Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters...

Sorry it took so long, I hope you didn't think I forgot about you. I would never do that. Well, I wont keep you from it, so here it is...TaDa!!

Chapter 12: I Am Sakura Haruno!!

Thoughts/ Inner Sakura

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Sakura stared at the high ceiling of a well decorated room. The walls were painted a deep gold, and lush red curtains covered wide windows. Expensive paintings and tapestries were hung evenly across the room, giving it a feel of costly elegance. Furniture covered every remaining inch. A large chair occupied the corner, with a small table, and lamp standing beside it. A small wooden dresser rested beneath a large oval mirror trimmed in gold. She looked down at the soft silk comforter underneath her. It was a deep, shiny black, and it was reflected in the high polished brass of the bed frame.

She sat on the edge of the bed, feet planted firmly on the floor. She took several deep breaths to steady herself.

Ok, I can do this

Of course you can. It's just a matter of taking your time. Draw it out...Make him suffer

Don't worry. I will...he deserves everything he gets

Alright! Kick his ass!!

I want to make sure he never hurts any girl ever again

The bedroom door opened, and Sakura jerked around to face it. A frail girl stood several feet away, holding a folded pile of clothes. She kept her head down as she spoke.

"The Master requests that you change and join him for dinner." Her voice was as fragile as she looked. She reminded Sakura of Hinata. Her temper instantly flared at the thought of her friend ever being in this kind of situation.

"Thank-you." Sakura moved across the room and took the clothing from the girl's small hands. "I suppose request is just polite for demand. I can't actually refuse can I ?"

The girl quickly shook her head. " You wouldn't want to make him angry. My Lord has a bad temper." Frightened at her slip she threw her hands up to cover her mouth. She was trembling, " Oh, please don't tell him I said that."

Sakura dropped the clothes, and took the girls shaking hands in her own. " Don't worry. I wont say anything." She gave her most convincing smile. "My name is Sakura, whats yours?"

"I'm Hana." She smiled briefly but didn't add anything else. Her red hair fell loosely across her shoulders, accenting her pale skin. She bent down and picked up the clothes and handed them back to Sakura. " I should be going now."

She turned to leave, but Sakura stopped her. "Wait Hana. How long have you been here?"

"I've been her for three years." Her voice was filled with sadness.

Sakura was surprised. "How old are you?"

"I'm sixteen." Hana turned again to leave, and Sakura caught her arm.

"Can I ask you one more thing?" She was worried about frightening the girl, but there was something she had to know.

Hana nodded her head.

Sakura kept her voice gentle. "How did you come to be here?"

Hana looked down at the floor. She quiet for several minutes. Just a Sakura was about to apologize and tell her to forget about it, she spoke. " I come from Rice Field Country. Many years ago, before I was born, there was a great war with one of our neighboring countries. It left my family's clan diminished in numbers, and suffering greatly."

Tears began to run down her cheeks. " Many of my family began to turn to crime... It was two days before my thirteenth birthday. I was keeping watch outside an alley, when I was grabbed from behind. Apparently my father owed a large debt, and I was taken as compensation." Tears were falling more frequently. Her words came out in sobs. "I turned thirteen, standing on a stage being groped by strangers."

Sakura reached out and pulled the girl into a friendly hug. "Oh Hana, I'm so sorry."

Hana pulled away a wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. " Don't be. Besides, your in the same situation I am. You came here as a slave already, so you have suffered too." She gave an attempt at a weak smile. "Now I really have to go. And you shouldn't keep him waiting, he doesn't like it."

Sakura called out to her. " One last thing, what clan are you from?"

Hana turned and opened the door. She looked at Sakura over her shoulder. " The Fuuma Clan." She walked into the hall and closed the door behind her, leaving Sakura with her thoughts.

The Fuuma! I remember them from our trip to the Rice Field Country. I wonder... Sakura took the clothing she was holding and laid it out on the bed. She looked down at the scarlet red dress. It was low cut, thigh length and at least two sizes two small. Hmph...this isn't a kimono, it's a dish rag.

Reluctantly, she began to strip off her clothing. Just touching the soft fabric of her kimono made her miss Kakashi. Carefully, she folded her precious gift and placed it on the bed. When this was all over, she would be back for it. She picked up the skimpy dress and forced it on. Just as she suspected, it was too small. She examined her self in the mirror.

