Chapter 19
Ain't seen nothing yet
"Ignoring direct orders and continuing pursuit, I swear you four are going to give me a damned heart attack with your bullshit." Tsunade slammed her hands down on the desk. Three flinched, but one pinkette stood with a smirk on her face. "What's got you so giddy! Wipe that smile off your face!" Tsunade screeched.
"Well, shishou, you should have specified in your rant, that we did in fact not disobey orders." She ran her fingers through her bangs pushing them back off her face. "You see this scroll says-"
"I know what the fucking scroll says!" Tsunade bit out. "And you know exactly what I meant!"
"Gaara's ready to review the treaty." Sakura pulled out her trump card.
Tsunade stopped; her hazel eyes met green orbs. "What?"
"Gaara wants to review the treaty agreement. I spoke to him before we left Suna. He's very impressed by your, ahem, quickness to send able troops." Sakura smiled wide crinkling her eyes. "Good call sending your best medic by the way, and three able ninjas plus a backup of anbu to handle the situation with ease."
"Well." Tsunade brought a hand to her chin. "I'll bet you think you've pulled the rug, haven't you?" She turned away from the nin standing in front of her desk. "I'll bet you think you've gotten away with robbery, haven't you?"
"No shishou, I'm just commenting on your skill with handling a difficult issue with ease."
Tsunade looked back to the four troublemakers. "I guess I can't outwardly punish you for disobedience. But I can give you some in village D ranks for the next month." Sakura winced.
"Yes shishou," She bowed. "That would be an appropriate response to this."
"I'm just glad you're all safe." She sighed. "Naruto, sasuke, you're on-academy duty. For the next two weeks you will be training the children in chakra control and combat."
Naruto huffed. "Baa Chan! Come on! The last time I had to do that they took advantage of me and used me like a pin cousin for their kunai training!"
"This time you'll have sasuke to back you." She glared at him. "No complaints." She turned to Sai. "And you will be helping with interrogation. Two weeks." Sai nodded.
"And Sakura, ah Sakura, my Sweet little ass kissing apprentice. I think paperwork and checkups for the chunin would suffice. Morning shifts, you know the drill." She waved her hand. "Send Itachi in on your way out."
"Hai. Thank you, ma'am." Sakura bowed. As she turned for the door, she looked back to her teammates. "Hot springs?"
Naruto's face lit up, "you're on Sakura Chan!"
He raced ahead as Sakura held the door.
"I guess our 'assignments' don't start until tomorrow anyways." Sasuke rubbed the back of his head following the orange blur.
"I guess your just excited to give Sakura Chan that facial." Sai said with a fake smile in place following behind.
Sakura sighed, smacking him upside the head. "Don't even start with that again." She looked out the door, stepping past the threshold and made a motion to Itachi who was leaning across the hall his anbu teammates lined up with him. "She will see you now." Sakura smiled at him.
Itachi walked forward, reaching his hand out to poke her forehead. "Hope the scolding wasn't too bad princess." He smirked.
She reached up to rub the spot his fingers made contact. "Not too bad, but we will have to cut training to the afternoons. If you're still willing that is." She eyed him. "Especially after we have that talk."
As Sakura, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sai walked into the hot springs, they each took off their sandals. Striding in Sakura raised her arms above her head popping her shoulders.
"Ah, finally some time to unwind." She let out a loud sigh. "This is exactly what we needed."
"You said it, Sakura!" Naruto laughed as they approached the desk. "I can't wait to soak in the hot springs and relax."
"Indeed." Sai said.
Sasuke smirked, glancing at Sakura. "A chance to unwind, maybe even get a drink or two." He handed over Ryo to the desk lady. "I'll pay for mine and the pretty captain here." She handed over two keys as naruto and Sai whipped out their wallets.
"Hai. Arigato sasuke kun." Sakura rolled her eyes.
"Who knows, maybe we can get some bonding in as well. Learn something new about each other. I say we play two truths and a lie." Naruto pouted.
