I hope this is long enough for some of you. It took me a while to write...I had a hard time doing so... eh heh heh... -sweatdrops-

Okay, I'm GOING to thank all my reviewers so far, but first I'd like to thank the people who (so far) have reviewed chapter six and reply to what they said..

Why? 'Cause.

whitephoenix13: Thanks! I'm glad you liked it (i didn't; I thouhgt I messed up a bit on the last scene...)!

jgirl1984: I know! SO exiciting, isn't it? I didn't plan for her to quit her job with The Rack so soon, it just happened...here's your update. Soon enuff?

waveblader231: NO! I'm trying to make it LESS confusing...argh, everything just goes the exact opposite of what I want it to be! Hopefully its not as confusing...if it is, just bear with me 'til the end of the story.

sasusakufan2357: I'm glad you liked it and here's your update.


In the Shadows of the Dark Alleys

Chapter Seven-And Just When Things Were Going Well…

Kohona City, Northeast Suburb

South Gates

Ino rested against the gates, Shikamaru accompanying her. There was a huge smile on her face. Apparntly Sasuke had been right-Sakura was going to join.

Shikamaru groaned. "Why are we here and what's taking so long?"

Ino just smiled. "You'll find out, Shika."

Shikamaru grumbled but shut up.

Minutes later Sasuke strolled up to them. "C'mon. Let's go."

Ino willingly followed Sasuke, dragging Shikamaru behind her. The three were soon joined by Gaara, Sia, and Neji.

The six ventured into East Suburb, all on the lookout for pink hair and emerald green eyes.

Shouts reached their ears. The six looked at each other.

"C'mon," Sasuke said. They ran toward the screams.

Kohona City, Southeast Suburb

Abandoned Building, Uni Lane

Water dripped into pools. A man, standing by one of the few windows, held his fingers together.

"If they do not hurry up, we will lose her," He muttered, his lips pursing. He stared out the window, his eyes not seeing anything.

"Leader."

He turned around. "Yes, Danner?"

"We…believe we've found her…SBK is also after her…"

The man, 'Leader', snarled. "This is not good, Danner. Find Kimmimaro, Deidara, Sasori, and Kabuto. Send them after her. SBK must NOT be allowed to get her!!"

The man called Danner paused. "Just wondering, Leader…why not Itachi, Tayuya, and Kisame?"

The leader turned toward Danner once more. "Do you think it would be wise, Danner, sending Itachi somewhere where Sasuke possibly is?"

Danner gulped. "No."

The Leader looked satisfied. "Get them going, then."

Danner bowed. "Yes,leader." He was gone in a second.

The Leader looked out the wall. His lips curled into a smirk. Soon, he'd have two users of the Kunargan within his grasp…

Kohona City, Downtown

West Strip

Kakashi walked down a busy street, his visble eye glancing all over the place.

"Well well well. If it isn't Kakashi. How's it going?"

Kakashi turned his head slightly. "Zabuza. It's been a while."

Zabuza chuckled. "That it has…that it has…still chasing after The Rack's flower?"

Kakashi dipped his head. "My team is on it as we speak…"

Zabuza grinned. "Good, good."

"What about you? What have you and-Haku, is it?-been doing?"

Zabuza chuckled again. "A little of this, a little of that."

Kakashi raised his visible eyebrow. "Still working for Oroichmaru?"

Zabuza grinned. "Always the perceptive one, you were. Yes. Indirectly, of course…"

"Of course," Kakashi echoed.

"Well, its been fun, but Haku and I have a job…something about SESG and SBK…see you around, Kakashi."

"Yes. I daresay you will."

Kohona City, Northeast Suburb

Middle Square

Sakura stayed on the fringes of the crowd, biting her lip nervously.

"WHERE IS SHE?" The young man roared visciously. "I KNOW SHE'S HERE SOMEWHERE!"

Sakura squeaked. She knew this young man. It was Zaku, from Kakashi's group of spies.

"I'LL KILL YOU ALL!"

"Calm down, Zaku," The young male next to him said. It was Dosu, and standing next to Dosu was Kankauro.

Sakura whimpered, her eyes closing.

"WHERE ARE YOU, FLOWER? COME ON OUT!!!!" Zaku roared.

Sakura closed her eyes. She clenched her fists.

I can do this…

"Don't hurt the innocent, Zaku. If you wanted me so much you could've just told me," She said teasingly, stepping out of the crowd, black cap pulled low, a smirk on her face.

Zaku rumbled deep within his throat. "The chase ends here, Haruno."

"I agree. Although, it would've ended earlier if you hadn't balmed me for Hennan's…unfortunate accident."

Zaku growled. "you KILLED him!" He ran toward her, and the fight began.

"Totally DID NOT," Sakura retorted, dodging his attack. She sent a kick flying toward him. She jumped away from him, cursing him for his ability to use wind at will.

"A lady shouldn't be speaking that way," Zaku sneered, catching her off guard. He kicked her in he stomach, and she went flying, hitting a building. People screamed.

Zaku walked up to her and grabbed her by her shirt collar. He hauled her up and slammed her against the wall. "I will make you pay for what you've done to me!"

"I…I've done nothing!" She gasped as he kneed her in the stomach.

"Lies," He sneered. "Kakashi said to capture you, but he never objected to beating you up a little first…" His sneer turned into a smirk.

"Don't take that long, Zaku," Dosu said.

"Right," He replied, kneeing Sakura again.

Cling. Cling. Clash. Ping!

"I suggest you set the girl down,' A male voice rumbled.

Zaku, still holding onto Sakura, turned around to see two females and four males standing behind him. His partners were discarded on the sidewalk.

"I-ino…" Sakura whispered.

"Hey, again, forehead!"

Sakura looked up at Zaku. Seeing he was officially distracted, she kicked his shin and, as bent let go of her and started cursing, ran into the crowd, blending in.

"Damn. So close…" Sakura started running.

"Hey! Hey! Forehead, where the hell do you think you're going?" A hand grabbed the back of her shirt, pulling her to a stop.

"Ino! Dammit, Ino, let me go!" Sakura turned to glare furiously.

"Where are you going?" Ino asked again.

Sakura turned her glare to the highest intensity possible. "Just because I quit my job with The Rack, Ino, doesn't mean I'm joining you and your group of friends!" She pulled away and dashed deeper into the crowd.

Sasuke, who'd caught up with Ino, snarled. "Dammit! We lost her!"

Ino looked at Sasuke. "I'm sorry…'

Sasuke didn't look at her, just stalked away.

Ino looked in the direction Sakura had left. When will you stop fighting your destiny?


Ooooh! Ino went all 'Neji'!

Lol, you gettin' what I'm saying? Destiny...?

Okay, shutting up.

Besides the people I thanked before, I'd like to thank:

alayneni

DemonicAngel08

sakura4594

NaruKakaSasuSaiYamo

Could-Careless

ChristinaAngel

Rakero-chan (hey are you still reading? sorry about Fainting :( wah! i miss it... stupid computer...)

SakuraUchiha14

deedee2034

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR REVIEWS!

So, please, leave another review...I'll try to update later tonight/tomorrow at soonest.

I'M A FAST TYPER!

Plus I love updating... lol.

MaybelleDragon