Hey guys, alas, it is I again! Thank you soooo much to everyone who read the first chapter and reviewed or added my story to their favorites/story alerts! I'm so thankful, truly T_T. And right now I'm just going to tell you that I haven't decided who I'll make Sakura end up with, and its gonna be up to you guys to choose. But I'm waiting till I get a few chapters in to start the contest, so don't vote for your favorite couple yet. I'll tell you when the voting starts, so don't worry! Well, here is the second chapter and I hope you like it! I'm trying hard to make this awesome! This is where the interesting crap starts to happen, hehe. Please, R&R!

2

Captured

Handsome S-class criminals…

Niiiice!...

Wait…What in the hell?

Inner? Is that you?

I haven't heard from you in awhile…

"…kura!"

Or am I dreaming?

Did someone say something?

"…akura!"

Akura? Who's that?

"Sakura! Sakura!"

"Who's there? What happened?" alerts sounded in my head. I jumped out of my sleeping bag with a clumsy start, but crouched into my fighting stance. I pushed pink strands of hair out of my face, only to see a slightly irritated Tenten standing in front of me. I noticed she was fully dressed, her sleeping bag already rolled up. I relaxed my shoulders in the slightest way, yet still aware.

"What happened?" I asked again, though less frantic this time.

"Nothing. Breakfast's ready, and you were here sleeping like a freaking boulder." She explained, a small grin tugging at her lips as she shook her head at me. I frowned.

"Oh. Breakfast. I see now." I replied smartly, rubbing the crud out of the corner of my eyes. I'd had an exceedingly annoying dream last night. One of which including a few certain members of a certain group that Tenten and I had discussed in a certain conversation last night, and the certainty that I would absolutely never mention it to anyone. It frustrated me on a new level. I didn't have the time to be thinking about this stupid stuff, much less dreaming about it. So why was I allowing myself to get so worked up? Wait, never mind. I didn't even want the answer to that question.

"Okay, well, come out when you're ready, Sak.'" Tenten's words brought me back to reality, thankfully. She left the small tent, letting the delicious aroma of warm breakfast waft in through the flaps. I inhaled deeply, wistfully longing for the taste of food.

I changed into my red jumper dress with haste, thinking about the long day that awaited me. This outfit was slightly different than my previous choices; it showed a little more skin around the cleavage and revealed a section of both my shoulders, and its length stopped just above the middle of my thigh. I slipped into my favorite knee-high boots, double checking that my weapon pouch was strapped securely to my thigh. Sweeping my long pink tresses into a high ponytail, I exited the small tent, nearly being knocked over by the smell of eggs and bacon in fried rice.

Everyone was already seated, either on the ground or on various large logs or rocks. Our group consisted of eight people: Naruto, Sai, Yamato-sensei, Kakashi-sensei, Tenten, Neji, Lee, and me. I took my place between Tenten and Sai, too focused on my steaming bowl of food to listen to the conversation. If I say so myself, it was a beautiful morning. The skies were a clear blue, the birds were chirping, the food was great…

"So, Sakura. Have any interesting dreams last night?" Tenten asked me, seeming completely indifferent. I glared at her, munching silently. I picked up a piece of half eaten bacon and smacked her hand with it. She withdrew, looking insulted.

"Stingy."

"What did you guys do last night?" Naruto asked, seeming purely curious. His bright blue cerulean eyes were so sharp and defined, as they always were in the early morning.

"Nothing." I answered, as casual as I could manage.

"Ah. I see." He said, totally unconvinced. A grin pulled at the corner of his mouth. I narrowed my eyes at him, but then felt an intense stare directed at me from the side. I turned to see Sai right in my face, eyes as wide as they would go. I twitched, slightly disturbed.

"Why, good morning to you too, Sai."

"Good morning. Why are you lying so obviously?" he asked blandly. I stared at him for a few moments, pondering whether I should smack him upside the head. As an adult, I chose the mature decision and hit him.

"Are you okay, Sakura? You seem to be in a rather…bad mood." Kakashi-sensei asked, searching for the right words.

"I'm fine. Just tired, that's all." I responded, suddenly losing my previous desire for food. I set my bowl down, and cracked my knuckles, suddenly feeling impatient to get this show on the road. "When are we leaving?"

