I am finding it so funny that Reviewers and PMers are STILL going off on me about Chapter Three's Author's Note o3o" Honestly, I'm doing my own part to not react at all to them...but really? xD I find it kinda funny about this whole thing. If they don't like it, don't read it.
Anyway! This chapter goes out to those wonderful readers who Review so wonderfully ;w; You all bring smiles to my faces and I can't thank you all enough for it, and I wish you all more entertainment coming your way with this story. You all have my attention with anything you ask for, okay? c: I know you guys must put up a lot with me (I am such a handful xD) and you guys are just simply adoring with your sweetness, I just wanna eat you guys up with chocolate -stomach growls-. I also want to thank the VERY talented authors who had PMed me sometime ago when I was recieving a LOT of rude messages and 'threats' from people who apparently didn't like my story c: You guys know who you are, and I just want to say that I was shocked that amazing people such as yourself took the time to give me encouraging words; they will forever be in my thoughts when I recieve a bad Review or message from someone. You guys have helped me in more ways then one, and I would like to dedicate this entire fanfic in your guys' honor for being such...amazing xD I wouldn't say your pen names on here, but I am very sure you guys know who you are, and hopefully kept track of this story.
And to the haters, or the people who don't like this story, thank you for being honest c: Words don't hurt me, and you people just keep making me stronger. If you had the idea of trying to weaken me, I'm sorry to say that it wasn't working as planned. Hopefully you will enjoy your day, as I would hope it would be for you.
You know what Kitty likes? Reviews, Follows, Favorites or nothing in particular will make her happy c: All your effort in either good or bad will be taken and put into efforts into making it better, because everyone deserves a good day that will make them smile, don't you think? Please enjoy the story!
=xxx=
.
.
.
Love at first sight doesn't exist between you and I.
.
.
.
It was something that had to be built, nurtured and careful before we even started.
.
.
.
At first glance, it would spark a tiny flame within us...
.
.
.
And slowly, when he tend to the small flame and dedicate our time...
.
.
.
The love will shine brighter then the sun.
.
.
.
Tasting Flesh
Chapter Eleven
The tiny infant inside her crib opened her mouth to release the puff of air it inhaled, making a huff noise as her little fists reached up to find nothing to grasp. Her baby blanket had fallen off of her body and laid unused beside her, causing her to feel the discomfort of the air seeping into her room from nowhere to be seen of the giant emerald eyes she had; starting to squirm on her back and making a gurgle noise in the darkness... Feeling alone, the baby started to fuss through her nose and started to build up the energy to start crying out as loud as she could to be picked up and held securely, wanting warmth that she had lost while slumbering in her dream of colors and shapes.
"Ah!" the child huffed out and pouted furiously when she started kicking. Tears swelled and stung her eyes, her little fists rubbing her cheeks to rid of the uncomforting feeling as her chin wobbled. Her noises she makes before she started crying rumbled in her lungs, just waiting to get out and alert the whole home. "Ah...ah!"
"Shhh," a gentle, soothing voice of a man startled her in the darkness of her bedroom. Pale hands of the owner stuck out of the darkness and gently grasped the baby's sides, lifting her up into the air and carefully pressed her front onto the firm chest that radiated intense heat she was looking for. Cupping her bottom and back, Sasuke's thumb rubbed lightly on her back to ease the strangled cries hiding within her as he stood rocking the infant in his arms like he was the only one to do this.
"You're okay, Sakura," he whispered quietly against her soft head, hearing her make little noises with every gentle bounce and rock he made as he swayed his shoulders gently. "Don't cry now, everyone is sleeping... It's okay..."
Sakura's tiny head pulled back and her little fists began to explore the Demon's face without permission, and he allowed it to happen as the child cooed when her little fingers found his nose and hair. With the usual child pleasure, Sakura grasped the perfect nose with one hand and started pulling the raven locks with her other, making a pleased purr in the back of his throat. He didn't mind the pulls and loss of air traveling through his nose, letting himself breathe through his lips and tickle the baby's face until she started to giggle and cuddle her face to his, an 'kiss' planted on his nose when Sakura bit her toothless gums on him.
Chuckling more to himself then the baby, Sasuke guided Sakura to his shoulder to rest her head on as he reached into her crib, picking up the little blanket with two fingers and brought it up to wrap around her tiny body. He tucked the blanket over her shoulder carefully and allowed her to start sucking on her tiny fingers to soothe herself into slumber, her eyes already dropping to close as he went back to rocking the baby in his arms, humming softly of the lullaby he made up a few weeks ago.
