Akatsuki Problem

A/N: My first Naruto fic! Please review so I can improve more! Flames are accepted.

Disclaimer: If I owned Naruto, Deidara would not die…

Epilogue

"Sakura-chan! Time to wake up!" Konan said cheerfully as she entered the cherry blossom's room.

"Ok. I'm up Konan-chan. Why don't you wake the others first. I'll change." Sakura said and smiled at Konan.

"Yeah, but remember, it's your turn to wake Zetsu. I did it yesterday." Konan said and shuddered.

Sakura nodded and grinned. The blue haired woman grinned back and went out of the room, closing the door after her.

Sakura sighed and threw the crimson coloured comforter off her. She shuddered at the coolness of the morning air and crept off her bed. She proceeded to go to the bathroom to shower. Five minutes later, Sakura came out, wrapped up in a fluffy pink towel and was drying her bubblegum pink hair with a smaller towel. She wore her undergarments and pulled on a loose black three quarter sleeved shirt and a three quarter baggy pants.

Sakura tied her forehead protector onto her left arm and then strapped on her weapons holster and medicine pouch. Her Akatsuki cloak was hanging at the back of her room door. She sighed and pulled it on. If it wasn't for saving Konoha, she wouldn't want to be here.

∞Flashback∞

Sakura knocked on the door and entered without bothering to waiting for Tsunade's reply. Her shishou(sp?) was surprisingly sober was doing some paperwork.

"Ah, Sakura-chan. You're here. Come take a seat." Tsunade said as she looked up from the paperwork she was doing.

"Ohayo Tsunade-shishou. May I know why you summoned me this early?" Sakura asked as she sat on the chair facing Tsunade.

"You will know in a while. We would have to wait for the others to come first." Tsunade said grimly.

"The others?" Sakura questioned but was answered immediately.

"Tsunade-baachan!!" Naruto yelled as he barged in the room.

"Urusai dobe." Sasuke said walking calmly beside Naruto.

"Teme!" Naruto growled, attempting to punch Sasuke but was held back by Sakura.

"Stop it Naruto." Sakura said disapprovingly.

"Hmmph. Fine. I'll let you off this time Sasuke-teme." Naruto huffed and plopped on the couch.

"Whatever." Sasuke deadpanned and leaned against the wall beside Naruto.

"Ano sa, Tsunade-baachan, why did you summon us here?" Naruto asked, grinning. Tsunade, Sakura and Sasuke winced at the brightness of Naruto's teeth.

"You'll have to wait for your Kakashi-sensei to come first." Tsunade said curtly. Just as she said Kakashi's name, he poofed in the middle of the room.

"Yo." He greeted.

"You came on time for once Kaka-sensei." Naruto stuttered. They sweat dropped when the Copy Nin took out the latest book of the series 'Icha Icha Tactics'.

"Must you read that book now Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura groaned.

"Hn." Kakashi grunted, which turned to giggles as he read the perverted book.

"Hatake Kakashi." Tsunade growled with tints of pink evident on her cheeks.

"Hai,hai." Kakashi said and pocketed the book.

Tsunade sighed and looked solemnly at the three eighteen year olds and their sensei.

"You still haven't tell us our mission yet." Naruto pointed out the obvious.

"I was just getting to it. Ahem. I have a mission for all of you." Tsunade said.

"Duh. Why else would you call us here." Sasuke snapped.

"Stop interrupting me Uchiha. As I was saying, I have a mission for the four of you. A S-ranked mission."

"Get to the point!" Sasuke growled and Sakura shot a death glare at him.

"I'll only brief you about the mission after you past a certain test. An ANBU test to be exact."

Team 7 stood with Tsunade in a long hallway that had four doors, each guarded by and ANBU member.

"ANBU exams are actually a few days long but since this is an important mission, this would be an exception.This is a little different from the Jounin exams. You are allowed to kill if necessary." Tsunade said.

"First door, Hatake Kakashi, second door, Uchiha Sasuke, Third door, Uzumaki Naruto and fourth door Haruno Sakura. Your opponents are inside and the examiner will follow you in. Good luck." Tsunade said and left them.

"Good luck guys!" Sakura said and went in her room. The examiner followed her in and locked the door.

