First off I want to say a HUGE thank you for all the support everyone has shown me over this whole being reported business. I haven't heard from any working at Fanfic yet but you just never know? Anyway if one day the story does get taken down I will leave a link on my profile page – so don't worry! You'll get to read the story until the very end.

This chapter isn't dark like the others. Come on guys we have to give Sakura some kind of break? Anyway just incase you think I'm going against my dark theme – Im not. Remember you have to rise before you can fall.

Chapter 10 – Akatsuki

Hi. My name is Sakura Haruno. I'm part of Akatsuki. We are a team looking to capture tailed beasts to create a better world. But I'm a bit different you see. I don't go on any missions because I'm pregnant. Everyone else gets all the fun! I am just stuck at whatever place we have made our base waiting around for the others. Everyone is so protective of me since my accident - apparently I've had a head injury which has affected my memories. So I don't do alot of anything.

There are only four people I've met so far. My Akatsuki friends. Lets describe them one by one, firstly there is Sasori, he looks like a kid but he speaks as if he is an adult. I guess he is just wise beyond his years or something. He likes puppets, I mean really likes them. He makes me puppets to play with when I'm bored but he promised he is making the best puppet for my child. He is really sweet.

Deidara. He always gives me this weird look, it makes me feel uncomfortable. He always looks down but somehow I know his personality isn't like that really. I wonder what he is upset about, if only I could remember! When I think about his blonde hair sometimes I think I remember another blond guy who is always smiling but when I focus more, the image of the face disappears in my mind.

Then there's Kisame. I hate him. I know its an awful thing to say but I really do. He makes my skin crawl. I know he is a bad person - I just know. But I try my best and act normal around him even though he annoys me all the time and he even calls me the 'Uchiha princess.' Sometimes when my imagination gets really bad, I even think if I had a blade around I would stick it in his back.

Last but not least of all there is Itachi. Itachi Uchiha. The Uchiha are supposed to this big shot clan or something but I don't know anything about that. Itachi is my protector, the one who is supposed to protect me. He is really beautiful, sometimes I could stare at him all day. But then he would notice and I would get embarrassed. I don't know what I've done to get so lucky but Itachi said he would do anything for me. Anything! I love being around him, he is so gentle and...

She stopped writing when she felt a presence come into her room.

'Sakura. What are you doing?' Itachi was standing by the door frame.

'Im writing all my memories down! So if I ever forget my memories again all I need to do is read this book.' She waved the book to Itachi. 'But you aren't allowed to read it!' She pouted.

He chuckled.

'I mean it Itachi! Swear on it. Promise you wont.'

He nodded his head to side. 'I promise.'

Sakura had always felt some tension around Deidara. She wanted to fix it for good; the situation had turned a bit ridiculous. He wouldn't even stay in the same room as her for 5 minutes. Right now he was intensely staring out of the window trying to avoid all possible eye contact with her. Okay, mission fix relationship with Deidara start!

'Deidara. I don't know if in the past I've done something bad to you. I can't remember. But if your willing I would like to try a fresh start.'

'You haven't done anything, yeah.' He's still not looking at me...

'What's upsetting you then? Maybe you need to talk about it?'

After what had seemed like a very long time he turned to face her. 'I'll tell you a story.'

'Once upon a time, yeah. There was this girl and she was hurt very badly. I rescued her from this awful place, the most terrible place you could ever think of. But she was nearly half dead already. I wouldn't give up on her and did my best to look after her. Every day. At first she looked really beat up but as time went on she got more and more beautiful. I even called her sleeping beauty, because that was what she was, yeah. I didn't get the chance to even speak to her but I knew, yeah. I just knew if that when she woke up; we would be the best of friends.' He suddenly stopped his story.

'You can't quit the story now! So, did she wake up? Did you get to meet her?'

'Yeah. She woke up. It was perfect. She was exactly the girl I thought she would be.' He let out a half smile.

'Umm… so what happened to her in the end?'

'She's gone.' Sakura wasn't sure if she should ask to clarify what he meant, gone as in dead or gone as in missing. 'And…She won't ever be coming back.'

Poor Deidara he looks so miserable. He must have really cared about this sleeping beauty girl.

'My sleeping beauty was really sad but if she just given me a chance, she would of seen I could of made her happy. But its too late now... yeah.' He looked really upset. Sakura felt a burst of anger swell up inside.

'Well you know what, I think she is an idiot. Who wouldnt want to be with a good looking guy like you! Your clever and most importantly of all you have an amazing sense of art!' Don't let anyone upset you like this Deidara.

'Art is definitely an explosion! Yeah!' She fist pumped the air.

Her heart melted when she saw him give a huge smile back.

They had been camping out in the wild for weeks now. Jugo didn't know where they could possibly visit next, every town had ended with up the same results – nothing. He was worried for Sakura, how safe would she be with the Akatsuki? But he was even more concerned about Sasuke, each day he was apart from Sakura the more violent and uncontrollable he was becoming. He would always wake up screaming because of nightmares and recently had just giving up on sleep completely. Even now in the middle of the night, instead of sleeping Sasuke was just staring into the campfire.

