Chapter Three
The Proposal
Sakura awoke in a cold dark room. She laid in a cold substance, which she assumed to be her blood. Shit, She thought to herself, If I loose anymore blood, I'll die. She slowly opened her eyes. She brought her hand to her wound and began to heal it. A light blue aura surrounded her hand as she healed. Her chakera lit up the room. The room was big, and empty. The walls were stone and the door appeared to be pure steel. Suddenly the steel door opened, and she stopped healing herself.
All Sakura could see were crimson eyes piercing through the pitch-black darkness of the room. "That's foolish of you..."
She knew he was talking about her using her chakra. Sakura's glare started to pull toward Itachi's eyes, but Sakura quickly looked away, knowing what the consequences would be. She wondered why she longed for her to look into his eyes, or why she wanted him to comfort her, but she quickly pushed those thoughts away. She looked to his smirking lips, and became enraged. "What do you want with me?" She asked not showing any fear. Itachi said nothing. "Well, aren't you going to say anything?" She yelled.
Suddenly a new voice appeared, "We don't have to answer to you." The blue man smirked, "Plus it looks as if you like to play with my sword." Kisame held up his sword, revealing Sakura's blood on it. "How about another play date?" Kisame smirked as he walked toward Sakura with his sword drawn, but Itachi held his arm out, stopping him.
"That's not necessary." Itachi explained, "She used her chakra healing herself."
"That's too unfortunate." Kisame looked disappointed. "Kunoichi, we have a proposition for you." He paused, as he walked toward Sakura, and kneeled before her. "We have some use for you. You see we're in need of a…"
Before he could say it, Sakura had insisted on spitting in his face. Kisame growled at her, as he whipped the spit off his face. He quickly raised his hand and slapped her. Sakura was slapped so hard she fell against the ground, and she began to bleed form her mouth. She strongly sat back up, leaning against the wall for support. She knew she was in a weak state, but she wouldn't show it, even if it was obvious. "Now, that I have your attention, I was saying that we could use a good medic around here. We'll give you a couple days to think about it. If you give us an answer we like, maybe we'll let you live." With that, the two Akatsuki members left.
For the next two days Kisame would come in and drain Sakura's chakra. It was unpleasant to say the least. Afterwards, Sakura would always pass out and wake up in the same dark, cold room. On the third day, Itachi and Kisame came back in her room, just as they said. Itachi was the first to speak, "We're here for your answer." He simply said.
What should I do? No, No! Why am I even asking that question? My answer is no! , She quickly thought to herself, I could take advantage of this. I could be on the inside and later tell Tsunade-sama everything I know. She thought suddenly. This could be my last chance to take down the Akatsuki. "My answer is yes." Her raspy voice managed to whisper. What am I getting myself in to?
"Good," Kisame snarled, "Get up, and follow us." He walked out of the room, and was soon followed by Itachi.
Sakura used all the strength she had to get up and follow the two Akatsuki members. The stonewall shortly ended when they walked up some stairs and into, what looked like, a normal house. They stood in a kitchen, which they passed, and entered a long hallway. The light made Sakura squint, it was too harsh on her eyes, and she was having a hard time adjusting. They stopped at two rooms parallel to each other.
"Why are we stopping here?" Itachi asked Kisame.
"Because," Kisame began, "She's your responsibility now."
Itachi looked almost amused. "This is news to me."
Kisame shrugged. "Bosses orders. We're to keep a close eye on her, and since this is the only empty room in the house, you get to baby sit." Kisame laughed. Itachi looked displeased, but said nothing. Kisame pointed to the room on the left, "Kunoichi, this is your room from now on. I would take a shower if I were you, you smell."
Sakura glared at him, and began to say something but was cut off by Itachi. "Your Akatsuki robes are on the bed, you'll be expected to wear them." With that Itachi entered the room on the right, parallel to Sakura's. Kisame looked at the Sakura, "We'll have dinner in an hour, Kunoichi."
