Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Duh.

"Talking"

'Thinking'

RECAP:

"You could have prevented this."

Sakura's head whipped around to find Pein once again standing behind her and looking down at her dying friend. "Are you going to let it continue, or are you going to put a stop to all of the death?"

"I…" she paused as her sobs continued as she looked down at one of her closest friends who was on his death bed. She thought back to Lee, whose death that she could have also prevented. She was no longer thinking reasonably as she turned back to Pein with more tears leaving her eyes. "If I agree, you have to save him," the medic ninja pleaded as she saw no other options left. "Save him, save my village, and…and I'll go with you."

Pein looked down at the defeated ninja who was on the verge of passing out from chakra exhaustion. He kneeled down in front of her and grasped her chin. Pulling her face up to look into his eyes, he saw the true meaning of desperation in its entirety through her emerald eyes. He swiped at the blood on her face to reveal the porcelain skin underneath. "I told you, Sakura; I would get what I wanted regardless. Things will be so much easier now that you'll come willingly."

Sakura could only stare back into his grey ringed eyes. All of her fire had been extinguished as she had offered herself up as a sacrifice so that the ones she loved could be safe.

-xxx-

Ch.10 In the Arms of an Enemy

All she could see were the grey of the Akatsuki leader's irises. She felt like the grey rings of his eyes were now representing the new bars to the cage she had let herself be trapped into. The cold steel of her imprisonment; cold and unknown. She had just offered her life for the lives of her friends, comrades, and people of her village. It was the best option if she wanted everyone to be safe, but not the best choice for herself. But in moments like these, a kunoichi couldn't afford to be selfish. Especially when it meant saving so many who were important to her.

The leader of the Akatsuki was still crouched in front of her, staring into her rapidly dulling eyes. "Just do it," Sakura spat towards the pierced criminal before her. "Save him."

He let his thumb brush across her cheekbone once more before he moved away from her to stand over the collapsed form of her chestnut haired friend. "As a God is gracious, he will perform what he is asked by his servants."

"Do not mistake me for one of your lowly servants," the pink haired ninja spat back as her fire sparked behind her eyes one more. "You are not my god. I will never stoop to that level."

His small upturn of the corner of his mouth was her only reply as she felt the massive amount of chakra build up in the man's body before he held a single hand over Neji's dying form. As he released the build up of energy, she noticed that the pattern was like that of rain as it entered the Hyuga's body. How fitting.

As a medic, the phenomenon was an incredible one. The quick rate in which his power was healing some of the most difficult wounds to heal even with full medical chakra was astounding. She was not sure how he did it, seeing as she was almost positive that he had no medic capabilities as she did, but she would not deny the relief she felt. As quickly as the life seemed to drain from the chestnut haired ninja, it returned. "Neji!" she called out frantically as she noticed his breath pick up and his eyes move behind his closed lids. Moving closer to his form once more and placing one hand on his heart while the other cupped his cheek, she watched his beautiful lavender eyes open to see the light of day once more. He whispered her name like it was the answer to his prayers and she wrapped arms around his form and let her tears fall freely into the bloodstained tunic he was wearing.

The Akatsuki leader with the god-complex watched as the pink haired angel basked in her moment of relief and happiness. He would let her enjoy these last happy moments before she was whisked away to join him and his organization. He would also cherish her smile as he knew he would not see if possibly ever again the way it was now.

"I will complete what I promised and we shall leave," his voice called out, barely reaching her ears in the softest whisper. "Trying to escape me will be futile and will only result in more death; death of my choosing."

And with that, he vanished. Sakura wished that he would never return, but she knew he would. When he returned, she would be uprooted from her life in Konoha to serve a purpose of which she had no idea. Letting her smile grace her feature as she looked at Neji who was now fully alive, she whispered, "I have to go. Kiba is in the area. Find him and make sure him and Akamaru get to the hospital. You know how stubborn they can be."

