Chapter One: Seven Years Previous.

"You called for me, Shishou?" a pink-haired kunoichi asked as she entered the Hokage's office, quietly closing the door behind her. She wore her usual hospital attire consisting of, a navy blue above the knee skirt, a white button up shirt -with Dr. Haruno stitched on the name label- and her black, leather ninja boots.

The busty-blonde looked up from behind her desk, at her apprentice; and gave a slight nod of her head, 'Yes', as her face took on a more serious posture.

It was silent for a moment as the 16-year-old kunoichi stood at the door, gaze locked with the Hokage, her Shishou. Something wasn't right, she could feel it.

"Take a seat, Sakura. We have something important to discuss."

Her head turned to look at him as he spoke. When did he get here? How does he always do that? She hadn't even noticed he was in the room, until just now, and he wasn't even masking his chakra. He was leaning against the wall, with his arms crossed over his chest. Her former-sensei looked the same as usual, but there was something he was hiding behind that, eye-crinkling smile. Also, there was no sign of Icha Icha coming out his pocket anytime soon. Something serious was going on, and she didn't like it. Not one bit.

Sakura compiled, brows furrowing as she took a glance at her Shishou. Her eyes were slightly bloodshot and heavily lidded. But the young jounin couldn't quite tell whether, it was from lack of sleep, or too much alcohol. One could never tell these days. Crossing one leg over the other at the knee and sitting back, she spoke up.

"Shishou, Kakashi-Sempai.. What's this about?" she asked slowly, but their was no answer from either of them. "I know something's going on, am not some naïve little genin anymore. So spill, what's this about?" She asked again, raising her voice a little-- but not disrespectfully.

"Akatsuki." was all Tsunade said, without looking up at her. Apparently the non-existent chip, in her perfectly red manicured nail, was more interesting.

"Riiight.." She prodded.

"And possibly, Sasuke." Her silver-haired, team leader added.

Her mouth hung agape as her eyes widened. "Huh?"

"Akatsuki have been laying low for some time now. Jiraiya has just gotten wind that they have captured the fifth bijuu; meaning four jinchuuriki have been killed, since the Sanbi didn't have a host. More importantly, Akatsuki is making a move." Tsunade began.

"B-but that means, they only need t-three more before t-they.." She stuttered in response.

"Correct. They only need three more, before they come after Naruto, the Kyuubi." The blonde grimly finished for her.

"No way.." She gasped. Her brows furrowed again in confusion. "What's this got to do with Sasuke?"

"He is after his brother, as you know. Itachi is a member of Akatsuki. Meaning to get to Sasuke, we need to get to Itachi, the Akatsuki. Effectively killing two birds with one stone." She nodded slowly. "Sasuke isn't entirely what this mission is about, Sakura, but if we can get to him whilst were at it.." Kakashi explained.

A look of understanding passed between them, as he spoke; the Uchiha was the side mission.

"I understand." She interrupted, putting on a serious face of her own, emerald eyes glinting in determination, she spoke fiercly, "So this is to do with Naruto's safety, the villages safety. Ill do everything in my power to help, Shishou, Kakashi-Sempai."

The room went grimly silent again, and Sakura began to wonder if she had said the wrong thing; luckily for her, it didnt stay that way for long. Tsunade cleared her throat; but with that signal, the pink-haired kunoichi began to speak.

"If this has to do with Akatsuki and Sasuke, why did you only summon me? I understand, if you don't want to get Naruto involved, but Sai too?" She looked up quizzically at the silver haired man, "Aren't we a team?"

He could feel her gaze burning into him but kept his focus on nothing in particular out the window, his gaze troubled.

"I wanted to talk to you alone, Sakura. Kakashi is only here because he is your team leader." She looked pointedly at her then, "Sakura, I'm sure you've already guessed, but what we discuss today must not, under any circumstances, leave this room."

"Hai." She replied, eyeing her shishou suspiciously.

She looked from her Shishou to her team leader, and the look he gave her, was far from reassuring. It was the complete opposite, haunted and grave. He had never looked at her like that before, and now she wasn't sure if she wanted to hear what she was going to be told. If she knew anything about the older jounin, was the only thing he feared was losing his comrades, whether it be from death or defection. Sakura was beginning to get where this was going, and suddenly she wished she could take back her earlier words.

