For all my readers I loved reading all your comments! Thank you so much! I've just entered college so I've been super busy! So I originally wanted each chapter to be about 19 pages but in order for me to get these out quickly I will be making the chapters shorter. So most of them will be about 10 pages. This is really the one story I would like to finish, it wont be too many chapters. I wanted it to be a one shot originally but, nope! So I just wanted to apologize for taking so long but now I'm back and I'm ready to finish! I'll have a poll to decide on Sakura's first lemon….maybe? I haven't really decided. Haha. Now, on with the story. Oh! Some recommended listening for this story. Johnny Cash's 'God's gonna cut you down' this is all I listened to while writing this chapter.

I love constructive criticism! So please leave me some! Let me know what you guys liked, what you didn't like, the writing style, etc. :D

Sakura awoke feeling refreshed, and stretched her arms. Getting out of the bed she walked out of her room to see Madara's door shut, not wanting to bother him Sakura walked down the hall to look for Konan's office. Arriving at the door she knocked lightly.

"Come in," said a soft voice, Sakura opened the door seeing Konan sitting at her desk. "Hello Sakura, I trust you slept well."

"Yes I did actually, thank you". Sakura stood awkwardly at the door while Konan merely observed her.

"Is there something you needed?" Konan folded her hands on her desk watching Sakura think of what to reply. Sakura wanted to talk to Konan about what had happened to her as Madara had suggested she do.

"I…I wanted to know where the kitchen is? Or where I can get food?" Sakura was surprised when she noticed a flash of sympathy on Konan's face before she gracefully stood up.

"I'll show you to the kitchen, where you may prepare yourself some food". Konan led her out of the office and behind the bar into a door where a kitchen was. A basket of fresh fruits and vegetables were placed on the counter.

"Help yourself to whatever you find". Konan gestured with her hand. "It would be appreciated if you made food for three more". Sakura nodded and smiled as Konan left the room.

Now Sakura had to remember all the recipes her mother had shown her so long ago. She began searching through drawers and cabinets hoping the image of food would trigger her memory.

His black as night mustang charged across the plains on the dirt path he had been traveling for a few hours his horse's snorting had gotten louder as he was dragged out. The burg was in sight, pulling to a stop in front of the sheriff's office, Pein dismounted his spurs clanged as he landed, walking up the wooden porch steps he looked at the wanted posters, seeing Sakura's face on one poster. In the picture she looked downright pissed, eyes glaring at the camera, she was past a blow up and out for revenge. Pink hair wild and eyebrows furrowed to the point of wrinkles. He could see she was clenching her jaw and he smirked in amusement. Yanking the paper down from the board the corners ripped, he tucked it into his shirt's front pocket. Walking back over to his horse saddling up again he made his way down the road at a trot.

The clerks shut their blinds as he passed by showing their fear of him and his power in this town. Pein took a deep breath, rain was on the horizon and he watched people evaporate before his presence. Dust flew into the air behind him even when he was at a simple trot, the wooden buildings moaned when air passed through them. The dead bushes that grew in the alleys of the buildings as donkeys in their pins behind houses whined in the heat.

The brothel was empty; it was an early morning and therefore not surprising. His spurs rang with each step he took toward Konan's office, fingering his holster once again as he walked on. He could smell cornbread and beans, pausing to peek inside the kitchen to see Sakura stirring the beans. Her hair was braided loosely hanging over her shoulder, wearing the same shirt she had on when she had rode off. Her eyes were glazed over in deep thought he decided. There wasn't anything exceptionally beautiful about Sakura; her hair that had once been dulled by the sun and wind was beginning to regain its luster since she had been taken into their care. Her breasts weren't worth lusting after; Pein would have to say that her real beauty lay in her eyes. Those beautiful green eyes that held such a wide range of emotions. Her anger, determination and at this moment, sorrow. Pein felt as though he could stare at those eyes for long periods watching the range of emotion in them and never tire of them.

"Where's Madara?" He interrupted her focus but she didn't jump she merely turned to him.

"He's still asleep, I think, I've been awake for a while now". Pein nodded then left her to her cooking.

He marched to Konan's office opening without knocking; she was sitting looking at the door, expecting him. She smiled softly standing from her chair, walked towards Pein. Pein leaned foreword, reaching hand out to pull Konan into a chaste kiss.

The boy was playing with sticks drawing in the dirt as he waited for his Pa to bring the fish up from the creek. He wiped his nose with his sleeve, he drew his Pa and Ma in front of their house and they were both holding his hands. The boy smiled as he continued drawing, when he heard horse hooves and a snort. He looked up and saw a pair of men, he felt scared. One man had long inky black hair, blacker than soot, his skin as pale as the moon his eyes were bright and amber colored when he smiled the boy felt his stomach twist in knots. His face was clean; his shirt reminded the boy the color of the piano keys at the saloon his Pa brought him into. The bottom of the pale mans black chaps were covered in dust. His partner had silver hair, and glasses he smiled at the boy as well. The black haired man spoke first.

