Please make sure to listen to the indicated tracks on my profile page under the music section for chapter 26. The first begins right after this, with the park scene. The second commences at the start of the dream sequence, which really captures the early, carefree days of Hades, Apollo and Kore!
Chapter XXVI
Bridge the space between you and I,
The chasm that lies from earth to sky,
And secure around my wrist a ring,
That whispers I am,
Your most precious thing.
Hinata crouched low, her movements as light and stealthy as a shadow. The night was hers, and although the ability to cloak herself in a veil of darkness had required a little tapping into her forbidden seal, she told herself that it was worth it. For Sakura. For Naruto. To restore the smile on his face again, she was prepared to go against her peaceful, law abiding disposition and break all the rules – even if she had to pay the consequences.
She inched forward, followed by her ever faithful companion. Neji Hyuuga masqueraded as her reticent cousin in the presence of ordinary people, but that was merely a guise he had adopted to hide his true identity. He was a seraph, an angel of the highest order, who had pledged to be her guardian and protector. At first, he had tried to dissuade her from her idea - for her own protection, he had insisted – but Hinata had surprised him by proving to be as stubborn as the fellow she was so hopelessly in love with. Instead of attempting to deter her further, Neji had dutifully complied with her wishes for him to accompany her. That way, he had reasoned to himself, he could keep both eyes on his precious charge and protect her if necessary, as well as satisfy the maddening curiosity that was nagging within him.
Never would he have anticipated there to be a potential traitor in their midst. Hinata's justifications for the actions they were taking had seemed uncertain and questionable at first, but Neji trusted in her astuteness. Her instincts had always served her well in the past and if her intuition was telling her that something wasn't quite right, then in his opinion, that alone held enough merit to warrant an investigation. And while they both hoped that Hinata's gut feeling this time was a misplaced one, there was only one sure way to dispel any doubts.
They crept along the grass, concealed behind the shielding bodies of trees, keeping off the winding footpath and away from the bright lamps lining the walkway, their moonlight gazes fixed on the lone, hooded figure ahead of them.
Sai had always been quick on his feet.
It was a well-known fact that he was fond of taking midnight strolls in the park whenever sleep eluded him. It was an entirely innocent pastime, and Hinata felt another pang of guilt. What right did she have to breach Sai's privacy like this? She had little evidence to support the hunch that had lodged itself into her mind. What strange force had compelled her to follow him home after the meeting with their elders? Of course Sai was loyal to their cause – he had always been, and for her to even entertain otherwise surely made her the most awful and despicable of friends.
Her breath suddenly caught in her throat, a split instant before Neji held out a protective, halting arm, causing her to stop in her tracks.
'Wait,' he mentally communicated. 'You see it too, don't you?'
Hinata nodded tensely. The thin, eerie blanket of mist that infiltrated the cluster of withering blossom trees in the horizon was impossible to overlook - and Sai was walking directly toward it. But her searching eyes could detect no physical body within or beyond it. There were no tell-tale signs of chakra that suggested any unnatural forces were responsible for the fog's unexpected appearance. Which meant that it either was a freak occurrence of nature – it certainly was nippy enough - or whatever was behind the mist's materialisation was powerful and skilful enough to keep their chakra signature completely concealed.
If the latter were true, then what were they really up against? She had a hard time believing that Suigetsu alone could be behind both Sakura and Inoichi's disappearances.
Swallowing thickly, Hinata slipped her hand into Neji's, was reassured when his cool, strong fingers curled lightly around her own. Together, they hurried forward, pausing at every other interval to allow a safe measure of distance to be maintained between the pursued and his pursuers.
Sai's mind throbbed from the discordance of his thoughts as he once again lamented how he had landed himself into such a terrible, terrible mess. More importantly, how was he going to get out of it? He walked through the park, his head bowed in dejection. It seemed that the ever cunning Sasuke had found a way to tame the oceans, at least for a while. But in doing so, he had opened up a fresh can of challenging problems for Sai to deal with. The others were convinced that Suigetsu was hiding Sakura underwater, and had decided to attempt the perilous act of approaching the Death God with an open bribe in exchange for his assistance.
Inviting Sasuke to name his own price and terms was a dangerous move that brought to light the true extent of their desperation. In addition, such a move was in no way guaranteed to seal the Underworld king's cooperation. Sasuke trusted the others as much as they trusted him. Which was not at all. And of course, they were all misled, for Sasuke already knew precisely where Sakura was. Sai glumly wondered how in the world the death deity intended to snake his way out of a full-out confrontation once he had been updated on recent developments.
After leaving the secret base, he had immediately sent out a telepathic message to Sasuke and knew the Death God was en-route to meeting him. Sai went over what he intended to say again and again, knowing full well half of the words would likely be forgotten as soon as Sasuke materialised before him. The merciless deity had that kind of intimidating effect on people. Exhaling, and staring miserably at his breath as it vaporised before his face, Sai continued along his way, lost in the dilemmas that weighed heavily upon his chest.
At length, he neared the misty patch that was the designated meeting spot, expecting to find Sasuke already there – but his gaze settled on nothing but the faint silhouettes of trees. He walked more deeply into the freezing fog, his heart pounding sickeningly, his ears straining for the slightest sound. All he heard was the crunching of prematurely shed leaves beneath his feet. Deciding to cover his back, Sai leant against one of the tree trunks in waiting, his teeth chattering in the cold.
There was no mistaking that the sub-zero haze was Sasuke's doing. He had quickly become accustomed to the blood curdling conditions that heralded the death deity's coming. So where was he? Why had he yet to materialise? The seconds ticked by, in which Sai became increasingly agitated and anxious. Surely any moment now…
'You are being followed.'
His heart leapt into his throat at the sound of Sasuke's voice echoing in his head. Muscles locking tensely, he nervously communicated back, 'Great God. I swear to you, that I was not aware-'
'The moon goddess and her guardian have cloaked themselves in darkness.' Sasuke mentally warned, his telepathic words dripping with disdain. His crimson eyes could detect the otherwise perfectly concealed chakra networks that flickered faintly to his far left. Nothing in blackness could truly be hidden from his vision. The shadows were his home, after all. From his position on the other side of the very same tree Sai was pressed up against, the death deity took a moment to weigh his options.
The moon goddess, who had masqueraded, like the others, as a human friend to Sakura, was tapping into her seal. He was not acquainted with her personally, had merely glimpsed her impassively from a distance several times, but had heard his mother's accounts of the goddess from many ages past. He strained to recall what little he could remember. She was timid and quiet. She was not confrontational and avoided drawing attention to herself whenever she could help it. She was generally compliant. It struck Sasuke as odd, then, that she would choose to tamper with her sealed powers. Surely that went against the wishes of the others – against the sacred pact that had been agreed in an era long forgotten?
