Chapter Ten

The Art of Knowing One's Enemy

Three days, Sakura thought dismally.

Three days was nothing in the grand scheme of things. She'd gone on missions that had required her to be away from home for months at a time, so three days should be a cake walk in comparison. But this was different in so many ways… Kakashi had kissed her. He'd turned her whole world upside down with just that one, single press of his lips against hers, and then she'd had to walk away. Sakura wanted to believe that it meant something–that he hadn't just been acting on an impulse because she volunteered to go somewhere he couldn't follow. She knew him, deep within her bones, and reasoned that he wasn't the kind of man that would do something without first thinking of the consequences. If he kissed her… it was because he meant to.

"Check her for weapons," Sumire ordered one of her men that had followed them into the tunnel. Gas-powered lanterns hanging on the earth-made walls provided their only source of light, and Sakura watched the play of shadows against her capturer's features. The girl was young, maybe just a few years younger than Sakura, but the way she'd been living had hardened her exterior. Dark shadows underscored the girl's eyes, and thin lines bracketed her mouth when she pressed her lips together in thought.

Sakura's guard plucked her hip pouch from her waist, removing the kunai she had stored there. His rough hands slid down her legs, over her boots and missed the senbon she kept stored just beneath her right leg guard. Sakura bit the inside of her cheek to keep from smiling. The guard handed Sumire the weapons he'd found, and Sumire nodded. Sakura's arms were yanked behind her back, and her wrists were bound by chakra constraints.

"It's just precautionary," Sumire told her. "You understand.

Sakura didn't reply as they led her through the tunnels. They walked a long time in silence, deep under the Suna desert. Hours may have passed before Sakura noticed the tunnels widening and leveling out.

"How many access points to the ground are there?" Sakura ventured to ask. In the blink of an eye, her guard reared back and struck the side of her face with the back of his hand; hard enough to make her vision go black as silver stars crackled at the edges. Sakura winced, shoulders tensing as she glowered up at the big man and tasted hot copper spilling into her mouth from where she must have bitten her tongue.

"You do not get to speak," he growled at her.

Sakura spit a stream of crimson up at the man's face, and smiled in satisfaction when she saw her blood dripping from his eye. He reared back to hit her again, but Sakura was ready for him this time.

"You bitch!" he shouted. His hand was coming down, but to Sakura's surprise, Sumire reached up and grabbed his wrist.

"No Hideo," she said. "You heard what Hatake said. This one must return unharmed or else we won't get Sai."

"There's not much of a difference between being unharmed and not dead in my opinion," the man–Hideo?–replied. He reached up, dragging his meaty forearm across his face to wipe the mixture of blood and spit from his brow, glowering at Sakura.

"What is it that you want from Sai?" Sakura asked.

Sumire plucked a lantern from the wall, and turned down a tunnel to their left, but didn't reply.

"The Hidden Leaf will retaliate," Sakura said. "If you think we're just going to hand Sai over without a fight, you're insane."

"We'll be ready for your retaliation," Sumire said. "I demand justice for what the Hidden Leaf did to my father. You Leaf ninja think you're above everyone, don't you? You're so self-righteous, thinking your laws are superior. You're loyal to a weak-minded Hokage who doesn't understand what it means to lead a nation."

Sakura's blood began to boil; she felt the hot acid in her veins rising up through the surface of her skin. Her shishou wasn't perfect, but she was a damn good leader, and Sakura wouldn't have become the person she was today without her guidance. It was true that Tsunade-sama had a tough outer layer, but in some ways, Sakura felt that their relationship was almost like mother and daughter. After all, she'd taken Sakura under her wing and helped her when others thought she was hopeless. So needless to say, Sakura's fury was well deserved when someone started talking shit about their Hokage.

"You're wrong," Sakura ground out through clenched teeth. "She's the reason the Hidden Leaf has known peace since the end of the Fourth Shinobi World War."

"She's the reason my father was exiled to a barren wasteland," Sumire returned.

"Exiled," Sakura repeated in a stunned tone. "Is that what he told you?"

"That's what I know."

"Your father was a coward," Sakura said. "He fled Konoha after Danzo died because he knew he would have to stand trial for his crimes. Do you even know what Danzo did to the people who followed him?"

