Fluff fluff fluff :) gotta love fluff, it was a lime but i felt like it was too soon...but i'm not sure, do you want more limey-ness or not? anyways yeah on to the chapter!
Sakura unlocked the door to her home and stepped through the threshold. Itachi followed close behind her both eager to get out of the downpour they got caught in. Sakura walked to a nearby couch and grabbed a large blanket and began drying off before grabbing another and handing it to Itachi. He took it and dried himself while following Sakura into her kitchen.
"Tea?" she asked placing the blanket on a chair.
"Yes please," he responded sitting at the table.
"I'm hungry, you hungry?"
He nodded.
"Something warm then…miso with noodles?"
He nodded again with a small smile. Sakura began busying herself around the familiar kitchen pulling out a large pot for the soup and various ingredients. Itachi stood up and helped her by placing the tea kettle under the faucet to fill it with water for the tea. After placing it on the burner Sakura handed him a knife and green onions for him to begin to chop. Sakura filled the pot with broth and turned the burner on medium to heat it up then turned to the noodles and placed them into the microwave covered with water. Itachi added the finely chopped onion into the broth them reached for the tofu and chopped it into small squares. Sakura glanced at his decision and smiled…she liked her tofu cut small as well. She stripped the seaweed next and placed it into the broth as it began to bubble. Itachi added the tofu and Sakura stirred all the ingredients together. The kettle began to whistle and Sakura reached up into a cupboard and pulled out the herbal tea box as well as two cups. Itachi poured the hot water into the cups as Sakura handed him the tea box.
"Mom always kept a large assortment," she said with a small smile, "Pick your favorite."
Itachi reached for the box and grabbed her hand as she released the small wooden contraption. He lifted her delicate hand up to his lips kissing her briefly before releasing her.
"Thank you," he whispered.
Sakura smiled as his eyes gently caressed her before the microwave dinged behind her. Slowly walking backwards she turned at the last minute to retrieve her noodles then added them to the soup. A slow boil began as she placed the glass top on the pot. Selecting her own tea flavor she soaked it in the hot cup.
"Oh did you want cream or milk?" she asked Itachi.
He shook his head, "This is fine."
"Lemon or sugar?"
"This is perfect Sakura," he replied setting his cup down onto the table.
She smiled sipping more tea letting it warm her insides. This was perfect wasn't it…being here just her and Itachi preparing dinner together…just the two of them. Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt Itachi's hand grab hers and lead her to the couch in the living room. He sat and pulled her down beside him where she cradled herself against his chest.
"Tell me what you're feeling?" he asked breathing in her rain soaked hair.
She sighed lightly before answering, "Oddly peaceful. The music…I used to attend small concerts with her but today the music really spoke to me."
The stopped talking and just listened to the pouring rain beat against the window behind the couch. Sakura lifted her head and stared at the grey sky.
"That thunder storm didn't last very long," she commented.
He nodded watching her lazy eyes stare unseeingly out the window. Her behavior was odd to say the least. She was resigned throughout the ceremony and Itachi knew that she didn't hear a word that was said during the service. Then during the condolences she didn't speak a word which bothered him greatly. Sakura was a very vocal person and to not have her say anything even to her closest friends set him slightly on edge. But what surprised him the most was her sealing of her favorite necklace and a scroll. He watched her as she did it, using a sealing made in blood so that the only other person who would be able to break it would be her. Whatever was in that scroll she didn't want anyone else to know about. She had obviously kept it hidden from the Hokage and her team for a reason and he was curious to find out what it was.
"Sakura," he drew her attention from the window, "Why did you seal your necklace?" He didn't want to ask a direct question in hopes that she would just open up to him about it.
"Are you asking about the necklace or are you asking about the scroll?" she turned to face him.
"Both."
Sakura looked down and traced his shoulder with her hand not entirely sure how to answer, "I don't want to talk about it."
"Didn't we agree we wouldn't keep secrets from each other," he asked tilting her head up forcing her to look him in the eye.
"We did."
"Then tell me."
She sighed as she removed his hand from her chin then placed it over her heart, "I sealed my heart."
