Disclaimer: I do NOT own Naruto. I DO own Youshi Garukin (Yes, he's back! It's the prequel silly.) Ai Mizuri (now known as Kaori) is owned by xEMOtIoNaLLyCOnSTipaTEDx-

Chapter Five - Sensual Healing

It had been two weeks since the basket incident but Sakura still had not approached Sasuke about it. It's not that she hadn't been trying. Oh no, she'd been trying on a daily basis. However, every time she opened her mouth to ask that specific question, they would be interrupted. Either that, or he was too busy with Kaori to be able to speak with her in the first place.

Sakura couldn't stop thinking about it. She knew she should stop. After all, she was already beyond confused and an answer to the great 'Uchiha Mystery' was nowhere in sight.

Sakura sighed heavily as she banged her head against her office desk. She knew what she had to do. She had to just come out and ask him about it, and this time, she wasn't going to let anything get in her way. She was going insane trying to figure it out by herself and her work was beginning to suffer as a result.

Sakura sighed again. Why did she always do this? If it had been anyone else, she would have brushed it off and moved on by now, hell, by the second day. But no! This was yet another confusion added to her growing list of mental issues surrounding Sasuke!

A strange noise from the door caught Sakura's attention. She slowly rose from behind her desk, moved over to the door and was about to pull it open when her eyes landed on a white envelope sticking out from beneath it.

Sakura gulped. She didn't know why but this envelope made her slightly nervous. She quickly swallowed her nerves and opened the damn thing. A long sigh of relief escaped her as she read the words now before her.

Hey Forehead,

Listen, I know you're real busy at work and all, but I've come up with the perfect plan for you to get Sasuke alone. I'm working in the shop today so drop by when you get a chance and I'll fill you in.

Ino.

Sakura smiled. Trust Ino to be working on it too. Sakura chuckled to herself as she grabbed her coat and threw it on. She knew only too well that Ino didn't have the greatest attention span, so she should hear this plan of hers before it had time to fade, or even worse, get added to and sky rocket into the truly ridiculous.

Sakura shuddered as she remembered the 'team bonding' night out that Ino had got her to help organise. A icy shiver ran down the length of her spine as she recalled the month it took them to convince Rock Lee that it had not been a date! He had almost suffocated Sakura with all the red roses he sent her. Even a punch in the face from Naruto had not made the love-struck idiot realise! A smile crept over Sakura's face as she remembered Sasuke coming to her rescue.

Flashback

"I'm telling you, Lee." pleaded Sakura. "It was a GROUP night out!"

"I know! How youthfully cunning of you to disguise our date with group cover." beamed Lee, trying to hand her, yet another, bouquet of red roses.

"NO!" shouted Sakura, leaping away from the flowers as though they would burn her. "NO MORE FLOWERS! It was NOT a date!"

Lee moved closer toward her, his arms holding the roses out, trying to force her to take them.

"BACK OFF BUSHY BROWS!"

SMACK!

Lee crumpled to the ground, the flowers scattering everywhere, and clutched his now bleeding nose. He glared slightly at the blonde blur that had come out of nowhere.

"If you don't mind, Naruto! My youthful blossom and I were trying to make plans."

Naruto's brow creased and his gaze shifted to Sakura, who was looking even more confused than he was. She caught Naruto's gaze and fervently shook her head.

"Yeah, right! Loser! She's not interested! Now LEAVE HER ALONE!" snapped Naruto as Sakura began to walk away.

"WAIT!" yelled Lee, rushing to his feet and quickly gathering up the roses before chasing after her. "My youthful blossom! Please! Wait for me!"

Sakura panicked! She knew just how fast Lee could run when he had to. Pushing more and more chakra into her feet, Sakura turned and fled down several side streets.

"WAIT!" shouted Lee, gaining on her.

Sakura glanced over her shoulder, trying to decide if she could loose him.

SLAM

Sakura staggered backwards and stumbled. Her bum was barely an inch from hitting the ground when a pair of strong arms caught her, pulling her up. They pulled a little too much though, sending Sakura crashing in to the chest of the owner.

