…*Hides behind best guy friend* I think it's too late to say that I'm sorry, isn't it? Whoops…

Thank you all for the wonderful reviews that I got last chapter. *Smiles* It made me kinda happy to know that people like this story so much, even though I feel like the characters are way OOC…but that's just my opinion. I don't know about all of you. Oh well. *Shrugs*

Enjoy the new chapter!

Recap:

"And I am Might Guy!" The man said, striking a pose. "Akatsuki High's sexy beast!"

More like scary beast…

"Enough chit-chatting," Anko said as she placed a hand on her hip as her smirk widened. "Time to start Gym class."

There was a collective groan amongst the class as I frowned at them. What was with them now?

"Five laps around the school! Get started! Now!"

I gaped at them. They couldn't be serious. I loved to run and all, but running around the school five times did not appeal to me. Oh God, I was starting to sound like a certain preppy blond…

But the annoyed noises coming from some of the girls and boys told me differently. These teachers were dead serious.

"What are you waiting for?!" Anko demanded as she glared at us. "Get started!"

And that was how I spent the rest of Gym class: running around the school multiple times until Anko and Guy were satisfied with our achievements. I had only one thought as I trudged home on weary footsteps.

I hate Konoha…I hate this job transfer…but I especially hate this fucking school…

End of Recap

I glanced to my left. Then I looked to the right. Nothing. The halls on both sides of me and behind me were completely empty. There was no sign of life.

Cost is clear.

Taking a deep, silent breath, I hurried as quietly as I could towards the door on the other side of the intersection, trying not to rattle the items that were stashed in my camouflaged bag for fear that somebody would hear the noise. I've learned that the quietest of houses can be the loudest. If I so much as dropped a pin, the sound would echo around the house as if it was a bookshelf that had fallen instead of a tiny pin.

My hand grasped the door handle and for a second, I thought I was going to be free. Free from this place, free from my family, and free from the place known as Konoha!

Alas, Fate deemed that unlikely at that very moment.

"Sakura-chan."

I froze instantly at the sugar-sweet voice that came from behind me. God damn it. And I was so close!

How in the flying fuck did she get behind me?! There wasn't anybody behind me a second ago!

Slowly looking over my shoulder, I stared into the bright green eyes that were so very similar to my own, yet very different at the same time. Silvery-pink hair fell in small waves to her collarbone, nearly covering the pretty necklace that hung around her neck. A small smile was on her lip-gloss covered lips.

I gave her a shaky grin. "Hey, mom," I said as calmly as I could, though even I could hear the slight ring of panic that was in my voice. "Do you need something?"

"Where are you going?" She asked instantly.

"Just going to go explore the village," I tried to say smoothly, albeit a bit waveringly. I was slightly proud that I hadn't caved under pressure yet. I had a much stronger will than other people did, but around my mother, I had every right to fear for my life. She was one scary ass woman and any child that doesn't fear their mother is fucking batshit insane. At least my voice was sounding stronger than before.

My mother tilted her head to the side innocently. "Why do you need your backpack?"

"I was thinking of buying some stuff later on if I ever happened to pass a market. I thought it would be a bit easier if I brought something with me to carry the things that I buy."

"You're not worried that you could be accused of thievery if the wrong person just so happened to be passing by and seeing you stuff products into your bag?"

I gave her a confident grin. "Nope."

She gave a slow nod, green eyes falling closed leisurely as she leaned against the wall with her arms crossed over her chest. "I see."

I couldn't count how many times I had had this kind of talk with my mother. She was a very suspicious person by nature—I found out where I got my own suspicious side some years ago—and was wary of things that didn't seem to fit in with its surroundings. I didn't really care that my mother demanded to know where I was at all times. As long as she was happy and satisfied, I wouldn't be killed mercilessly by her own hand for not telling her where I was. I would like to keep living, thank you.

I suddenly started hoping that my mom hadn't gone into the kitchen in the past hour. More than half of my bag consisted of snacks that were light on one's stomach while they were travelling and it would take me all of the food just to get to Suna, which was a good three-five days if I walked.

Please, God. Have mercy on me. Please tell me mom hasn't gone into the kitchen lately. She would be the one to notice the sudden decrease in our food stock.

"So," Mom drawled boredly, sounding extremely casual.

I tensed. Oh please no…

"Do you have any idea what happened to all of the food that was in the pantry?"

God fucking damn it...

