Sweet Summer Slumber

stfuSPARKS

She was born to create trouble, thus, landing her in that dump of a summer school which would turn out to be the place with the best memories of her life.

"Is that a gun or are you just happy to see me?" She weakly let out, before she cursed under her breath.

Ah shit, this sucked.

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CHAPTER THREE

Take Me Away

"I know we just got here,

But I think it's time to go,

I didn't want to believe it, but now I know…"

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"We should talk this out peacefully," Sakura calmly suggested, trying to take her mind off of the object pointed at her head. A bead of sweat slowly rolled down her forehead.

She winced as her attacker pressed the gun to her temple a bit further. "Shut up. Follow me quietly and there will be no blood."

She sighed, putting her hands up in the air. "You're all the same." Sakura muttered in a disappointed tone of voice. "Why must you make it so boring for me by using weapons?" Before her aggressor could utter another word, she whirled around to face him, putting her hands on the silver beretta as she swiftly grabbed it out of his hands, giving him no time to retaliate. The air in his lungs was knocked out of him as her foot collided with his chest, using the leverage to flip back and land gracefully behind him, her feet barely making a sound on the tiled floor as she pointed the gun to his head. He froze, and she saw his hands shake as he put them up in surrender. "Don't play with toys you don't know how to use," She disdainfully said, using one free hand to dig her fingers into his shoulder. He let out a cry of pain as he dropped down to his knees with a loud thud. "Now tell me why you were looking for me. I want details."

"Orders," He choked out with a pained gasp. Her other hand was still firmly holding the gun to his head. She nudged the gun, as if to order him to continue. "I was sent here b-by a man," He barely stuttered out. "I don't know w-what his name i-is but he had silver hair a-and glasses. That's all I know, I swear." He pleaded. "I was just in this for the money, I swear!" His voice was turning shrill.

"If I find out you're lying, I will not hesitate to rip your male genitals off." She threatened him, and was satisfied as she saw him visibly pale, even in the dark. "Did you take my brown eyed friend?"

"What are you talking about?" The man cried out in desperation.

"The one with the red triangles on his cheeks." She said, her fingers digging in deeper. "Did you take him?"

"No!" The man cried out in pain. "I think I saw the guy you're talking about! He was sitting at the ramen stand in front of the school gates with a blond dude!"

She finally let go of him, and he gasped once again at the pain. "I don't know who your boss is," She said, looking at the gun before pocketing it in her jacket. "But let him know that you don't mess with me. And if he's really going to send someone after me, he better send someone better than you."

She quickly disappeared down the hallway, knowing that the man would need a couple of minutes to recover, and quietly made her way through the empty grounds towards the gates. It wasn't hard spotting the ramen stand the man had been talking about- it was the only open place in the darkened street. To her satisfaction, she saw the stand occupied by four men, all extremely familiar. She marched over to the group of men who had no idea of what was coming, and promptly smacked her roommate in the head.

"What the hell Kiba?" Sakura said furiously, as the brunette cried out in surprise. His expression immediately turned guilty as he set his eyes upon his female friend. "It's past midnight and I was worried sick! You could've given us some kind of notice, you know?" She scolded him.

"Ah, Sakura-chan." Kiba said, avoiding her glare. "Did you meet Naruto? He's a teacher in one of the other classrooms- he isn't really much older than us though, he's pretty cool-" He stopped talking when her expression didn't falter. Distractions weren't going to work for her. "Uh, well I met Naruto and he offered to buy me ramen here... and you know I like ramen, so I said yes, and- is that a gun in your pocket?"

"No, I'm just happy to see you." She dryly said. "Nevermind the gun. And you!" She turned over to the other three men sitting next to him. "Naruto-sensei, Sasuke-sensei, Kakashi-sensei! You're all teachers, students aren't allowed out of school grounds past ten on weekdays! You should be more responsible!" The three teachers were too busy staring at the very clear outline of the gun in her pocket to answer.

"Well," Naruto said uneasily, rapidly getting up from his seat. "I should really go get some rest for tomorrow, y'know. Sasuke, make sure they get to their dorms safe, alright?" Before anyone could say anything, he had disappeared into the dark grounds of Konohagakure.

"...hey, he didn't pay for his ramen!"

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The next morning was completely hectic, to say the least.

