My friend and I deeply apologize for the wait. We've been busy lately..but we're so glad to get this chapter out.

Let's all take a moment to appreciate my saku chans amazing writing skills. She doesn't believe me when I say she's an amazing writer.. but she is, ne?

Sakura

[ I could vaguely hear pieces of the words he spoke to me from somewhere in the abyss of my unconscious mind. I could feel my condition worsening. I actually thought in that time that I was going to die. I barely had any chakra and my wounds were too deep and too many to heal them all. Every single fiber of my being ached and I almost wished I could just die so I wouldn't have to feel the pain any longer. However, that was not an option. I had to stay alive for Naruto kun and Kakashi sensei. I would not let them suffer. The only thing I had to do was will myself to wake up. I hadn't really been ready for what I woke up to, demo it's not really all that important anymore. Or maybe it was. I digress. ].

"Kami, my head..."

The young cherry blossom awoke a long time later in a very familiar looking area. Emerald hues slowly opened up and darted around the room like a frightened rabbit looking for its predator. Slowly but surely, she sat up and noticed that one of her largest wounds was healed to a considerable point, which made her remember what had happened. That's right..We were there on a battlefield. Naruto kun was fighting Orochimaru, Kakashi sensei was fighting Kabuto san, and I was sitting on the sidelines like some useless girl... The thought made her angry and Sakura slammed her fist against the bed on which she sat. Not the smartest idea when one was already in a large amount of pain.

"Itaii.." she mumbled, shaking her now sore hand and dealing with the consequences of an uncomfortable tingling sensation.

Now that she had fully opened her eyes and began to pay attention, Sakura noticed that this was not the same room where she'd been held prisoner so recently ago. It looks the same, demo it's different.. Shaking her pounding head, the dizzy kunoichi stared toward the door. I wonder.. Slowly, she placed one foot on the ground and tried to put weight on it. It held, so she continued with her other leg. It also held. However, when she stood up on them both simultaneously..

"Kyaa!" she soon fell over into a clumsy heap on the cold, stone floor. "Baka..." she mumbled angrily, referring to the young man who had done such damage to her legs to begin with.

Using her good arm, the cherry blossom pushed herself back up, at least on her knees so she could stop her reeling headache from causing her anymore pain. If she stayed still, she did not feel it. If she moved, it was as if she had one of those legendary hangovers of Lady Tsunade's. Kami, what have I gotten myself into..? she questioned herself again, crawling back to the bed and pulling herself up. Good thing my arm strength is pretty good, or this would be very difficult...

That made her remember something else. Matte! Kabuto san..He was fighting Kakashi sensei, hai...and he almost killed me..demo, he didn't...Nonde..? This was going to bother Sakura a great deal. He's talked about how he enjoys toying with me, he's said many times how he would enjoy killing me, he's even gone as far as to call me his possession...and yet he didn't kill me..He said he was sorry, demo who was he apologizing to? Orochimaru? Why didn't he kill me when he had the chance to...? I even distinctly remember being in the woods before everything went black..He saved me..in a weird way..he even had a second chance when we were in the forest. Why didn't he take it? Not that I'm ungrateful. I rather enjoy breathing and living, demo this doesn't make any sense! Is this really so that you can continue to toy with me? That look in your eyes...It was one of the intent to kill.. Her thoughts were obviously bothering her. It was obvious that the boy who had saved her was no hero, but that did not explain why he chose to ignore a command from someone he so highly respected. Especially when his command was to kill me...

Naruto kun, Kakashi sensei..They must be so worried..Maybe they think I died..What if I never see them again..? This caused the smallest hint of panic to rise in the young woman and she quickly began to study her surroundings. This was much like her other 'living conditions' from before. She could move about freely, or at least she could when her limbs weren't half broken. She still had free use of her chakra, albeit that she didn't have much of it to use, certainly not enough to do any damage to her captor. The door still had a seal on it that was obvious not going to get broken anytime soon. That only left one thing to question. Where is he and what is he planning...?.

Sasuke

The raven haired boy growled as his attack missed. It was so close. What is he doing?! Sasuke questioned in his mind, angrily. Is he distracted..? The younger Uchiha knew that look in his brother's eyes. Itachi was thinking about something, very long and hard. He thinks he can keep avoiding me, even if he's distracted like this?! He's not taking me seriously! The blood-red sharingan eyes narrowed in disgust and malice. Itachi leaped into a tree and Sasuke followed. The young man did briefly remember how there was a point in his life where he'd have given anything to even train with his brother. Not fighting like they were now, but just training and having a good time.

That can never be.. he thought, angry with himself for allowing his mind or anything else to distract him. It can never be and I won't think about it! I have to kill him now or I won't ever get the chance! The raven did not like using the same attack more than once in a row, but desperate times called for desperate measures. That last attack at least grazed the skin. If he stays distracted, he's dead! "Chidori!" Sasuke's hand glowed with a deadly electricity as he followed his brother quickly into the trees. Palm shot forward toward the older Uchiha's heart, and this time, Itachi was not going to escape him. Goodbye, brother...

