I was going to update yesterday, but my mum was all like "I have to study." So me = "bugger". So I'm updating today instead. Pretty happy today. This story is on 3 C2's! *Grins manically* And then I'm one review away from 300, to which I'm a cross of ridiculously anxious and ridiculously happy that I have that many reviews for this story, and I now have a Beta profile thingy, so I can be a grammar freak now and get away with it XD

I just want to say thank you to everyone who has reviewed, whether it's been just once or many many multiple times. A few of you say "I hope this meets your standard of review" or "I know that this review isn't good enough," but you're wrong, because they are fantastically brilliant, and whenever someone says that they love my writing or that they think I should be an author, it automatically makes my day just that much better (oh, and I don't have any review standards, except a big NO NO to flamers.) The ones with constructive criticism make me aware of what I'm doing wrong, where I should research a bit more, and I really love that kind of thing, so unless you're going to flame, tell me whatever you want about this story, even if it's to threaten me with death or turn me into a...Corn dog with extra tomato sauce, if I remember rightly (that made me laugh so hard, btw), because the death threats are pretty much always in good humour and make me laugh my butt off (which is great during class.). So yes. I thought a long winded soliloquy of gratitude would be a good way to start this chapter :D

At dawn, Sasuke and Sakura flew out of Konoha and towards Crescent Moon Island. It was usually a two day journey, but they had brought some soldier pills with them. They were sure they could get it down to eighteen hours. They ran in a comfortable silence. Sakura knew that Sasuke was thinking hard about what he had to do. He knew that if he went back to Konoha, he could very well be put to death again. But then again, he had saved Konoha from destruction. That would put up a very good case for his name, and if he was put to death a second time, there would be a huge outcry from a lot of the public.

They made is to Crescent Moon Island in nineteen hours. (They hadn't thought about the whole 'Getting Across the Stretch of Water', and so therefore hadn't included it in their calculations.) Sasuke walked along the shore underneath the moonlight. He was looking for the small boat which would take them directly to Shio Island. It was hidden underneath some ferns, which he brushed aside, before putting it into the water.

Sakura stepped carefully up to the boat. "Is it safe, Sasuke Kun?" She asked. The boat looked centuries old, and she felt that swimming to Shio Island through shark infested waters would get her there safer than on that boat.

Sasuke looked at her reassuringly. "The boat is perfectly safe, Sakura. It has a genjutsu over it, so that when people see it they don't try to use it." Sakura nodded, understanding the need for precaution. They got into the boat and set sail for Shio Island.

It took another hour for the boat to reach the island, and upon disembarking, Sasuke hid the raft again.

"We'll need to be careful, Sakura. Shio Island is a large testing base for Orochimaru. There will be many dangerous creatures here." He led the way through the base, Sakura right on his heels. Sasuke was using his Sharingan, so as to not be caught by surprise by anything. They got to a corner, and Sasuke signalled for Sakura to stop. "There are some test subjects five hundred metres ahead. Five of them. Four are not very well trained, and are basically accidents on legs. The fifth we may have a bit more trouble with, but we should be able to get rid of him without much difficulty." He made another signal and, silent as shadows, they eliminated the group.

They continued on much like this for the next few hours. They would encounter a group of mutated people every ten or twenty minutes. They were always in groups of at least three and at most seven. The two were able to eliminate almost all of them without too much trouble. One of the groups gave them a bit of trouble. It was one of the bigger groups, and all of them were well trained. But within five minutes, Sasuke and Sakura had them lying on the ground, choking in puddles of their own lifeblood.

Sasuke scanned the whole island, seeing if there were any more groups they had left out, but soon concluded that all of the test subjects were dead.

"Sakura, there is someone I have to take care of. Did you want to come with me?" Sasuke asked, Kabuto's death on his mind. He had finally decided how he would kill him, and the idea made him smile.

"I can't, Sasuke. I have to help a friend. Do you know where Aya is?" She could finally fulfil her promise that she made, and she was going to do it sooner rather than later.

"Hai. I've been keeping her with me in my rooms. They are on the other side of the compound. Once you get there, you should be able to sense her."

Sakura nodded and disappeared into the night.

Sasuke watched her disappear, before turning and making his way to Kabuto's lab.