His eyes narrowed, "Did you seal away your feelings too?"
She looked back up, "Not from you. I only sealed away the part that was linked to my parents. I have no family now and I need to be strong. The man that killed my mother is out there poisoning our shinobi and I need to be ready. I'm a kunoichi and if I spent my time grieving for something I cannot change then I will lose to him."
"You are speaking as though you're going to be meeting this man in one on one combat."
She nodded, "I'm hoping so."
"No," Itachi tightened his grip on her, "I will be with you."
"If you're with me then you would put you in danger and I cannot have that."
"Sakura do not forget who I am," he said with hard eyes.
She smiled regardless of the intense stare he was giving her but new she needed to placate him, "I haven't forgotten Itachi. You're the prodigy of the Uchiha clan; one of the fiercest and most feared shinobi in the world. But you are important to me, and just as you would protect me, I will protect you however I can."
He breathed heavily while the corners of his mouth turned upwards at her statement, "You are mine, and I will always protect what's mine."
He sealed his statement with a kiss and she responded with equal tenderness. She raised her left hand to gently caress his face as Itachi slid his hand from her chest to her back. Sakura was getting cramped in her current position so she switched from leaning next to him to straddling one of his legs. She sighed when the action prompted her Uchiha to escalate the kiss from tenderness to eagerness. He slowly inserted his tongue into her waiting mouth causing her to softly moan as both of her hands wound around his neck bringing her closer to him. She felt his hands starting the soft massaging of her body slowly; they would stop at the low scoop on the back of her dress before heading back down. She never changed after coming home from the funeral…eating and getting warm was the priority in her mind. And now Sakura was definitely warming up and it wasn't from the food they had cooking on the nearby stove.
Her hands moved on their own running through his raven locks and down to the ribbon holding his hair tied in the back. She really needed to find out what type of product he used to keep his hair this soft even after getting caught in the pouring rain but that was going to have to wait until later since his hands decided to caress her skin on the open part of her back. She could feel the callouses on his palms and the tips of his fingers and it ignited a sense of fire through her skin. Sakura knew then that if she wasn't careful this was going to turn into a make out session or perhaps more. The former she wouldn't mind but the latter she knew she wasn't ready for.
A slight panic coursed through her body when Sakura heard more than felt the zipper on the back of her dress getting pulled steadily down.
"Itachi wait," she pulled away from his tempting lips while stopping his hand behind her back, "I…I'm not ready for that."
"Not ready for what?" he asked watching her blush increase.
"We haven't been seeing each other long enough for sex," she clarified looking at him hoping he wouldn't make her feel awkward or pressured in any way. They had been getting closer and more comfortable with each other but to ask this of her now…she couldn't and she would do everything to make sure she saved herself for marriage…or at least until she felt comfortable enough to give him this.
Itachi could see it, the fear…the virginal fear. While his actions might suggest that he wanted to take her now he actually had no intention of doing so. Her hand held his in a death grip on her back while the other held firmly onto his shoulder. He took a deep calming breath schooling his distrustful hormones and feelings so he could properly tell his pink haired beauty hi true intentions.
"Sakura, I'm sorry if my actions led you to assume that I wanted to take that from you," He whispered to her, "That was not my intention by unzipping you…I merely wanted to feel more of you. I promise I will not take what you are not yet willing to give me."
Sakura released her pent up breath in relief. He was sincere about his promise but he still told her that he wanted to progress…he wanted to feel her, to touch her, and he promised not to do more than that. She knew then that as soon as she said stop that he would, so in response to his promise she removed her hand from his as he finished unzipping her dress in the back. She held his gaze searching for any clues as to his intentions or thoughts. This was definitely the next step. For the past few weeks it had only been kissing and cuddling and small amounts of affection. But now that she was thinking about it…she was ready for more just as he was.
Itachi smiled softly at her willingness as his hands stilled at the end of the line just above rear. He could tell she was waiting for him to see what he would do next. Both of his hands made contact with her velvet soft skin and continued the same massaging motion with controlled slowness taking in the feeling of electricity that coursed through him as he touched her.
