Hello friends, I'm here with Chapter Seventeen! If any of you have been struggling with finals this week as I have, I was hoping this update would cheer some of you up!
IMPORTANT: BEFORE YOU READ - THIS FIC MAY BECOME RATED M-MATURE, BASED ON THE FEEDBACK I GET FROM YOU GUYS. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT ME REVEALING SOME INTIMATE SCENES BETWEEN THE TWO? ...PLEASE GIVE ME YOUR INPUT ON THIS.
Special appreciation to all who reviewed: Ili, ILoveSxS, in-the-tsukuyomi, JakuraAngel, randilynnbaby18, , xiaholica, Theknight000, marshmallowfairies, purvy sage, kitanaloa, CreanoftheLeaf, Queenies, mannuj, Maria Winchester, BookWormFT, Plae Blossom, gurdianofearth, Childofthecosmos, and my dear MissKonoha!
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Adore you all, and am so grateful for all the support you've shown :))))
Disclaimer:I do not own Naruto, but this is my plot.
Read on!
Chapter Seventeen:Afflicted
Maybe a greater thing will happen,
Maybe all will see,
Maybe our love will catch like fire,
As it burns through me...
The door to her dorm room burst open, only to slam shut with rattling force.
She didn't even flinch at her blonde friends brashness, having become immune to her untamed tendencies.
"What are you still doing in bed? Come on, Tenten and Hinata are waiting for us! Those boys are gonna eat dirt today!"
The rosette sighed from where she lay comfortably on the bed. Rolling onto her side to face Ino, she propped her head up on her bent elbow,"Ino, we don't play football... Why cant we just watch the boys play?"
The platinum blonde threw an incredulous look over her shoulder at Sakura,"You sound just like Shikamaru right now! UGH! We are going to play! I refuse to take their sexist words sitting down, do you hear me? Your dignity as a woman is on the line!"
Sakura rolled her eyes.
Her best-friend could be quite the motivational speaker, but Sakura was familiar with this reaction. Ino's feelings had been hurt, and she wanted justice, that's really what this was about. But goodness, give the girl a mic and she'd have everyone and their moms involved. She was that good, definitely her fathers daughter.
An image of Ino sitting among-st the congressman, with her blonde brows - condescending in their arched- shape, and icy blue eyes glaring daggers at the politicians who would dare to question why her nails were painted hot pink. She would completely flip the switch and somehow make them believe her painted nails were beneficial for the environment and go as far as to dismiss them from the meeting for ever doubting her. Permanently.
Sakura burst out of the illusive scene with hearty laughter, waving at the air as if the images were displayed on a projector before her.
Ino shot her another half-hearted glare,"What's so funny forehead?"
The rosette shook her head and dispelled the pictures from her mind. "Nothing, I'm with you for your justice."
"Good."
See? Her best-friend didn't even bother to deny it.
The strawberry blonde walked over to the closet, seeking out something sporty to wear... And coming up short because she couldn't entirely focus. Her breathing had fluctuated ever since she uttered her agreement.
Because, Sasuke would be there.
It was a beautiful Thursday afternoon. The boys hadn't wanted to waste the quickly reducing sunshine, since they were nearly into November. So, they were going to play football, courtesy of Naruto and Kiba. They hadn't been too vocal about playing, since it was just for fun and they didn't want a lot of random people to show up. But, they did want the girls there - to cheerlead. Tenten had of course, declared that there would be no such cheering and that if they were to come, they were going to play with the boys.
It hadn't been an easy debate, and probably didn't end well because Ino came back to their dorm in her offensive state, demanding the rosette get dressed. But Sakura was only agreeing to appease Ino, there was no way she was going out there, to make a fool out of herself in front of Sasuke.
A bashful smile spread across her lips. The past few days had been, well, different.
She wasn't accustomed to the fleeting touches - that she was steadily growing to yearn for - when no one was looking, or knowing glances when she'd get caught staring. Sakura had yet to catch him in the act, though he occasionally wore a small smirk for no apparent reason so she knew she was missing him in the action by a slim second.
Sasuke had decided to keep their affiliation confidential for the time being. And, she didn't have any objections, since she had to worry about her father possibly dropping in unannounced...
Surprisingly, Karin, Ayame and Ami hadn't been any trouble at all. Even on one odd account, Karin silenced Ayame before she could finish a nasty comment at the rosette. Sakura was unsure of how to feel or what to think about it. She didn't think the scolding from Lady Tsunade would've shaken the girls to the degree it had... The rosette strongly felt the young Uchiha heir might have had something to do with the girls refined behaviors. Since the raven-haired boy had asked her if they were still giving her trouble, with a very questionable tone. But, what exactly he had done or said to the girls, she had no clue. He had yet to confess anything - as expected. So, she had no proof and no real explanation besides Tsunade speaking with the three girls.
Lady Tsunade was everything Sakura thought she would be. Beautiful, wise... and, terrifying.
