I do not own Naruto.

If I did, Tenten would own a gun, because can you imagine how crazy she would be with that kinda weapon?

XxXx

Three: Fangs

The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife as the two stared at each other unblinking for what seemed like hours. He was glowering at her as if her very presence was invasive and she stared at him uncaring as if he was a dead bug on a window.

And then Sakura sneezed, shattering the enmity in an instant.

"Sorry," she grumbled, reaching across the island for a napkin to wipe her nose with. Sasuke smirked as if the sneeze had asserted his dominance over her and strode forward towards the fridge. Kabuto just sighed and sat down.

"I hadn't realized Orochimaru would retrieve her so soon." Sasuke said, biting into a tomato.

"The sooner, the better." The other man answered.

"She's sitting right here," Sakura huffed. The Uchiha barely glanced at her but turned back to the other man and began talking again.

Did he just do what I think he did?

"I still don't understand why Orochimaru would choose her. It's not as if she belongs to any clan or is any relation of importance. She's not even strong."

Sakura felt her jaw drop. I've been snubbed!

"Orochimaru-sama does a lot of stuff you wouldn't understand. And it's not like he's in any premise to tell you." Kabuto drifted his gaze to the raven haired man, whose lips curled up in distaste as this declaration. She would have pointed out that just a few hours ago he had told her he didn't know either, but she felt to smug after seeing the sour look on Sasuke's face to voice this.

"And if you bothered to pay any sort of attention to anything besides your brother you'd know that Sakura-hime here is the apprentice to the Hokage, a high-ranking position," Kabuto emphasized, "As well as Chunnin, a rank you, yourself have yet to achieve and Second-In-Command among all Fire Nation med-nins with the highest authority to all medical personnel, save for the Hokage herself."

When he was done, he sounded as if he was explaining this to a grade schooler who simply had asked the same question one too many times. Sakura, however didn't notice as she was grinning widely as the enraged expression on her old teammates face. He turned to look at her as she morphed her look into one of innocence.

He glared at her, before getting up and leaving the table, slamming the door to the kitchen on his way out. She was left alone with Kabuto who was rubbing his temples and muttering darkly under his breath.

She felt slightly bad that he had stood up for her like that and she didn't have anything to give him in return. So she stood up and made her way around the kitchen, familiarizing herself with the contents. Finding everything she needed, she grabbed some food, cooking utensils, and began to cook.

She was very much aware that Kabuto was watching her every move with the eyes of a hawk, but found she didn't care that much since she had done that same to him earlier. When she was done, she turned around and held a bowl out for him.

He eyed it speculatively and questioningly, so Sakura pursed her lips. "You haven't eaten anything, right?"

He shook his head slowly. "Well, okay then."

She sat the bowl in front of him and sat down herself. He studied the food almost as suspiciously as she had, causing Sakura to snort. Hypocrite...

Apparently, satisfied by what he had saw he picked up the chopsticks and tentatively took a bite.

After a second he spoke. "It's good."

Sakura ginned and motioned for him to eat more.

"I wasn't aware you knew how to cook Sakura-hime," He said, eating some more.

"Well, you know all Naruto eats is Ramen, and all Kakashi and Sasuke eat are prepackaged already made stuff. Somebody on the team needed to learn how to cook."

His eyes flickered over the top of his frames to look at her. "I understand. It's been a long time since I've had a homemade meal." He paused. "A good homemade meal in any rate."

Despite herself, she blushed slightly. "Gee thanks."

He frowned. "Something wrong?"

"Well, it's not everyday you get complimented by your enemy over your quality of cooking." She leaned back in her chair.

"Due to the treaty, we are no longer enemies."

Her green eyes found his as she tilted her head to the side calculating. "The treaty doesn't change ones... personal feelings."

Kabuto put down the chopsticks in the bowl and leaned forward, linking his fingers together to rest his chin on. "No, I suppose not."

She didn't answer, instead, found the swirling designs on the dark counter top interesting. The silence between them stretched on, Sakura aware that Kabuto was watching her in a way that made her think he found her intriguing. When she could no longer stand the silence, she made to get up but was stopped by the sound of his voice.

"Do you hate me Sakura-hime?"

She slowly brought her gaze to match his and pursed her lips together. "I do."

