Tsunade was startled out of a boredom induced nap when a small slug poofed into existence. Jerking upright she saw the small messenger squelch it's way closer.
"Tsunade-sama." It greeted, bending it's eye stalks in respect.
"You bring news from my apprentice?" she asked, skipping right to the point.
"Yes Tsunade-sama. It's quite troubling."
The slug then proceed to tell the blonde sannin about Sakura being driven from her secret location due to the Akatsuki finding her. Tsunade was brought up to date on Sakura's encounter with Anko, attempt to flee across the sea and her brief capture. Included in the message were details of her apprentices "visions", ailing back and instances of sleepwalking.
"Do you bring any good news?!" Tsunade exclaimed, having grown increasingly worried as the slug continued to list the series of devastating events that had befallen her apprentice.
The slug shrank back a little, intimated by her aggravation, but finally recited the little bit of good news it was given.
"Sakura-hime did mention she's been developing a new skill...one that involves weaving chakra. Oh, and she has strong suspicions that the respiratory poison was created by the Akatsuki member named Zetsu."
"Is that all?" the blonde raised her eyebrow, hoping there was more. Information on this Zetsu character perhaps or the proposed beginnings to an antidote yet to be found.
"No. She gave no further details. Only a request that I return with your advice on what she should do next."
"Did she reveal her location to you?" the Hokage pressed.
"I do not know her exact location, only that she was hiding deep in the woods."
Tsunade sat back in thought, her apprentice was suffering from some sort of infection on her back and deep psychological stress. It would be impossible for her to help if she didn't have direct access to Sakura in order to examine both ailments.
Her eyes drifted back to the slug awaiting it's orders in a little puddle of slime. One downside to slug summons, there was always a little mess involved. Her paperwork was often stained with the marks of her summons, something she still got flack for from Shizune.
She picked the slug up and set it on the ceramic plate sadly vacant of it's usual cup of sake. The Hokage grabbed the recently ruined scroll and tried to wipe off the snail residue with the corner of her sleeve. No good, that was just smearing the ink. She frowned at the now illegible text, hoping it wasn't anything too important. Giving a quick read she realized it was just a formal invitation to the international peace gala. Tsunade had received this invitation at least 9 months ago and now, with it being only four short months away, she still hadn't send a RSVP...that was it!
At this gala all persons of importance were invited, including the Kage's of every village and their chosen guests. The only way this was possible was a strict understanding that village politics be left at the door and peace was to be maintained for one night. It was actually a rather grand way to settle differences among leaders, several wars had been avoided in the past due to it's timely occurrence. Then again there had been some minor skirmishes caused because of it too...but that was only if someone got overly drunk and embarrassed themselves.
She could officially invite Sakura and claim it as an attempt to return her to Konohagakure. Ninja who where recently given missing nin status where often extended such an invitation from their previous Kage's, even though most understandably did not take up the offer. However when the stray ninja did show up it wasn't uncommon to negotiate conditions for acceptance back into the village.
In other words she could see and examine Sakura under a very believable guise. Who knows, the leaders from Wind would be there too, maybe they could have these assassination accusations repealed so her apprentice could return home.
Rather satisfied with her plan she called for Shizune. It was time to RSVP and send out her guest list.
(o)(o)(o)Three months later (o)(o)(o)
Sakura stretched her limbs, coming into consciousness and almost immediately knew something wasn't right.
The forest around her was deadly quiet, no chirping birds, humming insects or scampering squirrels. In fact the only thing she could detect was the overwhelming scent of blood.
She sat up, slow and cautious, only to see that there where bodies surrounding her.
Human bodies.
Sakura herself was completely naked, drenched in blood and nowhere near where she'd settled down to rest the night before
"Fuuuuuuuuuuck..." she hissed, only to find out that she also had an awful taste in her mouth. How...What the hell was happening to her? Where was she? Who where these people? Why did she...taste their blood?
This was all to much, she had to get away from here. Sprinting blindly forward Sakura allowed a few tears to escape. She simply couldn't do this on her own anymore, she need help. Over the grueling four months she'd spent in the forest completely isolated things had escalated. Every night she sleep walked, never knowing where she would wake up, which led to unbearable paranoia.
Not only was her mind failing but her body was deteriorating as well. Her back was no longer just irritated and bumpy, but sported eight protrusions, each about three inches in elongation. She had gradually discovered this as her shirt became increasingly difficult to put on or take off. No way was this some sort of allergic reaction to that tree Kisame had shoved her up against. The peace gala was still one month away but she couldn't wait any longer to see her shishou.
A sudden shriek of terror drew Sakura out of her thoughts. She stopped to assess the danger, eyes darting around wildly for it's source. There didn't seem to be anyone around except for a young female villager, out picking herbs as it would appear.
"I..I don't have anything! P-please don't kill me!" the girl begged.
Was she...did she think Sakura was the danger?
Sakura suddenly realized that she'd come barreling out of the forest towards this unsuspecting villager with hair in chaos, butt naked, smeared with blood, and undoubtedly wild-eyed. In other words she probably looked like a rabid wild thing, very akin to a potential danger. Just as Sakura was going to give verbal assurance that she meant no harm the girl's eyes drifted behind her, then widened even further in absolute terror. There was a violent impact to Sakura's head and the world became shadowed.