"So smooth…so soft," he whispered as his hands pushed her forward to his lips once more.
Sakura melted against his touch and his soft declaration. His hands were like fire…everywhere he touched instantly became warmer and she couldn't help but want more of him. Her hands gripped his neck as she plunged her tongue into his mouth fighting for control of the kiss. Itachi put up a good fight until Sakura had to breathe and the instant her lips left his to take in some much needed air she was overcome by the sensation of his soft commanding lips on her neck. His hands now moved faster, more possessively over her exposed skin as he tasted his more thoroughly. He wanted to mark her as a lover would but didn't allow himself the pleasure since he didn't have the privilege yet. For now he contented himself to just explore her and learn her as a man should.
She felt him explore her exposed skin and she loved every moment of it. She wanted more or what he was giving her, more of this fire and this possession. Even with this desire when his hands stopped at her shoulders and made to move her sleeves down she froze. Itachi froze with her waiting for her permission. He could see she wanted it but her hesitancy was a clear signal…he'd overstepped his bounds. Sakura's cheek was against his as she took deep breaths to control herself. She wanted this…I want this.
Sakura snapped back to reality when his hands started to fall away, "Wait!"
He waited replacing his hands back on top of her shoulders.
"I'm just nervous…I'm sorry," she told him leaning back to look at his desire filled eyes.
"Just say stop and I will."
"I want to…I…" she sighed feeling foolish, "Itachi I've never been in this situation with a boy. I've kissed others but this…I've never allowed this."
He smiled softly and leaned in to kiss her nose, "Do you trust me?"
She nodded not wanting to speak because she knew she'd just sound like an idiot. Itachi instead leaned forward and kissed her lips slowly just like the beginning when they first started then gently slid the sleeves off her shoulders. Sakura's hands rose up on his chest as she broke the kiss breathing deeply. Itachi waited for her to feel comfortable by slowly tracing her shoulder blades with his fingers. After taking another deep breath Sakura loosened the sleeves pulling the fabric lose from her arms. The top of the dress fell revealing her creamy white skin and black strapless bra but Itachi didn't look. He only continued to watch her face and trace lazy circles around her upper back stopping when his fingers touched the top of her bra. After a few seconds Sakura readjusted again covering her chest but still left her shoulders bare. Keeping her head bowed she struggled to meet his eyes while trying to control a blush that would put Hinata to shame.
"Thank you," he whispered waiting for her to make eye contact with him again.
She did with a quizzical brow and pink cheeks, "For what?"
"For trusting me."
She smiled at his sincerity and leaned forward and kissed him tenderly.
"Thank you for being a gentleman," she whispered against his lips.
He hummed in response as he tilted his head and began his exploration of her neck again. She tilted her head giving him all the access he desired. She let him control her, move her, touch her while she just simply enjoyed it. But it wasn't until he moved to the front and kissed her above the hem of her dress that she snapped. Her hands instantly flew to the back of his head holding him in place. His hands gripped her hips tightly when she drew him up to kiss him again. She moaned lightly against his mouth as one of his hands left her tantalizing skin and gripped her silky pink tresses.
Oh Kami help me…she thought as a whole new series of feelings and sensation overcame her. There was definitely something about the lack of a barrier that opened the flood gates where new boundaries could be crossed and new feelings could be felt.
Breathe…must breathe…
Tearing her lips away from his, Sakura leaned forward gasping from her overwhelming feelings. Itachi wasted no such time as he locked onto her neck again then proceeded to kiss her now heated flesh. This position wasn't doing enough for him though so he decided to rectify the problem of moving her leg that was between his to the outside so that she was now straddling him. Sakura gasped as his hands forced her to sit firmly on top of him as she unconsciously ground into his hardened flesh. Itachi's groan of approval made her smile but then she felt she needed…something…
"I-Itachi," she breathed stilling him with her hands. He stopped per her request but it took every ounce of will-power to do so. He placed small kisses to the exposed part of her chest before looking up and meeting her lust filled gaze.
"I want to…" she stopped trying to control not stutter, "Feel you too."
