A/N: I know it's been a long time coming, but I finally got enough free time from school to update. I've had a pretty crappy cold (that i so happen to have caught from Sis) and on top of that my Stats class is kickin my ass. Anyways, here is the next chapter. Sadly, my story will be drawind to a close soon. I just want a small vote on whether or not to write a sequel. If you want a sequel, vote for it. If not, don't vote at all. As always, if I owned this, Hidan would be a good guy, Naruto would be smarter (and always paired with Hinata) and Sakura would be head over heels in love with Gaara, not Sasugay. Since this isn't the case, I obviously don't own Naruto.
CH. 31: Bondage, Vines, Bonding and Loyalty
Gaara could feel the panic in his mate's mind as he transported them from their desert hideaway to their home. He smiled at the thought it was now their home, not just her home. As soon as they appeared, she threw on some clothes, gave him some she'd washed since the washer in his old house had broken. They hurriedly dressed and then Sakura packed all her major medical kits and supplies. Gaara picked up some of the stuff and they transported out.
Sakura's eyes were blazing silver when she appeared at Sai's bedside. She looked to see Raidu with his arm stuck out the window and a constant stream of electricity flowing from his fingertips to outside the house. She noticed Moegi was holding onto Sai in the way she associated with the 'spirit touch' she knew the girl possessed. She also noticed Cheela was wiping his brow and had looked up at the pair in surprise.
"Sakura-obasan!" the two girls exclaimed, drawing the attention of the other occupants in the room. Sakura ignored them and set her equipment down beside Sai. She placed her hands on him and hissed in anger.
"That wasn't there the last time I gave him a check up. Looks like I have a little cleaning to do at the hospital as well." Her voice was a menacing hiss that had those near her, excluding Gaara, cringing. Sakura looked at Cheela, who was looking at the floor and fiddling with her hair.
"I know you said never to take on something I knew I couldn't handle…but…I was so worried about Sai-kun and you were gone and…well…" She looked up into the now emerald eyes of the jinchuuriki female. Sadness engulfed the girl as she looked at her 'family'. Cheela watched as Sakura put her hand on top of her russet head and smiled weakly.
"You did good kido. You did exactly what you should have done. You saved his life…" she looked up at Raidu, who looked worn out. She then looked at Eto, Konohamaru and Shino. "You three must leave. Moegi and Raidu are to stay to continue their current jobs. Cheela will assist me in the removal of this device." Cheela paled and looked up at Sakura.
"A-are you s-sure Sakura-obasan!?" the young girl asked nervously. Sakura smiled down at her and winked.
"You are the best I've seen thus far in the medical field. With the proper training, you could quiet possibly become the second youngest doctor in the city of Kagure." Cheela blushed at the praise and nodded, a confident smile on her face. Sakura turned her now silver eyes to Gaara, who looked as unemotional as ever.
Sakura walked over to him and stood so close there was hardly any room between them. "My cub is in danger, mate. I need you to ensure that he will not be endangered further. Please…put the house on lock down and ensure that our family is safe." she whispered, then walked back to where Sai was lying. Gaara could feel the pain and betrayal that rolled off Sakura in waves. It made his teeth clench in anger.
"Shino, Eto, Konohamaru…you three come with me. I will need help with my protection seals." he said in a cold voice. All three nodded and followed him out the door.
Sakura put her hand on Sai's forehead and closed her eyes. She smiled as she felt his happiness at her being near him once more.
'I am sorry koneko…I should have been here for you.' she said sadly, tears forming in her mind. She felt Sai's vehement denial and his stern frown that she felt this way.
'Okaa-san…you were so sad earlier…I felt it. I knew you were in pain, that is why I did not call out for you. You needed your mate to heal your hurt before you could heal mine.' Sakura laughed as she heard this. Seems her cub was more observant than she thought. She chuckled slightly and opened her eyes once more. She looked at her three helpers and smirked.
"Whoever did this to my koneko is going to pay dearly. When I remove this, I will study it, replicate and perhaps improve it, then put it in their brains and show them how they hurt him." she said in a terrifyingly calm voice. All three shivered and looked at each other. They all had a common thought at that time…'It is a really bad idea to piss this woman off.'
'It's time for your punishment, Neji-kun.' Neji shivered as he heard those words. There was no telling what this little hellcat would do to him. He knew she was angry for the way he'd acted in front of the others…but would she really take things this far?
She answered his question when she grabbed both his wrists and pinned them above his head. Yes…she would take things this far. He glared up at her, unhappy with the way she was emasculating him. She giggled at him and kissed his nose.
"Now, now, Neji-kun…don't pout. I promise you'll like this." she said seductively as she leaned her face over his with hardly any room between her lips and his. She sat up then, the comforter falling from her shoulders, leaving her bare from the belly button up. Neji stared at her upper body with fascination. She wasn't overly large, but was well proportioned. He noticed her hair hung down to her waist, silhouetting her porcelain skin. Her sparkling brown eyes laughed at him as he openly stared at her nude form.
