Sasuke leaned up against a tree as his best friend and former annoyance wrapped up their argument. He allowed his thoughts to consume him as he looked at the ground.

Sakura still cared about him, didn't she? The last time he had seen her she was crying and screaming about how she was in love with Sasuke Uchiha.

This made the corners of his mouth twitch upward slightly.

Then you knocked her out and left her on a bench never to be seen again. An inner voice reminded him, wiping the beginnings of a smile off his face. People change, you know.

This made his eyes wander to the people a small ways away from him. He looked from Hinata to Neji, from Lee to Ino. His eyes rested on Naruto. He had changed quite a bit. Before, Sasuke figured he could handle him with his eyes closed, but now he seemed strong; there was no doubting his friend had become a splendid ninja.

He crossed his arms and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. When he opened them back up, he saw a pale ninja standing in front of him, staring.

"What?" Sasuke questioned, not caring if he sounded rude.

"I don't think we've met." Sai answered.

Sasuke looked him up and down, his face blank. "I didn't realize we needed to." His response was cold.

Arrogance. Sai thought to himself. What could Captain Haruno see in this… creature.

"It is unwise to ridicule an ally, Sasuke." His emotionless tone spoke.

Unwavering in his Uchiha attitude, Sasuke raised his eyebrows. "Are you offended?"

A fake smile crossed the ANBU's face. "Narcissism has never bothered me in the least."

A hand found its way to the sword on the Uchiha's back. "Is there something you needed?" Sasuke questioned, his tone becoming irritated.

Catching his movement, Sai smiled larger. "Even after all these years, it seems you are still unable to grasp the concept of a team."

Dark blue eyes narrowed on the pale man in front of him. "Excuse me?" He said cautiously, his grip tightening on his katana.

"I guess I'd better get the move on," Sai said condescendingly. "I'd hate to wake up on a bench come tomorrow morning."

Sharingan filled the Uchiha's eyes as he unsheathed his katana, but before he could land it into his new friend's neck, a hand closed in around the blade. If it hurt at all, Sai didn't show it in the least as he held tightly to the blade.

"Apparently you don't listen either." The Foundation shinobi said quietly without turning around. "Sakura has always stressed not to underestimate your opponent."

This made the Uchiha's nostrils flare. "You seem to fancy her."

Sai turned his head. "That's cute." He said over his shoulder. "But I think you have the two of us confused."

Jaw clenched, Sasuke pushed harder into the palm of the gloved hand holding his weapon. "I make no mistakes."

Turning around, Sai ripped the katana out of the Uchiha's hands and threw it down on the ground beside him.

"Do you not?" The pale ninja argued, looking fearlessly into crimson eyes. "I beg to differ."

Just as Sasuke was about to raise his fist, he found the blade of his katana between himself and the foundation shinobi.

"Sai," Kakashi said, "I think you should go speak to Yamato about the details of our mission." He didn't look at him when he spoke; his eyes were glued to his original pupil.

Without a word, the emotionless ANBU broke eye contact with Sasuke and returned to the rest of the crowd.

Kakashi lowered Sasuke's weapon, but not his eyes.

"Is there a problem here?" His voice didn't sound like a question, more of a command for an explanation.

Sasuke snatched his katana from his former sensei's hand. "Hn." He walked away, stuffing it back into its sheath on it's back.

The copy ninja sighed and shook his head, watching as the youngest Uchiha made his way back over to the now settled down Naruto.

Itachi was in front of his two companions, a silence among them as they continued through the now dark forest.

The silence was welcomed by the three of them, none wanting to speak to each other.

Kisame was quietly keeping his distance from his partner, while Deidara was scanning the trees, hoping for some sort of a clue to lead them to their lost captive.

The raven man was left to his thoughts as his Sharingan blazed in the night.

You're practically blind. Sakura said quickly.

Itachi brought a hand to his temple, the pain from the strain on his eyes starting to effect him. She was right; his sight was beginning to leave him. Painfully. He had mostly ignored it due to the fact that if anyone knew, they would see it as weakness. Now that the kunoichi knew his secret, the pain was beginning to announce itself to him more often.

