Through the Spy Glass

by Katsura369

Sakura's back in her world, however she hasn't forgotten the people she met in the other. Especially given what she unexpectedly received as constant reminder(s) of a certain ambitious dungeon capturer she fell in love with. They say that secrets always find a way of coming out-no matter where they are hidden. Does that include in another world? An unraveling like no other.

3. The Past: First mission part2

Hello. Well there's not much for me to say on my part regarding this story; just want to let all my readers know that I am going to have a bit of a binge-update with this story during my break and to keep a look out.

READ AND ENJOY.

The following morning, Sakura was up early to join Naruto and Kakashi; ready to leave in search of the Akatsuki. Temari and her team were meant to join them, but at the last minute there was a change in plans from their superiors. In case word got out that the village leader was absent, leaving them vulnerable to surprise attacks, Temari and her team were ordered to remain in the village and protect it.

While everyone was protesting that it should be a Sand shinobi that assisted in getting their leader back; Chiyo appeared offering her help instead. There had been a bit of resistance on both ends about this, since the women appeared to be over sixty and was retired but she insisted and won that battle.

---

On their way to the Akatsuki's base, they found out that Chiyo was definitely well informed; she explained to them more about the Bijuu or 'tailed beasts'. One had been sealed inside Gaara just as one was sealed inside Naruto. It was what the Akatsuki were after and the reason Gaara was kidnapped.

They were informed that there were in fact nine tailed beast with immense masses of chakra. During The Great Ninja wars, all the nation's hidden villages were after these beasts for their power. The Akatsuki's intentions were to remove the tailed beast's chakra from their hosts and take it for themselves but that was all Chiyo knew. She didn't' know why exactly, the Akatsuki wanted their power.

The situation was not the same for Sakura.

'If only they knew; that there is a lot more to the tailed beasts than that. What it could create…'

Continuing to leap silently through the forest with Naruto, Kakashi and Chiyo. She didn't want to partake in the conversation.

'If we don't get to Gaara before they finish extracting his Bijuu-the he'll-

Sometimes, Sakura honestly wished she could remove what Yunan had showed her.

---

A few minutes had passed and the group had reached a clearing in the forest, to a small open field surrounded by trees. Kakashi had to stop them from going any further because of what lied ahead-or rather who. The wind rustled the figure's black cloak, patterned with large red clouds. Through the high collar, long dark hair was visible, unhidden by the bangs were red eyes with black commas, starring directly at the group.

"Itachi Uchiha." Naruto hissed out, glaring at the man.

Sakura stared directly at the man across the field, taking in his features; she didn't even have to glare his features to see how similar his appearance was to Sasuke. This was definitely Sasuke's older brother; the missing ninja who had killed his entire clan….Itachi Uchiha.

"This is him?" asked Chiyo, taking a step forward. "The man who wiped out his entire clan?"

"It's been some time, Kakashi, Naruto." Itachi greeted calmly. Unmoving.

"Bastard!" Naruto screamed, "You're not just after me, but Gaara too!?"

Sakura looked between them. When she looked at Itachi, she could feel herself growing angry and yet she didn't allow herself to show it; for there was also a sliver of what she could only describe as pity for the Uchiha. For no one knew the truth that had died with the third Hokage; the true intentions behind the Uchiha massacre.

'That it wasn't without reason.'

As Itachi's hand began to raise, Kakashi called out in alarm. "Everyone, don't look into his eyes or you're finished!"

According to Kakashi; Itachi's genjutsu were eye techniques. Of course as a Sharingan user that wasn't a surprise. They were going to have to fight him without looking him in his eyes, by attacking him based on the movements of his feet and body-which wasn't as easy as said.

Kakashi stepped forward, lifting his hand to raise his headband over the scared side of his face, with the eye that held the Sharingan. For a moment, they thought he was going to make them all stand back, but that wasn't the case.

"Naruto, I need you to back me up." Kakashi instructed.

Naruto smirked, knowing he didn't need to say anything to Kakashi to let him know he was all for it.

"And what, our king is meant to sit back and watch?" Sitri asked, venom laced in her tone.

'Relax.' Sakura instructed, feeling her djinns agitation. It wasn't like she made them fully aware of what she was capable of.

Itachi then pointed at Naruto, "It's time for you to come with me, Naruto."

Kakashi went to attack first; but then Naruto followed. His rasengan spinning in the palm of his hand as he ran towards…nothing.

Sakura gasped, "He's under gentjutsu!"

"But how!?" asked Chiyo.

Sakura didn't answer, she ran after Naruto quickly. Pumping chakra to her feet to pick up her speed while Kakashi continued to make his way to Itachi.

"Sakura!" Kakashi exclaimed.

Grabbing the back of Naruto's collar, Sakura pulled the boy back. Setting him to stand up straight, his eyes appeared blank, unblinking and she knew he was still under. Then raising her arm up, she poured chakra into her hand and then slammed it into Naruto's back.

When trapped in genjutsu, the flow of chakra in the brain is controlled. Stopping the flow was a common way to escape, as Sakura was fully aware. Another way to escape it was to rely on someone from outside the illusion, to pour their chakra into you and disrupt the flow.

That's what Sakura did.

She waited patiently; feeling Naruto begin to react and move. He blinked slowly, looking around until he saw Sakura.

Kakashi leapt back, separating from Itachi. He looked over at Naruto and Sakura. "Naruto, are you alright?"

"What…what was I…" The blonde glanced around him confused.

"You were under a genjutsu." Sakura told him, frowning. "I poured my chakra in to you to break you out of it."

'Her reactions are quick.' Chiyo thought, watching the pinkette. She had figured out almost instantly that Naruto had been under a genjutsu and reacted accordingly.

Kakashi was also surprised by the pinkette's quick counter. 'She's really grown.'

Naruto stared blankly back at Itachi, "What happened to his shadow clone?"

"He didn't make any." Sakura stated. Naruto must have thought Itachi summoned one when he was in actual fact, trapped in an illusion.

"That's interesting, similarly to what I can do.' Stolas said.

Stolas's poison had the ability to disrupt all senses; and warp them to his will. Sakura remember being trapped in his dungeon, a maze that seemed endless, with walls that went on forever.

"Okay, time to get serious." Kakashi said. "Get it together Naruto."

"Come on Naruto, snap out of it." Sakura put her hand on Naruto's cheek softly, he still looked out of it. Whatever he saw in the genjutsu shook him.

After a few seconds, Naruto was able to gather himself. His eyes turning sharp once again. Sakura and Naruto quickly returned to Chiyo's side. Behind Kakashi.

Kakashi moved in again for another attack and Itachi made a few quick hand sides, drew back a breath and then released several balls of flames towards the Leaf jonin. Kakashi dodged them, then jumped into the air, but Itachi was already reeling back and attacking again. Now at Naruto, Sakura and Chiyo who were wide open.

A large ball of flame headed straight for them, but all three managed to jump out of the way in time. As the dust cleared, leaving a hole, the earth scorched, Kakashi stood near. Holding his wrist, as his palm opened, with fragments of lightning swirling around. The Raikiri. Kakashi charged at Itachi, getting him to leap into the air, where Naruto was waiting, ready to attack with his Rasengan.

Sakura felt the ground tremble from the tree she was crouched behind, a gust of wind blew across her with the dirt that had been crushed finely from Naruto's attack.

"Did they get him?" Chiyo asked, sitting behind another tree near Sakura.

Sakura looked back through the grove of trees, when the dust cleared, Sakura could see a huge hold from Naruto's attack and Itachi, standing on the other end of it; unharmed.

'He won't be defeated easily obviously.' Sakura thought.

Naruto was hiding in the forest as well, watching Itachi carefully. What he had hit with his Rasengan turned out to be another clone instead of Itachi, the instant he realized that, he hid.

It was becoming harder to see now; there was a growing mist and for a moment, Sakura thought it was another genjutsu but Chiyo eased her worries by informing her it was merely Kakashi's technique and to stay prepared.

"Using my metal vessel, you could turn yourself invisible and attack." Gaap chided

"Or me, the speed you attain makes you nearly invisible." Sitri interjected.

'Okay, if you two keep edging me on; I'm putting you at the bottom of my bag.' Sakura warned, quickly silencing her djinns.

Kakashi went to confront Itachi head on again; the mist didn't last after Itachi used another fire ball, the blast had completely cleared up the mist. Using the distraction, Kakashi used earth style to leap out of the ground and attack Itachi, but wasn't able to graze him before Itachi caught him. Holding the back of his neck.

Sakura frowned, watching carefully as the two stood still in the distance. 'Something's off.'

What Itachi had actually captured wasn't Kakashi, but a shadow clone. While Itachi was holding onto it, Naruto moved in an attacked using his Rasengan. This Rasengan was different however; bigger. As Naruto and his clone rushed forward, shouting its name, Oodama Rasengan. They made contact with Itachi, creating a huge wave of light, destroying the ground beneath them.

'Wow' Sakura admired, blinking rapidly. She clearly wasn't the only one who had learned a few new skills. Just like her, Naruto had been holding back.

Sakura stood up with Chiyo to go and join Kakashi and Naruto, but something settled over Sakura and she swayed, her vision blurring for a moment before she caught herself against a tree trunk. Breathing softly.

