An: I would like to thank the people that take the time to review. They mean a lot so again thank you. Your humble author S. o. t. A.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and I'm doing this for fun not profit.

Chapter 3: We meet again for the first time

Kakashi's entourage was met at the gate by a sizeable group of shinobi. Walking up to them he said, "Hey guys. What's going on?"

One of the shinobi the one Sakura recognized as Omoi said, "Well since all the other Kages arrived and from further away we feared that Akatsuki may have attacked you in route. We are the search party."

Rubbing the back of his head he said sheepishly, "Sorry about that. I forgot to check if I left the stove on at home and had to go back to check it."

Omoi always the pessimistic type said, "I agree it would have been horrible if an unchecked fire burnt down all of Konoha while you were gone."

Not used to somebody actually going along with one of his lies Kakashi said, "Uhm…exactly."Sakura laughed into her hand at the display.

Karui one of Omoi's teammates on Team Samui said harshly, "Can we just get on with it and escort them to the Kage meeting."

"Right this way Lord Hokage," one of the other shinobi said giving a small bow.

Walking through the village, to the center tower, Sakura was struck by its many similarities to Konoha. Although, she supposed she shouldn't have been considering the number of Land of Fire carpenters that had been employed in the endeavor of building the Five Element Village. While it had many similarities to a normal shinobi village it was missing the civilian elements found in most of them, such as shops or children running around. She supposed those would come in time, well if they won the war that was.

Entering the tower they were taken to the top of it and were let into a room with a large round table. Sitting around the table were three of the five great Kages as well as Mifune leader of the samurai from the Land of Iron. In addition, there were the various bodyguards for the leaders, who were sitting in chairs behind their respective leaders. Shikamaru was also present sitting to E's right as his primary strategist.

Sakura took her chair behind Kakashi trying to ignore the cold look Shikamaru sent her way. Smiling again as E berated Kakashi's lateness. After the supreme commander vented for a while the meeting finally was called to order with Mifune acting in a similar manner as during the first Kages' meeting where the alliance formed.

Looking around the table Kakashi said, "Before we get to the meat of this meeting. I was under the impression I was the last to arrive. Where is the Tsuchikage?"

"We aren't sure," E said gravely, "we haven't received any word from Iwa in quite some time and all of our efforts to investigate what has happened have been rebuffed." Turning his attention to Gaara he continued, "We were hoping that your mercenary would be able to do what we have not thus far. I was also under the impression a representative of his would be joining you."

Giving a tight smile Gaara said in his monotone voice, "She is already here." Opening a folder in front of him everyone watched as the sheets of paper inside it began flying into the air forming into the form of Konan. Upon recognizing the former Akatsuki member many of the bodyguards sprung into action to defend their Kages. However seeing Gaara's relaxed posture as well as his guards the other Kages waved them off.

However E said angrily, "What is the meaning of bringing this woman here Kazekage?"

"She works with Kyo," Gaara said calmly.

"And we are suppose to trust this mercenary," E said turning to Shikamaru he added, "Let us come up with some other plan. I don't think we should associate ourselves with those who would align themselves with former Akatsuki."

"That is a shame," Gaara said, "Because according to Temari you wished to know how we of the Sand have been able to keep in communication with one another. You are looking at the woman responsible." To prove the point a butterfly entered through a window landing in front of E and then unfolded itself revealing several important documents he had been expecting Gaara to give him.

"Clever, but suppose this is all some ploy to get us to switch all our communications to her only for them to end up in Madara's hands," E said skeptically.

"Because I trust Kyo," Gaara said, "and Kyo trusts her. Besides the Hokage has a method of his own to get messages through enemy lines in the form of one of his old squad members."

Leaning forward Kakashi said, "My you are quite well informed Gaara. However, I'm more interested in this Kyo. The type of trust you are talking about often takes years to build. Yet I don't hear any doubt about him in your voice. I find this strange considering he has only been working for you for six months. Tell me what makes you so sure he is trustworthy."

"The Sand owes him a great debt," Gaara said.

