Boo! So guys, I've recently (as in, two days ago recently) made a facebook account purely for fanfiction. Basically, it'll just be me giving you guys info on updates, previews and the works, so I'll be putting the link on my profile in a bit, and if you're interested, you're perfectly welcome to add me :)

And thank you so much for your reviews! They were absolutely brilliant, and it was so nice seeing so many old names there and knowing you havent' given up on this ^_^ And it was really lovely to hear from some of my new readers as well. Keep up the feedback guys, it's really lovely reading it! Oh, and I've had a few people guessing what's going to happen, and it's awesome seeing all of your ideas. If you have an idea, don't be afraid to give it, no matter how random it is! :D

Thanks soooo much to:

Anon, Chantrea Moonbeam, Alipiaoca, mUmaRhs, Spatulaxoxo, GodricGirl, tasteepotatoes, LilithiaRW, xStarryyAngellx, my-threesome, just me, tsumaki-starry-night-sky, river of the sand, anEpicBanana

Replies:

Anon: If only it was that simple :( And nah, she didn't ignore it. That'll be brought up this chapter. She was more just shocked at the other things, is all :)

Dedication: Whitney Houston. RIP, you legend. Your music will be greatly missed.

Disclaimer: Me no own Naruto ^_^

Chapter 13

.:{*}:.

Of fear, Jealousy and Hope

July 15th

I haven't had the will to write. The words still linger. I haven't spoken to anyone, and so haven't returned Karin's letter. I don't know if I could face her. To hear of her spoken thus? That she would be my… replacement?

Sasuke gives the pretence of being worried, and somehow that hurts more than it would if he actually did care. Gaara has asked after me, but I don't want to see him. I haven't spoken to either Naruto or Tenten. I can't believe how much their words have hurt. I knew that there was talk, but to actually hear the words first hand? It's agony. It's like an icicle had been stabbed into my gut, and someone keeps twisting it.

I just… I wish that I could leave this place. That I could leave and never come back. The worst part is that nobody cares that such tales are told about me. No one but me. No one cares about the lies. Even Sasuke has said it himself that he doesn't care about them. I doubt that Gaara truly cares either. Why should he? Sweet words are all well and good, but they don't care how much the cruel words hurt. And I know that their sweet words are false. If their claims that they cared for me were true, then they would do something about it. For what can I do?

I can do nothing. And I've never been able to do anything. I'm fragile as porcelain, and I hate that fact. But what can a prisoner do? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

The metal whistled as it was swung through the air, and Sasuke blocked it only just in time. Another second, and it would've taken a good chunk out of his arm.

"Distracted, teme?" taunted Naruto, grinning like the idiot he was.

"No," grunted Sasuke, as he held off another of Naruto's attacks, and pushed the blond back. They continued in their deadly dance, as sword clashed on sword like a rough beat, until Naruto managed to get past Sasuke's defences and sliced Sasuke's bicep.

Sasuke hissed in pain, and stepped back, covering the wound with his free hand. Blood dribbled through the cracks in his fingers. "Fuck it, you dobe. Watch where you swing that thing," he grunted, and checked the wound. It wasn't very long, but it was quite deep. "Spar's over. Fuck off."

Naruto nodded, before he turned and left, wiping any blood off his sword and onto his pants. Sasuke waited until the blond dobe was out of sight, before he really let the wound get to him. Gods above damn it, it stung! Blood was still oozing, and the sleeve over the cut was stained a deep crimson. "Damn it all to hell," he said through gritted teeth, before he slowly made his way back to his room so as to drop off his katana – which he kept by him at all times instead of in the armoury where who knew would touch it – before heading to the infirmary.

Sakura was sitting by the window when he entered the room, and didn't even look at him when the door swung open. He sighed as he spotted her. Who knew what had gotten into her? She had told him that she'd heard the rumours that were spread about her, and he could understand to a degree why they'd bother her so, but for her to succumb to this? He couldn't understand it. She barely ate; barely spoke; when he slept with her it was like fucking a doll. And he hated it. Whether he hated what she had become, or hated how she was letting such stupid things get to her, or both, he wasn't sure. He didn't know if he wanted to find out or not.

With a baffled shake of his head, he left the room, and walked to the infirmary.

