Crossing Borders

交差のボーダー

By: Sweet Bliss

………

Summary: Haruno Sakura was living a normal life in a small village not involved in the war. That was until some warriors of one of the warring nations burst into her home and took her villagers captive. Now she must prove her strength by learning the way of the sword. And fall in love among the bloodshed

SasuSaku; slight NHK, ShI, NeTL, and Sasu?

………

国家の戦争

(The War of the Nations)

A young man with ebony colored hair lay on the floor of the temple as soft rays of sunlight splayed across his handsome face. His eyelids were shut and no sounds were made except those of the birds chirping and the fountain up front. "To think, Sasuke, that you could be resting at a time like this."

His eyelids slowly opened revealing emotionless black orbs. He sat up and ran a slim hand through his dark locks. "Kakashi, I told you not to disturb me," the man named Sasuke said. The older male ignored his statement as he spoke up, "Our emperor would like to have a word with you. It's concerning the villages on the outskirts of our land."

Sasuke stood from his sitting position and straightened out the dark blue yukata he wore. He picked up the sheathed sword and placed it in the black sash around his waist. "Do you know when we leave?" The white haired man shook his head no as he too fixated the sheathed blade looped into the sash of his green kimono. Sasuke frowned as he made his way passed his teacher and toward his emperor.

A young female with pink hair that ended just above her waist, plucked the blades of grass that tickled her feet as she sighed. Before her, she could make out the temples of Konohagakure. How could a beautiful place like that of Konoha be caught up in war? Maybe it was because their adversaries wanted to bring the lands into modernization, which the warriors of Konoha wanted to stick with the old ways.

Before long, that amazing view wouldn't be there. No more temples that touched the heavens and no more of the traditional ways. Yes, she hated to say that her own homeland had been succumbed into the newer ways. But this new way of life brought her town into poverty. Her parents worked hard just to make ends meet, along with many others.

Her father's hands that she loved so much were calloused and damaged due to the work he did in the rice fields. Her mother's wonderful glow had evaporated and her rose colored hair had been turning white as of now. They had no money for clothes or other possessions like that. Only food was bought in her home now, along with her fellow people who had also been ripped of their wealth.

And that was why she sat here today. "Sakura, what are you doing here?" Her father asked as he walked own the hill to her. Sakura remained silent but tenderly held onto her father's hand to show she was listening. "Oh, ever since you were little, you've always wanted to visit Konoha," he said slightly above a whisper.

"Do you think… that maybe Konoha will win this war?" Sakura queried as her jade orbs scanned the distant place. Her father squeezed her small hand and said, "Whether they win or lose, the leaf warriors will live and die with honor. They have courageously demanded that the old should remain and they are fighting for what they believe. If only we hadn't been blinded by all of this, then maybe you wouldn't have to live like this."

"Sasuke," the old man greeted as he moved the brush against the paper smoothly. The dark haired boy bowed to his emperor and took a seat on the mat below him. Sasuke waited patiently for the old man to speak, but when no words came form his king he was slightly agitated.

"Why was I called here?" Sasuke asked with a bored expression on his face as he twirled a leaf between his fingers. The old man, finished with his calligraphy, grew a serious look on his face as he spoke, "We're to capture the villages laying on our border. Bring back any able body you find… that means men, women, and children." Sasuke stood from his seat on the mat and bowed down to his king. "We'll leave immediately."

"Daddy, I've been working on my dance!" Sakura exclaimed excitedly as she stood in front of her parent. Her jade orbs twinkled as she smiled. "I'm going to Konoha some time soon to perform this in front of their emperor and nobles." She saw him smile and his eyes became focused on her. But before she could begin, the bell chimed in their village.

"Someone is attacking, Sakura. Stay close behind," her father ordered as he ran up the hill towards their hometown. She began to run up the hill, but stopped when she remembered her flute. The flower ran down the hill to grab her flute and when she got it, she could not find her father anywhere. "Dad, where are you!" she screamed out as she struggled up the hill.

Reaching the top of the hill, her eyes widened in horror at the scene. Houses were set on fire. People, who she didn't recognize, were struggling with fighting another group she had never seen. Others were trying to escort some of the survivors to a safe house. She tripped over a rock and landed hard on the ground, gaining the attention of one of the men. His cold black eyes searched her face as she desperately tried to move away.

But before she could get up, he was already standing before her. She screamed and grabbed the stick that was a few feet away from her. "Get away! Get away from me!" she yelled as she continuously hit him the stick. She then felt him stab something sharp into her neck and her eyes grew heavy. "Father… mother…" she said as she slumped into the male's arms.

