Author Note: Please forgive me for the extremely slow release of this chapter. My life has been turned upside down more than once these last few weeks. I put a lot of effort into this chapter in the hopes of making it longer than all my other chapters. I really hope all of you that have been reading enjoy the chapter. At the end you can look forward to a preview of Chapter 9 which will be released about two weeks from now when my school year ends.

Chapter 8: Miracle

Sakura gently knelt to the ground listening to the wind shift through the trees. She closed her eyes and focused on the sounds around her. Beneath the sound of the wind, she caught the echo of a bird's chirping and the movement of a fox in the bushes nearby. Her brow tightened as she reigned her focus in even tighter. She then noticed the sound of a foot hitting a tree branch. It was silent and subtle at first, and Sakura barely took notice of it. However, the foot continued to hit branch after branch sounding like the beat of a drum. Sakura stood up from the ground and finally took notice of her two companions.

Earlier in the day, Iruka-sensei had informed Sakura's class of a training exercise to help the student's tracking abilities. He split the class into groups of three to also teach them about Konoha's squads. Sakura remembered how each squad was normally a group of four, three ninja and a squad leader. In the exercise for today, they would be short one member for each squad. The class' goal was to find Iruka before the day ended. The catch was that if a squad found Iruka, the rest had to give up. Most of the kids had been motivated for the opportunity of having no homework for a week if they were successful. Sakura on the other hand wanted to push herself to her limits so that she could test her strengths and bolster her weaknesses.

Sakura turned and looked at her two classmates. She had been lucky in the group picks because she was placed with Hinata Hyuuga and Choji Akimichi. Both were extremely good friends of Sakura and they also had very useful skills. Hinata was a small, timid girl with short blue hair that covered her eyes. She, however, was the most useful on the squad for tracking as she had the Byakugan, the eyes of the Hyuuga clan. Hinata's pale, gray eyes could see not only through objects, but great distances, and even though she wasn't skilled in their use, the trait helped. Choji was a little different. He was horrible at almost everything when it came to being a ninja. However, Choji was useful for battle. He was only a head taller than both Sakura and Hinata, but he weighed more than both the girls combined. Sakura was fearful of calling him fat because it sparked a rage in the boy that could not be calmed.

Sakura quickly explained to the other two nin what she heard and asked Hinata to confirm what she had heard. Immediately, Hinata closed her eyes and shouted calling forth her power. She ground her teeth as she began to search the dark forest around them. Hinata quickly nodded when she spotted Iruka hidden within a tree.

"Um, he is t-three hundred meters to the north," stuttered Hinata as she gasped for breath. "He is hiding inside of a tree and no other squads are near him."

Sakura jumped up to the limb of an old, rotten tree almost slipping. She caught herself before the others noticed, but a flush of red brightened her cheeks as she beckoned to the others to follow. The group hurled themselves from limb to limb, the branches slightly bending under the weight. Before they reached Iruka's hiding spot, the three stopped and grew quiet. Sakura looked at Hinata once again to get her to confirm that Iruka was in the tree. The moment Hinata confirmed, Sakura threw a kunai with an explosive note attached into the tree. The explosion thundered through the woods scattering shrapnel and splinters in all directions. The children huddled behind a branch, but a few slivers of wood and metal scratched them. Thousands of birds took to the sky in an instant blacking out the sun. Sakura quickly looked at where Iruka had been. Her face suddenly twisted in shock. Nothing was there.

--

Naruto stood dumbfounded as the interior of the room opened up in his view. In the middle of the room was a giant oaken desk that was shaped like a semi circle. The desk itself had nine panels, and carved into each panel was an extremely scary looking animal. Naruto closed and opened his eyes several times noticing how each animal seemed to move across the desk as if each one were alive. Behind the desk was a chair made of the same oak as the desk. Naruto quickly shifted his gaze around the walls of the room and noticed that each wall was completely bare. Not a single painting or ornament adorned the walls of the room. In one corner was a bookshelf that extended up to the ceiling nearly fifteen feet. Thousands of books lined each shelf creating an almost breathtaking mural of muted colors.

