A/N: Hey and I'm back with the actual chapter! YAY! SO I'm feeling LOADS better than I was so thanks to everyone who wished me to get better!

This chapter is full of foreshadowing: D spot it and guess what I have in mind and you get a cookie: D

Also, a few of you asked, "Why does updating take so long?!"

Well you see, as shocking as it may sound, I have other things to do. School, home stuff, projects, driving, etc.

It all takes a bunch of time out of my schedule. School basically rules 98% of my life so I'm sure you can understand why I'm being delayed, ne? So next time some of you yell at me and hurt my feelings about how you shouldn't have to wait for my chapters when the story is just beginning and isn't that great, please remember I'm human and life happens. You can't stop it. It's like my wise friend once said, "No one dies a virgin because life fucks you up at whatever chance it gets."

xD

Now, I'm super sorry for having you guys wait so long! PLEASE FORGIVE ME!

…or I will come after you with a spork :D mwhahaha!

Mic: O_O Taka-chan…you just took Nyquil didn't you?

Takara:…Maybe :D

Mic: -_-

Disclaimer: Of course I don't own Naruto silly!

Chapter 1: Decisions and Shiyuu's Guidance

Yurari yurari mau hana kagari
Aitashi omoi todokete kudasai
Chigau michi wo eranda keredo
Ima mo kokoro ga yonde iru

-Translation-

Flickering cherry blossom bonfire
Please convey my longing
Though we chose different paths
My heart is still calling for you

Hana Kagari by Shizukusa Yumi

Sakura stared at all of the Akatsuki members in the room.

...

...

What had just happened? They couldn't possibly think she was going to join Akatsuki, did they?

Sakura looked at Shiyuu, "Your leader wants me to join Akatsuki?"

Shiyuu nodded, "He thinks you will be a great asset to us."

Sakura stared at the ground. What did she think of this? What would Konoha think of this? What did Itachi think of this?

"Do…do I have to answer immediately?" Sakura asked.

A look of alarm crossed Shiyuu's face, "Of course not Haruno-san! This is too sudden to ask of you! Leader-sama will understand!"

Sakura smiled half heartedly, "Arigato Nakahara-san-"

"Call me Shiyuu, Haruno-san."

Sakura snorted, "As long as you stop calling me Haruno-san. That makes me sound like…well it makes me sound old."

Shiyuu smiled, "Hai Sakura-san."

Sakura nodded and turned around to Itachi, "I'm going for a stroll, and I won't go far."

Itachi nodded understanding that it was like she was asking for his permission. She didn't know what to do now, was she a prisoner or an ally? It was all too confusing.

Sakura was going to say 'father' when she was talking to Shiyuu about calling her 'Sakura' instead of 'Haruno'. The sense of nostalgia was all too overwhelming when she thought of this. How were her friends and family back in Konoha?

Sakura sat under a large tree and gazed up at the stars. She couldn't help but think 'What would it be like if I had chosen to go back?'

Would she had ended up a blinded fool and fell for the other Uchiha while pretending everything was how it should be?

Sakura furrowed her eyebrows. How was everything supposed to be now? Her relationship with the stoic Uchiha was…complicated. She found no reason to believe that Itachi actually held anything…special towards her rather than a small sense of ownership. That was natural for Uchiha's. They were very possessive.

And what was this about her joining Akatsuki? It gave her a great deal of pride knowing that she was acknowledged for her strength but…she had always detested the organization. It would give her reason to stay and at the same time it would help her if she wanted to find a way to save Naruto from their power hungry hands.

She took in consideration that she may have to seal away the other Jinchuriki's. Learn that loathsome and horrid jutsu to extract the tailed beasts from their holders and murder innocent people while doing so.

Could she really do such a thing?

Sakura closed her eyes and leaned up against the tree. It was at times like this she would talk with Naruto or Sai. If she needed someone's opinion or help she'd go to either one or the other. Here within the Akatsuki, she felt like she couldn't talk to anyone about this. Even though Deidara was like her closest friend and Manami was always there as a guide, she felt she had no one to go to.

