Chains

                                                        C          H          A         I         N         S

“Where’s Sasuke?” I pull down the hem of my dress making sure it fits snuggly against my outer thighs so it doesn’t ride up. Not the preferred choice I would have gone with but apparently if one was to catch Danzo’s attention they needed to dress flashy. Itachi had picked out a nice red cocktail dress which would be great if it wasn’t a snug fit and more to my level of comfort.

“He’s staying back at the base to ensure Miss Hinata’s safety.” I’m sure that’s only half the truth. I make another inspection of the blonde wig making sure its secure and vowing to never wear another one ever again because its itchy and irritating.

“It wont be much longer.” It’s odd not being in the back or packed into the trunk, now that I’m slightly more at ease the interior of the seats is plush and comfortable. I feel a wave of fire course through my veins again and I adjust the seats temperature turning the knob as far as it can go on cold.

I claw at the trimmed edges of my nail bedding hoping I can snag a piece of skin. Itachi’s hand gingerly glides across the interior stilling my fumbling fingers.

“Breathe.”

“Easier said than done.”

“Do you remember the plan?”

“Transparently.”

“Tell it to me again.” Honestly, why does he need me to rehearse something we’ve been going over every day, every second, for a month? I express my displeasure at the probing question by sighing and leaning back in my seat while he withdraws his hand.

“Draw his attention. Don’t make it obvious. Linger at the bar, order his favorite disgusting booze and sip on it in order to draw attention and ease into conversation about how we like the same drink.Hopefully my charm will grant me an invite up to his suite where he’ll try and small talk me but really we all know the real reason for his approach. We all assume he’ll be hands and want to get to it but its up to me to ensure that I’m able to slip away in order to slip the death pill into his...I mean our favorite drink, and then before things can progress I make a toast and let him chug back the rest of his glass. Then I make sure my hair looks disheveled, dress slightly askew and I exit with the walk of shame, freshly fucked, and ashamed bow of the head walk to the elevator. Then I slip back into the car with you.”

“How are your contacts?”

“Itchy.” He pulls out solution from his breast pocket. I take them depositing two drops in each eye blinking and glancing at the stranger looking back in my in the visor mirror. Blue eyes and blonde.

“Do you have any questions?”

“Yeah. Do I get paid for this?” It was meant as a joke but apparently if one is on a job the elder is entirely serious.

“Like a queen.” I begin fiddling with my hands again.

“What will you do with the money?” Ah, I get it now. He’s trying to distract me and keep my nerves at bay. Start. Sharp. Professional.

“I think...I think I’ll build a children’s ward. Maybe enlist Hinata in being a director of the board that way she can run things when I choose to make my own time to go. She is right about one thing...I’ve become so absorbed in my job that I’ve been operating on auto pilot for a long time. Don’t get me wrong I love saving lives, I really do, but there’s more bad days that outweigh the good and...I think this change in pace will do me some good.”

He smiles lightly, so gently that it makes my heart flutter a beat. I’ve never seen him genuine expression before. He’s always putting on a facade that its actually nice when he lets his guard down.

“Can I ask something?”

“Always.”

“Is this a first for you? Having the captives know about your job and doing this?”

“I can without a doubt say this is the most bizarre case we’ve had since starting the business.”

“Why did you start it?”

“After getting the short end of the stick. Sasuke and I aren’t ones to blame the world for our problems and curse society for what happened. There’s only one person who threw our life out of balance and we found and irradiated him as well as his accomplice.”

“So you decided to start a business because you what, got bloodlust?”

“Because we needed to scrape from the bottom of the barrel in order to build ourselves back up.”

“So you save your earnings.”

“Of course.”

“And you haven’t gotten out yet because?” His eyes float to the dashboard, his jaw becoming tense, and his mask slipping slowly back on.

“Reasons.” Boundary crossed. I resume my worry position and take a deep breath.

“He’s here.” I sit on the edge of my seat feeling faint but I swallow hard and drive down the saliva by swigging down half of the chilled bottle of water in the cup holder.

“Good luck.”

I nod. “I’ll see you at nine.”

The hotel Danzo chose is indeed luxurious. Leave it to the rich to have expensive tastes. The theme of this one is black and gold. I’m still unsure of where I am and at this point I could care less. I need to stay focused on the job at hand.

I stroll beneath the bow of large ivory pillars with delicately carved detail feeling the brush of the gauzy champagne colored curtains tied off with gold rope into the cocktail room.

