So I know I said I'd update Something Tangible next, but I got this chapter finished first (which is no surprise since I'm so inspired to work on this story). Something Tangible is very nearly complete, that I promise. I just figured, why make everyone wait another while to update this story when the next part is already complete? Hope ST fans won't be too disappointed! You will get the final chapter soon, guys. Just bear with me while I finalise the last section.
Once again, thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapter. Please keep the feedback coming people; this positive reception is really motivating me to write.
The music that I was listening to during the field scene for anyone interested:
wwwdotyoutubedotcom/watch?v=fCEjoHQl5BA
1:25 onward = the part where Sasuke's chariot is blazing across the field! xD Just picture him majestically charging his horses forward... swooping in for the kill. Should help set the mood!
Sasuke most definitely isn't in love with Sakura – yet. He's heartless and quite a nasty piece of work at present. He is frustrated by the fact that he's drawn to/fascinated by her, and consumed by an inexplicable craving to possess her light – but that's lust, not love. Just thought I'd point that out in case there was any confusion over his current feelings.
Could this be the chapter where he finally gets his hands on her? ; ) This is the longest one yet, guys!
Chapter IV
The night falls like a shadowy curtain,
As the darkness in the catacombs of his mind,
And no solace in silence can he find,
One loveless, damned,
With stains of blood,
Upon his hands.
The deafening screech of electricity reverberated about the cavern, illuminating the pitch-black area with an eerie, blue-white glow. A split-second later a blinding stream of lightning shot out and struck the jagged walls with enough force to cause the ground to tremble, sending large rock formations and debris flying. The natural matter sizzled in the air, disintegrating into harmless pieces of stone and dust even before it landed.
He had been denied. Not once, but twice on the same day. It was utterly inconceivable, how he had failed to acquire her. How he was forced to wait once again. Patience had never been his greatest virtue. The blue energy in his hand swelled, mirroring his internal wrath as he slammed his fist into another section of the wall, glaring resentfully at the crumbled ruins he'd already created. He paid little attention when the rock-face began to crack and fissure, before proceeding to collapse around him. Electricity surrounded his body like crackling armour, spiking erratically outward, slicing cleanly through the falling boulders like hot knife edges cleaving through butter.
"Sakura," he hissed, chest heaving with rage and suppressed longing as he recalled her form, dancing so enticingly before his eyes. He had been so close. How had he been foiled? Her mother was never at home. That she had chosen that very night of all nights to return… were the Fates making a mockery of him? Livid with frustration and loathing, the lightning snaking along his arm flared even more menacingly as he entertained the idea of demolishing the entire cavern. After all, it would not be the first one he had destroyed.
The crunching sound of feet trudging over shattered rock remains caused him to tense.
"Hey," a familiar, loud voice exclaimed a moment later, "there you are!"
His face darkened considerably. He was decidedly not in the mood for company, especially not from other snooping, impudent deities who spoke far too much for their own good.
"I'd ask you how life is," the intruder continued conversationally, "but that'd be quite a paradoxical thing to say to the king of the dead, right? Haha. Whoa," the voice added, a hint of mild surprise registering in its distinctive tone as its owner finally appeared to register the full extent of destruction around them, "is this target practice or are you just having a really sucky day?"
"What do you want?" he bit out icily, pointedly keeping his back turned.
"Oh, you know, the usual; a chat about the birds and the bees and the- shit!" The intruder cursed, barely managing to avoid being impaled by a spiking bolt of lightning that had been directed swiftly toward him. "What the hell? You just get more and more hospitable every time I visit, don't you?"
He did turn at that, directing a chilling, crimson eyed glare at the tall deity standing by the cavern's entrance. White hair had adopted the same blue glow of the electricity crackling from his clenched fist.
"Ooh," his visitor exclaimed, grinning toothily. "You're scary." Then he shrugged, wisely sensing that he had already outstayed his non-existent welcome. "Actually, I'm here about a ship that's gotten stranded in my part of the woods. It's leaking waste that's hazardous to the denizens; do I have the go-ahead to drown the people on board? If not, you'd better let me know which lives I should spare, because-"
"None," was the curt response.
The white-haired deity blinked, visibly surprised. "Huh? You want me to drown everybody on board? But some are kids with mothers, praying mothers-"
Mothers. His eyes narrowed hatefully at the word. He stalked forward, the electricity in his hand hissing swiftly out of existence as he stepped around the incredulous deity. "Leave," he instructed flatly, exiting the cavern. He had already given his answer, and was not inclined to change his mind. Mercy was another quality that had never been his strongest trait – it was certainly not something that came with the job.
"You sure you want to punish innocent people just because you've had a shitty day at work? These are human lives we're talking about."
The words, which urged reconsideration, fell unheard upon a heart of stone as he flickered swiftly and silently out of sight.
She had sensed it even before she had stepped out of the car - a cold, ominous presence that had set her skin prickling and her heart racing at the thought of any harm coming to the child within the house.
It had taken every last ounce of her willpower and composure to not tear the front door from its hinges as she'd hastily unlocked the security bolts and chains and stepped in to find… Sakura curled safely on the couch, slumbering deeply despite the racket that was blaring out of the stereo system, and the distinctive smell of burning drifting from the kitchen. The presence that she'd been certain she'd felt had vanished. She had stopped the music and hurried over to the stove, switching the hob off and frowning distastefully down at the charred remains of the meal in the wok. It wasn't like Sakura to leave things unattended. Turning her attention back to her daughter, she reached out, trying to rouse her. But Sakura remained sleeping as peacefully as a new-born babe and no matter of noise or splashes of cold water woke her.
It didn't take her suspicious and overprotective mind long to add the chilling aura and Sakura's state together to arrive at an extremely troubling conclusion – something, or someone, had placed some manner of an enchantment upon the child. Frowning with concern, Sakura's mother crouched down by the sofa and reached out to stroke her daughter's flushed cheek affectionately.
"Wake up, Sakura," she gently willed. "Wake up and tell me what has happened to you."
Her only response was the sound of steady, deep breathing.
The black orb illuminated at the brush of his fingers, its thick, smoky haze clearing to reveal two figures. One was Sakura, still lost in the deep induced sleep he had set upon her. The other was her mother.
How sentimental, he thought, one corner of his lips lifting to form a contemptuous sneer. The protective mother, guarding the child like a golden lioness. His eyes narrowed as he watched her fruitless attempts to rouse the slumbering girl. She had thwarted him from physically taking Sakura, but there was one place even she couldn't intrude upon, a place that edged the outermost boundaries of his realm. Sleep was a state not far from his dominion of death. He possessed the ability to influence that state - when he was the one who instilled it.
His sneer melted into a sinister smirk at the realisation that there was still another way for him to possess Sakura - albeit non-physically - that night. She was vulnerable and unprotected in her unconscious state, and when he finally permitted her to awaken, she would remember nothing at her mother's questioning – just as he had already ensured that she had no remaining memory of finding the flower outside her front door.
Closing his eyes and placing his hand firmly atop the orb, he reached out with his mind.
The cool night breeze ruffled through her loose hair, caressing the bare skin of her arms and legs as she cycled leisurely along the path. Though she was clothed only in a white summer dress, she didn't feel cold. Veering to the right, Sakura inhaled deeply, enjoying the unrestricting freedom of riding out alone. It was nice, she silently told herself, to be free from watching eyes for a change.
Have you ever wondered why everyone is so protective of you?
The thought entered her mind suddenly, giving her pause. For a fleeting moment she had the strangest sense that it didn't belong to her. She shook her head. Of course that was ridiculous. Who else would it be?
Don't you ever tire of being watched? Don't you wish you could… escape?
Her feet stopped pedalling and she came to a stop beneath one of the many lamps that lined the park's footpaths. Why was she asking herself such things? She was happy with her lot in life. She had friends who cared deeply for her, a mother who doted upon her.
It isn't enough, whispered the same doubting voice in her mind.
In response, Sakura began to move again. She didn't want to think negatively. She was so grateful for everything she had. The path led her around a cluster of trees, and she realised that the faster she cycled, the less thinking she did. Soon she found herself at the top of a gently sloping hill, and removed her feet from the pedals, laughing delightedly as gravity took over, sending the bicycle speeding into descent. The breeze became a whipping wind that sent her hair trailing like a pale banner behind her. Finally she reached the bottom, sighing as she came to a gradual halt. And that was when she heard it.
