Chapter VII
Bereft with loss,
And the throes of woe,
They seek to retrace,
Her divine steps,
Yet no remnants of the maiden,
Can be found,
Where, o where, did Spring depart?
Misplaced, gone away,
Without a sound;
No rest shall any immortal keep,
Until t'is known from whence she fell,
And unto which fate,
Whose eyes can tell?
~x~
Sakura was thrown. Her panic-numbed mind could not comprehend the words her disbelieving ears had heard. Sasuke had decreed that she would remain in the palace. It was to be her new home. He'd claimed some manner of ownership over her, telling her that she belonged to him, was his.
His.
Sakura's hands lifted to her head, fingers grasping at tight fistfuls of hair. It was a purely thoughtless gesture and one that openly conveyed her wild-eyed state of hysteria. She tried to tell herself that he hadn't truly flickered out of sight before her very eyes. It had been a trick, somehow. And yet she knew it was hopeless to reject it; Sasuke had indeed moved blindingly fast – inhumanly fast.
What's happening? Her brain tried, frantically, to make sense of her awful situation in any manner it could. But it was impossible for her to focus for long enough. She was too distracted, too shaken, too overcome with stupefaction to think rationally. Whichever way she considered the series of unfortunate events that had befallen her caused a fresh surge of panic to blot out all logic. It was easier to deny everything than to accept it. And she would have had a much easier time pretending that none of it was real if Sasuke's intimidating presence wasn't so undeniably concrete. He was decidedly not a figment of her imagination or fear-induced nightmares. He was so very painfully and vividly alive in a place that was otherwise quite literally dead.
Sakura's eyes rested unseeingly on the sprawling table before her, completely overlooking the delicious foods on display. Her appetite had vanished. She silently vowed that she wouldn't eat a single bit of food until Sasuke returned her home. He wasn't really serious about her staying with him, an absolute stranger, in such a foreign, terrifying place. He had to be joking. He was joking. Wasn't he?
No, a small, sensible voice in her head whispered in response, fighting to be heard over the rambling din of internal chaos. Just look at him. Does he look like the kind of guy who doesn't mean what he says? He's serious – and totally out of his mind.
The acknowledgement of actuality was difficult to stomach. Sakura didn't know what to do. She certainly wasn't about to follow after Sasuke. She needed to collect her thoughts before confronting him again, needed to map out a strategy for escape. Slowly she exhaled, doing her best to calm the riotous disorder and anxiety in her mind. As inconceivable as it was, this really was happening. She couldn't keep freaking out and refusing to believe it. It left her vulnerable, more predisposed to making mistakes. And she knew that if she wanted to have even the slightest chance of leaving and getting away from Sasuke, she would have to keep any slip-ups to a minimum.
Swallowing down the miserable lump in her throat, Sakura wiped the tears from her cheeks. Turning away from the banqueting table, she slowly walked back to the entrance hall. When she stepped into it, she found two women standing by the foot of the majestic stairs. One was a plump, middle-aged, motherly type, with brown hair streaked with the first of greys, tied back in a tight, tidy bun. She was dressed in a plain, full-length, neatly trimmed cotton gown which was white and looked like it belonged to a different era. Tied over it was a black apron. The woman had a round, kind-featured face and light blue eyes. Huddled close to her was a tiny wisp of a girl who appeared to be no older than fifteen or sixteen at most. She had light, softly curling blonde hair that was secured back in a short ponytail and large, muddled hazel eyes. She wore a similar outfit to the taller woman. To Sakura's confusion, they both appeared to be solid, nothing like the washed out figures she had seen by the river. Were they alive?
Both curtsied low as Sakura approached them. Her eyes darted bewilderedly between the pair. Why were they bowing? When the older woman spoke, her head still lowered in courtesy, Sakura was hit with recognition. These were the very same maids she had overheard speaking earlier.
"Mistress, we bid you welcome to our Master's House. I am Chizu; this is Ume," she gestured to the girl beside her. "The Master has assigned us to attend to you, so that we might ensure your comfort during your stay with us."
Sakura's lips parted in an open display of surprise. Sasuke had charged these women with looking after her? The fact that he seemingly wanted her to be cared for contrasted with the cold, harsh manner in which he had spoken to her. Feeling uneasy, she entreated, "There's no need to be so formal; please don't bow. I'm Sakura; pleased to meet you."
