Broken wings

Everywhere she looked she found darkness. Was she even alive anymore? She felt her hand move or was it that some one was moving her hand?

"Sakura?" was that an angel calling her name or was it the devil in disguise trying to take her? " Sakura are you alright? Please speak to me."

"Hinata?" came the weak voice out of her mouth. The darkness was fading now and light was slowly streaming in to her vision.

"Thank god Sakura are you well?" She inquired as she touched her forehead. She didn't know how to answer that question was she well? She felt heavy and drowsy like all energy was sucked out of her. The room was still a blur of colors as she tried to focuses her eyes. She was in a room but her memory struggled to remember what room this was.

"Hinata?" she asked again as she felt her hand touch the older girls.

"I'm here Sakura everything alright." The question that rang in Sakura's head was where was here? Ever so slowly did her vision stop it maddening blurring as everything came into clear view. The memories that were missing sprang right back her brain. She was captured and so was Hinata. She sat up like a bolt of lightning had struck her. " Sakura?"

"We have to get out of here." she muttered to herself.

"Sakura please clam down you're a bit agitated."

" I'm a prisoner Hinata of course I would be." she hissed but even as she hissed out the words her mind wondered back to her prison guard. Her face must have light up like a beacon as Hinata shuffled an all knowing smile.

"It's not all that bad I would think his Highness would treat you well." she muttered as the blush that had invaded Sakura's face went up five more shades of red.

"He wants the Soulless." she muttered as her hand found the handle of the sword. She tighten her grip on it.

"And you want his power don't you?" asked Hinata as Sakura thought about her words. Yes that was true she did want his power. She was shamelessly addicted to the power he promised. She had seen his power his skill and it was all to alluring the let them escape her. He was the salvation she was so desperately been looking for. Yet the question that hunted her mind now was will he be the salvation she was looking for? He was powerful yes but he was all so cruel and calculating. She had seem that in his very gaze all he wanted was the Soulless. Though Hinata had a valid point all she wanted was his power.

As to rip apart her thought process she remembered his touch on her neck the way his breathe fanned her neck. A shiver went down her spine. The very thought of him sent her on a panic rush of… good god what was she thinking? She shock her head defiantly trying to shake the thoughts out of her mind.

"His power is the only thing that stands in my way."

"So you plan to bond with him?" asked Hinata as she looked at her friend lost in thought.

" No, I plan to use his power that's all." she said differently. Hinata looked down at her hands then back at Sakura she felt the guilt that welled up in her belly. Eating back the guilt that rammed at her throat she looked at Sakura's Jade eyes.

"Sakura," she started as her friend looked over to her. If she felt guilt before she never expected it to triple as she looked at her. Clearing her throat she looked directly at her. " I'm afraid this is the last time we'll see each other." she muttered

"What?" asked Sakura as she looked at Hinata. Hinata smiled softly but her emotion betrayed her and her smile fell.

" The prince has allowed me to say good-bye to you." she took a deep breath. " I'm being executed tomorrow at sunrise." Like a bucket of cold water being dumped on her Sakura she looked pale.

"Why?" she managed to muttered after much fight to try to find her voice

" My clan has demanded it was the punishment needed for my betrayal."

"Betrayal?" she asked as a heavy knock could be heard at the door. Hinata turned to look at it with a lingering gaze.

" I have to go now." She whispered

"No." muttered Sakura.

" I'll miss you dearly Sakura." said Hinata as she hugged her friend tightly. Sakura didn't responded to the hug as she looked dead on her feet. With out a glance back Hinata rushed out of the room. The guilt was eating her alive. Outside stood Sasuke next to him was Naruto. Sasuke waved his hand over the door a light shown over it.

"Did she believe you?" he asked as Hinata almost growled at him key word being almost.

"Yes." she hissed and glared at the ground.

"Don't look at me that way. It's what need to be done." he sighed out. Though she could hear the boredom in his voice she could also hear a bit of guilt in it too. The desperation that was welling in her chest spilled out before she could stop her self.

"Do we have to put her though that!" she yelled it as Naruto filched and Sasuke looked unmoved. See as none of them was going to answer she burst again. " You're a cruel and vain man that cares for nothing but for himself!" She yelled at his face he didn't so much as blink at the comment. All the anger in Hinata was aimed solely at him. He didn't say a word as he looked striate at her then gave her a cocky grin.

