Author's Notes: Ok people. Fasten your seatbelts! It's going to be a bumpy ride! This next chapter is going to be full of multiple pairings and therefore multiple points of view. Please bear with me and I'll do my best to try to make the transitions as smooth as possible. Thanks for all of the support so far! I was asked about yaoi parings and I'm sorry but that's something I have no experience in so I'm not even going to attempt it in this story. I'm sorry. Truly I am. In addition I apologize if it seems like Onchou is the main character. The mission kind of revolves around her and her past so it can't exactly be helped at the moment but I am trying my best to make it balanced. Anyway, on with the story!
#8#
Sasuke sat next to Sakura tension rolling off him in waves as he watched the people around him. The Uchiha had never been a very social person, choosing to spend most of his time alone or with a select few people that he felt particularly close to. Being in a restaurant surrounded by his old classmates, The Kazekage and his family, along with Onchou and Ryuu was daunting but manageable. However, the Konoha Twelve as they were known had made quite a name for themselves during the Fourth great ninja war so their names and faces were well known and admired the world over. Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro were the children of the former Kazekage and with the sand wielder as the current Village head, they attracted a large amount of attention as well. The buzz they created while gathered together was enormous and the little restaurant was packed full of not just the elite ninja but hordes of admirers desperate to catch a glimpse of the legendary war heroes.
He glanced around the table and his eyes met Onchou's seated directly across the table from him who cringed at a particularly loud peal of laughter coming from Ino as she clutched Sai's arm. The violet haired girl offered him a sympathetic smile and he felt a little tension leave his body as he realized she was probably just as uncomfortable as he was.
"Sasuke, you're more quiet than normal. Is something wrong?" Sakura asked.
He shrugged. "It's fine." He replied quickly.
"Ok then." She replied. "I'm going to the rest room. We can leave when we get back if you want. I've already eaten my fill."
He snorted knowing that it wasn't the truth. She was only suggesting it for his sake. "We don't have to." He protested.
She leaned towards him and cupped her hand around her mouth. "Look, we both know that Naruto and Hinata aren't going to last much longer and Ino is all over Sai. If we slip out first…"
He smirked and nodded. They would have the first chance at their room and that would make all the Hell he'd been through over the past forty five minutes worth it. His mouth was already watering at the thought of having his lips on her skin. "Ok. Don't take too long." He replied softly.
The pink haired medic winked at him and rose to her feet and slipped past him letting her finger tips trail lightly over the skin at the base of his neck. A shiver ran through his body and he shook his head at her as she sauntered away.
"Tease." He muttered under his breath as he shifted in his seat. He was surprised when Hinata moved to the seat Sakura had left and leaned towards him, her cheeks blazing as she whispered. "Naruto said that you two have thirty minutes from the time you leave."
Sasuke's brow arched and then he glanced at his friend shooting him a death glare. The Uzamaki merely shrugged in response indicating that he didn't really care about his opinion. The Uchiha sighed, it was a fair trade he supposed. He'd had Sakura by his side the entire time they'd been on this mission. Naruto had been separated from Hinata for weeks. It was only natural that the two of them would have a little more frustration to work out. Reluctantly he nodded and the blue haired girl bowed slightly and then slid back to her own seat blushing furiously when the blond wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer to him. Besides, he and Sakura had already decided that they weren't quite ready to take the next step in their relationship. Any more than thirty minutes alone in a room with her would probably be a little rough for them anyway.
He blinked in surprise when Onchou threw a dinner roll at him from across the table.
"Seriously?!" he hissed picking it up and putting it on his plate.
"Sakura needs you." The girl replied trying to keep her voice down.
He glanced towards the front of the room expecting to see her there and was surprised when she wasn't. His gaze turned back to Onchou a little frown of confusion on his face. She stomped on his foot under the table and he hissed.
"What the Hell?!" he ground out between his clenched teeth.
She jabbed her fingers in the direction of her ears and then jerked her thumb in the direction of the bathrooms. "Go now you stupid Uchiha or I will!"
His eyes widened as it dawned on him what she was saying. Onchou had hearing that put bats to shame. It only made sense that she would be able to hear that Sakura was in trouble when he couldn't. He quickly stood from his chair and nodded to her before he dashed out of the room and towards the bathrooms.
The doors to both were situated down a narrow, dimly lit hallway. He instinctively activated his sharringan and his blood turned to lava in his veins as he found Sakura trapped at the end of the hallway with a man he didn't recognize pressed up against her with his hands wrapped around her slim wrists pressing them to the wall behind them.
"Common baby! Come home with me. I've seen you around and I think you're the prettiest girl in all of Suna." He cooed pressing his face to her hair.
"Let go of me! Don't make me hurt you!" she growled.
"Ha! A little girl like you hurt me? What a joke." He chuckled.
The sound of metal sliding against metal echoed through the small hallway as well as the sound of electricity crackling as Sasuke drew his katana and funneled lightning chakra into the blade. He pointed it at the man with the tip a breath away from his back as his demonic looking red eyes bored into the man.
"Get away from her now." He demanded his voice as cold as ice and dripping with venom.
"Sasuke." Sakura breathed her voice filled with relief.
The man glanced back at the former rouge ninja his eyes widening with fear as he recognized the man clad in black. "Sasuke Uchiha." He stammered.
"I won't ask again." The raven haired man replied. "Get your filthy hands off of her right now."
The man shakily nodded and took a step away with his hands raised. The raven haired man sheathed his sword and took two quick steps forward his arms slightly outstretched towards the rose haired medic. Using his sharringan he quickly checked her for injuries thankful when he saw none. Her eyes shimmered a little with unshed tears as she stumbled into his arms. He held her gently angry as hell that the man had frightened her this much and had touched what belonged to him. With all the tenderness he could muster he pressed his lips to her forehead.
"Are you ok, Sakura?" he asked softly.
She nodded. "I'm fine now. Thank you."
