Torture

Disclaimer: I own nothing...

Chapter 2 of Tortured

Disclaimer: I own nothing...
A/N: again, spell check busted, sorry for discrepancies.

By the time Kabuto had finished with Sakura, she could feel the tears running down her face. He just stood up and wiped himself off and continued to question her, she remained silent. When he didn't receive an answer he used a scalpel to cut long precise cuts down her arms and legs.

Sakura's eyes shut tight as she repeated the names of her precious people in her mind, reminding herself of why she could not break. She could not answer this question because it would only lead to other questions that could endanger her village and her precious comrades and family. Taking a deep breath in through her nose she was faintly aware of her body being lifted again and strapped to a rather uncomfortable and hard surface.

Her eyes were still closed when she felt the first tiny drop of water land directly between her eyes... great, water torture...

---With Genma, Idate, and Tenshi----

"So, Idate, your Ibiki's kid brother, ne?" Genma sat at a small round table in a room that served as a dining room. He was leaning back on the two back legs of the chair.

"Yes, and I will forever be indebted to Team 7, when they returned they were able to clear my name. That's the reason I made this place as a safe house for Konoha Shinobi..." Idate had grown into a rather strong young man and though he was no longer shinobi, his loyalty to the village he had once upon a time called home, was stronger than ever and he was set in trying to help now.

Tenshi choose this moment to walk in and sat down next to Idate, she eyed Genma almost suspiciously, "You know Haruno-san?"

"Why yes, quite well actually. Why do you ask?" Genma smiled as sweetly as he could with the senbon dangling from between his teeth.

"Do you know why these men are after me?"

"Actually... no. Do you wanna enlighten me?" Genma sat up straight in the chair before dropping his elbows to the table and resting his chin on his hands, his gaze leveled with hers.

"Kabuto thinks I can help to resurrect Orochimaru."

----Back with Sakura----

After about 3 hours or so of the constant dripping of water on her forehead, Sakura could feel the skin growing raw. Her eyes were drooping closed and she was struggling to remain awake. Finally giving in to another wave of exhaustion, she succumbed to the darkness that invaded her vision.

drip... drip... drip...

Sakura tried to raise her hand to wipe at the water that ran down her face before snapping her eyes open and staring at the ceiling... Ah yes... I'm still here.

drip...

I don't know how much more of this I can take... I cannot risk even cracking... dammit, I am sorry Naruto... Kakashi, I am so sorry every one, but it would be better to die than to continue on with this...

Sakura could feel her mind beginning to break under the constant droplets of water assaulting her from above. Sakura steeled her resolve and bit down hard on her tongue until the sweet metallic flavor coated her tongue and she could feel it dribble out of her mouth. As her world grew dark again for the last time, she could hear quick footsteps approaching her.

Kabuto smirked when he noticed the trail of blood trickling down Sakura's jaw and made his way over to her side. He did a quick set of seals and lowered his hand to her mouth. "You didn't honestly forget, did you? Hmph, well, I can't have you dying before I get the answers to my questions. Now can I?"

----With Neji and Kakashi----

As Neji scanned the area ahead of himself his thoughts wandered to what he knew of the woman they were searching for. She was strong and incredibly skilled, Hinata-sama and she were very close. Though he never had been around her in any kind of social setting he could assertain why she was so well loved in the village that they called home.

He observed Kakashi with the advantage of the byakugan, The man seemed almost scared. He had heard from many people that the two of them were close, though everyone had their own opinion on the subject. Many thought that they might be secret lovers, Neji did not agree with this view however, he could see things like that. And the worry coursing off the Copy-nin was not that of a lover, but that of a confidant, a friend so close that nothing could break the bond shared. It was something that he had only seen a few times in his life, but had seen none the less. Naruto shared such a bond with the Kazekage, Gaara. Not to mention a few others, himself included.

He only hoped that they would make it on time, Sakura was a very important person to many of his own precious people, and he would do everything he could to protect such bonds.

Neji caught a glimpse of something a few hundred meters ahead and signaled for them to stop momentarily.

Kakashi stopped at Neji's signal, "Hatake-san, there are signs of a struggle up ahead."

Kakashi nodded and they headed towards the downed trees and rubble that was obviously caused by Sakura's massive strength. Kakashi sliced his thumb and performed the summoning jutsu for his pack of nin-kin.

"Kakashi, how can we help?"

"Pakkun, I need you to find Sakura."

"Sakura? Really?" the small pug looked around and started at the destruction, "Whoa, what happened here?"

"Pakkun, there isn't time to explain, find Sakura. She could be in real trouble." Pakkun barked orders to the other dogs and they ran off in different directions. 30 minutes later he heard the tell tell call of one of the dogs from the east and he and Neji set off again to catch up to the pug.

----Back in Konoha----

Tsunade sat behind her desk downing cups of sake until there was a knock at the large door leading to her office. She quickly hid all evidence of the drink and called for them to enter. The site that greeted her made her grin a little even in her anxious and worried state.

Naruto, Sasuke, Yamato and Shikamaru had returned from their mission and appeared to be in good health. Naruto and Sasuke were trading insults until they noticed the odd demenor of the Godaime Hokage.

"Hey, Baa-chan, what's wrong?"

"Naruto, haven't I warned you not to call me old woman before? Well anyway, I am glad to see you have all returned healthy." Tsunade was fingering her sake cup under the desk and her mind flashed to Sakura.

"Tsunade-sama, what seems to be the problem? Would you prefer if we made our mission report later?" Yamato spoke up this time.

"No, no. It's fine... really. I need to inform you all of something though... Sakura was late in her weekly report and so I sent Kakashi with Genma and Neji to check it out. They should have arrived this morning and I am waiting for a report from them... I know that all of you have worked closely with her in the past, especially you Naruto, Yamato and Sasuke. I thought you should know."

Naruto looked up at her with a rather serious expression on his face, while the last Uchiha seemed to stand a little straighter. Yamato and Shikamaru shared a glance and both looked to the Hokage when Naruto spoke, "Do you need us to do anything?"

Naruto had grown up in the past few years. He had matured into a fine, upstanding shinobi. While he was still half perverted and a prankster, and he couldn't resist goading the Uchiha, he was a man now. One who Tsunade had decided would follow her as the next Hokage. He just didn't know that yet.

Just after Naruto spoke, a young man came running into the room and handed Tsunade a coded message.

Tsunade stood after reading it and turned to address those who were standing before her. "I have just recieved word from Genma. Kakashi and Neji picked up on her trail. they are in rout to find her. It appears there was a struggle where she was taken by... by Kabuto and approximatly 5 other sound nin. Genma will be escorting Sakura's ward here. I need 2 of you to meet him on his way here and return with him. The other 2 will follow Genma's directions and meet with Idate, he will have Kakashi's directions for you there. Do you accept this mission?"

The four men nodded the affirmative and were dismissed.