Disclaimer: I do not own anything pertaining to the Naruto franchise, only the story.

Ch. 19 Kimimaro and the 3 Unexpected things.

She had never seen him before only heard bits of information here and there, but she knew she had found him.

As she looked down at him she marvel at the delicate sleeping man and was curious at how this could be the world renown killer everyone knew him to be. He was laying down on a hospital-like bed and had so many wires and tubes hooked into him, it was a wonder at how he could ever get comfortable.

Her fleeting thoughts came and went as she slowly raised her hand to put it on his forehead.

Originally her plan was to kill him as soon as she found him, but then was convinced that he would be of more use to her alive. Besides she needed a right hand man if she was going to accomplish what she wanted and who better than the great Kimimaro.

With her genjutsu and medical skills she could wire someone's brain so that they would do whatever she wanted and that's exactly what she had planned however... she was a little worried about his strong affection towards Orochimaru. She knew that it would get in the way. She could easily alter someone's mind, but she couldn't get rid of the emotional ties that a person previously had.

So she was going to have to do this the hard way.

Suddenly before she could rest her palm against his forehead he viciously snatch her wrist in a vise like grip. His emotionless eyes slowly opened to shoot her a cold stare.

"Who are you?" he said in a hard voice.

:nervous laugh: "Hi I'm Sakura. I probably should have announce myself earlier, even though you didn't look awake"

His hold slid up from her wrist and tightened around her arm.

"I do not know you, which means you are an intruder. Lord Orochimaru's policy on intruders…are to kill them on site."

"Woah! Hold up!" she quickly said. Knowing the only reason she wasn't dead right this second was because of his weakened state. She knew he was about to launch himself at her.

He gave her one second to explain herself, but would still probably kill her.

"First do you mind loosening up your grip there?" no such luck, he just stared at her and if anything tightened his grip more.

"No. Now explain yourself and if you lie to me I will break your arm, then kill you."

Well now isn't he a charmer.

"Ok…" here goes nothing" Orochimaru is dead."

:Craaaack!: The sound of Sakura's bone breaking reverberating through the Sound's halls.

Oow…well someone certainly wasn't playing around.

Sakura fought to keep a determined face, but ignoring the pain that comes from your bone snapping wasn't easy.

"I'm not lying" she said, as he slowly took out one of his bones to stab her with.

She knew she had to be fast.

"I saw his true body. It's was a white snake, because he's experimented with himself too much." She quickly spat out.

Kimimaro froze.

Lord Orochimaru…was dead. He let go of his hold on Sakura and drop his bone knife. He knew Orochimaru's true form and also knew that only Kabuto and himself knew what Orochimaru look like. No one else could have known unless...

He's truly dead. Tears sprang from Kimimaro's eyes and he covered his face with his hands.

He's dead. I have failed him.: sob: Orochimaru-sama.

Sakura used this time to heal her arm and sadly watch him as he cried.

She wanted to comfort him but, he would probably stab her, so she slid down the wall opposite to him and sat down.

L

L

She didn't know how much time had passed, but his cries eventually died out. That was when she stood up and went up to him.

He was still on the bed sitting upright, staring down at his hands with a lifeless expression.

"Kimimaro" Sakura hesitantly said and gently place one hand on his upper right back.

He didn't even respond to her touch, just remained drone-like and kept staring at his hands.

"Kimimaro I know Lord Orochimaru meant the world to you, but even though he is dead that doesn't mean you can't still carry out his dream." Now Kimimaro did blink his eyes and looked up at her.

"The one thing Lord Orochimaru wanted the most was…well everything." She said going off of what she remember of him. "Lord Orochimaru wanted to control everything, he preferred war not peace. Kimimaro I am going to make Lord Orochimaru's dream come true…will you help me?" Sakura's face held determination as she made her proposition to Kimimaro.

He nodded his head in agreement. "Yes, I will serve you. I will keep Lord Orochimaru alive through me. I will accomplish his dream"

And just like that Sakura had her right hand man. She smiled a little mischievously as she placed her hands on his chest.

"Good now relax for me. I'm going to heal you of this disease."

L

L

After Sakura had healed Kimimaro she was left low on chakra. They said their good-night's and Sakura told him she was going to find a bed nearby to rest.

As Sakura wobbled on out of his room she began walking in a random direction, hoping she would find a vacant room with a nice warm bed. Just as she was going to take another step the floor went out under her feet.

Oh No! A trap! Sakura screamed and started to fall toward the sharp spikes at the bottom. She had been so drained her senses didn't catch the trap floor.

Just when she thought it was over, someone latched on to her wrist.

Sakura looked up to see who her would be savior was and her eyes settled on Kimimaro.

