"Another 2 miles and we need to change direction to Northwest. Tsunade-sama said the camp would be roughly five miles from Konoha's borders." Kakashi's voice transmitted over the earpiece clearly, but Sakura didn't bother answering. She'd left the task of communicating between the groups to Genma. Though they were on the third day of their journey, Sasuke's summons were holding up very well under the rigorous pace the shinobi set. Only twice had they stopped for rest and to allow the giant hawks to feed.
As Genma answered her former sensei through the microphone attached to his neck, Sakura remained huddled over Sai's unconscious body - using her own to shield the cool wind from reaching him. She was out of bandages, antibiotics, and pain medicine - the full medic's pack she'd left Konoha with was sadly empty - and his condition was now critical. Dehydration had long since set in and that was most certainly not a complication his already tired body could handle. Without any supplies on her person and their state of travel, there was nothing the young medic could do other than watch his condition continue to deteriorate before her eyes.
On the second summons back, Naruto and Kiba were helping to stabilize Hinata during transport. Shortly after their escape from the Land of Grass, Hinata woke up from her narcotic induced sleep - sore, but in much better condition than before. Shino joined Sasuke and Kakashi once the pair caught up with them after ensuring everything in that accursed area was burned to the ground. When they were finally free of danger, Kakashi set about sending quick missives to their Hokage telling of all that happened. Her response had been to send a small clone of Katsuyu to Sakura, establishing a hasty connection between the master and her student. The information she had to relay to her shishou was not good and Konoha spent the last three days preparing for their arrival.
"I've spotted the site," Kiba called over the earpiece.
It seemed Yamato and his group made it back to Konoha before them, as a tall wooden wall surrounded a large area filled with dark green tents and people unidentifiable from their position. The hawks descended from their high altitude, whipping through the air with such ease they didn't disturb their passengers. The area just outside the high walls had been cleared away, leaving a few dozen yards between the thick forest that surrounded Konoha and the impromptu town.
"We're almost there Sai," Sakura whispered into his ear. It didn't matter that he couldn't reply, she'd talked to him off an on during the journey - making sure to send Genma a scorching look the first few times she'd done it as he raised his brows in question of her actions. At once, the other two hawks slowed their descent, allowing the one carrying Sai to move forward and touch down on friendly soil first. Had she not given them a warning of what would be to come, Genma and the others would surely have been startled by the oddly dressed shinobi that approached them.
"Get that backboard over here now!" Tsunade screamed at the surrounding medics as she hopped atop the hawk as soon as it landed. From behind the clear mask of her biohazard suit, the experienced medical ninja began a quick assessment of the fallen ex-ROOT member. "Any changes in the last few hours?" she asked of Sakura while checking his pupillary reaction. Tsunade had dismissed her summons before heading to the temporary hospital site, not wanting to run the risk of exposing any more of Katsuyu's smaller forms to this potentially contagious pathogen. As it was, the one she'd sent to Sakura would have to remain with the other shinobi until they could be sure nothing transmitted to her as well.
"His pulse is getting weaker and his temperature is rising."
Tsunade slid down from the large summons back, barking orders to those around her as she stepped aside and supervised Sai being transferred to the backboard and carefully brought to a waiting tent. "Get two large lines in him the second you get him down. Toriko, start a bag of fluids wide open, then get a potassium drip ready." She didn't bother to watch the woman get ready each order she'd gave and instead turned to Shizune who waited just beyond her shoulder.
"How was it Tsunade-sama?" Shizune was just as her master, covered head to toe in a plastic, white suit, peering through the clear face mask at the organized chaos unfolding.
Tsunade gave her a poignant look - one that Shizune was all to familiar with. "Bad," was all she replied and rushed to follow the path the medics took with Sai.
Sakura was not allowed to follow the two and, instead, was held back with Genma as the other two hawks landed and the medics transported Hinata into a separate treatment area. "Where are they taking her Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked, a slight twinge of anxiety coloring his voice. He was in better condition than Kiba, who was only remaining behind with the others due to the strong grip Shino had on his shoulders as they watched Hinata being carted away.