Itachi

Not only could he feel in his heart that it was time to leave, but all rationality in him told him the same. Itachi was intelligent, fast, and even strong. His one weakness was his lack of stamina. Especially due to the recent state of his health. This battle had gone on long enough. He had gathered enough sense of Sasuke's ability, and the next time they met would most likely be time for the elder brother's death. But not yet. There was still more to do. He landed in a tree, fully prepared to leave. Yet he had made the mistake of turning his back on his brother. Itachi had assumed he was fast enough to simply leave, however Sasuke's determination would not let that be so. Itachi was physically tired, and although he would not let that show, it affected his movements. By the time he heard and sensed the attack, all he could do was turn his body to meet crimson red eyes and the ninjutsu headed straight for his heart.

He blocked the attack with his bare hands, literally grabbing a hold of sasuke' an attack like this was not good, however it was the best he could do at the moment. He felt the piercing chakra burn his skin and drain his body. The pain was intense, but he was too used to pain by letting it show. The only sign was the actual damage on his hand and the clenching of his teeth as he pushed Sasuke back.

"Maybe next time, Sasuke" he said quietly, not even sure if his words had been heard, and quickly sped off into the distance.

Kabuto

Kabuto's footsteps echoed throughout the empty place. There was not a soul nearby, and even the outside winds were silent.

There were many hideouts scattered throughout the world , and for good reason. Orochimaru had to have secret places to go when the previous site became useless As such, places that had become inhabited too many times would be deemed 'abandoned'. Few ninja ever stepped foot near one of them. Kabuto chose to take the unconscious Sakura to an abandoned cave for precisely that reason.

Two days ago she had laid on the forest floor covered in blood. He had healed her for his own reasons. She needed to stay alive. The typical, analytical mind of his yearned to question these feelings, but the rational side of him said it didn't matter. For now, his common sense would win over. However, he knew he was not able to ignore it forever.

Each step made down the thin, winding corridor was slow and patient. The outside world was lifeless and still, but it was also very cold. This particular cave was in a forest that rarely knew sunlight and experienced the effects of winter first. The chill easily seeped inside the cave walls that lacked insulation to block it out. He shivered lightly, knowing he would soon be in need of a blanket. However, he didn't bother to return to his room yet. It was time to visit his prisoner.

Although he called her such, her living conditions hardly met the term. She was not chained or tied down. She had free time to herself and a bed, which may seem uncomfortable, but was better than her other options. He doubted she realized how unfortunate her situation could have been.

Although she hadn't woken up in over 48 hours, it was probably best for her. It gave her wounds time to heal and began to, albeit slowly, regain chakra. It didn't concern him when she would awake. Still, he had quietly checked her room every couple of hours, mostly out of curiosity. He had seen her sleeping figure enough times to assume he would see it again. When he finally arrived at her door, quietly undid the seal, and walked in, it surprised him to see her kneeling on the floor, perfectly awake.

He stared at her for a moment. She looked as if she attempted to move, and failed. Not only had she been beaten in battle, but had suffered brutal strikes and multiple broken bones by the annoying Uchiha boy. His sakura appeared weaker than ever in front of him now. Eventually the male broke eye contact with her to shut the door behind him. It clicked softly in place, however he did not redo the seal. He knew she didn't have the energy to escape, so there was no need in wasting his. When he turned back around, his eyes avoided hers.

He was so very tempted to taunt her. There were so many things he could use against her and easily prove how weak she was. She would be rather easy to insult now, although no doubt she would still be stubborn as ever. As he approached her, he honestly considered the words that came so close to spilling from his lips. Even as he knelt in front of her, the biggest part of him was looking for the right insult to throw. However, a smaller part instinctively came out instead.

"How are you feeling? I assume your breathing is back to normal, which is the biggest sign of successful recovery in this situation." he began, narrowing his eyes slightly as he reached out towards one of her legs. The natural warmth of her skin against his chilled hand registered in his mind for a fraction of a second, however quickly dissipated. Thoughts fueled his medical purpose at the moment. "However, your bones, specifically your legs, are another story entirely."

A small, almost playful smirk appeared on his lips as he looked at her, meeting her eyes once more. "I'm sure you already know that, though."

He should have avoided her gaze, for the emerald in her eyes sparkled in such a way that annoyed him. He hastily pulled his hand away, any hint of playfulness disappearing completely. How had he so easily forgotten who he was dealing with? This was his annoying, inconvenient cherry blossom, much more than some pathetically injured girl. He pushed up his glasses, yet anger was still very clear.

"Do you realize how much trouble you've caused me? Much more than you're worth. Now I'm stuck here.. alone with you. The only benefit is that I no longer have to deal with that arrogant Uchiha. I'm half tempted to drop you off at your pathetic village. I can't have you alive and free though, otherwise Orochimaru sama will be even more unhappy with me than he already is."

He turned his head away and sighed angrily. How dare she involve herself like this and get him caught up in a mess that was this much trouble?