Disclaimer: I Do Not Own Naruto or any of its Characters.

A/N: Hey All! Its been a while but I hope you like this chapter. As always, thank you for reading.

Enjoy:)

It felt I was walking through a drunken haze as Kankuro guided me to the Kazekage's room. My eyes wide I stumbled over my own feet more than once. The two large doors to the Kazekage's bedroom were closed shut in the cloudy distance. I blinked dumbfounded when I noticed I was sitting on the chair next to the vanity. I then heard the faucet turn on in the bathroom behind me, at first it sounded muffled but then clearer as I was…coming to I guess. I heard Kankuro's footsteps walk towards me from behind, and then saw him from he corner of my eyes as he made his way around me to kneel in front. He put the glass of water in my vision, giving it a little shake to get my attention. I blinked and looked from the glass to him. He wore his Kankuro smirk but it didn't reach his eyes. He's eyes had a strange seriousness to them that was so un-Kankuro-like. His one brow lifted, and he gave the glass another light shake. I looked back at the glass and took it. I wasn't thirsty so I moved my hand down to rest the glass on my lap but Kankuro stopped me by putting his palm on the end of the glass. I looked up at him in confusion, but he just sighed and began guiding the glass back up to my mouth. I forced my lips open and felt the cool water slide down my throat. He nodded at me in approval, I still stared at him as I continued to gulp down the water.

"Gooood Girl." He said still holding the end of the glass up. Barely giving me a chance to breath, I spat water up and began coughing when some of it went down the wrong way.

"Okay, Alright." Kankuro said finally letting me put down the glass. I was sure some went up my nose because I felt a stinging from my nasal passage down to my throat. Kankuro took the almost empty glass from my hand and placed it on the vanity as I finished clearing up my coughing fit.

"Better?" Kankuro asked. I looked up at him incredulously. I wiped my nose then my eyes, but nodded in response. I knew that was the answer he wanted

"What happened in there, Sakura?" He asked his face solemn but eyes scrutinizing. I bit my lip, unsure how to answer him….or even where to start? I had just seen my best friend live in the flesh, who not only did I think was dead for years, but had died because of my own stupidity. Then merely seconds later, I see the same said friend tortured again right in front of me…everything happened at once. It was overwhelming. I couldn't control my actions, so how do I explain something I didn't fully understand myself?

Kankuro snapped his fingers, bringing my gaze back up to him with a jolt. I hadn't realized I had lowered them.

"Uh Ahh" he said moving his index finger from side to side before motioning it towards his face. "Eyes on me." He continued "I can't have you drifting off again." As uncomfortable as it was to keep this eye contact with him…I did as I was told.

"You know that slave." He stated more than asked. I felt my pulse race as I nodded my head, my eyes wide in fear. He sighed and ran his hand down his face, his purples face paint some how stayed perfectly in tact.

"Okay" He said, bringing his hand down to his side. He titled his head, He's brow furrowed as they studied me.

My hands closed into fists on my thighs, scrunching up the fabric of my shorts. I kept my gaze at him as I was told, but he lowered his as he thought for moment. I sat there, my heart pounding from both Kakuro's confrontation and still from seeing Sasuke like that with the council. Kankuro's eyes then suddenly darted back to me. I flinched at the sudden movement and averted my gaze as a reaction, but I brought them back to him as quickly as they left. He gave me a small smirk at this, but then pressed his lips back into the thin line as he got serious again.

"Now I don't know who he is to you, or how you even know him in the first place…" He began "…but you need to end whatever it is you have with him now." I furrowed my brows at his command. What was there to end? It was Sasuake from my childhood. He was alive. We shared a cell together, he was my friend, my family, he was..he is

My eyes widened as I connected the dots. He is man, a man who I had just showed affection for in front of the entire council. A man who I could not deny was attractive…he had cream skin and a story for each scar, raven black hair that was always messy yet perfectly in place, onyx eyes that made even our formed shared Master loose his train of thought.

