Hey guys I'm really sorry that this is so late!! I know a few of you are pretty mad and at the point of "I'm-going-to-track-you-down" ((O.o please don't. I like life.)) but I've been extremely busy ALL WEEK because:
-Pre-exams week (stressing like CRAZY)
-Last music contest of the school yr (THANK GOD) and we got a gold medal!
-Exam-week is next week and all our schedules are #
-I've been BED-RIDDEN for the past couple of days because of fatigue.
But I love you guys for being so patient. I haven't gotten any hate-mail yet and I have over 400 REVIEWS so I think I'm doing alright…and you all are really amusing me with your review/comments :).
Also, I know that Orochimaru's appearance really screwed with you guys, and a few of you definitely have some of the plot webbed out, but with this story it's like riding a roller coaster with your eyes closed. You don't know when there's going to be a dip or a loop, twist or turn :) (That pretty much means I'm not done throwing twists at you just yet)
Oh, and don't think that I completely gave everything away with the Hinata situation. ;) There's more to it than you think. Just keep reading.
In addition to my special thanks to spot I'll also be putting comments next to some of my reviews along with a "reader of the chapter" type of thing. The person that amuses/amazes me the most will get this long column :).
Special Thanks To:
Kainat
AnbuShadowFang
Viridis
Lady Sayomi (YOU'RE MY READER OF THE CHAPTER- this- If you can seriously sit through reading my long rambling story in one setting YOU AMAZE ME!! This review really encouraged me to upload this today. Oh, and I like that word enraptured :) a lot. Please stay with me until the end!!)
Foolish Angel in Darkness
Starlight - Wild Koneko
sandwich-chan
amyXD (new reader. haha you remind me of a bubbly friend i have :) so you amuse me very much.)
Miss Aerith (you have made me develop a new love for your drabbles.)
Animeartist17 (new reader!!)
uchiha helena-hime
PhantomSoul103 (new reader!!)
MimozaBlooming (new reader!!)
StrawBerrybell
Namine-sama
xImCharmedx
xXSasuxSakuXx
mintxrain
WooHooDork
blue-silver light
ch1b1-ch4n (new reader!! I love your name btw. its so unique :) )
one2bLoved
minniemousemom
cutebutweirdlucy18
kt.1z.awesome (new reader!! your name is hard to re-type O.o but your review amused me very much.)
Savannah (I'm not sure if you're a new reader...but you definitely have some guesses going for you :3 )
Teiana ( I shall prove you wrong muaha :). Haha. Good guess though)
fleeting thought
Kimyuri-chan ( New reader!!)
michelle (hahahaha XD! mack me? wow. this new reader amuses me.)
tema-sama
Read the ending of this chapter too. There's info about YOU GUYS deciding when Kakashi will appear and when Ino will return. And don't worry SasuXSaku fluff-lovers, the fluff will not diminish completely. Some of this WILL piss you off though. So be prepared. Haha :).
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When the ceremony had ended the 3 carrying the unconscious Hinata went back to the infirmary.
"I knew it was troublesome bringing her to the courtyard…" Shikamaru grumbled as he set her on the bed gently. "I wonder what made her fall over all of a sudden…" Naruto wondered aloud, turning his attention to the pinkette who hadn't said anything since Sasuke introduced Orochimaru. 'Something's wrong…' the cobalt-blue eyed man thought as he looked at her. The look in her viridian eyes appeared shaken, and she seemed lost in thought.
Sakura, who didn't notice him staring, remembered the recent events.
"My name is Orochimaru, and I will enjoy my stay here very much."
When he had said this everyone became completely silent. No one had clapped nor cheered. A few were intrigued and others were disheartened by this man appearing, but many, including Sakura were horrorstruck. How could this man be taking Kaito's place?
Especially with such murderous eyes?
"Ne...Sakura-chan…can I talk to you for a sec?" He asked, pulling on her thin wrist without consent and taking her out of the room. "Is…there something bothering you?"
"What do you mean?" Sakura asked without meeting his eyes. "Well…when Hinata-chan fell over you acted like you didn't even see it after that Orochimaru guy introduced himself...have you met him before or somethin'?"