The music.
Its effect on her was instantaneous - and terrifying. Her pulse quickened, and she felt a strange quivering in the depths of her stomach. There was no mistaking it - she would recognise that haunting melody anywhere, anyplace, anytime. Gripping tightly onto the handlebars, Sakura edged forward on the bicycle, in the direction from which the music was coming. As she passed a children's wooden climbing frame, her eyes widened, her hopes and fears confirmed. Sitting prettily at the end of a path blocked off by a huddle of trees was the carousel ride from the Festival.
But what was it doing there? The Festival was over for another year. It made no sense. And where were the rest of the rides and attractions? Sakura stared in bewilderment. To her astonishment and confusion, she saw children and families queuing to get onto the ride. A little boy smiled up at his father, proudly holding up a golden coin as though it were a precious treasure.
But the carousel was free. Hadn't they already paid for the admission tickets? It was only the side attractions and stalls that required money. Sakura had scarcely realised that she had dismounted her bicycle and was moving closer. The eerily beautiful music, coupled with the scene of families crowded around in an otherwise empty park at night made goose-pimples surface on her arms. She wasn't so sure that she found it so enchanting anymore. A part of her was uncertain. Afraid, almost. And when her eyes came to rest suddenly upon the boy in black, nothing could have prepared her for the intensity of her heart's reaction. It broke into a wild gallop within her chest as she watched him accept the coins from excited children who hurried onto their favourite coloured horses. Parents were getting on too, looking equally as thrilled.
Sakura stepped back, greatly unnerved. She didn't want that bottomless black gaze to fall on her again. She was just about to turn away, when something warm and solid caught hold of her left wrist, tugging her insistently forward. Sakura gasped, looking down to find a brown-haired little girl blinking up at her with huge, blue eyes.
"Hey, Miss? Could you ride with me? I'm scared to go alone!"
Sakura stared down at her in puzzlement. "But- your parents-"
The little girl shook her head sadly. "They don't want to go with me," she pouted.
Sakura looked back to the carousel. She had to be dreaming. This was too bizarre, too uncanny, and yet, it felt so decidedly real. She could smell the hot food some of the parents were eating, she could feel the wind stirring her hair and the music was seeping through her ears, into her very soul. And when she reluctantly allowed the little girl to lead her forward, and the carousel guy turned to look at her again, she knew that she couldn't be dreaming. Her mind had lied. He was even more beautiful than she remembered.
She could feel the child's eyes rising hopefully to her face as the young man in black held out his left hand expectantly. The tattoo she'd thought she had glimpsed the first time around was definitely there. A dragon, she identified initially, before realising that it was in fact the image of a snake inked onto his skin. She didn't know why that caused her heart to pound faster still as she raised her eyes to meet his. Perhaps it was the underlying knowledge of what a serpent represented in many great religions and mythological tales; temptation and sin. And, oh, God, Sakura thought, as the piercing intensity of the stranger's gaze burned into her; how his dark eyes enticed.
It took her multiple attempts to speak. Feeling wholly pathetic, she finally managed in a near-whisper, "I'm sorry I- I don't have any money…"
In response, displaying no regard for personal boundaries, the carousel guy's hand reached out, and before Sakura could realise it, he had snagged the necklace from around her neck. Her hand flew to her throat in alarm. That was the necklace her mother had given to her years ago; a crystal shaped pendant which she had told Sakura would help to protect her from the maliciousness of others.
You don't want to be protected from him, a small voice in her mind whispered to her, startling her further. She pointedly ignored it, and held out a hand to him in turn.
"Please," she entreated. "My mother gave that necklace to me. Please may I have it back?"
"Come on, Miss!" The little girl was tugging on her other hand with surprising force.
"No, I need my necklace-"
The young man dangled the chain tauntingly before her, his eyes watching closely for her reaction. She tried to snatch it back, but the child, displaying sudden, inhuman strength, succeeded in dragging her away and onto the carousel's platform. Sakura stared in shock, her discomfort rapidly escalating, as the child pointed adamantly at the black horse before them.
"Get on that one, Miss!"
"No," Sakura shook her head. The horse had red eyes. It unnerved her. "Please let go of my hand."
"Get on it!" the little girl, who no longer appeared so cute and innocent, insisted. She even stomped her foot petulantly on the ground for effect.
"No," Sakura glared back, yanking her hand out of the child's. What a spoilt brat! It was little wonder that her parents hadn't consented to riding with her. The girl's blue eyes swiftly welled up, and then she released an ear-splitting scream.
"Oh dear," one of the adults on a yellow horse winced, giving Sakura a pitying look as the still crying child was swung up and placed on a red horse beside the black one by another parent. "You'd better do as she says. The journey is about to start. You have to get on a horse if you want to go to the other side."
Sakura blinked at the blonde-haired woman. The journey? The other side? What was she even talking about?
"I don't-" she was cut off when the platform beneath her feet creaked and with a sinister hiss, began to move. Sakura's eyes flew back to the carousel guy, to find that he was still watching her intently.
I won't get on, she thought out stubbornly to him. He raised an eyebrow, as if he had somehow managed to guess her thoughts. Then his eyes lowered pointedly to the wooden platform, and Sakura, her stomach constricting with dread, followed his gaze. What she saw caused her to shriek and clamber swiftly onto the only vacant horse. Thick smoke had enveloped the base of the ride and within the grey depths were glowing embers that soon burst into flame.
Horrified, she looked to the little girl, who was laughing delightedly, showing no fear of the fires burning beneath them. "I knew you'd ride, Miss! Isn't this fun?"
No. It wasn't. Sakura felt like she was trapped in an awful nightmare. But as hard as she pinched herself, she just couldn't wake up.
'You're in my territory, now,' an unfamiliar voice, as smooth as velvet spoke in her mind. She turned her head, trying to locate the boy in black again, but the ride was starting to speed up, and the horses began to rise to impossible heights. Soon the carousel was moving incredibly fast, sending Sakura's hair whipping blindingly across her face and everything began to blur around her. She gripped on for dear life, sobbing to her mother that she was sorry. She never should have gone out on her bicycle after nightfall.
The unsteady jerking of the horse was the only warning she received before its pole abruptly unhinged from its crank and sent a screaming Sakura plunging toward the fires below.
Except that the flames didn't touch her. She fell into a void, as black as night, as black as the carousel guy's eyes. For a while her body seemed to float, suspended in mid-air, until her feet touched solid ground again. Trembling and hugging herself in a vain attempt to calm her frightened nerves, Sakura strained to see in the darkness. But it was impossible to make anything out.
Without warning a spotlight illuminated above her. Squinting, Sakura looked up to find that it was shining down from a great distance high over her head. She felt strangely exposed and vulnerable beneath its blinding glare. All around her was emptiness – nothing but mist and shadow. Releasing a shaky breath, she squeezed her eyes shut and began to pray, clasping her hands tightly together, hoping for a miracle. Hoping that she was somehow stuck in a horrible nightmare, rather than the dreadful reality she had somehow walked – or cycled – into.
She lifted her head and slowly opened her eyes once more. Nothing had changed around her. The sudden sound of music surrounding her nearly caused her to jump out of her skin in fright. She recognised the tune.
The carousel melody again.
Sakura released a choked sob. What was happening? She turned around and around like a jewellery box figurine, expecting something to come leaping out at her from beyond the fringes of light at any moment.
Silently and softly, the boy in black stepped out of the misty shadows. Sakura felt her legs turn to jelly as he stalked forward towards her, with all the grace of a deadly predator. And Sakura, frozen in place by the smouldering intensity of his gaze, felt unnervingly as though she were helpless, cornered prey. She somehow knew, without having to even attempt it, that running from him would be foolish, a waste of her energy. He looked like he had the ability to catch her before she even took a step.
"Who-who are you?" her voice, a pathetic whimper, wobbled precariously as the carousel guy began to circle purposefully around her. Like a hunter closing in for the kill. Sakura was shaking so violently that she could scarcely think straight. Did she really want to know his identity?
