"We'll be passing by,
And they'll be wasting time,
Just waiting for new,
And while they're chasing darks,
We'll be dancing in the dusk,
'Cause we're coming through,
Whenever you need me I'm behind,
And I promise to take you off to the heights.

When you feel you've had enough, and you wasted all your love,
I'll be here for you, here for you,
When the dog is at his bone, and you run away from home,
I'll be here for you, here for you."

-Here for you by Kygo (ft. Ella Henderson)

Chapter Fourteen

"Amaya is safe," Deidara said, his wavering form cutting in and out. "I'm sorry, Leader. I used much of my chakra getting her to HQ as soon as possible."

Pain nodded, eyes opening. "That's fine, Deidara. Thank you."

Silence ensued, and then Deidara spoke. "She's calm, Pain. Calmer than a seven-year-old should be, I think. She's scared."

"Of course she's scared, dip-shit," Hidan snapped, eyes narrowed towards the blonde. "Her village just turned against her. What would you expect?"

"How is Pinkette, Leader?" Kisame asked as Hidan mumbled on, and then slowly tapered off. He turned, interested in the answer. They all were. Having witnessed Pain transport her here the previous day had been unexpected for them all, including Pain himself. She had been wounded extensively and—no matter what any of them said—they all cared for the pink haired kunoichi and her child.

"She'll live," Pain said, and paused for a moment. He nodded. "She hasn't said anything about what happened. We'll be traveling there soon. Tonight, I think it would be fair to assume. Sakura wants to be with Amaya as soon as possible."

"Understandably," Itachi said, and glanced at Konan.

Pain nodded. "She'll be okay to move, if that what you all are thinking. She and the baby are fine."

The tension in the room could have been cut with a knife, and, with Pain's words and confirmation, the tension seemed to ebb away slightly.

Pain couldn't believe the words himself. A child. His child. It was something that had never crossed his mind. Having children had never been a part of the overall plan. But, then again, neither had Sakura. And to have them both back in his possession was even more of a shock. When she had been taken from him, he had been sure she wouldn't return. But, then again, she hadn't returned out of free will, had she? She had fled for her life—and straight into his arms. Allowed him to touch her, to kiss her, to admire the small bump where their child grew…

She had come back to him. Him, and no one else.

"They're fine," he repeated, for the group or himself he didn't know.

"Well, I'll drink to that," Kisame said, flashing his rows of sharp teeth in a wide smile. "Congrats, Boss."

The rest of the group relaxed, and shared similar views.

Pain had to resist to smile.

Closing his eyes, he wondered: What was Sakura doing to him? He was supposed to be the most feared criminal in the world, and he was about to smile in front of his associates. What was with that?

Konan saw the expression, and just laughed which drew attention away from Pain. "Alright, boys. So, we'll see you later on. Be safe, and keep Amaya in good spirits. I'd had to think what a hormonal, pregnant woman might do to one of you if she hears you've upset her child."

And with that the wavering figures faded, leaving Konan and Pain standing there.

There was silence between them, which was normal, but then Konan spoke.

"You're happy, Pain," she stated, coming to stand next to him. "You're about to be a father, you're in love, and you have a woman who will stand through thick and thin with you. And that woman isn't me anymore. Allow yourself all of that, because I know you. It's okay. Go, be with Sakura and enjoy yourself while the rest of the group isn't here to ruin it."

Pain looked at Konan; he really looked at her. She had been his confidant, his childhood friend and savior, and his partner through thick and thin. She was as close to him as Sakura was, yet Konan had always been a sister to him.

"Thank you, Konan," he said, and brushed a strand of hair from her face. "For everything."

Turning, he disappeared through the double doors and into the hallway, leaving Konan to her own musings.

xxxXxxx

Sakura leaned on the railing, the light wind whipping through her long, pink hair. The light lit up of rain clouds, and the rain was beautiful against the fog that was rolling in throughout the city.

It was beautiful, and it brought back memories of when she had first set foot on this balcony. Of when she had first set eyes on Pain, and she was as carefree as she was now. Something about the Rain country now relaxed her soul, no matter the turmoil of thoughts that may be torturing her mind.

But there was turmoil, and anxiety wracked her body. What was going to happen now that she was gone? If she had stayed, then she would have died along with Amaya. But now that she was gone, what would her friends think? What would Danzo say to Lady Tsunade? Because, in all actuality, what Danzo had accused her of was completely true. She was a traitor for loving an S-Class criminal, and that didn't bother Sakura one bit. What did bother her was the persecution of her daughter's abilities. Killing Amaya was outrageous and uncalled for. Ethically and morally wrong. Evil. And that's what Danzo was: evil.

Sakura's love for Pain was true, but the persecution of her daughter was something that Sakura wouldn't stand for. Amaya may be dangerous, but she was learning to control her abilities. She wasn't a danger to the village, and she certainly wasn't the villain that Danzo had made her out to be. Amaya was a girl with abilities beyond her control who needed guidance, much like Naruto had once been. Closing her eyes, Sakura allowed the wind to blow the thoughts away.

She wasn't going home. She couldn't go home. The minute she chose to love Pain, she had chosen a life of exile. That she had brought upon herself. And now, carrying his child, there was nowhere else she wanted to be but with him. Nowhere else she could be. Whether that was on the run, or hidden away by genjutsu, she would remain. Because she would be damned if she allowed anything to affect her children's future. Amaya wasn't happy in Konoha, and neither was Sakura. She simply wished she had realized it sooner.

"Going somewhere?"

Sakura looked over her shoulder to see Pain standing at the foot of his bed—their bed—and motioning to the pack that was half full of her clothes and some weapons. She had been shocked to realize that Pain hadn't touched any of her things—for the most part, she had thought that he was dead. But, he wasn't. And he had missed her. He'd made that clear the previous night, too.