My shoulders slumped at the realization. I didn't mean to

I immediately moved from the chair to the knees on the ground. I would have lowered my head as well but I continued to hold my gaze with him as he commanded before.

"Master Kankuro, I didn't mean to-"

"Stop it."

"You misunderstand-"

"Enough!" He scolded as he stood up abruptly. I lowered my head immediately in a bow at his tone, but then slowly raised it back up to him with guilty eyes from my actions. I wasn't sure how he wanted me to be, and I felt overwhelmed with how to obey him correctly. He face was stern but it softened when he saw my expression. He knelt back down in front of me, and pushed a strand of my hair behind my ear. It was as if an adult consoling a child. He gaze was lighter than before and he gave me a small smile.

"You just can't stay out of trouble can you?" He said then cupped my face "Miss Pretty in Pink" His said as he moved his hand from my cheek to my chin. His touch gentle at first, but then gradually strengthened, holding me in place. It wasn't enough to hurt but enough to make a point.

"You are the Royal slave of Kazekage Gaara Sabaku" His said his eyes again cold "That is who you answer to, that is who you worry for, that is you are to serve." He said the last word with his brows lifting, suggesting another meaning behind it. "Understand?" He asked. I blinked, but gave him a small nod, it was as much as he would allow me to in his tight hold.

"Good" He said with squinted eyes, but then released me. He stood up and walked to the dresser on the other end of the room. He opened the first drawer, giving it a quick look before he closed it and opened the second. He sighed and looked back at me as he pointed to the drawers "Which one are yours?" He asked.

I licked my lips before I answered "The bottom three." I responded in a voice that was stronger than I expected. He nodded his head in thanks and began to look into the bottom three drawers.

"Gaara is Family" He said as he looked at different clothing, putting back the ones that he didn't approve. "But I've seen him outraged.." He said lifting a sky-blue silk negligee up from the white lacey straps. "I've seen him at his worst." he blinked before actually taking a look at the negligee he was holding than looking back at me, his eyes scanning me up and down before landing on mine again. "I've never seen him jealous." He said looking back at the sky blue negligee, he closed the drawers he was rifling though and walked towards me again. He gently held the negligee towards me.

"I think…you would look good in this" He stated a bit uncomfortably as he handed me the negligee. I nodded and accepted it. Kankuro turned to the side to give me some privacy but still monitor me in his peripheral vision.

I stood up from the ground and lifted my shirt over my head. Kankuro continued as I changed.

"Ive never seen him… care of anything…as much as he did for you. I've even wondered if he even really cared for Temari and I…or if he just kept us around for formalities." He gave a small half hearted chuckle. I folded my clothes onto the chair and began to pull the negligee over my head. "But with you its different." I paused, not at his words but at the fact I had my left arm in the wrong strap… not really sure how I did that… The dam cross straps in the back had me all confused. I pulled it off a little to give more wiggle room and get my arms in the correct straps but only succeeded in twisting them up more above my head. My arms Awkwardly tangled in the arm straps, I stood there struggling with the dam racey garment in just my thin panties and my breasts exposed.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

I continued to struggle until I felt a pair of strong hands lift the negligee up enough to free my arms, and swiftly guided them through the correct straps. He then pulled the negligee all the way down covering my breasts, the hem ended just above my knees. I kept my head down as I felt not just my cheeks but my whole face flush red. Kankuro didn't comment on the fact that my gaze wasn't on him and I was grateful. He then surprised me with a chuckle.

"You're shenanigans make things fun." I heard him say. He then walked towards me and gently lifted my chin up to him. "You're a good egg" He said with a brow lifted, his eyes sparkled with the humor I was used to seeing, but quickly vanished as his brows furrowed once more, and his smirk faltered into a thin line.

"You have a role to play, Sakura. Just like we all do, slave or not." He lowered his hand from my chin and gave me a quick scan with his eyes before he nodded in approval.

