Authors Note: First off, THANK YOU to my three constant reviewers of LaughsRFun, Akatsuki Sakura Uchiha, and Hana-Taisho. You all are the people who inspire me to keep going when I hit bad writing days. This chapter is all about the masquerade. A warning: There is implied smut and some graphic situations. Don't like? Don't read but don't yell at me cause its not all that bad. Now on to the story.
Chapter 13: Chiseled Alabaster
Recap: Turning to allow him to tie on her own, Sakura stiffened slightly as his fingers brushed her cheek as he set the mask in place before tying it securely. "We are going to the Hyuuga's masquerade ball, Sakura. As Lord of Rain, I received an invitation to the event. You are going to be my escort and you are going to gain as much information as you can from Neji Hyuuga."
The Hyuuga mansion was adorned in fair splendor, lit with hundreds of lanterns. And the guard was doubled what she had ever seen on the outside. It was a party of lords, their body guards, and some of the various land's guards. Her eyes roved over them, noting the various colorful masks combined with the many types of clothing as they were admitted.
Keeping her arm about Pein's as they approached the gates, Sakura glanced for a second time at the invitation in his hand. There was no doubt it was genuine, but what stirred her mind was that Pein was the Lord of Rain country. More than once she had wondered how he managed to run the country when he was dealing with the Akatsuki almost twenty four seven. However, she held her tongue; there was no need to provoke him or seem to be questioning him when it could lead to dire consequences.
With her eyes lowered as Pein passed over the invitation for inspection, the kunoichi took a shallow breath. The restricting laces of the corset left no room for her to breathe; her ribs protested even the shallowest movements. The outfit was not one she would be able to fight in if she was recognized. Going over her instructions mentally, Sakura remained close to the Akatsuki Leader, keeping a pleasant smile on her face. Her formalities were smooth, cultured with the nobility of her childhood as a Haruno, while greeting those who spoke with him. Internally, however, she cursed him for making her wear this fiend of a damned dress.
One man caught her eye, especially with the extravagant eye mask he wore of silver with black and white accents. From the various stones on its shining surface, Sakura had no doubt that he was a man of wealth. Long dark hair fell down his back like a waterfall of night. Her eyes followed him as he mingled among many guests, but Pein did not allow them near the black and silver suited man.
Some were full masks, distortions of normal features or of various fictional characters. Others wore half masks that were cut diagonally, some vertically, but elegantly decorated with feathers and jewels. The painted were among the few, yet distinctly fine. Mentally, she reflected that she could read the personality behind each easily for it echoed in the coloring.
The lack of oxygen was beginning to make her vision swim; her feet swayed slightly until she had to hold on for support. As Pein's arm snaked about her waist to steer her toward the gardens, Sakura shifted uncomfortably under the additional pressure; a slight squeeze at her side warned of his displeasure at the action. Sitting down, she took a slow breath, trying to sort her thoughts. As the orange haired man's lips skimmed her ear, she shuddered in the cool dark air. "Breathe for now, but you know what you are to do," he whispered coolly.
"If he wishes to take you anywhere beyond these gardens, you will go with him after speaking to me. He has not been able to take his eyes off you, so I do not doubt that is a feasible possibility. Do what is necessary. Once you have gathered suitable information we will leave together. If you are caught, you will be left to his mercy and discretion."
With a final light pressure on her waist, he disappeared into the crowded affair. Shifting about, she found a comfortable position on the small stone bench beside the koi pond. Watching the brightly colored fish turn about in their many colors, she felt her mind slowly ease, a gentle smile tilting her lips. The beauty of nature surpassed this finery for there were no threats, only peace.
Black boots registered in her peripheral vision, drawing her attention up the dark suit to the silver, royal blue, and black mask. The eyes were a startling gray-white, almost cloud colored. He had an attractive face, sharp, but not cruel; his form was clearly built with large shoulders and a small waist. Fair copper skinned with dark hair, the figure stole her breath, leaving her swaying slightly. "Are you alright?" he questioned calmly, steadying her.
"Yes… thank you," she replied, a soft blush tingeing her cheeks as he sat beside her.
He paused, his fingers brushing over her intricate locks. "Your hair… it is very beautiful," he remarked. "Darker than I have ever seen, more vibrant a pink. Does it run in your family?"
"Yes, it does… my father used to tell us that the rain had washed the red away and left us with pink," she answered softly with a wistful smile. "All of our many branches have inherited it as well."
The young man smiled contently at the anecdote. "How peculiar. May I ask your name, Miss-?"
Her insides tied in knots as she watched him. Genuine warmth radiated off him, leaving her basking in the simple glow that had been absent from her life for so many years. The blush deepened as she met those cloud like eyes. But as she felt her heart swell, a chill passed over her spine as she saw the eyes behind him that watched ever so closely. "My name is Lilia," she answered softly. "And yours?"
