Caranril: Yay, Commisar of the Books, I lurvs you very much.
Legolas: Warning?
Caranril: Hai! There's a bit of non-con in the beginning here. Nothing too graphic, but it might be nerve-wracking for some. This is why I have the rating at M just in case. But yay for the fluff later!
disCLAIMER: While I do not own Naruto nor any affiliated subjects therein, Kishimoto-sama does and therefore he owns my soul.
Chapter 7: The Holy Lord
"Think you'll have this down in two weeks?" Kakashi asked.
"Yes!" Kaori answered, panting. "I just need some time on my own."
"You also need some time to relax. When are you going to get that drink with me?"
Kaori sighed. "Sorry Kakashi-sensei, but right now I'm too wound up to relax. I need to keep training, training, training until I'm confident. You once said what I lack is confidence. I know I'm not ready."
Kakashi nodded. "I understand. Just don't take it personally if I don't come home tonight."
"Why would I take it personally?"
"It would just mean I found someone to replace you," Kakashi said slyly.
"You mean you found someone who could drink you under the table?" Kaori returned with equal slyness. Kakashi chucked her chin and then stretched.
"I think I'll shower and then head out. Are you coming in soon?"
"Yeah, now actually."
The pair returned to the hotel room, where Sasuke was waiting.
"I'm going out Kakashi," he said moodily.
"Let me shower real quick and I'll go with you." Kakashi disappeared into the bathroom, leaving Kaori and Sasuke alone. She still hadn't said one word to him, and that had to be a record of any person ignoring him. Especially a girl. Instead of hanging in his brooding presence, Kaori opted for the fresh air on the balcony, which overlooked a small valley of sand. The moon was full and the sky clear, casting animated shadows on the flowing landscape. She thought the Land of Wind was beautiful, even though the sand got everywhere. If she was distracted enough, she could imagine seeing a ship sailing across the sea of sand. The dunes would be swells and flurries little whirlpools. She found it odd that the desert made her ache for the sea.
Kakashi hollered his farewell and the door shut behind him and Sasuke. Kaori was quite relieved to have some time to herself that didn't involve strenuous training. First, she'd revel in the landscape a bit more, then she'd shower and walk around in a towel and letting her hair drip-dry. She'd order ramen through room service, as well as something chocolate. Then she'd go for a walk. Sunagakure was beautiful at night and so warm. So different from Konohagakure.
She was about to turn in for the shower when she heard scuffle. Just the slightest noise. And then she found herself surrounded by three masked men. Not just men, for they moved silently and quickly. Ninja. She didn't know where they were from, for none bore a hitai-ate. But she could feel the ill-wills bent towards her.
"What do you want?" she asked fiercely.
"Don't use that attitude with us," the one on her right growled. She could see the crooked-ness of his nose through the mask. "The Lord wants some background on his opponent, so the Lord sends us out to get some. We come back with strange news, and now the Lord wants the foreigner out of the picture."
Oh shit. Kaori swallowed hard.
"Yeah, that's right!" another chuckled unpleasantly.
"You realize Mao will be suspected if I disappear," Kaori said unsteadily. She didn't know if she could take three- "Agh!" She found herself on the ground as the first man back-handed her.
"Filthy bitch!" he spat. "Don't ever use his name! You are unworthy to speak of something so holy!"
Time for the game face. "The bastard's holy?" she smirked, spitting blood on the ground as she stood.
"Uttering the Lord's name through that disgusting mouth is blasphemous!" Ugly Number One continued, ready to strike again. Kaori blocked the blow and sent him flying into the Silent Number Three. Stupid Number Two snatched her from behind, holding her arms. Kaori gave him a swift kick in the shin, then grabbed one of his arms and flipped him over her head. As she straightened up and readied herself for a fight, Kaori fell back when two sharp pains penetrated her throat. A hard fist connected with her stomach and dropped her to the deck. Immediately Silent Number Three sat on her chest and held her arms still while Stupid Number Two bound her wrists together. She could hardly move her neck, but her eyes could see two long needles sticking out. She could feel the metal grinding within her neck as she struggled. The ropes chaffed her wrists raw as she fought weakly against the heaviness sitting on her chest.
