Sakura went with Sai to check on Tsukiko after the sun set. She should be calmed down by now. Sakura wanted to go along so she could get to know Tsukiko. The girl seemed misunderstood because of her antisocial nature. Sai said Tsukiko had been very isolated as a child. All she had was Sai, after Sai's brother died. Sai's lack of feeling made him the perfect partner for the antisocial girl. Sakura wanted to give her a chance; get to know her a little.

Tsukiko's door was intimidating and got Sakura to think twice before entering. Sai gave her a comforting smile and opened the door. The room was dark and tidy. Tsukiko sat on the mat she slept on and looked stoically at the two.

"What do you want?" she asked in a bland voice.

"We wanted to make sure you were okay," Sakura said timidly.

"Just the two of you?" Tsukiko checked.

"Yeah. Why?" Sakura answered.

"The demon-boy wouldn't like it here," she answered, a touch of anger in her voice.

"How do you-"

"Did you eat yet?" Sai cut Sakura off. Tsukiko nodded. "Good. I just wanted to make sure they were taking care of you."

"Cause you're not here to take care of me yourself," Tsukiko said. It could be taken negatively, had she not given Sai a real smile. The first one Sakura had ever seen on her.

He smiled back. "I've been busy lately. But I've decided I'm going to keep an eye on you from now on."

"I'm glad to hear it."

Sai sat on the mat next to Tsukiko and Sakura sat across from them.

"So why did you come, Sakura?" Tsukiko asked, her voice still light.

"I want to get to know you better," Sakura replied.

"You haven't had enough of me yet?"

"I've only seen you fight."

"So you want to know if I'm as much of a savage out of battle."

"Not a savage… just a fierce fighter."

Tsukiko laughed sharply. "You try too hard. Or do you really have no spine."

"I'm just trying to be nice."

"But why? I don't understand."

"There are people who want to be nice; who are just nice by nature."

"Well, the, you're the first one I've met. Everybody does something because they expect to get something in return. So what do you want?"

"I want to get to know you. All I want is your friendship."

When Tsukiko looked into Sakura's eyes, she realized the healing ninja was telling the truth. She was being completely honest. She wanted to be Tsukiko's friend. The impact of her words hit Tsukiko like a wave. From that day on, she had two friends. Two people that actually cared about her. It was mind blowing. It took her a few minutes to comprehend it all. Then the three of them fell into easy conversation. Just like three friends would.

Months passed. Tsukiko trained with Kakashi's team every day. She and Sakura became friends. Sai spent more time with Tsukiko, and she even began to like Kakashi and his quirky nature. But she avoided Naruto. She only talked with him to fight with him. They never got along. She hated him. How dare he? It was all his fault.

Team Kakashi was sent on another mission, the result was horrible. Kakashi came back with a splint on his arm. Naruto came back unconscious. Sakura came back drained of energy. Sai didn't come back. The sound ninjas stole him in combat. He was gone. A rescue team was sent to retrieve him. Their heads were found at the gate four mornings after they left.

Sakura went to tell Tsukiko with a lump in her throat. How would the feisty girl react? When she told her, Tsukiko didn't react. She stood stalk still. The two of them stood in the hallway across from her room. Neither moved. A ninja passed them and Tsukiko threw her arm out. A string of chakra flew from her finger at it struck the ninja through the heart. Then she told Sakura to leave. She wasn't very good at holding in her anger.

Tsunade searched for anew partner for team Kakashi as the three remaining members prepared to send them on a rescue mission. Tsukiko went to Tsunade when she heard of the search for a partner. Tsunade was shocked to see her because she wasn't supposed to leave the old Roots HQ. The girl promised she posed no threat to Konoha. She only wanted to get Sai back. Tsunade agreed, against the advise of everybody, and sent team Kakashi, with Tsukiko, to get Sai back. The four left within an hour and headed for the last place they had seen Sai.

Surprisingly enough, Sasuke, Orochimaru, and Kabuto waited for the team. Tsukiko talked to Kakashi and they agreed that Kakashi, Sakura, and Naruto would be backup if Tsukiko needed it. They would remain hidden and only show themselves if a fight broke out.

"Where's Sai?" Tsukiko demanded, Ignoring Kabuto and Sasuke and addressing Orochimaru. She had been educated about the world while trapped in her room. She knew a lot, and learned details through letters she got in secret from informers.

"Why should I tell you?" Orochimaru answered slyly.

"Because you wouldn't want to tip your hand to Konoha too soon. You know what I am; you know what I can do."

Orochimaru laughed lightly. "You're on top of things, girl. You want to know where your little friend is? We don't have him."

"Who does?"

"The Akatsuki."

"What?"

"They took him under my nose, while my ninjas were transporting him to our base. I'll admit it."

"Thank you," She turned to leave.

"You believe him?!" Naruto demanded from behind a bush.

"Orochimaru does not lie," Tsukiko said without hesitation.

"You trust this guy?"

"I don't trust him, but I do know that he doesn't lie."

"Prove it!"

"Has he ever lied to you?" Naruto fell silent, trying to think of a time. "Have you ever heard him lie?" Nobody answered. "Thank you, Orochimaru." Orochimaru nodded in reply and Tsukiko turned her back on him and left. Team Kakashi followed. Tsukiko dug into her knowledge of the wolf. The Akatsuki. Yes. She would be able to find them. She was determined. She would get Sai back. Next stop: The Akatsuki headquarters.