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[86quills]

@maybe-please 😭😭 thanks so much for your super sweet words!! I’m humbled and glad you enjoyed!!

Pounding Heart

Wham!

“Don’t you dare…” Sakura took a deep breath, heart hammering in her chest as she tried to keep the flood of panic at bay. “Don’t you dare die and leave me with your pervert cousin…” Because if you do, I’m pretty damn sure he’d lose his shit and then your whole fucking clan is going to murder me, revive me and then murder me again…she almost threw up at the thought.

Another powerful, chakra enhanced fist pounded his chest and then another and another.

Itachi gasped, choking on air as his back arched in pain, dark eyes wild and dilated. Cradling his head in her lap, Sakura unconsciously placed a tender kiss on his temple, sagging in relief and drawing his dazed attention. “Please don’t ever fucking do that again, Itachi…” she whispered, pumping her chakra into him to stabilize his vitals.

Shisui dropped down beside them and she had never been more happy to see him.

“He’s alive…” she assured, getting ready to haul him across her shoulders, but Shisui beat her to it.

Her eyes were already assessing the damage he’d taken—bruises and lacerations, a broken rib or two judging by his breathing and low on chakra. About to protest, Sakura bit her tongue when he shook his head and gave her a pained smile. “I’ve got him. I need you free in case there’s another war party on the loose.” In case you need to escape and leave us behind…

She tsked and stepping forward, placed a healing hand to his side to mend his ribs. “Don’t be dramatic.”

He stole a quick kiss much to Sakura’s chagrin. “It’s alright, sweetheart. Save your energy. You’re going to need it for the run back home.”

…

Sakura was exhausted. A stay-in-bed-all-day type of exhausted where the only thing she wanted to do was sleep and flop around, maybe eat if she could manage, but mostly just sleep. But damn, she couldn’t. With a tired groan, she rolled out of bed and dragged herself to the shower.

An hour later, she was walking into the Uchiha compound, mentally preparing herself for what would certainly be a very long day. She briefly wondered how she got sucked into doing this and then remembered that it was all Tsunade’s fault. How convenient of the blonde to offer up her apprentice to oversee the annual Uchiha shinobi physicals. Ugh, who did I piss off in my past life?

Personally, Sakura would’ve just forced everyone to show up at the hospital by threatening each and every one of them with low ranking missions, but ‘in the interest of clan relations’, Tsunade had given them this small inch. Though Sakura knew it was simply to shut the Uchiha elders up. 

“Sakura-senpai!”

She looked up and waved, making a beeline for where the others had set up shop. The medics had commandeered one of the many traditional homes on the Uchiha compound and had partitioned the space into smaller, private rooms for the physicals.

“Catch me up, Moegi,” Sakura said as she accepted the steaming cup of coffee from the young, doe-eyed medic in training.

“Five medics on site, including you. Rooms have all been set up and everything’s good to go, Sakura-senpai.”

“How many Uchiha are we expecting?”

“Forty-seven.”

Moegi helped Sakura into her white chief medic coat as the others walked onto the roka. Sakura could’ve killed Tsunade right then and there when she saw who she was saddled with. All fresh, doe-eyed girls. Fan girls. Masquerading as medics in training. This had to be payback for swiping a few bottles of her best sake. Granted, these physicals would be easy enough for their skill levels, but what the hell! She didn’t need to deal with puddles of goo and lovesick babies today. Suppressing a sigh, Sakura took a deep breath. She’d been doing that a lot lately it seemed.

“I demand complete professionalism today, ladies. Lose that and I’ll have no issue kicking your asses back to the hospital and calling for replacements. Absolutely no fangirling. Are we understood?”

“B-but Sakura-senpai, what if we can’t help it?”

She raised a brow, an almost scary smile curving her lips. “You’re medics. You better be able to help it.”

“It’s not fair. Sakura-senpai has had lots more experience dealing with beautiful men.”

She couldn’t help but laugh at their eager, yet nervous expressions. She certainly did have more experience, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t immune. She was still a hot-blooded female, thank you very much and only twenty five. Though admittedly, it did help to have two of Konoha’s most sought after bachelors as best friends. Their stupidity tended to overshadow their good looks however, and over time Sakura had developed a certain resistance.

“Complete professionalism,” she repeated. “Now get going. I can already feel a few patients approaching.”

“Hai, Sakura-senpai!”

It was easy enough to get through the physicals and much to her surprise, Sakura found she didn’t need to intervene as much as she thought she would. Uchihas certainly weren’t known for their chattiness and they only showed her medics the utmost respect. Polite. Quiet. Assessing. If they were amused by the girls and their admiring stares, they didn’t show it.

“Sakura…”

She looked up from her notes and smiled. “Hey, Itachi. Have a seat.” She pointed to the medical bed in the center of the room. “I’ll be over in a sec.” 

“Shizune-san?”

“Last minute diplomatic trip to Suna,” she explained.

“Aa.”

“Shirt off, please and take a seat.” 

He did as he was asked, as silent as ever. No wasted words. Finishing the last of her notes, she placed the clipboard down and walked over. She didn’t think anyone would argue about Itachi Uchiha’s masculine allure or down-right gorgeousness. He was perhaps the epitome of a Konoha shinobi. Sleek. Powerful. Devastating. So good it was downright scary sometimes. 

“How’re you feeling today?”

“Fine.”

“Fully recovered I hope after last week’s ‘let me be a hero’ episode?” Sakura smiled sweetly. She deliberately invaded his personal space by stepping in between his legs and placing a warm hand on his chest, letting her chakra flow into his body.

His dark eyes flickered, gaze growing more intense. “Fully recovered, Sakura. I assure you.”

“Good.” Sometimes these men needed reminding that despite their genius, they were all still human and needed to take care.

“Now take a deep breath. Release.”

