Authors note: First, I want to apologize to my readers at how long it's taken me to update this story. I'm not going to lie; I've been tied up with work and operations overseas that I haven't had much time. Major huge changes, and a major writers block. I hope that this chapter doesn't really show how bad I'm suffering but I thought I'd change up a few things, and head this story in a slight different direction then where I hand anticipated for it to go. A few stories are coming up on the two pairings and there kind of knock offs on other peoples work, I can't really say anything affecting me personally but I just want people to know, that if it's not original and it's not your work---then what the heck is the point? Originality is what makes a story, but I don't think authors should up and quit. Pft nobody likes a quitter please R&R, and I hope to have another chapter up before the end of next week.

Envy My Pain

Chapter 4: Thirty-Two

By: A Sinners Curse

Thirty-Two days.

It had been thirty-two long miserable isolated self-demeaning days. Sakura had been locked and imprisoned in the seclusion of a private chamber that adjoined to the master suit. No visitations, no visitors, no conversing with anyone or anything but her self and her inner-self. Thousands of questions where reaming threw her mind, it was bewildering questions as to why he'd lock her up and throw away the key. It was hard and mentally impossible to force out the small muted sounds of the voices that carried through the thick stone walls. It wasn't hard to her annoyance to distinguish the grunts or moans that slipped threw---it wasn't hard to make out the shivering feverish cries of both sexes intermingling in physical activate.

Frustrated, and self-loathing of her own inability to figure out why she was placed in this cold loneliness. It was belittling and dulling to her senses, even when she had first pounded furiously on the wooden door the separated the two rooms, or the reaping of the wall as she began to toss inanimate objects through the air and towards her object of irritation, it was when she'd reached the second month that she'd given up completely.

One window was all she had to see the outside world. A solid split between stone, and stone with a fiery crimson stained-glass appeal. It was only thin enough to maybe slide out a hand or a leg, but nothing large enough to slide through. Even if she'd wanted to escape---there was an eerie feeling that she was to high up from the ground to even manage a suitable escape. Not before someone would note the lack of chakra present in the room.

She sighed, anything you could think of, she'd tried it. Her only plan of exaction left was suicide, and although Sakura was lonely and a bit wiry and upset she wasn't stupid enough to contemplate suicide. She'd considered herself above that. But, it wasn't something she wouldn't disregard entirely. She'd refused to grow old in a dark dingy tower…even with food and water being shoveled under the stoop of the adjoining room. She needed more…she need to see outside to feel the air…to breath and feel. She was going insane. Insanity wasn't something she understood. The definition---the side affects, but to slowly feel the depths of your mind escaping you was troublesome and fearful.

She heard the light pad of feet, sandaled feet to be precise. She hooked her fingers under the wooden latch, as she pressed her fingers forcibly on the small flapping door. If they weren't going to let her out, then she was going to force her way out. She'd go without eating, without drinking---she'd be doing a number on herself but what they didn't know was that with each meal she'd been given in the last thirty-two days she'd been preserving pieces here and there. Enough to make her go about two-weeks without escaping another meal, despite the small rations she was a Shinobi first and always. Or so her captor had told her, so she'd be able to survive the comforts of a good hearty meal. To them, she'd been starving herself---perfect. This wasn't such a ditsy plan as the last few failed attempts at escape. At least she was trying. She could hear the servant try to force the flap forward with a tray of food, only to find the small flap forced shut. She heard a grunt as the servant attempted again…when a third try was attempted she heard a click of a tongue. All servants were given strict orders not to negotiate in any conversation with the prisoner.

So there was no side remark at her new attempt of escape. Sakura sighed as she lifted her fingers from the latch. Now, to find an object to block the path of the small door flap.

"Hn'"

"Maybe you should use a drawer from them night stand, fill it up with a few objects that give it enough weight that it won't budge."

"Ingenious."

"Thank you."