He saw her rose colored nipples become hard as a draft blew through the room. He saw her blush lightly as she felt him harden between her thighs. She leaned over seductively once more and put her hand to his cheek. "Seems someone is happy to see me…" she whispered and smiled when he blushed. She sat up once more and leaned over to the nightstand. There was a small bag on the stand that made Neji slightly nervous.
Tenten grabbed the baggy and dumped out two brown looking circles of hard leather and one long strand of soft looking leather. She smiled at him with half lidded eyes and reached for his hands once more. She noticed the nervous look he gave the cuffs and she giggled. She slipped one over his large hand and down to his wrist, where it shrunk to fit without being too tight. She did the same to the other and she noticed Neji was scowling.
"What the hell are those?" he hissed while looking at the brown bracelet-like cuffs on his wrists. She giggled again and pressed her front to his, reminding him of just how naked they were. He hissed at the feel and started panting.
"These are something Lacey invented. They are smart manacles…they are large enough to fit over anyone's hands, but when they settle onto someone's wrists, they shrink so that you can't get them off. You get to wear these for a while." she purred at him. He felt the vibrations and closed his eyes slightly. He didn't know if he liked where this was going.
He put his hands on her hips and looked up at her. "Are you saying that you are going to restrain me every time I upset you and you want to take it out on my body?" he asked being slightly disturbed that the thought of this aroused him. She smirked at him and looked him up and down from her position.
"More like take advantage of you when I want, how I want." she gave a wicked grin and licked her lips. Neji's eyes widened and he gasped. Before he could do anything further she attached the leather strand to one cuff and pulled his wrist up while her other hand grabbed his free hand and pulled it above his head. She gave a wicked smile and snapped the cord into the other cuff, effectively tying his wrists to the bed above his head.
She heard his growl and decided that she wanted to hear him make much more interesting sounds. She sat up once more and slowly looked him over. His long brown hair was splayed out under him messily, and his white eyes glared up at her with defiance. She chuckled as she saw him struggle. 'I'll just have to fix that…' she purred in her own mind and lowered her head until her lips were touching his neck. She felt him freeze as soon as her lips touched him.
She smiled and started planting open-mouthed kisses on his neck, nipping every so often. She could feel his chest heaving, but his noises had stopped altogether. That just wouldn't do. She lifted her head slightly and looked at his chest. His skin was pale, like marble, but so hot it seared her. She gave a delighted hiss and started raking her nails down his chest, her eyes clouded with lust. Neji gasped when he felt her nails on him and closed his eyes.
He struggled against his restraints, but he didn't say anything…he would NOT beg her to release him. He stifled a moan when he felt her teeth scrape the tendons in his neck. He started struggling even more to get loose. Tenten chuckled lightly and decided to move her fun to more, rugged, terrain. She nipped down his neck, kissing and licking to ease the ache her bites produced. She sucked lightly on his chest and abs. When she got to his navel and pelvic area, she raked her nails lightly across it and smiled up at him devilishly.
Neji cracked an eye when he felt her close to his throbbing member. He tried to calm his breathing, but it wasn't working at all. He felt her bare breasts against his pelvis and her smooth stomach against his thighs. He bit his lip roughly to prevent a rather loud moan when she positioned her breasts so that his balls were resting between them. He could see through the small slits his eyes had become that she was staring hungrily at his erection.
He felt slightly smug that at the awed look on her face. Apparently his physical form pleased her greatly. He decided to play with her in the only way he could at the moment…verbally. "Like what you see, my mistress." He purred and smirked when she looked up at him with surprise. She felt her body go hotter when he called her his mistress. She smirked back up at him and lightly ran her tongue over the head of his member. She heard his breath hitch, then he started panting.
She slowly took the head of his erection into her mouth and hummed in pleasure. She heard his hissed groan and looked up at him with a smile on her face. "Mistress…I like it when you call me that. If you continue to please me, then I will return the favor." she cooed at him, then took him into her mouth again. He choked on a growl and his hips lifted of their own accord. She smirked around the head of his member and slid a little further down on it, sucking tightly to see his every reaction.
Neji's face scrunched at the painfully pleasurable sensation and he hissed. When she released him and slowly tongued the head, he let out his breath and started panting once more. This continued for several minutes, with alterations between Tenten moaning against his member in pleasure and Neji growling from her tight hold on him.
Tenten finally decided that his member had plenty of attention and shifted herself so that she was completely visible to him. Neji's labored breathing and slit eyes made her giggle in delight, but she knew his breathing was about to become much more labored. She lifted herself to her knees so that her womanhood was perfectly visible to the older male. She smiled teasingly and slowly slid her hands down her own stomach to the tight chocolate colored curls.
Neji's eyes widened and his heart started pounding. Surely she wouldn't…he stared wide eyed as her middle finger slowly disappeared between her folds. Neji struggled with renewed vigor to be free of the bonds. He wanted to touch her the way her own hands were doing. He looked up at her with searing eyes. "Release me." he demanded, but his words lost their sting when his eyes flickered to what her hands were doing.
