Sakura: Gawd...Deidara? I mean- he's a hottie and all...But I was so certain I would be paired up with Itachi in this story!! *pulls out copies of first three chapters* See?! It was the perfect set up- the relationship between Itachi and I- complicated, mysterious, two different people that don't understand eachother... but throwing Deidara in- what gives?!
Midnight: Well for one- I didn't say you wouldn't be paired up with him- or even that you would for that matter. *glares at readers that are hopping up and down in their seats* The story doesn't specify. ...Keep it up and I'll pair you with Kakuzu!
Sakura: 0.0;;;; Have mercy!!
Itachi: Besides that Sakura, we already have our own fanfiction that Midnight has YET to finish -at the very climax of the plot. Any explanation there- Midnight *glares*
Midnight: Eh...hehheh ^.^o Well...I'm just so focused on this story... I'll pick it up again...
Itachi: You best do that.
Midnight: .... ... .........
Sakura: Wow. Not everyday the character scares the author. Nice work Itachi!
Itachi: Naturally Sakura. Readers- get reading. Midnight has some more in depth explaining to do...
Midnight: ...Help me...
...No, seriously..
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"Deidara-" the spiky haired man took a small step in front again, either trying to maintain his dominance over the group, or prevent a fight from breaking out...or perhaps a mix of both, "Do you know this girl?"
The apparent man- Deidara (the obvious name of Satan)- opened his mouth to speak, and I could feel my stomach churn. I did not want this to get out- perhaps after I had time to think about how I could keep the situation at bay, but at the moment I was completely caught off guard! If this got out I would be the laughing stock of Konoha and I would never see the end of it!
"Well...you see leader-sama-" Oh no, no no no..this would be so bad!
"BREAKFAST!" a loud voice yelled through the open door, cutting off his blabbering mouth. I gave a sigh of relief. Thank goodness.
The circle of guys stated parting, revealing an apron ed 'chef' Anko, wheeling in large dishes of food. I couldn't help but give her the biggest grin, she had literally come at the PERFECT time.
The red haired man, still in control, turned to her as she wheeled past him, giving her a suspicious glare. Perhaps if it were anyone else, it would have worked too...though being Anko, it meant little to nothing.
Anko rolled her eyes, a bit of her southern attitude peaking through, "Pa-lease. Back off, I'm not an assassin I'm just your freakin' cook. Chill out spiky. -Hey Sakura!" she waved with one hand, as if she hadn't been telling off one of the most powerful men in the world only a second ago.
"Sakura- you're looking pale..everything alright?" She continued to push the cart into the kitchen, watching me for an answer.
"Uh...no..I'm fine Anko. Just...tired. Tsunade made me fill in for the hospitality unit, so here I am."
I could feel the man's stare (glare) on my back, most likely not enjoying being talked down to by Anko. Oh well.
His fault for glaring at her.
Regardless for how inner Sakura felt, I still felt compelled to give him a bit of explanation about her, seeing as she failed to introduce herself properly.
"That's Anko- she's our chunin instructor and also trains some of our elite academy students that show promise sssoooo...why she is cooking is...odd." I turned away from 'Spiky' as Anko called him, hoping for some form of answer. Though I was thankful she had come, she was now serving only to make the atmosphere fairly tense between the two segregated people types. Konoha vs. Akatsuki.
(Why was I not suprised?)
Anko explained, letting the cart go and walking back around into the main hall, "Well Tsunade ran into me today, and, would you believe it Sakura- the cooks great Aunt's uncle's wife's twice removed sister-in-law's mother died and he had to go to a funeral-"
"Oh how tragic" I said sarcastically, though Anko didn't catch onto that part
"I know right? But so I told her I would fill in. I can't really cook worth anything...in fact I've never seen black tamagoyaki before...but...it may be good right?"
I sighed. And here I thought I was slightly creative for making such a homely meal this morning.
"Uh...sure Anko. I'm sure carbonized tamagoyaki is...all the rage." I choked out, though was inwardly groaning. That sounded terrible! How could you BURN eggs? I can understand sticking to the pan, or falling apart....but when it starts changing color...shouldn't you know to take them off the burner then and there? ...Or at least when you started to see black spots? I mean- flames coming off the carbon laced morsels should be a good signal that something is VERY wrong indeed.
"Oh, you know Anko, Tsunade also told me that the cook has this brother, just out of culinary school that would love to have this opportunity, so how about you get back to your desk and get your work done? I'm sure your behind."
"Yeah, but that's why Tsunade has Kakashi doing my work-"
"Oh for heaven's sake!" Tsunade that weasel! I'd kill her myself if I didn't adore her so much..
Before she did anything else wrong, like, I donno, insulting our guests again, or giving them burnt food, I stormed to the kitchen and politely kicked her out the door and slammed it shut. I wasn't sure who was doing the most damage, Tsunade or Anko. Both were making it incredibly difficult in making my job of welcoming them, easy.
I turned around, giving my neck a roll as if trying to ease the building stress, and then realized that I had just shut myself in with THE Akatsuki. This was beginning to feel like a cheesy nightmare.
About this time, the men had slowly migrated towards the kitchen, staring questionably at the food. God, men in large groups could be so stupid, no matter how smart they were as individuals.
"She didn't poison it..." I called out, still standing by the door. Well, that was unless of course one could die from over exposure to carbon- in which case we would all be doomed.
I grabbed the handle to dismiss myself, feeling it would be best to let them settle and eat in private without a Konoha villager staring down their every move.
"Wait- Haruno...is it? I have some questions for you.."
