..Chapter Eleven..
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When Sakura and Kakashi finally made it to Mystic Falls the word town just didn't seem to fit all that well. Certainly, it wasn't huge by any means; however, it wasn't small either. Buildings towered over one another in some places while smaller establishments stuck out here and there as though layers in a vast ocean made of many colors and materials. It was a rich mixture of old and new all blended into one; more so than Konoha even.
Right now it was broad daylight and she could see bulbs on certain buildings for signs. This, to her, indicated they were to be lit up at night. Was the town bright in the evening? Not that it really mattered, but she was curious all the same. The 'scientist' in her had questions forming as she got one eyeful after another.
She was actually trying hard to focus on anything but what she was sent here to do. She now understood the same sense of anxiety most likely many others before her had felt in this same situation, this very real situation. It was a mixture of doubt and fear. Doubt, that she might fail entirely and blow the mission right out of the water. Fear... because she didn't really know what to expect. She'd been sent here to have sex with a man she'd never met. She supposed she should be thankful it was a man. Or was it really better at all?
The very fact that there was some very strong evidence suggesting this guy had abused these women frightened her slightly. She wouldn't be able to use her shinobi skills on this one. She had to seduce him fully and then leave while Kakashi somehow managed to prove, due to her actions, that he was cheating on his wife.
The prospect was very daunting.
She'd prepared herself for this in every way for the last few months by rereading her medical journals on the subject, the books provided by Tsunade and ANBU, by checking into the library and by speaking with women who'd been in this field; most especially Ino.
Ino had given her a lot of good advice. She'd given her weapons that didn't need a sharp edge or a few hand signs to execute. She'd told her there was no shame in what she might have to do, despite Sakura knowing this. She told her, no matter how bad it seems, overcoming it afterward is harder than enduring it. Growing from it, becoming stronger because of it--somehow--is how you survive. 'Don't wallow, Sakura. It's not easy,' she'd told her, 'That first mission, hell all of them, it breaks you a little. But, we are shinobi. We are resilient and proud of what we represent to the rest of the world. And we are better in many ways because of it. Remember, scars never go away; but, they remind you of what you've overcome, what you will continue to overcome and how you are stronger because of it.'
She would live by that mantra till the day she died. She'd never known how deep a woman Ino had grown into until she'd imparted that piece of wisdom onto her. It was something she would impart on someone else who might one day be in her position if the chance ever came up and she was the one being sought after for words of strength.
Sakura came to a full stop as Kakashi paused next to her. She glanced up at his ANBU masked features and then her eyes drew to the place he was looking at. When he looked at her she nodded and they made way around the side entrance of the tall, midnight blue colored building. Going through the side entrance was they way the client had asked they enter. During the day, the night district, as this part of the area was referred to, going through the front entrance would draw attention to them. One thing both shinobi and the client didn't want for an undercover mission was attention being draw in the direction of two Konoha ANBU.
When they came to a brown, oak door Kakashi stepped up to it and rang the small bell along the wall once. The buzz from the instrument rang and they waited to be let in. Several moments later a woman in a drab colored kimono opened the door. She eyed them oddly for only a brief passing in time, and then, as if something dawned on her a second later she nodded and moved for them them to enter. Kakashi entered first and Sakura followed in behind him. The door was clicked shut and several locks were heard being moved back into place.
"Come with me," the woman told them as she stepped down the hall. They did so, passing several doors. At the end of the hallway they reached a staircase leading up and followed the woman onward.
Sakura gauged her surroundings out of habit as they did so. She wasn't sure what this area of the establishment was used for, but it didn't look all that grand. The walls were plain. However, everything was perfectly clean so far. Perhaps this was a storage or delivery area? When they reached the top of the stairs and moved down another long hallway the scenery changed vastly. Everything was decorated in dark and pale blues, as well as ivory and white. It certainly gave off the effect of the night sky and more than likely helped with the name sake, 'Luna Longue'. She wondered if this area was so light and lovely what they rest looked like in the main part of the establishment.