This action earned a yawn from the little baby as she cuddled her head into Sasuke's neck and allowed sleep to consume her, Sasuke slowly halting his rocks when he sensed the baby's heartbeat and breathing even out perfectly and her sweet face in total serene within his warm arms and the blanket he covered her with.
He smirked with soft eyes, turning his head to have his chin barely touch the babe, his lips gently pressed to her faint, pink hair ontop of her head in the gentleness of a kiss. His throat let out a gentle purr of his demonic traits as he strolled over and settled Sakura back into her crib, making sure that her blanket was tucked around her as her little fists fell back to either side of her head as it usually would for a month old baby. He stared wonderingly to the sleeping face of this creature before him, his hand reaching down to let a finger touch her chubby cheek.
She moved in her sleep and snuggled her cheek against the gentle touch, sighing baby-like in her dreams as she allowed her baby snores exhaled out of her opening mouth. Sasuke allowed himself to lax his shoulders as he leaned closer, whispering something that would only be his voice to her ears.
"Sweet dreams, my princess."
When he rose up to straighten his back, Sasuke turned to see the face of Kizashi standing in the opened shouji doorway of the baby's bedroom, looking tired yet satisfied with the scene playing infront of him. Sasuke, being back to his usual self, tilted his head in greet as Kizashi did the same. In the course of the birth of his first child a month ago, Kizashi had looked more tired and uneased with his wife sudden intake of illness taking in her internal intestines right after bringing their daughter into the world.
"You should be sleeping, Kizashi," Sasuke said softly as he ventured away from the crib, speaking so quietly that it would disturb the baby when both men walked out of the room and Kizashi silently slid the door shut. "You have not slept well lately."
"I am fine, Sasuke-sama," Kizashi smiled warmly to the Demon man, chuckling a bit when he recieved an unconvinced brow. "Mebuki fell asleep a while ago, so I figured I'd check on the baby before I went to sleep myself...but I see that she is being cared for."
"Hn..."
"I won't tell your brother, Sasuke-sama," Kizashi winked deviously when Sasuke rolled his eyes. "I must admit that I am amazed to see you care for something so delicate at this time of night, as if you'd rather care for someone else then your own health first?"
"You speak wrongly," Sasuke denied cooly. "I do not care for others, I only care for the baby in there." He gestured to the shouji door where he was still taking track of the baby's sleeping form.
"Aa, forgive me, prince," Kizashi gave a small smile, yet his eyes twinkled in the dark hallway so finely. "I am just glad you're here to tend to my daughter's needs while I tend to my beloved... We both want to thank you, so... Thank you, Sasuke-sama."
"I have not don-"
"You are giving our baby love when we are too weak to give her it ourselves at the moment," Kizashi went on without pausing. He held his hands behind his back as both of them walked. "If I had not been bitten by that hungry creature last year, I would have been in there as well and trying to pry my baby girl from your arms. But I am not that kind of man right now; I see how you are different, Sasuke-sama, and I think you should be proud of that change."
"What change do you speak of, Haruno?" Sasuke asked flatly, as if he was offended.
Kizashi grinned toothly to resemble a annoying blond back in Sasuke's world- Mebuki and Kizashi's old world, where they grew up, fell in love and such- and his emerald eyes sparkled so naughtly to tease his higher rank. But, as Kizashi was raised by the noble family of his adopted mother, he knew not to be so carefree infront of this Demon.
"You changed into a love-strucked man, Sasuke-sama," Kizashi confessed and looked away shyly. "I've seen that look in the mirror when I had fallen for Mebuki years back. You care for my daughter as I care for my wife; and allow me to be free here, I wouldn't let anyone else touch my daughter as you did just moments ago."
Sasuke stared at the man in wonder, wondering why such a low-ranked species would confess such a thing to a Demon- a Demon God for that matter. From the very start, gods were feared by Demons and humans who knew about their existence, not be spoken to after one caressed a finger to their vunerable baby's cheek. Sasuke slowly wondered if Fugaku softened up to this man a bit too much over the years of friendship...
But then again, he was also flattered by his words.
Sasuke nodded. "Aa..."
"Besides, I have to call you my son someday, don't I?" Kizashi dared to push the limits a bit to get Sasuke to stiffen. "Oh, come now. You still can't be so jerky about the wedding someday, do you, Sasuke-sama?"