He smirked at her request then leaned forward waiting for her to make her move. She smiled shyly understanding his nonverbal hint Sakura let her hands slide slowly down his chest to the end of his black funeral shirt. He quirked a brow teasingly when she hesitated only to see her eyes narrow. Slowly her hands slipped under only to come in contact with his mesh undershirt.
She growled at him, "Mesh…"
He shrugged his shoulders with a smug smirk then guided her fingers lower into his pants making her blush intensify. She realized that before she got into a compromising position they curled around the edge of the mesh lining and proceeded back upward. Sakura breathed deeply regaining some control over her pounding heart as she freed the tucked fabric from his pants. Her hands turned and gripped the fabric and she continued upwards while Itachi lifted his arms and she discarded the barriers.
He watched as Sakura's eyes widened appreciatively over his exposed torso. He waited in anticipation as she slowly extended her hands to touch his bare skin lightly. Her emerald eyes were hidden under her dark lashes as Sakura looked up to asking silent permission to caress him as he caressed her moments before. His eyes must have held the answer because she started touching him, running her hands from his chest down to his abdominals then back up. She then traced his toned arms giggling to herself as she squeezed slightly feeling the muscles contort and tighten under her probing hands.
So hard but smooth…almost like a contradiction, she thought to herself, He's beautiful.
She looked back up into his eyes and saw his desire for her.
"Kiss me Itachi," she breathed before he complied with a new fire than before.
He commanded her, her body reacted to his every touch and his every desire. She was helpless beneath him and she drowned in his kisses. She didn't want to think and she didn't even want to breathe, she only wanted to feel him to pleasurable things to her body.
Prodigy indeed…he's everywhere…
They were lost in each other, wanting to get closer only but not taking the risk. Sakura was constantly brought back down to reality whenever she felt him press something hard against her lower body. She didn't want to think about it because then the temptation would be too much and she didn't want to lose it like this. She wanted his love and she needed time. She had to make sure that this wasn't a short fling for him. Her mind told her that was silly…his declaration on their first date told her that this was more than a fling but still…he was an Uchiha and just like with Sasuke this didn't feel real.
It took her a moment to realize that he'd stopped. Her mind was still cloudy from his ardent attentions and it took her a while to completely focus on his onyx eyes staring at her. She smiled at seeing his soft gaze as he gently stroked her cheek.
"If we keep going I'll be forced to break my promise," Itachi told her with a devious glint in his eyes.
"What…why?" she asked her eyes wide.
He kissed her forehead with a small smirk, "You have no idea how tempting you really are. So beautiful inside and out."
"I could say the same for you," she teased eyeing him up and down as much as she could, "How'd I snag such a beautiful man."
He chuckled deep in his chest. "My jewel," he purred next to her ear before nipping it with his teeth.
Her entire body shivered as his hot breath tickled her ear. Sakura tried shaking off the sensation by bowing her head and planting soft kiss on Itachi's neck. "No fair…" she pouted, "I don't have a nickname for you."
He nuzzled her cheek in response and placed a small kiss to her small nose, "We need to stop or the soup will burn."
Pink eyebrows furrowed and thin rosy lips pursed into a thin line, "I'm not hungry anymore."
"You are," he responded scooting towards the edge of the couch.
"Fine…but you better keep that shirt off," she teased holding the dress up around her chest.
"Only if you take off the rest of that dress," he quipped watching to see her reaction.
Her pink stained cheeks did not disappoint and neither did her shy downcast eyes. She stood awkwardly with a small smile before tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.
"I'm going to go change real quick I'll see you in the kitchen."
Itachi replaced his mesh and black silk shirt then walked into the kitchen. Studying the kitchen with a quick eye he judged where the empty bowls would be stashed and opened the nearest cupboard to see his assumption was correct. Taking the two porcelain bowl and placing them on the counter he lifted the lid covering the soup and inhaled the warming scent.
"We're gonna need more tea," Sakura announced entering the kitchen in comfy sweat pants and tank top.
The raven haired Uchiha hummed in agreement replacing the lid on the soup. Sakura had just refilled the kettle with warm water and placed it on the stove to heat. Once finished she reached up on top of the fridge and pulled a long loaf of bread down and cut some pieces. Turning the knob of the oven to broil Sakura buttered each piece then set the tray holding the bread into the oven and set the timer.