The women straightened, but although Chizu looked her in the eye, little Ume kept her gaze shyly averted. Sakura felt a tug at her heart. The timidity with which the girl carried herself reminded her of Hinata. Thinking about her friend carried with it recollections of everybody else back home, people who were likely going out of their minds with worry for her. She wondered whether it would be wise to ask Sasuke when she next encountered him, if she could send out a message to let her mother and all her friends know that she was alive, at least. Sakura didn't know how Sasuke would respond to such a request – after all, she knew nothing of him. But from what little she had seen, she guessed that it was unlikely he would permit her to do such a thing. He didn't seem to be the friendly, compassionate type. She stored the thought away for later. She'd still have to try and ask.
"Have you taken your supper, Mistress?" Chizu asked.
"I'm not hungry," Sakura replied. "And please; just Sakura is fine," she added, frowning at the stodgy term of address.
Chizu bowed her head apologetically. "If that is what pleases your ladyship," she answered politely. "Might we then escort you back to your chamber? I am certain you must be fatigued. Ume has prepared a bath for you."
Sakura's body ached at the proposition. Perhaps a bath would do her good. She probably looked a state, and the warm water would soothe away the tension in her muscles. Maybe it would even help to calm her frayed nerves. Smiling at Ume, she said, "That's very kind of you."
The girl's cheeks flushed, and Sakura once again had to swallow back her emotions. She missed Hinata, and Ino, Naruto and everyone else, most of all her mother, so terribly.
You'll see them again, the same, rational voice in her mind assured her. You'll find a way back home.
Feeling reassured by the thought and a little safer in the company of two kind strangers, Sakura began to follow the maids up the stairs.
~x~
Sasuke stalked down the tree-lined path, the thick, ominous aura surrounding him a perfect reflection of the stormy expression set upon his face. She'd had the nerve to question him about his intentions, as though she had the right to know them. As though he were obliged to answer to her! He was a god. He did not need to explain his actions to a petty human. He disclosed what he pleased, when he pleased. Sakura would have to acclimatise herself to that fact if she didn't want to make the foolish mistake of testing his patience again in future. She'd soon find that causing him to lose his temper was not a wise course of action.
Sasuke exhaled, slowly reigning in his anger, a part of him resenting her ability to get under his skin. What was it about her? Even in dirt-marred clothing, with her hair dishevelled and her eyes red-rimmed from crying, Sakura was lovely. Her soft, sweet voice stirred something within him. It was musical, as perfect and pure as the rest of her. But how? How was it that he found a mortal female more riveting than any of the other goddesses he had ever known? Of course, the immortals were unearthly in their beauty. And yet, Sakura possessed a measure of something else which they lacked – something that drew Sasuke in like nothing he had ever known.
What was this emotion, this inexplicable attraction he felt to her? It defied all reason and logic. He thought again of her tears, and his lips pressed together, forming a thin line. As reluctant as he was to grant it, he knew that it would be more beneficial to his cause to give the girl some time to adjust to his realm. She was vulnerable, frightened, and overwhelmed. He had seen it as he'd observed her through the black orb that served as a window to both his realm and the surface. He had witnessed her shock and horror at glimpsing the shadows of the dead for the first time, watched as she'd fled and collapsed sobbing by a boulder.
And he had seen the woman who supervised the receiving of souls from the river Acheron rough-handling Sakura, as though she were the same as the other tainted vermin who boarded the dreaded black boat. He'd sent an instant, harsh command to Juugo to stop Karin from striking Sakura – and now he was on his way to ensure the foolish nymph didn't repeat the gesture again.
Instead of transporting himself to the river bank, Sasuke took the time to walk. It allowed him an opportunity to collect his thoughts. He would have to discover precisely what was happening on the surface. What course of action was Sakura's mother taking? And the one Sasuke wanted to encounter least of all – did he suspect anything? Impatience agitated him; he had to find a way to trick Sakura into remaining in his realm, to prevent any chances of her being rescued before any attempts even came to pass.
The forbidden food of the dead, he knew, was the most effective option, but only if she consumed it willingly. He certainly could not force her to do so. Yet she was already refusing to eat. Sasuke anticipated that she would continue to do so in stubborn, childish protest. Sakura would eventually come to realise, however, that it was an unproductive strategy when dealing with the governor of death; he would merely sustain her life and refuse to release her soul from her body, until such agony befell her that she would submit to his will and beg him to be fed. Sasuke's face darkened possessively. He would sooner see her starve than let her go.
When Sasuke finally arrived at the river's edge, he found his subjects assisting another group of compliant, unresisting spirits off the ferryman's boat - three children, three women and one man. He waited as Juugo and Karin guided the souls toward the queues by the opposite end of the bank before stepping forward.
"Nagato."