"Are you here all alone boy?" The boy shook his head.

"N-No my Pa is just down at the river." The man nodded thinking it over, the silver haired man looked at the other man. The two spook quietly so the boy could not hear.

The black haired man dismounted and walked towards the boy his spurs chiming with each step. The boy backed up away from the man and yelled for his Pa, his Pa would save him he was sure.

"Now, now I'm not gonna hurt you" The man said before smiling sickly "much." Then everything went black just as he heard his Pa shouting for him.

Kabuto brushed his hair out of his eyes before placing his hat back on his head.

"The boy won't get us much but we can get more for the father. I don't even think they'll take the boy's teeth. We can sell the horses at the nearest burg."

"Tie the horses up then Kabuto, or do you just enjoy the sound of your own voice." Orochimaru turned his cold amber eyes to Kabuto from across the clearing.

"Yes, Master Orochimaru". Orochimaru looked at the dead boy and grinned at the tears still fresh on the boys face.

"Master Orochimaru. We are ready."

"Where's the nearest town Kabuto?" Kabuto took out a map and studied it for a few moments.

"About a days journey south of here". Orochimaru nodded and spurred the horses on. The pair set off two horses in tow and a dead bodies tied on behind them.

"God damn it's as hot as a whorehouse on nickel night!" Hidan was waving his hat with his face. Kakuzu rolled his eyes as the trotted along heading towards the town where Pein and Konan would be waiting. Dust kicked up behind ever step his horse took, the land was dry as their had been a drought. The grass was turning a yellow color, the crops would fail and the cows would become skinny if the rain did not come soon causing profits to drop and people to become bitter.

"We better be staying at the whorehouse, I've been egging to touch a woman since we caught that broad bathing." Hidan grinned his eyes staring off into the distance.

"Please contain your self". Kakuzu did not appreciate Hidan's comments toward Sakura, as the girl proved to be quite intelligent.

"Fuck you Kakuzu." Hidan continued fanning himself.

"Though that Sakura is pretty damn feisty, I'd like to get my hands on that." Hidan grinned as he painted pretty images in his head. Kakuzu rolled his eyes harder and spurred his horse into a gallop, anything to get away from Hidan.

"Hey hold up you son of a bitch!" Hidan chased after him.

The pair rode on for some time before Kakuzu halted on a dime, his horse grateful for the rest. Hidan pulled to a stop beside him, confusion written on his face.

"What the hell Kakuzu?" Hidan quieted at the intensity of Kakuzu's gaze, following his eyes Hidan saw four horses in a line. There were two figures sitting straight up and the others were laid across the horse and unmoving. Hidan squinted in the sun to see. The figure in front had inky black hair that was long and skin shockingly pale, the man behind had silver hair in a ponytail and his glasses flashed in the sun. They pair seemed to have not noticed Hidan and Kakuzu as they crossed the hill and disappeared behind it.

"That was Orochimaru and his partner Kabuto."

"Should we go after them?" Hidan was strangely serious for a moment.

"No. They seem to be headed the same place we are." Kakuzu gave Hidan a measured look before looking back at the place where the two had crossed the hill.

Sakura sat in her room, pulling on her boots she stood her spurs chiming as she walked to the wooden chair where her gun belt hung. Pulling the belt through the loops she situated it comfortably. Checking her gun, making sure it was loaded and her knife was secure on her left hip. Tucking her long pink hair up into her hat, Sakura left her room and then she was out on the streets of the town. Going into the General Store down the walkway she browsed the store while the clerk watched her carefully. The general store held some nice items, woven blankets, jars of hard candy and dried meat. All Sakura really needed was food and ammunition; she was planning on trying to leave the Akatsuki as soon as she caught wind of Orochimaru and Kabuto's trail. Approaching the clerk she purchased a bag of apples, beans, coffee and a couple of rounds for her rifle and revolver. The clerk gave her change and watched as she left. Sakura stepped back out onto the wooden walkway.

It wasn't as hot here as it was in Sand at least, it seemed as if it rained often here. There were wagon tracks of hardened mud; grass grew underneath the buildings here although trees were scarce. As she walked on, passing women who would glance at her attire. She looked at the their dresses reminding her of the past. Her fist tightened on her bag as she walked the remaining way to the brothel.

Sakura was feeding Ace an apple behind the brothel when Konan came outside. Konan leaned outside the door her dress falling off the edge of the steps.

