A/N: This is a very graphic story (extremely twisted). If you don't like, don't read. Themes of rape, drugs, and violence will be present.
MadaSaku. AU/ Graphic content, Rated M for a reason. Don't like? Don't read.
Summary: Life plays a wicked game with people, and for some the loss is greater compared to the others. For Sakura Haruno, the game is just about to begin.
Ch3: Guileless
My stomach felt like dropping at the sight before me, bustling people left and right all trying to organize their portion of the exhibit. After my first semester in Konoha University, I was accepted as one of the top ten students who will join the art exhibit of the school. It was unnerving since everyone had so much budding talent.
"Don't worry Sakura-chan, you should relax the entire exhibit. All you have to do is stand and stay pretty." I could hear Deidara talk beside me. He's a third year student who's been joining the exhibit for the past two years; he's an amazing sculptor being labelled as the contemporary Bernini of our time. "That's easy for you to say Deidara –senpai. You've been doing this for two years now." I breathed out a sigh. "Hey kid, don't worry, for the past two years that I've been doing this all I had to do was stand and drink all the free wine." He smirks at me with a smug face. "Why don't you get dressed? Guests will be pouring out in like an hour from now. You're all dirty and sweaty." He proceeds to pinch his nose and actually look disgusted. I couldn't help but punch his arm. "Whatever, after I check the lighting in my portion of the exhibit I'll get dressed." My heart was pounding, it felt like it was about to burst my eardrums.
Right in front of my side was Sasori's portion of the exhibit. Amazing dolls of all sizes and colour could be seen on display, they were all dressed in gorgeous clothes from different time periods from all over the world. Sasori has his back turned to me as he was posing one of his dolls in a certain angle. I couldn't help but admire his works so full of life and detail, the only thing missing from his works was an actual breath coming out of their mouths. "You like them?" He caught me. "Of course I do, Sasori –senpai. Your works always amaze me. You even captured the wrinkles and pores this time." He comes near me in his calm manner, "You know you could always take one home with you if you really want one." Sasori was such a generous person, always offering his works for free when it was evident how much time he dedicates to each one. "I would like to buy one instead, Sasori –senpai. You know how much I'd love to support you in your works." I give him a smile.
I didn't miss how he returned the smile; I felt his hands trail down my arms holding my hands. "Sakura, I'd like for you to have something simply because I had you in mind when I made it." I was surprised to know that Sasori had something for me, "What is it?". He left me to obtain a box underneath his exhibit table. "It's a dress that I made for a life size doll, but I changed my mind when I opted to make it wear a kimono instead. I think this will fit you better anyways, it would be a shame if it went to waste." I'm such a lucky person to have nice friends. I couldn't help the giddiness get to me and my smile widens at the sight of a blush pink dress. "It might be a little too long, so be careful when you walk alright?" he reminds me. "This is gorgeous Sasori-senpai!" He watches me with a small smile. "I got to get dressed myself Sakura-chan. I'll see you in a bit." He bid his farewell and left me.
Sakura walked out of the bathroom wearing the dress Sasori gave her. True to his word it did fit her nicely, the straps on her shoulders held it up rightly for her. It was just tight and loose in all the right places. Her shoulders were bare, leaving her exposed to the cold. The dress was tight enough to bring notice to the shape of her legs and hips, but it was loose enough to let her walk in her usual stride. The top portion was loose but preserved her modesty. Her hair pinned away from her face neatly, accentuated with small pearls. "Yo Sakura is that you?" Naruto shouted from far away. He approaches her in his dark orange button up shirt instead of his usual bomber jacket. "Is it nice?" he gives her an assessing look. "You look great Sakura-chan! I didn't know the exhibit would be this fancy. I would have dressed better!"
The boy's whiskers were endearing to Sakura, her childhood friend always supporting her in all her endeavours in life. "You look fine Naruto-kun. I wouldn't mind you stand beside me all night." Her smile warming his insides caused him to smile sheepishly.