They stopped at the end of the hallway and the woman leading them asked that they wait. Both shinobi did for about a minute. No words were passed between the two and no outward movements were expressed.
The door reopened and the woman appeared. She nodded at the two. "Alexiel -sama is now ready for you both." She bowed and walked away down the hall.
Sakura's eyes watched as she left before she turned back around and followed Kakashi inside.
Once within the office Sakura did not immediately look towards the woman at the center of the room sitting behind the large, yet simple brown desk. Her eyes drew to the elaborate artworks on the wall, the crystal shards hanging from strings attached to the ceiling, the decorative and light nick knacks placed everywhere and the small statues of half naked women and men in various states of passion and undress. It wasn't tacky in the least bit. Quite the contrary, the woman, Alexiel, appeared to surround herself with beauty and romanticism. It was all very intriguing.
"Please, take a seat both of you." Her voice was calming and serene, but Sakura could tell there was an edge of weariness to it. That emotional cry for help aided in her attention going to the client while she took a seat in one of the two chairs offered that sat before the desk.
Sumi Alexiel was beautiful, poise and grace just seemed to radiate off of her. Her eyes were the brightest shade of aquamarine she'd ever seen, up to an including Gaara's. Her hair was a rich, wavy cascade of brown and gold all rolled into one. Her skin was what one might call flawless, if one liked the idea of a dark day's tan. She looked as though she sun bathed constantly, or perhaps was descent of those with such pigment present in their skin.
Her kimono was dark, dark blue with artistic hummingbirds stitched all though it. She looked comfortable in her position behind the desk, but also worn from some obvious stress. There were faint, dark lines beneath her eyes not caused by the mascara she donned with other makeup.
"Thank you for coming. I trust you trip here went well and without trouble?"
"Yes, thank you," Kakashi replied on their behalf.
Sakura smiled as they removed their masks, which had mainly been in place to avoid being sighted before the mission and identified. From here on out they were someone else. Well, at least after they donned their true disguises.
"Ah, well, that's better," Alexiel spoke as she clasped her hands together on the desk and leaned forward. "Well, I already know your names, so we'll skip with the pleasantries. I'm sure you don't mind. After all, you're not the normal breed, are you?"
"No, Sumi-sama," Sakura said swiftly.
Alexiel nodded. "Very well... Tonight my husband will be about the Longue, as he normally is. We'll be greeting guests, enjoying the festivities like we do every night. I'll be handling the girls and making sure everyone is more than comfortable. I won't be with him the entire night and I don't intend to be. I will also be the only one, along with my assistant who let you in, who knows the real reason why you are here.
"Do whatever you wish to get the evidence I want. It's no longer a matter of me needing to know he's doing it. It's a matter of proving it so I can divorce him and be done with this farce of a marriage. I would like to move on with my life and find someone else." She sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose.
"I'm not the type of person to talk about my problems. I come from a family that prides itself on keeping such things to themselves. But, I realize if you are to complete this mission with success I'll need to be forthcoming.
"As you know, I married my husband out of family expectations. I wasn't expecting love. What I expected was fidelity. It was that which my parent's marriage lacked and my mother suffered greatly because of it. For myself it's, as I said, not a matter of love for which my heart is suffering... it's my girls."
Sakura's eyes narrowed. "I was informed he was abusing them..."
She nodded. "That's precisely it, my dear. The abuse is a large factor. But, it's not only that. This is bad for my business in the long run. It's the only reason my grandfather supports me on it. He never liked my husband to begin with. But, tradition and expectations come first. And he expects me to bear an heir before he dies.
"Yukio is well respected by his peers, but he has a bad habit with money. He squandered everything that was left to him. He needed someone to control his funds, but he also needed funds. I needed someone who would let me be myself, allow me to run the business and at the same time give me the heir I so needed. I'd known him since childhood and we came to an understanding. I would give him the money he needed and beget him none of the responsibility and he would give me my heir. My only stipulation was that he remain true to me. My grandfather, despite his aged way of thinking, respected my decision even if he didn't like it and allowed the prenuptial.