"She'll be alright Naruto. They're going to start examining and healing her."
"Sakura-san," one of the jonin medics called as he approached. "If you will all follow me."
Each of them fell in line behind Sakura as she walked side by side with the medic towards the back of the enclosed area. Set up along side the wooden wall surrounding them, was a long table piled with towels, sweatpants, t-shirts, and sandals. The group eyed the contents warily. They stopped before two separate entrances into a large, open aired area covered only by thick canvas curtains.
"We're going to start the decontamination process now. If you could all..."
"You're gonna what?" Naruto interrupted, a confused look twisting his face.
"Decontamination Naruto-san," the jonin male replied patiently. "We want to ensure you are not covered in infectious or unknown agents. When you go inside the shower area, please remove your clothing and place it in the empty bin you will see there. Once you are finished, a medic will give you a new set of clothes to wear."
"Wait, what about our clothes?"
"I'm afraid we have to burn them Naruto-san."
This statement cause Naruto's eyes to shoot wide and he stepped forward in his anxious state. "Bu...You can't burn them! Ero-sennin gave me these clothes!"
Sakura knew the tremble that filled his voice was not one of anger – which unfortunately the jonin medic took it for. She knew it was desperation that flowed through his veins. He valued the few possessions he had from his beloved sensei and the new outfit he wore after returning from his years training with the toad sage was one of the last he had. Sakura truly wished there was something she could do for him, but she knew full well the words the medic spoke were true. With a gentle hand to his back, she turned somber eyes on the panicking shinobi.
"I'm sorry Naruto," she began in a soft voice. "I'll help you order another set the moment we get out of here."
"Sakura-chan..." It took a moment, but sadness and regret filled his eyes when he realized there was no other way to progress. Without another word, the jinchuriki pushed the flap of thick canvas out of his way and disappeared into the large, open shower. Kiba brushed his shoulder against hers as he led Akamaru into the designated area. She caught his own somber eyes, but greatly appreciated the understanding filling them as well. With yet another deep sigh passing her lips, Sakura entered into the smaller of the two shower areas and began stripping herself of her dusty clothes. She could hear the men of her team just beyond the single curtain separating them, but she didn't focus on the words they were saying. There was plenty else filling her mind as she took down her wind blown hair.
Though she knew she would be issued a new one as soon as they were cleared from quarantine, Sakura was a bit sad to throw her hitai-ate on top of the pile of clothes in the basket meant to be burned. It was useless to mourn such an irreversible situation - especially when it was something replaceable, but never-the-less, she couldn't stop that regret from clinging to her mind. One of her proudest moments was when Iruka-sensei gave her that headband bearing Konoha's symbol; officially making her a kunoichi of the village she so cherished. Though her family were civilians, she'd been able to work hard and join the ranks of many others before her. That same item was about to be destroyed; set ablaze just as she'd ordered done to all those people.
As the warm water of the portable showers rolled over her, Sakura went over every rationale she used to deal with that horrible situation. It was a violent, unknown pathogen. The effects of it were totally devastating, leaving no one immune to its effects. Should it have been introduced to the populous, the probability was very high that they would be looking at a total lose of life in several countries. Her brain understood those reasons very well, but her heart was still heavy over the decision. Sakura closed her eyes and gave herself a mental shake, forcing herself not to think along those lines.
By the time she'd scrubbed her body three different times - trying to remove as much as possible of any contaminant that could be clinging to her skin - her mind was once again focused on the pressing problems they faced. Hinata would make a full recovery and though she was sorry for the pain the gentle girl would face, her worry over her situation was short lived. As much as Sakura wanted to march into the temporary medic station Tsunade-sama and Shizune-senpai were using to assess and treat Sai, she knew she wouldn't even be allowed inside at the moment. Tsunade-sama had all her notes on his condition and the observations she made of those feral people they encountered. A fresh set of eyes - not to mention many more years of experience than she had - could be the deciding factor in Sai's outcome. For that reason alone, Sakura forced herself to be patient and wait for her shishou's orders.
"Sakura-san, are you done?"
