HORIMIYA

((Won't there be anyone listening to this twisted fairy tale?

Once upon a time, the village doted upon its young darling.

The legends erased her name.

She was a strange creature, colourings made of spring. ((A woman of fine calibre, melded by the kingdom's counsel into a weapon despite her tainted lineage))

Admired, she was. She was kept company by the village's finest elite as she reached adulthood. Once she was of age, she was sent to a country to retrieve the peace treaty ((LIES!)) with armed escorts and so she went...))

–

A simple mission turned to a vicious survival.

It was supposed to be a mission to escort a stash of forbidden scrolls to the forest-paradise village of Konoha. While they had escaped alive in the enemy territory they've snatched from, none was left unscathed. An elite nin was guided through the land with her chosen escort, something she relished in dragging them into much to their grumbling. Sakura ripped the bindings and secured it tightly. "Next time, please don't attempt to run towards exploding shurikens."

"But, Sakura, I had it!"

Those amazing eyes that always made him linger on a little too much softened, "I get it, Naruto. But it's better to retreat then engage in a compromised position, alright? I'm handling this." It may have ended with sternness, but Naruto grabbed her into a hug anyways.

"If you're done messing around, move it," a flat voice said. Sakura crushed the blonde's newly done bandage, who yelped in a rather high-pitched tone, as she pulled away with a catty smile directed somewhere behind him. Naruto was sweating by the time he was completely erased from the exchange.

"We would have been miles further, Sasuke, if not the times I've needed to redone your bandage. It's been taking up our time with your carelessness." Naruto burst out laughing, even as his muscles ached. He awkwardly manoeuvred his hand to angle it right and Sakura reached out without looking away to settle it again.

"You weren't sufficient enough."

"I am capable of managing this mission and you will listen, Sasuke. I am captain and I won't tolerate a bridge between the team."

Kakashi came in between; another adult rated book going by its cover and so used to it that they just stared blankly at the vulnerable position a woman was in, chains wrapping her arms. For some reason, Sakura shook off a feeling. "Now, now. It's best to be friendly."

Naruto finally spoke up, "Get it right, will you. Bastard," he added for good measure, fastening a strap of weapon on his leg and tapped a foot to the ground.

"Try saying that again, yankee."

Sakura didn't bother interfering and scouted her surroundings. Naruto froze and she could imagine his ears twitching to hear things she couldn't going by the way his lined whiskers lifted in his face. She quietly waited, hands steady to unleash weapons, until he settled her. He gave her a grin and was about to set up the pace for the journey when Sasuke appeared close and shoved Sakura. "Hey!"

There was a whistle of metal and the bag was cut away from her thigh, pinning to the ground, patches of skin removed. Blood splattered and Sakura hissed, making a quick turn to disappear from the open vicinity.

Naruto flew to the trees, hands acting to make a seal. Sasuke was already gone. From their place, hands at the ready and nerves wound tight, they watched the scroll slowly unfold from its binding. Sasuke closed in on Sakura, letting her know his presence with a pressed hand on her thigh. She knew it from the heat of the curse slithering around his skin. Her eyes took in the area, trying to pinpoint the enemy. Without looking away, Sakura mouthed Naruto's name and Sasuke tapped a finger twice to indicate he was hidden. Kakashi. One tap. Missing. Sakura fixed her eyes on their objective, measuring the distance.

Paper rolled and rolled and rolled to a stop. They stared. Illegible writing was its text and Sakura cautiously tried to recall where she saw its familiarity. It flared dramatically, spreading past its container and went straight for them. Naruto immediately tried to deflect its pathway but it kept coming. Smoke burned and it pushed past the flames, heading straight for Sasuke. Sakura threw obstructions to its path yet it still grabbed. It bound their arms and legs to the dirt, pulling vigorously at their restraining muscles. "What the hell is this!"

Sakura forced herself to relax, the tugging subsiding to a dull throb and she still couldn't move.

