Disclaimer: Not the rightful owner of Naruto or any of its characters.

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A/N: Rated M for language and sexual scenes.

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Clashing Spells

「butIdoLOVEyoU」

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!!!!...Chapter 3: Secrecy...!!!!

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Big thanks to everyone who is reviewing. I really appreciate it. Comments such as "original and great" & "easier to understand than the original" makes writing this story worth it! Keep 'em coming! XD

Humming a tune of her own Sakura paused in her tracks.

She turned to look at Orochimaru's door. I wonder if anyone is in, she thought as she walked towards it. She concentrated her chakra to read for someone's presence inside the room. Nothing. Sakura tested the door knob. When she did, the door turned open.

"Of course it's unlocked," she muttered under her breath as she poked her head inside of the room. It was empty. Sakura pondered if the meeting was over. Orochimaru said it would resume in an hour, yet there was no one in his office.

Sakura stepped into the room and took a look around before closing the door shut behind her. Earlier in the day, when she stormed into Orochimaru's office to inform her uncle of her return she did not bother with the inspection of the room. Sasuke infuriated her beyond relief. By then, Sakura was beyond reasoning to reminiscent about old days in Otogakure. Looking at the room now, Sakura was reminded that nothing in Otogakure ever changed. Every object stood still in its place as she remembered it last.

Sakura frowned.

Why hasn't anyone bothered blowing this hell hole down?

It was the least someone could do while Sakura was away.

Sakura walked in direction of Orochimaru's desk. She walked around it, turned his chair and flopped right into it. She stared at the wall. Spider web cracks lined the wall. Some from when she got angry, some from when Orochimaru lost his composure. Sakura bit the inside of her cheek. The next time she got angry, not a single piece of Orochimaru's office would be left to lift from under the rubble.

Sakura turned, chair and all, to face Orochimaru's desk. She quickly glanced at the numerous scrolls littered on his desk, none of particular interest to her. Sakura made another quick scan of the room. She propped her feet on Orochimaru's desk and discreetly opened the center drawer. She poked her hand around the inside of the drawer. More scrolls.

She closed the drawer.

I doubt Orochimaru would keep anything of vital importance in his office. Despite having thought so, Sakura continued to rummage through the other drawers.

Nothing.

Sakura leaned further back into the chair she occupied. No matter how much she ridiculed Orochimaru, he was a smart man. The numerous things she got away with during the last few years had nothing to do with him being a fool but, it was due to Orochimaru's lack of interest in her.

Sakura knew her uncle did not particularly care for her. Nevertheless, it was undeniable that the lack of affection was mutual on both their parts. Instead of familial love, Sakura hated Orochimaru's guts. Every night, before she went to sleep Sakura envisioned Orochimaru falling to his knees and begging for forgiveness. Each night, Sakura granted him all but a spec of mercy.

Sakura turned her eyes to a portrait of herself that hung near Orochimaru's door, leading to his room. She sneered at the picture. She was nearing her twelfth birthday when the picture was taken. A deep frown adorned her eyebrows while her lips were set in a straight line. Her eyes were hollowed, much like they were all her life before she was introduced to the art of deceiving; and it all began with Orochimaru.

Sakura was convinced that the reason Orochimaru kept that picture in his office was because it reminded him that on one ever stood in his way. Sakura stood alone in the portrait. There was no one at either side of her rigid shoulders. Her parents were long gone.

Sakura scoffed. It won't be long before he wants to replace my portrait with that of Sasuke's, she thought bitterly. She then glared at no one in particular.

She did not know Sasuke Uchiha on a personal level and already she could not stand his guts. All she knew about him were the things people whispered in the shadows. His parents were killed by the lunatic of his brother and apparently he went berserk himself that his ultimate goal is to avenge his clan. Sakura applauds his bravery for attempting to kill someone of his kin, yet, she would not overlook his method. The fact that he joined forces with Orochimaru to accomplish his goal made Sakura resent him. That and the fact that he stole everything away from her so effortlessly angered Sakura.

Riled up at the thought of Sasuke, Sakura dropped her feet from atop Orochimaru's desk. She straightened in her seat and reached for the quill pen sitting idle near a jar of ink. Reopening the center drawer, she rummaged for a clean scroll. Sakura needed to bring the Gondaime up to date about the latest developments since she set foot in Sound territory.

