How far would you be willing to go for the ones you love?

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Sakura stared into the mirror that held her image. The short, florescent dress flowed around her, elongating her pale legs. Her hair, which was set in fuchsia curls framing her face, made her head feel 20 pounds heavier. She eyed the tiara that was carefully placed on the mount of hair. Fighting the urge to throw it off, she tried remembering what had happened. She had fallen asleep after a long mission, but that's all she could think of. Figuring it to be a dream, she walked out of the nearest emerald colored door. Thousands of people stood in a brilliant ballroom, all dressed in only the finest clothes. At her arrival, they separated themselves into two halves, making a long pathway in the middle for her. She stared at the bright; smiling faces confused and made her way down the aisle. As she walked by familiar faces, she heard small whispers of approval.

Tsunade waited at the end, and held out a large bouquet of flowers. Sakura took them and turned around, hearing a large burst of gasps. A figure stood in between two large double doors, staring straight at Sakura. Someone screamed at the intruder to leave, but he only stood there, not moving. Sakura felt her feet run towards him before she could control herself. Before she reached him, however, the entire scenery changed. Sakura frightfully looked around. She stared desperately into the gloomy sky, which was accented by the gray clouds, which hung over so miserably. Her feet kicked the rocky ground as she searched for anything other than the same sad scene.

Two large explosions rocked the earth. Sakura had trouble keeping on her feet, but managed to locate the origin of the sound. From afar, she saw two figures rapidly dashing at each other. One of them turned, dazing at where Sakura stood. The other figure quickly attacked him, and Sakura had the sudden urge to yell a warning. But it was too late. The world collapsed as Sakura saw the injured man fade away into dust.

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Sakura's roseate eyes struggled to stay open. She felt her wrists burning, and squinted at the small metal cuffs wrapped around her wrists and ankles. The heavy chains connected with the wall her back rested on. She felt extremely weakened, and knew that she was in no position to fight. Her eyes quickly scanned the two empty walls on either side of her, then at the large bars in front. Her legs trembled as she began to rise up, but the cuffs on her wrists wouldn't let her stand properly. Large footsteps echoed throughout the room. Sakura's head snapped up at the visitor, standing just behind the bars.

"Orochimaru!"

"Surprised little one?" His silky voice vibrated on the walls. "I was afraid that you were seriously injured, but it seems as if you're good as normal." Sakura glared and backed up to the wall as much as she could. "Don't be shy. Come here, kunoichi."

"What am I doing here?" She didn't dare get any closer as she was. Her palms balled up tightly, but she remained against the wall. Just hearing his voice disgusted her.

"We found you in Kumogakure, you were nearly dead." Sakura saw a flash of brightness as Kabuto walked next to Orochimaru. His glasses reflected off the light. "Orochimaru ordered me to take you with us."

"Why?" Sakura snapped. "I'm nothing to you."

"True…" Orochimaru agreed. "But you are worth something to others. Others, who, have something that is of worth to me." Sakura sneered at him.

"You have Sasuke-kun… now you want Naruto. Right? I wont let you have him." Quickly seeing his menacing glare, Sakura couldn't help but feel a little scared as she started to mutter words that made almost no sense. "Of course, I didn't mean to say that I was stronger than you, I-was-just-saying-that-if-I-had-a-choice-I-would-not-interact-with-you. Not-that-I'm-not-sociable-or-talkative… I-actually-talk-all-the-time… ha ha ha… But I mean that… you know… Naruto just gets so much trouble with you so… um…" She was sick of all the wrong attention Naruto got from bad guys like this. Couldn't people just leave the sweet blonde alone?

"This has nothing to do with Konoha." Kabuto stepped forward. "We are expecting another group to come. A trade, if you will." Orochimaru nodded and walked away. "It seems as if they are here."

"Who?" Sakura wondered, but Kabuto only smiled at her and walked away. Sighing, Sakura sat back down. Her hands itched to take off the cuffs, but they were securely tightened. Her sensitive ears caught small trails of a conversation, but the voices were too soft to be fully heard. Then, as soft footsteps got heavier, she heard a strong chuckle. Quickly, she realized that there were two people coming towards her, and the chakra that radiated off them was powerful… very powerful.

The first thing she noticed was the odd combination of red and black. Not only in the eyes of the newcomer, but also in the cloaks they both wore. The second thing was the very large sword that rested in a pair of strong hands. The third was the strange gills on the weird blue face. And the final thing she noticed was that both Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki were standing in front of her. Along with Orochimaru and Kabuto.

'This is not a good party.' She told herself. Kisame continued to chuckle at the small kunoichi, and Sakura began to get a little ticked off. Here was the very destroyer of Sasuke-kun's life, and a fish.

