A/N: Hi there! (dodges knives and baseball bats) Sorry for the delay. A lot changes have happened in my life and I honestly didn't have the will to write. I was surprised by the sheer number of responses to the last chapter. Thank You. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Hopefully, you will enjoy this chapter since it is the continuation of the last chapter. This chapter was pretty close to 6k so I decided to break the chapter into two. Warning: there may be some OOCness this chapter but nothing too bad. I want to remind everyone that this is a very high tension chapter. Characters may seem out of character but it is what the situation calls for. Hope you guys enjoy and I look forward to your feedback.

P.S. If someone here can draw or does art, I would love to see some fanart for this story. Maybe I can set it as the image for this story.

Torn: Redux

Chapter 12: Part 3

Break Me Down

Somewhere deep inside she could feel trouble brewing. She knew as soon as Itachi's eyes connected with Sasuke that something was going to happen. She was not sure if Sasuke heard the tail end of their conversation but from the look in his eyes she could tell he heard enough.

If she was a lesser woman, she would have run away with enough speed that the Speed Racer would be envious. But, instead she stayed and waited in anticipation of what Sasuke was going to say about her kissing Itachi or rather Itachi kissing her.

She wasn't quite sure what to make of it but she knew she had to hold all questions until later.

From the searing look in Sasuke's eyes, she was safe to presume that this night was not going to end the way she desired.

The two brothers stood in contemplation and anticipation of what the other would say. A part of her wondered just who in the hell did she piss off to be granted such a situation.

Sasuke, the former love of her life, was engaged in a heated glare with her...well...she really didn't know what to call him. All she knew was she needed to get the hell out of this place...fast.

She was tempted to slip from the small hallway when Itachi finally broke the spell of silence.

"I will ask again..how may I assist you little brother?"

She could see the frosty glint in the dark orbs as Itachi observed his younger brother. She did not know why he was staring at him in such a way but she could feel the force of that one look as she continued to watch silently.

Again she located all exits if things got out of hand.

Would they notice if I slipped away silently or would they immediately notice? she wondered.

The logical portion of her brain wanted to test the theory but curiosity won in the end. She wanted to know why Itachi was staring at his brother in such a way. Was it because of what was said earlier? Or was it something else entirely?

"I never realized you were so envious of me, Itachi."

She could detect the shift of tension in the air as the words escaped Sasuke's lips. She was not sure what he was referring to but she knew she would hear the answer soon enough. Silently, she abhorred the idea that they were fighting over her.

A smirk crossed Itachi's features as he took in the serious glare in his brother's eyes. Did truly believe that he was envious of him? What in the world did he have that he did not?

"You must be mistaken foolish little brother. I desire nothing that you have had."

A phantom pain gripped her heart as Itachi's words struck a cord within her soul. She was certain she did not have any feelings for him but she wondered why it hurt so much to hear those words. Was it because the moment they had just shared? Or was something else entirely?

As she observed the two men stare at each other but the same nagging questions floated through her mind.

Did he really want nothing to do with me? If so, what was that moment before about?

A chuckle escaped Sasuke's lips as he turned his onyx orbs in her direction. She could see the hard, angry glint lingering in his eyes. She knew that look. It was the same look she had on her face as he and Ino approached her the day of their wedding.

He hated her.

"Hn, I never knew you would be the type to resort to fucking my brother to get me back, Sakura."

She could feel the anger soar through her veins as he contnued to smirk coldly. That only made her loath him more, not only for hurting her but for hurting Itachi for no other reason but his own malicious intent.

"Is that what you think Sasuke? Wow,you are even a bigger ass than I thought." she said slowly, as if talking to a child.

"Hn."

"Sakura is my escort for the evening Sasuke. You will NOT disrespect her in such a way." Itachi said calmly.

Silence enveloped the room as Itachi's business voice took over. She couldn't see the look in his eyes but she knew he had to be angry. She sure as hell was.

"I will talk to her any damn way I please Itachi! A few moments ago she was wrapped in your arms without a care in the world, evidently forgetting the fact that she was MY fiancee."

