Authors Notes: Day 2 without internet and it sucks. But I am keeping busy writing chapters, playing Dragon Age Origins, and training my new puppy. A pure bred French Mastiff, let me tell you those dogs have a mind of their own. But, you want to read more about Sakura, so here we go!

Sakura's Secret

Chapter 7

Kakashi was late. This didn't surprise her in the least, but it still annoyed her to no end. Leaning against the nearby wall, she peered over at Sai. He kept staring at her ring, not that she cared. The genjutsu she put around it was far more advanced then anything any of the ninjas could learn here in Konoha. In fact, as far as she knew she was one of a handful of people who knew how to perform such an advanced jutsu. Looking at her watch, she sighed. It was 2:54pm. Then there was a puff of smoke.

"Sorry I am late, you see there was this cat…."

"Bullshit Kakashi-sensei. Tsunade-sama wanted us on our way at 1pm, it's almost 3pm!" Sakura shot at the masked ninja heatedly. He was a little taken back by her outburst, even Sai was speechless. He simply nodded and the three set off without another word.

After almost an hour of traveling the trio came upon an old looking shack. Nestled between a clump of trees. It almost blended in with the surroundings. Obviously built by someone who was in hiding. Kakashi cautiously approached the run down shack, peering inside he motioned the other two to move forward. Sakura however remained where she was, looking up into the trees. They were not alone. Her Rinnegan could already see three chakra signatures in the tree tops. Another thing she used her new genjutsu to hide. She had kept her Rinnegan active since her arrival this morning, and no one could tell the difference.

"Who's there?" a voice sounded from the structure. The person sounded scared, as if he would die any moment now. And if Sakura had her way, he would. She grinned a little at the thought of offering the pathetic fool as a sacrifice to Jashin-sama.

"We are shin obi from the Konoha." Kakashi said to the frightened man. "We have been sent to escort you to safety."

"You cant keep me safe. They already know I betrayed them." the man protested. "If I leave here they will find me."

"If you stay here, they will find you and you will be defenseless." Sakura put in, playing her part. "At least in Konoha the ANBU can watch over you and keep you safer then this place can."

"A-are you sure?" he was hesitant. "What if they attack while we travel?"

"We will protect you until you are safe." Sai added.

"F-fine" the man agreed, slowly poking he head out to look at the three ninja who stood around the shack. He was a thin man. Sakura noted they he did look very much like a weasel. Standing up to his full height he easily stood taller then Kakashi, slowly and warily he made his way to the road where Sakura stood. But she was still gazing into the trees, poised.

"We're not alone." she stated. Not taking her eyes from the tree tops. The other two also got ready. Then, three robed figures dropped down on top of them. Catching Sai and Kakashi off guard, but Sakura stood strong. Easily sending her opponent to the ground hard. Unsheathing her short sword. A cruel grin spreading across her lips as her blood lust began to rise.

"Sakura, watch out!" Sai called as another of the false Akatsuki members attacked her from behind. Sakura didn't need the fool to warn her. Ducking away from the attack she brought her sword back, and slashed the chest of the attacker. Drawing a small line of blood.

By now Kakashi was back on his feet facing off with a bigger man, while Sai continued to avoid the blades of another. Knocking her opponent down again she lunged at the person Sai was fighting, slashing at the mans back, Again only drawing a small cut. She repeated the same process with Kakashi's opponent as well.

The whole time the fight was going on, the weasel like man hid in his shack, sniveling. Finally the fight was over as Kakashi knocked the final combatant out.

"We should leave before more Akatsuki arrive." Sai suggested.

"These ninja are not Akatsuki." Sakura pointed out. Sai and Kakashi both looked at her questioningly. "The symbol on the robes is wrong. So is the color placement."

"She's right." Kakashi agreed. He saw what she was talking about. The cloud was reversed and it was white with a red outline. The Akatsuki had a red cloud with a white outline.

"Either way, Sai is right" she continued. "Before more of these guys arrive."

The four hurried away back towards Konoha.

Meanwhile in Konoha

"Did you really have to test Sakura-chans loyalty?" Ino asked, annoyed. Mainly because she didn't get to spend anytime with her since she got back, since Tsunade sent her off on this loyalty mission right away. She knew Sakura was still loyal to the village.

"She has been away on a solo mission deep where numerous Akatsuki sightings have been reported for over a year." Tsunade said. "It is standard procedure to test someone who has been away for so long. No matter who they are."

"You could of at least given her a full day to rest." the blonde retorted.

"You know as well as I do, these tests need to be administered right away." the Hokage replied. An ANBU member appeared next to Tsunade, whispering something in her ear.

"Good." was all the Hokage said. With that the ANBU disappeared into a puff of smoke. "They just arrived safely. Sakura has passed this test." she smiled. "A few of the ANBU posing as Akatsuki were cut, but nothing serious."

"I knew she would" Ino stated. "I am going to go get her party ready." she bounded off to join the others to finish the preparations for Sakura's 'Welcome Home' party.

Sakura

She was still annoyed by the time she had to waste with this blithering fool. The weasel man had been eyeing her up and down the entire trip back and it was really starting to grind on her nerves. Her body was only for Hidan to view, not some pervert. She silently made a promise to sacrifice his sorry ass.

"I-I must thank you for helping me." the man stammered. Looking at Sakura. "Let me buy you a drink or maybe dinner tonight."

Sai and Kakashi only sighed. Both knew the question was only directed at Sakura. Neither saw the smirk that played across Sakuras face.

