This story was created due to everyone's love for my chapters in 'Shattered Mirror' that were based off of 'Beauty And The Beast'! Hope you enjoy!
As always,
Enjoy!
~Kyvena
Chapter One: Little Town And A Big Castle
Long ago, the infamous Uchiha clan - along with its fifteen year old leader, Madara Uchiha, lived within a beautiful castle roughly one hour away from the Leaf Village. Ruling over the Land Of Fire, taxes were high and punishments were far too cruel so that people were forced into behaving out of fear of the Uchiha clan. Those taxes taken were used on bringing in the most beautiful people for the most beautiful parties.
One night, an elderly woman came to the Uchiha castle, begging for shelter from the snow storm and in return, she offered him a single rose. Disgusted by her appearance, Madara dismissed her, yet the elderly woman warned him... to not be deceived by appearances. Dismissing her again, she then knew... he held no love within his heart.
Her elderly appearance melting away, she then took the form of a beautiful woman with long ankle white hair. He tried to apologize, but she then dismissed him. A curse was then placed on him and his entire castle. The curse she placed on Madara was the curse of hatred that was linked to his eyes; forming them into a permanent Mangekyo Sharingan so that he would slowly progress to forever walk in darkness.
The rest of his clan - including his parents and siblings had their memories of being an Uchiha ripped from them, yet she did leave a few servants. Such as a cook, one maid, and three butlers who were all aware of the curse. Not to mention, his castle would be forgotten to the world. However, she did assure him that there was a way to break this curse.
Wanting to know the solution, he then asked and she answered... and it was not an answer he thought he would be able to achieve. Before his twenty-first year, he must fall in love and gain her love in return. She also told warned him by the time he was twenty, he would be completely blind.
Leaving an enchanted rose as his only indication as to when his time would be up, he then asked what would happen if he did not accomplish the task she had set for him. Her tone then slightly darkened and she explained to him that should he fail, he should remain bound to this castle for the rest of his life, but that was not it. Should he fail, it would effect his entire clan and place the Curse of Hatred upon them as well.
However, she then explained if that he were victorious, he would never lose the light held within his eyes and he would be given the power to protect that in what he holds most precious to him; a love, family, a clan, it did not matter. She would grant him the power he would need to save anyone and everyone he cared for from their demise.
As the years began to go by, Madara fell into despair... for who... could ever love... someone who was doomed to be blind...
A pair of emerald orbs fluttered open in the morning skies that now bled with red, orange, and yellow. It was yet another day in the same little town of the Leaf Village that had just been created, yet she was sure this day would be no different from the day before. Pulling herself out of bed, a gentle sigh escaped her lips as a knock came to her door, "Sakura, you awake?" Glancing towards her door, yet another gentle sigh was released as she stood up and walked too her door before opening it, "Yes father, I'm awake."
The male then glanced at his daughter's appearance, she tried to fool him by telling him that she was all right; but did she honestly expect him to believe that? He honestly could tell that his daughter, much like his late wife, wanted so much more out of life. She was a free spirit, fearless, and knowledgeable; but in this day and age... women were expected to just stay home to cook, clean, and bare children. Necessary talents such as reading, chakra control, and being a ninja were frowned upon in this community.
Taking a quick bath and allowing her hair to dry, the pinkette then placed her gear on before calling out, "Father, I'm going out to town for a bit to get a new book. Do you need anything while I'm out?" Glancing towards his daughter, he smiled, "Pick up some new seeds for the garden. We will need new summer vegetables and fruit." Nodding at this as she pulled her wrist length black leather gloves on, Sakura then picked up her wallet and placed it in one of her storage compartments. With that, she left her home as if dreading to go into society.
Standing tall, Sakura began to move forward; yet hoped she did not run into one of the man every woman was drawn to in the town she lived in that had decided to become infatuated with her. As if on cue, her emerald orbs slowly turned to the left, 'First the baker will run around with the same wooden tray like always, with the same bred and rolls he is always trying to sell.' Soon enough, the baker started hollering to people for bread and she slightly shook her head, 'It's always the same here...'
"Good morning Sakura!" A voice called out, pulling the pinkette from her thoughts as she glanced up, "Oh, good morning Hashirama." Hashirama gave a cheeky grin, "Where ya headed off to?" Sakura instantly knew how this was going to go, so she might as well get it over with, "The bookstore. I just finished a really good book about two lovers running away together." The long haired brunette instantly seemed depressed that the pinkette hadn't stopped reading yet, "Oh, I see."
Shaking her head, she turned and began walking away. Why was it that this town always seemed so damned lost? The only people who really liked her were children, the bookstore owner, and one person she wish she did not have any attention from at all. Nearing the bookstore, Sakura entered with a smile, "Hey Kakashi." Turning his head, he then smiled from behind a mask, "Hey there Sakura! Done all ready?" The pinkette chuckled softly, "Oh, I couldn't put it down. Have you got anything new?" This actually made the silver haired male laugh, "Not since yesterday, but you may borrow any of the old ones that you wish to read."
Handing Kakashi the old book and walking to the small book case, her emerald eyes began to gaze over a small selection of titles before she picked on; which made Kakashi chuckle, "You've read that one twice already!" This made the pinkette giggle softly, "Yeah, I know, but it makes me feel like I'm not here anymore." This made the silver haired male's eyes sadden a bit before walking to her, "If you like it all that much, then it's yours."