"Sakura Chan! I hate that game." He grabbed his key. Sai swiped his as well.
"How do you play?" He turned to Sakura.
"It's simple. You tell two truths and a lie, it's up to everyone else to guess the lie." She side eyed sasuke, "we might even learn something new about each other."
"Like how naruto can't handle spicy ramen?" Sai said.
"Sakura Chan! I told you that in confidence!" Naruto groaned.
"And Sasuke, we might discover that you have a secret love for painting flowers." Sai pondered as they made it to the changing rooms.
"My lady." A woman bowed handing Sakura a robe and towel.
"Hai, and then I told Sai over a drink one night." Sakura laughed taking the items walking into the small closet.
Sasuke grumbled. "Please, Sai. I have better things to do than paint flowers."
As they all emerged in robes towels in hand, they walked down the hall to the hot springs and noticed that the tubs are all divided into three sections.
"Wait, it's three to a tub? Who wants to go with me?" Naruto smiled.
"I'll pass, Naruto. I prefer some solitude." Sai gave a smile. "You three can take that tub." He motioned.
Sasuke looked to Sakura. "Or, Sakura, if you want you and I can share this tub, that is if you care to join me? So, we can split into twos." He had a bit of a blush on his cheeks.
Sakura eyed the tubs, hesitating for a moment. "Well, I suppose that's fine. Then we can still play our game and hear each other." Sasuke's face lit up.
"Great, let's go then!" He chuckled and dropped the robe. Towel wrapped around his midsection.
As they separated into their respective tubs, Sakura and Sai exchanged knowing looks.
"Looks like Sasuke is still holding on to that crush." Sai motioned to her as he dropped his robe onto the bench.
Sakura sighed. "I wish he'd understand that I see him as a teammate and friend, not as anything more. I thought I got that across during the mission."
"Perhaps one day he'll realize that. Until then, we'll just have to keep teasing him." Sai gave her a wicked smile.
Sakura smirked mischievously. "Oh, definitely. It's only fair, after all the times he's ignored my advances."
Back at the tubs, sasuke's expression drops a bit, slightly crestfallen at all the steam. The tubs were decently sized.
Sakura dipped a toe, testing the temperature. "Wow, it's perfect." She smiled "Alright, someone put in a drink order." A woman came by with a note pad. "And no green tea this time sasuke, you're having a proper drink."
"Fine. I'll take a whiskey neat." He said setting down on the rock bench under the water.
"Hard liquor it is, bring the bottle and two cups please." Sakura smiled. Settling down under the water.
Sakura sighed.
As the other two put in their order and made there way to the edge next to Sakura and sasuke's tub.
"Who goes first?" Naruto smiled. "I say Sakura Chan!"
Sai looked over to the pinkette. "Seems fair."
Sakura put a finger to her lip. "Fine, ok. But if you guess wrong you have to drink!" She grinned.
"Seems like a good time Sakura Chan!" Naruto exclaimed.
"Fine." Sasuke huffed, as the drink order was passed around. He poured two glasses and handed on to Sakura.
"Ok ok, then I'll start. Hm… ok got it, I love the color green, I've never drank vodka, and I have a crush on someone."
"Well, it's Sakura Chan, so I'm guessing the crush thing is a lie." Naruto piped up.
"You don't have a crush." Sai said. Then put a finger to his lips. "Maybe?"
"I think the color green. I've never seen you wear it." Sasuke pondered.
"Y'all are wrong. I've drank vodka. Now down your cups." She motioned to the three boys.
"Wait Sakura Chan! Who's your crush!" Naruto complained.
"Just drink You dope."
Sasuke blushed deeper. This had to be his chance. The way she had been avoiding him, playing hard to get. He downed his cup and poured more. Then he moved closer.
"My turn?" He breathed into her hair.
She pushed him away. "Gross," she laughed. "Whiskey breath!" She put room between them. "Hai. It's your turn."
He scowled. "I love the color pink, I have a thing for a girl, and I've defeated Itachi."
Sakura groaned. "You defiantly haven't defeated Itachi."