"Don't."
Kizashi chuckled joyously. "Forgive me, Sasuke-sama. Would a tomato make things between us less akward?" he offered on the table like a dealer with drugs, knowing fully well what the client would answer after just thinking of the symptoms of the addicting substance.
"Hn...make it two, and we can pretend this never happened."
Sakura found Sasuke sitting in the spot facing the cherry blossom trees, noticing that he has been doing this action every morning when she wakes up and looks out her window. She couldn't help but wonder if he was looking for something to happen there, like someone to say something -not counting Ino trying to throw kitchen utensils at his back yesterday, and Chiyo forced her to go and pick them up while she whispered threats to him as she did so- and Sakura simply carried onto her shrine maiden duties of cleaning and taking care of Pakkun.
Speaking of which, Sakura has slowly taken a liking to Pakkun's speaking talents. Before, she wanted to cringed when he called her name to ask if she was finishing her plate, but now she has long conversations with him and Sasori at the dinner table as Ino would stuff her face. She liked Pakkun even more now, and even takes the time to tease him whenever she rubbed his ears and having to remind Sasori that he wasn't a pet; instantly taking back his words when she scratched his belly.
Going back to the present time, Sakura did her best to silently stroll up to Sasuke's back, hoping to surprise him with a tap on his shoulder or tickle his ribs. Recently, she has been more free with Sasuke, and even likes to explore his personality a bit more when she pokes his arms or sides, looking for a tickle spot. She had yet to find it, but she wouldn't mind continuing the search for the rest of the year.
Placing her bare foot into the grass, Sakura bit back her laughter until Sasuke made a sigh. "Sakura, I know you're there..."
"Goodmorning, Sasuke-kun," Sakura chirped with a small smile as she fell to her knees and crawled to his left side. She sat on her shins and instantly pulled out her surprise for the Demon God beside her from her dress pocket, holding it infront of his gaze. "Here you go!"
"...Tomato," Sasuke said as he continued to look at the ripe piece of food in Sakura's gentle hand. After a few blinks, Sasuke finally looked at her with a questioning brow.
"Uh-huh, I remembered that you liked tomatoes a lot," Sakura grinned shyly. "I remembered that Inoichi and Chi had a big tomato plant in their nursery, so I asked Ino to get me one before she came here this morning. She figured out why, and wanted to get you a bad one, but I told her that she couldn't do that."
Sasuke twitched his eye before looking back to the delicious-looking fruit. It was bright red and shiny against the morning sun, and the top had the perfectly alinged stemleaves with the cord cut off; it was fresh, ripe and...
Good enough to eat.
Reaching his hand up, Sasuke carefully picked the tomato from her delicate hand and held it in his grasp, examining it carefully to make sure Ino didn't inject anything gross inside it -since he couldn't get poisoned by human elements anyway- he found none and smirked a little bit, realizing that it was Sakura who remembered his favorite food. He opened his mouth and bit into the fruit carefully, allowing the bitter juices hit his tastebuds as he knawed on the flesh like it was a simple apple.
"Is it good?" Sakura's sweet voice questioned him. When he turned his head and nodded with a mouthful, she giggled happily and have him two thumbs up. "That's good, I was hoping you liked it."
"Thank you."
"It's no problem, Sasuke-kun," Sakura looked down shyly as she peered to her hands. She didn't know the absolute reason for the praising words Sasuke had given her, and it wasn't about the tomato in general.
It was simply her remembering and opening up to him willingly with the gift of surprise. If Sasuke would say it, he was happy with the improvement she was getting in the past few days, and he simply couldn't ask for anything more at this moment. With her here by his side and smiling, with a tomato in his hand and the sun shining on them like a blessing...this was Sasuke's paradise as of right now.
"Hey Sasuke-kun," Sakura spoke out of the little silence they were sharing together, "Inoichi and Chi are on their way here for some reason. Ino asked me to tell you and let you know it was something important for you to know. Is there something wrong?"
Sasuke looked at her softly, showing no emotions of anger or even his stoic eyes. He was still content with her, and he would damn well show it to her despite the realization that the Yamanakas have found something. "No, it is nothing bad for you to worry about. Don't ask questions about it, alright?"