I gave a shrug over my shoulder, "I don't think I am authorized to answer any questions about Konoha- I am sure you can understand." I stated plainly.
Suddenly, the door frame began to shift like clay until this...thing...MAN came out of it...like a plant... or something. I could feel my heart rate accelerate, and I knew that there was no way I was getting out until that thing was not sticking out from the wood.
The Akatsuki...just who were these people?
I backed up by sub conscious reflex, silently warning me that he was dangerous and to get away. I ended up backing right into the leader, who lightly, but firmly, grabbed my forearms so I couldn't escape or run. Not like I would anyways. There was a giant plant man sticking out from the freakin door, at least the leader was human..
"I insist."
"Uh...ok." I said, sounding rather dumb and slightly breathless. I didn't get afraid easily, but being in a room full of freakishly strong criminals that you have hated sense you learned about them was a rather frightening experience and it had officially begun to affect me. My nerve wasn't near as strong as it had been with just Itachi, and even then I was rather restrained in comparison.
I was awkwardly drug to the black leather couch, where I sat down in the corner of one end, and slowly the group filtered into the wide room, taking places on the couch, or standing against the wall, but generally all there in a group again. They were each holding a plate of questionable food, poking and prodding around it's contents for an only partially burnt morsel. (There was nothing left unscathed entirely)
True to her word, it appeared as if Anko had cooked it all with a blow torch...and knowing her, she very well just might have.
"Alright, seems how we will be working together...as much as I hate it, it will just save your hokage from asking. Please relay our identities back to her, as I don't want to waste any time." Spiky stated in a monotone lull, looking around the room for the first to speak up.
At first the room was silent, until an eerie voice spoke up loudly, "I'm Hidan, this is Kakuzu."
I stored away each face and name for later use, hoping that anything I learned I could use against them one day. After all, we weren't permanent allies or anything, and it would be stupid to miss this opportunity.
"Uchiha Itachi." The eerie, smooth voice of Itachi finesed through the air, "Though we have already met, Haruno-san."
I gave a nodd to him, accepting his statement with silent communication and respect. It was funny. Out of all of these men, I perhaps hated Itachi the most, though still, I would feel more comfortable with him than any of the other men. ...It was such an odd revelation.
"I'm Hosigake Kisame- and I am quite certain we have met before sort of -You're the kyuubi kid's teammate right? You grew up quite fast huh, Sak-ur-ra?"
I tried not to roll my eyes as he used my name pointing out the irony of growing, with my name being that of a plant. Lame really. And slightly creepy.
...No human being should be blue. I would have to do some studying on him when I got home. At least the plant guy made sense, this guy was blue for Christ's sake.
"I am known as Aka suna no Sasori"
Ah. I had heard of him. Though I knew that beastly box wasn't his real identity, it was quite the adrenaline rush to be in the room with a mad group of killers. Made me feel dangerous, petrified, and maniacal at the same time.
"I'm Zetsu- hi." A voice came out from the wall beside me and started rippling like water, revealing the face of this 'Zetsu' plant man.
"Uh...hi...Zetsu..." I forced myself to say pleasantly, though my voice cracked slightly from fear. For some reason the idea of being able to morph in and out of walls slightly alarmed me. I mean I could walk through walls by shifting chakra and all...by STAYING in a wall? How could one do that for an extended ammount of time? Wouldn't that rip one in half? ....Yet another subject I would have to study when I got home.
Spiky cleared his throat, glaring at the blonde. After no response, the leader all but growled, "Deidara, now."
With a loud (childish) sigh, the blonde tossed his head to the side, giving me a disinterested look "I'm Deidara, yeah?"
His voice was the literal personification of the word 'annoyed'.
I wanted to glare at the guy. I didn't like him, he was overconfident, and rude, and stubborn, and..GR!
The leader ignored his more than sarcastic introduction, introducing himself, "And I am the leader of the Akastsuki Organization." The leader? That was his name 'The Leader'?
"So you're the leader then?" I meant it in a -that's your name?- kind of way, but he took it in an 'are you the leader' sort of way, and responded in a firm nod.
Inner Sakura was already creating scenarios in her head the very moment he gave his title, laughing hysterically.
"Hey the leader- how you doing today?"
"So, the leader, Tsunade wants to see you to discuss a new development."
"The Leader- are you busy...the Leader??"
I almost laughed out loud, but deciding Anko had done enough to upset the man as it was, I took a more careful approach, "Um..the ...leader...?" It was so hard not to laugh.. "Um...please don't think me rude, but..I can't call you that. ...You aren't my leader."
The room fell into a tense quiet, all the men staring at me with shock written all over their faces- even the eyes of Itachi were lit up with wonder, or perhaps it was just the lighting. (For a Uchicha was never- NEVER surprised.)
Apparently, telling the leader such a thing was not something done. Oh well.
He slightly glared as if holding back anger, biting out somewhat in well measure, "Then you may address me as Pein, if you so desire to address me." After a slight pause, he continued, "And aside from this burnt abomination," he pushed it away onto the edge of the couch as if the dismissal would hurt it's feelings or something, "We do appreciate your warm welcome."
He continued still, much more talkative than the Uchiha "...You seem to be most calm about our arrival Haruno. Always wondered what it would be like to be on the 'dark' side?" He wasn't trying to play mind games like that of Itachi, instead, curiosity seemed to bite at him as to why I wasn't glaring and yelling at him like my teammate might have been.