"I'll let him know you're waiting for him here." He said, then turned around towards the double doors. He brought his hand to the handle and held it there for a moment.

"We can't have that monster come out again." He stated as his knuckles turned white from his grip on the handle. "Not ever again." He said more to himself than to me. He closed his eyes as if the thought pained him, but then lifted his shoulders back and opened his eyes to his usual self. He looked over his shoulder to give me a quick wink before he stepped out of the room and closed the door behind him.

I stood there for a moment. It was strange to see Kankuro like that, both so serious and…bothered. I understood the severity of the situation. I have heard of the Shukaku demon of the sand that was trapped within the Kazekage. I knew my role, I knew what I had to do in order to keep the piece and the Kazekage satisfied. But even so…as soon as I got to the the last second of the minute I was counting in my head from when Kankuro had left, I ran to the closet and immediately rummaged through the clothing. I slid each hanger by until I stopped at what I was looking for, I almost passed it from the speed I was going. I yanked a black silk robe off from its hanger causing the hanger to flip up off the rod and down onto the ground. I ignored the fallen hanger as I pulled on the silk rob, covering the risqué blue negligee Kankuro had picked out, and tied it close with the silk belt that came attached. I walk to the doors and leaned with my back towards them, I counted an extra 20 second as a precaution to give Kankuro enough time to get out of the hallway if he hadn't already. As soon as I hit twenty I casually opened the right of the double set doors. Both guards looked at me is question, they most likely expected me to stay in the bedroom for the rest of the night. Putting on my best acting skills, I tucked a pink strand hair behind my ear and lowered my gaze shyly. With my other hand I pulled the right collar of the rob closer in to blatantly show I was trying to conceal my body the best I could.

"The Kazekage wanted me to change and then meet him in his office." I explained shyly then looked up from underneath my eyelashes. The two men looked quizzically at each other, the one to my left spoke

"Uhm…Miss Sakura, Master Kankuro said that the Kazakge will be meeting you shortly." I felt my heart beat faster at his confrontation but I didn't allow it to consume me. Instead I gripped the collar of my robe tighter and straightened my back to look him square in the eyes.

"Yes" I began, my voice broke slightly, so I cleared my throat "He will be meeting me shortly in his office." I said looking sternly at the guard who asked the question. I then turned to the guard on my right and equally gave him the same stern glare. "I am expected. Do you want the Kazekage to see that I am not there when I am expected? " I asked looking then back to the guard on my left with a raised eyebrow. They both did a dance with their gazes from me, to each other, down the hallway in the direction of the office, then back to each other. I tried to keep my assertive stance as if my heart wasn't about pound out of my chest. Without saying another word the guard on my right moved and stood back to his post. The guard on my left did a quick double take before he did the same. Both guards were now resumed at their post standing tall with their backs straight and stares ahead down the hallway, giving me their silent permission to pass.

They bought it.

Holding my robe closed now with both hands, I didn't miss a beat as I began my walk down the hallway. My pulse racing at every step I took.

Sakura, what are you doing?

I…I was going against orders. I suddenly became well aware of the bristles underneath my feet, and almost tripped over them at the realization that I…had forgotten to put on shoes… Dammit. I felt warmth spread through my face, knowing full well I was becoming red.

Fucking shoes….as least I might be quieter this way. Feeling the stares of the guards drilling holes into my back, I kept my back straight and continued on as if the "no shoes thing" was part of the outfit…or whatever… how long was this fucking hallway anyway?

I bit my lip in anticipation when I came to the corner I had to turn right on. I tried to make my exit as casually as possible, but when I was certain I was out of sight I made a run for it. The walls blurred down my sides as I made my way to the front entrance. I slowed my pace and tried to "causally" power-walk when I saw slaves passing by, dusting, cleaning, or going about their duties. When I was alone again I sped back up.

Now reaching the front entrance I slowed again to a power walk and walked down the stairs on the balls of my feet to soften my quick steps. When I reached the bottom I paused.

