#I was skeptical at first but had high hopes but MAN I WASNT EXPECTING THAT

[squiddcakes]

Im begging everyone to not look at my likes I am not mentally okay after viewing Transformers: One

[flufflebones]

man i started thinking about it and satan w/ juniper would be hilarious because june just straight up would refuse to associate with him until he proved his interest wasnt just Him Having A Thing For Cats

here, have a snippet!!

Leviathan had a certain way of spinning the mythos of the fabled catboy into something that had, when he’d first seen him, had… Admittedly, maybe set his expectations a little too high for a living, breathing person. He’d been everything his worthless otaku of a brother had said he would be, if catboys *really* existed, and at first, he was *thrilled*. He even had the *paws*! He’d approached him, much to the mockery of his brothers, and had introduced himself-- Even going so far as to offer to let him read from his personal, un-cursed selection of texts to help him catch up.

Those pretty green eyes of his had flit to him briefly, narrowing skeptically before he grinned-- All teeth, almost mocking in his posture. Perhaps that should’ve been his first warning?

And then that gangly, freckled, insufferable abomination had *opened his mouth*.

“ Nuh-ope,” he drawled, voice rough with what could only be a purr, “I think I’m good, honestly?”

And it had all spiraled from there.

It was maddening, to have someone so clearly perfectly matched to his own nature so close, but so vehemently disinterested in him. Even *Leviathan* had managed to get closer to him, though he had an inkling it was more because of what the ever eager to please third born offered him, rather than any vested interest in him as a person. But Satan?

It was like a dance. A chase. It had gotten worse, recently, after he’d snapped at one of the other exchange students-- Perhaps he’d scared him. Unfortunate, but a reality of being a demon-- He just… Wishes that it wasn’t. 

Envy had always been one of the worst feelings to let worm under his skin. It itched in the back of his mind every time he saw the object of his attentions sat beside or atop of Beelzebub, twisted his gut when Mammon and him returned home late from some harebrained scheme, and threatened to push him to the point of a full meltdown.

He just hoped he could keep it under control until the students returned to the human realm.

[chouetteffraie]

dazatsu with 26 for the kiss prompt?

26. Jealous kiss

Coming right up, dear nonnie! I hope you like it! 

Kiss prompts closed!

Handsome. Charismatic. Charming. Upon first impression, these were all words one might use to describe a certain brunet- Atsushi would know, seeing as these are all things he thought (and still thinks) about him every day. When Atsushi was just another admirer in the sea of suitors, it didn’t bother him that he wasn’t the only one looking at Dazai like that. However, now that there was more to it- now that the two were an official thing, with hushed confessions and soft kisses, ghosts of touches and secret smiles to prove it- it bothered Atsushi more and more that there were others still looking at Dazai as if he were available to be won.

He wasn’t. Dazai was his. Why couldn’t everybody just get the message?

Walking on the street with Dazai was a double-edged sword as of late. It was wonderful to be able to roam the streets of Yokohama, basking in the bright sunlight as warmth started in his heart and pulsed through his body with every glance he sent towards his partner. On the other hand, however, the warmth that engulfed his body once he saw the few wistful glances sent Dazai’s way was an entirely new sensation, an envy Atsushi wasn’t accustomed to, an envy he loathed. Today was no exception.

He could feel the hot prickling on his skin moments after he caught a glimpse of the first look, coming from a young, attractive woman in a window seat at a cafe. She rested her head in her palm and tilted her head gracefully as her eyes followed Dazai’s lazy gait, paying no mind to Atsushi. This, he was thankful for: if he was caught staring, no, glowering, he didn’t think he could take the embarrassment.

The next came from another girl, one who made no efforts to hide her glances from the man her fingers were linked with. Atsushi clenched his teeth, feeling so hot he was certain his skin would be turning red any second. He shared a glance with the man accompanying her, one filled with equal confusion and anger, before Atsushi decided to take matters into his own hands. Gently, like a child tugging at his mother’s sleeve, he placed a hand on the inside of Dazai’s arm before squeezing gently and placing his other hand. The only indication that Dazai noticed was the slight shift in his arm, to allow for more room for Atsushi’s hand. Aside from that, Dazai gave him no attention, a fact Atsushi wasnt’ sure relieved him or made him angrier.

As the two of them passed a man on a bench, Atsushi caught him give Dazai a once-over before ogling at him fully. Following the man’s line of sight with his own eyes, Atsushi snapped his gaze towards Dazai’s face to say something, only to be met with Dazai turning and giving the other man a wink. He wanted to say something, to yell at the top of his lungs and make a scene, demand an explanation, demand an apology- he also wanted to drop Dazai’s arm and leave with no explanation, to shut himself away before Dazai could make a fool out of him again. He settled for a middle ground, squeezing Dazai’s arm tightly and making sure his fingernails dug in. 