The ground shook as she felt what seemed to be a large explosion. Her suspicions were confirmed when she glanced towards the front gate of Konoha to see large clouds of smoke rising through the air. "Where are you going?" Neji's rough voice questioned as he placed one of his hands over her own.

"I have to go find Naruto," she told him. The sob that built up in her throat would not stay at bay as she spoke her next words. "Neji, whatever happens after this, please know that I never wanted to hurt anyone. Please know that I'm doing this to keep everyone safe. Please…don't hate me."

"Sakura-"

She had disappeared before he could continue.

-xxx-

Jumping across the tops of the remaining buildings in her village, she moved as fast as her exerted body would take her. She had to find Naruto before Pein decided it was time to leave. She knew he would be there soon. She felt it in her bones. But also knowing that Naruto had an extra sensitive sense when it came to Konoha's safety, she knew he would be one of the first to return to the village. She only hoped the Akatsuki didn't see this as an opportunity to take him. In a more selfish sense, Sakura didn't know if she would ever see him again and she didn't know if she could live with herself if she didn't even at least say goodbye. Parting the same way the Sasuke did would break him and that was not something she could handle. Not again. He didn't deserve it.

She dodged a stray kunai that was thrown in her direction by a straggling sound ninja and quickly dodged any other enemy that crossed her path. Having a rough idea of where her best friend would appear due to their former teammate's chakra signature, she followed her destined path. As she felt the future hokage's chakra strengthening as she grew near, she felt another chakra signature b-line for her position.

"Fuck," she cursed to herself as she recognized its origin. The familiar pattern of black with red clouds appeared out of the corner of her eye as she saw one of the members catching up to her rapidly accelerating form. Giving herself a split second she tilted her head to get a glimpse of who was on her tail. She was familiar with who it was and let out a short growl in aggravation.

"I'm not running off!" she protested as she sent more chakra into her feet as she leapt from another crumbling rooftop. "I will be seeing him before I'm taken away from here and you are not going to prevent that!"

The abnormally large male let out a chuckle as his speed increased as did his distance away from her. "Can't let you do that, sweetheart," Kisame called out as he followed after her with a pointed smile. "Strict orders from Leader-sama to keep you on lock down."

"Fuck your leader, fuck your organization, and fuck you!" she spat out as she spun quickly out of his reach before adding more speed to her steps. Her words seemed to only amuse him further as let out a deep chuckle, "Such language from someone like yourself. Pity I seem to like your words more than I would find offence to them."

Ignoring his words, she calculated that she didn't have much further ground to cover before she was in prime location. She also sensed Sasuke and Orochimaru's chakra emitting from the same area she was headed. Her desperation for the situation made her want to provide them the same fate Kabuto had acquired, regardless of Sasuke's history with her. He had made one too many attempts on her life and she felt that his fate was no longer something she could change.

Sakura knew if she could stay out of the way of Kisame's sword and grasp, she would be fine. She just needed something to distract him momentarily giving her just enough time to gain the speed advantage she needed. Taking in her surroundings, she noticed her only option that would leave enough affect seemed to be a large sign post that was coming up on her right. Giving herself a slight boost, she sped towards the object and impacted it with chakra infused foot. The wood splintered and broke around her as she allowed her left hand to grasp the portion that had stayed together. Mimicking his giant sword, she swung it around in a complete circle before unceremoniously letting it go so that it soared right towards the mist swordsman.

It seemed to catch him slightly off guard, having to move to a new path to avoid it, giving Sakura just enough distance to reach her destination. With a few more powerful strides, she reached the demolished field that used to be a lush covered portion of Konoha. It now served as a battle ground to all of the top ninjas seemed to be fighting in this raging war. Kakashi was back to fighting Sasuke. Jiraya was facing off against his former teammate, Orochimaru. It seemed that even some of the Akatsuki were facing off against some of the sound enemies. She noticed Deidara surfacing on his claymation summons while the stitched man she had known to be Kakuzu was throwing back several sound enemies with his dangerous black threads. Pein's promise had held true, for now. She noticed that Naruto, as well as a few other chakra signatures, were rapidly approaching. It was a hopeful sign to know reinforcements were nearby, but Orochimaru's forces still held out in strong numbers.

