…I do not own Naruto…

Chapter 6: Enter the Snake

Sakura still in hand, Itachi spun away from the tree he'd held her against. If he wanted to, he could have easily transported himself somewhere else. In fact, he and Kisame could have done that very thing from the beginning.

He moved his hand from Sakura's neck to her hair where he wound his fingers for a solid hold. One of her hands flew to the place he held her, the other swung toward his stomach. He didn't have time to waste words chiding her as four new shinobi entered his field of view.

"S-Sakura-chan!" The white of byakuugan eyes shone with concern as the members of team eight dropped into view. Hinata would have rushed forward had Naruto not held her back, the girl's face flushing red at the contact.

Akamaru circled Itachi, the hound's lips curled in a fierce snarl. Kiba did nothing to stop the animal, and probably would have let him tear into the Akatsuki if Yamato hadn't spoken up.

"Kakashi! What's going on here!?!"

The copy-nin's exposed sharingan regarded Itachi coolly as he answered the other team captain. "Our prisoner was just about to release Sakura."

"If you don't want him to die an untimely death," Itachi said quietly, "I suggest you call off your mutt."

Kiba's expression was similar to Akamaru's. "Let her go first!"

The Uchiha shook his head. His attention was divided equally between the Konoha shinobi. His curiosity, however, was split between Sakura—who had stopped struggling—and the quiet shinobi with eyes hidden by sunglasses. He'd heard of the Aburame clan, though had never fought one before. The potential of genjutsu on such a ninja sent a thrill through him. As he studied Shino, he wondered how the young man would react to being eaten alive by his own bugs.

"Itachi…"

He barely heard Sakura say his name. When he glanced down at her, she wasn't looking at him. Her glare was fixated on the ground, her fingers wrapped around the wrist of his hand still tangled in her pink hair. It was just then that he noticed a small trickle of blood moving down her neck from where her scalp had torn.

He instantly dropped his hold on her.

"I am done speaking to your student, Kakashi. You may have her back now."

The former ANBU didn't reply. He simply pointed back to where Kisame sat, grinning. As he watched Itachi slowly walk over to his partner, the jonin went to place a hand on Sakura's tense shoulder.

A pang of remorse shot through him as she pulled away angrily. Without a word to any of them, Sakura stalked off in the opposite direction of the Akatsuki.

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"Here's the plan," Kakashi motioned to the large group of Konoha nins. "Yamato says the Hokage wants to keep any risk of fighting away from Konoha. With the two Akatsuki in our midst, Sasuke won't be far behind. I wouldn't doubt that other Akatsuki are on their way as well."

"So what the hell are we going to do?" Naruto's blue eyes flared. "Just sit here and wait for them to come and attack?"

"No, Naruto. Be patient. We're each going to go scout the area around this camp--individually. Once the whereabouts of either Sasuke of the Akatsuki are known, you'll report back here."

"Individually?" Sakura spoke up for the first time since she'd been injured. "Isn't that dangerous? We won't be able to communicate that far apart."

"Relax, Sakura." Kakashi smiled at her and a group of ninja hounds appeared behind him. "Two hounds will accompany each ninja. They can speak to each other, even if we are out of range."

"Pakkun!" Naruto knelt down next to the little hound. "Long time no see!"

"Heya, Naruto. Staying out of trouble are we?"

The blonde grinned. "Aw, of course!" His expression sobered. "But… Kakashi-sensei…if two dogs go with each person… there's too many people for that."

"Kiba already has Akamaru. He won't need another dog. And you will be with Yamato and Hinata since you are a target for Akatsuki as well. Sai and I will remain here to watch over them." He spared a look over to where Kisame and Itachi sat quietly. "If we don't find anything today, we'll all meet up back here. Remember, we are not to engage the enemy. This is a search party only."

With that said, Kakashi delegated the dogs out.

Sakura smiled warmly at the two animals next to her. At least in their company she felt at ease.

"Alright," Kakashi nodded. "Everyone move out!"

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Sasuke watched at the Konoha group divided. Once they spread out enough, he would make the move toward his brother.

Next to him, Sugeitsu inclined his head toward Sakura. The medic and her two dogs were headed in their general direction. "What about her? Want me to take care of it?"

"No."

"No? Why not? I won't kill her." The water-inclined man smiled. "It won't be good if she gets too close. Those dogs will pick up our scent quick."

Sasuke heard Karin's intake of breath from behind him. "Of course you have to kill her! What good would she be to us alive!?!"

The swordsmaster shrugged. "I like her pink hair. I wouldn't mind having a pet."

"What! You can't be serious! I don't think you understand the kind of chakra use she…"

"What's the matter, Karin?" Sugeitsu hefted his sword. "Are you afraid she's gonna break your little hold over our fearless leader?"

The female ninja's face went red with rage, but her reply was cut short by Sasuke's calm voice.

"Don't kill her Sugeitsu." The Uchiha fixed him with a sharingan stare. "Delay her, that's all."

"Do you need to fight her at all?" Juugo's voice piped up. "Can't we just skirt around her?"

Sasuke shook his head. "No. She'd be on our trail soon after." He pulled his sword out, letting the rays of light gleam off the blade. "Remember, Sugeitsu, do not kill her."

The other man smiled, saluted, and then was gone.

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"He's here." Itachi said softly.

Kisame nodded. "Yeah, he's been hanging around the outskirts for a while. When do you think he'll make his move?"

"Soon," was all the other man said.

Kisame smiled. He'd been itching for a good fight for a while.

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Coming soon: Chapter 7: The Inner Most Circle of Hell

Author's Note: I apologize for the short, late update. I just wanted to give you guys something to tide you over. Hopefully I'll have another chapter up by the end of the holiday weekend—a much longer one.