Hey guys! I just want to say thank you to everyone who wished me luck on my exams. I didn't finish the first quarter of it but I think I did better on the second half. I also have finals and a ton of reviewing to do and on top of that I have a sinus infection so I have a headache while I'm writing this, but at least it's not affecting my vision or my fingers so I decided that it's not fair to you guys if I don't upload this week. It ESPECIALLY wouldn't be fair to HoshikoK whose birthday is today!
This will definitely be the longest (otherwise you guys have to wait till nxt week) and most INTENSE chapter you guys have seen so far, so be prepared to be possibly overwhelmed!! Also! I recently got contacted by one of my newer readers, kurai hi!
She is my reader of the chapter because I'm practically IMPOSSIBLE to contact unless you actually know me in person or you find your name in the "special thanks" section of every chapter. It's truly remarkable, and I felt a lot closer to my readers. So, if you ever want to contact me add me on (my screenname thingy is on my profile :) )
Special Thanks To: (. I have some many new readers and reviewers I can't keep track anymore...YARRGG -head explodes for split second-)
uchiha helena-hime- (at least you reviewed! Arigato! And thank you :) I'm not sure why but people tend to like my writing style...and taskete means "help me" in japanese, so Hinata was saying save me. Please do your best and I'll do mine!! Good luck with your exams ex!) ItaSaku29- (new reader...?) Haru-Desu- (XD!! I totally love you and i think your a new reader! Ahh your so bubbly and I love the little faces ahh!!) xImCharmedx- (update on tests: - - didn't finish first part of math finals...completed second tho...and i have a million study guides to do...yay me and aweee thanks :) your one of the readers that give me the fuzzies) AnbuShadowFang- (heh don'y worry just keep reading) alayneni- (XD not yet! lol I don't want to create a war in my story haha just torment on my readers minds...) HinataMusaCorneliaRenee (XD heh heh. She gets an important role in this later on coughcoughtotallydidn'tgiveyouahintcoughcough) xXSasuxSakuXx- (HURRAY FOR LONG COMMENTS :D! You're adorable I love it your like my 4 yr old niece who gets excited when she sees blues clues and a bowl of cookie crisp in front of the tv... heh heh like i said im like the crack fanfiction dealer to you guys. And I do plan on putting neji in later since he's related to Hinata.) Kakashi500 Never-quits-Never-Backs-down- (yayy im "wubbed" :). hah yay I'll be looking forward to reading whatever you unleash into the world. Might I suggest a songfic first? You can use the plot of the song into making the fic about sasuxsaku -my first fic on here was Will You Let Me Go, Sakura and it was based on the 3 doors down song will you let me go.) kt.1z.awesome- (XD I actually want to major in psychology soooo heh...) kurai hi- ( my lovely reader who contact me you truly flatter me!) Namine-sama- (heh heh i told you im terrible) sasusaku779 Lady Sayomi- (SAYOMI-CHAN :D! One of the readers who've been consistent and loveable...and I don't know the hardest part of doing this is the beginning it, but once I get it going it just flows :) ) Savannah sasuTenkawaii (new reader and thank you!!) xXSnow.FoxXx (new reader!!) ... Drake Hellion cutebutweirdlucy18- (japanese isn't as hard as every makes it out to be but prolly cuz I'm part japanese...Idk. just watch anime and listen to the japanese and write some of the words down so you'll be able to pick up bits and pieces AH YOUR FOREIGN!! here were completely opposite. We dont have school in the summer so I'm almost done :) ) amyXD- (YOU WILL FOREVER BE KNOWN AS MY RANDOM-balloon- READER!! AH YOUR SO LOVEABLY RANDOM I LOVE IT AMY-CHAN!! XD!) minniemousemom HoshikoK Miss Aerith- (O.O THEY WILL BE GAY! mine are next week till the last day of school...yayy plz don't leave me I'll be sad!) benswife
0000000000000000000000000
"Gomen, Sakura-chan." Naruto murmured under his breath making Sakura turn to him with a smile. "What is there to be sorry about?" she asked cheerfully.
"If I hadn't come in here Hinata-chan wouldn't have freaked out…and she wouldn't have hurt you…" he replied guiltily. But his voice trailed off when Sakura put a hand on his shoulder and looked up at him.
"Don't be so silly, Naruto. You helped her get her voice back!" Sakura exclaimed with a grin. "Whatever triggered her memory shocked her enough to get her it back. If you hadn't come in here she'd probably still be mute. Now all we have to do is wait for her to wake up. Then we can help Gaara!"