What a coincidence, as soon as she leaves, you feel pain. His conscience purred. This made the Uchiha scoff quietly.

The pain he was feeling was most definitely not from her absence he quickly assured himself. He couldn't care less if she was with him in body, mind, or spirit. All he needed her for was to bring to Leader and help to capture the Kyuubi. She was bait that needed to be obtained and used. Nothing more, nothing less.

But you did watch her movements for quite sometime. The voice in his head continued to murmur.

Nonsense. He watched her because he was told to keep and eye on the Nine Tailed Fox. Also, she was glued to the child he left alive. He kept surveillance on his brother and in turn those who surrounded him. The only reason she was included in his sights initially was because many years ago it was decided that someone close to the Kyuubi would be abducted to ensure the tailed beast would be an ease to capture when the time came.

Itachi's lips drew into a thin line as he continued dismissing the thoughts within his mind. He had to focus on something else before his anger began to show.

"Hidan and Sasori are close."

"Yes..." Kisame began awkwardly, looking to Deidara. "They are..." The two were confused by the sudden break in silence. The blonde shrugged; why Itachi was beginning to state obvious facts was beyond him.

"SASORIIIIIIIII" Tobi yelled happily, throwing himself as the puppet man, but quickly finding himself in a stiff position due to the redhead's quick reflexes.

Hidan rolled his eyes and his facial expression began to portray his annoyance.

Sasori released his strings on the immature man, allowing him to fall clumsily to the ground. Tobi layed on the ground for a few minutes, pretending to be dead.

"Why are you here Tobi?" He asked in an even tone, despite his inner remorse that they ran into him.

"Mr. Kakuzu and Mr. Zetsu are out on a mission to stop a puppy!" Tobi answered. Realizing his play-dead act wasn't working, he rose to his feet quickly.

Taking a deep breath to calm him, Hidan began to speak with his eyes closed. "And why would they be doing that."

Tobi began to mess with his gloved finger nervously. Hidan frightened him a little. "Tobi doesn't know…" He shifted a little to the left. "Tobi had to take notes from Itachi-sama…"

Swallowing his anger, Hidan brought a hand to his eyes. "Notes on what you little sh—"

"Genjutsu." A familiar voice spoke.

Sasori turned around, surprised and also relieved to see Kisame and Deidara still alive.

Hidan allowed his temper to simmer down; he was just glad someone reasonable was around to decipher the child's knowledge even if it was Itachi.

"For what?" Deidara questioned.

Itachi allowed his eyes to drift to the blonde behind him for a moment. "Nothing." He looked back to the masked man. "How did it go?" He asked, his tone was flat, holding no more emotion than it ever had. Deidara looked at the Uchiha with fire in his eyes.

He thinks he's sooo cool, so important, hmm? Fists were forming at the artist's sides.

"ITACHI-SAMAAAAAA!"

Tobi's sudden outburst snapped the blonde out of his anger. Deidara took this moment to venture out from behind Itachi before he punched him in those special eyes of his.

Said man took a step to the right, allowing the child to dodge him. "I won't ask again."

Straightening up from his failed hug attempt, Tobi looked at the ground. "Tobi doesn't know. Tobi was not allowed to be included." He sounded like he was about to cry; the same way a child on the playground spoke after being excluded from a game of tag.

"Where are Kakuzu and Zetsu?" Hidan cut in with irritation. He wanted to get the hell out of there with more people. More people meant more opportunities for Tobi to speak to someone other than him.

Sharingan eyes found there way back to the childish Akatsuki, awaiting a response.

"Tobi doesn't know. Mr. Kakuzu told Tobi to stay on a tree stump, but Tobi didn't want to because the tree stump hurt Tobi's butt bone. Tobi tried to tell Mr. Kakuzu stumps aren't good for rumps but he just left and Tobi—"

"Why did Kakuzu leave?" Sasori asked in a soft tone quickly. Judging by the looks on the other Akatsuki faces, if they were to have questioned the whereabouts of the child's team Tobi would've been in tears.

