Shattered Minds

Chapter 10

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Naruto.

Author's Note:

Wow! Now, if the last chapter wasn't long, I don't know what is! Over 10 pages and 3000 words! That's pretty gosh darn long, if I do say so myself! You see, I have an extremely short attention span. It takes me a lot of energy to finish writing a chapter without stopping at least a million times. (Little known fact: When Wicked gets bored of her stories, she stops and plays Solitaire, because it requires so amazingly little thought.)

Thanks to everyone for the reviews, which were fantabulous as ever! As always, you guys are amazing, and I have truly enjoyed writing this story for you all!

The scythe cuts through your hair

Cuts through your neck

Cuts through your soul

And then you are gone

Sakura's emerald eyes flashed up to the man Hyuuga Neji was talking to. The expression on Neji's face was just as impassive as Sasuke's, and she was shocked by the momentary likeness between the two men.

The man Neji was talking to instantly made her skin crawl. Though his facial features were not all together unpleasant, the aura he gave off seemed... wrong. He was wearing robes of gray, and even from far away she could tell they were of high quality. He was older than both Sasuke and her, but by how much she could not determine. His face was pale, but unlike Sasuke's skin, it was a sickly color, almost tinged the same color as his robes. He had long, black hair with bangs that flopped over a metal forehead protector and eyes were slanted and yellow. Sakura was struck with how much he looked like a snake lying in wait.

"What's his name?" Sakura asked quietly, discreetly looking away from their target.

Sasuke set down his sake cup with just the slightly hint of anger. "His name is Orochimaru. He used to belong to the same group as my target, but even though he left, they still work closely."

'Orochimaru, eh?' Well, she didn't seem far from her intuition. Even his name had the word snake in it. He seemed dangerous, but it was a charismatic sort dangerous—he would strike when he had fooled you, when you were least expecting it.

Orochimaru's lips were curved in a slight smirk, as if he knew he was being watched and enjoyed being so. He looked out of the corner of his eye around the room and stopped on her.

Sakura stopped breathing. There was something terrifying about his eyes, as if he knew what she was there to do. His smirk widened and he quickly excused himself from speaking to Neji.

His eyes remained on her.

Releasing a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, she turned to Sasuke, a soft smile covering her real emotions. "Sasuke, he's watching us."

"I know." His voice was so cool, distant, and calm.

"What should we do?"

Sasuke looked into her eyes and noticed the fear. "We bait him to us. Walk with me out of the compound before the main show begins. Hyuuga will have plenty of distractions to pull out."

Sakura nodded slowly, understanding what he meant. If they walked out of the room together, they would merely look like a man and his escort, looking for a private corner. The thought of Sasuke and her together, regardless of what they were doing, made her blush.

In the meantime, Sakura, the girl playing an intriguing game of pretend, poured her escort's sake, smiling and looking like a pampered doll of sorts. She leaned closer and closer to him, telling him desperately with her eyes to play along, to act as if they were lovers.

In a matter of minutes, Neji rose again and announced that dancers were to appear shortly. Sakura and Sasuke took that as a cue to leave the room, Sakura latching onto his arm again like a smitten consort.

The two wandered to the quiet garden behind the hall. As expected, it was empty. The moon above was but a mere sliver, and Sakura shivered; from the cold or the anticipation she did not know. She looked to Sasuke.

His dark clothes blended in with the night the way her kimono never would. He was silent, as always, but his eyes were fixed on the doorway leading to the garden.

Suddenly, he lead her farther away, until they were under a grand old tree. "Stay here," he commanded. He himself walked back to their original position.

Sakura's breath hitched. If he had lead her farther away, it could mean but one thing—danger. Was Orochimaru and Sasuke going to fight? Sasuke had informed her that they were only there to get a glance at him. He had said nothing about bloodshed, or weapons, or... Or anything!

It was too late to complain because seconds later, the man they had expected stepped outside.

He spotted Sasuke instantly and gave a soft chuckle, eyes glowing in the dark. "If it isn't Uchiha Sasuke." He walked closer to the man, who was emotionless, his face completely impassive. In fact, he was looking at Orochimaru as if he wasn't there.

"There has been rumors that you're going after Itachi, but I didn't believe them until now. After all, why else would you show your face in public?"

'Itachi...' The name of Sasuke's target. From beneath the shadow of the tree, Sakura stayed silent.

Orochimaru smirked again, leaning closer to inspect the man she had come to think of as a... partner?

"Such a pretty face... Just like your brother's. It's a pity you won't work with him." The snake man slithered closer until his mouth was right next to Sasuke's ear. "You could be great working with him. Your power and your sharingan... You two would be unstoppable."

When Sasuke finally spoke, it was in a calm, completely emotionless voice. "What do you want from me, Orochimaru?"

The man chuckled, still as close as before. "Other than your body, you mean?"

