The white grains slipped, pouring out onto the cold marble floor. A tall figure loomed over them, casting a shadow over her as she scrambled in horribly slow motion to get the poisonous grains into their little tube. The figures large hands, large then any humans rested on her shoulder, drawing her upwards with ease. Her trembling hand left the little tube helpless as it began to slip, only to be hoisted up wards and into the figures mouth with quick and perpetual motion, reflected in her eyes like some monstrous action that can never be taken back.
The figure dropped the bottle, and though it did not break it rolled, slowly rolled to lie at the side of her bare foot. Bare everything. She was suddenly left cold and naked in a whispering black tunnel with no one. Suddenly, white specks began to fall from the sky, though it was no cold, and it was not snow. The poisonous grains drifted down lazily, slowly carpeting the dark marble ground. She looked up, to scared to move, to ashamed to cry. The progression of poison was so gradual it must have been hours of waiting, waiting and sitting and trying to scream for anyone. Soon the grains were caressing her thighs, and then her breasts, and Sakura stood, but the grains were now at her chin and they kept falling so she pushed off the ground trying to move through the wall of white poison but she was so heavy and it was so dark and she was so alone, and just before the grains enclosed around her head she saw Sasuke, his hand stretching out, trying to grab hers.
Sakura snapped her eyes open at the sound of a servant tapping softly at her bedroom wall.
"Oh, um, come in won't you," Sakura said, trying to cover her nakedness with the starch white sheets. The bed was just like the one at the hotel. The sunken bowl was enormous, twice the size of the hotels it could of accommodated several couple. It was crafted of marble but the softness of mattress and the numerous heavy blankets made of fine white cloth with gold patterns was refreshing in comparison with the poor animal skins that had hung in her previous room. The entire apartment it's self was a tiny house, it's own private living room, library, dining room, lounge, music room, and her favorite, the huge bedroom with domed, chandelier ceiling made of tiny reflective glass and natural light from the sun.
She had immediately stripped her clothing and fallen into the softness of the room, letting the silk caress her rough skin and obviously, fallen asleep.
"My Lady, your wardrobe has been filled and I have brought food at Masters request. The hot baths are to your left," and then the humble woman was gone, Sakura never having seen her face through the entire ordeal.
"Thank-you!" Sakura called hopelessly after her, waiting several moments before rising out of the bed naked and free. She supposed the wardrobe the women referred to must be in one the hidden doors alone the circular wall of her bedroom. She tried two only to fine more blankets and a long cord of white and gold twisted cloth she only supposed called for Sasuke's 'assistance'.
Her next try was a double door she though must lead to her bathroom of to the outside porch the guard had mentioned.
She was wrong.
The walk in closet was not a walk in closet it was a shop, with long mirrors and endless rows of shoes and clothing that encircled the entire room. There were numerous sofas and chairs and a raised platform in the middle she only assumed was for fittings and then an incredible counter with a lush chair in front, mirrors at every turn and jewelry covering ever square inch on marble.
Sakura's heart did a 180 at the glass case that stood on the farthest end, inside several incredibly intricate ball gowns displayed, complete with shoes at their end and feathered fans and masks hanging from hooks.
It had been years since Sakura had worn, well, feminine clothes. And here, at every turn, in every corner were soft silk dresses and flowing skirts of the finest quality and richest dyes. She couldn't even begin to fathom where to begin, there were too many hanging dresses and unopened drawers.
"What am I going to do," she moaned, "Ino, oh she'd have a field day!" Sakura laughed, trailing a hand across a row of fine gowns in the deepest blues, as of course everything seemed to be divided by color. It was surprising how less it hurt to say her friends' names.
"It's because you know you'll see them soon, because you're going to save your village," she muttered to herself, though being in the splendor it was hard to connect with the statement as her eyes drew to the endless wall of shoes.
It took forever to force herself away from the beautiful clothes and locate the practical clothing, though their version of training clothes was slightly different then her own. She found black pants, tight leathery material that at least was easy to move in, if not completely sensible. The undergarments she found were enough to make Ino blush, none practical, though she did manage to find a pair of plain skin colored panties and matching push up bra that gave her the illusion of an actual chest. Pulling all of this on she searched for a shirt, a shirt without ruffles or flowers and came up with a plain black shirt, thin straps that connected front to back and crossed splendidly . Sakura dug through her disgusting pile of old clothing, found her kunai, and evaluated where to put it on her newly clothed self.
A very good question, there was nowhere to put weapons, she was all tightness and no pockets to conceal the slim bump of a knife. Her salvation came in a very uncomfortable looking pair of high heel, knee length boots. They were very black and severe and fit her foot perfectly. That was another thing, everything fit, her shoes her bra, her pants.
