Okay so I wasn't as close to the Reflective chapter as I thought, but NOW we're getting close. Thank you all for sticking around, we've got a lot more to go. . .
The rain had been pouring all week and there seemed no end to it. As such, Mebuki had called for Sakura and the other courtiers; a little company on such a dreary day would do wonders for their spirits, she had thought. So the cortege kept beneath the jutting roofs of the palace buildings to avoid being caught in the spring showers as they made their way to Mebuki's sitting room. As they strolled, arm-in-arm, Ino tugged at Sakura's sleeve. Discreetly, she nodded her head toward the other side of the courtyard.
"That's him," she grinned, "The soldier I told you of, Naruto's brother."
Sakura peered around Ino to glimpse the guards that stood in front of her father's doors. She couldn't recognize either of them.
"Which one?"
"With the dark hair," Ino spoke hurriedly, "Quickly, he's not looking."
Sakura glanced over once more, but it was difficult to make out his features as he had turned his head. He did seem to have a distinctive jawline though, broad shoulders - really an impressive build altogether.
"Well?" Ino pressed.
"It's difficult to say," Sakura's eyes snapped back to Ino, "I cannot see his face."
"Perhaps we should take another lap then," Ino wiggled her eyebrows suggestively and Sakura tossed her head back with a laugh, unaware that she had just caught the attention of that very same soldier.
JANUARY
A satisfying thunk sounded when Sasuke's dagger lodged into the trunk of the tree across from him. Sakura stood a few feet behind him, chewing her lip as she fingered the hilt of the small blade in her hand. She shifted and the snow crunched beneath her near frozen feet. Not a foreign sound nor a sign of life disturbed the small clearing they stood in and the faint crescent moon above was the only light they were provided. It was dangerous for them to be out at this hour, and in the open no less, so they kept close to the edges of the forest.
"As a child, I was taught to throw with both hands," Sasuke turned and walked back to her, "For now, you should throw with your dominant hand."
Sakura nodded and stepped forward. She placed her feet in the indents in the snow that his had made; left foot back, right foot ahead.
"Stand straight, shoulders back," he reminded her, "Focus on where it's going, not where it is."
Sakura lifted the blade, shrugging her cloak back over her shoulders, and threw. It skipped off the rough bark and fell to the ground. She frowned and reached for the holster at her waist, unsheathing another dagger. In the weeks they had been training, she had yet to successfully wedge one of the knives into a tree. It was not for lack of effort, though, and the evidence of her trials were clear from the innumerable notches on the trunks in this particular glade. She threw again, this time with more ferocity. It stuck in the wood for a scant moment, then dropped with a soft clunk against the other fallen blade.
"Relax," he called out.
"Relax?" Sakura laughed and whirled around. She was becoming exasperated with herself, "I was not relaxed when that man had me by the throat."
Sasuke took a deep breath and approached her.
"No," he took hold of her hands, "Of course not," he began pressing his thumbs into her palms in circular motions, "And neither was I. But your body must be limber so that you may act quickly and harshly. In the midst of war, you will not have time to think before you strike. You must trust in yourself. And you must know that if you fail, it may cost your life."
"Is that not a lot of pressure to carry on one's shoulders in the heat of battle?" Sakura rolled her neck as he continued to massage her hands.
"There comes a day when you learn to accept it," Sasuke said somberly, "The weight never disappears, it just becomes a part of you."
Even in the dim night, she could see the look in his eyes; he wasn't talking about the war. Gently, Sakura pulled her hands from his.
"I will try again."
"Take heart, men," Deidara beamed as they approached the village gates. A full moon hung above them, alighting their snowy path. Two soldiers stood in attention at the entrance to the gates, cautious of the fatigued travelers that approached them. They each placed a hand on the sheaths of their swords, causing Sasori to stall his men and proceed forward alone,
"We are Akatsuki," he held his hands out in a show of compliance, "Obito is expecting us - as well as Lord Orochimaru."
"Akatsuki?" One of the guards asked, "From which division?"
"Obito's division," Sasori bit out, "We come from the Emperor's palace. We infiltrated his private guard."
"Your name?"
"Sasori."
"Ah, you are Sasori. You are late." Sasori had to grit his teeth to keep from lashing out at the obvious goad, "The rest of your troupe arrived a while ago."
"There were some setbacks," Sasori admitted begrudgingly, "Our journey was only made more difficult by this storm."
"We were told there would be more of you," the other guard chimed in.