"But…your hands…"
The pinkette looked down at her hands, right below the knuckles, were oozing crimson and finally acknowledged the stinging pain. But she ignored it, and put up a front for him. "These cuts were only small sacrifices so Hinata wouldn't inflict pain on herself. It doesn't even hurt!"
"Are you sure Sakura-chan? They sure do look painful…" Naruto replied doubtfully. She turned her attention to the cart next to the heiress's bed and grabbed a bottle of cleansing alcohol and some gauze to clean the wounds.
She shook her head. "Sometimes wounds look worse than they appear. Besides, compared to what these two have been through this is nothing."
Sakura hissed under her breath, wincing at the cool liquid hitting the wounds painfully. Quickly wiped the wounds clean and blew on them before turning to him with a grin. "See? All better."
"I guess your right…you're amazing Sakura-chan." Naruto admitted quietly. "You willingly let Hinata hurt you so she wouldn't hurt herself…you're going to become an amazing doctor."
The two smiled at each other for a moment before Shikamaru came rushing into the room. "What's going on?" he demanded. Obviously he had heard the scream from wherever he was and came to see what the commotion was all about.
The smiles on their faces didn't disappear as Sakura filled him in. "Hinata got her voice back with Naruto's help. His appearance struck a memory, but it took a lot out of her so she's currently resting."
Shikamaru spoke in awe. "Naruto…?"
The man grinned sheepishly. "I guess so…" but his voice trailed off when Shikamaru gave him a pleased pat on the back. "I'm proud of you two." But he paused; noticing the fresh wounds on the back of Sakura's hands. "By the looks of it you helped too, Sakura. Until she wakes up I want at least one of you to watch over her."
The two didn't ask questions but nodded obediently. "Ousu (a/n: sort of like right! Or yes sir/ma'am)!" but a question popped in Sakura's head. Shikamaru wasn't with Hinata as he normally was. If he wasn't with her, where was he?
"Ne, Shikamaru, why weren't you in here with Naruto?" Sakura asked. Automatically she saw a bit of hesitation prior to his response. "…I had some business to take care of up in Kaito's office. No big deal."
'He's lying…I'll have to talk to him later about this.' Sakura thought before he continued. "But now that that's taken care of, I have to get back to work. It's troublesome, but I'll be done soon; in time for you two to prepare for the ball."
"Shikamaru- if Naruto and I are going to the ball does that mean you'll be staying behind to watch Hinata and Gaara?"
"Ma ne," Shikamaru replied softly. "I have no interest in attending the ball, especially if I have people to take care of. If Gaara and Hinata awake, though, I'll attend the ball because I don't trust leaving them alone with a guard, but don't count on it. Now, if you'll excuse me." And without waiting for their reply he left the two and shut the door behind him.
"I don't think it's fair that he should be left here if Hinata and Gaara don't wake up." Sakura muttered quietly. "Don't worry about him, Sakura-chan. He thinks women are 'troublesome' anyway. If the two DID end up waking up he'd end up leaving the ball early anyway."
"Still…Shikamaru works hard everyday…he might actually enjoy himself if he's given the chance." She protested quietly. "We have to think of a way for him to go to the ball and actually have fun for a chance, Naruto."
"But why, Sakura-chan? He already said he didn't want to go-"
"That's not the point! He needs some excitement in his boring life! When was the last time you saw him out of the infirmary actually doing something-excluding the times where everyone was required to be at?"
Naruto cupped his chin thoughtfully. "Now that you mention it it's been awhile…" his voice trailed off when he saw her eyes spark with excitement. "Exactly! That's why we need to get him out of here, no matter what! Will you help me?"
Though he pretended to contemplate this in his head, deep down Naruto knew he would never be able to resist a request from the tiny pink-haired woman in front of him. "I guess so…" he replied with a mischievous grin. Sakura returned it. "Arigato. Now here's what we do…"
000000000000000000000
"Sasuke where are you taking me?" giggled a pink-haired woman as she was led-blindfolded- down a secret passage way by the raven-haired man. "You'll see." He replied quietly as he held her wrist gently.
When they reached their destination he quickly undid the blindfold. She gasped and looked around. "Where…" then she gasped as he eyes turned a bloody crimson; completely different from his normally obsidian-eyes. "Y-Your eyes!"
"This is the secret of Uchiha castle." Sasuke explained, looking out at the large, moonlit lake. He met innocent green eyes. "Why are you showing me this?"
