Disclaimer: me no own Naruto

A/N: sorry sorry i know its been awhile since my last update but i had to play hostess like a good girl while my friend was staying over for new years and she would yell at me every time i tried to write saying things like "there is no need for you to write a story about some stupid Saturday morning cartoon' and it made me cry tear... ok last time we left off with a nice cliffy... so here i am to rectify the problem... but, as always review responses first...

butterfly-gr14 - neither do i Butterfly... neither do i...

Midnight-Miko66 - (backs away very slowly) pretty please put the chainsaw down? Look i came out with another chapter just for you... (falls to knees) please don't hurt me i cant die until i finish the story!

EnV - Now you get to see who comes to visit her (sticks out tongue)... and i agree 100 percent Itachi is WAY hotter than Sasuke

Nemuri Shi - I've never heard Kisame referred to as 'salmon-chan' before that's cute (grin) and you're right it would have been a lot easier for Sakura-chan to kill her friends but that would have been a very short story i mean she only has so many friends...

and a special thanky to BlackAngelBlood for the invite

and a big thanky to all my other reviews

"speech"

'thoughts'

(flashback)

(darkness)

Remember You, Remember Me
Chapter 2:
By: trailsofblood aka Wizard

"You look like shit."

A sad smile graced her lips. She didn't bother to look up at who had spoken, she knew the voice and she knew the presence. It wasnt one she could easily forget.

"Nice to see you too. How did you manage to get in here Kisame?" Sakura raised her eyes to the shark man and was met with a smile that showed off razor sharp teeth. That smile stayed frozen in place as he advanced on her. For looking so much like a shark his moves were more feline-ish; graceful, stealthy, and a little feminine if you asked anyone but Kisame. There were some days she swore on everything holy and not that he was gay, now wasnt the time to get into that though.

"Would you believe it, they left you completely unguarded." Stopping in front of her slouched form the infamous nukenin squatted down so he was eye level with her. His smile disappeared and was replaced by an all too serious one. The look sent spikes of fear down her spine to her stomach where they churned. Something wasnt right.

"You're not here to rescue me, are you?" It was a statement not a question so Kisame didn't bother to answer it.

"You know the Leader knows you were captures." Sakura nodded. "You know he isn't very trusting." Another nod. "Then you also know that I've was ordered to dispose of you"

This time Sakura didn't even bother nodding, she just lowered her head in a resigned manner and waited for what was coming. She could give Kisame a run for his money in a fight, she couldn't beat him but she definitely provided a great amount of entertainment for awhile. Although, that was when she wasn't chained to a wall and still had all her chakra in control. The most she could do in this position was kick and scream like a child.

Kisame grabbed her chin and lifted her head, forcing her gaze to meet his. The look on his face was still serious but the edges had softened a bit. Well softened used loosely, his aquatic predator features prevented him from actually looking caring at all.

"Then you know that, in good conscience, i can't carry out that order." Sakura opened her mouth to protest, to tell him to just kill her and get it over with, but he just shook his head and continued. "The Leader knows this also, so we came to an arrangement. You walk out of here with me under one condition, you promise that our Leader has full permission to examine your memories of these last few days without Darkness' interference. He interferes, you die. You told anyone anything, you die. You refuse, you die. I did as much as i could kid the rest is up to you." With that Kisame let go of her chin and stepped back from her.

For the millionth time as of late, Sakura wanted to cry. She had the perfect opportunity to get out of this place and get her life back the way it was, and yet she couldn't take it. She couldn't make the promise he wanted. She hadn't told the ANBU anything that would be of any help whatsoever so she wasnt worried about that aspect. It was Darkness that had her worried.

"I can't make that promise to you Kisame, im sorry." She watched Kisame for a reaction to her words. As usual he showed none, he just stood there watching her as if fighting a war within himself. She didn't doubt that's what he was doing, warring between his conscience that told him to spare her life and his duty to the Akatsuki to kill her.

"Why not." His words were laced with anger that made Sakura cringe.

"I don't have control of my chakra, the Hyuuga's are making sure all my tenketsu's are staying closed. I can't communicate with Darkness, i can feel his presence and he can feel mine but there is no way for us to talk. I can't promise you that he wont interfere without talking to him first."

