Readers: I have updated. Oo'

Envy My Pain

Labyrinth of Deceit

By: A Sinners Curse

The anarchic labyrinth seemed to fade into the backdrop of the distance, as Kakashi's ANBU team began to retreat back into familiar territory. As they continued there retreat Kakashi had this eerie premonition that the labyrinth had been created by the elite Hunter-Nin Zetsu himself. If this was so, they were fortunate enough to escape with the skin on there back. Something was defiantly off, this was entirely way to ease.

The twisted underworld of chaos had spun a web of illusions, as if the plants themselves had possessed an evil entity matching there creator.

The sunset captured Kakashi's tribal marked dog masked in its majestic radiance. His head tilted back to a low arch bending towards the distance. Kakashi mentally mused at Zetsu's skill; he was obviously very skilled in the arts of illusion.

For the Labyrinth seemed to fade, and take on the appearance of a tangled mass of woods. It was a wooded forest that reeked of a distinct evil, but held nothing that hinted its true purpose of creation.

Suddenly Kakashi felt the weight of the girl shift in his arms. The Hokage had handed her over, entrusting her to safety to Kakashi, as she herself secured the rear.

Sakura's body was flaccid in the arms of her former Sensei. The girl took on the very image of a lifeless doll, of Sasori. Sasori, the same villain of the Akatsuki that she'd killed. An elite, skilled S-Class Shinobi defeated by a lower-ranking determined Kunoichi.

The only thing that reassured the Copy-Nin that she was not dead was the faint repetition of her chest rising and falling and the steady strumming of her heart that tickled at his exposed finger tips. He was periodically checking for her vitals, watching for any dramatic drop or change from her current status.

He noted that she was sweltering to the touch, already whatever seal Itachi had preformed on her was setting in its sinful effects. He noted the beads of sweat that began to form and emboss over her pail flesh, it was a hint that her body was fighting and rejecting the forbidden seal.

His heart clenched when he saw her brows extend into a worried arch, it signified that even though she was cataleptic she subconsciously fought an inner battle. It was a battle that the great Copy-Nin could assist in.

The only thing he could do was stroke her affectionately, as his fingers caressed through the pink tresses of her disheveled bangs.

He continued his stroking as he cradled her in his arms above the heights of monstrous tree he perched on. The elite team of ANBU, trailed close behind, as did the Fifth who was effectively ensuring there safe returns of all persons into the safe haven of Konoha.

Sakura was in a fragile state, both physically and mentally. There was no way around her feeble conditions, whatever they'd been subjecting her to it was enough to make him worry that she'd be to weak to fight this forging curse seal.

Unfortunately this seal, wherever it might be, or reside he had yet to witness. It wasn't as noticeable as his other two students, who'd held the markings of there own cursed seals.

It was dawn by the time they'd made there safe return into there haven of home. Everyone, weary from their mission and turned in early to get rest, but for Hatake Kakashi there would be no sleep and no rest.

Her fragile form shuttered in his strong arms, and then he realized when he'd rested her down on the hospital bed that Sakura suffered from the effects of the seal, not from the embedding of the seal. This was strange, how long had she been subjected to the effects of this seal? He pulled a basin of water over, as he began to drench a washcloth in a fresh cool clean basin of water. He twisted it in a knot as he rung out the access water, before he smoothed it over her forehead and face and down along her neck.

He repeated this process, until he noticed her body's reaction. She was smoothing into a heavy dosage of sleep. He already, had a gage and needle at hand. He took the rubber expendable tourniquet around her upper arm before he tied a neat knot over her agile arms.

He slowly rubbed the soft skin with an alcohol pad, cleaning the skin for germs or any sentiment. He sighed, as he lightly tapped the IV bag, allow some water to slip through the bag and dripping its way into the over flow compartment.

He, his keen senses took note of the best vein, as he unclasped the tourniquet and inserted the needle and began to tedious task of setting up an IV. He could tell she was severely dehydrated, lacking proper nutrients. Once the IV bag was set up, and the drip was effective he glanced to the door where the Tsunade stood, leaning against the door frame as she watched the Copy-Nin take in the role of protector.

In her hands, she held a hard case, and in the case there would be a series of complicated drugs that would educe Sakura into bliss of unconsciousness. The dugs would induce her into a secluded place where she'd feel no pain, while she slept out the effects of the seal.

"Kakashi, I think it's best that you get some rest. She's safe for now, and she'll have the protection of my staff to overlook her if something should be needed."

"Hn."

"Kakashi, I've been patient, and I have been courteous to your sentimental attachments to team seven. I understand your compassion for your teammates, and I understand the depth of your determination to outlive your father's failure. But, I will not ask you again. Get some sleep, and return when you've had proper rest. You're of no use to anyone in your current state."

As if he heard nothing, his hand stroked threw the young girls bangs. He sighed, roughly behind his mask before his body sagged up in a lazily manner. He cocked his head to the side as he all but crinkled his forced smile behind the mask.