Kabuto was fiddling with some chemicals, when he sensed Sasuke's Chakra. He turned around, not bothering to hide. Sasuke would find him anyway, and he didn't want him to have to satisfaction of seeing him cowering like an animal. He stood up straight and tall, fearless, as Sasuke entered the room. If his blood red eyes were any indication, Kabuto could tell that he was going to suffer. He couldn't help gulping slightly.

Sasuke sauntered up to Kabuto, his Sharingan activated, Kusanagi at his side, studying Kabuto's body, noting all of the places to hit. He wanted to draw out Kabuto's death as long as possible, make him suffer like he had. Like Sakura had.

"We both know why you're here, Sasuke. So just kill me and get it over with," Kabuto called across the vast space between them. His words hanging in the air like a veil. Kabuto had probably already figured out that Orochimaru was dead, only because Orochimaru wouldn't let Sasuke kill him. Kabuto was too vital for the experiments.

"You know that it isn't that simple, Kabuto. I want you to suffer, and suffer you will. I will tear you, limb from limb, piece by piece, until you are begging for death to embrace you in its merciful grasp." Kabuto would have none of that, so he quickly grabbed a kunai, and went to plunge it into his own heart. Sasuke darted over to him and knocked the kunai from his grasp, taking off the top of Kabuto's right pointer finger in the process. Kabuto gasped in shock and pain, looking at the bloody stump of what was once the top of his finger.

"You bastard," he spat, angry. If Sasuke wanted him dead, then why didn't he just kill him? Kabuto knew very well that drawing out a death could be a very pleasurable experience, but also a very risky one. Blood loss could kill a man before half of the torture was through, or someone or something could interrupt before the torture had been completed.

Sasuke raced around Kabuto, concealing himself in darkness. He wanted Kabuto to feel afraid, he wanted him to be drowning in fear as he slowly died. For that, Sasuke would need to immerse himself in the darkness that once possessed him. He started softly calling out Kabuto's name through the room, making Kabuto turn constantly. Kabuto's eyes couldn't keep up with Sasuke's speed. Sasuke went to the door and locked it, preventing escape.

Kabuto refused to go down without a fight. His hands glowed green with destructive Chakra. If Sasuke dared to lay one hand on him, he would break ligaments.

The faulty light spluttered above their heads, and Kabuto turned around and around constantly, following Sasuke's voice as it called out his name.

"Kabuto…"

"Over here, Kabuto…"

"Behind you, Kabuto…"

"I'm over here, Kabuto…"

Sasuke's voice came out snakelike as it swirled around the room. Kabuto felt something brush against his back, and turned around, before feeling a pain at the top of his left hand pointer finger. He looked, and realised it was gone. He understood what Sasuke was trying to do. He was going to take Kabuto apart, joint by joint. Kabuto's mind started to whirl with pain as his body went into shock. Kabuto concentrated on his breathing, trying to stop his body going into shock.

Sasuke took this chance to take off the tops of both middle fingers with Kusanagi. He watched Kabuto hiss in pain, and concentrate further on his breathing. Within the next couple of minutes, Kabuto's fingers were gone.

Next were his toes. Sasuke continued with his game, knowing that if he dragged it out too long, Kabuto would die of blood loss. Within two minutes, all of Kabuto's toes were gone, and Kabuto managed to lower himself onto the ground, barely being able to keep his balance without his toes. Kabuto sent more Chakra to his bloodied palms, refusing to go down without leaving his mark. He closed his eyes and let his senses take over, feeling for Sasuke's whereabouts. There, right in front of him. He felt a sickening pain at his right wrist, and quickly brought his left palm down, smiling as it hit flesh. He opened his eyes, and almost vomited as he saw that his right hand was completely severed. The pain came tumbling over him and his eyes started to water.

Sasuke stumbled back into the shadows, feeling his left arm. Some of the muscles had been cut below the elbow, and Sasuke cursed Kabuto for that. Oh well. His right hand was his dominant one, and that was all he needed. He raced forwards and quickly took off Kabuto's left palm, before melting back into the shadows. Kabuto's strangled cry of pain and loss echoed around the chamber; He couldn't use his destructive Chakra to get rid of Sasuke now.

The light flickered over Kabuto's body and what Sasuke saw sickened him. Blood was running in rivers down his arms, some of it had splashed over his face. It was covering his feet and was starting to form a small pool around his body. Sasuke rushed forward and in a clean stroke removed Kabuto's feet, before going back to the shadows. He went to tease Kabuto a little more.