"So you're my opponent huh? Don't expect to win." Her opponent taunted and got into his battle stance. He disappeared in a flash.

Sakura looked to her left…right…up…behind…She smirked. 'Too obvious,' She slammed her chakra enhanced fist to the ground causing a small earthquake, but enough to make 10 trees fall over. She then found her opponent jumping from underground to the sky wide eyed.

Her opponent shook his head and landed a kick at Sakura's waist. Sakura let out a low hiss and retaliated by throwing a kunai at him. He dodged it and attempted to trip Sakura but she jumped up sideways and slammed her fist to the ground and inserted chakra to the ground, causing rocks to rise and pin the man at his sides. He spat out blood but smirked nevertheless.

"Getting serious are we?" He said, still smirking.

"Surrender now." Sakura growled, walking calmly towards him.

"Never." He spat.

Sakura did some hand seals before slamming her hands onto the ground. A wave of mud immediately enveloped him , trapping him immediately.

"Surrender NOW!" Sakura yelled.

"I… I surrender." He whimpered. Sakura slammed her hands on the ground again to release the man and grinned cheerfully.

"You pass." The examiner said and smiled.

"Thank you!" Sakura said happily and ran out of the room.

"Sakura-chan! Are you alright?" Naruto fussed about her like a mother hen.

"Relax I'm fine." Sakura said and grinned.

"Did you pass?" Kakashi asked immediately.

"Well……," Sakura pretended to look sad and grinned inwardly when she saw both Kakashi's and Naruto's sad expressions , " Of course I did!" Sakura said. Naruto grinned and hugged Sakura.

"Congratulations the four of you. It seems you have passed." Tsunade said, as she walked calmly towards them.

"Of course Tsunade-baachan!" Naruto yelled.

"Let's go back to my office first." Tsunade said.

­­­­­­­

Back in the Hokage's office, Tsunade found some papers. She looked up at the team in front of her and sighed. Her brown eyes looked at each of them in turn.

"Well, back to your mission, team 7. As hunter-nins of ANBU, you will leave on this mission today, this evening." she said.

"Who will we hunt down?" Sasuke asked. Tsunade didn't answer his question, but frowned instead.

"...I will tell you once the rest of the information is given to you. Your target is currently in Amegakure( Hidden Village of Rain). He is expected to move soon, so you have to hurry. Bring all of your best equipment, and do not underestimate your enemy. Plan your moves." she said, her voice low. She tilted her head slightly and rubbed her temples with one hand before looking at them again. Sakura thought she could see something in her tired eyes. She looked ...sad. Why?

"Come back alive. The one you are hunting down and then killing, is..." Tsunade said, taking a deep breath, " One of Konoha's missing nins, Uchiha Itachi."

Sakura was currently standing right outside the Konoha gate, looking away from the village. The trees swayed in the wind; filling the silent air with the rustling of its leaves. Frowning slightly, she turned around to face Konoha, determined to remember as much as possible before she left. Not that she would forget it, that wouldn't happen, but she wanted to keep the image of the village as clear as possible.

At the moment, she wore the ANBU uniform. The black and slightly baggy pants reminded her of the jounin trousers she had only gotten used to wearing last month. She wore a black sleeveless shirt with a tall neck, and black gloves that went just past her elbows. On top of her long gloves, she wore white arm-protectors, thick enough to shield her from most weapons if she would engage in battle. She also had a white leather vest and black boots. Her ANBU cat mask was placed on the side of her head ready to be worn. Sakura also carried a small backpack containing necessities like bandages and extra weapons.

She looked up to see Sasuke walking towards her, also clad in ANBU uniform. His held his mask, which Sakura noticed was a bird. ' Bird? I wonder why. Oh, it must be because of his spying skills.' Sasuke nodded in acknowledgement and leaned against the wall of the guard house.

Naruto came soon after. His fox mask was also placed at the side of his head. He grinned enthusiastically and waved at Sakura.

" Hi Sakura-chan! Sasuke-teme."

" Hey Naruto." Sakura greeted back and smiled. Sasuke 'hned' and got back to his brooding.

" Yo." Kakashi said after appearing in a cloud of smoke. He was wearing his ANBU mask which was a wolf.

" Wow, you are actually early this time." Sakura said.