"Anything else you want to eat?" Sakura asked wringing her arms around Itachi's muscled waist.
"Do you want me to answer honestly?" he arched a teasing eyebrow at her.
She smirked rubbing her hands over his chest then kissed it through the fabric, "Yes…honestly."
Strong hands grabbed her arms just below thin smooth shoulders causing the pink haired woman to halt in her actions. She waited as silky raven hair tickled her cheeks as she felt his warm breath tickle her ear once again.
"…You…" he breathed nipping her ear once again.
She stilled unable to move as his lips and teeth lower to her jaw then down to her neck. Sakura tilted her head allowing him more access that he took advantage of. The timer cut their playfulness short as Itachi released his cherry blossom to take out the bread from the oven. The kettle whistled at the same moment and Sakura removed it from the heat and poured the scalding water into a separate tea kettle. Itachi busied himself with scooping the soup into the bowls while Sakura placed the bread and tea on the table.
As they sat at the table Itachi eyed her while stirring his soup with his chopsticks, "So were you going to tell me what was on that scroll?"
Sakura sighed sipping some of the soup broth with her soup spoon, "Something that I hope I'll never have to use."
"A jutsu?"
She nodded not making eye contact.
"Forbidden?"
"It could be and I don't really want to find out…unless I absolutely have to," she finally looked up at him with sad eyes, "To use it I feel like I would become someone I would hate looking at in the mirror."
They were silent then as they continued to eat both pondering what was said. On one hand Sakura wanted to tell him…she wanted someone to confide in. But on the other hand she wanted to keep it a secret. That jutsu was given to her by her father and after studying it she had to question everything she knew about the man. Her mother's letter talked about her past and her parents; how they met, their secret affair, her father's defection, information that her mother was sure that she would need in order to kill this man…the man that has haunted her dreams from the past three nights.
"Sakura," Itachi's measured voice broke her out of her reverie, "How have you been sleeping?"
Jade eyes narrowed, "I hope you haven't been stalking me?"
"You invited…"
She scoffed but was cut off before she could retort.
"I was concerned and I know you've been having nightmares."
"Let it go…I don't want to talk about it."
"All the more reason for you to do so," he cut off staring at her intently.
Sakura sighed in frustration while running her hands through her hair, "It's the same one…over and over. And it's not the first time that this has happened. It is the same now as it was then…" she took a deep breath pushing the rest of her food away from her, "Because it really happened."
A young Sakura was making her way home from another round of bullying. Her red ribbon that her new best friend Ino gave her was slightly torn but it wasn't anything her mommy couldn't fix. Her mommy could fix anything. But her mommy has been sad since daddy died and all she wanted to do was to make her mommy smile again like she used to.
Sakura fingered the pretty necklace her daddy had given her when she entered the Ninja Academy. He was happy and proud and hoped that her daddy in heaven was happy and proud of her too. She knew he wouldn't like it if she stayed sad but she missed him and wanted him back to hold her and kiss her wide forehead and make her feel like the most special girl in the world aside from her mommy.
Walking up to her front door she wiped the last of her tears from her big green eyes then froze. There were sounds inside like her mommy was running away from someone. Cautiously the small pink haired girl opened the door.
"Mommy?" she called cautiously before she was pulled violently into her home. A small yelped emitted from her small mouth as she was shoved into something hard.
"Well now Kya, what do we have here?" Little Sakura looked up to see a man looking down on her. The man's body was cloaked in darkness and she could only see his bright silver eyes holding something sinister that made Sakura tremble.
"Tetsu release my daughter at once!" Sakura looked through teary eyes to see her mother holding a kunai.
The scary man tsked tightening his grip around Sakura's small torso, "Let me think about that…no."
Sakura whimpered as the grip got harder and harder for her to breathe.
"Stop! You're hurting her!" Kya jumped at the man aiming for his arm. What she didn't expect, since she was pumped full of protective mother adrenaline, was that this man would use Sakura as a shield against the kunai.