"What's wrong, Kabuto?"

"Can't you fight anymore?"

"Are you too weak to face me?"

"I'll kill you, Kabuto."

"I'll make it painful, just for you, and for what you did to Sakura."

"I was only a pawn to kill her!" Kabuto choked out. He didn't know why he had been defending Karin for so long. Maybe he had stupidly thought that she could be worse than Sasuke? Oh he was a fool.

Sasuke stopped, this information taking him by surprise. "What do you mean?" He watched Kabuto's pathetic body, searching for signs of lies. There were none, so far, but Kabuto was taking too long to answer. He raced forward and removed Kabuto's right arm, up to the elbow.

Kabuto let out a cry of pain, before whimpering and continuing. "I w… Was ordered to, by… Karin. Sh… She said she'd m… Make it w… Worth my while. I am b… But a man, S… Sasuke. " He started to cry, the shock setting in. His body was shaking uncontrollably, and all he could see was blood. All he could feel was pain. He wanted to end it all, but he couldn't. He wished his blood would fall faster.

Sasuke walked up to the weeping man. There was nothing that Kabuto could do anymore, and Sasuke knew that he wasn't lying. For that, Sasuke would kill him quickly. There was just one thing he needed to ask first.

"Where is Karin, Kabuto? Tell me where she is, and I'll put you out of your misery."

"Sh… She is on the… The island… Some… Somewhere…" Sasuke nodded and ran Kusanagi through Kabuto's heart. He died within a few seconds.

Sasuke stood up and wiped the blood off Kusanagi onto Kabuto's shirt. He was about to use his Sharingan to look for Karin, when a scream met his ears.

It came from his room.

Sakura skirted to the other side of the compound and arrived there within a few minutes. She was starting to feel a bit tired and cursed herself when she realised that she'd left the last soldier pill with Sasuke. Sending out her senses, she soon tracked Aya's energy, and made straight for it. She stopped outside the door that held it, before entering the room. She saw Aya sleeping on a bed up against the far wall. Sakura walked up to her and gently shook her awake.

"Aya. Aya, wake up. It's me, Sakura. I'm going to get you out of here." Aya's eyes slowly fluttered open, and she looked at Sakura sleepily.

"Is this a dream?" She asked softly, and Sakura shook her head, smiling.

"No, Aya. You're seriously getting out of here. Come on, we've got to go." She helped Aya sit, then stand. "Do you have any clothes or anything you'd like to take with you?" Sakura asked, and Aya shook her head, slowly becoming aware of what was happening.

"One moment, Sakura. I have to check something." She pinched herself, and her body jolted slightly. She looked around, and with a growing happiness, hugged Sakura enthusiastically. "It isn't a dream! I really am awake, and you are really here! Oh Sakura, I missed you so much! I was afraid that you wouldn't come back for me! Where did you go? Why did you leave? I missed you so much!" She had tears of happiness running down her cheeks as she looked at Sakura.

Sakura hugged her back, not being able to help the smile that was gracing her own mouth. "How could you doubt me, Aya? I told you I'd get you out of here, and I am going to! As for me, well, I was poisoned, and Sasuke took me back to Konoha, so that I would be healed. I'm so sorry I didn't come back sooner, but I didn't know if you guys would be here or if you would have decided on a different place, and I was just trying to regain my strength… I'm so sorry it took so long. But I'm here now, and I'm getting you out. So come on!" She grabbed Aya's hand and dragged the poor girl to the door.

Karin appeared in the doorway. "So," she drawled. "The bitch lives. I thought I was only going to be killing one slut tonight, but it appears that I'll be having twice as much fun. I'm going to enjoy killing you, Sakura. When the both of you are dead, there will be no one standing in the way of Sasuke and I." She raised a kunai, and threw it at Aya, planning on getting rid of the weaker one first. Sakura's hand came up and caught it before it hit Aya's face.

"Your fight is with me, Karin. Aya has nothing to do with this." Sakura said loudly, trying to force Karin's attention away from her friend.

This seemed to suit Karin just fine, and she faced Sakura with a smirk on her face. This way she'd be able to draw out the death of the other one. She loved hearing them scream.

"Go hide, Aya. I'll be with you in a minute." Sakura whispered. Aya hated to leave her friend in this situation, but knew that she would be more of a hindrance than a help, so she ran to the bathroom and locked herself in.

