Chapter 31

She twirled the glass she was holding, not caring about the people around her. She doesn't have to. She can see them even when eyes are closed. She can pinpoint the people in that particular bar, how many people are there, where they are and who are hidden as a shinobi. The perks of being a sensory type shinobi, of course, she can mask her own chakra.

She chuckled, amused by nothing in particular. She knew some men were ogling at her now. She can sense their stares at her. She can feel the desire radiating from them.

She scoffs then sipped the sake in her glass. This mission is as easy as cake. It is always similar from her previous assassination mission.

Karin runs the mission details on her mind. From who the particular assassination request was, it was not stated but this was considered Rank A. She doesn't care. As long as it's easy, and her mission wages counts right, she'll do it. It's her mission as a shinobi. The person to be assassinated is Kikuchi Harumi, a businessman. He has many businesses, which did not interest Karin a bit. Her mission was to get closer to this man and kill him, without any fuzz and as silent as possible.

He had found her target two days ago. He was a frequent in this club. Tonight, Karin initiated her mission.

She has been sitting there for 30 minutes, in the bar, drinking her second glass of sake. She's in a henge, quite expertly at it that even the most experienced shinobi won't be able to detect it. Her hair was black, her eyes black as well. The eyeglass was gone, replaced by lenses. She wore a tight black dress that enhanced her body curves. As an added feature to her allure, she put a mole just above her lips.

The bartender fills her glass once again. She smiled at him.

"I haven't requested yet," she said but she got an idea….her target was making his way towards her.

"From Mr. Masaoka, ma'am, " he just said.

"Oh," she just said. The bartender bows slightly and went to the other side of the bar to attend to other drinkers over there.

"So, what is a beautiful woman like you doing her all alone?" a voice said beside her.

Karin smiled secretly, that only means I can get his attention, I'm seductive aren't I? She chuckled inside. The rat took the bait. Oh well, here we go. She didn't have to turn to her left to know who the man is. It's her target, Kikuchi Harumi. He wasn't alone though, there are two women clinging on his arms, looked at her like they were about to gorge her eyes. She wanted to roll her eyes and scoffs but she controlled herself. Bitches. Behind them are two bulky men who kept on looking around the area. Bodyguards, experience though. Just size, but still green. She raised the glass to her mouth, took a sip. Let's get this started.

She turned towards him and gave him a smile…a seductive smile.

Like what they have learned in the seduction lessons.

"I can't see myself alone right now," she purred, running her eyes seductively on his body. The man is big, and he seems to know what he's doing. He's a solid 6 foot tall man, with enough muscle that told her he wasn't just ordinary. The way he looks, it's not surprising he has made many enemies in this world.

And she wouldn't be surprised if this wasn't the first assassination laid upon him. He seems ready for anything. She should be careful.

The man chuckled. "I see, so are you expecting anyone tonight?"

She tilted her head, "None that I know of, I'm just passing time, looking for something…interesting to kill my boredom," she said then took a sip of her drink again.

"I could kill your boredom," the man said, who looked at her with that evident lust on his eyes. Karin smiled. Sex was the man's weakness. He always looks for someone to screw around.

And you will get it. Karin thought as she emptied the alcohol on her glass and smiled at the man.

SxS

Grabbing her ass, and kissing her like a hungry man, not kissing, more like lapping her, his tongue swirling inside her mouth, sucking her tongue while rubbing his arousal on her belly. Karin tried her very best not to puke.

He had brought her to his hotel room, still heavy guarded, but he strictly told them not to disturb him. The guards just glared at Karin but nodded nonetheless. Kikuchi discarded the two women, his toys for the past two days, and told them he had found a new one. The women didn't go without being recompensed with cash though.

"Let's do this quick shall we?" Kikuchi grunted as he ripped Karin's dress, his breathing heavy with he was fully aroused, evident by the bulkiness on his front. She just smiled. So eager to die asshole? She thought.

