Chapter 3: Blackmail

"Why the hell do I have to get married?"

"Because you are our top fighter. I can't risk losing this opportunity by offering a weak member to the Haruno group."

"There are others besides me."

"You are the closest in age to the woman."

The red haired man grew quiet as he glared at Kazuma, the head of the Furido syndicate. With his long pale blond hair drawn back into a loose ponytail and hawk eyes that could make a man's knees weak, Kazuma fit the image of a yakuza. The horizontal scar that divided his face in half only enhanced his image. In short, a majority of the members feared Kazuma and wouldn't dare to disobey his orders. Unfortunately for Kazuma, Sasori wasn't one of them. Ever since Kazuma had brought down the Sunagakure group and forced their members to join and participate in the Naka district incident, Sasori had harbored feelings of hatred for the man. He would be damned if he had to follow this man's orders.

"I won't marry her."

"She's 22 and you are 27. It is only 5 years. I do not understand why you are so against it. I heard she is also a great beauty."

"It does not matter. I won't do it."

Kazuma arched an eyebrow and glanced at Sasori sitting on the couch in front of him. He could see the hatred burning in the man's dark brown eyes.

"Oh. That's fine. I now have a reason to get rid of your ex-members. They are quite useless. You were the only one I wanted."

"Tch."

"So what's it going to be? Get married or see your members be killed in front of you. I prefer the latter."

In a flash Sasori was up from his seat grabbing Kazuma by his shirt.

"Do not threaten me."

Kazuma's only response was a brief laugh before he twisted Sasori's hand from his shirt, pinning it against his back. With a hard push, Sasori's face made contact with Kazuma's desk, scattering all of the papers onto the floor.

"I will do whatever the hell I want. Now, answer me. Will there be a marriage or a funeral?"

Sasori cursed as he struggled to break free of Kazuma's iron grip. He knew he was in a no win situation. If it meant protecting his men, then so be it. He will marry the damn girl.

"Fine."

"Glad to see you have come to your senses. Now go. You have an engagement you need to prepare for."

Kazuma released Sasori before walking over to his chair. Not even glancing at Sasori, Kazuma proceeded to collect all of the scattered papers and resume his work.

"I will kill you."

Kazuma didn't even bother to look at him.

"Get in line."

"Hold still."

Sakura muttered a curse as she was forced to follow Ino's instructions. After she had finished her sparring with Kakashi, she was immediately dragged off to prepare for her engagement party. It has been 2 hours and she still wasn't ready.

"Why the hell is it taking so long?"

"Because I have to make you look decent for your soon to be husband. I don't want him to take one look at your face and say no."

"You still can't get over what happened with Sai? He said it was on accident."

Ino only huffed in response as she continued curling Sakura's hair.

"Yeah, he's lucky I didn't leave his ass at the altar. "

Sakura smiled in response as she recalled attending Ino's wedding. Ino had asked her to be a bridesmaid but by then Sakura had already lost her vision. Still, Ino didn't want anyone else so Sakura asked Kakashi if he was willing to escort her. Thank goodness he had agreed, otherwise she would've probably fallen and ruined the wedding. Of course, Sai was the one who had almost ruined his own wedding.

"Haha. What did he say...'I will always love you even though your beauty is fading with every passing day'... I think the entire room fell silent at that moment."

"Oi, why are you reminding me about that. Are you forgetting I'm the one in charge of making you look pretty?"

"Relax. It all worked out for the best. You are very lucky Ino."

"Nope, you are. I barely have to do anything to make you look good."

"That's not what I meant..."

Ino continued her task as she waited for Sakura to continue.

"You married someone that you love and actually loves you back, but more importantly, you were able to get out of the gokudo lifestyle."

"It cost me a lot Sakura. My father won't even speak to me and all my friends can't talk to me because their parents forbade them. Plus, my name alone will always hint at my connection with the gokudo. Sometimes I wonder whether or not I made the decision."

Sakura gently lifted her hand to find Ino's. Seeing Sakura's movement, Ino quickly placed her hand in Sakura's. As Sakura made contact with Ino's hand she gave it a reassuring squeeze.

"Hey, don't question your decision. This lifestyle is hard. You and I both know that and no one can blame you for leaving. I am sure your father knows and is probably relieved that you were able to marry a decent guy and have a lifestyle outside of the gokudo. And, you still have me."

Ino smiled down at Sakura. After she had revealed her decision to get married and leave, everyone had shun her. Sakura was the only one who had attend her wedding along with Kakashi. All the other guests were Sai's relatives. She would always be grateful that Sakura was able to be there for her.

"Yeah, you're right and you are done!"

Sakura smiled grew even wider.

"Finally! How do I look?"

