The woman laughed, exposing a good set of pure white teeth. "You just know how to ruin a good moment, guardian. I was getting to the good part." She swung her staff over her arm. "It angers me and all I can do is laugh."

"You're not touching her." The man told her and Lilith threw her head back.

When she straightened, she gave him a dark look. "You're not stopping me this time, guardian. I'm mad at it is."

The man cocked his head, the hood of the cloak falling over his face. "Run."

Sakura snapped back to reality. She turned around, looking at the environment, then suddenly became confused. This wasn't the park. It was more like a gangster hideout. Large barrels and woods and rods of different sizes were scattered everywhere. She turned to face the man, moving to whisper beside him. "The park's gone."

The man looked at the side, not letting her to see his face. True enough, they were no more by any humans. He swallowed uncomfortably, facing the female demon. It seemed like he'd have to fight with the prophesy by his side. "Stay behind me." But he knew he couldn't. Her safety was his number one priority.

You don't need to tell me twice. "Who is she?" She asked, hiding behind the cloak while subtly looking around for a way out.

The guardian did not take his eyes off the demon. He watched as she smiled and walked slowly towards them. "Lilith, a dangerous woman you shouldn't pray to meet."

Sakura frowned. She remembered Naruto telling her about it. "You mean the girl with the deadly sins?"

He didn't know how she knew that but he shouldn't ask. He had to get her out of here. Suddenly, he snapped his fingers and the next thing Sakura knew was that she was standing in the middle of a parade, alone.

Lilith's eyes went round in disbelief when she found out about what he had done. She bellowed as she shot the guardian a glare. "You!"

His face was expressionless, not betraying any emotion passing through by the second. He had teleported the prophesy to a place, hopefully near her abode. He didn't know where but he hoped she was alright. He'd have to wear the demon lady out before he can make sure the sacrifice was safe.

"Do you have any idea what you've just cost me?!" She got angrier as she charged towards him, spinning her staff.

A ring of fire surrounded them as he countered her attack, not breaking his expressionless facade. "I did say you were not going to touch her."

She bared her staff unto his crossed arm-shield, looking into his eyes as she breathed hotly, fire burning in her eyes. "And you will pay."

Sakura walked a little from where she stood, stunned at how colourful and bubbly the whole atmosphere was and relieved that there were people around but before she moved any further, she stopped and looked behind her, staring into nothingness. He, the guardian as she heard Lilith call, must be an extraordinary person. It was obvious the lady was trying to kill her and he was doing the opposite. He had somehow taken her to this place, and was alone, fighting the demon. She wanted to know why she was being targeted but most importantly hoped the guardian was alright.

Suddenly she heard shouting, followed by a familiar loud voice.

"She's here! I've found her!"

Instantly, she was surrounded by Jugo, Naruto and Shikamaru, who scratched the back of his head tiredly. "Ah, mendokusai, Luna. We couldn't find you."

She laughed nervously. "I'm sorry, I was caught up in a..." Her words were cut off when she was suddenly grabbed by the shoulders and pulled to the side.

Her eyes went wide when she was found with familiar calculative and intense eyes. Time went still as the Alpha continued to look into her soul.

Naruto coughed. "You had him worried. He almost went feral."

Sasuke scowl didn't disappear but he let go of her shoulders and slid a hand down to hers and clasped it over. He faced the other men. "Let's go."

Sakura didn't say anything. She knew she had caused trouble already so she let him drag her to the parked car and watched as they drove home, glancing at their interlocked hands every now and then and seeing how pale his hand had gotten from tightening over hers too much.

She looked at him, noticing how silent he was. Is he mad? He looked like he'd zoned out but in thoughts. She swallowed and looked away, sighing. She hated the tension in the car.

All through, Naruto kept glancing at Shikamaru beside him in the front seat, as he drove the car. Jugo had stayed behind to investigate on the demons the Alpha had sensed.

Shikamaru. Shikamaru!

Keep your eyes on the road, Naruto.

I feel as though I would explode from the tension.

Shikamaru sighed as he closed his eyes. Your eyes on the road.

The Beta rolled his eyes. You're no fun.

At home, Sasuke left her and headed to his room. He didn't say anything to her. She tried to confide in his men but even Naruto didn't know what was going on.

Lilith panted tiredly as the environment changed. Soon, she wasn't in the abandoned garage but in her room, back in the underworld. Fire lamps, in rows, occupied the sides of the stone walls as the globe continued to mock her from where it stood in the hand of the dried human corpse.

She looked up at Asmodeus, the Sin who had saved her from an impalement from the guardian after she had landed a blow, and had bound him up in a far corner of the room.

She wiped at her lips angrily as she straightened up. The sacrifice's guardian was too strong. She would've been a goner if it wasn't for Lust.

Asmodeus raised a brow at the expression on her face. "What?"

She turned away and groaned, smashing her staff unto the ground. "I'm angry."

"Hm." He had suspected.

