Binds of Duty and Love

by Aen Silver Fire

Centuries ago a Pact was signed. It still binds the members of the Supernatural World inescapably. Being destined to live her life as a slave, Sakura could never hope for love and freedom. Duty or Love? Heart or Mind? Which is more important? Forbidden Love. Multiple pairs. AU. !Currently Under Construction! Edited Chapters will be marked as such at the beginning of each page!

14. The Closure And The Prologue

Thank your for your reviews: xXLindy-ChanXx831, Whadeby, ILoveSxS, OXPrimrosexAngelXO, SasuSakuKawaii, Bianca K, SiLenT-CHimE, Guest, Nameless Blossom, ChErRyBlOsSoM274, TheSaku, Raikiri80,Walking Dreamer, Wings Of Silver Wishes, LovelySakura777, Black-Alice-Stars!

Keep your reviews coming if you please!

Again Special Thanks to Nameless Blossom for proof-reading this chapter!

Attention:The story's Index/Guide I was talking about is now ready! I wanted to have it as a separate fic but I was told it was a violation so I deleted it and I will post everything to my profile. Be careful though! Read this chapter first and then go to the Index!

LovelySakura777: Thanksgiving? O.O Happy thanksgiving to you too then ^_^(even a little late...:P)! I am afraid though that I have no idea what you do in Thanksgiving, since we don't have that where I come from. I am only familiar with the name. Well I certainly understood that it means fun! About your review: Hmmm Ino said they will be seeing each other, ne? We will see about that :P. Haha I am planning for Sakura punishing Sasuke moments soon enough ^.~. Tehehe that is one reaction I will love to see to.(God I am the one writing and I am acting like that? :P) It only emphasizes Sasuke's rivalry towards his older brother he always had. I am glad you liked the last chapter ^.^ Your precious review a pain? What are you talking about? Reviews like yours make my day and are my proud and joy! Thanks for taking your time to type such a long review. I am grateful for that! The Index/Guide is finally ready, but I don't think it will be practical to include their hobbies and likes. I mean...there are not my characters, so those stuff will probably be the same as Kishimoto Masashi has disclosed. But I did write a thing or two for each one. I hope it helps. I would appreciate it if you could tell me what you think about that too.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto characters, only the plot of the story.

---

.:Binds of My Duty and Love:.

Chapter 14

~The Closure And The Prologue~

---

There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth… not going all the way, and not starting.

Buddha

---

Νο one can stop the new day from happening, but if you're willing to work hard, you can prepare for the days ahead, and fully aware that you can influence your fate and destiny.

Kemmy Nola

---

Fear

Shock

Strength

Lost

Me

Blood

Love

Him

New

Life

Death

Dark

Fangs

Red

You

Them

Prison

Bind

Duty

And Love again….

"Welcome to the Uchiha Clan and our Family! I am so glad to make your acquaintance, Haruno-san." the kind woman smiled at the pinkette, holding her hand out for Sakura to shake. "I am counting on you to protect my boys, sweetie."

"Thank you Uchiha-sama. It's my pleasure and honor to meet you and being able to serve your Clan." The girl curtsied to the Noblewoman.

"Please call me Mikoto, sweetheart." the ebony-haired matriarch send one more vibe of her honest reassuring smile, easing Sakura's pounding heart only a little. For a Vampire, Uchiha Mikoto surely was sweet. "And you should really consider yourself as part of the Uchiha Clan; not a servant, honey. I don't want you to feel inferior in any way. May I call you Sakura-chan?"

The girls eyes widened in disbelief and astonishment. "Of course Mikoto-sama. Thank you for your kindness." Sakura said and bowed to the matriarch more deeply, feeling her mind and heart achieving some kind of peace. Like soothing water washed over her, giving her back a part of her -until now hitching- breath. However, that was hardly enough to completely appease the pinkette.

"Oh dear, is not a matter of kindness. You are one of us now…"

At those words Sakura closed her eyes for an infinitesimal moment. Could this really be true? Could she have earned a new family and not just a Clan to serve? Impossible...and yet how ardently she wished for that to be true.

"Oh. Sakura-chan, my husband is coming to greet you…" the woman trailed off, focusing her onyx eyes somewhere right behind Sakura.

The girl swirled hastily to properly salute the Head of the Uchiha Clan once again after the end of the Ritual. Every step the Vice President of the Court paced drummed acerbically in Sakura's mind. Her eyes followed every move.

When Uchiha Fugaku finally reached the two women, with his two sons in his sides, Sakura bowed deeply, her long pink hair brushed her shoulders while falling down to cover her face.

"Uchiha-sama! Thank you so much for the honor of being the Philax for your sons. I swear to protect them with all my powers."

"Hn. Haruno Sakura." his cold voice sounded deep and authoritative. Even his manner of speech felt morose. "The Philax I heard so much about." He murmured sternly. Sakura was yet to raise her head. "I expect you to prove your worth despite coming from a Beta Clan, the Harunos especially. Your healing abilities might come in handy for us. Make sure to sharpen your powers with constant training while protecting the two. Needless to say, your first priority will be Itachi."

"Hai sir. You can count on me! I won't fail you."

The sour man only nodded slightly. "You may raise your head, Philax."

After given permission Sakura jerked her head to face the Uchiha patriarch. In each one of his sides Itachi and Sasuke stood proudly making the girl's stomach indulge in uninvited somersaults. Sakura was astonished. They so much resembled their Father and yet each one was vociferously unique.

Sasuke's eyes never left her. The girl couldn't help but gulp and wonder if she looked presentable enough now. His gaze on the pinkette was enough to put the girl on high alert.

"Wait here for Madara-sama to come and greet us." Fugaku addressed his family. But the tone he used sounded more like an order.

"Alright darling." Mikoto elicited another gentle smile. Sakura was now deep in thought. This woman was too kind to be able to handle such a sullen man like Uchiha Fugaku. A wonder indeed. It made Sakura ponder about the mysteries the Uchiha Clan actually holds about their families.

"As you wish. But, may we recede ourselves later? I have to make sure Sakura-san gets to meet her family before the night comes to an end, Father." The older boy spoke without a hint of hesitation.

Sakura's heart lost a great deal of beats. Her eyes widened in surprise and incredulity yet again. Fugaku glared grimly at his oldest son, but the Uchiha Heir did not budge or cower.

"After Madara-sama is completely finished, you may." he retorted, his voice dripping with disapproval and penetrating acid. "Itachi, I advise you to stop being so lenient and condescending. You are not expected to treat your Philax in such a manner." The man censured.

Sakura sucked her bottom lip at those words and instinctively clenched her fists. So much for the kind words she heard from Mikoto earlier. This man certainly was Sasuke's father beyond any doubt. The notion of their impervious aloofness and sternness was unmistakable. It is truly no wonder how Sasuke's personality came to develop so marvelously.

Those very words were meant to prove another thing in Sakura's mind. Evidently there are people who indeed consider her an expendable tool, a mere servant, a means to achieve something greater, even if that connotes that she had to die trying.

The girl wanted to sigh, but that would alert the people around her negatively.

"Sakura-chan?" a kind voice was heard whispering from Sakura's right. "Fugaku might look very strict, even scary to you, but he wishes no harm for anyone." Hearing Mikoto's words Sakura focused her green irises on black ones, trying to swallow the intensity of her surfacing feelings. "Please excuse my husband. It wasn't meant to sound as it did. I am still expecting you to consider yourself part of the family."

Sakura whirled her head and nodded to Mikoto. "I appreciate your kindness Mikoto-sama." she bowed her head once again this tremendous evening.

Apparently there is indeed a variance of views -dare she call it a discrepancy?- on the Philax matter in the Uchiha Family.

"Rest assured Father. I am only repaying a debt to one of my close friends." Itachi courageously retorted.

In a matter of seconds, Fugaku's eyes flickered away from the young man and focused on something- or someone coming their way. Abruptly all members of the Uchiha Family turned to salute the Ancestor. The Head Family of the Uchiha Clan bowed sightly along with their new Philax.

It did not escape Sakura's attention that the Uchihas curtsey was not a gesture of obedience and humiliation. It was a proud declaration of acknowledgement of power and perhaps respect. Beyond any doubt, it was unfeasible to think that people like Sasuke or Uchiha Fugaku would obediently and willingly bow their pride in favor of good relations.

Their curtsey differed greatly from Sakura's obeisance.

"Madara-sama." The sound of acknowledgment accompanied the inclination of heads.

"I will keep it short Fugaku." A low baritone voice reached Sakura's ears. The coldness made even Sakura's heart froze. He did not even bother to greet. At least he displayed some sense of courtesy, by respecting the Uchiha Clan's Leader probably busy schedule.

"Mikoto how have you been?" the man turned to the Uchiha woman amending in Sakura's mind for his abrupt way of presenting himself. It did not matter if he was the Ancestor. No one was allowed to disrespect Haruno Sakura's protected Clan.

By the sound of his voice Sakura was soon assured that he did not care whatsoever about the kind woman though. That evoked a small tide of imperative anger to rise within her. Yes, she did not want anyone to disrespect this Clan, but currently she found herself inexplicably unavailable to cure this situation.

What an actor he is. But Sakura was in no place to question the sire's intentions. Not now at least.

"I have been fine, my Lord. How about you, Great Liege? Have your highness enjoyed tonight's Ceremony?"

"Hn. Surprisingly more than I was expecting I would." He answered impassively. "Haruno girl." He nearly grunted at the pinkette. It took a long second for Sakura to form in her mind the proper deduction 'He is talking at you silly!' She bowed her head more profoundly in acknowledgment and recognition.

"Uchiha-sama, sir." She could almost feel his icy glare on her skin.

"I expect you to be deemed worthy of our selection." Her blood froze in her veins even though Sakura surely have heard those words before.

"Hai Sir. I won't fail you. I will protect the Uchiha Clan! Thank you for choosing me as your scions' Guardian."