Sumire slowed, casting a half glance over her shoulder as they approached a wooden door. She reached up, laying her hand against its surface. "Konoha will pay for what they've done," Sumire said. "Sai will make sure of that." She pushed the door open, and Sakura saw that it was a small chamber with nothing but a cot and a wooden chair. "Make yourself comfortable, Haruno Sakura, you're not going anywhere for a while."

~/~

The early morning sunlight streamed through the windows in the sparring arena, but Kakashi turned his back to the light, lowering himself to the floor where he could start his third round of push-ups. Or was it his fourth? He'd been alternating between sit-ups and pull-ups. Sleep was unimaginable at this point, and though his limbs were aching under protest of his rigorous workout, his mind was still racing. This was the only way he knew to quiet the monsters that haunted the darkest corners of his thoughts.

He'd let her walk away…

Sakura had walked into the chasms of darkness, and Kakashi had stood there–watching in miserable desperation when he could do nothing to change her mind. Kakashi rarely gifted anyone with his trust, and though he trusted Sakura to take care of herself, he had little faith that his enemies were the reliable kind. It could have been a trap, his mind told him, torturing him further. And you just let her walk in there without so much as a fight. Kakashi slammed his fist into the mats, momentarily losing his balance as he toppled to the side. He caught himself, pushing up to his knees and raked a hand through the tangled ends of his hair.

"You should be resting," a voice sounded from the doorway.

Kakashi looked up to see the Kazekage himself standing with his arms crossed, casually leaning against the doorframe. Kakashi was breathing heavy, chest rising and falling as sweat beaded his forehead and saturated the neckline of his shirt. "I can't sleep," he told Gaara.

"I've never seen you this way, Kakashi-san," Gaara said. "In all the years I've known you and have fought alongside you, not once have I seen your feathers so ruffled."

Kakashi clenched his jaw tightly. "Sakura…"

"Sakura is a capable kunoichi, you know this as well as I. She did what she believed was right. We need to have faith in her." Gaara uncrossed his arms and strolled into the sparring arena, stopping just a foot away from Kakashi as Kakashi pulled himself to his feet.

"But what if it's a trap?" What if the enemy doesn't want Sai–what if this whole time they were after Sakura and we just willingly handed her over? Kakashi's silver brow slanted heavily above his visible eye that at the moment appeared more black than gray. He loathed himself for sounding so weak, even in his head.

"Then the scheme was artfully elaborated, and we will take our vengeance upon them," Gaara reasoned. "She's a ninja, Kakashi… she knows that the next mission might be the last."

Kakashi shook his head, turning away from Gaara as he dragged his heavy palm across the back of his neck. He wouldn't accept that. He couldn't.

Gaara was silent for a moment, watching the golden arc of the tumescent sun climb above the desert and wash them in her bright glow. Gaara stood shoulder to shoulder with Kakashi, staring off into the distance. "You love her," he said.

The tightness evaporated in Kakashi's chest as something more plenary swept through his being. Gaara hadn't asked a question, so Kakashi didn't feel inclined to reply. He didn't have to. Kakashi had always been more of an 'actions in the place of words' kind of man, and in this case, his actions most certainly spoke volumes. But he would tell her, he vowed, he would tell her the moment he got her back and spend the rest of his life regretting that he hadn't told her before she walked off into the darkness.

"Have faith, Kakashi," Gaara told him.

~/~

"Sakura did what?!" Naruto banged his fist against the Hokage's desk, knocking over one of Tsunade's figurines in the commotion and disturbing a stack of papers.

Tsunade narrowed her honey-brown eyes at the boy as Shizune reached across the desk and straightened the figurine. Sasuke clasped Naruto's shoulder and tugged him back to stand in line with the rest of them.

"As I was saying," Tsunade continued, "Sakura traded herself to free Temari in effort to obtain information on Sumire's army." Tsunade explained the conditions that were placed, and told them what was expected of them upon their arrival to Suna. "Sumire can't know that you are there or else she won't release Sakura. But if she thinks we're just going to hand over Sai without a fight, she's got another thing coming."

"I'm happy to exchange my life for Sakura's," the dark-haired nin replied.