With nothing else to say, he was gone with a puff of smoke; leaving the room to the fifth and her apprentice. The fifth entered the room completely now as she shut the door and locked the latch. Her azure hues locked onto her apprentice.

"Sakura, what trouble you've gotten yourself into, Girl. What were you thinking to take on Itachi alone, with your two comrades down? You've matured so much and that fearful flower that always hesitated, has bloom. Blossoming into the most dangerous and sought after blossom. You've become a prize, among the ranks of men Sakura. I fear that even with the power of Hokage, I won't be able to change the set course of your future."

The woman stroked through the pink tendrils of her students hair, mimicking the same affections her former Sensei had just moments before.

The fifth bent down and pressed a kiss the young Medic-Ninjas forehead. And without so much as a flinch of hesitation the Hokage unzipped Sakura's top piece.

The zipper ended at the juncture of her student's lower abs exposing the high arch of the young girl's hip bones and covered lower half. Her breast covered and bound by tight bindings.

A muttered curse escaped under the older woman's lips, her eyes flustered into a frustrated outrage.

As suspected. Over the womb of Sakura rested the symbol of Itachi's Mangekyo Sharingan. It was a signification of ownership, and complete domination over the young girl. This forbidden seal was defiantly Orochimaru's doings. Although this seal had been whispered about behind closed doors, this was the first time Tsunade had ever seen it or actually heard of its use besides what she'd acquired for the thirds knowledge and his notes of what he suspected when he'd been analyzing Anko.

Anko had something very similar to this, although the seal that had been placed on her, was closely spread, the markings on each side of her stomach, which bared the marking of the heaven seal above each ovary, which were the two productive organs of a woman.

Tsunade lightly ran a finger over the marking, and with that she heard her student whimper out softly, as if in pain or pleasure the Hokage didn't know.

She didn't want to aggravate the seal, anymore then what was needed. For now, she'd let Sakura rest and in the morning she'd try to gain some info from Anko that could unreal the real side effects of this seal, and what it was fully capable of.

The Hokage gripped a near by chair, in a firm harsh grip. You could hear the dim screech of her dragging it along the cold hard hospital flooring as she angled the chair near the bed. The tired, woman plopped down with a heavy sigh, her eyes darted one last time to her resting student, before she closed her eyes and drifted off into a light slumber. She'd be the only person to guard Sakura through the night; she didn't trust the seal and its capabilities. Just as much as she didn't trust the S-Class villain, would mark her for his.

The drapes where pulled tight, blocking out the sun that threatened to overtake the white walls of the hospital room. The Fifth calmly arose, with an achy start. The chair had served its purpose, uncomfortable. It had only been a few hours of sleep for her, and yet nothing had seemed too changed.

Her student was still imprisoned into a deep state of sleep. The tall youth-looking blond pushed up, stretching with another yawn as she made her way hastily to the door, swinging it open. There was a lot that needed to be done, and there was no room for procrastinating.

With a loud booming voice, she demanded the presence of Anko. The twittering busy staff halted in there steps, as there eyes all locked onto their single entity of fear, as laughable as that might be, everyone knew never to cross the easily aggravated blond. Everyone began to buzz about like a hive of bees, trying to meet there demands of there Hokage within posthaste speed.

Pleased, the Fifth returned to her room were she took her seat into the same uncomfortable chair as she waited for the zealous loud moth Jounin to enter to her summoning.

Blue eyes, peered behind the curtain as the Fifth took on the scenery blow. How much Konoha had grown, even after its attack by Orochimaru all those years back, it was as if its destruction only strengthened its purpose.

But, why now did Orochimaru scheme to destroy his own village? Was he still displeased with the outcome of the Thirds choice?

Why had Orochimaru taken the Thirds decision so near and dear to heart? This job was more troublesome then its worth, Hokage wasn't just a title it was a passing of all your freedoms and rights to preserve the freedoms and rights of the Shinobi village.

Orochimaru was too selfish, and to overbearing to take over a job as tiresome as this…why didn't he see threw the errors of his ways? They had been friends once upon a time, she'd trusted him. She'd even placed faith in his ability as a teammate to protect her, and support her, how laughable that was now.

Not only had he betrayed her, he'd touched a deep pain that swelled inside her heart. Dan…and her brother, he'd manipulated her to serve his purpose, and had Naruto not been around, she'd probably taken the bet and raised him two.

With the use of his soulless arms, she'd have unchained them from the very depths of the underworld. He'd once again wreak havoc on the same village she'd fought and protected all those years back.

Naruto. Her head tilted to the side, and there on a bed no more then an arms length away rested the zealous loud mouthed blond. Already, Kyuubi was healing and restoring his weakened state.

She smiled warmly and affectionately at the sleeping teen. He'd come along far from his prior conditions, but he still needed to be looked after and monitored. He was too stubborn for his own good.

