Well hello everybody. I'm back again with the 49th chapter of 'The Reason for Existing'. I hope you guys will like it. I've changed the plot here from the canon so please don't yell at me for getting my facts wrong. I know what the Canon is all right? I'm just taking the story my own way! Anyways I hope you guys like it!


"Sacrifices?"

Konan couldn't believe what she was seeing. Her deft hands quickly fumbled through the dusty pages of the file which had spent years lying under Madara's storage cupboard.

"Impure World Resurrection: The Ten Tailed Beast? But…but…I thought the beast's chakra was in the Nine other beasts and the body in the moon. Then what is the need to resurrect it? This…why didn't Madara tell us?" thought Konan worriedly as she leafed through the pages.

"This jutsu developed by Tobirama Senju is considered one the nastiest jutsus's in the Shinobi World" read Konan in a low tone, "To perform this technique the user must have the DNA of the person they wish to revive. Only souls who reside in the Pure World can be re-summoned. Those that are sealed by the Death God for instance cannot be revived. A living sacrifice must be used as a vessel to revive the soul. Once all prerequisites for the technique have been met, the acquired DNA of the person is smeared on a special scroll and once the scroll is activated, the remains spread out in the form of a special seal with the living sacrifice in the centre. Then dust and ash encases the sacrifice's body, giving them the same appearance that the revived had at the time of their death."

Konan looked up as her eyes grew large with utter shock.

"DNA. Madara has DNA of all the members of the Akatsuki, taken when we sealed the seven tailed beasts. Sacrifices. A list of people he can use to sacrifice. The Ten Tailed…..Oh no! T-this can't be! W-why? W-why?" thought Konan as she dropped the file on the floor and ran out of Madara's room.

She ran with all her might to get the shocking news to Pain.

"I have to tell Nagato. He'll know what to do. That…that monster. He's been using us all the time. Every member of the Akatsuki has been used all for his disgusting purpose of taking over the world! I have to tell Nagato" thought Konan when suddenly an orange mask appeared before her.

Coming to a sudden halt Konan hurriedly fixed her face and dearly hoped her anger and shock did not register on her face.

"My, my, Konan. Where are you going in such a hurry" asked Madara in a smooth voice.

"Oh…well. I just remembered something I had to tell Nagato before he, umm, leaves for his daily scouting everyday. Now if you'll excuse me…" Konan tried to get past him but Madara blocked her path.

"I thought Nagato went on those rounds only at night when the public is asleep?" he asked coolly.

"Yes well, he decided to change…"

"Snooping in other people's rooms is not something I'd expect from someone as dignified and sophisticated as you Konan" said Madara in a voice which sent shivers up Konan's spine.

"I…I have no idea what you're talking about" said Konan backing away slowly.

"I don't like snoops Konan. I don't like anybody snooping around in my room without my permission I'm sure you know what I'm talking about" said Madara as his single eye gleamed red with the Sharingan.

Konan gulped once and then suddenly she burst into thousand pieces of paper and before Madara knew it his chest had been pierced with a huge paper knife infused with Konan's chakra.

"Very nice try Konan dear, however if you think you can defeat me with you're pieces of paper then there's no bigger fool in this entire world" said Madara as he disappeared around the knife and appeared behind Konan.

Konan turned and threw five exploding tags at Madara which before they could detonate were sucked in by Madara's Space-Time Jutsu.

Konan was kicked forward and crashed with the wall. Her head began bleeding as she saw double. Before she knew it Madara's hands were on her neck. His one eye glaring at her. He must have sensed her fear because she could feel it in his chakra. He was going to kill her.


Silence reigned over the cave where Itachi and Sakura had rested for the night. Itachi after his unhappy outburst seemed horrified at revealing such a weak side of himself to a mere kunoichi from Konoha had quickly reverted back to his cold, killer mode and had ignored Sakura for as long as the pinkette could bare it.

"How long do you think this poison will last?" she asked feeling her stiff arms and legs with a wince.

"Ask its maker"

"Umm, do you think we might have any food?"

"I could think its Thanksgivings today and there is a huge turkey sitting in front of me but that doesn't count now does it?"

"You don't have to be mean"

"You don't have to act like a foolish little airhead. You give kunoichi in general a bad name" said Itachi as Sakura's wild temper rose and Inner Sakura screamed with rage.

"Why that incorrigible male chauvinist pig. How the hell did I ever think he was sexy? I'm so going to punch the living daylights out of him. Lemme at him. Lemme at him, I say." Screamed Inner Sakura.

"Oh just shut up for now. I don't know why he's acting like this" thought Sakura as Itachi got up.

"Where're you going?" asked Sakura.

"To have a bath, why, interested?" asked Itachi smirking as Sakura turned red and screamed, "Why the hell would I be interested, you pervert!"

Itachi walked out pretending to cover his ears and soon found a small natural pool near the cave.