"No way man, there's no chance in hell I'm going to let that happen." Naruto poked himself in the chest with his thumb–hard enough that Tsunade actually thought she heard his sternum cracking under the pressure. "We don't trade lives–period. I'm going to get Sakura out of there, and keep you safe."

"And how do you propose to do that?" Sasuke asked.

"Easy," Naruto grinned, "we'll use a shadow clone."

Tsunade looked up from her desk, resting her chin on the back of her folded hands. "Forgive me Naruto, but that sounds much too easy."

"Exactly." Naruto leaned against the desk, bringing himself to Tsunade's eye level. "They won't be expecting it because it is too easy. Plus, we only need it to work long enough for Sumire to show us that Sakura is okay."

"The whole point of this exchange is to avoid bloodshed," Shizune added. "We agreed to hand over Sai with his permission, just until Sakura provides us with the information we need to take out the enemy. With Suna and Konoha allied, Sumire's army will fall."

"Bloodshed is unavoidable," Sasuke commented. "By taking one of our own, they've made it personal."

Tsunade held up her hand to silence the ninja and began massaging her temples. "I'm getting too old for this job," she groaned.

"I've been telling you that for ages," Naruto said, dramatically rolling his eyes.

Tsunade ignored him. "Konoha isn't negotiating anything, Sasuke. We're playing her game in order to ensure none of our own will be lost in a senseless battle. Sumire is a child. Children who play with fire get burned."

Sasuke smirked as he crossed his arms over his chest. "I like Naruto's idea."

"Of course you do." Now it was the Hokage's turn to roll her eyes, which of course was accompanied by a lengthy sigh. Children. She was still dealing with a bunch of children. Tsunade lifted her hand, absentmindedly examining her fingernails while she thought of resigning. Kakashi would be an excellent candidate, she thought. She'd always intended on the man to take her place–at least until Naruto was competent enough to handle the job title.

"Just hear me out Tsunade-bachan, I think this will work…" Naruto began.

~/~

The guards had strapped Sakura to a wooden chair and administered some kind of hallucinogen. It hit her before she could summon enough healing chakra to clear the drugs from her system and left her sluggish as her head lulled from her shoulders. This isn't going to work, she thought desperately. If they keep me drugged for three days, I'll never gather the information I need to help Sai. Sakura watched the walls begin to shift, earth and wood twisting in a kaleidoscope of motion. She closed her eyes, trying hard to stop the spiraling dizziness.

Images from her own memory danced across the back of her eyelids; Kakashi carrying her to bed, her hands tangling in the hair at his nape as his mouth came down to hers. She could taste him–feel his hands on her body. Maybe if she could just cling to those things she could work up enough chakra control to push the drugs out of her system.

Hours passed–and for all Sakura knew, it could have been days, but eventually the drug-induced haze surrounding her brain eased up enough for her to push the sedation from her body. She inhaled deeply, breathing in the scent of the deep earth and the musty scent of decay. She was still bound by chakra ropes, but she knew what she had to do. She used her nimble flexibility, pushing up just enough with her legs so she could free her arms from their position around the backboard of the chair. She slid to the very edge, sweeping her tied arms underneath her thighs and down her calf until she reached her boot. With an expert slide of her hand, she hooked a finger through the buckles and fished the senbon from its hiding place.

The ropes around her wrists and legs constricted her use of chakra-strength, but that didn't mean she wouldn't be able to saw through them with her needle-sharp weapon. A few short minutes later, Sakura had managed to free herself from her confines and made her way to the door. She pressed her ear to the wood, holding her breath as she listened for any sign that there was life going on out there, but heard nothing. Very gently, she tested the handle, barely turning it to check the give, and to her surprise, found that it was unlocked. She turned it, pushing outward, only to have the door yanked out from her grip as a guard thrust his hands into her chest and sent her flying backwards. She landed against the cot and somehow managed to knock the chair over in her fall.

"That didn't take as long as I thought it would," Sumire said, stepping around the big man in the doorway. "Those drugs should have lasted for hours."

"Yeah, well, I'm sort of a super-powerful chakra freak." Sakura righted herself, but chose not to move away from the cot.

