Eventually Neji and Sasuke did scold the whole sneak out crew, but that didn't stop them and the royals even tried punishing them with chores. Didn't stop them, and then Sasuke and Neji took away things like making enough food to count for them, or letting them participate in game nights or movie nights with the pack. Even had them sleep outside in the rain at one point. I don't know why it happened on this night, but Hinata finally joined us and was so happy to see the outside world, and Kiba had to make a snarky comment that she'll never get to because of these rules. Neji had gotten so sick and tired of Kiba's constant disrespect that he just spun around and smacked him right across the face. Sasuke blew everyone's ears out yelling at Kiba to shut the hell up and something about if he'd listen from time to time it wouldn't be as bad as he makes it. Kiba was literally held hostage for the next two weeks. Stuck in a room on the third floor because Sasuke wanted him to know what real prison feels like so he can stop comparing the rules to it. He told Kiba when he cold pee, when it was time to sleep, and gave him his food when he felt like feeding him. I felt like it was kind of cruel, but we are supposed to listen to the royals and it was a bit disrespectful to constantly ignore them.

It seemed to have worked at first. Kiba was released and tensions began to die out. That blissful happiness came back for a while. We got to show Hinata all kinds of amazing things we learned about. Sasuke and Neji have been planning events for the whole pack to do on occasion. Hinata clearly loved it. That lasted for maybe two months and then some old routines came back. Kiba had been sneaking out again, but he was a lot more careful this time. Only three to four people out of the big group a week got to go out. They liked going to the bar because the bar never asked for IDs and because it allowed them to be more themselves and just appear drunk to humans. That secrecy aspect worked for a month and then Kiba got bolder. He invited me… I couldn't believe it. I thought he'd never trust me because I'm a "goodie tushu." Honestly, when he did I almost wanted to run to Sasuke and tell him right away, but I felt like I had told myself before I should get more information before judging and there is nothing like experiencing it. So I went along. Another month went by, and I learned a lot that I didn't learn on the pack outings. I don't know how to explain what I learned, but they weren't in the museums that the royals took us to, they weren't things like the movies told me, and it wasn't like the humans suspected us like Sasuke seems to suggest. Although, one man was talking about how his son was kidnapped a while ago and hasn't been found since. I thought maybe It could be the person Sasuke kidnapped a while ago, but it also could be just coincidence. This man came from another city that was almost two hours from here and that pretty much assured me it wasn't him…

I feel bad, but I helped hide the secret for Kiba. Kiba got riskier, but somehow Sasuke and Neji didn't seem to know. I later found it was because Gaara knew and he was okay with it. I feel like I'm super happy that I happened to be there when it happened. Kiba was drunk and bumped into someone. They got into a bar fight and seemed to laugh it off, but a group of people who became part of the bar fight, but not the people with the guy Kiba bumped into, were not happy. They all wore some kind of clothing that had a red cloud symbol. One guy without a word just came up and knocked Kiba out. I went to go help, but the guy already left. Ino was there too with her mouth gaping and one of those people slapped her and told her to be a good girl. It was just so rude and weird and everyone in the bar was too shocked to move. They left and as they did I realized they weren't humans…I walked out to see where they were headed because I just felt like maybe it help for some reason to know where they live or something. One turned around and made a slit your throat kind of gesture at me and another flipped me off. They were clearly aggressive, but more importantly there was someone I recognized because of a family picture. Temari and Gaara's brother. He didn't seem to be aggressive toward us, but I remember how Sasuke told me they didn't like us specifically. I wondered if they came her because of us or if they even realized who we were. If they did…