Under the guise of writing a letter to her sensei, Sakura started the letter:

Michiru-sensei, Sakura smiled for she knew that Michiru-sensei seized from existing. How are you feeling? Are you eating properly, she continued.

Sakura was good at faking concern and emotions in general.

Since my return to Otogakure I cannot help but worry about you and your decreasing state of health. I fear that without someone by your side you will collapse. I hope you aren't drowning in sake. Too much drinking is bad for your health.

Sakura called into mind the first time she met Michiru. She was ten. Her first impression of the short bald man was an ill-favored one. Michiru stooped over because of his hunched back. He used the aid of a walking stick to move around. He wore a traditional yukata with traditional clogs. He was rude and a grumpy old man. Sakura remembered that his non-existent eyebrows were always knitted in a frown. Worst of all, his breath never seized smelling of sake. When he spoke, his words slurred. It was as if he was death for every time he spoke he shouted.

As Naruto referred to them, she hated the old geezer.

She despised him for making her life a living hell. The first time they met, Michiru intentionally tripped her with his walking stick. Even now, Sakura could not forget how painful falling over shards of glass had been. Sakura looked at her left palm. A fain scar still existed from where a chunk of glass sunk into her skin.

The shitty old bastard, Sakura thought darkly wishing she could kick him in his shin again like she did at the time. That's why you got what you deserved, Sakura mused.

Though, aside from the fact that a grown man picked a fight with her, what upset Sakura the most, even to this day, was the fact that Orochimaru yelled at her instead of taking her side. He even disregarded her injury. Instead, the snake of her uncle patted their distinguished guest's back and marched into his office. Little did she know that the reason for Michiru's visit had to do with her medical training.

A year of training along side Michiru had been a lot worse than descending into hell. Sakura firmly believed that the physical pain she labored with Michiru was a lot worse than anything she ever encountered, even far worse than the emotional and mental anguish she had subjected after her parents passed away.

Sakura frowned and gripped the pen to resume writing.

The senile old man is dead and Orochimaru hasn't the slightest idea. Sakura smirked. The sadistic streak in Orochimaru and Michiru rubbed off on her. She would not deny it. She rather fancied the idea of inflicting pain onto others. And, because she was displeased with Sasuke, even before she met him, she knew that he would satisfy her sadistic craving. The little incident from earlier proved as much.

Sakura looked down at the letter she wrote and pondered about the next line.

To ensure your health, I will ask Orochimaru—she considered adding honorifics to Orochimaru's name—to periodically send a shinobi to keep an eye on you. I would've preferred if you returned home with me. I am sure Orochimaru would have delighted with your presence in Otogakure. After all, you have helped me train; it's the least we can do to return the favor.

Sakura stared at the formality she addressed Orochimaru with in her letter. She wanted to gag. A person—no!—the devil's creation did not deserve the recognition of a human being. In her eyes, Orochimaru was nothing more than the dirt on the soles of her shoes. Sakura, however, wanted to give Orochimaru the impression that she respected him, even if she acted like a bratty child in his presence. If he read the letter, Sakura wanted to give him the illusion that secretly he was her idol.

Sakura snickered at the idea. He may be Sasuke's idol but he is my sworn enemy.

Sakura strummed her fingers on the edge of the desk. She needed to write in a way that did not reveal her true purpose.

Getting home took a little longer seeing as I forgot about the seal around Sound.

This is clue number one, Sakura thought as she continued onto the next line.

You would not believe the look on Orochimaru-san's face when I told him I have surpassed you. I feel so proud. As his niece, it's the best thing I have done thus far.

As his niece, the best thing she would be doing was ridding the world of her uncle.

I will admit to you that I feel threatened by Sasuke Uchiha's presence. By far, our encounter with Itachi was most pleasant. Sasuke was audacious enough to question my ties to Orochimaru-san. He wrestled me to the ground without acknowledging the fact that I am a woman. I do not understand why Orochimaru-san keeps him here. He's a traitor. I know I should not doubt Sasuke based on the fact that he is a traitor when Orochimaru-san is considered a traitor himself, and to the same village. The problem I see is that Sasuke does not share the same goal as the rest of us Sound members. He is only using Orochimaru.

Sakura pressed down on her ink pen to give the illusion that she was angry.

After returning home I did not expect to hear what seems to be the worst possible news. Orochimaru-san has decided to assign Sasuke Uchiha as my sensei.

Clue number two, Sakura thought worrying her bottom lip.