"We had some unfortunate and unavoidable losses," Deidara stepped in to explain before Sasori snapped, "Please, we are in desperate need of food, drink, and a good night's sleep."
"Come with me," one of the guards motioned for them to follow, "If you have the mark, keep it covered until we are through the village."
"You are staring," Sasuke continued to wrap his hands as he watched Naruto peer through the open doorway at the Emperor's daughter and her ladies in waiting. The brothers sat amongst their fellow soldiers in the training hall, preparing to spar.
"I cannot help myself," Naruto had a sheepish grin on his face as he looked over at Sasuke, "I have never seen a woman as beautiful as she."
"Hn," Sasuke started on his other hand and turned his gaze to the doorway. He could not deny that the same thought had crossed his mind the few times he had been in her presence. On that day in particular, she was in her summer best; resplendent like a blossom in spring.
"Who would you pick?" Naruto cocked his head, "If you could."
"None of them," Sasuke did not need to look twice at the group of courtiers to know his answer. Yet, he dared not bring himself to speak the words aloud. They were far too absurd, and yet he could not believe how brazen Naruto was being about his interest.
"Why?" Sasuke raised a brow at the question and Naruto shrugged, "Right. What should I do?"
"About what?"
"I mean, how should I approach her?"
"Approach her?"
"Do I write her a letter first? A poem?"
"I am certain she has more than a few already," Sasuke scoffed.
"I'll ask her on a walk then, perhaps, so we can talk," Naruto was earnest as he spoke, "Get to know each other."
"If you can get her alone," Sasuke shook his head, "You are wasting your time."
"Love is not a waste, dear brother," Naruto's smile never faded, even as Sasuke remained stoic as ever and his words cynical, "Besides, all the men seem to be preoccupied with Haruno-sama. I think I have a pretty good chance of getting Hinata-chan alone."
"Hinata?" Sasuke dropped the roll of cloth suddenly. Just as hastily he tried to pick it up, attempting to appear unfazed.
"Hinata-chan," Naruto nodded, then added, "Why? Who were you talking about?"
"It does not matter," Sasuke shook his head as he severed the cloth, "We did not come here to find wives. We came here to become soldiers."
"Why not both?" Naruto laughed.
For weeks, Sasuke had been training Sakura with various techniques and a menagerie of weaponry. Though there were times she had been discouraged, he found her conviction never wavered in this pursuit. It was something to be admired and something that had assuaged most of his trepidation with the matter. They both had taken a risk, but had been careful to conceal their involvement with each other.
Each night we would come to her rooms, relieve the other guard, and wait for the gardens to clear before using his key. She would then greet him with a kiss just behind those doors, and often that would incite carnal actions. Then, with satiated desires, they would sneak out of her rooms to practice.
On this particular night, however, when Sasuke entered her quarters, he saw the fire ablaze and the curtains drawn. In the middle of the room, Sakura was seated atop her dais, robes carelessly splayed open. She was half exposed to his gluttonous gaze, the tops of her breasts peaking from her silks with each steady breath. Though her legs were crossed, they were bare before him, the fabrics she wore diverging at the tops of her thighs. Sasuke briskly shut the door.
"Are you mad?" He tried to sound chastising, but could not hold the tone as he further took in the sight of her.
"Come here," She beckoned him with a slender finger, but Sasuke did not move. He tried to think rationally; almost anyone could have walked in and found her in such a state.
"Sakura, you tempt your luck," he balled his fists tightly in an effort to keep his thoughts on course.
"Do I tempt you?" Her fingers glanced the inside of her thighs as she slid her legs apart.
"Every moment of every day," he couldn't help but smirk when he saw a coy smile take over her lips.
"I made certain I would not be disturbed until you came to your post," she assured him, "You might find it surprising to note that though you don't heed my words, the other guards do."
"Hn," he took a step forward and she straightened with his approach, "You wish me to follow your orders?"
"What a notion," she quirked a brow and crooked her finger once more, "Come here."
This time, he complied and approached the dais that held her throne. She peered at him through half-lidded eyes, her full lips lilting up at the sides ever so slightly. Even without his surname, she found him to be a striking figure and despite his efforts to remain hidden, under a false name in a far off land, he had commanded Sakura's attention from the first time she saw him. She found her thoughts - and herself - at his mercy more times than she could recall; tall in stature and with the build of a man born to be a warrior. His onyx orbs were endless as a starless night, dark and dominant. They were an easy trap for her to fall in to.
