The Ripple Effect

By: Sweet Bliss

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Sakura shivered as his breath tickled her neck. "I need you, Sakura," is all he whispered. There wasn't an type of emotion from the way he said it, but then again there never was. She stared into his charcoal colored eyes to see something… but nothing gave way to what he felt.

"Sasuke-" Her words were cut off as he leaned forward, placing his forehead against hers. So many things ran through her head right now. What about Hana? Wasn't he supposed to love the werewolf who gave her life to protect him? All things, however, that ran through her mind were quickly brushed aside as he placed his lips softly against hers.

His right hand brushed again her neck, fingers stroking her cheek. He pulled away shortly afterwards, all warmth and fuzziness leaving Sakura's body. He stood up without saying anything to her, offering his hand to her. She took it while trying her hardest to hide the blush that covered her face, but failed miserably at it.

"Where is he?" Gaara asked himself pacing the front gates back and forth. Sasuke was supposed to join up with him an hour ago. He sighed. Maybe Sasuke had decided not help out. He was so blinded with rage and thoughts of vengeance that he didn't seem to get that Orochimaru was the bad guy in all of this.

If he didn't leave with him soon, then the curse seal the boy was branded with would take its toll. Orochimaru is trying everything to get Sasuke, and that meant that they had to be fast with their plans. And it made matters worse that Kabuto was still around, Kin and Zaku wouldn't be interrogated until tomorrow, and there was Sai. They didn't doubt that he'd betray them. Anko, Temari, Choji, and Kankuro all had to keep tabs on the boy while Gaara left.

He hated the fact that he wouldn't be there to help them out, but he had his own mission to see through. First, he'd have to get Sasori and Deidara to agree with the plans. He really needed their help and Kakashi was to assist him also. It wouldn't be easy but they'd manage. If only the next heir would hurry up so Gaara could get him to Itachi safely.

Angry eyes looked up at the smiling man before them. Something bad was up and they could tell by the wicked smile this man portrayed. Zaku struggled to untie himself from the ropes that bound his wrists but they were too tight.

"By struggling with the ropes you'll only make them tighter, Zaku," the dark haired man spoke. Zaku only stopped to stare up into emotionless eyes. "What do you want, Danzou?" he spat into the old man's face. He bent over to look at Zaku closely. "I need you and Kin to do a favor for me."

Kin sat up as he name was spoken. "Your friend, Dosu, was killed by the hands of Irakih's men, wasn't he." The female bowed her head in sadness but Zaku hissed, "Yes, but what of it?" Danzou straightened back up so that he looked down upon the two.

"What if I could tell you who Irakih was and who he works for, if you did something for me?" Zaku raised a brow as he inquired, "What is it that you want?" Danzou's grin faded from his face which immediately turned serious. "I'd like to talk to Orochimaru about a spot in his new empire. I know who's pulling strings and Sasuke's weakness. All you have to do is get me an audience with him right away. Leave the rest to me."

Sasuke dropped to the ground in front of the gates gracefully. The first thing he saw was Gaara. The red haired man looked calm, and when he saw Sakura he seemed to soften his serious expression a bit. "I'm glad you're here, Sasuke. We must leave immediately," Gaara said formally. Sasuke furrowed his brows.

"I thought we were leaving tomorrow," the Uchiha stated. The red head placed his hood back on covering his face. He then replied, "Itachi is suspecting Orochimaru of knowing the plan. He's requested that we leave right away." The neko grabbed Sasuke's hand and looked up at him. "Are you ready to go?" Gaara asked.

"Sasuke," she whispered but Sasuke made no indication of hearing her. All of his attention was focused on the vampire once referred to as Irakih. "I'm ready to go," Sasuke answered the question calmly with a touch of boredom. His hand pushed hers away, and she almost felt like crying. Did Sasuke not mean what he had said just a few minutes ago? Gaara nodded to her, but she barely noticed. Sasuke and Gaara brushed past her without a word. Her emerald eyes watered and dripped with tears but she made no motion to brush them away.

"Stupid, Sakura," she scolded herself. "Why would he really love- let alone like- me? I'm such an idiot for believing what he's said." She kicked a rock into a nearby puddle angrily. "Stupid, stupid, stupid!"