Naruto walked through the gardens, surreptitiously glancing at the stone walls that encased the flora, hoping to be subtle enough so as to not garner unwanted attention. He'd surveyed the eastern side – the one that led out to the streets – and had found no area where he and Sakura could escape unnoticed. His only hope lay on the western side, as the southern part of the gardens led into the castle and the northern side was set against the barracks. The western side of the wall led off onto an open field, which could be dangerous, as there was only knee high grass and a few sparse trees to hide amongst. They'd be taking a horse – to escape faster – and they could not easily hide an equine in an open plain. It would have to be deep at night when they embarked upon their escape, and even then, they'd have to be quiet as mice. Luckily, about a mile away from the plain, the forest opened up, and if they could make a mad dash for that, then they could lose any trackers within the greenery.

It was as Naruto was surveying a particularly liable place that a hawk landed in a tree some few feet to his right. The hawk gave a loud squawk, and Naruto jumped, before shooting a glare at the animal. It took him a moment, but he soon recognised the bird as one of Konoha's messenger birds, and he scrabbled towards the tree to coax the animal down.

Gracefully, it landed upon his forearm, and stuck out one of its feet, where a small scroll was attached. The blond carefully removed the scroll, and sat down at the base of the tree to read Neji's words.

Kyuubi, it read, for that was Naruto's code name, lest the bird be captured.

Being followed; not safe 'til moon 9.

Hina safe, worried for Sak and you.

Homeward bound moon 9. Bring Sak then.

-Byakugan.

Naruto sat back and sighed, feeling a huge weight being lifted off his shoulders. Thank all the Gods that Neji had found spare time to send Naruto news ahead of schedule! Naruto felt the he was going crazy with worry for them. And not without reason apparently. They were being followed. Knowing Neji, they'd lose their tracker soon enough. Neji said that they'd lose him by September, which was a relief. In their messages, they always went by the dates of the full moons, as saying 'moon 9' was harder to decipher than 'September.' Hina was obviously Hinata, and Sak was obviously Sakura. Byakugan was Neji. Hinata worried for him? He'd told her countless times previously that she needn't. He wondered if she thought of him as much as he thought of her. Night time was near agony for him, as looking into the sky reminded him so much of the girl. The moon her skin and the stars the sparkle in her eyes. The velvety blackness; her luscious river of hair. He felt as if the night mocked him; reminding him of everything he couldn't have.

He'd have to relay the new information to Sakura as soon as possible. Where was the girl, anyway? He hadn't seen her in weeks. She never came out to the gardens anymore, and he'd bet that the teme had something to do with it. Naruto wouldn't put it past him.

He sighed, and getting out a pen from his pocket (he always carried it around, just in case) he quickly scribbled on the back of the note, 'Okay.' before setting the bird back into the sky. He watched it climb for a while, wishing that he could be so free, before setting off to find the elusive roseate.

Sasuke sat on the bed, his shirt off, and watched in disturbed fascination as Kabuto sewed his arm back up. The idiot had given him stitches, and Sasuke was planning his revenge for the dobe's felony. Just as Sasuke was imagining him being dumped into a vat of molten lead – a thought with filled him with sadistic glee – the doors to the hospital were flung open, and a livid red head stormed in.

"What the fuck is wrong with her?" Gaara demanded, practically kicking Kabuto aside in his quest to jab Sasuke in the chest.

"I could have you arrested for that," admonished Sasuke, glaring at the other male.

"Who gives a shit about that? What the hell is wrong with Sakura!" he repeated, his voice getting substantially louder with each passing word.

"Why should I tell you?" Sasuke questioning, fighting to keep his cool.

"Because, unlike you, I actually give a damn. Now tell me what's wrong with her!"

Sasuke shrugged, completely over the situation. "She overheard some of my servants bitching about her."

Gaara pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger and let out a deep sigh. "And you haven't thought to do anything about it?"

"I told her that she was being childish and that she shouldn't listen to them, as it isn't true. There's not much else I can do."

