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“Well, well, well; if it isn’t Sakura.”
Sakura groaned dramatically, throwing her head back to glare at the bright blue sky, refusing to turn around. Please, she begged internally to whoever up there was listening. Anyone but him! She knew her plea would be in vain. There was no mistaking the honeyed voice behind her, smooth and dripping with the sin of dark promises. Maybe if I pretend he’s not here, he’ll go away.
“Are you really trying to ignore me?” She yelped as a scorching puff of breath caressed her ear, whirling instinctually. Sure enough, there he was.
Sasori.
He was clad in a sharp, onyx suit, silky crimson shirt, and smart black shoes. He typically wore an accompanying steely-gray tie, but opted to forego it, instead leaving the top three buttons of his shirt undone. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, hinting at firm muscles beneath his lightly tanned skin.
The sight made her heart race in ways she was not interested in exploring.
His hair, the color of fresh blood, was tousled, falling oh so perfectly into his sultry, half-lidded amber-colored eyes. He wasn’t particularly tall, taller than her though that wasn’t difficult to accomplish, but his presence was the most intimidating she had experienced. A picture of sin incarnate, fitting for an entity of darkness, more commonly known as a demon. Her colleagues had warned her that, despite appearances, Sasori was one of the most dangerous, highest-ranking demons in the Under Realm.
As a dweller of the light, a literal angel, he had been the bane of her existence for the last six months, easily the most annoying being she had ever encountered.
It didn’t help that she found the demon unfairly attractive.
“Do you stalk me or something?” she demanded, glaring balefully as she crossed her arms tightly over her chest. “Why is it that every time I’m trying to work, you show up?”
The demon clicked his tongue, rolling his amber eyes. “Yes, I have nothing better to do with my time than to follow some fledgling angel-grunt around as she tries to save souls from eternal damnation.” He reached out toward her pastel pink wings, tugging on a single feather.
She smacked his hand away, sputtering with indignation. “...I hate you.”
His smile was so saccharine it hurt her teeth. “I’m quite fond of you, too, my dear.”
“Ugh!” She threw her hands up, spinning away and stomping off, her shimmering, gold-trimmed white robe fluttering behind her. “I don’t have time for you today,” she bit out over her shoulder in his direction. “I’m looking for someone.”
“What a coincidence,” he commented breezily, falling into step with her. “So am I.”
“Oh?” she posed offhandedly, wary. Please don’t say it. “Who would that be?”
Sasori’s smirk was downright devious. “His name is Hyuuga Neji; have you heard of him?”
She stopped walking, stamping her foot childishly. “No!” she cried, glaring. “I am not doing this with you again!”
“Whatever do you mean?”
“I’m tired of you trying to steal my hard-earned souls!” Her tone was whiney, so unbecoming of an angel, but she was beyond caring at this point. “I was assigned Neji, and I am going to redeem him. Go find your own charges!”
“Don’t be silly, Sakura.” She truly despised the way her name sounded when he said it. “We’re supposed to be competing for souls. I’ve spent millennia doing this, but you’re the first angel that makes it fun for me.”
“Was that a compliment?” she deadpanned. “Because I don’t feel very complimented.”
“Take it how you will.” His tone was dismissive as he waved away her barb. He eyed her, contemplative, and it spiked her anxiety. “However, if I’m being honest, we could make these bouts more…Interesting. If you want.”
“I don’t want.”
“Of course you do,” he persisted, lips curling. “How about a little wager?”
“A wager?” she parroted, tsking immediately. “With a demon? You must think I’m stupid.”
“The opposite, I assure you,” he disclosed, an odd shine to his eyes. She elected to not pry, fearing what she’d discover. She struggled enough with her feelings toward the demon, she didn’t need to add his into the mix. “What would you like if you win?”
“You to stop following me.”
He chuckled, the sound sending a thrill down her spine. “That hurts my feelings; if only you knew how much I cherish you.”
“Demons don’t have feelings,” she insisted, repeating what the High Council had always taught them. ‘Demons are deceivers; they will use whatever necessary to trick you and get their way. Don’t allow them to.’
