Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Foreverdoom, the answer to your question is that Sakura left her family a letter. They reported it to the Hokage. It was stated in the first chapter.

This chapter is dedicated to everyone who reviewed. Thank you! ((Throws cookies at everyone))

"Sakura."

The voice was slightly muffled, but Sakura could clearly tell who it was. Sakura shot up from her bed, her blankets falling off to the floor. She walked over to the door and yanked it open in haste.

"Sasuke. What is it?" asked Sakura. However, she already knew the answer. Her face turned serious. "Is . . . is it time?"

"Orochimaru called me in and said he had an important matter to discuses. I knew right away what he meant."

Sakura slammed the door shut and called out, "Hold on, just let me get ready."

"Hn. Meet me at my room in ten minutes."

Sakura didn't reply, and could hear Sasuke's footsteps recede. She rummaged through her trunk until she found her gloves. She put them on and then took out her clothes. She made sure everything was fastened on and then exited the room.

In a few minutes, she had arrived at Sasuke's room. She gave a loud knock, waited a few seconds, and then entered. Sasuke was already waiting. He motioned for her to come over.

"Sakura, here's the plan. I'll take out Orochimaru, while you stall Kabuto if he tries to come inside, or anyone for that matter. Kill if necessary."

Sakura nodded in confirmation. Sasuke strode over to the door with Sakura trailing behind.

They both remained quiet during the entire walk, not even Sakura was adding little comments like usual. They were both just taking in the sights before they finally left the base.

When they arrived at the door, Sasuke stopped. He turned to Sakura,

"Stand guard. Don't let anyone inside."

Sakura just tapped her foot impatiently. "Just hurry up."

Sasuke turn and opened the door and shut it. Sakura could vaguely hear his voice asking,

"You wanted to see me?"

Sakura just wished the Sasuke could hurry up and get this over with. She had no doubts that Sasuke was stronger, but she just wanted to leave this place already. Still, she also couldn't help but be worried.

After a few minutes went by, she noticed Kabuto passing the area. He gave her a nod, and so did she in return. She secretly hoped that he would want to know what she was doing there, but he kept walking by.

In order to pass the time, she began to hum a song. Her mother used to sing to her this song, but she had forgotten the words long ago. Now, she only remembered the tune.

As she was humming, she could make out muffled sounds and voices. The commotion went louder until it abruptly stopped. Sakura pressed an ear against the door, hoping to hear something, anything.

"Sakura, what are you doing with your ear pressed against the door."

She gave a small jump, but turned around swiftly. Kabuto was looking at her with a frosty look in his eyes. She glared at Kabuto dead in the eye and answered his question.

"Well Kabuto, don't I have every right to be here? Or is it against the law?"

Kabuto' eyes narrowed and opened his mouth as if to speak but was interrupted by the door behind Sakura opening.

It was Sasuke.

Sakura nearly keeled over in relief, but reminded herself that Orochimaru would look like that to if he had won the battle. So she hesitantly asked,

"Sasuke?"

Sakura got no reply; the fear was clear in her eyes. "Sasuke" had started to walk down the corridor. There was only one way to tell for sure. Sakura raised a fist and fired two needles from her knuckles, where there was a pouch the same color as her skin so it was almost impossible to see. If it were Sasuke he wouldn't dodge. If it was Orochimaru, he would. She had learned that Orochimaru was very paranoid, so she was sure he would dodge. She watched as the needle landed. It was in Sasuke's shoulder.

Sakura let out a breath in relief. It was Sasuke. Sasuke's head turned to look at Sakura. "Lets go Sakura. I don't want to waste any more time."

"Ah, yeah!" Sakura walked up behind him and pulled out the needle. "Eh, sorry, I just had to check who you were, just incase."

Sasuke nodded and continued walking down the dark path, with Sakura right beside him. Kabuto said nothing as he watched them leave, but when they were gone, he entered the death room of Orochimaru.

When they had reached the outside of the fortress, Sakura mind was racing. She had no idea of what Sasuke was going to do next. However, she pushed this out of her mind to enjoy her and Sasuke's freedom. It was a strange experience, to know no bounds again. She gave a stretch and relaxed her limbs. Sakura turned to Sasuke, her face in determination.

"Sasuke, what next?"

Sasuke crossed his arms and began to explain his plan. "I will be recruiting more members of our group. The Akatsuki is strong, and we will not be able to hold them off while I defeat Itachi. If we have more members, we will be able to hold them off long enough."

"Who do you have in mind?" inquired Sakura.

"Suigetsu, Karin, and Juugo. Remember them?"

Sakura growled at the thought of Suigetsu and Karin. However, she had a question for Sasuke about Juugo. "Isn't he unstable?"

"I can keep him under control."

Sakura sighed, "Whatever you say Sasuke." She pointed to the base while Sasuke's eyes followed her finger. "Suigetsu is back their right? In the swamp?"

Sasuke didn't say anything, so Sakura took that as a yes.

– Ten Minutes Later –

Sakura and Sasuke's feet pressed down in the marshy land. Sakura nearly lost her shoes in the mud, and the humidity had Sasuke's hair clinging to his face. Sakura lazy batted away a fly as they neared the swamp. A small pile of clothing on a stump went unnoticed by them.

"Oi Suigetsu! Get your lazy ass out of the lake! We don't have all day!"

Sakura's eyes flashed. In a move almost to fast to see, Suigetsu had appeared behind Sakura, but she had a kunai at his forehead. Suigetsu let out a laugh.

"As bitchy as ever I see. I will never know who's worse, you or that Karin."

Sakura rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Tch, don't even compare me to her." Her head turned to his face, "And get some clothes on."

Suigetsu gave Sakura a smirk, "I know you like what you see."

The anger coming off Sakura was palpable as a vein throbbed.

"BAKA!"

A swift kick was delivered to Suigetsu's face. Sakura gave a self-satisfied smirk as she watched him wiggle around in pain on the floor.

"Stop wasting time." Sasuke was in no mood for this.

Suigetsu looked up at Sasuke, a grin on his face. "So I take it you defeated Orochimaru?"

Sasuke gave an 'hn' and Sakura continued,

"We need you in our group."

Suigetsu raised an eyebrow. He said nothing as he began to put on the clothing from the stump. When he was done he turned to Sasuke,

"What do you need me for?"

Sakura explained Sasuke's plan as Suigetsu absorbed the information.

"Ah, well, I've got nothing else to do. I guess I could join up."

Sasuke gave a nod while Sakura smiled. Suigetsu continued, "Who else besides me is going with you guys?"

Sasuke replied to this question, "Karin and Juugo."

Suigetsu's nose crinkled in disgusted, "Those two basket cases? One's insane and the other one is useless, not to mention has a short temper. Bah, what a bitch! Really, what can Karin do?"

"She can track other people by their chakra. Can you do that? Besides, she can take care of herself.

Suigetsu's eyes scrunched up as he stood up. "Tch, whatever. It's your group. However, we kinda have to make a pit stop."

Sakura frowned, "Where? We shouldn't be wasting time."

"Zabuza is dead no?"

Sakura nodded while Sasuke gave a look of recognition.

"Well, seeing as I was his apprentice, it is only fitting that I have his sword."

Sakura tapped her foot impatiently as she watched Sasuke nod. "Yeah, lets just get going. We need to pick up the other two ASAP."

Next chapter will be focusing on the employment of Karin and Juugo. Expect some sparks between Sakura and Karin! I also might put in some Naruto or Hinata. Hope you enjoyed!