"World was on fire, no one could save me but you
It's strange what desire will make foolish people do
I'd never dreamed that I'd need somebody like you"
Chapter 21: Wicked Game (Cover by HIM)
The weeks had flown by, and here it was, the day before the wedding. Gaara's birthday had passed without nearly as much fuss as my birthday. I had saved him from having a surprise party, knowing he probably would have been less thrilled than I was for my own party. His ascent to Kazekage also went smoothly, and nearly the whole village had turned out to watch the proceedings. Let's just say it was a long day.
I woke to Temari's raised voice as she yelled at someone downstairs. I groaned and rubbed my eyes before getting up and poking my head out the door. I could hear her voice and the voice of a man, who sounded suspiciously like the poor florist. I walked out of mine and Gaara's room and plodded down the stairs, where my suspicions are confirmed.
"Temari, leave the poor florist alone." I say through a yawn.
"Kira-sama!" The florist says, bowing his head and averting his eyes. "I apologize if I woke you."
I blinked at the new title, not yet used to it. "Eh, I needed to get up anyways, no harm done." I say, smiling at the man. "Why were you called here?"
"Temari-sama wanted a bouquet sample to approve before the wedding." The florist gestured at a beautiful piece that I thought was quite extravagant.
"Temari?" I raised my eyebrow at my soon to be sister and she shrugged. "Is there a reason why you were yelling at our florist?"
"It's not good enough." Temari huffs, crossing her arms defiantly.
I walked over and studied the bouquet. It was quite large with white calla lilies, pink peonies, and red and white roses. I thought it was exquisite and couldn't find anything to fault. The white lilies were at the center, surrounded by the red and white roses on all sides, while the peonies were added as accents here and there. I turned to Temari questioningly. "What's not good enough about it?"
"It's not nearly elegant enough."
I rolled my eyes at Temari. "They are plenty elegant. The flowers say a lot about the hopes that Suna has for our marriage. The lilies represent beauty and innocence, symbolizing myself. The white roses represent purity and new beginnings, a new hope for Suna. The red roses represent love, and the peonies are given in the hopes of a happy life, a happy marriage and for prosperity." I turned from Temari and appraised the florist.
"You made this beautifully. I'd like these bouquets on the tables at the reception and as decorative pieces during the ceremony. Please use your good judgment when contemplating where the bouquets should go. And please don't let Temari bother you." I say with a smile.
"Of course Kira-sama, I will get right to work." The florist bowed and scooped up the bouquet before hurriedly leaving the room.
"You're going to make them screw up if you keep badgering everyone." I say to Temari as I head back up the stairs and to mine and Gaara's room. I open the balcony doors to allow some fresh air into the room. I lean on the railing, my chin in my hand as I watch Suna's citizens scurry about as they go on with their day to day lives. In the distance I can see the florist as he maneuvers dexterously through the crowds, the flowers swaying in the light desert breeze.
A presence drops down next to me, and I smile softly as I see Gaara mirror my stance as he gazes out over Suna as well. "Good morning love." I say without thinking. I always got so love drunk whenever I saw him. I curse myself inwardly, but at the same time I don't take it back. Let the chips fall where they may.
Gaara freezes for a second, confusion marring his perfect features before he relaxes and offers me a good morning in return. I sigh inwardly, pleased that he hadn't left and that he had responded. That was enough for me.
"I think I'm going to go out today. Maybe go to the spa, get a massage." I say, turning to Gaara so I can better watch his reaction.
"Ok, but please be back by dinner. You know how Temari gets. If anything goes wrong in the next twenty four hours there's going to be trouble." Gaara says as he turns towards our room and pulls out his Kazekage robes. "I have a meeting with the Elders today, so I'll be home as soon as the meeting is over."
"Sounds good." I say, advancing on my soon to be husband and placing my hands on his shoulders. He stiffens for half a second before relaxing; he always got so tense whenever anyone touched him, but he was getting better around me. I stand on tiptoe and kiss his cheek softly before pulling back. "Have fun in your meeting." I turn to walk towards the bathroom so I can get ready for the day when a hand on my wrist has me stopping.
I turn and look at Gaara questioningly, this was unusual behavior for him, he usually refrained from initiating any contact between us. He tugs gently on my wrist and I turn to face him. I'm surprised yet again when he places a soft and careful peck on my lips. I can feel the blush spreading like flames across my cheeks as I look into his serious eyes. "Please stay safe." I melt instantly.
"Always." I respond, reaching up and caressing his cheek before giving him one last kiss before heading for the bathroom.