Kakashi emerged from the shadows, watching with detached ache at his proud students driven to their knees. ((They were his students. Sasuke was never going to be forgiven with the cursed seal and descendents of traitors running through his veins. Konoha would not accept such a criminal in its lands yet –

He was a little boy that survived the massacre and Konoha hoped to train his killer instincts. Until that shadow snatched and devoured him and he willingly embraced it to destroy Konoha.

. . .

The Kyuubi punished, threatening to release itself from its vessel; losing control that Naruto could no longer contain its rage when people still whispered behind his back. His lineage made it impossible to threw him out its gate –

They all believed in the dying Kage's will and sheltered him. But that was until its tails were being released and its container was breaking.

. . .

And Sakura was the largest threat to them all.))

Son of a bitch, he had to do it and dammit it all if he let another faceless mask do it for him.

"Kakashi!" Naruto shouted, baring his fangs. Red slitted eyes flared. "The scrolls are strange! I don't think it's supposed to be like this!" He snapped his mouth to the paper as if threateningly. From beside him, Sasuke grunted, enraged Sharingan spinning vigorously with his hands sealed. That was because it shut down the chakra in the body, Kakashi thought dispassionately.

"I think it activated its defense mechanism. Kakashi, cancel it!"

"No."

Amidst the struggle, they stopped.

Sakura looked dumbfounded, wide eyes ((wicked, she was!)) reminded of her younger years that stung his gut. It swiftly disappeared when he saw his other students. Black seals were racing over skin and tails were visibly whipping with ferocious intent. A roar ripped through the silence and Sakura flinched, knowing it was Naruto. She didn't want to look even when he demanded her attention. It was no good feeding the demon even more. Sasuke was silent and she feared the same, feeling the caged violence.

"Just wait, Kakashi," Sakura tried reasoning. "We need your help. I don't know what's happening, but the scrolls are –"

"I know what's going on, Sakura."

"Then why?" she had to shout over another roar.

"You're a threat to Konoha."

She opened her mouth to reject that, but Sasuke was chuckling menacingly. "I knew the counsel wouldn't give their forgiveness after three years. This was the first mission we've taken together in years."

"I knew Sasuke hasn't prove himself yet and doesn't exactly have a good track record," Sakura ignored his low growl, "But this is taking it to extremes! Is this done under orders? Did Tsunade-sama consent to this?"

Kakashi continued in that monotone, judging them word for word. "You're affiliated with a growing threat to Konoha and must be dealt with."

"Affiliated? Naruto has been training to control the Kyuubi with B-sensei, you know that. There's no danger he possesses to the village other than the Akatsuki!" When the name was said, a heavy tension weighed down the forest floor and eyes were wearily searching the trees. "Don't treat him like a monster," she said.

One eye slid to the left. "Look at him now."

Sakura did, straight to red coloured eyes unflinchingly even though its vessel struggled to tone down its influence, blue eyes flickering once when the woman finally looked back. "I see my friend."

"Those with strength beyond the counsel's order present a hazard to the village because of their unpredictability. The Uchiha clan was eliminated because of that."

Something clicked and Sakura screamed.

–

((The council did not approve of the woman's' lover and they removed the potential risk of power imbalance and so the Kingdom's elite military officer was gone by the next sunlight, his bravery known throughout the land when he ventured through the misty grounds and was forever gone.

But the lady was beloved and there were many more clamoring for her devotion. And when she was sent out on a mission, she gathered them and took off. ))

–

"That... that means the death of the Hyuuga Neji was your doing!" Heads whipped to the distraught female. The agony twined with extreme abhorrence twisted her voice. "You killed him." When Kakashi didn't answer, she screamed some more. "You killed him!"

"You were fucking him," Sasuke stated point-blank, a sinister curve on his lips. Naruto snarled at him, shouting to back off. "Now that he's gone, you're running back to your friends because you're lonely, aren't you."

"Shut the fuck up, Sasuke!" Naruto roared, multitude of voices overlapping in layers. It shook the forest.

"To hell with that, I was the one she came running to."