"Hn, you better use actions in order to thank me, girl. I can even expect you to amaze me, after hearing for you and your exceptional abilities." In Sakura's ears his cold tone also felt sneering. "There is a reason why the Uchiha Clan of Alpha Nobles chose a Beta Healer. Do not fail this!" his order was vehement and bleak.

"I won't sir."

"Madara-sama. Don't you think that's too much as a first greeting?"

"Silence Itachi!"

"Father, we can't scare her off in a manner such as this."

"I like your spirit, Itachi" the older respected Uchiha smirked almost invisibly. "But I can expect nothing less from the Philax meant for you and your brother." The ancient man retorted interrupting the small father-son dispute.

Sakura now found the will power and courage to slightly raise her head to perceive the scene before her.

"For the blood I tasted, I can expect nothing less than excellence. You drank from her. You should know."

"I understand your point sir." Itachi said inclining his head in an affirmative manner. The ancient man nodded slightly too, like Noblemen do.

"Sasuke?" he turned to face the younger Uchiha, that was yet to utter a single word. His fiery eyes though scrutinized every moment, every part of the scene at hand.

"Yes sir?" Sasuke's voice made Sakura's heart throb again. It was such an unconscious and unbidden reaction. No. This was no time to think of Sasuke in that way. This kind of luxury was long gone.

"You made me quite proud for being cunning enough to choose this one Philax out of all. I already told you that you impressed me for your suggestion. Unexpectedly, this was the finest blood we could ask for. Well done. You have made a fair and wise suggestion."

"Thank you, sir." Sasuke bowed slightly in acknowledgment, only slightly. It was completely out of his character to bow his head more than he has to. Curtseying once in Uchiha Madara's presence was more than enough. Just like Sakura thought at the beginning.

But…Hold- hold on…Does that mean that -! Was Sasuke the one that nominated Sakura for being their Guardian?

"You have raised them quite well Fugaku, Mikoto. I expect even more achievements from now on."

"Of course, my Lord."

"As for the little Guardian…" his grim menacing eyes whirled to face Sakura again. The pinkette felt her body turn rigid, unmovable, like a statue.

"You will do well to keep as much amount of blood you can. Being a Philax for a Vampire Clan, especially the Uchihas, requires that you have to keep your blood at the highest and finest levels. Am I making myself clear, girl?"

Sakura really wanted to say 'Not at all' but she opted not to ridicule herself now.

The girl felt Mikoto's cold hand squeeze hers and she heard her murmur in her ear. "I will explain to you later on, honey." Now Sakura found the leverage to reply.

"Hai Sir!" Sakura eventually responded and bowed again.

Soon enough the intimidating and fearful ancestor left without so much as a proper valediction. A lot of time passed for Sakura to finally avert her eyes from the retreating man and his vermillion bloody mantle trailing behind him.

---

Many other Uchihas came to greet the Head Family and the new Philax shortly, after the Ancestor's departure. Sakura considered that a kind of compensation after the rudeness (in Sakura's book that was definitely considered rudeness and arrogance)of the older Vampire. The Noble greeting was part of the Ceremony as well –an unofficial one though. Sakura almost lost count of all those members of High Nobility, but she did try to burn the people's names in her mind, in case she needs them in the near –or distant- future.

"I am excited to finally meet you Sakura-chan." A boy some years older than Sakura greeted her after saluting Fugaku and Mikoto, reaching for the pinkette's hand and kissing it gently, without averting his onyx eyes from Sakura's emerald ones. "I am Uchiha Shisui, Itachi's and Sasuke's cousin." He introduced.

Sakura bowed gently. "I am pleased to meet you, Uchiha-san."

"Please just call me Shisui. It will be nice to keep our relationship to personal level, if y-"

"Shisui!" a familiar voice barked at the young man. Shisui whirled to face the source.

"Oh Sasuke-chan, my dear cousin! How can I help you this fine night?" Shisui grinned sheepishly.

Sakura blanched. Did he actually use –chan after Uchiha Sasuke's name? Horrible…

"Back off!" Sasuke hissed coming closer to Sakura. A small gentle wind caused by Sasuke's movements brushed against Sakura's body, halting her movements.

What? What was that?

"Hmmm what is that?" Shisui voiced Sakura's thoughts much like quoting. "The Noble is actually protecting the Philax? You sure work everything in your own, all the way around, manner little cousin. You don't have to protect her from me though. You know I am nice."

"I came precisely because I know you are nice!" Sasuke growled stationing himself disturbingly near the pinkette.

Sakura's heart thundered in its confines soon after when a strong pale arm came to wrap around her slender waist, trapping her but also in away shielding her.

She gasped and blanched upon the contact. Sasuke's eyes were all this time glued on Shisui, like he didn't just place his hand on her body in such an uninvited manner.

Why- why would he do that?

"Hora hora! Am I your favorite cousin or not?"

"That doesn't change your all too knowing way of treating young ladies Shisui." Another voice came in. Sakura recognized it to be Itachi's. Soon enough the Uchiha Clan heir came into sight after disappearing for a while to greet the rest of the Nobles, as his place commands.

"Oi Itachi! The way you put it Sakura-chan will think I am a pervert."

"And she will hit the nail in the head." Sasuke murmured and huffed.

"Sakura-chan I am not a pervert." Shisui pleaded dramatically for Sakura to believe him. Sasuke's hand was still around the young woman's waist. Itachi smirked impishly upon noticing it.

The contact…. Sasuke's hand on Sakura evoked a gale of emotions in its wake. She couldn't tolerate that any longer.

What- what that inner part implied in the back of her mind just now? She craved the touch? No! Most definitely not! She had to make the limb disappear before it's too late to contain …urges… that might surface.

"I am sure you are not Shisui-san. Besides, I was unfortunate enough to encounter real perverts and they are hardly as courteous and kind as you are." Sakura said smiling, glancing over to Sasuke for an infinitesimal moment.

The young Uchiha caught that incriminating glance though. After glaring at the girl Sasuke removed his hand with a scoff and crossed his arms over his chest, cursing himself for his ludicrous actions. Of course that was supposed to take place without the annoying pinkette noticing it!

Meanwhile, another Uchiha sensed the gears inside his head spinning madly, devising so many different plans, so many new possibilities. He will have the time to test all those theories soon enough. It seems like the Selection brought most fortunate results.

"Oh I am flattered, Sakura-chan. Itachi, Sasuke expect to see me more often, dearest cousins!" Shisui exclaimed enthusiastically.

"Like we don't have enough of you already!" Sasuke grunted, still sourly affected by Sakura's blasphemous insinuation.

"True enough. But at least your dear older brother appreciates my company and invites me over quite often, right weasel?"

'Weasel'? Sakura's eyebrows twitched.

"Don't make me change my mind Shisui." Itachi bluntly replied with a ridiculously deadpan face while pushing his hands in his suit's pockets.

"Shisui-kun!" a female voice of a Noble Uchiha lady Sakura previously met, called.

"Oh. Mother is in trouble again. I guess I will see you soon, my lovely cousins, Sakura-chan." He nodded. "By the way I heard you posses fabulous blood my dear."

"Shisui!" Sasuke growled again making Itachi and Shisui snicker inaudibly. The other Uchiha waved and left.

Sasuke on the other hand was aghast and completely appalled. The reason? He marginally avoided adding "Mine!" while growling at Shisui. No. Definitely not. That was not an option. That word would lead to catastrophic results. To even think that the people around him could even consider that he regards this girl as his possession! Sasuke huffed inwardly, not believing his betraying and incriminating self.

"What is it again Kaa-san? I am not talking with that Hyuuga again, I swear it!" Shisui's voice was soon lost over the crowd.

Sasuke missed no time to glower at his Guardian grimly. "What was that kind of shit now, Haruno?"

Sakura smiled sheepishly restraining herself from admonishing the Uchiha for his rude choice of words. "I am sorry but I fail to understand what you are implying Sasuke-sama."

"Yare yare, don't start bickering from day one!" Itachi tried to ease the tense atmosphere with pacifying waving hands. "Well, I have to find some people. I am coming back in a few minutes. So behave you two!" Itachi waved smirking at them. He looked like he was expecting something to unravel though. It wasn't like Itachi purposely receded himself right?

"Do you need me to accompany you Itachi-sama?" Sakura asked, assuming her duties right away.

"No, it will be fine Sakura-san. I won't leave for long. In fact I will be back before you even know it. Good for you for being so diligent and attentive though." Itachi winked at the girl and finally left, disappearing into the crowd leaving Sakura 'alone' with Sasuke.

The girl swallowed deeply.

Alone…

With Sasuke….

She started looking from right to left trying to locate new faces. There must be some more people to greet, right? Some more Noblewomen maybe? Some more Beta Vampire Nobles asking about her unusual hair color? Something? She can't just stay here with him. Sakura could only pray….

"I am waiting Haruno!"A voice snarled invading Sakura's troubled mind. He never unfolded his hands.

The rosette tried to play nice again. "What for Sasuke-sama?"

"Tsk. Idiot! For that ludicrous comment you made before. Don't play dumb with me, servant!" His scoffing and demeaning tone made Sakura want to bark or bite him, or kick him in the groin.

Maybe all those things together.

So unbecoming for a proper Guardian…

"What about it? Is something wrong? I hope you did not misinterpret my true intentions. I was merely complimenting your dear cousin." Sakura refrained from growling and opted to present herself as innocent as it can be.

The Uchiha's eyes narrowed in slits. "I already told you not to play games like that with me, woman!"

"I did not. I am afraid I still do not understand what you are insinuating."

She felt a cold irate aura emitting from the Vampire, but god forbids she be the one to open her mouth, and voice the obvious. Of course Sakura knew what he was talking about…

He remained silent for some seconds but soon his lips tilted up and a self-complacent smirk registered on his features. "Hn. I dare you to keep this game of yours. But now that the idiotic introductions are over, I would really like to know something from the Guardian that is supposed to protect me."