He held her close to his chest. "I'm trusting you with the secrets of my clan." The man smirked when she still seemed puzzled. "I-I still don't understand…"
"It's the same as trusting you with my life."
"But why me? Why trust me with your life?" Sakura asked, almost frustrated now. The man scoffed before taking one of her hands and kneeling before her she gasped. "Because you're the woman I want to entrust my secrets with. Stay here with me…as Uchiha Sakura."
"S-Sasuke I don't know what to say…" the pinkette murmured in utter shock. "Then just say yes." Sasuke replied with a pleading look in his now scarlet colored eyes.
A bright smile curled at her lips, but something along the lines of realization flickered in her eyes. Her lovely face fell as she shook her head; pulling Sasuke up to meet her eyes. Tears streamed down her face. "I can't…I want to, but I can't. I have to become a doctor and find my father…I'm sorry Sasuke but I can't marry you."
Suddenly, Sasuke's eyes shot open at the sound of knocking at his door. He turned his head to look at the door. "Uchiha-sama, please awake. You are needed in the great hall for final preparations."
Irritably he sat up. Would he ever be able to sleep peacefully anymore? Even while he would sleep, the pink-haired woman never failed to leave him. The voice in his head snickered at him. You think about her, dream about her, and want to be around her. So why don't you just admit that you're completely in love with her already, baka?
Sasuke ran a hand through his spiky raven locks as he rose to get dressed. His mind wandered back to his time with the pink-haired woman and it made him smile.
But the dream he had experienced that had first been heartfelt consequentially turned into his worse nightmare; being rejected by the one woman he opened his heart to.
But the worst part was that he even trusted her enough to show the secret of his clan to…
Sasuke shook his head. If something like that were to happen in real life he wasn't sure what he would do.
'Maybe if you try you can make her realize that her home is here in Konoha she'll stay here with you, baka. Besides, it was only a dream.'
'It'd be selfish if I asked her to stay with me. She has goals to fulfill; people to find.'
'How can I inhabit the same mind as someone as brainless as you?'
Sasuke grunted at this insult. Was he brainless for being realistic? He couldn't imagine the consequences or what he would have to do to her if she were to be shown his clans secrets but denied his proposal…
When he was fully dressed he stared back at his reflection on the glass of his window. It was Sakura's birthday and the night of the ball where he would announce that he was involved with the pink-haired woman. But his dream only gave him a mixture of uneasiness and confusion. And the unrelenting thunderstorm wasn't helping his mood either.
It was going to be a long day…
But little did Sasuke know just how long the day would be.
(You guys are probably just as tired of waiting for the finale as much as I am with writing in the fillers, SO as my gift to you guys and HoshikoK I'm going to skip ahead and save you guys the trouble of skipping most of the fillers altogether. On with the good part!)
000000000000000000000
Sasuke let out a sigh as he rested against a wall. He had just slipped away from the group of men needing his final saying on a dish in the kitchen. Several hours had passed by and the raven-haired boy hadn't gotten a minute to himself.
First, he was dragged to the halls where miraculously hundreds of candles lit the halls intricately. When he approved of this he was dragged to the doors and the carpets that had been lain down and were embroidered with all the countries and nations attending the ball.
Next, he was led to the great hall which was still being set up. Directly across from the large hall held a scarlet red curtain that held the Uchiha crest. Something large with many crystals in the middle of the ceiling was hung above their heads. There were long tables on the far sides of the room-being used for the food that would be brought out at sundown; around the time the guests would appear.
Unfortunately, he had to be escorted out for many things still had to be inserted in the room. So he was sent to the kitchen.
To his surprise, Gai didn't need any approval of the food which had all been completed and set out as far as the eye could see. The men had just finished cooking the dishes that had taken 3 days to prepare and complete.
Which gave him the opportunity to escape being dragged around for awhile. 'I am NEVER going to host another ball again…' he thought to himself irritably. Because of all the preparation Sasuke hadn't had time to ready Sakura's present.
In fact, he hadn't caught a glimpse of the flower at all and hoped he would have time to see her at all tonight. It was, after all, her 18th birthday.
But Sasuke wasn't the only one that was busy. Sakura also was busy with preparation. She and Naruto had confronted Yoroichi and Fuuyuki with the predicament Shikamaru was in and agreed to alternate for the night.
The blonde and the pink-haired woman also ran into Kiba and Akamaru who agreed to have Akamaru guard the heiress and the still unconscious red-haired man alongside the guards.
