Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ It's So Hard Not To Love You ❯ i like cookies ( Chapter 9 )

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Tenten ran into Ino's house, sobbing as she ran up to their spare master bedroom. She slammed the door behind her and sat on the floor, holding herself shaking. I love Neji…but this was too sudden for me…and now I'm freaking out cause' I totally blew it! She thought, as continued to sob.

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Ino, Hinata and Izuma ran into the house. Ino was about to go upstairs, but Izuma stopped her. “She needs some time…we'll check on her in a few hours…this probably was too overwhelming for her…” she said. Then the guys and Tamari walked into the house. A few minutes later, Neji walked in too. For the next two hours mostly everybody just lounged around. But after the third hour, Neji couldn't stand it any longer; he had to see her. He was about to go up the stares, but Ino stopped him. “Why don't you take Hinata's body…Tenten might be more comfortable talking if it wasn't you.” She replied softly. So Neji and Hinata switched bodies. Neji (In Hinata's body) walked up to the master bedroom. Knocking gently on the door, he heard a weak voice. “W-who is it?” Tenten asked. “It's me, Hinata. Can I come in?” Neji asked. “Is…anyone else with you?” asked Tenten. “No…just me…” Neji answered. “Ok…” Tenten mumbled. Neji slowly opened the door. Tenten was sitting in a small corner, her knees up to her chin and she was sobbing. Neji walked over to her and wanted so badly to smother her in a kiss, but he remembered he was in Hinata's body. “What's wrong? Why didn't you accept my-Neji's proposal?” he asked gently. “I…don't know…I guess I just wasn't ready...Hinata, I don't know and now I blew it!” Tenten said, breaking down in tears again. “No! You didn't blow it! Neji still loves you will all of his heart, and if you want another chance he would understand!” Neji said, hugging Tenten. “How do you know? Did you talk to him?” asked Tenten. “Something like that…” he mumbled. “Are you afraid of him?” he asked. “Of Neji? No…yes…I don't know…” Then Ino walked in the room. “Ok Hinata, I think that's enough, let Tenten rest…” she said. Neji stood up and walked out of the room.

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That night, Tenten woke up after resting for a few hours. Walking silently down the stares, she reached the second floor. No one was in the room except for Neji, who was leaning against the wall, and apparently had accidentally fallen asleep. Walking silently over to were he was lying, she noticed an object in his hand. Gently, she pulled it from his hand and looked at it. It was the ring that he had proposed to her with. Opening up the small ebony box, she saw the ring close up. It was a gorgeous ring, and Tenten saw that it was blue, her favorite color. She pulled it out of the box, and slipped the ring on her finger. Lying the box down on the ground, she sat down next to Neji, leaning on him, and fell asleep. (Awwwww!!!)

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The next morning when Neji woke up, he realized that he wasn't alone. Looking over, he saw that Tenten was with him. Her head was on his shoulder and one of her arms was draped over his neck. But the thing that caught his eye was the other hand and what was on it. The ring! I hope that means she accepts…Neji thought hopefully. Then Tenten stirred, as she woke up, she realized Neji was awake. “Hey Neji…what's up…” she mumbled, sitting up completely. But he took her hand (The one with the ring on it) and looked at it. She blushed. “Yeah, last night I came down here and saw you…and…Neji I'll marry you if you'll give me another chance…” she whispered the last part.

Neji smirked. “Tenten, will you marry me?” she giggled. “Yes!” She cried, kissing him full in the lips. (AWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!)

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Izuma felt like she was being shaken as she lay on the bench sleeping. No she was being shaken. She opened her eyes and saw Gaara, Tamari, Kankuro, and Katara. Sitting up she looked at all of them in confusion. “Izuma…would you like to come to the Sand Village with us for a few days?” asked Gaara in between gritted teeth. She shot up and almost squeezed him to death in a tight hug. “Yea!” she said, letting go and kissed him on the cheek, making Tamari erupt in laughter. So as they jumped through the tree's Izuma suddenly felt weak. Slowing down, she suddenly stopped. Gaara and the others stopped as well, looking back. Suddenly a flashback flooded her mind.