Tenten smiled wickedly and moved so that she was sitting on his chest. She felt his breathing speed up and knew he could smell her. It was all the more arousing for her knowing this usually stoic man was on the brink of violence with wanting her. She purred and continued rubbing herself, moaning lightly at the sensations. She heard Neji's growl and looked at him. She gasped when she noticed his limit was activated and he was straining against the bonds.
He hissed at her and looked up at her longingly. "Stop teasing me woman…I can't take this." he growled and she could see the veins popping in his arms from his struggles. She was terrified he'd hurt himself trying to get free, so she decided to ease him. She leaned down and ever so gently kissed him. He froze at that moment, searching for her reasons behind her actions. He felt sorrow radiating from her, could see it in her chakra.
"I didn't mean to tease you so much, Neji-kun." she said lightly, then brushed her lips against his cheek, then his neck. He sighed with pleasure and stopped straining. He felt her slowly shift herself so that their bodies were perfectly aligned with one another. She then did something that threw him off balance. She gently wrapped her legs around his hips and turned so that he was on top of her, his weight almost crushing her. Neji grabbed the cord with both hands and used it to hold some of his weight. He looked down at her with wide, confused eyes.
She smiled shyly at him and pulled him closer. The cord stretched so that both his hands rested on the bed on either side of her head. She hugged him to her, then snaked a hand down between their bodies and touched him. He couldn't hold in the moan that tore from his throat then. "Tenten…wha-what are…you doing?" he husked, resting his forehead on hers. She smiled and kissed his nose. She then produced a small square packet she'd been hiding.
"Making sure you don't get me pregnant. As much as I love you Neji-kun, I'm still too young to have a baby." She whispered in his ear and licked the lobe. She watched his eyes close and he rested his head in the crook of her neck. She felt, and heard, his surprise when she placed the condom on the head of his erection; it's cold, lubricated smoothness startling him.
She finished putting the condom on him and gently nuzzled the side of his face. He nuzzled back and waited for her to continue. He was much surprised; however, when instead of rubbing him with her hand once more, she positioned him to enter her. He could feel her warmth even through the condom, and it made his head swim. He'd never experienced anything like this.
He felt her envelope the head of him and heard her soft moan. He couldn't believe the pressure he felt from their contact. He wondered what it would be like to have his entire member surrounded by her. Instinctively, he started to press against her. He felt her stiffen, but he couldn't stop the jerks and twitches of his body. She felt him arch his back slightly and he slid in a little further, the head of his erection resting lightly against her virginal barrier.
Neji felt her barrier and was relieved. He'd believed she was virgin, but having proof made him relax even more. He heard odd grunting and panting noises and looked down at her, only to find her eyes closed and she was holding her breath. He blushed at the realization that HE was the one making all the noise. Shaking his head, he laid back on top of her completely and panted.
"Tenten…whatever you…have planned you…better do it now." his last word came out a moan as Tenten opened her eyes and looked up at him. Unable to stand the empty feeling inside her, she arched against him roughly. Neji let out a husky grunt of pleasure and shock, while Tenten bit her lip, trying not to scream in pain. Neji sensed her tense up and stopped. It took a lot of self control, but he didn't move. He could hear Tenten panting below him and he leaned down and kissed her delicately on the lips.
"You okay?" he whispered next to her ear, licking and nibbling on it affectionately. He heard her gasp and she shifted, making him moan. Neji strained for control, not wanting to hurt her. He felt her nuzzle his shoulder and nip it lightly.
"Mmmmm…Neji-kun…ahhh…" She gasped when she shifted again and felt him hit something inside her. She dug her nails into his back painfully. She heard him hiss and he shifted, hitting that place inside her again. She mewled in delight and let go of his back, lightly raking her nails over him.
Neji rubbed his face against her and pulled out a little before driving back in…hard. He heard her yelp and then felt the sharp pinch of her nails as she dug them into his back once more. They continued this game until Tenten decided to assert her dominance once more and rolled them back over so that she was once more on top.
Both moaned as she slid back down on him. Tenten's eyes became large as she felt him go much deeper. "D-deep…s-so deep…ah…" she threw her head back as she felt him. He gave a smug chuckle and lifted his hips, driving even deeper into her. She screamed and put her hands on his chest. He felt warm, wet drops splash onto his chest and he stopped. He looked up to see tears in her eyes…tears falling down her cheeks.
"D-did I…hurt you?" he asked, straining to take her into his arms. He still when she gasped, as his struggles were causing him to shift inside her.
"N-not…hurting…so…so DEEP. So…good…" she whimpered and laid herself upon his chest. She stayed that way for a few minutes, until Neji managed to wrap himself around her and roll her under him once more. He used leverage from his bonds to pin her lower half under him. He began slow, rhythmic thrusts that had her yelping with each penetration.
