Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, Naruto Shippuden, or any of the characters therein.

A/N: Sorry for the long wait! Hopefully this chapter excites everyone! So this chapter is significantly more messed up than the last. Not every chapter will be this bad. The Fuhai arc in particular is going to be pretty dark, but there will be lighter parts of this piece as a whole. Perpetual darkness is not only hard to write (stuff ceases to be shocking and just ends up being bland) but isn't what I wanted to quite convey anyways. Feel free to PM me with any plot-related questions, and I will answer. Also, this chapter focuses a little more on Naruto and Sasuke, as I have spent a lot of time on Sakura recently.

I really appreciate all the support! You all are awesome! Continue to show it please 3

~Hecate's Slumber

The Forge: Chapter V

Wood creaked as the worn door swung open. Niwa entered first in a swirl of red silk and peachy aroma. Three heavy-footed males followed her into the room. The largest of the men strode ahead of the other two. The lankiest clung to the back wall, and the third man, dressed in a nearly transparent white chiffon robe stood beside Niwa.

Niwa outstretched a pale, delicate arm to the three genin huddled against the ground. "These are the new arrivals. I intend to keep them as my own little pets, but I am willing to lease them during the day" her soft, poisonous accent sliced through the still, dank air. She sauntered over toward the genin with a lazy but powerful swing of the hips.

Niwa knelt in front of Sakura and put a hand on the girl's face. Sakura flinched and edged away from the touch. Niwa and the three males laughed. "Don't be shy, my darling."

Her hand moved away from Sakura to rest on Sasuke's chin. "You all are far too bashful." He yanked his chin out of her grip.

She laughed and stood as she ruffled Naruto's hair. "Stand, all of you." Her voice gained volume and a harsh, commanding edge.

The three genin stood. Sakura collected her hair in front of her so that the loose, long pink strands somewhat concealed her breasts. She stared at the floor. She was dully aware of the fact that acting terrified was quite easy.

Sasuke glanced up at the men in the room with a defiant, bitter glare. He stood with his shoulders propped back and his stance wide and open. Acting be damned, he would never tremble for someone.

Naruto glanced at his teammates in uncertainty how to carry himself. His eyes avoided Sakura and landed on Sasuke. He mimicked Sasuke's posture. If Sasuke refused to show fear, Naruto decided that he wouldn't show fear either. He studied the men that Niwa had led in.

The man standing in front of the others was tan, bald, and clad in low-slung animal hide pants and an open black leather vest. The bald man had rippling biceps and abdominal muscles. A gold band clung to the dip between his left bicep and his shoulder muscle. Deep scars jutted across the smooth expanse of his head and face. The man's physique towered over everyone else in the room. This man's slit, jade eyes scanned the three.

Naruto narrowed his eyes when the man smirked upon observing Sakura. Dirty pervert.

When the bald man finally spoke, his voice was deep and gravely. "Well, Niwa-chan. I would love to taste pinky's maidenhood" he paused. The other two men in the room laughed. Both Sasuke and Naruto fidgeted. The man continued "but Emiko-chan would not be too pleased with me. Which one of these has the highest constitution?"

Niwa smiled. "That would be Naruto, the blonde boy. His constitution should prove quite satisfying."

The large man grunted and walked over to Naruto. Naruto watched the man. He carefully held his tongue. He wanted to hit this man. How dare he say something so perverted about Sakura-chan!? This was a freaking old monolith of a man.

The large man circled Naruto, eyeing him carefully. "He's a bit short, and definitely skinnier than most of the ones I take. You think he can withstand it? If he dies, I'm not paying you back for loss of property, Niwa."

"I won't die." Naruto bit his tongue hard. He was a human. Not some fucking piece of property! And just what did this man want with him that he could die from!? Naruto, not for the first time, found himself hating his sensei. What kind of teacher sold his students into human trafficking?

The large man smirked at Naruto's statement. "Got a confident brat, huh Niwa?"

Naruto clenched his fists.