I gave a plain, disinterested shrug, "Not really. I, long story, was assigned to welcome you guys here. It's not personal, it's business. If it WERE personal, it wouldn't be this smooth. I don't like any of you at all. Personally-" I elaborated, "I hope you all burn in hell." My eyes landed on Deidara and I allowed myself an icy glare.
The room fell silent again at just how blunt I could be. Oh well. They would learn.
"However- It's NOT personal. It's business. Therefore I smile." I moved my gaze back around the room with a thoughtful expression, "I smile because I represent Konoha- which needs assistance. I smile because this brings hope to my village- even if it goes against everything I think is right or wrong. In the end- because it does help, it makes it so I can smile. Strange as it may be I suppose..." I slightly trailed off, perhaps even confusing myself in the end. I wasn't quite sure about how I felt about the issue, but it was my job. I would do my job at all costs.
Pein gave a slow nod, and generally a wave of acceptance, and intrigue washed over the room, "Interesting. Yes, you will do nicely I believe.." Pein all but whispered, more in thought to himself I suppose.
"I beg your pardon?" I asked, confused by his last statement. What would I do nicely? I wasn't even quite sure of what he was getting at. He showed little interest in me as a female, so my more basic senses were at ease, though this meant something along the lines of my abilities- which also made little sense. What could I possibly posses that Pein would want? Considering he had a room full of incredibly talented young men in their prime, I was a weak girl to be crushed.
Pein turned to Itachi, ignoring my presence entirely suddenly. "Did she talk so much- and so bluntly when you were here?"
The man's face held no emotion, though there was amusement in his eyes, "If not more so. Do recall she is a member of the kyuubi's squad. Perhaps some of her unbecoming traits can be linked back to him and his brash emotions."
I rolled my eyes with a scoff. Psh. No. Not Naruto. Tsunade. If they wanted to see 'unbecoming' all they had to do was wait until noon and they would see the farthest thing from lady like. Compared to her, Naruto was a British man at tea time.
After being ignored for some time, I shifted slightly, preparing to leave. If they had no further use of me, I prefered to be gone. I didn't like them. Nothing would ever change that.
"Can I go? I know I look rather young, but I am needed here in my line of work as Tsunade's adviser and medic. I have a bunch of things I am required of and I would prefer to get started..so if I may-" I started to get up, though Pein cut me off casually, as if I hadn't asked to be dismissed at all. I shifted my weight back into the couch with an inaudible sigh. Perhpas I would never get away from them.
"Itachi has informed me of Konoha's plan. He said that it was fairly clever and well thought out."
I gave a nod, still in hopes he would let me leave.
"...He also said that it was created by you." he gave me a curious side glance, "Is this true?"
I gave another slow nod, slightly on the defensive. This Pein...just what was he getting at?
"Haruno- was it? Please do tell me about your skills and attributes." Though his words were polite, his voice was stating it as a command.
Inner Sakura was snapping her fingers and bobbing her neck, declaring some form of 'he did not' though outer Sakura just stared at him in even greater confusion. Why was he asking me these things? My skills didn't matter, because it was unlikely I would have to use them. After the plans were set and they left, it was likely I would never see them again.
I was simply there to help them plan, send the team out and help out to keep homeland at bay. With the Akatsuki being the other team, I wasn't needed any more. I could stay here and help Konoha at the heart. My skills were no longer necessary, which was good for me I think.
"Well..uh...I'm a medical ninja- or at least- that's my specialty." I stated dumbly, not really thinking I should be the one bragging to them. Rather hypocritical in my mind, "For a normal ninja, I've got really good chakra control..."
I noticed Itachi's nod from my peripheral vision which gave me some encouragement. If Itachi could agree, maybe I didn't sound as ridiculous as I felt "And I think that I am very good at planning and using my mind's intelligence to outhink and outwit my opponents."
"I see." he stated, dropping the subject, baffeling me further.
Gosh, if he was going to make such a big deal about asking me all these things, the least he could do was tell me why!
I took the opportunity in the silence to stand up and sway things into my control, hoping to get out of the area. "Alright, before I go, I just want to explain a few things-" I walked around the spacious area as if taking them on a tour, "As you can see, here's the living room, kitchen, down that hall there's like...a lounge I guess, the other side of the hall is the laundry room, and at the end of the hall is the stairs to the second floor- that's where all your cots are. I hope it isn't too awkard with all you sleeping in the same room- but it's rather spacious so it shouldn't be awful..um..OH- Tsunade wants us all- myself included- to be in her office noon sharp- Uchiha can take you there I'm sure...um...I think that's everthing..."
Pein gave me a dismissing nod, and with a thank you, I practically bolted to the door. The men had dispersed throughout the entire area, either exploring, or unpacking...or whatever it was that S-ranked criminals did...and with a feeling of accomplishment, I grabbed the door handle, turning it slowly, and opening the door.
Just as I was about to walk out, the door was forced shut, an arm holding it closed. I followed the arm back to its owner, wanting to groan. Deidara.
"Not so fast. We've got to talk."
I could feel a tingle run down my spine. I turned around facing the inevitable person I was hoping would just fall off the face of the planet and never be heard of again.
"What?" My voice wasn't sharp, more tired and weary. You could tell the stress of being in the same room with such a crowd was starting to catch up with me and ware me down.
"You didn't tell me you were the Sanin's pupil."
"Yeah well I was hung over, pissed, and naked for that matter and...you didn't exactly tell me you were an S-ranked criminal so if you'd excuse me-" I pulled the door open again, though it slammed right back shut.