"Your absolutely right Lady Hinata. This is all my gain your friend is just a pawn in a bigger game board. By getting the Soulless out of her hands she live another day if she keep it she will be the one that dies tomorrow not you. So yes your very right Lady Hinata I'm cruel and vain and selfish even but remember who hold the future of your friend." he told her without raising his voice once at her. Naurto looked over to him but said nothing. He could see that Hinata was crying now but he didn't move from his spot on the wall. His gazed lingered on Sasuke who was leaning against the wall.

It seemed that Hinata could only stand so much curtly and turned on her heel and marched down then hallway before she turned over to the prince.

"You're a Heartless Man! And for that I hope you rot in foulest pits of hell!" she yelled before she stormed out. Both watched her leave before Sasuke muttered a reply the only Naruto could hear. Naruto looked at Sasuke as he watched the door in front of him. After about five minutes of silence Naruto spoke.

" She's affecting you isn't she?"

"It doesn't matter away." he muttered.

"Yes it does."

"No I'm still me and I'm still going to do what's necessary." he claimed

"For the promise or for her?"

"What do think?" Naruto Smirked and looked at door

"Do as you wish then."

"Oh I will," He said as he looked to Naruto " Your highness."

"You arrogant ass." muttered Naruto as he shook his head and walked down the hallway. Sasuke watched him go as he looked at the door. With his hearing he could hear what happen inside the room without really going in there. She was muttering to herself there was also thrashing sounds. She was angry she was frustrated but above all pain was what clawed at her. He didn't dare enter now when she was in this state. He would have to bite his time for now. He would come to her in a hour or so when she's had time to clam down he thought to himself. "coward." he muttered to himself. He knew that if he wanted to catch her off guard this would be the time yet something else in him refuse to go into that room. He by all mean was not afraid of her it was just a hollow spot in his chest that felt like a hammer pounding over and over on his chest. No he wouldn't go to her today at all he would wait until tomorrow when Hinata's "exaction" would take place. With that thought in mind he headed out to his study and didn't look back. Tomorrow he reminded himself. Tomorrow he would have the Soulless Ebony and it song shall sing in glee to be back in the hands of it's rightful master.

