Chapter XI
She is his jewel,
His trinket,
The brightest that e'er shone,
His sweetest possession,
Unblemished,
Untouched,
By none other's hands,
Save Death's alone.
Kakashi heard a sharp intake of breath behind him. A hasty glance over his shoulder revealed that Tsunade's eyes had widened considerably. Her beautiful face was frozen with an emotion he couldn't quite place, but one he was certain nestled suspiciously between incredulity and rage.
"Well, now," the new arrival exclaimed, "I expected a somewhat more enthusiastic welcome!"
A brief silence ensued. Kakashi cleared his throat uncomfortably, painfully aware of the now unmistakable aura of fury that was radiating menacingly from the woman at his back. But before he could speak a word, Tsunade snarled, "A welcome? After a full year's absence?"
The tall man placed a hand to the back of his head and grinned sheepishly, causing the thin streaks of red that trailed from the outer corners of his eyes like tear-marks to crinkle. "Come, Tsunade, you know how my journeys of discovery cause me to lose track of-"
"You mean your journeys to find whores to bed," Tsunade interjected snappily, stepping around Kakashi to direct a withering glare at the jovial man.
His amiable expression shifted to one of half-hearted offence. "Now that's quite uncalled for, old girl…"
Tsunade released a bark of harsh laughter. It sounded like brittle glass breaking. "Then tell me, old fool," she shot back, her eyes flashing with challenge, "what else was more important than women and wine that kept you from attending the Council meeting?"
In response, the intruder raised the bottle in his hand to his lips and took a leisurely swig of alcohol from it. Tsunade's lips twitched and she was ready to throw the nearest object – a glass plate on the counter – at him, when he lowered the bottle and replied indignantly, "I was gathering intelligence. Not that you'd be prepared to believe me on that…"
Kakashi sighed and spoke before Tsunade could hurtle any other insults at their guest. "Jiraiya. It's good to see you."
"Aha!" The man, Jiraiya, beamed at him. "Some appreciation at last!"
Tsunade allowed Jiraiya's comment to slide. "What intelligence, exactly, have you managed to gather?" she demanded suspiciously.
Jiraiya turned his nose up to the air dismissively. "Well, since I am evidently not welcome here…"
Kakashi cringed in anticipation as Tsunade stormed forward and grabbed the taller man by the collar of his long, loose, burgundy jacket. Nobody else was foolish enough to test the woman's patience and short temper except for the man who had invited himself into the building. Jiraiya had always been a sucker for punishment from Tsunade. He'd held a candle for her for as long as Kakashi could remember – but Tsunade had always kept him firmly at arm's length, at the bare minimum – and usually much further away.
"Now is not the time for your deranged games!" she hissed at him. "Tell me what you know!"
"Always so demanding," Jiraiya murmured appreciatively down at her, enjoying the way his words caused her to scowl more intensely. He reached up to carefully disengage her hold on him, and gestured gallantly toward the couches in the lounge behind him. "Shall we converse like the civilised immortals we are? I have plenty of wine to soothe your taught nerves. And yours, Kakashi," Jiraiya added, winking at the masked man, who merely offered a light sigh in response and followed.
Tsunade released a snort at that. Civilised wasn't exactly a word that came to mind when she thought about Jiraiya. Not that she ever thought about him. But she grudgingly relented and stalked past him, settling tensely on the edge of the couch she had found Sakura sleeping on just two days prior. The memory caused the ache in her chest to deepen.
"Save your wine," she said shortly, before Jiraiya could magic a goblet and a fresh bottle out of thin air. "Talk."
Jiraiya remained standing, but his expression sobered – something that was a rare occurrence, as he began, "Of course I heard about the girl; though not from you," he added, casting a pointed, accusing look at Tsunade. Allowing a brief but telling pause to linger following these words, he continued, "I happened upon Gai, who explained everything. The child is important to us all, so naturally I dispersed my subjects to investigate."
Kakashi noted the way Tsunade's body had leaned forward at Jiraiya's words. She seemed to be holding her breath. But what was revealed to her next was not what she had wanted to hear.
"Sakura isn't underwater, Tsunade."
Tsunade slowly exhaled. Her visit to the Sea God had revealed little; after much coaxing on her part, Suigetsu had stated that he would keep an eye out for any girl who fit Sakura's description but he hadn't ruled out the fact that Sakura was submerged. That Jiraiya had just done so didn't make sense. Wouldn't the water deity have known better? She felt a prickling sensation, a sense of foreboding. The only reasons that could account for Suigetsu failing to disclose such information were that he had genuinely not known it at the time – or he had chosen to purposefully conceal it from her.
