Author's note: WOW. A lot of you liked last chapter, and those of you who reviewed got a short snippet of this chapter as a thank you! Your reviews help to keep me on time, especially with all the craziness of life. I hope you enjoy this chapter. My disclaimer is still in effect; this chapter deals with some… unscrupulous ideas.

Chapter 9: Chocolate Brown

The stillness was absolute, neither moved. There was nothing more to be said as the ultimatum had been given. His eyes flickered back to her once more. As a cloud slid over the sun, they flickered with movement. Ducking his whiplash kick, she swept her leg for his support base. Snarling as he jumped, she caught the double fisted blow against her guard before lashing out with her own strike toward his gut.

His hand seized her wrist and twisted, forcing her to spin close in, driving an elbow into his gut to get her release. Twisting a cyclone, she sent a heel for his gut as her fist aimed for his jaw. A vice seized her heel, pulling her past him. Forced to follow her leg or lose it, she braced herself with her hands against the wall. Rolling sideways to avoid the blow that followed toward her back, Sakura stared at her mentor defiantly as she remained in the low crouch. Her legs lunged upward as she drove a flurry of punches toward his sides. As he caught her wrists, she smiled sweetly before bringing her foot up to nail him under the chin sharply, snapping his head back.

Dancing through the barrage kick which followed, Sakura felt a fist connect with her jaw as it slid past her guard. Carefully, she angled her arms, pushing off the ground to land on her feet and then threw a powerful blow of her own into his solar plexus. The young woman kept her distance as she stared at the smoldering onyx eyes. "You were once my sensei. But that isn't true anymore, Itachi," Sakura stated coolly. "I am your equal now; you lost the right to control my life when I stepped up from being the lost child. You can choose to help me defeat the Akatsuki, or you can leave. Pick now."

His eyes suddenly flicked past her to something. Twisting, she saw a silver fleck whisk by her head to stab through her mentor's chest, splattering blood as it came out the other end. Cross bow, she thought ducking behind the wall as another shot through to pin itself in the floor. It would have torn through her stomach. Skirting forward, she pulled him closer by his collar, ripping the hem of her cloak to staunch the blood flow and tied it in place. He grunted in discomfort, drawing his blade with his free hand. "It's the guard." He stated gruffly.

"No kidding," she muttered, drawing her own. "Can you work through that?"

He nodded an affirmation, getting to his feet. "They'll have this place surrounded."

"Then you need me to get out," she replied. "They aren't here for you. I'm going to run for it out the west side. The sun will blind those who try to shoot me. If your in, Itachi, then meet me at Clock Tower at noon. Its time I take down the Snake."

Without looking back, she wove through the small building. Creeping behind the back door, she slid from the shadows to hammer through it, slamming the wood into the three men on the wall. Shooting across the flag stones, the assassin dropped into a low run as she slid past the guards into the alleys.

Whipping around a corner, she vaulted the boxes easily before leaping up to the roofs. Neatly twisting, she changed directions, heading south toward the gates. The guards would be forced to go several streets over to make it to her current position; they would lose her. Dropping flat suddenly, she curled up and waited, counting mentally to herself. As she reached one thousand for the tenth time, the kunoichi glanced over the gutters. The guards had headed south toward the gates as she hoped; there were none in the area.

Chuckling darkly, she dropped down to the street level. Throwing up her hood, the girl glanced at the clock tower. Walking down the streets, she slipped into a shop with a painted rose door. The viridian eyes scanned for her old friend; there was no sign. A frown passed across her features. "Temari?"

"She's not here… How can I help you?" a young man with brown hair asked, his flat eyes staring at her. Elaborate face makeup turned his face into a geometric pattern. It startled her to see how much he had changed from the jokester she had known.

Recognition flickered behind his eyes, he took a step forward as he scrutinized her viridian eyes. "Sakura? Tema said that you were to be coming, but she didn't know when. What do you need? The package?" he questioned.

"Clothes and yes, the package," she replied, following him to a back room. "Anything you've got for a civilian, man or woman. The guards after me, and I need to make it to the clock tower by noon. "

"So its one of those things huh?" he mused with a chuckle as he dug through a trunk.

Stripping down, she slid on the clothes he gave her without question. It was the uniform of a guardsman, armor and all. Belting on the customary katana, she hid a grin. Someone had been stockpiling, but she liked the trim look it gave her as well as the protection. Hugging her surrogate brother, the young girl slipped a few coins in his pocket before picking up the mask. "Thanks, Kankuro. Where is Temari by the way? You never said."

His mouth turned into a frown as he passed over a small bundle as well, tying it to her waist. "She accompanied Gaara to the guard house by his request; for what I don't know but he was adamant that she do so," he responded. "She hasn't been back since. Those are just what you asked for last time; be careful not to get them near any heat."

