AN: Well, here is the next chapter. They are not as long as I thought that they would end up being so you will have to forgive me for that. Anyway, I do not plan on making them much longer. I was going to have this chapter out to you sooner, but I couldn't log in yesterday. *frown* I have no idea why. *shrug* Oh well, I guess you just get to enjoy it today.

No extra disclaimer needed here. There is a little but of cursing, but not as violent as the prologue. I did go back and change this to a M because there will be some death and violence *cough*prologue*cough* and I just want to be safe. I don't think there will be a lemon. Sorry if you wanted it, but if there is one it will be way, way, way down the road. (like epilogue). So hope that you enjoy this. I did work very hard.

Also! There are a bunch of new characters in this story. Why? You ask... Well obviously there is only one known person from Whirlpool (Uzumaki) country - Kushina. So any and all other villagers had to be made up. I have tried to limit the number of them to what was strickly neccessary and if you have questions just ask me about it.

One last note about that. Kokawa (roughly translated as 'old river') is the leader of Uzugakura (also made up - give me a break here!). Because it is not one of the five great shinobi villages he doesn't get the title of Hokage. Make since? *nodding* Good.

And if you look at a Naruto world map, I have placed Whirlpool (Uzu) Country in the northern strip of River Country so that it connects to the north with Rain (Ame). To the west if Sand (Suna), the east is Fire (Konoha), and south is just plain old River Country. Obviously that streach of land now belongs to River Country. I wonder why... *grinning* Also obviously, I have no idea if this is where Whirlpool might have been. I have just guessed (as I had no info to go on) and made it up myself. Please go with the flow of fanfiction and just let it work.

Sorry one last reminder:

(Sakura's inner voice! CHA!)

Disclaimer: Tallgirl20 is not the fanfiction account of Masashi Kishimoto (*sweat drop* really people?) as such I (the true tallgirl20) do not own Naruto. AT ALL! Please do not sue me for my poor attempts at fanfiction universe. I have nothing. *sigh*


- 1 - awakening - 1 -


"Chou-chan~" Taki Chou flinched, his vivid (I do mean vivid) yellow hair swaying in front of his eyes, as he was forced to a dead halt. He knew that voice - a touch too high, a touch too sugary. Damn, he really didn't want to deal with her right now. He was supposed to be heading out for patrol. Couldn't that annoying girl leave him alone? Of course not, if he ignored her he knew his father would kill him later. Chou sighed in defeat before turning around to face certain doom.

The sixteen year old ninja saw her petite mouth open to torment him more, but he beat her to it. "Megumi, it is not, not, appropriate to refer to me, a guy, as Chou-chan." His eyes flashed dangerously, "NEVER!"

The little girl merely nodded solemnly before opening her rather large mouth again. "Hai! Chou-chan!"

He glared down at the child ignoring the disapproving looks cast his way by the general public. Well, they didn't have the devil as a little sister, now did they? He turned his attention back to his sister to send her on her way because… He. Was. Late. Again. "Megumi-"

"Chou-chan," her wine cut him off. He repressed the violent urge to strangle her. Breathe deeply. "Hotaru-sama was really upset this morning."

"What?" His mind immediately focused more on his annoying, yet surprisingly useful sister. "Hotaru-sama? Is she alright?"

Megumi smiled, rather pleased that she now had her brother's full attention. "Hai! Demo… she looked really mad." His little sister's grin split her small face flashing brilliantly white teeth. "I think Kushina-one-chan pulled another prank."

He sighed, again. "Kushina-san is not in Whirlpool country right now. She was sent away on a long term assignment. You know that."

His sister didn't meet his eyes. "Demo… Hotaru-sama was muttering about a prank." Her eyes met his then. "It has to be Kushina-one-san!"

Chou sighed, again. He had to deal with this later. He was late to his post as it was. "You find out for me, Megumi, and let me know when I get off patrol."

The nine year old nodded sharply. She had a mission! "Hai! Chou-chan~"

Chou felt his eye twitch as he turned his back on his little sister hoping to escape before she decided she had something else that she wanted to share.


