A/N:

(UPDATE: had to reupload this chapter because of some errors and missing words/scenes)

Hello my lovely readers, here's the next chapter.

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING:

this story might be going on a hiatus.

I am still battling with my writer's block and I am tempted to shelf this story for a while because I do not have the motivation to do any writing.

This is upsetting to me as well because this story is fully outlined for 45 chapters.

Maybe I am just self-conscious about my story, or my abilities (I'm not sure anymore to be honest) but I guess I just feel discouraged.

If you want me to continue with the story, let me know what you think about the story so far or even this chapter.

I'm grateful for your input/review/comment.

- masayume

Important...this story is rated M for a reason - you have been warned. (mature scene in this chapter)

Chapter 21. A Snake in the Grass

It was midday when Shisui wandered the large Uchiha compound in search of his cousin and patriarch of the Uchiha clan. His morning was already filled with various preparations for his small and unused home. Shisui preferred to sleep and eat in the barracks of the Uchiha warriors or near the stables, opting to lie down on the hay. For Shisui, his childhood home brought too many memories — memories he was not too keen to be experiencing. Shisui was the nephew of the late Mikoto and an orphan since the age seven. Now at age thirty, he was ready to return to the place he once called home.

His home stood on the same street as Uruchi's tavern. Within its walls, the traditional home looked almost identical to Sakura's first home within the compound — albeit without the hung herbs and overflowing kitchen with medications and whatnots. No, Shisui's home was simple with minimum furniture covered in thick layers of dust.

His morning was busy. First, he spent two hours within the temple, planning the marriage rites he was to take once he would bring his intended into the compound. Ino's safety was threatened now, and for Shisui her safety was a priority. Then, he ensured that the house would be cleaned by the employ of four women and two men, and ready by late afternoon. And now, he was already in search of his elusive best friend — who was required to accept and bless the union with another clan by Uchiha law.

As he was making his way towards the stables, expecting Itachi to be tending to Nobu, his eyes fell onto young Sasuke, who seemed to be in the middle of an elaborate weapon cleaning process.

The younger Uchiha brother was sitting on a wooden stool, his blade unsheathed in his lap. In his hands he held a soaked cloth, and he slowly began to clean and polish the sharp blade with carefully perfected technique. He did not gaze at Shisui, instead choosing to remain his focus on the sharp object.

"Oi, Sasuke! Have you seen Itachi anywhere? I've been looking for him," Shisui asked as he encountered Sasuke.

"Yeah, him and Sakura took off a little while ago on the horse. Something about herb collecting," Sasuke commented as he continued to sharpen his blade.

Shisui nodded," well, this can't wait."

Then, the young warrior climbed atop his trusted black steed and he trotted off in the familiar direction of the Inari shrine.

They were hiding in the meadow, a little bit further away from the Inari shrine, hidden by the tall grass. The sound of heavy breathing and intense passion hung in the air. His raven hair was splayed on the flattened tall grass beneath him. Itachi breathed harder, as he thrusted upwards, letting his wife feel him as deep as she possibly could. His eyes could not leave the sight before him. His goddess with rose-coloured hair was on top of him, bouncing in complete pleasure and ecstasy until their mutual completion. His hands were on her thighs, then her buttocks, then her waist. He needed to be closer. Itachi sat up, bringing Sakura closer for a much-needed kiss in the middle of their passionate lovemaking. As he took note of her achieving her release, it triggered his as he held her tightly against him, prolonging their much-needed contact for a bit longer before slipping his length from her.

Sakura leaned into him, completely satisfied and her needs sated. She breathed steadily as she basked in the afterglow of their joining by remaining cuddled in his arms. Itachi obliged her, leaning back down, letting his wife use him as a comfortable cushion. He held her against him protectively, placing tender kisses to her temple.

Gods, he loved this woman.

He could not remember his life before meeting her anymore. His life changed drastically since she became a part of the Uchiha compound, and he did not mind one bit. At first, he was suspicious of her presence, eager to learn what was her purpose to be so near the head family of the clan. Then, she befriended him, soon he was finding himself seeking out her company — her soothing presence that kept his nightmares at bay. His thoughts ventured back to the time when she gave him a pack of herbal tea to ease his dreams — it was then, when he started to see this woman in a different light, as something more than a friend. He pressed another gentle kiss to her temple — he loved her, with all his heart and soul.

After a moment of cuddling, Itachi broke the silence.

"Ahh, am I to assume from now on when you say you wish to go for a ride is our hidden phrase for let's make love in the meadow?"

At his words, Sakura pressed her face further into his chest, as if she was attempting to muffle a chuckle.

"A code word… sure… let's call it that. Truth is, I've been craving physical intimacy more lately. I think... no... well... never mind ... I'm sorry if you find it inconveniencing," Sakura pouted playfully.

