[Naruto]

My body shook in anger as I finished packing up the rest of my gear. What the hell would the Akatsuki need Sakura for? If they kill her…I won't let any of them live.

"Naruto." I heard someone call my name. I looked up to the window above my bed to see Sai resting on the window ledge. He didn't look like he'd been to the hospital yet.

"Sai, why aren't you in the hospital?" I questioned as I threw my bag on my shoulders.

"I wanted to tell you, I did all I could to save Sakura…I wanted to apologise to you that I'm wasn't strong-" Sai started with a pathetically sad expression.

"Sai," I interrupted. "What's gotten into you? You did all you could…They're Akatsuki. I personally know how strong they are." I tried to reassure him. "Stop feeling sorry for yourself." I continued. Sai had stiffened up and seemed to return to his usual, blank, self.

"I also want to tell you something that I didn't tell the Hokage." He spoke up. I raised an eyebrow before crossing my arms.

"And what would that be?" I questioned, impatiently waiting for Sai to reply.

"I had a short conversation with the Akatsuki during the fight…it seems like they have plans on keeping Sakura to themselves…They have no intentions on returning her to us." Sai responded. I un-crossed my arms and tiled my head towards him slightly.

"Why? What did they say exactly?"

"They said, and I quote 'You can tell your Hokage whatever you wish, but no matter what you throw at us, you will never get her back. She's now property of the Akatsuki.'"

"She's no one's property!" I interjected. I looked over to my left and my eyes happened to land on the old photo of team seven. "I am not losing Sakura too." I said before turning around to face the entrance to my house. "Thank you for telling me Sai." I said before leaving my house. I started to head towards the entrance of the leaf village and noticed Ino shouting at Choji out in the open…rain pouring down an all.

I wanted to avoid the situation although Shikamaru and Temari had noticed that I was walking near them so they walked towards me.

"Hey Naruto." Shikamaru greeted as Temari smiled at me. "What's going on with you?" He asked as a simple conversation starter.

"I'm actually on a mission to find Sakura. She's been kidnapped by the Akatsuki." I replied darkly. Shikamaru and Temari were instantly shocked to hear that.

"O-Oh." Temari started as she looked at Shikamaru awkwardly. "Shikamaru and I can help out if you needed extra people to help you search. Initially, I was supposed to head back to my village, although I've been informed that my presence there is no longer required urgently." She continued. Before I answered, Jiraiya placed his hand on my shoulder.

"That would be splendid. The more able bodies the better. Although I believe six skilled ninja are more than enough for now. No-one else needs to know about this." He answered. Shikamaru and Temari nodded in synchronisation. Jiraiya gave me a stern look before walking off.

"No need to wait any longer than necessary, we're both geared up and ready to go when you need us to." Temari said. I noticed that Ino was still arguing with Choji. I nodded at Shikamaru and Temari before leading them to the entrance to the village, where Jiraiya and Captain Yamato were waiting.

"Thank you for joining us, Temari." Captain Yamato said as soon as we were in earshot of them.

"It's not a problem, the leaf village have done so much to help the sand village out. It would be my honour to repay you if my help is welcomed." Temari answered swiftly while smiling at Captain Yamato.

"We're ready to go?" I heard Kakashi say before I saw him jump to Jiraiya's side.

"Yep." Shikamaru, Temari and I spoke.

"I'll take us to the last known position of the signal." Yamato informed before darting into the woods.

Kakashi and Jiraiya nodded at each other before darting off after him. I followed close behind. I feel somewhat safe knowing that Shikamaru is with us. He's incredibly logical and we might just need that for this…

We started to head into the woods, it was getting increasing harder to see Kakashi in front of me. Rain was heavily falling at a ridiculously fast speed.

"Ugh, I can't see anything!" I complained before I messed up on my footing and slipped on a tree branch, Temari had sprinted to steady my balance before we both continued running. "Thank you." I spoke. Temari nodded and smiled before falling back to run with Shikamaru.

I started to think about what Sai had told me…Is it really true? Are they really planning on keeping her…The Sakura I know wouldn't want to stay there. Would she try to run away from them…? Would they kill her if she tries to escape? Negative questions and scenarios entered my head quicker than I could rationalise anything.

"Naruto." Kakashi said, making my focus turn to him, he was slowing his pace down to stop at where Yamato was standing.

All of us slowly gathered around Yamato. He swiftly weaved a few hand signs before a huge log cabin formed around us.

"As much as we want to find out where Sakura is…This weather is horrendous and it will cause us more trouble than good if we were to continue searching for Sakura in these conditions." Captain Yamato stated before placing his backpack on the ground.

"That's a good idea." Shikamaru bored in agreement before holding his hand out to Temari, who swiftly removed her side bag and gave it to Shikamaru to set to the side with his own backpack. I looked over to Kakashi and he was already sitting on the ground next to Jiraiya. I refrained from complaining as a dumped my backpack on the ground near the corner of the cabin before sitting next to it.

"What the hell does the Akatsuki want from Sakura anyway?" I complained out loud, despite knowing the basic answer.

"There was a tip I received from an anonymous ninja over 10 years ago," Jiraiya started as he crossed his arms and legs. "It included a special kind of herb that could be found near the fire border. According to my source, the herb only grows once every ten years, to the dot…a herb that causes extremely fast healing process if the herb is to be used correctly…the method wasn't disclosed with me. The herb can practically provide immortality to anyone who ingests it correctly." Jiraiya continued before closing his eyes and scrunching up his face slightly. "Or so I've heard."

I furrowed my eyebrows and looked over to Kakashi.

"Do you think the Akatsuki know about the properties of the herb?" Kakashi spoke before I could ask him a question.

"I can't say for sure…But my guess is that they have a vague idea. I'm certain the Akatsuki have a list of all skilful medical ninja and their students…And Sakura being listed as a student under a legendary Sanin would make her a valuable asset to the Akatsuki. Hence why they took Sakura as well as her sealed pouch." Jiraiya sighed before he uncrossed his arms and opened his eyes. "They will most likely dispose of Sakura as soon as she creates the elixir…" I looked over to Shikamaru in hopes that he had some sort of plan.

"Sorry Naruto, I've got nothing at the moment. There is little to go by. The only notable concern I have is that this weather is perfect to cover up any tracks the Akatsuki make." He stated. I frowned and lied on my back.

"Ugh! This is useless!" I sighed angrily. I threw my arms behind my head and closed my eyes.

"Sakura is a smart kunoichi," Temari spoke out. I opened my eyes and looked in her direction. "Believe it or not, she's extremely good at leaving trails." She tried to reassure me. I looked up at the ceiling before narrowing my eyes.

I'm going to have to make sure that I look out for any trails that Sakura has left behind.