Sakura had graciously agreed to set the alarm before they had gone to sleep. It would have been a nice gesture from her part, if only she had remembered to actually set it before collapsing onto her bed and passing out for he night. The room immediately erupted into chaos when Sakura cracked an eye open, realizing that they were all late.

("KIBA LET GO OF MY SHOE YOU ARE NOT A DOG! SHIKAMARU WILL YOU WAKE UP?")

("Having you as a roommate first thing in the morning is-")

("DON'T YOU DARE SAY TROUBLESOME.")

("-Troublesome.")

("SHIKAMARU!")

Neji looked up as Kiba and Sakura noisily stumbled into the classroom, both very out of breath and half-asleep. "The bell's about to ring," He noted, glancing at the clock. "Careful Sakura, you don't want another detention." The rest of the students were all sitting in their seats sitting with friends, a few turning a curious eye towards all the commotion.

"I'm not worried about Sasuke-sensei." Sakura said, trying to regain her breath. She frowned as she thought about the previous day, which she had spent in detention with the cold teacher. Her face broke out into an irritated look as she realized her muscles were sore from cleaning the classroom so thoroughly.

"You really shouldn't frown like that- it makes you look ugly." An unfamiliar voice interrupted their discussion. Sakura furiously whirled around to find the source- when she was met with an incredibly unconvincing smile and a set of perfect, white teeth. She took a minute to study the pale (almost albino) boy who was leaning against the doorway, his empty eyes smiling at her in what would have looked like amusement if only the rest of his face hadn't been so mechanic. He ran a hand through his black, straight hair before crossing his arms. "Haruno Sakura, right? I'm Sai, a pleasure to meet you. Well, not really, but I'm not supposed to say that on first encounters."

Sakura shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "Are you a stalker or something?" She retorted, observing him carefully, deciding to ignore his unusual insult. It's not like she was exactly pleased to meet him either. "How do you know my name?"

"No, I'm no stalker. I'm just very informed." The boy who had just introduced himself as Sai said with a polite shrug. He walked up to her until he was standing right in front of her desk, and forcibly grabbed her chin, forcing her to look into his strange eyes. "You have curious eyes. I've never seen anything like them. They're not ugly, unlike the rest of you." She looked stunned before she pushed his hand away. "Stop glaring, I told you it makes you look ugly." He said again, unfazed by the whole ordeal.

"Don't touch me." She snarled. "A little help here guys?" She glanced at Neji and Kiba, who had been to absorbed in studying the very unique individual before them.

"Don't hand molest my friend!" Kiba said loudly, standing up, waking up out of his daze. "I don't know who the hell you think you are, but I'm not going to let you march into our classroom like you own the place and harass my friend." He reached out to push Sai away, but before his hand could make physical contact with his target, Sai was standing a few feet away, Sakura in his arms. Kiba looked ahead speechlessly. The whole class was quiet now, everyone's eyes glued onto the scene unfolding before them.

"Ugh get off of me," Sakura said disgustedly, jumping off of him. "Who the hell are you? How do you know my name?" She demanded again, the curiosity in her voice now replaced with suspicion and anger.

"I'm just a messenger," He replied, his smile unwavering. "Watch your back." He whispered into her ear, sending shivers up her spine; before she could reply, he was gone, and they were looking at the blank spot in which Sai had been standing in less than a couple of seconds ago. She had no time to contemplate on his cryptic message when Sasuke entered the room, looking extremely annoyed (No surprise there, she quietly mused to herself). Muttering under his breath about something that sounded like 'dobe', he was about to start class when a knock cut him off.

"What is it now?" He asked with an irritated look. The door opened, as a meek looking secretary poked her head in, looking extremely apologetic and a little bit scared.

"There is a visitor here who wants to see Miss Haruno Sakura." She said in a small voice. "He says it's quite urgent." Sakura automatically stood up as the students around her gave her questioning glances, which she ignored as she made her way to the door. Kiba chuckled, commented something about her popularity, which she promptly ignored.

"Yes well then make it quick." Sasuke snapped at the poor lady. "I have a class to teach here."

