Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Naruto. (sadly)

Author's Note: I would like to mention that I have made some changes to the first chapter that may or may not be noticeable. I made some grammar corrections, and added some things to the background and to the story. Besides, that I want to thank sakuraluver for reviewing XD. It made me happy and it gave me motivation to write the next chapter. I would also like to give special thanks to crazycherry459, Zemmno, Soaring Demoness, DeadlyDarkAngel, and Little Kirby! I can't make promises on exactly when I will update, but I'll TRY to update a chapter at least each Saturday.

Chapter 2

The group has been traveling for a couple of days now trying to put distance between them and the estate. It was during one of the few breaks that Sakura decided to voice the concerns that have been plaguing her since leaving.

"You know if and when the Harunos find out I have escaped, they will most likely send someone to come looking. I'm not supposed to have left that place. Otherwise I would have done it long ago with..." Konan held Sakura close after seeing her distress. The young girl didn't even get to properly mourn for her mother and is now on a journey to who knows where with the possibility of having people searching for her.

"Zabuza said that he knows a safe house that we can stay at for a while." Konan, bless her heart, was trying to help, but Sakura just wanted to crawl under a rock and stay there. Zabuza was currently out looking for some more water, since they still have a long journey ahead. "You know. Now that we are finally outside of those walls, we can have adventures that we've dreamed of as kids. Imagine us being able to fall in love and have wonderful guys courting us. " There was a short pause and looking up, Sakura could see a small, sad smile on Konan. "I may even get the chance to see my brother again."

It was the mention of Konan's brother that Sakura remembered that she was not the only one upset by her mother's death or with how her life has been. Her mother was the only mother Konan ever got to know, and Zabuza was her mother's personal guard since before she was even born. She was sure that they both have a special place in their heart for her mother just like she does. As for her life, Konan probably experienced a worse one if not the same. Konan also grew up imprisoned behind those walls, and although she was free to leave whenever and go on her merry way, 1) she had no place to return to and 2) no one to return to. Her brother, whom she has mentioned on several occasions in the past, is her only blood relation, she is not sure if he is still alive or not, or even where he is. Although, Sakura despise the Haruno family for their treatment towards her mother and her, but at least she knows that she still have blood relations, whether she likes them or not, who are alive.

"Sorry." Hugging Konan, Sakura made the decision from then on to stop thinking about what has happened and instead start thinking about what is going to happen. "So how long is it going to take until we get to this...safe house?"

It took them about seven weeks to get to Zabuza's safe house, since it was located in Aki. Their trip took longer than what Zabuza would have liked, but considering neither Sakura nor Konan have any experiences with the outside world and its harsh conditions, the sights and environment overwhelmed them; overwhelmed them to the point of illness. It also did not help that they were not accustomed to riding horses, so riding vigorously fast for long periods of time was out of the question. Or were they accustomed to traveling late evening to early morning with the dim or lack thereof of light as cover. Thus, the reasons for the slower pace of the journey. The pace allowed him to lead their horse along with his until they could grow accustom to the feeling, which was about halfway through their travels and a faster speed was followed.

It was on the outskirts of a small town, in the woods, that they came upon their "safe house". The two girls were met with a small wooden structure that looked to have been abandoned centuries ago. The structure was nothing like what either of the two girls imagined their safe house to be. The wooden box did not look like it could even out last a storm, never mind protecting them from what other dangers that could be present.

Seeing their faces and sensing their surprise, Zabuza had to smile a bit. "Don't worry. Although it doesn't look like much, the inside is fully furnished, and not many know about this place. We can stay here to recuperate and decide on what to do next." Trusting him and his words, neither of the girls refuted him. Plus at this point they were too exhausted and were just happy to finally be able stop and rest for longer than several minutes.

That night, the two girls slept peacefully like the dead in their small, plain beds as if they were paupers getting a chance of luxury. A meeting was held the next morning after breakfast in what was supposed to be the living room, but was it just a room with a small square table with some wooden benches as seats.

"We need to decide on what to do. We cannot keep hiding forever without a destination in mind. We can only stay here for so long. This is a safe house for a short period rest. Not to live in, especially with the coming winter approaching. Not to mention we will have to talk about what to do in regards to money, since our fund has been mostly spent on getting horses for our journey. We also have to decide on what to do in regards with the Haruno family if they do indeed send people after us, and although precautions were taken just in case, we still need a plan."

"We should gather information first. Find out if that family did send someone for us. Then the best thing to do is probably find accommodations that are more long term."

"Then it is probably best that I go out to gather the information. Your pink hair and Zabuza's unique looks will draw attention and are too noticeable and recognizable."

"No. You are not going anywhere by yourself. If anything happens, then what?"

"I agree with Zabuza, Konan. I think we should go together as a group. I can always die my hair, or cut it or something if they are so noticeable and considered a liability."

"No! A disguise may be needed, but there is no need for you to cut your locks. A regular cloak and hood will do. As for the information gathering, I have a couple men I trust with my life that can help us in that endeavor. I will send out a messenger hawk in town later to them."