He felt a little better and then turned towards the man his gaze murderous. "Get out of my sight!" he growled.
"Right." The man stammered as he turned and stumbled down the hall.
"Let's go." Sasuke said shifting so that his hand was in hers their fingers laced together as they quickly walked out of the restaurant and onto the dark streets. He quickly swept her up into his arms and took to the rooftops gliding with incredible speed towards their hotel.
"Sasuke you can put me down." She said.
"Quiet!" he snapped as his feet touched down on the roof of their hotel. He quickly carried her down to their room and only once the door was locked behind them did he allow her feet to touch the ground.
"Sasuke." She said again her voice full of concern. Without a word he pulled her wrists to his face and kissed the gently. She blushed at the act and she spoke again. "What are you doing?" she asked.
"I couldn't put you down because if I had, I would've hunted that bastard down and warped him into oblivion." He said softly though his tone was dark.
The pink haired medic's eyes widened and then softened as she reached out and touched his cheek urging him to look at her with the slight pressure of her fingers. "I'm ok. I promise." She replied. "He caught me off guard was all." She chuckled a little moisture coming to her eyes. "You know, if someone comes at me trying to kill me I feel hardly any fear, but when guys look at me like that, I get an awful feeling that makes it hard for me to move. Is that weird?"
The dark haired Uchiha blinked and then shook his head. "Not really. When someone is trying to kill you, all of the training kicks in and your body knows exactly what to do so there's no room for fear."
She nodded and then sighed and leaned forward resting her hands and face on his chest. "Thank you for saving me." She said softly.
He wrapped his arms around her and squeezed her gently. "Anytime." He replied. His hand clenched as he remembered the fear in her eyes. "Are you sure you're ok?" he asked. "Did he touch you anywhere?"
She took a deep breath stepped out of his embrace. Her hands went to the hem of her short sleeved green shirt and she quickly pulled it over her head revealing a simple blue bra. Her hands then went to her white pants and she quickly shimmied out of them revealing a matching pair of panties. She smiled at him her emerald eyes filled with warmth and held her arms out. "Come check for yourself. I know you won't feel better until you do."
Sasuke blinked in surprise and then smiled at her. She knew him so well. "Alright." He replied activating his sharringan once again. With determined strides, he circled her checking for any signs of trauma and felt satisfied when his sight confirmed that she was indeed unharmed.
His hands then went to his own shirt pulling it over his head before he reached for her and pulled her to him kissing her soundly. The kiss quickly heated up when her tongue traced his lips and he opened his mouth so their tongues could dance. He shivered in response and guided them over to his bed where he laid her down gently and hovered over her. "Sakura, we only have fifteen minutes alone here." He said softly.
"How could you possibly know that?" she asked.
He cringed. "Don't worry about it. I just want to spend the rest of the time we have erasing the memory of that man from your mind. Would you let me?" he asked.
She blinked clearly a little confused by his words but nodded. "Yes. I trust you." She said softly.
He nodded and laid his lips on hers again savoring the feeling of her lips on his. His lips kissed a warm trail along her jaw to her neck and made their way down towards her collar bone. Using lips, tongue and teeth he marked her as his leaving a dark red mark on the side of her neck. Satisfied with his work, he moved down to her collar bone kissing gently and then running his tongue over the same path. A contented sigh came from her lips and he smiled in response. He brought his lips back to hers and trailed his fingertips down her neck over the soft swell of her breasts and over her rib cage mapping her curves with his touch. He groaned when his fingers brushed over the cotton between her legs and gripped her thighs.
"Sakura." He murmured. "You are so beautiful. Absolutely perfect." He lifted his head just to catch a glimpse of her blush and smirked in response. He moved himself off of her and slid down to the edge of the bed.
"Sasuke?" Sakura questioned sitting up slightly to catch a glimpse of him. Her cheeks blazed when he grabbed her by the foot and kissed the tip of her big toe. "What are you doing?" she demanded.
"Close your eyes and be quiet." He instructed as he moved his lips down the inside of her foot to her ankle. "Just focus on me." He continued kissing down the length of her calf kissing and stroking the soft skin earning moans and gasps of pleasure in response. He then moved his attention to her thighs kissing towards her core.
"Sasuke!" Sakura whimpered as he brushed the cotton of her panties with his nose. There was both fear and excitement in her voice arousing him further, tempting him to remove the rest of her clothes. However, he pushed the instinct away knowing that they only had a few minutes left and that every second was dedicated to the girl in front of him. Dedicated to erasing the slime ball's touch from her memory and replacing it with his own. Searing into both her body and mind who she belonged to.
He continued upward focusing his attention on her stomach kissing and licking across the smooth planes. He found that just below her belly button was a particularly sensitive spot and focused his attention there for a few moments drinking in her soft cries and the way her muscles trembled under his tongue. "Sakura, you are so cute." He said with a chuckled as he worked over the ticklish places along her ribs.
"Don't tease me." She replied breathlessly as he squeezed her breasts and kissed the mounds over the fabric of her bra. He silently cursed the whiskered idiot for limiting their time so that he didn't have time to give them the attention they deserved as he kissed up over her collarbones and shoulders. His lips suckled at the spot he'd left on her neck darkening it further before he brought his lips back to hers and kissed her with all of the passion he felt for her but didn't have time to show in the ways he wanted as he activated his eye power and silently searched for the chakra signatures he was sure were on their way. Right on cue he sensed a bright energetic chakra accompanied by a cooler, more flexible chakra signature. With a sigh he pulled away from her and tapped her in the middle of her forehead.
"Common. That idiot and Hinata are almost here." He said handing her the clothes she'd discarded earlier. She nodded and began pulling on her clothes and turned to smile at him. As she did so, the face of the child from his dream appeared in his mind and his eyes widened as he recognized similarities in their features. The wideness of the forehead, the large eyes, the set of her lips. "Sakura." He murmured putting his arms around her. "When we get back to The Leaf Village, would it be alright if I met your parents?" he asked.