Dazai wasn’t making any moves to acknowledge him aside from peering at Atsushi out of the corner of his eye. He wouldn’t admit it, but he like pushing Atsushi to his breaking points, to see how he’d react. When he pouted, it was unbearably cute, and when he did get angry, it was always reassuring to see him so willing to forgive. Dazai had long since abandoned pushing Atsushi away, promising under blankets late at night to slowly work on letting him in and trusting him with more as he learned to trust himself. What Atsushi hadn’t quite caught on to yet is that Dazai, instead of mending a broken habit, replaced it with pushing Atsushi too far. He wanted to push him past his limits so he could wake up and leave like he should’ve months and months ago, to make Atsushi realize that he was no good for him.

Yet he knew when that day came, it would break him, and that was enough to get him to retract.

Today he was feeling bold, however, and decided to push Atsushi just a little further. “Atsushi-kun,” he finally said, drawing the boy’s attention. Atsushi looked up at him, eyes wide and slowly growing hopeful, eager to hear some reassurance that would ease ever insecurity in his mind. Instead, Dazai merely said, “My arm is starting to tingle. Could you stop that?”

Atsushi stopped immediately and dropped Dazai’s arm, planting his feet firmly on the pavement and letting him walk ahead. After a few steps without Atsushi, Dazai froze before slowly turning around, knowing he’d been caught. Atsushi would scold him, sure, then they’d make up and pretend this never happened, right? With a snarky quip on his tongue, Dazai opened his mouth, and stopped at the expression on Atsushi’s face. Crushed.

Atsushi was shaking, his fists curled tightly into his palms and shoulders hunched. He avoided Dazai’s gaze, as if it disgusted him to make any more contact with the man. Dazai only let out a small breath, watching Atsushi sort through his mind. Finally, he heard a small, “Why do you do this?”

Dazai bit his tongue. He knew exactly why he did this, but that was not a conversation to have in the middle of a park. Actually, it wasn’t a conversation to have, ever. True, he was supposed to be working on his communication with Atsushi, but surely he didn’t mean everything when he said it-

“Dazai-san,” Atsushi said, breaking his train of thought. They watched each other carefully, in a standoff that dug a pit in Dazai’s stomach until he was sure this was where Atsushi would leave him. 

There were puzzle pieces connecting in Atsushi’s mind, painting a picture Dazai couldn’t yet see. Carefully, Atsushi took the few steps to stand in front of Dazai and reached a hand up to his cheek. “Dazai-san, would you ever leave me?”

Yes, Dazai’s mind answered, in a heartbeat, if that’s what was best. I would leave you the moment I knew that my presence put you in danger or led you to discomfort. In fact, I’ve already overstayed my welcome. We should part ways here and now, before we get in too deep-

“No,” Dazai said instead, appalled at how uncomfortable the truth felt on his tongue.

Atsushi let out a breath of a laugh before reaching up on his tiptoes, gently pressing a kiss against the corner of Dazai’s lips. The touch was soft, yet it lingered on his skin and sank to his bones, adding to the touches that sank into Dazai’s core and altered who he was. That was the scary thing about Atsushi: he seemed to know how to change Dazai’s very foundation, permeating every blockade he set up until Dazai himself believed he could be the person Atsushi saw him as. It was both comforting and terrifying, how he could rattle his core in seconds. Atsushi set his expectations dangerously high, and Dazai didn’t know he was afraid of heights until he realized that.

Atsushi wasn’t satisfied, as he hovered in front of Dazai’s face for a moment, eyes fluttered shut, before moving in again and placing a much firmer kiss to Dazai’s lips. Dazai felt his hands place themselves uncertainly on Atsushi’s back as hands drifted down to his neck, playing with the edge of his bandages absentmindedly. When Atsushi pulled away again, Dazai leaned his forehead against his and refused to look him in the eye.

“Hey…I won’t leave you either,” Atsushi said quietly, smoothing his hands down Dazai’s chest before remembering they were in a public park and backing away slowly. “I won’t leave you for somebody else, and I won’t leave you for you being you. I want you to let me in on every part of you, no matter how ugly you think it is.”

Dazai hummed skeptically. “Even to get to the castle dungeons, you have to go through the ornate palace entrance first.”

“Well, by the time I get down there, I won’t even be allowed out, then.”

Dazai chuckled before offering Atsushi his arm again, a small smile gracing his features. “Why, you’re absolutely right, Atsushi-kun. Now that I’ve captured you, I’m not letting you leave.”

Atsushi grabbed Dazai’s arm again, slowly stroking it with his thumb in reassurance. Underneath his breath, Dazai said, “Hm, isn’t it my turn to cook dinner tonight?”

Some things, Atsushi didn’t have to try very hard to catch up on. That, he knew, was an apology, one that allowed Dazai to save his pride along and himself from sleeping alone. Atsushi also noted how there was a glint of irony in Dazai’s eyes a moment ago as they mentioned captures and castles.