A certain sparkle then came to the pinkette's eyes, "Really!? Are you sure!?" This made Kakashi chuckle as he ushered Sakura out, "I'm sure, now you have a good day Sakura." Sakura gave a brilliant smile that could light up any room, "Thank you sir! Thank you!" Turning before walking away, Sakura then opened the book and began to skim over the pages that made her feel as if she actually were somewhere else due to her imagination at play. However, she knew where exactly she was going as she neared the seed shop and closed the book to place it away.
Purchasing many new seeds, she then left and opened her book and people were now glaring at her. Sakura could care less. She was used to all of the hateful glares by now, but she felt as if she didn't belong in this little village. If her father weren't here, she wouldn't be either. People made her feel like a freak of nature just for wanting to be able to read. What was so wrong with it? She honestly didn't see the harm in it.
As she continued to walk through the small, yet busy streets, Sakura finally became so lost within the pages of her book that she roughly ran into someone. Snapping out of it and dropping her book, she then bowed in apology, "I'm so sorry! Please forgive me!" Hearing nothing, she lifted her head and internally began to groan.
"Sakura..." His voice projected almost like ice against her skin, causing her to slightly shudder as he laughed, "I seem to have that effect on women." Trying her hardest not to roll her eyes, she bent down and picked her book up, "Is there something you need Sasuke?" Smirking as he handed her a rose that she just looked at, he then nodded, "I was wondering if you would join me for dinner tonight." Internally, the pinkette's eye was twitching, but she gave a two worded reply, "Sorry, no." He then gave a one worded reply, "Busy?" Sakura then got a 'you're a fucking dumbass' look on her face before giving her one worded reply, "No..."
Just then, Sasuke's best friend and right hand man, Naruto, appeared, "Man you were turned down hard this time, ya know?" Naruto mused as Sasuke smirked, "Oh no, Naruto, it's the one's who don't give in instantly who are the sweetest prey. The hunt is the best part..." All he and Naruto could do was watch Sakura walking away as her thigh long pink tresses blew softly behind her.
Walking home now, she entered to hear the tinkering of a music box and her father's voice singing out the melody. Making her father something to eat and walking down the steps to their basement, Sakura stood there for a moment to listen to her father sing until approaching him and setting the food down, "Are you excited about tomorrow father?"
Glancing towards his only child, he smiled gently, "I think so." Gaining a facial expression that basically screamed she was down, he then asked, "What's bothering you Sakura?" Glancing up sadly, her voice projected out in a worried tone, "Father? Do you think I'm odd?" Tilting his head, he scoffed, "My daughter? Odd? Where would you get an idea like that?" Rolling her eyes playfully, she then laced her arms behind her back, "Oh, I don't know... I just have the feeling I don't belong here." He supposed he could understand that line of thinking but he smiled, "Sakura, sit down."
Sitting across from her father, he then spoke, "This is a small village, and small minded as well, but small also means safe." Closing the finished music box, he then smiled, "What do you think Sakura?" She smiled softly as she spoke tenderly, "I think you will win first prize, father." Gaining a determined facial expression, he then tenderly wrapped the hand crafted music box up before walking outside, "Now, what would you like this year?" Sakura smiled softly as she tucked a long strand of pink locks behind her ear, "A rose."
Raising an eyebrow, he chuckled softly, "You ask for the same thing every year." This made the pinkette smile gently, "And you always get it for me." Nodding his head as he got on his horse, he chuckled brightly, "Then a rose I shall get you! Take care of yourself Sakura. I will be back in three days time." Waving and smiling as her father rode away, Sakura then turned and walked back into her home.
The next day, Sakura walked outside to begin her morning chores... only to be interrupted almost instantly. "Sakura..." Sasuke called out as Sakura internally groaned, yet smiled on the outside, "What can I help you with Sasuke?" Walking up to the pinkette, he then took her chin within his grasps, "Marry me. You know what happens to girls who do not marry and their father's end up dying. They end up homeless."
Ripping her chin from Sasuke's hold, the pinkette then began to walk towards her home and Sasuke followed. Finally, Sakura opened her door and walked in, "Sasuke... get it through your skull... I'M NEVER GOING TO MARRY YOU!" With that, she slammed the door and he walked away as she fumed inside of her home, "I can't believe he had the nerve to ask me to marry him! That boorish, brainless... 'Lady Sasuke, can't you just see it? Lady Sasuke, his LITTLE WIFE.' Hell no." With that, she continued to fume for the rest of the day.
Kizashi currently rode his horse through the woods whenever he mumbled, "Did I take a wrong turn...?" Suddenly a bolt of lightning hit a tree in front of him, scaring his horse, which he now had to calm down as he noticed a separate path. "Oh good there's probably a way around the fallen tree." He spoke as he nudged the snow white mare forward.
It was summer time... it was summer time... "No need to panic, it's only snow... in JUNE." Hearing the sounds of howling, his horse began to panic and he once again had to calm the frightened animal. Well, that was until a blood thirsty wolf pounced on him and shoved him to the ground. Now he was slightly panicking because his horse had taken off - and technically, this wasn't even his horse. It was his daughter's. "TSUNA!" He called out in a whisper for the white mare.
The only thing he heard was growling, causing his eyes to widen as he ran to a ledge and looked down to see Tsuna right there and he quickly jumped down onto her, "GO TSUNA!" He didn't know where they were going exactly, but the wolves were hot on their heels.
Noticing a castle, he pushed the mare to go faster before turning his head to see that the wolves would not dare come any closer. His heart was racing and he was freezing cold, but did feel as if someone were watching him as he dismounted. Walking up to the castle doors, Kizashi then knocked, "Hello? Is anyone there? I lost my way in the woods and need a place to rest for the night!" He called out.