Kisame studied her for a long time without blinking. He really unnerved her when he was like this. This was his 'on-duty' persona, when he was just relaxing and goofing off between assignments he was a lot less intimidating, all the Akatsuki were. It was strange at first to even imagine that these people, these world renown and feared shinobi, were actually just as human as everyone else. Being emotionless killers was all part of the disguise, one she was taught and expected to learn very quickly.

"How long do you they stay closed for?"

"Im not sure, one Hyuuga or another comes in here every morning and re-closes them. A former friend told me that they will only take a day or two to open again but that has yet to be proved." Kisame nodded, accepting her answer.

"If the Hyuuga can close them then it's relatively reasonable that they can open them again correct?"

Sakura knew where he was going with this, and didn't like it one bit. He was going to capture a Hyuuga and force them to open her tenketsu's so she could talk with her sword. Once the wheels in that thick skull of his got turning there was absolutely no way to stop them. He tended to have a very single-track mind and currently that one track was determined to find away around having to 'dispose' of her.

"Is there are problem in here or are you two just chatting it up."

Sakura tilted her head around Kisame to see the tall, lean frame of Itachi standing in the doorway. She should have guessed, where you find one the other is always close by. Today was obviously Itachi's turn for guard duty while Kisame got to have the fun. That is if they took pleasure in killing her.

Kisame spoke without even turning around to acknowledge the other mans presence. "We've run into a slight problem. The kid had her tenketsu's closed by a Hyuuga so she cant access her chakra, therefore is unable to speak with Darkness which means she can't promise his lack or interference. Im thinking that we need a Hyuuga to undo the damage that has been done so we can just take the kid home."

"Do what you have to do and do it soon, they will be changing guards in little under 30 minutes. I don't much feel like waiting my energy on more ANBU." And with that the Uchiha disappeared from the doorway again. Kisame sighed and looked to the shackled form of Sakura.

"It's worth a shot. I guess i will be back shortly with a hostage, any preferences?"

"A younger one will be easier to control, but if they're too young they may not be much help. A head member if you can and for Kami's sake stay away from Neji."

Kisame nodded and disappeared leaving Sakura, yet again, alone in the room with nothing to do but twiddle her thumbs. This was becoming tedious, for future reference she was going to avoid being thrown in another TI room for the rest of her natural life, even if it meant killing herself. She had needs to tend to, like the need to shower, the need to eat, and the need to go to the freaking bathroom.

She was so close to being let out of this hell hole and her first order of business would be a bathroom break followed very closely by a nice, long, hot bath. Then would come food if they still had time to spare. Ah she was almost back to the good life, just a little while longer.

Kisame had no problems finding the Hyuuga estate. Years ago Itachi had given him a very intricate tour of his former village pointing out obvious weaknesses and important places, the Hyuuga mansion being one of them. Although Itachi had pointed it out as a place to avoid not a place to take a hostage from, but whatever, he had things that needed to be done and done quickly.

After making sure no guards were around he jumped over the eastern most wall and landed himself right in a bush. Luckily he had missed the thorn bush by a few yards, that one would have been painful. He peaked through the foliage into what seemed to be a garden and waited. It was only about an hour after dark but the lanterns scattered across the garden landscape gave him enough light to see by and with the addition of the moon it was like high noon to him. It wasnt late so someone had to be up yet and with all the people living in this place he figured someone would come through the gardens soon enough.

If not he would just have to go seeking his prey.

He didn't have to wait long before two presences approached from the south. There was no way to tell how old the two were but they had pretty damn good chakra control meaning they would suit his purpose just fine. Carefully pulling Samehada from his back he rocked forward on the front pads of his feet and watched from his vantage point.

The two rounded a hedge and came into view. The first was obviously a Hyuuga from her white eyes and dark colored hair but the other brought a feral smile onto Kisame's face. The second was a personal favorite of his and Itachi's. Though he had grown tremendously in the last 4 years he was unforgettable. Blond hair, blue eyes, whiskers, and attitude that just screamed of energy, yep that boy was the Kyuubi vessel.