Atsushi was no princess captured by a dragon. If anything, Atsushi had tamed the beast and captured his heart, holding him in a tight, grounding grip and keeping him sane. Though, if anyone was to tame Dazai, he couldn’t say there was a more capable man for the job.

[sariasprincy-writes]

Hollow Point 19

One // Two // Three // Four // Five // Six // Seven // Eight // Nine // Ten // Eleven // Twelve // Thirteen // Fourteen // Fifteen // Sixteen // Seventeen // Eighteen // Nineteen (here) 

Chapter Nineteen The blank edges of a map

Itachi wasn’t there when Sakura arrived. He hadn’t replied to her text two days ago, but she wasn’t too concerned. He had never disappointed her before.

She waited for him just inside the mouth of the alley, between the club and an old restaurant that had closed down some time ago. She was but a shadow, dressed in all black from her boots to her jeans and leather jacket as she leaned against the wall that separated her from the club. The music reverberated against her spine.

She didn’t have to wait long. Less than ten minutes later, Sakura heard the faint tap of footsteps down the opposite end of the alley. “You look nice,” Itachi said. “Is it my birthday?”

Sakura bit back her smirk as she looked up at him. He was dressed well in a pair of dark jeans and a dark blue button up shirt. He had rolled the sleeves up to his forearms. A mix of formal and casual wear. Good. She needed him to look his best tonight.

Pushing off the wall, Sakura stepped towards him, giving him a careful onceover. She straightened his collar a little and brushed his bangs out of his face before she smiled in return. “Feels like it’s my birthday.”

Itachi’s smile briefly widened before he peered out into the street where party-goers were all funneling towards the small entrance of the large building. “What are we doing here?”

“I need to have a talk with an old friend,” she told him, following his gaze. “You might know her. Here, she’s known as Sekhmet.”

“The Goddess of Power.”

Sakura nodded, somewhat surprised he recognized the name. “If there’s any movement of anything in or out of Egypt, she knows.”

“And you want to know more about that port in New York,” Itachi concluded. When she nodded, his brow furrowed. “So why do you need me here?”

“I can’t go in alone,” she told him. When Itachi shot her a questioning look, she sighed, “I…may have killed her brother.”

In an instant, all playfulness dropped from his expression. He shot her an incredulous look, as if still trying to figure out if she was completely or only mostly out of her mind. Not that she could entirely blame him. This was almost the dumbest thing she had ever done.

“It’s complicated,” Sakura said when Itachi continued looking at her like he was waiting for an explanation.

He huffed a humorless laugh through his nose. “And what makes you think you can walk in there without her killing you?”

Looking away from the crowd, she turned to face him fully. “You.”

Itachi’s brows furrowed. “Me?” he repeated.

She nodded, slipping her hands into the pockets of her jacket. “Temari only mostly hates me so I’ll at least be able to get one, maybe two words in before she goes for her gun. And she loves pretty boys.”

“So, I’m here to flirt with her,” he said, his voice flat.

“Don’t worry. She won’t do anything to you. Maybe.” When Itachi continued to just stare, she brushed a piece of invisible lint off his shirt with a small smile. “Just play along. You’re CIA. I figured you would be good as this by now.”

Itachi looked like he had more to say but she didn’t give him the chance as she finally moved forward to blend into the crowd. She didn’t have to look back to know he was following, feeling his hand wrap around the inside of her elbow so they didn’t get separated.

At the door, Sakura smiled at the bouncers and whispered the right words to get in. They eyed her skeptically but didn’t question her. Merely unhooked the red rope to let her and Itachi pass.  

Inside, the club was pounding. Literally. Heavy beats rattled her bones and made the floor quake beneath her feet. Bright, flashing lights flickered overhead, enticing those standing on the sidelines to join the party.

Normally, Sakura would have loved to get lost in the deep bass and the semi-darkness where no one knew her name. Now, it only made it harder to concentrate, harder to think.

With Itachi still on her arm, Sakura weaved through the throng of girls in short dresses. Many clung to guys with wandering eyes who didn’t even know their names. She stopped just outside the main dancefloor to gaze purposefully about the club.

Beside her, Itachi’s hand tightened on her arm. She glanced at him and followed his gaze to a group of men that were eyeing her. She ignored them.

“Don’t worry about them,” she told him. “These are just civilians.” Then she nodded towards a door upstairs in a tucked away corner of the room. “Up there is who we have to worry about.”

Over the pounding music, Itachi didn’t bother trying to reply. He merely followed her up the narrow, nearly invisible stairs in the back and down the hall where four large bouncers were guarding the door. They all wore black t-shirts, their biceps nearly bursting the stitching in the arms and their tattoos out on display for all to see.

The closest one barely took one look at her before turning to Itachi. “You and your lady friend are going the wrong way. Party is downstairs.”

Unfazed, Itachi jerked his chin towards the mass of bodies swaying on the dancefloor. “That’s not the type of party we’re looking for. Our tastes are for something a little more private. Perhaps Sekhmet has enough room for two more. Two more with money to spare.”

