There's always a tomorrow when it seems the end is near. Do you just surrender or do you persevere?
Tell me how you want it and how it's gonna be. Are you gonna take it on your feet or on your knees?

Chapter 2

"One hour. We'll meet outside the gates," Yamato ordered.

Everyone nodded in understanding and then their bodies flickered out of sight. Yamato sighed, his head tilting back as he gazed upward. A single bird flew overhead.

"We're coming senpai."

As soon as Sakura made it home she began stripping off her clothes. She would have liked to take a shower but there just wasn't enough time. Sakura quickly and methodically changed into her ANBU gear. It was a process she was starting to get used to. She checked her weapon pouch and holster. She tightened her arm guards and strapped her ninjato to her back before picking up her mask.

Done. Two more stops.

She let herself back into Kakashi's apartment and opened his closet. Just inside on the left was an extra weapon pouch he kept stashed away. She opened the flap, seeing that it was full along with a battle worn copy of Icha Icha. She grinned to herself as she nudged the door close with her foot. She didn't know what kind of condition he would be in when they found him, but if she could heal him enough so he could fight then it would be better to be prepared. She looked around his room and then picked up an extra shirt securing it under her belt.

Just in case. One more thing.

Ino finished ringing up a customer, a huge smile on her face. Jounin or not, she still had to devote time to help out with her family's flower shop. At least she enjoyed it, and it was a nice change of pace on some days.

"I'm going to get another vase for display, be right back Mom."

Ino headed into the back of the shop, turning the handle on the storage room door. She opened it and walked inside and when she turned around, she very nearly screamed. She froze against the door, her hand over her chest.

Sakura stood up, "Sorry Ino."

"Shit! Sakura, you scared the shit out of me! Shit!"

"I said I was sorry."

"How did you get back here?" Ino took in her friend's appearance, "Never mind. Why are you here then?"

Sakura held out a small brass key, "Here."

"What's this?"

"The key to my apartment. I've been summoned for a mission so, as promised, you can use it while I'm gone. Just make sure to check my mail for me."

"I was just joking when I told you that."

"No you weren't, Pig."

"Shut up."

"Will you tell Naruto for me?"

"Sure, but he better not bug me for food or you're so gonna owe me," the blonde replied after a moment, crossing her arms.

"Deal."

The two girls smiled at each other but then Sakura's expression fell, "There's something else too. I can't tell you anything about my mission, but," she paused, fidgeting, unsure of how to continue.

"Sakura?"

"If I don't come back-"

"Stop," Ino's voice was strong, "don't you even think about not coming back. I haven't beaten you yet."

"Ino," she regarded her friend warmly, "fine, just remember what I told you okay?"

She nodded, her blue eyes welling with tears. They stepped forward and hugged each other tightly.

"Be careful."

"I will."

Sakura stepped back and then brought her hands together. She sent her friend a smile before disappearing in a wisp of smoke.

.oOo.

Sakura stood silently next to Sai, fighting back her nerves, willing herself to remain still and calm. She was anxious to leave, to find Kakashi and Genma and get them back home, where they belonged. The remaining teammates arrived, one right after the other.

"Lets go. We head northwest and we don't stop," Yamato announced.

The other four animal masked faces nodded and then they leapt into the trees. Sakura concentrated on the flow of chakra to her feet, it wasn't something she necessarily needed to do but, it kept her focused. The group traveled the remainder of the day and well into the night before Yamato called for a rest.

Raido seemed a bit uneasy as he kicked at the ground, "Yamato-taichou, I don't think we should stop."

"And why not?"

"Because Genma and Kakashi-san, they're-"

"They're being kept alive. We have to ensure that our chakra levels are high and that means resting and eating to replenish them. I want to get them out of there too, but I'm not going to let us go in there half dead on our feet."

"But-"

"You're not the only one that cares for them," he looked back at the others before turning to face him again, "so sit down and eat something, that's an order."

"Yes taichou," he replied, dejected.

They remained grounded for a couple of hours before the nerves and eagerness became too much. As they neared the border, the air cooled, the terrain becoming more steep and rocky. The squad abandoned the trees and stayed off the main trail, Neji scouting the surrounding area with his Byakugan for any presence of the enemy.

"We split from here. Keep your comms on and your eyes open."

"Hai!"

