An Assassin's Error

Disclaimer: I, Lady Sassy Sas, do hereby disclaim all rights to the wonderful world that is Naruto.

Her hair was pinned in a hill of curls at the top of her head with a few ringlets allowed loose. The make-up she wore was heavy and uncomfortable for one who rarely had necessity for such a thing. The shoes, although low in heel, were rubbing against the back of her ankle and put too much pressure on the balls of her feet. And the dress, though extremely pretty in a rich purple outlined by gold and silver threading with a shimmery forest green sash encompassed both her back and front, going over her right shoulder and pinned at her left hip, was voluminous and heavy.

She huffed in the mirror and looked at the headdress which was woven through her hair. It was the only redeeming feature in the whole get-up. It was made from milky pearls and a fine silver chain with an arrangement of small, precious, expensive stones. The biggest one (but still quite small) was set to drop and stay on the centre of her forehead; an emerald.

She had distaste for most things expensive but she would be sure that her employer would get this piece of jewellery for her. Afterall, if she was forced into this farce it was only right she get something she wanted in return.

Sighing, she spun on her heel; head held high she made her way to the Crow's dance.

Stepping out of the carriage she had a few words with the footman before picking up her skirts so she could walk properly, she headed up to the grand doors of the white mansion. As she passed the huge, ornate fountain in the middle she couldn't help but notice the statue in the middle. Not lingering she held out her invite for the doorman to see and was allowed to step in.

Momentarily dazzled by the bright lights coming from the crystal chandeliers above in the high vaulted ceilings she carefully took in her surroundings. The room was magnificent and showed just how wealthy the owner was (not that the outside didn't do the same). She took in a deep breath, expanding her ribcage as much as the damned corset would allow her.

There were many people already present and a majority were dancing to the music playing. It was a sea of colours, swirling and twirling, and threatening to devour her whole if she descended.

But as she stood at the top of the marble staircase and gazed out over the dancing crowd her heart thudded. She hadn't realised until it was too late just how much she had underestimated, and was now underprepared. She had been mistaken. This was no easy task; it would be a tiring battle of intrigue, emotions and wits….she smiled wickedly.

It was going to be fun. So without so much as a hint of hesitancy, she graciously floated down the stairs to meet her fate.

"Care for a dance, milady?"

Sakura glanced at the hand extended to her and followed it all the way up to bowed head with ebony hair. It was not the first time she had been asked but it was the first time that night she would accept. So, dipping into a low curtsy she replied, "It would be a pleasure, sir."

She took the proffered hand and allowed the young man, who may or may not have been a year older than her; take the lead as he swept her out and onto the dance floor.

"Is this your first time to this estate?"

Her bright, intelligent eyes held his as she took him in before she gave a shallow nod, "It is."

He gave her a shrewd look which made her think he didn't believe her but if he did he just ignored it and carried on, "Are you from around these parts?"

Looking to the left as they swept past the staircase she spotted her target but answered him before suspicion could be aroused, "Somewhat."

"Somewhat? That's a vague answer if there ever was one." He gave a soft snort of amusement.

"What about you, sir? Are you from around the area?"

"I suppose you could say that. My family owns the third largest estate in these parts."

A Nara. How interesting.

"The famous Nara's. How are the deer? I hear your family had a bad scare."

He raised his eyebrow in surprise but smiled slightly, "Ah. Some sort of virus took hold but with the help of Inuzuka Hana and the Yamanaka's they recovered well enough. And what family do you belong to, if you don't mind such a bold question?"

Sakura narrowed her eyes slightly but smiled sweetly. It was coming to the end of the dance and she had to make her move before any other ladies came along. Once they stopped she rose onto her toes and brought his head forward and down slightly to whisper in his ear, "You already figured that out when you asked me to dance."

Pulling back she shared a smirk with him before turning and walking in the direction of her target. She stopped as he spoke to her.

"Whatever job you've accepted, abort it. What you're about to do will be catastrophic not just for you, or me, or the country but the nations."

A chill went down her spine but she straightened and continued on her way.

…

She lingered by a pillar and the table with food and drinks. She watched as the man carried on talking to whom she would describe as friends; two had dark hair, one with soft brown and the other with golden blonde. The man in question had silver.

And every time she looked at him it sent her heart racing and her tummy floating. She had lost the nerve to ask him to dance; Nara's words repeated in the back of her mind – it had nothing to do with being nervous.