A distasteful feeling reached her as she realized she wasn't the only one to notice the leaf ninjas approaching. Though she knew that Pein's intentions to collect her were clear, there was no deal struck on Naruto's behalf. She needed to ensure his safety or it would be as if she invited death to his door. Knowing she needed to catch attention to draw away from the approaching assistance, she gathered a generous amount of chakra into her fist, from what she could spare, and she struck the ground as hard as she could. Earth shattered around her form as the ground cracked and split. The remaining trees sunk into the rapidly forming creator as the ninja that were at least in a mile range needed to catch their footing to avoid the credulous distraction. It was not meant as an attack, but she was still hopeful she could catch some who were unsuspecting. She watched around her as dust swirled around. She caught the gaze of Orochimaru who simply smirked at her interference before averting himself away from any danger. The youngest Uchiha seemed to have his attention reverted back her way as well. Sharingan blazing as he watched her disparaging display. His diverted attention towards her gave Kakashi the upper hand he needed to push their fight further. Her well-versed former sensei was quite accustomed to her antics.

Though her demonstration of pure strength acquired the short distraction she desired, it also summoned a presence she had not, but she would attempt to use it in her benefit. The scent of rain filled her senses so quickly that she didn't register his sudden appearance until he was in front of her with his hand gripping her neck. The hold was not of a choking matter, but it was intended to show his feelings towards her display. His displeasure rolled off in waves.

"That was rather foolish," his deep voice reprimanded as she gazed tiredly up into his grey ringed eyes. She knew his eyes held great power, but to what extent she was still unsure. At this point, her fate was sealed and she was not afraid of what he would do to her. She had already lost. "You are asking to be targeted."

"He is not part of our deal," she panted out as she ignored his previous words. Her hand moved up to grab the offending limb at her neck. "He is not part of the deal. You will not take him."

He glanced down at her with an emotionless face as the sounds of battle could be heard around them. "Your determination is admirable, but foolish."

She felt like a part of her broke at his words. "Isn't taking me away from my home enough? Isn't ruining my life enough?!" Her voice was set in a low growl as she lost what little patience she had left with this madman. She was so tired. She had already lost so much. People, time, life. She refused to lose anything else. "You have taken everything from me," the desperation in her voice was clear and she held in the despairing sob that clung to her words. Her fingers clung to the skin around his wrist as tightly as she could. "You will not take him too. You will not take him."

Her words were passionate as she spoke them. But he knew that she was starting to break as he dissolved the world around her before her very eyes. Her fire was extinguishing quickly. Her fire was meant to burn forests down to the ground and blaze so high that it charred the tops of mountains. Her fire was something he so desired to control, but if it no longer existed his desire was out of reach. He would see that it was not doused so hastily.

"The nine-tails is still a target. He is a necessity in our plans and his fate will always be sealed to us. That is something you cannot avoid," his words spoke volumes to her. He may not have said it, but she picked up that for now, they would leave Naruto alone. For now. She wanted to cry in relief but it was not the time. She felt a presence meet with the shattered earth behind the Akatsuki leader.

"Ahhh Pein," Orochimaru's voice hissed through the surrounding air like a knife hissing against the forge. His chakra demanded attention of those around him, but Pein seemed to remain unaffected. "What do I owe the honor of your rare presence? I didn't know you ever left the precincts of your little hideout."

"Your concern for the situation is unnecessary, Orochimaru," Pein replied back to the previous member of his ranks, his eyes still not leaving the medic ninja before him. "You were a fool to come here today."

Pein's larger form was blocking her view of the snake sanin, but she was sure she could feel his sickening smirk glowing through the air around her. Sakura wondered what happened to Orochimaru's opponent, but she then realized that the world around her seemed to freeze just by the simple conversation of two S-class criminals. She felt that Jiraya as well as Kakashi had paused in their battles and were watching close by. She listened as another set of feet touched the ground behind Pein. She knew all too well who they belonged too.

