66. The Place I Call Home

Knock knock.

I feel the fear inside me creep into every crevice of my body as the slow, almost mocking knock echoes against the wood of the door, anticipation of what is to come races through my mind in a whirlwind of confusion and hatred whilst I carefully sit upright on the bed.

I must face him, I must embrace my fate. just as I have always done.

"Come in" I call out to the monster that lurks beyond the walls that surrounded me, an irk simpering inside me as though I'd just invited death, slowly taking over.

A small moment passes before the door creeks open slowly only to reveal the handsome yet deadly Madara himself. I watched intently as he stepped into the room, his eyes glazing over me steadily, dangerously, but I would not waver, I would not let him pull the wool over my eyes again.

"Why aren't you asleep yet?" He asks me curiously, I take a slow breath as I answer his question.

"It's cold and lonely in this room." I explain as innocently as I can, now wondering why he was playing along.

If he knew that I had in fact already recovered my memories... Why hadn't he attacked me?

Why hadn't he called me out on it?

"I lost you once before and I won't lose you again. I think it would be best if you stayed in my chambers for the night. Your clothing has also arrived." his deep voice spoke, cunning and hidden cruelty dancing throughout the sound.

I contemplated for a moment, hesitant as to what his ulterior motives may be but when I failed to grasp any I slowly nodded my head in agreement.

"Hn." he hummed, eyes still piercing me before turning around and heading back out of the room.

I followed behind him cautiously, not knowing when he may unexpectedly turn on me but as we reached his room he opened the door and stepped aside, letting me enter first which only made my anxieties increase immensely.

"Your clothes are on the couch. Wash up before you come to bed" he demanded, closing the door behind him before standing beside me - those illusive eyes glazing over my form. Where is he heading with this?

No matter how much hatred boiled inside of me I had no choice but to follow his lead. I walked over to the couch and picked up a white silk night gown then went into the bathroom making sure to lock the door behind me. I undressed then turned on the hot water of the shower, readjusting the taps so the water was of a calming tepid temperature then stepped into the spacious booth that felt intimidating despite its seeming inconspicuous, letting the tranquillity of the water fall free over my skin. A sigh escaped my lips as I stood underneath the barrage of water, my body trembling slightly as I let the caged anxieties burst loose and besiege my mind.

Was undoing the Reanimation Jutsu truly the answer?

What should I do?

Why is he still acting as though he doesn't know my secrets?

Was he trying to lure me out? Use my own fears against me?

If he was unsure of my mental state, surely he could not just come out and accuse me...?

Was this his strategy?

Questions of the sort filled my mind, overflowing and drowning me beneath them but for me to obtain any answers I would need to go back out into his chambers and find out.

After I had finished I proceeded to dry myself off and change into the white silken night gown that I had picked up from my pile of belongings, I let my long hair down loosely and pushed it behind my shoulders then took another deep breath, unable to shake off the feeling of omen that persisted, screaming at me to run.

Further into the darkness I go.

I slowly opened the bathroom door, looking out into his luxurious bedroom before seeing that he was comfortably sitting in bed, book in hand - his toned, well-built chest was easily visible and as I stepped out and closed the door behind me those onyx orbs of his directed themselves at me mischievously, the warning bells ringing louder and louder in my ears until I couldn't ignore them at the danger of that look.

"You always were beautiful" his words charming beyond all means as he gently patted the free space beside him upon his bed, gesturing for me to join him.

I slowly, cautiously, reluctantly made my way over towards the bedside, desperate to be anywhere other than here. Desperate to be back in Sasori's warm, comforting arms. But I wasn't. I had to do this.

For them...

I sit down onto the soft sheets of the bed as he wrapped a muscular arm around me, I felt myself being pulled towards him so that I was sitting closely, his arm wrapped around my shoulder possessively, the entrancing scent of death forcing itself onto me as I tried not to shudder in disgust and fear. Madara slowly lowers his book and discards it onto the beside table before looking down slightly at me, a coy smile playing on his lips, the low scream of warning increasing to a shrill shriek- suddenly I feel him pick me up, his grip tightly on my hips as he places me onto his lap, each of my legs tucked out beside his outer thighs, a deep lump forming at the base of my throat in terror, trepidation and fear- oh the fear, it was drowning me.

His eyes connecting with my own dangerously and lustfully causes me to realise what kind of game he's playing- my heart beat picks up, rapidly thumping in my chest as it pleaded to be free, to be safe- to not be here.

This is his plan.

I break my gaze away from those terrifying eyes, the look within them is enough to kill me alone. I fell his touch reach my cheek softly, causing me to hold my breath in anticipation.

How far will I need to go.

The touch of his fingers shift from caressing my cheek to grasping my chin, his lips forcing themselves onto mine-repulsion welled within me, I could feel it deep in my bones, the repugnance making my stomach curdle but I need to push through. I need to succeed, for them. For the ones I love. Desperately trying to convince myself I wrap my arms around his neck causing the kiss to deepen. As his tongue roams my mouth I subtlety, discretely feel around at the base of his neck, hoping to find that same kunai I'd place in him that had given this monster life. I feel him bite my lower lip, his hands grip my hips lustfully, pushing me down into his hardness that had just arisen, a shudder of disgust attempting to wrack my body, then it happened.

My fingers gently brushed against the hilt of a mental handle, my heart skipped beats in the hope that he didn't know, that he wouldn't notice I had found his ultimate weakness. The foolish, desperate hope of someone faced by a demon.

I grasp onto the handle, our lips still connected heatedly.

1.. 2..

I pull as hard as I can on the kunai handle, Madara's lips break from mine, a deadly whisper residing in my ear.

"If I leave this world, so will you."

A sharp pain pierced it's way right through the centre of my chest, causing my eyes to widen in shock. It hurts- it hurts so much as I breath shakily, coughing up blood and I felt him lick some off my lips. An agonised gasp left my throat as I glance down to see a pool of red blooming from my stomach, leaking out in a relentless flow as it soaked the white material, terror growing to a cold feeling of dread that settle in my stomach like ice. But I don't let it stop me, I have to do this.

I pull hard again on the Kunai that is protruding from his neck in one last hard forceful movement - it comes out completely. I pull away only to be met by Madara's enraged face only inches away, his chilling breath on my face, whether by death or anger I do not know.

"You will be joining me in the afterlife soon enough" his words like venom seeping through my skin in that instant and then...

He simply became ashes and crumbled before my eyes.

I fell back onto the bed limply, my body heavy as I lay there, unable to move, blood still leaving my body quickly, too quickly... Drowning me amongst its cold, unforgiving red depths. Tears welled up in my eyes as I began to feel cold, to feel empty as I felt my body drain of its warmth, its vitality. A feeling of despair descended as I remembered them, hopelessness settling in. I couldn't breathe, it hurt. I am tired, so tired- the pain and the cold are unbearable. But I don't want to die.

Everything started to become blurry...

Was this the end?

Reality is leaving me... Voices are near but are they too late...?

_________________________________________________________________________________

'Hatred, violence, throughout my life I was shown, until a breeze of change blew past and questioned everything I thought I'd known, for such a long time I had been alone, only at the end of my journey I'd found the place I call home.'

_________________________________________________________________________________

NOTES:

Hello~

Well, it's been quite the journey.

I have the epilogue left to post and that's it (^-^)

I'd appreciate any thoughts or feedback you have <3

And to everyone who followed this story I sincerely thankyou, if reading this could bring even a small amount of comfort, relief or enjoyment into your life then my job here is done :)

Please always stay safe and take care, sending you lots of love ~