Note: I've read the Iliad, I've read the Odyssey, I've read Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida, and I just recently finished Chaucer's Troilus and Criseyde. Their story breaks me.
Prompt: 001 threat
Characters/Pairings: Sasuke, Itachi, Madara, Sakura; Sasuke/Sakura
Warnings: AU, flirty!Sasuke
Summary: A young girl finds herself at the mercy of the Uchiha clan in the midst of the Great War.

The Great War began when the young Prince Naruto stole Lady Hinata of the House Hyuuga away from her family nearly seven years ago.

Engaged to Itachi Uchiha, heir to the House Uchiha, both the Hyuuga and Uchiha leaders deemed the offence worthy of a war. How dare the son of the infamous Yellow Flash disrupt their deal? They immediately gathered nearly a hundred clans, all of whom were indebted or allied to the Hyuuga and Uchiha, and headed to the Whirlpool Country. However, Whirlpool was protected by the greatest walls, towering nearly ninety feet high and constantly guarded. Thus, despite the many years spent fighting the Whirlpool Army and attempting to penetrate the walls, the Clans were still struggling.

But the gods were smiling down on them. The Clans were slowly advancing, growing closer and closer to the Walls every day and perhaps within the year they could finally return home.

Uchiha Sasuke did not know if he really did want to go home, however.

Now twenty-two, he could truly say he'd grown up on the battlefield. He'd been forced to join his father and brother and cousins in the War for "Itachi's Honour," but Sasuke could see clear as day that Itachi really had no care in the world for Hyuuga Hinata's dalliances and was quite happy that he no longer had to go through with that wedding. Still, Itachi was one of the central commanders of the Clan Army and fought nearly every day. People sang songs about him and he was celebrated not just among the Clans, but by the Whirlpool people as well. Everyone appreciated a formidable warrior.

Like his brother, Sasuke was constantly on the battlefield. He killed his first opponent at fifteen and was surprisingly nonplussed by the blood that stained his hands. He didn't enjoy the slaughtering, but he did understand the necessity. What he did not like, however, was the notion of torture.

"Has the girl said anything yet?"

Sasuke frowned at his grandfather, old, but still strong and sturdy. He filled out his armour and stood straight, bearing the weight of the metal plates effortlessly. The old man's features were weathered, exposing just how many wars Uchiha Madara had taken part in.

"No, Grandfather," Itachi replied.

Madara sneered. "Then make her talk," he ordered. He cast a glare the prisoner's way but she did not flinch. She remained standing straight against the pole that she was tied to. Her chin was held high and she looked ahead, enduring.

The girl looked no older than Sasuke. She was a dainty little thing – at least, they'd thought as much before she pulled a dagger out from her dress and plucked out the eye of the first man that tried to grab her. She was eventually restrained but there was a fire in her eyes that reminded Sasuke of the Whirlpool Prince. Sasuke supposed that was why Madara seemed so riled up by the girl. He knew her lineage as well.

"You will take the girl, Itachi," Madara finally declared. He scowled when Itachi frowned at the order in confusion. "The Whirlpool prince took your bride, so you will take his cousin."

"No," Itachi said automatically. He promptly explained, "I have no interest in a Whirlpool wife. I will take the one I was promised." But Sasuke saw through his brother's words. He didn't miss the sympathetic look he sent the girl's way. He wanted no part in the destruction of such a fragile looking thing.

Still, the girl's face remained stoic. Sasuke could see that she was certainly afraid with the slight sheen glazing over her eyes and the way her arms were trembling, but he supposed that could just be from the pain of being tied up for so long. Sasuke gave her credit for not begging for her life. Perhaps she really understood her place. She was, after all, a princess. The Clan elders would be utter fools to do something as brash as kill her when she could be used as a hostage.

"Perhaps," Itachi continued, "my brother would be interested in taking the woman." Madara seemed to actually consider the proposal so Itachi fanned the flames. "Not as a wife, of course." He made a show of sneering at the girl, but she still held her chin up. "This Whirlpool wench will get no flowers or songs from us, Grandfather, but we all know Sasuke is quite proficient at gather information."

Madara seemed to immediately picture his youngest grandson ruthlessly torturing the girl to learn the secrets of the walls protecting Whirlpool, but that wasn't how Sasuke worked. The only reason Sasuke survived the seven years of war despite beginning with absolutely no experience was his stealth. He moved fluidly and worked efficiently, and Sasuke used those skills in outer villages and among the Clans to see what was being plotted without anyone knowing.

"Sasuke!" Madara finally barked.

Sasuke snapped out of his thoughts and looked to Madara. "Yes, Grandfather?"

"You will take the girl," Madara said. He stood before her and grabbed her face roughly, glaring down at her. "And she will tell us how else to get into that god forsaken fortress of hers."

When the old man finally walked out of the tent, Itachi sent Sasuke one last knowing look and followed. Alone with the girl, Sasuke stood a foot away from her. He decided to leave her tied up for now lest she reveal another hidden blade.

"What is your name, my lady?" he asked, still wary of his manners.

Her expression didn't change.

Sasuke sighed. "I will not hurt you, but you need to cooperate."

After a moment, he was greeted by a clear voice. "Sakura."

"And do you know of a secret entrance to the Whirlpool walls, Sakura?"

She met his eyes and looked rather smug. "Yes."

"Will you tell me where it is?"

"Never," she said, now smiling tauntingly.

With his mind made up, he walked around her and unravelled the ropes binding her. She tried to pull her arms in but Sasuke kept his hands around her left wrist, gently rubbing at the chaffed skin. "It would appear we are in a bit of a predicament then, my lady."

"Indeed."

"I'm supposed to make you talk—" He was interrupted by a knife nearly embedding itself in his throat. He grabbed Sakura's wrist with a bruising force, tightening his grip until she cried out and dropped the blade. Sasuke scowled down at her. He'd honestly been trying to play nice and she ruined it. "Now where did that come from?"

Despite her defeat, Sakura managed a smile and a shrug.

"You seem to have quite a few knives on you."

"Perhaps."

Sasuke's gaze roved over her body, taking in the loose folds of her dress. He smirked. "Are you inviting me to search you, my lady?"

She sneered at him before revealing a third.