Somebody actually left a review asking if I was okay. Sorry it's been a while (lol). I work in retail and it's holiday season so unfortunately it's been kinda hectic. I was trying to churn this one out as quickly as possible, but there was so much I wanted to pack into this chapter. I'm hoping to maintain an update a week until the holiday season is over, but fingers crossed. Enjoy!
"Please," Mikoto begged, her voice wavering, drifting in and out of Sasuke's earshot from where he stood just on the other side of the door, "Itachi, you can not go."
"This is not something I can ignore, Mother."
"We will keep you safe here," she said with an edge of desperation to her words.
"You can not guarantee that," Itachi spoke gently, "Seiichi can. He will ensure my safety while we are away."
"Itachi, the Harunos are not to be trusted! Not now."
"He is my friend - ,"
Sasuke pressed his ear closer, against the wooden door.
"And the son of the Emperor!"
"It is better that I go along, then. If they think they have my trust - ,"
"Sasuke," the gruff voice of his father caused him to turn sharply, "It is not kind to eavesdrop."
The door opened and Sasuke looked up to see his brother, standing over him. Itachi had donned a dark suit of armor and a sword hung at his belt. He looked just as Sasuke imagined the warriors from their bedtime stories did.
"Where are you going?" Sasuke asked.
"Nowhere," Itachi smiled, crouching to his level.
"Do not be so modest, Itachi," Fugaku chuckled, "Your brother is off to war, Sasuke. He will return a hero, just as you will one day."
Itachi faltered, fear slipping into his gaze as he looked at his little brother.
"I won't be gone for long," he said, ruffling Sasuke's hair.
And Sasuke believed him, but it still felt an eternity before he saw Itachi again. Everyday he would stand at the end of the village, chasing after each caravan in the hopes that it held his elder brother. Everyday he would be disappointed, trudging back to his home with a heavy heart and a clouded mind, wondering if he would ever see Itachi again.
"Itachi."
There was blood on his sword that dripped to coat his bare hands, but despite how fresh it was, there was a chill in his skin. It was hard to see through the haze of sweat and tears, through the black, matted curtain of his hair.
"Itachi."
He found it difficult to hear anything over the blood rushing through his body. There was a buzzing flitting through his mind like a trapped bug.
"Itachi."
It rose to a startling swell that covered him in a blinded rage. But that anger only fueled the tears streaking down his cheeks.
"Itachi!" he swung the sword, cutting the man down to his knees. He sputtered and grasped at the hem of Itachi's cloak, blood leaking from his mouth as he spoke silent pleas. Itachi watched him, committing the last moments of his friend's life to his eternal memory.
Sasuke stood at the edge of their porch, watching the Emperor's caravan approach. Barely had the horses pulled to a stop, when the Emperor exited in a flurry of rage, storming down the path to approach Sasuke's father. Fugaku tensed as he came closer.
"Mikoto, take Sasuke inside," Mikoto faltered, clasping her hands on Sasuke's shoulders, "Now, Mikoto."
Mikoto ushered Sasuke inside, shutting the door behind them, but sat herself by the window to watch her husband. She did not want him to face the Emperor alone.
"Where is he, Fugaku?!" Kizashi was a storm, a terrifying tempest of unbridled anger and insurmountable sorrow, but Fugaku stood tall against him.
"I do not know," his voice was steady and tempered.
"Lies!"
"I may have lost a son as well - ,"
"Then justice has been served!" Kizashi paced the space around him, causing bystanders to shrink back, some retreating to their own homes, "But I am still without my first born! I am without my male heir!"
"Sire, you have my sincerest sympathies - ,"
"Your sympathies mean nothing to me!" his hand cut through the air, waving Fugaku's sentiments into oblivion, "Nothing you say could ever bring my son back!"
Fugaku's eyes never left the Emperor, but he tensed almost imperceptibly when he was fixed with a devastating stare. Kizashi did not try to hide his tears.
"Itachi's actions did not reflect the beliefs of the Uchiha clan," Fugaku's voice was monotonous still.
