Plato's Law
Author: Mask of Mirage
Rating: T
Mood Song: Attack by 30 Seconds to Mars.
Chapter 2: Nightmare
"Ino, I can't wear this. It's barely there," Sakura exclaimed, holding up the outfit Ino had brought for her to wear to the festival. It was a knee-length red yukata that had hexagon-shaped holes punched out right where she needed the most coverage. Yes, she would have to wear leggings under these for sure.
"Just try it on before you criticize it. It's too small for me anyway," Ino said, fixing her long, blonde hair in the floor-length mirror, lips pursed together in concentration.
Sakura sighed in defeat, realizing where she had been beaten and returned a few moments later wearing the dress.
"See, it looks great on you and your hair matches it perfectly. It also makes your forehead not so big," Ino teased.
Sakura scoffed and began to fix her own shoulder-length pink hair, elbowing Ino to get more room. "I hope you realize that I grew into my forehead and it's not so big anymore."
"I know, the only big thing now is your butt," Ino muttered, casting her eyes playfully at her friend.
Laughing, Sakura threw the comb she had been fixing her bangs with at her blonde friend. "Come on, we have less than an hour to finish getting ready."
Sasori balanced carefully on the Hokage faces, his russet-colored eyes scanning the activities below him. Streamers and lanterns were hanging from every other lamp-post, even though it was still broad daylight out.
'Must be some sort of festival.'
It was way too risky to carry his puppet through town; too many people around to recognize him. "Sorry about this," he muttered, shoving the wooden doll up the 4th's nose.
He felt very paranoid walking through town.
At one point, he almost went into a panic when one lady stopped and stared at him like she recognized him. He didn't look so different from everyone else, thank goodness. Earlier that day he had traded his Akatsuki cloak for a black haori and matching hakamas, casual enough to blend in with the festivities.
Approaching a sake stand, he bought a glass and downed it in one gulp. There were way too many people around and he wasn't exactly fond of large crowds. Claustrophobia settling in, he quickly weaved through the sea of bodies and came out in a narrow alley. Here, where it was less congested, he allowed himself to relax and breathe.
That's when he saw her. She was walking towards him with a group of friends, laughing. Her beauty had not changed since he last saw her. If anything, she had gotten even more beautiful. Ducking quickly behind a building, he watched her pass, his heart beating erratically.
His plan was to separate her from the crowd and lead her off then. If push came to shove and he actually had to knock her out, he wanted to be far enough away so no one could hear her screams.
Sakura stopped suddenly, a cold chill running up her spine as she glanced over her shoulder at the dark alleyway. She swore she'd felt someone watching her.
"Sakura, what's wrong?" Ino questioned, lightly touching her shoulder.
"Nothing," Sakura replied quickly, turning to her friend with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Well, Hinata and I have to go get suited up for our float, so I'll catch you later," the blonde teen replied, searching Sakura's eyes anxiously.
"Yea, sure. I was just going to go find Shizune anyway."
Sakura weaved through the crowd, her arms wrapped tightly around her midsection. Why did she feel so uneasy back there in the alley? All of Konoha had showed up for the parade; there were too many people around to be fearful.
"Hello Sakura," came a voice close behind her. She spun around, her heart hammering against her ribcage. There was no one there. Sakura began to get the same uneasy feeling she had experienced earlier.
"Sakura."
The voice came again, this time from her right. Was someone playing a trick on her? It couldn't have been Naruto; his voice was too scratchy to sound that deep and smooth. She suddenly felt like she was trapped in a bubble, her name echoing throughout. Could no one hear this? There were people everywhere but none even paused. Her throat constricted with the yell that wouldn't come; her palms were sweaty. She began to feel ill; there was no air, she couldn't breathe.
Pushing through the crowd, she ran flat out, head down, paying little attention to anything but the uneven stones beneath her feet and the ethereal sound of her name pounding in her eardrums. A few yards away, away from the crowd, she collapsed on a park bench, hugging her knees. A shadow drew over and stopped in front of her. A startled gasp escaped her throat when she raised her head to stare into eyes the color of blood. She shook her head vigorously, willing this disturbing image to disappear.
"Hello Sakura," his velvet voice said.
Sakura could only stare in horror as his hand came closer to hers and suddenly pulled her to her feet and against him. He crushed her body against his, his hands resting gently on her lower back and at the base of her neck. He smelled sickly sweet with a warm underlying smell of musk, it overwhelmed her senses. Her confusion quickly wearing off, she pushed against his marble-like chest trying to escape his grip. He released her suddenly and she backed up till the bench hit the back of her knees.
"This c-can't be happening. Y-you're not real," Sakura faltered, her heart palpitating like crazy.
"I'm real," he murmured.
"No, it can't be. You're dead, I saw you, I killed you."
"I came back," he said softly, caressing her cheek gently. Sakura shied away from his touch, her stomach churning uncontrollably. "Sakura, the Akatsuki can do great and terrible things," he explained, a hint of annoyance making itself known in his voice. He was never much of a diplomat.
Sasori sat on the bench, pulling her down beside him. Sakura put her head between her knees, focusing on breathing in and out. She felt sick. Technically, there was a zombie sitting next to her and that thought alone was enough to send her into shock. "Why are you here?" she demanded of him.
"For you, my dear," he breathed in her ear, the soft pant issuing over chill-bumps already present on the curve of her neck.
Her limbs had turn to mush and all thought fled from her mind so she did not fight back as Sasori pulled her to her feet and led her through a deserted part of town. She stumbled along, staring at the pale hand that grasped her wrist gently. His vibrant red hair blew in the light breeze, captivating her with its beauty. Faintly, she heard crickets calling in the distance. Was it dusk already? The parade would be starting soon. He led her up the Hokage faces, helping her when needed.
Silently, he pulled out a large object from the 4th's nose. She immediately recognized it as the 3rd Kazekage, the mortal man that Sasori turned into a puppet and she had destroyed to smithereens the last time they met. Maybe it was the sight of this or the way Sasori smiled at her, hidden pretenses hidden underneath, but it woke her from her shocked stupor.
"No, get away from me!" she screamed, whipping a pin from her hair that was really a senbon needle. Sakura was nothing if not prepared. A frown crossed it's way over Sasori's smooth features.
"I really, really do not want to do this the hard way, Sakura," he said, approaching her. He pried the weapon easily out of her trembling fingers. Now you will come with me without a fight because it would be an awful shame to lose those beautiful fingers of yours," he threatened in his honey voice. In reality, it pained him to say these things because he found that no matter what he said or his position as a cold-blooded murderer, he could never bring himself to harm her. Not now.
"You're deranged," Sakura accused, her nerve flooding back into her body.
Sasori smiled a smile that Sakura thought would be more befitting for a snake.
"Love can turn you mad."
"What are you talking about? Sakura asked, feeling her hidden kunai in her shoe.
"I'm in love with you and I will do all that I must to hear you say it back," he said darkly.
A sudden shiver coursed down her spine. This was not good, he was obsessed. "Try your best because you will not get me to leave with you of my own free will," she countered.
Sasori scowled and moved closer, their faces inches apart. "Fine," he growled.
She saw his hand shoot up but couldn't move fast enough. A sharp pain swept through her head and the ground rose up to meet her. She was faintly aware before she blacked out of Sasori gently picking her up, and her staring into eyes the color of blood.
Mask of Mirage