The pinkette quickly shut off the water and wrapped the provided towel around her. "Yes, sorry about that." She'd been so lost in her thoughts that she didn't hear the approaching shinobi. The woman brought Sakura a new set of clothes and gave her a moments privacy to change. So many of the hospital's medics were running around this area and though Sakura could recall many of their faces, she wasn't familiar with all their names. She settled on sending the other medic a smile and word of thanks as she finally exited the station in her newly donned sweatpants and soft cotton shirt. The men were already finished and Sakura was shown to another tent where they sat heartily eating what smelled to be stew. The enticing aroma only served to remind the emerald eyed woman just how long it'd been since she'd eaten.
The stress of the last few days showed heavily on each shinobi's face. Little conversation was going on at the communal table as each member went about filling their empty bellies and keeping their concerns and fears mostly to themselves. Even Naruto's usual idle chatter was nonexistent; though he did raise his cerulean eyes to her when she sat down. Sakura gave him what she hoped was an encouraging smile and proceeded to consume two full bowls of the provided stew.
The weariness pushed everyone to leave the table as soon as they were done, not bothering to do anything more than throw up a hand in a silent goodnight. One by one, they left the dining tent to make their way to the small cluster of tents on the opposite side of the quarantined area - as far away as possible from the medical units. As Sakura passed the sealed canvas structure she knew Sai to be in, she could still hear Tsunade-sama's voice barking out orders to those working with her. The pinkette lingered for a moment, ignoring the disapproving looks of two fellow medics just ahead of her, hoping to hear enough of her shishou's orders to follow along with how her friend was doing. The voices behind the thick flaps were simply too muffled for her to understand their meaning.
A deep sigh passed her lips as she walked away from the area - curiosity gnawing at her gut, but with no means of being any closer to the answers she wanted. It was with a great reluctance that she entered her assigned sleeping area and settled herself on the cot provided.
Though the amber light of dusk still lingered over Konoha's trees, Sakura had no problem slipping into a deep sleep.
With bodies no longer aching for food or rest, the morning brought a more positive attitude to the remaining members of team seven and team ten. So much so, that when Shikamaru entered the larger tent they used to meet for meals, Naruto burst into laughter at the annoyed look on the Nara's face behind the white plastic biohazard suit he wore. Kakashi hid his smirk behind his ever present Icha Icha book and Sakura chuckled when Shikamaru glared at the jinchuriki.
"Did you have to take your hair down to get that hood on?" Naruto asked before erupting into laughter once more. The return of his light hearted manner had an even greater positive effect on his surrounding friends - more so than they even realized.
"Piss off," Shikamaru grumbled with no real heat behind the words and folded his covered arms across his chest. "After you finish eating, you're all going to be examined by one of the medics. While that's going on, I need to speak to each of you individually."
"What for?" Naruto asked, not bothering to swallow the mouthful of rice as he spoke.
"Gathering more information."
"That's fine." Naruto finished the bowl in front of him and pushed away from the table. "I'm going to check on Hinata first though."
"Naruto..." Shikamaru called out as the blond passed him.
The stern glare those cerulean eyes turned on him didn't need the accompaniment of a raised voice. "Start with someone else."
An uncomfortable air filled the tent, even after Naruto was gone. While some of them followed through the motions of finishing their breakfast, Kakashi chuckled and snapped his book shut. "Well, where should I head to Shikamaru?"
The Nara finally moved his stunned eyes away from the entrance way and grumbled something unintelligible. "The medics are waiting outside for each of you. They'll grab you as you go out. Oh, and Kiba," Both Kiba and Akamaru looked to him in question. "Your mother will be with the medic. Fair warning."
Akamaru whined and dropped his head, pressing closer against his partner. Kiba grumbled as well, but patted the large dog in assurance. "Yeah, yeah. I know Akamaru." Sakura turned her head away, hiding her grin as Kiba continued to rant to himself as they left the tent. "She's gonna bitch and nag and bitch some more. Dammit."
One by one, they left the tent in search of the medics ready to examine them and draw blood samples. When Sakura left the tent, Shikamaru fell in step beside her.