In response, a cool hand clasped her arm and she was tugged swiftly around to face him. He pulled her closer, his impossibly obsidian gaze drawing her in, and it took Sakura's overwhelmed mind a moment to figure out what was happening. And when she did, her feet were already moving in perfect time to his waltz; as if she knew the exact steps to the dance he had chosen to share with her. Her mother had taught her how to waltz as a child, but she hadn't danced with a human partner in years. There was no way she could have possibly anticipated the correct steps to the melody. But her body seemed to be moving on autopilot, beyond her brain's conscious control.
The music was having an odd effect on her. Instead of trying to pull away from him like she knew she should, Sakura instead felt herself relaxing into his light hold. Midnight eyes regarded her aloofly down the barrel of an aristocratic nose as the stranger maintained a perfectly poised, regal posture. They waltzed smoothly across the space, gliding out of the light and into the darkness of the shadows.
'You asked who I am.'
The voice in her mind was sensuous, commanded her instant attention. A shiver ran down her spine and Sakura opened the eyes she hadn't even realised she'd closed. The carousel guy had somehow communicated to her without opening his mouth. She exhaled shakily, as he rolled her out for a turn, before reeling her slowly back in to him. They stopped dancing, and Sakura's breath hitched when the boy in black's lips drew closer to her face.
Oh, God. Her heart thumped erratically within her. He's going to kiss me…
But he didn't. She felt the warmth of his breath hovering just over her right ear, as he whispered into her mind, 'You will know me. Soon.'
Then the hands encircling her upper arms relinquished their hold, fingertips trailing down along her skin, leaving tingles in their wake. The stranger stepped back into the black mist, seeming to melt into it, and Sakura was left alone again, wondering whether she had imagined dancing with him. But her right ear still tingled, and she knew she had not.
The light above her abruptly blinked out. She looked up, alarmed – when the ground suddenly gave way beneath her feet, causing her to plummet, screaming, into an endless abyss. As she fell, an invisible force seized her by her shoulders, shaking her violently.
'Sakura!' Her name resonated deafeningly around her, repeated over and over again.
No, she thought hysterically, trying to fling the oppressing force away. No, let me go!
She felt something brush across her cheek, the coolest and lightest of touches. A single word spoke in her mind, and somehow she heard it even more clearly than the voice that was booming around her.
'Awaken.'
Her disorientated mind didn't understand the command. But the instant it was uttered, she felt a violent pulling sensation. Like her very soul was being drawn from within her, back up through the void.
"Sakura!"
With an air-starved gasp, Sakura's eyes flew open to meet the wide, tormented gaze of her mother. Her heart pounded uncontrollably within her and for a few seconds, she couldn't speak. Her mother's hands on her shoulders relaxed, but they didn't let go. Honey-coloured eyes, darkened with concern, watched her silently, intently.
"M-mother?" Sakura finally managed to utter groggily. Her head hurt, and she felt terribly thirsty. Her mother seemed to sense her need for water – as she always seemed to know when her daughter required something – and reached for the glass by the bedside table. As Sakura slowly sat up and gratefully accepted it, she realised that she was back in her bedroom. They sat in silence while she gulped the cool, sanity-restoring liquid down. Soon her heart-rate had calmed and her head cleared enough for her to meet her mother's probing gaze steadily. She was still dressed in outdoor wear, prompting Sakura to wonder just when she had arrived home.
"What time is it?" she asked, handing the glass back.
"Just past two," her mother replied. After a brief pause, she added, "Sakura. I came back home three hours ago to find you sleeping on the sofa and food burning on the stove. What happened?"
Sakura stared at her as she struggled for recollection. What had happened? Slowly the required information trickled through the lingering haze in her mind. Ino had dropped her off, and after taking a quick shower, she'd gone downstairs to prepare herself a late night meal. She'd put some music on and had been dancing around to it, when- she frowned lightly as her brain drew a sudden blank. When what? She couldn't remember anything after that.
"I…" slowly she shook her head. "I must have fallen asleep…" her voice trailed off confusedly. It was the only possible explanation – the emotional excitement of the day must have truly caught up with her and she'd collapsed out of pure exhaustion. But her mother looked equally as perplexed. She couldn't understand how her daughter could have fallen so deeply asleep with such ear-splitting music cranked up to near-full volume.
She reached out, placing the back of a hand lightly against Sakura's forehead. "You don't seem to have a fever," she remarked. "But you were having a nightmare. Do you remember what it was about?"
Once again, Sakura regarded her with puzzlement. "I don't…" she hesitated, "I don't remember having a nightmare."
"Sakura," her mother leaned forward, placing her hands firmly onto her shoulders again. Looking deeply into her eyes, she willed, "Please try."
Sakura scoured her mind, but she couldn't recall anything. Her thoughts felt strangely scattered and empty, as though she might have been forgetting something, something very important, but she couldn't for the life of her seem to remember just what it was.
"I'm sorry, mother," she raised a palm to her aching head. "My head hurts," she croaked.
Her mother's lovely features softened. She raised a hand to the top of Sakura's head and stroked tenderly over her hair. Sakura felt some of the tension begin to ease. It was funny; she thought absentmindedly, how her mother's touch always wrapped her in an instant blanket of safety and security.
"Don't worry," her mother's firm voice assured her as she settled back into bed. "I'm here. Rest, now."
The fingers on her head were comforting. Soon the pain had vanished and an incredible sense of well-being settled over Sakura. Settling peacefully into it, she closed her heavy eyes once more.
He averted his gaze to the black-tiled floor as his hand trailed away from the orb. Visiting her in the realm of sleep had been a mistake. He had known it the instant his mind had brushed against hers. Fire burned through him at the lingering image of holding Sakura's dream-self in his arms. He had nearly forgotten that it was make-believe. It had felt almost real. Almost.
She would recall nothing, of course. She could only remember if he willed it. Perhaps, when she was away from that damned woman who was now watching so protectively over her, he would permit Sakura to recollect fragments from the dream. It was only just that he tortured her thoughts in exchange for the years of turmoil she had inflicted upon his own mind.
She'd asked for his identity. Sweet, innocent Sakura still had no idea who and what he was, what he was capable of doing. What he intended to do to her once he had her trapped in the darkness of his world. A deep craving gnawed away within him and he slowly exhaled, his eyes rising to rest on the wispy forms that had materialised by the towering, arch-shaped onyx doors leading into the square-shaped room that housed the black orb. Two curvaceous, winged female figures, wild-eyed and eager to please him, had been drawn to his silent call.
No more mistakes. He vowed that he would take Sakura the following day. Regardless of the cost, the casualties, and the consequences – he would allow nothing and nobody else to stand in his way. And for any fools that dared to interfere with his will again – death would fall swiftly and mercilessly upon them.
He met the bright gaze of the tallest harpy, who inclined her lavender head toward him and offered a flirtatious smile.
"What is your need, Great God?"
He stared each of them stonily in the eye, before curtly responding, "It is time for you to repay your debt."
He had been quietly minding his own business, as was his usual custom, when the phone on the table next to him rang. He ignored it at first, his eyes glued to the words on the page he was reading. When it continued to ring insistently, he flicked a nonchalant glance at the cell's flashing screen.
Tsunade.
He raised a mildly surprised eyebrow at the caller ID name, before snagging the phone swiftly from the table.
"Yo," he greeted casually.
"Kakashi," the voice on the other side of the line spoke. He instantly recognised the tone and reluctantly lowered his book.
"What's happened?"
When Sakura next opened her eyes, sunlight was streaming into her bedroom through a gap in the curtains and a delicious smell was wafting in through the open doorway. Stomach growling, she sat up, glancing over at the time. 7:00 AM, her clock dutifully informed her.
She heard padded feet walking down the hallway, and looked up as her mother stepped into the room, holding a tray loaded with breakfast. Sakura felt a surge of warmth; it was a rare treat to see her mother in the mornings, and rarer still that they sat and had breakfast together. But she never held her accountable for it. After all, her mother was a very successful and busy woman, who worked hard to preserve lives. Something Sakura desperately hoped she could also do, even if only half as well, in her future.
"Good morning, Sakura," her mother greeted, placing a light kiss atop her head. Her long blonde hair was tied back in a ponytail and she was still dressed in her silk night-robe. Hope crested within Sakura.
"Good morning, mother. Are you off from work today?"
"Yes," her mother nodded. Then she noticed Sakura gazing hungrily at the tray, and, with an amused look, held it out to her. "I take it you're hungry?"