"Faster…" she whimpered. He smirked and gripped the leather cord tighter and sped up his thrusts. He could feel her feminine channel gripping him exquisitely. He let a low moan escape him and he laid his head in the crook of her neck, his back arched and thrusting his manhood deeply into her.
He murmured incoherent, half formed thoughts until he had an idea that appealed to him greatly. "P-put your legs…over my shoulders." he panted. He stopped long enough for her to comply with his demand. He smirked and leaned over her. She gasped as she now realized she was trapped and he was in total control. He pulled himself forward using the cord bond and he heard her small scream. He started thrusting into her gently and her screams of pleasure resounded over the walls. She wasn't overly loud, but anyone passing their room would think they were fighting.
It was a good thing he had locked their door while she was in the shower. He hadn't wanted someone walking in if she happened to come out only half dressed or completely naked. He smirked and laid his head to the side of hers, resting it on the pillow as he thrust more roughly into her. He could hear her breathing becoming more and more ragged. He knew she couldn't last much longer and he knew he would be following her shortly after.
Unable to hold it in any longer, Neji put on a burst of speed and pounded Tenten. He heard her whimpers and the scream she muffled by biting deeply into his shoulder. He hissed thrust a little harder, letting her know what she was doing to him. Just as he thought he would leave her behind, he felt her spasm over and over, a low keening noise coming from her. He could feel her channel milking him, but he fought his own orgasm. He stopped completely and waited until her spasm had died a little before he thrust in again and again, renewing her orgasm fully.
As he felt her orgasm for a second time, he could not hold his own pleasure any longer and allowed himself to let go. He felt it roll over him like a herd of stampeding stallions. "FUCK!" He hissed and dug his own teeth into her neck to stifle his scream. She cried out at the unexpected painful pleasure and he felt her channel clamp around him tightly. He smiled and waited for his orgasm to stop. It was going to take a while since he had been suffering for so long.
Kiba and Naruto had been discussing sparing tactics when a noise caught their attention. It sounded like a muffled scream, but they weren't sure. They were about to go investigate when they heard 'fuck' accompany the scream. They could tell it was a man and a woman…they just didn't know who at that moment. They thought back to who the possible culprits were, trying to recall who was in the rooms closest and realized there wasn't anyone close to this post.
They both whistled and looked at one another. "Whoever that is has a good set of lungs…" Kiba muttered as Naruto nodded, his arms crossed over his chest as they both stared towards the noise.
Before she would allow Lee to walk her back to her own room, she checked on Karin. She peeked in and noticed that the brunette that was ALWAYS with Karin was wrapped around her protectively while the small blonde clung to him. Nodding, Lacey shut the door quietly and turned to Lee, who smiled gently at her.
She blushed and walked down the hall towards her own room. Lee smirked and followed, allowing her the space she needed at this moment. When they arrived at the room they were to share, she turned around and gave him a suspicious look. "Okay…I already know there is only one bed in here…I've stayed here plenty of times to know that. I'm even willing to let you share the bed with me…" she saw the blush creep up the young man's face and she held up a finger. "However…you will not touch me unless I 1. Give you permission, 2. You have to wake me up for some reason, or 3. We are under attack and/or the house is burning down. Understand?" He nodded and she turned back to the door and walked through.
He followed and watched as she walked into the bathroom without a word to him. He closed his eyes and thought about Ibiki and how this was all such a screwed up mess. He cursed Madara for what he'd done to Lacey and cursed himself for not realizing it. He shook his head and went to the dresser that contained his clothes. He took out long black sleeping pants and a pair of black cotton boxers. He wanted to be comfortable tonight, so he forewent a shirt. While he waited his turn in the bathroom, he looked around the room.
He noticed all the plants in the room and smiled. Plants must be the one thing she trusted explicitly…since plants couldn't betray you or lie to you. He sighed and let his hand hover over a delicate looking purple plant. A hand grabbing his wrist startled him. He turned and saw Lacey, eyebrow arched, looking at him.
"Unless you're superman, or like me, I'd leave that little beauty alone. It's got quite a temper." She pointed to the small snake that had just slithered through their window. Lacey knew it was not a normal snake…it was a spy snake. However, she let her plants take care of it.
"You know that is one of the snake cams that The Center uses, right?" Lee tried to sound calm, but he couldn't help be a little worried since she didn't move.
"Just wait…my pets will take care of him. The Center has been trying to get in this house for years. I always leave my window open so they try using it. Makes it fun." She sighed and watched as the snake came closer to the purple plant. Just as the snakes head made contact, the snake started coiling in on itself. It was obvious the creature was in immense pain.
Lee watched as small, black bulbs rose from the purple plant. When the bulbs opened, there were rows of sharp little teeth in them. Lee gasped as the teeth clamped onto the snake and proceeded to rip it apart. Several other plants, sensing prey, came to life as well. One of the larger plants sent a tentacle out and probed the snake, much like Lacey's Serleena. Little mouths opened up on the end of the vines and latched onto the snake, tearing pieces off and retreating back to the main body of the plant.
