A Walk in the Park-

Disclaimer: We do not own Naruto!

Chapter Fourteen-

Sweet Mornings

My mind had never felt so busy as it was now as I laid lazily in bed, cuddled close to a sleeping Sasuke who had his arms wrapped tight around me. He was still as comfortable as he had ever been and I had no intention of moving until I had to.

Yesterday was, for lack of a better word, crazy. Waking up to Sasuke all over me like that, I just wasn't prepared. I was actually quite sure I'd suffered a mini heart attack. There wasn't a bone in my body that was willing to stop him, no, I never wanted him to stop. I'd been ready for whatever was going to happen… but it just wasn't the right time.

Even though we hadn't gotten far at all, I could still remember the feel of his hands on me. His hot kisses on my neck, how certain he was with his movements. My skin was tingling just at the thought. Maybe it should have been the furthest thing from my mind, but I certainly wouldn't stop imagining it until it finally happened at least.

It was for the best, being interrupted, and if Itachi hadn't called when he did there was a high chance we would have missed the race altogether. It was a thrilling experience for me. I'd never been to any type of race, and it had been much different from what I was expecting. Meeting Sasuke's team had been embarrassing, but nice at the same time. I was happy to meet and get to know all the people in his life, but it was unnerving at how they acted about me being there- or rather, Sasuke bringing me, and introducing me as his girlfriend.

When I found out about Sasuke's reason for not racing anymore, I felt my heart breaking. It hurt knowing that he had been in such an incident, and could have been killed before I ever had a chance to meet him. I could understand why he'd decided he didn't want to race any longer.

But then, we went back to his home. Not taking no for an answer, I went into the kitchen to help Itachi prepare a meal for all of us. I soon found out that he really did know his way around a kitchen. He was polite, friendly, and fun to be around. He joked with me about the two of us sneaking a peak at Sasuke's baby pictures after we ate and we had a good time cooking together.

Naruto and Sasuke were in the living room together while I gladly helped Itachi with the dishes. It was just as we were wrapping up that those two came back into the kitchen hot and heavy and I knew instantly that something was going on.

Never would I have expected to learn that it was through a promise to Itachi, that Sasuke was no longer racing. The conflicted look in his eyes was enough to rip my heart in two and I felt so bad about all that was unwinding around me. Sasuke couldn't pick a side, Naruto was adamantly fighting for Sasuke's right to race again, yet Sasuke refused to pick a side.

Sadly, it was all too easy to see what it was that he wanted deep down.

Itachi seemed firm in his belief as well, because he certainly wasn't backing down even though he wasn't hostile like Naruto, or panicked like Sasuke. Before things could get any worse though, Sasuke and I took our leave. The whole ride home was silent, and I couldn't stop thinking about everything I'd heard and learned throughout the day.

When we finally had our talk at my apartment alone, and Sasuke broke down and admitted his honest feelings to me, it hurt me all the more. He was suffering, but he felt like it was the right thing because it was for Itachi, and Itachi had done so, so much for him. But, did that make it all right for Sasuke to miss out on something so special to him?

I didn't think so. Yet, that still didn't give me the right to lash out and force my opinion on him, only making things harder for him. I'd never felt more guilty than I did when I was sitting in my room alone, mulling over all I'd said, and the hurt and confused look in Sasuke's eyes.

He wanted to race, but he felt he couldn't. He was a man of his word, he didn't break his promises. But, even at the risk of him being hurt… was it right for Itachi to put him in this situation? If it was, would Naruto have been so seriously fighting for Sasuke and what he really truly wanted… I thought I understood, but then again… I didn't understand at all.

Even now as I lay with him, my head on his naked chest, I just didn't understand why he wouldn't at least tell Itachi how he feels. Itachi would definitely understand, even if nobody else didn't. I really wanted Sasuke to talk to him, face-to-face… one-on-one. Only those two could talk it out until Sasuke was satisfied within his heart, but it wasn't my place. And when I said I wouldn't bring it up again, I meant it.

I just hoped that with all that I said, Sasuke would take the time to think… and then, if racing again was indeed what he really wanted, he would relent and talk to his brother. He was very precious to me, so of course I wanted him to be as safe as possible. But, I wanted him to be happy too.

I'd been awake for quite a while and Sasuke still hadn't stirred. I wondered if he's stayed up long after I'd drifted off… possibly unable to sleep with so much to think about. I could relate, because my mind had no chill this morning.

He seemed to be sleeping heavily enough, so I went about getting out of bed carefully. He didn't wake and I was glad. I wanted to let him sleep, at least while I made him breakfast. I opted for a shower first, though I washed quickly. It was only after I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around myself that I realized I hadn't brought any clothes with me.

