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.
Ch4: Strings
"Could you do that pose again for me Sakura-chan?" Sasori's voice commanded attention and meant business. "Of course, Sasori-senpai." She lifts her hands right above her head while sitting down. "Don't forget your hands, they have to look graceful." Sasori continued as he watches her with a meticulous eye. "Good, keep that pose I'll take a few shots." The sound of the camera clicking was the only thing you could hear in the studio of the doll maker along with the hum of the exhaust to help remove the smell of the harsh chemicals used in making them. "Alright, all good. You can relax now." Sasori didn't even look at Sakura, too engrossed in reviewing the shots he just took of her.
"Your studio is amazing Sasori-senpai! I can't believe they let you have your own in school." She says in child like wonder. The afternoon light was getting into the room, making everything drown in its yellow rays. "They only let you keep it if you're a consistent exhibit participant. As soon as you miss one you're out." She looks at him and then at the studio. "Then you must have been a very consistent one since you had this place all to yourself your entire stay here in the university." Sakura marveled at the sight before her, seeing how familiar and homely the place is with the time Sasori has spent here. She never failed to notice the details of the walls, countless mood boards, and old sketches dated back two to three years ago.
Sasori just observed Sakura with a straight face, watching her bask in the sunlight. Her short hair was tied although only a fraction of her hair could only be kept out of her face. "What made you want to model for me Sakura-chan?" his face not showing any emotion. She looks at him, wide eyed and curious. A small tilt of her head, unconsciously showing more of her thoughts
"Well, we are friends. You also helped me with my ceramics class before. I just wanted to return the favor, and I knew what I was getting into." An innocent smile adorned her face. She was so harmless, and unbeknownst to her it only served to irritate Sasori even more. "Hm, is that so." He mused "Is something bothering you Senpai?" He only stared at her, clenching and unclenching his jaw without her noticing. " Hm, nothing that is of concern. I appreciate your help today Sakura, I'll meet you tomorrow at my place yes?" She quirks up this time off of the chair. "Yes! I'll bring the snacks tomorrow; I hope you and Deidara –senpai like some dango and tea." He closes his eyes for a second, giving him time to think. "I'd like some onigiri instead. I've never been fond of sweets." He gives her a solemn smile and she nods at the agreement. "I guess that's it for today. Thank you Sakura-chan" he waves her off as she makes her way out.
"Sakura, pay attention to anatomy of your subject make sure that everything is in right proportion." Kakashi's stern voice reminded me. "I know Sensei, I'm just trying to figure out how to work the torso. You know I have a hard time with male subjects, I'm only familiar with female ones for obvious reasons."
It's almost eight in the evening as class ended an hour ago. Kakashi-sensei asked me to stay to help me improve in sculpting. He's been sighing a lot, reminding me that he gets tired too. "I just want you to develop your skills in all kinds of mediums in art alright? You're a really promising artist Sakura; I truly believe that you are more than just your paintings. Your current marks last semester are enough to get you into the university scholarship and it's only been your first year." His eyes bore into mine with all seriousness.
"Thank you, Kakashi –sensei for your concern. I truly appreciate it. I do, so please believe me." I offered him a smile and tiny wrinkles erupted from his eyes as I knew he was smiling from under his face mask.
"Go home Sakura, you've worked hard today." I grabbed my bag after hearing this, but before I could leave Kakashi called to me one last time. "Catch" a small book landed in my open arms. "Thanks sensei! I'll take care of this don't worry. I'll treat it like your most precious porn novel." I didn't miss how his shoulders tensed and his eyes wide in shock. "Come on sensei, it's not like you hide it. The doors are made of glass" I knocked on it to prove a point. "We can see you" and this time I couldn't help but laugh. I heard his sigh one more time as I left him in the room.
It feels like the tension just keeps building up as the pressure to perform better gets to me. Although I am truly thankful for everything that has happened to me so far, it feels like something is out of place. Maybe it's just me. Everything has been going great, and I can't help but think it's not going to be this way forever. Something is just plain wrong, and what's frustrating me is I can't place my finger on it. My gut is telling me something, I just have to know what.
Sakura arrives home, almost looking dazed as she's deep in thought. "Sakura? Is that you?" Fugaku called from the living room, she walks numbly to the direction of the voice no longer in the mood to talk to people. Fugaku was sitting in one of the armchairs reading a book, "Hi dad, uh where's mom?" she inquires automatically, it was a safety dialogue she formed in her head so that people won't notice her cloudy state. "Your mother is up stairs, dinner will be in thirty minutes. Sasuke won't be home tonight but Itachi will be dropping by." It amazes her that not even Itachi could snatch her interest right now.
