She had always been the sensible one of the team; the one everyone knew would think things through before doing them.

Lately she hadn't been doing such a great job of that.

Following after Sasuke's trail was surprisingly easy, but the more difficult part would be staying out of sight once she found him. She knew next to nothing about his teammates, except the appearance of some of them, and if she knew Sasuke at all he would not have chosen weaklings to follow him.

He'd made that perfectly clear when he left her on that bench. She'd been such a weak little girl back then. Somehow, she didn't think he'd see her as anything different even now.

She would prove him wrong.

She halted on the nearest tree branch, leaning down to observe the peculiar mark on the trunk. It wasn't made by a kunai, that was for sure. The incision was too deep, and the outer edges to bold. A sword would be able to make this damage, but not an ordinary one. It had to be rather large, and thick.

Sasuke didn't carry a blade like that. The red haired girl might, but surely Yana would have mentioned something about it. A blade with this mark would have left an impression on anyone's mind.

It had to be a different teammate. If Intel was correct, that meant she had two other options. If she was discovered, and things got ugly, even her high level evasive maneuvers would be useless.

"Wait a second…"

Sakura surveyed the trees ahead, noticing nicks in the trunks of some of those as well. The same deep marks as the one beside her. All were headed in the same general direction, and that could only mean one of two things.

One: The sword user like to boast about their obvious power, and decided maiming tree trunks was the best way to go about that during travel.

Two: This was a trap, and she was already caught in it or very close to being caught.

How did they know she was following them? Granted she wasn't the stealthiest ninja, but she was no amateur either. Sasuke's Sharingon couldn't detect her like that…so then how?

More importantly, what to do now? If Sasuke did know it was her following them he would have either faced her full frontal immediately, or refused to leave a trace for her to follow. Seeing as neither of those were true, it would be possible that he had no idea who was following them. Perhaps she was thinking too much and he truly didn't know someone was following him. Option one was still out in the open.

Shikamaru would scold her for being presumptuous. The two of them always thought out each individual option, and then decided on the most likely based on that. She and the lazy genius worked well as a team because of that. Forgetting an option was like courting death.

Naruto would have simply kept going, ignoring all the warning signs in favor of catching up to Sasuke. Now would be the perfect time to go after him, especially if they didn't seem it coming. He would have never wasted this chance.

This was the chance of a lifetime. She could break past his barrier of followers and come right at him!

'No!' Sakura clenched her fist, shaking her head. Her purpose was to know where they were going, so she could avoid them later. Now wasn't the time to take him on. Itachi told her to be patient, and here she was pretending like she was ready to face Sasuke now.

Would she ever be ready?

An image of Itachi suddenly filled Sakura mind. An image of him standing over a small Sasuke with a sick smile on his face.

He had agreed almost too easily to teach her how to fight. He knew her reasoning, and he agreed despite that. All he'd been teaching her though were basic fighting techniques, weapon techniques, evasion techniques, and how to get out of tight situations. When she'd asked to learn something harder, he'd simply told her she wasn't ready yet.

More than that, he had yet to teach her anything about defense against the Sharingan, besides the trick of having her eyes closed. This training was specifically for that, and he'd known that going in. He'd known that in revealing his brothers weaknesses, he would be revealing some of his own as well.

Why would someone who murdered his own clan, want to help her bring back the only member he didn't kill? The one he might still intend to kill.

The deal, was it really too good to be true? Had she fallen into Itachi's deception?

Itachi's condition had been fatal. He'd been dying, and it wouldn't have been long. If he'd been intending to kill Sasuke then, any attempt would have ended in failure. She'd healed him…she'd given him the power to finish off the last member of the Uchiha clan.

She'd essentially given him the power to finish off her teammate…no, BOTH her teammates.

Sakura felt a fierce pain in her chest. She fell to her knees against the branch, breathing unevenly. It was like someone had gripped her heart with an icy palm, slowly squeezing, then releasing, and then squeezing again. The fierce bind continued until she thought she'd burst from the pressure.