I had gotten the invitation to the wedding shortly after talking with Tsunade that one day several weeks ago. Now I was in Suna, and after a lot of scheming, I knew what I needed to do to make Kira mine. I scanned the home I had learned belonged to Gaara, watching for Kira to leave. She didn't like being cooped up, so I knew she would leave at some point today. The first to leave was that red headed monster she was going to be marrying. He was dressed in his Kazekage robes, and I knew he must have felt me watching because he turned in my direction and frowned. I melted into the inky black shadows of the ally at my back and waited patiently for him to continue on his way. He finally walked off, casting worried glances over his shoulder every few steps.
I waited for close to an hour, and then I saw her as she left dressed in something that was conservative. With her body she should have been flaunting what she had, she was a kunoichi damnit, and they by definition were supposed to be sultry, sexy, and alluring, not dressed like an everyday housewife. Gaara was ruining her.
I stepped out of the shadows and put on a smile. This was going to put my acting to the test. I had spent most of my time rehearsing to be believable, and as soon as I got to Suna I went to the stupid club Kira had gone to on her first night here and sniffed out the guy who had tried to abduct her. He was easy to find, and it was even easier to convince him to give me the drug he had used to inebriate her. I pat my pocket, and am reassured by the half a dozen capped needles I can feel against my leg.
"Kira!" I shout, running to catch up. She pauses and turns, and I'm relieved by the instant smile that lights her face. It was a good thing that I wouldn't have to try and get in her good graces again; she'd already gotten over her anger with me when I had pissed her off in Konoha.
"Kakkaku! It's good to see you!" Kira gives me a one armed hug, then motions for me to follow along with her. I quickly fall into step next to her as she begins speaking again. "I was a little worried that you wouldn't come, I was rude not saying goodbye before, and I'm sorry about that."
"It's ok Kira, I've been a little out of line lately myself." I respond lightly, smiling at her.
"I'm going to go to the spa right now, but if you want to meet up for a little bit afterwards, I don't mind." She says, and I smile inwardly. This perhaps could be a perfect opportunity for me.
"Oh?" I ask curiously, keeping my voice light. "When are you expected to be back?"
"Gaara asked that I come home around dinner time, otherwise Temari is going to worry. She's been absolutely out of her mind trying to get everything ready for the wedding." Kira says as she smiles.
My hand slips casually into my pocket, and carefully I remove the rubber tip covering the end of the needle. It was almost time to start my plan. Kira continued on, unaware of my intentions. Perfect. She won't ever see it coming, and no one expects her home for several hours, I have all the time I need. I think as we round a corner. The crowd thinned out remarkably, and only a handful of people were around. As we passed a dark ally I put my hand out, grabbed her arm and pulled her into the darkness after me.
"Kakkaku, what—" Her voice cuts off as I put her into a choke hold and jam the needle into the base of her neck where it meets he shoulder, pushing the plunger down swiftly. She struggles for a minute, her teeth clamped viciously in my hand. I felt the henge she placed on her canines release as she let go and chomped again, her canines breaking through my skin and meeting in my hand. I winced at the pain, but continued holding her until her body started to relax.
I let her fall to the ground and pry my hand out of her mouth, inspecting the four neat holes in my flesh. The damage was minimal and I use my healing chakra to repair the damage that was caused. I look down at Kira, she was still beautiful, even when her wolfish teeth glittered dangerously, extending halfway to her chin. I place a henge on her, transforming her into a small puppy, then carry her out of the ally, acting as if nothing was amiss.
I walked calmly to the gates of Suna and left. No one suspected that I was carrying off the Kazekage's wife. Everything was going according to plan. Once the gates of Suna were out of sight, I bit my thumb, drawing blood. "Kuchiyose no jutsu." I mutter as a giant eagle the size of a two story building flies out of the large cloud of smoke.
"Kakkaku-sama." The eagle says, bowing its head at me.
"Hello Koumyou." I reply, bowing my head as well. I had made it a point to find and sign the Eagle summoning contract as soon as I had devised my plan. I needed something that could travel faster than running alone. "I have an extra passenger today." I say pointing towards the little bundle of white fur that is Kira.
"She'll be ok flying?" Koumyou asks, looking uneasy at the prospect of carrying another animal on his back.
"She's a human transformed into a puppy." I say as I pick up the fluffy white bundle. "Besides, she's unconscious."
"I see." Koumyou says, sniffing disdainfully. The eagles were noble creatures, and I was using them to do something quite the opposite at the moment. The less they really knew the better. I jump up onto Koumyou's back and we are soon on our way, flying high in the sky.
"Head towards the SoundVillage." I say. I knew that was the last place people would think of to look for Kira.