Her ears perked up at the sound of footsteps. An old man stepped out from inside the shadows. "Well, I really wouldn't say all that," he said a small smile spread across his dimly lit face. He looked so wicked the way he stood there smiling.

"Excuse me for my rudeness. I am Danzou. You've probably heard about me from someone." Sakura took a step backwards as he advanced forward. "N-no, no one has spoke of you." He frowned for a moment before speaking again. "And after all I did for them." Sakura stepped back once more only to be trapped by two other bodies.

"What do you want from me?" she asked her finger nails digging into the flesh of her palms. She wasn't that innocent girl she used to be. After learning of Ten-Ten's past, after witnessing Hana's death, and after the curse seal that took control of Sasuke, Sakura knew how to stand up for herself.

Danzou patted her head and answered calmly, "I want to help Orochimaru and his goal of getting rid of Itachi… and Sasuke." At Sasuke's name, the neko tried to break free from the grasp of Kin and Zaku. Danzou chuckled at this, "It seems that the little cherry blossom is in love with Sasuke. Do you seriously think that if he were to become king he'd still be with you? But if you were to help us then Sasuke and you could be together forever."

Was it a trick? Would he really keep his end of the deal if she agreed? If it kept Sasuke safe then she didn't care. "So, do we have a deal then, Sakura?" Jade eyes blinked shut for a few seconds. She wouldn't have to worry about him becoming king. Hana could be completely forgotten. Just her and Sasuke. "I'm in."

"How'd Orochimaru know about the attack?" Neji asked Shikamaru as they looked for survivors among their army. Both Orochimaru's army and Shikamaru's army lay dead. The few of the snake-like man's subordinates that made it out alive had run back to their base to report of their success.

Shikamaru's followers weren't that lucky. They'd be happy if they found at least ten of them alive. So far it was only Neji and Shikamaru. Shikamaru had a few arrows piercing his abdomen and one that barely missed his heart. Neji had been cut on his arms and his right leg was burned by an explosion he'd been involved in.

But the girl with the buns in her hair was no where to be found. If it weren't something considered bad, Neji would have been happy. He'd made it out alive in a battle and she was dead. But then again something inside him hurt that he couldn't find her. Sure, she was the only girl that could stand up to him and wasn't head-over-heels in love with him, but there were others, right?

"Ten-Ten!" he heard his voice cry out. Where was the brunette? A body at the far side of the field caught his eye. He didn't know why but his legs- the pain forgotten- had moved towards the spot where the female's body lay.

He placed his fingers on her neck to see if she still was alive. Relief washed over him when he found the pulse. He shook her to see if he could get a response, but her chocolate orbs didn't awaken.

"Shikamaru, she's still alive, but unconscious. We've got to hurry and get out of here," he called to the other male. The elf nodded to him as he helped up three other survivors. "Ten-Ten, hang on a little longer," he whispered carrying her bridal-style to where the brown haired elf waited.

"S-Sakura, are you in there?" the ivory orbed girl asked as she pushed the door open shyly. Naruto stood right behind her as he, too, was looking for their pink-haired friend. There wasn't any sign of life inside the room.

Naruto walked inside a frown on his face. "Where the hell is she?" he asked. The Hyuuga heir walked up beside him. "She was with Sasuke, but he brought her back before he left with Gaara." The blue eyed mage turned to the shorter girl as he stated, "Then wouldn't she have come inside? I haven't seen her since before she left with the bastard."

The furious, fox-like boy growled. "If something happened to her… I'll hurt the stupid, bastard for not being there." The dark haired female placed a hand on his shoulder in order to soothe him. "I'm sure she's not hurt by any means." The blonde nodded silently, glancing out the window to see nothing but pitch black.

Upon entering the empire, both Sasuke and Gaara noticed that something was wrong. Guards weren't in their usual positions nor was there any sound at all. The gates were broken down and the two entered to be greeted by the stench of blood.

They knew that most of the followers of Itachi were in fact demons and human slaves that were promised freedom when Itachi retired. Vampires followed him but they decided to split up so that it would be easier for their kind to stay safe.

Gaara ran up to two of the guards that were tending to others wounds. They themselves looked worn down and the ones they were helping out looked to be on the brink of dying. "What happened here?" Gaara inquired dropping down beside the others.

