Stand By Me

Chapter 17 - Enchanted

''There I was again tonight, forcing laughter, faking smiles...same old tired lonely place. Walls of insincerity, shifting eyes and vacancy - vanished when I saw your face...all I can say is it was enchanting to meet you.''

Sakura opened her eyes with a shock and on impulse she began to thrash around. Her arms seemed to be shackled to the ceiling, and her feet were being weighed down, so she assumed they were tied to the floor.

She pushed chakra to her hands and pulled.

''Ahhgh!'' she screamed as the shackles shocked her.

She closed her eyes. The room was pitch black dark as she listened to her harsh breathing.

Her head was still clouded by whatever drug had been administered...the junction between her shoulder and her neck felt severely bruised. The needle...Kami...it was the thickest needle she'd ever seen, and it had been slammed into her.

...

Sakura heard the bedroom door open, and she didn't turn around. Assuming it was Sasuke...she tensed.

He continued to advance towards her, slowly - cautiously. His foot fall coming down as a thud. Nothing like Sasuke's.

Sakura didn't hesitate, she spun around, slamming her fist into the intruder's face. The mask broke beneath her strength and she heard a satisfying crack as she hit skin and bones.

The Shadow stumbled back, he was a monster of a man, towering over her, built out of thick muscle entirely.

Sakura slammed her fist into the mirror behind her and caught a shard before it fell away. Her hand shook slightly, but she focussed of the Shadow.

Where was Sasuke? Was he ok? Was this attack what Itachi had been trying to warn her about?

The Shadow lunged at her and she ducked at the last minute, dragging the glass along his forearm before stabbing it into his thick thigh. He grabbed a fist full of her hair and shoved her to the floor, chest first. Sakura groaned and struggled against him, but he position his knees on the backs of her thighs, his legs blocking hers down. With quick movements, he tied her wrists together with chakra string lines.

He gave a terrible yank and she was up against his chest, his free hand flattened on her stomach.

''You're quite sufficient, aren't you?'' he said gruffly.

''Fuck you.'' she spat, struggling against him again.

His hand dragged off of her slowly as he pulled on her hair again.

''I'd like to see just how sufficient you are on your knees. Think we can do that?''

Horror shot through her, as she tried again to escape. ''Not even in hell.'' she growled.

''Too bad we don't have time, I rather enjoy exercising...control.''

Bile rose in her throat and she thrashed against him again, this time landing a good hit with her shoulder into his chest.

''Fucking bitch.'' he muttered, ''You see this?'' he asked and she turned her head away, determined to defy him. He pushed her head into the direction he wanted her roughly.

Sakura gasped. A needle as thick as a finger...oh Kami...no. Inside the syringe, a yellow solution sloshed around.

''No!'' she thrashed again and he bit into her neck - hard.

She screamed and then the syringe made contact with her neck and her scream just went on until ahead slumped to the floor.

''Sakura!''

''Sasuke...-kun...'' she tried, but her voice was fading.

''Sakura!''

''Sasu...'' her vision dimmed and then she fell into a black, abyss.

...

Sakura flexed her head to the side and groaned. Well, duh, it would hurt, she scolded herself.

The door opened but no light entered the room. Sakura stilled, eyes straining to see in the darkness, her heart freaking out in her chest as the door shut with a bang. Footsteps moved around, but not towards her. Metal sliders slid away and light flooded the room. Sakura's retinas burned and she squeezed her eyes shut, seeing white behind her lids.

''Took you long enough.'' the male voice said, ''Madara-sama has been getting impatient. You've been out for a day.''

A day...? What? How...?

Slowly, she opened her eyes and hissed through clenched teeth as the light still burned.

''Number Two has come to see you. She's in a bad mood, brace yourself.'' there was a satisfied laugh before the door opened.

''Out.'' came the female demand. Footsteps and then the door slammed.

There was silence but Sakura could feel Karin in the room.

There was a sliding sound and Sakura opened her eyes slightly. Karin had closed the shutters, so a bit of light flooded in only so much that they could see each other.