"As you wish." Koumyou says, turning slightly and flapping his wings vigorously. We were on our way.
Something has been bothering me ever since I left the house this morning. I felt like I was being watched when I left the house, but I couldn't find anything amiss. Still, this anxious feeling was driving me nuts. When my meeting with the Elders was done, I went straight to the spa, and inquired there about Kira. No one had seen her today. The worry began really gnawing at me when I went home to find it empty. I searched around, but Kira wasn't there.
I was now walking the streets, the hot sun turning into a brilliant orange and red sunset. It was almost dinnertime, and there was still no sign of Kira. This fear was unlike anything I've ever felt before. Why was I suddenly afraid? Why did it bother me that Kira was missing? It shouldn't bother me; she had promised she would stay safe, and she always kept her promises…
I go home a second time and this time Temari is home, making a miso soup in the kitchen. "Have you seen Kira?" I growl at her, my arms crossed.
"She's probably in your room. If you told her to be home for dinner, then she'll be home for dinner." Temari sighs, glancing at me out of the corner of her eye.
"She never made it to the spa today." I state, glaring at Temari.
"Really? That's odd; she left about an hour after you did." My sister's eyes widen at this realization. "Do you think someone could have taken her?"
"It's a possibility I've visited many times today." I reply, heading upstairs and discarding my Kazekage robes. I sling my gourd over my shoulders and when I get downstairs I'm relieved to see Temari battle ready.
As we're leaving, Kankuro walks in the door and Temari forces him right out of the door again. "Kira's missing, and we need your help." She says, pushing him along.
"She's with Kakkaku." Kankuro says irritably, crossing his arms and standing his ground. "I saw them walking towards the spa earlier today."
"She never made it to the spa." I growl out, feeling red hot anger course through my veins. It was not going to go well for Kakkaku when I got my hands on his scrawny neck.
"You seriously think Kira's own teammate would do something to her?" Kankuro asks. My brother is such an idiot.
"Yes, he is attached to her more than I'd like him to be." I say, storming off and heading straight for Suna's gates.
"Kazekage-sama." The guard greets, standing up straighter as I approach.
"Has a boy about my age and height left here today? Dark brown hair with two katanas strapped to his back with a Konoha head band?" I ask, trying my best to be extremely polite.
"Yes, a boy matching that description left here a little before lunch time, carrying a white puppy. About twenty minutes after he left, a giant Eagle soared off towards the new SoundVillage."
"Thank you. Please send word to the Elders that Kira has been kidnapped and her captor has headed towards Otogakure. Tell them I have my brother and sister with me, and that the wedding will have to be rescheduled. Do not tell anyone else this information, got it?" I hiss the last bit between clenched teeth before heading in the direction of Oto. Kakkaku was not going to get away with this.
Everything feels so heavy, so dark… I mutter in my head as I slowly regain consciousness. My head hurt like a bitch, the base of my neck felt like it had been assaulted by an angry wasp several times over, and my limbs felt like they were weighted down with stones.
When I finally force my eyes to open, they decide that cracking open is enough of an effort. I try to find Gobi's chakra so I can reinvigorate some life into my body, but I don't feel anything. More astonishing was the lack of chakra I could feel in my body. I struggle to open my eyes further, and after a few seconds' effort, I'm finally able to really look at my surroundings.
Where the fuck am I? I growl to myself as my brain slowly registers my environment. I'm pretty sure I'm in some sort of dark, dank, hole in the ground. When I look up I can see light filtering in, as if branches were placed over the hole, but it's a soft white light leading me to believe that there is a full moon outside. Down where I am the walls are circular and feel earthy, but they don't crumble like I expect them to. Upon further inspection, I find wrought iron pegs imbedded in the wall, connected to chains that… connect to my wrists. Fuck me.
I tug at the chains, and the cold metal bites into my flesh. I sigh, resigned to the fact that I won't be able to get out. I can feel the steel draining my chakra; I'd never have enough to use an escape jutsu.
I can feel the drug in my system wearing off and as the hours tick by I can feel myself becoming more alert, though my body remains drained of any energy. I can barely manage moving when I get uncomfortable. The bright rays of dawn are starting to reach me when I hear movement outside for the first time. I squint up and see two familiar faces peering down at me. The first I recognize is Kakkaku, he is smiling happily down at me and I scowl angrily at him. This kidnapping was unforgiveable. The second face belonged to none other than Kabuto himself, the slime-ball that worked for Orochimaru.