That Monday, after the whole ordeal, Tsunade had called Sakura into her office. She sat the rosette down and didn't let her speak a word - only listen. Tsunade had been regretful that it had gotten so out of hand, and explained all that she had made right within her administration office. She had not been lenient in the least. And further expressed that the three girls had been properly dealt with... And of course, she didn't let Sakura leave without making her blush crimson.
*Flashback*
"And Sakura?"
She stopped just before exiting the office,"Yes Lady Tsunade?"
The head-master watched her closely,"If anyone gives you any more distress, please come to me... Vengeful Uchiha's are tenacious, and too much trouble. I'd rather not have to deal with that particular one again if I can help it."
The heat hit her so hard, she had to grab ahold of the wall for support,"I - Sasuke - What did he?"
Tsunade smiled sweetly, understandingly,"Your a good soul Sakura Haruno... He, along with that loud-mouthed Uzumaki cant help but be drawn to you... But, please do come to me in the future."
Letting out a shaky breath, she smiled,"I will... Thank you Lady Tsunade."
*Flashback End*
There were obviously a lot of internal things Sasuke had done for her too.
The rosette sighed.
There was so much she wanted to ask him, so much she wanted to know.
But, right now, things were complicated.
Her emotions had been conflicted all week because, they were keeping physical contact to a minimum for a lot of reasonable - reasons, and most of the talking was at night. Sasuke would call her during the night and they'd talk for hours. Correction - she'd do most of the questioning and chatting and he would listen, occasionally giving an answer to her onslaught of questions...but she wanted more. She wanted to have long meaningful or pointless conversations about family, love, the damn weather - in person. Sakura wanted to touch him when people were looking, and for him to touch her and - God she wanted him to kiss her. They hadn't kissed since last weekend when she was stuck at home with her father after that whole nightmarish ordeal.
It was torture being near him and unable to do any of those things.
And it was all a bit, surreal... Sakura wasn't familiar with these new desires and situations. She had to constantly remind herself that this was reality right now.
"Ready?" Ino asked with excitement, breaking the rosette out of her musings.
The blonde wore a pair of grey cotton shorts and a blue long-sleeve. Her hair, in its usual up-do and she looked lovely. Too lovely to play football. Sakura adjusted the bands of her black sweat shorts, that reached just beneath her knee's and Ino moved to pinch off a white string from the rosette's white long-sleeve. Pulling her pastel pink hair into a pony-tail to keep out of the way, Ino moved to loosen some strands to frame her face. Of course, Sakura found herself doing the same for the blonde and they both cracked a smile.
"Ready. Are we meeting Tenten and Hinata there?"
Ino nodded,"Yeah, they went ahead, I came to change and get you."
"Right."
So, with a pounding heart, and somersaulting stomach, the rosette followed after the blonde.
A whine left Ino's lips for the tenth time in the half-hour they had been sprawled on the grass - on the side-lines, away from the on-going game.
And of course, they weren't alone. Many pretty (uninvited) girls sat along the side-lines, admiring the masculine display before them.
The boys had already become involved in a game when Sakura and the others first arrived, so they had to wait til it was over before they could join in. Ino had not been happy, and Tenten wasn't too far behind her. They believed the boys had done it on purpose so the girls playing with them could be delayed. Which Sakura thought was a highly accurate guess but she was secretly relieved they didn't have to play just yet.
She had slight tremors running through her body, that would not ease up - simply watching the boys play. Watching Sasuke play.
Aside from her friends, every jock on campus was present on the field. Kimimaro, Suigetsu, Juugo, Shino, Kiba, Rock Lee, Chouji, Shikamaru, Neji, Naruto, and Sasuke. Some of the other boys she only knew by face and the rest she didn't know at all. They were all split up into two random teams with eleven players each.
But amongst them all, Sasuke Uchiha stood out like a wolf in the midst of coyotes.
With his reputation, he automatically had the intimidation tactic down without having to do much and that - Sakura realized was a major factor in this game. If you can get inside your opponents head, winning is almost guaranteed. But, aside from the intimidation, watching Sasuke play was arresting. Her emerald irises hadn't strayed from his body since they first arrived. He led his team like a true captain, directing and reassuring every second of the game. Not once did his cool demeanor slip. He had Naruto and Neji on his team, and they were a dynamic trio. Effortlessly reading the others motive without having to express much, leading to score after score. It was fascinating to watch, but mostly it was downright beastly. There was absolutely no padding or gear involved in this game, making it all the more nerve-wrecking to watch. And the teams were merciless against one another, tackling and crushing the other as if they were out for blood. Which proved to be true since several boys on both teams were dotted and lined with bruises and cuts. But, whenever the opposing team targeted Sasuke - the quarterback, her heart dropped into her stomach. She would tense up every time, waiting for the brutal impact by the defensive players. Since the defensive team would try to reach him with a few players at once, though Naruto and Neji were great at covering Sasuke for most of the impacts.