"Soon." Yamato said. "Everybody pack up, we're leaving for the next check point in ten!"

That gave the signal that we were dismissed, and we all stood. About eight minutes later we all had our belongings gathered, ready to get moving. Tenten and I exchanged similar glances.

"Everyone ready?" Yamato-sensei called loudly. In response, there was a lot of nodding and some over enthusiastic battle cries. I smiled.

We jumped into the trees for means of faster travel, and began our process of leaping from branch to branch. I loved the feeling of the wind against my face, the sense that it almost seemed like you were flying. It was simply exhilarating. As we cut through the forest with a certain agility and speed, I couldn't help but realize a strange notion rising in my mind. I could sense it already, the feeling that something big was going to happen, for better or worse. Silently, I prayed that it wasn't more bad luck on my part. Of course, praying shouldn't work if it hadn't all the other times I'd tried, but something had to work eventually, right? Either way, I knew I was in for one hell of a ride.

Fortunately, that was just the way I liked it.

"So, do you need any help with anything else?" I asked Tenten after we had finished setting up our tent, wiping the perspiration off my forehead. I intended to tell her that I was heading out to the river to relax a little bit, to rinse off all my dirt and grime.

"Nah. And go ahead, you need it." She smiled, answering me before I could even tell her. I smiled back. She just knew me too well.

I grabbed my towel and my basket of bathing tools, searching for someone I could always depend on when it comes to finding a place to relax.

"Neji?"

"There's a river about half a mile directly south from here." He answered automatically, as if he'd already grown accustomed to me asking him. I grinned.

"Thanks." I patted him on the shoulder on my way out. Once I got a few feet away from the camp site, I hopped into the trees and started to make my way south through the thick forest. After a few minutes or so, I started to see glimpses of sparkling water through the patches of leaves and branches. As I came into the clearing, my breath caught in my throat. The water was a deep, glistening blue, surrounded by large boulders and bushes. The lively forest bordering both sides rose high, creating a calm, secure feeling. The sight of it already had my exhausted muscles feeling relaxed. How had I missed this on the way up?

I stretched out my tired legs as I walked up to the edge of the river and bent down to reach my hand into the rushing water, my woven basket in the crook of my arm. I narrowed my eyes.

I was not alone. In the trees, approximately fifteen feet away from where I was standing, there were two figures crouched in the shadows. Even as they had masked their chakras very well, I was able to sense that they were indeed powerful. While acting as if their presences had gone by unnoticed, I continued to pretend as if I was checking how cold the water was. Standing back up to my full height, I slid two shuriken out from under my woven basket with the hand that had already been underneath.

With lightning speed, I turned on my heel and launched the small Chinese stars at the two spots that I had gathered chakra from in one swift movement. I concentrated on hearing, disconcerted to hear the dull thunk of my shuriken cut into the rough bark of the trees. My opponents had dodged in time.

I leapt backwards onto a large boulder centered in the middle of the river, to put some distance between me and my enemies. As the current splashed off the rock and onto my legs, I zeroed in on the forest surrounding me, not letting my guard down for a moment.

"Reveal yourself!" I ordered in a harsh tone. The environment around me was completely silent for several moments, except for the sound of the rushing water. Then, my opponents revealed themselves, standing in the same spot I had previously attacked from.

My jade green eyes widened. Slowly, I took in their whole appearance. I cursed, an unwelcoming feeling stirring deep inside of me.

Dark red clouds against a black background…

"Akatsuki." I hissed, my fists clenching at my sides. I searched their appearances, trying to match their faces to their identities. An orange mask with a swirly design…Blonde hair covering half the face…blue eyes…I knew it couldn't be any other than the one called Tobi and the bomb specialist, Deidara.

"I have to say, you almost fooled me there, yeah." The blonde guy said suddenly, sure to add emphasis on the word almost. As he saw my hostile expression, a smirk crossed his face.

"I wish I could say the same, but I honestly don't give a shit enough." I replied, my shoulders tense with the desire to kick ass. All the while I went through the facts that I had memorized about these particular two members, remembering their fighting styles, where I could find weak spots in their attacks. Until I came up with an accurate plan, I would have to hold still.

