The following morning, Sasuke wakes up and as he stretches his limbs, he's immediately greeted with a sharp pain in his feet. This is when he recalls the prior day's events. He lets out a pained hiss, halting all movements. "Tch," he clicks his tongue, silently cursing as he pulls his legs out from under the covers. 'I need a bathroom,' he realizes, eying the door before glancing at the clock hovering above the archway. It reads 9:37 AM. It's still early. Sasuke lies back down, frustrated and humiliated – two things he's grown prone to feeling.

As the lock nears 10:00, Koharu enters the room and Sasuke readies himself for a mouthful. "You left your room last night," she accuses.

"I needed to see Sakura," the brunet tells her, sitting up as she nears his bedside.

"I told you not to leave your room," she whispers harshly. "You disobeyed me. That's a strike."

"I don't understand why you forbade me from leaving," Sasuke responds, desperate for answers. "I don't understand any of this. Why can't I go outside? Why do you need to purify the rooms when people die? And why –" before he can finish, he's cut off.

Koharu raises a palm and brings it across his face, silencing him. He doesn't make a sound after that. "You mustn't talk back to me," she hisses at him, holding his face in her hands and staring into his eyes. "Consider this your second warning and try to remember what happens after three strikes. Promise me you won't do this again."

"I promise," he says, fear-stricken.

"Say the words," she demands, tightening her grip.

"I promise I won't disobey you," he chokes out.

"Good," she sighs, letting go of him.

He exhales slowly. "I need to go to the bathroom," he murmurs after a moment's silence.

"Right..." she states tersely. "I'll fetch someone to take you." She exits and no more than a minute later, Kiba turns into the room.

Sasuke forces a bitter smile as he rubs the palm-print on his stinging cheek. "Come to take care of your mess?"

"Don't say it like that..." the shaggy-haired man mutters. He hooks one arm under Sasuke's knees and the other behind his back, lifting him off the bed and carrying him out of the room.

As they enter the male worker's bathing area, Kiba takes Sasuke to the first empty bathroom. "How far I've fallen," Sasuke murmurs forlornly, lifting his robe up as Kiba helps him sit on the toilet.

"Don't worry," Kiba says, politely turning around as Sasuke does his business.

He lets out a long sigh of relief as he empties his bladder and Kiba lets out a poorly suppressed snicker. Sasuke can't help but chuckle as well. "I know I had hardly any dignity before..." he starts, "but this is just... really degrading."

"Again, don't worry," Kiba insists, turning around once he hears a flush. "It's my fault, after all. I did this to you." He nears the tub, turning the tap on. Once it gets warm, he plugs the drain and allows it to fill.

"You had to," Sasuke reasons. "If it wasn't you, then they would have sent someone else."

"I guess," Kiba mutters. Once the tub is full, he helps Sasuke up. Sasuke sits on the rim of the tub and discards his robe before slowly sinking into the water, legs dangling over the edge so he won't dampen the bandages.

"Join me," Sasuke requests. "The bathrooms don't have cameras in them."

Kiba is taken aback. "Why?"

"Join me and I'll tell you something interesting," Sasuke coaxes.

"Interesting...?" Kiba questions slowly, curiosity taking over.

Sasuke nods. "Trust me, it's something you'll want to hear about."

Kiba flushes, feeling hesitant.

"Are you married?" Sasuke questions, though he already knows the answer. Of course Kiba isn't married. If he was, he wouldn't be working in a place like this. "Don't worry, I won't touch you."

"I had a wife," he admits. "Karui..."

"What happened?" Sasuke frowns.

"She got murdered for taking a stand against our status," he says distantly. "Rebellions never work. Everyone was too scared so she stood alone and they killed her. I didn't see it happen. One day she just disappeared. Days later some men brought me back a large black bag. I opened it. She was in pieces. I tried to kill myself that night, but I couldn't go through with it. She knew the risks of what she was doing. She wanted to make things better for people like us. It's impossible. I'm a fucking coward for not standing with her. I'll never forgive myself for it."

"I'm sorry," Sasuke says with remorse.

Kiba shakes it off before reaching for the rim of his shirt and removing it. Sasuke watches as more and more muscled, tanned skin is revealed. When Kiba is bare, he sits in the tub next to Sasuke. "So...?" he says expectantly.

"You're from the slums, right?" Sasuke asks, turning his head to the side and staring straight into the other man's eyes.