Soon enough the door opened and Kizashi walked in, "Thank yo-" He then noticed... no one was there. Strange. Noticing a fire, he instantly went to it to warm himself up as he heard clanking and clattering within a different room. Walking towards the room, he then opened the door to find no one... again... yet there was food, "Oh thank you, thank you, thank you!" He sat down and bowed his head as thanks before eating the hot bowl of soup until it was all gone.
In a vase in front of him, he stared at the single white rose, remembering he had passed a whole garden of roses on his way here. He'd have to remember to pick one for Sakura. Something about this castle felt uneasy and restless. It was eerie and the dark coloration of crimson and black littered the walls. It still felt as if someone were watching him, but now that stare felt murderous.
Finally caving into his instincts, he swiftly rose, "I-I thank you for your hospitality and I am truly sorry for bothering you on this night. I will be going now." Kizashi left in a hurry and whistled for Tsuna, whom quickly came to him. As they rode away, he could STILL feel those eyes on him; yet now remembered his sweet and beautiful daughter as he came upon the rose bushes, "Ah-ah! Tsuna stop!" Jumping down, he then searched around to find the perfect rose, not knowing that certain set of eyes were right above him.
Tying Tsuna up lightly, he then pulled out a knife as she began to panic... and with good reason, "I promised Sakura a rose Tsuna. Just hold on." Right as he picked the flower, Madara jumped down and scared Kizashi half to death, "And what do you think you are doing with something that is rightfully mine?" Madara asked as he folded his arms.
The chakra this man held was terrifying and Kizashi soon fell on his back, "I-I promised to get one for my daughter!" Tsuna finally broke free and began bolting as fast as she could back to her rightful owner. Madara reached down and grasped the older male by the front of his shirt and began to drag him until he came to his castles tower, "I shall give you a life in prison for stealing from me." Kizashi couldn't believe this... life in prison because he picked a flower, "Y-You're joking right!?" Madara snapped his deadly crimson gaze back towards Kizashi, "I would not have said it if it hadn't been the truth."
Tsuna finally had made it back to Sakura, who was practicing her jutsu's at the moment until hearing her horse's panicked neigh. Running outside only to see her horse, the pinkette ran up to the horse, "TSUNA, WHERE IS FATHER!? TAKE ME TO HIM!" Putting on a traveling cloak along with her gear, Sakura hopped on her horse and set out.
Reaching the castle with no incident, she the gazed up and wondered how no one else had ever found this place before. Tying Tsuna up somewhere she would be safe, she then walked up to the front door with a glare set on her face. Trying to open the door, she realized it was locked, "Son of a..." Raising her fist and gathering a good amount of chakra within her hold, she slammed it through the lock and kicked the door open before calling out, "FATHER!?"
Hearing no reply other than harsh coughing, she then bolted towards the sound - grabbing a lit candle stick on her way up. Reaching the top, she then realized where they were... she was in a tower. Hearing the harsh coughing fit again, she ran towards one of the cells, "Father!" His eyes widened immensely, "Sakura!? What are you doing here!? Get out of here before he finds you!" Pink eyebrows furrowed as she yelled, "WHO FINDS ME!?" Out of nowhere a deep and velvety smooth voice rang out, "Who might you be and what could you possibly want?"
Scowling deeper, her defiant streak obviously running thick in her blood as she yelled, "I'VE COME FOR MY FATHER!" Still in the shadows as he jumped closer to her, he let out a sharp 'TSK!' before adding in, "He is a thief, why would I permit freedom to someone who takes something who belongs to others so easily..." This was definitely not asked in the form of a question, yet hearing her father's coughing was making her extremely worried, "Please, he's extremely sick... he could die!"
Snapping around as if he could care less, the pinkette then lowered her head, "If you won't free him... take me in his place." Well that was confusing to Madara. He had never once heard of anyone trying to take someone else's punishment, yet he decided to take a gamble, "Very well then. If you so desire to take his place, then I shall not stop you."
Sakura had just realized she had not seen this man's face once so she allowed her curiosity get the better of her, "Come into the light..." Finally, he turned around and at first glance, he was extremely handsome... but what scared her, was his eyes - causing a sharp gasp to emit from her throat. Suddenly, Kizashi yelled out, "NO SAKURA! I WON'T ALLOW THIS! YOU HAVE YOUR WHOLE LIFE AHEAD OF YOU! JUST LEAVE ME!" Turning towards him with a frown she then nodded, "All right father... I will leave." Now turning towards the bulky male, she then whispered, "Can I at least say goodbye...?"
Hearing yet another sharp 'TSK!' She then frowned, "Is your heart so cold that you won't even allow a daughter to kiss her father goodbye...?" Growling slightly, Madara then opened the door and she ran in, "You have one minute." He coldly exclaimed. Kizashi smiled as he held her, "You are bright and strong, do not be afraid Sakura." Shaking her head slightly as she whispered, "I'm not afraid... and... I will escape..." Kizashi's eyes widened as the pinkette then shoved her father out of the cell and locked herself in.
Madara snapped towards her and narrowed his eyes, trying to focus as hard as he could, "You took his place...?" Sakura scowled slightly and shook her head as if she hadn't even needed to think about her actions before doing them, "He's my father." Right at that moment, the only thing he could think was, 'I'll be nineteen in six months time... after that plus one year, I will be completely blind. Oh joy.'
