HIiii! This is the first chapter of my new story! Its AU. I decided to update it and see if you like it, please review, ne? :)
This story is rated M for a reason! M for language, violence, and of course, lemons!
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: If I owned Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura would currently be having a wild quickie against the wall behind Ichiraku Ramen :P Hahahaha imagine that...
Summary: Sasuke and Sakura are divided by a war. Sasuke believes in Madara's cause. Sakura is fighting to stop him. What happens when these two meet face to face, but cannot see eye to eye? Will they ever be able to understand each other again?
Chapter 1 - Search & Destroy
''A simple answer is never what it seems.''
x-x-x-x-
''Usagi?''
''Speaking.''
''Do I really have to kill him?''
''Sora, you know there's no other way. This is essential.''
''Hai, I was just making sure. Sora out.''
''Sora, I'm sorry that you have to do this.''
''Its fine, I knew joining you wouldn't come without a price. This is a sacrifice I have to make. This isn't my first kill.''
''Im still sorry.''
Sakura swallowed hard. ''He's a bad man?''
''Yes. He's killed a lot of people.''
''Thats all I needed to know.''
Sakura looked down at her target. Sasori. A soldier from Suna. One of Madara's trustees. Poison expert. Latest mission: Mass murder of anti-Akatsuki protestors. 100 civilian protestors killed within a 30 second time period, from a single cloud of purple smoke.
She looked down at him through the lens of her sniper rifle.
His dark red hair stood out against his pale face as he laughed at someone's joke.
'How can you look so carefree after what you've done...?'
''When?'' she asked.
''2 minutes. Hana is in pursuit.''
Ino was having trouble? Sakura sighed and looked down again. He was now talking to a different person, but was still so carefree. It pissed Sakura off. Fucker.
''Hana is in position. Get ready everyone.''
Sakura took a deep breath.
-x-x-x-x-
Ino was inside the ventilation system. She looked down at the room. The vent wasn't the best idea, if anything went wrong she'd be a sitting duck. Though, out of options she had no other plan. Her target was a man named Kakuzu. She was told that he had dark skin and wore a blue bandana over his head.
She'd been following him, setting the plan back a bit, but now she had a clear shot of him.
''Usagi, I'm ready.'' she whispered.
''Take your shots in 3, 2, 1...''
'Hana' pulled the trigger.
'Sora' pulled the trigger.
'Inu' pulled the trigger.
'Kyuubi' pulled the trigger.
x-x-x-x-
Sakura watched his head jerk back and the blood run from the wound, and then he collapsed.
The brunette he was talking to screamed and alerted the other guests of the party.
Sakura disassembled the rifle with shaky hands, even if he was a horrible man, she never enjoyed the sensation of killing. Sakura quickly hid the container back into the bathroom stall where it had been left for her. She smoothed out her black strapless cocktail dress and checked her long curly brown wig in the mirror before she left the ladies room.
The annual 4th Akatsuki ball was in chaos. Wives were in tears, clutching to their military husbands while the latter tried to piece together what happened and restore order.
Sakura tucked a brown lock of hair behind her ear as she glided through the hysteria, making her way to the door.
As she turned the corner, the doors were being locked.
''Tch.'' she bit her thumb, a habit she picked up from her mentor.
''Usagi, I need an escape route now.'' she said as she turned back into the ballroom.
''Sora, I need eyes.''
''Right, the front doors are being locked, and likely the back doors as well, tell me where I can escape.''
''Pulling up house plans.''
Sakura's apple eyes darted around the room. She couldn't possibly make a scene. What they were doing was too important. A scene would ruin the plan.
''Got it. To your left should be a staircase.''
''I see it.''
''Take it to the second floor.''
Sakura wasted no time in going up the stairs. Who thought she'd ever be inside Uchiha Madara's house, with the perfect opportunity to kill him, and here she was, making an escape.
''Take your first left.''
She followed orders.
''Another left.''
As she turned there was a long hall in front of her.
''The window at the end of the hall only has a sensor located in the upper left corner, break it and get out. It will take 17 seconds for them to realize its not transmitting.''
''Got it.''
''Sasuke! Wait.''
Sakura ducked into the first room and pressed her back firmly against the wall at the sound of the voices. She wasn't sure what she heard, but she was sure she'd mistaken it.
''Someone is in this house Itachi! He killed Sasori!'' Sakura's mind went blank and her entire body stilled.
''Calm down, Sasuke. Let Madara handle it, he told us to stay put. We may also be targeted.''
Sasuke scoffed.
''Come on.''
Just walk by...just walk by...Sakura begged.
Someone entered the room and froze.