"I have a name, sharkface. My name is Sakura!" She bursted aloud.
Kisame and Sakura glared at each other. "I will call you what I wish, Kunoichi." With that he left.
Instead of taking a shower, Sakura went to lay down on the plain bed in her new room. She felt so weak, she couldn't think of a time she has ever felt weaker. She closed her eyes and began to drift away…
She saw a puddle of red liquid seep through their parents door. Her eyes followed the liquid to see Itachi standing over his parents dead bodies and Sasuke's unconscious body.
She breathed heavily, "Itachi." He took a step toward her, and she took a step back. "Y-You're covered in blood." She paused for a moment, "Are you hurt?"
Itachi didn't respond. She looked into his eyes. They were blood red, with, what looked like, a pinwheel.
Sakura woke up panting hard. Itachi was standing in the doorway. She looked at him, and quickly looked away. "It's time to eat." Itachi stated, and left.
She slowly put on her akatsuki robe, walked after him, and followed him into the kitchen. Kisame, a blonde haired boy, and a red haired boy were already sitting and eating. When she entered, they all stopped to stare. The blonde haired boy asked curiously, "Who's the Kunoichi?"
"She's apart of the Akatsuki now." Itachi said.
The blonde haired boy smiled. "My name's Deidara. That's Sasori." He pointed to the red head. Deidara continued, "Us four, er five now, are stationed here. The others are elsewhere."
"Where exactly are we?" Sakura asked slyly, trying to get as much information as possible.
Deidara began to speak but was interrupted by Itachi. "You don't need to worry about such things Sakura-san." Itachi insisted. He sat with the other, took the, already placed, bowl and began to fill it with rice, fried vegetables, and dumplings. Sakura slowly took the empty seat across from Itachi. She began to fill her bowl with rice, and cautiously began to eat. Shortly, everyone left except for Sakura and Itachi. It had been quiet the entire time until finally Itachi spoke. "The boss wants to meet you, he'll be here early tomorrow." Sakura looked into Itachi's eyes, and quickly looked away. She said nothing, but nodded in acknowledgment. They both picked up the soy sauce at the same time, and their hands touched.
The kid instantly dropped the rock. "S-sasuke! This is your sister? We didn't know…"
An older boy suddenly appeared and instantly became angry as he saw the two small girls covered in cuts. "What's going on here?"
"Older brother," Sasuke began, "These jerks are messing with Nezzumi and Sakura."
Sakura quickly ran behind Itachi, and hugged him tightly. He was like an older brother to her. He always watched out for her.
Sakura and Itachi snapped back to reality. They both let go of the glass of soy sauce at the same time. The glass dropped and shattered. "Excuse me." Sakura quickly and abruptly, apologized and rushed off to her room.
The next morning, Sakura was summoned by the boss. She walked into a dark room, much like the one she was first held in, and saw a dark figure sitting in a high chair in the distance. "Sakura-san," The boss said, "I am glad you decided to accept my proposal, but I'm sure you would've known what would've happen if you didn't accept it."
"I'm no coward." Sakura said boldly. The boss's eyes narrowed. Sakura continued, "I didn't except it because I was scared, I accepted it for my own personal gain."
"And what would that be for?" The boss asked in a deadly voice.
Sakura slowed her breathing. "To get stronger, and to not have any limits or restrictions." She lied.
The boss waited a moment before speaking. "I see. Well, as you know, you will be the akatsuki medic. You will heal our members, and remember, we'll be watching you very closely. Don't mess this up, or you will end up dead. Congratulations on becoming an akatsuki member, here is your ring." He tossed her a ring with the kanji 'sky' written on it. "That ring will connect you to all members, and is essential for all meetings. I'm sure that you're already aware that Kisame, and Itachi are your partners, and you three will go on frequent missions?" He said more as a statement, then a question. Sakura nodded. "You are dismissed."