AN: So... EARLY UPDATE! This was exciting to write, so I hope you guys enjoy!

Thanks to all those that reviewed: Piekiller, Guest, Sincerely Athena, cutehoney4, Sidereum Nocte, Poppy Grave Dreams, Hana-Taisho, UndeadKitty, la canelle, Infinite Nosferatu, and all those who favourited/followed!

Flowers of Guile

Sakura figures she has about ten minutes before Ino comes to pick her up.

"Haruno-san?"

She quickly stands up and makes her way over to the receptionist.

"It's weird seeing you as a patient rather than a doctor," he says wryly.

"Yeah," Sakura says with a small sigh.

"Well then," he says, handing her her forms, "You're free to go."

"And about time too!" she hears Ino call. The blonde waltzes in through the hospital doors, nose upturned.

"Thanks Kakuzu-san," Ino says, flashing the receptionist a grin before linking her arm through Sakura's, who sighs, mutters a quick thank you and hurries out after Ino.

"You'll be back tomorrow," Ino says, "But that doesn't matter. I've got a good feeling about the raffle."

Funny, Sakura thinks, because she has a very bad feeling about it.

"So. Do anything fun while I was gone?" Ino asks.

Perfected the water wall. Had a few more visions. Managed to slice my bed sheets with my chakra. Nearly lit something on fire. Walked up a fucking wall.

"No."

"Of course," Ino nods sagely, "It's the hospital after all."

Sakura gives her a small smile. "How's Shikamaru by the way?"

Just as planned, Ino begins a tyrant on Shikamaru and Sakura does her best to drone her out in favour of concentrating on her chakra.

It's remarkably easy to control and she's much more aware of it now than she was before. She begins to fluctuate it, flaring and muting, directing it to different parts of her body, testing her control. She's been getting good at enhancing her hearing, amongst other things - the wall walk had been done by directing her chakra to her feet, and when she cut her bed sheets – that had been a product of directing it sharply to her hands.

She decides to experiment and slowly lets some chakra filter into her foot.

Suddenly, the ground beneath her cracks.

Ino gasps and reaches forward but Sakura's stumbling and tumbling, falling forwards and forwards-

She crashes into a high schooler.

Oh kami, Sakura thinks, I just crushed some little kid.

Ino's screaming behind her jolts her back into reality and she quickly scrambles up. Underneath her, a red haired boy who looks seventeen - at the oldest - brushes himself off and stands up.

"I'm so sorry," Sakura gushes, "I didn't mean to-"

"Be careful," he says quietly, interrupting her. And his voice has the strangest quality to it – something which screams of age beyond his years. "Hebi is trying to kill you."

Sakura freezes. "Wait. What?"

He continues to eye her steadily, mechanically, robotically, sending jolts of fear up her spine.

"What?" Sakura repeats, slightly hysterical, "What did you say?"

"Hebi," he says calmly, detached, "But maybe you're on their side. You're a wildcard Haruno Sakura. And I advise you choose. Them or us. And if it's them… we'll come for you."

He begins to walk away and Ino's coming towards them but Sakura's confused as shit and this fucking high school student-

"Who are you?" Sakura calls out desperately.

But he doesn't reply, giving her a simple wave in response.

Ino barrels into her a second later, checking her for injuries and fussing over her, obscuring her view of the boy.

All she can make out is a thin, purple ring.

"Chocolate, strawberry, or vanilla?"

Ino holds plants the three tubs of ice cream in front of Sakura.

Sakura stares.

Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream.

This is what she needs.

"Why not all three?"

Ino grins and plops down onto the couch next to her. "And this, is why we're best friends."

Sakura grabs the chocolate tub and opens it quickly, shoving one large spoonful in her mouth.

"These are our tickets," Ino says, placing them down in front of them as she switches the TV on. "The ten codes on our tickets are Sharingan 41-46 Madara 5-7 and Hebi 1."

Sakura freezes and the ice-cream tub clatters to the floor.

"Hey!" Ino says disgruntledly as she bends down and quickly grabs the tub and her spoon. "What's wrong with you?"

But all Sakura can think of is Hebi Hebi Hebi Hebi and the little boy she'd bumped into earlier.

"Sakura?"

And then her eyes are clouding over and suddenly she's on a fucking crater and her hands are glowing green again and a silver-haired man who's half fucking snake is sneering and then he's laughing at her, criticising her- chakra scalpels?- and then someone else appears in front of her with blonde hair but he's glowing with so much chakra he's golden and then they're both so fast-

Sakura jolts back to reality.

