A/N: Hey guys, okay yes I'm really sorry it took so long I had a shortage of ideas, but hey its out so chill okay? Um. Well enjoy. I want to thank all of our fans and people who review. I want ten reviews before chapter 4 comes out so REVIEW! Yayy

Special thanks to DrownMySoul for always keeping my spirits up and reviewing.

On with the story!

The Target

Sakura strode through the winding streets of the town defiantly, ignoring the sideways glances and whispered hushes all around her. She couldn't possibly imagine what she looked like to them, with her torn shift hitched up to expose the various cuts on her legs and the state of her hair and makeup. But right now she really didn't care; no one would recognize her as the prestigious geisha, Sakura Haruno, not in this state.

To them she was just an unfortunate whore who had a bad client last night. Her feet carried her through winding streets and abandoned alley-ways; they knew the way to the okiya without a second thought. That let Sakura's mind wander.

What was she going to tell the Mistress?

Would she be kicked out?

Was she an idiot for not returning last night?

The thought of last night brought tears to Sakura's eyes again; a fresh wave of pain surged back. She didn't know why she had given in to her mind, why she had allowed it to relive all the worst memories of her life. Last night was a blur and some decisions she had made were reckless. Running off into the trees and never looking back?

Did she ever think she could do that? Stupid Stupid Stupid

Sakura didn't even remember what she thought last night. It was as if she wasn't even in her body but the dull throbbing ach in her heart reminded her that she really was.

As her bare feet, matted with dried blood from her scratches they suffered from the rough rocks and twigs, carried her to her "home" she absentmindedly gazed at an especially lovely emerald pendant that lay on a worn out piece of lavender fabric, locked onto a golden background. The buttery sunlight played across it, making the pendant look ridiculously bright, like the vender had spent all his time polishing it. The rich molten solid was engraved intricately with a design in an unfamiliar language, but Sakura was sure it told of adventures and love, both of which she would never have, or so she thought. The chain was long and made perfect and even, with intense care. The sunlight danced off the brilliant gemstone and Sakura found her envious of its wondrous appearance.

She let a sigh escape between her open lips, a wisp of a breath, carried away in the fast current of the wind. Velvet eyelids slipped over her eyes, their color like that of the emerald, yet the irises lacked the sparkle that appeared in the gem as the rays of gold glided over its smooth surface.

She gazed at the bustling crowds, feeling the childish stab of jealousy as she spotted a family. Two parents held the small, puffy hands of their young child. They smiled down upon the fortunate child as if the sun shined only for her.

Her feet stung as it met the rocky ground of the dusty road. Once again, she closed her eyes, basking in the warmth of the sun, longing, no, needing to rise above all this, to fly above the clouds, to allow her buoyancy to lift her to a place where she could be Sakura.

She shook her head, shaking her rose pink hair messily, pushing aside her thoughts, she could never destroy them though, and she always ended up hiding them in a crevice deep into her mind. As her hair settled onto her shoulders she found herself standing in front of a familiar building. It loomed over Sakura, intimidating anyone unfamiliar, yet instead of feeling relieved of reaching home she felt a heavy weight build on her shoulders. She had lived in this very establishment for three years yet she despised the very soil it was built on.

Sakura Haruno loathed being a geisha. She resented the way the women acted so reformed and poised, stifling their real personality. She couldn't stand it when women in her okiya were haughty, giving Sakura evil eyes while gossiping about the latest scandal. "Did you hear about how Kanako Hoshinama broke the antique china cups?" Speak of the devil. As Sakura stood at the opening, rice paper doors did nothing to lighten the voices of the gossiping women. As she stood there, listening in on the latest stories she still could not lift the inquisitive cloud that hung in her mind.

What was so interesting about other people's mistakes?

She took one last deep breath of fresh air and slid open the screen doors. All the geisha were arranged like a beautiful painting in the central courtyard. Some sitting on mats playing the shamisen, while others trod the stepping stones of the garden admiring the blooming cherry blossoms.

It made Sakura sick. This whole world was a game, everything they did; every movement was to be pleasing to the eye and utterly enchanting. Nothing was real, everything hidden behind fake smiles and the slightest flick of a wrist. This world was slowly killing her and she knew it perfectly well.

All at once the godly trance was broken and all the girls turned their heads towards Sakura. Slowly pairs of eyes widened as they took in Sakura's state. They all stared dumbstruck letting their jaws hang open in the most un-ladylike fashion. This gesture brought a wry smile to Sakura's lips, seeing them pulled out of their perfect world into reality, pulling down the façade gave her a strange sense of accomplishment, a sick strange feeling.

Ami was the first to break the silence.

"Sakura, what happened to you."

