Disclaimer: I don't own "When You're Gone" by Avril Lavigne. As well, I apologize for the cheesy musical interlude; I was listening to the song when I wrote this chapter, and I really thought it fit (and it's a good song).

I don't really know how Pein and Konan would act given the following events, so I tried to stick to what I know about their characters (which is not much). I should probably make Pein lay off the death threats, though…

Also, I apologize for making Sakura lapse into her old pathetic self, but I had to for this to work…

Now, to the last chapter... (!!)


Sakura had never known seven days to pass so slowly.

Every day her schedule was the same as always (wake up, eat, train, eat, rest, eat, sleep), yet nothing she did to pass the time made it go by any quicker.

She had taken to listening to lonely songs about missing lovers and the like. For some strange reason, Akatsuki had Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync CDs lying around…

But one song hit her the most, rightly named "When You're Gone":

I always needed time on my own
I never thought I'd need you there when I cry
And the days feel like years when I'm alone
And the bed where you lie is made up on your side

Sakura sniffed, and began to sing along to Avril Lavigne,

When you walk away I count the steps that you take
Do you see how much I need you right now

When you're gone
The pieces of my heart are missing you
When you're gone
The face I came to know is missing too
When you're gone
The words I need to hear to always get me through the day and make it ok
I miss you

Sakura sang the rest of the song with every feeling she had for Itachi Uchiha. By the time the song had finished, se was in tears and could hardly speak.

Only when she heard someone clear his throat did she realize Deidara, Pein, Konan, and Tobi were staring at her from the doorframe. But Sakura was too depressed to be embarrassed.

"If you're going to be like this every time I send Itachi on a mission, Sakura, I will have to kill you," Pein told her in no joking manner whatsoever.

Sakura gave a hiccupping gasp, but stopped her tears.

Pein glanced at her momentarily before turning on his heel and walking away.

Deidara glanced at Konan before going over to sit with Sakura.

"You're upset about Itachi, un?" he inquired.

Her gaze met his and she slapped him.

His expression turned from one of concern to one of anger.

"SHIT! Dammit, Sakura, what the hell was that for, un?!"

Sakura narrowed her eyes. "Get out of my room, Deidara," she ordered through clenched teeth.

Deidara scowled.

"Deidara."

Unable to disobey Leader-sama's wife, Deidara got to his feet and left, dragging Tobi with him (after which he threw the masked boy into a wall).

Sakura looked up. "Konan…leave."

The other woman looked startled but nodded and left.

When the door shut, Sakura burst into fresh tears. What am I turning into? She wondered. I'm acting so mean to everyone who's trying to help me…and I'm crying all the time just like with Sasuke…


The days passed, though as expressed by Avril Lavigne, they felt more like years.

The atmosphere was tense; Pein was on his last nerve, and due to this, it had rained a dangerous amount outside the base since Itachi and Kisame had left. Everyone in Akatsuki knew about Sakura's feelings towards Itachi, and all of them sincerely hoped the Uchiha would return — otherwise, they feared something drastic would happen. Sakura had already been found cutting her wrists, and Pein had ordered at least one member to check on her every hour.

Konan worried about her husband. She knew he always took on stressful jobs like ordering the members to find the tailed beasts, but never, in her years of knowing him, had he ever been this stressed.

One morning she woke to find him sitting on the side of the bed with his face in his hands. His fingers gripped his hair.

Konan slipped her arms around his body, and leaned against his bare back.

Pein stiffened, but when he realized it was her, he relaxed — but only slightly.

"Konan, how many times have I told this organization that they're to keep their romances separate from their work?" His voice was level, but Konan could sense the controlled anger building inside of him.

"They didn't know it would be…to this extent…"

Pein turned around, and Konan's arms fell to her sides.

"I don't care. But I've just sent a message to Itachi and he informed me they will be returning tomorrow."

Konan breathed a sigh of relief. "So why are you so tense?" she inquired.

"That girl is going to kill herself."

Konan's eyes widened.

"Her feelings are too strong," Pein explained. "If she can't be with him, she would rather die."

"Have you been reading Romeo & Juliet?" Konan smiled.

"It was on TV last night." Pein paused. "In any case, I've told Itachi if he does not deal with this issue, I'll kill both of them."

"At least they'll be together," Konan muttered.

Pein ignored the comment. "This is why shinobi should be emotionless — if they allow feelings to get in the way of their work, they will end up being the cause of their own death. And this is why Itachi is so talented at his work. He does not display emotions, and he probably suppresses them inside as well."

Konan nodded. "And this is why you became Pein instead of…" She broke off.

Pein frowned at the mention of his past, but agreed with her. "Yes. And you know what I have achieved due to that."

Konan sighed. Hang in there, Sakura, she thought.

As usual, Sakura woke up, ate a quick breakfast, and then went to train, but found she had no strength.

Itachi is my strength.

She sank to her knees, but she could not cry; there were no tears left in her to shed.

Girl, you so gotta work out your man issues.

Sakura rubbed her eyes. What do you mean, Inner?

Exactly what I said. You're always getting so attached to guys, it's almost stalkerish! Just back off a bit; there are other things in life besides Itachi…though he's damn fine…

Like what?

Clothes and shoes!

That was it! If she did something she really enjoyed, she could take her mind off Itachi!

Nervously, she approached Pein and asked permission to go shopping.

"Why?" he demanded.

Sakura shrugged. "To take my mind off…things…" she replied vaguely.

Pein understood immediately. "Go. And Konan?"

"Yes, Pein?"

"Go with her," he commanded, adding so quietly so Sakura barely heard, "Make her happy or I'll kill the next person I see."

Konan smiled and kissed him lightly before departing with Sakura.


Inner Sakura had been right.

As always.

The shopping trip not only distracted Sakura, but when she and Konan returned to the base (arms laden with shopping bags), her spirits had brightened tremendously. And surprisingly, she did not even notice the dark-haired man until he called her name.

Sakura spun around at the sound of the voice.

Her shopping bags fell.

"ITACHI!"

She ran towards him and embraced him tightly.

"Don't I get a warm welcome too?" asked Kisame.

No one responded A/N: Aw…poor Kisame-kun!

"Come with me to my room," Itachi murmured in her ear.

Mutely, she obeyed.

Itachi closed the door behind them and glanced at her.

"Leader-sama told me what happened while I was away," he said. "I…wasn't aware how strongly you felt about me." As he said this, he put his hand inside a pocket in his Akatsuki cloak.

Sakura sighed. "I don't know what happened…I guess…everything I felt — that night — and then the sudden shock of you gone, and me missing you…I guess it was just too much for me to handle." She sighed again, fearing she would get a similar reaction to the one Sasuke always had given her. "I understand if you think I'm too weak to be worth your notice."

Itachi touched her face. "You are confusing me with my brother. And in any case…" He bent down, and pulled a small box out from the pocket he had his hand in. He opened it, and Sakura caught sight of something glimmering.

Oh…my…God…

Who's the best Inner in the world?

"Sakura Haruno…will you marry me?"

Sakura squealed. "Yes!"

Itachi smiled and put the ring on her finger.


FIN

Final Author's note for ACB (that's Akatsuki's Cherry Blossom, if you're wondering): Well, this is the end! Yay! It's been fun, and once again, thank you to everyone who's reviewed!

Also, I just finished the sequel-ish (it takes place after this, but is not Sakura-centric and hardly has to do with ACB's storyline), called Akatsuki's Little Lily (hopefully I can post that soon). Look out for it!

Ja ne!