Ha ha, I should be studying for the final exam I have tomorrow, but I thought I owed you guys an update! I love you guys, and thank you for the reviews so far; keep them coming! And I made this chapter a little longer than the previous two, I hope you enjoy how things are going. :D

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.


To say she was tired was an understatement, but she did feel better now after sleeping. Standing up in her bed, Sakura allowed a sigh to escape her lips. It had been a day since she had resurrected Deidara, and two since Itachi. If she kept resurrecting the Akatsuki at this rate, she would be dead in a few days. If the chakra exhaustion didn't kill her, she was sure Pein would. How many more Akatsuki did she have to resurrect anyway?

Sakura knew she would at least have to resurrect three more Akatsuki: Sasori, Hidan, and Zetsu. There was also a 'Tobi' Sakura remembered reading about in the bingo books, but Sakura had not heard whether this member was dead or not. That meant, at the least, she had three days left to walk around freely in the Akatsuki base. This also meant that she only had that many days to try and help Naruto by being here.

It was hard to believe that she could be dead in only a few days; she had to try harder to get information out of the Akatsuki. Maybe Deidara could tell her something. He seemed to only be a few years older than herself, and information could be easier to obtain from someone of her age compared to someone years older. Kisame also seemed like someone who would be likely to slip information easily; Sakura would have to just wait and see.

Sakura wasn't stupid enough to believe Deidara would just leak information out in front of her, though. She would need to manipulate him into doing it; out of all the members of Akatsuki, Deidara seemed the easiest to manipulate, not just because of his age, but also because of his attitude.

Walking to her wardrobe, Sakura picked out a mesh black tank top and spandex shorts. Glaring slightly, Sakura grabbed her Akatsuki robe before putting it on. Looking in the mirror, Sakura shuddered slightly remembering the last time she had left her Akatsuki cloak unzipped. Sighing slightly, Sakura left the robe unzipped; Pein didn't own her, and it was her choice whether to zip it or not.

Sakura smirked as she cast one more glance into the mirror; she had forgone her regular, white chest bindings and went with black ones. The black fit more with her current outfit, and her current mood.

Opening her door, Sakura immediately started to head in the direction of the kitchen; she was hungry and assumed the rest of Akatsuki was as well. Maybe if Sakura pretended she was happy and content it would help her cause; maybe it would allow her to gain trust, and that in turn would allow her to live a little bit longer.

No, Pein would see right through her. He knew she didn't want to be here… Itachi could see through her as well. Stepping into the kitchen, Sakura allowed her eyebrow to rise at the scene before her.

Kisame sat at the table next to Deidara; across from those two sat Itachi. Deidara was glaring at Itachi, Kisame was smirking, and Itachi was ignoring the two. Turning his head, Itachi watched as Sakura entered the room.

Ignoring Itachi's gaze, Sakura walked to the fridge and began to make breakfast.

XxxX

Deidara had just woken up, and decided to go into the kitchen. He needed to know more about the appetizing young woman they were living with. It was hard to believe she had been the one to resurrect them. Deidara couldn't repress a smirk as he saw Kisame and Itachi sitting in the kitchen quietly.

"Yo," Deidara said while taking the open seat next to Kisame. Sitting down, Deidara noticed a diminishing bruise on the blue man's face. Raising an eyebrow, Deidara lifted a finger to poke Kisame in the face. Kisame slapped his hand away, and snorted. "Where'd ya get the bruise?"

"Sakura," Kisame said with a nonchalant shrug. Raising a cup of sake to his lips, he smirked before downing it in one gulp.

"Sakura?" Deidara asked with a smirk of his own. "Aggressive is she? That's kind of hott, actually."

Deidara watched as Kisame snorted, and the Uchiha who had been silent until now, glared at the blonde.

"We are not to touch her," Itachi said in a cold tone. "Those are Leader's orders."