Gaara was perceptively quivering out of anger. "You are completely idiotic, you know that? For someone who should know all about women, you know incredibly little. Do you honestly think that she should just grow up and move on from something such as that? She has little self-esteem as it is. Are you really so thick as to tell her to grow up when all she can think of is the words of people calling her, no doubt, a whore? Maybe if it was just one or two people saying that then she would be overreacting, but it's your whole damn kingdom! Can you truly ignore everyone? Have you even heard what they've said?"

Sasuke grunted, the sound a sign as to his obvious ignorance of their words. He knew about them, sure, but as to what they said, he didn't know.

"They call her a witch. A slut. A whore. They call her a bewitcher, a defiler, a harlot who is after your throne. A traitor who has seduced you with potions, and won't relent until the both of us are completely under her 'spell.' You can't honestly tell me that you didn't know about that?"

Even Sasuke could not keep the shock from slithering into his obsidian eyes. He truly did not know that the rumours had escalated to such a horrid scale.

"And what about when December comes? If she refuses me – for some unknown reason – then what are you planning to do? You can't marry her, you can't release her, and you can't continue to defy your Council and allow her to live as your prisoner purely because you want her to stay in your bed. It is July, Prince. July already! You have until September, and my proposition, to figure that out, until you lose her. She has no reason to stay her. She has every reason to leave here! Have you thought about anything?"

Sasuke's silence was all the red head needed for an answer.

"You think that this sick little fantasy of yours can continue?" he said softly, his voice having lost most of its former rage. "As soon as your council agrees, she will be mine, and I will take her away from here. You will never touch her and you will never hurt her again."

Before he could react, the front of his shirt was twisted in Sasuke's iron grip, and the younger Uchiha was seething down at him, absolute loathing flaring in his eyes.

"You will never have her. Do I make myself clear?" he growled, his gaze burning into Gaara's.

"Crystal," Gaara replied quietly. "But we'll leave the final decision up to her, shall we? Or are you too worried about who she will pick?"

Sasuke shook him a bit, and his wound started to open again, as Kabuto – who was standing to the side – hadn't finished stitching him up.

"She will choose me," Sasuke stated, so sure of the fact.

"And then what will she do? Wait around to die? I don't think so." Gaara's tone had taken on a mocking edge, and the side of his mouth lifted into a condescending smirk.

"I'll figure something out," Sasuke improvised, refusing to give the round to Gaara.

"Will you?" Gaara queried, before carefully detaching himself from Sasuke's grasp. "Seems you're going to be completely alone by the end of this. Itachi and my sister have been getting exceptionally close recently. Poor Sasuke. No throne, no lover, and no future." With that, he left the infirmary, and didn't look back, smirking proudly to himself. The bastard had deserved it anyway.

Sasuke glared him out of the door, before slumping back down onto the bed and ushering for Kabuto to finish his ruined job. Sasuke didn't want to admit it, but Gaara's words had hit home. What if Sakura did decide to go with Gaara? Strangely, he'd never even considered the possibility. And what if she didn't? How could he save her once December started?

The answer was simple: he couldn't. Unless he got her to talk, which wasn't an option anyway.

Damn it all! Why was it that the one girl he could actually envision having a life with was the one girl who was denied to him? The council had been promised the girls life by December if she refused to talk, but they were probably going to agree to Gaara's terms. Damned rotten bastard. He'd planned it all. Sakura would accept, and Sasuke would let her go, because having her alive with another man was better than having her tortured again.

Kabuto's voice saying that he was free to go broke him out of his reverie, and he grunted his thanks at the man before exiting out of the medical ward.

Kabuto watched as he left, steely eyes waiting until he closed the door behind him. Once Sasuke was far away, Kabuto started to laugh, the sound ruthless and disturbing in the empty white hall. "Oh Sasuke Sama, aren't we going to have some fun with you?" he hissed under his breath, and walked to his study, a smirk still lining his mouth.

Sakura jolted when she heard knocking at the door, and warily went to answer it. Much to her (relief? Disdain? She wasn't sure) surprise, it was Naruto, and the blond beckoned for her to come out and walk with him. Sakura shook her head sadly, and made to close the door on him, when Naruto's hand shot out and forced the door back open.

"Come on, Sakura Chan! You can't stay in here forever! Neji's just sent me a letter."

That got Sakura's attention. She perked up, a smile immediately lighting up her face.