"Of course. Whatever pleases you." Sakura replied smiling but only her clenched fists were giving away her bottled up anger.

His impish devious smirk widened and he leisurely grabbed a glass of wine from a platter a passing by waiter carried. "Do you actually enjoy dirt?" he asked casually taking a long sip. Sakura arched an eyebrow. Her fists were closed even tighter now.

"I beg your pardon?"

"Do not make me repeat myself Haruno." He arched an eyebrow too and took another sip of the crimson drink.

"What did you mean by that, Master?" her voice dripped with unbidden acid. Now it was her turn to cross her hands over her chest. Somehow though this action amused him.

"I am just saying that if you enjoy getting attention as an animal, maybe we can arrange something for you…" he trailed off examining the glass of red wine and then Sakura's confused jade orbs.

"What is that supposed to mean?" She asked a little more brashly, than she probably was supposed to talk to her Master of all people.

"Hmm…" his eyebrows furrowed and his lips formed a straight line. Sakura could feel his 'order', his 'request' on her skin. Was it all a game to him?

"…Master…" she added making him smirk complacently again.

"That's better."

"Please explain to me, Master. What do you mean?"

He 'hn'ed again and finished his wine with another long sip. Was he even supposed to imbibe the red wine like this? Could it have any blood in it?

"Tsk. If you wanted me to rub your body and treat your wound you should have said so. You didn't have to shower yourself in dirt. Do not entertain the thought that I would actually accept that suggestion though, but really…. was that the best you could do?" he scoffed making Sakura lose all connections to reality.

The pinkette was standing with mouth agape, eyes wider than ever before. She was aghast. Her hands unfolded all by themselves and just hang at her sides in a tacit display of surrender. For a while...

And...It wasn't like her to surrender. Not at all.

That asshole! That perverted jerk! The arrogant pig! Like Sakura even wanted that to bloody happen! Dammit!

"That's outrageous!" she exclaimed, clearly offended after locating her voice in order to form words again. Sasuke was still standing haughtily. "How should I know that you would come and play animal-lover all of a sudden?"

"Haruno." he drawled menacingly. Sakura couldn't help but bit her bottom lip.

"…Master…." she added again, but now she could almost not contain her scowl.

"Don't forget your place." She hardly contained her need to bite him. Literally. "So did you enjoy it?" Sasuke resumed their discussion, his usual smirk playing on his lips yet again.

"What?" Sakura yelled almost too loudly, so she covered her mouth, after receiving the strange looks the people around gave her. Sasuke was her Master after all and she had already made evident to the Noblemen that she could not inhibit her strange outbursts this evening. Oh no. No. No. No. she won't allow herself to appear belittled by someone like him, Master or otherwise. No way!

"The touches…" he clarified with a husky voice "I even touched and rubbed your naval, Sa-ku-ra… Did you enjoy it after all? Was that your goal?"

As much as her body screamed at her to give in an jump to him right there in order to decapitate him (or maybe do something else as well), her mind, that tiny part of logic that was still intact commanded her to remain still and save herself from the tragedy and ridicule.

"Hey!" was the only thing she mustered to voice.

"…" Sasuke remained fixed, motionless, waiting again. Did he actually expect her to-?

Damn the moment she vowed to protect his soon-to-be-sorry ass!

"I am sorry for my brash behavior Master." She said between her gritted teeth "I want you to know though that none of the things that happened that day was intentional." She elucidated. She didn't want him to accuse her of things she never intended to happen.

"Hn. I did not see you move away though." he titled his head a little studying her and her reactions.

Damn him! He is clearly enjoying it!

"Why am I the only one at fault?" she retaliated. "You should have realized I was not human." Sakura accused back to save some of her dignity.

"Are you that dense?" he retorted almost angrily. "You were transformed into a wolf. Of course you weren't human, you idiot. Nice catch we got for a Philax." He snorted.

Now Sakura really really wanted to kick him in the 'family jewels' and castrate him. Pity she is supposed to protect him in order for him to continue the Uchiha bloodline.

"You- you know that's not what I meant, Master." She replied eyes narrowed, fists closed and lips sore from the pressure her teeth inflicted on them.

"All I know is that you are a damn idiot sometimes." He rolled his eyes and responded. And that gave Sakura a leverage to hold on to and pull hard in the right way.

"…Sometimes?" she probed, eyes questioning, brows arched.

Sasuke spat out impassively, immediately regretting his previous comment. "Do not flatter yourself."

"Anyway, weren't you supposed to realize I was a Philax, Sasuke-sama? And be more careful when you take your meal? I could have seen the whole thing." Sakura retorted, her mind now full of things to dart at him and hopefully shrink his inflated ego.

"Hn." Sasuke hardly contained another smirk. So she was indeed the one spying... Interesting.

"That's not an answer! What if someone else had seen you feeding from her?" In all honesty this issue was quite serious.

"No one else did." He flatly said, beckoning another waiter to bring him a drink.

"What if-"

"That's why I have a guardian to take care of that stuff, Haruno. Plus, I could have tampered with the person's memory and have his mind tattered easily." He impassively answered, like it was the most logical and common thing in the world.

"That's not a proper way to deal with things." Sakura said with hands placed on her hips.

"I am a Vampire." He stated like this was the answer to every surfacing question. His voice came out seductively again. He was eyeing Sakura wickedly while taking another glass of wine.

"My thoughts exactly. And stop drinking like that. You will get yourself intoxicated."

"I can handle my alcohol unlike some." He left the sneering innuendo flow around them. "And what was that now? Enlighten me of what you meant, woman." He added mockingly taking another long sip ostentatiously. Sakura's eyes followed the red liquid up until it reached Sasuke's beautiful lips.

Maybe a drop would run astray from those soft lovely lips. Oh how much she wished to-

GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF SAKURA!

"Shouldn't you be aware of me?" she managed to say, swallowing the inward delirium deep within.

"I thought you were aware that your powers were concealed before the Ritual." He retorted with a stern scowl.

"Aren't Vampires notorious for their keen senses?" Sakura retorted and narrowed her eyes even more at him.

Heck! Was she even supposed to talk back to him in such a rude manner?

"Are you implying something, my servant?"

He definitely asks for it! He won't save himself from the groin kick at this pace!

"Nothing at all, Master." She scowled back.

Sasuke spent some more moments in silence until he finally finished his wine and decided to elaborate. "For your information I knew something was wrong."

Was he trying to explain himself to her?

"I figured. If you didn't I should have asked for another Master…"

'Now eat that snotty bastard!' Her Inner voice emerged again.

"…Haruno…"he hissed and glared grimly again. Sakura was now almost used to it.

"Hmm?" she wondered sheepishly refusing to articulate the far ruder 'what' she wanted to exclaim. Maybe getting a wine too wasn't that bad idea after all.

The waiter soon was welcomed with open arms when Sakura had the chance to take a small delicate glass full with a lime colored drink. She gulped a small sip and then decided to retaliate more fiercely. After all she did know a thing or two about Sasuke and his 'relations' with some people around him.

"Maybe I should go to Itachi-sama and tend to his needs now. He hasn't come back yet." She stated and turned to live, her pink locks dancing before Sasuke's face.

The man's dark eyes narrowed dangerously. "GET BACK HERE!" he hissed a little louder than he was supposed to. Sasuke looked right and left to ensure that no one was looking at him funny for talking like that to his Philax from day one.

Sakura remarked with a fake smile of obedience plastered on her face. "I am sorry but the Heir is my first priority."

"Priority my ass!" he hissed menacingly, like a lion again. "We had a damn conversation here!"

Oh he was definitely irate. Itachi is his ultimate weakness after all. Well, his competition with him at least.

Sasuke inwardly slapped himself. Was he actually going to chase after her to prevent her from going to Itachi? Was he that much crazy? Hell no!

"Sasuke-sama please watch your tongue." She admonished making Sasuke clench his fingers around the wine glass nearly breaking it. "And as a matter of fact, I thought you tend to 'converse' only with animals." Sakura spat back aiming to hit him where it hurt the most. Hopefully of course…

"Exactly my point."

"…." Sakura needed some moments to register those three words and actually form a deduction.

The damn jerk! That asshole! The son of a-

He observed her face's reaction. His smirk widened tenfold.

"You are horrible!...Master!" she spat the last word in a scoffing manner and after running to the crowd she made sure to disappear from his side as soon as possible.

It was not in her nature to retreat, but should she had stayed…let's say that the Council and the Court would now have to clean the bloody mess Sasuke's decapitated and ruthlessly tortured body would had made to the Great Hall.

At any rate they should most definitely have to clean the shattered glass and the wine stains now smearing the shining floor and the lavish carpet, just where Sasuke stood only moments ago.

---

"He said what?" the blonde laughed to her heart's content at the same time trying not to spill her drink.

"It's not funny Ino!" Sakura huffed. She should have glared at her friend. She truly wished to see and punch the blonde but that was now impossible.

Ino was currently putting her newly acquired telepathic powers to good use, aiming to start a small intellectual conversation with her friends, that were stationed in different locations at this moment.

The Yamanaka Philax was clearly aiming to surpass herself. She was never able to hold the mind connection from that long distances before. She was honestly glad she had her original powers returned to her. And she was also glad that she thought of instigating a conversation with her friends in the middle of this brain-cell-killing Nobility introduction sequence.

Not to mention that she wanted to boast about using her new gift and be informed about her friend's respective abilities.

"He was merely playing with you Sakura-san." Hinata tried to appease the raging pinkette sending soothing thoughts.

"I hate him! I only want Itachi as my Master! I can't stand this arrogant pig!" Sakura cried, trying not to display her rage on her facial features. Especially now that she was asked to escort Uchiha Mikoto around to meet the rest of the Noblewomen. The inward discussion must be kept a secret. The Philakes were not supposed to interact now that their duties commenced. There were those issues though that demanded their utter care.