"I'll be up stairs, I'm kind of tired because of class today, and I have somewhere to be tomorrow too. Good night dad." Fugaku only saw her back as she left, missing the look on her face. Her first thought was to have a warm bath, but brushed the idea off immediately deeming that it would be a tedious task. She settled on wearing the new pajamas Sasuke just bought her. It was a simple shirt with matching pants; she recalls the considerate gesture of her brother.
She lies in bed, a thousand mile stare in her eyes and a blank expression on her face. She didn't know how long she's been in her bubble until Itachi had to burst it. "Imouto, what's bothering you?" he said from the doorway, his steps loud enough to get her attention. The familiar creaking of the chair in her room made a sound and that signaled her that Itachi intended to stay for a while. She refuses to look at him. "I'm not in the mood to talk right now Aniki. I'm sorry." She was sullen.
Itachi moved again but this time towards her bed. The portion of the bed where her head rests dipped under the weight of Itachi, his gentle hands found her and lifted her a little to rest her head on his lap. Sakura didn't give a reaction, still in a stupor planning to ignore him. He combs his fingers through her hair, the sensation giving Sakura some reprieve from something she can't explain. "Imouto, you've never been like this before." She still doesn't respond. Itachi continues his ministrations on her hair. A loud breath left her lips and her eyes finally landed on Itachi's very own ones.
The sight of bright green eyes staring into his dark ones took his breath away but he refused to let it show. "Itachi, have you ever been so clouded with your thoughts that you don't know what to think anymore?" her blank eyes searching his for answers.
"More than I'd like to admit, Imouto."
He was lost in the silkiness of her hair. "I feel empty, Aniki." She admitted. She closes her eyes, attempting to gather her thoughts into words. "It's back Aniki." She says again. He doesn't reply giving her the chance to explain herself. "It comes back once and a while, whatever this is." Her face calm, just right portraying the numbness she's been feeling. Her voice got caught in her throat in an attempt to talk more, but Itachi just shushed her.
"You don't have to explain yourself Imouto. Aniki will be right here, I'll listen when you're ready."
Her eyes snapped up to look at his again, tears slipping from her eyes. She still felt the emptiness, but this time she wasn't lonely. "I love you, Aniki." His hands stopped for a moment from assaulting her hair. He could only stare at her. She closes her eyes and not a moment too soon, fell asleep. Itachi, pained to leave her like this. He slipped her head off gently from his lap and covered her with her blanket, moving gently to his full capabilities to avoid waking her up.
"You are a good brother Itachi" he heard Sakura's mother say as he closes the door. "I'm thankful for having a son like you, thank you for treating Sakura like your own little sister." She smiles sadly at him, he turns back fully looking at her this time. "You know of this" he stated, knowing that it is a question that need not be answered. Sakura's mother just nodded eyes watery from hiding a secret like this.
"She was young at the time; she was always in a stupor. She wouldn't move for extended amounts of time, sometimes she won't show any emotion at all. Doctors told me that it was just a defense mechanism; she shuts everything out before they even overwhelm her… she got better in time, but it pains me to see her like this when it comes back."
Itachi stayed silent, this time he was the one drowning in his own thoughts. He left without saying a word.
"Here, kindly get dressed in this and we can start right after you're done alright?" Sasori handed her a white kimono. "Sasori –senpai this looks gorgeous! I'm scared that I might ruin it." her face was in awe, a total shift from what she was just last night. "Dress yourself Sakura-chan, you know I hate waiting." He looks at her grimly. She smiles at him sheepishly and runs off to the changing room.
"Sasori-senpai has so many rooms in this house." She mutters to herself. She slides the shoji door and starts to change. She walks out a different person as soon as she was done. Sasori still had a blank expression on his face, but as soon as he saw Sakura walk in his studio he gives her an appreciative stare. "Go make yourself comfy Sakura-chan. Just make sure you're being hit by the light." She did as she was told, sitting where the sun was most likely to hit for the hours to come. The traditional house was extremely spacious as she found out; Sasori is from a rich family located in Suna. "You can ask for breaks alright, Sakura-chan?" she nods enthusiastically. She gives him one last smile until she was told to keep a stoic expression.
"It's sad Deidara –senpai couldn't make it today. I feel bad that he has to clean up the mess he made in his studio for the weekend." Sasori snorts at this. "It's his fault for blowing his own shit up. It's not like it's the first time he did this. Go do what I just told you to do you brat."
At first she was watching how Sasori whittled the wood; envious of his sculpting skills, but then she got bored of watching him eventually, her eyes trailing to her surroundings without moving her head. Appreciating the tatami mats, the intricate design on the shoji doors, the way the yukata that Sasori wore moves fluidly with him. She glances outside to the garden for a moment, bringing her back into a daze.