I'm practically hanging out everywhere. That pig. This dress doesn't cover anything.

She closed her eyes, taking in deep breaths till her rage subsided. When she opened her eyes, a wicked smile crossed her face, and she pulled the hem of her dress up even more. "I think I'll have a little fun before I crush him."

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The sun had just set, casting dark shadows throughout the forest. Kakashi crouched behind a bush starring anxiously at the house in the distance. Somewhere inside his precious Sakura was all alone. He had to resist the urge to burst inside and rescue her like a knight in shining armor.

No, he needed to trust her. She could do this. She wanted to do this. It was her turn to shine, and prove to everyone that she deserved to be a kinoichi. She had trained night and day after Sasuke left, pushing herself to be better, stronger. If he went in there now he would be telling her that he didn't believe in her.

Sometimes she could be so fragile, and he hated Sasuke for that. All those years of putting her down, had damaged her ego. But, at the same time he was grateful to him for leaving. Now he could have her.

His focused shifted at the sound of breaking branches. While lost in thought Kimmi had come up behind him, and she placed her hand on his shoulder.

"I'm sure she will be fine. She's a ninja too right?" She was making her best attempt to comfort him.

"Yes, she is." Kakashi had turned to face her. Suddenly, he grabbed her by the arm and pulled her to the ground. "Shhh... Be very quiet. Someone is approaching." He whispered in her ear, as he slowly removed his hand from her mouth. He stood and quickly disappeared behind a tree.

A dark shadowy figure stepped into their hiding place. It was too dark to make out his features, but something about him was familiar.

"Kimmi" He whispered, "Where are you? It's me..." He gasped as the sharp steel of a kunai pressed into his throat.

"Say another word and I'll slit your throat." Kakashi had ambushed the intruder from behind the tree. He now had him at his mercy.

Kimmi's voice screeched through the night. " No!! Don't hurt him." She flung herself at their feet. "Satoshi is that really you?"

Kakashi removed his weapon from Satoshi's neck. "So your her finance." He directed his comment to the man now sitting on the ground. "I thought I recognized you back at the camp. Your picture was included with hers in the mission file."

Satoshi reached forward and pulled Kimmi into his arms. He ran his fingers through her hair, and across her face. "I thought I would never see you again." He kissed her gently on the cheek. " Are you ok? Your not hurt are you?" He cast a glance at Kakashi.

"No I'm fine." She was still wrapped in his tight embrace. " This is Kakashi, he's a ninja from the Leaf Village. Father hired them to rescue me. His partner is the pink haired girl who switched places with me."

He looked back up at Kakashi. " Oh, that explains why you pursued this Lord even after you had Kimmi. Your trying to retrieve your comrade."

Kimmi chimed in, "Oh, Satoshi, she's more than just his comrade, she's..."

"We really shouldn't be making so much noise. Someone might hear, and then our cover would be blown." Kakashi was quick to silence the girl. He jumped onto a tree branch. "You two stay here. I'm going to go get a closer look, and be quiet."

The couple nodded, and in one quick move Kakashi was gone into the night.

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Sakura sat down at a well prepared table. The large room was dimly lit by rows of white candles. Red rose pedals decorated the long table, and a single pink rose adorned her plate. If the situation had been different, the atmosphere would have felt romantic. Apparently, he was trying to give the night an intimate feel.

Perfect. This should be easier than I thought.

A small feast had been prepared, and Sakura found that she was actually very hungry. Across from her, Lord Hideo sat with a smug expression on his face. His lust filled eyes traced her body, lingering on her partially exposed chest.

"You look lovely my dear." His husky voice was dripping with desire. He lifted his glass and took a sip of wine.

Sakura looked up at him from under her lashes, and gave him a sexy grin. " Thank you, Master." She leaned forward, allowing him an unobstructed view down her dress.

It worked, Hideo coughed, as he began to choke on his drink .

Oh, this is too easy. I'll have him right where I want him

I just hope I don't throw up- gag

He quickly regained his composure. " Well, your certainly better behaved than I thought you would be." He signaled a servant with a flick of his hand. Out of a dark corner Hana stepped out and began placing food on their plates. He continued to look at Sakura, "Your not so feisty after all."

"Oh, but I can be." Sakura kept her voice dark, and seductive. Hana nearly dropped the spoon she was serving with. Her head was bent down, but Sakura could see the edges of her lips curled up in a smile.

