A/N: Thanks to the reviewer: AkatsukiDreamer!
Disclaimer: I forgot this in the first chapter XD but here it is: I don't own Naruto; if I did, Kimimaru, Deidara, and Sasori would NOT have died and Gaara would be the main character.
Recap: Sakura has arrived late causing Kakashi, Naruto, and Sasuke to be pretty ticked off. Kabuto is reflecting on his current mission at hand.
Sakura's POV:
Kakashi raises his eyebrows. "Who could be important enough to cause Konoha's best kunoichi chunin to be late for this mission? You do realize how dire this is don't you Sakura?" There he goes again; talking to me like I'm a child. Though my expression doesn't let it show, I'm really put out by his harsh words.
"Yes, Kakashi I understand but I'm here now so can't we get started?" Sai smirked, man I hate it when he does that. Sai is decently cute, but not a brat like Sasuke was, glad I let that ship set sail years ago.
"Alright Kakashi explain the mission already I'm so psyched!" Sai, Kakashi, and I all sighed even though our blond-haired friend was now a chunin he was still immature.
"Well", Kakashi began, I called you three here to explain the details of an upcoming mission not actually go on the mission." Everyone sweatdrops. "Because somethings come up for me so today's not good for the actual rendezvous."
"Hurry up!" Naruto screamed in anticipation, "I want to know what this crummy mission's about!"
"Okay, we have to infiltrate Orochimaru's base in Otagakure in order to learn as much information about him and his subordinates, including Kabuto and the Sound 5."
"Kabuto?" I queried suspiciously, "Kabuto who?"
"Why, I don't see why you particularly care but if you must know Yakushi." Kakashi offered in a bored tone. He would much rather be reading Icha Icha right now or going on a hot date with Anko, yeah that would be sufficient as well.
"…." I was speechless. The boy that I had just met and found extremely attractive at that was a spy. Sadly, he wasn't just any spy; he was a spy for the infamous, cruel Orochimaru. So much for calling him up for a relaxing dinner. But still a part of me wants to call him, no that's not right, needs to call him. I want to hear his voice. There's a need in me to get to know him better; maybe he's not the jerk everyone thinks he is. I'll make that my mission within a mission to discover the real Kabuto Yakushi. He could just be one of Orochimaru's hostages, maybe that bastard threatened his family so now he has to serve him until someone rescues him. That someone could be me! Cha! Sakura's facial expression kept changing back and forth in relation to her inner thoughts.
"Hey Sakura," Sai said, " If you're done staring off into space and making faces Kakashi dismissed us 10 minutes ago." At this point, Kakashi was walking off with Naruto close behind.
"Sakura, is there something wrong?" Kakashi asked turning around after recognizing Sakura's lack of reaction following. "You've been acting really weird ever since I mentioned Kabuto's surname was Yakushi. Honestly, how many Kabutos are there?"
Oh crap! I thought to myself. My reaction was TOO out of character if I don't come up with something fast they'll figure out there's something amiss. "Nothing," I sputtered, "Just a little apprehensive about the mission. By the way I need to get home I told my parents I'd be back by 10." I knew this was a very lame excuse but at least I'm a good liar.
"Oh in that case good night!" Kakashi poofed away. Whew, that was a close one way too close for comfort. I nearly blew my cover. It took me a few more minutes to remember that Sai was still standing right beside me waiting for me to leave. "Oh good night Sai." I murmured quietly. He tries so hard to be a nice guy but still comes off as a total creep.
"Good night, Sakura." He replied emotionlessly. The two walked there respective ways home, not even bothering to waste chakra.
Kabuto's POV:
"Yes, Orochimaru-sama, I'll make sure the Sound 5 are positioned accordingly." Sama? I nearly spat that part, hope I wasn't too obvious though.