She blinked in surprise as she handed him his shirt. "That's fine by me but why?" she asked.
"I want… I want to do this properly." He muttered taking her hands in his. "I… I know I'm not good at expressing how I feel. I'm also a loner with a dark side who probably threw the biggest temper tantrum in history and took angsty teenager to a ridiculous level but…. I… I want to be with you." He closed his eyes and gritted his teeth gathering his courage and then opened them again and reached out to tap her in the middle of her forehead. "I love you Sakura." He said softly. It was the first time he'd said those words to her directly while looking her in the eyes. Tears slid down her face in response and she reached for him
"Sasuke." She murmured kissing him gently. "I love you too."
"I know." He replied with a tiny smirk.
The pink haired medic brushed the hair out of his face. "Sasuke, I also have a request for when we get back."
"What is it?" he asked. He wasn't afraid. He'd give her anything she asked for if it was in his power to do so.
"Will you take me to meet your parents and Itachi?" she asked. "I want to pay them my respects."
His eyes widened and then softened as his heart swelled in his chest. He didn't deserve her, this was further proof of it. "Yeah." He replied. "I'd really like that."
She smiled. "It's a date then."
The sound of pounding on the door startled both of them shattering the warm mood their last moment had brought them.
"For crying out loud!" Sasuke hissed pulling on his shirt as Sakura stood. He stalked over to the door and yanked it open finding himself face to face with the blonde Uzamaki and his startled looking girlfriend. "Mood killer." He growled as Sakura came up beside him.
"Let's go to the laboratory." She medic suggested. "I want to make sure I have enough of everything."
"Sure." Sasuke replied walking out of the room. "Remember that we all need to sleep tonight so don't take too long ok?" he said before leaving the room hand in hand with the girl he loved.
3 # 3
Ino noticed immediately when Sakura left the table whispering in Sasuke's ear and the little smile that touched his lips and the light that came to his mismatched brooding eyes. Less than ten minutes later he left the table in a hurry and never came back.
Naruto snorted. "That was even faster than I thought. Time to start the timer." He said nudging Hinata who blushed.
"Don't you think you're being a little cruel?" The bluenettet asked her boyfriend. "I mean, I just wanted to spend time with you alone. We don't need to go to your room for that."
Ino smirked. She'd been dead right about the two. Hinata was a perfect princess so she knew they were waiting until marriage to take the next step. Naruto was a pervert but he was a gentleman at heart and loved Hinata more than anything so though she was sure waiting was hard for the Uzamaki, he waited anyway.
The blonde chuckled. "Yeah, I know that, but you haven't had to live with them the past little while. I caught them making out in the elevator once you know! It's so… weird." He admitted.
"What's so weird about it?" Shino asked. "Sakura has been in love with Sasuke since they were children."
Naruto sighed and scratched his head. "Well yeah, but…" he sighed. "Sakura, she's like the sister I never had." He admitted. "I mean, we're super close and I care about her a lot. Sasuke and I are basically brothers too. So having your brother and sister doing that sort of thing is just…."
Kiba wrinkled his nose. "We get it. Please don't explain anymore." He muttered and then sighed. "I lost. There's no way I have a chance with her now."
"Do not give up hope Kiba!" Lee exclaimed as a river of tears streamed down his cheeks. "We are still in the midst of our youth! There is always a chance that Sakura's heart will come to me! I mean you."
Ino gripped Sai's arm and noted the fake smile he gave his friends as they talked.
"We all should've known that Sakura's dedication would pay off." TenTen said sipping on her drink. "I mean, even when he went totally psycho and nearly murdered her she still loved him and had faith he'd come back. If anyone deserves him, it's her."
Heads bobbed in agreement around the table and her grip on Sai's arm tightened as a lump formed in her throat and tears stung her eyes. The painter seemed to notice and looked down at her.
"You seem troubled." He said softly.
"So do you." She replied. "Should we go?"
He blinked and then nodded. Quickly rising from their spots at the table. "We're going to head out now." Ino said with a smile.
"Ok." Shikamaru replied. "Team ten is staying in the guest house attached to the Kazekage's residence. Don't be out too late."
"Yes daddy dear." Ino replied flipping her hair as she rolled her eyes. "Let's go Sai."
He nodded and the pair of them walked out onto the streets. Wordlessly Sai took her hand and tugged her up with him unto the rooftops. "Follow me." He said simply leading her across town to the edge and then charging up the side of one of the sheer cliff walls that surrounded Suna and came to a stop on a little ledge big enough for four people to sit comfortably.
"How did you find this place?" she asked.
"I came here with Naruto once to paint the stars. They're much easier to see here." He explained. He then quickly pulled her into his arms. "It's ok. No one else knows about this place and Naruto and Hinata are going to be going to the room soon. We're alone now so you can let out your tears."
Ino blinked and then gripped his sleeves. "Sai… I…"
"You don't have to pretend. I know you're hurting." He said softly.
She tightened her grip on him and a little sob escaped her throat as tears streamed down her cheeks. It hurt, more than she'd ever admit to anyone that Sasuke had chosen Sakura over her. The years they'd fought over him, the time she spent dreaming about him all felt like a waste. She knew deep down inside that what TenTen had said was right. She knew that better than anyone. Sakura had trained harder, and longer than she had to become strong enough to chase down the missing Uchiha. The pink haired medic had chased him all over the world with Naruto and fought beside him in a way that Ino knew she never could. She'd been prepared not only to die for him but kill him to save him from himself. While she herself had given up on the boy she once loved and turned her attention to Sai who looked and acted similar to the Uchiha, using him as the avenger's replacement.
When Sasuke showed up on the battlefield during the war, she'd been surprised but happy hoping that he'd come back to stay and maybe even love her. Then she'd seen her friend on the battlefield standing atop Lady Katsuyu next to Naruto and Sasuke and the cheers had rang through the crowd about the new generation Sannin, she knew then that the one best suited to the Uchiha was her best friend not her and it had cut like a knife.