"You're late." Intense, dark eyes flashed with disapproval.

Chou heaved another world weary sigh. "I know."

His acute hearing picked up the giggling that his other teammate was trying to stifle. He shot her a hot glare. He was not in the mood for her today.

"Awe, what's the matter, Chou-chan~" She teased through her giggling.

"Taichou, please make her stop. I am not a girl!"

"You were late. Consider this punishment." The older shinobi responded as always. This wasn't the first time Chou had been late.

Chou glanced moodily back at the only female member of his team just in time to see her viciously victorious grin. Damn women. Nevertheless, he was late… the image of a very similar smile only smaller flashed in his mind's eyes. His sister was such a nuisance. Women were such a nuisance.

"Come, we are already late. Mai, Chou, I received word that the Kawa sword has been taken. Be on the look out." He said as they began towards their quadrant for the day. It was to the west, towards Suna border. They would need to be careful especially with the almost palatable tension lingering between the two countries. The war hadn't been over that long.

Mai's eyes widened. "No way! How is that possible?" Chou vaguely recalled his one time visit to the Kawa shrine. He couldn't believe anyone could get past security. He shivered again just remembering all the complex seals and guards. To take the sword, their most valued artifact from the shrine and live...

Chou's eyes hardened as his sister's comments floated to his head. "Then it wasn't a prank."

Mai turned accusing eyes towards Chou. "You heard something and I didn't?"

He smirked at her for once having intel that she didn't. "I have my sources."

Mai snorted. "I bet your cute little sister told you."

Chou ground his teeth in frustration. Mai turned incredulous eyes towards him before shaking with laughter. She pointed an accusing finger in his direction. "That's really lame. She's only eight."

"Nine." He corrected.

"Like that makes it any better."

Chou chose to ignore her as he turned his eyes more towards monitoring. They had just entered their designated area.

"Quiet. Remain alert." Chou's head nodded sharply in compliance to his captain's orders.

For almost an hour, it was normal routine. Nothing but nature, and Mai's silent laughter. Then, slightly to the south, they felt it. A wispy, weak curl of chakra that seemed to reach for them. Almost as if someone was calling for help. Chou watched his taichou motioned silently and precisely where the tendril had originated. It might be a trap. They were going to be cautious. It was time to work.

Mai slipped silently away from the group to track ahead. Her observation and stealth skills could fool most jounin and made her perfect for surveillance. Chou stayed slightly behind, ready for anything his taichou ordered. They continued for several minutes before Mai's voice came through their com links.

"This is weird." Her quiet voice confessed almost a second after the tendril of chakra disappeared entirely.

"Explain what you see." Taichou ordered calmly. Only because they had been a team for so long did he notice tightness of his team leader's jaw. He was worried. And for good reason. Chou added. He didn't like this. It seemed like a set up or something.

"Kuniochi. Maybe chunin. Pink hair. Wearing an interesting red top. Honestly, I haven't ever seen one like it before-"

"Focus, Mai." Their leader's tense voice cut through her rambling.

"Right. Sorry, Taichou." Her voice slightly embarrassed. "Here's the strange part. There were odd markings swirling around on her skin when I came into the clearing. They disappeared almost immediately after her chakra disappeared. She seems unconscious. Wait a sec!" Her voice seemed shaper, harsher. "She's got the Kawa sword. It's strapped to her back. I almost didn't see it. Do I engage?"

Chou felt Mai's controlled chakra just ahead of them and silently followed his taichou towards her, picking up his pace, hoping this wasn't an ambush of some sort.

"Negative. Can you identify her hitai-ate?" His taichou finally asked the most important question.

"Hold on-" He heard her quick intake of breath just as he passed through the final leaves to land beside her.

Chou's eyes widened as he took in the last symbol he had ever expected to see. It was dirty, bloody, and half way hidden in the grass about a foot from the kuniochi's head, but recognition was instantaneous.

Konoha.

"No way." He breathed out too low to be a whisper. His senses expanded searching for more of them.