Lee turned green at the mini carnage, but he now understood what she meant. He watched her walk over to the plants and noticed immediately how each plant welcomed her like a loyal dog. The vine plant that had stolen bits of the snake rubbed itself against her in welcome. The little black bulbs on the purple plant chattered their teeth as if saying hello.
He watched the various other plants welcome here. One plant actually had what appeared to be eyes that blinked at her. He stared at her and noticed she looked completely calm. He didn't move, but he questioned her on the different types. "I have never seen plants like these. Nor have I ever seen plants welcome anyone." He commented softly, but he still noticed how the plants hesitated for a second, then calmed when Lacey did not react.
She looked over at him and smiled, looking down at her plants. "For years I followed any trace of my father. I came to the furthest outreaches of the scariest places. I made friends there…the plants respond to me…treat me like one of them. They can sense Serleena and Venus inside me." she petted one of the vines that nuzzled her. Lee stifled a laugh as the plant reminded him of a small puppy wanting attention.
"You plants are very unique. I wish I could be accepted by nature so easily. Those plants are exquisite and excellent guards, if I may say so myself. You wouldn't need animals or humans with plants like those." He commented and Lacey noticed the far off look on his face.
"What are you thinking about Lee?" She asked and stepped further into the darkness provided by her plants. She noticed that he slowly gravitated towards her. She sensed the plants wanting to attack, but she calmed them. She saw the blank look in Lee's eyes and she cocked her head.
"I was just thinking how wonderful it would be to have plants like that around my own home. I have a house, far from here, out in the middle of nowhere. I don't like a lot of people around me, so I go where people don't like going." He wasn't even thinking about what he was saying anymore. She gasped as she realized he had fallen under the spell of the little red and pink plant that was the most deadly of her arsenal. She smirked as she looked at the plant.
"Don't you get lonely being out there…all alone?" she asked and allowed her body to react where she wouldn't if he weren't in an unbreakable trance. She noticed how the plants changed behavior. They sensed her change and instead of trying to attack Lee, they welcomed him like they did her. The vine plant guided him into the darkness to where Lacey was. She noticed how it seemed both of them were being transported somewhere else. She knew it was merely that her plants were feeding off her chakra and were growing at an alarming rate. Vines were everywhere in the room now.
She instructed her plants to guard their room and to only attack if Lacey instructed them to. With that set, she had her Serleena lock the doors and she continued pumping information from Lee in a seductive manner. She noticed that he was on his knees before her, his eyes grey.
"It gets very lonely. But I don't trust anyone…except perhaps Sakura-sama and the rest of SHINOBI…and you." he looked up at her then and he smiled a blank smile. She gasped and instructed the Siren's Song Rose to lighten up the trance so that he slowly came out from under the spell.
"You trust me, do you?" she whispered and traced the scar on his eye. She could see reason returning to him slowly and she smiled. She then traced his lips and leaned down to his level.
"Trusting in a monster isn't smart Lee-kun." She said and tried not to let her own words bother her. She was surprised, however, at the angry look that crossed his face. He grabbed her wrists and pulled her down so that her body was pressed to his.
She couldn't tell if his mind was fully conscious yet or not, but something on him was conscious. "You are not a monster, Lacey-chan. Madara is a monster, Kabuto was a monster…never you." he said softly and then pressed his lips lightly to hers. Her eyes went wide, but then she sighed and surrendered. Her plants rejoiced for their mistress and showered them with beautiful multi-colored blossoms. Both smiled and kept kissing.
Shino was overly relieved when he saw Sakura. He also noticed she had changed the short time he had not seen her. She looked…happier. He was not happy when she dismissed him from Sai's side, though when Gaara told them to follow him, he was the first one to get up and walk towards the red head. When Gaara revealed his intentions, Shino was more than willing to leave Sai's side for the necessary time.
Gaara had sent Eto and Konohamaru to the other side of the house. They all stood a good fifteen feet from the house. Shino noticed tha the outside patrols were huddled near the gate due to Raidu's little light show. He smiled sadistically as he thought of what he'd do to anyone involved in putting that device in Sai's head.
He felt Gaara brush his mind and banished all thoughts of revenge. Suddenly, a strange symbol appeared. 'Put your hands in the circled off portion and say 'Seal' when I tell you to. It will hurt for a little bit, but you guys are powerful enough to help me enact it.' Shino nodded and put his hands in the circle before him. He felt something and then Gaara gave the signal.
"SEAL!" Shino said in a loud, clear voice. He heard three other voices say the same and then he felt a jolt go through him. He was thrown into the side of the manor as a golden pyramidal shield appeared around them. Shino got to his feet slowly and went walked around the house. He found Konohamaru in a rose bush and after retrieving the boy went to look for Eto. Both Shino and Konohamaru had to stifle their laughter when they found Eto upside down in a tree. The youth had swirly eyes and his mouth was hanging open.