"I couldn't get the sacrifice's blood!"

Asmodeus walked to the other end of the room, studying a fire cracker in a distance. "And whose fault is that?"

Lilith glared at his back with red eyes. "Don't get me started."

"Lilith..."

"Why can't Lucifer just do it himself and it will all be over it?! We'll get the sacrifice and her blood and we'll win this stupid war! But he's just up there, sitting lazily around in his stupid throne!"

Asmodeus' brows rose and he turned around to look at her. "Lilith, you..."

"What. Did. You. Say?"

She gasped. Lucifer. He had come into the room. How did I not sense him?

Dropping to her knees, she lowered her head and swallowed, not realising that Asmodeus had followed suit. They didn't see his face but he walked over to them, stopping right infront of Lilith, who fidgeted and perspired a bit.

He asked again, in a gentle and calm tone. "What did you say?"

"N...n... nothing, Lucifer."

"Hm, I was sure it was something." He paused. "Have you caught the sacrifice?"

"No." She answered shakily, her heartbeat speeding up, shaking her to her core.

"Did you acquire her blood?"

Her eyelashes fluttered fearfully as she stared at his feet. "No."

"Aha." He muttered, slightly amused. "And you were saying?"

"It was a mistake, Lucifer." She tried to say. "I...I...I.. it just spewed out of my mouth."

"A mistake isn't borne without reason." His voice was as smooth and clear as running water but his aura was menacing. "Asmodeus."

Lust lifted his head. "Lucifer."

"The progress is backsliding. What is happening?"

"Well, you see, the sacrifice's guardian, we had a run into him." He cocked his head to the side and Pride followed his direction.

He saw the guardian attached to the stony walls, bound in shackles and looking worn out. He was still hooded but Lucifer could see blood trailing down his face and indigo spots creeping up his neck.

"I poisoned him." Lilith spoke, feeling a chance to redeem herself. "I've been working on what I could use to tie him down for a long time and I finally got it. A wretched spell of wraith poison, it..."

"No one asked for your contribution." There came the stern reply.

Lilith swallowed, but she wasn't about to give up just yet, so she took a deep breath and talked as fast as she could. "It worked in our favour! And about the sacrifice; the guardian's taken care of, but we have her mate to deal with because he's going to tighten his rein around her. I believe if the great Lucifer tried, everything will work out well in... ahhh."

The rest of her words became screams as Lucifer laid a hand unto her shoulder. It wasn't just an ordinary hand, hellish lava poison spewed from it and laced into her skin, piercing the scales on them and pouring into her flesh and blood, boiling it. She wouldn't die from it but it was enough to make her heart wrench.

"When you've been given a responsibility, you do not dump it on another." He went closer to her ear. "You will carry it out to fruition." Then he let go of her shoulder.

She doubled over, panting painfully and fearfully. It could've been worse. "Yes, Lucifer."

Later that night, as Sakura got ready to disappear under the covers of her bed, a knock was heard at the door.

She looked up from where she sat on the bed, not saying anything.

"Can I come in?" There came that familiar bold voice.

She straightened and raised her chin. "Yeah."

The door opened and Sasuke popped his head in. "Can we talk?"

Her heartbeat sped up but she ignored it. She watched as he walked over to her and sat at the edge of the bed beside her. Her heart thumped painfully. What's wrong with me? Why am I feeling anxious beside him?

"How are you feeling?"

His voice was gentle and comfortable but it sounded tired. "I'm fine." She answered, then added quickly. "Look, I'm sorry for worrying you and the others, I..."

"What happened?" He instantly asked, cutting her off.

She didn't dare look at him even as she felt his stare on her. She told him everything. She let it all out, and he was perfect in listening. He didn't interrupt. When she was done, he looked from her to study the dim light of the moon outside the window, wondering why she didn't put the blinds down.

"When we found you, your scent was mixed with that of the demons, so I figured that they'd taken you. What about the man in the black cloak?"

"I don't know him." She casually answered, shrugging.

Sasuke continued to study the moon. Her scent was mixed with that of the demon woman and a faint vampire's but it was strong. Was she near the vampire heir? Did he perhaps use his powers to save her and that's how his scent leaked? Most importantly, why was he helping my mate? He turned to look at her a little. Who are you, Sakura Haruno? Demons are after you and the vampire heir helped you?

He sighed, lowering his gaze. He was just glad she was okay. He was mad when he couldn't find her and had sworn to rip Lilith, and those filthy demons, apart limb by limb even if it meant taking eternity. "Why would you care for a miserable child in the alley in the first place?"

She looked up, studying the lamp shadow cast on the wall. "It reminded me of the time I was in the orphanage. Small, and alone, surrounded by people my age but still lonely."

It took a heartbeat before he responded. "Were you maltreated?"

She glanced at him. She should be careful. She didn't know what he'd do if he found out everything she went through in the orphanage. "I managed."

"Sakura..."