"You always believe you're living in the past, Sasuke," the blonde growled, "But it isn't. Get it in your head, bastard!"

Kakashi dispassionately watched the two monsters snarling and growling at each other, wondering if he could end it now but he wanted closure and he owed it to them to say their final words. The lone female in the midst of it all was silent and shaking. The copy-nin slipped his hands on his weapons.

She didn't care to listen. Everything drowned to a single point. "You killed Neji, damn you!" Her voice was raw, the unmistakable despair of the night the messenger came and she had broken down once the door slammed shut. Naruto grunted, struggling to reach and comfort his teammate. A warning shuriken stopped his progress, cutting another line to his cheek.

Red eyes targeted the trees.

Kakashi motioned his hands, trees rustling and they froze. More animal masks surrounded them, robes fluttering as they took position and chanted. Something drained in their system, forcing them to bow.

((That bitch, fate, repaid their cruelty and ruined their course.))

A summon killed off the scroll's bindings and Sasuke disappeared from view. There was a ripping sound and a scream as blood burst and one of the masked nin fell. A second later, Naruto escaped. And then Sakura stayed, red markings pressed on human skin.

Naruto ground his teeth, memories flooding back. Finally, finally, finally! When he had friends, ((they may have bitched and stabbed but they were around him and by the gods he would not be left alone again where a caged beast purred for its release –)). Something dark flared cajoling to his temperament that soothed and embraced him. His body moved to crouch down on all fours, animalistic instinct disregarding human disposition.

Tails were visibly forming, flaring. Crystal blue melted to sharp ruby, narrowing to target. Naruto launched to it and he was lost to the violence.

–

((Listen carefully, because there was a demon with red eyes always around the lady. See, she was cast away from the misgivings of the jealous queen! But what the counsel didn't anticipate that there were more demons always lurking around the lady.

Hmm? Which one you ask? Aah it's–))

–

She was swiftly scooped up in Sasuke's arms, missing the attack of an angry fist. While he snatched her, he directed a sharp swing at the mask, revealing gold hair and sharp blue eyes.

"What..."

The older woman charged, fist held high. Sakura immediately retaliated and the ground burst on impact.

((He turned her soul into an empty doll set out for revenge.))

Sasuke focused on another, clashing swords with a faced mask knowing Sakura could handle herself. There was a violent burst of chakra and earth debris flying everywhere that Sasuke grunted, twisting his arm to drag the shinobi down with him and positioned himself to crack the neck.

Blood dripped from her hands. She stared incredulously. Sakura started when she realized there was a warm glow that signaled her body was rejuvenating. Beyond her, a body twitched. Sakura blindly took out a kunai and swiftly flicked her wrist but it pinned the earth when Kakashi swept the body away.

Sakura trembled, eyes wide and teary like a lost child. "Kakashi... she's okay, isn't she?" Kakashi grimly looked away. The Hokage was severely injured and with two inhumane creatures rallying behind Sakura, most of the elite nin wiped away, there was no way to win this. "Answer me!" Hands shook and soon her body lost control of its own sanity and charged towards the duo.

–

((Jealousy? No, that's not why the lady was feared. Behind those gentle eyes, was another demon in the lady.))

–

Uchiha Sasuke cursed, ridding his hands of the corpse and launched himself towards the crazed female. He forcibly dragged her down to the ground and pressed his body down to keep her from flailing. He took hold of her wrist and bit down on the vein. Sakura yelped, blinking rapidly to regain her surroundings. There was no need for colour but there was something familiar in the depths of heartless eyes that reminded her ((– of bottomless snow white, and that it was gone but whywhywhy was there no body –)) of something she could evoke and been wanting to see again since the day she lost his warmth.

There was more fury building, hands broke their hold and she used her strength to smack him away but he kept coming back, hands everywhere to hold her down and Sakura didn't like it. Those spinning commas spun and stared down then purposely nudged his hips down hers and something in her stilled. "Calm, Sakura." When she was starting to make sense of reality again, he eased away.

