Summary: You're not supposed to fall in love with your captor, especially if he is a high-ranking member of the yakuza. Things just never seem to follow that law, however. Completely AU. Mainly Sasuke/Sakura. Rated for violence and language.
Pairings: Sasuke/Sakura, more will be revealed as the story progresses
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, at all. All the characters belong to Kishimoto Masashi-sensei. The only thing in this story that is mine will be the OCs and the plot itself.
Conspiracy of the Heart and Soul
Chapter Eleven – Nearing the Point of Pandemonium
He grumbled as he felt his hands shake while he was trying to reach the weapon. It was just a gun, like any other, but he couldn't help but still be worried at the outcome of it being used. It passed the field test so it should be declared safe, and it was, actually, but he couldn't help but feel annoyed that he was going to use the weapon. He was paranoid at something he didn't trust. Neji and Tenten were fine with using it and they were even pickier than he when it came to using a weapon. It had to be one hundred percent functional, or they wouldn't even think of using it. A ninety-nine percent functional weapon went into their trash. Stretching out his hand, he picked up the weapon, feeling the familiar cold the metal casing brought to his senses.
"It's not dangerous, Sasuke," said Shikamaru coolly as his coal eyes focused on the curled hand of Sasuke. The Uchiha grunted as he examined the gun Shikamaru told him to shoot at the target across them. Neji was satisfied with the result, which rarely ever happened, so he should be too.
"But it has Uranium inside the damn casing!" seethed Sasuke, his onyx eyes ablaze with paranoia and fear. Okay, who was he to be afraid of a mere tool? Well, thing is, that tool was something that could probably kill him because of its instability as an element! It was highly radioactive as well, probably causing Sasuke to fear its mere presence within a weapon which has yet to be tested by him. "And are you absolutely positive that nothing will happen to me?" he asked, eyeing the weapon suspiciously. He had to admit, however, the field test was successful.
"Yes! We're sure that nothing will happen to you!" said Tenten, her voice strained as she stopped herself from lunging at the Uchiha and ripping out all his doubts about the laser pistol. Sasuke raised his eyebrow once more before setting the gun down, his face back to its normally cold self. "Can we please start the meeting now?" she mumbled, irritated. Of course, she respected Sasuke but his paranoia was extreme, very extreme.
"Fine," he mumbled as he shoved his hands into his pockets. Sakura mumbled words of apology in his behalf as she trailed behind him like his shadow. She refused to be near anyone except him and the rest within the inner sanctum of one of the lesser used rooms in the floor Itachi never ventured to. Everyone else was just a stranger to her, helping out Sasuke fulfill his plan of dealing out the final death that would stain his hands.
"Three more days until the mission commences," said Sasuke as he looked at the eyes of those he trusted the most in this mission. The others nodded slowly as they clenched their fists tighter. "So far, the preparations have been going well. The field test of Shikamaru's weapon was successful so we're at an advantage there. Also, our preparations will be complete before theirs." Murmurs began moving about as they began talking amongst themselves what could possibly become of this plan. "Again, if you feel uneasy about this plan, leave and do not mention it to anyone. I have ears and eyes beyond your imagination. Spread the word and you will die. Those, however, who will stay, there is no going back once this plan takes action on the night of the 24th of September.
"We know that, and we're in this all the way," said Shikamaru lightly as he shoved his hands into the pockets of his pants, "Because if we weren't, we wouldn't have stayed up so many nights to get all the preparations finished. Minor adjustments are left then we're all set to go." Sasuke glowered slightly at the hacking prodigy as he shoved his hands even further into the pockets of his slacks. "But no, seriously, we are. Just, go ahead and give that message of yours to the rest of them and we're all set to go." The Uchiha nodded slowly as he turned around, walking towards the outer part of the meeting place, found in a floor Itachi never ventured to.
The attention of the followers involved in the mission was focused on the people who entered from the inner sanctum. Uchiha Sasuke, the younger brother of Itachi, was walking and behind him, close, was the object of his main concern, his former captive, Haruno Sakura. The pink haired girl fidgeted beneath their gazes as she walked even closer behind Sasuke, clinging to his shirt. Glinting in the faint light was the jewel-encrusted pendant of the necklace he gave her, shimmering as if it were their only source of light. A frown crossed Sasuke's face as a vision of what had happened earlier replayed in his mind. Shrugging it off, he looked at the hopeful eyes and faces of the mindless youth who managed to get themselves trapped in the world of Sharingan.