''What is it?'' Sasuke snapped.
''Juri-san.''
Sakura looked up at Itachi who spoke, begging him with her eyes. She couldn't see Sasuke. He would know. She wondered how she would feel if he didn't know?
''Itachi-san.'' she kept her voice soft as she bowed.
''What are you doing here?'' he stepped inside and Sasuke followed, his eyes critically observing.
''My father told me to come up here, he was afraid that something might happen.''
Itachi nodded.
''And you just happened to come into my room?'' Sasuke wasn't convinced by her story.
''Y-Your room?''
His eyes narrowed.
''Itachi!'' someone called from outside.
''I...'' Itachi began hesitantly. ''I'll be right back, Juri.''
She said nothing as he left the room.
This was not good. His mere presence was suffocating her. She needed out, now.
Sakura turned to leave.
''Where are you going?''
''I didn't mean to bother you, I'll find another room to wait in.''
He stepped closer a slight frown of his face. Sakura kept her eyes down.
''What did you say your name was?'' his voice was smooth, husky, deep...she almost lost herself in it.
''Juri.''
''Last name?''
Think Sakura, think!
She opened her mouth, hoping something would pop out, but his voice stopped her.
''There's something about you...''
''What?''
He was so close that she could feel the heat radiating off of him, so close that she could smell that familiar scent, so close that she wanted him to find out so that she could fall into him again.
''Something familiar.'' he watched her every move, every breath.
But, she couldn't let him find out. This was bigger than what she felt for him.
''Please move away, you are making me uncomfortable, Uchiha-san.''
His eyes narrowed. ''How did you know my name?''
''Itachi-san told me about you.''
''Convenient excuse.''
''Please, Uchiha-san,'' she lifted her hands to push him away, ''Move-'' he grabbed her wrists and pushed her against the wall behind her. Sakura gasped and looked up at him.
''Who are you?'' immediately after the question left his lips, his eyes widened and realization set into his face.
''Juri...'' she whispered.
Realization turned into disbelief, his head shook the slightest bit as he reasoned with himself.
''Uchiha-san, please.''
''That voice.''
She snapped her mouth shut.
''Look at me.'' he commanded.
She had to do it.
Their eyes met and she swallowed. Her chest began to rise against his.
''No...''
''You're lying. Don't.'' She had to deny it. He could not find out.
''Im Juri.'' she denied. She pushed back all emotion, now wasn't the time.
All her training just went to hell. Why did he have this effect on her?
Sakura shook her head. ''Im not who you think I am.''
He watched her for a moment more before she saw a slight smirk tug his lips and he stepped away and turned his back to her.
Sakura stepped outside of his room and closed the door behind her. She was shaking as she kicked of her heels, picked them up and made a dash for the window. She took the heel and shoved it into the sensor before opening the window.
She couldn't look back, she forced herself not to. Instead, she jumped down.
''Usagi, I'm out.''
''Transport is waiting.''
''Thank you.''
Sakura was helped into the van by Kakashi.
''Kakashi, its just a hunch, but I think you need to take me home.''
''Why? What happened?''
''I met Sasuke-kun...and I think he recognized me.''
x-x-x-x-
It was simply driving Sasuke crazy! Since the party, all he could think about was those familiar green eyes, and that melodic voice. The moment he touched the soft skin of her wrists, he was sold. It just had to be Sakura.
Yet, she said her name was 'Juri'. Like he actually believed that. Also, when he asked her to deny her identity, she shook her head, tilting it slightly to the left and there was an almost invisible twitch in her cheek. Only Sakura did that.
He slammed his fist down onto the desk in frustration. Sakura wouldn't have been there. He was going insane.
Sasuke grabbed his black trench coat from the back of his chair before storming from the room.
''Sasuke! Where are you going?''
Where was he going? Did he even know?
*beep* ''Uchiha Sasuke and team two please report to mission control, I repeat, Uchiha Sasuke and team 2 please report to mission control. That is all.''
''Fuck.'' Sasuke cursed before turning in the direction of mission control.
Suigetsu ran a hand through his hair. If Sasuke was obsessing, he wasn't getting involved. He turned and followed Sasuke anyway.
x-x-x-x-
Sakura arranged her room. Folding some pages of a medical textbook, making it look like she'd been using it for months. Her dreams of going to medical school never realized. She'd joined the group called LEAF almost straight out of high school. They were the longest surviving rebel organization in the last 2 years. Probably because they kept quiet, carefully planning until now and also because, for the past 6 months the Akatsuki military have been at war with the Lightening Country. The Raikage was a formidable rival.
