Blackdragon: Second chapter done! First and foremost, I would like to give special thanks to my reviewers. They made me smile, and fill with happiness. I don't think I could've done it without you guys!
The Uchiha Rose
Chapter 2: Wilting
It is known that a rose does not grow well in ill suited places.
"Help…" a prisoner murmured weakly. Kabuto only slapped away the hand and continued on. Sakura stared at Kabuto in irritation, and the prisoner in sympathy, before following him before she got lost.
At the very end of the hall, Sakura saw a couple of battered wooden doors.
"This is yours," Kabuto motioned to the door on his left, "and this one is the Uchiha's," he said, pointing to the one to his right.
Sakura nodded, and stepped inside her room. Like the rest of the hall, only darkness illuminated the room. Pushing Sakura aside, Kabuto lit the lone lamp that sat beside the desk.
With the lamp's illumination, Sakura saw a small desk and a plain bed, complete with antique white sheets. The grey stone walls unnerved Sakura. It really was a prison.
"Now do you wish for any other room?" Kabuto asked.
"No," Sakura sighed. "I'll stay here."
"You cannot free these prisoners, by the way. The guards will only kill them. You are welcome to roam as you please in Sound. But," he said with an evil glint in his eyes. "I am not responsible if you see certain…things."
"How do you stand it?" Sakura asked. It was no secret Orochimaru performed vile experiments on human beings. Most of them were his prisoners, the ones she just passed. Where were the truly hideous prisoners?
"What? The fact that he does experiments or the experiments?"
"Both." Fingering the edge of the bed, Sakura let her hand fall away.
Kabuto merely shrugged. "Sasuke's training right now. I'll take you there, because I'm sure that where Orochimaru will want you there…in case training gets a little too…intense." With that, he led her out of the basement and out of the complex, into sunshine.
As the rays of sunshine outlined the door to the outside world, Sakura couldn't help but think that she hadn't been inside for ten minutes and she already missed the sunshine.
"Sasuke's everyday schedule is simple. At nine in the morning, he trains with Orochimaru until noon, when they take a break for twenty minutes. From there, on certain days Orochimaru does other tasks at hand and I take over to train until five in the afternoon. The rest of the day is his."
Stepping over large puddles and mushy areas in the grass, Sakura huffed after Kabuto, while trying to memorize where they were going. Her feet swept over dry, yellow grass. Why was everything in Sound dead, harsh, even cruel?
At last, Kabuto stopped on top of the hill, in front of an area similar to an arena, albeit stands. Eyes squinting, Sakura could distinguish a few Sound ninjas throwing kunai while others, she supposed, did some sort of attack with sound waves.
From the field, a fierce glint caught Sakura's eyes. As she tried to discern the figures below, she caught the unmistakable "shiiing" of swords clashing and sliding,
"That's them," Kabuto breathed, as if he was slightly out of breath, and pointed to the source of swords clashing.
For five minutes, Sakura analyzed the flurry of attacks and flourishes. It seemed to Sakura as if they were tied; Sasuke couldn't land a hit on Orochimaru, and Orochimaru likewise. This type of stand off only ends in exhaustion of either shinobi.
His sword gleamed as he rose to strike Orochimaru, who blocked each and every one of Sasuke's strikes.
"Shall we go down?" Kabuto asked, beckoning to the dark entrance to the side.
Sakura nodded, but was in no hurry to go down into the dark cave. Wincing as she emerged from darkness to sunlight again, Sakura shielded the sun from her eyes trying to adjust. With light steps, Sakura moved toward snake and apprentice.
Maybe it was the heat, maybe it was boredom. But there was no mistaking the fine sheen of sweat on Sasuke's finely sculpted shoulders and back. Sasuke stopped his torrent of attacks, and bent with his hands on his thighs, slightly panting with exertion.
Sasuke felt her presence, and directed his gaze at her, still panting. With a small nod, Sasuke acknowledged her and picked up his sword again.
"Ah, Sakura-san, it's good of you to join us. Did you show her the room?" Orochimaru bit out pleasantly while countering Sasuke's attacks.
"I gave her the room beside Sasuke's."
She nodded absently, never taking her eyes off of Sasuke. Orochimaru turned to Sakura. "Good. You must've asked for it. You are not prohibited from seeing this village. But every moment you are not beside Sasuke, you are putting his life into danger." Sasuke's blue eyes flashed dangerously red for a moment.
With another nod to show her comprehension, Sakura promptly sat on the grass, wishing she could practice herself, with Tsunade-shishou. In this moment, Sakura felt extremely homesick, for Konoha, for her friends, and most of all, for the Sasuke she once knew.
If she didn't practice her medic skills for a year, all of Tsunade's efforts would be such a waste. With a silent vow, Sakura promised she would find Sound's hospital and practice there. She gave a small snort. Sakura would practice on civilians only. No question about that.