"If it gets out he's doing this, and right in my own business, it would lay waste to my clients and business partners. Yukio is well known for being indiscreet in the very end. This will blow up in his face sooner or later and it will ruin me, my dear. It's bad enough he's zeroing in on my best girls and sending them packing in order to avoid my wrath. He knows all I need is one viable witness in court or a good slate of evidence and he's done."
Kakashi nodded. "Alright, well, from what we gathered in the report you want Sakura to appear as one of these girls and then gain his attention. Do you expect her to appear in court and testify? Because, the scroll didn't say this and I'm not sure--."
"No," Alexiel emphasized quickly as she interrupted him. "I need substantial evidence. Photos, a written claim from Sakura, anything I can provide in a court of my peers. Something such as that would do well enough along with a letter backed up by your Hokage; of which, she has already agreed to send once the mission is complete. Sakura's name will be stricken from the records and her features will be blacked out in any evidence you give."
Kakashi nodded, appearing overall happy with that response.
"For the moment, I'll need you both to assume you fake identities and take this time to get a look around the place. I have a room ready for Sakura and the Longue is not yet open for visitors. You're more than welcome to acquaint yourselves with anyone or anything. But, I ask you keep yourselves from asking too many questions of people. Everyone who works here seems to know something is not quite right and one wrong move--."
Kakashi held up and hand. "I assure you Sumi-sama, we are more than equipped to handle this situation, as we've been trained for it; some even, far worse. If you'll have someone show us to the room we'll take it from here."
Seeming to be assured by his words Alexiel nodded and pressed a button on a small electronic box on her desk. "Evony, please come to my office." After a small confirmation from 'Evony', Alexiel addressed them again, "I pray you solve this quickly. I'm not sure my nerves can handle much more, ANBU-samas."
Sakura smile, feeling a wave of empathy for the woman. "Don't worry, Sumi-sama, we'll solve this for you as quickly as possible."
She meant it.
ooo
Green orbs blinked a few times in a row as they took in the environment around her. Dazzling lights, soft music from a live band and a steady flow of well dressed bodies surrounded her like a sea of sophistication and seduction. It seemed a tad odd to place those two words next to one another... but that's how it felt from where she sat enjoying her small cup of sake.
Sakura had taken the time earlier today to look over the entire premises. After she felt she'd spied every nook and cranny in the longue she spent the rest of her afternoon looking over the scroll they'd been given. It contained an entire file of information just dedicated to her target. She knew his likes and dislikes as well, if not more so by now, than even his wife. She couldn't lay it on too thick when she encountered him. From what she understood he was quite sly, but by no means incapable of being swindled if his own financial records were any indication. All she had to do was be smarter.
She took a sip of her sake as she shifted on slightly in her seat to get more comfortable. Her eyes traveled around the room nonchalantly. She could feel Kakashi behind her about sixteen or so feet away. Unlike her, he'd set to garb himself in a genjutsu disguise tonight. He'd done well, as far as she was concerned. Everything was going well, so far. If he could only keep his scalding eyes off of her then everything would be just fine. Oh, she knew he wasn't really looking at her in a way anyone would take notice of. Kakashi was far too good to draw that level of attention to himself. No, she just wish he'd lay off a little and leave her nerves time to settle down. She'd done a good job of seeming bored and yet interested at the same time. She didn't need him making it any worse than it already was.
Her eyes remained on her target as he walked across the room, his wife by his side as they greeted guests.
He hadn't spoken two words to her since they left the office. He'd not made much noise aside from, 'Mm' or perhaps a simple nod if she asked something or told him what she was doing or going to do. She'd of easily claimed he was more tense than she was... but it was so damned hard to read what he was feeling or thinking at any given moment. She thought perhaps they'd crossed some sort of bridge when he'd agreed to show her his face. She'd assumed they'd somehow connected on some level. Surely..
