Dark Beginning

Two weeks had passed since Sakura had "left". It was safe to say that Konoha had immediately gone into a state of panic. Orochimaru had a member of the Uchiha clan , his daughter was now under his influence and it was sure that her true deadly potential would be aroused. Then there was the Jinchuuriki. It was a concern about the safety of Konoha. With Naruto being very…emotional, it would not take much to set him off. Tsunade had her hands full.

Naruto crouches on the edge of the rooftop. Five minutes was the most he would give himself. Naruto had been doing as much as possible in trying to track down his former teammates. He followed every lead, examined every trail but still came up empty handed. What's more, he had to be careful. The Akatsuki were never too far away. Naruto growls out in frustration. How could he let this happen? The people he cared about the most were disappearing, vanishing into the grasp of darkness. How much longer till he reach the same fate? "If I could find a way to pass this seal," he thinks, "maybe use some of the Fox's power, I could find them…but at what cost?"

"Forget it Naruto. Don't be stupid."

Uzumaki doesn't even have to turn to know who was behind him. Instead, he demands ferociously, still gazing ahead, "What do you want, you old pervey sage?"

Jiraiya folds his arms and closes his eyes. "What's best for you. Listen Naruto, I know you're going through a tough time, but this is one battle you can't win."

"If you know how I feel, then you understand my situation."

"Naruto," Jiraiya begins, obviously trying to sway his pupil's mind, "be reasonable." A soft breeze flows between them. They remain unmoving. "Sakura is under Orochimaru's control now. Even if you got her back it wouldn't matter. You've heard what she's done since her capture. She's managed to break through any defense on her own. She's destroyed two villages single handedly in the west…not to mention some ties with the…Akatsuki." Jiraiya sighs out. "Just forget it. She's gone. Sasuke too."

"I'm not having this argument with you again, Jiraiya," Naruto threatens. He turns his head to his sensei, eyes burning a light red (rather than the blood red of the Nine-Tailed Fox's release from his body) and eyebrows arched down into a crazed, death glare. "So do me a favor…SHUT UP!"

A soft voice replies beside him, "Now, now Naruto. That's no way to talk to your elder, especially if he is your sensei." Kakashi looks stern yet calm at the same time. "Just relax. Calm down, ok?"

"Why should I?" Naruto questions angrily, rising from his crouch. He points an accusing finger at them both. "You're not helping! It feels like I'm the only one who really cares about anyone in this damned village! If anybody should have an attitude and a chip on his shoulder it should be me!"

Jiraiya looks to the side. But Kakashi stands up straight and looks Naruto right in the eye. His black eyes revealing a sudden aching, as if what he was about to say would hurt him more than it would Naruto. "That's not true. In case you've forgotten we've got an entire village to protect. That is our job as Shinobi. Besides," another breeze hits them, "you're not the only one who loved Sakura." Kakashi lifts his head to gaze at the clouds rather than Naruto's bewildered expression.

"Kakashi-sensei…just how did you love Sakura?" Naruto feels his hands clenching into fists. He can sense his eyes burning, turning redder. Kakashi keeps looking up at the clouds.

* The man kneels on forward, his body trembling in fear. His eyes stare forward, peering through the shadows at three pairs of eyes. In the center there was yellow, to the right there was green, and to the left there was red. "Please," he begs, "forgive me my lords…I am your humble servant."

"Do you hear that child? He says he is humble." A wild cackle ensues.

The green eyes narrow angrily. "I heard his lie, father. Such a shame that he can't be more convincing…what do you think Sasuke?"

A deeper voice responds, "I could care less. But if it will interfere with my own plans…end this." Sasuke then steps out of the shadows, his sword channeling with the energy of the Chidori. The man gasps, and is immediately restrained by Orochimaru's followers.

Sakura's voice whines out in protest, "No fair Sasuke! You always get to have the fun!" Her pleading stare then turns to her father. "Please father? I'll make sure it's slow and painful. I'll make him suffer for betraying us." She shoots a glance at Sasuke as he smirks and states matter-of-factly, "Sasuke would never make it so enjoyable."

Orochimaru chuckles, "Very well Sakura. You may have your fun. Avenge me." Sakura stands and steps out into the light, revealing a completely new apparel. She was wearing a turtleneck, sleeveless crop top (gray in color). Her perfectly flat stomach and soft abs were looking all the more appealing. Her gray pants clung comfortably to her legs, and she wore her same black boots from before. The traitor gazes at his mistress in complete fear.