Sakura hummed under breath, as she did exactly that. Her ingenuity was---well one of a kind. She thanked her inner self, what would she do without her. To be honest with you, in these last few days it seemed like she was remembering bits and pieces of her former life, it was like her inner self was constantly reminding her of things. Small things, but even the smallest of details are important.

She looked over at the disheveled bed, when one was imprisoned they spent a majority of it sleeping. Nothing to write with, nothing to do---nothing to occupy herself with, it gave her plenty of time to think things over. What made her hurt more though, where the sounds behind her. She noted that the bed must have been close, because she could hear the head board clashing against the walls late at night---the whispers of 'pet' and mewling. What was she suppose to do? Cry? Was she suppose to cry? It hurt, deep down it hurt that he'd replace her and lock her away. Why? What had she done? The last thing she remembered was him whispering he'd play the part of lover. And when she awoke she discovered this place. No sooner had the day passed had she already heard her replacement over the echo of stone walls.

She shivered as she slithered under the cool sheets. Ever week a fresh lay of linen would lie under the door for her to take, already assuming she'd take the dirty ones and push them under. It was nice to smell something fresh---and clean. Just like she had a small shower. Nothing like Itachi's main room but it would suffice for its use. She didn't really lack anything, she had good food, good comfort---the room wasn't small were it was boring and dull. But, she had a shower and she had light---even a small window. She took in a breath as she felt herself growing tired. She began to doze off---and yes she was so mentally exhausted that she didn't really care. She'd skip dinner tonight---she wasn't very hungry. Her appetite was failing her, and she just had little to no energy to do anything but scheme an escape. Something---what if that stupid door trap doesn't work?

She sighed, finally allowing sleep to overtake her.

Thirty-two days, he'd been on the trail of finding Sakura. He had turned up empty handed---and apart of him was feeling the old him returning. He'd failed his friends once, and swore upon blood, pain, and tears it would never happen again. How was it possible for a young Kunoichi like herself to end up with S-class villains with the flick of a finger? He had been weak, and because of it she was going to pay the ultimate price, her life. He was taking in the memories of his father, the moment suicide which seemed to over come his deepest darkest fears. He understood failure, and it was something the Hatake family could take so lightly. Especially when the mission was to protecting the ones you loved. Yes, the great Copy-nin would be lying if he said he didn't love each member of team seven. It was bound by destiny, and it would be the same strip of destiny that would destroy its very foundation. First, he had lost Sasuke, second he'd lost Naruto in a comma, and now his most prized pupil Sakura to the same blood lusting bastards that took the lives of many great Shinobi before him.

He felt a hand to his shoulder. Twitching under the impact of such a light touch---invading his personal space, it wasn't long before the person found a dark droopy eye dipped in aggravation of his inner thoughts---and inner discomfort at being touched. When his eyes touched on crimson, he softened. Ah' yes---Kurenai Yuhi. Interesting that it would be her to come and aid his insanity, although then again the poor women was undergoing her own solitude of pain. After the death of Asuma---things haven't been the same. Damn those bastards, they took everything.

"Tsunade wanted me to check-up on how you were doing, I guessed you'd be here a the memorial grounds."

"Hn."

"Then again, I'm sure your in the same boat as me. Suffocating…"

His one exposed hue darted to her, already he saw the start of tears. He assumed that her love for Asuma was much deeper then what he expected from the beginning. Interesting how that all occurred. Interesting in deed.

"Suffocating…a strange comparison but I suppose that's a good word."

"Were going to find her, Kakashi. I have a feeling that thing will turn out for the best."

"I have no doubt that I'll find her. I just hope by the time I find her---my Sakura will still be there."

"W-what do you mean?"

"Itachi is defined genius gone mad. His intelligence is what makes him chronicle insane. I'm just unsure…for the first time in a long time…I'm actually unsure. For once I'm incapable of performing and executing a mission. I'm actually…

"Scared," she finished for him. Knowing the worldly acknowledge Copy-Nin would never except defeat to his inner conflicting personality. He was to strong to acknowledge his pain. It was tearing him apart.