Sasuke scowled harder. "And the other two?"
"Not. Going. To. Happen." The other two boys looked at each other.
"Obviously not Itachi. So what does he drink?" Sai said.
"Hai. Drink again sasuke."
"No one's going to address that I've just basically asked Sakura out?"
"That's not asking someone out, teme, and with her answer, you've just been rejected." Naruto deadpanned.
"Whatever. This game is stupid." Sasuke drank.
After finishing a two-hour game, with two extremally drunk teammates, a tipsy Sai and one buzzed med-nin. The four exited the building.
"You all sure you can make it home?" Sakura eyed the three balancing themselves on each other. Sasuke looked at Sakura.
"I don't know where I live…" he groaned, slipping from their hold.
"Aye, teme, your…" naruto looked around. "This way!" Naruto turned left.
"Wrong." Sakura laughed. "Sai, you look better off, can you get naruto home?"
"Hai. Taichou." Sai holstered naruto up.
"Ok, then I'll take this drunkard." She picked sasuke up and put him over her shoulder. "You can put him on his couch, but make sure he's on his side."
"Hai." Sai said and took naruto under his arm. Gotcha. See you tomorrow blossom." He waved as they parted.
"Sakura…who are you crushing-" sasuke hiccupped. "Who do you-" he hiccupped again. "Who you like?" He finally made out as she walked him down the dark streets.
"I thought it was obvious." She said, readjusting his weight. "I like itachi."
Sasuke groaned. "Why…why him?" He grumbled.
"I don't really know myself…he's just… I don't know. Sweet, alluring, he has this air about him."
"Then why'd you beat me up-" he hiccupped, then started to heave.
"If you throw up on me sasuke, I'll make you eat your pants." She threatened, leaning him down. "Here." She pulsed some med jutsu through him. "That should help."
"My my my." She heard, "What so we have here? Had a bit too much to drink?" Shisui's chuckling voice rang out.
"Kaa-Chans going to be very upset with you. Otouto San." Itachi's voice caressed Sakura's ear.
She smiled still rubbing sasuke's back. "Hai, Gomen. He can't handle his whiskey very well."
"That he cannot. His tolerance is very low. Shisui. If you would?" Sakura felt shisui come up beside her and lift sasuke.
"Of course." He said walking off with him. Sakura stood.
"Thank you shisui!" She called after him, as an arm came around her midsection. She blushed. Turning in his embrace. "Excuse me, itachi. If you would." She pushed away from him, he held tighter.
"First, Sakura, I need you to tell me, what was it you and my brother were talking about when i walked up?" He purred into her ear.
"Well-you see-itachi please." She pushed back again, giving herself some room. "I believe that was a private conversation." She looked into his eyes.
"A private conversation spoken very loudly on a public road. I'm well aware you knew i was there." And she did. She had felt him the moment the words left her mouth.
"I did." She agreed. "And I'm positive you heard me."
"Say it again." He leaned his forehead to hers.
"I…I like you." She breathed, her eyes focusing in on his lips.
"Once more." He didn't lean closer, just focused on her face.
"I…" she closed the distance. Meeting his lips with hers. Soft, warm. Tingles ran through her body. Electricity hummed in her veins. She pulled back, "i like you." She met him again lifting her arms to meet around his neck. Kissing him deeper, her tongue met his lips, as he pulled back.
"I don't want to take this too far." He breathed.
"You aren't. I want this." She met him again. Tongue meeting this time. The heat that blossomed between them was like fire, no stop. She burned for him. Her hands knotted in his low ponytail, feelings of triumph knowing she was the first to touch him like so.
Then regret knowing she was tainted.
She pulled back.
"What?" He groaned into her neck then he kissed her collarbone.
"Its just-its just. I'm not…I'm not, well…" she bit her lip. "You know what happened to me. You know I'm not pure."