"Why?"

She blinked in surprise at the question and sputtered. "W-what?"

He sat back in his chair and cocked an eyebrow at her. "Why," he repeated.

"Because you hurt my friends," she answered angrily.

"So then, by your definition, anyone who hurts anyone else is an enemy in your eyes, correct?"

She nodded her head stiffly. He fixed her with a stare. "So then you are Naruto's enemy."

She blinked again. "What?"

"Haven't you been ignoring him, who remains hopelessly in love with you, paying all your attention to Sasuke, and in turn hurting Naruto," He asked.

Sakura felt heat rise to her face. "That is completely different! You're an enemy of Konoha and I am a Konoha nin!"

He picked up the chopstick and twirled it in between his fingers. "But now, thanks to the treaty, we are no longer enemies of the state."

Sakura felt her jaw slacken and she sank into the chair opposite of him. "I am not having this conversation." She groaned, putting her head in her hands. She missed the way Kabuto's mouth twisted into an ugly grin before it disappeared and was replaced with indifference.

Finally she lifted her head. "You can't force me to not hate you."

"Oh, I know."

"So what's your point." She asked exasperated.

"I wonder." He mused and began to eat again. She stared at him, hardly daring to believe that he was sitting right there and questioning if she didn't just wake up and fall into a different dimension. Was Kabuto actually trying to question her morals and beliefs or was he... attempting to become friends? Although, now that she thought about it, if she was stuck here in this dump (and it did look like it was going to turn out that way) it would be nice to have a friendly chat or two every so often with somebody. Even if that somebody was Kabuto Yakushi.

He finished his food and sighed in satisfaction. "Please feel free to make more food any time you wish."

She nodded her head slowly. "Thanks?"

"After all, it would be good to eat something satisfactory every once in a while and. "He grinned. "This is the place that a woman would be all day."

Did he just make a sexist joke?

Now she was sure she was in a different dimension.

Sakure felt faint slightly and resumed putting her head in her hands. Kabuto stood and took the bowl to the sink, where he once again, washed and put them away.

"So why did you cook me food. You have no obligation to..." he trailed off, unsure on how to word what he was trying to say. She looked up at him through her fingers and shrugged. "You helped me with Sasuke."

He smirked slightly and shook his head as if finding her statement amusing. "It's my duty to help you when you need it. I am Orochimaru's second and you are his betrothed. Even in trivial matters like Sasuke, it is in my best interest to help you."

Sakura looked at him as if she couldn't quiet believe he was standing there. This was the man who had all but helped tear her team apart and he was offering to help her.

"I did walk into a different dimension..." she breathed.

Kabuto chuckled. "Well let me be the first one to welcome you here, then."

Sakura shook her head in confusion.

XxXx

The rest of the day Kabuto escorted Sakura around the base showing her various rooms she was allowed in and not allowed meanwhile introducing her to people. She suspected that was less for her information and more to the other people as a warning that she was here as a guest and not an enemy. She figured it was stop anymore incidents of surprise from occurring like this morning with Sasuke.

She didn't mind at all to tell the truth. In this way, there was less of a danger to herself. Not to mention that it was nice in a way to know that she wasn't confined to just her bedroom and the kitchen like she half believed. Instead, it seemed only private chambers were forbidden from being entered. Even her room was not allowed to be accessed without her permission though Kabuto said he would bring her tea or coffee every morning and inform her of any decisions made on her status as Orochimaru's betrothed.

She thought that was fair enough. Even if she didn't like Kabuto, he was a liaison now. That didn't mean she trusted him. Even now she walked several steps behind him, eyes glued to the back of his head, looking for any sign that he would suddenly snap and hurt her. She could tell that he was having a hard time not reacting to the killer intent leaking from her body, but she didn't care about that either. At least he would know where she stood on his attempt at diplomatic friendship or whatever he was calling it.

Finally after a long tour of the facility she was in, Kabuto escorted her outside. She blinked at the sudden light, blinded for a moment.

