Mᴀᴅɴᴇss | Sᴀsᴜᴋᴇ Uᴄʜɪʜᴀ

Chapter Eight

Mei huffed as she followed Sasuke to their hideout. Her legs were tired, and bag was heavy. Kuro paced ahead of her and tried rubbing himself against Sasuke's legs.

"Did you have to bring this flea bag with you?" Uchiha questioned, gently pushing the cat away with his foot.

"What was I supposed to do? Leave him to starve?" Mei snapped in annoyance. She stopped and dropped the bag to the ground. "That's it," she huffed, "I am taking a break." She leaned forward and rested her hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath.

"If we walk at your speed, we will not make it to the hideout by the evening," his voice sipped with annoyance as he stepped in front of her. Mei looked up, sweat beaded her forehead. She watched as chilly wind played with Sasuke's hair. His long cloak fluttered in the wind, revealing what he wore underneath. The weather was cold, but Mei was boiling. She took off her poncho and dropped it on the ground.

"You never told me how far this place actually is. I'm tired!"

"Tsk," Sasuke clicked his tongue and picked up her bag. "Get up." he ordered and started walking away.

"Seriously?" Mei grabbed her poncho and rushed after Sasuke. "Hey, wait up," the girl tried to speed up but instead tripped over her own feet. She fell on the ground with a loud thud. Her arms extended above her head as her face ploughed the ground.

Sasuke stopped and turned around. He felt his temples pulsate as he watched her struggle to get up. He took a deep breath urging himself to calm down. Telling himself he could do it. He marched to the girl and grabbed her by the tunic. With one strong pull he raised her to her feet. Mei's hands shot to her face rubbing the traumatized areas. Sasuke brought his face closer to hers. "Control yourself, next time you fall, I will leave you there,"

She wanted to ague but the ache from the hit was getting to her. Instead she nodded. Sasuke grabbed her by the arm and started dragging her at his pace. Her arm felt small and skinny in his large hand, making him adjust his grip several times. He pulled her harder causing her to trip, but his grip kept her in place. Sasuke glared at the girl.

"Again?"

"This is not my fault!" she protested. "You are pulling me like a sack of potatoes,"

"Lord give me patience." Sasuke mumbled under his breath release her.

"Give you patience? I am the victim here." Mei returned rubbing the place where he squeezed. His cold eyes scanned her from head to toe. Sasuke turned away and refused to reply.

***

She lost track of time as they continued walking. The shadows started creeping around them as darkness quickly spread over the horizon. She felt exhausted. Her body ached, she was hungry and wanted nothing but to drop on the bed and sleep for days. She watched Sasuke from the corner of her eyes. Uchiha was not even tired. She sighed heavily when suddenly he stopped. Mei stopped in her tracks and looked around curiously. There were trees, trees, and more trees. There was only flora surrounding them. Mei glanced at Sasuke who quickly formed hand seals. Suddenly the illusion dissolved, and they stood in front an entrance to a mound.

"We are here," Sasuke stated nodding at the entrance.

"Oh, thank God!" she exclaimed walking ahead when three figures exited the hideout. Two guys and a girl stopped in front of her, studying Mei carefully. She looked back curiously, guessing that this was Sasuke's new team. "So, you are Sasuke's new team?" she asked out loud. "Interesting." Mei tilted her head to a side. "Very interesting."

"And you are?" redhead with glasses stepped forward, glaring at Mei demandingly. Mei smiled. The girl reminded her of Sakura.

"I am Sasuke's girlfriend," she replied smiling sweetly. "Didn't he tell you?" she gasped in fake horror. "Sasuke, sweetheart, how could you? I thought you loved me. I thought what we had was special," Mei fluttered her eyelashes.

The redhead twitched clenching her fists.

"Stop chatting nonsense," Sasuke walked closer. "Ignore her." he addressed the rest. "She is here for a week to fulfil her part of our agreement."

"So, you are not...together?" Karin asked hopefully.

Mei could not help but laugh. Years down the line, Sasuke was still stealing girl's hearts with ease. She could not blame them, Sasuke Uchiha had a certain charm to him. She remembered the way he made her heart beat when she was younger.

"Not," Uchiha replied. "Karin, Suigetsu, Juugo this is Mei. Mei this is Karin, Suigetsu and Juugo," the introductions took less time than she expected. "Karin, show her to her room."

Karin wrinkled her nose but nodded. Sasuke handed Mei her bag and walked ahead. Mei shrugged. "Come on, Kuro, let's go," but the black cat did not respond. He rubbed himself against Juugo's leg earning a smile from the large man. He kneeled and petted Kuro. Mei watched her cat respond loving to the touch of his large hand. She felt amused.

"Usually he doesn't like strangers," she said hovering over Juugo and Kuro. He looked back at her. His large body tensed under her intense gaze. His red eyes narrowed untrustingly. Mei continued smiling. "Looks like Kuro got himself a new friend. Well, friends of Kuro's are my friends." She said and followed Karin into the hideout.

Her week with "team Sasuke" officially started.