"What leader doesn't know won't kill him," Deidara spoke quietly under his breath. Looking up, Deidara flinched seeing the sharingan glaring back at him.

Itachi's hand shot straight for Deidara's throat, and the hand that caught his throat squeezed harshly. "She belongs to the leader. He has claimed her for himself."

Deidara let out a gasp as Itachi retracted his hand. He glared at Itachi as the Uchiha ignored him. Deidara's eyes turned into slits until something else caught his eye.

Deidara smirked as he watched the pink haired woman enter the kitchen; she truly was beautiful. At the sight of her, Deidara allowed all thoughts of what Itachi said to leave his mind. After talking to Leader-sama, Deidara was even more intrigued with the woman. She was Sakura Haruno, the woman who had killed his partner. He would have to thank her later for that…

Deidara allowed his eyes to wander down her body and he couldn't help but take a deep breath of air. How long had it been since he had been with a woman? Too long was his answer.

Standing, Deidara began to walk over to where Sakura stood. Ignoring the glare he felt from the Uchiha, he continued his walk until he was only a few inches behind her.

"Not much of a ninja if you can't sense someone's approach," Deidara commented with a frown as he took another step towards her. As Deidara tried to take another step closer to Sakura, he was sent flying backward.

Sakura shook her head slightly, and placed her foot back on the ground. She had mule kicked him backward. Though Sakura was planning on trying to get on Deidara's good side, she did not like being insulted. It was his fault when she really thought about it; it was his fault for underestimating her.

Turning around, Sakura glanced back to where Deidara now lay, across the broken kitchen table, unconscious. Kisame sat smirking with his sake glass and cup in hand; he shook his head slightly as his eyes landed on Deidara. Itachi held his tea glass in his hand and looked unaffected.

Smirking, Sakura turned around and continued to make breakfast.

XxxX

Kakashi sat in the middle of a very large council. The council was trying to decide what Suna's best interests were; whether Suna should help the remaining Konoha shinobi attack the Akatsuki or not.

"It would be incredibly stupid for Suna to join this battle," an elder council member stated. "If they were able to take Konoha out so quickly, what would they do to us?"

"Do not compare Suna and Konoha shinobi," another elder snorted. "Suna shinobi are built differently than Konoha shinobi; Suna ninja are made stronger.

"We are not here to discuss who is stronger," Gaara's calm, but irritated voice stated. "This invasion could have happened to anyone. The final decision here is mine, and mine alone; tell me the pros and cons and then be done with it."

"We owe Konoha; we need to help them," an elderly council member stated. Kakashi easily recognized him as Chiyo-sama's brother, Ebizou. "Konoha came to our aide when our Kazekage was in trouble now it is Suna's turn to return the favor."

"Don't be stupid, Ebizou," another council member spoke. "Konoha has benefited from us being allies as well."

"I'm not saying it hasn't," Ebizou spoke with a slight glare. "I want revenge for the people who have fallen to the Akatsuki; I think everyone does. This would be beneficial to Suna as well as Konoha."

The same council man as before snorted. "Konoha may have had losses in this battle, but are they important losses? Name an important person the Akatsuki has killed from Suna and Konoha."

"They killed my sister, Chiyo," Ebizou stated while looking downcast.

"And they have killed Sakura Haruno," Kakashi finally spoke up. It hurt him to say those words; words he wasn't sure he could believe himself.

"…Haruno, as the in the Hokage's apprentice was killed?" The council room quieted as Kakashi nodded firmly.

Frowning slightly, Gaara stood. "We have discussed this topic enough, and I have made a decision. I will send Kankuro to go with the Konoha ninja on their revenge plan. If they will need back up, I will send it. Kankuro is the only shinobi I can spare right now. I will also have some shinobi begin to rebuild Konoha.

"This is my decision as Kazekage, and it is final. We will avenge our fallen brethren."

Kakashi nodded and stood. Walking out of the conference room, he went to find Naruto. Sakura's death seemed to be hitting him the hardest, it seemed Naruto thought it was his fault.