The man’s eyes narrowed at that name. He eyed the pair of them again and seemed to think before he looked back at his companions and nodded once. His silent permission that they were granted access.

Sakura briefly glanced at Itachi as they slipped through the door. He returned her stare with a faint smirk. He was better at this than she thought.

The guard closed the door behind them as they slipped into a hall, muting the loud music below. She and Itachi followed it until they reached a shimmering, silk curtain. Beyond it led to a large room. There was a dozen or so people in the room, the clinking of their crystal glasses and murmured conversation floating up into the high ceiling. More silk hung from above in shades of the richest purples and deepest reds. The rest of the space was accentuated in sparkling golds, the colors all blending together to give a warmth to the otherwise colorless room.

Towards the middle of the room, four pillars of marble stamped a wide square onto the white tiles. Just inside that, the floor sunk down where a chaise lounge sofa sat. That was where Temari lounged.

She sat like a queen of the ages with her blonde hair tied back, exposing her long neck and accentuating the gold, stringed head piece along her forehead and atop the crown of her head. Her eyeliner was winged and sharp, drawing attention to her almond-shaped eyes. She was dressed in long flowing, harem pants and a shirt of the smoothest silk, her feet bare and decorated with intricate henna.

On either side of her, Temari kept company with a pair of young boys. Likely barely twenty. Not that that was surprising. Sakura remembered the blonde always went for the younger ones.

Temari looked up when Itachi entered. She eyed him curiously, giving him a long onceover as a playful smile formed on her lips. It fell the instant she spotted Sakura a pace behind him.

Like a candle dying in the wind, all warmth drained from Temari’s features. She didn’t spare another word to the boys beside her as she rose from her throne of plush pillows. Her face was hard as she approached, her expression carved from stone. “You have some nerve showing up here.”

Sakura and Itachi stopped a pace from where the floor dropped down. “Temari, I-“

That was all Sakura got out before Temari’s fist connected with her face. The crack of her knuckles echoed throughout the room. Sakura grimaced but made no move to defend herself or retaliate. She had expected worse. Beside her, Itachi tensed but remained still as the rest of the room fell silent.

“Give me one reason why I shouldn’t shoot you where you stand,” Temari demanded.

Trying to hide how much her jaw ached, Sakura looked up at the blonde. It didn’t escape her notice the guards in the corners of the room had reached into the inside pockets of their tailored suits. Hands likely around concealed weapons.

“You and I both know I did everyone a favor by killing Gaara,” Sakura said unapologetically. “He was a terrorist. In every sense of the word.”

When Temari’s eyes narrowed, Sakura took a step forward before she could cock her fist again, closing the space between them until she could whisper just loud enough for Temari to hear. “Don’t forget that I was the one who stopped him from strangling you that night.”

The blonde didn’t immediately move, the both of them remembering that cold, winter night. Her wheezing, hollow gasps while Sakura pleaded with Gaara to release his only sister.

This time when Sakura met Temari’s gaze, the anger and hate was replaced with something painful, something she was unable to describe. “He was my brother,” Temari murmured so quietly Sakura nearly missed the hurt in her voice.

Sakura swallowed thickly, trying to push down the sudden knot of sympathy that had balled in her chest. “I know.”

The next time Temari blinked her vulnerability was gone and in its place was her usual, cool frostiness. “So, what are you doing here? It’s not like you to apologize for anything so you must want something from me.”

With the thick tension broken, the soft conversation on the outskirts of the room resumed. Sakura tried to hide her smile at Temari’s perception, tried to hide how much her jaw ached. If there was one thing she learned from Gaara, it was how to throw a punch.

“We need some information,” Itachi stepped forward, speaking for the first time.

Temari pulled her gaze from Sakura to study him. She said nothing for a long moment before she extended her hand to him. And just as Sakura had hoped, Itachi accepted it.

“Information on what exactly?” Temari asked.

She led him towards the lounge chair she had been resting on when they arrived, wordlessly waving the pair of boys away. They made themselves scarce without a word. With them gone, Temari made herself comfortable upon the cushions, ensuring Itachi seated himself close by.

“Shipments out of Cairo and into the States,” Itachi said, turning to face Temari completely. “Specifically, into New York City.”

It didn’t escape Sakura’s notice Temari had purposely left no room for her to join. She resisted the urge to sigh at her antics as she stopped beside them. Still standing.

Temari arched her brow at Itachi. “Shipments of what?”

“Guns, drugs, the usual,” he listed.

When the blonde hummed thoughtfully, Sakura added, “It looks like Akatsuki, but a reliable source doesn’t think so.”

Temari peered up at her, the gold in her hair sparkling. “I’ve heard of the port. A shipment left here a few weeks ago to head into New York. I had assumed it was you so I didn’t look at it too hard,” she said. Then her gaze returned to Itachi. “If you want more information, I can look into it and let you know what I find.”