As Sasori and Kisame stopped in front of the desk, Naruto finally took notice of the two figures standing near an open window watching the downpour outside. The first was a female with light blue hair. Naruto quickly observed the woman's features. Her eyes were piercing and her mouth was twisted into a constant frown. Most of all, Naruto noticed the silver piercing in her lower lip. The boy was upset for a moment as he thought of how horrible it was that she ruined her pretty face, but he was soon thrown into more of a fit as the second figure turned to face the group.

This second figure immediately frightened Naruto. Naruto took note of how his limbs began shaking at the sight of the man's grotesque, red eyes. What frightened the boy most was the man's face. Most of his face was covered in ugly piercings. Each ear contained nearly seven piercings while his nose was lined with six studs. Like the woman next to him, the man also had piercings in his lower lip although these were spiked. Naruto's eyes wanted to divert themselves from the man's expressionless face, but he couldn't muster the strength to move them, or rather, he felt drawn to the man's face. As the man began to speak, Naruto's ears instantly wanted to reject the voice. Sasori quickly knelt down next to Naruto and shielded the boy from the man.

As soon as Sasori was sure Naruto had calmed down he turned to face the man. It took only seconds for Sasori to judge the man's strength, weaknesses, and most importantly, the man's psyche. Sasori clenched his fists as he stared calmly into the man's eyes. He noticed how both eyes contained several rings in them. Before Sasori could continue his evaluation of the man, his voice rang out through the room.

"Welcome to my kingdom," muttered the man, "My name is Pein."

--

Sakura clenched her stomach and gazed down at her shaking hand. She quickly brought her hand to her mouth and coughed uncontrollably. As she looked back down at her hand, she noticed blood. Sakura attempted to lift herself up as she searched for signs of Choji and Hinata, but neither one was anywhere to be seen. Sakura slowly dragged herself to a nearby tree as her vision began to blur. Around her she could hear the sounds of explosions and the clash of blades. She began to cough again while she set herself against the trunk of a giant tree. Almost instantly, Sakura felt a rush of pain down her back. Sakura slowly reached a hand behind her and felt her back letting her fingers run across a deep gash causing streaks of pain to course through her body. As she brought her hand back around, she noticed the thick blood that covered her hand before everything went dark.

Sakura felt a chill brush across her face. Faces, she saw all kinds of faces, Iruka was screaming at her. Did she do something wrong? This would only have been the second time Iruka had scolded her, but even still he didn't seem angry. His face was scared, almost frightened. Sakura tried moving her hand, but she couldn't. All the energy seemed to be sucked out of her. Her head suddenly fell backwards and she plunged into darkness again.

Sakura's eyes slowly opened revealing a blur of colors. She quickly closed them again then strained to open them. This time she was able to view her surroundings. It was early morning and outside three open windows, Sakura could hear birds chirping. Sakura easily figured out that she was in a hospital. But where? She tried lifting herself up, but the pain that struck her body was overwhelming. Moments later Sakura heard whispers outside her door before it was opened. She twisted her head and saw Iruka-sensei smiling at her. Almost instantly a nearby nurse yelled at him for trespassing, but he brushed her off only further infuriating the young nurse. He rushed over to Sakura and clasped one of her hands in his. Sakura briefly smiled before Iruka solemnly began talking.

"I'm so happy that you are alive, Sakura," muttered Iruka as he let go of Sakura's hand, "I was fearful when they began attacking."

Confused Sakura questioned, "What do you mean, Iruka-sensei, who attacked?"

"The Hidden Mist Village attacked the training exercise. The explosion you had set off to catch me triggered a series of explosions that struck you and the other students. Before anything got worse, I carried you out of the worst, but you were severely injured and the other children needed my help," explained Iruka as he sat down in a nearby chair. "I was lucky that the ANBU arrived so soon. They fought off the first wave of attackers."

"Sensei, why did they attack? I thought the Hidden Mist was isolated."

"We don't know why, but the entire city is on alert and the Hokage himself is on the front lines fighting. All the missions have been canceled and all Chuunin and Jounin have been ordered to the wall."

"What about classes?" asked Sakura lifting herself up painfully. "If all the Chuunin are gone, no one can teach us."

"That's right, Sakura," replied Iruka softly, "Konohagakure is in a full state of emergency, upon any signs of attack, you, the children and the villagers will be moved into the tunnels hidden within the Hokage monument."