He put his spit-filled mouth again on her mouth, poking his tongue and swirling it around. He was sucking her lips hungrily. Kami, this idiot didn't even know how to kiss. To be able not to insinuate any suspicion from him, Karin purr like a cat. She rubbed him like she was pretty excited and aroused too. His mouth trailed down to her, with spit of course and finds its way to her breast.

Kikuchi's fingers burrowed under the elastic of her underwear and came out glistening. Sneering, he anointed her stiff nipple with her own moisture.

Karin bit her lip. Although she felt grossed, the guy knew how to turn a woman on.

"I see you liked it when I rub you like that," he said, his voice husky.

Karin did not answer. She just moaned. Kikuchi smiled.

"Let's get you out of these wet things. I want you naked anyway," he said. There was authority on his tone, as if obedience was expected and required. He ripped her panties, his eyes suddenly focused on her sex. He didn't see the darkening look on Karin's eyes.

Kikuchi lead them to the bed, both of them already naked, he was slightly lying on his back. He pulled her onto his belly, his arousal nudging up against her ass. "Now, rub your wet pussy against me,"

Karin felt like a zombie. She has to follow every word he has to say. She needed the chance, that one small chance when he was vulnerable.

"I want to see how turned on you are," he said as he pulled her hair.

She wanted to protest, and wanted to kill this bastard. Not just kill him, she wanted to shred him for this humiliation. Still, it was her duty to try her best to play along so he won't suspect anything. And so she began to grind herself against his belly.

Kikuchi grabbed her ass and squeezed hard. "Yeah, I liked that, but I'm not sure if you're trying hard enough. Do I have to spank you to get you to obey? I can punish you when you don't please me,"

Karin stiffened as if she'd actually been struck. The man likes to play dominant!

She lowered down, this time, she rubbed against his stiff shaft.

"Good, good!" he mewled. Karin just stared at him then smiled.

"What else do you want me to do?" she purred as she continued to rub him while she whispered on his ear. She was ready to kill him.

Karin knew not to bring any normal tools with her. It would be obvious. Normally in any seduction and assassination mission, the best way to kill the target was poison. But that will work if there's food in the table, they get to eat before the sex. But if the sex started without any hint for food or drinks, Karin uses strangulation.

And she hid the almost invisible wire all coiled up nicely on her bracelet. All she has to do was to pull it.

Most enemies don't know that.

"Lie on your back and bring your knees up to your chest,"

Karin stiffened again. It was not in her plan to go all the way with this man. She will kill him before that happens!

Kikuchi noticed she had stiffened and she saw him grinned. As fast as her eyes could tell, their positions switched. She was now lying on her back, Kikuchi on top of her as his right hand parting her legs as wide as it could go. Both of her hands held tightly by his left hand on top of her head.

He was kneeling between her legs, his eyes surveying her. Trembling, Karin felt so naked and exposed. He grinned.

"You wouldn't think I know that you're an assassin, woman? A shinobi," he said, gripping her wrist more tightly.

Karin, even though surprised still managed to almost…almost knee him, but Kikuchi was fast. His hand was closing on her neck, his lower body pinning her movements. Karin gasp.

"B-Bastard…" Karin choked.

"Yeah. I liked that expression. It makes me harder," he said as he took his massive manhood in between her and rocked forward, brushing her very core.

Karin was disgusted but she was immovable. "H-How did…"

"Shhh…" he grinned maniacally, "I always know when I saw one. The question is, where you from, huh?" he said as he keeps on brushing his rigid manhood. Karin tried her very best to struggle but it was futile.

"As if I'm going to tell you," she hissed.

"That's right. I don't give a fucking care either. You'll die anyway…not after I enjoyed you first,"

Karin's eye widened, "You don't mean—"

On the next stroke, he entered and buried himself deep to the hilt. Karin's mouth flew open because of the sudden invasion

"You..you bastard!"

He wasn't gentle. He was rough. With each thrust, Kikuchi seemed to push deeper, conquering her inner core, his hips pounding on her like a porn star. "Oh, yeah…tight…oh yeah, so good…" he said, grunting as he pound on her more faster. And then he arched, growling as he release his seed inside her, announcing his own climax with a series of small grunts.