"Sakura, is your offer of help still available."

"Yes, of course Konan." Sakura nodded her head as she petted Ace's neck.

"My usual bar man hasn't shown up yet to wipe down the bar. Would you be kind enough to help?"

"Yes." Sakura patted Ace's forehead leaving him to follow Konan into the brothel. Konan showed her to the bar, reaching into the shelves beneath the bar to pull out a cloth and some cleaning liquid.

"Just pour some of this onto the cloth and wipe down the bar. I'll be arranging the stage, so just call me when you finish."

"Okay." Sakura nodded smiling as Konan walked off.

Sakura was standing behind the bar wiping down the dust and spills while a few others were sweeping and cleaning for opening time. When the doors opened and a rather bulky man walked in with a small female behind him. The girl had bright red hair it was smooth on one side and slightly choppy on the other as though she had gotten in a fight with some scissors. She wore an extravagant cloak that showed a peek of her rich if not promiscuous dress underneath. The tops of her breasts were visible and pushed up thanks to her corset which caused her waist to look very small with wide womanly hips. Though Sakura noted that her face looked a little sickly, as she walked some hair fell across a shoulder revealing some skin. There were bumps on her neck. Sakura's eyes narrowed she began thinking of any illnesses she knew of that held these symptoms.

"Ah Karin, hello". Konan walked into the room dressed elegantly her corset pulled tight. Sakura watched, pausing in her cleaning. "I'm glad you've come to perform, our patrons are excited for you to be on stage." Konan gave Karin a ghost of a smile.

"I'm afraid that will not be so." Karin's voice was slightly hoarse and the corners of her mouth were flakey. "I've become a little sick and it wouldn't be good for me to be on stage."

"I understand go and see a doctor when you're better we would be glad to have you perform for us". As soon as Karin left Konan turned to Sakura. "Pour me a whiskey would you Sakura?" Turning around Sakura grabbed a clean glass and poured the amber colored drink into the glass. Konan downed the shot in a single swallow. Setting the glass down hard with a loud clink.

"Sakura I need your help." Konan looked into Sakura's eyes intensely. "I need you to perform tonight." The room was silent and Konan's request still ringing in Sakura's ears.

"I can't. I'm sorry." Konan saw Sakura's eyes cast down.

"This isn't the way to deal with this Sakura." Konan watched as Sakura's shoulders tensed a little.

"You need to know that there is nothing wrong with you. To gain the confidence back in your body is important. You are not tainted. You are not disgusting. You are beautiful and you need to realize that." Sakura looked up at Konan her eyes were shining with unshed tears. Konan leaned over the bar and pulled Sakura into her shoulder. At first Sakura tensed but then Konan heard the crying, this was the first step. Konan would help Sakura overcome her fear and gain back her strength.

Konan poured another bucket of warm water on Sakura. Sakura hadn't taken a proper bath in a long time. Konan poured some liquid into her hair and began to massage Sakura's scalp. Suds began to form causing Sakura to squeeze her eyes shut. Sakura gripped the metal edge of the tub, her knees bent to fit inside. The water was still warm and relaxing. The wound on Sakura's right arm had left a scar.

"Now for tonight you're going to need to sing." Before Sakura could protest Konan began speaking again. "It's nothing too difficult and the men won't be focusing on your singing, it's more for the entertainment."

Sakura was now beginning to feel uneasy her stomach was currently lodged in her throat.

"Repeat after me…"

The rain poured on the roof causing those in the brothel to speak louder, almost at a yell. Sakura stood behind to curtains trying to gather as much as possible. Konan had tried to teach her everything she could for this one performance. At this moment she wanted to kill Hidan and Kakuzu for capturing her because if they hadn't she wouldn't be in this position. The corset she wore was tight and breathing was becoming difficult. She was wearing all black; her black corset had sheer panels that showed some of her pale skin. The audience would get a peek of her legs; the stockings went up to her mid thighs and were attached to the garter belt. The heels she wore were uncomfortable and she had been practicing walking in them for most of the day. On the stage Konan began by welcoming everyone then she introduced Sakura.

"God dammit." Sakura cursed as she began walking out the band playing, the crowd hooted as she walked out her curled hair swaying. She made eye contact as best she could, a small smile on her lips that were painted red. Her skin had been dressed to look paler in order to contrast against the black clothing, well more like underwear. Her mother was most likely rolling in her grave right now.

Kakuzu watched as Sakura stepped out from behind the curtain, her legs covered in sheer stockings revealed little but yet so much. Her legs were slender, but strong he could see the lean muscle in her legs. He heard Hidan curse beside him, even over the loud hoots and hollers of the crowds.

