2: Perfection is key, my precious

"If I am perfect for you,

Will you love me more my precious?

Will it break the binds and twist the keys in your heart?"

The man who had attacked her, suddenly fell in front of her in a bloodied mess, now lifeless. The dying firework...

She heard the clink of a samurai before a wet hand was held out in front of her face. Sakura was frozen to the spot. There was sticky blood in her hair, on her face, dying her eyebrows red, going into her nostrils, dripping off her eyelashes. The red mark on her cheek was highly visible, even if the weather was misty. She wasn't even breathing...but her heart was racing. What was this feeling? Being unable to move or speak?

Tsunade had told her how to rid all emotion and how to feel only what others tell her to feel, so she would become the perfect assistant.

But Tsunade had not told her what to feel if a man slaps you across the face for doing no wrong. She had not told her what to do if she was covered in another man's blood. Did Tsunade want her to learn for herself?

"Take it Sakura...take my hand..." The voice was cold but firm. She knew this voice and suddenly a rush of warmth fell over her.

"Hai Sasuke..." She stammered, taking his hand. He pulled her up until she was fully standing.

"Naruto, Sai, I will take her inside."

"We'll tell Kakashi about this..." Sai told Sasuke as he walked past with Sakura, who was still expressionless.

"Yeah...I don't know how the spy managed to get so close though," Naruto said as he bent down to pick up the corpse. "Guess we won't be getting information out of this one...stupid Uchiha."

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They were now in the hunter squad's private bathroom. Sasuke had sat her on the rim of the bath while he locked the door behind him. He faced Sakura once again. She was very still, staring at him, waiting for him to say something.

"Weren't you scared?" Sasuke asked her impatiently, crossing his arms and leaning against the door.

"S-scared? Was I supposed to be sc-"

"Dammnit Sakura, you're not a robot! So answer the question!" Sasuke yelled.

Sakura kept his gaze on him. She had learnt that eye contact was very important when someone was not happy with you. "I...I don't know what it was. I was unsure...gomen Sasuke."

Sasuke scoffed as he stepped away from the door. "Don't be sorry," he said harshly, kneeling down in front of her so that he was level with her face. "Did he attack you?"

Sakura placed a trembling hand on her cheek.

"You're trembling," Sasuke said.

"I know, it won't stop," Sakura answered him. "My heart is racing too, and my face feels very warm...yet I am cold...what is this?"

"Fear," Sasuke told her. "Did he do anything else to you?"

"He pushed me...and put his hands round my waist, that was it Sasuke," Sakura replied.

Sasuke sighed once again as he retrieved a cloth from the sink and began to wet it. "You're covered in blood. I didn't mean for you to get covered in it."

Sakura swallowed the strange feeling in her throat. "I believe you Sasuke." Her words were true. She had to believe him, put all her faith in him. He was there to guide her, as she was there to guide him.

He bent down to face her once again and began dabbing at her cheek. She hissed. "Aa...so you feel pain at least," he said.

Sakura nodded. "Yes Sasuke...I didn't know why he did that."

"He was an enemy...the one we were sent to kill. Don't worry, something like that will never happen again." He began wiping off the rest of her face, rinsing the cloth here and there. "We-I was careless. You should shower after this."

"Yes Sasuke."

"Anymore injuries?" He asked, sounding bored by his own question.

"I think I cut my back when I fell over..." Sakura admitted.

Sasuke sighed as he motioned for her to turn around. She did so. "Lower your kimono."

She obediently slipped the kimono off her shoulders, so that it fell round her waist, exposing her bare back to him. He noticed a large graze down her spine. He grabbed a new cloth, before wiping it over the wound. She hunched slightly, the feeling of cold water making her shiver. And yet, at the same time this was relaxing. She could feel his warm fingers brushing against her spine slowly as he cleaned the cut. The slow breathing from his mouth...it soothed her. And she had never felt this way before.

"This is comfort isn't it? When you feel safe and calm..." Sakura said quietly.

"Hai..." Sasuke answered.

"May I feel it when I'm around you Sasuke?" Sakura asked him.

Sasuke hesitated. "If you want." He immediately removed the cloth from her back and made his way out of the bathroom. "Shower now...clean clothes will be outside the door." And with that, he left.

