THROUGH CRIMSON HELL

"Sakura-chan!!" That annoying brat's voice hit my ears like a thousand needles to my body. Naruto. I sighed and turned around, crossing my arms across my chest as I did so. The sight that greeted me was not a welcome one.

That baka was running up to me waving his arms like a mad man with that dopey smile on his face. I frowned, my eyes narrowing dangerously.

He skidded to a halt in front of me, but before he could open his mouth, I answered his question for him.

"No."

His eyes widened. "No, what?" He asked.

"No, I'm not going to lend you money." I told him. He scowled childishly and took on a slump posture.

"How'd you know?"

"From the fact that you only approach me when you're broke!" I whispered angrily. His lips parted as he started to protest, but I interrupted him by stalking away. Ignoring his calls for me to come eat ramen with him.

I rolled my eyes. What was with that boy and ramen?

Walking slowly through town I let my mind wander; and, as usual, it wandered to the past. I thought back on when I was part of Team Seven. Back when I was obsessed about that pretty boy bastard, Sasuke.

Geez, that night when he left Konoha, I can't believe I said I loved him. What an idiot I was. Why couldn't I see that he was distracting me? He held me back. I wanted him to feel important and the best at everything, so I never showed my true power.

I slapped myself hard on the forehead, then rubbed it viciously.

"Damn, that hurt." Only then did I notice the person walking towards me. "Oh great. I keep meeting people today. Ahh, the beautiful feeling of nostalgia." I whispered sarcastically.

Of course the person that the day decided to send to me was Kakashi.

As we approached each other he waved his hand in greeting, not looking up though, from his perverted book.

"Yo." He said. I just 'hn'ed and walked right past him. I really didn't care about him. He used to be my teacher and that's all. And he wasn't even that great a teacher! Well, at least not for me. He was great for Sasuke and okay for Naruto. But for me, well let's put it plainly; he sucked.

As my feet kept moving I found myself headed for my mother and father's graves. Soon enough they stood in front of me and I looked at them with a blank eye.

It's because of their deaths that I am who I am. As if Sasuke's betrayal, Naruto's selfishness and Kakashi's indifference weren't enough, those two had to go out and die on a mission. They died and left me alone.

I smirked as I remembered Gaara's old attitude, the whole 'I love only myself' thing. That pretty much summed up my feelings at the moment.

Throwing one last glance at the graves of my parents, I turned home, not caring about the thunder that started to crack overhead or the rain that started to pour.

By the time I got home, I was soaked. Not allowing myself to shiver I fished around in one of my many secret pockets for the key to my apartment. I found it quickly and inserted it into the lock. It gave way and I opened the door into my home.

I switched on the lights and sighed as an involuntary shiver swept through my body.

Slowly I made my way to the bathroom, wishing for nothing more than a long, hot shower. I grimaced at the noise my sopping wet shoes made against my hard wood floors.

A good forty five minutes later I finally stepped out of the shower. The hot water had felt so nice, it almost made me feel warm. Almost. But no, I still felt cold and I had a feeling I always would.

Getting dressed in my baggy pajama bottoms and t-shirt I couldn't help but to frown. Something was wrong and I didn't know what.

As I rested my fingers on the doorknob, it suddenly hit me. There was another person's chakra in my house, and it was well disguised too.

Carefully I turned the knob and opened the door. Whoever it was, sat in my bedroom, obviously waiting for me. Allowing my body to tense for a struggle I walked into my room.

All I could see was the outline of a person with an Akatsuki cloak on.

I leaned in the doorway, arms crossed against my chest in my normal pose. A couple of silent moments passed before the intruder turned their head towards me. Even in the dark I could see the familiar Sharingan eyes blazing.

"You must be pretty good to hide your chakra from me for that long," I said in my cold, emotionless voice. "Uchiha Itachi."

"Haruno Sakura. I have a message to you from the Leader of Akatsuki." He walked forward and placed an envelope on my bed, all the while keeping his gaze on me. "Please reply within a week." With that he was gone.

Cautiously I approached the message. I picked it up gently and ripped through the delicate paper envelope. And for some odd reason, what I read when I unfolded the letter pleased me greatly.

Haruno Sakura,

From what I hear of you, you are an amazing ninja

and a cold blooded killer.

We, the Akatsuki, wish for you to join us, as we would be well pleased

with the addition your combat and medical skills.

You have power Sakura-san, and we can give you more.

Leader

Slowly a smirk made it's way onto my features. The letter was right, they could give me power. Maybe if I joined I'd get to go after Naruto sometime. The very idea made me tingle with excitement. To see his face when he realizes I'm Akatsuki...

Maybe it was time I finally show these baka people what I'm was really, truly capable of doing. Yes. I should.

Besides what was left for me here? Nothing but stupid nostalgia and equally stupid people. Even Tsunade didn't talk to me much anymore, mostly only to send me out on assassinations. Basically to the village, I had become a tool. Naruto was a tool too, but he was a well loved tool. I was hated for my cold and heartless ways. For the attitude that made people cross the street just to get out of my way.

I was strong. Stronger than the Hogake and that's what scared people.

Hmm, yes. I think I'll accept their invitation.

With that decided I crawled into my bed and snuggled into my pillow as I fell asleep.

The next morning greeted me with dark clouds and thunder. Getting up I decided I'd find Itachi and tell him my reply. I dressed in wide, black pants that hid my feet, a long sleep mesh top with a tight red tank top over it and a studded belt slung low on my hips.

Standing in front of the mirror I outlined my eyes thickly in black eyeliner, making sure the ends curved up a bit, giving my eyes a more slanted, dangerous look.

Taking my Konoha Ninja headband I slashed through the symbol with a kunai then tucked it into a pocket. Strapping my ANBU katana onto my back I left, planning on never returning.

Ok. That was the first chapter in my new story. For anyone that's curious, this story is ItaSaku, but there will be no lemon!! It's rated M for strong language (occasionally), depression and violence, in other words, not for little kiddies or the faint of heart.

Please review and tell me what you think. Please (gives irresistible puppy dog eyes). Please no flaming. If you don't like it, don't read it. However anyone with constructive criticism will be welcomed with open arms.

If you start flaming me, then I'll set Itachi on you.

Itachi : grumbles "I'll do no such thing"

PureElement : growles and advances with kunai in hand

Itachi : whimpers "Ok, ok. If they flame you I'll go after them. Happy?"

PureElement : "Uh huh!!" jumps around and does happy dance

Itachi : 0.0 "Didn't need to see that."

PureElement : "Shut up!" whacks Itachi on head with chakra enhanced hand

Itachi : collapses on floor and goes into a series of convulsions

PureElement : "Oops. Oh well, review!!"

Disclaimer : IDONTOWNNARUTO!! well glad to get that out of the way