A/N: thanks for all the lovely reviews you gave me, it really cheered me up. I'm sadly to say that this story is coming to an end, only a few chapters left. There's a pull up on my profile where you guys can use which story you want me to write next. The next update will take a bit longer seeing I had an accident and heavily bruised my arm. So the ticking will be a bit slower than before. Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

Chapter 25:

Two days later when Kakashi was satisfied enough and certain her condition was good enough to continue they went back to the base where Sakura had been held. Now that they'd been found out they needed to be extra careful. Kakashi objected to going back there, but since it was the only clue they had that could bring them closer where Akira was being held he finally agreed.

The infiltration of the base was actually quite easy, they went the same way in as Kakashi did when he'd come to rescue Sakura. Sneaking through the corridors and after some hours of searching they'd finally found the main room. With Pakkun standing on guard Kakashi and Sakura searched for any clue that could lead them to the base where Akira was being held.

They rifled through the desk, being careful enough to place the things back in order and as it was before they'd touched it. Sighing frustrated after another closet had been gone through and still with no clue's Sakura turned to the main desk once again.

"I already searched that one you know."

"I know that Kakashi, still I have a feeling we're overlooking something," Sakura replied, her hands rumpling through a stack of papers. "A map, a letter it could be-," She stopped talking when she held up a piece of paper. Her eyes narrowed to slits as her eyes flew over the written lines.

"What, what's wrong?" Kakashi asked slightly alarmed when she cut off her sentence. He turned around to look at her and made his way over when he saw that she'd found something. He leant a bit forward, his vest almost touching her back while he read along from over her shoulder.

…The girl has escaped, can't find her anywhere. She's probably already left Snow if she's smart enough. It's been confirmed she's from Konoha and the one who brought down Elysium. I suggest sending Hyko after her. She'll be a lot of trouble for us if she's still alive. If she's gone, there won't be many obstacles left to stop us from completing our mission. Also the guy she'd brought along with her has also vanished so he probably was a spy the same as her. Hiro is being difficult again, refusing to sign the paper you sent me. If you could send something from the annoying brat to show him I'm sure he'll be quiet for the rest of the time until he isn't of anymore use. Maybe a finger would do, she won't need it anyway. Naoko also came to stay for the rest of our plan. She'll be staying for three weeks before she returns to her base. After she's done with Wind, they'll come to bring down the last one, fire…

Sakura snarled. If they even thought to harm one hair on her younger sister's body, they'd wish they've never been born. She snapped her head up when she felt two chakra signatures coming there way.

"Pakkun why didn't you say anything?"

The said dog turned around confused, only then sensing the people coming their way. "You felt it before me! There are two females making their way to us."

Sakura nodded already putting things back in place. She only half heard Kakashi dismissing Pakkun before he started to search for another exit. The sound of chairs scraping over the floor, the ruffling of papers that were being put back into their places filled to room and when Sakura was done she turned around to look at her partner.

Seeing her questioning gaze Kakashi shook his head. There wasn't a way out without them noticing their presence. There wasn't a window in this chamber so that already ruled that one out. And seeing that the enemy was walking through the only corridor leading to the door it was also out of the question to go out through the only exit of the room because it would lead them straight into their arms.

Sakura rolled her eyes with annoyance and quickly scanned to room. Opening the closet she'd been searching in she scowled frustrated as it was overly filled and not a good hiding place what so ever. Closing the doors quickly she noticed a doll house standing on one of the lower tables. Knowing they didn't have much time left she grabbed Kakashi by his wrist, pulled him with her before making the necessarily seals. As they shrank Sakura quickly grabbed hold of the edge of the table and when they were finally around the size of a doll, they were hanging on the edge.

Forcing a bit of chakra in her hand she started to sweep her arm to throw Kakashi on to the wooden soiled surface before pulling herself up. Running over to the doll house she pushed the door open, with Kakashi quickly following her. The moment she closed the door, the entrance to the room opened and Sayuri and another woman walked in.

Letting out a silent sigh of relief and suppressing her chakra signal she sneaked over to one of the windows, straining her eyes and ears while she watched the two women make their way to the desk.

Sayuri walked around and plopped down on the chair behind it, while the other one pushed a pile of papers away before sitting down on the edge of the desk. While Sayuri wore a dark blue tabard with a red phoenix, the other one was wearing a broken white coloured one with a red phoenix on it. She had knee length combat boots like Sakura had worn when she was sixteen and dark clad pants. Her right wrist was covered with a leather strap, probably hiding the tribal tattoo she had there like all other leaders of the Syndicate. She had short dark purple hair, a few bangs shielding her face when she leaned forward to look at the writings on the paper near her hand. A piercing in her left ear caught her attention and when Sakura let her gaze wonder a bit further down she noticed a bleeding rose tattoo on her left upper arm, near her shoulder.

Her blue eyes fixed upon the paper before she sighed heavily turned her head back up and crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Got any smokes Sayuri?"