Pale green eyes met Gaara's emerald as the man spoke, "Orochimaru somehow managed to find out about Itachi being the head of the resistance… He attacked not too long ago and completely crushed our soldiers and citizens." At these words, Sasuke blinked to the village the towering walls protected and the small castle in the middle of it all. Without a word to the others he ran off.

The site he saw was horrible. Houses were burned like those of Hana's village. Helpless mothers that were trying to protect there children lay in puddles of blood. Small children were scattered everywhere. There was a sickening feeling in his gut that told him to get back to Sakura and Naruto quick.

But he had to figure out what has gone here. If Itachi is all right. Yes, he was worried that his brother was killed in all of this. The bastard still had to explain why he destroyed their family. And now it might be too late.

Danzou closed the door after they entered the palace of Orochimaru. He most likely had it constructed from the tributes he was getting from his supporters. It was weird that all these people actually agreed with Orochimaru. But she did see reason in his ways. All he wanted was to end the discrimination of vampires among others.

He wanted peace to reign among the once respected race of their world. Not to live in darkness under Itachi's rule. Sasuke could barely show his face anywhere outside of their village or he would've been staked by the people unwilling to accept the ones different than their own.

"Sakura, it's good for you to join me tonight. I'm pretty sure that you weren't expecting any of this, but don't worry. We won't harm you at all." The way Orochimaru said it all convinced her that he wasn't as bad as they had said. The man motioned for her to sit down. "Sakura, I would really like it if you could convince Sasuke to help me," he said softly placing his chin on the backs of his propped up hands.

Sakura tilted her head. "How about we make a deal? If you can convince Sasuke to work for me, then I'll let you and him stay together. If not then someone will quickly be gotten rid of… And that's not what I like doing. Seeing someone as innocent as you dying at the hands of me for the fate of your lover. What do you say?" The girl grinned and replied quickly, "Yes."

Gaara helped treat the wounded men and sent them with word to the king to protect all of the victim's of Orochimaru's wrath. He and a few guards made the trek towards the castle where they saw Sasuke crouched down in the church part of the castle.

His eyes were closed and his legs were folded beneath him. In his hands was a chain with his clan's symbol dangling from the bracelet. A hole in the beautiful stained glass windows let in the moonlight. The fine beams shone down on him casting his hair into a blue hue. The cross that sat upon the large stage was cast into flames due to the attack.

"Sasuke," Gaara spoke to the younger boy gaining a nod of acknowledgement. One of the guards walked towards him as he said, "Lord Itachi has escaped with a few others. They are asking for a treaty with Tsume and her followers." The word Tsume brought back some painful memories for Sasuke.

The day he was captured by her soldiers. The long scratch on his cheek from the queen herself. Hana saving him from death. The description of what he looked like from his dear cherry blossom. The attack on the village. Hana's sacrifice and his own expected death. If it weren't for Rock Lee and Shino, under Gaara's orders, he would've been dead.

"Master Sasuke, someone is here to see you… or rather a few people are here to see you," the guard that had stayed behind at the castle's door stated simply then moved aside to reveal the unsuspected visitors. Upon seeing them Sasuke knew something was up. "Yo, bastard, where'd you leave Sakura?" came the voice of his blond companion.

Sasuke furrowed his brows and stood. "What do you mean, Naruto?" the Uchiha asked his eyes narrowing to slits. Gaara noticed this and frowned. So the rumors about Sasuke receiving the curse seal was true. And the fact that he was transforming into Orochimaru must be looked into immediately.

Naruto, however, wasn't afraid of the tension in the air. He stood his ground as he spoke, "Sakura was with you last. She came back with you, but after you left was no where to be found." Sasuke's eyes flickered to their crimson state. "What the hell..?" was all Sasuke murmured as he made his way towards the others.

Before anyone else could speak, one of the badly injured guards that sat against the wall, to weak to stand up, spoke of the battle. "Orochimaru led his armies in here, but with Zaku and Kin in the front of it all. Word was sent to the king not too long ago that those two had been captured and Dosu killed. If this wasn't odd enough, Danzou, who was sent with the resistance to fight Orochimaru, was in the flanks of his army."

Sasuke turned to the bleeding man and inquired, "And what does that have to do with anything?" The man, who was now coughing up spit and blood, smirked and stated, "Danzou hates the fact that he will never be promoted to a level that he or his family might inherit the throne at sometime. Orochimaru wants to be king, and if Danzou can get anything useful for Orochimaru he'd bargain it with him."