Reaching down and grasping Kizashi as he yelled, "PLEASE HAVE MERCY ON MY DAUGHTER!" Madara began to drag the man until at the front door, "OBITO! TAKE THIS MAN BACK TO THE VILLAGE!" Obito ran out and bowed, "Yes, my lord." Sakura watched the carriage leaving the castle as she slumped down and began to shiver and sob at the same time. Mikoto slowly neared Madara and placed a hand on his shoulder, "My lord... do you plan on keeping the girl locked in the tower?" Madara glanced over his shoulder, yet said nothing.
Back in the tower, Sakura's ears picked up on the latch of the cell opening, "Hello young miss." The male walked in with a smile before bowing and continuing, "I am here to escort you to your room." The pink haired female gained a puzzled expression, "My room...?" The young man chuckled softly, "Of course. You really didn't expect for any of us to sit around to allow a young lady to freeze to death, did you? Plus, you will be here for the remainder of your life, so I figured you'd rather be more comfortable." Soft chuckling was then heard from another male and Sakura tilted her head.
"Itachi, you're talking more than usual. Is a new pretty girl being here that exciting?" The male snickered out as Itachi frowned slightly, "Shisui, you shouldn't make fun of me. I'm just trying to ease her mind." It was obvious to Sakura that Shisui was playful, while Itachi was bashful. Shisui then glanced towards Sakura, "I am right though, she's gorgeous." This caused the pinkette to become bright red as she turned her head away, making the short haired male chuckle playfully.
Suddenly Madara appeared, "Might I ask WHAT you two are doing?" Both Shisui and Itachi instantly tensed up and sweat dropped. Shisui then turned around and rubbed the back of his head, "We just figured since the girl will be with us for quite some time, she should have a room so she didn't, you know... die?" Madara merely blinked roughly and focused harshly on the pinkette, 'DAMMIT! I CAN'T MAKE OUT HER FACE! I'M TOO FAR AWAY!' Slowly approaching Sakura, Madara stopped to tower over her as she looked down at the ground.
He had never been good at this, he knew he hadn't, "Your name is Sakura, correct?" She did not look up at him, yet she nodded, "Yes..." He wanted to see her face for some reason, "Sakura, look at me." Slowly raising her head, she then noticed him focusing intensely and basically scowling, yet couldn't understand why. Had she done something wrong already?
By now, the two other Uchiha's were long gone to give their master some privacy with the girl. He was making her nervous with the way his eyebrows now furrowed in frustration before he shouted and made her jump slightly, "DAMMIT!" - 'I HAVE TO KNOW WHAT SHE LOOKS LIKE!' He roared internally. Madara then grasped Sakura by her hips and lifted her up to his face so that they were now face to face.
She was still blurry... Madara now felt like crying against this girl he did not even know. The daughter of a common THIEF! 'I NEED TO KNOW!' - "Do not panic." He stated calmly. Nodding out of fear due to the fact that she had never seen a type of eyes that seemed so murderous before, he slowly brought her face closer to his own and finally he could see her. She was breath taking... he had taken some beautiful concubines to bed before, yet NONE had ever had the beauty that this single female held and he was now secretly thanking her for taking her father's place.
Placing the pinkette down, with a bland and unenthusiastic facade, the male with the long, unruly, black and blue locks then snapped around, "Come." She nodded and followed with her head down so she did not have to see those eyes again. The thoughts of losing her father and her freedom within an instant was far too great for her comprehend at the moment as she followed slowly. Shisui then appeared next to Madara and leaned in to whisper so quietly that Sakura could not hear, "My lord... should you not ease her mind...? Speak to her! You only have a year and a half left until you are completely blind! Not to mention you now only have two and a half years until your twenty-first year!"
Before the long haired male could snap at the short haired male, he vanished out of sight - causing him to release a breath as he rose a single gloved hand to run it through his long locks, "The castle is your home now, I do hope you find it quite enjoyable. You may go anywhere, except for the west wing." That was confusing, so she just had to ask, "What's in the west wing?" That's when Madara snapped and swiftly slapped the pinkette, "IT IS FORBIDDEN! DO YOU UNDERSTAND!?" Emerald orbs widened immensely after the initial shock set in of her head whipping to the side.
The only thing she could do was lower her head in silence once again and continue to follow the moody male until she actually noticed him run into something that he could have clearly avoided, yet at that point she didn't think too much of it. Reaching a room she then noticed him having a hard time finding the keyhole once he pulled out the key to unlock it... 'Odd.' The pinkette thought. Yet, once again, gave it no more thought.
Opening the door for her, she then walked in and for once... he did not want to be alone at dinner, "You... YOU WILL JOIN ME FOR DINNER!" With that he slammed the door shut before locking it and handing the key to Mikoto, "Mikoto... take care of her..." Mikoto bowed deeply to her clan leader, "As you wish, my lord."
Mikoto slowly entered the room the pinkette was staying in and gave a sad smile, "What you did was very brave dear." Sakura looked up sniffling as tears streamed down from her puffy emerald orbs, "W-Who are you?" Mikoto chuckled softly and smiled softly, "I am the head maid... well technically... I am the only maid. My name is Mikoto. I hear your name is Sakura, such a beautiful name." The pinkette nodded slightly and the maid then sighed softly, "Ready to dress for dinner?"
Sakura then gained a defiant sparkle within her emerald orbs, "No! I will not be going to dinner with him. You can just bring it to my room Mikoto." Nodding her head and chuckling, Mikoto then bowed, "As you wish Sakura. I shall go and prepare your meal now." Smiling, the pinkette now felt a little better that someone like Mikoto was here.