"Thank you, Kabuto, that will do. Oh, and by the way," Orochimaru added which gave me a twinge of uneasiness, "kill any Konoha ninja who show up." Those words tore at me; there was no way I would kill Sakura. For that matter, I wasn't really interested in killing her teammates either. As I exited the snake sannin's office, if you will, my nostrils caught a sickening scent, formaldehyde. I knew what that meant; Orochimaru was planning on reviving Kinimaru, the leader of the Sound 5. Personally I had nothing against him other than the fact that he would do anything for Orochimaru. Well, I guess we were almost in the same boat then. I wonder how Sakura's doing.
Sakura's POV:
Mmmm, morning already? For once I actually slept well. Yes! Perfect day too; today's the big mission. I should be excited, right? This will be my first S-ranked mission; Sai and Naruto are practically bouncing off the walls. Which for Sai merely means he said he was ecstatic about the mission. But for some odd reason, there's a feeling of impending doom in the air. I slowly gathered my supplies then I crept downstairs. My parents were still asleep so I was careful not to wake them. After making my way outside, I walked to the set meeting place. All the while I wondered if I will see Kabuto today. Realizing there was a dark side to this thought, I dreaded the possibility that I might have to fight him. A few minutes later I met up with Kakashi and Team 7.
"Glad to see everyone's here on time," Kakashi just had to rub in that I'd been late yesterday. What an asshole! I contained my fury as he gave the signal to leave.
"Otogakure, dead ahead!" Kakashi shouted. How strange, I thought, the way he emphasized the dead part.
Kabuto's POV:
I breathed uneasily as the Sound 5 and I assembled outside of Orochimaru's base.
"When do we strike?" Sakon asked maliciously.
"Sakon, must you always be concerned with gore and bloodshed?" Kinimaru asked in his cool calculating voice. The 6 arranged themselves in a hexagonal shape encircling the perimeter of the base. Maybe Sakura won't show up….damn. There's no mistaking that pink hair; it's her,
Team 7 crept up to the front of Orochimaru's sound base. "We're situated about 20 feet away to ensure that he can't see our activities," Kakashi informed us. I was very uneasy. Everyone in the group was well aware of how dangerous Orochimaru was alone, but teamed up with the Sound 5, he was unstoppable. We rested for lunch then Kakashi barked the command I hated to hear this time. "Okay everyone; you know your positions, GO!" Kakashi shouted. Sasuke and Naruto zoomed off in opposite directions in order to heighten their peripheral vision. Kakashi and I advanced towards the center of the base.
"Too easy." Kakashi muttered apprehensively. As I softly lifted the hinges of the heavy metal door, something grazed my arm. "Ouch!" I drew back in pain.
"Sakura are you alright?" Kakashi asked the concern evident in his voice. I gingerly examined my arm. To my horror, I saw two fresh holes. I identified them as bite marks; but the worst was yet to come. These two bites could only be caused by one person, Orochimaru. "Oh my kami," Kakashi spoke grimacing. He handed me a cloth and told me to wrap the wound up. "Is it serious?" I asked already knowing the answer.
"Even for a medic ninja like yourself, this poison is unknown. And with current knowledge of Orochimaru he can control the amount of venom delivered with each bite."
"That is correct," a vile voice spoke, "and the percentage delivered then was fatal." Orochimaru smirked, "but there is an antidote; which only I possess of course." My face paled and Kakashi's fists clenched. "What do I have to do to obtain the antidote?"
"Kill us." Sakon, Jirobu, and Tayuyu challenged. Hmmmm..with these killing machines on my side there's no way I can lose Orochimaru thought. Wait a second where's Kabuto? At this point I noticed that Kabuto and Kinimaru were no where to be found. Does that mean they are going against their master's wishes; or is it a bluff? My head swam. As my vision blurred, I wondered what would become of me. Suddenly, I heard a voice; one that was soft, sexy, and comforting all at once. "Here drink this." Who is that? "Kabuto," I mouthed. My world spun one last time before I blacked out.
A/N: Cliffy! I'm glad people are enjoying the story so far. I'm doing my best! REVIEW like crazy! Btw more romance coming
