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Kakashi strolled across the training grounds with his nose buried in a book. People discounted his presence when they thought he was reading; he got a much clearer picture of his shinobi forces this way. He paused, leaning against a tree at the edge of the obstacle course his eternal rival, Gai, recently designed and built. He smiled beneath his mask at the thought of his old sparring partner raising the bar for tai-jutsu and fitness for all the leaf ninja. Everyone from the academy students to Tsunade was improving with Gai’s coaching. It was heart warming to see his friend productive and happy, and it reassured him to know his people were training hard for whatever lay ahead.
The peace treaty following the Fourth War was tenuous. Conflicts over trade, outside threats from other nations, rogue ninjas, clan politics – it seemed the copy nin’s job would forever be struggling to keep the village safe. It was lonely at the top, although, honestly, that was his own doing. He’d turned Kurenai down recently; he just couldn’t get past thinking of her as Asuma’s girl. Plus, he didn’t think he had it in him to be a decent partner to anyone. His heart was too scarred for hope and love.
The sound of conflict pulled the silver-haired man from his wandering thoughts.
“You did NOT win.”
“I did too! You cheated, so you forfeit. Therefore, I win.”
“I crossed the finish line first! Therefore, I win.” The orange clad ninja was now in Kakashi’s line of sight.
“You used a transportation jutsu to pass me and that is NOT allowed, Naruto. It’s not fair!” A small, dark haired girl scampered after the tall blonde.
“In battle, there are no rules, and nothing is fair.” The tall ninja pontificated.
“I’m afraid dickless is right.” Sai rounded the corner as well. “However, as judge and team leader, I have the final say. In this instance we are bound by the course rules, therefore Hanabi wins and Naruto buys lunch.”
Kakashi looked up from his book, addressing the trio of quibbling ninjas, “Did I just hear that little Hanabi bested Naruto on the obstacle course?”
Naruto blushed as his old sensei resurrected his inner twelve-year-old self. “Kakashi-sensei, there’s more to it. It’s complicated. You see – “
Kakashi raised a hand, “Naruto, I’m sure it is. You can tell me all about it over ramen. I hear you are buying?”
A flustered look crossed the blonde ninja’s face as he stammered, searching for words, “But… Well… You see… Fine. Let’s head over to Ichiraku’s. I’m starving.” Even if he had to pay his own way plus three extra bowls, at least he’d get some good food.
…
The incessant darkness of the prison cell slowly quashed Sakura’s sanity. She was shackled with chakra cuffs, the bindings gradually chafing her skin. The combination toilet/sink/water fountain meant she didn’t die of thirst or lay in filth; that was something to be grateful for. But there was no privacy and nothing but the cold floor to sit or lay on. The persistent, dim light from a fluorescent bulb down the hall meant it was never quite day or night. Her sleep was shallow and erratic; meals completely unpredictable; a gnawing hunger filled her belly most of the time. As a medic she knew this was bad. She meditated as much as she could and thought through every conceivable avenue of escape to pass the time. When she needed a lift, she’d think of her friends back in Konoha – her knuckleheaded ninja brother Naruto, Ino pig, Ten-ten, Hinata, Sai. She thought of Sasuke, how she still loved him in spite of everything. Then she’d remember their fallen companions – Neji, Asuma-sensei, Jiraya. She’d pray for their rest. Then she’d think of her teachers – Iruka from the academy, Kakashi the new hokage, Tsunade her mentor and dear friend. She couldn’t let her village down. She had to come through this. She would do whatever it took to get free and go home. She would be true to her village forever, even if it cost her life.
Yoshi stood leering through the cell door. “Stand up, whore. I’m to get you cleaned up and moved.”
…
Sakura fiddled with the crisp white obi of the light pink yukata she’d been ordered to wear. The shower was a slice of heaven. She’d washed the remnants of the brown hair dye down the drain, her original hair color mostly restored. Naturally, they hadn’t allowed her a razor, but at least she was clean. The kunoichi still had no good sense of time beyond the growing hair on her legs. She estimated she’d been in custody for six or seven days. The winter sky lighting the room through the window suggested it was still quite cold outside and probably about three in the afternoon.
Saizo looked up from his desk, “Sakura. Please, have a seat.” The tall inspector motioned to the wooden chair across the desk.
Sakura sat straight up, hands folded lightly in her lap. The chakra bracelets almost looked like chosen accessories. Her defiant green eyes stared into the face of the man she should have killed. The man who now held her fate; or so it seemed.