Sakura gratefully accepted the tray; her mouth watered at the sight of the traditional breakfast which she often, in her haste to leave in the mornings, elected to skip altogether. Miso soup and steamed rice stared invitingly up at her and her mother, who had pushed the curtains open to allow glorious sunlight to grace the room, watched as she began to tuck contentedly in.
"Did you sleep well?"
Sakura was so ravenous that she forgot to swallow her mouthful before answering, "Yes, thank you." Realising her bad manners, she covered her mouth and looked apologetically at her parent, who merely offered her a wry, knowing smile.
"That's good," her mother paused, before adding, "You can rest at home today."
Sakura blinked huge, apple-green eyes at her. She felt a twinge of guilt; as delighted as she was to see and spend time with her mother, she hoped that the beautiful woman watching over her hadn't taken a day off just for her sake, even when she already knew that was the precise reason why.
Shaking her head, she replied, "I'm alright. I have a Literature paper that's due in second period; I can't skip college today."
"I'll drive you in second period," her mother replied firmly.
Sakura swallowed her food, shaking her head again. "Really, mother, I'm fine. I was just a little tired last night. And I really can't afford to miss any classes; we have exams in two months, and I need to get into that university. Ino will be here at eight. She'll drop me back, too."
Her mother still looked unconvinced, but Sakura could sense her resolve wavering. Finally, she said, "What time does your final class finish?"
"Four twenty," Sakura answered.
"I want you back home by five at the latest."
Sakura nodded. "I'll come straight back," she promised.
Her mother looked satisfied. "So," she said, pulling the vanity table's chair up to Sakura's bedside and reaching for her own bowl of soup. "How was the Festival?"
Memories of the previous afternoon swelled vividly into Sakura's mind. Smiling, she replied, "Oh, it was so wonderful! It was even bigger and better than last year's. They had new attractions too. Like a wobbly walkway. Ino fell seven times," she giggled. "I only fell twice," she added triumphantly, looking to her mother for approval. Her mother winked, as if to say, 'of course you outdid Ino. You're my daughter.'
At least, that was what Sakura hoped she was silently conveying.
"And a Shoot-For-A-Lady gallery; Shikamaru and Naruto had a go at that."
Her mother snorted, unimpressed. She had always thought very little of men. "Who did they shoot for?"
"Shikamaru for Ino, and Naruto for Hinata."
Her mother's slender eyebrows shot up. "Hinata?" she repeated, looking greatly surprised.
Sakura grinned. "They're so cute together." Then she blinked, and corrected, "Well, they aren't actually together yet, but I think he might like her…"
A brief, unreadable look passed over her mother's face. It was gone in an instant, as she casually enquired, "And you? Did you meet a nice boy?"
"No, no," Sakura laughed nervously. "Not me."
"Sakura…" her mother tilted an eyebrow at her. Her daughter had always been a terrible liar.
"W-well," Sakura amended, "There was a guy who gave me a caged dove. I released it. I'll probably never see him again; he's at university, you see…" her voice trailed as she recalled the mysterious guy she had met at the carousel. Should she mention the handsome stranger to her mother? She opened her mouth to do so, but her mother was already speaking.
"There will be plenty of time for boys," she stated, waving her hand dismissively. It was what she always said when she wanted Sakura to forget about someone she deemed wasn't worth thinking about any further. Which were most boys, really.
"Yes," Sakura replied softly, her gaze lowering to the cleared plates on the breakfast tray. For some reason, the memory of dark, intense eyes refused to budge from her mind.
"Well," her mother said briskly after another brief pause, rising to take the tray from her. "You'd better get ready."
Sakura thanked her as she left the room, and pushed the bed covers back. Stretching her arms over her head, she smiled at the sunny sky outside. Today would be a good day; she just knew it.
Twenty minutes later, Sakura stood scrutinising her reflection in front of the mirror. She wasn't wearing her usual combination of jeans and a T-shirt, and felt a little uncertain as she looked over the ensemble she'd had to dive deep into her wardrobe to find - a pale green, short-butterfly-sleeved top which matched the colour of her eyes and a flowing, feminine, cream skirt that reached just above her knees. Stepping into pale-green flats, Sakura reached up to lift her hair behind her head. No, she frowned, smoothing the strands back down. Leaving the coral locks loose complimented the outfit better.
Maybe I should just change back into what I normally wear, she considered. But the chiming of the doorbell informed her that it was too late for her to do so; Ino had arrived. Sticking her tongue out at her reflection, she grabbed her bag, a pile of books she had meant to return to the library a week earlier, and a cream cardigan and began to make her way along the landing to the stairs.
"Mrs. Haruno!" She heard Ino exclaim in surprise when her mother opened the door. "Wow, it's so good to see you! You look great!"
Smiling, Sakura skipped down and joined them at the door. Ino was always raving about how formidable and stunning her mother was and lavished compliments upon her whenever they met.
"Sakura!" Ino's eyes widened admiringly as she looked her friend over. "No jeans? For the second day in a row? Are we setting some record here?"
Sakura giggled. Sensing her mother's lingering eyes, she turned to look adoringly up at her.
"Movie night when we get back?" she asked hopefully.
Her mother's expression softened and she nodded as she reached out to run her fingers through Sakura's glossy hair. "Remember – be here at five sharp."
Sakura beamed and placed a light kiss on her mother's perfumed cheek. Then she skipped out the door.
"Ino," Sakura's mother called, just as Ino was ready to bid her goodbye. "May I have a quick word?"
"Sure, Mrs. Haruno," Ino replied, before calling back to Sakura as she got into the car, "Give me a sec, Forehead!"
Sakura's mother met Ino's blue-eyed gaze firmly. "You dropped Sakura off after the Festival, correct?"
"Yes," Ino nodded.
"Was she alright?"
Ino blinked, confused. "She was fine. Why?"
Sakura's mother glanced at where her daughter was sitting in the passenger seat, fiddling with the radio. "Sakura was a little… unwell overnight. Please keep a close eye on her today."
Ino looked back at Sakura also. Then, turning to her best friend's mother again, she smiled, "Don't worry, Mrs. Haruno. I'll look after her."
"Promise me," Sakura's mother said, her face and tone so abruptly severe that Ino's lips parted in surprise. "Promise me that you will not let her out of your sight today."
Ino shook her head, and it took her a few attempts to speak. The fierceness she had glimpsed in the woman's eyes had internally startled her. Finally she replied slowly, uncertainly, "Sure, I… I promise. Is everything okay, Mrs. Haruno?"
"Fine, fine," Sakura's mother dismissed curtly, waving a hand. "Go on, now, or you'll be late."
Ino nodded, hesitated for just another moment, before turning back to the car.
"Bye mother!" Sakura waved, beaming joyously as Ino turned on the ignition and began to perform a U-turn. "I love you!"
Her mother smiled, waved back, and watched as the car drove off down the street.
I love you too, child, she silently answered. More than you could possibly know.
To Sakura's pleasant surprise, Naruto was waiting for them at their regular parking spot.
"Hey, Naruto," she smiled, as she stepped out of Ino's car. "What're you doing here so early?"
Naruto offered a sheepish grin and replied vaguely, "Heh, I was around so… lemmie get that for you, Sakura-chan," he swiftly plucked the books she'd been carrying out of her arms. Sakura blinked at him, before offering her thanks. They walked into the main building, taking the winding corridor that would lead them toward the Academy's library.
"Ugh, what is wrong with Tenten?" Ino scowled, raising her phone to her ear as they arrived at the revolving doors stationed outside the quiet study area. "She keeps calling and hanging up!"
"She's probably out of minutes," Sakura suggested.
"Like I have any left," Ino complained, looking appalled by the injustice of the fact.
Sakura rolled her eyes in response. It was only Ino's own fault that she talked so much. "Be right back," she informed her, and the blonde nodded, watching as they stepped into the library. Sakura joined the short queue to return items, and began searching for her student card.
"Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked, as she rummaged through the contents of her bag.
"Hmm?" she answered distractedly.
"Are you… feeling okay today?"
Her gaze lifted to meet his. They were a darker shade of blue than normal, mirroring his internal concern. Sakura raised her eyebrows. Ino had asked her the very same thing in the car. Suspiciously, she scowled, "Have you all been talking to my mother, or something?"