This complicated things a bit, the boy was strong, no doubt stronger than Kisame when he wanted to be, but Sakura's fate lay in the girl he was walking with. Still he decided to wait a few moments more and observe them before making his move, maybe he would spy some kind of weakness that he could utilize. If not he would just have to pop in grab the girl and pop out before the vessel knew what hit him.

But there was a weakness. It was only a slight movement and he almost missed it but it was there. The Hyuuga girl had faltered in her step a little and the vessel had hooked a finger around one of hers to steady her a bit. The vessel had feelings for this girl and she for him. It was the best weakness he could have hoped for.

Jumping from his hiding spot he landed behind the girl before either could detect him and had pulled the girl against his chest. By the time he had gotten Samehada protectively in front of them the vessel had realized what was happening and was pulling kunai from his hip pouch. By the time the boy had released his first kunai it was too late and Kisame had jumped backwards with the girl.

"Scream pretty girl and i kill you and find another." Kisame warned as he pulled Samehada closer to her, careful not to touch her and drain her chakra. "Same goes for you vessel, wouldn't want to have to harm your precious kunoichi."

"Let her go Akatsuki." The boy demanded holding a kunai poised in front of him.

"I think not. You see, i have plans for this pretty girl." Kisame replied backing up a little more.

"If its me you want then take me and let her go. I will come with you peacefully." It was obvious the vessel was getting desperate but this was a battle he wouldn't win.

"This world doesn't revolve around you ya know. I need this girl, she's going to help me with a problem a friend has. Speaking of which i would love to stay and catch up but i have a deadline. Don't worry as long as she cooperates i wont hurt her too much."

Before he even had a chance to retort Kisame was gone and Naruto stood alone in the gardens of the Hyuuga estate. Without a moments pause he too vanished, He had to warn the village. He had to warn the Hokage... he had to save Hinata

"You're late."

"Sorry, its clear across the village to the Hyuuga estate then i had to wait for someone i could use. It's not like i could just walk into the house and ask to borrow one of their members."

Itachi raised an eyebrow "You could have hurried a bit getting here, i had to dispose of the second guard and deal with the first leaving the building."

Kisame just rolled his eyes at the Uchiha and pushed the Hyuuga hostage towards the open door a bit. Itachi was just pissed that he was stuck with lookout duty while he got to jump around the city. Itachi got to kill people though, and he had yet to have his chance. It would come soon enough though.

Pushing the Hyuuga through the door a shoe firmly me Kisame's head. Taking a moment to blink in surprise he looked at Sakura. If looks could kill he would have died a horribly slow and painful death.

"You took long enough baka! Now get me the hell out of here!"

"It couldn't be helped." Kisame sighed, "Here's the deal little girl, you reopen the kids tenketsu's and i let you live."

Hinata's eyes widened with a horrified look, Sakura was the friend that needed help? "I-i-i don't th-think i can d-do that. I-it's impos-sible."

Sakura glared at the dark haired woman. She thought Hinata would have gotten over the whole stuttering thing by now. She didn't seem so shy and timid when she was apprehending her before. Then again the Akatsuki brought out the worst in people, their whole reputation was based off fear and little else. Perhaps Hinata wasn't as strong as she had once thought.

"Do what you can Hyuuga-san. I only need a few of the most used ones open." Sakura's voice was commanding and emotionless. It amazed the Akatsuki boys how easily she slid into character when it was needed. She nodded towards Kisame and Itachi and the two took a step back from the Hyuuga, blocking the door in case of a break for it.

Hinata took that as her cue to go to Sakura and kneeled in front of the bound kunoichi. Activating her Byakugan she scanned Sakura's tenketsu's looking for any weakened ones that she could pierce. After her once-over she nodded to herself and scooted closer to Sakura.

"Give me your hands." Doing as commanded Sakura held her hands out to the girl. Lacing her fingers through Sakura's Hinata began to push her chakra in through the tenketsu's in Sakura's hands, forcing her chakra through the girls system and out various weakened points. The whole process was over quick and left the pink-haired girl writhing in pain, then again did they really expect it to be painless? Forcing an foreign chakra into another system wasn't an easy, or highly recommended, thing. At least it got the job done.