Ow, she meant to say, but no sound came out. She tried other words, including "help", but only silence ensued. Ugly Number One smiled evilly.
"I've paralyzed your vocal chords with the senbon. Now you'll never say the Lord's name again. Or anything else for that matter."
Stupid Number Two held the rope binding her wrists as he stood. Kaori dangled uncomfortably.
"The Lord says he wants you out of the picture, but he didn't say dead," Ugly Number One said.
"Lord too smart for that," Stupid Number Two commented.
"So we'll have our ways with you until you crack and are unable to compete in the final exam," Ugly Number One grinned, stepping closer. "No one cares anyhow whether or not you compete." Kaori kicked out at him, only to be lifted and thrown on the wooden table. Stupid Number Two tied his end of the rope to the balcony rail, then joined Silent Number Three in keeping her legs spread apart. Terror rang through Kaori as Ugly Number One stalked towards her, loosening his belt.
"You can always tell which ones are the whores..." he drawled, grasping Kaori's zipper at her neck and pulling down slowly, his forefinger tracing behind. Kaori shivered in disgust at his touch.
"See? She's excited already."
"She ain't the only one," Stupid Number Two said giddily.
No, no! I'm not excited! Kaori tried to scream, but nothing came. Even if the neighbours were in their hotel room, they wouldn't notice the men's voices. And the rope and two other men completely immobilized her movements. Oh kami-sama she was really going to be raped this time! Terror filled every nerve in her body and made her muscles freeze.
Ugly Number One pulled out a kunai and cut the fabric of the outfit to remove it from her body. Kaori forced her mind elsewhere, calling upon her memories of Hitanichi, Naruto, Iruka, anyone who could make her forget the violations. There was disgusting chuckle, and then a hand grasped between her legs. Kaori squeezed her eyes closed, focusing with all her might on Kakashi's image. The hand massaged, dug, hurt. But even still it managed to bring that heat in a guilty rush. Kaori groaned silently, feeling disgusting and violated. She hated herself as her body responded to the touch. The hand withdrew as the fabric grew damp with excitement.
Her eyes still closed, Kaori felt hands roam her bodice.
"Hm," Ugly Number One muttered. "Guess the only way to get it off is to...cut it off."
Kaori's eyes flew open a warm liquid spattered her face. Ugly Number One yelled in pain at the kunai piercing his wrist. He dropped his kunai on Kaori and turned around, only to be met with someone's fist. Kaori couldn't see what was happening as the other two minions released her legs to join the fight. There was a moment of shock as she realized her chance. With a gasp and surge of adrenalin, she wriggled so the kunai fell on the table, and she used her feet to push it up as far as it could go. From there she managed to claim it in her mouth and use it to saw at the rope. Her neck was stinging badly from the senbon, but she was so desperate to be free that she was panicking.
With a snap the rope was cut, and Kaori sat up and yanked those needles from her neck.
"Ow," she cried, only to grab her hoarse throat as it throbbed. She threw the needles to the side and jumped from the table. Then she watched the fight in shock.
Stupid Number Two was already down and covered with blood, and Silent Number Three seemed to be dazed but functional. Ugly Number One and his hateful hands were fighting Hyuuga Neji. She hadn't seen Neji fight before and had a sudden fancy that his taijutsu was like a dance. He seemed so relaxed, with the exception of anger on his face, and easily deflected the minion's attacks. He finally hit Ugly Number One in the jugular and then chopped his neck, sending the ninja into unconsciousness. A kunai through his heart saw to it that the man would never rape another woman. Neji's white eyes stared at Silent Number Three, who panicked and leapt off the balcony. Neji rolled the other two bodies off the balcony and watched them tumble down into the sand valley.
