Disclaimer: I don't own the characters. They all belong to Masashi Kishimoto.

Full Summary: "I know you don't like me" Sakura said and smiled through her tears. She flinched when he leaned down. "How naïve of you, kunoichi, to say something so bold." His lips moved closer to hers, "When really," His voice was husky, seducing in every form. "you have no idea."

Pairings: SakuraxPein, Sasuke, Akatsuki, some Konoha and Suna boys.

Warnings: Some sexual situations and ocs.

"While it is important for people to see your promise you must also remember that hope is the keeper of both happiness and disappointment, the father of both progress and failure."

Bryant H. McGill

.

.

.

"Baa-Chan! Can we skip all this cheesy stuff? I want action!" the lavender eyed girl whined, whose bright yellow hair was pulled in two high pigtails.

Girls glared at her, while the boys nodded eagerly.

The old woman sighed, knowing that the girl wouldn't shut up until she got what she wanted. She was like her father.

"I am not going anywhere until you tell what that Pein wants from my Sakura-Chan!"

Her heart constricted with regret, wanting nothing more than to break down and wallow in self pity. But she nodded nonetheless, wanting to please the children of so many heroes.

"Alright, I'll skip the cheesy stuff for another time but I first have to tell you what happened next." She glared at some boys who opened their mouths to protest.

"After she healed Pein, before nightfall, because a God always gets what he wants, Sakura canceled the trap, not wanting to have another nasty surprise, and when she returned to the camp, the missing-nin was gone."

'Bastard! Not even a 'Thank you'. I swear, people are so ungrateful!'

"She wanted to continue her route when she was suddenly attacked by those rogues she first had wanted to capture. She tried to defend herself but to her shock, they were all at least Jounin-level. Don't get this old woman wrong, children, Haruno Sakura was one of the best fighters of her generation. But after not having trained for a very long time, she got rusty, and a group of Jounin-level rogues is really dangerous."

"What did they want with her?" That question was asked by a civilian girl. The only non-shinobi there. The brown-haired girl was oblivious to the weird stares everyone sent her.

"They...um...wanted to-cough- have their way with her. Bad things..." The old woman internally sighed in frustration. Civilian parents and their stupid sense of appropriate education!

"Oh...Okay."

The old woman regained her composure. "Sakura screamed, hoping some Konoha shinobi were somewhere close. But the help came from the last person she expected."

"Pein-Sama!" some girls cried.

The old woman nodded. "Seeing him, Sakura, did something that changed the whole shinobi world."

"I'll do anything, just save me!"

"What did she do?" The children leaned forward, eyes wide in anticipation.

So ignorant, so innocent... the woman thought while a slow, mocking smile appeared on her wrinkled yet strangely serene face.

"I swear!"

"She sold her soul to a God."

He could see only her chest rising and falling with each breath she took. She mumbled something before turning on her side, facing his sitting form in the darkness.

"Sasuke-kun..."

She was so weak, so pure, so beautiful.

She shivered from the cold and scouted closer to him. Her hands grabbed a handful of his cloak, before relaxing again.

So innocent.

Her hair was uncommonly bright, and he figured it must have been a hassle in battles considering how long it was. Was she really a Kunoichi? The infamous apprentice of the Godaime? Rumored to be able to bring the people from death?

To him, she belonged in a castle, surrounded by servants and guards, who praised her beauty every chance they got. A princess who still played with dolls and liked to dress in thousand different kimono's.

"Sasuke-kun...please..."

Pein frowned, which was a rare occurrence. Sasuke? Uchiha Sasuke? That brat? Why would someone as pure as her dream about the youngest Uchiha? The fact bugged him but it also made him feel something he hadn't felt in a long time.

Hope.

If she cared deep enough for someone as sinful and tainted as the Uchiha, maybe, just maybe, she could love him too?