Sumire walked into the room, picked up the chair and straddled it as she crossed her arms over the backboard. "I don't want to hurt you Sakura. You're invaluable as a medic; not many ninja come anywhere close to having your gifts. That's why I chose you. I knew Konoha would do anything to get you back."

"How'd you know we were looking for you?" Sakura asked.

Sumire stared at Sakura, drawing a heavy breath before she decided to answer. "I knew something must have gone wrong when my captain never reported back on his efforts to capture Sai, so I sent three scouts to look for them. You killed two of them in Tanigakure, but the third was hiding in the woods, gathering Intel to bring back to me." Sumire snickered. "Imagine my surprise when I learned the famous Copy-nin and Konoha's best medic were on their way to find me."

Sakura bit the inside of her cheek as the pieces began to align. "What is it that you think Sai will help you accomplish anyway? You do know that after Danzo was killed, Sai's curse mark was lifted–do you want him because you think he'll give you information on Root operations?"

"I know everything there is to know about Root," Sumire retorted. "The reason I want Sai is because he belongs with his people."

Sakura blinked rapidly, eyebrows knitting together. "His people?" she questioned. "His place is in Konoha with his friends, Sumire. Team Seven is his family."

"My father said he was working undercover for Danzo when he was placed on your pathetic team. He told me Konoha was holding him captive after Danzo was killed and that I had to promise him I would get him back."

Sakura was shaking her head, frowning at the young girl before her. "Sai is not a captive, Sumire. He has his own apartment–his own life. He's not a prisoner in any sense of the term. He wouldn't willingly join your cause, Sumire. Sai doesn't believe in Root teaching anymore."

Sumire continued to gaze blankly at Sakura, arms poised across the back of the chair. "Sai is a fundamental key player. I need him to exact my revenge on Konoha."

"You're not listening to anything I'm saying, are you?" Sakura narrowed her green eyes; her blood was beginning to boil in frustration.

"I hear you, Haruno Sakura. I just don't trust that you're telling the truth. My father wouldn't lie to me. You wouldn't understand because you didn't know him."

"You're right," Sakura said, "I didn't know him. But I know he's wrong about Sai. You'll see. He'll never help you, Sumire. He'd die before he betrayed Konoha."

Sumire's face remained perfectly placid–not even a tick in her brow would indicate an ounce of emotion. Perhaps the Root teachings were ingrained deeply in her veins, but Sakura knew she wasn't entirely void of emotion. The very act of revenge required devotion and commitment. Sakura knew that Sumire cared about her dad, because she wouldn't be carrying out these plans otherwise. On the inside, she was a burning inferno of anger and resentment; she might be masking those emotions on the surface, but Sakura knew she was feeling… That, at least, was something she could work with.

"How did your father die, Sumire?" Sakura asked in a soft, concerned tone.

A shadow seemed to fall over the purple-haired girl's face before she spoke. "He killed himself because my mother died from her failing health. We didn't have a medic; Konoha made sure of that," she replied flatly. "I think that's enough information for today." Sumire stood in an abrupt motion, gesturing for the big guard that had been standing in the doorway. "Double her dose this time, and take the senbon away from her. We don't need a repeat of that pathetic escape attempt." Sumire spun on her heel and slipped past the guard in the doorway.

Sakura thought about taking out her guard. She could do it–all she had to do was summon her strengthening chakra and the man would be no match for her. But as he swept into the room, forcefully jerking Sakura from the edge of the cot and half throwing her into the chair, Sakura remembered that attempting to escape wouldn't help Sai. After all, she'd just learned some valuable information… She would endure the conditions of her prison environment for as long as she had to if it would help her team–because that was the kind of kunoichi she was.

Sakura closed her eyes and grit her teeth as he guard jammed a needle into her upper arm and plunged a double dose of serum into her body. It hit her in an instant, and the last thing Sakura saw before darkness claimed her consciousness was Kakashi's face.

~/~

Kakashi leaned against the wall in Temari's hospital room, crossing his arms over his chest as he stared at the scuffed linoleum tile. Gaara was sitting in the chair beside her bed, hand gently folded around her fingers so as not to disturb the myriad of wires that were attached to her body, monitoring her vitals on the machines behind her bed. The hospital had pumped her full of fluids to try and flush the drugs from her system, and all Kakashi could think about was whether or not Sakura was suffering a similar fate in the tunnels.

