Disclaimer: See chapter one.
Ghost of Love: Chapter Fourteen
If she let herself think about it, Sakura couldn't really explain why her heart beat harder at the prospect of another lesson with Orochimaru. It could have been because she was nervous, could have been because she was apprehensive about what they would be doing. But somewhere hidden very far below the surface of her mind she knew that it wasn't for either of these reasons. It was caused by the prospect of seeing him feel again, of being in his presence when that intense energy came over him and lent his eyes the magnetic gleam that forced all pain from her- body and soul. It was impossible not to be swept away from your hurts when confronted with such powerful life. However she didn't let herself think about it and so she never consciously acknowledged this deeply buried hunger. That didn't stop her heart from performing its irritating little routine.
Sakura hesitated outside the door to the designated 'training room'. She stilled for a moment, busy cocooning her mind in a protective shell to keep out the flicker of excitement that wanted to claim her. She refused to let herself feel it.
With her emotional shields firmly in place, the pink-haired kunoichi knocked sharply on the heavy metal door. It barely made a sound beneath her knuckles but apparently it was loud enough for Orochimaru to hear because the door was abruptly pulled open from beneath her hand.
Sakura stifled an involuntary gasp.
"Come in," he purred as he dragged his eyes over her form before turning and stalking gracefully further into the room.
The look he had given her wasn't what made her gasp – she was used to him doing that in an effort to make her uncomfortable – no, it was because he was glowing again. It wasn't blinding but it hurt her eyes to look at him nonetheless- more for the ethereal beauty it leant his aristocratic features than for any other reason. Her chest ached inexplicably and her newly re-formed shields cracked under the weight of his heavy, inscrutable gaze. She followed him without a second thought, closing the door behind her.
"Are you focused yet?" It seemed that today he was all business.
Sakura frowned and shook her head. I was until you distracted me with your… glowing-ness.
His sharp eyes narrowed on her face.
"I'm sorry, I was prepared but you surprised me when you opened the door."
An eyebrow rose and he flicked a long strand of dark hair over his shoulder impatiently. "In that case your focus is disgustingly weak. Perhaps we should work on that today, hmm?"
Sakura nodded glumly and turned her attention inward, attempting to pull the threads of her chakra together in preparation for the lesson ahead. They resisted, slithering out of her grasp with disgusting ease. I thought I was getting better at this! She redoubled her efforts, losing the outside world to the inner one that was home to the Matsumori chakra. Frustration rose in her chest, suffocating the confidence that had been growing recently, briefly, in her abilities.
"Sakura!"
She flinched, the darkness receding from her vision as she registered a sharp voice and firm grip on her upper arms. Orochimaru came into sight, gold eyes staring at her with exasperation in their depths.
"Where did you go?" He whispered intently.
Sakura breathed deeply, forcing herself not to be aware of how close he was, the heat of his palms against her arms through the fabric of her uniform and the shiver of unbidden anticipation that ran through her. She swallowed, blinked and miraculously found her voice. "I was trying to hold onto the chakra, but it kept getting away." She huffed with frustration, "I thought I was getting better at this!"
Orochimaru watched her for a long moment, considering. "You have been progressing rather well these last few days. However this is the first time you have attempted to focus your chakra the day before it is due to be drained."
"I guess that would explain it." Sakura tried not to feel too dejected.
Orochimaru leaned closer. "Look at me, little Sakura."
She did so, warily. His eyes caught hers, melting, burning gold that swallowed her whole and left her floating blissfully on a cloud of nothingness. "Do you trust me?"His voice thrummed through her, rasping and warm.
Sakura hesitated. Normally she would scoff at such a question and answer with a resounding 'NO'. But she couldn't seem to get the word out and it occurred to her that it was because she couldn't lie with him inside her head. But it wouldn't be a lie- I don't trust him!
Amused laughter echoed through her skull, tickling the edges of her soul with delighted wickedness. "But you do trust me, little one. Strange, no?"
No I don't-. I can't-.Sakura groaned with impotent frustration, angry at the fact that she couldn't even express this simple thought.
"It is annoying how you can't lie to me here, isn't it?"
Sakura huffed mentally and ceased her fruitless attempts at denying something that obviously refused to be denied.
"Mmm… as much fun as it is poking at your poor, sweet little mind I am actually here for a reason."
What reason?
"I'm going to demonstrate how to control the wild chakra. It's just easier if do it insideyourbody rather than bringing you intomine. I don't think you'd like it in there."
Sakura shivered at the reminder of just what he was – though his exact nature was still something of a mystery, she knew he wasn't human. At least, not any more. She was distracted from her thoughts by the tickling brush of Orochimaru's mind against her own, his consciousness pressing against her flimsy mental barriers. "Let me in, little Sakura."
She hesitated and was surprised to find that he backed off a little, giving her room to come to terms with having him invade her mind, body and soul. "This needs to happen- I can't teach you stronger control unless you let me in," he reminded her pleasantly.
After a long moment of deliberation Sakura gave the mental equivalent of a nod and slowly lowered her defences. At first she couldn't detect any difference and was relieved that this experience wasn't going to be as traumatic as she had first thought it would be. Then a strange warmth seemed to sink through her, tendrils of heat spreading to every corner of her mind. Sakura swallowed a gasp. This was the most bizarre sensation she had ever felt. It didn't hurt, wasn't a horrible invasion like that of the Matsumori chakra- it just was. A painless blanket of feeling.
There were no words expressed during this strange, unconventional lesson. The warm, foreign mind guided Sakura through an exercise in control, offering light pressure here and there to indicate how she should do this or that; when to fight the chakra and when to let it burn itself out. Soon it was over and all the knowledge and warmth retracted itself, pulling away until her mind was once again quite simply her own.
Sakura shivered and flinched at the cold loneliness that spread in the wake of his exodus from her soul. A biting headache put down roots in her head and pressed itself painfully against her eyes. Oww… Why are none of his lessons ever pain-free? When she came fully back to her senses Orochimaru was standing before her with a cold, impassive non-expression on his face. Sakura frowned a little and wondered what she could possibly have done to make him annoyed with her. Maybe it gave him a headache, too.
The cold, distant snake sannin narrowed his eyes very deliberately on his new student, letting them do all the talking for him.
Right. Leaving now. Sakura turned on her heel and slipped out of the room with a grateful sigh. I really hope we never have to do that again. It was just way too weird.
AN: Stupid, stupid Orochimaru going off and doing his own thing. This chapter was a bitch to write and I'm still not happy with it, but... whatevs. Totally went in a different direction to where I was aiming it. -.- Actually it went in a few different directions, one of which became I teeny tiny oneshot that I posted a couple of days ago. See what I mean? Uncooperative bastard!
Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou my lovely, awesome, wonderful reviewers! Once again, let me know what you think and if you find any mistakes, etc.