A/N: Chap 3 is here. Yay! Now we're going to get introduced to two new members. woohoo! I do plan on introducing the rest of the Akatsuki members...but to each their time, ne?
Thanks Lady Hanaka for betaing! Much candy to her!
Chapter 3:
Sakura's whole body began to tremble with fear. She was now face-to-face with an Akatsuki member, while trying to run away. She couldn't see his face due to the hat that shadowed it, but she prayed that it wasn't Itachi because if it were, then she'd surely die.
However, when the man spoke his voice wasn't Itachi's. The man's voice was deep, and smooth like Itachi's but it didn't sound dark or stoic. It sounded young, lively and attractive.
"So you're the girl, yeah." the man said.
Sakura stared at him, still afraid that he might tell Itachi that she had tried to escape.
The man looked down at her, "You know, what you're trying to do is very risky, yeah."
The rosette girl gulped. She couldn't see very well due to the rain, but she could define a few of the man's physical aspects. She noticed that from his hat there was blonde hair covering the right part of his face while the left eye was exposed. The latter had a clear color; however she could not define what color it was.
The man stared at her silently and his eyes trailed her body up and down, making Sakura feel uncomfortable thus backing away a little.
"Well, I think we should both get back to the house. After all, I don't think you'll be going anywhere now, yeah. Besides, Itachi said to keep an eye on you and honestly, I don't really want to get myself in trouble with him if he found out that you ran away." The men walked passed Sakura. "Heh. Don't worry, I won't tell Itachi anything if you just come inside, yeah."
Sakura looked at him, completely bewildered.
He-he's helping me?
"So, you plan on staying there and catching a cold or do you want me to carry you?" The man added; Sakura noticed he had a small grin on his face. But, unlike how Itachi's would look, this one didn't have a sinister appearance.
Sakura stood up and went inside with the Akatsuki member. Although she was still afraid of what he could do.
In the kitchen, there was an Akatsuki member drinking a glass of water. He had short crimson hair, and crimson eyes as well; he also had a child-like face. As he heard footsteps near where he was, the man looked up.
The blonde member appeared with a soaking wet Sakura beside him.
"What's going on Deidara?" he asked as his crimson eyes looked at Sakura. She quickly looked away.
"We just bumped into each other outside, yeah." Deidara replied.
"Hm. Girl, you are aware that this has been a fortunate day for you. If Itachi had been the one you 'bumped' into then you would surely be in a lot of trouble right now" the man said.
Sakura remained silent, still avoiding eye contact.
The crimson haired man looked at Sakura like Deidara had.
"Deidara go and put fresh towels in the bathroom for the girl and something to wear."
Deidara nodded, "Hm."
Sakura stood in the same spot as Deidara passed by. She had already played her cards wrong; she had been found out escaping and was now with the two Akatsuki members that Itachi himself had warned her about. She was now afraid that the slightest movement from her would put her in an even worse position to the one she was now.
The man noticed it.
He closed his eyes and smirked, "You are frightened that I might tell Itachi about this, are you not?"
Sakura turned and looked at him. The way he smirked at her reminded her a bit of Itachi; to her it showed that he was truly going to tell Itachi that she had tried to run away.
Acting by reflex, she bowed. "Please! Please don't tell Itachi. I...I beg of you...please..."
Oh God...what the hell am I doing? This is Akatsuki we're talking about! Begging won't work. He'll surely tell Itachi and then...he'll...he'll punish me...
The man merely looked at Sakura's desperate self as she bowed at him.
Finally, he answered, "Itachi gave me orders to be in charge of you. However...I think I can overlook this little situation if you stay put as you ought to be. Now go and get yourself dry."
The kunoichi looked at him puzzled. Of all the things he could've said she surely wasn't expecting this. What she was prepared was for him to enjoy her desperation and tell her that she's to suffer the consequences of her disobedience. Yet, this was far from being it.
What? He's...he's letting me go...like the other guy? I-I don't get it...