She suspected Sai, and Sasuke angrily wondered how she had even managed to place such a suspicion, even when he already knew the answer. She must have detected something in Sai's demeanour. Even the slightest shift would not pass her notice. After all, her eyes, like his, possessed a heightened, sharper sense of sight than the eyes of other deities. And so she posed a problem. But unlike Inoichi, Sasuke could not simply attack and capture a goddess of her lineage and status. The Underworld's ruler was confident that he was more powerful and superior on the ground, but he was not familiar with her abilities, and was wary of the fact that she could probably flee easily to the sky, if the need arose. Additionally, she was not alone. Her guardian seraph, whom she had gifted with her eyesight also, accompanied her. Sasuke would only risk exposing himself if he acted too hastily.
Clenching his teeth in frustration, he snapped at the messenger, 'Remaining stationary makes you suspicious. Regulate your chakra.'
'I am sorry-' Sai began to apologise, and was once again cut off by Sasuke.
'Move.'
Sai did his best to calm himself. It was nearly impossible to do so. 'I have much to tell you-'
'Then make it quick,' Sasuke ordered, his gaze firmly fixed on the two individuals inching ever closer to them. He could not transport Sai to the Underworld – the sudden disappearance of the pale youth's chakra network would immediately be picked up by the goddess and her guardian, and would beg even further questions.
Sai swallowed, and obediently began to walk forward, making the wise decision to relay his news as succinctly as possible. 'They mean to enter the Underworld. They seek your assistance in locating Sakura, and are prepared to offer you an open bribe in exchange for your help.'
Sasuke internally sneered as he mirrored Sai's steps. The fools! Independent of the fact that he had no intention of handing Sakura back, the other deities had absolutely nothing he desired – not unless they came to him with the ability to resurrect fallen, ancient deities whose essences had long since vanished beyond recovery, and undo the blood-spattered, hateful events that had preceded the swearing of oaths.
'When, and how many?' he demanded.
Sai continued along the path. 'They have not yet specified, but I anticipate it will be at any instant, Great God.'
Sasuke's eyes formed narrow slits. What arrogance they possessed, to believe they could so boldly trespass, uninvited, into his kingdom, and do so safely, for that matter! And what nerve, to believe for even a second that he would ever accept anything offered to him from their filthy hands!
Still, he had to prepare carefully for this unwelcome progression. It seemed that Jiraiya had disregarded his warning, and had convinced the others to venture into the Underworld in an attempt to secure his cooperation. Sasuke had wanted to avoid such a confrontation, but had always known it to be inevitable. A part of him had anticipated their summoning much sooner.
Glaring pointedly at the messenger, he clipped, 'Let them suspect you again and you will be of no further use to me.'
Sai's heart quivered in response to the unmistakeable threat he detected in the words.
'What will I tell them when they confront me here?'
Sasuke was silent for a long moment – before answering menacingly, 'Nothing.'
With that, the mental connection between them abruptly severed, and to Sai, it was akin to a door being slammed rudely and piercingly in his head. Without warning, pain assailed him, and he stiffened – before crumpling like a puppet with severed strings, to the floor.
The Death God stared callously down at his motionless form, before departing the surface a heartbeat later.
'He has stopped,' Neji's smooth voice murmured in her mind.
Hinata gasped as she witnessed a sudden, dangerous alteration in Sai's chakra network, which had, up until that moment, been fluctuating strangely – and the fall that followed it. Alarmed, she whispered, "Quickly, Neji-san!"
Neji did not need to be told twice. In an instant, they had stepped out of their hiding spot and were rushing to catch up to Sai. They passed fearlessly into the fog, and did not stop until they came upon him, slumped sullenly at the base of a tree.
Neji glanced cautiously around, before crouching down to peer intently into Sai's unconscious face, looking for any clues that would help explain his unexpected collapse. But his eyes found nothing apparent.
"His breathing is steady. He doesn't seem to be in any obvious discomfort."
Hinata clutched a hand anxiously over her pounding heart. What was happening? Sai had been relatively fine just minutes ago. Why was he not responding to Neji's attempts to rouse him? She opened her mouth to reply to her seraph's observation – when, with a startled start, she realised that the air around them was changing.
Silently, the eerie mist dematerialised.
Sasuke entered the forge, lost deeply in his calculating thoughts. He had informed Cerberus to be extra vigilant and ordered Nagato to inform him at once in the event of any sudden appearances of visitors in his kingdom. His racing mind had mapped out several strategies of how to handle the imminent arrival of the surface deities. Caution was of the utmost importance. He couldn't allow them to read him. His tone, his body language, the words he selected – everything had to be carefully maintained. He could give nothing away. Simply put, he had to ensure that he outsmarted them – and how easily he could do that was very much dependent on which of them they decided to send down to his realm. He did not anticipate them all – that would be a reckless move on their part.
Tsunade, he was quite sure, would pay him a visit, as would that blasted Jiraiya. Kakashi, perhaps, because they believed that the old fool had once known him and thus how to interact with him. But the deluded person Kakashi had known in the past had long since disappeared. All that remained was a resentful, unforgiving shell.
As to who else came, Sasuke could only guess. There was one in particular, however, whom he did not wish to see under any circumstances.
Untying his cloak and rolling up the sleeves of his tunic top, Sasuke came to a stop before the clumps of gold he had instructed his centaurs to mine from the precious metal caves. The stone he had also specified sat prettily on the work surface, glittering with incredible clarity. The lustrous colour made him think fleetingly of Sakura's large, expressive eyes, and he felt something inside him twinge.
So green. So maddeningly captivating.
It would not take long to create what he envisaged in his mind. A few hours at most, if he left the polishing, wrapping and finishing touches to dexterous nymphs who were all too eager to please him.
Picking up a moulding hammer, the death deity set to work.
Sakura hummed as she trailed her fingertips over the velvety white rose collection placed prettily in the vase before her. A calming bath had helped to restore her composure and spirits, and, after changing into a turquoise dress and leaving her room, she had found Ume dusting statues in the art gallery, and had invited the little maid to arrange flowers in the palace's twilit gardens with her. They had chattered about different types of flowers, and Ume had asked many questions about how Sakura knew which ones to match together, and what each flower meant. The questions had made Sakura pause for thought. She had never really considered how she knew so much. Flowers had been beloved to her since childhood – she had always just simply known and felt a connection to them and to nature.
Time, or whatever semblance of it Sakura retained - which wasn't much in the otherworldly realm she was trapped in - seemed to suspend entirely when she was in the beautiful gardens. She enjoyed inhaling the floral scents and listening to the soothing sound of the crystal clear, shallow brooks as they rippled cool water. She found the rustling of grass and leaves in the pleasant breeze therapeutic. Occasionally, she would hear the enchanting echo of wood nymphs singing in the distance, their harmonic voices accompanied by sweet wooden flute music and birdsong. She loved drinking in the richness and vibrancy of her surroundings, how everything was aglow with a mysterious, magical life-force, and her eyes always found new details to marvel over.
"Mistress?"
Continuing to browse over the wonderful collection of flowers around her, Sakura replied absent-mindedly, "Hmm?"
"Do you-" the little maid seemed to hesitate, before venturing, "-do you like it here?"
