Author's note: Okay, another chapter to add. I hope you enjoy this one. )

I know some of you may have been thinking " What happend to Orochimaru? Wasn't he planning something when he was happy that konoha's greatest ninja's were injured, that it possibly gave him an advantage on something? What was it? And why hasn't it happend yet? And what of the Akatsuki? And what on earth happend to Gaara?"

hA.. No need to worrry my readers, you shall soon find out. )

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The raven haired boy appeared from the darkness as he examined the campsite.

They're long gone.

He thought to himself as he crouched down beside the remains of where the fire had been just hours before.

They couldn't have gotten that far ahead of me.

He stood up as he walked a few steps then darted across the lake and dissapeared into the trees.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

They jumped from treetop to tree top at full speed.

Sakura was at the front with Sasuke, Suigetsu and Karin behind them and Jugo in the back. Soon, Suigetsu and Karin passed Sakura as Sakura was now beside Jugo. He too passed her. It wasn't that they were speeding up, it was that Sakura was slowing down. She was low on chakra and still suffering some injuries from the earlier fight with team Hebi.

Sasuke noticed this as he slowed down and headed to the back where Sakura was. "Sakura, are you okay?" he asked as he saw her clutching her right arm as she slowly nodded.

"I..I think I'll be okay." she said with a faint smile. "Sakura, you're low on chakra and becoming weaker. Let me carry you." Sasuke offerred. Sakura shook her head. "It's okay Sasuke.. I feel fine." she said with a reassuring smile.

Sasuke looked at her with a doubtful face. "Alright." he said as he headed to the front once more. He suddenly stopped as everyone else did as well. He turned and faced his team as he began telling them what he had planned.

Sakura stopped on a tree branch and was leaning agianst the trunk for support. She was feeling dizzy, everything began to spin...

"There is no doubt we are being followed, however, the purserer isn't close so we still have time. We will not rest for the night and instead continue through until tomorrow. If this person shows up, do not kill them. You are to stay defensive and only attack to capture." Sasuke orderd.

Sakura heard every word Sasuke said but was slowly loosing vision, when suddenly her legs failed her and she fell backwards. She could feel herself falling as all she saw was the underside of the tree branch she was standing on only seconds before. She suddenly stopped falling as she felt something, or someone holding her. She looked up and saw Sasuke's face.

He held her in his arms as he stopped on a branch and looked down at her. He flipped her over him so that she was now on his back. Her arms hung over his shoulders as he held on to her legs. "Hang on."he said as he jumped up and stopped in front of the team. "Let's go." he said as he turned and continued jumping through the trees.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A faint echo of footsteps could be heard followed by knocking.

"Come in." the voice hissed.

The door creaked open as a dark figure entered. "The preparations are complete. The army is ready." the figure said stepping into the light.

The figure sitting in a chai in the centre of the room smiled a wicked smile. "Excellent. Prepare the troops, we leave immeadiatly." the man stood from the chair as he walked over to a table littered with papers and maps, with a few candles on it burned straight down to the wax. "Konoha will fall." The man began laughing minacially.

The other figure turned and headed for the door as he shut it behind him. He pushed his glasses up to the bridge of his nose as he smirked and headed down the dark hallway. The manical laugh of his master rang throughout the halls.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sasuke glanced over his shoulder at Sakura. He could tell that she was weak and needed rest to replenish her chakra. He looked down as he saw a small clearing ahead. He jumped down as he ran on the ground for a bit then stopped upon entering the small clearing. " We will rest here for the night." he said slowly resting Sakura down against a tree.

"But I thought you said-" Karin started as Sasuke quickly interrupted

"I said we're going to rest here for the night." he said in a colder tone. "Jugo, gather firewood. Suigetsu check the perimeter, Karin, stay out of my way." Sasuke said as he took off the small bag he had on his bag. He gathered the equipment he needed to make some shelter for Sakura to rest inside of.

Karin looked shocked at Sasuke as she glared at him and quickly dissapeared into the forest.