Her grip tightened for a split second before they relaxed and cool air brushed her bangs away, heat leaving her stone cold when, at the corner of her eye, she caught movement then saw red again. Sakura was about to move when the man stood behind her back, that curse filling the air so strongly that she was warm again. Still, her vision narrowed down to that one body.

Calloused hands attached themselves on her skin and she looked up, blood obscuring her vision to see onyx eyes behind those dark tresses. "Sakura," the voice so deep she almost shivered, "Stop." She must've murmured his name because he answered with, "Yes."

So quickly Sakura forgets the violence she committed as she shoved him off to tend to Naruto. Sasuke didn't blink. He only halted her progress, ignoring her snapped command, to wipe away the blood sliding down her arms. She looked at him straight in the eye and didn't thank him. Sakura found Naruto resting beneath a tree, coated with sweat and blood, eyes fading back to their crystal blue.

Sasuke was blankly staring after her.

((No mercy for the damned))

He turned his attention elsewhere.

Sakura was limping to crouch in front of the blonde while receding fangs peeked out with a cheery smile. Sakura was looking worried even as Naruto was chuckling, saying, "No problem in my end."

Sakura looked at him then brought a hand to his face. There was a burst of violent chakra behind her and Sakura paused. There was a snap and Sasuke was seated beside her, calmly binding the injured nin who sniffed at his help. Sakura let them be; knowing Naruto would end up as a mummy if he wanted to seal the wounds himself, and faced away. The forest was as still as it had been, removed of the killing intent suffocating its trees.

"We'll need to move soon."

It was quiet, only rusting clothes and exchanged banter before they agreed, "Yes, captain." And she smiled.

–

Sakura brushed the tangled mess of her hair away from her face when she resurfaced. She scrubbed her face, enjoying the cool water. She heard noises back at camp but she didn't think anything of it. As long as Naruto and Sasuke was on guard, there was a less chance of being followed as they hid their trails ever since leaving the forest. Sasuke had appeared nearby moments ago and she ignored him. It wasn't until blood scented off his direction that she looked.

Sasuke was scrubbing his hands, face impassive as the water darkened. There was a hint of annoyance as he looked down. He reached behind him to grasp the fabric and pulled the cloth off. Muscles rippled, strong and hard, glistening with sweat and blood. Sasuke ran a hand through his hair, keeping it there and dispassionately eyed the forest. Then he gave his attention to her. His eyes dropped to the enticing curve of her shoulder and she could imagine his teeth on her skin, locking on and the pleasurable burn bringing her back to reality. Sakura purposely let her locks cover her skin but that dark gaze still lingered. "I told you to take watch, Sasuke."

"I am."

Her eyes narrowed, disregarding the short lust-induced instantly. "Out there with Naruto. There's no reason for you to be here."

"The captain leaves herself vulnerable," Sasuke said, sounding far off. He directed his gaze right beyond her shoulder, where he disposed of the rouge nins trailing them. Last minute, they decided to ambush Sakura and he broke their necks in return. One fought back and Sasuke took out his sword for a quick eradication, blood spilling. It was her fault that he needed to wash.

"I knew you would handle them." Sakura grabbed her clothes, walking past him as he impassively eyed her figure. He remained in place, while she dawned her attire with leisure. "You shouldn't leave Naruto alone," she admonished and Sasuke scoffed. "He still hasn't recovered. The scroll sapped a lot of his chakra from the way the Kyuubi kept feeding him more." Her ridged calmness over the situation and perfect control of chakra hadn't done a ton of damage to her body. But Sasuke looked at her under his bangs, knowing she had lost herself later. She refused to talk about their unspoken agreement and her sanity so she walked away.

"You shouldn't baby him."

She didn't turn. "The only thing holding him down here is our friendship."

"That's not what we're doing."

Sakura knew what he meant but she answered, "You're right, you're being a jackass than a friend. I wonder if he even considers you one." she snapped.

"Hyuuga did the same thing before, didn't he."