Sakura's right hand, which had reached out to pluck a pink carnation stem, froze, hovering in mid-air. She quickly recovered, and pulled the stem out of its vase. Pretending to examine the petals closely, she questioned lightly, "What makes you ask, all of a sudden?"
"Oh," Ume answered shyly. "It is just... well, I am so happy that you are here. The palace was so quiet and empty before, but since you have come..." her voice grew more and more excited, and she ended with a bubbly burst, "...it is like you have brought everything to life!"
Sakura was touched by the earnestness of her sentiments. "That's sweet of you." Then, in response to the question, she added casually, carefully, "It's certainly... interesting here."
"Oh, yes! The Underworld is full of magic," Ume went on enthusiastically, "But really, I am so happy. All the servants are talking about you, too! Even the kitchen boys – I've never seen them so curious! One of them – I shan't tell the fellow's name – thinks you awfully pretty. He says he wishes he could have a dance."
"Really?" Sakura smiled. "I'd like to meet him sometime."
"Oh, no! He is much too shy. And I do not think it would please the Master too well if he saw him dancing with you."
Sakura's smile immediately waned. Falling silent, she collected four more flower stems – two lilac freesias and two pretty pink tulips – before settling down on the grass beside the rest of her chosen blooms. Her deft hands began to arrange them artistically, but she soon found herself distracted by her thoughts and paused when she picked out an exquisitely beautiful, deep purple lily.
Cradling the flower in her hands, she began quietly, "Ume?"
Ume looked up from where she had been contently picking out a selection of pretty ribbons to match the tissue paper and colour scheme Sakura had chosen for her bouquet.
"Yes, Mistress?"
Biting her lower lip for an uncertain moment, Sakura decided to voice what was on her mind. "Am I really safe here?"
"Of course, Mistress!" Ume exclaimed, her voice full of concern as she instantly sought to soothe her lady's worries. "The Underworld is the Master's domain. He would never allow any harm to befall you."
Perhaps not from others – but Sakura already knew that, and had no doubts that Sasuke would severely punish anyone or anything that harboured ill intentions toward her. After all, she had already witnessed that in the harpies' nest. But was she safe from the Death God himself? Somehow, not being entirely sure of the answer frightened her more than the thought of being attacked by one of the creatures that resided in his kingdom. At least a monster acted out of sheer malice or spite.
Her pulse accelerated as she recalled the feel of the death deity's lips brushing over her cheek. A touch that had been as fragile as gauze against her skin. Sasuke… Sasuke was another, more confounding story. The honest truth was she didn't feel secure with him. She had felt that way from the moment she had first laid eyes on him on the carousel, when somethingabout him had whispered danger in her mind – but instead of getting used to his presence, she found that the tension that racked her body whenever he stood close to her was only increasing as time went by.
Suigetsu had been right – something would eventually have to give. But could she really do what he had advised? Could she really lower her guard around him more?
She knew that she very well could. After all, Sakura had always been a people person, and even quiet individuals usually got talking around her. But Sasuke had to be approached and handled with severe caution - and great wit. If she wanted to do this properly, she would have to do it with no further hesitation.
Maybe, just maybe, if she cast the first few stones, time would do the rest, and she would eventually be able to build something. But that was dependent on just how much a guarded Sasuke gave back to her.
Still, she told herself - there were other ways to test the waters before she took the imminent plunge. The Death God's subjects had known him for far longer than she had.
"And Sasuke," she clarified her point softly, stroking the purple flower's velvet-like petals. "I'm safe with him."
"Yes, Mistress," Ume nodded eagerly, sounding as though she could scarcely believe that Sakura was evening questioning it. "If it is not too bold of me to say, the Master cares for you a great deal."
Sakura released an involuntary laugh. If that was true, Sasuke had a very, veryfunny way of showing it. "You really think so?"
"Yes!" Ume nodded even more zealously, her face completely serious. "You are special to him, Mistress – he favours you." Sakura swallowed when her heart fluttered unexpectedly at the word 'special' - spoken with such conviction and certainty. She fell silent again as her attendant finished cheerfully, "He had everything prepared, just for you; please believe me!"
Special? The word made Sakura uncomfortable, and her first instinct was to dismiss it. But then she thought of her room, fit for royalty. She thought of the lovely, luxurious clothes that fit her perfectly, as though they had been tailor made with her measurements. She thought of all her favourite foods which had been provided, of the flower arranging area that had been set up especially for her. It suddenly struck her that she could not have been kidnapped on a mere whim, as Sasuke had first informed her. Making such preparations for her arrival and stay in the Underworld had clearly required planning and time. The Death God had obviously put a lot of careful consideration into it.
She then realised that Ume was looking at her, waiting for her response. Sakura looked up and met her attendant's concerned gaze, and, after a few seconds, offered a small smile. "I believe you," she said softly.
Ume visibly relaxed, and beamed back.
Subdued blue eyes stared sullenly down at the sleek black and orange cell. Kakashi had just hung up after informing him that five of them would be venturing down to the Underworld following the finalisation of a diplomatic strategy; Kakashi himself, Tsunade, Kurenai, Jiraiya and Shikamaru were to undertake the perilous task of attempting to convince Sasuke to cooperate and assist them in their search for Sakura. Naruto had been completely side-lined. They considered him too unstable, too emotional to face Sasuke again.
His fingers curled into bitter fists. They had ignored his protests and arguments, that the ruler of the dead would view their coming as a confrontation of sorts; that he would likely react aggressively. They didn't know the Death God like Naruto did. They did not understand how his mind worked.
"Damn it," Naruto hissed, frustration simmering to boiling point within his chest. The others didn't need to articulate what shone evidently in their eyes every time they looked at him, whenever Sasuke was mentioned. They thought his loyalty was blind, misplaced, based on the long shattered remnants of a broken, tattered and twisted friendship. But the person who resided in Naruto's most distant and treasured memories had been no illusion. He had been real. And despite everything that had passed, all the blood that had been spilt and the lives that had been ruined – Naruto earnestly believed that that person still existed somewhere, deep beneath an iron-fist maintained masked exterior of hostility and hatred.
Naruto understood the foundation of that hatred. For he felt it too, towards another.
The blond closed his eyes briefly. Perhaps he really was a fool for holding onto an antique memory. But he could not let them walk into the Underworld so brazenly. They didn't know how to approach Sasuke. They would offend and provoke him. And that would cause even more of a rift, even further damage.
No. Naruto's jaw clenched. He could not allow it. He couldn't let them hurt him anymore. He could not be expected to merely stand back and watch passively as events unfolded beyond his control. He had to make a stand; he had to act. To protect everybody's best interests. To honour the bonds of the past.
His eyes opened again, and his heart pounded as he came to a resolute decision.
Sakura placed the freshly prepared, cheerful flower arrangement on the vanity table, and stood back to admire its zesty yellow, orange and white hues. She had made three bouquets; one for herself, one for Ume and another for Chizu, who had both been delighted with her gift. Sakura smiled in recollection of their happiness and profuse exclamations of thanks. They had shown her nothing but kindness since her arrival; giving them what little she could in return as a sign of her gratitude was the least Sakura figured she could do.
