Temptation of the Heart

Chapter Eleven: Sakura Finally Finds Sasuke

Kabuto grinned to himself as he escorted Sakura into the depths of Orochimaru's hide-out. He could hardly wait until Sasuke saw who had arrived for him. Sasuke had been nothing but a spiteful punk since arriving over two years ago. Perhaps this new visitor would shake up some of Sasuke's smug conceitedness. At least, Kabuto hoped so.

When this strange young woman, Sakura, had arrived at Orochimaru's hidden den, Kabuto had sent the standard ninja guards to kill her. Orochimaru didn't permit unexpected visitors. To Kabuto's surprise, this stranger had handily and viciously defeated Orochimaru's shinobi.

Taking matters into his own hands, Kabuto himself went out to meet Sakura and challenge her. To his surprise and embarrassment, Kabuto found himself bound and totally at Sakura's mercy in seconds after challenging her. She was clearly no ordinary ninja. Her one demand of him, and it wasn't a request, it was an order, was to be taken to Orochimaru.

Hence, they were both now walking through the dimly lit corridors towards Orochimaru's inner-sanctum. They reached Orochimaru, and Kabuto introduced Sakura with a bow, "Master, a shinobi from Kohona Village is here to speak with you about Sasuke."

"Why did you bring a member of the Akatsuki to me, Kabuto?" asked Orochimaru in a sibilant hiss. "Don't you know they've all sworn to destroy me?"

"I've no intention of destroying you, Orochimaru-sama," stated Sakura in a clear voice. "I intend to join you." Kneeling before Orochimaru, Sakura stated, "If you allow me to have Sasuke as my lover, I will serve you as my master."

"Indeed. A tempting offer," stated Orochimaru, hissing as he spoke. "What makes you think I want or need you as my servant, and what makes you think Sasuke will have you as a lover?"

"For one, I'm an S-Ranked ninja trained by the best in the Akatsuki. I doubt even Sasuke is as skilled as I am. I'm certain you can use all the skilled servants you can find. Secondly, I don't know that Sasuke will take me as his lover, but I know I don't have any chance of that without your prior permission."

"Well said. You're a wise girl. How do I know you won't betray me. You are, after all, a member of the Akatsuki."

"I was a member. Just like you were once a member. I've been released of my vows. I owe them nothing. They owe me nothing."

"The Akatsuki master doesn't just let his members go. Even I know better than that."

"I served him well and such was our agreement, Orochimaru, that I was able to leave after one final mission. My old master has no more use for me. I'll take you as my new master, if you'll have me."

"You certainly bring before me a tempting offer, young woman. I believe I'll take you up on it. I accept you as my subordinate. You understand you'll be asked to do some very unsavory acts, but I suspect you're no stranger to evil, having been an Akatsuki member.

"I can't promise Sasuke will be your lover, though. He may decide to reject you all together. That's something you'll have to deal with when it happens. Can you accept that?"

Rising up from her kneeling position, Sakura replied, "He'll not reject me, my new master. I've already considered all the possibilities. I'll make him an offer he can't refuse."

Sniggering evilly, Orochimaru hissed quietly, "This should be very interesting." Louder, he commanded Kabuto, "Bring Sasuke to us now. I would like him to meet our newest Hidden Sound shinobi."

Bowing, Kabuto ran off to get Sasuke. Orochimaru and Sakura waited in an awkward silence for Kabuto to return.

Finally, after what seemed like endless moments, Sakura's true-love appeared, following Kabuto into the dark, cavernous room of Orochimaru's den. After all this time and after all these years and after all the difficult work and evil deeds performed, Sakura was finally getting the reward she'd worked so hard for. Her heart beat so hard in her chest that she thought it might burst through her chest cavity.

Holding her breath in expectant hope, Sakura watched Sasuke as he entered the room. Noticing her, his eyes widened in surprise. "Sakura! What are you doing here?" Sasuke asked with a slight tremor in his voice.