"-oh my god Sakura Sakura Sakura it's starting it's starting-"

Sakura stares at the TV screen, still too shocked to do anything. The program's starting with another update on the bombings in Sydney and the chasing of the suspect, as well as his psychological problems. All Sakura can think however, is that they still haven't caught him and why is he wearing that ring in that picture-

The newsbreak finishes and Uchiha Sasuke appears on the screen. Next to her, Ino squeals.

"The winners," Uchiha Sasuke says gravely, and Sakura can start to feel fear creeping up her spine and why does it feel like he's talking to her?

"Sharingan 43-" Next to her Ino begins to hyperventilate and squeal and cry "-Madara 14, Madara 58, Kusanagi 106 and-"

Sakura knows what he's going to say before he does.

"Hebi 1."

And now Ino's screaming even louder because they've both just won but Sakura' fucking terrified because this has got to have been rigged but how and why and what is this Hebi?

Ino envelops her in a giant hug, but all Sakura can think is-

I'm screwed.

Ino dutifully escorts Sakura back to the hospital, giving the receptionist – Kakuzu – a flirtatious wink before leaving.

Sakura on the other hand, decides to ditch her hospital bed to make a visit to her office – and her laptop. Feeling embarrassedly enough as if she were part of Twilight, she quickly types in Hebi to the search bar.

Unfortunately for her, her laptop doesn't reveal the all-knowing answers she had hoped for. The first few results are that of Uchiha Sasuke's competition, and a few scrolls down she gets an arcade game and a seafood restaurant.

Sakura sighs and kicks back her chair, deciding to flip on her TV. She has remarkably not much to do, especially since Tsunade has excused her from working these few days. It won't be soon until someone comes and finds her, and it's not as if she can't watch some TV in her hospital room, but she likes her office better – its ambience, its familiarity.

Even if there's still a slight bloodstain in the corner from… the incident.

The TV switches to a news update and Sakura leans deep into her chair, frowning as she ponders the strange word of the high school student.

"Suspected sighting of the Sydney bomber in Taiwan-"

He was short, Sakura remembers, and had red hair. She couldn't place exactly the colour of his eyes – all she could remember was that they looked glassy, mechanical.

"-the suspicious backpack has been confirmed as being not a danger. Police are stumped on what actually caused the bombs-"

-and his ring. Where had she seen that before? It seemed hauntingly familiar. But maybe it wasn't purple. Maybe it was something Ino had given her.

"-actually, we are just receiving some breaking news-"

But then again, Naruto had always had the weirdest taste in jewellery. Maybe it was he that had given it to her. Speaking of the blonde, she hadn't seen him since their last high-school reunion a year ago. Hinata should be able to get her his new contact details – now that he's all up and famous.

"-the police are now investigating this suspicious package, with members of the bomb-squad being called in-"

There's a sharp knock on the door.

Sakura sighs. Not even five minutes and Tsunade's already sent someone looking for her.

"I'm coming," she groans, heaving herself off her chair. "Even though I'm fine, you know. I don't need to be hospitalised. I'm a doctor. I should know. Really."

The door opens. Karin stands outside, eyebrow cocked.

Sakura flushes. "Hi," she says quickly.

"-the package now having been identified as safe to open, the police are, as we speak, opening-"

"Come on," Karin says, jerking her head, "Let's get you to bed."

She walks into her office and picks up Sakura's laptop.

"You can even take this," she says wryly, "Now come on. Kakuzu-san's waiting outside." For a second, a scowl flashes over her face but it disappears just as quickly and she shoots Sakura a winning smile.

"-contains a note made by newspaper clippings-"

"Alright," Sakura says, quickly grabbing a few snacks from her office drawers – after all, hospital food she does acknowledge may not be the best. She pauses for a second and quickly grabs her coffee mug. Karin sighs and taps her foot impatiently.

"-and it reads 'Stop. If you do not, there will be consequences.' The police have confirmed the sender as sociopath Deidara, and an inside source reports that the letter was addressed to 'Hebi'-"

Sakura freezes and the cup of coffee clatters to the floor.

With a flash Karin has the remote in her hands, and the TV snaps off.

And suddenly, Karin's in front of Sakura, eyes glinting. She looks angry, even feral and - is Karin making seals?!-

Hinata sighs, rubbing her friend's forehead with a warm towel. Sakura and Naruto had been trouble ever since she befriended them in school. This sort of occurance wasn't unusual, but so many times in a month? Her friend needed to start taking care of her body better.