'Those who break the rules are scum.. But those who abandon their friends are worse than scum.' Her former-sensei's -famous little- speech echoed in the back of her mind.

No she didn't, she would do anything for her comrades, she would never lower herself to be considered scum.

"I need you to understand that you will be labelled a traitor, as this mission does not exist, Sakura. It will be physically and psychologically, difficult. We need to find out what the leaders plans are, what he wants the bijuu for. We need the names and abilities of each of the members. We need to locate all the secret bases and hideouts, more importantly, their main base. They are a very secretive organisation, as they have been for many years; they will not give out this type of information to a personal maid, chef, or medic. We need to infiltrate to gain such knowledge." The Hokage took in a deep breath, and looked the pink-haired kunoichi -her student and pseudo-daughter- in the eyes, as she studied her with a mixture of concern and resolution. It had to be done, there was no other way. "I'm giving you an espionage mission-- You may decline, if you do not wish to do it. There is no other way to say this, so am just going to say it out right. I need you to join Akatsuki; not as a subordinate, but as a full-fledged member."

She needs you to..

The young jounin was taken aback, her lips parting in surprise. She should have knew this was coming. It explained the grave look Kakashi gave her earlier, the unusual seriousness in which Tsunade was addressing her, and the thick, chilly atmosphere. She couldn't help but wish this was some kind of sick joke. Some way for paying her back for the Icha Icha book of Kakashi's she burnt, in training the other day, or for telling Shizune where Tsunade's stash of sake was hidden. Although the horrible sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, was telling her otherwise, as the words gradually sunk in.

"What?!" She exclaimed, as she flew out her seat, fear and dread finally washing over her. "That's like asking to be.. Tortured.. Or killed." She ended in a whisper. She couldn't breathe, never had she been so scared. And what was worse, she realized, she would definitely be doing this mission alone. Her friends would hate her, Naruto would be furious.

...Join Akatsuki.

If you don't then you'll be..

"I mean I cant anyway. The leader only recruits freaks… Ne? They've got a walking sushi-bar with blue skin, a wooden puppet, an insane clan-killing Uchiha, ones got mouths on both hands, there's that weird green fly-trap one, not to mention.."

"Sakura!" Her frantic rambling just got cut short.

...Worse than scum.

The jounin ranked kunoichi -Student of the Legendary Sannin, Tsunade, and the Infamous Copy Ninja, Hatake Kakashi- panicked. Never had she been given such a dangerous yet important mission, that the world depended on before. Ever. She calmed her nerves by inhaling deep and exhaling slowly, sitting back down. She felt dizzy, this was to much. This went on for a few minutes as the three stared at each other. She knew they both didn't want her to take this mission, as much as she didn't want to take it. Though she knew it was necessary, or they wouldn't have asked.

She closed her eyes, and said doubtfully, in an almost inaudible whisper, "I'll do it."

Now it was the copy ninja's turn to be frantic. He knew exactly what they were asking of her -but even he hadn't done such a dangerous mission like this- he never expected she'd take it. He was infront of the hokage's desk in less than a second, giving the most pleading eye, she had ever seen.

"Hokage-Sama, No. Theres always someone else. She cant.. I cant let her do this." He pleaded urgently.

Sakura's eyelids flew open. Big, wide emerald orbs stared at his back, in shock. She knew he didn't want her to do this, but she had no idea he disagreed this bad. She wasn't mad. She understood that this wasn't about her capability as a kunoichi. It was about his fear of loosing her, loosing a another team-mate, another friend. As much as she wanted to agree with him on this, she knew it had to be done.

With as much confidence as she could muster, she got up, and stood side by side with her team leader. Placing her hand over his, she gently rubbed it in a reassuring manner, as well as to show her appreciation.

He turned to his left, watching her. He saw the conflicting emotions swirling around her deep pools of green. He wished he could have done it in her place. He was already in the bingo book, so that wouldn't be such a problem. He had to admit to himself though, he would never be believed.

Kakashi looked down at their hands as her soothing motion stopped. It looked so small compared to his. Soft and unmarked. She was so young, and had so much left to live for. She needed to find her Mr Right, have babies, and grow old. Old but happy.