I shook my head. "Nope. I have no idea. Why? What happened?" I really hoped she didn't find out that I was completely lying to her face. She would terminate me.

My mom pretended to clean imaginary dirt out of her perfectly manicured nails. "I went in there a little while ago, intending to head out to see an old friend of mine and I wanted to bring her some snacks since she apparently doesn't have the time to eat while she's working, but strangely, all the travel snacks were missing." She gave me a look. "Do you know why that is, Sakura?"

Fucking shit...she already knows! Why must she give me heart attacks like this?! It's not fair!

Pouting and scowling at the same time, I tore my bag off of my back and threw it at her feet, crossing my arms gruffly and glaring at the floor as my mother picked my bag up and checked to see if all the snacks were in there. She closed the bag with a sigh and gave me a tired look.

"Hun, do you really not like it here in Konoha? It's only been your first day at your new school and you only just got back two hours ago. I would've thought the nice weather and the kind people would take your mind off of everything that's happened in Suna."

"It's not that I don't like it here," I mumbled under my breath, shifting my weight to my left leg. "I just...hate the sudden change. Things were going so great back in Suna and I had finally gotten my own group of friends. And then this happens..."

My mom sighed and placed the bag on the floor, grasping my crossed hands and holding them in her own warm ones. "I know this is hard for you, Sakura-chan. I would've acted the same way if I was in your position and your current age. But please understand. There wasn't really anything that I could do. I couldn't disobey my boss. I would lose my job within a heartbeat and I would have no way of supporting you."

"I could've supported myself," I said, half-embarrassed at my mom's somewhat mushy behavior. I never was a mushy person like my mother was and I wasn't really a wise person all the time, but it was at times like this that I kinda wished I hadn't gained the apathetic and emotionless side from my dad just so that I would know what to say to my mom to reassure her that things would've been better back in Suna.

My mother shook her head vehemently. "I wouldn't have let you. It's my job as a parent to support you until you come of age." She released my hands and took a step back. "You're only fifteen, Sakura-chan. You deserve to enjoy your high school career without having to worry about earning money to pay bills and buy necessities."

"You can't really enjoy high school if you can't stay in the same place for more than three years," I grumbled unhappily, my voice low enough that my mother hopefully wouldn't be able to hear.

I think she did hear it—that woman has a ridiculous hearing ability and I am fucking stupid for forgetting that one fact—because I saw a flash of guilt appear in her eyes, but she didn't say anything about what I had said. I felt remorse churn in my gut and I struggled to keep the emotion under control. It wouldn't do me any good if I let my emotions get the better of me at a time like this. "I want you to promise me something, Sakura-chan."

"It depends on what you want me to promise," I said as I crossed my arms.

Thankfully, my mother didn't react violently to my rude display of disrespect. "I want you to enjoy the rest of your high school career at Akatsuki High. Make the best out it. Once you graduate, you're going to be out in the real world and I'm not always going to be there for you." She smiled gently at me. "I just want you to be happy."

Blood rushed to my face and I turned my face away from my mother, embarrassed. She always did this to me. She loved to see me embarrassed and unable to say anything to make her stop for fear of her wrath. That woman has succeeded in cornering me once again.

She laughed at my red face and picked up my bag from the floor, taking it back to the kitchen. "Why don't you go walk around the village, Sakura-chan?" She asked over her shoulder before she disappeared around the corner. "Seeing as how we are going to be living here for a while, you should get yourself acquainted around the village. It'll do you some good."

I groaned in defeat when she disappeared from my sight.

Fucking smart woman! Always outsmarting me like I'm not an Honors Student!

Grinding my teeth, I glared at the place where my mother had disappeared from one last time before I stomped to the door, intending to break the hinges off as I went out.

"You break my door, I'm taking away your allowance for six months and you aren't going to that Breaking Benjamin concert next year!"

I made sure to take extra care in shutting the door and making sure that not a sound could be heard throughout the house.

OoOoOoO

I kicked at a stone that got in my way, grumbling moodily under my breath as I watched the stone roll across the ground for a few feet before stopping. It was quickly being stepped on by the numerous people wandering up and down the street, baskets filled with merchandise in hand and children lagging behind, pouting and gazing wistfully at things that they so desperately wanted, but knew that they weren't going to get.

