It was that special time of the morning when a gentle fog would seep into the grounds of the Marble Palace and fill your lungs with fresh, warm air. The palace was quiet at this time of day, with only the peacocks roaming int he gardens and the butterflies flitting about the flowers, catching onto sunbeams. The mist of the scent of jasmine lifted up from a shallow hot spring that was warming up with sunlight. Secluded by the thick trunks of tall palm trees, shrubbery and vines, the spring was the perfect temperature at this time of day.
The girl the world now knew to be Renai, was stood in that shallow spring, the sunlight shimmering on the water and on her skin as she stood in all her nakedness. She was totally isolated from the outside world as one side of the spring was the palace and the walkway to her quarters and on the other side of her, the jungle was so thick and vibrant in colour that she was hidden from view. She stood beneath a small waterfall, letting the water run through her silken black hair, smiling as the warm water seemed to seep into her soul and woke her up.
The air was so warm, the water so gentle, the fragrance of jungle flowers so intoxicating, that Ai was almost lost to another world. She sang softly, underneath her breath, words of love and lust could be heard, mixing in with the sound of running water and birdsong.
"Ah!" The girl turned in fright as she heard the unwelcome sound of rustling in the jungle beyond. Staring into the greenery, she looked lost an innocent as her brow furrowed and her big blue eyes became round in fear. Her hair fell on one side of her neck, water droplets dropping from her head and into the water of the spring. Eventually her face adorned an inviting pout. "So you still spy on me?" She asked, turning back to the waterfall and continuing to bathe.
Two opal orbs which shone in the shade of the palm trees, glittered as she spoke before a vanishing. A figure emerged from its flowery hiding place; a man, almost a stranger, stood tall between the vines. His red robes flowing around him in the breeze.
"The great Kazekage has come to spy on a goddess as she bathes?" She smirked over her shoulder at him, "this is shameless even for your standards- ah!" In less than a moment, Ai's head hit Gaara's chest, her hands were up in his hair, tugging at his crimson locks without mercy, her rear was pushed up and into him with impatience. His lips were on her neck, one hand around her waist in embrace, the other on that sweet spot on her womanhood. He handled her gently as she gasped at the delicate treatment form his hands and lips. Ai was grinding into her lover with reckless lust. "What took you so long to come and find me, Gaara? I've been so lonely without you."
"I'm here," Gaara whispered, trying to contain himself as Ai's rear rubbed against his crotch. Her skin was wet and warm, slipping from his grasp, he was caught up in her gasps of his name and the feel of her writhing in front of him-
"Ai, what's the matter?" The courtesan was woken from her dreams to the sound of Sasuke's voice. As she opened her eyes, images of the garden left her and were replaced by her bedroom in the Marble palace. She lifted her head and looked down between her legs to find Sasuke crouching at the foot of her bed, his lips wet and eyes sparkling with lust.
"What do you mean?" The girl asked softly trying to blink sleep away from her eyes.
The two were on Ai's bed, Sasuke fully clothed, had slipped into Ai's room to wake her up and decided to use a rather unorthodox method to achieve this. He had found her sleeping in a dangerously thin purple night dress that was held together by a single pink ribbon at her waist. The material was silky and slipped off her curves with ease. The Uchiha had smirked upon seeing the tiny loose ribbon; it was so like Ai to appear delicate and sweet but offer a hint to the vixen she could be. It is what made her so intriguing to him; how far did he have to push that sweet girl until he whore in her came out? It was always a rewarding challenge. As he had untied her ribbon he smiled at her lips which were a sweet-pink hue and her dark hair falling in angelic curls on her pillow. Sometimes she looked like the moonrise to the man who knew nothing of beauty. But now she was blinking at him through tired eyes; a small smile on her face after seeing him crouching between her legs and suddenly finding herself with her night dress open.
"You are not yourself." He said gently before climbing on top of her and holding himself above her. Ai put her hands on his chest and took a deep breath in as she adjusted to the morning.