"Kneel," she whispered, eyes shimmering with desire and perhaps just a touch of mirth; she was already enjoying this. Sasuke did as she instructed and lowered himself to his knees. He looked up at her, wanting and waiting. He was itching to touch her, to run his hands along her silken skin, to feel her tremble under his fingers. It took all of his power to await her bidding. After a long moment, she parted her lips and declared, "Kiss me."
With a mischievous smirk, Sasuke's hands went to her thighs, gripping tight as he put one over his shoulder and held the other in place. He gave her one last, wicked look and watched her shiver, before his mouth descended on her aching cunt.
Her fingers sailed to the inky black strands of his hair, entwining to pull him ever closer as his tongue savored her one wicked stroke at a time. Her sharp gasps and salacious moans began filling the expanse of her sitting room. Small tremors ran through her body as he continued his attentions on her. His hands kneaded her thighs as he sucked her clit between his lips. She cried out his name and bucked her hips, but he held her steady. Sakura might have been in control before, but she had relinquished it the instant she allowed him to touch her.
Through the pleasure she couldn't help but imagine how debauched they must have looked; a ruler-to-be slouched in her throne while her chief guard serviced her in the most lascivious way. What a sight, she thought and simpered, but Sasuke quickly obliterated any coherent thoughts left in her mind with one flick of his tongue. His fingers began circling her entrance, causing her to shudder with anticipation and desire.
"Sasuke," though she uttered only his name, he understood the plea laying underneath and he acquiesced. As he slid them inside of her, Sakura's heel dug in to his back, her torso arching off the throne, the beginnings of her completion edging through her.
The guards had taken Sasori and the rest of the soldiers to the barracks just beyond the main streets of the village. They had been given warm meals and fresh changes of clothing. Many were pleased simply just to have sheets to cover themselves with at night; it had been a harsh journey of considerable time and sacrifice, but it was over now. They could rest easy, they thought.
That was, until their commander arrived.
"Brace yourselves, men," Deidara whispered as Obito strode through the door.
"Orochimaru has been expecting you for some time now. The others arrived some time ago," Obito surveyed the weary soldiers with a hardened gaze and crossed arms, "I suppose there was good reason for your delay?"
Not a single word was volunteered from the soldiers, so Obito fixed Sasori with a stern look,
"We need to talk."
Reluctantly, Sasori followed Obito outside the barracks and down the beaten path to the deserted stables; many of the horses were disposed on the battlefield against the Emperor's armies. Obito turned on him in an instant.
"Would you care to enlighten me as to why there are whisperings that you, Kabuto, and Deidara are the reason for the failure of our plan?" Obito scrutinized Sasori as he questioned him, pacing a short path before him, "The plan that took months to set in place. We took care of everything and all you had to do was bring back the girl!"
"It was not my fault," Sasori scowled, then added, "There were more complicated factors at play."
"Such as?"
"There were others not at their posts that night."
"So you admit you were not where you were supposed to be?" Obito swore under his breath, "You know I vouched for you. The only reason you are here is by my own standing with Orochimaru."
"You are not listening to me," Sasori snapped, "The farmer, Takahiro, was not there to help Yamato take the Emperor's daughter."
"He had better be dead," Obito threatened, his features darkening the more Sasori spoke.
"He is," Sasori conceded, "But not by our hands. One of the Uzumaki brothers killed him. Somehow, he found out that Takahiro was one of us - "
Obito stopped in his tracks and held his hand up, "Uzumaki brothers?"
"The older brother, with the dark hair."
"There is no older brother. The Uzumakis have one child," Obito emphasized his words with a pointed index finger, "His name is Naruto. He is a general in the Emperor's army, he does not reside at the palace, and he has blonde hair."
"How - "
"I was there when Orochimaru drove the Uzumakis out of Konoha with their one child. If they had had another child, he would be too young to be in the Emperor's employ."
"What does it matter?" Sasori barked, "Takahiro is the reason we do not have the Haruno heir!"
"It matters if there is an imposter hiding out in the palace! Who knows where his allegiances lie?" Obito shook with anger.
"He is the one who killed Yamato and Takahiro," Sasori spat, "I would say that gives us our answer."
Obito pinched the bridge of his nose and paced on the spot. Orochimaru would be furious, not just at Sasori, but at Obito, as well. After all, with Sasori being Obito's recruit, Sasori's failure was a mark on Obito.
"Surely you realize the position you have forced me into," Obito scowled and Sasori was cunning enough to look ashamed, apologetic even.
