Chapter 13: Forming a Purpose
Little Falcon:My self-imposed holiday is now officially over so here I am with a fresh update. Just like always: read and review okay?
Standard Disclaimer: I only own that idea that's all. If I did own this series I'll be the happiest person on earth.
The rusty hinged door of her cell opened with a loud creaking that echoed in the confines of her dark space. Here they are again. Slowly, she opened her swollen eyes to make out fuzzy shadows of the ones who'll deliver her daily pain.
How many days has it been? From day one, she had been chained like a piece of meat. Her feet barely touching the wet, smelly floor and her arms strained immensely because they carried her weight. There was no window or any source of natural light from anywhere in sight. The only illumination she would get was the torch her captors carry when they 'visit'.
As one person cracked his whip against the floor first to get her attention, she braced herself for another round of torture. Her dislocated shoulder and broken arm screamed in agony more than the rest of her body. The cuts, bruises, whip lashes and burn marks all over her body could barely be seen in the dark but she can feel them like they were made just moments ago. And indeed some of them were.
"Unbelievable, after all that we did to her… not even a syllable out of her," one of the men tried to catch his breath. Apparently, he wasn't used to lashing this much. His two other companions laughed openly at the sight.
"We've seen grown men and even generals beg and cry with our ministrations but with her… nothing," the other said as he took his knife and plunged it deep into her hand.
The last man stepped up and pushed her bruised chin up to see her face in the limited light. "She's not so bad. Actually, I've heard she was that young Uchiha's whore. Why don't we have a taste of her?" the others smirked in reply.
*****
Somehow the moon had the shade of blood tonight. Its crimson rays witnessed the shadows moved in unison, closing in on an unsuspecting fort.
His jade eyes narrowed lethally as he saw the sleepy guards stationed to guard the gates. Within moments, his sand quietly extinguished their breaths. About to give final orders, he raised his hand but the feeling of someone approaching interrupted him.
Avoiding the dangerous sand tendril that welcomed him, the hooded stranger faced the enraged sand master. "I guess this means you got my message," he pulled back his hood and stared at the desert reaper right in front of him. His eyes seething with murderous intent as well as his whole aura.
"What are you doing here? I thought that shrimp said you're being watched," the wind user, Temari, joined the tension together with the puppet master.
"I've severed all ties I had with the government. There's no one following. I made sure of it," the young Uchiha answered but his eyes still engaged with the silent sand master.
"And they are?" Kankuro cocked his head at the shadows behind.
"My most trusted men. They'll follow me to hell and back. I assure you," his eyes finally turned to the garrison ahead. "I have inside information that'll make our mission easier," he didn't need anyone's approval to join their side. It was the most logical way to go. The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
*****
"We're under attack!" One solider's announcement echoed in the basement. "It's the Desert Reaper with his Red Sand Army!!!" Another proclaimed. "General Uchiha was seen with them too!!!"
The three men's smirks were wiped from their face and they paled instantly as they felt the ground shake. Explosions came from almost every corner. Battle cries and death calls spread like wildfire.
Her emerald eyes snapped open instantly. Without a sound and even with her pierced hand, she held onto the chains and hoisted her body up so that her legs landed on one man's neck and twisted it mercilessly.
In just a few moments, three bodies sprawled lifeless on the floor. Their dull, open eyes reflected the kunoichi grab a tattered cloak and race outside.
*****
"You call THIS an easy approach?!" Kankuro yelled through the explosions as he controlled his puppets to do the killing for him. Sand and wind did the same for his siblings.
His blade split open several bodies in one strike. I didn't expect this much guards to be stationed here. We're obviously outnumbered. We have to find Sakura fast and get out before… Archers sprung from one side of the wall and released their arrows instantly. His pupils dilated in reaction as sand erupted from beneath him and shielded him from his death.
Sasuke gave a slight bow at Gaara before the sand settled as the threat disappeared too quickly.
The blood rays glistened on her tainted blade as she held it on her roughly bandaged hand. Her tattered cloak danced with the death scented breeze as her back was against them. Bodies of their previous attackers now lay at her feet. "Why are you here?" she tried to sound as normal as one can be after so many rounds of pain.
Gaara smirked upon hearing her confident tone. Usually, a man would find a woman attractive when she's wearing her best clothes and serving tea gracefully. But why is it that this woman dressed in dirty rags and blood dripping from her sword so breathtaking. It was as if she couldn't fit anywhere else but in the battlefield. His sand automatically resumed its attack even when his eyes never left her form.
As his eyes focused in the katana in her hands, a smirk appeared on his handsome face. "Your orders have changed. We're leaving," it was the sword he gave. The chain that binds her to him.
"Understood," Sakura replied under her breath as she somersaulted out of an archer's range and engaged in battle.
*****
Her hood was still up and the moon was covered by a passing cloud as Sakura stood before Gaara and Sasuke. In a sign of silent gratitude, she bowed lowly. The uncontrollable trembling of her battered body remained undetected through her cloak.
"Glad to have you back," Sasuke said highly as he walked away barking orders here and there.
Raising her head, she met his jade eyes. Just with that, everything she was holding back gave way. Her vision grew dark, her body felt all the pain but something in her, made her feel okay.
Having her just a few feet away from him took most of his self control to prevent him from trapping her in his arms and kissing every breath away from her.
How many days has it been since he last saw her? How many nights has it been since he last dreamed of anything? When was it that he remembered how to breathe? Nothing of that matters now. She's here now.
When Gaara was about to step forward, the clouds finally crawled away, making the crimson rays reveal the blood pooling at her feet. His pupils dilated as he saw her body fall lifelessly to the ground. Upon reflex, he caught her just in time. "Sakura!"
Little Falcon: read and review, alright?