He had a strong heartbeat. Lungs were fine and his injuries sustained during their last ANBU mission were mostly healed. Her hand lingered on his left side, fingers fluttering over the oblong green yellow bruise. Served him right.

“You didn’t heal it.” His voice was deep and even. Silently, she cursed him for sounding good enough to eat. Like dark, velvety chocolate.

“How are your eyes?”

“Fine.”

She raised a pink brow and then drew closer to take a deeper look.

“Sasuke complains sometimes about headaches after prolonged use of his Sharingan. You must experience the same thing, probably worse.” There was a lilting threat somewhere in between her soft spoken words as she rested her fingers on his temples.

“Occasionally,” he murmured. 

“There’s a lot of pressure that can build up when you’re channeling so much chakra into one area of your body. Because of this, your eyes tend to suffer a lot of strain.” Sakura then gently began massaging the areas around his eyes, smiling when he, whether intentional or not, let them drift closed. With every soft caress and stroke, she fed small bursts and sinewy tendrils of her chakra in and around, restoring and relaxing the strong pathways that fueled his bloodline limit.

“Does it hurt?”

Itachi offered a noncommittal grunt which she took as a no. “Shisui says it feels like foreplay. Figures the perv would somehow relate it back to sex,” Sakura divulged with an airy chuckle.

“You’ve done this for him?”

“Mmhmm. He saw me do it a few days ago on Sasuke and Kakashi and said he wanted in.” His silence was telling. “Are you feeling left out?” she teased, pushing back a stray lock of his long black hair.

“Hn.”

Sakura laughed as she finished up. “Don’t be. It’s something new I’m trying out. Consider yourselves my little guinea pigs.” 

Itachi opened his eyes when she stepped away.

“Better?” she asked, biting her bottom lip and suddenly anxious to hear what he thought.

“Aa.”

Sakura smiled, resigning herself to his monosyllabic answers but still feeling playful. “Better than foreplay?” 

“Much better. More like the after effects of an orgasm.” He didn’t miss a beat and she burst into a fit of laughter, shoving his shoulder as her face heated.

“It does not!”

He caught her hand and for a moment, she felt her heart stutter and butterflies rise in her stomach at the rather intimate gesture. Lacing his fingers through hers, he lifted his gaze from their intertwined hands and pulled her even closer.

“I never thanked you for saving my life.”

Sakura forced her brain to function again. “I’m pretty sure I owe you a few more lives, Itachi.”

His eyes darkened as an almost secretive smile quirked his lips, but just as soon as it appeared, it was gone.

“Sakura-hime!” The shoji screen whipped open and Shisui swept in, a black-haired whirlwind so unlike the typical, stoic Uchihas she was used to.

“Hey, Shisui,” she greeted over her shoulder before turning back to Itachi who still held her hand captive. He finally let her go though after a few insistent tugs.

“Your vitals are good, all in tip top shape, to be honest,” Sakura said, jotting down a few final notes on a paper pad she had grabbed from her front coat pocket.

“Did you get to experience Sakura��s magic hands?” Shisui asked curiously, mischief dancing in his eyes. 

“Don’t make it sound dirty!” “It was an innocent question!”

Just then, there was a loud thump from the room next door. Sakura already knew what it was and mentally face-palmed.

“Ah, Sakura-san…”

She smiled apologetically at the handsome Uchiha who appeared in the doorway, looking mildly panicked. “Don’t worry about it, Hiro.” He nodded in relief and quickly went on his way.

Shisui and Itachi both hid a smirk, but Sakura could see it in their eyes. “Pain in the asses…”

“Can’t help that girls fall at our feet. You know, Uchiha genes and all,” Shisui bemoaned, biting back his Cheshire grin.

She rolled her pretty, green eyes and whacked him on the shoulder as she walked by to attend to the puddle of medic-goo next door.

“She’s mine,” Itachi stated after Sakura had left the room, glancing at Shisui.  

He raised a brow in challenge. “Staking claims already, little cousin?”

Itachi narrowed his eyes before they both disappeared. 

Later, Sakura would wonder what the hell had happened when they both showed up on her doorstep, battered and bruised.

…

[86quills]

Me scrolling thru tumblr only to see @sariasprincy @vesperlionheart reblog my shit...wow, super honored and lost for words.

Red Moon

They sped through the trees, muted blurs against the encroaching shadows as night began to fall. Already, Sakura felt uneasy. There was an undeniable pull in the air, thick and heady. A siren’s call of mischief and mayhem. Red moon.

Demons would be out in full tonight.

And as her luck would have it, she found herself hunting one of their very own.

She signaled to the rest of the hunting party to veer right.

“Sakura…”

“I know.”

They stopped at the unmarked border where a flurry of wild magic mixed and mingled. An electric dance all at once playful and dangerous. It caressed her skin like a lover, tickled her lips and sparked on her tongue. It was not forbidden to cross territories but if one did of his own free will, well…everything became fair play. No court would vouch or come to the rescue should something go astray.

She crouched, sweeping leather clad hands over dead earth the shape of footprints. What was once green was now devoid of life. Leaves turned to brown ash in her palm as she grimaced beneath her large hood.

“He grows stronger with every step and now that he’s crossed…the darkness will have its way with him.”

She straightened at Neji’s somber words. “Take the others and head back. It’s a red moon. I won’t risk any lives tonight.”

Sakura was one of the best hunters he knew and if any fae could navigate demon territory, it would be her. She just so happened to be the most stubborn too.

“Be careful, Sakura. I refuse to suffer Naruto’s wailing any more than I have to.”  

Her laugh was soft, instantly soothing. “He’ll be occupied for the next few days, I hear. Something about wooing your pretty cousin,” she teased, catching his pained sigh.

“Don’t remind me,” he said. “Return safe and sound.”

