Her eyes were full of shock as I knelt, gripping the baggy, red material of her arm warmer. Slowly I tugged, bringing her body up and against my chest. We stayed liked that, her slightly leaning into the black material of my shirt. Her head came up to my chin, and as she slowly raised her arms up to my chest, I felt her tremble.
"Sasuke, is it you. How, how did you find me?" She looked up, titling her head and causing a rapid over flow of pink hair to fall in front of shimmering green pools. The dark, narrow hallway that held the rooms was silent, only the flickering light of one candle illuminating the stair well. Below the people were still drinking heavily, unaware that closing time was coming. Their shadows danced on the stair well, drunken laughs and shouts added in with the singing. Soon another fight could be heard, the hard sound coming from the impact of most likely a stool against a head.
"Hn," I stepped back, leaving her to stand alone, still slightly trembling. She drew away, glancing downwards at the staircase. A book. An open book. Her body began slowly progressing, inching each foot toward the bright light. "Sakura,"
Her face snapped up, lurching back in utter shock at my voice. Even at 20, she was still so childish. Even at my voice she reacted the same way, hope, fear, and then happiness that I was recognizing her. But, tonight, with the wind ripping at the building outside, and rain falling against the old building, all there was were the first two.
"Sasuke-kun. Why did you protect me from those men! Why would you do that, when obviously I was fine on my own?" I smirk soaks my lips, and those green pools of light once again change, this time to something I had never seen, only heard. "Of course, Sasuke. I understand now. You still think of me the way I was when you cowardly left Konahan. Tsk, tsk. I would have thought after out first encounter your view of me would have changed, at least a little bit,"
Anger drenched my pores and it seemed a new sort of heat was growing in the pit of stomach, Sakura, what are you doing. "No matter, it was only in passing we meet again so soon. But, as you would never be able to protect your self against such men, I did a favor. Think of it as payment for sparing my life," her voice, now dripping with sarcasm, started again. Like honey it ran of her tongue, the bitter tone corrupting my ears.
"Oh, is that it. I would have thought that giving you back your life was my own favor, for being so irritating to you for all those years ago. Don't think of us as even, Sasuke. I could just as easily take your life again. You know nothing about what happened, or on that matter, anything about me. So Sasuke-kun, leave me in peace. I want nothing to do with you anymore!"
Ice slipped into my stomach, putting out the fire as quickly as it came. Silent, emotional, I stayed tall and reserved as Sakura pushed past me, not turning to face my silent figure. "Sasuke-kun. I hope we do not meet again. If we do, I'll have to kill you. It's not fair, it's not right, but that was my job, and I failed as a ninja to complete it. Good-bye, dear, Sasuke-kun," she was gone now, gone and entered her room. The rain pounded harder and my fists curled. The arrogance of that girl. She was still a stupid, loud-mouthed girl she had been all those years ago. Even if she was intelligent enough not to run into my arms as I could tell she wanted to do, she was still annoying.
I stared up at the ceiling, water slipping in between the cracks and landing in a small puddle next to my bed. As the puddle grew I shifted nervously, glancing occasionally out at the window. Still pouring, the coldness seeped through the walls and into the bed. The raggedy brown blankets that were curled up around me did nothing against the hungry nip of coldness. Damn. Sitting up I bent my head, not caring that water was slipping through the cracks of my own face, making a small trail down my cheeks. What was happening to me? Crying, crying like a little girl. I haven't cried since I was 15.
It had been about that bastard. Gods, why, why did he make me so emotional! Why was it that his pale, handsome face was so alluring to me? In the years we had been apart, it had become thin, angled, the handsome curves becoming mature cheek bones and a strong jaw. His body, and my face turned pink, the familiar blush burning in my face. His chest, as I ran my hands up it just hours ago, so strong. Not the lean, muscles he had before, but a man's chests, skinny, hard, and sturdy. So, so, right, against my softer, fragile body. Oh no, thinking those thoughts again. Those thoughts about being meant to be, all of that shit I had left in my past.
"Sasuke! You jerk why do you have such control over me! Would you even listen if I told you why I was in a damn brothel. No! You would just-" a cold, white hand flew over my mouth, gripping the back of my head and pulling me into a sideways positioning, my bosom hanging painfully over the stretch of blankets. Another hand gripped my neck, using a thumb and pointer finger to press hard on the bone.