Karin just looked at him, as she felt that warm thing inside of her. The bastard had released inside of her, still jerking as he ride his own nirvana. After he had come down, he laughed.

"It would be pity for someone as pretty as you to be wasted and killed right away. How about we make a deal? You becoming my woman? Huh?" he said as he slowly pulled out of her. He was still hard as a wood. Then, as what he did earlier, he brushed his penis on her core once again, "You like this do you?" he said as he continued his ministrations on her.

It was low at first, then it become obvious. Karin was laughing.

Kikuchi grinned, "What? You lost it?"

"Pity me?" Karin said, "I pity you asshole. You don't know who you're dealing with,"

"W-What?" Kikuchi's face darkened, "You want to die now?" Without hesitation he gripped Karin's neck and strangles her. But she just looked at him as if she didn't feel the weight of his hands.

"W-What is happening," he said as he started to sweat buckets, trying to wring Karin's neck.

"Aren't I a good actress?" Karin said as she twisted her body and kicked Kikuchi. He fell out of bed. Karin stood, still naked.

"There would be times our target knew exactly what we are, so it's a matter of thinking a step ahead," Karin said as she walked slowly towards him, not bothering to cover herself as she removed her bracelet, "But I salute you for taking notice of this weapon. It really comes in handy, and most of the time this thing works. But if not,"

Kikuchi was struggling on the floor, clutching his own neck. Saliva dripping from his mouth, no it's not saliva, it was like his mouth was foaming and he started to turn blue.

"Poison. The most effective way to kill rats like you. Do you like it?" Karin grinned as she tapped Kikuchi's face, his eyes bulging wide and he has difficulty in breathing, "that's our latest creation, y'know. It's odorless, tasteless, and undetectable to even the shrewdest people. The good thing?" she said as she slapped Kikuchi as he stopped moving. She grabbed his hair and brought it closer to her face, "this is my most favorite part," she smiled. "I can apply it on my lips without me getting killed," Kikuchi eyes grew larger, "That's right sweetie boy," she purred as she lowered her lids in that seductive gesture, "My lipstick is a poison. Oh you want to know why I'm not affected? It's easy. I have the antidote taken just before we started," then she grinned.

Kikuchi stopped breathing.

Karin released her hold on his hair and stood before him, she pulled something on her hair, as her henge was undone. She was back to her original form. "That was a good fuck by the way," Karin said as she looked at the dead man. She twirled the ring from his finger and slid it on her pockets. It's proof that she had done her job.

After that, Karin retrieved her sandals. On its heels, she opened the sole and a small scroll fell. When she created a series of seals, the scroll poof and it became a large normal scroll. She opened it and released her travel pack.

She changed clothes like nothing had happened. After exiting using the windows, she take a last look at the remains of the dead man in that room. Then she scoffs before she vanished into the darkness of the night.

SxS

It was one of those normal days, she checked her kitchen and found out she needs to re-stackher groceries. So after changing into comfortable shirt and skirt, donning her boots, the mednin grabbed her keys, closed the door and went out to the market.

She always enjoys shopping. At least in these kinds of moments, she felt she's normal doing what mother's normally do, what a normal woman should always do, and she felt at peace. There's so much to see in the market, the different colors of the vegetables, the fruits, the noise from the crowd, and the different people, both shinobi and civilians alike.

She didn't attend her sessions with Sasuke. She was still angry, and she slightly hates him for being a jerk. Actually, she's embarrassed. So she sent out a note, telling him she won't be able to go to the manor due to a lot of reasons which she thinks could pass as lame excuses. But she had received a reply from him…a single word in a piece of paper…

Ok.

S

It was written in delicate beautiful strokes so familiar to her. Sasuke's handwriting. And the 'S' is his initial.

