Midnight: *spinning in circles* Hay! Did you know if you spin fast enough you see stars? For real too!

Sakura: (sighs deeply and continues sipping coffee with Itachi) She keeps doing that...

Itachi: Is this the fate of modern day graduates? One second she is showing a glimmer of intelligence, and now she is resembling that of a small child.

Sakura: (nods) If she ever wants to make it into Med School- she is going to HAVE to stop spinning sooner or later... Hear that Midnight? I hope you do! ...Somewhere in that thick skull she has got to be hearing me...

Itachi: I doubt it. Perhaps we should write up this chapter for her..?

Sakura: So you can kill everyone off? Hate to break it to you, but she already killed off Sasuke so I don't see what fun you would have in it.

Itachi: True. ...Well then let's hope she stops spinning.

Midnight: I want waffles! Whooo!

Sakura: ...We are doomed. She's already missed deadline

Itachi: She hasn't posted in a month.

Sakura: Yeah...hn. Poor Midnight..

iiiiiiiii

I stared at the angry Uchiha before me, unsure of what to say or do.

At this point, I had little if no spine left at all. I was scared out of my mind! Sure I had just broken through one of the most powerful genjutsus- if not THE most powerful- but for one- I didn't know how, and two, if I could even replicate it or not. All I knew for certain was that I had just made the last living Uchiha pissed as hell at me.

The room was now a dead silent, everyone focused on Itachi and myself, unsure of what to do or how to respond. This wasn't normal- even Uchiha's themselves could be hurt by the jutsu- and an outsider just broke through it? How and why? Perhaps I would be more amazed by the event if I weren't certain that my death time was looking as if it would be right about now.

I stared into the angry crimson eyes less than a foot away from my own (what was the point of looking away now?) and tried not so shake in terrorr. It wasn't my fault! I didn't even know how it happened it just..did.

"Kounichi- you will explain to the most exquisite of detail as to what just happened. Quickly if I were you." he whispered in a deadly silent voice, and I knew that was nothing compared to the rage he was experiencing internally. Had I been anyone other than who I was, I knew without a doubt he would have simply killed me then and there. I couldn't decide if this meant I was lucky, or quite the opposite.

"I...I don't know.." I muttered, finding trouble in bringing my voice out of hiding.

"Tell me Sakura!" he stated louder, and I flinched at his tone. Every fiber of being in my body was telling me I was going to die- and who was I to argue with that logic? I was housed in a place of mad killers! Realistically, it was only a matter of time until one of them snapped.

"I can't!" I shouted back, forcing myself to find strength again. "I can't tell you what I don't understand Itachi, I don't care how bad you want to know!" I stood up at this, using every trick I knew to make it so I wasn't as afraid. Even in such a bad situation I couldn't afford being weak and afraid, sometimes bluffing was all you had left.

Even if it was all a lie, I had to look strong- put some power back into myself, even if I didn't feel it.

Itachi moved closer to me, and I didn't even flinch. (Externally at least)

"So you are saying that you broke out of one of the most intricate of all jutsu's simply by chance kounichi?" he whispered again with a snarl.

I sighed, thinking it through, sitting down to try to calm him down. I wasn't afraid as much, so I had to diffuse the angry Uchiha so I would be back in control of the situation.

"This has happened once before, somewhat simular circumstances.." I answered, allowing my mind to travel way back in time.

It was the Chunin exams, and Ino and I (Irony still enjoyed paying me a visit then too) were matched together. When she tried to transfer her soul into mine- Inner Sakura had kicked her out. Ino and Tsunade are the only people in the whole world who know about Inner Sakura, and Ino only knows simply because of the battle alone.

I wasn't exactly comfortable saying aloud that I had an alternate personality in my head- that controls certain levels of my personality for that matter. I was crazy enough-I didn't need people sending me to some ward for it.

After getting the notion I wouldn't be explaining myself, Itachi hissed again "Explain."

I had never known they could show any emotion at all, though I knew very well that Sasuke had a temper. Apparently he had gotten it from his older brother, who was ready to destroy me all because I was clinically psychotic by definition.

Great.

