…I do not own Naruto, and have thusly run out of creative ways to say it…

Chapter 7: The Inner Most Circle of Hell

"You got this scent?" The ninja dog glanced at his companion, their noses still near the ground. "Haven't smelled that in a while."

The smaller canine chuckled. "When was the last time we ran into those guys anyway?"

"Who?" Sakura interrupted their conversation. "Akatsuki?"

"Worse." The dogs scowled.

"Worse?"

They nodded. "Ninja cats."

During her time spent in the Hokage's library, Sakura encountered few descriptions of the ferocious little creatures. She did know that they were associated with the Uchiha family, though beyond that, they were a large mystery. From what Kakashi's hounds had said, they were fairly familiar with the other creatures. "Are they nearby?" she asked.

"They're watching us already. When you smell them, it's already too late."

As if on cue, two of the small feline bodies appeared on the path in front of them. "Well, well, if it isn't a pair of Konoha's lap dogs." The orange cat grinned. "I almost didn't recognize you guys without your tails between your legs."

"Shut up, fur-bag! Just move out of our way. We've got things to do!"

The cats began to circle. "No, we think not. We don't think you're going anywhere."

"Sakura," the smaller dog called over his shoulder, "get back to the rendezvous point! We'll handle these jokers."

As the ninja dogs disappeared in a howling, screeching, mass of fur and claws, the emerald-eyed healer turned to head back the way she had come. She was brought up short as her gaze locked with that of a sword-wielding young man.

Sugeitsu smiled as he studied the surprised kunoichi before him. She looked like any other female ninja—strong, armed, and slightly dangerous. But there was no way she was a match for him. The "o" on her back symbolized nothing recognizable. She belonged to no clan that he knew of, so he doubted that she held any surprise jutsus. His biggest problem would be figuring out how to fight her without killing her.

He bowed. "Evening."

Sakura's looked was guarded. "Who are you?"

"That's a rather rude greeting, don't you think?" Sugeitsu stretched out his sword arm. "I expected more from a Konoha shinobi."

Her cautious gaze turned irritated and the corner of her mouth turned down. She had no time for delays. "Well I'm sorry to disappoint." She turned to walk away. "Maybe the next one you meet will rise to your expectations."

The Hebi member smiled. This girl had spirit.

With an audible splash, the young man liquefied and then reappeared in front of the retreating medic. He held his sword menacingly, the arm bulging with the muscles he needed to use it. "I can't let you go anywhere."

Sakura's jaw clenched. She'd had enough of people telling her what she could and couldn't do. She'd had enough of being someone's pawn. She glared. The shark-toothed man picked the wrong day to confront her. Without a word she somersaulted backwards, three kunai tossed in her wake.

She landed just in time to see the weapons pass through her opponent as if he were made of water.

As if he were made of water…could that be possible? Her eyes traced from where the kunai should have embedded in him to where water bottles were strapped to his waist. She could only stare for a long moment as the realization dawned on her…

…how can I defeatk something made of water?

The strange shinobi made no move toward her, seemingly amused by her reaction. The first thought in her mind was to counter water with fire. But she had no mastery of fire jutsu. So what else could she do?

Sugeitsu allowed her a minute to attempt to formulate a plan. He didn't expect her to find a way to counter him—not even Orochimaru could defeat him. The sannin was only able to imprison him.

After the respite, he sprung into action and leapt toward her. His sword arced down in a graceful cut but made contact only with the ground where Sakura had stood. Without hesitation, he stepped backward and spun around, swinging the weapon over his head as he did so.

Yet he was still unable to make contact with the young woman.

It's not that she's quick. He kept moving toward her. She's able to see through my movements. What a pleasant surprise. Sugeitsu was delighted. He hadn't expected even this much resistance from the kunoichi. "Your insight in impressive," he said to her. "I would enjoy seeing you in a taijutsu battle."

"Discard your sword and find out." Sakura ducked and slid away from the razor-sharp blade.