Being so influenced by his cool words, Sakura nodded in understanding and allowed Ino to drag her into the bath house when Inoichi and Chi arrived in the Haruno Shrine's kitchen with Chiyo and Sasori waiting for the last member to arrive.
=xxx=
As Inoichi sipped his tea that Sasori gave him, it was Chi who offered to talk to the Demons and Demon God surrounding the couple with intense eyes, yet expressionless faces. She offered her smile, as she always did for a greeting, and let her husband to finish his own cup before she took the chance to speak, incase Inoichi had to help her. She smiled at him taking a dumpling from the serving plate infront of them.
"They back," Chi said softly, both hands intertwining her fingers shyly as she tried to make sense to the others. "They back. Angry and hungry."
"Where were they, Chi-bachan?" Sasori asked seriously as he poured himself another cup of tea and for Inoichi as well. He could smell the forest scent reeking off of both of them, letting them know that they have gotten down and dirty with their patrols last night and this morning.
Chi simply shrugged. "They hide at camp?"
"Think or know?" Sasuke asked sternly, yet he was giving patience to the Yamanaka woman. Sasuke knew Chi's small disability, but his thirst for answers still bothered him in the most bit of the meeting.
"Think," Chi answered. "They hungry. Angry and hungry."
"We've encountered a small pack outside of Konoha, and they didn't show mercy," Inoichi grumbled after he swallowed his dumpling whole without chewing. He looked tired, and so did his little wife. "They actually tried to kill Chi and I when we were simply passing by; we think they know who we are in ties with you... We had to kill some of them because they just looked so crazed. We couldn't allow that to be part of the citizens in this village now."
"Bad Demons," Chi pouted. "Chi no like."
"It was good that you took care of the ones who didn't fit well with the humans here," Chiyo nodded approvingly. "But, what I'm wondering, why did they leave out of the blue and suddenly come back? Did they go through the door by any chance?"
Inoichi and Chi looked at each other before they both shook their heads to Chiyo, denying any evidence that the Demons were anywhere near the door that housed the portal to the Demon World. With that answer, Chiyo rubbed her wrinkled temple and sighed with annoyance. Sasuke, on the other hand, looked directly out the window, where the bathouse was in view of the kitchen and could hear the laughter of Ino and Sakura in the midst of the steam pouring out of the vented window.
"Chi think...Uchiha wants patrol tonight?" Chi offered gently when Sasuke turned his head back, his gaze locked with soft brown eyes. "Chi can get Deidara and Sasori help." She looked to Sasori hopefully. "Sasori help?"
Sasori nodded with a grin. "Of course, Chi-bachan, and I will have Deidara help out, too. It has been a while since we had gotten together for something more pleasing," he confessed with a sly smile that made Chiyo roll her eyes. "We would be happy to help you out, Chi-bachan."
"Uchiha want patrol?" Chi looked at Sasuke with a tilt of her head. She was asking him if he would like to join the patrol coming tonight, and being polite about it.
Sasuke shook his head, causing Chiyo to scoff out loud. "And what do you plan on doing tonight, Sasuke?" Chiyo asked with a twerk of her mouth. "I'm sure you don't want to deal with Sakura when she realizes that no one is in the Haruno Shrine."
"Actually," Inoichi butted in carefully, "there is a festival going on in Konoha tonight, and I do believe Ino planned on having Sakura attend since the villagers wish to celebrate her birthday late... They think it is their right to give her time with her family and, as rumor has it, her attractive bodyguard."
"What did you do, Sasuke?" Chiyo pressed with a glaring eye to the stoic Demon God.
"Hn."
Chi purred lightly. "Uchiha nice. Take Saku-chan out to festival?"
"Aa," Sasuke agreed with a closing eye, looking at the shocked face of Chiyo. "It is not as you think, she needs looking after and she doesn't seemed bothered by being me." Sasuke was drawing the line between him and Chiyo by smirking rudely at the 'me'. "Since Sasori is dating his male partner and patrolling...and you are joining them with the Yamanakas, why should I bother?"
Sasori snickered at his elderly mother's reaction to gripping the table with claw marks indenting into the wood. "I highly doubt anything bad will happen to Sakura, mother. Besides, when was the last time you hunted for some ass to kick?"
That made Chiyo a little bit calmer, but she still glared at the Uchiha. "True... Fine, I will join the patrol, but Sasuke is going to get in for one hell of a night with that girl; she's a handful when it comes to festivals. Needing to eat food, look at vendors for a long time and lets not forget about the children and elderly wishing to chat with her and never stop! Do you have this patience, Uchiha?"
