"I'm sincerely hoping that what I just heard was a mistake."

Considering the anger he could hear coming through her voice, he wished he could tell her differently. "I'm afraid not Tsunade-sama. I assure you, I was just as surprised to find nearly half the prison population gone," Shikamaru said. He'd taken refuge in the now empty warden's office, leaving the control of the prison temporarily to Choji and the rest of his team. While Ino had not mastered the skill yet, she was still able to get a quick message to her father to contact Shikamaru. He found himself once again using the skills of Inoichi-san to speak with his Hokage over their hundreds of miles of separation. Even if he wasn't facing her, the Nara was able to feel her frustration and rage.

"Explain what you've found."

"After Ino healed Reishiro-san, the real warden, and we got a decent amount of food in him, he was able to tell us what happened when the prison was overtaken. According to his statement, about six months ago a cloaked man with scaly skin and wearing glasses..."

"Kabuto," she hissed in anger, interrupting the genius.

"Yes, it appears to be. He came into the facility alone, but easily overtook the guards and cornered the warden in his office. Reishiro-san said he only asked about once prisoner in particular."

"Who?"

"Karin."

Their connection was silent for a moment, but he could hear a sigh pass through the hokage's lips. "Continue."

"Reishiro-san said he showed this man to her cell - who then tore the door from the hinges and stepped inside to speak with her. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to overhear their conversation."

"So Kabuto breaks into one of the most secure facilities in the five countries to break out a sensor-type kunoichi?"

"I've read through her file Tsunade-sama; she wasn't an ordinary sensor-type. According to our information, she had a very long range on her abilities and could even pinpoint specific chakras from miles around. We should probably ask Sasuke more about her capabilities. Unfortunately, we didn't do so earlier as she was already imprisoned and no longer considered a threat."

"Well that explains a few things doesn't it? Kabuto has been able to keep himself so well hid from all of our eyes because of her."

"That's my conclusion as well."

"Did he also take the rest of the prisoners?"

"Not immediately. Reishiro-san said he took less than a dozen the first time and..."

"Wait, the first time?" Tsunade asked, shock and outrage filling her voice.

"Yes ma'am. It seems they returned a few more times to gather more men. Reishiro-san was placed in confinement so he could only go by what he was able to hear through the door. He can't be certain of the number of visits."

"Dammit," she cursed, but Shikamaru continued on as if he hadn't heard.

"The man who was impersonating the warden was released the same time Karin was. He picked several other prisoners to act as the guards and they were charged with keeping the rest of the inmates under control. I can confirm that not all the men missing were taken with Kabuto. It appears there were several...conflicts that arose between those still held captive and those that were given freedom. We found several shallow graves behind the prison."

"And the original guards?"

"Their graves were beside the others. Reishiro-san was kept alive for information; he states it was Karin who suggested that. If someone came who they needed to fool - like us - they might have needed confidential information he alone could provide."

"Sonofabitch. This is where he was getting the men to spread those viruses. He's had an entire prison full of people ready to carry out a simple little task for him in exchange for their freedom."

"Except the task they thought was small ended up costing many of them their lives."

"What's your status now?"

"We've returned all the prisoners to their cells and ensured they were secure. However, we need a full set of guards for the facility and Ino said Reishiro-san will need further treatment."

"Understood. Maintain your positions for now. I'll contact the other kages and daimyo and we'll have a crew out to you in roughly three days. While you're waiting, question the warden again. I want to know everything he does about this."

"Yes Tsunade-sama."

Inoichi ended the transmission and relayed the conversation to Shikaku while Tsunade began writing letters to each of the kages asking for their assistance. This was no simple task Konoha could take care of alone. Tsunade simply hoped the other villages weren't too afraid or too busy to spare the additional man power.

Shikaku stood in front of a large board, silently taking down all the information Inoichi was feeding him. He would add it to the other known facts they had about Kabuto's actions and perhaps they could narrow down the considerably large area they had to search for the madman.