We helped Kiba get back home and I didn't even both covering it up because this was too far. I ran up to Sasuke and told him everything. He listened, didn't say anything to me, and ran down stairs when I was done. He gathered everyone around and Neji and Sasuke were scolding us again, but this time it was way more than just a lecture. Tenten one time tried to chime up, but was immediately met by Neji in her face screaming at her. Not one person wasn't there, but the aggression clearly wasn't directed at certain people, including me? The screaming and everything lasted for hours. Some people started crying because of the tension and I think it was Chouji who tried to leave, but was cut off instantly. Kiba wanted to make one last stand and Sasuke immediately picked him up by the collar and pinned him to the wall. Sasuke was just screaming that Kiba has no idea what he has done and Kiba seemed to go blue before Sasuke let him down. When Kiba got air he still tried to say something and mentioned how he followed the rules because he told Gaara. Sasuke and Neji looked at Gaara and Gaara finally said something "You told me, yes. I had no idea you were doing these kind of actions, however. You told me you were going to a bar and I found out you were not going to the one you told me. At first, I didn't think much of it because I figured you'd do this, and when I asked once you said you went to a park. I just figured you were wondering about, but not getting yourself in trouble. Kiba I should've been more strict. You think it was a prison to somehow ask for you to just tell us where you were going well you might find out what prison is really like soon."

Kiba just stared Gaara down because I guess he wasn't expecting that. Sasuke told everyone to go to their rooms. Everyone just slowly walked away. Next morning a lot had changed. Sasuke told us about the construction plans. He and Neji planned to make a giant wall around the premises and there would be this large gate to get out. You'd need a password to get out or in and that the wall would be electrified from the outside, but there was spikes that come shooting out from the ground on the inside. Surveillance cams both inside and outside the wall and inside the house. Punishments might require physically injuries and being caged down in the basement in a dungeon just like a human. People were getting cards to indicated when they left and when they came back to make sure people get back when they are told so. There is also GPS on these cards and if found tampered with or that they were left anywhere unattended, or to look like they were somewhere when they aren't, harsh punishment would arise. All visiting privileges are being rid of for the next three months. These rules were nonnegotiable. Neji added at the end that Kiba's privilege of leaving would be taken away for the rest of the year. Kiba tried to retaliate, but everyone noticed he was a lot more beaten up then when we all saw him last.

Sasuke immediately shut everyone up before they could to the obvious rebuttal. He explained the gravity of the situation. That gang that Kiba pissed off was called Akatsuki. They were a pack that was supposed to be formed about three years ago, but a month before their pack formation, they were secretly exiled. They had slaughtered many humans. Even made it like serial killer style with a signature, which was carving two distinctive cuts on their palms, gouging out an eye and using that blood to cover the other, making a swirl on the face, and stapling in some terrible places. Apparently, this group didn't get along with humans and decided they wanted to stop the submissiveness of the community and take over. The reason they don't like us specifically is because Sasuke's brother is part of that group and they just have a "bad history" as Sasuke put it. If they even had a hint that Kiba was part of Sasuke's pack that meant they are going to use this as an opportunity to make a statement to the community. Neji even showed some pictures of the victims. Naruto had to get up and puke. Kiba, still not listening, made a comment that they were just trying to scare us. We all heard that smack coming, but this time it was from Gaara. Kiba already bruised up, looked so black and blue It was easier to find the spots where he wasn't hit.

Neji then told everyone you are going to eat and then everyone, EVERYONE, is going downstairs. We did as we were told. When downstairs Tenten even tried to say something and got a slap on the wrist that left a big red mark. We were all put into a room and Neji explained that until the wall was build everyone was staying in this room, like prisoners. He explains how he was going to make this into an underground swimming pool area, but had to focus on Kiba's childish actions. He locked our only escape and left us. I guess they went to go find a construction company to do the work. We didn't hear from them until dinner. They brought food to us and had these big, black bat looking things in their hands as if they were waiting for us to push out. It was really scary. They brought food and sleeping blankets. They even slept in the room with us. That scary room only lasted for about a week and a half, but it was still shocking. The wall wasn't finished, but we were too scared to say anything.