At first she scowled at the note. I mean, how could he possibly agree so fast, without asking why she couldn't make it at their sessions? But then, she just realized, he probably thought that she needed more time to think about their situation so he leave her be.

She can't help but smooth out the words with her fingers. This might be the first time that Sasuke had written a letter or a message…intended solely for her.

And she smiled.

"Sakura-san!"

The pinkette turned to see Shou. "Shou! How nice to see you around here!"

Shou Kuriyama smiled sheepishly at her, "Well my stacks run out so I have to grab something,"

Sakura looked at what he got, "I see,". He too was shopping for groceries, though not as much as hers.

"Are you done shopping?" Shou asked.

"Kind of, I was just looking for dried shiitakes. I planned to buy at least half a kilo of it," she said as she started to walk around, Shou following her.

"If you're looking for them, old Dou-chan has it, just around that first corner. He has a stall over there,"

"Oh thank you! You seemed to know the people around here now, that's great," she said.

"Well, I'm a regular around her and the sellers are nice people. They help me get around sometimes,"

"That great. Well, I have to go now. Thank you so much Shou!"

When she took a step to go to the stall he said, Shou grabbed her hands which made her turned around and looked at him with questions on her eyes.

"Sakura-san," Shou said seriously, "I-..I know it's not my place to ask…but the rumors around here…are you…and..and Uchiha Sasuke…are—you know…are you two going out?"

The pinkette didn't know what to say. Should she lie about it? Should she tell Shou that the rumor was true but there was no meaning behind it? If she did, then her and Sasuke's situation will be compromised, isn't it?

"Shou-..I.."

"Is it true?"

Sakura looked down, "Y-Yes…"she said softly.

Shou let go of her wrist, "I—I see…"

"Shou?"

"I…I know this is not the right place, but I just wanted to tell you that no matter what happens, I'm here,"

"Shou, you don't—"

"I like you Sakura-san! You know how I feel about you by now. But, I just wanted to tell you that. Nothing will change as far as it concerns me. Not as long as you two are not tied up officially, I won't give up that easily!" he said, his face so serious she was choking up with his sincerity.

"Shou…you will wait for nothing," she sadly said. It's a lie, what you knew and see between Sasuke and I, what you heard was a total lie.

Sakura sighed. She knew Shou had feelings for her, and it seems it wasn't fair to tell him about the lies. But this is probably a good thing as well. He would not have wait in vain.

"I don't care," Shou said as he held her hands, "I'll wait. So I'm telling you, I'm here for you,"

"Shou—"

"Let's stop from here. You won't be getting around me this moment. I just wanted to tell you those things while I still have the courage. It's embarrassing really since we're in the middle of the market, but it seems people don't mind. I wish I could pick another suitable place to tell you that, but I don't know where to start. I…I'm…" Shou lost his tongue and he turned red.

Sakura laughed. "Don't worry. I'll keep everything in mind, what you said. Let's finish shopping, shall we?"

The tension broke as they walked towards the mushroom stall in the first corner. They had found the shiitake she was looking for. After that, Shou bid her farewell.

She felt pity for the poor guy. Shou was a good man, and if only she were born of a normal citizen, Shou was a good catch. He will be a loving husband and a good father. Too bad, he falls for someone like her who already loved another man but unfortunately, that man will never love her back.

Talk about circumstances.

She was done with the shopping and was on her back to her house when she was greeted by Mikado Tendo, one of the six council and well, the one who they tagged as 'the rotten' of the lot. He absolutely opposes everything, and yes, he's like the living Danzou.

"Well, well…if it isn't Haruno-san," he greeted, as he blew the smoke from his pipe.

Sakura's face darkened upon seeing the old man. She never liked this man since the beginning, but his intelligence on weighing things was taken as considerations when the new set of councils was appointed. Everyone knew he adored the late Danzou and his belief. Tsunade said, it's alright to let someone like this man join the set of the councils to 'balance' things out who can see the other side of things. Not a bad idea, but still this old man gives off bad vibrations every time he's around.