"Go before I change my mind. Or do you need an escort?"
Sakura swallowed and shook her head; thus leaving the kitchen area.
Sakura looked at herself in the mirror as she gently rubbed the towel through her face and body.
The events from later were still present and she was still confused about the whole thing.
I don't understand. Both of them helped me. They said they weren't going to say anything to Itachi, but why? Why would they do that? I mean...I'm their prisoner. I-I just...just don't get any of this...
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Hey girl, just wanted to tell you that on the floor there's something you can wear while your clothes get dry. It's my spare Akatsuki cloak so it will be a bit big for you but it's all I can offer, yeah." Deidara said.
"Oh um...i-it's ok." Sakura replied.
This was the first time Deidara had heard Sakura speak. Because of the door he couldn't really hear her voice well but it sounded very gentle. But little did he know that her voice had begun to slowly awaken something inside of him.
Sakura put on the cloak. It really was big.
She looked at herself in the mirror again, this time with the cloak on. She felt uneasy as her emerald eyes trailed down, looking at her attire. She was wearing the clothes of a murderer...hell, she even looked like one just by wearing the cloak. Sakura wondered if the cloak's had blood stench in them so she sniffed it. To her surprise, the blood smell was no where to be found. If she could describe the scent it would be fresh, like the grass. She closed her eyes and smelled it more thoroughly.
Strange. How it smells so fresh and yet, who knows how much blood it has been covered in before.
Once she was done in the bathroom, Sakura headed straight to her room. Back in her empty room, she walked to the window; again to just stare at the view. To her, it was the only refreshing thing in the house. It was still mortifying to look at the freedom outside her wooden walls, but at the same time it made her dream a little and just forgets about everything; at least for that moment.
Her eyes took a sorrowful expression.
Sasuke-kun...I'm sorry but...I can't go to you now. I-I hope you can wait for me...but I will go to you and save you if it's the last thing I do.
"How much farther until we reach Sound?" Neji inquired.
"Not sure. But it shouldn't be too long. After all, we've been going the long way to avoid any unwanted confrontations." Kakashi answered.
After their stay in Suna, the Konoha ninjas had decided to head for Sound in their quest for finding Sakura; all with the hopes that she was safe, but little did they know that she was far from that.
"We need to think of what we're going to do once we do find her. I don't doubt that she will refuse to come willingly with us." Shikamaru commented.
"I fear that too." Hinata added. "But…what will we do if that happens?"
"We'll just beat some sense into her or something…you know Forehead girl…once she has made her mind about something no one can make her do otherwise." Ino said; the expression in her eyes changing to a worried one. She was positive that Sakura wouldn't go back to Konoha with them easily.
"Perhaps we could reach an agreement with her. As long as she goes to Sound and gets Uchiha back then her purpose for leaving in the first place would be accomplished, correct? So after that, what else is left for her to do but return?" Neji explained.
"But Neji-nii-san, Sakura has become a missing-nin. Maybe she thinks she won't be able to return. Maybe…she plans on getting Sasuke back and then leaving…forever…" Hinata said with a reluctant tone.
Utter silence overwhelmed the atmosphere as the young ninjas continued their odyssey, thinking about Hinata's words.
"In any case, as much as I fear the truth in Hinata's words Neji's suggestion is good." Shikamaru broke the silence. "The only reason Sakura truly left Konoha was to find Sasuke. All we have to do is get to Sound and we'll find her. Perhaps we can help her; if we do then she will be more willing to cooperate with us and come back. If we try to stop her now, she'll only resist. We must really avoid confronting her. It will make our distance even greater."
"Then it's settled. We'll do exactly that. After all, Tsunade-sama didn't really specify us how we are to bring Sakura back, as long as we do." Kakashi said.
Sakura…if finding Sasuke and saving him is what will make you happy and what will ease your loneliness…then I'll help you; we all will. The only thing we want for you Sakura…is that you smile again. Just be safe until we get there to help you.