Thirty minutes passed when Sasuke had finished creating a shelter. He grabbed the bag and placed it inside as he picked up Sakura and layed her down, placing the bag underneathe her head serving as a pillow. He then removed his shirt as he placed it over her for use of a blanket. He exited the shelter as he stood outside and watched as Jugo got the fire going.

Suigetsu returned. "The perimeter is clear and set up." he said.

Sasuke simply replied with a nod. "Good, Suigetsu, you have first watch tonight. Jugo, Karin get some rest." he said as he looked at Jugo then searched for Karin's face. "Where is she?" he asked.

Suigetsu simply shrugged as Jugo pointed to where she had left ."I'm guessing she needed to take a walk." he said simple mindedly as he grabbed a large boulder and began punching it to create his own shelter.

Suigetsu sat beside the fire as Sasuke rose to his feet. He quickly turned his head when he heard the bushes rustling. He took out a kunai preparing to throw it but stopped when Karin stepped through holding a bunch of equipment. "Where did you go." Sasuke said in his monotone voice as he put away his kunai. "Why do you care." Karin shot back as she walked over and set the supplies down. Sasuke simply sighed as he walked away.

"Hey, where are you going?" Suigetsu asked. "I'm going to take a walk." he said as he dissapeared into the darkness.

Karin simply rolled her eyes as she began making her own little shelter to sleep in.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Piercing red eyes with a familar black design in them stared down upon Team Hebi and their newest member.

"Are you sure that was the girl." His impatient partner said as he placed a large wrapped sword in the ground and knelt down beside it on one knee.

"Yes, it is her. She holds the scrolls. She is the last of their clan, did you not notice the insignia on her back." the red eyed character responded.

They stood atop a hill, their black cloaks swaying in the wind. A design of red clouds littered across the cloak. They each wore hats that pointed at the top and had white fabric hanging down from the side.

"What of him, won't he get in the way?" the fish eyed man asked as he stood beside his partner.

"I'll take care of him, you just worry about getting the girl." he responded as he looked down as he watched Sasuke dissapear into the forest.

The scaled man smirked, " It will only take me a few moments to grab the girl, dont babysit your little brother too long." he said with a smirk as he grabbed the bandaged sword.

The red eyed man gave a look to his partner as he then dissapeared.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

A black hawk fly up through the forest tree's. It flew up to the top of the hill where to two suspicious persons were standing only moments ago and now only one remained. The hawk flew around the mysterious character with the large sword.

He watched the bird circle him. There was something about the bird that was not quite right. It was almost as if the bird wasn't real. It had looked like something of a drawing. He then noticed something clutched between its claws.

"A scroll?" he said aloud to himself.

The bird then took off dissapearing into the distance. He then turned his attention down to the forest as he saw two eyes staring back at him when the figure then dissapeared.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sasuke was training in a small clearing just outside their campsite.

He stopped, taking a break as he was breathing heavily. He wiped the sweat off of his forehead as he kneeled beside a small stream and washed his face.

He then stood and looked up at the moon. He began getting this feeling in his stomache, something wasn't right.

"Sakura..."

he said quietly to himself as he grabbed his katana as he turnedand began heading back to the campsite but stopped dead in his tracks as he stared into familar eyes.

"Hello, brother." the cold voice called out as he stood in front of Sasuke.

Sasuke's grip on the hilt of his katana tightened. "Itatchi!" he said cold and bitter.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tsunade leaned against the window sil as she looked out over Konoha like she usually did. She noticed something comming into view. It was a bird, a hawk. It landed beside her as she noticed who it was from right away. She took the scroll out that it had clutched between it's claws. She sat down at her desk as she placed the scroll on the table. She held her hands together.

"Kai."

She said as the straps on the scroll unfolded. She opened it and began reading. Once finished, she slammed the scroll on the desk causing a crack. She stood from her chair as she angrily headed towards the door.

"Problems?" a voice called from behind her.

