Okay! Now I'm going to try to change up the Retrieval so don't get pissed at me when I change and skip stuff

Thank you!

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Sasuke laid in bed. He still wore his clothes on and he hadn't treated any of his wounds that he suffered from the Sound four.

He just laid there thinking.

'Who is the other person that those guys were talking about? I can't think of anyone else that would become a rogue and go to Orochimaru'

He sat up with a wince, 'Minako seemed very strange today. Could that be what she was talking about? Leaving Konoha?'

He bit his lip, 'No Minako would never become a rogue! She wants to become Hokage!'

(Flashback)

Minako lost it, "And I've been alone all of my life! I've never had anyone to care for me, no one to protect me and no one to tell me that everything would be okay! You should be grateful that you had parents to begin with Sasuke. At least you know that love. I never knew that. And I never will."

Sasuke and Sakura watched Minako's emotional confession, "I was going to tell you two something important but now I feel as if you two don't deserve to know. Forget it."

(End of flashback)

'I'm sure that Minako wouldn't join Orochimaru. Right?'

But somehow Sasuke Uchiha doubted himself. The hate was plain on her face and if what Kakashi said was true then Minako would most likely get brash and do something she would regret.

'She wouldn't leave though right?' He was having the most difficult time believing that Minako would just leave Konoha behind.

"Gah!" Sasuke plopped back down on his bed, ignoring the sting from his ribs from when Sakon broke a few of them, "Minako . . . You idiot"

'But still' Sasuke ran a hand through his jet black hair, 'I have to believe that Minako is alright and that she didn't go with them. Not that I can just run to her apartment and see anyway. My ribs are broken. It's a miracle I made it back to my own apartment at all.'

He sighed and gazed at the photo he kept by his bed. The photo was of him, Sakura, Minako and Kakashi when they all started together as a team. Minako had been furious at Sasuke about something but the Uchiha obviously couldn't have cared less. Kakashi and Sakura looked the most happy in the picture.

'I swear Minako. I'll help you. I'll help you see that you're not alone. Because now I see why all of these years, the villagers hated you. They thought that you were the fox. But you're not. You're not a monster'

He closed his tired eyes and let sleep overtake him, getting rid of the pain in his abdomen.

'Let me help you, Mina'

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The next morning, Sasuke awoke to rapid and loud knocking on his door. His ribs weren't hurting as much anymore but it felt a little sore to get up, 'Who could that be?'

He finally got to the door and opened it to reveal Shikamaru in his new Chunin uniform. He looked exhausted already but when didn't he? But something was different. He had a look on his face that rarely was there.

Concern.

"Shikamaru." Sasuke grunted, "What are you doing here?"

Shikamaru swallowed thickly, "There's not a lot of time to explain, Uchiha. Minako is missing from the village and Lady Hokage has assigned me to gather some Genin to go searching for her. Can you meet at the gate in ten?!"

Sasuke had never heard Shikamaru speak so frantically before. Of course, Minako was one of Shikamaru's best friends. Of course he would be worried about her.

'Wait a second. . . '

"Minako left the village!?" Sasuke slammed the door in front of Shikamaru and hurriedly got some good clothes on and gathered some weaponry and scrolls.

'Dammit Minako!' he screamed in his mind, 'I knew I should've looked for you after the Sound ninja attacked! I was so stupid!'

The last thing he grabbed was his Leaf headband and he tied it quickly around his forehead.

'I hope we're not too late!'

Sasuke burst out of his apartment and towards the gates to meet Shikamaru and the makeshift team. But something was bothering him. He just had to make sure. He had to see for himself that she was gone so he ran to Minako's apartment first. When he arrived, he knocked on the door only for it to open with an old creaking noise.

Slowly, the Uchiha walked in, "Minako?"

Silence.

He walked to her bedroom and opened the makeshift 'fixed' door from when Sasuke had broken it down over a month ago.

He gasped. Everything was gone.

All of Minako's posters, her scrolls, her weapons. Everything except two things on her desk by her bed.

He walked over to her desk only to see that the picture of them on their first day as a team was there along with her Leaf headband.