Her body flushed, flashing back to strong hands drifting down her body, pale eyes intent on hers as she moved above him. To a much further extent, Sakura thought quietly, missing his warmth. "That's none your business."

Sasuke was undeterred but kept his usual silence. Like a dark shadow, he kept track of her movements, trailing behind her. While he distanced himself, she was grateful for the support.

((The demon was watching and watching.

And this was what it thought...))

–

Through the eyes of crimson;

Forest green told of her origins, brimming with vitality when she looked at him.

A hand lazily drawled over quivering skin, fascinatingly transfixed on the peach hue lighting with faint red, blood racing under.

A low warning sound. She said his name, long forgotten and forbidden to utter and it pleased him that she did. That particular sound, a mixture of rise and fall of syllables, the letters of his name; she said it so easily.

"Do you want something from me?"

Her movements were precise, fluid and graceful in one movement to provoke him.

It drove him mad.

–

((Who else knew? Why, maybe one or two but that one or two is buried beneath the earth.))

In an attempt to infiltrate a civilian village, Sakura rid herself of weapons, tucking them discreetly away. Naruto didn't want to be without his weapons and equipment until she wrestled him into submission. Sasuke followed her and the blonde began to pack it around his body. "Let's rest here for a few nights before we get moving. I don't want this village being endangered because of us," Sakura had said. They entered the village gate, civilians chatter filling the air. It smelt strongly of the sea.

Now, she wandered the streets. Sakura was disturbed to note her lapses during battles, something she kept tightly restrained and quiet until she could be alone afterwards. Neji was the one who found her and usually took her in his arms to quiet her down. It was one of the reasons why she didn't want to be placed in a team with her comrades. Being emotionally driven had affected her performance and she didn't want this reported to the higher ups. Neji was slow to agree, always so rational but her ruthlessness did have its advantages and that he took responsibility for her. But both hadn't counted on their growing intimacy.

Maybe they did know anyway. The village has eyes and ears everywhere, Sakura thought tiredly. She still couldn't believe her hands could have slaughtered anyone so ruthlessly no matter how deserving. She did her job well after all.

"Hey, hey, check this out! Look, no hands!" There was a bark of laughter and children's giggles and Sakura banished all those dark thoughts to investigate what Naruto had done now. She was surprised to see Sasuke involved, a child trying to climb on his leg as he executed a simple genjutsu, making the flower disappear.

She smiled down at a little girl, walking near. "What's going on here?"

"Sakura! He cancelled the jutsu and all children tackled on him, "Gah! Help me!"

With a wry smile on her lips, she left. Their cries escalated, as did Naruto's, and Sakura wondered if she could ever have the brief moment of utter freedom laced with silliness again. Her generation of nins had quickly blackened as they rose the ranks and withdrew onto themselves every time they returned from a mission; she could remember Hinata keeping her company when she was at the Hyuuga manor. Even then, she rarely saw them now. Perhaps it was her doing too, Sakura thought. Suffocating herself under a myriad of missions to rid herself of the emptiness she felt when he passed. There was a light step and Sakura knew Sasuke was trailing her. "Are you done?"

He grunted. A sheen of sweat slicked over skin, his demanding leader ordering the simplest duty turned out to be the most taxing. But at least now, they were secure. "It will last for a day."

"That's fine. I mapped out the surroundings and scouted the people. There's another village due south. We'll be taking the unused route," she said faintly, anticipating the ambushes already. "Inform Naruto." But he didn't leave, not even when she ventured past the barrier he put up. "Stop following me," she muttered, annoyed. He ignored her. Then, quickly the air was heavy with so much power that she was nearly brought to her knees before it disappeared completely. Sakura hitched a breathe, stumbling a step forward.

"Brother."

Sharingan immediately activated. The cursed seal spreading over his eyes. "You bastard!"

Sakura slowly twisted her body, chaotic emotions stiffening her muscles.

And that was when she knew she made a mistake.

–

((And that was how the lady met the demons.))