What now? Where do I hide?

I didn't have a full plan, I just kind of…reacted. I jumped at the sound of the voices trickling in from the hallway to the left of the staircase. I did a quick scan of my surroundings then turned behind me and noticed how the staircase rails curled at both ends. It was an elegant finish for the Master staircase. And I good enough hiding space.

I quickly went behind the right curl and crouched down. I breathed a sigh of relief, there was enough coverage for me to hide the gaps between the rails still gave me an okay view to peek through and watch the councilman leave. The voices became louder as the men made their way to the entrance. The Men praised Yura at the demonstration, seeming satisfied with whatever they agreed upon. I grimaced at the memory of watching Sasuake screaming in pain, clutching his back. I shook my head free of the thoughts and brought my attention back to the Councilman. Searching for the raven haired boy….man…that would be following Councilman Yura.

The Kazekage reached for the door and opened it with a light respectful bow to the councilman.

"We'll construct another meeting after some tests with this new arrangement. Thank you all for your time." Each Councilman bowed to the Kazekage in respect before they exited the palace; the Kazekage nodding at each one of them in acknowledgment. I tried to look around the railings without being seen to see if maybe I had missed Councilman Yura, but I then saw that of course he was the last one in line to leave. No Raven haired man following behind? My brows furrowed anxiously, a hundred questions sped through my mind as to where he was? If he was ok? And if the whole scenario even happened in the first place?

Yura bowed to the Kazekage "Lord Kazekage." This time the Kazekage bowed in response.

"Thank you Yura for lending your slave." The Kazekage said. My ears perked up.

Sasuake was here? He's the palace.

The Kazekage continued "The tests performed will be crucial for our next decision." Yura nodded at the Kazekage.

"It is my Honor, Lord Kazakage" He responded in a boastful tone "Just bring him back still…functional, he is useful to me." He finished with a smirk. I felt my jaw hardened and grips tighten on the rail I held. The Kazekage just nodded and closed the door behind Yura. As he was facing the door he just shut, I finally noticed what he was holding behind him in his left hand. A pair of small black ballerina flats? My toes all of a sudden felt cold against the cool marble floor. I felt my grip loosen on the rails and my shoulders sink at the realization of why he was holding the flats.

"Sakura." He said, his monotone voice so stern it was booming throughout the entire foyer.

I stood up from my hiding spot with my head hanging low. Out of my peripheral vision I was able to tell when The Kazekage turned around to face me.

"Come here." He commanded. I stepped around the curved staircase rail and made my way towards him, the marble floor felt like ice against my feet for each step. Head still lowered, I stopped in front of him biting my lip.

I felt guilty. I surprised myself at the feeling, but the guilt was so strong it almost made me forget the fear I was accustomed to. But why?

I straightened unintentionally when I felt his finger tips lightly touch mine he guided my hand to his left shoulder. My gaze lifted to him in confusion. There was fury in his eyes, there was no doubting that but there was also something else…He was staring into me, into who I was, more that just his slave…as Sakura the human.

Entranced by him I watched him lower himself to one knee. He lowered his eyes to my left foot and tapped it on the side; a silent command for me to lift it. I obeyed, leaving my hand on his shoulder as I knew now it was for support. He gently held my heel with one hand, and slipped on the ballerina flat with the other. In my dazed state he guided my foot back onto the ground and then tapped my other foot with the same silent command. I again obeyed…feeling a heat spread through my chest and up my throat, making me swallow the saliva thar built up in the most un-sexy way. Once in the ballerina flat, he again guided my foot back down to its place. Still down on his knees, he lifted his green eyes up to mine.

I let out the breath I didn't realize I was held in. Our eyes locked, he stood back up, him now looking down at me as his height level just missed mine by a couple of inches. I kept my chin lifted up for once, staring back at him, searching for multiple things in his eyes.

Like why wasn't he yelling?

Why did he help me with my shoes?