"I'm barely awake," she smiled, trying to rid herself of the dream she had been having. Slowly sounds of the morning crept into her ears; the birdsong beyond her balcony, the sound of running water rushing from the hot spring outside. The fragrance of jasmine tea was flooding the palace along with morning sunshine.
"Oh," Sasuke seemed to scoff, causing Ai to frown.
"What?" She asked innocently although she had a feeling she knew what was coming.
"I thought you were awake," the man murmured.
"What made you think that?"
"You were moaning," Sasuke shrugged and after a moments thought added: "and talking."
"Oh?" Ai was already blushing.
"You were saying his name," as he said it, Sasuke moved away from her and went to sit next to her.
"Oh," Ai looked up at the ceiling as Sasuke moved away and contemplated as she took in the roof of the canopy above her bed. She frowned; did she owe Sasuke fidelity? They had never spoken about anything like that. Propping herself up onto her elbows, Ai turned to him. "Should I apologise?" She asked
"No," Sasuke shrugged, "I assumed you were thinking about the both of us." The girls eyes widened; had she heard correctly? A small smile of disbelief was creeping onto her face. Wondering why she hadn't said anything, Sasuke turned to her and noticed her look of shock. "What's the matter?"
"You say that with absolutely no inhibition," Ai responded, her smile widening.
"I don't understand."
"You've never said anything like that to me," as Ai began to laugh, Sasuke became frustrated, not comprehending what was so funny.
"So?" He asked with a slight growl of impatience.
"So I want to hear about it!" (A/N: You and me both, Ai.) Ai exclaimed in excitement.
"Why?"
"I don't know it intrigues me!"
"Why?" Sasuke's patience wore out as the girl sat up and began to laugh. Was she laughing at him? It was hard to tell.
"Because after months of wondering what it is you are thinking about when you're silent, I now have some indication!" Ai sat up and knelt on the bed in excitement, looking at Sasuke as though she had never seen him before. Sasuke's dark eyes looked back at her with a totally blank expression; it was the first time he had ever seen her excited, in fact it was the first time he had ever heard her laugh. Ai's laughter subsided and she moved a little closer to him before whispering: "You think of sharing me." At the sound of her laughter Sasuke stood in anger. "I never would have thought! Sasuke, don't be like this!" Ai called to him as he walked away towards her bedroom door. "Wouldn't you like to know my thoughts on the matter?" Sasuke stopped dead in his tracks and it was his turn to wonder if he had heard correctly. He turned back to see Ai holding her dress together, kneeling on her bed. But her smile from before had been replaced by a look of mischief and seduction. She was biting her lip, beckoning him with her eyes.
"You," Sasuke turned to her fully, "have thoughts?" As Ai nodded, Sasuke found his feet were already walking him towards her. "You've thought about it?" He asked as he approached her. Sasuke could tell her mouth was already watering, he could see her nipples through her dress hardening, the way she was sitting indicated an immense excitement. He took her face in his hands. "Tell me," he commanded as Ai moved up to meet his lips-
"Ai?" The two jumped as Madara called to her from beyond her bedroom. She began to re-tie her the ribbon of her dress and stood from her bed in case Madara tried to enter.
"Yes, Sensei?" She called back as she walked to her door, her teacher's voice becoming louder as she got closer to him.
"Dress and come down at once. There is someone here to meet you." As Ai reached her door, her eyes widened in surprise.
"To meet-"
"Sasuke you were supposed to have left already for your mission," Madara called, much to Ai and Sasuke's embarrassment. "Do not delay."
***
Dressed in green the colour of jungle leaves, lips a luscious pink, rubies and emeralds around her wrists, neck and ankles, Ai floated through the Marble Palace with haste as she walked on to meet her visitor. Her mind was racing, her eyes watching the dancing sunbeams as they streamed in through the windows, her heart beating fast with anticipation; who could it be who had come to see her? It seemed her life was constantly punctuated with these unexpected meetings. And each one often changed the course of destiny; Gaara, Jiraiya, Kankuro, Taki, Itachi, Sasuke…each of them had made a profound change in her life after what felt like a chance encounter. Her footsteps hurried, her smile widening as she wondered who it could be. She approached the main hall and pushed open the doors in excitement.