''If I had known...at all...'' she began and pursed her lips, looking anywhere but Sakura. ''I knew nothing of this. I swear.'' she turned away and paced the small room. ''Sasuke's gonna kill me for this.''

''What is it? Why am I here?''

Karin's eyes met hers...and Sakura saw pity. Pity? What the hell?

The door opened and Sakura shrank back.

''Karin, leave us.''

There was no hesitation. Karin bowed lowly before she passed Tobi and closed the door behind her.

He came closer and stopped about a foot from her.

''Officially I thought my original plan for you would be the only use I would have for you, but when I saw you yesterday...I knew you would prove much more resourceful.''

''More...resourceful?'' she tested the words on her tongue. ''I would never help you!'' she said violently, thrashing against her restraints.

''You think you have a choice?'' he reached up, a gloved hand skimming the side of her neck, and then her collarbone.

Sakura's eyes widened as she struggled to get away.

''Don't worry,'' he said, ''I don't intend to take you now, it will be...special.'' he chuckled at some private joke, thoroughly amused with himself.

Sakura spat, right into the hole of his mask. There was a moment of hesitant disbelief before she was backhanded with such force that she could feel the blood running from her lower lip down her chin.

He turned away and she saw him pull the mask away and wipe at his face. Sakura smiled slowly.

Without turning back he went to the door.

''Karin will come and heal your face, we wouldn't want you to look like that on your big day. Or...mine.''

''Big day?'' she whispered.

He turned to her and she had the inclination that he was smirking. ''Of course, tomorrow we're getting married.''

Her breath left her all at once as the door closed and her entire body slumped. He was bluffing. Had to be. Had to be!

Oh Kami...she could feel hot, traitorous tears run down her cheeks.

Why would he do this? Sasuke's words echoed in her head. To lure someone out. But, he was right, who would fall for that? Naruto. But as far as Madara knew...Naruto was dead. So who?

Sasuke wasn't an option, not only was her smarter than that but Madara knew exactly where he was so luring him out seemed stupid. Everyone else...died with Konoha's destruction, but for a moment, Sakura entertained the idea of 'what if'. What if, by some miracle, they'd escaped. Who was important in Konoha? Tsunade-sama, Shizune, the elders? Tsunade had most likely been dead before Konoha's destruction. Madara had no connection to Shizune as far as she knew and that left the elders. How would her marrying him against her will draw them out. The couldn't give a fuck about some Chuunin med-nin. That still left her with nothing.

The door opened and closed and Karin came to her, the same pity in her eyes.

''If I-'' Karin began again. Yeah, if Karin had done what Sasuke (probably) instructed her to do, Sakura wouldn't be here right but, but she knew she was just looking for someone to blame.

''You wanna do something for me?'' she asked and Karin frowned and nodded.

''Knock me out.'' because sleep couldn't possibly come.

''Excuse me?''

''Knock me out Karin, I...'' Sakura faltered and Karin sighed, her hand going to the side of Sakura's neck, to the pressure point there, and when Sakura nodded, Karin pressed into it and Sakura slumped, unconscious.

x-x-x-x-

Sakura awoke in the Void but she had no strength to stand as her legs gave out, she slumped down to her knees. Her fingers dug into the dirt and her tears dripped down like rain. A sob wracked her body and her arms went around herself. This could not be happening. Tobi had to die. She would do it. Fuck Sasuke's revenge. Sorry, but she couldn't care less right now. She had the opportunity. She would take it. But - first things first, she drew in a shaky breath and looked up. Itachi looked down at her, his face ashen, his eyes haunted.

''Can you get a message to Sasuke-kun?''

Itachi noticed the -kun, but he said nothing of it. ''Sakura-''

''Is it possible, can you?'' she insisted.

Itachi's lips pressed into a thin line. ''Sasuke entered the dream state in a nightmare. Its hard to get through to him.''

''Hard? Is it impossible?''

''No.''

''Please...'' she whispered. ''Tell him, not to come to Konoha. Tell him...to forget about me. Tell him to keep Naruto away. Tell him I-'' she cut off and closed her eyes. ''No, that's it.''