Saizo slid a familiar contract towards the Leaf shinobi. “I hope your period of contemplation has been fruitful. Sakura, are you now prepared to accept the terms of the marriage contract?” Part of him hoped she would take the deal. Her life would be easier this way. She’d be freed of having to spy and whore. She’d have a decent husband, a home to keep, children. She’d have work as a medic as well. But another part of him prayed she was truly made of stronger stuff. That she could serve his ambition in a better way.
Sakura swallowed. She knew what she had to do. It wasn’t the easy road, but she’d given up the easy path in life a long time ago. She’d chosen the life of a kunoichi. She’d been the one to ask Kakashi for more field work too. Not that she’d expected to end up here, but it wasn’t as though she did not understand the risks of her profession. “No.” Her sharp gaze held the strength of her convictions.
The chief inspector rubbed his temple. Damn this woman was so much trouble! “Sakura… You do understand that if you decline this extremely generous offer of marriage and citizenship, you will be subjected to intense interrogation, including torture, and you could die at our hands?”
Sakura nodded, “Yes, I understand, Chief Inspector. My answer to the proposal is still ‘no’.”
Saizo looked hurt, “But, my little kunoichi, you could have a husband, a home, children… You would be a treasured member of the Yamakage’s family.”
Sakura’s eyes narrowed, “What’s the real reason you want me to accept? And please spare me the bullshit about not wanting to hurt a girl.”
Saizo smirked, “Such a feisty little kunoichi. We did make a deal about being honest with each other, didn’t we?”
Sakura rolled her eyes. If she had a kunai for every man that called her feisty, she could open her own weapons emporium. “Yes. Answer the question, please.”
“What makes you think I want you to accept the marriage contract?” The inspector queried.
Sakura raised an eyebrow. This man had a way of getting her off balance. It was like dancing with a cobra; mesmerizing, but deadly. “Don’t you want me to accept?”
Saizo grinned. Answering his questions with questions; the girl has some skills. “Actually, it’s better for me if you say no.”
Sakura’s mind flew in a dozen directions at once. Was he trying to reverse psychology her into accepting? Was he serious? His body language and signs showed he was honest. What the hell kind of game was this man playing? She needed to buy time. Time to think, time to plan. Her inner self snapped her back to reality. “That’s an interesting thing for you to say, Chief Inspector. Why is my ‘no’ better for you?”
“Would you like a cigarette, darlin’?” He asked gently.
“Yes, please.” She replied too quickly, but she didn’t care. She wanted the tobacco.
Saizo smiled as he tapped two cigarettes from his pack. He handed one to the young woman, lit his own, then bent his head close to hers to light her cigarette the way he had the other day. He inhaled deeply while their faces were close, the smell of her freshly washed body clouding his thoughts momentarily.
Sakura breathed in the scent of the imposing man, gleaning all she could from the brief, strangely intimate moment. It was definitely afternoon. The residue of soy sauce and ginger lingered on his breath as his earthy, manly scent erased the layer of soap and shaving from the morning. This was twice, he’d approached her this way. Why did he want to smell her, to have her smell him? Why did he want to push the boundaries of personal space this way? Was he trying to seduce her? Did he want to be seduced? All these questions ran through her head as the rush of sweet nicotine flooded her system. “Thank you.” She spoke between drags.
“You are welcome, my little kunoichi.” The older man took her in with his eyes, careful to keep his own features still.
Sakura inhaled long and slow, the smoke flooding her lungs. She blew out little rings, finally speaking. “Sir, you haven’t answered the question. Why is my ‘no’ better for you?”
“What I said about torturing young women is true. It’s not something I take pleasure in. However, as you’ve correctly ascertained, I have other reasons for wanting you to return to Konoha eventually.”
Sakura raised an eyebrow as she ashed the stub of her cigarette. “What ‘other reasons’?”
Saizo put his own cigarette out as he leaned forward in his chair. “I don’t trust you yet, darlin’. You will find out later.”
Sakura’s eyes narrowed as she considered the implications of his words and body language. Obviously, he didn’t trust her yet to hold up under torture. If he tipped his hand too soon and she turned out to be unreliable… well, he didn’t want to be the one answering questions. She couldn’t blame him really. “I see…what’s next then?” She queried, not wanting to receive more questions herself.
Saizo grinned wickedly, “That’s easy, darlin’. You and I are going to have sex.”
Author's note: sorry for the cliffhanger. @Lord Sinnoh, thank you again for the feedback; it's truly helpful.
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