Naruto was now the one to grow impatient with the man's ramblings. The affairs of the vampires were childish and stupid, no wonder nobody else wanted to get involved. They were way too complicated. "Just get to the fucking point," Sasuke said before Naruto had a chance.

The guy closed his eyes for a brief moment. "He bargained Sakura, the heir's one true weakness, in exchange for power." The raven haired Uchiha blinked in confusion. Last time he checked he hadn't a weakness. Especially the damned cherry blossom that constantly distracted him. "Then he's wasting his time," Sasuke said bitterly finally managing to find his voice.

The guard just shrugged. "If they can't get their plan to work then they'll dispose of her." Sasuke smirked. "Like I care. They can do what they want with her. I really have no use of her other than to restore my clan. If they kill her I'll find another." The sapphire orbed boy that stood speechless at first was now irritated.

He slammed Sasuke into the wall. "What the fucking hell did you just say? I dare you to repeat again… Come on say it, I promise you won't feel a thing. There's only the fact that your head will be unattached to your fucking worthless and pathetic body. You won't have a chance to restore your damned clan and nobody will give a shit because you were to damned blind to know when your friend's in trouble!"

Everyone stood stunned. Sasuke glared as Naruto tightened his hold around Sasuke's neck. His expression alone was a welcome sign for Naruto to blow the vampire's brains out… if he had any to begin with. "You're not even worth it," the mage spat out as he let go of his supposed friend's neck. "C'mon let's go get our friend back."

Sasuke rubbed his neck. He wouldn't give Naruto the pleasure of killing him and he knew the blonde could never do it in the first place. He was too weak when it came to things like that. But he did have a point in all of the things he had said. But what about what he said in the forest? He had said what he meant. And he knew that if Sakura were to go away and never come back in any way, then he'd never find another quite like her. The way her skin felt underneath his touch and the way her green eyes glistened with lust after he'd kissed her was all too maddening. It was enough to let him save her. He stood from where Naruto had dropped him as he said, "Fine. I'll go with you to get her."

"Here you are, Sakura, my dear. We are sure that Sasuke will be here shortly and when he is we'll make sure to bring him to you." Orochimaru said gently showing the girl her room. A large white bed sat near a frosted window and the carpet felt nice under her feet. She smiled at the man as he shut her door.

Was this really a good idea? A lot of people were going to get hurt in all of this. Even Sasuke. She sat down on the bed and reached into the right pocket of her pants. She pulled out the necklace Sasuke had made for her.

The jade stone was now slightly cracked, but it was still beautiful to her. She placed it around her neck and smiled. But for some reason she realized she was working for the wrong reasons. Sasuke would never love her. She was forcing him to stay and all she wanted in the first place was for him to willingly be with her. All she wanted was for him to love her the same way she loved him.

Tears rolled down her cheeks at what she had agreed to. The other reason she had to do this was to see if he'd actually care for her enough to prevent her from dying. But that was one thing she had also agreed to. She couldn't tell Sasuke that her life was on the line. He'd just have to follow his own heart.

As the group came to the massive building they saw Orochimaru waiting for them. "You must really like the girl. But I knew you'd come… especially you, Sasuke. She's devoted to you and you really should look into that for the little clan restoration thing." Orochimaru's mouth curved upward into a smile.

Sasuke growled narrowing his eyes the man. The older vampire just shrugged and said, "But you're far too worried about avenging your clan to even be thinking about restoring it." Naruto rolled his eyes and shoved past Sasuke to get to Orochimaru. "I think we're all a little too old to be getting into these kind of fights, especially you, Orochimaru. You're like what? 2,000,000 years old!"

Apparently age was a sensitive matter for the man as he held Naruto up by the collar and with amazing speed slammed him against a wall. "Naruto!" Hinata cried rushing over to her semi-conscious friend. They were a little short of man-power to take on Orochimaru at the moment. Neji was with Ten-Ten watching over her and they lacked any soldiers right now, most had been slaughtered due to the vampires' ambush.

"Just let us in," the Uchiha said his voice dripping with boredom. His eyes tried to keep off of the blood that ran down the side of Naruto's face. The smell of it alone brought a sudden queasiness to his stomach, which was weird since he was after all, a vampire.