"But you see- I'm allowed to be a bit hypocritical. I'm an S-ranked criminal. Everyone expects me to be bad, so really, I'm just living up to your expectations. You though? My, talk about a complete fail."
I rolled my eyes, pulling the door open again, though, again, it closed.
"Would you quit it?" I hissed, releasing the door handle and crossing my arms, glaring viciously. Without even realising it, when I had gripped the handle so forcefully after it shut again, I had actually crushed it into a small bit of crumpled metal no bigger than a quarter. I wasn't even aware my chakra had been leaking out from my anger. I did have quite the temper around this man for some reason.
"Oh- you've got a temper to?!" Deidara laughed, noting the bit of destroyed metal, mocking me further, "Crushing doorknobs everywhere- what? Do you smash unsuspecting mailboxes when you get real angry? Vicious thing aren't you?!"
"Oh that's it!"
Suddenly, I was leaping into the air, pushing him over the large leather couch and landing the both of us roughly onto the ground.
"You DO have a temper!!" he smirked as I landed on him, both hitting the ground with a loud thud.
"Shut up!" I hissed, punching him hard across the face.
At first the look on his face was that of pure shock- he didn't think that I would..or that I even could perhaps. Either way it was his mistake. His mood quickly changed as he also became angry that I dared to strike him.
He kicked me off of him with a great amount of force, jumping up onto his feet, though a bit too slow. I had grabbed the ceiling fan while I was flying in the air, and reversed my impact into a swinging motion to pump my legs, and kicked him into the wall.
Aw man, Tsunade would kill me...
I gracefully landed on the ground like a coiled cat ready to attack, only to be shoved backwards onto the ground, hitting the back of my head roughly, then being punched with great force in my abdomen. I was slightly sprised at the force, if I hadn't used chakra to cushion the blow, his strength from that one punch alone would have been enough to bruise my internal organs and put me in a comatose state for at least a couple days- then in the hospital for a couple months afterwards.
...I would have quite the nasty bruise in the morning from this.
I jabbed a palm strike into a main chakra point into his neck, disrupting his flow of chakra. Another attack like that could truly do damage to me, and I had to be sure such a possibility was minimized. He gave me another glare, most definitely feeling his chakra decrease as mine manipulated his. He raised his hand up to backhand me, which I was slightly dreading. For some reason, it was a complete (no pun intended) slap in the face for a guy to backhand a girl.
I would rather be punched, kicked, stabbed....than be back handed by a guy. Being backhanded meant you weren't even worthy for him to even slap you for real. It was like setting you in a place where you weren't as good as him- not even close. He was your better, and you just weren't worth it.
I did what every girl does, despite all my ninja training. I squinted my eyes shut, bracing for the pain and humiliation sure to come from this one slap alone. Though in that moment, I was pulled up tightly, sending my anger on fire again, and I kicked and thrashed in the air, looking around for my opponent, also begging pulled backwards by a large metal contraption.
"Let me go!" I groweled in a girlish voice to the man behind me, whoever it was, "I'll bash his face in!" I threatened, meaning every word.
Pein burst in, looking shocked, amused, and bewildered all at one time, "What is going on?! How in the world do you two know each other and why are you fighting?!"
"He started it!" I pointed, still too angry to hear how childish I sounded.
"Yeah- I'm sure I did-" he responded sarcastically, twitching against the restraints, itching to keep fighting with me.
"You probably poisoned my drink!"
"Try the other way around -I only sleep with HOT girls"
I could only gape, then try to lounge at him again. No luck. All that came was anger and adrenaline flowed through my veins even quicker.
Pein looked back and forth between Deidara and I, explaining his thought process aloud, "Wait wait, you mean you- slept with him?"
The room quieted, and all the men stared at me, waiting for an answer that I refused to give. And it would have worked too- had my face not betrayed me and turned dark red in a more than obvious blush. The once quite room filled with dark laughter.
Pein tried to be professional and act as if he didn't care, though even he was smirking at the irony of 'little miss perfect me' sleeping with the big bad S-ranked criminal.
"So let me get this straight, innocent Konoha girl- sleeps...with one of my members?"
Deidara rolled his eyes as if it were just as embarrassing for him.
I doubted it.
I scoffed, "Pshh, please. I don't remember a think. I was really- really drunk..."
A gruff voice- the voice of Kisame, came behind me (so he was the D-bag that was restraining me..) "You don't remember anything at all?!" A few men joined in the laughter at some joke I wasn't getting, then Kisame attempted to speak through his laughter, "You know kid, I always figured you were lousy in bed. Never imagined there would be any proof though, she can't even remember a thing about you!"
"Shut up!" the both of us shouted passionately, apparently neither of us having the patience to deal with the situation any longer. Deidara continued, shifting his shoulders so Sasori would release him, "Get this metal thing off from me Sasori- I'm done with her." Deidara began to walk off, and I could feel the pressure around my abdomen slacken, and I landed on the ground gracefully.
I ran forward and grabbed Deidara's wrist, being sure to make my eyes as hard and cold as I could, "You are coming with me." I whispered dangerously quiet. Deidara rolled his eyes, but didn't rip his arm away, so I assumed it was a silent agreement he would comply. I walked to the door, stopping to address the leader, "He and I will sort this out. I don't want it getting in the way of Konoha and Akatsuki's alliance. Remember, noon sharp. Both of us will arrive on time, unharmed." I didn't even wait for his permission, merely turning the almost non existent door handle and walking out into the hall.
After a moment of walking silently, Deidara spoke from behind me, just as annoyed as he had always been before, "You better have a reason for this Hanato- or whatever it is- it's bad enough having to ally with this place, let alone running into you."