Sayuri threw a disapproving glare at her companion and snorted. "Of course not Naoko! You know my distaste for cigarettes or anything of the sort. Smoking gives you bad breath and yellow teeth."

Naoko simply shrugged, her hand reaching into her pocket and pulling out a cigarette that she lit with a small fire jutsu. Taking a drag she let it go after a few moments and smirked at the death glare she got from the other woman. "What?"

"Nothing," Sayuri grit back. Her chocolate colored eyes glaring at her for a little while longer before she turned her gaze to the paper she was reading once more.

"Why was there a meeting again?" Naoko asked while she stared at the ceiling.

Sayuri sighed heavily. "Oh I'll never understand what Kaeden was thinking when he made you leader of Infinity."

Naoko just shrugged her shoulder, turning her head slightly to look at the blonde haired woman over her shoulder. "I never let a prisoner escape or a spy for that matter." Naoko replied nonchalantly, knowing that it would anger the woman.

"It wasn't my fault!" Sayuri yelled back, slamming her fist on the table as she stood up. The chair she had been sitting on fell at her movement.

"Yeah? Then who let her go? Who hadn't killed her off when they had the chance? But no, you just had to torture her like always. Really, you should do something about the fetish of yours. It's your own fault that Kaeden is livid at you and wants your hide. I find it quite a miracle that he didn't come over and take care of you already actually." Naoko's tone was flat, not holding any emotion as she talked. Taking another drag of her cigarette she threw it on the floor before standing on it. Blowing out the smoke she finally turned around to face Sayuri.

"Speaking about that bitch, have you found her yet?"

Sayuri growled. "No. But when she comes home, there'll be a surprise waiting for her." Her eyes glinting wickedly as she spoke. An evil smirk adding to the already mad look upon her face that would send chills down anyone's back.

Sakura tensed her eyes narrowed as her grip on the plastic wall tightened. What did she mean by that? Was her mother in danger? She jumped slightly when she felt a hand resting upon her shoulder, squeezing it softly to comfort her a bit. Her grip loosened and inhaled a deep breath. She'd let her emotions control her again and if Kakashi weren't there she was sure she would have raced out of their hiding place and given the woman a proper beating. Not that that wasn't going to happen, far from it actually. She only needed to know the coordinates where Akira was being held or rather the base where she was held before she would slowly kill them, making them suffer for what they'd done to her and Akira's family.

"Ah sharpened your claws again have you?" Naoke asked, her tone not in the least bit impressed.

"Wish I could. No, Kaeden wants her to truly suffer and when we're done with her she'll be begging us to end her miserable life." Sayuri started laughing, clearly enjoying the thoughts racing through her head. Naoke however rolled her eyes annoyed, grabbing another cigarette and lit it. Taking a drag she sighed blissfully.

They talked awhile further about business and Sakura slumped against the wall, ignoring the confused gaze she earned from Kakashi with her action. Biting on her nail she thought how she could beat them without to much risk involved. There were probably far more enemy shinobi in the building, and it was only her and Kakashi here. They were pretty skilled fighters, they were members of the elite after all. But these guys shouldn't be underestimated. She didn't know anything of Sayuri's fighting style at all, not the mention the newly arrived leader of Infinity. Maybe a genjutsu would work, but now in their smaller forms, it could easily fail or probably not even affect them. So that was out of the question. She turned her head slightly upwards when she heard the name of her half sister again.

"So that little brat, is she taken care of yet?" The voice of Naoke reached her ears. Sakura stood up again, glancing out of the window. But since she missed the movement of Sayuri's head replying to Naoko's answer without words, she didn't know the answer.

"Well then at least her father won't be a problem anymore." Naoko snorted. "That's the exact reason why I don't like little brats or have my own."

"Yeah right, it's just because you can't get into lord's Kaeden pants yet!" Sayuri replied back.

She turned her head to look at the clock, seeing it was almost half past two. Grabbing some papers she stood up. "It's time we headed towards the base, the congress will start in two hours and it takes one and a half hour to get there.

Naoko nodded and began to make the seals to teleport away. Sakura's eyes widened when she realized if she didn't act soon, their chance to reach the main base would be slim to none. Jumping out of the window she did the best thing she could do, slamming an enchanted fist of chakra into the ground. Naoko stopped shocked turning around only to be slammed into the wall by a normal height pink haired shinobi.

"You!" Sayuri growled when she saw Sakura standing on the other side of the desk. Jumping over the low wooden barrier that kept them apart, Sayuri swung at Sakura who easily dodged her attack.

Sakura turned around rapidly, and felt something kick her ankle. Looking down quickly she smirked at the doll sized Kakashi stood there. Releasing the jutsu she placed upon him, there was now a normal Kakashi standing at her side. Standing back to back, kunai in their hand they watched their opponents.

Naoko rubbed her sore head, and stood up from the pile of books she'd fallen through. "Damn you've got quite a punch girl, impressive."