So, she was beyond relieved they weren't involved in this game. And was sure the boys had started without them for that very reason, so they weren't excluding the girls because they were being sexist. This game wasn't for the faint hearted..
The rosette was sure the next game wouldn't be as intense, since the boys were blowing off most of their testosterone now. And luckily, she was picking up on the rules of the game quickly. She would put what she learned to use soon, since the raven-haired boy was leading his team to an escalating win.
Sakura eyed the captain of the opposing team curiously. She was certain he wasn't from KU and obviously, wasn't happy that he was losing the game. But beyond that she could sense that he held some spite against Sasuke. His jade eyes reflected resentment when they fell on the raven-haired boy.
"That's Sabaku no Gaara, he's a really competitive player, almost as much as Sasuke - and his brother Kankuro with the purple tattoo's is over there on the right..." Tenten whispered, from her spot beside Sakura on the grass, having noticed the girls curious brow,"We've known them for a long time, so they come down from Suna University pretty often for some of the fraternity events and of course, for football. Back when the boys were on KU's football team, the games against Suna were some of the best..."
Her pink brows lifted in surprise,"Suna University?"
Tenten smirked,"Yeah, you girls aren't the only desert flowers to roam the streets of Konoha... The girl on the other side with the spikey golden poney-tails is also Gaara's sister, Temari. She's a little hard around the edges but she's not bad."
Ino snorted, cocking her head to look at Tenten on the other side of Sakura,"Hard around her wider edges - is the only thing you said right about that girl..."
Sakura gaped,"Ino!"
Her blue eyes narrowed in defense,"What? Its the truth..."
Both Tenten's and Sakura's brows dipped in question at the open dislike Ino was showing toward the girl.
The boys shouting grew in volume then, drawing the attention of everyone watching.
The acute scene of a vicious Kankuro getting passed Neji, to lung forward - tackling Sasuke to the ground - just after the raven-haired boy propelled the ball toward a racing and dodging Naruto - had everyone's breath halted in their throats. It was a perfect bullet, thrown high and spiraling lower and lower until it reached the tan arms waving unsteadily to grab ahold. Mid-air Naruto grasped the leather exterior, bringing it down to hug against his belly before his body crashed to the ground on the opposing teams end zone.
Shouts and hollers resounded. They had won, and even the girls shouted a few cheer's and hoots at the result.
But the excitement was short-lived.
Mere seconds after the touch-down, a small crowd formed at the center of the field.
Angry shouts and some thrashing could be seen.
Perturbed, the girls bounced off the ground, instantly pumped up with adrenaline at the malice emanating from the group and raced over to the scene.
Sakura had a sinking feeling when they neared the boys to see Sasuke in the midst of it all.
He was breathless and appeared insouciant - listening to the debate surrounding him but not offering any input.
With the back of his hand, Sasuke wiped at his inner lip to find a trickle of blood there. His hooded gaze locked on Gaara's, for a long hard second before searching through the arguing circle to land on her.
Sakura's features were etched with unease and concern, and his obsidian pools softened some to reassure her.
"Kiba, the games over, let it be."
And with that, Sasuke withdrew from the still-arguing crowd, heading toward the fountain with purpose.
The rosette found herself trailing after his rigid form without much thought. Their relationship remaining in the dark had taken the back-seat.
He leaned low, cupping ice-cool water descending from the tall fountain and brought it up to his face. She waited, leaning against the metal of the tall fountain, her arms lightly crossed over her chest. Again and again, he brought the water to his face, seeming to be washing away his thoughts along with the sweat and crimson. He ran his hands along his neck and through his scalp before releasing the clutch to cease the stream of water.
He was still panting, from the game or containing his anger, she wasn't sure. Droplets of water descended down the structure of his face and off the thick ebony lashes she loved so much, until his eyes opened, falling on her.
These passed few days, he revealed more of himself to her... He wasn't as guarded - his eyes weren't as guarded...
But right now, they were... And it made her heart ache.
Sakura moved to stand in-front of him, a clean, dry towel in-hand and outstretched toward him. After a moment, he took it, pressing it against his face and neck.
Worry seized her,"Were the others angry because Kankuro and Gaara - hurt you," She leaned in, tracing a shaky finger across his lip,"On purpose?"
His face hardened, and he pulled away from her touch.
A sardonic expression overcame him,"You've no conception of whats hurting me."
Her heart dropped into her stomach at his icy tone,"Then please, tell me what it is," she reached for his arm only for him to grab her wrist tightly.
"You shouldn't even be over here. There's too many people around."
She felt her chest constrict.
An anger to match his contorted her features,"Your doing it again - brushing me off and bottling your emotions. I respect you for keeping cool and defusing the brawl earlier, but at what cost?"
His glare intensified at her words.
"Sakura, get your cute ass over here, we're choosing teams!"