I liked her better this way, for some reason her eyes finally rested on one subject that I couldn't care less about. I'm thanking the Gods quietly now that she was absolutely still. It was the first that he saw her like this, fully dazed and unmoving. She looked like a living and breathing doll, she wasn't perfect in a sense, but everything about her was pleasing to look at for reasons I can't fathom.
The white kimono suited her, making her portray the bridal doll that I was making. The confines of her face unmoving, her eyes blank devoid of any emotion. I couldn't breathe. The way the skin near her neck dips and curves, the fine pink hair in a static state. She wasn't even blinking.
She's beautiful. She is the right one.
"Sasori –senpai~" It felt like I was stunned for a moment, maybe more so now that I noticed that the sunlight turned a golden yellow. My legs are fully numb now, and my joints started to creak from the lack of movement in a long period of time. "Fine, take a break. I'll be back with some tea." He almost muttered, he didn't even look at me. I bet maybe it's because he was getting sick of looking at me already. "Don't get too sick of me this early in the session Senpai" I spoke out loud. I heard a grunt in response.
"Sasori –senpai, why are you all alone in this huge house?" I couldn't help myself but ask. He was seated comfortably right in front of me, munching on his onigiri. "My grandmother just passed away, and my parents are too busy back in Suna to come drop by. I'll be coming home soon anyways since I'm graduating." My brows furrowed at this. "I'm sorry for overstepping Sasori-senpai". I couldn't help but grip my tea cup a little tighter. "It's no bother Sakura-chan. So, tell me how are you and your family?". It made me think for the short amount of time I knew Sasori this was the first time we would talk about something that didn't involve school. "Hm, I'm fine with my family. I got two new brothers ever since my mom got married again. I'm just lucky they aren't like the ones in the story books you know? Like the wicked step siblings" a giggle escaped my lips just thinking about Itachi and Sasuke act all snooty.
Sasori's eyes found mine, and they had an intense glare to them. A smile crept up his lips, he lets down his cup. "So Sakura, you must be talking about the two lookalike boys you were with at the exhibit?" I nod at him. "They're pretty nice people too, maybe you cou-"
"So tell me Sakura. What does it feel like?" he cuts me off. "Sorry Senpai, what do you mean?" he leans in closely, his fiery red hair brushing with mine I felt the warmth of his face, and the way his breath fanned my ear. "What does it feel like-" he touched the back of my head. "to be the object of their lust?". What the hell was he talking about?! I pushed him to distance ourselves from one another. "Sasori what the hell?" I stood up immediately ignoring the numb feeling of my feet; I could feel my knees buckle at the sudden shift in weight. He remained seated, looking at me with anger. He chuckles lightly, reminding me of the boy I met in the university and not this person right before me.
"You must not be that naïve are you?" his smile mocking me. "Haven't you ever noticed the look in their eyes?" his face was forming into a light smile. "Do you? Because I have." He stood up so quickly my heart almost stopped. I managed to run to the other side near the exit of the studio. "Do you think they dote on you just because you're their step sibling?" his smile was forming into a smirk. By the way he started looking at me I broke out in cold sweat immediately. "I bet they both want to fuck you." He growls out this time.
I had to fucking run, because there was no chance I'm going to face this crazy bastard.
"Hello?" Sasuke picked up his phone only to hear heavy breathing in the other line. "Sasuke please! Help me!" the familiar voice said in ragged breaths. "Sakura? What's happening where are you?" the confusion and panic getting the best out of him. He stopped his car in an instant. "Talk damn it!".
"Please find me! I'm near the mist district, look for –" he felt the color drain from his face. " speak properly! Hello?" he was screaming into the phone now, his grip unforgiving. "please Sasuke!-"
The line went dead.
"The walls are very thin here you know that Sakura? I can hear every breath you take." He mused out loud. His trained ear follows the sound of shifting clothes. He made his steps loud on purpose making sure Sakura will thoroughly explore the house. He couldn't help the smile come up to his lips, loving the noises she was making out of fear.
Sakura found herself lost in Sasori's house, she holding her phone close to herself finally managing to send a text in the middle of her frenzied state. She found one door looking sturdier unlike the others. This room had solid walls even though it was made of wood it was still better than fragile shoji doors. She locks it behind her, trying to weigh in her options. Taking the opportunity she has now, she dials a number in her phone again.
"Hello? Sasuke please look for an Akasuna no Sasori in the mist district. I don't know what's happening exactly but there's something wrong with him, please I don't feel safe here I can-"she stops in her tracks ignoring the caller on the other line. She looks behind her, her face twists into pure mortification at what she saw.