Sakura's small scream filled the air as the kunai pierced her small tender flesh just above her hip. Kya's eyes widened in fright at her action and dropped the kunai to grab her daughter that the intruder dropped into her hands.
"I'm not the one hurting her now Kya," the silver eyed man chuckled as he turned watching the mother cradle the hysterical daughter against her breast.
"Just leave Tetsu!" Kya pleaded, "She doesn't have the Kekkei Genkai!"
"Oh is that true?" he took a step closer. Kya reacted and placed her hand on the nearby banister of the staircase. A large paper seal appeared and began pulsing with chakra.
"You have about two minutes before ANBU is swarming this house. I suggest you take your leave before they capture you and ruin all of your plans," Kya warned.
Tetsu turned and began walking to the door when the kunai Kya had dropped pierced his shoulder. He gasped at the pain and turned to return the favor when something stopped him. Little Sakura's eyes were bright silver and she was snarling at him.
"You stay away from me and mommy, or else!" she yelled at the scary man.
"Oh little flower," he smiled wickedly at the small spit fire, "I'll be back for you. Hair the color of spring, eyes as green as the grassy hills, yes once I get my hands on you the cycle shall be complete."
Sakura lifted her tank top to reveal a long scare just above her right hip, "And I never saw him again. But I know that this man is in some way related to me. That's the one nice thing about having a recurring dream…you figure things out. Funny thing is I dreamed about that bastard for a week afterward. And if it wasn't for his manipulation I have no idea when my Inner would have manifest."
"What about what he said at the end about the cycle?" Itachi asked listening intently and analyzing everything she was telling him.
Sakura shook her head, "I don't know. But his…obsession over my appearance has to be a clue. Why?"
Itachi sat and thought about everything. This man had a relation to Sakura. Her mother knew him and her father and chose to intervene after the death of Haruno-san. That could indicate that he was keeping tabs on them. But why not come sooner…according to her dream he showed up about a week after the funeral. Maybe his spy had to travel to him in order to deliver the news.
"Sakura…think back…did the man, Tetsu, seem surprised about your arrival?"
Emerald eyes closed thinking about her recurring nightmare, "Yes and no. I think he knew about me but his real interest wasn't peaked until he took in my appearance and really looked at me."
Itachi nodded, so his initial interest was just for intimidation and his real interest didn't come until after. The seal in the house had to be an act that her father set up prior to his death. If he knew what was coming then he did right thing in adding a sensory alarm that went directly to ANBU. But to get clearance for a seal like that would need the Hokage's approval. So their protection had to be sanctioned by the Hokage for a reason…but what?
He glanced up at his beautiful jewel and watched as a mixture of emotions play across her face. She was thinking, reliving, planning, and most of all was resolved into doing whatever it was that she needed to. Feeling his eyes on her Sakura glanced up her eyes red with unshed tears. Itachi reached his hand out and grasped her as a gesture of comfort.
"I won't let him get near you Sakura."
She smiled sadly, "It doesn't matter…he's gotten passed me twice now and it's only going to get worse until I kill him."
"Don't become a martyr…let those who love you, help you," he smiled softly at her surprised face.
"You…can't possibly feel that," she stated in disbelief.
One thin dark eyebrow quirked at her, "Are you doubting my affections for you?"
"No…but…" she shook her head, "I'm sorry ummm…"
Itachi tugged on her hand then directed her to sit on his lap. Sakura let herself be led as she got comfortable.
"My feelings for you run deep," he whispered kissing her cheek, "I may not say it now but please understand that that is how I feel."
Sakura smiled and turned to straddle him. Her hands ran through his long hair slowly so she wouldn't inadvertently catch any snarls from their earlier make out session. After the hair slipped through her fingers she continued to trace up his cheek to his forehead then down to each side of his nose along his tear troughs and ending at his lips. They parted slightly at her touch before she settled her ivory hands lightly on either side of his face and kissed him. It was soft, light, affectionate, and everything she needed at the moment. The feather lightness between their lips was more intoxicating that the most passionate they had ever shared with one another. She craved this gentle feeling more than water.
