Shades of Grey

Chapter 43

Sakura's nerves were on end as she took in the fearful look on all the women's faces. As she observed them, she noted how beautiful they all were. How the hell was she supposed to be sure that Toshiro picked her over them?

"Relax." Kurama spoke up to calm her. "You do not give yourself enough credit; he will choose you."

"I am not sure if that is a good thing or not at this moment." She bit her bottom lip as the anxious looks around her grew in intensity.

"You are strong little one." The Kyuubi insisted. "This piece of trash will be nothing to your strength even without my help. Also do not forget who is watching your back, you can trust your companions."

"I do trust them." She steeled her resolve just as the carriage came to a stop. "Time to enter the lion's den."

When Sakura stepped out of the carriage and into the crowd that contained at least sixty cheering men she noticed two things. They had underestimated the amount of men who would be here, and there were two sets of eyes upon her. One she knew just by the feel was Itachi, she locked eyes with him for a brief second to let him know she would be alright. The second set felt much more malignant; it seemed that she had caught the eyes of one of the men in the crowd. She just hoped that it was the right one. She did not miss the Kyuubi's warning, this would not be an easy crowd to fight through.

Suddenly the crowd began to part, and Sakura took one last glance around to make sure that her partners had left as they had planned. When she turned back around, she saw Toshiro approaching her. Instantly she noted that the picture in the Bingo book had not done him justice. If not for his sharpened teeth he would be quite a handsome man.

"You will come with me for the night." He declared. He grabbed her wrist and started walking away before pausing and facing his men. "This one is all mine the rest of you stay away."

Sakura was almost drug behind him in his haste to make it to his room. She carefully mapped the layout of the complex in her mind just in case for some reason she was unable to meet back up with her partners. Finally, their journey was over as he came to a stop and almost pushed her into a room. She noted a setting area with a large bottle of sake on a low table, beyond that was a lavish bedroom, and them there was the mirror. From what she overheard she knew it would allow her partners to see all that would happen.

"Have a seat." Toshiro told her. "Would you like a drink?"

"Thank you." Sakura nodded as he poured them both a glass of sake. This would help her plan.

Sakura drank her sake but was disappointed to see that he had yet to touch his own. Instead Toshiro kept his eyes on her lips as she carefully sipped her glass.

"Take off your kimono." Toshiro Suddenly demanded.

"Wouldn't you rather have another drink first?" Sakura asked trying to buy time and ensure that he got at least a slight buzz before ingesting any of her poison.

She was surprised when instead of pouring her another drink or drinking any of his own he struck her squarely in the face.

"What's your name?" He asked while she tried to wipe at the blood that was running down her chin from her busted lips. It took everything in her to maintain her meek façade and not rip off his head.

"Mikiko." She averted her gaze and took a steadying breath still trying to rein in her temper.

"Well Mikiko, if you ever hope to leave this room you will do exactly as I say." Toshiro gave her a menacing grin. "Now take off the damn kimono."

Sakura was left with little choice. She did not have to fake the shake to her hands as they reached for her obi. She spared only a quick glance to the mirror before her trembling fingers were able to undo the knot. She let the kimono slowly fall to the ground. Now she stood before him in nothing but a lacy black bra and matching panties that she had purchased just for this occasion. The worst part was knowing that Itachi and Kisame had a clear view of it all.