Sighing, she stifled a yawn. It had been a while since she had last slept, and the prospect of doing so was a tempting one at that moment. Chizu had informed her that Sasuke wasn't in the palace, which had come as a great relief to Sakura. She hadn't exactly yet thought about how she planned to speak to him at their next encounter. What could she say following the awkwardness of their last one? Just anticipating the subsequent meeting made her cheeks feel warm and sent her heart into a gentle canter.
I'll be completely normal, Sakura told herself, as she changed out of her dress and slipped into a red night gown. I won't let him see that it affected me. I'll be totally fine.
But instead of being reassuring, the voice inside Sakura's head sounded more like it was trying to convince her.
After hanging up her dress, she moved to the bed and pushed aside the semi-transparent drapes, before throwing herself onto the soft mattress. She stared at the underside of the canopy, which was quickly becoming the usual silent companion whenever she fell into deeper musings, until sleep eventually crept up on her, and her eyes succumbed to slumber.
"Persephone!"
The divine name that mortals recognised and worshipped her by echoed through the forest again, called in searching, fretful tones.
Kore's panic-glazed, gold flecked green eyes found Apollo's. They both knew that voice.
"Hestia!" she gasped. Her mother's sister and trusted councillor had been sent to retrieve her! She grabbed a fistful of the golden sash tied across the Sun God's chest, and hissed furiously, "I told you I did not want to take part in any boyish races! Now see what has happened! When my mother finds out, she will never let me out of her sight again!"
"W-wait, wait!" Apollo threw up pacifying hands. "She does not have to find out! We still have an advantage!"
"What do you propose?" Kore demanded, causing Apollo to flinch as she jabbed an angry finger into his stomach. "If she finds either of us here, it will look suspicious! I am supposed to be with your father, in his palace!"
"Your mother isn't going to find you, Kore!"
"You had better hope she doesn't!"
Hades watched their animated interaction, silently bemused by their sudden, baffling anxiety. Hestia was not known to him to be a confrontational goddess – but then, he knew her little. On the other hand, the 'mother' they were referring to was apparently a figure to be dreaded and feared. Quickly growing bored, he decided he did not care for their plight, and took a step back, meaning to take his wordless leave – when Apollo shot him a warning look.
"Not so fast, Hades! You're the reason Kore's in this mess – you'll help me get her out of it!"
Hades tossed back a chilly glare. "Such petty affairs do not concern me."
Kore had to stop her jaw from dropping. He was the one who had strung her into the cursed race to begin with! And now he was just going to walk away? She opened her mouth to indignantly tell Apollo that she had no desire to accept aid from such an arrogant, uncivil deity – regardless of how handsome he was - but her friend spoke up before she could do so.
"Like Tartarus they don't! Where is your sense of chivalry, you bastard?"
Hades was about to disdainfully retort that there was nobody worth impressing here, when Hestia's voice called again, much closer, "Persephone!"
Apollo grabbed Kore's hand and bolted, throwing a glance back over his shoulder at Hades, as he exclaimed, "If you don't want to explain yourself to her mother, you had better follow us!" Mischievously, he added, "Let's lead old Hestia on a merry chase, Kore!"
"You are just- impossible!" Kore sputtered in disbelief. Only Apollo could treat such a serious and stressful situation with such shameless blasé and light-heartedness.
"And the best – believe it!" He grinned back at Kore, prompting her to roll her eyes despite herself.
Hades scowled at his words and glared after their retreating forms. That pompous, pea-brained light deity was always dragging him into senseless mischief – and to make it worse, he seemed to have found something of an accomplice in the strange goddess who was fleeing with him. Kore. Who was the young goddess's mother? He supposed he stood a better chance of discovering the answer if he tailed them.
He directed a reluctant glance behind him, in the direction of his chariot and waiting horses. He knew they would easier lose the pursuing Hestia if they moved by foot, which allowed for better camouflage between the trees. His head turned to stare after Apollo's form again, growing rapidly more distant. And his pride finally kicked in, as he told himself there was no way he could let the fool upstage him in front of another, and a girl, no less. He would see this Kore out – and cause Apollo to fall flat on his face in the process.
Then it would be clear who the real best was.
Smirking, and sending a silent command for his stallions to return underground alone, Hades turned and gave chase. It did not take him long to catch up to them – Apollo knew that his friend had the advantage on the surface.
"Decided to join us, eh?" Apollo's eyes shone with glee as Hades drew up beside them. "Scared of getting into trouble with my father?"
"Hn," Hades scoffed. "Moron. Do not flatter yourself."
"Take that back, bastard!"
"Make me."
Kore huffed. Even in the middle of shaking off a pursuer, they made time to quarrel.
She yanked her hand out of Apollo's, and gestured for them to follow her. "Hestia will hear your bickering at this rate!" she admonished both gods. "This way; I will make the grass hide our tracks!"
Hades shot her a curious, dubious look, before glancing back behind them to find that their foot treads were indeed being covered by freshly sprouting flowers and grass. His eyes widened, as reluctant fascination slowly overtook him. He came from a world where death reigned supreme. This goddess, in stark contrast, commanded life.
A forceful tug that veered him right snapped his attention in front of him again – and his vision locked on vivid golden-green. He had never seen such large, expressive eyes, and for a moment, their gazes held.
"Be careful!" Kore cautioned him, nodding toward the knobbly upturned tree roots he had failed to notice in his uncharacteristic distraction.
"Ahahahaha!" Apollo cackled, and Kore quickly looked away, severing eye contact. "Hades is always so clumsy, can't tell his left foot from his righ-argh!" he tripped over an unseen raise in the ground, causing a smug, sneering smirk to grace Hades's lips.
"You were saying, idiot?"
"Stop trying to be so damned cool, Hades!"
Kore could not help the laugher that spilled from her. For some reason, her apprehension had been replaced with a thrilling feeling of adrenaline. She was still afraid of being discovered, of course – but somehow it seemed that the likelihood of her being caught had dwindled considerably when Hades had decided to join them.
"Persephone!" Hestia's voice sounded further away – but nowhere near far enough.
"Damn it! She's quite a persistent old bag, isn't she?"
"A quality my mother favours," Kore agreed. They raced through the undergrowth, leaping over more roots, gracefully avoiding the snagging ends of low branches that reached out for them like long wooden fingers. Hades watched as Kore took the lead ahead of them, her movements supple and swift. Stubborn, knotted shrubs parted for her, and when they came to a shallow brook, she skipped over the stones as though she had passed through the forest many times before. The nature surrounding them seemed to be thrumming with a renewed life force – and every so often, Hades caught the whispering of the goddess's name, spoken by the trees and flowers, and shyly hidden forest nymphs.
Everywhere the goddess stepped, flowers bloomed, bursting joyously into existence. Hades had never seen such a remarkable gift.
Apollo, who had caught his friend's eyes on young Kore's feet, grinned slyly, "She's really something, isn't she? You know her mother would probably gauge your eyes out for just looking at her – and slice my tongue off for talking you into a race."