"I'm scared too---on how I'm going to move on. After the death of my lover, but we do continue our lives. A few tears here and there---but life moves forward, almost as if he never existed. His name etched there on that stone along the side of many other heroic hero's of our village. At least with Sakura-Chan, you still have hope. Whereas all I have are distant memories."

"What's to even say she's still alive?"

"Hope."

"Hn."

She slid a little closer to him, pressing a hug into him---but he made no motive to comply or to any reaction to it, the only thing he did was lift one arm and secured the hug. Knowing that she wasn't really doing it to comfort him, as much as she was trying to comfort herself, he had been close to a friend to Asuma if not more so then she. Not in the physical aspect but the two of them had served along the side of one another as comrades for years. It had been a great loss for the village---and for those who closely knew him as mentor, friend, and family.

"I heard that Shikamaru, one of Asuma's former students is taking up personal responsibility on upholding the Asuma image."

"You're trying to humor me with conversation Hatake."

"I guess…we both need to delude ourselves of the present for now---forget the present and enjoy the moment, eh?"

His eye crinkled as she gazed up onto the intense gaze of the famous, Copy-nin. He was trying to be discreet on his choice of words but she knew what he had implied without any real though she nuzzled into him and pushed closer to his side. She'd be a fool to think that he promised what Asuma did, after all Hatake Kakashi was in love with his former student, Sakura. This was just something to mend each other in there dark hours.

"Promise me, the next mission pertaining to the Akatsuki..."

"Hn'"

The heavy metallic door was shoved forward a bit uneasily due to the fact that something was blocking its path. A distinctive click of a tongue was heard, although this was no servant. She shot from her bed, and her gaze locked head on with cyan colored hues. Her heart which seemed frantic with panic seemed to slow to a halting pause. Why was he here? She gave him a rise of brows, and he began to examine the door way---and then the cutter of broken objects that littered the room.

"Hn' I always knew you weren't housed trained, pet---yeah."

She felt her head heavily lay to rest back on the pillow as her eyes darted to the ceiling trying to feel her body's logic sense. She turned her head, slowly towards the figure at the door. Soft green meeting clashing fearfully to cyan.

"Your not letting me out, are you?" It was a pout.

"Unfortantly, I don't really have that authorization Sakura-Chan, yeah." He slid in slowly---shutting and bolting the door behind him. He sighed as he watched her flinch from the door, the freedom being shut away from her. She was beautiful---a rare flower indeed. To lock something so precious and beautiful up in such darkness…what a waist. He slid into the bed, shoving her delicately over. He noted how she didn't flinch---didn't fight him, and when he found her shivering and hugging him tightly around his mid-waste he was lost for words.

"Stay here, with me…please."

"For you Sakura-Chan, anything."

"Thirty-two days,

She pressed her lips to his, and his eyes shot open in surprise. She felt her eyes closing as she began to be a bit more forceful, wanting---and needing him to respond back and when she felt him respond---she grasped when she found herself under the weight of a very powerful Shinobi. She swung her arms around his neck and pulled him closer; it had been so long for human contact that she swore that the noises next-door drove her to jealousy and anger. Now she had an object to do the same, to show him that she didn't care, that she'd be with him just like she had been with him.

The kiss was magnificent, and when she had been arching into the heavily cloaked Shinobi she found her eyes darting to the now open door. She felt the man deep into the kissing of her throat halt very little, if only to pause with mild caution. She felt hate brimming from the pit of her stomach as she entangled her hands in golden locks her eyes closing into a deep rich moan. Her body was already half clothed in a thin-revealing nightgown—a onyx colored pink-laced silk dress. One that cut off right at her lower rump which was dressed in the same laced material. He watched, and she continued.