The picture of them was faced down but he knew that that was what it was.

'Dammit Minako. No.'

(Flashback)

"Put on your headband first Sasuke" she decided but her rival just laughed.

"I don't need it!"

"Just do it" Mika growled at him, losing her temper but Sasuke still refused.

"There's no reason to put it on. Cause you won't be able to put one scratch on my forehead!"

"That's not the point. Not that I care anymore but putting your headband on is a testament of fighting on equal terms as a Shinobi."

"Hah!" Sasuke laughed once more, "You don't honestly believe we're equals do you?!"

"I do!" Minako yelled, getting upset that Sasuke thought so little of her still, "I never once thought I was inferior to you! Never!"

(End of Flashback)

'Why would she just leave it here then?' he wondered. He grabbed the headband and put it in his pocket.

Sasuke ran out of the apartment and at the gates of Konoha.

Standing there waiting for him were Choji Akamichi, Neji Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka and Shikamaru Nara.

"Hah!" Kiba barked out, "It's about damn time you showed up!"

Choji was munching on some chips while Neji just looked stoic as usual.

Off to the side stood Rock Lee, 'Probably volunteered Neji or something'

"Shut up mutt." Sasuke growled at Kiba making the said boy glare back at him.

"Alright! That's enough!" Shikamaru sighed, "We're all here for the same reason. We need to rescue Minako Uzumaki from enemy ninja and bring her back to Konoha. Are we clear?"

They all nodded.

"Alright then." Shikamaru continued, "We need a party formation that will be able to instantly react to an assault. We will form a straight line single-file. I suggest Kiba will be first in line so he and Akamaru can sniff ahead for the enemy. Then I will be next, and then Sasuke. We'll need you in the middle in case the enemy attacks from the side. You'll see it quicker than us. Then there will be Choji, the follow-up strike in a surprise attack. And then Neji, you'll be our eyes to watch behind us in case they find us first and attack from behind. Everyone got it?"

"Alright now everyone show me what we got for weaponry and other supplies and then we can head out."

They all showed Shikamaru what they had in stock and once that was finished, the lazy Chunin sighed, "Okay then. If we're good so far, then let me tell you the most important thing."

They all listened closely to what Shikamaru had to say.

Shikamaru sighed, "Minako is a great friend of mine but not just to me, but to all of us right? To all of the Rookie Nine. She's a great person who never gives up and never backs down. Like us, Minako Uzumaki is a Leaf Shinobi. She is our comrade! Therefore I will put my life on the line to rescue her. That is the Konoha way."

Sasuke closed his eyes and pictured Minako in his mind.

Shikamaru's voice almost cracked, "And we will not give up in making this mission a success! We will not fail because like Minako would say, 'We will never go back on our word. That is our ninja way'. Am I right?"

Neji actually sported a smile, "Of course she'd say something like that."

Kiba grinned and Akamaru yipped, "Yeah that sounds like her alright."

"No doubt about it" Choji nodded. Everyone looked at Sasuke.

"Yeah" he added detachedly.

"Alright then" Shikamaru smirked, "Let's head out."

"Wait!" a voice called running towards them. Sasuke's widened as he noticed that it was Sakura.

She ran up to Sasuke with fearful eyes, "Sasuke" dried tears marred her face, "Sasuke please. You got to bring Minako back" fresh tears began to run down her cheeks and Sasuke could only watch in sadness as his teammate cried in front of him.

"Please promise me you'll bring her back. I couldn't do it. I couldn't stop her. She wouldn't listen to me. She's wrapped in some sort of mindset that no one cares about her anymore. She seemed pretty set on leaving and that we wouldn't care. Sasuke . . . Please you have to bring her back."

The others watched in a solemnness as Sakura pleaded to Sasuke, "Maybe then she'll realize that she was wrong. That there are people that care about her. That love her." Sakura wiped her tears and looked towards Sasuke who had his face cringed.

"You were right you know Sasuke" Sakura went on, "When we were first made Genin and assigned a teacher that day you told me. She's so lonely and I hate myself for always bashing on her and insulting her. I should have treated her better. Like a sister and not an enemy. I was so stupid! You were right to think so low of me."

