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Chapter Four:

Rescue

Tsunade slammed her fists down on her desk. "She WHAT?" her voice was loud enough to shake the whole room.

Sasuke merely closed his eyes, his mouth set in a thin line, wearing his usual stoic expression. "She left." He repeated after a moment.

There was a long agonizing silence that followed before there came a knock on the door.

"Yo…" came a casually lazy voice.

Sasuke's head came up at the sound of his former sensei's voice. "You're late." He muttered, not at all surprised.

Kakashi entered soberly, offering only an apologetic nod in the Hokage's direction. "You wanted to see me Tsunade-sama?" He asked.
Tsunade's head dropped into her hands. It was a perfect way for her to hide the tears swelling in her eyes. "Sakura has gone missing." She said softly. Sasuke watched Kakashi's reaction. There hardly was one.

"I thought something like this would happen." Kakashi said quietly after a moment.

Sasuke's head jerked in his former sensei's direction. "You mean you actually expected her to leave!" He nearly shouted.

Hatake Kakashi looked at Sasuke. "More or less. She's been trying to deal with what's happened in her own way. I only had only hoped that she wouldn't decide to follow your path, Sasuke."

Sasuke was beyond confused at this point, but he was too angry to care. "What the hell are you talking about?" He snapped, still angry at getting bested by his former teammate in his first ever match against her the night before. "And what's this crap about her following my path? I know that she left Konoha to find Orochimaru, but I don't know why!"

Kakashi sighed deeply and rubbed the back of his neck, looking to Tsunade to give the explanation.

"Sakura's parents were brutally murdered on their last mission." Tsunade began, her eyes growing bright with tears of empathy for her student. "They were captured by a man named Kabuto. I'm more than positive you remember him. It was about six months before your return." Tsunade said, looking Sasuke dead in the eye. "We weren't fully sure for a while if you were involved in the Haruno's murder, since this was before you came back to us. We received a sick sadistic message from my former teammate, gleefully telling about the demise of two of Konoha's weak Nins."

Sasuke flinched. So that's why she was almost ready to kill me last night. She thought that I had something to do with killing her parents…

"Anyways," Tsunade continued, rolling up a scroll on her desk and running her sleeve across her eyes. "The Haruno's were disarmed and held prisoner for a while, Kami knows how long he tortured them. Orochimaru was hell-bent on finding out Sakura's whereabouts. When her parents refused to say anything, Orochimaru had Kabuto execute them."

Sasuke's eyes widened and his chin dropped to his chest. Anger and hatred built up inside his heart. He tore his eyes away from the floor. He still had one question that hadn't been answered. "So why was Orochimaru after her? I never knew any of this." He said, angrily crossing his arms. Tsunade's eyes narrowed. "You weren't here when my sick former teammate tried to make a deal with me. He promised that my lover and my little brother's lives would be restored if I would heal the damage our former sensei, sandaime, did to his arms."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed. So I guess he did know that I would betray him then… He thought. Tsunade continued. "I refused, after I realized that if I did heal him I would be betraying Konoha. I'm sure Naruto has filled you in on that battle." Sasuke nodded slightly. "So why is he after Sakura?" He asked again, still not getting the response he sought. "Sakura is my apprentice, Uchiha. She's the top medic-Nin in Konoha, after me. Can you not piece this together on your own? I thought you were supposed to be the Uchiha Genius." Sasuke frowned, his mind already working out the solution. He ignored the Hokage's sarcasm.

"He wanted her to come after him." He said after a moment, looking back up at Kakashi and Tsunade, his eyes had changed to Sharingan. "He sent that message in attempts to lure her out of Konoha on a hopeless quest for revenge. And you just let her walk out of here and right into his hands!" He screamed, already turning towards the door.

"UCHIHA!"

Sasuke froze for a split second, his hand already on the doorknob. "I know that this is a sensitive topic for you. But we had no choice but to tell her. Her parents had already been gone a month longer than they should have for this mission. It originally was just a recon mission before we were going to come and try to pull you out of there." Sasuke's heart shot up into his throat. So it's my fault. He thought, his stomach churning. He suddenly felt as if he were going to be sick.

"Do not doubt my apprentice's abilities. She was able to knock you out, one of Konoha's top elite ninjas, by using one of the oldest tricks in a medic's book." Tsunade said, recovering her composure. She eased herself back into her chair, closing her eyes.

"I'm going after her." Sasuke said, his eyes narrowing on Tsunade, as if darkly daring her to refuse him. "I will not sit here while she is in danger. This whole thing is my fault as it is."

Tsunade opened her eyes, leaning back in her chair. She was silent for a moment and her gaze reverted to Kakashi, who was staring at Sasuke dubiously. Apparently Sakura isn't the only one who's grown. She thought.

