Well, this is my first Naruto fanfic I've started. So go easy on me!

I OWN NOTHING! Got that? Just the story idea...that does count...right? Ugh, whatever.

Sasori: Get on with the damn story. I hate waiting.

Sakura: Don't tell me THIS guy is gonna be coupled with me! I killed him for god's sake!

Swissgal16: Yeah, yeah, yeah...whatever! Just deal with it. Besides, it's my story, so whatever I say, GOES.

Sakura and Sasori: *Sigh* You're sad.

Swissgal16: I know...T_T. Haha, hope you guys enjoy the story though, I'll try updating as soon as I can.

Sorry if it's not great, I know that I'm not an amazing writer at all, but I try ^^

It was 08:00AM, and Sakura's alarm had just gone off. She groaned and turned over, slamming her fist upon the annoying alarm clock.

She then threw her covers over her head again, yawning as she thought about what had happened the previous night.

Team seven had been on a dangerous mission, trying to gain information on Akatsuki's whereabouts in the Hidden Mist village.

Apparently, two of the Akatsuki members had been spotted there, leading to a confrontation with the villagers there. Tsunade was informed about this soon after and had sent Team seven to go and investigate. By the time they got there, the Akatsuki were already gone. But after finding out from the villagers about which direction they had left, the four immediately went after them. Eventually, they came across Kisame and Itachi.

Naruto couldn't help but start yelling and threatening them about where Sasuke was, seeing as they were the last lead they had on Sasuke's whereabouts.

But it proved useless, and they then ended up battling it out. But after getting caught in Itachi's genjustu, they all had to retreat. Sakura wasn't badly injured, but Naruto was in a more serious condition, ending him up back in hospital.

"That idiot…our missions are failing too often because HE always has to get macho with the enemy…" she mumbled, getting out of bed.

She then got her uniform on, and quickly ran downstairs, having a quick breakfast before leaving the house. On her way there, she met up with Sai who was also heading to the Hokage's office to give Tsunade a full report about what had happened the previous night.

By the time they got there, Sakura knocked on the door waiting to be let in.

"Enter."

She then opened the door and they both walked up to the desk where Tsunade sat, bowing before speaking.

"Sakura, Sai…you're both here to give me a report, right?" The hokage said, resting her head on her hands.

"Yes, Tsunade-sama." Sakura replied.

"Well, forget that. I have a new mission for you."

Sakura arched her eyebrows at this, whereas Sai was as usual stoic, but they both listened intently.

"We have reason to believe that Akasuna no Sasori is alive…along with Deidara, Hidan and Kakuzu."

Sakura's eyes widened at this, yelling, "What? Didn't we kill them? And wasn't it Sasuke who took Deidara down?"

Tsunade closed her eyes for a moment before replying, "You're correct. Sasori did die, but he has been revived. Along with the other members."

"What? By who?" Sakura asked questioningly.

Tsunade then sighed, saying, "We're not sure yet…but one of the ANBU reported seeing him with his old partner Deidara near the Village hidden in the rain. And another one of our shinobi spotted Hidan and Kakuzu not far off."

Sakura's face was filled with confusion and rubbed her forehead while grumbling.

"Great. So what do you need me and Sai to do then?" she asked.

"I need you to join Akatsuki." Tsunade answered.

Sai gave a slightly shocked face, not understanding what the Hokage was saying.

"Tsunade then said,

"I know it sounds crazy, but I think it's best that Naruto doesn't find out about this mission. I want you to go with Sai alone and convince the Akatsuki to let you both join. While you're there, I want you to find out about who it was that brought those members back to life. But also… Sasuke will definitely be going after Akatsuki in search of his brother, so by the time he gets there, you'll both be ready. You're a powerful kunoichi, Sakura. And Sai was part of the ANBU, so I have no doubt in my mind that you'll be strong enough to take him down. You can pretend that he was being a threat to the Akatsuki and keep him there until reinforcements are sent. I know that it's a complicated mission for just the two of you, but I have faith in you two."

Sakura nodded, understanding what Tsunade said.

"I see…so when should we set off?" she asked.

"I want you both to leave tomorrow. I'll tell Naruto that you're both going on a simple mission in escorting someone to the Village hidden in the rain. He won't make as much of a fuss if it doesn't sound like such an important mission…" Tsunade finished, sighing and leaning back in her chair. "I'm also going to give you each a booklet with all the information we've gathered on all the Akatsuki members. It has their biographies and everything there is to know about their abilities. So just go through it tonight and be prepared."

She then made Shizune give them both a blue booklet.

Sai went through it quickly and then asked, "How do we know if they'll accept us so easily?"

"You just need to somehow gain their trust. It's up to you both to find out how."

Sai and Sakura both nodded their heads, understanding what she meant.

"But be careful…the Akatsuki aren't easily fooled. So be on guard, especially you Sakura." She then said, giving her a serious look. But Sakura only blinked, confused with this.

"Why me?" she then asked Tsunade.

"Because now that Akasuna no Sasori is alive, he'll probably be after your head for killing him. Unless he's forgotten…but you'll just have to see."

Sakura gulped, remembering how powerful he was the last time she fought him. It made her skin crawl just thinking about it…all those human puppets...and especially him alone, since he had also turned himself into a puppet, which is what disgusted her the most.

"Alright, Lady Tsunade. We'll both do our best." She then said, sounding determined.

Tsunade smirked and let them both leave then, returning to her paperwork.

That evening…

"Uchiha, Itachi. Born on the 9th of June (21 Years old). Best fighting skills and abilities include Ninjutsu and Genjutsu. Slaughtered entire Uchiha clan at the age of…13?" Sakura read, feeling slightly intimidated after reading through the Akatuski biographies. "Hmmm…let's move on…"

She flipped onto the next page and bit her lip when she read it. "Akasuna no Sasori…born on the 8th of November, 35 years old, but after turning himself into a puppet, he has the appearance of a 16 year-old boy. Lost his parents at an early age…began making puppets at the age of 5. Graduated from the academy at the age of 7…became a chuunin at the age of…8?"

She continued to read his biography, both impressed and shocked as she finished. She then put the booklet down, lying back in her bed as she began thinking.

"So Sasori is alive…" she said softly. "And so are the other members…but how the hell am I supposed to complete this mission without being killed?"

She turned over on her side and thought back to the fight she had with him. He could have easily killed her at the very last moment, but hesitated and let Lady Chiyo make the last move.

"Maybe I can find out about why he did that…or ask him…wait, am I going crazy or something? This is the guy who managed to defeat The 3rd Kazekage! It's going to take a lot more than simply walking up to him and asking him about that. I need to gain his and all the other members' trust. God…at least Sai's coming with me." She then gave a relieved sigh and turned off her lamp, slowly drifting off to sleep.