'You cant sleep Sasuke? It is very late, if we want to cover more ground you will need sufficient supplies of energy.' Jugo could see the bags under Sasukes eyes, he looked truly exhausted.

'I'm fine.' It was a lie but then Sasuke would never admit he had a problem.

'I never did ask you what happened to Sakura before she was taken. Was it really you? Did you do that to her?'

Now there was tension in the air 'Yes.'

Jugo wasn't sure what kind of emotion lay behind Sasuke's words. 'Why?'

'She tried to leave me. And I…' Sasuke had decided to stop speaking.

Leave you? He wasn't going to push Sasuke for any more information, it was a big enough step for him just to talk about it. But I won't give up until you tell me how you feel about her Sasuke.

Deidara couldn't stop thinking about it over and over. It made him want to be sick inside. A painful real life was always better than a fake good life. How could you do this to her Itachi? How am I meant to look at her and be happy when its all fake? He had remembered what Itachi had said to him 'a genjutsu... makes the person believe what they truly want is real and erases all previous memories.' It was the last part that really haunted him 'erases all previous memories...'

'I have been looking for you everywhere. Is there something on your mind?' It was Sasori.

'I can't do this anymore. Sure I'll kill anyone you ask me but this? You know I don't play games, yeah.'

'Do not be foolish Deidara. You heard what Itachi had to say. If the jutsu is attempted to be broken the person will become insane or even brain dead. You say you care for her, if you do you would not be prepared to take that kind of risk.'

Deidara grumbled in protest. 'It just isnt right... Thats all.'

'Itachi is a wise man. He has his reasons. Regardless, what is done is done now.' Sasori was right. It always annoyed him that Sasori never wrong.

'If it comes down to it, yeah. I will definitely protect her. You're either with me or against me Sasori.' Sasori hadn't seen that look in Deidara's eyes for a very long time. 'And I'm not as weak as Kabuto either.'

'Have you guys seen Itachi?' She had peered into the living room and saw Kisame and Deidara there; they were both sitting on the floor with tons of bottles around them. Is that Alcohol? No way! Where did they get that from?

'It's always Itachi with you isn't it? Stupid princess can't do anything by yourself.' Kisame was very red faced and obviously drunk.

'Don't talk to her like that!' Deidara also was very drunk.

'Yeah! I am my own person. I was just looking for him you see.' Sakura let out a small hmph after she spoke.

'No! You can't do anything without him!' He grinned showing his pointy teeth. 'Unless you wanna prove it wench!' He filled up a bottle of sake tilting it from side to side.

'Seriously? Your challenging me to a drink match? Don't you know I'm pregnant? I can't.'

Kisame laughed at her 'excuses, excuses. If your too wimpy all you had to do was say.'

That's it! 'Fine I'll make you eat your words!' She slammed herself down next to him and grabbed the bottle of sake Kisame was holding finishing in it one.

'See! Wanna play now!'

It had been a couple of hours since Sakura had decided to accept the drinking challenge, things looked far from pretty. All three of them were laid sprawled out the floor covered in bottles. They had got all too drunk to keep an accurate count of who actually was the winner so they resorted to arguing about it.

'It was me. I'm telling you, yeah. Me.' Deidara couldn't stop slurring the last syllable of each word.

'Maybe. But I know for sure' Kisame paused from speaking to let out a huge burp 'princess, was last.'

'Shut up! Your nothing but a fish head, I should put you in my fish pie.' Deidara burst out laughing at Sakura's comment.

'What the hell is this?' They were all too drunk to notice that Itachi and Sasori had just come through the door. Sasori looked furious but Itachi was wearing his usual calm expression.

'Hmmm, hey you guys are always off together. What you doing? Having secret meetings or something.' Sakura was barely understandable.

'Deidara! I expect better from you! Look that the mess she is in!' Sasori never got a response because Deidara had fallen fast asleep.

'Sakura. I think it is time for bed.' Itachi walked over to her and picked her up in her arms.

'I'm having fun! Don't-'

'Enough.' Itachi's tone had turned a shade more serious.

'Itachi!' She began to kick against him now.

'Don't make me repeat myself.' Sakura had never heard Itachi such a serious tone of voice. He had also gripped her more tightly so she would not fall over. He started to walk away holding her.

'Itachi! Forget that girl!' Kisame was screaming while they were walking away. 'She will be the end of you!'

Itachi had finally walked up the stairs and softly placed Sakura on her bed. She was sprawled out beautifully across the mattress like a doll. Her emerald eyes were locked with his onyx ones.

'Itachi, why do you always treat me like this? I'm not some kid you have to look after.' She looked upset. 'Why are you so cold with me? Always pushing me away! You said you would look after me but all your doing is trapping me here!'

Itachi leaned down over her, his arms pressing the mattress by her head. 'Sakura. I could make you feel much more trapped than this. After this evening I believe I am being too lenient with you.'

