Masquerade

Disclaimer: there will be no owning of Naruto here

Chapter 1 : Fire of disguise

Strips of sunlight reflected on the beige carpet. The figure in front of the full-length mirror inspected herself thoroughly. The teenager dusted off a loose piece of lint on the shoulder of her uniform.

A small chuckle escaped her lips. She would never have thought on achieving this much in her shinobi life especially when she was considered a liability and always dependent on others three years ago.

An ANBU squad captain at the age of sixteen was an accomplishment. She even gave the best a run for their money. The female could not forget the look on Huuyga Neji's face when Tsunade made her the leader of this mission. Sure it was a simple routine check of the area surrounding Konoha, but she couldn't help her ego inflate a little.

After the examination of her clothing, she proceeded to her dresser and picked up a neatly, orange and black painted tiger mask. Carefully she tightened the elastic behind her head trying not to disturb the firm bun she had made. Returning to her mirror once more she pulled over the hood from her uniform hiding any trace of hair.

The girl closed her eyes beneath the mask. She had to prove her quality on this mission.

She looked around her apartment from her front door before exiting.

Sasuke followed the messenger. Curiosity plagued his mind to whom the shinobi would be.

Slowly he pushed open the hefty wooden doors, leading to the main interrogation room. In the middle of the area Sasuke saw a small, kneeling figure and in a way couldn't understand how this person could be the strongest in the village. Whilst circling the unknown shinobi, Sasuke traced his left hand against one of the stone walls.

He stopped and faced his soon to be training partner. Carefully, he looked over the slumped form, fully clad in anbu uniform, a tiger mask covering the ninja's face. Only the anbu's slender arms were visible. After a few more moments of stillness the missing-nin decided to break the silence.

"I don't like jokes," Sasuke said in a tone that could chip ice.

"I beg your pardon Sasuke-sama?" the guard replied scrunching his pants, with sweaty hands in nervousness.

"How could this pathetic excuse of a man be the best you could find?" he questioned, the anger rising in his tone

"But Sasuke- Sama this is the anbu captain, she's the top of her rank an…"

"What! He's a woman?" By Now Sasuke was swimming with annoyance and confusion. How could they possibly expect him to train with a woman? These guards were mocking his ability as a ninja and father more limiting their life span.

"Yes, it took ten of our best to finally bring her down," the guard said, bringing up facts to try argue his point.

Sasuke's face never showed any emotion, but for the first time, true puzzlement was shown. He was so lost in thought that he didn't notice the sigh coming from the female shinobi. It was only once she started talking that he was brought back out from his reverie.

"You've changed a lot …" her voice faded, as if deciding to carry on or not. Finally after taking a breath she continued, "Sasuke-kun…"

The man behind the Uchiha shifted his gaze toward the girl and then backs to his commander. For the second time Sasuke's face showed an emotion rarely seen. Her last words that she had spoken still echoed in his ears. He recognised the tone, the way the suffix was put on the end of his name. It was like a telephone call from his past.

'Why does her voice sound so familiar?'

"Who are you, what's your name?" calmness returning to his voice.

The girl didn't reply, instead she bent her head down and let out another sigh. This aggravated him immensely. He grabbed her by the collar of her uniform and lifted her up roughly.

"I asked you a question!"

The ninja stared at Sasuke; she tilted her head in slight amusement.

"I'm disappointed in you Sasuke-kun. You should have figured it out by now."

The smirk under her mask was clearly revealed by the look in her eyes. This only made Sasuke angrier. He wasn't going to let this snotty little anbu get off that easily after being so disrespectful. Tightening his grip on her collar, he turned to the guard.

"Leave!" Sasuke ordered.

Only after the guard had left, shutting the magnificently carved door behind him and leaving them in silence, did he return his attention back to the kunoichi, still firmly held in his grasp.

Sasuke looked at what seemed like green eyes behind the mask she wore. He could kill her so easily; especially being in such the vulnerable state that she was in now, due to the fact her chakra was drained. Yet she showed no signs of fear. Slowly Sasuke moved his hand towards the tiger mask. Regret overcame him the second it was lifted from her face.

Pink locks fell loosely around her unscathed features. Piercing emerald staring into what seemed like complete darkness. Instantly he let go of her and she tumbled to the floor. He took a few steps back and tried place all what had just happened in order.

'What is she…? This can't be, it's not possible!'

Denial was taking over his common sense. However, there was not very much the Prodigy could refute. The facts were literally staring him in the face.

"Sakura," he whispered as if the wind had been knocked out of him.

"At least you haven't forgotten me," the smirk once again returning to her face.

Never did Sasuke think that he would see his former teammate again, especially under these circumstances. Childhood memories he thought were long forgotten came rushing back, flooding his mind.