"If I would have known that you were planning to attack the same day, I would have sent you an invitation to join me," Orochimaru's blatant quip at the seriousness of the situation made her anger flare up. He thought this was some type of joke as people died and a city burned. "The more the merrier. But I can see that is not why you have come today. What do you hope to accomplish from fighting me, Pein?"

"It is not about what is accomplished, but what is gained," Pein's voice answered as she watched his gaze travel back to meet her own. She was taken aback by the boldness of his statement but remained silent as the exchange continued.

She heard Orochimaru let out an amused cackle. It was a horrifying noise to hear. His joy always meant the opposite to those around him. "Don't tell you you've come to ally with Konoha?" his voice questioned his ex-comrade as he let his tongue out from his mouth to lip his lips. "Oh how far you have fallen, Leader-sama." The sound leader used the honorific as an insult more than anything as he waited for the Akatsuki member's reply. "But I see you haven't ripped poor Sakura-chan there apart yet. Curious."

Sakura clenched her jaw at the stillness of the man in front of her. She knew he felt the discomfort of her gesture from the grip he still held on her throat. He was giving away no information of importance even as the snake man baited him. The tense air around them was still evident as no one dared to move from their spots. She didn't even want to know the expression on her friend's faces if they could see her position. She hoped that Pein would keep tight mouthed on that and leave them ignorant to the truth that the Akatsuki leader was just a man who found something he wanted and went after it. Like a child who wanted no others to use what he deemed was his.

Choosing to initially ignore Orochimaru's comment, he found that we was rather interested with the soft skin of Sakura's neck. She felt her breath hitch in her throat as her heart rate spiked. His long elegant fingers trailed along the hollow of her throat while his thumb brushed against the underside of her jaw. She watched as his eyes remained unreadable but gave the impression they were staring into her soul once again. The light around them reflected from the multiple piercings that graced his face in a way she had never seen. A question seemed to pause the leader's musing as it broke through the air.

"Where's Itachi?"

The question was one she had heard her former teammate ask before. It was one of the few sentences in his vocabulary, containing only two words. More than most of his phrases. The question received no reaction from Pein as he still remained focused on the contours of Sakura's face.

"Sasuke-kun," Orochimaru's sickening purr rang through the air. "Now is not the time."

"There is always the time for my revenge," Sasuke's pointed reply showed no weakness towards his master. It was obvious to Sakura that Sasuke's demeanor had far from changed during his time away.

An amused hum was his initial reply. "I'm sure your brother is lurking around here somewhere. I'm sure Kabuto would be more than happy to assist in your search after our priorities have been met."

"You'll find that impossible as his head is detached from the rest of his body," Sakura couldn't help herself as the witticism came tumbling from her lips.

"Impossible," Orochimaru shot back, his tone losing part of its playful edge.

"Quite possible," Sakura replied back, wishing she could gain the satisfaction of seeing the initial shock on his face. "My foot had the pleasure of separating the vertebras in his neck and ending his pathetic life."

"Naughty, naughty, Sakura-chan," she heard Orochimaru scold. "I'll simply have to return the favor then; for Kabuto's sake."

"You can try," Sakura responded in a low voice as her eyes refocused on Pein's chest. Her exhaustion and blood loss was starting to catch up with her as her vision began to haze around the edges. She knew that her body would not last much longer on what little energy she had remaining, but she knew she had to see Naruto one last time before she was taken away. The thought alone was keeping her standing.

"Oh how easy it would be. You can hardly stand, let alone throw one of those punches you love so much," the man knew to bait at her weaknesses, so he continued to do so. "In fact, Sasuke, why don't you take care of that for me. Cut another bond that links you back to Konoha. Show them what you've become!"

"A monster," her voice came out in the quietest of whispers, but the wind of her country blew just enough to pick up the sound of her words. The men around her didn't move as she spoke. "That's what he's become."