When Sakura heard Ino's inviting voice inside her mind, well she was immensely startled at first and almost spilled her drink. Soon though though she managed to realize that it was the perfect opportunity to convey the recent news.

"You insolent baka! How could you say that for Sasuke-kun? What am I supposed to do if you of all people complain? Should I commit suicide? Hang myself from a chandelier or something?" another voice joined the intellectual feast.

"Calm down Karin. Suigetsu is very nice." Tenten apathetically commented while finishing her own glass as casually as she could. Neji was definitely not allowed to be informed about their little mind gathering.

"Come on Karin. He treats you quite nicely. Not to mention that he danced with you at Naruto's party all this time ago. Suigetsu is indeed pretty perfect for you as a Master."

Karin huffed and snorted mentally at Ino's words. No one could deny though that Suigetsu was nice enough to her. Nothing like Sasuke has treated her.

"So any new powers yet or the awesome of the group is just me?" Ino finally started boasting.

"No not really." Sakura answered unhappily.

And it's regrettably true. Sakura felt utterly powerful after the Ritual but as soon as she had been given a certain beverage to calm down, she was not able to muster her new powers yet. She felt their lively presence inside her body, but she was not able to use them now. At least it felt that way. Maybe she needed some rest to instigate their proper use. It happens sometimes. After all, the night was extremely stressful. Yes, that must be it. Similar cases have been registered before. It's...normal...Hopefully.

"Well, don't give me away, but I was the one that made the stairs' banister crinkle. And I was sitting on the second dais. "

"Seriously Bun-Bun? Good for you! Wow!"

"Does it feel any differently Tenten?"

"Oh yes Sak. It certainly feels very much differently. I feel like I can muster the entire metal supplies in the building with proper training. Isn't that great?"

"Tenten, your powers are only meant to serve your Master. Do not forget that." A voice –almost forgotten in the conversation- dared to remark.

"Temari-senpai. I thought that Forehead was so obsessed with that concept. What's wrong with you? Have your powers swayed your head on a cyclone or something."

"Very funny Ino. Will you at least try not to think so loudly? I am trying to make a good impression here."

"Isn't Shikamaru there to help?" Ino teased. In retaliation Sakura sensed Temari breaking their mental connection. She knew though that Temari wasn't really that mad. Ino simply chuckled mentally.

"Hina-chan. I can see you from where I stand. That's blood you are drinking right? I heard Naruto informing Neji about it. He said he wanted to give you some to refresh you. How does it feel to taste blood as a Vampire again?" Tenten asked excitedly

"Really Hinata? Are you drinking blood?"

"A-ano. I do. Naruto-sama asked for blood to be given to me so that I can muster my true potential and strength. It's strange; to answer your question Tenten-san, but it's also quite tasty and enjoyable." The girl dared to admit.

"Geez Hina. Even your thoughts sound timid!"

"I am sorry" Hinata thought coyly.

"Really Hinata? Oh my! I should watch and learn, right? My Masters are both Vampires after all." Sakura exclaimed mentally to find a way to cheer Hinata up.

"I would enunciate and accentuate the plural. 'Masters'. Forehead you got yourself a good life that's for sure."

"What is that supposed to mean, pig?"

"Come on...you will inevitably see them naked at some point…"

"INO!"

"Not my Sasuke-kun!"

"Karin if you don't shut it I will be the one to break your neck and not a Vampire! Sakura is Sasuke's Philax. Deal with it!" Tenten hissed in exasperation.

"That does not mean she has the damn right to see my Sasuke-kun's naked glory!"

"Girls, please…Not tonight too."

"Yare yare, what are you doing here by yourself? Where are your Masters Sakura?" A familiar male voice came from behind her to alert her from her currently busy mind. The girl made sure to mentally inform her friends about the sudden arrival, effectively cutting the connection for the time being.

"Kakashi-sensei!"

"Yo! So will you answer little one?" the gray-haired man waved and nodded in salute, coming even closer.

Sakura opened her mouth to inform him that she was asked to stay by Lady Mikoto's side, but the woman was now animatedly conversing with another red-haired woman –who Sakura have noticed before- so she looked alone at the moment.

"Well…I…."

"I just saw Itachi talking with his friends only seconds ago, but Sasuke was dangerously gulping too much alcohol, my dear Sakura. Shouldn't you-"

"Who is drinking too much alcohol?" a voice came from behind.

"Oh Sasuke. I was just now-"

"I know Kakashi. Mind your own business. I am not a child to control anymore. And you are not really the one to impose 'alcohol rules' now, are you?" he scoffed coming to stand next to them.

"Oh so much for respecting the poor old Kakashi-sensei." The man cried theatrically referring to Sasuke's rude way of addressing the man without a proper suffix. The Uchiha rolled his eyes indignantly.

"You never stop old man, do you?"

"Oh my dear Sasuke," Kakashi grinned behind his mask, devising the perfect plan for this moment. "You will always be my precious little student. I can still remember the time you challenged me to a fight with your little boy trunks hanging-"

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Sasuke interjected him eyes widened in disbelief. That damn Kakashi! How dare he bring that up now of all times?

Sakura was puzzled. Could she have understood right?

"Kakashi-sensei, I must have misinterpreted. What you said implies that -"

"Yes my dear Sakura. I had the honor to be young Sasuke's and lamentably Naruto's personal tutor while also working in the Academy." He informed. Sakura's lips opened up forming a ghost of an open mouth.

"Seriously? You were their Clans' assigned trainer*?" she questioned, eyes flickering to the young Uchiha. "Do tell!"

"Hn."

"Why don't you properly answer to the girl, Sasuke-kun?" Kakashi teased but the sullen teenager refused to respond. He seemingly still held a grudge for their previous interaction.

"What about you Kakashi? Don't you have somewhere to be now?" Sasuke scoffed clearly irritated about Kakashi's presence and his sudden excitement to disclose such personal matters like his life as a young boy.

The girl though slightly grinned. It's not like Sakura will not learn about his past sooner or later. She is his Guardian after all. Only thinking of that made her snicker.

"Well I-" but he was regrettably interrupted by loud familiar male voices approaching. "Will you look at the time! Eh, I have to go indeed. Excuse me." He bowed hastily and soon was nowhere to be seen.

Sakura turned to face the cause for Kakashi's rushed disappearance. At first she was able to perceive a highly irritated Anko scanning the perimeter. She hardly contained the incriminating chuckle.

At second glance she saw none other than her other Master, approaching them with the company of another familiar figure.

Sakura gasped, because none other than Sasori-senpai was just staring at her like she was a piece of meat, or worse. He must have-

"IMOUTO!" a holler was heard and suddenly Sakura's breath was cut off immediately.

"What the-" she only managed to utter out, inescapably captured between slender but utterly unexpected and strong arms.

"Imouto-chan! I can't believe I found you after so damn long!"

"Sasori, you will kill her. Please put her down. I wish to keep my Philax alive." Itachi's perpetually deadpan voice ringed in Sakura's ears but she couldn't see anything.

Sasori finally released her from the bear hug and the girl managed to get her breath back, filling her almost vacant lungs with therapeutic oxygen, coughing loudly.

"You- you are my aniki, Sasori-senpai? " she eventually gathered the courage to ask in an incredulous manner.

Sakura raised her head to face the read-senior whose wide smile made Sakura shiver. That enthusiastic face expression did not match well with Sasori's normally stoic face.

Sasuke's eyes were drifting on Sakura's and Sasori's faces finally resting on Itachi meaningfully. They appeared to communicate in a way.

"So you sent the secretary to inform me- Is it true?" Sakura was at a loss of words.

"Actually the secretary was borrowed. But you were informed, right imouto?" He smiled again.

"I- I didn't know I had a family!" Sakura exclaimed enthusiastically. "I was told-"

"You do have one, my cherry blossom. Me and Granny Chiyo."

"Granny Chiyo?" she questioned.

"Oh yes. I am afraid we are the only ones left. She is a puppeteer too, but it would be better for you if you don't meet her. I am trying to avoid her all evening." He said glancing around, right and left carefully.

"Why so?"

"We will discuss this another time. She has ears everywhere. I can't risk the possibility of her listening to me badmouthing her."

"Alright then. But please answer me this. Why was I lied to? Why are you a puppeteer and I am a Healer?" Sakura blurted out her questions failing to regard the Uchiha Nobles standing right next to them. In her agony to finally receive answers, she was swayed by the thrill of finally understanding, and that made her disregard the fact that they still were in the Great Hall, all eyes easily ready to spy on them.

"I will tell you that if you call me oni-san…" Sasori grinned.

The girl thought she saw Sasuke roll his eyes in exasperation and huff indignantly.

"Fine." she sighed "Please explain to me oni-san." She said her lips forming a sweet innocent smile that was also genuine. She felt happy for having a family indeed, but the process for actually accepting and embracing that fact needed more time to settle inside her.

"Isn't she the sweetest little thing?" Sasori cooed glancing at Itachi's with wide eyes.

"Sasori get a hold of yourself!" Itachi reprimanded.

That was until a certain boisterous drum thundered inside the pinkette's head, making her almost lose her balance. "WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?"

It didn't take Sakura long to realize, but it did take long for the girl to secure herself from stumbling.

"Ino? I thought I cut the connection!"

"Yes. And I just restored it. What was that Forehead? Is Sasori your-"

"Sorry Ino. I have no time to talk to you now. We will talk later. Bye"

"Hey don't you dare shut me out! You hear me forehead? If you cut this connection now I will intentionally cause you a massive headache and-"

But the voice was abruptly cut off.

"Are you alright Sakura-san?" an alarmed Itachi asked worryingly observing Sakura's eyes widened and shocked and her palm resting on her brow.