"Spare me," Kizashi spat, stopping in his tracks, "I know you think me unfit to rule - I know that is why you will not accede to my proposals. You will not annex with Konoha, you will not cooperate with Uzumaki-san, and you will not comply with my laws! You have been biding your time until you could strike against my family and take over!"
"We had no such intentions. We seek only peace, as you do."
"Peace is a luxury," Kizashi shook his head, a disquieting calm overcoming him, "And one I will no longer bestow on you," he raised his voice, a booming call to every Uchiha around him, "Henceforth, your clan will not be recognized as a province of my kingdom! You will be cut off from our trade route and banned from business with Konoha," his next words settled around them like a deathly chill, "You are no longer under the protection of the Haruno empire."
Fugaku did not bow his head, but stayed silent in respect. Kizashi took one long, last look at him and spit on the ground at his feet before turning back to his caravan. Fugaku watched the Emperor retreat, waiting until his carriages had pulled away to reenter his home. Mikoto rushed to her husband, but he brushed her off.
"Where is he?!"
On cue, Itachi appeared at the top of the stairs, eyes cast down in a sign of submission. He took each step to the lower landing with great care.
"I am sorry, father," his voice was a subdued whisper.
"Quiet," Fugaku hissed ferociously, causing Itachi to flinch from him, "You are no son of mine."
"Papa, who is that?" Sakura was barely five years old standing in the grand hall of her father's northern palace, art lining the walls on either side. She pointed a little finger to a grand tapestry that hung opposite an open window. The sun was high in the sky and cast a lifelike glow to the man's handsomely threaded face. The silver filament that wove his sword together refracted the light and caused it to move as though he were about to attack. His armor, black as the night itself, appeared foreboding against the bright, intricate background. Most notably though, Sakura's attention had been drawn to the long, pink hair that fell to his waist in a neat braid.
Kizashi approached his daughter, watching as her eyes lit up in awe at the portrait before her.
"That is your brother," she was too young to notice the way her father's voice cracked at the end of that statement and she was too captivated by the work of art to see the way his eyes had begun to water, "Seiichi."
"Where is he?" Sakura struggled to recall if her father or mother had ever mentioned another child before. Kizashi put a hand on her shoulder, squeezing softly and urging her to turn away. But, she wouldn't. Sakura's stare could not leave the fabric image. This was her brother? He appeared brave and noble; a valiant soldier.
"He is gone, dear," her mother's voice echoed through the hall.
"Gone?" Sakura tilted her head to the side.
"Mebuki, please," there was a tone of warning laced in Kizashi's words.
"He is dead," Mebuki continued, ignoring her husband. She approached Sakura and kneeled before her, voice wavering, "A horrible man slaughtered your brother, simply out of hatred and jealousy."
"Quiet," Kizashi hissed, pulling Sakura away, "She is too young for that."
Kizashi brought her out of the hall, handing her off to a guard and closed the doors behind him. She heard her father's voice raise, marred by his own broken sobs, and heard her mother's shrill response in turn. She did not understand; she had not known she had a brother.
Sasuke sat at the edge of his bed, fidgeting with the unkempt covers, eyes trained to the wood at his feet. He had not slept and now the morning was upon him. It had been difficult to quell his dissident thoughts of Sakura. He could not shake the fierceness of her gaze, the disgust in her voice. All he wanted to do was broach the space between them, cross the hallway and take her in his arms.
He scoffed - for a moment he had fooled himself into thinking his brother was the only thing that stood in the way of their happiness. Even if she did forgive him and his heritage, they could never be content together.
Sleep seemed to be a luxury lately, one that continued to elude her. Time had passed at a relaxed pace, allowing her too many moments to ponder, but it was difficult to find things other than Sasuke to focus on.
She forced herself to think of her fish, the koi she had neglected since she had begun seeing Sasuke regularly. Her father's attendants had surely been caring for them in her absence, but she suddenly longed to feed them, if only to attain a moment of normalcy, a reprieve. The light of day began to shine through the slits of her curtains, brightening her room; she had spent the remainder of her night watching her fire die out. She was rooted to her soiled sheets and for all she knew, Sasuke could have been long gone by then.
But something told her he had not left - perhaps it was that pull. If she tugged on that thread, she could feel him tug back and know that he was right there, on the other side of the hall.