Sasori hummed, face placid, but if she didn’t know any better, she’d almost say he appeared… Hurt ? “Very well. Should I win, I want you to deliver a little message for me.”
Her face scrunched, dubious. “What kind of message?”
“Should you lose, I’ll gladly tell you.”
She took a deep, calming breath, lest she do something less-than-angelic to him. “Who would I be delivering it to?”
His grin was absolutely feral. “Grand Chancellor Danzo.”
“Absolutely not!” she squawked with horror. “Then he’ll know I spoke to you, and he’ll punish me!”
Sasori clicked his tongue, frowning in faux disappointment. “Come now, Sakura. I thought you were more confident in your savior skills than that.”
Her brow furrowed, reluctant to agree, but confident in her assessment of the human in question. Pride is a funny thing. “Alright, fine. For how long?”
He stroked his chin, making a show of thinking. “Three days? Holy beings like that number, don’t they?”
She ignored the taunt. “Okay, in three days, if he’s done more good deeds than bad, then I get to claim his soul for the heavens and I get a break from you.”
“And if his performance lends more to my side, then I claim him for the underworld, and you will deliver my message to Danzo.”
“Deal.” They shook hands, a jolt of energy moving through her body at the contact. She hastily released him, hiding her uncertainty behind a mask of suspicion. “Why do you even want Neji anyway? He’s a business analyst. That doesn’t seem very valuable to the Under Realm.”
Sasori picked at his fingernails. “I’ll have you know I’m personally interested in this one. He seems fairly easy to corrupt.”
She scoffed. “Well, I think he’ll finally acknowledge the light in his heart and get on the path for good.”
He hummed again, colored in boredom. “I suppose it is in your job description to be foolishly optimistic, but I do hope you’re not too crushed when you realize that you’re wrong.”
“No need to worry because I won’t be wrong,” she snipped, leaning toward him, incensed. “Once I save Neji’s soul, the High Council will recognize what I contribute to the team. Then they’ll promote me, and I’ll finally be able to do some real work with these humans. They need so much guidance.”
Fully expecting a trademark snark, an unease slithered over her at Sasori’s resounding silence. He studied her with his piercing gaze, painted with something akin to pity. “Well,” he eventually said, shrugging. “May the best being win.”
Pushing her concern aside, she straightened her glowing halo. “I intend to.”
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The streets of Konoha were crowded as always, people either milling about or hurrying along to their destinations. Neji took this path on the way to his office every morning at 8 am sharp, so this spot would be the first test Sakura and Sasori would conduct.
“You’re sure he’ll come?” the red-haired demon queried, surveying the masses as they loitered unseen on the sidewalk.
“Yes,” she assured, staring pointedly to the west. “He always comes this way. All I need to do is find someone for him to help…”
She looked around, attempting to identify a target. A little girl, maybe around 10-years-old, was ambling along with the crowd, backpack straps secured in her small hands. She smiled; she loved to watch the humans go about their limited days, living their lives. It was why she felt inspired to move up in the angelic ranks to provide them all the support they needed in their fleeting time.
Unfortunately, her happy musing was interrupted by the ghastly scene of Sasori casually sticking his foot out directly in line with the girl’s feet. She stumbled, unable to catch her footing before she rolled over the unforgiving concrete, coming to land on her bottom and clutching her leg to her chest.
“Sasori!” she gasped, horrified. “Did you just… Trip that little girl?!”
He tsked. “Really now, Sakura, she fell,” he chided, scoffing. “Kids are clumsy. More importantly, I wonder what our little charge will do now?”
“He’s going to help her, of course!”
He hummed in contemplation, tapping his chin. “Are you sure?”
At that moment, their intended was fast approaching the crying child. Fat tears rolling down her cheeks, a bloody scrape on her shin, she stared up pathetically at the incoming adult. The dark-haired man glanced down, pale eyes zeroing in on the girl, before pinning his gaze forward and strolling straight past her with zero regard.
“Oh my,” Sasori sighed, patting her shoulder in some show of fake sympathy, completely undermined by his smug grin and amused tone. His touch felt burning, but she was too flabbergasted to care. “Seems you’re off to a bad start, little angel.”