I draw a handful of eyes but they aren’t my target. I ignore them all especially the ones that approach and I brush off without giving them a glance. Some get desperate and hands to which I avoid by giving them a biting dirty look.

Finally I reach the bar but ah, can’t be left alone without a male swooping in and whispering sweet nothings into the shell of my ear. I adopted a signature persona that night. One who who is a blonde bombshell but is only here for one purpose and when I get them in my sights no other man will do. Her catchphrase is “not interested” and I make sure she’s strong enough not to put up with the bruised ego of the men who set themselves up in the first place. That I took a little from Ino. It felt good being another person. Mysterious. Dangerous.

I’ve studied the pictures Sasuke and Itachi printed off for me. He has a prominent X shaped scar on the butt of his chin, the top of his hair reminds me of a piper plant just a dark brown, and he usually likes to dress in white. Except for the time during a literal white party where he showed up in black. Asshole. The bridge of his nose is a little crooked as well. One brave soul actually got a crack at him with their fist before his cornets broke all his fingers and ripped off his nails. Itachi’s grim story, not mine.

Just to be in the same room as this piece of shit makes my skin crawl. I hope things go smoothly but like in books and movies there’s always a wrench that gets thrown into the plot. There will be nothing I can do should his guards station themselves inside the room. I don’t have the authority to make them go away. However, I can request it. I’ll do my best to purr the demand in his ear and if that doesn’t work I’ll shift tactics and use my inner Ino to outright demand him to do so or that’s as far as things get taken.

I order a Scotch. Not my preferred choice in the least. I actually like my beverages to have flavor and not just burn my taste and throat going down. The amber liquid glows like warm syrup in the cubic glass as the attendant smiles and gives me a wink when delivering it to the seat of my hand.

I look it over. Already I can smell the potent beverage and it makes my stomach shrivel. Another man has come to collect my services for the night but I ignore him to swivel in my seat to face Danzo who is engaged in heavy conversation with a few of his...”friends”.

“Send one to my friend too please.” The bar keep pours a generous helping.

“Shall I inform him who ordered it?”

“Please do.” Channeling Ino’s wiles is too much work. I don’t know how she can stay inflated for the whole day much less year because I’m already ready for bed and ready to rip these damn high heels and dress off.

The keep whispers in his inquiring ear pointing me out. Danzo looks to me. Gotta make sure I have my own glass on display in my hand. I raise the gleaming cough syrup giving a mouthed salute and then tell all my tastebuds to go to sleep for a second as I chug a bit down. I’m sure that’ll help with my nerves for later but right now my entire top half inside and out is burning and I have to retain the grace of a woman whose always drank the hard stuff.

I see the smirk on Danzo’s lips grow and my hook is set, bait swallowed. Now is a good time to turn my attention to the doting male beside me. I turn in my seat so that Danzo will still have full view of my side as I casually lean in to listen to my nameless lovers boring choice of topics acting interested. I lower the lid of my eyes, try my best to initiate small contact by touching the tips of my fingers to his knee or laugh just loud enough to draw Danzo’s attention back to me.

I purposely cross and uncross my legs flexing my toes against the strap of my heel. Something must have worked because I got a bite. Slowly the reel is coming in and Danzo puts himself between me and mister big-business-opportunity cutting off the flow of conversation.

“Thank you for my drink. I quit enjoyed it.” Inside I feel like I’m going to throw up and shit all at the same time. But I have to keep calm. It’s easy Sakura. You can do this. Just follow the plan to a T. The hard part of getting his attention is over. Now hook him.

“Oh? I pegged you as a scotch man.” Though the drink preference sheet had nothing to do with it or anything.

“You have a gift my dear.” He sets the empty glass next to my half drunk one. I notice him eyeing it in suspicion.

“I’m a lightweight. I have to pace myself somehow.” I make sure to keep my tone nice and feathery light. While internally all my bells and whistles are going off to get the hell out of there and run. For Hinata I remind myself as he offers me the crook of his arm.

“Shall we?” My poor companions face is a mixture of shock and disgust. The new male lion has been overlooked for the rough and worn older one. But that’s really how it usually goes. Movies or not.

Well it was fun being someone else now I’m disgusted with her and pray to Kami-sama that I never have to pretend to be her ever again.

I can feel the presence of his entourage behind us as he leads the pack to the elevator that spills giggling couples out.

Someone catches my eye and I practically go into cardiac arrest when I catch a glimpse of Itachi’s face amongst the crowd. What the hell was he doing? He was supposed to be the get away driver. Maybe he doesn’t trust me to do the task at hand? He never once breaks eye contact from his lovely companion eagerly hanging on his arm.