Niwa narrowed her eyes at Naruto. "Yes, he's an outspoken one. But this one is special. Very high constitution. His family tested food for noble brats. Lady Kiyoko's precious, sniveling baby boys, I believe. This brat" she nudged Naruto roughly in the ribs. "Can most certainly handle large shipments, Kenta-san."

Kenta grunted. "I'll cut off his tongue, and he'll serve me just fine."

Naruto's eyes widened. He was about to retort when he felt Sakura step on his foot. He glanced to her, and she sent him a fierce eyed look. He understood, and he shut up.

Niwa shook her head. "That is hardly necessary. He is harmless. Plus...he is my property. I would have him keep his tongue for reasons I am sure you understand."

The men in the room burst into laughter. Kenta raised his eyebrows. "Eh, dirty lady Niwa-chan, making a little boy do that."

Naruto tilted his head to the side in confusion while Sakura shuddered. Sasuke remained impassive.

Niwa waved a hand dismissively. "No different than your comment about little Sakura. But Naruto will serve you well. I'll prepare the contract?"

Kenta eyed the blonde again before nodding. "He'll work. I need a new vessel."

Naruto grimaced at the word "vessel." Vessel for what?

"I'll make the arrangement, Kenta-san." She bowed hastily before turning to one of the other men in the room. "Yori-san, I believe I have someone for you as well."

A lanky man removed himself from his position leaning against a wall. The man was clothed head to toe in a black cloak that partially obscured his tan face. Only thin, bluish chapped lips, the edge of a crooked nose, and a thin veil of long midnight hair peaked out from beneath the expanse of the cloak. "Aye? You found me a rat willing to take out my garbage?" His voice came forth as a husky whisper.

Niwa turned to him with her painted, plotting grin. "Of course. Sasuke will handle your duties wordlessly."

Sasuke glared at the woman.

Yori slinked up to Sasuke. Long black hair hung over the boy's head as Yori loomed over him. "Ever seen a body, boy?"

Sasuke turned his glare indignantly up towards the man and remained silent.

Naruto and Sakura fidgeted. Naruto worried about the pain the memories caused Sasuke. Sakura worried that Sasuke's reaction would be violent and blow their cover.

Seconds passed. Sasuke had not moved. His glare harshened. It was like a vortex of hatred. Bottomless. Tumultuous. Deadly. Sakura glanced to his face and felt the air being sucked from her lungs. She glanced away to look at Naruto. The blonde seemed strangely pensive.

A loud wheezing sound filled the room. It was high-pitched and squeaked like a not quite dead bird shot clean through with an arrow. It was the sound of Yori laughing. "Good. Good. This one will do just fine."

Niwa smirked. "I'll prepare your contract as well? This one comes from-"

Yori held up a hand to silence her. "I don't need to know a rat's history. A rat is a rat and will do just fine. Get the contract and send him over come nightfall tomorrow."

Niwa mimicked her bow from earlier. "Of course, Yori-san." She turned to glance at the other man in this room, who up until that point had remained silent. "Souma-chan, I will instruct the girl. If that is, you find her a valuable addition to my shows."

The man in the chiffon robe sashayed forward. The airy fabric swished against his thin legs. Only thin strips of silk beneath the chiffon prevented the garment from being entirely translucent. The man had a long blonde braid that spiraled down his back and was tied with a white ribbon. He stopped before Sakura. He reached past her hair, and his fingers ghosted across the skin of her neck and between her breasts.

Sakura clenched her eyes shut.

The man's fingers danced onto her breast and pinched her nipple.

She squeaked and her eyes shot open.

Faster than any of the men could understand, Sasuke's hand latched onto Souma's wrist in an almost fracturing grip. Naruto's hand gripped the man's forearm and sharp, jagged nails embedded themselves into Souma's skin.

Souma smirked and removed his hand from her. "Protective of the little girl, huh?" He glanced back at Kenta and Yori. "You two will have fun housebreaking these dogs." He turned to face Niwa. "As for her, pink…is exotic. Rarities will attract many guests to your show." His smirk turned slimy as he glanced down her body. "She will do quite well."