A knock came at her door; or maybe he was closer than that.
"Who is it?" while she was not sure she could confront Sasuke then, she was also well aware of the glaring fact that he was the only one she wished to see at that moment.
"Sakura," his voice was torn and raspy, but he kept on, "May I come in?"
She did not turn to face the door and she did not answer, but she heard him use his key. She was grateful he had taken the initiative to come to her, because she was completely unsure of how she should approach him. Sakura thought it odd in that moment that she was even considering how she should act rather than how she wanted to act. But, she supposed how she wanted to act - to fling herself into his arms and cry against his chest, to cry for her brother, to cry for their doomed love - was not appropriate. She heard the thump of his boots as he paced the length of her room, painfully out of her range of sight.
"Have I fallen out of your favor?" his tone was somewhat scathing, bitter from his own pain, but she recalled how he told her just the other night that he did not wish to seek her favor. Perhaps he did not realize her love and her favor were not the same thing.
"You were never in it," she said after the silence became too thick. Her fingers fumbled with the tie of her robe at her waist, "Favor is for those who do not occupy a space in my heart."
Sasuke clenched his fists and stalked over to the bed to stand in front of her. She would not look up at him, but her fingers stilled, wound tightly in the silk. He saw her tense and felt an itch stretch through him to reach for her.
"Are you afraid of me?" she nodded her head slowly and parted her lips to suck in a low breath.
"I am," her shoulders hunched, "And, I am afraid of the legacy your name carries."
"I am not my brother and I am more than my name," he spat fiercely, but still her voice remained soft,
"A name is all we have," she paused, "It is the only true currency we possess."
Sasuke grasped her chin and yanked her eyes to his. His fingers spread over her cheek, but she did not flinch. He let his hand fall, as if in a gentle caress, to the curve of her neck. His thumb rested over her pulse point that thrummed a steady beat, to his surprise.
"Are you afraid of me?" he asked again, this time slow, more gently. But his eyes were unrelenting, commanding her attention and the devotion of her honesty. She sucked in her bottom lip and bit it to the point he thought she might bleed. But she released it and untangled her fingers from her robe.
"No," she wrested herself free and came to stand. Sasuke's eyes fell and that's when he noticed the smeared, dried blood on her sheets.
"Sakura," her name was a terrified whisper and she turned sharply, ready to reprimand him before he could speak further. She felt the blood drain from her face when she saw where he had cast his gaze.
"Sasuke-kun, I - ,"
"Are you hurt?"
"It is not what you think - ,"
A loud pounding sounded at her door, startling them; they had not heard anyone come through the front entrance. Sakura ran to her dresser and pulled out a formal robe, the outer layer to one of her kimonos, hastily shrugging it over to cover her indelicate attire, "Come in!"
Kakashi strode forth, casting a curious glance between Sakura who clutched the edges of her dress and Sasuke who appeared to be edging every manner of self control.
"Have I interrupted something?"
"Not at all," Sakura shook her head, "Forgive me, I've just woken up."
Kakashi did not remark on the fact that it looked as though she had not slept a wink, nor did Sasuke.
"Haruno-sama, your father wishes to see you," Kakashi gestured to the entryway and she followed his hand. She spared Sasuke a brief glance before exiting the room. Kakashi leered at him with his good eye, raising a questioning brow before shutting the door behind him.
Sasuke blanched, staring at the door and refusing to look back at the mess behind him.
"Good morning, Father, Mother," Sakura said jovially as she entered the sitting room. She had buttoned her covering and smoothed her hair in an effort to look descent before her parents. Kakashi retreated to the edge of the room with the other guards.
"Good morning, dear," her mother embraced her tightly, "How are you feeling?"
"Better," she smiled warmly, despite her words being so far from the truth.
"Wonderful," her father beamed, "Perhaps you will feel even more so upon hearing that your rooms have been refurbished. You may move back in to them if you like."
Sakura faltered; what would that mean for her and Sasuke? Would everything go back to the way it had all started? The tentative touches and whispered exchanges, the denial of passion - could she accept that? Would it even matter? How could they come back from the damage his family had created?
