Chapter 24

The haze that surrounded me was becoming all too familiar. It felt as though I was wrapped in cool silk or water and was floating carelessly with no pain both physically or mentally. It could've been days, weeks, or even years that I lay in the endless abyss of comfort.

Surely coming close to dying this many times was going to eventually wreak havoc on my body. When I finally reached the surface and opened my eyes, I was in a familiar room, but not the one I expected to see.

My fingers brushed against the worn mattress beneath me and I looked around in disbelief, sitting up slowly so as not to make myself sick. I was back in my bedroom in the lower class part of Konoha.

My head was spinning with confusion. The memories of what happened before had me ripping off my covers and looking down at my body. One of my old, worn dresses adorned it and I didn't feel any aches or pains in my lower regions, which I definitely expected to have.

"If you don't get out of bed right now, you'll have no food until tomorrow." My mom's shrill and demanding voice met my ears and my blood ran cold.

Is everything back to how it was before I was arrested? Was it all just a dream then? I rushed out of bed and hurried out into the kitchen, shocked at its normal appearance. Last time I saw it, it'd been a mess because of the break-in.

"What have I told you about running in this house?"

I felt a whack on the side of my head and looked over to see my mother glaring down at me. "M-Mom? What's going on here?"

The woman grabbed my wrist and pulled me toward the bathroom, pushing me in its direction once we were close enough, "What's going on is we're going to be late for church if you don't get a move on."

I stepped into the tiny bathroom in a trance, looking at my once again frail body in the small mirror. Was it all really just a dream? I thought about the sensations, the excitement, and the fear I'd felt. No. There's no way. Something's going on and I have to find out what it is. I have to find Sasuke and make him tell me the truth.

I freshened up before sneaking away and climbed into Naruto's bedroom window next door. He nearly leapt out of his skin when he saw me behind him in his mirror as he buttoned up his church shirt, "Saku! What're you doing here?"

I grabbed his arm and made him turn and face me, "What's going on, Naruto? Why am I back here?"

He looked at me uneasily, laying a calming hand on top of mine, "Are you feeling alright? Have you eaten today? Let me go get some bread for y-"

I tightened my grip on his arm, tears welling up as I pleaded with him to remember all that'd happened, "No! No! You can't forget, too!" My eyes widened in realization and he looked around in a panic as though trying to figure out how to calm me.

"Hinata! Remember how she snuck away from her dad so you two could dance at the ball? Remember how much you like her?"

His face heated up slightly and he looked a bit confused as he looked down at the dusty floor of his room, his grip on my hand lightening slightly, "Hinata..."

He met my gaze, "Why does that name sound so familiar?"

A wave of relief came over me. It wasn't just a dream! Everyone had most likely been glowed to forget. I pulled him into a tight hug, tears slipping down my cheeks, "Oh, thank goodness!"

I released my grip on him and tore out of the room via his window as quickly as I could. He called after me, but I ignored him and sprinted toward the colorful wall that separated the classes.

I'll just have to go ask the Uchihas themselves what was going on. Even if they no longer want me in the castle, I need to know. I need to hear it directly from the source.

My lungs began to burn more quickly than I expected and I leaned against a fence post for support as I gasped for air. My arms and legs were as thin as the day I'd met the Uchihas for the first time. How long had I been out for my body to look like this again?

With a deep breath, I put my feet back into motion and only stopped when a member of the militia roughly grabbed my arm, just as the wall had come into view. I tore my gaze from the cursed thing to meet eyes with the man, who looked down at me as though I were a piece of trash. "Where are you headed, civilian?"

My eyes danced to the wall and then back up at him, "I'm a servant of the royal family." The guard looked bewildered at my words and tossed me roughly to the ground, kicking dirt at me once I'd landed.

I shakily rose to my knees, remembering all too well how the militia treated civilians out here. "You dare spread falsehoods? I'll have you executed."

My head shook in denial and I put my hands up in defense, "I'm not lying, I swear! Take me to Queen Mikoto, she'll tell you!"