Can you believe it? It's even worse than when I found out you were going to be my sensei. With time I grew to like you. Sasuke Uchiha, however, there is nothing about him that I will ever grow to like. Unlike you, he is not loyal to Orochimaru-san. Of all people, you have to be the most loyal person I know.

This is why you died, Sakura thought as she paused to reminiscent.

ANBU officials from Konoha killed Michiru-sensei short after Sakura's one year stay with the senile old man. The way in which Michiru's head rolled of his shoulders and his blood spilled over the tatami floor reminded Sakura about her deceased parents.

Thinking about her parent's death made Sakura insomniac for days.

Sakura took a deep breath and reread the contents of the letter. It was still incomplete. She needed to express to the Gondaime how much she despised Sasuke's guts; as if Tsunade did not know already.

I don't want that insufferable jerk as my sensei. He has no respect for me as Orochimaru's niece. He dare call me 'Orochimaru's worthless niece'. I will not tolerate that sort of attitude from anyone. I tell you, the whole Uchiha clan is a disgrace. First the older brother becomes a traitor to the whole clan and then the younger brother betrays his nation for revenge. The Uchiha bloodline knows nothing about loyalty. They were Sakura's honest feelings.

I think you will find it more shocking that Orochimaru-san has ordered Sasuke and me to share the same room. Sakura continued to count off the clues in her head. I heard Orochimaru-san telling Sasuke that he trusted me in his care. I doubt that Orochimaru-san has considered the things that may happen to me in that room with a lone wolf.

Sakura frowned. Orochimaru's words echoed in her ears. She felt disgusted knowing that her uncle cared little whether or not Sasuke wanted to have sex with her.

He is so blinded by Sasuke that he has grown ignorant to the fact that Sasuke is not loyal to him. Orochimaru-san is so oblivious to Sasuke's intention that instead of getting angry at Sasuke for calling me his worthless niece, he was angry at me for rubbing it in Sasuke's face that all Orochimaru-san wants is his body. How can Orochimaru-san allow for Sasuke to insult me and not allow me to call him by his true colors? A traitor! A traitor from our enemy village! After all that Konoha did to my uncle Orochimaru-san still keeps Sasuke here. I fear that his trust in Sasuke will lead to our destruction.

Sakura smiled deviously. How ironic, she thought knowing full well that Orochimaru's enemy village would help her destroy Sound. Everyone feared that Sasuke would be the one responsible for that. At least, Sakura would continue to warp Orochimaru's mind by insisting that Sasuke would lead to their downfall.

Sakura decided to make a final declaration to Lady Tsunade. She knew Tsunade would not approve of it. She was even instructed before leaving Konoha to not tangle in anything related with Sasuke. Sakura, however, could not help herself when the opportunity was presented to her with a golden bow.

I have sworn to make it a living hell for Sasuke. Sakura paused, she was curious to know what Tsunade's reaction would be, but she brushed off the infuriated face that loomed in her mind's eye.

I will not allow him to ruin Orochimaru-san's long existing plan of destroying Konoha. We will have the last laugh, not them! So, despite how infuriated I am at the thought that I will have to share a room with Sasuke and that he will be my sensei, I will make sure to learn everything he teaches me. I will train under him because Orochimaru-san has trained him. Under that notion I will learn and surpass Sasuke. I will then challenge him and prove to Orochimaru-san that we do not need Sasuke or anyone else to defeat Konoha.

I will write to you again. Though, I am unsure of when. I will lack privacy from now on that I fear I will never be calm enough to write another letter.

I hope to hear from you soon.

Please look after your health.

Sakura diligently signed her name at the foot of the scroll. She used Orochimaru's crest to stamp beside her name. When she was done she rolled up the scroll and grinned triumphantly at the letter before her. She was a genius. Orochimaru would never suspect that she was communicating with Lady Tsunade. The contents of the letter did nothing to betray her actual intentions.

Again, Sakura wondered about the Gondaime's reaction when learning that Sasuke was not only going to be her sensei but that she was being forced to share a room with the man. Sakura smirked. She purposely omitted the part about choosing another room to stay in. By doing so, she bought her self more of a reason to torment Sasuke to her heart's content. Though, room or no room, Tsunade knew her too well to infer that Sakura did not need a reason to bug Sasuke.