"Starting with me?" she asked, following behind the medic who waved her over.
"Might as well. Besides, she's only got so much spare time right now and I need to have a word with her too."
"Who?"
Shikamaru didn't answer, but went into the small room first. The flap had hardly closed before her shishou's tired voice rang out in the tiny area. "Hurry up and get in here Sakura, we've got too much to cover before I leave."
Sakura tossed the pen and notebook she held aside before running her hands over her tired eyes. For nearly three hours, she'd been sitting in the same position on her small cot trying to recall every detail she could, not only about the village in the Land of Grass, but the incident with the amygdalin as well. The medical reports she'd already complied were enough for Tsunade-sama, but Shikamaru wanted every scrap of information she could recall.
She stretched her slender legs out before her, rotating her ankles and flexing her toes – trying to relieve the ache from having them crossed for so long. Her emerald eyes narrowed at the notepad, cursing its very existence in her mind and refusing to pick up the loathsome item again. She knew the contents of it were important to their investigation, but she could only read over her own observations so much. Needing a reprieve, she reached for the folder Shikamaru gave her earlier.
While their team had been helping Haru-san's village and ANBU searching for other incidents among the Fire Country, Tsunade-sama had made contact with the other kage and learned a wealth of information. Though no attack was as serious as that which befell Suna, all of the other countries reported several attacks spreading throughout their land. Most of them occurred the same way – an unknown disease sweeping through a smaller village, sometimes becoming fatal. Though there were three villages who reported seeing a suspicious person right before the illnesses began. Only one of them had been able to corner the rogue shinobi, but he took his own life before he could be captured.
Now that she had this new information, Sakura wished she hadn't turned over the map Sai made for her. It would be helpful to plot these new attacks as well; though she was quite sure Shikamaru was already doing that. Tsunade-sama was still to busy working with Sai, so Sakura had given all the reports she made from the ANBU's findings to Shikamaru. He may not be that knowledgeable about the medical aspects of her reports, but that didn't mean the information would be useless to him. She looked forward to meeting with him again the next day to see what he'd gleamed from her work.
With that thought in mind, she also hoped to be able to see Sai. Tsunade-sama hadn't told her much. She'd given Sakura a basic rundown of his condition, but there was little progress as to what was actually causing the underlying illness. But Sakura had worked with her shishou for years now and was able to read her very well. She knew the older medic was holding something back from her and when questioned, Tsunade-sama would only say that she had a theory. She wouldn't elaborate and she wouldn't allow her to come assist her either.
Sakura's frustration and anger were clearly written on her face once her mentor left her examination tent. So much so, that the jonin medic working with her tried to ease the blow by reminding her that she was also a patient at the moment. Those words meant very little to the kunoichi.
She may be a patient, but she felt fine. She had no symptoms of being infected, she was thinking clearly, and her chakra was almost completely replenished. If anything why wouldn't Tsunade-sama let her assist with the research? She could be helping her friend! Not sitting here constantly going over the same reports and loo...
"Sakura."
The pinkette spun around, her mouth parting on a swift, indrawn breath before she saw Sasuke stepping inside, letting the canvas flap close behind him. His baritone voice startled her out of her musings and she had to take a deep breath to calm her racing heart. She studied him as she did so, noting the dark pants and fitted white shirt that were a far cry from the provided clothes he wore earlier that day. Trying to hide the fact that he startled her, she immediately questioned him about his new apparel.
"Who brought you the clothes?"
It was small, but Sakura could discern the quick roll of his eyes. "Iruka; though he wasn't stupid enough to go through my apartment."
She was only just able to hide her smile. "So he bought you new clothes when he brought Naruto's, huh?" Sasuke didn't reply, but she had a feeling he was a bit embarrassed by their former academy teacher's actions. He tossed a package her way, smirking as he did so.
"And there's yours."
"What?"
"Iruka brought them, but I think Ino got them from your house."
Sakura peeked inside the bag. Hearing the clothes were ones Ino picked out, she was immediately wary – even if they were her own. "Oh, well that was nice of her." Whether she would wear them or not remained to be seen.
