A/N: Read it, read it, read it! It's so much better than the rough draft I had posted a while ago! Review please, so I know what you think!

Prologue

Here and Now

Kabuto hated this part of his job.

REALLY hated it.

Dealing with bratty teenagers all day…what was he, a baby sitter?

He had just barely escaped Sasuke's notice on his way out of the Sound base. That boy was like a hawk, and ever since Kabuto had started going out like this, on missions for Orichimaru, he'd been watching more and more closely. It was getting annoying just walking around in his own base, what with all the Sound suddenly revering "Sasuke-sama" despite the fact that he was half their age.

Kabuto was starting to wonder if the boy was hitting puberty. He was near the normal age—he was fourteen now—and lately he'd been acting all high and mighty…well, at least more so than usual.

Kabuto snorted at the thought, pausing on a tree branch to make sure the boy in question was not following him. When he saw the cost was clear he continued through the forest.

He pushed all thoughts of annoying boys away and concentrated. He was traveling through the forest, heading toward a special clearing that Orichimaru often used as a secret training ground or meeting spot. At the moment, Kabuto was on his way to meet one of the lackeys of the Akatsuki.

He wondered who would be coming. He was supposed to exchange scrolls with the Akatsuki and he speculated who would be the one to come and do the job. Probably one of their more trusted members, he thought, or maybe one of their lackeys that don't know about the previous relationship between Orichimaru and the Akatsuki.

Kabuto also wondered what the scroll he was holding contained. It was sealed, with one of Orichimaru's jutsus. What could be so important to the Akatsuki that they would dare do business with the Sound?

He could see light streaming through the trees, warning him that the clearing was coming up fast.

Kabuto burst out of the trees into the clearing, scanning the area quickly.

It was 50 yards wide at least, with more forest to the North and West, and to the East a canyon 20 yards wide that been eroded by a forest river that still rushed down the mountain at the bottom of the canyon.

"You're late."

Kabuto smirked. He stepped toward the person lying on the bench that had suddenly appeared in the center of the clearing.

"It's been a while," Kabuto retorted, pushing up his glasses, "Sakura-chan."

So the rumors were true? She had really joined the Akatsuki? He wondered how long Orichimaru had known.

Kabuto immediately understood why Orichimaru hadn't sent someone else. He obviously wouldn't have sent Sasuke; him being too hot headed for his own good. Orichimaru also wouldn't have sent some other Sound lackey. As soon as the lackey had gotten back to the Sound base, they would have hunted down "Sasuke-sama" and told him who had represented the Akatsuki. The teenage prodigy would have flown into a rage for sure.

Sakura Haruno sat up, her back to him for a second, and then turned around, resting against the back of the bench.

She smirked back at him. "You too, Kabuto-kun."

Kabuto glanced up momentarily, at the large Eagle circling the clearing. Deidara would be up there, waiting for them to be finished with their business.

"Do the Akatsuki always stalk their newest members?" He asked.

Sakura followed his gaze. "Hmph, they follow me around like I'm their new puppy and they're afraid I'll get lost." She suddenly grinned, her chuckle hollow. "Though, to them, I suppose that's what I am, ne?"

She didn't look as if she really wanted an answer, so Kabuto was quiet. Sakura stood up and stretched, her pink hair rippling in the breeze.

"So," She started, "I've got your half of the deal. Have you got mine?"

Kabuto raised an eyebrow.

"Well, you never know, especially when working with a bunch of outlaws." She shrugged her shoulders.

"Outlaws? The Sound? Then what would you call the Akatsuki?"

She thought for a minute. "Free spirits."

Kabuto snorted at the rediculous title but reached into his back pocket and pulled out a scroll with white markings on the wooden handles. He held it up to her. Sakura eyed it hungrily. He could tell she was resisting the urge to lose control and snatch it up. After a second she composed herself and looked up at him calmly as she also pulled a scroll from her back pouch, her face a mask of impassiveness.

Kabuto smirked to himself. He wondered how long it had taken her to learn to control her emotions. She still wasn't very good at it, as far as he could tell. He wondered if the Akatsuki would keep her around long enough for her to improve. Once part of the Akatsuki, you either stayed a part, or died.

"This wasn't easy to get, so you take good care of it!" Sakura said in a fake, childish voice, handing him the scroll.

"But of course," Kabuto handed her the one he had been holding.

Sakura took it, unable to hide the giddy expression from her face. She untied the string binding it and started trying to unroll it. She froze when the binding didn't budge. She glared up at him. "It's sealed."

Kabuto shrugged. "Don't look at me, Orichimaru just said to give this to you."

Sakura sighed and plopped back down on the bench. "And I was so sure this was going to help him." She blinked as she realized she had said that out loud.

Kabuto eyed the scroll in her hand. "How is old Naruto, anyway?"

"I really don't see how that's any of your business." Sakura said, an edge of irritation creeping into her voice.

"Oh, come now, Sakura. I'm worried about the old boy, too." He said with false sympathy. "I want him to become well again, just as much as you do."

Sakura scowled at him. Kabuto just crossed his arms. It was too easy to get under her skin.

She stood again, mumbling something that sounded like "screw you!" and walking forward a few steps before putting two fingers in her mouth and whistling. The Eagle over head paused in its circling and started a dive toward the clearing.

It landed with one last flap of its wings sending dust and dry leaves flying across the clearing. It screeched, high and piercing, and folded its wings. From its back, Deidara watched Kabuto with narrowed eyes as Sakura climbed on the back of the bird.

Kabuto watched with a sneer on his face as the Eagle took a still scowling Sakura back into the sky and flew her toward the horizon. He turned, ignoring the bench that poofed back out of existence, and headed back the way he'd come.

He wondered if Orichimaru would send him to deal with the Akatsuki the next time as well. He hoped he wouldn't send Sasuke, because that would just result in a big, chaotic mess. Although, with Orichimaru's sick sense of humor, he might do it just so he could watch.

Kabuto scowled when the former mentioned boy's chakra reached his senses. He picked up the pace, heading toward Sasuke now.

They reached each other at the same time, both coming to an abrupt halt to prevent a collision.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes at him. "Where've you been?" He demanded.

"On business," Kabuto answered.

Sasuke glared at him. After a minute, it was apparent he wasn't going to get a real answer, and so put his hands in his pockets, stuck his nose in the air, and turned around.

"Whatever," Sasuke said, not turning around. "I just came to say that Orichimaru's back and he wants a meeting. Something about this Lord of the Mist traveling across borders. Vulnerably, I might add."

Kabuto glared at Sasuke's back. He half wished that he could trade Sasuke to the Akatsuki for Sakura. Sakura was much more obedient and less temperamental, even if she wasn't as strong. She could learn. He had half a mind to tell Sasuke that, just to watch his reaction, but decided against it.

It would be interesting to watch and see how the Sound and Akatsuki would face off in the future…

"Hurry up, old man." Sasuke called from up ahead.

Kabuto scowled at his back, resisting the urge to hit him. He was sure he'd get in trouble with Orichimaru if he did.

But for here and now, Kabuto thought, I hate teenagers!

A/N: Ok, I've redone it, AGAIN. Why? Because I'm totally unsatisfied with the original. So, here it is, again! Review and tell me if you liked it, or if it was too confusing or something!