Disclaimer:: I do not own, borrow, and/or rent 'Naruto.' I do own this plot, however, and plagiarizers shall be punished! GAHHHH!!!!

::Reviewer Responses::

--Thank you to all the reviewers who usually didn't review…and did for the last chapter. Reviews are really appreciated—and the more reviews per story increase the number of new readers per chapter—so thank you!!

Princess of Thieves – Well…if I did do a lemon, as I stated in the last chapter, it would be much later in the story---- so their relationship would most likely be different/more intimate by then. Thank you for the review!!!!

Oh::FAnArT aLeRt::

Thank you so much bundyangel!! -- There's a link in my profile. It's beautiful!

::Note::

Okay…I actually got a review stating how the reader felt that because Sakura 'had cut her hair above her ears'….he/she'd stop reading the story. Just to clarify…Sakura hair is slightly above shoulder-length…so if anyone else…is…eh….feelings the same emotions…do not fret?

MY IMPORTANT NOTE…eh…sob story—

Listen…I've not updated in awhile…okay, forever. But…I was failing my physics class, have acting class everyday (don't get home till 8:30pm), tap, voice, just got over a very bad infection, and my great-aunt is dying in the hospital…take that back...just died in the hospital. Oh! And I just broke my nose. So…please? Cut me some slack? I'm sorry that I'm so busy. .

Tehe. Fluff alert in this chapter. :P

Chapter Six

Mission Status- Facade

Fate Determined By Luck

Here she was, presenting herself as the perfect little housewife of Orochimaru…just so she could get out of a damn cave. It wasn't even the outfit that annoyed her. It was a pretty outfit: for a…eh…housewife; however, she wasn't a goddamn housewife! She was a ninja, trained and ready for anything. If only Sasuke could see her now, he'd laugh at this façade she held.

Boy…what a predicament this turned out to be. Haruno Sakura ran her hands over the off-white kimono, one that a noble family of Sound might wear. As Sakura reached for a wooden brush, she couldn't help but notice the plethora of midnight black hair entwined in it. Despite that fact, she ran the grooming tool through her hair and almost forgot the length of it, actually brushing the air where her hair had once been. She frowned as she placed the brush down and peered at the antique mirror nailed above the dresser. She hadn't done that badly of a job on trimming- alright, chopping, her hair off, but it wasn't exactly even.

Kaching! She had found a reason to go into a town that wasn't a cave. Perhaps…perhaps…

…she had a reason to go home.

She wasn't certain if it would work, but she had come up with a reason to, eh, take a trip.

However, she knew that she couldn't ask to leave to Konoha on a haircut alone.

Maybe she could go shopping for, ehem, some decent clothing for public viewing. She was beginning to get tired of the stares she received from the lowly henchmen throughout the cave.

Well, it was worth a try. On the other hand, she wouldn't be surprised if he suggested a romp around the Sound village instead.

Sakura placed the brush down and reached for a pale pink ribbon and attempted to tie what was left of her locks into a messy bun. Seeing that her hair was, indeed, to short for her to put up, Sakura lazily placed the ribbon back down, and took yet another glance at herself and grabbed a plastic comb from the dresser, parting her hair on the side and making sure she didn't look, well, to state it bluntly, retarded.

Satisfied, Sakura grabbed a small box of makeup that Orochimaru had given to her, and applied the necessities to her face. Feeling that she had completed her daily ritual, she left the room.

The façade would continue.

X,X

"Orochi-kun?" Haruno Sakura shouted in a high-pitched voice, clutching her fists to her chest in a maiden-like fashion as she reached his quarters.

Her frail-looking digits brushed a piece of lint off of her kimono in a cute fashion, emerald eyes looking hopefully into snake ones.