Before Sakura could make it to the door, a new stranger stepped into the classroom- his long blond locks tied into a high ponytail (what was up with boys and their ponytails?) and sky blue eyes curiously roaming around the classroom. Despite the hot summer weather, he was covered in a black coat adorned by ruby clouds- a cloak that was all too familiar to the people who were aware.

"Wha-" Sakura's eyes rounded as she set her eyes upon the older boy. Realization dawned over her face and it took her a split second before she started to run towards the man who was receiving many curious looks from both boys and girls. "Deidara!" She exclaimed in delight, throwing her thin arms around the much taller male. "How did you find me here!"

"How you doing?" The stranger asked her in a playful voice, affectionately patting the top of her pink head, as she hugged him tightly. She beamed at him as she pulled away.

"I could be better..." She shot a dirty look at Sasuke for emphasis, which he promptly ignored (no surprise there). "But overall I'm fine. What are you doing here? This is a long way from home..."

Deidara charmingly winked at the girl, causing a number of female students to burst into giggles. "We're dropping in town to attend to business." He said, lowering his voice. "Nothing I can discuss in public, of course." The class burst into curious whispers once again.

Sasuke coughed in the background, looking more irritated by the moment as he tried to avert attention back to himself. He got it, but not in the way he wanted it. "Do you need a cough drop?" Sakura snapped at him, shooting him a glare.

"No," He calmly answered. "But I need you to take care of whatever business you two have after my class. Have I made myself clear?" He earned a scowl in response, but Sakura didn't retort and he quietly observed the pink haired girl whisper something into her blond friend's ear. He nodded, and gave her another wink as he slipped out of the door with a promise to be back later on. When the door was shut again, Sasuke turned back to his class and waited for Sakura to take her seat again when he cleared his throat and began talking again.

Her good mood was short lived.

Class was boring, Sakura decided as she waited for her morning class to end. When the bell finally rang after what seemed like an eternity, she grabbed her friends and exited the classroom, making her way towards Shikamaru's class. Kiba marveled at how the tiny little girl fiercely pushed her way through the crowded hallway, shoving aside anyone who got in her way. "Definitely not cafeteria food today," She said with a look of disgust on her face. "We're going to have decent food." She waved Shikamaru over as he slowly made his way out of his classroom. "C'mon lazy, we're going off grounds to eat today." She said, dragging her other friend. "I noticed a cute café on the corner the other day. I bet they make great sandwiches. I wouldn't mind a cup of coffee either!" She said, as they exited the building, into the sunny day outside.

The grounds were full of bustling students all eager to get their lunch. A few were headed towards the cafeteria (she inwardly grimaced- whoever was brave enough to eat the food there after the first day deserved a medal) and others were sitting down on the green grass under the shade provided by the huge trees, enjoying their handmade lunches. The rest, like her, were headed towards the exit towards the streets outside, hoping to get a decent meal.

When they reached the tall gates, she turned around to make sure her friends were still following her. She mentally did a headcount and paused when she counted two extra heads. She was surprised to see that they had two new additions to the group.

"Uzumaki-sensei, Sasuke-sensei- what are you two doing here?" She asked them curiously, wondering when they had joined.

"It's nice to see you too Haruno." Sasuke commented sarcastically. She rolled her eyes in response and didn't bother answering his statement, before turning to the blond teacher, hoping that she would receive a decent answer from him.

"You can call me Naruto off grounds," The blonde said with a wink, his cerulean (no, his eyes were a slightly brighter shade than that- she noted) blue eyes sparkling. "Kiba was kind enough to invite me along the way, and of course Sasuke-teme can't stand to be far away from me for too long, so I brought him along as well. I hope you don't mind!" She sighed, not having the heart to tell him off. "Anyways, are we going to the ramen stand?" He asked hopefully, his eyes widening in joy at the sole thought of his favorite place in the whole world.

She shook her head apologetically. "Sorry Naruto, not today. I was thinking more along the lines of that café down the street,"

"Ugh, that café has horrible sandwiches." Naruto said in disgust, as his face fell in disappointment. "Pass."

Sakura was about to answer back when Neji interrupted her. "We should go to that Japanese sushi restaurant across the street." His voice was quiet but firm as all the heads (minus Sasuke, of course) whipped around to look at him in surprise. Sakura shot a curious glance at the Japanese sushi shop she had seen couple of times from the grounds, due to its huge size and luxurious architecture. It definitely looked like something they could not afford-

"That's way too expensive!" Sakura exclaimed, and was about to suggest something else when Neji held up a hand to stop her.