Sasuke shrugged, uncaring yet he wanted to see Chiyo breathe flames. What the other Demons at the table didn't know, is that Sasuke would give his patience to Sakura whenever she asked for it.
Sakura bursted out laughing when she saw Ino's face covered in the green paste of what she puts as a 'facial mask' smeared all over her features and blew up her cheeks like a puffyfish and stuck out her tongue at the pink haired teen. She couldn't help but adore Ino's childish actions to her, and she wanted to make her stop making her stomach hurt so much.
So she splashed Ino's face with soapy water.
"Oi!" Ino growled as she tried to shield her face with her hands. "This still has another five minutes before rinse, woman! What're you trying to do to me, ne?"
"Why are you wearing...a salad?" Sakura giggled as she sunk herself deeper into the hot water, her cheeks flushing. "Is that the stuff you put on your face to make it feel like a baby's bottom? I've seen it in movies."
"Uh-huh, I gotta look nice for the festival tonight," Ino purred dreamily as she pat the top of the water and making more bubbles. "I want to be the second best girl in the whole festival tonight."
"Why would you want to be second?" Sakura tilted her head to the side curiously, as if Ino was holding in a deep secret. "I always thought you were the definition of first place beauty."
"Not tonight," Ino shrugged. She sat ontop of the ledge of the bath, crossing her naked legs and straightened her back. "Tonight, you shall be the most beautiful girl in the festival! I'm going to make Sasuke drop to his knees when he sees you tonight."
"Huh?" Sakura's eyes widened to the point that they started to hurt.
Counting her wet fingers, Ino started to take notes outloud. "I already have the outfit picked out for you, and I know the perfect eyeshadow we can use that will make your eyes perk out even more! Although, it already looks like you have eyeliner on, which is just great; and we can use a hint of blush to make you look sooo cute!"
"Huh!" Sakura snapped. "What the hell are you saying, Ino?"
"I'm saying that this will be the perfect chance to show Sasuke what you really got, Sakura-chan," Ino purred with actual lust in her eyes. "As someone an Yamanaka, like me, is protected with their life, I should at least be able to play with your makeup and make Sasuke jealous that he can't have some of these!" Ino laughed evily as she groped Sakura's small breasts with her claw-like hands and squeezed. "Sasuke can't touch these! They're mine!"
Sakura squirmed until she bit down on Ino's shoulder, which only made the blonde woman laugh and she finally allowed Ino to let go. She panted a few moments before looking up at Ino splashing the water with her feet. "I don't wear makeup!" Sakura started to rant. "I shouldn't be flirting with Sasuke-kun anyway, I do-..." She didn't finish her sentence of the refusal to Ino's plan. This excited Ino silently as she plopped into the water once more and snuck closer and closer to Sakura's blushing body.
"You like him, don't you?" Ino purred as she poked her friend's belly. "It's okay if you don't want to tell anyone now, but always remember that your secret is always safe with me." Ino winked perfectly as she poked Sakura's pouting lip. Ino reached beside her and picked up a floral-scented soap with bursting beads and gave that cat-like smile to the worrying human. "Now, will you or will you not let me make you into the prettiest girl in Konoha? 'Cause I need to know now, otherwise I'm going to have to waste my talents on someone else who is almost as attractive as I am."
The more Sakura thought about it, the more Sakura pondered about what Sasuke would do if he saw Sakura all pretty and attractive; if he would say anything sweet about her outfit or makeup, and Ino is really talented when it comes to looking pretty! Her face simply flushed at the total idea of it. She knew she didn't hate Sasuke, but she didn't like him either. Everytime she thinks of him, it would make her feel weird on the inside, like her insides were onfire with a sweet feeling that will make her feel good on the inside. She can't say what it was, but she was hoping to do something cool infront of Sasuke.
She smiled. "Alright, Ino-chan..." she said confidently. "Just don't go overboard on the makeup, okay? I don't want to look weird."
"As if I would do such a thing!" Ino protested as she flipped the cap open. "Unless I was the one wanting Sasuke-chicken's attention, I would've done something lame, like jump on his back or flip my hair. Pfft, over my dead body!"