"There were a lot of children, Sasuke, and I got adopted into a better place. It's all in the past, whatsoever."

He didn't talk, for awhile. "What happened to your parents?"

"They died in a fire."

"How did it happen?"

She laughed like he was insane for expecting her to know. "I was six and was just coming home from school. I don't know how the fire started."

"Was it the only house the fire broke out? The others beside it didn't look a bit burnt?"

Sakura frowned. Come to think of it... "No." She probed her mind and tried to leave out the burnt scene.

Demons. Again. "Sakura, have you witnessed any strange thing since that day?"

"Until today, no."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes at the moon. "You will accompany me to my world." He would take her to see Masashi, for the time being.

"Eh?" Sakura looked at him. "Your world? I..I .. don't think I'm ready yet, I mean... I'd get to meet your pack and...and I have a life here."

"You have nothing to worry about, Sakura." He looked at her and met her wide gaze. "I'll be right by your side. I will not leave you, ever."

They held gazes for awhile. Him, not faltering and she feeling as though her heart would burst. She had no idea why she was feeling this way but right now, she felt her blood going cold. If he doesn't put out those intensity in his eyes, she fear she might melt.

Then he winced slightly, and the spell was broken.

Alarmed, she put a hand on his back as he bent over a little. She had forgotten about the heat. "Sasuke..."

"I'm fine." He said as he stood up from the bed, and instantly fell to the floor.

"No, you're not." She crouched, put one weighty arm over her shoulders and tried to help him up. After much effort, he was on her bed, grunting painfully and she watched with grief in her heart.

"Sasuke..." She paused and took in a big breath, then exhaled. "Sasuke, why don't you just mark me?"

He closed his eyes, refusing to look at her, and stood up, walking past her.

"I'm giving you my permission!" She stumped her small foot on the ground, frowning at his back but bit her lower lip when he stopped.

He turned around and stared at her emotionlessly. "You give me permission?"

She shivered under his gaze, wondering when those two round charcoal balls had this much power over her. "Y...yes."

"Do you know the pain you'll go through? Can you withstand it?" He took a step toward her and watched as she nervously lowered her gaze.

"I'll... I'll try." She glanced up at him and immediately looked away, avoiding the series of emotions she saw in them. Wrong move...wrong move!

"Sakura." He said as he placed a hand on the wall beside her head and lowered his head slowly to her nape, his hot breath fanning against her smooth, clear skin. She tensed. Andrenaline pouring into her bloodstreams like water as her heart pounded. She feared he could hear it. If he did, he didn't say anything but lowered his head into her nape still. Her blood boiled and she felt hot all over. She clenched her hands and shut her eyes.

"I will not hurt you."

She heard him say and he pulled away from her neck. She panted, breathing out the breaths she didn't know she was holding. She glanced at him as he turned around again.

"You should rest."

She moved her legs, ignoring how they felt like jelly. "But Sasuke..."

He stopped moving but didn't turn around. "And you should stop looking at me like that, or I will do unimaginable things to you that even you wouldn't expect nor be able to handle."

She shut her mouth and didn't speak any further until he was out of the room. She jumped on her bed, tightening the sheets over her reddened face and hot cheeks. She panted. Her heart felt like it would explode. It was pleasant and scary at the same time. One part of her wanted to see that part of him, like the dark romance novels she read in school, another part wanted to run as fast as she could, away from him. He totally broke her resolve. Talking like a fantasy husband like that. She buried her face in the sheets and screamed into it, although it came out muffled and faint.

Sasuke closed the door behind him and leaned on it slightly, sighing heavily. It was a good thing he'd controlled himself. He wanted to test her and see if her decision was genuine. He had got what he wanted but at the expense of almost losing himself to his beast. Her scent was intoxicating, especially up close to him like that. It short circuited all the networks in his brain.

I want her. He could hear his beast almost going feral.

Not yet. He knew his control was getting thinner, especially with the heat affecting him but he wouldn't let his mate give her permission out of pity. He also didn't want to pay attention to the feelings in his gut whenever he was around her. It's nothing. He would believe that it wasn't.

In his line of smell, he sensed somebody walking over to him.

"Alpha?" Naruto seemed surprised when he saw him outside the Luna's room.

Sasuke looked at him. "What is it?"

The Beta glanced at the door as if trying to penetrate inside unconsciously before facing the lycan Alpha. "I've got news."

"What?"

"The Luna's friends: Hinata and Ino, have arrived."

The frown deepened. "What?"

"Hinata called me to tell me about it. She said they couldn't reach the Luna and also said something about Ino's impatience to see the Luna. Should I give them the address to come or..?"

"Wait, wait..."

"My friends are back?"

The two lycans turned to see that the door had opened a little bit and Sakura was peeking out at them with curious big eyes.

"Uhh..." Naruto trailed off, glancing at Sasuke, who seemed speechless too.

She looked from one to the other. "Well? They are back, aren't they?"