After leaving my house, I had followed my mom's advice reluctantly and had decided to wander around the village until it was time to go back and eat. My feet had carried me to a part of the village that consisted mainly of shops and small restaurants that sat on the corner of almost every street. Seeing as how this was a shopping district of some sort, it was extremely crowded and very loud, filled mostly with teenagers, some parents, and a few very reluctant children.

The delicious aromas that flooded my senses had my stomach growling viciously, reminding me that I hadn't eaten lunch today. Instead, I had opted to go up to the roof to lay down and cloud gaze for a while. I had chanced upon the boy with the spiky ponytail that I had seen sleeping at his desk during homeroom in the back of the room doing the same exact thing that I had every intentions of doing. If I recall correctly, he had said his name was Nara Shikamaru.

He was, overall, a lazy son of a bitch that didn't really put any effort into anything. He had said that it had taken him almost all of his energy just to get to the top of the school and for some odd reason, I believed him when he said that this school took away a lot energy from him. It took a lot of energy from me just to get through one class that was practically filled with idiots and cocky jackasses that were so full of themselves.

I scowled darkly at the thought of those bastards in Gym, scaring the shit out of a couple of children and sending them running with tears streaming down their cheeks. Stupid bastards. How dare they think that I'm one of those easy girls! Their cheesy pick-up lines had my blood boiling and I was sadistically happy that I had managed to knock out a few of their teeth before having to flee for my life when Anko and Guy came running.

"Haven't I seen you someplace before?"

"Your eyes are amazing."

"What's your number, sweet cheeks?"

I snorted. "How fucking cheesy can guys get nowadays? It's like all they want is to fuck some poor girl that thought being fucked by the school's jocks would make them popular. This place is full of sick motherfuckers..."

"An accurate observation if you take into consideration that you've only been living here for barely a day."

I tried so very hard not to jump in blatant shock at the voice that had appeared behind me and turned on my heel to confront the person that had decided to scare me shitless, eyes wide in surprise that somebody had managed to sneak up behind me so stealthily.

I prided myself in the fact that not just anybody could sneak up on me. For someone to just come up behind me and scare the living shit out of me…that's not really an everyday thing.

The person turned out to be a woman. A very pretty woman. Her hair was a rich royal blue with a neatly folded paper rose sticking out in her hair, which was put up into an elegant bun with shoulder-length strands hanging freely in the front and back. Her eyes were an interesting shade of amber with slivers of orange around the pupil and a labret piercing below her lip reflected off the surrounding lights brightly for a few seconds, successfully hurting my eye sight in between those few seconds. She was slim and curvacous, but her body held the underlying tones of slight musculature, indicating just how fit and in shape she really was. She was beautiful. More beautiful than Ino.

"What?" I said dumbly. I inwardly smacked myself in the face. That wasn't really a good way to leave an impression. I have got to get my act together before I really embarrass myself around more people.

She cocked her head to the side, eyes calculating and speculating intelligently. Her stance was casual as she leaned onto her left leg, her other leg standing loosely on the ground. "You said that you disapprove of the men who live here and go to Akatsuki High. I can agree with that part of what you said before."

I swear to God I just sweatdropped right then and there. I guess that's one way to put it if you're not one to use vulgar language as often as I do.

"Ummm...okay?" I said a little awkwardly. This chick's beauty was certainly distracting, but she was doing a damn good job in stupifying me. She just came out of physically nowhere and randomly started responding to my annoyed grumblings, for God's sakes! Either she was just crazy for gossip or she was just downright bored. I'm suspecting the latter if the cool and collected look on her face was telling me anything.

Her eyes shone with realization at my awkward response and she bowed her head an inch. "Forgive me. I did not mean to eavesdrop in on your musings. Your words just happened to capture my attention at the moment as I, too, was thinking along the same lines."

I gave a shaky laugh, rubbing the back of my head sheepishly. "It's perfectly fine. I'm sorry that you heard my...expressive...ways of describing the male population after my first day here. I didn't really have a good day, so I guess I was just ranting out loud."

The woman nodded in understanding. "That is understandable. I thought that way, as well, on my first day here after arriving all the way from Amegakure."

I blinked at her in surprise. "You're from Amegakure?"

She nodded, a curious light shining in her eyes when she noticed the ecstatic look on my face.

"What is it like there?" I asked excitedly, completely invading her personal space as I gazed up at her with excited eyes. "I've always wanted to go there, but my mom wouldn't ever detour there on one of our many trips so that I could see it for myself! She said that it was horrible place, but I've always been fascinated with that specific country! It's one of the most powerful smaller countries that's ruled by a Leader, right? Please tell me!"