Sakura whimpered. It was an act, but damn she wanted to rip Souma's tendons. Upon her whimper, Sasuke tightened his grip, and Naruto's nails drew thin trails of blood.

Kenta laughed. "Protecting their precious pink cunt, huh? Watch yourself, Souma."

Niwa growled. "Sasuke. Naruto. Off, now!" She yelled. Sasuke and Naruto exchanged glances before dropping their hands from Souma.

Souma withdrew his hand from Sakura. "But she will do well, Niwa-chan. Especially if you personally instruct her. It is a sight that I daresay I won't be able to resist."

The woman laughed with a rough, crude sound. "Yeah? You won't be touching her maidenhead, Souma. She's rare. You're not rich enough to buy her cunt."

Kenta's loud, boisterous laughter filled the room.

Sakura's breathing hitched in anger. She clenched her fists.

Naruto laced his hand with Sakura's in an effort to comfort her.

Sasuke stepped slightly in front of Sakura. He shielded her right side from the other occupants of the room. These men disgusted him. Sakura was a ninja. Civilian born, maybe, but she was too damn good to be touched and prodded at by sleazy old men.

Souma waved a hand dismissively. "Fine, fine, Niwa. Ever stingy for such a graceful woman." He bowed lowly. "If you have no other need for me, I will depart and bless the other wenches with my delightful presence." He let himself out of the room.

Sakura exhaled, and Naruto squeezed her hand. He still did not release her hand.

Yori glanced to Kenta. "We will be leaving as well. We have another transaction to take care of, right Kenta?" His whispery voice unnerved Sasuke.

"Yes." Kenta kissed Niwa on the cheek. "Goodnight Niwa-chan. I'll collect my brat tomorrow."

The other two men exited.

Niwa turned to the genin. "The girl did well. Boys, you need to be more submissive. I'll return with servant clothes for you to wear. Remember the conditions your master and I established." Niwa also left the room.

The sound of her heels clicking down the hall gradually faded.

Sakura crumpled onto the ground. The boys sat down on either side of her. Nobody looked at the others' bodies.

Naruto stared at the door. "What conditions?"

Sasuke slapped his forehead. "Seriously, dobe? That happened an hour ago…"

"Well I need to know! We gather information, right? But what about? Where? Who do we report to?"

"We don't know. We were thrown into this with minimal information" Sasuke responded. He sighed and reclined onto his back and stared up at the slightly damp ceiling above him. "Niwa is the closest thing we have to an ally now, so we follow her."

Sakura bit her lip. "Fine. But I am not sleeping with anyone."

"Hn."

"Like hell you are! I'll kill them if they touch you!" Naruto yelled.

"Ow! Naruto, stop screaming!" Sakura covered her ears. "And no, you won't get the chance. I'll kill them first."

Niwa returned with two scratchy starched grey tunics for Naruto and Sasuke. The unfitted tunics fell to their knees. The third garment was a white kimono-esque shirt with a red floral pattern for Sakura. The garment fell to her upper thighs and was cinched at the waist with a red obi. Niwa glanced at the genin. "Oh, and this room is soundproof. If I were you, I might practice those jutsus Kakashi gave you. Remember, you have a week to escape. Remember, get me information to help my studies. Goodnight, little ones." She spun and left the room.

The three young genin started to practice their jutsus as soon as she left.

-0—

Time was impossible to tell inside the windowless fortress of a room that Niwa had locked them away in. Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto curled together with Sakura's head on Sasuke's chest and Naruto cuddling into Sakura's opposite side. After hours of practicing their jutsus and high levels of chakra exhaustion for Sakura, they decided to sleep. Yet, none could tell how long they had slept. They laid still, close to each other initially for comfort because Naruto thought that Sakura needed it and Sasuke did not want to be the only teammate left out, and they passed in between a haze of sleep and awake punctuated only by bizarre, stressful dreams. At some point, Niwa had stirred them in order to feed them a bland rabbit and vegetable stew and a large tin of water. Thick air permeated the room with a humid drowsiness and decaying scent tendrils of the stew. Some point after the stew, Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura vaguely realized that they had to pee, but they each held it. When Niwa returned, they would ask about a bathroom.