The Gondaime was so in-tune to Sakura that she knew, no matter how much Sakura hated her uncle, that the girl had lived with him long enough to not be able to break away from her mightier-than-thou tendencies. Like Orochimaru, Sakura would not tolerate for her word to be defied. The girl hated it when others attempted to walk all over her. It's the reason why physically Michiru broke her. She would not submit to him.

Sakura Haruno submitted to no one.

Therefore, Sasuke Uchiha would be having a ball while trying to get her to learn anything. Sakura was trained but of course, Sasuke and Orochimaru were not meant to know that.

Sakura leaned back into the chair she occupied.

Her acting was superb. She was gifted with enough free will to effortlessly mask how she truly felt. Had she been a regular citizen, Sakura would have made use of her acting and joined a theater—preferably a Noh theater since she was so used to living with a mask for the last ten years of her life.

Sakura had Orochimaru wrapped around her finger without him knowing it.

She would not allow for Sasuke to change that. As a result for having stolen her place beside Orochimaru, Sasuke would have to pay.

Lady Tsunade should expect nothing less from her.

Sakura laughed but then, the image of Sasuke's angry face surfaced to mind and just as soon it put Sakura in a sour mood. Weak minded, she thought, a scowl on her face.

The man was dense. How could he not see that he was following in the footsteps of two beings who also betrayed Konoha? Two perverse beings!

Sakura gently massaged her temple. Aside from making her presence known in the room she would be sharing with Sasuke, she quickly needed to come up with another method of tormenting the Uchiha. All she had now were verbal insults. She needed something that would pack a punch. She needed an ingenious plan that would make it known to him that he chose the wrong opponent to duel against.

Sakura took a moment to imagine the training ground she used along side Tsunade-sensei. The thought of training always calmed her nerves. Now that she had to act like an imbecile around Sasuke and Orochimaru, Sakura could not begin to image what would substitute training. Then, a smile slowly edged its way onto her lip. Sasuke would have to substitute a punching bag. It's that great!

Sakura withheld the urge to cackle at the thought. Again, she took a moment to image the training grounds of Konoha. Clear blue sky, green grass, crisp clean air, towering trees; Sakura loved Konoha.

While Orochimaru thought she was away training with Michiru-sensei, Sakura had been picked up by Konoha elite ninjas and taken into custody. At the time, she had been nothing but black and blue bruises, bloody cuts and a fragile, bony figure. The state she was brought into the Gondaime's office had been enough to buy all of Lady Tsunade's sympathy.

Though, of course, Sakura was far from down and under. When she was taken to Tsunade's clinic and despite not being able to move, her words, still, carried the same momentum as the leather whip Michiru used to zing across her skin. Once it was discovered that she was Orochimaru's niece, Konoha tried to keep her detained. The warmth Konoha citizens once looked at her with evaporated into scorn.

Within the course of a week, Sakura came to understand that Konoha shared the same hatred for Orochimaru as she did. It was then, after realizing the great asset Konoha meant that Sakura bargained her freedom in exchange of killing Orochimaru. However, it took time to prove her worth to Konoha. Only Tsunade trusted her word and it was with Tsunade, in the battle fields of Konoha that Sakura learned what being a shinobi meant. She learned what it meant because of a single purpose. She learned that hard work was a product of blood and sweat.

The more power Tsunade helped Sakura gain, the sweeter Orochimaru's fall tasted.

Orochimaru never grew suspicious. Since Michiru made a habit of traveling, no one ever noticed that Sakura betrayed him. In fact, it was Michiru's trust that earned him his death. When ANBU members found Sakura, Michiru refused to say who he worked for. The condition she was found in only hastened his demise.

Though, the reason why Orochimaru never grew suspicious was because by then Sasuke was already in his hand. What more would Orochimaru care for when he effortlessly accomplished to lure Sasuke Uchiha?

Sakura was forced by Michiru to periodically write to the scumbag of her uncle, nagging and complaining about the 'old bastard whose breath always smelled of sake'. Under Michiru's supervision she was never allowed to reveal the type of training she endured. Later, when Kabuto was sent to check up on her, ANBU unit ensured that Kabuto never noticed the illusion cast around them.

At the face of her horror filled days, Sakura took a deep breath. She continued to imagine the training grounds of Konoha. She could smell the fresh air. She could feel the pleasant breeze on her skin. In her memory, her foot steps took her through every nook and cranny of the forest. She lingered longest where her blood once spilled. Her shoulders squared as she neared the training ground where her ass had been handed to her various times before she was able to defeat those who trained along side her. She could hear Naruto's voice. She could feel Kakashi-sensei's presence, sitting by the pond, telling her about Sasuke and the Uchiha clan. She could taste the cool refreshing water from the stream she used to bathe in, the one where Sai found her naked.

