Chapter Nine:
Raise your sail one foot, and you get ten feet of wind. - Chinese Proverb
Naruto had always been the kind of guy to feel ominous signs, or to know when something wasn't right. Maybe that's why he woke up at roughly 1 am. Something was bothering him and he didn't know what. But he knew he had to find out.
Donning his sleep clothes, hat and all, he jumped from roof top to roof top.
Trying to clear his head so maybe he could sleep.
If I can't sleep, at least I'm getting exercise…. Hehe.
The blonde haired ninja stopped above the Konoha gates taking in the view of sleepy, nighttime version of the village.
"Man, it's so still. Not even a breeze…huh."
He leaned an ear down close to the ANBU guards who were obviously chatting away by the gates.
"I can't believe he came back."
"Really? Because I can't believe she would let the Uchiha traitor back OUT once we finally get him back ya know?"
Naruto became unsteady on the tree and fell right down in front of them,
"Who are you talking about! You just said Uchiha! He was here?!"
"Woah, kid! What are you doing here? Do you know what time it is!"
"He's gone?! What do you mean she let him out of the village, what's going on! I'm going after him!" Naruto was absolutely frenzied and frantic trying to speak a thousand words a second and trying to push his way past the guards.
He let the opportunity of getting Sasuke back into the village slip out of his grasp, like smoke through his fingers, again. Again.
He was furiously upset. Not to mention, he was confused as hell.
Was he here? Did he come by choice?
How could Sasuke have returned without me knowing, and why would he just leave again?
I need answers!I know there was a reason I couldn't sleep!
"Knock him out or something, damn!"
"SASUKE!"
Naruto had no idea what the hell on earth was currently happening at 1:15 am as he wrestled to get past the gates before he lost consciousness.
Hopefully, he would wake up and think it was all a dream.
Sasuke stopped to rest and set up camp. He took out a whetstone and began to slowly run along the edge of his blade.
His sword would be his only companion on this mission, until and if he found Sakura… Leaving him to only his thoughts.
Uchiha Sasuke was used to being alone, he was Uchiha Sasuke.
First, he was Uchiha Sasuke the teammate.
Then, Uchiha Sasuke the avenger.
Also, Uchiha Sasuke the traitor, criminal, missing nin, horrible friend, and ex team mate.
But he didn't know exactly where to place his identity at this current moment in time.
Was he Uchiha Sasuke, the pardoned? The second chance? The stranger?
He was on a mission, per say. A mission of vindication. To redeem his mistakes, and gain favor in the Hokage's eyes by rescuing her beloved student. That was it right?
Sasuke got uncomfortable just thinking about her reaction to her former teammate coming to save her clumsy ass.
The last time he saw her face to face his hand was around her throat and her poison kunai was aimed at his back.
Who was she know anyways? He'd be damned if he knew, or even wanted to find out.
They were like strangers again.
I'm only doing this for me… To gain respect and trust again. To be able to go back to the village…
But all the while, a small voice in the back of his mind kept saying "Is that all? Really? You sure it's not because you want Sakura to be found alive just as much as Tsunade?"
The inner consciousness speaking those subtle lines really irritated the dark haired boy.
"That whole selfishness facade is wearing thin…"
No, I'm not doing this because I care, I'm doing this because I have to. It's for me! She is just my ticket to the village.
The Uchiha cursed himself, because as much as fought himself on the matter, he knew it wasn't entirely about him.
It never was.
"You look like shit, honey." The old woman said wiping a wet cloth over Sakura's dull face.
The bags under her eyes looked like shadows, and her lip was bruised and plump. The entire night Sakura was handcuffed, they had managed to handcuff her in a way that it would be impossible to sleep comfortably, so she hadn't. At all. The only thing Sakura did was think. Think and try to devise a way out, any kind of method to reach above ground. Although, her methods were not very efficient with a tired brain.
Mebuki tried to make Sakura look brighter, and more awake with a face cream, while shoving a mug of tea in her hand.
"Drink up, you could use caffeine. I guess we should have warned you about mouthing off and things, it will get you in trouble."
Sakura's eyes shifted under her droopy eyelids as she tried to stay awake in front of the zealous old woman. She took Sakura's hand and reapplied shiny red nail polish to her fingers, sprucing her back up after her dreadful night in isolation. "Ah! Oh yes. I almost forgot..." Mebuki reached down into her bag beside her and handed Sakura a pill.
"What's this? Pain reliever?" Sakura said tiredly, praying that it was.
"Oh, no my dear... It's a birth control pill."
Sakura stiffened and handed the pill back to Mebuki and shook her head.
"I'm sorry, but you have to take one every day...since you're going to start working with the other girls in the Black Room." The old woman tried to give her an easing smile.
Of course it makes sense, they wouldn't any babies accidentally appearing. A pregnant woman would do them no good.
I have to get out of here.
Remember Sakura...just go along with it!
Sakura reluctantly swallowed the pill and looked down.
"Good girl, just come to me everyday and make sure you get it. It's very important... I know this is all very scary to you but I promise we will make sure nothing happens to you! You will be just fine! You'll be a regular at this in no time." The old woman's wrinkled face revealed a big toothy grin as she patted Sakura reassuringly on the knee.
"Can't...Can't I just serve and host for a little while longer?" The reality was drawing closer and closer to Sakura that she would literally have to be presented at an underground club as a prostitute. She thought she could drag this out by being occupied with other things but that was not the case anymore.
"It's not my choice, honey! I will say though, the boss was getting lots of feedback from the guests who said you were appealing, the pink hair and green eye thing, ya know? They think you will be making them quite a bit of money. But not to worry, my dear, the other ladies will explain to you all you need to know before you start tomorrow!" Mebuki said.
"T-tomorrow?" Sakura said, stuttering. Exhaustion was taking its toll on her mind and making her emotions less stable.
What if I never leave...
Damn it, what the hell have I done..
"Cheer up, honey! You may meet someone you like!" The old woman said gleefully, and left Sakura alone in the room.
A few tears slipped out of her sleepy eyes.
And she fell asleep.
AN:/ How is this already at NINE chapters? even weirder...I almost have 30 follows? On my first multichap, I'm crying tears of joy.
Thanks again for reviews, keep reviewing, let me know your opinions on the story, the characters and all that!
Who's ready for Sasuke and Sakura to actually INTERACT, I know it's been like nine chapters already but
hey I'm all about that plot development ;)
Get excited, soon...sooooooon.
Love you, happy sailing.
(Does anyone actually read this author's notes...)
