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Chapter 7: Sasuke

 

Her body shook remembering the young man from across the multitude of her locked memories. Sasuke looked intimidating like before and he had that expressionless face staring at both of them. It was really him- his hair, his stand and his eyes that still bored hatred to the world. Seconds pass, as silence between the two parties pursued. She started to feel the weight of reality sinking in. Sasuke was staring at them without any sound.

It has been what? Eight years since she last saw him and he didn't change one bit. Anxiety was inevitable… so was fear. It didn't help when she remembered that time when Sasuke tried to kill her without even batting an eye. She knew he could kill them if he wanted it.

But why was he here?

Did he specifically come with a purpose or was he just passing by?

A trail of thought ran in her mind up until Rikuto went forward to block her view of the Uchiha that was on the other side of the plains.

"Sasuke. You've been following us." Sakura stared at Rikuto when he said that in a matter of fact tone. It was as if he knew it from the very start.

He was? When? She was clearly disturbed by the fact that he knew and she didn't. Sasuke must have been pretty far from her if she never felt it and Rikuto must have keener senses than her if he managed to pick his aura up. What was more surprising was that the ANBU captain knew it from the very start without acting a bit strange. He must be a sensory type, she concluded… and a good actor which was already a proven fact.

Whatever reason why he was there, it may not be the noblest of ideas. He had proven himself after he sided with the Akatsuki that he was a lone man. It'd be a good thing if they manage to escape him alive. He was no ordinary ninja after all. She swallowed and gazed at Rikuto. Clenching her fists tightly, she thought of the worst-case scenario.

She grabbed the shirt of the man beside her and tugged it twice. She doesn't know the skills or abilities of the ANBU captain but she certainly know what Sasuke's sharingan can do. Despite her worries, Rikuto smiled warmly and placed a hand on top of her head. "You don't have to worry," only made her worries worse.

"I came here with one purpose," Sasuke's voice was low but it was still the same after all those years. It was a bit charming too if she may add. If only he was on their side, there wouldn't be any debate whether or not it was the right time to praise the vocals of the enemy.

"You want her right? Probably not in the same way I want her though." Rikuto felt smug. It was because he knew why there was an Uchiha in front of them now.

Apparently, Sasuke doesn't have the common sense when to show up. He didn't have to appear when he was ravishing the woman beside her, especially now that she had accepted him in her personal space. On the other hand, Sakura immediately darted a look at Rikuto. She can't believe how he would still try to joke during this circumstance. She tried to peer behind the ANBU's back to check out her former teammate. She could see the look of irritation pasted on his face. It somehow lighted up after a few seconds when he grabbed the sheath of his katana.

"If you know then there's no need for discussion." Sasuke flashed a grin as he got out the sword from its protector. Rikuto raised his arm to the side to cover for the girl if by chance Sasuke decided to attack immediately.

Sakura deepened her frown. She didn't want to cling to his back nor she wanted to become a liability for Rikuto. She can fight for her own safety. She was one step from moving away from his back but she found herself glued to the ground. Unlike Naruto, Kakashi and Sasuke's backs that made her feel that she couldn't do anything; Rikuto's did not condemn her for being weak. In fact, he of all people knows what she can do. She certainly did not need his protection. She guessed that it must have been an ANBU or a Male thing.