Tobi looked up from his feet. "Tobi doesn't know. One minute Tobi, Mr. Kakuzu, and Mr. Zetsu were talking and the next Mr. Kakuzu was throwing kunai at Tobi's head and chasing the pretty pink puff that Tobi pointed to. Mr. Zetsu left Tobi alone too and Tobi was hurt so Tobi—"

Hidan couldn't take the stupidity any longer. He raised his hand and let it crash down onto the child's head. "WHAT THE FUCK DOES THAT HELP YOU DUMB—"

Deidara's head snapped up as Sasori brought a hand to his chin, taking in what the child said.

"Pink." Two artists said in unison.

"Where did they go?" Itachi questioned seriously.

Hidan took this opportunity to stop pummeling the child long enough for him to speak. It seemed Tobi's information was beneficial after all.

Fearfully crawling away from Hidan, Tobi lifted a shaking hand to point East. He quickly brought his arms back down to cover his head, expecting more fists from the Jashinist to find their way onto his head.

Itachi took off in the direction Tobi pointed without a word, leaving the group of 5 watching his back for the small amount of time he was still in view.

"Someone stay with the kid, yeah!" Deidara called over his shoulder as he too took off into the night, Sasori not far behind him.

Hidan looked at the masked man and then the dozed off Kisame. Slapping him swiftly to wake him up, the immortal followed the others deeper into the forest. "Looks like you're on babysitting duty, Sharkbreath!" He chuckled as he left the pair behind.

Tobi watched the three of his friends disappear and then turned to Kisame. Sidestepping over to him, a gloved hand found its way into Kisame's.

The mist-nin looked around with a disgusted look on his face, confused as to why they left him with him. He looked back at his hand being held by the child and ripped it from the innocent grip. The sharkman promptly punched the kid in the back on the head, knocking him unconscious and slumped onto the nearest tree to continue his nap on his feet.

Sakura awoke, but kept her eyes closed. It was still raining, so she doubted she had gotten very far out of rain country.

Damn it. She thought. He found me.

She didn't want to open her eyes to see herself slung over the shoulder of Itachi Uchiha.

"She's awake, you know." A high, unfamiliar voice rang causing green orbs to shoot open.

All she saw was the ground, so she was indeed right about being thrown over a shoulder, but it certainly was not Itachi's. She began to struggle in the iron grip that held her waist. Whoever this man was, he was not pleasant.

"Quiet." He said, lifting a free hand and giving her leg a squeeze.

Memories began flooding back to her as she remembered what happened. She closed her eyes for a moment to take in the chakra of this man holding her, and then she continued to struggle.

It was him. It was the man she didn't want to meet; and judging by how his little assistant was popping his head in and out of the ground, these were the two people she sensed before she fell. The pain she was feeling in her leg was also a clear indicator that her fall did in fact break something; her femur.

That was going to take a lot of chakra to heal, but that was the least of her worries. It didn't even seem like she had enough chakra to escape. But there was one thing about these strangers that made her feel safe, even if it was in a sick way.

Their cloaks.

"Kunoichi, if Itachi wanted to kill you he would have me and those other buffoons on full alert to guard your stupid little ass while he's gone."

Gathering up her bravery, Sakura finally spoke. Sealing away her emotions of fear and pain, she spoke with the tone that signified a Konoha ANBU Captain.

"What is it you want?" Her voice did not quiver in the least.

Zetsu let a small laugh out, as if to mock her. "It is not what we want, child."

Kakuzu's green eyes slid to the side to look at his counterpart. He didn't want him giving out too much information.

"I see you two gentleman are Akatsuki." Sakura calmly began.

Zetsu smiled largely at this. "Did you hear Kakuzu? We're gentlemen."

Kakuzu laughed quietly at that. It was more of just a large exhale of air, but a small sign of humor all the same.

"I'll cut to the chase." The pinkette said sternly. "Where is Itachi?"

This caused Kakuzu to come to a halt and throw her onto the rain soaked ground. On a good day, the masked-nin could tolerate the Sharingan wielder, but that was on a good day. Kakuzu thought ill of his Akatsuki counterpart and did not enjoy his presence. If Itachi were on fire, he would happily drink the last glass of water in sight.

"Why is that any of your concern, kunoichi?" He said, the toe of his sandals resting on her wrists. It was a warning that he had no qualms in breaking her wrists.

