Sakura was awaken by a loud banging at her door. She quietly groaned and carefully got off her couch where she and Haru had fallen asleep while reading some books. It was still afternoon, judging by the level of sun that shone through her kitchen's window.

"Oi, Forehead! Open up!"

Sakura sighed. She should have know that it was Ino that so desperately wanted to get in as only she and Naruto had the habit of waking her up by slamming her door.

"Finally!" Her blond best girl friend cried out as Sakura opened the door and she practically run through it.

"Uh, hello to you to, Ino."

"So, here's what we're gonna do," Ino talked without a stop to even take a breath and kept ordering the little mess Sakura and Haru had made previously. Haru sat up from couch rubbed his eyes and had a puzzled look on his face seeing how fast the blond woman kept on doing things. "We move your couch to that wall, the coffee table...hmm...storage room, we'll bring in your dining table and place it over there. Hey, can you lend me a hand, Sakura? That couch is a bit heavy."

"You do realize that this is my living room that you're trying to...demolish?" Sakura arched a brow seeing how her best friend was struggling with the couch.

"Of course! I wouldn't do that in my living room."

"Ok...and why are you doing this?"

"We're having a party." Ino stated it without looking at her. Her whole attention was set on the other furniture in the room.

"A party. Here. Why?"

Finally the blonde stopped and, taking a deep breath, walked over to her friend and place both hands on her shoulders. "Because. You and I both know how much you need to relax and have fun. And, woman, you had been awfully anti-social lately that you make Sasuke look bad."

"Ino, if you're trying to set me up with Iruka, I'm gonna kick your ass."

Sakura saw her son widen his eyes at what she had said and mentally slapped herself.

"Mom?"

"Yes, honey?"

"Can we go see uncle Kisame now? Please?"

"Perfect!" Ino exclaimed happily. "Haru can stay with Kisame till tomorrow. Oh, wait. That was the Akatsuki guy, wasn't he?"

"Yes," Sakura sighed. "Look, Ino-"

"Tch, don't give me that speech. You have an hour to take your son to that Kisame guy, take a shower and put on something nice."

"An hour?"

"Yep, Genma's bringing booze and knowing him, his buddies will be there too. So that's basically when the party starts. Now hurry up, Forehead!"

Sakura sighed in defeat. "Fine. Haru, pack some things you'll need. You're staying with uncle Kisame tonight."

"Yay!" The blond boy jumped happily and run upstairs to his room and within three minutes he was back and ready to leave.

Sakura took a deep breath and knocked the door. Haru was practically jumping around, so excited he was.

After few seconds the door was opened by Pain. "Good afternoon, Sakura, Haru. "

"Hey, Ya...I mean, Pain," Sakura slapped herself mentally again. It was the second time in the last ten minutes. "I'm sorry to disturb you, but can you guys look after Haru tonight?"

Pain leaned against the door. "Sure. Did something happen?"

"No. It's just that Ino's throwing a party at my house...yeah...kinda without my permission."

"I see," the pierced man in front of her said. "Don't worry, Haru's safe with us."

"Thanks, Pain, I owe you," Sakura smiled and ruffled Haru's hair. "And you be a good boy. Don't blow this house up."

"Yes, mom." Her son rolled his eyes.

"I'm sure these guys are used to getting things blown up," and again Sakura swore she saw a smirk on Pain's face. For a second, but it was there.

"You're right," Sakura smiled sadly. "Alright, I'll come back tomorrow. Tell everyone I said "Hi'." Pain nodded and opened the door further open for Haru to get in.

Sakura smiled at him. "See you tomorrow then."

"See you tomorrow, Sakura."

...

Her house was full with her comrades, co-workers, jounins and even people she didn't recognized but Ino had obviously thought that she could invite them. But Sakura didn't care. She had fun, not that she will ever admit it to her best friend.

She stood by the 'alcohol table' and refilled her cup, watching the crowd at the same time. She could easily spot Naruto talking with Hinata, Ino flirting with some unknown guy, the older jounins having their fun and few of her Hospital co-workers along with them. She smiled. Ino was right, she definitely needed to relax more, after all she had finally found Raiden and he had promised to come here.

Her eyes continued to scan the room and she drunk her drink, until her eyes met the one's she had nor expected nor wanted to see here. Sakura put angrily her cup on table and rushed over to where she had seen Ino.

"What the hell is he doing here?" She hissed after she literally dragged her best friend out of flirting with the handsome man.

"Gee, relax. What do you mean by 'he'?"