"Why the hurry Itachi? We never really hurry when we go to see Leader. Heh. Not that I'm complaining. The sooner we get rid of the annoying bitch the better. After all, I was just about to chop her annoying head off." Kisame commented.
Itachi remained silent. He didn't really feel the need to comment on that.
"Meh." The shark-like man rolled his eyes. Even if he had been this much time as Itachi's partner, he still couldn't completely read him. And he could not deny that there were times were Itachi's quiet and stoic personality would exasperate him.
It didn't really took them long to reach Leader's base though.
"You're earlier than expected, but no matter." Leader said with this deep tone. "Now tell me, have you found the girl?"
"We've managed to get a track of her." Itachi answered.
Kisame obliquely looked at him, surprised by what Itachi had said.
"I see. So you still have not found her. Well, it's only a matter of time, right? Once you have found her bring her to me, understand?"
Itachi nodded; Kisame did too.
"You're both dismissed."
Once the two Akatsuki members were outside of the base and sure that Leader could not hear them, Kisame talked to Itachi with a scowling tone.
"What was that all about? Why did you lie to Leader? You and I both know we found the girl and that she's with us. Why the hell did you said that 'we've got track of her'? Huh?"
Itachi glanced at him.
The partner gritted his shark-like teeth in frustration, "Just what the hell do you want with that girl Itachi?"
"That is none of your business Kisame. Our plans will go on, they will just be postponed. But my reasons are ones that do not concern you." The Uchiha bluntly said with a subtle glare.
"Gah! Fine! Do whatever you want with the bitch. Just don't get me killed." Kisame groaned.
Knock knock.
Sakura opened the door and saw Deidara.
This was the first time she had taken a good look at him. His eyes were sky-blue; his hair was long, blonde and smooth-looking. He had a long bang covering his right eye; much like Ino's and part of his hair on top was in a pony-tail, leaving the rest to freely cascade behind him. She'd dare say he was very handsome and unlike Itachi, he didn't have that deadly look in him which gave her a small feeling of comfort.
Deidara's situation was the same as Sakura's; this was the first time he had taken a good look at her. Her height was smaller than he had imagined; her hair was glossy looking despite the fact that she hadn't had the chance to treat it well; but what captivated him were her emerald eyes. Both her hair and her eyes were highlighted by the black of the cloak and the red clouds; it suited her. He'd dare say she was attractive.
After studying Sakura, his eyes traveled across the empty room.
"Have you been locked in here this whole time, yeah?" he finally said.
Sakura nodded.
But before anything, Deidara had already left, leaving Sakura more confused that she could've been.
Great. I think I'm going to need a counselor after this turn of events.
In the kitchen area, Deidara met with Sasori while he prepared some food, apparently for Sakura.
"Hey Sasori no danna. I was thinking...perhaps we could have Sakura eat with us."
"Out of the question. I am to follow Itachi's orders and he specifically told me not to let the girl out unless it was for bathroom use." Sasori answered, however he was not looking at Deidara.
"Come on Sasori no danna, yeah. I just went into her room and it's very empty and...depressing... I don't think it'll do her good to be locked in that room every day as she has been up till now. If she gets out a bit it will help her emotionally and she'll be more willing to cooperate, don't you think yeah?"
Sasori paused what he was doing and sighed, "You know, Itachi also told me that you weren't allowed in her room. I see why now. But what you say could be right. So I believe we can make an exception and allow her to join us."
Deidara smirked for his triumph but Sasori stopped him before leaving, "Deidara."
The blonde member turned.
"Do not forget our plans." Sasori said with a warning tone.
Deidara did not make a gesture or sign that he had heard but Sasori did not really need one. He knew Deidara had heard him.
Back in Sakura's room, Deidara entered, "I already talked to Sasori-danna, yeah. So it's ok. You can join us, yeah."
She looked at his small grin with curiosity. She'd certainly never expected a grin like that from an Akatsuki member.