She barely heard Ino's sharp voice over her thumping heart and racing thoughts.
What was going on?
...What was hurting him?
"SAKURA HARUNO!"
"You don't have to play, if you don't want to," he expressed, the hard edge still to his voice.
His jaw was tight and she guessed he read her hesitance of meeting or responding to Ino as fear of playing. She had wanted to play, but not anymore. Something was bothering him and he was shutting her out. She no longer had the desire to play or even be here for that matter.
"I'm playing," she answered resolutely, before turning away from him and stalking toward her friends. Going back to her dorm would only make a scene and she definitely didn't want that.
But she couldn't shake off the pain settling in her chest.
Maybe running around and exhausting herself would help blow off some steam and ease her fears.
Grunts and shouts filtered the air.
Her friends had been split into two teams along with some of the Suna players that decided to join in too.
And the chosen individuals put together to form each team, were quite hilarious.
"Huddle up!" Naruto shouted in haste.
The rosette along with a peeved Ino, depressed Shikamaru, frustrated Tenten, chipper Rock Lee, and aloof Kimimaro raced toward the blonde - dubbed their captain. He surprised Sakura all throughout the game. Minus the silly taunting and gloating, Naruto was a really great player. And really great at directing the team too.
Neji shot Tenten a mocking smirk before quickly ordering his team to join him for strategy too and Sakura smiled. All the bantering couples were really amusing to watch. Especially when on opposite teams. But if Neji could've helped it, Tenten would have been on his team. Being a Hyuuga, Hinata had been his first choice so that left Tenten open for Naruto's choosing.
But that didn't stop Neji from teasing the brunette girl, he really knew how to get under her and was also extremely skilled in the game.
Sakura imagined Naruto and Neji were like the second in command - like the VP's during their KU games when Sasuke was absent or sat out the game.
Like the raven-haired boy had done now.
He sat all through the game, on a lone bench, on the side-lines, joined by Gaara. The red-head from Suna still looked slightly unhappy about the loss last game but it was no longer directed at Sasuke. She supposed it was the competitive nature that had brought the worst out in him... And maybe Sasuke recognized that in Gaara too, and had chosen not to react defensively... With his sharp eyes she didn't doubt it.
But something was still off with him and it was eating at her.
His dark gaze hadn't abandoned her much, even when Gaara engaged him in conversation.
And it made her more self-conscious than she'd like to admit, so she hadn't done anything significant besides defense and offense in the game.
"Alright guys, lets switch it up a bit. I don't care if your a guy and you hurt her or if she breaks you - but Temari has to be detained dammit! She's ruining EVERYTHING!"
And there, was the more familiar, whining Naruto she was accustomed to.
Ino's expression went from bitter to plotting,"I'll take care of her, leave it to me!"
Shikamaru sighed in exasperation, his head falling back to gaze upon the un-troublesome heavens,"Ay ay ay woman, your relentless. Naruto you cant let her-"
"Can-it Shikamaru! Its not your decision, Naruto already agreed, right?" She aimed her spine-chilling blue eyes at Naruto, who paled considerably.
This had also gone on all throughout the game. Ino barely contained her disgust when Temari was mentioned and Shikamaru didn't know how to handle it. The rosette cornered the blonde into explaining her distaste and learned that Shikamaru and Temari had a small fling a while back... But Ino still felt threatened by the curvaceous woman. Taking the sabaku siblings friendly conversation with Shikamaru for flirting.
Sakura didn't like seeing her friend so, well, insecure.
It was unnatural for Ino.
Naruto gulped,"Uh - um, I - Well, ummmmmm," unable to answer, he laughed sheepishly while scratching his head and Ino threw him a fierce glower.
Wanting to help the stammering blonde and bring peace back to their circle Sakura stepped in.
"Naruto, Ino and I will cover Temari together, but that means Kiba will be left open. Rock Lee, do you think you could handle both Juugo and Kiba? Though, I'm pretty sure none of us will have to worry too much, since Neji is going to give the ball to either Suigetsu or Kankuro this next round, he seems to follow a girl, boy pattern every new game."
"Oh your youthfulness shines so brightly, excellent proposition my blossom!" Rock Lee exclaimed, his eyes glossy and admiring.
"Yeah, that's better,"Shikamaru sighed in some relief.
Tenten smirked,"Keen eye Sakura."
"Fine forehead," Ino huffed, crossing her arms over her chest and avoiding everyone's gaze.
Naruto let out the breath he had been holding and got weak in the knee's from sheer relief,"Oh - Oh thank God..." He sang, grabbing onto Sakura's and Kimimaro's shoulders to keep upright,"I was at a loss there , seriously... Shikamaru, you've got Kankuro. Kimiaro you get Suigetsu and I'll get Hyuuga. Lets, move out!"
They dispersed from the circle and took their defensive positions on the field.
