Uh, sorry? So late, I know! Blame the teachers! They love to torture us and give out myriad of assignments! No considerations and I have to study hard, my classmates are so smart, and I have trouble catching up to their level! Hehe…

Thank you guys for the superb reviews! It makes me guilty for updating late…

Uchiha Aywin- really? I'm glad you think so, I'm not good in writing actually, I'm still a newbie. Compare to the really good ones, I'm trash! XD Sorry for the late update! Thanks for the support! CrAzY-SiLLy-Me- really? Wow. I'm speechless, hehe. Ragnarok, eh? Cool! Anywho, thanks for reviewing! Hope you'd be able to update soon! Serpentslayer- sure thing, thanks! Angelraine- you think so? I planned to fuse the first chapter and the prologue but I'm growing lazy… thanks! Sasuke's Wife Sakura Uchiha- thanks a lot! I try my best to update soon! aNgeLoFdArknEssmaRie-chAn- in this chapter, yeah. And yup! This is definitely SasuSaku with no triangles! I'm not fond of triangles at all. ashwings101-Definitely, thanks for reminding me that. I will; thanks! direwolf1427- sure thing, thanks!sakura5584- it's not all that great but thanks a lot, I will do my best to make this better! Uchiha Sakura Blossoms- Sure thing, thanks! Amazoness- hehe, thanks a lot! That's true. SushiLuver- actually I'd like to think everything is going to get interesting starting on this chapter, thanks! About the parent thing, you'll find out… eventually! Heartless Ghost- Thanks so much! Then the wait is over! blackXheart- yeah, me too! Nyaha! Well, here's the chappie update! saisei-bara renee-chan14- hahaha! Really. XD thanks for the review! els1324- Whoa, I'm happy to hear that! Thanks! Priscilla Arellano- Hehe, I'm glad it caught your attention. Sasuke, eh? Hm… read and you'll find out! Yukina101- I'm glad you like it espite the fact it isn't all that good. Thanks!

Emotions or Obligations

Disclaimer: No, really… Do I even have to mention!

neon kun

"Ugh…" Sakura moaned.

"Ow…" Ino grumbled. "My head hurts…"

The two were in a car ride to the main temple. They were ecstatic at first, especially Sakura but they just couldn't enjoy the fact they had to sit in a car for ten whole hours. Their heads were spinning and they were only allowed outside when nature calls and even so, they had the time limit of five minutes!

Sakura clutched her head, "Are we there yet?" she asked the driver who didn't seem to be affected by the tremendously long journey. "Not yet," he replied and Sakura felt herself lull to slumber.

Chapter 2: The Ordeal and Onyx Eyes

The two stepped out of the vehicle wobbly. They vehicle left as soon as soon as they got out. Sakura could still feel her head spinning and throbbing while Ino was ready to puke anytime soon.

"I…" Ino covered her mouth, "I'm going… Ugh… I have to… excuse… myself…" she said with difficulty as she clasped her stomach with her other hand as she quickly ran to a nearby bush. Sakura held her head as she tried to ease her headache, her other hand looking for any part of the car to lean on but it was long gone as she felt herself falling to the ground.

"Sakura?" she heard someone call her name, "Sakura!" her head throbbed like mad!

"Ugh…" she groaned.

"Thank kami, you're finally awake!"

Her eyes fluttered open halfway, her vision blurry, seeing a haze figure. She blinked her eyes a couple of times in a slow manner and closing it tight, moving her hand to clutch her head. "I feel like I'm spinning…" she said.

"Can't you do better than that?" Ino yelled.

Sakura eyed her lazily, "Shut up."

"Whatever. Anyway, you were worse than I was! I… er… At least I didn't pass out!"

"You threw up."

"I didn't faint!"

"You sure suck at making people feel better."

"It's my specialty." Ino rolled her eyes and grinned. "Oh well," Sakura exclaimed as she shifted to a sitting position. Ino supported her, "Hey be careful. You're still wobbly."

"Right, I guess I have to thank you for getting me here, huh?" Sakura said, shaking her head slightly, trying to endure the massive pain she was feeling.

