How does this one feel? Is it a lot better? I'm re-editing some of these chapter's to make them better. Sorry if it seems like I never update. It's hard for me. I know it's frustrating. I can't give you guys excuses, because you don't want to hear them. But I do my best. I've had three funerals, writers block, writer's camp. And miles of obstacles for the eye to see. I'm sorry.

…...

"Shit! Sakura cursed.

She seemed to be doing a lot of that lately.

Sasuke's chakra gained on her. Leave it to her to pick a fight with an Uchiha. It was times like these where Sakura would contradict the concept of common sense: being proof of its utter rarity. She was tiring. Her chakra dwindled. Such is what one expects after a dust up with Sasuke Uchiha. She gave herself a bursting launch with chakra infused legs trying to broaden the distance between the two. Silly, when you think about it. He was lightening in body. Funny how pieces of knowledge so final never stop people from doing futile things. She landed in a clearing, building ruins coating the ground for miles. A lost town, cleverly ironic enough for Sakura to be history in.

Good enough as any grave could be.

"Running away?" A dark voice observed. It gave no hints of interest.

Typical.

"Why bother coming for me when you're only going to flee?" Sasuke said flatly. He had a point…Bastard.

"Ya know, I'm really tired of your superiority complex." Sakura growled. She faced him as he slid from the shadow of the tree line. Her teeth clamped.

"Stubborn and foolish. You don't know when to give up, Sakura. Some things will never change." He taunted her. Stoic types seemed to understand the balance of tolerance in a person, and how to annihilate it.

"I just don't like giving up. There's a difference, you self righteous prick." She hissed.

"Your funeral."

He was behind her before she could breathe. Sakura spun around and avoided his katana. She felt a slice along her cheek before she could dodge again. A ribbon of crimson slowly slid along a silver blade. With a burst of fading chakra she forced herself away from him. He came at her again. Not letting her regain her balance. Each time he struck she had to put her focus into staying on her feet and avoiding his blows. Her only hope was a damn good defense. There was no offense she could hinder Uchiha Sasuke with. No punch that would connect. No ninjutsu he couldn't avoid; genjutsu he couldn't see through. She dodged and ducked, then turned on her heals and flipped to miss a lower attack. Sakura distanced herself fifteen feet from the raven beauty and crouched panting. Her legs quivered with strain.

But oh how she hated to lose.

"Iwanna break your pretty boy face!" She spat.

"If I make you so angry, why do you and Naruto bother these senseless pursuits? I'm not coming back. One weak little girl isn't going to change that. Go back to Konoha." He advised. His sharringan spun. It seemed to second his motion.

Crimes of passion: a crime that is motivated by an extreme emotion. Sakura felt like committing one of those right about now.

"Because you're important to him, you emotionally-deficient block of dickhead. And no matter how much I would love to beat you six ways to Sunday, Naruto needs you." Sakura said as though talking to a mentally handicapped individual.

"You're wasting your time." He informed her.

"Who knows. Maybe one day you'll pull your head out of our ass and realize that what really matters in life are the people you care about. Maybe. Statistically it could happen. But then again, either way I would love to throttle you for all the agony you put Naruto through. Do you know that Kakashi blames himself for your betrayal? He thinks if he had been a better mentor that you wouldn't have defected . Do you know what it's like to be left on a cold bench in the middle of the night? After all you got for trying to tell someone you cared was a unconventional thank you and then hit in the back of the head? Of course you do. How couldn't you? After all the committer all these crimes is yourself. Don't give me your excuses. I don't want reasons. You use and use, and one day there will be no one left for you to abandon."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed.

But she wasn't done with him yet.

"You've betrayed your family, abandoned your home, used for power, and excepted darkness as your way of life. Don't you see it? Haven't you realized, Sasuke-kun?"

How many times had she spoken that name in fondness? It hang off of her tongue queerly. As though it was sin to speak it with familiar acknowledgement. How many times had she doted for the broken man in front of her? Long lashes hooded emerald eyes as the memories flooded her mind. How many times did she yearn for him to smile? The past melded into her present. Too many.

"Noticed what?" He said growing impatient, or perhaps curious. She could never tell anymore. Her eyes opened. She smiled at him. The silence cut into her.