Chiyo looked at the pinkette, "Sakura, are you alright?"

"Yeah…" Sakura replied quickly, forcing herself to stand up straight, shaking her head.

'This sudden fatigue again,' Sakura grimaced, covering her mouth, her stomach churned and her morning breakfast felt like it was ready to come up.

"Excuse me!" Sakura ran further into the forest, until she was a little ways from the others. She wretched, a vile liquid seeped out and onto the forest floor but Sakura couldn't care less, careful not to get her clothes dirty.

"Are you alright, my king?" Beleth asked in alarm.

"Are you perhaps ill?" Stolas asked.

"I'm fine." Sakura couched, wiping her mouth with a tissue from her pack. She took her canteen, first using the water to wash out her mouth and the second time to quench her swore throat. She then took some herbs to chew on, removing the smell on her breath.

The pinkette wiped the sweat on her forehead. She couldn't possibly be getting ill now. Sakura decided that she couldn't bother Kakashi with this now; it couldn't be anything serious if it was passing.

"Well, I see you had eggs for breakfast." Chiyou said, casually appearing behind the pinkette.

"Elder Chiyo!" Sakura looked at the women, waiting for an explanation. Smiling, Sakura rubbed the back of her head. "I must be catching a minor bug; I'll have to check it out after the mission."

"Mmm," Chiyo hummed, although something told Sakura that the old women might be thinking differently on her course, but Sakura couldn't rationalize it as anything else. "Are you certain? How does your stomach feel?"

"Honestly kinda bloated." Sakura said putting her hands over her belly, grinning. "I have to admit; I've kinda been packing it away lately….

Chiyo narrowed her eyes, "Like cravings?"

Sakura shrugged, "Guess so."

"Hey Sakura, come over here!" Naruto called interrupting the two women.

Chiyo and Sakura looked down at the Akatsuki member that Naruto had hit with his Oodama Resengan but it wasn't Itachi. This man, lying on the ground, his mouth gaping, blood dripping at the side, it was someone else. A man with dark hair, a goatee and tanned skin.

"What the…?" Naruto trailed.

"This man…" Chiyo said, "Is Yuura. A jonin from my village."

"He's from the Sand?" asked Naruto.

"What does this mean?" Kakashi asked.

"I don't know," Chiyo replied honestly. "But he went missing right before Gaara was kidnapped."

"Could he have been an Akatuski spy?" Sakura asked.

"I don't want to believe that. He served on the council for many years."

If that truly was the case, Sakura considered that it might have been some kind of technique to control a persons will. Her thoughts took her back to the time in Zepar's dungeon where the djinn had possessed Masrur.

In the end, no one was really able to understand the technique. The person they fought wasn't Itachi Uchiha and yet he fought like him. Using the same jutsu that was exclusive to the Uchiha clan.

'Obviously, the Akatsuki are stronger than anyone could interpret.' Sakura thought, clenching her fists tightly. Chiyo did conclude that this was used to buy the Akatsuki some more time. She wrote a message and had a mechanical bird deliver it back to Suna. This delay also had Chiyo come to a startling conclusion, that the Akatsuki were already extracting the Biju from Gaara.

"There's no time. We need to save Gaara right away." Kakashi ordered.

---

"You're late Kakashi."

Reaching the Akatsuki's hideout was not as simple as they were expecting; but they reached it. There was a ravine, following along with a red gate in the middle of a cave but the entrance had been shut with a giant boulder. That boulder also had some kind of seal on it.

Team Gai were already waiting for them. Gai, the team leader, was around Kakashi's age and the copy ninja's self-proclaimed rival. He had dark hair, round eyes and extremely thick eye brows. He also wore a tight green, full body suite. The younger members of his team, were a year older than Sakura and Naruto; Neji Hyuga, a young male with long brown hair, tied in a low pony tail with pale lavender eyes-a trait of the Hyuga clan. Then there was the female member Tenten, she had dark brown hair that was always tied in two buns and dark brown eyes; she was a skilled weapons master. Then there was Rock Lee; he had dark hair, cut in a bob, dark eyes and also thick eyebrows-just like his sensei. Lee also had an admiration for Sakura that he had made very clear to her.

"Naruto, Sakura!" Lee greeted the two ninja.

Sakura waved, starring up at the giant rock, she narrowed her eyes. 'This is it huh?'

She could feel her djinns growing excited but she told them to calm down.

'Relax you five, it's almost time.'

---

They found that they had to remove a barrier before they could get in. Hence Team Gai and Kakashi had to separate as quickly as they had met up. They had to simultaneously remove the seals of a five seal barrier. A five seal barrier meant that there were literally five different seals in different locations. Thanks to Neji's sharp eyes, his Byakugan; locating the seals weren't a problem. Using wireless microphones, they were able to coordinate their timing perfect and remove the seals thus releasing the barrier. After that; Sakura plunged forward destroying the giant boulder that stood in the way of their goal, turning it into rubble.

'Here we go,' Sakura took a small breath.

The entrance to the cave was now open; Kakashi directed them to move in. When they entered the dimly lit cave they were a bit surprised to see only three figures in the cave. Two Akatsuki members and behind them, a seemingly (hopefully as well) unconscious red-head-Gaara.

Naruto was shaking with anger as he saw one of the Akatsuki, a blonde man casually sitting on Gaara's chest as if he were nothing more than a piece of furniture. Next to him was another figure, he appeared to be crouching by the way his back arched it would make you wonder if he was kneeling under the cloak, half his face was covered by a piece of cloth.

"Now, I wonder which one is the Jinchuuriki?" the blonde Akatsuki said looking at the group, completely at ease.

Naruto was seething, his eyes turned red and into slits; "YOU BASTARDS, I'M GOING TO FUCKING KILL YOU."

Sakura bit her lip, she knew that Naruto was a passionate person but if he lost his composure; there was no telling what reckless thing he might do. Naruto continued to rave on; it was easier for the Akatsuki to figure out who was the Jinchuuriki then.

"Gaara!" Naruto called to him, but he would not wake, no matter how loud Naruto cried out to him.

'Don't tell me…' Sakura dreaded, he's already-no, she refused to go there. Not until she confirmed herself, rather than let her enemies bait her into a fit and cause her to recklessly attack. Although if that was their plan; it was working wonders on Naruto.

The two Akatsuki then started to converse, their names revealed then as it came up. The one with the blonde hair in a high pony tail was called Deidara and the other Sasori—also Chiyo's grandson. They were discussing their battle arrangements.

"They don't seem too concerned with us, my king," Beleth noted

"Let's send a tornado there way." Sitri suggested

'Calm down,' Sakura told them, never taking her eyes off the two figures in front of her. 'Rushing into a fight might be exactly what they want.'

Deidara summoned forth a big, bird-like creature made of what appeared to be clay. It grabbed Gaara in its mouth and Deidara took after it; baiting Naruto-who in his state of anger followed.

"Naruto!" Kakashi called after him, but he refused to even glance back. "Naruto and I will take care of the guy outside. Sakura and Chiyo-baasama, I'll leave this guy to you."

Sakura and Chiyo turned back to face the single remaining Akatsuki member now; Sasori. Looking straight into his 'eyes' Sakura could tell that this man; he had a vast amount of combat experience behind him. Then there was the number of people he had killed to consider.

"I will not allow all those children's deaths….." Sakura gritted out, her steps moving close towards the pair, the weapons held in an airtight grip, her right foot sliding behind her before kicking off to speed forward, charging at Madaura. "TO BE IN VAIN."

The strike was swift, the blade moved so fast it was hard to identify the sharp end of it, barely half a second it had embedded itself in flesh, the sticky warmth covered Sakura's hands but it was not the blood of the person she wanted.

"Lady Madaura…..you….have to get...-away."

"Kil…." Madaura trailed, watching as the last slave still loyal to her, the only one she could have still used was now on the ground, drowning in a puddle of his own blood, eyes already dimmed, lifeless.

Sakura-now awakened from her state of passive hysteria, stared down at Kil, the resolve to kill dissipated before it grew once again, her eyes looked back to Madaura; who was futility attempting to bring the child back to life. Sakura's hands began shaking, she had actually killed someone. It was a bitter settling. She had actually intentionally killed someone, even if the intended person was not the one who was killed, Sakura herself had still intended to kill someone-and she still did.

"At least you won't be a slave anymore."

Sakura shook at the very memory, but it broke her out of her state of self-doubt. How many people this person killed didn't matter.

'At the end, taking a life is easier than saving it.' Sakura reminded herself.

"Don't be afraid Sakura," Chiyo said stepping forward, mistaking the girls trembling for fear. "I will fight him."

"No it's not-

Chiyo reached into the long sleeves of her dress, pulling her hands out she held several shurikan knives all attacked together with a string of chakra. She aimed them at Sasori; but they were all deflected by his strange wooden scorpion like tail.

"If you're going to oppose me, I have no choice."

The black cloak with red clouds that Sasori wore, began to tear and fall apart, revealing the rest of his body. Sakura knew straight away that was she was looking at was not human. Crouched down on his hands and knees, position much like a table, on top his back, an orange mask-like structure with the tail coming from its open mouth.