"You know whom I'm talking about, Ino," Sakura pointed to the man that stood across them and talked to TenTen. "And you know damn well how he behaves when he's drunk!"

"I'm more surprised that he actually showed up. I don't remember mentioning him about this party."

"Agh!" Sakura groaned angrily. "I swear, Ino. If he does or says shit similar to the last time I-"

"Calm down. Unlike the last time, we're not alone. There are too many people for him to do anything reckless."

"Yeah, you're probably right." The pinquette sighed.

"I always am. Now, forget about him and have fun. Iruka's been checking you out the whole evening." Ino smiled mischievously.

"I know, noticed it by myself. It's quite annoying, if you ask me."

"It wouldn't be if you would give him a chance,"The blonde poked her best friend in the shoulder.

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Better tell me who's that pretty boy you've been flirting to?"

"Oh...you mean Han? He's working under my dad...yeah..." Sakura arched a brow and had to look twice at her best friend because she was blushing. It wasn't very often when the blonde blushed while talking about some guy and if she did, then she actually really liked that guy. "Where is he, by the way? I hope you haven't scared him away."

Sakura snorted and looked for the man and eventually found him at the jounin group.

"Over there. Let's join them?"

"That's the spirit, Forehead!"

...

"So, how's my favorite student?" A very drunk Kakashi put an arm around Sakura's shoulder and asked with a wide smile on his face...under the mask...as soon as both women joined them.

"Kakashi, you're awfully drunk," Sakura laughed and freed from his embrace before taking his drink from him and emptying it. Kakashi looked at her with one wide eye and then whistled.

"That's my girl!"

"Way to go, Sakura!"

The others joined in and Sakura smirked at Kakashi who patted her shoulder. "I knew that we raised you right," he wiped an imaginary tear from his eye.

"Oi, Kakashi! Since when you're so emotional?" Yamato laughed earning a glare from the older jounin.

"Since when do you don't call me senpai?"

For a moment there was silence as Yamato realized his 'mistake' and gulped while Kakashi narrowed his eyes. Sakura cleared her throat and elbowed her ex-sensei. "Easy now, tiger. Here, drink this." She gave him her drink, which he gladly accepted and ruffled her hair. "That's why you're my favorite student." And there were again laughter in their group.

Sakura shok her head in amusement and left them to get her another drink until she bumped into somebody.

"Uh, sorry. I didn't look where I was g-...Oh, it's you."

"So, does that mean you don't need to apologize if it's me?" The raven haired man spoke with a smirk on his face.

"For what I should apologize?" Sakura arched a brow and at the same time looked for a possible way how to quickly get past him.

"For bumping into me, obviously. Who knows, maybe you injured me unconsciously."

The pinquette snorted. "Maybe you bumped into me. Now, if you don't mind," She rushed past him with. Luck must not be on her side tonight as Sasuke grabbed her by her wrist.

"I do mind."

"And I don't care," Sakura shot back and tried to free her hand. In which she didn't succeed and blamed it all to the amount of alcohol she had drunk.

"I need to talk to you," Sasuke tightened his grip around her wrist. "Now."

"I'll talk to you when we're both sober. Now, let me go," Somehow Sakura freed her arm and rushed back to her friends.

"Sakura." Everyone in the room silenced hearing that loud and cold tone in which Sasuke said her name. The only sound that could be heard was the music that played in background. Sakura had stopped on her way back to the group of her friends and froze. "Now."

She snorted and turned on her heels until she again faced her childhood crush. "I'm not some kind of bitch that you can order around."

"I didn't say you are. I merely wanted to speak with you."

"Then speak." Sakura put her hands on hips and glared at Sasuke, her anger already close to the border where she doesn't think, but acts. And no one, who knew she had this limit, dared to push her this far. Except for Sasuke. That sadistic/masochistic bastard.

"Alone."

"Tch, not gonna happen. Either you speak now or you leave."

"Sakura, I'm only going to say this once," Sasuke took few steps closer her ignoring the glares from Naruto, Kakashi, Iruka and few other men. "I need to speak with you, alone. Now."

"Get out of my house."

"You stubborn little bitch!"

"Get the fuck out of my house, Uchiha!" Sakura raised her voice and readied her fist for a punch if he was going to come any step closer her.

"Or what?" He had this derisive smirk on his face that set more fuel to her anger, plus she was already close to losing her control and she was drunk.

Next thing Sasuke knew was that he was flying through door, few trees and eventually hit some wall with so much force that could compete with Pain's gravity manipulation.