Tsunade was silent as she continued her task. Partly to focus on her own job, but she knew a deeper part of her temporary withdrawal was from her own sense of guilt. Why had she not considered checking the prison before now? Had she done so, so much could have been avoided. She knew this was no time to dwell on mistakes or opportunities missed, but it didn't stop what she felt to be a failure on her behalf as Hokage.

The letters were sent with Shizune to be dispatched to the other kages with high priority and she joined the few members of her council - a frown marring her face.

Kabuto had weaved an intricate and dangerous web they were only now beginning to uncover. He still had the advantage over them and she feared what his next move would be.

"An explanation?" Sakura huffed a humorless laugh while staring right back into the angry gaze of the Uchiha holding her captive. Her own temper was flaring back to life, doing its part to hold back the tears she had yet to shed. "I don't have to explain myself to you," she hissed, ripping her arm free. "Now get out of my house."

Sasuke stood dumbstruck for another moment, watching her angry shoulders as she turned around and began taking items out of the bags on her kitchen counter. He couldn't help his lack of movement; her anger was just so surprising to the young man that he found himself floundering for words. He wanted an explanation for her actions, but her temper was fueling his own. Dark eyes narrowed watching her sharp motions, before he stalked up behind her, bringing himself to his full height as he towered over her smaller body. "No, you will answer my questions."

Sakura placed her hands on the wood, her task of unpacking the groceries she'd bought some time ago completely forgotten. She could feel the heat and vibration of his deep voice resonating through her back; it unwillingly sent a shudder through her. Even in her anger, her body still responded to the man trying to intimidate her. "I don't have to do a damn thing," she spat and turned slightly, just enough to stare into his obsidian eyes. "Isn't there something else you'd rather be doing right now anyway?"

Sasuke slapped one hand on the counter, just beside hers. The angle at which he hovered over her didn't allow her face to be hidden any longer. "I have no where to be Sakura and you won't be going anywhere either. Not until you explain this behavior of yours. I've done nothing to warrant your anger."

That got a reaction, though not one he could have anticipated coming. Her head turned ever so slowly, emerald eyes peeking through the curtain of her cotton candy hair. Her look was filled with disbelief, mouth parting slightly in shock. Sakura blinked several times as she watched him, hoping to see some form of lie in his expression. When none came, the dam holding her outrage burst and she unleashed her fury upon him.

"You...you don't think...you've done a single thing to deserve my anger?"

Perhaps it was a combination of her tone and that wild-eyed look she was giving him, but Sasuke could only nod his head in reply.

That was rewarded with a sharp jab in his chest by her finger. Considering the pain he suffered from that alone, he'd wager she was using her chakra.

"Let me tell you something Uchiha Sasuke." Sakura pressed forward as she spoke, forcing the man to take a step back as she continued to push against his chest during her tirade. "I don't know what kind of woman you think I am, but let me tell you what kind I am not. I am not a woman who goes around embracing men at random. I am not a woman who gives of herself without meaning behind it. And I am most certainly not a woman who shares her lover with others."

The fire blazing behind her earthly eyes could have set fire to his very skin. The air around her was charged and Sasuke could feel it prickling his flesh. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she struggled to control her temper and regain the breath she'd used during her rant. She still stood dangerously close to him, so the tears welling in her eyes were easy for him to spot.

Sakura turned abruptly, a deep breath passing through her lips and she made her way back to the forgotten counter. "I don't have anything else to say to you." The words were hushed and filled with various emotions Sasuke wasn't able to entirely decipher. He could see her hands shake slightly as she continued to unpack the bags littering her space.

Silence fell between them, only the sounds of the rustling papers and the clinking of cans filling her home. Sasuke stood observing her, the pieces falling into place in his mind. It was obvious from her words that Sakura had seen at least part of that debacle in the alleyway; though, it seems she didn't stick around for the entire spectacle. Her anger towards him was unfounded and it continued to irk him that he was falsely accused and having judgment passed from her observations alone.