Walking to the hotel room the group was staying at, Kakashi couldn't help but feel like Sakura's death wasn't Naruto's fault, it was his fault… If only he had taught Sakura more as a genin, then maybe she would still be alive.

Knocking on the door, Kakashi entered without a word. Kakashi sighed when his eyes fell on Sasuke; maybe Sakura's death had hit the young Uchiha the hardest…

Sasuke's face was pale, paler than it should have been, and Sasuke hadn't turned off his sharingan since they had seen Kakashi. There was obvious lack of sleep around Sasuke's eyes, and Kakashi then realized Sasuke had not slept as well. "Get some sleep, Sasuke."

"When are we leaving?" Sasuke asked as he ignored Kakashi's order.

"Tomorrow," Kakashi said with a sigh. "And we leave with the Kazekage's support."

XxxX

Deidara woke shortly after Sakura had finished making breakfast, though Sakura still ignored him. She grabbed a plate of food, and walked out of the kitchen.

Kisame smirked and shook his head as he too grabbed a plate, and followed Sakura into the living area.

Sakura sighed as she watched Kisame follow her into the living room. She knew there was going to be no punishment for her beating Deidara… she just wondered how Deidara was going to take it.

Kisame sat on the same couch as Sakura causing her to scoot closer to the corner. She was not yet comfortable, nor would she ever be comfortable around these men. These men were using her against her will; she was hoping to return the favor, and now this was her chance.

"Is Hidan's body extremely damaged?" Sakura asked after she took a bite of breakfast. She wanted this conversation to be casual. Casual was the only way she would get the information she needed.

"Why would you want to know that?" Kisame asked with a raised eyebrow. His eyes shone with mistrust as they darted towards the pink haired woman and she shrugged.

"I would be better prepared for the operation if I knew the extent damage to his body." Sakura lied easily.

"Huh," Kisame's eyebrow was still raised, but nodded his head nonetheless. "I was able to get all his body parts, though they are separated. There could also be some broken bones besides that… I had to drop his body a few times."

It was Sakura's turn to raise an eyebrow. It probably wasn't important, the reason Kisame dropped Hidan's body, but Sakura needed to make sure. "Too heavy for you?" She questioned with a smirk.

"Funny, girl," Kisame said after taking another bite of his food. "I ran into some… rebels on the way back to base. Leader-sama told me to have you look at my wounds when you awoke."

Inwardly smirking, Sakura nodded. "Yes, after breakfast," she said. Examining Kisame would allow her the chance to see who the 'rebels' he was talking about were. If Kisame was talking about anyone from Konoha, Sakura would be able to tell by his wounds.

Finishing her plate, Sakura walked it back into the kitchen. Her eyes almost danced with laughter at the look Deidara gave her, almost. She had to remind herself this was Akatsuki, and the Akatsuki were dangerous.

Sakura washed her plate, and walked back into the living room to wait for Kisame. Kisame grunted slightly at her, but set his plate down on the small table in the room. "I will be able to tell if you're using your chakra to harm me; Samehada will tell me."

Sakura nodded, and stood in front of Kisame. "What hurts?"

"The base of my neck," Kisame said as he tried to rub said area. Sakura nodded and walked behind Kisame. Allowing her hands to glow green, Sakura rested her hands along the back of Kisame's neck.

Soothing the muscles and growing bruise, Sakura noticed a slight inconsistency. Sakura allowed her eyes to widen, but her chakra did not falter. Allowing her hand to run over the chip that was implanted into his neck, Sakura smiled wistfully. This was placed by her Sensei… that meant Kakashi was still alive.

Sakura 'accidentally' scrapped her nail across the skin above the chip. She quickly dug the chip out, and put it into her cloak. At the scratch, Kisame grunted, but Sakura quickly healed over the small scrape.

