A/N: Don't own Naruto. I hope to get some more reviews.
Sakura trained more than ever with Itachi to control her Sharingan. Her time was running out. Sasuke was still in that snake bastard's hold only the gods knew where. Two days pasted before they got any word on where the snake was hiding. She knew it was time to gather her allies. She stood before them on a platform staring out overt the gathering masses. Her eyes watched the gathering of familiar and unfamiliar faces of her allies. Some of them were speaking softly to their companions. Some were standing around waiting for someone to give the order to attack Sound.
"Ninjas of the old world," she called to gain everyone's silence.
Once she knew that she had everyone's gaze she continued to speak. She was glad that once upon a time she was the speaker for the Hokage and was well know among ally and enemy alike. "My friends, brothers and sisters, ninjas from the old world we are being called to arms once more to put down a threat that was never meant to come back. At times some of us never saw eye to eye, and we fought on opposite sides, but now new and old allies to the Leaf the forgotten ninja ways are needed again. Orochimaru has risen again to try to accomplish what he failed to do in the past, destroy all of his enemies. Brothers, Sisters we're here to wage war against the Sound."
She heard the gathering crowd whispering to one another. Suddenly a commotion was heard and someone was being dragged to the front towards her. Itachi was smirking and that was never good for anyone's health. He dragged a teen up on the platform and forced him to his knees with a kick to the back of the knee cap. His hands were bound behind his back. His head was lowered as if he were trying to hide something. Itachi grabbed his hair and yanked his head up causing the unsuspecting teen to yelp. Everyone gasped in confusion. He almost looked like Sasuke except for his oddly colored blue eyes and even if his eye were onyx she would still be able to tell the difference between the two.
"Is this the traitor Itachi?" she asked her soon to be brother.
"Yes, this is the traitor to the Uchiha family. His name is Kage."
"Shadow huh?" Sakura asked.
He looked up at her and glared at her. After dealing with both Uchihas of the past and present his glare didn't phase her in the least. "I'd imagine that glare is directed towards me simply because you're parents were hoping you could be half of what Sasuke was. And let me guess again this caused you to resent him and the Uchiha name because even you know that you'll be nothing more than his shadow."
Kage was about ready to lunge at her, but Itachi stopped him with a single motion of his hands. The movement sent the teen back to his knees. Itachi kept him down by putting a lot of pressure on his shoulder. "Now what was so important that you would rat out your own flesh and blood to that molesting snake?"
He was silent at her question, but his glare was still directed at her. Itachi squeezed his shoulder haired to get another yelp out of him.
"Remember something Kage," Itachi started. "Remember what I once was and know that I'm not beyond torturing you to find out where my brother is."
"It's all about you Sakura!" he snarled.
"Oh is that so?" she said in annoyance. "Let me guess you wanted me long before Sasuke came around."
"That's right," he sneered. "You were supposed to be mine, he promised."
"You were fighting a loosing battle Sasuke and I are meant to be, but what's sad is that you sold your life and soul to the devil for nothing."
"There's still time," he hissed. "Sasuke is probably under Orochimaru's curse by now and no longer you're Sasuke."
Kage started laughing like a lunatic. Sakura watched him curiously.
"Itachi get rid of him," Sakura told her brother.
"You realize once this is over you are in no position to order me around, and I'm doing this only because soon enough you'll be my sister-in-law."
"Gee thanks Itachi."
Turning her back on Kage she prepared to readdress the audience since this spectacle was over but Kage's dark hateful voice broke through the silence.
"You'll be mine one way or another Sakura."
"Keep dreaming Kage, I only belong to Sasuke."
"Do you really think that the Elders will allow you to marry him when they already arranged for him to marry Kaji?" he taunted.
Sakura just smiled at him. The people that knew he all too well gulped knowing that, that specific smile meant a lot of pain was coming to the receiver not that anyone would blame her.
"Kaji and Sasuke are no longer engaged, didn't you hear?" she asked softly. "Alexial and Kyouran wouldn't stand for them marrying when they knew for a fact that neither Sasuke or Kaji would be happy in their marrage."
"Those two are only a myth to scare children."
"Are they?"
"You're just trying to buy time."
Itachi leaned down and whispered into Kage's ear;
"Make no mistake Alexial and Kyouran exist and I'm sure they'd like to have a sparring match with you if you wish, and I suggest you be very afraid."
The older Uchiha had that smirk on his face again.
"How can I be afraid of something that isn't real?" he shot back.
"Itachi if you would be so kind as to dispose of this trash so that we don't have to listen to the poison that spews from him mouth, and maybe you can introduce him to the demons in our group."
Itachi was more than happy to drag the traitor Uchiha away to meet the demons he claimed not to exist. Sakura sighed softly knowing that mood that she'd stirred in her companions was a little ruined. She was sure that Kage's revelations about his workings with Orochimaru had made a lot of people angry.
"My brothers and sister are you ready to dace the Sound?"
There were many shouts of agreement. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she looked over the faces gathering once more. "All of you will be grouped together with a team leader. We leave for Sound in three hours. Do with the time what you will."