 

Flashback…

 

“Please no! Don't kill my child! He's only a baby, please I beg of you!” a young woman cried, falling to her knees sobbing. “I…can't…control…this demon…inside of me…” Izuma (As a child) mumbled, clutching her head, also falling to her knees. Suddenly the woman screamed, putting her hand over her mouth, her eyes wide with shock.

Izuma looked at her with a scared expression. “I…didn't…” but she did. It was too late.

 

End of Flashback…

 

Izuma shot up with lightning speed. She realized that she was breathing rapidly and was lying in a bed. She looked over and saw Gaara. He looked worried. She jumped out of bed and flung her arms over his shoulders, pulling him into a tight embrace. She burst into tears, clutching onto him like he was her life.

She felt so safe with him; she didn't feel like the demon she was. Or the demon that was inside of her. She felt like herself. “What was it? What were you dreaming of?” he whispered in her ear. “My m-mark...I could never control it…” she whispered back, trying to control her crying. He suddenly remembered all of the flashbacks that he had had…of being alone…no one there…murders he had committed by accident…she must have gone through this too…like him…

After about half an hour of holding her he looked down and saw that she was sleeping. In his arms. Never had a girl done this to him, never had a girl liked him, never had anyone liked him…and yet this girl…so annoying…so strong…yet so fragile and tender…made him happy…

This girl made him want to hold her for hours after she had had a bad dream…this girl made him want to comfort her and love her…this girl…made him feel good…

This girl made him realize that affectionate feelings were ok…even for a demon…and he loved her…for all those reasons.

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As Tamari and Kankuro walked through one of the Sand Village's apartments, they came to their apartment where Izuma had been laid after she had collapsed. As they opened the door, Tamari had to put her hand over her mouth to prevent herself from bursting into giggles. Gaara was leaning against the wall, sitting down, with a sleeping Izuma in his arms. He was asleep too, and his head was resting on hers, they were both breathing deeply. Kankuro chuckled a low chuckle. “So he's finally grown up…” he mumbled. But then Gaara stirred. As he opened his eyes he saw Tamari, red in the face, her hand over her mouth, and Kankuro, smirking. “What are you two doing here?” Gaara asked, blushing when he realized he was still holding Izuma. “N-nothing…” then Tamari burst into laughter, waking Izuma. She realized Gaara was holding her and started giggling, as she sat up and kissed him on the cheek. She walked out of the room, and a few seconds later, she called for her water and it erupted out of the jar she had put it in and came rushing to her. Tamari was still giggling a few minutes later.

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As Izuma walked through the Sand Village, she looked around at everyone. All of the children, everyone, looked so peaceful and maintained. The only village that she had ever seen this calm was Konoha, because every singe village she had seen, she had destroyed. And they were always in panic. This curse mark…the thing that drove me mad…not only destroyed all of those villages…it also destroyed me…

But then a child ran into her, knocking her down. “Ow!” the child cried. It was a young boy with black hair, and he had a small kitten in his arms. “Oh, are you ok?” Izuma asked, picking herself up, and helping the small boy up too. “Yea…wow you're pretty!” the boy said, blushing. Izuma blushed too and smirked. “Thank you…” she mumbled. “What's your name?” asked the boy. “My name is Izuma of the Water.” She said. “Oh, well I'm Kishimoto. And this is my kitten, Zuko.” He said, holding up the kitten in her face. “Oh…he's very cute…” she said politely, smiling. “Hey, wanna be best friends?” he asked. “Yea, we can be friends…” Izuma said. “So…do you have a boyfriend?” he asked. “Well…sorda…I really love my best friend Gaara, but I'm not sure if he likes me back…” she said. “Y-you mean Gaara of the Sand!?” he asked. “Um yea, you know him?” she asked. “Yea he's the demon of our village! He's scary!” he said. “No he's not.” Izuma said, scolding Kishimoto. “Yea ok he did some bad things in his life but not bad enough to be hated for it! I've murdered villages, children, clans…and he never turned his back on me…and I won't do it to him and you shouldn't either.” Izuma walked away from him, but bumped into someone again. Looking up she saw it was Gaara.