Start of Flashback
A Few Hours Earlier
Sasuke wanted to vomit. It sickened him that his brother wanted him to be a part of this very important meeting. It sickened him that his brother had all but remembered that incident with Sakura weeks ago. It seemed he was more satisfied with Nanako, who was completely willing to offer everything she had to her brother. Her mind, her body, her soul, they were all filled with thoughts of pleasing Itachi. It sickened him to be a witness to that, while everyone else was happy for his bastard of a brother and Nanako. Grasping the door handle, he opened the wooden barricade, taking in a deep breath before entering.
"Little brother, so glad you could make it," said the familiar voice of his brother as he looked up. Currently, he was watching his subordinates make some more adjustments to the way they'd infiltrate the yakuza they were assigned. One, however, among the six others in the room besides his brother, was busy flipping over pages in a plain folder, his glasses glinting because of the fluorescent light the bulbs gave off from above. Sasuke scowled as he entered the room, nudging the door shut with his heel. "Everyone, I would like you to meet my younger brother, Sasuke." Sasuke nodded slowly as he looked at those in front of him. He had never seen them before, so he assumed they were new. However, for Itachi to trust so much to them, meant that they were not just new recruits. They were something more.
"Tayuya, Sasuke-sama, is my name," said the lone female with dark pink hair, somehow reminding him of Sakura for their hair belonged to the same color family.
"Sakon, Sasuke-sama, is mine," said one of the silvery haired ones, his face partially hidden beneath the silver locks.
"Ukon, Sasuke-sama," spoke the third, the twin of the one who had spoken just before.
"Zabuza," spoke the fourth, hardly any trace of respect for Itachi's younger brother in his words. Itachi frowned invisibly, that fake smile still plastered on his face. He would have to speak to Zabuza about how he would regard his younger brother.
"Haku, Sasuke-sama, is my name. It is an honor to work in Sharingan," spoke a female looking one. Sasuke frowned as he looked at Haku. Despite his physical appearance, his voice gave his true gender away.
"Kabuto, Sasuke-sama, is my name," said the last one simply as he looked up momentarily before bowing his head back down to the papers in front of him.
"What do you want, Itachi?" asked Sasuke, his voice noticeably dull as his sharp onyx eyes focused themselves on his brother. The six twitched slightly as they heard him regard his older brother with a lack of respect that should have been innately there. "It's not like I'm ever needed in any of the things you yourself handle. I'm always doing work of a dog. Simply put it, I'm your lackey," he said roughly, his black eyes glinting as he continued staring at the hardened face of his brother.
"I've noticed your actions lately. They're always revolving around that pink haired girl, no, not you Tayuya. I forgot her name but it doesn't matter to me," said Itachi as he began tracing circles idly on a black sheet of paper, his pen twirling around, leaving traces of black ink. Sasuke's soul shouted, banging against the physical barrier that was his body, as he glared at him. His soul was enraged at the existence before him, his brother. He was the one who had toyed around with Sakura and simply forgot her after she had served her purpose for him. "So, what are you up to?" asked Itachi without so much as a care.
"Nothing you need to concern yourself with," mumbled Sasuke, stiffening slightly as his mind began to think. What if Itachi had found out about his ploy? Was he just trying to be all casual about it at first then slowly try to make him spill information about it? Itachi frowned as he eyed his brother. Waving it off, he asked another question.
"Anything new from the laboratories? I hear Shikamaru's been pretty busy lately," asked Itachi, genuinely curious. Of course, rumors about a new invention were easily spread out, mostly false but there was the occasion that news of a new weapon was true.
"He's making a program for this theoretical weapon of his," lied Sasuke without breaking a sweat. It was true, he was making a program for the laser pistol but it was by no means theoretical.
"Do you know what the weapon is?" pressed his brother even further, determined to find out why his brother had been acting out of character lately. Not that he truly cared for his brother but something could be up his sleeve.
"No. All I know is that he's trying to create a better version of an already existent weapon," said Sasuke with a voice laced with fake honesty. Itachi nodded slowly as he rose. Sasuke shuddered mentally as his brother walked closer towards him.
"Alright then, little brother. Just tell me about anything interesting you might come across," said Itachi as he pocketed his hands, stopping before Sasuke, "Because I really want to know." The younger Uchiha nodded before turning around and leaving.
"I don't like your little brother," said Zabuza bluntly as he raised his eyes towards the elder Uchiha, "He's up to something. His behavioral patterns show that."