Sakura nodded, green eyes bright in the rising twilight.

One. Two. Three steps and she took off after her prey.

…

“Did you feel that?”

“Hnn…”

“We’ve got a visitor.”

And they were not alone. Shisui took a moment to savor the giddy rush as their lands seemed to burst with life and anticipation. It didn’t take long for either to come to the same conclusion. Hunters.

Dark eyes flashed with excitement. “And here I thought we’d only be stuck with our own tonight.”

“Keep yourself in check, Shisui.”

He ruffled his younger cousin’s hair as he sped by, grinning. “Don’t pretend you’re not as excited, Itachi. Now come along, we should give our guests a proper welcome.”

It wasn’t often the Fae crossed into demon territory, but when they did, it did not go unnoticed. Their visits were few and far between and tended to be diplomatic in nature. So it went without saying that this was a most unusual occurrence. Most knew to keep away from their territories during red moon nights. Dark beings liked things that glittered and shined and the Fae, well, they were the brightest of all. The red moon only enhanced the allure, drove those with little control mad with want and the insatiable urge to bite and taste and feed.

As his cousin so dutifully pointed out, to say he wasn’t intrigued would be a lie. Hunters were an entirely different story and a part of him itched to see one in action. They were merciless, swift in their hunts and even swifter with their kills. For a kind who were known for their fun and games, they were surprisingly ruthless. With a huff, he quickly fell into step at Shisui’s side.

…

Sakura couldn’t shake the sense of dread in the pit of her stomach. She had precious little time before everything saw the color red and she’d be fighting more than just her target. A glance above only made her quicken her pace and—

The clash of steel against steel rent the air.

Jumping back, Sakura didn’t have time to assess how far he’d fallen into darkness for he was already escaping; a disgusting, wraith-like creature no longer recognizable as fae. She fell into pursuit until they burst into an open clearing just as the moon bled a darker shade of red. Her every sense was heightened as she skidded to a stop.

“Surrender and I’ll make your death quick.”

A sinister grin crept across his almost face and he tsked, long tongue darting out to lick too thin lips. “You inssssult me, Hunter.”

So they were going to do this the hard way, then. Sparks flew when their weapons collided. Curved daggers crossed over her chest took the brunt of his attack before her kick landed square in his gut. She flipped over and the next moments were a volley of parries and strikes too quick to count. She sidestepped and slashed him across the ribs, spun and sliced clean down his back. Black blood poured from the deep gashes, splattered across her cloak.

He rushed and she met him head on, her twin daggers sliding across his blade in a long, beautiful steel kiss until she was close enough to spin around him and ram an elbow into his lower back. She jumped away when he twisted but instead of a downward swing of his sword, he grabbed hold of her ankle and suddenly the world was spinning and she crashed into the ground, her daggers flying from her hands. He was on her in an instant, but she was faster. Wrapping her legs around his neck, Sakura flipped him over and crushed him into the ground, using his body as a springboard to jump away.

He didn’t stay down though and emerged from the cloud of earth and rubble almost too quick for her eyes to pick up. His knee connected with her stomach and the air forced its way from her lungs. Bending backwards, she narrowly dodged a roundhouse kick and then another. With one powerful uppercut to his jaw, she sent him careening into the air and not a second later she was above him, landing a heavy downward blow to his middle that nearly tore him in half. Sakura used him to soften her crash back into the clearing and prepared to end him. However, his deafening scream and the wave of tainted power struck her hard and fast and she was sent hurtling towards the trees. Dragging her hand through the ruined earth to slow the impact, she spit out the blood and straightened from her crouch.

Well, wasn’t he just full of surprises? The darkness must’ve been festering inside him for far longer than they’d believed. She cursed when black magic seeped into his body, stolen from the land around them and morphed his body into something other. Something unnatural and wrong.  

Unclasping the hook of her cloak, she let it flutter to the ground as long pink hair cascaded around her shoulders from her high ponytail. Sakura reached behind her and gripped Katsuya, her fae war axe. Twirling the finely crafted, double headed weapon in her hand, she swung it up and over, reveling in the melodic whoosh. It seemed they were definitely going to do this the hard way.

Consumed by black magic, he cried for her death and came for her in a rush of madness. Claws swiped down from behind her, but she rolled out of the way and back to her feet in one smooth motion. She swung her axe in an outward arc, catching him across the chest. Close, but not close enough. She watched the wound close and knew she needed to finish this soon for every second wasted he would only grow stronger.

She shifted her stance and shot forward like an arrow, going on the offensive. She wielded Katsuya with practiced ease, every blow and swing swifter and truer than the last. Sakura was unrelenting. She cut through black magic, through claws and tore apart dying flesh. His blood sizzled across her elven armor as she flipped over him and dragged the razor sharp edge up and over his face, destroying his gleaming left eye.

He shrieked and it echoed throughout the clearing, empty and hollow. From his body, sharp blades of dark magic twisted and shot forth. Sakura countered with a powerful swing that dug up earth and wind and damn…she coughed blood when black magic penetrated her armor and tore through her left shoulder. But she didn’t let that stop her. With a sudden ferocity too wild to tame, she swung and released her axe in a deadly spin. Using her speed, she flew straight towards him, leapt into the air and hooked her legs around his shoulders just in time to catch Katsuya and slide her clean across his throat.

His body crumpled beneath her and she came away with his head in one hand and a thrumming war axe in the other. As tendrils of white magic swirled around her, she whispered the ancient rites of the old world and what was once fae slowly faded to ash. She took a deep, shuddering breath, the aftermath of the hunt still racing through her blood.

But there was no time to rest or linger. The moon was at its peak and drowned in the deepest scarlet.