Tsunade turned, recognizing the voice right away "Jiraiya."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jugo was asleep in his rock shelter, Karin asleep in her shelter and Sakura as well. Suigetsu sat in front of the fire, his chin leaning against his hand. His former masters zanbato laying beside him.

He took one of the water bottles from his belt as he began drinking it, and in mere secodns it was empty. He returned the empty water bottle to his belt as he stood, grabbing the zanbato and began walking around the campsite.

He sighed as he began carelessly swinging his sword.

"If you're not careful, you'll hurt someone." a voice called from the darkness.

Suigetsu immeadiatly stopped swinging his sword and held it on the defensive. "Who is it, who's there?" he demanded.

Laughter could be heard as the figure stepped out. "Ah, Suigetsu. It's been a while." the shark faced creature said as he smiled and his sharp triangular teeth were shown.

Suigetsu turned as a smirk was plasterd on his face. "Kisame-san." he said as he held his zabato lower in a relaxed manner.Kisame was a former member of the legendary seven swordsmen. He had trained with him and many others while Zabuza was his teacher. He noticed the attire of Kisame and knew that Orochimaru was one part of the Akatsuki, but betrayed them many years ago.

"What brings you here?" Suigetsu asked taking the cap off of another water bottle as he began drinking. "I know you didn't just simply stop by to say hello." he said as he threw the bottle to the side.

Kisame had a wide grin as he looked at Suigetsu. " Alas, I have not come to rekindle old memories. I have come for the girl." he said cutting straight to the point.

"The girl? Karin?" he asked confused.

Kisame shook his head. "No, we have no use of her. She is weak. We've come for the Haruno girl." he said holding the Samehada over his back.

"Sakura? Why." Suigetsu asked as he glanced over his shoulder at a sleeping Sakura. "What importance is she too you?"

"She has something and we want it." he said not going into detail. "Suigetsu, it's been nice talking with you, and seeing you again, but surely she means nothing to you and this really has nothing to do with you. So if you'd be so kind to just step aside while I take the girl and we can pretend this conversation never happend." Kisame said with a grin.

Suigetsu thought for a moment. She really didn't mean anything to him. But she meant a whole lot to Sasuke, and he would be angry knowing that she had been taken without even a fight to stop it. Not to mention, Kisame held the one sword Suigetsu wanted most. The Samehada.

Suigetsu held his sword up. "I am sorry Kisame-san, but I cannot let you have the girl. If you do not leave now, I will have to kill you." Suigetsu said with a smirk, his sharp triangular teeth visible.

Kisame sighed, " I was hoping it wouldn't have to come to this. But if you insist." he said with an evil grin, his teeth visible as well.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sasuke glared at his brother who stood before him. He was excited and furious all at the same time. He could finally kill his brother, it's what he was waiting for, what he had been training for his whole life. He formed a smirk.

He then dissapeared reappearing behind Itatchi as he lunged his sword forward. Itatchi easily dodged the attack as he turned to face Sasuke. He held two kunai's in his hand as he threw them at Sasuke. Sasuke easily deflected them with his katana.

Sasuke's eyes now changed to the sharingan formed stared into his brothers identical eyes.

Sasuke then charged at his brother again. Anger building up as he began stricking wildly. Itatchi dodged every attack with ease as he placed his hand on the tip of Sasuke blade and turned it to the side, followed by a punch to Sasuke's face. Sasuke was sent flying backwards into a tree.

He stooed up as he held his katana tightly and took a deep breath.

I have to calm down, I'm loosing control.

He said as he camly stood with his katana to the side.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The zanbato and samehada were against each other as Kisame and Suigetsu stared each other straight in the face. The pushed off each other as the slid across the ground, kicking some dirt up.

Kisame charged forward as he swung his sword, in an instant Suigetsu dissapeared and a puddle of water was all that was left behind where he once stood. He reformed behind Kisame as he lunged forward with his sword. Kisame spun around easily blocking the attack.

The bother brought the sword backa nd charged to attack again when they both suddenly stopped dead in their tracks.

A loud roar, almost screaming sound could be heard.