Usually Iruka was proud of his students - Sakura was an ANBU before she got pregnant, an apprentice of one of the Legendary Sannin, now she was the head of the Hospital that gave her more freedom in choosing her working days; Naruto likewise has been thought by a Sannin and was an ANBU, also he was on his way to become a Hokage; Shikamaru along with his father was one of the Konoha's head strategists, Ino - a medic and a valuable worker at the Torture and Interrogation Force, both Hyuugas, Kiba, TenTen, Lee, Shino were also high skilled shinobi's that would made every teacher proud.

But when you would ask him what he thought of Uchiha Sasuke, he would sigh. And then try to point out his good sides such as the Sharingan, ANBU captain, high skilled, sharp mind when it came to fighting, but eventually he would say that no matter how skilled a shinobi is, character is important as well. Iruka knew that it's not Sasuke's fault but Danzo's unwise decision 16 years ago that made him the way he was now. Hatred was one of the dark sides of the life of shinobi. And hatred was something that Sasuke couldn't get rid of. First it was his brother, Itachi, then the founder of his clan, Uchiha Madara, then Akatsuki or Deidara particulary, and now Iruka was thinking whether it was hate that made Sasuke act so cold and demanding when around Sakura.

Iruka wasn't sure whether it was the fact that Sasuke's ex-teammate had allied with the enemy or was there something else that made his ex-student to be so reckless.

But he was sure that right now he had to suppress his need to talk to the hostess. He definitely didn't want to end up as the Uchiha and spend his weekend at the hospital. Iruka liked Sakura, yes. And Kami knows how long he has been cursing himself, spent sleepless nights trying to figure why now and why her.

He watched Sakura say good-bye to her guests and friends and eventually he was the last one. Except for Ino, who helped to clean up.

"It's nice that you agreed to host a party, Sakura."

"I didn't have much choice. Ino just came, arranged things and gave me an hour to get ready. That's all." She was still angry, he could tell.

"Yeah, that's Ino for you," Iruka scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Well, I'll better be going. See you soon, Sakura!"

"Bye, Iruka."

...

"Ino! What was that for?" Sakura rubbed her head.

"Why are you making it hard for him? Why can't you just make the first move and ask him out?"

"Because I don't want him the way he wants me! He's Haru's teacher, he was our teacher too, goddamnit! And I want it to stay this way!"

"That man is trying his best to make an impression at you!"

"Well, obviously it's not working."

Ino inhaled deeply and then exhaled. "Alright, now answer me this - is there someone else I don't know about?"

"No!"

The blonde sighed. "Woman, I don't get you. There are so many good men out there..."

"And how many of them want to put up with some one like me?" Sakura sighed too and sat besides her friend.

"You're not that bad, you know, Forehead."

"Whatever. Let's get this mess cleaned up, shall we?"

"Yes, boss."

Sakura chuckled at Ino's 'enthusiasm'. "By the way, wanna have a slumber party? There's enough sake to drink ourselves to oblivion."

"Sure!"

"Foreheaaaad!"

Sakura snapped out of her sleep.

"Foreheaaaad!"

She groaned. "For Kami's sake, Pig. Shut the hell up, my head's gonna explode."

"Make it go away!"

Sakura frowned, her eyes still shut hoping that she somehow miraculously would fall back into that dream she had just moments before. "What do you mean?"

"Headache! Make it go away!"

Sakura started to laugh loudly until her stomach started to ache. "You're so pathetic, Ino. Haven't you still learned how to dispel alcohol in your body?"

"...no..."

The pinquette chuckles. "Alright, hold on. Gonna be there after I sleep two more hours."

"Sakura!"

The said woman started to laugh loudly again.

...

"See you around, Ino!"

"Yeah, give Haru a hug and big kiss on his lovely cheek from me!"

"I will."

They parted waving each other good-byes, Ino went home and Sakura went to the 'Akatsuki house' after her son.

She was already lifting her hand to knock on their door when an exhausted and panting Kakuzu opened them. "...Hey, Sakura...you're here...finally..."

Sakura blinked. She had never seen him in such a state. "Oh my...what the hell happened to you?"

"Your son..."

"Oh no...what did he do?"

"...is a devil himself. He..."

"Yes, Kakuzu?"

"...he beat me in every bet I could think off!"

Sakura started to chuckle and then eventually burst out laughing. "Gosh, Kakuzu! And I though he had demolished your house. You almost gave me a heart-attack." She passed the five-hearted man and went into the house.

"Hey, babe."