The skeletal face beneath the hood lowered in reverence. Long, bony fingers gripped onto the end of the oar firmly despite their frail appearance. "Great God," he greeted, in a low, rasping voice.
"Has anyone from the surface attempted to cross Acheron?"
"No, Great God."
"Be vigilant," Sasuke instructed. "Send me immediate word if anybody does."
"Yes, Great God. I will be sure to convey your will to Cerberus."
The death deity nodded curtly and turned dismissively away. The heels of his boots crunched against gravel as he walked at a leisurely pace toward his two subjects, his expression betraying no emotion as he joined them. They turned to him, surprise etched on both their faces, before swiftly bowing their heads.
"Lord," Juugo greeted.
"Great God," Karin purred.
"Continue, Juugo," Sasuke commanded the strongly-built young man, watching as he bowed once again before turning to resume his duties. Sasuke's dark eyes flicked onto Karin, who had been staring unabashedly into his face. She quickly averted her gaze when he stared down at her, and even in the blue glow of the surrounding firelight he could clearly discern the faint flush to her cheeks.
Karin was a river nymph who had been mistreated by many men. Her skin still carried the angry bite marks to prove it. She had been miserable and on the verge of taking her own life when Sasuke had found her. He'd offered her a purpose for existing in exchange for her services; to reside by Acheron and oversee the smooth passage of the dead between the rivers. She possessed two unique gifts – the ability to trace the footsteps of others provided they had traversed on water, and to heal grievous wounds. They were the only two reasons he kept her around – because her abilities, in the hands of the wrong people, would pose a disruption to the delicate balance of his realm.
Karin had foolishly become infatuated with Sasuke somewhere along the way, considering him her saviour. Even when she knew that she stood no chance of being accepted, she still attempted to engage him in mildly flirtatious dialogue on the rare instances when he stopped by to check on the influx of souls. She was always unsuccessful, and often silenced with a withering look. Karin had clearly become complacent, believing her position in his world to be secure. It wasn't. And Sasuke was about to remind her of that.
"To what do I owe this honour?" A smile played on the scarlet-haired nymph's lips. Sasuke fought back the disdainful sneer that tugged at one corner of his lips. Narrowing his eyes, he lowered his face so that it was inches away from Karin's. She caught her breath, her eyes widening at his unexpected proximity.
"Mishandle her again and enter Tartarus," he hissed.
Karin's features displayed confusion at first, when she suddenly grew perfectly still as the meaning of his words slowly registered in her mind. Then she began to stammer, "I-I didn't know she was alive, Sasuke-"
With alarming speed his hand shot out, fingers clamping cruelly around her throat.
"Do not forget your place," he warned in chilly tones, a response to her casual usage of his first name. She managed to choke an alarmed apology. Sasuke shoved her away, and when she continued to gawp up at him, he took a single, menacing step toward her. She yelped, straightened her spectacles, and bowed her head low, scampering back to rejoin Juugo.
Onyx eyes monitored them for a brief moment, before Sasuke blinked silently out of sight.
~x~
Ring ring. Ring ring. Ring ring. Ring ring.
Naruto turned impatient eyes up to the clear night sky. It was his fourth attempt at calling. Why wasn't Sai answering?
"C'mon," he muttered, tapping his foot restlessly upon the ground. The line suddenly clicked a connection and Naruto snapped to attention.
"Hey, Sai!" he exclaimed. "Where the heck have you-" he abruptly broke off, blinking as a voice that was decidedly not Sai's spoke into his ear.
'-cannot take your call. Please leave your message after the tone.'
The voice mail service beeped, signalling that it was recording.
"Hey, bastard," Naruto hollered angrily down the line, "pick up your damned phone already!"
Disconnecting, he released an exasperated huff. If Sai wasn't going to answer, then he had no choice but to go looking for the young man. It wasn't what he had planned to do, and meant wasting even more precious time - time that could have easily been spent searching for Sakura.
Raising his cell to his ear again, Naruto speed dialled Shikamaru's number.
"Naruto," his friend answered on the second ring. "Any sign of her?"
"No," Naruto answered glumly. "Did you find anything out?"
"Sai isn't answering my calls. He isn't at his flat either."
Naruto placed a frustrated hand to the back of his head. "Great," he muttered. "Then where the hell is he?"
There was a pause. "You're able to find him faster than any of us."
Naruto's eyebrows drew together in a frown. "You know I can't do that," he replied quietly.
"Naruto," Shikamaru's tone was stern and serious. "Sakura could be in real trouble. If there was any time for you to tap into the seal, it's now." Sensing his friend's lingering hesitation, Shikamaru added with a sigh, "Look, it isn't like Sai not to answer. And he isn't in any of his usual spots. Something's up, and the faster we figure out what, the better chance we have of finding Sakura. That is, if she isn't…" his voice trailed off.