And Tendo's probably the one behind the 'marriage' issue for the Uchiha. Sakura's face darkened more upon thinking about the possibility of it.

"How are you doing, Tendo-san,"

"I'm good, seeing things, here and there. Say…I always wanted to talk to you about…certain things,"

Sakura forced a smile. "What kind of things?"

"I was thinking, maybe we can talk about it over a cup of tea, perhaps?"

"I'll humbly decline for the offer. I'm quite busy and the only time I'm free is right now," she said. Kami, she wanted to run and leave this geezer now.

"If that's the situation then, I have no choice. I wanted to ask you…about the situation between you and the Uchiha,"

Oh Kami, she was right. This old bat will not stop until he gets what he wants!

"What about it, Tendo-san?"

"We all know that the Uchiha is on the brink of extinction," he said as he inhaled from his pipe once again and blow the smoke,"

Brink of extinction, what a thing to say. I wonder if he could say it to Sasuke's face. Sakura thought as she grimaced.

"I and the rest of the council," he continued, "thought that it was time for the Uchiha to make his move. What I mean is he should start with the 'restoration' of his clan and all. We all know that to be able to increase their number, well, Uchiha Sasuke must reproduce first and to do that, he must choose a female worth to become a matriarch. Someone worth a match for his genes, worth to become the female who will bring the Uchiha clan to prosper again,"

The pinkette can't hide her irritation anymore, "What do you me-…go straight to the point will you?"

The council scoffs, "And here I thought you are one of the brightest people around here," he said as he smoked from his pipe again, a grin on his mouth. Sakura's fist trembled in anger. Of course she knows what he means! "I was saying Sakura-chan, you are not worth to become an Uchiha matriarch. For so many reasons that I'm sure you're aware of. But most of all, you already disgraced yourself, am I not?"

Sakura was mortified, "W-What?"

"You already have a daughter. Aren't you ashamed that you, someone who was already laid by other men, bore a child out of wedlock as a result, would want to become an Uchiha matriarch? Please. You think your bastard would be accepted in the Uchiha household? You must be dreaming,"

Sakura's blood flowed to her head. Her face was red, not because of shame, but because of anger, of fury.

How dare this man! How dare he insult her child! He didn't know anything! Nothing!

Yeah! Smack him! Break all of his bones and grind and pulverized it and throw it out to the sea! This idiot didn't know that what he's talking about was also an Uchiha! Her innerself said.

Sakura was trembling. She's not thinking straight anymore…almost blackened out. Anything but this! Anything but her daughter! She will kill anyone who will harm her daughter, may it be physically or verbally! She wanted to knock him, punch him to kingdom come!

"Why—" she raised her fist to punch the old bag and put some sense into him when someone grabbed her hand from behind. Startled, her thoughts were cleared and she recognized the moment. She turned and saw who it was.

Uchiha Sasuke.

And Naruto was with him.

Looking at both of them, she figured out they came from training. Both are sporting bruises and dirty shirts. Well, it was Naruto who's dirtier than the two.

The two were looking serious.

Sasuke's expression was something dark…and treacherous.

Naruto was about to kill.

Tendo was surprised to see the two men standing behind the pink-haired mednin. The Uchiha was directly standing close behind her, gripping her right hand while the Uzumaki was just standing on the mednin's left. How come he didn't saw or notice them? Were they here just now or were they here long ago?

"S-Sasuke…I-" Sakura said. She was starting to breathe heavily. Kami, she just noticed she was not breathing awhile ago!

"Sasuke, you okay here?" Naruto said in a mixture of low voice and growl as he stepped closer, his eyes never leaving the old man. He stepped right in front of Sakura, forwarding towards the old man, as if stalking him.

"Aa," he answered as he stepped in front of Sakura as if shielding her, his hand still holding her fist.

After glaring at Tendo eye to eye, Naruto left them, without saying anything, but not without throwing a killing malice towards the old man. Tendo received the message behind those glares and malice.

I will kill you, if you hurt her.