"You are Itachi."

…

…

…

At first the world stopped. His mouth opened, his dark eyes widened in a manner that unnerved her. She had never seen him look surprised before. Not in such a horrified way. She let herself ponder this newly discovered power over him. But it was short lived. The sea is always calmest before the storm. Sasuke's ice broke. His face contorted in rage. She could have laughed. Sakura's mouth had lead her to another predicament now. If he had any thoughts about not killing her they were certainly wiped away now. Sakura had compared him to the one person he hated most. The man responsible for all his agony, and all of his lonely. Something he could never forgive. That mouth of hers would be the end of her sooner or later, it appeared sooner. Sakura watched him as he relished in the thought of her blood. But of course apart of her, albeit illogical, was patting herself on the back. She had pissed him off and it gave her a slight high in knowing she at least had a minor dig that put a dent in his overly high ego. Sakura grinned at him. Her pearly white teeth glistened in the sun.

"Does it hurt Sasuke-kun?"

If she was going to die, she might as well go out in a bang.

"It does…doesn't it?" She continued. Green eyes alight with everything. Betrayal, anger, malicious enjoyment. Regret. She could begin to laugh she felt so twisted. And so she dies by her once love's hand. If you wrote her life in a book, she'd bet know one would have believed it.

There was a silence as murderous intent rolled from the pale boy in front of Sakura.

"…You and your pathetic ideas about revenge and solitude…you hate and blame everyone in the world except yourself. I never thought lower of you for wanting revenge, but you sunk beyond my reach when you betrayed me for it. Drink it in, darling, you are exactly what you hate."

That was it. Snap. What ever self control Sasuke had was lost. In his rage his sharringan whirled out of control. It spun like a child's windmill, and twice as captivating. Green eyes stared almost softly at his red burning anger. She had got it out. It felt good and yet made her feel horrid all at once. They say that love is fatal, you should never be able to get over it, if you can, then it wasn't love. So what was this? What was their broken-beyond-repair relationship? Or absence of one? She stared at a corrupted man, an old infatuation, a brother, a friend. A things so dominant and profound in her life, whether she hated it or loved it. Felt nothing or everything toward it. A constant presence, even in its absence.

'No matter what…" She smiled a little at him, soft and shy. Like a new acquaintance, and yet his oldest friend.

'I'll never forget the good boy you were. That tormented dark little angel, so cocky and wise. So breakable. No mater how dead you are now, Sasuke, you were always my gravity. I hope you see a better fate than me. I hope that little boy wakes up again. I hope you and Naruto aren't to shattered to be so close again. And I hope you someday, you find it in yourself to forgive me. For everything.'

Dimensions of time were ripped open. Sakura tried to miss one that ripped right in front her but her footing was lost. She felt her weight go back wards and she turned her face just in time to see another portal open up exactly where she was falling.

"Ah!" She gasped as her footing was lost and she was pulled down into the portal.

It was too late. She couldn't stop her self and she went straight into the rip. Before she was fully in, she managed a soft murmur of

"Sasuke..."

She swore she could hear a faint whimper of heartbreaking loneliness. But she wasn't sure whom of the two it belonged to.

And then all there was, was blackness. The kind that engulfs you until you can't remember who you are anymore.

…...

"Guys, look! I think she's dead!" A worried voice said loudly.

Sakura groaned. Her body was in pain, bone-chilling agony. Everywhere.

"Naruto… shut up…" Was all she could moan with a cracking voice in her disoriented state.

"Who's Naruto?" It asked, but it wasn't directed at her.

"That isn't important, now move! She needs medical attention!" Said a young female voice.

"I can take care if myself…leave me alone…" She grumbled then hissed in pain and rolled over so her back was to the voices. If this was a dream, her subconscious was a masochist bitch.

Sakura had yet to open her eyes. She wanted to sleep. Anything but the head ache and the muscle quacking. She was distantly aware her body was in shock.

"Miss! You need medical aid. Please." The female voice begged her compliancy.

"I am a medic!" Sakura venomously hissed to the girl. Sakura's famous temper began rearing its ugly head.