"It was not my fault," he seethed.
"Well, Orochimaru will want someone to blame," Obito sighed and thought for a moment before he spoke again, "If it has to be someone, give him Kabuto. You and Deidara are too valuable to us now."
Sasori swallowed harshly; Kabuto, his recruit. Was this punishment? Or a blessing? Regardless, he could not muster the will to say 'thank you.'
"Do not dwell on it too much," Obito patted Sasori's shoulder and began to walk away, "If Kabuto has any sense, he is halfway to another village by now, and if he does not, then he is of no use to us anyways."
"Strike."
She closed her hand into a fist and punched through the air, but he blocked her.
"Strike."
Sakura swung her arm and he caught her by the wrist.
"Strike."
Sakura's palm shot out and struck him in the sternum. Sasuke stumbled back. His fingers came to rest over the space she had hit him where a throbbing pain began to bloom, and he smiled.
"Very good," he said, admiring her progress.
"Really?" She beamed and he nodded. Sakura grabbed Sasuke and kissed him, to which he responded in kind, pulling her close. When they broke for a breath, she asked, "Can we practice some more?"
"I thought that is what we were doing," He smirked.
"Do you not find it a little bit cramped in my rooms?"
He looked around at the rather large space; they had pushed all of her furniture, save the bed, up against the wall to leave a clear area for them to practice. He hooked an arm around her waist and asked,
"What did you have in mind?"
Lee had taken to monitoring Sakura's quarters on a regular basis, when he didn't happen to already be in the presence of her company. He had not been certain he would find something and, if he did, what that something would be. As such, he had had a couple weeks to ponder it all, spending his days with her and the other courtiers, and he began to think perhaps his suspicions were unwarranted. After all, he had foolishly been jealous of Sasuke simply because Sakura had shown the soldier that saved her life a bit of gratitude. But still, his suspicions of Sasuke had grown from that one morning that he'd seen him leave Sakura's rooms. So, he found himself seated on the stone bench, on yet another wintry evening, beside the willow tree.
The silence and serenity of the night had given him time to think on his situation, and how he might rectify his standing with Sakura. Perhaps he had been too strong in his affections, too expecting of her immediate reciprocation. He needed to show her that he had the patience to wait for her, the desire to change for her, and the determination to fight for her. Yes, he thought, he would not be deterred so easily.
Suddenly, the doors to her room opened and he was startled to his feet. In the light coming from her quarters, Lee saw Sasuke's head turning, looking around, and so he ducked behind the bench, out of view.
"Pull your hood up," Sasuke adjusted the scabbard at his hip as he checked their surroundings.
"Is there anyone out there?" Sakura asked, tucking her hair beneath her cloak.
"No," he shook his head and took her hand, "Stay close, though."
Sakura nodded as he led her outside. After locking the doors to her quarters, they set off on the path through the gardens. The glow from the candle they had left burning in her sitting room slowly receded behind them, until they were bathed only in the light of the moon above them.
"I asked you this once before," Sakura placed her hand in the crook of his arm as she spoke. They trudged through the snow at a comfortable, yet hurried pace, wary of the fact that at any moment a courtier or guard might happen to appear, "But I feel now that I might get a different answer."
"Hn?"
"Did you always want to be a soldier?"
Sasuke peered down at her and saw her honest, curious gaze.
"No," Sasuke shook his head, "I did not know what I wanted to be when I was younger. At least, not until the war started."
"What happened?"
"My brother left to fight," Sasuke's eyes darkened as he looked ahead. They were just passing the snow covered willow tree, "To my father, it was the greatest honor for our family. So, I decided then I wanted to be a general, just to make him proud, too."
"Who taught you to fight?"
Lee couldn't hear Sasuke's response over the pounding of his heartbeat in his ears. He was paralyzed by fear; how could he possibly explain himself if he was caught?
"After the Akatsuki attacked, I had no choice."
"Why did you come here?" Sakura asked. She could not fathom why an Uchiha would choose to hide out right beneath the Emperor's nose.
"We had nowhere else to go," his voice was solemn as they passed the rim of the lake, trekking off the beaten path towards the edge of the forest, "After the Hokage removed the Uzumakis from power in Konoha, it was no longer safe for them. They were already planning to leave before my clan was killed. We were on the run for years. Minato, Naruto's father, still had supporters that helped to hide us. But not even they knew who I truly was."
"And they felt you safer here?" Sakura's heart grew heavy the more he spoke.