Death's grip locked around my head. Those cold, pale hands. I need to see his face. Need to. My fists made contact with his jaw, pushing the man off my mouth and backward. The rain was beating ever harder against the room and in the dark I moved back off the bed, trying to find a wall. As long as I could see him and he wasn't behind me, it was alright, I would have the upper hand. As long as-
"Boo," fingers grip my wrists and pull them in the air, tangling my long hair in them, pulling, ripping my scalp. Suddenly my body can't move as my breath slows way down, becoming quicker and more diluted. What was this, it felt like lilac poison. But how would lilac poison had gotten into my system. Only way to work is through the mouth, so it can reach the brain quickly and paralyze your senses. Beside, lilac poison was for later, it took at least a good 6 hours to work, I haven't consumed anything sense. Stupid, stupid Sakura. Realization shook me as the image of the woman cam into my mind.
"A large bottle of Sake,"
"Mineral water! Damn!"
So, some one swapped bottles and fed me lilac poison, easily hid in mineral water due to the same coloring and irony taste.
"Hm, I see you understand," his hands tighten over my wrists as I'm half dragged, half carried over to the bed. My face is frozen in fear. Stupid, stupid Sakura. How could you not have seen this coming! To let your self fall so easily into a trap. Damn it all. "When I sent Sasuke to that brothel, I had the hope you two would realize each other, before your actions took place. To my surprise however, you buried him in the forest. Came back, and revitalized my boy. Hn, smart girl, realizing that just as a ninja can stay below the water for extended periods, maybe Sasuke had been smart enough to take a gulp of air before his air way swelled up. Like a true medic, like sweet Tsuande had taught you, you put your lips on his and saved the boy. Huh, how did that kiss taste Sakura? Knowing you were kissing the cold, dead lips of your beloved Sasuke-kun!" a hollow, cold laugh. I know who this is. But my body can't move and I settle for silent sobs, feeling more liquid run down my cheeks before settling on my chin, and drip off.
"Woman, don't cry. I haven't come to kill you. In fact, I sent Sasuke to find you. If he realized it was you, then I had hoped you would follow him. Of course though, you didn't, and he was left alone, half dead. Sakura, I've had my eye on you for a long time. You show much potential, in fact, that's why I come to you, in the dead of night," slowly he turns my body, keeping both wrists high above my head.
Pasty skin, tight, almost mask like face, shielding a little nose and thin, repulse eyes. His translucent, pale lips are curved into a smirk as he watches my mouth. Watching my mouth with something I didn't like. It wasn't lust, like the fat men I kill, or love, because it wasn't possible from him. It was a sort of longing, like a child who had tried every flavor of ice cream, but one.
"I want you Sakura. I want you to become one of my apprentices. Think of what I could offer you, strength beyond what Tsuande can teach, skills other then just spying and trickery. New forms of poison, and on top of all that," his smirk fell into a full out smile, and if I could have I would of spit in his face. Instead I can't move, literally paralyzed, from my lungs to heart. I have another 30 seconds before I'm dead. But, if the snake it telling the truth, he'll pour cold water down my throat, and instantly I'll be fine. Lilac poison is used for interrogation, because if water if washed down, the poison becomes harmless. It's something I hate because it takes to long to work, and kills the person in a matter of minutes. I'm as good as dead.
"Sasuke," he whispers the final words into my ears, before pushing my body into the bed. It smacks the object hard, un able to move, I lay on the bed, wishing he would come back into my sight. Finally his pasty skin and flowing hair come over my head, his hand clasped together. He sits on my legs, and he drops cold rain water on my parted mouth. The cold liquid seeps into the back of my parched, dry throat. Soon my throat can feel cold, smooth air entering, flowing down my airway and with a new breath, my lungs scream out.
"Sasuke would never be mine, don't think you can tell me those lies," my sentence hangs in the air before he moves off my legs, knowing just as I do that it will take a while before my legs are unfrozen. A tingling sensation flows up and down both arms, heat stabbing at my back and the cold cut of a needle at my neck. With each breath the air is freezing, like my lungs are being submerged in the artic sea.
'Don't think Sakura, he'll be able to tell. Just, transform, become a actress,'
"Orochimaru, Orochimaru. What, did you think you could just waltz in here and sweet talk me into submission. And I thought you were one of the legendary three. Sasuke could never be mine, he made that choice when you took him under you evil gaze. And I will never be yours. I am loyal to Konoha, leave me," his eyes change from the dirty, washed out shade, to a hostile one, threatening to hurt me.