When the war ended and Sasuke had been pardoned for his crimes, he decided to leave the village and travel the world to clear his mind. The day he'd been scheduled to leave she watched from a distance as Saukra had approached him and offered to go with him. Her own heart had soared when he rejected her request and she'd secretly hoped that it meant that he wasn't willing to be anyone's. But then he'd done something she didn't expect. He reached out and tapped the medic in the middle of the forehead with the gentlest smile she'd ever seen on his face and said. "I'll see you when I'm back and thank you." She'd know then that the Uchiha loved her pink haired friend and silently prayed that it was just the brotherly love that Naruto felt for the medic as well. Seeing them now though, it was obvious that the kind of love Sasuke felt for Sakura was the kind that she'd felt for the Uchiha herself, perhaps even deeper. The boy had never even looked twice at her while she'd clung to Sai hoping to see a flicker of disappointment or jealousy in his eyes, but his gaze was always fixed on the pink haired medic beside him. He would never love her like that and the thought hurt. Oh how it hurt. So here she was, crying her eyes out in the arms of the man she'd only approached because of his similarity to the boy she'd loved.
The sensation of something wet on her head quieted her sobs and she glanced up to see tears flowing down Sai's cheeks. "Sai?" she asked wiping at her face. "What's wrong?"
"I think I know how you've been feeling." He admitted. "I didn't even realize myself until I saw them together. It hurts. I didn't know that feelings could hurt like this."
Her eyes widened. "Sai…" she murmured. "You… you love Sakura don't you?"
He blinked. "I never knew." He admitted touching his cheeks seemingly shocked at the moisture there. His dark eyes looked down at hers. "Ino…" he said softly. "Forgive me, but can I ask you for a favor."
"Sure." She replied quickly. "What is it?"
"Help me." He whimpered clutching at her shoulders. "Help me forget these feelings. They hurt. So much."
Her own eyes filled with tears again as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. His eyes widened and then closed as he wrapped his arms around her waist holding her closer than he ever had before. They'd kissed before however never had they come together with their hearts fully exposed like they were now. It felt different, in a good way. Two people finally connecting on a deeper level. She pulled away and gently laid her hands on his cheeks wiping away his tears with her thumbs. "You'll never be able to forget." She said softly smiling sadly at the way his eyes widened with pain. "All you can do is move on."
"How?" he asked his voice cracking with emotion.
"Just like this." She replied holding him close. "Sai, I'm sorry for everything but I really do love you. The part of my heart that belonged to him broke tonight but the rest of it is yours."
Sai's eyes widened and he laid his head on her shoulder. "I think I know how you feel." He replied.
"Then let's start over." She said softly. "We'll move on together, ok?"
He nodded. "Ok. Thank you Ino."
She shook her head and then laid it against his chest. "No, thank you Sai."
T.T 3 T.T
Naruto snickered as Sasuke brushed past him clearly irritated pulling an apologetic looking Sakura with him.
"You two behave." Sakura called out to him before vanishing into the elevator with the Uchiha.
He chuckled and walked into the vacated room with his girlfriend in tow. Closing the door gently behind them. He helped her out of her tan jacket and hung it up before shedding his own jacket and placing it next to hers. When he turned back to face her, he found her blushing prettily looking down at her toes.
"So how have you been Naruto?" she asked softly.
The reality that they were alone in a hotel room together can crashing down on him and he blushed as well as his heart thundered in his chest. He scratched the back of his head nervously and chuckled. "I've been pretty good." He replied. "I've mostly been stuck babysitting that Ryuu kid but it's not so bad."
She nodded and smiled. "I'm not surprised. You're great with children."
He smiled. "You think so?"
The lavender eyed girl nodded. "I do. You're going to be a great father one day."
He smiled. "I hope so."
She looked up at him and he felt a swelling of love for the girl in front of him. She was so sweet, so kind, so patient and loving. How she'd put up with his obliviousness for so long was a mystery to him. Being alone with her after being away from her for so long was like breathing a deep breath of fresh air. Sai, Saskue, and Sakura were like his family for sure but Hinata was different. She was more than that. Hinata was home. Filled to the brim with emotion, he reached for her and pulled her to his chest savoring her warmth. She sighed softly and wrapped her own arms around his waist.
"I missed you Naruto." She whispered against his chest.
"I missed you too." He replied kissing the top of her head.
"I love you." Her soft voice said.
"I know. I love you too Hinata." He replied. He pulled away from her and looked down. When she raised her own head to look at him he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers gently. She froze in surprise at first and then sighed and relaxed against him. Once she'd relaxed enough, he slowly began to move his lips against hers. Hinata was a traditional girl from a powerful, old family. Physical intimacy was something she wanted to save until their wedding night and he respected that. In fact it made him love her even more. There were those that thought she was weak but he knew otherwise. She was strong and steady, never straying from the path she believed in. As much as he desired her, he would wait. That didn't mean that they weren't a passionate couple however.
He gently swept his tongue swept across her bottom lip and she gasped and sighed in response parting her lips for him. His tongue slipped inside rubbing and caressing the wet places in her mouth as her arms rose up to twine around his neck. His own hand moved up to press against her back molding her body to his while his other dove into her dark blue hair as he change the angle of the kiss.
"Naruto." She sighed when they broke apart for air. The sight of her was almost too much to handle. Her blush tinged cheeks, her kiss reddened lips and the rapid rise and fall of her chest.