She knew immediately that she was experiencing a panic attack. It had been so long since it'd happened, since her first days working in the hospital. Tsunade had gotten her through the first, and she hadn't had one since.

'Breath Haruno. You have to calm yourself down. You are hyperventilating.'

Gradually she felt the pain in her chest lesson, and her hands ceased their shaking. Her vision spun for a moment, luckily though she was kneeling. A fall from this distance would do a lot of damage.

"There you go again. Considering just one option in a sea of hundreds." The image of Shikamaru frowned at her, his cigarette gleaming in the darkness of her mind. "Formulate an idea, explore the options, and then make your conclusion. You're smarter than this Sakura."

"Do you want to go inside?"

"As I said before, this place is no longer my home. I have no desire to revisit the memories made here."

Sakura's hand slid down from her chest, falling limp at her side.

'No. I saw the way he was looking at that house. And the way he talked about his mother. That wasn't a criminal talking.' Sakura closed her eyes, trying to piece together everything in her mind. She simply couldn't figure out the Uchiha. What were his motives? Would it be possible to even ascertain his plans? Would he answer her if she asked?

Perhaps she should go back and confront him now. Sasuke's whereabouts could wait.

"Well well well, you were right Karin. That sensory crap comes in handy."

She barely had time to jump to the nearest tree before the branch she'd occupied was sliced apart. Her landing was shaky, but she straightened out in time to dodge another attack headed her way.

This time she landed on the ground, looking up at her enemy. A white haired boy, probably her age, with the…no…it couldn't be!

The Executioners Blade. That was Zabuza's sword, the sword of one of the Seven Ninja Swordsman.

What was this kid doing with that sword?!

"Don't call my abilities crap Suigetsu! If you hadn't left such a sloppy trail no one would have been able to follow us in the first place!"

Sakura met the red eyes of a kunoichi; the one Yana had spoken of. By Suigetsu's words she was a sensory type. Despite that it didn't look like they had laid out a trap. This was just a full confrontation, between her and the two of them. Sasuke didn't seem to be with them.

"Why are you following us?" Suigetsu asked, shoving his sword into the branch under him. Sakura felt a spark of rage fill her at the sight of that sword in unfamiliar hands.

"Why do you have Zabuza's sword?" Sakura shot back.

The boy laughed, swinging his sword in the air much like it was a toy. "You know of Zabuza-senpai. I'm intrigued."

"He was a good shinobi. He helped make Naruto the person he is today."

Suigetsu frowned, his fang lying on his lower lip. "Naruto…why does that sound so familiar."

"It's the brat who used to be on Sasuke's team." The red headed girl chimed in. "Considering you know about Zabuza, and his influence on a former teammate of Sasuke's, that must make you the other teammate. A four man cell is standard after all, with one female on each team. Kakashi the copy ninja, Naruto, and this girl made up Sasuke's former team."

Suigetsu smirked, jumping down to land beside Karin. "What a surprise. You don't suppose she's alone out here do you?"

Sakura frowned, laying her hand above her kunai pouch. Suigetsu's eyes followed her hand, and she watched him clench the Executioners Blade tighter.

"If she came with anyone they aren't nearby. We have the upper hand."

"Are you so sure about that?" Sakura spat. It wasn't a wise idea to goad the two teammates, but they were really pissing her off. The white haired brat was just a grave robber with an attitude, and the red head…

She'd just an idiot.

Still, her words made one thing clear. The fact that she knew Naruto's name and Kakashi's, but not hers, meant that Sasuke never bothered talking about his old team much. More than that, he never spoke of her at all.

That hurt more then she could say.

"I am sure," Karin replied. "Sasuke chose us as his team because we were the better choice. You were just a weak chain binding him to a pathetic village."

It was an instant, one blinding flash of rage, and Sakura acted. Karin was launched twenty feet back, slamming into the first oak tree in her path. Her body dropped down to the ground, and Sakura could see that she'd broken some of the girl's ribs in that punch.

By the blood dripping from her mouth too, it was possible she also caused some internal bleeding. The medic in her called to rescue, but the rage caged it in, calling for more blood.

"Sasuke!" The girl screamed out, gripping her side.