Kakashi's thoughts were following the same lines. "Tsunade paid Suigetsu a visit, and he failed to supply that."
Jiraiya looked intrigued. Scratching his chin, he mused, "Really, now? How odd."
"You are certain?" Tsunade pressed. "Your subjects covered all bodies of water?"
"Every river, sea, spring, ocean, pool and lake," Jiraiya affirmed.
Tsunade raised a hand to her head, clutched angrily at a fistful of hair. "Damn it," she cursed.
"I, ah, take it that you ventured down to his kingdom," Jiraiya nodded at Kakashi, whose sole visible eye drooped slightly.
"Yes," he replied. "Sakura hasn't passed through the Underworld's gates."
Jiraiya released a surprised chuckle of laughter. "You returned in one piece and managed to gain an answer from that grouchy little rascal? Surely that's progress, Kakashi."
"No," Kakashi sighed tiredly once more. "Sasuke was as unreceptive as always."
"Not on the surface, not beneath the sea, not underground," Tsunade muttered in frustration. "The only other place is-" she inhaled sharply, her eyes flying up to meet Jiraiya's dark ones. Any lingering mirth had vanished. He looked solemn. Troubled, almost. It was so uncharacteristic of him to wear such an expression that against her wishes Tsunade's heart began to pound to a slow but sickening beat.
"There is nowhere else," Kakashi agreed quietly. "The only place we haven't looked is skyward."
Tsunade's eyes still held Jiraiya's. She thought she saw something flicker in them - pain, or perhaps she was imagining it – and then he sighed heavily, and lowered his gaze from hers. "If the girl has been taken there…"
His voice trailed off, and the room plunged into subdued silence.
Ume waved a hand before Sakura's face for the umpteenth time. She didn't even blink. Her eyes were glazed, unseeing, as if she were lost within the depths of her own mind - which was precisely where Sasuke had sent her consciousness.
"Stop that," Chizu censured. "Fill that goblet with more water. The poor child's lips are parched from thirst."
"Can she not even hear us?" Ume questioned, dutifully refilling the cup.
"I know not," Chizu answered, lifting a fork speared with a slice of duck meat to Sakura's mouth, which opened mechanically to accept the food. She chewed and swallowed it down but otherwise remained motionless.
"How will we know when she is sated?" Ume queried next.
Chizu took the goblet from her and gently tilted Sakura's head back to pour cool liquid down her throat. She wiped at the girl's chin with a napkin before any water could trickle down and dampen her clothing.
"I suppose she will cease to open her mouth," the older attendant said, though she was not entirely certain herself.
Ume stood by the chair her elder had drawn beside Sakura's and silently watched as their young charge took the food she had previously refused to willingly ingest. A twinge of guilt filled her. She felt sorry and awful that they had to feed their guest against her will. Sakura's eyes were blank, but her brows were drawn together in the softest of frowns, as if she were in some manner of discomfort.
"Matron?" she spoke again.
"Yes, child?" Chizu sighed with motherly patience.
Hesitantly, Ume quietly spoke the question that had been plaguing her since she'd first set sight upon an entranced Sakura. "What did the Master do to her?"
Chizu pursed her lips into a firm line and sent the girl a warning look which reminded her that they were not permitted to question their lord's actions.
"I just- she looks like she might be in pain," Ume defended quickly. Sakura's tears and misery reminded her all too much of her own unfortunate and untimely demise in the living world. "I want to help her…" she added in a sad whisper.
"No," Chizu swallowed. She, too, felt pity for their beautiful and innocent captive, but she knew she could never allow such feelings to interfere with her duties. "Our allegiances are to our lord. Never forget that child. You know to whom you have sworn an oath."
"Y-yes, of course," Ume stammered, her heart picking up speed as the striking image of their master flashed across her mind. "But perhaps we could tell her who the master is, at least?"
Chizu gave her a sharp look. "If you wish to keep that tongue, you had better remain silent," she cautioned.
Ume's shoulder's fell in defeat. "I understand," she said softly. The only time her master had shown her any trace of compassion was when he'd first proposed the deal that she had accepted, to be reborn to a new life after completing service to him. She had to be guarded. Sakura seemed like a girl she could have befriended in her previous life. But they couldn't really be friends. Because Ume knew that if they did become so, there was a danger her own trusting heart would become too attached. She would try to help Sakura escape, and disobey her lord in the process. And then her soul would surely be sent to rot in Tartarus. She suppressed a frightened shudder. She couldn't risk such a thing happening.
