Love is War

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Chapter Nine

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DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN NARUTO

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"Oh, fuck!"

The instant I came to, I was hissing and ranting in agony. I'd never had such a terrible headache in my life. My body was stiff, nearly numb with pain as I realized I was shackled by both my hands and feet, dangling from the ceiling by my wrists. The pain I felt in my arms didn't register until I noticed my situation- and not only that, but my left shoulder blade was on fire, as if my skin had been completely peeled off.

Shit. It probably was. My emblem was tattooed proudly on the skin there and they'd probably taken advantage of me being unconscious to take that away from me. That, and apparently my clothes as well. There wasn't a shred of clothes covering my aching body, but I wasn't cold. No, I was hot as fuck, my blood boiling as a rage like none I'd ever felt before coursed through me.

"Awake now, are we?"

My head jerked in the direction of that voice, eyes struggling to make out the male figure there, from the darkness of the room. He came closer and I recognized him to be the man from the restaurant, the one who'd got me into this hell. He was definitely Akatsuki, but why didn't I know him? Just who was he exactly…

"Who are you?" I seethed, needing to know so I could scream his name when I finally got the chance to kill his ass.

"Some leader you are. I know all about you, little Sakura, and yet, you have no idea who I am?"

His deep voice and sarcastic tone only angered me further. He could mock me all he wanted, but that wouldn't change who I was. My men respected me, acknowledged me. They knew what they had, how I worked. I didn't need anyone else to understand that. And almost everyone knew about me, so I wasn't surprised that whoever this guy was knew as well.

"I've had no reason to give a fuck about who you are before now. Now. I want to know."

In all honestly, I was in so much pain I could barely keep myself awake. My shoulders almost felt dislocated, my wrists were screaming from holding all my weight, and every time I thought about my current lack of clothing, I just wanted to scream. This was torture unlike any I'd ever experienced. Was it because I was a woman that they felt the need to strip me? These bastards were as low as they came.

"Oh, but you know my brother so well apparently."

"Your brother?" I croaked, throat bone dry.

"Ah. In fact, he was just recently recruited by you."

Kabuto? My lips mulled together as I thought it over, wondering what it all meant. But then as I really took a look at the guy before me, I realized it wasn't Kabuto he was referring to. Those obsidian eyes of his alone told me that the only man in my gang related to him had to be Sasuke.

Why my heart constricted at the thought, I didn't know. There were many things to contemplate, many curiosities floating around my mind, but I didn't want to face them, so I ignored them altogether.

"So it's you huh… you're the Akatsuki leader? You mean to tell me you finally came out of hiding after all these years?" A wicked laugh escaped me then. I had always wondered who the guy was, being that he never showed himself, never ran jobs, never got in on a run in. In my books, he'd always been a scared little bitch, so I was surprised to be seeing him at all.

"Maybe that's what you should have been doing, instead of exploiting yourself so regularly. You never shy away from your rank and therefore, everyone knows who you are. It made it all the easier to keep track of you."

"So, you've got me. Kill me. What the fuck are you waiting for?"

The man's shoulders shook with another wave of laughter. "All in due time, Sa-ku-ra. It's not only you that I want, you know. If I just kill you now, I won't have the chance to get my hands on all those other big wheels in Tasogare. What I need is for them to come to me, where I can take you all out at once. Including my foolish little brother."

"You think it'll be so easy? You think so little of my men?" I spat, trembling with anger. "Know this, Akatsuki bastard… You're a dead man."

"We'll see little girl."

Coiling back, I stiffened with nowhere to go as he pinched my chin between his thumb and forefinger. He looked me over, a suggestive smirk on his lips as his eyes trailed down my naked body. I wanted so badly to put a bullet in his head, and if that couldn't happen, I just wanted to die. Anything but to have someone like him looking at me in such a way.

I never wanted any man to see me like this. Feeling violated and all-too revealed, I spit right in his face. He'd taken my gun, and my honor- but I'd die before he took anything else from me.

"Hm." He wiped his face slowly, still grinning like a twisted freak. "I quite like you, actually. Too bad you had to be the enemy."

"Yeah. Too fucking bad for you."