"They thought it better than running."
They were approaching the forest now and Lee could see the two were deep in conversation, but he kept himself well out of earshot to remain unnoticed. Why was he taking her out so far? Leading her away from the palace? Did he mean to harm her?
"You do not need to hide from me," they shared a brief smile at her sentiment, before Sasuke's brow furrowed with worry.
"We should not be out here for long."
"Will you not indulge me?" She asked innocently, "Just for tonight?"
"You imply that I do not indulge you every night," he smirked. Sakura laughed and brought them to a stop just past a column of trees, right into their clearing.
"So you do," she agreed and turned her gaze upward to the oceanic night sky that rippled with twinkling stars. Sasuke let his eyes leave her for just a moment to look up as well. The snow covered treetops bordered the expanse of sky, allowing for just enough space to envelop the couple in moonlight. For a long, quiet breath, they shared that moment, believing it to belong only to them, unaware of the man that followed.
Lee crouched behind a tree and watched as Sakura stepped away from Sasuke and removed her cloak. She let it fall without care to the snowy ground, hair unfurling down her back, to reveal a rather plain kimono and an intricately detailed sword scabbard strapped to her hip. She unsheathed the blade and pointed it right at Sasuke. Lee had to stifle an audible gasp with his hand.
He was fixed on their exchange. Despite the heavy winds, the two stood still as statues, except for the movements of their lips, but he could not make out their words. It was only when Sasuke pulled out his own sword that Lee jumped to his feet. He almost ran out from behind the tree yelling for them to stop, until he saw Sakura lurch forward to strike. Sasuke parried her effortlessly, but Sakura recovered quickly and struck again. He blocked her once more, but she continued to charge him while the air between them crackled with a palpable energy.
And that's how it went, like a carefully choreographed dance; a ceaseless repartee of combative skill.
"You are doing well," Sasuke remarked, sidestepping her next attack.
"Not well enough," her brows were scrunched in concentration. Their swords clanked and clashed together, while every step branded the blanketed forest floor beneath them.
"I understand your impatience," Sasuke began to huff. If nothing else she was swift enough to keep him on his toes, "You must not get ahead of yourself, though," Sasuke charged forward, moving on the offensive to drive her back. Sakura began to stumble, her strikes becoming more erratic and less methodic with each movement of his toward her. Beads of sweat began at the base of her neck. He came at her with such raw force, the flex of his muscles evident through his uniform, that she might have felt a genuine dread if not for the unchecked desire she held for him, "When you are always looking at where you want to be," Sasuke knocked the sword from her hand and she fell back from the power of his strike. He pointed the tip of his blade down at her with a smirk, "You lose sight of where you are."
She grumbled and took his hand when he stretched it out to her, "Well said."
"You are not deterred so easily," Sasuke shook his head at Sakura and pulled her to her feet. His greedy eyes explored her for longer than a moment, "I know you better than that."
They talked for some time, so Lee inched out from behind the tree, trying to catch a word or two of what they were saying.
Sakura turned away from Sasuke then, reaching to pick up her sword, and caught a glimpse of a shadow moving between the trees. Her heart shot to her throat and her breath hitched.
"Did you see that?" Sakura's eyes darted to Sasuke, then back to the trees, but the figure was gone.
"What?"
"There was a person," she pointed in the direction of her line of sight, "Just there."
"Sakura, get behind me," Sasuke grabbed her arm and stepped forward. He brandished his sword, though he could not see a soul around, the exposure of the moonlight covering them was no help.
"Perhaps we should go back," Sakura clutched his sleeve, her heart racing and her gaze flitting around every which way.
"I think that would be best," he picked her cloak up from the ground and brushed the snow off, "Put it on."
They began to walk back to her rooms briskly. Neither one spoke for the fear of being heard by some unknown assailant, but they kept a steady hold on the other. It was only when they had reached the willow tree that they both could breath easier, and so Sakura stopped them.
"Sasuke," she whispered and pulled him into the dangling branches. They were cold and frozen, but beneath them, enclosed within them, the air was still. The wind rustled the leaves, but did not penetrate the space around them. Before he could question anything, Sakura grabbed him by the collar and kissed him fervently. He needed no elaboration and backed her against the thick trunk of the tree. Sasuke's hands gripped the back of her thighs as he slipped his leg between them. He hoisted her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist. She could feel him already, through the material of his pants, and it spurred her desire. She tangled her fingers in his hair and moaned, "I need you."