Sakura shook her head. The mention of his name sent eerie chills down her spine. "No…but when he was looking at the crowd his eyes met mine-"she paused to pull him closer. "-and when he did I saw something- I mean something behind them…something inhuman; almost monstrous…"
Naruto gave her a goofy reassuring grin. "Sakura-chan, it was probably nothing. Sure he's a little creepy looking and in need of a tan- more than Sai- I mean did you see how PALE his skin was?" He joked, hoping to get her to smile. But his attempt was unsuccessful.
"Naruto I looked straight into his eyes and saw SOMETHING…and when I did he noticed- as if he KNEW that I saw it-that's why I didn't realize Hinata fainted…I couldn't even move-"
"You probably just saw that pedophile…ness…inside him. I mean wanting to molest little kids isn't nomal…you're probably not used to seeing creepy people like that, but that doesn't make him not human." Naruto replied as he grabbed her shoulders reassuringly. "You think too much."
'He isn't going to listen to me.' Sakura thought with a sigh and decided she needed to get out of there before she developed the urge to punch him through a wall. "You're right. I have some work to do for Shikamaru, so I'll see you later, okay?" She asked with a fake smile before hurrying off; not bothering to wait for his answer.
Naruto who was still looking at her retreating figure shrugged with a quizzical expression shrugged before walking back into Hinata's room.
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When Sakura was far away enough from them she rested against a hallway corner and slid down to the floor with a sigh. 'Get a grip Sakura!' her mind demanded. She couldn't just be the only one who thought there was something horribly wrong with that Orochimaru guy. 'Maybe I am just seeing things…'
But that didn't explain the uncomfortable expression in Sasuke's eyes. Nor did explain why she had been stricken stiff with fear when Orochimaru's eyes met hers. But she shook the question from her head. 'It was probably nothing like Naruto said, I should just focus on getting those files on Hinata.'
But deep down she wondered if she could focus on finding something, anything that Shikamaru had suggested when Sasuke's words had played back in her mind once more.
Don't tell anybody about…this.
'You know he tried to talk to you, earlier. Maybe he was trying to apologize or explain himself?' Inner Sakura mused as she stood up. She shook her head to disagree because no matter what way she looked at it, it hurt. Was he embarrassed because she ran a small flower shop in town and not a prime minister's daughter or something?
"Something wrong?" A man with dashing raven-locks and the most captivating grey eyes you could ever lay eyes on asked, appearing around the corner.
Sasuke…
If you break your promise to me I'll never forgive you, Sakura!!
Shit.
Ino's promise.
Before she could think about moving she was trapped between the hallway wall and Sasuke's body as he stared down at her. "Why aren't you with your new advisor?" she asked without looking up at him. He recalled the events from earlier before replying.
When Orochimaru had first introduced himself no one clapped or cheered as silence waved over them. Awkwardly, they began to clap but were still horror-struck by the thought of Kaito being replaced.
As the elders talked among themselves, Sasuke noticed Naruto, Shikamaru, and Sakura carrying Hinata back into the castle and stealthily slipped away. Unfortunately, he failed to realize that Orochimaru also saw the retreating figures in the crowd along with Sasuke slipping away without the elders' knowledge. His eyes gleamed with much satisfaction. 'So the hime is here as well…' he thought eerily as he resisted the urge to lick his lips and gave the crowd a devilish smirk.
"That doesn't matter." He replied before noticing that she hadn't met his eyes since this morning. 'Don't look at him…you know how hard it'll be for you to look away if you do…' her mind commanded.
"Sakura," Sasuke said as he touched her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes when she didn't look up. Something was definitely wrong. "Talk to me."
Sakura hesitated. I wish I could, Sasuke… She thought miserably before she turned away from him. "There isn't anything to talk about."
"You're lying."
"I'm not lying-"
"Then look at me." He told her darkly, his tone startling her. When she didn't he wrapped his arms around her waist and spoke to her more gently. Sakura hesitated, and he noticed this. "What's bothering you?" he asked silently; coaxing her to speak to him by kissing her neck. "S-Sasuke w-we shouldn't be doing this-someone could see us-"
"And?" He interjected as he continued to kiss her neck. He smirked against her neck when he felt her slowly snake up her hands up his back; he was just that damn irresistible.