Naruto swallowed, gritting his teeth. "Don't talk like that," he said, his voice quivering with anger.
"Then track him down. I'll call you if I hear anything else," Shikamaru replied, and abruptly hung up.
Naruto slowly lowered the cell. His free hand moved to hover over his stomach. The fine tremor that ran through his fingers betrayed his inner apprehension. Could he do it? Could he call upon the assistance of something that he had kept so carefully guarded and locked away for so long?
Did he really have a choice?
But if Kakashi and the others find out that I've… he crushed the thought. Sakura was all that mattered. Her safety was the most important thing to him.
Placing his cell in the pocket of his grey, hooded top, Naruto closed his eyes and focused.
~x~
The chime of the bell caused Ino's head to lift. The willowy arms hugging the stuffed pink bear that Sakura had purchased for her years earlier tightened as she shared an uncertain glance with Hinata before slipping off the couch, moving automatically toward the front door. Her father's warding hand halted her in her tracks. Making his way in his daughter's stead, he answered – and drew in a sharp breath.
"Where is she?"
Ino paled, instantly distinguishing the owner of the deceptively calm voice. She backed out of the hallway and into the lounge again, trembling fearfully.
"Tsunade, please, this won't help anyone-"
"Call her down," Tsunade instructed.
"I will not let you hold my child accountable. Sakura is responsible for her own actions." Ino swallowed, stirred to tears by her father's protection.
"Step aside, Inoichi," Tsunade uttered indifferently.
Ino squeezed her eyes shut.
"I-Ino? I-I could try and explain…" Hinata offered softly, anxiously.
Her friend slowly shook her head. How much of a coward was she, hiding away, letting others fight her battles for her? Her father was right; Sakura was responsible for her behaviour - but so was Ino for her own. She had been the one who had proposed a shortcut; it had been her car that had broken down. And it was her fault Sakura had gone off into the forest alone.
The blonde stepped back out into the hallway and walked to the door, spotting Tsunade's face over the shield of her father's shoulder. The instant the honey coloured gaze locked onto her, Ino felt her stomach knot in apprehensive dread.
"Mrs. Haruno, I can explain-" she began.
"Ino, I will handle this," her father interrupted sternly.
"No, dad, let me-"
Tsunade placed a slender hand on the outer side of the doorframe. Inoichi stiffened, but the woman made no move to enter the house uninvited.
"Do explain," she said, narrowing her eyes in displeasure.
"Ino-"
"Dad, please," Ino pleaded.
There was a weighty pause, in which her father regarded her with searching blue eyes, eyes she had inherited. Finally, Inoichi relented. "You may come in," he permitted their visitor. "But if you do anything to distress her…"
"Save your empty threats," Tsunade snapped, brushing by him. Regarding Ino angrily, she ordered, "Tell me everything."
~x~
Stepping back into the bed chamber in which she had awoken was disconcerting, especially when Sakura knew for certain that she was no longer dreaming or dead.
Chizu had talked along the way about giving Sakura a tour of the palace after she was well rested. And although Sakura had absentmindedly agreed, she didn't think she would rest well. Not when she still had so many unanswered questions swirling around in her mind. As Ume closed the resplendent doors softly behind them, Sakura took another look around the room. It truly was a magnificent sight to behold, almost otherworldly in its splendour. Rich, gold embroidered, heavy bronze curtains, which her eyes had completely overlooked before, captured her attention and she wandered curiously over to them, reaching out to run her fingers along their smooth, satiny texture. As she parted them, she found herself starting at beautifully ornate balcony doors, through which she glimpsed the same, starless night sky. A quick twist of the dainty handles informed her that they were locked. Disappointed, Sakura arranged the curtains back in place, and turned to face the maids. They were waiting for her by the door nestled in the corner of the room.
"This way, if it would please you to follow us," Chizu gestured politely. Sakura entered after them, and her jaw dropped once again.