"Yes. I am fine. Please do not worry about me." She reassured. "Now if you please-"

---

"Are you sure that's what you heard Ino? " Tenten thought it puzzlement. It can't be true. Sakura would have said something right?

"Damn sure! I know what I heard. We should ask the others as soon as possible."

"Ok I will ask Neji when I get the chance. Have you contacted the rest?"

"Yes, but to no avail. Hinata is conversing with Naruto's mother right now so she is not available. Temari shut me off and I have yet to contact Karin. I do not dare to bother Konan-senpai now. She has an important conversation I think."

"Good for Konan-senpai."

"Bun-Bun! Your continued efforts to offend me as well as all my friends' sudden and unexplainable desire to get me off their, namely your heads had caused me a migraine!" the blonde yelled inwardly in a formal manner, making Tenten's eyes roll backwards in shock.

'I am going to incinerate her! She yells like a maniac all those years I know her and now she is complaining she gets a headache?' Tenten struggled not to pull her hair in indignation.

"You idiot! I can read what you are thinking with this kind of connection! I heard that!"

"Do I look like I care Ino? Look I admit I am going to miss you and stuff but you are too damn loud for-"

"Oh wait Bun-Bun. I found someone that might help!"

"INO? What are you actually doing? Where on earth is your Master anyway? Aren't you supposed to be with Kiba now?"

"I am. He is 3 meters away from me actually."

"Then focus on him!"

"I will when this one riddle is solved. Now hush so I can talk."

"With whom?" the brunette's voice echoed in Ino's stubborn mind.

"I am sorry. May I bother you for a minute?" Ino called to the peculiar male. The man, surprised, whirled his head to regard the presence of the beautiful blonde with a slightly sly smile crawling on his face.

"Whatever pleases you blondie. May I help you with something?" he asked impishly, but that did not deter Ino at all.

"Actually I think you can. The name is Kisame, right?"

"Right you are sunshine."

"Then can you please tell me what you know?"

"About what beauty?"

"It's about my friend Sakura and you friend Sasori. Can you help?"

---

"Imouto please follow me so we can have a more peaceful environment to talk to. I can take her, right weasel?" Sasori asked, trying to satisfy Sakura's insatiable curiosity about the Haruno Clan.

"You can Sasori. Return her safely." Itachi replied beckoning them to do as they please. For now.

Sakura nodded and followed the read haired man. He appeared to lead her some meters away, to the exit leading to the building's patio. Soon she discovered that it was covered with a sweet blanket of snow, magically illuminating their features with white hues. There they would be close enough to the Uchihas, which was from now on Sakura's top priority, but not pestered by the other guests.

The pinkette focused her green eyes on Sasori's bright brown in eager expectation.

In the end she was the one to initiate the conversation from before. It was utterly impossible to wait any longer. Not after this so mind-wrecking Revelation Ceremony.

"Sasori-san-" he raised one eyebrow accusingly. "Excuse me, Sasori oni-san-" Apparently Sakura was facing a problem at articulating the right titles deemed fit for many today. "This title. Specially nominated. What is the meaning of all this? Why are you and me different? I never heard of a Clan producing more than one species."

"First things first my sweet cherry blossom. No such Clan exists. The title is a concession of sorts. We are most of all a Healer Clan." he calmly explained.

"Then why are you called Puppeteers, Sasori oni-san?" she asked her voice full of incredulity.

"Don't be hasty. As I said. First things first." he started patiently. "What do you know about the Harunos my sweet flower?"

"To be honest, nothing." She answered sincerely. "I was always told we were extinct and I was the last Haruno in the world. For safety reasons-as they claimed- they kept the information about our powers and any significant names secret. Just like they use to do with Philakes of young age. So I really do not know anything on the matter."

Sasori shook his head. "Pity. I thought you would be aware of the basics."

"I am sorry. I am not."

"Well to be frank what you were informed is not utterly untrue. You are the last Haruno Healer and we are first and foremost considered Healers."

"But why-"

"All in good time" he interjected her before taking a long breath. "Let's have a small history lesson, shall we?" Sakura nodded vigorously to the older man. "The Haruno Clan, sweetheart, was widely-known for the exceptional used of medical jutsu. We were even rumored to match the Senju Clan. The only ones capable of competing with them, not always successfully though."

The pinkette had her eyes transfixed on him, trying to devour every piece of new information.

"Sometime in her prime our very grandmother Chiyo, wished to expand her abilities beyond the standard Haruno Healing abilities; therefore she started learning new techniques from other Clans and species. Eventually she developed the special chakra strings the puppeteers now use to control their dolls. Oba-san utilized her vast knowledge of medical jutsu to strengthen the puppets capabilities and powers such as using poison to maximize the fatality of one simple attack. Are you following me until now?"

"Yes. I understand."

"Good. Out of all our Clansmen only I continued the art of puppetry while everyone else disapproved of Oba-san's techniques, even though they all respected the old hag." Sasori heaved a deep sigh. "One would think that me being the only one Haruno Puppeteer she would love me more. And yet she now hates my guts." He trailed off, while sighing inaudibly.

"Why so? What about our parents Sasori-senp- I mean oni-san?"

"Sweet young Sakura…." He closed his eyes for a second deep in thought. Then he started again. "When our parents died you were already taken away for your training. I was 6 years old when we lost them. Our parents surrendered to eternal sleep after a massive attack at our Clan's Annual meeting. Lamentably and for an unknown reason, the only ones left are you, me and Chiyo oba-san, who refused to attend the aforementioned Gathering. I was with her while the murder transpired."

"That's…that's horrible! Why would anyone want to assassinate them? Were they involved in anyth-"

"No. Not at all. That's why no one ever managed to explain this attack."

"I don't understand." She stated in a haze of puzzlement.

"Oh then welcome to the club!" he teased but soon Sasori's face wore its serious placid mask again. "You will be surprised about how many aspects of this world still lie hidden to us." He lowly murmured. Sakura exhaled but she did not even blink. Her jade eyes transfixed on him.

"See my dear, to return to one of your first queries, we are Healers. But, expect from you of course, the rest of the living Harunos, namely me and that old bag, are almost exclusively exercise Puppetry anymore. That's why our Clan is announced in an unseen manner. We do have Healer Blood running in our veins though."

Heavy silence cleaved around them for a while. The only living, flowing thing appeared to be their warm breaths vaporizing in the cold winter air.

"Then how about you oni-san?" she eventually asked, trying to be enlightened about other aspects of the same issue. There were only so much needing illumination. "What about the life you lived up until now?"

"Oh, so you are interested in my life too?" he inquired, brows wrinkled. "You certainly seem like an amazingly kind and gracious young woman my dear." He commented sending her a small smile. "I, by the age of six, had started learning the basics of Chiyo oba-san's techniques. For a mysterious reason though, as I mentioned before, she appears to despise me. Her behavior changed dramatically only two years after our parents' departure and around the time I completed my Puppeteer training. My life beyond that incident has been nothing sort of extraordinary. I did manage to meet some quite dashing fellows as you have probably noticed."

Deidara's and Hidan's images were the first thing painted in Sakura's mind. Soon enough Kisame, Itachi, Nagato and Yahiko were registered as well, as her brother's dear friends. But discussing about those people had not been her imperative worry.

"Then what is the conclusion to this story? What am I supposed to-"

"Little sister." He interrupted her again. "Our Clan's story certainly connotes that we have enemies." His voice sounded calm, steady, but the contest of the words did not bring those sentiments along.

"Enemies? An enemy Clan you mean? Perhaps someone that seeks our healing abilities?" Sakura attempted to hypothesize.

The next reply came unexpected. "My dear, have you even started developing your healing abilities?"

Sakura was dazzled. What does that have to do with anything? It's completely beside the point. Sasori surely perceived the girl's confused facial features. Sakura could not help but conclude that Sasori must had a purpose to utilize such a misleading contrivance. Nonetheless she finally replied.

"Tsunade-sama trained me accordingly. As a Healer. With her rumored to be the best Healer I assume you regard my training adequate, brother?"

"I don't question Senju Tsunade's abilities. But, I mean after the Ritual, sister. Have you experienced anything different?"

"Well during the Ritual I was-"

"Sakura." He stopped her rather rudely. "After the Ritual." He insisted, eyes dusted with an impenetrable ice that surely was not stationed there a while ago.

"Aaaa no. Nothing special. But this is a common occurrence sometimes. What are you implying Sasori oni-san? What does that mean?"

Sakura's words unfortunately did not land properly in Sasori's mind. Unexpectedly a small impalpable rustle erupted from the pinkette's right putting the male Haruno on immediate alert. Sakura chose to disregard the small unworthy motion at first, but Sasori's face was now plastered by a crinkling mask radiating an emotional din.

Emerald orbs followed the halted brown ones, observing the object of the sudden upheaval, only to find nothing resting there. Only a mere bush. Sasori's eyes were yet to move though.

Beyond any doubt no one was there. Nobody and nothing in physical form at least. Sakura's trained eyes would have caught the movement. Whatever it was, it did not possess a physical form capable of causing calamity. Sakura's eyes were far more trained that Sasori's in that field so she had no reason to feel worry.

However, Sasori lived his life in the World of Supernatural creatures. And there are cases where a physical attack was not the perpetrator of danger –even corporal danger.

The older Haruno was familiar with many spiritual energies and chakra signatures. Sakura was not. And spiritual energies and chakra signatures were exactly the reason behind attacks whose cause did not rest in similar attacks, based on corporal contact of any kind.

She could detect some of those material-less assaults, but for spiritual energy to be effectively tracked, a far vaster knowledge is required. Beyond the training in physical combat. There was a limit at the achieving potential in that field. You have to have met the signature before, in order to be able to recognize it fast enough to retaliate in the best possible way. Still it was not impossible to track, but it certainly was difficult.

Fortunately, most of the times any malicious thoughts, the very notion of malevolence could be detected by a trained Guardian, so there still was a hope of impeding an immaterialized enemy.