Securing Katsuya to her back, Sakura summoned her curved daggers and slipped them into their leather sheaths hidden under the elegant war axe. Taking off at a run, she snatched up her cloak just as a tremor vibrated beneath her feet. The dread from earlier returned and pooled something fierce in the pit of her stomach.

The ground suddenly exploded and all she saw were fangs and smooth black scales as she leapt back to avoid being crushed or probably eaten in this case. When the dust cleared, she stood facing a giant two headed snake.

“Faaaeee…” it hissed in a lazy, hypnotic way that certainly didn’t bode well. Sakura cursed her luck for the second time that night. She could feel other demons on the fringes, no doubt drawn by the commotion and the mix of magic. This was going to be a bloody free for all.

The throbbing pain in her shoulder reminded her of her injury, but she currently had bigger problems at the moment.

It struck and she jumped up to avoid its massive fangs only to whip out her curved daggers and swipe at the second head that came from the other direction. She flipped back and on her descent, slammed the hilts of her blades together, twisted, and brandished a double-edged spear. She raced forward, using her weapon to catapult her in an arc. Both heads attacked, fast and efficient, its body slithering right to left as it tried to snap her up. A sharp tip grazed her thigh and it felt like fire against her skin. Sakura pivoted and slashed, almost got impaled by another terrible fang, and spinning in the air, pierced her weapon in the underside of its bottom jaw and cut clean down with stunning white magic.  In a rainfall of blood, she scaled the side of the falling snake head and severed its twin in a beautiful flourish of iridescent steel.

Hitting the ground, Sakura saw the shadows move from the forests all at once, some going to feast on the flailing reptile and others eyeing her as their next meal. After all, fae was a delicacy around these parts. She unlocked the hilts of her spear and flicked the dripping blood from their sharp edges.

The red moon enhanced the blood lust of demons and those who could not control it fell victim to its clutches. Her magic was like a beacon to them, an alluring siren call they could not resist. She’d be lucky to come out of this in one piece. As if a drop of water had fallen into a still pond, she only had a moment to brace herself before all hell broke loose.

They came for her from all sides and she slashed through them in a graceful, mesmerizing dance. Splatters of red and black painted the scene as she cut them down. Spinning her body, she slashed through flesh and bone, crushed faces with powerful punches and aerial kicks that sent bodies flying. Ducking low, she swept their legs out from under them and drove her blades into their hearts with devastating efficiency.  

But a sudden murmur had pierced through the mayhem. Something even darker was here. She could feel it, see it in their shifting, pitch-black eyes. They hesitated as she slowly rose, demon blood dripping from her armor and curved daggers. They looked at her, then beyond, and she knew they were trying to decide if she was still worth it. Sakura chanced a look to her left just in time to see black flames turn demons to ash, to see bodies torn limb from limb in less than a heartbeat.

A pulse of magic more ancient and far more frightening rumbled through the clearing and that was enough to send them scrambling back to the shadows.  

She reached for the comforting, engraved handle of Katsuya, readying herself for the worse…

“Sakura…”

Her green eyes immediately hardened, knowing full well what kind of demons lurked here and the tricks they liked to play.

“It’s been a while, sweetheart.”

She knew that voice. But…

“Looks like she still wants to rip your heart out and eat it, cousin.”

“Gladly.”

Perhaps she should’ve anticipated running into these two, but she’d honestly didn’t think the Hunt would end up this messy. With this being a red moon night, they were probably out patrolling and had felt the ripple when she’d crossed over the border. She relaxed, relieved she wouldn’t have to fight her way out of this one.  

“It’s only been a few decades,” she remarked.

“But it’s felt like centuries!”

She snorted at Shisui’s dramatics as she sheathed her daggers. A grimace crossed her face when her shoulder burned in pain.

“You’re hurt.” Itachi reached out to brush soft strands of petal pink. When had she become so devastating?  

“I’m fine,” she assured, offering a weak smile. “Is there running water nearby?”

Itachi nodded, sharing a worried glance with Shisui.

“I need to get there…now…”

It wasn’t long after when they arrived at the river. Sakura immediately began to remove her upper armor that fit like a second skin, undoing the leather buckles and bindings, releasing her arm guards and tearing off the left sleeve of her undershirt. From the weeping wound, dark veins of black magic had spread. It was an ugly thing, its spindly invasion already engulfing her shoulder, traveling down her arm.

Kneeling at the river’s edge, she summoned the water forward and let it cleanse her wound, clenching her jaw when it burned something fierce. With whispers in the old language, Sakura spun a healing spell with potent white magic that charged the air around them. Black leached from the gaping hole in her shoulder, fell in rivulets down her arm before it began to run pure red.

Despite their desire to help, Itachi and Shisui remained quiet and vigilant, knowing well enough not to interrupt when Sakura was healing. It was when she nearly keeled over that Itachi caught her in his arms.

“Thanks,” she murmured, resting her head on his shoulder. “Have I told you how much I hate red moons?

“Many times and yet you keep coming back.”

She laughed and then winced. “Don’t make me laugh.”

“You need rest.”

“I need to get…back…”

“Not tonight.” But his words went unheard. She’d already fallen into a healing slumber.

Shisui shook his head before grabbing her discarded armor and weapons, admiring the Fae craftmanship. Watching her wield these had been a sight to behold and not for the first time that night did both he and Itachi wonder how much she’d grown.

…

A/N:  Fae!Sakura has been been bothering me for a while so figured I’d give it a shot. Demon!Uchihas, I think, are a weakness of mine…well, anything supernatural and fantasy really. I’ll probably continue this at some point…maybe…

[86quills]

sending “I hope you get that job” vibes to the people out here tryna get jobs

[86quills]

Red Moon

They sped through the trees, muted blurs against the encroaching shadows as night began to fall. Already, Sakura felt uneasy. There was an undeniable pull in the air, thick and heady. A siren’s call of mischief and mayhem. Red moon.