"Unimportant," he said with a secretive tilt to his lips, "After all this is a party of masks. May I get you a drink?"
Nodding, Sakura allowed the mysterious figure to help her to her feet. He guided her through the crowd carefully, always keeping her close though never so much that it was inappropriate by social standards. As she stared at his back, the kunoichi was lost in the way his body moved, the smooth muscles rippling beneath his fitted coat and his knowing steps through the throng. A mild sense of déjà vu crossed her mind before it was lost in her musings about her masked one.
A cup of cold water was pressed into her hands, drawing her back to the present as she gratefully drank of it. The slight relief allowed her to forget her aching ribs for a moment. He gestured to a bench off to the side and once more he sat beside her, closer than before. "Forgive my curiosity, Lilia, but who are you here with?" he questioned slowly.
"I am here with Nagato-san, the Lord of Rain," she replied.
"If it is acceptable, how do you know him? He is the only Lord who can walk about without guards in this city. His reputation is enough that not even the Akatsuki will dare," the man stated, looking at her seriously. "He is dangerous, Lilia."
I know that better than anyone, she thought silently, letting her eyes drop to her lap. Taking a breath, the kunoichi considered her words as she replied. "I am merely his escort this evening, nothing more," she answered, her fingers fidgeting over the tooling in her dress. "I have no desire for him."
Gently fingers traced her cheek, bringing the vibrant viridian up to his gray. Then his lips were on herown pressing a chaste, longing kiss to them. It was tender, encapsulating her senses as his woodland scent filled her. Like the sky mixed with the wind of winter that held a smoky tinge to it, the strong passion echoed through it. For a moment, the girl let herself drift away, closing her eyes.
Suddenly a pair of red eyes flashed through her mind. Drawing back as a painful twist hit her heart, the kunoichi swallowed. Her chest hurt as though she had been stabbed. Never had she been so conflicted; she wanted this new peace, but it felt as though it were a betrayal. The masked one looked on, his eyes betraying a flash of pain. "If you do not love him… why do your eyes show so much pain?" he whispered, quietly.
"Forgive me," she said softly, "This is all very sudd-"
"Excuse me, may I have a word with Lady Lilia?" The dark tone of voice sent shivers down her back as she met smoldering storm eyes of Pein. Rising automatically, the young woman sent an apologetic smile to the masked one before withholding a grimace as Pein steered her away forcefully. He took her past the gardens into a silent section.
Suddenly she was pinned by her throat, the breath forced from her lungs. Anger rolled off his figure, suffocating her. Struggling to remove his hand, Sakura beat her fists weakly against the Leader's grip. He spoke slowly, deliberately. "You are not to hesitate, Sakura. Your mission is to collect information and so pulling back weakens their trust."
Collapsing as he removed his hand, Sakura clutched at her rapidly bruising throat, gasping for air. "You will do whatever he asks of you, Sakura. Or you will learn the price of failure," Pein stated coldly. "Now get up. Or shall I drag you out of here by your hair?"
Strength had deserted her muscles; by will only she picked herself off the ground. The black scrolls contents ran through her mind. Any sign of defiance… Her hands unfisted at her sides, the young woman met the silver gaze with a blank expression. "I will finish the mission, Leader-sama." She said softly. Following the silent order, she replaced her arm through his and then followed back to the party.
The masked man stood with a group of others, agitated if she could read his stance correctly. As they approached, his eyes raked over her, lingering at her throat while a displeased frown tilted his lips. Giving him a tentative smile, Sakura tilted her head toward the silence of the house, where they would be alone. Pein gave a nod of approval before separating himself from her once more. Seeing the black and gold of Leader disappear, the Masked one came over cautiously. "Are you alright?" he questioned as he approached.
"Yes," she lied smoothly, adjusting her mask slightly. Seeing the skepticism in his eyes, the girl patiently remained quiet until he sighed in defeat. As they entered the house, she looked about, memorizing its halls as he led her into the back. It was a simple estate with high flying rafters, lit by gentle lanterns and small fountains bubbled in common areas.
Sweeping her into one room off to the side, the young man closed the door, bidding her to kneel on one of the cushions beside a low table. The furniture was simply the essentials; a sleeping mat, low table, bookshelf, and wardrobe were all that resided within it. It was pristinely neat, but there were no pictures, nor adornments about the walls. As he knelt beside her, the young man took out two bottles of sake from within the wardrobe. "Generally, I do not bring guests back to my room, but I would rather speak to you away from prying eyes," he stated, reaching up to slowly loosen his masks ties. "You are rather enchanting, Lilia, I would like to know more about you."
Allowing a slight tilt of her lips, the young girl shook her head. "I would also like to know more about you," she admitted softly. "I don't understand you; everything I have heard about you said that you were a harsh, arrogant Commander with little care for life. But that is not what I have seen tonight."
