A fire's flame heated her face, its gentle warmth causing her exposed skin to tingle. Listening to the crackling of embers, Sakura felt cozy and safe, humming appreciatively as she pulled the blanket up to her chin.
When did I climb into bed?
Drowsy lids struggled to open themselves, but even through her blurry vision, Sakura could tell she was unfamiliar with her surroundings. Immediately on guard, she popped up, scanning the interior of the dark, cave-like room she found herself in. She wasn't sure how she got here, or where 'here' was, but she was positive she didn't get there by herself.
Sitting up, she swung her feet down to the floor, sitting on the edge of the cushioned sofa in front of the stone fireplace. Squinting her jade orbs, she used the dim light of the fire to get a better visual of her environment. Sloughing off the blanket that had covered her, Sakura realized she was still in her wedding kimono, swallowing at the reminder of what had initially brought her so far from the village.
A clap of thunder reverberated through the stone walls that encapsulated her, its sudden rumble causing her to flinch. Slipping a hand under her dress, she retrieved the kunai hidden on her thigh holster, gripping the handle firmly as she slowly stood, ready for action. With the fire being the only source of light, it was easy to see the sides of the dungeon-like room, but the ends were too dark to estimate its depth accurately.
"Put down your weapon," a dark voice called out to her from the shadows.
"Why would I do that?" Sakura responded firmly, tightening her grip around the kunai as she strained to see through the pitch black cavern.
"Trust me, if I wanted you dead, you wouldn't be awake right now."
"Why should I believe you?" she answered sternly.
"There's a storm outside," the deep voice reflected from the depths of the cave.
"So?"
"Do you think I'd save a sleeping person from a storm if I had any ill will towards them?"
Sakura knew he was right, the fact that he had carried her to wherever they were now and took the time to keep her warm under a blanket by the fire was proof enough that she was not in any immediate danger. But it didn't mean she had to trust this faceless person. He remained hidden, which made her think he had something to hide. Deciding to drop her weapon for now, she re-sheathed her kunai, her eyes never leaving the dark corner where the voice was coming from.
"So, why bring me here? What do you want?"
"Call me curious," the man remarked cryptically.
"Curious... about?"
"About the crest you are wearing."
"It's the Uchiha crest," she admitted suspiciously, knowing it was one of the most famous family crests. Even civilians from other villages knew of this crest, it was no secret.
"I'm well aware," the voice responded, intense and edged with its own suspicion. "I'm just curious as to why someone who is not an Uchiha would wear it."
"Why would you assume I'm not an Uchiha?" Sakura clipped, wondering what this guy's deal was.
"I know you're not."
"So you know me, then?" Sakura posited, raising a brow.
"Not in great detail, but enough to know you do not possess the Uchiha powers."
"You obviously don't keep up with current events," she commented offhandedly, knowing her immanent betrothal was the talk of the town.
"Does it look like I keep up with the current goings on of your village?"
Looking around once again, Sakura admitted to herself that anyone who chose to live in such a dank cave like this so far from the village gates probably didn't get out much, let alone keep up with gossip. But this person did know of her, and what village she was from, even though they were technically at the border of Land of Sound. She could've been from either country, yet he had known exactly what village she was from. The question was, how?
"I suppose not," she huffed, choosing to sit down on the couch, her eyes staring at the delicately embroidered fabric of her gown. "I'm to wed an Uchiha."
"I see," the voice spoke with thinly veiled interest. "Why is a Senju like you marrying that Uchiha brat?"
Senju? Where did that come from?
The only Senju Sakura knew was Tsunade... but why would this stranger assume they were related? Unless...
"What makes you think I'm a Senju?" she pried, knowing the man knew more than he was letting on.
"That seal on your forehead. That is the saisei jutsu of the Senju."
"Who the hell are you?" Sakura demanded, glaring into the darkness.
"Who I am is of no importance anymore."