=xxx=
Sasuke was sitting in the prayer room, waiting with Sasori and Deidara on the cheap cushions that Chiyo pulled out from the first floor closet (since the prayer room was off-duty for tonight). Sasuke was already used to sitting in luxurious thrones back home, but he would settle sitting on the hardwood floor in his black sweatshirt and dark jeans with dark brown workboots, his hands linked together and elbows on his knees. He wasn't speaking to either Sasori and Deidara for his own reasons; one being that Deidara never shuts up whenever Sasori does something 'cute' or make him laugh...
And Deidara has a very disturbing laugh.
So, here he was, waiting for Sakura and Ino to come downstairs so he can get this night over with; giving Sakura entertainment and a sense of relief, as well as keep his own mind open while being near Sakura - with her in his sight the whole time will be helpful for Sasuke's better nature, and he would also be able to-
"Sasori-kuuun! When can we leave yet? I'm bored. Ngh!" Deidara acted like a flirtacious woman as he nuzzled his face into Sasori's neck, allowing the redhead to stroke his long hair (that amused Sasuke a bit to remind him of Ino's) with his fingers. Sasuke dared to peek over to see Deidara on Sasori's lap and was looking bored out of his mind. "You promised we would make art together tonight, you know. And you also said that I could be normal for once infront of Sakura; why are we waiting?"
"Because Ino wanted to surprise us for some reason." Sasori gently pushed his partner off his lap, who complied respectfully and settled to be in between the Demon and Demon God. "Why not ask Sasuke-sama how his day is going, hmm?"
Now, Deidara was a very sweet Demon, appearing to be the same age as Sasori, but he was a bit of an overly-confident soul. Which, in his rank's position, is not much of a bad thing; being used to be a starving orphan in the Demon World until Sasori found him one day. Since then, Deidara was the life of the party during patrols, and a very helpful soul for Chi in the flower shop with tending to the flowers when she can't reach. Sasuke did not know a lot about Deidara, but it would take some time for him to allow the energetic Demon to be near his bubble... And Sasuke had a big bubble that Deidara was already popping.
"Sasuke-sama, how ar-?"
"Hn."
Deidara looked at his partner with a raised brow. Deidara knew about the Uchiha Clan, but he never has been close or believed in the story that the Uchiha men will make you wear your ass for a hat -which was still unproven-, so Deidara was still unsure of how to be around this...ice cube. Sasori knew this as well and simply shook his head and reopened his arms. Smiling joyfully, Deidara leapt into Sasori's arms and they went back to cuddling. Sasuke's brow twitched as he saw from the corner of his eye of how affectionate these two Demon lovers were infront of others; they certainly don't hesitate with each other like they should. To Sasuke, he guessed that they have been together since the Haruno family moved to the Human World years ago...
"I tried," Deidara said with a grin. "Maybe Sakura will answer the question better for me?" He flapped his hands onto his own lap with a small laugh, feeling totally at ease with himself around this Demon God. Sasuke would have to admit that he found Deidara's presence annoying, yet pleasurable for something new to see.
"..and, I swear, if that outfit gets dirty- Deidaraaa! You're here!" Ino's voice burned Sasuke's mind as he glared up to her. She was dressed in a teal-colored dress that lengthed to her mid-thigh, sparkling with the silky shine it had; her hair was up in the usual high ponytail with a white ribbon, and her makeup with dark and glittering with a light blue coloring with thick-black eyeliner.
Ino's voice made Deidara jump up and go to Ino, instantly commenting on her outfit and how pretty she looked for tonights patrol. "Aah! Did Chi-chan give that to you for a gift? It looks very nice on you, Yamanaka-chan."
Ino flipped her hand and her chin tilted up in pride. "Nah, I picked this out myself last week with Daddy's card. Thank you, Deidara. You know, those hair tips you gave me last time we met helped a lot; my hair hasn't felt this lovely in years!" Ino twirled to put on a show for Sasori and Deidara, and they smiled while Sasuke peeked over, his eyes darting from Ino and Deidara. Ino saw this and smirked evily. "Jealous, Sasuke-kun?"
"Hn," Sasuke denied, "you two look alike."
Both Ino and Deidara howled in anger as they both pointed to Sasuke, not giving the rankful Demon God respect. "NO WE DON'T!"
Sasuke only shrugged and looked away. "Where is Sakura? It's getting late."
"Boo, so impatient as always," Ino rolled her eyes and placed her hands on her hips. She turned her head to look behind the doorway of the stairs. "She's just finishing up with the jewelry, but I don't know how long she will take... I'm going to head out with the boys!" Ino announced as she held up her hands, as if she was a high ranking pimp of the men in this world. "Gentlemen?"