The other team assembled no later and Hinata came to stand before them, taking permanent position as the Center. The one who hikes the ball to the quarterback - whom was her cousin Neji. Sakura thought it was the cutest thing ever.
"Set, Hike!" Hinata announced, straining her softer voice so it could be heard, before passing the ball through her legs, to Neji.
The front row of boys blitzed to tackle and withhold each-other, while the girls moved around to follow their assigned players to try and intercept the ball.
Tenten and Ino were beside the rosette one second, and then out of sight the next.
Her thoughts jumbled together and she searched for Temari intently, finding Ino already heading for her.
Pumping her legs, adrenaline coursed through Sakura's veins as she zoned in on the two.
"Damn girl, you can run!" Suigetsu suddenly complimented breathlessly beside her and ran off in the opposite direction before she could say a word in reply.
Not that she had time to anyway.
Ino was already closing in on Temari and dread weighed down on the rosette. She pushed her legs harder. She had to get to the Suna sibling before Ino gave them a penalty. Which the rosette was certain, would be the outcome.
Almost there...
She was so focused on the goal, the rest of her surroundings blurred.
Sakura managed to rush in-front of Temari just before Ino - then everything seemed to move in slow-motion from there.
She heard several yelps and cries and - What felt like a ton of bricks - crashed into her from behind.
Unable to process what was happening, the rosette saw Temari get knocked out of the way along with Ino before she was slammed face-first into the grass.
Her eyes saw black - Sakura sucked in a sharp breath only to realize that she couldn't.
Completely winded, and disoriented from the impact her nails clawed at the grass, trying to move - trying to breathe.
"Get the fuck off her you Orca's! She cant breathe!"
There was a ringing in her ear, but that was definitely Naruto's voice.
"Ah shit," Suigetsu groaned in pain somewhere beside her.
"Damn pinky, you smell amazing, even in the dirt."
Kankuro was the only one who called her pinky. If she could breathe or move she'd punch him.
And then within a heaven-sent moment, the load came off of her altogether.
Never again would she take the air for granted.
Barely managing to push onto her back, she greedily sucked in oxygen from the deprivation, becoming light-headed from her heavy gasps. Breathing deeply until her foggy mind cleared and heart settled some, she cracked her eyes open, expecting to see the blue sky.
You can imagine her surprise at finding a seething Sasuke, looming down on her.
Her heart palpitated.
...Where'd everybody go?
She blinked her heavy eye-lids once - then suddenly found him crouched beside her. Either he had developed inhuman lightning-fast speed, or she was more disoriented than she thought.
"The games over." Sasuke clipped lowly.
She could see the effort it was taking him to restrain his rage.
And Sakura felt her own anger spike.
The nerve of him!
Pushing forward to sit, while avoiding his gaze, a bitter smile touched her lips,"You shouldn't be over here... People cansee."
His eyes narrowed into slits.
Feeling confident that her dizziness had subsided, Sakura hauled herself up to a stand, then attempted to walk around the young Uchiha - only to be halted beside him.
His hand locked around her wrist, and she was forced to look at him.
"Your done playing, Sakura," He stated darkly, fully dismissing the notion that this was up for debate.
She was sure if that look was directed at any other person they would have fled for the hills.
But her anger only increased.
Her deepening green eyes narrowed in accusation and confusion,"So you brush off my worries, yet force yours on me? It doesn't work that way."
"SAKURA get over here! I have a plan!" Tenten shouted across the field, as she ran toward the rosette along with an irritable Ino.
His grip around her arm tightened, and with the flick of his wrist she was before him - his mouth at her ear.
"I wont repeat myself."
The proximity of him - his heat, his scent and the minty-cool breath across her skin had her shuddering and mind, blanking out. But only for a moment, once his words registered her anger resurfaced ten-fold and she pulled her neck back to glare at him.
"Neither will I."
Sakura pulled away from him just as Tenten and Ino neared, quickly turning on her heel and meeting the girls the rest of the way. All the while - refusing to look back because she was both furious and, afraid to see Sasuke's reaction.
She took small breaths, keeping her eyes on her feet as she walked with the now - bewildered girls.
"Woah, if Sasuke's eyes could kill, we'd all be in deep shit... But he's still sexy as hell in all of his glaring glory, maybe even more so than when he's not!"
"Ino!" Tenten scolded, looking between a mentally preoccupied Sakura and unapologetic Ino.
"What? Sakura knows that Shikamaru's half-lidded, lethargic - eyes are the only ones I think of before I sleep... I just like some eye candy now and then... But seriously forehead, did we walk in on you two arguing?"
"..."
"Sakura?" The brunette called in concern when there was no immediate response, reaching and grasping her arm.
Sakura blinked back from her dejected musings,"Umm, is the game really over?"
Tenten studied her for a few seconds before responding,"Well, after the dog-pile you endured, and thankfully - walked away from, the guys kicked us out of the game to avoid one of us getting hurt again... But that doesn't mean we're going to abide. I want to wipe that smug look off of Neji's face!"