Sakura did not feel any of it. No physical attack, no feeling of maliciousness. She should be worry-free. And yet that vehement hue of moroseness on Sasori's eyes and visage could never be ignored.

"Sakura, return to your Masters!" his order spelled urgency.

"I am sorry. What? What has gotten into you all of a sudden? I checked. Nothing is there!"

He sighed deeply closing his eyes for only a small second. "To answer your previous question my dearest Guardian sister-" Sasori whispered. "It means we evidently are at a silent underground War."

---

"You knew about all this, didn't you? Even Sasori's relation. Everything. Am I wrong?" the young man asked after a sharp intake of breath.

"No you are not wrong little brother."

"Why wasn't I told?"

"Hm? I did inform you about Sasori soon after the ritual" Itachi replied sheepishly.

"You know that's not what I mean. You knew from the very beginning Itachi. Why conceal it?"

Itachi let out an inaudible sigh and blinked once. "I am not keeping you in the dark otouto. Not without a reason. Trust me and don't fret it. We will talk later."

"You said that when I asked you before."

"Because you asked me during the Ceremony." he remarked as a matter of fact-ly. "How did you expect me to answer at that time? And now. I am sure you feel the stares of other as much as I do, little brother."

"Hn. Annoying people."

"To that I agree."

Sasuke huffed and snorted lowly. "Itachi." the older Noble's eyes jerked to rest on his again "Don't play games with me."

"I beg your pardon?"

"You heard me." He insisted impassively.

"I play no games Sasuke."

"Oh you do. There is a reason why I keep pestering you during all this. You are not going to tell me your intentions any time soon, right?" Itachi's impassive stare came as the perfect answer. "I figured." Sasuke murmured turning morose.

"Sasuke. Have some patience. Why don't you-"

"I returned her safe and sound!" a voice came as a blast from the building's secret patio. The Uchihas' eyes whirled to land on the pair of the two Harunos approaching them.

"Are you done Sasori?" Itachi asked nearly indifferent.

"Yes." was the first 'normal' response. Sasori's brown eyes were easy to decipher under the fiery and yet so icy Uchiha gaze. Something was wrong. As if on cue, the red haired man leaned closer and heaved a whisper to the his friend. "Do not let your guard down. We are being watched. Defend her too." Was the last thing Itachi heard before Sasori could not be discerned in the mass of the 's eyes narrowed at the mysterious interaction between the older males.

Also, the red-haired's uncharacteristic behavior seemingly rendered the Haruno girl pensive in a imperceptible mental dance of awkwardness.

"That's just Sasori. He is kind of weird." Itachi remarked facing the puzzled young woman.

"Oh yes. I figured as much." She simply answered eventually, eyes flickering towards the direction Sasori took for an infinitesimal moment only to return back to look into the two handsome Uchiha Nobles.

What was disclosed to her today... made everything heavier to bear. It changed...a lot of things. Sakura had absolutely no other choice but to succeed in the role she is given to perform. Properly receiving her powers now or sometime later was of no importance. Her powers are definitely there, she can surely feel their presence, that incessant drumming inside her. They are bound to emerge at some point, hopefully soon. The girl heaved a silent sigh and opted to disregard her "power issue" for now.

Things are crystal clear. No failure is allowed. No matter what transpires in a Guardian's life, even a minor flop is out of the question if you wish to call yourself a proud and strong, a proper Philax. But then again- When was failure ever allowed?

"My dears." A female voice ringed only steps away. Sakura whirled only to gaze at the highly energetic Uchiha Mikoto coming closer to them, midnight colored tresses dancing on her pace's rhythm. "The night is coming to a closure." she stated upon finally reaching the three. "You should do well to bid farewell to the Noblemen so that we can depart for home soon."

Sakura's eyes widened, her palms clenched into fists.

So that was it. Goodbye.

Will she be able to bid adieu to the people she held most dear? They now belong to Nobility in a way, right?

"Surely. Rest assured Mother. We will. Only make sure to salute the Noblewomen."

"Oh yes dear. I had it planned anyway. I know I should not leave you two to deal with females. Only trouble follows." she shook her head. "Sakura-chan?" the woman called waking Sakura of her small snooze for good.

"Mikoto-sama?"

"Please make sure to keep fan girls away. You can never imagine in what condition your Masters' mood will be, if they encounter those. For our family's sake, please take care of them."

"Mother. That is not necessary. Such commands are ludicrous." the youngest male commented almost angrily.

"Especially Sasuke-chan -" Mikoto accentuated her words, leering at Sasuke in an askance manner."- is extremely moody after those encounters. So please Sakura dear make sure to properly-"

"Fear not." she interjected the worried mother gently, at the same time trying not to appear rude in any way. "I think I know what to do with those." Sakura reassured beaming a small smile to the matriarch.

"Oh I appreciate it sweetheart. I am sorry that this is seemingly your first task but..."she trailed off.

"Mikoto-sama I was fully prepared for this the moment my name was announced in the same sentence as the Uchiha's.'"

And what a lie that was…

"Hm. Then I take it you do know my sons." the woman chuckled cutely.

"Mother. You are dawdling." Itachi noted impassively.

"Oh yes indeed I am." The matriarch ricocheted enthusiastically. "Excuse me. I will have to attend to my duties." The woman waved and left.

But before another word could be uttered a voice called. "Young Itachi. It's been so long. Is that little Sasuke-kun?" All heads turned to face the Nobleman who spoke.

Itachi murmured indignantly "Great. The Momochi Clan is here at last." Sasuke's eyes rolled in indignation too. Probably the name Momochi is connected with unpleasant memories in Sasuke's mind. "I will go to them." Itachi offered. "Maybe I will be able to persuade Yashiro to handle them as the Clan's spokesman in this. Sakura-san, follow Sasuke while I am gone, ok? I will return shortly. I apologize for leaving again."

"Worry not, Master Itachi. I will do as you wish." Sakura bowed in an affirmative manner, before Itachi excused himself.

Is it just Sakura's mind considering ridiculous things or Itachi has repeatedly abandoned her to tend to his own business and tossed her to Sasuke all the time? What if he apologized. The fact is a fact anyway.

"Prepared you say?" a voice mocked her previous statement. It did not require eye contact for Sakura to discern who that one was.

"Quite." She retorted mildly.

"Hn. Just so you know your official first task is when we command it. Taking care of my mother's pleas is only a side-task."

"Do you have something in mind Master Sasuke? Didn't just Itachi-sama have me follow you?"

"Hn. Escort me to bid proper farewells to the Nobles for the evening. Then follow me, outside, Sakura." He veered and soon departed to meet with the members of High Nobility. She had no choice but to follow suit.

The girl was definitely aghast inwardly. Something about the way he uttered her name…it made her feel different. Maybe…Specially nominated. Indeed.

---

"Where are you taking me?" Sakura asked flabbergasted. It was not normal for Sasuke to grab her by the wrist and guide her around. She had no idea where he was leading them.

After a marathon of 'Clan's good relations' once again in one ridiculously long day, Sakura found herself being submitted in an unexpected hunt of invisible demons. Yes…demon hunt. How else to explain the urgency of Sasuke's moves? Not to mention that he actually dragged her around, in which of course a physical contact of sorts was a prerequisite. Even if it only required the touch of their wrists.

"You are annoying. Shut up and follow me like I told you. Aren't those your orders from your other Master too?"

Sakura found no words to retort to that.

Soon enough Sasuke's calculated steps lead them to a newly discovered –in Sakura's account- corridor. Their apparent destination was a door to the right. Before she could orientate herself and understand where she was, a hand shoved her inside the aforementioned door.

"Hey! What are you-"

"I will be waiting on the left corridor from here in 10 minutes. Do not be late, Philax!' Sasuke's cold masculine voice vibrated into her body, before the door was slammed shut behind her.

---

Out of practically nowhere a familiar annoying voice approached the sullen ebony-haired Noble from behind. "Oi Sasuke… Very thoughtful indeed. That's not like you."

"Who would have thought that he had it in him?" another one commented, a smirk adoring this Noble's lips.

"Maybe little Sasu-cakes is getting soft." Sasuke's fists clenched. That damn Inuzuka!

"Do you think it's the so-called delicious blood that affects him?" Of course this one -Sasuke dared called a friend- would comment on that. Yes…definitely he was going to dehydrate Suigetsu and test the results of it. With a lot of wishful thinking Sasuke might be lucky enough to have the Elemental killed by dehydration.

But Uchiha Sasuke was not in the mood of playing stupid games. Not at all.

He was hardly audible, but everyone received the vibes his threat sent. It was frostier than the snow enveloping the old mansion. "If any other word leaves your freaking mouths, I will burn you to a crisp, is that clear?" At the sound of the low baritone voice everyone halted.

The black color on his eyes disclosed its real identity and now swirled to give its place to another power and paint the dark irises into an intimidating fiery crimson. The young Noblemen were once again quite astonished. Such an extravagant reaction from the Vampire Noble was not expected.

In the midst of the awkward silence of surprise a voice rang from behind alerting the young ones for the arrival of other people in the dark scene. "Good one otouto. I was meaning to do it soon too." the sound of more steps and the males' movements compelled the torches' fire to sway and slightly twinkle in regard to their presence. The ancient corridor was never more populated. "It is time to leave you know."

Every other soul was wrapped in a complete silence, standing agape, limbs rigid, mouths arid. It probably was due to the red eyes the younger Uchiha was now almost assaulting them with. He was really ready to strike.

A young man dared to sigh and take a breath full of appreciation for the presence of the older Uchiha and his friends. When Sasuke was like that…Well let's just thank Itachi for being there.

"Still you can't deny teme. This was totally unexpected for you to consider. But hey. You really have to control your temper! Holy mother of Ramen, those damn Sharingan eyes have me gawking every damn time I see them."

"Hn."

---

"Sa-Sakura-san?" The girl jerked her eyes to face the source of the timid sweet voice.