They were rivals ever since the first day Sakura arrived at the okiya and the chairman stopped by, he funded the okiya. He ran into Sakura into the garden then proceeded to tell her she was going to be a great beauty after giving her his handkerchief. Ever since "mother" had taken a liking to Sakura and picked her to inherit the okiya after she had died. Ever since Sakura became the most celebrated geisha of her time and Ami had to settle for second best.

Her pathetic attempt at fake sympathy dripped with sarcasm. It made Sakura want to unsheathe one of the kunai strapped too her leg and hurl it at Ami's head. No doubt it would find its mark.

"I was occupied," replied Sakura coolly brushing past Ami into the garden. Being sure to collide with her shoulder roughly

"I'm sure you were. Very occupied. With a man between your legs."

Ami retorted, never letting down the polite whisper they were using to battle. Sakura stopped short; she could feel Ami's venomous gaze lingering on Sakura's cuts and bruises all up her pale calves. Sakura whipped around so fast her hair spun like a brilliant pink disk striking Ami right in her face.

Sakura stepped slowly, placing one foot in front of the other carefully until she was less than an inch from Ami. So close that she could see the smudges of where Ami's eyebrows were burned off and the thick black pencil line that replaced them.

"With what I was occupied with is none of your business." Sakura said slowly growling into each word, completely dropping the pretense of politeness. She could see Ami's eyes widen as if realizing for the first time that Sakura was different and potentially deadly. Sakura could see the gears turning inside that impudent head of hers and slowly her dull golden eyes narrowed into a squint.

"Sakura Haruno", she whispered low and heavy, "There is something not right here, about this

"About you, and you can bet I'll find it out."

Then her face twisted into a triumphant grin, sure she had got Sakura now. But Ami didn't know anything about Sakura, though after this episode she was sure to find out. More than she ever wanted to know

"Thinking one is victorious under false pretenses most certainly always leads to death." Growled Sakura piercing Ami with her emerald gaze refusing to turn away and holding Ami's eyes captive with her own. A stare that seethed poison, hatred, and something Ami surely couldn't recognize.

The urge to kill

Then she spun on her heels and walked away regal and tall, her nose high in the air leaving a taken aback Ami in her wake. Her exit on that was so dignified that all the geisha had to waste another minute watching the coral-haired beauty. Satisfaction shown in a sly smile on Sakura's face but not for long. In the doorway of the main okiya stood mother, a portrait of anger and disappointment painted on her aging face and in her hand a leather thong capped with metal at one end.

0

The carriage bumped along the stone-paved street; with each lurch the still open lashes on Sakura's lower back sent pangs through her entire body. She winced and bit her tongue to keep from touching them; it would ruin her intricately embroidered kimono.

"Slow down please."

Sakura called to the man pulling the rickshaw. He turned back with an incoherent grunt but slowed slightly along the bumpy road.

Mother was furious about Sakura not returning and even considered replacing her, but Sakura reassured her she did not spend the night in the company of a man and Mother relented, but not before she got ten slashes to her lower back. Her upper back could not be harmed of course, all kimonos dipped low in the back, a glimpse of a woman's back was a tool of pure seduction and she needed that weapon tonight.

Tonight she was to entertain Mr. Uchiha and his companions who were all involved in the large oil industry, from what Sakura had heard he was a womanizer, he used woman like dishrags and threw them out, and he was just her type of man. Rich, rude, and utterly disgusting.

When she had received the news, Sakura forgot all about the pain that tingled at the small of her back for a moment. Even though Uchiha Sasuke was probably the wealthiest man in all of Konoha, he still had not received Sakura's services. Mother used Sakura's fame as an excuse to keep the notorious geisha very exclusive. But, Sakura didn't mind in the least, she actually enjoyed having much leisure time. She spent most of the day alone, seeing the fact that most of the geisha in the were too intimidated by her to approach, and those who were brave enough to walk within three feet of her usually only came to sneer and taunt her.

Sakura had spent so much time alone, she could barely remember any time that she had had a friend at the okiya. Now, if someone were to try to become friends with her she wouldn't know what to do. She spent all day usually practicing her skills to please Mother or sitting on the moss covered stone bench that was so close to the lily and koi pond that the bottom of it was almost submerged. Sometimes she would sit there all day and watch the koi swim idly. No one ever came to sit on the stone bench because they were always afraid that their kimono would get wet. Sakura never worried about this measly problem. She had long since mastered the art of preventing her yukata of getting soaked.

A large, gnarled cherry blossom tree sat directly behind the aged bench, it was so close that sometimes Sakura would lean back and the rough bark would be the only thing preventing her fall. It was the only moments of pure peace in her life, the only thing that made this life, this show, bearable.

