Author’s Note: Now I know none of you have heard from me in ages…but that’s because my pc caught a virus that totally killed my pc. So I had to basically clean out my whole hard drive and re-install everything. I lost my already typed out chapter so I had to remake it…it is not as good as the first one I made but please everyone :) forgive me and I hope you all enjoy this chapter! :)

Dedicated to: xXbunnyholicXx, skyblueocean, Takakuma, midnightblue123, shadow miko, Siah Yasana, just-let-me-go, Pink Blossom Princess, kitten652, narubby23, FuryanWarrior, utoi, TeamTHEFT, and XDrAnDomPeRsoNXD

Read and Review!! :)

‘Run Sakura Run!’ She told herself as her legs carried her across the sleeping town. Her emerald eyes watched the traitorous Leonard shift around every dark corner and through every mysterious shadow. ‘You won’t lose me that easily you snake.’ Sakura thought to herself as she watched his movements closely. ‘He’s…’ Her eyes went wide as she predicted his movements before they were made. She watched with anticipation as her predictions came to life.

‘Fuck this.’ She turned her back on Leonard and sprinted down a dark alleyway. ‘I’ll get there before he does.’ A smirk graced her lips as she maneuvered herself through forgotten shortcuts.

Sakura hoisted herself over the royal gates and sprinted towards a back door on the side of the castle. ‘Better ditch these clothes.’ Without a second thought, Sakura unclipped her cloak, and tossed it into the first tree she dashed towards. Her servant clothing was revealed just as she came in contact with the oak door. ‘Now it’s show time.’ With adrenaline flowing through her veins Sakura ran to the foyer and waited for Leonard to bang on the doors franticly.

‘If I knew the slime would be scared of a few threats so easily I would have had done it sooner.’ Sakura thought with a giggle. ‘Now he is in such a panic he won’t be thinking straight and then…’

Sakura was brought back from her thoughts when a big knock came from the main mahogany doors. Sakura walked up to the ancient door and opened it, to reveal, a disheveled, scared, and nervous Leonard.

“Can I help you my Lord?” Sakura asked sweetly with a bow.

Leonard wasn’t as calm and collected as Sakura. His eyes shifted from side-to-side and his attention would linger over the shadows for a few, hesitant, moments. “Get me the King and Queen.” He said in a shaky voice.

Sakura took another bow and nodded her head. “Yes my Lord.” Before she left she stuck out her hand only to have Leonard twitch. It took all of Sakura’s willpower not to smirk at his reaction. “Can I take your coat my Lord?” She asked while bringing herself to an upright position.

She watched his hands begin to shake and how his muscles became tense. His hollow eyes shifted around the room showing how fearful the man really was. “Y-Yes.” He finally said as his arm, slowly, extended out with the coat in his hand. It took her an extra tug to pry Leonard’s hands of the blue coat, but with a hidden skip in her step, she jogged up the red velvet covered stairs and made her way to the King and Queen’s room.

‘I may get a beating for this but it’s…’ Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt two hands land on her shoulders and her back met the cold stone wall.

“What are you doing up Sakura. You know it’s forbidden for servants to roam the halls at night.” A voice whispered in her ear as a tongue occasionally came out and tickled the inner shell of her ear.

Sakura glared at the man and shoved him out of the way. “Sorry Uchiha. I have no time for games.” She snarled out while she stomped away towards his parents’ room.

He wouldn’t let her go that easily. ‘What is so important?’ He asked himself as his quick eyes caught the aggravation in her steps. He reached out, grabbed her shoulder, and spun her around. A simple glare was all Sakura needed to understand his unasked question.

“It’s none of your business Uchiha.” She told him as she shrugged his hand off. “It’s your Mother and Father’s business.” Once that sentence left Sakura’s mouth, Itachi was even more intrigued. She felt his hand leave her personal space and felt his eyes stare at the coat handing over her arm.

“Whose coat is that?” He growled out. Sakura rolled her eyes at the fuming Prince and shot him a small sarcastic smile. She proceeded towards Mikoto and Fugaku’s room with an unhappy Itachi following behind her. He did not like the quick dismissal she gave him and decided to follow her to wherever she thought was more important than his little game.

When she arrived at the door of his parents’ room his hand immediately clamped itself to her shoulder. “What do you think you are doing?” He stated while he glared at the back of her head.

Sakura didn’t flinch when he raised his voice to her or how his grip became stronger as she ignored him. She gently opened the doors and ignored Itachi’s warnings as she proceeded to walk into her demise. “Sakura I order you to stop.” Itachi warned one final time, in a whisper, hoping the stubborn woman would come to her senses and leave the room.

Sakura shot the Prince a side glare and tiptoed into the room. ‘It’s all for the business.’ Sakura encouraged herself as she stood on the side of Fugaku’s bed and shook him awake.

Sakura didn’t have to shake Fugaku for very long, for he shot out of his bed, and his hand came right for Sakura’s arm. When the King opened his black, hollow, eyes Sakura watched in hidden disbelief as they changed to murderous red. ‘What the hell?’

Itachi watched as his father’s anger started to show towards Sakura. “How dare you enter this room!” He shouted in anger and superiority. ‘This isn’t going to end well. I told her o stop. But she didn’t listen to me.’ He thought with an uncaring grunt.

Mikoto woke up to the disturbance only to be greeted with her husband punching her dearest servant in the face. “What in the world is going on?!” She shouted as she turned her angered eyes to her husband who stayed seated in their king sized bed.