''Why are you speaking like this? Like you've resigned to die.''

Slowly Sakura smiled and shrugged. ''Please go to him now.''

''Sakura! Don't give-''

Sakura closed her eyes, tears streaming through the closed lids.

''My fate is signed. I don't want anyone else getting hurt. Please, go to Sasuke-kun now.''

After a second, Itachi nodded.

And Sakura was left alone.

x-x-x-x-

Sasuke sat outside, listening as they spoke.

''She stabbed him with this,'' Kiba said, showing them the shard of glass.

He felt the spike in both Hinata and Neji's chakra as they're byakugans activated. Naruto's foot was tapping impatiently on the floor. From the heavy drop of it, Sasuke suspected his heel was tapping.

Sasuke swallowed. If he just hadn't gone after her. What the fuck had he expected to find in the bathroom? Of course she wouldve been naked!

He had no idea why he'd gone after her...after that kiss, his eyes closed of their own accord and he ran a hand through his hair. He knew why he went. He'd had this untamable urge to push her up against the wall and claim her lips again.

When it came to her he had no self control at all. No matter how many times he'd practically screamed at his self conscious that it was all wrong, that it was Sakura. He was ignored. He might as well admit it, he wanted her. He wasn't sure how or why, but he wanted Sakura. It was wrong, fucking wrong, and damn him - he wanted her more. Just her voice, her eyes, her soothing breathing next to him - god, what a fucking sap he was. He closed his eyes, a cool night wind doing nothing to soothe him.

The reality was, she was gone, because he was weak once again. Just like before...he wasn't strong enough to protect anyone that night...just like he hadn't saved his parents. He was still that weak fucker...

''Sasuke.'' Naruto's voice broke his inner-self-hate-cycle.

Sasuke didn't look up at the blonde and Naruto didn't move.

''Lets go to Konoha, now.''

''You heard Neji. They're expecting us. If she was that important, they wouldn't take her there.''

''Right, but you know that guy. He's arrogant. What if he believes we aren't strong enough to break in and take her right from under him?''

Naruto had a point, that was exactly like Tobi.

''We need more information.'' and Sasuke hated the reality, hated himself for all of this.

''Why weren't you with her? Why were you out here?'' Naruto asked, there was no blame in his voice. The fact, to Naruto, that Sasuke was outside was mere, unlucky coincidence.

Sasuke stood up, and without looking at Naruto he went inside and slammed his bedroom door shut.

Sasuke sat down on his bed. Fuck, he was tired. Tired of everything. Just another time he'd wished Itachi hadn't spared his life.

He was sure sleep wouldn't come to him, as he closed his eyes and evened his breathing...and too soon, sleep claimed him.

It started off with him, walking through the streets of the Uchiha district. Yeah, he knew this dream well.

He was in the body of his younger self. It was dark and he felt the red eyes stalking him. Heard the screams as a masked man slayed his clan. He came up to his family home, opened the door and stepped inside.

''Ka-san, Tou-san...'' he said in a shaky voice as he removed his shoes. ''Im home.''

No answer.

Something was different though. The usual family portrait on the wall...was changed. It was the Team 7 photo. Except it was different. They were all older and it seemed to be taken recently. Weird.

Sasuke ignored the feeling gnawing at his heart.

''Sasuke!''

Sasuke stopped and listened. He was sure...that sounded like his brother, but like he was speaking through a can.

Sasuke listened and when no sound came, he continued with the dream.

He saw through the kitchen window that it started raining outside.

''Sasuke-kuunnn!'' Sakura screams had him tripping to get to her, he ran as fast as his small legs would carry him.

''Sasuke-kun!'' her scream seemed to come from everywhere. Why couldn't he get to her? He shoved open every door he could find.

''Sakura!'' he called back but was answered by silence, that's when those double doors to his parents' bedroom seemed so gigantic. He swallowed, hesitantly padding over and putting his hands on the doorknobs. As expected he froze.

Move...move...move!

He shoved the doors open and the scene exploded into his vision. The masked man was holding Sakura. One arm over her shoulders, the other across her ribs.