"That is such good news," Sakura breathed, lids fluttering rapidly as she struggled to process the weight settling heavy in her heart.
"Sakura, I thought we could spend the day together while they move your things back," her mother smiled and stroked her hair, "We could send for your ladies and have a relaxing time."
"Yes," Sakura swallowed and looked up at her mother, "I think that would be nice."
Perhaps, she thought, it might take her mind off of Sasuke.
"Kakashi-san, would you be so kind as to call on Hinata-chan and the other girls?" Mebuki asked and Kakashi nodded his assent. Mebuki moved Sakura into her adjacent sitting room while they awaited the arrival of her ladies.
Sasuke groped the sheets, running his hands over the paths his fingers had created the previous night. Could it be possible he had stolen her virginity in his own stupid fervor? He knew women bled during their first time. He gripped the silk and ripped it from the mattress in a fury. He kept no pretenses with himself; what else could it be? He would have noticed if it was her time of the month to bleed. Sasuke felt disgusted, thoroughly repulsed by his own greed and desires.
Suddenly, a flurry of maids and servants entered the room, working around Sasuke silently to gather Sakura's things while he stood there awkwardly clutching her soiled sheets. One of them came forward, holding out her hands to take the burden from Sasuke. He hesitated, but only for a moment before he relinquished the silks to her.
A sudden and intense dread filled him then. He had to leave, get far away from Sakura. She could lie about the blood on her sheets, claim it was her menstrual cycle, but Sasuke could not count on her to protect him. He was too close and he needed to take a step back. As much as it pained him, he knew it would be smarter to remove himself from her presence completely.
Sakura had seated herself by the window, a book laid out before her on the table, but her mind was a million miles away. Or rather, it was just across the palace grounds.
"Hinata-chan, has Naruto-kun written to you recently?" Mebuki's voice lilted with a teasing tone. Hinata blushed and dropped her knitting into her lap.
"Yes," her voice was a squeak, her cheeks bright red, "He says he has a surprise for me if - well, when he returns."
That snapped Sakura out of her reverie. She turned to look at Hinata.
"Do you think he will propose?" Ino asked.
"That must be it," Tenten shot to her feet and hurried over to where Hinata sat.
"Oh," Hinata ducked her head, dubious, "I do not know. I don't think so. He wouldn't - ,"
"Of course he would," Karin nodded fervently, "He's absolutely mad about you."
"He is?"
"He is," Sakura amended, "But you are worried for him, correct?"
"Yes," Hinata's voice was quiet, "I know he does not want me to worry, and so he never tells me how dire the situation truly is, but I fear he is in trouble."
"Let us talk of something else, ladies," Mebuki said with a strict smile. Sakura scowled at her mother and looked back to Hinata.
"And you love him?" she asked.
"C-Completely," Hinata seemed surprised by Sakura's question. Her eyes flitted to Mebuki, but were eventually drawn back to Sakura, "I am so scared for him at times; I fear this war will never end."
"It does not seem that way, does it?" Sakura asked softly.
"Ladies, please!" Mebuki snapped and Hinata shut her mouth. But Sakura shot a glare toward her mother.
"This war is not a secret," she spoke harshly.
"No, but it is upsetting. I will not have you talk of it so flippantly," Mebuki huffed and set her shoulders straight, much like a bird ruffling its feathers. Sakura grimaced and returned her attention to the window. A soft chatter resumed around her, casting her back into the depths of her thoughts. She tried to imagine what Hinata must go through simply pulling herself out of bed every morning. How would it feel to have one's love so far across the world? It was difficult enough with Sasuke simply in another building within the palace grounds. It was difficult enough knowing that there was more than only a physical space between them, but at least she knew where to find him; Hinata could not even be sure that Naruto was alive.
"Ino, Ino, there he is!" Karin got to her feet abruptly, clamoring for the window nearest her that happened to be away from Sakura.
"Oh, he's so handsome!" Ino exclaimed, pressing her hands to the glass. Sakura struggled to peer between the two from her position across the room.
"You girls are so foolish," Tenten sighed then glanced at Sakura, amending her confused expression, "I've not been able to get them to stop talking about the other Uzumaki."