Sasuke closed his eyes and remembered that day. He remembered that Minako had tied him up and was going to go be mean to Sakura in Sasuke's form so Sakura would hate him. But it didn't work because Minako had had some bad milk that morning. When Sasuke got free, he caught Sakura who was trying to act all cute. That's when Sasuke had snapped when she insulted Minako because she had no parents.

It made Sasuke sick back then but now it seemed that Sakura finally understood some of Minako's pain.

'Why is it always me? Why is it always me that she looks to? Does everyone think that I can help the loser just by talking to her or something?! But Sakura's right. Maybe by doing all of this Minako will see that we all DO care. That we all want her back.'

He opened his eyes again to stare into Sakura's eyes, "I swear Sakura. I will bring her back even if it kills me. You guys are the only family I have left now after all. I won't let Minako go. I swear it."

"Sasuke" Sakura cried, hugging herself, "Thank you."

The team set off leaving Sakura and Lee behind.

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Tayuya sighed, "Ugh! When is she ever gonna wake up dammit?!"

Jirobo spoke up, "You really shouldn't talk like that, Tayuya"

"Oh shut it!"

"Now now" Sakon chided, "There's no need to fight. Little Minako will wake up soon enough."

The stopped in a small clearing and Sakon set the still unconscious girl down, "Orochimaru said it would take a while. Perhaps even a whole day."

"So what exactly are we going to do with her until then? We can't just carry around like this. It will be easier for the enemy to get her if she is."

Sakon thought about it, "Well perhaps we could place her in the barrel?"

"I thought that was only for Sasuke if he chose to come with us?" Tayuya asked.

Sakon sighed again, "Well yes but that doesn't' mean we have to necessarily seal the barrel right? We'll just put her inside and wait for her to wake up."

"Right" Kidomaru smirked.

All together, they placed Minako in the barrel that was meant for Sasuke and placed a harmless sealing cover over the top to prevent others from seeing what is inside. Or rather 'who'.

Sakon stopped, "Hey! I here a few ninja coming our way!"

"One" Tayuya counted, "No two."

Kidomaru grinned, "Let's have some fun"

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Kiba stopped everyone from going any further, "Stop! This place reeks of the enemy!"

Sasuke activated his Sharingan and Neji his Byakugan to scout the area.

Shikamaru spotted a few traps, "They're traps! We'll have to make a detour"

Sasuke groaned internally.

As they walked carefully along the ground, Kiba smelt them again, "Up ahead" he told Shikamaru and Akamaru whine softly.

"Neji"

The boy nodded and used his Byakugan to look ahead once more, "There. Up ahead not far it looks as if they're taking a break."

Kiba laughed, "Alright! Let's get them"

Shikamaru divided them up in groups. Shikamaru with Neji and Kiba, Choji and Sasuke waiting a bit more behind for a signal.

Sasuke looked ahead and saw the sound four, 'But where's Minako?!' he saw the barrel, 'Tsk! She better not be dead or I'll kill them all.'

But that's when he noticed something strange. A wire laced with chakra was connected to his foot, 'Shit!'

But it was too late and him, Choji and Kiba were flung forwards with Shikamaru and Neji.

Sasuke glared at the Sound ninja.

Sakon smirked, "Oh my! What do we have here? Sasuke? Well I didn't expect you to be a part of the retrieval squad!"

Sasuke growled, "She's my teammate! I'll never abandon her! Where is she!?"

The four rogues chuckled but Sakon spoke, "I'm afraid we don't' have the time to talk. Jirobo. Take care of these fools."

Before Shikamaru could perform the Shadow Possession jutsu, the large rogue used Earth Style to form a rock dome around the Leaf Genin.

"Dammit!" Sasuke yelled as he the ninja on the other side laugh. All but Jirobo left, "No! You won't get away!"

Sasuke activated his Sharingan eyes as Kiba used his Tunneling fang with Akamaru. Kiba managed some damage but the crater he created slowly 'healed' itself and disappeared.

Neji had his Byakugan activated to check it out but Sasuke already figured it out.