Mikoto already dreaded this. She would have to pass the dining hall before she could enter the kitchen. Even if Madara was almost blind, he always knew where in the hell she was for some damn reason. Passing through the dining room doors, she already noticed Madara pacing back and forth as Obito, Shisui, and Itachi spoke to him to try and calm their lord down. Snapping his head to the side to see Mikoto, the Uchiha king then growled out, "WHERE IS SHE!? SHE SHOULD HAVE BEEN HERE BY NOW!" Mikoto already knew this was not going to smooth over well, "My lord, she is not coming. She has asked to have her dinner be brought to her room."
"WHAT!?" The angered voice of Madara Uchiha rang out before he bolted towards her room with everyone chasing him. Accidentally running into her door, he then began to bang on it angrily, "I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU TO COME TO DINNER!" Sakura's voice was quick to talk back defiantly, "NO THANK YOU!" Shisui and Mikoto both approached their leader as the male spoke first, "Uh... my lord...? Maybe you should try asking her instead of demanding her. Maybe if you are more gentle, she will open the door, and then you should give her a smile! Come now, let me see your smile!"
Madara was not going to play these games, yet sighed and gently knocked on the door before grumpily asking, "Will you join me for dinner...?" Sakura was now seething, "FIRST YOU TAKE ME AS YOUR PRISONER AND NOW YOU WANT TO HAVE DINNER WITH ME!? YOU ARE UNBELIEVABLE! I DON'T WANT TO BE ANYWHERE NEAR YOU!" Madara's eye was now twitching furiously, "Fine, then go ahead and starve." He mused before adding in, "If she does not eat with me, she does not eat at all." With that, he snapped around and stormed back to the dining hall to eat once again.
Sure, she was able to sneak out once Madara resided to his room for the night, but this place felt like a cage. It had been an entire week since she had arrived, yet she avoided the moody male at all costs. For some reason, his eyes terrified her. After sneaking out to wander about, the pinkette then heard the servants talking in the kitchen and she entered; which caused them all to instantly stiffen up.
Shisui glanced back and chuckled, "Oh, it's just you, Sakura! You just about gave me a heart attack!" Sakura blinked rapidly and dismissed the male's comment, "What were you guys talking about?" Obito then pointed to himself, "Who, us? Not much really. Mostly about tasks that need to get done in the castle." Mikoto was actually impressed that Obito had remained so calm during all of that.
The pinkette could INSTANTLY tell this man was lying to her, causing her to slightly puff her cheeks out, "Want to tell me the truth Obito?" Sakura had become close with all of the Uchiha servants, yet she could tell they were ALWAYS hiding something from her. Sighing heavily, she shook her head, "How would my favorite three men like to give me a tour?" Shisui, Itachi, and Obito and ALL become fond of Sakura, but for their clans sake, they had to have the pinkette and their leader fall in love. All three instantly jumped forward, "Yeah! It'll be fun!" Shisui exclaimed happily.
Sakura felt bad she was tricking them the way she was to find out what was in the west wing. After a week of waiting and pondering over what could actually be in there was actually driving her nuts. So, today was the day she was going to figure out what he was hiding. Maybe that would help her understand Madara a little more, if not a lot more.
They had been walking for forever and each person would stop to explain something within the castle walls. The three men then silently walked past a stairwell, causing Sakura to stop, 'So, that's the west wing...' - "Hey, what about up here? We haven't gone up these stairs yet." She blinked her innocent emerald orbs and all three men suddenly froze before turning to see that she was now climbing the stairs. They didn't know they could run so fast, but in an instant, all three were in front of here, "Nothing is up there. Just storage and junk." Obito nervously exclaimed.
Raising a dainty pink eyebrow, Sakura huffed, "Well if it's just storage and junk, then why won't you let me see it?" Itachi had to think of something quickly, so he blurted out, "Wouldn't you rather go and see our library?" Snapping her head towards Itachi with a big and bright smile, she then gasped happily, "You have a library!?" All three nodded and Shisui held up a single finger, "There are tons, no, mountains of books to read!" Happily giggling, she then turned around, "Then what are we waiting for!?" - 'Suckers.'
As the three Uchiha men bounded happily forward and carelessly, obviously forgetting to look back at that point as she began to climb the stairwell. The first thing she noticed was that it was dusty, gloomy, and many things were destroyed. Walking up to a pair of large doors, Sakura only opened one just enough for her to slip in.
"This place is a mess..." She grumbled softly as she continued to look around until a single portrait stopped her dead in her tracks. It was covered in a thick layer of dust that she had to wipe away using a single hand. Suddenly, her sparkling emerald orbs widened. It was a family portrait, yet, that's not what really caught her eye. Madara's eyes were not that terrifying crimson coloration that screamed 'MURDERER'. They were pitch black voids... and even though that sounded bad, his eyes seemed peaceful and contempt, not blood thirsty.
Out of the corner of her eye, something began to shine brightly, causing her to instantly turn her head so that her soft pink tresses followed her initial head movements. 'What is that...?' Sakura asked herself as she slowly neared the glowing item, only to realize... it was her favorite flower, a rose.
"Wow... it's so pretty..." The pinkette spoke softly as she reached out to touch the glass, only for a certain moody male with the eyes that terrified her to drop down and protectively hold the enclosure, "WHAT DID YOU DO TO IT!?" Sakura couldn't focus on his eyes. Those eyes that seemed as if they were out for her blood. Finally she fumbled out, "N-Nothing, I-I was just l-looking..." Madara's rage was now taking over as he now yelled as loud as he possibly could, "GET OUT OF HERE! GO!"