Jugo, Karin and Sakura all suddenly sat up.

Kisame and Suigetsu looked up as they saw two large creatures with wings heading straight for them.

Kisame and Suigetsu each dove backwards as the two creatures landed where they were both standing only moments ago.

Two creatures stood in front of them. It had the body of a lion, the face of a bird and wings comming out of its back as it let out another scream.

"What the?" Suigetsu said as he examined the creature.

Karin came out of her shelter as did Jugo and Sakura.

They all stared wide-eyed at the two creatures before them.

A black figure appeared behind Sakura as it placed its hand over her mouth and dragged her into the darkness. Everyone was too concentrated on the two creatures to notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

"You know this for sure?" A concerned Jiraiya asked standing behind a worried Hokage.

Tsunade nodded. "Read the letter for yourself." She said pointing to the desk where the scroll lay.

Dear Hokage:

I have found Sakura. She is being held hostage by four ninja. I have only learned three of their names: Suigetsu, Jugo and Karin. There is also someone else, presumably the leader. Unfortunatly, I have not seen nor heard the name of this person. He left the campsite before I arrived. Upon arriving, Sakura, and two others were asleep. Suigetsu weilds the sword of the late Zabuza Momochi. As for the other two, I haven't yet learned their abilites.

I have other news, next to these new enemies two others have been spotted nearby as well. I have identified them as Uchiha Itatchi, and Hoshikagi Kisame. Usually, I would need your approval for advancing, but there is little time and I will do everything I can to get Sakura out of there. Please do not worry, everything will be OK.

Once I have Sakura and we are of safe distance, I will send another note telling you of our whereabouts and status. Do not worry too much Hokage.

Sai.

"I see." Jiraiya said rolling up the scroll and placing it on the ground. "I will gather as much information on the three Sai mentioned. I'l see what I can find out about them and find out who they're working for." Jiraiya said as he turned and headed for the window to leave.

Tsunade was at her desk as she turned her head and watched him leave.

Bring her back safe Sai.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sasuke dodged several shurikan with ease as he brought his katana up to strike once more. Itachi countered it with a kunai. Sasuke jumped back as he continued to glare at his brother.

If looks could kill, well, Itatchi would've been dead on the spot.

They both turned their attention in the direction of the campsite as they heard the sounds of the creatures. Itatchi turned back to Sasuke.

"Well little brother, this has been fun. Unfortunatly I must leave you now." Itatchi said as he turned to leave.

"Wait! I'm not done with you!" Sasuke yelled.

Itatchi stopped and simply turned his head to the side so only half of his face was visible. "I don't think it's been you should be concerned about right now." he said with a smirk as he dissapeared.

Sasuke thought for a moment before his head shot up. "Sakura!" he yelled as he sheathed his sword and ran in the direction of the campsite.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sai dragged Sakura out further away from the campsite as she finally broke free of his grasp. She grabbed his wrists and threw him over her as he collided with a tree. She pulled out a kunai as she charged towards him but stopped when he lifted his head.

"Sai." she said as she lowered her kunai. "What, what are you doing here?" she said as she took a step back.

Sai rose to his feet as he just looked at her and smiled weirdly. "What does it look like you old hag, I've come to rescue you."

"Rescue me? From what?" she asked putting her kunai away.

Sai's smile dissapeared as he gave her a confused look. "From your kidnappers."

"Kidnappers? They didn't kidnap me." she said placing her hands on her hips.

"Well, whatever the case we must go now." Sai said as he turned and started walking away.

"Go where?" she asked not moving.

Sai sighed as he looked at her. "Back to Konoha." he said rolling his eyes as he continued to walk.

Sakura looked down at the ground. "I..I'm not going back."

Sai stopped, his back facing her. "What do you mean you're not going back. I don't know if you're trying to be funny and I simply don't get it."

"I'm serious, I'm not going back." she said firmly.

Sai turned to face her. "Sakura, you're talking nonsense."

"No I'm not. I'm staying here, with them." she said turning in the direction of the campsite.

