Chapter 3: Mirage
by: Suzaku no miko

Disclaimers: I OWN NOTHING!! Except Sakura and Kage.... please don't sue!!

And remember.....R&R PLEASE!!!

And now...on to == ****Chapter 3****


All of his masked followers bow down before him. They bow their heads, showing their great respect for him. "This will be our new emulator of death. She is the Goddess of the Night. You will serve and protect her with your very lives. And...you will be prepared to die for her." the leader announced, allowing her to step forward for all to see. She wore a long, form-fitting black kimono with silver linings and high slits on either side of her legs. The cut was so high, they went up to the middle of her slender thighs. Her hair was tied back in a long braid and she wore knee-high black boots.

"But...Lord Kage...what will you be doing?" one of the masked samurai questioned. "I will protect her as well and stay by her side to make sure no one can harm her." the dark leader replied, smiling slyly at Sakura. 'I wonder what Sano-san and the others are doing...' Sakura thought to herself, looking up into the sky through an open window.

* * *
'When I find him, he's gonna' get it!' the robed figure thought to himself, making his way through a very dark alley. "Who are you?!" a voice suddenly cried. 'Crap!' the mysterious man stopped suddenly, quickly putting the mask over his head. "I said, who the hell are you?!" the voice yelled again, accompanied by footseps this time. "I'm late for the meeting! It's my first time gettin' there...heh heh..." he replied, laughing nervously. He turned around to find a guard walking towards him. "Fine. Follow me..." the guard answered, eyeing the other man suspiciously.

"Are you one of the boss' bodyguards?" the younger man asked, following the guard. "Hai...'been workin' for him for about 8 years now. You're just joining the group?" he replied, looking back at the unknown man. "Y...yeah... Are we almost there?" the unknown man asked, making sure he was giving the right answers. "Here we are... Just keep going down the hall until you reach the end. Make a right and the meeting should be in the first door to your left. Good luck!" the guard directed him, suddenly turning cheerful. "Domo." the other man replied, already walking.

* * *
"And now, I think it's time for a celebration!" Kage announced, lifting his wine glass. "Oooiiii!!" everyone else cheered, lifting theirs as well. 'Could I really lead them to victory?' Sakura wondered, watching as the masked warriors began celebrating.

"Lord Kage... there's something you should know..." one of the men whispered into Kage's ear.

* * *
The member-to-be stepped in the crowded room, hoping no one noticed him. 'Is that...?' he wondered, noticing the lonely girl that sat in the chair on the pedastal. He made his way, unconsciously, through the crowded room. "Where do you think you're going?" a voice asked him as he had just placed a foot on the stair to the pedastal. He turned around at the touch of a hand on his broad shoulder.

Another man stood in front of him and punched him hard in his stomach. The unknown man fell to the ground, wrapping his arms over the area where he was hit. He looked back up at the man who had punched him. "Kuso!" he cried, making a swift kick at his legs, knocking him off balance.

Just as the man was about to get up, another warrior stepped behind him and made a choke hold around his neck. Another came in front of him and yanked his mask off to reveal...."Sano-san!" a voice cried.

Everyone turned around, their eyes staring at Sakura. "You know this intruder?!" Kage exclaimed, getting up from his seat. Sanosuke looked up at Sakura pleadingly. "Jo-chan...what's going on?" she looked down on him with hatred in her eyes. "I used to love him. But he's of no importance to me now." she whispered. "Nani?!" Sano cried, confused. "You heard her! Take him away!" Kage commanded.

"Matte!" Sakura suddenly cried out. "What is it?" Kage asked. 'I knew she wouldn't abandon me...' Sanosuke thought to himself in relief. "He may not be important but I'm sure he could be my slave. Every leader has to have at least one of those." she stated, cupping Sano's broad chin in her slender hand. "What has happened to you?" the young fighter asked, sadly looking up into her hateful eyes.

"Fine. Put him in chains so he won't get away and he can't harm Lady Sakura." Kage exclaimed, making the other men run. They soon came out with chains and a collar. Within a few moments, Sanosuke was bound in chains and a large collar around his neck. There was a short leash with Sakura's hand at the other end. She then sat back on her "chair of honor" with Sanosuke on the floor next to her.

Soon, after the celebration
"Are you sure you want him in your room, Lady Sakura?" one of the masked followers asked as Sakura approached the doors to her resting chambers. "And why not? Who are you to question?" she asked him, coldly. She then pulled Sano's leash, making him come closer to her. "I'm very sorry..." the unknown man apologized nervously. "Make sure it doesn't happen again! Good night!" she yelled, pulling Sanosuke into the room with her.

Inside...
"Kami-sama, I'm so tired!" Sakura sighed, jumping onto the large bed. Sanosuke stood in the center of the large room, watching her. Several times, he looked around to examine the room. It had many small lamps lit, giving the room a romantic look and feel. There was the large bed on the far end of the room. There were also many dressers and little tables that had things crowded around.

"Why don't you sit down?" a voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts. "Eh?" Sanosuke asked, startled. "Come on, I won't bite...at least not too hard." Sakura giggled, patting a spot next to her on the bed. Sano suddenly gulped, not knowing what to do. 'Should I trust her...I know I want to...but...' he thought to himself, slowly making his way towards Sakura on the bed.

What Sakura did next, very much surprised Sano. She pounced on him and threw him onto the bed. She placed herself on top of him and straddled his waist. "Mmmm..." she purred in his ear. "Jo-chan! What the hell are ya' doin'?!" Sano exclaimed, startled. "I wanted to make love to you for the longest..." she whispered softly in his ear, licking it with her tongue several times.

Sanosuke could feel himself responding to her seduction. He felt extrememly uncomfortable in the area between his legs. 'She's trying to have sex with me! She must be drunk or somethin'...' Sano suddenly realized, watching her open his shirt. He suddenly felt two soft, warm hands on his nipples. "Ah..." he gasped as she then placed her mouth over his right nipple.

"Sakura..." Sano gasped again, feeling her hand near his manhood. "Is this what you meant by me being a slave?! You wanted me to be your sex slave?!" he exclaimed, watching her untie his pants. "And then some..." Sakura replied slyly, grinning at him. Suddenly, Sanosuke noticed something moving behind her. 'What the hell is that?' he asked himself. He then noticed how large it was and how it loomed over Sakura. And then...

****To be continued....