But as she finished this the emerald eyed woman watched Naruto being dragged away by a group of guards who needed the extra man-power for the completion of the ball. Then, she also watched herself being dragged away to be dressed for the ball.
"Eh?! But we still have couple hours!" Sakura protested as two guards confronted her about it. This meant she wouldn't be able to do anything until the ball begun. "We're sorry Haruno-san, but the women have arrived to dress you and informed us it would take the remaining time to get you prepped for your appearance as the guest of honor."
The pinkette sighed, realizing she wouldn't get anywhere by arguing with the two complied and followed them into the sun room where the four women from before greeted her. But Sakura noticed that one of the hopeful women almost looked reluctant with a deep regret in her eyes, but she dismissed this thought and allowed the women to work on her bit by bit.
It was going to be a long night.
0000000000000000000
"Orochimaru-sama." Called Saito as he appeared at the doors to his office and shut them softly. "How long until the ball?" he asked without looking up from the file in front of him.
"A few hours. Last minute ornaments are being added into the great hall." The old man paused to walk over to the man. "What is it that you're looking at, Orochimaru-sama."
"It's a file that the blossom and an annoying red-headed boy found on me…it appears they found something that would've proven troublesome to me had it been read." He responded.
"How did you get possession of such a file if Gaara-san and Sakura found it?" Saito found himself blurting out. Only then did he realize his mistake; he had accidentally revealed his name.
His evil smile appeared on his face. "That reminds me. You haven't met one of the two most loyal subordinates I have…" his monstrous eyes wandered up to the ceiling. Saito found himself doing the same and clutched his chest in fear; nearly having a heart attack when he noticed the head surfacing out of the ceiling.
"Saito, meet my loyal spy Kabuto."
But little did the three realizing that there was another person in their presence in a soundproof passageway deep within the walls. 'Yakushi Kabuto…so he's the spy…I should've known.' But Kaito suppressed his shock and continued to listen intently.
"You mean…the Yakushi Kabuto? The son of the late but most elite Konoha medic?" Saito asked in complete shock. There had been rumors that this man had been responsible for his father's death and had disappeared shortly after. But who could've predicted that he would join Orochimaru, of all people?
"My reputation never fails to surprise, ne?" the man smiled, his voice sounding mysteriously gentle and harmless. 'If this man is working under Orochimaru he's taken hundreds of lives using his medical experience…' he thought, reminding him just how crazy this man was.
"But onto more important matters…Gaara is his name huh?" Something in his monstrous in his eyes gleamed, and it made him uneasy. "Tell me what you know about him."
"I…don't know much about him, in fact no one knows much about him. He has amnesia and appeared at our gates recently. Uchiha-sama took him in-"
"I believe he was under Sakura-san and Shikamaru-san's care." Kabuto added, noting Saito's hesitation. Kaito swore mentally. If Kabuto knew the Gaara's whereabouts, he knew one of the secret passageways leading to Hinata and the red-headed man's room.
He needed to warn someone; anyone before it was too late…but he had to know what exactly had Gaara and Sakura found on the monstrous man and what his intentions were.
"Excellent, Kabuto…" the man hissed; pleased with the spectacled man's finding. "Once the ball begins to commence we're going to have to pay a little visit to this red-headed menace…"
'I think I'm going to be held responsible for another civilian's death…' Saito thought gravely before the man held up the file. "You hold remorse in your eyes. But I'm sure that will all by wiped clean once you realize just how much trouble this man would cause me if he were left…unharmed.."
Quickly the old man scanned over the file and his eyes widened. "Understand?" Orochimaru asked in a dangerously creepy tone. He nodded slowly. "Hai…but who will be the one to…get rid of him?"
This made him and Kabuto cackle. "Get rid of him?" he repeated. "That could jeopardize my plans! I'm merely going to…heal him."
"Orochimaru-sama?" But the look in this evil man's eyes told him that his intentions were far from benevolent.
Kaito realized that for now he would have to leave so he could find Gaara before it was too late. But he would return later to retrieve the file. 'I have to act fast and carefully or this will be my last night in Uchiha castle alive.'
And silently he hurried off to the infirmary.
0000000000000000000000
Finally the preparations were complete and guests world-wide entered Uchiha castle, staring in awe. Miraculously the two remaining hours had been grueling and a hassle but thanks to the many inhabitants of the castle it wasn't entirely impossible.
