The rest of October flew by in a blur training, bruises, punishments, and homework. Before Sakura knew it, it was the first weekend of November and Master Kensouske had deigned the gennin well behaved enough to earn a trip to the city. Like the rest of her year group, Sakura was excited for the rare day off. She tucked her money pouch into her weapons pouch.
The pinkette had three months' worth of allowance that she had saved for this moment. She owed Naruto a really good Christmas present for convincing Shisui Uchiha to train her.
Sakura had had another two sessions with the older boy, both of which went similarly to the first. Shisui had wanted her to surprise him, so she tried to take a leaf out of Naruto's book. The blond wasn't anything if not unpredictable and stubborn.
However, she didn't have his stamina, so exhausted herself well before the training session was up. Shisui had frowned at her and then set her to running laps around the field until he called for her to stop.
"Unfortunately for you, duckling, I know Naruto's style like I know the back of my hand." Sakura had blushed as bright as her dyed hair.
With both Shisui's and Tenten's help, her taijutsu had improved, securing her a rank in the top twenty for the physical portion. That, combined with her high placement in academics, always one of the top three alongside Sasuke and Shikamaru (although the placement of first, second, and third was always changing between them), provided a lot of comfort for the nine year old girl. Come time for the mid-year evaluations, Sakura was confident in her chances of making it through to the second half of the year.
As it was, she expected to pull up another few spots in the overall ranking, which she was currently fourteenth, without the bonus points she would receive for displaying her Iryō-nin skills. Not that she was going to give up her medic-nin training. It was the one part of the Shinobi Institute that Sakura was actually enjoying thus far. Her academic classes came too easy, and the lack of a challenge made them a chore, and the first half of the year for the rest of her classes only covered the basics, which were repetitive and redundant.
That was another item she had to pick up today. It had been over three months since she had first colored her hair, and Sakura was due a touch up else the pink would start showing through. The first year gennin had all split up and gone their separate ways the second they reached the city's main street, so Sakura wouldn't have to field any questions about why she was buying hair dye.
Sakura grabbed the dye first, as it was vital to her disguise, ignoring the inquisitive looks the stall vendor gave her. Then she methodically went through the list Tsunade had sent with her. The famous medic had seen no point in sending one of her nurses to stock the infirmary when her apprentice was already going to the city.
The list was mostly comprised of herbs; Sakura recognized many of them as fever reducers or blood thickeners, and more bandages. Acquiring the necessary supplies was easy enough. All she had to do was mention she was shopping on Tsunade's behalf and the various shop owners ceased haggling and practically threw the plants at her.
She stepped back out onto the bustling main street, pleased to have finished Tsunade's shopping so quickly, when she spotted Itachi. It was the first time Sakura had laid eyes on the heir to the kingdom since the day she arrived in the Chikara Palace. He was in the company of the other chuunin that had agreed to mentor the first year gennins. Sasori and Deidara, she recalled their names.
Curiosity got the better of her and she followed after her elusive mentor.
Or tried to. Not even three streets and Sakura lost sight of the three chuunin. She heaved a sigh, not actually disappointed. It wasn't as if she expected to be able to trail them to wherever they were heading. All three of the older boys were in their third year as chuunin. If they couldn't shake a tail at three quarters way through their training, well, they probably wouldn't have gotten that far and wouldn't deserve to earn a hitai-ate.
A pair of hands grabbed her, one arm across her shoulders that steered her into an alley, and the second hand settled over her mouth.
"Stalking is illegal, you know. Especially when the subject is our beloved prince," a familiar voice said in her ear.
"Shisui-san!" she exclaimed one he had withdrawn his hand. Shisui had tried to get her to call him without the honorific, but Sakura wasn't going to do that. The last thing she needed was extra punishment because Ebisu-sensei or Iruka-sensei caught her calling him by name. She didn't care how relaxed he was compared to his cousins and the rest of his clan.
"And for the record, duckling," his dark eyes twinkled with mirth, "in the future you should flare your chakra if someone grabs you."
What the hell was he thinking? Sakura knew he liked to joke and getting a rise out of people, but there was nothing funny about this. Shisui had practically scared her half to death. She had thought she was going to be stabbed and left in an alley to die.