I definitely wasn't used to having someone in my home. Cursing myself for being so thoughtless, I peeked out of the bathroom door and glanced at Sasuke. He didn't appear to have moved so it seemed safe enough to grab some clothes quickly and make a run for it.

Steadying my breathing and trying to calm my racing heart, I opened the door fully and stepped into the bedroom, eyes locked on Sasuke's unmoving form. He was definitely asleep. I sighed in relief and turned to my dresser, opening the top drawer to retrieve some underwear. I closed the drawer as quietly as possible before turning my head to glance back at Sasuke, only to find his eyes open and on me.

Gods, now is the time to take me out. Right now.

A heat unlike any I'd ever felt came over my whole body and I'd jumped just at the sight of him being awake. I managed to keep a hold on my towel, but somehow, the pink lace panties I'd had in my hand flung all the way onto the bed, miraculously landing right on top of him.

I died a little bit. The embarrassment was on a whole new level. I could only look away from him and try to breathe. There was no air. It was hot. What happened to the oxygen? How would someone escape from such a situation…

He picked them up and raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Pink?"

He just couldn't help himself, could he?

Annoyed that he could tease me knowing I was so shaken, my embarrassment flew out the window and I sent him a sharp glare, holding tight to my towel with one hand while pointing at him with the other.

"That's right! Got a problem with it?" My fist clenched as did my teeth as he continued to smirk so slyly at me. "Throw those to me, now!"

Sasuke gave me a challenging look as he said, "Come and get them."

"What?" I squeaked, mouth agape. "As if! Stop kidding. Throw them to me and don't- stop playing with them!" Kyaaa! I was definitely going to lose it at any moment.

"Scared you can't take me, Sa-ku-ra?"

Oh, he knew exactly what he was doing. He knew exactly why I would not be going all the way over there to get them. He knew. I turned my nose up at him then, refusing to let him win here.

"Fine, be that way. You can keep those for all I care, I'll just grab another pair!" I turned back to my drawers then, this time grabbing a sheer black thong. I even so much as showed them off to him, a smug grin tugging at my lips. The look on his face was priceless.

Point Haruno.

He chuckled and slowly got off the bed. "So that's how you want to play it?" He asked and stood in front of the door, blocking my escape. Then he bent his knees and stared me down, closely watching me as if I was his prey. "Your move." He said, looking ready to pounce.

I blanched, looking around nervously before sizing him up. He really would have to be shirtless and looking like some sort of male model. I was on the verge of a nosebleed as I thought out what my next move should actually be. The bathroom was in between us, but he was definitely faster than me, and the closet was on the other side of him. I had no way of getting to my other clothes.

Had this really turned into some sort of game? I didn't know, but for some reason, I was loving it. It would be easy enough to distract him… but was I really willing to go that far? And if I did… what would he think about me?

"If you don't make a move, I will." He warned and started inching towards me.

Of course he would. Resolving myself to stop him in his tracks, I bent over and stepped into the black thong, pulling the undergarment up my legs slowly and making sure to pull my towel up along the way. His eyes followed my hands all the way up, lips parting as they were finally in place. My most intimate area was barely concealed, but this move left me feeling empowered.

"Truce?" I asked, my voice taking a seductive tone I wasn't aware I was capable of. Luckily, the nervousness I felt on the inside didn't appear to show on the outside and I knew I had him right where I wanted him.

He swallowed hard, eyes finding my hands as I reached to where my towel was tucked in place and slowly started to pull it away.

"I'm not one to surrender." He said and the smirk was back. "Especially when the prize is you."

Ah, crap. I'm a total failure! Only I would forget I was dealing with Mr. Cocky Composed Confidence. This was definitely an unexpected turn of events. I had no idea what he was plotting, or how he could stand there completely unfazed by me being so close to stripping bare before him. He might have had those triple C's going for him, but he was lacking when it came to one C, a major one.

Control.

He had to be bluffing me. I saw the way he faltered just before he composed himself. He was affected, he just didn't want me to know it. Worst case scenario, I dropped the towel and he tackled me and it end in me finally getting to… No. That wasn't going to happen, but if it did… I was perfectly okay with it.

"Well, I'm not surrendering either, Sa-su-ke…" I told him mockingly as I started unwrapping the towel.

His charcoal eyes widened and his whole face flushed. "Hold it!" He demanded and covered his face with both hands, but I could still see the blush. "Shit, Sakura, I thought you'd give in. What do you expect me to do if you strip in front of me? My self-control is not as strong as you think it is."

A maniacal laugh going on in my mind, I secured the towel back in place, settling for a light giggle on the outside. He might not have known it, but I was already well aware of the amount of control he lacked. After all, I wasn't any better at controlling myself than he was.

"Goodness, Sasuke… you're really cute when you blush."

"I will get you back for this." He said but kept his hands where they were, not sure if it was safe to look yet.