"Surely you realize taijutsu is worthless in this battle. If you could land a hit it would simply pass through me."

She continued to dodge his efforts, leaping out of the way of sliced trees as he cut through them in an effort to get her. Think, Sakura. Think! He isn't solid enough to hit…but he's solid enough to wear clothing and wield a weapon. So…that means his liquid state isn't constant…he can make himself solid at will. So how do I force him into that?

The pale youth smiled at the tense figure mere paces away. She was still trying to figure him out. He, on the other hand, already had her calling card. She was clearly a medic—and unskilled in any form of combat. Foolish—to teach only self-preservation and not battle knowledge. He was tired of this game. If he couldn't capture her, he'd just have to kill her.

His eyes crinkled in amusement as she raised a fist.

Maybe she's not as smart as I thought. Didn't I already say that she couldn't hit m…!

A low growl emanated from Sakura's throat as she slammed her fist into the ground. Instantly, a shock wave rippled through the dirt. The earth heaved upward and split apart as the force of her strength barreled toward her opponent.

Shocked, the mist-nin could only liquefy himself in order to escape the cracking earth. It all happened so quickly that his sword was cast to the side. It heaved away from the Hebi member and toward Sakura.

A new plan popped into her mind just as the sword landed a few feet from her.

It took Sugeitsu longer to rematerialize, but when he did he was even more surprised by what he saw next.

The pink-haired woman stepped over to his sword. She leaned down and placed a hand on the hilt. He smirked. She would never be able to…

She hefted it with ease.

Sakura almost smiled at the look of disbelief on her enemy's face. "Now. Let's see if you can catch me this time."

And, with his sword in hand, she took off into the treetops.

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"Hatake Kakashi." Itachi summoned the copy-nin over to him. "I have a question for you."

The silver-haired shinobi grimaced inwardly but made his way over to where the Akatsuki sat. "Hm?"

"The mangekyo. How did you come by it?"

"That's none of your concern, Itachi. You know well enough the stipulation behind that particular ability."

The Uchiha nodded. "Then answer me a different question." His impassive face turned to Kakashi. "Do you think your student could handle a glimpse into my world?"

It wasn't a question so much as it was a threat. Itachi wanted to know the secret behind Kakashi's sharingan. And the jonin didn't doubt that the Uchiha would subject Sakura to the mangekyo if he didn't satisfy his curiosity.

"It is possible for someone to have two best friends," he said quietly.

Kisame chuckled. "Weren't satisfied with just one dying, eh? Had to off the other one as well?"

The dangerous twitch at the corner of Kakashi's eye was satisfying for Itachi. He decided to press the matter further. "I see genjutsu potential in the medic. She has potential in…many…areas."

Kakashi swallowed the lump in his throat. "Her name was Rin. I killed her, and that's all you need to know."

He walked away before the Akatsuki could interrogate him further.

Itachi's thoughts were not on what the former ANBU had said. Instead, he was thinking on what he, himself, had said.

Potential. He enjoyed potential.

"Well, guess we'll see Kakashi in the afterlife, won't we Uchiha!" The blue man laughed. "After all, the inner most circle of hell is reserved for betrayers."

To that, Itachi had no reply.

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Sasuke couldn't allow it to continue.

Sugeitsu was already feeling the ill-effects of dehydration. He'd been pursuing Sakura for some time and had used up his water reserve. Now he was dangerously close to losing the equilibrium that he needed to maintain his watery form.

As much as it seemed that Sugeitsu was composed of water—it just wasn't true. It was his signature jutsu and he needed to remain properly hydrated to maintain that illusion.

Sakura was wearing him down.

And when Sugeitsu got worn down, he couldn't maintain his strength. He was no better than a commoner.

It was time for Sasuke to intervene.

He waited patiently on Sakura's path. It wouldn't be long before she could come right to him.

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Coming soon: Chapter 8: Hell Hath no Fury Like…

I didn't proof read this so ignore any bad grammar.