Chapter 9

Complex in it's Simplicity

"So, Sakura-san, you have met Gaara of the Sand and his siblings?" Sasori asked curiously from where they sat on the chairs in the sitting room. Deidara was seated next to Sakura, Itachi next to Sasori.

Kisame was sitting on the floor, still coming up to Sakura's shoulders while sitting.

"Hai." Sakura nodded, not elaborating, as much as she wanted to. She would never give the Akatsuki any more information than they knew already. "He's now the Kazekage, I believe." She decided to give them information they undoubtedly knew, that way they would think she trusted them. Deidara does trust you. Her inner self reprimanded. You shouldn't lie to him.

Why not? He's Akatsuki! I like him but that doesn't mean I can forget that fact.

You don't know the reason he's in Akatsuki.

Sakura stared down at her hands. It wasn't that she was trying to forget about Deidara and distance herself from him, as many times as she had told herself she needed to do so. But…she couldn't get close to him. She'd had this argument with herself many times before over the past few days.

Maybe killing people gives him a warm, fuzzy feeling inside—so what?

And so his killing and your own assassinations as an ANBU are different?

…

"Hai, Gaara is the Kazekage now." Sasori nodded solemnly, immediately realizing what Sakura was doing. Nice try, Haruno-san.

"Hey kunoichi, we're leaving tomorrow morning for Stone. The snow's letting up. You're the only one who isn't packed yet."

…can anyone justify killing?

Sakura frowned slightly, "That's because I am also the only one who isn't allowed in on the Akatsuki special meetings you four have." She stood with a small, wondering sigh as she noticed Kisame's grin.

"I'll come help you, Sakura-san." Deidara smiled as he stood as well.

Sasori watched the two leave, noticing Itachi's eyes trailing after them. If looks could kill, he guessed that Deidara would be lying on the ground bleeding to death, daggers piercing through his heart.

Dammit Deidara…I knew you'd end up falling in love with her…

Of course, it wasn't hard to like her. But Deidara was trailing on thin ice with Itachi. Ice that was sure to break. Deidara didn't even know he'd already fallen through.

Sasori and Sakura were seated near the window. Sakura was reading through a scroll, biting her lip in concentration as she did so.

"What are you doing, Haruno-san?"

Sakura looked up at him, "Oh." She motioned to the scroll. "I was just reading…and I'm trying to stay away from Kisame. He wants to have another drinking contest."

"Who won the last one?" Sasori asked, eyes shining in amusement and curiosity.

Sakura raised an eyebrow, "Him, of course. I swear, if I hadn't sedated him the first night we drank, I never would have gotten him to pass out." She had told Deidara and Sasori about her escape attempt, mostly because she supposed it wouldn't do her any good to keep it from them, since they'd find out sooner or later either way.

Sasori nodded. "Kisame can hold his alcohol well."

"That's a nice way of putting it." Sakura laughed as she began rolling up the scroll. Before she finished, Sasori read a few lines. His curiosity deepened, as well as his small smile as he raised an eyebrow.

"You're very interested in doujutsu…especially the Sharingan."

Sakura blushed softly as she finished rolling the scroll. "It reminds me of Sasuke-kun."

"Ah." Sasori didn't question her. However, he had a slight inclination that it wasn't the younger Uchiha whom she was reading up on. After all, the scrolls were about symptoms of doujutsu use.

And from what Sasori had heard, Sasuke's eyes were not troubling him.

"…I am sorry for the inconvenience." Gaara of the desert and Kazekage of the Sand Village, answered back in his almost completely monotone voice. "They will be dealt with, assuredly."

"I hope so!" Naruto raved. "They attacked us after all! We need some compensation! We need—"

Ino slapped a hand over his mouth. "You idiot! Shut up!"

"N-Naruto-kun!" Hinata whispered in mortification, biting her lip as her cheeks turned bright red. "You c-can't say that t-t-to the Kaze-k-kage."

"…so troublesome…" Shikamaru sighed deeply before turning back to Gaara. "I'm sorry about him, Kazekage-dono. Naruto is an idiot."

