So, I've just been M.I.A. Cool, whatevs. . . . . . . Actually, I've just been super busy and when I finally had the time to write, I caught writers block—shivers—it's back! Anyway, I'm here basically wracking my brain waiting for some form of idea to appear out of thin air. Thanks to all of you out there who have read, reviewed, faved, and/or followed this story thus far. Hopefully the next update won't be a several months wait like this one. Forget school lolol, I'm gonna be locking myself in my room, shutting off the wi-fi and I'm gonna write like hell. Can't afford any distractions (I'm easily distracted. I'm that person who looks and says "Where?" when someone lies that they spotted a purple and fushia polka-dotted beluga floating in the sky dancing Zumba while eating a cone of pistachio ice cream . . . I'm totally making that a tumblr post now lol) Anywho, hope you enjoy this chapter!

Btw (ew text language) Let's Play! is being rewritten. Yayy! So make sure to check that out next Sunday!

DISCLAIMER: I only own the pot lolol I mean plot XD (I need some food in my system . . .)

The Negative Half

Previously on The Negative Half:

Tayuya's P.O.V

I gritted my teeth, "I didn't call for small talk, ya cunt. I'm callin' ta warn ya."

"Warn me? I haven't been anything but, nice this year. Surely you wouldn't want to say something you might regret later, hm? Choose your words with caution, Tayuya."

He was threatenin' me. He knew he had the advantage.

"Stop usin' Sakura for your dirty work, ya selfish bastard! Ya know as well as I do that she's easy ta fuckin' manipulate! If I hear that ya did anythin' to hurt her, I swear I'll—"

"It's been plesant chatting with you Tayuya but, I'm afraid I have more important business to attend to. If you don't mind, I'll be leaving now."

Who did that lil' piece o' shit think he was?!

"Oh no ya don't!" I yelled into the phone, "Ya fuckin'—"

The beep from my cell signaled that the douchebag fuckin' hung up on me. Fuckin' cocksucker! I threw my phone across the room, it shattered upon hittin' the wall. Damn that motherfucker! Fuck him!

Chapter 8: Harlequin Charlatan

"The selfish blood runs through my veins. . . . I am the lie that you adore. I feed the rich and fuck the poor. . . . I got what you want. . . . I am the closest thing to God, so worship me and never stop. . . . Lies are entertainment. You are down on your knees begging me for more." ~ Excerpt from "Don't Stop" by Innerpartysystem

Sasuke's P.O.V

"Remember, get answers from that slut of yours."

The interrogation session did not provide us with the answers we needed.

"She's not a slut, Teme!" The dobe shouted, "I'm going to call her up later. Geez, if you need answers so bad, go apologize to that bar owner! Or, better yet, go suck up to Karin!"

"Tch," I rolled my eyes, "like hell."

"Fine. I'll try Hinata-chan again but, you have to apologize to at least one of them. Don't expect me to do all the dirty work for you."

The Dobe dug his phone out of his pocket. I did the same as he dialed the whore's number. The snake might have only left us with a small hint but, it was better than nothing. As much as I hate to admit, Naruto was right in some aspect. Both Karin and Sakura were somehow connected to Haruno. The question is, which one knew more?

After finally making up my mind, I scrolled through my contacts and texted her.

I'd like to make things right. Meet me in Hoshino's at noon tomorrow.

I looked over at the dobe. He was looking at something on his phone. "Hinata-chan isn't answering but, I left her a message. I also texted Shikamaru to let him know what we found out. Maybe he can come up with something or find someone else who's been associated with that creep Orochimaru."

I gave a curt nod. "Hn."

He was a dobe but, he did have his moments.

"Anyway, I'm gonna go. I gotta catch the last train. Later Teme 'ttebayo!"

Dead Last sprinted away and I dialed my older brother's number. Perhaps he would be able to dig out other affiliates of that snake.

"Otouto."

"Aniki." I greeted.

"Is there something you need?"

I had to swallow my pride for the next words that unwillingly came out of my mouth. "I need your help."

Sai's P.O.V

"Arigatou, Sai." Ugly gave a smile—not a fake one but, close to one—as she took the box from my hands. "Why don't you come in?"

She turned around to walk towards her office. When I entered, I made sure to close the door behind me. I didn't have to worry about locking it because it locked automatically. Even from the worker's entrance, I could hear the booming bassline from the blasting club music.

