14. Girls Not Grey

Title: Girls Not Grey
Author: mitsuki0tennyo (Mitsukino Tennyo)
Fandom: Naruto
Pairing: SasuSaku (Uchiha Sasuke x Haruno Sakura)
Rating: T
Word Count: 1,066
Disclaimer: I don’t own Naruto.
Chapter Summary: It was nice for Sakura to have another girl on the team. She had missed that in Oto…someone who understood her. But no matter how soothing Karin’s presence was she was no Sasuke.

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Sakura didn’t watch as Karin opened the first of the two claps of the belts that secured the full-length, leather glove she now wore around her left arm. She hated the piece of clothing that covered a lasting souvenir from her little reunion with the new team Kakashi. The pinkette tried to ignore it as her teammate pulled down the glove and began unwrap the bandage underneath it. She didn’t want to see the damage of Naruto’s Rasengan… but she needed help dressing the wound. And she didn’t want any of the boys to see it, Sakura wasn’t a vain person but she had done her best to keep her body free of scars since Sasuke seemed to prefer her it like that.

Years ago she had seen the scar on Kabuto’s stomach, had felt the destroyed flesh were Naruto had hit her teacher before the skin transplant…how it didn’t heal even after two years had passed.

She ignored the redhead’s gasp of horror as the damage of the Yondaime Hokage’s technique was revealed. The pinkette however was surprised when Karin’s arm was thrust in front of her face. Shock shook the foundations of Sakura’s being, as the medic stared at the naked limb and the bite marks that covered almost every inch. It made her feel pathetic and slightly ashamed, her friend’s arms were covered with scars… with one disfigurement on her own the young Iryō-nin shouldn’t complain. Turning towards her teammate, surprised golden green orbs met determined crimson eyes accompanied by a single word.

“Bite.”

When she made no motion to move, the scarlet haired sensor continued gently. “It’s okay, Sakura. Just bite me, my chakra… it will speed up the healing progress.”

With a sigh of defeat, Sakura bit down on her teammate’s arm and began to suck out Karin’s chakra ignoring the redhead’s suddenly labored breaths as the redhead tried repress the throaty moans and groans for her benefit. She didn’t know how her friend could get aroused from something like this and Sakura was quite sure never wanted know either. Removing her teeth from the pale appendage, the pinkette stared at the permanent mark that was left on her friend’s skin. Steeling herself, Sakura’s gaze moved towards her injury, and she had to admit it defiantly looked better then before. To her greatest shock Sakura found herself pulled in a embrace… not counting physical abuse towards Suigetsu, Karin wasn’t the most touchy kind of person yet felt strangely comforting to be held like this. She could no longer stop her tears when the first ran down her, her mask shattering in safety of her teammate’s arms.

“He won’t hurt you again,” Karin murmured softly against her hair as she patted her back. “None of them will hurt us again. Sasuke-kun and the… our boys will see to that.” She didn’t how long she had cried in Karin’s arms. Even after she had no more tears left shed, Sakura stayed in the redhead’s embrace.

… oOo …

“I’ve always approved of Sasuke-kun’s believes and I have always been willing to sacrifice myself for the sake of his belives. But in my heart I never truly understood the path he chose, it might seem foolish to most but I only wished to walk that same path with him. But in order not to burden Sasuke-kun, I decided long ago to behave as a woman who would die for a ideal rather than a woman that would die for the man she loves.”

Sasuke listened as Sakura let her heart out to Karin, it had been hours since the girls had retreated to a private room for a healing session. He had come looking for them, and now here he was spying on them. The door hadn’t been properly shut, with the minimum amount of effort he had been able to slid slightly ajar. Enough so that he could hear as well as see them sitting on the bed. The two kunoichi were back to back, Karin sitting on the edge of the bed with Sakura leaning against the sensor as she stared at the celling. Pink and scarlet tresses intermingled, creating a vibrant, flowery mosaic of colors. It was strange that just two months ago Karin couldn’t stand being near Sakura, nor did the last Uchiha know when their relationship changed and their friendship begun, Sasuke had to admit that.

“When Setsuka is born Sasuke-kun will have other things to live for then revenge.” Sakura’s voices startled him out of his musings, as she continued talking. “May then he can find peace… and happiness again.”

“How far are you along?” Karin asked softly, the first thing he heard her say since he started eavesdropping on their conversation

“About four months, it will start to show soon. I know the women of my family rarely show before their fifth month. You know sometimes I wonder if I am fit to be a mother, the mother of a reborn Uchiha clan” Sakura replied softly in an almost melancholy manner, it disturbed Sasuke that she hadn’t shared her fears with him, did she think so slowly of herself in his company? After a moment of consideration the Uchiha made his decision and knocked once on the door before entering the room.