"Creeeeaaaappppy…" Sakura sung low, securing her boots before using a shelf to help her up. She glanced at a mirror, her cheeks immediately sucking in as she evaluated her choice. "I suppose considering my selection this is practical,"
'and threatening' she added to herself.
She did look rather fierce, her hair loose down her back, her tanned skin against the black, her toned muscles standing out through the leather pants. She experimentally flexed her exposed armband stiffened a laugh. She was a beast. With new determination she strapped her other kunai to her arm, exposing to the world she was a fierce warrior, come to wage war and extra, blah, blah, blah. Sakura exited her closet, taking her time to enter the main room and steer around to the dining room where plates of fruit and meat stood waiting.
After filling a plate and devouring it in a matter of minutes she caroused to the doors she assumed led to the porch. Hands on the handle she was prepared to push open the actual wood doors, when a voice spoke in her ear.
"The masters are ready," Sakura jumped 2 feet in the air, she whipped around but no one was there, which made sense seeing as she was a ninja, a very good ninja in her opinion. At least good enough to know when someone was right behind her.
But it was nothing but air and she treaded to the open hall leading to the exit, fully curious and even a little nervous.
Sasuke kicked past the large mirror, fuming at the inadequate clothing and waste of food. The gold plates piled with meat, cheese, and bread were carried as soon as Sasuke pulled the found rope, and after his fill carried away by the same two servants, their averted eyes all the more daunting.
He scrubbed off the dirt in the large marble basin in the first room of his private bath to the right of his apartment, not bothering to view the bath. After numerous door openings he did locate his closet, though it seemed their version of clothing were overly embroidered kimonos and evening wear. After digging through a completely impractical closet he randomly pulled open a drawer and discovered real clothing. He donned black pants and routed around to find a black tee-shirt. Hanging on a marble mannequin was a very expensive looking vest, black it resembled jounin vests at his old village. It really did look the same…
He pulled it on and went to work strapping weapons on the inside of his legs and vest. He kept his sandals, sure they couldn't offend these richly attired men to the point of humiliation and angrily walked out, leaving the mess of clothing for the servants. His attention was brought to the view the guard had mentioned, but as his hands brushed the wood door a voice whispered in his ear. After drawing his kunai and making a thorough inspection of the surrounding area Sasuke discerningly walked out, sure this place needed to be destroyed much more then his village.
"What are you wearing?"
Sakura drew in an angry breath, taken back at Sasuke's blunt response to her yes, maybe somewhat scandeloso outfit.
"Their expectations are ridiculous. All there was were dresses and skirts and lacey thongs with little bows in red satin that were see through and I don't see you having to squeeze your ass into itty bitty pants because they were the only pair that had any promise and then resort to wearing these boots that in reality are weapons themselves because of the heel so you know what Sasuke, this is good for me, this is very, very good for me!" She huffed and attempted to storm off but she bent wrong on her heel and went down, straight into the marble floor.
Sasuke casually walked past, staring down at her with mocking eyes.
"You might even be able to walk in them with practice," and extended a hand to her. Sakura took it hastily, letting his strength pull her straight up. Even with the heels he was half a head taller then her.
"Do we know where we're going?" she asked lamely after being released and allowed to 'walk' with him down the hall.
"No," was all the reply she got. They continued, her clacking against the marble. Braiding and re-braiding her hair, attempting the perfectly fabulous, "oh my hair? just got out of bed,"
They reached the halls end sooner then Sakura thought possible, but to the right of the balcony were these famous stairs that led downwards into the first hall they had encountered.
"So how do we get down," she asked Sasuke with a final clack of her boots.
"You'll find the stair case to your left agreeable," if Sakura had not been weighed down by her boots she might of jumped a few feet in the air at Kane's surprising entrance from the grand staircase, but seeing as she was ground ridden an astonished, "oh my god-" sufficed.
"My apologizes Lady Haruno I did not mean to frighten you,"
"I was not frightened, just startled. I thought you weren't supposed to use those stairs?" His dark complexion was so handsome in the pearly light that when he leaned and she was affronted with a heavy smell of forest and a pure male musk she practically melted right there is her big black boots.
"Are you going to tell on me?" He asked, much to close to her ear.
"If you're done…" Sasuke started in, his attention very much on Sakura's angry eyes and red flushed cheeks and Kane's mysterious smirk, his eyes focused intently on her.
"Of course," Kane said, slowly ripping his gaze from Sakura and to Sasuke, greeting his pale face with a warm smile. Kane moved in front of them to a simple wall, knocking twice on it's regular marble surface. The wall smoothly opened, revealing a little hall landing and a wide stepped wrap around staircase. A guard was stationed on the outside, a very formidable opponent for the 'regular' guests to deal with. Sakura snorted at this idea, gaining a look from not just her male companions, but the guard. She huffed and ignored them, allowing Sasuke however to step between her and Kane just as they hit the stair, letting her take the side with the much required rail.