Sakura dug her fingers into her shoulders as she pondered for a moment. She hadn't realised the water that was spilling from her eyes...

'I promised to bleed for you and I get blood on me, I promised to protect you and you protected me, so next time I will promise to the the perfect assistant...'

This dolly mustn't weep...

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Sasuke gratefully retired to his room the moment he had left Sakura in the bathroom. He ran his hands through his damp hair, listening to the tinkering of the rain outside, slapping against his window. He removed his shirt, throwing it to the floor carelessly. He would expect grief from Kakashi tomorrow about acting on instinct. He didn't know why he had done it. In circumstances such as that one, he could easily remain calm and focused. But in that moment, when him, Naruto and Sai were approaching the mansion, suddenly spotting the man outside…it made his blood boil. The enemies had gotten too close and Sasuke was greatly concerned that the man even knew where to find them.

Not only that…but the look on Sakura's face as she was thrown to the ground…suddenly his mind seemed to go blank with rage. He growled in annoyance as he plummeted against his futon.

He was content upon his futon...it was when his mind rested and he could feel true comfort and true privacy. Away from everyone and everything. Just him and his room. Sure enough, it wasn't a large or fancy room. This mansion was designed to fit in many Samurai knights, as well as offices and weaponry so it was far from a perfect room. But it was his space.

And he adored this space. Privately, of course. He closed his eyes and finally fell to sleep.

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And then the perfect knock on a heavy wooden door rung in his overly sensitive ears, forcing those beautiful oynx eyes to open. He decided to turn over, so that his chest was flat against the matress and his bare back was exposed for all, his sheets hovering just over his hips. His dishevled hair was thrown against the side of his face as he closed his eyes again.

The perfect knock repeated.

"Mmmfff..."

"Please say enter Sasuke," came a bright high voice from the other side. "This is quite heavy."

Heavy? Sasuke grunted. "Whatever...enter..."

Sakura opened the door. "I notice you don't have a shoji door like most others Sasuke."

"Shoji doors don't have any locks..." Sasuke grumbled.

"Well, konichiwa Sasuke! I brought you lunch!" Sakura was wearing a clean black kimono, the same attire as yesterday, only washed. Her hair was put up in loose chopsticks to keep it away from the food she had prepared for him. "I made breakfast for your squad earlier...but you were not present..."

"It's morning..." Sasuke muttered, turning over to face away from her. "I'm not hungry."

Sakura sighed. "Yes Sasuke...but it's afternoon...gomennasai." She set the tray down beside his futon. The tray was light pinewood, with tuna rice balls and sliced tomatoes upon it. A glass of water was served beside it. "Please eat. I serve you remember?"

Sasuke, after much hesitation finally turned over to peer down at the food. He noticed it just happened to be his two most favourite foods, but he wasn't going to admit it to his patient assistant. "...Arigatou..."

Sakura gave a nod. "Please pull up your sheets Sasuke...you're exposing yourself." She stood and walked over to the curtains as Sasuke gingerly pulled up his sheets. He was annoyed by her presence.

"What time is it?" He asked, his voice croaky.

"Past noon...it's been 24 hours and 43 minutes since my arrival..." She opened the curtains, allowing light to flood through. Sasuke immediately squinted, placing a hand over his eyes. She turned round and approached him. Placing a hand above his eyes so he could see, she stared down at him. "Would you like anything else?"

Sasuke was slightly taken aback by the way she shielded his eyes for him. He wasn't one to be dependant on others. Even his previous assistants hadn't treated him like this. They wanted other things from him...but Sakura was acting like a maid. He could not argue, it was part of her job description.

"Sakura...I need to get dressed..." Sasuke told her quietly.

Sakura gave a sharp nod. "Hai Sasuke. I will make your bed."

Sasuke sat up and was about to stand when he immediately paused. He looked at her with a frown. She looked back with a simple gaze.

"Don't worry...I won't look unless you want me to," Sakura told him honestly.

"You're annoying," Sasuke snapped, standing up. "And I don't want you to." He walked towards the wardrobe and began dressing.

"Hai Sasuke." Sakura began making his bed, folding the sheets and fluffing the pillow. She straightened everything out before standing. "Shall I leave now?"