At the sound of the door creaking open, the three genin jolted to their feet. Niwa entered. Her long hair was untied and cascaded down her back in a veil of impenetrable black silk. "Sasuke, Naruto…your contractors have arrived. Hide the tools your master gave you and come with me."

Naruto dug through the hay pile and found his syringe. "Niwa-sensei?"

"I'm not your sensei, kid."

"Niwa, do you have a bathroom?" Naruto's lips upturned into an awkward smile.

"Yes. No time for that. Your contractors are here. Now."

Naruto frowned. "But I've been holding it for hours!"

"Tough luck, kid. Either piss in the corner right now or hold it."

Sasuke scrunched his nose. "We sleep in this room. You better hold it, dobe."

Naruto crossed his arms over his chest. "Fucking Uchiha."

Sasuke rolled his eyes at Naruto. He reached into the hay pile and extracted the bone. As his thumbs ran across the hard, smooth surface, his eyes found Naruto again. He stared at Naruto, urging him to be careful. This wasn't a game anymore. The dobe had to be quiet. Professional. Sasuke fastened the bone to the outside of his leg using a strip of torn material from his original nin clothing and covered his leg with the sack-like garment he wore.

Naruto stared back at Sasuke. So the bastard wanted to compete, huh? Naruto glared and hurriedly tied his syringe to his leg in the same way that Sasuke had. He beat him by seconds and he grinned gloatingly at Sasuke.

Sakura bit her lip and glanced at her boys. "Good luck. Please be careful…Naruto." She knew Sasuke would be okay. If anything, he would get mad at her for urging him to be careful. Maybe chastise her with some bullshit about how he was so skilled that he didn't need to be careful. Either way, Sakura did not think Sasuke cared to hear her worries.

Naruto grinned and waved. "Of course, Sakura-chan! Good luck to you too."

The third teammate watched this exchange with a tight frown stretched across his pale lips.

Sakura stood hastily and grabbed both of the boys' hands into her own. "Good luck, Naruto…Sasuke." She closed her eyes and a brief look of concentration flitted across her features.

Sasuke could feel a vague disturbance around his body. He could feel Sakura's chakra against him. Just what was she doing?

"Come." Niwa turned and the two boys followed her out.

Naruto glanced to Sasuke and wondered what he was thinking. He had noticed the firm frown on the other boy's face. Was he afraid? Hell, Naruto knew that he himself was afraid. A bone and a syringe… Naruto ousted that strain of thought in order to craft up plots to see what lay behind the solemn, still doors that lined the hallway.

The dank, twisted hallway was silent aside from the rhythmic click of Niwa's heals and the nearly soundless steps of two sets of bare, calloused ninja feet. She led them out the metal side door that they had entered in through the previous day.

Outside, a new moon drowned the night in a blackness so intense it burned like liquid tar. Only torches from distant buildings flickered uncertainly and lit up the space where a lone armored wagon perched. Two feet long pointed spikes extended from the wheels, and a heavy black tarp obscured anything and anyone seated inside of the wagon. Three gaunt horses covered in raw ulcers and bite-mark patterned scabs were tied with thick leather reigns to the wagon. A man in a sweeping black cloak leaned against the wagon.

Sasuke recognized the man. Yori. He lowered his eyebrows and glared at the man as Yori approached Niwa.

"Good evening, Niwa-chan. Kenta sent this." He extended a letter to Niwa.

Talon-like hands snatched the letter. Niwa read furiously. Her eyebrows furrowed. "Kenta wants you to take the brat to the lab? Hmm. Fine. Just get them both back to me by dawn. I want to work them into my show." She crumpled the letter into her hands and stuffed it into her cleavage.

Yori nodded. "Of course, sweet Niwa."

His whisper sent chills down Naruto's spine. Yori stalked over and roughly gripped Sasuke and Naruto around the biceps. He brought them to the back of the wagon. He clapped his hands together once. The tarp slid open from the inside. Armored arms snatched Sasuke and Naruto and yanked them into the wagon.