"What are you staring at?" She spoke with full venom.

"Do not start things kunoichi." Itachi's voice was full of warning. Kisame nodded and turned to Orochimaru.

"Can we take her now?" He asked impatient. Sakura grew suspicious, knowing full and well that Orochimaru was a former member of the Akatsuki. Surely they weren't on good terms together?

"You gave your part." Kabuto threw a tiny red speck in the air, and caught it. "Take her. She's a handful anyways." Kisame took his arms and pulled the metal bars apart. Sakura widened her eyes as Kisame walked towards her.

"Don't kill her." Itachi ordered. He knew Kisame well enough to know that the madman has an odd blood thirst. Thrusting Samehada into the air, Kisame cut the chains connecting to the wall in one quick motion. Sakura noticed that they were going to leave the cuffs on, but didn't say anything.

"Are you still after Naruto?" Sakura asked timidly, hoping that they weren't planning on using her as a decoy.

"You think everyone is after Naruto, don't you." Kabuto frowned. "What we all are after, these days, isn't the Kyuubi. But something totally different." With that, both Orochimaru and Kabuto left. Sakura looked at both Kisame and Itachi, frightened for her life.

"Come on." Kisame walked out of the bars and followed Itachi down the hallway. Sakura peeked out from the bars and wondered if they seriously thought she would follow them. If she didn't follow them, then she would be forced to go in the direction Orochimaru went. So, it was basically either follow sick madman who betrayed Konoha, or sick murderer who betrayed Konoha. She didn't have very many choices, and knew that Kisame would soon be back to drag her by force. Trying to gain back her strength, she carefully but steadily headed down the path Orochimaru took. Now that she just happened to be in his lair, she knew that Sasuke would be near. Walking down the long path, she tried to ignore the tingling sensation along her spine and focused on the dark auburn walls. Before she even saw the end of the hall, she felt arms grab her neck. Her body was crushed into the wall, and she tried to fight back but failed.

"I just knew this would happen." Kisame muttered as he knocked her out. "Stupid kunoichi."

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Sakura mumbled some inaudible curses and she once again struggled to open her eyes. Bright lights shone through her closed eyelids, beckoning them to be opened. Fighting the urge to drift away to sleep, Sakura sat up and looked around. Empty walls surrounded her, with no windows. The wall to her left held a black door with its bad paint job rusting off. She rested on a soft white bed, with one pillow, and a small white blanket.

Startled, Sakura looked at the door. As it opened little by little, Sakura knew who was behind it. Itachi walked in slowly, knowing that every moment Sakura was around him, she grew more frightened.

"Come." He ordered, and walked out. Confused, Sakura stood and followed him out the door. She was curious to know what they wanted with her. If this really did have nothing to do with Naruto, then why was she involved? They both walked down a long plain hallway, with every few feet a door. Itachi stopped at the very last door, which were double doors. Sakura stood before them, wondering what to do next. Everything was on alert right now, with the fact that most people don't survive an encounter with the Akatsuki.

"Go in." Itachi said, then stalked back down the hallway. Sakura gulped and stared after him. Was she really supposed to go inside those double doors alone? Then again… that meant that she wouldn't have to be near the Uchiha.

Walking inside the double doors, she first noticed the huge collection of books all around her. She gave the names a quick glance, and learned that each book was about a certain village. A desk was placed at the end of the room, with a figure quietly sitting in it.

Sakura tried getting a look at his face, but he was placed in the far shadows.

"Sakura Haruno." He began. "Apprentice of the Hokage of Konohagakure." Sakura nodded, afraid of where this was going. "You are allowed to talk."

"I… I'm not being rude… I-was-just-scared-I-mean-you-would-be-too-if-you-were-in-the-same-situation-as-me-I'm-not-very-sure-what-you-would-do. Obviously-you-are-the-Leader-of-the-Akatsuki-so-whatever-you're-afraid-of-would-probably-make-me-scared-and…" Sakura mentally bit her tounge to stop her rambling. She wasn't very sure, but she thought she saw a hint of amusement on the shadow man's face. "I'm sorry… I tend to babble a lot when I'm nervous." Before she could say anymore, Leader stood, still in the safety of the shadows.

"You have been much braver than most have been in the face of the Akatsuki." He announced. "It is the old you who chatters on and on when faced in a unknown position. The new you is the strong, determined half. Correct?" Sakura was shocked. 'How does he… know?' "You have been the apprentice to Tsunade for a while now. Yes?"

