Chapter 17

"Animals!"

"Vermin!"

"Trespassers!"

The Druids bristled and snarled at the insults and Sakura, Tenten, Hinata and the Sand Siblings were the only thing keeping fighting from breaking out between the two races on opposite sides of them.

"Enough!" Temari barked and the two groups fell silent but continued to glare at one another with open hostility.

"What is this, Sakura? Druids don't belong in vampire territory!" someone shouted. "How could you bring them here?" Someone else demanded loudly from the crowd of vampires and Sakura growled from low in her throat, glaring at the Sand's inhabitants with narrowed and deadly eyes.

"Have you forgotten," She said loudly, sharp canines bared and emerald eyes scanning the pale and pretty faces in front of her, "That we are at war? And that this war," she pointed to the Druids grouped behind her, "Isn't with them?" Neither group could come up with a reply and watched Sakura with suddenly wide eyes as she continued.

"Would it not be logical to accept the help of the Druids when the Sand is the only Hidden Village not under Ino Yamanaka's control? When we are so obviously outnumbered? When we are only Village left against four others?" Sakura looked over at Temari and Kankuro and saw that they were watching her, and that their faces held nothing but respect and pride.

"Have you forgotten," she said in a low voice. "That your Kazekage was a Druid before he was made into a vampire against his will?" The Druids hissed in acknowledgement from behind her and murmuring broke out amongst the vampires. "Yet you all still managed to accept him, and that the Kazekage before him's wife was a Druid."

Sakura gestured at herself. "I am human and yet you all still came to accept me as a friend and ally when I am neither a vampire nor a Druid."

Naruto stepped out of the crowd and moved to stand beside her, his face serious, and Sakura took his hand and pointed at the vampire group in front of her with her free hand as Tenten, Hinata, Kankuro and Temari also joined her side. "Vampires are our enemy in this war. Ino Yamanaka is a vampire. The Druid's are our allies. Learn to accept them or accept defeat."

There was a stunned and shocked silence before finally Baki, a vampire of the Sand, and Minato, the Chief of the Druids, both stepped forward, expressions humble. Baki extended his hand and Sakura smiled when Minato took it firmly and the two shook hands, sealing the first alliance between the two races since times long forgotten.

"That was amazing, Sakura," Tenten said in awe, "You just ended a one thousand year feud in a matter of minutes."

Sakura shrugged as she watched the two groups become a single group as both races started curious and nervous conversations with each other. "I only told them the truth, and besides, the Druids were already prepared to bury the hatchet. The vampires just needed the push."

"So what do we do now, Sakura Haruno?" Baki and Minato were looking at her now with serious and grave expressions which Sakura returned when she replied in a low voice. "First, we train and prepare for battle."

"And second?" Naruto asked and Sakura's eyes darkened at the thought of what was to come, all eyes were on her now.

"We make the first move."

xxxxxxx

"It's been a week since the death of the Kazekage," Ino hissed to her father and Mei Terumi watched with mild amusement at the disrespect the Yamanaka child was showing to her father, her elder. "Why hasn't Sakura done anything yet?"

"Strategy takes time to plan," Mei answered slowly and Ino turned to her with her hands on her hips. "And why haven't you done anything yet, Mizukage." Mei sniffed disdainfully but shrugged. "What has there been for me to do? I follow your orders, Ino Yamanaka."

Ignoring the tall woman's condescending tone, Ino registered this and flicked her long fringe from her eyes. "Then I want you to bring in half the vampires of the Mist," she snapped and Mei frowned darkly, annoyed by the child's arrogance, but consented. "It will be done."

"Good," Ino waved her hand dismissively. "This meeting is over. Leave."

Slighted by the blonde's disrespect, Mei stood and made for the door, "Come, Suigetsu," she called to the white-haired boy from the Mist who acted as her bodyguard and, with a toothy grin, the boy followed her out the door.

"I will kill that child one of these days," she seethed as they walked and Suigetsu sniggered. "She pisses you off that much? She's kinda hot though."