"Well then why didn't you heal yourself?" the obnoxious voice asked with an incredulous tone. It's pitch sent a wave of pain through her brain. She hadn't felt like this since the last time she got tanked with Tsunade. Damn near lived by the toilet for two days.

"You're annoying…shut the hell up." It was all she could bite out. Her hands trembled. She tried pinning them to her chest, but her arms trembled along with their companions.

"What'd you say?" It yelled offended.

"Obito, don't be obnox-who's that?" Came a voice that was strangely familiar.

It was a young voice. Boyish, yet it held a sophistication to it. Though it vaguely interested her at the moment.

"Would you brats please go away?" Sakura grinded out. The quivering continued. Her skin felt tight, and her nose scrunched in a mockery of emotions.

"Who are you calling a brat?" The 'Obito' protested.

"You, had you been paying any attention…" She groaned in a mixture of pain and annoyance.

"You talk a lot for someone half dead!" It squealed at her.

The other children seemed to ignore the boisterous one.

"Please, Miss… You need medical aid. Your tapped out on chakra, aren't you? I'll heal you and take you to the Konoha hospital…you might die if we don't…you've lost a lot of blood and-" The girl tried to reason. She just wanted to sleep. She could barely remember what happened, let alone hold chit-chat with some over helpful brats who needed to keep their noses in their own business. She felt cold hands touch her shoulder as to turn her on her back. Sakura's skin felt even more tight to the sensation.

"She's running a fever. Obito! Get sensei!"

Oh no. Oh hell no. The last thing she needed was parade.

"All right! That's it!" Sakura yelled. Her eyes snapping open. Konoha's little cherry-blossom found her self ready for a freeze over.

Sakura jerked her body into a sitting position ignoring her immediate pain and glared at the three children.

"What the fuck is your all's problem? Cant someone rest in some God damn peace and quiet! I am tired, bloody, angry as hell, and if you don't leave me the fuck alone right now I am going to beat the shit out of all of you! God! What's your fucking…" Sakura trailed off as she looked at the silver haired boy wearing a mask in thought. He starred at her alarmed. Like he was ready to make a run for it, her temper rattling him.

"…Kakashi-sensei…?" Was all she could mumble confused. The silver-haired child's face then contorted into confusion.

"Do you know her, Kakashi-kun?" Asked the young girl.

"No." he said, eying her skeptically. All he saw was a beaten and battered pink haired young woman with a Konoha headband.

Sakura's brow furrowed. Why did Kakashi look like a little boy?

Unpleasant things seem to always dawn on it's victim with equal unpleasance. A flash of Sasuke hit her. Of the yelling, and the running. Of his anger and surprise. And then falling into the portal.

…Oh…

...fuck.

In such situations, panicking is never advised. However, it is what comes most naturally.

"Oh god! This is bad! This is fucking bad!" She said breathily. Her body shook with a double whammy of physical and emotional fatigue. The scene before her was hit with the pause button, and her mind overloaded her with worst-case scenarios that were threatening realities.

"What's the hold up…guys…" A cheery voice trailed off from behind her when it's speaker saw Sakura.

It was a sly and low but not a baritone voice. It sounded pleasant but its speaker obviously saw Sakura and had become confused. Sakura didn't look up from Kakashi.

"Oh shit! Oh shit! That bastard! This is un-fucking-believable!" She yelled to her self while running a hand through her pink hair. Her body still quivered. Her stomach churned. Her breath came out in panicked gasps.

"Kakashi-kun, she really seems to know you…" the girl said again.

"I've never seen her before in my life…" the lean boy persisted.

The young ninja team stared and Sakura as she cured, then cringed, then raved, then whimpered, only to repeat the process.

"Son of a bitch! How the fuck did this happen?" Sakura said trying to get on her feet. She was cut off by a spasm of pain.

"Fuck!…ngh…" She collapsed holding her side.

"Are you okay?" The girl asked alarmed. Rising in her haunches.

"No." Sakura jabbed at her damaged side.

"I broke two ribs I think…and I got stabbed somewhere…maybe…" She poked an area and groaned.

"Oh yeah, defiantly there…" She breathed.

"This is fucking perfect!" She whispered frustrated.

