I APOLOGIZE FOR THE LONG WAIT. IT'S THE END OF THE YEAR, MAKING IT HARD FOR ME TO FIND ANY BREAKS TO WRITE. POLITCAL SCIENCE IS A BIT ON THE ANNOYING SIDE. I'VE ALSO GOT A LOT OF OPERA AND CHOIR PERFORMANCES. SO, PLEASE FORGIVE ME.
AS SOON AS SCHOOL IS OVER AND DONE FOR, I WILL UPDATE EVERY OTHER DAY, OR WHEN I HAVE THE CHANCE.
*******************************************************************************
For the past two hours, I had drifted in and out of consciousness. Every part of my body screamed for the drugs to wear off, but they continued to take effect on my every muscle. It was bad enough that the chakra cuffs were a pain, but the drugs only made it worse. Sasuke's penetrable stare was unnerving. Like Itachi's eyes, they burned through my skin and into my very soul. Uchihas...they both had the same affect on me. It was almost unbearable to stand the heat of his crimson eyes.
My sharingan had not been in use in a very long time, taking its effect on me by being almost impossible to activate. So, that was out of the question. I knew that if I tried to move at this point, I would regret it. Boy, I was going to give Itachi a piece of my mind after I hit him, kissed him, and made sure to tell him my true feelings. But until then, I was stuck lying on the ground, my hands tied behind my back with his brother watching me like a hawk.
"You don't seem very talkative." Something in Sasuke's voice made it sound like he was laughing on the inside. I take a moment to ponder on my next move. I could either ignore him, or persuade him to be nice enough to undo the chakra cuffs tying my hands behind my back. I chose the second one.
"What would you prefer to talk about?" I say the first thing that comes to mind. He sits up from his spot on the other side of the room and makes his way to stand beside my body on the floor. My hip was beginning to ache from the concrete caressing it for so long. My eyes have the ability to turn enough to stare at him from my peripherals. His arms were crossed over his chest, his back as straight as a poll, and his face as plain as Itachi's...almost. He stares down at me, looking over my body once before kneeling down on one knee.
With a simple glide over my hands, the chakra cuffs disappear. I sigh, feeling my numb hands freed. The tips of my fingers were beginning to go numb from the cuffs, but now tingled as the blood rushed back to the rest of my arms. Without looking, I feel Sasuke take a seat next to me on the ground, his legs crossing.
"Now we talk." he begins. I sit up and crawl to the wall across from him, resting my back against its cold texture. The cool feeling helped my muscles ease a bit. My eyes close as the coolness flows to the rest of my muscles.
"And what would you like to talk about?" I ask for the second time in moments. A brief silence tenses the air; a feeling of confused emotions.
"Two years ago, you arrived at the great waterfall with Naruto. He came to stop me, planning on taking me back to Konoha with force. You didn't follow Naruto with the same intentions. Instead, you watched from afar. But as soon as Naruto was in danger, you ran to his aide. Not only that, but you made the choice of switching places with him so you would be hurt and he would be unharmed. Why?" His question didn't surprise me. His voice was almost quiet, lost in confusion. Slowly, my eyes open, remembering the memories like yesterday.
"Would you understand if I said Naruto is like family to me?" I first give the clue, wondering if Sasuke was smart enough to figure this one out on his own. For a moment, his eyes stay on me, not sure to take my comment seriously or not. My eyes refuse to turn away from the ceiling. After a moment of silence passes, he replies.
"I see..." he murmurs, smirking slightly while closing his eyes, looking amused. My eyes turn to him, making sure to hide the surprise on my face. There was no way he could comprehend what relation Naruto and I had. His eyes remain closed, his smirk refusing to leave his lips as he speaks.
"You think that giving me one clue is not enough for me to realize the relationship you and Naruto have, am I right?" His eyes open when he finishes asking his question. My eyes widen, unable to hide the surprise from my face any longer. Had he really figured it out? Could he really figure out what Naruto was to me? If so, had it really been that obvious? The sacrifice I made to save Naruto surely wasn't enough to give away my secret. There was no possible way for Sasuke to know the truth.