Sakura felt a growing pain on the side of her face as her body went flying away from the bed. ‘That fucking ass!’ She swore in her head as she stayed down on the black silk carpet. ‘That punch is going to leave a bruise tomorrow.’ She concluded as she listened to the conversation above her.

“That little slime entered our room Mikoto.” Fugaku growled out while he held back his anger. ‘I won’t let that servant get to me.’ He could see the disappointment look in his wife’s red eyes, but that didn’t matter to him, what mattered was that she entered his sanitary, his temple, his sacred place and for what?

“That doesn’t give you the right to punch her Fugaku.” Mikoto looked towards the unmoving Sakura who was face down on the ground. “She would not enter here without a purpose.”

“Her purpose was to steal our things Mikoto!” Fugaku snapped out, very aggravated about the whole ordeal. Mikoto shot her husband the infamous Uchiha glare. “Fugaku! Sakura has been with us for fifteen years! You can’t say that!” She said showing him where she stood in the argument.

Itachi walked into the room causing both his parents to look in his direction. “I hope we didn’t wake you dear.” Mikoto said with a small smile as her eyes receded back the typical charcoal black. Itachi shook his head and looked at Sakura. “She wasn’t stealing from you Father.” He said. “She would not tell me why she was going to your room, but, it seemed important.” He said indifferently while his eyes stayed focused on Sakura’s form.

Mikoto’s head whipped right around, and in under a second, her knees hit the royally plush carpet near Sakura. “Sakura.” She said gently, while reaching over to Sakura’s face, only to have her move her head away from her grasp. “Why did you enter our room? You know the punishment for such a deed.”

Sakura slowly lifted her head up from the side and looked around the room. She watched as worried eyes, angered eyes, and shameful eyes looked right back at her. “Sir Leonard came rushing into the Castle and I was coming back from the washroom when I heard him pounding on the main door.” She watched as all their bodies went rigid.

“What did he say?” Fugaku coldly asked.

Sakura stared him in the eyes, which she knew annoyed him, and continued on with her story. “He said he needed to speak to you and my Lady. He seemed rather frightened about something.”

Mikoto looked between her two men and they all nodded their heads in allusion. “Sakura…” Mikoto noticed the coat, still draped around her arm. “…take Leonard’s coat to the coat room and go back to bed.” She ordered lightly as she stood up from the ground and walked over to Itachi’s side. Fugaku got out of the bed and waited for Itachi and Mikoto to walk out the room first. When Sakura got up, he waited too, and right when she got next to him he slapped her on the back of the head. “I don’t care who is at the door, never come into my room.” He snarled out angrily and exited the room once Sakura was out.

Sakura followed the royal family down the stairs until the coat closet came up. She looked back at the three and watched as they took the scared shitless Leonard into their meeting hall. ‘Finally!’ She thought with a relief as she opened the walk-in closet door and slammed it shut.

Sakura stood in the middle of the closet and lit the small candles that lay all around the floor. “There we go.” Sakura said as she laid out his coat in the candle light. “Now let’s see what we have in here.” She said as she started to open every pocket in the jacket. Her hands worked quickly through the pockets but it wasn’t looking good. “Nothing is here!” She shouted in anger as she waved her arms in the air. “Of course he wouldn’t store anything in his jacket! That’s like spy 101, never leave any traces of your work with you at any time.”

Right as Sakura scooped up the jacket by the collar she felt something smooth and round underneath it. “What could this be?” She asked herself as she popped the collar and watched as a piece of paper fluttered down to the ground. She dropped the jacket and flew down on the ground, holding the perfectly folded piece of paper, on her palm.

Her eyes studied every crease, every crinkle, and every smooth area the paper had before she proceeded to, very cautiously, open it. When she laid out the paper on the floor her mouth dropped to the floor. “This language is ancient!” She slipped out a new piece of paper and proceeded to copy the letters word for word. “Tsunade is going to have a shit when she finds this out!” Sakura thought with excitement. “Finally a lead!” Sakura shouted excitedly with joy as she copied down the last word in the letter. ‘Now I’ve got you Orochimaru!’

Sakura folded her copy into her pocket and then turned back to the letter on the floor. “Better get you back to the way we found you.” She said as her expert fingers configured the paper to look exactly like it did before she unfolded it. “Now I need to get out of here.” She said as she folded the collar back to its original shape and hung it on the first coat hanger near the door.

Her pink head popped out of the door and looked everywhere for any signs of them coming back. When the coast was clear she ran, with slyness only a fox possessed, to the closest door she saw. ‘I need to get to Tsunade fast!’ She thought as she ran out the door and across the town.

Tsunade sat at Iruka’s table chugging down sake bottle after sake bottle. “Ahhh.” She said as she slammed the bottle on the table. “This is the life.”

Iruka shook his head at the big busted woman and took the empty bottle from her. “I don’t know how you work with this junk Tsunade-San.” He said as he tossed the bottle out the back door.

Jiraiya looked at Iruka with wide eyes. “Are you kidding me Iruka?!” He said as he got up from his seat and wrapped his arm around Iruka in a friendly gesture. “Tsunade is only good when she’s drunk.” He said with a cocky smile.

Tsunade’s amber eyes eyed the perverted spy and, before he knew it, a sake bottle was thrown at his head. Iruka and Jiraiya turned their heads, very slowly, to the broken glass on the floor. “What did you say Jiraiya?!” She growled out as she eyed him viciously.

Jiraiya released his hold on Iruka and stepped far away from the broken glass. “Chill Tsunade! It was just a joke!”