"We are meeting with the leaders of this land, my father High Lord Yusuke Yasuda
Daimyo of Earth, our Kage Tsuchikage who is very eager to meet you both, and other numerous lords who you will find as revolting as I do hopefully," Kane added, satisfied at Sakura's hidden smile. "I noticed you both dressed for…war," he suggested, though his eyes laughed at Sakura's boots. She mimicked a laugh and curled her lip in false amusement.
"I take full responsibility for your dress, I was to hasty earlier, I should have explained. While in the palace, you must wear clothing fit of your rank. As our guests and first hands to our greatest ally you hold all the same power and manners of our highest lords. It is really rather silly, but you will dress for dinner. For training purposes I will send more suitable clothing up. For now, well, you are our honored foreign guests, do not feel out of place, though you might feel somewhat discordant…."
It was then Sakura noticed Kane was completely clean, something she gave up for a soft bed and nap, his muscular figure hidden beneath an open white shirt, a white cloth belt across the middle and white pants, feet complete with white slippers. They reached the end of the stairs, finding they were in a much more eloquent, entertaining atmosphere of chandeliers, incredibly large gold and white carpets set out with matching sofas and chairs on top and several halls that led into more pristine areas of similar taste.
"The private meetings room and offices are to your left," Kane indicated, guiding them down the furthest hall. It opened to a fantastically decorated game room, (Sakura internally squiggling at the animal heads) with large glass tables across the rich plum carpet, completely covered with maps and books, and interesting looking utensils that looked much more important they actually were.
"Straight ahead past that overly done door is the war room, and down this side hall," he indicated with a wave, "is the Kage's offices and apartments. It sits on the furthest side of the palace, training grounds and ninja schools all around,"
He then took a moment, before straightening his back and hardening his eyes and striding quickly to the large marble door, not bothering to out stretch a hand as two foot servants in matching uniforms came out, twisted the handles and stood back allowing the door to swish open.
Kane entered the empty sitting room in front of them, Sasuke and Sakura following past, their own breath stiller and eyes more alert in the dimly lit room. Kane walked to the opposite wall, pulled a long white and gold rope, and the thick tapestry on the wall rose up and to the left, allowing Kane to step into the fire lit room.
"My son," a tall man adorned in the finest white kimono and gold trimmed sword said in deep fervor, standing from the large polished deep red rood table he sat at. Kane moved forward, bowing to the entire table, before walking to his father, bowing low again, before grasping his father's arms and allowing a strained smile at his father's formal yet strangely proud embrace. The room's attention quickly left their leader and sought Sasuke and Sakura, standing partly in the shadows, taking up the entrance with their dark clothed shadowed presence.
"May I present the Lord Sasuke Uchiha," Kane said, moving from his father to the side of the table, giving Sasuke a look of complete meaning that even Sasuke, though Sakura could tell somewhat sarcastically, gave a stiff head bow, and moved to the left, reveling Sakura completely to the many men who sat, their eyes held in shock at the woman before them.
"My Lords the Lady Sakura Haruno," Kane said with hiss deep voice, a little more enthusiastically then Sasuke's introduction. Sakura knew not to bow or curtsey but doubted she could perform either without tipping over. Luckily for her, there was no need.
"There has never been a woman in our proceedings, not then and not now," a rather large man, matching the others in their white attire.
"Surely you cannot expect us tog believe Orochimaru sent us, this!" another explained, banging his fist, looking at the Daiyo with contempt.
Sakura, being Sakura of course, looked first at Sasuke, who looked at her with a 'it's your problem', to Kane whose set jaw showed he had hoped this was not their reaction.
"If you expect us to-"
"Quiet," a gravely voice said from the chair next to Kane's father. A man, the only Sakura realized wearing a bit of color, leaned back, exposing his weather beaten face and elderly features. "Woman, what say you?" the Lord immediately looked at her, a audible neck snap all Sakura needed to send her melting into the marble floor to die a miserable death in the Earth kingdom.
Swallowing her pride and attempting to keep a cool head she walked forward, her boots clicking in a way that now, filled her with a sort of feminine power, encouraging her to go force and be a woman full of feminine pride and pure power.
"You allow women to become ninjas, I know that much is true. Obviously they do not hold the same power in government, which to me is shame and a crime. We are one half the world, and a female opinion holds the same valor and intelligence as any man," her words were poorly joined, but became smoother as she walked, slowly by surely, past Sasuke to address all of the lords.