"Language! Language! I am going to get you a cussing jar. That's about the hundredth time you've cursed. It isn't lady-like." Obito teased.

The kind of things you get your ass beat for saying.

"Fuck lady-like! This is some serious shit here!" She panicked while pushing green chakra to her hand and she began healing here stab wound.

She flinched. Her chakra was unsteady and as rickety as her damaged body.

"Who are you, miss?" The older male voice asked.

"None of your god damn business…" She said wincing from her pain. She just needed to be alone. Screw common courtesy.

"As a matter of fact, it is my business. You have a Konoha head band around your neck, if I am not mistaken." The honey voice said again.

"It doesn't matter if I tell you who I am. Your file won't find anything on me." She sneered before she let out a strangled cry of pain.

Sakura wasn't in the mood to play around with these people.

"And why is that exactly?" Kakashi asked, eyes narrowed.

"Well…technically….I haven't been born for more than a decade yet." She almost chuckled while forcing more chakra in herself. The chances of them believing any of this were slim to none. But what was the point in lying.

"…Did I hear that wrong?" The Obito asked suddenly weary. She probably should lie. Lest she get herself locked in a Looney bin. But that would involve formulating a consistent story and she just didn't have time for that.

"What's wrong? Got the I.Q of a lampshade? I said it pretty clearly." She grumbled.

"Don't get smart, you're the one spewing crazy-talk over there! Sensei, let's get the straight jacket!" Obito protested, high strung.

Sakura laughed.

"Oh kid, even in my state you wont even touch me with that. Besides what part of, 'not from this time' do you not get? I was put here by jutsu. No psychiatric help needed." Sakura drawled annoyed. The charka kept slipping and fading. It stream choppy, like milking a dry utter. Her vision felt like it was pulsating.

"Well, how'd you get 'here' then?" The boy asked. He wasn't buying it.

She adjusted on her elbow trying to force more chakra in. Her supply was fading fast, she began feeling a slight ringing in her ears from the depletion.

"Sharringan… portal…fell in." She said between clenched teeth.

"Sharringan?" The three children said startled.

"Than you were fighting the Uchiha clan, and that makes you a Konoha enemy!" Obito said launching to his feet and producing a kunai. He adjusted goggles to his face and look determined.

"I haven't got time for this bullshit!" The bluntness of her shout startled all three children. The man behind her remain unspoken and tense.

"You know nothing of my situation, understand nothing of being a ninja, and could not even possibly begin to have the depth of experience and knowledge of what it's like to have teammates go rogue, so do me a favor will you? Shut the fuck up, and leave me alone!" Her anger swelled with thorough exhaustion. So mixed inside, so churned. So…disoriented. To be high on pain is the longest lasting high you will ever know.

The children sent nervous looks to each other, then looked to their sensei for guidance.

The man said nothing. Her chakra gave and she bent forward and coughed up some blood. Obito lowered his kunai slowly before giving a glance to the person behind her who she had honestly ignored.

"Dammit, at this rate my rib will puncture a vital organ…" She whispered under her breath.

The girl beside put a hand on Sakura's stomach and Sakura's hand grabbed the girls wrist. The child jumped in surprise, but didn't try to free herself from Sakura's ice pale hand.

"I don't like freaking surprises…" Sakura warned. She had enough for one day.

"Well to bad! If you puncture a lung, you're going to drown in your own blood." The girl reprimanded her, her professional side kicking in.

"God, you sound like my freaking mother…" Sakura said letting the girls hand go.

The brunette girl ignored her tactlessness.

"Try to lay back down…" The girl urged, eyebrows furrowed.

"I know, I know…" Sakura hissed. She knew what to do dammit. When she felt the bruised skin move across the broken bone, it almost undid her. Fuck slow and torturous.

"Oh screw it…" She mumbled then let her arms go limp, making her torso crash to the ground.

Sakura withered for a moment. Teeth gritted. Hands clenched. Eyes shut tight.

"What are you doing! Are you insane? The girl screeched.

"Sane? No. Effective? yes." Sakura said with a pained grinned. A chuckle came from the children's Sensei and her eyes slowly opened to see the man she had ignored looking down at her.