Demons would be out in full tonight.

And as her luck would have it, she found herself hunting one of their very own.

She signaled to the rest of the hunting party to veer right.

“Sakura…”

“I know.”

They stopped at the unmarked border where a flurry of wild magic mixed and mingled. An electric dance all at once playful and dangerous. It caressed her skin like a lover, tickled her lips and sparked on her tongue. It was not forbidden to cross territories but if one did of his own free will, well…everything became fair play. No court would vouch or come to the rescue should something go astray.

She crouched, sweeping leather clad hands over dead earth the shape of footprints. What was once green was now devoid of life. Leaves turned to brown ash in her palm as she grimaced beneath her large hood.

“He grows stronger with every step and now that he’s crossed…the darkness will have its way with him.”

She straightened at Neji’s somber words. “Take the others and head back. It’s a red moon. I won’t risk any lives tonight.”

Sakura was one of the best hunters he knew and if any fae could navigate demon territory, it would be her. She just so happened to be the most stubborn too.

“Be careful, Sakura. I refuse to suffer Naruto’s wailing any more than I have to.”  

Her laugh was soft, instantly soothing. “He’ll be occupied for the next few days, I hear. Something about wooing your pretty cousin,” she teased, catching his pained sigh.

“Don’t remind me,” he said. “Return safe and sound.”

Sakura nodded, green eyes bright in the rising twilight.

One. Two. Three steps and she took off after her prey.

…

“Did you feel that?”

“Hnn…”

“We’ve got a visitor.”

And they were not alone. Shisui took a moment to savor the giddy rush as their lands seemed to burst with life and anticipation. It didn’t take long for either to come to the same conclusion. Hunters.

Dark eyes flashed with excitement. “And here I thought we’d only be stuck with our own tonight.”

“Keep yourself in check, Shisui.”

He ruffled his younger cousin’s hair as he sped by, grinning. “Don’t pretend you’re not as excited, Itachi. Now come along, we should give our guests a proper welcome.”

It wasn’t often the Fae crossed into demon territory, but when they did, it did not go unnoticed. Their visits were few and far between and tended to be diplomatic in nature. So it went without saying that this was a most unusual occurrence. Most knew to keep away from their territories during red moon nights. Dark beings liked things that glittered and shined and the Fae, well, they were the brightest of all. The red moon only enhanced the allure, drove those with little control mad with want and the insatiable urge to bite and taste and feed.

As his cousin so dutifully pointed out, to say he wasn’t intrigued would be a lie. Hunters were an entirely different story and a part of him itched to see one in action. They were merciless, swift in their hunts and even swifter with their kills. For a kind who were known for their fun and games, they were surprisingly ruthless. With a huff, he quickly fell into step at Shisui’s side.

…

Sakura couldn’t shake the sense of dread in the pit of her stomach. She had precious little time before everything saw the color red and she’d be fighting more than just her target. A glance above only made her quicken her pace and—

The clash of steel against steel rent the air.

Jumping back, Sakura didn’t have time to assess how far he’d fallen into darkness for he was already escaping; a disgusting, wraith-like creature no longer recognizable as fae. She fell into pursuit until they burst into an open clearing just as the moon bled a darker shade of red. Her every sense was heightened as she skidded to a stop.

“Surrender and I’ll make your death quick.”

A sinister grin crept across his almost face and he tsked, long tongue darting out to lick too thin lips. “You inssssult me, Hunter.”

So they were going to do this the hard way, then. Sparks flew when their weapons collided. Curved daggers crossed over her chest took the brunt of his attack before her kick landed square in his gut. She flipped over and the next moments were a volley of parries and strikes too quick to count. She sidestepped and slashed him across the ribs, spun and sliced clean down his back. Black blood poured from the deep gashes, splattered across her cloak.

He rushed and she met him head on, her twin daggers sliding across his blade in a long, beautiful steel kiss until she was close enough to spin around him and ram an elbow into his lower back. She jumped away when he twisted but instead of a downward swing of his sword, he grabbed hold of her ankle and suddenly the world was spinning and she crashed into the ground, her daggers flying from her hands. He was on her in an instant, but she was faster. Wrapping her legs around his neck, Sakura flipped him over and crushed him into the ground, using his body as a springboard to jump away.

He didn’t stay down though and emerged from the cloud of earth and rubble almost too quick for her eyes to pick up. His knee connected with her stomach and the air forced its way from her lungs. Bending backwards, she narrowly dodged a roundhouse kick and then another. With one powerful uppercut to his jaw, she sent him careening into the air and not a second later she was above him, landing a heavy downward blow to his middle that nearly tore him in half. Sakura used him to soften her crash back into the clearing and prepared to end him. However, his deafening scream and the wave of tainted power struck her hard and fast and she was sent hurtling towards the trees. Dragging her hand through the ruined earth to slow the impact, she spit out the blood and straightened from her crouch.

Well, wasn’t he just full of surprises? The darkness must’ve been festering inside him for far longer than they’d believed. She cursed when black magic seeped into his body, stolen from the land around them and morphed his body into something other. Something unnatural and wrong.  

Unclasping the hook of her cloak, she let it flutter to the ground as long pink hair cascaded around her shoulders from her high ponytail. Sakura reached behind her and gripped Katsuya, her fae war axe. Twirling the finely crafted, double headed weapon in her hand, she swung it up and over, reveling in the melodic whoosh. It seemed they were definitely going to do this the hard way.

Consumed by black magic, he cried for her death and came for her in a rush of madness. Claws swiped down from behind her, but she rolled out of the way and back to her feet in one smooth motion. She swung her axe in an outward arc, catching him across the chest. Close, but not close enough. She watched the wound close and knew she needed to finish this soon for every second wasted he would only grow stronger.