The group disbanded and headed wherever they were going. Alexial and Kyouran dropped gracefully down beside her.
"You did well Sakura," Alexial encouraged.
"Then why is Sasuke in Orochimaru's hold?"
"You have to have faith that Sasuke can fight whatever the snake throws at him. He did it once before, and he can do it again."
"Listen to Alexial Sakura, fate didn't place you two together just to rip you apart," Kyouran said.
"You sound like Neji talking about fate,' Sakura chuckled softly.
"Have you assigned teams and team leaders yet?" Kyouran asked seriously.
"Not yet."
"Let Kyouran and I do it Sakura you need to rest."
Sakura nodded her head. She gracefully headed towards the house. Going to their room she snuggled into their covers and buried her nose in his pillow and allowed their combined scents to lull her to sleep.
Meanwhile
Sasuke was forced to kneel with his back against a dirty stone wall. His hands were chained up above his head. Blood dripped from his new curse mark. They'd tried to make him like he was before, but he fought the call like nothing else. His fighting landed him in the dungeon. Resting his head against his arm he allowed his mind to fly elsewhere to a better place.
Sakura was in his arms and smiled beautifully up at him. His arms were wrapped around her waist. Leaning down he nuzzled her pale shoulder in affection. They were sitting on the back porch of the Uchiha compound staring out over his mother's garden. His fingers ran over her stomach absently knowing that one day their children would one day grow.
'I love you Sasuke-kun," she whispered softly and lovingly.
No words could escape his throat. Her gentle hands ran over his body in a soothing manner. She kept murmuring soothing nothings in his ears.
Sasuke was startled from his thoughts about a happy place by the sound of approaching voices. The Sharingan blazed to life in his eyes due to his harsh emotions. He wanted to be back in Sakura's arms. She'd sooth his hurts with her gentle chakra. The curse mark was starting to react to his high running emotions. He didn't want to have to resort to that to get back to her. The monster he was before was baying beneath the surface demanding blood. The door slid open making him flinch at the sudden brightness. Orochimaru smiled at him as he entered the room and shut the door.
"How do you like your new curse mark Sasuke-kun?"
"Go to hell Orochimaru," Sasuke hissed.
"I don't think so Sasuke-kun," the snake hissed. "You're going to work for me again."
"I rot in hell first!"
"That maybe sooner than you think, Sasuke-kun," the man said as he smirked. "Kabuto."
The silver haired medic nin came in with a deadly smirk on his face. Sasuke knew then and there that something bad was going to happen and it was probably going to force him to do something bad to his Sakura.
"Yes, Master Orochimaru?"
"You know what to do."
"Yes, sir."
Before Sasuke could even think to retaliate darkness swamped his vision.
Sakura shot up breathing heavily. The feeling of dread washed over her, and she knew it had to do with Sasuke. Someone was in the room with her. The shadowy figure moved towards the bed. Sakura was about ready to kick this intruders ass for even daring to come at her while she was sleeping. Then the person spoke making her frown in confusion.
"Easy mom," the man said.
"Sai?" she asked in confusion.
It was a bit unnerving that a man that was older than she was, was calling her mom.
"Yes mom it's just me. I take it you felt it too?"
"He's hurt," she whispered as her breath hitched.
"Dad will be all right Mom."
"Something's wrong with him, Sai."
"I know Mom but we'll get him back."
Sakura rose from the bed and headed towards the big bay window and placed her hand on the glass as she stared out over the darkness. The full moon bathed Sakura in its silvery glow giving her that ethereal glow. She looked so haunted. Sai now could see what his father fell in love with his mother as strange as that thought was to Sai. As much as he'd like to stand here watching his mother a woman he never got to know in the past he knew that time was up.
"Mom Alexial thought it best that I wake you up. It's almost time to head out."
Sakura nodded. Her eyes were still distance. Sai left his mother alone allow her to get ready for the battle to come. Sakura went to her dresser and pulled out the haori that Itachi had given her. Quickly she wrapped her breasts up in white chest bindings. Placing a black fish net shirt over her bindings she finally put on the black haori that bore the mark of her future family. She slipped into a pair of black pants and tucked the edge of the haori into her pants. Her black ninja sandals were slipped on. Going to the mirror in her room she brushed her long pink locks and then braided her hair. Kneeling down she picked up the case for her swords. Carefully she strapped the swords to her back. Looking around the room she tried to think if she'd forgotten something, but she hadn't. Her hands ran absently over Sasuke's head band that was still around her wrist. Sighing heavily she left her room to join her friends. Naruto was the first to greet her.
"Come on Sakura-chan lets get Teme back, once and for all."
Her teammates and fellow ninjas from the Leaf looked at her expectantly waiting for her orders she imagined. She smiled and shook her head.
"All right let's go guys!" she called out over the hushed din of the clearing.
Some ninjas leapt on ahead to lead the way. Kakashi placed a hand on her shoulder and gave and encouraging squeeze before leaping off. Knowing what she had to do Sakura followed her friends and allies towards the Sound where the final confrontation would finally begin and end hopefully in their favor.