Mai's eyes were wide too. "There's no scratch on her hitai-ate. Taichou, what's going on?"

Chou watched his team leader's eyes darken. It reminded him for the second time that day that the horror of the war hadn't really been that long ago. Betray had been common place. Could Konoha be breaking their treaty? "Restrain her." His taichou's voice was calm, the voice of reason, to make up for Chou and Mai. "We will have to take her back to the village. She will need to be interrogated."

Chou bent down to do as was asked of her though he was extremely wary and even more confused. Mai couldn't seem to move. "But," She stuttered. Her composure finally broken. "We're allies."

"Maybe, but we can't take that chance. Mai, scout for others. Someone put her in this condition. Perhaps, she fought off the real thief."

Mai seemed to relax, hoping for the best. "Hai." She was gone quickly.

"Taichou?" Chou asked, searching for the team leader's real opinion, as he finished the chakra restraints and took the precious sword from her possession. He gave her injuries only a slight once over. Quite frankly, he hoped the kunai wounds hurt if she had been the one to take the sword. Especially if she proved Konoha to be double crossers.

His taichou's eyes glinted menacingly. "I think Konoha has a lot to answer for."


"This is the girl who took my sword?" Hotaru scoffed. "You can't be serious. She has pink hair."

"She had the sword on her when we found her." Chou explained as he looked down at the girl restrained to the hospital bed.

"Dang, what did you guys do to her?" Hotaru grimaced as she noted all the bandages covering the girl.

Chou shook his head. "We didn't do anything. She looked like that when we found her. I thought she got them from your temple." He finished looking over to her for conformation.

Hotaru merely shook her head negatively. "No. She didn't even step inside the shrine. It must have been some odd summoning technique."

Chou didn't know if he agreed, but he shrugged anyway. He didn't want to upset Hotaru. She had a bit of a temper.

"So where's the old man?"

"Kokawa-sama?"

Hotaru waved a dismissive hand. "Yeah, him."

Chou sighed. "Hotaru-sama. You must show respect to your honored grandfather. Kokawa-sama is the leader of Uzugakura."

"He's just an old man. Someday, I'm going to beat him. You'll see!"

Chou merely grinned at the slightly crazed look in her eyes. She had been saying that ever since she could talk. "Of course you will, Hotaru-sama."

Her eyes flashed dangerously at him. "Are you mocking me?"

Chou raised his hands in front of his body in a gesture of surrender. "I wasn't. I promise."

Hotaru glared once more before her hand shot out. Chou watched horrified as she bit down on his fingers.

"EEEEEIIIIAAAAAA!!!!!!!!"

Hotaru released his hand with a satisfied smirk before casting a last glance towards the sleeping pinkette. Hotaru found herself slightly put out that Chou's scream hadn't woken the girl up. She let out a note of displeasure. "You are such a sissy, Chou-chan." She turned away from the bed and headed for the door. "I'm going to find the old man."

Chou merely glared towards the door as she slammed it shut. He cradled his bitten hand noting she had broken the skin. Damn, he hated women.


It had been a fairly productive day as far as he was concerned. Yes, he thought as he put the final mission scroll in the 'out' bin, it had been a very successful day indeed.

The Yondaime Hokage let out a rather pleased sigh as he stood and stretched his sore arms. Time to go home. His usually calm face was suddenly broken by a large, happy smile. Home. Kushina. The stirring warmth that he had grown accustomed to feeling when he thought about her built again. Kami-sama, I love her. He couldn't wait to get home and see her again, especially now that she was getting rounder.

His blissful peace was shattered rather abruptly by the shriek of a ninja hawk. His focus shifted entirely towards the open window as the intelligent bird flew in. He noticed with trepidation that the insignia identified it as one of Whirlpool's.

He frowned in thought. Looks like I'll be awhile.

His hands reached for the scroll that the bird, judging by its fatigue, had rushed all day to get to him. It must be very important. He waved the bird off before picking up the sealed scroll and pushing his chakra into it precisely. The seal dissolved quickly.