"What do younglings know of war?" Mei snapped, ignoring his last comment and shoving a startled blonde from the Yamanaka clan out of her way as she turned a corner. "And not only that, but I'm forced to stay here when my village needs me."

They reached the door to her chambers and Suigetsu entered first to ensure that it was safe before holding the door for Mei to enter. She stretched herself out on the silk couch and snapped her fingers to get Suigetsu's attention.

"Mizukage?"

"Send a runner to the Mist to fulfil the Yamanaka child's wishes." He nodded. "And fetch me Karin."

The white-haired boy nodded again and disappeared before shortly reappearing with the blushing redhead at his side. Mei gestured at the chair in front of the couch she was lounging on and Karin wordlessly took a seat, her large ruby eyes curious and tired. Mei could also see that the redhead was resigned and her eyes had an emptiness to them now after learning the truth, and Mei couldn't help but feel sad for her.

"What time is it, youngling?"

The questioned seemed to catch the girl off guard but she quickly recovered and replied. "Just after 5am."

Mei stood and nodded with satisfaction. "Everyone will be asleep soon. Suigetsu." Suigetsu handed her the black cloak hanging beside the door and handed a second one to Karin before pulling on his own and strapping his massive greatsword across his back. Mei pulled on her cloak and instructed Karin to do the same. "This will be easier than usual with you coming with us."

Karin pulled the cloak on, confused. "What are we doing?" Suigetsu grinned at her and stepped through the doorway to inspect the corridor. "You'll see. The coast is clear."

Mei nodded and moved toward the door. "Let's move."

xxxxxxx

Karin followed the Mizukage and Suigetsu through the Uchiha manor and down the steps to the room where the Yamanakas did their mind controlling and interrogation. This had been the room where Ino had first showed her Neji and Kiba before they had moved out to find the entrance to the Sand.

I had been pleased.

She shuddered at the memories of that night and stopped when Kiba and Neji stepped from the shadows and barred their path.

"What are you doing down here?" Neji asked the three cloaked figures warningly, empty eyes narrowed with hostility and Kiba turned his blank gaze to Karin and she suddenly understood why the Mizukage had brought her with.

She pulled down her hood, revealing herself to them and placed her hands over her hips. She was Ino's right hand after all, or used to be at least. Even if Ino didn't treat her like one anymore.

"I have to fill out a report on the prisoners," she snapped, trying to keep her voice even and from shaking, "Ino's orders." The two boys nodded and immediately moved out of the way to let them pass and Karin exhaled with relief, glad that getting passed them had been easier that she had thought it would be.

"This is supposed to be secret business though, so you can't tell anyone you saw me down here. Is that understood?" Karin waited for the boys to nod again before following the Mizukage nervously through the door the two vampires had been guarding.

The air was significantly cooler through the door and Karin followed Mei down a long flight of cold stone steps and into a cold and damp dungeon made from old and dark stone and lit by gloomy blue light. Suigetsu stopped by the stairs and stood guard while Karin and the Mizukage continued forward.

I knew it was the dungeons. They walked down the cells where most of Konoha's inhabitants watched them pass, dead-eyed and silent, until they stopped in front of a larger cell where a thin figure lay curled up on the floor.

The Mizukage moved aside and Karin choked and felt her breathing become more difficult from terror and guilt. "Lady Tsunade," she breathed and the Hokage looked up at her through the silver bars.

"So you brought her, Mei," Tsunade said quietly, looking nothing like the beautiful woman Karin remembered, and Mei nodded and tossed the Hokage a medium sized vial of blood through the bars. Tsunade uncapped it and downed its contents quickly before tossing the vial back to Mei. She smiled up at them with blood running down the corners of her mouth and Karin fought the urge to cry. "Hello, Karin."

"Lady Tsunade," she choked, sinking to her knees in front of the bars and Mei knelt beside her and handed the Hokage another vial. "I'm so sorry, Lady Tsunade," she sobbed and she felt Mei's hand on her shoulder while Tsunade watched her curiously.

"Such a sudden change of heart," the blonde woman murmured, finishing the contents of the second vial and passing it back through the bars, "But all has been forgiven. The Mizukage has told me everything."