The large man slapped me hard across the face and I felt blood on the inside of my cheek. "How dare you speak our Queen's name so casually!"

I felt another person's hands pull mine behind my back and latch cuffs onto them before pulling me roughly to my feet and dragging me in the direction of that familiar marble building where I'd met Neji for the first time.

Hours later, I was finally thrown to the floor in front of the Hyuga judge, who looked down at me with the same expression he had the first time around, "State your name and crime."

I didn't bother rising back up to my feet, remembering how hard the guards made it for me before, "It's me, Neji. Sakura Haruno, remember?"

His brow furrowed and he looked at me with disgust, "Of course I remember. How could I forget the face of a criminal?" He wasn't actually asking and it was more of a statement.

I felt my hopes rise, "Please tell the militia, then! Please tell them I really am a servant to the royal family!"

The older man stared at me for what felt like forever, the crowd of civilian onlookers attending starting to yell insults at me. I ignored them and pleaded with him wordlessly. He let out a sigh and raised a hand to silence the room, "This woman will be taken to the castle to be questioned by the royal family for her treachery."

The crowd erupted and I gave Neji a grateful look as I was drug unceremoniously away. He avoided my gaze and motioned for the next criminal to be brought in for judgment.

My body gave out sometime on the ride to the castle and when I next awoke, I felt heavy metal shackles around my ankles. I opened my eyes and recognized the walls of the cellar immediately. I sat up on the uncomfortable cot, a groan slipping past my lips as the blood rushed to my head.

"I never thought I'd see you down here again."

I looked up in surprise at the sudden voice, only to lay eyes on a starving looking Obito. I gasped and clenched my eyes shut, worried that he'd still try to glow me even though we were chained to separate walls. "You don't have to do that. I'm not being controlled anymore."

Nervously, I opened one eye before realizing that he wasn't even looking in my direction and bravely opening the other, "Why're you still down here, then?"

He glanced at me for a moment before his lips curled up into a sarcastic smirk, "I could ask you the same thing." My mouth clamped shut and I nodded, unsure of the answer if I was being honest.

The moment one of the Uchihas saw me, I thought they'd explain what was going on and I'd either be released back to my sad life at home or accepted into their home as a servant again. Something obviously happened after I'd passed out beneath Sasuke and I wanted to know what it was.

I nervously tried to stand, legs weak under me, and walked as close to him as my shackles would allow. He looked over at me with curiosity in his dark eyes, "What are you doing? Aren't you scared of me?"

I shook my head, "I made a mistake with Itachi that I don't intend to repeat with you."

He looked stunned by my words for a moment before letting out a dry laugh, "I wonder where Itachi even is right now."

The cold brick wall against my back felt nice, "Surely he doesn't know we're down here, right?"

Obito met my gaze for a moment before his eyes darted down into the dark hallway and he motioned for me to get back, sitting up straight on his cot with a dangerous expression. I scurried back and tried to keep my breathing quiet so I could listen for any noises. I saw Madara's form heading toward us before I could hear his footsteps.

A bitter taste filled my mouth.

The older vampire gave me a wide grin once he'd gotten close enough, "It's been too long, Sakura. I thought I'd never lay eyes on you again!"

I glared, but bravely held his gaze despite my fear, "What's going on?"

He let out a small chuckle, "We haven't seen each other in nearly six months and this is how you greet me? I'm hurt."

My blood ran cold and I ignored his teasing, "S-Six months?!"

His grin widened further, "Don't tell me you've just now overcome Sasuke's glowing? How long did it take you to get arrested?" I clutched the edge of the cot tightly with both hands as my mind spun around and around. Have I been living my life at home normally up until now?

I felt the familiar sting of hurt pang in my chest, "Sasuke did this? But why?" Even I recognized the hurt tone of my voice.

Madara pouted dramatically at me, "Aw, you're upset. He got what he wanted so why would he keep you around?"

Tears rose into my eyes and I wiped at them angrily. I averted my gaze down to the floor, trying not to believe his harsh words, "Does he know I'm down here? I want to talk to him."