Karin looked at Sakura, hatred in her eyes. "Exactly how many times do I have to kill you until you die?" Sakura gave her a confused look.

"What do you mean? Kabuto poisoned me. When did you try to kill me?"

Karin stared at her incredulously, before she started laughing. "Him? That fuckwit? Oh no, my little flower, he only supplied the poison. I'm the one who administered it. He wouldn't have even thought to touch a hair on your ugly little head if I hadn't suggested it, and used a little… Persuasion." She licked her lips, a hungry look in her eyes. "But this time, I'm going to kill you, up close and personal. Then, I'll take your little friend in there, and I'll have her screaming for death."

Sakura felt an anger surge in her, one that she had never felt so powerful. "OVER MY DEAD BODY, YOU BITCH!" She screamed, pulling out a kunai and lunging. This girl, she could threaten and taunt her all she wanted. She could beat her and strip her of all her pride and self respect. But the moment she insulted one of her friends, she was going down! The kunai was met by Karin's, and the metal rang loud and clear in the room.

"I plan for it to be." Karin taunted, pushing Sakura away, and making to lunge for the girl herself. Sakura gathered Chakra into her fists and pushed Karin away, before running at her, going to hit her in one of her arteries. Karin dodged at the last second and deflected the blow. She had of think of a plan, quickly. Sakura was far too strong physically for Karin to beat her. She had to think of something else. She glanced at the bathroom and got an idea. She ran a bit away from Sakura, before making a shadow clone of herself.

The shadow clone immediately engaged Sakura, and while Sakura was distracted, Karin went to the bathroom, breaking down the door. She sensed Sakura turning at the noise, and felt her running over to stop her. The shadow clone stopped Sakura, blocking her from getting to Karin.

The red head looked around and quickly spotted Aya cowering inside the shower cubicle. Karin walked over to her and grabbed her by the hair, hauling her out and holding a kunai to her throat. She walked out of the bathroom, Aya struggling futilely against her vicelike grip.

"Stop fighting me, Sakura. Else you will watch your friend die." Sakura immediately stopped and the shadow clone disappeared.

"Fine, Karin. Let Aya go, and I will do whatever you want." Sakura stared sadly at Aya. The poor girl was struggling against Karin's grip, trying to break free.

"Gomen, Sakura. There was nothing I could do!" She said, still struggling, not caring about the small, shallow cuts that were being made across her neck every time she moved.

"Drop your weapon!" Karin ordered, and Sakura dropped the kunai she was holding.

"There. I'm defenceless. Now let Aya go!" She yelled at Karin, forgetting Karin's earlier words.

"Why? I'm just going to kill her anyway. I may as well have a bit of fun and kill her in front of your eyes." She smirked at the look of horror on Sakura's face.

Sakura wouldn't let that happen, and quickly pulled out a kunai that was concealed beneath her tunic. She infused the weapon with a powerful burst of destructive Chakra that would put a hole in some of the most vital organs. She quickly aimed, and threw the weapon.

All of this happened in less than a second, and Karin had barely any time to react. At the last moment, she brought Aya's body slightly in front of hers.

Sakura watched, as if in slow motion, Karin move Aya's body.

She saw the kunai flying with accuracy, straight for Karin's heart.

She saw Aya's shoulder block the kunai's destination.

She watched as the weapon bit into a body that it wasn't intended for.

She heard someone scream.

Don't hate me don't hate me don't hate me don't hate me! *Hides in corner, away from the angry mob with torches and pitchforks* At least wait for the next chapter... Or two. When this story is finished, then you can kill me. Promise! *gives weak smile*.

I've noticed that I seem to get more reviews whenever I mention the Update Quicker Button, so for shits and giggles, I'm going to invoke the right to use it as many times as you damn well please :)

Chapter 26 - The Angel

...Aya was lying down, coughing up blood. "Aya, forgive me, I am so sorry." She felt tears well up, but she didn't give a shit about her promise anymore. She let them fall. "I'm going to see if I can heal you." She knew that she couldn't, but she didn't care. She would give it everything she had...

Will she live? Won't she live? Find out next time. It's a pretty crap preview, even I'll say that, but that was basically the only few clumped lines in the whole next chapter that didn't give something vital away! So I get forgiveness hugs? (and/or reviews?) And if you guys put down your pitchforks, I'll give you cookies :)