Sakura's pursuit was cut short when Suigetsu came running right at her. She ducked out of the path of the Executioners Blade just in time, twisting her legs enough to kick at Suigetsu's feet from her position. Her aim hit its mark, but instead of the boy falling, her legs just slid right through his.

'A water clone? No it can't be, the clone wouldn't be so stable after that hit.'

Suigetsu smirked, taking advantage of her momentary shock and sending her flying with a chakra induced kick of his own.

Sakura hit the ground rolling, coming to a stop ten feet away. Her chest was burning; a result of what was more than likely a broken rib of her own. She'd long since taught herself how to prevent petty injuries like that by channeling healing chakra through her body before an attack landed. If one managed to break her bone even with that protection, it had to be chakra induced.

Sakura pushed herself up on her hand, staring at Suigetsu's right leg. It was much larger than the left, much like the arm that was holding Zabuza's sword. He'd made his muscles expand, most likely by compressing the water in his body to his arm. If her attack earlier meant anything, then this kid was practically made out of water. If he could control his body to that extent, then he would be a formidable foe.

It also meant that a direct attack would be useless. How do you defeat an opponent you can't touch?

'If I could just figure out his molecular structure or at the very least see if he actually bleeds. If I can't wound him with normal methods, perhaps I could break him apart with a paper bomb.'

"Suigetsu stop wasting time and kill her!" Karin screamed, using a tree for balance as she stood.

Suigetsu frowned, glaring back at the girl. "Shut up Karin! Don't forget I'm the only thing standing between you and this girl right now."

Thunk!

Suigetsu froze, looking down at the dangerous weapon by his feet.

"Paper bomb!"

Sakura scrambled behind the closest tree just as the bomb exploded. She couldn't hear anything behind her, which was a really good sign. It would at least buy her enough time to work on her ribs. With that hindrance gone she could get away more easily.

Sakura layed her palm on her chest, sending healing chakra into her system. There was no time to numb the pain, so she placed her free hand in her mouth to stifle any noise she made.

"What are you doing here?!"

Suigetsu's voice. He'd survived the attack then. was he unscathed though?

"The two of you were late. We continued on, knowing the two of you would catch up soon enough."

That voice wasn't familiar. The third member of Sasuke's team had shown up then.

Sakura leaned over slightly, just enough to catch a glimpse of what was going on behind the tree. From what she could see it looked like Suigetsu had managed to survive her attack, without injury. The red head was unconscious though, and in the arms of the newest arrival. He must have come as the bomb went off and grabbed her then. He was a fast one.

Suigetsu alone was a handful, but this new member was an unknown threat. All the more reason to make a stealthy retreat.

"Where did the girl go?"

Sakura tensed, moving her hand away from her mouth. The healing chakra ceased, flowing back into her hand.

"You were fighting someone then. I didn't see anyone else."

"Yeah some pink haired brat who used to be one of Sasuke's teammates. She took Karin out with one kick. You don't suppose that bomb took her out."

Sakura rolled her eyes. If he assumed that then he was truly a fool. Good thing the girl was unconscious. It wouldn't do to have her location revealed. Better they assume her dead then start to look for her now.

"I doubt it. She probably took that opportunity to escape." Sakura watched Suigetsu glance around like he was intending to search. She quickly moved back behind the tree to escape his notice. "Sasuke wants us to keep moving. We don't have time to search her out now."

"Fine."

Two sets of footsteps kicked off the ground, moving farther and farther from her location. When she couldn't hear them any longer she stood, running off in the opposite direction as fast as her legs would carry her. Her ribs still hurt with the effort, but it was a necessary pain. She could heal them properly once she was back in town.

More than once she thought she heard someone following her, but upon a glance back there was no one. The adrenaline was making her imagination run wild.

"Just a little farther…" She could make out the little sign pointing toward the direction of the village now. It wouldn't be long until she hit the entrance and-

Sign. There hadn't been a sign there before!

"Genjutsu!"

Sakura thrust her feet into the ground, trying to turn in time to face her attacker. An abrupt pressure against the back her neck stopped her short.

