Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto…sadly.

A middle aged red-head walked through the snow. His head was bowed and a forehead protector was covering his mouth. It had a crossed out sand symbol on it. He carried a pack, and walked towards the beginning of a giant forest. It stretched on as far as the eye could see. As he came closer to the edge, he paused. He heard the sound of crying and grabbed a kunai incase it was a trap. Walking through some of the dense forest, he came to a small clearing. The crying stopped and he turned in circles, slightly confused.

Suddenly, he caught site of a bush moving. He moved towards it, caution. He pulled the bush aside and lowered his kunai. Sitting in the bushes, her back to a tree, was a girl. She appeared no older than 4 and had long pink hair. She was dirty and a trail of clear tears made a path down her dirt streaked face. The tears continued to leak from her dull green eyes. She hugged her knees fearfully and gazed up at him. He lowered himself to the ground. She was shivering badly and scooted closer, as though seeking warmth. He frowned to himself, his chocolate brown eyes narrowing at the girl in slight wonder.

"What are you doing out here?"

The girl whipped her face. She sniffed and looked at the ground.

"My m-mommy and d-daddy told me to h-hide. They haven't come b-back y-yet."

"When was this?"

The girl glanced up at him and shrugged. Tilting her head to the right, she scrunched up her nose, as if thinking.

"T-three days ago I t-think."

The man titled his head in worry and reached into his bag. He pulled out a cloak and wrapped it around the girl's shoulders. A look of surprise crossed her face, and then she smiled warmly up at him. He blinked, momentarily stunned. Then he offered her a small smile.

"Would you like to come with me?"

The girl looked confused, but nodded hesitantly. The man picked her up, placing an arm around her shoulders and under her knees. He stood quickly and began walking. She folded into him and yawned softly. She looked up and tugged on his shirt lightly. He glanced down, never slowing in his pace.

"Yes?"

"What's your name?"

"…Sasori of the Red Sand."

She let loose another yawn.

"That's a nice name Sasori-niisan."

Sasori smiled.

"And yours?"

"Sakura Haruno."

Sasori chuckled. Sakura glared up at him lightly. Poking his side, she continued her glare.

"What's so funny niisan?"

"Sakura means cherry blossom. I just think it's a very fitting name, Cherry."

Sakura blushed lightly at the nickname. Yawning again, she curled closer to Sasori. She closed her eyes.

"Goodnight niisan."

"Goodnight Cherry."

He smiled as Sakura began to nod off into sleep. He picked up his pace and continued to travel as she slept peacefully in his arms.

NEXT MORNING:

When Sakura woke up the next morning, Sasori was holding her tightly. She cringed slightly as he tightened his grip to jump to another tree.

"Sasori-niisan?"

Sasori glanced down at her. Worry was evident on his face.

"Sakura, do you know anything about ninjas?"

She nodded.

"There are some chasing after us, well, me anyway. You see, I left my home village. I'm a rogue ninja."

Sakura nodded again. Sasori dodged to the left, barley missing a barrage of shuriken. He picked up the pace.

"I need you to hide while I fight them off okay?"

She whimpered but nodded as he set her behind a large rock. He patted her head and stood.

"In a few minutes some friends of mine will be here. Go with them no matter what okay?"

Sakura nodded and Sasori rubbed her hair affectingly. He rushed off, leaving her behind the rock. She peeked around the rock to watch her niisan fight. He stood in the center of a circle, surrounded by 10 sand ninja.

"Are you willing to turn yourself in and receive painless death?"

Sasori's eyes and face were completely devoid of any emotion. He pulled out a scroll and summoned some puppets. All the ninja tenses and jumped back as one of Sasori's puppets made to slash them.

"Guess that's a no."

Sasori's fingertips twitched and began to move at an incredible speed. A ninja screamed as a poisonous sword pierced his chest. He crumpled to the ground when the sword was pulled out. Another ninja fell to the floor with no sound except a thud, as his head was decapitated. Sakura watched in fear and awe as Sasori killed the rest, save the last two. Sakura watched in despair as the ninja caught a battered Sasori in two wires.

They pulled him to his knees and Sakura stood quickly. She disappeared and reappeared behind one of the ninja. She used a kunai from his pouch and slit his throat. Blood gurgled out of his mouth. She ran to the other ninja and stabbed him in the heart. He fell to the ground, motionless. Sasori detangled himself from the wires and caught a shaking Sakura in a hug. He rubbed her back and caressed her hair as she fell asleep. He then turned to the trees.

"You can come out."

A dark haired teen and a tall blue man walked out. The blue man was smiling evilly.

"Didn't tell Leader-sama you were bringing a little killing machine."

Sasori growled at him. The man held up his hands in surrender. He turned to his ebony haired partner.

"No offence meant, right Itachi-san?"

"Hn. Shut up Kisame."

Kisame pouted at his companion but turned back to Sasori. He smirked.

"Follow us."

Sasori stood and moved Sakura so she was comfortable. Then he followed the two men through the forest.

