Blurred Lines
part iii

The hotel stood out starkly against the dark, evening sky as the outdoor lanterns accentuated the pillars and large windows of the old building. Limos were lining the main drive as richly dressed men and women climbed the steps towards the entrance to greet the men taking names at the door. Even from the outside, one could see the grand party was promised to be as magnificent and lavish as its outside décor.

Taking a deep breath, Sakura checked her appearance with her handheld compactor one last time. Her makeup was subtle, the pale gloss plumping her full lips while the eye makeup she had applied emphasized her green eyes and their almond shape. The long pink locks she normally let fall naturally were now braided back into a low ponytail that cascaded down one shoulder in soft curls. All in all, Sakura could admit that she looked distractingly gorgeous – just as she had planned.

Snapping her mirror closed, she secured it in her clutch next to her phone and Glock 26. It was a small gun, much smaller than her Glock 17, but it fit inside her purse and allowed her to remain armed, something that would have been impossible given the extravagant dress she had chosen for the large gathering.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?"

Sakura's gaze flickered to the rearview mirror where she met a pair of bright blue eyes. Naruto had volunteered to drive her to the party she knew without a doubt Madara was hosting. Her partner had posed this same question many times now, but she knew it was out of concern for her safety; she would be going in alone after all.

"Yes, just stick to the plan, Naruto," she said as they inched closer to the entrance. "I locate Madara, find a good entry point, and then we take the bastard down. Easy as that."

The blond looked as though he wanted to argue, but the words were left unsaid as they pulled forward until the greeter could open her door for her. "Just tell the team to wait until I'm in position. The last thing we want is a shootout with so many within the building."

Naruto murmured a reluctant agreement before she accepted the greeter's hand and stepped out of the limo.

Without a backward glance, Sakura bunched up her dress to keep the hem from brushing against the pavement before she climbed the white staircase to the entrance of the grand hotel. Her heels clicked against the marble until she drew to a stop in front of a smartly dressed male with a tablet in hand.

"Good evening. Name, ma'am?"

"Haruno Sakura."

She observed the male as he swiped across the screen, noting that though he seemed nice enough, he was buff and stood a few inches taller than her even given her heels. He reminded her more of the bouncers at the nightclub the first night she had meet with Madara than a greeter.

"I apologize, but it appears you're not on the list."

His words had been spoken kind enough, but she heard the hint of distrust and hostility within his voice. Sakura merely smiled. "Not to worry. Would you please inform Madara that I have arrived."

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but-."

"It wasn't a request," she said. Her voice was sweet but there was a firm undertone that left no room for argument.

The male took a deep breath as a frown settled over his expression, but eventually he spoke into the microphone attached to the inside of his collar. "Sir, there's a woman at the front doors requesting entry. She's not on the list."

With his receiver in his ear, Sakura didn't hear the reply, but she smiled with forced politeness as he told her to wait. Casually her gaze swept over the front entrance, noting the faces of those entering as well as the many staff members – most likely guards – that were patrolling the grounds and large front porch.

She counted nearly twenty men before she recognized that smooth, arrogant voice: "Sakura, darling, you look stunning."

Biting back her smile, Sakura turned as Madara exited the large, double doors. As always, he looked like royalty as he swept out of the large entryway, his silk suit of black and crimson fitting his form as if it was made solely for the purpose of making him appear more handsome than he already was. The lanterns accentuated the layers of his hair and brightened his fathomless eyes that seemed to be absorbing her very soul as he finally stopped before her.

His gaze swept over her form, taking in her strong, bare shoulders and subtle cleavage before dropping down to her waist and finally her long legs her dress exposed from the front. Her skin broke out into goosebumps under his scrutiny but her expression remained casually unimpressed as he smiled at her. "That dress looks better on you than the one you wore for our date."

She tried not to remember the gown she had worn that night nearly three weeks ago. She had been much more conservative then, still unsure about the dark-haired male, but she had come to know Madara better than she thought she ever would since their first meeting all those months ago, something she would use to her full advantage.

Arching her brow, Sakura shot him a look. "Is that what that was? It felt more of a hostage situation with you buying out half the restaurant and then posting armed guards at every entrance."

Madara smirked at her sarcasm, obviously recalling their shared dinner. She had done her best to get a rise out of him by ordering the most expensive wine and barely drinking any of it before she ordered a meal not even offered on the menu. She knew he was aware she was purposely being difficult but rather than annoy him, her behavior seemed to have the opposite effect as he indulged her with nothing but a small smile of amusement. It seemed there was nothing she could do to throw him off balance.

"I found it to be a pleasant evening," he smiled. Then it faded as his brow arched curiously. "Though I do not recall extending you an invitation for this particular event."

"I took the liberty of inviting myself. I hope you don't mind."

Madara's smile returned before he turned to the guard at the front door and nodded. Sakura took that as her invitation to enter and she made her way towards the front doors, only to be stopped by the same guard again. "Please open your bag, ma'am."

Sakura shot him an unimpressed look. "Yes, I am armed and no, you may not search me."

The guard looked to Madara for direction, but he merely shrugged dismissively before he held his arm out to Sakura. Biting back her smirk, she accepted it as she finally entered the extravagant hotel.

Just as she suspected, the interior was just as magnificent with its high ceiling and chandelier of pure crystal. It brightened the room and highlighted the silk dresses worn by the women. There were more guests than Sakura had anticipated, making her team's plan to essentially crash the gathering and take Madara in with no casualties difficult, but they would make it work. She would just have to slip away at some point to update Naruto.

"Champagne?" Madara asked.

Sakura slid her gaze back to him as she realized a waiter had stopped before them with a tray of tall glasses. "No, thank you," she smiled. "I have already learned it is best to stay sober in your company."