To Sakura it had almost sounded like Gaara wanted to say, I instead of the Sand. That had perked her interest seeing as she knew that Gaara trusted very few people and never as quickly as he seemed to trust this Kyo. Well that wasn't entirely accurate there was one person, Naruto.

Sakura was pulled from her thoughts as Konan said, "Not to be rude but shouldn't Kyo's record speak for itself."

"Then shouldn't yours Akatsuki," E shot back.

"Ex-Akatsuki," Konan said calmly.

Angrily E said, "Well I'm sure that will bring back Yugito and the other jinchuriki you've murdered."

"You are one to talk about past crimes, Supreme Commander E or should we ask the Hyuuga about holding a grudge against you for your previous transgressions against their clan," Konan responded.

Standing up and smashing the table top E shouted, "I should kill you where you stand."

But he stopped short when Gaara said, "Raikage I believe of everyone here I have the most reason to hate this woman seeing as she succeeded in killing me. However Kyo has vouched for her and thus far she has been indispensible to keeping Akatsuki in check in mine and the surrounding villages. If you will not work with her then I'm fairly certain Kyo will not work with you. So perhaps now is the time for putting aside our differences and uniting against our true enemy Madara."

"Well spoken Kazekage," the Mizukage said, "And I agree, this Kyo has been wholly honorable in his dealings with Sunagakure. We should give him the chance to prove himself and a mission to find out what has happened to Iwa sounds like the perfect opportunity to do just that."

Already with two Kages supporting the idea of hiring the mercenary E asked Kakashi, "Well Lord Hokage what about you?"

"I think it's a great idea as well," Kakashi said, "However I would like to assign someone to accompany the mercenary on this mission."

"Well at least one of my fellow Kages seems to be a little suspicious," E said.

"Oh that isn't the reason at all," Kakashi corrected, "It's just that we all know how legends spread. Should he succeed in this mission, I would like some concrete facts from a source I know and trust."

Losing his bored and disinterested look at what Kakashi said Shikamaru leaned forward asking, "Just who do you have in mind to send Lord Hokage?"

Giving an eye smile he answered, "I believe Sakura can handle it."

Sakura was glad Kakashi thought so highly of her but was hurt when Shikamaru said, "Sir, with all due respect, that is a horrible idea. Why not Kiba? He is more geared to a scouting mission then her."

"I wonder, does your disagreement have to do with the mission or is it personal," Kakashi said.

"Sir, I know you have worked with her and trust her but considering how the last mission she was involved in turned out, do you really think it is a good idea to include her in something this sensitive?" Shikamaru asked.

"Actually, I believe she will be perfect for this mission," Kakashi said furtively.

E decided to add his opinion saying, "Lord Hokage, if there is some question about the loyalty of this person you wish to send perhaps you should choose someone else."

"Well considering that the person we plan to hire loyalty is being questioned, I think they will make a cute pair," Kakashi said amused, "However, if you are worried Lord Raikage just make sure the person you plan to send is somebody you don't mind losing."

"What makes you so sure I planned to somebody?" E asked.

"I just assumed you would want a firsthand account of your own after the mission is finished," Kakashi answered.

Giving a smile of his own, E said, "Indeed, Karui will accompany the mercenary as well then."

Karui was less than thrilled at the news that the Raikage planned to send her on what many among the Jounin forces would consider a suicide mission. But she knew the Raikage didn't consider her an asset he was willing to lose but trusted her to do the job right.

Konan began laughing lightly before saying, "Nothing personnel, but don't you think you are getting a little ahead of yourselves in assuming Kyo will even accept the job. After all he does prefer to work alone."

Kakashi said, "Funny, I've heard of him working with Suna's forces on several missions."

"True, but those shinobi he was working with weren't sent as babysitters," Konan replied.

"Neither will these be," Kakashi countered, "they are there as observers only. Kyo will be leading the mission. I trust that would be satisfactory to him, unless he holds some grudge against Konoha."

"He doesn't hold a grudge against any of the great villages," Konan responded evenly despite realizing that Kakashi was fishing for information.

