:Authoress Note:

Hello, folks. Yes, yes, I haven't updated in two months, and people have been complaining, I understand; however, I would be complaining too…if I wasn't the one writing. Please understand:

1)I was away at camp for eight weeks. It was stated in my profile, and last chapter.

2)I've been very ill since I got home, including a 102 fever, so spare me, I couldn't type.

3)As with posting, my internet connection broke down after the tropical storm New Jersey kind of went through…so, yes, sorry. Blame Mother Nature.

Here I am again. I worked very hard on this chapter, so please enjoy.

Chapter Three

Mission Status- Difficulties Encountered

Fate Determined By Luck

X,X

"Hn," a voice hummed. It came from a man with strange colored skin and long, black hair, which lay against his head like a wet mop: the infamous Orochimaru. His mind was whirling back to previous events.

She was quite an interesting little girl. Her pink hair- so addicting. With every blow of wind, came a rush of his adrenaline. He badly wanted Toreishii…he couldn't get the thought of her luscious lips, blushing face, and feminine hands out his head. He would make her scream out his name, though he hadn't decided yet whether it would be in bliss or terror.

He wasn't the only one.

He especially loved the innocence that her body emitted. Even though she tried hiding it well, he saw right through her. She was quite the little virgin. He didn't mind, however. He knew why.

She must've been a destitute girl. She…she…must've thought no one would want an inexperienced piece or work like her.

There was no other possible reason, no, he affirmed for himself , no possible reason...or so he thought.

X,X

"Orochimaru," a man stated, red eyes glaring.

"Sasuke-kun," Orochimaru replied, lowering his eyelids to meet his apprentice's.

"Hn. Where were you last night? Out seeing your whores again?" Sasuke sneered, his one arm akimbo to his waist.

A smirk came across the senin's face. "As a matter of fact, hai, I was." A small chuckle emitted from his throat. "I was having fun, as well- until you had a little temper tantrum." Sasuke glared back. "You should join me sometime, Sasuke-kun. You'd enjoy it."

"Hn," Sasuke replied, walking off in the opposite direction, paying no mind to Orochimaru's rambling. He did it too often. He raved of the women he picked up. Their bodies, voices, and most importantly, they're hair and eyes. He didn't understand his "sensei's" obsession about those two particular parts of human body. They were so simple, so common; however, Orochimaru had a different point of view.

"You should have seen her, Sasuke-kun. I believe she was just your type. Feisty- but there was emptiness inside of her heart." He quickly appeared in front of Sasuke and poked his head, just as Itachi had done so many years ago.

Itachi…that's why Sasuke was here. He wasn't here to listen to Orochimaru babble on about his latest catch. She'd most likely be dead in a few weeks anyway. Just like the others….

Orochimaru continued. "…and those eyes…bright and exuberant. It hid the pain and longing." He chuckled ever so slightly. "I sound like a poet, Sasuke-kun, don't I?"

He turned around, his back facing his student as he began to wander. Only far enough, however, so that Sasuke could him whispering his continuous compliments.

"…and that pink hair…."

X,X

"No injuries…nor genjutsus detected…poisons: none. Everything looks intact, Sakura-sama. You're cleared." A young medic smiled and bowed as the ANBU member sat up brushed a piece of lint off of her pale blue medical gown.

Grinning back at her former student, Sakura only nodded. "Arigatou, Shizuka," she replied. The medic beamed as Sakura jumped off the table, gave a quick bow, and hurried off to change.

Hobbling down the hall, Sakura placed her hand on the wall beside and her and gave a long sigh. Running her fingers along the back of her neck, Sakura bit her lip and pressed the side of her head against the wall. She was quite happy that she got Shizuka as her nurse- she had never been her top student. She had brushed the strange tattoo aside.

If it had been up to Sakura, she wouldn't be in the hospital at all, however Tsunade, being her motherly self, had insisted the tired-looking kunoichi get checked over by a medic.

