'Just a little further Sakura.' Inner urged Sakura.

Sakura's face tightened in pain as she forced her legs to continue running. She had to escape, no matter what it takes. The mere thought of what would happen if they catch her motivated her, she was not going to die without meaning. She refused to die without meaning.

But even will power could only get her so far.

"I-I c-can't..." Sakura's knees gave out on her.

She felt like an utter failure.

'In the end, I couldn't even do one thing right..' Black dots clouded her vision. 'No. I refuse.' She thought to herself forcing her knees to stand up. Surprisingly, it worked.

'Y-you're using chakra...how?'

Sakura ignored Inner and broke out into another run. She would survive. Just like her clan did, even after being massacred, she would survive. Not only for herself, but for her Clan as well.

"Uzumaki sighted." A cold tone said.

Sakura's blood practically froze as three Hunter-nin suddenly surrounded her.

"For the crime of-"

Sakura's eyes widened as suddenly the three were all decapitated.

"Zabuza Momochi..." Sakura uttered, not knowing if she should feel relieved or not as the famed Swordsman stood in front of her, his famed sword lazily poised on his shoulder. "I heard about killing fellow hunters for their bounty, but to actually see it..." She felt a cold sense of detachment from her reality as she straightened up. "Let me go, I'm more useful alive."

One may question what the Uzumaki was thinking, but the reality was she wasn't. She just wanted to survive. To survive, she would do whatever it takes. Say whatever it takes. And make a deal with the Demon himself.

"What use do I have for you?" Zabuza seemed amused enough to humor her.

Good. She thought. It bought her more seconds to live. "I have no bounty on my head, unlike your dead companions."

"You're telling me why I shouldn't kill you, not why you would be of use to me." Zabuza coolly said pointing his sword at her. "Care to try again?"

Sakura didn't even flinch. "I suppose offering you the Kiba swords is of no use. So I'll offer myself."

"Oh?"

"Uzumaki are experts at sealing, so of course I would know some of the art myself. There's even a rumor that my clan left behind hundreds of their scared scrolls, which only those of Uzumaki lineage can gain passage to. The blood flowing in my veins? That's what's of use to you. My blood can make you powerful, more than you already are."

"What do you think Haku?"

Sakura frowned in confusion.

"She could be of use Zabuza-sama." A soft voice said from behind her causing Sakura to jump. Yet she refused to show her back to Zabuza.

"You have a companion?" Sakura gulped.

Zabuza placed his sword down ignoring the pink haired girl's inquire. "From now on, you will serve me and only me. If I say kill, you kill. If I say die, you die. My best interest is your best interest. You are nothing more than a mere tool to me. In return, I shall allow you to live and take you to these sacred scrolls."

Sakura nodded in acceptance. "I agree." She said with a blank face, not letting anyone see what she thought of the matter.

"Good, now answer my questions." Zabuza's gruff voice ordered her. "Why are you running away?"

"I refuse to live the life of a civilian."

"Where did you find those swords?"

"I stole them from the Hozuki compound."

"What about your father?"

"I abandoned him." Sakura didn't even flinch.

Zabuza seemed to approve. "You've got the makings of a shinobi, and I'll mold you into the perfect tool."