"I want to help though, I don't want to run!"

"No, absolutely not," shouted Iruka before calming down. "Goodbye, Sakura, I need to get to my squad. The nurses here will take care of you."

"Please, Iruka-sensei-"

"Sakura, you are too young to fight," interrupted Iruka. "Trust me. It is better you hide with the rest of the people if an attack comes."

Before Sakura could stop him, Iruka had jumped through the window and disappeared out of sight. Sakura slumped down in her bed lowering her head in thought. She wanted to help fight. Even if she was young there must have been something she could do. Sakura looked out the window and wondered how long she had been unconscious. Was everyone else alright? Did Choji and Hinata escape safely or were they stuck in bed like Sakura. Thinking back Sakura barely remembered any of what happened after she threw the explosive note. She had ducked as the splinters passed overhead. Then she saw flames and kunai in front of her. She had twisted her body when two knives or kunai had struck her. They had cut deep.

--

"Sasori, it is a pleasure to meet you," stated Pein calmly. The man had swiftly moved in front of Sasori and greeted him. However, the expression and the tone of Pein's voice had never changed. It was still dark and filled with a seething hatred. Naruto had immediately hidden behind Sasori's body looking out from behind the folds of cloth at Pein's face. As Pein's eyes floated down and met with Naruto's, the boy jumped back behind Sasori trying to hide himself. "So this is the boy you travel with? What is his name?"

"Naruto," Sasori quickly responded, his throat choked. "This boy means a lot to me."

"I understand," said Pein backing away. "My intention is not to keep you very long. I would like to ask that you join my organization."

"You mean demand," corrected Sasori.

"I don't like to put it that way, but yes," responded Pein taking a seat behind the desk. "You will join Akatsuki and be partnered with another member. As soon as you are prepared, you will receive your missions from Zetsu. Once you do in fact join Akatsuki, you will likely never meet me in person ever again."

"Would Naruto be separated from me?"

"No, although the boy can not become a full Akatsuki member until his skill is greater than a Jounin's," explained Pein resting his chin on his folded hands. "The boy can travel with you and your partner as you see fit."

"I understand, thank you," remarked Sasori turning to Naruto. "May we leave?"

"I would like you to meet your partner first. Oh, and there is one other person I would like you to meet. He will be Kisame's new partner."

"When was this decided, leader," snorted Kisame leaning against the wall behind Naruto. "He better not be some sort of asshole."

"I'm sure he will be to your liking, Kisame. Konan, call them into the room."

The blue-haired woman Naruto had adored quietly left the room as if she was floating on the air. His eyes followed her until she exited through a door on the side. Seconds later she returned with two men following behind her. The first was a younger man with black hair and thin lines under his eyes. His mouth was bent downwards in an unpleasant frown. He wore a cloak similar to the rest except that he held the collar open and rested his arm near his chest. The sleeve flapped around behind him as he sauntered into the room.

The second figure was starkly different from the first. This man deeply disturbed Naruto and brought out an intense fear that caused Naruto to freeze in horror. The man's skin was extremely pale. Unnaturally pale. His features were twisted and resembled a venomous snake. As he passed through the room, the man took a look at Naruto with his beady, slitted eyes and licked his lips with a long, forked tongue. His eyes pierced straight through Naruto forcing the boy to his knees. "It's unlike you, Leader, to let a boy into the organization. Although he looks very tasty." laughed the man as he sat against the desk.

"Sasori, I would like to introduce you to Itachi Uchiha, and Orochimaru. Orochimaru has been a member for some time now, but Itachi has joined only recently. Sasori of the Red Sand, the former Sannin, Orochimaru, is to be your partner in this organization. Kisame, Itachi Uchiha is to be your new partner."

"If that's what you wish, Leader," remarked Kisame as he lifted himself from the wall and walked over to Itachi. "You're pretty young, but strong. I think I might like you."

With a cold stare, Itachi brushed past Kisame, "If you get in my way, I'll kill you."

"I really am going to like you!"