Sakura's eyes slowly drift open.

"Hinata-chan?" she murmurs.

"Hey," Hinata whispers.

Sakura tries to sit up before wincing, hand reaching up for her forehead. Hinata pats it away gently, making sure the IV is in place before helping her friend sit up.

"What happened?" Sakura says with a grimace.

"You fainted," Hinata says regretfully. "Karinfound you collapsed on your desk. It must've been the stress. How are you feeling anyway?"

"Terrible," Sakura groans. "But I'm glad she found me – I mean I must've been watching TV when it happened. Who knows how long it would've taken for someone to stumble on me. And what time is it- it looks really dark outside."

"About eight," Hinata says, "You've been out for a while. But Karin offered to take care of you for a while – at least until I got off work."

"Wow. Thanks," Sakura says, "I never knew Karin would be so nice."

"Yeah," Hinata echoes, "I mean, she was in here with you for up till around an hour ago. And she wouldn't let anyone in – not until she made sure you were alright!"

"Wow," Sakura repeats, slightly dumbfounded. Who would've thought Karin of all people would be so nice?

"Anyway," Hinata says softly, eyes downcast as she fidgets in her lap, "I... I don't think you should go to Uchiha Sasuke's house tomorrow."

And Sakura's just about to nod in agreement – after all, she feels horrible – but then something in her mind just clicks-

"Hinata!" she shouts scandalously, "Of course not. I have to go. I must go to Uchiha Sasuke's."

"But your health-"

"I have to go!" Sakura repeats, almost robotically, "I have to go. I have to go. I have to go."

Hinata flinches back, withdrawing away from the pink-haired girl.

"Sakura?" she says tentatively, "Are you alright?"

"Yes," Sakura says mechanically, "I will go to Uchiha Sasuke's."

"A-alright," Hinata whispers quickly. "Alright. You just look a bit- glassy, I mean, that is- out of it- I mean- I'll just go now."

She quickly stands up, shoots Sakura a weird half smile half wince before quickly leaving.

Sakura sits on the bed, still slightly dazed and confused. What had just happened? Her head's still quite foggy, and she can't seem to make sense of things.

But there's one thing which sticks out more than the others – almost as if it had been handpicked – and that's the fact that she must go to Uchiha Sasuke's tomorrow.

Ino picks her up from the hospital. An intern is at the receptionist desk and keeps on stumbling over Sakura's files in the excitement that the two are going to meet the Uchiha Sasuke.

Sakura's not that excited, but she knows that she must go no matter what.

Ino's slightly disappointed that Kakuzu-san isn't there (Sakura suspects she has a slight crush on him), but she takes joy in the fact that Karin is nowhere to be found either (a fact that Sakura secretly rejoices in, because she doesn't think she can take another one of their fights).

Ino explains their plan – they're to go to her house, get dressed, yaddi-yaddi-ya – while the intern keeps on stuffing up her forms.

"I'll do it," she hears her mentor sigh.

Sakura gives Tsunade a warm smile which doesn't quite reach her eyes.

"Tsunade-shishou," she greets.

Tsunade narrows her eyes. "Are you alright Sakura? You look blank and your eyes are glassy. Are you sure you can go?"

"Of course," Ino cuts in quickly, "She's fine. Plus, he's Uchiha Sasuke. He's got medical staff who can rush in at a press of a finger."

Tsunade purses her lips. "I've heard bad things about him," she says gravely as the intern behind her gasps, affronted. "I hear his mansion is very isolated, and that it barely has reception, plus no cameras. You never know. He could be growing an illegal garden there. Full of drugs."

"You're too paranoid," Ino sighs, rolling her eyes, "Sasuke-kun's just a very private person."

Tsunade is still frowning but she signs off Sakura's forms. "Very well then," she says with a sigh, "It should be safe. He won't do anything to tarnish his reputation. Off you two go then."

Ino grins, showing her pearly whites. "Great!"

Sakura simply repeats – "I must go to Uchiha Sasuke."

Sakura feels strangely out of place.

They're standing on the sidewalk outside of Ino's place, dressed up to perfection. Ino is rechecking her makeup using the reflection of her phone. The two of them look like they belong in a Hollywood movie set.

Except all around them, high schoolers are rushing past. It's three thirty and all of the kids from around the area are rushing here and there, meeting up and grabbing ice cream.

"He should be here soon," Ino whispers before glaring at a young middle schooler who barely avoids crashing into the blonde – the blonde in six inch heels.

"He won't be late," Sakura reassures, "Uchiha Sasuke would never hire a tardy chauffeur."