"I doubt it. Sasuke's not capable of anything too serious. He acts like that sometimes, since they died," said Itachi with that devil may care attitude of his.
"Whatever you say, Itachi-sama. Whatever you say."
Outside, Sasuke clenched his fists together tightly as he heard of one of Itachi's trusted lackeys speak of him. Walking away, he began to wish that the mission would start this evening but he would have to wait, the last adjustments still had to be made. With a scowl crossing his face, he made his way to Sakura's room.
End of Flashback
Sasuke's Room
Besides Sasuke and Sakura, everyone fidgeted slightly as they were about to enter a room no one else had, Sasuke's room. He was so paranoid about his own privacy that he had his own voice recognition lock to safeguard his sanctuary, his only sanctuary, within the chrome building that was the headquarters of Sharingan. Soft whirring sounds reverberated in the otherwise empty corridor as the mechanical voice spoke, letting them within the confines of Sasuke's room.
"Sasuke-sama, why did you bring us here?" asked Ayumi softly, however her voice was heard in the quiet. Clearly, she was uneasy at entering the domain of the Uchiha she chose to be loyal to.
"Go to the closet and take out a black box. It's on the floor. Open it and you'll find something for each of you," said Sasuke quietly as he shoved his hands in his pockets. Shikamaru, Neji, Tenten and Ayumi stared at Sasuke, who rarely ever showed any kindness, if at all, towards most of the people in Sharingan. "Well, don't you want it?" he asked inquisitively, invisibly commanding them to go over to the closet.
"Yes, Sasuke-sama," whispered Ayumi as she dropped Thanatos on the carpeted floor, falling with a soft thud, making her way to the closet. Heaving the black box from the inner room, she brought it out, without so much as a bead of sweat rolling down from her face. "Shall I open it?" she asked as she looked at the Uchiha, who merely nodded. Unlocking it, she lifted the upper part of the box. Inside lay four things, obvious as to who got the article that lay inside. "It's a hilt and a metal sheath," said Ayumi bluntly as she picked up the one thing that belonged to her in that box.
"Yes, a hilt that was crafted for your hand only and fits only one blade, Thanatos, as the sheath," explained Sasuke as he plopped down on his bed, sitting beside Sakura.
"Mine's a pair of Nunchaku!" said Tenten, delight obvious in her voice, as she touched the two cylindrical pieces of wood attached together with a long metal chain.
"You've always been fascinated with Oriental weapons and this seemed the best for you," said Sasuke bluntly.
Neji's left hand grasped a western style hilt, a black and gray tassel swinging about as he twisted the Chinese style sword around, showing off his swordplay. "Not bad," said Neji, giving out his criticism of the weapon much like Ayumi's but the latter had the traditional Japanese katana swinging beside her. Smoothly, he sheathed the sword which slid effortlessly into its metal casing. "Where'd you get it?"
"Chinese merchant. I liked the sword but never really wanted to learn any swordplay. Plus, it fits you. Elegant in style but quick and merciless in killing." Neji shrugged as he held the Chinese sword tightly, an invisible smile dancing on his face.
"A piece of paper that happens to be the claim stub to an entire arsenal of wireless gadgetry as well as a dedicated server!" said Shikamaru, giddiness claiming him. Of course, he wouldn't usually act that way but seeing as a small fortune was spent on him and that it was a wireless system that he's always wanted, now was an exception to his otherwise lax attitude. "How'd you know?"
"Wasn't hard to guess. Two words for you Shikamaru, Computer and Geek."
"Gee, thanks, and I thought you were finally starting to understand me."
"Well, anyway, thank Sakura if you must, save for Neji's. She was the one who chose what to give you all," said Sasuke bluntly as he fell back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Four pairs of eyes focused on the pink haired girl beside him, who only blushed heavily in return.
"It was nothing. I mean, you've always helped Sasuke-kun, so I thought—" She was interrupted by four chorus and unanimous replies.
"Thank you, Sakura."
Hours Later
Sakura lay down on his bed, her arms wrapped around his body and his arms wrapped around hers. They were both content just to lie down on the mattress just like that, neither asking for more nor separating from each other's hold. Her half-lidded eyes focused themselves on his black clad chest, a lazy smile on her face as she inched closer towards him. They stayed like that for a few minutes more before Sakura pulled away, sitting up, earning a half-meant glare from Sasuke.
"I never realized it was so close from now. I mean, it's three days until you'll do what you have to do. It's four days until I have to set foot in campus and register for my classes this semester," said Sakura casually as she held his hand in hers.