"Finished," Sakura commented with a nod. She was finding it very hard not to smile; if Sakura kept the chip with her at all times, then Kakashi would be able to find her. Sakura started to walk back to her room when Kisame's hand grabbed her wrist tightly.

Sakura's eyes glanced up to Kisame's. "Thanks," Kisame said after a few moments of silence. "Leader-sama said you will be healing Sasori next; tonight if your chakra is up for it."

Nodding, Sakura started to walk back to her room. She needed to find a place to put the chip without the Akatsuki noticing. Either way, this was her only link to Konoha, and she was going to take it.

Walking into her room, Sakura quickly shut and locked the door. Sensing if there were any chakra signatures around her room, Sakura smiled when she felt none. Taking the chip out of her pocket, Sakura looked at the small thing.

The first time she had seen it was when her and Kakashi had been on a rescue mission. Kakashi had placed the chip on one of their targets. They allowed the target to escape, and they had been able to follow him back to his hideout, and then rescued the client.

The chip gave her a small piece of hope. Grabbing a kunai, Sakura cut a small slit on her wrist. Cringing slightly, Sakura placed the chip into her wrist, and then quickly healed the cut.

Hearing a knock at her door, Sakura's eyes widened slightly before she took in a deep breath and answered the door.

"Yes?" Sakura asked as she saw Itachi standing outside of her door.

Itachi's hand darted towards her, and Sakura was unable to stop him. Itachi gripped Sakura's wrists hard, while he lifted them until he was at direct eye level with her wrists. He eyed them critically before his eyes moved to hers.

"Why was chakra used on this wrist recently?" Itachi asked as his red eyes glared at her. Sakura took in a deep breath, but sighed.

"I cut my wrist with a kunai," Sakura said while looking into his crimson eyes. She was not lying, and Itachi would be able to see that. "I healed my wrist because of it."

Sakura saw what she thought was mistrust in Itachi's eyes, but she ignored it. "Is that the only reason why you came to my room?"

"No," Itachi said while taking a step back from Sakura. "You are to heal Sasori now."

Nodding her head, Sakura sighed before walking out of her room. She needed to control her chakra better; if Itachi could sense Sakura when she used such a little amount of chakra, she wondered idly what else he could sense.

XxxX

Naruto sat on the rooftop of the hotel the Konoha ninja were staying at. Tomorrow they would send two teams to the Akatsuki. Naruto, Kakashi, Sasuke and Sai would be the first team. Neji, Shikamaru, Kiba and Kankuro would be the second team. Overall, these seven were, and still are Konoha's strongest shinobi; they would kill the remaining Akatsuki.

They were doing this for Sakura; well at least team one was doing it for Sakura. Naruto watched the sunset as he allowed a few tears to shed. He should have been there for her; he should have been able to protect her.

He would never forgive himself. The only thing he could think of that would make some kind of amends would be if he killed all of Akatsuki, and that was what he planned on doing.

His eyes wandered over to where Kakashi sat, and Naruto wondered what Kakashi was thinking.

"Kaka-sensei," Naruto called to the silver haired man. "What are you thinking about?"

"I'm not thinking, Naruto," Kakashi said with his eyes closed. "There's something going wrong with the chip I implanted in Kisame."

"What?"

"It's no longer attached to Kisame," Kakashi said quietly. Naruto's eyebrow rose and he walked over to where his sensei sat.

"How can you tell?" Naruto asked.

"The chip is sensing a different chakra," Kakashi said while his eyes were still closed. "I can't tell who it is."

"If it was one of the Akatsuki wouldn't they have destroyed it?" Naruto asked with a bit of hope in his eyes.

Kakashi nodded with a small smile. "There must be a Konoha shinobi being held hostage there. This mission will no longer only be a mission of revenge. It will be a rescue mission as well."

"But who are we rescuing?"

"I don't know, Naruto," Kakashi said with a sigh. "But it's our duty as Konoha shinobi to rescue someone in need."