"... I guess so. This is an important mission. So did the tattoo hurt?" Kakashi asked.

" Not really. They did put anesthetic so it didn't hurt." Naruto said. Sakura shuddered. She didn't exactly like the tattoo but she is an ANBU member...

" Let's go." Sasuke said and walked out of Konoha, mask in place. The three of them nodded. Sakura and Naruto wore their masks before catching up to Sasuke and Kakashi.

They traveled all day before stopping to rest for the night. Sakura fixed up the tents, Sasuke and Naruto was in charged of catching their dinner whereas Kakashi collected wood for their fire.

Sasuke and Naruto came back from the river nearby, each carrying three fishes just when Kakashi came back with the firewood.

"Wow. That's a lot of salmon. How are we going to finish them all?" Sakura asked as she sat down between Naruto and Sasuke.

"Dunno 'bout you but I'm starved. I miss ramen already." Naruto said and grinned.

"Tch. Dobe." Sasuke said and bit into his salmon.

"Mmm. This is really good." Sakura said after a mouthful.

"Yup." Kakashi said, his visible eye curving into an arc.

"Ano sa, Kakashi-sensei."

"Just call me Kakashi-senpai or just plain Kakashi. We are the same rank."

"Ok then. Kakashi-senpai, why do you cover your face all the time?" Naruto asked as he wiped off bits of fish from around his mouth.

" Hmm. It's because, I'm too handsome for my own good. If I uncover my face, everyone will fall for me including guys. Wanna try Naruto-kun, Sasuke-kun, Sakura-chan?" Kakashi purred teasingly.

Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura blushed and shook their heads. They quickly finished their meals in silence.

"Ne, ne, Sakura-chan." Naruto said as the three of them lay on the grassy field, underneath the starry sky. Kakashi was in the tent, either sleeping or reading. Most probably the latter.

"Hmm?"

"Can you see that star over there?" Naruto pointed to a random star.

"You mean that bright one?"

"Uh-huh. That's really pretty don't cha think?"

"Yeah." Sakura agreed.

"You know, if I had a star for all the times I'm happy with you guys, I would have more than the sky's."

"Tch. Mushy dobe." Sasuke muttered.

Sakura grinned. "Why don't you guys go sleep first. I'll guard the area first."

"I'll guard too." Sasuke said.

"Hey! I want to guard with Sakura-chan!" Naruto yelled.

"Stop it both of you. I'll guard alone. End of conversation." Sakura said.

"Fine." Naruto said and turned in. Sakura sat up and leaned against a tree. She noticed the younger Uchiha still not going to bed and turned to him with a questioning look.

"What?" She asked him.

"I'm not sleepy yet. I'll stay up with you." He said.

Sakura smirked inwardly. She could tell that Sasuke was worried for her even though he never showed it in his face or eyes. Ino-pig would surely be jealous if she knew. Then again maybe not because she already had the lazy genius, Shikamaru.

"Suit yourself." Sakura said. Sasuke sat down on the other side of the tree.

"Sakura." Sasuke said and scooted over to Sakura.

"Yes? " Sakura asked surprised. Sasuke was never one to start a conversation.

"We're surrounded."

'Oh shit, oh shit.' Sakura thought.

Sasuke leaned in closer to Sakura. "I recognize the chakra to be those of Akatsuki's. Wake Naruto and Kakashi."

"There's no need to. Naruto's already up.I froze his movements and forced him to stay in the tent. I expect they are after him." Kakashi said as he came out of the tent. He threw a kunai at some bushes.

"Show yourselves." Sakura said. Sure enough, Uchiha Itachi, Hoshigaki Kisame, Sasori, Deidara, Zetsu, Hidan and Kakuzu appeared out of the bushes. Sakura counted them mentally. Only seven out of nine members were here. They were out numbered . Sasuke growled and charged towards Itachi, Chidori in hand.

"Itachi!" He yelled. Itachi sidestepped the attack easily.

"Sakura-chan! Behind you!" Naruto yelled as he ran out of the tent.

Sakura escaped just in time as Deidara caused a clay bird to explode where she was standing. Sakura threw some kunais and shurikens at Deidara and avoided the clay birds. Naruto ran towards her side.