Hades scowled. "Who is this mother?"
"Demeter. But you never heard it from me. You don't want to mess with her, trust me."
"Hn," Hades grunted scornfully, undaunted. But all he could think internally was – Demeter had a grown daughter? Why had he never known until that moment?
"The edge of the forest is west from here!" Apollo called, but Kore was already moving in that direction, as if the trees themselves were guiding her to safety. They slid down a gentle, earthy slope, their hearts pounding with exertion. Kore giggled and laughed as Apollo threw taunt after taunt at Hades, who sometimes batted back a slicing remark of his own – and sometimes chose to ignore the Sun God entirely.
"This way," the dark god informed them as they reached the end of the descent, causing Kore to frown softly in confusion.
"But that is not-" she began.
Anticipating her words, Hades replied, "A shortcut."
"Bastard! So that's how you've beaten me in the past – you cheated your way through the shorter routes!" Apollo exclaimed, as they pressed toward the forest's exit.
"I beat you because I am better," Hades stated flatly.
"You wish!"
"Please be quiet!" Kore implored them. "We have not escaped yet!"
"Don't get your pretty flowers in a twist, Kore. There is no way Hestia is going to find us nooooooow!"
"Apollo!" Kore gasped, as he misplaced his foot and tumbled down a steeper slope they had arrived at, which was littered with trees.
A steely hand grabbed her left wrist, keeping her from following after the light deity.
"Fool." Hades muttered disgustedly beneath his breath. "He will catch up."
Kore's stomach fluttered as Hades guided her down the slant, and over another brook. Eventually, the thick trees began to disperse, until they broke out into a small, raised, grassy strip of land, overlooking a sprawling meadow. Hades finally released her arm, and Kore sat on a rocky boulder, catching her breath.
Silence fell between them, and Kore was suddenly aware of the fact that she was alone with a god who was essentially a stranger to her. No, she told herself fiercely. A friend of Apollo's was surely a friend to her, also. However, the smouldering way Hades was staring at her was unnerving, and anything but friendly.
"I-" she began uncertainly, dismayed to feel heat creeping into her cheeks as she recalled that this was the very same deity who had crossed her thoughts often following Aphrodite's introduction of his existence. "I am-"
Apollo abruptly burst out of the forest, and released a triumphant crow. "Yes! We lost her! I'm unbeatable!"
Hades gave him an appalled look. He begged to differ.
The Sun God quickly rounded on him. "Hades, you bastard! You left me behind! What kind of friend does that?"
Hades folded his arms, and dead-panned back, "No friend of yours."
"Ouch." Apollo winced, before throwing an arm around Kore's shoulders as he sat down beside her to catch his breath in turn. "Kore. Don't believe a word that comes out of this bastard's mouth. He acts all tough and shows off, but really I'm his favourite friend. In fact, you could say I'm his only friend. Who would put up with such mistreatment?"
Kore began to giggle, but quickly coughed it down when Hades glared hatefully at Apollo. She had almost forgotten how much more beautiful he became when he scowled. Surely the heavens had gotten it wrong? Weren't smiles supposed to be full of allure instead?
"Hades, stop scaring the poor girl. It's her birthday today, you know." Apollo's expression softened as he gazed at a blushing Kore. "Happy birthday," he said, resting the side of his head against hers. Kore's eyes lowered, but she leaned comfortably into him as she whispered a thank you.
Hades watched them for a moment and found himself wondering once again what kind of relationship they shared.
Then Apollo looked up, and winked. "We make a good team – when Hades keeps up. We'll have to cause mischief again together, sometime. What do you say, Kore?"
Kore suppressed a shudder. She had thoroughly enjoyed the race, as well as the chase – it wasn't often she was allowed to have harmless fun with other young gods. In fact, she was never allowed the privilege. "My mother would kill me."
"Hah!" Apollo dismissed. "No she wouldn't. You'd make sure of that, right Hades?"
Kore glanced between them in confusion. She was even more perplexed when Hades averted his gaze.
"I need to get home," she said, rising to her feet. "Apollo?"
"My chariot awaits, fair maiden!" The Sun God nodded, gesturing toward the golden carriage that had appeared in the meadow below them. "We'll settle the score next time, Hades," he added with a grin, before turning to make his way to his horses.
Kore began to follow, but hesitated, and turned back to Hades, whose dark eyes were once again on her.
"I…" she began nervously. "I am pleased to have met you, Hades."
He remained silent, like a striking, aloof statue that had no intention of responding to anything he deemed to be beneath him. Swallowing back her disappointment, Kore turned away, and took four steps after Apollo, when Hade's silky, deep voice uttered so quietly, that she almost thought she might have imagined it, "Many returns, goddess."
Her heart jumped, and she whirled back around, surprised by his unexpected birthday greeting – but her eyes found nothing except air in the place where Hades had been standing, just seconds earlier.
Sakura slowly came around, with the feeling of butterflies flittering in the depths of her stomach. Another dream. She raised a hand to her forehead, as her brain grappled frantically at the rapidly diminishing threads from her vision. She had been in a lush green forest, and had been running away from someone. It had once again seemed so real, that she could almost still smell the freshness of nature and wildflowers lingering in the waking world. But she had not been alone. She had been with two others…
"Mistress!" an exuberant voice suddenly exclaimed, violently derailing her thoughts before she could attempt to piece them together. Suppressing the brief surge of frustration, Sakura turned her head and sat up to find Ume peering excitedly at her from behind the drapes.
"Ume?" Sakura pushed the veils questioningly apart.
"Finally, you are awake! I was asked to deliver this gift to you!" The little maid relayed eagerly. In her hands she held a medium sized, royal purple, velvety box, wrapped exquisitely with varying shades of golden ribbon. Depositing it into Sakura's possession, Ume added shyly, "It is from the Master."
With a girlish little giggle, she turned, picked up her straw laundry basket, and skipped happily out of the room.
"Wait! Ume-" Sakura began to call after her, but the doors had already closed behind her humming attendant. Sighing heavily, Sakura looked down at the box. She gave it a little shake, her curiosity heightening when she couldn't immediately make a guess at what was contained inside.
Setting it snugly on her lap, she caressed the silken ribbon with her fingertips, shaking her head incredulously. Ume had told her that Sasuke had sent her a gift, but she still found it difficult to believe that he had done so. Gently, she untied the ribbon, which came apart easily, and, after just a second's hesitation, she lifted the lid-
-and instantly felt the air whoosh out of her lungs.
Glimmering up at her was the most stunning piece of jewellery she had ever seen. Rich, deep green glinted hypnotically in the candle and firelight surrounding her – and she was immediately struck with a jolt of recognition. The clarity of the emerald was unmistakeable. She had seen it before, when her eyes had lingered upon the impressive stone in the jewelled cavern. And evidently, Sasuke had noticed the attention she had paid to it, too – and chosen to set it into a solid gold bracelet, wrought with pretty golden leaves, studded with smaller cuts of emerald. The gold's rich colour suggested it was of the highest carat.