Karin noticed him first as the sensor looked up. Sasuke knew that one look his face was enough to make the Uzumaki girl leave. For a moment he wondered if the scarlet haired kunoichi knew he had been listening the entire but dismissed the thought, it didn’t matter, he just had to repair his relationship with his lover.

“I will leave you two alone…” Karin said as she stood up. Sasuke however was surprised when the redhead whispered something when she passed him. “Be gently with her.”

Sakura was now sprawled out the bed, facing him but not really seeing him. Her long pink hair was fanned out across one of the pillows and Sasuke noted that it framed her face and showed off her natural beauty. Sakura’s next words however caught him of guard and left him confused.

“He knows.”

“Who knows?” Sasuke asked softly as he sat down on the edge of the bed and ran one of his hands tenderly through her hair, smiling slightly when Sakura leaned in to his touch.

“Naruto. He knows the truth,” Sakura replied softly, crystalline orbs searching for something on his face. What he did not know. “about your clan. Kakashi-sensei knows too.”

Sasuke’s eyes narrowed, a shadow coming over his face as he lowered his head, Sharingan glowing ominously in the darkness. “How would they-” he stopped, as he realized the sole person who could have told them and would have any merit of it was… “Madara.” The man’s name came out as a uncharacteristic hiss. What the fuck was he planning? It was then he felt Sakura shaking, yet despite trembling her golden green eyes were focussed on him. She was scared, Sasuke realized as he noticed the pinkette fisted the blanket beneath her. It reminded him of his goal.

“It’s not your fault… thank you for telling me.” He spoke gently, running his thumb over lower lip. An action that was both sensual and calming for his lover as relaxed beneath him.

He stared at the full-length, leather glove on the floor before his gaze slide towards the bandaged part of her upper arm. Sasuke’s eyes darkened, his orbs bleeding crimson once more as his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan spun into existence as a result from his anger… his rage. Placing his fingers underneath the pinkette’s chin, the last Uchiha raised his lover’s head so he could look her in the eye. Wrathful feelings ran through his body and he knew Sakura could see the part of him that was a Avenger had already overtaken his being when he spoke. “I will make Naruto suffer. He will pay with his life for hurting you.” He promised darkly, stroking Sakura’s cheek with his fingers almost unconsciously, running his thumb across her face in a gently caress. A darkly arrogant smirk, almost cruel in it appearance graced the Uchiha’s otherwise emotionless face.

“Please…” Sakura whispered golden green eyes looking up at him as he was a god and she his lowly worshipper. It caused an oddly pleasant… almost exhilarating feeling to spread through his body. “Just love me.”

“I do.” Sasuke murmured softly against her lips, about to his her.

Sakura shook her head, despite the fact he knew she was pleased with his confession. “No tonight… just love me. Tonight just be Sasuke and I will be Sakura… let’s just forget the rest of the world for a night.”

“Sometimes… when I’m with you” Sasuke begun softly as he stared at her, slowly removing the collar around her neck. “I dream of the winter in my heart turning to spring.”

(13. Blood On My Hands      ←| Love Like Winter |→        15. Addicted)

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Author’s Note: This chapter takes place on the same day as chapter 12 after Sakura has changed in to her own clothes. You also learn the reason why her left arm is bandaged. Personally I find it ironic that she has been hurt and is healed my an Uzumaki. Only opposed to most stories Sakura has been wounded by Naruto and saved/healed by Karin while most fanfics it’s reversed.

Moreover like Chapter 8 this chapter also deals with Sakura’s insecurities (which I felt I did pay enough attention too lately) as she still isn’t sure of her place in Sasuke’s life. She especially fears being replaced and being no longer useful to Sasuke and his cause. On the other hand you guys might have realized by now these feelings are what cause Karin and Sakura to bond and ultimately result into the strong friendship between the girls.

This is a response on a question about the sleeping arrangements of the Taka, I have thought about it and it works like this Sakura either shares a room with Sasuke or Karin. In case of the latter Sasuke sleeps with the other boys, and the girls sleep on separate beds, futons, etc. The only time she shares a room with the other boys is when Suigetsu or Jūgo are badly hurt and need medical attention as well surveillance. Just to make clear that this fanfic does not include a team orgy.  Also I’m doing a little contest the first two readers who can tell me the name and artist of the (song) quote, get a drawing of a scene in LLW of their choice.