With a shake of her head, Sakura slid on the mask, concealing her dark eyes. "Keep an eye for her… if she's not back by noon, then you need to get out. Make a scene if necessary to get her, but both of you go. This place is about to become a war zone." The warning echoed through the quiet building as she faded into the blackness.

Purpose straightened her shoulders as she moved through the crowd's fringes; most stayed out of her way. There was a rumor that martial law had been declared until "two dangerous criminals in league with Orochimaru" were apprehended. Snorting at the absurdity of it all, she took her time as she moved on a patrol route to keep from drawing attention.

As she neared the clock tower a hand suddenly seized her shoulder. Without thinking, the young woman punched the offender harshly on the jaw. Shock met her eyes as she stared at the bushy browed Captain Lee, who rubbed his rapidly bruising cheek. "That is a punch worthy of the guard, Miss." He commented before his expression became serious. "I am sorry for startling you but it was most necessary. The Commander… is planning a public execution at noon. I am afraid that the Commander is doing this for a trap for you as I know this person has committed no crimes…."

Tears shattered on the ground as he prostrated himself before her. "I would not ask this if it were in my power to stop him, but if you can save her; please do it. Please, Miss, she is my fiancé," Lee begged, the anguish on his face tearing at her heart. "He is going to flay her alive under pretense that she is transporting illegal weapons that he planted."

A rift divided her soul as she stared at the tortured young man. This was an extreme that not even she could fathom but she had an obligation as well to Itachi to meet him. But Lee had risked everything to help her twice; to allow his lady to be whipped to death would be a mark for which she could never forgive herself. Cursing the fates that had given her such a conundrum, she gritted her teeth as she stared at Lee, removing the fox-like mask. "I don't care if it is a trap," the assassin answered as a cold tone entered her voice like that of sleet. "Your fiancé will be safe; he won't be able to lay a stripe on her without revolt when I'm done."

"Th-"

"Don't thank me yet." she warned, replacing the porcelain. "If I do manage to get her out, you won't be seeing her for a while. Finish your patrol and do whatever the Commander says… once the execution is over, go to the mountain temple after a month. She'll be there for you. If I can't, you will see my body."

Walking away, she headed without direction as she wove through the back allies. This was getting beyond her control. Why had the elders not stepped in? Tenten was of a prominent enough family; even martial law should not have prevented her punishment from being lessened. But there was going to be a mutiny by the time she was done. And she knew just the place to start.

Stopping in The Gutters, she looked for the small hands and eyes that peered out from the corners. Slowly, she spotted one particular little girl. The same as she had helped while working with Tsunade. "Little one, come here" she called, kneeling down and holding out her hand. "It's me, Saka."

Slowly, she came forward, studying the pinkette's face carefully before lunging forward to catch the woman in a tight hug. Ruffling her hair affectionately, Sakura looked into the wide brown eyes. "Can you do me a favor today, Bite-sized? I need you and your friends to help me in the crowd at the execution. There'll be eatings for all who can. All I need you to do is to start telling people this…."

Whispering the phrase in the little girl's ear, she watched as the expression became doubtfully thoughtful. But the little girl nodded, holding out her hand. Giving the girl a few silver pieces, she smiled as she watched her scurry away. Sakura had no doubt the small ones would be able to get the job done.

The assassin paused to look at the giant clock. Five minutes. Taking off at a run, she wove through people until she reached the square. Slipping up the stairs of a near by building, she kept behind the pillory where she would be visible to all. Quickly mixing a powder with water, she began rubbing it through her hair until it was the dark chocolate brown of the lady's. The assassin sighed before taking out the bow she had been saving. Generally the weapon stayed over her shoulder with its precious arrows; today would be an exception.

As the bell began to toll, Sakura watched emotionlessly as the young woman was dragged out and lashed to the post. Guards streamed out in a semicircle to keep the stage clear of the milling crowd. Taking a deep breath as she spotted the grim Commander, she notched her arrow and drew back. She would have to be a perfect shot. As the figure stepped up with the whip, Sakura felt her heart stop as Neji did not raise his arm for a strike, but instead turned to Captain Lee. His cruel intent was clear; he would force his subordinate to carryout the sentence against his fiancé.

Attempting to keep her emotions in check, she changed her sights to the Ice Cube, keeping the trajectory purely aimed at his heart. Lee would not be able to do it; she would make sure he didn't have to. The thought registered just as she touched her thumb to her jaw: she was going to kill him. Her breath caught, her fingers snatched at the string as she released the shot. Skewed, it hissed as it buried itself with a meaty thud into the Commander's hand. Stepping out onto the ledge, Sakura whistled sharply to draw all eyes to her as a scream of pain pierced the air.

The cries were scattered but they were clear. "It's her! She's the one!" The crowd took up the bits as she hoped, stirring. "He has the wrong woman!" Smirking to herself, she jumped for the line overhead, moving like a monkey to take her down to the ground. Her kick dispatched the startled Lee instantly as it slammed into his jaw. Darting past the Commander, she cut down the sobbing girl. Forcefully, she pulled along the girl in shock who followed instinctively.