She didn't need him to tell her twice, so she ran to the ledge as she effectively stole his Uchiha cloak to stay warm, "TSUNA!" Jumping down, the brisk winter air hit her skin like a million needles stabbing her all over her body. Tsuna quickly arrived and Sakura mounted her as fast as she could, "GO HOME TSUNA! GO BACK TO FATHER!"
Madara watched in shame as her blurry form galloped away, "What have I done... I am such a fool..." All four Uchiha's then burst into the room. Mikoto, Itachi, Shisui, and Obito all held panic within their faces until they all yelled in unison, "MY LORD, THE WOLVES!" At that moment the Uchiha clan leader's eyes widened profoundly before jumping off of the balcony topless since Sakura had been so gracious as to take his. Snapping his head to the side he then whistled, "AMATERASU!" The brilliant black stallion instantly came to his shivering master who instantly mounted him before yelling, "GO!"
The howling of wolves was all she could hear until she snapped her head back to realize they were right behind here, "GO TSUNA!" She honestly didn't know WHERE she was going at this point, but getting out of harms way was a good start. Right then and there, she was kind of happy she stole Madara's clothing because she realized they were on a frozen lake.
Galloping across the frozen water, Tsuna's hoof hit a weak point within ice and it instantly collapsed. Forget the feeling of a million needles, this now felt like actual swords lodged all throughout her skin and once she surfaced, the pinkette gasped for air as if someone had been holding her head under the water and her teeth were now rapidly chattering, "C-COME ON T-TSUNA!" The snow white mare finally pulled herself out of the water and began to run, causing all of Sakura's muscles to tense up from the cold.
Forcing to skid to a stop, the freezing cold pink haired female brought up her fists, yet her mare was so panicked that her reigns ended up getting tangled within a branch; which in terms caused her to panic as her eyes darted to all of the wolves surrounding her. Due to not having eyes on the back of her head, she did not witness the one wolf from behind already lunging at her, yet the moment she turned around, there stood Madara grunting in pain as the wolf who had tried to attack her, sank its fangs into his forearm.
'These wolves are terrified of my chakra.' He mused, yet, should not have been thinking due to all of the other wolves pouncing on him and sinking their fangs in. Now he was bleeding badly, but had to get these inferior creatures away from the precious pinkette - or so he thought. "YOU BASTARDS! HOW DARE YOU HARM THE MAN WHO JUST PROTECTED ME! CHA!" Gathering a mass amount of chakra within her fist, she then slammed it to the ground and shattered it.
Effectively terrifying the wolves, they then ran away and right as Sakura was about to climb onto Tsuna to go back home to her father, she heard a harsh dead weight 'THUD!' which caused her to grimace before slowly turning back around to see Madara's unconscious form. Now she felt horrible... all of this was her fault. No harm would have come to him if she wouldn't have let her curiosity get the better of her whenever he had told her to stay out of the west wing.
Walking to him, she knelt down and took his cloak off before placing it on his body. Turning him over, Sakura then gained a softened expression as tears began to fall from her eyes and land on his eyelids. Weakly, he opened his eyes to see her holding him close, "Were... you... harmed... Sakura...?" Opening her shimmering emerald orbs, she then shook her head, "No Madara... but, I need you to help me... you have to stand."
Fully understanding, she laced one of his arms around her shoulders and helped him onto Tsuna before she noticed a black steed and called him over. Climbing on top, she held Tsuna's and Amaterasu's reigns while Madara ended up hunched over so that his head rested in Sakura's lap.
Once back at the castle, Madara was awake and grumpy again. Spitting into one of his wounds, Sakura groaned as she carried out a bowl of hot water to sanitize the wound, "Don't do that Madara!" Sitting beside him and tucking her long locks behind her ear, she then grabbed a clean rag and placed it within the water before picking it up and ringing it out.
Reaching out, the pinkette tenderly placed the cloth on the wound and he instantly grit his teeth and snapped his head towards her, "THAT HURTS GOD DAMMIT!" Furrowing her pink eyebrows, Sakura then yelled back, "WELL, IT WOULDN'T HURT SO MUCH IF YOU WOULD SIT STILL!" Now he was just arguing for the sake of arguing, "WELL, YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE RUN AWAY!" Well, she won the fight as she narrowed her emerald orbs towards his eyes and made contact for the first time, "WELL YOU SHOULD LEARN TO CONTROL YOUR DAMN TEMPER!"
He honestly had nothing to say back to that, but Sakura's face then became soft, "By the way... thank you for coming to my rescue." He had never been thanked once in his life, so he swallowed hard as his deep tone rang out smoothly, "You are quite welcome..." After she was done healing him, which actually amazed him, she then gave a gentle smile, "Have a good night, Madara." With that, she slowly turned and walked away.
Shisui instantly walked up to Madara and nudged him lightly, "Aye, not too shabby my lord." Instantly scowling at this comment, Madara swatted Shisui away as Mikoto then entered the room, "Lord Madara, for once, someone told you what you needed to hear and also, for once, you listened. I'm very proud of you." Considering that his mother no longer remembered him or even knew she was an Uchiha, Madara now looked to Mikoto as his motherly figure. After she finished speaking, Madara glanced down, "I will try much, much harder, Mikoto... I promise..."