"True that," Ino says, "Sasuke-kun's too good for that."

As if on cue, a black limousine turns around the corner. For a second, all the kids around them pause to admire the vehicle.

"We were supposed to be transported individually," Ino whispers to her in excitement, "But I requested we be put together!"

Sakura smiles automatically.

The limousine is just pulling up when a kid barrels into her and she flies back, stumbling into the bushes behind.

Ino shrieks with horror, and Sakura can hear her heels scraping against the sidewalk, but the kid is gone in another second.

"Who was that?!" Ino shrieks.

Sakura shrugs, only recalling the kid's flare of red hair. Ino scrambles to her side, pulling her up-

But then she stumbles back again, and suddenly it feels as if her mind is twisting, contorting, pulling itself apart and piecing itself together again.

Vaguely she registers that Ino is now the only force keeping her standing, but her mind is too busy being consumed by this haze – expelling this haze-

And then suddenly, Sakura sees clearly.

She sees.

But her mind is still whirling, and she can't hear anything clearly. She sees the limousine pull up, the chauffeur opening the door and helping her inside, the only eye visible from behind his mask crinkled in a smiling lilt.

Ino climbs in after her and then the limousine takes off.

Finally, a minute into the drive, does Sakura regain all of her senses.

And then the fear hits, and she suddenly recalls a strange dream she had about some TV report, some letter about Hebi, and the words of the red-haired boy – the same red-haired boy!

"We look stunning," Ino breathes.

"Yeah," Sakura says instinctively, but inside she's fucking terrified.

The whole drive, Ino oohs and aahs at the scenery.

And it is nice. They're driving a long way away from civilisation, past some beautiful scenery.

Doesn't stop it from scaring the shit out of Sakura.

But there's no reason to back out. And she can't now anyway. There's no reason to be worried. Nothing will go wrong. It's just Uchiha Sasuke, and his insanely private mansion.

No reason to be worried.

Yeah.

"We're here," the chauffeur says. Ino grins, but Sakura can't even manage a smile.

"Arigatou Hatake-san," Ino says smoothly, quickly filling in for Sakura. Ino's keeping it together a lot better, but it's no surprise though, Sakura supposes, considering she works for an Intelligence Gathering Agency and hasn't been bombarded with supernatural powers and weird people who won't die and fucking Hebi.

Kami. She's going crazy.

Hatake opens the door and helps them out. The mansion in front of them is large and decorated to perfection. Ino of course is already gushing about the decorations but Sakura can't bring herself to care anymore.

She feels as if she is walking towards certain death.

Hatake brings them up a spiralling driveway before exchanging a few words with the butler.

Ino is still gushing about everything and Sakura manages to nod a few times. Her hands are clammy and she's shaking. Inside, her chakra is flaring like crazy and she's too frazzled to suppress it.

Hatake brings them inside, inciting a new round of oohs and aahs from Ino. The room is grand, with high ceilings and chandeliers and candles, but all Sakura can think about is how she could be killed – crushed by the chandelier, impaled by the weapon ornaments on the walls, burnt to death by the candles-

"You may stay in the waiting room," Hatake says, jolting Sakura from her thoughts. "With the other winners."

Ino nods enthusiastically and links her arm through Sakura's, pulling the other girl through the doors.

Another wave of fear passes through Sakura as she enters and she doesn't know why she feels so fucking unsafe-

"Karin?" Ino screeches.

Really? Sakura thinks. I can't deal with this right now.

Ino pulls Sakura close. "Can you believe it? Karin is here! That bitch!"

Karin sneers back and the two start to engage in another fight.

Karin had gone to high school with Sasuke – that Sakura knew. Maybe the raffle was rigged.

Another wave of fear passes through her and Sakura can feel herself beginning to wobble.

No.

I have to stay strong.

Sakura stiffens her spine and looks around the room, surveying her surroundings. She prepares her chakra, if she really needs to fight. There is Ino, arguing with Karin. The other two winners are-

Boys?

One silver-haired one with sharp teeth, leering at her with a grin. The other a large, orange-haired man, nearly two heads taller than Sakura.

Ino hasn't noticed.

And that is when she knows.

This is dangerous. These are not the 'winners'. This is not what it looks like. Not at all-

Behind her the doors swing open.

"Welcome to my house," Uchiha Sasuke smiles.

Well... that escalated quickly. Who do you think Sakura's going to meet next? Who were the other winners?

Hope you enjoyed and review! Your comments motivate me to write :)