Kaori stared at the bodies as the fell, feeling bitter and hateful and a bit disappointed that they didn't die by her own hands. Cold fingers touched her neck. Kaori jumped and smacked the fingers away, prepared to defend herself. She couldn't seem to stop shivering, even though the night air was warm.
"Don't be alarmed," Neji said calmly. "I don't mean to hurt you."
As if her body was catching up with her mind, Kaori found herself breathing hard, shaking, nerve-wracked as she realized what had almost happened.
"Kami-sama," she managed with a sore throat, sinking to her knees. Neji knelt beside her, determined to look at her throat. She wouldn't let him touch her, feeling very vulnerable and scared. Instead, he gestured for her to stand and led her into the hotel. Once she was seated he draped a blanket over her shoulders and started preparing tea.
"How?"
Neji paused, glancing at Kaori. "How what?"
"How did you...happen...to be there..." Kaori swallowed hard, "...right when..."
He brought two mugs of hot tea to the table, and Kaori immediately wrapped her hands around hers.
"I suppose you ought to know," Neji said quietly. "There's no point in lying about it. Tsunade-sama assigned me a mission to watch you train. Using my Byakuugan, I could see anything that might lead to answers concerning your physiology."
"So you've been spying on me."
"In essence...yes."
Kaori glanced at him, then back down in her mug. "I knew someone was watching me. I'm glad it was you."
Neji blinked a couple times at this.
"I mean, because I know it wasn't some pervert just jacking off every time he saw me sweaty and tired during training."
Neji cleared his throat. "Oh. Um, thanks."
"You figured out what's wrong with me yet?" Kaori met his eyes, looking vulnerable and confused.
"Nothing's wrong with you, Kaori-san," he said firmly.
"Then why do these bad things always happen to me?" her sore voice said shakily. "I'm like the bad luck charm no one wants around. All I attract are the creeps, and even they aren't attracted because they're just doing their job. I must be a creep myself."
"Well, you know opposites attract don't you?"
Kaori gave him a glare.
"Maybe not." Neji fell silent, preparing himself to say something difficult. He fiddled with the belt strap that dangled from his hita-ate. "I haven't had the happiest of lives. I hated my family for being cowards, and I hated the Head branch for making them that way. Up until my fourteenth year in life I was angry at the world, and the world seemed to be angry at me. Then I met Naruto."
Kaori smiled at his name. "That Naruto can sure change a person, can't he?
Neji nodded. "He taught me that I alone controlled my destiny and that my blood imprisonment was because I was letting others tell me how destiny worked. After that, things went so differently. I am able to talk to Hinata-sama without feeling intense hatred. Hiashi-sama trains with me, even with me at the level I'm at now. Hanabi still hates me, but I've never really cared for her anyway. And I have real friends." Neji glanced down, slightly flushed. "And a woman I care about."
"Tenten," Kaori said suddenly, surprised that the name came to her when the face did. Neji nodded.
"My point is that you may have an entire lifetime of bad luck, but one day things will be better than you could dream. You understand?"
Kaori smiled slightly. "I understand."
Neji reached for her neck again, but Kaori nearly spilled her tea as she avoided the touch. She looked apologetic but also very frightened. They sat in silence for a few more minutes, sipping hot tea.
"Hey Neji?"
"Yes?"
"You can keep watching me if you want. I...I'd like to help Tsunade-sama figure out what's wrong with me. Only this time, you don't have to do it in the shadows."
Neji allowed his small half-smile. "I shall do my best."
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"Did you actually intend to enter one of these bars and drink anything?" Kakashi wondered.
"I just need to walk right now," Sasuke growled.
Kakashi sighed. "You've been in a perpetual bad mood since we've been here. Why don't you relax some?"
Sasuke shot him a glare. "I've already told you. Don't make me repeat myself."
Another sigh. "Fine. I'm going to enjoy myself by myself. Or at least until I find someone to enjoy myself with," Kakashi chuckled. Sasuke only smirked and then continued to glower.