Orochimaru moved aside to allow the group entrance. Shikamaru now carried Naruto inside with a worried Hinata following shortly behind. Ino sat atop the elf's shoulder sadly glancing down at the mage. "All of you, excluding Sasuke, follow Kin and Zaku to the dining room.

Sakura smiled as she watched from the very top of the stairs as her friends entered the building. Neji and Ten-Ten were missing and Naruto seemed to be unconscious. She really wondered what happened to them.

Kin had given her a new dress, saying it suited her better, and Sakura figured that she was right. It was all white with a few pink cherry blossoms scattering across the fabric in intricate designs. It brushed against the floor she stood on, even in the shoes she wore. She leaned against the railing to get a better look at Sasuke.

He wasn't all too happy. Probably because he had to travel all the way back to get her. She dropped down to the ground when his eyes shifted to where she stood. She didn't want him to see her yet. She wanted their time alone together to be special. She didn't want anyone else to hear what she had to say. The cherry blossom wanted her Sasuke all to herself.

Making his way up the flight of stairs, the Uchiha sighed to himself. What the hell was up with Orochimaru? And why was Sakura still safe? He would have gotten rid of her. So maybe they all actually believed that Sasuke had some sort of feelings for the girl. They were badly mistaken.

He knocked on the door to her room. It opened only seconds afterwards and he was tugged into the room by the female herself. He found himself pinned to the ground in a matter of seconds with the girl snuggling close to his own body.

He wriggled underneath her but she made no motion of letting go. "Sakura, get off of me," he mumbled struggling out of her grasp. She smiled at him and he wondered if she even knew the amount of danger she was in.

"Sasuke, I have a favor to ask of you," she spoke softly with a small smile on her face. He helped her to her feet as he motioned for her to continue. "Please, work for Orochimaru." Sasuke furrowed his brows. What was she getting to? "He has some really great views, Sasuke. The kind that will rekindle the fame and power of the vampires. We could be together in Orochimaru's world!"

Sasuke shook his head. "Sakura, what are you getting at?" The green eyed neko tilted her head as she answered gently, "I agreed to help Orochimaru out… I believe he's not that bad." In an instant her head was throbbing due to the impact of the wall. Sasuke head his hands gripping her wrists tightly pinning her against the wall.

"What the hell! He's tricked you into believing him and now you're going to get everyone hurt. Don't you care about all the lives you've just thrown away because of this stupid choice? People are dead and others like Ten-Ten are going to die! Are you stupid, Sakura?" The Sharingan glared down into her emerald orbs and she started shaking immediately.

Her eyes closed as salty tears raced down her cheeks. The Uchiha blinked as she started to shiver. He was frightening her. "I-I didn't mean to. I just wanted you to be with me… There isn't any one else. Orochimaru promised me," she sobbed into his chest.

His grip on her wrists softened. He brought her hands down and placed the left side of his chest. In an instant she realized something. "Sasuke," she started as more silent tears streaked down her face. The boy gave her a sad smile as he stated, "You can't love me, Sakura. It's not right. I'm basically an empty vessel. There isn't a soul, just a body that goes on living with the mark of the Devil's on their neck."

Sakura shook her head as he removed her hands form his chest as he placed a hand and hers over her own chest. He covered up the blush that adorned his cheeks as he spoke, "You have a heart and a life. There's a future for you that you will never have if you stay with me. That's why I can't agree with you and Orochimaru. That's why I'm not going to join with Orochimaru."

Her emerald orbs watered again as she leaned forward. "Then I must bid you farewell, Sasuke," she said closing in the distance between them. Sasuke seemed a little confused by her words but he didn't hesitate to kiss her back. Sakura shoved him back when she felt him reply.

"No, don't," she sobbed. As he tried to embrace her petite figure, she only shoved him away and walked toward the door. Sasuke was about to speak but she instead spoke. "It was part of my deal with Orochimaru. If you had agreed, I'd be fine. You disagreed so then I must die…"

TBC

A/N: I'm sorry for the cliffy in the last chapter! And sorry for not replying to anyone's comments! I've been busy and I figured out that one of my friends was bad bipolar (the one that hates my story) Anyways, I'll try and update soon! Buh-bye (don't forget to review)! Love you all!

Sweet Bliss