"How wrong you are. It is true that you and Naruto may seem very different, but with eyes like mine, there is no doubt that it is quite the opposite."
"You sound so sure of yourself." I try not to growl and let it out as a grumble instead. His smirk grows again, his eyes closing, hiding something from me.
"We all have our secrets." he ends with a dark tone, his eyes glaring to the ground with a dangerous look. He was looking as though he were having a hard time remembering some distant memory--one that tormented him every day. I knew that it was probably about Itachi. Another moment of silence passes; the air thickening once more with the uneasiness I could not hide. His eyes turn sad for a split second before returning back to their dangerous glare to the floor.
"Should I assume that this has something to do with me?" I knew I shouldn't assume things at a time like this--not while trapped in a cement room with him at least. The drugs still were not helping. I was having a hard time moving my lips and closing my eyes. Every muscle in my body screamed for the drugs to wear off, but every time the drugs even let up a little, they would return as soon as I had the ability to move at all. My question knocks Sasuke out of his reverie, a sarcastic smirk returning to his lips as his eyes turn up from the ground.
"I suppose it could involve you." he says sourly. I didn't quite understand what that statement meant. My lips move and react before I can stop myself.
"And what is that supposed to mean? It could involve me? I thought that these 'secrets' of yours were referring to your undying love for me." I speak with a slight sarcastic tone. His eyes turn wide for a moment, surprise visible on his face. I could feel his heart beat faster from where I sat, beating at a quick rate. I chuckle quietly.
"Heh, so it is about me...I see..." my voice lingers as thoughts run through my mind. I knew that Sasuke always had some kind of feelings for me, but never took them seriously. His feelings were going to get him killed one day...and it would not be by Naruto's or Itachi's hands...but mine. I would make sure that his last breath was taken away by me--even if it meant my own life. I was going to die anyways; I knew that much. My father would soon find me and lock me up until he had use for me...which wouldn't be very long. His plans were already set to extract the God from inside of me--the God he would use to obtain more power. I was afraid that neither I nor Itachi had the power to stop the great former Hokage.
"I wouldn't assume such things, Sora. Not everything is about you in this world." His tone was suddenly angry and defensive. I smirk without even knowing it for a moment. His eyes were cold for a moment, piercing mine for a half a second before I look away. I couldn't stand the heat from his stare.
"Haven't I heard that one from someone before...something about them being more special than a certain someone? Or perhaps I'm getting a little ahead of myself. At least I am wise enough to know when someone is using me."
"Do you? And what does that have to do with being special?" he asks right after a finish, his eyes colder than stone, daring me to prove it. He knew something that was a big piece to this puzzle. He waits while I think it over, not recalling any time of someone using me without my knowing.
"I think you need to realize who the real enemy is here." he growls, the sound of straining in his voice. He was trying with all his might not to lose his temper. It amused me to know that even after these two years that he still could not control his emotions, even though he tried. Itachi would always win at being emotionless.
"You're one to talk. You still have not grown enough to realize that your dear master, Orochimaru, is the real enemy. Has it not soaked into your brain that he wants your body? Only a fool would not realize such a scheme. It's pathetic in my eyes that you would stoop so low as to stay with a reptilian and horrid person like Orochimaru." I snarl in the same tone, angrier than I had been this whole time.
"Sora...such harsh words. And I thought I knew you better than this." My whole body tenses, my eyes bulging in pure shock. I hadn't sensed another person enter the room. The snake-like voice was one that I never wanted to hear. Not only did it send chills up my spine, but it made my stomach churn. The pale figure steps from the shadows, revealing his unchanged features, the same evil smirk on his lips. His eyes were even more snake-like than I had remembered; a light gold color with slits in the middle. His smile was definitely one not to forget. To my surprise, Sasuke doesn't even acknowledge his dear teacher. How strange...