When they allowed us to go back to our rooms, Sasuke made a note saying if they even care to talk to their families ever again we'll do what we're told. Neji chimed along saying your families always told you to respect us royals because we sacrifice a lot to give you a happy life and I expect to see that respect. I'm not going through anymore "Kiba scares." "If I find out this happens even remotely again we aren't just going back to the community, we're done." That was that. Even Kiba helped with the wall. Nobody said a thing about it. Took about two months before the wall was done and another half for everything else to be put in place. I figured Kiba was just trying to figure a way out again, but he admitted to everyone he was done. He isn't done because of the punishments, but because he noticed when working on the wall that there were almost ten rabbits that had been stuck onto trees with knives and noticed the red cloud symbol attached to a note. Kiba was thoroughly spooked. Eventually, the truth came around that really spooked Kiba was that not only the rabbits and the note that he didn't tell us what it said, because it was a picture of a dead body, but that there was one of them waiting a bit a way starring at him. Sasuke patted Kiba on the back when Kiba had announced he was done.

Slowly very slowly things started lightening up. Still felt like prison because we ate at certain times, and went to bed at set times. We couldn't go out yet still had another week. Every day of that week was filled with dread. Most people didn't even bother going outside. There wasn't a lot of conversations happening, and movie night had a small turn out. The day before the three month hold was lifted Sasuke decided to have a big dinner. He got us desserts, alcohol, and cooked a meal that looked like Thanksgiving. He gave us all presents to help lift our spirits and gave us the whole it was for our own good speech and he is just happy nobody got hurt during the making of the wall. The presents were big baskets of chocolates and roses. Everyone got roses, and later Ino and I compared to realize that I got something extra. I got more chocolate and my rose had sparkles on it. Nobody knows that I was the snitch, but it was fairly obvious. Ino didn't even say it in an angry voice when she said maybe it's because you told him. I looked at her with sorrow because I felt guilty for telling, but she told me she is happy I did. She doesn't want to be part of the "Red Cloud Monsters'" collection of dead bodies.

The day that everyone could go, so along as they followed the asking rule and telling them where they were going, nobody went anywhere. Before the end of the day Sasuke again tried to make us come together by having everyone, including Kiba, go out. We all went to see a play. It was about Peter Pan and Sasuke nudged at me trying to make me smile by reminding me about the whole I thought Wendy's the restaurant was about Wendy from Peter Pan thing. I eventually did kind of laugh and at the end of the night we all started feeling a little bit better. Took two months before things started looking normalish. People started talking to each other again, and a lot more requests to go outside were coming in again. Sasuke made it a thing to give out presents about every other week. Kiba cried and hugged Sasuke and Neji saying how sorry he was and they forgave him. We all joined in and hugged and it seemed to be happy days again. The end of the year was coming soon, Kiba had already been released of his harsher punishment because of how much remorse he'd shown, but no official statement had made clear about keeping in contact with the community. Sasuke did say to me at the end of the year he would see, but announced he was probably going to push that back. I hope not too far back. Maybe he wants us to all get a long more before we start sending worrying messages to our families about the recent events.

Royals decided to celebrate Christmas on the same day as New years because for us Christmas didn't mean anything but a fun human holiday. New Year's Eve we exchanged gifts. Everyone was jolly and we sang holiday songs together. We watched the ball drop for New York. Five seconds before the big new year announcement thing I realized that it's a tradition to kiss and I don't know who I'd kiss or if we were doing that. I noticed three seconds to, that someone was holding mistletoe and clearly dangling it to indicate they were going to kiss. One second in Gaara was already kissing Kiba on the cheek to symbolize it's all good now. I don't know why I was so filled with anxious it's just a stupid tradition. The noise rang and I turned to see who Ino was kissing and I got a shock. He had grabbed me and pulled me forward to give me a light kiss. I figured it must be Naruto, like a friendship thing, or maybe Ino herself. When I realized, it was Sasuke I just stood their blushing and king of gaping. Everyone else was cheering and throwing confetti and being oblivious to Sasuke and my kiss. Sasuke put his index finger over his mouth, shhhed, and winked at me.