"I think that is enough," Chizu remarked after a few more minutes of silence. She had fed the girl everything she'd loaded onto a full plate.
"Perhaps she would like some fruit?" Ume suggested. "Look, there is a pomegranate here-" she plucked it from its bowl and held it out, only to gasp in shock when Chizu slapped it quickly away, causing the plump fruit to fall to the floor with a dull thud.
"No!" Chizu exclaimed, her eyes wide, fearful. "I am quite certain the lady is satisfied."
Ume frowned in confusion. "I-I am sorry," she apologised. Chizu drew a deep breath, composing herself again. But the younger attendant was certain she still detected anxiety and something that bordered on guilt in the older woman's eyes.
"Let us return her to her chamber as the lord desired," Chizu quickly changed the subject. "Then we will help the kitchen boys tidy this mess," she sent a displeased glance at the disorderly table, before reaching out to grasp Sakura's tiny, delicately-boned wrist.
"Take her other side," she instructed Ume, who immediately went to support Sakura's left. They gently helped the girl to stand. She walked as if in a trance and the journey back to her bedroom was a slow and awkward one. When they finally arrived, they guided Sakura to the bed, where she sat, staring vacantly into space, her breathing shallow yet even.
Both attendants stood back and regarded Sakura quietly for a long minute, as if expecting her to blink out of her hypnosis at any second. When she didn't, Chizu turned away, gesturing for Ume to follow after her.
"Come. Let her rest."
Ume shook her head. "Perhaps I ought to stay with her. She might require assistance when she-"
The remainder of her sentence was lost as the doors behind them swung swiftly open to reveal the tall, darkly handsome form of their master. Sasuke strode in, his charcoal eyes locking immediately onto Sakura, before flickering briefly to the curtsying maids attending her.
He raised an expectant eyebrow, wordlessly conveying his question to them.
"She has eaten as you requested, Great Lord," Chizu kept her eyes lowered reverentially.
Sasuke offered a curt nod. Then his gaze slipped to Ume, who ducked her head and hunched her shoulders, fearful of his retribution at having caught her staring openly at him. But Sasuke was not angry. Instead, he said coolly, "You will not disclose anything to her unless instructed."
"Yes, lord," Chizu curtsied lower.
"Y-yes, master," Ume followed her elder's lead, her cheeks flaming heat and her heart hammering within her. Was it merely a coincidence that the Death God was giving them such a specific order, when they had been discussing the very same thing in the banqueting hall? Or had their conversation been overheard?
Sasuke regarded them for another moment, before abruptly dismissing, "Leave."
Bowing low as they passed him, the women hurried out, closing the doors quietly behind them. But Sasuke scarcely heard them exit the room. His attention was fully absorbed by Sakura. She was still lost in the illusion he had cast upon her ensnared mind, an endless scene that he'd set to replay over and over again, as many times as it took for her to eat until her belly was full. A cruel vision that she was safe, back in her mother's house on the surface, with protective, loving Tsunade feeding her a feast of her favourite foods. Pomegranates, sweet dumplings; Sasuke knew all about Sakura's penchant for tantalisingly sugary things.
He knew other things about her too; such as the way she fiddled with the ends of her hair when she was nervous, the way she chewed on her sensuous lower lip whenever she was anxious or deep in thought. But he wanted to learn more. Walking forward, the death deity reached her in three swift strides and came to a stop directly before her. His eyes trailed over her face, pleased to find that the colour had returned to her soft cheeks. At least she was certain not to faint again, not unless she was overtly overcome by shock. He would be careful to ensure that no other unpleasant surprises would spring themselves upon her for the remainder of the day's duration. She'd had quite enough to deal with in a short space of time already.
He thought then of Suigetsu, who had seemingly come to a mutually beneficial arrangement with Tsunade, and anger flared within him. That the fool would dare to work against him; the only reason Sasuke hadn't flung his treacherous hide into the pits of Tartarus was because the Sea God's extended disappearance would raise even further suspicions from the Council. Sasuke ground his teeth together in frustration. He needed to entice Sakura to ingest the food of the dead willingly, and soon. He didn't have much time to spare before Tsunade's hunt for the girl would lead the others to realise that she was not on the surface, beneath any ocean, or up in the heavens. And when lands eventually flooded and they discovered that Suigetsu, in turn, was missing, they would connect all the dots and venture down to the Underworld to confront him.
He couldn't have that. Not because he couldn't take them on individually, or even four of them at once, but all eleven at the same time? And with him likely leading them? Sasuke was perfectly confident in his impressive abilities, so much so that his self-assuredness often passed off as arrogance – but he was not so disillusioned to be foolhardy. He knew that if all eleven stormed his realm, one of them, at least, would track down Sakura.
