So I'm hoping that if I beg for reviews, you guys might write me one...so please review me I really want to know what you think :).

I do not own Naruto.

Deal With the Devil

Sakura glanced down at her wrists faintly tracing the two neat white scars that adorned them. She remembered that night well. Desperate to escape the loneliness and despair, she had slit her wrists and laid down on her bathroom floor, resigning herself to what she hoped would be a merciful and quick death. But mercy would not be granted to her. Her parents had found her and rushed her to the hospital where they stitched her up and tethered her securely to her wretched life.

What had followed was a month long stay in a mental hospital where the isolation coupled with powerful psychiatric drugs had kept her in an almost catatonic like state. That was when this new Inner Sakura had made its debut. Sakura thought back to those first words Inner Sakura had whirled against her like a weapon.

How pathetically annoying, Inner Sakura had sneered. I leave you alone for a few years and look at the mess you've gotten yourself into.

"Who are you?" Sakura asked aloud.

Don't you remember me? Honestly Sakura it really hasn't been that long, Inner Sakura said mockingly.

"What are you doing here? I don't need you anymore," Sakura said frantically, recognizing her inner subconscious.

Uhm you might want to lower your voice, Inner Sakura warned. It's going to make my job of convincing the doctors you're actually sane harder if they catch you talking to yourself.

"Why would you want to help me? I got rid of you for a reason," Sakura whispered.

Yes well, don't think that I'm not still bitter about that. I'm here because contrary to what you believe you do need me. However, my help comes at a price.

"I don't need your help," Sakura whispered firmly.

Oh yeah? Do you honestly think you'll be able to escape this cruel and unusual hell on your own? You're a medic, tell me, how long does the average patient stay in a mental facility after a suicide attempt?

"Two weeks."

And you've been here for how long?

"One month."

Do you see my point?

Sakura sighed heavily before answering, "If I do accept your help, what would you want in return?"

I want to come out and play. You've kept me locked away for too long, I'm restless. I'm a part of your consciousness, a part of you. I have every right to be allowed to surface and have some fun every once in awhile.

"Yeah, but the problem wasn't that you wanted to come out every once in awhile. You wanted to stay permanently. That's why Tsunade-shisho had to teach me to lock you away."

Yeah well that bitch got what she deserved didn't she? She's still stuck in a coma isn't she?

"Don't talk about her like that!"

Calm down! Remember the doctors that we're trying to convince of your sanity? Besides, how can you defend her when she's one of the people who left you all alone? The way I see it, every single one of those "precious people" are responsible for your current state. If you hadn't of been left alone you wouldn't have done what you did.

"It wasn't like that."

Tell me Sakura, who visited you while you were here?

"No one," Sakura mouthed sadly.

The way I see it, I'm the first person to actually pay a visit, and I have a solution to your problem to boot. But if you'd rather stay here in this lonely hell, then I guess I'll just be on my merry little way…

"Wait! I'll do what you want just get me out of here…"

The next day during her check up, Sakura allowed Inner Sakura to take over and hadn't been disappointed with the outcome. The doctors had remarked on the impressiveness of her overnight recovery and had declared her sane and fit to be released from the hospital.

See? I told you, you need me, Inner Sakura had gloated once Sakura was left alone in her room again so the doctors could fill out the necessary paperwork.

"I suppose you want to collect your payment now?" Sakura asked, resigned.

I can wait. There's not really much fun to be had in a padded cell by yourself.

The doctors had returned soon to collect her signature and gave her a clean pair of green scrub pants and matching shirt to wear home. She quickly changed and headed down the halls, determined to be free. As Sakura walked out the hospital doors she was greeted with an unexpected sight. Standing a few yards away was the figure of a man clad in the ANBU uniform, his mask the face of a demonic lion.

"Sakura Haruno, you are hereby summoned to see the Acting Hokage," a familiar voice greeted her ears as she neared the ANBU member.

"Sai, is that you?" Sakura asked, eyes widening in surprise.

"I have been ordered to escort you to the Hokage Tower immediately," he ignored her question and grabbed her arm.

This should be interesting, Inner Sakura mused.