Disclaimer: Naruto and all its characters belong to Masashi Kishimoto.

I know I haven't updated in a long time and I am really sorry. I will try my best to finish this story as soon as possible. My writing style may or may not have changed slightly but nonetheless I hope you enjoy! Thank you so much to those of you who have reviewed and followed my story!

Chapter 3

Total darkness. That was the first thing she saw when she came to.

What… happened? Where's Naruto?

It was only after a few moments that her memories of the previous night suddenly flooded back to her, giving her a little jolt. She was at Naruto's birthday party. Kakashi left early. She stayed with Naruto in the living room for a while longer until he unceremoniously fell asleep. After that, she went to the kitchen to get a glass of water… when someone or something had thrown a sort of bag over her and knocked her out. Though she couldn't see anything, her eyes widened with horror and fear at the sudden realisation.

"Mmauoo!" her attempted scream was muffled. She then became aware of the pressure on her wrists, ankle, mouth and eyes. That would explain why she couldn't see, speak or move.

She slumped in defeat as she realised that there wasn't much that she could do at the moment. Right at that moment, her stomach growled. Her throat was parched as well. She could only hope that someone may come to her with some food—and answers—soon.

Not having any sense of time, Sakura had no idea how long she had stayed there alone until her ears picked up echoing footsteps and the rattling of steel bars. She tensed in anticipation and was roughly hauled up into a sitting position. Her bindings were cut and the cloth around her eyes and mouth were removed as well. However, despite expecting light to flood her retinas, all she saw was the familiar darkness.

"Here." Something scraped against the floor as it was pushed towards her, but Sakura could not make out what it was. She made no move to retrieve the object.

"Eat." The low voice was more demanding now, and though she couldn't make out his face, she felt that the voice was awfully familiar…

There was shuffling, and Sakura assumed that her captor had stood up. All he said as he walked out of her confinement was a single "tch".

She hadn't said a word or moved a muscle throughout the whole exchange out of fear and confusion. It was only when she was sure that he was far gone that she allowed herself to sob quietly.

"You were supposed to kidnap the brat! Not the other brat!"

"I think you need to be a little more specific."

"The blonde Naruto brat, not the girl!"

"Frankly, I don't see the difference. They are both related to Kakashi aren't they?"

"Well yes but the boy would have been easier to handle! He's an idiot!"

"I heard that the boy might be inheriting the company in the future. Kakashi would pay more for him."

"Well but—"

"SILENCE!"

The grouped jumped a little at the sudden interruption, but otherwise kept quiet as instructed.

"What's done is done, okay? Can't change that now. We'll just make do with the girl."

Murmurs were beginning to rise from the group, and Sasuke could make out a couple of people saying something along the lines of "says the one who took the wrong person". Zetsu seemed to have heard it too as he glared at the group and everyone was silence once more.

"Konan, brief us on the girl's info."

"Haruno Sakura. 23 years of age. Currently working as a doctor in Konoha hospital. Despite being at a young age, she works directly under the head doctor Senju Tsunade and is rumoured to take over the position when Tsunade retires. Hatake Kakashi's niece on her mother's side and Uzumaki Naruto's cousin. Recently co-founded a children's clinic in Konoha. Her hair is naturally pink. Nothing else to note."

"What of her parents?"

"Haruno Kizashi and Mebuki. Died in a car accident five years ago. Of average financial status."

The discussion continued but Sasuke found himself tuning out in boredom and impatience. The Akatsuki are only thinking about money and wealth. When were they ever going to avenge his family? His building rage pushed aside a nagging thought at the back of his mind that he had heard the girl's name somewhere before…

The dark-haired man paused in his walk back to the headquarters. He glanced behind him and narrowed his eyes at something before deeming it to be of his imagination and continued on. However, that didn't stop the gnawing feeling in his chest that something was wrong.

Thank you for reading!