Sakura squinted because the sun was directly above him. He was striking. His vibrant spiky blonde hair shimmered in the yellow sun and crystal oceanic eyes traveled across Sakura, while long, black, and full eyelashes gave his eyes an electric appearance. His arms were crossed and his head band contrasted to the color of his hair. His set jaw was relaxed and his stance showed that he didn't see her as a threat any longer. His tanned skin glittered and his eyes danced with slight humor and wonder. There was something else in those depths but Sakura didn't catch it as he was momentarily forgotten when the young girl began to push chakra into Sakura's torso. After removing her top and leaving her chest wrap. (You know, that thing she wears under it with one strap? Yeah, that.) Sakura shivered in pain and her eyes shot to the girl. It hurt to much to be angry.

"Ow…" She drawled slowly between clamped jaws.

"I apologize, I'm not fully experienced in soothing the pain of healing…" The girl murmured.

"I can feel that…" She mumbled and winced again.

"So you got hurt fighting a missing-nin with sharringan?" The male asked.

"Ow, yeah, ow." Sakura bit out. It was slurred yet quick in her breath.

"And you are from how far from the future?" His voice drawled. She swore he was mocking her.

It had an almost liquid slyness to it. Tricky little bastard.

Sakura sighed. It didn't matter anymore.

"More than a decade maybe…if Kakashi-sensei is about thirteen now…yeah about a few years past a decade. Eighteen years?" She flinched and grumbled. The girl was trying to be gentle. Trying. But sometimes you have to do, not try.

"And you know me how?" Kakashi asked, a lack of amusement on his face.

Sakura grinned at him.

"Nice to see you too…Sensei."

"What?" All thee hollered.

The stunning blonde eyes widened. Sakura flinched from the sound.

"Damn! I said sensei. I didn't know you were so slow as a kid, Kakashi-sensei." She said before the girl accidentally forced chakra to hard into her rib.

There was sickening crack.

"Mother of! Sister Mary Jesus Christ! Dammit! What the hell have you done?" She screeched grabbing onto a tree trunk beside her and taking her anger out on it.

It broke and the tree fell, there was a silence as the four stared at her in shock…well, except Sakura's yelling profanities.

"Holy fucking Kami! I thought I said I hated surprises! Son of a bitch, that hurt! Great, now three ribs are broken! Will you please just let me die? What's your name?" Sakura was on a warpath.

"I'm so sorry! It's …it's Rin…" The girl was embarrassed.

"Note to self: Kick Rin's ass. God! If I make it out of this, I will be teaching you how to properly do these things. Fuck me!" Sakura hissed.

"Oh you better not touch her!" Obito yelled.

"Oh shut up! She broke my third rib and it hurts like a fucking bitch! Damn this to hell! Once I can walk- no crawl- I am going to…going to…" Sakura paused angrily.

The audience waited for her declaration.

"…Shit…my apartment hasn't been built yet…"

She rolled agonixingly on her side with her back again to the three teenagers.

She couldn't escape the blonde but he was being relatively quiet so she guessed he could stay there.

"Miss, I didn't finish stabilizing you…" Rin said worriedly.

"Don't call me miss…" She growled.

"Alright…but your ribs-" Sakura cut her off.

"I'm fine. I have been in more dangerous situations and in worse conditions before… though none come to mind right now. Don't you have a mission to do or something?" Sakura felt herself slipping from consciousness. The darkness was coming for her again.

She was alert but in pain and she wanted to rest. Why couldn't Sasuke have just killed her? Leave it to him to ruin her perfectly noble death. It had been some profound shit. Bastard.

"We cant leave you…you're hurt…" Rin protested.

"I can take care of myself. Always have before. I don't need a baby-sitter, especially not a group of whiny little brats. But thanks for coming out." If Sakura could have anything at the moment, it would be Sasuke's head on a platter. And maybe a Big Mac.

"I'm afraid not…" the golden glory told her.

"Excuse me?" She turned her head and peered up at him. Her eyes set in stubborn -what-the-fuck-did-you-just-say-to-me?

He gave her a grin. It was a wide smile, with sparkling white teeth, and oddly sharp canines. He had dimples, and he squinted as he gave her his look of cheeky delight. It was all to familiar.