Sasuke gave a nod. Sakura bowed her head before exiting his bedroom. Closing the door behind her, she walked across the bare landing, feeling the cold wood an uneasy welcome. She had forced herself to grow accustomed to everything, as was necessary. Every room in this mansion she would have to feel comfortable in. Walking down the stairs, she accidentally dropped her sandal.

Sakura bent down to pick it up and let out a whimper of pain. The graze on her back was still painful.

"You alright?" Came a low and gentle voice from behind her. Sakura spun round, not startled because that was unnecessary, but she was eager to meet the man with this voice. She also wondered how he had come up from behind her without even making a sound...

"Hai...Mr Hatake...arigatou." Sakura bowed, realising it was the white haired man who was in his 30's. He had kind eyes but his body language told her he knew how to take care of things. Sakura decided she would act very obedient around this man, as well as gentle. She was sure that would suit him just fine. "It was an injury from-"

"Yesterday, yes...I've been meaning to talk to Sasuke about that, do you know where he is?" Kakashi asked politely.

Sakura hesitated. "Hai, Mr Hatake...in his bedroom."

Kakashi looked puzzled for a moment. "Arigatou Sakura-san, I must have missed him when I looked...welcome to Samurai Kishi." And with that he returned up the stairs and back along the hallway.

Sakura was quite puzzled herself, but did not show it. She did not understand why Mr Hatake wore a mask over his face. What was he hiding?

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A rapid knock came at Sasuke's door, causing him to sigh indifferently. He knew it wasn't Sakura, who seemed to knock with a feverent yet assertive tone. This person was confident and almost in a hurry. Sasuke had learnt to identify people by the way they knocked on his door. It was helpful to him.

"Hai," he answered breathlessly, tying the obi round his waist.

Kakashi entered and peered over at the perfectly made bed, before turning his gaze over to Sasuke. "We need to talk."

"Aa, I know that tone," Sasuke answered. "I did something wrong."

"Something very wrong, so be thankful I am not Anko," Kakashi said stepping in and closing the door behind him. "You killed the spy."

Sasuke hesitated, before lowering his head. The raven-backed hair drifted over his face, covering his eyes. "There wasn't much time to think."

"There could have been," Kakashi protested calmly. "Sai said you swung at him without so much as a blink. You seemed very eager to kill him there and then...you also got our assistant covered in blood."

"I apologised for that, but he was attacking her," Sasuke argued back, now making eye contact. "She's very vulnerable, it was an instinct."

"Samurai Kishi does not teach you to follow your instincts but to follow your oders," Kakashi told him sternly. "I understand you were protecting her, but it could have been done less...gruesomely. He's dead. We can't get any information out of him."

Sasuke nodded.

"And I don't want to see Karin and Suigetsu here," Kakashi added. "I dislike being so...parent-like with you, I hope you're aware of that."

Sasuke gave an amused smirk. "It's because I keep misbehaving, right?"

"Tweaking the rules," Kakashi corrected him with a hidden smile. "Just be careful." And with that he left Sasuke's room.

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"I'm Tenten," Tenten introduced herself the moment Sakura entered the weaponry unit of the mansion. She had been given a list of things to do from Shikamaru, who in turn had handed that to Sasuke. One of the jobs on her list was to polish weapons with Naruto.

Sakura bowed. "Miss Tenten, a pleasure, I'm Sakura."

"Got a second name?" Tenten asked with a smirk, arching an eyebrow.

Sakura smiled. "Haruno, Miss Tenten."

Tenten nodded. "Just call me Tenten. Anyway, I'm guessing Sasuke filled you in about this, huh? I'm 19 years old so I'm the boss of the weaponry unit." Tenten placed her hands on her hips. Her obi was a maroon and of course, she was dressed in a black kimono also. "So you can start with helping the blonde idiot."

Sakura nodded and approached Naruto, who was sitting cross legged in a corner, scrubbing a type of sword with an impatient look on his face.

"I'm so tired of seeing the same weapon over and over again!" Naruto exclaimed impatiently. He blushed when he saw Sakura standing over him thoughtfully.

"Hey be careful! That sword type is a-"

"A shinogi zukuri...it's quite slim so it's best to polish it delicately, Mr Uzamaki. All the swords are actually very different. However, the one you have currently is a very common shape, a nihonto to be more specific...so I don't blame you one bit," Sakura interrupted Tenten, plopping herself down beside him.

