Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Not like you really thought I did, though, hey?

Ghost of Love: Chapter Two

Heavily, clumsily, Sakura rose from her slouch, struggling to get her legs underneath her. She fumbled with the scroll, rolling it up messily and shoving it back into the drawstring pack she had discarded earlier. Wearily she stumbled over to the tree line and fell to her knees at the base of a large, old evergreen. Quickly and with graceless strokes she carved a hole in the damp, giving ground in the circle of the ancient tree's roots and buried the Matsumori Scroll – drawstring bag and all - two feet below the surface. Once the area was sufficiently disguised, Sakura stood and dusted off her legs, noting with relief that she seemed to be regaining some of her usual dexterity.

The sky had just begun to lighten on the distant horizon, reaching struggling fingers of violet and burgundy through the dense forest. Sakura frowned as she shifted her weight, readying herself to take off through the treetops. Damn. I've wasted a couple of hours already! I really need to get moving. I just wish my body would hurry up and get used to this new chakra! Carefully she tested her balance, bending her knees and lightening the weight on her heels so that she held herself evenly on the balls of her feet. Her muscles shook a little, a strange ache setting up in her calves. I can't be worried about this at the moment. If I'm going to save Sasuke, I need to get going now. Setting her concerns aside for the moment, the pink-haired kunoichi pushed off from the ground, releasing a small burst of chakra to launch herself into the branches of the trees. The disproportionate amount of power that was released, however, sent her light body soaring over the ceiling of the forest, instead. Oh my god! This is amazing! Sakura grinned as she flew wildly through the air, the joy only falling from her face as she began to descend; branches and leaves rushing up to snatch at her limbs and collide with her body in bruising impact. She came to a painful, thundering halt as she slammed into the trunk of an enormous tree and slid down the rough old bark to the ground. Owww...

Sakura slowly unfolded her tangled body, taking quick, painful inventory of her scrapes and bruises and the miraculous lack of broken bones. At least the chakra's doing something right, apparently. She had just begun to rise, gingerly, to her feet when something landed heavily on her shoulder, pushing her back down with a thump. A rough voice met her ears.

"Well, well… what do we have here?"

Sakura paused, willing her head to stop spinning as she contemplated just how to respond to such an inane question. "A kunoichi, obviously, you numbwit." Was the first response that ran through her addled mind – courtesy of her inner bitch -, but it was quickly discarded in favour of something less confrontational. "Uh…" She glanced up quickly, surprised to find three Sound Ninja standing before her, one holding the sheath of his katana against her shoulder. Perfect… "I'm trying to find Lord Orochimaru. I… would like to join the Sound Village's efforts against Konoha." Inwardly she winced. I can barely say the words even when I know they're a lie!

The katana Ninja straightened and eyed her carefully. "…really?"

Sakura nodded desperately, not having to fake the plea in her eyes. I'm not here to fight you guys – much and all as I'd love to kick your asses - but I don't have time for this! The ghosts' chakra will fade in twenty four hours. I have until then to get Sasuke out and get back to the Leaf Village. I've already wasted a couple of hours recovering from the… ugh, infusion I guess you could call it.

"Hmph. The leaf insignia on your forehead protector kind of indicates otherwise." The sheath was shoved harder against Sakura's shoulder.

"…oh. That. I tried to infiltrate their shinobi ranks but… it didn't quite work," Sakura's face fell in what she felt was a fair imitation of shame and disappointment.

"I don't think I believe you," the lead ninja pulled the wood and leather sheath away from her shoulder and slid it back into place at his sash. "But, you know what, little spy? Lord Orochimaru will have a great deal of fun forcing the truth out of you."

Rough hands wrapped around her biceps and Sakura felt herself being hauled to her feet. Oh thank god. At least they're taking me to where Sasuke is. Maybe not quite how I wanted to get there, but… Still, this saves me from fumbling around in this enormous forest, trying to find Orochimaru's hideout.

"Come on. We don't want to keep Lord Orochimaru waiting, now do we?"

Oh no, we don't want that, Sakura mused sarcastically.

AN: Rewritten 17/12/2010 more details added.

If you have any thoughts regarding this fic, don't hesitate to let me know, either through reviews or pm. XD I'm always happy to chat!