"Shit…" Sakura muttered, feeling the pain come over her again. She quickly rushed out of the hospital, glancing around. It was mid-day, and she opened her mouth and exhaled, hiding the pain. Hiding not only the curse, but also the emotional suffering that went along with it. Biting her lip once more, and holding back her tears, Sakura quickly rushed down the road, avoiding several stares. She gave a small wave, and sped off down the street. She had to lie down.

And so she did. On a park bench to be exact, it was the closest thing there was, and it was quiet. It would have to do. Gently laying her head down, she gave a long sigh. It was going to be a long day. No, a long mission. A very long mission, indeed.

X,X

Two days passed. Those two days had been some of the worst days of her life. She stayed at home, nursing her cursed mark- mainly by sleeping and trying to avoid the massive pain the inflicted her body. It seemed to dim a bit, and despite the fact that Sakura knew the pain would never entirely disappear, she knew that today she would become "Toreishii" once more.

Sifting through her closet once more, Sakura pulled out the clothing she found most…"suitable." Thus, she was off.

Otonin Tenshi was in site. Brushing a small twig off of her skirt, Sakura sighed. She gingerly untied the ribbon in her hair, and a jumble of pink silk seemed to fall into place. Even without hairspray, Sakura's hair seemed to fluff and curl own it's own, falling down to reach her waist. A thick coat of blusher lined her cheeks, and a thick coat of eyeliner and mascara surrounded her jade eyes. She wore white and blue- a very innocent color combination. A low v-cut halter-top donned her upper half, and a very small pair of denim shorts flaunted her long, curvy legs, sleek white heels topping the outfit off.

Entering, she gave a sexy wink at the doorman of the sleazy bar. Casually walking up the bar stools, she sat down, sighing.

Even before she could speak to the bartender, a pair of muscular arms wrapped themselves around her from behind. Heavy breathing hit her neck, sending a shiver down her spin.

He was finally here.

"Oroc-" Sakura started to question.

Or not.

No. It wasn't him, however. This man had slightly tanner skin. It was a normal color, unlike the eerie white cells of Orochimaru. His cloak seemed to drape over her, almost enveloping her in a solemn, lonely darkness. He stood her up and pulled her close. Her back was turned to him, but she could still hear his hot breath on her neck.

"How much?" he whispered, getting close to her ear. She gasped when her felt his teeth momentarily nip her ear.

"I be-beg you pa-pardon?" Sakura nervously stated; however, realization hit her. His grip tightening continually. Every squeeze brought her closer and closer to passing out.

"I-I I'm sorry. I don't- I-I'm no-not-"

"Oh," he stated quietly, not loosening his grip. "Is that so?"

She nodded her head shakily. Well, at least not willingly, as this guy presumed.

A small laugh emitted from his diaphragm as she struggled out of his grip. She stumbled backwards and finally got a good look at him.

She wished she hadn't.

His eyes pierced through her as her head began to spin. "Haa…" she muttered, as she began to feel dizzy. His hands reached around her once more; however, this time, they faced each other plainly. He looked younger than Orochimaru, maybe half his age. Her mind was boggled. He looked vaguely familiar, but she couldn't place when and where.

Frankly, she didn't have the time. He gave a dark chuckle as he swept her up and kissed her. It was spontaneous but not unexpected. Her eyes widened. This was not what she wanted, but something inside her froze. His touch was so cold and unforgiving…it tempted her. It…it…she didn't know. He dropped one of his hands to her ass and one of them to the back of her head, interlocked in her pink tresses.

The atmosphere of this situation was dark, lustful, alluring, and so many other words that Sakura didn't have time to cram into one sentence. Wanting this, wanting this stranger, wanting to lose herself to the stress, to everything, she finally pressed back, tilting her head to the side, opening her mouth slightly to let him know that she was more than willing.

"You," a voice sneered. She immediately retracted from her actions, a deep blush covering her cheeks. She knew that Orochimaru was here now, and she knew that he was angry. She knew- and she was scared.

"Hn," the voice responded, a soft chuckled rising into the air. Sakura shivered, and sensing this, he pulled her closed, stroking her hair. He leaned downwards. "Stay calm, cherry blossom" he whispered. Sakura froze at the ironic nickname but still, followed the man's advice.