Tsunade snorted at his antics and relaxed into the chair. “I’m sure it…” Tsunade didn’t finish her sentence because the door opened revealing a well known pink haired spy.

“Sakura!” Jiraiya shouted in excitement. He ran over to her and rapped his hands around her shoulders. “Tell Tsunade here that I’m just a jokester and mean nothing by my jokes.” He said with a hopeful grin.

Sakura glared at the white haired man and shrugged his hand off. “Not today Jiraiya.” She said in a serious tone.

Jiraiya’s smile was wiped from his face at her serious tone. Tsunade stared at her star pupil and became worried. Iruka stared at the normally giddy girl with confusion. “What’s wrong Sakura?” Tsunade asked as she took her feet off the chair and motioned for her to sit down.

Sakura shook her head and shoved her hand deep into her pocket. “We don’t have time for drinks Tsunade.” Sakura said. “We have a bigger problem.” She said in an edgy tone, causing them all to circle around her.

“What are you talking about Sakura?” Iruka said as he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Sakura didn’t have the heart to shrug his hand off her shoulder so she allowed it to stay. “You know how I was supposed to just follow Leonard around the city to see where he goes?”

Tsunade narrowed her eyes at her student. “What did you do to him Sakura?”

Sakura stared down her teacher with unblinking eyes. “I just sent a few thugs to scare him. That’s all.”

Jiraiya chuckled. “That’s not enough to get your panties in a knot Sakura.”

Iruka had to agree with him. ‘I’ve known Sakura long enough to know that she wouldn’t show this serious and snappy tone unless she has found something very distressful.’

Sakura took a deep breath. “I scared him enough to make him run to the Castle, where I then had to wake up Mikoto and Fugaku…”

“You woke them up?!” Iruka shouted.

Sakura turned her head towards Iruka, only to see his face show lines of worry and concern. “He…he punched you.” He said as he noticed the growing bruise on the side of her cheek.

Tsunade and Jiraiya saw the bruise when Sakura walked in but didn’t say anything, it would have sent Iruka over the edge, like what was happening right now. Sakura shot Iruka a soft smile. “It’s ok Iruka.” She said. “I’ll be fine.” Her hand pulled out the sheet of paper and she stared at both Jiraiya and Tsunade. “I was able to get his coat and that’s when I found this…” Sakura said as she placed the paper down in front of her.

Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Iruka surrounded Sakura with puzzled looks, that is, until they examined the letter. Iruka was puzzled by the language of the letter, but Tsunade and Jiraiya, became as pale as a ghost.

“What language is this?” Iruka asked as his eyebrows came together in confusion.

Tsunade looked at the letters and felt her heart stop. “This is…”

“…Sarutobi’s language…” Jiraiya finished her sentence as they stared at the letter in shock.

“You mean…” Iruka asked staring wide eyed at the paper.

“It came directly from Orochimaru.” Sakura filled in, causing Jiraiya and Iruka to look at her in confusion.

“How do you know that?” Jiraiya asked.

Sakura looked at Tsunade and then back at Jiraiya. “When Tsunade gave me those stacks of books to read, there was a journal filled of this language.”

Jiraiya stared at Tsunade wide eyed. “You let her read Sarutobi’s log?”

Tsunade nodded her head. “If she was going to work for us she needed to learn the language incase…” Her eyes quickly shifted over to the letter. “…something like this would happen.”

“What does it say?” Iruka asked. ‘I may have worked with Sarutobi but I never did learn or see his language.’ He looked between Tsunade and Jiraiya. ‘He only taught it to Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru. Sarutobi made the language so his spies could communicate without endangering themselves during a mission.’ He then looked at the paper once again. ‘And it seems that Orochimaru has taught it to someone else.’

Jiraiya picked up the paper and skim read the page. “It talks about meeting at the east part of town when the moon is high in the sky.”

“Then all we have to do is send someone to go down there and eavesdrop on the conversation.” Sakura said. “This could be our only link to who’s working with Orochimaru.”

Tsunade shook her head. “It’s not that simple Sakura.”

“Yeah, Orochimaru is a slipper bastard. He plans out everything ten steps ahead before he even makes the first move.” Jiraiya said with a sigh.

“Then we just make sure that he doesn’t suspect us in any way.” Sakura said, causing them to stare at her in question.

“They already suspect you because you were near their original link before he “mysteriously” died.” Tsunade said as she placed her hands on her hips.

“Tsunade has a point Sakura.” Jiraiya added in. “If Orochimaru finds out that Tsunade has her star student following him, he’ll wise up and not leave such messy trails behind.”

“I know that! I’ll just get a little inside help then.” Sakura said with a small smile.

“What are you planning Sakura?” Tsunade asked with a growing smirk. ‘I knew she would be good for this field.’ Tsunade thought proudly as her apprentice continued to tell them all of her plan. ‘And to think Kakashi wants to take her from me? Ha! Over my dead body.’ Tsunade inwardly snorted.

Hours passed as the four of them schemed against Orochimaru. Everything had to be perfect, no loose ends, no mistakes, and only the most trusted would be included in the plan. One wrong move and they would blow their lead. Now was their chance to finally figure out what Orochimaru was planning and why.

“Find a way to get into town today Sakura.” Tsunade ordered as she got up from the table and stretched.

“You got it Tsunade.” Sakura said as she stood up as well.

“This is probably our biggest lead yet.” Jiraiya said. “Sakura, when you get the information meet us at the Castle in the lecture hall.”

“Hai.” Sakura said with a sharp nod. She looked out the window, to once again, see the sun start to rise over the horizon. “I’ll see you all later.” She said as she nodded to her two mentors and headed towards the door.

