Thanks to those who have reviewed this far, this chapter is for you.

And all the others who pay an attention to this story.

Three weeks later

Sakura tapped her fingers impatiently. She and Sasori had been working on a new poison gas for the last three weeks. This far they have created it, but had a lot of trouble making an antidote.

At this moment she was watching Sasori add the last ingredients to the Kami knows which possible antidote already. He was calm, looked bored as always though, he's eyes showed determination and fatigue. When he finally took a step back from the desk he's been working at - a sign for Sakura - she took another scroll to test the antidote and inhaled deeply through her mask.

"If this doesn't work..."

"It should," Sasori said rubbing his forehead.

The effects of the gas were these - it was light green, barely with any scent and had a sweet taste. When the victim inhaled it, it spread through whole body and slowly numbed every muscle, making impossible for the victim to move. If the victim by any chance swallowed a bit of it - it destroyed all inner organs. When the poison got into blood - it eventually messed with the blood system, which in the end led to an oxygen starvation in the brain thus leading to either an almost instant and not pleasant death or complete brain death. It was a very complex poison and it's antidote was even more complex, but slowly, step by step, they've been reaching their goal.

Sakura dropped a blob of the poison, that started to react with a faint hiss, on the test scroll and then another drop of the antidote.

It worked.

She exhaled and heard Sasori sigh relieved behind her back.

"Good job, Sasori," Sakura smiled behind her mask and patted the redhead's shoulder.

"You too," he nodded and started to prepare more antidote that the Leaf's shinobi would inject before using the poison.

They were just finished when an ANBU showed up. "Haruno Sakura and Sasori. The Hokage wants you to report immediately." And then it vanished into a cloud of smoke. Sakura and Sasori shared surprised looks and quickly left their lab.

Sakura opened the Hokage's office door after she knocked at it and heard an approving 'come in!' from her shishou.

"You wanted to see-" she stopped abruptly making Sasori run in her back. "-us." In front of her stood a man with shoulder length, blond hair, about the same height as a certain dead bomber, with his back at her. She got chills looking at him and if Sasori wouldn't poke her in the arm she would stand there for quite a while. The resemblance was too noticeable.

"Sakura, this is Iwato Raiden. I'm sure I don't have to tell you why he's here." The said man faced her and Sakura gasped. He wasn't a complete copy of Deidara, but they looked alike as much as siblings could. Though, while looking longer at him, she could see the differences - Raiden had the same blue eyes, but without that confident spark in them, he was serious and smiled politely at her. His features reminder her more of a hard worker than of an artist and for a moment Sakura doubted if he was the right one for the role she had in mind.

"Nice to meet you, Sakura. I'm glad that we finally meet," he bowed. His voice wasn't low or high, it was in the middle, but definitely higher than Deidara's.

"Pleasure to meet you too, Raiden." Sakura bowed in return, keeping a polite smile on her face.

"Yosh," Tsunade said and everyone turned their attention from the pinquette and blonde to her. There were the rest of Akatsuki and team Kakashi along with Ino, Shikamaru and Neji. "Raiden's staying here as long as Sakura needs him. You two can discuss your business later, right now I'll let Raiden to make himself comfortable at his apartment." Two ANBU appeared out of nowhere and led the man outside. Sakura nodded at him when he passed by her and then met Ino's eyes. The woman held her thumbs up and gestured Raiden's direction; Sakura rolled her eyes.

"Sakura." The said woman turned her head back at the Hokage. "Is the poison ready?"

Sakura quickly glanced at Sasori then answered: "Yes. And just moments ago we finished the antidote."

"Good. I've received news of some spies that been found spying around Konoha. They've vanished as soon they were spotted." Tsunade sighed and leaned back in her chair. "I assume we should all stay alerted."

Everyone nodded in approval. "Also, we have the Kazekage and Tsuchikage on our side. The others were too stubborn to accept Akatsuki as allies. I'm still wondering about Tsuchikage, though. But what matters is that he's alright with it, though we should keep our eyes open – he's a sneaky little bastard."

Again everyone nodded. It was silent when Tsunade didn't spoke, they were all processing the information and thinking of ways how to improve more their chances to win.

"May I suggest something?" Pain broke the silence, earning everyone's attention.

"Go on," The Hokage nodded.

"I've been thinking a lot lately about my organization, our alliance and the future." He said calmly with concern in his voice. "And I've made a decision that the rest of the Akatsuki had accepted. We offer you the Akatsuki as a part of your army."

Sakura gasped. Sasori had never mentioned her about anything like this and it came as a big surprise to her, but then again, it was known to her that the Akatsuki wanted no longer to hide from the world and that their chances to survive as an organization were better when working under an army.

"How do you imagine that?" Tsunade looked at him intently.

"We've proved before that we can cooperate pretty well," Pain started to explain. "Akatsuki consists of men with extraordinary powers that lets you to send us on more dangerous missions and assassinations, spearing your own men."

"But what do you get from it?" The Hokage interrupted him.

"Safety."

"Safety?" Sasuke snorted.