How did he even know I needed them?

"I passed the guard on my way here." He began, breaking me from my thoughts."He said he was on his was to my office where I had told you to wait for me?" He tone low but with a hint of venom. He then leaned down, his breath warm against my ear as he stated in an low tone "You forgot your shoes."

A chill raced down my spine as he brought his attention back to me. His face never gave much away, but his eyes this time were somber…and seeing him this way made my eyes watery. He moved his hand to my hand that was still on his shoulder from when I needed it for balance. My knuckles were white as they gripped his shirt, clinging to him. He squeezed his hand around mine as he gently helped me release my hold on his shoulder. I felt a tear stream down my cheek as he placed my hand down by my side. Feeling his touch leave mine, both my hands immediately reached out and clutched his. He quickly shot me a glare at my brash movement, but I didn't care.

"I wasn't trying to run" I said feeling another tear slide down."I promise" I continued with pleading eyes. I needed him to know that. In that moment I knew I wasn't afraid of the consequences of my actions, but I was afraid if he thought I was trying to run from him.

"I just needed to see…with my own eyes that he was okay." The last word left in almost a sob and I covered my mouth to stop it from completely spilling out.

His lips lightly pursed from their thin line. He closed his eyes and sighed before opening them now with a lighter glare. Still a glare…but lighter.

"Let go Sakura." He commanded almost soothingly, as if talking to a child. I nodded and released my hold on him, but I kept my pleading eyes on him. I haven't felt this stubborn in a long time.

The Kazekage looked around the room before he began unbuttoning his Burgundy coat. I watched him go down each button memorized, my heart picking up pace. He took off of the coat revealing his black undershirt. He then held up the coat to me, glancing from the coat to me, then down to my exposed cleavage in the black silk robe I wore. I instantly pulled in my robe tighter trying to cover up, but the Kazekage scoffed at my useless attempt. He almost seemed like he was trying to refrain from rolling his eyes at me. My heart pounded in my ears, I bowed in apology and turned around and slipped my arms through the sleeves of the coat as he held it. When I turned back to him I gave a light shriek to find him so close to me I could feel his breath. I took a step back in surprise but he wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me right back to him, his nose now almost touching the brim of mine. Certain that I wouldn't move back again, he brought both hands to the bottom button of his coat, and hooked it closed.

'Don't Ever.." He began buttoning the second one above it. "Ever, come outside of my bedroom in garments like these again." He said before stopping at the third button that laid on top of my breasts. My breath hitched in my throat as he for a brief moment traced my cleavage with the back of his finger, before giving the fabric a sharp tug in tighter. "Do you understand?" He asked sternly, his glare possessive. I stared back, feeling a light relief at his possessive eyes.

"Yes." I immediately said before he could command me to answer. His eyes briefly widened at the ends in surprise but he quickly composed himself back to his glare. To emphasize my answer I lifted my hand to the third button where he still held the sides of the fabric, and finished buttoning Kazekage released his hold of the coat and took a step back. Scanning the now fastened coat, he nodded and turned around.

"Come." He ordered as he began walking down the hallway. I wiped any remnants of tears from my eyes, and followed him. We walked around the stairs and back down the hallway he came from with the council. As we walked I played nervously with the ends of coat sleeves which lengths practically covered my hands. When we passed his office I couldn't help but shy my face away from its doors. I wasn't sure why I did that, its not like I had to apologize to the "office".

He walked down another hallway before he made a left into a narrow arched entry way to a dimmer less decorated hallway. At the end were two guards in front of a thick wooden door with a heavy looking metal lock. They both stepped in immediate attention at the sight of the Kazekage.

"The Door" He Commanded. The guard on the right unhooked a ring of keys from the side of his belt and turned towards the door. He flipped through the first few keys until he found the one he needed, unlocked the door and stepped to the side to allow us to enter. The Kazekage nodded his thanks to the guard on the right, then brought his attention to the guard on the left.