"Excellent," Kakashi responded with a smile, "then there shouldn't be a problem should there be." Konan conceded his point by shaking her head so Kakashi asked, "Now I have a question for you. Just how did an ex-member of Akatsuki end up working with a mercenary intent on taking down her old group?"

Smiling Konan said, "My allegiance to Akatsuki died with Nagato. As to why I'm working with Kyo, well he did help me to escape from an Ame prison before my execution for no apparent reason other than he felt it was the right thing to do."

While the rest of the Kage except for Gaara were surprised by that revelation Kakashi said, "Sounds like my kind of Shinobi. A man who won't abandon his friends no matter the odds is just the type of person I believe this alliance has been missing."

E sighed saying, "I guess that's that then. Very well we will hire the mercenary. What does he charge?"

Surprisingly that question caught both Konan and Gaara by surprise in part due to despite Naruto calling himself a mercenary he had never really charged anything for his services. E looking at the pair suspiciously said, "Well? Surely you have some idea of how much he would expect for such a mission."

Deciding to be relatively truthful due to being in a room with sensor types that would be able to pick up a lie Gaara said, "I'm not sure what he would charge you for a mission seeing as we pay him in food and by providing him with a place to stay."

Incredulously E asked, "Food and board. That's it?"

"Well he does eat a lot," Gaara provided causing Kakashi to chuckle.

Shrugging his shoulders E said, "Well I guess we'll discuss it after he completes his mission then."

Nodding her head, Konan smiled before saying, "Then I suppose those accompanying me should be prepared to leave tomorrow morning. If there is nothing else that involves me then I'll take my leave. As I'm sure there is much left for you to discuss." Receiving permission to leave she headed to the quarters provided for her, while trying to find a way to gently break the news to Naruto that the one person he really was hoping to avoid was now assigned to work with him. Arriving to no conclusion she thought, "I guess I'll just let it be a surprise, that way at least it will limit his whining about it."

Sakura was in the room provided for her within the tower due to her status as Kakashi's bodyguard. She was lost in thought about the many items discussed in today's meeting. But if she was going to be honest with herself she would admit most her thoughts revolved around her upcoming mission with the Suna Mercenary Kyo. She wondered what kind of man he would turn out to be. She imagined he had to be something special in order to have gained Gaara's trust so quickly. Hearing a knocking at her door she told the person to enter and wasn't too surprised when Kakashi entered.

"Lord Hokage," she said bowing her head slightly to hide her smile at his sigh.

"I'm not disturbing you, am I Sakura?" Kakashi asked.

"No sir," Sakura answered, "Luckily I didn't get a chance to unpack before the meeting so I'm ready to head out in the morning. Is that the reason for your visit?"

"Partly, I just want to make sure you are okay," Kakashi said.

"I'm fine sir."

Looking at her in a way that made her feel like an academy student again Kakashi said, "Really, then how much longer do you intend to be everyone's punching bag."

"What do you mean sir?" she asked lamely perfectly aware to what Kakashi was inferring too.

"Well there was today's meeting when Shikamaru questioned your loyalty in front of everyone, and let us not forget the trip up here and all the snide comments Kiba made about you. I guess I'm just wondering when the old Sakura will resurface to stick up for herself."

Unable to meet Kakashi's lone eye she looked out the window saying, "I guess I just understand that the others blame me for Naruto's death and need to vent."

"Pretty magnanimous of you Sakura," Kakashi said, "however that's not what I think. I think you've begun to hate yourself and therefore feel you deserve to receive all of their hatred and rage."

Plastering a fake smile on her face Sakura said, "Don't be silly Kakashi-sensei. I'm…" However she couldn't maintain her façade for very long so as tears appeared in her eyes she continued, "…I'm…How can I not despise myself after what happened to Naruto?" Wrapping her arms around herself she said, "I tell him I love him to manipulate him into giving up on Sasuke and then find myself being responsible for his death because I wasn't strong enough to give up Sasuke. Naruto must have despised me in the end so how can I not."

