Third P.O.V

Sakura sprinted down the golden halls. Every footstep echos, every flicker of a torch makes her shadow jump. Memories and flashbacks echoed through her head as she slams a door open. Tears fill her eyes as an empty room met her gaze.

Sasuke. She continues to sprint down the hall. Determination fills her eyes as the tears dissapear. She throws open another door. "Nothing in here, either Yamato!" She shouts to her comrade.

They nod, then run further down the hallway.

Yamato stands just to the side of the door, and Sakura throws the door open. "Empty," Sakura sighs, pulling away from the door.

"Last door," Yamato signals to it. He stands by the doorway, and Sakura grabs the knob. She waits a half second, then throws the door open. 

"Empty as we--" A small whimper interrupts her sentance. "Wait! Someone's in here!" Yamato stiffens, then they both jump inside, prepared to attack. The sight that met their eyes was not what they expected.

A young girl, long hair covering her face, chained to the wall by her arms and throat. Blood was caked down her arms, on her clothes, she lay in a puddle of it. Two pairs of wings were pinned to the wall. The girl slowly looked up, looking none of them in the eye.

Sakura clasped a hand over her mouth, a half gasp, half moan of despair making it's way through her lips.

Keira.

Keira's P.O.V

I hung from the wall by my wrists, not even bothering to try and keep myself upright. I was in a small puddle of my own blood, old mixed with new. It was totally dark in the room. I heard footsteps, unusually hurried, and cringed against the wall.

Nomorenomorenomorenomorenomorenomore-- 

My train of thought was abruptly stopped as the door creaked open. "Empty as we--" I whimper quietly. Who was it? I vaguely recognize that voice, from once upon a time. I slowly raise my head, listening carefully.

I hear a strangled gasp, and the sound of a hand hitting lips. 

Keira, I hear someone think.

"Who is this to you, Sakura?" I hear a mans voice ask. I tilt my head in that direction. 

"Oh my Kami. Oh my Kami, Oh my Kami," The girl repeats over and over. I suddenly remember her. Images flash inside my head of a young, pink haired beauty. Ah, Sakura Harano. From once upon a time...

"Who is she to you? Who is she?" The males voice repeated. 

"Oh, Kami, Captain Yamato," So that's his name. "Captain Yamato, th-that's Keira Boukyaku. Sh-She was on team seven," Sakura stutters.

"You mean the one who was declared a rogue nin?" Yamato questioned. I heard Sakura nod. That's what they did? Just marked me off as a rogue nin, then Forgot about me?

"Well we have a mission right now, we'll come back for her," Yamato declares. "I'm sorry, Keira. But we'll be back soon, okay?" He asks. I don't respond.

"No!" Sakura rebukes, "I'm not abandoning my teammate! She's a Konoha ninja, we need to save her!" 

Yamato sighs, "True. I just don't want her to hinder the mission. Help me get her out of the chains," He orders. Sakura removes my wings from the wall, and I don't make a sound as she pulls out the metal pins. With chakra infused strength, she tore the chain on my left wrist apart. I didn't shake my arm or rub my wrist like some people might. I just huddled, folding in on myself, trying not to work myself into hysterics.

Yamato releases my collar and right arm somehow. "A wood type user," He explains quickly as Sakura helps me up. "I was able to make a copy of the key using my wood," I don't aknowlege him in any way. 

"C'mon Keira, we have to move," Sakura says. I am surely going to be punished for this escape attempt. But all the same I stand, following them out into the corridor. We begin running, me trying to keep up with my faltering stride.

I hear Yamato and Sakura stop, but I'm half a second to late, and crash into them. "Watch yourself," Yamato warns steadying me. Sakura walks closer to me, draping one of my arms over her shoulder.

"Why didn't you stop?" She murmurs suspiciously. I don't glance at her, nor respond. We continue moving, Sakura supporting me. The sounds of battle reach my ears, and Yamato creates a hole in the wall. We jump through the hole, landing beside another person.

I feel shock radiating from him. "K-Keira?" The boy asked tremblingly. Sakura nods shortly. 

"Yes Naruto," She answers. Naruto... he was my best friend, once upon a time...

A roar sounds throughout the hallway from somewhere within the fortress. "Ahah, Keira-chan... so you're escaping..."A slithery voice hissed.

I stiffened, terror running down my spine. "Well, I'll allow you to live for now, Naruto-kun. And go ahead and take Keira-chan. Her usefulness is used up," He laughed, then I heard a small puff, signaling he disappeared.

