Hello.

I'm Sakura Haruno, an official Akatsuki member and an all 'round kick ass chick. Yes, you've got it right. I am an Akatsuki member. To be honest, it was decided ever since I appeared in my mother's womb.

Konan's womb.

It really is the strangest thing when you wake up on your 5th birthday and instead of getting candy and doll houses you get kunai and shuriken. But the best gift I got on that impossible day was from my father. From Pein.
He gave me something he had never given anyone else. The simplest, yet the most incredible thing. He told me the truth. He gave me a choice. He offered me freedom.

~ Flashback ~

"Sakura… You're too young, I shouldn't be telling you about this yet, but I don't want to hurt you anymore than I already did. " Pein whispered. "I'm sorry that you have to go through all these complications. I'm sorry that you can't have a normal childhood. But… I will understand if you chose to leave. Having S-class criminals as parents is not the future I would have planned for myself either.
Konan and I… as well as the rest… we will understand if you decide to leave. I-if you choose freedom over us. After all, we are S-rank criminals… We will get over it. Eventually." His voice broke at the end.

Little Sakura stared at him with bewilderment. Then, small hands reached up and grasped his shoulders. "But Daddy, what are you so concerned about? That I will leave you? For what? Freedom?" She giggled slightly making her father gape at her curiously. "Wasn't it you who always told me that the only freedom shinobi will ever get, is the freedom of death? I am an Akatsuki, Father. And I follow the path that lies in front of me, never looking back."

It was times like these when Pein truly wasn't sure if his daughter really was a five year old kid who stayed in hiding for her whole life and not some incredible genius with an IQ of over 200, who'd already seen and experienced everything that this world had to offer. It was also times like these that he could be who he really was. Just a man. Just a man who wanted peace. Just a man who wanted love. And with his own, five-year old daughter, right there in his lap, he could finally relax.

~ End Of Flashback ~

"~Otou-san!" a happy voice rang through the hallways of the Akatsuki base.

Pein raised his head from all the paperwork "Hm?"

"Who has done the least missions this month?" Sakura asked.

Pein raised an eyebrow, but then smirked, catching on. "That would be Hidan. Only two assassination missions, one failed bounty hunting and one B-rank."

Sakura grinned and then yelled, "Bastard-kun meet me at the Training Grounds in five!"

There was a loud THUD then a curse and a muffled "I'll be there, Bitch-chan!"

Pein rolled his eyes. Ever since her 10th birthday, Sakura came to him at the end of each month, always asking the same question – 'Who has done the least missions this month?'

He would tell her whoever it was and said person would become her training dummy for the next week. They would end up with at least two bruises, broken bones and numerous scratches.

Sometimes Pein just loved his daughter.

~~ Time Skip – 30 minutes later~~

A panting, sweaty, bloody Hidan laid in a messy heap on the ground, Sakura towering over him without a single scratch.

Hidan groaned, sitting up. "What the fucking fuck, bitch? How did you beat me?"

Itachi sighed. Though he was secretly proud of Sakura for beating the foul-mouthed Jashinist, Hidan's lack of… well, understandable vocabulary annoyed him to no end.

Deidara and Kisame were currently rolling around on the ground and clutching their stomachs.

"H-Hidan I think I forgot to mention that neither Sasori-Danna nor I have managed to beat Saku-chan ever since she started training with the Uchiha, un!" – Deidara managed to get out between his hysteric attacks.

And it was true. Neither Deidara nor Sasori had beaten her after her much needed training with Itachi and his partner. She would come back exhausted as hell and sweaty, but content.

Hidan paled. "You gotta be shitting me. Puppet Boy lost to Bitch-chan? That's bullshit!"

All eyes turned to Sasori. "As much as I hate to say that, the brat is right."

His dignity probably suffered a massive blow, but he kept his cool.

"Alright. I'm going to take a shower and then go to Okaa-san. If you need me… well, you'll have to wait." She smiled sweetly at all of them, "Later!"

POOF!

"She learns too quickly." Kisame groaned.

"Tell me about it, un."

"Hn."

~::~

Sakura's P.O.V

"~Okaa-san! Otou-san!" I sang happily.

I loved my family. I really did. Screw the fact that they are dangerous S-rank criminals. They're adorable!

"Sakura."

"Hm?" I turned my head to the voice and saw Mother sitting on Daddy's lap. "Yes, Dad?"

Pein smiled slightly. "There's something I would like you to do. It's a sort of mission/opportunity for you."

My heart skipped a beat. I swallowed. "What kind of opportunity?"

Konan smiled at me. "Your ability to obtain information, your loyalty, and strength."

I whistled. "Day-um. It sounds serious."

Pein smirked. "It is. Unless you don't think that the Chunin Exams are serious."

It took a moment but I finally caught on. "Wait… You're sending me on the Chunin Exams?"

Mum nodded, still smiling. "Unless you don't want to go…?"

I shook my head furiously "Hell no! I wanna go! I want to prove myself!"

Pein's smirk only widened. "Good. You're leaving tomorrow."

I fist-pumped the air. "Cha! When I come back I'll be an awesome Chunin as well as the Mizukage's special Hunter-nin! Hooray!"

I stormed out of Dad's room, skipping happily.

God, Tobi is rubbing off on us…

Aw, come on Inner! Be more enthusiastic!

Yehey…

~We get to kick some Leaf ninja ass…

CHA! When are we leaving?

Sakura inwardly giggled at how predictable her Inner was.

Now, don't be so hasty.

Hmpf. Way to be a kill joy…