"Mmm…Sakura-Chan. Tell me cherry blossom does it hurt to be locked away, yeah?"

"Not as much as it hurts, not having your hands stroking my flesh."

"We've only crossed briefly…yeah?"

He pulled away to look down at her, noting how she was goading the man at the door. How interesting that he had yet to remove him from her. He grinned devishly at her as he blew up at his bangs that dangled over into view. His violet covered nails ranked down her well worked thighs.

"Somebody's been training. Even in the confinement of the room such as this. Yeah."

She said nothing as she noticed the dip in the bed, and the weight of someone resting on the corner. Watching, he was actually watching the two of them---it disturbed her and she shifted uncomfortably because of it, because she felt a pair of fingers skimming her now exposed ankles, no longer under the cool sheets.

"Don't worry about him, yeah." He dipped down to kiss her sweetly as he pressed closer to her body; he straddled her hips with his body so she was pinned beneath him.

"Sakura-Chan, were slightly upset that you skipped dinner yeah?"

"I'm not eating…"

"Your not…well that's not healthy, yeah?"

"What does it matter…if I'm caged---I'm caged it's my only defense."

"We won't feed you what you don't eat, Sakura. If you choice is to starve then that is your choice it will not change or alter your current status." Itachi uttered with a board expression.

She shoved at the blond Shinobi above her, furious at her captor's choice of words. She got know where but a pair of hands running down her arms only to force them above her head in a restraint of dominance.

"Tell me then Itachi-Sama, if I contemplated suicide what then---would it even mater if I live or die?"

"I never suspected you so weak minded. But, if it were to occur---then it would be an ease way out I suppose."

"Why am I here!?"

She felt cool lips kissing and suck at her throat, nibbling with eager attention to draw her thoughts away from her current mood of hatred. He was toying with her, couldn't the girl see how silly she played along. He began to be a bit more forceful with his lips---he was good with them and he knew he had an effect on her. He watched her hips arch up into his, and he selfishly grounded into her. Taking in as much of her he could, he was nibbling on a treat---and he knew that moment wasn't going to last. Not with Itachi present.

"I explain myself to know one, especially such a weak creature as you."

"Except to your Leader. So you're not as strong minded as you'd like to think. I'm your pet like you are his pet. The oppressed playing the oppressor, how comical."

Deidara flinched and pulled away from her, his eyes darting into hers with worry. As if telling her with a look that she'd crossed and invisible line, not meant to ever be crossed. She felt her ankles pulled and before she could comprehend the shift in Deidara's body weight she found herself pulled to the end of the bed, her feet draping of the edge with him standing up towering before her, he bent down so that his hands rested on either side of her head. His lips came down over hers and he kissed her tenderly, sweetly---enough to have her mind go from halting fear to one locked in a heated passionate kiss, they parted for air while Deidara gazed from the head of the bed in mind confusion.

"Deidara, my little pet has missed me. Her forked tongue drips with jealously---and hatred. And it taste just as divine."

He dropped his lips back to her own, and before anyone could bat an eye her hands where around his neck pulling him on top, and already she was grasping and purring for him. She had missed him, she was jealous, she was furious that he kept her locked up---for thirty-two days he'd dismissed her like nothing. Now, now she wouldn't let him go. She was finally giving everything to him.

"Just as he said---Interesting, yeah."

"Thirty-two days, to break a Kunoichi Deidara. Just as I said."

She heard nothing as she was kissing his lips again and drawing Itachi closer to her, as her legs managed to wrap around his cloaked hips. She tugged him closer to her as she whispered something that was surprisingly only audible by Itachi. His onyx hues only flinched with mild shock, he never expected that. Surprisingly Itachi, wasn't something easily accomplished.

"I love you."

Note: Okay, you know the gig. R&R, sorry if this doesn't come out perfect. I've been so tied up that I wanted to get the story updated. I'll make up for it with the next chapter. Promise, to all my readers---don't lose hope. This story is not dead.