Sakura was anxious.

Unfortunately, her anxiety seemed to heighten her senses. She could feel sweat rolling down from her forehead. Her hands were clammy. Trivial noises made her paranoid. Her heart's thumping only made her paranoia even worse. She stole nervous side glances at the man – his features seemed inhuman – walking beside her.

The first thing she noticed was that he was humungous. She had no doubt that if she wasn't already nervous, his 6'9 height and very muscular build would have intimidated her. He had piercing black eyes, a prominent nose and shark-like teeth.

Not to mention he had blue skin. Her medical habits kicking in, she surmised that he probably had Argyria.

They stopped in front of a door with a name plate that read:

Madara Uchiha

Akatsuki CEO

Uchiha.

Shark man motioned for her to go inside as he followed suit. Immediately, her eyes took in the figures sitting before her.

She scanned them from left to right –

a young man with red hair and chocolate brown eyes sat next to…

the blonde who had a smirk on his face who sat next to …

the guy with olivine hair and caramel skin who sat next to…

a man wearing an orange mask who sat next to…

another man with orange hair and several facial piercings who sat next to…

another guy who also had red hair who, finally, sat next to…

a woman with short blue hair and a labret piercing.

With the exception of the man with the mask, she noted that they were all good-looking – even intimidating. All of them wore similar black robes with red clouds. And their eyes… held a glint of curiosity that was almost ominous….

Her anxiety came back upon realizing that they were all probably going to be her judges.

"Ah, thank you Kisame, you may sit," said the masked man whom she presumed was Madara Uchiha. She wondered how he was related to Sasuke.

As Kisame took a seat beside the blue haired woman, Madara's attention reverted to her. His only visible eye moved down her figure. Though her ensemble: black yoga pants and a fitted white shirt, looked conservative enough, his gaze made her feel naked. It was uncomfortable.

"Miss Haruno?" Madara asked rhetorically. "You may begin."

Sakura started off with a pirouette, initially feeling self-conscious in the midst of the silence and attentive gazes.

This is a mission, Sakura. Focus.

With a slight nod and a deep breathe to reassure her self, she transitioned from an arabesque pencheė to a chassė, easing into a rond de jambe, then into a grand jetė. Not wanting to make it seem like a ballet show, she incorporated hip thrusts and torso undulations in the choreography which piqued the interests of the male audience. Sakura felt her warm body tingle with energy as she performed air flares and body rolls. She was fully immersed in the dance and she had to admit, she felt sexy. She ended her audition number with chaînės turns and a bow.

"Excellent," Madara praised. "We will give you a call within the week once we have decided."

Sakura bowed one last time and left the room with a heavy sigh of relief.

Whew. That was nerve-racking.

"Cherry blossom's definitely for keeps!" Deidara exclaimed as soon as Sakura left the room.

There was a murmur of assent at the blonde's opinion.

"Mmhm, she was hot too!" Yahiko chimed in earning him a smack from the blue haired Konan.

Ignoring Yahiko's complaints about the consequential headache, Konan contributed, "I approve. She's different and I anticipate that she will be a sensation at Club Akatsuki."

Madara judged from the ensuing silence that they all agreed with her. He himself could not deny that the pink haired wonder had made a lasting impression. Without further ado, he motioned to the man with rich caramel skin and olivine hair, "Then Zetsu, be sure to give her a call tomorrow."

"Oh, Itachi, don't leave…" purred the busty woman slung over his left arm.

The raven haired man looked unfazed by the woman's attempt at seduction. He smirked. Women…they're all the same.

It was two hours before midnight and Club Akatsuki was filled to the brim. The dance floor was swarming with sweaty bodies, moving in various rhythms as The Pain rocked the stage. Yahiko, the front man, slid his fingers skillfully across the guitar frets as he sung their hit song "Children of the Rain". Konan played the bass alongside while Nagato thrashed on the drums, occasionally twirling the drumsticks between his fingers like a baton.

Itachi sat on a corner booth with the two girls he picked up, Jun and Ximena. They were certainly attention-grabbing with their short dresses that exposed their big breasts and long legs. And while they were entertaining the first couple of hours, he soon grew weary of them. Carefully, he tried to pry their attention off him but to no avail.

"Yo, Itachi!"

Itachi's head shot up in relief. He stood up forcefully and walked towards Kisame leaving two upset women.

Kisame shook his head. "You know, it wouldn't hurt to add some women with class to your list."

"What for? They're only good for a couple of hours anyway."

"Yeah, well Boss is pretty miffed that you weren't at the judging."

"Hn."

"We had a meeting too. Boss assigned us to capture the beast Rōshi."

"Anything else?"

Kisame shook his head.

"Then it's best we leave as soon as possible."