Sakura stayed still for a few moments and waited for the pain to subside before turning her attention back to the people in the room with her. Hinata still looked terrified, Itachi looked ready to kill and Kisame looked amused. 'Glad my pain brings someone pleasure. Note to self: kill the bastard.'

"Unbind me." were the only words she could choke out at the moment but Itachi complied. Using the keys he had taken off the guard he carefully slid her wrists from their shackles but left her feet in place for the moment.

"First speak with Darkness, then we will unbind your feet." His voice was soft but firm. It annoyed the prisoner but that's how he always was with her. She blamed it on his need for constant dominance. Sakura just sighed and focused her chakra on the faint link in the back of her mind. She reached out and wrapped her chakra around that small cord and followed it back to its source: Darkness.

She had given him the name Darkness for a reason, whenever she tried to reach out to him through their link she was met with a dark, sinking, sickening, uncertain, empty feeling. It reminded her of a simple void. In that place just before she touched him nothing beautiful or peaceful could be found. There was no sound, just feelings, but every time she entered this foreboding area she always thought she heard one thing: Remember you. This place reminded her too much of darkness to not name if for that reason. And so Darkness was born.

(so nice of you to finally join me again Sakura. why the hell did you allow yourself to get into this situation!)

'I'm sorry my friend, it seemed like the right thing to do at the time.'

(i care not, I've drained myself enough trying to stop these shinobi from entering your mind, be a little more thoughtful next time)

'I thank you for that but i have something i need to speak to you about'

(and that would be what exactly)

'I need you to not interfere with a mind scan...'

(if you didn't want my help you could have just...)

'No, its not that, I've...'

(i know Sakura, and you have my word. Can we spill some blood now?)

'Yes, lets...'

Sakura looked up into the crimson eyes of Itachi and smirked. "Unbind me."

Taking this as a confirmation Itachi did as she asked. It felt good to have her binds off, but her body was stiff from lack of use. All her muscles were tight and standing proved to be a struggle in itself. Perhaps she wouldn't participate in the battle to come. Feeling a wave of anger and disappointment from Darkness she threw that idea out the window. Maybe she could just participate long enough to satiate Darkness? Kisame brought her out of her thoughts.

"What do we do with the girl?"

"Kill her." Was Itachi's reply and Kisame was more than happy to abide. It didn't sit too well with Sakura though.

"No!" She stepped in front of Hinata and held an arm out, stopping Kisame from advancing on the girl. Once satisfied that satisfied that he wasn't going to decapitate her former friend she turned the Hinata. "Im sorry."

Then Hyuuga Hinata's world went black.

"Was it a good idea just to leave her there like that?" Kisame asked as the trio landed on another rooftop. So far they had successfully avoided detection, they only had a few more blocks to go before they were home free.

"They won't find her until they change guard, which wont be for another few hours at least. By then we will be gone from here and have had safely vanished to nothingness in the woods." Even though she knew it could happen theoretically, she had a feeling it wouldn't turn out quite as they planned. It never did.

Taking her word as truth the three of them continued on in silence. That was what disturbed her the most, Kisame said he had encountered Naruto, well 'the vessel' in his words, and yet there were no shinobi around the hinder their escape. Maybe they had backed off in hope that they would leave in peace avoiding bloodshed? Sakura snorted, yea right the chances of that were slim. Yet the entire world was silent.

Stopping as a group they spun around simultaneously. Where their forms had been a moment before stood 2 ANBU squads, eight men in total. Carefully reaching back Sakura laid her hand on Darknessess' hilt. She didn't want to use him if she could avoid it, she liked to keep the secret of his powers between herself and the dead.

"Sakura, go on ahead. Kisame and I will deal with them." Before Sakura could even refuse the Akatsuki leaped at their followers. Tightening her hold Sakura slid Darkness began to pull Darkness from his sheath.

(listen to your superiors for once and keep moving)

'But..'

(no... GO!)

The sheer force of her katanas' words were enough to get her feet moving, even if her mind refused to obey. They would be alright without her, they always were. She only made it a few blocks before she stopped and spun again, this time to her left. The Gods obviously didn't want her get very far.