She sighed, as she knew he'd wake up worried, once he awoke and saw Sakura sleeping next to him. She'd hesitated at first when she saw Kakashi laying her to rest in the same room, but then again she saw it fitting that the two teammates stay together. They would need each others support, and love to get through this tangled mess.

The door which was now unlatched turned and azure hues darted in the direction of the creaking door.

Sasuke.

Obsidian hues, locked onto azure hues. The tall now matured messing Nin entered through the entryway. He wasn't hesitant or surprised; he showed nothing in the signs of fear or uncertainty. Arrogant and self-assured, he glowered at the Hokage.

"You weren't summoned, Uchiha," She hissed with anger at his open display of disobedience.

"I'm not here for you, or you're summoning. I'm here to see Naruto."

"Careful brat. Because of your recent betrayal to this village you still walk on thin ice."

He was careful with his next choice of words, but his vacant expression held no merit to respect or loyalty. He only cocked his head in the direction of Sakura, as he watched her with intensity of anger.

"Don't worry…I'm not here for your precious student."

"Oh?"

"You place her value way higher then what it's worth, Tsunade."

"Let us hope, that only I assume Uchiha. Because, as it would your brother has something planned for her. So don't get any scheming ideas. Even if you're trying deceiving me---it's pointless brat if you think that you can delude your true attentions. Your avenger spirit wouldn't hesitate to use her as bait to seduce your brother's attentions. If you even so dare as touch her Sasuke, I'll personally make you and brake you."

"Pft," He snarled in her direction as his eyes glowed into that eerie crimson red.

"I'd never stoup so low as to use her, as bait."

"So, you still openly detest the only woman who could ever love a sinner like you. I pity you Uchiha."

"Pity, detest? You're putting words into my mouth. I don't detest Sakura, you only assume. Like the rest of the world, always assuming the worst possible. As you've already stated, I'm obviously scheming. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think anything I would say…would change your closed and absent mind," He mocked his last part with a sneer, "Hokage."

The Fifth restrained her fury; she knew that that was what the young Uchiha was trying to do. To goad her to her might fury. A woman at her age knew best, so with a cool and corrected response, she replied, "You are dismissed, Uchiha."

"Dismissed?"

"Yes. Until farther notice, this wing, this room, and these two people…you are dismissed until farther notices. You have yet to prove your trust, and loyalty to this village. Betrayal runs deep Uchiha, and your forgiveness will come with the price of blood and tears before you are trusted in the eyes of your superiors and underlings."

"Pft even if you dismiss me now Hokage, I know Sakura, and I know Naruto…they'll even though forbade by yourself, with seek me out."

With a poof, he had vanished like the darkness of night. He was a whisper that ran chills down even the Hokage's spine. Orochimaru, and him were almost an interlocking connection that they shared. The likeliness of their cold heart and their shared desperation for there own personal vendetta.

She glanced back, Naruto was stirring, and it would seem that he'd needed a change of IV bags. She sighed, as she reached the door again to command out assistants, but was halted in mid breath as Anko, groggily wavered at her door.

"You're late."

Anko gave an over dramatic sigh as she slid into the room. She cringed as she heard the booming voice of the Hokage beckon a nurse's aid, to accomplish the tasks of the two Shinobi she watched over.

Tsunade watched Anko lean, ever so lazily at the edge of Naruto's bed. She drew in a large stifled yawn as her honey-brown hues darted groggily into the Fifths.

"Well, I had a late night mission. Any way's what's up? Something wrong?"

"Look Anko, I'm not going to press you for the information. This is a very personal subject for you---but I need to know, because the same thing that Orochimaru cursed you with, Itachi has done to Sakura."

Anko reached up and grasped at her cursed sealed mark that was embedded at the curve of her neck. Anko's eyes darted up with worry.

"How did he---"

"Not that seal, Anko."

Her eyes, drew up with more fear and more shock all at once. Anko shifted uncomfortably as her eyes drew away from the Hokage. Yes, she knew what she'd meant when she'd referred to the two heaven seal markings of the white snake. Two markings that only a selected handful of people knew about. It was forbiden to talk of such things, but the circumstances have changed.

"Is she stable?"

"She's stable forthe most part. Her fervor has dropped, but after she hit her head---she's been unconscious ever sense. She's shown no noted signs of a comma, but there's no saying she can't slip into one. Fortunately, she still responsive to all of her senses, as well as the sensitivity of her seal..." The Hokage gave a long pregnat pause, as her eyes watched Anko,"Tell me Anko,What is this seal?"

OO Oh my goodness…I've decided to update! Hope this chapter met to my reviewers standards. I apologize for the grammar and spelling errors ahead of time.

So…I bet your all wondering what the seal is? Hn' I'm sure you've all baked up some ideas already. Just know, don't assume you know… P