Sakura stuck beside Yamato as they headed toward an eastern outlook, using the slopes for cover as everyone headed to their assigned points. There, they were fulfilling their tasks as well; Neji was tracking the number and locations of nin and Sai was crouched, his brush set to paper quickly lining out a pack of rats.

"I'm ready," Sai released the jutsu, the ink springing to life off of the paper, the lines thickening and rounding as they took shape. The rat at the head of the group tweaked its nose and then scurried off, followed quickly by the others.

The group waited, eager and ready, each one's senses on high alert.

A small rat scampered along the edge of a clay wall, turning through maze-like corners. It passed by guards' feet undetected, sniffing the air, reaching out, sensing chakra. Just ahead was a heavy wooden door and as it neared it, the inked rodent stilled, slowly inching forward, pressing its tiny nose to the crack just under the door.

Outside, Sai finally spoke, "Found them."

.oOo.

Kakashi was sitting on his knees, awkwardly, with his ankles chained under him. His shoulders were sore, but he could barely move as his wrists were tightly shackled with chakra suppressing cuffs, which were connected to chains held fast to the wall.

Breathing was a chore, and he found that some of the pain was relieved when he drooped forward. So that's how he sat, with his body slack and back hunched. His left eye radiated with pain and a dry itching sensation. There was something covering his eye but he wasn't sure what it was and all around it, from above his brow to his cheek bone, throbbed. His surroundings were hazy at best and his right eye burned as he tried to look around. The right side of his face felt numb, which was a relief after the first round of pain he endured.

The room was eerily quiet and the air was so thick, he could taste it – and he hated it. Every inhale was like a mouthful of filth; dirt, sweat and blood. He could hear two men, talking in hushed tones, but he could barely make out what was being said.

But he did hear the lock turn and the door protest as it was swung open. The men snickered as Jari entered, a smirk gracing his lips as he pushed Genma into the room. Jari tiredly rubbed at his tanned face before kicking Genma onto the ground who landed with a heavy grunt.

Kakashi looked up, taking in his partner's appearance, the blood decorated his features darkly. Genma's hair was soaked, sticking to his cheeks and neck, but for the life of him, Kakashi didn't know what his hair was wet with. Genma raised up, his hands bound behind his back as well, his breathing labored. Between his gasps for air there was a soft pitter-patter as blood dripped from his chin and onto the floor.

Kakashi closed his eyes, unable to keep them focused. But he can hear Jari's footsteps as he circled him.

"Just tell me what I want to know, Hatake. You can make this a lot easier on yourself, you know."

Kakashi laughed bitterly, "You'll kill me regardless."

Jari grinned, "You're right. But wouldn't you like a quick death? Just tell me what you know and where your men are positioned and I will grant you that much. The longer you keep your secrets, the longer you will suffer."

"Try me."

There was a loud noise, something blunt connecting harshly with skin and Genma groaned, his body teetering to the side.

Jari cocked his head to the side, "Here's another opportunity to tell me."

He remained silent. There was another blow to Genma's head and Kakashi could hear the blood splatter.

"Do you want to tell me now or shall I continue?"

Kakashi still kept his mouth closed. This angered Jari and his fists connected violently with Genma's face, over and over. There was a crunching sound as his nose broke and then Jari called the other men over who took up his position, alternating between kicking and punching him onto the brink of unconsciousness.

Jari signaled for them to stop and he walked over, pushing Genma up onto his knees. He looked to Kakashi, a kunai twirling in his free hand, "Your friend's death will be on your hands if you don't fess up. Just think, a tiny piece of information you have can save his life and he can stumble back to Konoha with his tail between his legs … if he doesn't bleed out first, that is."

Genma took a few deep ragged breaths, sucking the air through his teeth. He turned his gaze to meet Kakashi's, "Don't fucking tell them anything!"

Jari turned his hateful gaze to Genma, directing the blade to his face, "Don't encourage him."

"I'll tell you nothing," Kakashi declared strongly.

"Very well," Jari shoved the blade forward, burying it in Genma's chest. Kakashi tried to lunge forward, pulling on the chains instead and he fell onto his side, his shoulder and head bumping the cold floor. There was a soft gurgling sound, followed by a sticky cough.

"Genma!"

Kakashi couldn't maneuver his body to look, his friend's crumpled body lay just inside his peripheral. Was Jari just playing with him? Was he dying? Dead already?

A pair of sandaled feet stopped in front of him, "You should really reconsider given the position you're in."