Sasuke pinned her to the tree with his hips so that he could free one hand to slip it beneath her cloak. He kneaded her breast through the kimono as he kissed his way up her neck. Their heated training sessions never failed to incite their passion for one another.
"Now?" His teeth tugged on her lobe softly. It was a ridiculous question.
"Please," she begged, but he pulled away, letting her slide back to her feet.
"Not here," in the dark light she could still see the wild look in his eyes, "I would rather take my time with you, in the privacy of your rooms."
"So that you may have your sinful way with me?" She teased.
"So that I may have you in every way," he whispered darkly.
Lee was unsure of what he'd witnessed, if it had been anything at all. Certainly it was peculiar, even more so as he watched from behind a pillar as they emerged from the willow tree by the lake. But, was sparring really all that scandalous? Dangerous, sure, and he would address that with Sasuke the following morning; Lee was certain her father would not approve. But was it wrong for him to teach her to defend herself?
Still, he felt his curiosity win out and watched the pair trudge through the snow to her rooms. Lee had to sneak between pillars to keep them in his line of sight, and watched as they settled just outside her doors. He knew they were talking, but could not risk getting closer to hear their words. Then, Sakura laughed, pushing herself up by the tips of her toes - and kissed Sasuke on the cheek. Lee was stricken and could only watch as they stepped through the threshold of her quarters, until he heard the doors shut.
He bolted across the frozen ground toward her rooms and rapped his knuckles furiously on the doors. He waited a beat, but there was no answer. He tried again, pounding his fist against the wood, causing it to shake. Still there was no response, so Lee went around the side to try and peer in through the large window. Her curtains were drawn and so he could only see through a small partition. Alighted by candles, Sakura was standing behind Sasuke, his back turned to her as he peered with caution at the door. He had a hand up to stop her from coming any closer.
"Stay here, Sakura."
"Sasuke, please, just ignore it," she reached for his arm and caught his sleeve, "It was probably just the wind. If it were anything serious, we would have heard something by now."
"I'm not taking any chances. Stay here," he pulled away from her to unlock the front doors and peer outside, but not a soul was around, so he took a step out into the bitter night air.
Lee could see Sakura pacing the length of her room until she stopped to call out.
Sasuke seemed to comply with whatever she had asked of him, shaking his head as he reentered. Sakura's shoulders slumped with relief. He reached for her and she took his hand gratefully. That's when Lee saw Sasuke pull her close, against his body. Their lips moved, but still he could not hear a word they were saying.
"Just stay with me tonight," she whispered; an unnecessary request, as he did so every night now, but the admission that he would always eased her fears.
"I will," his fingers unfastened her hair to weave through her satin strands. Sakura breathed deeply as he played with her long tresses. The simple touch was soothing her strained nerves, "I wouldn't let them hurt you."
Lee watched Sakura place her small hands on either side of the Uzumaki's face. She stood on the tips of her toes once more, so that their lips were level. Then her eyes closed and she tilted her head to kiss the soldier.
If it was the first time she was kissing him, Sasuke did not appear in the least bit surprised and responded with an almost aggressive fervor, pushing back against her as though they fought for dominance. There was no innocence, no tentativeness to the action; it was a raw, nearly crude display of passion. Hidden in the dark of the night, yet before Lee's eyes as plain as day - Sasuke and Sakura were ardently entwined within each other.
His hands began to roam her body, touching every curve and slope without the slightest hesitation. It was as though the movement was as natural to him as drawing breath. Lee watched as Sasuke went to unhooking the various clasps of her garments as though it were not the first time he had done so. It was as one might expect a man would do to his wife after many years of practiced evenings together. Never once, not even while their fingers caressed and wandered, did they break apart for so much as a sigh. When the first layer of her jūnihitoe fell, Lee forced himself away.
Defeated, he slumped against the wall and sank lower, until he met with the frigid ground.
"Must you wear such elaborate outfits?" Sasuke's breath came in short as Sakura's hands slipped beneath the waistband of his pants. She giggled and pulled him with her until her back hit the doors to her private quarters.
"Do you not enjoy undressing me?"
"Hn," he slowly pulled away, drawing out their tender kiss, "Always."
Sakura reached one hand up to caress his cheek. It had been some time since he'd last shaved, but she did not mind. In fact, she took the moment to admire him, tracing the strong line of his jaw, the slope of his sharp nose, and the arch of his brows. Her eyes rested on his then. She found his black orbs to be most expressive in these intimate moments they shared. His carnal desire for her brought to life a light within his gaze; a light that seemed to flush out the darkness that inhabited them on many occasions.