Ino blinked naively. Sakura thought she feigned innocence prior as to what she always does. "What do you mean?" Ino inquired softly. "Oh come on," Sakura uttered weakly with a grin. "I won't be here if no one took me here! I passed out, yes. But here? No, I don't think so." Ino looked at her incredulously. "But how?" Ino muttered. "I thought… I thought you rushed here and… and, well… lie down and slept!" Sakura returned Ino's skeptical look. "This is my first time here!" she reasoned. "How would I know where the rooms are!" Sakura's expression only showed cynicism. "How should I know?" Ino said loudly, annoyed. The two glared at each other yet again then sighed afterwards.

A knock was then heard. The two whipped their gaze to the spring of the resonance. "I'll get it," Ino grumbled. "All right," Sakura replied as she clutched her head. "I feel like I'm spinning…"

"Who are you!"

Sakura eyes shot up to Ino's direction as she heard her yell.

"Ino?" Sakura called out. "What's wrong?"

"Sakura! Some pineapple headed guy is trying to get in!" the blonde yelled.

"Pineapple? Woman, you're so troublesome!" she heard the guy say.

"Who are you calling troublesome? You… you pineapple!"

Sakura strived to stand up, half triumphant as she doubled over, holding on the bed for support. She attempted to arise once more, this time her efforts were granted. She guided herself to the wall and used it for assistance. As she leaned on it, her breathing was quite ragged as she funneled herself to Ino's location. The door where Ino and the 'pineapple guy' were was at a corner of the room, completely imperceptible to the bed's site.

As she arrived at the scene, she had fully noticed that Ino wasn't screaming anymore but sound of struggle and grunts were being emitted. A guy with a lazy look was restraining the blonde miko's movement as she trashed about with much effort. He sighed and after a while, he noticed Sakura, gawking at them.

"Hey…" he greeted, making Ino halt from her battering.

"Huh?" she muttered.

The guy had black hair tied in a high ponytail and as her best friend commented on, it did resemble a pineapple.

"So troublesome," he muttered. "Oi, Sasuke. Show yourself, will you?"

The two miko blinked. So he wasn't alone. Sakura stared at the open door, expecting this Sasuke to disclose himself. After a few seconds, not even a shadow was seen.

"What are you talking about, you pineapple! No one's there!" Ino struggled again.

"Just wait will you?"

"Let go!"

"Cut it out, woman!"

"Stop calling me, 'woman'! I have a name, pineapple!"

"Just stop moving, woman!"

"Grr!"

Sakura watched the man and Ino as her body ached. She could barely move. Suddenly, Ino gasped. She glanced at Ino's face and saw her gaping at something or someone behind her. She tilted her head in bafflement. Slowly, she turned to her rear, expecting to see whatever that was behind her. It wasn't because she wanted to add a dramatic effect as to why she turned increasingly. Her shoulders were sore, she had a stiff neck, it was just plain intricate to move. It made her wonder how she was able to stand, much less able to get there at all. As she turned, she met…

Nothing. No one, nothing was behind her, no humanly figure at all.

She turned to look at Ino in perplexity but her jade eyes were met by onyx ones. Her jaw dropped slightly in revelation.

It was so alluring, his eyes. It was as if inviting the person staring at it to drown in them. And she felt like one of them.

She gasped. How? She, herself, wondered. As she panted heavily, her head began to spin and she knew she would pass out again. And pass out she did.

He looked at her, she looked so vulnerable. He inwardly smirked as he saw her tilt her head. He expected her to look behind her where he was, and it helped that she did so, so leisurely. He walked in front of her with stealth and silence, as she looked back, meeting only air and nothing. He crouched in front of her, in level. She turned her head back in haste, expecting to see the two figures that were originally in front of her. But it wasn't so and she met a guy's face—eyes to be exact and they were engulfed in each others'.

Much to his dismay, she was able to detach herself from the intense gaze they've shared as she gasped. Based on her heavy panting, he was almost too sure she would keel over and not long after, she did. But he moved in, catching her bare figure, examining her delicate features.

And only one thing registered in his mind.

She's an angel…

A few days had passed; Sakura and Ino had recovered from their unsteady states. The two though, were locked up in their room and it goes without saying, they were jaded.

They had not seen the two strangers since their first encounter. Sakura could barely remember their faces. Everything was vague in her mind. She could remember one that had hair resembling a pineapple, how could she not? Ino kept on talking about him.