"Really?" she questioned, to which the blond nodded his head, a smile of his own gracing his mouth. Without further ado, she carefully closed the door to Sasuke's room and sped away with Naruto. Luckily, they passed not a soul, and made it to the gardens quickly, before they walked past the blooming flowers, fountain and pond with koi fish, towards her old room, where they hopefully wouldn't be overheard. Naruto bade her sit down on the bed, whilst he paced the length of the room, seemingly agitated and happy at the same time. It didn't take long for Sakura's curiosity to morph into exasperation, and she demanded to know what the letter had said.

"They're both safe, Sakura," he finally announced, before resuming his pacing. Sakura sighed in relief, and relaxed marginally.

"What else? What's got you so worked up?"

"He told me to wait until September!" the blond wailed, and flung his hands into the air. "He said that they have to lose someone who's tracking them and then they can go back to Konoha! But he told me that we have to wait until the full moon in September before we can go back! Do you have any idea how long it's been since I've had ramen? These people have no idea how to make it. It tastes like shit, and I'm too afraid to eat it! Last time I did, I swear it moved. It was so creepy, Sakura Chan! I think I'm suffering from withdrawal symptoms. Does my heartbeat feel too fast? Oh Kami, it does… Sakura Chan I can't stay here until September! That damn fucking son of a bitch teme is going to kill me because I accidently cut his arm! Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit!"

Bemused, Sakura observed Naruto's rant, far too humoured to interrupt him to ask for more information for the moment. He was carrying on like a child, and it amused her greatly to see a full grown man act so immature. Eventually, though, he'd calmed down enough to finish giving her the rest of the information.

"Anyways, I've found a good place we can get out. There's a dip in the west side of the wall in the gardens. I know it leads out onto an open field, so we'd have to escape at night. Preferably midnight, when the guards change shifts. That'll leave us a window of about three minutes to get over the wall, get on a horse, and get as far away from this damned place as possible. After that, it should take us around three days to get home, seeing as we'll make a few detours to hopefully throw them off our tracks. Then we'll be home and away from here." He took a deep breath, almost a sigh of relief at having finally figured things out. "The full moon is on the fourteenth, and I'm only really worried that such a bright moon might have them see us, so make sure to wear a dark cloak. I'll bring a black horse. Maybe we'll be able to blend in to the scenery enough for them to overlook us. All you've got to do in the meantime is keep away from that Gaara and teme. And keep out of trouble! Last time we were going to escape, you had to get yourself thrown in prison! Kinda puts a damper on the plans when I can't bring you back, doesn't it? And I can't go home without you. So you can't marry Gaara. If Neji were to find out… Gah, he'd kill me!"

"Naruto, calm down!" Sakura interjected, and stood up to put a hand on his shoulder. "It wasn't my fault that I was put in prison; I was framed, you know that. And the only reason I'd consider Gaara is if I was sure that I wouldn't get out of here." She smiled, and hugged him. "Do you honestly think, after everything you've done for me, I'd just go off and betray you?"

Naruto laughed his big, booming laugh, and wrapped his arms about her in a friendly vice. "Just as long as you're not pregnant with that bastard's bastard -"

SMACK!

The blond man turned tear-filled eyes on the roseate, and massaged his jaw. "Sakura Chan? What the hell? That really hurt! I was just saying, y'know!"

Sakura, meanwhile, was fuming, with a pink flush in her cheeks. "How- how dare you?" she spluttered, embarrassed beyond belief. "There is absolutely no way… no way that I would have his… his brat. No way! That's just… no. No!" She continued mumbling to herself, words such as 'preposterous' and 'ludicrous' being emitted from her mouth in abundance. Eventually, she turned back to the blond, who had a nasty bruise forming on the side of his cheek. "Oh Naruto, I'm sorry about that. Put some ice on it and the swelling will go down. You will have a bruise for a few days, though. I'm sorry. But… I've got to go. I've got to get back to Sasuke's room before he notices I'm missing. If you hear anything else, tell me right away, okay?" With that, she slipped from the room, silent as a phantom.

Naruto grinned at the door, and winced as the motion sparked a pain in his jaw.

.:{*}:.