Sakura wrapped her arms around her knees and rested her head on top of her arms. It was the first time she had ever felt completely and utterly alone.

Sakura closed her eyes and talked to whoever was listening, 'Please…someone…I need to talk to someone…anyone'

"Sakura-san"?

Sakura looked up to see a puzzled Shiyuu.

"Are you okay Sakura-san? What's wrong?"

Sakura smiled at Shiyuu, "It's…nothing."

Shiyuu hesitantly walked over to Sakura and sat next to her, "Ne, I may not be the closest one to you in Akatsuki but you can talk to me. I know what I just said back there was too sudden but…I think that if I knew how you felt about all of this-"

"I can't." Sakura said.

Shiyuu furrowed his eyebrows, "You can't? Oh…oh I see. I'm sorry for intruding Sakura-san I'll-"

Sakura snorted, "Not that Shiyuu-san, I just…can't join Akatsuki."

Shiyuu looked at the poor girl, she looked as if she was torn in every direction.

"Why Sakura-san"?

"The Jinchuriki"

"Ah. I see."

"No you don't! That's just it! If I talk to any other member they will say the same thing 'Oh I see'. You really don't understand." Sakura huffed in agitation and looked at Shiyuu, "Do you know what it's like to have someone close to you, almost like family, and they trust you with their whole life! Their heart even! And then you suddenly turn your back on them for someone that may end up killing them?"

Shiyuu stared at Sakura. Her eyes were becoming red and swollen. Tears were trying to force their way through her hardened eyes. She looked strong, but she was fragile and broken.

Shiyuu shook his head, "I may not know that same scenario Sakura-san. But I know what it's like to disappoint those closest to you."

"Well you are Akatsuki." Sakura suddenly gasped. She was acting out of line and she knew it.

"Shiyuu-san, gomenasai I-"

Shiyuu smiled and shook his head, "It's perfectly fine. It's what I thought after I had joined."

Sakura sneaked a sideways glance at Shiyuu, "If you don't mind me asking Shiyuu-san, but why are you in Akatsuki?"

Shiyuu gave a halfhearted chuckle and laid on the grass, "I guess you could say it was to prove my strength. I had always been considered weak. My otou-san antagonized me for it constantly. I…I wanted to do something that would please my otou-san. I went as far as asking for help from...the Akatsuki. When I had informed my father that I joined the Akatsuki, he was outraged. He said I failed him as a son and that he wouldn't tolerate such weakness any longer."

Sakura shifted uncomfortably in her seat, "What did you do?"

Sakura watched as a frown was etched on Shiyuu's face, "I killed him. Trust me when i say i didn't want to do it. He was the only family i had left, hw could i cut that part of me out of existence? But...it was a 'you kill me or I kill you' situation. One would die in the end. That's how it always is. There will always be difficulties you will have to face Sakura-san. There will be times when you have to fight and kill those closest to you. There will be times when you upset them. Fail them even"

Shiyuu sat up and looked at Sakura, "If your friends from your village are really your friends, they will stand by you with whatever decision makes you happy. Even if they don't approve of it. It's not their decision Sakura-san. It's yours."

Sakura's mind clicked in realization. Everything Shiyuu was saying was true. It was as if…he knew exactly who she was. His story felt painfully similar to hers in a sense. She had always felt weak. Never enough for the infamous Team 7. But she proved them all wrong.

"I'll leave you to your thoughts than Sakura." Shiyuu said as he got up.

Sakura watched as Shiyuu stood up and began to walk away.

"Sh-Shiyuu!"

Shiyuu turned around and looked at Sakura.

"A-Arigatou Shiyuu. You know, for listening."

Shiyuu smiled, "Anytime Sakura."

Shiyuu walked towards the inn and smirked, "Anytime."

The medic readjusted his glasses.