"Well, Sasuke, I see you both are getting nice and cozy. I am a bit surprised to see Sora here, but happy none-the-less." Orochimaru pauses while he glances to Sasuke, and then back to me. "I am overjoyed to have you back, Sora. You don't realize how much you mean to me and Sasuke." Every muscle in me contracts, disgusted at the tone he was using. I try to swallow, but find it almost impossible. My eyes widen as a stinging feeling slowly begins to grow on the inside of my shoulder.
With what little power I have, I lift my hand to cover the stinging in hopes of stopping it. I remembered this stinging feeling very well. I shake my head, thinking it was impossible for such a mark to return. My father had made sure to release the cruse mark--and no one was better at curses than him...almost no one.
My eyes close as the stinging feeling grows with each passing second, the muscles in my body tensing even more. It was hurting just like it had the first time I had received the bite from the snake creature. I feel his eyes watching me with amusement, trying with all my might to fight the pain. Sasuke's head was turned away, unable to watch me go through the same pain he had for a second time. Why was this happening? Why was I feeling this pain? The curse was gone, wasn't it? It had disappeared for so long, I was sure of it.
"You know this pain...you know what it means, don't you, Sora?" Orochimaru asks, watching as I crouch over in my sitting position, my teeth cringing while sweat begins to form on my face. I hold back the screams of pain that begged to be release.
This is not happening...it's not real... I keep telling myself.
"Well...if it isn't Inazuma Sora. I haven't seen you in a while." Kabuto says, stepping into the room next to Orochimaru. I could barely hear his words--my ears were ringing so loud. The pain only continues to grow as the three figures watch as my body writhes on the floor, pain flushing through my body. It was almost too much to handle. I hadn't remembered the pain being this bad when I first received the bite.
A tiny whimper escapes my lips as a wave of pure shock stings through the area on the back of my neck. Biting my lower lip, I try to find another source to stop the pain. It has no effect on the returning mark, but increases more pain in my body. My body falls flat on the floor as I hold back my screams, huddling into a ball of pain.
"You did it to her again, didn't you?" Kabuto asks, more amused than anything. I didn't understand how such a normal looking person could be so cruel. A scream finally escapes my lips as the pain almost blinds me.
Sora...I'm disappointed...are you going to let this individual control you again? A voice in the back of my head coos. I knew this voice all too well. My purple eyes snap open in surprise, feeling a sudden flow of power begin to build inside of me. The pain was slowly dissipating--but for what reason? Was Suzaku the one doing this?
Get up, Sora... he murmurs again, urging me to stop writhing on the floor and get a hold of myself. Of course, the only reason Suzaku was ushering me to my feet was because this curse effected him as well.
"It's such a pity to see such a beauty in pain...wouldn't you agree, Sasuke?" Orochimaru asks his apprentice. I pretend to continue to look in pain on the ground, acting it out so they would believe I was still in pain. My eyes quickly glance to the younger Uchiha. His eyes were turned away from me, his face erased of all emotions. He ignores Orochimaru completely and stares off into space instead. My hand holds tighter onto the area that was burning before, pretending that it was still causing me pain. The chakra flowing through my body was beginning to build dramatically--Sasuke and Orochimaru don't fail to notice this.
With a sudden burst of chakra, I jump to my feet before anyone can move. With quick hand movements, I do many hand signs before sinking into the ground. It's a shame that there were two others who could do the same thing in the room. I reappear on the outside of the underground lair from the ground, quickly followed by the younger Uchiha and his "master". I close my eyes, trying to slow down from the sudden power flowing through me. Suzaku really was willing to lend me any power of his to keep himself out of harm.
Both Orochimaru and Sasuke stand before me, waiting for my next move. I growl mentally. No matter which move I made, they were going to have the upper hand. I was a prodigy, but that didn't mean I could defeat a legendary Sannin and his apprentice. Sighing, I think of the only think that would surprise them.
A sharp pain shoots through my back as I force the wings I had kept hidden for so many years out. They sprout my back like a canopy, their pure white color glittering in the sun. For half a second, both Sasuke and Orochimaru have wide eyes. They crack painfully as they stretch out wide. My eyes narrow as Orochimaru begins to laugh hysterically. I stare with slim eyes as he continues to laugh for moments--his student just as lost as I.