But no, of course not. This was Kakashi after all. He'd been this way since she'd joined his team on ANBU. He'd never told her anything of his private life when she'd grown up under his care. How could she possibly expect something more from him?
She sighed, trying not to look alone and depressed. Perhaps she just needed someone in a way she hadn't had since Shino. Perhaps she'd have to reconsider her thoughts about Sai not really being 'bed material', or whatever. Who in the hell knew how she'd feel after all this was done.
She really shouldn't be so hard on him, she imagined. She'd been his student, his friend (in a way) and now she felt like she was on some level of even ground as he equal, so to speak. It couldn't be easy to watch her do this, someone he cared about. But, she imagined if she had anyone to watch her back in this business she'd rather it be him. If the situation got too bad and she had to signal for help, she'd much prefer his rescue to any other. She liked the idea of having the man she looked up to in her right wing. Perhaps it was that level of knowing that helped her keep a cool head in all this.
Her eyes flickered toward Yukio. His wife was leaving the table they'd been sitting at. She was kissing him goodbye and... he was alone. She had to give the lady credit, she sure as hell knew how to set something up. Now, all Sakura had to hope was that he didn't see this for what it really was.
As provocatively as possible, she made her way across the room.
ooo
Kakashi watched her as she sat quietly to herself. He watched her as she kept a good eye on her target. He watched as his former student, now trainee, executed every technique he'd ever taught her, that every damned book had given her information on. And now, he couldn't really fathom why he'd ever ignored her so thusly years ago when she'd been a budding girl of twelve.
No... he knew why.
His eyes narrowed as he spied her in his peripheral vision when she stood up and made her way across the room in a manner that would have at least half the room noticing her, a quarter of the room pretending not to notice her, less than that looking away lest they feel something they didn't want to and the final amount questioning their sexuality. He had to admire her. He had to force that admiration down and focus.
Sumi Yukio had evaded other shinobi with less than the bat of an eye. Kakashi loved a good puzzle as much as the next person. Perhaps not as much as Shikamaru, but he still did. Except, this time, the very unwinding of the puzzle had his student's very life on the line. At the very least he could hope that was not the case. At the very worst this man was a shinobi. He prayed not. He'd spent the better half of the day trying to locate his image in the bingo book despite Tsunade's assurances he was not. They'd gone so far as to do a DNA test with a piece of his hair confiscated by his wife to make those assurances valid.
He couldn't be rid of his unease as Sakura, smiling, engaged Yukio in conversation and sat at his table.
If she followed the plan they'd have nothing to worry about.
Still, he couldn't help the tightening of his fist, fingernails daring to cut his palms to shreds.
ooo
"Excuse me," she whispered effeminately, "may I join you?"
His bright, fire red orbs turned upward almost immediately as the sound of her voice. He peered at her through analyzing lashes the same shade of scarlet. With a single hand, he reached up and brushed a few errant strands of his matching bangs aside. Flits of bright gold and dull yellow danced in the candlelight, making him appear handsome and longing. Ah yes, Sakura mused, with the face of an angel... who would turn him down? She doubted very seriously the look, the visage, matched what lay beneath.
The timber, the song that was his voice did not have her losing herself, just as she'd been trained not to do. "Certainly."
Taking care to adjust her kimono, she took a seat next to him. It was close enough to give a general hint at what she wanted; but, not so close that he might draw conclusions she'd rather he not.
"Your name, Venus?" he asked while pouring them both a refill into their sake glasses. She did not object, as hers had been empty the moment she settled down. Then again, she had taken care to grab a new glass and not drink the rest of her own. It wouldn't do to be drunk for this game.
"Is this that important?" she baited softly with a smile. "Will you, or anyone else for that matter, really recall it by the night's end?"
He chuckled lightly before taking a generous drink. "Perhaps," he allowed just as softly as she, "Angels have no faces, only beautiful faces for which they bewitch their benefactors."
Smooth, she commented within the folds of her mind. "You have a way with words, it seems. Tell, me, is this how you gained the attentions of your wife?"