"Ooh, Sakura-chan doesn't like you, Deidara-senpai!" the guy in the orange mask, named Tobi, exclaimed in a ridiculously high and childish voice. My gaze darted over to him, slightly disconcerted by his usage of my name.

"How do you know my name?" I asked, venom laced through my voice. He seemed hardly intimidated, like I had intended. More like he was enlightened by the fact that I had actually spoke to him.

"Leader-sama told Tobi to come find you, Sakura-chan!" he lifted his hands in the air, acting as if this made perfect sense. I narrowed my eyes at him, pondering what he had meant. To come find me? Surely not…

My eyes flicked back over to the blonde guy called Deidara, having detected a slight movement from him. I readied my fighting stance, slipping a kunai out of my weapon pouch. He took a step forward without hesitation, only an amused look on his face. Unfortunately, it just pissed me off all the more.

"Now we're not here to fight, honestly. We're just following orders, yeah." He spoke, his hands in the air, like he wasn't the least bit concerned that I could do him any physical harm. I snapped, and threw my kunai at his face. He sidestepped it swiftly, though I had managed to draw a small cut across his cheek. He wiped the drop of blood off with the back of his hand, raising an eyebrow at me.

"What do you want?" I said, my voice guarded and sharp.

"It's just as he said, yeah. We've been ordered to capture you." he answered casually, just as the other guy in the orange mask nodded enthusiastically. A cold, chilling feeling slid down my spine. What in the hell? I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"Like hell you are!" I spat.

My impulsive side took over, and I darted over to their side with lightning speed, appearing in front of the bomb specialist. He seemed surprised for a split second. He recovered quickly with a grin, blocking my flying sideways kick. I landed on the ground, expertly sweeping my leg in a circular motion, trying to knock him off his feet. He dodged, and I rolled backwards onto my feet, coming back into my fighting stance. I cracked my knuckles, deciding it was about time for me to get really serious.

"Tobi wants to fight Sakura-chan too!" Tobi shouted, drawing my attention away from his blonde partner. I grimaced. As he charged at me, I gathered my chakra into my right arm and tried to land a blow to his head. He ducked in just the nick of time, swinging his leg around to kick me in the stomach. I jumped off of his outstretched leg, landing a few feet away from him, eyes scanning my surroundings for his partner. Swearing, I backed a couple more steps away from Tobi, already feeling the exhaustion of the past few days sinking in. My chakra had already been weaker than usual after numerous days of training and traveling, but it was slowly wearing down, as well as my luck. Had they caught me at a different time when I wasn't so worn out, I probably would have already been able to land a serious blow on at least one of them. I grunted, taking one more step back.

I immediately ran into something soft and tall. My eyes widened in shock as I realized what it was without even having to turn around. Shit. I lunged away with the energy I had left, but I knew it was already too late. I cursed as I felt a strong arm wrap around my front and pull me back to the spot, holding me in place.

Shit, shit, shit! Had I really been so exhausted that I couldn't realize that bastard was standing right behind me? I struggled endlessly, though my muscles were already tired and heavy. It was as if my body was just suddenly shutting down. Crap. No, no, no…

"Damn, she won't give up. Tobi, do still got that stuff? We're probably gonna have to use it, yeah." Deidara said, sounding slightly hassled. At the words, my eyes widened. What stuff? I tried to elbow him in the gut with frustration, but he only held me in place tighter. I bit my lip so I wouldn't scream like the pathetic person I felt like, turning my head slightly to catch a glimpse of my enemies face. Deep blue eyes…Blonde hair…a mischievous smirk…

Handsome…just like had Tenten said.

God,I'm such a dumbass.

"Bye bye, Sakura-chan!" Tobi enthused, sounding just absolutely overjoyed. I felt his hand ruffle my hair, as if I was some pet of his.

Suddenly, I felt a sharp prick on the side of my neck. A calm feeling spread through my body. I gritted my teeth, trying to fight the wave of drowsiness that rolled over me. But it wasn't before long that I faded into the darkness, just like everything else. As my mind finally began to shut down, the last words I heard were ones that I definitely was not proud of.

"Congratulations, pink. You're one of us now."

Okay, everyone, tell me whether you liked it or not! I tried hard, for all of your guy's sake! Like I said, I'll tell you when I'm going to start the voting, so keep an eye out for when I do! Please review, everyone! Xoxo