Naruto's eyes widened, and he rapidly shook his head. "N-no! Why would I talk to your- I just- it's just-" he spluttered, but like Sakura, Naruto wore his heart on his face and was a terrible, unconvincing liar. Sakura sighed deeply. Her worried mother had probably told her friends to keep an eye on her for the day; typically overprotective, as usual.
Don't you ever tire of being watched? A voice whispered in her mind. Don't you wish you could… escape?
She was filled with a sudden, inexplicable sense of déjà vu; as though she had thought the very same thing somewhere before. But she couldn't recall where and when. Her mind felt strangely blank.
"Sakura-chan?" Naruto was staring at her with wide eyes. "What's wrong? Are you-?"
Sakura shook her head. "I'm fine," she assured him. "Really. You don't have to worry about me, you know."
Naruto offered her a tentative smile and Sakura turned away from him, trying not to pay too much attention to the dubious look in his eyes. As she stepped up to the scanner and returned her books, she considered what her mother might have said to Naruto and Ino.
'Sakura wasn't well. Please look out for her.'
'Look after Sakura today. She was sick.'
Sakura frowned lightly. She knew her mother intended well, but the truth was that she hadn't been sick. She'd been completely fine. There was no need to kick up a fuss over nothing. Sometimes she felt like she was shielded a little too much.
Who am I kidding, she told herself. She always felt like people – her mother especially – were trying to wrap her up in cotton wool. Naruto tried to make casual conversation as they rejoined Ino outside, but Sakura's thoughts were distracted. She was suddenly starting to remember things… images she couldn't quite place. They walked to Biology class, where Naruto parted ways with them, and as she stepped into the lab, she immediately noticed that Sai was absent.
Sakura wasn't sure why she felt disappointed. Maybe it was because she had been secretly hoping to see and talk to Sai. She felt bad about the way she'd abruptly left him at lunch the previous day. Sitting down at her usual place and listening to Ino's flirtatious exchanges with Shikamaru, she allowed her gaze to wander over to the open window.
Music began to drift through her mind, blocking out the voices surrounding her. Something flashed across her memory – cool hands clasping hers. A warm breath ghosting over her right ear… She blinked, alarmed to feel the skin of her ear tingling. What was the matter with her? She was so preoccupied with what was going on in her head that she scarcely noticed Kakashi's uncharacteristically early arrival, barely heard as he began to discuss the results of the dissection, looking pointedly at a guilty Ino as he did so. The images were floating before her – a black horse. The necklace she always wore around her neck, dangling before her eyes. A bicycle. Spotlights. But they never connected to form an intelligible memory.
"Forehead? Earth to Forehead. Sakura!"
Sakura jumped, startled, as Ino jabbed the end of a pencil into her side. She turned to her right to find her friend staring at her, her mouth open.
"Geez; what is wrong with you today? You didn't even make any notes!"
"Huh?" she blinked stupidly down at her blank writing pad.
Ino's expression hovered somewhere between incredulous and exasperated. "Lesson's over!"
Sakura's eyes flew to the clock on the wall and she gaped at it in shock. Ino was right. The class had ended. And for the first time in her life, Sakura had no idea what the lesson had been about.
She gathered her things, and felt eyes on her as she pushed her stool back beneath its desk. Kakashi, she realised with embarrassment, and made a point of avoiding the teacher's probing gaze. How disconnected and lost in her own thoughts had she been, to not even be able to recall the contents of the lecture? Sakura felt thoroughly ashamed of herself. But as she turned to follow after Ino, her eyes stopped on a familiar figure and her breath hitched. Sai, who had likely arrived late, for he'd been sitting at the back of the lab rather than in his usual place, was slowly depositing his notebook back into his bag. He looked even paler than usual - deathly pale - and his shoulders were hunched, as if he wished to make himself as inconspicuous as possible. Sensing that he was being watched, his eyes lifted dully, meeting Sakura's tentative smile for the briefest of instances, before darting quickly and evadingly away. Then, before she could think of calling out to him, Sai had shouldered his bag and hurriedly exited the lab. Sakura stared speechlessly after him. Was she being paranoid, or had he just deliberately avoided her?
"Ah, Sakura?" She flinched, her eyes flying to the left to find Kakashi staring down at her. "A quick word?" Sakura threw a glance at Ino, hoping her friend would bail her out – but Ino was busy talking to Shikamaru, and seemed oblivious to Sakura's need of her.
Sighing, Sakura walked over to her teacher's desk at the front of the lab.
"Now, it's not like me to pry," Kakashi began with another of his signature, resigned sighs, "but I couldn't help noticing that you seem a little distracted today."
Sakura hung her head in shame. "I'm sorry," she apologised. "I don't think I slept well last night."
But she had. Hadn't she? However, she couldn't think of any other reason to account for her absentmindedness. What else could she tell Kakashi? That she had been far too busy paying attention to the nonsensical images in her head to focus on the lecture he'd been giving? Disclosing such a ridiculous thing would earn her an even greater reprimand for certain.
"How was the Festival?" Kakashi's tone changed, becoming more conversational. Sakura released a breath, directing a surreptitious glance up at him. He wasn't angry at her?
"It was…" she replied, perplexed by his abrupt change of subject, "nice," she finished.
"Full of characters, I bet?" he winked at her.
Sakura blinked. "Uh, yeah…" she trailed off, and then offered him a nervous little laugh. "You- you're not mad that I didn't make notes?"
He waved her concern away. "We all deserve a break every once in a while. You included."
While Sakura was still trying to figure out what that meant, Kakashi added seriously, "Sakura. Is everything alright?"
Suspicion filled her. Kakashi, too? No - he was simply expressing concern over her uncharacteristic inattentiveness. And he was looking at her so earnestly, so kindly. Silently conveying that she could talk to him about what might be troubling her, if she so wished.
She offered him a genuine, bright smile. "I'm fine. Thank you, Mr. Hatake."
"Yes, yes, well, off you go," her teacher nodded, brushing off her gratitude. Sakura followed Ino and Shikamaru out the room, and the remainder of the day's lessons passed with little incident.
The morning's strange images and not-quite-there memories thankfully didn't bother Sakura again, and by the time their final classes were over, she had all but forgotten about it. She spilled out of the main building with her friends, laughing uncontrollably over Naruto and Kiba's lunchtime antics.
"D-did you see Chouji's face?" Tenten managed in between fits of chuckles.
"When Kiba got to the last noodle-bowl-" Sakura gasped.
"Forget Chouji, did you see how distraught Naruto looked?" Ino asked, and the girls burst into a fresh round of giggles.
Sakura wiped at her eyes, straightening as she cast a glance at Hinata, who wasn't certain whether to look distraught or amused. Feeling a pang of sympathy for the dark-haired girl, Sakura elbowed her teasingly in her side. "Don't worry," she winked, "I'm sure Naruto didn't starve to death-"
"-much," Tenten latched on, grinning.
Hinata released a distressed little gasp at the very idea.
"Oh, Hinata," Ino rolled her eyes, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and giving her an affectionate squeeze. "You're so adorable."
"Training today," Tenten reminded them, referring to sports practice. "You're coming to watch the team, right?"
"You're only going to watch Neji train," Ino pointed out, prompting their brown-haired friend to blush tellingly.
"Of course not!" she exclaimed defensively. "But it'd be fun to hang out!"
"Uh huh, right," Ino grinned. Then, seriously, she said, "Sorry, we can't stay today. Princess Forehead here has to be back home by five, and I've got an appointment with my hairdresser at five-thirty. Maybe Hinata's free?"
"O-oh, I'm sorry," Hinata stammered apologetically, secretly rueing a missed opportunity to watch Naruto train, "but I'm afraid I have to work on my paper…"
"Fine," Tenten huffed, as they neared the car park. "I'm heading over to the field, then. See you no-lives later!"
"Have fun checking out Neji's butt!" Ino called loudly after her, causing Sakura to slap a hand over her mouth in a desperate attempt to muffle her laughter, whilst Hinata blushed profusely. A scarlet-faced Tenten, who had scarcely managed to take five steps away from them, whirled and shook a threatening fist at a cackling Ino.
"You're so bad, Ino," Sakura gasped, as she took the front passenger seat in her best friend's car. Ino secured her seatbelt, and grinned.
"Isn't that why you love me?" she winked.
"Oh, get over yourself, Pig," Sakura teased affectionately.