"I'll see you later, Sasuke. Sakura-chan, take care," Naruto was gone in a puff of smoke.

Sasuke's steps crunched the ground. It's almost as if you're hearing a stomp, indicating to focus anyone's attention to him.

And the old man did.

"If you have some problem, come to me directly and I'll be glad to entertain you," Sasuke said, emphasizing on the word as he knew they're doing this stupid shenanigans to amuse themselves. Peace has been achieved, the alliance with the Five Great Shinobi Countries is on their hands, and the threat of war is none. When there's nothing else to do, this old geezers tend to look for something to pass their time. Unfortunately, Sasuke and Sakura falls to the category of someone who can divert their boredoms.

He looks towards the old man who's obviously cowering. He was releasing his malice so pure it seeped right through the old man's bones.

Sasuke means business.

And the old man figures he had heard what he had said towards the woman.

And if Sasuke wants, he can kill him right this moment, without batting an eye

It would be a fast strike, without him knowing what had come at him.

After shivering, Tendo got his composure back. She glared at the mednin, looked at Sasuke then turned around as he scoffs at them.

Sakura heaved a sigh. "Stupid geezer," she mumbled.

She had just noticed that Sasuke has been holding her hands (balled into a fist) the entire time. When he turned slightly to looked at her, he released her hands and picked up her bags.

"S-Sasuke, Uhm..thank you," she sweat, actually she's nervous and she doesn't know what to say. All that commotion and its reason behind it put her in a strain. There's that bubbling frustration she doesn't know where to direct at, where to blame it on.

If only people and society would just leave her alone.

"I know what that old man told you…they're trying to hurt you, trying to work things the way they wanted it in the most convenient way for them. If you bite what they offer, it's your lost since you're stupid enough to be tricked by that," he said.

Sakura looked towards the ground as she bit the inner side of her lips. True, the old man was trying to get on her nerves by saying those things. She thought she was ready when the time like this comes, like how the society would point out the way she brought her child into this world… pregnancy out of wed, as she refused to tell the world about the father…her child will continue to be branded as a bastard. She's not ready after all, and she's ashamed she had shown her weakness towards that old man. If not for Sasuke's intervention, she would have snapped and probably had killed that council in the middle of the street, in broad daylight with all the Konoha people to see.

She looked at the man in front of him. The result of her decision is coming back to her one by one, in a painful manner. But this will be the last. She won't lose the next time.

God, how she hates this.

"No one has the right to question my daughter that way," she softly said, "My mistakes are mine, she has nothing to do with it,"

Sasuke smirked. "Good, then don't let what people say go to your head and forget the most important things. What they say doesn't matter because what's important is what matters to you. Besides, in this kind of situation we're at right now, I'm the one who has the final say," he said as he turned, "If I were to choose a woman who will bear my children someday, the past doesn't matter, and I don't give a fucking thing about what those bastards say,"

Then he started to walk.

It took time for Sakura to get what he said. Eh?

My goodness, get a grip! He's telling you, he's ready to accept a woman regardless of what past she may have! It means whether you had made a mistake or already had a child! Her innerself said.

Stupid! I did not make a mistake. Ryuna is his child!

Well, does he know? NO! Because you choose to hide it from him. And every idiot in this village doesn't know either! You make things complicated you know that?

But…but…

No buts! He's clearly telling you, it doesn't matter if you had a past with some guy before. He's willing to accept you as a whole, even if you have an extra baggage called Ryuna. Well, Itachi and his parents are probably rolling in their graves right now as he didn't know that from the beginning, you don't have any affairs with other men, nor right after that night five years ago.

Stupid, he's not referring to me. He's referring to it in general.

Yeah, well..you know what? I'm frustrated as you are right now coz' you won't listen. So I'm not going to talk to you and give you further advice!

Duh.

When she made it to reality after bickering with her innerself, Sasuke had put a distance between them already. And he's walking right down to the path leading towards her house.

…which made her panicked.

But what if this is just to show whoever or everyone that they looked like a couple?