"Ex fiancee'" Sakura snapped, unable to keep the boardline sarcasm out of her voice.

Sasuke's gaze darkened but she no longer cared. Why did he care so much about what I do anyway? Did he not make it obvious he hated me a moment ago?

"Ni-san, what is going on?" Sasuke said slowly and deliberately.

Itachi could only stand there for a few moments before his mind came to a decision. Now was not the time or place to discuss something like this. The sooner he got Sakura out the better.

"There is nothing going on Sasuke and if there was something going on, I fail to see how this is any of your business."

'Checkmate.'

He was unapologetic for what he said. Anything that was happening between himself and Sakura was their business, not his foolish little brother's and he wanted to make sure he did not forget that.

"Itachi, tell me the truth. Sasuke asked suddenly. "Are you fucking Sakura?"

He was unprepared for the reality of how swiftly his brother would respond to his question. Sasuke's eyes widened when he saw his brother clinch his hands until they bled, and he took several cautious steps back. The fact that his brother would willingly want punch him over a silly question made him utter words he knew he never should have said.

"Ah so you did. Sakura, who knew you were such a slut?"

Silence followed that statement, and it hung in the air like an awful plague. He knew what he was saying was wrong but he was too far along to stop now. She slept with his brother! She deserved whatever punishment he could dish out.

Silence hung in the air but he took that as permission to continue.

He could see the disappointment in his brother's eyes but he no longer gave a shit. Itachi had no right to sleep with Sakura. She had to pay!

And he knew how to hit her where it hurt.

"Itachi, did you know she used to beg me to fuck her every night?" he stage whispered, loudly before chuckling coldly.

He watched in amusement as Sakura turned an ashy pale, but her bright emerald eyes burned with fury and vengeance. She was absolutely livid. Itachi's eyes darkened dangerously, and he made another move towards his brother, but Sakura's furious gaze, held him back. Silently, he understood that this was something she wanted to deal with on her own.

She took a step forward prepared to say the things she had been wanting to say over the last year.

"I am not a slut!" Sakura seethed as she looked at him her green eyes blazing with tears. "How dare you say those things about me when it was you who left me for my best friend?"

"Hn, you are still playing the martyr role? How predictable of you."

She wanted to gouge his eyes out for saying such hateful things towards her. How could the man she once loved be so cruel?

"You are a coward, Sasuke. Hell, you're even less of a man. I would have never hurt you the way you and Ino did. I loved you and I loved her."

"So, is this why you decided to fuck my brother? he snarled. "To get back at me? How very upstanding of you Sakura. Should we give you a Oscar for the role of selfish bitch of the year?"

Sakura drew in a quick intake of breath, and she instantly regretted it. From the disgusting sneer on his lips, she could tell he knew his words had drawn blood. She cursed her moment of weakness, knowing he would hold it against her.

The last person she ever wanted to be vulnerable in front of was Sasuke. He knew first hand how much words hurt her.

"I am not a bitch, Sasuke."

"Tell me Sakura did you have a good laugh as my brother screwed your brains out? Or were you wishing it was I you were fucking?"

Angry tears threatened to slip down her cheeks as the words continued like blows to her soul. How could he say such sick things about her? As such much as she hated being in this position, she hated her inability to brush the entire thing off the most.

"Hn, Itachi you should know that's the reason why she is with you. You remind her of me." Sasuke smirked as he ignored her previous statement.

It was a blow to the face and they all knew it. Sasuke was out for blood and he no longer cared about who he hurt.

"Sasuke, now is not the time to be having this conversation. Sakura is my date for the evening nothing more."

Pain and disappointment shot through her chest as Itachi spoke with his brother. How could he say she was nothing more after what they shared? Could it be possible he didn't feel the way she did?

She could only stand in stony silence as she fought the torrent of tears from slipping down her cheeks.

How could he stand there and pretend like nothing happened between them? She wasn't going to take it anymore. How dare they!

She took a step forward and brushed her pink locks from her face. She had to stay strong if she needed to speak her piece. She needed to be heard!

"It's interesting..." she began softly, as the two men paused in conversation before looking over at her.