In contrast to the rest of the palace, the bathroom was pristine white marble. Four elegant columns climbed up to a sapphire-jewel encrusted, moon-painted ceiling. Sakura's eyes were dazzled as the precious stones captured the firelight flickering from sconces attached to the walls and the array of scented candles housed in decorative, three-branched, brass candelabra stands. Marble ledges protruded from the edges of the room, offering seating spaces. Sakura spied thick, fluffy white towels piled neatly in shelves that had been modelled into the left corner of the room. A huge, spotless, opulently framed mirror hung against the central wall, providing an even greater illusion of airiness and light. Deep blue transparent, wispy drapes, adorned with tiny, shimmering beads, were strewn from the top of the pillars. They rippled with movement and life. Sakura's gaze then fell to the bathtub, set upon a large, raised square platform enclosed by the columns, and she gawked all over again. It was more like a pool, fashioned in the shape of a colossal, beautiful shell. It was filled with steaming water and bubbles, and indigo petals were scattered on top. The warm lighting and sweet smell of bath oils relaxed Sakura's tension wrought shoulders and she inhaled deeply.
It was the most breath-taking bathroom she had ever seen. It looked fit for a queen – or a goddess. In one of the raised corners above the tub were shelved plump sponges and small, coloured, glass phials of differing shapes, containing what she assumed to be body oils and shampoos. Bars of soap were stacked beside them. On the opposite corner, resting in a smaller shell, were hairclips, combs and pins.
Suddenly, Sakura felt awfully grubby. She wanted to sink into the cleansing waters and forget everything, if only for a few minutes.
"Will your ladyship require assistance in bathing?" Chizu questioned.
With great difficulty, Sakura tore her eyes away from the tub and onto the women standing by her. Unbeknownst to her, they had been watching her expression in mild, carefully concealed amusement.
"Oh! No; thank you."
Chizu nodded. "Then we will await you outside. Please inform us when you are done so that we may assist you in dressing."
"Thank-" Sakura began automatically, when she spotted another door in the farthest right hand side of the room. "What's in there?" she asked, pointing.
"That is the privy," Chizu answered. Sakura stared blankly at her for a moment, before her brain supplied a rusty fact from her past History lessons. So it led to the toilet. She supposed it looked as outrageously sensational as everything else she had seen in the palace. Despite his apparent nonchalance, Sasuke clearly possessed a penchant for fine details. Sapphire encrusted paintings were one piece of evidence alluding to that fact.
Chizu and Ume bowed and exited the room, leaving Sakura alone. She moved to the door leading to the toilet and opened it to find a matching, candle-lit, white marble en-suite area. It wasn't as spacious as the bathing room – after all, it only consisted of what was the most ridiculously elegant 'privy' she had ever seen, a washing basin over which hung yet another elaborate mirror, and ledges lined with rainbow coloured bottles – but it was still larger than any room in Sakura's own house. Closing the door, she turned back to the bathtub and slowly peeled off her clothing, arranging it into a careful pile. Making a note to ask Chizu and Ume whether they could arrange for her stained garments to be washed and returned to her, Sakura stepped up to the bathtub and slipped in. The water was delightfully hot and seemed to instantly soothe away her aches and pains. Sighing as she settled at the bottom and became immersed by the sweet, lavender scented fragrance, Sakura tilted her head back to rest upon the shell tub's edge, staring up at the beautiful painting on the ceiling. It was a glorious, shimmering piece, and the more she gazed at it, the more her eyes discovered wonderful new details.
What was her mother doing now? Was she alright? Did she know that Sakura was missing, or had she yet to find out? Had Mr. Yamanaka collected Ino and Hinata from the forest? Just how many hours had passed since she had lost consciousness in the field? Sakura's own watch had seemingly frozen since she'd awoken, and now lay discarded on top of the rest of her clothes.
Her thoughts inevitably turned to her kidnapper. Sasuke had claimed that she had been brought to the palace on a whim of his, but there had to be more to it than that. It was no coincidence that she had met him at the carousel ride. Had he been waiting for her?
Had he intended to kidnap her back then? And again, the same, maddening question – why? Why was he doing this to her?
So many questions, so many uncertainties. Deciding that she would talk to Chizu and Ume later, Sakura closed her eyes and did her best to fill her mind with sunnier, happier images.
~x~
Tsunade regarded the faces seated around the iron embellished, circular table before her. It had been a long time since they had last assembled, but everyone – bar one person whose absence did not surprise her - had come at her request; Kakashi, Guy, Asuma, Kurenai, Iruka, Homura and Koharu. Their grim expressions mirrored her own.
"You all know why we have gathered here," Tsunade opened the dialogue. "Sakura has been taken."
A heavy silence filled the air. Kurenai was the first to break it.
"I couldn't believe it when I heard the news," she said softly, sadly.
"We must find her right away!" Guy Might, a tanned man around Kakashi's age who possessed close-cropped shiny black hair, bright black eyes, a strong nose and thick eyebrows, exclaimed fiercely, hitting the bottom of his fist against his other palm.