It makes her heart clenched. Yeah, this is just pretend.

Silently, she followed him.

"Keys?" he said. She just recognized they were already in front of her house.

"Look, I appreciate you helping me out there, but I can do it from here. There's no need for you to walk me home and—" God, she's blabbering again isn't she? She looks utterly nervous around him. And she's a bit annoyed.

Sasuke adjusted the bags on his left hand and opened his palm in front of her, without saying anything and with his usual straight-faced expressions. Sakura wanted to say something to keep him away from entering the house, but nothing comes to mind, so giving up, with sagged shoulders she pulled the keys from her shirt's pockets and handed it to him.

He gives her with one last expressionless look then inserted the keys to the keyhole, turned the knob and opened the door. Sasuke just welcomed himself on her house and made himself at home. She saw him walked straight to the kitchen.

Sakura sighed.

This is just to make everyone think that they were indeed lovers.

She followed him in the kitchen. He was standing in the middle and was just looking around.

"You got a good place," he just said.

Kami, it seems he doesn't have any plans to go away. "Yeah, but it doesn't compare to the one in the Manor,"

Sakura, alone with the only guy that flips her world upside down in a delicious manner is dangerous…

…totally dangerous.

Her control over the reins she wrapped around her heart was starting to loosen lately. And she did not trust herself anymore. How much control does she have before her true feelings reveals for this man?

It would be over soon. She thought. The sharingan study is almost done. She thought it would really took more than 3 months, but due to Sasuke's cooperation, the study went smooth and fast. Everything she needed to know was documented, and everything he needed to get for the benefit of the next generation has been answered.

It's only a matter of time before she can distance herself and her daughter from him. Maybe she can ask Tsunade for a permanent post in another land after this. Yes, that would enough.

"Thanks," she said for helping her out carrying the groceries, as she approached the table where he had put the bags of groceries, she started unpacking them and arranging them where they should be.

He just stayed right there and watched her shuffle and busied herself which made her conscious.

"Sasuke, spit it out. What do you want?" she said as she arranged four oranges in the basket.

"What did that guy wanted with you?" he said as she looked at her straight in the eye.

"Who?" she said, trying to understand what he said. Then it dawned on her. Shou!

"Nothing. He's just checking up on the med supplies in the hospital," she said looking at the apples she was arranging with the oranges. She didn't dare to look at him as he could probably read her like a book.

"That's a pharmacist expertise, not yours,"

"Can we drop it Sasuke? It was just coincidence that we met in the market-how did you know I was talking to him?"

"The Dobe was looking for an Anpan to give to Hinata,"

Sakura remembered, Anpan was one of Hinata's favorite food, and she remembered there was a store in that area who sells Anpan. It is the best in Konoha. Its recipe has been owned from that certain family and past down from generation to generation.

The mednin get the scenario. Naruto dragged Sasuke in the market on their way home from training to buy anpans for Hinata when at that exact moment, she was talking with Shou.

They probably heard what Shou said.

Or not. Maybe.

"Yeah, okay, so we just coincidentally meet there, greet and chatted and he helped me looked for shiitakes,"

Sasuke's eyes narrowed slightly, "Avoid talking to guys while we're-"

"Pretending?" Sakura said as she looked directly at him, challenging him, "I know. I'm not stupid,"

She did not avert her eyes. So was Sasuke. They're challenging each other. She could almost see him activate his Sharingan.

She wanted to shout at him, for being so selfish and an asshole at the same time. And blaming herself for being so stupid and agreeing with him on this plan. For being unfair towards Shou. For the situation she was in.

…for being in love with this jerk.

Love can make you do stupid things.

They heard the front door opened and came to recognize the loud calls from none other than Naruto. Sakura pretending to busied herself. She didn't want Naruto to get suspicious about a heating up argument. Luckily, Sasuke is a master of being a dead to the world jerk.

"Sakura-chan! Is the teme still here?" he shouted. They could hear him approaching them, "Oh, good you're still here—what happened?