Tsunade and Jiraiya nodded back to Sakura and watched as Iruka followed her out the door. “How much you want to bet he is telling her to not go through with it.” Jiraiya said with a snort.

Tsunade shook her head from side-to-side. “Leave him alone Jiraiya. He’s just acting like a father…even more so now than before.”

“You mean now that Kakashi is constantly checking in on Sakura?” Jiraiya stated.

“Yeah. It will only be a matter of time before Sakura starts to ask questions about Kakashi.” Tsunade said with a frustrated sigh. ‘It will not be a pretty sight when she finds out…’

Iruka followed Sakura out into the brightening sky. His gut was turning, sending warning signs throughout his body. “Sakura…be careful out there today.”

Sakura turned to the worried man and shot him a small reassuring smile. “Iruka I’ll be fine.” She said.

Iruka shook his head from side-to-side. “Orochimaru is slippery and unpredictable! For all we know he could have planned this from the very beginning!”

Sakura placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “I know you’re worried Iruka.” She said as she gave him a hug. “But that is the chance I am willing to take in order to catch this guy.” She whispered.

Iruka hugged Sakura back with as much force as he could, without hurting her, of course. “Sometimes I wonder where you get your thriving dedication to your country.” He said in a soft tone. “Especially when you don’t even like the King.”

Sakura pried herself from Iruka’s grasp and nodded her head. “Yup.” She said as she turned towards the direction of the castle. “I’ll see you later Iruka.” She said emotionlessly as she concealed herself into the fading shadows.

Iruka noted the mood change Sakura just displayed but didn’t dwell on it. “She could just be tired.” He said as he walked back into his home, hoping, to get some shut eye.

Sakura ran faster than ever before. The previous conversation with Iruka had left her feeling unbelievably angered. ‘I will never be loyal towards that ass wipe of a King.’ She thought as she smoothly slipped through her window and crawled into bed. ‘I will find you Orochimaru…and when I do…so help me god! I’ll rip you to shreds!’ She thought angrily as tears started to gather in her eyes. Her hand wiped them away vigorously, as her eyelids closed, and she drifted off into an empty slumber.

Hours later the sun was shinning brightly throughout the Castle lighting the way for all the servants and aides that scurried around completing their daily chores. Sakura was not happy that the sun rose as quick as it did. ‘Next time I am going straight to bed.’ She thought with a sigh as she walked down the hallway towards the balcony located at the back of the castle.

Mikoto was sitting down on a luscious chair, legs crossed, and sipping her tea. Her right pinky was pointed to the sky as the white china met her thin red lips drinking the warm liquid. Her long black hair flew gently in the wind. When her black eyes saw Sakura she stood up and smiled at the pink haired woman. “How are you feeling Sakura?” She asked remembering what her husband did to her last night.

Sakura bowed deeply to Mikoto. “I’m fine my Lady.” She said as she noticed Mikoto studying the growing bruise on her cheek. “Hana’s clothing are done my Lady.” Sakura said trying to get Mikoto’s attention off her growing bruise.

Mikoto noticed the change in subject, and nodded her head. “Well we will just have to go and pick them up.” She said with a smile. ‘Maybe I can take Sakura’s mind off the bruise if I can get her out of the Castle.’

Sakura nodded her head and followed Mikoto to the front doors. When they arrived there Kakashi and Itachi stood at the doors. “What are they doing here?” Sakura whispered to Mikoto as she eyed the two men cautiously.

Mikoto nodded her head to the boys. “Itachi will be leading us into town.” She said with an unladylike grunt.

“Fugaku says it is unsafe to be roaming the streets alone Mikoto. Besides this is Itachi’s test to se how much he has learned.” Kakashi said with a smirk. ‘Of course we know Itachi does not need any tests. He is progressing rather quickly.’ He thought as he opened the doors. “Ladies first.” He said as Mikoto and Sakura walked passed him.

Sakura felt his eyes travel to her cheek and her anger came rushing back toward her. ‘Just ignore it Sakura. Everyone will be looking at it. How could they not? It’s huge! I’m sure Fugaku is laughing his royal ass off at this.’ She thought with a snort.

Itachi studied Sakura’s form and how her face scrunched up as she talked to herself. ‘Something is off about her today.’ He noticed as she took a deep breath and tried to shake off her anger.

Kakashi saw the bruise and twitched at the black and blue placed on his little girl’s face. ‘Oh Sakura…’ He felt his heart sink. ‘If only my job didn’t endanger you. I would pull you out of this castle and allow you to live like how your mother would have wanted you too.’ He thought sadly as he closed the door and headed to Fugaku’s study.

Itachi stood there in the store with boredom. ‘Why does she take so long?’ He thought impatiently as he stood perfectly still against the wall watching his mother exchange words and fabrics with the merchant. As his eyes traveled around the store he noticed Sakura talking to one of the other workers. ‘She seems just as bored as I am.’ He thought as he noticed the spacing between Sakura and the worker. ‘They seem to know each other.’ He thought back to all the times when the servants left the castle to do their duties. ‘Mothers servants never leave the castle.’ He thought as his eyes narrowed. ‘How could she have escaped and go flitting about in the town without Mother noticing?’ Now he found something to keep his boredom at bay, finding out how Sakura is able to slip by the guards, his mother, and every other servant. ‘Because those servants will tell on any of them in a heart beat.’

