SYNOPSIS: Haruno Sakura has never felt her heartbeat for the past twenty-one years of her life.

Because of this, she hid herself behind poems and dresses so no one would ever notice- the girl without a heart.

However, when one mistake lands her in the hands of a raging crowd who finds out her secret, she gets help from a mysterious man. When she is whisked into his dark world, Sakura isn't ready for the wonders, love, and life that await her.

Sasusaku.

DISCLAIMER: Rated M for dark themes.


Deathless: Undying or immortal.


Before she was called his, she was known by many names.

The girl with no heart,

The witch who hides behind dresses and poems

The girl with a beauty so pure, and eyes so bright, she was sure to ensnare you.

Before she was called his, she was known as the Deathless.


PROLOGUE


THIRTEEN YEARS AGO

''Kill the witch! Kill the witch!''

Amidst the frenzied chants, a young girl wrapped in a brown shawl, trembled, her glassy eyes—almost like an otherwordly shade of green—went wide with terror. As the grim executioner lifted his wicked sword, a pair of weathered hands moved swiftly to cover the girl's gaze, muffling any cry that threatened to escape her quivering lips as well.

''Keep your eyes closed, child,'' a soothing voice, laden with age, whispered into her ear. The woman's hand, chilled by the cold air, clung to her face, ensuring she couldn't witness the gruesome scene ahead. Though she initially struggled, her resistance slowly waned and she resigned herself to the inevitable swish of a blade and haunting thud to follow.

How had it all gone wrong? She wondered how things would have been if she had listened, and the potter just two houses away hadn't found her. This wouldn't be happening.

She had always been very careful.

So, how had it gone wrong today?

The crowd broke into a loud cheer, and the girl forced herself not to cry when suddenly, someone yelled. ''She has a child. Find the devil child!''

The girl's breathing hitched as she struggled to move against the grip that held her. Once more, the woman's calm voice reached her ears, and she spoke her name, ''Sakura,'' the voice held a bit of an eerie familiarity and Sakura stopped moving. How did this person know her name?

As the crowd pressed forward around them, the woman stood beside Sakura, like a protective guardian against the bloodthirsty mob. ''Child,'' the woman said this time. ''You must run. Run and never look back. Leave this village, and change your name if you have to. But you must never, ever, reveal who you are. The moment you do,'' the woman trailed off, letting the consequences of her words hang in the air.

Sakura, still restrained and with her eyes covered, asked, ''Who are you?''

''I am known by many names.'' the woman said cryptically. Sakura felt the grip on her loosen a bit. The woman's presence, although foreboding, felt strangely comforting. ''Do you promise to do as I ask?''

The urge to shake her head felt like an insistent itch. She was only eight. Where could she run to? ''I'm scared.''

''I am with you, child.'' The hands pulled away, leaving Sakura to stare at the empty spot where her mother had once been. All that was left was the crimson color that stained the blade a darker shade. Sakura turned, glossy eyes searching for the woman. But she was gone like she was never there before.

The crowd still moved around, yelling and searching.

Searching for her.

She wrapped the shawl tighter across her face and with one last look at the blade, turned on her heels…

… and ran.


Hello! I hope you enjoy this project I'm working on. It's been a while since I wrote on FFnet and I'm still trying to get back into the writing community, and into writing itself. This story is a random idea that came into mind, and to be honest, I've not really plotted out a good outline, I'm more like just writing with the flow, but I plan to do that so I don't have issues with the story later on.

Anyway, enough chit-chat. I appreciate your comments and would love to hear what you think about this short prologue. Thank you for reading.