"You." He called. The Guard bowed towards The Kazekage in acknowledgment. "Follow behind." He ordered

"Yes Lord Kazekage." The guard replied. The guard held his bow as we walked through the doors, relieving himself after I had passed him to walk behind me. We walked down a spiral cement staircase, dimly lit from the few lanterns that hung on the sides of the walls. I immediately knew we were headed to the cellar where prisoners were kept. Not that I've been in this particular one, but I've been held in a enough cells to recognize the cold uninviting pathway to it.

Maybe he wants to lock you up as punishment? I thought lowering my eyes a little. I was too drained to be afraid. I had accepted whatever was to come.

When we reached the bottom of the stairs the Kazekage made a left and I did the same, but I couldn't help but curiously look down the hallway on the right to find two more guards standing in font of another heavy barred door. Although this time there was a captivating pattern around the door frame; seals to help ensure it was locked?

"Sakura." The Kazakge called, breaking me out of my thoughts. I turned around to face him and almost ran into him, just realizing that he had stopped. He sighed and with the slightest movement, seemed as if he was shaking his head at me. I lowered my mine in apology. He lifted his chin, and directed his attention to the guard behind me.

"You will stand here and wait until she is ready to leave." He commanded over my shoulder. "Once she is ready, you will guide her back to my quarters." He lifted my chin to look at him "Make sure she is inside, before you head back to your post." He said while looking at me but clearly speaking to the guard.

"Yes, Lord Kazekage." The Guard answered in an assertive tone.

Still staring at me, the Kazekage moved his hand from my chin to tuck a strand of my hair behind my ear. He leaned down once again causing my cheeks to flush and lips to part, and he kissed my cheek. His lips hovered there for a moment before before he moved to my ear, he's breath causing my pulse to race. The fact that he could get me this way in a space so dark was invigorating in definitely a twisted way.

"Third Cell on your left." He said in a low voice against my ear. My stomach flipped at his tone, I bit my lip to keep from moaning. If this was the start of his punishment, I had more than accepted it…I wanted it.

But then he was gone. He had pulled away and a walked around me without another word, leaving me standing there breathless in the damp musky air.

I blinked a few times, I looked first to my left then to my right before I completely turned around to confirm if he had really left. I only found the guard standing upright against the wall at attention, looking over my head at nothing in particular. I lowered my gazed to the ground and furrowed my brows as I tried to think of what the Kazekage had literally just told me. I was too distracted by..him..to really grasp it. I looked again down the hallway with the sealed door and the two guards in front. The guard next me immediately interrupted my line of sight when he abruptly moved in front to block this hallway. I jumped back at his sudden movement.

"Miss Sakura." He spoke in an assertive, yet respectful tone. He gestured with his head to the hallway behind me. "I believe Lord Kazekage said third cell on your left, that way." I blinked and looked down the hallway behind me. The hallway was long with the couple cells on the left and right side. A secured, but less monitored portion.

"I'll be waiting here when you're ready to leave." He spoke again.

"Thank you" I replied with a small nod. I made my way slowly down the hallway, not sure exactly what I was expected to do?

I passed the first cells…empty on both sides.

Seconds cells, also empty.

I hesitated in step, heart racing, hands shaking as to what I finally thought I might see in the third cell. Stepping into its line of sight, my hands flew to my mouth with my sharp intake of breath.

Lying on the stone bed was the pale man wearing the brown rags from before. His spikey raven hair in all directions faced me as he laid on the "wrong" end of the bed. His porcelain arm was draped over his eyes and his one leg was bent while he other rested on the bed straight. At the sound of my gasp he moved his hand slowly down from his eyes, and arched his head up to look at me upside from where he was laying. He already had a smirk planted on his face. He had obviously heard the encounter down the hallway and knew I was coming. His smirk now turned into a full on grin.

"Hey there, Forehead."

A/N: More time come! As always, I genuinely appreciate both reviews and critiques. Thank you for reading :)