"Ai." Her smile faded as Madara was simply stood by himself in the middle of the hall. Slits for archers were the only 'windows' in this room; on either side small slithers of light entered the room. It had to be lit by large hanging lanterns that hung from the ceiling.
"Sensei?" Ai called out uncertainly and walked towards him slowly. Try as she might, she still could not warm to that cold mask. Although, this morning, she could somehow tell he was smiling.
"I have someone to introduce you to," Madara informed her.
"I have a visitor?"
"Indeed," her sensei replied with affection; she had a very innocent voice that hid to anyone the destruction she could cause. "Someone who has been looking for you for years." As Ai approached him she gasped.
"Could it be," she wondered as he put his hands on her shoulders. "Kai-sama?" She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, was she about to see the man who was responsible for her creation? The girl was smiling from ear to ear as Madara turned her by her shoulders to face the doors through which she had first entered. "Ah!" Ai's smile was wiped from her face as a cloaked figure entered with an icy breeze. The room seemed to plunge itself into semi darkness, as though the day had turned to night only in this part of the palace.
Ai gulped and felt a shiver of disgust go down her spine as she took in the sight of a serpent slithering its way towards her. A man, or what Ai could just about call a man, with a gaunt face, protruding tongue that seemed to be smelling the air, scaly skin and a distinctive line of purple around his eyes, was walking towards her.
"Renai, it is an honour!" He announced to the room but Ai was a little taken aback. The man came accompanied with the sound of hissing.
"Utukushi (pretty one)," Madara encouraged her, "speak to our guest, won't you?" But Ai was lost for words.
"Oh won't you, pretty one? I have wandered for years wishing to stand in your healing light." The man stopped in his tracks. Ai cleared her throat and tried to ignore the feeling of disgust as she sensed something wriggling inside the man's cloak.
"What is it you are after, stranger?" She asked.
"My name is Kabuto and I am your enteral servant," he bowed to her, giving Ai a better look at his skin in the dim light; pale, dry, scales were etched on his skin. "I have brought you gifts!" He exclaimed
"Gifts?"
"This is the next stage of our strategy, Renai," Madara informed her. Ai was beginning to feel claustrophobic between the two men; both were clearly powerful, both were clearly in desire of her. "We need your power."
"What power can I provide?" The woman asked, "I barely know myself."
"Sweet girl," the man called Kabuto smiled at her, revealing small fangs, his long tongue darting out of his mouth. "Don't you know the role Renai plays?" Ai cleared her throat.
"The goddess of Love. She guards the gates of heaven."
"Not quite, utukushi," Madara whispered. "She is the doorway between life and death."
"What do you mean?" As she asked, Ai turned back to Madara, a look of panic barely hidden on her featured. Sensei-"
"Kuchiyose no Jutsu (summoning jutsu)." Ai almost lost her balance as Kabuto summoned something behind her. Turning back to the snake-like man and suddenly aware of her vulnerability being in the room with these two, Ai was surprised to see four large wooden boxes now standing between her and Kabuto.
Ai was not prepared for the sight that greeted her when the top to these boxes fell away to the floor.
"Ah!" She gasped but could barely hear it, even the sound of the wood hitting the floor was distant as the blood rushing in her ears became louder, defeating her to any other sound. The wooden boxes were not boxes at all but coffins and their contents alarmed and sickened her, but she could not tear her gaze away from one figure in particular. The body of a man with hair a familiar shade of red, a broad physique and tanned skin was propped upright in one of the boxes. Ai was trembling, shaking, barely able to find her voice as she took in the sight of Gaara's deceased father.