Sakura leaned against the front wooden desk while she watched Hana and Mikoto converse with each other about which garment was better. “You know you owe me.” A voice said as the owner of that voice leaned against the same desk.

Sakura looked away from the older women and faced the person on the side of her. “Ha, I think I do.” Sakura said with a smile. “How were you able to finish these dresses so quickly Ino?” Sakura asked.

Ino smirked at Sakura. “I have my ways Sakura.” She said. “But why did you need them to be done today?”

Sakura narrowed her eyes at the blond and looked around the room. Itachi was still standing by the wall, looking emotionless, Mikoto and Hana were still chatting away about where they could fix the dress and what could be added. “Because I need your assistance.” She whispered.

Ino’s bright cerulean eyes lit up with excitement. “About time!” She shouted, causing Itachi to look at them with a calculating stare and Sakura to hit Ino on the back of the head. “Ouch!” She exclaimed as she rubbed her head.

“Ino!” Hana shouted, interrupting, their conversation. “Take Sakura in the back with you and find that other dress I have been fixing up.” She said with authority in her tone. “Sakura make sure you grab the big box underneath it.”

Sakura and Ino both nodded their heads, scurried towards the back door, and disappeared out of sight. Ino walked around the gigantic closet and pulled out a beautiful red gown that was just starting to be put together. “So what do you need my help with?” She asked with a smirk as she hung the dress on the work table.

“Care to go on a little reconnaissance tonight with me?” Sakura asked with a smirk, knowing full well, that Ino liked to spy just as much as she did.

“Me?” She said sarcastically as she placed a hand over her heart. “The one and only Tsunade apprentice is asking for my assistance?” She said as the sarcasm poured over each word.

Sakura giggled at Ino’s actions but nodded her head. “Yes Ino. I need your help. You in?” She asked. ‘Hook, line and sinker.’ Sakura thought victoriously. ‘There is no way Ino will turn this one down.’

Ino’s cerulean eyes went wide and she screamed with delight. “Of course!” She said as she attacked Sakura in a bone crushing hug. “When?” She asked as she released Sakura.

“Meet me at the east side castle gates once the sun is covered by the hills at the top of the mountain.” Sakura said as she grabbed the brown box and followed Ino out of the backroom.

The rest of the day Ino, Sakura, and Itachi sat in the tiny little shop while Mikoto and Hana proceeded to make the red gown more extravagant. When the sun began to descend from the sky Itachi cleared his throat. “Mother.” He said as he stood up straight. “We should go.”

“Of course dear.” Mikoto said as she said goodbye to Hana and Ino and followed Itachi back to the castle.

Once they got back Sakura ran around the castle finishing her chores in record time. ‘I can’t wait!’ She thought excitedly as she put the broom away in the closet. ‘I better hurry and start to prepare.’ She thought as she raced down the hall towards her room.

The sun’s red and orange hues began to hide behind the mountain. Townspeople began to close up their shops and head home to where dinner would be waiting on the table. Sakura stood looking out her window until she saw the moon slowly rise up into the sky, covering the town with the black night covered the town. ‘Time to move.’ She thought as she slipped her cloak around her body, and over hear head, and jumped out her window.

Meanwhile, Itachi and Kakashi were still training in the woods, sword clanged against sword, and each kick was blocked with another kick. “You’re progressing well.” Kakashi said with a pant as he lunged at the Prince again.

Itachi watched Kakashi fly towards him. The way he didn’t seem to give up and how he still pushed him even further reminded him of Sakura. He has noticed it for a while now, their actions would sometimes match up with one another, while Sakura didn’t know any of the right techniques her form seemed natural, and Kakashi’s, even though he had been trained, he added some personal touches in it. ‘It’s a coincidence.’ He dismissed his in-depth observation. ‘Kakashi’s wife is dead and even then they did not produce a child. The whole entire country would know about it.’ He thought as he continued to block Kakashi’s moves.

Right when Kakashi was going to land a punch on Itachi, they both heard a twig snapped from behind them. “What was that?” Kakashi said as he stopped mid action and drew out his sword.

Itachi scanned the area but didn’t see anything. “Let’s go.” He said as they both ran deeper into the forest listening for footsteps.

A few steps were heard here and there, making Kakashi and Itachi run even faster hoping to catch the person running through the castle grounds at this hour. The two of them came up to the eastern gate and hid behind a bush. “How did they get past the guards?” Kakashi asked out loud as his grey eyes scanned the grounds for any other parties, but all there was the cloaked person.

Itachi slightly shrugged his shoulders but said nothing. ‘If they were a threat they would have ran to in the other direction to get into the castle. They are running away from it. This means…they already infiltrated the castle.’ He thought as he heard more footsteps coming from the other side of the gate.

“Be on your guard.” Kakashi said as he drew his sword closer and braced himself for the worse. Itachi stood there as still as stone, eyes narrowed, as he waited to see who was on the other side.

“About time Pig.” Sakura said.

Ino, dressed in a cloak as well, approached the gate. “Sorry forehead. Blame Mother, she kept me late making me sow more stitches in that red dress.”

Sakura nodded her head and climbed the fence. “You ready?” She said as she reached the top of the fence and then jumped down, landing smoothly on her feet.

“Hell yeah!” Ino shouted as they ran into the night.

Itachi and Kakashi couldn’t hear their voices but they both raced to Fugaku and Mikoto. “We better make sure that your Mother and Father are safe.”

Itachi made no indication that he heard Kakashi other than the increase in speed. “Meet you there. Get Tsunade and Jiraiya.” Itachi simply said as he ran to his home.