She could see the anger and irritation in Sasuke's eyes as his dark, cold eyes swept along her frame. Her blood pressure rose with that one look.

God, she hated him. More than anything.

"What is interesting?" Itachi asked quietly, as he gazed into the hardened green eyes. He could see the anger radiating just below the surface threatening to build up and explode like a volcano.

"How could you say I am nothing more when you just asked if you could make love to me?"

Silence filled the area as she took in a sharp breath. She was laying all her chips on the table and letting things fall as they may. Damn Sasuke and what he thought.

She was tired of being hurt and mistreated.

"Hnn..what's that Itachi? I can't hear you now? Sakura said tonelessly.

Her sweaty strands were sticking to her shoulders but she no longer cared. All she cared about was getting even with the people who had done her wrong.

She could see the dark glint in Itachi's eyes as she met his glare head on. She wasn't afraid.

She was angry and hurt.

"So, you are sleeping with her? How could you, Itachi!" Sasuke bit out angrily.

Sakura took a deep breath, her emerald eyes scorching. His assumptions as well as his words earlier bit into the place she once called her heart

She chuckled bitterly."No, he's not. If anything, he is fucking me over right now." Sakura replied. Her eyes shown with magnificent fury. She wanted to laugh at just how big of a hypocrite both men were being.

"Itachi, what does she mean by that?"

"Haruno..now is not the time to discuss this. We are at an important event for our respective places of work. It is best we all try to maintain a bit of dignity."

For a moment she forgot to breathe. How dare he turn this on her to make it seem as if she was being unprofessional? Oh right now could she forget? She was dealing with Itachi Uchiha.

"Oh right forgive me Itachi-san. I forgot my manners...let's just blame everything on the ditched ex- lover shall we?" she chirped happily.

"Haruno...I"

"Hang it up Itachi. I am sick of this shit!" she replied viciously.

"Haruno...now is NOT time the time or the place for this..."

She pivoted on her heel, leaving both men staring at her back as stalked from the hallway.

She was tired of being used.

She was not going to sit around and take this shit anymore.

She no longer see what was in front of her as she stalked back to the table her mentor and Shizune shared. She could feel their concerned gazes as they noticed her splotchy skin and reddened eyes.

She tried to keep her face blank but failed miserably. She could feel a hand on her shoulder as Tsunade leaned close.

"Sakura, are you alright?"

She could feel her eyes misting as she noticed the concerned look in her mentor's eyes. Seeing that look, allowed the last chip in her wall of false smiles to crumble beneath her feet. She could feel the tears slip from her cheeks as her emotions began to take over.

"I-he.." she began but stopped before a sob escaped her throat.

She had to stay strong.

"What happened?"

"Sasuke confronted me." she whispered as she wiped at her tears. She saw Tsunade's eyes widen in surprise before a look of pure rage crossed her features.

"What did that asshole have to say?"

"He called me a slut." she admitted as she brushed the hair out of her eyes. She could see Shizune rise from her seat in absolute rage as Tsuande turned a fiery red.

"That selfish bastard! I'll kill him." she bellowed as she slammed her fist against the table.

Sakura wasn't sure if her shishou had forgot she was at an important dinner or if she wanted to make a scene but she felt her heart warm at the concern.

At least someone cared about her.

If there a such thing as being able to die from just a look then Uchiha Sasuke would be in hell right now.

Itachi stared at his younger brother with a critical eye. He wondered what happened to the Sasuke he grew up with. This Sasuke was vindictive and cruel. It seemed as if he lived to hurt others and blamed others for his downfall.

"I never realized you were raised to be a coward, Sasuke." he said quietly. His fists were clinched in anger. Not only was he angry at Sasuke, he was angry at himself for allowing Sakura to walk away thinking he did not care about her.

He cared about her. He could admit that much.

Deidara was right. In the short time had known her, he realized something important. She meant more. She was more than he allowed himself to think. He could remember the pain in her eyes as she relayed his last sentence to him. A small part of him died when she saw the tears in her eyes.

He asked permission to make love to her but he had only did it for Sasuke's benefit or at least that is what he told himself.