Jade Palace was very different from Beryl Fantasies. Beryl was in a dingy slum; however, it was still sought out by many. Jade, on the other hand, was in the middle of everything opulent and grand. High class, low class, middle class. Ugly served them all.

"Sai-kun!" A scantily dressed woman with blue hair clung onto my arm. She rubbed her breasts on me as she said in a whiny voice, "I've missed you! You never come around anymore!"

Before I could say anything, Ugly came over and scolded, "Yumi. Get back out there or I'll cut your paycheck."

That was enough for her to release her hold on my arm. Instead of obeying Ugly, she sauntered over to her. "If I make double tonight than what I usually make, can I come to your office?"

Why would she want to go there? From what I've heard, employees are never the same once they enter. Ino was a prime example of that, so she's said. Even if it was at Beryl, the management at Jade was no different.

A look of shock flashed across Ugly's green eyes before she frowned, "Absolutely not."

"Why not?" Annoying asked while childishly stomping her foot. "How come all the other girls get a promotion? I've been working here longer than they have! I deserve to be paid more! I'm the best at this job an you know it!"

Ugly simply turned around and growled, "And if you want to keep your job than go back out there."

Ugly walked away and I followed her, not once looking back at the blue-haired woman.

We finally reached her office at the end of the hall. Ugly typed in her passcode in order to unlock her office door. Another difference between Jade and Beryl. Jade was more high-tech while Beryl was more old-fashioned. That was probably the reason why Ugly preferred the latter more. She always had a thing for antiques.

I had only been inside the Jade Palace office once before. It hadn't changed since my last visit. I suppose Ugly was one of those people who didn't particularly like change.

"You must like her."

After she set the box I had delivered aside, she turned around to look at me with a befuddled expression. "What do you mean?" It took a moment for my words to settle in, then it all clicked. She sighed upon understanding what I had meant. "Yumi's a good girl. . . . But so was Karin and Ino and Hinata." Ugly hugged herself in the way people do when they are subconscious—or so I've read. "None of the girls who have entered the offices of any of the clubs deserved what happened. But, I can't take any of it back no matter how much I wish I could. Apologizing and feeling guilty can never undo what I have done to those girls, to my own friends."

Her eyes held a look full of guilt. She was like the man from Greek mythology, Atlas, holding the heavens upon his shoulders.

"You better leave, Sai," was the only thing she said, "before they come."

I nodded, understanding who she meant. However, I was a man on a mission.

"Ino wants to see you. She wanted to know if you would stop by one of these days when you're free."

Ugly turned and with her back facing me, she said, "Tell her I'm busy."

I shook my head, even though she couldn't see me. Lying was a bad thing to do, everyone knows that. Even a white lie could cause something catastrophic. I could, however, lie to most people I've encountered. My cousin, Sasuke, was a prime example of that when he demanded I tell him of the Green Dragon. I know where my loyalties lie.

There are only a few select people I cannot bring myself to lie to. I hold them too dearly. My late brother, Ugly, the librarian who always give me new books to read, Ino and myself. Many people lie to themselves. Ino did for years. She was involved with this business—still is. She really needed her best friend by her side and Sakura needed her too.

But, I know I shouldn't push her. It would only drive her further away. "Okay but, make sure to keep the thought in mind. I'll see you around, Sakura."

And I left her to mull that over in her head. The sooner she visited Ino, the better.

Karin's P.O.V

I crossed my legs while looking directly in front of me. I tried to keep up an indifferent front, much like the prime example I was staring at.

You know when you're torn between wanting something so bad but, knowing it's best you shouldn't go for it? Well, that's exactly what I'm feeling right now. Today, my ex-boyfriend sent me a text saying he wanted to make things right. I can't decide if I came for all the wrong reasons or for all the right ones.

We waited silently for our drinks to arrive. It was purely nerve-wracking. Neither of us could conjure up the right words to say to the other. It was ridiculous. Any words would have sufficed. There were really no need for right or wrong ones.

I heaved a sigh, "Maybe this was a mistake."

His onyx eyes bored into mine and in that moment, I realized just how badly I wanted him back. But . . . I wanted him for all the wrong reasons.

I gave him my best attempt at a smile, "Come on now, don't look so shocked. I know you didn't arrange this so we could start dating again. I saw the way you held Sakura."

He opened his mouth to say something. I cut him off smoothly, I knew my resolve would break if I heard his deep, velvety voice. "I know you came looking for something else, you always have an ulterior motive. Sorry but, I'm afraid I can't give you the answers you're looking for. Naruto already beat you to it. If you want answers, you're just going to have to ask someone else."