Four figures stood on the rooftop parallel to her. Backlit by moonlight their faces were cast in shadows, but their presence was something that was clear as day to her. She knew these shinbobi and she also knew she was screwed. The fates were not kind to little nukenin girls with blood on their hands because before her stood four of Konoha's powerhouses. Hatake Kakashi, Hyuuga Neji, Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke.

'Tonight is so not my night.'

(we dance?)

Sakura sighed, 'We dance.'

She didn't know who the first to move was, but it started so quickly she barely kept up. Throwing stars. Someone was throwing kunai. Shit that one caught her in the leg. Exploding tag coming in from the right, jump back. Something caught her in the shoulder, she could smell the blood beginning to flow. That hurt. Smoke bomb. Fire. Senbon. Attack back baka. Sharingan. FUCK!

Jumping backwards some distance she watched the giant cloud the smoke bomb had created. Only one was in there, where were the other three?

(draw me damnit!)

In the barrage of attacks she had forgotten about her trusty sword. She didn't think he would be much help if she couldn't keep up with their advances but, hell, it was worth a try. At least it gave her something to focus on. Pulling up and forward on the hilt she removed Darkness from his sheath. His deep black blade caught the moonlight and seemed to suck it in, no light glinted off him like on normal steel. Light green and white flames licked their way up the sharp edge of the sword making the whole thing look like a work of art meant for looking not bloodshed, fortunately for her he was designed just for that.

(ah i can taste them. left!)

Doing as commanded she swung her sword to the left catching the fabric of Kakashi's shirt leaving a long tear right across his chest. She missed, damnit, how could she miss? Kakashi jumped back in surprise and but stood ready, kunai perched in his hand. She kept her eyes trained on her ex-sensei but kept all her senses open for the next attack.

(fear not master, they are just observing for the time being. be careful though, they are searching for a weakness.)

Nodding to herself more than Darkness she held him out in front of her in a ready position just waiting for Kakashi's attack. A prickling tickled her senses and she swung the katana behind her just in time to stop a kunai from hitting her. Taking the obvious advantage Kakashi charged, hands forming a seal. Mentally cursing herself for being stupid she jumped to the side just before his hands collided with her. Correcting her position she faced Kakashi again. This was getting ridiculous. Where were Itachi and Kisame, they couldn't have been held up that long with the other ANBU squad.

Kakashi straightened himself and turned to Sakura. She avoided looking at his now visible Sharingan eye, instead focusing on his collarbone.

"Haruno Sakura you have proven yourself a true nukenin this night. We have no choice but to kill you." If she hadn't known any better she would have sworn there was a hint of sadness and regret in Kakashi's normally emotionless voice. She did know better though, he hated people who betrayed their village almost as much as he hated people who betrayed their friends. She was both.

"Understood. Let us fight, Kakashi-san, not as former allies but as enemies. It will be a fight to remember for eternity."

But of course nothing ever went according to plan when Sakura was involved. Itachi and Kisame chose this time to make their grand appearance. They were a site to see, blood spattered across their bodies and a craze grin plastered to Kisame's face. He must have had fun with his victims versus just taking care of them. It was so like Kisame to take his joy of killing to an un-needed level.

"I'm sorry Sakura but this 'fight of fights' will have to take place another time. Go." Ok, Itachi was really starting to piss her off. What made him think he got to have all the fun and she got to do nothing? Looking at the shinobi who had joined Kakashi she sighed. She couldn't kill her past friends. She would have to get over that someday but if it didn't have to be today. The longer she didn't have to deal with it the better for her.

Nodding at her command she took off towards the training fields. She missed the motion Kakashi made but she didn't miss the bodies following her. The didn't even try to hide themselves, perhaps they wanted her to attack them. It would make their job easier she supposed, give the justification for killing her. She wasn't about to hand that kind of thing to them though, she was going to make them squirm.

Stopping in the middle of team sevens old training ground she turned to her pursuers, sword drawn and ready.