Itachi raised an eyebrow, finding her statement ridiculous.

"Sakura, does it sound like I am complaining? I am more than happy to satisfy your needs at any given opportunity. I am merely entertained that we intended to go for a ride and instead you went on a ride on me," he teased.

Sakura's cheeks redden.

"Oh, now you're blushing?" Itachi teased.

"Hush," she uttered, and she pressed her lips against his, silencing any further possible teasing he could provide her with.

Itachi gently broke the kiss, only to caress his wife's cheek softly with a smile.

"I love you," Itachi said finally.

Sakura reciprocated with the gentle smile and said in return, "And I love you."

She reached for her discarded kimono, taking her time to redress as they remained sitting on the Uchiha haori covered, flattened grass in the middle of the beautiful meadow.

"Where are you rushing off to?" Itachi commented as he watched her every move.

He remained lying on the ground, under him was his spread-out haori that cushioned his body against ground. His lower body was covered up — and yet the string that tied up his hakama pants remained loose as if he was expecting that he might lose them once more.

"I am feeling slightly chilly, and I do not wish to catch a cold," Sakura commented as she took the obi and retied it around her waist quickly.

Then, she gently ran through her soft pink locks, finger-combing through them before she tied them with a ribbon. She rose to her feet to make final adjustments to her kimono when she noticed a man on horseback approaching from the distance.

"There's a rider approaching," Sakura said.

Itachi sat up and glanced in the same direction.

"That's Shisui. I guess, we are needed back in the compound," Itachi commented, and he reluctantly tied up his hakama pants tightly.

Then, he proceeded to stand, lifting the navy blue haori off the ground and shaking it loose of any debris. As Shisui reached them, he came to a halt. He nodded towards Sakura and Itachi before speaking.

"Forgive me, I would not have intruded on your time if it were not important," Shisui said with remorse.

"It's alright Shisui," Sakura said.

"What is it cousin?" Itachi asked as he slipped on the haori.

Shisui hopped off the horse and made his way closer towards the heads of the Uchiha clan. He bowed down with respect.

"I'm here because I wish to receive your permission to bring Yamanaka Ino and the remainder of her clan into ours. As you know, I have been in courtship with Ino for several months and had your father and hers lived, we would have been married already. However, the Shimura clan is trying to wedge themselves in between Ino and I… I just … I need to make sure she's safe. Look, I know we don't have the space to accommodate the rest of the Yamanaka but perhaps we can figure something out. I'll help with anything. You know I will," Shisui said, rushing through his words quickly as he wanted nothing more than to return to his beloved.

"Cousin, you do not need to explain. You have permission. Just go get your intended. The sooner the better," Itachi answered with a smile.

"It's alright?" Shisui asked, as if to verify that everything will be alright, his eyes falling onto the matriarch of the Uchiha clan.

Sakura smiled and nodded in support," Of course Shisui. I'm already looking forward to meeting your beloved. We both are," she glanced over to Itachi happily.

Itachi nodded in agreement as he finished redressing. Then he looked over at Shisui.

"The Yamanaka are welcome to join us. We will help build them new homes within our growing compound. Now, go. We're going to steal a moment longer before we have to return back home," Itachi said as he glanced at his wife.

Sakura was standing next to Nobu, gently petting the noble steed with tender care.

"Thank you. Both of you. I can't wait for you to meet my Ino," Shisui said with excitement and he quickly hopped on his horse and rushed off towards Niwamachi.

Elsewhere.

At the western point of the lush and rich land of waterfalls, lay a hidden haven. It was nestled into the thick of the trees, and built into the thick, rocky wall of the cascading waterfall all the way up above the treetops. It was a large town, built along the rocky wall, as if it were a natural barrier from unwanted visitors. Its wooden buildings were built tightly next to each other, creating a series of tight streets that were filled with a variety of people: from lowly merchants and farmers, to a popular hen house that serviced to only high paying customers, and even plenty of residents from nearby Grass country. This rather large haven town was called Nishinomaki, and it served as the primary residence of the highest paid mercenaries in all the lands.

Shimura Danzō walked forward, making his way down a familiar right street, passing by people without even giving them a glance. As he came to the end of the street, he glanced up onto a sign that hung above the entrance to an old building. The sign was halfway rotted, the kanji letters barely present and yet he recognized the place with ease — The Old Bone, an old tavern which served as a place to issue bounties to mercenaries. In particular, it was a frequent hangout for a very particular man.

The tavern was usually a lively place, filled with men talking and pouring ale. And yet, the place was not busy at the moment — there were only a few men standing around the bar. However, as soon as Danzō entered, his eyes fell onto the pale man sitting behind a table and pouring himself a glass of sake. His short tantō blade was stabbed through the wooden table in front of him. When Danzō stared at the familiar man he took note of the large scar that now decorated his ghostly skin. His long black hair was loose, cascading down his back and pushed to one side, covering one eye with ease.