Ino took a step back to admire her handiwork. Sakura's long pink hair was loosely curled and pulled to the side to reveal the curve of her neck. The dress she was wearing was crimson red with a deep plunge in the back and a sweetheart neckline. It was a from fitting dress that caressed each of Sakura's curves, but it was her face that was the center of attention. Ino had decided to keep it natural and because of it, Sakura's face resembled an angel that was surrounded by an air of innocence. She looked gorgeous.

"Amazing. Any guy would be lucky to have you."

Sakura smiled in response. She was glad to have Ino besides her. They had been best friends since birth and Ino was the only one who had felt comfortable around Sakura after she had lost her sight. Ino didn't treat her as if she was a broken a doll.

"Sakura."

Sakura's smile quickly faded as she recognized her father's voice.

"Please come in otou-san."

Kizashi briskly entered and took one look at Ino before focusing his attention on his daughter.

"Are you ready?"

"Of course. I know what my responsibilities are to the Haruno group."

"Good, I will be escorting you. Let's go."

Sakura tried to quell her anger as she rose and slowly made her way to her father.

Ino quickly rushed over to help Sakura, but Kizashi stopped her as he watched his daughter find her own way to him. When she was a few inches away from him, Kizashi gave his hand to her.

"You are improving."

"Of course. I would not want to be a burden to anyone."

Kizashi frowned as he heard the anger in his daughter's voice.

"No one has said you were a burden."

"Otou-san, I may not be able to see, but I do know actions are louder than words. The fact that you are marrying me off shows that you do consider me a burden or at least a bargaining chip in your game."

"I am doing what is best for you..."

"No. You are doing what is best for the Haruno group. As always father, your responsibility to the group proceeds your responsibility as a father."

A pained expression fleeted across Kizashi's face but was quickly replaced with his normal stoic expression. Deciding it best to remain silent, Kizashi continued to guide his daughter to the place where the engagement ceremony would be held.

"Why isn't Kakashi with me?"

"He's getting ready. You have no need to worry. Kakashi will be beside you in case anything goes wrong."

"You are expecting an attack?"

Kizashi cursed himself as he accidently revealed that piece of information. He had forgotten how perceptive his daughter was.

"Nothing that concerns you."

"But it does, after all, I am your daughter."

"Yes, you are. Which is why you should listen to me. I know what is best for you."

"Then tell me, how is marrying me to the one who is responsible for killing my mother and causing me to lose my sight, the best thing for me?"

"I have no need to justify my actions to you."

"No, but before I was blind, you didn't have a problem doing so."

"This sucks."

Sasuke watched as Naruto began to tug at his suit collar. Letting out a sigh, Sasuke reached into his pocket to hand him a cigarette.

"Here. Try to relax and do not do anything stupid. All of the yakuza heads are here right now and they are already antsy. "

Naruto gladly took the cigarette and quickly lit it, enjoying the taste of nicotine.

"Can you blame them? Everyone hates each other."

"True enough."

Sasuke did a quick scan of the room, recognizing some of the current leaders' faces. They had attended Itachi's funeral to pay their respects. One of the leader's actually looked up and immediately recognized Sasuke. With a quick bow of his head, the man resumed speaking with his group. Although Itachi was the one everyone had respected, Sasuke had worked hard to earn his place and respect with the current heads of the yakuza.

"Hey Sasuke, is that the guy that is getting engaged?"

Sasuke turned his attention to a red haired man sitting at the head of the table. Besides him another man with long hair tied to the side was whispering in his ear. From the expression on the red haired man's face, he wasn't liking what he was hearing.

"Yeah. That's Sasori. He was originally part of the Sunagakure group but Kazuma took them down and brought the members into his own group. Sasori is considered one of his strongest fighters...it seems Kazuma is desperate to ensure the alliance with the Haruno group goes through."

"I wonder why. With Kizashi still alive he will not be able to control them. Unless..."

"Yeah, that's what I was thinking too."

Sasuke continued to stare at Kazuma who was sitting next to Sasori. It seemed Kazuma had felt Sasuke's gaze because he paused mid-sentence to look directly at him. Kazuma seemed to freeze for a bit before a look of anger passed through his face. Seeing Kazuma's expression, Sasuke raised his glass and smiled at him. Kazuma continued to glare at Sasuke for a few more seconds before addressing Sasori. Pleased with himself, Sasuke raised his glass to his lips and felt the cool sensation of water going down his throat. He wasn't going to risk drinking anything else just in case Kazuma decided to try something.

"It seems Kazuma knows we are here and he isn't happy."

"I don't give a damn. Besides, my presence is required. Unless of course I want Tsunade-sama to personally kick my ass for not attending."

Naruto knew about Tsunade's temper and strength. Only an idiot would dare to disobey her.

"Yeah you are right besides..."

Sasuke turned to look at Naruto who had trailed off mid-sentence. His expression was one of awe.

"What is it?"

"Is that the girl Sasori is going to marry?"