"Ah, Sora...you truly are something wonderful." he says, wiping away invisible tears from the side of his eyes. "You hold so many secrets--it amazes me how you keep them."
"It's not a struggle." I reply with a low tone. He was just like I remembered him; snake-like and cruel with greedy intentions. Sasuke's eyes remain on me as I glance to him. Orochimaru glances to him from the side of his eyes, making my eyes narrow. Something wasn't right. That's when I remember Kabuto entering the room with Orochimaru--his smile wide with his eyes full of amusement.
Sensing something behind me, I quickly react by twisting around to see Kabuto pulling his arm back, his hand glowing a strange blue. Without any hesitation, he goes to strike me. I jump right before he was to hit me, my wings flapping in the air. What I was not anticipating was the blow that came from above me when I rose from the ground.
A shocking pain slams into the back of my neck, knocking me back down to the ground. For half a second, I couldn't see--I was in so much pain. The next thing I felt was my body slamming into the ground, dust filling my lungs from the debris. I was sure my neck had almost been broken from the hit. The person who hit me on the back of the neck was trying to knock me out, but unfortunately for them, I remained conscious...sort of.
As the dust begins to settle, a dark figure is revealed. Sasuke stands before me with a tall posture, watching me struggle to remain conscious. My head was spinning from the hit on the back and slamming into the ground with such force. My wings even felt like they had been broken in many places.
"Well done, Sasuke." Orochimaru compliments as he walks up beside the red eyed boy, smiling down at my struggling form. Kabuto was behind them, glowering in failure. He had failed to attack me, but accomplished in setting up a trap. "Perhaps this will teach Sora that you are not one to disobey." he continues. I try to get up, move one of my limbs, anything...but nothing would listen to my commands. My whole body was screaming out for it to quite moving. I could hear Suzaku from the back of my head, shaking his head. He was annoyed that he had lent me some of his chakra, and yet I still was defeated by the Uchiha within mere seconds.
"I assume that you can take care of her from this point." Orochimaru states more than asks as he takes one final glance at me, smirking as he turns away. He walks back over to the glaring Kabuto before they both disappear from sight with a single jump. Again, I was left alone with Sasuke. I was in the same condition as before, if not worse. The drugs had worn off by this time, but now the drugs were replaced by my body feeling completely broken. Sasuke stands before me, watching as I try with all my might to move my body from the ground, failing horribly. It infuriated me that he just watched me with plain eyes.
After another five minutes of struggling passes, I give up and let my body slump limply back onto the ground. Sasuke finally moves from his standing position in front of me and walks to my limp body. He bends down to lift me up, but with what little energy I have, I slap his hand away from me. It did very little to stop him from picking me up. With ease, he slips his arms under me and lifts me up before I can even react. My wings drag on the ground. I was too tired to let them contract back into my body. As they drag on the ground, they gather up dirt, turning them a different color. Sasuke makes sure to be careful where he walks so he didn't step on them. Silently and with graceful steps, he walks into the dark forest and away from the underground lair I was being held earlier.
"Where are you taking me?" I ask in a weak voice. It felt like he shrugged his shoulders as I reply, but I wasn't sure.
"You need to rest your muscles. I'm sure your body is tired from the drugs and Orochimaru's curse trying to form on you again." he replies casually. I had almost gasped, forgetting all about the curse mark sending pain through my neck. It then hit me that Sasuke had said the curse was "trying" to form on my neck. That meant that it hadn't returned. But if that were true, then why hadn't Orochimaru stayed and put the curse mark back on me?
"Sasuke?" I begin in a weak voice. His eyes remain staring ahead of him. It saddened me a little that Sasuke had changed so much over the years. His eyes no longer held any emotions--only the same plain red tint as his brother. But if you looked deep enough, you could see the anger and pain of his past. It was the avenger look...
"Why didn't Orochimaru put the curse mark on me again?" Sasuke's quiet response after my question worried me. I was going to have to get used to this new side of him.
