Chapter Eleven: The Antagonists

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Sasuke's POV

By exactly 9am, I was done with my queen's garden. Wiping the sweat off my forehead, I glanced at the garden gnome who fortunately stayed silent the whole time I worked.

"Sasuke, Sasuke, Sasuke-samaaa! Come on, our queen is waiting for us, yeah!"

I raised an eyebrow at Miko as we started walking back to the gazebo. "Hey, where did you get the accent? It sounds funny." I commented while he just laughed.

"WAHAHAHA! It's contagious, un! You should really really try it, yeah! bwahahahaha!"

I shook my head in amusement. He still didn't answer my question. Well, there's no stopping him. I'm glad one of us is happy. Admiring the flowers as we passed by the newly organized flowerbed, I caught a glimpse of the other Akatsuki nins that kidnapped me back then.

"TOBI, YOU CANDY-EATING SWIRLY-MASKED OGRE, UN!! GIVE THOSE BACK TO ME YEAH!"

The blonde guy who had a hairstyle inspired by Ino Yamanaka yelled to a man with an orange mask who hid behind a tree.

Wait a minute..

I stopped abruptly in my tracks and heard my small helper squeal, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, un!! Bwahahaha!"

"Miko, keep quiet!" I hushed him but it was too late. I saw how the guy---Deidara-san I think is his name, walked towards us and glared at me.

"Are you mimicking me, yeah?!"

I gulped as I felt Miko hid behind me. Tsk! This gnome is such a pain in the neck. Now I remember why I didn't got one for a pet when we travelled the Land of Mysteries. They're annoying!

"No." I answered rather too quickly.

Deidara eyes me with those piercing blue eyes of his. Eyes that are of darker shade than of that Uzumaki's. "Then who did it, un?"

"WAAAAAH! Sasuke, hide me, hide me, hide meeeee, uuuuunn!!!"

We were both taken aback when the garden gnome cried and clung to my pants even more! I saw a smirk on Deidara's lips as he tried to catch the creature, but Miko let go of his grip on me and they started to run around in circles!

I rolled my eyes and continued walking. But it was shortly after a couple of steps when Tobi blocked my way and showed me something in his hand. I stared at it for a minute and saw Deidara's clay figures.

"Hello, King-sama!! Don't you think Tobi will be a good boy once Tobi transforms Deidara-senpai's sticky mud balls into chickens?!"

My eyes twitched.

Is he serious?

But seeing him right now, with an almost visible sparkling eye (probably from excitement and delight), I knew damn well that this wizard is serious. And for those who are gonna ask me, yes. Tobi, or most popularly known as "Wizard Tobi" is obviously a wizard. You know, magic, crafts and shit? Yeah. I know you get my point.

The thing is, nobody knows what he can do.

Some say that he may be the most powerful human alive, but none were able to show evidence of such greatness. He's like a legend or something.

Which is unbelievable.

"Tobi, those are clay bombs. And mind you, if Deidara gets pissed enough, he can activate one of those, you idiot."

But I can almost see imaginary question marks on top of his head at what I said. I deadpanned and started walking away from him when he held my arm. "King-samaaaa! Tobi has something to tell you!!"

"Tsk, spit it out."

"Everything is not what it seems."

My eyebrows furrowed at what the masked wizard said. He was serious. Too serious. I looked at him. I wonder what he hides under that mask of his? "Tobi, what are you talking about?" But instead of answering me, he skipped his way out of the scene to bug Kisame and Kakuzu.

"Tobi-sama really is a legendary wizard,  don't ya think?"

A tiny voice came and I guess I don't need to look down to know who said that. "Miko, I thought you were to preoccupied with Deidara?" But the gnome shuddered at the mention of the bomber's name. "YUUUUCKK! HE LIKED ME!! EW! EW! EW! HE SHOULD BE IMPRISONED FOR SEXUAL HARRASSMENT!"

I laughed but soon stopped when I heard other voices. Peeking behind a rose bush, I saw Sakura and that redhead talking. Miko climbed up my shoulder and whispered, "I thought the queen was at her gazebo??? What are they doing here?"

Ignoring my helper's words, I focused my attention at the two.

Sakura's POV

"Sasori-san, why did you bring me here? Is anything wrong? How are the knights and horses doing, by the way?"