"Yes…"

"I have been researching for some time now… and have realized that the Archives of Konoha are only available to the Hokage, and anyone who she/he deems worthy. Does your mentor deem you worthy, Sakura Haruno?" Although he stood far away from her, she could hear his voice as if he was next to her.

"I would need to know why that information is so important to you…" Sakura asked, gaining her confidence back.

"There's a book I need. A book that only Konoha carries. If you can…" He looked surprised when Sakura shook her head and stepped back.

"If you think that I'm going to help the Akatsuki, you're wrong. I'd rather die than do anything you say."

"As you wish." Sakura gasped as she felt her cheeks sting. Her hand reached up and brushed blood away from a straight deep cut. Her arm grew tighter and tighter, until she felt as if air itself was crushing it. She collapsed on her knees and held her arm tightly. Desperately, she tried not to scream as her arm felt like it was shrinking. The bright pain shot through her entire right side and made her wince loudly.

"What are you…" She mouthed, but couldn't bring her voice to speak. Instantly, the burning sensation stopped.

"It can be more painful… If you wish." Seeing her pissed off look, Leader quickly changed strategies. "How about this. I realize how close you are to the Kyuubi. In exchange for this book, I'll offer him protection."

"Offer him what?" Sakura screamed. "You've been chasing him ever since I can remember! I'd be a fool to believe you!"

"The Akatsuki may be ruthless men who take a joy in killing, but I can say this… Our promises are good. Akatsuki members have never lied… never."

"That's not the point." Sakura glared. "To make a deal with you would be like making a deal with the devil. And that's not something I'm interested in."

"This book is important, Sakura-san. I truly promise Naruto's safety. This may be a deal, but one that you will never find again. Wouldn't you feel much safer to know that Naruto is not in danger? You wont even have to hand me the book, just tell me everything you read in it."

Sakura quickly considered it. "What book is it?" She asked.

"The Sosei Stone." His answer was simple and easy, but led Sakura to many more questions.

"That's a myth." She stated. "The stone powerful enough to give a soul to anyone or anything that was brought back from the dead. No such power really works." She remembered all the stories about it back in her early childhood. Her mother would read countless stories about people who used it and lost their souls instead.

"I think you'll be surprised to learn what it really is." Leader showed her a small red pebble, similar to the one Kabuto had earlier.

"That's what Orochimaru has?" Sakura asked.

"The one he owns is a replica of this one." As Leader threw the pebble into the air, Sakura noticed how it shone brightly out of the shadow.

"So… Orochimaru knew that you wanted, no… needed me to look up the stone." Finally, Sakura realized something. "So he made a deal to trade me for the stone. And you, not wanting to give up the stone, made a cheap copy and handed that to him." Seeing his content nod, Sakura grew frustrated. "What's so important about this stone anyway?"

"The power it holds. It's unlimited. But there is only one way retrieve that power. Every other village has destroyed the answers to all the questions I need. The book that your village keeps has been brutally burned and torn for years. As the old saying goes, 'we do not like, what we do not understand.'" Leader sat back down and rested the stone in his palm. His eyes gazed over it, silently wondering what powers held beneath the small pebble.

"And if I do help you with this stone, what are you going to do with it? Use it to kill people?" She felt the anger slowly writhing inside her. Who did they think she was? Just some tool to use and throw away?

"My intentions are not of your concern. Do we have an agreement? You tell me about the Sosei Stone, and I grant Naruto protection."

Sakura considered this. Maybe, just maybe, she could spin this deal more to her favor. She had some info on the Akatsuki, but not enough to truly gather an idea of what they were planning. If she stretched this out just a little… maybe it would be worth it.

"Deal."

"Good. Now, Deidara, if you will?" Sakura looked behind her just in time to see a hand strike her neck. She didn't even have time to feel pissed as she fell unconscious.

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Unlike the last two times Sakura awoke from being knocked out, she felt the familiar warm aura of her own home. For a straight second, she wondered if perhaps she had a very unfortunate dream. Looking at her bedroom mirror, she soon realized that it was real. The cuts on her cheek healed fast, but still left the fresh scent of blood. Saddened by the truth, she groggily got out of her bed and grabbed her bag. She stepped out of her front door and walked into the streets.

Intent on finding information about the so-called Sosei Stone, she completely forgot about checking in with Tsunade, which was until Naruto nearly scrambled over her.

"Sakura-chan!" He mumbled apologies as the two hugged. "Where were you?" He told her that Tsunade was looking all over for her, and that Ino wanted to have lunch with her as well.