"Don't use such a snotty, proud tone with me. I am still stronger then you, and I still will crush that disgusting attempt of a village. You are weak and Sasuke is still mine. The cursed seal will make him mine and forever. So little girl, I hope you don't think he wouldn't come home to me," I stiffen as his hands come to rest on my thighs, caressing the tops slightly while running both thumbs in a circle. With both arms pricking painfully, I can do nothing but watch with glossed over eyes as he take a hand down to rest below my navel. "Even though your body is that of a woman's, your breast large and taunt, lips thick and pussy ready to feel, you are the same scared child. You think, sweet Sakura that because you've tasted blood off your knife, seduce men to there death and even surpass your own sensei that you are grown. But just like a flower you will die, fall to the ground and become one with the earth. You dance with death and I am the only one who can make you control the after world. Be my student Sakura, and you won't regret it," his hand is resting on the edge of my pants, playing with his fingers thoughtfully on the hem, before pushing there way inside. I close both eyes as the cold fingers run down the material of my panties, pushing up against them.
"Stop," is all I say, choking out the letter as he plays with panties edges, threatening to feel more skin.
"Oh, now who is in control?" Control, he loved control, when I had refused, he had to get back into control, he even lowered himself to practically beg me to join him. So, control is the way. I tip the tables and look up into those disturbing eyes, becoming someone new, someone, confidant.
"Hn, Orochimaru the all powerful is asking me to let him teach me. Orochimaru, the all powerful is molesting a woman, so she'll join him in his sins against the village. You're a dog Orochimaru. A low life scum who makes the very sun turns its face away, because you're not worth light to see your face. Your horrible face. Whores wouldn't give you pleasure if you offered them more money then in the world. HAH! And you think that I'll-" my legs are free and I push him off, spinning over to the bed, pulling the blankets down over me. He lunges up, towards my body. Up, to the right, knife in hand. My body screams out hungrily for air, and the blood circulation is still weak. Keep moving. I slash at his head, only to be met by resistance from arms. Someone had healed them. Poorly and with too much haste, but they no longer looked painful.
"Woman, don't think you can beat me," both of his arms locked me in, and he tried to move our bodies close. My leg kicked up, making a straight line in the air. He falls backwards, blood rushing down his cheek and into the black matting of his hair. I charge again but he's to fast, and he stands over me, pushing my body against him, easily.
"Sakura, you once told Sasuke you would do anything for him. Anything. Eight years is a very long time to go without love, did you forget dearest Sasuke-kun?" my face contorts, but even as I struggle against his forearms, my body is unable to separate. No luck, I'm trapped. "Listen. You don't have a choice. I want you to be my apprentice. You're medical skills are incomparable, and maybe you can finish my arms completely. You're a bright girl, with to much potential to waist on simple assassinations. You should be the head of the ANUBU, not doing the dirty work that no one ever hears about. I can make you the star of Konaha, and make Sasuke-kun love you. How about that, Sasuke-kun would love you. Maybe if you show him you're a strong girl, not that miserable coward from all those years ago,"
Orochimaru steps back and I crumple to the floor, the poison still in my system, making my breathing long and shallow. Outside a rain gutter can no longer hold the demands of the water, and it cracks and swings down, banging against the wall of the inn. The man moves steadily to the window, before ducking his head back.
"Don't forget Sakura, I could make him love you, if you heal my arms, and become my student. Love you Sakura, I control him, I can make him love you,"
"Even then, we could never be together though, right?" He pauses and steps out the window, turning back as he sits on the edge, "Even if he did love me, you would never allow us. Ever, besides, the only way you could make him love me is through the damn seal. NO!" But he is gone, and I run to the window, watching the dark as the down pour continues. Nothing.
I run back into my room, collecting my arms warmers and money, throwing them into the sack. I leave a note for the cleaning lady and walk hesitantly out into the hallway, closing the door with a creak behind me. I left the room with a messy bed and torn up towels, the perfect scene for a random one-night stand. Hopefully they'll take it as to much sake and a mysterious man, then embarrassment, causing the early leave.