"Holy fucking Jashin." Hidan's eyes roamed all over Sakura's body as he fingered his religious pendant. The corset creating curves they had never seen due to her menswear. Her breasts weren't anything to whoop and holler about but goddamn did that corset push them up to compensate for the smallness. Her hair was curled and fell over her shoulders. Lips painted red and opened as she began singing.

"H-Here you g-go t-tw-two hund-hundred dollars for the t-two ma-mares." The clerk stuttered as he handed the bills over to the pale man as the silvered haired one had a pistol cocked and aimed at his head.

"Thank you kindly sir". The pale man with dark hair tipped his hat in appreciation his yellow eyes bright. As the two walked away from the desk the pale one turned back to the clerk a smile on his face that struck fear in the clerk once again.

"Would you point us in the direction of the saloon sir?" The clerk lifted his right arm. The man smiled nodding his head exiting through the door, his silver haired partner following as he adjusted his glasses.

"Have a nice night."

The clerk watched the pair pass by the dust-covered windowpanes letting out a choked sob once they left his sight.

Sakura felt nervous, she could hear he voice shaking a bit as she sung. The men were whistling at her. She could she the want in some of their eyes and it scared her. She was vulnerable up on this stage, the gun she had strapped to her right thigh was hidden behind the skirt she wore. Walking across the stage she pulled over a chair and sat in it like you would a horse. Trying to follow what Konan had showed her, Sakura smiled coyly at the crowd of rowdy men. As she sang she felt more confident, the men looked but did not touch she was safe and in control of this situation. She was standing up from her chair when the doors to the brothel opened. In stepped a man as pale as the moon, with inky black hair and beside him a man with silver hair and glasses reflecting the low light. Sakura knew this pair better than she did herself. She could spot them from miles away and her heart froze. She watched, as Orochimaru looked up from under his hat at her his golden eyes piercing her soul. He licked his lips with that disgusting tongue of his.

It was as though time had slowed down, Sakura heard nothing and saw only the pair. Reaching behind her skirt she pulled her gun out of her holster. Marching forward she shot at the two with skill. The two kicked over a table taking cover behind it; men were running out of the brothel as soon as shoots were being fired. Sakura kicked over a table and ducked behind it. Peering out from behind the wood she fired a shot at the table they were behind. She saw the two of them bolt out of the doors, Sakura charged after them slipping out of her heels. Just as she reached the outside the two thundered past on horses. Sakura ran to Ace and jumped on him setting off after them.

Ace raced on, the rain smacked Sakura in her face almost blinding her. Her stockings were covered in mud splashed up from Ace's hooves. All she could hear was her breathing and all she felt was intense hatred. She could see Orochimaru and Kabuto ahead, dark figures racing headlong into the rain. She would catch them and Sakura would exact her revenge. The make up running down her face, the runs in her stockings and lack of clothing did not worry her anymore. At the moment all she could think of was catching them, aiming her pistol at the pair. She shot twice at the two, hoping her aim was true. She saw a figure turn and barely heard the crack of the gun when Ace tumbled to the ground. Landing in the mud hard Sakura cried out at the weight on her leg. Aiming her gun and ignoring the pain Sakura shot blindly ahead of her.

Crack!

Crack!

Crack!

Crack!

Click! Click!

Sakura let out a scream that shook her core as she threw her gun at the fading pair. Wiggling out from underneath Ace, she ran in the mud her feet sinking as she went. She ran in the rain hair falling into her face, she felt an arm wrap around her waist and pull her up out of the mud. Her head whipped around to see who was stopping her to see a shock of orange hair and metal piercings. Sakura screamed, hitting him with her fists as he held her still. It was hell watching Orochimaru and Kabuto once again escape her reach and her wrath.

Pein watched with cool eyes as Sakura hit him screaming and crying. She thrashed around in his arms trying to escape.

"NO! LET ME GO!" Pein held on tighter as she twisted her arms clawing at him, as her eyes remained focused on the fading away pair. It became clear to Pein that this was who had wronged her. Knowing how Orochimaru and Kabuto behaved Pein could only imagine what they had done to Sakura.

"PLEASE! I CANT LET THEM GET AWAY! PLEASE! NO!" Her voice was shaking and sounded raspy as she yelled. Pein threw across his saddle as he galloped back to the brothel. Holding Sakura over his shoulder he tied up his horse.

"Kakuzu, Sakura's horse was injured go see if you can fix 'em up". Sakura remained silent; her yelling fit had tired her out. Her eyes were hollow and dull.

"Konan bath Sakura and then put her to bed, don't allow her to leave your sight."

"Yes of course Pein". Konan lead Pein to the bathroom he set Sakura down on a chair and left the females alone.

Pein walked into his room and sat in the wooden chair his mind began to race.