"Wake up, kunoichi." A deep, masculine voice resounded, effectively waking her out from the dark. Her hand felt was clutching something soft and silky. Shinobi instincts kicking in, she fully opened her eyes. Silken black sheets, king-sized bed, unfamiliar room, chakra-deprived, wounds, ripped clothes, thugs, attacked, fight and... She locked eyes with her captors and shook her head.

"Pein-sama?"

Why was she here? Where was she? What does he want? What happened?

Questions pounded her through her mind, making her dizzy.

This couldn't be happening.

"Y-you-" She stuttered, and then clutched the side of her neck, where a large mauve bruise resided that the thugs had placed when she fell unconscious.

Bastards.

He placed a cold hand on her wound, ignoring how she cringed at the touch, and forced some chakra in it. The wound began gradually disappearing. "These walls are your borders, kunoichi, until you're deemed tame enough to heal my men."

"Tame?" She spat, legendary temper rising. Did they think she was a wild, brainless animal or what?

"And furthermore, who said I was going to heal your men? My job is to kill them, or did you forget?"

How could she have been so careless?

She should have let him die right when she had the chance. Like any other reasonable shinobi would have done. But deep down, Sakura knew she wouldn't have been able to do that. She was too soft, too kindhearted and weak. And she hated herself for it.

"I have perfect memory, unlike you, kunoichi." He bent down, scooped a lock of her hair and tucked it behind her ear. She flinched slightly. Why was he so cold? "I clearly remember you begging for me to save you, promising to do anything I want."

Sakura's eyes widened at the revelation. What had she done?

"Do you know what that means, kunoichi?" he asked. She fought with what little energy she had, struggling as he cupped her chin letting her face close in on his.

"You are mine."

What had she done?

"Is this understood?" Sakura wanted nothing more than to punch him through a few walls, but she knew that was right next to impossible. This was Pein, supposed leader of Akatsuki, ruthless in every way, who just had happened to fall into a Genin-level trap.

She nodded.

"Until later, Kunoichi."

Sakura stared at him, until he closed the door behind his back. Only then did she allow herself to breathe in deeply.

It was then Sakura realized her hands and legs hand been cuffed with thick steel, surrounded by piercings of sorts. She figured the piercings were lined with his chakra, it wouldn't have been worth her while to try and break free.

The room was modern and painted in dark colors but contained nearly nothing. The king-sized bed she was sitting on, the mahogany closet, a black carpet and a nightstand. The room was chilly, making the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. It was times like these that made her wonder why she had ever changed her outfit to something so revealing. Oh, right. She wanted to play hero on her own.

Stupid.

She looked down at her clothes... or what was left of it, anyway. She was practically naked. Blushing at the thought of being so...open before Pein, Sakura stood up and hurried to the ebony closet on the other side of the room and opened it. She grabbed a simple black shirt and held it in front of her.

She was going to swim in it...

She huffed in annoyance. She knew she had a petite frame compared to others but this was really beginning to tick her off. She wasn't small, dammit!

Men were giants.

"For the next hours, Sakura planned what was going to come next. She decided that she'll win Pein's trust and escape the first chance got." The old woman said. "It was and is one of the most basic rule if there isn't any other way to escape. A captor whose guard is down while around the prisoner is a dead enemy."

"I'm sorry!"

"You are not forgiven."

Sakura stared at the wall above her while laying on the king sized bed.

"Forehead! Get up, will you!"

"Sakuraaaa-chaaaan! I'm bored, let's train!"

Her chest puffed, leaving a swelling feeling deep in her heart. Ino, she missed that girl. And Naruto. Their loud and sunny personality were the sun in her dark days. She wanted nothing more than embrace them in her arms, now.

Ino with her pupil-less, blue eyes and platinum blonde hair. Her love for flowers, purple and shopping and boys. Naruto with his whiskers and tanned skin. His love for ramen and his big dream and Sasuke. How his cerulean eyes sparkled with excitement and joy. His blonde hair that was similarly spiked to Pein's orange.

Wait...