Sakura was hopelessly entranced. The central emerald was huge, and as she gently undid the black lace strings that held the bracelet in place on a velvety base, she felt its weight, heavy in her palm. She exhaled, shaking her head once again, rendered utterly speechless.
She wasn't usually so taken by jewellery. But something about the craftsmanship, the delicate way in which the impeccably moulded leaves swirled together tugged at something deep within her. Unexpectedly, her eyes watered.
Had… had Sasuke really created this for her? Were Death's hands really capable of fashioning such beauty? Sakura told herself that she ought not to be surprised. After all, her sword was a masterpiece in itself, too.
But what was the occasion? Her heart pounded. Why had Sasuke chosen to give this to her now? Was it an apology for his earlier move on her? Had he seen how genuinely upset she had been, and sought to make amends? Or was it something else? Shaking her head for a third time, she quickly replaced the bracelet in its box, and, without sparing her actions another thought, moved on instinct. Hurriedly, she stripped out of her nightgown and selected a flowing, silver and grey lace dress from her immense wardrobe. Hastily smoothing down her bed-tousled hair with a paddle brush, Sakura stepped into a pair of silver sandals and exited her room, Sasuke's gift clutched firmly in her grasp.
She passed Chizu in the corridors leading toward the sprawling staircase, who informed her that the death deity was in the drawing room, the same one in which Sakura had heard him playing piano. She made her way to it, but found herself hesitating before the door. What would she say to him? Demand to know why he was giving her gifts? Tell him that she could not accept such an expensive trinket? Her mouth felt dry, but she forced herself to open the door before she could lose her nerve.
As Chizu had stated, the Death God stood by the angel flanked, gold marble fireplace, with a goblet of ambrosia in his hand. Even the way he drank oozed elegance and grace. As the door closed behind Sakura, and his searing eyes lifted to rest on her, she suddenly thought that listening to her instincts, which had told her to go to him, had not been such a fantastic idea. Her heart was hurtling at ground-breaking speed, surely loud enough for his immortal ears to discern.
She could tell that he had not expected her coming, for Sasuke was slow to set his goblet down, and even slower to turn to her. His expression was as unfathomable as always, yet his actions seemed guarded, as if he was wary that she might hurtle the box straight at him in rejection of his gift. But while a tiny part of Sakura was somewhat tempted to do just that, and snap that this by no means made up for the lips to cheek caress or kiss or whatever the hell it had been in the training session before, the more sensible and rational part of her won out. She kept a firm hold of the box, and, just as slowly, inched forward.
"I…" she began, fumbling over what exactly it was she really wanted to say. Stupidly, she looked down at the velvety container, and swallowed, "What is this, Sasuke?"
A suffocating pause. And then, matter-of-factly, "A bracelet."
Sakura bristled, indignant in the face of what she took to be blatant patronisation. "I know that, I meant-" she broke off, coming to an abrupt stop halfway in her walk toward him. Biting her lower lip, she stared at the box, and thought momentarily about what Suigetsu had told her. That something had to give, if she wanted to banish Sasuke's suspicions of her. Pressing for explanations, she knew, would get her nowhere. And so she did the exact opposite of what the waiting death deity expected.
She lowered her guard.
"You made this," she said softly, refusing to meet the gaze she could feel piercing into her. "It's… really beautiful." Speaking the next words in earnest felt alien to her tongue. "Thank you." Swallowing back the dryness in her throat, she added, "But I haven't done anything to deserve such a gift. I don't think I can accept this."
The steady, muted fall of footsteps on carpet heralded his approach. Sakura's pulse galloped even more wildly as Sasuke's feet came to a stop within her lowered field of vision. She cast a tentative glance up at him, to find him staring at her. Hard. As if he was searching for even the remotest hint of insincerity on her face.
But Sakura wasn't being insincere. The bracelet was wonderful. And she was oddly flattered that he had taken the time to make it. She could not have imagined how much effort and care he had invested in making it.
Sasuke seemed to make up his mind about her intentions, as he dead-panned, "It's yours."
She disconnected eye contact, and looked down at the box again. Opening the lid, she silently marvelled at the gorgeous bracelet once more.
"You really have a skill, here," she complimented him honestly. Then, heeding the need to alleviate the stifling tension she could feel crackling in the space between them, she added light-heartedly, "Have you ever thought about giving up your day job and forging metals instead? You'd be really great at it."
Something passed fleetingly across his charcoal eyes. Mortified, Sakura thought that he had not appreciated her attempt to joke, and she had probably just succeeded in making him more mistrustful of her intentions. She was even more horrified to feel warmth stinging at her eyes. Why in the world did she have the sudden urge to cry, and in front of Sasuke, no less?
Because the gift had touched her. Against her better judgement, she had been moved by it – and that disturbed her.
Get a grip! She furiously censured herself, dismayed when sudden heat bloomed into her cheeks. It didn't help that the Underworld's ruler was just standing there, gazing at her in utter silence. Sakura thought that a pin could drop and she would hear it. It was that quiet, the stillness interrupted only by the crackling of flames in the fireplace behind him.
Then another idea suggested itself to her; a way to possibly salvage the awkward way their interaction was going, a move to help break the ice. She was quite certain that she was asking for trouble, as it would essentially invite Sasuke to initiate physical contact – but it was all she could think of at that second.
"I don't suppose you could… maybe help me try it on?" Sakura tried next, telling herself she would give up if he did not respond to her a second time. The clasp she had glimpsed earlier had seemed to be an elaborate one that required twisting three delicate screws in place. She wanted to see how they were correctly fastened before trying to do it herself. And she figured there was nobody better to show her than the god who had created the masterpiece itself.
Silence again. She dared to chance another look at him, made sure it conveyed her own uncertainty. Sasuke was gazing not at her, but at the open box. He had noted the fine tremors that afflicted her fingers and was contemplating the root of her discomfort.
Embarrassed at his prolonged wordlessness, Sakura made to step away. "It's okay, I can just-" she stopped as cool fingers closed around her right hand, preventing her from drawing back. Her heart thumped when Sasuke took the bracelet out of its box and secured it around her right wrist, taking his time to do it. Sakura gazed in silent awe at how precise and gentle his fingers were capable of being.
After he had fastened the final screw, his left hand lingered in place, supporting her palm between them. Sakura stared at the bracelet, breathless all over again. It was a perfect fit. She opened her mouth to tell him again that it was truly exceptional, and that he should not have troubled himself – but the words loaded on the tip of her tongue vanished as she met his magnetic gaze.
Instead she offered him a small, tentative smile.
Something flickered in those dark irises, and Sakura would have missed it completely had she blinked at that moment. But she did not, and for just an astonishing fraction of a second, she thought the death god seemed almost disconcerted by her smile – and somewhat bewildered that it was being directed at him. It took everything in her will power to keep from gawping at the realisation that it was actually emotionally possible for Sasuke to experience such sentiments. And staggering proof that Suigetsu's words held absolute merit – she really could hold some element of control – as long as she had remained level-headed and had faith in her own actions.