He smiled again, staring down at his drink. But, she could see the mention of Alexiel had something flashing in his eyes. "Ah, but let us not speak of her," he replied easily. "After all, you didn't come here for that, did you?"
"Hardly," she responded without missing a beat. "I simply saw you seated alone, and I said to myself.. he looks rather lonely."
"You have good eyes."
Her lips quirked. "But it isn't my eyes your interested in.. is it?" That appeared to spark something. Because the next flash in his depths was not one of underlying dislike. No, this time it was darker and far more wanting. He wanted her.
Good.
"Quite the contrary," he said as he leaned in closer to her, inches from her face and staring deeply into her green irises. His alcohol laden breath fanned across her senses. "The eyes... tell more than one's face ever does, my Venus." He paused and she remained fixed in his gaze, not allowing him to read more than she wanted him to.
"You're quite deep..."
He smirked. "Shall we go somewhere...?"
"More quiet?" she mused aloud.
"Most definitely."
Her nerves were on fire as they stood up and she took his arm. Fear set in most prominently and she felt her insides shake. Flirting... she could do. She'd been trained to do it. She'd been taught how to read, act and react to nearly any situation. However, the one thing she couldn't prepare herself for... was this.
Calm, she whispered in her mind, remain calm and you can do this, Sakura.
ooo
His eyes remained fixed on the duo as they got up and began to walk towards the side of the large room. When he was sure he could only be sensed by Sakura, he got up and moved to follow them, taking care to stay at the very least, twenty paces behind. He flashed open his Sharingan and trailed the two as soundlessly as possible.
But, what he wasn't expecting happened...
The moment he rounded a corner..
..they were gone.
ooo
Sakura's eyes narrowed slightly as she felt a shift in the environment around her. She blinked a few times, quite sure she'd sensed some grand burst of chakra. Her eyes darted down as Yukio shifted his hands apart. Had he...
No, certainly not.
Her eyes, still, couldn't help but draw towards a ring on his left hand. It was about his pointer finger, gold and inscribed with something she couldn't make out at this distance. Her keen eyes, her good insight, just knew whatever she'd felt had come from that...
But she couldn't do anything yet. Not, not yet.
She dropped her free arm and allowed for something to slip out onto the floor. She kept her arm this way as he led her down the hall. A moment later and they were turning once more and coming to a door. She followed him within and was careful not to upset her own tactic. She prayed he didn't notice. If he was a shinobi, like herself, he just might.
However, as they descended the stairway down into utter darkness, he said not a word; nor did he make any indication that he took notice of anything out of the ordinary. She kept a good hold on him as she managed well and easily down the stairs. But, she tried to make her footing appear not quite so good. It wouldn't do at all to alert him she was anything but a woman of the night hired to work here by his wife.
She found them stopping again before a bright light enveloped her vision...
ooo
Kakashi swore under his breath in the most nonchalant manner he could manage as he wandered down the hall a few steps. If anyone appeared to asking him why he was here he would attempt to make it look as though he were searching for the bathroom and quite vexed over this fact.
He couldn't sense Sakura's chakra anywhere. He knew she was masking it to a degree. However, he'd been in her company long enough to know it even with her doing so. If Yukio was masking his own, he was making it look every bit the very aura of a nonshinobi.
He felt his heart pounding in his ears as he tried to scan for any residual chakra in the near area. Anything that would lead him to Sakura. He tried to see beyond the walls for the glow of chakra his Sharingan would allow him to see. He might not be able to see what was behind the walls like a Hyuuga... but if had that strong glow, he'd see it.
His jaw clenched when nothing came up.
No one just vanished from sight. It just didn't happen. Not without the feeling of some strong burst of chakra doing the job for you. If this guy wasn't a shinobi... how had he accomplished it? If he was... god, he needed to find her. If Yukio had a technique so powerful even he couldn't sense it... who knew what he would do to her.