The blonde miko had filled her in, telling her that the one with eyes so deep and dark assisted her and brought her back to bed, leaving as swiftly as he came. She barely saw them leave.

Onyx eyes.

She had been thinking about it, Sakura was. If one thing she recalled ever so clearly, it was those onyx eyes. It was as if it had just happened the day before. It was as clear as a crystal to her; his and her eyes locked in gaze with each other. She could still remember how she felt and was tempted to just drown in them. She frowned. How she wish to see those inexplicable onyx eyes for a second time.

"Sakura," Ino called with a languid tone.

"What is it?" she said, not bothering to look back at the speaker.

"I'm bored," Ino whined. "We've been locked in here for like four days already!" Sakura sighed. "You're not the only one, Ino! I'm just as bored as you are." And with that silence loomed once more but its reign was short lived as Ino decided to break the ice yet again. "Do you think we'll see them again?" she inquired quite softly. It was then that Sakura instantly knew her blonde companion has taken interest to those mysterious strangers. "I don't know," she replied and grinned afterwards. "Is little Ino chan crushing on someone?" she teased. Ino flushed. "N-no way!" she replied in haste. Too fast, Sakura decided, her grin widened. And it was then that Ino noticed her mistake. She groaned. "So who is it?" Sakura inquired. "Which of the two?" Ino hesitated. "It's…" she had breathed out something so mutely. Sakura's grin was plastered on her face without faltering. "Who? I didn't hear you!" she said in a sing song voice. Ino grumbled. "It's the…"

"The what?"

"The…"

"Louder…!"

"The pineapple haired!" Ino huffed, her face flushed. "Happy now?"

Sakura continued to grin. "Very."

"So you've taken a liking on the pineapple one, eh?"

"Shut up!"

Sakura laughed. Ino fumed. "Shut it, forehead," but Sakura continued to cackle. "You were gazing at the raven haired one!" At this, Sakura instantaneously halted from her snickering. Ino smiled smugly. Sakura looked at her with cynicism. "Who's that?" Ino almost fell on the chair she was currently sitting at. "What do you mean, 'who's that?' " she spat out. "Exactly what it means, who's that?"

Ino looked at her as if she was delirious.

"You two were gazing at each others' eyes so… so deeply! Yeah, that's it… and you ask me who's that!"

"Oh," Sakura blurted. Ino got her into thinking. I knew it! He really did have dark hair…!

"I didn't know that…" Sakura heralded as Ino's jaw dropped in astonishment.

They were in a huge room with pillars at every corner and in between those pillars. The ceiling was in a dome structure with urbane design, an angel reaching out to another angel, its wings spread out while the other was just looking at the other angel.

Sakura was amused by the design; she was always mystified with angels. But a pang of melancholy was shaped in that design, she thought.

They were seated on large cushions where a few meters before them was a stage like platform made of marble with three steps. A throne like seat was situated in the middle of the hoisted platform. Sparkling teal was the color their eyes could see, and almost everything was in that color. Expect the angel draft design at the ceiling and the huge stain glass at the wall behind the throne. The design was still an angel but mikos were included as well, as the mikos surrounded the lone angel.

An atrium was what the pillars were supporting. Everything appeared fancy, nothing was excluded, even the cushions that acted their seat were fancy. Not to mention, comfortable.

"We should get a better uniform, it doesn't fit in with all this glamour!" Ino thought as she fidgeted on her seat. Sakura was still engrossed on the ceiling's design. Apart it being angels, something intrigued her all the more.

They were called on to the exquisite room early that morning. It seemed that the High Priestess requested their presence. They were glad, to say the least. They were bored stiff, anything that could relieve their tedium would very well be bliss. "Hey, Sakura." She heard her blond companion call. She tilted her head to her side, "Hm?"

"Wonder why we were called?"

She just stared. Why were they called? She hadn't thought about it at all. Her first assumption was that it was about her inauguration ceremony. Its preparation and such so she really didn't give much thought about it.

"Huh?" Ino pursued. Sakura turned to her, "I'm not sure. Maybe it's for the inauguration?" she said, unsure. "I guess so… but," she paused. "How long should we wait? I feel so small in this place! Everything is so… so sparkly and… uh… sparkly!" Sakura tittered. "Silly, Ino," she started. "Just be patient, okay?"