"There you go, Sasuke. I don't know why you insist on bandaging yourself on your own. I'm sure these girls would love to see you more often," a busty lady said as she stood from her sitting position. Sasuke looked around the small hut as all the females in it were drooling over him being shirtless.

Sasuke frowned at the lady as he placed the sleeves back on, making all the girls cry. "Emperor Sarutobi and Naruto want to have a word with you about the mission." Sasuke nodded to her and said, "Next time I'm here, Tsunade, keep the girls under control." Tsunade laughed as she watched the girls whine about their love leaving them. "I wish he'd find him someone already. He's courted basically every girl and still doesn't wish for a further relationship. Maybe it's because of her." The blonde sighed as she went back to her work on other injured people.

"Emperor Sarutobi, what is it you wished to speak to me about?" The Uchiha asked as he bowed before his superior. His onyx orbs glanced around noticing the fact that Naruto was missing. "Where's the idiot?" Sasuke queried as Sarutobi shrugged. The old man turned to him and said, "I assume that your mission went well."

The young man was about to speak but his ruler already knew. "He attacked the village also." Sasuke nodded to this as his eyes went cold. "Walk with me while we wait for our friend." The wrinkly man led the boy to another room in the temple. "What is this about, Emperor Sarutobi?" The man put a finger to his lips motioning him to be quiet.

Sarutobi walked up the wooden steps to the top floor, a confused Sasuke following him. He walked over to the railing that overlooked the bottom floor. "You brought back quite a beautiful woman, Sasuke." The younger male scoffed at the statement. His ruler ignored the boy's rudeness as he said, "It's not everyday you find something as young, beautiful and delicate as this. She may be useful for a warrior as great as you."

Sasuke decided against glaring at his ruler and remained silent. "Sasuke, we are going to pick out the warriors from the servants. Come back here later tonight," the man ordered as he began to walk away. Sasuke sighed and leaned against the railing overlooking the conquered people. He caught a glimpse of the pink haired female as she sat in the corner away from the others. This was going to be interesting…

"Sorry, Emperor Sarutobi. I was on my way here-" The old man cut him off as he spoke up, "You're not Kakashi, Naruto." The blue eyed boy had a sheepish grin on his face as he scratched the back of his head. He blinked around the room as he asked, "Where's the bastard?"

Sarutobi sighed at the denseness of the blonde. It was sad to say it, but this boy was one of his best warriors. "I already told Sasuke that the girl was to be used however he saw fit." Naruto's eyes went wide and the tea in his mouth went all over the floor. "Uh, um… That sounds kind of, shall we say, nasty?"

The old man chuckled to himself as he nodded. "Do you think she'll be willing to do that?" Naruto queried as he downed the remains of his tea. Sarutobi eyed Sasuke's best friend. "If she's like any of the other girls, then yes. She'd want him the first day. But then again, this is Sasuke. He's still devoted to her."

Sakura glanced around the area she was placed in. To be a captured person, they were treating her quite well. She was taken away from the containment chambers and placed into this well decorated room. She was worried about her parents though. She hadn't seen anyone from her village there, just neighboring villages.

Jade orbs snapped to the door as someone entered. A beautiful female in her early twenties with cerulean eyes. She wore a light blue kimono with a white obi, blue butterflies scattering about the sash. Her blond hair was pulled back into a tight bun. "Prisoner number 379, follow me," the girl ordered as she looked at the cherry blossom coldly.

Sakura stood. "So much for politeness," she mumbled under her breath as the other female shoved her out the door. Once outside, Sakura stood speechless. Temples grazed the skies and shady trees formed a wall around the village. "I am Yamanaka Ino, and will see to it that you get everything you need around Konoha."

The blonde bowed to her with those cold blue eyes. Sakura decided it was best to introduce herself also. "I am Haruno Sakura. Could I ask you something, Ms. Yamanaka? Where are we going?" Ino cocked a brow and inquired, "What is it, Haruno, and try to not call me Ms. Yamanaka? I'm 21, not really old like you." Sakura glared at her new found "friend" as she said, "I'm not old, unless you call nineteen old."

The blonde remained silent, having been defeated in this little match. "You're going to see Emperor Sarutobi and Master Uchiha. Try and behave." When Ino turned around, Sakura stuck her tongue out. "What a snob!" Sakura said to her self as she followed the fuming female.