"I feel we have come a long way," Sakura's voice was barely above a whisper, "Would you not agree?"
Sasuke nodded, sober and solemn, then rested his forehead against hers. She brought her arms up around his neck as his hands slipped to her waist. He screwed his eyes shut and exhaled sharply,
"How long can we continue this?"
Sakura took a deep breath and shook her head, but she was careful not to detach herself from him.
"At least for the rest of our lives."
Though it was an attempt at levity, neither one found the strength to laugh. They could only stand there, arms enveloping one another, sharing in the same moment. On many nights, their desires offered an escape from the oppressive reality that awaited them outside those doors, but tonight - tonight felt different.
"Has he even spoken a word to you?" Tenten scoffed at Ino and Karin, "I have yet to see either of you evoke so much as a greeting from him."
They bristled, but stuck their noses up, clinging to their pride.
"He does not need to speak words," Ino brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear and cast a quick glance at the window, no doubt hoping she might find the man in question passing by. Truthfully, it had been some time since they had seen him for more than a transitory moment during their waking hours. They were left only to assume he had taken up a different shift that hid him from their overzealous gazes.
"That's right," Karin agreed, "I see him looking at me when we pass by."
"You mean at me," Ino corrected her.
"Hardly," Karin threw her head back and laughed, "What interest would he have in you?"
"Nobility, status," Ino quirked a brow and sneered at Karin, "I could go on, but I imagine it would not make much different to a medicine woman's daughter."
Karin stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the wood floor of Sakura's sitting room, seething from Ino's insult. Though she had been listening to them squabble for some time now, the sound of Karin's chair is what caused Sakura to set her book to the side.
"Ladies, I am going crazy being cooped up like this," she huffed, standing from the chair on her dais. She approached the table by the window where they sat, "I must go for a walk."
"I will join you," Lee jumped up from his chair quickly and held his hand out to her. She was hesitant to take it and looked around at her ladies for assistance. In a moment they were all standing alongside Karin, ready for Sakura to lead the way.
"The more the merrier," Sakura smiled and took Lee's hand. As he led her outside the doors into the frigid air of the deserted gardens, she could hear her ladies gossiping behind them softly.
"Haruno-sama," Lee began quietly, then changed the course of his thoughts, "Sakura, I owe you my sincerest apologies. I had not considered your feelings before I spoke that night. I seem to neglect them quite a bit, in fact. For that, I apologize as well."
"Lee-san, please," Sakura shook her head, keeping her voice low and quiet, "You do not owe me anything."
"Please, let me speak my thoughts," he continued, determined to be heard.
"I do not think now is the time," Sakura balked at his boldness.
"Well, I did hope we might converse privately," there was a twinge of bitterness to his words.
"I'm afraid that is something I am not afforded in my occupation," Sakura retorted, though she was grateful then for the security her ladies provided her in that moment. She did not wish to have yet another discussion like this with Lee.
"Regardless, I must voice my feelings - "
"Lee!" Sakura wrenched herself from his arm. Out of the corner of her eye she caught her ladies, all of whom stood clustered and hushed nearby, "Must we do this now?"
"But - ,"
"Truthfully, you caught me off guard," she scowled, trying to quell the storm brewing within her, "I had not known your feelings to be so strong. Forgive me, but I was surprised."
"I thought my letter might have given you indication of how I felt," as he spoke, Sakura looked away from him, her heart beating an unsteady rhythm. The wind rustled the fresh snow around them, biting through their clothing. It was becoming difficult for her to think, "You never did tell me what you thought of it."
"Well," Sakura stammered, "What can I say?"
"Did you - Did you even read it?" Lee gave a short, empty laugh, as though the notion of her not having done so was silly.
"Of course," Sakura scoffed, but still she did not meet his eyes. Lee fisted his hands tightly. Sakura did not know it, but at that moment, he became certain that she had not read a single word of his letter, "Lee, what is it you expect of me?"
"Nothing," he shook his head fervently, then sighed, "I only hope that you might give me a chance."
"A chance for what?" She asked, her breathing coming in short and shallow. She tried to mask it as though it were a symptom of the chill, but if she was being candid, the direction of their conversation had caused her senses to numb. The guilt over his letter was a pitiless vice that surrounded and suffocated her.
"A chance to prove myself," he reached for her arm, causing Sakura's eyes to snap to his.