"Really… you don't sound very convincing at the moment." I laughed as I walked past him towards my closet. "You can stop covering your eyes now. I'll get dressed in the closet, like a good girl."

I closed the closet door behind me and let out a nervous breath. My knees were trembling and I was in disbelief that I had actually managed to get through that. Where did all that even come from? I had just witnessed a part of myself that I didn't know existed. Flustered, I got dressed in the first thing I grabbed, a navy blue sundress. I kept a lot of sundresses, they were comfortable and pretty, and one of my favorite things to wear in the summertime.

When I came out of the closet, Sasuke had disappeared into the bathroom. I heard the shower running and I was thankful for another few moments alone to collect myself. I still couldn't believe I'd acted like that, but it was fun… and in a way, I wished Sasuke would have reacted differently. I wished he wouldn't have caved.

What was wrong with me?

Needing to get myself together, I went into the kitchen and got breakfast started before grabbing his clothes out of the drier and heading back towards my bedroom. He certainly needed his clothes, and I was already disturbed enough, I didn't need him walking around in nothing but a towel. If the tension I felt got to be any thicker I'd probably be the one to pounce on him and that would just be too embarrassing.

Cocky sweet ass would probably never let me live it down.

Just as I walked into the bedroom, he was coming out of the bathroom just as I pictured him. Nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist, skin still damp from his shower. I could have stood there staring all day, and that's all I did until he started walking towards me.

"You brought my clothes?" He asked, his expression soft. "Thanks." He stood in front of me to grab them, but paused. Suddenly his expression turned seductive and he leaned down to whisper in my ear. "Though I could always go naked." He purred in that deep voice of his.

He was really trying me, and I just couldn't take it. This need I felt, it was too much and he was going to pay for awakening this feeling within me, for making me lose my wits and want nothing else but him. I dropped his clothes and threw myself at him, arms flying around his neck as I jumped up, securing my legs around his waist. I clung to him, kissing him so fast and so hard that our teeth clashed together. Sasuke was stunned, he let out a strangled groan as he fought to keep up with the urgency of my kiss.

His hands supported me and held my thighs, his mouth matching my passion. He moved to the bed and sat down, me straddling his waist. I moaned as he took control of the kiss and caressed his lips over mine. His hands pulled me closer, one gripped my hip and the other threading through my hair.

He was still in nothing but the towel, his hair wet against my hands as they found purchase there. My body rocked atop him as if having a mind of its own and I broke away from his lips with a deep groan at the feel of him beneath me while at the same time my insides coiled with arousal.

His breath hitched and his other hand flew to my hip as well, stilling me. Then he flipped us over and began grinding his boner against me. "I want you." He said and latched his mouth onto my neck. I gasped and clung to his wet shoulders, my hips moving with his without my consent.

Those three words and that husky voice sent my body into a frenzy I wasn't prepared for. I hooked my legs around his waist, gasping for air between my moans as he kissed and nipped along my neck and collarbone. He thought he wanted me, but he had no idea how badly I wanted him.

"Sasuke…" I gasped his name breathless, a strangled plea. I'd never felt so needy. My body was wound so tightly I felt like I might explode at any second. The pull in my lower belly only continued to tighten and I could feel my core soaked with desire. I couldn't wait. I wanted to feel him, all of him. I wanted him to satisfy all the need within me.

"Do you smell something burning?" He asked out of the blue, raising his head and ceasing movement.

"W-what?" I panted, brows furrowing in confusion, then realization dawned on me. "Oh no! Get up, get up!" I shouted, panic flooding through me.

"Woah!" He breathed and I practically flung him off me.

I got up instantly, sprinting out of the bedroom and leaving a dazed Sasuke behind in confusion. How could I forget I'd started breakfast? Another major fail! Smoke was billowing out of the kitchen and I ran in, my arms flinging around in my panic. Luckily, nothing was on fire, but the sausage in the frying pan was burnt to a crisp and putting off endless smoke.

I turned the stove off and moved the frying pan to the side, cursing myself for being so easily distracted by Sasuke. Just what in the seven hells was I doing? I squealed, covering my cheeks as they flamed. We were so close to…to…to… I just couldn't even think about it. Here I am, so beside myself because of him that I could have burned down my apartment. Sasuke showed up then, still in nothing but the towel, fanning around his face as he came into the smoke.

"That was dangerous." He commented and gave the kitchen a once over, making sure nothing else was burning.

Way to go for making me feel even worse about it!

I shook my head to myself as I looked from him to the crisp sausage. I was really such an idiot. All I wanted was to make his breakfast and be nice and take him his clothes, but instead I jumped him, got both of us all worked up and almost burned my apartment down. The whole situation was so appalling that all I could do was laugh. It was better than crying at least, so I laughed loudly and after I started I couldn't stop.