"Wow, you sure know your weapons!" Tenten exclaimed as her and Naruto gawped at her.

Sakura gave a smile, as she found that appropraite for the time. "Hai Tenten. Mr Uzamaki please hand me that warabashi blade."

Naruto looked at her dumbstruck, as he gazed at the collection of blades in front of him. "Err..."

Tenten rolled her eyes as she handed the blade to Sakura for him. Sakura began polishing it with more skill than even Naruto.

"Pfft..." Naruto said, continuing to clean his own sword.

Tenten gave them a smirk before leaving the room. She would have to talk to Sasuke about this.

As Tenten made her way to Sasuke's office, she couldn't help but think about how strange Sakura was compared to all the other assistants. She was certainly beautiful, but she was mysterious. Tenten was highly suspicious. Ususally no one knew weapons to that detail like Tenten did. Tenten knocked on Sasuke's office door, quickly and impatiently.

Sasuke answered with a long droning "hai" and she immediately entered, slamming the door behind her.

"Hey idiot," Tenten greeted him. She usually wasn't one for name calling, but Sasuke, in her opinion was an idiot. A good looking, intelligent...idiot. "What's the deal with Haruno?"

Sasuke looked up slowly. "Nani?"

Tenten huffed as she placed her palms on his desk, leaning forward so that her nose was practically touching his. "This Haruno girl, Uchiha! She's too good! She just interrupted my description of a weapon. Her description was...perfect. And she knows every blade in that damn room! Now what kind of assistant has that kind of skill?"

"Do I detect a hint of jealousy?" Sasuke cocked his head.

She glared daggers at him for that, so much so that Sasuke continued.

"She's different...she's lived in that weird academy her whole life," Sasuke answered, placing his hands behind his head and leaning back.

"Well, I'd watch her if I were you," Tenten warned.

Sasuke smirked. "It's not my place to watch her. I may hire them and need their assistance the most-"

Tenten gave a suggestive look at that comment.

"But that doesn't mean I'm obliged to watch their every move. Talk to the three heads about this," Sasuke told her, closing his eyes. He just wanted some damn peace.

Tenten rolled her eyes. "You're becoming like Shikamaru!"

Sasuke growled in annoyance. "Hn...fine, I'll see Kakashi about it."

"No, talk to my leader, Anko. Kakashi is too lenient," Tenten told him, before walking out of his office.

Sasuke grumbled once again. He wasn't in the mood for all these demands. Standing up, he made his way to the travel squad's main office. Stuffing hands in the yukata's pockets, he lowered his head. He didn't think Sakura was suspicious. She was odd, mentally troubled no doubt but not a threat. She couldn't even defend herself against a drunk man. Finally reaching the office, he gave a slow yet harsh knock on the travel squad's office door.

"Ah, Uchiha...come in."

Sasuke lowered his brows as he opened the door. Anko was like him. She also preferred heavy wooden doors.

"I can tell it's you by your knock..." Anko said to him with a smirk.

"Hn...I guessed."

"Because you can do it too right?" Anko chuckled. "You're a lot like me you know. I'm just not a dick." She straightened out the papers before propping her legs on her desk. Clasping her hands together she glared at the young man as he seated himself in front of her. "So what do you want?"

"To talk about Sakura," Sasuke told her.

"Haven't met her yet," Anko said with a shrug. "Why?"

"Tenten thinks she's suspicious. Apparently her knowledge on weapons equals hers," Sasuke explained. "I myself haven't found anything suspicious. She's just very dedicated."

"Those are the ones to watch out for," Anko admitted. "But I'll take a look at her."

Sasuke nodded, before standing up.

"Watch her for now Uchiha," Anko warned him.

Sasuke said nothing as he walked out of her office, a glare on his usually stoic expression.

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Anko had chosen to invite Sakura for dinner with herself, Tenten, Sasuke and Naruto. All of which had been the only members in the household to have properly met Sakura and spoken with her. Usually, Samurai Kishi all ate together, each squad taking turns to prepare the food with help from an assistant. Tonight, however, Anko had been granted permission for this special dinner.

Anko also didn't care if Sakura found this confusing. The pink haired woman was aware that this mix of squads was rather unusual but it wasn't her place to say anything about it.