"Hinata." He replied leaning down to kiss her cheek and then below her ear. She shivered in response and he smiled against her skin before making his way down kissing and sucking at the column of her throat. Naruto was not experienced at all when it came to women. In fact the first person he'd ever kissed was a guy, his best friend to be exact and that moment was one of the most humiliating experiences of his life. He'd been kissed by a woman before Hinata but she'd just been trying to suck out his chakra and that was even worse than kissing the stupid Uchiha, not that he'd ever tell him that for both of their sakes. Kissing Hinata was a totally different experience. He was fairly certain based on what he'd overheard from other men and his travels with Pervy Sage that the woman in his arms was one of the most sensitive in this world. Every touch made her blush, every kiss made her sigh, and the way she gasped and clutched at him when he gently nipped at the nape of her neck with his teeth made him feel like he was on cloud nine.
He guided them both to the bed and sat down pulling her into his lap as he peppered kisses along her collar bone and slipped his hand under her shirt savoring the feel of her skin in his hands.
"Naruto!" she exclaimed her eyes widening, her cheeks blazing as his thumbs brushed the underside of her breasts over her bra.
"I know." He assured her softly. "I won't go that far." He raised his head and pressed his lips against hers once more pulling her down on top of him as he laid down on the bed.
"Naruto." She whimpered. "Are you sure…?"
"I promised you that I'd hold back until our wedding day didn't I?" he reminded her. "Just relax and trust me."
"I trust you." She replied softly.
He nodded and pressed his lips to hers again tangling his tongue with hers as his hands dove into her silky hair and then slowly moved down over her shoulders and back rememorizing the curves of her body. His hands brushed over her back side making her flinch before rising again and coming to rest on her hips. Gently he rolled them to the side and he trailed his hand along the curve of her waist before they broke apart and she rested her forehead against his breathing rapidly.
"Naruto." She whispered. "I don't think I can take anymore." She admitted.
Understanding her real meaning he nodded and pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek. "Then we'll stop for now."
"Thank you." She said softly. "I know that this is hard for you. It is for me too, but…"
He shook his head and lifted his hand to brush her hair out of her face. "It's alright. You don't have to apologize. I'd wait a lifetime for you."
Her smile was dazzling as she laid her hand on his cheek. "I love you Naruto."
"I love you too." He replied with an easy smile. "Besides, I'm pretty sure Neji would haunt me forever if I tried anything too crazy."
She nodded and then her face fell slightly. "Neji…" she sat up and glanced out the window. "Poor TenTen."
Naruto sat up and glanced out across Suna. "Yeah. If I remember right, the last time TenTen and Lee were in Suna, it was when they came to help save Gaara. It must be tough being here without him."
Hinata shook her head. "It's not just that." She said glancing out in the direction of the restaurant they'd eaten at. "That mission was the one that started everything." She said as a tear slid down her cheek.
"What do you mean?" Naruto asked putting his hand on her shoulder. "What's wrong?"
"You probably didn't know." She said softly. "There aren't many who did even within our house."
"Know what?" Naruto replied.
"Neji loved TenTen." She replied softly.
Naruto's eyes widened. "No way!" he gasped. "And TenTen…"
"She loved him too." She replied. "They confessed to each other here in Suna after that mission."
The Uazmaki's eyes widened and then he bowed his head his hands clenching. "Damn it." He hissed. "I can't even imagine what TenTen has been going through. Damn!"
"Naruto." Hinata said turning towards him. "She doesn't blame you or I for what happened you know."
"I know that." He replied gritting his teeth. "I just… this is why we need peace in this world. So what happened to TenTen and Neji doesn't happen to anyone else."
The blue haired girl nodded and leaned against him. "That's one more goal for when you become Hokage then isn't it?"
"Damn right it is." He replied wrapping his arm around her shoulder. He squeezed her gently. "So from what Onchou told me, the guys we'll probably end up fighting tomorrow are tough."
She nodded. "It sounded like it."
"So don't leave my side, ok?" he replied. "I'm not nearly as strong as TenTen. I'd lose my mind if I lost you."
Hinata smiled. "Of course. I'll always be by your side Naruto." She said kissing him gently. "Forever."
3 T 3
Shikamaru sighed as he laced his hands behind his head listening to Chouji snoring loudly beside him. Even after being the guy's teammate for years, it was still the biggest drag to sleep in the same room as him. His snoring nearly rattled the freaking windows! There were two other rooms in the guest house as well but they were already occupied. Ino had one and Onchou and Ryuu had the other so he was stuck. After a few moments he sat up rubbing his head and stepped out of the room and padded down towards the bathroom. He couldn't sleep, his thoughts kept drifting towards the blonde sand shinobi sleeping in the house next door. She'd been sending him messages from the moment that he entered Suna and he'd read them loud and clear. The fan wielder wanted him, badly. The thought made him smirk, she was probably the fiercest kunouchi in the shinobi world. She was quick, efficient, and deadly and he couldn't deny that it thrilled him, turned him on even. Being with a woman like that would be a challenge however he was fairly certain he could handle it, handle her. In fact he was sure of it. He could just imagine what it would be like with her. A rough and wild ride with both of them fighting for dominance. Being with her wouldn't be a drag at all.
He was surprised when he bumped into a body in the dim hallway.
"Sorry." Onchou said regaining her balance. "I wasn't paying attention."
"No. It's my fault too." He admitted a little embarrassed that he hadn't sensed her proximity.
"Having trouble sleeping?" she asked.
"I guess so." He admitted. "You too?"
She nodded. "I suppose the fact that I might run into him again is more frightening than I thought." She admitted.
He nodded and then smiled at her. "I understand where you're coming from but try not to worry too much. You'll have the best ninja from both The Leaf and The Sand by your side. We won't let anything happen to you."
A little smile touched her lips. "Thanks Shikamaru." She said softly as she passed by him. "Oh, by the way. That door," she said motioning to a slightly wider door across the hall. "It leads to the Kazekage's kitchen. If you want something like warm milk or tea, you can make it in there. It might help."
He blinked in surprise and then nodded glancing at the door. When Kankuro had explained the layout of the house, he'd told him that the door just led to a storage room. "Thanks. I think I'll do that. Try to get some sleep."
She nodded and then padded back to the room she shared with Ryuu and closed the door behind her.