"I'll go check on them both." Sakura smiled as they both said their goodbyes. She stared with a heavy heart as he walked down the street. Since Sasuke left, Naruto had been there for her whenever she needed him to. Throughout her life, she always wondered just when she would be able to repay his kindness and protection for her. Now, it was her time to do something for him. 'I'm doing this for you…' She thought and walked to the Hokage tower.

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"Of course this is why you wanted to see me…" Sakura mumbled as she stared at the sleeping Tsunade and the mountain of paperwork still lying untouched.

"Oh Sakura! I was just getting ready to do those! But if you offered then…" Sakura took the time to give a quick peck on Shizune's cheek and quickly left.

"It looks as if you're busy! So I'll just be going now!" She left the tower and headed towards the back.

There are three different ways to make sure a secret archive is locked and kept secret. The first step, as Sakura did, was placing her censored hand atop the back of the tower, signaling for a brick door to reveal itself. The second was for the door to automatically scan her chakra. The procedure was so sensitive that if the chakra were faked it would have known. Once the door opened it revealed a long stairway circling down. Sakura carefully walked down, taking her time. The final step was to approach the lone door at the end and touch the middle of it with the pointer finger. The door pricked the top of her finger, oozing out just a small peck of blood. As the blood connected with the surface, a small bright light shined through, and the door once again recognized the chakra. Once it was opened, Sakura was face to face with thousands and thousands of shelves.

The Archive held four different sections; the history of Konoha, the geography of Konoha, every missing-nin in the history of Konoha, and one section was dedicated to certain books that were considered taboo to read. Each book in the archive was said to hold secrets in them, secrets that not even the villagers were allowed to be informed of. Already knowing with section to go to, Sakura headed towards the back. Her feet slightly tapped along the marble ground as she walked past the dusty novels. Her eyes scanned over the taboo section.

"Where would it be…" She mused out loud. "Oh. Wait… The Sosei Tradition." Her fingers trailed along the velvet texture of the book as she slid it out from the shelf. She looked over all the other books, and found that each book in that area had the word Sosei in it, but none of them said anything about a stone. Sighing, she took a few out and found a small table nearby. She stacked the books and took a chair. Brushing the dust off it, she opened the first one. Instead of reading the book, however, she found a small folded up paper in it. She displayed the paper in its full length, seeing nothing but just a small torn out page from a book. She looked at the small number on the bottom, which read 48. Instinctively, she pulled out the next book and opened it to the first page. There, again, was another paper, folded up like the last one. Opening this one, she saw that it was page 60. She continued this method until she finally had pages 30, 32, 62, 92, 120 and 161. Scanning over a few sentences, she concluded that these were torn pages from a book on the Sosei Stone. Sakura looked back at the large shelf, which held the Sosei books. "Each one must have a page…" She said. Sighing, she decided that she wanted to have at least pages 1-10.

After several hours, she finally had five stacks sitting in front of her. One stack held pages 1-30, the stack in the middle held 32-60, the next stack had 62-90, after that it was 92-118, then 120-161. She had gone through every book the shelf had, but she was still missing 5 pages. The pages 31, 61, 91 and 119 were missing, but she was still content with the pages she had.

Settling herself in the large piles of torn papers, she began reading. She memorized only the most important parts, being sure to understand exactly what was being said. In the first two pages, she quickly understood that this book was about the stone itself in general. She understood that using just a small dust could give a soul to any rodent.

"Using a whole stone…" She said to herself. "I wonder what that could give a soul too… but it doesn't matter since this is just fiction." Intent on keeping her beliefs set straight, she continued to read. The history of the stone was next for her to read.

"Apparently a man had come across a magical fountain of red water in a forest, and had wanted to give it to a "princess" as a wedding gift. But the man's jealousy of the princess and the prince poisoned the fountain. On the day of her wedding, the princess drank a small vital filled with the fountain's red water, and instantly died of poisoning. A wizard came to look at the fountain, and told the villagers that the "spirits" of the forest used the aura of the fountain to keep them in this earth. Giving them the power to stay connected to this life, other-known as a soul." Sakura snickered. "The villagers felt that this power was so magical and beautiful that they wanted to cherish it. They hardened the water and made several large stones." She shook her head and thought of all the times a stupid village had "angered" the gods or the spirits. It was such a classic story.

"The King of the village died soon after, and as the villagers mourned, the Prince took a stone and told them to bring the King back with it. The king wasn't the only one who came back… The stone gave souls to all the dead bodies in any graveyard nearby, including enemies. A big war came out and blah blah blah. The villagers hid the stones throughout the world, and anyone who dares used them dies by an 'unfortunate' death." Sakura skipped over to the next chapter, already bored by the fairytale.