However, the knowledge that it was him that put her into such a volatile state was trying to force a smirk onto his handsome face. That he alone could force such a reaction from Sakura untwisted something within him. Her anger, her laughter, her tears - he accepted and welcomed them all, encouraged them even. As long as they were solely for him.

He knew he was creeping into dangerous territory, but he couldn't force himself to deviate from that path.

Watching a can slip from her trembling fingers brought his mind back to the present - and to the residual anger he held over the treatment he was forced to endure. She had been allowed to speak her mind. Now, it was his turn.

Sasuke stalked forward, wrapping his hand around her elbow and giving her no time to object as he pulled her from the kitchen. The bag within her hand was pulled from the counter, the contents spilling over the floor before she could remember to let go. Sakura had barely opened her mouth to question Sasuke's actions, before she found herself being pushed into the couch.

"What the..."

Her words were quickly silenced as Sasuke knelt between her parted thighs, bracing himself on the armrest as he hovered over her reclining form. "I don't like repeating myself Sakura, but I will say it again - I've done nothing to warrant your anger."

Apparently her hold on the tears he glimpsed earlier had failed. He was greeted with the sight of her red, tear stained face glaring up at him. Though he held himself above her, he'd left her hands free and Sakura fruitlessly pushed against his large chest. "Bullshit," she spat. "I saw you w..."

"What you saw," he interrupted, leaning a bit closer, letting her fingertips push into the hard plane of his chest. "Was nothing more than a precursor to me getting slapped in the middle of the street."

The strength she held behind her hands faltered. They merely rested against his warmth now, fingers curling slightly as her brow scrunched in confusion. "Wha..."

"Had you actually waited instead of assuming you understood the situation, I would not have had to endure your unjustified temper."

"You...you're lying," she began, unsure at first, but gaining confidence as she continued. She withdrew her hands, using them to scoot herself further along the furniture. "I saw you. I saw the two of you huddled up together!"

His dark eyes narrowed and he followed her progress along the plush cushions, not allowing her to escape. "I'm going to ignore you calling me a liar, for now."

The confidence she'd built was dashed aside. The tension in his face alerted her to the mistake she'd made in that hasty declaration.

"Use your brain for a moment Sakura; you're an intelligent woman. Did you see my hands on her? Did you see me touch that woman?"

"Maybe not," she shouted, slapping his chest. "But you didn't move away either you ass!" That hand was soon captured by his own larger one. Sasuke pressed her wrist into the armrest, holding it captive by her head.

"Sakura." His fingers curled into the soft skin there, taking care not to injure the fine bones beneath. "Would she have slapped me if I had been accepting her advances?" he said, bringing his face so close to her own she could feel the warmth of his breath. "Does that make any sense to you Sakura?"

Her previous assumptions, the anger and the sadness that consumed her after seeing that image, were wavering under the honesty shining through his obsidian eyes. Yet, with it came a confusion that rose from those insecurities that woman's simple presence had scratched to the surface. Her skin wasn't as smooth, her hair no longer the long, silky texture it once was - as a woman, Sakura fell short to such a creature. Her chest tightened as thoughts suddenly swirled round her head. Her breath caught as her eyes burned with tears once more. Sakura tried to turn her head, tried to hide her volatile emotions, but Sasuke wasn't allowing her that. There was no where for her to go as his body pressed hers into the couch.

Her fingers curled into the plush fabric as a few errant tears ignored her will and slipped down her alabaster cheeks. When she spoke, her voice coming out as a mere whisper, she hated the vulnerability she could detect. "Why?" was all she could manage. Sakura was unable to transform the many emotions and doubts she had swirling round her mind into words.

Fortunately, it seemed Sasuke was able to decipher her meaning. That hard, determined glint still lingered in his gaze, but those dark orbs seemed to soften - if only just a bit - as he answered her many unspoken questions with just a few words.

"Because she isn't who I want."