The Jounin was about to turn and leave his gloomy counterpart when he stiffened at the presences that suddenly surrounded them. Sasuke felt them too and was immediately on his guard. Kakashi pulled out a kunai.
"Hey, why don't you come out now?" he challenged.
One. Two. Three. Four. Five ninja leapt from the shadows and behind buildings. They were all armed and threatening.
"Sasuke," Kakashi said quietly. In a split second the two genius ninja attacked their foes. The first rule was to ask questions after you were sure of your safety. He didn't know how skilled these five men were, so he wasn't about to underestimate them. Every one of the ninja attacked and defended well, fighting in an oddly organized manner.. Sasuke was getting very frustrated as he positioned his back against Kakashi's.
"We can end this," he stated.
"At least one must still be able to talk," Kakashi ordered. Sasuke's eyes flashed red.
"Sharingan!" the younger man was a blur to the human eye as he attacked the enemies. His taijutsu overcame their much slower weapons, disarming the men and grappling with one who was very strong. Kakashi snatched one of them and ripped his mask off. He didn't recognize who it was, but the ninja grinned gleefully.
"Try as you might to defeat us, Copy Ninja Kakashi, we'll keep coming," he rasped. "But we will succeed in Lord Mao's uprising."
"Lord Mao?" Sasuke called back as he rolled backwards and flung his foe with a fierce kick. "Is it the Mao guy Kaori's up against?"
"Is it?" Kakashi commanded, shaking the dying man.
"We...will...kill...the demon chi-..." he choked on his last words before his breath halted.
"Kaori." Sasuke's red eyes glanced at Kakashi. Two men leapt upon the other man, beating him with their fists.
"Go!" Kakashi ordered, sending the ninja flying as he summoned his superior strength.
Sasuke ran without a backwards glance. These ninja hadn't had any special talents, but their numbers and attack pattern had been troublesome. Kakashi would be fine. Kaori, however, would not. He quickened his pace, dodging drunks and narrowly missing a street performer. He burst into the hotel and flew up the stairs, his heart thundering with every step. If they'd managed to hurt her...an image of Naruto beaten to unconsciousness entered his mind unbidden. The racing heart was in his throat as he crashed through the door. He froze, staring at a startled Neji and Kaori sitting at the table with tea. Nothing had happened. Nothing was wrong with her. She wasn't dead. Except...Sasuke saw her ruined clothes on the table and the oozing holes in her neck. He stalked toward them.
"What happened?"
Kaori looked away, trying to ignore him, but she couldn't hide the shame on her face. Sasuke squatted, grabbed one of the chair legs and yanked it so she was facing him. She spilled her tea all over the table at the movement.
"What...happened?" His black eyes met and held hers. Kaori winced as she swallowed hard, then covered her face with her hands.
"They tried to rape me," she said in a raw voice.
Sasuke's eyes widened and he glanced at Neji, who nodded in confirmation as he cleaned up the spilt tea.
"I thought you were dead," Sasuke said in a small voice. Kaori peeked through her hands, seeing the openness of Sasuke's features. He looked pained.
"Why?"
"That's what they led us to believe. The men who attacked Kakashi and me." Sasuke stood. "He's taking care of them now. I had to see...I mean we thought...I'm just glad you're okay."
Kaori tried to smile easily, but instead she started shaking and holding her head in her hands.
"I'm not okay, I'm not," she gasped, her breaths quickening at a startling pace. "They got even closer than last time. It took years to forget last time!"
"Whoa, what? Last time?"
"When...I...was...fourteen..." Kaori was clearly hyperventilating. "They tried...oh kami-sama..."
"It's okay, Kaori!" Sasuke took her shaking hands in his and held them tight. "You're okay."
"I'm not okay. I'm not okay!" she repeated hysterically. Sasuke released her hands and backhanded her furiously. He was momentarily stunned, but he recovered quickly before she could even respond to the stinging slap.