The first page that was missing was the start of a list of people who had died by using the stone. "That's not important." She mumbled as she quickly scanned over the names. No one even sounded familiar. She went on to the next chapter, which was on how to use it. The first few pages listed different reasons why to use it, then it listed things you need. The next missing page was the exact direction of the ritual. "That would have been good information…" She said, thinking of what she learned that would be helpful to the Akatsuki, but not enough to where they would still need her. Quickly, she looked at the items needed. Most of them were normal things like; the body, the stone, an empty space, water, rock and grass. But one thing stood out the most. The Kihaku Stone. Sakura was familiar with the name. It was a stone that was said to have a life-like quality. Which was why the name meant Soul. It was located only in the Land of Waves.

Deciding that this would be the only information she needed, she gathered the torn pages and slipped them in her bag and left the Archives.

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Sakura laid her bag down by the foot of her door and stalked to her room. She had felt their chakra before she entered her house. The Akatsuki must be very impatient to already be at her house the day she was brought back.

"Already?" She asked as she steadily walked inside. Her eyes focused on a tall blonde sitting on her bed. His hair was put up, with the bangs sliding over his eye. The other member stood near by mirror, wearing a rather strange mask.

"Leader wants the information." The blonde said. 'This is the kunoichi who killed Sasori no danna' Deidara thought as she calmly smiled.

"Is Sakura-chan ready!" Tobi rushed forward to her. Deidara grabbed the end of his black cloak and pulled with a force.

"Don't call her that. This is a mission." He scolded Tobi and looked over to the girl.

"Just give him a rest! He's trying to make this easy on the victim." Sakura flinched when she saw the melting glare Deidara gave her. "But-you're-the-Akatsuki-and-you-can-do-whatever-you-want-to-him-he's-you're-partner-for-a-reason-and-uh." She bit her tounge to stop to rambling. Sakura stepped back when Deidara got up from her bed.

"You're a chatter." He said and disappeared, only to reappear behind her. "No wonder why Tobi was instantly drawn to you…"

"Hey! Tobi was sorry!" Tobi yelled as Deidara chopped Sakura's neck, knocking her out once again.

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This time, Sakura didn't wake up to an uncomfortable meeting with the Uchiha. Instead, she woke up to an uncomfortable meeting with the Leader.

"The information?" His face was once again masked by darkness.

"So soon?" She questioned. She needed to open him up.

"Yes. I'm in a hurry." Sakura smiled. That little bit of information said a lot. Instantly, she told him about the history of the stone, and the other stone that was needed. Of course, she left out the part of where it's located. "This stone… I've never heard of it…"

"I have." Sakura informed. "I studied it in school once."

"That'll be all. You are to go back to Konoha. Tell anyone you like about this, but I'll warn you now, it's better you not."

This was what Sakura was waiting for. "Wait a minute… I may have left out some information. Vital information." Leader stood emotionless. "Information that I might be willing to make a deal with."

"A deal with the Akatsuki." Leader said. "I thought you'd rather die."

"A deal is a deal. And an Akatsuki never lies." Sakura shifted on her feet, hoping to get somewhere.

"I'll listen." Leader spoke.

"A small pebble may work, but having a whole Sosei stone would be extremely powerful. You also need the Kihaku Stone, and I'm willing to hand both to you." Sakura knew that she would never hand them to him. But, this way she could give more into the Akatsuki.

"And you could do this?" Seeing her nod, Leader motioned for her to continue.

"In exchange, I want you to make me a member." There. She said it. But, was it enough?

"The Akatsuki members are all people who have left their past behind, who are not afraid to kill even those closest to them. I doubt you would be willing to leave Konoha."

Sakura mentally flinched. She needed another good reason, and fast. "Having a spy wouldn't be very bad, would it? Being the apprentice of the Hokage gives me a lot of special treatment. I know all the details on any mission that is given out. I know all the affairs between other nations. I'm informed of any details about Orochimaru there is, and I also know that Kabuto hasn't been a very loyal spy to you. I killed Sasori with the help of one person, and I've trained since that. I'm the best med-nin around, so I'm very knowledgeable about healing people. Including eyes." She put out every possible reason she could think of at that moment. Inside, she was dreading his answer. If he said no, then she would go back to Konoha and only say that the Akatsuki was searching for some myth. But if he said yes, then she would able to learn more. Even if it meant somewhat defying her own home.

"You give good reasons." He finally admitted. "I have two challenges for you." Sakura gulped. "Give me the two stones, and heal Itachi Uchiha's eyes."

"Deal."

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The things you do represents how faithful you are. Whether it's a simple going out of your way to help your mother with chores, or joining another group, only to defy them in the end so you can help your own group.