Shikamaru quickly crossed the hall, opened the door and found himself in a large kitchen. He closed it gently behind himself and walked over to the cupboard glancing at their tea selection. He wanted something that would knock him out so that he could get some decent sleep. It had to be strong enough to override the thoughts in his head that were imagining what the blonde sand shinobi sleeping in the house he was in wore to bed and what her hair looked like down. How it would feel between his fingers, what her voice would sound like when she moaned his name.
"Shikamaru?" a voice came.
He nearly jumped at the sound and turned to see the woman from his fantasy studying him from across the room. Her hair was undone from its normal four tailed style and hung down to her shoulders. She was dressed in what looked like red satin robe and she tilted her head slightly. She looked so much softer, more feminine but the smirk on her lips and set of hips reminded him that she was just as fierce as ever.
"What are you doing in here?" she asked.
He closed the cupboards and shrugged. "I was looking for something to help me sleep." He replied. "Onchou told me about the door, was she not supposed to?"
Temari cocked an eyebrow. "I don't think so. Did Kankuro tell you it was the door to a storage room or something?" Shikamrau nodded and she laughed. "That idiot brother of mine. To think he's that worried about me. It's not like I can't take care of myself."
The dark haired shinobi smirked at that. "You can definitely take care of yourself, better than any other woman I know."
"I don't know." Temari replied walking forward with her finger tapping her lip. "Sakura could probably give me a run for my money. Those fists of hers are terrifying."
He chuckled. "You might be right about that. I'm amazed Naruto is still living with all of the sucker punches he's received over the years."
She smiled and moved closer to him her eyes glinting with something dangerous. "So, were you thinking you might run into me when you came here?" she asked.
He smirked. "I knew there was a high probability that I would." He replied as she stopped right in front of him. Then without much warning, her lips were on his and the sensation was electrifying. His arms immediately wrapped around her waist crushing her to him. He'd thought of this moment more often then he'd dared admit. She was just as aggressive as he'd anticipated she'd be, tugging at his shirt and quickly pulling at the ties that kept his hair in place letting it fall down to brush just below his chin. She tore her lips away from his and without another word dragged him down the hall. She pushed open the door of the room at the end and then slammed it shut and locked it before her lips found his again.
The shadow shinobi wasted no time as he guided her over to the bed and untied the robe letting it slither to the floor before he pressed her down into the mattress. He noted that she wore only a pair of red panties underneath and smirked as he kissed his way down her neck. "Were you planning on sneaking into the guest house and attacking me in my sleep?" he asked.
She chuckled in response. "Don't flatter yourself. I always sleep like this."
He smirked in response and moved down to her breasts wasting no time as he sucked her nipple into his mouth teasing the nub with just a slight nip of his teeth. She moaned in response and her fingers clutched at his hair. "Shikamaru!" she hissed. His name falling from her lips thrilled him all the more and he wasn't surprised in the slightest when she pushed him off of her and pulled his shirt over his head tossing it to the floor before she pressed him back against the mattress her hands and lips touching and tasting him all over. She was greedy, demanding, rough, and he loved it. Her hands quickly stripped him of his pants leaving him in only his boxers and he decided to take back control catching her and pushing her face forward onto the bed and kissing over her shoulders and down the curve of her back. His mouth stopped just above her panty line and he slid them down slowly.
"Temari." He breathed kissing the back of her neck. "What do you want?"
"Damn you!" she hissed flipping him over onto his back. "You know exactly what I want." She said pulling away the last of the fabric separating them.
He smirked in response and his lips took hers again as she spread her legs for him. Within moments he was inside of her and the two crashed together with all of the pent up passion that had been building between them since the chinin exams. He'd admired her then as they battled even as he'd done his best to defeat her. She was fierce, beautiful, and cunning. A gorgeous, desert wildcat that no one could tame. As they writhed together, she gave no quarter dragging her nails across his back, her hips meeting his thrust for thrust. His hands were in her hair, his lips and teeth nipping at every part of her he could. When she finally came, his name tumbled from her lips as she dug her nails into his back and he finished soon after groaning her name against her neck.
He collapsed against her breathing hard and then with some effort rolled to the side resting his arm across his forehead. "Temari." He said softly.
"What is it?" she replied.
"When this mission is over, will you come to Konoha with me?" he asked.
She rolled towards him and lifted a brow. "Why would I do that?" she asked.
He sighed and rolled towards her. "Do I really have to spell it out for you?" he asked. "I want you by my side, always."
Her eyes widened and then, for the first time since meeting her, they softened. "Do you know what you're getting yourself into shadow boy?" she asked.
"Of course I do. I never make a move without calculating all of the risks and possible outcomes first." He said stroking his finger over the curve of her hip. "The worst case scenario for me is probably scars on my back from your claws you wildcat." He said with a smirk.
She snickered in response and then lifted herself up to hover over him. "Fine. If that's what you want. I wasn't planning on leaving after this year's chunin exams anyway."
He smiled and raised his head claiming her lips and felt another wave of desire move through him. She seemed to feel it too as she dragged her nails up his ribcage.
"Are you ready for round two with this wildcat?" she purred against his neck.
Shikamaru smirked in response accepting her challenge head on. "Always."
~~ % ~~
TenTen lay in bed her eyes slowly becoming weighted by the exhaustion from the day's events. Lee of course had pushed everyone to go at a breakneck pace on the way to Suna and with the mission briefing, girl time, and a loud dinner followed by time spent at a bar with a bunch of single guys lamenting about the girls that got away she was done with the day. Her hand slipped into her sleep shirt and pulled out the locket she'd never shown anyone. It was silver with a lavender sapphire in the middle of the face. She opened it quietly not wanting to disturb Hinata who was sleeping in the bed next to her and gazed at the face of the man she loved. A man who was no longer in this world. Her fingertip traced over his features, the lavender eyes that matched the stone in the locket face, the long dark hair and porcelain skin. He was smiling in the photo, the gentle smile he'd saved just for her.
