DISCLAIMER: I do not own NARUTO or any of its characters. All original characters belong to me.
Notes: Main pairings are Sasuke/Sakura/Sai and Sakura/OC.
The story is under Mature because most of the events take place in a brothel-like geisha house, and sexual content and mature language will ensue.
Every step I took…
I took in order to see you again…
"Why…?"
Every breath I took…
I took in order to breathe in the same air you breathe…
"To protect you…"
Every life I took…
I took in order to give you back the time you lost…
H A N A M A C H I
[ f l o w e r / t o w n]
"What?"
"I believe you heard me, Sai. You have your orders."
Sai's mouth dropped open with disbelief. The elderly man who sat before him dispatched his order with a straight face.
"Kill the girl. She's becoming a nuisance to my plans."
Sai stared blankly into Danzo's eyes, forcing himself to believe the man was kidding. His visible eye was like a cold, black button.
"Sir, that order is ludicrous."
Danzo closed his eyes in frustration.
"Ludicrous or not, she has become a problem. You're good at cleaning up messes, aren't you? Then take out the trash," Danzo said frostily, the last sentence receiving the most malice. Sai shuddered and stood up from his crouching position. Danzo watched as the pale boy bowed his head and turned towards the exit with immediate haste.
"Sai… I have faith in your abilities."
"…"
"This mission should be nothing to you. You've done several before…"
"… Yes sir…"
The stoic artist grasped the doorknob before being halted by Danzo's words once more.
"Remember what I said: Emotions breed hatred, and hatred breeds war. Do not let your heart cloud your goals, and abandon those so called feelings."
Sai glanced over his shoulder at his superior and sighed sadly.
"Yes, Rokudaime-sama."
"Why…?"
The pink-haired kunoichi, once fearless and strong, now stood scared and trembling.
"To protect you…"
There was a soft squishing sound, then the splatter of liquid on the ground. Sai pulled the small chokuto out of her, staring straight into her eyes as he did. Sakura fell to her knees and put her hand over the gaping wound, trying to stop the blood from pouring out. She reached out to him with no avail. She gasped before falling over on her face.
"S-Sai…"
He couldn't will himself to look back at her. Sai faced the shrouded figures before him and bowed with respect.
"You promised that you'd take her far from this place… keep your end of the bargain, and I'll keep mine: your freedom in exchange for her safety."
"Of course, sir. I always keep my promises…"
The figure smirked and glanced at Sakura's crumpled figure in the tall grass.
"… but may I ask, what's her crime?"
Sai's eyes were looked cold, but held some warmth to them as he whispered her transgression.
"She loved him,"
Another figure appeared beside the other and frowned, shaking its head.
"Tsk… and such a beautiful girl too. Well, I won't ask anymore. I got this place set up for her somewhere in the Land of Lightning. You don't gotta worry 'bout her bein' found anytime soon!"
"… Good."
A guttural groan caused Sai to cringe. The figure sighed and sauntered lazily over to Sakura's side, putting a hand on her head and closing her eyes.
"Sleep little kunoichi, you have a long journey ahead of you."
One month ago…
The sound of children's laughter and running water was the only sound Sakura had been hearing for a long time. Picking up a basket full of medicinal herbs and roots, Sakura watched as the small group of children ran into the water, splashing and kicking.
"This is nice… I can really get used to this."
It had been three years since she had felt true peace. The lands are still plagued with constant bloodshed and war, leaving children orphaned or dead. Sakura had her own mission: to end the senseless bloodshed and take in as many of the children that orphaned by the war. Tsunade, who still lay in a coma, had entrusted her with that duty before being fully incapacitated.
"Keep them safe…"
Tsunade never specified who "they" were, but she naturally assumed she meant the keys to the future of Konohagakure, the children. Sakura snapped out of her thoughts when three children came running up to her.
"Sakura-neechan, Sakura-neechan! Are these herbs too?"
A small girl with twin braids held up a cluster of yarrow.
"Yes Megumi, those are good for countering poisons. Good job."
A boy with dark blonde hair shouted loudly, "How 'bout this one, Sakura-chan?!" Sakura nodded and took the licorice roots from his hands.
"Looks like you have your hands full, Sakura. Want some help there?"
Sakura looked up and smiled a pearly white smile at Sai. The pale boy always seemed to know where she was, and appeared right out the blue whenever she needed him. After the children dispersed and collapsed beneath the blossoming sakura trees, Sai and Sakura took a stroll alongside the riverbank. He grasped her hand suddenly, causing her to flush profoundly and lower her eyes. Sai smiled a true smile, tightening his hold on her. They stopped and sat on the grass, watching the majestic waterfall before them. Sakura played idly with a blade of grass, unbeknownst to the fact that Sai was earnestly watching her.
"Sakura…"
"Hm…?"
"Did you… did you give any thought to what I said before…?"
"… What are talking—"
"I told you that I had feelings for you when we were returning from the mission."
Her hand stopped for a second before she plucked the blade out of the ground, tossing it aside. She didn't dare meet his intense gaze. Sai sighed softly and put his hand on top of hers.
"I just want to know if you thought about it… I don't need an answer… yet."
Sakura gave him a fleeting look before staring up at the sky, watching as the sakura blossoms fell down slowly like a shower of pink rain. Three weeks had passed since the day his trembling hands grabbed her own. Three weeks since the words "I love you" came out of his mouth and plagued her mind. Three weeks since she mended his wounds and pondered on how to reply to his kind gestures. Her emotionally-inept partner had always been a mystery to her, even more so after his confession. He had betrayed her countless times, yet all of a sudden he announced his undying devotion to her and her cause. Sai, whose real identity would remain unknown, loved her more than she loved herself.
"Sai… give me some more time… I-I have thought about it… I just… I just don't what to say!"
She choked out the last part, holding back the tears that threatened to spill over. The fact that the man that looked so similar to her lost love had told her such a poignant thing made her angry at herself for not being able to answer. Sai jumped to her aid, trying to catch the drops before they fell.
"Shh… don't cry. I don't want to see you in pain anymore. If I am the one causing you pain, I rather die than allow it to continue… just forget I ever said anythi—"
Instantly silenced by an abrupt kiss on the lips, Sai closed his eyes and pulled her into an embrace- something he hadn't done before. His hands went to her hair, fisting her silky strands and pushing her softly into him. He took in her scent, the taste of her lips, her tongue, her skin, everything. Sakura moaned almost painfully before opening her eyes and backing out of his embrace, placing her head against his chest. His heart sounded as if it were trying to burst out of his chest. Sai panted with confusion and confliction flickering in his smoldering onyx eyes. Wasn't she upset with him? Wasn't she confused too?
"Saku—"
"Don't speak… you don't have to. I know what you're thinking and I'm sorry for making you feel this way… I'm so selfish.
Sakura closed her eyes and turned her face into his chest.
"Give me more time… and I'll give you a proper answer…"
Sakura whispered softly and wiped her tears on his jacket before standing up.
Time, however, is not on her side.
NEXT CHAPTER: Lost In Time
"Where am I?"
Sakura glanced around frantically, clutching the sheet to her bare chest.
"All I can tell ya' sweet is that you ain't in Konoha no more, and you ain't nowhere near the Land of Fire… oh, and Toto won't be comin' home!"
The dirty-faced man laughed loudly before taking another swig of ale. The more refined one looked up at her and sighed.
"Don't worry Miss, you'll be safe… for the time being."
"As if being completely naked, surrounded by two strange men, smack dab in the middle of nowhere makes me feel safe!" Sakura grunted under her breath.
Criticism is approved! Now comment this b****!