Itachi smiled. “We would appreciate it.”

Temari returned his smile for one of her own before it fell with a glance at Sakura. “You know I require payment first.”

“If you can find out who is using the port in New York, I’ll pay you one hundred million pounds,” Sakura told her.

The blonde arched her brow in surprise at the high price, the question obvious on the tip of her tongue. In never came. Instead, she pretended to think. Her gaze studying Sakura before turning back to Itachi. The start of a cunning smile on her lips. “One hundred million pounds. And I get to keep pretty boy.”

Itachi turned to look at Sakura at that. She couldn’t help but smile as she read the look in his eyes. “Pretty boy is mine,” she said, redirecting her attention to Temari. “Take the money or leave it.”

The older woman eyed Itachi for a moment longer before she sighed. “Fine,” she waved him away. “Wire the money to me by tomorrow or there’s no deal.”

With their business concluded, Sakura left with Itachi in tow, much to the pout of Temari. They headed back out the way they came, weaving their way through the party-goers still dancing and drinking downstairs.

The fresh air outside was a welcomed relief from the sticky heat of the crowded club. Although heavy. Like rain was threatening to fall.

Sakura inhaled deeply, wincing when her jaw ached. She rubbed the sore spot briefly, her fingers pressing along the skin just enough to determine that she would in fact have a bruise. At least Temari had played nice. Mostly.

Itachi was already watching her when Sakura looked at him. She dropped her hand, realizing she was still massaging her abused face.

“I’m hungry,” Itachi said before she could speak. “We should get something to eat.”

And that was how Sakura found herself at some American diner on the corner. It was a few streets back from the more touristy areas and a little tucked away. At this hour, they were the only customers. The older crowd already retired to bed and the younger ones still drinking in the clubs.

They ordered nachos before the waitress collected their menus and disappeared into the back. Even alone, they didn’t speak. Itachi watched Sakura over his coffee mug. Her phone sat on the table between them. Face up but silent. Only the screen lighting up every so often to indicate she had a new message.

Each time, Itachi glanced at her. She didn't touch it. Instead her gaze lingered elsewhere. The streamers hanging from the ceiling of the restaurant as they spun slowly, the steam rising from his coffee mug, the fall of the rain outside as it dripped down the window. She stared at all these things with rapt attention. As if she saw some deeper meaning in the little things.

Itachi just watched her, her earlier words playing over in his head. ‘Pretty boy is mine.’ He knew she had meant it as a power play against Temari, but that single statement had stirred something deep in his chest.

It stirred again now as he observed her. Eyeing the way she ran the back of her fingers against her jaw. It had to ache from the force behind Temari’s blow, but Sakura didn’t show any signs of discomfort. She had acted like it hadn’t even hurt at the time.

It was some minutes before Sakura noticed his stare. She cocked her brow. The same look she always gave when she caught him staring.

“You haven't spoken since we left Temari's,” he said, finally breaking the silence.

She said nothing for a minute more as a frown settled over her features. She sank back against the back of the booth heavily. “Some dots are beginning to connect that worry me,” Sakura said quietly.

Itachi’s brow furrowed. “With Akatsuki?”

She nodded, crossing her arms loosely over her chest. “Our meeting with Kisame is making me think Akatsuki is growing faster than we think.”

“Because he didn’t know about the port in New York?” he asked. When she said nothing, Itachi frowned. “Are you certain that shipment was even Akatsuki’s and not another group? There’s more illegal product moving in and out of America than there has been in years. It’s possible someone else-”

“I saw the port myself,” Sakura interrupted, her tone not unkind but unyielding. “It’s Akatsuki. And the fact Kisame doesn’t know might mean he’s been compromised or Pein has another arms supplier.”

Itachi was quiet for a long moment as he considered her words, a deep frown etched into the corners of his mouth. It was a minute before he spoke again, “Let’s wait to see what Temari says before we jump to any conclusions.”

Over the table, Sakura met Itachi’s gaze. He seemed to be pleading with her, as if trying to convince her to give Kisame the benefit of the doubt. She supposed she didn’t have any proof of her claims yet. Only a churning in her stomach that made her uneasy.

Eventually she nodded. A small smile caressed the corner of Itachi’s mouth before it disappeared behind his coffee mug. Sakura studied him, finding that she liked watching him. Noticing the little things. Like the way his shoulders filled his shirt, how he held his coffee mug from the side and not the handle. How his expression changed minutely when he looked up again and caught her stare.

“What is it?” he asked.

She didn’t understand his question until she realized her smile had dwindled into a frown. “There’s something else,” she began slowly. “Do you remember the payments Shisui found? The ones Hashirama was providing Madara.”

“You found out what the payments are for.”

Sakura inclined her head. “Hashirama is paying Madara to watch me.”

Itachi stilled, his gaze briefly flickering out the window as if he expected to find some shadow staring back at them across the street. “You don’t think he knows about us?”