"That's not his actual form is it," Sakura stated more than asked, completely composed, it was odd in all honesty. For her, she had always doubted her own strength and tended to be a bit rushed in her battles in hopes of ending it; but compared to the battles she had faced before and the monsters in the dungeons, even her battle with other djinn users. They had given her new heights of tension and fear. Stresses and situations she never dreamed of enduing; but because of those, she was finding it difficult to compare the thrills.

'Still,' her eyes hardened, 'That doesn't mean I should let my guard down.'

"Yes, that is actually a puppet." Explained Chiyo,

"Wouldn't that mean his real body is somewhere near?" Sakura asked, placing her hand on her hip. "I remember in the chunin exams, Kakurou fought with a puppet, disguising it as himself while he hid on its back."

"Yes, the real bodies inside of the puppet." Chiyo confirmed, though she was admittedly somewhat impressed by the pinkettes quick analysis.

Chiyo then continued to tell Sakura about puppet masters, how they were actually weak when it came to close range combat and that the puppet was actually the way around that. It was their armor and weapon. She also identified the puppet before them as Sasori's 18th puppet Hiruko.

"So you recognize this puppet, Grandma Chiyo?" asked Sakura

She nodded, "Yes, very well."

Sasori then spoke, his wooden tail swinging around tauntingly. "Do you know how I add you to my collection? First I tear out your organs. Once I've washed it clean, I drain all of the blood. After I've made sure it won't decay-

Sakura scoffed, interrupting Sasori's speech. "I'm sorry; but I have no intention of becoming a puppet. So I don't need the details."

Chiyo's eyes widened, she glanced back at the pinkette, watching how calm she was. It was a bit unnerving given the circumstances.

"What was that you brat?" Sasori asked, clearly not appreciating the interruption.

"I don't think I need to repeat myself," Sakura said crossing her arms over her chest. "If you have a point, get to it."

The puppet Hiruko's eyes visibly narrowed at the pinkette. "You-I'll definitely add you to my collection and I'll make sure you're alive for most of the process so you can suffer."

Sakura simply stared at him, an unchanging expression on her face.

"Sakura, what are you doing?"

"Grandma Chiyo; could you tell me everything you know about this puppet as quickly as possible?" Sakura asked the women.

Chiyo wanted to protest, tell the girl to show a bit of restraint with her tongue. Sakura didn't strike her as the kind of person to shoot off her mouth. Yet, this young girl he a strong stance in front of an Akatsuki.

"Hiruko is a battle-type puppet, regardless of that we need to separate it from Sasori. His additions to the puppets are the most dangerous of all."

Sakura nodded in understanding, "So we can't know how exactly he will attack; but you know how that puppet works."

"Yes; it was initially why I wanted to fight him alone at first; but now I don't think it will work."

"Why's that?" Sakura asked in a murmured tone, never taking her eyes off of Sasori's puppet.

"It's form is a bit different from the Hiruko I knew."

Chiyo began pointing out the different features she had not seen on the puppet before; that included the shell on his back that appeared to increase his defensive skills and then there was the matter of his left arm that had changed as well. She also pointed, that Sasori might have changed the most important weapons as well.

"In order to defeat Sasori, we must destroy Haruko first."

Sakura caught on quickly enough, before Chiyo was able to explain her plan she had put everything together.

"So, I'll use my strength to destroy it."

"Yes," Chiyou glanced behind her, at the rubble that remained from the boulder the young girl bashed in. "Listen Sakura; first you'll get close to Sasori and smash his puppet. But you must doge all of his attacks. You can't even let them scratch you."

Sakura nodded her head; she knew if she got hit with one of Sasori's weaposn there was a high probability of her being poisoned. Just as Kankurou was. "I can manage that,"

'It's like I'm back in your dungeon, Stolas.' Sakura thought humorlessly.

"In order to avoid puppet traps, you must understand the battle style of puppeteers. Consider the full capabilities of the enemy puppet and make quick judgments about how to move."

Sakura thought back to the djinn Zepar; that was as close to a puppeteer as she could get and she knew that the concepts were different. Zepar needed less effort to control his puppets.

"If that's the case, I might not fare well."

If she didn't have five djinns beside her; however she wanted to see what Chiyo had planned for her if she knew that it would be basically impossible for Sakura to do what is required to destroy the puppet. It was then the women explained that she would take care of it, adding that Sasori's advantage wasn't actually in experience. Chiyo then whispered to Sakura something so Sasori would not hear.

After, they got into position. Waiting only a few seconds before charging forward together towards Haruko. The puppet then remove the clothing covering its mouth; opening mechanically hundreds of needles shot out from its mouth. Up, down, left, right, Sakura and Chiyo avoided them from every direction they were thrown, moving swiftly; using shurikan to knock the needles out of the way if they weren't able to doge.

"Is it just me or does out king seem to be enjoying herself?" asked Gaap

"Oh, you noticed that too?" asked Sitri, "I can hear her heart from my vessel."

'You know I can hear you!' Sakura inwardly snapped at her djinn's as she kept maneuvering out of the way of the needles, but the closer they got the faster the needles would reach them. It was a matter of making one misstep for it all to be over. However; Sasori stopped his assault; be it he was out of senbon or not; he had stopped.

'Now if only I was actually moving my body,' Sakura thought in a bitter sweet tone.

Sakura narrowed her eyes, trying to decipher what he would do next.

"You saw through it; alright." Sasori said, his voice gruff.

Then from the side of the puppet, they saw the arm that Chiyo had mentioned. It separated from the puppet, flying across the room, releasing a thin gas before the wooden pikes that were attached to the arm were suddenly free from their placing; breaking open to reveal more needles.

Sakura kept her eyes open as she shifted appropriately to avoid the attack; or rather it was Chiyo that was moving her so fluently. When the rain of needles finally stopped, Chiyo stood back while Sakura charged forward. It was only then that Sasori realized as well what was going on. When Sasori swept his tail at Sakura, the pointed tip was only a mere inch away from the center of her eyes but it stopped. Then Sakura drew back her arm and then punched his puppet; successfully shattering it to many disassembled pieces.

In that instant, Sakura saw something move away from the puppets body, but it was wrapped in torn cloth; landing a little ways from where she was. The head of Haruko's puppet however, moved and that distracted her momentarily; it turned to at Sakura, shooting out more hundreds of needles. Chiyo quickly moved her arms, directing Sakura to safety, without a single scratch on her.

"As I thought," said Sasori, "Just what I'd expect from my Grandma. No wonder the girl dodged my attacks so easily. She had you, who could see through the controlling her with chakra strings."

It was true, Sakura could feel the strings attached to her back like a puppets. She honestly found it a bit discomforting.

"My king, you could use us." Beleth reminded her

'I know Beleth,' Sakura responded; but she wanted to hold off on using her djinn just yet. These beings didn't exist in this world and the last thing Sakura wanted was to reveal them before she got her story straight-and that meant a really convincing lie because she was not about to mention travelling into another world and being trapped there for years. She wasn't going to be stupid either though; if things went too far, she wouldn't hold back anymore.

Sasori and Chiyo conversed for a few minutes, Sasori identifying everything that had been planned out by Chiyo. Putting Chakra strings not only on Sakura to control her movements but also on his puppets tail to stop it from hitting her. After, Sasori removed the cloth covering his form. He stood straight; a young man in appearance, with short red hair.

"W-What's the meaning of this?" Chiyo asked, sounding like she was choking, "You haven't aged a day,"

From what Sakura heard, Sasori had left the village twenty years ago; so he shouldn't appear like this but then her mind started going through all of the possibilities. Tsunade was able to maintain a youthful appearance; then there was the fact that Sasori was a master of puppetry and turned humans into-

"Crap." Sakura muttered under her breath as she put it together. "You're not human anymore are you?"

Sasori had a calm smile on his face, "Aren't you a clever little girl?"

He then raised his arm, revealing a scroll from under his sleeve, he began to roll it out; on it written in ink was three. "This might be even more shocking. He was one of the hardest to kill and add to my collection."

There was a puff of smoke, the scroll vanished and in its place, when the air began to clear was yet another puppet. Chiyo appeared even more surprised at the sight before her.

"That's the third Kazekage!" she exclaimed,

Sakura saw a dark haired puppet, wearing a large brown coat; it was shifting along with Sasori's movements. He had lowered himself towards the ground, with the puppet diagonal to him.

"That puppet?" Sakura asked, in disbelief. That was actually a former leader of the sand village?

"It happened twenty years ago," Chiyo began "The third Kazekage vanished, we were never able to find him. Sasori, you did it?"

"So what?" Sasori asked, with no care in his voice or concern. "You're telling me an old hag like you is going to avenge him? How admirable."

"Even so, I cannot forget the past." Chiyo stated, frowning at her grandson. "You attacked three Kazekage!"

From what Sakura could remember; it had been Orochimaru who killed the Fourth Kazekage and took his place at the chunin exams in order to infiltrate the Leaf village; that had started a battle between the two allied villages. Chiyo said that it was Sasori's companions behind it, however Sasori protested, saying that he had nothing to do with that, though he did admit to one thing.

