Another Nine-Tails?!

Sakura Haruno

Akiko watched as Sakura entered the room. She kept her irritated growl to herself, knowing Kabuto would deal with her. "It's admirable that you've made it this far, Sakura." The medic's voice echoed around the large room.

The pink-haired girl looked confused, and startled. Why was someone who helped her team in a place like this? And if he was there, then where was Uta? The girl ran behind a pillar, hiding from the ash-haired boy she once considered a friend.

"Isn't it ironic? You dragged down your team during the exam, but now look at you! You're the only person from the Hidden Leaf who was able to make it this far into our compound."

"I'm not here alone! Naruto and Master Jiraiya will be here any minute now!" Sakura's voice echoed as she shouted. "Tell me where Sasuke is! He's alright, isn't he!?"

"Enough about Sasuke!" Irritation dripping from Kabuto's voice. The kid was irritating and didn't listen. "If I were you, I'd be more concerned about Naruto and Jiraiya's well-being." The girl let out a gasp, which was followed by a dark chuckle. "Or perhaps not. It may very well be that those two are no longer in this world."

"No, it couldn't... there's not way Master Jiraiya and Naruto would be taken down that easily!"

"Ohh, is that so? Well, could it be that you dragged down Naruto again. Like you always do." Kabuto paused, looking at Akiko who stood behind him. She nodded, making him smirk. He threw kunai at Sakura as she moved out of her hiding spot, making her move back behind the pillar. "If you're so worried, why don't you go and check on him? Or are you too scared of my attack to come out from behind that pillar? Is that it? Pathetic! If someone as weak and as slow as you were on my team, I would have died dozens of times by now."

The pink-haired girl rushed out from her spot and jumped into the air. Kabuto, who stood out in the open, threw six shuriken up at her. Her body was enveloped in smoke when they hit her. A rolled up mat fell to the floor with the weapon embedded into it.

The medic looked behind him as the girl ran out from a different hiding spot. He pulled out a kunai, meeting her half way. They jumped away from each other.

"I'll show you that I'm not as weak as you think I am!" She held up her weapon in front of her, ready to strike.

"You can't take me! It's about time I put an end to this charade. After all, I can't keep Lord Orochimaru waiting for much longer while I play."

Sakura gasped, remembering when she met him during the exam. And she remembered the genjutsu that he used on her and Sasuke. "No!" She shook her head violently. "I'm a different person now! I'm stronger!!" She rushed at the medic.

He dodged without much effort, now back to where he was at the beginning. Akiko stood in the same spot as before. He was surprised that she hadn't attacked the pink-haired girl yet. "Let's see about that." He glanced over his shoulder to look at the shadows. Seconds later, his masters laughter echoed the space.

Sakura paled as fear crawled up her spine. "N-no! It can't be..!" She watched as the snake-like man emerged from the shadows.

"I can tell when you're bluffing, my dear. And right now, you're already finished!" She dropped her kunai, her body shaking like a leaf in the wind. Tears rolled down her cheeks, her legs threatening to bring her down. Akiko walked out of her hiding place as the girl fell to her knees. "Poor little thing. Look at her, trembling like a newborn pup. Alright, Kabuto. Get rid of her, but try not to let her suffer."

"Right." His right-hand smirked, tilting his head down.

Orochimaru looked at the red-haired Jinchuriki before a moment before turning and walking away. She glared at Sakura. "I never understood why Naruto likes her. She's weak." She turned, grabbing onto her masters arm like a lost child.

"Wait!"

They both stopped at Sakura's shout. "Hmm?" He looked at her over his shoulder. "Yes, my dear? You had something to say."

"Hold on a minute. Sasuke? Where is he?" She stood up. "You couldn't have- you couldn't have taken his body already!"

"Would you knock it off already! You go on and on about this and that. When will you understand that he won't love you back?!" Akiko's sudden shout surprised Orochimaru.

The Sannin chuckled, placing a hand on her head. "Now, now, my dear. Kabuto with deal with this. So there's no need to hide it any longer, I suppose. It's fine. Go ahead and tell her." With his order, he left the children alone.

Kabuto placed his hands on his hips. "Unfortunately, Sasuke was a little late getting here. And Lord Orochimaru wasn't able to wait. He has to made due with another vessel."

"So, he's alright then, isn't he? Sasuke is somewhere in this building?" There was hope in her voice. Something the medic would take great pleasure in crushing.

"Lord Orochimaru gave him the curse mark to prepare him. To be ready for my lord's next incarnation. The problem is, not everyone can bear the burden of the curse mark."

"That's impossible. There's no way that Sasuke could be-"

"I'm afraid so. He couldn't handle to curse mark, and now he's nothing but a memory."

"You're lying. I don't believe you. It has to be a lie!" Her voice got higher towards the end, her head shaking in disbelief.

"Ohh, come now. What on earth have I to gain by lying? I mean, in another minute, you'll be dead..!" Kabuto held up a kunai, a dark smirk appearing on his lips. "Since you're in such a hurry to see him, allow me to help you. You can spend eternity together. In the afterlife!" He twirled his weapon around his finger before throwing it.

"Wait! Don't!!" Akiko shouted jumping in front of him, her claws activating.