"Damn, he's left hasn't he," Sasuke-kun's voice rings in my left ear, and I turn, only to have his hand pressed over my mouth. "The brothel was a set-up, wasn't it? He's tired of me and wants me dead, what better way to do it then by you," Sasuke whispers in a deadly tone, keeping his cold eyes on the rotting floor. In the dark we can hear the rain outside, and the other guests move around. From the room behind me I can hear the squeaking of a mattress, and from ahead of us, the shuffling of feet. Sasuke pushes me up against the wall, blending our bodies in against the oak, as a man hurries past to go to one of the communal restrooms. Grabbing at his crotch and his breathing fast pitched and wheezy, it's safe to assume we're safe.
From behind us the low moan of a man can be heard, and I fidget against Sasuke's grip. The bed begins to shake violently, the mattress flying up and down. Soon the woman's voice begins gasping, and I can only imagine her head throwing back as he humps her like puppy in lust. Sasuke's face stays the same shade, as mine turns pink.
"Embarrassed just at that? I thought you worked under those conditions regularly?"
"Don't joke with me. I'm not embarrassed. Put me down Sasuke, I need to complete my mission,"
"……"
"Yes, a mission. Sasuke, please, put me down," his hand loosened and I slide down his body to rest one foot on the floor. Finally both feet stand firmly and I turn again to look at the man still hovering above me, eyes lost in thought. "Your sensei just offered me a proposal. He wants me to be one of his apprentices," this got the man's attention. His eyes turn hard and a hand pushes me against the wall again.
"What did you say?" I smirk and his face freezes, leaning down so our eyes are level. "A student, along with me. You can't be telling the truth, why would he want you," my heart skips a beat and I fight back tears.
"Want me, maybe I'm strong Sasuke! In case you haven't noticed I'm stronger now, so strong I'm sent on private missions," a low laugh emits from the man and I clench my jaw, sucking on my lip. Why is he laughing!
"Don't be so naive. The only reason you're sent to kill these men, and me, isn't because you are strong. No, it's because you're good at playing a role. You don't do the fighting, the poison does, and all you have to do is act like a common hooker. I see no strength in that," his hands push me away and I turn into the wall, tears forming quickly in my ugly, green eyes.
"Sasuke-kun, why are you the only one who can make me cry so easily? I'm worth something now, I am to strong. You're just too cruel to admit it! I hate you! I should have left you for dead! I could have left you in the ground. Or burned your body. Dumb girl, walking away and feeling so much guilt I rushed back and used my own hands to claw at the dirt. I rescued you, breathed a complicated jutsu into your lungs, made the poison leave your body and air come back into you lungs. Dumb Sakura, should have left the bugs to eat away at your body. Then, I even nurse you back to health! I might not be weak like you claim, but I'm dense. So stupid to let you live!"
Anger is flushing my senses and he stands tall, completely emotionless.
"The last time I saw you, we were kids. We're adults now Sakura. Things have changed. If he shows interest in you, its for your medical skills. that's all he wants. If you choose to accept his offer, which you won't, that's your business. We're not on a team anymore Sakura. I don't know you anymore, and you know nothing about me. Go and complete your important mission. It was stupid of you to let me live. Your own fault. Now go Sakura. Leave, and I trust you won't tell anyone I'm still alive," I push him aside, climbing out a window and falling down to the ground with the rain. Standing up I make my way through the backyard, over a fence before I turn back. He's standing at the window, watching me. In a huff I leave, glancing behind my shoulder before the building is completely out of site. He's gone.
Sakura left the village quietly, easily slinking past the snoozing guards and walking freely in the rain, spinning happily under the down pour. She made her way into the forest before setting off toward her next mission. In he shadows her pursuers knelt, smiles plastered against there faces.
There leader sat in front, watching his pray begin to run swiftly through the trees, before disappearing into the darkness. Like a creature of the night she was gone, and like a true predator they continued after her.
A short, spidery life man with bony arms and a large torso jumped over to his master. Thwe mans face twisted in to a wide frown, showing crooked teeth and rough lips.
"Orochimaru, why did you want us to wait until after she had left the village,"
"Because, it will take her a few days to get to her victim, 1 to plan and kill, and a good 5 to get back to the village. That means by the end of next week, her supervisors will start to expect her. We'll take tomorrow, after she is sighted somewhere. Take her, strip her of all weapons and hidden substances. The little girl thinks she can make death into a liquid or powder form!" the men laughed haughtily before there snake master continued. "I want her presented to me by tomorrow night, alive,"