"It's true that Orochimaru was my original partner in the Akatsuki."

Sakura felt her skin crawl at the mention of that man; he was the one who had set the path of darkness for Sasuke; tempting him to taking it. However, now what seemed to be a battle for survival; Sakura saw as opportunity.

"If you were Orochimaru's partner, then you must know a lot about him," her voice was strong when she spoke. Narrowing her eyes, Sakura glared at the Akatsuki member "I have a lot of questions for you."

Determination to subdue the puppet master had washed over Sakura, like a tidal wave and she wasn't going to be able to bring herself up for air.

"Sorry kid. I have to finish you two off and catch that Jinchuuriki. I hate to keep people waiting."

Clenching her fists, shifting her stance to better control her center of gravity, she gave Sasori a dark expression. "We'll see about that!"

Pushing on the back of her foot, Sakura launched herself towards Sasori. In response, Sasori maneuvered his puppet to intercept the pinkette. Chiyo had been stunned when Sakura charged forward in such a reckless fashion, but before the two were able to engage, Chiyo yanked the puppet strings attached to Sakura, in order to bring her back. Though from the third's puppet, emerged several blades out of its sleeve, blades that were coated in poison. Luckily, Chiyo was able to use Hiruko's tail to block the attack, even though it did destroy it. That just showed how powerful this puppet was.

"You know, I'd be tired of getting yanked around like that." Gaap said, "Come my king, let us join."

'Wait,' Sakura told him, 'This fight has only begun, be patient.'

Her djinns weren't the only ones who were anxious; Sakura herself wanted to jump right into a full on battle but something told her that the time wasn't right.

'Soon,' she promised

"Nice one Grandma Chiyo, but how about this?" With a flick of his wrist; the left arm on the puppet moved to the front of its body; the wooden limb then began to open, the parts had something written on them. They lit with chakra, activating and from them; several hundreds of more hands and arms appeared, reaching out towards Sakura.

"MY KING!" her djinns called out in alarm.

Sakura kept her eyes open as they arms reached for her, on impact they created a huge cloud of dust from the crushed earth; when it cleared Sasori was surprised to see that the girl was still in one peace. She was lying on the floor, her body lying awkwardly on the ground, avoiding the limbs.

'This is getting ridiculous,' Sakura thought as she stood up. Chiyo then pulled her to the back, lifting her into the air. However as she was, something came from one of the arms, a cloud of purple emerged.

"Hold your breath Sakura!"

'Poison?' She wondered, taking breath before covering her mouth. She felt her body come to an abrupt halt. From the other arms, shot out four kunai tied with ropes. It wrapped around the pinkette's legs, arms and chest. Now she was being held in mid-air by both strings.

"SAKURA" Chiyo cried out in alarm.

It was then, Sakura felt her body being pulled on Sasori's end, drawing her towards the poison. He was clearly determined to keep her there until she finally breathed in. The ropes were getting tighter as she felt herself enduring this tug of war.

"I'm sorry Naruto, you might have to wait for me a little while but next time-I promise I won't be dead weight."

"What I want," Sakura removed her hands, looking straight into Sinbad's eyes. "All I want is freedom."

"Freedom…?" Sinbad shrugged, with a confused and partially hostile expression.

"From you." Sakura clarified, her voice strengthening and held together with pain. "From the promise I forced on Naruto, from Sasuke, from everything. I don't want to be tied to anyone anymore. I don't want to be the one walking the path of someone else's destiny all the time. I want the freedom to have my own path. I want to take on my own path."

In a hoarse voice, to keep herself from breathing in the gas, Sakura gasped out. "Sitri!"

In the enclosed cave, a whirlwind appeared right in the center of the cloud of poisonous gas, it was visible in white doing more than fluttering fabric on the washing line around; it was so powerful that it dissipated it completely. Leaving the pinkette completely unharmed. Opening her eyes, Sakura glared at Sasori as he continued to keep his grip on her with his ropes.

"What?" Sasori looked at her.

"Sakura; how?" Chiyo gasped

"Surprise!" She said, expanding her arms the ropes around Sakura strained before snapping. Chiyo then pulled her back to her side quickly before Sasori could counter.

'Thanks Sitri,' Sakura smiled as she pushed herself up from the ground.

"Sakura, are you alright?" Chiyo asked examining the girl, despite that there were no signs of injuries on her. "What was that?"

Sakura smirked, "Puppets aren't the only ones-that can be improved."

Then she turned, giving another deadly glare at Sasori, "You-I' definitely going to capture you! So go ahead, try to poison me, cut off my limbs. In the end; I will get you and you will tell me about Orochimaru!"

Without a verbal response, Sasori brought his hand up, shifting his fingers. In that instant, kunai from the puppet's arms shot out, aiming directly for Sakura.

She was about to counter with Sitri, but then two figures appeared in front of her, deflecting the blades, knocking them to the ground. On either side of Sakura, there were two more puppets that appeared. A man with red hair and a women with long brown hair.

Glancing back, she looked at Chiyo who was holding her arms out, holding two scrolls in her hands; at her fingertips were visible chakra strings.

"Oh those." Sasori said in a bored tone, addressing the puppets.

"So you remember them?"

"More or less."

"The very first puppets you created." Chiyo said, bringing the heads of the puppets to look up, one after the other as she addressed their names. "Father and mother."

Just by looking at the father puppet; Sakura knew that these were supposedly Sasori's 'parents'. Sasori pointed out that it was stupid move to bring out puppets that he had created into a battle against him because he would know all of their moves.

The puppets then moved, stretching out their arms towards one another, their hands touched and then pulled back revealing wires attached to both hands. Chiyo then sent the puppets into battle. The wires were strong; strong enough to cut through the hundreds of arms from the Third Kazekage's puppet. Before reaching the third puppet, Sasori detached the arm from it and revealed yet another weapon beneath its sleeve. However; the two puppets that Chiyo was using also came with some tricks. The Father, had a wooden whip with blades attached to it and Mother a sword.

Sakura watched the battle between puppeteers, their puppets were clashing with one another and they were moving their hands at incredible speeds; their movements were blurred.

'That's amazing,' Sakura thought

"Forget that, when are we going to get our turn!?" Gaap complained

When the puppets withdrew, it was clear to see that every single one of their weapons had been completely worn out. Grinded to a blunt edge.

Then the puppet of Sasori opened its mouth and from previous experience, Sakura knew that was not a good sign. Something grey began to seep out of its mouth, gathering in the air.

"What is that?" she asked

"The most feared weapon in history of the Hidden Sand." Chiyo said leaning forward slightly, "Iron Sand! It's a technique that the Third created himself. He could mold the Iron Sand into various forms, changing it into weapons appropriate to the situation. The Third Kazekage had a unique body; that allowed him to change his chakra into a magnetic field."

"So even though it's just a puppet now, he had still use that technique?" Sakura asked, narrowing her eyes at the puppet as more sand continued to gather.

"Human puppets are different from puppets made of wood like Mother and Father." Chiyo told her, "Sasori is the only one who can make them; they are made to retain chakra they had when they were alive as well as the techniques they had when they were still alive."

Sasori smirked, "That's not all. After all, they are a part of my beloved collection."

Chiyo's brow creased, "Sakura, you need to get out of here."

Sakura gasped softly; turning to Chiyou. "What-

"You don't stand a chance against something like that," the old women said, flexing her fingers.

Again before Sakura could protest, Sasori launched his attack. The Iron Sand shifted in the air, into smaller parts before shooting straight at the women at a blinding speed. Chiyo had the Mother puppet grab Sakura and move her out of the way while using the Father puppet to protect her own body. It had created what was known as a chakra shield; however Sakura caught sight of Chiyo panting heavily. She was clearly beginning to reach her limit.

'And what have I been doing by far?' Sakura thought to herself in anger.

Chiyo attempted to move the puppet, but found that both had become immobile. Sasori then pointed that the Iron Sand had gotten into their bodies, so they would no longer be able to move.

"You know you have to doge that technique, not block it." Sasori said, "Was saving that girl all you could manage? As long as I have the Third's magnetic powers, I can render all your puppets useless."

'That's it!' Sakura gasped in realization. She glanced up at the puppet.

Sasori let out a small scoff, flexing his fingertips; the iron sand that had been lodged in the ground began to surface once again. "I'm going to finish off the both of you. You won't escape this time."

Looking up, the Iron Sand began to harden again, it shifted into iron spikes, both hanging directly above Sakura and Chiyo.

"One puppet can't protect two people." With that, Sasori brought his hand down, the iron sand fell down on them. When the Iron Sand shot down in its vorpal form, creating a huge cloud of dust, Sasori was certain that one of the two had to have gotten hit. However when the dust cleared, Sakura was completely safe, behind the Mother puppet that held up a chakra shield and Chiyo. She had one of her arms held out, spread in four parts of wood; a chakra shield up.

'So elder Chiyo's arm is also like a puppets,' Sakura thought; that's how she was able to save herself; however the iron sand had also gotten into her arm now and she wasn't able to control it anymore.

Then Sasori made a comment that helped Sakura piece everything together; "Great puppet masters think alike I suppose."