Darkness began to cloud her vision, and she was faintly reminded of a similar situation. That time when he left her on that bench. It was the same. This was the same. He'd found her.

"Sasuke…"

She knew nothing more.

Xoxoxoxo

Astral Projection always made him feel so disoriented. Kisame had admitted to the same, but he knew that his situation was slightly different. Kisame had a habit of focusing solely on the sealing and those around him in non-corporal form.

He on the other hand focused on both those things, and then on his real surroundings, where his real body dwelled in possible danger. Focusing on three things at once was always tiresome, but when your body is detached from your awareness, it is an entirely different circumstance.

It was force of habit to watch his back constantly. By his partners urging he'd grown accustomed to sometimes loosening up in Kisame's presence. This jutsu however, was disconcerting. He would never be able to let up when performing with his astral body.

Aside from that, he had Sakura Haruno to worry over now. He'd been awaiting her return for several hours now, and each time he checked in on his body she was not in the room. He'd told her to return by nightfall, and while he was disoriented he knew enough to tell that it was getting late.

Itachi closed his astral eyes, taking in a breath. He pulled back his senses from that body and pushed them back into his real body, feeling around the room he and Kisame shared with his chakra. Everything was untouched, and still the kunoichi had not returned.

Itachi directed his attention toward the window, this time forcing chakra toward his eye. It wasn't practical to try and move your real body whilst using an astral one at the same time, but there was no other way for him to be sure.

Quick as he could Itachi opened his eye and saw stars in the night sky outside.

Nightfall had come.

His eye slid closed and he returned to his astral form, opening his eyes there. They immediately connected with Kisame's own narrowed orbs. So he had also noticed that Sakura was late. The anger on his face was evidence on that. Kisame had less patience then most shinobi, and Sakura was certainly testing that patience.

He would have to be the one to go and retrieve her then.

As if knowing something was off Pain's eyes opened, connecting with Itachi's. It was his allowance to speak.

"The medic traveling with us has not returned. I would request permission to go after her."

Pain nodded. "You may retrieve the girl."

Itachi bowed his head slightly, a show of gratitude, before his form disappeared completely.

Kisame watched his partner disappear, wanting to go with him. The girl could use a beating, disobeying orders like that. If Itachi didn't give it to her, he would finish the job.

Kisame turned his attention back to the task at hand, but before he could go into meditation again a voice interrupted.

"Kisame."

The voice was much deeper than Pain's. It was similar to that of Zetsu, but he'd been around the plant…guy…thing?...to long to know that wasn't his voice.

Tobi stepped forward slightly, indicating he'd been the one to speak. Kisame's eyes widened slightly. He'd never known the boy to have such a deep voice, or act so controlled. It was like he was an entirely different person.

He turned to Pain, only to notice the man didn't seem perturbed by this sudden change in character at all. It was like he was used to it. Konan and Zetsu seemed to be on board as well, meaning he was the only one who was surprised by this.

Well, he and Itachi…unless Itachi knew as well. Would his partner keep something like this from him though?

"I think that it is time to tell you the truth Kisame," Tobi began. "Perhaps I should start with my name. I'm Madura Uchiha, leader of the Akatsuki."

"Madara Uchiha." Kisame grinned, shaking his head. What was this fool playing him for? Madara Uchiha died nearly a hundred years ago with his battle against the first Hokage. It wasn't unheard of for shinobi to live long lives, but to live that long….you would have to be Hidan…or Kakuzu…

Ok maybe it was possible. But why would the man wait to tell him like this? If he really was Madara Uchiha, and the supposed leader of the Akatsuki, why was he only just hearing about it? What was really going on here?

Another look at the man's mask and Kisame recalled a meeting with a strange person, after he'd taken the Samahada for himself. He'd thought Yagura had been speaking with him, but the man pulling the strings bore a striking resemblance to the person speaking with him now. Could this be the same person?

"I see you have remembered our brief encounter. What I tell you is nothing but the truth Kisame, and I am sorry it had to be held from you this long. You my most loyal member."