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A short while later, the celestial beings next found themselves on the crowded subway, jostling amongst the other occupants. Neji was seated on a bench, scrolling on his phone, ignoring the existence of everyone around him. Sasori’s face crinkled in disgust as the humans unknowingly brushed against him as the train sped along. Sakura’s arms were wrapped crossed in front of her chest, lips pursed as she planned her next course of action.
She truly hadn’t anticipated the Hyuuga’s indifference to the injured child, but she refused to admit defeat so early. Especially not with this unfair wager the demon had forced upon her.
“Perhaps you should concede.”
She whipped her head, long pink hair flying as she did, eyes narrowed in a sharp glare. He had turned away from her, gazing out the massive window as the city passed them by. He had one hand propped on his hip, the other resting against the bench seat, posture canted to the side just so that she couldn’t help her vision being drawn to the way his sleek pants formed around his sculpted behind. She inhaled sharply, desperate to look away but finding herself unable unwilling? to.
The sound must've caught his attention, because he spun around as though in slow motion, the shift of his body purposefully emphasizing the lower half. Her face exploded in mortification as she perceived his Cheshire grin, his arms crossing while he leaned the tiniest bit forward toward her.
Her glare increased tenfold. This jerk! “Absolutely not,” she hissed, cheeks aflame, pointing one manicured nail into the silky crimson of Sasori’s shirt, purposefully ignoring the solidness of the chest hidden beneath. “That was just a battle, not the war.”
The demon said nothing, simply smirked, throwing his hands up in mock surrender.
She huffed, turning away and espying her mark, pouting childishly as she fussed with the golden cord wrapped around her waist. She wouldn’t feel so flustered if he would have just cooperated, but que sera sera, she supposed.
The train slowed to a stop before the doors dinged open, passengers exchanging themselves as some left and others boarded, but Neji stayed firmly planted in his seat. His terminal was still a few stops away.
Wading her way through the crowd was a profoundly pregnant woman, belly large and round, clutching the hand of a babbling toddler. She scanned the seats desperately, reluctant acceptance rolling over her face as she could find none open. She sighed, coming to stand adjacent to the dark-haired man, shushing her child as she used her other hand to grasp onto a hand strap dangling from the ceiling. The young one continued chattering despite their mother’s warnings, squirming with pent up energy. Unexpectedly, Neji lifted his gaze from the phone, brow furrowing in displeasure. He studied the pair a moment, sighing heavily as he collected his briefcase and stood from the bench. The action caught the mother’s attention, her doe eyes wide and mouth agape, preparing to spew apologies. The Hyuuga raised a hand to halt her, stepping to the side and gesturing to the now-vacant seat. The woman’s face broke into a wide smile, her voice flooding the man with gratitude that he waved away. They switched places, Neji’s large hand now gripping the hand strap, the other occupied once more with his phone as he rode out the remainder of his trip.
She was sure her own smile would have rivaled the mother’s. “Ah-ha!” she crowed, clapping excitedly, smugly smiling at her companion. “Point for the side of good!”
Sasori tutted in response. “A battle, not the war,” he repeated, face placid, unbothered.
It was highly juvenile, she could admit that, but she stuck her tongue out at him in retaliation anyway.
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Over the course of the next two days, Sakura and Sasori trailed their mark, tallying up his actions in the good and bad categories. She was able to pull ahead of Sasori when he discovered a missing wallet he returned to the proper owner, but the score evened again when he elected to terminate an employee who had been battling a severe illness. The standstill persisted until right at the very end.
As the sun began to set on the third day, Neji sat in his office finishing up the day’s paperwork. Sasori was sprawled, lounging on the plush, brown leather couch like he were some sort of king and not a demonic entity. She was pacing behind the brunette’s chair, evaluating how to tip the scales into her favor with so little time left, her wings fluffing up in her anxious state. It’s a wonder the human didn’t feel the breeze.
Suddenly, his cell phone rang. Peering over his shoulder, he saw the name ‘Hinata-sama’ flash across the scene. The name pricked her memory, familiar, though she floundered to remember why.
