Unwanted attention- Chapter 6


For what it was worth, she could understand their reasoning for this.

Ever since arriving here, ever since starting her act, she'd noticed the near constant alertness they had to uphold, the fear in the women and children's eyes.

They were scared, terrified that one day the Senju would come and they wouldn't be able to do a thing about it.

How many loved ones had these people lost? How many deaths had they had to face?

It was…it was horrifying to see, and Sakura could understand the hate they felt- even if only a fraction.

Hadn't she grown up fearing the Akatsuki? Hating them with all she had for trying to take her friend away?

Hadn't she loathed Orochimaru? Cursing him to death every chance she got?

Yes, she could understand their anger, their fear…but that didn't make it any better.

Hatred was a horrible thing. It corrupted, it poisoned even the best of intentions and twisted the holder of them into something they possibly never would have imagined.

Hate made monsters…and sitting across from the supposed 'monster' before her, Sakura could tell that his hate hadn't corrupted him yet.

Yet, because hadn't she seen exactly what he'd become in the future?

"I've been made aware of your intentions to leave Miss Sakura, but I'm afraid I can't permit that just yet." Madara spoke, his familiar voice sending chills of fear down her spine. This was the first time they'd really spoken since her arrival, but she remembered his taunting words during the war all too well.

HE may not have any idea about it, but she knew in the future he'd only end up hurting her. Hell, her side still throbbed in memory of where he'd impaled her during the last few moments of his life.

"Why?" She couldn't ask much more than that, her mind whirling as she tried to come up with as many arguments as possible.

Anything to get out of here, away from them. What if they found out about her true origins? What if they turned those eyes on her and plucked everything she knew from her mind?

The future would be ruined, and so would all her efforts- their efforts- in the war.

No, that couldn't be allowed happen.

She wouldn't be a liability, she wouldn't be the one to destroy the alliances hard work.

"The Senju have advanced over the past few days, and unfortunately, all roads to the south have been cut off. Considering the direction you came from, I'd have to assume your family were or are in that area."

"I can't stay here though-" Sakura started, only to be cut off by Izuna's arrival, his curious voice sounding from behind her as he slowly made to sit at his brothers side, the small room seeming to become that much more confining as his ever attentive eyes watched her.

A habit of his, she'd discovered, because she'd noticed his evident curiosity since her first meeting with him over a week ago. He was always watching though, and she had to fear why. Did he know something? Was he suspicious of her?

This would be the…second time he'd ever spoken to her? Yeah, something like that.

"Why not? Has something happened to unsettle you during your stay?" His voice was gentler than his brothers, softer even, but still as unemotional as stone when compared to the likes of Naruto or Ino.

"No! No, nothing like that, but my brothers need me-"

"Ah yes, your brothers. You've spoken of them extensively I've heard. Your medic, Shiemi, informed me of their descriptions. We have men out searching the surrounding villages for them, but we can't spare too many due to the current Senju threat." Madara started again, Sakura's insides going cold as she realized the kind woman had been relaying everything she was told to her leader.

As any good medic would…but it still didn't sit right with Sakura. She'd have to watch what she let slip from now on.

"They won't…they won't trust them. They'll more than likely think you're the ones who…who took me. Please, I need to go look for them, they need to see that I'm okay." She tried again, missing the curious glints that lit up in the Uchiha brothers eyes, a silent conversation seeming to go on between them as they absorbed this new information.

So, her brothers were dangerous then. There would be no other reason for her thinly veiled warning otherwise.

"I see…Perhaps, with the right escort, I could allow you to ask around some of the nearby villages. Get word out that you're safe and looking for them with our assistance." There was a pondering tone to Madara's voice as he said this and it sent a shiver crawling down Sakura's back, her plan seeming to fall apart before her eyes.

To get away from an escort she'd have to incapacitate them, and once word got back to the Uchiha about it, there would be hell to pay and a few hundred angry nin on her tail.

She didn't want that, especially when she didn't know how long it would take her to get home.

"I…I'd like that. Thank you very much Madara-sama. Izuna-sama."

"Izuna." Said man chimed in, his voice startling her as Madara looked at him with a raised brow, a begrudgingly amused look in his eye as the younger man cleared his throat, stoic look still in place. "Just call me Izuna, you did before."

"R-right. Izuna then. Thank you both for your time, I'll let you get back to your day. Please inform me when I can begin my search, it's very urgent that I find my family and let them know I'm okay." With that and a short bow, Sakura turned to leave the room, softly closing the door behind her as she did so.

Back inside said room, Madara watched his brother, the youngers cheeks dusted a very faint red as his eyes followed the woman out of sight. Letting out a frustrated sigh, Madara found that he couldn't deny the begrudging amusement the situation caused him. He'd never seen the younger man act like this, and Izuna's subtle craving for her approval was only getting worse it seemed.

"Brother?" Izuna questioned, pulling his eyes from the door after her footsteps faded from hearing range.

"Yes?"

"Why did you lie about sending men out to look for her family? About the southern roads being taken?"

"…I have my reasons Izuna. Now, what's the word from the scouts you sent out earlier?" Madara questioned, the previous conversation completely forgotten as Izuna began his report.

The younger man didn't need to know that he was doing this for him, giving him time to work this out of his system before she left for good…it didn't seem to be working though.

Damn that odd looking woman.