"Brings back memories doesn't it? The three of us, this training ground, it's just like old times." She saw the boys twitch and continued, "This time is different though, you can feel it can't you? Im not here to train and im not the weak girl i was when you knew me. Im here to kill and im stronger than you know."

"You were never weak Sakura-chan, you were one of the strongest girls i knew." Naruto countered but Sakura just laughed.

"On of the strongest girls you knew? After Tsunade of course, and Hinata, Ino and TenTen right?" His silence spoke volumes, "So tell me Uzumaki-san, how many other girls do you know?"

"That's not the point! You were our friend Sakura, why would you do this?"

"That's the mystery isn't it, why would sweet, innocent, Sakura betray her village and her friends? Im not going to tell you Uzumaki-san. And you're right, we were friends, operative word being 'were' as in past tense, as in no longer." She just waved the boys off with her hand and resumed her defensive stance. "By the way, congratulations on your engagement Uzumaki-san."

"I would invite you to the wedding but, you see, we have this strict 'no bitch' policy." Naruto smirked. Sakura followed the suit.

"I hope Hinata's fully recovered by then, if she recovers at all." Naruto just paled, eyes wide and trembling.

"He got to you didn't he." Sasuke's voice surprised her, he still sounded like the little boy she knew before. He still held the emotionless tone with an undercurrent of anger. Sasuke was Sasuke and some things never change.

"Who?"

"Of all the people you could travel with, become friends with, become allies with, you had to choose the worst person in this world."

That was it, Sakura snapped.

"You know nothing of you brother! This conversation is over... FIGHT ME!"

Sakura charged, Darkness held low to the side just like she had been taught. Sasuke was her first target and he met her advance with his own ANBU issue katana. Giving an order to Darkness she sent shocks of electricity up her katana and down his shocking his body into temporary convulsions. It wasn't something she used her chakra for or made seals for, therefore he couldn't see through it and copy it, which is why she chose it. It was one of Darknessess' very own attacks, weak but effective.

Spinning she bolted towards Naruto katana still crackling. Instead of meeting her attack as Sasuke had he spun out of the way the best he could. She still ended up catching him on his upper arm but completely missed the heart at which she was aiming. Didn't matter though it still sent a jolt of lightning through him. It wasn't as strong as the force she hit Sasuke with but it was cause him to hit his knees. By the time she spun again Sasuke was on her, Sharingan blazing.

She tried to avoid the katana blade best she could but it still ended up embedded in the right side of her abdomen. Time stood still for a moment before she regained her senses enough to dislodge herself and jump away from the boys. She ignored the pain coursing through her side and took her stance again. She wouldn't miss this time, she wouldn't make the mistake of turning her back, she couldn't afford it. Angling her katana downward she braced herself for the next attack.

(you're draining me)

'I know.'

(this has to end soon)

'I know.'

(stop pussy-footing around and kill the bastards already)

'Shut up!'

(give me the order Sakura)

'Use it'

(gladly)

Liquid white flames engulfed the katana and dripped from the tip, searing the grass before absorbing into the ground. They soon gave way to green flames that then restored the foliage that had died. For a few moments it repeated this process; white, death, green, life, white, death, green, life. Sakura looked up from Darkness towards the wide-eyed boys and smirked.

This was Darknessess' true power. By imbedding the katana in her victim she could make him die a thousand deaths, literally, and each one would be quick but agonizing as Darkness sucked the life from his victim. This was the ultimate kill.

"Let me introduce you to the end." Sakura charged.

"We wont let you!" Naruto screamed forming a rasengan ball in his hand. Following the suit Sasuke quickly charged his chidori and changed alongside his comrade and friend.

The force of which the attacks met each other was mind-blowing. They reacted to each other and sent all parties hurling backwards. Sakura slammed against an invisible barrier and bones cracked. It was a sickening sound that resonated through the area and made the boys stomachs turn. They had only been sent flying a few meters, each taking half of the attack force while Sakura had gotten double.

Her form was limp, bloody and looked strangely like a broken ragdoll. Neither boy moved for a long time not took their eyes off of their fallen friend. Breaths came in ragged gasps and they tried to regain their composure. Insides were twisting and turning, threatening to up heave all substances in attempt to settle. Who would have thought that Sakura, sweet little weak Sakura, could drain them so.