“His cousin,” the red-head drawled, rising from his perch and strolling over to join them.
She winced, tinged with embarrassment. “Oh, yeah,” she mumbled. How could she forget that?
Neji sighed, tapping the screen to accept the call and quickly putting it on speaker to continue his work. “Yes, Hinata-sama?” he said in lieu of a greeting.
“Neji-nisan,” came the timid reply, slightly garbled through the device. “I thought you were coming over tonight to help Hanabi and I with Father? He had the surgery today, remember?”
The man scowled, clicking his pen. “I don’t recall agreeing to help,” he quipped, tone neutral despite the displeasure on his face. “I said I would try.”
“Oh.” Hinata’s whisper was colored with full disappointment. “Well…Could you…Maybe come?” Her plea was halted, unsure. “Please? Hanabi and I are having a lot of trouble on our own…”
“I’m sorry, Hinata-sama,” he retorted, though he didn’t sound the least bit sorry. In fact, he sounded agitated. “I’m very busy and I just don’t have time. You and Hanabi will be fine. Call Ko or something.” He didn’t wait for the woman to say anything further, forcibly tapping the screen to end the call. He blew out a sharp breath, hunching over to continue his work on the documents.
She felt frozen to her spot, mouth agape at his callousness, though it really shouldn't have stunned her as much as it did. Observing him over the last three days, she knew the Hyuuga could be quite cold and uncaring, but she also witnessed with her own eyes how selfless he could be.
“What a shame.” She jolted, Sasori’s honeyed voice flowing over her, settling into her bones. “I’m afraid our game is over.”
Momentarily puzzled, she gasped in comprehension, gaze darting to the large bay window. The sun was gone, replaced by the inky sky of twilight, the moon quartered like a jeering smile, and rising, the streetlights twinkling below.
The third day was officially over, and Neji’s soul had been lost.
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Despite the circumstances, Sakura continued to follow Neji the next day, sulking. It was the man’s day off, and he was spending it with some friends from his high school days: A loud man named Lee; and a brunette woman named Tenten. Currently, the three were crowded around a box of kittens someone had left in an alleyway, discussing what they should do about it.
“Are you brooding?”
She sighed moodily, expressly refusing to acknowledge him. “Go away.”
Sasori chuckled, coming to stand beside her, watching the three humans and the felines. She could feel the heat radiating from his body through her thin robe, making her shiver. “I think your inability to accept defeat is cute,” he commented, smirking.
“I don’t think anything about you is cute,” she grumbled, glaring at him from her peripheral, praying he couldn’t sense lies like she knew some demons could. He said nothing to refute her statement, but she didn’t trust the way his lips curled. Something slithered unexpectedly into view, and she jolted when she faced him fully, eyes wide and mouth agape. She knew demons had other forms, but in all her interactions with Sasori, he had kept his hidden away. Today, however, it appeared he decided to exist as he naturally was: There were short, onyx horns nestled in his crimson hair; and an intimidating, maroon-colored scorpion’s tail flicking mechanically behind him. Nothing about his attire had changed except for he had swapped the suit jacket for a fitted vest, still inky black, and the addition of brown, leather gloves. The tie remained discarded, and if she didn’t know any better, she’d say his shirt was more open than yesterday, chiseled chest more prominent to the eye.
He observed her studying him, face placid, head tilted. The sharp point of the tail abruptly swung toward the top of her head, and he snickered when she jerked away.
She rolled her eyes. He may look different, but he was the same old Sasori. The thought was oddly comforting, but she pushed it away.
Turning her attention back to the humans, she began to speak, voice weak. “I just-” Then she paused, considering how best to explain her thoughts. “I believed in him.” She hung her head. “I guess belief really isn’t enough. ‘Foolishly optimistic,’ right?” She glanced at the demon, smiling sardonically.
He frowned, amber gaze boring into her. The silence loomed, tense and uncomfortable, and she went to break it before she was interrupted by the piercing screech of car tires, melding with panicked screams, and both celestial beings beheld the scene as it unfolded, almost in slow motion.