"The curse has never really been gone--just hidden." A frown forms on my face. Was that really true? Had my father not gotten rid of the curse? I felt the pain even more when he had 'erased' it from my neck. Wasn't that enough proof that he had caused the curse to be erased? It didn't make sense to me. Had what my father done all been a lie? Did he do it just to get my trust? If that was the case, he had done a good job. My teeth grit at my ignorance. I had fallen for each and every one of my father's tricks.
Carrying me slowly and carefully without a sound, Sasuke walks deeper into the forest, the night covering the sky quickly. It was already night time, to my surprise. After moments of walking in silence, the sound of water is heard in the distance. I had almost fallen asleep until I heard the faint sound of the waters' flow. I open my eyes when Sasuke stops walking, the sound of the water so very close now. I stare with weary eyes at the beautiful sight.
Fireflies were floating around the heat of the warm water, the darkness making them sparkle like little lights. Through the steam was the faint view of a cave under the small waterfall. The onsen in front of me let off a warm breeze, brushing my face with steam. It was almost like a dream. Very carefully, Sasuke sets my feet on the ground, keeping an arm around my shoulder to keep me from falling. I was too tired to fight him anymore. Suzaku's chakra that he had lent me had disappeared from my body, taking more power from me than giving me any. I stumble to keep my legs from shaking. Sasuke doesn't fail to notice this.
"I'm pathetic..." I whisper, ashamed that I couldn't even hold myself up. He blinks a few times, staring over my features before turning away. Taking a short step, he motions for me to walk with him to the warm water. I follow with his steps. I had to keep his arm around me, or I would surely fall. My wings drag behind me as I walk with him. I sigh at the feeling of the warm heat radiating from the water. I somehow find the power to sit down next to the water's edge, even though it wasn't graceful as usual. My sandals touch the surface of the water, creating ripples with every little movement. Sasuke takes a seat next to me, making sure that there was barely a space between us. Our shoulders were just barely touching. His intentions were to let me relax...that was certainly not what I was feeling right now. I could feel his eyes on me again. I felt nervous under his stare.
What was happening to me?
I stare at the ripples as I let my sandals skim the surface of the water. I reach forward and am barely able to un-strap them and take them off. It hurt to move. I set them next to me and dip my feet into the water, the warm water soothing them. Sasuke does the same. I ignore his movements from beside me and stare at the water instead. I didn't want to stare into his red eyes.
"Here." he says in a monotone voice, handing me something. I lift my eyes from the water and almost gasp. I couldn't hide my surprise and embarrassment from the sight. He waits, holding his top in his hands for me to take as my eyes can't hold back the urge of scanning over his perfect and bare top half. His stomach and muscles were just as perfect as his brother's. It amazed me that there could be someone with the same attractive body as Itachi's. Snapping out of my daze, I quickly snatch the top from his hands and look away quickly. A tiny smirk was twitching from the sides of his lips as he saw me staring with dreamy eyes at his body.
"What's this for?" I ask, eyeing his top with a lost look. He turns his head away, hiding his eyes away from mine this time.
"Just in case you wanted to go in the water without getting your clothes wet." he tries to reply without care, but fails to hide all his emotions completely. I blink a few times, staring at him with surprise. My eyes turn back to the top in my hands, eyeing it with bewilderment. Could I really trust him?
"Fine. But let me change."
"Go ahead." There was a bit of hilarity hidden in his voice. I roll my eyes. A typical guy response.
"I mean ALONE." I make sure to emphasize the 'alone'. He shrugs his shoulders slightly, making sure to keep his head turned away from me as he got to his feet. I knew that he was smirking. I watch his every move as he walks from the area and disappears into the dark woods. I curse mentally as I try to activate my sharingan, but fail. Sharingan would be of use to me right now, but unfortunately for me, my ability to do almost anything was at a minimum.
Taking another glance around the area around me, I try as best I can to make sure Sasuke or anyone else could not see me change. As fast as I can, which wasn't as fast as I wished, I pull off my capris, top, and fishnet top. I try to hurry and cover myself with Sasuke's top so I could try to take off my underwear. I stop as I was about to take them off and think this over. It was probably best to leave the underwear on. By this time, my muscles were screaming out for me to remain motionless. With my aching body, I slide in the warm water, sighing as the water already relaxes my muscles.