Standing on wobbly legs Naruto took a few shaky steps towards her spent form. He was a firm believer that no one, no matter how corrupt or blood-stained, deserved to die alone. Someone as important to him as Sakura had once been definitely didn't deserve that fate so, like he had done with so many before, he would sit by her side until her last breath was drawn. It was his only way to apologize for what he had done. Sasuke stood to follow.

(sakura? sakura! damnit woman get up! ugh...)

Sasuke and Naruto froze as a brilliant iridescent light enveloped the training area and for a second seemed to stand still before retracting in rapidly leaving an all encompassing dark in its place. Nothing could be seen any which way you looked but a concentration of pure energy next to the unconscious form of Sakura. A moment later everything returned to normal.

Well, almost.

Standing next to the fallen kunoichi was a man. Short white hair stood up in spikes on his head while a long white braid fell over his should to the hip. Deep purple eyes were trained on the two ANBU boys as golden pupils contracted in anger. Black clothes hung loosely on the body of a lean, battle hardened warrior and an empty sheath was clipped to his hip. Nothing moved, not even the wind.

"Im sorry but this is where the battle ends." The strangers voice was deep and threatening but he made no move towards the boys, instead turning his attention to Sakura's limp form. His voice was soft and apologetic when he next spoke. "So you are human after all. Lets go home Sakura."

Bending down he picked up Sakura's katana and slid it into the sheath at his side before carefully picking up the woman. Soft pink hair spilt over his arm, illuminated by the moonlight, as the man cradled her head close to his chest. He looked back at Naruto and Sasuke for a moment, eyes still hard, before turning his back to them and beginning to walk away.

"Who are you? Where are you going with Sakura?" Naruto cried, desperately willing his legs to move. The strange man stopped and turned his head slightly.

"If you have to ask then you are not as intelligent as i had once thought." Continuing on his form faded into the darkness. "We will continue this later, it will not be so easy for you then."

Naruto and Sasuke could do nothing but stare at where they had once been.

It was no wonder why Sakura had warned him to stay away from Hyuuga Neji; the man was pretty damn near unbeatable. Kisame had never had such a good fight in his life! Well unless you count the few times him and Itachi had gotten into it for one reason of another, but this time was different, this time the prize was death. Him and Itachi had their hands so full with the two ANBU that they barely had time to wonder how Sakura was faring. They could only hope she was doing better than they were, but hope was all they had.

Both of them knew the little girls limits, even with her killer sword, and she had to be reaching them. Until they could figure out how to get out of this mess the kunoichi was on her own. Itachi was holding his own pretty well against the copy-nin and Kisame was pretty even with the Hyuuga but it was still a nice little scuffle. The appearance of a limp Sakura in the arms of some weirdo pretty much put a halt to it though. Everyone stopped to look at the man who emerged from the darkness.

"Itachi, Kisame, come, we're leaving." Kisame smiled, he didn't have to be told twice, Itachi was another story. He didn't move an inch. The newcomer sighed and walked towards Itachi, holding out the form of Sakura. Depositing the girl in Itachi's hands the man ran a blood-soaked hand through his hair, leaving a red streak in its wake.

"Take Sakura and leave, i will deal with these boys and catch up."

Itachi growled. "Who are you to order us around."

"My name is of no importance, you know me as Darkness." was the only thing he said before drawing his sword and turning towards Neji and Kakashi. Itachi just nodded and took off with Kisame hot on his heels. Turning his full attention to his opponents a sweet smile spread across his handsome face. "As Sakura says, 'let me introduce you to the end."

Ending Notes: Im not entirely sure i like the way this turned out... i may go back and edit it at a later date but for now it will have to do since its been too long since my last update... BLAME IT ON EVIL ANIME HATERS! (aka my friend that came to visit me)... if only she had let me write when inspiration came maybe this would have turned out better... oh well it gets the basic point across for now...

so there you go Darknessess' favorite attack and his true form...

now i must get SLEEP (hugs pillows) sweet sleep that has eluded me because i couldn't update...

Review!