"Well- earlier you said-"
Earlier…
That's when he chuckled making her frown. "I don't get what's so funny."
"That's why you're mad?" Sasuke asked. His tone of voice threw her off. It was almost gentle…loving. "Well you would be if-"but with a 'hn' he crushed his lips onto hers which she obligingly took. At that moment her promise to Ino didn't matter. After all, she was back in Konoha and Sakura was here at the Uchiha Castle- it wasn't as if she were watching over her, right?
But what they didn't see was the lingering golden eyes following closely behind her as an evil smile curled on his cold lips. 'Very interesting…'
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After a few hours in the Hall of Records Sakura had gathered all the books and files she could find on anything pertaining to the Hinata's family. Quietly, she walked back to her room in higher spirits.
She had made up with Sasuke after misunderstanding him AND found tons of information on Hinata. 'The elders would be angry if I told them anything.' He explained to her as he kissed her neck again.
'But when can we tell them?' Sakura had asked him as she let out a soft moan when he started to nibble.
Sakura smiled to herself as she touched a part of her neck that was hidden by her hair and kimono. Sasuke had bit and sucked hard enough on her neck to leave a tiny mark; as if promising her that he would declare it soon…and that she was his.
But as she turned a corner she ran into someone, intruding on her thoughts and making her drop all the books in her hand. "You should watch where you're going, Haruno-san." Spoke an old voice filled with bitterness.
"S-Sorry." Sakura murmured, looking up to meet Saito's cold eyes. But she froze when she realized Saito was not alone, but accompanied by Orochimaru who grabbed her chin forcefully.
"It's rude not look at the person who's talking to you." Saito added coldly.
Normally, when a man would do this at the flower shop, she would angrily smack his hand away and threatening to cut it off if he ever touched her again, but his cold golden eyes made her freeze with fear.
"Such intriguing eyes." He told her with a freaky grin, still touching her face. The feel of his cold, clammy fingers made her want to vomit. After all, the only man she allowed to touch her was Sasuke.
"What do you want?" Sakura demanded as she glared at the men.
"You have developed feelings for Uchiha-sama." Saito told her firmly. The pink-haired woman stiffened.
"What do you mean?" Sakura asked, hoping they didn't see her flinch. This made the man snort. "Give up your little charade; we know you've been…associating with him." he told her this through his teeth; as if he were disgusted. Sakura felt her heart beat faster. How could they have known?
"I don't know what you're talking about." The pinkette told them without meeting their eyes as she jerked his hand away from her face. But the man was quicker as he grabbed her wrist roughly; making her yelp in pain as he yanked at her kimono, revealing the mark Sasuke had given her.
"And what is that?" Saito asked with a disgusted smirk. "You can either admit to being involved with Uchiha-sama or admit to being nothing more than a common whore. Just like your mother."
Sakura growled as a burst of energy shot through her. She yanked her wrist away from Orochimaru and raised her fist to strike Saito. Luckily for him he raised his palm to soften her hit and was surprised by the momentum of it.
This woman is stronger than she appears. He noted as the pale man held her wrists behind her. "Don't you ever talk about my mother that way!!" she screamed at him. But Saito ignored the gaze of pure hatred in her eyes and smirked at her.
"You should calm yourself. If Yozu-sama receives word of you your efforts to becoming a doctor will all be in vain. So be a good little girl and do as you're told."
Sakura forced herself to relax slightly as she murderously eyed him. Nothing was worth giving up her dreams; especially hitting a bastard like him.
"Distance yourself from Sasuke-kun." Orochimaru whispered in her ear. This gesture made her want to whip her head around and spit in his face.
"Your intentions were to contact Tsunade-sama yet your attention is focused on Uchiha-sama. How will you ever put forth extraordinary talent to get her attention like this?" Saito added with a smirk.
No matter how much Sakura wanted to deny this, Saito was right. She had been distracted with Sasuke on her mind.