He had a smirk on his face, his arms crossed. She smirked too and kissed him on the lips. Pulling away, she whispered in his ear, “Meet me tonight…at the water source of you're village.” He nodded slowly, apparently mesmerized by her being so close to him. Giggling, she walked away, back at the apartment.

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That night, Gaara went to the place where he was supposed to meet Izuma. When he got there, Izuma was sitting up, holding her knees to her chin. He sat down next to her. After a few minutes, she touched him cheek. He looked at her questioningly. But she removed her hand, and put her head back in between her knees. He then realized she looked sad. “What's wrong Izuma?” he asked gently. She shook her head and lay on the grass, looking up at the stars. Gaara took off his gourd and lay on the grass as well.

“What…what were you like when you were a kid?” Izuma asked quietly still looking up at the stars. “Lonely…mad…” he muttered, looking over at her. “What about you?”

“The same…” she whispered. “I thought I would feel better by destroying those who made me feel that way…but I was wrong, it only made me feel more terrible about myself…” she said. “I just wanted to be loved…just like now…” but she put her hand over her mouth, surprised by her own words. “Like now?” he asked, sitting up. “No, I didn't mean to say it that way, I said it wrong…” she said quickly, as she sat up as well. He saw her breathing rapidly; she was extremely nervous…but about what? He asked himself. He put his hand on her shoulder and studied her…something wasn't right…

She looked at him, and almost melted at his gaze. He felt her relax when she looked in his eyes, and he smirked. She really loved him…

She suddenly leaned over and kissed him full on the lips. When she pulled apart, she put his head on his chest. She couldn't help it; she loved him so much…

“Gaara…I love you…” she said. He looked down at her. “Why?” he asked. She looked into his eyes.

He then looked away. “I've…never loved anyone but myself…” he mumbled. “That's because you have never experienced love…neither had I, but I saw other people doing it…loving each other…” she paused and looked down. “If you want to learn to love…you can start with me…” she said. He looked at her questioningly. “Say that you love me…” But then he realized that she was crying. “Just say that you love me, please Gaara, and love me like I love you…”

“I…I love you…” he whispered. She put her hand on his cheek and leaned over, kissing him on the lips, and FINALLY he gave in, kissing her back. When they pulled apart, she buried her head in his chest, and he held her tight. As he held her, she felt the warmth and love that came within that hug. Her arms snaked around his neck, as she looked into his eyes. After a few minutes of looking into his eyes, she once again buried her head in his chest, falling asleep. When she had fallen into a deep sleep, he picked her up bridal style and carried her back to the apartment. When they got there, he laid her gently on his bed, and lay down next to her. She stirred, and broung her arm over his neck, and moved over closer to him which made her lay right beside him. He put his arm over her waist and they both fell asleep. (Awwwww so sweet…)

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As Kankuro lay on his bed, he heard someone in the hallway. He got out of bed slowly, and he opened the door. There stood Katara, in her nightgown. He smirked at her surprised expression. “What are you doing out of bed so late?” he asked. She blushed as she looked down. “I…couldn't sleep…” she mumbled. “Reeeally?” he said, walking up to her. “Do you wanna go for a walk?” he asked. She looked at him. “Yea, sure.” She said. When they got outside, they sat down on one of the benches, looking out at the moon. “Why did you kiss me?” Kankuro suddenly asked. Katara looked at him with a small grin on her face. “It was truth or dare, I couldn't back down…” she said, giggling. “Yeah, you could have…” he said. She looked down. “But…I wanted too…” she said. Kankuro looked her with a shocked expression. “You…wanted to kiss me?” he asked, shocked. “Mmhmm.” She said, giggling. “But…why?” he asked. She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “Because.” she said. “I like you.” She said, getting up and walking away. He got up to, and ran after her. “You like me? What's that supposed to mean?” he asked. She slowed down for him, and calmly said, “What do you think it means?” he looked at her puzzled, but then the light bulb went on. “Umm…that…you have a crush on me or something?” he asked, blushing. She giggled, and then nodded her head.