A LITTLE LATER:

"Cherry. Wake up sleepy head."

Sakura opened her eyes to see Sasori leaning over her. She gasped and flung her arms around his neck and placed her head on his shoulder. Sasori rubbed her back slowly and softly. Sakura leaned back and smiled.

"I'm glad your okay niisan!"

Sasori smiled and grabbed her hand.

"Come on. There are some people you need to meet."

Sakura hopped out of bed and followed Sasori out of the room. She held his hand as he guided her through a maze of hallways. He stopped at a door that said 'Leader'. He knocked on the door.

"Enter."

Sasori pushed the door open. Sakura walked in beside him, gazing into the dimly lit room. She could see the glowing eyes at the front of the room. Many people were sitting on the either side of the room.

"Sasori, please enlighten us to who this is."

"This is Sakura Haruno."

A small intake of breath could be heard. It sounded feminine, Sakura noted. The owner of the voice spoke.

"Pein, you don't think…"

The Leader, or Pein, shook his head sharply.

"We will find out. Sakura, come here."

Sakura turned to Sasori, who nodded and gave her a gentle nudged. She began to walk forward and stopped in front of the desk at which Pein sat. He stood and walked around the desk. He knelt down to Sakura's level.

"Konan."

His voice was clipped, as though he were trying to hide some sort of emotion. A chair scrapped across the floor almost gently. The owner of the feminine voice stepped forward.

"Yes?"

"Hold her still."

A small grunt was heard from Sasori's general direction as Konan knelt and grasped Sakura firmly by her shoulders.

"Sakura….look at me."

Sakura looked up and gasped. She stared into Pein's eyes, which were currently using a memory jutsu and were purple. Sakura went limp and Sasori cracked the table, trying to hold in his anger. Suddenly Pein stood. Sakura opened her eyes and quickly turned, catching the kneeling Konan in a hug. They toppled to the ground.

"Konan-neechan!"

A low chuckle/cough was heard. Sakura turned from the hug she was incased in and smiled sweetly.

"I didn't forget about you Pein-niisan!"

She launched herself into Leader's arms. He gave her a hug and turned her so she was sitting on his hip comfortably. He turned to the other member in the room, including Konan, who had finally stood up.

"Thank you Sasori, for bringing me back my little sister."

It was silent a moment and then-

"Holy shit! That mini bitch is your fucking sister?"

A loud smack was heard. A few curse words flew through the air and this time a shoe hit to curser. Sakura couldn't stop the giggle that pasted her lips.

"Sakura, since you will be staying here, I'll introduce you."

Sakura nodded and the room was suddenly lit.

"You already know Sasori. Next to him is his partner Deidara."

A blonde smiled at her, his blue eyes twinkling. He whispered something into Sasori's ear. Sasori's eyes closed and he punched the blond in the head. Sakura giggled; aware the two did not get along very well.

"Then there's Hidan and Kakuzu."

A silver haired, violet eyed man turned to look at her. He had classic movie star looks, but he seemed to have the classic douche bag attitude too. Hidan flashed her a smile and she blushed lightly. Next to him was a shaggy, brown haired man. He was smacking Hidan over and over again. He wore a mask, so she couldn't see his face.

"Itachi and Kisame."

Kind black eyes turned to look at her. He had long ebony hair pulled into a low ponytail. He didn't look very old, probably in his late teens. Next to him sat a tall blue man. His skin was blue, his hair was blue, but he had black eyes. He grinned, and suddenly Sakura got a picture of a crazy shark in her mind. She giggled.

"You already know Konan and I."

Sakura smiled and waved to the blue-haired woman. She snuggled closer to Pein, wrapping her arms around his neck. He chuckled.

"Last are Zetsu and Orochimuru."

A plant looking man looked off into space. He looked like a venus flytrap, and half of his face and hair were white and the other half was black. She looked at the last guy and cringed self consciously. He was pale, with long black hair. It hung limply just below his shoulders. He had purple around his eyes and he licked his lips as he stared at her. Sakura shivered. She tugged on Pein's sleeve.

"Niisan I'm tired."

Pein nodded and smiled softly. Konan looked at the tender scene from the background, sighing in happiness. Pein looked up, his smile quickly changing to a smirk. He turned to Sasori.

"Sasori. She'll stay with you while her room in getting prepared."

Sasori nodded and took Sakura from Pein's arms. She clung to his cloak and yawned. Sasori poofed to his room and laid Sakura on his bed. He covered her with a blanket and kissed her forehead.

"Niisan?"

Sasori turned and sat on the edge of the bed. Sakura gazed at him through half-lidded eyes, already dozing off.

"I think I'm gonna like it here."

She smiled and closed her eyes completely, falling asleep instantly. Sasori smiled and moved a piece of hair that had fallen in her eyes.

"I think I will too."

End of chapter

Hi! This is being updated as a happy birthday to Haku. I'm going to try updating this every day a character has a birthday until it's finished, and a few days in between. xD Hope you all like it!

Review please!

~!snow!~