Opposite of the Opposite

Yay! Another chapter! I tried to make it a bit longer this time, hope you guys enjoy it!

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After a few passing days, the news of the whereabouts of Haruno Sakura had wormed its way throughout the village. The thought of an s-class traitor capturing one of their very own young ninjas had quite an effect on the town. Questions about the safety of the rest of the nins were repetitively being asked about to Tsunade, which made her that much more cranky.

"I'll go and find Sakura!" Naruto offered loudly.

"No. Absolutely not, Naruto!"

"C'mon old lady! I can handle it!"

"This is a s-class criminal we're talking about! And I'm NOT OLD!" Tsunade huffed; Naruto always knew precisely how to strike one of her nerves.

"Hmph. Fine! But you better send some ANBU to go get her," Naruto replied.

"Yes, yes, I'm worried too! I'm going to send some out promptly."

But how naïve the Hokage was. The Naruto Uzumaki, backing down just like that?

Psh, like that would ever happen.

As the blond boy exited her office, he had already started to calculate and formulate a plan which he called, 'Mission: Get Sakura away from Bastard-Uchiha.'

He grinned mischievously…

He would leave tonight.

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After those couple of days, a huge weight had been lifted off Sakura shoulders. It seemed that the controversy between Itachi and Kisame had died down and now the sharkman wasn't randomly beating her to pulp whenever he spotted her. Overall, she had gotten a fractured wrist, cheekbone, and numerous cuts and wounds; all which she had managed to mend, though it still left dark and grim bruises on her pale skin from the impact.

But her general status wasn't doing too well either. To keep her dignity intact, she had refused any food from the Uchiha prodigy; it just didn't feel right to accept things from an enemy of Konohagakure.

That and it was probably drugged too, she told herself resentfully.

GAH! Eat something, woman! I'm starving! Inner Sakura grumbled, which sounded more like a snarl.

"Well, it's not like I'm not hungry, either!" Sakura snapped. She punched her stomach lightly.

A grumble came from her belly as if it were replying to her somewhat violent act.

"Whatever. Time to find some food," she mumbled grumpily. Sakura hauled herself over to the door then scowled as the knob wouldn't budge.

Grr.. He just had to lock the door, eh?

The nin kicked the door in frustration, and, if to mock her feeble attempt, it jabbed into her bare foot. She cursed roughly under her breath. It wasn't enough to bruise, but it was sufficient to have her hopping around in pain for a few minutes.

Out of the blue, a wave of nausea over took the young kunoichi. The lack of nutrients, sleep, and injuries she had undergone were probably the reasons why. She was able to stumble over to the small bed before she collapsed.

"This really isn't my day," was all she was able breathe out, then drifting into the luring darkness, which for a moment even seemed soothing.

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The captive woke up gradually when a surprisingly warm hand placed itself on her forehead. "Wha…ah.." Sakura mumbled incoherently. At first, it had been intended to come out as 'what happened' but her mouth didn't seem to want to cooperate.

"Itachi! That Naruto kid has entered the perimeter," she heard Kisame call out.

Huh?

Itachi, who was sitting beside the half-lidded Sakura immediately rose and left the room.

Naruto? Dobe! They're going to capture you! Don't get any closer!

She wished that her inner ramblings could be turned into actions, or somehow told to the advancing blond, but of course, nothing changed.

I have to get up!

That was the only thought in her mind as she wearily pushed herself into a sitting position. Bad idea. The queasiness instantly returned and she cringed in inexplicable and searing pain.

But she couldn't let her obnoxious blue-eyed buddy get hurt, could she?

So, in a flash of determination, Sakura staggered out of her bed, and then used the walls as a railing to hold her body which threatened to collapse at any time up. Eventually, the hostage reached the door which had been left open in Itachi's hastiness.

A seemingly endless hallway lay on the other side of it.

Each step she took made her headache worsen and a sharp pain would shoot up her trembling form, since her entire body ached. But the thought of protecting one of her fellow Konoha nins was her motivation, and after dozens of twists and turns, found the exit to exterior.

Just as Sakura reached the frame of the exit, the voice of Itachi sounded," Where are you going, kunoichi?"

"I'm going to help my friend," she hissed bitterly. Although he wasn't the one to blame for her starving, she couldn't help but shove the blame on to the Uchiha.

"Wouldn't you rather return to Konohagakure? You'll be sent back once we capture your friend," Itachi replied.

Sakura froze. Return to Konoha?

The faces of all her friends who resided there flashed into her mind. It she stayed with him, who knows how long she wouldn't be able to see them.

Wait! What are you thinking? You're going to trade Naruto's freedom for your entrapment?

Her face hardened. "I'd rather have him back and safe in Konoha," she paused," And who knows if you'll keep that promise, anyways?" her voice indignant.

"I admire your loyalty.. But it's not worth it," was his response. He even seemed quite amused.

Sakura clenched her teeth together to prevent blurting out any retorts, which could cost her.

His eyes suddenly darted upwards and he disappeared in a flash.

Naruto must be close by!

Adrenaline rushed through her body as she sprang up onto a nearby branch. Despite the immense pain, she told herself she could scream into her pillow afterwards, in turn for all she was currently going through.

I don't know what they want Naruto for.. But they're not going toget him!