They looked for Gaara, but there was no sign of him. Shino sent his insects to scout and suddenly he gasped. He looked up and found a large creature that was hovering above the shield, outside the manor. Shino's teeth rattled when the creature keened. It sounded a lot like a wolf calling for its mate. Linked as they were, everyone heard the answering purr.
'What troubles you my mate?' Shino blushed and hoped they would move to a more private telepathic link. The answer to the question made the bug collector glad they used a public link.
'Trouble approaches, mitsukai-chan. There is a small band of men approaching. From what I can see, there are about ten of them. They are wearing red sashes. What do you want me to do, mate?' Shino knew instantly who the band was. He scowled, wishing they hadn't found them so quickly.
'It's THEM, Sakura-san. With Sai in the condition he's in, we can not count on his old affiliations. You know if they find him they will kill him.' Shino forced himself to be emotionless, but he knew that Sakura could feel what he did. She let out a low, dangerous growl.
'Shino…you, Eti, and Konohamaru come to Sai's room and stay here. Warn everyone you see what is happening. NO ONE goes outside the shield, understood?' Shino nodded in understanding. Sakura was much to angry to reason with right now. Shino ushered the children in and sent them on ahead.
Shino stopped by Kiba and Naruto and informed them of the situation. He then knocked on every door, hoping the inhabitants weren't TOO engaged. Hinata and Ino left their rooms, escorted by Naruto and Kiba of course, and went to Enzeru's room. Kankuro and a reluctant Karin followed. Karin tried to convince Sakura to allow her to help, but the silence over the publicly used mental link was her answer.
There was no response from the room Shikamaru shared with Temari OR the room Neji and Tenten shared. Shino shrugged and left notes slid under their doors. Shino knocked on Choji and Michi's door and it was answered by the latter. Shino informed her of what was happening and that they should go to Enzeru's room. Last on his stop was Lacey's room. He heard a stirring inside and allowed one of his bugs to scout. He gasped when the little bug reported back that the entire room was engulfed by carnivorous plants.
Figuring that this was Lacey's doing and that it was in case anyone got in, Shino shrugged and made his way to Sai's room. When he got there, he noticed Eto and Konohamaru were sitting outside. He cocked a head and Eto knew what he wanted to know.
"Sakura-obasan isn't quite done yet. She said to wait here until she unlocked the door." No sooner had the words been said that a click let them know Sakura was done. However, when they would have walked through the door, the doors swung open, revealing a fully transformed Sakura.
She had long, pale pink hair…so light it was almost silver. Her eyes were a haunting silver color, but there was rage in them. She was covered head to toe in the silver chakra armor Saiki provided for her. She had fangs, claws, cat ears and a tail. Everyone backed away from her slowly.
"Take care of my cub, human. I will destroy this threat to my pack." Shino nodded as the being that used to be a kind and considerate human was now a protective killing force. Shino allowed the youths to run ahead of him and gather their respective female companions. Shino had Raidu help to gather everything Sai needed and they put him on the rolling bed Sakura had brought. They all went to Enzeru's room then. Everyone huddled in the room and prayed the ones that weren't with them were safe.
Lotus knew that attacking on enemy turf was stupid. She had even told Madara so. However, Madara had said they had the advantage of surprise. Lotus knew better however. She had said that they did not need her if they were not going to fight Sakura. Madara had sent her anyway. For the first time, Lotus scowled openly. A man with silver hair looked at her and blocked the view of her from the others.
"If they see you showing emotion they will not hesitate to tell Madara. He will put you through more tests if he thinks you still have feelings." the man said quietly. Lotus looked at the man with pinkish silver eyes and the long, wicked looking scythe. She knew this man was a sleeper for Haruno, she just didn't find it necessary to tell anyone else.
"Hidan…talk like that and people will actually think you care what happens to me. If they think that…you will be in more danger than myself." She said just as quietly. The man stiffened, but he knew she was right. However, he couldn't shake the big brother feelings he held for the girl.
"Lotus, I don't remember ever having a family…or friends for that matter. All I remember is The Center and Madara. However, I do remember when Sakura-sama saved me and I remember the day you were born. I was set to watch over you the first few years of your existence. I can't just throw that away. You are like the sister I never knew. Not even Madara can change that." he said quietly and looked over at the other members of his squad.
"I thank you for your concern and your care. However, my existence in this world is unnatural. It is throwing the universe into chaos. I must do whatever it takes to set things right once more." she said almost inaudibly. She noticed people looking at them and said a little louder "I understand your eagerness, but we are under orders to bring in as many of them alive as possible. Especially Haruno." Hidan caught on and glared at her.
"That may be so…but not ALL of them are required. Just the more powerful ones. Besides…we should attack right now, while their defenses are low." Just as he said that, a flash of light blinded them and when they could see again, there was a golden barrier looming in the distance. Lotus looked straight at him with emotionless eyes.
