Sorry for the late update, but it's here! Will be updating shortly, seriously, I will be.

Kenji ran and ran, clutching his chest. It hurt, but he could not stop. His mommy was in danger! He had seen her eyes well up with tears and how her fingers had trembled as she let him go. He squeezed his eyes shut but continued pumping his arms. He didn't even notice that the skies were blending into streaks of orange and pink, but when it was dark, it suddenly dawned on him. Kenji whimpered, and his knees buckled. Collapsing against the nearest tree, Kenji hugged his knees to his chest and cried.

Sakura sat underneath the window, shaking uncontrollably. What was going to happen to her? Would Kenji find anybody to help him? She certainly hoped so. She hoped her son would be safe, and that what they had done hadn't been in vain. To whom, she did not know, but Sakura prayed like there was no tomorrow. She did not know how much time had passed until a large, blonde man entered the room, along with a smaller one. She recognized the signature, and she trembled at the realization of his power.

"Y-you're the one-" she tried to speak, but her vocal chords were failing her as her throat was tightening up, and she could barely breathe. The man's face twisted in anger.

"Where is he?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

"Rudy, you're scaring her," the second blonde man said.

"Shut up!" he snapped, his dull, blue eyes boring into hers. "Where's that Uchiha brat?" he hissed, crouching down to meet her gaze. Sakura tried to look away, but it was impossible. One look from this man had sent her into shivers.

"He's gone," she finally managed to choke out, attempting to look strong while all she wanted to do was curl up in a ball and hide. "You'll never find him," she spat out, glaring at the man called "Rudy." Baring his teeth at her, he raised his hand to strike her, and Sakura just continued to stare at him until-

A hand grasped on to Rudy's wrist. "Rudy, that's enough." Rudy glared at the smaller man and looked as if he would challenge him to a fight, but then he just scoffed and broke free of the grip.

"Don't think this is over," he told Sakura, and Sakura felt her muscles tense in fright. He turned his back and left the room, slamming the door shut. Sakura stared at the blonde man before her, worried he would try something as well.

The man sighed instead. Before he left, he whispered, "I'm sorry."

Saobi was in the Intensive Care Unit, and Jin had gotten away relatively unharmed. Her aide, Chojuro, came bearing news. "Tobi has been on the move," he told the Mizukage, and she nodded.

"I've noticed," she muttered. "And I just saw Rudy and Koga. I thought they were dead."

Chojuro shook his head. "I have heard the Yoshiro has become a monk."

Jin chuckled. "I should have figured as much. And the others?"

Chojuro frowned. "We're not sure yet. They're probably dead-"

"Or in hiding," Jin said, finishing his thought for him. "Thanks, Chojuro."

"You're not going home?"

"No, I'd like to stay with him for now." He had gotten those wounds from Rudy, who had attacked him in a rage. She had seen Koga's face. He had always been nonviolent, choosing to run from fights rather than in engage in them. Perhaps that was why he was so fast now. This was probably hard on him. Looking at Rudy, his face turned to one of horror and sadness.

Jin just hoped Sakura and Kenji were okay.

Sakura balled up into herself when she heard the door click. With a sigh of relief, she realized it was the smaller man. "I've brought you dinner," he informed her. "I hope you like eel on rice."

Sakura licked her lips nervously. "Well, I do, but I won't eat it."

Koga's shoulders slumped. "Well, I snuck it all the way in her for nothing then. Well, I guess I'll just eat it mysel-"

"Wait!" Sakura cried out, reaching out a hand to stop him. Flushing in fear, she squeaked out, "Just let me see you take a bite."

The man gave her an odd look but did as she said, taking a small mouthful of the food, then handed it to her. Warily, Sakura took the meal, muttered an 'itadakimasu' and began to eat.

Eyes lighting up in delight, she smiled. "This is good," she whispered. Her grip tightened on the plate. "It's really, really good."

The man smiled at her. "Really, I'm glad. I didn't know I would find any eel in the river out here. It was a little surprising, to say the least."

Sakura's eyes narrowed. "You made this?" she said with her mouth full.

"Yeah, it was hard to get it past Rudy. He doesn't want us feeding you till you get us some info, but he's a softie when it comes to me."

Sakura looked into the man's eyes. They were green, like hers. "What's your name?" she asked, pausing her feast for just a moment.

He grinned. "It's Koga."

Kenji was weary. He was slouched over, trying to run, but he was simply too hungry and tired to. His breath came out in painful desperate gasps, and he fell to the ground, clutching his chest.

He saw a figure approach him, but he did not stay conscious long enough to see who it was.