It was then, that Sakura realized what Sasori was hinting at; why his appearance hadn't changed. He wasn't human anymore. Because of that last attack, the second puppet was also out of commission having been hit with the Iron sand.

"You're out of puppets," Sasori observed, "What are you going to do now Grandma Chiyo? Even an elite puppet master without puppets is a regular person."

Glancing futilely at her puppets, Chiyo detached her now useless puppet arm. The Third's puppet opened its mouth again; releasing even more of the iron sand. This time it only took on four forms; two hardened into wing-like structures on the back of the puppet, while the other two took the shape of a pyramid and rectangle but they were large in size.

"Sakura, you have to run." Chiyo said to the pinkette once again; but the pinkette showed no sign of acknowledging the women as she continued to stare at the puppet. Her eyes were shining strongly that Chiyo was taken aback. "Sakura, what is it? I already told you, you can't fight him!"

Slowly, Sakura began to walk to Chiyo. Her stride was as determined as the fiery look in her eyes. She didn't stop until she was standing right in front of the old women. Sasori watched; somewhat curious about what the pink haired kunoichi was thinking. So far, it had been his grandmother that had managed to keep him at bay; but without her puppets she was useless.

'What could this little girl be thinking?'

"Elder Chiyo, you're right." Sakura said seriously; her voice deadly calm. "Without experience, I wouldn't be able to defeat Sasori with just my strength. However;" clenching her fists, "I do have some alternative options."

Chiyo's eyes widened, she held out her hand towards the pinkette "Sakura stop."

Pulling on the ends of her gloves, her head bowed. "I'll take care of that puppet for you elder Chiyo. Don't worry."

"No" Chiyo protested, "You'll only get yourself killed."

Turning around, Chiyo held her breath when she saw the pinkette look at her; with a smile spread across her face. She didn't say anything and yet; it was her facial expression that shocked the women into silence.

'Those eyes,' Chiyo thought; there was no innocent shine in them that children her age usually had; it had lost that glow and showed a kind of strength that came with experience. In complete contradiction to Sakura's physical form.

'They do not suit her.'

Sakura turned back to face Sasori; her eyes as hard as her will.

'The dungeons I've captured, the monsters I've conquered, the new skills I have obtained; I will not allow them to die here.' Sakura told herself, 'I do not need to be controlled like a puppet to make the right decision in battle-not anymore!'

Sakura sprang into a run; heading right for Sasori; the iron sand in the shape of a pyramid came directly for her. Pushing back on her feet, Sakura avoided the collision, her feet skidding across the ground before she stopped to determine what Sasori would do next. Then she saw the rectangle sand heading for her from above; she drew chakra to her fist quickly before jumping up to meet it; her fist collided with the object; sending it crashing into the ceiling of the cave; it began to crumble.

"Bitch."

Sasori began fiddling his fingers, the iron sand began to move out of its positions on the walls; floating beside his puppet. Clenching his fist, Sasori watched as the pyramid began to spin wildly resembling a top; then drawing back his hand he watched as it spun towards the pinkette.

When it hit the ground; Sakura jumped into the air to avoid the weapon that came spinning wildly at her. When her feet landed on the ground she jumped again; avoiding the other form of iron sand. Then it was back to the iron top. Her eyes followed its every move. It chased Sakura around the cave, until finally she was able to get the upper hand by pushing off against the iron sand that was still in the ground; she drew back her fist and punched the iron pyramid with her chakra coated fist.

'This won't do any good for me if I keep this pace.' She knew that simply ducking the weapons and punching them wasn't going to do anything but exhaust her chakra sooner. She had also picked up on Sasori's attack pattern; not just from watching the weapons, but catching glances of the way his fingers moved to control his puppet. She was anticipating most of the attacks basing on the hand movements and the area they were in; it wasn't accurate but it was enough to keep her from getting hit.

Sakura then halted in the center of the cave; between Chiyo and Sasori.

"SAKURA" Chiyo cried out in alarm, the girl had been moving so well; why did she stop?

"This is it!" Sasori said bringing his hands out and crossing them over.

'Looks like you're up,' Sakura held out her hand as she jumped back, looking at the two weapons that were now coming at her simultaneously. She held out her arms in the direction of each Iron sand object.

"Beleth." She felt that familiar surge of energy coursing through her arms as they shifted; her fingers became claws, silver armor wrapped around her arm till her elbow. Then, hot, dark flames emerged from both hands; striking the iron sand. The heat was so great that the iron began to melt.

"What?" Sasori looked in disbelief as the melting sand iron was sent flying straight through the ceiling of the cave on both ends. The entire structure had taken too much damage to maintain itself and started collapsing from above.

A cool breeze and warmth of the sun hit Sakura's skin. She looked around to find Chiyo; she was standing amongst the rubble, completely unharmed. Sakura admitted to being a bit reckless in her attack but at least she had taken care of the iron sand-well most of it anyway. Drawing back his puppet's weapons, Sasori saw that Sakura had inflicted quite a bit of damage; the iron sand had been welded together and could no longer be manipulated to take any other shape. He then flicked his fingers to cut off the parts that had been heated; leaving him with a much smaller amount of sand.

'What was that attack?' he wondered.

Flexing her claws, Sakura stared at her hand, "Seems I haven't lost my touch."

Chiyo stared at the pinkette, in all her years as a kunoichi; she had never come across an attack like that. It was one thing for her to have that impressive strength and healing abilities and then there was this. Just how skilled was the child?

"That's a lot of power for a little girl." Sasori said positioning his puppet and its weapons above him.

Sakura took a breath, looking up at him "I'll take that as a compliment,"

"What was that attack earlier?" he asked,

Holding out her hand to show off her claws Sakura smirked "This? It's just a demonstration of far worse to come."

"Don't get cocky." Sasori threw out his arms, the remaining sand iron then started to mold together, from the puppets chest came a wave of chakra, "Satetsu Kaihou."

Sakura watched as the iron sand began to spread, it appeared to be making a giant net or web; with many branches like a tree, they were all with sharp ends. Sakura kept her eyes wide open as the dozens of spikes started coming at her from all directions.

The impact was so great, that it had caused some of the rubble to fly around and Chiyo ended up with her real arm getting caught under a rock; stopping her movement; although she was more worried about Sakura that had been caught in the mix. She could see the pinkette, still standing; but she appeared scratched around her body.

"Sakura; are you okay?" Chiyo called out in alar.

The pinkette dropped to the ground; flat on her face. Sasori smirked "That's it for you."

"So you poisoned the Iron Sand too!?" exclaimed Chiyo.

"Soon, her body will go numb and she won't be able to move. She'd last three days if I let her be, but I don't plan to!" Sasori sent his puppet after Sakura; a blade appeared beneath its sleeve, reading to strike the pinkette down for good.

As the puppet neared its target and Chiyou called out Sakura's name; the girl was already up; her arm held out and her fist clenched with her half djinn equip on her body; colliding with the puppet and shattering it to pieces. Beleth wasn't known as the djinn of strength and discord for nothing after all. The instant the puppet was destroyed, the cage of Iron sand began to soften and fall. Allowing Sakura to leap out and beside Chiyo.

"Are you alright Elder Chiyo?" Sakura asked, lifting up the rock that had been caught on the old women's arm. She then placed her now normal hand over her arm and started to heal her. Meanwhile, Sasori was attempting to figure out how she was still able to move after getting struck by his poison iron sand?

"Sakura, how-

"I used an antidote; the one I made for Kankurou. There was enough to make three viles." Sakura explained, digging into her pocket with her free hand and showing Chiyo the yellow liquid inside a syringe.

"I see." Chiyo said impressed.

"It will only work for three minutes, breaking down the poison into harmless proteins. It doesn't matter how much of it gets into the system during that time or before." Sakura explained, holding out the syringe. "You should keep this."

"So, for the next three minutes, his poison won't affect you?" asked Chiyo

Sakura nodded, "Yes; and in that time I will definitely defeat him."

That definitive tone was something Chiyo found a little frightening; this girl didn't seem to have any limits. When Sakura was finished with Chiyo's hand, she tilted to the side, nearly falling before catcing herself, panting softly.

"Again?" Sakura winced, holding a hand over her mouth. She knew it wasn't because she was poisoned.

"What's wrong?" Chiyo asked.

"This…I don't know." Sakura replied honestly, breathing in deeply in attempt to relieve the nausea. "This isn't the antidote's doing. I feel like I'm getting another wave of sickness like earlier."

Thankfully, this one seemed short lived because Sakura instantly felt better and stood up. "Better finish this quickly before I throw up again."

Chiyou frowned, there was something about these symptoms of Sakura's. The sudden fatigue, sickness, and then…

"I am kinda bloated."

"Sakura," Chiyo said standing up suddenly. "Let me help you with this-

"It's alright," Sakura said interrupting her, smiling "I know that this might be something personal for you."

"That's not the problem-

"But at the same time, I don't want to accidently end up getting you caught in the crossfire if I go all out."

Chiyo stopped. She hadn't gone all out yet? How was that even possible? What else could she possibly have to hide?

Aside from what Chiyo was dreading to confirm.