Her feet didn't touch the ground. Her eyes looked hazy as if she'd been drugged.

The moment she saw him, horror crushed her features. She shook her head, mouthing the word 'run'. Tears ran down her pale cheeks and she shook her head.

Tobi chuckled. A dark, sadistic sound.

Adrenaline shot through Sasuke and he stepped forward. A cut appeared on Sakura's cheek. He frowned and took another step, and blood ran from the corner of her mouth.

''Sakura...!'' he called, but he seemed so far away from her.

Tobi took a step forward. Into the moonlight from the window and Sasuke narrowed his eyes, taking another step and that's when the drip drip started. His eyes darted to the floor. Blood. A thick puddle collected on the floor. Sasuke looked up, Sakura's shirt was covered in blood to the side...where he'd felt the scar.

Suddenly Tobi dropped her to the floor and she didn't even block the fall, he took out a kunai and brought it down on her.

''Sakura!'' Sasuke leaped but he was suddenly pulled back and out of the room, the door shut, blocking and muffling Sakura's scream.

Sasuke thrashed, feeling bigger, older now.

''Sasuke! Calm down! Its just a dream!''

It took Sasuke a second to process the voice. It sounded like Itachi...so rational, so calm. He relaxed.

''I don't have much time,'' Itachi began, speaking quickly, his voice still sounded like he was speaking in a can.

''Tobi has Sakura, and tomorrow, he intends to marry her.''

Sasuke turned, staring at Itachi. ''Marry her? That's insane. This isn't some creepy romance novel.''

''He intends to lure someone into the open, I have no idea who exactly. But listen Sasuke...Sakura wants me to deliver a message to you.''

''Deliver a message? How did she see you?''

''We don't have time for that. Sakura wants you to stay away from Konoha. She wants you to forget about her, you and Naruto.'' Itachi finished with a frown.

''So what you're saying is...'' Sasuke began with a tired sigh, ''Go to Konoha and do exactly to opposite of what she wants.'' Sasuke smirked and shook his head.

''Pretty much, yeah.'' Itachi actually returned the smirk.

x-x-x-x-

When Sakura opened her eyes again, it was her 'big day'. Whoop dee fucking doo. She'd noticed the pain in her lip and neck had disappeared and she was on her back, lying down. Still in a cell, her wrist and ankles were bound.

''Good, you're awake.'' came Karin's voice.

''Yeah, that's great.'' Sakura said, sarcasm dripping from her voice.

''Get up,'' Karin instructed, ''I need to get you ready.''

''Im fine the way I am.''

''Do you want to get hurt? Kami, just get up.'' Karin pushed Sakura into a sitting position and Sakura noticed her glasses were off and she was in a towel.

''Youre chakra has been blocked so don't try anything please.'' Karin cut her bounds and dragged Sakura up.

''Take off your clothes, we need to get you clean.''

Sakura turned away and with a resigned numbness, she stripped and folded her clothes neatly before pulling a towel on. She followed Karin down a hallway and up some stairs. Karin unlocked the door and stepped onto a soft, antique red rug. Sakura followed and Karin locked the door behind them.

Dread flooded Sakura, she knew this place.

''The...Hokage Mansion...'' she breathed.

''Madara is staying here.'' Karin informed her, walking past her and to the left through another door and then the were outside. A natural hot spring that Tsunade had never used before, as far as she knew.

Karin dropped her towel and eased herself into the water.

''Get in,'' the voice instructed and Sakura dropped her own towel, wafting into the water and closing her eyes. She kept her mind numb, but unwillingly it drifted to the last time she was naked...Sasuke dark eyes drifting over her body. Suddenly she felt like crying. The thought of how she would never see him again. The thought of never finding out why he needed to look at her in such a sexual way...

She dropped slid down, submurging herself and trying to drown the feelings that she would never explore, that would die with her in the next few hours.

Suddenly she felt arms hands on her shoulders and she was being pulled up.

''Oh, geez, please don't cry on me.'' Karin muttered and then she whispered, ''You need to stay strong.''