On cue, Sasori and Deidara came to her side and wrapped their muscular arms around her slender hands, ascorting the lovely blonde to the party waiting on the outside of the shrine. Yamanaka Ino flashed a gorgeous smile as she looked down to Sasuke's stilled form refusing to meet her gaze; she smiled brightly as she allowed Sasori to lead them out of the prayer room. "She's in her bedroom, fyi. Don't spook her too much otherwise she'll start crying of embarassment, and I refuse to let my dearest cry like that! I'll have your head mounted on the counter in Daddy's shop."
Sasuke listened to them leave the room and out of the shrine, where Chiyo and Inoichi made a ruckus of Ino acting so dominating to the two lovers, and she simply laughed and challenged her father to a race to their designated points and Chi made a noise of wanting to join too. When he sensed their breaths and heartbeats away, Sasuke sighed to himself and rose from his cushion.
Sakura was fiddling with her pendant necklace infront of the mirror, as well with the multiple diamond necklace that Ino brought over for her to try on with the outfit. Her face flushed as she looked herself over in the mirror.
Her kimono was the main color of midnight black, with the designs of white cherry blossom trees on her mid-thigh length skirt and overly long sleeves at the end, and the tints of pink petals and flowers. At first, she was shocked that Ino had purchased something so pretty and out of Sakura's usual style, but she soon fell in love with it when Ino pretty much stripped Sakura of her clothes and force-dressed her. Once the hyperactive friend shoved Sakura infront of the mirror with the finished obi, she couldn't help but blush madly and beg Ino to finish the rest, which she did on command.
Ino's masterpiece with Sakura's hair was beautiful. The sides of her long, pink hair was pulled into waves and into a bun with chopsticks that were designed with vines and dangles of flowers. Her makeup was light on her eyelids of soft colors of seafoam-green and her natural eyeliner eyes made her emeralds stand out wonderfully of the whole outfit. Ino added a touch of blush, thinking that Sakura didn't need so much since her face went red everytime Ino commented on how sexy she was becoming... Only problem Sakura faced now was the jewelry choice Ino left her alone with, necklaces, bracelets and rings of various colors and designs.
But the one that note, Sakura kept holding the necklace that was wrapped around her neck as if it belonged there.
Looking at all the other jewelry, the ones that sparkled and looked in the generation's eye of fashion, how they sparkled and such... Sakura placed the diamond one back in the box Ino prepared for her choice and used her other finger to tap the ruby cherry blossom on the necklace she wore proudly, a little smile emerging on her lips as she looked ino the mirror.
'I like it...' Sakura smiled bigger as she arranged her kimono collar correctly. Tonight, unlike other nights of festivals, Sakura was going to feel as glamorous as Yamanaka Ino does everyday of her life!
She smiled sweetly, glancing to the clock to read that it was now eight, the time when the festival starts. Sakura assumed that Sasuke was waiting downstairs patiently, but she found Uchiha Sasuke standing at the doorframe, like he always seems to do whenever he finds her inside her bedroom.
Just looking at her.
"S-S..." Sakura swallowed rather nervously and looked away, flapping her kimono sleeves to ease the surprising nerve in her belly. She noticed that he wasn't wearing any traditional clothing of yukatas like Deidara and Sasori were, just that simple color black and dark jeans. "Sasuke-kun, you startled me!" She did her best to try and sound rather irritated by him then shy.
Sasuke didn't say anything, just allowing him to look Sakura's outfit up and down. Thoroughly, like he could see right through her thick layers of dress after dress. He noticed that she had the necklace on, which pleased him well enough, and the fact that the dress was too short for his liking. He didn't want boys ogling at her legs, or see Demons, if any pass through Ino and the group of patrollers, find her silky-looking limbs appeitizing; he would not have wandering eyes looking at her that way, since she was to be respected as a shrine maiden and his bride.
Feeling herself to be more open with him, Sakura looked down to her own outfit and shifted one weight to her leg. "What do you think...Sasuke-kun? Ino-chan said I had to look pretty tonight because it's still my birthday, in a way, for the villagers. You think it is too much?"
Sasuke blinked, but didn't meet her eyes when she glanced back up. His black eyes seemed to burn onto her body like lazer-eyes. "You look fine."