"Sakura…I doubt Naruto could ever despise you," Kakashi said honestly, "And if you want my honest opinion you are being too hard on yourself. You weren't prepared for the burden of killing Sasuke. But you are hardly alone in that company, the 3rd Hokage found himself in a similar situation once with Orochimaru and you saw how that turned out. He hadn't been able to kill his student and it was a regret he lived with for the rest of his life. I can't tell you how you should feel Sakura, but I can tell you Naruto wouldn't want you to despise yourself."

Finally Sakura broke and closing the distance between them wrapped her arms around Kakashi hugging him and crying into his shirt said, "I miss him so much Kakashi-sensei."

Hugging her back supportively Kakashi said gently, "I know Sakura, I know." As Sakura cried he thought, "Naruto, if only you could see how your keeping yourself away from her is tearing her up. I just hope it is out of some sense of protecting her and not anger."

Sakura woke up the next morning figuring she must have cried herself to sleep because she didn't remember when Kakashi had left last night. Walking to the front gate she found Konan and Karui waiting for her. "Right on time Miss Haruno," Konan said slightly amused, "I was afraid you would suffer from the same need to be late as your sensei."

Smiling Sakura said, "I've had to suffer through waiting on him too many times to subject others to the same thing. Also, please just call me Sakura."

"Well that is good to know," Konan said.

She looked like she was about to say more till Karui said, "Can we get a move on, and while we're on the subject, just where are we going to meet this mercenary of yours at?"

Konan looked at the dark-skinned woman saying, "We will link up with Kyo in Suna."

Karui immediately said, "What?! It would be closer for us if we left for Iwa from here."

"True," Konan conceded, "However seeing as none of the scouts leaving from here have been able to even set foot in Iwa perhaps the closest route isn't necessarily the best one. Furthermore, due to the limited presence Akatsuki has been able to establish in the Land of Wind leaving from Suna will increase our likely hood of success. Nonetheless you are right, let us get going. any further questions can be asked as we travel."

Four days later Sakura found herself entering Suna with a new respect for the former Akatsuki member. Understanding why she had earned her S-ranked status in the bingo books. During the journey they hadn't encountered any patrols, although they did find a group of dead Akatsuki soldiers who had been smothered and Sakura had the distinct impression that Konan had been the one to do it. But she had refused to confirm it when asked. Now as she was about to meet the mercenary for the first time, Sakura found herself to be quite nervous. She wondered what type of man he was. Was he a cold-blooded killer only interested in money? A missing-nin forced to leave his home but still wanting to help? Or was he an avenger looking to hurt the Akatsuki for some reason? She had many impressions of what the mercenary would be like but none of them fit the picture she came across as Konan led them to the courtyard of the hotel Kyo was staying at. Running around with dozens of kids chasing him trying to get the ball he was kicking around was the famous masked mercenary. His cloak was flying behind him as he expertly dodged the children who were all laughing and enjoying themselves.

Apparently Karui had the same thought saying, "This is the Desert Fox?"

Konan said, "Indeed it is. What were you expecting?"

Karui shrugged her shoulders in response. Taking a deep breath knowing that the next couple of minutes were probably going to be pretty tense for her at least, Konan called out, "Kyo."

The mercenary looked up towards the three women and immediately froze allowing one of the kids to kick the ball away. Kyo waved to the kids saying he had to go much to their disappointment. Walking up to the three women he said in a low gravelly voice ignoring the other two women, "Konan a word please."

Walking a good distance away Konan said, "What's with the change in voice?"

"Oh I don't know," Naruto said hotly, "maybe the fact that you brought my old teammate along, a woman who would probably easily recognize my voice through the mask. I'm not too crazy about the other one you brought with you either. What are they doing here?"

"They are here at the insistence of their respective Kages. Apparently they want some fist person confirmation about the mission completion of the mission they've assigned us," Konan said while handing him a file.

Opening it Naruto read it and in shock at its contents said, "They think Iwa has fallen and want me to find out what is going on?" Looking from the file to Konan who nodded her head he then said, "Don't they realize that those two will only slow me down?"

Rolling her eyes Konan said, "Surely you can understand their hesitance as they don't have the same reason to trust you as Gaara has. However, Sakura isn't here to keep an eye on you for the same reason as Karui. I believe Kakashi suspects your identity and wants to see how you act around her."