And then he walked away.

.oOo.

Raido and Yamato were crouched on the rooftop, looking down at the patrol below. The guards across the bridge were heading toward the opposite end, about to round the other side of the building.

"Wait for my mark," Yamato said as he retrieved a kunai, spinning the blade outward.

The guards disappeared and Yamato moved first, quickly followed by Raido. They moved with lightning speed, concentrating chakra to their feet to run down the side of the building, straight down onto the two unsuspecting men below them.

Yamato covered his target's mouth, driving the weapon into his neck. Raido's movements mimicked his. The remaining squad members moved up under the bridge.

"There's a third man that joined the guards. It looks like they've stopped to talk," Neji alerted them.

"I can provide assistance," Sai said, moving up.

"Good. Take him from below, we'll get the sides."

Sai started slowly, quietly up the rocky formation, Yamato and Raido splitting and edging around the building. Yamato and Raido acted swiftly, taking out their targets. Sai's hand clutched the third's ankles, pulling him down. All the others heard was some grunting and then a thud as the body hit the ground.

They regrouped, heading into the building, silently and efficiently killing the others that were in the way. Sakura's breathing increased, she was nervous. All kinds of thoughts were racing through her mind. What kind of condition were they in? Were they even still alive by now? She tried to shake off the anxiousness she was feeling. She was ready to do her part.

Neji slowed, holding up his hand as he spotted Sai's rat. He peered through the door, his Byakugan working overtime.

"They're in there. Both are alive, but one of them is barely hanging on. There are three others in the room."

"Prepared to breach?"

"We are."

"Good."

.oOo.

Jari stood over Kakashi, who was still lying on his side after attempting to make a move for Genma. His narrow eyes roamed over him, "Have you rethought your position?"

"No."

"I will break you. I will destroy your body until you cooperate. Sound fun?"

"Like a blast," he quipped.

Jari's nostrils flared and he raised his foot, stomping down on Kakashi's leg. There was a loud crack and Kakashi cried out, screwing his eyes shut. The pain was sudden, intense and coursed strongly through him, arching his back.

Jari squatted in front of him, and ripped his pant leg apart at the seams. He tilted his head, looking with a morbid fascination at the white bone that had broken through the skin. He hissed, "That looks pretty nasty," he shook his head, "I bet it hurts pretty fuckin bad too, huh?"

Kakashi didn't say anything, he was focused on steadying his breath, on coping with the pain.

"I asked you a question. I said it hurts pretty fuckin bad, doesn't it?!" he pushed down on the exposed bone, slowly. Kakashi's face twisted into a grimace, but he held back this time. He wouldn't give this man the pleasure of knowing how much pain he had put him through.

Jari pouted, displeased by his reaction, "You know, I had a feeling that it would be tough to crack the great Copy Nin. Luckily, I have someone that's quite impressive when it comes to matters of the mind. I will get that information one way or the other, but I think I'll have a bit more fun with you first."

Kakashi tried to turn his head to watch him as he walked away, but he couldn't see any higher than his waist. There was the cool scraping sound of metal against metal and he steeled himself for the torture that was to come.

"I'm willing to bet that without that Sharingan of yours, you'd be just another mediocre ninja."

Kakashi froze. His gaze fixed on the feet that were coming closer again.

"And I bet that without both of your eyes, you'd be a pretty useless ninja," he chuckled, "too bad there aren't any Uchiha around anymore, eh?"

He knelt, grabbing him by the hair and dragging his head closer, turning it to an angle he preferred. Kakashi stared up at him, his gaze filled with malice. Jari stared right back, unflinching, "Now, which one should I get rid of first?"

He directed the blade back and forth between his eyes, "Lets go with your left, I think I like the idea of you watching me as I do it."

He clenched his jaw, holding his breath as he felt the blade cut into the swollen skin above his brow. He moaned as he felt a piece of his flesh come away, blood spilling down the side of his face.

Suddenly, there was an explosion, the floor and walls rumbling around them and then the door came from its hinges. There was the familiar sound of kunai whizzing through the air and then the loud, grating noise of an alarm.

Kakashi coughed on the dust and dirt floating in the air around him. The ground rumbled again and then the light was dimmed as pillars rose from the floor, but even then there was a faint comforting scent. A light mixture of vanilla and flowers and then he realized, in his stupor, who that scent belonged to.