All happy memories dissipated as Pein raced through her mind. His orange hair, his deep, baritone voice, his tall frame, his numerous piercings... He was really beautiful. And strict and harsh and good and cruel. So unpredictable!

What had she done to deserve this?

Deep down she knew. Deep down she was being punished. And deep down, she knew she deserved it.

Shuffling of feet were outside the door, a few murmurs made their way to her ears, even though she could quite make out what they were saying.

"Leader-Sama, what if..."

"No, I'll.."

"...you wish..."

"Don't...she swore...mine...and if you touch her..."

Sakura breathed in deeply. What were they talking about?

She got up, sitting on the edge of the bed and desperately tried to ignore her eagerness to see the orange-haired man again. Out of habit, she arranged her sleepy attire, thanking Kami, the shower she took in a hidden room she had discovered while trying to escape. Even if she now smelled like a man-like Pein-Sama- ate least she didn't reek like a homeless rat.

The door opened and Sakura went rigid, suddenly afraid that it wasn't Pein. With the luck she had, it would be probably Kisame or worse, Itachi.

"Was Uchiha Itachi really that feared?" the violet-haired girl, Mito, looked skeptical.

The old woman chuckled humorlessly before staring in Mito's dark eyes. "Uchiha Itachi, older brother of Uchiha Sasuke. He was merely four when he killed for the first time, at his father's order."

"Itachi, were you young when you killed for the first time?"

"Too young."

"Merely six when he tortured someone for the first time, at his captain's order."

"Do you remember their screams...when you tortured them?"

"Every single day."

"Merely thirteen when he massacred his whole clan, leaving only his troubled and broken little brother back, along with a river of blood."

"Be selfish for once, Itachi! Tell your brother the truth!"

"I want to. I tried.I am still trying. But it only brings much more pain."

She smirked sadistically.

"Uchiha blood."

Some kids shuddered.

"Yes, he was feared."

Sakura nodded and glanced at the bowl in his hands, steam rose from the pot making her mouth water slightly.

Pein had stepped into the room with food and she was secretly grateful for that. She been starving.

"What is it?" she nodded to the bowl.

"Food." was the curt answer and Sakura's eye twitched in irritation.

"Really? Never would have guessed." the sarcasm was thick.

He ignored her and sat next to her. She glared at him. He was invading her personal space, making her squirm uncomfortably. He didn't seem to care.

Thinks he's God and all that.

Taking one hand out from underneath the warm basin, he slowly placed it under her chin letting his thumb open up her lips. Sakura let him place the spoon in her mouth, ignoring the urge to bite him. She valued her life too much for such a stupid act of bravery...or stupidity.

But her pride and loyalty to Konoha wouldn't let her be the obedient prisoner she was supposed to be.

"I can eat by myself, you know." she said, licking her lips. Pein stayed silent but continued to feed her and this time she didn't protest. The soup was so delicious!

With each spoonful he gave her, the warmer she became. The room too, seemed to grow warmer, though Sakura was sure it came from how close she was to the criminal than the wonderful food. Pein placed the spoon directly on her lower lip and shifted his body slightly, but it was enough to make the cooling liquid drip all around her mouth.

Sakura stared at him wide eyed, watching him take a napkin from his robe and dabbed her mouth gently. A strange feeling bubbled through her, a mix of peace, trust and admiration all combined.

He was so difficult to he made her regret ever beginning healing him, his words stung and he was so demanding and strict. But there was something in his touch that was gentle... almost caring with a touch of curiousness to it.

And that made her curious.

"Why are you doing this?" Sakura broke the silence.

He looked at her for a moment, face as always, unreadable. It was a look she was growing more familiar with as each moment passed. "Your death would be inconvenient."

The pink haired girl shook her head. "That's not what I meant. Why are the leader of a criminal organisation? Why do you capture the Jinchuuriki?" She also wanted to ask more.

Why are you so gentle? Why are so damn beautiful? Why didn't you kill me? Why me?