Before Sakura had a chance to say anything again he turned his back on her and stormed out, leaving the pink-haired kunoichi with only her thoughts to keep her company.

Sasuke was at a loss for words. He strode onwards, not noticing that his surroundings had changed. Never did he feel so mystified and he did not like it. His quick pace was halted when his shin hit a wooden bench. He sat down, clasping his head between his hands completely over come by what had just taken place.

Time seemed to fly by. It was nightfall when he was once again interrupted by a voice, only this time it was that of a guard.

"Sasuke-sama?"

"Hn," his head still facing downwards, not really bothering to look up and acknowledge the messenger in front of him.

"Orochimaru-sama wishes to see you in his chambers."

"Hn," Sasuke responded.

Annoyed by his teacher's interference, he stood up and made his way to his instructor's chambers.

Sasuke stuffed his hands into his pockets as he entered Orochimaru's room, where they were to meet. He had a bored look on his face that was really the opposite of what he was feeling. Meetings were never usually held in his so-called mentor's chamber so this assembly gave him a sense of uneasiness.

A frown was placed on his once bored face. His room was smaller, however Sasuke did not much care to complain. His eyes adjusted to the candlelight, which washed the pillars along the walls with an eerie, dull orange. Dark onyx eyes met those of his teacher. Yellow was Sasuke's least favourite colour, but it was not the shade of yellow that made his eyes narrow in disgust, it was the twisted grin plastered on the ashen-faced man in front of him.

"You wanted to see me?" were the words that broke the awkward silence. The Uchiha didn't like this feeling he was having, which was why getting this thing over and done with was his first priority. Besides Sasuke had more important things to do than get a lecture.

"I was just curious. Is there something you wish to tell me about?" the grin grew, enjoying every moment of the situation before him.

"No," Sasuke replied looking sceptically at the snake man.

"Are you sure?" if you were to touch those Acid words that parted his mouth, you would probably leave without a hand.

"Yes," he answered half truthfully, hiding the other half with his straightforwardness.

Orochimaru's brow arched in amusement as he stepped aside, once again the Uchiha was facing his ex-team mate.

Sakura had trouble looking at Sasuke with her blurry vision. She was bruised and once again kneeling before him. The sharingan user's eyes widened just a little, but his calm demure was still kept.

"That's my new training partner the guard's brought, what about her?"

"I'm glad to see you've found someone to train with so quickly, but there's something about this girl, she seems so familiar doesn't she?" his head slanting a little.

"I've never seen her before and even if I have I don't remember her," his posture remained stoic. Sasuke did not really understanding why he denied knowing her, maybe it was the fact she was a leaf and Orochimaru had a personal vendetta against the village. Who knew what would happen to her if the man found out where she was from. Wait why should he care? It wasn't as if it was his duty to protect her.

By now Orochimaru had he's famous smirk placed on his face. He turned to the girl.

Faded green eyes rest on the dark features of the Uchiha. Blinking away the tears that were threatening to fall, Sakura averted her gaze to the floor. Emotion was a burden. No it was an assassin, a silent killer. It took all she had from preventing herself to cry out his name and embrace him in their first meeting. Her logical side kept telling her that he was the enemy, not the Sasuke-kun she once knew. The moment he refused knowing her, she couldn't help but feel her heart shatter, betrayed all over again. This was the real Sasuke, changed, he had always been cold but this was beyond him.

The former Akatsuki mukin signalled to the guard who was standing with his back against the door. The guard stood upright, glad that he was finally being called. He strode towards Orochimaru taking out a kunai from his pack. He stopped abruptly next to Sakura. He the weapon grasped firmly in his hand.

"If this is true and you have no connection with her, then you wouldn't mind if something happened to her?" He enquired, attempting to sever into Uchiha Sasuke's true thoughts.

"I couldn't care less about what happens to her."

"Good," with that confirmed the man gave a small nod and the guard who was at the side of Sakura plunged the sharp blade deep into her left shoulder. Sakura's excruciating scream echoed the room. She doubled over; her eyes shut tightly trying to block the pain out. Sasuke's stomach turned over from witnessing what had just taken place, but still held his cool.

"Are we done here?" He asked annoyed.

"For the moment, yes." Orochimaru leered.

Feeling slightly awkward, Sasuke left vociferously.

The saninn watched his student leave. He returned his attention back to the pink haired ninja. As he looked at her fallen body he felt a sense of accomplishment.

"Take her to the men; I'm sure she will be able to provide some sort of entertainment for them." He instructed to the sentry. With a quick nod he grabbed Sakura by her hair and dragged her out of the room.

A/N: Hello I hope you enjoyed our first fanfic, Special thanx toour friendSatachi for working with us. Please review and let us know what you think...