"Does she suspect?" Naruto asked worriedly while discreetly looking at Sakura.

"No," Konan answered, "I don't believe Kakashi has shared his thoughts with her on the matter."

"Fine, let's get going." Walking up to the two woman his voice disguised as best he could he said, "Sorry about that. My name's Kyo. I understand we will be working together on this mission. Do you need to rest or are you fit to travel?"

Both young women said they could continue so Naruto informed them they would be heading to Bird Country. They traveled all day until nightfall and ended up sleeping at an inn near the border. Both Karui and Sakura seemed rather scandalized when Konan slept in Kyo's room. Konan had tried to sleep with Naruto that night but she wasn't surprised when Naruto told her that they should just go to bed. Konan had asked him if it was because Sakura was just across the hall. He lied saying it wasn't but they both knew the truth of the matter. Before drifting off to sleep Konan had told him to tell her the truth, but he ignored her.

They had awoken at sunrise and made it to Bird's border an hour later. Naruto had them stop much to Karui's annoyance. Assuming a sitting position Naruto began gathering his Natural Energy. As his senses heightened he did his best to ignore the affect Sakura had on him. He was worried for her although she appeared to be calm and professional he could sense the despair that seemed to roll off of her. Pushing it aside he concentrated on ahead of him and became aware of the Barrier Detection Jutsu ahead of them.

Standing he said, "There's a detection barrier about a quarter mile into Bird Country."

Sakura shook her head saying, "I still can't believe Toki would join Rain Country against Konoha."

Scoffing Karui said, "Why not? What would make here willing to take on Akatsuki for the Leaf?"

"She only came to her position because of Naruto after he helped her defeat the man who killed her Daimyo father and her brother," Sakura said proud of her teammates accomplishments.

"So what," Karui said, "that doesn't mean she is going to stick her neck out for some idiot who got himself killed by his own teammate."

Much to everyone's shock as soon as Karui finished her sentence she was hit by a punch delivered by Sakura. Luckily for Karui it wasn't one of her chakra enhanced ones. Still glaring at the pink-haired girl who was returning it, Karui said, "You bitch, you're dead."

Sakura though wasn't intimidated saying, "Don't ever speak about Naruto like that again or next time I won't be so gentle."

"Why? The way I heard it from E's strategist he ended up getting his ticket punched because of you," Karui said. "But like I said he had it coming. Spouting his nonsense about hatred and such it's almost funny that the teammate he was willing to allow me to pummel him over was the one who did it."

"What do you mean allowed you to pummel him?" Sakura asked shocked.

Grinning with nastiness at the girl who struck her she said, "What don't you remember the day my team came to Konoha for information on Sasuke and he took us aside to tell us about him? Well he didn't, instead giving us some crap about how it would only spread more hatred and then invited me to pound his face in." Chuckling she added, "It did almost make me feel better though."

Sakura had enough and charged intent on caving the smirking girls face in. Karui went for her sword but stopped when Kyo appeared in front of Sakura easily stopping her fist by catching it. Sakura surprised that someone could stop her said, "Let me go!"

"Now isn't the time to settle your differences," the mercenary said. "If you two want to kill each other after the mission, that's fine." Turning his gaze to Karui he said, "But now we need to focus on the task ahead." Letting go of Sakura's fist he said pointing, "There is a gap in the barrier that will allow us to pass unhindered, however that doesn't mean we can have you two creating a ruckus attracting all sorts of attention. Are we clear?"

Sakura was the first to calm down but Naruto could feel that her despair and anger were just hidden beneath the surface. He was touched that Sakura would speak so kindly of him, but he felt it was only due to Sasuke's almost killing her. In truth he felt like he was a replacement for the Uchiha and he wasn't willing to open his heart to her only for Sasuke to wake up and be ditched by the Pinkette. He loved her; he knew that much and he doubted that would ever change but if he gave her his heart and if she broke it like that he believed that would kill him. So he would keep his distance.

Finally Karui calmed down as well and asked, "So what if the gap closes once we are inside the barrier."

Konan explaining how detection barriers worked said, "The barrier only actually detects you when you cross it. If you find the gaps in it once inside you can move freely."