"Well, it's not my fault I can be as absorbed in the ceiling!"

"Hey! its design is beautiful!"

"Right, whatever."

Sakura sighed. "I'm starting to get bored again," Ino stated after a while. "Fear not, Ino. The wait is over," a voice responded. Ino congealed as Sakura turned casually."Sayuko sama!" Ino squealed in astonishment. "Sayuko sama," Sakura acknowledged with a nod and a subtle smile. "Hello there, young mikos," Sayuko smiled. "Excuse my late presence."

"Uh… no ma'am! It wasn't such a long wait," Ino laughed nervously. Sakura grinned. "Yes, it wasn't such a long wait."

"I'm glad then." Sayuko smiled as she walked towards the seat on the elevated platform from a hidden door at the right side of the vestibule.

Silence reigned as they waited for Sayuko to take her seat. "So…" Sayuko started. "I guess you're wondering why I ask of you here." The two miko nodded, signaling the High Priestess to continue. "Ino, would you mind if Sakura and I talk in private?"

"Eh?" Sakura mumbled. "Uh… okay, I mean yes, Sayuko sama," Ino said and got up. A raven haired miko with short hair and white eyes came and aided Ino out. Sakura watched Ino's and the girl's back as they left the vast room. "So Sakura," Sayuko started as the two miko left them alone.

"Hello!" Ino greeted the girl beside her. "I'm Ino, uh Yamanaka Ino!"

"He—hello, I'm Hinata. Hu—Hyuuga Hinata, nice to—to meet you."

Ino stared. "You stutter?"

"A—ah… ha—hai…" she said, twiddling with her fingers.

Ino being the nosy girl she is and being curious by nature, questioned further, "Why?"

"I—I... I—," Hinata gulped while Ino gazed innocently.

"You're scaring the girl." A voice stated. Impulsively, Ino turned as her eyes widened.

"Uhm yes, Sayuko sama?" Sakura said, uncertain of what to say. "Dear, no need to be nervous," Sayuko chuckled. "Now, let's get to business, shall we?" Sakura gulped. She could feel something would be happening. She's just not sure if it's for the better or not.

"YOU—!" Ino yelled as she pointed a finger accusingly to the owner of the voice.

The guy sighed and eyes her lazily, "Yes me."

"Pineapple!"

"Harpy."

"Ha… harpy…" she repeated incredulously. "HOW DARE YOU!"

She tried to charge at pineapple but Hinata held on Ino with all her force. "Eeep!"

"I—Ino san, ca—calm down!" Hinata said out loud. Shikamaru watched amusingly. Ino looked like she was ready to kill even though she's a miko. Hinata's strength was draining. "Shi—Shikamaru san...!" she tried to warn the man but Ino's shriek muffled her tiny voice.

…And Ino slipped out of Hinata's grasp.

"Now, you are aware you're going to be the next High Priestess, I'm sure, yes?"

"Hai," Sakura nodded, feeling pleased.

"Now, all High Priestess, including me, had gone over a little," she smiled. "—ordeal."

Sakura blinked ingeniously. "ordeal?"

"Yes."

THUMP

They turned to doorway. They heard a crash, although it wasn't really that loud, it was loud enough for them to perceive. "Oh dear, what was that?" Sayuko expressed. Sakura continued to stare at the direction the sound was distinguished. Sayuko called out a miko to check it out, "Yes, confirm what it was."

"Shikamaru san! Ino san!" Hinata shrieked as she covered her mouth in horror. She quickly rushed to their side. "Are you okay?"

The two was in a very suggestive position when Hinata came to their side. Hinata turned bright red. Ino didn't notice their pose as she continued to lash out on Shikamaru. "Calm down woman!" Shikamaru finally decided to give an effort to stop the raging woman on top of him. "What are you doing here?" Ino hissed. "And who do you think you are calling me a harpy!"

"Cut it out, ha—woman!" Shikamaru muttered loudly as he took hold of her wrist, halting it from pounding his chest. Ino continued to attempt pounding Shikamaru and being too indolent, he did the first thing that came to his mind.

He hugged her.