"Oh, I wouldn't bother concerning yourself with me if I were you."

"This is some weak ass shit, you know. Fucking capture and torture? That's the only hope you had, huh? Too scared to face Tasogare straight up."

His finger ran down my cheek as he sighed. "No, not scared at all. But, I'm not fool either. We've been at each other for years now, I know your guys with excellent detail, and now you have my little brother as well."

"Oh yeah, the one who took out a dozen of you little bitches at once."

"Hmph." He tried to contain his laugh, but it slipped through. "Yes, that's him alright. Nobody knows his skills better than me. I did teach him everything he knows after all."

My teeth clenched and I wanted so bad to unload on his ass. I was so pissed. How could I have gotten myself into this mess- and what was I going to do to get out of it?

Unfortunately, I knew that my guys would find out exactly what happened and they would waste no time in rallying up and coming after me, ready for the war we'd all most certainly have to fight, but I didn't want it.

This was my mistake, my foolishness that had gotten me here, and I deserved to pay with my life. I didn't want to be saved. I didn't want my family to find me like this, to see what had become of me, to see me so weak and vulnerable. I didn't want to be held captive while those precious to me fought to save me. There was no way we would get out unscathed, not running in on their turf.

And Sasuke… This was really his brother? Then… what's their story? Did Sasuke know all along that his brother was the Akatsuki leader? Is this brother the reason why he holds his own grudge against them? I had so many questions, but my head hurt so badly. I wouldn't allow myself to pass out though, not with him here and possibly thinking about doing things that I could not let happen to me.

I would not let fear control me. I wouldn't let him get the better of me, and yet I was noticeably shaken. It wasn't like I believed in fairy-tail romances, or sappy true love shit. I wasn't saving myself for a special someone or anything of the sort. But, I'd never wanted a man physically- sexually. It wasn't something I needed, nor was it something I had been ready for. And as a virgin, and a woman- there was no way in hell I was about to let him or anyone else take advantage of me like that.

"Don't fucking touch me." I hissed, even my voice quaking as he'd let his fingers glide down from my neck to my chest. I had just enough play in my bindings to rock away from his touch.

"I think you need some more drugs, another good nap and maybe you'll have a little less attitude. But, don't worry- I'm a very patient man."

A door creaked open, causing light to filter in the room. While another man slowly padded his way into the room silently, I looked from the man before me, to the direction the other was coming from. He carried a bag in his hands that he brought over to his leader and handed over.

My head was ringing, I was dizzy and along with the pain I felt, it was becoming harder and harder to keep consciousness. Even the conversation they proceeded to carry out was lost to me as I groaned, squeezing my eyes shut and willing all my aches to subside, especially in my head. More than anything, I needed to keep my wits, I needed to know what was going on around me, but I knew that wouldn't be happening the second a second dose of that shit was shot into my neck.

As my body fell limp and I felt sleep calling to me stronger than ever, I tried my best to ask for death again. Death would be so much better than this, and I really needed to die before my men had a chance to come for me. Sadly, the only thing I found was a restless slumber.

…

A conversation nearby woke me, though I was groggy, my body heavy and I couldn't make out a word being said. I wondered how long they'd had me. It felt like I'd been suspended by my arms for days. It was painfully obvious that I was still naked, and I was more numb than I was in pain anymore.

Those drugs had fucked me up. I felt a combination of drunk, and hungover. Like I hadn't slept in months, and like I'd been beaten to a bloody pulp. My throat was dry, just the thought of it made me cough- and the cough causing my body to move made me realize I wasn't as numb as I thought.

"Feeling any less feisty now?"

"Pfft." I knew I was in a rut, more than likely one that I would never come out of. But, I would not give them the satisfaction they so wanted, no matter what they done to me. "You fucking wish."

Even speaking hurt and I couldn't help but wince. Laughter rang out around me, and though I couldn't see well enough to be sure, I was confident that there were now several men in the room with me.

"Okay then, round two. This time, while she's awake."

Someone was behind me, close enough that I could feel their presence, even though they weren't touching me. I flinched at the feel of a cold, sharp blade grazing suddenly down my spine. "Stop it." I snapped, coughing again.