I gave him a questioning look, wishing with everything in me that he wouldn't make me say it out loud. Itachi's eyes narrowed even further than I thought possible, and my blood froze at his intense and threatening glare.

God- this would be so embarassing..

"Uh...Inner...Sakura.." I mumbled so quietly it was hardly audible to my own ears. Itachi stepped back slightly, now confused at to what I had just said.

"Inn..What?" he asked, still glaring, but now more of a perturbed look of frustration.

I gave a sigh, slumping back into the chair in defeat. "Inner Sakura ok?" I groaned loudly, staring at the floor as I felt the embarrassment pool over me.

"Inner Sakura." Itachi stated quizically as if I were being sarcastic, "Do enlighten me."

"Well if you must know, Inner Sakura is a separate entity in my head." I continued staring down into the floor, certain that I would never be able to meet the gaze of any of them ever again. "It seems as though she doesn't stand for people infiltrating my brain- last time I was faced with a special genjutsu type like this, the same thing happened. I can't tell you how because it's not me doing it...well..it is..but it's not. I have no clue how it works, when, or why. It's just...Inner Sakura"

I slowly brought my gaze up in shame, making sure it was only Itachi that I caught gazes with. I didn't think that I had any dark secrets in my life...until now, and in one day with complete strangers, they already knew about it.

Itachi stepped back slightly, giving my a look that made it seem as if he wasn't sure if I was being honest or making some bad joke. After a moment of analyzing me, he seemed to realize that my strange story was true, and that only seemed to baffle and confuse him further.

I couldn't say I blamed him. I don't even think I would believe the story if it hadn't been for the fact that I was the person with the strange phenomenon.

Itachi once again stared at me for a few moments longer, than stoically walked back to his chair across the room in deep concentration.

"Fascinating." he mumbled, crossing his hands across his face as he concentrated. It was incredible how similar the two looked sometimes. I had been so busy hating Itachi that I really never even took in the time to notice what he looked like. Itachi and Sasuke looked so very similar, it was incredible I had never seen it from the beginning. Now that I think of it, it would only be natural that Sasuke had picked up on some of Itachi's mannerisms.

No matter how much he had hated the man, he would have still replicated many things Itachi did in childhood, simply because of the fact it was his older brother.

"So you have...multiple personalities then?" It was Hidan's voice, and I slowly turned my head in regret and embarrassment, taking my mind of from wandering about the Uchiha's past.

Hidan was smirking at me as if it were some 'I knew it' moment. I nodded sheepishly, knowing that denying it now would simply give room for them to make fun of me later.

Kakuzu pointed to Zetsu, who was currently hanging out of the ceiling, "Nothing new around here. At least your 2nd half is contained though." (Is that was it was?)

Hm. I suppose that was true- even if Inner Sakura's harsh personality did seep out every once in a while, it was generally better than how Zetsu had it.

Itachi stood up, and there was a slight smirk at his lips- not a good sign.

Deidara spoke up at this, "What are you so happy about. You just got beat by a little girl."

I wasn't sure if it was a compliment or an insult, so I ignored it altogether. Though I was curious about Itachi's response. Generally he was as expressive as a rock, and just about as lively, though I seemed to bring out the worst in him. Rage, and random smirking. It was apparently so odd for Itachi to be expressive towards any emotion that the members were commenting on it as well. Naturally I was curious. What was he smirking about?

Itachi merely glared from the corner of his eye, though overall seemed to ignore Deidara's jab.

"Are you blind Deidara? We are fighting an enemy with the eyes and body of a Uchiha. If Sakura is immune to the sharingan we have a huge gain. I intend on relaying this information to Pein. We'll see what he has to say."

The room stilled at Itachi's claim, and even I myself was dumb founded.

That was quite the development. One of Orochimaru's greatest trump cards was the sharingan- Itachi having the same if not greater eyes would be a great advantage to the resistance...but adding in someone else that he couldn't touch with his new power? That would shake things up drastically..

However...the likelyhood of the event being something more than just an accident was..

"Wh- Come on Itachi- it's just a fluke! Don't make this thing bigger than it is, it was one time!" I called out as he took a step to walk away, hoping that I could keep this as quiet as possible. In truth, I didn't want this going back to Pein, but more importantly, I didn't want Itachi and the gang to get their hopes up on something I couldn't control.