That knowledge – that she potentially had something at her disposal which, if implemented correctly, could cause a shift in their grossly unbalanced power scale – even if only marginally - changed everything. Suddenly it was like someone had wiped the cloudy lenses that had been hindering her eyesight. Or perhaps it was that she had foolishly chosen, out of fear and stubbornness, not to look this closely before.
A voice whispered to her with growing conviction that Sasuke could not possibly be as heartless and unyielding as he portrayed. Even if he was the deity who reigned over the dead, in a land where the sun's warmth could not infiltrate - surely there had to be more to him, and the inexplicable desire to give in to curiosity and unearth the enigma of his character began to kindle into existence within Sakura. It was by no means her priority – but the intrigue was definitely there – and so was the undeniable danger. How much did she even dare hope to learn, if she really made the effort? How much was he capable of expressing?
Had she just witnessed a crack in his iron exterior – or was she foolishly getting ahead of herself? What if it was just a mere one-off slip – one he would never repeat again?
Then his sliver of uncertainty had gone almost as soon as it had materialised, and Sakura's smile was finally acknowledged, when the slight crease in Sasuke's brow smoothed over. It was a barely discernible change - but Sakura, whose eyes had been trained intently on his face – noticed it all the same.
Did my smile do that…? She dizzily wondered.
Her rushing thoughts were interrupted by the feel of Sasuke's fingers closing lightly around her own.
"Your hand trembles," the death deity quietly noted.
Sakura breathed out and followed his lowered gaze to look upon their joined hands. In her distraction following his reaction, she had almost forgotten all about the nervous little tremors that were shooting down her spine and taking port in her arms. The agitation only grew following Sasuke's observation.
She tried to suppress the shaking, but swiftly realised that the source of the problem was the physical contact between them.
"I-" she began, immediately attempting to draw her arm back, but Sasuke's eyes flicked up to her face again, and the fingers around hers tightened, indicating that he did not wish for her to pull away. Instead of increasing her distance, Sakura found herself being reeled gently closer. It did not help with her nerves. Her body was too painfully aware of his – and she hated the confusing, terrifying feeling of being metal drawn to an overpowering magnet.
In a desperate attempt to divert attention from how close Sasuke was standing to her, Sakura blurted out the first thing that entered her mind.
"I don't know why."
Of all the stupid, brainless things to say, Sakura Haruno! She mentally berated herself. She had practically handed him an opening! But it was too late. The words could not be unsaid.
There was another pause, in which his hand still clasped hers. And then her heart hurtled at a thousand miles in the next instant, as Sasuke murmured, "I do."
Oh, God! She experienced a blinding flash of panic, before something else kicked in. Don't look at him, the voice of what Sakura took to be as self-preservation furiously screamed at her, rebounding over and over in her skull like a booming mantra. It somehow still possessed the sense to register that raising her gaze to his face would be a terrible mistake. One that would surely cost and doom her.
Don't look at him, don't look at him, don't look at him...
But the allure of his exotic dark eyes was too great. They tempted hers to creep up, whispering promises that it would be worth the investment. Sakura stood, frozen stiffly in place. How was she going to get out of this situation? How was she meant to play it to her advantage like Suigetsu had advised her? It was too soon. She hadn't prepared herself. She could never be prepared. Her mind rivalled her heart in speed, as Sasuke's fingertips trailed tantalisingly up the bare skin of her left arm, leaving tingles that were almost painful in their wake. They lingered at the delicate petal shaped leaf sleeve at her shoulder, and that was when a dumbfounded Sakura finally acknowledged the Death God's intent.
He meant to kiss her. She didn't have to look into his eyes to sense what it was he desired to do. She could practically feel his gaze boring into her lips. His body language betrayed him – whether he intended it to or not.
It was as though the floor had been swept out from underneath her. An immortal king, an all-powerful deity – actually wanted to kiss her.
All she could think about was how wrong it was, how utterly, sinfully forbidden… and how horrifying it was that she didn't feel as sickened by the prospect as she ought to have been and had anticipated she would.
Prioritising as Sasuke's left arm made to slip around her, Sakura steeled her jangling nerves. If he thought he could give her a pretty gift and secure a kiss in return, then she couldn't be expected to stay quiet about it. A large part of her was incensed, roaring at the death deity's unashamed arrogance. Did he really believe she was that naïve? That she would fall so easily into his hands? That she couldn't recognise a trap when she saw one?
Suigetsu had told her to play along. Sakura knew that playing along too compliantly would only make Sasuke more suspicious of her. Letting him get too close now after she had shoved him away from her earlier was inconsistent. And Sasuke was no fool.
But neither was she. Frantically, she acknowledged that there was only one way to stop his current advance – without physically pushing him away.
"Sasuke," her voice was barely above a whisper. She was taking a massive gamble, trusting in the hunch that her hastily prepared strategy would force the Underworld's ruler to go on the defensive. Heart hammering, she reminded herself that hesitation was no longer an option, and ventured, "Why are you doing this…?"
The arm which had been about to close around her waist paused, hovering in place.
Don't hesitate! Sakura willed herself again. She had no idea how Sasuke would react. And she had a feeling that if Suigetsu could somehow see her, he would likely be pounding his head against a wall. The Sea God had told her to utilise seduction. But she was choosing a different route entirely. A route she felt much more comfortable with.
Before he could respond, Sakura pressed, "The clothes, the flowers, this gift; I'm not just here on a whim of yours, am I? This was all planned – wasn't it?"
His left arm lowered away from her. The fingers clasping her right hand relinquished their hold.
It was precisely the reaction she had prayed for – but she wasn't out of hot water just yet.
Sasuke's expression had hardened. His body stood angled away from her – a stark contrast to its proximity before she had selected her words. His eyes glittered with open challenge. As if he had been waiting a long time for her to confront him, and now that she had, dared her to overstep the very clear boundary he had placed between them; the same boundary that warned against asking too many questions.
She had always wondered what would happen if she braved his temper and continued pushing for answers. Now, at last, was the time to find out. Sakura took the plunge, lifting her hands to hold her palms out toward him in a peace-making gesture – but wisely retained her distance. "I'm not confronting you, Sasuke. I'm just trying to understand. Why won't you let me?"
"I do not answer to humans," he clipped, withdrawing all over again. He spoke the final word like it was something filthy and wretched – which Sakura only found ironic and all the more baffling, given that he seemed to desire such closeness with her.
Be patient, she willed herself, even when the urge to snap back at him was nearly overwhelming. She did not want to displease him too much, not after she had witnessed his response to her smile. But the only way to reliably test the tempestuous waters that formed Sasuke was to wade into them.
"Gods created curiosity in humans," she answered, keeping her tone as unchallenging and neutral as she could. "You can't expect me not to ask questions."
His eyes formed stony slits. "Enough, Sakura."
It wasn't enough. It was nowhere near enough, and she thought that nobody could have been stupid enough in the past to defy Death, to stubbornly ignore his commands. He was giving her the opportunity to remain unscathed.