Mikoto felt horrible for Madara. He had anyone he ever loved ripped away from him, yet here she still was with one of her sons still by her side while the other was who knows where. Shooting her head up, she then had to know, "My lord? Have you even inquired as to what Sakura's age is!?" This actually made the master of the castle's eyes widen slightly as he shook his head and stood up, "I will leave that to you Mikoto. I am going to retire for the night."
Nodding her head, the only maid then bowed and wished Madara a good night before walking to Sakura's room and knocking on the door, only to hear a muffled, "Yes?" Walking in, Mikoto smiled gently, "I'm glad you made it back unharmed Sakura." Tilting her head down so that her pink locks covered her sad emerald orbs, the pinkette then meekly whispered out, "Yes... but I wish I had been the only one who had been harmed." The maid then fanned her hand in front of her face, "Ah, don't you worry your pretty little head Sakura. Lord Madara is much tougher than you believe him to be."
Gaining no response from this, Mikoto then walked to Sakura and sat beside her before running her hand through her long bubble gum colored tresses, "Sakura, may I ask you a question?" Looking up, the pinkette then nodded, so Mikoto continued, "How old are you dear and when is your birthday?" Blinking rapidly at this question, Sakura then answered, "I'm eighteen. I will be nineteen on March twenty-eighth." All the maid could do was release an inward breath as she thought, 'Oh good, she's younger than Madara.'
Smiling gently, Mikoto then spoke again, "Would you like to know how old lord Madara is and when his birthday is?" Sakura hadn't even given it any thought up until now, yet now she was curious; so she nodded lightly in return. 'Good, she's becoming curious about him as a person.' She thought before speaking aloud, "Lord Madara is eighteen years old and his birthday is on December twenty-fourth."
"He's ONLY eighteen!?" The pinkette seemed completely dumbfounded by this due to the way that Madara carried himself. Mikoto chuckled softly, "Yes dear. I know what you are thinking too... how can a man carry himself so well at the tender age of eighteen? Well, I can give you that answer... his father corrupted him at a very, VERY young age. It did not matter how much Lord Madara's mother begged and pleaded for her husband to stop doing this to her first born son. His father made him into what he is today."
Sakura instantly stood from her bed, she felt as if she were going to be sick, "Mikoto... take me to Madara..." Mikoto's eyes widened, yet, she nodded, "All right dear. Just follow me." The maid stood and walked out and headed towards the west wing. Did she really want to do this...? Was she sure that this was even correct to be doing? It was too late now.
Mikoto told Sakura to wait here for a moment and she nodded, only for the maid to enter the room. As of now Madara was on lying on his back with his arms laced behind his head before speaking, "What is it Mikoto..." Mikoto then smiled gently as she replied in a hushed tone, "Sakura is younger than you. Eighteen, birth date is March twenty-eighth... but... that's not the only reason I have come my lord." Lifting his only visible eyebrow, the maid walked to the door and then let the pinkette in before she excused herself from the room entirely.
Slowly, Sakura made her way to Madara and slowly, as if being cautious, sat down beside his resting form. His heart was slamming in his chest right now and he did not know what exactly to do, so he kept quiet. Finally, he heard the pinkette release a gentle breath of air, "Madara..." He was feeling dizzy... no really, he now felt like the room was spinning as he began to release shallow, ragged breaths.
Snapping her head towards him, Sakura instantly pushed aside her fear of his eyes and bent over to place her forehead against his; only to feel like hell had ignited fire to it, "MADARA!" Sakura yelled and quickly ran out of the room, "MIKOTO! I NEED COLD WATER AND RAGS! MADARA HAS A HIGH FEVER!" Rushing back in, she began to lightly chew on the nail that resided on her thumb. She knew the BEST way to break a fever was by adding more heat. Sure it is an uncomfortable process, but body heat works the best.
She hadn't even realized Mikoto was right there shaking her until she shook her head and narrowed her eyes with determination, "I will take care of him." Mikoto bowed deeply, knowing the pinkette did not mean that she was going to kill the poor sick man, "I thank you Sakura." Nodding her head, she then blushed furiously, "J-Just, no one is allowed in here until I am out of here. Okay?" Mikoto didn't know what she meant by that, but nodded, "All right."
Once Mikoto was gone, Sakura took majority of her clothing off and began to blush furiously as she neared this god among men. Slowly climbing under his covers, she pressed her body tightly against his, causing Madara's eyes to fly open, "S-Sakura...?" All he could hear was grumbling, "I'm only doing this to break your fever so don't get too excited." Okay, he couldn't help it, he was a man and he had these eyes. She was SMASHED up against him, so, seeing her wouldn't be an issue either. Slowly glancing down, he in fact, saw every little detail about her body... and my god was it beautiful.
Happy now, he closed his eyes and her body heat quickly lured him into "sweet" dreams as one of his arms fastened around her as if protecting her and his head ended up burying into her mass amount of locks that held a rose tinted scent. She was still wide awake... and now inwardly chuckled that a male that had a diamond hard exterior while awake would be so gentle and soft while in the world of dreams.
Now that she got a good look at him, the only thing she could think was, 'He looks SO cute when he's asleep.' Slowly, Sakura's eyes began to droop until she was fast asleep, unknowingly snuggled up in Madara's arms with her smaller hands pressed lightly against his chest.
As the sun began to rise, emerald orbs did not want to flutter open due to the warmth she had, yet she tiredly opened her eyes to remember that Madara had fallen ill. Pressing her hand against the male's forehead, the pinkette frowned. His fever had lessened, but was still there. Placing her clothing back on, she placed one of the rags within the cold water before ringing it out and placing it on his forehead.