"Hinata?" The young Hyuuga's voice sounded like a melody to the pinkette's ears. The spectacle before her resembled a high class painting of an exquisite artist. The reason; she was absolutely delighted to face that particular scene this evening.

"Took you long enough Forehead girl!" Sakura's lips tilted up to smile at the blonde Telepath.

"Hey Sak!" Tenten waved, eyes just barely focusing on the new arrival.

"Hm. No regards for the rest of the world for mighty Sakura yet again. Making us wait like that…"

'Oh Karin I love you too!' Sakura thought indignantly.

"I- I thought I was not going to see you!" the rosette exclaimed running to hug her friends. But she stopped on her tracks after the second step. No one of them moved to hug her back or welcome her. Thus, she halted her movements.

She understood….

"Me too. Guess there was a master plan -no pun intended- behind all this." Tenten said while crossing her arms over her chest. The brunette occupied a corner of the room but refused to move from there.

"It certainly looks like it. It is strange that we are all gathered here, without our assigned Masters." Temari noted blinking once. The Wind Elemental was covered by the room's shadows so Sakura was a little late to regard her presence.

Ino huffed indignantly. "Not to mention that they yanked us here."

A soft warm fire erupted within Sakura. It connected with something deeper that until now was only forming a small suspicion. "You are saying-"

"Sakura. You are losing your touch. It's obvious that the men arranged this."

"Actually Konan-senpai is not present, so it was not perfect planning." Tenten remarked pointing her index finger around the room.

"I did not see her at all after the Ritual." Hinata spoke coyly again snuggling at the corner the farthest away from the door.

"Leave Konan-senpai for later." Ino grinned and furrowed her brow still leaning against the left wall leisurely."Temari-senpai you said men? Not boys?" The older blonde stared apathetically. "God, it makes me wonder what exactly you saw this evening."

For a moment only silence palpitated in the room.

"Such a blonde pervert you are!" Tenten censured.

"Ino-san. You are doing it again!"

"Come on Ino! You are being ridiculous."

"Yeah I know you are saying I am a perv-"

"Don't want to spoil it for you, because you are going to say I am a bitch again, but we don't have much time left for your idiotic blabbering."

The previous moments of silence were nothing comparing this round of stillness. Sakura turned to look intensely at Karin. She was right. Time was flowing not in their favor.

She tried to swallow the heavy lump in her throat and pivoted her head to face the door before speaking. "I guess it's time to say goodbye."

"Is it really?" Temari wondered with a sigh.

"But I don't want to!" Ino exclaimed tapping her shoes against the stony floor.

"I don't like goodbyes. The feeling of it…is this the…end?" Tenten's eyes refused to leave the ground.

The pinkette finally mustered the courage to speak again."But.. it's not the end for us."

"How do you know that?" Karin barked.

"Because we will form our future. We will make it our new beginning! Right? We said that before. Temari-senpai, don't you agree?" The Wind Elemental jerked her head to stare at the pink-haired Healer. A ghost of a smirk was about to be plastered on her face. It was acknowledgment.

"I like the sound of that." The brunette of the group allowed a small smile to crawl on her lips.

Hinata gave permission to her voice to be heard."Me too!"

"Ladies…" A voice asked for their attention. All turned to regard Ino. "I am going to miss you!" she stated almost coldly.

Sakura's eyes closed. Ino…this was defense…She did not want to face her emotions now. It's…ok…Really...And painful too.

"I only hope… "Sakura felt the all too familiar burden station itself on her heart again."We will be seeing each other as much as we can."

Tenten took a step forward. "Besides our Masters are not monsters. We are being here now. This is proof. They purposely delayed the meetings between their respective Clans for us to meet like this. We owe them."

"Indeed." Temari commented shaking her head.

"So shall we start…you know…" Sakura stuttered a little.

"Excuse me but I will not hug any of you. I will keep my distance."

"Ino? Really? That's so unlike you!" Sakura attempted to finally tease her about it.

"No. Returning to the Inuzuka's with my mascara completely ruined and my hands shaking from grief will be unlike me, Forehead." Ino stubbornly averted her gaze and folder her arms over her chest.

Sakura did not blame her. In fact she realized the status of the situation the moment she came in and no one greeted her like always. No hugs were permitted. Not now.

There is no place for the weak. What if they are supposedly away from their Masters eyes at that particular moment? They cannot allow it. They will not allow it. They were expected to be prepared for this moment from the first breath they drew to their lungs approximately eighteen years ago.

No crying will do any good. No sentiments are to flood them now. It was simply not permitted.

"Aa. I agree. Let's keep our distances." Tenten swallowed slowly, trying to contain her silent tears from falling.

"So who's first?" Karin asked a little calmer than before. After all Karin was in the same awkward situation as the rest.

"May I say something first?"

"Sure Ino." An almost trembling voice escaped Sakura's lungs.

"I..I…" it was the first time Ino was at a loss of words. "I truly love you! All of you. You always were my sisters in everything I did! So I ask of this: Please do not forget me, because I am not going to forget you. Ever. I know...I know I might had been bitchy and obnoxious and tiring sometimes but I truly love you! I will do everything in my power to see you again soon."

"Ino…" Sakura mumbled, feeling an incriminating knot, a lump settle in her throat.

"And you forehead!" Ino sniffed trying to wipe her tears and pointed an accusing finger at the pinkette. "We know everything about your brother now! Thank goodness I found that Kisame guy! Really when did you expect to tell us? You should be thankful of my gossip skills!"

Sakura tried to contain her chuckle. "I am sorry Ino. I was not sure about anything a while ago. And when I finally learnt the truth I had no way to contact you. So you know everything?"

"Of course. I made sure to inform everyone appropriately." Ino pouted.

Temari sighed. "Guess you have a family now, ne?"

"I think so." Sakura muttered. "Is Sasori-senpai classed as a proper family?" Th girls snickered at Sakura's words.

Soon enough the laughter died down abruptly.

The Weapons Mistress brushed her tears as subtly as possible and tried to overcome the sobbing that was sure to come soon and storm her."All I want to say…is…" Tenten sighed. "Be safe. All of you."

"We will." Ino responded and Sakura answered with only a small smile. Her fists were clenched more tightly than ever. It was the only way…It was the only way not to let herself succumb to this.

"May I say something too?" a surprisingly hesitant –for the person's personality- voice echoed in the room.

"Sure Karin." Ino encouraged her, swallowing her tears too.

"I am sorry for being a …eeh…you know how to describe what I was sometimes more than I do." Karin closed her eyes for a second. "Since there is a chance to see you again, then prove to me that you are the Guardians I always admired, ok?"

Sakura's eyes did not even blink. Her breath was taken away once again. Did…did Karin just admit she admired them?

"Sure. We are quite notorious after all. Keeping up good impressions is essential, Miss red-glasses." Ino winked playfully but her trembling breathing gave away her pent up emotions.

"Hm. I will surely make a scarecrow with red hair like you Karin. I will never forget to hit it daily, so I won't feel that you are missing from my training." Tenten winked.

"That was…rather sweet."

"Sorry. Payback is payback." Tenten stuck her tongue out, but Karin only laughed.

"Worry not Karin. Do not forget that I have an extra weapon to my collection that makes me even more notorious. I will make sure to protect Sasuke for you too."

"Hm. You better Pinky! What kind of weapon you are talking about?" For a moment Karin was prepared to hear all about Sakura's new powers but-

"Well…I can always use my gigantic forehead as a shield."

Only silence prevailed but soon-

Small hesitant snickers and chuckles could be heard around the room, hesitantly emanating from the new Philakes.

"That's my Sak." Ino commented winking at the pinkette. "Take care of the Uchiha sex-bombs for the sake of all women, Forehead girl."

"I will not fail Piggy."

"Aaa…ano… " All voices ceased to turn and face Hinata. No one expected the girl to find the boldness to speak up now that even Ino found it hard to talk properly.

"I fear…that..a-a…alone I-"

"Hinata, before you continue." Temari interjected her."Remember! You are stronger than you think, sweetie. I know you are! But whatever happens, you don't stand alone. We will always be there for each other, even if we end up far far away. We will always be there. Like friends, like sisters do, ok?"

Sakura was aghast. She did not expect Temari of all people to utter those words. But Temari must have considered her own responsibility, as the oldest in the small gathering, to hearten the rest to the best of her abilities.

"Ok. I will do my best." she nodded wiping away the incriminating salty droplets that broke their confines and finally marred her face. "All I wanted to say is that…I will never forget you. Thank you for everything you ever done for me."

"Hinata. Don't be silly. You have done for us more things than we did for you."

"Like those delicious pancakes." Tenten teased playfully.

"But-"

"No buts!" Ino scolded her in a nonetheless loving manner.

"Keep an eye on Naruto, ne?" Sakura beamed a smile at the young Hyuuga. Hinata nodded vigorously unable to utter a single world because of her sobbing.

"Well…." Temari was the one that followed. "I am no good with emotional stuff, you know that. All that I wish to say is to be strong and have the courage and volition I always saw shinning in your eyes. I may have disagreed with some of you in the past," she shared a glance with Sakura "- but I want you to all know that you girls were always an important part of my life, even though we were in different years."

"Aa. We know senpai." Sakura gulped her tremble. "Temari-senpai, I wish for your convictions to be true with all my heart." She finally muttered, mustering the courage to speak up like she wanted. "I wish... for freedom. Freedom in my binds. Like…like you said. As much freedom as I deserve to have." the rosette swallowed again another knot in her throat. "This evening had miraculously brought me closer to this belief. We always have a choice, right?"

Temari smirked."I guess we will see about that, young Sakura. We should try it out. If your brain does not incinerate when you try disobeying you Masters will, then it will probably be proof enough that you are still you. Bound but still you."

"That's not very encouraging senpai." Tenten gulped and sweat-dropped theatrically, trying to ease the tension of the moment.