Rosy lips sighed pulling away from their tempting partner and she nuzzled his nose in an Eskimo kiss, "I love the way you kiss me."
He responded with a smirk then kissed her nose then pressed his lips again to hers.
Focus…feel…concentrate…
It was early in the morning, the light from the rising sun was just beginning to peak over the luscious forest. Birds were beginning sing their early morning songs and the dew evaporated from the suns first rays. Sakura stood perfectly still in front of a large boulder on Team Seven's training grounds with her hands together palms flat as if in prayer. She'd been training for two hours, unable to sleep because of her recurring nightmare. Instead of tossing and turning in bed she decided to prepare for the inevitable…facing the silver-eyed man from her dreams and ending his miserable life.
Focus…now break…
Sakura took a deep breath then focused on her chakra. In one hand she focused on her healing chakra and on the other her destructive chakra. Fisting her destructive palm she punched the boulder only to make a small crack in rock.
Not good enough.
No not even close, the balance is off. You need to focus less on the healing and more on destruction.
Hai.
Let's keep going…we've got a long way to go before work.
And a meeting with Tsunade-sama.
Yeah that too.
Taking another deep breath Sakura pumped destructing chakra into her hand and shattered the boulder in front of her.
I need to be able to do that and heal at the same time.
Hai…let's try it again.
Tsunade sat at her desk reading through the newest report Shizune placed on her desk. The Alliance just gave the Five-Tails to Grass…one of her top suspects working with the mercenaries. Rosy lips growled at the memory of the Daimyo completely dismissing her claims that the four other bijuu should be placed on hold until this mercenary group was captured. But in order to maintain a semblance of peace the aloof idiot dismissed her claims and did not bring anything to the attention of the Alliance. She was so engrossed in her own thoughts that she didn't realize that Naruto was next to her until he started speaking.
"So they decided not to listen to you?" he asked innocently.
Tsunade jumped and out of reaction hit Naruto hard enough to send him across the room.
"Damn you Naruto! When did you start sneaking around instead of announcing yourself to the world!" she demanded rubbing her temples.
Naruto groaned as he stood up rubbing his head, "Easy baa-chan and I did announce myself you just didn't hear me."
"Read this," she tossed him the scroll with the information.
Naruto caught the scroll them plopped down on the couch at the side of her office. She studied his whiskered face watching as his eyes got progressively wider.
"They are the chief suspects!" he roared throwing the scroll across the room.
"Yes they are," he answered in a bored tone.
"But-but didn't you warn the Alliance of that?" Naruto started pacing around the room.
"Yes…"
"And they decided to not listen to you anyway?"
"We have yet to give them credible proof. The Daimyo's decided that it was best to continue as is," she explained tapping her fingers against her desk.
"That's bullshit!" the blonde growled leaning against the wall.
"Yes it is, until we can get more credible evidence Grass will keep the Five-Tails. And if they seal it into someone before we can get it back…" Tsunade eyes her successor letting him mull over the implications.
"So then we just can't pass any jinchurikki candidates," Naruto concluded, "Good thing Bee and I are in charge of that. I'll have to let him know."
"And we need to find out who and what is behind this."
"I think I can help you with that." Naruto and Tsunade looked up to see Sakura closing the door to the Hokage's office, "Naruto, Tsunade-sama we need to have a talk."
"Oh is that so?" Tsunade asked facing forward eyeing her apprentice.
Sakura nodded, "Yes, and with you permission I want to be fully involved in the apprehension of the clan behind this."
"And why is that?" Tsunade folded her hands under her chin.
"Because of this," Sakura held up a folded piece of paper, "My mother left this for me the day she died."
"And what is it?"
Sakura took a deep breath, "Answers…turns out I'm related to this bastard."
Naruto gasped, "He's family!"
"He's no family of mine!" Sakura yelled at her teammate before composing herself, "I said I'm related doesn't mean he's family."
"And you know this…" Tsunade held her hand out for the paper.
"This explains everything."
Tsunade took the paper from Sakura's grasped and began reading.