"Yeah, been there since I was born," Kiba answers with a nod. "Most of my friends disappeared. I assume most of them were trafficked and put in places like this or sold as slaves for homes or labs... but not me. I was never really good looking or special... but I guess it worked in my favor. I was always able to slip under the radar."

"Well, you're not bad looking," Sasuke says lightly, and it's true. Kiba might not be soft or pretty, but he's got a charm that's more masculine. That sort of physical strength isn't a sought after trait when it comes to slaves. Strength and rebellion go hand in hand and it takes more to subdue someone strong. It's expensive to use drugs, so it's easier to go after someone frailer.

Kiba only chuckles in response, shrugging his shoulders lightly.

"I think I grew up quite isolated," Sasuke decides to start. "I know I had a family at some point, though... I had parents, aunts, uncles, cousins... a brother... They were all killed. I just remember running. I got caught, but I didn't get killed like them. I don't know why. I remember that the man was very large... He bent down, removed his mask and stared at me for a minute before telling me to run as far and fast as I could. So I did. I was only five. I didn't really understand what was happening, but I obeyed. I spent the rest of my freedom in the slums. They came and went while I watched... but eventually I was one of the ones to leave. The same man who let me go came back for me. He took me here and apparently got quite a pretty price for me. I've been here ever since."

"Shit," Kiba deadpans. He bites his lip, staring intently at Sasuke, raking over his soft facial features before looking into his deep, dark eyes. "Hey..." he pauses. "This might sound weird and uncalled for, but did we know each other?"

Sasuke smiles a small, bitter smile. "I think we did... though back then I went by S – my initial. They made me forget some things, but you... I remember you for some reason."

"Shit," Kiba murmurs in disbelief, reaching forward and grabbing Sasuke's face – examining him with narrow eyes. "I knew you looked familiar... I just couldn't remember where from... I thought you were a fucking girl!"

"Everyone did," Sasuke states. "I just let them... I thought it would be safer that way."

"But you were wrong," Kiba says. "I mean... look where you ended up."

"This didn't happen because I was supposedly female," Sasuke snorts. "A prostitute's sex doesn't matter. This happened because I'm an Uchiha. The man who let me go told me that, no matter what, I couldn't tell people who I was. If I did, it'd get me into trouble."

"Why?" Kiba asks.

"We were cultists," Sasuke murmurs. "At least, that's what I've been told. It's all I've been told. You must have heard?"

"Yeah," Kiba admits softly. "Do you think it's true?"

Sasuke shrugs his shoulders lightly. "I still don't really know for sure ... but I suppose it doesn't matter now. My name is the reason I was sold for such a high price. I thought the man who saved me was trying to keep me safe, but he came back for me later. I guess he just wanted me to stay safe until he could sell me off. I don't understand it, but I we can't ask these questions and expect the truth. If we pry too much, we only get punished for it... Three strikes and it's off to the Red Room. I don't want to ever go back there, so I try to behave."

Kiba clicks his tongue. "That's so wrong, man... How long have you been... y'know...?"

"Since I turned fifteen," Sasuke says with a frown. "It was awful... the first time..." He wrinkles his nose, shaking away the memory. "You cared about me, didn't you?" he asks, changing the subject. "A long time ago, at least..."

"Yeah," Kiba admits. "Hell, I had a bit of a crush on you. I wasn't the only one, either. Do you remember a blond kid?" Sasuke nods thoughtfully with a very faint recollection as Kiba continues, "We kind of competed over you... Heh... He wanted to find you so fucking badly when you disappeared... I told him to just give up because no one who leaves the slums ever comes back. Nonetheless, he didn't give up... but one day, he disappeared just like you and I knew that was it."

"I wonder where he is now," Sasuke muses aloud.

"Probably a laboratory..." Kiba shrugs his shoulders. "I wish I knew for sure... but I don't even remember his damn name."

"Neither do I... It's been fourteen years."

"Well... I'm glad you're alive," Kiba says.

"I'm glad you're alive, too," Sasuke returns the sentiment.

Without another word, Kiba takes the shampoo, pouring a bit into the palm of his hand. He begins washing Sasuke, like one would wash a child. Sasuke closes his eyes and allows it to happen, not minding the treatment.

After rinsing off, Kiba helps Sasuke out of the tub and sits him on the counter. "Here," he says, handing him a towel before throwing his own clothes back on.