Upon seeing the boy in such a haggard and dreadful condition, Sasuke had run to him, mouth set in a tight line. The boy collapsed onto the ground, clinging on to his shirt for dear life. He was not breathing normally, what should have been puffs of air coming out as wheezes. Frowning, he briefly contemplated if he should leave him there for Sakura, but he could not sense her anywhere near their location. Carefully, Sasuke hooked his arm under the boy's legs and back and sought out a doctor.

It didn't matter what Orochimaru wanted now. Sasuke's eyes narrowed. He would not let that treacherous snake take his body.

Koga had continued to sneak Sakura food. Upon speaking with him, Sakura had learned that Koga was, in fact, a very kind and pleasant person with one of the gentlest hands she had ever come across. His voice was mellow and soft, and his smiles were always warm, betraying a hint of sadness in his eyes.

Sakura couldn't help but like him. Even though he technically was the enemy, he wasn't her enemy. She had come to see him as a friend, at least an acquaintance. He deserved that much. She realized that he was under the control of that man named Rudy Fallenhaust. He had said that they were friends, but Sakura had simply shaken her head. That was not what friendships were like. Friends did not constantly have one in fear for their life.

Sighing, Sakura wondered where Kenji was and if he was safe.

Kenji felt a warm hand against his forehead. He leaned into the touch, moaning in pain. His chest hurt, and it was hard to breathe.

"Kenji," a familiar voice muttered. "Kenji, wake up."

"No, I'm tired," he mumbled incoherently. "I feel sick, Mommy. So sick. I don't wanna go today." He felt a warm exhale upon his cheek.

"Wake up," the voice demanded again, more firmly this time. "It's Sasuke."

Kenji's eyes flashed open. "M-mr. Uchiha!" he shrieked. He looked at the man who was his father, but he quickly shook his head. This was no time to be thinking about that. Feeling a stab of pain go through him, he tried to ignore it. "You have to help us!" he cried out, panicking now. His chest tightened the more he talked, and soon, he was gasping for air.

"Calm down," Sasuke said softly, patting the boy's back. "The doctor said you have to keep your heart rate down. He also gave me some medicine that will help temporarily." Reaching behind him, Sasuke picked up some pills and a glass of water. "Take these," he ordered, and Kenji readily did, the water soothing his dry, aching throat and returning his breathing to normal. "Now tell me what's going on."

Gulping, Kenji started. "Mom's been kidnapped, kidnapped by these big, blonde dudes. It was in the forest, and I ran and ran because I was small enough to get out of the window. Mommy's still there." Sasuke's brows furrowed. Kenji had not noticed that tears had formed and were flowing down his cheeks. "She's in trouble, and she's hurt and they're gonna kill her and what am I gonna do-" He could no longer speak and began to bawl, tiny fists rubbing at his eyes. Sasuke's gaze softened, but he felt that he had no right to touch this boy.

"Kenji, could you find her again?" Kenji nodded, eyes squeezed shut and sharply sucking in air.

Exhaling deeply, Sasuke felt his chest tighten. For some reason, Sakura was in trouble. For what, he did not know, but he knew that he must at least try to help her. It was his duty. He had to pay her back for what she did for him. Sasuke bit down on his cheek. He had to take things slowly. Kenji was sick, and Sakura's life would be over if he made a wrong move. The thought of Sakura dying, bleeding out slowly, cause him to get very angry, and Sasuke did not know why. He just knew he could not let that happen.

Kenji's sobs were becoming more sparse until he was silent. Sasuke met his eyes. "Kenji, I'm going to help your mother. You're going to lead me to her, understand?" Kenji nodded, pursing his lips. "I want you to describe the location to me."

Kenji described the location in incredible detail, so much so that Sasuke was certain he would be able to find it. Ruffling the boy's head, he comforted him again but had snatched his hand away as if he had been burned. Something was niggling him in the back of his mind, something about Kenji, something about his so-

Kenji sniffed. "When are we leaving?" Sasuke shot a glance at the boy.

"You're staying here," he said with finality, rising from his seated position by the bed.

"But I want to help!" Kenji screamed, his small form shaking once more. Sasuke grabbed his sword but returned to the boy's bedside.

"Kenji, you are going to stay here, and that is final," he said, his tone harsh. However, Kenji noticed that the light in his eyes was soft, and he reached out to touch his father's face. Sasuke closed his eyes but quickly the moment was over as he stood up and grabbed the door handle.

"I'll be back," Sasuke said, slamming the door shut.

YAY so sasuke's back! The next chapter will probably be out by wednesday or this weekend, only time will tell.

I've missed all of you.

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