Author's note: Sorry the last chapter was so short; I just am not used to the format. But this one will be longer, promise!

Chapter 2: Scentless Apprentice

Sasuke stared into the mirror, his facial expression totally blank. Perhaps it is true, smart people are never happy, idiots are. He had gotten what he wanted, revenge. But he was not happy. He had gotten his revenge, but had lost something else. Something really irrelevant, actually. It would not send him to Hell, but he still missed it. His smell.

He had learned after losing this, that there was something else everyone shared, beside fingerprints and retina. Every human being had a definable scent. Itachi died, taking Sasuke's scent with him as a way of hurting him, even if he not enough chakra to take his soul. After losing his scent, Sasuke's nose became ultra-sensitive, like a dog's, picking up and remembering everyone's scent as a more secure way of identification.

Right now, for instance, Hitorra, one of the concubines, was waiting outside to speak with him.

Sasuke was the keeper of the Harem. Not a eunich, for that was illegal. Harems and concubines were illegal too. That was where Sasuke came in.

All the women that Lord Tojo was 'launching into society,' and 'sponsoring.' Those were his women. The truth was the women were not really concubines, but women bound by contract, and by reputation to the despicable man. The contract was taken care of behind closed doors by Tojo and his corrupt lawyers. The reputation part, well, that was Sasuke's job. All these women were all gifted young women forced into this situation by Tojo, who promised them to take care of whatever serious problems faced them. Giving med-care to their relatives, pulling them out of bankruptcy, keeping them out of prison, the like. Sasuke's job was to keep them quiet, content, and safe. He did his job well, despite his conscience.

The women loved the handsome, dark young man with the generous nature and pretty voice. They cooed at him and favored him as he granted their every wish. For safety reasons, they did not know his name. If anyone found out what he was doing, everyone would be sent to prison. So to them, he was merely 'Davey.' He spent his days bringing them presents, singing them songs, teaching them things, playing with their children, fulfilling their requests. He escorted them to parties when Tojo escorted his wife, as well. He was their link the outside world. Anything to make it up to them.

Tonight he would take another poor girl under his wing. Escort her to the masquerade ball tonight, show her the ropes, and seal the contract. He gulped, no matter how many times he did it, he could not get used to stealing their freedom.

He put on his black and silver costume and crimson mask and opened the door.

Hittora entered, beaming at him. "For the new girl, from all of us." She handed him a parcel.

He slipped it into his pocket and smiled, "Thank you Hittora, I'll make sure she gets it. Now, the girl will arrive soon, so tell the girls to get in their rooms, ok?"

Hittora smiled, nodded, and ran off. The girls needed to stay away from the new girl until the contract was sealed. For if the new one knew any of them, she might report it; but she could not do that after the contract was sealed.

After that, all the girls became friends. They comforted each other, provided companionship, and played with each other. There were many happy faces in the Harem. Playing with children, having parties, gardening, painting walls. Everyone was in the same boat, everyone knew the pain.

Sasuke looked back at his reflection and frowned. "You're a monster. You even look like one."

Sakura stepped out of the carriage and stared at her surroundings. She could not believe how, well, homey it looked. It was a sunny garden that reminded you of someone's back yard. Shrubs and flowers sprung from the dirt flowerbed that lined the building that surrounded it. There was a pond and a weeping willow next to, where a tire swing hung. There was a playground and toys, as well as a vegetable garden ad animal pens containing cats, rabbits, and dogs. The building that enclosed this beautiful complex had a door every few yards. The walls painted with different colors and covered with different decorations. Despite herself, Sakura could not help but think that this place was a home.

The only thing missing was the family, where was everyone?

Sakura looked at her instructions. She was supposed to go to room sixteen and there would be instructions waiting for her there. Sakura scanned the doors, finding it quickly. It stood out as the only one not painted and decorated. She entered the room. It was a large suite, with a connecting bathroom, a living room, bedroom, and a door that she guessed led into the hall. The living room was almost empty, save for a couch, table, bookshelf, T.V, and CD player. But she was supposed to go into the bedroom.

The bedroom was not much either. A double-bed with a blue covering, a bureau, a mirror, and dressing table. It looked like a hotel room. Sakura's eye caught sight of a large box with a note lying on the table. She opened the note with frustration, where was everybody?

"To Our New Friend,

If you are wondering about the absence of the other women, Lord Tojo forbids all new women not to see the others until the contract is set. Until then, I am your guide. My name is not important, so you will just call me Davey. Tonight I will escort you to the masquerade Lord Tojo is holding. Ah, you are wondering why he does not escort you himself? It is not seen as proper to be seen at one of these things with any other woman besides his wife. However, you are to attend so you can learn how to conduct yourself at social functions, and also to meet his wife. Do not worry. She is not your enemy, as long as you don't make her so. Yes, she knows who you are, but she does not hate you. She sympathizes, for she has an idea of your situation, she is your friend. Also know that your name is to be kept secret, even from me. To everyone, you are now "Aira Watsuki." It is a safety precaution, which unfortunately is necessary. Tonight your contract will be sealed and all will be made final. Tomorrow you will meet with Lord Tojo to discuss arrangements with him. Then we will discuss your living situation, and you can decide as to how you want your rooms made up, and order anything else you might require, that morning you will most likely be acquainted with the other ladies, as they can not keep themselves from hovering over the bed of a new girl on her first morning. Your luggage will be delivered while you are out tonight, until then, you will wear the outfit enclosed. After you are finished dressing meet me be the pond, I will be in black. Do not fear, you are safe and among friends.