She shifted her stance and shot forward like an arrow, going on the offensive. She wielded Katsuya with practiced ease, every blow and swing swifter and truer than the last. Sakura was unrelenting. She cut through black magic, through claws and tore apart dying flesh. His blood sizzled across her elven armor as she flipped over him and dragged the razor sharp edge up and over his face, destroying his gleaming left eye.

He shrieked and it echoed throughout the clearing, empty and hollow. From his body, sharp blades of dark magic twisted and shot forth. Sakura countered with a powerful swing that dug up earth and wind and damn…she coughed blood when black magic penetrated her armor and tore through her left shoulder. But she didn’t let that stop her. With a sudden ferocity too wild to tame, she swung and released her axe in a deadly spin. Using her speed, she flew straight towards him, leapt into the air and hooked her legs around his shoulders just in time to catch Katsuya and slide her clean across his throat.

His body crumpled beneath her and she came away with his head in one hand and a thrumming war axe in the other. As tendrils of white magic swirled around her, she whispered the ancient rites of the old world and what was once fae slowly faded to ash. She took a deep, shuddering breath, the aftermath of the hunt still racing through her blood.

But there was no time to rest or linger. The moon was at its peak and drowned in the deepest scarlet.

Securing Katsuya to her back, Sakura summoned her curved daggers and slipped them into their leather sheaths hidden under the elegant war axe. Taking off at a run, she snatched up her cloak just as a tremor vibrated beneath her feet. The dread from earlier returned and pooled something fierce in the pit of her stomach.

The ground suddenly exploded and all she saw were fangs and smooth black scales as she leapt back to avoid being crushed or probably eaten in this case. When the dust cleared, she stood facing a giant two headed snake.

“Faaaeee…” it hissed in a lazy, hypnotic way that certainly didn’t bode well. Sakura cursed her luck for the second time that night. She could feel other demons on the fringes, no doubt drawn by the commotion and the mix of magic. This was going to be a bloody free for all.

The throbbing pain in her shoulder reminded her of her injury, but she currently had bigger problems at the moment.

It struck and she jumped up to avoid its massive fangs only to whip out her curved daggers and swipe at the second head that came from the other direction. She flipped back and on her descent, slammed the hilts of her blades together, twisted, and brandished a double-edged spear. She raced forward, using her weapon to catapult her in an arc. Both heads attacked, fast and efficient, its body slithering right to left as it tried to snap her up. A sharp tip grazed her thigh and it felt like fire against her skin. Sakura pivoted and slashed, almost got impaled by another terrible fang, and spinning in the air, pierced her weapon in the underside of its bottom jaw and cut clean down with stunning white magic.  In a rainfall of blood, she scaled the side of the falling snake head and severed its twin in a beautiful flourish of iridescent steel.

Hitting the ground, Sakura saw the shadows move from the forests all at once, some going to feast on the flailing reptile and others eyeing her as their next meal. After all, fae was a delicacy around these parts. She unlocked the hilts of her spear and flicked the dripping blood from their sharp edges.

The red moon enhanced the blood lust of demons and those who could not control it fell victim to its clutches. Her magic was like a beacon to them, an alluring siren call they could not resist. She’d be lucky to come out of this in one piece. As if a drop of water had fallen into a still pond, she only had a moment to brace herself before all hell broke loose.

They came for her from all sides and she slashed through them in a graceful, mesmerizing dance. Splatters of red and black painted the scene as she cut them down. Spinning her body, she slashed through flesh and bone, crushed faces with powerful punches and aerial kicks that sent bodies flying. Ducking low, she swept their legs out from under them and drove her blades into their hearts with devastating efficiency.  

But a sudden murmur had pierced through the mayhem. Something even darker was here. She could feel it, see it in their shifting, pitch-black eyes. They hesitated as she slowly rose, demon blood dripping from her armor and curved daggers. They looked at her, then beyond, and she knew they were trying to decide if she was still worth it. Sakura chanced a look to her left just in time to see black flames turn demons to ash, to see bodies torn limb from limb in less than a heartbeat.

A pulse of magic more ancient and far more frightening rumbled through the clearing and that was enough to send them scrambling back to the shadows.  

She reached for the comforting, engraved handle of Katsuya, readying herself for the worse…

“Sakura…”

Her green eyes immediately hardened, knowing full well what kind of demons lurked here and the tricks they liked to play.

“It’s been a while, sweetheart.”

She knew that voice. But…

“Looks like she still wants to rip your heart out and eat it, cousin.”

“Gladly.”

Perhaps she should’ve anticipated running into these two, but she’d honestly didn’t think the Hunt would end up this messy. With this being a red moon night, they were probably out patrolling and had felt the ripple when she’d crossed over the border. She relaxed, relieved she wouldn’t have to fight her way out of this one.  

“It’s only been a few decades,” she remarked.

“But it’s felt like centuries!”

She snorted at Shisui’s dramatics as she sheathed her daggers. A grimace crossed her face when her shoulder burned in pain.

“You’re hurt.” Itachi reached out to brush soft strands of petal pink. When had she become so devastating?  

“I’m fine,” she assured, offering a weak smile. “Is there running water nearby?”

Itachi nodded, sharing a worried glance with Shisui.

“I need to get there…now…”

It wasn’t long after when they arrived at the river. Sakura immediately began to remove her upper armor that fit like a second skin, undoing the leather buckles and bindings, releasing her arm guards and tearing off the left sleeve of her undershirt. From the weeping wound, dark veins of black magic had spread. It was an ugly thing, its spindly invasion already engulfing her shoulder, traveling down her arm.

Kneeling at the river’s edge, she summoned the water forward and let it cleanse her wound, clenching her jaw when it burned something fierce. With whispers in the old language, Sakura spun a healing spell with potent white magic that charged the air around them. Black leached from the gaping hole in her shoulder, fell in rivulets down her arm before it began to run pure red.