The blond man made a gesture in the door that signed Sakura to exit the room. She was at first bewildered by the whole thing that she didn't really know how to react. It took her no more than a few seconds before she moved and went out of her room freely for the first time.
The two black figures flashed through the forest.
Suddenly, Itachi stopped in his tracks; Kisame followed.
"What's wrong?"
"I sense some chakras nearing." Itachi commented monotonously.
"Do you recognize any of them?" Kisame added.
After a few seconds, Itachi answered, "One; Hatake Kakashi's."
The blue-skinned missing-nin smirked, "Well then, I've been bored this past days. I sure hope the Konoha ninjas can entertain me for a while."
Itachi narrowed his sharingan eyes.
I won't let them find her.
Without resting, the Konoha ninjas kept leaping through the trees in search of their disappeared friend. They traveled day and night, making sure that not a second was lost in their own needs but rather in Sakura's. But their quest came to a halt, when they were suddenly attacked.
A huge sword headed straight towards them, dividing the group as they dodged.
"Wha-what was that?" Ino cried breathing heavily from the fright.
Kakashi looked at the sword that had stuck in the tree bark. His onyx eye widened in fear as he immediately recognized whose the giant bandaged sword's owner was.
However, he didn't have time to warn his comrades as a shadowed figure walked from the bushes of the forest.
"I'm glad you all managed to dodge that. It would certainly have been a shame to have chopped all your heads off; that would be no fun."
Kisame appeared.
The Konoha ninjas caught their guard as they looked with strong and fearless eyes at the shark-like man.
Akatsuki!
"So nice to see you again, Kakashi." Kisame said with a smirk.
"Everyone, do not let your guard down. Get ready to fight." Kakashi said. With that said, everyone took their fighting stand. Shikamaru and Ino prepared to work together as always while Neji and Hinata took the Gentle Fist stance.
Kisame smirked with amusement, "Heh. I hope you brats can entertain me enough."
He then charged at Neji and Hinata with his Samehada in hand. The Hyuuga cousins dodged his swings with the grace that the Gentle Fist provided in their movements. Hinata made an attempt to hit Kisame, but he saw it coming and merely jumped.
While in the air he looked behind him as he noticed someone engaging towards him; it was Neji who was prepared to perform his signature Eight Trigrams Palm. The shark-resembling Akatsuki quickly realized that he could not dodge it but instead, and acting by reflex, he put his Samehada in frond of him as a shield.
Neji cried with excruciating pain as his fingers pressed against the deadly surface of Kisame's sword.
"Neji-nii-san!" Hinata exclaimed as she saw Neji fall to his knees and groan in pain.
She was about to go towards him but noticed that Kisame was heading straight towards her with his sword. But his actions where stopped by Kakashi as he stood in front of him with a kunai holding against the Samehada; both ninjas took a jump backwards thus distancing from each other.
The Hyuuga heiress quickly went to her cousin's aid as she saw the trail of blood that leaked from his hand and dripped onto the ground.
Shikamaru and Ino stood at one end of the battlefield, planning a way to aid their comrades.
"Ino, we need you to use your Shintenshin. I'll try and hold him with my Kagemane. I'll wait until the appropriate time comes so he won't notice and once I get him, you do your thing."
"Alright." Ino nodded.
Kisame and Kakashi looked at each other; Kakashi with a glare and Kisame with a smirk.
The blue-skinned man charged at Kakashi with his sword; the Copy-nin dodged it by jumping and performing a fast series of hands signs.
"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu."
Kisame jumped, flipping backwards as he dodged the ball of fire that had been aimed at him. But as soon as his feet touched the ground, he felt his whole body get heavy. He grunted as he tried to move but couldn't.
"Damn! What the hell is going on?"
"Heh. Got ya." Shikamaru smirked. "Ino go!"