Her breath rushed through parted lips, emerald eyes widening as she searched his face desperately - praying for the truth of his words. She swore she saw that smirk of his starting to form before he leaned forward the last few inches and captured her shocked lips in a gentle kiss. A few errant tears squeezed past her lids as she closed her eyes tight and desperately threw herself into his gentle caress. Her free hand rose to clutch his shirt, holding him in place lest he wanted to leave her once more.

Sasuke obviously had no such intentions as the pressure behind his gentle touches increased. Warm lips slanted over hers, his tongue pushing past that barrier and claiming her mouth. His body settled more firmly against her own, causing her moan to meld into his mouth at the delicious weight.

The want to see her that he'd been building the past several days, coupled with the angry emotions swirling back and forth between them had Sasuke's desire pushed to a feverish height. Even as he continued to devour her plump lips, his fingers curled around the tender skin of her waist - sliding his curious digits higher under her shirt with a controlled patience. Though he wanted to explore every inch of this woman, he didn't want to miss a single detail. The rough pads of his hands mapped out every nuance of her he touched - the warmth of her flesh, the subtle dips and grooves of her curvy body, the softness that belied the great strength under it. His mind was both overwhelmed yet calmly cataloging every second of this encounter.

He released her lips, acknowledging the pleasure he felt when she gasped for air, and took a moment to enjoy the flushed look to her cheeks before he began attacking the pale column of her throat. Sakura's still captured hand struggled in his grip - fingers curling, searching for purchase as he began his exploration of her body. Sasuke wouldn't give up that grip just yet.

"Sa...suke," she gasped when his teeth sunk into the base of her neck, just enough strength behind the bite to border on painful. He smirked against her skin when she didn't cry out, but struggled to hold back a sinful moan. He took her lips once more, his body pressing hers further into the cushions as his hand finally found purchase with her still covered breast.

Sasuke captured the tiny squeak she emitted when he made contact, but it soon changed to a long, low moan as he gently squeezed that mound of flesh. Feeling that tiny nub hardening in his palm sent another stab of desire coursing through him. Sasuke pulled back, waiting until her eyes slowly opened before he pushed both her shirt and bra up her chest. Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment, but she didn't protest or pull away from his touch. Sasuke let go of her wrist, held her bunched clothes out of his way, and gave in to those desires and curiosities coursing through him.

"Haa...," Sakura gasped and her breath hitched almost painfully. "Sas...Sasuke," she cried as his mouth closed around one pale, pink nipple.

Her back arched and his hands encircled her, supporting her as her body pushed into his. The very blood pumping through his veins was heating up from the gasps and mewls coming from Sakura. His tongue flicked across the tip of that hardened pebble and he felt her shudder in his arms. No longer restrained, Sakura's hands curled around his shoulders before raking down his back - her blunt nails scratching at his skin through the cotton of his shirt.

His lips moved across the expanse of her chest, lavishing her skin as he went, before he gave the same attention to her other hardened peak. Sasuke felt her foot moving against his leg, restless as her own desire built to dangerous levels. Calloused hands grasped the plump flesh of her outer thigh before pushing up her skirt and roughly squeezing the ass he'd found himself watching more often than not lately.

He lifted himself above her once more, his dark eyes sweeping her body with an appreciative glance before covering her lips again. Sakura's fingers plunged into his raven hair, holding him to her as she returned his kiss with barely restrained passion. The Uchiha couldn't contain his own groan of pleasure as he pushed her hips into his own. Her skirt was bunched up and he continued to kneed her flesh - only a thin barrier now stood between her delicious heat and his demanding body.

Sasuke knew what he wanted and the uncomfortable state of his body was urging him to finish this, but even though her face was flushed with desire, the thin trail of tears was still visible to his discerning eye. His pride may not allow him to admit it, but Sasuke conceded within his own mind that his earlier false assumptions led to this misunderstanding between them. Had he not briefly considered that woman's advances, Sakura would not have shed those tears. Sasuke would accept responsibility for those actions and, though he would be sorely tested, he would suffer his own form of punishment.