"That's right, Uchiha," the leader of Akatsuki answered without hesitation. "Safety. And a official place to reside. Our organization isn't the same it was five years ago. By accepting Akatsuki as apart of your army, you'll get high skilled, S-class fighters that aren't afraid of death and danger. We no longer want to be viewed as criminals. And imagine the respect from other countries when they find out that the worlds most dangerous organization is working under your Hokage."

"That's an interesting offer." Tsunade stood up and went to the window. "Indeed." She looked down at her village. "Have you thought about recruiting new members?"

Sakura could feel the shock in her comrades that the question caused. She was surprised too, but knowing the Hokage better than anyone that was present in the room, she just knew that Tsunade had a rational reason to ask this.

"Yes, I have. But not for now seeing as most of your shinobi doesn't trust us and I can understand why. But in the future, yes."

The blond Hokage nodded and turned back to face the window and think.

Sakura took one step forward her and spoke: "Shishou, allow me to join Akatsuki."

"Are you completely out of your mind?" Sasuke dragged Sakura by her wrist and slammed her against a wall in a narrow and deserted street.

"The hell, Uchiha? Let me go!" She tried to break free from his strong arms that were placed at the both sides of her head.

"No," he hissed. "Not before we've talked."

"Again with the talk bullshit? Then for Kami's sake – spill it out! You're trying my patience, Uchiha." Sakura hissed back.

"Why are you joining them, mm? Why do you keep being all friendly with them?" Sasuke almost shouted.

"Because they're my friends!" She shot back. "Because I've wanted to be a part of the Akatsuki since I met Deidara."

That silenced and stunned the angry Uchiha. He blinked and the shok his head. "Why?"

"To help Itachi kick your sorry ass!" She spat venomously.

Sasuke chuckled darkly. "You amuse me. Now, honestly. Why would you want to join them? Don't tell me because you loved that idiot, because I wont buy that shit."

Sakura snorted. "Why do you care? To you I'm only the same little, annoying and weak girl that I was ten years ago. So, why now suddenly so interested in my actions, mm, Uchiha?"

"Get out of Konoha." He looked deeply in her eyes and she gasped.

"What?"

"It wont be safe here for you when Madara comes."

"Excuse me?" She shouted. Who the hell was he to tell her whether it was safe for her or not? "I can take care of myself perfectly well." She finally managed to get him off of her and started to walk away.

"Think about your son."

She froze.

"Don't you want him to be safe too?"

"Leave Haru out of this." Sakura gritted her teeth. Never in her life had she been this angry and she really hoped that someone would stop her before she'll make a bloody pulp out of the raven haired man in front of her. "You better stop here, Uchiha. I wont stop once I'll start to redecorate your face."

He smirked and with few steps closed the distance between them until she was again pinned against the wall. "Uchiha... you're always so formal, Sakura. I almost miss the old times." He whispered in her ear.

Sakura wished she could sink in the wall when Sasuke again closed the almost non-existent gap between them. "Have I ever told you that you look smoking hot in your ANBU uniform? Then why change it for that hideous Akatsuki cloak?" His face inches away from hers.

"It's none of your business," Sakura said while glaring in his eyes that were too close to hers.

"I disagree here with you. I'm your captain, remember?" His lips already brushing against hers. Sakura held her breath and narrowed eyes. She was this close from killing him. "And as a captain I order you to get the hell out of Konoha."

Sakura hissed, grabbed Sasuke's jaw and forcefully turned his face to the side until her lips where at his right ear. "As a head of the Hospital and Poisoning Center I order you to go fuck yourself!" The last three words she said slowly, tasting every letter in them and enjoying the reaction of his body that stiffened with every word.

She was ready to make sure her words were heard right, namely, punch Sasuke to Suna when he suddenly was pulled away by some force.

"I believe this person was bothering you, right Sakura?" Sasori smirked few steps away. He had used his chakra strings to pull Sasuke away; the Uchiha now struggled to get free.

"Thank you, Sasori," Sakura calmed herself by running her fingers through her long, pink hair. "You just saved him from a certain death."

"Well, that's a shame." The redhead amused himself for a little more while by making Sasuke move some of his limbs awkwardly and then released him.

"Fucking Akatsuki! You're a dead man," Sasuke clenched his fists and took steps towards Sasori.

"I'm not afraid of death. I was once killed by none other than Sakura and my grandmother, so save your breath."

Sasuke growled. "I will not stand you being here. There is no place in Konoha for fucking criminals!"

"Really?" Sasori arched a brow. "Then who are you?"

Sakura smirked. There were few people that could silence the Uchiha and Sasori was now one of them.

"Sakura?" The redhead asked the pinquette. "Are you hungry?"

She smiled and nodded. "Starving."

Sasori watched her angrily eat her food she had ordered at the restaurant. Somehow the Uchiha brat could make her angry easily. He remembered times when she'd come at their base and storm out after Sasuke had made her mad. It was a terrifying sight when she raged in their training grounds; the whole base was shaking from her chakra punches until Deidara calmed her down.

As easily as Sasuke could make her angry, Deidara could put a smile back on her face. Sasori believed that they were truly meant for each other and that their love should be as everlasting as an art should be.