Madara let out another chuckle, "He doesn't want to see you."

A flashback of Sasuke in tears trying to stop himself from hurting me came to mind and I lifted my eyes to lock hard onto Madara's, "You're lying!" Guilt washed over me. I shouldn't have doubted the prince for a second.

The royal raised his hands in defense, "Believe what you want. The only question that remains is this: What are we going to do with you now?" I held his gaze bravely as he paced back and forth in front of a silent Obito and me.

"I told myself I would let you live your miserable life in peace so long as I never had to see you again. Luckily for me, fate has brought us together once more."

"We could use you for your blood, yes. It's the best tasting I've ever had in my nine hundred years. Or we could offer you to the Subaku brothers as a peace offering. Hm… "

My temper got the better of me for a moment, "Just take me to Sasuke!"

In an instant, he stood right in front of me and I was pulled to my feet by his large hand on my neck. "You're forgetting a third option: you become my personal plaything. What do you think? I have dearly missed your taste."

I clawed at his hand as I struggled to draw a breath and he let out another dry laugh before moving to press me against the wall and loosen his grip so I wouldn't suffocate.

"You smell so strongly of Sasuke even still, but just one night with me and it'll be as though you never met him at all." My face burnt hot and I winced when his fingers softly pushed my hair away from my neck. It was best to keep my mouth shut so I didn't anger him again.

"I was your first kiss, wasn't I? Could it be that you've grown fond of me since we've been apart?" To me, it felt like just yesterday I'd seen him so his teasing questions didn't make sense.

His face came close enough for his nose to brush against mine and my breath left my body when I thought he was about to kiss me. Instead he pulled back, letting me fall to the ground at his feet with a sadistic smile, "Or perhaps I should allow our cousin here to finish what he started that night."

Obito glanced over at me before quickly averting his gaze back to the ground. The vampire elder obviously still terrified him and I couldn't blame him. Madara gasped dramatically, pulling my attention back to him, "I know! How about you choose? Who do you prefer: Me, Gaara, or Obito?"

I shook my head at him, "Please, just let me speak with Sasuke and then I'll leave you all alone, I promise!"

Madara wagged a finger at me, "Tsk tsk! That isn't one of the options. You have to choose one of the three." I looked between the two men in panic before blurting out Gaara's name in defeat. If Madara stood by his word and did indeed contact Sunagakure, at least then I'd be taken out of this cellar before being hurt again.

My tormentor clapped his hands together excitedly, "Wonderful! I'll give him the good news. He should be here momentarily to retrieve you."

I perked up in shock, "He's already here?"

Madara laughed louder than he had before, "Did you think you were being clever, choosing him because he isn't before you?"

He turned on his heel and I watched his figure disappear down the long and winding hall before my heart started pounding quickly. I yanked on the chains connected to my shackles with all of my might, growling angrily when all I did was hurt my ankles. I heard Obito let out a defeated sigh, "Look at the bright side, at least it's him and not one of us."

I looked over at him in disbelief, "You're joking, right? He almost killed me last time he saw me!"

He met my gaze with a guilty look, "So did I, remember?"

I clamped my mouth shut before pointing an angry finger at him, "That wasn't you! Don't do that!" My weak body grew tired of struggling and I stared down at my bruised ankles with a frown.

"If you get the chance, will you tell Sasuke that I tried to-" Tears welled up in my eyes as my face warmed. I couldn't finish the sentence because I honestly didn't know what I'd planned to do or say if I somehow got to see him again.

"I will."

The sound of footsteps approaching met my ears and I was soon under the familiar blank gaze of one Subaku No Gaara. His eyes danced over my appearance in their usual calculating way and he unlocked the shackles on my ankles almost robotically.

"I wasn't aware of your condition." I shied away from his touch and he met my gaze straight on, "The last time we met, I lost control of myself."

I glanced over at Obito, who was avoiding everyone's attention once more, before gingerly accepting Gaara's outreached hand. His words seemed to be his best attempt at an apology.