"Why are you telling me this now?" Kisame asked.

"I have a very special mission for you Kisame. One you are quite familiar with doing."

Kisame's eyes widened. He couldn't possibly mean…? No, he had to be imagining the possibility. His partner was a loyal member of the Akatsuki, and a good asset. Madara couldn't be asking him to do that.

"Why?"

Madara chuckled, a choked sound that made Kisame wince. He definitely preferred Tobi to this man. There was no semblance of good, or playfulness with this Madara Uchiha. His aura was threatening, and he truly believed that his word was absolute.

Men like that don't take no for an answer.

"You know your partner better than us all." Pain interrupted, his Rennigan piercing the darkness. "Deception is an art he's perfected."

"Itachi has been a loyal member of the Akatsuki for many years. What form of deception could seal his death?" Kisame argued. His voice had risen significantly, echoing through the cave.

"It isn't like you to hesitate and ask questions, Kisame." Madara added. If he could see under that mask he was sure he would be looking at him questioningly.

To be honest, he wasn't sure why he was acting this way. It wasn't as if he hadn't done this before. It had been normal to dispose of his teammates, and he'd felt nothing in doing so.

But, he'd been with Itachi for many years now. The guy had stuck with him through thick and thin, and they'd formed somewhat of a bond. He'd learned a lot from the kid, and Itachi had come to somewhat depend on him too.

Deception was another way of calling Itachi a good liar, but in all the years he'd known the boy, Itachi had never once lied to him. He was always courteous, honest, and patient. Not exactly what you'd expect from an S Class criminal, but it had been refreshing. He'd always told himself he had the best partner out of all the teams. He truly had gotten lucky with the kid.

"I just want to know the reason why."

"Ask him yourself." Madara replied. "But don't stray from the mission Kisame. There is no room for failure."

Something didn't seem right, but, Madara wasn't playing around with this. Pain was on board with it too, meaning this mission really wasn't open for failure. It was either kill Itachi, or die trying.

"Why now?"

Pain looked over to Zetsu, who's astral form has his eyes closed, like he was concentrating. Something had transpired between them.

"Zetsu has informed me that the medic has been captured by Sasuke. Itachi will have to face his little brother to retrieve her, and while I have no doubt he will prevail in the battle, it will leave him weakened enough for you to finish him off." Pain looked to Madara, who nodded in his direction.

Kisame closed his eyes, releasing the sealing jutsu. "Very well."

"Good. You may begin your mission now."

Kisame nodded, feeling Pain release the jutsu on his body. As he began to fade he heard Madara's last words echo.

"Kill the medic as well."

Xoxoxo

Her head felt like he weighed fifty pounds. All her muscles were stiff as a board, and contracting painfully around her arms. There was a pressure against her back, but no spasms resulting from any internal cause.

She tested her body's movement, wincing as she felt a fierce pull in her shoulders. Her arms were behind her back then, restrained by some form of rope. Another tug confirmed that it wasn't rope, but wire. A tool Sasuke had used as a Genin in Konoha. Not something easily broken, but possible.

The wind was blowing, so she was still outside at least. Probably not to far from the confrontation zone either. The town was only a few miles back then.

"She's waking up Sasuke."

The red head, so she was awake too. The other two members were more than likely present also. Escape would be impossible with all four around.

Sakura opened her eyes, observing her surroundings. She'd been right in guessing her position, but one thing was clearly different.

"Nightfall…" A groan escaped her lips. "I'm late."

Sasuke kneeled down by her form, his Sharingan blazing. Sakura briefly wondered if he kept it on a lot like Itachi.

"Who are you here with?"

Sakura frowned. "What no hello? How have you been these past few years?"

"I won't ask again Sakura."

Arrogant jerk! He still thought she was weak. Assuming she hadn't come alone without proof.

Of course, she hadn't really come alone, but he didn't need to know that.

"I'm alone." She spat.

Sasuke shook his head, standing to full height. "I don't believe you. Regardless, you can tell me why you are here."

"I will tell you nothing." Sakura growled. The wires were cutting into her skin as she pulled, but it was a necessary pain. The closer to her body they were the better she could dice them. It would take time to channel her chakra properly though. Time she had to buy.