Ino waved her hand nonchalantly,"Eh, I don't care anymore, just as long as that Suna tramp is out of the game too... If she bats her eyes at my Shika one more time I swear I'm going ape-shit on her!
"Mmm - no, shes not. Temari's still playing, over there," Tenten pointed through the mass of boys to the golden-haired girl, speaking strategy with Gaara,"And it looks like Gaara and Sasuke hopped in the game too."
What!?
Sakura tuned Ino's rant out at the mention of his name.
Her widened eyes darted across the field to seek him out. Was he really up for playing again? ...Or was it to ensure that she didn't play? Her jaw flexed painfully when she found him. Standing there, beside Naruto and Kimimaro, his ebony brows drawn low and his eyes, frigid...
So, he was playing...
The straw-berry blonde deflated.
With both him and Gaara back in the game, there was no need for herself, Tenten and Ino to play. They had been traded off.
She saw his hard gaze dart over the opposing teams players before immediately shifting to her body.
His countenance changed at once.
Becoming smug, a self-satisfied smirk touched at Sasuke's lips...
If she didn't feel like such a failure that cocky exterior would have had her weak in the knee's. She was anything but, right now.
The rosette, much to her chagrin, averted her gaze away from him.
With her hurt and anger amplifying greater, she shot Tenten and Ino a vengeful expression,"I'm sick of these boys laying down rules that don't apply to them!"
"Damn right! I understand the reason why they let Temari play is because she's a masculine barbarian, but that doesn't make it fair!"
Tenten and Sakura shook their heads in disapproval at the blonde.
"I agree - with the uhh, very last part..." The brunette cleared her throat and took on a serious tone,"They aren't even serious about the game anymore - fooling around and laughing, its like they excluded us for the hell of it! You have some retaliation in mind Sakura?" Tenten intoned hopefully, taking a step closer to the two.
Oh yes, she did... And in the name of football.
Sakura nodded confidently, a smile stretching across her lips,"Interception."
The girls grinned in excitement, nodding their heads in agreement vigorously. They huddled closer to weigh the course of the game and their options before fist-pumping in concede.
It was settled then.
"Go long!"
Everybody scrambled around on the green field at the command.
The front line catapulting and colliding with the opposing, while the receivers raced over to the end zone along with those trying to snag the ball.
Kimimaro and Rock Lee struggled to contain Kiba and Kankuro while Naruto waited for his wide-receiver Gaara to cover some yards. He needed to get the ball to Gaara before Sasuke reached him. Bouncing back reflexively, he pulled his arm back, preparing to launch the ball toward the red-head. He released - what he felt to be a precise pass... only for it to be caught, merely two feet away from where he stood, by a flying Tenten.
Those who were near the transaction stood in confusion, until the brunette reached the ground, got her bearings and dashed forth like a mad cheetah.
Naruto was momentarily stunned into paralysis.
But Suigetsu and Kankuro were quick to take action. Falling into line right behind the brunette, they kept at her toes as she dodged through and between the players. Her original team immediately got her back and began covering for her, until Neji shot forth. Just before his arms encircled her she managed to toss the ball to an Ino - who only then entered the game. They had decided to keep to the side-lines so as to not draw attention and give away the plan.
Yes, some of the rules no longer applied... they were taking this touch-down by force.
Tenten had done well in covering some ground but now Ino had to zig-zag through the thicker mass untouched. Everyone had gone mad, laughing, shouting and some angry commands filtered the air. She chanced a glance back to see Tenten wrestling and restraining Neji and a determined Temari on her tail. Her eyes narrowed at the girl, but she quickly brought her attention back to the front. She would not mess this up.
Seeing both Gaara and Sasuke reach the end zone had fear bubbling within her.
"Ino! What the hell are you doing?"
Shikamaru shouted, running side by side with her.
The blonde threw him a haughty expression,"Showing you sexist males that we've got mad skills!"
Just a little more.
She pumped her legs harder just as Suigestu, and Kankuro came at her.
She shrieked as Kankuro shot forth then. Barely managing to dodge both his tumbling body and Gaara's as the red-head came for him from his side, just in time.
Ino laughed cruelly in satisfaction but it didn't last long. Shikamaru tugged at her, and she fumed, preparing to call him a string of curses only to realize he was bodily shielding her from Suigestu - the human torpedo.
Free-falling forward, a flash of pink materialized from the corner of her eye and Ino quickly threw the ball with as much precision as she could muster.
Sakura dove for the ball.
Her arms out-stretched and knee's banged onto the dirt as she bodily slid from her rapid force.
Her breath remained arrested in her throat until the ball was cradled in her arms. Beyond relieved to have made it in time, she bounced off the floor as though she had been induced with gallons of caffeine. She couldn't waste another second with Sasuke close by.
"Run forehead, run your sexy ass off!"