Her feet were quick as she moved into the alley. The temple on the eastern edges would get her out; the monks could disguise her well. Spotting a horse, she smirked. It seemed that everything had been done as ordered by the little ones. A curse followed as a cross bow bolt suddenly slammed into her thigh. "Get the horse and head for the temple!" she ordered, throwing the girl up into the saddle as she fell. Slapping the beast on the rump to get it in motion, Sakura collapsed onto the hard stones. Berating herself mentally for not remembering the weapon existed in the city, Sakura swore as another clattered on the stones next to her ribs.

Carefully twisting, she ripped the bolt out before forcing up to her feet and into the building. Pain sent a throbbing through her body; adrenaline sharpened the darkness. Locking the door, she bolted up the stairs, into an abandoned room to the window before retracing her steps into another room. Automatically, she leapt into the wardrobe a moment before the outer door shattered. Quieting her breathing, the young one buried herself among the clothing. Even if the door opened, she wouldn't be seen.

In her mind, the young woman reviewed her memories. Tenten would be safe; it was clear she was the real target. The others wouldn't bother to try and catch her when it seemed that Sakura was so close in their grasp. "Check the rooms for another blood trail," a voice rasped, tight with pain. "She might still be here."

"I doubt it," Kakashi stated, moving close by. "She's in pain, cornered, and running on instinct. She's not going to stay here where we know she is." Curling up tighter in the ball, Sakura stilled her breathing as the door to the wardrobe opened. A hand was rustling around in the coats above her; finding nothing. "Nothing. She's laying a false trail to buy time. She must have used something in here to stifle the wounds to get her farther… let's go."

She listened as two of the feet disappeared out the window; one remained. Keeping herself still as they were, she sent her ears on overtime. Thirty seconds later, a husky voice spoke. "I'm not sure why you came back, Kit… I'm not sure why you chose to learn the trade of a killer. But you chose to rescue an innocent from your fate at the price of your own safety. For that, I will not give you away," Kakashi intoned before closing the wardrobe door and heading out of the room.

Bemused, she waited patiently, an hour passing slowly before she emerged. Blood stained her pants; her leg felt like it was on fire. Limping down the stairs, she shrouded her now brown hair in a cloak as she headed down the streets toward the clock tower. Itachi would be less than pleased with her condition, but there was nothing she could do at this point.

Progress was slow but she made finally made to the tower. Steeling her resolve, she began to take the stairs one at a time, a new name for the commander leaving her mouth at every other one. Eventually reaching the top, she sat in the bell tower staring at the shadows. Nothing met her eyes as disappointment washed through her soul. He hadn't come.

"You are two hours late, dressed as a guard," a voice murmured in her ear. "Now with brown hair, and limping."

"Sorry, I got hit by a cross bow bolt," she muttered back, turning over to let him see the wound. As he took out a needle and began to stitch it together, the young woman yelped in surprise as the bell began to chime out the second hour. Biting down on her fist to stifle it; Sakura tried to focus out over the city. "For the second time today, someone has almost hit you critically. Be grateful both times they missed your vitals," he stated, tying the knot. "Were you running all that time?"

Nodding, she settled her back against the low wall. Her fingers took out a small scroll that Kankuro had slipped into her armor. Old friends whom were also in trouble. Tenten had escaped and Temari had been forced to leave. Numbly, she unrolled it. The contents were what she had hoped; Orochimaru's current whereabouts and clear way in. A cold smile tilted her lips as she passed it over to Itachi who scanned over it before nodding. "The guard will change in this area at seven. If these are accurate; the only areas you will need to hit are the southwest supports. The others will have been weakened from the water down there," he stated, glancing up at the hardened soul. She merely looked on, determination emanating from her slender form. "I assume you have what is needed."

The tone was ice now. "Of course. I would not have planned this otherwise. There are also the sleeping sticks he gave me. They will clear out anyone who may be in the area without killing them... he will likely have others in his lab," she replied. "They will be in the section marked there. We go in and kill him; we get them out, we make sure no one else can go back. All in all, we should be out by three when the guard changes again."

"I will kill Orochimaru," he stated, his expression dangerously set. "His skill is beyond yours and Kabuto's style is incompatible to my own while weak to your strength. If you can keep your mind focused, then success is certain. Orochimaru owes me many, many lifetimes, Sakura. I intend to collect on all of them. It is not possible for either of us now; in one week, my chest will have healed enough that I can be of use. To rush in with both of us already bleeding would be foolhardy."

There would be no point to arguing with him; she could tell that his vengeance would be her justice. Admitedly, time would be required if they were to be at the peak of their performance to repay Orochimaru. Kabuto, however, was equally owed. A wolf like smile tilted her lips at the thought of the silver haired assistant. She would make him scream.

A/n: Reviews are appreciated, though only required if you want a preview.