Honestly, the only reason I got interested in Amegakure was because I had gone through my Interesting Wars stage earlier on in my life and I had happened to chance upon Amegakure, the main country that was the central battlefield for a vast number of the ninja wars. Reading about the country's history and it's battles was good and all, but hearing about it from a person who had actually lived there and was now standing in front me...least to say that this woman wasn't going anywhere until all of my questions were answered and my curiosity sated.

The woman's eyes softened minimally and a delicate smile crossed her lips. "Amegakure isn't what many would call a lovely and a wonderful place to live. It's almost always raining and tourists are few, but my home always manages to get along. The shinobi there provide for the civilians as best as they can if the civilans are not able to fend for themselves. Gloomy and dreary our country may be, but my home and it's Leader cares for it's people and we won't just let them die like most other villages would. We've finally made a name for ourselves and we are very reluctant to just let that name slip away because we could care less for our people."

Through the many thoughts that were racing through my head, I managed to push aside the fascination towards our current topic and realized that we were still standing in the middle of a very busy road. People were giving us dirty looks as they were forced to go around us as they hurried to get home so as to prepare dinner for themselves or their families.

Glancing up at the sun, it couldn't have been but a few minutes past six.

I pointed to one of the sweet shops nearby. "Do you want to talk in there? I still have some more questions for you."

The woman's eyes flashed and a for a second, I thought she was going to get angry with me and stomp away, but the emotion disappeared before I could even get a good read on it as she nodded her head. "That is fine."

Shit. I'm going to have to pick my words more carefully or something. She must've been an authority figure sometime in her life and doesn't take well to strangers just ordering her around if she reacted like that. Might have to be careful from now on. I don't want to be on her bad side. She seems like a formidable opponent in battle.

OoOoOoO

I don't know how long it was that I sat in that shop with the pretty woman who must've been a model at some point in life. My mom was going to practically kill me when I got back home and told her that I nearly wasted all of my money on green tea and Dango. But I couldn't really help it. I got so into talking with the woman that I just ordered things automatically and kept asking for more until I realized that I was running low on my precious money supply.

She was a very good person to talk with. She was just so smart and keen that it made it hard not to listen to what she said to me. Everything that flowed out of her mouth was interesting and attention-grabbing. Nothing was boring and she didn't get off track like most people would when telling a story about their home village. Most others would stop to tell about all of the amazing shops that had been there and all of their friends and what they did together and would almost instantly lose the interest of their audience. This woman didn't do such a thing.

I didn't take her for the type to really care about all the girly shit that most girls nowadays like to do, like shopping and going out to parties and dating the hottest guys ever. God no. Just at first glance, I knew she was the kind of person to have a different outlook on life. She knew that life as a shinobi or civilian wasn't fun and games. At any moment in time, someone could sneak up behind you and kill you from behind. You had to always be on your guard, but appear composed and relaxed enough so as to fool your enemies. At least, that's what she believed. Not that I blamed her. Her outlook on life was fair and pretty damn legit.

During the entirety of the time that we spent talking about Amegakure and a bunch of other random things that caught our interest, I realized just how alert and ready this woman was. It was subtle and almost unnoticeable, but if you were looking hard enough, one would see how her eyes would shift to each and every person that walked through the door, analyzing them in a swift manner before returning back to the conversation that was going on. All in a few seconds. I also noticed how her hands would unconsciously pat her pockets, as if reassuring herself that whatever it was that was in her pockets was still there. I don't think she even noticed what she was doing and I never really pointed it out to her. It must've become a habit over time for her.

"So what do you do for a living?" I asked the woman, suddenly remembering that I never did find out what her name was and vowed to figure it out as soon as possible. It was starting to bother me that I couldn't address her properly, but I don't think she really minded as she never bothered to introduce herself to begin with.

"I am still in school as of now," She said absently as she grabbed one of the many napkins our waitress gave us and started folding it into some sort of shape.

"Oh?" I said, surprised. That was a shocker. She was younger than what she appeared to be. Maybe it was just because of the maturity that her body practically radiated that so many others were lacking here. Or perhaps it was just because of her somewhat professional outfit. The white blouse and blue jeans had me first thinking that she was on her way to an important meeting or something. "What year are you? A sophomore in college, perhaps?"