“No. If he did, he would have taken me out by now,” she told him, unfazed by the thought. “I think Hashirama is expecting me to turn against him though.”

“Why would he think that?”

“Probably because I came to work for him as a favor from my adopted mother. And she loathes him.”

A look of confusion passed Itachi’s face as Sakura rested her chin on her palm. She could still recall the arguments they used to get into. At least she assumed they were. She could only hear Tsunade’s side of the conversation, but the hushed, angry whispers and abrupt ends led her to believe that things between her mother and Hashirama had slowly deteriorated over time.

“She never told me much about their relationship,” Sakura continued. “But I think Hashirama started shorting her on payments. I think that’s why Tsunade finally cut ties with him and left me in charge so she could move on.”

“So that’s where you got the name Tsunade from,” Itachi murmured. When Sakura shot him a puzzled look, he explained, “There’s not a lot known about you, even with Mossad and the CIA after you. We know that you were born in the States and raised in Israel, but other than that your file is pretty much full of guessed information. For a while, many of us believed you were multiple people. I guess we were half-right in that regard.”

Sakura drank from her water glass as she considered Itachi. Caught with the sudden urge to tell him more but not wanting to give too much away. She thought about her next words carefully. “I was born in the States, but I was moved to Russia before I turned one,” she told him. “I stayed there until I was six when Hashirama found me and brought me to his niece, Tsunade.”

“Your adopted mother,” Itachi said, connecting the dots. “So, she took you and raised you.”

“More like trained me,” Sakura corrected. “She was less nurturing and more interested in teaching me her trade. How to conceal a weapon, how to steal. How to lie.”

Itachi frowned, like he was pitying her. She half expected him to apologize for her poor childhood. To her relief, he didn’t, “You have the widest range of connections of any criminal I’ve ever tracked. You must have moved around a lot.”

Warmth flushed through Sakura at his compliment. She tried to push it away as she drank from her water glass. Instead recalling all the homes, all the cities they had jumped around. Never staying in one place for too long. Just long enough to establish contacts or create connections before moving on.

Itachi sipped his coffee as he considered what she had just told him. When he lowered it, he eyed her again. “Is Sakura even your real name?”

Sakura didn’t immediately reply. Not because she didn’t want to tell him, but because she didn’t know for certain herself. She had never known her birth name – or if she had even been given one. She knew they had called her something else in that cold orphanage, but that name had long since faded from her memory.

In the end, Sakura merely shrugged. “It’s the one I like.”

Their food arrived after that. They talked about insignificant things as they picked through the large pile of nachos for the perfect chip. She couldn’t help her smile when Itachi peeled off his jalapenos and nearly horded the little cups of sour cream and guacamole their waitress had provided. Sakura let him, not too picky with what she ate.

By the time they finished, the little diner was closing for the night. The waitress locked the door behind them and turned the outside light off, casting them into semi-darkness. She and Itachi paused under the front awning, observing the rain that fell just beyond.

It was a few blocks to her hotel. Sakura would undoubtedly be soaked by the time she got there. Perhaps she should have checked the weather before she left, but Temari had been her only thought when she had slipped out earlier that evening.

When Sakura turned back to Itachi, she saw he was already watching her. That same look in his eyes she recognized but still couldn’t quite place. She frowned. “Why do you look at me like that?”

He was quiet a moment. Then said, “Because I like the way you look at the world.”

“As a tool to be used?” she asked sarcastically, trying to distract from the way her heart was suddenly thumping in her chest.

Itachi merely shook his head, the start of a smile tugged on the corner of his lips. “As something to be looked at.”

Sakura held his gaze for a moment before she looked away, feeling her cheeks flush with embarrassment. She fidgeted with her jacket, pulling her collar tighter around her neck and drawing the zipper higher. When her face cooled, she looked back at Itachi only to find he was still smiling.

She frowned in defense. “Are you flirting with me, Agent Uchiha?”

“Would you be so opposed to it?” he asked in return.

For some reason that made her pause. For she could recall saying the very same thing to him those months ago. The only difference now was she got the feeling he wasn’t completely teasing.

She swallowed, suddenly unsure how to respond.

Itachi saved her from her own embarrassment by taking a single step back, a knowing look entering his gaze. “I’ll be in touch. Have a good night, Sakura,” he murmured, her name rolling off his tongue like it had a million times before.

Then he stepped out into the rain and walked away.

Sakura watched him without moving, feeling hot and cold all over. It wasn’t until he was disappeared around the corner that a glare fell over her features.