She tried to convey her annoyance through a glower, but given that Shisui's bottom lip was caught between his teeth to stifle his laughter, her face probably looked more like a scrunched up rabbit face than an angry one. That's how her brother always described it as when she used it on him.
"Alright, I apologize, Satoshi-kun. I'll just keep it to practice, how's that sound?"
She borrowed Shikamaru's most repeated phrase. "Troublesome."
"Here, let me help you with that." Shisui knelt down to gather up the results of her shopping, which were strewn about, having been thrown when he unceremoniously startled her. "Red hair color, eh?" he questioned lightly, and Sakura felt sweat beading on the back of her neck.
"Want to tell me the story behind this?" the brunet wiggled the box. "If you don't, I'll assume it's something embarrassing."
More like illegal. Sakura felt frantic. She needed an excuse that didn't sound like an excuse. "It's for me!" she blurted, to which Shisui arched a thin eyebrow. The rosette swallowed, titling her head down, lowering her eyelids a little bit, and will herself to blush, giving off the appearance that she was embarrassed. "My hair is actually pink and I didn't want the other boys to make fun of me for having pink hair, so I colored it red."
It was partially true. She did dye her hair red to mask her normal pink locks, just not for the reason she gave to Shisui.
The Uchiha blinked, clearly startled, not having expected that answer. Then his expression turned thoughtful. "I think pink hair would look good on you," he announced. "It suits your face better. Your eyes are too bright for a red head."
Sakura made sure not to look at her mentor weirdly. Was he some kind of stylist guru now? Although, she supposed ninja did have to know what facial features looked natural for infiltration missions. That didn't mean she didn't think he was weird though.
Shisui was the most personable Uchiha the girl had met. Sasuke, who was just a year older than her, was stiff and withdrawn from the rest of the gennin. Except for Naruto, who the younger prince fought with all the time. Sasuke was polite, barely, and wasn't interested in making friends. His elder brother on the other hand, was courteous and approachable, but Sakura found him intimidating. She had seen Itachi spar Deidara once and he was lethal. He took his duties seriously, and it made the lines on his face more pronounced.
Their cousin was the complete opposite. Naruto's personality in an Uchiha is how she would describe it. Shisui was gay and lively and outgoing. He was also more relaxed and carefree, not hesitating to show his emotions or speak in a manner other than monotone.
"Thanks, I think." Sakura didn't think there was any other response she could give in this situation.
"No need to hide yourself, Satoshi," he said seriously. But there was. Sakura had a forehead protector to earn. It was the only way she could protect her brother, as she was too involved to back out now. The minute she suggested that she go in Satoshi's place she had determined the direction her life would take for the next eight years. "You'll make the strongest bonds here at the Institute. You can trust anyone one of your classmates to have your back. They're not going to care if you have pink hair."
"Fusoku would," she pointed out, just to be contrary.
Shisui waved her comment away. "The opinions of an arrogant civilian don't matter. Just beat the crap out of him if he gives you any trouble."
"We're not supposed to fight outside of lessons," frowned Sakura.
"Gennins are always getting into fights with each other. Just don't tell Master Kensouske you participated in a fist fight. The traditional excuse is to claim you injured yourself training."
The chuunin grasped her elbow and steered her out of the alley and back onto the main market street. "I think it only right that I accompany you the rest of the day so as to protect you from the rabble that would stick a kunai between your ribs."
Sakura shivered at his cheerful delivery as he continued. "It would be a disgrace on my part as your senpai if I let harm befall you."
The young girl sighed, but didn't resist. Mournfully, she couldn't help but wonder why all of her friends and senseis were pushy, eccentric people. Shisui, Naruto, Tsunade, and even Tenten. Was nobody she knew sane?
The answer to that, as she would discover, was no. Sanity had no place in her profession. Shinobi were assassins; contract killers plain and simple. The red life blood of humans sank deep into their skin. Every person dealt with the guilt of taking another's life differently, though they usually took the form of a couple unique personality quirks and harmless habits.