She paused at the eerie silence around her before she continued, her voice still quiet but filled with a passion that could not waiver. "That is what all of you have become. Fucking disgraceful…"

Before anyone could react, a powerful chakra source was quite literally falling from the sky. She felt Pein adjust his grip on her person as he pulled her away from the immediate danger while the rest of the ninjas in the area could only to the same thing or be crushed. As they landed further away, he had moved his ever present cuff of captivity now to her forearm. He was pulling her around as if she were a ragdoll, and she found it only made her anger fuel further.

As the large source of chakra finally made contact with the group before them, she heard the earth crunch upon impact and she couldn't help but be slightly amused at the arrival. As the dust cleared, she was greeted with the familiar sight of her best friend perched on the head of one of his toad summons. The wind whipped through his golden locks and passed through the free flowing straps holding together his Konoha headband.

She whispered his name as if it was the answer to all her prayers. Suddenly she felt a slight surge in the chakra balance of the man next to her and in an instant they were no longer alone.

"Leader-sama," the new voice greeted, although it was not unfamiliar.

"Go with Kisame. Take her from the village. I will send Deidara to reconvene with you once we have finished here."

"No!" Sakura protested as she whipped her attention back to Pein. "I have to see him before I go! Let me see him!"

Pein's grey hues showed no sympathy for her plea. He seemed tired of her denial. "You agreed to this, Sakura. If you go back on your word, I will kill them all."

"I'm not going back on my word!" she countered as she tried to struggle out of his grip, only to have him add his other hand to her unoccupied forearm. "I just need to see him. I need him to know!"

"That was not part of our deal."

"Fuck your deal! I'm selling my soul to the devil, and for what?!" Sakura screamed as she fought even harder against him. His grip was overbearing and she couldn't break free. He had the advantage of her being almost completely depleted of her chakra stores as she fought against him. She was as harmless as a mouse compared to him. "Let me go! Naruto!"

The blonde seated atop his toad summons seemed to notice her calling as he turned towards her. "Sakura-chan!" he yelled as she saw the anger bubble to his azure eyes at her current predicament. "Fucking Akatsuki bastards! Let go of Sakura-chan!"

Sakura continued to protest against Pein's grip. "Just let me talk to him. I've already agreed to give up my life and go with you! Isn't that enough?!"

Pein paused before he pulled the kunoichi close enough to she was pressed firmly to his chest. His grey eyes were boring into her emerald ones as he spoke, "It will never be enough."

The leaf medic said nothing as she pushed herself from the Akatsuki leader's grasp. Before she could get any farther, she felt a grip take hold of her face. Blindly looking up at the invasion, she was met with the color of blood. Her fate was sealed before she even had the chance to fight back.

"Sakura."

Her world began to fade to black as she heard both of her teammates screaming. One screamed her name while the other called out for his brother. The pink haired girl lost consciousness, leaving her to fall into the arms of Itachi. He lifted her limp body into his arms before turning to face his leader.

"Take her," he instructed as he glanced down at the unconscious girl in his subordinate's arms. "We will reconvene at another location. I will contact you when the time is right. Your instructions are clear."

The stoic Uchiha simply nodded before his impressive speed flickered him away from the heat of battle. The Kyuubi container's desperate cry for his female teammate could be heard once more over the battlefield. Pein's eyes noticed that the presence of Itachi's younger brother seemed to disappear as quickly as Itachi had. A confrontation was unavoidable between the two brothers, but Itachi knew his priorities.

Pein's ringed eyes turned towards the raging blonde still atop his summons in the middle of the worn down field. His rage was building as he watched his eyes flicker from blue to red as the marring on his cheeks deepened.

"All this just for Tsunade's little apprentice?" Orochimaru's voice sounded over all of the commotion. "What a waste. The poor girl won't last long. She'll be dead within a week."

"Shut up!" Naruto's voice roared as he turned his attention towards the Akatsuki leader. "Give her back to me. Give Sakura back to me!"