I sighed, walking at an even faster rate. Perhaps telling Pein we would both returned unharmed was a bad idea, "Its Haruno. And yes I do have a reason okay? Just...just please stop. I have yet to ask you for anything, but I am begging you-" I was almost in tears at this point, the stress of it all was hitting me, and hitting me hard, "If you think you've got it bad, try being the one that actually lives here. You can't understand how hard it is to have to be around people I have been born to hate- my mind can't take it so...please...I don't want to fight ok? Just please.." I kept repeating, not even making any sense to myself anymore.
There was no response from the man behind me- slighlyt unsettling, but I was happy it was not another rude or sarcastic remark. I just couldn't handle it anymore. It was was sheer stress to have to cooperate with the men, and it made my head and body...just hurt in general.
I did not like the Akatsuki- and the more time I was around them, the more I was certain of that.
As we walked out the front, the main receptionist gave a wave as we walked by, "Hello Haruno-sama, already done for the day?" she asked with a pleasant smile. It was amazing someone in this building was actually in their proper place- Tsunade most likely forgot about receptionists. I was halfway expecting Konohomaru to jump out and demand to see proper identification...not like he would know what it was when he actually saw it though.
"Aa." I gave her a smile back, "But I'll be coming back later though for a meeting. I doubt my work hours will be anything close to normal for a while."
She shifted around some papers, adding in my allotted time, "Alright, well i will be sure to log you in and out upon your arrival. Have a nice day ma'am."
"You too." I nodded, exiting the building.
The sun had fully risen into the sky now, though it was still fairly early in the morning. It might have been just a bit after eight, maybe a bit sooner. Somewhere around there at least.
"So now can you tell me why you need me? It's not quite a secret that we don't quite get along. Ten minutes and you already tried to kill me."
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes for the hundredth time, as I was beginning to feel fairly childish. We continued walking down the streets of Konoha rather peacefully, and I was certain that the expedition would go well. My goal was to get his ring back to him. Now that he was here, there was no reason for me to keep it, and my bonds to him would be broken (for the most part at least)
Just as I was certain, things would go right for at least this one thing in my life as of late- it happened. And when I say it, I mean Naruto. Naruto happened, god bless it.
"Sakuurraa-chhann!!!" he called from the Ichiraku ramen stand, running towards Deidara and I. Inner Sakura slammed her head repeatedly against a shadow wall in the space of my mind, asking 'why' in various ways and languages. Outer Sakura just hoped that if I didn't respond maybe he would get the hint.
Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Naruto still charging after us. "Speed up!!" inner Sakura squealed, outer Sakura agreeing and picking up the pace to a canter. Deidara walked up faster, confused as to what was going on, "Who is that gu- wait." he paused, eyes concentrated as he thought it out, "That's the kyuubi kid isn't it?"
"Yes!" I hissed, walking even faster as if I were in line for black Friday, you know, walking but really running? (As if no one can tell that you are not actually walking...do we really think we've fooled anyone?) "And if he finds out that you are a member of the Akatsuki then this whole city will freak!"
"Great.." he mumbled, "Any ideas Harusho?"
"Walk faster!" I stated in a whisper, "And my name is Haruno! Sakura Haruno!!"
Naruto suddenly jumped infront of us, cutting us off. "Hey Sakura-chan!" he grinned obliviously, "I tried to catch you but you kept speeding up."
I almost groaned. How in the world could someone be so blatantly stupid? Naruto would always be Naruto I suppose. Now I had two blonde-haired idiots following behind me. Just great. All I wanted was to give his stupid ring back to him. That was it. Why did I have to deal with Naruto? Why? What was so wrong with my goal that life had to intervene again?
Naruto was suddenly poking my shoulder and leaning in to whisper something, and it was so hard for me to not shove him down to the ground with my superhuman strength. "Ne- Ne...Ne Sakura?"
"What. is. it. Naruto." I forced out through gritted teeth.
"You didn't tell me you had a boyfriend."
Deidara was suddenly laughing from behind me, most likely at my facial reaction, sitting at a perfect look of defense and shock all in one. "N-no he is not!!" I demanded, shoving him away slightly so he wasn't invading my bubble.
Naruto laced his arms behind his head, giving a shrug, "Well then, who is he?"
"Who..is he?" I repeated, trying to find an answer that would make sense. Deidara wasn't wearing his cloak, and in Konoha he wasn't known by appearence...but not like that helped me all that much. Naruto knew the Akatsuki were coming and if I wasn't careful, even he could find out that this Deidara, was THE Deidara from the Akatsuki.
"Um...he...he's uh..." I stumbled, unable to think of anything. Even inner Sakura drew a blank on this one.
"Her cousin." Deidara cut in, donning a charming smile. If I didn't know the inner demon side to him, I would have thought it to be adorable. Though regardless, I was more thankful than any other prominent reaction. Family. Of course.
Naruto gave a questionable look, slightly confused, "But I thought your mom was an only child?"
Deidara made a face as if they had been caught, but I quickly covered, "Yeah, but my dad isn't." At least that part was true, "You remember how I told you about my uncle who is an ambassador?" I added in. It was amazing that when you state 'you remember' people automatically do, even if it never happened. No one wants to feel like they have poor memory. Did I actually have an uncle that was an ambassador? No. But now that I stated it as something that he 'forgot' he will disregard any doubt he had in order to prove his memory useful.
"Yeah, I think I remember you saying something like that Sakura.."
I smirked slightly in triumph. Works every time. I continued, now that I had a firm solid block to build on.