"You can't do it, can you?"

She jumped when she heard the voice and scowled as he came to stand to her side.

"I can."

"Then why haven't you moved yet? You've passed up five opportunities to ask him to dance in the half hour you've been standing here. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you've lost your nerve."

"Who asked for your opinion?" she snapped.

He raised his hands in supplication and leaned back, "No need to bite my head off. But what you've been asked to do will be troublesome to say the least."

Sakura scoffed but kept her eyes trained on the silver-haired man. She had seen him around the village and out hunting in the forests. He had a calm air about him at all times and a silent confidence exuded from him but none of it took away from his friendly demeanour or the intelligence that lay behind the eyes and mask.

This man was a quandary.

"I don't know what to do. I had it all planned out right to the last detail but as soon as I stepped onto the landing at the top of the stairs?" she threw up her hands in lieu of an explanation.

Nara smirked slightly his eyes trained on her. She was an interesting woman to say the least. He had seen her stalking the man for the last month or so, and he was sure that Hatake and those around him had noticed as well. It was partly why he had come up with the plan of a ball; luring out the enemy could work magnificently if done well.

"Why not ask him to dance?"

Sakura's head whipped around as a look of incredulity marred her face. He shrugged and nodded to his friend, "They've all noticed you tailing him for the best part of the month. In fact, this ball was planned in the hopes of bringing you out and into the open, and in a long shot, your employer. Nobody's going to hurt you of give you over to the police."

Sakura continued to look at him with a mixture of horror and admiration. This ball was a ruse? To lure her in? It was ingenious. It was brilliant. It was her downfall.

She turned her gaze back to Hatake Kakashi only to be brought up short when she found him looking directly at her. She was still frozen as he excused himself and in a few strides came to stand in front of her. Her heart raced as he took her hand and brought it up to his mouth and planted a soft kiss on it and asked her to dance.

Felt as her head nodded and he led her to the dance floor. She was only pulled from her daze when she felt him wrap an arm around her waist and pulled her close.

"What are you doing!?" she hissed indignantly.

"Dancing." He half smiled at her. "I thought that much was obvious."

She was about to reply with a sarcastic comment but stopped herself. What was the point? If what Nara said was true then the element of surprise was long gone. She may as well enjoy the dance with what time was left to her.

Lifting her gaze to his she let the rest of the room melt away, let her doomed mission fade into the background, let herself be. They spun and spun and spun in a never ending dance and she loved it. She knew when she reported back that there would be severe consequences and the payment for such failure would be her life but she couldn't bring herself to care.

"I was supposed to kill you tonight."

"I know."

"I still could."

"I know."

"I'm not going to."

"I know."

She gave him a disgruntled look but he just smirked back at her much to her ire.

"You, sir, are a cocky son of a bitch."

"I know that, too."

"Is there anything you don't know?"

He made a show of thinking as he brought his arm up and twirled her under it and brought her back much closer than before, breathed, "You."

Sakura felt her heart stutter and her face heat as she stepped back from him. She had no idea how to respond to that. And then she realised that the whole room had gone silent and thought they were watching them but she caught a flicker in Kakashi's eyes as they looked behind her.

Turning all the blood fled from her face. She gulped but that was the only movement she made as a man with dark hair approached a look of undisguised fury on his face.

"I don't think you'll get to know me after tonight, Hatake-sama." She said in a low tone.

As she moved forward she felt Kakashi reach for her but she subtly avoided his grasp. She turned her head, giving him the side profile of her face. "I'm sorry."

And then she continued on, meeting her employer halfway up the stairs where he grabbed her upper arm tightly and dragged her out of the estate.

"You failed, Haruno."

"I know."

"You will receive punishment."

"I know."

"Punishment is death."

"I know."

She met his irritated glare, "What don't you know?"

A feral grin spread across her face as she made her reply at the same time the carriage jolted into motion.

"Death."

Well...this came into my head and I had to write it (it distracted me too much to carry on writing my own original story). It's also an impromptu present of sorts for a friend on here and dA: Vickerooni!

It's un-beta'd and - as per usual - the pacing is jarring but I am really trying to improve on pacing among other things.

Read and review or lurk and read, whatever floats your boat.

Much love!

Lady Sassy Sas xXx