Her hands stopped folding and she looked up at me curiously, eyes sparkling in what akined to be amusement. "I'm currently a senior at Akatsuki High."

My mouth dropped to the floor as I gaped rudely at her. Her lips twitched, but she hid her quiet laughter behind a cough. "I realize that I look older than what I appear to be, but I assure you, I am still only in high school."

"You fooled me big time," I said in amazement. "You just looked so professional and mature that I instantly thought you were older than me."

She smiled gently and finished folding her napkin, holding up a pretty paper rose that was similar to the one that was in her hair. "I was forced to grow up at a young age; therefore, I have a more mature aura around me that many teenagers these days are sadly lacking."

I frowned. "So you never really got to enjoy your childhood like other kids?"

She shook her head as she gazed at her newly made rose and smoothed out any crumples and wrinkles that were setting in. "I did not. One could not be childish and play around like all the other children after having to experience many wars taking place in her home village. Anyone who would have experienced such horrors would quickly discover that this world is not all about fun and games and that those who cannot act seriously will not live very long."

My mother's words from earlier today suddenly filled my head.

"I want you to enjoy the rest of your high school career at Akatsuki High. Make the best out it. Once you graduate, you're going to be out in the real world and I'm not always going to be there for you. I just want you to be happy."

"You sound just like my mother," I said softly. "She told me something very similar this afternoon after I got back from school."

The woman nodded her head, picking up her flower and handing it to me. "Then she is a very wise woman. She understands how this world works and is saying those words because she wants you to enjoy the time that was given to you." She smiled a bit wider, enough so that it was actually visible. "Cherish her words. They will take you a long way."

I accepted the flower from her hands and cradled it in my palms on the table. It was even prettier up close. The details were simply astounding. "Thank you. I shall do that."

No sooner had those words left my mouth, a white dove flew in through the open doorway and landed on my shoulder, cooing softly into my ear and nuzzling my cheek. The woman gave the bird an admiring look as I stood up, lightly caressing the female's chest as I pushed in my chair while taking extra care in not ruining my new gift. "I guess it's time for me to go. My mother has just summoned me."

The woman nodded and stood as well. "I must be going as well. My friend will be concerned if I show up any later than I already have." She bowed her head again. "Thank you for your time. It was a relief to finally have an intellectual conversation with someone other than my friend."

I laughed cheerfully. "I know what you mean!" I waved a hand goodbye and started towards the door when I immediately stopped and spun on my heel to see the woman paying for her half of the bill. "Hang on! I never got your name!"

She turned her head to look at me and smoothly said, "My name is Konan."

I grinned happily and waved energetically to her. "Hope to see you at school sometime, Konan-san! It was a real pleasure!"

As I moved away the drapes hanging over the door, I called over my shoulder, "My name is Sakura, by the way!" and disappeared from the sweets shop.

OoOoOoO

"You seem to be in a better mood," My mother commented as I walked through the door with her bird still on my shoulder and Konan's paper present tucked into my hair after having a bunch of difficulties on the way home with petting the bird and making sure that people didn't ruin my flower.

I hummed thoughtfully. "Huh? I guess I am." I was so distracted by petting the bird on my shoulder that I didn't see the slip of paper that fell out of my pocket and onto the floor, only to be picked up by my mother seconds later as I reached the foot of the stairs.

The sound of paper crinkling made me freeze mid-step, my heart stopping. That was the sound of my death calling for me. "Sakura-chan," My mom cooed as a huge-ass kitchen knife appeared in her hand.

I screamed in terror before darting up the stairs with my mother right on my heels.

"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU, SPENDING SO MUCH FUCKING MONEY ON DANGO AND TEA?!"

"I'M SORRY!" I screeched when the knife embedded itself in the wall beside my head. "I'M TOO YOUNG TO DIE!"

There you go, my lovelies! The next chapter is finally up! Sorry for the long absence. I've finally regained a shit ton of my motivation for this story now! *Cheers victoriously*

Question: Who is your favorite Akatsuki member and why? If you don't like the Akatsuki, who is your other favorite and (why the hell are you reading my story if you aren't an Akatsuki fan?!) why is he/she your favorite?

That's all for now, kiddies! It's bedtime for this person. It's 3:30 in the fucking morning and I've got baby-sitting to do in another few hours, so...GOODNIGHT!

Ja ne!

KalafinaJ