Kakashi hated hospitals. He hated the strong scent of bleach and antiseptic that burned his nostrils; he could smell the stench of festering wounds and sickness beneath the chemicals, and it brought back far too many unpleasant memories from harsher times served on the battlefield as his comrades died around him. Vaguely, Kakashi wondered how many times he'd been carried into a hospital and almost not made it out. His disliking of the hospital environment was no secret among his team; Sakura had been the one to thank for keeping him out and allowing him to recover at home. She'd personally see to all his medical needs and make sure he received the best care possible–inadvertently spoiling him. Kakashi reasoned that he probably had been a great burden over the years, but she would never tell him that. Sakura was a true force in her element; unstoppable and remarkably gentle despite the short fuse attached to her temper. Gods, what he wouldn't give to have her scold him right now for moping around when he should be taking care of himself and preparing for possible battle.

Kankuro swept into the room a moment later, drawing Kakashi from his inner thoughts. "Are there any changes?" the dark-haired shinobi asked.

"No," Gaara replied. "The healers say it won't be long before she wakes."

Kankuro nodded, gripping the railing at the foot of Temari's bed. The tendon worked in his jaw, and as his gaze met Kakashi's, he could see the violet half-moons underscoring his dark eyes. "No offense, Kakashi-san, but you look like shit."

Kakashi snickered. "Evidently you haven't seen a mirror."

The corner of Kankuro's mouth twitched in a tired smile. "Some lot we are, huh?"

"It's been a long night for everyone," Gaara said, glancing up to meet Kakashi's eye. "You should get some rest. I'll notify you the moment something changes."

"I appreciate that, but I'll endure." Kakashi raked stiff fingers through the back of his hair and gazed at the girl resting on the bed. There would be no rest for Kakashi–not until Sakura was returned to him and he could pull her into his arms and threaten to keep her trapped there. It wasn't recommended, but Kakashi had survived multiple battles without sleep, relying on soldier pills alone to keep his body functioning. He'd do the same now if he had to. Besides, he was still waiting on Pakkun to arrive and notify the group of the other entrances they'd found. And when Temari woke up, perhaps she could give them some information about the tunnels and Sumire's army.

Gaara didn't argue. Instead, he sat back in the chair, deep-jade eyes focused on Temari. Kakashi wasn't sure how much time passed, but he thought the room seemed darker when he noticed a cloud of smoke appearing to his right as Pakkun popped into existence beside him.

"Forgive the intrusion Kazekage-sama," the pug said, "I stopped at the palace first but the staff told me I would find you here." The pug twisted to acknowledge Kakashi. "Hi Boss."

"Pakkun." Kakashi greeted him with a nod.

"There is no intrusion to forgive," Gaara told the pug. "What have you discovered?"

"There are only three tunnel entrances that the Ninken could find. The furthest one seems to be close to Tanigakure in the Land of Rivers. It's near the old Akatsuki hideout where we found you all those years ago," Pakkun told the redheaded-nin.

Gaara pressed his lips into a tight line. He'd been captured by the Akatsuki then and had the One-Tailed beast removed from his body against his will which ultimately resulted in his death. Naruto had rescued him, and Granny Chiyo traded her life to bring Gaara back from the dead. Those weren't exactly fond memories for Gaara, and he hadn't been to that part of Rivers since. "And where is the third entrance?" he asked.

"Close to the border of Amegakure in Rain," Pakkun said. "They're spread out in almost a near perfect triangle."

"Great work Pakkun, Suna appreciates your services." Gaara nodded to the little pug. "I'll dispatch backup to each location tomorrow morning. We'll have soldiers ready and waiting at the entrances when the exchange takes place. Would you be willing to lead my armies to the entrances?"

"Of course," Pakkun told Gaara. "Me and the boys will be happy to provide the escort–anything to help get Sakura-chan back safely."

"Thank you, Pakkun," Kakashi said to his Ninken.