One of the kittens presumably escaped the box, Neji’s friend Lee dashing after it. He chased it to the street, scooping it up before it could run further away. Unfortunately, the dark-haired man failed to notice the vehicle careening toward him, going far too fast to come to a stop. Lee stood stock-still, resembling a deer in headlights, the small kitten squirming to get away in his large hands. The bellow of his name seemed to snap him into action, cradling the animal to his chest and curling in on himself for some sort of brace for the impact. At the last moment, Lee was vaulted out of the way, yanked back onto the sidewalk, another dark-haired man taking his place.
The car, a shiny blue, rammed into Neji, knocking him off his feet, his limp body rolling across the hood and off into the street. His limbs splayed haphazardly, unmoving. Tenten shouted his name, frantic, sprinting to her unconscious friend. Several pedestrians were already on their phones, contacting emergency services and police, gathering around the scene. Lee pushed his way through the crowd to join his friends. Tenten’s fingers were pressed against Neji’s neck, searching for signs of life, wailing once she did. The man grunted in pain, seizing as he attempted to move but fell lax once more. Mysteriously, his body began to emit a bright, white light, blinding to her eyes. The light pulsated a few times before dimming down to nothing, invisible to the people around him.
The cry of sirens echoed in stereo, police cars and an ambulance bursting onto the scene. The mob parted for the professionals, swarming Neji. While the officers interviewed the witnesses and the driver, they maneuvered the Hyuuga onto the stretcher, loading him into the ambulance, his two friends in tow.
“Ah,” Sasori sighed, shrugging lightly. “A pity.”
She turned to him, confused. “What happened?”
“He was willing to sacrifice his life for another; the ultimate ‘good deed,” he explained, gesturing toward the sky. “His soul belongs to you now.”
It took a moment for his words to process, but, once they did, she cheered, jumping into the air with joy. She twirled and danced, laughing in elation, grabbing Sasori’s hands, still warm despite the coolness of the leather, and spinning around him. He huffed a miniscule laugh, watching her in entertainment.
“Congratulations, Sakura,” he commended once she had calmed, hands still entwined with one another’s. “We’ll have to play this game again next time.”
She paused, her smile and spirit falling. “There is no next time,” she declared, not wanting to distance herself from him, but needing to. She pulled her hands away, folding them protectively against her chest. “I won, remember? You have to leave me alone.” She fought against the burn in her eyes. “Besides, I’d rather not see you again, anyway.”
He leaned toward her. “And why is that?”
“Because angels and demons aren’t supposed to be friendly with each other, Sasori,” she firmly reminded, though who she was reminding wasn’t clear. Her stomach twisted uncomfortably. “We’re eternal enemies, embroiled in this never-ending war for the souls of the humans.”
“Says who, though?”
She sighed in irritation. “The High Council, you know that.” Why is he playing dumb? “They were there for the Great War, when the Betrayers turned their backs on the One and fell from grace.”
A single red eyebrow lifted. “Is that the story they told you?”
“It’s not a story; it’s the truth,” she asserted. “The Betrayers rebelled against the One and their divine will, fighting the members of the High Council until they were defeated and casted out of the Heavenly Realm.” She crossed her arms defensively, reciting the lore all angels had heard since they were cherubs. “They continued to try and sneak their way back in for revenge, but they couldn’t hide their wings, which became dark, jagged, and ugly to symbolize their inability to conform to the Will. So, they were always caught before they got too far. Since their plan wouldn’t work, they formed the Under Realm and created demons to snatch souls the angels were trying to save.”
The demon hummed, shrugging. “I suppose that’s their truth.”
Her chin dipped as she argued, “There’s only one truth…Isn’t there?”
In lieu of answering her, he asked her a question. "Tell me, Sakura, have you ever heard the phrase ‘history is written by the victors’?” He didn’t wait for her to respond, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Your seraphs aren't as innocent as you want to believe they are.”
Her brow furrowed as she frowned at his declaration. "What do you mean?”
"I mean, you're so worried about not breaking their rules, but you fail to see that the only one truly adhering to them are you lower-ranked angels that they've brainwashed into doing so.” He stepped toward her, but only barely. “They only apply to you."