"Don't try to escape, though." Orochimaru added once more, interrupting Sakura's silent contemplation.
She softly snorted. "As if that's possible." Sakura had noted the guards outside the entrance in Sound before she entered. They were the big bulky ones with the small, faster ones. If the strength and agility didn't get her, then the sheer numbers would.
"Oh," Kabuto added, while adjusting his glasses smartly. "I forgot to mention that food will be brought to your room, and some servants will take care of you shortly."
"I think it's best if I don't receive such treatment," and with that, Sakura pulled herself up, and headed back towards her quarters.
"And I think it's best if you don't disrespect Orochimaru's hospitality," he said with the tiniest bit of warning. "It's not bad treatment. Orochimaru probably wants it this way so that you are more willing to help his cause." By this time, Orochimaru's lackey had caught up with her, and proceeded to walk Sakura back to her room.
His subtle statement was not wasted on Sakura. She knew Orochimaru wanted them to be closer, so that Sasuke can kill her to attain the mangekyou. Then he could take Sasuke's body.
Her problem was finding a way out of the situation at hand. Her mood darkened, and matched that of the dungeon atmosphere. Her chances too, Sakura inwardly thought, matched those of the prisoners balled up behind rotting bars.
"I'd watch Sasuke train, if I were you. Orochimaru might go too far one day, and you might find yourself trapped in Sound without any purpose," he said with a dark chuckle.
"You might…even become one of them." Kabuto flicked his eyes over to the wailing prisoners. "On a second note, not them, but the ones in the hall next to this."
"You mean the shinobi experiments?"
"Exactly."
"Kabuto." A new voice emerged from the hall.
He simply left the doorframe he was leaning on and an elderly woman came in.
"This is your servant, Minaki," Kabuto said simply and left.
The elderly woman bowed low on the ground. The woman had strong features, and a straight back. Sakura wondered what tortures Orochimaru inflicted on the elder lady to make such a proud creature so subservient, and felt upset.
"Please, Minaki-san, don't bow, please, I'm simply a medic." Sakura rushed over to the servant, grasping the folds of cloth, trying to pull her up.
"My dear child, you are not just any medic."
Sakura stood there with slight surprise on her features, wondering what she meant.
But she suppressed the urge to say the same. From the proud shoulders, the strong jaw, Minaki was not just any woman either. In a way, Minaki reminded Sakura of Tsunade.
Tsunade bowing down to Sakura? No way on earth will Sakura allow that. "Minaki-san, please don't bow to me. If you will show me where the tubs are and where my outfits are..."
"Child, you are Sakura he mentions, are you not?"
He? Sasuke?
"Minaki-san, I beg your pardon, who's he?"
The elderly lady gave a dry chuckle. "Your dear boy, of course."
My dear boy? "Do you mean Sasuke, Minaki-san?"
"Of course! Do you know what your name does to him?"
Sakura could only furrow her brow in confusion. What was she talking about? Maybe he became cold and distant?
Pfft. Like he's already not. "Minaki-san, I don't understand what you meant."
Minaki gently grasped Sakura's outfit with dry, warm hands, before removing them.
"Minaki-san, I assure you, I can dress on my own." Sakura said.
"Let me help you into this, then." She lifted her arm. A shining yukata was neatly folded on her arm.
Acquiescing, Sakura let Minaki remove her clothes before helping her change into more formal wear.
"Orochimaru will…inflict harm if we do not follow his orders," The elderly lady lightly spoke. Sakura felt a small tint of anger and sadness in her voice.
Without further ado, Minaki finished putting on the yukata for Sakura, quickly bowed, before leaving.
First, she bowed on the floor to Sakura.
Second, she knew Sakura's name already.
Third, Minaki said Sakura's name had some sort of effect on Sasuke.
The elderly lady never elaborated on what she meant. Not even the second day she was in Sound, Sakura had been given odd looks. Servants knew her name already, and no one attempted to try to kill her.
What kind of predicament did she fall into? She absently smoothed a wrinkle on the bed sheet, trying to grasp how dire the situation was at hand.
As for Sasuke…how would she deal with him? Built up leftover feelings from years ago suddenly rushed back, and distorted images of a handsome boy flitted through her mind. Running her hands through her hair, Sakura wasn't sure what kind of person Sasuke was now, other than a traitor and probably S-Class criminal.
Well, we all know what kind of people traitors and S-Class criminals are.
And…Sasuke did leave Konoha. She left her heart with Sasuke that day. He left her with a "thank you".
"People who don't follow the rules are trash, but people who don't take care of their friends are worse than trash."
She laughed bitterly. Who knew the voice of her sensei could come and haunt her at a time like this? Could she consider Sasuke a friend? A thousand questions flitted and spun through her mind.
Within the hour, Sakura exhausted herself with her thoughts. Running her hands through her hair, Sakura thought about it once more.