" What are you doing Sakura-chan? You are going to get hurt! Save your chakra for healing us." Naruto said while fighting off four Akatsuki members along with Kakashi.

" Sakura? Wait aren't you THE Haruno Sakura, Tsunade's apprentice, un?" Deidara asked.

" Yes. Is that a problem?" Sakura hissed and dodged Zetsu's stray tentacle.

Deidara smirked. He ran towards Itachi and told him something. Itachi nodded and paralysed Sasuke. Sakura barely blinked when Itachi suddenly appeared behind her and grasped her arms.

" Let go of me." Sakura struggled his strong grip.

" Kunoichi, we have a proposition for you." Itachi said coldly.

" I don't want to listen to any of your proposition." Sakura hissed as Itachi dug his nails into Sakura's bare arms.

" Oh? Watch your companions die than." Itachi said. Before her green eyes the Akatsuki had all three of them knelt before her with blades at their necks.

Itachi laughed coldly as the katanas were raised.

" Wait stop! What do you want me to do?" Sakura pleaded helplessly.

" You are to join Akatsuki and serve us as our Medic. You must heal us when we get injured." Itachi said.

" I…I…" Sakura was at lost of words.

" I take that as a no. Know that your companions died because of your selfishness."

" No," she whispered, " Stop."

Akatsuki held their weapons for the second time.

" I'll join Akatsuki on one condition. You must never attack Konoha or the Kyuubi anymore."

" Very well. Say your goodbye's and don't try anything. If you do, Leader-sama will send us to attack Konoha.

Sakura nodded resentfully and walked towards her ex-teammates as he released her.

Akatsuki lowered their weapons still prepared for anything.

" W-What's going on Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto whispered, confused.

Kakashi shook his head sadly. " Sakura-chan sacrificed herself for the safety of Konoha and you."

"N-No…" Naruto whispered brokenly as tears pooled in his cerulean eyes.

"I'm sorry Naruto. I'm so sorry. Remember to take care of yourself. I'm sure you would be a great Hokage some day. Don't forget to bring the ring when you propose to Hinata." Sakura said sadly as her own tears dripped onto Naruto's face. She kissed his cheek and hugged him one last time. Sakura stood up and turned to Kakashi.

"Kakashi-sensei.. Don't read the Icha Icha series too much. Find someone to love to keep you busy. I'll miss you." Sakura said and hugged the tall Copy Nin.

"I'll miss you too. I'll tell Tsunade. Take care of yourself Sakura-chan." Kakashi said and ruffled her pink hair sadly. Sakura nodded and wiped away her tears. She released herself from the hug and turned to the brooding Sasuke.

"Sasuke, forget about your revenge. I know it would be hard but please forget it. Take care of yourself. Be sure to watch over Naruto." Sakura said and hugged him. She released him and gave the three of them one last smile before turning away.

" Sakura. Wait." Sasuke tugged on her hand. Sakura turned.

" I… I love you." He said loud enough for the both of them to hear.

Sakura smiled sadly. 'Too late' she thought. If he confessed six years earlier, she would have said the same thing but now, she no longer loved him.

" I'm sorry, Sasuke…kun." Sakura said, adding the suffix one last time before turning away.

∞End Flashback∞

Sakura smiled sadly. Her heart wrenched painfully and Sakura pressed a palm to where her heart was located, attempting to stop the pain. Two months had passed since she sacrificed herself. Two months had passed since she joined Akatsuki. Two months spent without seeing Naruto, Sasuke and Kakashi. Sakura felt tears brimming in her eyes but held it. She no longer wanted to cry. She wiped it away hastily and proceeded to comb her hair.

Sakura gathered her waist length hair pink hair into a ponytail and twisted it into a knot. She held it in place by using a few senbons and a beautiful metal hair pin that had Sakura flower patterns weaving around it. Set on the tip of the pin was a beautiful jade. Sakura gazed at her reflection and forced a smile onto her lips. It looked fake to her but she knew it was real enough for the others.

'Time to start the day.' Sakura thought and left her bedroom.

So what do you think? Boring don't you think? The first few chapters are going to be quite boring. I guess the humour shall only start in the later chapters or sumthing. Do tell me what you think in the review. Flames are accepted.

Ja-ne!

Stephanie