He braced himself above her, releasing her lips but not allowing much distance between them. It was simply an undeniable inclination to watch her reaction as his fingers danced along the silky skin of her inner thigh before his large hand pressed against her covered womanhood. Those emerald eyes flew open and he could see the hesitancy lying behind them. However, Sasuke didn't give her time to think about his actions before he pushed that flimsy barrier aside and let his finger trail along her wet heat.

"S-Sa-suke...I-I don't...," she stuttered, her hand and eyes locking onto that devilish arm.

His lips trailed down her neck, allowing him to get drunk off that fresh scent of hers, as he explored her. The hand on his arm clenched and released several times as she fought her own nervousness and desire - never pushing him away, but holding on tightly as she allowed this foreign exploration of her body.

"Sakura," his baritone voice rumbled against her ear. She whimpered and buried her head into his neck; a chuckle rippled through his chest. Sasuke moved his fingers higher until he found that hardened nub hidden amongst her folds. Sakura cried out against his skin as he pressed against that taught flesh. His thumb made tiny circles around the area, moving faster as the pinkette began shaking in his arms.

Sasuke leaned back, reveling in the very sight before him. Sakura's head fell away from him, her bright hair fanning against the dark fabric of the couch. Her cheeks were pink from their activities, eyes droopy with passion, and lips parted as she gasped and panted in pleasure. The sight of such a powerful woman moaning and whimpering in his embrace pleased the Uchiha in ways he was never aware of. He captured her lips once more, doing his best to ignore his member throbbing with need.

This was her moment, her pleasure, and he would suffer unrelieved desire in his own repentance.

Wanting to take possession of all of her, Sasuke slowly pushed his fingers into the deepest part of her. Sakura's gasp of shock and wicked pleasure was muffled against his lips. Sasuke groaned himself as he felt her heat enveloping his fingers. He desperately wished another part of himself was pushing into that tight passage, but he tried to ignore his own desire as he curled his fingers within.

"Ahh," her lips tore from his as he brushed against something within her that sent waves of pleasure through her body. Her fingers dug into his shoulders, leaving him grunting in pain.

"Don't forget how strong you are woman," he said, humor coloring his breathy words.

"I-I...can't," she panted, not noticing her own hips rocking against his hand. "Sas-uke...ha...ahh." It was building withing her, coiling, twisting, growing into something she wasn't sure she could handle. Her hands pulled him forward, lips devouring his own as her muscles began to twitch with the jolts of pleasure he gave her.

"Sakura," he breathed against her lips, his deep voice only pulling at that coil further.

"Please," she keened, begging him and not caring about the desperation in her voice. "Please, Sasuke."

His tongue ran up the column of her throat, he nipped her chin, he kissed away the tears building at the corner of her eyes before pulling back to watch her. The beauty of her face contorted in pleasure was one he wanted to burn into his mind. Sasuke teased that hard nub and curled his fingers within her once more and watched her come apart in his arms. Her mouth opened on a silent scream as her body bowed, back arching and hands gripping him painfully. She greedily sucked in air as a high pitched cry left her lips while she trembled against him. It was a few moments before her body finally fell slack, her chest heaving as she panted for breath.

Sasuke took her lips once more, smiling into the lazy kiss as she hummed contentedly. He was glad for her moment of disorientation as he took that time to adjust his own uncomfortable situation. After pulling her clothes back down so as not to tempt himself further, Sasuke eased her into a sitting position - smirking at her whine of protest.

"Sakura," he called, waiting for her droopy eyes to focus. When they did, the small smile and blush that erupted on her cheeks had him kissing her again. "Go change and we'll go get something to eat."

"Huh?" she asked, watching him stand and pick up a dented can from her floor.

"I'll clean this up. Just go change."

She eased herself off the couch and had to force herself to stop watching the strange sight of Sasuke picking up the mess she...well he actually caused in her kitchen. The first step she took had her fully aware of the wetness clinging to her thighs. Her feet moved as fast as her heart was pounding to make it to her bedroom. No matter the acute embarrassment she was suffering from her rather wanton display earlier, a wide smile covered her face.