Ino stood in front of Kisame as she prepared her hand sign to perform her Shintenshin jutsu. Kisame gritted his teeth with frustration as he noticed the situation he was in. However, as Shikamaru held Kisame he suddenly felt a pain come from his back as he was knocked down.
"Shintenshi no jutsu!" Ino cried.
Unfortinately, Kisame managed to jump out of the way as soon as he felt the jutsu release him.
Kakashi cursed angrily as he saw the enemy Akatsuki escape and Ino left as a lifeless doll in the ground. He turned to see what happened to Shikamaru but his onyx eye widened as he saw the man standing beside the knocked out ninja.
"Uchiha…Itachi…"
Hinata and Neji watched as the dreaded man stood with his stoic and dark expression.
While Itachi and Kakashi had a staring contest, Kisame noticed the still lifeless Ino. He glared at her with irritation, speculating that she was asleep and charged at her with his Samehada.
But before the sword came in contact with the blonde-girl, Kisame saw Hinata gain at him with speed thus jumping out of the way and dodging her punch. But Neji came from behind and punched Kisame in the jaw.
The shark-like man used his arm to break the fall; doing a flip sideways he managed to stay on his feet. However, there was no time to recuperate from Neji's solid punch. Hinata charged at Kisame and hit him in the stomach with her Gentle Fist technique.
Kisame groaned in pain as he fell to his knees with his arms crossed and pressed against his abdomen, trying to endure the pain.
While this happened, Kakashi and Itachi still where on the same spot.
"I'll ask you once, do you have Sakura?"
"Yes." Itachi coldly answered. "And I won't let you find her. She's mine now."
Kakashi growled at the elder Uchiha; the cold way in which he spoke angered him and imagining what he could do to Sakura made his blood boil. Having his emotions get the better of him, Kakashi charged at the Uchiha Akatsuki, infuriated.
The two ninjas were caught in a taijutsu battle; metals clank together as Itachi and Kakashi clashed.
Kakashi began to throw a series of punches combined with kicks, while Itachi attempted to defend himself. But without Itachi realizing it, a shadow clone came from behind and kicked Itachi in the back.
The Copy-nin rushed towards Itachi and stabbed a kunai in his arm, plunging him onto the tree while another kunai was at his throat.
Kakashi glared at the Uchiha brother; one onyx eye and one crimson eye. Itachi looked at him, though his arm was in pain he maintained his solemn face, appearing to be unaffected by it; he smirked at the silver-haired jounin as he suddenly grabbed Kakashi's hand with his free one and glared at him with his sharingan eyes.
Damn!
It was already too late for Kakashi to look away as he was caught in the Uchiha's crimson eyes.
Kakashi fell to his knees on the ground as he tried hard to keep his ground. However, the genjutsu was just too much for him. Thus the Copy-nin began to clench his fists and growl subtly, his head looking down and his silver bangs covering his face; a sob escaping his throat.
May this be a warning for you and everyone that attempts to take what's mine.
Meanwhile, the Hyuugas fought against Kisame but suddenly, they froze as Itachi appeared in front of them. Before they could react, both of the Hyuugas felt pain in their stomachs as Itachi punched them.
Blood was coughed from the young cousins as they held their stomachs with their hands, trying to endure the pain. However it was far too great for them, as they began to grovel on the floor.
"Kisame, let's go."
With that said, the two Akatsuki left the battlefield.
Silence overwhelmed the atmosphere; the two Akatsuki members and the young prisoner sat eating their dinner; Sakura was opposite to Sasori while Deidara sat in the chair that was in the middle. Each ate their own food on their plates; taking the food silently, chewing silently, swallowing silently and the cycle repeats again. If a fly passed by you would have been able to hear it clearly, as if the sound its wings made had been amplified.
After that long silence that appeared to have lasted ages, Sasori finally broke it.
"I'd like to point out that this is an exception. Itachi should be back tomorrow the latest so do not expect him to be as myself or Deidara. Enjoy what you have left of this evening girl."
