SasuSaku - Past Selves

Chapter 5 - Meeting the team

Who knows how long he watched Sakura sleep on his bed. They got back quickly thanks to Sasuke's speed. He rushed past Karin and Suigetsu, who were speechless to see how quickly Sasuke was able to capture her. He went straight to his room, and gently placed her on his bed. He couldn't get himself to leave the room. He told himself it was to keep guard, but deep inside he knew Juugo could have easily done the same job guarding.

She lay there so peacefully, although he knew she would be anything but that once she'd wake up. As hours went by, he slowly moved from standing furthest away from the bed by the door, to sitting on the chair closer to the bed, to eventually sitting on the bed next to her. His brain felt like it was on autopilot, his hands moved on their own, right to her face.

He removed some loose brushed strands of hair from her face. *Why does she have to look so good?* He put his head in his hands. *Keep it together, Sasuke. She just got here.* In a moment of weakness, his eyes began to wonder again. She was the prettiest girl he had seen, and if she was anybody else, he'd be all over her in an instant. *Get it the fuck together!* He reminded himself. This was going to be a rough ride for him.

Sakura jolted awake, taking in the unfamiliar bedroom around her. It was cold and dark, but the bed felt comfortable. She immediately checked herself for any injuries. Once she cleared herself, she started to look around. *What is this place? Looks like a hideout. That jerk must have brought me here. How long have I been out? Let's see... he knocked me out, which would have left a sore spot on my neck, but I don't feel the pain, which probably means I was out for about eight hours - how long it normally takes for that sort of pain to die down. So, it must be around 8 pm now.*

She was so preoccupied trying to make sense of this situation, that she completely overlooked the presence in the room by the door.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

*Huh? I can not believe I did not notice him there...* Sakura thought, feeling ashamed.

"You... What is this? Your little hideout? You must be crazy if you think I am staying here for a moment. I'd rather die than work with you" she hissed

"Are you always so grumpy after a nap?" Sasuke sighed.

Sakura was speechless for a moment. "G-Grumpy? After a NAP? You mean FURIOUS after being KIDNAPPED?"

"So hung up on details, huh?" Sasuke chuckled. "Want some food? Come on, your new team can't wait to meet you."

Sakura let out an honest little laugh. "Wow, you really are out of your mind. You think I'm just going to go meet my "new team", huh? Wow, you really are a psychopath." She got out of bed. "I am leaving, Sasuke. You can kill me if you want to keep me here." She walked toward the door, only to have her path blocked by Sasuke, who basically teleported right in front of her. He was much taller than she had realised. His figure towered over her, her face right against his chest, making him take a step back.

"You see, Sakura, it isn't quite as simple. I happened to have my ways of making sure you don't leave. One of the many things I learned from Orochimaru was the art of curse marks. I may have placed a curse mark on you."

Sakura was visibly unsettled by this, but before she could speak, he continued:

"Don't worry, beautiful. It isn't the kind of curse mark you remember. It's just a way for me to store a small amount of my chakra in your body at all times, meaning I can track you anywhere you go. And here's the catch: Every time you escape, not only will I come find you, but I will kill one person from Konoha, starting with the ones you're closest with." A satisfied smirk appeared on his face, awaiting her response.

*Is he bluffing?* She thought. *How didn't I detect this chakra then? Oh, of course. Because he is here in this room. It's hard to detect his chakra in me when he is so close.* She checked her arms and legs for any sign of a curse mark.