So for Sakura to go on had to make her the craziest girl alive.
"I thought I could wait, that I'd come to understand everything eventually, but I can't, not on my own, Sasuke. I've kept quiet all this time. And now you've given me this gift…" she shook her head. "Can you blame me for asking? If you answer me just this once, I won't say anymore."
She should have glimpsed it, then. The turbulent warning glinting in his eyes that told her she was pushing her luck too far. But adrenaline was pumping through her veins; the same adrenaline that dictated the fight or flight survival instinct, innate to all living things. Except it was practically useless in Sakura's situation; she could neither physically ward off Sasuke nor ever hope to outrun an immortal being. However, she pressed blindly onwards, too focused on just how much she could get out of him.
"Why? Why did you bring me here?" She hazarded quietly. Sasuke's scowl turned to the unfortunate carpet. If it had been a living thing, Sakura thought it would have shrivelled up and died right there. She detected the tightness in his jaw, but she recklessly went on, "I just keep thinking that you could have chosen anybody else- what would you want from someone like me? Why can't you just-!?"
The final word choked in her throat as Sasuke's eyes flashed back to her face, glaring with an intensity that finally struck home to Sakura just how angry she had succeeded in making him. He stepped toward her, and every muscle in her body tensed as she compelled herself to hold her ground.
Before she could blink, the death deity had bridged the gap between them. Sakura's arms weren't the only parts of her that were shaking, now. Her very core was quivering as his hands closed just beneath her shoulders, in a singeing hold that felt like molten iron. She released a shuddering breath, trying to maintain order to her thoughts, trying to keep at bay the rapidly escalating sense of panic. It was hard to believe he would not hurt her when staring straight into the formidable face of his fury. But if she really was as special as Ume had told her, then Sasuke would not harm her. She had nothing to be scared about.
Her body didn't seem so convinced by her mind's weak attempts at reassurances, when the fingers around her arms tightened almost painfully, and Sasuke lowered his face to within inches of hers, hissing harshly, "Everything."
Sakura's eyes searched his, and for a confusing moment she did not understand what he meant. Then, in a stomach plunging moment, it finally clicked.
Her last question had been asking him what he wanted. The answer was everything.
Everything. The word rebounded inside her skull, leaving Sakura unable to formulate any kind of articulate reply. Everything. What could she say to a god who was looking at her like Sasuke was, with eyes that were alight with something she could no longer ignore, could no longer pretend did not exist?
Hunger. Pure, ravenous, carnal – and utterly terrifying. It stole her breath away, leaving her mind a stunned, humming blank.
Her heart was out of control inside her, its rhythm frenzied. And Sakura became distinctly aware that she could feel a pounding against her right side too.
Sasuke's heart was also racing. She knew because she was pressed against him, held in place by the vice-like hands clamped around her arms. She realised what that had to mean. And then it was like she was being submerged under water. Sasuke's gaze met hers, his irises no longer dark, but bloody red, screaming out intent. She dizzily wondered when the change had occurred, for she couldn't recall seeing it.
He angled his head, and the next minute felt like an out of body sensation for Sakura. Like she was detached from herself, and her actions. She knew what was inevitably following, what Sasuke was about to do – but her limbs made no move to prevent it. She had always told herself she would never permit it happen. But the death deity was like an unstoppable force of nature, and it was about to happen, anyway. She was pinned in place by those arresting, deep crimson eyes. And all she could do was watch numbly, as they grew closer and closer-
Just before his lips touched hers, Sasuke abruptly jerked back at the final moment, his eyes wide as he stared down at her. Then his gaze trailed to her right, and Sakura dazedly registered the short-lived look of shock that flickered across his features. Without warning, his head turned marginally to his left, as if he had heard something else – or was listening intently to a sound she could not hear.
A low curse fell from his tongue, one spoken in a language she did not understand. Or maybe her ears were just unable to comprehend it, so assaulted were they by the blood rushing in them.
The hands gripping beneath her shoulders loosened, and Sasuke cast one final glance down at her. The heat in his eyes had fizzled out, replaced by icy fury. The rapidity of the change was frightening.
Sakura barely managed to suppress a sob of relief as he wordlessly stepped around her. When the door opened and slammed shut behind her seconds later, her legs, which had turned to jelly, could no longer support her weight, and collapsed beneath her. Sakura hugged herself as she slid to the carpet-laid floor, frantically trying to regulate her thundering, chaotic heartbeat.
His blood was simmering with rage. Merely half an inch had stood between him and claiming Sakura's first kiss. She had been open to him, had made no move or effort to break free. He had had her, in the very position he had been waiting to get her in for an entire month. But Nagato's urgent, telepathic message could not be ignored. He hadn't been able to delay for even a minute longer.
Sasuke inhaled deeply, crushing back the lingering desire pulsating inside him. The attempt was met with a profound ache. He wanted her far too much. It was becoming impossible to deny himself any further. And the more the desperate need for closeness with her increased to nearly unbearable levels, the more frustrated and disturbed he became by the intensity of his feelings.
However, now was not the time to consider such things. It was a struggle, but he forced his mind to clear of thoughts of Sakura as he materialised by his kingdom's yawning entrance point.
Cerberus was already growling in response to the threat that had unexpectedly arrived in the Underworld. Unbidden, Sasuke felt his pulse quicken. In anger – and in anticipation. The chakra flickering faintly beyond the blanket of mist ahead of him could only belong to one person, and the death deity felt the power in his own veins stir, as he entertained the idea of sending a welcoming stream of electricity or fire the trespasser's way.
Instead he chose to wait, gauging the visitor's intentions as they approached. Time seemed to hang in the balance as the figure stepped out of the freezing fog at last.
Cobalt blue clashed with fiery crimson. Silence roared.
"Sasuke," said a voice quietly, a hated voice that the Death God had not heard since the days of his family's massacre. It held within it regret, and feelings that had long since been terminated on Sasuke's part.
An asphyxiating, deliberate pause ensued, in which the Underworld's king regarded his unwelcome guest with a chilly, aloof stare. When he finally deigned to respond, his tone, in stark contrast, was perfectly frosty. Devoid of any emotion – bar pure contempt and bitter loathing.
"Naruto."
Author's note
If your reaction to the SasuSaku scene was somewhere along the lines of, "OMG, AngeLhearteD! How could you not let them kiss! They were so close! You're dragging it out far too much! I can't wait anymore!", then please keep your hair/hat on. The elusive first kiss is coming up extremely, extremely soon. You've been very patient up to this point, and I appreciate it. Rest assured all the build up and the wait will be worth it. I won't specify how many more chapters, because that would ruin the surprise of it… but we are talking about a number that you can count on the digits of one hand.
What will Naruto say to Sasuke? What will Sasuke say to Naruto?! What will my readers write in their reviews this chapter? So many questions! xD
Please, if you did read up to here, consider leaving a review. I'd appreciate it very much. See you next update; I'm not sure how soon I can get it up, but reviews are always motivating!