Karin wiped her eyes and giggled at the thought of Mei and Suigetsu constantly coming down here without Ino knowing the whole time and somehow, knowing that the Mizukage was still on the human's side and that the Hokage had forgiven her, Karin felt slightly better. "Thank you, Lady Tsunade."

"How many?" Mei asked the blonde seriously and Tsunade grinned, a satisfied and feral smile that reminded Karin of Kiba before Ino had gotten a hold of him. "I only have one left."

Mei grinned back, "Excellent, Tsunade. The time is almost upon us, I can feel it."

"The time for what?" Karin asked, confused and Tsunade regarded her thoughtfully before nodding with a small smile. "I think we can tell her, Mei. She does have a role in this after all."

"Do you know which side you're on?" Mei asked in a low voice and Karin nodded seriously, never feeling so sure in her life.

"I'm on Sakura's side."

I won't be Ino's pawn. Not anymore.

xxxxxxx

"The first squad has been deployed to Leaf Street," Naruto said. "Squad two is on their way after them."

"And the humans?" Sakura asked, feeling strange by referring to her kind in such a way.

"They haven't noticed a thing," Temari said rolling her eyes, strapping her fan to her back and moving to the door. "Good luck, Sakura. I'm going to join squad three now."

"Good luck," Sakura called as the blonde vanished to join the rest of their army gathered beneath the entrance tunnel's balcony. She finished strapping up the buckles on the front of her dark leather vest and laced up her combat boos while Tenten finished sharpening her knives and Hinata helped Naruto buckle his own vest. The leather was light and flexible which allowed easy movement and some protection.

Sakura looked through the window of the Kage's office and watched as squad three, being led by Temari at the front, vanished up the tunnel to the surface and squad four moved themselves into position.

"It's time to go," Tenten said, strapping the last of her knives to her belt and quickly fixing the two buns on her head. Sakura nodded, feeling nervous butterflies in her stomach. This moment had been a long time coming. Now, they would finally win back the Hidden Leaf and free all those imprisoned there. This would be the biggest battle Sakura had ever fought in since joining the world of the supernatural yet; she couldn't seem to bring herself to be afraid. The situation was too serious for fear.

She was human. Yes, but barely and she was strong now. She was still inexperienced, but she had learned a lot and this time, she wouldn't be fighting alone.

It wasn't long before her and her companions reached the tunnel.

"Ready, Sakura?"

"Let's do it."

I'm coming, Sasuke.

xxxxxxx

"Ino," Sasuke's voice was emotionless and Ino stretched across the silk couch and looked up at him standing by the door through half-lidded eyes. "What is it, darling?"

"One of your spies is back," he said blankly and Ino opened her large eyes fully with interest. "Let them in."

Sasuke opened the door and a small brunette rushed in, panting and Ino raised an unimpressed eyebrow. "What do you have to report?"

"Sakura's on the move!" The girl squeaked, her dark eyes wide. "The Sand is coming to take back the Leaf. Sakura has an army. They're coming-"

"When?" Ino hissed, her mouth curling upwards in a nasty smile. The Hidden Mist vampires had already arrived and paired up with the Lightning and Stone vampires, as well as the Leaf vampires she had under her control, Sakura's pathetic army wouldn't stand a chance.

I'll crush them.

"Now," the girl said softly, almost guiltily, Ino noticed with a satisfied smirk. It wouldn't take them long to get there and she looked up at Sasuke.

"Go," she instructed him. "And when you see Sakura, I want you to rip out her heart and bring it to me. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Ino," he said quietly and vanished. "Itachi!" Ino called and it didn't take long for the other brother to appear.

"Gather the Akatsuki and prepare my army for battle."

"Hn."

"And you," Ino looked up at the small spy and the girl stared back with wide, fearful eyes. She shrieked when her clothes caught on fire and the black fire consumed her completely in a matter of seconds, leaving only a sparkling pile of ash where she had stood only seconds before.

"Thank you Itachi," she said to the Uchiha before he vanished. She looked down at the ash and smiled nastily. "Your information was useful. It's a pity you knew too much. But all the same,"

"Thank you, Matsuri."