"I'll go tell the boys what's to be expected. Tell Temari-san we're thinking of her when she wakes up." With that, Pakkun disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

"Well," Kankuro said, "at least there's only three entrances and not a hundred and three. Manning the locations will be much easier."

"True," Gaara said, "but that doesn't mean the Earth-user can't make more tunnels and exits once he realizes we're guarding the other entrances."

"Tenzo will make sure that doesn't happen," Kakashi said. In all his years, he'd never seen a more talented Earth-user than Tenzo. His ability to perform the Wood Release jutsu would outrival a regular Earth-style user's abilities and render them nearly useless.

"I received word from your Hokage this morning, the team you requested is on their way," Gaara told him. "With Sakura on the inside, we won't fail."

But it was that fact alone that had Kakashi so tense. He needed a job–anything, to help keep him busy until the rest of his team and backup squad arrived.

A tiny metallic squeal sounded to his left. Kakashi turned his head and saw that Temari was stirring. She blinked against the fluorescent lighting, raising her hand to try and shield her eyes from the intensity of the brightness.

"Easy, Temari," Gaara said, pushing up from the chair and took her hand in his. Kankuro rushed to her other side. "You're home and safe. You're in the hospital."

"Well then get me out," Temari choked out hoarsely as she frowned up at the two men hovering over her bed. Kakashi thought her quick retort sounded like something Sakura would say if she found herself in the same position.

Gaara smiled down at the blond fondly. "I'll see to your release soon, but you don't need to overdo it."

"What about Sakura? I saw them take her…"

"We have a lot to tell you," Kankuro stated and Kakashi listened patiently while the two caught her up to speed on what had happened since she'd been out.

When they finished explaining what she missed, Gaara asked her, "Do you know where they kept you?"

"I-I don't know," she replied with a frown. "I was alone and it was dark."

"Did you see anyone that you can remember?"

"Just the Earth-style user and the purple-haired girl–Sumire? They drugged me right away; I don't know what they gave me but it was a pretty strong hallucinogen." Temari struggled to push herself up but Gaara placed his hand on her shoulder.

"Let me," he said, reaching for the little remote that controlled her bed's positioning. "They want you to take it easy."

"I'm a ninja, Gaara, I don't know the definition of 'easy'."

Gaara sighed, eyes meeting Kankuro's across the small space. "Would you find a healer and tell them Temari is awake, please? The sooner she's released, the happier all our lives will be," Gaara attempted to tease.

Kakashi was happy that Temari was awake and feeling well, but he wasn't in any type of mood for lightheartedness. In fact, he thought it best to make his way back to the palace where he knew a few of those soldier pills were stashed among his gear. He cleared his throat, getting ready to inform them of his leave when Temari called his name.

"Might I have a word, Kakashi-san?" She looked at Gaara and said, "Alone."

"Of course," Gaara replied. He squeezed Temari's hand once more and rose from the chair, lightly touching Kakashi's shoulder on his way out into the hallway.

"I don't know why exactly," Temari began once the room was cleared, "but I feel like I should be thanking you…"

"I didn't do anything," Kakashi told her.

Temari pressed her lips together before replying. "I saw the way you looked at her, Kakashi-san. I know how hard it must have been for you to agree to let her take my place," Temari paused, looking down at her hand and the wires still attached. "Not that Sakura would give anyone much of an option regardless, but, I'm grateful."

Kakashi didn't know what to say. Were his feelings for Sakura really so transparent that others were beginning to notice the change? He wasn't ashamed of how he felt–nor did he give a damn what anyone else thought, but there was a part of him that worried about how it would affect Sakura's other relationships. Would her friends view her differently, or think it strange to know he was her ex-sensei and current team leader? He hated the idea of making her life any more difficult than it already was…

"Kakashi," Temari said his name in a gentle tone, drawing his attention. "We're going to get her back. You know that, right?"

"Yeah," Kakashi said, "I know."

Come hell or high water. He would get her back.

Thanks for hanging in there loyal readers; you guys are real troopers. I promise, more romance is on the horizon.

As always, thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts.

~Sparrow

(P.S. I just joined the Tumblr universe, so if you're on there, give me a shout and I'll follow you back.) ;) (blackbriarsparrow)