Disclaimer: See chapter one

Sorry it took me so long to update this story. I have had writers block for the longest time now, and than my computer crashed. I finally got a new computer, and managed to beat back the writers block, so I'm good to go.

So here we go, chapter three, I hope you enjoy, and I'll try to update quicker now. Much love to all my readers.


Sakura shifted nervously as she glanced around the living room at the four men who sat around, all looking at her with unwavering attention. She knew that they were going to be confused by what she had to say, that they would question her, and possibly think she was slipping back into the darkness of The Watcher.

"I'm afraid that we may have chosen the wrong side. I believe that even with our assistance, that Konoha will fall."

Kisame frowned in confusion and surprise, what was the pink-haired medic trying to get at? Was she saying they should trade sides, or just stating that they were all probably going to die? Was this part of her plan, or just leading up to her plan? And most importantly, what was this plan, why had she refused to discuss it with anyone but them?

"What exactly is going on, Hime-chan?"

Sakura wasn't sure if she should be glad or disappointed that the question came from Kisame, instead of Itachi. She wasn't sure that she could pull off her plan, it would all depend on how these four men acted. If they did as she predicted, than they may just survive the upcoming war, if not than all may be lost.

"I don't think, that even with the help of Suna and ourselves, that Konoha will lose the war, and Madara will achieve what he wants. I think, we may need to rethink our strategies."

Deidara shifted uncomfortably in his seat, he wasn't exactly positive he understood exactly what Sakura-hime was saying. To him it sounded as if she was telling them to change sides, to fight for Madara instead of with Konoha. But that couldn't be right, could it?

"Are you suggesting what I think your saying, Sakura-hime, yeah?"

Sakura met Deidara's eyes briefly, before sinking back into her chair with a sigh, it seemed things were about to get ugly. She could see the confusion and suspicion on both Kisame and Deidara's face's, along with the curiosity and amusement on Hidan's. It was Itachi who concerned her the most, his red eyes were completely unreadable as he stared at her,

"I am not really suggesting anything yet, Deidara, I'm just laying out our options. We can either continue to help Konoha and Suna, and most likely end up dieing right along with them. Or we can withdraw and survive to fight another day. To return with a better strategy."

Hidan could hide his snort of amusement, he wondered if any of the others had caught on yet, to exactly what Sakura-hime was doing. He assumed that at least Itachi did, he was suppose to be the genius after all, but he wasn't a hundred percent sure though. He decided than and there that he would keep his mouth shut and his thoughts to himself for the moment, let the others think what they will,

"Sakura, are you suggesting that we abandon the village you sacrificed the better part of your life for?"

Sakura turned her eyes to match Itachi stare for stare, she could tell by his deceptively calm voice, that he probably going to help Konoha no matter what. If not for their similar backgrounds, she would be surprised that someone thought to be a traitor for so long would remain loyal. Sighing softly Sakura attempted to sink even farther back into her chair, this would most likely become uncomfortable and quickly,

"I'm simply saying we should think about it, Itachi, it may be our only choice if we wish to stop Madara from controlling the great nations for the next hundred years or so."

Itachi stared blankly at the pinkette for several moments, his mind running quickly running through everything. Something was very wrong at the moment, everything not adding up like it should, but he wasn't sure why. It was either Sakura had finally lost control to the watcher, and for some reason he hadn't sensed it, which was very unlikely. Or Sakura had something planned that she wasn't sharing with them, something that would cause as much bad as it did good.

"We side with Konoha and we may possibly die, we do not side with Konoha, and we assure all who have any form of relations with the city die. Which would you rather have on your conscious Night Angel?"

Sakura knew what the Uchiha was saying without him actually saying it at all. It was quite clear, he would side with Konoha in the upcoming battle, and he would defeat Uchiha Madara, or die trying. She could also tell by the looks on both Kisame and Deidara's face's, that they would side with him, they had known him longer after all. She may be their 'Sakura-hime' but he was their friend first.

Sakura stood with a sad smile tugging at her lips, she wondered if they knew what she was planning? If they understood that this had been more of an invitation for them to come with her than for them to discuss any plan she may have. She prayed that they all survived, that some day she would get the chance to gain their forgiveness for what she was about to do.

Murmuring an excuse and a soft good-night to them all, Sakura slipped backwards from the living room, leaving them alone with their thoughts. It wouldn't matter what they decided, she would be gone in the morning. She was tired of the games, the stress, she would finally commit what she had been accused of all those years ago; treason.

Walking toward her bedroom she couldn't help but think about all that had happened in her life, all that was happening, and all that would happen some day. She just prayed that this wasn't all in vain, that by betraying those she loved most, she could someday turn around and save those who would survive.


To say Naruto was confused and alittle pissed off was an understatement, he had done nothing but yell and throw things around in his office since he returned from his meeting with Sakura two days ago. She had pulled him aside, telling him that she had a plan, and that if it worked, than he would see her again, but if she failed, than he would probably never see her again.

She had pulled him into a tight bone crushing hug, told him he would always be her brother and that she would always love him. That she was sorry that it all would have to happen the way it was going to, with which she refused to explain, and than she had slipped away, into the trees. The young blond Hokage was so angry, he could see red, and the Kyuubi was rolling around inside him laughing.

A soft knock on his door had him spinning to glare at the wooden thing in anger, he didn't know why he couldn't control his temper at the moment. He just felt like something was wrong, something he needed to fix, but he couldn't figure out what exactly it was, or how to fix it,

"Enter!"