"Go Sakura!"
"Don't stop Sakura, he's coming!"
"Ah SHIT! The teme''s gonna get her! I'm coming Sakura! But whatever you do, DON'T LOOK BACK!"
She barely heard the hollers of fear and encouragements, her heartbeat was in her temple and pounding in her ear. But she felt confident, everything had panned out smoothly. Victory was close and it was such an exhilirating rush, she nearly grinned.
Almost there...
Feeling a little too self-assured, she chanced a quick glance back.
Then it all went down in flames.
The moment she turned her neck to seek out Sasuke's position was her downfall.
He was a measly, arms length away.
She squealed from utter surprise and snapped her neck forward so fast she had whip-lash. Anxiety settled over her entire body as she wondered what the hell he was waiting for. He could easily stop her now.
And then it all happened within a blur. Out of fear, she looked back a second time and just barely managed to catch sight of Sasukeallowing Naruto to squeeze between them - though the blonde, along with everyone else didn't catch Sasuke's willing move - as the raven haired boy dove for her waist.
The ball was snagged out of her hands just as her body was thrown over a shoulder.
Completely shaken, and confused, she screamed.
Everyone roared with cheers and chants but she couldn't see what was going on...Did they win?
All she could survey with her jouncing body, was the green grass, the ends of his dark pants and soles of his grey shoes.
She couldn't distinguish who's team was chanting victory, because they were all so loud.
But, if Naruto snatched the ball from her, and - and Sasuke grabbed her, then the blonde must have made the touch-down, right?
...Then why was Sasuke still running - with her thrown over his shoulder?
Apprehension pooled into her belly and spread throughout her blood-stream.
He was up to something.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Her friends sounded far away by the time he stopped just beyond a small - shaded hill.
Sakura was tossed onto the ground none-too-gently and winced. Growing frustrated at his unusual behavior, she opened her eyes, pressing her palms flat against the grass to push her body up, only to have her hands wrenched from their grip and her back thumping back to meet the earth.
She blinked away her daze and her breath caught.
Sasuke was above her.
His hands were curled around her wrists, locking them above the crown of her head and his knee's were bent on either side of her hips, straddling her.
The rosettes anger, was now lost and abandoned.
His heat, his essence, surrounding and ensnaring her was more than she could bear.
Her chest heaved harder and harder for breath, and his wasn't too far off either.
He crouched low before her, his raven locks spilling over - his black eyes smoldering and setting her skin ablaze as they shared the same heavy breath.
Then, before she could apprehend it, his mouth was crushing hers.
She gasped at the force, and he immediately took the opening - quite literally.
His mouth was hard against hers.
All the pent-up emotion, all the frustration, was transferred into their heated lip-lock. Though, he was making it nearly impossible for her to keep up.
Sakura was so light-headed, she was vaguely grateful they were on the ground as her knee's had become completely weak.
He nipped, and sucked, and stroked dominantly - ravenously, as though he had been starved of her.
She'd daydream of when he would kiss her again. But this intensity, this raw need, was not at all what she had expected and it was doing funny things to her body. But it felt so good.
Sakura never wanted to stop.
A whimper escaped her, and she arched her neck reflexively, trying to free her hands. Wanting to grab at his ebony locks. But his hands around her wrists only tightened further, and his mouth only continued its assault against her's.
He had absolute control and instead of the fact irking her, Sakura was falling deeper and deeper into the haze.
Just Sasuke, and the sensations. She was breathing him in and he was breathing her out.
Eventually, they were too over-come with the need for air, and tore apart simultaneously.
With their heavy breaths between them, Sakura's darkened eyes fluttered open to meet his predatory expression.
She felt the tremors intensify through her.
He released her wrists but her arms remained where they were. Her limbs had turned to a heap of mush and were unresponsive to her commands.
Neither moved, and their haggard breathing filled the silence for a moment.
Her arms slid down from beside her head and came to her sides to push her upper body half-up. She leaned on her elbows, her face, mere inches from his as she searched his face.
"So then, will you talk to me now that we're out of sight..? ...Whats been hurting you? Is it work? ...Your family? School?"
His hand slid up her collar bone and into her hair,"You."
Unprepared for that answer, her eyes fractionally widened and heart thudded in pain,"Did I do something..?"
"You did everything."
She felt a lump form in her throat,"I don't understand... I - I'd never do anything intentionally..."
Sasuke closed his eyes, resting his head against her's, his voice came out in a gruff whisper,"You don't get it... I'm fucking ruined." He dipped his head, and wound her bottom lip between his teeth possessively,"I cant focus at work," He admitted, his teeth grazing her upper lip,"I'm consumed with your whereabouts at school and,"Sasuke's hand locked around the pale pink hair at the nape of her neck,"The moment someone looks at you with interest - I cant endure it... because they don't know that your mine."
He just - just called her, his.
Her heart was ready to burst at any given moment.
