Chapter 10: Vacations End, Welcome to Ame

Sakura and Konan's time at the resort came to a lovely close both paying well to the resort and Heisuke for their time at the resort. Sakura and Konan began to hit the road and leave the village. As their feet carried them through Kusa closer to Ame a whistle tone was heard that had Konan pausing. Curious Sakura also paused but remained on guard until Konan smiled and greeted the person, "Oh Shisui-san it's you! I'm surprised Obito or Itachi let you escape on your own."

Sakura remained quiet uncertain how to receive this new Uchiha all the ones she met were reserved and she didn't know what to think yet. Shisui winked playfully saying, "Who said the let me we all know I'm the fastest among us?" His eyebrows wiggled outrageously as if flirting causing Konan's eyes to roll, "Of course, how could I possibly have forgotten that?" Konan turned to Sakura and dully stated, "Sakura-chan this idiot braggart is Shisui Uchiha feel free to ignore him."

Sakura snickered and crossed her arms with a smirk, "Oh I plan to…no one likes a braggart. My idea of my perfect man is they have brain, brawn, and class." She allowed her long hair to move with her as she shook her head and asked, "Where is the closest place to grab those sweets I asked about Konan-chan?"

Konan moved closer and guided her into Ame village checking in with her at the gate. As Sakura quickly became soaked by the Rain she seemed to enjoy it. "You like the Rain Sakura-chan?" Most people wore cloaks to avoid it the only exceptions being herself, Pein, Kisame, Zabuza, and Haku. She smiled, 'Looks like Sakura has joined the water lovers list.'

Sakura hummed happily and followed Konan into the sweet shop where she grabbed and wrapped a large supply of dango and freeze pops not yet frozen. She wrote little handwritten notes to be found by them when they went to look for their treats."

Shisui pouted behind them, 'Ah man Ko-chan is so mean…better go find Itachi or Obito then!' He teleported away, he wanted to announce their arrival to the rest of the Akatsuki members. Sakura and Konan grabbed what they desired and moved to head into the main base where they entered the kitchen only to be faced with everyone. Most hadn't seen Sakura with long hair and gaped at her.

Sasori smirked and ran his fingers along her hair commenting, "I knew you would make a lovely doll…however, I promise to behave as you're our guest Sakura-chan." Sakura placed the wrapped packages labeled with Itachi's and Obito's names on the trays before them and smirked back at Sasori, "I would certainly hope so seeing as you died trying to add me to your collection. It would be such a shame to have to kill and artist again…your art is rare."

Itachi looked intrigued at the package with his name on it and opened the note and wrapping only to smile at the load of dango. Sakura grinned and added, "I heard Obito and Itachi had problems with a sweets thief lately so I figured they could use a hand."

Obito saw his freeze pop assortment and hugged Sakura before running them to place in his personal freezer in hopes of protecting his sweets. Sakura laughed with Konan who had drawn her attention towards the hall to take her to see Pein. Kisame, Haku, Zabuza, and all the others, who had been silent, they were watching after the two women as they left. Zabuza whistled, "Damn she's sure grown into quite a beauty over the years…did you see that perfect blend of muscle and curve?" Haku frowned, "Zabuza-sama must you be so crass? She's a lady after all."

Kisame chuckled and said his own piece, "I see what you mean and kid…that woman is a beast on the battlefield. She's not a lady unless she wants to be. If she had a problem with Zabuza's comment he'd already know it. Ain't that right Princess!" His final sentence gained a reply from down the hall, "Damn right he would plus, he's pretty nice to look at too. To be fair so are you Kisame-san!"

Kisame and Zabuza chuckled while sharing shark-like smirks as they listened to her response. Shisui pouted, "Sakura doesn't like pretty boys I guess…she did say Brain, Brawn, and Class. That's not fair." Itachi just looked at Shisui bored, "Shisui you have plenty of fan-girls. I see no problems with Sakura-san having her own preferences of men. You don't need every attractive girl to think you're right for them."

Obito smirked quietly as he returned having heard the comments between the Mist nin and former leaf kunoichi. 'So Kakashi's little blossom prefers a more rugged kind of man. I never would have guessed that.'

Sakura and Konan giggled and Konan had to ask quietly, "So men like Zabuza and Kisame catch your eye huh?" Sakura slyly replied, "Look at those delicious male forms, muscles galore, can you imagine what a good embrace from them would feel like?" Sakura hummed just thinking about it before adding, "Yum…"

Konan laughed warmly and opened the door to Pein's office saying, "Hello Pein, I've brought Sakura-chan to visit for a while!" Pein looked up with a pleased gaze from his paperwork and stood approaching Konan to give her a welcome back hug. He also turned and extended his hand out to Sakura who smiled, "Hello Nagato-san, it's nice to finally meet you in a sense." She smiled and Nagato chuckled, "I assume Naruto told you of the truth regarding me?"

Sakura shrugged, "When one of your bodies died before in leaf we all were notified. Chakra receivers are finicky and your ability to use them to control more than one form impressed me." Nagato nodded accepting the compliment for what it was saying, "Welcome Sakura-san even if you don't stay permanently it will be nice to have you here."

Sakura grinned in return, "I'm glad to have been invited who knows I may stick around if I like it here but, I've got some traveling and exploring I want to do before making my final choice." Nagato reading Naruto's letter understood her need to wander after having never left the village for her own sake before.