"Good thing I found this natural hot pool yesterday" he thought as he stripped off his Akatsuki cloak, shirt and pant and lowered himself in the steamy water.

He placed his arms on the rock and let out a large sigh of comfort as his aches and pains from the battle with Sasuke began diminishing thanks to the warm water.

"Well, well, aren't we feeling rather comfortable today?"

Itachi's relaxed eyes snapped open as he glanced around suspiciously through the mist and his eyes came to rest on a lone figure sitting on the opposite rock which was slightly above the water level. The person in question was dipping their legs into the water and was swinging them around.

"Ah, Takigawa-San. May I ask just how long you've been sitting there in the steam?" asked Itachi with his usual calmness but a hint of irritability in his voice.

"Oh long enough. Don't worry though. I won't tell anybody about what I saw. But I've got to hand it to you Uchiha-San, who would've imagined you'd be… ahem, well I guess I really shouldn't mention it now should I?. Heh, heh, heh."

Itachi had the uncontrollable urge to strangle the very life out of the most incorrigible woman sitting on the rocks and dipping her feet in the water and commenting on his…private parts.

"Have you nothing better to do than sit here gawking at things which you shouldn't?" asked Itachi coldly.

"Oooh, do I sense a note of anger? Don't worry Uchiha-San; I can assure you I'm carrying out my job. It may seem to you that I'm a peeping Tommy who wishes to see more of well, men so to say, but my job as instructed by the Leader is to locate Itachi Uchiha and drag him back to the Headquarters dead or alive. And I'm sure we both know that after that astounding but rather unnecessary fight with your otoutou your energy levels couldn't match a rabbit, it would be in your best interest to come quietly, get my point?" asked Akane getting up.

"Yes" replied Itachi shortly as Akane smiled.

"Splendid. Sasori-San has gone to check up on Little Miss I-So-Hate-The-Akatsuki. He says a rather powerful side effect…"

"Has already gripped Sakura. I'm sure Sasori-San is more than capable of removing it which is more than what can be said for you" said Itachi coldly.

"Tosh" replied Akane rudely before grinning cheekily, "I say Itachi-San, and wouldn't it be rotten if somebody stole your clothes now? Rotten for you I mean. So many girls would love to see your naked goodness wandering on the streets with…"

Itachi's mind filled with panic as he groped around for his clothes and to his relief he found them where he left them, undisturbed.

"I was just kidding. Anyways I'm going back up to the cave. Do join us in a few minutes won't you?" asked Akane sweetly before trotting back to the cave.

Itachi cautiously rose out of the water and grabbed his clothes but to his horror he found his underwear shredded in the front and his cloak with smiley faces drawn all over it in permanent black ink. Grabbing them both he sank back into the water swearing vengeance as he heard Akane's cunning laughter up from the cave.

Akane entered the cave to find Sakura shivering in her undergarments while Sasori inspected her carefully with an annoyed expression on his face.

"Well we meet again do we? Funny, our always meeting like this when you're attempting to escape" said Akane lightly as Sakura scowled at her.

"You're a fool Sakura Haruno, do you know what would've happened if I hadn't turned up right now? Another two or three hours and you would've goner into a vegetable state, unable to move any part of your body, if the poison had reached your brain your entire body's functioning would stop. And you call yourself a medical ninja" scoffed Sasori.

Sakura glared at him, "I'm a medic, I deal with the solution of the problem. I don't deal with poisons"

"Fool, how do you expect to find the solution if you don't know what the problem is? Can you tell the answer is 4 without knowing the question is 2 + 2+ =?" asked Sasori.

"Moreover Sakura I'm surprised you're not more knowledgeable about poisons. I've heard you've taken training from Shizune, Godaime Hokage's apprentice. I heard she specializes in poisons and…"

"Ah, Shizune. No wonder you managed to escape my poison. You've got an antidote from her haven't you? Or from the Godaime Hokage perhaps? Akane! Strip her and search everywhere. The leader will not tolerate any more mistakes" said Sasori sharply as Sakura gave him a look of horror.

"Hey wait, I'm not going to let you strip me!" said Sakura as Akane towered over her.

"Why not? Oh of course, you'd prefer if Uchiha-San did it right? Unfortunately he's a little occupied right now otherwise I'm sure he'd be delighted to oblige, but for now…" Akane's tone became hard, "You'll have to make do with me"

She turned to Sasori, "Konan-San sent along a new cloak for Uchiha-San, give it to him will you? He's bathing at the pond nearby" said Akane throwing a new cloak over to Sasori who grumbled.

"Why must I listen to your orders woman?" he asked grumpily as Akane smiled, "Because I'm otherwise occupied you silly puppeteer. Now take that cloak and get lost"

As Sasori gave her a death glare and trudged out Akane smiled evilly at Sakura.

"Now, you can be a good little girl and take your underwear off. Or I can be a bad little girl and tear them off. The choice is completely yours I assure you. But you've got only 1 minute to answer" said Akane with her hands on her hips.