"Emperor Sarutobi and Master Uchiha," Ino greeted as she sank to her knees as a sign of respect. The blonde then tugged Sakura down, but not before glaring at the flower. The gray haired man smiled at the two and told Ino to wait outside. Ino obeyed reluctantly as her pretty cerulean eyes looked Sasuke up and down.

Green orbs stared at the two men, but when she caught the eye of the raven haired man she looked away shyly. The old man chuckled at her bashfulness as Sasuke just rolled his eyes away from her. "What is your name?" Sasuke asked- demanded, really- as his eyes traveled all over her small frame. "I-I'm Haruno Sakura."

Onyx orbs left her which relieved her to no end. "She's not exactly what I'd call pretty." The girl bit her bottom lip trying not to throw his face against the table he sat before. "Nonsense, Sasuke. If only I were back in my twenties!" A hearty laugh escaped the old man's throat much to Sasuke and Sakura's surprise.

"Well, Sakura, welcome to Konohagakure, or Konoha as some call it. You will be stationed as one our warriors servants. And it just so happens that Sasuke is in need of a woman's touch. It's not that difficult of a job and I'm sure Yamanaka Ino and Hyuuga Hinata could help you out with these things." The old man explained with a wide smile on his face.

Sakura fidgeted under their gazes. First, she was kidnapped form her home and separated from her parents. Then she was placed in this village she had always loved to see. And now she's given this warm greeting and hired as a servant of this very handsome man. But before she could even answer, Sarutobi yelled, "Hyuuga and Yamanaka!"

Upon the words, two females entered. The curvy blonde form before and a new girl with pearl orbs. The girl Sakura hadn't met, Hinata, had short dark purplish hair and pale skin. She wore a plain lilac kimono and white obi that was designed with purple flowers. "Yes, Emperor Sarutobi?" both girls said as they bowed before their king. The man then said, "Find something nice for this young lady and then help her out with her work until she gets the hang of it." The two nodded and Ino roughly grabbed the girl's sleeve and pulled her out the door.

"Do you think this is wise?" Sasuke asked as he watched the females leave. Sarutobi sighed. "Sasuke, you haven't allowed any female get close to you since her. I think that maybe Sakura could make you change your mind. This cherry blossom is quite beautiful and fragile, so be kind to her." Sasuke scoffed at his words, even if the man was his king, the man had no right to bring back the topic of her. "I'm sorry for bringing her up, but you need to meet new people. We told you that she wasn't any good to begin with."

Sasuke stood from his seat and scowled. "She will not be replaced by some pathetic girl named after some weak flower." With those icy words spoken, the Uchiha left the building. "Well, I'll prove him wrong when this girl can't handle any of the tasks I give her," Sasuke muttered to himself as he folded his arms over his chest.

"Here's your new outfit. If you're good, then Master Uchiha might get you a new one, but I doubt he'll want to," Ino said as she handed over the plain white kimono to the pink haired girl. Sakura was tempted to punch the girl but she felt a hand on her shoulder. "Don't mind Ino, she's just jealous you're spending time with Master Uchiha."

Sakura smiled at the white eyed girl. Comparing the two dresses worn by both Yamanaka and Hyuuga, Sakura asked, "Hinata why is Ino's kimono more elegant than yours, if you don't mind me asking?" Hinata's eyes went away from Sakura's face. "M-my master isn't as rich as Ino's master. But since my master died not too long ago, they are appointing me to Master Uzumaki Naruto." The young cherry blossom smiled at her new friend, which was irritating the blonde.

"We are not here to make friends. We're trying to teach this girl so Master Uchiha won't be displeased. Our jobs at Konoha are to please our masters and do whatever they want. If we do our jobs well, then our masters will buy us things they think we deserve. When your master is married, you are only used for sex or to make the wives jealous. In other cases, we are bought when the wife is too ill to do housework. With unmarried masters, we are used to do the things a normal housewife would do. There are different types of rewards which are: sex, clothes, and things of the sort."

Sakura blinked a few times until realization dawned on her. She thought that this was going to be easy to deal with. She only thought that she'd follow her "master's" orders and get treated with some kind of material possession. But sleeping with a person she was a slave to? "Sasuke-" she cut her own self off when she received a glare from Ino. "Master Uchiha is not married right?"

Ino scoffed. "No, and if he was, then he wouldn't degrade himself by sleeping with the likes of you." That was the last straw. Sakura threw down the plain dress and pummeled Ino onto the ground. The cherry blossom and the gorgeous blond began to punch and kick each other until someone stepped in.