Damn, Uchiha. He certainly was better at this game than she thought.

to be continued…

[chillihansol]

barista!junhui (click for HD)

no. 1 reason why jun finds himself working as a barista is bc he dragged himself along

he’s a college boy too, major in performing arts wow whats new

and when he heard that joshua will be applying as a barista on the café near his department

he’s like “can i join, that sounds fun”

ofc, joshua being a kind friend, he’s very pleasant to have jun with him

ya know this café they applied to really needed a new set of baristas

and by the time the manager saw jun and joshua walk inside

“you’re both hired”

i mean, these too are very attractive (and they can attract more customers) and they look very responsible and dependable

tho they were accepted, they also had to work on different shifts and this made the two of them quite sad :(

but anyways, jun works in the afternoon after his class, which is also after everyone else’s class so his job was quite on the hassle side

junhui adapted on the job really well and only had to go training for two days

surprisingly, as junhui continued on his job on the café, he really DID attract more people to come

plus, most of the customers are college girls ofc

one time, a group of girls from another department came in while stiffling their grins and having pink blushes on their cheeks

junhui seemed to notice their reactions and found it really cute

and they seemed to notice that junhui caught them too

so they slightly turned away before ordering

luckily for jun, the café wasnt really packed at that moment so he took the opportunity to eavesdrop while pretending to clean the counter

“what do we order”

“idk we dont drink coffee”

“what”

“you’re supposed to at least like coffee!”

“girl they have teas too in case you’re more into those”

“and they have desserts too”

“but we have to order coffee so he asks for our name!”

this brought huge grin on junhui’s lips

and he wasn’t oblivious about the fact he was getting quite popular lately

so the the girls didnt stop to gush about him for about five minutes

until junhui heard the bell rang, indicating that another customer came in

and that was you

you came in, searching the whole room as you were actually looking for someone

but when your eyes landed on junhui, you made your way to him with such eagerness

junhui, on the other hand, almost dropped the towel he was holding as he watched you run to him

when you stopped directly in front of him, with the counter separating the two of you

he couldnt get himself to speak

and you noticed that

damn, junhui was speechless

so you initiated a sentence

“excuse me, is joshua here at the moment?”

and he felt a very little pang on his chest with that

he thought you were going to order and he would get his chance to know your name

he mentally shook himself before replying

“oh, h-he’s not here. his shift starts a-after mine.”

and he wanted to slap himself for stuttering in front of you

“oh” you said, a little disappointed “would you mind if i leave this here? it’s our report and he needs to revise it for our presentation tomorrow” you waved a brown envolope as you spoke

jun nodded multiple times before reaching the paper “s-sure, i’ll let him know.”

and that brought a huge beautiful smile on your face and he felt mini butterflies on the pit of his stomach

“alright, thank you–” your eyes squinted on his name tag “thanks junhui?”

“you’re welcome” he shyly replied, shoving the envelope on the drawers

“actually, can i have a cup of iced americano?”

and junhui suddenly didnt know how to punch your order on the machine bc he was so flustered

his hands were shaking as he took your order

and you noticed that, to which you found very cute

this also gave you the chance to look at him and intake his features

and woah

he’s

really

handsome

you felt your heartbeat raced a little faster at the sight of him

you stare at him while he was so focused on his work

the way his eyes squint a little

and his eyebrows slightly meeting each other

and his mouth parted a little

but he turned his attention back to you and he !! caught !! you !! staring !! at !! him !!!

so you quickly looked away and pretended to be busy admiring the interior design of the café

“so cute” junhui whispered to himself

but you heard it

and pretended you didnt

and that brought a huge blush all over your face

“your name please?” he asked with a hint of amusement in his voice

you barely looked at him as you replied “y/n”

so junhui turned around and made your drink,

He was blushing real hard and he’s never blushed like that his whole life

the temperature outside is really high too, so junhui secretly add more ice on your drink

“y/n” he called you and you looked at him, forcing yourself to smile but not too much

Bc he’s going to notice you’re having butterflies

Ofc, when he handed you your drink, your fingertips brushed against his

And that brought mini sparks in his hand

WEN JUNHUI IS MENTALLY CALMING HIMSELF DOWN

You pulled out your wallet to pay but jun immediately interrupted saying,

“Oh, don’t. It’s on the house,”

Even tho it wasnt, lol, really, it’s just a cup of iced americano

You know he’s lying but you just let it slide bc you didn’t want to insist

So you gave him one last smile before leaving the shop

lol, don’t forget about the group of girls earlier

Bc they witnessed your lowkey flirting with him

And they didn’t like it of course

Junhui saw how they were glaring at you and this brought a frown to his face

One of the girls saw his expressions, and they just embarrassingly walked out without ordering

So his shift continued until it was done, he was just waiting for joshua to come

When he did, jun immediately handed the envelope you gave earlier

“It’s from y/n,”

Joshua frowned a little, “y/n? How did you know her?”

“She said her name?” now junhui is a little confused why joshua was a bit skeptical

and this made junhui nervous bc…

….are you two dating?

“Are you….dating?” jun asked very slowly

“What? No! She’s my cousin.”

SIGH

Junhui let out a relieving sigh and nodded his head “she’s really…….pretty.”