His face darkened as a vision of the woman who had shielded Sakura for her entire life flashed through his mind. Tsunade. He would never hand the girl back to her. If things got out of hand and spiralled beyond his control – and he was quite certain that they would not – he would simply end Sakura's life. In death, her soul would belong forever to him. But it was not his preferred solution. Her soul alone was not enough. He also wanted the warm body he could see before him.
He wanted every part of her.
Sasuke reached out, curling a strand of exotic pink hair around his index finger. He regarded it with a detached air of fascination. The lock felt like silk between his fingers, and so did her skin, as he allowed his fingertips to lightly trace the delicious curve of her jawline. Sakura remained perfectly still as his index finger slid down to caress the left side of her neck. Her mind was his prisoner, and if he wished it, so too would her body succumb to him. He merely had to inject his will through prolonged eye-contact and he would have her sprawled beneath him, ready to receive his touches.
He snatched his hand back, catching himself at the startling thought. No. He would do no such thing. He did not desire a mindless puppet. If he touched her, he wanted her to be aware of it.
What was this senseless attraction he felt toward her? He could not comprehend it. She drew him in, like nothing he had ever known. How could a mortal command his attention so?
His eyes narrowed. He would find out. Reaching out, cupping Sakura's chin in his left hand.
Angling her face so that he could gaze deeply and without hindrance into her eyes the death deity commanded, "Look at me."
Sakura released a hitched breath as her irises – so very green – met his. He allowed his own to bleed to crimson, as he uttered next, "In one minute, you shall awaken."
Her long lashes fluttered in silent acknowledgement of his words. He drew his arm back and turned away, counting the seconds in his mind, preparing for her confrontation. Taking a seat on the cushioned armchair by the fireplace, Sasuke tapped a long index finger against the arm-rest and raised his eyes expectantly to her face as the fifty-ninth second passed.
At sixty, Sakura gasped, her eyes blurring with tears as her mind was mercilessly flung out of its mental cage.
Tsunade stared down at her hands, at the fingers clasped tightly together. What good were her abilities if she couldn't put them to use? Sakura had been taken, and she hadn't the faintest clue where to find her. Whoever had stolen the child had left behind no trail to follow. Her bag had been found in a field amongst scattered flowers. They had no lead to chase.
Who would take the girl? Where, and why?
Think, Tsunade, she urged her overburdened mind. Think!
"Whoever – or whatever – took Sakura, isn't mortal," Kakashi broke the heavy silence. "That much is certain."
Jiraiya nodded his agreement. "It would take a very skilled human indeed to slip by our detectors. Higher powers are at work here."
"But what would they want with Sakura?" Tsunade spoke up, glaring at the floor in frustration. Shaking her head, she added, "The child is innocent; she played no part in what happened back then."
Kakashi was silent. Then he said slowly, "Perhaps that is precisely why she has been taken."
Jiraiya and Tsunade's eyes locked onto him. Shrugging, the silver-haired man followed, "This is merely a speculative theory, but whoever has taken her likely did so to use her as leverage of some kind. Any other explanation would make little sense."
Jiraiya rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Hm," he mused. "The question is, for what purpose?"
Tsunade rose to her feet. "We have no choice," she stated, her voice hard. "We must venture skyward. He is the only other person left to question."
"Ah," Kakashi raised an objecting hand. "If he isn't involved, we'll be drawing his attention onto us. Are you certain that is wise?"
"We have nothing to hide," Tsunade replied acidly. "I cannot say the same for him. I didn't trust him then; time hasn't changed that."
"Think carefully, Tsunade," Jiraiya advised. "Do you truly wish for him to search for Sakura? Who is to say he won't use her as leverage if he is successful in locating her? If he chooses to look into her soul with his eyes, he may very well find what we have worked so hard to keep hidden. Let us wait. We may find clues yet."
"Wait?" Tsunade exploded, whirling to regard him with furious eyes. "I cannot wait another minute! How can you expect me to be idle when Sakura is likely in danger? This is her life! You know what would happen if she were to-" she took a deep breath to compose her emotions, before continuing in a voice that trembled with anger, "A flower here has already begun to wilt. We must find her. I promised-" she broke off again, her fingers curling tightly into fists once again.
Jiraiya glanced at Kakashi. "You say that Sasuke confirmed she was not dead?"
Kakashi shrugged. "He merely disclosed that she has not passed through the gates. I took this to mean as such." His eye drooped at the recollection of just how standoffish the death deity had been.