"You can come out now. You don't have to hide anymore." I yell to nowhere, not knowing where Sasuke was hiding.
"I'm not." I hear from next to me. I let out a scream of surprise as he appears out of nowhere. I jolt away, holding a hand over my heart as it was as though he had just appeared--like a ghost. I hadn't even sensed him anywhere.
"How did you do that?" I ask, my hand still over my heart with my voice barely above a whisper. He smirks as he sits down and crosses his legs; resting his head on his hand with his elbow plopped up on his knee.
"It's a secret." he says while putting a finger to his lips in a silencing gesture. My eyes thin at him from the middle of the onsen, making sure to keep some distance between us. I move myself to the other side of the onsen--away from him. I rest my back on the side, enjoying the way the water was making my muscles relax. I close my eyes, letting the warmth embrace my body.
Sighing, I let everything go, ignoring Sasuke's stare and everything else. My thoughts immediately think about Itachi and where he was. He was probably furious that I had disappeared without a trace. He would no doubt yell at Deidara for not watching me...or falling for such a trap. I was still very upset with Itachi. It was his fault I was here in the first place, even if he went to go do something that I didn't want him to. The reason Sasuke was able to steal me away was because of those damn drugs Itachi injected into me.
Bastard... I think to myself with a slight frown. It was typical of Itachi to do something like immobilizing me. Sometimes he didn't even have to try. I sigh again, wishing that I could think about anything but Itachi whenever I had a moment of peace. I lean my head back resting it against the edge of the onsen, enjoying this moment of peace. One eye opens as I hear a tiny drop of water. I let out another scream of surprise when Sasuke is seen before me on top of the water, squatting so that his face was almost leveled with mine. He stares at me with plain eyes, watching my every move and expression.
"What in the world do you think you are doing?" I ask in a wavering voice, still shaking from the surprise. He remains silent, staring into my eyes with his red eyes. Stupid as it may sound, I grow nervous. His stare was intimidating. My eyes widen as I watch him sink into the water with me, slowly closing the gap between us. I open my mouth to warn him to keep his distance, but nothing comes out.
I stare with wide and surprised eyes as he closes the gap between us, pressing his body just slightly against mine. I try to knock myself out of frozen position, but his eyes capture mine before I can move, immobilizing me. I fall into a trance from the color of his eyes. They hold mine for a long moment as he barely presses himself against me. He now towered over me, just like his brother. His wet hand lifts from the water and cups my cheek while his other hand moves to my hip.
"What..." I couldn't even speak anymore. I try with all my might to think of anything but him, but only Sasuke and his eyes remain. My eyes were now slightly closed, looking like I was about to fall asleep at any moment. Staring into my eyes, he slowly bends his face to mine. He pauses right at my lips, his breath brushing them and sending tingling sensations through them. I was trembling, unable to move, staring into his red eyes. All time seems to stop.
"Sasuke..." I begin in a whispering voice. I am silenced to say more as his lips finally touch mine.
REST IN RESULTS
Click...>
I couldn't move. I couldn't breathe. I was frozen in place, lost in his eyes and the feeling of his lips. The way he kissed me was unlike any of the other times he had kissed me. This kiss was gentle and kind. His lips were so warm and soft. Softer than silk. My head was beginning to spin. My eyes started to feel like weights were pulling them down.
What was happening to me? What had Sasuke done to me? Why was I letting him kiss me? I wanted to kill him, didn't I? More than anything, right? Why wasn't I stabbing him while I had the chance? Why?
His eyes close, losing himself in the kiss. He looked like this was the one thing he had been waiting to do for a very long time. I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer, but not for the same reason.
I lost consciousness, falling limply into his arms, his lips still on mine.
There you go! That's what you wanted, right?
A bit of confusion going through the mind, I think. She can't really make up her mind. Now she's going to have so some troubles. What do you think?
Well, the next one will be out sooner because I will no longer have school after Friday.
Thanks for reading! And tell me what you think!