Joshua’s eyes widened. “DO YOU LIKE HER IMMEDIATELY? YOU JUST MET HER TODAY”

He shrugged, and was about to ask something about you again until their manager came out and scold them for gossiping lol

And so the next days, junhui kept hoping for you to visit the shop

But you didn’t

He wanted to meet you so badly and it was so obvious that he’s very interested in you

He asked joshua all the time why weren’t you going to the café

And he was relieved that you were just very busy at the moment 

Soooo, one day, you came back

But junhui didn’t hear the bell ring, and he didn’t know someone came inside

It was sunday which means there are no classes, but jun still has work that day 

you came inside with bunch of books on your hand and a heavy backpack hanging on your shoulder

of course, you came there to study, hopefully before you get distracted by junhui’s ethereal face

and when you were about to order, you didn’t notice the sign on the floor

CAUTION: SLIPPERY FLOOR

and you

slipped

luckily, there were only two people inside

plus junhui

who heard your fall

your books were scattered everywhere

and he saw you on the floor, struggling

so he immediately stopped fixing the plastic cups and ran to you 

his hands were on your arms, helping you to get up

while you were trying to hide your face behind your hair because,

let’s be real, it was embarrassing

when you got up, junhui gathered your books and gave them to you with a concerned look

“are you okay? where does it hurt?”

you almost blushed again because, damn, he’s really sweet

“no, i’m okay. sorry.” you chuckled, while screaming inside

junhui led you to an empty table, with his hand on the small of your back

why is he so sweet already ahsldjlas 

“do you want some iced americano?” he shyly asked, looking down at you

“oh s-sure” you stuttered, looking down at your books

so junhui made you order and gave it to you immediately

lol he has never worked this fast before

he wanted to have a conversation with you but he noticed the abundance of textbooks you brought so he gave you the time you needed

and there he was,

just standing behind the counter

watching you as you focused on the notes scribbled on your papers

he literally just stops gazing at you when a customer comes in

but when he has the time, he just looks at you

you weren’t oblivious about it tho

in fact, it was distracting you

because you can really feel his gaze piercing on you, and you can’t focus on your studies because you just want to look at him too

tho as much as you want to, you also have a huge exam next day, and you don’t wanna fail that so you have no choice but to just leave

junhui was sad while seeing you walk out

and you saw of course

so you promised to yourself to come again tomorrow

and so you did,

not just the day after that

but you visit everyday

you and him were a bit awkward at first

he knew your order already

and let’s not forget you cousin aka joshua aka junhui’s friend slash co-worker aka his wingman

joshua trusts junhui, so he finds a way for the two of you to get closer

as your visits continue, you found yourself staying at the café until the end of junhui’s shift

what you were doing there, you ask?

talk with junhui,

or should i say,,,,, flirt with junhui

you get know each other very well

like really really well

his class schedule

his family

his friends

his habits

everything

and the more you gain more closeness with him, the more you actually like him as a man

one day, junhui was expecting you to arrive on the café

but you didn’t

calm down, junhui. she’s probably busy

he kept glancing outside, and on the clock

and when his shift was almost done

he gave up and sighed

but surprise,

you came in, with a huge smile on your face

and junhui was already walking out of the counter that time, 

you intake his appearance

and that was actually the first time you saw him without an apron

and he’s more attractive

asjfnsakjf 

when your eyes met, there was like a rope appeared between the two of you and pulled you to each other

you walked, then stopped just right in front of him

he smelled like coffee, strong coffee beans which you love

and he smiled down at you affectionately

“hi” he said

“hi” you replied, grabbing his hand, then interlaced your fingers with his

junhui’s expression changed and it was so obvious he was shocked by your actions but he likes it

he took a glanced on your connected hands and grinned wider.

“i waited for you today,”

“i know,” you replied teasingly

junhui raised an eyebrow

“will you go out with me today?”

his eyes widen at your question, and the butterflies in his stomach came up again

“i mean, if you’re not busy–”

“im not!” he interrupted too quickly to which you laughed on

and that was you first date, you were the one to ask him out

which was followed by another date

and another

and another

and one more

and it took him the 10th date to ask you to be his

and he didn’t really give you a choice at all, honestly

“we’ve been in to so many dates, will you be mine already? yes or yes?”

when joshua heard about this, he was like ‘FINALLY!!’

coffee dates became your thing, and joshua was always the one to serve your coffees

you watch his performances

and stay with him on the café if he needs to work overtime

junhui is just thankful to have you

and he would never ask for more after having you

because you’re all he needed

eventually, you started working on the café too

which was not a good idea because junhui keeps sneaking kisses from you

it’s not that you don’t like it

it’s just, he’s distracting you

but you don’t really complain

because you love him

and he loves you too

☕ more barista!au: s.coups  | jeonghan  |  joshua  |  junhui  |  hoshi  | wonwoo  |  woozi  |  dokyeom  |  mingyu  |  the8  |  seungkwan  |  vernon  |  dino

layout credit; by pdmapatil © to the owner of the photos. I do not own any of the photos used.