Panic was slowly starting to set in in such a way he'd never known before. Images from his past came flooding back into his mind. A young boy's screams echoed in his thoughts, blood sprayed the walls, the smell of residual hate and dark lust would not leave him. He had to lean into the wall for support and he forced down a bile in his stomach threatening to come forth.
Not her.
Not this time.
Never again.
He made his mind stop racing, he made his heart stop pounding so quickly, he ordered his thoughts to banish to the farthest reaches of his mind.
When he opened his eyes again it was to the sight of something glinting on the floor. A sudden, unexpected smile laced his features.
"That's my girl," he breathed.
ooo
The door shut behind her and Sakura lowered her arm after they entered. Sweet smells and soft, romantic colors invaded her sight and smell. In the center of the room, headboard against the wall, was a bed with plush coverings to match the theme of the longue. To her left was a wooden dresser with a mirror made out to be a half vanity. To her right was another room that she could tell, just barely, was a bathroom. Several other unimportant pieces of furniture were strewn about the room; all matching the same themes she'd seen all day.
"Do you like it?" he asked, releasing her and turning to face her as he reached for both of her hands. Quickly, as not to alert her and in one swift movement, Sakura snipped off the end of whatever she'd been hiding in her kimono sleeve. The remains of which would never be found or detected by now if he hadn't already.
Just in time she reached up to take his hands. "Oh, very much."
He smiled darkly, obviously pleased with her reply.
Calm, Sakura. Just stay calm. Breathe normally and let it come. Stay in control. You are a strong shinobi of Konoha. You are ANBU. You have been trained by the best man in the field. You will not fail. You cannot let him see your fear.
"Apprehensive?"
"Excited," she masked easily as she forced her hands to squeeze briefly around his own. She fell into his embrace and did let it come as he took her lips in a kiss. The feeling of his lips across her, slanting, was not unpleasant. It was obvious he knew what he was doing and did it well. She could only hope the rest of this went much the same way. However, the lingering reminder of those other women... had her still on edge.
She fell onto the mattress as he led her there. She allowed her clothes to be shed one by one, falling here and there like a wanton haze. The feel of his very real, very male, very hard wanting body on her own had goosebumps trailing her arms in a way that was not induced by desire. Sadly, however thankfully for her in this case... fear had a way of making you seem as though you wanted what you were getting. It made a great many women wanting and wet during the act regardless of whether they felt a likeness for it. Not all of course, but in her studies quite a few.
It was a rapid beating of movement. His hands were everywhere and drawing from her body things she did not want to feel with him. She found herself feeling emotions she didn't want to feel, things she'd told herself she wasn't, things Ino and Rin had warned her she would feel. His hands, his kisses, his touches were of a person she had to outwit and undo. She had to do this not because she wanted to, but because it was her duty to.
Duty... duty came before personal choice.
Duty came before preference.
Duty came before emotions.
Duty came before dreams.
Duty... was that she'd wanted.
And then, just as quickly as he'd had her growing accustomed to his pace, he changed tactics. It was slow and gradual, but it didn't make it any easier.
His hands became harder, more gripping. His gentle touched turned bruising. His evasive nails turned to knives on her soft flesh. She had to force down and cry and summon up a false moan, urging him this was what she desired as he drove into a place she'd tried hard not to consider.
She gripped the back of the headboard as her eyes stared into the wall just behind it. Her knuckled burned white as he pounded into her backside. Pain sliced up her spine while his greedy hands gripped her hips in the doggy-style position. Tears threatened to prick at her eyes and she bit down on her lip.
She'd done this before, once or twice. However, her lovers then had been careful, kind and slow. They'd made sure to ask her, coax her softly and take care with a lubricant before even allowing their own hardened member near it.
This... this was...
Everything hurt. Every moment that passed was another chip off of her heart. How did Ino endure this? How had anyone ever endured this level of hatred pouring out from another person, cruelly, into their own body? She felt like her strength was being zapped form her. She felt like he was taking away everything she'd ever worked hard to gain, to accomplish. The very real feel of her own insides being torn asunder was a likely metaphor to her very power and pillar of strength being stripped.