"Aa," he said monotonously as he closed his eyes, her warmth pulsating against his cold skin. She was always warm, warm like the sun's rays. He was always cold, cold like the moon's glare.
"Don't leave me, after all this," she said in a hushed voice, her jade green eyes filled with concern, "I don't want to be alone anymore. I mean, I've never been physically alone but always, always have I been emotionally alone when my parents died nine years ago." She was biting her lower lip, he could sense it, in order to prevent the tears from flowing down.
"Who says I will?" he said as he opened his eyes, still lying down on the bed.
"I mean, I could ask Renge-chan, my best friend, to pull some strings around in the College of Business Administration! Her father's the dean there. You could go with me, study with me at the University!" she said, her voice straining as she struggled against crying like a silly little girl or holding them in. It seemed she didn't seem to hear his words.
"College of… Business Administration?" he asked, pressing Sakura to answer him, "And dean? What's a dean?" He never tried to learn about the ways of college students.
"Yeah. You learn, well, how to lead a business! It'll be useful for you since you already have a business. And it's a college because a university is a collection of colleges, a smaller division of a school focused on something! I'm in the College of Medicine," said Sakura with a nostalgic smile on her face as her urge to cry subsided, "And the dean is like a principal but for a college."
"And if I get into this college? What then, may I ask, will I do in my life?" he asked as he closed his eyes once more, pulling Sakura's hand towards his chest.
"Well, you study of course, and get a higher education," she explained as she looked at him, a glazed look in her eyes. He nodded slowly. "And also, don't you want a normal life? Going to University with me, though in two different colleges, will help you adjust! And, the College of Business Administration is pretty near the College of Medicine so we don't have to worry about if we'll miss each other that day or not."
"And I'll get in, just like that?" he asked as he grew more curious about the prospect of having a normal life after all this.
"Most likely. Renge-chan will definitely ask her father about it until he lets you. And besides, Soushi-ji-san treats me like his own daughter so I'm sure he'll let you in as an exception," said Sakura as she smiled at him, "And I'm sure he'd want your company to flourish even more. Speaking of which, you never told me what it was called."
"Uchiha Industries," he said bluntly as he opened his eyes, sitting up afterwards. "And sure, if everything goes according to plan, I guess it'll be fine if I go to this… College of Business Administration, if I'm let in." Sakura hugged him tightly as she spoke to him.
"You'll be a freshman but that's okay. Just say you've been told by your family to run the business for a year before going to college. I'll be a sophomore but it won't matter."
"Yeah, as long as we're together, then that's the only thing that matters." he mumbled as he rested his chin atop her head.
"Yes, that's all that matters to me," she said softly as she loosened her hold on him slightly, allowing herself to rest, rest within his hold.
Tsuzuku…
Okay. It's been… two weeks and a day since I've last updated. Sorry for the delay but my excuse… EXAMS. Pitiful, yes, but it's true, I have exams coming up. It's lucky that I could even type this
Anyway, it is nearing the point of pandemonium, if you refer to the flashback of Sasuke with Itachi and the rest of his lackeys.
Notice that I have found a new writing style, literally, since Fanfiction has this new thing that blocks having multiple dashes. So, if it's in plain underline, it's the equivalent to those really long set of dashes the scene/time changes used to have. The 'Tsuzuku' is still the same, just without the dashes.
Anyway, I hope this satisfies your need for CotHaS! Hopefully, I'll be able to update this soon enough.
By the way, I already have an outline for CotHaS. It'll have a total of twenty chapters, I already have all the chapter names and the basic plot for each chapter. Hopefully, I can follow through and most likely, I will.
As usual, here's the chapter preview!
Next Chapter: Chapter Twelve – The Prelude to the War
Chapter Preview: "It's tomorrow already," said Sakura in a hushed voice, gasping for her system lacked oxygen, after Sasuke had claimed her lips in a shattering kiss. Sasuke didn't reply as he just held her close, in the darkness of his room. He was crying unshed tears as he held her body against his, afraid of what might happen. Of course, all the necessary plans were set up and confirmed but he couldn't help but feel nervous of the outcome and what might become of them afterwards. "I believe in you," she said softly, her lips against his ears, as she spoke, sending shivers down his spine at the sudden addition of heat against his ears, "And I will wait for you, with a smile on my face." Sasuke just tightened his hold on her, a gesture that he believed in her as well.