"I've come to be with you, Sasuke. Remember when we last spoke, I told you I loved you so much? I still do. I'm here now, to be with you!"

Turning his back to Sakura, Sasuke stated, "You shouldn't have come here, Sakura. I don't need you. This is a bad place for someone like you to be."

"You don't need me?" screamed Inner-Sakura, who now was Sakura more than the old Sakura was, "You don't need me?" she repeated shrilly. "I'll show you that you don't need me!" And with that said, Sakura viciously attacked Sasuke.

Sasuke found himself in the fight of his life. Not even Naruto was as vicious, quick, or decisive as Sakura was during this unexpected attack. Without thinking about it, Sasuke found himself engaging the second-level of his Orochimaru-given seal-curse.

Even that, however, wasn't enough to halt the non-stop onslaught. On top of all of this, Sasuke's Sharigan seemed useless. As he battled with Sakura, he notice she fought him with her eyes closed! That's how she was able to beat the hypnotic effects of his Sharigan!

How was Sakura able to move such that Sasuke couldn't predict her attack? He'd read an attack one way, and she'd attack another! On top of all of this, Sakura was throwing techniques at him he'd never seen of or heard of before!

It didn't take long before Sasuke was lying on the ground, bound with a chakra-web, with Sakura straddling him. Sakura had her fist raised over his face, holding him by his collar with her other hand as if to punch him. "You don't need me?" she shrilled one last time.

Lying there, Sasuke could hear Orochimaru's chuckle as he thought. Sasuke could hardly believe what had happened to him. What happened to the meek and mild girl he'd left behind in Kohona Village? Was this person who'd just soundly defeated him that same girl? Apparently so!

Turning to Orochimaru with her fist still raised over Sasuke's face, Sakura said, "He's not very strong. I thought you were going to train him and give him power?"

"He's relied too much on his seal-curse and he's stubborn and prideful," stated Orochimaru. "Plus, he's not had to fight anyone truly powerful. He doesn't know how weak he truly is."

Sasuke just opened his mouth in surprise and stared at his master's revelations. How could he say such things?

Turning once again to face Sasuke, Sakura spoke, "If you expect to kill your brother, you'll need to be more powerful. You'll need my help. You need my expertise. I've already proven I can defeat your Sharigan. You need me, Sasuke. I offer my assistance in helping you kill your brother Itachi."

Sasuke's anger and shame almost took control then. He almost rejected Sakura and her offer of help – even after proving to him he wasn't as powerful as he'd always thought he was. Pausing and thinking for a moment, Sasuke cleared his mind and reminded himself of his one overriding goal in life. His one overpowering need was to kill his brother Itachi. That was the purpose for which he'd already given up so much.

And now, Sakura arrives and shows him his failings and how he was still far from his goal. Sasuke performed one of the most difficult things he'd ever have to do. He swallowed his pride. Looking up at Sakura he said, "You're right Sakura. I do need you. I'm not nearly as strong as I thought."

"What?" shouted Orochimaru, "Are you to let a little girl tell you what to do?"

"You've been holding back on me, Orochimaru. Even with your second-level curse-seal, I'm not powerful enough to defeat Sakura. What kind of promise of power is that?"

"True, but you're reckless and impatient. I knew you weren't powerful enough to defeat Itachi. Even with all my training and help. I have no intention of losing you to him. I still need your body."

Sasuke looked at Sakura and said, "I accept your offer, Sakura."

With a triumphant smile, Sakura got up off of Sasuke and released him from his bonds. "Not so fast, Sasuke. My help isn't free. It comes with a price."

Sighing, Sasuke thought he knew what that price might be. "What is it, Sakura?"

"You must take me as your lover. Now and forever, I'll be the only one you'll ever be with. Is that acceptable?"

"It's acceptable."

With the deal struck, Sakura smiled to herself. Finally, after all this time and all these years, she was with the man she loved more than life itself. Taking his hand, they walked together into the dimly lit corridors of Orochimaru's stronghold and into further adventures yet untold.

THE END