"Neji." She murmured as she closed the locket and curled into a ball clutching the locket in her hands as tears slipped down her face. "It hurts." She whimpered. "It hurts so much being back in this place without you."
Her eyes closed and when they opened again, she was standing in the middle of a grassy field. She glanced around and noticed a small bunch of sunflowers growing nearby and walked to them kneeling down beside the cheery looking flowers. She touched the yellow petals with her finger tips and smiled in spite of the tears that flowed down her cheeks.
"This is odd. I don't ever recall you crying over sunflowers before." A smooth, precise voice said from behind her.
Her eyes widened and she quickly rose and turned a little sound of surprise bubbling out of her throat as she gazed at the man standing before her. He was wearing a grey kimono and staring at her as the wind ruffled his hair whipping across the forehead that no longer bore a curse mark as it had in life.
"Neji?" She breathed taking a step forward her hand hesitantly outstretched towards him. When his lips turned up into a smile a sob bubbled up from her lips and she sprinted to him throwing herself against his chest. "Neji!" she sobbed hugging him as tightly as she could.
"TenTen, you don't have to hold me so tightly." He reprimanded her lifting a hand to touch the top of her head.
"I do!" she yelled as she stepped away from him and then punched him as hard as she could across the face knocking him back several feet. "You big jerk!"
He blinked in surprise and slowly stood up rubbing his cheek. "Ok. I guess I deserved that." He admitted.
"Damn right you deserved it!" she screamed. "How dare you!? You left me all alone with that jumpsuit wearing idiot! Do you had any idea how much more annoying he is now that he's lost his rival!? He just won't shut up!" her hands balled into fists as she raged even as tears streamed down her face. "Then a bunch of creeps came from the moon came after Hinata and nearly destroyed the village again and…" she shook and gritted her teeth staring at the ground frustrated at how hysterical she was. Her eyes widened when long, strong arms wrapped around her.
"Forgive me." Neji said softly. "I never meant to leave you all alone." A sob bubbled up in her chest as she clung to him. Years of loneliness and heartache streaming down her cheeks.
"I'm sorry too." She replied. "I know why you did what you did. I don't blame you or the others for what happened I just…" she shuddered. "It hurts. It hurts so much."
"I know how you feel." He replied surprising her. She lifted her head and saw tears forming in his eyes. "TenTen." He murmured before he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers.
Her eyes closed as she savored the sensation. It had been far too long since she'd felt it, the firm pressure and the infinite tenderness of it. His hands slowly moved one splaying across her back pulling her more firmly against him while the other slid up to cup the back of her head. He slowly changed the angel of the kiss deepening it and she sighed against his lips as her own hand tangled in his hair and cupped his cheek. They finally broke apart breathless and he leaned his forehead against hers.
"I love you TenTen." He said softly. "Even here, in this place that has not changed."
"I love you too Neji. So much." She leaned her head against his chest and listened to the beating of his heart.
"Why were you able to come visit me?" she asked as he guided her over to a nearby tree and settled beneath it pulling her into his lap.
"Your soul called out to mine." He replied. "It seemed to be in immense pain and I just couldn't sit by and listen." He replied stroking his hand over her shoulders. "What happened?"
TenTen sighed and leaned her head on his shoulder. "I'm in Suna." She replied. "It's the first time I've been back since…"
"I understand." He replied turning to press a kiss to her forehead. "I'm sure it's difficult for you. It was the village where I first learned that your feelings for me were the same as what I felt for you."
She smiled and nodded. "It was such a pain to get away from Lee and Guy Sensei to talk alone."
He chuckled. "They were so worried about us too. I can't believe Lee thought we'd been kidnapped."
She laughed and snuggled closer to him. "Yeah, he's still an idiot." She replied. "It also sucks because all of the others girls have their men around."
He raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"Right. You might not know. Hinata and Naruto are together now. I'm pretty sure they're engaged even if it's not official yet." She said.
"He better not try anything." Neji muttered. "I'll haunt him forever."
She laughed. "I'm pretty sure he knows that. You don't have to worry though, he's actually a gentleman in spite of all of that pervy ninjutsu stuff he pulls." She smiled. "Ino and Sai are together so she's content."
Neji chuckled. "So she found a man that returns her feelings?"
TenTen smiled. "I guess so. Sai is a good guy so I think it'll work out." She sighed. "Sasuke came back and finally reciprocated Sakura's feelings. It seems Suna brought them together too."
The lavender eyed boy nodded. "I'm glad to hear that."
"Yeah." She replied before she twined her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his. He responded to her touch but his movements told her that their time was sort as he slid his hands under her shirt and kissed her with the recklessness he'd only shown her in the last months of their relationship before his untimely death. They'd intended to marry once the war was over, but fate had been cruel to them and they never got the chance.
"TenTen." He groaned as he moved laying her down in the grass kissing her with wild abandon. "I wish we could stay like this forever."
"I know." She replied arching into his touch as his hands slipped under her shirt stroking her back and hips. "I want that too."
Wetness on her face startled her and she opened her eyes and gazed into her dead lover's eyes. The pain she saw in them confirmed what she already suspected. "I have to go." He said softly even as his fisted his hands in her hair. "TenTen I…"
"It's ok." She said softly stroking his face. "I'll be alright."
"Of course you will." He said with a smile. "You were always much stronger than I was." She nodded as he laid his forehead on hers. "I love you TenTen. I will be waiting for you."
"I love you too." She replied softly. "I'll come visit you when I get back to Konoha." She promised.
He nodded and then leaned down and pressed his lips against hers before the world and everything in it faded. Her eyes opened slowly and she glanced at the clock. It was nearly five am and time for her to get ready for the day. She noted the sensation of something metallic in her hands and glanced down at the locket still clasped in her hands a little smile coming to her lips.