"Do you like my surprise?" Sakura whispered quietly, moving inches closer to the missing-nin. Orochimaru remained without response as Sakura's tongue hesitantly swirled nimbly on Orochimaru's collarbone. He shivered in what seemed delight as his fingers stiffen onto Sakura's shoulders. This unexpected action apparently drove "Orochi-kun" to the edge, aggressively pulling the petite kunoichi toward his chest. Orochimaru's breathing became steady as he held her there for a few seconds, memorizing the way her curves fit into his. Releasing his grip, Sakura stumbled backwords, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear, blushing.

Orochimaru took in the sight slowly, snake eyes swiveling and swerving up and down each frayed pink strip of Sakura's hair.

His response to "Toreishii's act of…love?"

He laughed.

He plain-out snickered.

Sakura frowned angelically to her lover. "Orochi-kun…" she quietly whispered, "you don't like it?"

A moment of silence filled the air as Orochimaru took Sakura into his arms, her face burying deep into his chest. She breathed in his scent…and tried not to choke on it. The scent could be described as a mix between…rotten eggs and spoiled milk. She bit her lip as Orochimaru grabbed a lock of her hair in his skinny fingers and brought his nose to it, sniffing in the sweet scent of strawberries and sighing. His mouth touched her ears as another quiet chuckle emitted from his mouth. "You are so cute," he muttered, giving a playful nibble on her ear. Sakura jerked away suddenly, giving off an uneasy smile.

"I'm glad you like it," she whispered, pulling yet another piece behind her ear. She once again reproached him, playfully giving a poke to his protruding shoulder. "Orochi-kuuuunnnn," she whined, "I did this for you," she continued, "and only you," Sakura added. "But will you do something for me in return?"

The sly smile returned to Orochimaru's face. "Hn?" he questioned.

"I want to visit my home," Sakura carefully executed. Her eyes formed like that of a melancholy puppy's. "I know you're really busy, Orochi-kun, but I'd love to maybe pick up some clothes of mine, trim my hair, and stuff. Because I'd love to stay here with you….if that's alright. I can even take Kabuto-san with me for protection…if that's okay with you."

Every second seemed like ten as Orochimaru thought over the proposition. A sly grin formed on this crooked face. "Of course," he whispered into Sakura's ear. Sakura squealed and leaped into Orochimaru's arms. "Thank you, Orochi-kun!" she stated happily. Looking into his eyes, Sakura winked and pulled away.

"I shall begin to pack right away!" Sakura exclaimed. Her gaze shifted. "When will I leave."

Orochimaru's eyes gazed downward as he contemplated. "When you're done packing," he stated swiftly.

Sakura flashed a quick smile; nevertheless, she was going home for a day, or perhaps even more. She gave a quick bow to Orochimaru and ran off to her room.

X,X

It had been a good five minutes before Sakura realized she was lost. One candlelit hallway looked like another, and less and less people roamed past her. Her steps seemed to become miles and miles, and in time, she became confused. She wandered alone through yet another cavern until she reached a dead end.

"Fuck," she muttered to herself, peering around, slumping and descending as she sat against the wall of the cave. The light of the candles flickered on and off in an almost melancholy manor. Letting out a silent huff as the lights dimmed once more, the shadow of a figure appeared to be approaching toward her with a fast pace. Without hesitation, the figure slammed its hands into the wall, pinning Sakura below it. With another flicker of light, the flames showered the hallway with light. The silhouette was that of Kabuto's.

"Sakura…."

Bluntly came the next phrase out of Kabuto's mouth. "I want you."

With a gasp, Kabuto's mouth slammed onto hers. A knot formed in Sakura's stomach as she felt Kabuto's breath mingle with her own.

It was the definition of disgusting.

The smell of alcohol that began to fill the air made Sakura gag on lack of…clean oxygen.

Without using any extra chakra, Sakura struggled to push the tipsy Kabuto off of her fragile body. When mere force didn't thrust the boy from her personal space, a flow of chakra into Sakura's fists sent Kabuto flying.

"What the fuck?!" she muttered loudly to the dazed ninja as she readjusted her footing.

Kabuto remained slumped on the ground in a half-conscience manner. The brief encounter was enough for Sakura, thus she started running in the opposite direction, past Kabuto, and hopefully toward her room.