"Remarkable…Konoha truly is a beautiful village." Commented a man from the Tea Country. "It's almost as remarkable as these getups! Konoha is truly creative. Who would've thought of wearing "ballroom gowns" for the women or "tuxedos" for the men?" commented an outspoken woman from the Star Village.
"Uchiha-sama, please get ready to greet your guests." Informed a guard as he peeked open the doors to the great hall that had been transformed into the ball room.
Sasuke was impressed with how hard everyone had worked. At first, the great hall was filled with various tables and miscellaneous items, but now it had been lit up by a gigantic crystallized lamp- he later discovered it was called a chandelier- hanging from the ceiling magnificently.
On the far wall on the other side of the room hung the Uchiha crest, covering a door. On a stage held a symphony (a/n: just thought I'd throw that in XD) that would begin playing once the guests arrived. The food had been lain out moments ago (merely taking 3 mins tops; compliments of Gai) and everyone had been dressed miraculously fast- including the Uchiha himself.
But the ball, his guests and the events about to happen around him, only one thing was on his mind, and it bothered him. Where was Sakura? She was the guest of honor yet he hadn't caught a glimpse of her all day. And anxiety was building in the pit of his stomach as he ran his finger over the object in his pocket. Would she like her gift? What would her reaction be?
But his thoughts were interrupted as the door slid open and his guests flew in. When they noticed the raven-haired man standing in the middle of the room they stopped; crowding around him.
His signature, calm and collected expression became plastered on his face as he spoke; reading himself for the longest sentence he would have spoken all night. "Welcome, men and women of all countries. I am Uchiha Sasuke, the heir to the Uchiha throne and current leader of Konoha." He paused to count all the women suddenly appearing around him; gawking at him and scanning his well-toned chest that was hidden in the strange dark blue suit he was forced to put on him.
"Please enjoy your time here. May we have everlasting peace tonight." Silently he took a breath. Kami he hated speeches. The guests began to clap and the women chatted amongst themselves, particularly about the "handsome raven-haired prince". But Sasuke had other matters to think about.
He scanned the room; hoping to find the uniquely pink-haired woman that mysteriously made his heart leap out of his chest when he was close to her…but of course, he would never admit that. He was an Uchiha after all.
Unfortunately, for the next hour or so he was surrounded by a swarm of lustful, eager women who asked him millions of pointless, random, and PERSONAL questions.
"Uchiha-sama don't you get tired of living up to your reputation as the heart-of-ice prince?"
"Uchiha-sama your hair is so unusually spiky-n-not like I don't like it but- I'm not trying to be obsessed or anything but…err…"
"Uchiha-sama have a drink with me!"
"Uchiha-sama when will you take on a wife?
"Uchiha-sama! Uchiha-sama!!"
As another half hour passed by Sasuke believed he was in hell until the sound of a large gong startled the guests and turned their attention to a group of guards, servants and a few elders standing in front of the large red Uchiha crest hanging from the wall. Gai and Lee shot through the other double doors with a gigantic cake and quickly set it on the table, waiting for the elder to speak.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Thank you for coming here tonight regardless of the dreadful weather, but we would like you to welcome our guest of honor and current medic, who turned of age today…Haruno Sakura!"
Sasuke's quietly heart leaped at the sound of her name and watched surprisingly as the crest rose, revealing a large door. The guards pulled the doors aside revealing four women standing in front of her.
The women stepped aside with a smile and gasped filled the room. Even the young Uchiha's eyes bulged out of his head as he stared at the woman practically glowing from her beauty.
Her hair was tied up into a tight bun with a few strands falling on the side of her pretty face. The dress she had on was pure white and hugged every part of her body and was designed to show her bare, creamy skinned neck. But what captivated them the most was that the dress wasn't overly puffed as some of the womens' were but thin and layered intricately.
She truly shone among the crowd.
"Kami…" he murmured under his breath as his obsidian orbs met her guiltless emerald ones.
Suddenly he found her in front of him, a radiant smile plastered on her pouty, rosy lips. Sasuke scanned every part of her face; finding his lips parted slightly as he stared at her. Then idly found himself hearing her ask-to the women's outrage and disappointment:
"May I have this dance, Uchiha Sasuke?"
0000000000000000000000000000000000
"Gaara, please awake!" Kaito whispered quietly to the sleeping man. He had snuck into the room and noted that there were guards outside, but no sign of Shikamaru.
'He must be at the ball by now…' he thought quietly. Then, he thanked the stars that the man started to stir in his sleep as his eyes fluttered open.