Cracking her neck she smiled a small smile. "It's been awhile since I've had a good workout. Maybe you can provide me with a real battle." And with that said she was gone in a matter of seconds.

Not a moment later she appeared at Sakura's side, striking down with her kunai. Sakura saw a flash of purple as her only warning and could block most of her attack but couldn't prevent the kunai cutting a small wound upon her shoulder. Wincing at the contact, Sakura drew back, her eyes watching as the woman disappeared before her eyes again. Expecting her attack, Sakura ducked when she saw a flash of purple once again, this time prepared and adjusting to her speed. Kicking a leg up she hit the purple haired woman in the stomach, sending her flying backwards with the force Sakura had put into her swing.

She heard Kakashi fighting Sayuri in the background, and as much as she wanted to help him he was on his own for now. But what she didn't expect was that the lights would be turned off suddenly. Sakura grunted as she felt a fist colliding with her jaw and a sharp sting in her lower abdomen quick after. She heard Kakashi yell her name and two strong arms caught her before she even reached the ground. Knowing that it was Kakashi relieved her a bit. Glancing up she saw the dark outlining on his silhouette, his patch yanked away and uncovering his sharingan eye.

A small laugh was heard and when the light when on again, Sakura blinked a few times and felt the cold steel of the kunai pressing against her throat. Looking up she stared at the chocolate eyes of Sayuri.

She didn't turn her head afraid that Sayuri would slit her throat at her movement. She still felt Kakashi behind her, but he was stiffer than usual. He probably also had a kunai aimed at his throat, ready to strike anytime should he make a wrong move.

Sayuri smiled mockingly while she stared into the green depths. "That was very foolish of you girl."

Sakura smirked back, tilting her head a bit upwards as she grinned at the woman. "You really think you have me huh?"

Sayuri's eyes narrowed and her smile faltered as her thoughts raced over the answer Sakura gave trying hard to get the meaning of it. "What do you mean, there's a kunai pressed against your throat."

Sakura laughed, leaning forward against the cold steel. "Oh I can feel that but do you really think it would stop me from this."

She looked up locking her eyes with Sayuri's right at that moment. Smirking she watched as her figure became limp before her, staring in her eyes all the while. The kunai slipped out of her hand and clattered onto the ground. She might not have a sharingan, but she could lock people into a genjutsu with her eyes just as well as any Uchiha could. Kurenai had taught her that. It took her a full four months to get it under her control, concentrating just the right amount of chakra into her eyes but she'd finally managed it. One mistake and she could have been blinded for life, but with her prefect chakra control it was mostly safe for her to attempt to learn it and it made it a whole lot easier too.

The moment Sakura saw her go limp, her hand flew upwards with lighting speed, grabbing the kunai with her bare hand from Kakashi's throat and yanking it away. Her breath hitched as it cut into her flesh. She ducked her head at the weak attempt to catch her off balance. Pushing her unharmed hand into the ground and kicking her legs up, felt the sick snap as the heel of her boot connected with Naoko's jaw as she flipped over, now standing on her feet.

Naoko grunted and grabbed her jaw, falling onto her knees. Her blue eyes glaring at her before the look vanished and they twinkled with amusement. "Not bad at all," She said hoarsely, a wicked grin upon her lips.

"Tell me where the main base is or I kill off your friend this instant," Sakura growled. But to her surprise Naoko started to laugh, sounding more like a rough cough at this point but a cold laugh none the same.

"You really think that bitch is important to me? Huh, as if! Go ahead, kill her. At least one thing that will have made my day more enjoyable."

Sakura raised her eyebrow confused at the woman and still kept on her guard. Knowing that Sayuri was still needed for interrogation of the much needed information she did the next best thing. Concentrating on the genjutsu she knocked the woman unconscious, causing the blonde to fall limply to the floor with a sick thud.

"You sissy, you didn't even kill her. Pity… thought I could have gone celebrating today."

"And what makes you think you would survive the day?" Kakashi asked, his tone dark the always used when he fought with the enemy.

Naoko laughed, smiling a bloodied smile at the two before her. "This…"

Before either could respond, a smoke bomb was dropped.

"Shit!" Coughing at the smoke, Sakura was relieved to find that it wasn't anything poisonous, just simple smoke that would thicken so much that you couldn't see a thing. It came in handy if you wanted to escape a tight situation just like the one they were in a few minutes ago.

She heard the door open, and Sakura struggled to get to the opening. A scream reached her ears, so familiar to her. And was quickly followed by a curse and then a hard thud. Having had enough of the stupid smoke hindering her eyesight she was about to summon a small whirlwind to make it disappear. But someone was already one step ahead of her.

"Ninja art, wind style, wind wave jutsu!" A male voice called out. Sakura squeezed her eyes shut and only opened them when the sudden wave of wind was gone. Opening her eyes she blinked surprised at the group before them.

"Seriously captain, you're getting rusty!"

To be continued...