The sound of her shoeless feet made soft slapping noises against the marble floor in the corridors, and Sakura nervously looked about her in case the noise alerted anyone to her presence. She couldn't explain it – the hairs on the back of her neck prickled, as if she was being watched. She didn't like the feeling at all.

There was someone there, she was sure of it. Someone watching her from the myriad of shadows that loomed from the nooks and crannies and spaces between wall and threaded tapestry. She shivered with apprehension and walked a little quicker, keeping as far from the shadows as the corridor would allow her. The roseate turned a corner, then another, before climbing a set of stairs, keeping her ears peeled for an echoing set of footsteps that didn't belong to her. But whoever it was, was silent as a shadow and as insubstantial as a ghost; she didn't hear anything. At her silent revelation that she must have merely been being paranoid, she heaved a sigh of relief, and let her shoulders slump, releasing them of their tension.

It was in her moment of weakness that a hand shot out, and pulled her away from any possible prying eyes, into a random, sparsely furnished room. The pale, long-fingered hand muffled her shocked scream, and the offender kept her back to him (the hand was too large and calloused for a woman's), so as to keep his identity hidden. The door was shut quickly, and Sakura was pressed against it, her attacker pressing himself behind her. If she had any doubts about his gender before, her suspicions were alleviated upon feeling his erection nudging her lower back. What frightened her most was that she knew this man wasn't Sasuke or Gaara. She wasn't kept guessing long.

"Sakura," Orochimaru hissed; her name a vile caress against the length of his tongue. She shuddered, her fear being rekindled from the fading flame to the roaring fire that it was previously. "What brings you out of Sasuke's abode today, hm?" His tongue slid along the shell of her ear, sending electric shock waves through her body. A terrified groan whispered past the cracks between his fingers. "Were you off whoring? Naughty Sakura. The Prince won't like that now, will he?" The hand that wasn't covering her mouth slid down to cup a breast, and squeezed. A squeal escaped her lips, and she jumped, feeling her body being enveloped by a fit of trembling. "I must admit myself quite jealous. You are no ravishing beauty, but you are comely enough. And your thighs about a man's waist must be sweet as honey when wrapped around them in pleasure. I am quite curious as well. Are you a moaner, or a screamer? As Konoha's whore, I'm sure that you'll be more than willing to sate my curiosity, won't you?"

Sakura shook her head violently, and let out another muffled scream, attempting – in vain – to wrench herself away from him.

"Ah-ah," he chided half-heartedly, and gave her breast another painful squeeze. "Can't have that now, can we? Certainly not. Come on, Sakura. Show me how much of a whore you really are." And he began to lift her skirt.

Through her haze of fear induced paralysis, the little light of sense swam, and Sakura grabbed onto it like a drowning man would latch on to a life boat. She had been in terrifying situations before; she had handled them calmly and rationally. She had seen a knife held up to her best friend's throat. She had watched her father bleed to death with a sword protruding through his belly. She could damn well get out of this situation. She regulated her breathing to a slower pace, and forced herself to relax in Orochimaru's sickening grip, hoping to avoid being possibly raped by him.

"Good girl," he cooed, and kissed just behind her ear. Sakura forced down the revolted shudder, and turned her head slightly, as if in acceptance, hoping that all fear was hidden from her eyes. Her actions produced the desired effect, and he turned her around, removing his hand from where it rested on her lips. He reclaimed her mouth with his, and wasted no time in slipping his disgusting tongue down her throat. Sakura forced herself to remain calm, when all she wanted to down was scream and fall into a shaking, shivering heap on the floor. She had to make him believe that she was being receptive to his actions.

Once he'd hitched her skirt up enough that he was satisfied, he began to work on his breeches. 'Just a little more,' Sakura comforted herself. 'Just a few more seconds.' She heard the tell-tale sign of breeches hitting the floor, and –

And brought her knee up to crunch his uncovered, erect member.

Orochimaru released her immediately, stepped back and, howling with pain, doubled up and cupped his penis in a weak attempt to alleviate the agony somewhat.

Sakura wasted no time in fleeing the room, hoping that the agony would keep him occupied long enough for her to get safely back to Sasuke's room. Tears fell in an uncontrollable stream down her face, and sobs ripped from her chest. The water blinded her slightly, but she relied on her adrenaline and instinct to get her back to Sasuke's room in one piece.