"Uchiha Sasuke." She said, looking back at him. His dark gaze met her almond one. "You are being placed as the head of the recon and retrieval team." Tsunade said. "If Sakura has really gone to Orochimaru's, then you're the best man for the job to lead us to them."

Sasuke bowed his head, hiding the huge look of relief on his face.

You'd better bring her back alive, Uchiha. Tsunade thought dangerously.

Suddenly, the door to her office burst open, and Yamanaka Ino charged in, tears streaming down her cheeks and a note clutched tightly in her fist. She was breathing hard, which only made her cry harder. It was evident that she'd run straight there from someplace. Ino's knees gave out and she sank to the floor.

"What is it Ino-chan?" Tsunade asked, immediately coming around the desk and placing her hands on the young kunoichi's shoulders. Ino shakily unclenched her fists, releasing the note. Ignoring the room's other two occupants; Ino drew a shaky breath, and began to read:

Ino-pig,

I'm going after the bastards who killed my parents and destroyed my Sasuke-kun. Please don't follow me, as where I'm going I'm likely to-to- Ino choked on her words. …likely to be killed. I won't stop until all members of Orochimaru's and Akatsuki are dead. Tell Sasuke-kun that I love him, like he'll really give a shit, and tell Tsunade-sama that I love her like I loved my mother.

Have a great life Ino-chan. Aisheteru.

Sakura

Ino choked on Sakura's name, barely able to compose herself any longer. Tsunade pulled her into a tight embrace, letting the young kunoichi cry freely. She looked up at Sasuke, giving him a look that clearly said: Bring her home. He nodded before looking over at Kakashi. Kakashi stepped forward, offering to take Ino from Tsunade, but she just shook her head no. "Uchiha, your team will leave at nightfall—"

"Hokage-sama?" Ino interrupted, trying desperately to regain her composure. Tsunade's almond gaze met Ino's watery blue one. "I-I would like you to assign me to this mission. Sakura is my best friend. I want to do something." She said, wiping her eyes furiously, and drawing in a deep but still shaky breath. "Please." She said, swallowing hard and narrowing her eyes, showing that she was serious. Tsunade sighed, looking up over Ino's shoulder at Kakashi. He nodded silently, closing his one visible eye. Sasuke saw the exchange and narrowed his eyes. "Tsunade-sama, are you positive that this is a good idea?" He asked, looking at Sakura's best friend warily. Ino shot him a warning look. "I want to help." She said defiantly.

Tsunade sighed as she stood. "It is decided then. Yamanaka Ino, you will be under the command of Uchiha Sasuke. The both of you will be with a team of ANBU Nins. Your team leaves tonight. Go prepare yourselves."

"Hai, Hokage-sama." Sasuke said, exiting immediately.

"Arigatou Tsunade-sama." Ino said, bowing gratefully, before she too, departed.

Night was fast approaching and she'd been traveling all day. She had to use some of her chakra to heal the damage done in her fight with Sasuke the night before. Her shoulder still ached, but it was pain that she could deal with. Sakura had been running, never stopping, for the majority of the day. She had to get to Orochimaru's by the next day. She couldn't risk Tsunade sending an ANBU team after her.

She'd made it to the edge of Sound country, thanks to her dedicated trip. She stopped just outside the mountains that concealed the Hidden Village of the Sound. She found a perfect place to camp out for the night. It was right next to a hot spring, from which she would gain some cover from the steamy mist rising from it. She pitched camp and ate a quick dinner of the food that she'd brought along. She took a quick dip in the hot spring, easing her tired muscles, and using the warmth of the water to relax her mind. She hadn't been in the best mindset when she'd left Konoha, and her confrontation with Sasuke hadn't left her in better spirits either.

Getting out of the water, (she'd started to doze off) she snuggled into her sleeping bag, falling asleep almost instantly.

Sakura woke up early the next morning feeling completely refreshed and regenerated. She packed up her camping gear, and hid it behind a tree near her campsite. She would need to remember this place for the way back. She wouldn't need her pack where she was going.

It was midday by the time she reached Orochimaru's. Her almost perfect memory came through for her and she found his complex without much trouble at all. She slipped a kunai from her holster and snuck through the entrance. She failed to notice four figures all dressed in black and red hiding near the entrance, watching her every move.

Sakura recognized the layout of the building, as it was vaguely familiar from when she, Naruto, and Ero-Sennin had infiltrated it several years before…

Red Sharingan eyes watched the pink-haired kunoichi sneak into Orochimaru's stronghold.

"There is a useful distraction. Itachi, keep and eye on her. We must move quickly to kill the Snake Sannin and the Leaf traitor called Kabuto." A deep gruff voice muttered in his headset.

"Hn."

Sakura crept along the shadows, moving as silently as she could. Down the corridor ahead, she saw movement and her heart raced. As she moved closer, she could hear and soon decipher voices. Her teeth gritted tightly and red flashed in front of her eyes, her heart going murderous as she heard Orochimaru's voice.