"Will your annoying brother be here tonight?" Naruto asked a bit peeved. Sakura flashed him a stern look "Be polite Naruto! It's rare for me to see them now that I'm in college. I barely see Itachi now too since he got his promotion. Sasuke will arrive with him soon, they'll be picking Ino up too." She trailed off. "So is it true that Ino and Sasuke?" Naruto's nostrils were flared, an impish smile on his face. Sakura couldn't help the giggle erupting from her mouth, "Yes! Finally! Am I right?" she beamed happily for her friend. "Damn, even that hag is getting more action than I am." Naruto muttered, "Hey, won't Hinata be here tonight?" she inquired. "Yeah, but it will barely be a date since her horrid ass cousin will be accompanying her tonight. Can you believe it? She still needs a chaperone. Unbelievable."
Sakura started remembering that Hinata was a Hyuuga, the next heiress to their clan. "Naruto you have to understand, she is a part of the Hyuuga clan. They're almost as old as the Uchiha clan, only… stiffer?" she trailed off again. Naruto breathed out a sigh, "Yeah, I get ya."
"Hey Ugly, would you mind if you checked the light in my exhibit?" a boy with dark hair and eyes dressed in a yukata called out to Sakura. Sakura pouted at the nickname given to her and marched to the boy's portion of the exhibit. "Sai, would it kill you to ask nicely?" Sakura huffed. "Just check it out, you know I can't look at the light too long." Sakura observed the delicate calligraphy and ink drawings on the fragile rice paper. "Wow Sai, you've outdone yourself this time." Sakura said breathlessly. Truly captivated by how the boy accurately depicted the beauty and grace of simple brush strokes with evident practice. "So is there anything wrong with the lighting?" she ponders for a minute. "Dim the yellow lights a bit; it might be too harsh on the paper making the ink look too sharp. People might not notice the soft strokes of the brush and the distribution of ink." Sai did as he was told and saw the difference immediately. "I wish I took colour theory with you, Sakura" he sighed.
After the final stretch of fifteen minutes, people started pouring in the exhibit dressed in extravagant dresses and kimonos. I could feel the cold sweat form on my temples, feeling antsy in my spot near the small podium on the makeshift stage. "Got the sweats Pinky?" I turned around to see my professor in techniques 101 behind me. "Kakashi –sensei, you have no idea. I'm going to drop dead any minute now." I saw his eyes crinkle from the face mask he was wearing. "You're just going to stand there Sakura-chan. You don't have to worry about anything, unless someone approaches you asking to buy one of your paintings." his words dousing me with a small sense of comfort. I nodded at him in response not knowing what to say anymore.
I guess if they've been repeatedly telling me that all I have to do is just stand then I got nothing to worry about. The crowd started shifting again, and I spotted Itachi and Sasuke in the crowd, Ino following behind Sasuke as he guided her in the crowd. I've noticed long before that we started living together that the public would turn around once more just to check out m brothers, but they never seem to mind. I smiled at them as soon as they made eye contact with me. My nerves weren't as bad as the start of the ingression a while ago.
I can do this. Murphy's Law ain't got no shit on this night at all.
The opening remarks were starting, I was in between Sasori and Deidara, the formers hand resting in the middle of my back in soothing circles. I wasn't all that nervous anymore knowing I had such an amazing support system. I can see this night moving smoothly now.
An hour into the exhibit and I've heard nothing but praise from the spectators looking at my work. I wouldn't deny the fact that my stomach would twist in knots every single time someone would walk up to my part of the exhibit, but I guess it would just have to come with the territory. "Forehead, you surely did bring your A game on with this one." Ino pointed out on a particular painting of mine. "I'm glad you noticed pig. Where's Sasuke?" she flipped her blonde hair to one side looking in the direction where the wine was being served. Sasuke and Naruto obviously in a heated debate with one another since they looked like they were about to butt foreheads together, poor Hinata could just observe the scene before her. I saw Neji observing them from afar while he talks to a girl from one of my classes. Ten-ten was it? She's an amazing iron smith, it was unlikely for a girl to be one but her craft was surely something to see.