"Shouldn't we test this or...something?" I asked absent mindfully.

Itachi turned back to me, a full out grin- GRIN on his face...or more of a wide, smirk really. It was dark, mischievous, and all out creepy. It was like Itachi was suddenly enjoying this.

"Oh, I am aware of this kounichi. That's why we will be testing the limits of your mind..." he headed out of the room, then paused, "Tomorrow.." he stated, then kept walking.

I gaped after his disapearing form, Inner Sakura alive in my head again and cussing him out with each step. Testing the limits of my mind? The hell was that supposed to mean? Was this some form of punishment...for getting out of my punishment? It wasn't my fault once again!

Kisame stood up, grinning at me ear to ear, "You are full of surprises aren't you? I don't think I've met anyone that can so much as stand up after such an attack from the sharingan. You weren't impacted in the slightest bit. Don't doubt that I'll be witnessing this testing girlie." And with that, he walked off too. I had to keep focused to not gape like a fish all over again. (No pun intended there..)

...He would be watching?

This really was a big deal wasn't it? S Ranked criminals were interested in MY skill (well, sort of anyhow)

What was with these men and their inhuman ability to say something so surprising and slightly improper? Watching Itachi zap me with his blood thirsty eyes over and over again- Lord knows they'd force me to whip them up some popcorn so they could enjoy the show with a front seat view.

After that, they each stood up one by one, assembly lining behind me, informing me of their thoughts over the event. Each made me nod with dread- as most of them stated that they too would want to watch the outcome of our non-battle.

"Multiple personalities?" Deidara asked, standing in front of me with his arms crossed.

I nodded slowly, staring back at him suspiciously. It was only a matter of time until the negative comments started pouring out of his mouth.

He smirked, speaking over his shoulder as he walked out (another trait that most of the guys shared- their conversations were all shared as they walked off) "Well hopefully your second one is the kind and sweet one. The outer one is feisty."

Perhaps it was my immagination...but I sware he was smirking when he said it. It felt somewhat like...a compliment?

I shook it out of my head, deciding that I too needed to head off to bed..at least that is what I assumed they were doing. I would need the night to start healing up my arm, and mentally prepare for the next day.

One full day living in this hell hole down. By some miracle- I was still alive.

But come tomorrow, with Itachi's 'mind games' or what not...I just hoped I would be as lucky come this time tomorrow.

iiiiiii

I opened my door slowly, keeping as quiet as possible as I stuck my head out the door and looked around in the empty hall.

Cost clear.

I made a decision and I simply couldn't handle it anymore. I didn't care what the consequences might be- I had to do this for myself.

I grabbed my small handful of trinkets and walked quietly out of the room, placing each foot on the ground with percision so I wouldn't cause any unneeded noise. I let out a sigh of pent up stress, and I turned down the hall again. I moved in for a while, remembering my internal map so I didn't get lost. Nothing like opening the door expecting one thing and walking in on a sleeping S-ranked criminal. My new definition of the words, 'wrong turn'.

I grabbed the door handle, praying to every god (not Hidan's) that it was the right door. Taking a small peak inside, I gave a sigh of relief and walked in.

Thank God.

I could finally take a shower.

My first move was to lock the door, and only after being sure that it was locked, did I begin to undress.

I felt so gross really. It had been almost five full days sense my last shower, and it was as if I could feel a literal layer of dirt all over myself. I turned on the water and stepped in, a bit cramped compared to mine at home I noticed with a frown- but it had good water pressure at least. I allowed the water to pool over my body for a moment, then I got to work on the shampoo and conditioner.

As much as I wanted to lounge around and relax, I knew that it would waste precious time.

I wasn't sure how long it took the guys to wake up, but I didn't want to be around in the shower when they did. That would be awful.

I continued to go about the showering process in a slight hurry, wanting to be clean and escape the bathroom before any eyebrows were raised. I couldn't help it though- I needed to shower! I had been dreading this day sense I had first thought of it back when we were traveling, but perhaps it wouldn't have to be that bad. I simply had to shower off, shave, lotion, and I'd be out of the bathroom and it would all return to 'normalcy'.