"That seems to be easier said than done," Asuma Sarutobi, a handsome, middle-aged man, stated. He had dark hair that spiked messily at the back, brown eyes and a carefully kept beard. "From what I understand, you've found no trace of her as of yet."
"What exactly happened, Lady Tsunade?" Iruka Umino questioned. His brown hair was pulled back in a high ponytail and a deep scar was slashed across the upper bridge of his nose, an eternal reminder of a battle long past.
Tsunade pursed her lips, recalling Inoichi's daughter's account of the events that had preceded Sakura's abrupt disappearance.
They'd followed Ino's car's built-in navigation system after encountering traffic. It had, apparently, malfunctioned, leading them along an unfamiliar route and into one of Konoha's many forests. The car's front tyre had punctured and the vehicle had become stuck in a ditch. Ino had been on the phone – and this was what had angered Tsunade most - to her hairdresser of all people, and vowed that she'd only turned her back to Sakura for two or three minutes at most, when Hinata had alerted her to the fact that their coral-haired friend had ventured into the forest. They had quickly pursued her, but it had been a futile chase. They had been unable to locate Sakura.
Swallowing down the burning fury and grief in her chest, Tsunade replied tightly, "She disappeared into a forest. Naruto and Shikamaru scoured it three times over and found nothing of her."
"They found her bag," corrected Kakashi. Tsunade's eyes flew to him. This information was new to her.
"Her bag?" she repeated, her heart skipping a beat. "Where?"
Kakashi sighed. "In a field."
"And… nothing else?" Asuma glanced at the silver-haired man.
Kakashi turned his gaze to the ceiling. It was a masterpiece, painted with images of angels and divinities, assembled upon heavenly clouds. "Naruto didn't mention anything else, other than flowers."
"That's much like Sakura," Kurenai said quietly. "She probably wandered into the field to gather a bouquet."
"Of course," Iruka nodded. "She is after all-"
"Lady Tsunade," Homura Mitokado, a bespectacled man whose face was lined with years of wisdom interjected. "Have you considered, perhaps, that the girl might be dead?"
Four pairs of incredulous eyes and one mildly bemused one darted to the elderly man. Beside him, Koharu Utatane, a grey-haired old woman with a peering gaze remained silent. Beneath the table, Tsunade's hands tightened into fists as she fought to remain civil when the words that were begging to roll from her tongue were anything but.
"Great Homura," Iruka coughed uncomfortably, observing the threatening fire burning in Tsunade's gaze, "I don't think-"
"I would know if the child was dead," Tsunade bit through her teeth.
"You refer to a mother's instinct," Koharu spoke up in an age-worn voice, "but you are perhaps forgetting the nature of your tie to the girl. How can you be certain that it was not a human who snatched the child away? Mankind has gone astray, and many who have lost their way have turned to crime. How can you be so sure that she lives?"
Kurenai's lips parted in dismay. How could the two speak so heartlessly and bluntly? She looked anxiously at Asuma, read the frustrated clench of his jaw.
"That's ridiculous," he said. "If Sakura were dead, then everything would be-"
"Do not take that tone with us," Homura interposed quietly. "Perhaps you have forgotten who we are."
"We cannot give in to despairing thoughts!" Guy urged them, trying to dispel the crackling tension in the air.
"She is alive," Kakashi said with conviction. Then, slowly, he added, "But to address any doubts, there is one way we can be absolutely certain."
Tsunade inhaled sharply at the suggestion he was making. "What!" she barked at him. She couldn't believe what her ears were hearing. Sakura wasn't dead. How could they even entertain such an awful idea?
"You don't truly mean-" Iruka began nervously.
Kakashi released another of his characteristic sighs. "It has been a long time since I paid that place a visit…" his voice trailed off as a faraway look fell upon his lone eye.
"Kakashi," Kurenai said, openly alarmed. "You cannot venture there without invitation. You know the pact that was made between him and us."
"For him," Kakashi rectified quietly. "Not by him."
"Don't be even more foolish than usual, Kakashi," Guy sent the man he considered a rival of sorts a disapproving scowl. "That deserter would never permit you to trespass, let alone communicate such information to you. Have all these years taught you nothing? And besides, how would you get past the damned hounds at the gates?"
Kakashi's eye lowered. He said nothing.
"A fool's errand indeed," Koharu murmured.
"No more foolish than your very suggestions!" Tsunade erupted, rising furiously to her feet. Slamming a palm down on the table with enough force to send a violent tremble through it, she snapped, "You've been waiting for this, haven't you? The day the mighty Tsunade finally blunders. I should have known not to call on you. You take pleasure from the misfortune of others. You have not changed! Even after everything that befell us because of your selfish mistakes-"
Koharu and Homura rose in turn. The air surrounding the meeting area had thickened, was practically charged with negative current.