"You have nothing to prove to me."
"I do."
"Lee - "
"I want to prove that I am worthy of you and of your love!" His voice raised then. Her already captivated ladies were now unabashedly looking on at the spectacle.
"It is not a matter of being worthy!" Sakura snapped finally; she was not concerned about being overhead, even as her ladies stood well within earshot. She was furious, the strands of her hair being pulled from its intricate updo by the unrelenting wind, "I have no choice in the matter, Lee. That burden falls on my parents. When they are ready, they will choose my husband and the future ruler. It is not me you should be courting, but them!"
"Your feelings matter to me," Lee protested.
"You are too kind, Lee, when you should not be," Sakura shook her head and began to walk away. She attempted a careless shrug as she said, "Love is a game and I am not even a player on the board."
"Obito has informed me you have some distressing news," Orochimaru leaned back in his seat, slitted eyes wandering over Sasori, with a cheshire grin. The man was a pale, dreadful God, dressed in white, gilded robes, and Sasori was standing in the middle of his domain, as if on display for the God and his guards, "Tell me, does it have something to do with him?"
On command, Kabuto was dragged into the room, bound and gagged, by Obito. He was thrown at Sasori's feet. With his head bowed, Sasori met Kabuto's frantic, pleading eyes. But through the panic, he could see that Kabuto understood; he knew why.
"We are only as strong as our weakest," Orochimaru outstretched his pallid hand to one of his guards. They unsheathed their sword and placed the hilt in his palm, "Don't you agree?"
"Yes, sir," Sasori answered, his gaze unwavering.
"Then tell me," Orochimaru stood from his chair and walked slowly around his desk, dragging the tip of the sword along the stone floor. The steady pierce of iron on stone left an unsettling ring in the air, "Who is weaker?"
Sasori looked up sharply, confusion etching his features.
"Sir?"
"Is it this disloyal wretch?" Orochimaru came to a stop before Kabuto and pointed the sword at his cheek. His skin puckered under the tip of the blade. Then, Orochimaru's slitted eyes met Sasori's, "Or have we been left vulnerable due to your own incompetence? You, who have let such treachery occur under your own watch!" Orochimaru seethed, "Now we are left without the throne or its heir!"
"Orochimaru-sama, you must believe me - I did everything I could to capture the girl," Sasori barked defensively.
"Lies!"
"I am the only reason your men were returned to you!"
Orochimaru swung the sword out, almost slicing Sasori across the chest. A lethal energy radiated from his rigid form, "You were the only reason they were compromised in the first place!"
"No!" Sasori spat, "There is an imposter living within the palace. He is the one who discovered our soldiers."
"Does he live?" Orochimaru hissed. Sasori froze, sweat pooling at the base of his neck, "Answer me!"
His fists clenched as he answered, "Yes."
"Then, still, you have failed me!"
"Hokage-sama," a page rushed into the room, flanked by guards, "I have word from the palace."
Orochimaru waived his arm to the guards and spoke with a deadly whisper, "Leave us."
The guards filed out and shut the door behind them, leaving Kabuto still bound and laying on the floor at Sasori's feet.
"The Emperor is gone; he departed for the Sand Village. He has left his wife in charge in his stead," the page spoke hurriedly, anxious as every word that left his mouth was only more bad news to Orochimaru's ears, "I'm afraid she has refused your proposal as well - "
A horrifying, murderous bellow came from Orochimaru as he staked the sword through Kabuto's chest. A muffled, final gasp from Kabuto was followed by silence from the other men in the room. Only Orochimaru's heavy breath filled the space, until he spoke,
"Did she say anything else?"
"No," the page shook his head fervently, "Nothing that bears repeating."
"They insult me with their lack of respect," Orochimaru spat, "I will bring the force of the Akatsuki down on his pitiful army! The Village of the Sand can not help him now! And when I am through with his soldiers, he will come crawling to me, begging for Konoha's protection! He will hand his daughter over to me without so much as a single hesitation and then - ," Orochimaru took a steadying breath, his eyes wild with murderous intent, "Then the world will see the end of the Haruno dynasty once and for all," Orochimaru rounded his desk, the hem of his robes sweeping through the puddle of blood trickling from Kabuto's fatal wound. He resumed his seat and addressed the page, "You may leave."
No sooner were the words out of his mouth, than the page was bolting out the door. Orochimaru settled his sharp gaze back on Sasori, hissing like a snake as he said,
"Now, tell me of this imposter."