Right?

As if my horrors were put into motion- I froze as I heard the door open. What? No no! I locked the door! How could this be happening to me?

WHY? It was my first shower here and someone got in- this was a bad sign if I ever saw one!

Ninja took a back seat to my girlish instincts, and before I could decide for a better method, I screamed.

Not too loud actually, with the shower going it would barely be heard out of the bathroom, but it was enough for the invader to hear I was sure of it.

"Damn Deidara- you scream like a girl..." the groggy voice mumbled, it sounded like Kisame. And suddenly I knew what was going on, my mind now taking back control over the adrenaline spike. It was my 2nd day here in the hideout. They weren't used to a girl around. Generally, there wouldn't be a need to lock the door when they were all guys and there was a shower curtain, heck even if there wasn't. Being as tired as he was, I doubted he could even register the fact that I was an addition to the the book now.

Pretty much, I had to make him come to terms with the fact I was NOT Deidara, and was in fact a GIRL, before things got out of hand.

"It's cause I AM a girl!" I shouted over the water, slightly frustrated and panic mode on all time high. What would happen if Kisame decided to pull a prank on 'Deidara' and pull the curtain back? The guy already saw all my clothes- I did not want him to see the rest of me.

"Deidara about time you admit it. I always knew you had a sma-"

"Whoah! I don't want to hear it! This is not Deidara, this is SAKURA!" I shrieked back to him, wishing that Kisame could keep his thoughts to himself. I knew it was a big part of 'male bonding' to make fun of each other in such manners, but there was a reason girls weren't a part of the bantering.

We were girls.

There was a long moment of silence where the only sound was the water from the shower head, until it seemed Kisame's mind put two and two together

"Saku...-Fuck!" and the door slammed open and shut.

I gave a loud sigh, throwing my hands to my face from the stress.

Dear Lord- why did I ever think I'd be able to shower like a normal human being? Why?

I cautiously continued my shower, hurrying through the process even quicker than I had before. This was a disaster! All I wanted to do was scrub the caked off filth from by body- was that too much to ask for? Truly?

I finished as quickly as possible, walking out of the shower and grabbing the towel the same moment. As I was wrapping the towel around my body, the door opened again.

I shrieked again, tightening my grip on the towel and holding it against my body for dear life. Dear god! This was the worst time to take a shower- everyone was waking up!

As the door opened more, I glared at the incoming perpetrator, hoping I could catch their eye contact before they came in all the way. I was greeted by blonde hair- and I instantly knew that this situation would be an...interesting one..

Deidara looked at me disinterestedly, shaking his head and turning toward the sink.

...Was he going to leave?

..I had to get dressed...

I gave a loud sigh (You know, the kind where you tap your foot and glare? That one.) and stared at him hoping to drop the hint, though he continued staring into the mirror and started splashing water on his face to wake up.

"Um..HELLOO?" I stated, moving to the sink and turning off the water, glaring down at him still, hoping that the glare method might work even at this point.

Deidara wiped the water off his face, looking over towards me and staring at my towel wrapped body as if there was nothing wrong with the scene.

"What?" he asked, standing up and crossing his arms.

I was slightly taken back. His tone was sharp as if I was the one unconvincing him.

"Um...I'm in a towel, Deidara.." I stated with sarcasm, hoping he would get the message.

"Yes you are. Pink even. Congratulations." he turned back to the sink, grabbing out his tooth brush.

..Wha? God! Men were so bloody annoying and rude! At least this was the only one so truly horrid- at least the others had enough decency to allow me the privacy to shower.

"No- I need to get dressed!" I stated in a louder, more agitated voice. God he was the biggest pain!

He shrugged, "Then get dressed. You have a good arm still."

I gaped with a cough, staring at the ground as my face heated up from the mere idea of changing with him in the room.

"Um, I'm not stripping down in front of you! In case you forgot, I'm a girl! And for that matter, I hate you!"

He turned back to me, smirking slightly, "So you strip for people if you like them?"