"K-Kaito…" Gaara murmured quietly. "Gaara, you must get up we have to leave! You're in grave danger-"
"My head…it hurts …?" he mumbled, completed disoriented. "Orochimaru- the new adviser plans to harm you, harm Sasuke! If you don't leave things will become incredibly troublesome!"
"The others…?"
Kaito sighed. They didn't have much time…how long had Gaara been asleep for?
"They're at the peace ball in the great hall. You recovered a memory and have been unconscious, from what Shikamaru told me." he responded calmly.
Gaara looked down hesitantly. The redheaded man's hands curled into fists, one cupping the other angrily. "I was working under Orochimaru…I…murdered people. My only purpose was to dispose of people who got in his way . He told me one day…to rape and murder the heiress of a powerful family," He looked over at Hinata who was sleeping.
Kaito paled. This was the most he had ever seen Gaara say, and the grave, guilty look on his face confirmed that this was true. But what bothered Kaito the most was that he had had a feeling that Gaara was linked to Hinata in some way. He had, after all, come a little before Hinata had appeared. It seemed too coincidental. "but… I couldn't do it…she said something-"
"Please inform me about it later. Right now I have to get you to safety…Orochimaru is plotting against Sasuke."
A mixture of pain and remorse was screaming in his eyes. Perhaps this was his punishment for murdering so many people? Then, suddenly, he became calm and collected. "He's ruined many lives including mine." Gaara told him quietly. "I'm…a monster…a monster of Sunagakure."
"Don't say such things-"
"And now that it's ruined there is no turning back from this...I'm sorry…Kaito." He whispered to him softly before a kunai pierced his body. Blood sputtered from his mouth as horror and pain filled his face.
A chuckle emitted from the shadows as Orochimaru, Kabuto and Saito appeared. "Excellent, Gaara. It appears you aren't as worthless to me as I had assumed." The man praised as he walked over to them and pulled the kunai from his body painfully slow.
"Are you surprised, Kaito-san? Don't be, for with the return of his memories the guilt the Hyuuga had placed inside him did as well." Orochimaru explained. "It's a good thing I had come beforehand to catch you in the act. I had a feeling you wouldn't leave...such a stubborn, troublesome old man."
Saito looked down, unable to look at the man he had once looked up to. Only now he was going to watch him die. 'You should've left when you had the chance, Kaito-san…'
"You…won't get away with this…" Kaito cursed as he fell to his knees and landed on his side. His body began to grow numb as Gaara stared at him emotionlessly. "Since you're going to die I might as well tell you what I remembered…"
"P-Please!! Why are you doing this?!" She choked as a strong hand wrapped around her neck to keep the poor girl from screaming for help.
Wearing an expressionless face he answered her. "I'm entitled to." He replied. Hinata struggled to lean her head up and stare up at him, unable to open both eyes. She was beginning to lose consciousness.
"By…hurting other people..? D-Don't you know what's right or wrong…?" she asked below him. The look in her lavender eyes made the man look away and slightly loosen his grip. "I-I…"
"P-Please! D-Don't do this!!" Hinata pleaded again as Gaara climbed on top of her; pinning her down on the grass by her forearms. The red-haired man scanned over the woman. She truly was beautiful in her innocence.
"You don't want to do this, do you, onii-san (a/n: it's not uncommon for people to call strangers this. In the Naruto series he called Haku 'nee-san'-when he first met him-even though he doesn't really mean sister.)…?" she asked quietly making him flinch.
"Your screaming it, in your eyes, d-deep down, aren't you, onii-san?" Hinata asked once more, her voice rising when he jerked his head away from her. He was completely unaware that the Hyuuga's were one of the two clans that had the uncanny ability to read someone's eyes. Perhaps even read their soul.
"Be quiet…"
"…Y-You don't really want to work f-for this evil man, ne?"
"I SAID BE QUIET!" he yelled, which he rarely did as he struck her face violently. He watched her shriek as he applied pressure to her one of her arms; snapping the bone instantly.
But this didn't stop her. She truly was the heiress of her clan. "Y-You…think of yourself as a monster, and you want to escape him…but you can't, can you…o..nii…san?" she asked, cringing in pain when he threatened to break her other arm.
"Gaara…why are you letting this woman get to you?! Finish the job! She must not be kept alive!" Orochimaru hissed as he hovered over them, looking left and right cautiously. Though they were far out in a field in Konoha he wasn't sure if her screams could still be heard.