Both of them avoid looking at each other, both put up with normal faces...no, she was trying to put up a normal shrug while Sasuke still wears that impassive face. Naruto noticed the tension in the air.

So as dense as he was, he thought it could have been the incident in the market, and being a good friend, it was his job to disperse the tension.

As always.

"Have you told Sakura-chan?" he immediately said.

"Told me what? He's just standing there," Sakura said, as she bends to place the veggies in the ref.

"I thought you're going to tell her?" Naruto said in a pokerfaced towards the quiet man beside him. Sasuke did not speak. Instead, he crossed his arms across his chest, his face dim a bit indicating he's quiet annoyed "You're being an asshole again, aren't you?"

"Hn,"

"Teme—"

"Dobe."

"C'mon guys, what do you want?" Sakura said in a tone that tells them she wants them out on her house.

"Well, I have good news. Two actually. This teme here wants us to go celebrate the completion of the manor," Naruto said as he pointed out a finger towards Sasuke.

"It's completed?" she asked as she put away the red beans in the jar. She's going to make red-bean paste later. It's perfect for breads.

"Yeah, Tazuna is amazing isn't he? They just finished the Manor two days ago and Tazuna-san was doing the quality check, said the manor is okay and could last for 200 years with just minimum maintenance,"

"That's cool! And what's the other one?" she said. It's obvious she was blocking out the other man, as his stares became glares towards her. The hell she cares.

Naruto's face turned red as he started to play with his fingers, "Well, you see….I was called by Baa-chan awhile ago. She told me..uhm, she will turn the position to me as the new Hokage and the inauguration will be a month from now. So…I just wanted you guys to know the good news first. And I thought its right and timed in with Sasuke's manor completion to announce it with close friends. Baa-chan said, she will do the announcement as long as there is good sake in the celebration," he said.

"Oh, Naruto!" Sakura exclaimed as she approached him to give a hug, "Congratulations! I know you can do this! I can't believe you're going to be a Hokage. Honestly, back when we were kids, I could not imagine, but look at you right now…it's unbelievable. Your dreams came true! Congratulations on being the Rokudaime!" she said, her eyes shining with happiness.

Naruto smiled sheepishly as he scratches his head, "Thanks, this is important to me so I want you two to be there when the time comes. I got so nervous actually. So this is going to be a double celebration!"

"When will it be?"

"No one knew about the news yet, but I bet Shikamaru knew it already. It will be tomorrow night at Tower Pavilion. We will announce it as the completion of the Uchiha Manor and then make a very important announcement," Naruto said excitedly. "So Sakura-chan, I want Team Seven to be there to complete the announcement. Sai just returned and Kakashi-sensei said, he will return tomorrow after scouting the perimeter around the Fire Temple. He said not to worry because the Jounins left with the children are all dependable. Not to mention Kurenai-sensei is with them,"

Sakura smiled, "I'll attend Naruto,"

"Yosh!" Naruto said, "One more thing Sakura-chan,"

"What is it?"

"Can we eat here? I mean, you know, for old time's sake, we haven't been able to eat, like the three of us before, like how we used to. I know it's because we got so busy with things and all so maybe—"

"Go get yourselves busy in the sitting room for awhile," Sakura said which made Naruto caught in surprised, "I'll prepare and cook and I don't want the two of you in my kitchen. This place is small and I hate my kitchen to be crowded when I'm cooking," she said.

Naruto laughed while Sasuke just gave her a look.

A look that tells her where not finish yet.

The pink-haired mednin gave him a smirk. We're done, Sasuke.

SxS

Karin was staying in an inn for two days after her mission. Today, she planned to go home and as she packed her stuff, shuffling herself here and there, her eyes landed on her reflection in the bathrooms mirror. She paused and adjusted her glasses.

Then her mouth gapes.

In there, though so tiny and faint, impossibly noticeable with just a normal sensor-type person, but she recognized it. A small life, a small chakra signature, lying softly on her belly.

I'm pregnant?