With another clap of thunder punctuating his cryptic words, Sakura narrowed her eyes. She wasn't sure who this mystery hermit was, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she should know him. Not only did he seem to know about her and her powers, but he knew of "that Uchiha brat," Sasuke. Whoever he was, she was sure they had met before.
Unfortunately, she couldn't place his voice, however smooth it was. His low tone had a dark timbre to it, and his carefully measured words indicated a certain dignified discipline. His words carried an almost regal-like air to them, which only increased her eagerness to find out more about him. Surely this man was more important than he let on, and Sakura surprisingly found herself intrigued by the bewildering man in the dark.
"So, you're saying you were important at one point?" she questioned, her face softening as she bit her lip in thought.
"I thought so... but I was wrong," the voice sighed wistfully.
A slight frown formed on her lips as she heard him speak, he sounded so... troubled. She couldn't imagine what it was that had broke his spirit to the point of rejecting society and living alone in complete darkness. Whatever pain that had brought him here was palpable, and Sakura found herself empathizing with him. After all, she had ran away from the mixed bag of emotions that awaited her back home, and could definitely see the appeal of being alone with your own thoughts. However, it would seem this man had taken it a bit further. Who knew how long he had been here, or what he had endured that would make him think living this way was the better alternative.
Either way, she was grateful he had the kindness and decency to take her in before the storm ruined her gown. Her fingers traced the cherry blossom details around the cuff of her sleeve as she was lost in thought, her mind once again returning to what awaited her in just a few days. At least she had some time away to think things over, even if she was stuck here with a curious stranger. Oddly enough, it felt comforting being here.
"What happened?" Sakura eased, hoping that his words would distract her from the battle going on inside her own mind.
After no response came from the dark voice in the corner, she nodded to herself, understanding that perhaps they did not wish to share their thoughts on the matter. Maybe it was a sensitive topic, and she felt bad for being so nosy.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked," she apologized, noting the uncomfortable silence that surrounded her words.
From the darkness, Sakura heard a slight rustling. Glancing up, she still couldn't pierce through the dense blackness at the back of the cave, and was slightly frustrated by the one-sidedness of the situation. He could easily see her and read her body language, however, she was completely in the dark when it came to this man. It wasn't the first time she had been frustrated by not being able to see a man's face, her own sensei coming to mind, but still... she wanted to know with whom she was conversing.
After a long sigh of reflection, the voice finally answered her.
"I was blinded by the misgivings of my past. I misinterpreted things, and ran away from my duties and obligations. I was convinced, to a fault, that I had to do things my way... and in doing so, ruined the only real bond I ever made."
Not expecting such an honest confession, Sakura felt the rawness of his response. Knowing her current situation somewhat mirrored what he spoke of, her heart sank. She was still uneasy with the prospect of having a future with someone that had tormented her past, and she knew that running away was not the answer. At the thought of ruining the bond that she and Sasuke had, her frown returned. She knew she loved him, but was just momentarily confused and needed time to think... perhaps this man could offer some insight. Sometimes the best way to solve your own problems, was to help someone else with theirs.
"That sounds awful," she replied quietly, her voice barely louder than a whisper.
"That would be an understatement."
"So what did you do?" Sakura probed selfishly, hungry for answers.
"It's a little late for a game of Twenty Questions, and I need to rest. The storm might last through the night so you can stay if you want, or leave. I don't care."
With the rustling of linens, Sakura could tell he was turning in for the night. She looked around, trying to see if there was even a visible way out, but didn't feel like expending the energy to look around aimlessly in the dark. Telling herself she didn't want to risk muddying her dress, she laid down on her side, pulling the blanket up to her chin. Satisfied with staying here just a bit longer, she watched the fire burn in front of her. The yellow and orange flames flickered in darkness, causing the shadows on the walls to dance to their own silent song. Letting her eyes shut, she listened to the delicate splintering of wood, its crackle and pop as the fire continued to burn pulling her into a deep sleep.