Yori himself walked to the front of the wagon and took the reigns.

-0—

Inside the wagon, men cloaked in black like Yori lined two benches. They were armed with katanas. Sasuke and Naruto crashed onto the hard wood planks at the bottom of the inside of the wagon. One of the men stood up. He gripped Naruto roughly by the collar of his clothing. "Ay! This one's the little piggy!" He shook Naruto.

Sasuke tried to rise but was stopped when another man placed a foot on his neck. "And this is Yori's baby rat." Sasuke growled and tried to slap the man's foot away, but the appendage only dug further into Sasuke's neck. He grit his teeth. He couldn't reveal that he was a ninja. Not yet. He couldn't fail the mission. His first training session as a genin. But how could he let himself be demeaned so? Black eyes darted to Naruto.

One of the men slammed Naruto down into the ground. The wagon started and caused Naruto's head to crash against the floor harder than his assaulter had intended. The blond groaned and made eye contact with Sasuke. At least they were both being disrespected, Naruto supposed. At least, it wasn't just him. One of the men laughed as he seated himself on Naruto's back. "Ay boys! He's going to the lab. We gotta fatten him up, like a good little piggy. He's too skinny." Naruto half grinned. Food didn't sound too bad…at least. He didn't care if they embarrassed him if they fed him.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed as he saw some of the men hand a couple of syringes to the man on Naruto's back. He locked eyes with Naruto and shook his head at Naruto's grin.

Naruto's small smile faltered as he watched Sasuke. He glanced back over his shoulder as the man behind him hiked up the starched dress-like thing, as he had dubbed his garment, up so that it ended just under his ribcage and exposed his naked lower body to everyone in the room. Naruto's eyes widened as the man held four syringes and injected him at the base of his spine. He screamed. He didn't quite recall making the sound. The newly injected substances ripped through his body. Within a couple of seconds, he writhed against the ground in agony. His chakra levels were swiftly declining. Faster and faster. Laughing. All he could hear was laughing and men calling him "piggy" and "vessel." He could feel them stabbing him with more syringes in other places. His neck, butt, stomach, chest. He felt a syringe being rammed a syringe into his thigh. As the man removed the syringe, Naruto peed on the man's hand. He couldn't help it. It just hurt so bad. His face was red with shame. He vaguely heard the man curse at him before feeling a sharp kick to the ribs. The same man gripped him and shoved his face into his own urine. He laid his head placidly against the floor as his chakra evaporated. He wanted to feel angry, but with his rapidly diminishing chakra, he could barely muster anger. Dull, pained, blue eyes stared at Sasuke. "Sasuke-teme…"

Sasuke tried to rise to his feet, but the foot on his neck tightened. He could use ninja skills and save Naruto and jeopardize them both…but all of these men were armed. And Naruto did not look like he could fight. However, he could not see the syringe Kakashi gave Naruto despite Naruto being almost completely exposed. How? Then, he saw it. It was subtle. Barely visible. Just a tiny smudge in a reality where everything should have been flawless. He could still feel Sakura's chakra on him. A henge that hid their weapons. Sasuke would have smirked at Sakura's clever actions, however his glare burned as he watched the men abuse Naruto. When he finally saw the other boy's eyes, his own look blazed with indignation. How dare a ninja be so disrespected!? These people were civilians. Powerless. Useless. Sasuke knew that he could easily kill these men. One Katon: Gokakyu no Jutsu and the whole wagon would go down. Easy. Sasuke did not know why he wanted to gain vengeance on the men for Naruto's sake. But he did. Naruto was his ally. Deadlast. Loser. And teammate. Like Sakura…whose henges had probably already saved both of them. She had protected her teammates. Would he? Sasuke growled as the wagon jolted to a halt and the man's foot on his neck forced more pressure down upon him. No, he could not take down these men right away. He needed to wait long enough in order to please his sensei and gain whatever power his sensei could give him. But when a week was up, oh, Sasuke was sure that he would take care of the men who had hurt Naruto so.

-0—

Niwa returned to Sakura. "Come, girl."