Sakura nodded slowly.

''Good, you done getting clean?''

No, not really. But Sakura nodded.

With a sigh, Karin got out and wrapped herself in her towel, Sakura followed.

They went inside and Karin led her upstairs.

''He's not here, is he?'' Sakura whispered and Karin shook her head as she entered another room, on the door of the closet hung a spectacular kimono. White, shiny silk. Pink cherry blossoms embroided to the hem. Pale pink around the obi. She eyed the head gear. A Tsunokakushi. He wanted her to be obedient. Fuck him.

Karin waved her over to the vanity table and mirror, pushing her to sit down.

''Lets get you painted.'' Karin said, picking up the white paint and starting to paint Sakura all over.

x-x-x-x-

Sakura stood in front of two large doors, Karin to her left, holding the kimono up.

After a brief absence, Karin had returned, looking beyond smug and helped Sakura dress before leading her down here.

Sakura swallowed, a part of her was scared to death. What fucking reason could he possibly have for marrying her?

The other part, was excited...and chance to kill him...and it was that part that pushed her forward.

''You have nothing to worry about.'' Karin murmured next to her and Sakura whipped around to look at her, Karin had a secret smile and a smugness shined in her eyes.

Whatever. Sakura couldn't deal with her right now.

The doors opened and the strings of a shamisen began to play slowly. She immediately recognized the song. 'Sakura'. How fucking original.

She took a step into the room and froze. Behind Tobi was Kakashi, without his Shadow mask, his eyes watching her gravely.

She swallowed and went forward, her eyes going from Shadow to Shadow, as the stood along the walls. As she passed one, his head dropped and their eyes met. Impossibly dark eyes stared back at her. Sasuke. She passed him and disbelief washed through her. No, impossible. Itachi wouldve gotten to him, he couldn't be here. No. No. It wasn't Sasuke.

She reached Tobi and Karin removed her veil, before stepping back.

Sakura drowned out the ceremony, staring at a stop on the wall and pointedly away from him, her eyes void of all emotion. Dead.

The ceremony ended and he took a step towards her, she saw Kakashi stiffen from the corner of her eye and then Tobi bent, pushing his mask up to reveal his lips. Sakura swallowed her gag reflex as his lips descended on her's, pushing them on her and moving in a demanding way. Her eyes went to the Shadow she'd noticed earlier, his hands were clenched into fists, the Shadow next to him was gripping his wrist.

Tobi removed himself from her pulled her to him. ''She will come. You are indeed very useful.'' he whispered, his lips brushing her ear before he slid his mask back into place and grabbed her hand, she yanked it away from him and he took her wrist dragging her from the room.

She will come? Who the fuck was he referring to? So, she was right. He was trying to lure someone out...but who? No one alive who would come for her was a woman.

In the next room they were greeted by people she'd never seen before. Throwing rice at them and cheering.

Fuck, he really went all out. She noticed Sai in a corner, he did not look up.

Tobi led her to a table and they were served, a band began to play and the dancefloor was covered. Sakura did not touch her food. She stared dimly ahead.

Tobi did not speak to her but Kakashi took her hand and squeezed, also staring at his plate, but not eating.

''Im going the bathroom.'' Sakura announced, getting up, and not waiting for an answer she walked off.

''Where are you going?'' a Shadow demanded, following her.

''Back the fuck off.'' she muttered, speeding up.

''I asked you a question!'' he demanded and Sakura made it to the bathroom, locking the door behind her.

''Open the door!''

''Fuck off! I want to pee!''

Silence followed and she opened the tap, splashing water on her face, desperate to get the make up off. She rubbed her hands over her face until she felt skin and then she grabbed the towel, drying it off before she stood to look in the mirror. Her face was clean but something was -

''Sasuke!'' she gasped and he put a finger to his lips, shaking his head. She opened the tap wider before she spun around and fell into him, crying quietly into his chest. Pouring her anger, frustration and anguish into him. After a long hesitation, Sasuke's heavy palms landing on her back, not moving, just resting there.