Naruto flinched slightly with how snappy his tone had sounded, and prayed slightly it wasn't Tsunade-baa-chan on the other side of the door. Because if it was, Hokage or not, he was in for a world of hurt. To his relief and slight surprise it was Sasuke who entered, his face carefully blank as he meet Naruto's gaze,

"Hokage-sama, there is a delegation of shinobi here who wish to speak with you. They say the matter is important."

Naruto frowned at his friend as he motioned for him to let them in. Whoever they were, they must either be important or dangerous, perhaps both,to get Sasuke to speak so formally to his friend. To the blond man's surprise, it was Deidara and Kisame who entered into his office. Their expressions a mixture of anger and grief, as they studied the blond hokage.

Looking between the two, Naruto's first thoughts where of Sakura, something had to have happened to Sakura. That would be the only reason that the two of them would show themselves here of all places. Had her self appointed mission been a failure, was his sister dead?

"Kisame-san, Deidara-san, to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"

Their normal conversations couldn't take place here, they couldn't be the relaxed, almost friends that they had become. No, as long as Kisame and Deidara were in Konoha, he had to treat them with suspicion and polite coldness, all do to politics. He couldn't allow anyone to know that he considered these two ex-Akatsuki member's friends, that would just be asking for trouble,

"We came because it concerns, Sakura-hime, Hokage-sama."

Naruto almost swallowed his tongue as he meet Kisame's grief filled eyes, possibility after possibility running through his brain. He could only think of one thing that would bring this much pain into the eyes of these two men, Haruno Sakura was dead. With an exhalation of air that was somewhere between a sob and a sigh, Naruto sank into his chair,

"She's dead isn't she?"

Naruto watched through eyes that were attempting to tear up as Kisame and Deidara exchanged glances. It was the blond bomber who shifted forward uncomfortably, his blue eyes never meeting Naruto's as he cleared his throat to deliver his news. News that he know, no matter how it was stated, would break the Hokage's heart,

"I'm afraid she left, yeah. She left behind a note, and disappeared in the middle of the night, yeah. It's not good, Naruto-kun, yeah."

Naruto blinked in surprise, Sakura wasn't dead than? She had left,but where had she gone, why had she gone, was this part of her plan? Naruto had all the questions, but sadly he had none of the answers. No all the answers resided with his pink haired friend, who was currently missing in action. With an exasperated sigh he traded glances with Sasuke before asking,

"Did you bring the letter?"

Neither of the ex-Akatsuki answered, instead Kisame simply dug a page of paper from a pocket and handed it over. Naruto quickly recognized Sakura's handwriting, and braced himself for whatever it was he was about to read, hoping that it wasn't a good-bye note, but knowing that it was.

To my boys,

I'm sorry that I had to leave with no more than a note for a farewell, but I couldn't stand it if youhated me for the choices I am making. I know you probably will, but I wont be around to see the disgust and disappointment in your eyes.

I have decided that I can no longer protect Konoha as I once had, that I must move on with my life. I know that we must all pick sides in this war, and I have done so. By the time you read this, I shall have already contacted Uchiha Madara, and joined his cause.

I know that you think his dream is insane, that it is impossible to unite the great nations under one banner, but I believe that it may be possible someday, and I would like to be alive to see it. I do pray though, that we do not face each other in the coming days, for that would surely break my heart.

I hope that all of you survive, and that someday you can forgive me for my choices, though I sincerely doubt that you will. Just know that my heart is with you, even as I prepare to fight against you.

With love,

Sakura

P.S. Itachi, I know that you will most likely hate me more than anyone else, but now, that no matter what happens, my feelings for you will never change.

Naruto read through the letter twice, before slowly handing it over to Sasuke to read. He could feel his heart breaking at the words written on the scrap of paper. He felt more betrayed in that moment than he ever had in his entire life, even more so than when Sasuke left to join Orochimaru. So, it seemed that his enemy had gained a powerful ally, and he had just lost his best friend and their secret weapon. He wasn't sure that they would survive the coming war,

"Thank-you for delivering this to me. You four are welcome to move into Konoha for the time being, for safety."

Naruto was pretty sure that Sakura wouldn't lead Madara's forces to any of the Akatsuki bases, but just incase, he would go ahead and offer them the room. Naruto met Sasuke's gaze, and could see the anger and betrayal mirrored in his friends eyes. Sakura, someone who had pretended to be a traitor, had decided to become one for real,

"Thank-you Hokage-sama, we'll talk it over with the other two, and let you know."

Naruto nodded sharply, than spun to face the window, he felt as if he was suffocating. His world falling down around him, and there was nothing he could do. With Sakura siding with Uchiha Madara, the chances of their defeat had just risen, and Naruto had a lot he needed to do to even the odds. Starting by telling the council, and Gaara.

The blond had to admit, telling both the Kazekage and Tsunade-baa-chan, seemed a lot worst than telling the council. At least he knew that the old coots wouldn't go on a killing rampage, or set out on a crazy mission to drag the pinkette back kicking and screaming. He had a lot to do, and very little time.


Okay, before you all decide that you hate me because of this chapter, just stick with me and you'll understand everything. Yes, I just turned Sakura into a bad guy, made her go against everything she stood for, and generally created a lot of chaos, but thats okay. If you stick with me, and keep reading you'll see exactly where this is all going.

I will attempt to get the next chapter finished and posted tomorrow, so please bare with me.

Thanks-a-million

Kyo