She was shaken out of her thoughts as the carriage jostled to a violent stop. The barely scabbing slashes on her back cracked and she could feel the warm blood dripping through the cracks and onto the layer of extra binding she had wrapped earlier. Two pearly front teeth bit into the delicate flesh of her bottom lip to lock the exit of a gasp of discomfort. Sakura took a deep breath, painted a kabuki-mask like face on and stepped lightly out onto the paved street.

It was by far the most elegant ochaya that Sakura had ever performed. The rice paper screens where painted with intricate scenes of blooming cherry blossoms and yet there were also paintings of violent warfare and many paintings depicted women bowing before men, like animals. This symbolized the submission women were supposed to show once they stepped inside.

How deathfully ironic

With a swing of her head she swept these pictures away from her mind.

Later Sakura, be patient.

Her feet led her to the front door, her red kimono swaying to a stop.

Out of habit, Sakura smoothed her kimono, the silk cool against her palm, her other hand tapped at the many uncomfortable ruby pins that poked at her scalp, all of them were in place. The sound of the rickety carriage bumping away over the cobblestones urged Sakura to enter. She needed to calm down, needed to breathe. So, she took one last whiff of freedom for the night and entered the ochaya.

The silence that followed her entrance wasn't of any she had heard-or not heard-before. It wasn't like the awed silence that she was used to when entering an ochaya nor was it the horrified silence that followed her when she entered the okiya. This silence was uninterruptible, a calm scene void of noise. It was as if before Sakura had come this silence had still been present, as if the men residing inside the ochaya were having an intense staring match.

She could feel their stares burning holes into her kimono, her hair, her carefully made-up mask that portrayed nothing but sly seduction and womanly submission. It was going to be a long night

Sakura swept away straight for the curved stairs that led to the private rooms. Hers was room number 7, the most exclusive, it was tucked into the back corner farthest from the stairs. The screen doors were hand-painted, in curving calligraphy were the words reserved.

She slid the door open almost silently and stepped daintily into the dimly lit room. There was a rich wooden round table in the middle and around it sat three men. They all looked up at her each through completely different eyes.

All three of them exuded an air of richness, mysteriousness and they were all dangerously and deceptively captivating.

"Ah, Miss Haruno Sakura." How good of you to grace us with your presence," spoke the one with long dark hair and the most kind, peculiar white eyes.

Sakura just bowed slightly and smiled for she did not know his name but she could tell he was kind and playful from the way he greeted her to his strange yet beautiful eyes.

"Sit down. Let me introduce you to my companions," he rumbled in his deep voice.

"Firstly, my name is Neji Hyuga, Neji please."

"This," he said pointing to the dashing man with red hair and striking green eyes, "is the kazekage of Suna, Gaara-sama, but we just call him Gaara." Neji added with a chuckle.

She was beginning to like Neji, he wasn't like other men, not yet anyway.

"And this," Neji continued, "Is our guest of honor, the handsome, grand, Mr. Sasuke Uchiha." He said mockingly and Sakura couldn't help but giggle.

Then she looked up at Sasuke and froze.

He was everything she lived for, she could tell with just one glance. He was beautiful like a marble angel, his featured perfect, masterfully sculpted. He was alluring, the way he sat, slightly indifferent, the way he pierced your soul with the onyx eyes that smoldered. He was cold, his posture radiated unwelcomness, making you feel self-conscious in his presence. Most of all he was arrogant, he was the kind of men that took woman for pleasure and threw them out, the kind that thought woman were below him, the kind that thought woman weren't humans.

She refused to give to him, after all she was no ordinary woman, she held his gaze steady and cold until he looked away and triumph bubbled inside her stomach.

The other two people in the room could feel the tension and Gaara was the first to break the silence.

"So Sakura tell us a bit about yourself." he asked amiably.

Sakura told them what she told everyone about her childhood, a mix of truths and lies.

As she talked she looked towards Sasuke, he was still avoiding her gaze and looked coldly indifferent, this somehow angered Sakura greatly and before she could stop herself she said.

"Well, Mr. Uchiha if you find my life so tedious why don't we hear about yours," Sakura said pointedly glaring at him.

He merley looked up lazily and replied, "Not everyone has to be focused on the person talking to hear, actually I was listening, not all men are so mesmerized b your great beauty that they cannot tear themselves away."

This caught Sakura off guard and for a moment she had no words to reply with, no man had ever surprised her, they were all so predictable. It took only seconds for Sakura to recover and she replied hotly.

"Well, Mr. Uchiha where I grew up I was taught it was rude to not look at a person while they are talking, especially to you, and about my beauty I thank you greatly for your compliment."

She leaned back casually shooting him a look of victory.

"Well, Miss Sakura I didn't think you were addressing me directly when you were talking. Why talk to me directly when you have two other handsome companions that actually seek your company unlike me."

Sakura fumed and leaned forward, seething, how dare he.