Sakura blushed a deep red when she glanced up and realised just who she had run in to.

"Hi Sasuke!"

"Hn." came his usual response as he finally released her. "Care to explain?"

Sakura was stunned by his question. She still trying to get use to this new Sasuke. He was still pretty much the same as before he left but every now and then, he would open up a little, or let a glimpse of his emotions show through his carefully crafted mask.

Sakura noticed his gaze turning annoyed and realised that he was still waiting for an answer. She opened her mouth to speak.

"AH! My youthful blossom! There you are! That was a fun game!" beamed Lee as he smugly made his way towards her.

Sakura tensed and, without realising, took a step closer toward Sasuke. She answered his questioning look with a panicked plea for help. Sasuke nodded and stepped between her and the advancing Lee.

"Back off!" Sasuke growled.

Although his voice was calm and controlled, only a complete moron could have missed the deadly intent laced through it.

"But…" stammered Lee, taking a slight step back.

"You heard me!" came Sasuke's growl again. "Permanently!"

The threat in Sasuke's tone was even deadlier. Sakura wondered just how he was able to do that. Her heart sank slightly though at the sight of Lee. He was slowly walking away, his head hung low and the roses slowly slipping from his grasp. He looked like a beaten puppy.

End of Flashback

As Sakura drifted back from her memories, she found herself even more confused. Sasuke had always protected her in the past, but that had only been in life threatening situations, and because he ha no other choice. Ever since he came back though, she had been noticing slightly changes.

Take the Lee incident for example. He was under no obligation to help her and yet, he had! Not only that, but Lee hadn't bothered her like that ever since! If she added that to the 'rescued her from Itachi', 'gave up his chance of revenge to save her' and the whole 'food basket' issue…

"No." stated Sakura firmly while shaking her head. That list was giving her a headache!

Sakura turned the corner, she was only a few streets from the Yamanaka Flower Shop. A happy smile formed on her face as she fully rounded the corner.

The sight that greeted Sakura, stung her eyes, spun her mind and threatened to break her heart.

'NOOOO!' screamed Inner Sakura.

Sakura's knees were getting dangerously close to collapse but Inner Sakura held her outer self together for as long as she could.

Just off the side of the road, Sasuke had Kaori pressed up against a tree. He had her wrists pinned above her head with one hand, Sakura didn't want to know where his other hand was hiding, and his face was leaning dangerously close to hers and Kaori's eyes were closing.

Inner and Outer Sakura could take no more of the sight. She had to get out of there. She ran, leaving her heart, and dreams, shattered on the ground.

***

"I'll rip him apart!" yelled Ino as she paced back and forth across the shop floor. "I'll tear him open and feed his insides to the birds!"

Sakura sat perfectly still in her seat in the corner. Her voice had deserted her shortly after spilling her broken heart at Ino's horrified face.

It had been over half an hour since Sakura had made any kind of noise, or even moved. Ino's boyfriend, Sai, had arrived five minutes ago. He too, was sat motionless in a corner but it had nothing to do with shock, he was more confused than anything. Emotions were still a mystery to him, he had no idea why Ino was so angry but he was finding the whole thing rather fascinating.

Sai found himself glancing between his girlfriend and Sakura. He was trying to connect Ino's rampaging temper, Sakura's silent tears and the unfamiliar tightening in his chest. His hand gripped the front of his shirt so tightly that his knuckles were turning white. "Ow."

Ino's rant and pacing stopped immediately and she rushed to Sai. "Baby? Are you okay?"

Sai nodded and explained, as best he could, what he was experiencing. Ino gushed as she told him how sweet he was, how he was a sensitive soul and explained what sensitive meant to the suddenly confused male.

Of course, Ino just had to admit to Sai, how sexy she found his sensitive side. The second those words left her lips, Sai's lips were attached to them. The couple were soon staggering their way in to the back room.

Sakura was not as silent as she appeared. The whole time that Ino was ranting, Sakura had been in intense internal debate. Both sides, for and against, had put up good arguments with valid points but a phrase Ino had used had slipped in to her mental conversation and tipped the balance. What a fucking tease!