"She's my last hope Kabuto." He was saying. "She was trained well by Tsunade-chan, and since my former teammate has nothing precious to lose, it is only logical that her apprentice is now my target. She still, even after all this time, has something to lose."

"And what might that be, Orochimaru-sama?"

Orochimaru's sick green eyes smiled and he turned to look directly in Sakura's direction. "Her life." He responded.

Sakura's heart raced with fear for an instant, but then her fear turned to anger. Her hands began trembling with the surging adrenaline coursing through her now rigid-still body.

"Why don't you face me like a true Shinobi Sakura, instead of cowering, hiding from me like a child?" Orochimaru taunted.

A defiant snarl escaped Sakura's lips. Another kunai was in her hand instantly and she pumped chakra into her legs, making her speed even faster now that she'd trained with Lee.

With a silent swish of his cloak, he appeared in the shadows of the room, almost directly behind his intended target, Orochimaru. His mission was to wipe out the Snake Sannin, but this young kunoichi would prove to be a worthy distraction. He smirked as he pulled three shuriken in between the fingers of his left hand.

He recognized the kunoichi when she turned to face Orochimaru in the light of the candles.

It was Haruno Sakura of Konoha.

FLASHBACK

Eight-year old Haruno Sakura tore through the forest at top speed, wincing in pain from her broken ribs and bloodied up legs. Her matted hair flew behind her and her tears mixed with the blood from her nose and lip, and the nick in her cheek caused by a sharp rock thrown at her face. The blood and tears mixed giving it a salty, coppery taste as it fell into her mouth. Sakura spit disgustedly. She collapsed on the ground, shaking as tears and cries raked her body.

13-year old ANBU Itachi was patrolling the borders when he stumbled upon the young kunoichi-to-be. She was curled up next to a tree, knees pulled painfully up to her chin, and tears streaming down her bloodied face.

The elite ninja approached her quietly and knelt before her. "What are you doing out here so late and alone?" He asked softly. Sakura had lifted her head and flinched when she saw his face. "I-I..." she stuttered fearfully. Was she in trouble? ANBU had been sent out to retrieve her? Would Sandaime lock her up for being outside Konoha's gates this late at night? Sakura began trembling in fear. Itachi's dark eyes narrowed and he gently pulled her to his chest, holding the young girl in a soft, safe embrace. Sakura's trembling ceased almost instantly. "What happened to you?" Itachi kept his voice soft, soothing. Much in the same way that he spoke to his younger brother, Sasuke. Sakura lifted her eyes to face her savior. "Th-the other k-kids, t-they w-were b-b-beating me u-up bu-because m-my f-f-forehead is t-too b-big." Sakura's eyes filled with tears again.

Itachi frowned, and his gloved hand brushed her tears gently from her face. "You're going to be ok now Sakura." He said softly. He picked her up and carried her back into the village.

"Itachi! Where have you—" His father shouted as the ANBU Nin entered the Uchiha Mansion. Itachi cut him off with a sharp look. Sakura had fallen asleep in his arms. Itachi took her to a guest room, where he cleaned and dressed her wounds. He did his best to be gentle as he set and wrapped her broken ribs. Sakura woke, crying softly in pain as he finished wrapping the bandages over her torso. "Where are your parents?" He asked, pulling one of Sasuke's shirts over her head. "A-away on a mission. They're supposed to be gone for another whole month." Sakura replied gloomily.

Too busy for their eight-year old daughter? Itachi's frown deepened. Just then, eight-year old Sasuke entered the room. His eyes met his brother's and he nodded acknowledgement before looking at Sakura. He eyes widened and she whispered, "Sasuke-kun…" Itachi smirked. So this girl had a crush on his little brother? "Niisan, Okaasan told me to let you know dinner is ready." He said, coming to stand by his brother's side. "Hai, Sasuke. Take care of this girl." Itachi said, getting up and ruffling his younger brother's hair in a big-brotherly fashion. Sasuke smiled. "Hai Niisan!"

END FLASHBACK

Foolish little brother… Itachi thought as he watched Sakura take a defensive stance. Her once innocent green eyes were now filled with an intense hatred that seemed out of place.

"You BASTARD!" Sakura screamed. She flew at Orochimaru, kunai clenched tightly in both fists, raised for the kill…

A/N: I know, I know, another cliffhanger…xD

I'm sorry! lol! I also won't be able to update for another few days because I've got so much going on this weekend! My best friend's cheer comp. (GO INO-CHAN!) and I'm also thinking about auditioning for a movie too…YIKES! xD Anyways, please R&R! The next chapter is gonna be kinda bloody…/ Hope you all won't get too sickened…

Ja ne for now! xD