"Naruto?" She almost asked him. It was practically inaudible.

"I'm sorry, what?" He asked innocently.

"No. Never mind." She mumbled. Her head turning back.

"Very well, however, I am not going to leave a Konoha ninja-from this time or not- lay on a forest floor with a battered body all alone. I'm sure you wouldn't either, so like it or not…you're coming with me." He said squatting down and smiling again.

Sakura stared at him silently, taking in his beautiful features, her eyes narrowed.

"Mind your own business." She said cuttingly.

He let out a small laugh. Unfazed.

"Oh, I'm afraid I can't. Don't worry though, I'm sure I'll grow on you." He promised.

"It'd take a God damn miracle." She growled frowning. Today was not the day to mess with her.

He grinned. Boyish and charming. All golden and honey.

"There's no point in arguing with this, is there?" She said knowingly: dejectedly.

"Nope. So grin and bear it." He told her smiling.

Sakura huffed.

"Alright Blondie," he rolled his eyes playfully at her nickname.

"But don't think I owe you. As far as I'm concerned, you can walk of a God damn ledge." She hissed.

"That's lovely. What a people person you are!" He laughed playfully.

"When I can fully move again, I am kicking your ass. You stuck your nose in the wrong kunoichi's business, glammer-boy ." She seethed.

He seemed like an amusing target for her misdirected rage. No one dished out a good ass beating like a pissed off Sakura Haruno. No one.

"Threat accepted. Now let me get you there, pretty little blossom." He returned the nickname favor, she snorted.

He picked her up bridal style and she cried out in pain. The muscles contracted around broken and bruised ribs, muscles angrily protested, joints and ligaments constrained in revenge. The golden man whispered a quiet apology, and tried to handle her more gently. He wrapped his arm around her torso so she would remain still enough to minimize the chance of a punctured organ. She fidgeted a little. Sakura sent him a glare.

"Please, my ego. I don't want to feel like a little helpless china doll. A little pain never killed anyone…in theory." She pouted.

He laughed. It was rich a cheerful: like the sunlight.

"A little shame never killed any one…in theory." He wittily retorted.

She stuck her tongue out at him.

"Kakashi, Rin, Obito, go to the Hokage and inform him of everything. I'll take the flower petal here to a hospital." He instructed.

"Hai Sensei!" They said before they took off in blurs.

Sakura smacked his arm when he called her a flower petal then gave a cry of ache.

"You are a jerk…" She said while grinding her teeth and fidgeting.

He grinned at her. His pearly teeth sparkled like porcelain.

He began to walk with a confidant pace, yet not harsh and abrasive to cause her pain.

"At your service, sweetheart." He teased.

"Your service is quite forceful and unwanted." She said while letting her full and red lower lip stick out.

"Well, it could be worse, at least I don't curse between every word. You've quite the dirty-mouth." He taunted back lightheartedly. His lips twitched around the word 'dirty.' A private joke to himself, which she decided she didn't want to know.

"You heard that…huh?" Sakura said a little embarrassed.

"Me and every citizen of Konoha. Although, I'm not sure they got it over in Mist." He mused chuckling.

When he laughed Sakura felt his muscles ripple against her. Now that she was close she could catch his scent as well. Like warm honey and masculine spice. Sakura sighed for a minute. He looked down at her curiously.

"I cuss a lot when I'm angry or in pain. It's worse when it's both." She admitted.

"Trust me, I heard." He told her.

"Well, if you had just let me be, than maybe your cute little students would have been spared my vulgarity. You allowed me to corrupt them. What a degenerate man." She prodded.

"Yes, absolutely shameless. I'm a fool in the hands of a damsel in distress.." He baited her.

"Damsel in dis-? I'm not weak. Fuck you!" She hissed viciously while aiming a fist for his face. She was caught short when the agonizing pain seared through her. She felt one of his hands take her wrist almost gingerly. His warm skin made Sakura feel the need to go red but she somehow she managed just to growl at him.

"That wasn't very smart, now was it?" he drawled kind of huskily.