I shakily stood up and turned around to walk away.

"Sorry, Karin."

I froze, my heart was about to leap from my chest. The tears that held weld up in my eyes spilled down my cheeks. I hugged myself and gave a small smile that he couldn't see, "Goodbye, Sasuke."

And I walked away.

It was about time I did anyway. Tonight I realized that what I felt for Sasuke wasn't love. If I really loved him, I would've exposed Sakura's secret. But, I didn't . . . because I love Sakura and would never throw her under the bus for something as little as my feelings for Sasuke.

I fumbled with my clutch and pulled out my cell. I dialed a phone number I'd never thought I'd ever call again. I pressed it to my ear and waited for him to pick up.

He answered on the third ring.

"Why are you calling me, Karin?"

I rolled my eyes, "What, no greeting? Be grateful I took time out of my precious day to speak with the likes of you. I'm calling about Sakura, she's in trouble."

"What kind of trouble?"

There was no hint of regency in his tone but if there was one thing I was completely sure about, it was that he didn't want this secret to ever see the light of day.

Sorry Sasuke . . . Naruto . . . . This is for Sakura's sake.

"I have two men that are digging up information concerning the identity of the Green Dragon and they already have Sakura in their sight."

Kabuto's P.O.V

"So, how's the hemlock coming?" I asked as I watched Sakura's small, delicate hands pour the yellowish green liquid in several vials.

She was beautiful, there was no questioning it. She held the innocence of a lamb with her doe, emerald eyes and long, silky, pastel pink hair. However, there was something eerie about her.

"It's almost ready," she replied softly.

I smirked. She's probably still a virgin. Maybe I should deflower her. She probably tastes just as sweet as she looks.

Making up my mind, I advanced towards her. Yes, I was going to take her. Right here, right now.

She seemed to be in her own world, so focused on the task at hand. She was compelling. Why was she in this line of business anyway? It didn't matter.

I got up right behind her and she visibly stiffened. I grinned and let my hand graze up her arm slightly. "Don't worry. I just wanted to get a closer look."

The next thing I knew, my back collided with the ground and I was clutching the side of my face in pain. "You bitch!" I ground out, "That fucking hurt!"

She acted as if nothing happened. "Well, I'd hope so."

I got up on my feet and towered over her. It didn't seem to bother her in the slightest. This bitch. She thought she was better than everyone just because she thinks that no one has the balls to fuck with her. Even Orochimaru-sama—

"Kabuto."

That voice caused me to freeze in place. It was him. He leisurely walked towards us.

I chuckled, "It's been a while, Sasori-sama. Never thought I'd see you venturing these parts of town ever again. Having fun with those fucking puppets of yours?"

He glared at me. "I think it's time for you to leave, Kabuto."

I grinned, "Alright." My eyes flashed back to the girl still working on the poison, as if nothing ever happened. I looked back to her older brother who was glaring at me. She's lucky he came to her rescue. "I know when I'm not wanted."

As I began to walk out, I felt a cool metal press against my temple. I froze upon recognizing what it was. Sasori's breath crept on my neck, "If I find you creeping around my territory again, I'll obliterate you."

I gritted my teeth. "You wouldn't. You need my business."

"That's what you think." The gun pressed further against my skin. "I won't hesitate to pull the trigger next time."

With a rough shove, he released me and I continued on walking out the door. If that's how he wants to play, fine then. I'll bring out the big guns next time round.

"Heh, don't make light of me. You've made a big mistake, Haruno."

Next on The Negative Half:

Sasori's P.O.V

"You can't keep doing this to yourself. This needs to end now. You've even got Tayuya worried sick."

She refused to look at me, keeping her gaze locked on the vials of various poisons in front of her.

"Sakura, stop this." I pleaded, "Go back to medical school, get your degree, achieve your dream. Don't rot away like this. You hate this."

I tried and tried but, she was as distant as ever. I couldn't reach her . . . not like this, not with the circumstances.

Karin called me so I could fix this, fix my little sister and I will.

I apologize for the shortness. Next chapter will be longer, I promise. Anyway, leave me a review and tell me what you think of all that's happening so for. Sorry if this chapter seems so disconnected, I wrote this in choppy parts and with a lot of time laced inbetween so . . . yeah. Make sure to check out the revised chapter of coming next week for Let's Play!