"Goodnight sweetheart," he whispered, "I'll see you around." She looked up at him, meeting his eyes, locking into a fiery connection.

She was unconscious in a matter of seconds.

X,X

Holding Toreishii in his arms, Orochimaru jumped from branch to branch. He gave a small sigh, and held the girl even closer. She was his. He bit his lip. Orochimaru had found Toreishii in the arms of that…that man. He sneered. It wouldn't happen again. From now on Toreishii would stay with him in at his base. He chuckled. Maybe he'd let Sasuke get a whiff of her as well- brighten his spirits.

Skidding as his feat reached the ground, he felt his lovely lady stir. Orochimaru looked down at her as he entered a cave. And as he entered the cave, he saw the brief look of dazed confusion in her eyes.

"Oroc…Orochimaru-kun?" she stated quietly, her lips puckering. "What happened? Where are we?"

He nuzzled her hair, breathing in the deep scent. "Strawberry…" he muttered, walking at a moderate pace. She sighed in confusion, placing her head onto his warm chest. Feeling dizzy, she slipped off into a hazy sleep once more.

X,X

"Toreishii? Toreishii?"

Sakura stirred, blinking her eyes. As her eyes opened, her mouth did as well. A small yawn was produced as she looked up at the man she was forced to act so sexually with.

"Hmm…?"

"Pay attention, babe," he whispered.

Sakura's eyes widened as she came to realization. She was here. Here. Where….where…he was.

Sasuke….

"Kabuto?" Orochimaru stated. Sakura's eyes seemed to bulge. Fuck.

Orochimaru gently placed the shinobi on her feet as the silver haired medic turned around.

Sasuke….

"Hm," Kabuto stated with a chuckle. Giving a sly smile, bowed, and resumed his work in the room.

Sasu-….

"Gah-" Sakura coughed, her eyes widening as she fell to her knees. Orochimaru's brows lifted to see what had just happened to his cherry blossom.

"Ah…ah…" Sakura bit her lip as she felt her neck pound. Even though she was not using any of her chakra to battle, heal, etc…just memories and thoughts were reacting with the seal Orochimaru placed on her.

Orochimaru, realizing that her pain was being caused by his "gift," gave off a small chuckle. He motioned to Kabuto. "See to it that she remains healthy and comfortable," he stated casually as he flicked a piece of hair behind his ear and smiled devilishly.

Nodding his head slightly as Orochimaru vanished, Kabuto kneeled down to the level Sakura was currently in and tilted his head, quizzically looking.

"Toreishii, was it?" he muttered, placing his cold hands on her lower neck, examining the mark. She shivered at his touch.

"H-hai…" she responded timidly, biting her lip as he eased the pain. Sending a flow of warm chakra into her veins, she began to relax. At least for now.

---

He nuzzled closer, his mouth hovering outside her ear.

"I find it funny," he whispered, "don't you, Sakura-san, that Konoha could really think that a silly mission like yours would actually be successful?"

Sakura's eyes widened as she froze on the spot.

"Orochimaru-sama instructed me to introduce you to Sasuke-sama…you'd like that wouldn't you?"

Sakura scowled silently. "Damn it…" she muttered.

"Don't worry, Sakura-san. Orochimaru-sama hasn't figured you out…yet."

Sakura scooted backwards. There was no way out of this- unless….

"Please…Kabuto…I'll do anything. Anything." She needed to see Sasuke again. She would die if she didn't.

"Anything?" he muttered, snickering at her remark.

"Anything."

Kabuto chuckled as he brought himself to a standing position.

"Welcome to the family- Toreishii-sama."

X,X

Well, that was chapter three. I hope you enjoyed it. I would once again like to thank my beta, Blacksash, for being so amazing, and for being this story's beta.

I kind of thinking of making this story ItaSasuSaku…or slight KabuSaku (one sided, of course), but I don't really know. Tell me what you think in your review.

And Itachi will show up in other chapters (-gasp- THAT WAS ITACHI!)

Alright, R and R, por favor!

Thanks for sticking around,

Animeaddict99