With a sigh, the Golden Flash of Konoha settled himself in for some bad news.

Hokage-sama,

I hope that you and Kushina are well. Many in the village miss her and hope that she will return home soon. But, I am sure you know that is not why I wrote to you. I am curious and feel I must probe you as to the identify of one Konoha kuniochi and her mission. The young woman, with startlingly pink hair, found with of your hitai-ate, was captured in our territory along with the recently stolen Kawa sword. I am sure you do not need me to tell you the political ramifications of such a careless move. I would assume you not ignorant enough to attempt it, but nevertheless she is in our custody awaiting trail for her actions. I await your answer to the events that have transpired against my shinobi village. Though we may not be your size, Hokage-sama, having us as an enemy is not an intelligent move. Give my best regards to Kushina.

Kokawa

Minato Namizake's hand ran over his face in a rare display of frustration with just a twinge of apprehension. He reread the letter just to be sure he hadn't misread anything. He certainly didn't know of any pink haired shinobi from Konoha, boy or girl. He definitely had not ordered anyone to take the Kawa sword. Nor had he assigned any missions to the north as Konoha's treaty with Uzugakura forbid it, except for special circumstances. It was not one of those either. That led to several different possibilities, each as unpleasant as the next. It was quite possible that the girl was an imposter. The hair could be a dye job, though why she would dye it pink? The Hitai-ate… it was possible she could have taken it from a KIA, but he doubted it if she had been caught without much trouble, for surely if there had been trouble Kokawa would have mentioned it. He had to solve this puzzle or Kokawa would void their treaty and take Kushina back. That was not going to happen. Soon he was completely lost in silent contemplation.

He frowned as a knock jarred him from his thoughts, though he relaxed at the familiar chakra signature.

"Come in." The Yondaime called, surprisingly happy to feel the familiar presence. He was in need of advice.

The sage eyes of his predecessor smiled back at him as the constant tobacco smell associated with the Sandaime curled around the room. "Ah, Minato, it does appear a little late for you to be in." His eyes twinkled with amusement. "Kushina-san will certainly be upset."

Minato glanced out at the darkened sky worriedly. He almost sighed in desperation. He could already here the lecture he would get when he got home. Still, he grinned, at least she'll be there.

"What brings you here tonight, Hiruzen-sama? Couldn't sleep?" Intelligent blue eyes watched in a carelessly intense manner.

Sarutobi Hiruzen merely allowed a smile to fold his lips. "There was a discordant chakra early today."

"Discordant?" Minato mumbled as he rested his head in one palm. Unable to make any sense of that statement, Minato changed the subject. "There appears to be an imposter in Uzumaki pretending to be one of ours. She has pink hair."

Hiruzen smiled. "Pink? How unusual. I know of no pink haired ninja."

"Nor do I."

Hiruzen merely nodded as if it was not surprising. "What will you do, then?" He asked just as carelessly.

"I want her interrogated by my people. She had one of our hitai-ates. She either killed one of ours or knows someone who did."

"Who will you take to retrieve her then?"

Minato's eyes slid away from the window to study the older man. "Do you have any suggestions?"

The Sandaime nodded slowly as he puffed leisurely on his pipe. "I would like for you to send Takeshi."

The Yondaime grinned in amusement. "Your son, eh? Why do you ask this?"

Hiruzen let out a puff of smoke before turning towards the famed Yellow Flash. "He needs to learn diplomacy. I have tried to press this importance upon both Takeshi and Asuma." A sigh seemed to deflate the man. "Asuma is just too young to understand its importance. He does not listen. Perhaps a mission such as this would help Takeshi at least."

"He will not be a liability will he?"

The older man's grin was wry. "Of course not."

Minato nodded. "Then he may go."

"Do you have any others in mind?"

Minato shrugged lightly. "I do not trust many of the Uchiha, but they will insist on going. Of that, I am sure. I don't want to deal with the headache they will give me if they find out I didn't send one of their own."