Sakura's upper lip curled slightly in disgust as she felt her dislike of the man deepen. She had expected Sasuke to be hit on by other women, but a man? It was more than slightly disturbing.

The grimace on her face only deepened as she watched Orochimaru's tongue slide out of his mouth and lick the skin where Sasuke's neck and shoulder met. Another deep chuckle. "Delicious, Sasuke-kun... Absolutely delicious."

Before her eyes could even react, Sasuke's hand had reached to his hidden holster and grabbed several kunai. With lightning fast movements, Sasuke threw them at the disgusting character before him

Orochimaru was equally as fast, because he had dodged the attacks with relatively much ease. He was not completely unscathed, however, because Sakura could distinctly make out the tear on his left sleeve.

As the noise inside the house grew, Orochimaru only laughed at Sasuke's attempts. "We'll meet again, Sasuke-kun. And next time, be more careful with that girl. You wouldn't want her to get hurt."

Sakura sucked in a breath. So he had known she had been there all along, watching them. Sasuke, on the other hand, was completely void of emotion. If she had not known how well he hid his rage, Sakura would have suspected he had been asleep.

As Orochimaru left to walk back inside, Sakura ran to Sasuke, not caring about the expensive kimono or the fact that she was barefoot.

"Are you alright?" Her face searched his intensely, looking for any sign of emotion or wounds.

Sasuke turned, not looking her in the face. "I'm fine." He pushed his hands inside his pockets and started for the compound. "We should go. We've seen what we've come to see."

Nodding even though she knew he couldn't see her, Sakura didn't say another work and followed the retreating figure of the mystery that was Uchiha Sasuke.

"So? How'd it go?" Ino quickly ushered Sakura back into the hall. Her baby blue eyes searched outside for a moment before closing the door tightly. "I assume Sasuke-kun went home."

Sakura nodded, trying to keep her eyes open. During the ride home, she had almost fallen asleep. "It went fine. We saw Orochimaru and then we left."

"Orochimaru?"

"Do you know him?" Sakura was surprised sometimes by the sheer number of people Ino knew.

Ino grimaced, as if she had just tasted something incredibly foul. "Of course I know him. That freak. It's bad enough if he likes little girls, but no—he's got to like little boys, too."

Sakura shuddered as she remembered Orochimaru's tongue on Sasuke's neck. "What's he like in public?"

"Sickeningly polite. But everyone knows that he's evil inside." Ino dragged Sakura back to her room. "Come on, get out of that kimono. It cost a fortune to make on rush order, you know."

Sakura obeyed as she stepped behind the screen and took off the brilliant kimono. "Ino?"

"Yeah?"

"Hyuuga Neji's escort—the one named Tenten. Do you know anything about her?"

"Tenten?" Ino gave a little mocking laugh. "The girl who thought she could be nin. What about her?"

Sakura slowly put on a sleeping yukata. "What is she like?"

"Why?"

The pink haired girl hesitated slightly before answering. "Because I think I also saw her at the village. You know, with Hinata."

"Ooo, really?" Ino pounced on the little piece of juicy gossip. "She did disappear for a while a few weeks back." She laughed, imagining the consequences. "Oh, this could be interesting."

"Could it be that—"

A soft knock interrupted Sakura's words and she clamped her mouth shut. The words she had meant to say had been bothering her for a while would have to stay inside for a little while more.

"Come in!" Ino raised her eyebrows at Sakura questioningly. Sakura answered with a shrug, her own eyes wide.

A woman walked into the room, head bowed respectfully towards Ino. "There has been a message, Madame."

Ino eyed the scroll held in the other woman's hand's with great interest. "Do you who it is from, Saki?"

"Hyuuga Neji-san, Madame."

Ino smirked and looked to Sakura. "Well, speak of the devil, hmm?" She reached for the scroll and smiled at the woman. "Thank you, Saki."

The woman bent forward in a slight bow and backed out the room as quietly as she had come.

With eager hands, Ino untied the bindings to the scroll and allowed her eyes to scan over the entire document. As she read on, Sakura could see her friend's eyes getting brighter and brighter.

"What does it say?"

"Hyuuga-san seems to wish to speak with you...!" Ino looked up excitedly. "Tomorrow afternoon, he will pay us a little visit. Sasuke-kun's presence is not required." Ino raised her eyebrows knowingly. "If I didn't know better, it sounds likes he's interested in you!"

"Don't be stupid! Hyuuga-san has never met me, much less expressed any sort of interest towards me." Sakura rolled her eyes in exasperation. It was just like Ino to jump to conclusions.

Ino pouted cutely. "Well, there goes all my gossip to trade with the other women! Honestly!"

"Ino!"

"What?" An innocent bat of the eyelashes.

Sakura sighed. "Look, Ino-chan, I'm tired. If you would please, I would like to sleep now!"

Smiling widely, Ino stood up and made way for the door. "Get plenty of sleep, Sakura-chan! Tomorrow's a big day!" She stepped out. "Good night!"