Was that what Sasuke had been doing? Had he been playing Sakura and Kaori against each other to see which one would give it up first? Had Kaori stolen what could have been her only chance to be with Sasuke?

Sakura's eyes suddenly narrowed and her brow furrowed. He had no right to treat her like that! No right to treat any woman like that! Women weren't toys to be played with! And they sure as hell weren't pawns for his twisted little games!

The gleam in Sakura's eyes burst back in to life. She wiped her cheeks, only to find the tears had long since dried. She slowly rose to her feet and marched out of the flower shop, but not before switching the sign to closed. The last thing anyone needed was to walk in on Ino and Sai's private time.

***

Sasuke was quietly reading on the balcony of his apartment. One minute he was just finishing chapter twelve, the next, his entire apartment was shaking. He shot to his feet and scanned the streets below, checking for signs of an earthquake. He realised the truth of the situation the second he heard the voice booming through his door, as though the force of it alone would be enough to smash the wooden frame.

"UCHIHA!"

Sasuke felt a chill run down his spine. He knew that voice anywhere. Sasuke was suddenly unsure. Sakura's voice showed just how pissed off she was at him, she only ever called him by his surname if her temper was about to explode. He found himself at an impasse. On one hand, thanks to her superhuman strength, Sakura was probably one of the few women who could do him serious physical damage. However, on the other hand, he was pretty sure that his door was about to give way under the beating it was taking.

No door meant no protection from his, less powerful, fan girls.

Sasuke decided to face his punishment, even though he had no idea what he was meant to have done wrong. He quickly rushed over to the door and pulled it open.

"Saku…"

SLAP!

Sasuke's entire head snapped to the side as Sakura's hand connected with his cheek. Sasuke was sure he heard something crack.

"I'm sick of your games, Uchiha!" Sakura spat at him.

Sasuke was too confused, and sore, to respond but it seemed that Sakura wasn't finished with him yet. She raised her hand toward his cheek. Sasuke cursed himself when he visibly flinched. He couldn't hold it back though, Sakura was making him nervous.

Sakura's hand glowed a light green as she finally placed it on his cheek, muttering under her breath about him deserving the broken cheek. The instant it was healed, she withdrew her hand and started yelling at him again. She shoved both hands against his chest, knocking him slightly off balance.

"Just what the fuck were you trying to achieve?!" she yelled. "Doing all those things with me, for me! Choosing my safety over your revenge! Protecting me from Lee's delusions! Guiding me through crowds and glaring at anyone who bumped into me! Opening up to me! Letting me see passed your mask! The basket lunch!"

Sasuke wisely chose to stay silent when Sakura paused for breath. After a few deep inhales, she continued.

"You raised my hopes again, Sasuke! You made me think that maybe… No! That's done! That's gone! Cause you were too busy chasing KAORI the whole fucking time!"

Sasuke opened his mouth to ask her what the hell she was talking about, only to be instantly silenced by a searing kiss from Sakura. All of her emotions were clearly shown in that kiss. So many of them that Sasuke feared he may drown in them.

Suddenly, Sakura pulled away and glared at him. "You have no idea what you've just thrown away! Have fun with Kaori!"

With that, Sakura turned and stormed away. Some of Sasuke's neighbours, who had heard the rampaging female and come to investigate, leapt back in to their apartments, ensuring the door was firmly closed between them and the deadly storm formerly known as Sakura.

Sasuke numbly closed his door as he tried to process what the hell had just happened. He closed his eyes as he replayed the entire conversation in his mind. Suddenly, the meaning of Sakura's words hit him like a freight train. His eyes snapped open, Sharingan blazing in fury of her accusations.

***

Sakura paced her living room, still trying to calm down. She had shocked herself when she had slapped Sasuke. She had used her full strength and it had only broken his jaw! That just proved how strong Sasuke truly was. The last time she had done that to someone, their head had come off!

CRASH!