"Ye- NO!" I shook my head, getting lost in the conversation. "Deidara, stop! I'm in a towel dripping wet with a broken arm. It can't get much worse for me so can you just leave me alone long enough for me to get dressed?"

He gave an innocent look as if he were truly considering it, "Hmm. No. Sorry- but I want to brush my teeth."

"Then brushed your damned teeth after I am fully clothed and out of the bathroom!"

I couldn't believe it. Not only had I been walked in on by two separate males, but one of them didn't even care! I was in a towel, therefore it was all ok to be in the same room with me. I watched Deidara with a soured stare as he brushed his teeth, taking little to no mind that I was there at all.

Damned blonde haired bastard.

He set his toothbrush on the counter, and I gave a sigh of relief, "Finally, you brushed your teeth, now go. I'm still waiting to get dressed."

Deidara turned to the door, and then leaned against it, staring at me, "Neh- I feel like chilling out here. It's so noisy out there you know?"

I grimaced slighly, slapping my hand to my face in agony. Why was I not surprised? I should have known he would pull a stunt like this simply to piss me off.

"Deidara please go for the love of god. I didn't even do anything to you, can you just leave me alone for one minute."

He gave a brilliant smile that would make any girls knees weak (not mine- I've was border line suicidal at this point) "Why should I do that Sakura?"

"It's commen decency Deidara! I...I donno- that's just how things are!"

He gave a shrug, still smiling innocently, "Yeah but..I've already seen you naked...remember?" He drew out the word 'remember' like it was a no duh thing, and I wanted to hurl. Oh how could I forget?

No, seriously. How could I? If only there was a jutsu or something...but as far as I knew, I was stuck with the nagging thoughts that I had a one night stand with THAT.

"Please, you don't remember a thing just like I don't. Might as well say it never happened, now will you just..."

He shook his head, grinning ear to ear as he watched me glare at him in desperation. I couldn't jump him in fear of loosing the one thing that kept me covered, but if I got dressed in the tub I'd risk getting my clothes wet..

I groaned, crossing my arms and giving a my famous 'hmph' "I really hope Karma kicks you good one day. May you be cursed with a one eyed wife named Burthtrude that has anemic dysentery."

"As long as its not a pink haired bitch named Sakura. Now THAT would be hell."

I glared at him. Damn he was good with comebacks I had to admit. Though I suppose years on end not really speaking with anyone would give you plenty of time to prepare however...

I gave yet another 'hmph', grabbing my neatly folded clothes in my arms, and with a glare, transferred out of the room using the same skill I had seen Kakashi use time after time.

I stood in my bedroom, instantly locking, and chakra sealing the door.

Damn.

iiiiii

I plated the last amount of bacon and toast, scowling at Kisame as he hovered over me with the Samehada.

Itachi had sent him to make sure that I made breakfast before he and I began his little testing experiment- so now he stood only a few steps behind me at all times, waiting for one false move so he could deliver one of the closest shaves of my entire life.

I really hated all the men here.

The only one that I didn't seem to despise for being alive was Kakuzu- simply because he hardly said anything to me at all. Hidan didn't speak to me all that much either, but his creepy ceremonies and such made me deeply disturbed by him.

I turned around, staring up at the blue shark man with aggrivation, "There- can I go now?"

He gave a wide toothy grin that showed one too many of his long pointed fangs, "I guess so little girl. Wouldn't want to keep Itachi waiting."

I tried not to respond as I walked off toward the lounge, thinking about the horrors today could bring. It sounded cruel didn't it? Itachi has a theory, so naturally he would have to zap me a million times over with his blood thirsty eyes.

Of course.

I sat down in the lounge, finding that only Sasori was in there at the time. He looked up at me as I walked in, continuing to stare as I sat down. For a moment I just tried to ignore it, though after a moment, couldn't take it all that much.

It was only 2 hours into the day and I already wanted to kill something.

"Need something Sasori?" I asked, picking at my nails and doing anything I could think of to keep from having to make eye contact back with him.

I heard him shift in his spot across the room, then respond back, "It's just funny to watch you."

"Oh?"

"You are very strong willed- aren't you?"