Here he was, confessing more than she ever imagined he would and all she could do was watch him with half-lidded eyes.
His guard was down, and he was using words like 'cant' more than once, which would have set alarms off in her head because that term wasn't a part of Sasuke's vocabulary - and she couldn't speak, her voice - stolen. Too stunned and too far gone from the sensations his mouth was causing both verbally and physically.
Even if she could find her voice, what could Sakura say to any of that?
She couldn't console him, because she was right there with him. They were both hurting.
Choosing to take action instead of trying to verbalize her feelings, Sakura closed the distance between them again, pressing her lips to his.
It was unhurried, sweet and full of emotion... Words that neither could put together.
So lost in each other, they didn't notice the stray person lurking close by. His amethyst gaze widened before narrowing in anger as he took in the intimate scene - he stalked off before either could take notice.
Sasuke broke the kiss shortly after.
His eyes opened to reveal the aloof boy she was more familiar with... It should have hurt, his indifferent mask but it didn't... He probably didn't even know he was doing it, or maybe he did... Either way, it was his sort of, well - defense mechanism. And rather than it making her want to guard her heart and get her own defenses back up - it only made her want to tear down his walls further, and Sakura knew she was getting closer with every encounter. Closer to unraveling Sasuke Uchiha.
Pushing off of her, Sasuke helped Sakura up to her feet.
"If I had known you could be so jealous, and it would lead to - uh - this, I'd put myself in risky situations more often." She said with a small, shy laugh.
He was not amused though.
Dipping his head, he whispered into the shell of her ear,"Next time, I wont guarantee anyone's safety... And, if you want me to kiss you Haruno, all you have to do is ask." He finished with a teasing nibble at her ear lobe. She visibly shivered and he withdrew, amusement dancing in his eyes.
Damn him! He would always win so long as her body reacted like that. But there was no helping it, it was as if her limbs and nerves followed his command now - not her own... Betrayal wasn't even the word.
They began walking back to the park, now that everyone had mostly left. He would probably give her a ride back to the dorms, the thought had butterflies dancing in her stomach.
"Tomorrow, Tenten said you agreed to come with her to the banquet..."
Oh. How could she forget?
Uchiha Corp was celebrating, for landing an important business deal and it was mandatory for Sasuke to be there. She knew he wanted her to go, otherwise he wouldn't have asked her. There was no take-backs or sugar coating anything with him... but the way he had asked her had been, well for the lack of a better term, indefinite. She couldn't put a name on it. He was just so damn difficult to read sometimes...
"Yes... You sure you want me to come? I don't have to, you know? I have an upcoming quiz for English I need to study for , so its not like I don't have anything to do? Plus, I know you'll be busy socializing and what not most of the night and I don't want to be anymore of a hindrance-"
His expression was slightly irate and index finger was on her lips, silencing her.
"Come, Sakura."
That single word was his lone answer, but it assured her.
She smiled,"Okay."
She was beyond nervous.
It was going to be his line of people, his social circle and - and his family too, right? ...It was a family owned company.
She suddenly felt dread outweigh every other emotion... Was this too big of a step too soon?
Maybe, maybe not... They weren't going as a couple, not externally, that is, so she didn't have to worry about everyone's eyes on them... But still, there were so many worries surfacing.
She wanted to go, there was no doubt about it but what exactly would she find there?
Well, it was already decided and regardless, she wouldn't be alone, Sakura reminded herself.
Tenten, Naruto, Neji and Hinata would be there too, due to their families being close and businesses being acquainted.
And besides, Sakura truly wanted to see Sasuke in his element.
Did his Alpha nature frequent at work too?
She'd know soon enough.
Was their struggle evident in this chapter? Namely Sasuke's? I'm hoping it came across some...
'Hard around her wider edges,' Lol! Forgive me, I am a huge fan of Temari and mean no disrespect but since she ended up with Shikamaru in the series, I imagined Ino would react this way to her.
'You've no conception of whats hurting me,' Gaara and Kankuro were basically asking for a fight and instead of reacting, Sasuke had bigger issues - he was too consumed with Sakura. Keeping them a secret has been a lot harder for him than he lets on. He doesn't agree with it because, its not in his nature to hide, to succumb. He faces things head-on and the fact that he doesn't have much of a choice right now has him more irritable and edgy.
'If Sasuke's eyes could kill,'Hahaha! Oh, the irony of those words... I couldn't resist :)
And who witnessed Sasuke's and Sakura's heated lip-lock I wonder? He/She wasnt very pleased :)
The rest, please read between the lines... Also, did some of the words in Italics become merged with other words? Idk how that happened but Ive tried going through it several times to fix it...
I'll probably try another computer to fix it when I get the chance..
Thanks for reading friends!
Please do leave me your thoughts on the chapter and of course the possibility of some steamier intimacy between the two. :))
Happy Holidays, I may be able to squeeze in another update before the New Year... Hopefully!