Sakura gasped in fright as her front door flew off its hinges and skidded down the wall. Her eyes were even wider when she saw Sasuke standing there. People had clearly underestimated this man! He had just killed her door and there wasn't even the slightest trace of the curse mark.

"How dare you!"

Sakura gasped again. Wasn't she suppose to be the one who shouted that?

"Just what the fuck did you think you were doing?! How dare you accuse me like that!"

Sasuke's Sharingan eyes were glowing like fire. He stormed over to her, grabbed her roughly and pinned her against her living room wall. Sakura opened her mouth to speak but Sasuke beat her to it.

"I don't play games, Sakura!" he hissed, his eyes slowly changing back to their usual black. "I'm not with Kaori!" Sakura's eyes widened as the next words drifted from Sasuke's mouth, barely louder than a whispered breath. "And you're not going anywhere!"

Inner Sakura nearly had a heart attack when Sasuke crushed their lips together, his arms slipping tightly around Sakura's body, pulling her closer.

Sakura's vision blurred and her mind took on a lovely misting effect as Sasuke's hands moved their way over her body, shedding her clothes as they went. His mouth was following insistently behind them, capturing each inch of newly exposed skin.

Sasuke growled, happily and deeply, as Sakura snapped out of her momentary daze and joined in with the fun. Their clothes were gone before either could notice, or begin to care. Sasuke's mouth latched on to Sakura's left nipple while his right hand teased her other one. Sakura's nails dug into Sasuke's shoulders, probably drawing blood, as his left hand reached in between her legs and surged two of his fingers deeply in to her volcanic heat.

"Not… against… wall!" Sakura said breathlessly. Sasuke paused his ministrations briefly, to give her the chance to speak. "It's my first time." Sakura began again.

A deep sexy growl erupted from Sasuke's throat and before Sakura could react, he had lifted her up into his arms and carried her, bridal style, through to her bedroom. Sakura was moaning in pleasure the whole way. She had no idea how he managed to carry her and keep his fingers thrusting inside her at the same time. She didn't think that was even possible. Then again, she was dealing with an Uchiha!

Sakura experienced her very first orgasm in mid-air. It hit her like a train wreck just before Sasuke could lay her down on the bed. The second her back touched the mattress, his fingers withdrew and were replaced by his tongue, driving her, almost instantly, to another orgasm.

Sakura pulled at Sasuke's shoulders furiously, desperate for him to be inside her already. Sasuke only teased her for a little bit longer before moving up and positioning himself.

"This might hurt." he whispered.

"I don't care!" Sakura breathed out. "I need you!"

Another deep and sexy growl was the only warning she got before Sasuke pushed into her. When he was all the way inside, he stilled, allowing her to get use to him. Sakura frowned at him, wriggling her hips. There was no pain and he was just wasting time.

Sasuke soon took the hint and withdrew slightly, only to plunge back in. Sakura's eyes rolled into the back of her head. The pleasure was just so intense. Sakura thought that she would either explode from it, or burst into flames.

Sasuke was feeling exactly the same as he surged in and out of Sakura. The pressure was growing to be almost as powerful as the pleasure. Sasuke could already feel Sakura beginning to tighten around his shaft. He knew she wouldn't last must longer and was determined to join her in orgasmic bliss. He sped up his thrusts, pushing deeper and harder with each return stroke.

***

"SASUKE-KUN!"

Kaori was shocked at the force of Sakura's scream. The window of Sakura's apartment vibrated so violently that Kaori was convinced it was going to break.

"SAKURA!"

Sasuke's cry of passion erupted from his throat. Kaori's eyes widened in amusement as her suspicions about the window were confirmed. From her concealed place amongst the branches and blossoms, Kaori struggled to hold back her laughter as she watched the people below trying to dodge what was once pieces of Sakura's bedroom window.

When she had first realised what was taking place within those walls, anger, jealousy and pain had washed over her. However, having seen their true feelings for one another, Kaori was able to let all of that go. A sly smirk slowly spread across her mouth as her eyes turned mischievous.

'Just wait till I see you tomorrow.' she inwardly chuckled. 'Just you wait.'

To be continued…