I gave a small nod, trying not to get rude and defensive from the get go. He hadn't said anything mean or callous, but just the fact he was saying anything at all put me on edge. I simply wanted to sit out in the lounge- not have a heart to heart with Konoha's most wanted criminals.

"Well I was trained by Tsunade."

From my peripheral vision I could see him nod, then for a moment drop the conversation. That would be nice. However, he started speaking back up again as if there were some itching question in the back of his mind

"...So you and Deidara eh?"

My head shot up, a blush instantly spreading across my face like wildfire, "Absolutely not! I was drunk...VERY drunk...and for that matter I hate the guy. Today in the shower was just a-"

"The shower? Just what were you two doing in there?"

Inner Sakura almost died of laughter as I scrambled to correct what I had just said. I had assumed he was referring to this morning with Deidara refusing to leave the bathroom- not from way back in Konoha where I almost killed him..

"NO! Nothing like that- I hate the guy!"

"Hey now now don't go hating the player..'Sup Sasori my man."

Speak of the devil.

I slunk back into the couch in misery, keeping a groan in my throat as Deidara strutted in the empty room. He took a seat on the opposite side of the room where he usually sat as far as I could tell, turning towards Sasori as he sat.

"What do you want?" Sasori asked him suspiciously, apparently not seeming to like his random invasion all that much either. I could easily understand why Sasori hated Deidara (if he did or not that it) The idiot must be so obnoxious to be around all the time.

"Just walking around- heard my name and thought I'd defend the title."

"World's greatest Ass? Don't worry- there's no competition worthy to beat you. Titles yours down pack!" I found myself saying, and I was amazed at how quickly the words started coming out of my mouth when this guy was around.

Deidara turned to me, looking slightly confused and bewildered, "Sorry, I'm just a bit dumbfounded...shouldn't you be in the kitchen cleaning something?"

I opened my mouth to tell off that sexist jerk, but Sasori interrupted me before I could get my response in.

"Could you two give it a rest? Damn. You'll have plenty of time to kill each other you know, we're going to be here for a while. Keep it up and Itachi will make you two hold hands and dash into the sunset together."

I nodded bitterly, deciding to change the subject to a very uninformal, bland and factual way of things, "Speaking of kitchen, food's up and on the counter. Better grab it while it's still hot cause it's not in my contract to reheat your food."

At that, both the men got up, leaving me alone in peace and quiet.

Finally.

It was all so crazy and dramatic here. Not that I expected to get along with them by any means, however it seemed that every moment was an all out battle for dominance.

All I wanted was a bit more freedom- was that too much to ask for? I wanted to be able to shower without having to beg to get dressed, I wanted to be able to walk around without having to bow down to the very ground Itachi walked on, I didn't want to be forced to do these chores for the lazy men...

I just wanted to go home!

I simply wasn't able to bite my tongue and not shout what was on my mind when it came down to it- I had a broken arm to prove it! I had spent a few good long hours setting the bone just right- a painful process, but if I expedited the chakra moving throughout my immune system, I might be able to make a full recovery in less than five days..

All over dropping the F bomb on Itachi and Deidara too, how ridiculous was that. They even deserved it too. It was like having parents again, but even worse because I couldn't move out.

I was stuck in this crazy mad house with these crazy mad people and their crazy mad demands.

If the world managed to get through this situation and I was still alive when it was all said and done, I would get revenge without a doubt.

Not even revenge like death. No- they weren't good enough for that. I would make them scrub toilets with a toothbrush for a straigt year! Teach them a thing or two about manners..

THEN I'd kill them...

I gave a sigh, allowing some of the bitterness to repress back into Inner Sakura's filing system of my concentrated emotions, moving on to Konoha. What were they doing down there?

And what of Pein? I doubted they were making him do the things they were making me do here. Knowing Tsunade, he got that whole house room to himself. Me? I got three pairs of shoes- one of them were snow boots for that matter, and about 5 minutes of private time in the puny shower.

I missed my friends...Naruto and Ino, Kakashi-sensei...everyone.

Tsunade..

I didn't like not being there to help my village. Even though I had technically made the greater sacrifice for them by coming out here, it still felt as though I were running away. As much as I complained about my being out here and their horrid treatment, if there was one thing I hadn't felt this entire time was fear.