“Good job, I thought you'd never figure it out.” she said. He looked up, shocked, but then smirked. They both stopped walking and looked at each other. Katara giggled again. She leaned over, capturing his lips, and throwing her arms around his neck. When she pulled away, she skipped back to the apartments. Kankuro stood there speechless for a few moments, but then smirked, and ran after her.

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As Sasuke, Sakura, Karin, Suigetsu, and Juugo jumped through the trees, Karin called out, “I sense someone's chakra! And it's extremely powerful!” everyone got in their fighting positions, pulling out their kunai's. “Watch out Sakura!” Karin called out. Sakura rolled away from where she was standing just in time, as a kunai slammed into the earth. Several more followed after that, but Sakura blocked them all.

“You're fast…I could really use you…” a voice from behind Sakura said. She spun around, but it was too late, that someone was Kisame, and he grabbed her, and jumped off. Sasuke ran after her, cursing, when Kisame disappeared with her.

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Sakura kicked and struggled, but no matter what she couldn't get out of Kisame's grasp. After about half an hour of struggling, Sakura tried to use her chakra as a weapon. But as soon as she had readied her chakra, she felt it being drained away from her. “What the-?” she started, but that was all she remembered before her world went black.

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As Sakura stirred and woke up, she felt dizzy. Looking around her, she saw that she was in a cave…a cave? She opened her eyes wider, and looked around her. She wasn't in a cave; she was in a stone cell. Trying to get up, a fiery streak of pain went through her entire body. She gasped from the pain, slouching back down to the ground. Then she came to her senses. I remember now…Kisame, the partner of Itachi drained my chakra…with that weird chakra sword of his…

Once again, she struggled to get up, but the same immense pain erupted through her body. Crying out, she stopped moving, but slowly moved her head to look at her arms and legs. Then were stained with blood, and large cuts with blood slowly oozing out lined her shoulders, down to her wrists. Her legs were the same, the scrapes and gouges going to her ankles. I can't heal all of this…I couldn't even do it with my chakra fully powered…I don't even have enough chakra to heal a paper cut right now…she thought wearily, as her head began to spin. WHAT did they do to me? She asked herself, staggering, and falling to the cold hard ground. Wincing from the cold ground touching her fresh wounds, she slowly drifted into a deep sleep.

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As Izuma walked through the village, her water mark flashed. She fell to the ground as images of a suffering Sakura flooded her mind. Getting up, and running back to the apartment, she flew the door open, and gasping for breath, looked up, seeing a startled Tamari, Kankuro, and Gaara. “Sakura…she's hurt…” she managed to gasp out. They all stood up. “Where is she? Do you know?” asked Kankuro. “She was in a stone cell…that's all I could make out.” Izuma said. “We need to find her.” Izuma said when she had caught her breath. “She's in pain; we can't leave her there suffering.” She said. “I know.” said Gaara. “But it could also be a trap.” So Tamari, Kankuro, Katara, Gaara, and Izuma set off to try to find where Sakura could be at.

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As Sakura woke, she realized that she was being carried. Looking up she saw that it was Itachi. As much as she wanted to struggle and fight, kick scream, punch and kill, she was far too weak to do anything. She moved her head to the right and saw that she was being taken to a large stone building. A giant Sharingon mark cascaded across the building and if it hadn't have been for that it would have been hard for anyone to recognize the large cave-looking thing in front of them was actually a building. Kisame walked in front of them, and he made a jutsu sign, which made a large iron door ooze its way through the stone. Kisame swung open the door. As they walked in, Sakura saw cells and cells of ninja's from the Sand, the Stone, the Wind, the Waves, and many others. All of these Shinobi were being held prisoner. Seeing all of the poor, manipulated faces made Sakura boil. She felt her chakra rising and her immense strength flooding inside of her.

Finally her chance had come.

