Shattered Minds Chap. 18 Teaser
I was amazingly inspired last night and was able to write all of Chapter 18 of Shattered Minds in one sitting. Here's just a teaser for all of you before I post up the entire thing on June 28. Enjoy!
~~~CHAPTER 18 TEASER~~~
His eyes suddenly focused on her garment. "Where did you get that?" he asked sharply.
Sakura was taken aback. Before she could contemplate a reasonable explanation, she found herself blurting out the truth. "It was delivered along with the invitation."
"He gave it to you?"
"Yes. Is there anything wrong?"
His entire expression tightened in displeasure, though she could think of no reason as to why it should have angered him. It was just a kimono, abet a rather expensive one.
When he didn't answer, Sakura stepped backwards a few feet, towards the sleeping yukata lying on her bed. "If it bothers you, I’ll just change out of it." She laughed nervously. "It’s too fancy to be comfortable, anyway." She swooped down to pick up the white robe and stepped behind a screen.
Hands working frantically behind her back to undo the obi, Sakura found herself tightening the ties instead. For a moment she paced in the tiny space behind the screen, fingers digging into the silk, but to no avail. With a trembling voice, Sakura asked for help. "I-I’m sorry, but... I’m sorry, I’m not used to undoing these things by myself. C-could you, please... Help me?"
She cursed herself inside, berating herself on her hasty behavior, wondering if she should have called for a maid instead.
However, before she could think any further, she felt his hands brush against back, his fingers deftly undoing the elaborate knot. He was silent as he worked, cooly professional in his efforts to free her from her outfit. She felt the robe grow slack, then loosen further. A breath of wind caressed her neck as he stepped back, leaving her to her privacy before the robe slid forward to reveal more creamy skin.
Her face red and entire body quivering with mortification, Sakura rushed to peel off the kimono and hurriedly slid on the more familiar cotton yukata. She roughly combed her hair by raking her fingers through the pink locks. Looking down upon her body to make sure nothing was out of place, Sakura took a deep breath and stepped out from behind the screen.
"T-thank you. That was stupid I me... Ino or someone else usually helps me with the untying, so I’m not really used to it. Thank you... For helping me," she finished lamely.
He didn’t grace her with a reply, merely giving her a curt nod instead. "Keep up the act with Itachi as long as you need. Don’t risk anything." He looked back at her slightly, then turned his head and started for the window, preparing to leave.
"W-wait!" She didn’t know why she had called out.
He paused before the window, waiting for an elaboration to her cry...
~~~CHAPTER 18 TEASER~~~
His eyes suddenly focused on her garment. "Where did you get that?" he asked sharply.
Sakura was taken aback. Before she could contemplate a reasonable explanation, she found herself blurting out the truth. "It was delivered along with the invitation."
"He gave it to you?"
"Yes. Is there anything wrong?"
His entire expression tightened in displeasure, though she could think of no reason as to why it should have angered him. It was just a kimono, abet a rather expensive one.
When he didn't answer, Sakura stepped backwards a few feet, towards the sleeping yukata lying on her bed. "If it bothers you, I’ll just change out of it." She laughed nervously. "It’s too fancy to be comfortable, anyway." She swooped down to pick up the white robe and stepped behind a screen.
Hands working frantically behind her back to undo the obi, Sakura found herself tightening the ties instead. For a moment she paced in the tiny space behind the screen, fingers digging into the silk, but to no avail. With a trembling voice, Sakura asked for help. "I-I’m sorry, but... I’m sorry, I’m not used to undoing these things by myself. C-could you, please... Help me?"
She cursed herself inside, berating herself on her hasty behavior, wondering if she should have called for a maid instead.
However, before she could think any further, she felt his hands brush against back, his fingers deftly undoing the elaborate knot. He was silent as he worked, cooly professional in his efforts to free her from her outfit. She felt the robe grow slack, then loosen further. A breath of wind caressed her neck as he stepped back, leaving her to her privacy before the robe slid forward to reveal more creamy skin.
Her face red and entire body quivering with mortification, Sakura rushed to peel off the kimono and hurriedly slid on the more familiar cotton yukata. She roughly combed her hair by raking her fingers through the pink locks. Looking down upon her body to make sure nothing was out of place, Sakura took a deep breath and stepped out from behind the screen.
"T-thank you. That was stupid I me... Ino or someone else usually helps me with the untying, so I’m not really used to it. Thank you... For helping me," she finished lamely.
He didn’t grace her with a reply, merely giving her a curt nod instead. "Keep up the act with Itachi as long as you need. Don’t risk anything." He looked back at her slightly, then turned his head and started for the window, preparing to leave.
"W-wait!" She didn’t know why she had called out.
He paused before the window, waiting for an elaboration to her cry...