"We knew that much." Kankuro grinned from where he leaned against the wall. "So, Shikamaru-san, where's Temari?"

"Temari-dono is in the special op ANBU squad we sent ahead to Stone." Kakashi answered, noticing the small glint in Gaara's eyes, directed at Shikamaru.

"Che." Kankuro muttered. "She never could stand still."

"I'm glad you made it here…moderately unharmed." Gaara answered back vaguely.

Naruto opened his mouth to speak again but Ino merely smacked him before he could say anything. He landed on the ground, rubbing his head in annoyance. He looked up at Ino and barely managed to contain the urge to stick out his tongue.

He's still completely immature. Kankuro mused from where he watched him. The little twerp hasn't changed a bit. Give him an orange tracksuit and he'd be ready to take the Chunin exams, with that idiot catch line: "Believe it!" If he still says that I'll have to kill him…

"Well." Gaara leaned back in his chair as he watched the shinobi of Konoha. He really wished he could have gone with them. Sakura had been an interesting person to talk to, and she had been as much of a friend as he could count on for someone who was always away on missions or at her village in Konoha.

"Gaara-dono?" Sakura peered in the doorway. "I'm sorry, I didn't know whether or not to knock…" She smiled softly. "I thought Temari was in here."

"Iie."

"Well, she wanted to ask me about something…" Sakura continued as she slipped inside. "And I have some information from the Gondaime Hokage to give you." She pulled a few scrolls from her traveling pack. She continued to look around the room, brows furrowed in silent contemplation.

"Is something wrong?" Gaara asked, noticing her gaze trailing around the room.

Sakura looked up with another small smile. "No." She shook her head, but she continued to look around. "It's just…I didn't expect you to be…well…here."

Gaara nodded, knowing what she meant. There were plenty of other shinobi who could have done a better job, or at least that's what he believed. "The spot was originally given to Temari, but she turned the down and recommended me. She would have been a much better Kazekage…"

"Oh!" Sakura shook her head with a small frown. "That's not what I meant, Gaara-dono. I didn't mean that I thought you wouldn't be Kazekage, I just didn't picture you as the type to work in an office at a desk." She smiled again, this one a bit more prominent. "Besides, I think Temari was right in giving the spot to you."

Gaara's frowned in confusion. "But the people love Temari and they respect her."

Sakura gave a small sigh. "Well…" She leaned forward with the scrolls in her hand. "The children of this village love you."

Gaara's eyes widened. "Nani?"

"Hai." Sakura nodded. "It doesn't matter what the older ones say, not too much. It's true at the moment they're in power and they hold a grudge against you about your past, but they're not the ones who are going to be fighting alongside you in the future." Sakura shrugged her shoulders.

"Those children will be the lifeblood of the village. And they love and respect you. Temari says that you go visit the school and they all love to sit on your lap." She grinned mischievously. "I didn't think you liked children."

Gaara nodded slowly. "…children don't judge you by your past."

"No, I suppose not." Sakura answered back.

There was a long moment of silence before Gaara finally spoke again.

"What was it Temari wanted to speak to you about."

Sakura grinned back, the true grin from before Sasuke's departure. "Why, Temari-san asked me to come here and talk to you, Gaara-dono. She thought it would help." Then Sakura placed the scrolls on his desk and left with a small bow, still chuckling softly to herself as she called back, "I guess it did.

"…"

"…"

"…"

Temari gave a small growl of frustration as she stood. "I am tired to sitting here and waiting for the snow to stop."

All of the others turned to look at her.

Finally Kiba spoke, "It took you long enough! We all had to wait for YOU to snap!"

Temari frowned. "Ne, Kiba-san, I don't remember asking for you opinion." She said loftily, trying to pretend indifference. "Neji-san, use your Byakugan and tell us if it is still snowing."

Neji did so, scouting the area with his eyes. Finally he answered back, "The snow is lessening."

Kiba whooped and Akamaru began barking happily. Tenten let out a relieved laugh and Shino smiled from behind his shirt collar.

Temari pulled out her fan. "Very well, I'll get rid of all this snow."