I am a shinobi of Konoha, she reminded herself. I am strong, I am resilient, I can overcome, I can adapt and learn... I can...
She couldn't help the one, small, single tear as it dropped from her face... splashing upon a pillow before her. All else.. was hidden
ooo
Kakashi followed the silver, steel thread along the floor Sakura had left behind for him. He had a hard time forcing down the pride he felt for her. Dropping a wire, a shinobi wire, on the floor to trail the path for him, was just something he hadn't even considered. She must have known something was up and taken the best course of action available to her.
Smart girl.
He tried to keep his pace even lest someone think he was not where he was suppose to be. He rounded a corner and followed the thread once more. He stopped when it came to door. He leaned against the wall and listed to see if he could sense any movement beyond, any indication he'd be dropping in on something he should not be. Regardless of his fear, he could storm into anything or anywhere. The mission would go bust.
He couldn't do that to her. He might not like that she here, in this position, but he wouldn't sabotage it for her either.
Duty... duty before personal desire.
He had to keep reminding himself.
Once he confirmed there was no one near the door or the general area of the door he slowly opened it. Darkness enveloped his vision as he shut it behind him. Faintly, and finally, he could sense Sakura. He wasn't sure how or why... but relief set in once he could.
Careful in his descent down the stairs he made his way towards it. Thanking whatever god was available to him that no one was about and the presence of traps were nil, he continued towards a stream of light coming from the crack of a door ahead. It was here he heard the dreaded sounds he'd not been wanting to hear...
He stopped. He closed his eyes. He drew breath and strength from within. He forced down things better left in the dark reaches of his mind.
He reopened his eyes and all but glared at the door while trying to figure out a way in without interrupting the proceedings. His eyes darted upward, flickering. It appeared, from his judgment, that the top of the room did not go all the way up.
Interesting.
In one swift, clean and silent movement he leapt upward. Gracefully, he landed in a crouch on the ledge of the wall and steadied himself. Thankfully the wall had an inner layer of concrete block. He couldn't imagine what would have happened had it been shaky drywall and wood alone.
It appeared the very core of his being was just too bothered to think of everything. But, small favors were graciously accepted despite all odds. Luck, he realized, was on his side this night.
He couldn't move as his eyes drifted upward. As they froze and locked in place. Everything stilled.
His body would not move.
The sight that met with his very vision was not one he desired under any context...
He felt his heart constrict, his blood flare and his vision wane as he watched on, as he watched the very worst imagined scenario play out before his eyes.
"Your Taichou... seems nice.."
"He's... amazing."
"Do you trust me, Kakashi?"
"Please... no... Stop!"
"No more!"
"Open your eyes!"
"Look!"
"Do you trust me?"
"Come with me."
"No! I will not abandon Konoha!"
"Stop!"
"No more!"
"Look!"
"Do you trust me... Kakashi?"
"He's... amazing..."
"Taichou!"
Words, speaking, voices, hundreds of them molded into one in the back of his mind and continued on to such a point they all became a blur. All he could see was the blood. All he could feel was the pain. All he could hear were the screams. All he could sense was a mixture of hate, crimson tears and the eyes of a young boy--a man--whom he could not save.
"No more!"
"Stop!"
The pounding of his heart started again. The rush of life fluid in his veins sped up. His breathing came short all over. He wasn't really seeing her, he was seeing something of her and a time he'd tried so hard to forget but never would. He was seeing a place, a person, he never wanted to see again. A place he didn't want to be reminded of. A failure he couldn't fix, could never repair, but somehow had promised it would never happen again.
His hands shook as he forced it away. He couldn't do this now. He had a mission to accomplish. He convinced himself the only real way to get this done was to get what he, what the client, needed. He choked down his fears. He tightened his jaw and told himself to stop.
Never again, he reminded himself as he withdrew the camera and did the last thing he ever hoped to do in regards to a woman he'd come to more than respect; to a woman that deserved much more than what was being offered.
ooo
It was over.