"He is to marry a hime to tie lands; for the good of his people. Infatuating our lord is strictly forbidden." He told her with a smirk as he attempted to walk away from the horrified girl.
SHANNARO! This guy was blackmailing her!!
For falling for Sasuke.
But she made him happy; complete. Wasn't that enough?
But blackmail or no blackmail she had never been one to keep her mouth shut. Especially to a man as vile as him.
"Sasuke should be able to live and love as how he pleases…why do you; his advisers try to rule his life when he's superior to you?" Sakura demanded as a sudden boost of confidence and anger came out
"Quite the brave girl aren't you; attempting to go against me." Saito told her coldly as he yanked her wrist to pull her closer so he could growl, "No matter how desirable he finds you you're still just a whore's daughter; a peasant girl." Saito explained.
Sakura froze as he continued. "Uchiha-sama is only amused by your presence. When he gets bored with you, you'll be thrown out like the trash you are."
Orochimaru gave her one last ominous stare and creepy smile before he added. "The harder you fall for Sasuke-kun, the more you'll lose. You have been warned Haruno-san."
Sakura's eyes widened as her gaze met the man's monstrous ones. Sakura's knees buckle beneath her as the men walked past her and disappeared.
Sakura hit the floor angrily. Never had she let a man talk to her as if her opinion didn't matter or talk to her like she was trash, but never in her life had she looked into anyone's eyes and felt her throat tighten in fear to the point where it was difficult to breathe.
When he gets bored with you, you'll be thrown out like the trash you are…
Saito's words stung like a vicious slap to the face. 'Just because I don't come from a family with tons of money makes me any less human…' she thought bitterly. 'Are they really that corrupted and shallow?'
Now she was being blackmailed by a corrupted old man and the creepy new adviser for being seen with the lord of Konoha.
'I wonder if things would have been different if I was from a royal family like Hinata…' She thought miserably as her mind tried to look at things optimistically. 'Well at least now you can focus on your studies and leave Konoha without any ties besides Ino.'
But that didn't help her mood in the slightest. In the short amount of time she had grown to know Sasuke and stayed with him at Uchiha castle she had been taught lessons she couldn't have learned anywhere else. She also discovered that not all men were vile like Saito and her father, but they could be kind and compassionate…even having the ability to make her fall fast…and hard.
Now she would have to teach herself to close up once more, and tell Sasuke that they weren't meant to be.
And knowing the headstrong lord this wasn't going to be easy…for the both of them.
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"Orochimaru-sama, are you sure this won't become troublesome for us?" Saito asked the man who was still wearing a large smirk on his face as they walked into an abandon part of the castle to talk interruptedly.
"Do you doubt me?" he asked in a dangerous tone, eyeing him evilly. The man took a step back and shook his head. "Of course not Orochimaru-sama, but Haruno-san is an aggressive one. Are you sure she won't run to Uchiha-sama about our conversation with her?"
"She'll be a good girl, just as she was told and break off her emotional ties with him. After all, she is the only thing standing in the way of our success."
"But if the plan fails and he confronts us?" Saito asked nervously before the pale man grabbed him by his neck and slammed his old body against the wall. A strangled noise escaped him as he wriggled with pain.
"Such a cowardly man you are. If I hadn't arrived at Uchiha castle the Council including you would never get what you want…but since you did as you were told Haruno Sakura won't tell him anything. This is because nothing-not even Sasuke-kun will make her give up her dream of finding her father." Then he chuckled as he let the man fall to the ground, gasping for breath. The old man noted in his head that he had to watch what he said around this man from now on or he would lose his life.
"But if Sasuke-kun does indeed confront you deny it and leave it to me. As long as you do not waver in your words he will not suspect you." Then he walked closer to the man and pulled out a kunai, placing it dangerously close to his neck. "If you prove incompetent to me I'll have you killed. Understand?"
Saito nodded frantically and fell to the floor. "I-I understand Orochimaru-sama- I'll do whatever you say!"