"What are you doing?"
She slid over on the cot, giving him an unspoken invitation to sit with her. He was slow to respond, but eventually made his way to the bed. A stack of papers sat between them, but something inside her tensed when the mattress dipped under his added weight. "Just putting together some information for Shikamaru and going over what he brought."
"He said there hasn't been any other incidents since we've been gone."
She shook her head. "Not that they've found. He said Tsunade-sama has been in contact with the other kages about the attacks. They've discovered some that we didn't know happened earlier, but so far nothing has been reported in the past few weeks." Sakura picked up the next paper in the stack between them, scrutinizing the information Shikamaru had given her with tired eyes.
"How is the artist?"
"Sai?" Her brows and voice raised, a twitch of a smile crossing her lips, as she looked at him in mock displeasure of his phrase. Sasuke simply quirked a brow back at her, daring her to say anything else. She shook her head at him and returned her eyes to the paper in her hands. "Tsunade-sama has stabilized him for the moment. He was severely dehydrated and his electrolytes were badly off balance. So far, they've simply replaced what's been lost, but that has eased his breathing and heart rate."
Though there was no hesitation in her speech, Sasuke could tell she was holding back her words. "Has he woken up?"
There was a pause. Her hands crumpled the edges of the paper she held. "No."
The light atmosphere that surrounded her only moments before was gone, replaced now by tense shoulders and a frown tugging her pink lips down. Sasuke knew of no words to say to her troubled figure, so he simply remained silent, waiting to see if she would speak again. Without warning Sakura stood from the cot, tossing the paper behind her, not caring to see if it landed safely in her vacated spot.
"No, he hasn't woken up," she spat, anger and remorse filling her tone. "Tsunade-sama said she had a theory of what could be causing this, but she wouldn't elaborate. She wouldn't let me assist her either. All I can do is sit here and wait."
The frustration the medic felt was palpable as she crossed her arms under her chest and stood straight backed facing away from him. He heard a deep sigh come from her. "I can't stand this," she whispered, almost to herself. "I know she wants me to rest and be checked out frequently by the other medics since I've been potentially exposed as well, but I could be doing more to help her. To help Sai."
Sasuke leaned forward, perching his elbows on his thighs as he eyed her. Sakura ran her fingers through her hair quickly, tugging at the pink locks before releasing them with a huff. He knew it would only serve to anger her further, but he chose to point out the obvious. "She doesn't require your help."
"I know that!" she spat at him, turning her head to face him momentarily. The fire blazing in her bright green eyes enthralled the young man. "I know she doesn't need my help. Tsunade-sama is much more skilled and knowledgeable than I am, but I...I feel like I'm not doing anything sitting in here! I could be running more blood work, looking at the slides, researching rare viruses...something!" Her petite hands ran down her face as the short burst of anger faded from her. Sakura finally leaned her weight against the single small table in the tent that held more parchment and a lantern on its surface.
"I'm curious," Sasuke began after a long moment of silence stretching between them. "Is this your ego acting or is it a sense of guilt that prompts you to be at his bedside so badly?"
Shock was the first thing that flashed across her face. Lips parting, eyes going wide as she turned to face him – staring at him as if she couldn't comprehend the words he just said. When he simply stared back at her, the anger he expected began to narrow her emerald gaze. While he did find himself fascinated by that fierce look she held – for some inexplicable reason – that wasn't his purpose for saying those words and he interrupted her as she began to speak.
"What the hel..."
"You do realize you're not at fault for his injury don't you?"
Not only her words were stopped, but her anger cleared as disbelief colored her features.
"You are also not at fault for being unable to heal him." Sasuke straightened himself on the cot, squaring his shoulders and piercing her with his ebony eyes.
"I...I..."
"Or is your ego really so large that you can't handle knowing you weren't able to identify what is going on with him or those villagers?"
Her cheeks rapidly darkened and he saw a muscle in her jaw twitch. When she didn't start screaming at him immediately, he was actually a little surprised. She did, however, plant her hands on her hips and fix him with a pointed stare. "I think you are the very last person who should be talking to me about an ego."