Hiruzen nodded. "The Uchiha are always eager to grow in political power. But what of your pupil? Hatake Kakashi? Surely he could be intrusted with such a mission."

Minato grinned a decidedly evil grin. "What a wonderful suggestion."

Hiruzen shook his head, clearly amused. "What did he do this time?"

"He started reading."

"I thought he that he had been reading for a while now. I didn't seem to bother you."

"Yes, well, that was then."

"It's not so terrible. Knowledge is always good to seek."

Minato sighed. "It's porn."

Hiruzen's eyes widened a fraction before he coughed on smoke. When his lungs were clear, he let out a throaty laugh. "He sure is something."

Minato looked rather annoyed. "He's under age."

"I suppose that is merely a matter of opinion."

"Regardless, I think having to deal with an Uchiha, your enthusiastic son, and a pink haired girl might be the perfect punishment."

Hiruzen's eyes fairly sparkled with amusement. "Perhaps."


She was so happy. Young eyes were closed as her grin threatened to split her face. This was heaven.

"Say cheese." The photographer's stale voice reached her. His lack of enthusiasm didn't diminish her happiness. Nothing could do that.

"Hey, bastard, you're suppos'ta smile." Naruto's loud voice assaulted her ear. She felt her eye twitch.

"Hn." Sasuke's usual response sounded even moodier than normal to her ears.

"Now, now. Smile for the team picture." Came the lackadaisical voice of her supposed sensai. She still couldn't believe she had gotten that pervert as a teacher. It was unfair.

Sakura pushed those thoughts away. This was going to be a good picture. She was happy. (Cha! If only Naruto would stop making Sasuke mad. Then it would be perfect!)

Flash!

Sakura opened her eyes. Excited to see the picture of her new team. This was her dream come true. She was finally a kuniochi. In her glee, she swirled around to call her teammates forward. They had to see the picture too.

Sakura took a hesitant step backwards. She couldn't see anything. Where had her team gone? Where her eyes still closed? She blinked trying to dispel the inky blackness. Where were they?

A glint of blue over to her right. She whirled around.

"Sasuke!" She shouted over her hammering heart. She was so glad to see him. She thought they had left her.

"You're so annoying." His spinning red eyes seemed to look straight through her as if she was nothing, as if he didn't even see her. "You follow a different path than me." With that said, he simply turned around and walked away.

"What?" She called in confusion before it dawned on her that he was leaving. "NO!" Sakura cried out. No, she couldn't have him leave. She loved him. He couldn't leave her all alone in this darkness when they had been together not seconds before. Tears prickled her vision even as she caught a flash of orange.

"Naruto." Her breathe escaped in a sigh. How could she have forgotten him? She wasn't alone. She had Naruto. He wouldn't leave her.

"I'm leaving to train!"

Her heart pounded in her chest, threatening to escape. Her mind went fuzzy with confusion. She couldn't understand. He was leaving? NO! He couldn't leave her alone too. He couldn't!

"Naru-" Her green, green eyes filled with angry tears. He kept saying he liked her. He wouldn't leave her if he really liked her. He wouldn't. He lied! He couldn't do this!

"I've got to get stronger, so I can bring Sasuke back. I won't break my promise. Believe it!" He was smiling at her. His voice was excited, happy. The exact opposite of Sasuke. But at that moment, it didn't matter. They were both leaving. They were both the same.

Naruto, I don't care about that. Just don't leave me all alone!!

"See you later, Sakura!"

She couldn't move. The blackness was swirling around her feet anchoring her to the ground as another walked away, left her in that darkness.

Why were they leaving her?!

"Sa-ku-ra-chan?"

"Sensai!"

Her heart leapt in joy. She wasn't alone. Kakashi-sensai was here. He wasn't going to leave like the other two. He promised to always protect her. Didn't this count?

His hand raised in his usual wave. "Yo! I'm late to a mission. See you later." Her whole body went numb as his customary eye crease moved into place. How could they be so calm about leaving her?!