XOXOXO

Davey."

Sakura smiled. It was a sweet note, or as sweet a note as could be allowed under the circumstances. But it was a sorry excuse for guidance. In fact, it made her feel more uneasy. What did he mean, 'seal the contract?' Wasn't that taken care of already, and if so, why did she need to 'discuss arrangements' with him? He had made it very clear what he wanted from her. And why all the secrecy and new names? Was she still going to be herself when this night was over? And what who was this man who acted so warmly, yet distanced himself so much? How could a man be so friendly, with this job? Why was he doing it anyway? He could not be trusted. Without even meeting him, Sakura hated him with every inch of her being. She hated him with his distance and his job and his friendly letter. She hated the fact that she really, really, wanted to see what was in the box. It would be no use not to open it, for she had no choice about it anyway.

She opened the box and withdrew a long, dark green corseted dress lined with silver. Embroidered silver vines and leaves snaked down the shredded skirt, being fed from an opal rose brooch settled at the middle of the waist. On the back, silver wings attached. At her feet were a black feathered mask and an opal and emerald tiara.

How was she going to put that on by herself?

It was surprisingly easy, actually, for the corset was actually a cleverly-disguised built in bra, and the wings did not get in the way. The tiara doubled as a hair clip, so it stayed there firmly. The mask was easy too. And the shoes were comfortable slippers of green velvet. Sakura laughed. A woman had made this, no doubt.

She looked in the mirror and gasped. That was not the poor, work-bent girl she was ten minutes ago, that was the queen of the wood nymphs. Her pink hair was pinned back in a way that let her long locks slide gracefully over her soldiers. Her green eyes glittered beneath the black mask, her figure was shown off well by the bodice, and the roses in her cheeks showed up more as the fairness of her skin was shown off by the dark feathers.

Not able to help herself, she spun around, watching as the shredded skirt twirled out and forgetting for a moment where she was. But then she was brought back down as she eyed Davey's infuriating letter. This time, she let her inner self emerge with full force. She pouted, stomped her foot, and threw the letter across the room. She looked in the mirror and yelled, "You're no queen! You're a whore, no matter what you wear! No one cares! He doesn't! Fuck you and your stupid fucking friendly letter with the stupid X's and O's! Go to hell. Or, on second thought go to Heaven, because I don't want to see you when I go there myself!" After that, she regained her composure, time to leave. Bye-bye dignity.

Sasuke sat on the swing hanging for the weeping willow and stared at the ground. He didn't get to do this much. These days he was always attending to business, installing something, or entertaining the women. So much he was barely ever able to just sit down and think. It was a laughable contrast to his old life in Konoha.

A familiar scent caught his nostrils. Familiar, but not identifiable. Not one belonging to one of the girls, but feminine, yes. Hot food, cherries, and earth. He had smelled something like it before, but for some reason, he could not place where. Surprising, for he remembered everyone's scent. Perhaps he had caught it before he lost his own smell, that might explain it. But who could he have gotten that close to? Some girl he had fought once. He hoped not, that might lead to some problems. He continued to look down, not acknowledging her presence immediately. It might scare her if he knew she was there too soon. And what would he tell her? That he smelled her? She was probably scared enough as it was.

When the girl was finally within reaching distance, she spoke with a proud, yet girlish voice.

"Greetings, My Lord."

At the sight of him, Sakura's hatred increased. The way he sat their, his long black hair, and his pail skin was a painful reminder of her lost love, her Sasuke. Why? WHY OH WHY OH WHY OH WHY! Oh, die, die. DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE!

Sasuke's stomach fell straight to his butt. For he knew immediately upon hearing that proud, girlish voice where he had smelled that scent before….

"Sakura," he muttered, removing his mask and looking up at her. What was she doing here? What happened to her? How could he have let this happened? Why did he have to be in this position when she looked so amazingly beautiful? He wanted to kill Tojo.

Sakura's anger and hatred vanished. She stood silently for a second, looking at him blankly. Then as her feeling rose again, she flew at him, punching, kicking, and biting every part of him she could. "How dare you? HOW COULD YOU?" Her skin was no longer pale, but deep red, stained with tears. Sasuke just let her harm him, until Sakura realized that he did not care, which only made her hate him more. Finally, she broke down into stuttering sobs as she leaned her head against his chest.

Sasuke let her cry there for several minutes until finally he spoke. "Sakura, what happened to you?"

Despite her hate towards him at this very moment, Sakura let spill what she had not said aloud for three years.

"You mean after you took my heart and ripped it to shreds eight years ago? Well I'll tell you. We received word you died three years ago. A month later my parents died, leaving me in debt and with a little sister to take care of. She contracted Parkinson's disease just as I was finished paying my parent's debts. I had to give up my training to support her, but I couldn't do it, no matter what. So I….I….." Once again she collapsed into jerking sobs.

Sasuke stroked her hair. He could fill in the blanks. Oh, Lord, what had he done?