Silently he waved the server away before they ventured further into the grand room. "Implying you fear what may happen should you loosen up a little?"

"Implying I trust you as far as I can throw you."

Her words forced a smirk upon his face as he nodded politely at a couple of acquaintances. Sakura didn't recognize them and she was grateful when they continued past them without pausing for a brief conversation.

"So then, what do I account for your company this evening?"

Sakura turned to him expectantly. "I had assumed you had something for me, seeing as you booked the hotel for your party under my name."

She half-expected him to deny it, but then she saw his smirk widen. However, before he could reply, the room was suddenly filled with the soft push and pull of strings as an orchestra began. A handful of couples took to the center of the room as they began a slow, formal dance and with some reluctance on her part, she allowed Madara to draw her in as well.

She felt his strength and warmth as he grasped her hand in his own before the other slipped to the small of her back. The hand holding her clutch rested against his shoulder and after battling for control for a moment, she allowed him to lead her as they made a small space on the floor their own.

"I do have something for you," he finally murmured. His eyes burned into hers and she found herself unable to look away as they spun slowly. "It is of a more personal nature, however."

Sakura nearly rolled her eyes. "When have I ever known you not to be personal, Madara?"

"Not for me, but for you," he said solemnly.

Her playful mood immediately diminished and her expression hardened as she waited for him to continue.

With ease, Madara led Sakura backwards until they reached the edge of the dancefloor. He spun her once before he smoothly twisted them around until her back was to the other dancers as she faced the many attendees socializing around lush couches and chairs.

"There is a man seated in the corner, speaking to a woman in a blue dress," he finally murmured. "I believe you are acquainted with him."

Her expression reflected her distrust and uncertainty, but eventually she glanced past Madara's shoulder as she sought out the very man he described. As soon as she recognized him, she froze, her lack of movement in turn forcing Madara to still as she recognized the only man she wanted caught or killed more than Madara himself: Orochimaru.

She had a long history with the male – one that went back even as far to her childhood – and the mere sight of him made her skin crawl in anger, hate and disgust. Not many knew about her connection to Orochimaru – Naruto still did not know the entire story – and she felt her temper begin to flare as she realized Madara must have done quite a bit of digging through her personal life to uncover such information.

Forcing herself to pull her gaze away from him, she turned back to Madara, a glare cast upon her features. "And what do you want me to do? Arrest him? There's no evidence."

Releasing his grasp on her, Madara reached into his suit to withdraw a single, folded slip of paper. He passed it to her and after only a moment's hesitation, she accepted it and opened it to find an address with a code she didn't recognized beneath it.

"Go to this shipping yard and find this container. It will have all the evidence you need to not only make an arrest, but to guarantee he finds himself on death row," Madara told her. "However, you must arrest Orochimaru tonight. By morning, that woman will be dead and he will be gone."

His expression was void of emotions, setting her on edge and immediate distrust settled in her stomach. She considered crumpling up the paper and tossing it back at him, but found herself unable to. A woman's life was on the line. And besides, this was personal; she wanted Orochimaru and they both knew it.

"And what do you get in return?" she asked. She tried to keep the snarl out of her voice but the venom still seeped into her words. He never presented her something without a price.

Madara just smiled. "I am aware you have an entire team on standby to take me into custody. I offer you him in place of myself."

With a swiftness Sakura had been practicing all week, she unsnapped her clutch, withdrew her gun, and pressed the barrel flush to the underside of Madara's jaw. They were standing close enough that only those who were paying careful attention would be able to see the dangerous turn their conversation had taken.

"Why not just arrest both you?" she asked, her voice barely above that of a whisper.

Even given the cold barrel pressing into his jugular, Madara's expression remained mostly unreadable as he stepped closer to her. His warmth soaked into her front even through the layers of his suit and her dress, and she tried not to notice the pleasant scent of his cologne as it encircled her. It was unique: masculine and earthy with a subtle hint of a spice she couldn't name – something entirely him.

"Put the gun away, Sakura," he murmured. His breath ghosted over her cheek as he leaned closer to whisper in her ear. "Your team is spread too thin. If you attempt to capture both of us, you risk leaving here tonight with no one. You must make a choice: him or me."

She weighed the decision heavily as she continued to stare at him, a hint of a glare the only indication to an outsider that their meeting was less than pleasant. She wanted to pull the trigger, let this game or whatever they were doing end now; but she wanted Orochimaru. She had wanted him for so long that she had nearly given up on capturing him at all, and now here he was, gifted to her by the only man that would ever make her consider saying no.

With a deep sigh, Sakura knew she had to let Madara go. Slowly she lowered her weapon and secured it back in her purse, her gaze never once wavering from his. "You planned this."

He smiled. "I have always greatly enjoyed parties."

"Don't think I won't come after you later," she warned.

Madara raised his hand to cup her jaw as his thumb gently caressed her cheekbone. "Do not fret, Sakura. This will not be our last meeting." And for one heart-pumping moment, she feared he was going to kiss her. But then he released her and stepped away. "Enjoy your evening."

Silently she watched him retreat until he disappeared amongst the crowd of bodies. It was hard for her to watch him walk away, to do nothing as the man that seemed to always be just barely out of reach escape yet again; but she drew comfort in knowing that this would not be their last encounter, that she had another chance to battle him in a game of wits.

However, for tonight she had another objective and she inwardly collected herself before she turned back to where she had last seen Orochimaru. He was still lounging in his chair as he spoke to the pretty woman. He hadn't seen her and without losing sight of him, Sakura withdrew to the edge of the room as she found a quiet corner to call her partner and explain there was a change in plan.

Madara would not win again.

tbc...