He paused and cocked his head slightly to the side. Damn, it made him look more cute than he already was!

"You wouldn't understand."

Sakura frowned.

Did he think she was a child or what?

But she nodded, not wanting to appear insistent and immature. They sat there in silence for a few moments, Sakura staring at her hands, determined no to show how uncomfortable she was under his stare. Then he stood, empty cup in hand, giving her one last glance before heading to the door. Sakura inwardly panicked, not wanting to be left alone.

"Pein-Sama!"

He paused, his hand on the doorknob and turned his head towards her. "Yes?"

"I-I don't- Come back soon, please."

The corners of his mouth quirked upwards.

"Of course."

The mask-wearing girl, Rin, frowned. "They are falling fast for each other."

The old woman laughed. "This sort of love has many names. 'Late Love'. 'Growing Love'. 'Second stage admiration.' 'Unexplained interest.' Maybe even 'Love at first sight'" Most boys and some girls mad gagging noises and disgusted expressions. The old woman inwardly sighed.

Children these days, no respect, no brains.

"But the most appropriate name would be 'Tragic Love'." They quieted down.

The boy with midnight blue hair and cerulean eyes, Minato, piped. "Why 'Tragic Love', Obaa-Chan?"

Obaa-Chan smiled sadly. Bitterly.

"Do I love him?"

"Sakura!"

"Because they only accept it when its too late."

.

.

.

'Oh Kami, please, don't let him die!'

"...Sa...ku...ra..."

'Please, I'll do anything you want. Just don't let him die!'

So? I'm sorry for how I had to update this two times but my laptop was running low on power and I absolutely wanted you guys to read it. But let's skip the intro and go to why this chapter update was so important.

I have some questions and unspoken answers for you guys.

1. Firstly, Pein is not Nagato. If he was I'll have to bend the story over completely and no thank you, I really don't want to write the plot all over. Besides I only love NagatoxKonan pairings. So, I repeat, Pein is not Nagato and vice-versa.

2. Sakura is average in fighting skills. Meaning: the other shinobi are way above her level. I like Sakura when she's intelligent and has the most amazing healing abilities with some bone-breaking punches as back-up. And admit it, every fan-girl worthy of her Pein posters would want Leader-Sama to come and save you.

3. Yes, Sakura completely dropped the whole fighting kunoichi thing. She's a full time medic with graceful moves to avoid being hurt on the battlefield. In this chapter, the Jounin-level missing-nin attacked her by surprise. She had no time to avoid them and flee.

4. In this story Tobi is Madara Uchiha. If he was Obito Uchiha, I'll have to throw Kakashi in and then Itachi and then Deidara and soon, Sakura will be sought out by all the boys in the manga. I don't want the story to become a SakuraxAll. Just a SakuraxMulti.

5. Sakura and Naruto have a strong bond that can often be mistaken for love. But Naruto belongs to Hinata, this time.

6. Konan will not be evil! It was one of the many things I didn't approve off in Kolesteah's story. Konan belongs to Nagato and Pein is not Nagato! Also, they will be probably become best friends so don't worry Konanlovers!

7. Sakura still loves Sasuke but begins to feel attracted by Pein. Pein already fallen for her. He fell in love with her at first sight.

8. I had writers block with the chapter where Sakura is attacked by those thugs so I decided I'll write it in short flash-backs.

9. The quotes I write above are mostly quotes that inspired me while writing the chapter. They may or may not have everything to do and nothing to do with what I write. So, don't comment about them (except if you love them).

Now the questions:

1. The love interests will be: Sakura, Pein, Madara/Tobi and Sasuke... But I still want another party. Who would you want?

2. Do you like how the story is developing? Is it too fast, too slow, too cheesy, too plain, etc?

3. Should I make the boys in Sakura's love life possessive or what? You know, the way they go all 'SHE'S MINE! MINE! AND MINE ONLY!'. Review you want one or all of them to be possessive.

Well... That's it.

By!

And don't forget to review/answer!

By!