Sakura almost laughed at the thought of that. Sai had been of great diversion when she felt bored.

Most of all, Sakura remembered Tsunade's warm touch. She recalled the sensation of hearing the Gondaime's reprimanding voice, yelling at her when she spoke out of place. Sakura remembered biting her lip so hard in order to refrain from biting the hand that fed her, until all she could taste was her own blood.

Sakura opened her eyes.

How did Sasuke give it all away? He had everything in Konoha. Although his parents were no longer there, he had an entire village willing to support him. Compared to her, he had a horde or people waiting for him with open arms. Sakura had no one, not even her uncle, thus, she envied Sasuke.

Orochimaru's name weighed down on her just as his curse mark did on Sasuke. Her situation that was much too similar to Sasuke's, was insignificant. No one ever sympathized with her. The first person to do so was Tsunade. The villagers of Konoha tolerated her because they knew that once she killed Orochimaru, Sasuke would return. No one cared that her parents had been killed much like Sasuke's.

What hurt Sakura most and infuriated her now was that trying to replace Sasuke had been impossible. She was not able to reach Naruto's heart like Sasuke did. Sasuke's existence was always more important than hers. Unlike her, he was loved everywhere he went. It was hard to believe but he had his own fan club, the village he betrayed was willing to accept him. His teammates forgave him without him begging for it. It annoyed Sakura that such a selfish man continued to parade about the world without a care in the world for those he so effortlessly hurt. Worst of all, The damn bastard did an easy job of replacing my existence in Otogakure. Not only did she have to constantly hear about the infamous Sasuke Uchiha in Konoha but now, she was would be subjected to the same when in Konoha.

Sakura cursed Sasuke. He really has it all. The girls, the looks, he's a goddamn genius, good family standing, friendship, Sakura vehemently ticked off on her fingers. She briefly wondered, Should I set the whole place on fire and make sure Sasuke be damned to Hell alongside Orochimaru.

Sakura quickly shook her head. No, I promised Naruto I would bring him back. Though, he never specified if dead or alive. Sakura found humor in the grimmest of situations.

Sakura blinked into space. She shook her head again. She was thinking too much. She took the moment to gently massage her temple again. The day's even was starting to take its toll on her.

Tsunade warned her about Sasuke Uchiha, though; she failed to hammer into her head that no matter how much she disliked the Uchiha, is was not her mission to make him suffer. Sakura bit the inside of her cheek and thought carefully. She was conflicted by what she promised Naruto and what she so desperately wanted to do to Sasuke.

Sakura groaned her frustration. Why could she not be another sucker that sympathized with Sasuke? If she did not hate him, she did not have to worry about Naruto hating her for hurting him.

Sakura took a deep breath and focused her mind on the bigger task at hand: Orochimaru. The original plan had been that once she returned, Orochimaru would take her under his wing and start training her. During one of those training sessions she hoped to kill him. Sasuke, however, damaged her plan. Not only that, his presence in the room took away her comfort zone.

With Sasuke in the same room, Sakura was not sure that she could keep up her tough persona façade every second of her waking days. Even if she had worn a protective mask for the past several years, her room had been the only place where she could let her guard down. Because of Sasuke she did not have that luxury anymore.

Sakura worried that because Sasuke was a rumored genius, he would notice that she wasn't who she faked to be.

She felt like pulling the hair on her head.

Everything had been perfect until she reached Otogakure. Everyone in Konoha told her to not worry about Sasuke since he was a withdrawn person. She actually planned to do just that. She planned to ignore her distaste for him but, because of the events that spiraled down since she set foot in Otogakure, she could not ignore her feelings.

If it was possible, Sakura hated Orochimaru a bit more than she did seconds ago. He was the one forcing her to go against what she promised Naruto. Currently, Sakura was not sure that tormenting him enough that he'll regret betraying Naruto and his village was enough for her. For some reason she wanted so much more than to hurt Sasuke for his betrayal to Konoha.

Sakura looked at the scroll. She picked it up and decided to look for Orochimaru's lapdog. She needed Kabuto to deliver the letter as soon as possible.

"Enough thinking about that insufferable jerk," she told herself as she strode for the door.