Capitulum VI – And she was met with her executioner.

"Come, Sakura. It's been far too long. How have you been doing?" Madara beckoned her to enter his office.

He had intercepted her jet merely 30 minutes after take-off. Conveniently caused engine troubles had forced them to land on a small airport in the countryside. Instead of repairmen trying to fix the plane, she was met with men in black suits ordering her to get in the car. She hadn't even had the time to change her clothes. And now once again she was faced with the most dangerous man she knew.

She watched Sasuke do a lot of cruel things while they were married, but Madara was a whole new level of brutal. Nevertheless, he seemed like Prince Charming personified. He was old school; good manners were of utmost importance to him. The way he talked, dressed, his body language, his entire outward appearance always radiated class. But Sakura knew, underneath his alluring persona, he was the most sadistic man ever to walk the face of the earth. Except for Lucifer maybe.

"Cut the bullshit, you know I didn't kill him." Madara leaned back in his black leather chair and clasped his hands together. "Ah yes, your failed attempt on my great-grandson's life. And your failed attempt of convincing him that Madara Uchiha is the real big bad wolf." With a cocky grin he watched her squirm in the seat opposite him. "Did you really think he would believe you, Sakura? After everything you did to him?" – "After everything you made me do to him." A dark chuckle escaped his lips, one that very much reminded her of Sasuke's. "Come now, Sakura, don't pin the blame on me. All I wanted was for you to gain his trust, find out as much information about his criminal empire as you can and then kill him. I never said anything about making him fall in love with you and getting married. The heartbreak is all on you, my dear."

Sakura looked down in shame as Madara reminded her of the harsh reality. It was true, he never specified in what way she was to infiltrate his life. Sakura could have gotten a job as a maid in his household, she wouldn't have even had to talk to him, but no. She had to fall in love with Sasuke and get married.

"Don't be so disappointed, Sakura. It wasn't entirely your fault Sasuke didn't believe you. Even if you'd still had his trust, it would have been quite difficult for him to wrap his head around the idea that I'm still alive. After all, I took great precautions so everyone believed the exact opposite."

Sakura clenched her fist in anger. Telling him the truth was her last resort, although she had already guessed Sasuke hated her too much to believe her. Call it naiveté, but a tiny part of her thought that maybe, just maybe, there was still something inside him that would react to her in a positive way. She was torn from her thoughts when she heard Madara's deep voice again. "Luckily, you seemed to have lost all credibility in his eyes, so little Sasuke shall live on believing his dear great-grandfather is still very much dead."

Sakura eyes met the cold onyx ones of her former boss. So much alike, she pondered, yet again, so different.

"But here you are, Madara Uchiha, alive and kicking. The one who orchestrated the downfall of the Uchiha dynasty from the shadows when Sasuke was a child and the one who will pull out all the stops to kill him as well, so you can be the last one standing."A self-satisfied grin spread across Madara's lips. Seeing any form of smile on his face always unnerved Sakura. But then again, Madara himself was unnerving in his entire being.

"You humble me, Sakura. Though I have to admit, the Uchiha massacre might just be my magnum opus. Not even your charade with Sasuke made me so proud, and that one was delightfully insidious."

Sakura glared at him with a look of defiance. "Your days of glory are over, old man. He heard the rumours, he will find out the truth and he will end you."

Madara propped himself up on his desk and straightened himself in front of Sakura. He was menace personified. From friendly and charming to intimidating and frightening in a matter of seconds. Sakura knew she hit a weak spot. She was shaking inside, but she couldn't let him see it. With all the courage she could muster, she stood up, raised her chin and looked him dead in the eye as Madara approached her. He stopped right in front of Sakura and looked at her with a blank expression.

"What you fail to grasp with that tiny little brain of yours is that my days are just beginning, dear Sakura. Yours, however, are nearing their end. And Sasuke's as well, for that matter. I don't care if he believes you, I don't care if he comes knocking tomorrow or if it will take him a year to realise the truth. Because no matter when he finds me, I will be waiting for him. I will be there to put an end to your beloved ex-husband's miserable life and I will do so with great pleasure. Because nothing and no one will stand in my way."

Sakura could feel his hand cupping the back of her neck and his cold lips kissing her forehead. She closed her eyes in disgust.

"Thank you for your services, Miss Haruno. It was a pleasure doing business with you, but I'm afraid we must part now. I wish you all the best for your future endeavours, however transient they may be. Zetsu shall see you out now." As Madara turned to head back to his desk, the doors opened behind her.

And she was met with her executioner. She looked into Zetsu's gleeful expression. She knew what was about to happen to her. The pale-faced man in front of her was Madara's most trusted subordinate and enforcer. He also had an infamous reputation as a torturer.

"Long time no see, Sakura-chan."

She knew she would never see the light of day again.