He looked at the medical charts and then at his supply of medication and picked out the tablets that he would be giving Orochimaru.

Kabuto sighed and took the tray with medication and a glass of water on it and left the small laboratory.

He walked down the dimly lit hallway and sighed.

His job was less tense these days and he hated to admit that it was because of Shiyuu. Ever since Orochimaru had heard that Sakura would heal his arms (whether she wanted to or not) he had become more optimistic.

For instance, he wouldn't feel the need to randomly experiment on some prisoner because he was simply bored and agitated with the pain. Sure, he switched bodies every now and then so he could be able to use the arms. But he wanted his arms. He wanted the satisfaction of destroying Konoha with his own hands.

Not someone else's.

Kabuto pushed open the dark wooden door, "Orochimaru-sama."

"What is it Kabuto?" Orochimaru said rather bored.

"Medication" Kabuto replied.

Orochimaru nodded as he accepted the medicine and took it impassively.

"You know what Kabuto?"

"Hai Orochimaru-sama?"

Orochimaru smiled sinisterly, "When we have our dear Sakura-chan here, she can help you with your medical experiments and such. Against her will of course. Wouldn't that be nice?"

Kabuto merely nodded, "Hai Orochimaru-sama."

"Have we received any news from Shiyuu-kun about our dear Sakura-chan?"

Kabuto shook his head, "Nothing Orochimaru-sama."

Orochimaru slumped in his chair, "Well that is quite unfortunate. I do get tired of waiting."

Kabuto nodded, "That is quite understandable my lord."

Orochimaru cackled as an amusing thought entered his head, "When we have Sakura-chan here, I'll send a letter along with pictures to Tsunade. I am sure she will be wondering what had become of her most prized apprentice."

Orochimaru looked up at Kabuto, "When did Shiyuu-kun say he was going to return for an update?"

"Not for another week or so Orochimaru-sama." Kabuto replied faithfully.

Orochimaru closed his eyes, "Very well."

"Naruto!"

Naruto looked behind him and waved at Kiba and Akamaru who were running towards him, "What is it Kiba?"

Kiba smirked, "Hokage-sama wants to see you in her office."

Naruto groaned, "Baa-chan won't leave me alone! Ever since I've been named Rokudaime I can't even eat ramen in peace!"

Kiba rolled his eyes, "Whatever baka, you better hurry though or it'll be me who won't be able to do anything in peace."

Naruto walked towards the Hokage tower, "Yeah, yeah later Kiba."

Naruto walked in front of the Hokage tower and entered through the door after nodding to a few of the guards. The guards in turn nodded back and smiled at their loud, friendly, and all too familiar Hokage-to-be.

Naruto proceeded on to the Hokage's office and stopped at the door as he heard two voices talking.

"Should we tell them?"

"To be honest Shizune, I'm not too sure if we should. They just returned a week ago from trying to bring her back, we can't expect them to take this news well."

"Demo, Tsunade-sama, they're her friends, they should know."

Naruto barged in and looked at Shizune's startled face, "What should we know baa-chan?"

Tsunade merely sighed and hid her face in her hands.

Naruto looked over at Shizune who picked up Ton-Ton, "Shizune-chan, what's happened?"

Shizune shot a side glance at Tsunade who peeked out from her hands and groaned, "If we don't tell him we'll end up with headaches. Go on Shizune."

'Sure, leave me to break the news' Shizune inwardly grumbled.

"So? What is it?" Naruto urged Shizune.

"Akatsuki has a new member."

Naruto tilted his head, "But I thought you said that that Shiyuu guys was already in there for awhile."

Tsunade shook her head, "No Naruto, it's not him."

Naruto furrowed his eyebrows, "But then who else could have-"

Naruto's eyes widened from his sudden realization.

No…she couldn't have-

"We have reason to believe that Sakura has joined the Akatsuki and is currently one of the members."

Tsunade looked up from her desk and noticed Naruto was no longer in the room.