I asked my most trusted knight. But in reply, he grabbed my hand and pecked the back of it lovingly. I smiled for an unknown reason. Sasori Akasuna really is a sweetheart. I still remember the time I got lost in the Land of Mist.

That was the time my kidnappers encountered some rogue ninjas. I escaped from them back then and hid in the forest. I even went as far as hiding underwater when I saw a lake. When I lost them, that's when Sasori found me,

FLASHBACK

"U-ugh..." I groaned and scanned my surroundings. Maybe I can find a nearby village to rest in until I can finally go home to Konohagakure. I'm sure Sasuke and Daisy are worried sick for me. I need to let them know that I'm alive.

But as I tried to stand up, I felt a unfamiliar pain in my leg. And before I finally fell to the ground, someone caught me.

I gazed up at the man and was greeted by beautiful brown eyes.

"Are you alright, miss? Let me help you."

I smirked. "Do I look alright? And thanks."

I let him bring me to an open spot as he layed my back at a tree trunk. He sat beside me and handed me a bottle of water which I gladly accepted. I eyed the man. He wore a simple brown shirt and black pants. Aside from that, he had a sword and some scrolls at his side.

"Who are you?"

"My name is Sasori Akasuna."

I paused and backed away when I finally realized who he was. "W-Wait, you're one of those Akatsuki rebels, am I right?! G-Get away from me!" I threw the empty bottle at him but unfortunately he dodged it. And what he did next, wasn't what I expected.

"HAHAHAHA!"

The jerk laughed!

I frowned.

"What are you laughing at?? Look, I bet you have no idea who I am. But let me tell you this, I can have you arrested for insulting me!"

Sasori raised an eyebrow. "Is that your way of saying thank you, Queen Sakura?"

"W-Wha----"

"Yes. Only now did I figured out who you are. Now, what are you going to do, your highness?"

I stayed silent for a good couple of minutes. Only the crickets' chirping can be heard in the background. Looking up the sky, I saw the stars twinkle continuously. I wonder what time it is. After letting out a deep sigh, I said,

"I'm returning to Konoha, of course."

But this time, it was Sasori who frowned and that made me confused.

"I'd rather not, my queen."

"And why is that?"

"They don't need you there."

I glared at him and stood up, ignoring the pain in my leg. "What are you talking about? They need me! I'm their queen, you moron. My daughter needs me.. and Sasuke.."

"Aren't you getting tired of staying behind stone walls? Honey, I can read you. I want a little more adventure in your life, ne? And tell, me if that Sasuke loves you so much, then why can't he look for you himself? Why can't he step out of his castle to search for his beloved wife?"

And that made me shut up.

It's been four years since I was kidnapped. Four years since I stepped out of Konoha and who knows how long it will take me to get back there. But Sasuke..is he really looking for me? Or is his heart that dedicated to the Hokage title I left him?

"He loves me."

"He loves himself, too."

I blinked and tried surpassing my tears from falling. Did he forgot about me?

"Come with me, Sakura-chan... they don't need a queen," and then a group of men wearing black cloaks appeared from the shadows. Sasori smiled, "but we do."

It took me another minute to think about it.

Well, I guess they're doing well back at Konoha.

"Okay."

But before we walked away on white horses, I glanced at the lake. Taking in a deeo breathe, I took off my wedding ring and threw it away. I don't know if I should do this. I don't know if I'm being too weak and childish.

But I want to experience a different life.

END OF FLASHBACK

And a different life the Akatsuki did give me. I became their queen. Yes, at times I feel like crap when I remember my husband and daughter. I still miss them from time to time but luckily, Sasori made me a potion that can take all my pains away.

"Sasori, can I?"

He smiled and handed me the clear bottle of pink liquid.

"You should really learn to just forget about them.. about HIM, my lady."

I know what he's talking about but in response, I only gave him a weak smile and gulped down the contents of the small bottle. I held my head. My head hurts like hell.

"Don't worry ma'am, like I said before, it's just some side effects. It will wear off soon."

And after Sasori said that, I felt the pain in my head subsidded. Just then, I felt numb. The pain in my heart, already fading away. This is the cure for a longing and broken heart. I felt myself turn to the expressionless bitch I wanted to be.

Suddenly, Sasori leaned in and met my lips.

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