'So now I can't have any fun either? Itachi!' Angry lines appeared on her face.

She's sulking.

'You never give me straight answers for anything! You always want to know everything I'm doing but when it comes to yourself you never say. It's like you have some massive big secret or something!' She turned her body to the side facing away from him. 'It's not fair.'

Of course Itachi was going to avoid that subject completely. 'Sakura don't drink alcohol anymore. It's not good for the baby.'

Silence.

'Sakura. Look at me and promise.'

She stayed turned to the side not looking at his face or talking. Knowing this was not going to get him anywhere he began to leave the room.

'Stay with me.' She tightly grabbed on to his clothing. 'Itachi' Her green eyes had turned a shade darker, she looked almost lustful.

'Why do you always give me those cold eyes? Don't you care about me at all?'

Shes drunk, remember. She is also saying these things because she is drunk.

'I am concerned over your welfare.'

'My welfare?' She put her hand across her face as if she was in pain. 'You don't think I'm attractive?'

I know where this is going.

'Itachi?' Her tone had changed into a much more nervous pitch.

He smiled and stroked the side of her cheek. 'Sakura you are beautiful. Just go to sleep now.'

'Then stay with me? Please?' Her eyes were bright and wide. She truly was irresistible.

'No Sakura.'

'You said I was beautiful. Why not?' She started to sniff as if she was going to cry.

'Your just mistaking me for someone else.' Itachi pulled out the pillows behind her head and plumped them up for her so they were fluffy for her. 'Sakura you are drunk. Just sleep it off.' Itachi quickly headed off not wanting to hear any more protestations.

I'm going to need a cold shower after this. Itachi let out a long sigh.

'Sasuke you haven't slept for 5 days now. You need to get some rest.'

'Yeah! You're a dead weight man. How we gonna find Sakura if you keep slowing us down.' Suigetsu had an incredibly annoyed expression on his face. 'Just sleep! You can't go chasing after every pink haired girl in town because you think its Sakura!'

'Hn.' He knew they had a point but everytime he went to sleep the dreams would just get stronger and stronger. Why do humans need to sleep anyway? Its nothing but an annoyance. But regardless his body had reached its limits he would have to sleep, like it or not. It had gotten dark now and there wasnt much point of looking anymore. So he just lay on the ground and let sleep take over his body.

'Sasuke, Sasuke!' Oh great, its her again... He could hear her voice calling him out in the darkness.

She had a great big smile on her face. 'You know when you asked me to marry you, it was the happiest day of my life!'

Huh? I did?

'Do you remember? We were sitting on the hill that looks above the river in Konoha. The sun was setting and the sky was a beautiful red. You were being weird with me the whole day - so I thought you were going to dump me! Isn't that funny?' She giggled. 'What was it that you said? I can't remember the exact words...'

She had pressed her finger on her lip in a thinking pose. 'Oh! You said - 'If you be mine and obey my every wish you will never know unhappiness.'

'Sakura I want-'

Suddenly her facial expression changed from happiness to sadness. 'It's a shame you know, in the end it could never happen. I even picked the dress.'

'Why not? Why can't we be together?'

'Don't be stupid Sasuke! You know why! I'm dead!' She started to shriek. 'You didn't come. You left me to die alone.' Her screaming got louder and louder.

He had woken up again. I don't know how much more I can take of this...

Shit! Shit! Shit! Last night didn't really happen did it? I didn't literally beg for Itachi to…. No. Of course not. Just a dream. It was just a dream. Sakura was lying on her bed half hung over from the previous night. She felt bad about drinking the sake and felt at the very least she owed Itachi an apology for her behaviour. Plus I'll get to see his reaction to me! I hope anything hasn't changed. She dragged herself out of bed and got ready for the day.

'Itachi.' No response. 'Itachi!'

Sakura sighed. What kind of a protector he is meant to be if he isn't even around the person he is meant to be protecting! She had already looked through the whole house for him but he was nowhere to found. Must be outside somewhere…

She really had looked everywhere now, after spending hours walking around outside Sakura began walking back to the base until she spotted Itachi. Itachi was with a woman. A woman who was not her! She quickly hid behind a tree and began to peer at the two by the side of the tree. She wanted to get a good look at this woman. Oh damn she's beautiful!The woman hadblue hair with a purple flower on the side of her head; she was wearing Akatsuki robes so clearly the woman was one of them.

He's smiling at her! He was always so guarded and cold with her. But around this woman he was telling jokes! Is she special to him? He obviously likes her… She felt a funny sensation in her chest. It was kind of… painful. Wait? What's this feeling? I'm jealous?

It was at that precise moment I realised I was in love with Itachi Uchiha.

So did you guys like it?

Not as dark but still twisted right? Things are not how they seem for our sweet heroine!

Anyone like the hints of ItaxSaku?

What about the dream Sasuke had? It took me AGES to think of what would he say if actually proposed to someone. I think I've got it pretty spot on?

Please review if you have the time!