"Excuse me—oh my!" a miko came and gasp as she saw Shikamaru's and Ino's position. "I'm sorry…" she muttered, turning a shade of red. Ino and Shikamaru blinked. "AH—hey!" Ino called out, having her own tint of red on her delicate face. Shikamaru turned away from them, embarrassed. "We uh… just slipped!" Ino reasoned. "Yeah, that's right… uh just slipped!"

The miko nodded, "Sayuko sama asked me to check the noise out when you uh…" she hesitated as she blushed some more, "slipped." And with that she ran out of their sight. "Oh gosh…" Ino muttered. "She didn't believe me!"She gasped, "The High Priestess! Sakura! Oh no…"

"Anyway, let's get back." Sayuko coughed a little. "Are you okay, Sayuko sama?" Sakura asked, concerned. Sayuko smiled, "Yes, thank you."

"So uhm, what is this ordeal?"

"Ah, yes. The ordeal. All incoming High Priestesses have to accomplish a certain ordeal. It's to make sure she is worthy enough." Sakura smiled wearily. "And that ordeal is..." she paused. "Sasuke dear, come in please." Sakura blinked. "Sasuke?" the name is quite familiar. Sayuko's attention was at the door where she used to come in from. Sakura turned to the same direction the Priestess was looking yet no one came out. A hand was suddenly felt on her shoulder. Startled, she turned quickly behind her and gaped at the figure in front of her. Raven haired… but most of all…

"Onyx orbs…" she muttered. Sasuke heard her and smirked. "Sasuke," Sayuko mused. "It seems you still like approaching people away from their gaze."

"You got that right!" Sakura thought as she remembered their first meeting. "Sasuke…" she muttered involuntarily. He nodded to the two women all the while Sasuke was smirking inside. "Well, that's your ordeal," Sayuko said, referring to Sasuke. And Sakura uttered the most intelligent thing she could, "Huh?" Sasuke chuckled. Sakura glared. "As a High Priestess, being pure is a necessity, it's a must…" she trailed and stood. "Your task, restrain your hormones and temptation to do any intimacy towards Sasuke or any other guy." With the statement, Sakura's jaw dropped. "Any intimacy? What's that?" she thought.

"Eh!"

Sasuke's eyes followed the sound. Sayuko noticed Sasuke's behavior, "What's wrong?"

"Tch. Nothing." Sasuke closed his eyes as Sayuko sighed. "You will never change."

"Mmph—,"

Shikamaru quickly covered Ino's mouth with Hinata assisting too. They were at the atrium and were… eavesdropping on the conversation the High Priestess and Sakura was having. Hinata noticed Ino was turning blue and withdrew her hand. "Eep!" Hinata squealed softly. "I—Ino san can't breathe!"

Shikamaru promptly released Ino. "Will you be quiet!" Shikamaru hissed. "We'll get caught! Troublesome woman!"

"So I'm troublesome now!"

"SHHH!"

Ino pouted and turned away, "Fine."

"Sasuke will stay with you 24 hours a day of course except the bathroom. This ordeal will continue until day the before you birthday, the inauguration." Sayuko explained as a miko came and whispered something to Sayuko. "Excuse me, something has just been up. Well, the ordeal starts today." She said. "See you later, Sakura. Sasuke." And with that she left. When she was out of sight Sasuke turned to Sakura and held her chin using his thumb and forefinger.

"Nice to meet you, Sa-ku-ra." He smirked as he uttered her name in syllables, "I'm Uchiha Sasuke."

This should be fun…

Honestly, I'm not fond of making OCs much. As much as possible I'd limit making them major characters. Yeah… well, sorry for the really late update. Who would've thought teachers can be such a drag to the point I want to curse them! Oh well… aside from that I'm kinda losing inspiration again. Now, instead of thinking what the hell should I write, I'm think how the hell am I going to finish my assignments! So yeah…

Btw, sorry if there isn't much interaction with Sasuke and Sakura yet… but this is the beginning, I knew I should've made the prologue and the first chapter as a one combined chapter. Stupid, stupid me.

Is that longer? I hope so. Well, I hope you like that! I fixed the two preceding chapters. Hope you like 'em! This too, of course! Oh and I'd also like to point out that even though Sayuko uses a wheelchair, she can still walk on her own. She just uses it when she's thoroughly tired.

Sorry for the grammatical errors and typos!

PLEASE REVIEW! I am motivated by them!

neon kun