Sakura wasn't ready for the sight that greeted her. She figured they wouldn't be in good condition but the amount of blood … the instruments on the table, the smell in the air – it was enough to make her sick.

A head of pink came into his line of sight and he felt utter relief. She knelt beside him, shocked at his appearance. He nodded toward his downed comrade.

"Genma ..."

Sakura touched his chest gingerly, "Okay, I'll be right back."

She fell to her knees beside Genma, her eyes scanning his once handsome face, now bruised and covered in blood. With her hands alight with chakra, she quickly checked him over doing a mental checklist of injuries. He was still alive and still breathing, so that was very good news. She removed his cuffs so she could lay him on his back and then she set to work, pulling the kunai from him and mending the muscle and tissue. She mended his head wounds the best she could. He slowly started to come to.

She pulled him up into a sitting position, bracing him with her leg behind him. She reached into her pouch, pulling a small tin box from it. She opened it and removed a capsule, pushing it past his lips.

"Swallow this for me, Genma, it's going to help replenish your blood."

"Sakura?"

"Yes, just … listen to me, okay. We're gonna get you out of here."

He obeyed, swallowing it dry, coughing afterward. She pulled her canteen free and let him drink.

"Rest here for a minute, let the pill work. I'm going to help Kakashi."

Genma nodded weakly, falling back down onto his back. Sakura crawled quickly back to Kakashi's side. He was watching her as she looked him over. He knew he was in bad shape but her expression gave away exactly how bad it was.

"Alright, first ..." her hands worked fast, uncuffing his hands and feet, "I'm going to have to set your leg. It's going to hurt, badly."

Sakura cringed as she carefully moved his leg, stretching the limb into the proper position, "Ready?"

He nodded and she moved, fast. He growled out, his head falling back, a string of curses falling from his lips. Sakura concentrated on mending the bone and muscle and skin and then she moved beside him.

He had brought up his hand to feel around his left eye, but she caught his wrist, stopping him Her hands softly caressed his face, avoiding the crudely stitched on eye patch, "What did they do to you?"

"Just undo it."

She focused her chakra to her fingertips and precisely cut through the stitching, carefully removing the patch. It was rather painless but he thought the pulling was annoying. She pressed her hand to his eye, healing the skin around it while holding his gaze. When she was done he raised his hand to feel. The skin was smooth and raw and sore to the touch and there was a little indention where Jari had cut. He sighed as he looked down at his busted knuckles.

"Let me see your back," she scooted behind him taking in the numerous lashes and caked on blood. She pressed her hands flat against him, working silently. Kakashi looked over at Genma who had pushed himself up to sit once again. He turned his head to look at him and they shared a thankful expression, both glad that the other was alive and okay. Genma brought his foot forward and, bracing his hand on his knee, pushed himself to stand.

Sakura looked up from her work, "Take it easy!"

"No time, it sounds bad out there," he commented on the sound of clashing metal and cracking stone.

Sakura's brow knitted, "I know."

After healing as much as she could, she pulled the shirt from the side of her belt and handed it to Kakashi. He quickly put it on and then caught the weapon pouch she tossed into his lap. He checked inside, "That's my girl."

She helped him to his feet and he attached the pouch to his belt.

"How's your leg?"

"Hurts like hell, but at least it's not broken anymore."

Sakura knelt down by an Iwa nin and yanked off his pouch, handing it to Genma, "Last resort. You're not in any condition to be fighting."

Then she did a swift check on both of them, satisfied with the results for now. As soon as they got away, she could do a more thorough healing.

"I'm going to signal to Yamato to drop the barrier and then we are getting out of here. We've planned an escape route to the southwest," Sakura explained, "Get ready."

They nodded in understanding and then the wall around them cracked and then opened up.

A/N: Gah! Sorry it took me so long to update this. I guess I'm really not up for multi-chap anything, lol. I was a little disappointed here and there with this part and hopefully the next part will be more action oriented. I was slammed with real life and Uni so I apologize that this isn't of a greater quality. Again, this is not beta read (although I'm sure you can tell) I haven't found a decent beta reader yet -.-'

Again, feedback is welcomed and encouraged!! Hopefully I'll have part three up soon, I'm feeling kind of gritty and violent at the moment and I'm putting off my paper *sigh* Bad Deni, bad! Thanks for reading!! I'm thinking this will only be one or two more installments. I'm not aiming for anything epic here - just sharing an idea that won't leave me alone.