"Please oniisan, d-d-don't…don't ignore…that voice…telling you that this is wrong…it's…the human…side of you." She told him weakly. The pain in her arm began to pulsate painfully throughout her entire body. It was almost unbearable, and for a second she believed she was dying.
Something caught in Gaara's through as he stopped breathing. Everything this woman below him was saying was true, and the voice in his heart was pushed back so far it was only a whisper. Then, it grew louder until it was screaming. His body overflowed with guilt, and it made him scream in anguish.
All the lives he had taken, all the families he broke, all the tears his victims shed…he was a monster.
Then, Hinata eyes began to strain. They turned a pearl color before she pressed a hand against his stomach and with incredible force, he was thrown back. This woman was not human!
Suddenly, she jolted up and began sprinted away. Kabuto darted after her, but Orochimaru stayed, watching the man cringe in pain. "You have failed. Completely worthless. Didn't I warn you to never let go of the woman's hands? With one had alone she could murder an entire village with her power."
Gaara lifted his head to look at him. "Orochimaru-shishou-"
"You were nothing without me, NO ONE wanted you until I came along and you DARE disobey me, your master?!" spat the man above him, kicking his limp body and making him roll a few feet away from him.
"I can't hurt her, it's wrong…" He gasped as the man he called master crushed his foot down on Gaara's ribs who choked below him as massive amounts of pain erupted through his body. "After all the lives you have taken you dare preach to me what is right or wrong?!" he demanded.
"Trash! You are nothing!" the man snarled at him as he kicked him once more, making him roll back onto his stomach.
As he lost consciousness the man whispered in his ear as he lifted him by his hair, seeing the crimson trickle down the side of his forehead to his chin from his skull- nearly crushed moments ago- and his mouth which was from having his ribs crushed so mercilessly
"You are useless, incompetent. I have no use for you anymore." The man spat at him. He covered his face, and as he did from his closed eyelids Gaara saw a bright flash of light and felt a sharp pain emit through not his skull but his own brain and produced a blood curdling scream. The last thing he saw was the man walking away from him before he fell into a painful unconscious state.
Kaito looked horrified as he looked at the man who had just finished telling his memory. But remorse longer showed in the red-haired man's eyes. "No good…will come out of your decision…" he replied before he fell limp on the floor.
'Goodbye…Kaito-san.' He thought quietly before turning to Orochimaru. "Orochimaru-shisou what shall we do about this man's body?" he asked. The man grinned evilly. "Saito will take care of the body. But now onto other matters, my prized weapon…you shall continue you dispose of the people that stand in my way until there is only one…"
Without hesitation the man lowered his head grimly so his eyes were staring at the sheets. "Hai."
0000000000000000000000000000
Jealousy and hatred filled the air as the men and women of the neighboring countries looked at the almost perfect couple dancing happily in each other's arms. The two truly looked like they were a fairy tale.
"I never thought I would be here…like this…with you." Sakura mumbled as her arms tightened around his neck and her mouth was nuzzled on the neck of his tuxedo.
"Hn?" he asked, puzzled by her words. He felt her smile against his neck. "Well I know how you lived up to your reputation before you met me and I wasn't exactly fond of you either." Sakura explained quietly. As the two danced the pinkette noticed all the jealous couples looking at them.
"That was before. This is now." Sasuke replied simply as his hold on her waist tightened. Something inside her heart warmed with his gentle words.
When the song was over every broke away from each other and clapped for the symphony. And in the midst of the crowd Sasuke grabbed Sakura's wrist and pulled her away to the way she had entered.
"S-Sasuke what're you-"but he silenced her with a chaste kiss. "I want to give you your gift." He explained to her softly. Quietly she watched him take something out of her pocket and it made her gasp softly.
Sakura eyed the beautiful emerald pendant on a thin and delicate gold chain that Sasuke held in his hands. Her hands flew up to her mouth. "S-Sasuke…I…Kami…it's beautiful…"
The raven-haired man walked around her and draped the pendant around her neck. She shivered delightfully when the cool metal was placed on her neck.
Sakura turned around to look up at him. A gleam could be seen in her now watery eyes. "Arigato…Sasuke…."
A hand went up and wiped the single tear beginning to trickle down her cheek. "Why're you crying?"
She sniffled as she gave him a toothy smile. "I'm just so happy…no one's ever gotten me something so beautiful…I was too young and my mother didn't live long enough to see me mature. And my father…"
This time the young lord slinked an arm around her waist to pull her closer to him, cupped her chin with his other hand. He leaned forward so his lips were barely touching hers. When did he become so smitten with this woman?