Orochimaru smirked evilly and licked his lips. "Excellent…"
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After finishing all his paperwork a bored Sasuke decided to pay Sakura a little visit. He briefly talked to a guard who informed him that the pinkette had been in her room for the past few hours with a stack of books and papers in her arms.
Quietly he snuck into her room without the hallway guards noticing. Sasuke found the girl hunched over her desk with her hands in her hair; looking over several documents lain out on the desk.
Though she looked busy and deep in thought, Sakura was really stressed and confused; unable to focus at all on the documents in front of her but what Saito had said to her.
'I shouldn't listen to that bastard but…' her thoughts her trailed off as she remembered the words he had spat at her.
You're nothing more than a common whore…just like your mother…
No matter how desirable he finds you you're still nothing more than a whore's daughter; a peasant girl.
As soon as he gets bored with you you'll be thrown out like the trash you are.
And on top of blackmail she had been breaking her promise to Ino.
Anger boiled over her as she hit her desk angrily. "Kuso! (English translation: Damn it)" Why did everything have to go wrong every time her life started turn up?
That's when she felt a pair of eyes behind her. Sakura swiveled around and realize it was Sasuke. His obsidian-onyx eyes intent on her.
"S-Sasuke…"
Thump thump
Thump thump
The bubblegum pink haired woman's heart was beating out of control as panic set in. Distance yourself from Sasuke-kun…I'm sure if Yozu-sama receives word of this your attempts to become a doctor will all be in vain.
Sakura turned away from him. "Please leave…I have a lot of work to do."
Sasuke frowned. Since when was he shooed away? Normally on an act like this she should run into his arms.
Something's wrong...again. Sasuke thought curiously. Were women really this emotional? I mean he had already apologized (somewhat) to her. What else could she want?
"What did I do this time?" Sasuke asked her, nibbling on her ear curiously. Shivers darted across her skin as she shook her head. "N-Nothing…I have a lot on my mind."
"Like?"
"I'm…just confused."
"Hn?"
"…I know about the Uchiha castle policy."
Uchiha…policy? What was she talking about?
"I'm a poor girl who works at a flower shop and you're a rich lord…that's why- it'll never work between us." Sakura replied as she turned around to meet his eyes with a sad expression.
Confused waved over him. The Sakura he had grown close to wouldn't ever worry about something as silly as this. "Who told you this?" Sasuke demanded.
Sakura hesitated again; as if wanting to tell him something. But instead she looked away. "You have a bright future, Sasuke. I'm sure someone rich and prettier than I am will make you very happy one day-"
But she yelped when he grabbed hold of her shoulders angrily. "I don't want that!" he told her through gritted teeth. "I want…"but his voice trailed off. He was never good at saying what was on his mind. Especially on a subject like this.
This is harder than I thought… Sakura thought before she forced an annoyed look. "You let me stay here so I could become a doctor, remember? It's better for the both of us if we didn't get sidetracked…" Sakura touched his face sadly. "You'll make a great lord one day, Sasuke…without my help."
Sasuke grabbed her wrist and yanked her close to his body before he growled, "The Sakura I know doesn't talk like this."
And he stormed out without looking back.
When Sasuke slammed the door shut she fell to her knees and thick tears she had been forcing back trickled down her cheeks and plopped onto the wood floor. Sasuke…gomen ne…
TBC
I love cliffhangers. Don't you? :) I promise to upload soon. Also! I know this is getting pretty long, so I'm going to be ending it soon. I have different endings in mind, so I'll probably have alternate endings for you guys.
Also! Kakashi will appear sometime soon…IF you guys like. If you want him to be a serious character (history, part of the main plot) then he'll probably arrive later down the line. But if you guys want him to appear soon, I can make him appear but he'll be used for more comedic purposes. Just give me feedback on it. (advice: DON'T EMAIL ME! I rarely get the messages because my inbox using passes the 300 mark a day with spam and other things.)
Ino will ALSO be making her appearance soon as well. Be patient. Those who want her…hit…by…a cart…err…you just might get your wish-but for comedic purposes later haha (thanks for the idea I'll make sure to give you credit if I use it later.)
Till next time!!
xxasukachanxx