"I am your key to this war. I am Lord Orochimaru's equal, his healer, once his student, and an elite ninja from the Leaf. I am the former student of the Hokage, and I have seen their life and lived their world and I am essential to its destruction," at this point her words same out in sharp perseverance, scaring her at how easy it was to speak of her former life and it's end. "The truth is- I am your Lordships equal, and to assume me weak based on outdated sexist stereotypes, then it is you who are at fault, not I," and three kunai raced across the air and caught Sakura in the stomach as she caught the real ones with her left hand, spinning them around to slam into the table.
The gruff Kage nodded, to her, obviously sure she meant what she said, and titled his hand to the two empty chairs at his side. She bowed now, knowing a curtsy was much to anti-climatic for the Kage's acceptance, and walked forward, Sasuke at her side and even held out her chair before sitting in his. Kane walked past Sakura, the Kage, his father, to settle at his seat, distanced as to hide Sakura's slightly heated face.
"It is my understanding your Lords that these two ninjas have betrayed their village, joined Lord Orochimaru and now are essential to it's destruction? How are we to believe these lies when the women before us claims herself to be so revered in her old village," a burly man asked from his reclined slouch, earning a few nods from the large group of men.
Expecting the Kage to answer, Sakura politely turned to face him, raising a brow when Lord Yasuda looked at her and Sasuke and said, "well?"
Sasuke, quickly easing into his station answered promptly. "I betrayed my village years ago in order to seek revenge on the man who destroyed my clan. Orochimaru has been a mentor and I serve him for the present. Do you believe my village so cunning that they orchestrated this ambush nearly 8 years ago?" the lords shifted uncomfortably in their high backed white wood chairs, nervously jittering to each other in hushed tones. Sasuke seemed pleased by their response and eased back in his chair, demonstrating the ease at which he could handle the title of Lord Uchiha.
"What say you girl," another man cried out. Sakura tightened her fingers, curling them into a ball of frustration she hoped Sasuke did not notice underneath the table.
"I, I to have forsaken my village. My family, is dead," at this Sasuke straightened, "and since then I have worked privately as an assassin for my Hokage. I have surpassed her in the art of healing and chakra control. When I happened upon my old teammate, Lord Uchiha, it seemed the perfect opportunity to gain more power. There is nothing left for me at that place," she concluded, letting out a shaky breath, scared how easily the lies poured from her soul.
"I see," the Kage said slowly. The room was silent, not another Lord daring to speak until their High Councilers gave some sign of direction.
"Then tell me," the High Lord spoke, glancing from Kane to the other two, "after learning our ways of stealth and war, how is it Orochimaru plans to strike?" Kane took this one, eager to please his father.
"They will travel to Leaf, infiltrate and rejoin their village for a short time. Then, when the time is right, their best ninjas away and their defense weak we will attack, ending this war for once!" the room erupted in cheers and manly fist slams, shaking the table and Sakura's nerves.
"This plan is agreeable?" the Kage asked Sakura and Sasuke, looking deep into black and green with up most caution.
"I do not wear my headband anymore," was the only reply Sasuke gave. The Kage nodded, if not pleased, very much intrigued at their decision.
"Then to war men," the High Lord said, standing, "in 2 months time our men will march across the land of Earth and straight into their futures!"
Sakura left the room with Sasuke and Kane, her ears still ringing with the men's cheers and her own roaring shame.
"Tonight you must rest, tomorrow at sunrise leave your rooms through the veranda and meet me in the courtyard. We have must to accomplish," Kane said, a curt bow to Sasuke who returned it with a tight head nod. "Suitable clothing will be sent up, Lady Sakura," Kane said, taking her hand as he bowed, grazing it with a soft touch of his lips before spiriting away, leaving an even more dazed Sakura behind.
"Sasuke I don't feel well," Sakura said softly before Sasuke took the stairs alone. He considered for a few long moments leaving her to walk the long flight in her ridiculous shoes like he wanted, forcing her to act her age and take responsibility for her actions.
Instead he turned back and gave her his hand which she took gingerly, letting her head rest on his shoulder. Sasuke swung her up into his arms, letting her put her head on his chest even though he felt warm wetness leak onto the vest. When they reached their rooms, he even took the time to put her to bed, pulling off her boots, slightly amused when a kunai fell out with them, and removing the arm band. He threw a blanket on top of her and left, closing the room tightly behind him before retreating to his own hole in the ground.
After changing, well, taking off shirts and sandals, Sasuke lay in bed, eyes staring straight at the starred sky just beyond the glass dome. He was not her keeper, he knew that, but then why did he stay when he knew where Itachi was?
Warning, lemon buisness next chapter.
-red16