"She probably will tear my undies off if I don't co-operate. I'd better do it myself" thought Sakura as she slowly stood up and turned around and began taking off her bra.

"There's a good girl." Said Akane, her sharp ears picking up the sound of the two men coming closer. "Why not give the boys a little show?" she thought wickedly as Sakura began taking off her panties. A small vial containing a thick black liquid fell onto the floor.

"Hmm, they're almost here now," thought Akane as she spoke aloud, "Okay Sakura now turn around so I can see if you're not clutching anything in the front"

Sakura reluctantly turned around and at that moment Akane slid away revealing a red-faced Sasori and a impassive Itachi staring at her.

Sakura gave a scream and clutched at her chest before turning and running away towards the back of the cave. Akane burst into an immense attack of mirthful laughter as Sasori and Itachi merely stared.

"Oh my god that was superb. The look on your faces hee, hee, ha, ha" cried Akane as she rolled on the cave floor.

Not knowing what to do Sasori stepped forward and picked up the small black vial that had slipped out from Sakura and opened it carefully. Taking a careful sniff he took the vial and crushed it with his hand spraying the black liquid everywhere.

"Poison, when mixed in water or any liquid puts the consumer permanently to sleep. Made by the Godaime Hokage I should think" said Sasori quietly as Akane stopped laughing and got up.

Sakura came back after fifteen minutes looking pointedly away from the two men and glaring daggers at Akane who sent her back a wink.

"Right now that we're all ready we should head back to base. Uchiha, you are aware I'm sure, of the consequences of your actions?" asked Sasori.

Itachi nodded.

"And you Haruno. This is the third or fourth time you have attempted to escape the Akatsuki. You will be heavily punished for this" said Sasori darkly as Sakura felt a shiver going down her spine.

"Oh quit it with the threatening Sasori-San and let's go. We've got a long way ahead and very little time" said Akane cheerfully as the other three glared at her for their own reasons.


In Madara's dimension Sasuke sat meditating quietly as Zetsu appeared out of the ground.

"Hmm, do you know why Madara summoned us here Sasuke-Kun?" asked White Zetsu.

"No"

"Answer properly when we talk to you insolent boy" growled Black Zetsu.

"Now, now Zetsu, there's no need to be violent. I apologize for summoning you here on such short notice. And you too Sasuke." Said Madara appearing out of nowhere with a body wrapped up in bandages on his shoulder.

"What's that?" asked Sasuke slowly opening his eyes.

"Unfortunately Konan snooped around and caught hold of something she shouldn't have seen. You're aware of my plans for the Sacrifices aren't you Zetsu?" asked Madara as Zetsu nodded.

"It seems she realized it after reading a folder which I foolishly left lying under my drawer. How she got into my room I don't know as of yet" said Madara.

"And so you killed her?" asked Sasuke quietly.

"No, as you'll probably know in a few weeks a sacrifice for the ritual needed to resurrect the Ten-Tailed Beast needs to be alive. I've merely placed her mind in a trance and disabled her chakra system so she'll be in a vegetable state which can be cured only by an experienced healer. Now, Zetsu, things are getting out of hand. Sakura Haruno and Itachi have disappeared. Takigawa has already declared her disloyalty to me. Nagato is beginning to waver in his resolve as well. And finally there's Itachi" said Madara as Sasuke lifted his head just an inch.

"Your previous fight with Itachi went rather well. However you should know that Itachi fought at only 3/4th of his power. At his full power he would be a tough match even for me" said Madara as he lay Konan's paralyzed and unconscious body into a wooden coffin which immediately burst into smoke and disappeared as soon as the lid closed.

"What are your orders Madara-Sama?" asked White Zetsu.

"Zetsu, you are to keep a close watch on Nagato. He's not someone I wish to go up against at this stage. Also make sure to isolate Takigawa from Sasori at the first opportunity. Sasuke, I have a rather special job for you and your little group. If you wouldn't mind leaving us Zetsu, I'd rather be alone while telling Sasuke his mission" said Madara as Zetsu nodded and sunk back into the ground.

"Sasuke, your job is a rather delicate one at this point. You see I need Itachi for a specific job after which I can leave him for you to kill," said Madara as his Sharingan glowed scarlet in the darkness.

Unknowingly to Sasuke an intricate and complex Genjutsu began weaving itself around him.

"And what would that be?" he asked.

"The girl, Sakura Haruno is infatuated with you. I would like you to seduce her and with the help of your gang, bring her to me" said Madara.

"And of what use is Sakura to you?" asked Sasuke, his vision becoming slightly blurry.

"Where Sakura Haruno goes, Itachi goes too. The girl will serve as bait. To lure in Itachi Uchiha" said Madara as Sasuke's vision diminished.


I'm terribly sorry for the 2 month delay. I had placed this story on temporary hiatus. Hopefully I'll be able to completely resume it as usual. I don't expect any reviews for these last two chapters but I still hope you liked reading them. Thank you and see you next time!