As Kisame and Itachi were dismissed from the room, Pein sat back down in his chair and waved Orochimaru over to him. The two quickly whispered between themselves before Orochimaru walked up to Sasori. Naruto didn't notice the attack until the last second. Sasori had already grabbed the boy and was halfway across the room before Orochimaru noticed what happened. Looking back at the twisted, pale figure of Orochimaru, Naruto saw the man pull a sword wrapped around his tongue from the depths of his throat. A moment later he was next to Sasori swinging the sword. Sasori easily dodged the attack landing on his knees feet away holding Naruto between his arms. Sasori lifted one of his arms quickly and launched hundreds of tiny barbs from a slot within his hand. Although it had seemed Orochimaru had been struck by the barbs, he appeared once again next to Sasori. However, this time instead of striking at Sasori, he twisted the sword to aim for Naruto's head. Naruto rolled out of the way and instantly brandished one of the kunai Sasori had given him. Before the fight could develop any further, Pein appeared in the middle of the group.

"Enough," said Pein grabbing Orochimaru by the arm. "I have seen all I wanted. The rumor about you Sasori is true then. You turned your entire body into a puppet."

"That's right," stated Sasori calmly as he remained in his fighting stance. "There isn't a vulnerable spot upon my body. This body has more advantages than you could possibly imagine."

Naruto stood in horror. Even though Sasori had shown Naruto his body many times, it was still hard for Naruto to believe that the kind and gentle man he called Sasori had long forsaken his human form. Even though many would have viewed Sasori's body as an abomination, Naruto never once thought badly of the body whose warm embrace brought Naruto a soothing feeling. Even now Naruto's eyes slowly scanned over each joint noticing the slots that contained weapons and poisons. This body that was the vessel for so many weapons was also the vessel of the closest thing Naruto had to a father. Sasori was more than a weapon.

"I'm also quite pleased by the boy's skills," commented Pein as he approached Naruto. "I wouldn't have ever expected a child to dodge one of Orochimaru's attacks. How long has he been training."

"Seven months," replied Sasori with a hint of emotion masking his voice. "I have trained him personally. At first he was a bad student, but he learned quicker than myself."

"So then is he too a puppet master," cut in Orochimaru.

"No, Naruto chose his own path. He chose combat and deception over puppetry. He knows much more than you could expect."

Naruto smiled a little remembering his training. Sasori had been a strict teacher. Every day Naruto would improve his muscular strength by carrying large rocks from one side of a field to another. After that he would run for miles until he collapsed. Then after a short break he would spar with Sasori, or Sasori would show him several combat moves. For months Naruto had trained himself until he had nearly mastered several martial arts including the use of his kunai. Naruto had grown so fast in skill that he had caught Sasori by surprise when he was able to score a point in one of their spars. And his skills had paid off in the end. If he had been untrained, Orochimaru would surely have killed him, or at the very least injured the boy severely.

Naruto quickly put his kunai up in defense as Pein knelt beside him. He looked over towards Sasori who nodded after a few breaths. Naruto slowly slipped his kunai back within the depths of his sleeve replacing the weapon in it's holster near his elbow. Pein showed no emotion as he produced a short sword from beneath his cloak. He held it out in front of the boy's face. Before explaining the sword's history. It had bled and killed hundreds of ninja during the civil war in the the Land of Rain. Pein added that the sword contained a will of it's own and had been laced with the chakra of Hanzo, one of Amegakure's former leaders. It was Pein who had killed Hanzo, and he had used the man's chakra in order to create the sword. The sword remained nameless.

Pein looked into the depth's of Naruto's eyes and handed the boy the sword, "This sword will protect you, young akatuski. I want you to kill with this sword. I ask that you help my organization become great."

Naruto slowly grabbed the sword and weighed it in his hands, "I will."

Preview of Chapter 9: The Sun King

Naruto quickly glanced around the corner narrowly dodging several barbs that passed next to his eye. Ahead of him he saw the tall man he had been hunting. The man's long, red hair shone beneath the light of the moon, waving wildly in the wind. Naruto pulled his sword from his sheath causing the metal to sing with excitement. The blade was eager to taste blood. Behind him Naruto heard Sasori prepare a summoning jutsu with his caustic voice. Naruto noticed Orochimaru almost slivering up towards the man, but before he could get close enough the man created a light brighter than the sun. He quickly directed the beam of light at Orochimaru causing the snake-like man to catch fire. Naruto gawked as the man disappeared out of sight. An attack like that was unconceivable. How could someone control light?