Her head wanted her to push away Sasuke, and get out as soon as possible.
But her heart begged to differ, wanting her to stay and bring back Sasuke. In this race of logic and desire, Sakura found herself torn.
"I see you've already met Minaki," an unmistakably familiar voice spoke, interrupting her musings.
Well, for now, she'll remain with quiet dignity.
Steeling her resolve, she found Sasuke leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed and piercing red eyes stealing all her secrets. His shirt was slightly open and he had his proper Sound uniform. Her heart raced, her mind screamed for her to stop it.
"I have." Her casual response was met with silence.
"May I?" Sasuke's baritone voice reverberated in the room.
"You've never needed my permission before." Before is not what mattered, this was now!
Uncrossing his arms, Sasuke walked inside her room before leaning on her desk, both arms supporting him, one leg straight and one bent in a total casual manner.
With a wary mind, Sakura found herself watching to the man in front of her. After two years, it seemed as if he had gained a deadly glow with an equally deadly body.
After a short pause, she continued. "Although I don't think Minaki deserves it."
"Why not?" He asked in that cool, collected voice.
"What do you mean, 'why not'? Can't you tell?"
Sasuke shrugged. "She's a servant. Simple as that."
If Sakura was angry at Sasuke, it was now. "She's not a servant. She's a slave," she bit out in an indignant manner. "People are not meant to be broken, Sasuke."
His eyes bled into the haunting crimson color, signaling Sharingen was turned on.
"Oh, that's right. A broken servant is nothing compared to your broken heart. Her experiences are nothing compared to yours." Sakura hissed. "All you can think is revenge. You gave up the most precious things in your life for what? Revenge?" Sakura spat. "You know, I'll flatter myself and say I used to love you. Right now, I think I hate you."
Sasuke remained quiet, and stood up properly. He bent down and moved closer to Sakura, who was sitting on the bed, until their faces were inches apart.
"You know nothing."
"Personally, I think it's stupid. Is it true hate? But how do you hate a brother you've looked up to all your life, hmm?" When he remained silent, staring at Sakura with those haunting eyes, she stood up and grabbed him by the front of his shirt, material bunching under her hands.
"I wonder, are you doing this out of society obligation? Would it look bad if you didn't take such measures to get revenge?"
Sakura could feel his breath on her face, as he said smiled dangerously, "You've changed."
She laughed lightly. "A lot has changed." With a tight smile, Sakura tilted her head slightly. "You noticed for once?"
He took her hand, and held it to the light. "Calluses," he spoke in a low tone. His tone, the dim lighting, everything was making Sakura feel queasy, anger melding into a darker, dangerous appeal.
With agonizingly slow motion, Sasuke ran the tips of his fingers up Sakura's arms. "Muscle," he said in that muted, quiet voice of his. Sakura, shivers shooting everywhere from his light touch, proudly remained still. Her breathing hitched as he touched the hollow of her neck, and her mouth parted slightly, her breathing becoming unsteady with his passing fingers.
At last, the tips of his fingers skimmed over her neck, and held her face, causing her breath to quicken ever so slightly. He looked deeply into her eyes. He didn't need to say what changed.
The darkness in the room, his intimate actions and proximity, it was all too much.
Sakura suddenly felt parched, and licked her dry lips. With a voice that she fought to not crack, she murmured, "But you've missed the biggest change of all."
"And where would that be?" He spoke softly in that dark, seductive voice, hand still placed on her cheek.
Sakura swallowed nervously, and took the hand from her face. With firmness, Sakura pushed it down to the place below her left collarbone, her kimono opening slightly at the action.
"Here," she breathed. The two stayed like that, silence enveloping them as each sought to understand the other.
Brilliant jade eyes locked onto the blood red of Sharingen, and found her trapped in its endless depths.
She finally broke off, uncomfortable with the silence, and averted her gaze to the light from the doorway.
With a deep breath, Sasuke stood up, walked to the door, and paused, looking back ever so slightly.
"You're not the only one who has changed. Training begins at nine." He smoothly reminded her, and disappeared from the doorway.
All the air Sakura had been unintentionally holding caused her to feel faint, and let it out, feeling instantly relieved. Her lungs were about to burst from unintentionally holding her breath. But she honestly could've given herself a pat on the back.
But there was tomorrow. Constantly at his side, healing him like she had nothing better to do, Sakura fell back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling.
You saw those eyes, that intent, Sakura thought.
Now would you call that a friend or foe?
000000000000000000
Minaki found Sakura already up and about in the morning.
"Ah, good morning, Minaki-san."
Bowing ever slightly, Minaki answered, "Your clothes are on your bed, and breakfast on the table."
True to her word, the clothes, fresh and folded neatly, along with some breakfast of porridge of some sort, sat, awaiting Sakura's usage.
