Chapter One: Unexpected Decision

The massive explosion of chakra nearly blasted her backwards. Raising one arm to shield her eyes from the glare, Sakura squinted at the colossal column of pure energy. She regretted it a moment later, however, as it only grew brighter. The sheer size and brightness of the star-shaped pillar astonished her. But… What was it?

After what seemed like an eternity, the light began to die away. Quiet murmurs filled the street as locals mobbed together and pointed at the faraway horizon. Fear and uncertainty were etched on nearly everyone's faces, yet a muted sense of wonder pervaded the air. A tingle ran down Sakura's back as her sharpened medic senses registered the faint but absolute power radiating through the air from the site of the detonation; but something felt off. She'd felt this chakra before. Narrowing her eyes, she gathered chakra in the soles of her feet and took off.

It was only a matter of minutes before she skidded to a stop, jaw hanging open, at the edge of the titanic forest; or rather, what had been a titanic forest. Now it was just remains. Sakura stepped forward; right onto a singed snakeskin.

Sakura froze, and then as if in a dream bent down and picked up the small section of a clearly massive snake's shredded skin. Even from just touching it, the slight trace of chakra on it was clear. Sasuke…

Gathering her courage, she ventured to the edge of the huge crater and peered down. She could barely make out something in the middle; was it, could it be, a person?

Numb, she slowly made her way down the rocky sides. It became clear, as she drew closer, that the… thing… was indeed a human. A blonde man. It dawned on her as she walked that perhaps she shouldn't be so casually processing this. The man had practically blown everything around him to ashes… Wait. Blown?

Sakura froze.

It all made a kind of horrifying sense, as she pieced things together. The blonde hair. The explosion. The dangerous, yet familiar chakra that she had sensed. Dropping all pretense of safety now, she nearly sprinted towards the male lying so senselessly on the ground.

Her suspicions were confirmed when she reached his side. Tatters of a once-black cloak were lying at his side, and there was one tell-tale symbol printed clearly on it; the appalling sign of the organization that was attempting to kidnap and murder her best friend.

"Akatsuki."

She took a step back, shivers running up her spine. Akatsuki. The very embodiment of what her village was trying to fight against. Here was one of their members, their very own terrorist bomber; so why wasn't she trying to kill him?

Instead of calling up the deadly flare of chakra that could end his life in an instant, Sakura found herself reaching toward him, delicate fingers glowing with an entirely different chakra. It was inexplicable; perhaps her compassionate side was taking over. In one moment, he changed before her eyes; from dangerous enemy to patient. After all, she was a medic, charged with saving lives, not taking them.

Sakura scanned his injuries, grimacing. It didn't look good. There was a gaping hole in his chest, thankfully not near his heart. Burns covered his body, and bloody gashes spanned the skin that was not burned. His vitals were rapidly dropping as well. Clenching her teeth, she began directing healing chakra toward the bloody hole.

"Stop frowning, un. It doesn't suit you."

For a moment, Sakura was still, chakra flowing down her fingers. In the next moment her eyes traveled toward his face for the first time. Jade green eyes met pale azure ones, as blue as the sky. Her breath nearly caught in her throat. He was so… beautiful. Golden hair cascaded down the left side of his face. His handsome features were breathtaking, even contorted in pain.

"I didn't mean you should start ogling me either, un." He sounded amused. Coughing, he tried to sit up but then sank back down with a groan of pain.

Sakura remained frozen. It was only after the wound on his chest finished knitting itself together that she blinked and pulled herself together.

"You should be dead. I saw you die."

The blonde snorted. "I'm not as easy to kill as Sasori-danna, yeah."

This made Sakura frown in confusion. "You remember me?"

"Hard to forget the pink-haired kid who killed your partner, un." He was quiet for a moment. "Do you do this on a regular basis?"

Sakura tilted her head slightly, questioning gaze fixed on the bomber.

"Fixing up your enemies. I was under the impression that Leaf-nin hated Akatsuki, yeah." His blue- so very blue- gaze never left her face.

She hesitated. Why was she healing him? This was an act of treason, helping out an enemy. For now, though, she didn't have to justify why. "Shut up, or I'll put that hole right back in your chest."

That smirk. She'd seen that before. It only widened as she glared at him. "You almost done, yeah?"

Sakura worked her chakra through his body for another minute. "Now I am. Don't go blowing yourself up again, I didn't waste all this chakra just for you to go blow up another forest."

He just couldn't keep that smirk off his face, could he?

He stood up precariously. "What's your name?"

The corners of her mouth twitched. "Sakura."

"Thanks… Sakura." A playful smirk crossed his features. "You're not nearly as bad as you look, hm."

Sakura swatted him. "Get out of here before my teammates get here." Inside, however, Inner Sakura was swooning.

His smirk changed into something warmer, more… soft. He reached out with one hand and gently tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "Don't forget me, un."

Under her breath she muttered, "How could I, this is treason, remember?" He winked and stepped back. Reaching into his pocket, he drew out an exquisite clay bird. It flapped its wings and fluttered over to her. "For you, yeah. I'll see you again someday, Sakura."

She blinked, and he was gone.

Sakura glanced down at the beautifully crafted bird in her hand, and a small smile crossed her face.

Deidara.

Author's Note: Hey guys, this is my first story, so no flamers please! Constructive criticism appreciated!