Alright, last update till the weekend. R&R and Enjoy.

After riding all night, and most of the morning, Sakura had found a doused campfire in the middle of a rock formation, "They were here." She said to herself upon examining the campsite. There were signs of struggle everywhere, and there was an odor in the air that was familiar, yet Sakura couldn't quite place it.

Sakura turned to leave, and noticed an etching on the back of a rock. She looked at it, and for the first time was thankful Tsunade had taught her how to read. It was only one word, 'Denver'

Temari was at least a day ahead of her, but now Sakura knew where they were, "Thank you, Ino." She mounted up and took off north.

xxxxx

"I'm back, and I got somethin' fer ya." Temari announced as she came into the hotel room she and Ino were sharing. Ino was still bound, because much to Temari's dismay, she hadn't calmed down yet. Not even after she had taken her the previous night in their camp.

"Got a kiss for me?" The older blonde asked as she climbed onto the bed next to Ino, dangling a bundle in front of her. Ino just glared at her, and if her mouth was free, she would've spat in her face. "Oh come on, darlin', don't look at me that way. Especially since I used the money I worked soo hard to get to buy you somethin'. And it'll only cost you one kiss. C'mon now."

Ino stayed put, with the same look of contempt on her face. Temari sighed in defeat, "I don't know why I bother askin'." She then pulled down the bandanna that was keeping Ino quiet, and placed a hard kiss on her lips, "Sweeter than honey." She licked her lips.

"Want your present now?"

"I wouldn't take anything from you if I was dying of thirst and it was water!" Ino spat, "What's the matter? You don't like me?" Temari feigned hurt and suggled up next to the other blonde, "Anyway, we don't have time ta argue. High rollers are gonna be here soon, and I need your help, so get dressed." Temari cut Ino's bindings and tossed her the package.

"I wouldn't help you if my life depended on it!" Ino shouted. Temari growled and banged her head against the dresser a couple times, "Just get ready, there's a bath ready in the other room." Temari left the room. Ino sniffed herself, she did need a bath, dearly. She begrudgingly climbed out of the bed and stripped her clothes. She went into the second room of their suite, and found a fresh bath waiting for her.

She slipped into the warm water and felt slightly better. 'I hope she's following us, and got my message.' She picked up the bar of soap off the tray next to the tub, 'Sakura…I'm sorry.' Ino felt a tear slide down her cheek as she thought about what Temari did the previous night. Temari had taken her chastity from her, and for that, she would never be forgiven.

Ino finished her bath and wrapped herself in a robe. She went back into the main room and picked up the package, curiosity getting the better of her, she opened it. Inside was the most beautiful gown she'd ever seen. It fell out and onto the bed. She picked it up and held it against herself in front of the mirror. It was maroon, and the collar was cut low. It had brass buttons, and was made of satin.

"Maybe I'll just try it on." Ino looked around to be sure her captor wasn't around before slipping off her robe and putting on her undergarments and the dress. She jumped when she felt two arms snake around her waist, "I'm glad to see you had a change of heart. C'mon, game's about to start." Temari looked Ino up and down, "Perfect. They'll be too busy counting your chest instead of their cards." She turned to leave, "Are you coming?"

"Uh, give me a moment, I want to finish getting ready."

"Alright, but don't take too long, I want to win enough for us to be set for the trip to Dodge tomorrow." And with that she left, leaving Ino alone. Ino went over to the desk and grabbed a piece of paper, a pen and some ink. She scribbled something on the paper and tucked it securely in her breast. Once she was sure the note wasn't showing she left the room and went down the stairs.

When she reached the foot, after getting several stares from people that passed her, she looked into the casino, and couldn't see the table Temari was at. Ino quickly went to the front desk and spoke to the hotel owner in a hushed voice, "I need you to do me a favor. If a woman with pink hair comes in here I need you to give her this. It's really important." She handed him the note, and he nodded as he accepted it. 'Sakura, I hope you're coming.'

xxxxx

Sakura stirred as she woke. She had decided she would sleep during the day and ride at night. She quickly packed up her small camp and snacked on an apple as she put the equipment back onto her horse before continuing on to Denver. The only thing that could slow her down other than stopping to water her horse was if there was a rockslide in the Rockies.

xxxxx

"Are you callin' me a cheat?" Temari snarled at the man that had his gun on her, "No one can win thirteen games in a row, I say you're a cheat." He shouted as he pulled the hammer on his pistol back, "Better think hard about what yer doin'" Temari warned. He started to pull the trigger, but Temari was faster, she drew both her peacemakers and put two bullets into his chest. He stumbled backwards and fell into a chair that tipped over backwards. A few women screamed, including Ino. "Anyone else?" Temari asked and stood up, pistols at the ready.