A moment of silence fell across the table. "Sakura. What are you going to do?" Konan was realizing just how serious the matter was. They were practically fugitives on the run, especially Sakura. "Are you going to try and claim your place..."

"NO!" Sakura was livid. There was just no way she was going to have anything to do with that family, especially becoming a part of it. "I want no such thing."

"...Sakura...If they do send someone after you, for us, are you just going to keep hiding and running?"

"Konan is right, Sak. I think you should think it through..."

"There is nothing to think about. What could they possibly want with me now that they couldn't have done years ago? For my past 17 years, no one from that family has ever even tried to contact us or reply to our letters in the least. I'm sure they wouldn't care if I had died in that fire or if I ran away!" She understood what Zabuza and Konan were trying to tell her, but honestly her resentment towards them are still something she cannot get over so easily. She will probably think on their words another day, but for now she wants no such thoughts. I doubt that they would want anything to do with me. Afterall, what reason would they want to have me around now that mother is gone? It is not like they have sought me out for any reason in the past, so why would they now? There's no reason, so first we should figure out the movements and plans of that family, and we can worry about any problems then."

Konan and Zabuza were both conflicted. They understood that Sakura would rather live her life as a pauper with no titles, but would a family that has kept her caged from the outside world for so long be so accepting of the fact that she is now gone? Although, Sakura was also right. Maybe they won't try to pursue her. Maybe they will let her do as she pleases. Maybe they won't try anything at all.

"I will go and send a messenger hawk. Stay here and if anyone else comes, you two will leave and go to this place." He took out a map to show the two where he wanted them to go. "I have a friend there who will help you two. You would just have to give him my name." After seeing them nod their heads he set off into town leaving them with the map.

It was over a week later, when Zabuza came back from town with any news after going to see if there was any information he could personally gather. What he was able to gather himself was in no way anything good. Just thinking about it himself made him burn with rage towards that family. However, he also received some information from some of his old informants that will become of use to them.

Walking in Zabuza was greeted with Konan watching over Sakura experimenting with their dinner, something Sakura has always wanted to try. In the past, neither her nor Konan were allowed in the kitchen except for Meredith, and since the two have been cooped up in the wooden house with nothing else to do they have decided to play with fire. Zabuza has to say that some of their concoctions were really good, but not all of them were edible. He only hoped today's attempt wasn't a failure or else they would have to grin and bare it or starve.

Sakura and Konan turned when they heard Zabuza take a seat at the table, and when they saw his look they weren't sure how to feel. He was emotionless, but relaxed; a scary combination that the girls have encountered a couple times in their lives.

"Is there something wrong?" Konan was a bit scared to even ask, but ask she did.

Zabuza let out a loud breath to help relieve his earlier emotions. "Yea. A couple of things. But...I found out something that we can use to our benefit. I spent the day in town at the pub asking about what has been happening lately, and if there was anything new happening. And I have to say that the information I was able to gather is..." Zabuza was perplexed to finish. The information he was given came to a shock although now thinking about it, everything makes more sense.

"What is it?" Sakura was now nervous with the way Zabuza was acting.

"Apparently, Saki Haruno has been dead for 17 years..." At this Sakura was confused and so was Konan. Sakura's mother was still alive until about two months ago.

"Dead?"

Zabuza looked at Konan when she spoke and after some more silence he continued. "I was told that Saki Haruno died 17 years ago due to heartache over her dead husband..."

"So basically the Haruno family has considered my mother dead for over a decade now, and that I am not even considered to be alive in their eyes!" Sakura was furious. But now it made so much sense why they never bothered to reply to her pleas of help. "So the world does not even know that I exist or that Saki Haruno has been alive?!"

"Is that a good thing?" Konan was not sure what to make of the situation. She was as confused as Sakura was angry.

"Who knows. But we have other problems. Apparently the Harunos have shown signs of movement, but nothing concrete to portray that they have sent anyone after you." Zabuza watched as Sakura resigned herself into silence and Konan wore her mask of resolution.

"Do you have any GOOD news?" Konan was a bit frustrated with the whole situation. The Harunos show signs of not wanting to do anything with the girl and yet still want to keep her on a tight leash.

"As a matter of fact, I do. One of my informants told me that in the north there's a person looking for knights for hire."

"How's that good news?"Sakura kept quiet as she listened to Konan and Zabuza converse.

"We are going to employ ourselves."

"I thought the point was to stay hidden."

"The lady we are employing ourselves under usually keeps to herself I heard. I also heard that she's not too fond of the Haruno family." Zabuza smiled as he saw hope light within the two girls' eyes.

Author's Note: The next chapter I will finally be able to introduce more characters (hopefully). XD If there's anything I should to change or fix to make the story better please let me know, if there are any suggestions for what you would like to happen and the like please let me know. I cannot promise I will be able to incorporate the suggestions, but I will take them into consideration. Also forewarning some of the characters will be gender bended.