"You are a fool, Naruto Uzumaki," Pein's voice chastised lowly. "She gave herself to me willingly in order to protect your village and all of those in it. All of your friends and villagers would be dead if it were not for Sakura's compliance. I made an offer she could not refuse."

The field was silent as Pein's words sunk into the pores of those within earshot. Naruto's eyes widened at the man's words. Sakura gave herself in return for the lives of countless others. His fists clenched painfully.

"Our fight will not take place today, but do not think we have given up our purpose. We will be back for resides inside of you, she cannot protect you from that."

"Bastard!" Naruto screamed as his chakra began to radiate menacingly from his body. "You cannot take her from me! I won't let you!"

Pein watched him blankly before responding, "I already have. If you attempt to reclaim her, we will not hold back. She can no longer protect any of you. She belongs to the Akatsuki now."

"She will never belong to you!" Naruto protested as his eyes darkened to red. "No matter what you say, Sakura will never belong to you. Any of you!"

"We shall see," Pein replied back as he surveyed the battlefield. "Our presence is no longer necessary here. Heed my warning, Naruto Uzumaki."

His presence flickered away leaving the battlefield with only Konoha and Sound ninjas. Naruto sunk to his knees atop of his summons. He felt tears fill his eyes as his worst fear brimmed his realization; Sakura was gone. Again.

-xxx-

Itachi's feet carried him along the familiar path out of the village, into the green forests that surrounded it. The pink haired girl still remained unconscious in his arms, her body cradled to his chest with her head leaning against his chest.

"Quite a bit of work for one little kunoichi," he heard his partner rumble as they jumped through the terrain together. "You do realize your brother is trailing not too far behind us now, right?"

"I am aware," Itachi replied simply as he began to slow his pace until he stopped on a larger branch, his large partner following shortly behind.

"We don't have the time to be fighting him today," Kisame added as he felt the younger boy's chakra signature draw closer. "We need to meet up with Deidara soon."

"Take her," Itachi instructed as he turned towards Kisame. "You will press on and find Deidara. I will reconvene with you shortly."

"Got it," Kisame replied as Itachi carefully passed the small girl into his large arms. Her weight felt like nothing as he held her. The girl that was able to destroy mountains was as light as a feather as she laid in his grasp. The tall shark man took notice as Itachi's brother touched down among the dirt path below them, taking in the scene before him. Giving the young boy a pointed smirk, he turned towards Itachi. "Make this quick. We have a schedule to keep."

Itachi said nothing towards his partner's comment before the blue hued man jumped from their shared branch and made his way further from the village. The brothers watched each other, no words spoken at first.

"I have no time for your revenge today, Sasuke," Itachi's voice spoke cooly as he watched his brother from his elevated position.

"Why are you taking her?" the younger brother spoke, ignoring the previous comment. "She has no use. She is weak."

"You are still foolish, little brother. To blatantly ignore the superior skills she possesses is a testament to your blatant ignorance."

"Impossible," Sasuke shot back as his eyes bled to red. "She is weak. She has always been weak. She will always be weak. She is better off dead to the world. Your interest in her is incredibly misplaced."

"You're not ready," Itachi's voice spoke softly down to his brother. "You're far from ready. Until you can truly understand, you will never be ready."

"I am ready!" Sasuke snarled at his elder brother as his chakra began to build in his arm. The air around him sparked as the familiar blue lightening started to form around his limb. "The hate I have built knows no bounds. I will kill you, Itachi, and you will realize how ready I am!"

"I have no time for your hatred today, little brother. I have more important things I need to do. But consider the fact that your previous teammate is so sought after that battles are waged just to possess her. Can the same be said for you?"

-xxx-

Author's Note: And now, our poor little Sakura-chan is in the clutches of the Akatsuki. What will happen now? Poor Naruto. I hate when he's sad. A few things; I am trying to update all of my in progress works. I am now updating some of the older chapters of my work, including, but not limited to, 'It's HIGH SCHOOL! Do what you want!'. I have also posted a new story, go check it out. Again, I love you all. Leave me your thoughts!