'What a frightening child,' thought Chiyo. 'In all my lifetime; I have never come across anyone like her. Not even Tsunade can compare.'

Sakura looked at Sasori again, her head titled to side with her eyes narrowed dangerously; "Well how about it?"

Sasori gave Sakura a glare, his hand reaching out towards his Akatsuki cloak, "I'll acknowledge you. To destroy the Third Kazekage is no easy feat."

He unbuttoned his cloak and from underneath, revealing what was now his true form. His entire upper body made of wood, the joins were visible on his arms and from them several blades contracted, in his stomach-or what use to be; was a thick silver rope coated with poison and a sharp pointed bladed tip at the end, in his chest where his heart was meant to reside, was a circular object with 'Sasori' written in red.

As he lifted himself up from the coiled wire in his stomach; he spoke "It's been a while since I've used myself."

"So he turned himself into a human puppet." Sakura said staring at him a little awestruck herself.

"Aren't you going to attack?" Sasori asked, "You have a little over two minutes before that antidote wears off."

Sakura scoffed softly; though her eyes said she was deadly serious still; despite her mouthing off she had not taken the battle likely. She had not let her guard down once.

Sasori drew out his hands "If you aren't going to finish this…." Two pipes appeared in the palm of his hands; spitting out fire towards the two women. "I'll make the first move!"

"And I'll make the finishing!" Sakura exclaimed.

Then holding out both of her hands, Sakura transformed her hands into her claws again, to unleash the dark flames. Spouting from her hands, they hit Sasori's own flames with the same amount of intensity. Both continued to hold out against each other. Beleth's flames were far stronger; it became obvious when it started to push back Sasori's own attack until it was only the dark flames that remained. Sasori leaped to the back when he saw them coming straight for him.

The pinkette lowered her arms when she saw Sasori draw back. "What's the matter? Afraid I'll burn you puppet body into ash?"

Sasori glared hatefully at the pinkette; at first she was nothing more than an attachment to the opponent he really wanted to face-his grandmother. But she was proving to be far more of a hassle than he accounted for.

"Try this then!" Sasori said, holding out his hands again and Sakura expected the same old flames but instead what came out was water! It shot towards Sakura with enough pressure to break through the rubble. She had to avoid the attack along with Chiyo who was still in Sasori's sights.

"If that's how you want to play it!" Sakura continued to circle around Sasori to avoid the water attack while she reached for her waist where her dagger lied. She drew it from its sheath and held it up.

"Gaap!"

The dagger wrapped itself around water, expanding before taking on the appearance of a spear, it was a combination of sea blue and purple, the blade came in an unusual pattering, beginning as a diamond and following with two razor sharp ends on either side that reminded her a bit of the pattern of a fishes fin only shaper with ribbons at the end of the last points and further down was another sharp end.

With her water djinn's ability, Sakura held out the spear towards Sasori as his painfully quick and sharp water projectiles were coming towards her. The water didn't hit Sakura, instead gathered towards the spear.

"What!" Sasori exclaimed, pulling away the hand that was following Chiyo's movements to direct it at Sakura. All the while, wondering when this ended? First it was flames and now water?

'What the hell is this girl!?' Sasori thought as he continued to shoot his water at her, but all that happened was the water began to gather; then it started to slowly shift and take shape.

Sasori stared with wide eyes as a shadow swallowed him. Sakura was holding up her spear and above that spear, tipped from the tail, leading straight up. Was a massive water dragon-unlike like a regular water dragon, many times its size.

'She took all my water and formed that!'

"Take this!" Sakura said swinging her spear in the air, the water came down towards Sasori at once, disrupting his attack and causing him to move out of the way to avoid getting him. But the water continued to follow him as Sakura directed it.

'How is she doing this?' Sasori asked himself as he continued to duck and dodge out of the way of the water. She had managed to make them strong enough to cut through wrong and the way she was controlling them to follow him was no technique he was familiar with. The water dragon had opened its mouth wide, mimicking a roar without sound before water spouted from its mouth and hit Sasori. The intensity of the blast sent his body flying into the caves wall. He was sent crashing straight into it, creating a pile of rubble as he fell along with it.

Sakura watched as Sasori stood up, there was obviously not going to be any injuries on him and it didn't look like he was going to have to worry about fatigue either-unlike her. This was where the danger lied. She would get tired and he wouldn't. A moment's hesitance was all he needed for an opening.

'Of course, I won't give him one.'

Sasori started snickering as the rocks fell behind him; he threw his head back. "Marvelous; you're better than I would have expected. I cannot wait to add you to my collection!"

With a malicious grin on his face, Sasori threw his head back while launching the coiled wire from his stomach; it circled towards Sakura.

"DON'T LET IT HIT YOUR STOMACH!" Chiyo screamed.

She countered in time, with a flick of her wrist holding Gaap's metal vessel, she formed a water whip and used it to throw the weapon off course. But Sasori wasn't finished; he was up in the air, heading directly for Chiyo now.

"Elder Chiyo!" Sakura called out in alarm; she threw up her staff drawing up water in streams and aiming them directly for Sasori. It delayed him, because he was forced to avoid the water attacks now and Sakura used the distraction to her advantage, she drew back Gaap and the water fell. While he was distracted Sakura ran after him; putting her djinn away. Pumping chakra to her feet, she jumped high into the air, letting out a loud cry as she appeared above Sasori, she hit him from behind. Smashing his puppet body, watching as it fell to pieces.

'Made it…'

Landing beside Chiyo, Sakura was panting softly now; wiping the sweat dripping down her face. She smiled.

"We did it elder Chiyo." Sakura cried in an overly excited voice.

Chiyo stared at Sakura with shock again; but it was the kind that came with heavy relief. "Sakura….you…"

"ALRIGHT" Gaap exclaimed loudly, making Sakura wince.

"That's out king!" said Stolas proudly

"Well done."

"You're certainly a fine candidate." Orias praised.

"Yea-

Sakura paused when she heard it; she stopped breathing as she heard the familiar clinking of hollow wood echoes and Chiyo did the same. Slowly; Sakura turned around to the dreadful sight of a puppet reassembling itself in the air. The body parts that had scattered were drawing back together and at last, the head with the mess of red on top returned to the neck.

Sasori looked at the two with an expressionless face befitting a puppet. "You did what, exactly?"

Sakura watched Sasori, somewhat bewildered. "You're still here?"

"It's not going to be that easy; little girl." Said Sasori "Though I am quite pissed, being driven this far by the likes of you."

Pointing his finger, Sasori used a chakra string to draw out a scroll from behind his back. Lifting it into the air, he unrolled it while his other hand reached for the side of his chest, opening it like a compartment; it started to glow a light blue and shot out many chakra strings. Then from the scroll, puppets began to emerge; their number growing until they had created a shadow over the Sakura and Chiyo. There were so many, Sakura couldn't even begin to count.

"I-Impossible" Chiyo gasped, "There has to be over a hundred puppets. A puppet master's ability is measured by the number of puppets they can use and Sasori-

"Used these to conquer an entire nation." Sasori told them; he then lowered his head placing his hand over his face and other on his hip. "But this is beyond annoying; to think I am using them for something like this. My final puppets."

Using chakra strings, Chiyo drew back the puppet arm she had discarded before. Without the third Kazekage puppet, the sand was no longer a problem. After she attached it back; she reached into her pouch and drew out a scroll. She was intent on using her last resort as her grandson; while it wasn't as many she could control ten puppets; with them they would at least stand a-

"Please stop elder Chiyo," Sakura said, without turning around "Leave this to me."

Chiyo gaped at Sakura; "Sakura; I know you are strong but you cannot go against all these puppets alone! This is not bravery; it's stupidity!"

Sakura chuckled, taking several steps forward; keeping her back to Chiyo as she spoke. "Alone? I don't fight alone-not anymore."

Chiyo narrowed her eyes; confused now "What do you mean? Sakura, you're underestimating him!"

"No, I know I'm not." Sakura stated, straightening her shoulders "If anything he is the one who's been mocking me. Calling me 'little girl'. I've respected him as an opponent and he has shown none. I am a ninja as well!"

Sasori chuckled, unable to contain his amusement "Is that what this is about? Your pride? Is it so important to you; that you're willing to die for it?"

Sakura glared at the puppet, stopping so that she was standing at a more or less equal distance between Sasori and Chiyo. "I will not die at the hands of an enemy that has such littler regard for life that they do no appreciate their own."

"What exactly are you babbling about?" asked Sasori.

"I will not die at the hands of a puppet, nor will I become one." Sakura stated, "I'd sooner scatter my body across the four winds in ashes."

Sasori's grin widened; "Then there would be nothing left of you; my ideal to transform you into an art that will last forever is far better don't you think? You would be remembered forever."

Sakura scoffed, "As one of your conquests? I think not."

"Well no matter; you won't have a choice when you're dead." Sasori said, drawing his puppets nearer to cover more of the sky and sun above.

"I will not allow that." Chiyo said; she untied the bind from it; saying how she had hoped she wouldn't need it again. Unrolling the scroll; there were ten symbols written on them and drawing out in a transparent blue mist were ten puppets clad in white.