Kakashi smirked at the grown man that disappeared from his view. ‘He is smarter than I first assumed.’ Kakashi thought. ‘He is considering every possibility as to who those cloaked figures were. Jiraiya and Tsunade will help us determine if they are part of the spy clan.’ Kakashi thought as he ran faster to Iruka’s home.

Ino and Sakura ran on the rooftops of the townspeople’s homes. They used wooden poles to fling themselves over gaps that were impossible to jump over and used the shadows of the night to conceal their location. “Where are we going?” Ino whispered to Sakura as she dodged an obstacle in her way.

Sakura turned the corner and placed both herself and Ino in a gigantic maple tree. “Here.” Sakura answered as she placed herself in a certain spot. ‘I can see the north and west. That means Ino has to see the east and south.’ Sakura thought as she pointed where Ino should sit. “Make sure you have a clean escape route incase they find us.” Sakura said.

Ino said nothing but nodded her head. “Say something if you see any action. Look for two men, one is gonna be dressed in Lord clothing with the Uchiha color scheme on the sword handle.” Sakura informed Ino as her emerald eyes pierced through the grounds, looking for Leonard and his “special guest”.

“I see something.” Ino whispered as she watched one Lord walking down the street. “He doesn’t even hide his outfit.” Ino said with a snort. “Cocky Lords.”

Sakura rolled her eyes at her blabbering friend as she placed herself in the direction Ino was facing. Her eyes looked behind Leonard, trying to find anyone that would be trailing him. ‘He is walking very confidently, which means, that he is meeting someone he knows. He doesn’t suspect that he is in any danger.’ Her eyes narrowed at a white haired man dressed in purple Lord clothing came out of the shadows as well. ‘Kabuto.’ Sakura felt her body tense with anxiousness. ‘Kabuto seems more on guard. His body is not as carefree and cocky as Leonard. He is tenser and more nervous. Why?’ She asked herself as the two began to talk.

“We need to get closer.” Sakura whispered to Ino.

Ino looked at her with wide blue eyes. “Are you crazy?” She whispered harshly. “They will catch us!”

Sakura shook her head as her eyes traveled to the forest behind Kabuto. “All we need to do is jump from one tree to another. If we get to Kabuto’s tree we will be able to hear everything.”

Ino took a short breath and slowly nodded her head. ‘I swear Sakura; someday you will be the death of me.’ She thought as they jumped, stealthy, from one tree to the other. Her heart started to pound in excitement and worry as they came closer to Kabuto’s tree. ‘This better work forehead.’ Ino thought. ‘I am not escaping death today.’

Sakura landed twenty tree branches above Kabuto’s head and she motioned for Ino to descend down the tree. When Sakura could hear their voices her hand went up and the two women stopped dead in their tracks. Sakura felt the curiosity, anxiousness, and threatening situation fill her veins. ‘This is what I love about spying.’ She thought with a smirk as she listened in on the conversation.

Leonard was standing on the dirt road looking at Kabuto. “What do you want?” He said with a growl. “You do realize what retrieving your letter cost me?!” He shouted enraged that the white haired man would put him in danger.

Kabuto shook his head at Leonard. “Unless you want me to kill you I suggest you cut the tone.” Kabuto said with a sinister glare pointed at Leonard.

“Fine.” Leonard crossed his arms. “What’s the problem?”

Kabuto pushed his glasses up and looked around the area, making sure no one was around. “Since our link was killed last time, you need to find another one.” He simply said.

Sakura watched as Leonard became enraged. ‘Oh this is getting good.’ She thought with a smirk. Ino was sitting there watching the grown men bicker back and forth. ‘This is entertaining to say the least.’ Ino thought with a quiet giggle.

“Why do I have to find the link?!” Leonard yelled as his arms went waving in the air all around. “You were the one that got the first link killed!” He pointed out as he got in Kabuto’s face.

Kabuto’s playful black eyes turned into murderous ones as he stepped closer to Leonard and picked him up by the throat. “Keep in mind who you are working for you overbearing Lord.” Kabuto growled out. “If you weren’t so one-sided during the dinner I would have sealed the deal and we still would have our link!” Kabuto snarled out as he tightened his hold on Leonard’s throat.

“Put him down Kabuto.” A slithering voice said as it came out from behind Kabuto. “We don’t want to scare him off, now do we?” The voice said again as he stepped out of the shadows.

Sakura looked at the new man with hated eyes. She felt her anger crawl through her whole entire body. ‘It’s him!’ She thought as she dug her fingernails into her fist, in order to keep herself from lunging at the black haired, yellowed eyed, obsessed with snakes’ man.

“Yes Lord Orochimaru.” Kabuto said as he immediately dropped Leonard.

Leonard looked up at his boss and felt his body sweat from the intensity of the older man before him. “O-Orchimaru! W-What a p-pleasant surprise.” He said with a phony smile.

Orochimaru shot Leonard a snake-like grin as he walked up to Leonard and broke Leonard’s personal space. “Now listen here Leonard.” He said as his hands trailed down Leonard’s face, causing Leonard to tremble. “In order for us to take over Konoha we need to work together.” His hands stopped at Leonard’s hair, pulled him up, and made his feet float around in the air.

Leonard let out an ear piercing scream as his hair felt like it was about to rip off his head. Ino’s hands went right to her hair and she held on to the long blonde locks for dear life. Sakura, on the other hand, glared at the snake man, ignoring the screams Leonard was projecting, and continued to listen to the conversation.