The following few weeks I didn't think Sasuke did anything else so I took it as just a nice gesture. I was hanging out with Ino when Ino mentioned that Sasuke must have a huge crush on me. I was puzzled because I know she didn't see us kiss. She realized I wasn't following, sighed that I was so blind and showed me that every time we got presents I got something more. Usually it was something subtle like when he gave everyone these Nintendo 3des for us to all play together and mine had a fancier design on it. I just figured at the time it was some kind of edition since some people got edition like ones with characters on them, but mine was pink and white striped and the buttons were lime green. Ino told me she looked it up and there is no other 3ds like that. Ino also mentioned that during movie night I was always the first person Sasuke gave popcorn to. I admitted I hadn't put much thought into it and Ino made a joke that I may have a big forehead, but obviously not a big brain. Then it became kind of like a challenge Ino made an offhand comment wondering if I asked for something would I get it, and if I do where is the limit.

A few nights later I did ask Sasuke for something. I knew we weren't allowed to contact home yet, but he was writing a letter to the community to give them how the first year went report and I asked if I could add something for my family. I was about to give a speech saying "I know you said to wait and I realize I'm not listening to your rules. I don't mean to come off rude. I'm not trying to dismiss your authority. I just miss them. I just want to say I love them and I'm doing well." I had rehearsed it over and over from every step getting to Sasuke's room and he barely let me say the first few words before he said "Of course." I was obviously shocked. Not only did he say yes, but of course? I hugged him with tears in my eyes. A few nights later I asked if we could watch a certain movie for movie night with the pack and he smiled at me. When movie night came along my movie was among the three that we could vote on for the night. I asked things here and there that didn't have much significance, and when I went to tell Ino she gave me a bit of a push. Ino really wanted to know what the limit was, which I realize, but she presented it like I could ask him to take me out.

It was game night and some people were sick. I went to Sasuke's room, knocked, took a deep breath, and waited. This can't work right? He let me in and I realized he was doing some paper work. I told him I didn't mean to disturb him and was about to leave when he encouraged me to come in. He asked me what I wanted and I just blanked. I felt like I didn't say anything for an hour before he came and sat next to me on his bed saying "Sakura? You okay?"

"Yeah, I just uhm. Well. You see. I was just wondering if. Well I mean. Uhh."

"Sakura? You can take a moment to gather your thoughts if you want"

I nodded and pondered for a moment, "I would like to go out. I know it's game night and we are supposed to be with the pack, but I just wanted to go to the mall for a bit. I also would like to ask permission for some more money because I don't have any left." Which was a lie and he knows it. "I don't know exactly what I want to do at the mall, but I just want to go out." Usually we have to be more precise when planning our outings.

"Is that all? You don't need to be nervous about that. How much do you need?"

Really? I am getting out of something that is basically a chore, although an awesome one that I love doing because I like hanging with the pack. I also gave a vague description of what I'm doing and getting money outside my allowance? "Uhh… well.."

"Five hundred sound good?"

I just wide eyed starred at him and he smile and nodded at me. He handed me five twenties and four hundred dollar bills. "You could go shopping if you want, watch a movie, or go out to the restaurant that's next to the mall. You know that one with your favorite pasta?"

I was still holding the dollars in my hand, not moving in shock, and wide eyed shocked. "Uhm…"

"Sakura?"

"Yes?"

"Do you need a ride there? Or are you going on foot?"

He closed my hand and lightly made me put it down. I realized I didn't even tell him a time constraint on how long I'd be out. I still couldn't believe it and just said "I didn't think-"

"-That I'd be okay with it?"

"….well…it's just…I mean…"

"Sakura. How about you keep that money and I come with. Get to know each other a little better so you can understand why I don't mind. I'll pay for everything. We can shop for a bit and then eat or watch a movie afterward. Is that okay with you?"

"Yeah. Sounds good. Oaky Doaky."