With a kind smile, Sakura bowed quickly and set to the task of changing.
Minaki stood to the side, the old lady smiling, knowing that Sakura had insisted on changing herself. "Your gloves, Sakura-san."
Silently taking them into her hands, Sakura effortlessly slid them on and flexed her fingers, the cool leather material giving her reassurance.
"Sakura-san, if you are done changing..?" Minaki asked, ready to leave and finish whatever tasks she had left to do for the day.
Sakura nodded. "Oh, and Minaki-san?"
The elderly lady stood by the door, awaiting a command.
"Would you care to show me to the hospital?" Sakura casually asked.
"Of course." Minaki stood by the desk, and patiently waited while Sakura hurried to finish her breakfast.
"Minaki-san…the yesterday, you said my name had some sort of effect on Sasuke…what did you mean?" She asked, uncertain on how to broach the subject.
With a small smile the elderly lady merely shook her head. "That, I will show you when the time comes." Scooping up the dishes and trays, the elderly lady ushered Sakura out of her room and into the dark, dank dungeon, eerily glowing with dim lights.
When Sakura stepped out of the dungeon, she took a long, calming breath as golden shimmer shined down upon her. Shielding her eyes temporarily as she saw Minaki hand the trays to another servant, Sakura took another step toward the village.
"This way, please." Minaki motioned, and led her through a clear cut path to the center of the village. There stood a large building, and Sakura knew right away it was the hospital.
"Thank you, Minaki-san." Sakura took off and entered the building, not so pristine as Konoha's. Immediately, Sakura smelled the familiar scent of anti-septic and disease. With a small shudder, Sakura found herself wishing to be in the arena, not in the hospital, as she smelled the one scent Konoha's hospitals did not have- death.
"Excuse me, but I have to take care of someone. Would you have any bandages?"
The lady at the desk stared at her.
Sakura began to feel unnerved. "Do you have a supply room?"
"There's a shop for a reason," the receptionist said without emotion.
Gah! That was the problem! Sakura had no money on her! "I don't have any money with me. But I'm-"
"Then get lost," the lady shot out, eyes taking in her form. "You could make some money with that body of yours."
Eyes narrowing, Sakura fought the urge to vomit and lash out. But she calmly took a deep breath and finished what she began to say. "Say, do you know Uchiha Sasuke?"
"Who doesn't? But don't try to get into his bed. He's not interested in that kind of stuff."
"Have you heard of his new caretaker?"
"Yeah. Rumors say the boy knew her before he came here, and that Orochimaru forced her to come. She's also supposedly got unique…" the words died on her lips as she understood the situation. "Oh."
"Exactly. Do you have a supply room?"
"Y-yes. Please, this way." Graciously, the lady took her to a foul smelling room full of medicines and herbs. Sakura wrinkled her nose. The Konoha Hospital never smelled like this. "Here it is. Please help yourself." The lady bowed, and returned to her desk.
Grabbing a small roll of gauze and tape, Sakura analyzed the equipment and materials of the room. With an adequate supply of bandages and minimally clean equipment, Sakura stepped out to head toward the arena.
It would not be a good idea to practice in the first few days. If she exhausted all her chakra healing villagers, who knows what Orochimaru would do?
With a quick nod of appreciation to the receptionist, Sakura exited the building and headed, with dread, straight toward the training field. Last night had been strange, and Sakura felt a little guilty, before shoving it to the back of her mind.
She walked along the streets of Sound, toward the edge of the village. She passed by a sake shop, and an acute feeling shot through her, another memory of Tsunade passing through.
The men of Sound leered at her, the women scorned. Their intense gazes certainly made Sakura uncomfortable, and she walked a little bit faster.
With hurried steps, Sakura passed another sake shop, before a woman materialized in front of her. A kunoichi, probably, by the looks of it, with hands on her hips blocking Sakura's way.
The black rimmed glasses matched that of her hair, and it struck Sakura as odd, one side unkempt, and the other kempt. Her outfit flared opened at the belly button, and her legs were well…it seemed as if this woman was trying to make the purpose of a kunoichi, well...that.
With the grace of a kunoichi, Sakura to one side step, before the woman's arm shot out, blocking her path.
"Hold it, bitch. No one gets near my Sasuke without suffering."
End notes: Ahh...lately, I've been extremely upset with the latest manga developments. Gahh! It's no wonder I made Sakura lash out at Sasuke, is it? Well, some of you might know who the last girl is...I think she's worse than Sakura. Anyone agree?
The next Treasure Map chapter should be out soon (hopefully). I've written the beginning, but in one shots, it's the way you end them that's important, and I've got several ideas. I'm trying to pick out my favorite...please bear with me, as one-shots are suppoed to be quality, as opposed to...guess...well, you got it. Quantity.
Anyway, thank you for reading, and please review! I've always been inspired by them.
-Blackdragon