"May we remind you, Lady Tsunade, that the only reason you all live is because of the compromise we made," Homura reminded her.
"Oh, that's right!" Tsunade spat sarcastically. "The humble sacrifice! Your shady dealings aren't the reason we are here; may I remind you that we have the Yellow Flash to thank for that!"
The two elderly people bristled at the mention of the name, and all at once everyone was out of their seats and talking over one another, except for calm Kakashi, who remained sitting, silently observing the escalating dispute before him. Things were on the verge of turning very ugly indeed, when a voice suddenly spoke quietly, breaking perfectly through the fray, "I can't sense her."
Heads turned to regard the new arrival. Sunshine had flooded into the room, warding back the darkness of people's thoughts.
"Naruto…" Iruka whispered, eyes widening in recognition of the form the blond youth had taken.
Tsunade had frozen in place. "You fool," she whispered. "The seal-"
But Naruto paid their concern no attention. Meeting Kakashi's expectant gaze, he said, "Sakura. She isn't on the surface."
~x~
After bathing and washing her hair, a squeaky clean Sakura stepped back into the regal chamber, wrapped in a long, soft towel. The water had remained gloriously hot despite the length of time she had spent soaking in the vast tub. Though her body felt more relaxed, her mind was still fretfully restless.
Chizu and Ume were waiting for her, as promised. Upon the bed they had laid out lace-trimmed, filmy looking undergarments that made Sakura's cheeks blush faintly; they were the sort of lingerie items Ino loved to purchase and always begged Sakura to buy. But Sakura had never before dared to wear anything so- so provocative. Next to the items was a pale silver, feminine nightgown. It had thin shoulder straps and seemed to be made of satin. How different it was to the usual worn yet comfortable sleepwear she flung carelessly on at home!
"Are you well, Mistress?" Chizu questioned, noticing Sakura's saddened expression. Ume looked anxious. Maybe the clothes were not to their lady's liking?
"I'm fine," Sakura blinked, and tried to smile as best she could. "Thank you for preparing the bath for me, Ume; it was perfect."
The girl beamed at her, before seemingly recalling her manners, and quickly averted her gaze to the floor again. "I am at your ladyship's service," she answered. Her voice was soft and pleasant, and Sakura was once again reminded of Hinata.
"Please, I told you just Sakura is fine," Sakura said.
"W-we are sorry, your ladyship, but it would not be proper-" Ume began nervously.
"I insist."
Ume and Chizu exchanged glances. Finally, the older woman nodded. "Perhaps when we are alone in your excellent company, but in the presence of the Master, it would be unthinkable."
Sakura swallowed. Calling her 'mistress' suggested that she was connected to the 'master' in some way. And she most certainly was not, and never would be, no matter how outrageously wealthy and handsome Sasuke was. The very idea made her feel sick to her stomach with fear and horror. She didn't want to know someone so frightening; which begged the same question once again; what in the world did he want with her?
Seizing her chance, she said, "Could you tell me why he has brought me here?"
The maids looked at each other again.
"I am sorry," Chizu apologised slowly. "But it is not our place to discuss the Master's affairs."
"But you must know something. Please, I just want to know what he wants-"
Both women's eyes lowered uncomfortably and they remained silent. Frustration and despair began to creep over Sakura again. Had she really thought she could just gain the answers to all her queries from these maids? Clearly she had allowed their hospitality to fool her. They served Sasuke. The only reason they were with her now was because Sasuke had ordered it.
But she didn't want anything to do with him, and that included having his servants about. What if he had assigned them to her in order to keep tabs on her, to ensure that she didn't try to escape? What if they reported to him whenever they left her?
Suspicious and paranoid, she said quietly, "Thank you for your kindness. I'd like to dress myself, now."
"Oh," Ume gasped. "Please let us assist you-"
"No," Sakura said firmly. Noting their dismayed expressions, she plastered another false smile on her face, and added, "I'm tired; I'd like to be alone for a bit. If I need anything, I'll call you right away."
They looked hesitant, unconvinced. "Our Master asked us to attend you…" Chizu's voice trailed.
"I promise I'll call. I need to rest before the tour," Sakura reassured them. She watched as their faces relaxed slightly.
"We will have these washed for you," the older maid said, relieving Sakura of the bundle in her hands. Then the servants bowed their heads and took their leave, pulling the doors quietly shut behind them.