An extremely pale man walked up to my portion and I had to excuse myself from Ino for a while to attend to him. He had long straight hair; it was very tame even looking very inviting to be touched. His eyes were something different though, his gaze was something that brought slight discomfort to me when it landed in my direction. All I could do was smile at him, and watch him as he stares into my works. He was a thin man, almost lean looking. His cream coloured suit brought out his yellow eyes some more. "I like the symbolism that you have set up in this piece, girl." He said without even looking at me. I tried to smile at him politely, "Thank you very much Sir." He looks at me this time and offers a hand to shake.
"My name is Orochimaru, Dear." If I wasn't mistaken I would think that had come out almost like a hiss of some sorts. "Uh, yes it is a pleasure to meet you, my name is Sakura."I smiled again, letting go of his hand this time he turns back to the painting.
"I get that you're the one in this painting, I figured because of the hair. But what would the lilies mean as a lady jabs it through your head?" He inquires; I could sense the amazement in his voice and the lack of confusion. Right from the beginning Kakashi-sensei told me that often art would be misunderstood and it doesn't have to be explained to anyone at all unless they would like to ask. I reminded myself that this should be taken as a form of flattery since the viewer is interested in delving deeper into the meaning of this. "It's a very personal piece actually." I cleared my throat trying to find reprieve, " I started making it almost a year ago when I was having a tough transition in life with my mother. For some they'd think the painting is a little graphic since there is blood caused by the jabs from the flowers, but it only symbolizes the pain I'm willing to endure for her. The lilies mean devotion. In a way, it's how I devote myself to my family."
From the corner of my eyes I saw him smile a little. Observing the painting still. "Do you take reservations?" he asked, "Pardon?" He reaches for something in his pocket only to bring out his phone. "Do you take reservations? I would like to buy this painting of yours." He stated simply. I couldn't help the continuous flips my stomach was doing. "I- I – of course Orochimaru-san! I'll remove the tag immediately for you!" I couldn't hide the mirth I was feeling. Forget being relaxed, I was feeling elevated again. I proceeded to remove the tag and gave it to him. "You can pay for the painting in that booth near the entrance, here's the tag for you to claim it" I smiled brightly at him. He bids me his farewell seeing that he couldn't stay for long. "I can see my Imouto is doing well on her own already."
Itachi was a few feet away from me, I couldn't help but run to him like a child giving him a tight hug. "I'm glad you made it! Did you see that? I made my first sale tonight!" He smiles at me, but this time it was different. His eyes had a tired look to them, it seemed like his actual age was starting to show. The deep sense of worry started dawning on me for the wellbeing of the brother I have known to love. "Aniki, are you alright?" his eyes shifted, I knew he was getting rid of something in his thoughts. "Nothing that you should be worried about Sakura, I just think my work is finally getting the best of me is all." I couldn't help but place my hand on his shoulder. He was taller than I am, I settled just right bellow his shoulders. He looks down to me, almost in an endearing manner. "Don't worry about me Imouto. I'll be home soon before you know it. We will always have our Sundays together." He smiles gently, but I knew he was lying. His eyes would give him away even when he tries to cover it up with his straight face.
"I just want you to be back home again Aniki, Sasuke misses you even when he doesn't say anything. I would know, he gets frustrated that I dote on him more than usual now that you're not home." A chuckle left his lips, "I hope he's not causing anymore trouble." I quirked an eyebrow trying to remember, a time when I saw how Itachi and Sasuke function together. "Remember that time when I got scared because I thought you were going to kill one another?" He looks blankly for a second trying to recall the first time I saw them fight.