Sakura sighed, both sides were, however, suffering heavy losses. Not that Madara cared. He wouldn't stop until the whole world was united as one. With him ruling. It was insanity. He needed to be stopped.
She hid all her guns, with the exception of one under her the mattress of her bed. If Sasuke came, she'd find some way to stop him from looking there.
''Sora, look at the TV.'' her ear piece said.
''Usagi?''
''Just do it.''
Sakura sat down on her bed and turned on the TV.
''...yes, Michio-san, earlier today several high-ranking Akatsuki military officials were assassinated simultaneously. One, confirmed to be Suna's Sasori, was taken out at the 4th Annual Akatsuki Ball. Another was Mizuki, who was assassinated right outside the Akatsuki intelligence offices. As of yet, we have no other details on the other assassinations, but word is that Lord Madara is furious and is looking into the situation himself.''
''Ooooh,'' Sakura mocked.
''Thank you, Mimi-chan. We are now speaking live to Uchiha Itachi, who is Madara's nephew and also the head of Akatsuki's Intelligence Department. Hello Itachi-sama.''
''Thank you Michio.''
''Now, would you please explain the current situation.''
''Well,'' Itachi began, ''I have been given permission to disclose the following information, the names of the officials killed, where it happened, our current theory as to who could be responsible and also how we are likely to move.''
''Please do so,''
The screen changed and a list of names appeared as Itachi said them.
''Sasori of Suna, Kakuzu of the Military Scientific Department, Mizuki head of the subdivision of the Psychological Interrogation Department of the Akatsuki Intelligence Department, and Zaku of the Weapons Development Division.''
''Itachi-sama, do you believe there is any connection between them?''
''We are looking into it.''
''Please continue with the rest of the information then,''
''They were all killed at exactly 18-hundred hours, yesterday. As you know, Sasori was killed at the Ball and Mizuki was killed outside of our department. Zaku was killed at our Konoha weapons testing facility and Kakuzu was killed at the Akatsuki Training Academy in Ame.''
''I see, and what leads do you have about who could have done this?''
''Akatsuki has officially declared them a radical terrorist organization. We are, however, still speculating about what goal they might have.''
''Terrorists? TERRORISTS? What the hell?'' Sakura fumed getting up from her bed, where she had been watching.
''Terrorists attack CIVILIANS! If anything, Madara is the terrorist!''
''-that's true, yes. How will Akatsuki move to counter this organization?''
''For the time being we are launching a full investigation starting tomorrow to find any possible information on them, but at the moment we have to wait for their next move to find a way to attack.''
''Sora, that was the key word.''
''What?''
''Mission C will commence in exactly 10 hours.''
''Mission C? That's too risky!''
''It will be fine. I believe in you.''
Sakura sighed.
''Sakura, also, The Eye has made contact.''
Sakura fell silent. The Eye - a person they knew little about. He was the one who established their organization and was pulling the strings behind the scenes.
''Yes?''
''Becuase you are in the public eye so often, The Eye has decided that you will be the face of LEAF, so to speak.''
''Excuse me?''
''You will take a public blow. After plan C you are to reveal your identity and cast away the alias you've established as 'Juri'.''
''What? Shizune! My family!''
''Please Sora...codenames. And, I know, but these are your orders. Madara will not kill someone who is in the public eye as often as your father.''
Sakura swallowed. ''I don't like this...''
''Neither do I,''
There was nothing Sakura could do.
''I understand.''
x-x-x-x-
Sasuke stood in Akatsuki HQ. The news was playing on a large TV on the wall.
He frowned. How could this have happened? Who did these terrorists think they were? Attacking Akatsuki, where they insane? Madara was working to change the world. Did they not understand that?
''They will pay, its only a matter of time.''
Sasuke turned to the voice. ''Konan.'' he greeted her with a nod. ''Have they found anything?''
She shook her head. ''These people are good. Itachi is looking into it. Its weird that he hasn't found anything. It means they've been planning for a while.''
Sasuke looked back to the screen. ''Tch.''
''Well, I'm off to see Madara.''
''I'll be there soon.''
Konan walked off. Sasuke sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
''Tough morning, Sasuke-san?''
Sasuke turned to the brunette. ''Juri, was it?'' he was sure it was her name. But he still had his doubts.
She nodded. Her green eyes scanning over him.
Sakura's heart was beating unnaturally fast. They way he looked at her made her feel uneasy.
Sasuke looked back to the tv. The headline read 'Haruno funds new Akatsuki research' Haruno Kenji stood on a podium, camera's flashing, the press asking questions. Yuki, Sakura's mother stood to his right, and to his left - Sakura. She was smiling. But Sasuke knew her well enough. It was fake.