She sighed, "I didn't even get to discuss the ceremony preparations with him." She grumbled.

Sakura walked inside the inn and looked around the foyer for any sign of the Akatsuki members. It was about three in the morning so she suspected they were all asleep. She hadn't meant to stay out so late, she had battled with herself if she wanted to join the Akatsuki or not. Even if Shiyuu had said it didn't matter how long it took for an answer, she knew he was only saying it to make her feel more relaxed.

Sakura walked towards the stairs but stopped as she saw Sasori.

"Oi, Sasori, where's Shiyuu's room?"

Sasori looked curiously at Sakura, "Upstairs, fourth door down. He's with Tobi."

Sakura shot Sasori a double look, "Isn't that dangerous? Shiyuu wouldn't be able to handle Tobi."

Sasori shrugged, "Tobi gets along well with Shiyuu. It's a miracle in itself."

Sakura snorted and waved at Sasori, "Arigatou Sasori, Ja ne."

Sasori nodded and walked back down the stairs and saw Itachi leaning against the wall. Sasori nodded at Itachi.

"Itachi"

Itachi looked at Sasori, "Sakura?"

Sasori smirked 'of course he would want to know where she was going'.

"She had business to discuss with Shiyuu."

Sasori could tell Itachi didn't like the answer as he grunted and headed back to his and Sakura's room.

Sasori shook his head and headed outside. The kunoichi had changed everyone in the Akatsuki.

For better or for worse, he didn't know.

XXXXX

Sakura knocked gently on the wooden door.

Sakura didn't hear any footsteps coming towards the door so she had assumed that Shiyuu was sleeping. She was about to turn around and head to her room when she heard the door open.

"Ah! Sakura! What are you doing up so late?"

Sakura turned around and smiled apologetically at Shiyuu, "Gomen ne, Shiyuu. But…I think I have an answer for you."

Shiyuu grinned and stepped away from the door way, "Alright, come in. Don't worry about waking Tobi. He can sleep through anything."

Sakura giggled and nodded as she walked inside of the room and sat down on a chair and faced Shiyuu who was sitting at the edge of his bed.

"So you've decided?" Shiyuu asked.

Sakura slowly nodded her head, "Hai."

Shiyuu leaned forward with curiosity, "And?"

Sakura took in a deep breath and looked at Shiyuu, "I think…I'll join Akatsuki, but under certain conditions."

Shiyuu nodded, "Of course, you can discuss these conditions with Leader-sama. He's awaiting your arrival at the main base."

Sakura gawked at Shiyuu, "Y-you mean you already told him I accepted?!"

Shiyuu shrugged, "I had a feeling you would, so I went ahead and gave him the okay."

Sakura continued to stare at Shiyuu. It wasn't because he had assumed she would join Akatsuki.

No.

That she could handle.

The thought of meeting the Akatsuki Leader was enough to make her skin crawl and a slight sweat break out. She had heard he was ruthless. Not someone to be taken so lightly.

"Er, Sakura? You okay?"

Sakura snapped out of her thoughts and gave Shiyuu a friendly smile, "Yeah, just tired. I'll take my leave now."

Shiyuu nodded ad Sakura walked to the door but was stopped by Shiyuu's voice.

"Welcome to the Akatsuki, Sakura."

Sakura walked towards her room that was several doors down from Shiyuu's and used the key to unlock it and walked into the dark room.

Sakura furrowed her eyebrows, 'Guess he's not here…'

Sakura walked over to the bathroom in the medium sized room and turned the shower's knobs on and let the bathroom fill with steam. She had been running for five days straight and practically forgot what it was like to feel clean. After Sakura undressed she stepped under the cascading water and sighed.

She wasn't going to get out anytime soon.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sakura stepped out of the shower and frowned. She had forgotten that she didn't have any clean clothes with her. She had expected to return to Konoha and wash them there and actually have more than three or four articles of clothing to wear, so she was now standing in the bathroom with no other choice left than to put on the overly large and thick white bathrobe so she can walk across the hall and ask Manami if she had any clothes she could spare.