"If I may I'd like to point out something myself." Sakura returned. "That my name is not 'girl'. My name is Haruno Sakura."
Sasori smirked, "I apologize, Haruno Sakura. My name is Sasori."
Sakura grinned, however she did not really say anything. Since there wasn't anything she could really say. If she said anything with the word 'pleased' which referred that she was 'glad' about something, it would be a lie. She was certainly not pleased about this whole thing, though she could not deny that meeting them was better, if anything, than having met Itachi.
"My name is Deidara, yeah. Pleased to meet you Sakura-san." Deidara said.
Sakura grinned at him and nodded but it was a nervous looking grin.
Could this get any more awkward?
When dinner was over, Sakura offered to wash the dishes but Sasori did not allow her. Instead, he suggested her to enjoy her last evening of transient freedom.
Sakura decided to sit on the front porch of the house; the sun had yet to set. Deidara watched her from the inside.
"Sasori no danna, how can a girl like her have it? She...she doesn't 't look like the type of person that deserves such a fate, yeah."
"And yet she is. She made that decision. Whatever happens to her is her own fault." The crimson man said stoically. "But if you ask me, she looks weak."
"Hm. Not to me."
Meanwhile, Sakura sat pensively looking at her surroundings. A small grin appeared in her face. She closed her eyelids as she felt the wind caress her face; how did she long that feeling. She smelled the freshness of the grass and listened to the chirp of the birds.
I never really thought I'd ever had the chance to be like this. I'm glad I was given the chance. Speaking of which, I'm still surprised by the way they have treated me. It's not like Itachi and Kisame and yet, they are Akatsuki like them. But...Akatsuki are murderers. I'm positive Sasori and Deidara have killed many people. They are no different than Itachi or Kisame.
Sakura groaned throwing herself on her back against the wooden surface of the porch.
I'm so confused...
Night fell once more; Sasori and Deidara had gone to their respective room.
As it now became a habit, Sakura stood in front of her window admiring the night splendor. Usually she would think about Sasuke and how being here disrupted her plans. But this time, a different thought invaded her mind: Konoha.
Tsunade should know by now that I've ran away. She has probably sent a group of ninjas to retrieve me; sad to say that their efforts will be futile. I have no intentions of returning to that...place...well, even if I did want to I couldn't. I have already become a missing-nin.
But...I wonder how my friends took the news. They must've understood why I did it. After all, they are aware of what happened. But...do...do they hate me for...for leaving?
Her eyes took a sorrowful look in them as she placed her hand on the glass. If her friends hated her then she would truly have nothing; the only people in that village that hadn't betrayed her and have always truly been there for her. She just wished that they would understand.
Speaking of which, I haven't found my headband. Itachi must've taken it...
An idea reached her.
Hm...Itachi shouldn't be back until tomorrow around noon or morning; it's still night though and as long as Itachi isn't here I'm free to walk around the house.
Sakura quietly opened the door and looked around.
Silence.
Deidara and Sasori must be asleep.
She quietly tip-toed across to the next room which was Itachi's. Luckily, the door was unlocked. As she opened it, she realized that this was the room she had entered when she tried to escape.
So it was Itachi's room? Weird. I didn't expect it to look this...normal.
As she looked around, she noticed an object in the drawer and walked towards it. It was her headband.
So that bastard did take it.
The kunoichi reached her hand out to grab it but she suddenly froze right in her tracks as she heard a voice speak.
"You enjoy taking risks, don't you cherry blossom?"
A/N: Another cliffy! w00t! lol Two cliffys in a row! hehe You must all be starting to hate me. hehe. So yea, Deidara and Sasori have arrived to the story. I wonder how their relationship with Sakura will be? They sure don't seem mean, ne? Of course, Itachi's the one we should be interested about. After all, he has captured our heroine. Let's hope she can get rescued in time; Itachi sure doesn't plan on letting her go anytime sooner.
So what you guys think on how I projected the Akatsuki's personalities? Read & Review please!