The others all jumped backwards, knowing not to get in the way of Temari, especially when she was holding onto her fan. She gave one large swing and the wind power shot the large snow embankment out from the mouth of the cave. Cold air—or rather colder air—rushed inside at that moment, but none of them cared as they ran outside, their smiles tired, but content.

"Alright, Temari-dono!" Kiba grinned. "Remind me not to get in your way when you're angry."

"I'll do that." Temari couldn't help but grin back. "Shino-san, I need you to scout ahead. Neji-san, you are the rear guard. I'll go behind Shino, then Kiba-san and Akamaru will guard the sides, and Tenten-san will guard Neji-san."

The others nodded as they went into their respective positions. Temari continued, "Stone isn't a friendly country, or an ally of Leaf or Sand, so we have to be careful. We'll probably end up running into some stone-nin at some point in time, so everyone be ready. Be sure to watch the ground! They love being sneaky."

Neji merely headed to the back with Tenten and they drifted a little while apart from the others. He scanned the forest with his Byakugan, eye's narrowed. He landed on the ground as he spied something. An errant lock of bright pink hair. He picked it up, excitement welling in his chest.

"Neji-kun, we're supposed to be guarding the rear." Tenten spoke as she landed beside him. "What is it?"

Neji merely tied the small pink hair around his finger thoughtfully, before stretching his Byakugan far in the direction the hair had been in. A town lay in the distance. Neji's heart jumped. Sakura… He made ready to leap when Tenten jumped in front of him.

"Neji-kun! We can't go anywhere. We have to catch up with Temari-dono and the others."

"Iie."

Tenten's brows furrowed. "Iie?"

"Go on ahead."

"Neji-kun!" Tenten shook her head. "I won't leave you! Temari-dono ordered us to stay with her. Come on."

"I have a lead. I have to go find Sakura."

"Neji! I—I won't let you! We have to follow this mission through to the end! You're probably following a dead end anyway! If I have to fight you Neji-kun I wi—" Tenten's eyes widened, before closing as she slumped to the ground.

Neji watched her fall with a small frown. I'm sorry I had to do that, Tenten…but Sakura is more important than anything at the moment.

Temari couldn't help but smile at the thought that they all did what they were told, even Neji. She supposed he was willing to follow her rules for now, as long as she led him to Sakura. Still, Neji was making her slightly uncomfortable. She knew he loved Sakura and would do anything o get her back, and he was too willing to take risks to do that. He was an endangerment to their team, but he was needed.

Mores the pity… Temari sighed as they whipped through the snow. None of them paid attention to the cold, for they were all just glad to be out of the cave and in the fresh air again.

"We'll be coming to Stone soon." Shino answered from the front.

"Any shinobi, Neji-san?" Temari called behind her.

…

…

…

…

"Neji-san?"

Temari whirled around to see that Neji was not there.

And neither was Tenten.

"Dammit!" Temari cursed, "Everyone stop!"

Everyone, which meant Shino, Kiba, and Akamaru, froze in their tracks. Temari turned to them furiously. "Neji-san has probably gone off on his own, the stupid bastard. Now we'll have to waist time to go find him. Kiba, Akamaru, smell him out and lead me to him. Shino, I want you to go ahead to Stone and wait for us there, scouting out the area. We'll take some of your kikai with us, if that's alright."

"Of course." Shino lifted out his hand. Temari hesitantly put out her's and a few of the bugs crawled onto her skin. She jumped slightly, but didn't pull back as they tucked themselves into her sleeve. "Can you have them give me some kind of warning sign if you're in trouble?"

"Hai." Shino answered. "Temari-dono."

Temari looked back at him, for she'd turned to run with Kiba. "Hai?"

"Tenten-san is unconscious."

"How do you know?"

Shino didn't answer, just merely said, "She's a while back, but Neji-san is not with her." Then he disappeared.

Temari gave a frustrated sigh. "Kiba-san, go after Tenten-san's scent with Akamaru. I'll go after that baka Neji."

Kiba nodded.

"But first, which way did Neji go?"