"Morning, Hidan. Where's my son?"

"...somewhere. Torturing Kisame, probably."

"Oh, ok. Do you know where's Sasori?"

"Yeah. Upstairs, third room on the left."

"Thanks, Hidan."

"Anytime, babe."

...

"Come in."

Sakura heard a muffled voice behind the door Hidan told her.

"Morning, Sasori."

"Hey, Sakura. What brings you here?" The red head asked while working on his puppet.

"Can I talk to you?"

"Sure, if you don't mind me working. You can sit on my bed...if you can find a free spot there. I'm sorry for my mess."

"It's ok," Sakura laughed. "A five-year old almost bomber makes a much bigger mess, so don't worry."

Sasori smirked. "He's a good kid. A lot like Deidara." He leaned closer to the puppet to see better the spot he has been working on. "So, what do you wanted to talk about?"

"Shishou has an offer for you."

"Really?" He straightened and looked at her with what looked like confusion, but no matter how human he was after his death as a puppet, he's face had still mostly only one expression - boredom.

"Yeah. She wants us both to work on poisons."

"Oh. That's interesting." Sasori leaned back over to the puppet.

"Will you accept?" Sakura asked insecurely.

"Do I have to reveal my secrets?"

"No." She chuckled. "We only need your knowledge. You'll be helping me to develop some new poison gas and stuff like that."

Sasori thought for a while, then sighed and faced her again. "I guess, I have no other choice than to accept. We're allies now, not enemies; it would be unwise for me to decline. Besides, I get to work together with you. You're a pretty awesome poison expert yourself. At least so I've heard."

Sakura smiled and stood up. "Thanks, Sasori." She went closer the door. "I'll go find my son before he's killed Kisame."

"Wait." Sasori caught her wrist in a surprisingly short amount of time. "I've wanted to say this since that unfaithful day."

"Sasori, you don't have to-"

"I am so sorry, Sakura," he looked straight into her eyes, his own showing so much sadness and determination at the same time. "I should have looked better after him on that fight. Kami knows I would have died gladly in his place, because then you wont have that burden of sorrow in your beautiful green eyes. I...I don't deserve to live...he was much younger...he should have stand in my place now, not me." Sakura's eyes filled with tears and suddenly her legs wouldn't hold her weight anymore and she collapsed in Sasori's arms crying silently. "Can you forgive me, Sakura?" Sasori sat them both on his bed, her head on his shoulder, tears dripping down on his shirt.

"I never blamed you. Not once. But...if this makes you feel better...I forgive you."

"Thank you, it means a lot to me," he hugged her, thrilled by the sensation her body heat gave him. He was human, yes, but after about 20 years of being senseless puppet with a rational mind every touch, even the slightest, gave him thrills and shivers. Especially a woman's touch.

He gently wiped her tears away, his fingers unconsciously lingering on her cheek a bit longer than needed.

"You need to get rid of the red in your eyes, they'll see that you cried and eventually will kick my ass for making you cry," Sasori sighed and Sakura chuckled. "Bathroom's down the hall."

"Thanks, Sasori," the said man nodded. Sakura stood up and when she reached the door, she turned back to him. "You'll come downstairs? I think we'll hang out here for a little while."

"I'm almost finished with this puppet, might as well join you later."

"Alright. I see you later."

In fact, Sasori couldn't focus anymore on his puppet. His mind was occupied with the pinquette that just left his room.

She seemed to have that effect on men, no matter how good or evil they were.

Sasori remembered the day Deidara had brought her to the base and introduced her to them, of course he didn't need any introduction. She was really nervous at first and then utterly confused seeing him alive and breathing. They had a massive fight between Deidara and the rest of Akatsuki before he brought her here. Mostly because no one wanted an enemy know their location and they were aware of her strength which Sasori had experienced on his own...er...skin.

After she spent the night with them and left, the men who were famous for their brutality and cruelty, were all captivated by her. Her smile and laugh, the spark in her eyes when they complimented her fighting skills, her grace and simply her persona. She was easy to talk to, smart and ingenious. At first Sasori had distanced from her as she had killed him once, but after every time she visited Deidara and them, he became fond of her. And eventually, he and the others, especially Hidan and Kisame get so used to her that they viewed Sakura as one of them.

And Sasori liked her. He really did. He just didn't knew how to react to this new feeling.

But he has all the time do figure it out and he sorta looked forward to work with Sakura.

With that clear in his mind, he decided that some break wouldn't harm him and he can finish the puppet later, Sasori left his room to join the others downstairs.