"Yeah well, this is my cousin. He doesn't get to travel much though because he is an ANBU member for the village my Uncle is an ambassador to. They think he might shift loyalties if he visits too much. You know- cause technically his whole family- even his father, is a village member to Konoha"
Deidara looked slightly surprised as my ability to outhink my opponents (or friends) finally kicked in, rather flawlessly too. I wasn't kidding when I told them I was good at it. Using my head was something I could do even in the academy, though years of training under the 5th made those abilities sharpen to a point.
Naruto grinned, waving at the Akatuski member, "Hello Haruno-san" he assumed that he would be a Haruno (which if he actually were my cousin, would be true)
"Hello.." he stated awkwardly, irony so thick I could put up wallpaper with it. Naruto peacefully conversing with an Akatsuki member, the Akatsuki member not trying to kill him, but more so just get away? I wanted to laugh hysterically.
"So where you guys headed?" Naruto asked, still keeping pace with us even after the mystery of my follower was discovered. I just wish he would go away.
"To my apartment." I saw Deidara's brow raise in suspicion, and I suppose if I were in his shoes I would have as well. Going to someone's apartment, just one on one, especially if that one on one was a boy and girl, it sounded very suspicious.
Though he would just have to wait it out. Until Naruto was gone I could talk to him like the person he actually was. Right now, he was my long lost cousin coming over to visit. How quaint.
"No way!" Naruto responded, "That's where I'm headed too!"
I paused in my walk, catching both men by surprise. "Naruto. What were you doing going to my apartment without me? You didn't even ask! You can't just randomly break into my apartment!"
"Sakura- I wasn't breaking in!" He whined back, though in the mood I was in, I was far from caring
"Really now?"
"Yeah- I know where the spare key is. If you have the key, it's not breaking in." he reminded me innocently, still not seeing why it was wrong at all.
I groaned, walking again, seeing there would be no point in trying to reprimand him, "Fine fine, so what did you need there?"
"I left my headband there so I could go training. I just washed it so I didn't want to get it dirty again so quickly."
I gave a nod, trying to find the light in the situation. In a way, it was a good thing that he was coming. I didn't want to give Deidara the wrong idea about my intentions, and plus Naruto being there would make it so we wouldn't kill each other. Tsuande would already have reason to kill me from our last fight- let alone if we had another.
The rest of the trip was silent, until we finally stood at the DOOR of my apartment (I was proud that I still had a door) and I reached into my handbag, grabbing out the key and opening the door.
"Alright come on in guys. I want to do some tyding up, the place is a wreck, but we should all be out of here soon enough." I held the door open, Naruto walking in casually (this was like his second home) though Deidara stood awkwardly in the doorway, staring at me with suspicion.
"Comin in, cuz'?" I asked, giving him the look.
He gave a sigh and walked in, obviously tense about being in a closed off space with two Konoha elite ninja, both trained by Sanin. For all he knew this could all be an elaborate scheme to kill him.
Naruto and Deidara took a seat on the couch and chair in the living room, while I bussed around the place grabbing random cups and dishes, socks, etc while making small talk with the guests. Naruto grabbed his headband, standing up. Thank goodness, he was finally going to leave.
Instead of taking the traditional route to the door, he walked over to me, "So what's for lunch."
I stood up straight, holding the basket of laundry tighter, "Uh...lunch..?"
"Yeah, you're long lost family member is here...you ARE going to cook for him, right?" He asked, slightly surprised that I even questioned it. My eyes widened. Of course. If this WERE my 'long lost cousin' it was both tradition and courtesy to cook for them in their honor- it would be considered rude if I didn't. ...But he wasn't family!! Though, if I wanted to hold up the charade...
"Fine Naruto." I grumbled, shoving the random clothes articles into the washer, "What do you want?"
"No, what does HE want.. Sakura-chan are you feeling well? I've never seen you so inhospitable and angry."
"Peachy."
I stormed into the living room, glaring daggers into Deidara, "What do you want for lunch?" I hissed, hating the feeling of having to serve the undeserving cretin. After a moment of him looking at me with further suspicion, then finally deciding that I was being serious, he gave a shrug, trying to be polite
"Just...rice."
Naruto sat back down on the couch, instantly com- wait. Back on the couch?!
"Naruto I thought you were leaving!" I groaned, now knowing that Murphy's law was perhaps truer than the bible itself.
"Well...Sakura-chan is the best of cooks.. And I can't let your cousin just want rice. I'll take care of it. How about sukiyaki beef, miso, nimono and tempura. That's pretty traditional- oh and some Tsukemono too! I love those little things."
I turned to Naruto, gaping. Literally.
All that food?!
I wouldn't cook that for my sisters wedding- let alone this guy!
"Naruto you nuts?! That will take me hours!!"
"Exactly" he grinned, still not getting it.
He was so hopeless.
Deciding that this would go no where, I walked into the kitchen, grabbing all the bowls and ingredients I would need. It was quite the traditional meal, nothing I didn't know how to make from memory at least, so it shouldn't be too hard at all. To save time, I did many different tasks at one time. There wasn't time to cook it dish by dish, not when both Deidara and I needed to be back at the central office by noon. It was sometimes overwhelming to have so many things going on at one time, though overall, I had learned to master the art of multitasking.
I prepared the breading and coated the vegestables, carefully placing them in the hot oiled pan. I spiced the beef with soy sauce and a touch of gingeroot and fresh minced garlic, giving the pan a slight shake before placing the meat in to sear.