Upon realizing who it was, Ino immediately bowed and sobbed out, "I-I'm so sorry, Master Uchiha. This… thing just started to attack me and I just tried to defend myself." Sasuke looked down upon the blond with a cold, blank stare. "Get off the ground and go back home, I'll see to it that your master, Shikamaru, knows about this whole ordeal."

The now crying female picked herself up from the ground and brushed passed Sakura and Hinata. Hinata bent down to help Sakura up, but was interrupted by the angry Uchiha. "Hinata, I think you should go also. I'll deal with Sakura." The Hyuuga placed the clothes in Sakura's lap and hurriedly left.

Sakura looked down at her lap and fiddled with the kimono. "We don't need foreigners coming here and destroying everything," she heard him say and winced at the iciness of his tone. She felt him kneel in front of her and heard the fabric of his clothes flutter with his movement. He jerked her face up forcefully to look him in the eyes.

"No good," he mumbled running his fingers across a long scratch across her cheek. He pressed his thumb against one of the deeper cuts and she flinched away from his grasp. "That hurt," she muttered as she held her throbbing cheek tenderly. His eyes traced the other marks on her face and then he finally said, "You look terrible."

She would have been angry if the fight with Ino hadn't wiped her out. That might have been why he hadn't made contact with her fist yet. He stood back up and glanced around the area. With a small frown, he realized where he was. "No, it's over now, this place means nothing," he hissed to himself and was slightly glad Sakura hadn't heard. But when he remembered the new girl, he was slightly surprised to find her shakily stand up.

She lost her balance as she began to feel lightheaded. A small noise escaped her throat as she made contact with something- or rather someone. The cherry blossom looked up into his eyes that weren't there usual emotionless ones. He somehow seemed… worried? But she couldn't make sure as her eyelids covered her deep emerald orbs.

How long had it been now? She was the last person he'd ever held at all. But even when he held her it didn't feel like this. She was strong and really didn't like to feel the touch of others. But it felt different to hold this girl. He found himself smirking. "She was named quite well."

Green eyes fluttered open as streams of sunlight filtered onto her face. She sat up abruptly to make sure that what had happened wasn't really real. Maybe that all these images of going to Konoha really didn't exist. She was back in her bed, in her tiny village, where everyday she'd gaze out admirably to the forested village of Konoha.

But when she glanced around at her surroundings, she noticed that it was real. Now she wasn't referred to as Sakura. Here she was called Haruno by other servants and her well-respected "master". To the other honorable warriors, she was just dirt. The female laid back down on her side and cuddled into the covers that enveloped her form.

"Up, up, up! Master Uchiha wants to see you before he leaves!" Green eyes fluttered open as an angry female, with a lopsided haircut, shook her awake again. "Get up, bitch!" Sakura sighed. Another name to add to the list. "I said get up!" the female practically exploded as she kicked Sakura repetitively in the stomach.

"Ami! What the hell are you doing!" Another female rushed into the room and shoved Ami away from Sakura. "I'm Shizune, the head of the Uchiha estate." Sakura clutched her lower abdomen and smiled at the brunette that saved her from Ami's wrath. "Shizune, the bitch would not get up as I said. She deserved every bit of the beating," Ami whined as she acted innocent.

Shizune helped Sakura stand up as she scolded Ami, "You know that the master is the only one who can give us a punishment." Ami glared at the pink haired girl and stomped off. The brunette looked over to the cherry blossom and asked, "Are you alright?" Sakura nodded as she rubbed her, most likely bruised, stomach.

"Who was she, and I thought that Sa- I mean Master Uchiha didn't have any servants?" Shizune let the girl go so she could walk on her own. "Master Uchiha's family- now deceased- bought us as housekeepers when the mistress came down with an illness. Master's brother and father were always away as they fought in this war that still exists today so somebody needed to take care of the house. His brother owned most of the younger females, like Ami. While his mother and father owned the older ones like me. The master wasn't interested in us at all until he met someone. But that story is very personal and the master doesn't want us to mention it."

Sakura nodded and winced in pain from the bruises on her lower abdomen. "You may have to report Ami and the bruises on your body to Master Uchiha," Shizune said as she overlooked the pink haired female. Sakura walked on but stopped as she asked, "Where are my new clothes?" Shizune smiled and revealed the fabric that was given to Sakura the day before.

"What the hell is she doing? Usually they're out here in a matter of seconds," Sasuke mumbled to himself as he paced outside the building. "Oh, calm down, bastard! She's new and this takes time getting used to!" The raven haired man turned to glare at his blond haired friend. "And you would know…how?" Naruto gave his friend a sheepish grin.