Her mouth opened to yell at him, to say something. Her hand reached out to pull him back, to make at least him stay. Her heart dropped away as he disappeared in a poof of smoke. Her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth. Her hand extended towards nothing.

The inky blackness grew. It curled up her body in strange patterns that she couldn't understand. She felt so empty. So alone. She couldn't do this alone. She hated this! Hated being left alone.

She struggled against the ink. She pulled with all her might. She would not be left alone. Cha! She was going to beat their skulls in for leaving her. She would be stronger. She would find them and bring them all back. They would never leave her alone like this again. A fire grew inside of her.

Prickles broke out over her skin even as the black ink swirled higher.

"GET OFF! I HAVE TO GET THEM!!!"

She struggled and struggled until the inky blackness marred her vision and choked her tongue. She couldn't beat it. They were leaving her again. Suddenly she felt completely drained as if she had nothing left, as if she was hollow inside. She watched as all three became blurs in the distance and then finally…

They disappeared.

She had never felt so empty.

So alone.


Vivid green eyes snapped open. Air was sucked violently into her suddenly labored lungs. She blinked again as her hazy vision tried to focus, as her mind tried to shake off the fear that clung to her. That horrible, horrible dream. It was just a dream, Sakura. Breathe. The smell of disinfectant and cleaning supplies threatened to overwhelm her nose. The glare from the white, white ceiling tiles threatened to blind her. Recognition came. She was in a hospital.

She groaned as her fatigued and injured body reasserted itself. She was definitely injured.

"You're awake."

Sakura's head snapped over to view the speaker. He was old. Sakura guessed him to be well beyond the middle of his life. Actually, she had to say he looked quite a bit like the Third Hokage only a bit younger. The nostalgia threatened to choke her. So similar did the two look that it took a moment for her to notice anything else about him. Like, for instance his strange hitai-ate. And the fact that it remarkably resembled the missing ninja's that she had recently fought. It didn't take her long though.

She tried to move her hands only to feel something blocking her movement. Her eyes flashed downward in aggravation and worry. They were bound by leather straps. Her right arm also sported a chakra inhibitor. I'm a prisoner. Damn it! This has to be another bad dream.

Her eyes flashed in pure anger as they met the old man's serene ones again. She felt so damn useless, like before Sasuke had left. She hated chains. She hated weakness.

"Perhaps you can tell me why you are in possession of this sword." He commented as his wrinkled hand gestured to the table beside her bed. She glanced quickly at the sword, trying to control her anger. It had strange markings covering the length of the blade. It looked familiar.

"Do you like it, kuniochi-chan?"

Sakura stiffened. Memories resurfaced. The mission came flooding back. It was the same sword she had picked up after battling the rogue ninja. She tried to follow her memories back to the present but found them becoming too hazy to make out. Instead, her eyes flicked over to the old man's face. Why was he interested in it? The rogue said he had taken it from an abandoned shrine. Was it more famous than she had first thought? Tenten would know.

He lifted an eyebrow in question. Internally, she warred with herself. She was bound, but at the moment did not seem to be in severe trouble. Would it compromise her to tell about the sword? No, it didn't have anything to do with her original mission.

"I took it from a nuke nin. He didn't need it anymore."

The old man's head cocked to the side as if her answer confused him.

"We did not find any others around you."

She frowned. Her memories were hazy at best, especially towards the end of the mission, but she remembered a whole lot of sand, then a whole lot of running. The mission had been in Suna then. The scroll! She fought down panic. Her eyes darted over to the table filled with her personal items. She could see no scroll on it. They must have missed it then or had they taken it form themselves? No, if the sword was that important and yet still at her table then the scroll would have been too. She must have hidden it before being taken captive then. She would have to go back for it eventually. She hoped she could find the place again.

"Ahem."

Her attention focused on the old man again. She stayed mute. She couldn't be careless right now especially if this was all a 'good shinobi' routine and the 'bad' one was coming next.

"Where did you get this hitai-ate?"