He laughed and held his hand out for my empty arm. We walked into his car and drove off. He told me on the way that he already told Neji he wouldn't be coming down for game night as he was busy with paperwork for his family's business. Some big corporation that does something that I didn't care to really understand because I was still shocked. I get shocked a lot I know. Game night wasn't going to be a big turn out tonight anyways so Neji shouldn't be scared when I don't show up was Sasuke's excuse for us just venturing off. Then some of that shock came off and that challenge came back. What is the limit? We shopped for almost two hours. I got so much clothes, that Ino would orgasm at the site of it. Sasuke and I even got some matching things. We started coordinating after we came by a tie that had the same pattern as the white with colorful, neon printed cougar patterned skinny jeans we just walked by almost ten minutes ago in a different store. We instantly knew we had to get the tie and go back and get the pants. It was so much fun shopping with Sasuke. Ino always looks for herself and comments about what my color is. Sasuke just says I looked confident in that. He put on this goofy hat and pretended to be an alien at one point. I laughed so hard the staff stopped working to look at me. We apologized and before I knew it the store was closing. I figured that meant we were done for the night, but Sasuke asked what's next. When we walked out I saw this furniture store that was still open for another half an hour and I remember how expensive furniture stuff was. I felt guilty asking for so much, but I just knew that he'd say no if it was really pushing it. I can't imagine how much we already spent on all these clothes because we already made at least four runs back to the car. When we went into the furniture store I got a few other things like this lava lamp and Sasuke suggested this bubble stereo. It made bubbles based on the beat of whatever was going through it. He bought me a tablet to go with the stereo a little later in the trip and said I can't show anyone, but he'll show me how to go on these cites called Netflix and Hulu so I can watch TV whenever I wanted. I looked at this jet tub longingly to kind of indicate I wanted it. The store was closing so we left and enjoyed the rest of the night eating at that restaurant and checking out an electronic store, where Sasuke got the tablet. When we came home we were laughing so hard we kept telling the other one to shhh, which only made us laugh more.

Two days later we all went to a museum trip under Neji's command that take at least twenty-four hours because of flying there and back and the tour itself. When we came back I found that Sasuke had installed a jet tub in my personal bathroom. He had this note that said "I noticed" and instructions on how to use these "bath bombs" he left. He also left scented candles with a lighter, lavender bottle, and a box that had chocolate covered strawberries inside. They still looked fresh so he must have timed it just right. I hadn't even told Ino about that shopping night yet. The next morning, I took a long bath. My room is the farthest away from everyone else's, and Hinata's is the closest one to mine. Since, that room was reserved for Hinata nobody thought much of it, but I realized when I came to tell Ino about everything that Ino didn't have a personal bathroom. I wonder if I'm the only one.

I didn't get to tell Ino about what happened because she was having a dramatic moment. I haven't been keeping track of her boy trouble, but after Shika and her didn't click she and Kiba almost had a thing. Kiba played it off like it meant nothing, but everyone else could see he kind of cared. Then Ino proudly stated she used Lee as a rebound guy, which hurt Lee because he thought they really were getting along. She then did some more messing around with humans things, but keeping Neji and Sasuke well informed about it. Then Kiba seemed to try and make up for his actions, but Ino didn't see it like that. So tonight, Ino found some secret admirer letters. She thinks they are from Shika because Shika and her are becoming friends again. Shika and Temari had seemed to have a thing despite Temari being a lesbian, but maybe that's why they broke off but still remain really friendly. Ino doesn't like Temari because of this and has this "she trying to steal my man" attitude about it for no reason. Tenten and Hinata were already inside Ino's room wanting to hear all the juicy detail. Even Tenten thought it was romantic. Later Tenten and I talked and we both agree we think it's Kiba not Shika. Although, Shika does seem to like Ino he made it clear when they were being friends again that friends are all they are right now.

After lunch, I decided not to tell Ino and went to Sasuke's room again to talk to him. We talked for a long time and even watched a movie, a Barbie movie too. Sasuke didn't seem to care and asked if I liked the tub. I started off jokingly saying how it wasn't the right color and some other stuff to make it sound like I hated it, he chuckled at me and rolled his eyes. When the movie ended, there was this nice silence that was just warm, but then Sasuke turned and said we need to talk. That usually doesn't mean something good…

"Sakura, I don't want to do this to you, but we need to keep this a secret. The whole Akatsuki event is extremely dangerous and I don't want you getting hurt. I'm torn to be honest. I want to date you. I like you Sakura. However, I'm also your leader and I know how unwise it is to admit that and make you a target. Believe me it does make you a target."

