Sakura ran alongside Kakashi, indulging in the sting of the crisp morning air across her skin. Unfortunately, it couldn't rid her mind of the events of the day before. She remembered, clearly, the look on his face – hurt. She left him there, in the woods, and he didn't come by after that. At first, she didn't feel guilty about her abrupt disposal of him, but now that she cooled down a bit, Sakura really wished she was there with her, supporting her. But, she knew that was asking too much. She didn't deserve it.
"You nervous?" Kakashi asked, pulling her back to the present.
Sakura sighed. "Nervous isn't the right word." No. The right word was disgusted. She was completely disgusted by what she was about to subject herself to.
Kakashi couldn't help but chuckle. Sakura wanted to rip his throat out. "Only you wouldn't be nervous or scared. Most kunoichi would be shaking in their boots."
Sakura really wanted him to just shut up, as mean as that was. But she couldn't help it. For some reason, his voice was really annoying her. Maybe it was the subject and not voice. "Listen, Kakashi, I just want to know what to do. Let's refrain from other subjects tonight please."
He nodded. "Alright then. In about an hour, we will come to the 'stopping point'. There, you will change into more…desirable clothing. Itachi's estate is only one mile from there. You will present yourself to him, saying that you heard about him in the town you are from; Itawou. From there on, you need to..." Kakashi hesitated. "…seduce him. Let him close to you. Let him trust you. Then pull any facts you can from him."
Sakura cringed at the thought. "Won't he recognize me, Kakashi? Why would he trust the daughter of the people he slaughtered?"
"He won't recognize you, Sakura. He has killed so many since. He has probably seen so many faces. There is no need for you to worry about that."
Sakura nodded, remaining quiet.
Kakashi continued. "You will have competition probably. But I know you will overshadow them. They may be more…experienced than you, but that may serve as a plus. Itachi likes to be in control."
"Stop, Kakashi. No more." To be talking about sex and her experiences – which she believed Kakashi knew nothing of, perceiving her as a virgin – was just too uncomfortable and unnecessary. "I will do what I can once inside. That's all that needs to be said about it."
Kakashi nodded, clearing his throat. "Right. Anyway, I will be giving you a small communication device. When you get inside, hide it somewhere and when you receive any information, contact us. If anything goes wrong, or if you feel he is catching on, let us know and we will descend on his estate immediately."
Sakura nodded. The rest of the trip was quiet. Kakashi had no more to say. Unfortunately, the trip was proceeding quickly. They reached the 'stopping point' around noon. There was a bag waiting for them. Sakura snatched it up and went behind a tree to change.
She slipped on the silk, red kimono, which was untraditionally short, and replaced her boots with elegant sandals. There was face paint, but she neglected to put it on. She wasn't going to go that far. Emerging from the tree, she found Kakashi waiting for her, alert of everything around her.
He looked at her and nodded.
Sakura handed her clothes to him and turned away. She couldn't look at him, but not because she was angry. She was sad, actually. Kakashi may have been hoping for her to take on the mission, but only because he knew she could succeed. The jounin had always believed in her, even when she was younger. She appreciated him more than he would ever know. "Goodbye, Kakashi."
He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Good luck, Sakura." He took her hand and placed something in it. "If you need anything, contact me." He held her hand for a moment more, before jumping away.
Sakura opened her hand. It was the communication device, but it was disguised in the shape of a cherry blossom. She smiled and pinned it in her hair. She took in a deep breath and headed for the estate. She didn't know what awaited her, but she was as ready as she would ever be.
She walked the mile slowly. The whole while, Sakura knew she was being watched, most likely by Itachi's lackeys. She had mastered hiding her chakra, so they probably stayed hidden because they thought her as nothing more than a frail woman traipsing through the woods. She had the urge to show her just how 'frail' she was.
Then it came into view. Itachi's estate was peeking through the foliage. Sakura walked only a few minutes more before coming before it. The large mansion was beautiful, she admitted. It was white brick and actually surrounded by shrubbery and plants bursting with color. There was an wrought iron gate surrounding the mansion, which was guarded by ninja at every section. Large window sat side by side and were framed in beautiful oak. It was much nicer than she expected.