"Neji. Thank you." She said softly as a tear slid from her eye. "I now have the courage to get up and face another day."
Onchou sat on the roof of the Kazekage's residence as early morning light touched the sky with her eyes closed as she listened to one of the soul songs she'd saved playing from the box her grandmother had given her. She hadn't been able to sleep at all the night before. For starters, Temari and Shikamaru had finally connected in the most intimate way possible which was beautiful and wonderful. Unfortunately, they'd been rather loud about it and even with her expert skill she hadn't been able to tune out the sound of their lovemaking. She'd quickly put a sleeping spell on Ryuu assuring that he wouldn't wake up and be disturbed by the lack of her presence or the sounds coming from the other house and then escaped the place taking a blanket and her soul song box and camped out on the roof of the Kazekage's building hoping to avoid the noise for a little while.
She was terrified of what the day would bring. For the first time in her life, she was running towards the man who had done terrible, unforgiveable things to her. Though she wouldn't be alone, it frightened her to think about seeing him again. There were many who called her strong and powerful but in reality, she was weak and miserable. Her power didn't define her and had been nothing but a burden. Oh how she wished that she could be like the Sakura with unshakable faith in her friends and confidence in her own abilities. Someone who not only had the power to protect those closest to her but was protect by them even when she didn't want it.
A sigh escaped her lips as she curled her legs closer to her chest. It was impossible. Her entire life she'd been the protector. Even on this mission she was going as a form of protection. To forewarn her comrades of any danger and guide them inside enemy territory. She didn't mind really. She'd grow to care for Sakura, Sasuke, Sai, Naruto, Kankuro, Temari and Gaara during her time in Suna. Her first impressions of the other leaf ninja had been positive as well. She was happy to protect them. There was just a part of her that wished there was someone to protect her as well. She took out another soul song and pressed it into the hole in the box that allowed it to play and blew across the hole to start the music. She decided to sing along with the song in common tongue instead of the ancient language only members of her house knew.
"Turn your face towards the sun. Let the shadows fall behind you. Say a prayer just carry on. And the shadows will never find you."
"I've never heard that song before." A low deliberate voice said from behind her.
She jumped at the sound and was surprised to see Gaara standing in front of her studying her with those pale blue-green eyes that could almost see through her. "I'm sorry." She said getting to her feet. "Am I not supposed to be here?"
He shrugged crossing his arms across his chest. "I don't particularly mind that you're here but it probably isn't the best idea for you to be alone given the circumstances."
The violet haired girl blinked and then nodded. "Right. I didn't even think about that. I'm sorry."
The Kazekage shook his head. "Don't be." He noticed the blanket that had slipped from her shoulder when she jumped and frowned. "How long have you been up here?" he asked.
"I don't really know." She admitted. "I came here when it became a little too loud inside the house. I didn't pay attention to the time at all."
"Loud?" he repeated.
"Yeah. Temari and Shikimaru connected last night." She said softly. "I'm pretty good at moderating what I'm able to hear but they were so enthusiastic I couldn't block them out." She said blushing. "I just came here to get some quiet."
"I see." He said softly. "That's not the only reason though, is it?"
The amethyst eyed teen sighed. "No." she admitted.
"Are you afraid?" he asked extending a hand to her so that she could stand.
"Afraid of what?" she asked dusting the dirt from the knit pants and tee shirt she'd worn to sleep in.
"Of the mission we're about to go on." He clarified.
"Oh that." She replied looking down at the ground as he released her hand. "I don't think I'm afraid of the mission exactly…" her shoulders began to shake in spite of her attempts to keep her fear from showing. She wasn't afraid of the mission. Mass destruction was actually something she excelled at. It was the man Takuma himself that frightened her.
"Are you afraid of what Takuma will do to you if he finds you?" Gaara asked.
Her amethyst eyes rose to meet his and then she looked away when she realized he could see through her again. "It's not a big deal. I mean everyone has someone who scares them right?" Her eyes widened in surprise when he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her.
"It's ok to be afraid." He said as he held her. "You don't have to be strong all of the time."
Her body trembled as tears streamed down her face. Why did he have this effect on her? How was it that his touch alone made her feel like it was ok to let go and be weak?
"I will protect you Onchou. I promise." His voice rang with authority and she knew from it and his song that he spoke the truth. It made her heart sore and she instinctively wrapped her arms around his waist in response.
"Thank you Gaara." She replied. "That means more to me than you know."
He nodded and then released her. "Come. Let's go inside." He said picking up the blanket from where it had fallen tossing it over his arm and then handing the wooden box to her. "There's still a little over an hour before we have to leave. Try to get some rest."
She nodded and the pair of them leapt fromt he roof and landed lightly on the ground below. With quick steps she followed him inside his house and wondered just for a moment what it would feel like if it was her home as well. If she lived with him and his family as part of his. The thought made her smile as she followed the Kazekage into the kitchen and was surprised to see Kankuro there. His head was bowed and a cup of coffee steamed in his hands. He looked exhausted and she could feel it in his song as well.
"Are you ok?" she asked as she moved to sit down at the table across from him.
He glanced up at her and shook his head. "Last night, they wouldn't stop." He muttered.
She chuckled. "You too huh?"
He nodded. "I'm glad I wasn't the only one." He muttered.
The violet haired girl smiled. "We'll find a way to make them pay for it later." She assured him with a wink.
The puppet master smirked in response. "I like the way you think." He replied. "You would totally fit in our family."
Her heart sored at his words for a reason she didn't quite understand and blush colored her cheeks. "Thanks." She relied simply.
Behind her he Kazekage colored as well as he wondered what it would be like to have her by his side as his family for the rest of his life.
P.S. Wow, this chapter turned out to be way more emotionally packed than I anticipated. I hope you all enjoyed. The next chapters are the start of the mission to take down Takuma and his organization so they're going to be a lot more action packed but I'll still make sure there are sweet moments. Thanks for your support of this story!