Kiba pointed slightly to the east, "Akamaru says there's a town there. That's where he thinks Neji's headed." Then he headed off to find Tenten.

Temari lunged through the trees in the direction she believed Neji had gone. You damn fool! When I catch you—you're dead!"

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow morning then, Sakura-san." Deidara spoke as he stopped at her door. "That's when we're heading out, yeah."

"Oh. Hai." Sakura nodded with a small smile. "We're heading to Stone…"

Deidara tried not to notice her saddened look, but instead gave her a large hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Good night then, Sakura-san."

"Good night, Deidara-san." Sakura whispered back as she watched him go to his room. He shut the door behind him with a click. She stood outside in the hallway, contemplating. She didn't want to go inside of her and Itachi's room. She knew she'd just end up sleeping on the chair—or the floor. She'd prefer the chair.

She knew that Sasori was already in his room asleep. After all, Sakura and Deidara had been the last ones up from the sitting room. She wondered if perhaps she should ask Sasori and Deidara if she could sleep in their room. At least then, she wouldn't have to sit on a chair while both Kisame and Itachi slept in warm…comfortable…soft…beds…

She'd tried to ask Kisame for his bed, hinting that it would be the kind and gentlemanly thing to do. He had promptly stripped down and slipped under the covers with a grin, saying that unless Sakura was planning on sharing the bed with him—which he said he wouldn't object to—then she'd just have to get used to sleeping in the chair.

Sakura had chosen the chair, much to Kisame's exasperation.

She'd made sure not to ask Itachi for his. It hadn't ended well the first time, and she doubted Itachi liked being asked for something more than once.

And now she was standing outside of their room once again, and she didn't know what to do. She gave a small sigh as she opened the door and stepped inside, a little bit of courage welling up inside of her.

"Good evening, Itachi-san…"

Orochimaru gave a growl of pain as Kabuto unwrapped his arms. He let out a loud hiss as he lathered it in ointment.

"That will not help, you fool."

Kabuto flinched, but continued to apply the salve. He then began bandaging.

"When Haruno Sakura comes, she will be able to dull the pain completely."

"She'll do more than that, Kabuto." Orochimaru chuckled, though it ended in a hiss once more as his arms burned. "She'll heal them completely. You had best study under her and learn what it is she knows, if you want to continue your usefulness…Kabuto…"

Kabuto's eyes flashed and he gritted his teeth slightly as he nodded. "Hai, Orochimaru-sama."

Orochimaru watched him out of the corner of his eye with a malicious grin, before he let out a gasp as the pain began surfacing again.

"Where is that damn medicine for this pain?"

"And here I thought you'd gained some gentlemanly manners, Itachi." Sakura muttered to herself as she sat down on the large chair. He was sitting on the bed, reading his book. "I guess this means you won't move." She noticed his stoic gaze with a small sigh. He wouldn't move for anyone. She guessed if the hotel were on fire, he still wouldn't move, just to show that it was his spot and he wouldn't move for anything.

"So you won't even give me the blanket?"

…

…

…

Sakura sighed deeply. "Fine then." She headed to the door with a small frown. She was halfway across the room when Itachi finally spoke.

"Where are you going?"

Sakura merely reached for the door handle. "Deidara's room. He'll give me a place to sleep."

She began to turn the knob when a hand caught her wrist. She felt warmth encompass her and could smell Itachi's scent, as well as feel his breath on her neck. She stiffened, hand letting go of the knob immediately. She felt trapped.

If Itachi noticed this, he didn't do anything about it. He pressed further against her, until her skin jolted as the back of her neck met with the v-line of his mesh shirt and their skin touched. He was warm.

"Ne, Itachi?" Sakura frowned, trying to keep her wits about her, confusion flooding her body. What on earth was he doing? Surely he didn't mean to rape her again… I won't let him! I'll call for Deidara or Sasori!

…Sasori won't do anything to help me. He respects Itachi too much… Itachi's hands began trailing up Sakura's arms. Something moved in the pit of her stomach.