Sakura stood hastily. "When will they be back…my..my friends?" She hesitated to use the word "teammates" as she followed Niwa through the hallway. Anyone could hear them through the thin wood walls. The hallway was not soundproofed like the room Niwa had kept them in. Sakura's ears could already pick up the sounds of people talking in hushed tones in adjoining rooms. Sakura did not want anyone to suspect they were ninja. The less people knew, the better.

Niwa sighed. "Dawn the latest." She stopped in front of a whitewashed door. "Here. This is the bathroom. Piss, shit, bathe yourself. Do whatever. I'll be back in ten minutes to prepare you for your lesson today." Niwa spun on her heels and stalked down the hallway.

Sakura bit her lip before entering the room. It was indeed a bathroom. A large tub filled the center of the room. It was white and painted with little flowers. The tub was already filled with water and three pink cherry blossom petals floated innocently on the surface of the water. Sakura glanced around the room hurriedly. Her senses couldn't perceive anybody. She closed the whitewashed door behind her and disrobed.

-0—

Sasuke did not know where they had taken Naruto, and this bothered him. At least Sakura was back with Niwa. Niwa had a deal with Kakashi. Nothing too bad could happen to Sakura with Niwa, right? Sasuke shook his head. Why did he care? They were both weak and useless. Still, Sasuke could not deny that they would be his most valuable assets in pursuing a successful escape from this flea-bitten, infestation filled hell hole of a town.

The wagon had started again. The men were obviously Yori's and not Kenta's as none had left the wagon when Naruto was forced out. So maybe that was why they did not treat him as badly as they had treated Naruto. They didn't want to rough up boss's new pet, huh? Sasuke would remember that.

The wagon jerked to a second stop, and all of the men drew masks up to cover the lower portions of their faces. They slung the hoods of their cloaks up as well. The man who had placed his foot on Sasuke's neck finally retracted the offending foot. The men whispered to each other.

A low noise. A nearly silent whistle echoed through the men's whispers. All conversations stopped. The men jumped off of the back of the wagon one by one.

Alone, Sasuke stood and crept to the edge of the wagon and peered out at the scene.

The men had their katanas drawn. Yori stood at the center of their circle. "Bring me the child. Bring her alive for now. Kill any who get in the way." Yori whispered to his crowd of men. The men nodded and slinked into the blackness of the night. Sasuke could just make out their bodies as they surrounded a three story building the size of an inn.

Yori glanced back and saw Sasuke watching him from the opening in the wagon. "Rat…" The whisper almost died in the wind and barely reached Sasuke's ears.

Sasuke stood and walked over to Yori.

"Today, I'd like you to play cleanup. Follow the men. Wash the blood they spill. Slaughter the evidence. And when you find the girl…lie to her and bring her to my men. She'll surely fall for a pretty rat like you…"

"Who is she…the girl?" Sasuke asked.

"Nobody."

"Then why do you want her?"

Yori turned a hidden face towards Sasuke. The unspoken question hung in the air: And why do you need to know, little rat?

"I mean…how should I find her if I don't know anything about her?"

"Follow the trails and find the one they spare. Find the Kurosawa" he spat the name.

"Won't your men find her first?"

"Oh no…the little one won't come out for them, my rat…" A scream sounded from the building in front of Sasuke.

-0—

After ten minutes, Niwa returned to find Sakura fully dressed once again. "Stand." She commanded in her serpentine drawl.

Sakura stood. She kept her eyes forward as Niwa paced around her.

Niwa halted a foot in front of Sakura and placed her hands on her hips. "I'm going to break the agreement a bit for you, sweetheart."

Sakura raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Niwa waved a hand dismissively. "Kunoichi…tell me pretty girl…how many of them are weak? How many of them are left in the dust by powerful males or expected to fill support roles? Your sensei was so eager when he wrote to me about those boys…but you…you, he dismissed. Tell me girl, are you a fighter?"

Sakura's eyes narrowed. She clenched her fists. "I am as much of a fighter as Naruto or Sasuke. I may not look like much now, but I will be just as strong."