He tried forget the small voice in his head berating him for lying to himself and to her in the process.

"I am not a coward, Itachi. Or at least, according to her, I'm not the only coward."

Not trusting his own voice, Itachi shook his head in disdain. How could his little brother be so foolish? Obviously, his words cut Sakura more deeply than he ever knew.

"Haruno Sakura is my escort for the evening and nothing more at the moment. You had no right to speak to her as you did Sasuke."

Silence lingered as he watched his brother weigh his words. He knew his brother well enough to know he meant what he said to Sakura.

"You owe her an apology."

A cold laugh rippled through the air as itachi watched his younger brother crumble with laughter. More and more it became clear, he did not like the person his brother had become.

He was cold and ruthless. Similar to their...

"I owe Sakura nothing. She should be thanking me, Itachi. Naruto had bet me years ago that he would be the one to take her virginity but I ended up winning. Think about it, if it wasn't for me then she wouldn't be the person she is now."

Something inside him snapped the minute those words left Sasuke's lips.

To say something so hurtful and demeaning was enough to make the anger inside his chest explode. With the swiftness of a jungle cat, he rushed forward and slammed his brother into the wall, effectively killing any laughter that once erupted from the man.

"How can you be so callous and foolish, Sasuke?"

He could the defiance in the familiar onyx eyes as he struggled to free himself from his brother's crushing grip at his throat.

"You are turning into him." Itachi said calmly as his eyes swept around the small hallway. He could see party-goers dancing along the dance floor. Laughter reached his ears, as the party-goers remained ignorant to the world.

"Is that how you want to be Sasuke? Cold? Heartless? Fine, initiate that on your own accord. Do not bring innocent people down with you."

He released the powerful grip as Sasuke slumped to the floor in an attempt to catch his breath. He could see the anger evident in his brother's eyes as he rose to his feet.

Sasuke was a lost cause. He knew the only way to make him change was for something terrible to happen. People like Sasuke only lived for themselves, they did not care about others.

Just like his father.

He wanted to stop his brother before it became too late.

"Sasuke, you must turn back before it is too late. Is this who you wish to be? Do you want to end up dead like Father?"

"You know nothing about our father!" Sasuke spat angrily.

Itachi closed his eyes. He knew this subject was the hardest for Sasuke but he knew they needed to speak about it.

You weren't there, Itachi! You weren't there when mother killed him right before my eyes! So, don't you dare speak to me about family, brother."

"What's more is the fact that he kissed me as if there was no tomorrow!" Sakura lamented as she downed another glass of champagne. She was only on her third glass but holding the drink in her hand gave her more courage to tell her shishou about what had just taken place.

Of course, she left out important details such as the fact that she slept with Itachi. She knew Tsunade long enough to know that she would take her off Itachi's case if she knew they had some semblance of a relationship.

"Sakura, do you like him?"

As she looked down at her glass once again, doubts ran rampant in her head. "I don't know, Shishou."

"You don't know?" Tsunade asked skeptically.

"Hn. Why don't you know?" a voice called from behind her as the man who invaded her thoughts stood behind her.

She could feel the warmth radiating from his body as she sat stock still awaiting his next move.

"Haruno, I need to speak with you."

Tsunade rose from her seat with a fierce glare etched in her features. She stared into the eyes of the man who had inadvertently hurt her student. She had been positive that Itachi would be good for her. If she had known things would turn out this way, then she would have never assigned Sakura the case.

"Uchiha, now is not the time." Tsuande grunted, her eyes blazing in anger.

"I disagree. I need to speak with Haruno-san."

She wasn't sure if it was the tone of his voice or the glimpse of confusion in his eyes that persuaded her to step aside.

"Itachi, if you hurt her I will rip your balls to shreds. Not only you will never see the light of day again but they will never find your body."

She watched in amusement as his eyes narrowed and a smirk crossed his face at her warning. She knew that smirk.

She quietly stepped aside as the dark haired man stepped forward to speak with her sulking apprentice. She knew what she glmimpsed in those eyes earlier. She would know that look anywhere.

It was the look of a man who was falling in love and too damn stubborn to admit it.

TBC...