Sasuke takes it and starts drying himself off. "You're kind..."

"What?" Kiba asks.

"You're kind," Sasuke repeats, putting his robe back on, "and a place like this doesn't suit kind people, nor those modest in nature."

"Are you modest?" the shaggy-haired man pries.

"I used to be," Sasuke admits, "but dignity, pride, modesty... things like that are stripped away quickly here. I tried to hold fast, but it was impossible. If you don't let those things go, then you'll never stay sane. Now I'm just like any other whore. I do my job and I do it well."

"Villa Joy," Kiba says aloud. "What an ironic name."

||XxXx||

After bathing, Kiba dropped Sasuke off back in his room. He's been there ever since, trying to entertain himself but one can only do so much. Soon Koharu enters the room, smile in place. "Sasuke, you have a client," she lightly informs him.

Sasuke's sits up, frowning. "I'm not ready," he states, not having had time to prepare himself with oils or fragrances.

Her smile doesn't falter even a bit. Ignoring his weak protest, she moves aside and allows room for a stern looking man to enter – the president.

"Danzo Shimura," Sasuke greets flatly, though he's somewhat relieved to find it's him and not someone who refuses to be careful. He's always careful because, in his words, whores are dirty.

"Please take care of our guest, Sasuke," Koharu simpers in a sweet, polite tone, shutting the door on her way out.

"It's been a while," Danzo speaks, taking his jacket off and approaching the bed.

"Yes," Sasuke says.

"I thought it would be fitting to pay you another visit," the older man continues. "After all, I was your first client, was I not?"

Sasuke only nods, trying hard not to recall that night. It's hardly a pleasing memory. "I like to think I've changed since then."

"And you have," Danzo assures him. "You were young. You cried when I touched you."

Sasuke keeps his expression stoic. "Virginity is often a task to get rid of," he says evenly. "That especially holds true in places such as these."

"You were inexperienced and shy," Danzo adds. "You didn't know what to expect."

"I broke every rule that night," Sasuke sighs. "Three rules and three strikes."

"You paid for it." Danzo reaches for the tie on Sasuke's robe, undoing it and letting the fabric slide off his shoulders and pool around his waist. Danzo touches Sasuke's chest, brushing his hands past his nipples and down his pale, flat stomach. "You're just as beautiful as you were the first time," he says with roaming hands.

Sasuke gives him a coy smile.

"Does Koharu still have cameras up?"

"Yes," he says.

"That woman is perverse," Danzo murmurs and Sasuke forces out a brief laugh, unable to disagree. Danzo reaches for the canopy curtains, pulling them closed around the side of the bed the camera spies on.

What surprises Sasuke is the relief and gratitude he feels towards Danzo. He's a cruel man, but there are times when it's as if he knows what Sasuke is thinking and he humours him. Those times are few and far between, but Sasuke still comes to appreciate them.

Danzo grabs the oils and Sasuke removes his robe the rest of the way, setting it aside and lying down on his back. Soon, Danzo joins him on the bed and Sasuke chooses to welcome the tender treatment. He'll try to enjoy it. He closes his eyes and holds his knees to his chest as he's touched with gently prying fingers

"If you had one wish," Danzo starts, "What would it be?" He often asks questions like this during their visits. He isn't a talker like some of Sasuke's other clients, but he likes to get into the minds of people.

Sasuke opens half-lidded eyes, staring up at the man. "One wish?"

"Anything in the world."

Sasuke presses his lips together before allowing them to part. "I'd wish to fall in love."

"Love," Danzo repeats, amused by the answer.

"Yes, I want to experience love before I die," Sasuke admits. "Even if it's fleeting, though I'd prefer that it wasn't."

"You'll be free someday," Danzo reminds him, "so your wish might come true."

Sasuke smiles sadly. "I'll be free when my looks have faded... Is it hard to find love if you're not beautiful?"

"I wouldn't know," Danzo admits. "I've never been much for the romanticisms that attract the youth in this day and age. Love isn't something I have, nor something I want. I'm too busy for such trivialities."

"Oh," Sasuke says.

"You've still got a good fifteen to twenty years of beauty left in the least," Danzo adds. "So I wouldn't worry."

"Hm," Sasuke considers.

