Chapter Four

Chapter Four

It was another clear sunny day in the village of Konoha. Sakura was at home packing her bags for her next mission. This mission would be important, more than any others she had been on.

For the past few days, Naruto and her had been getting to know their new team mates. Yamato was a very spoken guy, but knew when to keep his distance. He seemed like a very good team leader, he had been preparing the three for anything that could happen.

Sai was different. Naruto didn't seem to get along with him very well. Even Sakura, who thrives to get to know new people. With Sai, they will just have to give that time. His first impression was neither his best, he had put down Naruto. Though when he decided to bring Sasuke into the mix, Sakura couldn't hold back the anger. She had punched him right dead in the face. No hesitation. Things had gotten quiet for awhile, but with the team building, as Yamato would call it, the silence slowly difted away. As she finished packing the necessaties, Sakura grabbed her small beige backpack, and made her way into the kitchen where her mother stood making a lunch set.

"Do you have everything packed, Sakura?" Mebuki asked her daughter.

"Yeah, I just need that lunch box you have there. Then I'll be ready." Sakura leaned against the white fridge, with the pack slung to her side.

"I put some dry food in there, in case you want a snack." Mebuki said. Just then her father walked into the room, looking like he had just woken up.

"Morning dad."

"Good morning Sakura." Kizashi said to his little girl, as he sat down in his normal spot at the table.

"Honey, will you be running to the store today?" Mebuki asked her husband, as she made finishing touches to the lunch set.

"Nah, I'm taking a break today. How about we just lounge around today, huh Mebuki?" Sakura saw that this conversation did not need her, so she moved to her mothers side for her lunch.

"Kizashi, I have things to do. Maybe you should run errands with me huh?" As they both chatted, Sakura silently took the bag her food was in, and began to sneak away.

"Hey, Sakura. Leaving without a goodbye?" Mebuki called out to the pinkette. Sakura quickly turned around, surprised she had noticed.

"Sorry. I'll be going now." She bowed her head, then turned back around.

"Be safe Sakura!" Mebuki shouted.

"Come back soon!" Kizashi joined in. Both of her parents knew of the importance of the mission she was headed on. They both knew there was a possibility she would come back changed. Both had hoped they could hold onto the Sakura they always knew, for just a little longer.

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Naruto, Sai, and Yamato waited by the main village gate for Sakura. Their plan was to go over their mission, then go at top speed to get it done.

"Sakura! You're actually the last one here!" Naruto yelled, waving his arm above his head. Sai looked at her with his always empty look, Yamato his expressionless face.

"Now that everyone is here, let's get going." Yamato said, as all three began to leave the village, and walked into the wilderness behind the walls of their home. "While we walk, let's have a short mission review. We are going where?" Yamato asked, as he trailed behind the three teens.

"Tenchi bridge." Sai replied.

"And why?"

"To meet a spy, and find that Orochimaru bastard!" Naruto said.

"Why are we looking for Orochimaru?"

"To find out where he is." Sai said.

"Why are we wanting to find out where he is?" The three young ninja went quiet, as they already knew the answer. It was just to the point, of who would answer the difficult question. If Sai hadn't known better, he would have said it.

"To find Sasuke, and bring him back." Naruto said. His voice had been serious, but no one bothered to see his expression.

"The Tenchi Bridge in Kusagakure. You missed an important detail. It doesn't matter, you live you learn. Let's get going." Yamato said, trying his best to cut the tension.

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The Tenchi Bridge was a small bridge, but crossed over a deep trench. It was known as the Earth and Heaven bridge.

It belonged to the Kusagakure, where the chuunin exams are held. Not in the exact closed and fenced area, but in the country. The country where Orochimaru is known to hide himself. Yamato made his way across the bridge, but he was obviously disguised as Sasori's well known puppet. Stopping midway, waiting for the informant to cross as well. From behind the treeline, a figure in a dark cloak made their way to Yamato. Once they were at leave five feet away from each, they stopped and faced Yamato.

"Master Sasori. Good to see you again. I see your not, yourself huh?" The voice said. It was a low toned, soothing voice. One that Sakura and Naruto could never forget. They already knew who they were facing, they just didn't want to accept the fact.

"Show your face. I must know you are you." Yamato said, which his voice disguised as Sasori's deep puppet tone. The man brought back his hood, to reveal his identity. Kabuto Yakushi.

"I believe you should too Master Sasori. It would only be fair!" Kabuto said, with a sly smirk on his face. Naruto and Sakura quivered with anger at the sight of his smug face.

"Don't keep me waiting." Yamato snapped, annoyed by the sliver haired shinobi. Kabuto smirked, then began to speak when suddenly, another figure emerged from the trees.

"Kabuto. What a travesty. My left hand man, betrayed me." The slithering voice creeped up the teams spine, as Orochimaru himself appeared. Kabuto turned around in a huff, to find his only ally behind him. The man who would kill him in one swipe.

"O-Orochimaru-sama! What are you?!" He said, with flustration in his face. Orochimaru made his way towards Kabuto, who kept his ground. Something had been fishy, but what.

"You can stop now Kabuto. I already see the outcome to this." Both villians went calm, and Kabuto turned to face Yamato.

"Get out of that disguise you despicable bastard." His face turned ice cold, Orochimaru at his side.

"Naruto, Sakura, you might as well come out. And bring your new friend!" Orochimaru hissed between his lips. Suddenly all three ninja showed up in front of Yamato, who had taken off the puppet skin.

"Orochimaru!" Naruto yelled with intense anger. His eyes were red, the vicious anger of the Kyuubi. Orochimaru laughed his devious laugh. Kabuto smiled at the sight.