About to exhale in relief, Ino's head suddenly appeared back into Sakura's room. "Oh, yes, one last note! Did I ever tell you that Hyuuga Neji is one of the most eligible bachelors in town? Just a thought, you know!" Her head disappeared again as the shoji door was slid shut.

Resisting the urge to throw a rock–or at least her brush–at the door, Sakura turned around, blew out all the flames in the lanterns, and laid down onto her futon.

Honestly! Ino, making crazy guesses at people's interest towards her when she had enough problems to deal with.

Sasuke instantly popped into mind.

Groaning slightly as she thought about the dark eyed missing nin, Sakura rolled over in her bed. Now that his mission was drawing close, she felt herself slipping away from the comfort she found with Ino and the other geisha in the temporary safe house.

She shivered as she thought of Orochimaru and his malicious eyes, and knew that if Orochimaru was only a side mission, Itachi would be even worse.

Would he be like, anyway? What would he have done to driven Sasuke to such hate? What could make an ordinary man turn cold like Sasuke was now?

A restlessly sigh escaped her lips and Sakura forced herself to close her eyes. If she wanted to make a good impression tomorrow, it wouldn't do if she had under-eye circles.

After all, Sasuke would tell her everything when he felt it was necessary, or when he was ready.

Right?

Sakura's hands clenched and unclenched in her lap, her nervousness starting to set in a little. The reddish-brown maple leaves embroidered on her cream kimono were crinkled, and her hands instantly smoothed them over as she looked over the small table set with cups and a pot of tea.

She smiled when she saw the gold filigree on the edge of the pot. She had spent most of the morning arguing with Ino, who had insisted she performed a tea ceremony for Neji. In the end, however, Sakura had won the debate and the simple pot of tea–without the fear of having to mix and make ceremonial gestures–was waiting.

Ears straining to hear any noises that could have escaped from the hallway, Sakura froze when she heard a faint knock and the sound of a shoji door sliding open.

Gulping nervously, Sakura stood before her door and prepared to finally meet the famous Hyuuga Neji.

As she expected, the sound of a feminine voice lead several footsteps to her room. Pausing as two knocks were given, Sakura slid open the door with a ladylike smile on her face and her head slightly bowed.

"Hyuuga Neji-san and his escort," Saki from the night before announced.

Sakura nodded, stepping to the side. "If you could step inside, please." She gave a grateful look to Saki, would smiled back and retreated again, sliding the door behind her.

"Would you please sit?" Sakura gestured towards the table.

When they were both seated, Sakura allowed herself to look up and examine the Hyuuga Neji she had heard so much about.

She was not disappointed.

His eyes were the first thing she noticed–purest white and staring into her. His dark hair hung neatly around his face and his lips were set in a grim line. In a way, he reminded her of Sasuke. One thing for sure–he was just as intimidating.

Those eyes, she noted thoughtfully, were exactly the same as Hinata's.

Her eyes went to his escort. Now that she had more time to look at the pretty girl, Sakura was astonished with the revelation. This girl had most positively been at the village. Though her hair had been in braids instead of buns, her intelligent, walnut-colored eyes studied her the same way Neji did.

"Hyuuga-san, Tenten-san. It's a pleasure to meet you two."

Neji nodded as Tenten smiled slightly at her. Sakura relaxed slightly. At least one of them wouldn't bite her head off–she hoped.

"Y-you wish to speak to me about something?" Stumbling over her words just the tiniest bit, Sakura carefully studied Neji's face.

"Have you ever met Hyuuga Hinata?" Neji's voice was solid and straight to the point.

Sakura nodded slowly. "I have."

"Good. You will help us find her." Neji grimaced slightly as he grew more harsh and corrosive. "She is in danger."

Ending Note: Pretty long chapter, I think, so I hope it pleases you all. (Sorry for the cliffhanger again!) I have to thank everyone for their overwhelming support last chapter. I can't believe that, from 5 reviews for the first story, there has been an increase to 33 reviews for last chapter. You guys are SO amazing, and I can't thank you enough!

I'd just like to add something that might be important later on. Sakura doesn't yet know that Itachi is Sasuke's brother... All she knows is that he has a brother and that he's trying to kill a man named Itachi. Just a thought... Alright! Next chapter, Sasuke gets colder... The thought that Sakura has to find information as a 'game of intrigue' has gotten older... And Neji and Tenten come in for some quality 'let's get info from Sakura' time!

Oh yes, as a last note! I've been forgetting to remind you all of the FIRST ANNUAL UCHIHA SASUKE FANFICTION AWARDS! Nominate and vote for your favorite Avenger related fanfiction! (Yes, the award supports both het and slash Sasuke fiction, so your favorite yaoi fanfiction is also eligible for receiving awards.) Nominations are open until mid-September but there are rules (as in ALL nominations must be COMPLETED), so read them first. For more information, visit www. cherubi . net / exile / (remove spaces).