"And I don't care." His lips met hers again, fiercely. He backed her to the wall, lifting her up as her legs coiled around his stomach. She could taste their combined breath, feel his heart beating, or was it hers? Thrumming fast and beating hard. Her arms around his neck felt his warm skin, his tongue twisting soft and dancing against hers. He pulled back a moment, taking in her flushed skin.
"Itachi, your sharingan." She huffed looking into his red irises.
He blinked. Absorbing the image. "I want to remember this moment." He said, one hand coming up to her cheek, pushing back her bangs. Tracing her jaw. "The moment you gave in."
"Gave into what?" She sighed leaning her face into his touch.
"This." He kissed her gingerly again. "Let me feel your heat." He kissed her cheek. "However. I don't want to take this too far, princess." He pulled back, gently setting her on her feet. "Not until your sober, sober and sure."
She readjusted her clothing. "Hai. That's smart."
"Also, there was a promise of a conversation." He held his arm out to her. "Shall I walk you home?"
"Arigato, sir." She giggled. "Yes, there is a conversation. Now that I've come to my senses." They started in the direction of her apartment.
Sakura stood in her kitchen, hand on the kettle as it started to scream. She picked it up and turned the stove off, turning to the tea pot as she did. she eyed itachi, who was looking over her texts on the coffee table. thumbing through a few she knew was on cardiology and clinical examination. she was sure there was a text on record keeping over there too. she grabbed the two teacups from the top shelf and poured the liquid before walking over and joining him on the couch.
"Anything interesting?" she handed him his cup.
"Not as interesting as this conversation." he said, meeting her eyes.
Sakura smiled softly. "Well, the thing is, and I know not to take what he says to heart at this point. however, the sharingan technique you've been using on me. can you change the memories with it?"
Itachi set his cup on the coffee table.
"Yes, it can." he said meeting her green orbs. "The sharingan is indeed capable of altering memories, Sakura. But I haven't been using it for that purpose. Usually, you can see where I alter them, almost like a seam. Like a bad sewing job on your favorite kimono. it doesn't line up."
Sakura thought for a moment, looking back on the memories. nothing felt off, it all played out the way she remembered it, no 'seams' as he had said. "Hai, I see." she looked back to him, he was looking her up and down. "But how do I know your telling me the truth?"
he reached out to her his hand caressing her face. "I wouldn't lie about this Sakura." He leaned into her, meeting her forehead with his lips. "Was that all that troubled you? if so, I ask that you trust me."
"Just to get this straight," she stood setting her cup next to his and sat on his lap. "You mean to say, you're not altering my memories?"
Itachi shook his head gently, a small smile tugging at his lips. his arms went around her midsection as she leaned against his chest. "No, Sakura. I respect your memories and experiences too much to manipulate them. My intention is simply to assist you in understanding them better, to help you find clarity and healing."
Sakura's face turned up to his, her smile wide and true as she nestled into him. She reached out and took Itachi's hand in hers. playing with his calloused fingers. intermingling them, studying them. "Itachi, I trust you. I trust that you have my best interests at heart. If you say you're just helping me, then I believe you." She met his eyes again.
"Thank you, princess. Your trust means more to me than you'll ever know."
Sakura leaned forward, closing the distance between them. She placed a gentle kiss on his lips, a silent ghost of their earlier heat. They sat like that for awhile, until itachi heard her gentle breathing deepen, a slight snore. Chuckling he picked her up, walking her into her bedroom. Keeping the lights off he pulled back the sheets, and deposited her beneath them, pulling the covers up to her shoulders. then leaned down on his haunches, arms crossed in front of him he laid his chin on them. admiring her as she slept peacefully.
"I hope you will feel the same when it all comes to a head, princess." he breathed. "I hope you will forgive me for all my past transgressions, Sakura." he kissed her forehead. "I love you."
AN: hey y'all, il going to be fixing grammar mistakes in old chapters soon. I got a cool new writing app on my laptop that also works on my phone. Its going to make this flow a lot better hopefully. Almost like I have a Beta going through and fixing all the fuck ups from text to talk. NICEEEEEEEE.
as always, a love note for all my peeps.
-ViewlessTea0