Sasuke followed Naruto's gaze and was stunned by what he saw. There walking to the table was Sakura, the girl he had met last night.

"Damn, she is gorgeous."

Sasuke couldn't even respond. She did look gorgeous in the crimson red dress she was wearing, but it was the fact that Kizashi was walking besides her that had shocked Sasuke. She was the daughter of Kizashi Haruno, the head of the well known Haruno syndicate.

"Hey Sasuke, are you alright?"

Sasuke broke out of his shocked state to see Naruto looking at him with an odd expression on his face. Quickly Sasuke composed himself before responding.

"Yeah...just a little surprised."

"About what?"

Before Sasuke could respond, Kazuma's voice was echoing through the room.

"Thank you all for attending today. As everyone is well aware, the Furido group and the Haruno group will be forming an alliance through the marriage between our Sasori and Kizashi's beautiful daughter, Sakura."

Sasori rose and walked over to greet his new fiancé. She was gorgeous he would give her that, but she was probably nothing more than a pretty face. As Sasori stood before his fiancé, he wondered why she didn't even bother to look at him. Blaming it on the nerves, Sasori reached his hand out to greet her.

"Hello. I'm Sasori your soon to be husband."

Sakura heard the man's voice and it was pleasant sounding enough. In response she smiled and looked in the direction in which she had heard the voice.

"Hello. I'm Sakura."

Sasori froze as he stared at the girl's eyes.

"You're blind."

Silence filled the entire room as Sasori made the shocking revelation. Sasuke watched everyone's reactions which ranged from shock to pity, but it was Sakura's expression that caught his attention. She had an eyebrow raised as she continued to stare in Sasori's direction.

"Yes. Is that a problem?"

Sasori's tempered flared as he turned to Kazuma.

"What the hell. You want be to marry someone who is handicap? I would be forced to take care of her for the rest of my life!"

Sasuke felt the anger rise in his throat as he listened to Sasori's outburst. He was an idiot to voice his outrage in front of Kizashi and Sakura. Not to mention he had insulted Sakura. Sasuke mentally made a note to himself to visit Sasori later, but it seems Sasuke wasn't the only one who was angry. Sasuke watched as a tall silver haired man stepped beside Sakura and placed his arm around her as if he was protecting her. The action irritated Sasuke.

"Wait a damn second."

Everyone turned to look at Sakura who seemed to be very calm, although her words hinted at how she really felt.

"Handicap...because I am blind? I am more than capable of taking care of myself and I refuse to depend on anyone, especially an arrogant man who lacks manners."

"Hey..."

"And I will remind you and everyone here that I wasn't born blind. I lost my vision in the Naka district incident and everyone knows who is responsible for that."

Once again the room was silent as everyone recalled that day. All eyes were focused on Sasori and Kazuma who were stunned by Sakura's outbreak.

"Hey Naruto, when are the bombs suppose to go off?"

"2 minutes."

"Perfect."

Sasuke smiled and began to clap. Everyone turned to look at him as he made his way through the crowd towards the group in the front of the room.

"Well, well. It seems this engagement isn't going to work out...Kazuma."

Sakura was shocked as she recognized the man's voice. Feeling Kakashi's dress coat, Sakura gently tugged on the material until Kakashi lowered his head towards her.

"What is it?"

"Who is that speaking?"

"Sasuke Uchiha. The head of the Karasu group."

Sakura was silent as she processed this information. He was the one who had snuck into her room and kissed her. A blush crept onto Sakura's face as she recalled the kiss, but it disappeared as she realized he was the one that Kakashi and Kizashi were worried about.

"Glad you could join us, Sasuke."

"Of course. I wouldn't miss it for the world. I even brought you a gift."

Kazuma arched an eyebrow as he watched Sasuke take out an envelope and hand it to him. He quickly ripped it open and skimmed the card inside. Looking up, Kazuma eyed Sasuke warily who responded by smiling at him.

"I will take you down Kazuma. I swear on my brother's grave."

Just as Sasuke was about to leave, he paused mid step.

"Oh, I forgot one thing. That isn't your gift."

In response an explosion could be heard outside Furido's main house. Another two followed after, this time it seemed to take place inside the main house. The tables began to shake and everyone started running towards the nearest exit. Kakashi began to lead Sakura to the exit when another explosion went off, causing smoke and fire to fill up the room.

"Sakura!"

Kakashi coughed as he inhaled the smoke. He was holding Sakura's hand just a second ago, but the explosion had caused them to split apart. Panic began to take over as Kakashi vainly tried to look for her. The smoke was thick and heavy making it difficult for him to breathe or even see anything.

"SAKURA!"

Still no response. She could be passed out somewhere...or worse. Kakashi couldn't allow himself to think about that right now. His main priority was to find her. Just as he was about to continue walking through the smoke filled haze a hand reached out to grab him.

"What the hell?"

"Come with me. The girl is safe."