"Oh," Sakura struggled to keep herself in her seat. Apparently, in his absence, their infatuations with Sasuke had only grown stronger.
"Such a shame we have not seen him train with the other soldiers in so long," Ino teased, "I may have to take that shirt off myself."
Karin giggled.
"Girls!" Mebuki chastised with a soft laugh, "Such active imaginations."
"Hardly," Karin chimed in, "If I had one, I could imagine the clothes right off of him."
"Oh, how silly," Mebuki clucked her teeth, but Karin and Ino fell into a fit of laughter, "You had better get a move on, one of you. With a face like that, I do not believe he will be uncalled for for much longer."
Sakura's heart plummeted to her stomach. As much as she was angry with him, her mother's words had struck her with a palpable fear. She had proof before her that she was not the only one that lusted after him and she knew, quite suddenly, that was how Sasuke had felt upon reading Lee's letter. Sakura could still recall the rhythm of his breath as they fell asleep and she did not wish anyone else to know that sound. She closed her eyes and found that she could still conjure the way his arms felt around her and she did not want anyone else to know that touch. She wished for only herself to know how it felt to be the subject of his desires, coveted and kept by his passion.
And she had told him it was impossible for anyone to replicate his feelings for her. But without him there to reassure her of the same, it was difficult to see why he would choose somebody he could not have.
Sasuke had left her empty room to traverse the grounds, bound by his disquieting thoughts and unable to distract himself even with his job, because she was so out of reach. But his feet led him to the path of the Emperor's sitting room where the guards stationed there parted the doors for him to enter. Kizashi paused mid sentence when he spotted Sasuke and turned away from his delegates.
"Have you run out of things to do now that my daughter is preoccupied?" the man chuckled, but Sasuke could only manage a polite smile.
"I am rendered inept in her absence," it was not entirely too far from the truth. The Emperor laughed heartily, a few of his advisors joining in as a show of good standing.
"How can I help you, Uzumaki-san?"
Sasuke faltered for a moment, considering if he should make up an excuse instead of admitting to why he was actually there. But he found himself at a loss for those words. He could think only of his desire to be near her and how he should not want that.
"I thought we might talk of my reassignment."
"Yes," Kizashi beamed, "Yes, yes," he addressed his delegates, "Please, give us a moment."
His advisors bowed and took their leave, stepping aside Sasuke. The door shut quietly behind them, but it was as if it had slammed, he had asphyxiated himself so much with his own anxiety.
"Thank you," Sasuke's heart constricted painfully as he bowed in respect.
"Nonsense, I will always make time for the man who saved my daughter," Kizashi smiled, "Tell me what position you wish to have and I will make it available to you."
"I do not seek anything frivolous," Sasuke swallowed roughly, "I will leave it to you and what you deem me fit for."
Kizashi considered him for a long while, stroking his chin as he thought.
"I would like to keep you here," he spoke carefully, "For now. Once I feel we are safe at the palace, you may join your brother. In the meantime, would you consider a position as head of my guard? Kakashi-san is willing to take you on as an apprentice so that you may occupy his place when he joins Naruto-san. Our soldiers will be under your care and tutelage; it will fall on you to determine and ensure their loyalty."
Sasuke did not speak, caught in the tangle of the Emperor's words. They placed on him a heady weight. It was not the additional responsibility that deterred him, though he was not a sociable person. Instead, it was something else - someone else - that still held him back.
"Do not feel pressure to make your decision now," Kizashi smiled, assuring him, "Give it thought, but know that you have my full support."
"Thank you, sir."
Sasori, Kabuto, and Deidara approached the two soldiers stationed at the doors to the prison cells. The sun, though it had made very little appearance that snowy day, no longer shined from behind the clouds, shrouding them in the cover of darkness.
"I see you did not get cold feet," Sasori spoke with an air of condescension.
"We are here out of loyalty to the Akatsuki and Orochimaru, not you," one of the men spat.
"Then you have made a grave mistake," Sasori said through gritted teeth, "I am the Akatsuki. We are brothers in arms. Divided we will fall, but together we rise from the ashes. Are you with us? Or must we cut you down, too?"