"Only if you get over me first," Ino bantered back, as she pulled out of the car park. Sakura turned on the radio and they began to sing to a popular song that was being aired. At least, two of them did. Hinata just quietly sat at the back, content to listen to them.
Sakura glanced down at her watch. 16:39PM, it informed her; plenty of time to get home. She smiled at the thought of spending a rare evening with her mother. Which movie were they going to watch together? They could share the delicious dumplings that she had failed to finish the previous day. Sakura's mouth watered just thinking about the tasty treats. She couldn't wait to get home and enjoy their gossipy catch-ups.
Ino rounded the corner to the right which led out to the main road, and immediately hit her foot down on the brake, causing the car to jerk to a sudden stop.
"You have got to be kidding me!" she screeched, staring at the long line of cars jammed along the entire length of the street in dismay. Sakura's expression mirrored her friend's as her incredulous eyes followed the rows of traffic. People were honking and had rolled down their windows, waving angry fists. Sakura even saw a man leaving his van altogether to check out what was happening ahead of him.
"What is it?" Hinata asked softly, straining to peer past their shoulders.
"Gridlock. There's no way we're making it out of there for another hour at least," Ino answered, disgust dripping from her voice. The car behind them honked impatiently, and Ino began to perform a hasty U-turn in response. "No way am I missing my appointment," she exclaimed.
"Which way are we going?" Sakura questioned, as Ino began speeding back in the direction they had come from.
"This route my dad once showed me."
"Once?" Sakura echoed dubiously.
"Relax, Forehead! It's on the nav," Ino tapped a perfectly manicured finger at the illuminated navigator on the dashboard. "It'll take us a little longer than usual to get back, but it's better than being stuck in that mess for ages."
Shrugging, Sakura sat back in her seat again. Soon the navigator began leading them through winding roads that were unfamiliar to her. The streets became narrower and narrower, until they eventually found themselves driving through the outskirts of a small forest.
"What the hell?" Ino exclaimed, as the navigator instructed her to continue straight. "I don't remember these trees. What's up with this heap of junk?" She poked at it, trying to check the address again.
Sakura's eyes moved to her watch. 16:55PM. She was definitely going to be late. Grabbing her cell out of her bag, she speed-dialled her mother's number and waited for her to pick up.
"Where are you?" her mother answered on the second ring. No 'hello'. No 'how are you'. Just where are you.
"Hello, mother," Sakura greeted. "I'm with Ino and Hinata. The route we usually take home is jam-packed, so Ino's leading us through a…" she shot a pointed look at her best friend, before finishing, "…short-cut."
"How much longer will you be?"
"Tell her we'll be there in about twenty," Ino replied distractedly, jabbing her finger at the navigator's touch-screen again. "Why won't this thing respond?" she muttered.
"About twenty minutes," Sakura replied, wincing as she anticipated her mother's less than pleased reaction. When she was met only with a brief silence, Sakura rushed, "I'm sorry, I know I promised by five, but-"
"It's alright," her mother's voice calmly replied. "Just get back safely. Call me if you're going to be any later – I'll come and meet you somewhere."
Sakura nodded, and closed the connection, releasing a sigh of relief. "What's wrong?" she asked, when she noticed that Ino was scowling at the dashboard.
"It's this stupid thing!" Ino cried, taking her eyes off the road for a few seconds. "It keeps telling me to go right, but there isn't a right! This has to be wrong. I'm so going back-" she broke off when the car suddenly jolted forward, sending her veering to the left, the steering wheel spinning so violently that Ino almost lost control of it. The girls screamed, fearing the worst, when the car slammed into something on Ino's side. After dipping unstably, it came to a complete stop.
"Shit," Ino swore; her blue eyes were wide and glazed over with shock. Swallowing thickly, she managed, "You two okay?"
"What the heck, Ino-" Sakura slowly released her breath, heart pounding uncontrollably within her. She had thought, for a horrible moment, when the car had rocked to the left, that it was ready to flip over. Apart from the seat-belt digging into her abdomen, she was shaken but unhurt.
"Wh-what happened?" Hinata squeaked from the back.
"I don't- I must have hit something." Ino opened her door and climbed gingerly out. Lowering her head to examine the extent of the damage, she groaned, "Oh, my poor baby! My dad is going to be so mad!"
Sakura got out in turn, followed by Hinata. They walked around to find that the right side of the car had fallen into a mini-ditch. As if that wasn't bad enough, the front tyre had somehow burst upon impact with something sharp.
Sakura's hands flew to her cheeks as she surveyed the damage with horrified eyes. "Oh, no!" she exclaimed in dismay, realising that she was going to be much, much later than twenty minutes. "My mother is going to kill me!"
Her words echoed faintly through the orb. He smirked darkly at the irony of her statement. It wasn't her mother she had to fear.
She was alone in the company of two other females who could not protect her, stranded as they were in an unfamiliar wood, far from any aid. She was essentially defenceless.
Perhaps the Fates, after inflicting him with centuries of injustice, were finally on his side after all.
"Master…" two child-like voices spoke in unison. He didn't need to turn around to know that the harpies had taken on the form he had requested of them.
Without taking his eyes off Sakura, he commanded, "Go."
With a great flap of their wings, the harpies vanished.
"This is just great," Sakura muttered sarcastically underneath her breath. So much for getting home early. She was half leaning, half sitting against the bonnet of Ino's car. She'd called her mother again to inform her of their new and less than fortunate development, and this time her mother had been suitably furious. 'Give me the address,' she had barked down the phone. Sakura had been close to tears, when Ino had snatched the cell off her and apologised profusely, saying it was all entirely her fault and that they weren't actually sure where they were, but that it was okay because she'd called her father and he was on his way, and she wasn't going to let Sakura out of her sight.
Sakura had frowned at that. It was bad enough that Ino had gotten them stranded without her friend referring to her like she was a wayward child. Now they stood around, waiting for Ino's father to locate their car on his tracking system.
"Hey, I said I was sorry!" Ino glared, catching Sakura's words. "You think I meant for this to happen?"
Sakura sighed, and rubbed stressfully at her forehead. "No, of course not; look- I'm sorry. Let's just stay calm."
"A-at least it's still light," Hinata attempted to comfort them. Sakura glanced at her, and smiled despite herself. They could always count on Hinata to see the best in even the very worst of situations. She eyed their surroundings again. All around them were thin, unsightly trees that had yet to taste the first bloom of spring. Beyond the trees were tangles of branches and undergrowth. The narrowing path ahead was overruled with grass and upturned roots. It was little wonder that the car had been unable to squeeze through the space.
Sakura turned her face up to the sky, inhaling deeply. It was perfectly blue and cloudless, but another glance down at her watch informed her that it would only be daylight for another hour and a half at most. She reached into the car, pulled her bag out, and opened it, searching for something to eat.
"Hey," she said, as she found an apple and a chocolate bar. "Anyone hungry? I've got some stuff here…"
"I think I may have some water," Hinata said, moving to the back to retrieve her own bag.
Ino's phone rang, and she raised it quickly to her ears. "Hello, Ava? Yes, I know I said five-thirty- yes, I know, but-" she paused, eyes narrowing at the stream of complaints her hairdresser was hurtling at her on the other side of the line. "Listen, how much do I pay you? I'm always on time. My car's stuck in a ditch. A ditch! Don't try to act like you're booked for the rest of the evening – you're my personal hairstylist!"
Sakura sighed heavily as she listened to her best friend's indignant arguments, her eyes trailing idly over the trees in front of her – when a sudden movement caught her attention. She straightened, instantly alert. Had she just imagined seeing something blinking back at her?
I'm losing it, she thought, shaking her head. There was nothing to be found in the undergrowth before her.
"I am telling you, my car is stuck in a ditch!" Ino was raving down the cell, her back turned to Sakura. "What, you think I'm not telling you the truth? I mean, really? Look, I'm here with two other people- Hinata!" she beckoned the startled girl to her side. "Tell this impossible woman where we are!"
Hinata flinched as Ino pressed the phone against her ear. She listened as a foreign-accented woman spoke far too fast for her to understand, and tried to stammer that Ino was right.