When she adjusted to the sunlight she found herself standing in a garden. The front walkway was covered in stepping-stones, leading to various sections. In the far corner was a pond, a waterfall splashing into the crystal clear waters that led down to a small stream a smaller waterfall that fed in a Koi pond; a small bridge fixed over the stream. Off to the side, she could see was a patch of grass, several meters wide and across. The garden was full of blooming flowers of every color and type. From what she could see, there were sections dedicated to vegetables, fruits, herbs, and medical plants. Towards the back, barely noticeable by the trees and vines that snaked their way across the garden was a green house.

"Holy shit." Sakura breathed out in wonderment. It was, it was sad to say, the most impressive garden she had ever seen to date. Even the Hyuuga's had nothing on this botany.

The impressive state of the place gave away to a coldness in the pit of her stomach like ice as she realized, beautiful or not, where exactly she was standing. Her jaw snapped shut and her eyes narrowed.

"Why are you showing me this Kabuto?"

"Every single plant here has a purpose. Should you ever need a use for it, you can find it here." He told her, as she turned back to glance back at the flowers. A closer look at them did prove that, yes, each one here was useful for some sort of purpose or another. Whether it was just for beauty or medication.

"That lab I showed you earlier, you have permission to use it when you need to, per Orochimaru-sama's orders. You can get your ingredients here," He said, motioning to the garden. Green eyes widened as the medic and scientist in her squealed in delight.

'I- thanks," she said softly, touched slightly.

He dipped his head in acknowledgment and led her back inside. They finished touring the facility with Kabuto taking her back to her room and telling her he would be by in three hours to pick her up for an inauguration of sorts.

She collapsed on the bed, still messy from that morning, and stared at the ceiling for a few minutes before sighing. The weight of what was happening to her began to feel as if it was crushing her chest and she chocked back a sob.

She had held back the feelings since Kabuto had been around her and she didn't want him to see her lose it and cry. She had always been a little weak when it came to following Shinobi Rule Twenty-five, but she'd be damned if she was going to allow him to see that side of her. She was a ninja damn it and she was to always follow her commander's orders without questioning them.

Her commander was Tsunade and she had never questioned the woman before, but now...

Sakura rose her hand to touch it to the betrothal necklace sitting on the nape of her neck.

But now she was at a loss of what to do. This was a situation she definitely didn't want to be in but if she made a run for it, how many people would suffer for her selfishness? Orochimaru would decree the treaty broken and as a law be allowed to freely attack Konoha without fear of repercussion.

That made her wonder if that's what he wanted her to do.

She turned over on her side and hugged a pillow to her chest trying to squash the ache in her chest. She felt alone in her situation and to make matters worse, she hadn't been able to say good-bye to any of her friends or family.

Her throat tightened and her vision blurred, causing her to leap from the bed and run into the bathroom. She fumbled with the valve on the shower for a moment, before a spray of water began to hit the bathroom tiles with a roar.

A dam broke inside of her and she collapsed on the side of the bathtub, sobs racking her body so hard she shook. The sound of the water drowned out the sound of her crying as she wrapped her arms around her body and collapsed against the wall. All too soon her tears dried up and she sat back, letting the mist of the shower spray against her face, calming her down slightly.

A few minutes later, she stood, shedding herself of her clothing and stepping into the shower. The water cascading down her skin felt wonderful and slightly comforting. She stood like that for a few more minutes before she opened her eyes and dropped her gaze to the soap and shampoo laid out for her. She reached for them and began to work the soap on her body, feeling calmer each second she did it, as if she was washing away the pain and weariness.

She finished and got ready for inauguration, somehow knowing that Kabuto was going to be punctual and not tolerate her being late a single minute. Just as she thought he arrived right on time. There was a pause upon seeing her but if he noticed she had cried, he didn't say anything.

He led her to the other side of the facility and into a large room. Most of the nin she had met earlier that day were there and quiet a few she hadn't met yet. Kabuto steered her towards a back room, knocked once on the door, and entered inside.

Sakura didn't need eyes to see that Orochimaru and Sasuke were standing there. Orochimaru stopped mid sentence to turn and look at her curiously while Sasuke, no doubt still fuming from their encounter earlier that morning was sneering at her.

She dipped her head politely remembering diplomatics. It wouldn't do for her to be less than appeasing. Especially since she figured that he would use any excuse to claim the treaty broken and go to war. She kept her eyes fixed around Orochimaru's throat, refusing to look him in the face. He didn't seem to mind though as he continued to stare at her peculiarly.