"If we are going to be working together I can't have you dying in a low level trap. " he calmly said as he pulled her up.

Sakura was so shocked. It was so unexpected. She didn't think Kimimaro would follow her around just to make sure she was safe.

He pulled her up all the way and had her land against his chest as he crossed his arms and held her to him.

They stayed that way for a moment. Him holding her up against him.

If Sakura didn't know better she'd say he was hugging her, but as soon as the hug came, it went and he let go of her.

Sakura didn't really know what to do. She literally was dumbstruck. "umm"

"Follow me" Kimimaro said. Sakura slowly looked up at him and was met with his turquoise green eyes.

Both of them instantly became captivated by the other. The chemistry between them was undeniable. Whether it was because both of them didn't want to be alone or because they were just naturally meant to be attracted to one other.

"K" she said and slowly stood up and began to follow him. As they were walking side by side Sakura began to wonder if he would let her hold his hand. Originally she had picture Kimimaro to be this ruthless killing machine, but now she wasn't so sure. She decided the best way to find out was to take the leap and see what he would do.

Sakura reached out to his swinging hand and coiled her fingers around his. Kimimaro tensed and stopped walking to look down at their joined hands. Then he looked up at her and was met with her shy smile. What is this feeling?

"Your hand" he said, which Sakura took to mean he wanted her to remove her hand from his, so she did.

"Oh sorry, I'm such an affectionate person" she said and quickly looked away to play off the rejection she just felt.

"No, no it's alright. It's just…no one's ever held my hand before…I like it"

Stunner #2! Well wasn't this day just full of surprises.

She smiled and reached back out and held on to his hand. She didn't see, but he returned her smile with a small one of his own.

Then they walk off hand in hand to search for a place to sleep.

L

L

It turns out Kimimaro led Sakura to a room with two twin beds. She secretly wondered if he didn't want to sleep alone, be with her for a little while longer, or if he flat out didn't trust her.

Although she was pretty sure he did trust her, after last night's events. Plus if he didn't like her he could have killed her last night in her sleep.

It had been a little weird for her to sleep in the same room with another man who she wasn't familiar with, but because the two got along so naturally great it had been kind of pleasant as well. After the two had come back into the room and laid down in their beds, they started talking about the most random things instead of going to sleep.

They both talked about their childhood. Kimimaro told Sakura about how he was kept locked up until they needed him to fight. He told her how lonely he was and how he wondered what was wrong with him for them to lock him up like that. Sakura had told Kimimaro about her childhood in the previous time period she had come from. She basically told Kimimaro the truth about who she was and what she needed to do; she only omitted certain things here and there.

The two eventually went to sleep. When morning came there was a slight uncomfortable feeling between them.

They both made their beds in silence, and washed up in silence. Finally Sakura couldn't take it anymore and did a daring thing. She said

"Good Morning" pretty courageous huh.

"Good Morning" he replied and stared at her. She stared and the two just looked at each other the link between them sparking to life again.

Sakura couldn't help, but laugh at how ridiculous they were being. Kimimaro looked on in affection.

"Hehehehe I'm sorry" she said "I'm feeling a little exposed here. "

Then he did unexpected thing #3. He started laughing.

"Hahahahaha" it was a big throaty laugh which left Sakura feeling all warm inside. "You're feeling exposed? I told you my whole life story."

"Yeah I guess you did" she said bashfully and blushing a little. She then felt something brush her cheek and looked up to find out it was his hand.

"I like when you do this" he said his voice going deeper and sending chills down Sakura's spine.

Woah…Ok that's too close. She look away and leaned on a nearby wall breaking their connection.

He :sighed: then asked "What shall we do today?"

Her business face came back on. "First we need to free all the experiments here, we don't need them anymore and don't have time to take care of them."

He nodded his head in agreement.

"Secondly I need some more people on my team before we set out toward Akasuki.

"Akatsuki" he whispered "That was the organization Lord Orochimaru was a part of."

"Yes, I need to gain control of it."

He nodded his head again. "Yes, Lord Orochimaru would have wanted that."

"Show me where the experiments are and then lead me to trustworthy group members" Sakura said her tone one of a strong leader.

"Yes", he said and they were off.

L

L

l

Author's Note: Yay Kimimaro! I've actually had a lot of fun writing his scenes. I wanted Sakura to comfort him while he was crying, but figured Kimimaro in that state of mind would have wanted to vent and he probably would have hurt her.

She's caring, not stupid.

Guess what guys! Next chapter Sakura will finally go to Akasuki! For sure! I've already almost finished that ch.

I love it.

So far you know Sakura's goal is to rule all the nations. And you know it has something to do with her mysterious dark master. Which you guys probably know who her dark master was all this time.

Let's see how she's going to join forces with Akatsuki.