"Kiba" Sasike spoke, "Use Tunneling fang on that spot there." He pointed to a spot on the wall.

"Pft! Yeah right! Like I'm gonna listen to you!"

"Kiba" Shikamaru warned, "Do as Sasuke says."

Kiba grumbled but got out Akamaru, "Ready boy?"

"Arf!"

Kiba threw him a red pellet and changed his fur. This was much similar to the attack Kiba used to attack Minako with in the Chunin Exams. Or so Sasuke had heard.

"Tunneling Fang!"

Sasuke kept his eyes on the spots Kiba hit until he found a pattern, "There. That's a weak point right there. It's not 'healing' as fast and rebuilding itself there so if we all attack there then we have a chance of getting out of here and saving Minako."

"Let me!" Choji yelled and used expansion jutsu to expand himself into a large ball.

"Ready Choji?!" Shikamaru asked and Choji laughed.

"Oh yeah!"

Choji rolled at the spot Sasuke pointed out and destroyed the dome to pieces.

The five Leaf Shinobi and dog exited the broken rubble and Sasuke glared at the rogue with his Sharingan.

"Heh!" Jirobo laughed, "What's that look for Uchiha? Just because you refused us you think we'd just up and leave Konoha completely?!"

Sasuke wanted to attack but Shikamaru stopped him, "Wait Sasuke!"

Shikamaru glared at him, "You and me will take him together. Everyone else! Go after the other ninja!"

Jirobo laughed, "Do you honestly think that splitting up will help you?! You're such an idiot. Well my little friends, since I feel such pity for you for having such a scumbag as a leader, I'll kill you faster. It'll be painless! Just like what Mistress Minako is going through!"

"Shut up you lowlife-" Sasuke started but Choji interrupted him.

"He's mine! I'll take him!" he glared at Sasuke.

Sasuke looked back at him as Choji continued, "You need to go save your teammate Sasuke." He looked to Shikamaru, "Here. Take these pellets to restore everyone's chakra. Now go. I got this 'scumbag'."

Shikamaru tried to argue but it was no use and he gave up, "Alright" he divided the pellet between everyone and they left Choji to fight alone.

'Choji' Sasuke thought, 'I used to think he was an even bigger loser than Minako. Turns out he's got some guts after all.'

Shikamaru marked an arrow to let Choji know which way they went for when he beat the enemy.

Sasuke sighed, 'I hope you're alright Minako.'

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Meanwhile in the barrel Minako was still unconscious but she felt as if she were dreaming.

She opened her eyes to see herself in the 'prison' that Nine-tails was sealed in inside of her.

She looked up at the giant fox demon in the cell in front of her, "Nine-tails." She whispered, "What's going on? Why am I here you stupid fox?!"

The demon laughed, "How pitiful! Why did I have to be sealed inside someone as stupid and weak as you!? You don't know why you're here?"

"That's why I asked." She growled and the fox growled and kept hidden in the shadows.

"You ate that pill." He said, "And right now you're being taken to that wretched Orochimaru so he can 'teach' you how to control me."

Minako nodded reluctantly.

"HAHAHAHAHhahahaha!" the fox bellowed with laughter, "So pathetic but I guess I can't complain! The pill that they gave you is working itself right now through your system. Slowly, my chakra is swirling with yours to make it easier for you to call upon my power. However, there is a price that they didn't mention."

Minako raised an eyebrow, "What? What is it?"

The fox snarled, "You could die if too much of my chakra is in your system OR if my chakra accidentally crosses with yours. That and the pill, once completed its trial, will allow me to take over you better with my chakra already running through you!"

Minako gulped but the fox seemed as if it were smirking, "But you will have nothing to fear, child. The pill was made especially for this so it will not harm you. However, it will affect your persona a bit. You'll feel darker and colder. Much like your little friend Uchiha."

"Don't talk about him!" Minako yelled at the fox demon who grinned, "He's my enemy now."

"Right" the fox quieted down, "I'll just leave you be now. Have nice dreams" he growled sinisterly.

Minako felt as if she were falling in a dark abyss, leaving the fox's prison.

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Meanwhile, now only Sasuke, Shikamaru and Kiba were left to save Minako from Sakon and Tayuya.

Neji had left himself behind like Choji did to buy them time to get away. Neji stayed to fight Kidomaru.

Sasuke had managed to grab Minako in the barrel after Kiba and Shikamaru distracted them but Sakon came at them. Akamaru set a letter bomb but was unable to get away. Quickly as he could, Kiba charged back to get him only for him, Akamaru and Sakon to fall down into a cavern. This now only left Shikamaru and Sasuke.

"Dammit!" Shikamaru gripped the barrel, "Sasuke, you have to take Minako and get out of here! I'll fight the girl! Go!"

Sasuke saw Shikamaru's intent glare and nodded, "Right" He grabbed Minako who was in the barrel still and tried to set off only to be stopped by another ninja presumably who appeared out of nowhere.

Sasuke was in such a shock, he didn't realize that the man had kicked the barrel out of his grip to Tayuya.

'Dammit! No!'

The man was speaking but Sasuke didn't listen. The man left back to Tayuya and they were talking but Sasuke didn't bring himself to hear.

'Dammit why am I so weak?! I couldn't fight the sound four before. What makes me think I can just take on these guys and succeed!? I can't fight the four ninja, I can't fight that Orochimaru guy. I can't fight Gaara. I can't fight Itachi! Why am I so fucking useless to save Minako?! What made her so strong that she was able to defeat Gaara and that actually fight that Orochimaru guy? What is it?!'

He remembered what Minako had said when she protected him in the fight with Gaara.

(Flashback)

Sasuke stood in front of Minako to protect her from Gaara, the curse mark infecting his body rapidly, "Go save Sakura, Minako. Get out of here. I'll fight this guy alone and buy you guys some time. I lost everyone I ever cared about once before. I won't allow my precious friends die in front of me again."

Minako gazed at him in realization, "You're right." She said, "You're absolutely right"

She stood up beside Sasuke and prodded him to stand behind her, "I thought of him as strong. Because like me he grew up in the same sadness and loneliness that I did. He fought for and loved only himself and because of that, I thought of him as strong. I really did."

"Minako" Sasuke was astonished. Was this really the same knuckleheaded idiot girl he knew?

"But that's not really what makes you strong! You can't get strong just by fighting for yourself!"

She clapped her hands together and conjured red chakra. Sasuke was blown back against the tree and he watched in shock as Minako's whole demeanor changed.

"I swear I'll protect all of you!"

(End of Flashback)

Sasuke activated his Sharingan again, 'I swear Minako! I'll be the one to protect you now! I swear it!'

Sasuke clapped his hands together and made the Tiger sign, "Fire Style! Fireball Jutsu!"

He aimed the fire at the newcomer who held the barrel in his hands. Shikamaru yelled at him but Sasuke paid no mind. The bastard dodged his attack anyway and started running with Minako in the barrel in his arms.

"Shikamaru!" he called behind him, "You think you can handle this girl?!"

The Chunin sighed, "Yeah. Don't worry about me just go save your comrade."

Sasuke nodded and ran after the strange man.

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Minako floated in darkness, her eyes barely opened just to see nothing. She closed her eyes and saw the face of Orochimaru. Minako cringed a bit in fear and remembered what he had done to Sasuke. But that didn't seem to bother so much now. Right now Minako just felt numb.

She didn't feel anything.

'Maybe it's that pill'

Then she began to see flashbacks of when she was younger.

The villagers treated her like a monster. She could still hear all of their horrible insults.

'Freak!'

'Monster!'

'Hey isn't that that demon child?'

'Ha! Look at it cry! What a weak little demon!'

The scenes changed to a more recent time.

'Why would anything be right with you in this fucking world?!'

'You shouldn't even be alive! You're so irrelevant! There's no reason for you to exist!'

'You're so pathetic! You have no one and nothing! No friends, no family! Not even a stray mutt would want you as their companion!'

'No one has ever loved you and no one ever will!'

SLAP!

Minako snapped open her eyes showing red in her vision.

'Sasuke' she growled demonically.

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R&R