\/p>
Two out of Three
Chapter One; Burn a Bridge or Two
By Chibi Ra Chan
Rated T
Pairing(s) ItaSaku some DeiSaku
Enjoy!
-----
'I told you to send a message to Shishou first," Inner Sakura cooed, "But no...You didn't listen. Now look at what you've gotten yourself into"
The twenty year old medic nin did not need her inner self gloating to her at the moment, though she knew she was right. It was supposed to be a simple B-ranked mission, heal the daimyo's son and return to Konoha, a two week mission at most.
Her intuition told her to send out a hawk to Tsunade-Shishou when the elder told her that daimyo's son was off in Iwa on business. That should have been a major clue, but she ignored it and started back toward Konoha.
Now look where it got her.
'Damn! It was a trap, I should have known!'
Sakura glared hard at the man standing on a bolder nearly 15 feet away from her. The blood red clouds and blonde hair gave away his identity long before he spoke to her. 'Deidara...the one with mouths on his hands.' She clearly remembered him from her encounter with his partner, Sasori almost 5 years ago.
He looked the same, still rather feminine and short. Though his eyes were not as playful as she remembered. 'Great. Only I can stumble upon an Akatsuki member when he's pissed off.'
Sitting next to him was a man in the same cloak, she did not recognize him. An odd orange mask covered most of his face, she could see ruffled black hair and judging only from the way he swung his legs back and forth over the rocks' edge, Sakura would bet he was rather young.
Deidara stared at her coldly, blue eyes looking both tired and bored. "Haruno Sakura...Un?" Though is came out as a question she doubted it was truly one. Silently, Sakura weighed her options. She could try to bolt now, but she doubted she could out run not only one, but two Akatsuki members, and she wasn't in a hurry to try anytime soon.
That left her other option, which wasn't very appeasing either. Stay and see what they wanted.
Tensing up slightly she channeled a bit more chakra into her fist, just in case. "Hai."
The blond only stared at her more. "Your presence is requested-" he laughed a bit as he said 'requested' And she could figure out why. When he said request he really meant she didn't have a choice one way or another about it. "-By our leader, we are to 'escort' you there now, un."
'Like that's gonna happen!" Inner Sakura roared, giving her outer self a bit more confidence. Sakura cracked her knuckles and readjusted her gloves. "-And if I were to refuse this 'request'?" She watched with growing concern as Deidara smiled for the first time during this little encounter. Suddenly Sakura understood that despite his innocent appearance, that the blond was truly an S-class criminal. His next words chilled her to her core.
"Refusing is not an-"
Or at least is would have chilled her to the core if his partner hadn't chosen this moment to let out an extremely loud, extremely childish sneeze.
"...Option."
It was silent for a moment before Sakura couldn't help herself and laughed out load with much gusto.
Deidara on the other hand wasn't nearly as amused as the pink hair Kunoichi. "Danmmit Tobi!" He kicked his partner, Tobi, swiftly on the head. "Do you have to ruin everything Un! I was in the middle of intimidating her!"
Tobi rapidly swung his head and arms around in self defense. "Sempai! Tobi didn't mean it! Tobi's a good boy! He tried to hold it in he really did!"
Sakura, whose laughter had finally subsided, watched in awe and confusion. Was she really afraid of these two idiots five minutes ago? How the hell did they get into the most feared Criminal Organization in existence? Well, she wasn't going to let their bantering get in the way of her escape. Tip-toeing as quietly as she could, the pink haired medic sprang into action, and soon became lost in the dense forest.
By the time Deidara had finished taking out his frustration out on his annoying partner, he realized, a bit too late, that their target had long since left and he could feel her chakra growing fainter as she travel deeper into the forest. Sighing dejectedly, Deidara sniffled a bit before rubbing his nose. 'Damn Leader-Sama, we don't need some medic. Especially one with pink hair un. This is stupid.' Oh well, he couldn't really argue with him anyway. He growled in annoyance more to himself than to his partner.
With a slight nod to Tobi they were soon off in the forest searching for their 'guest' again.
"This had better be worth it, un."
---
After an extremely elaborate plan that included breaking and entering, a hair dryer and several candy bars, Deidara and Tobi had managed to secure one Miss Haruno Sakura. (Tobi was so proud of his plan.)
Said medic-nin wasn't especially happy about it and she would be trying to make a run for Konoha any moment now if it wasn't for the fact that she was due for a 'meeting' with the Akatsuki's leader.
And she couldn't just turn down a meeting like that. Only a hand full of people had ever seen the man face to face, (and lived to tell the tale) though she wanted nothing more than to go home, she couldn't miss a rare chance like this.
No literally. She couldn't. She was tied to a chair.
'This is so pitiful' She thought to herself when the door opened revealing a man with bright orange hair and multitude of piercing. His face was calm and relaxed as if he sent his Subornments to steal little girls from their villages all the time. By his side was a very beautiful woman with blue hair and matching eyes. She seemed bored, even irritated. 'What crawled up her butt and died?'