It still surprised him a bit, though she had held no words back since he'd teamed up with her again, that she would point out something like that to him. He held her gaze for a moment longer before finally looking away, not bothering to respond to her snappy remark.
"It's not my ego." The softer tone of her voice had him glancing back. Her hands were clasped in front of her as she stared at the ground, sorrow filling her eyes. "And it's not a sense of guilt either Sasuke. I simply want to do everything I can for my friend. I know Tsunade-sama is doing her very best, but I hate not being able to be there for him right now. I just wish she'd let me do something."
Watching her eyes blink rapidly, hearing those heartfelt words pour from her mouth, Sasuke felt something uncomfortable stir within him. The attachment she seemed to have with the newest addition to team seven was one he found...irritating. Enough so that he found his mouth moving before he properly finished the thought. "You'd go so far for a teammate?"
"He's my friend Sasuke," she corrected. "And I'll do anything for my friends."
He rose from the cot, taking the distance between them in three slow strides. Unshed tears still glistened in her expressive eyes as she looked up at his taller frame.
"Would you stil..."
He stopped himself before the question could be properly asked. He wasn't even sure he wanted an answer to it, but simply uttering those words would complicate things much more than necessary.
Sasuke now realized the error in coming to stand to close to the pinkette. Sakura's walls weren't up and the vulnerability showing on her face, the weakness cracking through that strong exterior she'd somehow built over the last five years, was as tempting as a wounded rabbit cornered by a fox. The gentle heat he could feel from her body, that enticing smell belonging to her alone fogging his senses...
"Sasuke?"
She was asking him for answers, eyes searching his own for the last words of that dropped question. Though his frame wasn't overly large, he seemed to shadow her as he stood before her. Watching her closely. Trying to discern why this woman had drawn his attention as she hadn't before.
Her fingers touched his arm – a light pressure that registered to him on all levels.
And that was the last trigger he needed.
"Sasu..."
His mouth covered her own, swallowing her call of his name as he took possession of her sweet lips. He didn't question it at the moment, choosing to set that aside in favor of following his body's demands to touch her once more.
Though she'd felt something in him shifting as he stood silently over her, the kiss did take Sakura by surprise. She had no problem quickly adapting to the situation though, and in mere seconds her eyes were blissfully closed as she returned the addicting pleasure. Her hands trailed up Sasuke's powerful arms before gripping his shoulders to hold herself steady as he stroked a fire within her. His tongue slowly past her parted lips, causing a pleasured moan when he teased the sensitive areas in her mouth.
As his hands slid down her back, settling on her hips, Sakura could feel the startling difference in this kiss they shared. This wasn't an adrenaline fueled embrace or a thanks from an emotional woman. This was...inquisitive, deliberate, and it scared her just a little. Though it was hard to focus on that fear when his hands slipped under her shirt and began gliding across the silky skin of her back.
Fueled by the sensations wracking her body, Sakura's hands left their perch on his shoulder to thread through his thick, dark locks. Her blunt nails scraped across his scalp as he pushed her just a bit closer to his own body. When his lips finally left her own, she pulled in ragged gasps as she tried to fill her lungs. A whimper left her when the unexpected touch of his hot tongue trailed down her throat. He nipped at her collar, causing her to tug at the raven hair still encased within her grip. He growled against her skin, latching onto her pulse point and forcing that moan from her just one more time.
Sasuke slid one hand down the curve of her ass, palming the flesh under his calloused fingers as he took her lips once more. Sakura wrapped her arms around his shoulder, gripping the soft cotton of his shirt as heat spread through her body. No space was left between the two and they clung to each other as the kiss intensified. Her breasts were crushed against the hard planes of his chest. Her hips pressed against his own.
Sakura's every nerve was on fire. The heat of his fingers seemed to scorch every place he touched. Her body felt restless and she squirmed against him, anxious to increase the contact they had. He sank his teeth into her bottom lip. She gasped into his mouth and clutched his broad shoulders.