Deidara…

Itachi turned her around and Sakura's eyes met his blazing crimson one's. Her own widened as she saw more than the Sharingan blazing in their depths. It was something she hadn't seen before…not anger or blood lust…nor the lusting triumph from the night he had raped her…no…it was something much different.

I need to scream…Deidara will save me…he will… She thought feebly as she continued to stare at him. She wondered if he was using some type of doujutsu to keep her in her place, but she soon realized it was merely shock and…surprise, that had her frozen.

…he will…

Itachi's lips suddenly came down on Sakura's mouth and she gasped out in surprise, the warmth and vigor in his kiss startling her.

…save…

Emotions and thoughts rushed through her mind, making an incomprehensible swirl that she couldn't control or understand. The feeling in her stomach deepened, as if something inside of her, long asleep, was uncurling from its slumber. As if some emotion were being awakened.

…me…

Itachi's tongue darted into her mouth, as confident and forceful as Itachi himself. For once, instead of a plan of attack darting into her mind, Sakura drew a blank. She didn't try and back away, even if she could have. One of Itachi's hands played with her hair.

What is he doing? My god…what's going on…why can't I move!?!?!

She blinked, and Itachi withdrew a few inches from her, his breath on her cheek. Sakura still hadn't moved, she was in too much of a shock.

Suddenly Itachi spoke, in a voice that was slightly hoarse, close to her ear. "You can have the bed." His breath tickled her ear before he withdrew completely, and was once again Itachi Uchiha, traitor of Konoha and killer of the Uchiha Clan.

He pulled his cloak around him as he stepped into the hallway. Sakura continued to stare into space as the door clicked shut behind him. Sakura put a hand to her lips, which tingled from his kiss.

Uchiha Itachi was not like Deidara or Neji Hyuga. His kiss held no promise of gentleness or protection. It wasn't desire or lust as before, either. It merely overflowed with …a strange, primal desperation. A need.

For what, Sakura did not know. At the moment, her mind was in a fog. She couldn't make out the ceiling from the floor. Too much was running through her mind. Itachi had kissed her. Even for him, it had been gentle, unlike the kisses before. Once again, as if he regretted the rape and was trying to make amends.

Or perhaps he just knows that you would rather have those types of kisses, Sakura. Her inner voice warned.

Sakura deftly walked to the bed, slipping underneath the covers, still in a daze. She didn't fall asleep as she turned to look at the ceiling.

A kiss…

A kiss from Uchiha Itachi.

Suddenly she doubled over, feeling sick as she sat up, almost curling herself into a tight ball. No, no, no…oh god no…please… She blinked as tears rushed to her eyes. Don't do this to me… She whispered furiously to herself. She wrapped the blankets around her thin form, shoulders shaking.

Sakura continued to stare down at her own hands, as if she couldn't see how they were hers. She bit her lip, wanting to rip it off. How dare she let herself be carried away…how dare her body betray her. No…not her.

She'd just betrayed Sasuke.

Not because she couldn't stop Itachi from kissing her…

…

…

…

…but because even if she could have, she knew immediately that she would not.

And that was what sickened her the most. She felt unclean and horrible, as if she was inside of someone else. This couldn't be her body. Her own body would never allow such a thing to happen. She would never allow such a thing to happen.

She was ashamed of herself. She had just kissed a murderer, and she didn't regret it.

Suddenly, a thought came to mind, even through all the shame and self-hatred. A simple, small, and seemingly insignificant thing. Something that normally would mean nothing to anyone. But it made her smile softly, even through her tears. It made a small weight lift off of her shoulders as she realized that perhaps, somewhere, there was something good inside of him. Something she wanted to see again, however dangerous it would be. Something so complex in its simplicity…

…He gave me the bed…

(A/N: I told you things would heat up! Itachi's finally showing us that sweet side of his. Sweet…right…but at least we know he DOES have a heart. Deidara is probably not going to be too happy about Itachi and Sakura kissing, though…

More…controversies in the next chapter. Lots of arguments…fights…and maybe a small surprise for everyone! 

Can't wait till next time! Thanks for all the reviews, they're always welcome!)