Sakura stepped forward, her eyes wide. She hadn't imagined it. There really was something there – and when she inched closer, and discovered just what it was, her mouth parted in astonished surprise. Peeking out from between the trees were two young children – one blonde haired and blue eyed, and the other, red-haired and black-eyed. They were staring uncertainly at her, as if ready to bolt the second she placed a foot wrong. Sakura cast a glance back over her shoulder, at where a flustered Hinata and an angry Ino were trying to calm the upset hairdresser down. Afraid she would startle the kids away if she called to her friends, Sakura stepped slowly forward, so that she was right on the edge of the path.
"Hey," she whispered. The children watched her with large, curious eyes. They were sweet-featured, two little girls, around five or six years old, with softly curling hair and freckled noses. They wore identical white dresses, frilly and pretty. "What are you doing way out here?"
She wondered whether there were houses nearby. Surely there had to be; how else would two children be wandering around the area alone? The girls exchanged tentative looks and then one of them – the red-haired one – stepped forward, closer to Sakura.
"You know what, I don't care. You want to be someone else's hairstylist, go ahead!" Ino was practically screeching down the phone.
Sakura stared. The child's black eyes were so dark that they appeared to be devoid of pupils; of course, that was virtually impossible- her thought was unpleasantly interrupted when the blonde-haired girl suddenly jumped forward and yanked on the strap on her shoulder, snatching the bag away and running off into the undergrowth. Her companion giggled and quickly followed after her.
"Hey!" Sakura protested, rushing in after them without giving her actions a second thought. Her study books and notes were in that bag – she couldn't afford to lose it, not when exams were so close on the horizon.
Hinata, who had heard Sakura's surprised call, glanced back to find her friend's coral head disappearing into the trees. Her lips parted in concern, and she reached out, tugging insistently on Ino's arm.
"And don't expect me to give you a good reference, either!" Ino was raging. "It's just a stupid haircut!"
"I-Ino…" Hinata whispered, still tugging.
"Yeah, that's right, good luck finding another client! You know, you could avoid all of this if you just agree to – what,Hinata?" the blonde's head whipped around to glare at her friend, who merely pointed in the direction in which Sakura had disappeared. Ino turned, frowning, and swiftly forgot all about the conversation she was having. Lowering the phone slowly away from her ear, she uttered uncertainly, "Sakura…?"
Sakura weaved through the trees, keeping her eyes fixed on the children who were squealing and laughing ahead of her.
"Hey, give it back! Please!" she called, hoping politeness would work. It didn't. The little girls, delighted with the chase, merely sped up, hopping over upturned roots and skipping on stones with perfect, fluid ease. They were clearly familiar with the path they were taking – poor Sakura was certainly not. She was already at a disadvantage, and knew it. Frustrated, she skirted past a bunch of rocks, narrowly avoiding tripping over the snaking limb of a tree. Then a root did catch her left foot and she stumbled onto the grass. The children stopped briefly to wave the bag tauntingly at her.
Sakura pushed her hair out of her face, glaring angrily at them.
"Here's your bag, lady!" the little blonde girl called. Her voice was surprisingly sweet and innocent for such a mischievous brat, Sakura thought.
Huffing unhappily, Sakura folded her arms across her chest as she took the time to catch her breath. Why her? She realised then that heading unthinkingly after the children had probably not been the wisest of ideas. She had likely already drifted too far from the clearing to find her way back without assistance. And her cell was in her bag.
Perfect. But she wasn't about to be outwitted by a pair of children who were more than ten years her junior. A plan began to formulate in her mind, and she lifted a hand, waving it dismissively at them.
"Go ahead and keep it," she called out. "I never liked that stinky old bag, anyway."
The children exchanged glances, as if they hadn't quite expected to receive such a response.
"Well, guess I'd better head back," Sakura added cheerfully, rising to her feet again. "Thanks for the exercise!" She began to turn nonchalantly away.
He watched the scene that was unfolding before him intently. So she had resorted to fooling his subjects, in an attempt to lure them closer and retrieve her satchel?
Clever. But nowhere near clever enough to save herself.
'Master', one of the voices communicated uncertainly to him. 'The maiden is leaving. What are we to do?'
"She is bluffing," he answered sharply. "Stop her."
Sakura had only taken several steps when she heard a rustling behind her. She turned back to find both children edging forward. The blonde-haired one gripped onto her bag, looking genuinely apologetic.
"I'm sorry, Miss," she said, blinking huge, sad eyes up at Sakura. "We didn't mean to upset you."
"We were just having fun," her companion agreed, nodding enthusiastically.
"Here," the little girl with the bag held it out to her. "You can have it back."
Sakura pursed her lips. She considered walking away regardless, or demanding that they throw it over, if they were genuinely repentant – but her heart melted when she spotted their lower lips quivering. They looked afraid, ashamed, on the verge of tears.
Ino had always called her a wet blanket.
Sighing, she walked forward, reaching out acceptingly with her right arm. Her fingers came within inches of grasping her bag – when the children released a shriek of laughter and turned to bolt away again. Sakura, who had half-anticipated the girls to attempt such a trick, lunged after them. They squealed and separated, scattering in different directions. Gravity pulled Sakura forward, and the speed at which she was moving meant that it was impossible for her to prevent her body from tumbling over the edge of a hidden slope. She gasped fearfully as she rolled down the bank, before landing abruptly in a surprisingly cushioning bed of dry leaves. For a minute she lay in place, staring up at the sky, disorientated and wondering what in the world she had gotten herself into.
"Ugh…" she slowly sat up, smoothing back her hair, picking curled leaves out of it. Something suddenly landed with a dull thud in front of her, and Sakura flinched jumpily, before recognising it to be her bag. She turned her face up to look back toward the small bank she'd fallen from – just in time to see the giggling faces of the two little girls vanishing over the edge. She reached out and snatched her bag, holding it tightly to her chest as she willed herself to remain calm.
She wouldn't panic. She wouldn't. She'd find a way back up – somehow. Opening her bag, she rummaged for her cell phone. Where was it? Desperate, she emptied the entire contents of the bag on the ground before her. She realised with a sinking feeling that the phone was nowhere in sight. The children had probably taken it, or worse – lost it.
Oh, no. Sakura's heart began to pound to a slow, sickening rhythm. How in the world were her friends going to find her now? How foolish was she? What had she been thinking? The harsh reality was that she hadn't really been thinking at all. She had just wanted her things back.
Struggling to remain composed, Sakura stuffed her belongings back inside the bag and gingerly got to her feet. The trees grew even sparser here. Swallowing, she walked forward, uncertain which direction she was heading toward. What if there was a wolf in the woods? What if there were bears? Or crazy psychos like in the movies? She nervously grabbed hold of a branch from the floor, gripping it tightly, praying that she wouldn't have to use it.
"Sakura!" Ino cried, lowering her cell. She'd just tried for the fifth time, unsuccessfully, to call Sakura. Her best friend's phone had rung incessantly, but Sakura hadn't picked up.
"Sakura!" Hinata called, her lovely features contorted with worry.
They filtered through the trees, sticking close together, their eyes roaming over the expanse of woodland in search of a familiar pink head. Ino's heart pounded within her, and she struggled to swallow down her escalating sense of panic. She had promised Sakura's mother that she wouldn't let Sakura out of her sight. She had promised. And now here she was, searching frantically for her missing friend, just because she'd been stupid and self-centred enough to argue with her ex-hairdresser on the phone…
Please, Ino silently willed. Please be alright, Sakura.
"I-I can't see her," Hinata exclaimed breathlessly. Ino detected the thinly-veiled alarm in the dark-haired girl's voice, and fought to maintain her own sense of calm. But it was impossible, when she considered what might possibly be lurking in the woods. Sakura was so slight, so vulnerable. If anything attacked her, she wouldn't stand a chance.
"Oh, God, where is she?" Ino choked back a panicked sob. "Sakura!"
After walking aimlessly for nearly ten minutes and finding no way of getting back up the incline, Sakura was precariously close to tears.
Don't cry, she told herself angrily. She was already feeling pathetic enough as it was; besides, what would sobbing accomplish? She would still be lost in the middle of nowhere, without her friends and her phone-
Her mournful thought abruptly broke off as she glimpsed a sudden flash of colour between the grey-brown trees to her left. Blinking, she stepped instinctively toward it. As she drew closer, the trees seemed to part for her, revealing rich, rolling grassland. Sakura's lips parted in astonishment as she came to a stop before the most vividly green meadow she had ever laid eyes upon. It was beautiful, littered with carnations of every colour. Butterflies flitted delicately about between the flowers and birds sang joyously overhead.