He smirks at the memory. Sasuke talked back to my mom one time while having dinner at the table, but right before I could say anything Itachi got to it first. Itachi reprimanded Sasuke, making him apologize. Sasuke did apologize but the insincerity was there. I met his gaze at the table shooting him daggers with my eyes, he didn't flinch but his discomfort was evident. Right after dinner, Sasuke and Itachi walked straight to the back yard. The atmosphere felt heavy all of a sudden. A loud thud and grunts could be heard from the kitchen and I ran to the direction of the noise only to see Itachi and Sasuke fighting. Fugaku stopped me right before I could even intervene; he said something about men needing to put one another in their place. It wasn't a bloody battle, but Sasuke was bruised everywhere. Itachi and Fugaku stopped me from helping him, telling me that he should learn to answer to the consequences of his action, my mother knew already and didn't make a move.
"Clan law is such a weird thing" I couldn't help but mutter. I felt Itachi's hand on the small of my back, I looked up to him seeing as he was staring right back at me. "Why don't you find another job Itachi-ani?" I asked. His eyes held a certain darkness around them, "It's… different Imouto. The Uchiha clan is a strong fortress on its own because we support and care for one another." He takes a sip from the glass that I didn't notice that he was holding.
"Is it worth it to lose your own being? I mean do you even really like what you're doing?" Maybe it was just my eyes fooling me again, but I saw a spark of hesitation in his face. "I understand that the only reason I'm not too involved with the family business is because I'm not really an Uchiha, but what about you? Don't you have a choice in this? They're working you to an early grave aniki". I forgot about the exhibit for a moment focusing on my brother. He started making soothing circles behind my back again, "I did have a choice, if you have to know. It just so happen that I know that I believe that I would be able to do more good by helping the family than anywhere else." I was the one hurting for Itachi this time.
We arrived home earlier than usual because I was able to sell all of my paintings, the euphoria of being noticed was giving me an elated feeling. Words could no longer describe the feeling in my stomach. Itachi didn't miss a beat and patted my head right before we parted for the night. Sasuke brought Ino home but I opted to give them a little privacy just in case I would interrupt their hanky panky.
My confidence got a huge boost after the event. I'm sincerely feeling a little levelled now, knowing that I am just as capable as Sasori and Deidara. I couldn't bring myself to sleep knowing that the butterflies in my stomach have yet to cease their movements. "Maybe things do have a silver lining to them."
The night is young, and sleep has yet to find me.
"Why are you still up?" Sasuke watched as Sakura took another sip of milk from her glass. "I couldn't sleep. I still got the jitters from the exhibit. Where's Ino?" she asked, wiping the milk threatening to go over the confines of her mouth. Sasuke noticed this, watching her doe like eyes gaze innocently at him. "She went home a while ago." Sasuke avoided looking at her while he made his way to the fridge. He opted to pour himself a glass of milk too, but hesitated for a moment when he looked behind him to see Sakura's back.
Her sleeping shirt stopping just below her bottom, her short hair showing her slender neck, Sasuke couldn't help the lump forming in his throat at the sight of her. She was simple, nothing too extravagant about her besides the odd pigmentation of her hair and eyes. She was small in his eyes, but often he deluded himself that she wasn't capable of hurting someone, packing a mean punch (which he often found himself at the receiving end.)
It seemed like it has been a moment that he'd been staring at her back when she finally settled her glass down. "Hey Sasuke, I'm going up now. Good night and try to get some sleep." She simply walked out barefoot.
I should seriously stop thinking about her like this
The pink hair was familiar, and I could already imagine the face belonging to it. The girl in the portrait was angled in such a way that you could only see a peek of her nose on the side as the rest was covered in short pink hair. She wears a plain blue kimono, hands elegantly placed on her lap as a woman of sorts jabs lilies through her hair soaking the back of the kimono making the soaked parts appear darker. The blood running down her neck made the small amount of skin she was showing on her neck stand out even more.
The painting could speak for itself, and you could feel how her silence and lack of reaction to what was happening affect you. It pulls you to endure it with her; it compels you to hear the silence that is not even present. It was living even though it would forever remain still on the canvas.
