Warnings: more language, and a little "darkness" in this chapter - the plot's about to start, but it won't all be evident right away (though some aspects will be incredibly obvious). There are mini-plots within the story, which I say sorry for in advance :) Mega thanks to all who reviewed - if anyone likes this still, I'll get a beta for the next chapter - special note at the bottom!

oh yeah, almost forget - there's some spoilers from chapters 400 and above. hope that's k

Chp 2:

In the early hours of the night, as the world began to sleep, an angry medic made her way across an eerie, dirty hallway. Her expression screamed "Back off," and all who saw her did just that. Except for an orange-clad boy, who sappily ran to the girl and embraced her.

"Sakura-cha-" he had time to yell, before the girl's fist slammed into his face. He propelled to the ground, rubbing his chin, as he glumly stated, "Ouch."

The girl turned around and continued her walk – the boy stood back up and decided to follow. "Sakura-chan..." he continued to say. "Sakura-chan. Sakura –"

"What!?"

The boy flinched at her deadly tone, causing a sudden guilt to overtake her. Her features softened, and she asked again, kinder. "What, Naruto? What do you need?"

Relieved, the boy smiled brightly. "Well, everyone said that you were being moody –"

Before he even realized it, he was back on the floor. "No wait! I didn't mean it that way!"

But Sakura wouldn't wait; she was too angry to talk with her friend. It wasn't him that had caused her rage, but she knew that Naruto would only worsen it. When she was like this, no one could stop her... well, no one on the mission, at least. Besides, she was presently busy. She had just received her assignment.

That "assignment" stood before her - a yellowing door which said "O.R.". The bloody letters made her shiver. As she grabbed the handle, a hand grabbed her. "Sakura," Naruto whispered. He had caught up to her, and he looked upset. His voice was calm, yet somehow troubled. "I was worried... is it all right?"

Sakura blanched, her eyes forming circles. He's not supposed to mention it aloud, she thought. "Yes, Naruto, it is fine. Why would you think that it wasn't?"

Sighing in relief, he scratched his head. "Well, after you caught Deidara, you looked kinda shaky; that combined with your sudden angry outburst... well it made Sai and I think... the worst. You kinda get mad when you're upset... and catching Deidara could be considered heavy-lifting... so we thought that, well, you know... and yeah, that made us nervous."

Sakura shook her head, hiding a snort which came out anyway – she appreciated her best friends' concern, but found it extremely amusing. "If the worst happened, you would know it – today's "outburst" wasn't related." She realized her pun, and suddenly laughed, but her smile quickly soured, and her tone turned dark. "I'm just angry at Shikamaru... he just gave me my real assignment."

"I thought that he needed a medic?" questioned Naruto, looking confused. "You know, as a precaution. That's the only reason Tsunade let you come."
"He wasn't lying... I was a precaution, just in case he needed a surgeon... he's decided that he does... and he wants that surgeon to torture."

Naruto winced, shrieking, "What!?" as a dozen images suddenly hit him. "What kind of torture did he think of!?" asked the ninja, turning green.

"One that might protect us," stated Sakura, morosely. "I'm about to do it now, and I think it's irreversible."

"Well tell Shikamaru no!" Naruto shouted in defiance. "Tell him you can't do it – we can get another surgeon!"

"We're four days away from Konoha! And I am perfectly capable, just not willing."

"Well, just tell him you won't do it... You have a viable excuse to leave."

Sakura knew what he was referring to, and she furrowed her brow in rage. She refused to even consider it. It was not an excuse, and she refused to say different.

"No, Naruto," she stated firmly. "I'm going to do this; the guy deserves it. After what he's done to you, what he did to Gaara... It needs to be done, so I might as well be the one."

Naruto sighed, but knew she was right. "Well I'll come too, as moral support." He squeezed her shoulder, and she nodded, feeling grateful. It felt better to not be alone.

With that thought, she opened the doors, preparing herself for the worst.

She got it.

"What the F--!?" she heard someone scream. The voice was low, and filled with fury. It came from a man, tied to a gurney, thrashing around like a fish out of water.

"Let me out!" the man continued, squirming as much as the chains would allow. "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!? Somebody better start explaining, un!"

The man had awoken in a strange room, to two faces he somewhat remembered. Neither would answer him, nor even acknowledge him. And that, more than anything, enraged him.

"When a guy blacks out," he began with a snarl, "its common decency to tell him what he's missed." But neither of them would speak. They wouldn't even look his way.

They did, however, look towards the doors, as they suddenly opened to reveal two new ninja. One had blond hair, and the other... pink!? In an instant, he recognized the girl.

That's – that's her! he mentally screamed. The girl who killed Danna. The bitch! The bitch!

Guess he just woke up, thought Sakura dryly. Good planning Shikamaru... you're some sorta "genius."

Said "genius" was in the room - a joyful Kankuro stood at his side. The duo waved as the other two entered. Kankuro grinned at Sakura, and merrily (too much so, under the circumstances) said "Hi." Shikamaru, instead, looked at Naruto, and asked indifferently, "Why are you here?"

"Moral support," he answered, shrugging. "Whatever," replied Shikamaru.

"Hello, un!? Still in the room!" shouted their aggravated detainee. The four turned to look at him, and then looked back at each other. Deidara's eyes bugged out of his skull. A stream of obscenities poured from his lips, reminding Shikamaru of another Akatsuki he'd met. "Fine, we'll answer you," he muttered warily, wondering if all Akatsuki had that vocabulary.

"Finally!" Deidara exclaimed. He settled down in his chair with a 'thump!' "First of all, where am I, un, and second of all, why am I here?"

"You're in a hospital," stated Sakura, a line she'd said countless times. About to continue, she realized she couldn't – the glare he was sending her killed all of her words.

"Not. You." he stated icily, shocking Sakura with his hate. She turned towards Shikamaru, looking surprised, wondering, What did I do to this guy?

Shikamaru took the hint, and continued her explanation. "We're in the town of Okawa, where you were trying to deliver a scroll," he said. "You were apprehended when you fell from your bird. Our team of hidden ninja jumped out and caught you. Why are you here? Well, it's a long list... you've been arrested, but there's more to it."

"Huh?" asked Deidara, dumbfounded.

"Basically, you've been drafted."

Well this was gonna be longer but I figure I can just add the rest as another chapter if this one comes out likable XD
Anyways, next chapter has the torture thing, but it's not what you're thinking (I couldn't hurt Dei like that!) and there's also some other surprises (once again, not what you're thinking lol)

Anyways, thanks to my 3 reviewers!

AnkhIsis: ha definitely pre-shippuden. But shes got her good side when shes not going crazy... and talking to herself... and chasing Sasuke... etc.
black55widow: glad you liked it - i just hope the story won't be fleeting too... and temporary, or however that saying goes XD
Manyara: thanks! - I'm about to go check out urs!

reviews and critique are greatly loved and make me write faster!

--LM--