"Good morning!" Kakkaku says as he leaps down in front of me, landing gracefully on his toes. Kabuto follows suit and watches me hungrily. Being helpless, I can't do anything but glare at the two of them.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Kabuto asks Kakkaku, who nods his head once, his face set in a determined stare.
"Yes. Let's bring her to him."
"Bring me where?" I demand as Kabuto puts on thick gloves so he can touch the chakra absorbing chains. He carefully cuts them out of the wall, and then Kakkaku hoists me over his shoulder. "Put me down." I say loudly, mustering as much strength as I can to try and struggle away. I successfully flail enough to hit Kakkaku in the face and kick him in the groin area. He grunts in pain and he drops me to the ground. I spit in his direction and attempt to scoot away. Kakkaku takes out a pair of his own gloves and puts them on before taking the chains from Kabuto. He jerks the chains and I fall forward on my face. I feel a painful prick in my thigh, and my vision is soon swimming before I fall into blackness.
When I wake again, I'm in a dark room lit only by a couple candles. My body feels like it's been battered and bruised, but when I look down at myself I don't see any marks on my body. I'm chained in the same chakra absorbing chains as before, but instead of the slack that I had in the chain earlier, my hands are bound tightly to the wall. I struggle for a second, but the metal just bites into my wrists, causing them to ache.
Gobi is still not present, and I have a sneaking suspicion it has to do with the drugs Kakkaku has pumped into my body. I can't help but wonder if he got the drugs from that asshole who had tried to rape me in Suna. I was regretting asking Gaara to spare his life.
Now that I was more alert, I started going over my options for escape. They were pitifully slim. I had the option to use my summoning tattoo, but when I glanced over at where it should be on my body, I found that thick white bandages had been wound around it to prevent me from summoning my wolves. I inwardly cursed Kakkaku and his grey haired, four-eyed accomplice.
I don't know how long I sit in the gloom, fuming, feeling angry and betrayed by Kakkaku, and planning the numerous ways I could torture and murder him. I was lusting for blood, and I'm sure that if anyone walked into the room, they would immediately run in the other direction. I glare at the door, and my heart beats just a little faster when a shadow falls across the light shining through the crack.
"Hey, let me out!" I yell angrily, struggling uselessly against my restraints. The door opens and in walks the traitor of the Leaf, Orochimaru himself.
"Kakkaku said you were a spirited fighter, I'm glad to see he wasn't wrong." Orochimaru says as he looks down at me.
"Fuck you." I hiss angrily, glaring daggers and flipping him off. He laughs at me mockingly.
"Oh how I wish." He says, and I immediately want to vomit. "But Kakkaku says you're off limits to me, and since he is offering me his skills in exchange for my help, I will honor his wishes."
"He would never stoop so low." I growl, my upper lip curling in a snarl.
"It's strange what desire will make foolish people do." Orochimaru says with a sneer on his lips.
"Gaara will come for me." I say angrily, continuing to glare at my enemy.
"I know he will try. You have become someone precious to him, and the once cold and heartless monster will fight for those he deems precious to him. We have already relocated you from Oto. He won't find you." Orochimaru chuckles as he looks down his nose at me.
"Don't be so sure." I growl, putting all my hope on Gaara. He had to find me or I'd end up hurt, or worse.
"Trust me when I say you are well hidden." Orochimaru glances over his shoulder as Kakkaku walks into the room. I glare at the both of them.
"Why would you do this Kakkaku?" I ask, hoping there's still some sanity left in my former teammate.
"Because I love you, and Gaara's wrong for you." Kakkaku says, looking at me as if I were an errant dog that needed to be brought to heel.
"I will never belong to you." I spit.
"Time will change how you feel." Kakkaku says stubbornly before turning to Orochimaru. "Go ahead and do the seal."
"Don't give orders to me, boy." Orochimaru says harshly, giving Kakkaku a contemptuous look. Kakkaku averts his eyes and this seems to mollify the traitor of the Leaf. Orochimaru advances towards me, his fingers lighting with blue chakra. Kakkaku scurries over to me and lifts my shirt up over my breasts, exposing my tummy and my black lace bra.
"Get away from me!" I hiss, locking my teeth in Kakkaku's hand while I kick out with my feet to try and keep Orochimaru at bay.
"Keep her under control would you?" Orochimaru says angrily. "She needs to be still."
"Stop struggling Kira." Kakkaku says as he forces my mouth to open by putting pressure with his free hand on either side of my jaw. He takes his hand out of my mouth and shakes it before healing it with his green chakra. He then throws his leg over mine, effectively pinning them down.