"I don't suppose we could somehow persuade the scoundrel to cooperate?" Jiraiya said half-heartedly. "He possesses the cloak of invisibility after all. It would be most useful in this case. We could offer him something in return, perhaps."
Tsunade snorted in a most ungracious manner. "I wouldn't trust the fool if my very existence depended upon it. That boy is bound to his cursed world. He is forbidden to venture to the skies." Underneath her breath, she added in a mutter, "That was the only thing his brother got right."
Kakashi shook his head. "Sasuke won't cooperate. He made that quite apparent." Besides, he mentally thought, they had nothing to offer that would satisfy the unpredictable death deity's demands.
Jiraiya sighed. "I will send my subjects to infiltrate his realm. He runs a busy schedule, as we all know; they should be able to get in and out without his notice."
"That isn't necessary," Tsunade scowled. "Suigetsu has already deployed his sirens."
"Any word from them, or him?" Jiraiya prompted.
"Not yet," Tsunade responded through clenched teeth.
"Then I see no problem with me sending back-up," Jiraiya grinned.
Kakashi placed a despairing hand to his forehead. "Intentionally provoking the God of Death is not a wise course of action, Jiraiya," he cautioned. "His world is separate to ours, but we know what he is capable of; nothing slips by his watch."
"Let him come to confront us about our intrusions," Jiraiya waved. "It would be the perfect opportunity for us to confront him in turn."
Tsunade released another brittle laugh. "Are you proposing that Sasuke might in some way be involved in this? Sasuke Uchiha?"
"I don't see why we should rule him out," Jiraiya said, causing Kakashi to stiffen.
"Now wait a minute-" he began to protest, frowning once again behind his mask.
"Sasuke is the least obvious culprit in this instance, but he does hate us all a great deal, does he not? I wouldn't put it past the rascal to cause trouble."
"No," Kakashi disagreed, shooting a harsh look at Jiraiya. "It is forbidden for him to keep a living mortal in his realm. We don't see eye to eye, but if he wanted to cause trouble for us, don't you think he would have already done so by now? Why would he wait all these centuries to act?"
Tsunade's eyes narrowed. "Even now, even after everything he partook in, you protect him."
Kakashi's eye lowered. "No. Sasuke turned from us a long time ago. But he is no fool. He wouldn't do this."
Jiraiya sighed loudly. "You're probably right, but I see no harm in summoning him to the Council either way. We are earth-bound also, and he can traverse to the surface. If he has nothing to hide, he will attend." His eyes trailed back to Tsunade, and he raised his bottle to her. "Don't do anything rash, Tsunade! I know that feisty temper of yours all too well."
She glared back at him. "I suppose you'll disappear for another ten months, as you always do," she snapped.
"I know women. If you're so upset about it, then you must miss me terribly," Jiraiya flirted back, and laughed heartily as she grabbed a pillow and hurtled it rather childishly at him. He side-stepped to avoid it and then strode to the front door. "I'll be back," he winked at her, and disappeared a second later.
"That idiot," Tsunade muttered disgustedly after him. Then she turned her attention back to Kakashi.
"I'll check on Naruto and Shikamaru's progress," he nodded.
"Fine, fine," she waved distractedly, scarcely hearing him as he exited the house. Walking back to the kitchen, she stared at the wilting flower, as if it could give her the answers she so desperately sought.
Sakura, she thought out intently to it. Where are you?
It took Sakura a few minutes to fully regain her senses and regulate her breathing. She felt dizzy and disorientated, and her head throbbed. Her eyes were burning, and she wiped absentmindedly at the tears that were blurring her vision. She realised once they cleared that she was back in her bedchamber, and strained to remember what, exactly, had happened.
Recollection hit her a moment later, causing her to inhale sharply. She had been in the banqueting hall and made a mess in protest at Sasuke's locking her in the room until she yielded and accepted food, but she had refused to cooperate. Then Sasuke had arrived and he'd-
Her thoughts abruptly diverted as she became aware of a pleasant sensation in her stomach. She lifted her right hand, placed it over her belly. The crippling feeling of hunger had vanished entirely. She felt satisfyingly full, and somewhat sleepy - as though she had eaten something warm and delicious and consumed lots of it. Her thirst had also seemingly been quenched. Sakura's lips parted in horror, as intense crimson eyes flashed across her memory. Sasuke. Sasuke's gaze had done something to her.
It was then that she became conscious of something else, something that made her feel tense, on edge; the unnerving, prickling sensation that she was being watched. She slowly shifted her head to the left, and her heart jumped in fright when she finally noticed who was sitting so calmly in the chair by the roaring hearth.