One of the old man's hands moved from behind his robes. Her green Konoha hitai-ate hung from his hands. Instinctively, her hand shifted up to touch her head. They didn't move as the restraints kept them uselessly at her sides. Anger simmered inside of her. (I worked my butt off for that hitai-ate! Get your hands off it!!! CHA!) How dare he insinuate it wasn't hers? She bit her lip. She didn't know anything about her current situation. She couldn't let her anger control her. Until she knew more, she couldn't act rashly.

"Why do you care?" Okay, perhaps that was a little rash. (Nice.)

He merely chuckled. "I have not heard of a pink hair ninja from Konoha. I was merely wondering if that was your home."

Home. It left a bitter taste in her mouth. Still, she wanted to be back at home with her shisho. Anywhere but here as a prisoner being interrogated for who knew what.

"I was not under the impression that you were to have missions in Uzumaki without our permission. Was that not in our treaty?" He continued.

What? Confusion flittered across Sakura's face before she could sensor it. Uzumaki? Whirlpool? Was that a nation? He made it sound like one. Sakura pulled the mental picture of all the countries, being a Hokage's apprentice had some advantages. Still, she had never even heard of Whirlpool. She certainly hadn't heard of a treaty between Konoha and Uzumaki. Was he talking about Naruto? No, that couldn't be it. Naruto was an orphan. He didn't have any family. Besides, he was definitely from Konoha.

She couldn't be so confused anymore. It was time to ask questions and deal with the backlash.

"Who are you and what are you talking about?" She demanded, desperate to get some sort of useable information.

"You may call me Kokawa. I am the head of Uzugakura."

Sakura's head was spinning. Was he insane? This had to be some kind of genjutsu. Uzugakura didn't even exist.

"Stop lying." She hissed. "Tell me the truth."

He frowned at her. "I am not lying, kuniochi."

A slight knock at the door stopped Sakura from answering. Her eyes drifted over the room searching for anyway out. She tried to push a tiny bit of chakra through her body and was immediately assaulted with pain. (Well now we know that the chakra restraint works. Great job, baka.) This was not going well.

"Come in."

A young ninja with vivid yellow hair stepped through the door and bowed before the man called Kokawa. For a moment, Sakura hoped it was her Naruto, but on closer inspection she knew it wasn't. His hair was if possible even brighter than Naruto's. (I bet it glows in the dark!) He was stocker than Naruto as well, not to mention a couple of years older.

When he stood up, Sakura got her first look at his eyes. They were the same yellow as his hair. It was beyond bizarre. He must have some kekkei genkai. (Oh, doesn't this look like it will be fun?)

"You have news?" The old man asked.

"Hai, Kokawa-sama. Konoha's messenger hawk just arrived." Sakura tensed. He paused looking at Sakura.

"Go on." The old man encouraged.

His yellow eyes returned to his leader. "They give no claim to any pink haired kuniochi." Sakura felt all the air escape her lungs. It as like being punched in the gut, hard. (WHAT THE HELL!?!) What was going on? Surely Tsunade-shisho hadn't thrown her out because of this failed mission. It had to be a mistake! "However," Sakura found herself listening to his every word. Praying to any god she knew that there was some way out of this. "Konoha is sending their own team to retrieve her and ask that they deal with her trial as written in our treaty."

Sakura couldn't stop the frantic, caged look from reaching her eyes. She couldn't control her emotions after what she had just heard. Konoha was going to give her a trial. (I'm under trial?!) It was like they named her a missing ninja bound for execution. Why?

Kokawa would have relaxed at the message from Konoha if he hadn't seen the young girl's raw emotion. Her confusion and fear. The fear he understood, but the confusion… It was apparent to him that something was off about this. He thought himself to be a fair judge of character, and while the girl had been evasive and short tempered, he did not think her nuke ninja material. Perhaps this had been a legitimate mission from Konoha and instead of own up to it they had named her a nuke. Still, he didn't think the Yellow Flash would try such a stunt with his interests towards Kushina and the fact that it was all because Kokawa had allowed it. It would take only one command to take Kushina away from him. Minato was very aware of that fact. So, why then did the pink haired girl seem so shocked by the abandonment of her home? Was Konoha even her home? Well, it would take a day for Konoha to get here. Until then, he would try and get his own answers.