Sakura walked up to the gate, where she was greeted by a masked ninja. "Hello…"
The ninja looked her over and then mumbled something into his mask. The gate opened. He thrust his head to the side, telling her to proceed.
Sakura nodded and stepped through the gate. She followed the cobbled pathway to the grand doors of the estate. They opened before she reached them. She stepped inside and found herself surrounded by dark wood, elegantly embroidered rugs and curtains, expensive pottery, and a touch of softness with random placements of plants. Sakura looked around, her eyes drinking in such luxury. She had never seen such beauty or bounty in a house before.
"Do you like it?" came a deep voice at the top of the spiral staircase on her left.
Sakura gasped and snapped her head upward. He stood there. Itachi! She thought angrily. Just the sight of him made her skin crawl. A flood of memories staggered her. Mental images of her mother and father lying in pools of their own blood almost leveled her right there. It took all she had to keep herself in control and force her lips to smile at him.
Itachi was just the way she remembered him. His pale skin contrasted his dark features. He was just as stronger, if not stronger. Sakura felt the waves of power roiling off him. His deep eyes scanned her from head to toe. Sakura stopped her body from shivering.
"It is very nice," she finally replied.
Itachi started down the stairs, his cloak billowing behind him. When he reached her, he circled her like an animal surveying its prey. He stopped behind her, twining a piece of hair around his finger. "So, what is your name, beautiful?"
Sakura held down the bile rising in her throat. "Ebony," she said as sweetly as she could. There was no way she was she was going to tell him her real name.
"Hmm." Itachi's hand dropped the piece of hair and slid to her shoulder. "A dark and mysterious name." That cool hand slid down her arm, and then back up again. "So, Ebony," he purred her name, "how did you come to learn of me?"
Sakura felt his breath on her skin as he brought his head closer. "I heard about you in my town, Itawou. I wanted to see if you could live up to the tales."
"Oh? And what kind of tales where they?" he asked, clearly intrigued.
Sakura skillfully slipped away and traveled slowly around the room, pretending to be interested in the furnishing. She ran her hand over a polished wood table. "That you were the strongest ninja alive and that you can take down any adversary in seconds." Even as she said the words, Sakura wanted to wash out her mouth.
He approached, a smirk curving his lips. "Do they now?"
Sakura nodded and continued to keep distance between them. "And that you have powers over women in bed that no other man possesses." She flicked her eyes to him, catching his growing smirk. "Is that true, Itachi-sama?"
"Would you like to find out?" he prompted, advancing faster than she could retreat.
Sakura took him by surprise by shaking her head. "No. Not right now." She met his gaze head on. "I would like a tour."
Itachi was clearly unhappy, but obliged. "Follow me then."
Sakura let out a breath. She had saved some time and during the tour, she planned on dropping off the communication device. He brought her out of the foyer and into a sitting room. It was elegant, like the room before. Plush sofas lined the back and left wall, forming an 'L' shape. There was a coffee table sitting atop a large, embroidered rug. The rest of the floor was maple wood and polished elegantly. On the wall closest to them was a fireplace and on the mantle sat porcelain vases.
"The…others will be here later tonight. Some are already in the spare rooms waiting for it. They all performed excellently. I will have a hard time choosing which to keep."
Sakura almost lost it then. He obviously was talking about the other geishas. If what he said was true, he must have had a busy morning. She grimaced at the thought.
His hand glided down her arm again. "You'll have to really impress me if you want a chance to stay," he whispered roughly. He snagged her hand. "The door on the right wall is a bathroom," he informed. He tugged her back into the hall and she allowed him to led her down it. They passed a closet and another bathroom along the way to the next room; the dining room.
A large chandelier hung from the ceiling directly above the long, dark wood table. Six high-backed chairs lined each side and two more sat at the head and foot of the table. There were tall-stemmed candles in copper holders lining the center of the table. In the very middle was a copper centerpiece which was filled with stark white flowers. There was a door to left. Itachi explained that it led to the kitchen. He didn't bother bringing her in there considering his staff prepared all of the meals.