Unlike in Konoha where I was so afraid of a sudden attack I couldn't sleep at night- here...even if we were attacked at point blank range...I knew I would remain safe.

I was under the watchful protection and alliance of the most powerful organization of the entire ninja world- as awful as they were as people- they were incredible ninjas.

While Konoha was on the front line, I was hiding behind the strongest people in the world, hundreds of miles away, just chilling out in some trench.

I groaned slighly, shifting slightly again and looking around. Perhaps I should be a bit less troublesome to them...after all, they were helping Konoha by destroying an enemy we really couldn't touch.

I didn't like it at all- but maybe cooking for them and these tasks that seemed annoying to me was the one thing Konoha/myself could do to repay them back. Afterall, it seemed as if they weren't gaining all that much by allying with Konoha, so I wouldn't fight so hard against them.

Sasori walked back in, poking and prodding at the small dish suspiciously.

"I'm surprised you eat. I didn't really know you could eat to be honest." I admitted as he sat down, shoving a piece of toast in his mouth.

He gave a small smirk, "I may be a puppet but I'm not dead. I need food just like any other person here."

I shrugged, moving my attention to the ground again, "I guess..."

"So, you ready for Itachi today? I didn't think I'd ever witness the day where the sharingan would be beaten- let alone by a little girl."

"Little?"

"You're 19 right?"

"A legal adult!"

"A little girl."

"Psh. Well to answer you're question- No. I don't want to be Itachi's test subject. In all honesty, I'd prefer to be far away from here..."

"Yet here you are."

"Exactly.."

Sasori finished his breakfast, setting his plate aside and leaning forward on his arm, as if preparing for a more deep conversation. "So I'm curious, assuming all goes well and all with Orochimaru- what happens when you get back to Konoha?"

His question confused me slightly, "Uh..what do you mean? Like..what exactly?"

"Don't you have any plans or anything? If you are so adamant about getting back to your village- isn't here something you want to achieve when you do return?"

I shrugged, trying to think about an answer. I suppose it was a legit question. I had been difficult this whole time for these past two days in the hideout, it would only seem natural that I have a reason I want to return- some great assignment or goal...however...

"My people are there. I'm loyal to them and I'd do whatever they need me to do. I don't have a goal because my goals are whatever they want for me. Konoha is my home..."

"Well that sounds dumb.." he stated, and it was difficult to not take offense.

"Oh? And why's that? I suppose loyalty wouldn't make much sense to any of you.." I replied in half spite and half seriousness

"Put down the smoking guns there girl. Forget about Konoha, you're feelings, and for ten seconds of your life just listen with an open mind. You are possibly the best medical ninja in this known world- but the only people you help is your small group of people."

I gaped, shaking my head, "That's not true! I help our allies and-"

"Only people that can help you, or only people that like you. That sounds like such a sacrifice for the people of the world- only getting help from you and your nation if they know the right people."

I opened my mouth, but found I had no response to his allegations. Surely they were wrong right? Konoha was right- the beacon of all light and hope for the rest of the world! Even if he were right, I was on the side of good!

I was doing a good thing by living my life for Konoha. It was how I could protect my family!

Sasori laughed, "Loyalty can be a good thing, but don't forget that loyalty can tie your talent and turn you blind. I'm not saying you are wrong child and that we are right- there's a reason we have countless nations chasing after us- but don't think that you are working for perfect people that are god's gift to humanity. As the saying goes, there's three sides to every story. Your side, my side, and the side that's actually what's going on."

He paused, sensing my disturbed silence, "I'll just leave you to think on that, besides, I think that's Itachi there in the doorway for you."

I looked up, seeing that upright Uchiha against the hallway frame, staring at me with in interested smirk that I doubted I would ever see on his empty face ever again. He clearly wasn't used to being beaten, and this was his form of a rematch.

Great.

He was trying to rematch against a broken armed, 19 year old girl, that was all but trembling at his powerful feet- trying to explain that it wasn't my fault I had mental disabilities.

"You don't really need to waste your time Itachi..." I gave a nervous laugh, standing up and atempting to walk right past him, "I'm sure that it was all a fluke and you'll be able to kill me dead easily."