Her blue chakra flames erupted around her, startling Itachi to where he dropped her. She slammed into the ground, but quickly picked herself back up, as she reached for her kunai bag, but sure enough, her weapons and bag where gone. Suddenly strong arms clasped around her wrists. She saw that is was Itachi. He whirled her around so that she was facing hi m. She was so close to him, she could feel his hot breath fanning her face.

“Where do you think where you're going?” Itachi asked her smoothly.

“Getting away from you!” Sakura cried, struggling to get out of his grasp. However, that only made him pull her closer to him. “And why would you want to get away from me?” he asked. “Because I need to get to Sasuke you jerk!” she cried, tugging out of his arms.

But as soon as she had freed herself, Kisame grabbed her, draining her chakra once more. Falling over, Itachi caught her. Why the heck is he being so gentle when he handles me? Sasuke makes him sound much worse! Sakura thought. Itachi picked her up, and started walking down the path again. Sakura found herself feeling weak and helpless once again. If there was anything she hated more then her worst enemies, it was feeling helpless and being helpless. “If that dunce of your partner hadn't have drained my chakra I would have kicked you're butt by now.” Sakura mumbled weakly. Itachi smirked.

His finger caressed her face gently as he spoke in soothing voice, “Ah, don't worry my little flower, I won't harm you…” he said, his smirk growing wider when her saw her angry expression. “Don't call me your little flower, you don't own me you pathetic and desperate loser.” She said in a demanding tone. He shrugged, and continued to caress her face, making her boil with anger.

“I don't know what your big plan is freak, but whatever it is; you won't get away with it.” Sakura said when they had reached a small room. The room had brightly painted pink Sakura's on the walls. A small sleeping mat lay on the floor and yes, of coarse, it was pink. “I had this room especially made for you…perhaps the both of us…” Itachi said, lying her down gently on the mat. “Shut up pervert, I'd rather die then share a room with you.” Sakura said, trying to sit up, but the same streak up pain issued through her entire body, making her gasp in pain. “I wouldn't try moving if I were you.” Kisame said, appearing being Itachi. “Shut up.” Sakura said weakly.

“Why the heck do you need me here with you…?” Sakura asked, finally sitting up. Dizziness made her fall back down on the pillow. “We need you for a special reason…” Itachi started. “Apparently Sasuke has...fallen in love with you.” He said.

Sakura looked away from them. How could he have known that? They had only kissed a few times…and Sasuke hadn't told her that he loved her. At times he had shown it merely by affectionate actions, but that wasn't enough for it to be love…could it have been? “So since he has fallen in love with you, he will be oh-so determined to find you and bring you back to him.” Itachi interrupted her thoughts. “It's the perfect plan…I'll get to fight and kill my brother…and have you.” That made Sakura angry.

“You won't defeat him! He's trained for years for this! To fight you, and kill you and he'll do just that!” she yelled out, cursing him. “And you're in love with him too aren't you Itachi asked. She looked over and met his eyes. “You bet I am. And he's gonna kick your butt. And it won't be done with mercy.” She said. He walked over to her, and leaned down next to her. He put his hand on her shoulder and stroked her arms gently. “Kisame…would you mind giving me and my little flower some privacy?” Itachi asked. Kisame snickered, as he walked out of the room. “You better get you're hands off of me, or I'll tell Sasuke and he'll kill you.” Sakura growled. Itachi chuckled. “He won't lay a finger on me.” Itachi said. “He's too weak.” Sakura smirked. “You have no idea how strong he's become. He'll defeat you in a matter of seconds.” she said, inching away from him, as the scars on her arms and legs burned with pain. He simply moved closer to her, making her extremely uneasy. He put his hand on her cheek, and before she could do anything, he leaned down and kissed her. A colossal amount of guilt and a feeling of dirtiness washed over her. With all the strength she could muster, she pulled away from him, rolling across the mat, staggering, but finally sitting up. She put her head in her hands and burst into tears. He started walking over to her. “No! No! Go away, I hate you!” she cried, scooting away. Suddenly the door burst open. You'll never guess who it was.