"I'm amazed you caught such an eye catching piece, Orochimaru." The pale man sat on the far corner nearer to the books, his legs crossed revelling in my appreciation. It was too much of a coincidence for him to procure the very same painting made by my beloved. The thought brings a smile to my face. It wouldn't surprise me to say the least that the word has gone out that I have found a suitable matriarch to govern right beside me. It was fate, as I said so to myself multiple times, but as fate found us it felt like it meant to distance us even more.
Itachi has been making steady progress for the company to a point where he was able to forge alliances and merges with different clans throughout the district. This sudden surge of interest amongst other clans made the Uchiha corp. all the sturdier, but I don't fail to notice how the work constantly piles up one after the other throughout the progress that he's been making. Soon enough, within this year I'll be representing the company in different countries to form better relations. "You must be infatuated with the painting if it keeps you that deep in thought."
The snake just didn't know when to stay quiet. "I'd have you know it is the girl that has managed to capture my attention. Such a brilliant artist isn't she?" Orochimaru looks at me intently with a smirk, "She is, and I could see why plenty of men are pining for her." The words that flew out of his mouth made me want to burn him alive. I could feel the metal press further in my right rib as I focused to sense it.
Madara walked towards the far end to the man sitting there. "Don't tell me you think you're the only one who notices?" a despicable laugh escapes his mouth. "Although, unlike you. I'd actually rather have the living, breathing thing rather than that flat surface of paint."
A loud noise was made as a body fell to the floor. Orochimaru was pressed down with Madara's leather shoe on his back. "Now, now, there's no such need for violence." A nervous laugh escaped his lips. Madara was assessing the situation and crouched down before him but not levelling his head with his showing off his superiority. "Violence? That might not be a word suited for this situation Orochimaru-san. I would like to call it putting you in your place." He grips a familiar metal in his coat, warmed up from the contact with his skin. The gun reflecting the light around it "You see, in the Uchiha clan, we like to put one another in a standing to avoid confusion."
A click of the gun, a bullet in place
Madara rests the side of the gun to his face feeling the solid material. His eyes closed as he explains, "We put the strongest at the top, and the weakest at the bottom. When you're at the top, you're all alone, not a lot can stand with you. At the bottom… well, there are a lot of people there, but that just means they can't do shit on their own. They don't have the drive." This time the gun finds its way to Orochimaru's head. "The strong leads the weak because they have the drive to see a brighter future, to lead them to what is right." Orochimaru's smile doesn't leave his lips even though his life was on the line. "And what would you do to the ones that step out of the line?" Orochimaru asks
The trigger makes a clicking sound
"Simple."
Another click
The gun was in Orochimaru's line of sight now, and it was something that caused him to stay perfectly still even his smile shone bright through his trepidation. Orochimaru's chin was slowly digging on the floor as he felt the weight of Madara's hand. "You see, we just put them back to where they belong. If you can't stand against me, you won't be able to stand with me." Before Orochimaru could even reply, the side of the gun was in between his teeth unable to push it out as the weight of Madara's hand on his head prevented him from doing so.
Pressure was added to his head and he could feel the stress it was causing his teeth. "Do you think it would do you well to cross me, Orochimaru?" Madara asks with a volatile tone in his voice. He couldn't see Orochimaru's face but he continued to add pressure on his head until he heard a grunt of discomfort. He suddenly stops, lifting his head with his straight hair. "It would be wise that you remember this." Madara's face as straight as ever showing no emotion
He slams his head repeatedly with the gun in between his jaw. Teeth fragment and blood littered the floor, and a very pained Orochimaru could barely voice out anything without making an inhumane sound.
Madara stands up like nothing has happened, a skip in his step as he resumed his position right in front of his new painting. He left Orochimaru on the floor, drooling saliva and blood. "Although I do have to comment on how good your eye is Orochimaru, I've seen her works from before in her class and nothing compares to this one. I appreciate the gift." The mirth in his voice sounded as a threat, the wicked smile on his face didn't betray his intent