X,X

She had finally reached it!

With a sigh of bliss, Sakura gave a knock to the wall and waited for the Uchiha to open it, as it would be suspicious to unleash more chakra.

When the door creaked open, Sakura grinned half-heartedly to the missing-nin who couldn't even see her.

"Arigatou," she stated quietly as the door shut behind her.

So there she stood, face to face with Uchiha Sasuke. The Uchiha proceeded by collapsing onto his bed, a "hn" escaping from his mouth. Sakura wandered to her closet of cloths and opened it. To her surprise someone had already placed a tattered brown suitcase in the corner of the spacey storage area. Sakura pulled the bag out and un-zippered it casually. Pulling items of the hangers, she folded them gently and placed them into the bag. She also gravitated towards her dresser and picked up a few necessities such as a hairbrush and pair of socks. She wouldn't need much as she could visit her apartment.

"Bye Uchiha-sama," Sakura stated quietly to the missing-nin as she turned toward the stone door. "The door, Uchiha-sama?" she asked.

Sasuke sat up and approached the door. "Do it yourself," he muttered.

Sakura retaliated, "but I can't-"

Before the phrase was finished, Sasuke hand was on Sakura's back. "Give me your hand," he stated. "I'll show you."

Obeying, but still a bit flustered, Sakura placed her left hand into Sasuke's palm. Time seemed to stand still as Sakura's hand was enwrapped in Sasuke's. A huge blush covered Sakura's face, and her breath hitched. Sakura's face felt hot has she instinctively withdrew her hand from Sasuke's. Realization occurred to her that these feelings were not that of a simple embarrassment when a sudden pain began to occur in Sakura's shoulder.

Damned cursed mark!

A gasp escaped from Sakura's mouth as she collapsed to her knees, and wrapped her arms around her waist. "Ehhhh…." she groaned, a hand to her mouth as she began to feel nauseous. The tears came and the pain continued. And to her surprise, black marks that she had seen so many years ago on Sasuke, began appearing on her face.

"Toreishii-san," muttered Sasuke, "…." Because Sasuke was seeing-impaired, it seemed he didn't understand the situation Sakura was in.

"Cu-ur-r-rsed…se-seal…" Sakura managed to get out. The tears continued to flow and out of her mind and in desperation, Sakura thrust her arms around Sasuke's waist. The look on his face was priceless with surprise, but he did not budge from his position.

"It….hu-hurts…" she cried loudly, griping him tighter. The pain seemed to spread through all her body and her form crippled beneath her. Seconds passed, and all Sasuke did was stand there. Waves of pain began to rush through Sakura, and half consciously Sakura muttered.

"Sasuke-kun…"

Sasuke's body seemed to tighten, and words formed in his mouth, but Sakura didn't hear them, for she had long passed out into his arms.

X,X

"Oooff!" came the voice of Haruno Sakura. Below her- the ground. Above her- well, she hadn't gotten there yet.

Where was she? What was she on?

Ahhhh….

#1) …in the middle of nowhere.

#2) …on…Sasuke???

Okay, well she wasn't in the middle of nowhere. But looking around, she was draped over Uchiha Sasuke's shoulder.

"Huh?" she stated quite loudly. Sasuke blindly peered over to Sakura.

"I am taking you home," he muttered. "Orochimaru's orders. For a visit."

Sakura exhaled deeply. "Oh….I thought Kabuto-"

"Supposedly Kabuto received injuries recently."

Realization occurred, "Oh."

A blind missing-nin was going to bring her home?

"Where do you live?" Sasuke muttered.

Sakura bit her lip. Would Sasuke really bring her home, knowing Anbu would be there, willing to capture him?

She inhaled a deep breath. "Konoha."

His response?

A nonchalant "hn."

X,X

Okay, okaaayyy.

End of the chapter. Hope you enjoyed it. It's not beta'd...sorry. :P

Please review!