"Kakuzu.." Zetsu began cautiously.

Bright green eyes found their way to the dual-toned man and the look silenced him. He returned his disgruntled gaze back to the kunoichi below him.

Caught off guard at the sudden change of scenery, Sakura's eyes were wide, but as she settled down her green eyes narrowed on the man above her. If they didn't know she was Itachi's captive, she surely wasn't going to tell them. That would earn her a one way ticket back to him.

Taking her glare as a challenge, Kakuzu raised his eyebrows in a mocking way. His weight began falling onto the tips of his feets, causing Sakura's narrowed eyes to return to their wide state.

"Sakura Haruno." Kakuzu said, "You are supposed to be a smart girl."

Anger was beginning to build up within the pink haired kunoichi. She attempted to rid her arms of weight above them, but failed. She continued to struggle until she felt a small indication of breath on her face. Of course, it was light considering the mask on his face.

"Why does Itachi Uchiha concern you?" He questioned. The kunai in his hand caught Sakura's attention. "And I suggest you answer wisely."

Blowing a few stray candy-colored strands out of her face, she wrinkled her nose. She didn't like to be threatened. Green eyes were held for a few moments before her unladylike side came out. Feeling it was not a time for manners, Sakura spat onto the face of her interrogator.

A growl escape Kakuzu's throat as he brought his kunai down onto her ribcage and pressed his weight onto the kunoichi's wrists. A scream escaped the woman as he walked a few steps away, turning his back on her.

The blood felt warm in comparison to the cold, wet ground Sakura was laying on. It was not a fatal wound her inner medic concluded. Although if it was left untreated an infection could prove to be troublesome to her health. The pain her arms were minimal only because she was more than a medical shinobi; she was a ninja. Two sprained wrists were very common things and would not cause her as much pain as her broken leg, but with all of her injuries on top of each other she would not be able to get away from the Akatsuki. Her only hope of escaping would be if all members in the surrounding locations just miraculously fell unconscious for the next 3 days. As for her though, it felt as though she was about to do just that.

"KAKUZU!" Zetsu said cautiously. "She is of no use to us dead!"

Kakuzu wiped the spit from his face and used his cloak to wipe off his blood stained kunai. Money was the least of his worries at the moment, especially from that snake Orochimaru. The fact Itachi had something to do with the female could also prove to be problematic.

He looked down at the kunoichi's wound, debating on whether she would bleed out. He looked at her face that helped him conclude the pain rendered her unconscious judging by her eyes being shut peacefully. Her breath was shallow, again, probably due to pain and not death.

Whatever her purpose was, Kakuzu did not like her. She was too feisty and he did not find her intelligent at all. She had guts, he'd give her that, but if he had it his way he would probably kill her. But if she had meaning to Itachi…

He stuck his kunai back into his cloak's pocket. If this kunoichi was a desire of Itachi Uchiha, he would find a one way train all the way to Orochimaru's secret hide out and then count the money in front of him.

An evil smile formed underneath his mask. He had an even better idea…

He turned around and leaned down to place an ear on the kunoichi's chest to check her heartbeat for life.

A loud, very live beating was like music to his ears.

Perfect.

A loud scream rang through the trees causing Itachi's pace to quicken through the dark, wet trees.

Sakura had to be the only female in the woods at this hour of night, but it was unlike her to scream out. She was smart, Itachi could admit. She wouldn't give her position away unless she was seriously injured. The chance of her being frightened enough to yell was highly doubtful.

The sound of a woman in pain caught more than Itachi's attention. Deidara's eyes widened as he looked to his right at Sasori. Hidan and the redhead heard the screams, but said nothing. If she was harmed it was none of their concern.

"She's brought it upon herself, Deidara." Sasori said softly.

Deidara looked into the night at Itachi's form barely visible aside from the red clouds on his cloaks. It was true. She did try to escape them, but that was human nature. If she was going to be their captive, then she was theirs. She was still needed and Deidara enjoyed her company. He sped up, leaving his partner and the jashinist behind him.