The men looked to each other, exchanging the briefest, tentative glance before nodding to Sasori.
"We are with you."
"A good choice," Kabuto affirmed and opened his hand to reveal five small darts.
"One for each guard," Sasori explained, "This has to happen fast. No mistakes this time."
"Yes, sir," the soldiers responded adeptly, each taking a dart. Deidara and Sasori took theirs, examining the sharp point at the end, but careful not to touch it.
"The poison is deadly, but in order for it to work quickly, it has to enter through a vein," Kabuto explained, "The neck or the wrist will be easiest to get to."
"Like I said," Sasori spoke, "We have to move fast."
The soldiers nodded, yanking open the doors so that they could enter. The guards immediately stood to attention, defensive, but still trusting of their fellow troops. Meanwhile, the prisoners stiffened in their cells, recognition evident in their intent gazes.
"Shift break already?" one of the guards said with a quirked simper. Sasori smirked, each of his soldiers coming to face one of the Emperor's men.
"Your shift is over," Sasori hissed and jabbed the needle into the man's neck. The others followed suit, encouraging shouts of approvals from the Akatsuki prisoners. The guards fell limp to the floor and Kabuto took the keys off of one of their belts. He went around to each iron cell, releasing their fellow men, "My brothers, now it is our time! Where our comrades had failed, we will succeed. We will return to Orochimaru, regroup our resources, and attack the Harunos with the full force of the Akatsuki!"
His soldiers cheered and clapped him on the back as he strode to the end of the building. He ran his hand over the stone wall before settling it over one spot.
"Cover your ears."
Sakura fidgeted in her seat, her spirit restless as ever as she watched the sky darken. She felt herself enveloped with a sweet warmth as she thought of what nightfall had begun to mean to her and she longed to feel that security with Sasuke again. She ached to be near him, to hear his voice, even if he spoke of his hatred for her family.
"I think I would like to return to my rooms," Sakura stood from the table, breaching the silence that had settled.
"So soon?" Mebuki asked.
"I did not sleep so well last night," Sakura frowned, but averted her gaze.
"How unfortunate," her mother's voice held true concern, "Have Kakashi-san escort you back. I do not want you walking alone so late in the hour."
"Of course," Sakura nodded and bid good night to her ladies to which they all returned her the same. She slipped out of the door, into Kizashi's sitting room, and was stopped in her tracks by the sight of Sasuke speaking with her father. They both looked to Sakura when they heard her enter. Kizashi opened his mouth to speak when a thunderous bang shattered the silence around them. Kakashi ran for the Emperor, but Sasuke ran to Sakura, taking hold of her waist and ushering her into Mebuki's sitting room. Sakura held fast to him as he guided her through the doorway. Mebuki stood by the back of the room, holding open a panel in the wall where she had already led in Sakura's ladies. Another bang sounded and, instinctively, Sasuke pushed Sakura to the ground, covering her with his body.
"Stay here," he was breathless, hovering over her with an unbidden look in his eyes that caused her heart to swell. He was there, once more, running after her and proving that he would do just the same time and again. He pushed away to leave, but she caught his arm. She couldn't bring herself to say the words, but she didn't want to see him go, "Stay here."
She shook her head, but he tore himself away as a group of soldiers approached with the Emperor. Kizashi rushed to Sakura and pulled her into the crawlspace. She lost sight of Sasuke's back as they shut the panel behind them.
He ran out of the room, stepping onto the trampled snow. Sasuke tore through the gardens to the fire that sought to demolish one of the palace buildings. Many of the Emperor's guards had amassed there and he could hear the clamor of swords echoing through the grounds. They fought alongside the pyre as the smoke rose through the sky, the snow made more prominent against the dark backdrop.
Sasuke brandished a blade, ready to fight, but as he came closer, he noticed the tide of soldiers turning. They rushed him, knocking into Sasuke, stumbling over their own feet, scrambling like prey.
"Get back!" a guard shouted.
They were running away. . .
Sasuke caught himself, spinning on his heel just as another blast rocked the floor underneath him and flung him across the grounds. He landed on his back, pain spiraling through his body and a sharp ringing in his ear, both crescendoing until he lost consciousness.