"Kakashi.." His former student brought him out of his reverie. Where did sempai go. She never called him, just Kakashi. When she passed the jounin exam and he insisted she dropped the sensei because they were equals, she simply changed it to sempai. Maybe she was trying to show him she's all grown up now and can hold her own. He knew she could hold her own -pretty damn well at that- but it wasn't the point, she was like his little girl, and he would always be there to protect her. With this mission thought, if anything went wrong, he couldn't. She was about to go into enemy territory, S-class criminal territory. She was going to try and join them-- join the biggest criminal organisation, in all the shinobi nations.

He looked up at her, and was met with that bright smile, and a glimmer in her eyes that he couldn't quite understand in a situation like this.

When she had his attention she continued, knowing he was all ears. "'Those who break the rules are scum.. But those who abandon their friends are worse than scum.'" She looked him in his exposed eye, and said with finality and determination, "Id rather be scum."

He looked at her a long moment. Her earlier words echoing in the back of his mind. 'Am not some naïve little genin anymore.' She was right, he realized. She didn't need protecting anymore. She was strong enough to watch her own back.

He sighed heavily and squeezed her hand, his eye creasing in that crescent moon shape, showing he was smiling behind that mask. "You always have a way of throwing my own speeches back at me.. don't ya." It wasn't a question, it was just his own way to show he understood perfectly, what she was trying to say.

The hokage looked at two of her most trusted subordinates, and hid her smile. It looked like the Infamous copy-nin was the one more bothered by this. "I guess I should explain the details."

Taking a deep, weary breath the blonde continued, as the male occupant of the room stared unseeing out the window at the back of the room, and sakura took her seat again, "Firstly, you will have to become a missing-nin, a real rogue-shinobi. We cannot lie and just say you abandoned Konoha, their leader would know; as he has many sources of information, to confirm if its true or not. No one will know it was a set-up, not even your comrades. Secondly we need a crime. Something to arrest you for, that's so bad you would flee to avoid punishment. You will be in every bingo book, should you make a name for yourself -which is highly recommended, to catch the Akatsuki's attention- If that is the case you will be hunted by hunter-nins, from every country; including Konoha. I will make it so our ANBU and hunter's bring you back alive, should you be caught, but id prefer you didn't. A warning though, the other countries will be under no such obligations. They will kill you on sight. If you want to survive an encounter, you will have to escape.. If necessary, kill them."

Sakura's eyes widened a fraction, she did her best to suppress the gasp of shock, that escaped her full lips. She continued to listen intently-- soaking in all the information she could.

"Once you pass the first stage and become an official missing-nin, preferably in the bingo book; you must catch the Akatsuki's attention. They should come to you. Convince them that you will be a valuable asset to their organisation. I believe you are the only shinobi capable of succeeding, for various reasons."

"How so?" She couldn't help but question.

"If we sent Kakashi, it would be obvious, he is known world wide as a loyal Konoha shinobi. If we send Naruto, they would extract his bijuu, resulting in instant death. You get where am going with it."

"Yeah, I suppose. But why me..? I don't even have experience in espionage, shishou. Why cant you just send an ANBU?"

"You may not be ANBU-Ranked, but you have surpassed me Sakura, there's hardly anything left for me to teach you."

She was not hearing right, she wouldn't believe it for a second. It was some kind of illusion Tsunade was trying to create, to make her feel better about herself, and more confident in her skills. "You don't have to lie shishou, even I'm not dumb enough to believe that. You way outclass me, I mean you're the hokage for goodness sake-- one of the legendary Sannin."

"Would I lie to you Sakura?" the blonde replied, with a pointed look on her face.

"Then how?" she replied, still with a look of disbelief.

"Because you have taken Naruto's strange power. People are drawn to you, trust you and grown to like you. You may not have a weird Kekkei-Genkai like the other members of Akatsuki, but you make up for it in other area's. Your perfect chakra control, inhuman strength, medical Ninjutsu as well as powerful jutsu, such as Rasengan and Chidori, in your arsenal. On top of all that, you are a Genjutsu specialist. Those will be looked on as valuable assets, to their leader. You are the only one who can do this Sakura."

Kakashi who had been gazing out the window, looked at the pink-haired kunoichi, "You never give yourself enough credit, neither did a lot of people in the past, but its true. Sakura, students always surpass there teachers in time. You're generation will be far stronger than mine, or Tsunade-sama's. It will be a matter of time before your generation take over, and rule Konoha."

"Arigatou gozaimasu." she bowed her head a little in respect.