Niwa laughed. "Good girl. For you, we'll break the rules a bit." She sauntered around the tub with an effortless grace.

Green eyes widened. "What do you mean?"

Niwa smirked. "First, I'll teach you how to dance."

"Huh?"

Niwa slipped out of her heels as she strutted up to Sakura. "First, is footwork." She rose to the balls of her feet and started to dance. She added arm movements as well. Arms and feet moved in long graceful sweeps. "Watch my feet girl."

Sakura watched as Niwa gracefully pirouetted. She kicked her foot out straight from her pirouetted position before bringing it back in and leaping closer to Sakura. She spun gracefully and enacted another pirouette. She brought her foot back and kicked Sakura squarely in the ribs.

Sakura grunted and flew back roughly at the impact. "Shit." She landed a couple feet back on her butt.

Niwa smirked. "Distraction, darling, is a useful battle skill. In a real battle, you will most likely feign clumsiness or weakness instead of dancing, but monitoring your movements and making every single move a plot is central to being a ninja. So come, child. Learn to dance. Make feigned clumsiness the perfect launching point for a powerful roundhouse kick."

-0—

Naruto remained barely awake when he felt a surge of new chakra flooding through his body. The sensation almost burned. It felt nothing like him at all. Something about it felt evil. However, it gave him the strength to open his eyes. He found himself on his back on a table. He felt the dark chakra spiraling around his stomach. He glanced down to find his skin slowly knitting itself back together. Naruto clutched his hands over his mouth. He almost vomited. Strange tiny bags containing a fine white powder dwelled just beneath his stomach. He did vomit this time. Off the side of the table. He was lucky he was alone. The bags were being stitched into his body. Oh, he finally understood. Uzumaki Naruto was being used as a vessel to traffic illegal substances.

A strange woman entered the room. "You…did they…stitch you up already?" The woman asked in a confused voice as she glanced down at the already healed Naruto in front of her.

"I…yes." Naruto lied. To hell with his sensei, Naruto knew he had to escape. But how? His normal chakra was nearly gone. Only the dark chakra remained.

-0—

Sasuke darted through the trees with grace. Somehow, he knew he had to make it to the little girl before the men did. More screams filled the night. He quickly scaled the building and hopped in through a window. He glanced around the dark room. He could barely see. Fuck, he had to see to find her. He stepped into the next room and stilled when he saw two bodies. A man and a woman. They lay together, embracing on a bed. Blood spurted from the gaping hole that caused their heads to snap back hanging on only by a thread of skin.

Sasuke stood still.

"Okaa-san…." A small, quiet voice cried in the distance.

Sasuke saw red.

-0—

An hour later, Sakura danced with Niwa with her eyes closed. Niwa silently urged the girl to meditate and close off her thoughts. Straining ears followed Niwa's movements as she tried to replicate them without sight or too much concentration. Her head hurt.

Niwa had said something about the spiritual half of chakra. Dancing while meditating. Increase your stamina and your spiritual connections. Sakura barely understood how anyone could focus on dancing while in a meditative stance. Still, she tried. She followed Niwa's movements into a low, sweeping backbend before bringing it up with a delicate upward kick that cascaded into a savage chakra enhanced jump kick.

When Sakura opened her eyes, it was because Niwa had grabbed her wrist and led her out of the bathroom and into an adjoining room. The room was quiet. Black metal grates lined the walls. Long red ribbons fell in between the grates and partially hid the holes in the grates. Men watched her from behind the grates.

Niwa smirked and walked to the center of the room. "Welcome, lovelies. Tonight's show begins with my youngest, perkiest new edition, Sakura." She grabbed the girl's wrist and spun her into the center of the room.

Men catcalled, and Sakura blushed.

Niwa raised an eyebrow at Sakura. "Do your job, Sakura. The one you have trained to do for years…"

Sakura shyly smiled at the men as she nodded at Niwa. Years… She spun the ribbon off of her leg and fanned it around her body as she twirled. Metal grates, she mused, would present an interesting challenge. Well, Sakura could craft a spectacle.