Sasuke pulled away from her lips, hovering just beyond her reach. His hands settled on her waist as he took several deep breaths that blew gently across her face. Sakura was in much the same condition herself, but couldn't yet force her lazy eyes to open. Though if she was honest with herself, she wasn't yet ready to face him.
So many questions bombarded her mind the moment she could think rationally once more. She knew this kiss was different, but how so? What was Sasuke thinking? Was there meaning behind this? Did she dare ask him?
If this was anyone else but Sasuke, she would know where she stood, but when dealing with the last Uchiha she had learned to assume nothing.
"We..."
Though he paused, his baritone voice had her opening her eyes. Her arms slid down his chest as he took another step back from her, but his eyes weren't holding the shock or even dismissal that she was fearfully expecting. He was guarded, but didn't seem to be closing himself off entirely to her.
That was something...wasn't it?
"We should get ready for dinner," he finally said when they were completely apart. He took another deep breath and seemed to give himself a mental shake, clearing his head of the lingering passion blazing through his veins. "According to Shikamaru, the fat one's mother is making curry. He's going to bring it by when he comes to speak with Tsunade again."
"Sasuke!" Sakura reproached with a shocked gasp. "Don't talk about Choji like that!"
He turned to walk out of her tent, but stopped to throw a smirk at her. "But you knew exactly who I was talking about." As she sputtered in indignation and searched for something to potentially throw at the Uchiha, he snorted a laugh and left her alone in her temporary space.
It was a few moments before she could even get her feet to respond and shuffle her way to the cot – throwing her body onto the soft surface.
This...whatever the hell this was...Sakura didn't know how to handle it. She planned to ignore the first time, passing it off as an explosion of too much pent up emotion on both their parts. Perhaps she could have ignored the second time as well, but how in the world did she deal with what just happened? Her heart was still racing and the places Sasuke touched still burned.
Was she supposed to be happy?
Was this...thing...going on between them a reflection of him - just maybe - harboring some feelings for her? She wanted to jump on that idea and ride it as far as it would take her, but past incidents had taught her well. She was no longer a naive little girl and she would most certainly not think like one.
Then should she ask him about it?
Right, because that always worked out well in the past. Just go ask Uchiha Sasuke if he felt anything for her. Sakura may have built thicker skin over the years, but she had no intention of putting its durability to the test.
Then shut the fuck up and enjoy it! Hell, next time just push his ass down yourself. We both know we're stronger than him.
She pointedly ignored that statement from her still salivating Inner. Having Sasuke's hands on her body was more than enough to fire up her outspoken counterpart. Though she wasn't sure how much more she could take of those – albeit delicious – fantasies her Inner continued to concoct.
Sakura rolled over on the cot, pressing her face into the pillow and unintentionally getting a whiff of the lingering scent that was unique to Sasuke. She could just go along with it. Not ask any questions and see where things led.
Sakura was thankful no one else was in the tent to see the bright red hue that colored her cheeks.
She could lay there and think on the matter all day, but Sakura knew there was no clear answer to be found. No one would be able to clear this matter between them except themselves – and Sakura admitted to being a little cowardly at the moment.
One thing was for certain.
Sasuke was doing a damn good job in fanning that flame in her heart she'd tried to extinguish for so many years.
A/N:
-spoiler alert-
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Can we please have a moment of silence for Neji?
And if someone doesn't tell Kishimoto to stop showing his body I'm going to have a nervous breakdown! The only thing holding me together is the absolute adorableness of Naru/Hina going on right now! Fangirls of the world unite!
:)
Also, this fic has been added to a wonderful little SasuSaku website over at xsasusaku-dot-webs-dot-com. Ya know how it works, so head on over there and check out their website. Its a nice place! ;) Thanks again to rainingripples for the add!
Just over the deadline so I hope the wait wasn't too bad. I think I made up for it a little though didn't I? hehehe
Enjoy the chapter, thanks so much for all the new readers and reviews, and please...please...PLEASE...keep on reviewing and let me know how you are enjoying the story. Esp since the romance is getting ever more present. I'd really love to know how everyone is enjoying it.
Thanks so much again!