"You were saying?" she saw a genuine flash of irritation on his face then, which was replaced by mock hatred. However, being a wonderful actor, everyone thought he genuinely hated her.
"A little barrier like that isn't enough to keep US out, un." came an annoying voice. Lotus turned and looked at the blonde that she had mistaken for a woman. After being chewed out and repeatedly told that he was not a woman, Lotus had quietly acquiesced and had secretly called him a transvestite, instead.
"Little, huh?" came a voice from the very back of their little entourage. Lotus turned and spotted the one person she probably felt the most sorry for…Uchiha Itachi…or at least what used to be the brilliant young man. Now, it was just a shell, devoid of anything that would make him human.
"I was not aware you would be joining us, Itachi." Pein, the temporary leader, approached and watched the shell cautiously. This was yet another failed attempt of Madara's to improve the Sharingan. When the shell turned those unseeing red eyes on him, Pein shivered slightly. He watched as the shell looked in Lotus' direction.
"My lady…I was not aware you would be in the field today. My apologies for not coming forward earlier. I hope I did not frighten you?" Pein watched their interaction closely. He noticed the emotionless look on the on the young woman's face. It made him shiver…that girl was not natural at all.
"You can not frighten what does not feel Uchiha. Besides, I knew you were there the whole time. You can not hide from me as you can the others. Just as Pein can not hide his thoughts from me. It is true I am not natural, Pein-san…but then again…is anyone that has connections with Madara natural?" Pein blushed in embarrassment. Any response he would have attempted, however, was cut off by a low keening that made their teeth rattle in their heads.
"What is that hideous noise?" Konan asked and covered her ears. She huddled close to Pein, who scowled at her for being so close to him in public. She blushed and took a few steps away from him. Lotus noticed that everyone in the group had to pretend they didn't have anything they cared about because there was always someone willing to tell Madara. Lotus scouted her small team. She knew that Zetsu was untrustworthy, as was Kakuzu. She wasn't so sure about Deidara though. He seemed to be in love with the red head in their group, though the puppet master seemed oblivious.
"Sasori-dana…how do you feel in your new body, un?" Lotus perked at his. She knew that Sasori had been destroyed once before, but she wanted to know how he'd been restored. She listened carefully to their 'private' conversation.
"It feels odd to be in a human body once more. I know this is a genetic replica of my original that Madara-sama had wanted to use for testing, but I was lucky that Pein-sama was able to swipe it without anyone noticing. Covering my body in bandages and then making one of the halls explode was a good way to make him believe that the bodies in that freezer had been destroyed. Thank you by the way. I would have died had it not been for you guys." Lotus decided that it was time to stir a little trouble.
Lotus knew that Zetsu and Kakuzu mistrusted the group. And EVERYONE except maybe Hidan mistrusted her. She walked over to Sasori and Deidara, who became quiet as she approached. The look on her face made them swallow nervously. For someone who was said to have no emotions, she looked pretty worried.
"Sasori-san, Deidara-san…is it true that you two are lovers?" she put as little emotion into it as possible, but just enough to make them worried. They both blanched and looked at her.
"W-what gave y-you that id-dea, un?" Deidara tried to play dumb but his stuttering threw it off. Sasori looked at her warily.
"What does it matter to you, poppet? You are nothing but Madara's tool…if we tell you anything you will tell him." Sasori was about to turn away when she appeared before them again, this time her face serious.
"You can not hide from me, puppet master. I know how you two feel for one another and I know that you want to be free. I am offering you one chance to seize your own destiny." She said so quietly that the two weren't sure they heard her right.
"Did…did you just offer to…HELP us?" Sasori looked shocked, then suspicious. Lotus cocked her head so they would follow her.
"We are going to scout out the noise. Set up a temporary camp until we return." the people behind them nodded and she motioned the two to follow. She stomped the ground and Zetsu came up through it. She grabbed him and looked him in the eyes. "I want you to see if that barrier goes underground. If it does, go back and report to Pein-san. If it doesn't I want you to see if there are any entry points that we can make use of…cellars, open windows, things like that. Scout it out, but do not engage. If you find an open spot, investigate, but don't push it." she dropped him and he burrowed back into the ground and went about his assigned chore.
After Lotus made sure he was gone, she took off towards a safe spot they could talk in. Only when they were far away enough from the group did she let any of her emotions show. Sasori and Deidara were floored. "So you DO have emotions." Sasori said and looked at her. She smiled weakly at him and leaned against a tree.
"Yes…I have emotions. I just bury them so deep that Madara can't find them. I don't like being toyed with. Madara thinks that after I 'fulfill my purpose' that he can turn me into his brood mare to produce the 'perfect Uchiha'. I will not have myself be used by that poor excuse of a man." she sneered and the two could FEEL the anger coming off her. They smiled at her and then allowed themselves to relax. Sasori idly played with Deidara's hair while they calmed down.