"Then would you like me to leave Sasuke?" She said through clenched teeth, using his first name

He leaned forward to and spoke clearly, "if it pleases miss." He replied.

They glared at each other for countless seconds, neither wanting to back down. As seconds turned into minutes the anger drained from Sakura's body and she just realized how tightly she was gripping the edge of the table, she had to look down ad will her clenched hands to let go. When she looked up again she realized for the first time Sakura realized how close they were, both their bodies were leaned inward and their faces were only inches apart.

He seemed to realize too and slowly his eyes widened and softened, the electric tension between them turned to something else, she stared at his refined nose set perfectly between two large dazzling eyes, she looked down at his mouth, it was full and it looked wet, the corners were pulled up so it looked like there was a slight pout, she had never seen such innocent, full, child-like, lips on a man. Sakura wondered how they would taste, would they be soft, would they be kind?

She could feel the passion between them like a burning fire scorching her lips, her heart, her entire body. It was like there was a monster in her body, the very thing she dreaded, her demon from hell.

She had devoted her entire life to rebelling against men, killing them, being strong and yet here she was yearning for one without shame. Ready to give herself to this man, the kind of man she killed for living. She didn't even care anymore there were two other bodies in this room, nothing else mattered. No, it wasn't love it was lust. Like a magnet between them, pulling them closer, she couldn't resist it and neither could he. She could see her impatience and wanting reflected in his eyes as well as her confusion at anger at what her body was doing. The physical attraction was almost too much to bear.

Almost

Sakura bit her lip, hard, almost hard enough to draw blood and slowly inched her body back. That part was hard, her body wouldn't comply but slowly and agonizingly she straightened up again and broke away from his gaze to stare down at her painted hands. His eyes were too dangerous. She caught a pool of disappointment in his eyes right before that was surely in her own too.

Sakura told herself to breathe and slow her racing heart but the feeling of want, the monster lingered in the recess of her mind and body ready to pounce at the first sign of weakness.

They made useless small take the rest of the time with Sakura pouring the sake, making sure to avoid his gaze though she could feel it burning into her.

Where did the fire, the energy, the seductiveness Sakura had go?

She didn't know, her body felt limp and weak, she felt drained, her mind at its capacity, no more games tonight. She just wanted to retreat to her secret spot and cry all of this pain and confusion away.

For so many years she had killed men, never wanting one of them, for the good of society and women. He viewed herself as a secret feminist, never giving herself away to any man. So who was the rich bastard to come and ruin it all, destroy everything she'd ever worked for, the smash the very fortress she worked so hard to build around her emotions. She tried to summon the anger but no resentment would come.

Still was the aching she felt through her body for him.

Sakura sighed with relief when Sasuke suggested they take their leave.

"Well, gentlemen it's late, let us leave and give Miss Haruno some rest," he said slightly defeated and uncaring.

Gaara and Neji looked around stupidly, it was not yet nine but they sensed Sasuke's urgency so the merely nodded.

"It was an honor to have your company tonight Sakura," said Gaara silkily as he stood up and kissed her hand politely. Neji bowed teasingly with a grin that made Sakura smile herself. Sasuke though refused to look at Sakura, his back to her wanting for the others to gather their things.

"Well then, let's go." Sasuke said huskily, his voice shook, the impatience and anxiety clear in it.

They all filed out the door with Sasuke last, before he stepped through the door he stopped hesitantly as if about to turn around. Sakura's heart pounded some part of her wishing he would. But he decided against it with a sigh flicked his hair back almost awkwardly and walked out leaving Sakura sitting on the floor staring after him.

Sakura was taken aback, the way he flicked his hair back stunned her, they way his hand twisted clumsily when it brought it up, the way he let his hand linger on his back when he was done. Something about this small movement mesmerized Sakura, it was so painfully familiar, she was sure she had seen it somewhere, but it brought her a sense of melancholy. It pained her to try to remember so she shook the memory aside, avoiding it like every other memory of her childhood.

But then the anger came, it washed upon her like a wave, dragging her under, anger at herself but mostly towards him, the thoughts she had earlier which brought no resentment now were unbearable, the more she thought about it the more she resented him for almost destroying her, trying to destroy her entire life. It was his motive, this was his plan all along, he must have found out about her and was trying to bring her down. The more she thought the more it made sense, her old self returned, the need to kill came like a living creature.

Suddenly it was all very clear.

He was her only weakness.

He had the power to bring everything she built crumbling to the ground

There was only one thing she could do to stop him

She had to do it.

She had no choice

She had to kill him

A/N: So what did you think. Yes I know it took awhile for Sasuke to enter the story but here he is in all of his glory! Anyway review please please please. Remember ten reviews. I want to thank everyone who did review you guys keep me going. See you soon

Love

Blackeri