Sasuke started chuckling at first, but then joined in with full laugher. This continued for a bit until we had to make sure not to look at each other, that was only making it worse. "I'll get dressed and then we can make something together." He suggested when we finally calmed down.

Still trying not to laugh, I managed, "You... you can cook?" Then I was laughing again as if I couldn't contain myself. Nothing was even funny anymore, yet the laughter kept coming back.

He smiled at me and shook his head. "Stop laughing and no. I want you to teach me." I could tell he was trying desperately not to start laughing again.

"Okay… Alright…" I waved him off. "Go, put some clothes on already!" I sighed as my laughter calmed once more and I went to the refrigerator to find something else we could cook.

While Sasuke was gone, I got the necessary ingredients to make pancakes and also found some bacon I'd forgotten I'd bought a couple days before. We could do it in the oven and as long as we stood watch in the kitchen and didn't lose ourselves to each other, we shouldn't have any problem getting things done right.

Sasuke returned after just a moment, dressed in his clean clothes. He was still a glorious sight, though much easier to look at without losing myself as long as he was dressed. I hoped that would last.

"What are we making?" He asked as he eyed he ingredients.

"Pancakes and bacon. How about you get the bacon in the oven and I'll get out pancake batter mixed?"

"Alright." He agreed and I walked over to the oven, gesturing for him to follow me which he did.

I showed him how to set the oven, and got the baking pan out for him. He seemed to concentrate as he opened the pack of bacon as started laying it out. I couldn't keep from glancing at him every so often as I went about mixing up the batter. It was something I'd done a million times so it was like second nature to me and it was relatively simple anyway.

Once Sasuke finished laying the bacon out, I instructed him to go ahead and put it in the oven. He did so and then came over to watch me. My batter was finished now, I left the bowl on the counter while going back to the fridge for the butter. I grabbed some strawberries and grapes while I was there.

"Can you wash these while I start the pancakes?" I asked.

He nodded and took them to the sink, turning on the water. Then started sneaking grapes and strawberries when he thought I wasn't looking. He was cute and I couldn't stop smiling as I started on the pancakes while keeping an eye on the bacon as well.

"Get too full off the fruit and I'll be mad."

He quickly swallowed a grape and said with a straight face, "I have no idea what you're talking about."

I rolled my eyes, still smiling as I turned my eyes back to the pancakes. Soon enough everything was ready and then we sat together at the bar to eat the food we made together. It was still morning, but today had been a fun day, though as we ate I wondered to myself what Sasuke was going to do. I wasn't even sure if he was off today, or if he wanted to go back home. I sure didn't mind him staying with me, in fact I wanted him to.

As far as I was concerned, we had some unfinished business to attend to.

"So, what are your plans for today?" I asked, needing to know.

He visibly tensed for a moment, but didn't avoid the question. "Kakashi always gives us a day off after a race . . . I should probably go home to see Luna. Maybe talk to Itachi."

"Oh." I frowned, unable to hide my disappointment. "Yeah, you should."

The morning had been fun, but of course it would come to an end. It always did. We always had to go our separate ways. It was a real downer though, considering I was off as well. Maybe I would go see my parents to distract myself, or maybe even do something different for once. I could call an old friend, go shopping, see a movie. It seemed like a good idea to get myself around some other people so it didn't bother me so much when I couldn't be with Sasuke.

"Would you . . . would you come with me?" He asked as if he was unsure he should ask.

"Really?" I asked, surprised. I really thought he'd want to go alone. "Are you sure? You don't want to talk to Itachi alone?"

"I'll talk to him alone, but I-I want you there." He confessed. It seemed hard for him to admit this, still not wanting to look weak.

I wondered how the talk would go. They'd have to discuss the events of last night, and it would probably end up being an in-depth conversation. I wanted to be with him, but if he wanted me to be there I would be, no matter what.

"Of course I'll go, Sasuke. I'm happy that you want me to tag along."

He gave me a small smile, showing his gratitude and I leaned over to press a quick kiss on his cheek. Knowing what I was aiming for, he'd turned his head at the last second and instead my lips caught his. It was a short, sweet kiss that left me grinning at him as I pulled away. He was really something else and I knew for a fact that I would never get enough of him.

A/N:

Hello lovely readers! We were so excited about how excited you guys were that we just had to post another update ASAP!

Poor Sakura is so distracted by Sasuke... I'm not sure how she'll ever survive... and I can't stop laughing.

The sexual tension between them is definitely peaking. There's not but so much more they can take. Relief is well on its way though. ;)

So many beautiful reviewers returned in yesterday's chapter and Kanatyy is very happy about it. Thank you all so much for enjoying this story!

We will be back, hopefully with another quickie. We're staying pretty motivated when it comes to this fic, but you guys definitely have a way of pumping us up for more, always.

Til next time...

-Kanatyy