"Maybe later." she told him. "I just got back from a long mission and would really like to rest."

"I see, then I hope to see you soon." he winked at her. She wanted to throw up then, but kept herself composed. This 'mission' complete she bounded up to the roof tops and made her way to her apartment. It was close to nightfall, and even though she already prepared three sacrifices for Jashin-sama she wasn't going to skip out on her rituals.

She halted a few roof tops away from her place. There were people in her apartment, at least a dozen or more. She couldn't tell clearly because their chakra signatures were on top of each other. With that many together she knew it wasn't an ambush, it was something much worse from her current point of view. A surprise party.

Groaning, she continued fourth, landing at her door. Taking a deep breath she unlocked the door, and just as she expected all of her former friends jumped out from where they were hiding. The only exception was Konohas own knucklehead, Naruto. Who tackled her into a hug, nearly causing the two to fall off over the railings.

"Careful you idiot, your going to get us both killed." Sakura snapped at him as she pushed the blonde boy away.

"Heh, sorry Sakura-chan." he rubbed the back of his head nervously. "It's just that you been gone for so long."

"Welcome home Sakura." Ino smiled from the front of the group. "I know you must be tired so we'll keep this short."

"Thank you Ino-pig" Sakura grinned.

"FORHEAD!"

Outside Amegakure

"So, you're the one who killed Orochimaru eh?" Kasami questioned the four who stood before him. "And you want to join the Akatsuki now eh?"

"He had nothing else to teach me." the black haired boy stated. Eyeing the elder Uchiha.

"Very well, Sasuke." Itachi stated. "We will take you before Leader-sama."

The younger Uchiha nodded and followed his older brother. His three teammates in tow behind him. Suddenly, everything around him vanished.

"Sorry, but we can't have you see the way to our hideout just yet." Kasami's voice boomed behind him. Sasuke understood. He didn't have to wait long for his vision to return.

Looking around he saw he was in a large council like room. He could see appointed positions around the room. His brother and the larger blue ninja took their spots, leaving Team Snake in the center of the room.

"I understand you wish to join us, Uchiha Sasuke." a tall man with orange hair stated as he came into the light. Rings in his eyes, something he had never seen before. His face betrayed no emotion.

"Yes," he kept his answer simple. The others only nodded in agreement.

"And what skills could you provide that would aide us?"

"All of us possess special skills that set us apart from normal shin obi. Also, Karin is an exceptional healer." His praise caused the red haired girl to blush.

"We already have a highly skilled medic-nin." Pein pointed out with a grin. "Tsunades former apprentice in fact." he then turned to a form who was starting to appear next to Konans position.

"Sorry I am late Leader-sama." a familiar voice spoke.

"I understand you are unable to act immediately." Pein stated. "How goes your mission in Konoha. Sakura?"

Sasuke was in shock. He had heard from the snake sanin that she had joined, but he dismissed it. That he was just trying to irritate him.

"I passed there so called 'loyalty' test easily. I should have the scroll before I depart. However, I am afraid I will not be coming back alone. Under my cover I have been asked to bring another medic-nin."

"That is fine. Do you think they will join us?"

Sasuke was a little irriated that the two were ignoring him, but knew better then to open his mouth. His skills may of improved vastly but he wasn't stupid. The mysterious leader of the Akatsuki was said to have abilities that were beyond that of any existing ninja.

"I have chosen this one specifically with that in mind." Sakura stated, eyeing the younger Uchiha. "Hinata had been constantly at ends with her own family, and her own love interest has been slow to acknowledge her. It shouldn't take to much." she laughed.

"Nn, Naruto was always an idiot." Sasuke put in. Partly to agree with Sakura, and the other to remind them that he was still here.

"Now, back to the task at hand." Pein said as he turned back to the group in the center of the room. "You will be allowed to join the Akatsuki. However there are rules you must follow."

Sakura watched as her brother listed the rules for the new members to follow. She didn't care one way or the other if her former crush joined or not. She had been over him for sometime and had found someone better. Sending a seductive wink to Hidan who stood across from her.

Once the four ninjas were sworn in, the existing Akatsuki members introduced themselves. The small group settled their eyes on Sakuras multi colored form.

"Haruno Sakura. Medic-nin." she introduced herself. "Forgive me for being short, but I must return to my mission."

Pein nodded and Sakura's form disappeared.

Sakura

Sakura let out a long sigh as she relaxed from her sitting position on her bed. She felt drained. In between keeping the jutsu to hide her chakra output and the chakra required to use her ring to take part in the meeting was exhausting. Lowering the Jutsu she moved off her bed, and entered the small room to the side. She had specifically cleaned out this area for her rituals.

Meanwhile, in Konoha's hospital the three ANBU that posed as the Akatsuki members were screaming in agony. A deadly poison had taken effect in their body. Both Ino and Tsunade had no idea how to stop it. It was hard to find any new wounds, as the three of them were bleeding from every pour. Mouth, nose, or eyes. It didn't matter, Blood oozed out from everywhere.

After eight long hours, the screams died down. The three ANBUs were dead. In her bed, Sakura could only grin. She could hear the screams from her apartment, and it was beautiful. The weasel man was next.

Additional Authors Notes: Yup, Sakura is a little dark now. But that's a good thing right? I realize that in my version of the story Sasuke just found out about Sakura joining, but that is partly because I forgot to add his part in one of the earlier chapters. At any rate I hoped everyone enjoyed this update as I set to work on the next chapter. Please review!