"Sakura? Do you have anything else to say?" Ino turned to the pinkette focusing the headlight at her.

This probably was one of the most challenging moment in Sakura's short life. It was immensely hard to even breath properly, let alone speak about what was now eating her heart.

"Ultimately..." she started a little timidly. "I..I can only think about the oath we made back when we were 6."

"You remember?" Hinata exclaimed finally succeeding to restrain her tears.

"It started with one word, right?" Tenten sighed.

"Friends. Was it?" Karin wondered out loud.

Ino shook her head."We changed it later. It's Family. The one we never had."

"Well it looks like we have more than one now." Temari winked and a smile registered at her pretty face. "What did you make an oath for?"

"It's a secret. We aren't allowed to talk about it." Tenten pouted towards Temari who arched an eyebrow questioningly.

"But we will tell you senpai." Ino chuckled.

"We will meet again we said. After the Revelation." Tenten continued.

"And if that won't work." Karin, who was utterly proud for taking part of that oath long ago in the backyard of the Academy building, dared to continue. It reminded her of the olden happy days.

"We will live honorable lives…." Hinata continued with her sweet coy voice.

Sakura took it to herself to finish this."…To make sure we will certainly meet again in heaven."

"I love you…

sisters…"

---

Breaths. Hot breaths evaporating in the cold wind, that was finally kind enough to make its feared presence known.

Steps. Silenced by the soft white blanket lying on the cement. Noises altered by the shoes' contact with the never ending gradually cracking ice.

A door. Opening. Closing again.

Voices. Fading. Powering up again.

Eyes. Black eyes. Refusing to regard faces.

A window. Frozen.

A hand. A black glove. Wiping away the ice. Granting better vision. Granting access to the world outside of the crowded car.

Snow. Never ending snow. It looked so peaceful. Completely on contrast with his mind. It fell so steadily and yet so freely. So silently, paying no heed to this crazy world.

His onyx eyes finally averted, allowing the snow to cover the terrain without his persistent gaze pestering its lovely dance. The mental permission was reluctantly given to his eyes rest on her figure. Only once more.

She looked ready to surrender to sleep, maybe collapse for the fatigue and the emotional distress. But no. She didn't. She stubbornly refused to give in and only focused on the snowflakes dancing just outside of the luxurious limousine.

How could she? How could she stand there so proudly before all those Nobles just a little while ago? Those dangerous creatures of the Supernatural World? Shouldn't she be afraid? Only a little tremble? Was that all? No crying, kneeling?

But damn! Damn this world and their schemes that so unforgivably compelled him to halt and ponder about such dull matters like a girl not succumbing to the ferocity of this madness! What was so important anyway?

How can she gaze at the snow so casually? His eyes flickered at his left, refusing to give more attention to the insolent woman.

Itachi. Why does he look so impassive and carefree in a moment such as this? They are returning home. As Masters. At last. Why all this secretiveness? Why did he choose to conceal things from Sasuke?

Quite frankly though he trusted Itachi. The older Uchiha is always aware of some matters Sasuke did not even bother to look at. He was always prepared to pull the right strings and even salvage Sasuke from the rough world of politics if needed be. This was not new. What Sasuke did not expect though is Itachi to hide such a big of a secret and leave some traces about it. However, that was not the crucial problem now.

And again. He felt his heart –was this organ still usable for him this way?- dictating him where to look.

How can her eyes be so damn captivating? How could he ever allow himself, his so proud and cold self, to yield like this before just a pair of emerald bothersome, completely prolix -and yet so damn inviting- eyes? How can he be so ridiculously interested in such a measly girl? It makes no sense whatsoever. Is there something wrong with his mentality? Probably yes. Why else would his body react so crazily and try to soothe her pain a while ago? Act so possessively later? Why would he bother to tease her? Why else would he take the initiative to give her a proper time to say goodbye to the other Philakes?

Why?

She should mean nothing to him. A nobody. She hasn't even proven to be a capable Philax yet. But...Why did he feel so damn mesmerized by those jade irises? Why did he feel his body so unforgivably craving the touch of her small ivory fingers lately? To have her on his pale cold skin, brushing her hands, her pink tresses caressing his torso-

Hell! What's wrong? That was not supposed to happen! He was never supposed to daydream! That's atrocious! Not to mention that these very insanities were the reason he ridiculed himself –once more- by touching her tenderly during the Ritual. Tenderly for goodness sake!

He never had those feelings, urges before. Things were different even some days ago. He would never imagine his hand moving to caress her pain away!

He used to despise females. He still does. Then why and how did she manage to occupy such an important part of his restless mind? Why couldn't he stop his betraying and incriminating thoughts from revolving around this tiny and highly obnoxious pinkette? Why did that need rear its' ugly head now all of a sudden?

She tried to avoid him those weeks back, that much Sasuke obviously understood. The said fact makes ever more sense now that he knows about her identity. But why on earth was he so stuck into daydreaming about her now, given that she clearly tried to stay away before? Was the distance she kept the push he needed to long for a woman? Was her attempts to act 'superior' so invigorating for Sasuke's...What was that thing he had again?

He should be furious, irate. She 'tricked' him. She tricked him indeed, taunted him, mocked him in order to compel him to show weakness. This woman was supposed to pay for that insolence! She made him show a part of his heart he would never even think to reveal to anyone.

It's true that he knew the wolf was not utterly normal. The animal seemed to communicate too damn well to be a simple wild she-wolf. But he never considered the atrocious possibility that the beautiful wolf was her of all damn people in that bloody party! There was something uncanny indeed, but not enough to worry him so. Heck, he didn't believe even for a second that the wolf was someone he knew of, even though he did have some small suspicions the day after, that he soon dismissed. It was-

It didn't make sense! If he knew the animal was familiar with him, or at least was aware of his identity, he wouldn't even consider approaching it! Even when he did come close, he made sure to conceal any hint of his Vampire or Noble identity effectively. After all the animal might be forced to serve as a spy in the future, if its' Master happen to be informed of the peculiar contact and wish to harm the young Noble.

Why? Again…Why?

She quaintly evoked unexplainable ire within him.

Not to mention that he had been stupid enough to show affection to a mere animal! Of course he would pay for the display of such weakness, but he never expected it to happen in a manner such as this!

For his defense, he suspected that the animal was a pet, perhaps a familiar of a lycanthrope, maybe even a cursed human with an unhealthy jinx of amnesia tossed into the wild. He never expected though that the injured and yet coruscating animal could shelter such a secret.

He couldn't know...their powers were still sealed away to be traced so easily. He was deterred from revealing the secret.

Then why the hell didn't she move away from him? Him being human or supernatural...it was the same...she should have stayed away! How can this presumptuous woman stand in such a manner before him now, after allowing herself to be submitted under his touch?

To worsen the already demanding situation, it happened again. The affection. The weakness was again exposed in all its glory. His freaking fingers moved on their own to soothe her pain while drinking from her during the last part of the Ritual!

Horrible. Ridiculous. Unreasonable.

To hell with this! Why was she so ridiculously manipulative to him? What on earth was going on with Sasuke?

And most of all… What about this mind-blowing, so damn hellishly addictive completely different from all the other women's taste of her blood? Can a person possess such a delicious flavor running inside one's body, one's veins? Is something about her genes perhaps? Something about her powers? Her species? Sasuke never even smelled such a beautiful scent, let alone tasted something even comparable to this. Especially during the Ritual, this substance, drove him in another universe of senses! Him of all people! No to mention that it changed. It certainly was not so damn mouth-watering just before the Bonding Ritual began, even though it was delicious enough to have Sasuke desire this girl as a Philax, maybe as someone to feed from...

This woman certainly is something. Was the right word, the most appropriate title, Uchiha Sasuke's damnation? Hopefully not. Sasuke almost let a deep sigh escape his lips. Thankfully, he managed to contain it and his eyes seeked her again.

What on earth are you really, Haruno Sakura?

---

*assigned trainer:You can also refer to the Guide. While the first-born females are being trained in the Academy, the males attend human schools most of the time. For their basic and Supernatural training though, each Clan assigns Trainers for taking care of the children's education. The Parents also have to take part in their sons' training, but the crucial part is for the Instructor to take care of. For the children to learn their Clan's special techniques they have to be trained accordingly. Clan Members, mostly the parents have the responsibility to teach those to their offsprings. Each Clan has a different system for that training procedure.

The Assigned Trainer differs from the Mentor, the latter being an even more advanced specialist with even greater knowledge and is responsible for the Alpha Nobles training after the tutorage under the Assigned Trainer. Having a Mentor is optional but it is also considered a highly important part for the life of a young Alpha Noble.

Using an example: Kakashi was the trainer for Sasuke and Naruto until they reached 12-13 human years of age. He trained them effectively about many techniques and gave them knowledge about the world they live in, but Sasuke and Naruto belong to different species, so they have to get accustomed to their Clan's abilities as well. Thus, their Clan Members and fathers also made sure to pass the Clan's characteristic abilities to them. We also know that Naruto had a Mentor later in his life (at the age of 13) Jiraiya.

---

Author's note: Long chapter again. T.T I hope it was not tiring for you. It was juicy though, right? I hope that the events were enough to compensate for the length issue. I had the Sasuke-Sakura bickering scene ready a long time ago and finally... I got to publish it! ヘ(^_^ヘ)(ノ^_^)ノ I hope you enjoyed it!

And now...let the game begin! Sakura will finally meet the Uchihas in a proper way. What will she discover? Oh God...living in the same house as Sasuke and Itachi...*faints* And what about Sakura's powers? O.o?

I promise to update as soon as I can. Next chapter will hopefully be posted in two weeks. Maybe three if things get more hectic.

Don't forget to check the Guide! It's on my profile! Please tell me what you think about it too!

Please be kind enough to review! I really need your feedback! One word will be enough if you are not really fond of writing!