Danzō stepped forward towards the pale man.

"Orochimaru, it has been a while," Danzō said as-matter-of-factly.

"Yes, you're quite right. It has been quite a long time since you've ventured into these parts Shimura. Tell me, what brings you to Nishinomaki?" Orochimaru questioned, getting straight to business.

"I came because you failed to complete your end of the bargain," Danzō said.

Orochimaru raised his index finger and he slowly waved it side to side, offering a small warning to the elder man. Danzō seemed unchanged by Orochimaru's behaviour — the old man had seen his share of deadly creatures, and Orochimaru's presence was nothing to be feared. At least, for old Shimura.

"Careful now, accusing me of something out of the blue won't do you any good. Here you're in my territory and I demand respect, even from the likes of you," Orochimaru answered, then he pointed to a chair," Now sit, and tell me why you have come."

Orochimaru filled a cup with sake and passed it across the table, offering it to his visitor. Danzō glanced around the shabby bar, his eyes counting quickly over the bar-leaning mercenaries ready to jump on him if he threatened Orochimaru. He glanced to the table and decided to sit down.

"I came because it is on the way for my destination in Grass. I'm heading into Kusamachi as my son will be wed to the daimyō's only child within a fortnight. However, I chose to go through here because I needed to seek you out," Danzō stated, and he paused for a moment as he reached for the cup of sake.

He took a small sip, casually setting down the cup before glancing at the old mercenary leader.

"You have failed me," he stated.

"In what way have I failed you?" Orochimaru questioned as he poured himself another.

"Twenty years ago, I gave you a mission to complete. You were to kidnap and murder a Senju child and blame the Uchiha for it. Now, when the girl simply vanished, I assumed you disposed of her body elsewhere and still you managed to blame the Uchiha, so I did not question your methods. However, it has come to the surface that the Senju child has been alive this entire time. You have failed me," Danzō said firmly.

"Yeah, well the reason that mission went sideways is not because of me. As far as I remember, you said that you would make sure that the Uchihas would be drugged for the night because of some celebration... gods I don't remember much of this. It was two decades ago... besides, what do you want from me? You still got the war you wanted. The Senju and Uchiha nearly annihilated each other," Orochimaru said defensively.

"That Senju child you were meant to kill is now the new Uchiha matriarch. Her being alive is causing me problems. She has superior healing skills that have saved the Uchiha far too many times. Her presence in the lands dampens my plans for Niwamachi. You need to finish the job," Danzō decided as he slammed his hand on the table.

"Do you even know what you are asking? You don't even know what happened that night," Orochimaru said, and he downed another shot of sake, trying to keep his memories at bay.

Memory sequence.

In the dark of the night, he slipped into the peaceful home of Senju Tobirama. For even a skillful assassin and a sought-after mercenary, entering a compound of such a high-profile family within the land of fire was dangerous. If one would see him, he would be either forced to fight or flee without completing his mission. But he was Orochimaru. He did not fear the Senju nor their wrath. He took on the dangerous mission for entertainment, eager to see the Senju attack Uchiha. His mission was clear: kidnap and kill the daughter of Tobirama Senju, leave behind a sign of an Uchiha presence, bring her body to the Uchiha compound and leave her remains in front of their meeting hall. This was a mission many would consider impossible — to sneak into one grand compound and enter another undetected, with a child no less. And yet, Orochimaru was willing to do such. Because when it came to knife work of this caliber, Orochimaru charged bucket loads of coin. Lucky for him, Shimura Danzō was willing to pay.

As he stealthily moved through the house, his almost as-if-they-were-glowing eyes fell upon the sleeping rosette toddler, holding tightly in her arms a soft small pillow. Her face was pressed into it, as if she was scared to let it go.

Orochimaru leaned over, lifting the child as gently as he was capable, opting not to wake her within the home — he was not about to raise the alarm while within Tobirama's house. And yet, as soon as he vacated the house and entered the traveled street, the young daughter awakened. Without hesitation, Orochimaru pressed his calloused cold hand firmly against the child's face, muffling any sound that might attempt to leave her lips.

Then, he made his way through the Senju compound quickly, opting to jump over the fence into the old shrine.

"Be silent!" He ordered, as the little girl's muffled crying threw him out of his concentration.

They came to a halt in front of the shrine as Hanae's crying became louder. Orochimaru threw her down against the rocky path causing the child to cry more at the impact. Then, as he was completely unhinged, he kicked into the child violently, hoping that it would silence her permanently. He kicked some more until there was no sound escaping her lips anymore. Hanae looked half dead. There was blood. Her skin bruised and scraped, her sleeping kimono was torn. And yet she was still breathing — persistent creature Orochimaru thought to himself. He unsheathed his blade and readied it over the young Senju daughter.