She couldn't hear anyone chasing after her, but then again, she hadn't heard Orochimaru in the first place. But she could feel him, like a phantom menace, forever tickling the back of her subconscious.

She rounded one last corner, and thankfully saw Sasuke's room up ahead. Within seconds she was on the other side of his door, and had collapsed into the shuddering, crying, emotional wreck her experience had made her. How could she fear someone so much? How could they invoke such a reaction from her?

"Sakura!" Sasuke's startled voice penetrated the mist in her mind, and a wave of safety enveloped her as his arms curled about her. "Shh, what happened? What's happened to you? Are you alright? Shh my love, tell me what happened."

She ignored everything he said, and gripped onto his shirt, burying her face into his chest. His touch, his voice, his smell brought the screaming voice of Safety! Safety! Safety! back into her mind, and she clung to it; she clung to him.

Gently, ever so gently, he brought a hand under her knees and another to support her back and carried her over to the bed, nuzzling her to his chest.

Sasuke was completely bewildered by her bizarre entrance and emotional upheaval. What had caused her to react so violently? He had walked back into his room with his arm newly stitched, to find the roseate gone. His absolute befuddlement had quickly made way for fury, and he had donned a new shirt, intent upon finding the girl and chastising the hell out of her when she had stumbled into his room, her breast heaving, her face alabaster white and her eyes brimming with tears. All of his rage had subsided into worry and confusion, and he had immediately gone to her side, to find out what had caused such a violent display of emotions. He was sure that he could feel a headache coming on – so many simultaneous emotions had never been good for him.

But Sakura wouldn't – or couldn't – speak, and it had taken a few good hours for him to coax her tears to stop falling, a few hours more to stop her shivering, and another few more hours until he could convince her to accept the best type of comfort he knew how to give: sex.

That was why at, close to midnight, they lay naked in his bed, with the sheets pulled up to their waist. Sakura was tracing invisible tattoos on his chest, and he was content to just run his fingers through her hair. His black eyes watched her constantly, and they softened upon seeing the thin veil of contentment there. What lay just behind that veil, he wasn't sure, but he took pride that he was the reason that it had diminished slightly. Her face displayed none of the turmoil she was so obviously feeling, but Sasuke could sense her unrest.

"What happened, Sakura?" Sasuke finally broke the thick silence with a hoarse whisper.

She shook her head, and concentrated even harder on the patterns. O-R-O-

"Who did that to you?"

She shrugged her shoulders, and stayed quiet. –C-H-I-

"Won't you tell me?"

She shook her head. –M-A-R-

Sasuke was suddenly hit with the irony of it all. Usually it was Sakura asking the questions, and Sasuke replying with body language. He noticed a stray tear, and softly wiped it away with the pad of his right thumb.

He took her hand in his, and threaded his fingers through hers, ending her silent scribbling. "Don't be afraid to tell me, Sakura." She responded with silence, and curled herself closer into his chest. He could feel her warm breath fluttering on his breast, and he buried his nose in her hair, using his free arm to pull her closer to him.

"Won't you talk to me?"

Silence again, and his annoyance was kept at bay only by the knowledge that she wasn't trying to upset him or annoy him. Whatever had happened had unsettled her greatly, and as much as he wanted to shake the information from her, instinct was telling him that he'd never get the information if he resorted to that.

He was on the edge of wakefulness and sleep, when her soft voice slid into his ears.

"Thank you."

He just clutched her tighter to him, and fell asleep, not letting go of her hand.

He wouldn't hear the story for a long time to come.

And this marks the start of my spontaneous updating. Well, it's proved fruitful for my other story, so hopefully it will for this one too :D I've been managing to keep on top of homework so far *touch wood* so hopefully I'll be able to find a good amount of time in my week to write more :D

Well, I know that reviews have definitely helped with my other story, and I just know that they will for this one too. Are you speculating about anything? Tell me! I'd love to hear your ideas! And to all those people who've favourited and haven't reviewed... You know who you are... Come on, it isn't that hard to type for half a minute :/ It won't kill you either :P And thank you so much to everyone who reviews constantly, it means so much to me :)

Reviews = Love = Inspiration = Faster updates ^_^

Much love, SapphireRivulet xoxox