Slowly his crimson orbs opened to see a blurry pinkette in front of him, "Sakura...?" He weakly called out and she instantly sat beside him and began to hush the male softly as she ran her fingers through his silky locky, "Shh... I'm right here." He rose his hand, trying to find the hand playing with his hair.
Okay, it was time they gave her answers dammit! Even if she had to sneak around or pose as someone else to get that information out. Maybe Madara would just tell her? No harm in asking, "Madara...?" He hummed gently as a reply as he continued to search for her hand, so she continued, "I want to know what's going on here..." Madara instantly snapped his crimson gaze to her and unknowingly to him, made her flinch, "WHY CAN YOU NOT FIND MY HAND WHENEVER IT IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU!?" She yelled furiously at this point.
Mikoto, whom had masked her chakra and been on the other side of the door listening to the two the entire time, finally walked in, "It's because lord Madara is slowly growing blind from a curse placed on our entire clan. It is called the Curse Of Hatred. Those eyes were not originally his Sakura... but I think you figured that much out on your own." Mikoto then motioned to the painting on the wall.
"Who would do such a cruel thing..." Sakura spoke just loud enough for the two to hear. The maid then sighed, "It wasn't cruel, dear. It was a punishment for his own actions. Yet... the entire clan suffered the price. I might have lost one of my sons and can no longer even search for him because of this... but I still have Itachi and lord Madara to care for."
Sakura then placed her hands over Madara's eyes and began running her medical ninjutsu through her palms. After thirty minutes, she removed her palms, "Slowly... open your eyes Madara..." Sakura gently spoke and he did as instructed. Once his eyes were fully opened he realized, it was no longer blurry and he could see Sakura clearly, "S-Sakura... but... why?" Sakura then chuckled and got in his face, "So you stop doing this."
Mikoto could only snicker softly at this outcome as she turned and left, "My lord, breakfast is ready." Madara, now feeling fully healed, sat up, "Sakura, will you please join me for breakfast? After that, I thought I could take you to the library. You enjoy books, do you not?" Nodding, she still didn't like his eyes and she didn't know if she was really ready to trust the man... but something within those blood thirsty orbs was changing and becoming softer, "Um... sure." The Uchiha clan leader then took Sakura's hand within his own, "Sakura... I must tell you. Even with your healing, I will still go blind by the time I am twenty years old."
As if the woman whom had placed this wretched curse on him had figured out that the pinkette was now healing his eyes, they instantly became blurry again right after breakfast - causing him to rub at his orbs tenderly before sighing. Sakura figured what had happened and took his arm within her own as they walked.
He honestly couldn't figure this woman out now matter how hard he tried, but he was thankful that she was guiding him. Tilting his head down, Madara calmly spoke out, "Thank you for guiding me, Sakura." She felt bad for this man... so many things were ripped away from him... his childhood, his family, majority of his clan had forgotten who they even were, and his eyesight was now being torn away.
Honestly... what could she say to him that would ease all of his pain...? She didn't think there was anything, but unknowing to her... just her presence alone was slowly beginning to thaw and mend his heart. Entering the library, Sakura's eyes gained a brilliant sparkle, "There are so many!" Even though everything was blurry, he glanced around, "Hm, yes, I do suppose it is rather large. However, if you find it enjoyable, then the library now belongs to you considering I have read majority of these books."
All she could do was look dumbfounded, "Have you really read every one of these books?" Madara then glanced back with a sly smirk, "No, some of them are in Greek." The pinkette was trying hard not to laugh at this point, "Was that a joke? Are we making jokes now?" Tilting his head back with a full-blown smirk now, he then replied, "Well, maybe I am." Chuckling softly and shaking her head, she then began to pick out mountains of books and used Madara to hold them before they got too heavy and had to place them down on a table.
Sakura didn't know what type of book she was reading right now, well, other than the fact that she could tell that it was clearly a romance novel. Sitting outside, a deep scarlet blush crossed her face as she continued to read. She had been so baffled that someone would actually have the balls to write something like this, that she hadn't even realized Madara was right in her face so that he could see her expression. Leaning back and smirking, the Uchiha male then folded his arms, "And what might you be reading?"
Jumping slightly, the pinkette's face was now completely red, "IT'S NOTHING!" Raising a highly amused eyebrow, Madara smirked, "Hm, is that so? Then why not read to me. I do enjoy the sound of your voice." Sakura was now wide eyed, "W-What?" Madara rolled his eyes, "Do not make me repeat myself. Read to me, please." Oh, he knew what this book was... he just wanted to see that cute blush on the pinkette's face to continue assaulting her cheeks.
The Uchiha clan leader made his way forward to sit on the bench beside Sakura, but considering his vision was extremely blurry, he instantly fell; yet Sakura was now protective of him with the way he could barely see and instantly reached out to grab him. The moment the pinkette tried grasping him, her foot slid on ice and the two ended up falling on one another. "At least I caught you." Sakura winked playfully, yet all Madara could think about was how their faces were so close to one another's that he could actually see her.
"Sakura..." Madara whispered out - yet that was the moment he noticed that she would not look him in the eye. Taking a shaky breath, the pinkette then spoke softly, "Yes, Madara...?" Sighing, he sat up and helped her up as well, "Why will you not look me in the eye...?" It was time she told him... so she did, "It's not because I don't want to. It's because, those eyes..." Sakura then paused momentarily before continuing,
"...terrify me..."