Hi It's me again and I am back to update. Sorry it has taken so long but the lack of reviews has been killing me. I would like 5 reviews before I update again. I hope you enjoy this chapter and please let me know if you have any ideas. Thanks to all those who reviewed, you are the reason that I have continued on with this story.
Sasori's Domain
The heavy door glided open and Sakura waited breathless for the stranger who was only seconds away from entering. Adrenaline pumped through her veins and Sakura felt her ninja senses kick into gear like a machine roaring to life. Odd, it felt like those same senses felt rusty, like they hadn't been utilized in a while. No matter, a ninja must always be ready for the unexpected. Her mind shifted into that of a warrior's.
Quick scans of the room all informed her that the balcony was her only other means of escape. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough time to analyze her environment. Another glance gave her a dismal report that there were absolutely no small objects in the room, the smallest probably being a chair. Great, so no possible offensive weapons. No matter, she could do this. She would protect herself.
With the grace from her training she leapt from the sleigh bed and onto the floor, landing in a defensive position, her fists at the ready. Inwardly, she smirked. That's right, her fists! With her monstrous strength, she would send any attacker right back through the wall. Her crimson dainty skimpy dress only added to the illusion that she was a weak helpless girl. Her kidnapper was in for a nasty surprise.
Finally, the door slid open gliding with the momentum. Sakura's whole body tensed, ready for the battle. Jade met onyx. Sakura blinked several times. Sasuke? It threw her off balance a bit. The teen before her looked remarkably like the Uchiha. It even made her heart ache when the stranger gave her the same blank stare. All of a sudden she didn't quite feel the warrior she was a second ago. She was quite aware of the flimsy nightie that clung to her curves and the lack of weapons on her person.
But admittedly, this was not Sasuke and so there were visible noticeable differences between the two young men. And while he wasn't as handsome as Sasuke, the stranger possessed the same dark beauty. Short combed midnight locks threatened to fall into blank onyx eyes. His skin was eerily white like it had never seen the sun. He was of an athletic build and Sakura could spot the hilt of his sword strapped to his back.
That sight caused her to regain her warrior mindset. He was armed therefore he was dangerous. Emerald hardened and the kunoichi clenched her fists tighter. This was still her enemy.
"Who are you?" Sakura ordered quietly so as to not alert any other of his companions. The soldier before her remained motionless and Sakura was ready to repeat the question again thinking he hadn't heard …when he…blinked and then proceeded to pull a small black book out. Sakura's mouth dropped open. Who in the heck is this guy?!
"That's odd. I was quite sure this says that the appropriate response to when you are rescued is to thank the rescuer. It said nothing of hostility…" Sakura looked at him and thought he was out of his mind. Seriously, she had met some pretty bizarre adversaries but this one had to take the cake. But through all of the flurries of her thoughts, one word managed to escape her lips.
"Rescued?' Sakura thought it a feat that his face remained genuinely baffled, like he was really telling the truth.
"Yes, I rescued you from that…creature." Sakura's eyes widened.
"What?" But then it did make sense. That lackey was about to attack and rape her when she blacked out so could it be that by some miraculous accident that this guy happened to save her? After all, this was not the same man who had been attacking her. Sakura's gaze remained narrowed. Could she really trust this guy?
"If what you're saying is true, then why, why save me?" Sai felt the echoes of the protective feelings he felt when he saw the girl in such a dire position. Still, as a ninja he could never reveal his true intentions, even if he didn't fully comprehend what they meant to him.
"Because I thought it would please Master Sasori and..." Maybe she could help him understand these feelings that were so foreign to him.
"For some reason unknown my chest tightened like it was in pain when I saw you laying there in such a vulnerable position. It was…discomforting" There, now maybe he would get an explanation for his uncharacteristic behavior.
Unconsciously, Sakura loosened from released tension. This guy is…telling the truth…
"Thank you…but …where are my friends? I mean there was…"
"You mean that girl with long violet hair?" Sakura felt hope rise within her.
"Hinata! Yes! That's her! Is she here?" Sai remained completely emotionless.
"No. My physical capacities only permit me the strength to carry one individual and still remain battle competent. I had to leave her behind."
Sakura's eyes widened along with her fear and panic.
"What! No, I have to go back and save her! Was she alright?" Already the girl was moving, Sai noted.
"No." His voice was cold and bare.
Sakura's gaze hardened. She would have to move him then by force. She would gladly send him through the wall with a smile. Her fists clenched at her sides.
Sai felt her chakra flaring out in warning. So the girl wasn't a helpless civilian. She was a kunoichi, and would be treated with the caution of one.