No one else challenged her. She grabbed a bag and stuffed her winnings in, "Then if you'll excuse me, we'll be going." Temari holstered on of her pistols and grabbed Ino's hand and dragged her up the stairs to their room. "Y-You killed that man." Ino stammered after the door was closed, "Course I did, it's what I do. And it's fun."

Temari tossed the bag of money into a chair and undid her gun belt, eyeing Ino hungrily, "And it gets me off." Ino gasped, 'Not again.'

"Now c'mere." Temari beckoned her over as she started to strip herself. Ino shook her head furiously, "No way! There's no way in hell I'm letting you touch me again!" Ino shouted, Temari merely chuckled, "Oh yes there is. Now be a good girl and keep quiet. We don't want to wake the neighbors." Temari lunged and tackled Ino back onto the bed, pinning her down, "Remember, silence is golden."

xxxxx

Sakura rode into Denver about midday, She was dead tired, but couldn't sleep until she had found Ino. She rode up to the hotel, "Better place than any to start." She dismounted and tied her horse before entering the building. She took a look around, and noticed the innkeeper waving a piece of paper at her. She went over to him, "You are pink woman?" he had a heavy accent, and was obviously trying hard to speak English, "Yeah," Sakura said cautiously, "Woman want this you." He handed her the paper, she opened it and read the word inside, 'Dodge'

"Are they still here?" Sakura asked the man in Spanish, the man smiled at not having to speak English, "No, I'm sorry, they left a few hours ago." Sakura huffed in frustration, "Damn! Well, can you give me a room for a few hours?" The man nodded and gave her a key. She gave him the money and went up to the room. She dropped her gunbelt on a chair and collapsed on the bed. She was asleep within moments.

xxxxx

"Sakura, why haven't you found me yet?" Sakura sat up, Ino was standing at the foot of the bed, "Ino?" she asked, "Why haven't you found me yet, Sakura? It's been two days, she's hurting me, Sakura. It hurts so much."

"Well, Sheriff, so you decided to follow us." Temari stepped up behind Ino and embraced her, "You want to separate our love?" the blonde outlaw licked up Ino's neck, and Ino let out a small groan of pleasure, "You took too long, and now I love Temari." Ino said with a smirk on her beautiful face, "But you still want me for yourself."

Temari drew one of her pistols, "Well, Sheriff, if you want her so bad, then you two can be together. In Hell!" Temari pushed Ino forwards, Sakura reaching out to her, before she felt a pang in her chest. Temari had shot her. She fell back, "Ino…" she croaked, and felt moisture on her hand, she brought it up to her face, it was blood, Ino's blood.

She looked up when she felt hot iron on her forehead, "Good night, Sheriff."

Bang

xxxxx

Sakura awoke in a cold sweat. Her clothes were matted to her body. She shivered and held herself, "Ino… Please hold on." She looked out the window, it was still light out, looked like late afternoon.

Sakura pulled herself out of bed and figured she'd take a look around the town before she left for Dodge. She grabbed her had and gun, but before she could put either of them on, there was a knock at the door. She put the belt on and pulled out her pistol, it could be a friend of Temari's.

"Come in." She called and cocked the gun. The door opened and a respectable man stepped in. He had black hair that he had tied up, "Can I help you?" she asked warily, "Yeah, name's Shikamaru Nara, I'm the sheriff here." He said in a lazy voice, "Ok, and what do you want with me?" Sakura asked, "You're looking for Temari Sabaku and the girl she's traveling with, right?"

"And just how do you know that?"

"Call it intuition. Anyway, I can help you find them."

"I already know where they're going." Sakura said as she holstered her pistol, "Alright, but do you honestly think you can catch up to them? I know a shortcut to Dodge City, but it comes with a price." Shikamaru sat down in one of the chairs, "And what price is that?"

"I got a buddy in Konoha who says you're pretty good with a gun. Well, we're having a problem right now, and if you can resolve it, I'll give you the map."

"And what exactly is the problem?" Sakura sat on the bed and stared intently at the sheriff, "There's a murderer going around calling himself the 'Butcher.' His name's Kabuto. There's a price on his head worth 200, and if you can kill him, I'll pay you in full with the map."

"And how exactly do you expect me to find him? Assuming I agree." Sakura crossed her arms and cocked an eyebrow, "He always tells us when he's going to kill, confident we can't stop him. He's going to start his rampage with his gang tonight."

"Fine. I'll do it." Sakura sighed, "Good. I'll get some of my men on the rooftops. You'll be covered."

"This had better be worth it, Sheriff." Sakura said, standing up and shaking his hand, "I assure you it will."

Alright, next time, Sakura vs Kabuto review! or john wayne's zombie will eat you, pilgrim!