"Then shouldn't there be patrols we have to avoid?" Sakura asked, "I mean, if they know where the gaps are they can place shinobi there to watch them."

"There may be patrols but I doubt they will be able to watch all the gaps," Konan said, "some appear and disappear at random intervals. We'll be fine."

"Don't worry there aren't any patrols for miles," Naruto said calmly. "Let's go."

Leading the way Naruto took them through the barrier. They made good time and were able to cross into Earth Country two days later. As they traveled Naruto felt his resolve to keep himself distant from Sakura falter especially during the nights when she didn't seem able to truly keep her emotions in check. The nights were hardest on Naruto as Sakura's feelings when he was in Sage mood would wash over him. He just couldn't believe his supposed death had affected her so deeply. But in the end he decided it was for the best, she would forget about him eventually and move on. Besides he started along this path for good reasons he couldn't just throw them away now, even for Sakura. So long as Madara believed he was dead he would pursue this war instead of trying to capture Killer Bee and himself. At least that is what he believed.

As they traveled through Earth Country it was apparent that a war had been fought as they came across burnt out villages or fields littered with the remains of dead shinobi. They were about a half day away from Iwa when Naruto called for a halt. The three women pulled up next to him with Konan asking, "Is there a patrol nearby?"

"Not exactly," Naruto responded. "About a quarter mile that way someone is being chased. She's a shinobi tired and wounded, the person chasing her is strange though almost bestial."

"Forget her," Karui said looking in the direction they had been heading, "Our purpose is to ascertain Iwa's current condition. Not go gallivanting off looking to play hero. For all we know the Kunoichi in question is Akatsuki or their allies." When she turned to look where the mercenary had been standing she realized he was already gone. Looking for the two women she realized they had left as well cussing to herself she took off after them.

When Naruto caught up to the two shinobi he didn't recognize either. In the case of the Kunoichi she was a slim black haired woman with pupil-less eyes. She was holding her left side with blood leaking through her fingers and holding a kunai with her right. She was dressed as one would expect a prisoner to be.

The man, or a better description would be creature, she was facing looked like a mating between several beasts and a man. It was dressed similarly to the woman but if they were colleagues the creature definitely didn't think that way anymore. It had a tail like a scorpion and its skin was coal black. Swinging one of its clawed hands at the kunoichi, Naruto had the distinct impression that this creature was like Sasuke's level two curse mark. Naruto could also see that the Kunoichi wouldn't last much longer as her movements were getting more sluggish. Turning to Konan he said, "I'll run interference with the creature. When it comes after me grab her and get away. I'll catch up later."

Sakura stepped forward saying, "We should fight that thing together."

"You'll only be in my way," Naruto said coldly causing Sakura to flinch.

Sakura watched as the masked mercenary jumped at the creature and nailed it with a powerful punch sending it deeper into the surrounding woods. Sakura was still tempted to run and help him but she had a duty as a healer to attend to.

Kurotsuchi had been completely surprised when the creature had been attacked by a blur in a desert camouflage cloak. She was more so when three kunoichi dropped from the same direction running towards her. Pointing her stolen kunai at them she said not recognizing any of them and her vision getting blurry, "Who are you?"

Holding her hands up Sakura said, "My name is Sakura Haruno from the Leaf Village. I'm a medic, please let me look at your wounds."

"What is the Leaf doing here?" Kurotsuchi asked.

However, before Sakura could answer the kunoichi gave into her wounds collapsing. Sakura immediately was beside the injured woman checking her vitals. She quickly determined that she had been poisoned, probably from the wound on her side. Sakura reached into her kit and after pulling as much poison out as she could due to her limited water supply analyzed it and used an antidote from her kit that would neutralize the rest. She then began healing the wound on her side. When she was finished she leaned back on her haunches wiping the sweat from her brow.

Konan seeing Sakura leaning back said, "Will she make it?"

"Yes," Sakura said, "The wound wasn't too bad and the poison has been neutralized. She'll be okay she just needs rest."

"Can she be moved?" Konan asked urgently, "There may be more after her."