"I must ask that you stay here. It is too dangerous even for a kunoichi to venture out into the immediate area."
"Let me be the judge of that," Sakura spat. The girl was hostile indeed.
"There are various creatures that stalk the perimeter. It would be in your best interest to remain here. I will be leaving shortly to search for your friend."
Sakura's temper deflated immediately. That's right. There very well could be more dangerous creatures out there than Kakashi, the difference being that they would be hunting her. Everything was so twisted. She still had no idea why she was on this mission in the first place. What began as a need to know mission had now warped into a search for her identity and a struggle to survive. And now she was completely alone. She couldn't help but feel the despair as it crashed against her.
Maybe it was in her best interest to stay here. After all, nightfall was coming quickly if the setting sun was her warning. Tonight she would have to shift back into her true form for the first time alone. The last time she had transformed, it had been unconsciously and unintentional. How was she supposed to do it now? It wasn't like she had Neji here to guide her through.
Neji. Oh Neji! Where was he! Was he okay? How horrible that she hadn't thought of him! Her heart clenched praying that he was safe and sound. Would he find her? Only time would tell. For now it seemed her hands were tied and that she would have to place her trust in…in…
"What's your name?" How odd that you could have an entire conversation without learning the counterpart's name.
"My master calls me, 'Sai'. I believe it would be customary to ask what your name is as well."
"It's Sakura," she said tilting her head a bit in acknowledgment. This whole situation was awkward and weird as silence enveloped them. Said didn't seem compelled at all to continue the conversation and so she was at a loss. He just gave her this creepy obviously very fake smile.
"Why are you doing that? Why are you smiling like that?" She couldn't understand it, couldn't understand him.
Sai was perplexed.
"Is this not the facial expression that one expresses when they are trying to create a bond?" This girl baffled him. Was his book defective? Every test subject he encountered did not seem to appreciate or understand his attempts at the human nature. This skill that everyone seemed to possess naturally was proving to be entirely too difficult for him.
Meanwhile, Sakura's brows creased in concern. It was like Sai had no idea about what it meant to be human.
"Yes…I suppose it is…but can't you smile because you want to,because something makes you happy?"
Sai's cheery façade morphed back into its default blank state. Smiling simply because you're happy? Was the facial expression a skill one did not have to practice in order to perfect? Apparently, his lack of response was inadequate as well, as the girl before him shifted uncomfortably. This peaked with the sound of her growling stomach Ahh…
"You require nourishment. Here, come with me. Dinner will be served shortly and Master Sasori wishes to meet you."
This took Sakura by surprise.
"Meet me?" Sai was already turning around.
"Yes. I told him of you and so wishes to meet you. He is, after all my master and this is his residence, so is it not proper for you to meet him?"
Sakura was immediately sheepish. Well, that was technically true. She was taking advantage of his hospitality. So yes, the polite thing would be to have dinner with the master of the house.
Still, she couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that clung to her like a second skin. A ninja's job was to look underneath the underneath. What were "Master Sasori's" true intentions? But then…what other option did she have? She had no idea about her surroundings and so her circumstances left her crippled. She would have to go to dinner. If anything it would allow her to explore the area and then analyze to further strategize her escape if need be. The worst possible scenario would be that she would face a gauntlet of battles in order to escape with her life.
For now, she had no other choice but to follow. Nodding she took a step forward. Sai was quick to catch on and so proceeded to walk out of the room, effortlessly not walking too fast as to lose his guest.
Sakura wished he would. Sakura took one step out of the room and was immediately astounded by the luxury that surrounded her.
The floor was made of marble. Directly in front of her was a large mirror and table probably made of the finest quality. Candles mounted on mango colored walls gave the darkening room a warm glow. The most interesting thing right now was the large arching window she was approaching on her left. Trying to pace herself in order to not appear suspicious, she walked slowly to the window.
Sasori's domain was massive; practically as far as the eye could see, littered with lush wildlife and lagoons ranging in various sizes. She fervently prayed she did not have to fight her way out of here. She would most likely never make it. But what was that so far away it was almost a mere speck? Beyond the last barrier of the rock wall was…the beach?
Home. Why did that word echo from her heart or the feeling that she was so close to something? Was the ocean the destination that Neji was speaking of the night of her first transformation?
"Miss Sakura?"
Oh. Sai was calling her. Ridding herself of the unwanted thoughts, she hung her head and followed after her strange guide. The hallway was not long opening downwards into a spiraling staircase. The cool marble felt strange against her bare feet and Sakura could smell the slight musk that came with living so close to the ocean. She followed him down three flights of stairs finally stopping on the ground floor.