Sasuke's eyes were fire-tinged obsidian, spearing through her like hot, sooty coals. Sakura stared back at him in alarmed, frozen surprise for a moment – and then she was scrambling back on the massive bed, until she had reached the other side, where she clambered off and stood up, placing the impressive piece of furniture between them like it could serve to shield her somehow from him.
"You!" she exclaimed senselessly. "What did you do to me?"
Sasuke remained nonchalantly in place, did not deign to explain himself – as usual. Sakura grit her teeth. There was no denying what had happened. He'd forced her to eat against her wishes. She couldn't remember precisely how, but she did know that his eyes had been responsible. He couldn't have drugged her – she hadn't ingested anything prior to his gaze bleeding from onyx to red. She definitely had not imagined it. The notion that Sasuke wasn't human was no longer an absurdity. To Sakura, it seemed to be a certainty, however illogical and impossible that was.
Her pulse was galloping out of control as she questioned, "What are you…?"
He blinked at her, before lowering his eyes pointedly to examine the rich rug beneath his feet.
"You aren't human," she whispered, gripping onto the foot of the bed's elegantly carved canopy post as if it could anchor her to sanity. "You can't be."
"Hn," was all Sasuke offered. So she was finally beginning to accept that he was nothing like her, or anyone else she had ever encountered. That, at least, was progress. Sweeping his piercing gaze up to her face once more, he intoned silkily, and with great interest, "Then what am I, Sakura?"
Her heart thumped more erratically at the way his tongue stroked tantalisingly over her name. Even the rich smoothness and darkness of his voice was unworldly. Sakura's breath hitched as an outrageous possibility suddenly presented itself to her, the result of fragmented pieces cementing together.
Yes, Sasuke was certainly beautiful and fast enough, though not as deathly pale as she would have expected. That was probably because he had an endless supply of his own kind of sustenance to keep him living. He resided in a place surrounded by dead people. Her overactive and slightly hysterical imagination supplied that the young man seated so elegantly before her had probably killed all those people himself. He lived in a haunted, majestic castle. He wore black. And his eyes turned red. She unconsciously lifted a hand to her throat, was relieved when she felt nothing but smooth skin on both sides.
It didn't matter that he hadn't bitten her - yet. She knew that vampires couldn't possibly exist, but if they did, then Sasuke definitely qualified as one of the undead.
"You're a vampire," she blurted, knowing it to be a ridiculous accusation, but she couldn't think of anything else to account for his unearthly reflexes, his ability to disappear in a blur of movement, and the inhuman luminosity she had seen in his crimson eyes. The more she thought about it, the more certain she became. She had been abducted and was trapped in her very own horror story. It was a sick, twisted punishment for reading so much – far too much.
Sasuke raised a dark brow at her words and snorted contemptuously. Human superstitions were so entertaining, and yet he found her naivety astonishing. Just how sheltered a life had the girl lived, that she could not even begin to grasp what he truly was? He'd thought that he had provided her with enough clues. Evidently, however, he hadn't.
Sakura faltered, uncertain. If he wasn't a vampire, and he dealt with dead people, then what else could he be?
"A demon," she guessed next. This time Sasuke's expression verged on insulted, as he scowled at her senseless prediction.
"No," he uttered shortly, "I am not."
Sakura was almost relieved to discover that he was neither vampire nor hellish being. The thought of Sasuke having another less… aesthetically pleasing form would have been enough to push her sanity over the brink. But the fact remained that he was definitely not a normal person. She needed to discover what he was, and fast. She needed to know just who and what she was dealing with, in order to formulate an escape strategy.
Her mind raced. Sasuke lived amongst the dead. He proclaimed the underworld to be his domain. Which meant he was a ruler of some kind. And if he wasn't a demon or one of the undead, then what else was there? Who else could possess such breath-taking reflexes? What else had the power to split open the ground as if it were nothing but glass? Her thoughts hit against an impermeable mental block. She didn't know. She couldn't think with him consuming all her attention. And her head – it hurt so much.
Pressing her fingers to her aching temples, she squeezed her eyes shut briefly and said, "You made me eat." It wasn't a question. She already knew he had done it, although she didn't understand the means through which he had been able to manipulate her awareness. A jolt of fear quaked through her at the realisation that if Sasuke was able to make her accept food against her will then he surely had the power to force her to engage in other things as well.
The very fact made her skin crawl and her blood turn to ice.
