"Was this the face that launch'd a thousand ships,
And burnt the topless towers of Ilium?"
- Doctor Faustus
Kingdom of Snakes
(Salvage)
Sasuke was watching her—
… he's been watching her.
Sakura ignored his piercing gaze, choosing instead to avert her eyes to the view outside - which wasn't much of an improvement. After waking up from her nap and recovering her energy, Sasuke was gone, though there was a tray filled with fish, rice, and water—something she eagerly accepted, dismissing the idea of being poisoned due to her hunger. However, it was only an hour later that Sasuke returned, though not before dismissing an unfamiliar silver-haired man carrying a large sword over his shoulder.
She would've been absolutely terrified of his presence had he not had the gall to send her a flirtatious wink.
Sasuke had been quiet, of course.
But even more so than usual.
.
.
.
His gaze never once faltered, and she was growing weary.
There was something lingering in the air between them, and Sakura couldn't quite put her finger on it—
… but somehow, she just knew.
There was a feeling of dread in her stomach.
And fear.
"Why is Orochimaru after you?"
And there it was.
"My... abilities," Sakura answered quietly, reluctantly.
But it wasn't enough.
"There's more," Sasuke accused, watching as the girl's body tensed.
He was right.
She remained silent.
"I sent Suigetsu to gather information."
So that's his name... Suigetsu.
Sakura closed her eyes, forcing herself to calm down despite the fact that her heart was beginning to beat erratically. More than anything, she needed to remain calm, because if he were to find out about—
"Kyuubi," Sasuke stated, satisfied that the damned sword-wielder finally managed to do something right, judging by the reaction that he was currently eliciting from the pink-haired woman. "You're not just a healer."
I'm sorry...
"You're the person keeping the demon contained."
so sorry—
"You control it."
… Naruto.
As her eyes rose to meet his, she bit her lip... ashamed and angry that the pair of crimson eyes that met hers was filled with triumph.
.
.
And as if on cue, his beautiful blue eyes flashed in her mind.
(I'll protect you, Sakura-chan!)
Her fists clenched in anger.
(We'll be able to live in peace... someday.)
And just as her anger had risen, so did her confidence.
"You—Don't lay a finger on him," she hissed out, "I promised to help you, but in exchange—you... don't hurt him."
Sasuke snorted, causing her head to snap up in bewilderment.
"As if I need a demon's power to defeat Orochimaru myself."
"Naruto is NOT a—"
"... but I need yours," Sasuke finished, sending her a look which made her avert her gaze. "Take your power back."
"I... can't."
"You won't."
Sakura exhaled in frustration, anger, and—
"He'll die without me," she admitted, closing her eyes. "Without the seal... the Kyuubi will eat him alive." She felt tears well up. "He needs me."
"You kill him..." Sasuke started, his voice laced with venom. "Or I will."
Sakura froze.
"There's... there's another way."
He stared, waiting.
"The seal..." she said slowly, finally succumbing to defeat. "The closer we are, the less... energy I use to keep it intact." Sakura paused, hesitating. "The further we are apart, the weaker I get."
There was the catch.
It was pathetic how far the pink-haired healer would go in order to keep her friend - Naruto - safe. Fortunately for her, Sasuke's primary goal was to take revenge on Orochimaru and take back what was rightfully his to begin with. Killing the Kyuubi container may have allowed him full access to Sakura's power, but he would have had to fight tooth and nail to coerce her into cooperating with him.
He needed her to trust him.
And if that meant keeping her safe and away from Orochimaru's clutches, then so be it.
As for her friend...
"Why does it matter whether he lives or dies?"
Sakura paused for a moment, her brows furrowing.
(Because I love you, Sakura-chan.)
"Because... he would have done the same for me," she answered softly.
That was all he needed to continue.
"Where is he?"
.
.
.
"Konohagakure."
"It's rare that you would come to me for help... Sasuke-kun," a voice purred from outside the door.
Sakura shivered, recognizing that voice.
"You're the only person who knows the terrains inside and out," Sasuke said, unaffected. "And I need your... skill."
"I'll be more than happy to oblige."
Sakura chose to ignore the two as she pulled her cloak around her body, lifting the hood up as she gently tucked her hair inside to obscure it from view. Although she feared being hunted down by Orochimaru's men once more, she had faith in Sasuke's words and his unspoken promise to keep her safe. His words were the only thing that kept her reassured... that, and the fact that she would see Naruto again and the lovely trees of Konohagakure.
He needed to assemble a team together—
And Karin had been the last person that Sasuke wanted to recruit.
The other two were nowhere to be found, though judging by the small energy Sakura felt in her presence, she assumed that they were standing guard outside the room.
She knew for a fact that Suigetsu would be one of the members, but there was another... unstable and unfamiliar presence she felt. While the stranger's energy wasn't as malevolent as Sasuke's was, it still held a tint of malice underneath its gentleness.
Sakura had some doubts as to whether she could trust the three companions of Sasuke's...
But if a man like Sasuke could trust them—
.
.
.
Then so could she.
Author's Note: I am alive... and well. And if you've subscribed to my other stories, you will notice that I am slowly updating them one by one. I would like to apologize for a lot of things, but mainly for the extremely short chapter. Thank you for your patience and your kindness!