“You will find us another link into the Castle. One that has all the other servants under their grubby little hand.” Orochimaru said as his long, snake like, tongue licked the sweat off of Leonard’s face. “If you disappoint me Leonard…” Orochimaru released Leonard’s hair from his grasp and placed a small knife to Leonard’s jugular. “I will decapitate you and watch your head roll around your body as your blood sprays around this street. You got it?”

Leonard shook his head, violently, up and down. “Y-Yes. I w-will n-not d-disappoint y-you O-Orochimaru.” He said nervously.

“Good.” Orochimaru said as he placed the knife into his robe. “Now go.” He said as he turned his back on them and proceeded to walk away. “Kabuto…” He said as he stopped next to his star pupil. “Next time, you will be the one in Leonard’s position.” He simply said. Kabuto to follow him back to their “castle” but remembered that his loyalty was on the line.

Sakura looked up at Ino only to see her skin pale and her eyes scared shitless. “Ino.” Sakura whispered as she shook her by the shoulder.

Ino shook her head and looked at Sakura. “Man, that man is creepy.” She said as she noticed Sakura’s angered state. “Wait a minute….that’s him isn’t it?” She whispered shockingly.

Sakura nodded her head. “Let’s get back to the castle.” She said, trying to hold back the tears.

“Wait…” Ino whispered as they jumped out of the tress and ran toward the castle. “I’m coming with you?”

“Yes. Just keep your cloak on. It’s about time you get to see just how much of an ass the King really is.”

Ino smirked. “So basically you want me to help you bash the man?” When one emerald eye looked back at her, her smirk grew. “Oh I would love to join you Sakura.”

“Itachi what is the meaning of this?” Fugaku said when he saw Kakashi bring in Tsunade and Jiraiya.

Itachi looked between his Mother and Father. “Kakashi and I saw two cloaked men infiltrating the castle grounds. In order to find out if they belong in Tsunade’s section I brought them here to see.”

Mikoto looked at her son with confusion. “There was no one in the castle dear.”

Kakashi shook his head. “None that you could see Mikoto. We saw them leaving the castle, which means, they could have taken anything.”

Tsunade looked at the Prince and Kakashi. “Well since you dumb asses brought me here tell me what their cloaks looked like.” She said simply.

Itachi stared at the spy leader with unmoving eyes. “They were black.”

“No shit.” Jiraiya said. “But each cloak has different stitching, that way we know which one is whose.”

“You’d think we would be able to notice that?” Kakashi said with a frustrated sigh. ‘Spies and their miniscule details.’

“Have Kakashi’s units look through all the rooms and that will tell you if anything was stolen.” Tsunade said. “I’m not putting my staff on hold for your little worry warts. Especially when we are so close to making a break through.” She said.

This caught everyone’s attention. “What break through Tsunade?” Mikoto asked with curiosity.

Jiraiya took the floor this time. “Our spies will be checking in with us any minute…” Jiraiya didn’t get to finish his sentence for the doors were slammed open, to reveal, two cloaked figures.

“Are those the people you saw Kakashi?” Tsunade asked with a snort.

Kakashi and Itachi looked at the cloaked men as they stood in the center of the room. “Yes.” Kakashi said as his eyes studied the one that made its way over to Tsunade.

“Your apprentice again?” Itachi asked, assuming the apprentice would always get the big and important leads.

“And one other.” Jiraiya corrected, having a blast that he was bringing down the Prince and the top guard.

Kakashi rolled his eyes at Jiraiya’s childish games. “Why are they here?”

“We’ve found something.” Said Sakura, making her voice seem deeper than normal.

“Spill.” Fugaku said impatiently as he got off his throne, having Mikoto follow, and stand right in front of the two spies.

“Leonard and Kabuto are looking for a new link that can control all the servants to have them do what they please. Be on the look out, for Leonard will be the one looking for a link this time.” Sakura said, still, in her deep voice.

“That’s it?” Mikoto asked, she thought something more extravagant would have happened.

Ino turned to Sakura and took her nod as a signal to begin speaking. “Orochimaru was there as well. He wants to take over Konoha.” She stated, in a deep tone.

“He was there?! He wants to take over Konoha?!” Fugaku growled out as he paced around the room angrily. “This means they Kabuto is Orochimaru’s right hand man!”

Kakashi went tense, Tsunade and Jiraiya felt the hairs on their arms stand up and their faces go pale. Itachi didn’t expect the snake man to show himself, while Mikoto, was shocked beyond belief.

“What else did he say?” Itachi asked the two spies.

Ino looked at Sakura for the ok and continued on. “He threatened Leonard that if he didn’t pick a link he would personal see to his death.” Ino said as a smile grew on her face. ‘I think that was worded perfectly.’ She thought proudly.

“We’ll have to keep an eye on our servants then.” Mikoto said, while she received a glare from her husband. “Unless you have a better idea we will stick with what I said.” She said with her stern glare to her husband, who slowly, backed off.

“How did you know where to meet them?” Fugaku asked. “The only one that had access to his things was that troublesome servant.” Fugaku growled out.

“Sakura.” Mikoto corrected as she stared at the spy. “Did she give you his coat?” She asked, worried for Sakura.

Sakura and Ino both had the urge to roll on the floor laughing at everyone’s faces. ‘They think that servants can’t take care of themselves.’ Ino chuckled at the thought. Sakura nodded her head at Mikoto as an answer.

“I told her to relay everything she can get her hands on, of Leonard, to me.” Sakura said.

Mikoto felt her world become dizzy. “Please tell me Sakura will be ok.” She said worriedly.