"Because she isn't who I want."

Every insecurity that plagued her earlier was dashed aside as that sentence kept playing over and over again in her mind. Every spot he touched on her body still burned with his heat. She wasn't surprised to find the ever darkening marks of his teeth glaring back at her in the mirror. Her fingers ran across the tender spot gingerly, almost fascinated at his obvious marking of her flesh. Sakura knew she was wearing a ridiculous expression on her face, but it wouldn't budge no matter how hard she tried. His words and actions had given her the answers to questions she'd been too afraid to ask for weeks.

Hearing him move around in the kitchen, she gasped as she realized she'd been lost in her own world for several minutes. She dashed into the bathroom quickly, completing her toilet in record time before searching for a fresh outfit from her limited wardrobe. It wasn't until she was pulling her shirt in place and dashing out of her bedroom that she realized what was happening.

Sasuke is taking me out on a date?

That poker face she'd worked so hard to develop over the course of the past few years was staunchly held in place as she stood beside her cloaked partner. Had anyone asked her, she would tell them the shiver that wracked her body was from the biting chill in the air. Only in the privacy of her mind would she know the real reason her skin crawled and muscles shook.

A fear deeper than any she'd experienced during this reckless time spent with Kabuto was settling itself into the very core of her. So far she was keeping up appearances, but she wasn't confident it would last. Every time he turned those slitted pupils her way, she felt a little piece of her hardened armor crack under the anxiety he invoked.

Thankfully, there weren't so many people joining them in this outing that she had to worry about their presence. Kabuto himself had left the sanctity of their newest lair and therefore only brought a half dozen men along. Karin didn't bother remembering their faces or names - they wouldn't survive the day anyway.

"It's almost time," Kabuto hissed - seemingly to himself - as he peered through the dense layer of fog to the unsuspecting village below. The sun was just creeping over the horizon, it's rays not yet strong enough to fully push away the soft blanket of the night. What light was available was enough to allow her to see the malicious grin now covering the former spy's face. Karin had to turn away from the sight.

With a flick of his wrist, the signal was given and the men leapt from the cliff - easily landing atop the large crows that passed by. Karin watched from atop that rocky peak as they opened the large pouches and scattered a fine dust over the unsuspecting village. She knew that before they would be able to fly to safety, the very poison they just touched would have them falling helplessly to their deaths in a matter of moments. Again, the fiery red head felt an uncomfortable twinge in her chest - she'd spent hours with Kabuto in the lab refining that very drug.

All for the sake of her own revenge.

It had to be worth it.

The sage took a deep breath, letting his hood fall back just so, and began running through a series of hand signals. The young woman looked away, completely turning her head from the village and stared at the picturesque scenery of the mountains laid out before them. It had to be worth it, she reminded herself, gritting her teeth and refusing to do something so weak as to cry. The plans, the notes, the experiments she'd come across in Kabuto's lab - she almost hated that she knew what was about to happen. Distant memories that she was certain she'd buried and long forgotten suddenly resurfaced, teasing her, tormenting her with the painful truth of the aftermath.

The closed gates of this sleeping village would do nothing to stand against their foe. The remote location, the high level protection, there was nothing they would be able to do in the path of Kabuto's plans.

Smoke filled the area, stinging her eyes and temporarily blinding her.

The very ground they stood upon shook under the massive force.

Kabuto chuckled as he pointedly looked at her before leaping forward. Karin had no choice but to follow right behind him. If she faltered now, everything she'd done would be for nothing.

She had set herself up to walk this hell with him.

A/N:

Ha! Made my deadline again and managed to open up the lemonade stand while doing so. Tell me, how did we enjoy that first glass?

Anybody else got some serious girl crushing going on for our little Sakura-chan with that newest chapter?

Thanks for the reads/reviews/favs/follows/...anything I'm missing? :)

Are y'all gonna be the sweetest reviewers around and get me to that thousand mark with this one?