"Ah, grandma Chiyo's quintessential 'Ten fingers'; I've heard rumors that you used those puppets to conquer a castle. Secret white attack Chikamatsu's Collectin of 10. However impressive it is though; it won't be enough."

Sakura then chided in, "You're right; it won't be; because she won't be using them."

"What?" Sasori narrowed his eyes at Sakura, frowning deeply. "That attitude of yours is really starting to annoy me."

Sakura held out her hands, shrugging "I've been told I have that effect."

Turning back, the pinkette faced the women "I am sorry elder Chiyo, but I need to ask you not to use those puppets."

Chiyo frowned, thinking this was just childish stubbornness of a youth who had not yet experienced the bittersweet taste of defeat. "Sakura that's enough from you; you cannot-

"If you use those puppets to fight him when I attack; I can guarantee I'll end up destroying them as well." Sakura said, her tone was what could only be placed as definitive. "Instead of trying to convince you, let me show you."

Turning back to face Sasori and his army of puppets.

"Are you ready for the finale?" asked Sasori, smirking.

"Yes-though it's going to be over faster than you'd want it to be." Sakura said sighing softly, "To be honest, I didn't think I'd be showing it to someone so soon."

Sakura closed her eyes and started speaking; her voice clear and polished, "Oh mighty djinn of strength and discord heed my call; use my magoi and grant me power to destroy my enemy-BELETH."

Sakura felt the warm light engulf her body; a third eye appearing in the center of her forehead as it did with all her equips; her pink hair growing passed her shoulders and down her back turning greyish red, two horns emerged from her head, bat-like wings on her back spread out. Her clothing was replaced with a black dress that cut down her chest showing off her stomach; the bottom split into three parts showing off her legs, now clad in silver boots. Her claws and the armor on her arms returned as well.

"Elder Chiyo, I suggest you distance yourself a little more."

Chiyo felt her hear beating rapidly in her chest as she watched Sakura's appearance take on a drastic change. As the light dimmed down; there she stood in her full djinn equip. Never before, had she seen such a transformation and it was almost too overwhelming for her heart to handle.

"This….is your final form as well?" Sasori asked, never taking his eyes off the girl. "What interesting powers you have. I'll make use of it when you're my puppet."

"This isn't exactly 'final' since I have four more…but it's more than enough to defeat your puppets." Opening her eyes, Sakura smirked at the puppet master; "Even if you did kill me, this power will never be yours to control."

Sasori's expression turned hostile, "We'll see about that; little girl!"

The puppets; all held different types of weapons in their hands charged at Sakura all at once. With the same blinding speed; closing into the former pinkette; but before they were able to get further to the ground; Sakura spoke.

"SAKURA MOVE" Chiyo called out but the pinkette remained still; a smirk appearing on her face…

"Khilaf Nar."

It all happened in an instant. An eight star appeared within the battlefield and then an excruciating heat, promising no comfort or warmth, but total annihilation of everything in its wake.

The puppets all became engulfed in a dark flame that spread at a great speed; incinerating every single puppet in the air; the flames were controlled by Sakura. She kept them a good distance from touching the ground and thus avoid burning. The attack was so powerful though; that it lit up the sky like a beacon; swirling around and able to be seen for miles. Dark flames.

Sasori couldn't take his eyes off the sight; all his glorious puppets being burned to ashes; the chakra strings all listened simultaneously and he knew that not a single one had survived; it was impossible. The flames seemed so controlled and tamed, yet powerful.

'This this; is she even human?' he wondered, watching as she lowered her hands, taking a calming breath. Her eyes then connected with his and he knew then-he was outmatched.

"Do you understand now?" Sakura said, turning to Sasori once more. Her face void of any emotion.

Sasori looked at her, disbelief filling his mind; had he truly lost, lost for the first time-to a child no less?

'No, I refuse to accept this!' Sasori thought angrily; he lunged at Sakura, drawing out a blade from his arm. He was about to throw his hit and Sakura was about to counter; when something happened that stopped them both from attacking.

Sakura's eyes trailed down to Sasori's chest; in the white circle that had his name drawn, there were the shard ends of two blades that stood out of it; a purple liquid began to fall from the cuts and onto the ground. The mother and father puppets that Chiyo had used before were on either side of Sasori; holding the swords hilts that had been plunged into him. Sakura's eyes fell on Chiyo, her hand was extended with several chakra strings attached.

"You let your guard down at the very end Sasori," said Chiyo, "You were so consumed with killing Sakura, that you failed to notice the puppets behind you; now you're finished."

"I can still move." Sasori said, drawing his foot forward but in that moment Sakura summoned Beleth's flames once more, they took on the heads of dragons and circled around Sasori.

"If you do; then your precious puppet body will be destroyed instantly." Sakura knew that this was a personal weakness for Sasori; he went on about preserving people in the forms of puppets. Then she addressed Chiyo, "Elder Chiyo, how did you know that was his weak point?"

"It make sense." Chiyo told her, "No matter how much of his body becomes a puppet; he still used chakra and had to have a living part somewhere."

It made sense now; how Sasori was able to bring himself back after she smashed his puppet.

"Your true form is the part that houses your chakra, the living core in your chest." Sakura said.

"I have no human part, not anymore." Sasori retorted in a blanked voice; "I don't feel anything, I don't care about the countless lives I've taken."

"I know, and I also know what that's like; to not care about the lives you've take." Sakura told him, crossing her arms over her barely covered chest. "It doesn't matter to me though; I'm still here and living for reason and I will continue to do that. I do not need a puppets body to understand those moments where you feel nothing for the sins you commit. "

Stepping closer to Sasori so that she was eye to eye. "But it's not as if you were able to completely become a puppet yourself; you may not show compassion but you were during the battle; angered; annoyed, intrigued…"

"I suppose you're right," Sasori agreed, "I'll be dead soon though. So before I go; I guess I'll do something pointless too. Consider it a reward for beating me. You wanted information on Orochimaru correct?"

Sakura listened carefully, silent as Sasori spoke. "In ten days, go to the Bridge to Heaven and Earth in the Hidden Village of Grass at noon."

"What's there?"

"I've got a spy working as one of Orochimaru's subordinates. We're supposed

to…..rendezvous…there…."

Sakura's eyes widened slightly as she watched Sasori fall silent; he fell to the ground along with two puppets.

Deactivating her djinn equip, she immediately fell on her knees, panting heavily, Sakura turned to face Chiyo who had a solemn expression. Not that she was surprised-despite everything; he was still her grandson.

"It's over now."

"I'm the one who should've been killed though," Chiyo corrected her, "Sasori saw through my attack but he didn't dodge."

Sakura gave a small smile, crouching down "Well; we humans are fickle creatures."

'And thanks to him, I have a lead to helping us find Sasuke.'

Stepping back to hold out her hand for Chiyo, "Should we get going?"

Nodding, Chiyo and Sakura started walking through the rubble passed the broken puppets and their ashes that remained.

"Well done my king," said Beleth "You did an excellent job"

'Better-thanks to you.' Sakura said smiling.

Vision blurring, Sakura began to sway before collapsing on to her knees again. She felt the wave of nausea wash over her, threatening to drown her completely, before she heaved and wretched bile again onto the ground. Sakura coughed roughly, grimacing at the bitter taste in her mouth and the foul odor of her own vomit.

'Again…why?'

Sakura didn't understand why she was feeling so weak now? Yes, this was after a battle, but something felt off about this. She hadn't fought against the fake Itachi but she had gotten sick then too and back in Suna and tracking back to this; it had continued to go on. Then there was her magoi and chakra; Sakura felt herself oddly drained.

Chiyo crouched down in front of Sakura, rubbing her back and watching her with sharp eyes. The old women rubbed her chin in thought, her eyes closed for a moment and a frown appeared on her face. She had been worried about this for a while now and although she continued to tell herself it wasn't possible because of the pinkette's age in standing; it was worth a check.

"Sakura, sit up for a moment."

Moving back up, Sakura wasn't able to ask the elder what she was doing, because soon, she felt a hand placed on top of her stomach and chakra was pouring in. The sickness began to disappear and her mind clearing. Chiyo narrowed her eyes, concerntrating her chakra thouroughly.

'So it's as I suspect….' Chiyo thought, glancing up at Sakura, who was panting with her eyes closed. 'So young…'

A few minutes later, Chiyo stood up once again and started stepping across all of the broken, burnt puppets.

"Come we should get going now and find your team."

"Elder Chiyo…" Sakura trailed softly, "Is there something wrong?"

The elder looked back to Sakura, "That depends on you."

"Huh?"

Exhaling softly, Chiyo looked up at the skies. "I'll tell you soon, but first…there is something important that I must do."

"But-

"Sakura; trust me."

---

Sakura and Chiyo took off from the base in search of their scattered comrades; mainly Naruto and Kaskhi who had followed after the Akatsuki Deidara that had taken Gaara. Sakura was especially in a rush because; if the Akatsuki were after the Jinchuuriki, it was clear that Naruto was being baited to follow after Deidara.

'But, Kakashi's with him, so I'm not too worried.' Sakura thought, she leapt alongside Chiyo. Both had managed to come out of the battle with minimum injury and were therefore able to keep moving at a steady and fair pace. However, Sakura didn't feel like she had the energy for a djinn equip to fly to them. Sitri's would've been especially useful in the situation.