Sakura counted two minutes in her head, before exhaling a relieved breath. Her stomach growled loudly in protest, and she felt thirstier than ever after her soak. She tried to ignore the cramps and the parched feeling in her throat. She wouldn't eat. She wouldn't. Moving over to the enormous wardrobe, she flung open one of the doors, seeking something less revealing to wear. Her eyes widened as they came to rest upon beautiful, feminine dresses of every colour imaginable. They were made of light materials, mostly silk, with some cotton pieces, and consisted of flowing, loose, softly pleated skirts with high waistlines and figure flattering bodices, decorated with plaited belts and short, transparent, butterfly sleeves. Extra, lighter wraps of material were arranged on the tidy shelves within. Sakura parted the central doors to find an even greater selection of dresses, all ridiculously expensive and fabulous looking, in hues that delighted the eye. Some had slits down the skirts and the sides which were attached at places with tiny, gold-encrusted pearl clasps. They looked like they belonged to a different era, and Sakura had the unsettling feeling that she was trapped in another time. The long door to the right of the central ones opened out to reveal elegant, full-length cloaks, thin scarves and draping shawls. On the shelves were arrays of gloves, which she was disturbed to find were a precise fit on her hands.
Closing all the doors, she began to pull open the wardrobe's wide, deep-spaced drawers. In the top one was a store-sized collection of undergarments – all lacy, thin and frilly, Sakura noted with a sinking feeling. The next contained silky nightgowns and robes in rainbow shades, folded neatly in place. Beneath were stockings and what looked to be dainty slippers. The final one had a selection of sandals, arranged tidily in compartments. Sakura pushed the drawer shut and turned to the clothes on the bed. She had no choice but to wear them – there was no other alternative. Quickly she changed, once again finding everything to be a perfect fit. Then she walked to the vanity, where she found an assortment of cosmetics that put Ino's stock to shame. Strange looking, thin sticks tinged with colour for what she assumed to be the lips, pretty eye-shadow palettes, kohl eyeliner phials, fine powder and blush, wooden application brushes and more; every beautifying item that a girl could want had been provided. Moisturising face and body oils were placed in small bottles. Sakura pulled the stoppers off, sniffing delicate, floral scents. Precisely the kind she liked.
Was it a coincidence? Her skin began to crawl at the possibility that Sasuke might have had this all purposefully arranged for her. After all, the fact that he knew her name suggested that he held some degree of knowledge about her. The same couldn't be said for Sakura. She didn't have the faintest idea who she was dealing with, other than the fact that her captor was clearly some kind of deranged psychopath.
An intricately carved and painted glass box rested in the middle of the table. Sakura lifted the lid, curious despite herself. A graceful figurine arose, flowing silver hair and white robes, and began to twirl in time to a beautiful, soothing tune. For a long while Sakura stood listening, enchanted by the sight and sound of a musical jewellery box. It was only when her eyelids began to feel strangely heavy that she finally caught herself on the verge of dozing, and quickly slammed the top back down. She didn't want to look at the jewels housed within. She would reject everything that belonged to Sasuke. Clothes were the only exception – she couldn't very well walk around without them.
She reached out and grabbed one of the hair combs, moving to the fireplace to disentangle and dry her hair. It took forever, and the fact that there didn't seem to be any electricity sockets and appliances in sight further reinforced her sense of alienation. When her hair was dry enough, she tied it into a loose braid. Then she approached the curtains, and tried pushing at the balcony windows again. They were still just as firmly closed. Frustrated, Sakura turned away, her mind racing. She had to find another way out. Perhaps Sasuke's palace offered a secret route through the gloomy cavern? She was ready to believe anything after all that she had seen. Maybe, if she looked around, she would find something to help her escape.
But she didn't even know where anything was. She'd sent Ume and Chizu away before they had given her a tour...
Her mind screeched to a halt. That was it! If she left her room and wandered around to explore and happened to be seen, she would just utilise the excuse that she had gotten lost on her way to the banqueting hall. It was a better alternative to curling up and sleeping in defeat. She planned to spend as little time as possible in the foreign world into which she had been whisked. She only had to avoid Sasuke. Nodding her head in resolution, Sakura walked back to the wardrobe, pulled out a satin night-robe and tied it securely around the waist. Grabbing a pair of silk slippers to mask the sounds of her feet on marble, she walked over to the resplendent doors and drew a deep breath, praying that they would open. At the lightest push, they parted for her.
Silently, Sakura slipped out of the bedchamber and into the hallway once again.
~x~
Author's note
Please leave your comments on this. I heart reviews and feedback. I know there wasn't any direct Sasuke and Sakura interaction as this is a transitional chapter but there will be next update and it'll be good xD Until then!