She remained with a blank expression as always. Just like a doll. Anko watched the others as they ate their meals. Sakura cut perfect slices and chewed lightly, always looking at her plate. Naruto ate feverishly, gobbling up any piece of food that could be seen. Tenten was a fast eater, but not messy like the idiotic knucklehead. Sasuke, as usual, picked at his food, chewing slowly, staring straight ahead.

"So, Tenten tells me you know your weapons," Anko said, in order to break the uncomfortable silence.

Sakura looked up from her meal, a gaunt expression on her face. "Hai Miss Ma-"

"Anko-sama sounds cooler," Anko cut in.

Sakura gave a bow of the head. "Hai Anko-sama."

Sasuke looked over at her from his food. They were sitting opposite each other, Naruto to his left and Tenten to Sakura's right. Anko was facing all four, sitting at the top of the table.

"Hm," Anko said, partially amused. She grabbed a knife from the side of her, and began to cut a slice of bread. "Can you use those weapons Sakura?"

Sakura paused...

Anko suddenly threw the knife at her, and everyone immediately looked up, startled. The long slender slump of silver came soaring through the air, aiming directly to her temple. A direct bullseye.

It stopped. The sound of silver dancing in the air could be heard no more. An index finger and a middle finger were currently placed either side of the knife. Bread crumbs falling off it and onto the table. Sakura had caught it perfectly.

"Hai...Anko-Sama," Sakrua answered, her eyes wide and expression serious. "Shall I throw this knife back?"

Naruto nearly choked on his own food. Tenten merely glared at Sakura from the side. The whole room became deathly silent at her words.

"Heh...keep it." Anko stood. "You might need it."

Sakura raised her head. "Why Anko-sama?" She did not understand the threatening tone in the woman's voice. Sasuke suddenly stood also and went to Sakura's side. Grabbing her arm roughly, he pulled her up and walked out of the room with her, sliding the shoji door behind him.

Naruto paused, his hekigan eyes very wide. "What...was that just now?"

"That...Naruto, was something I've never seen an assistant do," Anko told him sternly.

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"Kuh...Sasuke!" Sakura gasped, as he continued dragging her through the hallway. She could feel his long fingers digging into her pale flesh, bruising it. "Please...please let-" he suddenly slammed her body against the wall. Her back felt most of the pain as the wind flew out of her. His hands were pressed against her bony shoulders, his torso pressed against her torso tightly to stop her from moving. He was so close against her that it felt like Sakura couldn't breathe. His chest was pressed against hers, their foreheads practically touching.

She was breathing heavily. The contact from her master was making her red and nervous.

"Who are you?" Sasuke demanded.

"Sasuke what do you mean?" Sakura asked him, her voice full of breath.

"What you pulled off just then! Assistants can't do that! You say you don't feel unless told to, you say you're completely emotionless, well no one can be that way Sakura! So who are you?" Sasuke repeated, shaking her once.

Sakura gasped again. Her body was forcing her to react this way. "Am I supposed to be scared of you now?" She asked him, her voice shrieking.

"Answer my question, that's an order!" Sasuke shouted at her.

"Who am I? I'm yours Sasuke, I'm your assistant!" she choked out. "I do anything in any way you want me to...I have been training all my life for you!"

Sasuke's grip loosened. "Where did you learn those skills?"

Sakura coughed. "It was just a reflex...Tsunade taught me how to catch weapons..."

Sasuke glared at her. He didn't know if she was telling him the truth. There was only one way to find out. Clenching his fist, he raised it. Sakura widened her eyes as his fist shot straight at her. She shut her eyes immediately, hunching against his tense body but no pain came...

She opened her eyes and found his fist a centimetre away from her nose. "You...you could have broken my-"

"You didn't block," Sasuke declared. "Answer me this, do you know combat?"

Sakura shook her head. "Only weapons...I swear Sasuke!"

"You're not an enemy assassin?" Sasuke asked her.

Sakura shook her head. "No Sasuke!"

He released himself from her, staring down at the pink haired woman as she stayed against the wall. He almost felt gulit for her. "Trust in your emotions Sakura."

Sakura looked up at him. "Have I displeased you and the other Samurai knights?"

"...No..." Sasuke answered. "Just go back to work."

And that was chapter 2! Please review I'd be soooo grateful!!!! :D

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