Orochimaru kneels next to me and I snap my sharp canines at him. He ignores me and thrusts his glowing fingers on my stomach. The pain is intense, possibly the worst pain I'd ever felt in my life. I thrash around, trying to escape the pain, but relief doesn't come until Orochimaru removes his cold fingers from my bare tummy.
"There, that will disrupt the flow of her chakra, and keep her demon's chakra from leaking into her system. You won't need to use that drug anymore, these chakra absorbing chains should be enough now." Orochimaru says before leaving the room.
"I hate you." I hiss at Kakkaku, my eyes flashing angrily.
"Eventually you will learn to love me." Kakkaku says as he leaves the room. I stare angrily at his back before the door shuts and I'm left in the gloom once again.
It has been approximately four days since Kira was abducted from the village. Though Temari, Kankuro and I had travelled straight to Otogakure and met up with Kakashi, Sakura, and Naruto we were unable to find Kira. Kakashi had summoned his ninja hounds, and though they had found a hole that she had been kept in and an abandoned underground hideout that had smelled of Orochimaru, Sasuke, Kabuto, Kakkaku and Kira, we were unable to follow their trail far after leaving Oto. They had covered their tracks well. The only way I was going to find her now was if Gobi contacted me, but he had been uncharacteristically quiet.
I could feel everyone's eyes on me as I paced back and forth next to the small fire. I was impatient to be on the move, regardless of whether or not there was a trail to follow.
"Gaara." Naruto's quiet voice distracts me and I turn to look at my first friend. "I know you want to get Kira back, we all do, but…" Naruto trails off, averting his eyes.
"Pacing like that isn't going to change anything." Kankuro finishes. "We have to wait until she contacts us. You said she has the ability to do so, you have to trust that she will."
"I know they're doing something to keep her from contacting us." I say quietly, but I stop pacing and lean against a tree to calm everyone's nerves. I want nothing more than to destroy anything I can get my hands on, but I reign in the desire, and keep it bottled up. It will be more fuel for when I get my sand around Kakkaku's skinny, worthless neck.
"I know it's difficult to wait, we all want to be on the move to, but there's nothing any of us can do right now." Temari says, trying to comfort me even though I don't want to be comforted. I cross my arms and scowl at the fire, angry and anxious. Stay safe Kira, we're looking for you.
The only way to keep track of the days was by my meals. I'd had two breakfasts since the day Orochimaru had done something to mess up my chakra. Though I could talk to Gobi now, his chakra was completely sealed off from me, and he couldn't give me any, though he's tried several times.
Is there any way you can get out and find Gaara, like the first night in Suna? I ask Gobi.
I have been looking for a way, but whatever seal Orochimaru placed on you is binding me tighter as well. I'll keep looking for a way out of this cage, I promise. Gobi responds, before leaving my conscious so he can continue looking for weak spots in the seal.
I glare at the door as it opens shortly after talking with Gobi. Kakkaku had been visiting me every day, trying to make amends for what he's done, but there was no way I was ever going to forgive him. Today was no different, with one exception, Kabuto and Orochimaru joined Kakkaku in my prison too.
I growl at them, baring my teeth as Kakkaku approaches, pulling on the thick gloves once again.
"She really is like the wolf that is sealed inside her body." Orochimaru says admiringly as he watches the proceedings.
Kakkaku and Kabuto have a sturdy collar attached to long sturdy metal rods. I stare at it in fear. Gobi, they're taking me somewhere, please, you have to find Gaara! I shout frantically, struggling harder than I've ever struggled since being captured. I can feel my hot blood dripping down my arms as I tear the soft flesh around my wrists. "Stay away from me!" I say, trying my best to make it as hard as I can for Kakkaku and Kabuto to collar me.
Please bear with me, I'm trying my best!Gobi says, and I feel his presence leave my mind.
Gobi? Gobi!? I shout, but there's no response.
"After you're done with what you need to do, she'll belong to me, right?" Kakkaku asks Orochimaru, a hint of worry in his eyes. Whether he was afraid of what was going to happen to me, or afraid that Orochimaru wouldn't keep his end of the deal I wasn't sure, but I did know that I wasn't going to like what was going to happen to me.
"Of course." Orochimaru says silkily, and I immediately don't believe him.
Kakkaku kneels next to me and strokes my hair lovingly before buckling the thick leather collar snugly around my neck. I try to bite him, but he moves swiftly, and I'm soon being forced to walk out of my dark prison room, only able to go where the metal bars guide me.
AN: Uh-oh… What could Orochimaru be planning to do to Kira? Do you think Gobi found a way around the seal to find Gaara? Let me know your thoughts! Once my reviews hit 37, I'll update again!