"I see, you must be looking for Sasuke-kun. Am I right?"

"Shut the hell up, and tell me where he is!" Naruto yelled.

"How can I shut up, but still tell you what you want to know?" Naruto repressed, only thinking out of anger. "Sakura, I see you have grown. And I notice you have new team mates. Is it to replace Sasuke?" The pinkette glared her green eyes to the snake like human that stood before her.

Beside her, a low growl emitted from Naruto. She quickly turned to find his eyes turned red, his hands put up to his chest. Sharp long nails began to grow from his orgianlly short ones. Sakura knew that Naruto was different, but she never thought she would witness the change.

"I'm going to kill you bastard!" Naruto yelled, as he darted towards Orochimaru. He clawed at the two enemies, he had let his anger surpass him.

"Naruto, calm down!" Sakura shouted after him, with no success. Both her and Sai began to follow, along with Yamato but Naruto had already taken out the bridge. Kabuto stayed on the side they were on, leaving Naruto to Orochimaru.

"Stay here with me, huh?" Kabuto said while he slowly walked up to the three remaining shinobi.

"Hell no!" Sakura yelled, and darted towards Kabuto with Sai at her side. While the silver haired man stood in a fighting stance, ready to take on the two, both had ran right past him. Sai summoned a flying bird for the two of them to jump on. Their next goal was to chase after Naruto. With both of them whisked away by a paper white and black outlined bird.

"I guess it's just you n me huh." Kabuto said, as he faced Yamato.

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Sakura and Sai flew to the battle field where Naruto faced Orochimaru. What they saw, was not the Naruto they knew.

His entired body was covered in a red, gooey glow. It had an ominous look to it. Four tails had sprouted behind him, and his skin began to rapidly peel off. Orochimaru stood a good distance away from him, as Naruto howled in pain. Whatever was happening to him was dangerous for his health.

"I have to help Naruto!" Sakura yelled, as she attempted to jump off the bird.

"Let me get a little closer." Sai said, holding her back. As they neared Naruto, his skin was pure blood red. There was no longer human flesh on him. This was a do or die situation. Sakura jumped off the bird, but Sai remained in his place.

"Naruto! Snap out of it!" Sakura yelled, as she ran to his side. Naruto looked towards Sakura, but he did not see his team mate. He did not see his friend. "Naruto?" In a quick second, Naruto lashed Sakura across her side that sent her flying. There was no reaction quick enough to save her. She landed smack on the ground. The side she had been struck had visible scratches and wounds from the claws Naruto grew. She layed where she was, not knowing what to do. Suddenly her vision began to blur, along with her hearing. Sai came to her aid, and picked her up to place her on the bird. For a few short seconds she blacked out.

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"Sakura, stay here." Sakura heard a voice, as she was set down gently to the ground. Slowly she faded out of consiousness again.

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When Sakura awoke once again, the sky still looked as she saw it before. Slowly she lifted herself up, trying her best to ignore the still stinging pain on her side and the throbbing in her head. Looking to check her injuries, deep cuts went down her arm, one gash on her face. With her healing jutsu, she began to bring down the swelling and stop the bleeding. Once the pain subsided, she got up to check her surroundings. She had no idea where she was.

"Dammit Sai." She mumbled. As she shrugged her shoulders, she took a path she thought was correct. Making her was down it, it slowly began to fade.

Wild plants began to cover the trail, then became a dense forest. Without thinking, she made her way forward. Hoping she would find a main road to travel on, hopefully she would find someone who knew the area.

After only a couple minutes of walking, she came to an opening. The opening seemed very familiar, but not exactly. There was a hole in the ground under a tree, with a constructed opening into a undergound hideout. She had been to a place like this before, when she first went to find him. Frozen with confusion, she realized what was before her. Quietly she whispered to herself,

"Found you."

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It was dark as always. The room he lied in was lit only by a candle. He had been waiting all day for Orochimaru and Kabuto to return from their so called errand. His patience was beginning to run low. The raven haired boy sat on his bed, and stared at the wall across from him, ignoring the flickering candle light. Five more minutes. He thought to himself. Just five more minutes and he would walk out his door, and walk the halls of the underground hide out.

"Hn." Five minutes wasn't going to be enough.

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There were very few torches throughout the hallways. The pinkette had a very rough time adjusting her eyes to it. She was always so used to having light direct her way. The maze of the hide out was confusing, but she decided to let fate guide her.

With a slow and steady pace, she checked all the rooms to see if she could find him. No luck so far, just empty chambers. None of which were important either. As she neared the next turn, she heard footsteps coming down the hallway. Quickly she pasted herself against the wall opposing the sound. They had begun to echo throughout every which direction, disorienting her thoughts.

Focusing as best as she could, trying to identify which area the steps were coming from. All of a sudden, a figure appeared in front of her. She reached into her side pouch, ready to draw a kunai. There was no time to run or hide, she had to face the danger at hand. The light from the torches at the corners of the paths, began to illuminate the figure. What stood before her made her heart stop in place, rendering her unable to breathe.

The pale white skin, and the dark spiked hair. Black pools for eyes, and the same expressionless stare. He had looked different though. Wearing an open white shirt, exposing his chest for the world to see, with a purple rope around his waist to hold up the matching navy blue pants. With mid-knee high ninja shoes, and katana at his side. The two stared at each other, wondering if this was reality. Her green eyes shook with sadness, and began to water up with long forgotten tears. Sakura moved towards him, trying to keep herself together.

"Sasuke...-kun." After only one step, she toppeled to the ground. Darkness overtook her world once again.