"You're right. But if I had landed it I would be in a much better mood, wouldn't I? Hey, girl's got to try." She said a grin starting to make its way to her face.

He chuckled.

"Hey Blondie?" She asked.

"That isn't my name." He told her almost pouting. Soft lips pressed fully, the skin smooth.

"Well, you never gave me one. And besides, it suits you. Will you pick up the pace? I'm aging here, and I don't have forever you know." Sakura informed him impatiently.

He raised a golden eyebrow at her.

"If I run it will hurt." He told her.

"Oh it cant be that bad! Come on, man up, Blondie!" She teased. A blonde eyebrow raised, and a lip twitched.

Sakura went from barely moving to going so fast that the trees were just blurs in seconds. With every step a jolt of pain went through her. The world appeared hazed and she was faintly aware of the man's blonde hair jolting, the color seeming to smear and color everything.

"Ow! Okay! Okay! You were right!" She said in a hiss. Her hands cradled her broken ribs, trying to absorb the shock. It ached. Beyond comprehension.

"You insulted my ability as a man. I want payback." He whispered in her pale soft ear.

Those mischievous lips of his brushed the soft shell of it. She suppressed the shudder.

"On no god, you're going to try and make me apologize aren't you!" She cried.

He smiled.

"And more…" He delighted, all golden wine and cheer.

His pace quickened. The pain almost made Sakura's eyes roll in the back of her head. She held on with sheer iron will.

"Fine, I'm sorry!" She whimpered. It was soft and reluctance, her hands busied themselves at her torso.

His pace did not slow.

"Stop!" She cried like a child.

"Tell me that I am the most amazing ninja in all of Konoha." He instructed her huskily.

"I will not be used to stroke your ego, you prick!" She growled in pain and threw her head back wincing.

His eyes devoured the seemingly innocent context. Something about 'stroking' and then a vocal mewl, lest we forget a hair toss, made whatever she said the best thing ever.

"I want to hear it." He pushed not slowing down. It arguably quickened.

"F-fine, you're the most amazing ninja in all of Konoha…now stop!" Her lips quivered around stop. He chuckled. It was almost a beg.

He found her sudden submission oddly adorable.

"One last thing…" He slyly promised. The pace continued,

"What?" She cried exasperated.

"Tell me I am the most attractive man you've ever met." he told her bluntly. It was proud, cocky, and it pissed her off.

Her eyes snapped to his face.

"What!" She had a small crimson flush on her face.

"I think you heard me." He ran a little harder for emphasis.

"O-ow! Fine!" Her pride was dying.

"You're the most attractive man I've ever met, now stop god dammit!" She hissed.

Sakura's pride= knocked out. Throw in the towel. And Blondie had the grin to show it.

He slowed till he was walking again. He wasn't even out of breath. She withered against him for a moment, her face buried in his chest. When she regained enough physical realization to take in their predicament she immediately tried to distance her self from him. His arms held on tight. She winced.

"You sick sadistic bastard…" Sakura muttered in pain. T-zone scrunched, eyebrows furrowed. Eyes clamped shut.

His chuckle shook her. Again she whimpered. Sakura got mad.

"Enough! I'm nobody's toy!" She said before leaning to his shoulder and biting him as hard as she could. She could taste blood through his shirt. She had been forced to maze her way past his Jounin vest.

"Is that necessary? What are you, a vampire?" He asked surprisingly calm.

She pulled back and glared with venom.

"It's a little reminder that when I am all better I am going to hurt you." She hissed at him.

"Are you now?" He lulled, smiling.

"Yes, I am. Blondie, you are gonna get it!" She threatened dangerously.

"Oh, I quiver with fear." Blue eyes rolled.

"Tell me, blossom, what's your rank?" He asked.

"Jounin…" She asked critically. He smiled. Cheshire cat fully bared.

"I've already been an Anbu captain, special ops, and worked as a spy. Trust me, You don't scare me." He told her with a grin.

"I want to hit you so bad right now, you're an egotistical prick." She grimaced at him.

"I thought I was the most attractive man you've ever meet?" He asked innocently. His ornery smile giving him away.

"…That is down right cruel an unusual punishment. You're the devil." She said pouting.

