Insanity rise: Here is where the actual story really starts! Hopefully you will find this chapter much more interesting than the last one, and it will only get better! I wrote this like I would a book, that's why I explain everything in such detail (or at least try to) sorry if it is annoying. Anyway, I really hope you enjoy this story! I think this chapter sounds a little rushed though. Also, I'll explain a few things before people start getting insanely confused. The Eastern City is the base of Tsunade's realm; this city is actually a large fortress with four different outposts, one on each side of its large walls. The outposts each have a legion of troops ruled by a leading ninja (I'll get into that later) anyway, in the center of this huge fortress is a large underground bastion known as "Konoha" (thought I'd add that in somewhere) this is where Tsunade dwells mainly. I'll explain Orochimaru's place later when it comes into the story! Hope that cleared up any confusion! Thanks for reading! Please tell me if you like it!

Chapter two

Wanted…

It was around midnight when Kin awoke, jerking awake, finding herself drenched in a cold sweat. Her eyes were wide as she tried to steady her gasping breaths, the horrendous images from her nightmares still fresh in her mind. She could still see it, the faces of her lost companions, and she could still hear her own sobbing as she was left alone in darkness. Scolding herself, she laid back down, having no want to remember those dark hours. Ever since then she'd followed this lonely road, and ever since then her only true company had been the animals she met along the way. It seemed like in such a shadowy time, it was hard to trust any stranger, for it was believed that their were many traitors and bandits, all come for the pure purpose of bloodshed. To avoid such tragedies, people would often bar their doors; avoiding speaking with anyone they didn't know. Kin had been shunned away in many of the towns she'd visited, on a few cases even driven out, but she would not give up yet. Somewhere in this dark world, she knew her friends awaited her rescue, and she knew she had to save them no matter what. It was rather funny really; it was like her only purpose in life was to restore the life she'd once had, not even knowing if she'd ever be truly happy again.

Sighing, she closed her eyes, waiting for sleep to again take it's hold, but this was to be a sleepless night yet. Suddenly, the door burst open, Kin jumping up as a figure dashed into the room. The panting stranger slammed the door behind her, collapsing onto the ground in an exhausted heap. Kin gave her a funny glance, opening her voice to say something, wondering if she should scream or stay silent, alarmed by the sudden turn of events. The second the stranger noticed Kin they towards her, grabbing her and quickly shoving their hand over his mouth as to silence her. Kin choked with fear, wondering if this dark stranger's intentions were of radiance or sin. She did her best to get a look at the stranger, the seconds ticking by silently as besides the other person's strained gasps. She was a girl, and rather scrawny looking at that, she had long pink-colored hair that cascaded untidily down her shoulders and a scarred face, looking as though she was probably around Kin' age maybe slightly younger. The girl trembled in silence as though she was afraid to say anything, but as the moments ticked by she opened her mouth to speak.

"Please," she whispered softly to Kin, as though she wanted no one else to hear despite the fact that the room was empty besides them, "don't make a sound."

She sounded nervous, almost desperate, like she was begging not demanding.

"ANYONE IN THERE!" A loud banging issued from the other side of the door, while the sound of footsteps blended in. Kin froze, hearing the soft laughter of many other outside, wondering what was going on. The banging continued, sounding like someone was practically attempting to break down the door. The stranger trembled uncontrollably besides Kin, whimpering so softly that even Kin would barely hear her. Kin didn't dare try to break free, afraid whoever was behind the door was worse than being held by this girl, who so far seemed to have no criminal intent.

"I think its empty," another voice said from outside; Kin feeling herself quake with fear.

"Blast it," an angry voice growled, "where'd that stupid girl get too?"

"She must have went further down the hall," the other voice replied, sounding almost afraid.

"COME ON THEN, WE CAN'T LET HER GET AWAY!" The sound of footsteps began to grow more and more distant, proving the pursuers had left. Still the petrified girl sat in the darkness for a few seconds, being sure they were gone, praying she'd escaped their deadly chase. Sighing softly, she released her hold on Kin, smiling with relief and lying back against the wall. Kin shook her head, trying to understand all that had just happened. She turned to the pink-haired girl, wanting answers. The girl gave her a uneasy smile, like a child who had just been caught stealing from a cookie jar.

"Hello," she said shakily, "I can explain everything."

"I'm sure you can," Kin sighed, feeling almost angry but telling herself not to be cross, determined no to frighten the girl even more, "what is your name?"

"My…name," the girl's voice trailed off.

"I'm sorry where are my manners," Kin chuckled, trying to sound as friendly as possible, "I'm Kin Tsuchi." She held out a hand for the girl to shake.