The man sat down in the chair across from her and studied her, his mind was clearly analyzing her appearance and comparing it to what he had heard about her. The woman merely stood leaning against a wall. Every now and then she would send a glare toward Sakura's way, but said nothing none the less.
"Haruno Sakura, I presume? You may call me Pein." he did not wait for her response and released her from her restraints. She wasn't stupid enough to actually try running. That would be suicide, and however grim the situation maybe, Sakura wasn't in the mood to die anytime soon.
"With someone with your reputation, I had expected someone older and more experienced. Defiantly not a pink haired little girl." His voice was light, yet held a clear authoritive tone.
"This isn't exactly what I was expecting either. So I guess we are even" The words slipped out without Sakura really thinking about it. Almost immediately she wished she could take the statement back. It was best not to anger this man if at all possible, he had access to the world strongest shinobi, and she'd be willing to bet he wasn't exactly a push over himself. She didn't want to die anytime soon. And here she was probably pissing him off.
Pein merely raised an eyebrow at her brashness. "None the less, appearances can be deceiving. I'm sure you are a bit curious as to why an S-class organization such as the Akatsuki, has temporarily pulled you from your village."
'Nah, it happen all the time.' Inner Sakura answered sarcastically. Outer Sakura nodded.
"As I have said before It has come to our attention that you are the apprentice of The Sanin Tsunade. I'm sure you've realized that this isn't something many can claim. Because of your expertise in medical ninjutsu, I felt that you were the most qualified for the task at hand."
Sakura just stared at him. Was he complimenting her? That could not be a good sign. Something deep inside her told her that this was going to be more than a simple 'task' as he had called it. "Despite my qualifications, I'm sure you are aware that I am a Leaf kunoichi. Assisting you or your members in anyway will be considered treason against Konoha. What makes you think that I would betray my village for a organization of murders?" Her voice held no false bravado, Sakura merely spoke to truth. He was clearly insane if he believed she would help them.
Pein literally swatted away he statement with a flutter of his hand. "That is unimportant. Your own life depends of you completing this task." Sensing her coming out burst, he continued his voice lifting a few decibels. "-Not to mention I am willing to trade something in return for you services."
Now he really had Sakura's attention. What could the Akatsuki possibly possess that she would want, let alone betray her village for? The absurdness of the idea was so laughable that she would have done so if Pein had not spoken again.
"We are aware that you are quite close to the Kyuubi Jinchuriki. In exchange for your medical assistance we will agree to hold off all plots to capture the Kyuubi for a period of one years time." The blue haired woman who had listened dispassionately this whole time, now whipped her head around to stare wide eyed at Pein so fast that Sakura could barley follow the movement
"Pein-Sama! Surely you don't mean-"
"Konan" He held up his hand and she quieted immediately. "I am well aware of my actions." his gaze had not wavered from her face the entire time, not that Sakura had noticed. No Sakura was still stuck on the whole 'leave Naruto alone for a year' thing. Kami, a whole year! Imagine what kind of plot they could come up with in a year! They could figure out a way to stop the Akatsuki long before the Akatsuki could even strike. This was just the kind of certainty they needed. And so what if she had to bend a few (12) moral and legal rules to obtain a year worth of peace for her friend. Shishou would understand wouldn't she?
Probably not, but Sakura could over look that glaring little fact. For now at least
"Sakura-san, Your answer please?"
Sakura looked at the man in front of her, he was a dangerous man. She might as well be making a deal with the devil himself. This was strictly against everything they had taught her in a academy. Never deal with the enemy. The sensible part of her, screamed at her to say no and die knowing she had been a good shinobi. Luckily, Inner Sakura quietly beat that part of her into a metal pulp and Sakura was left with only one solution.
Sakura looked straight into Pein strange eyes, determination within her growing. "What exactly will I be doing?"
----
Things I'd like to clarify :
1) I know Tobi's all evil and Madara-y now, but I love childish Tobi so much more, so that's the Tobi you get.
2) My knowledge on Pein is limited, so I'm guessing on how he'd act around others. Most of my ideas for Pein's attitude came from Lady Hanaka's Maelstrom. (She's God I tell you, God!)
3) A bit on Sakura's willingness to assist them. I wanted this fic to be more lighthearted then most ItaSaku's out there. Not That I don't love a good angst filled story, but sometimes I want to read something on the happier side. Not that anything about Itachi screams rainbows and kittens, but you get my drift. (I hope)
Heh, The only thing I can say about this is that it is the product of my own fever and nightquil induced mind. It's my first time writing for ItaSaku, though I've been a diehard fan of it for a few years now. I know there's no Itachi in this chapter, but patience my babies. He'll be coming in soon, I just have to set everything up.
Forever and Eternally, Ra
\/p>