"What about Kyo?" Sakura asked standing up.

"He'll be fine trust me," Konan replied wrapping the kunoichi in paper to move her. "Let's go." However Sakura didn't listen running in the direction Kyo had knocked the creature.

Naruto was having a difficult time with the creature. He was pounding on it but was having a hard time keeping it down. He didn't want to just kill it having the feeling that it was a victim of whatever it was that had changed him. However, he was quickly running out of options. Dodging its tail as it tried to stab him he caught it and threw the creature into a tree. The creature quickly scampered back to his feet crouching down preparing to spring at Naruto again. Figuring that this creature wasn't going to quit Naruto charged up a Rasengan and when the creature jumped at him slammed it into its chest. Naruto watched as the creature smashed into a tree and then slumped down dead.

He heard footsteps approaching. Able to sense it was Sakura he cursed as she appeared from the foliage. Rounding on her he said, "I thought I told you to get out of here."

Sakura looked at the mercenary before saying, "I wanted to get a sample from that creature. I may be able to determine what happened to him."

"I know what happened to him they gave him a curse mark," Naruto said.

Sakura walked up to the creature kneeling down to take a tissue sample and asked, "Have you encountered any of these beasts before?"

Naruto just ignored her question considering that the first one he had fought had been Sasuke. Instead of answering he said, "Just hurry it up."

Sakura did as the mercenary said taking the samples she needed to determine what had been done to the man. After she finished she looked down at his chest noticing the spiral like wound there for the first time. Running her fingers over it she knew she had seen a similar one somewhere before. Her breath caught in her throat as she realized where. Turning to the mercenary she wondered if it was possible. After all only one type of jutsu left such a wound, the Rasengan.

Hearing Sakura's intake of breath Naruto asked distantly, "Is everything alright?"

"Y-yes…sorry, I'm finished," she said looking at the mercenary with new eyes.

"Good let's go then," he said before jumping into the trees.

They traveled in silence Sakura trying to come up with a way to broach the subject of Kyo's identity. In the end she decided to let it drop for now. But after this mission she was going to get to the bottom of it. Smiling as she hit on the perfect way on how to prove her theory. He could change many things after all his voice, his looks, but there was one thing he couldn't change and that was the chakra of the nine-tailed fox. Luckily for her she just so happened to know a sensor type that owed her life to the Pinkette. She would ask Kakashi to bring Karin to the Five Element Village under the pretense of helping her to analyze the samples she took and then have the girl do a scan of Kyo's chakra. However her smile faded as she began to wonder why he would just stand there and lie to her. What if he didn't want her to find out it was hem under the mask? What if she was right and he did despise her now? She didn't know if she could survive knowing that Naruto had come to hate her. But there was no doubting that Kyo had been distant to her and then there was Konan. Where they together? Sakura suddenly found herself angry at the blue-haired woman if that was the case. But she stamped it down. What right did she have to be angry? She should just be happy that someone was there for Naruto after all she didn't deserve him.

Eventually, as the sun set Naruto called them to a halt. He went off for a moment by himself and created a shadow clone. Sending the clone towards Iwa to scout the hidden village seeing as the possibility that Akatsuki was trying to give its soldiers' curse marks was a more important matter. Besides he could kill two birds with one stone. The clone would send its memories to him and they would hopefully be well on their way to the five element village. The question though, was which way should they go? Going back to Suna would take more time, so he decided to cut through Grass Country. But that route would probably be far more dangerous and more heavily patrolled then Earth Country. Heading back to camp he told them of his plans. Needless to say, Karui was less than happy with that development seeing as their orders where to scout Iwa. He said he could handle that but if Akatsuki was experimenting with the Curse Marks getting that information to the Kages should take priority. She didn't like it but in the end she had agreed. Naruto then acquired as to when they could wake the Kunoichi to question her. Sakura appeared distracted so he asked again, when she focused on him he could tell she was bothered by something but she put it aside and said in the morning. Nodding his head he told the others to get some sleep and that he would take the first watch.

Tsunade was walking through the hospital in search of the person that Kakashi had requested she send to the Five Element Village. Finding the young woman practicing on healing a fish she said, "Karin."