''Why did you do this?'' he whispered so only she could hear.

''Im going to kill him.''

Sasuke didn't reply. He only shook his head.

She held onto him for a while longer before she lifted her head and looked into his eyes. ''Despite everything that's happened between us...Im so glad I knew you, Sasuke-kun.''

He stared at her, very aware of what her words meant. Of course he wouldn't allow it, and yet, he leaned down and for the first time, both of them fully aware of what was about to happen - their lips met. Sasuke's lips moved against hers with a very serious, needing and intimate urgency as he pulled her close. Sakura forced her tears away as her fingers found his hair. He groaned softly, his arms crushing her chest to his, crushing her in a hug.

She wished she could stay in this moment, in the safety of his arms forever, just like this with him in an endless loop.

A knock at the door separated their lips, but they stayed locked together.

''You've been in there long enough!'' called the Shadow.

''Would you just fuck off?'' Sakura said back.

The doorknob began to turn and Sakura sighed.

''Im coming.''

She looked back up at Sasuke, reaching up and trailing her hand down his cheek.

Then, she stepped away from him and left the room, and as the door shut behind her, she looked up. Tobi was waiting.

''Its time.'' he announced.

Sakura fell back against the door. Suddenly wanting nothing but to go back inside but Tobi grabbed her wrist.

''Come.''

He pulled her along, up the stairs of the Kage Mansion and all the way to the master bedroom.

Inside, two attendants waiting. The one, a young girl of about 15 came to her pulling her to the side of the bed and beginning to strip the layers off of her. The other girl, took off his close.

The fear crawled up into her heart and began to eat at it. Suddenly, she wished she'd told him, wished she'd said it to Sasuke. Told him how much she loved him.

She looked away from him and out of the window, into the night, as the last layer of her clothing being stripped. She stood naked now, as she resisted the urge to cover herself and run.

''Its been some time, but I'm sure I haven't lost my touch.''

Fuck. You.

''Blindfold her and leave.'' something covered her eyes and then she heard the rustling of material. Footsteps. The door opening and closing. There was a pause, and then his footsteps approached her.

Don't. Do not cry. She scolded herself harshly in her head.

''She still hasn't come. Maybe she believes you are strong enough to handle this. I'm surprised and,'' he paused and she could feel him coming closer. His lips brushed her ear, back and forth, back and forth. ''Im very pleased.''

His ungloved hand brushed her neck, down her collarbone, down her chest, his lips kissing the path his fingers made.

Sakura swallowed and she felt something warm slide down both her cheeks.

His finger brushed the swell of her breast, he paused, his hand cupping her squeezing her roughly. Sakura ground her teeth together, and turned her head to the window again. Trying to block him out.

Something sliced through the air.

''Get the fuck away from her.''

Tobi chuckled. ''You surprise me.''

''Get the fuck away, now!'' Sasuke growled and Sakura sagged to her knees, relief soaring through her as she pulled the blindfold off.

Tobi put his hands up. It was too dark to see his face as he reached up and pulled his mask down.

Sasuke cautiously stepped towards Sakura, ''Put this on.'' he said and she took what he offered, pulling his larger shirt over her head and then he grabbed her hand, pulling her up and dragging her with him to the other side of the room.

''You really think you can escape?'' Tobi asked, pulling on his clothes.

''I know I can.'' Sasuke said, brimming with the Uchiha confidence she loved so much.

''Sakura, she did not come after all. You have lost your usefulness. I will find another sacrifice.'' he said, his voice eerie in the silence and then he disappeared.

Sasuke froze, looking around, trying to sense the bastard.

A presence appeared behind them and Sasuke spun around, just as Tobi's hands landed on Sakura's head and then he twisted.

A terrible crack filled the room as Sakura dropped.

And then the world seemed to stop.

''This is me praying that this was the very first page, not where the story line ends. My thoughts will echo your name...until I see you again.''

No, I can tell you guys right now, this is NOT the end. Relax. Review. Next chapter up tomorrow hopefully so hold out until then ;)

Trust meh! This is shocking lol.

Zana-Lee

xoxo