"Don't mention him." He breathed. Sasuke watched her cheeks burn red with embarrassment as she stared into his obsidian eyes. "Sasuke…'I'm falling in love with you more and more…with each passing minute I spend with you…'" she thought lovingly as her hands snaked up to the sides of his face before standing on her tip toes to kiss him.
Sasuke fully wrapped his arms around her waist as he lifted her up, making her giggle. But the two's happiness didn't last long as a familiar voice growled at them.
"I should've known you would do this to me, Sakura.."
Quickly Sakura broke away to see Ino standing at the doors. Her blue eyes were filled with anger and betrayal. She was clenching her jaw and her fists as she stormed off.
"Ino!!" she yelled as she ran after her.
Sasuke watched the two before running off after them, hoping the angry blonde woman would stop and listen to Sakura. But what he didn't understand was why she was so angry?
"Ino please, I can explain!" Sakura cried as she ran after her blonde haired friend.
Ino didn't stop until she was outside in the rain before she spun around and struck Sakura angrily. The pinkette held her cheek as the rain drenched her dress and stared at her friends cobalt colored eyes that held betrayal. "You lied to me, Sakura. You promised me…"
"I didn't lie to you Ino-"
"Then why did YOU ask HIM to dance? Why were you dancing so contently with him?! Why the fuck were you kissing him?!"
Sakura felt her heart fall to the pit of her stomach.
As the thunder crackled Ino lowered her eyes, a bitter smirk curled at her lips. "I came here to wish you happy birthday, to hug you, to see how you were holding up because I loved you like a sister-but obviously you don't give a DAMN about me...I should've known you would do this…betray and break your promises to the people that love you…You're no better than you're father …" She murmured before she made her way down the muddy path back to the village.
"Ino, don't do this...It's not what you think- INO!!" Sakura cried before Ino had disappeared from her view and the rain became heavier and her tears were drowned. Sakura fell to her knees and hit the ground with a splash.
And at that moment she had just lost her best friend…
All because of him…
Uchiha Sasuke...
The man she saved...
The man who gave her the opportunity of a lifetime...
The man who opened her heart, and vice versa...
But most of all…the man she couldn't help but fall in love with.
"Sakura." Sasuke called as he appeared by her side. He put a hand on her shoulder lightly, but she jerked away, mumbling something as she stared down at the ground.
"Saku-"
"I SAID STAY AWAY FROM ME!" The bubblegum pink-haired woman screamed as she smacked his hand away. Her tears hidden but the pounding rain. The obsidian eyed man looked at her with desperation in his eyes. Just moments ago they were happy! She was cradled in his arms. Everything was so perfect… How did could things have gone wrong?
"Because of you…because of you I broke my promise to her! She even compared me to my father-"
"What did I do?" he demanded as she stood up.
"YOU MADE ME FALL FOR YOU!!" she yelled angrily, her breakdown as just barely audible as she stared down at the muddy ground. He was speechless as she continued you in a broken tone. "And because of that…I lost her friendship…my only true friendship-"
"Sakura I never meant for this to-"
"Save it!" She screamed over the icy rain drops beating the ground and the beautiful dress she had been wearing, and was now ruined along with her hair and make up. The crackle of thunder boomed above their heads, but neither jumped as they stared in each others' eyes.
"Why didn't you just let us be?! You should've let me go!" the pinkette demanded in a shaky voice. Her viridian eyes were filled with pain and sorrow; almost too much for him to bear. "I couldn't," Sasuke told her roughly, reaching out to her, but she backed away so all he could grasp was water. "Sakura I think I lo-"
"Stop-just stop!" She screamed again, covering her ears so she could drown out his words. "Stop trying to deny fate Sasuke! We don't live in the perfect fairy tale world where the poor girl lives happily ever after with the prince! The poor and the rich aren't meant for each other-"
"Don't say that-"he protested roughly but she shook her head. "I'm sorry…but this is goodbye. I'm leaving Uchiha castle tomorrow." She told him shakily as she hurried back inside the castle, leaving him confused, numb, and ripped in two.
Once again he had lost her, only this time, as he had feared before, he was losing her for good.
TBC…
Heh sorry this is so late, but I hope this chapter was worth the wait! I'll try to have the next chapter up for you guys up by tues or weds so you guys can drink this in haha. :)
Till Nxt Time!!
xxasukachanxx