He grabbed my shoulder just as I walked past him, and I groaned as he gave a dark laugh, "Not so fast Sakura."

iiiiii

I gave a nervous 'please let lightning strike me dead' groan, looking around the area.

It was exactly as Deidara had said- an old abandoned training ground that no one ever used.

Until now.

It was a wide clearing with a small obstacle course to the right, targets and dummy's to the left, and in the center, a large open dirt arena for sparring.

Itachi and myself stood in the middle of the arena, and on the edges, a ring of the other Akatsuki members watching for the outcome. Either option would be enjoyable for them I'm sure. In my case of winning (or whatever it would be called) it would be fun for them to see their powerful indefeasible enemy beaten so easily, and in the case that I lost, they would for sure get a kick of of the fact that I am unconscious on the ground at the hand of one of their own.

"You ready kouinichi?" Itachi asked, eyes instantly flaring into the sharingan and not the deep obsidian I preferred.

I gave him a skeptical look, "Yes. Please knock me out instantly with a justsu that put my sensei in the hospital for about a month. I am wanting so desperately to fall to the ground at the mercy of S-ranked criminals, let's get this thing in motion as soon as possible.."

"That was your sensei wasn't it? I had almost forgotten..Ah well. Like Sudent like Teacher.."

Itachi's stare on me intensified, and I could feel an uncomfortable burning in my head.

I watched him in confusion, wondering when he was going to attack.

A few seconds passed, and Itachi shifted to a more powerful stance, glaring daggers into my head, and finally with a sigh, stood back up with a perturbed look across his face.

I stood up more straight as well, no longer in a defensive stance, equally confused, "What was that? I thought you were going to attack me with your mangekyo sharingan."

He shook his head, closing his eyes and releasing the sharingan, "I did."

He looked back up, eyes back to the black coal they should be, and he kept staring at me, trying to figure out whatever had just happened.

Even I was confused by it. Nothing had even happened. I will admit I could feel a burn in my skull, but I didn't even shift into the alternate dimension or whatever it was. There was no genjutsu...nothing..

"It appears as though your inner counterpart has learned to block out the sharingan entirely."

"What?" I asked, slightly confused, though generally it made sense.

Inner Sakura was acting like the immune system for my mind. The first time introduced with the sharingan, Itachi, if only for a moment, was inside, and in control of my mind, and then Inner Sakura took matters in her own hands and closed the door on Itachi.

This time, Itachi didn't even get entry into my mind at all- Inner Sakura knew the signs of an attack from the sharingan and had by this time, blocked Itachi out for good. That would explain why Itachi's genjutsu felt as if it didn't take any effect on me at all..

It hadn't.

I was 'immune' from the sharingan.

'Hell yeah! Keepin that bastard where he belongs!' Inner Sakura cheered with shadow pompoms, doing a back flip at her success.

I smirked in agreement with...myself..knowing that Itachi was right all along.

We had stumbled across an interesting development.

There were now two people Orochimaru's new eyes couldn't touch- and that meant one thing for certain.

I was a valuable player for the team- even one as advanced as the Akatsuki.

Deidara was wrong.

I wasn't weak at all.

iiiii

a/N: Hey guys :D

I know it has taken so long to get this chapter out. I am sorry guys, it's been crazy down here where I live. I had this crazy dream- my sister was moving back home (then she wasn't) I've got so much college stuff I'm swimming in the paperwork, I opened a debit card account (whoot!) I'm starting Dave Ramsey's FPU class in September, I work full time AND I'm having a baby!

Haha- just kidding!

No baby (I would literally cry- kids aren't my thing) but everything else is true. Plus this chapter is sort of in between plot points if that makes sense, so it was hard to get out because I want to write the cool battle scenes and stuff like that. All in due time of course.

Thanks for all the support, I LOVE reading your comments and don't be afraid to ask questions. I do get back to people as best I can, though I won't lie and say I wait day and night for feedback. I do what I can- and if I play my cards right, I should be able to update this COMING Tuesday (this next chapter is one I am excited about!) sort of to make up for the fact that I haven't updated in over a month now.

Thanks again- love you all :3

Midnight