Naruto hopped of the railing he sat on as he placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder. "Trust me, I've gone through many of these girls. They always try to make a good first impression." As the words eased their way from Naruto's mouth, Sasuke spotted a familiar pink head, accompanied by the head housekeeper. "Masters Uchiha and Uzumaki," Shizune said as she bowed before them.

Uzumaki? Where had she heard that from? Oh, yes, it was Hinata's new master. She couldn't help but realize how cute theman before her was. He was slightly taller than her, blond spiky hair, bright blue orbs, and an energetic personality. She smiled at him and he flashed her a toothy grin. He was perfect for Hinata.

Sasuke, who noticed the silent flirting between his best friend and servant, cleared his throat to get their attention. Emerald and sapphire orbs snapped to the onyx eyed male. "Sakura, I'm leaving you with this job. Watch everything Shizune does, and get them memorized, fore you will start yourwork tomorrow." She nodded to him with her head slightly tilted down. Sasuke quirked a bow but dismissed her weird behavior as he motioned for Naruto to follow him.

"Okay, Haruno, the tasks we do are quite easy. It all goes hand-in-hand with cleaning. We wash clothes, the house, and dishes. Make sure everything is tidy, but let me say that Master Uchiha is very picky when it comes to these things." Sakura nodded as she took mental notes of everything to do. "Yamanaka and Hyuuga told you what our jobs were here in Konoha, didn't they?" Sakura sighed as she answered, "We're treated like animals… even worse than animals. We're treated like crap."

Shizune chuckled as she said, "Yes, that's pretty much summed it up. But since you are Master Uchiha's personal servant, that means you'll be the one he wants to do specific things." The younger female nodded with a serious expression etched across her beautiful face. "Oh, and one more thing, try as you might to please him, you'll never take the place of his first. She caught his eye and heart, so no matter how hard you do what he says, I doubt he'll ever feel about you as he did her."

Shizune walked passed her as she said, "I'm sorry, Haruno, for saying that, but it is true. I know I'm supposed to help you with the work, but I have things to do. But hopefully you can manage on your own." Sakura slumped to the ground in depression. She thought at first, Shizune would've been nice to her. That was a mistake in Sakura's part. "Who the hell is that woman that everyone keeps bringing up? And how am I ever going to please anyone if nobody tells me any specific way of doing things?"

"U-um… S-Sakura? It's m-me, Hinata," a voice called out to her as she saw a female walk towards her. Green eyes blinked upwards to meet with pure white orbs. "Oh, hi, Hinata." The Hyuuga female sat down in front of the cherry blossom. "What's wrong?" Hinata queried as she worriedly looked over her friend. "Hmm? It's nothing really." Sakura then remembered something.

"I saw Master Uzumaki. He's kind of cute, Hinata," Sakura said as she smirked devilishly at her young friend. The shy girl turned red in a matter of seconds as she stammered out, "S-Sakura, Master U-Uzumaki is a respectable w-warrior. I-I shouldn't think of s-such things a-about him." Sakura giggled at Hinata's embarrassed look. "But, Hinata, what I don't understand is the people here. There was obviously this big ordeal before I got here between Sasuke and this girl. Shizune, Ino, and Ami all kind of give me this cold stare once they said something referring to "her" and Sasuke."

Sakura frowned and purposely ditched the honorifics when she brought up her new found master. Hinata sighed. "Some of the girls were talking about it when I first came here. It was before this big incident. His servant was a pretty girl; strong and knew how to get her way around Konoha. Sasuke fell for her shortly afterwards… but so did another man. The girl was with Sasuke for a while but left him for the other. That was the last anyone here saw them."

Sakura remained silent for a short moment. "Thanks for telling me, Hinata. You know, without getting all bitchy," Sakura stated as she stood up. Hinata followed shortly afterwards and smiled. "Th-that's what friends are for." The cherry blossom hugged her shy friend and started to walk away. "Now all I have to do, Hinata, is show those girls that I'm a force to mess with!" Hinata giggled as Sakura mock haughtily walked away from her friend, but not before waving goodbye. The cherry blossom couldn't wait to show Sasuke that she could handle whatever he threw her way.

A/N: Okay, I tried to make it slightly oriental and modernized. It's a bit weird for me to get these things down path (seeming as though I'm American) But that's the challenge of it all. And ages have been changed on purpose for some scenes to make more sense. If the spelling or grammar sucks blame it on me editing at three o' clock in the morning. I hope you liked it so far and please leave a review. I'm dying to know if it is good or not! - Sweet Bliss