A/N: This is my story, so people who may or may not be dead might be in here… you have been warned. Disclaimer: I down own Naruto. Merely a fan.

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Chapter 2: Late Night Visitor

Sakura was getting ready for bed. A knock on her door sounded through out the room. Sakura bookmarked her place in a medic book and got up to answer the door.

Who could be at my door this late….

She opened her door and was surprised to be greeted by the most feared ninja in the base. Itachi. He leaned against the door frame, a hand on his head. Glaring angrily at her, as if she was the cause of his pain. He came into her room and sat on the bed. Sakura closed the door, her body humming with adrenaline.

"I need you to heal my eyes." Itachi spoke, his voice cool and sensual. Sakura forced down a blush. He reminded her so much of Sasuke.

"Take off your Sharingan first." He glared at her for a moment, before closing his eyes briefly, then opening them. Onyx pools stared at her. To Sakura, he looked troubled and a little sad. But she wouldn't go telling him that.

She sat next to him, holding up her hands and concentrating. They glowed with chakra as she sent them into his eyes. Their eyes were locked the whole time she was treating him. Her arms were starting to tire holding them in a certain position for so long. She finally lowered her hands.

Sakura blushed slightly as his gaze was intent on her. He stood after a few moments and walked to the door. Itachi opened the door and turned slightly to see her once more. He left her with cryptic words…

"Sakura…. Arigato." He disappeared through the door and it shut with a resounding click. Sakura's mind flashed back in memory of that fateful night. The clicking of the door echoed in her mind.

Tears slightly blurred her vision. Itachi had said the same words Sasuke had all those years ago. Her eyes hardened. He was possessed by Orochimaru now. Sasuke had become to far gone and let himself be Orochimaru's host. Sakura's lips thinned into a grim line. It had been two years since the transfer, only one more year to go before Orochimaru would need to find a new host.

Since Orochimaru took Sasuke over, he attacked Konoha once again. The village had lost many lives. Naruto, Kakashi, Tsunade, and Jiraya, repelled Orochimaru; but was unable to destroy him. The snake had gone into hiding after the second attack on Konoha had failed. Her parents had perished in the attack. Though most of her friends had survived. The last time she saw Ino she was dating Choji, Shikamaru with Temari, Naruto with Hinata, and Neji with Tenten.

Tears threatened to spill over her cheeks, but she blinked them back. She had to be strong. For her friends. For herself. For Konoha. She settled down on her bed and fell into a troubled sleep.

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"S-A-K-U-RA-SAN!!!" Her name was sung loudly and very off key.

BANG BANG BANG

Naruto?

She sat up and rubbed her eyes. No, it wasn't Naruto. Grumbling she got up and stalked to the door, flinging it open. Tobi's fist accidentally hitting her on the head. Sakura saw red.

"Oops… sor-- sakura-s-san?" Tobi said fearfully as the Inner Sakura rose up and decked him in the face, making him crash into the wall behind him. His nose was bleeding profusely as tears streamed out of his eyes.

She slammed the door on him to get dressed. A few minutes later she emerged in a huff. Tobi was still in the same position. Crying. Sakura sweat dropped. She never expected a cry baby coming from the feared Akatsuki organization.

"Your sooooo meaaaaannnn…." Tobi wailed. Sakura winced.

"Tobi, shhhhhh. Its early, everyone is trying to sleep." Sakura helped him up. She healed his nose. He wiped the blood off his face.

"So, Sakura-san, want to spar with me?" The tears were gone from his eyes and he resumed his happy self. Sakura sighed and gave into his happy-please-spar-puppy-eyed look.

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Sakura panted as she deflected another of Tobi's attacks. Throwing up a chakra shield just in time. She was bruised, bloody, and tired. She didn't know how long she could last. She bit her lip, drawing blood. Tobi formed hand seals….

"Tobi, baka… where are you??" The voice of Deidara could be sounded not to far off. And clearly annoyed. Deidara came out into the clearing.

Sakura's eyes widened, she clamped a hand over her mouth.

There stood Deidara, with purple hair. The hair was mused and sticking out at odd angles. He looked like an angry puffer fish. Deidara promptly went over to Tobi and whacked him over the head, repeatedly. Deidara and Tobi fighting like kids was comically ridiculous. Deidara almost reduced to tears mumbling about losing his perfect golden-blonde sheen.

"Gomen senpai, gomen." Tobi threw up his hands in defense. Deidara wasn't letting him off that easy.

Deidara formed clay animals and sent them hurtling at Tobi, which surrounded him and exploded. The ground shook, Sakura threw her arms up in front of her as a defense - should anything come her way. Tobi used a substitution jutsu and formed a chakra ball in his hands. Running at Deidara and in a flash of blinding light, hit his mark. Deidara went flying. Tobi looked abash. Running to his senpai and hugging him and apologizing profoundly.

"Get off me you baka. HMHFH!" Deidara mumbled as Tobi smothered him.

Sakura shook her head, smiling. She noted the duo was occupied and slowly took a few steps backwards. Then another and another, smiling with the chance of escape she whirled about, ready to run. Sakura instantly paled. Her green eyes met red.

"Where do you think your going, Sakura-san?" His voice still silky and sensual.

"I-I…" Sakura started.

Itachi turned away.

"Come, Kisame needs you."

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Sakura entered the medic room to see Kisame in bad shape. Kunais and shrunken stuck out of his chest at odd angles. His skin shredded in some places. He was bleeding everywhere. She stepped forward to heal him, when a female figure stepped next to Kisame and beat her to it.

Sakura noticed long tan-brown hair pulled into a pony tail, along with Sasuke-like bangs that hung on the side of her face. Two red tiger marks streaked her cheeks. She had a flower pin in her hair. She looked solemn and determined in her task.

The medic nin formed chakra in her hands; pushing it into his body, making the pain go away. She then pulled the kunais and shrunken out of Kisame's blue skin. The wounds bled even more. Sakura watched silently. She was acutely aware of the Uchiha behind her.

"Sakura-san will do the rest Rin." Itachi ordered.

Sakura's eyes widened… she couldn't be….

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End of Chapter 2