Despite their desire to help, Itachi and Shisui remained quiet and vigilant, knowing well enough not to interrupt when Sakura was healing. It was when she nearly keeled over that Itachi caught her in his arms.

“Thanks,” she murmured, resting her head on his shoulder. “Have I told you how much I hate red moons?

“Many times and yet you keep coming back.”

She laughed and then winced. “Don’t make me laugh.”

“You need rest.”

“I need to get…back…”

“Not tonight.” But his words went unheard. She’d already fallen into a healing slumber.

Shisui shook his head before grabbing her discarded armor and weapons, admiring the Fae craftmanship. Watching her wield these had been a sight to behold and not for the first time that night did both he and Itachi wonder how much she’d grown.

…

A/N:  Fae!Sakura has been been bothering me for a while so figured I’d give it a shot. Demon!Uchihas, I think, are a weakness of mine...well, anything supernatural and fantasy really. I’ll probably continue this at some point...maybe...

[86quills]

Pounding Heart

Wham!

“Don’t you dare…” Sakura took a deep breath, heart hammering in her chest as she tried to keep the flood of panic at bay. “Don’t you dare die and leave me with your pervert cousin…” Because if you do, I’m pretty damn sure he’d lose his shit and then your whole fucking clan is going to murder me, revive me and then murder me again…she almost threw up at the thought.

Another powerful, chakra enhanced fist pounded his chest and then another and another.

Itachi gasped, choking on air as his back arched in pain, dark eyes wild and dilated. Cradling his head in her lap, Sakura unconsciously placed a tender kiss on his temple, sagging in relief and drawing his dazed attention. “Please don’t ever fucking do that again, Itachi…” she whispered, pumping her chakra into him to stabilize his vitals.

Shisui dropped down beside them and she had never been more happy to see him.

“He’s alive…” she assured, getting ready to haul him across her shoulders, but Shisui beat her to it.

Her eyes were already assessing the damage he’d taken—bruises and lacerations, a broken rib or two judging by his breathing and low on chakra. About to protest, Sakura bit her tongue when he shook his head and gave her a pained smile. “I’ve got him. I need you free in case there’s another war party on the loose.” In case you need to escape and leave us behind…

She tsked and stepping forward, placed a healing hand to his side to mend his ribs. “Don’t be dramatic.”

He stole a quick kiss much to Sakura’s chagrin. “It’s alright, sweetheart. Save your energy. You’re going to need it for the run back home.”

…

Sakura was exhausted. A stay-in-bed-all-day type of exhausted where the only thing she wanted to do was sleep and flop around, maybe eat if she could manage, but mostly just sleep. But damn, she couldn’t. With a tired groan, she rolled out of bed and dragged herself to the shower.

An hour later, she was walking into the Uchiha compound, mentally preparing herself for what would certainly be a very long day. She briefly wondered how she got sucked into doing this and then remembered that it was all Tsunade’s fault. How convenient of the blonde to offer up her apprentice to oversee the annual Uchiha shinobi physicals. Ugh, who did I piss off in my past life?

Personally, Sakura would’ve just forced everyone to show up at the hospital by threatening each and every one of them with low ranking missions, but ‘in the interest of clan relations’, Tsunade had given them this small inch. Though Sakura knew it was simply to shut the Uchiha elders up. 

“Sakura-senpai!”

She looked up and waved, making a beeline for where the others had set up shop. The medics had commandeered one of the many traditional homes on the Uchiha compound and had partitioned the space into smaller, private rooms for the physicals.

“Catch me up, Moegi,” Sakura said as she accepted the steaming cup of coffee from the young, doe-eyed medic in training.

“Five medics on site, including you. Rooms have all been set up and everything’s good to go, Sakura-senpai.”

“How many Uchiha are we expecting?”

“Forty-seven.”

Moegi helped Sakura into her white chief medic coat as the others walked onto the roka. Sakura could’ve killed Tsunade right then and there when she saw who she was saddled with. All fresh, doe-eyed girls. Fan girls. Masquerading as medics in training. This had to be payback for swiping a few bottles of her best sake. Granted, these physicals would be easy enough for their skill levels, but what the hell! She didn’t need to deal with puddles of goo and lovesick babies today. Suppressing a sigh, Sakura took a deep breath. She’d been doing that a lot lately it seemed.

“I demand complete professionalism today, ladies. Lose that and I’ll have no issue kicking your asses back to the hospital and calling for replacements. Absolutely no fangirling. Are we understood?”

“B-but Sakura-senpai, what if we can’t help it?”

She raised a brow, an almost scary smile curving her lips. “You’re medics. You better be able to help it.”

“It’s not fair. Sakura-senpai has had lots more experience dealing with beautiful men.”

She couldn’t help but laugh at their eager, yet nervous expressions. She certainly did have more experience, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t immune. She was still a hot-blooded female, thank you very much and only twenty five. Though admittedly, it did help to have two of Konoha’s most sought after bachelors as best friends. Their stupidity tended to overshadow their good looks however, and over time Sakura had developed a certain resistance.

“Complete professionalism,” she repeated. “Now get going. I can already feel a few patients approaching.”

“Hai, Sakura-senpai!”

It was easy enough to get through the physicals and much to her surprise, Sakura found she didn’t need to intervene as much as she thought she would. Uchihas certainly weren’t known for their chattiness and they only showed her medics the utmost respect. Polite. Quiet. Assessing. If they were amused by the girls and their admiring stares, they didn’t show it.

“Sakura…”

She looked up from her notes and smiled. “Hey, Itachi. Have a seat.” She pointed to the medical bed in the center of the room. “I’ll be over in a sec.” 

“Shizune-san?”

“Last minute diplomatic trip to Suna,” she explained.

“Aa.”