"You tested my patience," Sasuke answered simply, as if his actions had been perfectly acceptable given the circumstances. Sakura's eyes flew open to regard him. He was still sitting casually in his seat. She blinked incredulously. She had tested his patience? She almost released a hysterical little giggle. Surely Sasuke knew that he was trampling on hers to a far greater degree? He was the one who owed her answers. And yet he never provided them, choosing instead to throw her scatters of information that she could never quite assemble to form a clearer, fuller picture.
"You can't keep me here," she said quietly, lowering her eyes, her voice shaking with frustration and despair. "I have a life. I have exams. I have to get back home and study for-"
What he said next was something she hadn't expected to hear.
"You fear death."
She caught her breath, her gaze darting back to Sasuke's handsome face to find him watching her intently. He'd spoken with such conviction, as if he was absolutely certain of what he was talking about. After a few seconds of wordless floundering, she managed perplexedly, "What? No, I-"
"You fear it," Sasuke repeated, his eyes narrowing unnervingly at her. "But it is inevitable, Sakura. Death is the only certainty in life. Delaying its natural course is foolish."
Her heart fluttered as he finally rose from the armchair.
"You cannot reverse it," he continued, taking slow, measured strides towards her. Sakura found that she could not move, could do nothing but stand and listen to his compelling words. His voice seemed to weave a dangerous and frightening spell over her senses. He had, up until that moment, been brief and curt with her. But the subject she had inadvertently opened was clearly one on which Sasuke had more than a few words to share. He was suddenly perfectly fluent and articulate, and Sakura's ears were captivated. He had her full and undivided attention.
"It is the end result for all mortal things. Life is fleeting, transitory. Death," he finished, coming to a stop before her, "is eternal."
Sakura heard rapid, shallow breathing, realised it was coming from her parted, astonished lips. When Sasuke reached out with a hand, she flinched, but otherwise remained frozen in place. The greatest movement came from within her; she was now quite convinced that her poor heart was ready to explode straight out of her chest.
"You cannot deny it," Sasuke added, his eyes locked onto her face. She felt cool fingertips brush against the column of her throat, and could not help the shudder that racked along her spine. But as much as her mind was screaming at her to beware, to not allow herself to make the same mistake twice, she just couldn't look away from Sasuke. Her gaze trailed over his features in alarmed wonder. He was so sinfully handsome.
The fingers trailed down, to hover over the satin material that hid her heart from him.
"This organ will still at my command," he stated, staring deeply into Sakura's wide, green gaze. "Your desire to preserve lives… it is futile, Sakura."
Sakura felt as though the world was spinning around her. She could feel her jaw lowering as she gaped up at him in open confusion. How did he know that she wanted to become a doctor and save lives? How long had he been watching her for, and how could he have done so without her even suspecting that she was under anybody's scrutiny?
"I…" it was suddenly difficult to form coherent words. He was standing so close, once again completely disregarding her need for personal space. Like he had every right in the world to intrude upon her boundaries, and to touch her. But Sakura was too thrown to be angry at that moment. "How do you know that I…?"
He blinked and drew his arm back, moving to step away from her. Pure desperation to understand filled Sakura and caused her to act on impulse. She was reaching out with her right hand before her mind could register it and stop her, reaching to grasp onto the front of the dark, tunic-like over-shirt he wore beneath the flowing cloak.
Sasuke stopped immediately, his eyes moving to regard the small, slender fingers clutching onto the fabric over his chest. Desire enflamed him once more. How easy it would be to pull Sakura closer, to trap her within the circle of his arms, to capture her lips with his own. Then, perhaps, she would comprehend. His gaze moved to rest on the fullness of her sweet little mouth as she pleaded with him to explain.
"Please! Answer me!"
Smouldering onyx narrowed dangerously. The foolish girl didn't realise the peril she was in, how her proximity taunted and tempted him. He disengaged her hand - firmly, but not roughly – and uttered icily, "You are not a prisoner here, Sakura."
Sakura exhaled in astonished surprise, unable to believe what she was hearing. Was he- was he mocking her? They both knew very well that he had kidnapped her and was keeping her against her will. Tears of rage prickled at her eyes. She still had to ask him about the golden clasps around her ankles, opened her mouth to do so, but Sasuke was already walking gracefully toward the doors.
He added stonily, "Roam where you please." Pausing to throw an unreadable glance over a broad shoulder at her, he finished nonchalantly, "Find a path back to the surface, and you may leave."
With that, he swiftly exited the room, leaving an incredulous Sakura in his wake.