It was finally over, she realized as he rolled off of her and fell onto the mattress with a long sigh. She didn't even feel him leave her. Her body was numb. Her limbs felt as though they were not attached. If she was floating, it would be considered the worst antigravity moment of her life.
Everything ached.
Everything burned.
Her body was on fire and she felt like her insides and been run through some abomination of a grinder. She couldn't hide the way she shook every so many moments. She couldn't hide how much it overtook her. But, what she could do was close her eyes, exhale and smile as she fell onto the mattress next to him.
"Well?" she whispered in question when he said nothing to her, faking a joy in her tone.
No response.
She turned her head and narrowed her eyes on him. He wasn't moving. His eyes were closed.
Had he fallen asleep?
Her body cried in protest as she reached out to touch his neck. However, just as she did a hand snapped over her wrist to stop her. She stifled a gasp as she looked up to see just who was on the other end of that hand.
Kakashi.
She relaxed and pulled a sheet around her body. She covered her inner turmoil with a question. "Are you--."
"Needle," he indicated, stopping her short as he motioned to the other side of the man's neck.
Sakura leaned over, just barely. Ah, sure enough... he must have done that after he'd fallen to the mattress. "You don't think he'll suspect anything?" she asked in a monotone.
Kakashi shook his head. "Sleeping potion... he'll think he fell asleep after the act. By the time he wakes up we'll be gone," he muttered as he pulled the tip from his neck. "You might wanna heal it... if you can. We don't need any lasting evidence."
Sakura nodded and reached over. She resisted wincing as she allowed a soft glow to escape from the tip of her finger onto the small wound and heal his flesh. Seconds later it was as though there had never been a injury.
She sat back and exhaled as quietly as possible. It was so hard, though. Everything hurt. It all hurt so bad she couldn't focus on anything else. He hadn't beat her... no, but he might as well have. She was sure come morning she'd have a slew of marks she'd be hard pressed to look at in the mirror while she worked on them without being reminded of this experience.
She attempted to move off the bed and stand, sheet firmly wrapped about her in modesty. She felt her legs start to give out from under her in vain and reached for the bed with deep breath inward.
Pain shot up her spine.
She felt arms wrap about her, picking her up under her legs and behind her back almost immediately. Green orbs drew up to mismatched hues of coal-grey, black and deep crimson as her lips parted in surprise.
He stared down at her, eyes deep with something... an emotion. It was something she rarely saw in his eyes these days. It was something that struck her to her core along with the safe, grateful feeling of being contained in his embrace.
She looked down and leaned her head into his chest.
"Thank you."
In response, he said nothing. She didn't expect him to. When he moved towards the door she stopped him by gripping his arm. "Wait."
"Hm?"
"There's a ring... on his left hand, his pointer finger... I think it's how he evaded so many people. Don't leave without it..."
Without argument he did as he asked, walking across the room and leaning down just enough so she could remove the ring.
"We'll look at it later," he muttered in order. "Put it in my pocket."
Without argument, Sakura did so. She placed it in a small slit of a pocket in the right breast of his soft, violet colored armor.
"Kakashi?"
"Hm?"
"I'm going..." she slurred, exhaustion finally setting in.
"Go to sleep, Sakura," he whispered, pain evident in his voice for once.
"Yes, sensei..."
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AN: OMG, hardest chapter to write, I tell you. Man, I feel like I need to go kick a bunny or cry in a corner now. ,o Horrible, I know. I hope you guys enjoyed this. I tried so hard to make it as painless as possible. And I realize I didn't quite cover it there at the end how Sakura was feeling emotionally. But, it hasn't quite set in yet. Not really. That and she's in a lot of physical pain. Plus, she's focused on making sure the mission is completed with success. So... anyway... hope you liked it.
Next chapter will have them going home. And a little, actually... a lot more development between Sakura and Kakashi.
Hope for the best!
Reviews are love!
--Blade