He started at me cold blank after that. "I believe you"

"Good. Akatsuki didn't just leave. It's not over. They're coming back. I don't know why they haven't done whatever it is they want to do yet, but they will. So I leave it at this, I don't know what the right decision is. Would you be willing to date in secret even from our own pack just so I can feel like your safer, or would you rather we don't take it that far?"

I know I'm out of touch of reality. I haven't lived in the human world where murders, rapes, and thievery happens all the time. I know that by not knowing the fear of those things that it's so easy for me to say we can date in secret. Part of me is scared of the risk though if Sasuke really thinks it is dangerous. The other part says it doesn't matter because who else would I date. I don't go out or interact with humans at all. Shino is nice and all, but his obsession with bugs still freaks me out. Kiba isn't just not my type, but also crushing on Ino. Shika, too. I could go down the whole list, but in the end it just lead to the original statement, it's got to be Sasuke. "I'm willing because I like you a lot too Sasuke."

"Okay." He caressed my face and we just spend the rest of the night hanging out. Everyone was doing something so it didn't seem out of place. Sasuke set up some time we could hang out next and if I didn't feel like it that day, he made a backup plan. After it was all figured out we had that touchy feely kind of moment and he even took off his shirt. He had a lot of scars all over and I asked about a few of them. He'd say things like "oh that was from this eight inch knife" or "that was from a horse whip", but never how. I asked to see his wings and he spread them out. They even had some scaring. On his back on of his slits was much longer than the other. I could see it had healed from some wound and had this stitching pattern. It obviously went into his buttcheeck and all he said about it was his wing broke and went into this weird position so that when it came out it cut through some flesh. He wouldn't tell me how his wring broke though. I could tell that it had to do with his family though. Before I could press or say something like "if you don't feel comfortable then we don't have to talk about" the doorbell rang, but not the front door doorbell, the gate doorbell.

Sasuke immediately got up and told me to be careful as he left. After a while I came down to join everyone else. We all waited and Neji was peeking at the window. Eventually, Sasuke came back in and didn't look so good. He explained that there was a man that was kidnapped a while ago and his father who visited here a few months back has come back because he seems to think he is here. The detectives just came to ask some questions and that's all the information they gave Sasuke; even though the cops tried to play it off like they were asking all the neighbors, he could tell it's because of the way our home looks. Sasuke tells everyone that there is a human downstairs right now and after tonight they are getting rid of, which is still assumingly being dropped off in some city far away and not knowing anything. I still have this feeling Sasuke isn't telling the truth about the dropping off far away part. The detectives might be showing up more, and might get a warrant which means they can come inside and look around as long as they want. "Would someone please volunteer to be my pretend partner if they come along. When they find the dungeon, they are going to ask about it and I'm going to play it off like it's a sex thing and then show them my scars." Gaara immediately volunteered before I could get a chance. He winked at Sasuke and Sasuke rolled his eyes. Naruto even !chimed in saying "We could make it a threesome!" Everyone laughed and Sasuke left it with he'll be gay for a day if it meant saving this pack. "Also, it means we need to find out where all those tunnels lead to before the cops do. The surveillance cameras will have a lot of things erased like this conversation. We'll install new cameras, in fact, just to get rid of this information. If anything does happen I will contact the government and something will be sorted out. We just all need to be calm"

After that we all joined in together to figure out groups to discover whatever is down there. Sasuke and Neji were making plans to get rid of things that make them look suspicious. Kiba added that the cards might look odd for the cops we need a cover story. At first it seemed like he was going back to the rebel thing, but then he added a suggestion, "We are all just runaways and feel safer with these precautions and the cards is to make sure we come home safe." We all smiled gave him a pat on the back because we know he is on our side. We even ended the "huddle" with a howl.