"I'll pay." He said simply. "For all of us," She was about to protest when he gently grabbed her hand, slightly pulling her towards that direction. His grip was firm yet gentle at the same time, and found herself at a loss of words as she stared into his unreadable blank eyes. She thought about arguing against him once again, but by now Kiba was looking extremely hopeful and Naruto's eyes were shining again.

Sakura learned that Neji always got his way when he was serious, and within ten minutes, they were all seated looking extremely out of place in the very elegant setting. She noted in amusement how Neji and maybe even Sasuke fit well with the image- they both looked extremely refined and made a very complete image, while the rest of them flat-out looked way out of place. There was an awkward silence for a full minute, until Naruto decided to break it. "So Sakura-chan, how do you like Konoha's summer course so far?"

"It sucks," Sakura said bluntly, her green eyes blankly looking back at the blonde. "I hate having Sasuke-sensei as a teacher." The man sitting next to her look unfazed as he took an elegant sip out of his tea. Naruto sweat-dropped at the obvious tension between the two- this had not been his intention when he had decided to break the ice.

"And vice-versa." Sasuke curtly replied, not even bothering to open his eyes as he savored the taste of his drink. The table turned quiet once again, as the mash-up of clashing personalities sat around the table in awkward silence.

"Sakura." A voice finally interrupted the silence once again, but it was not from any of the seated people.

Kiba raised an eyebrow- what was up with all these people who seemed to know Sakura? They hadn't even had the time to order off the menu, nonetheless even look at it. They turned around to look at the two new additions- the familiar blonde who had visited her in the classroom was leaning against the wall, accompanied by a slightly shorter man with blood red hair and deep brown eyes, his expression reflecting the opposite of the blonde's overjoyed face. Sakura's eyes lit up as she set her eyes on the two men before them. "You're too easy to spot with that pink hair." The red haired boy spoke monotonously.

"Sasori!" She exclaimed warmly, despite the lack of feeling in his voice. "Deidara! I thought I told you I was joining you after school! What are you doing here?"

"Sasori-danna got impatient, yeah." Deidara said with an amused chuckle, waiting for a reaction from his partner, only to receive none. "He wanted to make sure you were alive and kicking- he never believes my words." He ended his statement with a small pout. Sakura beamed, and put a hand on the table to support her weight as she stood up when Sasuke put a hand on her shoulder, effectively pushing her back into her seat.

She shot him a confused look, but before she could ask him for a reason, they were interrupted by Naruto's loud voice.

"Sakura-chan, they're from the Akatsuki!" Naruto exclaimed in horror, jumping up as he pointed a finger accusingly towards them. "Stay back, they're dangerous criminals!" His eyes narrowed as he took a defensive stance next to her. Sasuke's hand did not leave her shoulder- she thought she felt his grip tighten for a mere second at Naruto's words.

She gave him an uneasy smile. "It's okay Naruto," She said slowly, hoping to calm him down. "I know them, they're my friends."

"How... how are they your friends?" Naruto asked with a dumbfounded look on his face, his glance going back and forth between the two men and the pink haired girl. "They're criminals! Don't you get it Sakura-chan? They're not the kind of people you want to be friends with! They'll just drag you into trouble!" Deidara sighed at his words, as Sasori raised an eyebrow.

"Why is it that everyone thinks we're bloodthirsty killers?" Deidara complained, earning a shrug from his partner. Kiba and Shikamaru exchanged knowing looks, unsure of how the rest of the group would react in a few seconds. "You guys are really dull, aren't you?" Deidara rolled his eyes. "She's the only female in the Akatsuki, duh." Sasuke froze up, his expression rigid. For the first time, Sakura saw an actual look of rage take over his entire flawless face, as he clenched his fist in anger. His other hand immediately left her shoulder, as if he had been burnt.

His voice shook with anger as he spoke. "I feel sick." He muttered under his breath. Sakura made a move to touch his arm, but he jerked away from her, as if she had been infected with a deadly disease. "Stay away from me," He spat, and his chair clattered to the floor as he abruptly stood up. "You're nothing but trash."

With those last words, he left her completely dumbfounded.