Kabuto steered her further into the room to a table where she was seated to the left of the head. Kabuto sat directly in front of her with Sasuke sitting beside him and Orochimaru at the head. Several more people entered the room, all shinobi judging by the clothing they were wearing and sat around the table.

After a moment the chattering died down and Orochimaru grinned down at them. He waved his hands towards the table and Sakura watched mildly interested as more shinobi brought food and sake in. She studied the food apprehensively, looking for any signs that it was poisoned causing Orochimaru to chuckle to her side and Kabuto to sigh heavily.

Finding nothing wrong with the dish and deciding once again, that if it was poisoned she wouldn't mind dying and not having to marry That-Snake-Bastard-Orochimaru; she picked up her chopsticks and took a bite.

Her eyes watered in amazement as the taste filled her mouth and throat. It was amazing, the textures and flavors all blended together perfectly. Sakura had a new goal to hunt down the person that made these foods and demand/blackmail/con them into teaching her.

When the meal was done, Orochimaru stood holding his hands out in front of him. "Today, marks the day in Sound history where we achieve peace with our Leaf counterparts. A treaty has been established between our two war torn countries. As a medium to seal our cease-fire, a... wife has been given to me: Sakura Haruno."

He looked down at her, but she was busy staring at her fists that rested in her lap. She clutched them so tightly, her knuckles turned white. Her jaw clenched, she raised her head and gave the best smile she could.

"Sakura-san." Orochimaru's voice was velvety like liquid poison. "Do you have any words to say?"

She worked her jaw, prying them apart, before painfully speaking through a throat so tight it made her eyes burn. "It's just a useless accomplishment. I think no one can continue without some kind of peace. I'm not here for a welcome reception. I'm a sacrificial goat."

Silence greeted her words as she felt every eye on her. Then Orochimaru began to chuckle.

She snapped her gaze up at him, somewhat dumbfounded.

"Of course. Nobody said you weren't otherwise. You should be honored to be the sacrificial goat for your country."

Sakura felt her throat tighten even further as she stared into his amber-colored eyes. He stared back coldly and oddly enough, daringly. She was frozen in her chair, beads of sweat traveling down her back, and she was suddenly very much aware that she was staring at, not a man she should hate, but a man she should fear.

The uncomfortableness of the situation hit her like a ton of bricks. He wasn't just somebody she had to marry, he was someone who the Third Hokage had trouble fighting. Kabuto wasn't just her liaison, he was someone who had killed seven ANBU during the Chunnin exams. These weren't just people who were effected by the treaty. These were criminals who had fled their own country for selfish reasons. And she was sitting among them enjoying Blue Fin Tuna.

Orochimaru turned to her and smiled and without saying a word she knew exactly what he was speaking. Sacrificial goats are meant to be slaughtered.

Her stomach tightened as she froze for a single second before a bead of sweat dripped off her chin and splashed onto her fist. Then she was bolting out the door, a crash behind her made her vaguely aware that the chair she had been sitting in had fallen to the ground.

Her feet pounded on the ground as she fled away from them, fear pushing her further and further into the facility until she burst through a door and found herself in the garden. Feeling much like a little kid hiding under a bed away from a thunderstorm; she slid under a bush and positioned herself so that nobody could see her through the foliage.

Her breath came out in gasps as she tried to control the erratic beating of her heart. Just when she was sure that her heartbeat was returning to normal, she heard the door to the garden open and close. Her breath caught in her throat as the person moved around.

Then it was quiet and she wondered if the person hadn't moved into the green house, before their feet suddenly landed in front of the bush she was in. It took every ounce of self-control to stop her from screaming. The feet remained stationary for a second before moving back towards the door and back inside.

She let out a breath once again and relaxed. It had been a long time since she had feared death, but being almost powerless in an enemy stronghold had brought that fear back. Tears welled up on lashes and fell down her face. She cried silently for several minutes before the cool night breeze and floral scent wafting through the air made her drowsy. Underneath the safety of her cover, she drifted off into a light sleep filled with the sounds of cruel laughter and mocking golden eyes.

A few hours later, Sakura woke to the sound of screaming.

XxXx

TBC in Chapter Four

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