Sakura's shoulders went down a little. She had hoped that he would say something, well, a bit more; the way he was looking at her made her want to squirm like a child being tickled, the way he looked at her with those smoldering eyes of darkness brought her to feel that he could undress her instantly by staring hard enough.
She shivered.
"Tha-?"
"You look perfect." Sasuke looked away finally, his ears a little shade of pink against his pale skin. Sakura's eyes widened as she looked back up curiously. "You look much better then the other women I see get dressed up... They look overly disturbing."
"Oh...I see," Sakura dashed a smile of all glow and sweetness. "I'm so glad that you like it!"
Sasuke didn't respond and and turned around, making Sakura think that it was time to go and attend the festival -and Sasuke being done waiting for so long-. She nodded in agreement to Sasuke and instantly followed him out of her bedroom, sliding it shut and following him down the stairs.
Sakura followed Sasuke out of the shrine and found no one outside; making her think that, since they were demons, they left before them to get involved with the games and tests to win prizes. She smiled at the idea of Ino, Chiyo and Sasori being able to have these interesting powers of Demons: such as running fast. She stole a glance to Sasuke, examining him a little. She was curious of what Sasuke was able to perform that signified him as a Demon God. Sakura has not asked anyone about it...
"How are we getting to the festival?" Sakura asked softly as she hurried to be by his side instantly. She allowed her sleeves to hang, touching her exposed legs as her hands hung behind her back; she chosed to be more 'free' around Sasuke and treat him like an old friend. This was new to her, but she was going to do her best with him; to try and get closer.
"We will walk there."
Sakura smiled a bit bigger at how serious he sounded. She didn't think thoroughly for it, but she soon appreciated his oh-so-matured behavior as if he was a king of his own country. The way he stood tall and proud chin up made her heart flutter a little. Sakura also minded his hair and eye colors differently in a sweet way: how the hair was black silk, from remembering as she clung to the locks as she cried into his hair, and how his eyes seemed to take her to a whole new world where she can venture in the darkness without fear.
Haruno Sakura realized that he was hers'.
Swallowing her conscience refusal, Sakura unhooked one of her hands from playing with her obi and reached. Her sleeve hiding her hand underneath the cloth as she lightly grasped Sasuke's pinky and ring finger, startling Sasuke to halt in his tracks and stare her down with wide eyes. She couldn't help but blush shyly as she looked up.
"I had this dream." She inhaled, and exhaled. "I had a dream when I was a very little baby, and I would wake up in my crib, and start crying... You picked me up and rocked me." Sakura swayed her hips a little before meeting his face with a flushed smile. "I understand, Sasuke-kun, that you really did care for me, didn't you?"
Sasuke looked at her little hand childishly holding his, his heart pounding hard. He couldn't think that she could have remembered that far into her past; that she remembered him humming the lullaby and kissing her tiny head before laying her down back to sleep, how he would stand and watch the little infant sleeping like an angel. This was his angel. His only angel. His bride.
"I do care," he whispered lowly, emotionlessly. He felt her fingers grip a little bit tighter as he brought his other hand to gently rest on her wrist. "I have always cared for you, and I still do. Don't think that has changed over the years."
"Oh, I don't," Sakura said in a slight sly, making Sasuke smirk amusingly. She was given the chance to start walking, her hand still holding his fingers, and guided Sasuke through the stoned wall and followed the lights that led the way to the festival of spring.
.
.
.
The festival of Spring symbolizes the following good...
.
.
.
Rebirth, Starting Over, A New Beginning and so on.
.
.
.
It is also the time when creatures come together and express affection and adoration.
.
.
.
And, so I dare ask, what shall I be giving you and you to me?
=xxx=
AUTHOR'S ENDING NOTE- Why did I end it here? Because I have a big surprise for you lovely readers next chapter, and I don't want to ruin the mood that has settled into your bellies right now :D I say bellies because of that moment when you eat your favorite food and you feel so content and cuddly after a big meal?... I make no sense!
Sorry for the long wait, but life has gotten in the way. Remember that Kitty loves you all who care for this story- And holy poop! Over 200+ followers and favoriters?! I am so happy, that I could cry! -sobs- I really didn't think I'd get this much in my life! QwQ Special thanks to everyone!
Remember what Kitty loves: Reviewing, Following, Favoriting or doing nothing will make me fuzzbally! And I still have snow, so...bring the love! xD Byebye for now!