As the five of them continued through the trees, each at their different paces, Kakuzu and Zetsu came into their sensing range. Itachi pursed his lips at how close the two were to the faint sign of Sakura. Clearly something had happened between the three. It was not a coincidence.

When it seemed they were about 500 feet away from the trio, Hidan spoke up.

"Blood." He stated. His voice was heavy; as if uncertain he should say anything.

This caused Itachi to subconsciously pull out a kunai. Although he could not smell the scent, he did not doubt Hidan's nose. Despite the rain it was still believable that the man who tasted blood during every ritual he performed could smell blood at this distance in such circumstances.

Sensing the Uchiha prodigy in the proximity, Kakuzu smirked. It seemed he was right; this was his property

Might as well have a bit of fun…

The masked nin returned to his position prior to his loss of temper. He placed his feet on the kunoichi's wrists and crouched to where this face hovered over hers. Pulling out his kunai, he placed it at her wound. This caused her to groggily open her eyes.

"Answer my question, idiotic girl." He pressed the tip back into her bloodied ribs.

Sakura clenched her teeth, fully awake now. "Go to hell."

Not breaking eye contact, Kakuzu twisted his blade in her injury.

"I suggest you tell me." His voice was dark.

Bringing her knee up, she attempted to kick him off of her, but it failed. She barely bumped him, but it did not go undetected.

He looked at her with no remorse, it was clear to see his jaw clench in anger beneath his mask as he brought his kunai up to her chest. Unlike the stab to her lower ribs, Kakuzu raised his arm high in the air with the intentions of cutting her straight through her torso. Sakura shut her eyes tightly, but the pain never came. Instead a baritone voice filled the air.

"That will be enough." Itachi declared his iron grip on the masked-nin's arm.

Zetsu watched in horror, yellow eyes unsure of whose side to take as the other Akatsuki appeared through the trees. The moon was the only source of light in the dark forest.

Kakuzu pulled his arm free and stood up straight. He turned around to face his fellow Akatsuki's, stepping off of the pinkette. "Ahhh, Itachi." He said putting away his kunai, "She's been asking for you." A wicked look in his eyes.

"Hn." Was the only response.

Kakuzu began to circle the raven man. "Well? Aren't you going to see what she wanted?" He questioned, coming to a halt behind him.

Staring down, crimson eyes found helpless green. His emotionless face looked over the damage done to her. His Sharingan began to spin.

"Deidara." Itachi called. The sudden irrelevance took Kakuzu by surpise.

Deidara appeared to the left of his least favorite person and looked down at the incompacitated kunoichi. Sasori and Hidan stared on, their faces unsure of what was going on. For all they knew, Sakura was dead.

"We need transportation." He commanded, Sharingan eyes never looking away from the female below him.

The artist did a quick handsign and threw a small bird figurine to his right. Within moments, a larger bird took its place.

Itachi leaned down and scooped the kunoichi into his arms and jumped onto the bird.

"Where are we headed, hm?" Deidara asked, leaving the group to join the two on his sculpture.

"To leader." Itachi said. The tone used had an emotion Deidara had never heard before from the raven man: Anger.

If it sounded like Itachi Uchiha was angry, it must have meant he was furious.

Without argument, the bird began to take flight, leaving a huddle of red and black cloaks under them in the moonlit trees.

Author's Note:

Helloooo. Sorry this took so long. KAKUZU IS A BAD GUY, SORRY FOR ANY FANS OF HIS OUT THERE. But then again, he is in Akatsuki, so he's supposed to be a bad guy! THEY'RE ALL BAD GUYS. Kakuzu is just the baddest of the bad. ;) But his plan is a devious one. Next chapter is going to be full of ItaSaku goodness & a little DeiSaku jealousy! REVIEW ME. IT MAKES ME FEEL GREAT. I love to know that what I'm doing is pleasing to my readers. OR if you aren't pleased you can let me know & I can try to fix that! A review can go a long way. I have a New Years resolution to update much more frequently in a timely manner. I apologize for the amount of time it's taken me to upload. Get on my case! Review me! Tell me how I'm doing. That's what I really want to know. Drop me a few comments about how the story is coming along! I'd love to know how you guys are feeling. It gives me confidence to continue.

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