Naruto held his breath, his cerulean eyes wide as he anxiously awaited Kakashi's response to the information they had disclosed to him about their earlier meeting with Sai. The masked man had called Shikamaru an hour earlier, requesting that they meet at his apartment. Naruto had sped them over, and almost knocked the front door down in his eagerness to hear Kakashi's news, only to be disappointed by a sad shake of the head. Kakashi had stubbornly refused to elaborate on any details of his journey beneath the surface, and after much pleading and whinging, Naruto had finally relented – only to pipe up again once Shikamaru had started to relay their encounter with Sai.
"Well," Kakashi sighed at length. "This certainly confirms that he isn't telling us everything, though it's debatable why."
"He wouldn't hide anything from us, unless he has good reason to do so," Shikamaru nodded.
"So what do we do?" Naruto demanded, always one who preferred to jump into action rather than waste time drafting up any battle-plans. "We've gotta make him talk!"
Kakashi stared thoughtfully into the distance. "If Sai is unable to cooperate, then he doesn't leave us much of a choice," he shook his head, and plucked the cell phone out of his grey shirt pocket. Sliding the cover up, he speed-dialled the required number.
"Eh?" Naruto frowned. "Who're you calling?"
Kakashi raised a hand, signalling for the boisterous blond to be quiet. The young men waited for the cell to connect, and who Kakashi was calling soon became apparent.
"Inoichi," Kakashi spoke into the mobile. "I'm sorry to disturb you – are you free to stop by?" He paused, nodded, before replying, "I understand. Shikamaru will return to keep an eye on your daughter."
Shikamaru's eyes widened, and he opened his mouth to protest, but Naruto elbowed him in the side, grinning mischievously, as Kakashi continued, "Good. Please meet me here in twenty minutes. Of course. I'll send him right away." With that, he disconnected and cast an expectant glance at Shikamaru.
"Kakashi…" Shikamaru scowled. The thought of being alone with Ino Yamanaka wasn't exactly his worst nightmare, but he wasn't certain he was up to the emotional toll it would undoubtedly take upon his already overburdened system.
"Sorry," Kakashi's eye crinkled into an apologetic smile. "But Inoichi's an expert at extracting information from the unwilling, and we can't afford to waste any more time. I'll call you back immediately and fill you in."
Shikamaru sighed wearily. "How troublesome," he muttered, but dutifully rose to his feet, pointedly ignoring the teasing smile Naruto was directing his way.
"Heheh, have fun, Shikamaru," the blond youth called as his glaring friend grabbed his car keys and exited the apartment. No sooner had the door closed after him, Naruto's expression changed entirely to one of marked concern. He turned his attention immediately back to Kakashi and met the older man's sole gaze directly.
Quietly, he questioned, "How is he?"
Sai exhaled, watching his breath vaporise in the cool, spring night air. He'd decided to spend another sleepless night in the park, one of his preferred places, and had even managed to draw a few decent sketches. He was sitting on one of the many benches dispersed around the park's grounds, beneath the light of a lamp. His inky eyes lowered to the pad resting on his knees, trailing over the messy lines his pencil had formed. Then his gaze returned to the tree he had been studying. He supposed it would have to do, though it wasn't his best work by any means. With a light sigh, the young man gathered his backpack, carefully inserting his art equipment back into it and zipping it securely, before rising to his feet.
He knew why he had truly avoided returning to his apartment. There was a chance that Naruto, Shikamaru, or one of the others would seek him out there. He didn't know how much longer he could go on, withholding the information he knew. He felt terrible about it, and the guilt was a crushing weight on his chest. But he had given another god his word. And of all the gods to swear an oath to, he'd been unfortunate enough to be bound to one of the most heartless and dangerous of all.
He walked absentmindedly down the path, his feet leading him automatically. He had traversed the route so often that it was second nature to him to find the exit he was heading toward. A gentle ripple of breeze swayed the leaves in the trees. He suppressed a shudder. It was surprisingly cold, but he supposed that was because spring had only just begun to settle in.
Spring. His thoughts trailed inadvertently to Sakura. He had tried to banish her from his mind, but how could he? What if Kakashi confronted him again? He didn't think he could throw the sharp-minded man off his trail successfully a second time. It was a wonder that he'd even managed to-
Abruptly, the lamp light above him winked off. Sai turned his head up, caught unaware, only to find the remainder of the lights blinking out ahead and behind him, plunging him into utter blackness. The air around him seemed to plummet then, and his heart was racing in dread-filled realisation even before his mind could comprehend what was happening.
And when the deceptively smooth voice of death spoke out to him from the shadows, Sai's very blood froze over with terror.
"We meet again… messenger."
Author's note
Thanks for reading!