and Sasuke's hand cupped the back of her neck, exposing her bare neck skin.
The Uchiha noticed the irregular pulse bumping under the soft, almost transparent skin and the shinobi pressed lips at it, feeling it's pumping against his mouth. Probably it was wrong to take advantage of a drunken girl but he couldn't suppress his desires anymore. So many nights, they were sharing a bed. He felt her breathing against his chest when sometimes she snuggled at his body, seeking for warmth; he would sense her heart beating when she pressed her back against his; small arms reaching for his in her sleep. It wasn't him, she wanted and dreamt about, he knew that but nobody stopped him for wishing he was. The Uchiha slid his arm, wrapping her around her thin waist and helped her lay on the futon. The girl under him didn't protest. Did she realize what he intended to do or she was simply too drunk to think about the consequences after that?
Sakura felt Sasuke's arms travelling all over her body. What was she doing for God's sake? Kakashi. She wanted Kakashi. Her eyes snapped open and saw the silver-haired man above her, with juvenile smile spread on his face. "Kakashi…", instinctively she wrapped her arms around the man above her and pulled him down for a gentle kiss.
The Uchiha froze for a second at the name of his ex-sensei that came from the mouth of the girl under him. Her small arms pulled him down and he felt as her lips touched his. "She thought I was him…", the realization sank into his mind as a hammer, dropped in the ocean. She never actually accepted him as a man. Pathetic, that's what he was.
A dull crack of broken wooden stick was heard near them, behind one of the trees. Sasuke immediately broke the kiss and looked at its direction. A shadow was slowly emerging from the darkness. The Uchiha's eyes narrowed and he knitted his brows.
"What are you doing, Sakura?", the voice of the Copy nin was low and threatening.
The kunoichi under Sasuke opened her eyes and glanced at direction to the voice that called her, she saw Kakashi with hands in his pockets, glaring at her. She didn't remember seeing him that angry before. Wait a second…if Kakashi was there...then who… her eyes shot at the man above her. Dark hair and eyes. Sasuke… she immediately pushed him away and tried to stand up but her head span and she fell on top of the young shinobi again. "I…", she tried to form a rational, sober thought in her mind but that seemed impossible with all that dizziness. Sasuke stood up and helped her stand on her feet.
Sakura licked her lips nervously and ran hand through her messy hair, "I…", she tried to start again but her voice cracked.
"I see.", Kakashi replied indifferently, "I can't judge with whom you wrinkle the sheets, Sakura, but I expected a bit more professionalism and sense of self-preservation from you. To get wasted during a war time. What were you thinking? I'm disappointed."
"So what?", suddenly the girl snapped making a step forward, "I'm not a Konoha kunoichi anymore, why should I care? I might as well leave tomorrow why should I care if I'm drunk or not."
"If I didn't witness what you were doing few minutes ago, I'd say that you'd do it for me and Naruto but obviously you just don't care, so I'm just gonna keep quiet.", the Copy nin turned around and made a step forward when Sakura's lisping and cracking voice stopped him.
"Why would I do it for you?", Sakura walked after him but Sasuke's hand stopped her, whispering soflt behind her, "Don't. You'll say something stupid." But she didn't listened, "What are we exactly, so you would care what happens to me? Friends? I don't think so. Lovers? Not really. Then what?" the kunoichi stood in front of him with green gaze fixed on his face. "Come on. Say something.", Sakura poked him with a finger in his arm. Kakashi only stared at her silently. "Fine. Should I tell you then? We're a man and a woman with one damn fucked up relationship."
Sasuke bit his lower lip, "What is she doing? That idiot! She should be apologizing. Hell, even I need to do that…."
"Then why are you still talking to me?", Kakashi said quietly with blank stare.
Sakura rose on her tiptoes and grabbed the man for his vest, pulling him down. Her lips were only a centimeter from his when she stopped. Why would she do this? It would cause him even more pain when she'd leave again. "Forget it.", she murmured, "It's not worth the suffering…"
The girl turned around and ran away into the darkness recklessly.
TBC