After the conversation dies down, Sasuke sits up and kneels, careful not to put any weight on his feet. He unzips Danzo's pants and settles on his lap. "You're bolder," the older man notices.

"I'm well practised," Sasuke responds and this time, unlike the last, he comes. He lets out a string of moans and continues riding the man throughout his orgasm. "All the rumors t-told me you were violent," he says in a strained voice.

"I can be," Danzo smiles perversely. "I have little patience for people who make things difficult for me."

"I see..." Sasuke breathes.

"You're much more interesting like this. I would buy you, but Koharu is unable to part with her favorite toy."

"I'm here to please," Sasuke says easily.

"You need to learn not to listen to all the things told to you," Danzo continues in a hushed tone. "Question everything because humans are the worst liars."

Sasuke laughs melodically at the statement. "Of course. What else on this earth has the power to tell a lie?"

Danzo smiles, but doesn't respond. He's already said too much. If Koharu knew, Sasuke wouldn't be the only one getting scolded... but one of the few things Danzo enjoys greatly are games.

||XxXx||

"Three strikes," Anko says after Sasuke's visit is through. He's still slick from the oils, but upon her intrusion, he hurries to put his robe on.

"Why?" he falters. He stands up, ignoring the stinging pain in his feet and trying not to put too much weight on his heels.

"Koharu says you hid from her," Anko states. "You know how much she hates that. The cameras are up to keep the workers safe, you know."

Sasuke wants to scoff at the ridiculousness of the blatant lie, but he stops himself. Instead, his heart sinks, but he doesn't show it. "I wasn't the one to move the curtains," he states.

"But you were probably relieved," she says knowingly. "I get it, kid. It's embarrassing when you know someone is watching you."

Sasuke remains tight-lipped.

"Isn't that right?" she asks, moving her palms up and down his clothed abdomen. He remains silent and tight-jawed. "Hey, answer me," she demands, undoing the loose knot to his robe and leaving him exposed. She grows angry at his lack of response and facetiously apathetic disposition. "I said," she repeats impatiently, "Isn't that right, whore?"

"Stop," he says, voice flat and free of emotion.

"For fuck's sake," she hisses, shoving him to the ground. It's not a particularly rough push, but he stumbles, causing a shock of pain to travel up his legs. "Quick acting so high and mighty, kiddo."

Sasuke lets out a dry chuckle, readjusting his robe and retying the knot. "Does coming in here to shout at me make you feel better about yourself?" he asks, slowly standing up once more. "Or does it just anger you when I don't react the way you want me to?"

Anko releases a sharp breath, raising her hand and smacking him across the face. Sasuke's head swings to the side, but he doesn't make a sound. She lets out an angry sob, whirling her hand across his face once more. He takes it silently as she does it again and again. When she stops, his jaw feels numb and his lip is bleeding. "Are you finished?" he asks, touching his fingers to his mouth.

"I don't know yet," she murmurs, rubbing her knuckles.

"You're not supposed to hit me, you know," he points out factually. "No one will want me if I don't look good. That's where my value lies."

"Wrong," Anko says hoarsely. "Your value lies in your name and all of this is your punishment for being part of such a grimy race."

Sasuke dismisses that, knowing even if he pries that the answers he gets will only be riddles. "What if Koharu sees?"

"It doesn't matter," she says, drawing nearer until their bodies are touching. "She isn't in her office."

"Nonetheless, she will be angry if I'm not making her money," he continues, refusing to be the first to break eye contact. "She says I'm her greatest investment. If that changes..."

"Like I said, it won't... but if it does..." Anko smirks, sticking out her tongue and licking the blood from his lips. "You'll end up in a far worse position than you already are in," she finishes knowingly. "The Red Room won't just be a place of punishment; it'll be your new home. And trust me... people would pay a lot to abuse that little body of yours. You can't win here. Whores don't get to choose. Besides, you'll be looking a lot worse by tonight."

"Ah, yes, I forgot," Sasuke says airily.

"Oh, how I love these visits of ours," she bites out before leaving.

||XxXx||

Sasuke takes it upon himself, accepting his discipline. He leaves his room and walks down the narrow hallway and down each flight of stairs. Soon, he's in the basement. It's distantly familiar and the floors are cold against his bandaged feet. The last time he was here was when he was fifteen and he learned that there was a particular reason they called it the Red Room. By the time his punishment was done, it was red with blood – his blood. Soon it would be once more.