"Where did you find her? Keira-chan, are you alright? What did that snake b*stard do to you? What did he mean your usefulness is used up?" I ignore him.

He grabs my chin, turning my face towards him. "Keira, answer me..." He trails off as he catches sight of my eyes. "No..." He whispered. My blank gaze slid over him.

"What?" Sakura questioned, then looked at my face as well. I hear her low intake of breath.

"Is she, Sakura?" Naruto asked, "Is she really...?"

Sakura turns away sadly. "Yes," She answered Naruto.

"She's blind," 

I hear Naruto slide down the wall in shock, sense him put his head in his hands. "No... I'm so sorry, Keira,"

"Guys, we can worry about this later. We need to find Sasuke for now," Yamato interrupts. I sway slightly as I turn to him. Feeling lightheaded, I crouch down. 

"Th-this is!" Yamato exclaims. "An assasinations list! Sasuke is on there!"

Naruto I sense Naruto and Sakura looking at the book as I begin to feel even more woozy. I collapse, slipping out of conciousness. "I can't believe it..." I hear Sakura say, but the rest fades out into nothing as I faint.

I awake when I feel a breeze across my face. I blink, tilting my face towars a warmth radiating down on me. Could it be? I'm... I'm outside? 

I hear a voice speaking. "This is the end!" Sasuke... he's from this nightmare I'm now living.... He used to be from once upon a time, a reason for my happiness, but he followed me into this waking nightmare.

"You are not to use that technique, Sasuke-kun," I hear a voice rasp. Orochimaru. The nightmare has only begun. "Let's go," 

I shiver. "Oh, no need to be so afraid, Keira-chan. I have no need for a blind tool. You're free to go. It's not like you have anything you can give away about me," He chuckles darkly. I hear crackling, and I know that they're 'burning' away. Silence rings throughout the area.

I hear Naruto's sobs begin softly. "Sasuke's gone... Keira's blind... what next?" Naruto challenged. Who he was challenging, I don't know. Fate, the universe, Kami... "What next...?"

"Naruto-kun, you still have half a year to recover Sasuke.  And you have me, three is better then two," A new voice consoled.

"Thanks, Sai," Naruto muttered, voice thick with tears. Sai... I had never heard that name before.

"And we have Keira back," Sakura gave a watery smile.

"Yeah," I heard Naruto stand, "And maybe Grandma Tsunade can... Maybe... Keira's eyes..."

"Yeah," Sakura agreed, "Maybe she can,"

I hear footsteps come towards me. I can tell from the mind that it's Sakura. "C'mon," She picks me up, slinging an arm over her shoulder. I obey without question. "You're going to be okay now," She reassures.

I don't respond.

"C'mon, Keira, at least speak to me. Orochimaru didn't hurt your vocal cords, did he?" Naruto asked.

I turn my dead gaze to him. "No," I said dully, "I can still speak," 

"Well aren't you happy?" Naruto asked.

"Happy... sad... I am long past feeling such things. It's much more complicated then that," I respond. 

"Keira... You should be elated, you're free from Orochimaru," Sakura murmured.

"Yeah, when we get back, Grandma Tsunade will heal you and you'll be able to see again! Then we can get Sasuke back and everything will be back to normal," Naruto fantasized.

"Empty words, empty hope, empty promises. I'm empty," I reply. "Don't tell me you honestly believe anything can be normal again?"

I feel Sakura stiffen against me. "I believe we can get Sasuke back," Sakura defends herself, tightening her grip on me.

"Then you're a fool," I declare.

"Don't you believe in us?" Naruto asked.

"I stopped believing in you after a year in that place. I didn't ever even here a rumor of you rescuing me. My faith is dead," I respond.

"Where's my old Keira?" Naruto asked.

"Yeah, the one who believed in us, and would protect us no matter what the cost," Sakura whispered.

People change, I hear Sai think sadly.

"I spent a lifetime in hell," My monotonous voice announced, "Don't expect me to be the same,"

We've finally gotten Keira back... Only to realize she's more lost to us then before.

___________________________________________________________

Chapter One!

I know, I know, it's SHORT. 

But..... CHAPTER ONE! THE SEQUEL TO FORGOTTEN DARKNESS! IT HAS BEGUN!

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Dedicated to DreamCatcher32 for being the first to comment on the last update!

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