"Sakura," Chiyo called, emerald green eyes fell on the old women after she addressed the pinkette, "What was that power earlier?"

Sakura didn't falter in anyway, not her body, facial expression or voice; "That power; was mine."

"I think you know that is not what I meant."

"I do," Sakura replied honestly, keeping her eyes straight ahead as they continued to leap across the gorge, there were thick logs bridged between the two sides, making it easy for them to move around.

"That power defeated an Akatsuki member," Chiyo said, "And I know Sasori was far from weak, but you were able to beat him, it's not any kind of technique that I've ever heard of. That form that you took; it looked like a demon of some kind-

"It's not a demon." Sakura corrected her quickly; she would never reveal the origin of the djinn to anyone but at the same time she would not allow them to be mistaken for something they were clearly not, especially not that.

"Then what was it?" asked Chiyo, trying to understand.

"It doesn't matter," Sakura said finally, "This power, is mine; that's all anyone needs to know."

That was all anyone would know.

"I assume, you haven't informed your comrades about this?" asked Chiyo.

Sakura shook her head. "I doubt they would react as well as you and can be especially persistent in getting answers."

Chiyo's averted her gaze to the front, "That might not be all that surprises them…"

"Huh?" Sakura looked to her side, not catching what Chiyo had just said. "What was that elder Chiyo?"

"Nothing…" Chiyo trailed warily. Silent for only a few minutes as they continued to leap across the valley, supported by the tree logs placed horizontally within it.

"Sakura…you wouldn't happen to be…single would you?"

The pinkette nearly misplaced her footing and slipped as they were in mid-air when Chiyo asked the bold question.

"Um..I am." Sakura swallowed softly.

"Then…" Chiyo looked like she was having a difficult time finding the words and daring to voice them. "Did you have someone special in your life before?"

Images of Sinbad and Sasuke immediately came to mind and Sakura's hand unconsciously reached to touch the ring around her neck-baby angel. Sakura's eyes were down-casted now and Chiyo knew she had hit the nail on the head with that question.

"I did…but we're separated now. I won't see him ever again."

Chiyo's eyes softened as she stared at the pinkette who now held a pain-filled gaze and for a moment, Sakura didn't look like a young girl-rather, an adult who had experienced the trials of life that were far too advanced for someone her age.

It became clear, that her power was not the only extraordinary attribute she possessed.

---

Because of a wild tremor and a sighting of a crash that had scattered the earth so high, it could be seen from a distance. Sakura and Chiyo were able to find Naruto and Kakashi; in a half destroyed forest, the ground looked like it had been hit so hard it was nothing more than craters, the trees were in no better shape and in the center of the chaotic display were Sakura's teammates.

"We finally caught up," Sakura said when she landed in front of the two,

Naruto panted softly, looking up to the pinkette with a tired grin, relieved to see her safe. "Sakura."

The first time Kakashi realized when the two females landed in front of them, was the amount of injuries sustained. Sakura had a few scratches on her, but Chiyo had no physical injuries anywhere on her. Made him wonder how exactly they were able to subdue Sasori with that such a little damage in return?

Moving forward, Sakura removed her glove and put her hand on Naruto's cheek feeling the cold sweat on his warm face. "You look really drained,"

"You guys…you got him huh?" Naruto asked, though he already knew the answer.

Sakura smiled back at him, "Yes,"

Chiyo looked around, "It looks like you two are still having some trouble here."

"Unfortunately." Kakashi looked up in a tree, Sakura followed his line of sight and saw two clones of Naruto's on the branch of a tree, holding Gaara.

Kakashi explained to them what had happened after they left the cave, they had chased down Deidara and managed to secure Gaara after a struggle but he had managed to get away at the last minute-despite the fact that he now had no arms and Gaara's current condition didn't look very promising either.

Sakura wondered if Deidara had gotten far, without arms, it wasn't likely. Just then, the sound of clashing metal was heard in the distance. It turned out that Team Gai had caught up with Team Kakashi and by the sounds in the distance, they had also found Deidara. Kakashi was able to see them from the distance thanks to his eyes. Then Neji shouted for everyone to get away and with good reason; when the four came running towards Naruto, Sakura, Kakashi and Chiyo, they were barely avoiding a huge explosion that was coming their way! They were about to be engulfed by the flames, their eyes closed waiting for impact but it never came. When they opened their eyes, everything had gone silent.

In the distance, there was a crater; Sakura's eyes fell on Kakashi, it seemed she wasn't the only one who picked up some new skills over the years….

Everyone moved out of the forest and into a more open field; Gaara was laid on the grass. Sakura was looking down at Gaara, her hands over his chest attempting to revive him; but it was no use. Afterall, medical jutsu couldn't revive the dead-not hers anyway.

'All this training and when it comes down to one thing; I can't eve-

"Don't say that my king," Beleth said

Naruto stood in front, watching anxiously "Sakura?"

Removing her hands, Sakura shook her head with a solemn expression on her face. "His heart isn't beating."

Naruto's shoulders began to shake, tears streamed down his face as he stared down at the red-head. He began to rant, asking why Gaara had to die this way?

"Calm yourself Uzumaki Naruto." Instructed Chiyo

Naruto turned around, glaring at her "Shut the hell up! It's all your fault! If you goddammed Sand Shinobi hadn't put that monster inside him, this never would've happened! Do you have any idea what kind of burden he carried! Damn the Jinchuuriki. You have no right to act like you're better than us, to label us!"

Naruto then started to sob heavily, tears streaming down his face. The compassion he had, was something Sakura always found admirable. Be it for an enemy or someone he cared for. He had a gift for drawing people towards him, reaching out to them as others have not, touching their hearts.

Sakura walked up to Naruto; when she was in front she wrapped her arms around him; his head fell on her bare shoulder, tears streaming down. "I couldn't save Sasuke….I couldn't save Gaara….I've trained so hard for three years….and nothing's changed!"

"Don't Naruto," Sakura said, tightening her grip around his neck. "You did your best."

"But it wasn't enough!"

At the sight of the two mourning teens, Chiyo began making her way towards them; then going straight passed Sakura and Naruto; she crouched down in front of Gaara's body. Placing her hands over his chest, she closed her eyes; pushing chakra to the palm of her hands she opened them again. Sakura and Naruto turned their heads to watch. Sakura felt an unusual energy in this technique that the elder was performing. Her own practice of differentiating between magoi and chakra had made her sensitive to sensing the two. What she was feeling now was chakra mixed with life force, exiting from Chyo's body and into Gaara's.

"This technique," Chiyo began softly for them to hear, "Is my own creation. It was initially meant for Sasori…it's called the Reanimation jutsu."

"Reanimation?" Sakura gasped softly, "Elder Chiyo, are you?"

"Yes, but it will come at a great price." Chiyo said, feeling fatigue begin to wash over her as she gave her life energy itself to Gaara.

Sakura's body went rigid when she realized what that meant, a jutsu that revived the dead had to come at something quite costly; a life for a life. And elder Chiyo was about to exchange her life for Gaara's.

"What are you doing!?" Naruto shouted, but Sakura put her hand on his chest to push him back slightly, she turned to him with a strong gaze.

"She's bringing Gaara back to life." Sakura stated, shocking everyone; "This must be a technique that only elder Chiyo knows."

Naruto's eyes flashed as he smiled, asking if that was really true but he had not realized the cost of what this jutsu would bring and Sakura didn't want to tell him now. Knowing him, he'd probably interject.

"I'm happy," Chiyo panted softly, "That someone like you appeared in the shinobi world we foolish people creating-Uzumaki Naruto. Everything I've ever done was a mistake. But now it looks like I'll be able to do something right at the end."

Sakura bit her bottom lip, she wanted to turn her head away from the sight but she didn't. This would be Chiyo's last moments on this earth and she did not want to be the one to miss her deed. Her heart gave a painful clench. It didn't matter how many times she saw sacrifice; the effect wouldn't lessen.

"Sakura." Chiyo addressed the pinkette, without turning around. "I have never met someone like you in my lifetime. Today made it clear, you've surpassed your teacher and you'll continue to grow. Keep on the path that you've decided to take and protect those dear to you with that power which is only yours."

"I will." Sakura replied softly, casting her eyes down.

"Come here, there is something I need to tell you…" Chiyo panted.

Sakura came forward, sitting down beside the women. Chiyo leaned towards her, whispering something in her ear, so that no one else around them could hear what she had to say.

Sakura's eyes widened, after hearing what Chiyo had to say, but it was in that moment, that her life slipped away. When Gaara opened his eyes, Chiyo's had closed and in turn, with the Kazekage of the Sand village saved, marked the end of team seven's mission together.

However, Sakura had left on that mission, completely disoriented and she wanted to return to the village as soon as possible to confirm something that made her feel a sliver of dread.

…

…

…

…

…

…

"You're pregnant"

There we go; that's it for now The next chapter will be coming up shortly but there's no need to feel any rush to read through. It's just that I am worried that university work is going to take over all of my time and I might not be back to update for a while.

Don't forget to leave a review please and thank you!