Forgotten Loyalty

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Authors Note: Thanks to all my friends whom voted!!

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--Kisame's P.O.V.--

Itachi is finally well enough to travel again. His eyes have been hurting him a lot, so we've been having to make quite a few stops along the way. I can tell Itachi is pissed. Who wouldn't be? A mere chunin defeated his Tsukuyomi! The strongest of all ninja have fallen before Itachi, yet this girl put him out of commission for over a week! The possability frightened me slightly. Plus the fact that my partner is feeling down. And a down Itachi equals a homicidal insane S-class nuke-nin. We're getting close to the base now. Soon Itachi will get to rest. Let's hope that Deidara isn't there. It's not that I don't like the young bomber, it's just that if he heard of Itachi's defeat he'll never let Itachi live it down.

I sigh as we enter the shelter of the Akatsuki base. Home sweet home. We purposely pass the door to the living quarters by, heading straight towards Leader-sama's office. Only to see Zetsu posted outside the door. Odd.

"Zetsu-san?" I question aloud. The cannibal turns to regard me, his ghostly green/yellow eyes scanning me.

"Noone is to enter," the cannibals white side informed us. "Leader-sama's orders." the darker of the two personalities barked.

I nodded. Great. But, now we can sleep a little before having to deal with the Leader.

--Itachi's P.O.V.--

I'm tired. tired. tired. the only thing in my mind is tired! I let Kisame lead me back to our room. We passed by Kakuzu, but he doesn't bother us. The familiar hallways bring me comfort. As soon as the door to our room is closed and locked, I eased into Kisame's arms. So strong, so secure. Always there. His rough skin catching on mine. It's his skin that has saved our lives a million times over. It let me know it's him and not a henge.

I sigh in comfort. Kisame chuckled. He gently pulled me to our bed. There are two in the room, but we have a silent agreement to always sleep in the same bed when at the base (nothing dirty!! sickos). Here in the safety of our room I can satisfy my desire, my need for touch. heh, not many would think that I would need the touch and comfort of another.

Kisame never questions my need, for which I am thankful. I need his unwavering strength. His constant understanding.

That girl. I'll kill her. I'll kill her.

--Konan's P.O.V.--

I watched my little medic heal my Pein. Barely breathing. My eyes blur. From what? Fear? sadness? Pride? I'm not certain. Here I am, frozen, while my little medic preforms the healing perfectly. My eyes clear. My breath evens. I can move again.

Sakura bites her lip. I know what that means. She is confused and can figure out how to heal something. "What is it, Sakura?" I ask gently. She jumps slightly. Her eyes dart to me before once again fixing her attention on Pein, her concentration never wavering. My heart pulls slightly, will we dispose of her? Will my medic be forever gone? Like the child I could never have.

"I can't figure out how to fix his Epithelial tissue" Sakura's voice breaks me from my daze. I smile, her skill is not yet perfect. All the more she can grow. I place my hand over her smaller ones. "Here, let me help." I say as I add my chakra to her's. Our chakra blend as they work to repair the severely damaged membrane, knitting the tissue back together in near perfect sinc.

Pein's breathing grew less labored as his organs were one by one rebuilt. He flinches less as we redirected his nervous system back into it's proper route. And all blood cloats taken care of. My leader breathed easier. He's alive.

Our healing isn't finnished yet though. We have more to heal before my Pein is back on his feet at full strenght.

--Naruto's P.O.V.--

I rush through the village with a chakra infused run toward Hokage tower. Finally! News on Sakura! I'm going to save Sakura-chan from the Akatsuki no matter what!!

The voice of the kyuubi filled my head. "Brat!! What is you get defeated?! Huh?! They'll kill us both!! Not that I care at all about you, but I'm not going to die yet!!"

I scoff at the stupid fox. I would never let Akatsuki capture us. Never ever.

"Glad too hear, brat."

I ignore the fox. Instead focusing on the fast approching tower. That's where I'll find out the details on my mission. How I'll save Sakura-chan.

"They could be using her for bait, you know. Stupid human."

I growl. Stupid fox! I enter Tsunade-baa-chan's office without knocking. Baa-chan is behind her desk with a scroll in her reach. Ino and shikamaru are in the room as well (along with several ANBU). Of course Baa-chan would tell Shika-kun about the situation. he's a genious!! And soon to be her strategist. Kakashi enters through the window, late as usual.

Tsunade-baa-chan clears her throat when Kakashi-sensei closes the window. "As you all know, Sakura Haruno has been captured by the Akatsuki. We have finally found their general location through many roundabout sourses..."

Shikamaru interupted her, "Criminal sourses you mean?"

Tsunade-baa-chan sighed heavily. "Yes, criminal sourses. May I continue?" Shikamaru nodded. "Good. We have fair reason to believe that she and the akatsuki is located in the country of rain." I grin, finnally a location. "But, the country of rain is a near constant war zone. I want you in and out of Ame (rain) without being detected a konoha shinobi, and bring Sakura back alive, and if possable, unharmed. Naruto, Ino, Shikamaru, Kakashi, Falcon, Bear, Owl, Wolf, Weasel. This is your mission, with Kakashi acting as sqad leader. Dismissed."

Don't worry, Sakura. We're coming!

--Sasuke's P.O.V.--

Ha! Ame, huh. I smirk as I slip past the gate heading towards Ame. Itachi will die!!

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Authors Note: I've made it so Konan is unable to bear child, and is saddened by the fact.

A/N 2: Epithelial Tissue - The cells of epithelial tissue pack tightly together and form continuous sheets that serve as linings in different parts of the body. Epithelial tissue serve as membranes lining organs and helping to keep the body's organs separate, in place and protected. Some examples of epithelial tissue are the outer layer of the skin, the inside of the mouth and stomach, and the tissue surrounding the body's organs

A/N 3: Sorry if I made Kyuubi too out of character.

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