''Wow, that pink princess is hot!'' Sasuke heard a soldier whisper behind him.
Next to him, 'Juri' bit her lip. Sakura took a soft breath to hide her blush.
''Yeah, man!'' the other soldier said, giving a low whistle.
''Pity about her melons though,'' the first spoke.
Sakura's eye twitched. Sasuke clenched his jaw.
''They look at least a hand full so I guess its ok, although...she totally makes up for it in that ass!''
Sasuke spun around. ''Don't you two have work!''
They sputtered and excuse before stumbling away.
Sakura couldn't help the shock on her face...did it bother him?
She masked her face quickly as he turned around.
''What are you doing here?''
''I've been asked to aid in the investigation.''
Sasuke didn't have time to ask more.
''Got it.'' he walked off without another word.
Sakura walked off towards Itachi's office. She looked around, there was no way they could strike HQ without some serious inside backing. The place was filled with cameras, tight security and high ranking officials just itching to kill.
Sakura knocked twice.
''Juri here.''
''Enter.''
She closed the door behind her and turned to Itachi to salute him. There were cameras in here too. Madara didn't even trust family.
''Here is the file we want you to look at.''
''Thank you.'' Sakura took it from him.
''How are you doing?''
Sakura smiled. ''Confused. I'm not sure I can do this.''
She was of course referring to being the 'face of LEAF', but whoever watched the video footage would believe they were discussing Akatsuki business.
Itachi sighed.
''Im sorry we have to push this on you. You know I would do it if I could.''
''Don't worry so much Itachi, everything will work out for the better, ne?'' she smiled.
''That's why we're working so hard for it.''
''Hai...''
x-x-x-x-
Sakura looked at the file Itachi gave her. It was a detailed list of their largest military facility, Amaterasu. Initiating Plan C wouldn't be easy, but at least she now had a pass inside. The mission plan was quite simple, though not at all. Sakura went over the plan a million times in her head. She looked over the personnel files, security system layouts, floor plan, entrances, exits. From her point of execution, she would have to have multiple escape plans. They won't be able to count on Shizune either.
Sakura sighed and set up her camera. She sat down in front of it and began her assignment.
x-x-x-x-
Sasuke arrived at 2am. He hadn't been at this house for two years. He knew being here was wrong, but he had to know. It was driving him insane, this 'Juri' character. He entered the large house silently and made his way upstairs. He remembered where he room was and found it easily. It was dark, a figure sleeping soundly in the bed. Her back was to him, she was facing the window. Sasuke swallowed, looking away from her and at the rest of the room. It looked like she had been living here for quite some time. He walked around the room. Her usual magazines, Vogue, Game Informer, Glamour, Newtype - were carelessly arranged on her soft carpet. On her desk lay an array of medical textbooks, notes scribbled in her almost neat hand writing. It seemed like she had been staying here all this time. He knew her father and mother had to move closer to the Akatsuki HQ because of her father's research, so Sakura was staying here alone...
Still...those eyes. He still didn't know what to believe. He turned to look at Sakura, the moonlight fell over her body in an illuminating soft light. The blankets had slipped down during the night, exposing her upper body to him. She was wearing a white tank top. The straps slipped down her shoulder, no bra. She never wore a bra to bed. Sasuke blinked, pushing the memories back, he didn't need to be reminded of the nights they spent in this bed.
''Sasuke-kun...''
His eyes snapped up to her face, she was asleep. Her lips now-parted. A frown on her face. Slowly, her arm reached out to him.
''Sasuke-kun...'' she whispered again, this time her voice broke.
He shouldn't. He knew he shouldn't, and yet, she was asleep and would never know.
Sasuke trailed his finger over her outstretched arm. She sighed at the contact. Sasuke leaned down, stroking her hair. Her frown disappeared. ''Oh...''
He swallowed the lump in his throat.
He needed to leave. He'd gotten what he wanted. Sakura obviously wasn't Juri. She'd moved on with her life, gone to medical school like she always wanted.
He trailed his thumb down her cheek.
He knew he needed to leave. But again, he found it hard, like that night, the night he left.
Sasuke pulled his hand away and she moaned, her frown returning, at the loss.
A part of him was happy that she was still dreaming of him, and yet he knew coming had been a mistake. He stepped away and reluctantly took another step, and another until he closed the door with a soft click.
x-x-x-x-
OK! Here ya go! I hope you like it! The first chapter may be a little confusing, but the next chapter will clear a few things up.
Sasuke finds out that Sakura is fighting with the rebels against Akatsuki and against him, how will he react to this?
Find out next chapter!
Zana-Lee
xoxo