"Step away from the child!"

The deep nearly thunderous baritone sends a shiver of panic down his spine. He did not need to turn around to face this supposed intruder. He recognized it immediately — Uchiha Madara. This was not a foe Orochimaru was willing to engage in a fight. Without giving it another thought, he sped off towards the exit of the shrine, hoping to disappear before the fearsome Uchiha patriarch gave pursuit.

Madara glanced at the would-be assassin, taking note of his departure and then he turned to the young child. He recognized her soft pink tresses — a child of Tobirama Senju and Adachi Ai, his former friend and confidant. The thought of Ai's tears over the death of her own daughter caused him grief. So, the proud wild-haired Uchiha undid his gold-woven haori and as gently as he could he wrapped it around the young daughter. Then, he lifted her into his arms and carried her into the temple. He remained steady as he felt the child's breathing decrease.

"It's going to be alright little princess. You just rest now," Madara said with a warm voice.

He stepped forward towards the altar. He heard the stories of Kanon's mercy when he was a child – how the goddess would choose to protect the ones who cannot protect themselves. These were the stories of his ancestors, that believed in the protection of the gods. He was not a man of faith, too many times the gods have failed the Uchiha clan for him to believe in the benevolence of gods, but now, looking at this child that stood at death's door…. perhaps, the goddess of mercy would save this child. Perhaps, for once the shrine would grant him his desire.

"Kanon-sama, you're the mother of mercy. In my arms, lay an innocent child, who was taken from her bed and harmed on your doorstep by another. No child should ever be subjected to such cruelty, such violence, such death. I offer her to you to take care of her, to save her, so that one day she may return to her mother in full health," Madara said softly as he set down the young child in front of the goddess's altar.

He stepped back a few steps and he watched as the child faded into nothing mere moments later.

End of a memory sequence.

Orochimaru glanced up at the elder man, as if he was evaluating his intentions. It had been years since Shimura Danzō sought him out. The old man had made himself a haven in the court of the Adachi clan, slowly perching himself as the lord's right-hand man. And yet, this ambitious cunning bastard sought more — spreading his name from one land to another. For a moment Orochimaru wondered, what was Shimura's true intention. The destruction of Niwamachi and the land of fire and then move onto the land of grass? No, it cannot be that simple. And he wondered, why he remained fixated on a Senju child, now a young woman who is married into the Uchiha clan? What could one woman do?

"Tell me something Danzō. Why do you care if she is alive? Your son is going to take over Grass, you already have Niwamachi in the palm of your hand. It looks like you have already won whatever game you played. Why are you inserting yourself into the Uchiha compound? Why do you want her dead? If she is so skilled medically surely that makes her a valuable asset," Orochimaru wondered as he glanced at the old man.

Danzō remained unbothered by his questioning, and instead opted to take another sip of the sake.

"Oh, Orochimaru! I forgot how simple-minded you are!" Danzō proclaimed as he set down his drink. Then, he paused for a moment before he opened his mouth once more.

"I want her gone because she is the only one who can unite the Senju and the Uchiha under one banner. They have already converted the Namikaze clan and the Yamanaka. I have already sent my son to deal with the Yamanaka but the Namikaze are a great ally for the Uchiha. They cannot be allowed to continue gaining momentum," Danzō said firmly.

"You could always control the woman. Recruit her even. She's probably a meek little thing," Orochimaru commented as he turned his attention to his blade on the table.

With a subtle pull he removed it from the slab of wood and placed it back into its sheath. Danzō watched Orochimaru's movements closely.

"No, she cannot be controlled. She's Uchiha Itachi's wife and according to my sources, a pupil of Uchiha Aoi. The Uchiha are already fragile, and the death of a second matriarch will send them over the edge. I will pay you and your men double. You need to dispose of her before summer arrives and this time you will bring me her head as proof," Danzō said firmly.

"So, you have given me two seasons to deal with this. Very well. I will need time to prepare. If I am to attack an Uchiha matriarch, I will need to plan extensively. I do not want to face an Uchiha in battle," Orochimaru stated.

Elsewhere

Shisui halted as he gazed towards Niwamachi, taking a mere second to process the scene before him. He stared in horror at the blazing sight. The red-hot fire swallowing up the buildings on the eastern side of the city. A wave of thick smoke spiraled upwards towards the darkening sky. The screams of people, running for their lives, attempting to run away from the growing hellfire. Shisui's eyes fell onto the building that was the home of his beloved. The buildings began to collapse, crashing into a pile of nothing but charred wood and ash.

"Ino," he said breathlessly, and with a subtle quick nudge to the horse's side, he rushed towards the fiery carnage.

A/N: Chapter 22. From Ashes might be shelved for a little while. Stay tuned for future updates.