Shisui led her to an inn of all places, named the Dancing Hawk. If Sakura had felt uncomfortable approaching the building, it was nothing compared to how she felt once inside. The inn was crowded with patrons, all of adult age.
The taller teen pushed his way through, dragging an unwilling Sakura behind. He stopped at the bar, where she was shocked to see three faces she recognized. Sasori no Akasuna, Deidara of Iwagakure, and Itachi Uchiha.
Her first coherent thought was that Shisui was going to rat her out and inform the crown prince that she had tried to follow him. Sakura didn't know what the punishment was for that, but she was sure it was horrible. Then she noticed that all three of them, and several other men seated at the bar, were wearing a red cloud patterned black cloak. She estimated them to be older than twenty, at least.
Uneasy, Sakura shifted so that she stood half hidden behind Shisui as the older boy apologized for being late.
"Who's the fucking midget? Are we letting little fucking brats in now?"
The speaker was a man with slicked back silver hair and eyes that were the most mesmerizing shade of purple Sakura had seen. Her gaze drifted down, spotted his bare chest, because he wore his cloak open with no shirt, and shot straight back to his face. She fought down a blush as he sneered at her.
"Calm, Hidan," a second male spoke. He, too, had distinctive hair; an orange that Naruto would be jealous of. "I'm sure Shisui has a good reason for the boy's presence."
"The boy is right here and can speak for himself. And the name is Satoshi," she stressed, not at all pleased with the condescending way both men had addressed her.
There was absolute silence. Sakura caught Shisui shooting her a look that said don't be an idiot, and she found herself wondering just where he had brought her and what she was getting into. Maybe it would have been better to not speak and let them ignore her.
Then the newly identified Hidan was laughing, pounding his fist on the wooden counter. "The boy has fucking balls."
Sakura ignored Hidan, largely in part because the yet unnamed man was eyeing her with an appraising stare that sent chills down her spine. Apparently, she passed muster, because his personality did a complete flip and he flashed her a grin that stretched from ear to ear.
"I'm Yahiko and these," he gestured to the other cloaked males by rolling his hand around on his wrist, "are my Akatsuki."
The man to his right, with hair a deep red color, rolled his eyes. Sakura couldn't help but wonder if this was some kind of Doujutsu gang. Both Shisui and Itachi had the Sharingan, curtesy of being Uchihas, the red head's eyes were clearly indicative of a doujutsu as well, although she had no idea which one he possessed, and Hidan's purple eyes were distinctive and unique enough that he might also have a doujutsu.
"Not your anything," he muttered.
"I like you, kid," said Yahiko. Sakura simply nodded, not certain how to respond to the man. "You're welcome here anytime, and if you ever need help, just drop by. Me and Nagato are almost always here," Yahiko indicated that the red head was Nagato with his thumb. "There's always one Akatsuki to be found here."
Her mouth felt dry. A man who spent all his time sitting at the bar of an inn drinking was giving her free reign to visit? Did Yahiko own the Dancing Hawk? What in the Sage's name had Shisui unwittingly dragged her into?
Shisui dragged her out of the bar hours later, with no resistance because Sakura was all too willing to leave, with the excuse of making sure the first years obeyed curfew. His friends—if that's what they were—had joked about Shishui letting his jounin master tuck him into bed, and several lewd suggestions that had her ears burning. Their snide remarks followed the duo out the door.
The chuunin set a fast pace, leaving Sakura to curse his long legs.
"What was that about?"
"Just satisfying your curiosity, duckling," he said, dismissively.
She believed that as much as she believed her nursemaid's bedtime stories about the nine Bijuu that ate misbehaving children (Sakura had been four, but she wasn't stupid. Massive beings made entirely of chakra didn't exist,) but didn't argue.
Every person she met seemed to be comparing her to an invisible measuring stick, judging her worth to them personally. Such intent scrutiny was exhausting, and she was frankly annoyed with having to pass unknown tests every time she so much as talked to a higher ranked shinobi.
She had enough issues to deal with without getting involved with Akatsuki. It wasn't her business if Shisui and the prince chose to hang out in a shady bar once a week.
But damn if she wasn't curious as to why.