Sakura groaned and slipped the thick, but soft, robe on and walked out of the bathroom only to be suddenly held against the wall.

Sakura let out an 'eep!' from the collision and looked up at blazing red sharingans.

Sakura tried her best not to blush at the situation she and Itachi were in. She could feel that Itachi was somewhat angry so the atmosphere had felt tense.

"Um, Itachi?"

"Why were you with Shiyuu?" Itachi finally asked.

Sakura just stared at Itachi dumbfounded and nearly had a giggle fit. Uchiha Itachi was jealous because he thought…well, she really didn't know herself.

"Sakura."

Itachi's voice brought Sakura out of her thoughts.

"I was giving him my answer on joining the Akatsuki."

Itachi continued to stare at Sakura, "And what was your answer?"

Sakura gave a small smile, "I'll join, but under a few conditions of course."

Itachi stared at Sakura, "You what?"

Sakura furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, "I um, joined?"

Sakura watched as Itachi pushed himself away from her and gave her a look over and walked towards the window at the edge of the room.

"Is something wrong with that Itachi?" Sakura asked slightly offended.

Sakura heard Itachi take in a sigh, "You are not fit for the Akatsuki Sakura."

Sakura stared incredulously at Itachi, "And why is that Itachi?"

Sakura waited a few moments in silence until she heard an 'Hn.'

Sakura narrowed her eyes, "I need more than a simple grunt Uchiha."

Sakura nearly gasped as she suddenly saw Itachi in front of her, "You are weak."

Sakura stared at the Uchiha offended. He dared to call her weak after she had saved his sorry ass from his fight with Sasuke? Did all Uchiha's suffer from a superiority complex?

Sakura glared up at Itachi, "Thanks for your opinion Itachi, but if your leader wants me to join, I think I'll take my chances."

Sakura walked towards the door to head over to Manami, Hikari, and Kurai's room.

"Sakura"

Sakura ignored Itachi and opened and slammed the door and stood there completely speechless. She was infuriated with what Itachi had told her. She had won over the younger Uchiha's acceptance and was left to win the older ones.

Sakura sighed and walked to the door across from hers and lifted her hand to knock but the door had been opened.

Sakura furrowed her eyebrows as Manami stood in the doorway, "Manami, how-?"

Manami gave Sakura an apologetic look, "I figured you would tell Shiyuu yes and Itachi would talk to you about it and you would end up here."

Sakura stared at Manami in disbelief. Manami had a mind similar to a certain lazy spiky haired shinobi who enjoyed playing shoji. She saw the events and would calculate what would happen.

Sakura gave Manami an apologetic smile, "Do you mind?"

Manami smiled, "Of course not Sakura, you can borrow a few of my clothes as well."

Sakura chuckled as she walked into the Sasaki family's room and gave her thanks and after changing into more suitable clothes, she curled up on the small couch in the room and slept.

A/N: Okay so I didn't leave THAT much of a cliffhanger this time so yays for me :D

Yes yes, welcome to Itachi and Sakura's first lovers quarel xD Yay. That means they'll have to make up somehow, ne?

Okie day.

I am currently working on a picture for Shiyuu, I'm drawing two, his evilness and goody two-shoes side xD

So I'd like to know your opinion about the story so far, I think its not that great right now but that's jus because it's the beginning and we haven't gotten in to the dramaticness and all so if you feel that the story is, well, bad. You can tell me I won't bite…much xD

Thank you to all who read/reviewed/ favorite/ and alert! I've reached over 300 reviews on Cat and mouse and that made my day, I have great expectations for The Bird and The Worm and I hope I do not disappoint you all!

A big super thanks to my dear, dear Butterbiscuits72 for editing the story for my mistakes. –super glomp-

Until next time, Ja ne!

Takara Makoto