"I didn't hear any denial. I guess that means you do find me attractive. I told you I would grow on you." He said grinning a pearly and perfect grin.

"You're ego is astounding. Do you just like to hear yourself talk?" She asked hiding a blush with her vinegar. It was transparent to the blonde.

"Awe, you're all flushed. How cute. I guess its reasonable for that. I mean hear this man finds out you think he is sexy and want to bang him like a salvation army drum and-" Sakura cut him off.

"No! Don't put words in my mouth! I want no banging! I don't find you remotely appealing, at all!" She reprimanded bright red.

He chuckled.

"Whatever you say miss…what was your name again?"

"Sakura…Haruno Sakura." She said biting an annoyed cheek.

"Well then miss Sakura, I'm Minato. It's a pleasure to meet you." He said bemused.

"Pfft…I'd say it's a crying shame." She fired.

...

He walked Sakura into the hospital. By this point she was leaned against his chest and her hot breath hit his neck, making his skin tighten. She was conscience but barely. The loss of blood and fatigue was becoming to much. In her half drowsy state she curled up against the beautiful blonde who in turn hugged her a little closer. A nurse approached the two.

"Oh my! She needs immediate medical attention. Can you bring her to room 304 while I'll get the emergency team?" The woman asked. She was excited and determined. Probably new.

"Yes." he answered with a nod.

Sakura flinched and gave a "ow" that got muffled by his neck.

He walked with the rosette whimpering in his arms up to the third floor and opened 304's door. Minato walked in and gently laid the silky girl onto the white bed. She cracked one of her eyes open.

"You will never ever tell anyone I ever said this to you but…thank you." She whispered with a red face.

He grinned.

"Your welcome, Sakura. And it'll be our little secret." He told her.

She gave him a grin.

"You're just like my friend Naruto. Look the same, act- No scratch that, Naruto is really dense and lame. But you still remind me of him." She mused.

"You're boyfriend?" Minato asked his blue eyes blinking under golden bangs.

Sakura graced him with a pained laugh.

"No! think more like…a big brother! Yeah, perfect. He's like my big brother." She confirmed.

Minato smiled a her young tiredness. Now that her temper was subsiding she could be quite civil…and cute for what it was worth. Despite her sailor of a mouth.

"I'll drop by here some time real soon, while you're here. I have to go collect my team. I'll see you soon, Sakura."

She grinned.

"Bye-bye, Blondie."

He gave an "Ahem" cough. She rolled her eyes.

"Bye-bye, Minato." She corrected tiredly yet still playful.

"Bye, Sakura." He gave her a last grin than left the room.

Sakura stared at the ceiling for a minute. Her smile began to fade from her face. Was this wrong? Was enjoying herself wrong? Sasuke flitted across her mind. He was eclipsed with Naruto's shine. She felt tears well up into her eyes. Using the last of whatever strength she could muster she fought them back. She felt herself give into her need for sleep and slowly she fell into darkness. Dreams whirling of a cheeky and oblivious Naruto, charismatic and dirt Kakashi, emotionless and rude Sai, and now, a golden husky Minato.

Minato POV

Minato contemplated as he sat perched on the hospital of window the room 304 why he was there exactly in the middle of the night. He decided that he would just check make sure that the little hellhound was alive then head home and get some rest. He almost soundlessly walked to the hospital bed where the blossom was resting. In a weird way her quiet sleep was an ultimate contradiction to how she behaved awake. All the cussing, yelling, teasing, and laughing. Her smiles and blushes. His blue eyes look down to the woman-child.

She had taken a shower and got all the blood off of her so he could how beautiful she appeared. Her long pink hair that stopped two or three inches below her breast was sprawled around her in an almost halo manner. That pale creamy skin glistened and sparkled in the moonlight. Her black lashes that were closed dusted those milky cheeks. Her full red lips were only slightly open.

"Mmm…" She moaned in her sleep. Her head turning his direction giving him a better view of her face. She really was beautiful. In a graceful, yet completely bashful way. Minato smiled than went to the window. With a quick glance back at Sakura he made his exit through the window and in to the night. Of course she was the biggest pain in the ass he had ever had the misfortune or perhaps blessing of meeting.