“Shirt off, please and take a seat.” 

He did as he was asked, as silent as ever. No wasted words. Finishing the last of her notes, she placed the clipboard down and walked over. She didn’t think anyone would argue about Itachi Uchiha’s masculine allure or down-right gorgeousness. He was perhaps the epitome of a Konoha shinobi. Sleek. Powerful. Devastating. So good it was downright scary sometimes. 

“How’re you feeling today?”

“Fine.”

“Fully recovered I hope after last week’s ‘let me be a hero’ episode?” Sakura smiled sweetly. She deliberately invaded his personal space by stepping in between his legs and placing a warm hand on his chest, letting her chakra flow into his body.

His dark eyes flickered, gaze growing more intense. “Fully recovered, Sakura. I assure you.”

“Good.” Sometimes these men needed reminding that despite their genius, they were all still human and needed to take care.

“Now take a deep breath. Release.”

He had a strong heartbeat. Lungs were fine and his injuries sustained during their last ANBU mission were mostly healed. Her hand lingered on his left side, fingers fluttering over the oblong green yellow bruise. Served him right.

“You didn’t heal it.” His voice was deep and even. Silently, she cursed him for sounding good enough to eat. Like dark, velvety chocolate.

“How are your eyes?”

“Fine.”

She raised a pink brow and then drew closer to take a deeper look.

“Sasuke complains sometimes about headaches after prolonged use of his Sharingan. You must experience the same thing, probably worse.” There was a lilting threat somewhere in between her soft spoken words as she rested her fingers on his temples.

“Occasionally,” he murmured. 

“There’s a lot of pressure that can build up when you’re channeling so much chakra into one area of your body. Because of this, your eyes tend to suffer a lot of strain.” Sakura then gently began massaging the areas around his eyes, smiling when he, whether intentional or not, let them drift closed. With every soft caress and stroke, she fed small bursts and sinewy tendrils of her chakra in and around, restoring and relaxing the strong pathways that fueled his bloodline limit.

“Does it hurt?”

Itachi offered a noncommittal grunt which she took as a no. “Shisui says it feels like foreplay. Figures the perv would somehow relate it back to sex,” Sakura divulged with an airy chuckle.

“You’ve done this for him?”

“Mmhmm. He saw me do it a few days ago on Sasuke and Kakashi and said he wanted in.” His silence was telling. “Are you feeling left out?” she teased, pushing back a stray lock of his long black hair.

“Hn.”

Sakura laughed as she finished up. “Don’t be. It’s something new I’m trying out. Consider yourselves my little guinea pigs.” 

Itachi opened his eyes when she stepped away.

“Better?” she asked, biting her bottom lip and suddenly anxious to hear what he thought.

“Aa.”

Sakura smiled, resigning herself to his monosyllabic answers but still feeling playful. “Better than foreplay?” 

“Much better. More like the after effects of an orgasm.” He didn’t miss a beat and she burst into a fit of laughter, shoving his shoulder as her face heated.

“It does not!”

He caught her hand and for a moment, she felt her heart stutter and butterflies rise in her stomach at the rather intimate gesture. Lacing his fingers through hers, he lifted his gaze from their intertwined hands and pulled her even closer.

“I never thanked you for saving my life.”

Sakura forced her brain to function again. “I’m pretty sure I owe you a few more lives, Itachi.”

His eyes darkened as an almost secretive smile quirked his lips, but just as soon as it appeared, it was gone.

“Sakura-hime!” The shoji screen whipped open and Shisui swept in, a black-haired whirlwind so unlike the typical, stoic Uchihas she was used to.

“Hey, Shisui,” she greeted over her shoulder before turning back to Itachi who still held her hand captive. He finally let her go though after a few insistent tugs.

“Your vitals are good, all in tip top shape, to be honest,” Sakura said, jotting down a few final notes on a paper pad she had grabbed from her front coat pocket.

“Did you get to experience Sakura’s magic hands?” Shisui asked curiously, mischief dancing in his eyes. 

“Don’t make it sound dirty!” “It was an innocent question!”

Just then, there was a loud thump from the room next door. Sakura already knew what it was and mentally face-palmed.

“Ah, Sakura-san…”

She smiled apologetically at the handsome Uchiha who appeared in the doorway, looking mildly panicked. “Don’t worry about it, Hiro.” He nodded in relief and quickly went on his way.

Shisui and Itachi both hid a smirk, but Sakura could see it in their eyes. “Pain in the asses…”

“Can’t help that girls fall at our feet. You know, Uchiha genes and all,” Shisui bemoaned, biting back his Cheshire grin.

She rolled her pretty, green eyes and whacked him on the shoulder as she walked by to attend to the puddle of medic-goo next door.

“She’s mine,” Itachi stated after Sakura had left the room, glancing at Shisui.  

He raised a brow in challenge. “Staking claims already, little cousin?”

Itachi narrowed his eyes before they both disappeared. 

Later, Sakura would wonder what the hell had happened when they both showed up on her doorstep, battered and bruised.

…

[86quills]

春野サクラ

[86quills]

A key component of the Spinster Mythos is financial independence — or at least the appearance of it. It’s very difficult to be a spinster when you can’t afford to live on your own, when you depend upon the income or the goodwill of others. This is why so many fictional spinsters are as wealthy as they are eccentric: it’s their money that allows them to behave strangely. Without money, without a home of your own, society will find a way to be beat the strangeness out of you. (It will still try even if you do have money, but then you can build a door of pearl and of onyx to keep society away from your house.) When I think of all the women — real and fictional — who simply could not afford to become spinsters throughout history, my heart aches. There should be a Spinster Dream Fund for women who need a small apartment overlooking a river or a cottage on stilts propped on the side of a mountain that is continually wrapped in fog.

Mallory Ortberg (via flowermaddened)