He pulled me easily to my feet and started to lead me toward the exit, but I froze when an idea popped into my head. The redhead looked down at me with a blank expression and I met his gaze, still somewhat terrified of him from our last encounter.

"I'll come willingly if you free him. I won't fight you at all, even if you drink my blood." I gestured over to Obito and the Uchiha looked up in shock.

Gaara's eyes did not leave my face, "This was not part of my deal with Madara."

I deepened my gaze and tried to appeal to whatever part of him had tried to be kind to me when we'd first met, "Please, Gaara. I'll...I'll even do what you wanted to do last time." I grit my teeth with a red face. It's not like I have much of a choice in the decision of if I'd have to sleep with him. At least I could bargain for an innocent man's freedom with the promise of my obedience.

The red head studied my face with an emotionless expression and I felt my body start to tremble nervously under his gaze, but did my best to hold it together.

After a moment, he threw the small shackle key he'd used to free me at Obito, who caught it with one hand and a look of disbelief. I gave him a small smile, "Don't let Madara catch you again, okay?"

His wide eyes followed us in silence as Gaara led me through the dark hallways, supporting most of what little weight I had as I was still very dizzy and unstable.

We immediately left the castle and were ushered into a dark vehicle. Gaara sat beside me as the vehicle started moving. After a few silent moments, he spoke in an unhappy voice, "You smell like him. I'll fix that when we arrive." My hands shook in my lap. It was hard to find a response, so I didn't give him one.

I was in the cellar for at least an hour and Sasuke hadn't come, so I had to stop hoping he'd come to my rescue. Tears rose in my eyes and I tried to blink them back so the Suna king wouldn't notice and say something. The Uchiha left me six months ago. I have to give up on Sasuke because he'd obviously given up on me.

It was silent for another hour or so before he spoke again, "Kiss me."

My eyes widened and I turned to see him looking at me with a studious gaze, "W-What?"

"You said if I freed that prisoner, you'd do what I wanted. Kiss me."

My face warmed and I tried to keep a cool composure as I turned my body to face his, but internally I was freaking out. Slowly, I got closer to him and he watched my every move like a hawk. As I lightly pressed my lips against his, I had to squeeze my eyes shut to keep it together.

We kissed in silence for a few moments and it felt incredibly awkward, at least for me. He spoke against my mouth suddenly, "Touch me."

My eyes opened to meet his and I gingerly lifted a hand to lay it against his chest. He suddenly pulled me over to straddle his lap, "Do it well." My limbs shook in fear, but I did as I was told. This vampire doesn't handle not getting what he wants very well, as I'd learned harshly the last time we'd met.

Our lips danced slowly again and I tried to forget who he was as I ran my hands over his chest and shoulders, caressing his face once in a while. Before long, I felt a familiar pressure beneath me and my brow furrowed in response.

A terrible feeling was brewing in my body and the longer I was in contact with the redhead, the stronger it got. I was suddenly flipped beneath him, laying across the seat as he leaned over me. A whimper shook my chest and suddenly the vehicle swerved before hitting something and coming to a jerking stop.

I was tossed into the floorboard. When I opened my eyes, the door was completely removed from its hinges and lying nearby in the sand. Gaara was gone, nowhere in sight.

I struggled to catch my breath as I'd hit my lower back when I fell, gasping for air as I rose to my hands and knees. I looked up front to see the mangled body of the poor driver, blood coating nearly everything up there and starting to seep down into the back seat. I quickly averted my eyes, worried I'd be sick at the sight of such gore.

The car's front end was smashed terribly as it'd hit a huge boulder. Somehow I was able to get to my feet and started struggling my way toward the road we'd swerved off of. My legs weakly gave out from under me as I got there and I winced.

Suddenly, I heard quickly approaching footsteps that stopped right in front of where I'd fallen to my knees. When I looked up, my eyes met the person I'd been longing to see since waking up.

Tears started to roll slowly down my cheeks as my fists clenched handfuls of hot sand, "S-Sasuke!"