Some Fall By Virtue

Chapter Seven: my heart is like a hand grenade

Sakura gritted her teeth, heart fluttering like the beat of a hummingbird's wings. Her hands felt clammy, nervousness overwhelming her as she followed her soulmate into the forest. What was he leading her away for? She chewed on her lip then, fingers twitching as she fought against the instincts to run away and hide somewhere he couldn't find her. Never had she wanted to disappear as much as she did in that moment. Did he know? She swallowed thickly, throat dry as one of Suna's deserts. Was he taking her away to dispose of her? To make her pay for her crimes against his kin long past? To ensure she couldn't harm anyone else?

Her hands shook then, and Sakura could barely bring herself to continue following him. She had to though, and that was what kept her legs moving as Glorfindel led her someplace quiet. "Where?" That was the only word she managed to force from her lips, and Sakura hated how small her voice sounded in that instant. She hated sounding weak. She hated being weak too, but she had been strong. Far too strong, for far too long.

"Forgive me," Glorfindel spoke then, turning to face her then, casting a slightly wary glance at the camp some way away. "But I do not wish to be overheard."

She blinked. He was worried about being overheard—

"Last night, I believe you inadvertently caught a glimpse of my soulmark," he began, and Sakura felt the realisation click. It was closely followed by her stomach feeling as though it had dropped to her toes. Because it was proof that he was ashamed – that he hated his soulmark, and the one who it bound him too. Her. Not that he seemed to realise it, and for that Sakura was so very grateful. She didn't want those grey eyes to stare at her coldly, not that she didn't deserve it. She was just cowardly and selfish like that. "Given the expression you wear, it seems safe to assume you know why I would wish of you not to speak of it to anyone, my lady," he continued, like each word didn't stab a knife into her heart and twist the blade viciously. It hurt because of a stupid thing called hope – whose flame was swiftly being doused.

Sakura blinked again then, nodding sharply. "I'm no lady, but you have my word," she mumbled, backing away from further heartache then as quickly as possible, turning on her heel to hurry back to camp, cutting off any chance of further conversation.

She could feel his eyes on her the entire time.

They bore into her like knives, painful and piercing. He had said his piece, so why was he watching her go? She swallowed thickly, her entire body relaxing as soon as she felt that gaze vanish from her back. She despised the curl of hope which welled up in her gut – that he might look past her bloodied history... Sakura shook her head. It wouldn't do to dwell on fanciful delusions of what the future could look like. She wouldn't covert that which she could never have. What she never deserved to have. She had bigger things to worry about.

Like trying to earn some redemption, and Sakura had no doubts it would be a horrendous task but aiding in the slaying of a dragon would help with that. Or so she assumed.

Not that it would be an easy task, even for her. Though admittedly she would be in a better position, given her history. Unlike the men there, she would be more sensitive, more familiar with any songs the dragon sung, and she would be unlikely to be seduced by the poisonous tongue. Though she believed there was a singer there amongst the elves. A sorcerer, as the men would call it. An enchanter.

It only made sense to bring one along if going to confront a dragon, lest the ones under command were too weak of will and succumbed to the dragon's temptation. Sakura knew too well how lovely the temptation could look, especially if the dragon knew one's weaknesses. Or their name. There was power there, and Sakura understood that more than she ought to. If she were truly of Numenor, that was.