Turning towards the Sannin and acting Hokage Karin said, "Yes Lady Tsunade.'

"The Hokage wants you to head to the Five Element Village," Tsunade informed the girl whose surprise and worry were clearly evident on her face.

"Is that really a good idea," Karin said, "I don't exactly have a lot of friends in that village and the Raikage said he better never see my face again."

"I know but the Hokage was most insistent," putting her hand on the girls shoulder Tsunade said, "Don't worry Karin, you've been an asset to the village, the Hokage won't let anything happen to you. You leave in the morning with the latest shipment of supplies to the Five Element village."

"Yes Lady Tsunade," Karin said while wondering what the Hokage wanted her for, especially bad enough to possibly anger the Raikage.

Kurotsuchi awoke the following morning to find herself floating in the air while wrapped in paper. Making a racket the paper moved over her mouth and a blue-haired woman appeared over her saying, "Please be calm and I'll release you."

Nodding her head as best she the kunoichi relaxed as the paper receded. When she was completely free she noticed that there were others with the blue-haired woman. The pink-haired girl she remembered from before was instantly by her side helping her sit up.

As she checked the woman over again she asked, "Are you alright? Any discomfort?"

"I'm thirsty," the earth kunoichi said.

Sakura put her canteen to the woman lips so she could drink. When Kurotsuchi had enough she said, "Thanks. Now can you explain to me what a Konoha-nin is doing so deep in Earth Country?"

"We are trying to find out why Iwa has broken off contact with the Alliance," Sakura informed her.

"Iwa's gone, it was burnt to the ground by Waterfall and Grass," Kurotsuchi said bitterly.

"I'm sorry," Sakura said, "Why didn't you send word to the Alliance."

Giving a grim smile Kurotsuchi said, "The old fool of a Tsuchikage tried to cover up how weak our campaign against Waterfall really made us. By the time he finally agreed to ask for help it was too late."

Kneeling in front of her Naruto said, "Tell me about that creature that was after you."

"Who the hell are you," Kurotsuchi said to the mask man getting agitated.

Sakura placed a calming hand on her shoulder saying, "its okay he's working with us on this mission. Please answer his question."

"Fine," Kurotsuchi said after scrutinizing him for a minute. "I'm not sure but judging by his clothes he was a prisoner from the base I was taken to. They planned to use us for research probably to turn us into creatures like that one."

"Were they controlling it?" Naruto asked.

"Yes it had a couple of controllers with it but I managed to get the drop on them and took them out," the kunoichi said, "Whether the creature continued to attack because of its orders or just to satisfy its bloodlust I can't say.

Standing back up he asked, "Can you tell us where the base is?"

Nodding her head she said, "Not exactly, but it is located in Grass Country."

Turning to Konan, Naruto said, "Konan did Akatsuki have any assets in Grass Country?"

Shaking her head the blue-haired woman answered, "Yes, but nothing along the lines of a research base."

"Shit, so this is something Grass is up to then," the mercenary said in such a way that she could picture Naruto's face beneath the mask.

Konan stepped between her and the mercenary blocking her view and saying, "We can't be sure of that. Akatsuki may have built the base recently or converted an already existing one."

Kurotsuchi said, "Based on how it looked I would say it was the former. It looked like a combination of a prison and massive infirmary."

"Alright here's the plan," Naruto said, "We'll cut through Grass to ascertain the bases exact location and then pass the information on to the Kages." Looking at the pink-haired medic he asked, "Is she fit enough for that?"

However before Sakura could answer Kurotsuchi said, "I can handle it, no problem."

Although Sakura couldn't see his face she could tell Kyo or as she was beginning to think of him Naruto was smiling as he said, "Good."

As he walked away to discuss something with Konan and Sakura observed how close they were she vowed to definitely get to the bottom of just who this Kyo was. Helping the Earth Kunoichi to her feet Sakura couldn't help but feel that even if the mercenary was Naruto that the easy part would be unmasking him seeing as he didn't seem to be in any hurry to include her in his life. No the difficult part would be closing the riff that seemed to have opened between them.