After most of the dishes had been started, I went through a mental checklist, realizing that there was one dish I was forgetting. The tsukemono. I didn't even like tsukemono. After a look through the fridge, I discovered I didn't even have what I needed to make it.
"Naruto," I called out through the kitchen, "I can't make the tsukemono, I don't have the stuff to make it and with everything on the stove I can't leave."
I heard Naruto gasp, then shuffling across the floor, "What?! No- no you have to! I know, I'll run to the store for you. I'm sure you two would love to catch up and all-" And before I could even object, I heard the door open and close.
I gave a sigh of both stress and relief, having mixed emotions about Naruto's departure. I could hear movement from the living room, and suddenly, Deidara was standing in the kitchen, leaning back against the fridge.
"Sooo..." he stated, staring into the various pans of food
"So." I replied shortly, attempting to ignore him. I moved the tempura from the heat, lightly tossing it before setting it aside to cool.
Deidara stood there silently, as if pondering something, then obviously deciding to go for it, spoke up, "Um...so, the kyuubi kid.. We were talking and all."
"Really now." Bland response again. I did not like him. I did not like the Akatsuki. I didn't want to be cooking for him- I didn't want any of it. Yet here I was- doing ALL of it. No one could make me converse right now, not for any reason.
"Yeah actually...you know, he's not a bad guy."
"Well, you'd be surprised. When people take the time to know each other, they almost always realize the other person really isn't so bad."
Deidara raised a quizzical brow, pointing out the hypocrisy of what I had just said.
"I know I know-" I retored with a roll of my eyes (I really had to quit that..) "But this is different. Usually it's just a misunderstanding. I hate you."
"Fair enough." he replied with a smirk. His look quickly changed to one that seemed puzzled and..cautious.
"Hey um...Har...Han..Hach-"
"Oh for goodness sake! HARUNO- Sakura Har-u-no! Not that hard! ...And stop trying to call me by my last name anyhow, feels like I'm in the office already. Sakura ok? Like the flower. Not that hard to remember."
He gave a slow nod, as if attempting to put my name to memory (I highly doubted it) then continued, with that strange expression still across his face, "Right then, Sakura yeah? Well...about that night uh...well.."
"What about it? Wait don't tell me- was there some curse word you wanted to call me but forgot to?"
He groaned, shifting his weight back into the fridge in frustration, "No, that's not it! God you are testy!"
I dropped my saibashi in the pan, turning around to glare at him with as much hatred as I felt inside, "Yes. I. Am. Can you imagine- waking up with absolutely NO memory whatsoever of an ENTIRE night- and all you know is that you slept with some random person, and if that's not bad enough- THEN you find out, they are your worst enemy!?!"
Deidara gave a sarcastic laugh, "Oh um let's see- Well yes I can in fact. Go freakin' figure."
I glared again, walking back over to the stove top with a growl, Deidara walking up beside me, still ranting, "You think I like being here? Like this is some tea party for me? This huge scheme wasn't my idea- you have no clue. Besides, I came here in the kitchen to ask you something."
I snapped out, "Really? Well I don't have anything to tell the likes of you-"
"Just shut up! You think you're so cute with you're snappy comeback but I know you have some-"
"No! You don't get to insult me because this is MY-"
"Stop ignoring the question!"
"What question?!"
"Tell me what you need to tell me!"
"I don't have anything!"
Suddenly, Deidara grabbed my forearms, shoving me to the kitchen wall, my back hitting with a painful smack. I slightly winced, feeling the racking sensation of pain course through my being. He had his arms shifted to both sides above my shoulders, caging me between him and the wall with only inches between us.
"You mean you don't need to tell me- I donno- that you are pregnant?!" he yelled in my face, anger clearly portrayed again.
My voice caught in my throat, unable to respond quite yet to accusation I was so shocked.
"I- uh.."
"Yeah that's right I knew- the kyuubi kid told me all about it."
Finally, I found my voice, perhaps the anger of Naruto telling a random stranger my about my non-existent pregnancy fueling my ability to speak.
"No- No no, Deidara, I'm not! I am not pregnant I swear!" It was at this point, both stressful, and comical, though the stress was currently the victor of the two, "...And what a way to treat a pregnant lady- slamming her into a wall."
Deidara still held me there, unconvinced. So I explained about how the tale of my being pregnant came about to cover the information of the coming of the Akatsuki.
"That's...it? That huge story...just for that?"
He back up slightly, then shook his head and moved back forward, taking the opportunity to yell in my face all over again, "You mean to tell me that it was all a huge hoax? Haven't you ever heard of insomnia?!"
"It's a condition upon which the indivi-"
"I know what it is! Next time, say you can't sleep- not that you've gotten pregnant!!" He pushed off the wall and stormed back into the living room, and I could hear the heavy footfalls as if he were pacing.
Looking over all the food, I decided that everything was pretty much finished, and I turned off the burners. Now that Naruto was gone, I finally could get his ring back to him and hopefully put and end to this...confusing event. I washed my hands, drying them off on the small towel by the sink, then walking off towards my bedroom- still hearing Deidara muttering angrily to himself.
Though I didn't fault him. I would be shook up too if I believed that I got someone I hated pregnant. That might make me go insane actually. It was a wonder he didn't do more than slam me into a wall. (Yet another nasty bruise I would have in the morning..at this rate I would look like a lepord!)
I dug into my jewlery box where I had stashed the small trinket, laughing when I found it. A green ring that read green. Perhaps I would miss the commical little thing.
I walked back out from my room, straight to Deidara.