"Get it together, Akumako," he snapped. "You're a Shinobi and an adult. Use what happened to become stronger, not to provide a weak point for them to attack again."
"Sasuke-kun, I'm not sure-" Neji began. He glanced at Kaori's face, which was red with anger. She also looked terribly frightened.
"B-bastard," she managed, but she didn't start panicking. She held her hand to her face where Sasuke had struck. His knuckles had left marks that started to bruise. Sasuke gulped, regretting his violent act. That wasn't exactly the best solution to calming her down.
"You need to have someone take care of that neck wound," he said dully. Kaori looked like she was about to retort, then stood instead.
"Neji-kun, will you help me?" she asked, stalking towards the bathroom.
"Hai."
Sasuke kicked the chair, furious at himself for what he did. Now she would associate him with probably the worst night of her life. That was a great way to repair a friendship. If they'd even had one in the first place. He fumed in the kitchenette while Neji bandaged Kaori's neck in the bathroom.
"I'll be leaving for the night, but I will check in tomorrow, okay?" Neji said into the bathroom as he left. He glanced at Sasuke. He jerked his head towards the bathroom, as if to say go in there. Then he struggled to close the damaged door on his way out. Sasuke didn't go into the bathroom though. He stayed put in the kitchenette, helping himself to a cup of tea.
A few minutes later, Kaori walked out of the bathroom, looking dazed. She fiddled with the bandage on her neck while the other hand stroked her bruised cheek. Sasuke dropped his mug into the sink, causing Kaori to jump and claw at herself protectively. Her mouth twitched and she pretended to be scratching instead. Sasuke breezed past her and took over the bathroom to brush his teeth and undress. He wasn't about to leave her alone, no matter how much she hated him.
When he returned, Kaori was trying to rest comfortably on her bed. But everything about her screamed tension. She squeezed her eyes shut, like she was forcing herself to think she could sleep, and flipped off the light. Sasuke's eyes adjusted quickly and he made his way to his own bed. He could see her silhouette against the darker covers. She was shaking. She was silent, but the bed springs made slight noises as she trembled.
Kami-sama help him. Sasuke was feeling really bad now, something he wasn't used to. And it was a very disarming feeling.
"Kaori?" he mustered up. "I'm sorry. I came here worried that you were dead, and...I hit you instead."
"It's not your fault," she said thickly, her voice strange from the senbon wounds and the bandage. "I suck.. I lack...confidence. And no one cares whether or not I compete," she finished in a whisper.
"You don't suck," Sasuke said with a forced laugh.
"Yeah I do," Kaori said, rolling over, away from Sasuke's own bed. "I couldn't keep myself from being raped."
Sasuke felt himself move before he even knew what he was going to say. He climbed on the other side of Kaori's queen-sized bed and lay down. He reached out and touched her cheek, which made her flinch.
"Tomorrow I'll put you through some of my own training," he promised. "It's different than Kakashi's but maybe it's what you need to gain confidence. Plus you shouldn't be alone." He kept stroking her cheek gently.
"Sasuke?" she mumbled, sounding sleepy.
"Yeah?"
"I don't wanna ignore you anymore."
Sasuke smiled. "That's good."
"I do know about relationships. Actually just relationship. But please don't think that makes me stupid or anything. Sometimes all it takes is just one."
"Okay." Sasuke stopped petting her cheek and sat up. Kaori grabbed his wrist.
"You're not leaving are you?" she asked in a panic.
"I'm not going anywhere. Just to bed. Won't be but half a meter away."
"...mkay."
Sasuke gripped her hand tightly, which was reluctant to let go. When she did release him, he reached over to his side of the bed and pulled the covers out. He brought them over himself and Kaori.
"I'm not going anywhere," he repeated, taking her hand in his. He couldn't see her face clearly, but he could feel the smile in her cheeks. As he continued stroking her face, the smile remained when she fell asleep.