"You have one more tattoo, just on the side of your leg. Though it's not gang-related, I think we should clear it off for you as well."

Their leader was one cold-hearted son of a bitch. Teeth grinding together, all I could do was hang there helplessly as the guy with the blade ran its sharp edge across my skin, just barely cutting me across my back, over my ass and down my leg. He circled the area around the tattoo, the blade digging more and more into my skin each time it went around.

"You fucking bastards." I panted, sweat dripping down the back of my neck. I bit my lip, fighting back a cry as I felt him slice into a thin layer of my skin.

"Oh, don't hold back. Scream. Let us hear you."

Sick fuck. As if I would ever give in. I didn't even let myself move, I kept perfectly still, willing it to be over as soon as possible. If I struggled, the cut would more than likely be worse, so I forced myself not to move an inch, and even though it was an excruciating experience, I didn't utter another sound until the skin surrounding my tattoo was completely cut away.

"Fucking. Kill. Me." Was what I finally seethed, my teeth clenching so hard my jaw was locked.

"No, no. That wouldn't do." The leader chuckled, coming to stand just before me. "Are you out of fight now? Should I take you now?"

"I don't think so." I hissed, my teeth unwilling to part as I fought against the intense burn on the side of my leg where my skin was gone.

"So, you're opting for more torture then?"

Nothing could be worse than him violating me. "Do your worst."

He cocked a brow, seemingly impressed. "Maybe a little whipping would do you good."

I forced my teeth apart just far enough to bite down hard on my bottom lip, causing it to bleed, but it helped me calm down. However, there was still nothing I could do but watch as that bastard was handed a whip while everyone else in the room made their exit.

"Don't do this." I told him, but I didn't speak the words for myself, I spoke them for him. Even when it came to my enemies, if I wanted them dead- that was it. Torture wasn't something I wished on anyone. But I knew if this went on, if my guys found me like this, there would be hell to pay. Nobody would be dying a quick and painless death then.

His only response was a harsh whip to my side. The impact stung enough to make me gasp and for the next hour, he really did let me have it- and when it was finally over, I was sure there wasn't an inch on my body unmarked by him.

Trembling and panting was all I was good for as he dropped the whip, while his cold eyes ran over my body. I'd never felt so bad in my life, but the effects of the drugs were worse than anything. My whole body was on fire after his assault and I wasn't sure what would be his next phase of torture, but I wasn't ready to find out either.

"How admirable. You are quite the woman, aren't you? To take all that punishment without a single tear, without a single plea… I was sure you'd beg me to stop."

I didn't respond. I was too shaken to even get my thoughts together, I wasn't able to fight back anymore.

"You can deny it now if you want, but I can see in your eyes that you've finally broke. However, I'm still not done with you."

When he grabbed a hold of my face, squeezing my cheeks tightly and forcing me to look at him, I grunted. The only thing I felt as I stared back at him was pure disgust. I'd never hated someone like I hated him. If my mouth wouldn't have been so dry, I would have spit in his face once more, especially when he leaned in as if to kiss me.

A strange beeping sound shot through the room, and he grinned as soon as he heard it. "Well, looks like we don't have as much time as I would have liked. Your little boys are here. Don't worry though, I'll still have you. We just need to make it quick."

"You'll have to kill me first." I managed, though my breathing was labored and I was once again on the verge of losing myself to sleep.

"You're completely at my mercy. There's nothing you can do to stop me."

Fighting desperately against my restraints, I moved around forcefully to keep him at bay as he reached for me, but he wrapped one arm around me waist and pulled me flush against him, so tight that I couldn't even hope to move anymore. I hissed when he bit my neck none too gently while using his other hand to roughly grope me all over.

He was really serious about it and my heart was pounding fearfully when he stopped touching me to reach towards his jeans. Fuck. I knew now that he wasn't going to kill me, and if the guys had come, I could only pray one of them would find me in time to kill this fucker before he got any further. He moved behind me after a moment, his hands rubbing across my backside just as the door was forced open with a slam and even as blurry as my vision was, I knew the instant I glanced at the door, taking in the light there and the man who stood just at the threshold- that I was saved.

A/N:

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