We wait for them to go before we enter and his flock fans around us as he engages in small talk with me.

I expected no less when we arrive to his own privately owned floor. I’m a little relieved when his bodybuilders withdraw from us stamping into place upon their designated spots by the door. We enter another set of double doors which gives us access to the master room.

Maybe I can just get him to think we’ll have couch sex that way I don’t have to burrow any deeper into this room. He’s at the bucket of chilled champagne filling two flutes with bubbly goodness all the way at the top. I can feel the excess fizz drop against my outer hand as I take a small sip to drain the fullness from it.

“Delicious.” I praise to him to inflate his ego. It seems to work. He gives a light bow and smiles.

“Only the best for the loveliest of ladies.” I mentally tell myself not to roll my eyes. Half of this getup is fake and meant to give you that illusion. But whatever old man.

I take a seat on one of the plush white sofas lipped around a small depression in the floor looking at the rest of the raised room around me. I don’t particularly see any famous works but there are largely framed ones with gorgeous works. Despite the glamor of the hotel it seems it isn’t lavished enough to afford originals.

“So, what should I call my generous host?”

“Danzo.”

“Well Mr. Danzo, I am Kiri.”

“Lovely name my dear.” I take another small sip. This stuff isn’t so bad.

“What is it that you do?”

“I work at a large corporation firm. In fact I’m the president of the company.”

“Forgive me and my ignorance but I lack the understanding with all the hierarchy aspects of a person in your position.”

“It’s alright my dear. Surely you know president essentially rules everything.”

“So, in blatant terms, you own said business?”

“I do.” Honestly why couldn’t he just say that? Men really do love their titles don’t they. Don’t roll your eyes.

“Impressive. And pray tell what entails your work?”

“Importing and exporting of only the most expensive of things. We do not limit ourselves to merely one corner of the market. We adhere to all age ranges and this produces pretty pennies.” He sits heavily next to me. I try not to tense. I have to act like I’m interested and hanging on his every word like that pretty companion of Itachi’s downstairs. Why am I even thinking of him?

“Still a vague generalization.” I clink my glass to his and eye the bottle of capped scotch in the glass vase upon the same tray as the champagne. I can feel the outline of the pill and backup in my clutch as I adjust to touch knee to knee with Danzo.

I rest my elbow on the backing of the furniture and lean my chest slightly in twisting my body ever so slightly to keep his interest. His eyes go right down to my cleavage. Pervert.

“Anything really. Our biggest sellers are with the new owners of a car company. You wouldn’t believe how many Jags and Mercedes are shipped to Beverly Hills yearly.”

He’s right, I wouldn’t even want the capacity of imagination to think about his dirty dealings. I guess that’s enough small talk for him because now he’s getting handsy. His fingers brush over my knee moving bilaterally towards my thighs. I excuse myself chalking it up to being a playful teasing move.

I float to the bottle of scotch pouring two glasses and moving my body in the line of his sight as I take up mine and sip. Both pills are still in my clutch. I cant be too hasty to rouse suspicion. I need to drink and stay sober to make it look as though there’s nothing I’m going to do except makes us drinks.

“Do you want to know what I do?”

“Of course.” A smirk slips over his disgusting lips and I cant help but briefly think about Sasuke and thank Itachi for being in the same building as me or my courage would abandon me right now.

“I sell—-“ Bombshells are playful. Seductive. I tease the rim of the glass against my lower lip before uttering the answer after drawing it out for a few seconds. “Toys.” I take a playful sip and grin ear to ear at him.

“Not what I expected to hear.”

“I’m flattered you think me innocent enough to sell children but these kinds are reserved strictly for adults.” He gets the hint. He raises a brow and sets his flute on the glass coffee table at his knee.

“Oh?” I smile as he quips in a slight coo scooting to the edge of his seat like he’s ready to pounce at me any moment.

“Yes. I brought a sample with me. I just got done hosting another party. Just as you have many clients, I too must impart on you the question of: you wouldn’t believe how many vibrators we sell to men and women on equal terms.”

I can see him swallow, he massages his thumb hard against the pressure point in the crook of his hand and clears his throat.

“Would you like to see it?”

“Very much.” I turn and offer him his glass giving my best impression of a wounded girl offering a pout.

“It wont be as fun if its just me who drinks alone tonight.”

“Thought you wanted to pace yourself.” He says with a wink as he rises to his feet to meet me.