A humble blush tinted her cheeks at her Shishou's admission. A faint nod from Kakashi showed he too thought highly of her skills as a kunoichi, that he meant what he said. Sakura couldn't help but brim with pride. It was all she ever wanted, to be accepted, and be seen as more than just a burden. It was seriously hard to get by, being on the 'all-star team' as Ino would put it. Anyone would struggle to be noticed on a team with; the Kyuubi jinchuuriki, a genius and one of the last Uchiha's, as well as having the copy-nin as the team leader. She was left out of the loop, which was one of the main reasons -along with, to help get Sasuke back- why she asked to become the hokage's apprentice, in the first place.

"When they offer the membership you must take it. Be careful and try not to look to pleased, or act hasty about it. They may sense there's something off. Do not forget you will be dealing with the worlds most dangerous shinobi, and alone."

"You may be working as a spy, but for all intents and purposes, you will be an official Akatsuki member. You will continue to take orders from me, as well as their leader. There will be things you will have to do, that you may not particularly like, or agree with; but you will have to comply to maintain your cover. It may disgust you, or make you upset, or angry. They may test you, and push you to your limits; this is were it will become physically, and psychologically, difficult. I know you are a compassionate person, but you must not become attached Sakura; or you will make it harder for yourself. Always remember to stay on your own little mission; make targets for yourself. Make them acknowledge your strength and knowledge; but don't stray of track, and get power hungry, like so many before you."

She snorted at that. Like that would ever happen. She wasn't another Sasuke-- even if he had a plausible reason.

"This will require every single skill, every single lesson, you have learnt as a Konoha shinobi. Failure is not an option. This is the real deal now Sakura. You could very well die. If you wish to reconsider, now would be the time to do so."

Sakura thought carefully for a moment. They were right, she was the only one who could pull this off. It would be risky, but thousands of shinobi would kill for a mission like this. The constant shifts at the hospital were getting boring as well. She needed a change, and this was the perfect opportunity. Also, Kakashi had said we could get a lead on Sasuke. His time was almost up. Orochimaru should need to change vessel soon. Unless Sasuke thought of something, and fast, he was finished. As a friend, a comrade and family, she could not let that happen; there was a chance that she was the only one who could save him.

"I never go back on my word, cos that too, is my nindo.. Our ninja way."

She saw a slight smile tugging at the corner of Kakashi's lips, under his mask. She could feel the pride radiating off of him. Tsunade pulled a bottle of sake out of her draw, taking a sip before saying, "Very well."

Sakura looked at her nervously for a second, then asked, "When do I leave, Shishou?"

"Not for a week, we have a lot to prepare."

"Huh?.. What else is there to sort out, apart from thinking up a crime, and getting me out of here?" she asked, with a delicate-pink raised brow.

"Why? You in a hurry to leave?" Kakashi accused jokingly.

"No." The pink-haired woman straightened out, grinning.

"You are going to be working with Shikamaru. You will need to work together, and figure out a few strategy's, and a means of communication." The blonde placed the bottle of sake on the oak desk, and looked the green-eyed kunoichi in the eye. "I will also be teaching you, Sozo Saisei."

Sakura stared dumfounded for a moment, until the said jutsu registered in her mind. "B-but that's your jutsu. I mean.. you haven't even taught Shizune it yet, why me?" she asked shocked, though the excitement was kicking in.

"You may need it Sakura. Like I said, this isn't even a ranked mission. You will constantly be in danger, its just a safety precaution, there if you need it."

"But.."

"No but's, Sakura. Let me teach it to you; if not for yourself, do it for me and Hatake, it will help us sleep a little easier at night."

"Arigatou gozaimasu, Shishou, I appreciate it." she thanked as she stood, bowing deeply.

The hokage waved a hand dismissively. "Its fine, you have the rest of the day off, I'd give you the week but that might raise suspicion. Get here by eleven pm sharp. Shikamaru will be waiting in the adjoining room. Dismissed."

A/N: So theres the next instalment. I know a few of you have been waiting patiently for this, and i know its been a long wait, but ive just finally gotten it written. I didnt know which direction to take it in at first, but i think this is the best one.

I didnt realize it, until just now, but this appears to be everyones favourite story of mine. It's not got the most reviews, but i was happy enough with the favourite's and alerts, to upload this.

I Hope you enjoyed, please review. :)

Rudiieee-Mikomii.x