"Them? Who are they to you Sakura?" he said as he stood in her way.

"Not them, him." she said as she looked up at Sai.

"Him?" he asked confused. "Who's him?"

Sakura didn't answer as she just simply looked down at the ground.

Sai thought for a few minutes.

Who on earth is she talking about...

When it finally hit him. The leader, the one who he hadn't seen or heard the name of. But he was sure that he would be the only one should would stay for. The one he had heard many stories of throughout the years. Sai looked up at her.

"Sasuke." he said in no certain tone

Sakura looked up at Sai as she slowly began to nod. "I finally found him, I just, I can't go back now...now I get to finally be with him, finally be - "

"A missing nin." Sai interrupted.

-------------------------------------------------

Sasuke entered the campsite as he saw Suigetsu and Jugo battling the two creatures. He unsheathed his katana as he deliverd a few slashes and they were down within moments.

He then looked around as he saw all faces but one. "Sakura.." he said as he rushed to the shelter he had made for her. He ran back out. "Where is she? Where is Sakura?" he asked looking at Suigetsu who simply replied with a shrug.

Sasuke turned and ran until he dissapeared into the darkness.

-------------------------------------------------

Sakura held her toungue as she heard the words he said. Heard what he had just called her.

"Sakura, if you refuse to return to Konoha, and stay with him, you will be considered a missing nin, an S-class criminal. You will be just like him." Sai said almost in a cold tone.

Sakura continued to stare at the ground. He was right, she would be a criminal, a missing nin.

"You dare betray your village, your Hokage, ..you're friends." Sai said almost softly. Over the years he had gradually learned how to show his feelings and express them, gradually.

"I.." Sakura answered.

"Think about it Sakura, about all the pain he put you through when he left. All the trouble you guys went through to try and find him. Do you really want to place that burden, that pain on all your friends. You will be targeted for death"

"I don't care! I don't care if I'm targeted for death! I wanna be with him, I.. I love him." Sakura said as she held her hands to her chest.

"How dare you say you don't care. You don't care what your friends will be put through, what about Tsunade? Or Naruto." Sai explained. "Sakura, no one is doubting you're love for that idiot, but he has done you nor the village any good. Let that fool live his life on his worthless hunt to kill his brother. You don't belong with him, you belong with us, in Konoha." Sai said in his monotone voice.

Sakura didn't answer, she stood silent as she knew he was right. She didn't want to put everyone through the same thing Sasuke put her through.

Sasuke sat on a tree branch as he watched and listened to everything they said.

"What about everything we've been through? Me, you Naruto and Kakshi-sensai? Are you just going to forget it all. Forget everything we did together all the memories we've shared, even though they may have not been always good, they're our memories. Our team, team seven. You wouldn't break that apart, would you?" he asked taking a step closer to Sakura.

Sakura felt the tears threatening to fall when she thought about it long and hard. She couldn't do that, she couldn't just leave like Sasuke did all those years ago. She couldn't do to them what he did to them. She loved him, but now she finally understood that as much as she wanted it, as much as she longed for it, she couldn't be with him. Sai was right, her place was with them, in Konoha.

Sakura couldn't hold it in any long as she fell into Sai's arms and began crying.

Sai was shocked for a moment and confused. He was ready to throw her off and yell at her for hugging him. Instead, he simply placed his hands on her back as he rubbed her back slowly. "Let's go home." he whispered in her ear. She looked up and nodded as they turned to leave.

Sasuke watched and listened to everything. Sakura didn't deserve the life he had, she deserved better. She deserved to be loved and respected properly by all her friends. His love wasn't enough for her.

It was then he realized, he had been replaced.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Author's notes: WOOOHOOO. Another chapter. YAYY. Hmm, i noticed that Sai was kinda out of character in how he was talkign a lot and with feeling and emotion. but i made it like in those few years of him being with them, he had learned and developed his feelings and is able to show them more. welll. let me know what you think :) hahha. :)

Next Chapter : Sakura returns home.