Now for the most important information my little flower. The man you're looking for his name is Tetsu and once you see his face you will know it is him because he looks just like your father. They were brothers and constantly bickered about clan politics and leadership. Your father was a very powerful shinobi and his brother was just as strong. He is the cause of your poison sweetheart, it's his ultimate power and it cannot be beaten no matter how hard you try. When your father and I were together Tetsu was developing and perfecting his poison to make it unbeatable.
But don't lose heart because your father figured out a way to counter it and it can only be done by someone of our clan…and that's you my darling daughter. You can beat him and by studying my body I know you'll be able to figure it out and no tears my flower…I did this for you because I knew it was coming. He promised to return and he did.
Now for more information that you'll need. Your clan the Haruno's are a very patriarchal society run completely by men. The women of the clan are…very subservient. It is this reason that your father never allowed me to meet your family. And Tetsu is clan head since your father left. Sakura he left for you, to protect you from the corruption that the clan was falling into. They are collectors, Tetsu's idea of perfection in the clan is to gather and harness the strongest bloodlines and combine them with the perfect chakra control of your clan. This is how he uses his kunoichi's and it's why you will never find another kunoichi or another woman in the clan that wasn't born into it. Anyone on the outside was always killed after the child was old enough to be weaned. But your father and I loved each other, so to protect you and me from this he defected from the clan and brought us here to Konoha.
Sakura, this is important…Tetsu has been planning something from the very beginning and your father knew about it. He wouldn't tell me to protect me but Sakura he's been collecting for years. Anything he has is going to be powerful. Be careful but be strong, don't let him break you and keep your friends close. Let them help you because you are stronger together. Find him and end him, your father wanted you safe and coming to Konoha was his answer. Tetsu saw something in you that night when he came to protect yourself and don't let him lay a finger on you. Train Sakura, train hard and show him that love is stronger than hate. Show him that his way of ninja is wrong.
"There's more to this letter Sakura," Tsunade waved the paper in her hand.
"Hai, but it's personal I've brought you the most important information about the man behind this," Sakura answered.
Tsunade nodded to her then set the three pages down the reached into her desk and pulled out her sake bottle. Naruto took the opportunity to read through the letter.
Sakura snickered, "Little early isn't it shishou?"
The buxom blonde snorted, "Maybe but it's obviously going to be that kind of day. And you look like you've been up for a few hours already."
Sakura nodded, "Couldn't sleep."
"Why?"
"Dreams…my mother referred to it in the letter."
"Sakura-chan…" Naruto said getting his pink haired teammates attention, "You've seen this man before?"
Sakura nodded, "A long time ago. A week or so after my dad died he came into my home and tried to kill my mother. Thankfully my father had emergency seals placed in the house that alerted ANBU to trouble."
"Clearance like that takes the Hokage's approval," Tsunade downed a glass.
"Hai it does and the reason for it I don't know…I never thought to ask mama why we had it," Sakura bowed her head then took her own sake glass swallowing the contents whole.
"Hey baa-chan, if everything in here is true," Sakura looked up glaring at Naruto, "I'm not saying it's not Sakura-chan! If it is then we need to be careful about who we send after them."
"You're right and only the best of our living shinobi should be assigned. And now that we have a basic profile of this mercenary we have a place to start," Tsunade smiled at her apprentice.
Sakura smirked while Naruto scratched his head, "What do you mean?"
"If this pig is a collector then he's sure to frequent places where powerful rogue shinobi are known to be," Sakura raised an eyebrow at her favorite blonde.
"Uhhh…" Naruto's baby blues turned to look at Tsunade for an answer.
The Hokage tsked at his confusion, "Kami Naruto, if you can't figure this out then your days as Hokage candidate are rapidly coming to a close."
"Think of it this way Naruto," Sakura interjected, "Where is a place where rogue shinobi would frequent and powerful one at that, get quality food and women and not have to be burdened with the responsibility of calling back."
The two women watched as a light bulb turned on inside the whiskered boy's head, "Oh…you mean brothels."
Yeah the chapter is a little shorter but i wanted to get it up to stay with my week deadline. Thing are heating up in more ways than one ;) DId you like it did you not? How was the fluff...did you want more? Answer me in a review!