"Chou-san." He spoke softly. The younger ninja shifted acknowledging his village leader's address. "Would you please activate you ability. I have a few questions I would like to ask our kuniochi friend."

"Hai."

Sakura stiffened from her position on the bed. (So much for supposed treaties THAT DON'T EVEN EXIST!) She moved as far away from the yellow haired ninja as possible trying to escape whatever he was going to do to her. She watched as stoically as possible as his hands flashed through hand signs.

"Awai"

His eyes closed before snapping open. They glowed. The next second, she felt light, so very light as if she would float away.

"What is your name?" A kind voice floated towards her, embraced her with warmth. She sighed out pleasantly. What would it hurt to answer such a nice voice?

"Har-" (What the hell do you think your doing?!)

I'm answering him.

(The hell you are!)

He seems nice.

Her inner voice scoffed.

"What is your name?" The warm voice repeated. Again, Sakura felt the pull to answer him, to give into the desire that swelled around her.

(NO! YOU WILL NOT ANSWER!)

Sakura frowned. Sweat beaded on her brow as the battle was waged in her head.

"You can tell me. It's just a name." The push was overwhelmingly strong. So in contrast with how light her body felt. Sakura's mouth opened, eager to please, even as her mind began to disengage from the warmth. Revelation swept through her.

It's a genjutsu!

(No, really?) Her inner voice spat back.

"Kai." Came out instead of her name. It was weak, though, and ineffective. With her eyes closed, she did not see her captors' surprise.

(You really are weak without me.)

"(KAI!)"

Sakura's muscles contracted as pain spammed through her body all thanks to her chakra inhibitor. She bit back the scream as she fully awakened from whatever dream illusion she had been put into.

Her breathing was heavy. Her eyes dilated. Still, she remained defiant. Her confidence soared as she reveled in the fact that she had beat that yellow haired boy's bloodline limit. A little of her inner personality mixed with her conscious. She smirked.

"How interesting." The old man mused more curious than upset. Suddenly, Sakura wasn't as confident as she had been seconds before. "Chou-san?"

"Hai. Kagayakasu."

Sakura tried to look away, she truly did, but when he opened his eyes this time his pupil was gone. That's not genjutsu. It dojutsu!

She was lost in a surge of completely blinding yellow.

(BRING IT ON!!!!!!!)


Hmm.. I hope you liked it. Not much for the glossary today, but I will explain Chou's dojutsu (eye genjutsu) to you all. Oh! And please pretty please review and let me know what you think. I hope it isn't too confusing. Don't worry. Sakura meets Kakashi in the next chapter.

Glossary:

Akari Dojutsu - Light Kekki Genkai. Let it be noted that it is not a battle dojutsu. It is more suited for interrigation.

Awai - Fleeting. Stage one of the Akari or Light dojutsu that was found amoung one Whirlpool clan. The Awai stage of this genjutsu lifts the inhibitors of the mind. Victims feel light and warm and generally are completely compliant to the user's requests. As it is the first stage, it is the weekest level and uses the least amount of chakra. It is identified by the glowing of the user's iris.

Kagayakasu - Brighten. Stage two of the Akari or Light dojutsu that was found amoung members of one Whirlpool clan. The Kagayakasu stage of this genjutsu overloads the mind. While overloaded, the victim is overwhelmed and usually unable to resist the queries of the user. As it is the second stage, it is much more effective than awai, but more draining on the user. It is identified by the expansion of the glowing iris to completely cover the pupil.

Kougen - Light Source. Believed to be the third and final stage of the Akari or light dojutsu. It is largely believed to be myth as no living clan member has ever achieved its plateau. Kougen is believed to allow the user complete axcess into the minds of their victims with no limitations. As it is the final stage, it is believed to be unstoppable and completely draining. It is belleved to be identified by a completely glowing eye, where the iris has expanded to cover the pupil and the screla.