Fugaku growled at his wife’s concern for the servant. ‘She’s just a servant.’ He thought with an inwards sigh.

Itachi felt his insides burn. The idea of this spy conversing, seeing, hearing, or even touching Sakura, made his blood boil. ‘That’s why she was so eager to leave me.’ Now he was getting mad. ‘She will never leave me for this poor excuse for a man.’ He thought as his eyes started to spark red.

Kakashi felt his inside turn and twist. ‘I promised you Rein that I wouldn’t let our daughter be in danger.’ His eyes became hallow and before anyone knew what was happening, he had Sakura by the throat. “You will leave Sakura alone.” He growled out angrily as his hand tightened.

Sakura stared at the man that was crushing her oxygen. ‘What is with him?’ She thought with confusion. ‘Why would he be so interested in what happens to the slave side of me?’ Sakura glared at the man and took a hold of his own hand. “You will let go of me.” She ordered.

Kakashi lifted his arm up and threw Sakura behind him. “Gladly.” He said emotionlessly.

Sakura’s body soared through the air. Her mind was racing. What she did she do to upset this man? But the most important one that mattered to Sakura was: ‘Why did he just throw me?!’

Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Ino watched as Sakura was flung through the air. “She’s gonna show him.” Ino whispered to them with a smirk. Jiraiya nodded his head while Tsunade only shook hers.

Mikoto felt herself twitch at the thought of how hard the spy would hit the wall. Her husband, though, was glad that the spy was being put in his place. Itachi, however, was puzzled by Kakashi’s outburst. ‘What is his relationship with Sakura?’ Now he had two men to fight for when it came to Sakura’s attention. ‘Since when is a servant so popular?’ He thought with a sigh.

Sakura flipped herself around, so her feet was facing the wall, and when her feet met the stone wall she bent her knees and flipped over onto the floor. “Not my definitions of letting me go Mr. Kakashi. But different.” Sakura said as she tried to control her anger.

Kakashi wanted to pummel this spy into the ground, but, something stopped him. ‘There is something familiar about him.’ His mind slowly released the anger out of his system. “Where did you learn how to do that?” He asked.

Sakura walked over to her mentor and spared Kakashi a glance. “Around.” She simply said as she stood next to Tsunade.

Tsunade could see the change in mood in Kakashi’s motions, actions, and eyes. ‘He better not…’

“Train with me.” Kakashi said, while receiving a gasp from Mikoto.

“Kakashi!” Fugaku yelled out. “You can’t be serious!”

Kakashi stared at Fugaku and then at the spy. “The kid has talent. It would be better if you had a spy that could also kill.”

Tsunade shook her head and wrapped her hand around Sakura’s shoulder. “If you have forgotten? My apprentice already knows how to do that.”

Kakashi shook his head. “Anyone can kill someone Tsunade. It only works if you have the right amount of motivation, skill, and when skill meets opportunity.” Kakashi said as he turned to Itachi. “What do you think? Would you mind if I let one other guy in on our training?”

Itachi stared down the spy. ‘If I say no I can threaten this spy and tell him to back off Sakura, and find out something about him, like Father asked. If I said yes, then I will loose this golden opportunity.’ “Fine.” Itachi said with a nod.

Kakashi looked to Sakura and stared her down. “What do you think?”

Tsunade cut in with a roaring laugh. “Oh Kakashi! You are too funny! I think my apprentice will have to say…”

“Yes.” Sakura said, cutting off her mentor, which made Tsunade’s mouth drop to the ground.

“Good, be at the garden in the south wing tomorrow when the sun just starts to rise.” Kakashi said with a smirk.

Tsunade turned to Sakura and shot her a disbelieving look. “What?! Why?!”

Sakura placed a comforting hand on her mentors shoulder. “I’m not getting rid of you Tsunade.” Sakura said. “I’m learning new tricks.” She said, while still maintaining her manly voice. “I need this.” She said, hoping Tsunade would notice the pleading.

Tsunade took a sigh and shook her head. “Alright. But you only have two weeks.” She said with a smirk. “Unless you think you can’t teach him in two weeks.” Tsunade said to Kakashi in a challenging tone.

Kakashi shook his head. “Oh I don’t think I can teach him in two weeks.” His eyes traveled to the soon-to-be-dead spy. “I think I can train him in one.”

Tsunade chuckled at the fact and shook his hand. “You’ve got yourself a deal Kakashi.”

Fugaku slapped his forehead and started to turn red at the ears. “If you all are done making this meeting a joke let’s get back to the crisis at hand!”

Ino couldn’t hold back her laughter any longer. “Ha, ha, ha! Don’t get your panties in a knot King!” She laughed out loud.

Sakura watched as the King went to Ino. “I think it’s time for us to go.” Sakura said as she pulled Ino out of the way and took off into the hallways. “Tomorrow at sun rise!” She said again as she continued to drag Ino down the hall.

“Looks like you have your hands full with spies like those.” Mikoto said with a giggle.

Tsunade and Jiraiya both nodded their heads with pride smiles on their faces. “You have no idea.” Jiraiya said.

TO

BE

CONTINUED

Author’s Note: Hey well I got it all out to you for the fourth of July, so happy 4TH GUYS!!! Even though it is a day away :) I hope you all enjoyed this action packed chapter, I told you it wasn’t as good but I made it longer since I haven’t updated in a month…wow a month…that’s such a long time! :( I’m so sorry guys :( But I hope you all review and tell me what you thought about the chapter! :) it is a new record high of 31 pages!! :)

REVIEW PLEASE!! :)