"Oh…" she said weakly, overwhelmed with an overpowering sense of déjà vu and recognition. She had dreamed of a field like this one. And Sai's drawing – the one she had refused to take – hadn't it been similar too?
She didn't stop to consider what that might mean. Her feet were already carrying her forward. The grass was so long, grazing up to her knees. She held her hands out, letting the strands tickle her fingertips as she gazed about her new surroundings in awe.
His heart had begun to pound in anticipation. Finally, she had been lured to the designated place and set foot within the field. A field he had placed an illusion upon, to beguile her mortal eyes with vivid, unnatural colours and sweet, enchanting birdsong.
He turned away from the orb, directing one last command to the harpies.
"Stall her friends."
'We exist to please you, Master,' came the whispered replies. He scarcely heard them as he swept out of his palace and came to a brief stop before four, majestic black steeds. The wild, temperamental horses, who answered only to him, were stationed obediently at the bottom of the outer steps that climbed up toward the sprawling halls of his abode.
He looked to each of them in turn, silently conveying his intention. Orphnaeus. Aethon. Nyctaeus. Alastor. They would need to move as swiftly and fleetingly as shadows. He couldn't risk being seen by anybody. The stallions snorted, exhaling smoke, as if to signal their understanding. Haste was of the essence.
The death deity mounted his chariot and his horses surged forward. They soon crossed the border leading to the field, and the earth opened up at his will, revealing a jewel blue sky.
He turned his face up to the surface.
The meadow seemed to stretch forever in all directions. Sakura inhaled deeply, enjoying the fresh scent of grass mingled with the sweetness of flowers. Delight and wonder had temporarily warded away her fear and uncertainty. She knew she would be safe in the lush green plains, away from the sinister silence of the woods – until nightfall, at least. It was so very pretty; one of nature's very own works of art. As she ventured deeper into it, she considered picking a bundle of flowers while she explored. Perhaps, by the time she was done, her friends would somehow, by some miracle, come across her. Or maybe, if she kept walking, she'd eventually find a house. Somebody was bound to live close to such a picturesque place.
She began to pluck different coloured carnations, placing a yellow one playfully in her hair as she twisted and twirled contentedly between the flowers. If only her mother could see where she was; granted, she would be angry that she'd taken so long to get home, but after she got over that, Sakura was certain she'd appreciate the beauty of the place.
She sat down in the grass, her bright green eyes watching as the butterflies danced in the air before her. A white one fluttered close to her face, its wing brushing gently across her cheek, and Sakura smiled at the innocence of the touch. Oh, if only Ino could see this place, too, she wished. They would have a contest to see who could make the prettiest bouquet – even though Sakura knew she'd win.
She rose to her feet again and continued to walk, her eyes searching for different coloured flowers, bypassing the ones she had already collected. Then her breath caught suddenly in her throat as her gaze came to fall upon the most beautiful bloom she had ever seen.
"I can't find her!" Ino sobbed hysterically into the phone. Hinata was standing beside her, looking equally as upset. They'd been searching the woods nearly for twenty minutes, and had still found no trace of Sakura. "Oh, God, her mother's going to kill me!"
"Ino," the voice on the other side of the line spoke rationally. "Calm down. Who are you talking about?"
"Sakura!" she wailed. "I can't find Sakura! I took a stupid shortcut, and my car got stuck in a ditch, and I can't find her!"
"Sakura? You've lost Sakura-?" Shikamaru's voice suddenly grew muffled, and the next one to speak into Ino's ear belonged to someone else.
"Ino," Naruto said, and her heart leapt at the uncharacteristic severity she detected in his tone. "Where are you?"
Sakura was entranced. The sun, despite being very low in the sky, seemed to reflect off the petals, making them shimmer radiantly. The bloom shifted from red, to pink, to peach, orange, yellow, gold, green, indigo and violet, silver and grey; dazzled, Sakura moved toward it, her mind unable to comprehend how it could be so many colours at once. Had she come across a new species? Would her name go down in history as the first person to discover a Rainbow Flower? Because that surely had to be its name. No other would suffice. She fell to her knees before it, reaching out, almost fearfully, to touch it. Its sweet scent was wonderful, more fragrant than anything she had ever smelled before.
As she contemplated whether she could bring herself to pluck such a mesmerising piece of art, she felt a gentle tremor in the ground beneath her. Dismissing it at first, her attention fixed intently on the bloom, Sakura seized the flower by its stem, overwhelmed with the desire to possess it – only for it to dissolve instantaneously at her touch. She watched, horrified, as the flower turned first to black, before shrivelling away.
How did it die when I…? Her train of thought vanished to oblivion as the earth quivered more forcefully. She leapt back up to her feet, staring down at the grass in confusion. A terrible, groaning sound filled the air, and she felt herself teeter off balance when the ground gave another, more violent rumble. Panic overwhelmed Sakura as she frantically realised that she had to be experiencing an earthquake. If she just remained in place-
Her eyes widened when she felt the earth beneath her beginning to cave in, as if it were being torn asunder by mighty, invisible hands. Screaming, she scrambled back, struggling to regain her footing as the ground continued to shake and creak. But everywhere she ran, the earth cracked and splintered, almost as if it was somehow tracking her movements. Clefts of soil and rock were protruding up, sending grass knots and flowers sliding into rifts in the ground. One slip of her foot and she would fall into the bottomless crevice after them.
Realisation at the fact that she was most likely on the verge of dying aged just eighteen caused terror to paralyse Sakura's body, hindering her movements. Panic-stricken, she stumbled once more, spraining her ankle as she fell. Sobbing, she tried to get up again, fingers clawing into crumbling clumps of dirt, but the ground kept splitting apart, kept forcing her back to her knees.
Fire blazed from the wheels of the chariot as the horses thundered across the field, bearing their master with unearthly speed toward his target.
She was trying to return to solid ground, in a foolish, desperate attempt to save herself. It was futile. The earth was under his command, and this time, there was nobody else around to deny him from claiming what he desired. What he had craved for so long. He spurred his stallions onward, his heart thumping faster with every galloping fall of hooves. He was so close, close enough to hear frightened cries. Close enough to glimpse the terror in her eyes when she turned to look upon the dreaded steeds of the Underworld.
The earth was slipping beneath her feet like quicksand.
"M-mother," she sobbed senselessly, nothing but pure instinct to live keeping her from collapsing into the deep. Her heart had never raced so hard. She ignored the pain in her ankle, tried to dart to the left – when she sensed pounding vibrations in the ground. A shadow fell over her and she whirled, gasping to fill her burning lungs with oxygen. What she saw caused the blood in her veins to turn to ice, as she found herself staring up into the blazing, crimson eyes of four, majestic horses. What was happening? With incredible swiftness, they charged down upon her, and Sakura screamed for her mother one last time before the ground splintered open beneath her feet and she felt herself begin to plummet, free-fall, through the air.
I'll die, was her final thought, as unconsciousness rushed up to meet her. I'll land somewhere eventually, and I'll die-
Then her world turned to blackness, and then, mercifully - nothing.
He reached out of the chariot, encircling her waist with one arm, drawing her securely in to him. He exhaled at the lightness of her body, how very delicate and fragile it felt against his own. His heart still pounded from the thrill of the chase – and the euphoria of victory.
Sakura. He had her. At last, she was his.
He stared breathlessly down at her face, his eyes wide. She had fainted - from shock or fright, or perhaps both - and rested limply in his arms. Her face was turned upward to his, chin tilted back as if for a kiss. He tore his gaze away from her soft, inviting lips, and sent a command out to his steeds. With deafening snorts, they altered their course, and descended, plunging the chariot deep into the crevices in the ground.
The earth swiftly rearranged and closed up behind them, leaving no clue of any manner of disturbance, save for the scattered remains of flowers resting beside Sakura's open bag.
Author's note
Okay, so my heart was racing as I was typing that last part. I should probably be concerned, right? xD Please let me know your thoughts on this one everybody! I had to keep the kidnapping scene in line with how it happens in the actual myth – i.e., with Persephone picking wildflowers and Hades snatching her in a field. Really excited to get onto the next bit. How will Sakura react when she discovers where she's been taken to, and by whom? Mwahaha. See you next update!