"Can I kill her?" Suigetsu asked, grinning wickedly. Sakura spat in his direction, making him scowl.

Sasuke didn't reply, instead moving his hand toward Sakura's face. She flinched when he touched her hair, and then berated herself for showing weakness like that.

"You're just the same." He whispered, touching the side of her face. If she didn't know any better, she would have thought it a loving gesture. But this wasn't the same Sasuke she knew in her Genin days. This Sasuke was an entirely different being.

"You don't know anything about me."

"Naruto can't be far behind if you are here. That saves me a lot of trouble."

'Naruto? He can't…why would he want to see Naruto?'

"What do you want with Naruto?!"

"Why are you in these lands?" Sasuke challenged.

"I'm training." Sakura relented, glancing off to the side. Just a little more and the wire would break. Just a little longer. "Alone. Tsunade gave me permission."

"I doubt she would allow you to stray so far for training alone." Sasuke smirked, returning his hand to his side. "You never were a convincing liar."

"Why do you want Naruto?"

"He's a means to an end."

Sakura froze, haunted by those words. Those same words Itachi had uttered…the way he felt about his father. He'd been nothing but a tool, used and abused. Did Sasuke intend to use Naruto in that same way? To use him and then toss him aside?

"I won't let you!" Sakura screamed. "You won't lay a hand on him!"

"Brave words, but they are useless coming from your mouth." Sasuke grinned. "You cannot stop me. I will have Naruto, or I will continue North after I've killed you. My purpose will still remain the same, regardless of who I use."

"Who you use...? What do you mean by that-"

"Sasuke!" Karin exclaimed. "Someone else is coming this way. Someone powerful. Half a mile, no, a quarter of a mile."

Sasuke turned to face the girl. "Is it Naruto?"

"No. The chakra signature isn't the same. It's closer to your-"

Sakura took this moment to break the wire, rushing past Sasuke before he could react. She knew who was coming this way. If she could just reach him in time.

A fierce impact hit her side, throwing her across the forest. She hit the ground not too lightly, gripping her already injured side as she gasped for breath. Only yards away was the large member of the group, the one she'd known would be a pain from the beginning. How had he moved so quickly, and with such force?

Sakura turned herself over quick enough to block the next attack, this time from Suigetsu. His foot landed where her head had been seconds ago.

She flipped over again, raising a kunai to block the large sword slamming down. What little chakra she had left was channeled into her arms, forcing the kunai to push further against the Executioners Blade. It wouldn't hold for much longer. The larger blade was better suited for battle than her kunai, and even now it was starting to cut into her own weapon. With a little extra pressure Suigetsu could cut through and hit her neck.

"Kill her Suigetsu!" She could hear Karin scream.

Sakura focused her chakra into her free palm, forming a chakra scalpel. Her remaining chakra removed from the kunai, Suigetsu's weapon ripped through. She barely managed to move her head, but the blade was right at her throat.

Without hesitating she plunged the scalpel into his hand, and to her surprise it went through! He was bleeding!

"You skank!" Suigetsu screamed, gripping his wrist. "I'll kill you!"

Sakura stood, scrambling backwards. Sasuke was coming toward her now, his Sharingan blazing. He'd certainly finish her off this time. There wasn't an escape.

Plunk. A kunai lodged into the tree behind Sasuke.

Sasuke's eyes shifted to look at something behind her, or someone. His normally emotionless gaze now grew furious, and it was then that she knew what he was looking at. He'd finally arrived.

"Itachi."

Xoxoxo

Sorry for late post! I received a review requesting longer chapters and was trying to make this one longer. It wasn't supposed to end at this spot but the longer I stared at the page the more I couldn't write. So I'm cutting off here and I will work on the next chapter. Makes for quicker post. A compromise if you will.

I'm trying to finish up NR so it might be a little wait before this one is updated again. Hopefully sooner than later.

Review! I love yours thoughts and ideas! They are great!

Oh and sorry for the grammar…I really was pressed for time.