“Hmm. Don’t insult a lady Mr. Danzo I am still conscious about my intention.” He takes the drink from my hand. I can see the last remnants of the white pill dissolved at the base of his glass. His eyes are trained on my lips where I wanted them to be.

While I was speaking to him about what is was I did I made it look like I adjusted my clutch from my side to the back of my hipbone. In that brief second I slipped my fingers where I positioned the pill to be easily removed when he would be distracted. I then had my hands behind my back as though I was resting against the table letting my thumb deposit the little drug with a soft fizzy plink. While I drew out our conversation the tablet dissolved. Seems I plowed it the right amount of time to do so.

I toast my own glass and clink in unison with his before he slugs his head back and downs the beverage. I take small little sips and breath a sigh of relief. Now I needed to keep him talking until it took its course.

It weighs on me. I just killed a man. Maybe not right now and not with my bare hands but...it was soon to come and take this piece of shit. Guilt coils in my stomach and he sets his glass down behind me.

“Ready to play?” He grins taking me by my waist and guiding me into the other dimly lit room. The stale aftershave and cologne assaults my nose and tickles my sinuses. I wrinkle my nose willing myself not to sneeze.

He wants to rush things but I need more time. I tick my finger at him as he goes to grab my ass and rip my dress off. I take him by his tie and straddle his lap. He wants a kiss. That is something strippers don’t negate and it will certainly be my rule as well.

I crane my neck and allow him access to that though I’m disgusted when I feel his rough lips suckling at my tender flesh. I pray to Itachi to come and save me. I pray someone will get me out of this situation. One of his guards makes him pause in his ministrations as he announces a bellhop has arrived with a fresh tray of food and drink.

Danzo resigns him waving him to get out of the room in dismissal but I hold his drooping cheeks in my palms.

“We’ll need all our strength if we want to continue for the night.” He seems irritated but acquiesces to my request.

I practically choke on my own saliva when I see Itachi’s swapped out his suit for white with gold trimmed attire that the staff wears. He has a cloth napkin over the length of his forearm and he gives a gentle bow. He’s snagged someone’s brick framed glasses and I swear I’m in an Oceans movie.

“Evening valued customer. tonight we have a savory fillet mignon with salsberry steak sauce accompanied with White Zinfandel wine chilled and pulled from our nineteen hundreds shelf.” Looks like he’s playing a part as well. I can only hope that his metabolism will eat up the drug faster but each time I look to him he continues to have unwavering vigor.

“Would the young lady like anything in particular?”

I can’t say a glass of water even though I’m craving that. Maybe bread will absorb some of the alchohaul I’ve consumed.

“Bread please.” He explains in length what kind and cut it is before my teeth crunch into the French crusting unprejudiced by what kind of expensive thing it is.

It takes a full fifty minutes before he finally succumbs to the effects and keels over. I hold my chest in relief but startled when I still see the gentle fall and rise of his chest. I look to Itachi in confusion.

He pulls out a barbiturate from his breast pocket filling a needle with the poisonous cocktail.

“I thought I...”

“I didn’t want that on your conscience. You’ll still be paid in full.” He slides the glasses to the top of his head as he flicks at the needle letting the little spurts of juice fall onto Danzo’s lapel.

“But I...”

“I apologize. I had a change of heart in the car. I’d rather the blood be on my hands.” He injects the syrup perfectly in time with the ticking blue veins against his throat. It will travel straight down to the arteries of his heart and cause a cardiac arrest. Itachi gets to work undoing his belt buckle and ruffling his shirt and hair.

“You need to go out ahead of me.”

“But the plan...”

“Go Sakura.” Without another word I turn and stride to the doorway glancing back on East time. He’s making it look as though Danzo was in the middle of...when...I pull at clots of hair making them frizzy and disheveled while riding my dress up just a little as I stride out.

My thoughts are occupied with Itachi and not the men snickering behind me talking amongst themselves. I look dazed and confused. Probably because I am but it also helps in the facade of what was supposed to look like happened.

I go to the unlocked car yanking off the wig and taking the contacts out. It’s minutes but it feels like hours before Itachi discretely strolls across the busy street and slides in. He’s transformed back into the outfit he had on earlier. The glasses gone.

“Itachi...”

“Everything went smoothly don’t worry about it. With any luck they wont search the room till morning to wake their master. By then he’ll have looked like a drunken mess who died from getting excited.”

“You moved him?”

“To the bed.”

“But prints...”

“Not on my uniform.” He turns the engine on and drives. I turn in my seat taking one last look at the hotel as it rolls out of view from the back window.