There was a doll in the middle of the spacious room, it had pink hair. She swallows the dread down her throat too scared to even think. She inched closer noticing that its yukata wasn't even closed. Its head looking down as it was propped into a sitting position. Her stomach was starting to hurt, threatening to spill what small amount it was able to digest. She reaches for the head and holds its wooden jaw to get a better look at its face. A scream erupted from her throat as the doll stares back at her, the very same green eyes familiar to her burned holes in her skull. The lips, the hair, the cheeks, from the fine creases of her lips to the wrinkles right below her eyes from the lack of sleep of some nights. They were all there.
She was shivering now, as if she was actually looking back at herself. The right hand of the doll had the very same faint scar she had etched in the wood. And when she raised the hand it has detailed fingerprint groves. A wave of nausea took her over resulting her into gagging fit. As she fell to her knees the yukatas opening widened a little more as she gripped it for balance.
"I tried my best Sakura-chan. Believe me, I really did, but you know I was never satisfied with what I made. I never seemed to get the right shade of pink, or the correct proportion of your brows."
Sakura was sweating like never before, but it was a stark contradiction with the temperature of her skin making her shiver all the more. Sasori's footsteps were the only thing she could hear in the room and her vision started to darken. Her face was numb, and she knew that she wasn't sleepy. Her vision was simply going black without hey eyelids falling down. Her limbs were immobile but her fingers tried to hold onto her phone for dear life. "Don't worry Sakura-chan, I will take good care of you."
I started to feel things again, I could feel the material binding my arms bite into my skin the more weight I put trying to pull free. My throat was dry making it hard for me to ask for help. I was seeing stars slowly feeling like I was getting my vision back. How long was I in the dark? The air felt stale, the air hung heavy with the smell of wax, it was dimly lit as various candles were displaced everywhere. What the hell. My feet weren't bound and I was sitting on the floor. I should at least try to stand up right before I could cut the material holding my arms above my head.
"The feeling in your legs comes last as the poison wears off. The poison won't leave lasting effects, I could never do that to you Sakura-chan." Sasori was eerily calm.
"Freak." His eyes landed on mine as I glared at him. "You fucking creep!" I managed to scream this time. His face was not amused at this. I failed to notice right in between his legs was the doll, the fucking doll that looked like me. It was seated on the floor, legs stretched. I looked back at him only to see him smiling at me.
"I personally like her, even though she's completely flawed compared to the real thing." His eyes bore holes everywhere it landed on my body. His hands made a move to move the dolls yukata off of its shoulder, exposing a pert breast. A scream erupted from me, I couldn't stop. The tears were unknowingly pouring from my eyes. Oh God, what did I ever do wrong?
"I wonder Sakura, did I get you right? Would it be the same one right underneath your kimono? Does it have the same color?" I couldn't stop screaming, no, I wouldn't stop screaming. My legs scrambled to take better control on my footing; I didn't care about the wires cutting into my arms. "Tell me Sakura-"he started again, "I'll do something so much worse to you if you don't stop your screaming" he threatens me. My eyes wide at his threat, my face I could feel twisted still in fear. I tried to swallow the scream that was about come right out of my mouth.
He stands up from his chair, lifting the doll with him placing it on the chair. He parted its knees, the yukata fully exposing its chest now. "I hope captured you here Sakura-chan, believe it or not I devoted a great amount of time on this portion of the doll."
He rips the yukata off of the doll, its private parts on full display; the depiction of my private parts on full display. I couldn't scream, not anymore. I felt paralyzed from what I was seeing. I couldn't say anything anymore, what was there to say? Was there any room for my words at all? "Look at me Sakura" he said in a sultry tone. My nerves feeling like it was being grated one by one from one nerve ending to the next. He made sure that I would make eye contact before he made any moves, this- this sadistic fuck.
"Watch me Sakura-chan, I can take care of you if you let me." his hand cupped the dolls breast. He was still looking at me, watching what my reaction would be. "Please just let me go!" I begged this time around. Sobs wracking my chest
His hand moves lower, grazing the dolls thigh. "I can treat you right like the doll that you are." He said almost whispering to the doll but loud enough for me to hear. "Please, Sasori! I don't know what I did but please let's just talk. Please!" the fear was making it hard for me to do so. His hands moved to the dolls private parts, rubbing sensuously while looking me in the eye. I lost it this time; I could no longer keep the food in my stomach.
His face was contorted into one of disgust, clearly not pleased with my reaction. "Tsk tsk, Sakura-chan. Now you're all filthy." The bile in my stomach started to rise up again. "Please don't" I whined. "I can't have a vomit stained doll"
"I'm a human being you sick fuck!" I couldn't give less than two shits about poise and femininity right now. His glare hardened even more. "You wanted to talk?" he said. I nodded fervently "Yes, yes, I would like to t-talk." He tilts his head to the sight looking down at me. "We can negotiate, right? Tell me what you want and-" he cuts me off "I already have what I want" he laughs, "I just honestly wanted to hear you plead." His stare was cold.