note.

For those of you that don't have me on author alert, the smut will be posted as a separate one shot (I'll start writing it as soon as I post this chapter). I'll try to update consistently each weekend, but next week's will be the smut - so no chap for PTL unless I feel particularly bored on my flight to Heathrow.

For those wondering about the rating (had some pointless reviews about this when they could just check the rating guides), implied intercourse requires an M rating according to the rules and regulations.

track 64.

Arching her back in a deliberate farce, Sakura forced herself to not chew on her lip as she saw Sasuke drop his gaze towards her stomach instead of looking directly at her chest... or up at her face, for which she was inwardly grateful.

"You can look if you want. Unlike you, I'm not shy." She said teasingly.

Oh but she was, and she was showing it in the worst way possible. She was deflecting her own insecurities on someone else. Knowingly. Sakura was certain Sasuke wouldn't step down to a challenge - even if it wasn't really a challenge - and she had used it against him.

Obsidian eyes peered over her skin, and she swore they flashed red before they returned to study her bra in an almost clinical detachment.

Why did she do it? Now she was definitely feeling uncomfortable as their pace slowed down and she was the only one that even begun undressing.

Determined to find some reaction in him, she took a leap of faith and reached out, her hand landing on the raised bulge as Sasuke released a strangled noise at the back of his throat.

"Sakura-" he started. The low growl of her name awkwardly cut off by said girl.

"What, Sasuke-kun!" She wasn't asking, it was more of her expressing impatience and annoyance with his behaviour in truth.

Could he please just stop? Why couldn't he just accept that she loved him and he loved her and they were both very attractive human beings with basic needs and that if she didn't want to do something, no amount of Uchiha good looking-ness would have persuaded her otherwise? She was already so close.

Having caught on to the high strung tension travelling through her veins, he pushed her back down on the bed. Laying a kiss over her forehead, on her cheeks and nibbling at the lobe of her ear, sending tingles down her spine.

Well if he just wanted me to shut up... Sakura felt her blush rise from chest up to hairline.

"You." Sasuke started, turning back to make sure she could see his face. He could feel her soft body going pliant under him. "Promise you'll tell me if you want me to stop."

Pink hair tousled over her shoulders as she nodded her agreement, eyes glazed over in love.

He continued his kisses, laying them over her collarbone now, his body pressed so close against her that the lavender-jasmine of his shirt dulled her sense of smell. When Sakura heard his voice again, it was over the soft pants and whines she released, urging him to move.

"You'll tell me if you don't like something."

"Yes." She nodded again. She needn't think, her head was already spinning. At this point she just wanted to say yes in a different context!

"And you'll tell me if you do like something." He smirked before she felt hot breath trailing down towards her chest. Licking. Sucking. She gasped when he reached behind and unclasped her bra.

Oh, Sakura thought, feeling puffs of warm air over her as she was showered with affectionate words and adoring strokes. She'd definitely made the right choice when she decided that she'd take advantage of him.

After all, the wolf doesn't strike until its prey gives them an opening.