Sakura smiles coyly, circling the man slowly, her green eyes intent on him. She says softly, in a kind voice, "You are sorry, but only because you're afraid of dying. Well don't you worry. That will end quickly." She narrows her eyes in an evil gaze, "Then again, I'll make sure it isn't…" With a quick movement, Sakura rushes the man. His screaming pleas ring throughout the hall, as the others watch on; some in amusement, as if they're boring day had suddenly become entertaining; and others in disgust. What she was doing to him was simply unimaginable. Even Sasuke shudders as the cries begin to die down. Orochimaru merely cackles.

When it is done, Sakura stretches and sighs out. "That was fun. Thanks daddy." Her face and arms are smeared in blood. Kyo slithers out of a cave like room towards his mistress. He coils around her and places his face near Sakura's, his fork like tongue touching against her cheek. Sakura smiles and rubs his head. "Hmm, yes Kyo. Traitor is the best kind of spilled blood." The feeling of regret suddenly washes over the young woman. What was this? Why was it that even though she enjoyed killing, that after it was done it was as if it was wrong? Immoral? Her expression grows serious and concentrates. A sudden flurry of images were flashing into her mind. A boy with blonde hair…"Believe it!" She didn't know him, but she did know him. As Sakura looks around her, the only thing visible was dark rooms, mysteries…

"Sakura? What's wrong?"

Immediate attention. "Nothing. I was just thinking about something."

*In the Leaf Village, Tsunade calls for Kakashi and Naruto. Jiraiya departs, not wanting to face Tsunade. But when the pupil and master reach the Hokage's office, they are surprised to find a large party of young ones before them. What was this?

Tsunade explains shortly, "I've assembled a team together." She interlocks her fingers. "We've found Sakura."

*Later that afternoon, a "peaceful" time is ruined. Sakura was just about to ask Orochimaru about the feelings she had been having, but Sasuke had interfered. Sasuke had suggested that the two have a sparring session. Orochimaru overheard and eagerly wanted to see. "Be gentle with her Sasuke," Orochimaru had said. "She is so fragile. Try not to make her cry again." Sasuke scowls as Sakura tilts her head in question. Again? But Kabuto rushes into the room, "Orochimaru! We've got trouble!" He breathes out and stands before his master. "The Akatsuki are on their way, and they say that someone is tracking them."

Orochimaru asks rather calmly, "Oh really? Who is it?"

"A Jinchuuriki. The Fox."

Orochimaru turns to his daughter's puzzled face. "How interesting," is his response. "Well, let's go to meet them, shall we Sakura?" She nods her head.

*Kakashi leaps from branch to branch, following close behind Naruto. Not good, he thinks to himself. It's bad enough that we have to go face this, but did the others really need to be involved? The others consisted of: Ino, Choji, Shikamaru, Neji, Hinata, Tenten, and Anko. With as strong as Sakura was now, they wouldn't even be on her radar. She would finish them off easily. Kakashi shakes his head. No! He couldn't think like that. He had to have faith that they could get Sakura back, maybe at least jog her memory. Kakashi instructs, "Alright you guys, we're almost there. Keep your guard up. The girl we all once knew is gone. She may not remember you. So--."

"So," Anko interrupts, "don't be surprised if she decides to kill you first, and ask questions later. This is gonna be a fight for your life. Make one wrong move and you will die!" The others remain silent and Kakashi sighs out. So much for encouraging words!

Neji states, his Byakugan sure and true, "We're here. They are waiting for us."

Shikamaru asks, "Anything else coming up?" But before Neji or Hinata can respond, a large tail suddenly explodes through the trees, knocking the group forward into a clearing. As they all land, they look around knowing that an ambush was waiting for them. And it was. Standing before the Leaf Village shinobi were a group of figures. They make out the female of the enemy hugging a man in a black cape covered in red clouds. The Akatsuki. The female says, "See you later Kisame. Behave!"

"Of course," Kisame replies. He then turns to look at the shinobi and laughs. "Kill one for me." He then vanishes.

Upon closer evaluation does the group finally recognize the female to be Sakura, and the others Orochimaru and Sasuke. Sakura smiles coyly. "Will do," is her promise. Ino frowns at how perfect her once rival's body is.

Anko steps forth, angry. "Orochimaru!"

"Nice to see you too, Anko," hisses the reply.

"Give us Sakura back, and you won't have to die."

Orochimaru slouches his position and sighs from boredom, confident. "I'm afraid that is her decision."

Sakura hisses out, "I'm not going anywhere. And if anyone is going to die---" Kyo enters from behind Sakura, placing his face once more near hers. "---it's going to be you!"

To Be Continued…