Second Chances || SasuKarin || ON HIATUS

What He doesn't Know

~Sakura~

I hadn't bothered to say goodbye to Sasuke since we'd already said everything there was left to say. Our informal farewells were exchanged through my one-sided argument. The relationship we once had was left in the cell of the hideout, where I had realized for certain that he loved her more than he was willing to admit. I knew there was more to this mission than finding a teammate or catching a criminal. It was personal. Sasuke was too stubborn to notice it himself, but all of his efforts to search for her made it evident. He denied his true feelings even though they were clearer than the skies of summer. Karin meant something more to him, something I could never be.

I thought about the past few days, thinking about what I was giving up as I let Sasuke slip through my fingers. Was he ever mine to begin with or just someone to repent his sins to? Either way, it wouldn't change anything now. I saw their undeclared love through the longing in their eyes. Who was I to come between that? After all, even if I decided to stay with Sasuke, I wouldn't feel truly loved...for now, he doesn't need to know. But I might need some help to keep the truth from him.

Suigetsu and I began our journey to Konoha, carrying on trivial conversations to pass the time. But my thoughts kept clouding my mind, I think even now Suigetsu could tell. "Somethin' on your mind?"

"Actually, there is...and you might be able to help" I responded, gaining his attention in an instant.

***

~Karin~

The boat waded side to side, I could feel my stomach churn as it bounced with the water. His emerald orbs stared straight ahead at the open ocean, searching for the island. It occurred to me that we hadn't once been approached by a guard's ship, even the Hidden Mist would be cautious about who's entering their village. The war enabled peace, but that didn't mean there still weren't enemies. "Aza, why is it so easy for you to enter into the Hidden Mist?"

"Oh, so you've noticed. Well, I'm a cautious man and I made sure to hide our presence before leaving the dock. I should have been clear, but we're going to one of the islands near the Hidden Mist. The village itself is too heavily populated, so it'd be more difficult to secure a hideout," Azumuku spoke freely, as if telling me the details didn't matter. But maybe that was because they didn't, in his eyes, his plan was probably already a success. "Oh, and about your leg...I'll be sure to tend to it soon. I need you in the top physical condition if I want everything to go accordingly."

"Why is that?"

"You're asking too many questions I'm not sure you'd like the answers to," He turned towards me and smirked menacingly. "I'll give you a hint if you're that interested though."

"You play too many games," I rolled my ruby orbs at him in annoyance.

"And you don't play enough," he teased. "It seems we're not too far from our destination."

I squinted, trying to peer through the thickness of the foggy waters, failing with each attempt. How in the hell could this guy know where we were? I couldn't sense anything besides the two of us, even with my strength returning to me. "You seem confused."

"Well, of course I am, genius! What a stupid question. Am I still under a genjutsu or not?" I shouted, earning an unexpected smack to the face. The force of his hand was enough to turn my head an entire 90 degrees. I could feel the burning sensation on my cheek, and the print of his hand being temporarily etched into my skin like a henna. My mouth slightly gaped in shock. I yelled at him and he just snapped, what the hell?

"It'd be best if you held your tongue before speaking so rudely to me," Azamuku spat, I could feel his body and eyes towering over me in disgust. His breath heaved in and out of control, almost as if he were hyperventilating. "And there's no genjutsu on you. I wouldn't waste my time with that, however, my hideout needs to be hidden away, so I made extra precautions to ensure that no one would stumble upon it. I've been here plenty of times to know exactly where it's located."

I remained silent, waiting for his breathing to steady before I said anything again. It was clear this guy had a short fuse, I didn't want to push it. I needed to remind myself that Aza was the enemy.

As I became distracted with my own thoughts, they were halted in a matter of seconds as Azamuku lifted me up and over his shoulder. "Home sweet hideout. Now let's get that leg of yours healed up."

***

~Sasuke~

I slammed his body against the wall of mossy stones, holding him by his neck just a few feet above the ground. "Where is your leader!" I ordered him to tell more than I asked.

"Tch, like I'd tell the likes of you!" The subordinate gurgled, not accepting my threats. Did he think I was bluffing? "We have plenty of men running this hideout."

"You think I haven't already taken care of the rest of you? I have to say, I'm insulted you'd think so lowly of us," I slid my Katana from its sheath and raised it above us, daring him to make his next move. His hazel orbs widened in panic and from lack of oxygen. "Then maybe I can end you now. There's no need to keep you around if you're not of any use to me."

"H-H-He-" I released my hold from him and watched him gasp for air as he dropped to the floor. He wheezed uncontrollably, while I held my blade to his neck. "He isn't here. If he-If he has everything he needs...then he'll be at the hideout near the hidden mist. I-I swear."

"I appreciate the honesty," I smirked as I watched him glare at me. "Hurry and take care of him Juugo, we need to keep moving."

My command was greeted with a nod as he approached Azamuku's inferior with nothing more than his bare fists being wielded. "N-No, Plea-!"

"Just a little longer Karin," I whispered to myself.