By tomorrow he would rid himself of the thoughts that onslaught his head. The song will dim to a murmur and the thought of madness will go away. Tomorrow was a going to be the longest day of his life and he knew it yet he looked forward to it.

~~~~~~~The next day before sunrise~~~~~

Sakura had not slept a wink the whole night she spent going over Hinata's words. She was dying today and she couldn't do a thing to stop it. God she was dying because she became involved with her. It was all her fault it was all her fault. Nothing she could tell herself would make the guilt go away. If more being locked inside the room was making her feel powerless until the door opened. A man with bright red hair stood in the door way along with a man with shoulder long black hair.

" His highness wishes for you to follow us." said the man with the black hair and red eyes he looked a lot like the prince and she remembered correctly she heard the prince call him brother.

" Don't get any smart ideas about running away." muttered the red head as Sakura looked over him. His eyes where the color of cool jade and he had a tattoo marked on his forehead. The man beside him smiled

" Gaara can track your thoughts and aura so I wouldn't try to run away from him he will find you." Said the man with the black hair. " Please come with us his highness is waiting for you." Sakura looked at both of them with vigilance before she got to her feet. The shire night gown she was wearing ever since she woke up two days ago was the only thing she was wearing that and the sword. Gaara shifted his attention to the side while the man with the black hair smirked and bowed. " This way please." he instructed as he walked out from the door way and out to the hall. Gaara followed from behind keeping his eyes firmly on her feet.

" Where are you taking me?" Sakura asked as her throat felt dry.

" To the court yard."

" The court yard?" asked Sakura but she knew why instantly. He couldn't be that cruel he wouldn't.

" Your friend will be executed today." Said Gaara as if he had read her very thoughts. The man was despicable and worse off she wanted to run away like a scared little girl because of him. " Don't think about pulling any heroics that sword is the only thing that is keeping you alive and believe when I say this we're not the danger to you." he said with a laugh at the end.

" Yes, I would say so." said man in front of her. Before she could think of something to say the man in front of her opened the door that lead to a balcony. Their on edge stood his highness dress a long white shirt that was open from the front( like the one he first wears after the time jump) He wearing black pants that fit loosely around his leg but showed his well tone shape. Four belts went around his waist and down to a sheath that held a plain kinata.

" I'm glad you could make it." he told her in a low voice that made her skin crawl. She could only glare at him since the two guards where still in the room. " I'm sure you know why I called you here."

"Let her go she got nothing to do with this!" demanded Sakura.

"Your right she doesn't have anything to do with this." he said simply he looked over to the guard. " Leave us." he ordered. Both put their fist to their heart and bowed down and left the balcony. " Come here." He ordered yet unlike the guard she didn't move. " Are you afraid?" he joked as he turned and leaned on the rail of the balcony. He crossed his arms and looked at her with mocking eyes. " You are, how interesting. I would never pegged you as a coward."

" Hpmh, your one to talk about cowards." she sneered at him.

" Oh, so the viper still got venom." he said as he got up and walked over to where she was. Her hand went to the hilt of the sword yet he stopped her by putting his hand on top of hers. " I wouldn't do that if I where you." he wisphered

" Give a good reason why not?" threaten Sakura.

" Because you know I'm the only one that can save your friend for copping block." He hissed as he pushed her over to the rail of the balcony so she could see want was below at the courtyard. In the middle was a small stage with Hinata kneeling over a copping block. Her eyes where blindfolded and her hands where tied behind her back. A man with a huge blade stood over her. " Look at that sunrise." hissed Sasuke into her ear. As if taking the cue for the prince someone started reading Hinata's crimes out loud to the crowd below. Form below you could hear yelling people screaming for her to be beheaded. Sakura didn't notice when she started to breathe in startled breaths. " Time is ticking. What are you going to do miss hunter?" he asked her

"As punishment for these crimes of Demon Law You are to be beheaded at sunrise of this day…."

" Death to the traitor!" rose a yell from the crowed.

"Kill her!"

" Kill the traitor!"

" It your choice she live or she dies."

" By His Highness presence Shall this execution commence." Said the man he gave the signal to the man with blade. The man gave a nod and heaved the heavy sword off the ground.

"I'll give you the sword." said Sakura in rushed words

"And?" asked the prince yet he himself didn't know why he was asking for more if he already got what he wanted.

" What more do you want you'll get the bloody sword!" she yelled at him as she looked down at Hinata's face she was biting her lip waiting for her death. The executioner was looking over to prince as he stayed very still he was still behind her.

"Carry out the sentence." he ordered.

"NO!" yelled Sakura as she struggled in arms. " I'll give you want ever you want I don't care just don't kill her!" She yelled as she kicked and struggled to get out of his grasp. The blade went high above the man's head. " Please I beg you! I do anything you ask! Please don't kill her!" she was crying and squirming about but he didn't let go. " Kill me instead, take me in her place! I'm yours just let her go!" she screamed as the blade went down. " NO!!" She scream as Sasuke hand shot out form beside her and a blast knocked the blade out of the man's hands. The blade hit the ground with a solid thunk noise. Sakura seem to be in a state of shock as her knees buckled under her.

" It's not over yet I need you to return the sword now." he order in her ear. Standing her up be leaning her ageist the rail " Say the words Sakura." he ordered as she looked into his eyes she never hated a man more then she did now. Swallowing her pride she brushed her tears away from her face. She wanted to insult him but she couldn't find the words. He stared her down with those eyes she had come to hate as much at she hated that man that cursed her.

" I Sakura, here by relinquish ownership of the Soulless Ebony over to…." she bite her lip hard as she glared at her.

"Sasuke." he told her as bite she lip so hard she tasted blood.

"Sasuke." she hissed as the Soulless started to shake in her hand she felt something pulling at her. She heard the singing in her head again but this time it was louder she felt her knees giving out again as Sasuke took hold of the sword, the band that was around her wrist burned into her skin which made he cry out in pain. Once the prince had taken the sword out of her hands if felt like he had pulled the plug on her energy. She stumbled back ageist the railing as her vision blurred. The prince was looking at the sword with anger and pride he didn't seem to notice that it had taken all energy form her. Her eyes where closing and the support of the railing seemed to vanish as she started free falling down to the courtyard. Sasuke had just taken the sword out of Sakura's hands when he looked down at it for a second before he looked up to find Sakura falling off the balcony.

"Sakura!" he yelled as he dropped the sword grabbed onto her arms before she plunged down to the ground below. Yet her dead weight was dragging her down ageist he efforts to keep her on his side. His finger where slipping as she dangled from the side "Sakura!" he yelled at her but she seem to have lost all conciseness. " Sakura!" he yelled again as many of the people of the courtyard where turning to look at the prince. His grip was loosing he couldn't hold on to her anymore as it was he was holding on to the railing himself but his body was being dragged by hers.

His grip gave out and she fell as he watched. Before he knew what he was doing he jumped after her. He grabbed onto her body as he curled it around his. Protecting her weak body with his he summoned all his energy at once but he didn't know if it would be enough now. He could hear his heartbeat going at a frantic rhythm.

Gods he was an idiot.

He felt it instantly and the darkness hit faster then the fall. He knew no more.