But reality chose it Deidara's way.

Sakura stabbed her fork into the table and mumbled: "Fucking Uchiha! I would kill him if I could!"

Sasori cleared his throat and asked: "What did he say to you?"

"He wanted me and Haru to leave Konoha!" She almost shouted turning everyone's, who were at the restaurant, attention.

"Why?"

"He said it wont be safe here when Madara comes. Like I couldn't be able to protect my son and myself!"

"I'm sure he knows you can," Sasori drank his tea.

"Then why would he say things like that? It almost sounds like-" Sakura's eyes widened.

"That's right," The pupet master nodded. "You've guessed it too. We had our suspicions since we found out that Madara was planning his attack. Sasuke's actions just now proved our theory."

"Dear, Kami..." Sakura whispered. "...he's Madara's spy...Sake, please!" As soon as her drink arrived she took a big sip of it. "We should warn Tsunade."

"She already knows. We told her the day we came here."

"Oh..." Sakura drank more of her sake and offered Sasori too who accepted it immediately.

"I'm glad that you decided to be an Akatsuki," he said after a moment of silence.

"That's the least I can do. Besides, you need a high skilled medic too, and there is no one else who could possibly be better than me or shishou." She thought for a minute. "Let's get drunk, Sasori."

The redhead arched his brow in amusement. "Alright. But how about Haru?"

"He's with Naruto today, so I'm free. Now, more sake please!"

...

"So..." Sakura started after few silent cups of sake. "I believe I've never asked, how is it to be human again?"

Sasori shot her an annoyed look. "That's right, you never asked." He drank his drink. "First thing, the Sun."

"What about it?"

"First, it felt like burning when I first stepped out of the base, then it was warm and welcoming like mothers embrace. I remember spending my days, from sunrise till sunset, admiring the feeling of wind ruffling my hair and caressing my skin, rain rolling down my body. It was...wonderful." He had a dreamy look in his eyes.

"Second, humans touch, skin on skin. I got so addicted to touching people that guys started to avoid me," he laughed at this memory. "But it felt so good. I was a boy technically when I turned myself into a puppet, I didn't got much experienced in touching people...women...not to mention sex. I lost my virginity at the age of 35, can you imagine this? How old were you?"

"Almost sixteen," Sakura smiled. It was Deidara. She had always believed that her first kiss, first time sex would belong to Sasuke, but she was happy that both times it was Deidara.

Sasori nodded and then murmured: "Lucky brat..." Sakura chuckled.

"Yeah," he continued. "That's when I understood what I had been missing all my life, and, damn I was so pissed at myself," he laughed and refilled his cup. "Third - meals and drinks. Kami, I could eat and drink! Kakuzu said that it was cheaper when I was a puppet."

"That's Kakuzu for you," Sakura laughed and ordered the third bottle of sake.

"Yeah. But look at me," Sasori pointed at himself. "I'm in my forties but I look like I'm in early twenties."

"Good thing you didn't age over one night," Sakura agreed. "And..." she hesitated to ask the next question and Sasori's bored look didn't encourage her, but she asked it anyways. "Have you fallen in love since you were human?"

The redhead silenced and didn't look at her. Then he smiled and faced her. "I have. And I'm still in love with that woman. The image of her was the first thing that popped in my mind after I became human again."

Somehow Sakura had the feeling she new the woman he was talking about. She gulped and asked: "Really? She must have had a big impact on your life then."

Sasori still was looking at her, his eyes meeting hers with warmth. "Indeed. She was the last one I saw before I died. She was the one who destroyed all my chances to win that fight."

"Sasori..."she started, though, not knowing what to say next, but Sasori stopped her with a smile.

"Don't. Though, I'm a man that loves to get what he wants, I saw that you were lucky with the brat. He was more suited for you," he took her hands in his. "He made you happy and that made me happy. And don't worry, you don't have to love me ba-"

I guess you could blame it on sake. Or on anything else that induced her to kiss him. He clearly didn't expect this to happen and nor did she, but we did, right? And we can assume that this was a nice ending for Sasori's confession. Sasori was pleasantly surprised and thought that this was very distinctive for her to act out on impulse. Sakura was questioning her own sanity.

"I...uh...er...sorry?" Sakura rubbed the back of her head when she pulled herself away from him.

"For what?" He smirked.

"...for making you wait this long?" She offered.

He smiled and caressed her cheek. The other people in the bar was long ago forgotten. "I didn't wait. I only hoped and dreamed this would happen. But I never thought my dream would become real." He leaned closer to kiss her - softly and slowly, his hands cupping her face, pulling her closer and deepening the kiss. Before they could run out of air, he ended the kiss and rubbed her lower lip with his thumb. "We should take you home before the sake takes advantage of us."

Sakura laughed and nodded. Sasori put an arm around her shoulders and they together left the bar.

...

A dark figure unseen to the them or the other shinobi that were present at the bar emerged from a corner and smirked.

Looks like she has a thing for artists.

There you go! I little SasoSaku fluff ^^