"So…you two are lovers, then?" Lotus knew the answer before she asked, but she wanted them to feel like they had some control. When they blushed and nodded she smiled. "Don't be afraid. Pein and Konan are lovers, as are Kisame and Itachi. Itachi is hanging on to his soul by a thread, though only I know this." she smiled at the looks on their faces.
"Why are you telling us this? Aren't you afraid we'll run to Madara, un?" Deidara shivered at the look in Lotus' eyes. She had that emotionless mask on once more.
"They are just as afraid of being themselves as the two of you are. They do not want to put each other in danger by making their feelings known. All of you are in the same boat, with the exception of Tobi, Kakuzu, and Zetsu. I do not understand why you do not team up and leave Madara's control. The six of YOU have that option. I do not have that luxury." Yet. She said the last word mentally. She would have her freedom, but she would wait for the most opportune time.
Meanwhile, she noticed the looks on their faces. "We have no where to go. We don't remember anything before The Center. Besides, we don't even know how to live in the outside world." Sasori confessed and looked at Deidara, who looked about to cry. Lotus nodded in understanding.
"What if I could ensure you that you will have a safe place. Will you give up this useless battle and live in peace?" They looked at her and then at each other. They smiled and nodded. She smiled as a plan formed in her mind. "Splendid. We will start tonight. First, I have a few preparations to make. I also need you guys to go back to camp. Act like nothing happened and if asked, I sent you back and am scouting 'in depth'. Pein and Itachi know will know what that means." they nodded and headed back to camp. She started towards the manor and let the mental link flood her.
Zetsu was scouting the barrier. He found that there was, indeed, no barrier beneath the earth. He smirked and carefully scouted for an open area of attack. He would not allow that pathetic woman tell him what to do. Both of his sides were in agreement on this issue. He saw an open window and smirked. He carefully sidled up to the window and looked in. He could smell plants…lots and lots of them. He smirked and teleported into the room.
He stood in wonder as he saw so many plants he'd never seen before. However, as admirable as the view was, he had other things to do. He was about to leave the room when an alarm went off in the back of his head…it was too late to save his life though.
'Sakura-sama…can you hear me?' the voice was unfamiliar and it was on the most public telepathic wave available. Everyone in the house heard it, including the sleeping couples. It did not disturb their sleep however, so not everyone was aware of what was going on outside the confines of their rooms.
'Who are you that you seek my mate?' came a demanding voice. The first voice recognized it and clung to it.
'I am Lotus, ally of Haruno-sama. I have come with urgent information regarding the small force gathering outside your barrier.' she made her tone non-threatening and gentle. However, she did make her urgency known.
'What do you want, Lotus?' came a female voice this time. Lotus sighed in relief. She informed Sakura of what was going on, who was there, and why they were there. She told Sakura of the dissention and how the members desired freedom. At the mention of Sasori, however, Sakura was growling violently.
'The others I will allow into my home. Sasori, however, is not welcome. He is the one that caused so much harm to Cheela and Choji.' She hissed. Lotus pushed her luck slightly.
'Sasori was destroyed by your Choji. He was put into a new body by the ones that cared for him. This new body is un-tampered with. There is nothing in it that Madara can control him with. I am sure that you have found that Madara is rather cruel when he wants to control something…or someone.' Sakura didn't miss the sadness in the woman's voice. She also didn't miss the reference to Sai. Lotus felt Sakura's eyes narrow as she glared mentally.
'How did you know there was a device in Sai's head?' Sakura was not happy now. She should just turn them all away…but then she would have more enemies to fight. She didn't want any more blood shed.
'Because I have removed many of them from my own head, without the support of loved ones. I am the one that removed the one from Sai's brother. I am also the one that help him escape. I gave him your name and where you could be found.' she felt Sakura's shock. She also felt something brush her mind lightly.
'Someone is trying to enter the conversation with us. Who is it? Can you tell?' Sakura heard the light panic in Lotus' voice and she understood why. There was always someone that was trying to kill things that were different. Sakura touched the mind and found shock and happiness in it that it could reconnect with the one thing that had preoccupied it for the years they had been apart.
'Seems you have a secret admirer, Lotus. Raidu has had you on his mind since you helped him…especially your eyes. He says that he doesn't have the power to connect with you, but that he wants to see you again. He wants you to come here.' Sakura felt Lotus' extreme sadness and the longing, but also the determination to destroy The Center.
'Tell him I will see him again when The Center is destroyed. Tell him that…perhaps THEN, we can make a life…together…' Sakura was about to protest, but the connection went dead. Sakura sighed and gave Lotus the answer to her question earlier.
'Tell them I will find them a place.' She felt Lotus' gratitude and then the connection was lost altogether. She wondered if she was doing the right thing, then looked out to where the camp Lotus had mentioned was. More and more enemies were flooding into that camp while she wasted time. She touched Gaara's mind and felt him wrap his arms around her mentally. She smiled and made her way to the peak of the house. It was time to hunt.