"It is true, that I must be harsh," he answered, taking a swig from the bottle. "The Akatsuki have been bringing crime into our city with their black market trade. The more criminals come in, the more believe they will be safe. Our guard is highly trained, but to take on a population is suicide. So I work to eliminate the source."
Watching the silver eyes for any hint of a lie, Sakura took a cautious drink. "How? It seems like they would be such a force to try and fight," she mused. "And what about this girl that everyone is talking about? What will you do about her?"
He ran his fingers through his long black hair, taking another deep drawl from the bottle. "Combating the Akatsuki takes patience; each of their members is more than proficient at one on one combat. At the moment we are using three man cells; they have had the most success," he answered.
"As to the girl… unfortunately, she is one of the prestigious Haruno clan. Just like her mother, she is difficult to track and catch. The only thing that is certain is that she will always resurface within the city. Catching her will take patience. Personally, I hope she gives up the trade before then. I cannot show weakness nor leniency if I want the fire lord to leave me in my Command position; any of my men could report me if I did not do what I am required to. I don't want to hurt her."
Observantly, she took another gulp beneath his rapidly flushing gaze as she noted that his words were beginning to slur. Hyuuga's had never had alcohol tolerance beyond one bottle; it was not in their genes. But then, neither did she. And it was sending a tingling sensation along her body, warming her. "You talk as though you know her."
The silver eyes darkened. "I do… She captivated my every sense; I wanted to give her everything. But I made a mistake and for that reason I lost her. Perhaps it is madness, but I still love her enough to want to hurt her so that she runs away, never coming back to this insanity," he stated finishing off the bottle. "You remind me of her."
There was a distinct red tinge now beneath his mask; the eyes were unfocussed in their sorrow. Her fingers went forward gently touching the cool skin of his cheek, tracing along the chiseled alabaster jaw line with her heated fingers. Leaning forward gently, she tugged at the knot of his mask. His eyes met her own, giving her permission. Tenderly, she slipped the porcelain off his face revealing Neji's face from behind its distorting surface.
Placidity was on his features, a deep thoughtful calm hazed by the alcohol mixed with the raw emotion of their conversation. Looking closer through the moon light, the young woman traced the silver that glittered beneath the surface of his temples and forehead. A swell of emotions was building in her heart, threatening to burst. And as his heated lips met her own, the dam broke.
The kiss was dominating, but sweet and hungry. Sakura could take the sake as he teased her lips, his hands sneaking their way to the back of her dress. With a single pull of the knot, he released the corset's constriction about her waist, letting in a flood of oxygen that had her vision spinning blissfully as the Hyuuga neatly discarded it to the side leaving her in the . Peeling off his jacket in the heat, Sakura's senses picked up the soft, well oiled sound of hinges turning. Opening her eyes, her peripheral vision caught the silver eyes that observed as the Commander began tracing patterns over her skin with his lips as he lay her down upon the pallet gently.
There was no backing out, she realized with a twinge of fear as she looked up at the smoldering eyes of the Commander. A blush crept up her neck then down her torso as she felt his lips at her collar bone. It felt good, more than she wanted to admit as small, needy sounds escaped her throat.
Chuckling against her skin, Neji teasingly nipped the junction between her neck and shoulder. "Patience, patience…" he murmured as she squirmed beneath him. Fingers were suddenly tracing her cheek back to her ear along the ribbon of her mask as he slowly untied it before pulling it off.
Silence fell as he stared at her features through his alcohol induced mist, his mind absorbing each detail as his mouth fell open. She felt her heart pause before his lips turned into a smile. "You are beautiful…" he praised before diving in to intoxicate her senses once more.
With no other option, Sakura let herself fall into the bliss.
Several hours later, the young kunoichi became aware of strong arms wrapped about her waist and a note beside her chest. Frowning as she looked at the seal, she carefully opened it without disturbing the man at her back.
I expect you to remain with Neji for the next week. You are to gather intelligence about his plans. Meet in three days by the clock tower to report.
Tossing the note into the candle flame, Sakura buried her head against the pillows as the enormity of what had happened registered in her mind. She had just slept with her greatest antagonist…. And she had enjoyed it. Bile rose in her throat, bitter and burning. What would Itachi think of her now? It had been a mission, but she should not have… lips pressing against her shoulder blade drew her focus away from her mind. Curling into the warmth, Sakura shivered as they blew a stream of cool air down her ear.
"Good morning, Lilia" Neji purred, his teeth scraping along the edge of her ear to send goose bumps over her naked skin. "Or should I say… Sakura?"
Her heart stuttered as she turned to look at the large smoky eyes which glimmered mischievously before he claimed her lips. "It makes no difference to me which you are in truth," he mused as she recovered her breath from the encounter. "Either way you are staying with me."
A/U: Review please. I'll be in my bunker hiding from those mad at Neji...