Back out in the hall, Itachi led her around the corner, bringing them to another long hall. They were smaller sitting rooms which occupied guests of higher stature until he could meet with them. The last doo at the end led to the library. It was Sakura's favorite room thus far. Book filled bookshelves that hugged the walls from floor to ceiling. There were large windows that let light filter in on seating area accommodating leather chairs. Everything about it was amazing, even the smell. Sakura started forward, but Itachi held her back through his grip on her arm.
He went to her ear. "No. You have to earn it, Ebony."
Sakura frowned and stepped back from the room. As they headed back down the hall, Itachi unconsciously rambled on about how the library was the room he used least in the house. In fact, he said, he couldn't remember the last time he was in there. Sakura decided that would be the place she hid the communication device. But first, apparently, she would have to earn her way into that room. Another wave of nausea hit her.
"Now then," Itachi started, turning to her, "our next stop is upstairs." He ran his fingers down her cheek.
"Oh? You will be showing me to my quarters then? I am tired from my journey. A rest would be welcome."
Itachi scowled. "I don't think you understand, Ebony. You won't be resting." It was a promise. He wrapped his strong arm around him and pulled her forcibly into him. He lowered his head, meaning to kiss her, but Sakura turned away.
"And I don't think you understand, sire," she growled into his ear. "I am not the type to give it up so easily. You have to work for it."
Itachi grabbed her pink hair and pulled her head back. His dark eyes tore into her. "Is that so?" She nodded, though the fact that he still gripped her hair made it an uncomfortable gesture. He pulled his lips back, seething. "The audacity you have, girl!"
Sakura didn't turn away. Her eyes met his confidently. She should have just given in, but she couldn't. She didn't care about the mission. She absolutely would NOT bow to him.
Someone cleared their throat, but Itachi didn't look away. "What," he snarled.
"Sir, there is news from the last job." His voice was sounded strange, almost strained. " You are needed at the hearing. We captured-"
"That is enough," he said. "We are in mixed company and this girl has no right to hear any of our plans." He sighed. "Show her to her chambers." He spoke to her now. "And be down at seven o'clock sharp, girl." He pushed her back, releasing her, and stormed passed her, disappearing around the corner.
The masked ninja that beckoned Itachi took Sakura by the arm, gently though. "This way." He led her upstairs and past many doors. Sakura lost count after a while. Finally, he came to a door and opened it for her. She nodded to him, entered, and then waited for the ninja to leave, closing the door.
It was a nice room. The walls were tan and all the furnishings were constructed of cherry wood. There was a dresser on the far wall, next to a large window. A king-sized bed was against the right wall and covered in rose-colored linens and a white comforter. On either side were night tables with lamps on each. There was an adjoining bathroom, which Sakura wanted to use so badly.
She felt dirty. She wanted to scrub off every inch of skin he touched. But she couldn't yet. There was no clock, so she didn't know how many hours she had to regroup before she had to see him once again. Sakura sat on the bed and sighed heavily. She didn't know if she could do this. Just seeing Itachi infuriated her. Standing so close to him, without being able to do anything was madding. The thought of sleeping with him, of letting him do what he pleased with her was unbearable.
The only person she ever wanted touching her, caressing her, holding her, was someone she pushed away. She told him that she hated him before she left. She regretted it now, more than anything. She threw away something perfect and something that she had yearned for years to have. Sasuke meant everything to her and now he was no longer a part of her life.
She felt hollow, unfinished. Sakura could still remember his kisses, deep and passionate. He tasted so sweet in her mouth and knew no one would ever be able to compare. When he held her, she felt safe and untouchable. Now she felt venerable, the most unsafe she ever felt in her entire life. It was an unsettling feeling and she hated it. The only remedy was Sasuke, but that medicine was inaccessible now.
Sakura whimpered and curled into a ball. She sobbed and waited what was to come.