Her words shocked Lord Hideo as well. It took him a moment to answer. " Yes... well I'm sure I'll have to find out." At that moment his eyes looked very dark. "But first, lets eat ." With another flick of his wrist, he dismissed Hana. Slowly, she retreated back into her corner encase she was needed again.

Sakura slowly began eating, when an idea struck her. She picked up her glass and slowly took a long drink. As she placed her cup back on the table she carefully licked her lips, gathering every drop of liquid.

She cast a quick glance in Hideo's direction, and saw that he was watching her intently. Perfect. Gingerly she speared a vegetable with her fork, and slowly brought it up to her mouth. She ran it over her lips, bringing her tongue out slightly to meet it, as she slid it sensually into her mouth. She chewed slowly, allowing soft moans to escape her slightly parted lips.

Across from her she could see the object of her teasing shudder. It wouldn't be long now, and once they were alone she would have her revenge.

Just as she was about to repeat her taunting with a piece of meat, Hideo interrupted her. "Well, well, I see what you mean. I think its time we retire for the evening."

As he rose from the table, Sakura couldn't miss the unmistakable bulged forming under his robes. "Hana, I won't be needing your services tonight, you may go." He turned back to Sakura "Shall we."

She took his arm in her own as she answered, "As you wish."

They walked down the quiet hall in silence. When they reached his room Hideo opened the door and motioned for Sakura to enter. She sauntered into the room swinging her hips as she walked.

Hmmm, looks like I'm finally putting Kakashi's lessons to use

And I thought that was just a ploy to feel you up

Well, that too, but it has come in handy.

Sakura had to distract herself from that line of thinking. Just the thought of him made her heart ache.

The door closed behind her and she heard the bolt click as Hideo locked them in. He came up behind her and placed his hands on her hip.

She pulled away, playing coy. She waved her finger in front of his face. "no, no...why don't you go lay down." She gave him a big wink, as she pushed him onto the bed.

He reached for her again " I'll have you now." His tone was dangerous.

Sakura could see he wasn't used to being rejected. Well, that was all about to change.

"No" Her voice was loud and clear. "You'll never have me. In fact, you'll never have anyone else again." A fire was building deep inside her, and she was almost overcome with rage.

"I can make you do what ever I want." His hand slid up and fingered the collar at her neck. " Have you forgotten that you are my slave. You cannot disobey me." He kept his voice quiet, but his tone had become menacing.

Sakura burst into laughter. "You mean this?" She reached behind her and unfastened her fake collar, letting it fall to the floor.

Lord Hideo's eyes widened in shock, then anger took over. " Never the less, I don't need that to make you obey. Your just a week little girl. You will never escape me." He raised his hand and brought it down hard.

Sakura reached up and grabbed his wrist before his blow could make contact. In one swift motion she bent his arm back, and he let out a cry of pain.

"I am NOT a Weak Little Girl!!" she applied more pressure, and he cried out again. "I am a Kinoichi, Strong and Fearless. You will not push me around!!" She punched him in the stomach with her free hand, and his body doubled over.

All of her anger was flowing out of her. Her anger at him and what he did to her, her anger at everyone involved in the slave trade, and most of all, her anger at Sasuke for always treating her like she wasn't good enough. She was breathing hard with rage as she screamed at him. "I am Sakura Haruno! And no one will ever call me weak again!!"

She focused her chakra into her hand and slammed her fist into him. The force behind her punch sent him flying across the room, through the wall, and into the garden outside.

She crossed the debris, and stepped over chunks of broken wall. As she approached Hideo's still body, she felt warm arms encircle her from behind. She didn't flinch. She recognized his touch, the feel of safety in his arms. It was Kakashi.

She turned to face him and buried herself deeper into his arms. As her anger faded away she was washed over with relief. It was over. She couldn't hold it back as tears began to stream down her cheeks. Her body shook, and Kakashi gently stroked her hair.

She whispered into his chest. " I'm not weak... I'm not."

Kakashi tilted her face up with his hand. " I know." He bent down and kissed her passionately on the lips, and she knew, everything was going to be alright.

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Ok so how was that? Worth the wait I hope. In case you were wondering the Fuuma clan was one that Sakura, Jiraiyi, and Naruto met in one episode when they were looking for Sasuke. I just thought it would be cool to tie that in somehow. But anyway, there it is I hope you like it. Let me Know what you think. R&R