"I'm Sakura Haruno," the girl took her hand and shook it shook it, sounding more confident realizing she had nothing to fear of this girl, "I'm dreadfully sorry about this but if I hadn't gotten out of there fast…"

"Why were those men after you," Kin asked, wondering if it was a good idea to ask such questions.

"It's a long story," Sakura sighed, "and it may take a while to tell…"

"That's alright," Kin smiled, "I always love a good story."

"Oh well," Sakura looked like she was trying to remember something, thinking of the beast way to explain, "you see, those men were with (whatever the sound village's other name is), they were after me because…You know their leader Orochimaru, well you see I've been a wanderer for the longest time and you can imagine with how tight money is nowadays I've had to steal on various occasions just to find something to call a meal. A while back in was staying in the city outside Orochimaru's fortress, where I was given a tip on something valuable that I might have been able to grab. Someone told me of a strange amulet that belonged to Orochimaru, they said it was worth nearly a million yen and it was claimed to be magic in some mysterious way. As you can imagine I though over this carefully and…" Sakura stopped, revealing a strange glittering stone from a chain around her neck, "I got it. But Orochimaru found out, and now I've got a bunch of ninja on my tail, looking to kill me! They nearly caught me tonight and when I found that this door wasn't closed I felt I had no choice but to hide in here, I'm so very sorry if I bothered you."

"It's no trouble," Kin giggled, "I would have done the same if I were in your shoes."

"No hard feelings," Sakura asked hopefully.

"Consider it forgotten," Kin nodded, suddenly yawning, "well it's getting late, I need to be getting back to sleep."

"Oh," Sakura looked down at the floor a sadness suddenly filling her eyes, "you see, I've been traveling alone for a very long time now…and it really is a terrible life on the run."

"Sakura," Kin already knew what the girl was asking, "why don't you travel with me, you see I'm…" Kin's voice trailed off, wondering if she should even ask, but she felt compelled to.

"I've been traveling too, I'm," Kin looked down at the floor, "searching for some friends I've lost."

"Who," Sakura cocked her head to the side, giving Kin a curious glance.

"There names are Zaku Abumi and Dosu Kinuta, I was separated from them a few weeks months ago," Kin sighed somehow knowing this girl knew nothing, "I;ve been asking everyone I meet…but it seems so hopeless."

"I'm sorry," Sakura sighed deeply, "but I've never heard of anyone by those names, I wish I could help."

"That's it," Kin beamed, an idea suddenly coming to her, "you could travel with me! I've been so long without anyone to talk too and you don't seem to have anywhere to go either."

"Would you really let me?"

"Of cour-"

"There you are you little thief," suddenly the door burst open, a shrill scream issuing from Sakura's throat. In the doorway, five cloaked figures stood, the only thing visible being the dark smirks on their faces. Sakura cried out again, cowering behind Kin as the other girl pulled a kunai knife from her pocket.

"Hand over that little bandit and you won't be harmed," the largest of the men demanded coldly, drawing a sword from his belt, this cold metal glinting from the light glow on the full moon's light from the window.

"Leave her alone," Kin growled, not wanting to fight but realizing she had no choice,

"Fine then," the man laughed, "I'll just have to kill you both then!"

"KIN," Sakura shrieked as the man lashed out with his blade, rushing at Kin. Kin leapt up and moved out of the way just as the sword came swinging by. She landed lightly on the wood floor, turning to face her opponent. The cloaked man smirked maliciously, more than ready to do away with the shaky girl. With a fierce cry Kin lunged at him, tossing the knife at his head. With another dark chuckle he slashed the knife aside with his sword, the sound of clashing ringing in Kin's ears as the knife fell to the ground.

"Foolish little girl," the man laughed, rushing at the now weaponless Kin. But Kin wasn't finished yet, not nearly. She nimbly jumped aside, sending the man toppling into the wall. Grabbing Sakura's hand she pushed her way through the other men, dashing down the hallway with terrified speed, her heart beat pounding in her ears. Sakura stumbled along as they rushed down the hall and into a large room, not stopping until they ran through the Inn's entrance. Panting, Kin ran out into the moonlight, searching about for her horse. Desperately her eyes darted through the darkness, but she saw nothing.

"Farleigh," she cried out, running to the fence post where she'd tied horse earlier. Kin gasped when she found what had become off her horse. On the ground lay a bloody mess, her precious companion's body stuck with numberless kunai knives. Kin had to look away, the blood seeping from the ugly wounds making her knees tremble as she tried to keep from feeling sick.

"What are we-?"

"Follow me," Kin cried, not even waiting to here the question she knew would be asked. Without a second thought she plunged into the trees, still clasping to Sakura's hand. Never looking back, she ran into the forest, feeling incredibly afraid as they stumbled through the growing darkness, swallowed by a consuming world of shadows…