"This is what I brought you here for- now that Naruto is gone at least, here you go." I grabbed his wrist, bringing his palm up. I gently pressed the ring into his hand, closing his fingers around the object, "I found it after I came back to the village." I finished in a whisper, as if it were some sentimental moment or something.
He opened his palm in curiosity, a small grin spreading over his face. He slid it over his index finger, looking up at me again, "I was wondering what happened to it. One day it was just gone suddenly...Thank you Saira-"
"Oh forget it!!" I stormed off, wondering why I was being nice to that cretin for even a moment. If I were wise, I would have poisened the food while I had the chance.
"Wait- Sakura- you're name is Sakura!" he defended, looking both amused and sorry at the same time. ...How was that even possible?
I angrily slammed plates onto the table, attempting to set it and organize food across it, ignoring him entirely again. I hated him. The Akatsuki. I hated them all and when this was over I would jump at the opportunity to kill a single one of them. Especially that one.
We soon found ourselves sitting around the table, Naruto returning to a very silent room, tense atmosphere. Him being as dumb as usual, didn't even noticed and set the pre-made tsukemono on the table amounts the sea of plates and food already set out.
"Itadakimasu"
And Naruto was practically swallowing his food whole- plate and all. It was a rather disgusting sight to see truth be told. Deidara and I, having manners resembling that of a human, ate slowly and actually chewed the food. For a mere moment, it almost felt normal, though after looking at the Akatsuki member, I promptly reminded myself about his rudeness and brutality.
"Sakura.." Deidara stated, halfway looking into my eye, then slightly loosing nerve and adverted eye contact, "This is...really good." he practically had to choke the compliment out, though I still took with with surprise.
"Oh.." I stated dumbly, not sure how to respond. I was geared and ready to respond to any negative statement he could dish out...but a compliment? Rather unexpected..
"Well...thank you..."
It was then that it happened. I smiled. Only for a second, because Inner Sakura went instantly on alert, giving me a speech about the crazy man and how much I hated him. I stood up quickly, ending the split second moment of peace I had come to with him.
"Deidara and I are headed back to the central office. I want to show off my family- you know how I am-" I forced a sincere grin on my face, "And I have a scheduled allotment of time with her in half an hour. Care if we go?"
"No no, of course not Sakura-chan! As always it was delicious." He stood up, shaking hands with Deidara, who gave him a shocked dumbfounded look. He may have had the title of my family, but he was down to the core a villain. Shaking hands with the prey must have been an odd experiance.
Even for me it was unsettling.
And with that, we headed back to the office, ring returned, issues of me not being pregnant sorted out- as far as I was concerned, our lives were back to how they should be.
Completely segregated, laced with disdain and hatred. That's how I wanted it to be.
That's how it would stay.
-----
A/n: Ok so I wanted to write this in the last few chapters but I always forgot to. You see- Sasuke's death- I wanted to give you some background on it- pretty much, where this story came from. This past year, almost 4 or so months ago, 3 people from my highschool got in a car wreck and died.
Now I don't know how big this sounds to one who isn't familiar with death- but it is traumatizing. One of them was a good friend of mine- and let me tell you it's nothing like on the movies. Death is scary- it makes you want to stay inside and not come out for fear of the unkonwn. It makes you loose hope and believe that nothing is worth anything at all anymore. Death makes you want to cry and shake and hold something in your control- but all you can do is cry.
I don't know how many of you have read my profile or anything, but I am a senior in highschool- and when this event happened, I found out at work. On my way to work, I passed by the wreck- unkowning that my friends body was somewhere in the crumpled metal scaps- texing my friends 'did you see that wreck on 160?' After getting off the clock, I was told the news and went ballistic. I didn't sleep that night- I walked out in the streets, it was downpouring ironically. I suppose I'm lucky I didn't catch a cold.
The next day at school didn't even go normally. Zombie children replaced the loud obnoxious highschoolers that ran through the halls inbetween classes- people brought their guitars in and sat in corners and sang praises and hymns- an entire wing of the building was full of counselors and phyciatrists the school hired for that day, where kids could go at will and mourn with their peers. I spend most of the day there myself.
But the hardest part was the fact that I HAD to move on- I din't want to...but it was my job. My responsibility to. I had to keep at life and get my diploma- and that sucked so bad!! When all I wanted to do was curl up in a ball and cry myself to sleep each night, I knew that I had homework- tests, work, kids I tutored that looked up to me. I had a job to do- and it didn't matter that I lost my friend to something to frightening I wanted to run- I had to do my job. Life kept on moving, and I could choose to let it pass me, or suck it up and move with it.
That's where this story was created. When I had nothing left- I wrote. I created. And this idea was formed.
Sakura looses Sasuke- traitor as he was- a good friend and someone close to her heart. Now we all know how tender hearted Sakura is deep down- and such an event would be devastating. Death isn't funny- and a medic like her would know it's destructiveness. Though with the rising threat of Orochimaru- Sakura CAN'T pity- she has her job to do reguadless the fact that her life is falling apart. This story is written around the dark fact that life isn't fair- far from it- and in the end, it's not the strong ones that survive (I mean look at Sasuke) but the ones that have enough guts to stick it out and suck it up.
Happy endings may not truly exist, but I do believe in happy beginnings.
...
I graduate May 14th- 3.78 gpa and have earned enough scholarships to get me 2 years of college free.
I am working towards my career goal of becoming a nurse practitioner. I may not have been able to do a thing to help what has already happened, but in the future- I will be able to help those like my friend.
See you next Tuesday C: