Caught in the Dark Chapter 7

A ninja's life was constructed around rules. Never question your team leader, always be prepared and, most important of all, the mission comes first. Those three guidelines were what helped order a ninja's life. But even more important was the sacred rule: A ninja must never show emotion.

Giving in to emotion was like giving in to death. Emotions complicated things. Emotions skewed one's perception and could trick one into making stupid decisions. All ninjas realized this simple truth and took steps to protect themselves. Some took to creating a new persona, someone who wasn't bothered by anything. Others invested their time and money into alcohol, finding relief in the brief moments of numbing drink. A few others took up smoking. And some chose to build an impenetrable wall around their hearts, refusing to let anyone in.

Kakashi belonged to the latter group. He had buried what remained of his heart after his team had died and turned to Icha Icha and sake to help mask his pain. It didn't work, alcohol only made him sleepy and Icha Icha made him smile, but neither made him forget. Which was why he was mentally cursing up a storm, glad that at least his outward appearance remained as stoic as ever. Sai, Naruto, and he had found the abandoned building where Akatsuki must have held Sakura. They had searched the entire place but were only able to conclude that she had been there by her lingering scent, and that she was unharmed. Beyond that, they were lost.

The Copy-Nin rubbed his eye tiredly. He hadn't slept well since he had learned about Sakura's capture and having to camp with the younger members of his team didn't help his insomnia at all. Kakashi sighed, drooping a little; he was beginning to feel his age.

Looking around, he saw nothing but blue sky lined by green forest. It was peaceful and beautiful, but Kakashi couldn't shake the lingering fear that they were running out of time. That Sakura was running out of time. Stamping down on the worry and panic that was threatening to take control, Kakashi stood up, grabbing his pack as he motioned to the rest of his team to set out. He was a ninja. Emotions had no place in his life. He would succeed in bringing Sakura back or he would die trying. There was no in between.

Sakura slammed her shot glass down, laughing as she watched Kisame waver unsteadily on the opposite side of the table before falling over to smash his head into the neighboring chair. In the corner Deidara shook his head at their antics. He was all for enjoying a good glass of sake, but he never could see why people thought it would be fun to get drunk.

Sakura refilled the two glasses, accidentally spilling some of the amber liquid on the table. "Oops, got to clean that uuup." Her voice slurred on the last word and she and Kisame burst into giggles, gripping their stomachs as they fought to breathe.

"Uuuuuuppp," Kisame mimicked, sending the duo into another round of giggles. Deidara shook his head again. How did he get stuck with the task of babysitting? Deciding it was time to call it quits, he reached over, neatly snagging the almost empty bottle of sake with his unwounded arm.

"That's enough for tonight, yeah. I'm almost afraid that you two will set something on fire, the way you're acting."

Sakura blinked, green eyes dazed and misty. "Ooh, a fire would be really cool. It'd be all pretty and shiny. Let's make one!" She grasped the table and levered herself to her feet, swaying. "Come on, let's go-" She stopped talking abruptly, hands leaving the table to wrap around her mouth and stomach. Deidara groaned, knowing what was going to happen next.

"I don't feel so good," Sakura whimpered. Yanking opening a cabinet, the blonde grabbed a pot, pushing it under Sakura's mouth just in time as she vomited up the sake she had been drinking all evening.

"Lovely," Deidara muttered before glaring at Kisame. "Don't expect me to help you if you decided to get sick too."

The blue-skinned ninja just waved a hand, smiling up at his friend. "I've got stomach of iron. I'm fine." He proved his statement by passing out, head landing with a bang on the table, sending his sake cup rattling. Deidara rolled his eyes.

"Must be rusted iron, yeah." Tossing Sakura over his shoulder, he half dragged half carried her up to her room. Kicking the door open, he dropped her on the bed, watching her bounce slightly before curling up in a tight ball. Refusing to do anymore, Deidara headed for the door, only to stop at Itachi standing in the doorway. Neither spoke for a few minutes until the blonde snorted and pushed his way past the Uchiha.

"Next time you get to be the nursemaid."

Red and black eyes followed him down the stair before turning back to the unconscious kunoichi, emotions flashing through them swiftly. "Hn."

A/N: I'm back. I'm sorry it took so long to update CITD, I didn't think it would be this long, and I do apologize. I feel like this isn't the best chapter I've written, but I knew I had to write something again or I would just stop completely. I hope you guys did enjoy it, and as always, reviews help!