She knew she should’ve moved away from him, tell him to go and leave her alone like she demanded, but she couldn’t make her feet move. "...How do I know this isn't some trick you demons like to play?” she breathed, the bitter reality that he very well could be doing so turning her stomach sour.
"I'd never trick you, Sakura," he vowed, so sincere she truly believed him despite her instincts screaming not to. "You're so special. But you're also a poor, naïve girl that is being taken advantage of by some bad creatures. It makes me sick." He had picked the glove on his right hand off while he spoke, reaching out to cradle her cheek in his palm. The heat of his bare skin startled her initially, but she relaxed as the warmth permeated her. He smiled softly, gazing at her with a fondness that scared her. “I hope, one day, you’ll be willing to listen to a different version of the truth. But I don’t think you’re ready to hear it yet.” Her brow furrowed, and as she opened her mouth to question him further, he leaned forward, pressing his lips to the skin of her forehead. He lingered for one, two, three beats of her heart before he pulled away. Stroking her cheekbone with his thumb, he murmured, “When you’re ready to see me, all you need do is call. Until next time, my dear.”
Her ears rang with the distinct POP! of Sasori disappearing from the mortal realm as she stood dumbfounded, verdant gaze glued to where he once stood. Her forehead tingled with heat, like his lips had branded her, pulse galloping out of control.
What in the three worlds was that?!
Her face flushed, her hand rising to touch her fingers gingerly to where Sasori’s lips had been, thoughts in turmoil.
What did he mean, she wondered, about the Seraphs? And the ‘truth’ of what happened between the High Council and the Betrayers? And what was the meaning behind that kiss? Did she want there to be a meaning?
Guilt swarmed her; she hated that a part of her, however small, did want it to mean something.
She shook her head, pushing the enigmatic demon from her mind, turning her face toward the sky. She breathed deep, feeling the warmth of the heavenly realm’s light envelop her to bring her home.
Where I belong, she told herself. Away from Sasori and my confounding feelings about him.
Unbeknownst to the young angel, unseen by her jeweled eyes, from the bottom edge of her unfettered wings, rounded, petal pink feathers wafted down to the earth like leaves in autumn as she ascended.
Innocent plumage replaced by jagged, rose-colored ones.
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When Sasori opened his eyes, he was back in his home located in the Under Realm. With a sigh, he used his sharp teeth to rip the remaining glove from his hand, chucking the pair to the floor. Striding smoothly, he fell into a plush chair, stretching his legs out as his hands cupped the arm rests, fingers tapping as he contemplated his next move. The tip of his scorpion tail twisted and bent to and fro beside him, angled next to his head.
He was an expert at his craft; if he truly wanted to corrupt that Hyuuga man, he would have easily been able to do so right before Sakura’s pretty green eyes.
But that wasn’t the point.
As much as he despised waiting, corrupting the pink-haired angel was a long game he needed to play carefully. He’d already succeeded in weaseling his way into garnering her affection, and now that he’d planted the seeds of doubt in her thoughts, he simply needed to give her time to come back to him.
And she would, he was sure. He’d observed her for quite some time, so he knew exactly how her curious nature could work against her. She’d been scolded enough times for it.
He suddenly frowned, anger burning in his chest at the injustice of someone like Sakura suffering under their rule, and not even being aware of it. They had her, and all the angels in the Heavenly Realm, so indoctrinated they would never even think to question anything they were being spoon-fed. He despised the High Council for many reasons, the most important being how they cheated in the Great War with their underhanded tactics, then had the audacity to continue promoting themselves as moral or just beings, Danzo at the forefront of the worst.
He was the instigator for the war, after all.
But, alas, that would never be the version of the story they’d tell. Then they’d have to contend with another rebellion. However, what the High Council didn’t realize was that there was another war on the horizon, and this time, the Under Realm would come out on top.
He smirked, relaxing. All the pieces were in play, exactly as they should be. Nothing to be done now except to let them work in his favor.
No matter what happened, as long as he had Sakura by his side, he would count himself victorious regardless.
Artist: Ari