This hallway of sorts continued on a bit but widened. Now assortments of chairs lined the walls. But then to her left were doors that led to…the outside, well not technically. Out through the luxurious glass doors was an outside hallway of sorts. The floor was made of a reddish stone as well as the actual wall of the castle that she just exited. In front of her, a few feet away were stones where small waters lapped at them from on the other side.
Before her was one of the hundreds of lagoons that she had viewed from the window upstairs. This one seemed to wrap around the whole castle and had to be a maximum of two feet in depth, if the clarity of the water indicated anything. Already, Sakura could feel the inner pull to go into the water, to feel the cool liquid caress her skin…
Panic struck her an instant later. If she went into the water, she knew she would surely change. The sun was almost dipping into the horizon She didn't have a lot of time. Although, she could probably sneak out and hide in one of the many lagoons later.
Minutes later, they took a right and reentered the castle. Again, she stepped on marble floors. Although this time, there were intricate patterns in various shades of brown that were swirled in the marble. Now the walls were covered in cream and stone lanterns shaped like conch shells lined the walls.
Immediately to her left, she could see two large mahogany doors. Aromas of the most delectable foods assaulted her senses and she could feel her mouth water expectantly. Couldn't she go in there?
But Sai led her onward. And then the room shifted again, this time more spectacularly than the last. What high ceilings were before were now two stories high. They had just walked into a room the size of three ballrooms.
Where to start? Ahead of her, tall white columns spaced out in a circle, each to support a dome ceiling with priceless murals painted on the ceiling. Ferns were place in expensive pots. But to her left were marble stairs that led down into a lower level.
However, that which was most spectacular was that the outside lower level was actually underwater. The lower walls were glass showcasing what Sakura knew had to be the largest aquarium in existence. Probably because outside it was simply another huge lagoon.
"Wow…"
Other than that the lower level only possessed one piece of interest: a very long exquisite table. At the head of that table sat none other than Sasori. The man was dressed in priceless crimson robes which matched his fiery red hair. He was beautiful like a child though he was not a child himself. How could someone so young be the master of al of this?
Sakura gulped and followed Sai down the short flight of steps until they stopped at the midpoint of the table. Sakura watched as Sasori looked up from what looked to be a high quality gourmet meal to pin Sakura with a scathing glare.
"Who is this?" His tone was deadpanned, but there was also the distinct tinge of venom.
"This is Sakura. I found her in the forest."
Now Sasori's glare was leveled on Sai who didn't seem affected in the least.
"So tell me, what spirit of idiocy possessed you to bring this girl here."
Sakura's breathing accelerated. This was not looking good at all. Should she run now? Her indecision was postponed when Sai spoke up in her defense or so she hoped.
"You told me to bring back something unique."
"Let me guess, you thought the odd color of her hair would impress me? You truly are a fool!"
"Ah, but he is not my good friend."
Sakura's blood ran cold at the sound of that voice. Why was it so familiar when she could've sworn she'd never heard it before in her life.
Out from the shadows stepped the lord of evil himself…
"Orochimaru." Sakura whispered wondering how she knew what his name was. Instincts screaming at her, Sakura turned to escape only to stop a millisecond later when she felt the cool edge of a kunai against her throat.
"Leaving so soon? You only just arrived." Kabuto, her mind supplied. She knew him as the man who Kakashi and Neji were fighting in the forest. She was right. This was a trap. She only prayed that that the cost of her mistake wouldn't be her life.
Sasori still seemed unimpressed.
"And how exactly is this girl supposed to be something of value?"
Orochimaru licked his lips in predatory satisfaction.
"Oh you will see, you will see."
His movements were a blur among the trees. He had to hurry. The human male's scent was fading. Luckily his chakra signature as well as Sakura's was getting stronger. Neji pressed forward. He would save Sakura and he didn't need the help of that trash consisting of snakes to do it. Yes, he had to place his trust in them to keep Hinata safe but right now Sakura was top priority.
In the distance, he could spot the final trees and thusly the end of the forest. But what was more peculiar was that their chakra signatures were leading straight towards the ocean. No doubt this was most likely a bad thing.
Stopping in the last tree over looking the clearing, Neji looked out at the extensive fortress before him. Nagas. About twenty low level lackeys inhabited the place. However, Sakura's chakra could be sensed coming inside from there as well as numerous civilians. That only meant one thing.
Neji's pale glare narrowed even further as his jaw clenched. Orochimaru was here and he had Sakura.
Please review, and know that I am looking for a beta if anyone is interested. Until next time!