Sakura shrugged. "Aren't we leaving tonight?" Sakura asked, a slight, mischievous smile on her face. She knew that he knew she wouldn't wait any longer. She needed to see Amaya, and needed to make sure her daughter was safe and sound. Both physically and mentally.

Pain cocked an eyebrow, and shrugged. "We could leave tomorrow," he replied, a hint of sarcasm in his voice that Sakura was sure she could only detect. "You never know."

"I never know," Sakura mocked, and turned, leaning back against the railing. The large shirt she wore barely reached to her mid-thigh, and the movement of her arms hiked up the shirt even more. "Am I right?"

Silence.

"Yes, we're leaving tonight," Pain finally said, and strode towards her in a few strides. "How are you feeling?"

"Truth?" Sakura asked, sighing. She ran her hands through her hair, and reveled in the feeling of being caged against the railing when Pain got closer. "I'm exhausted. I lost a lot of blood, and I'm weak. It's going to be slow going tonight, but I'm going to have to push myself. I just lost everything, Pain, and I'm hurting. I'm in pain—and I'm okay with it."

Pain was silent, ever the good listener as he stroked his hands up and down her sides.

"While I was in Konoha, I was miserable. I thought you were dead. I'd lost you, I'd lost the other members. Konoha never really felt like home once I returned—for me or Amaya. I just wished I'd realized it sooner."

"You had to return," Pain responded, and held a hand up at Sakura's protests. "Hear me. While you were here, you were captured. A prisoner. You were never going to be anything else unless you consciously made the decision for it to be otherwise. Being forced home, it was a blessing in disguise."

"Because now I know," Sakura whispered, placing her hands on his chest.

Pain nodded. "Now you know."

He brought his hand up to brush over her cheek, and cupped her neck. Tilting her head slightly to one side, and then the other, he sighed.

"What?" Sakura asked.

"I'm rubbing off on you," Pain murmured, and lightly twisted the mental bar through the top of her ear.

Sakura grinned. "Those are just the visible ones," Sakura stated proudly, beaming at his notice. Pain's eyebrows shot up, and Sakura laughed. "Calm down. I just have my belly button pierced, and my nipples."

"And your nipples," Pain echoed, running a hand over his face. "What have I done to you?"

"Oh, you don't like the idea of having something to nibble on?" Sakura teased, and Pain froze. A low growl resonated from his throat, and he eyed her through hooded eyelids.

"Don't tempt me, sunshine. You're just getting your strength back," he growled, and slid the hand cupping her neck up to grip her hair. Twisting her head, Pain's lips crashed against Sakura's and she was lost.

Moments passed, and when they parted it was too soon.

"We're leaving tonight," Sakura breathed, eyes closed as she relished in his scent. His breath—mint and cinnamon—washed over her face, and his forehead leaned against hers.

"Yes."

"Alright, let me rest so I won't be too much of a burden."

Pain's arms hugged her closer to him, burying his face into the crook of her neck. "Never say that," he whispered. "You will never be a burden—you are a gift. You and our son."

Sakura smiled, and for the first time since she had stepped out onto the balcony felt at peace. Everything would work out—it just would.

xxxXxxx

Landing on the branch, Sakura leaned against the trunk and braced herself with both hands. She should have known she wouldn't have had her full strength to make the journey—yet she did it anyway. And now she had to answer for her mistakes.

Pain appeared next to her, and then Konan.

"Sakura…" Konan started, and Sakura held up her hand.

"I know," Sakura said, and focused on her breathing. Closing her eyes, Sakura felt the blood pounding in her ears. "I know."

Suddenly, Sakura felt herself sway. Her eyes snapped open as Pain reached out to steady her, and his expression was none-too-happy.

Konan remained silent, and Sakura merely scowled through the exhaustion. "Don't give me that look."

"I will," Pain snapped, and lifted her bridal-style into his arms.

"Pain—" Sakura started, but his quick look silenced her.

"The compound is only a mile away. Don't complain," he murmured through clenched teeth.

She really was a burden, wasn't she?

The thought ran through Sakura's mind as she was carried through the trees beside Konan.

The mile went by in silence, and seemed to be over in a matter of seconds. Just as the thunder clapped above them, the compound came into view. One moment there was a dense clump of trees, and then the large compound was there. Tall, safe, and home.

Pain hadn't been kidding when he had said they had shrouded it in genjutsu. Even Sakura, with her keen sense for genjutsu, hadn't suspected they had been traveling through a veil.

As they neared the entrance, Sakura's stomach continually flipped and filled with butterflies. She hadn't seen the other members since her birthday—since she had disappeared. Were they going to welcome her back with open arms, or view her as the prisoner who escaped? Pain certainly didn't view her that way, and Konan had been nothing but helpful. Would the other members be so open-hearted?

The door to the large compound swung open, and Deidara stood there with a wide smile on his face. Suddenly, the smile dampened when his eyes landed on Sakura. He crossed his arms.

"I thought she was supposed to be healthy enough to travel. She looks like death," Deidara scowled.

Sakura, shocked at Deidara's outburst, pushed against Pain. Gently, he set her on her feet. Wobbly, and a little dizzy, Sakura put her hands on her hips. "I do not. See?" she croaked, and sighed as her voice cracked. Well, damn.

Deidara rolled his eyes. "Very effective example, Sakura."

It was Sakura's turn to scowl.

Deidara held his arms out, and gave a toothy grin. "You know you love me."

Rolling her eyes, Sakura stepped into the hug that Deidara was offering. Tightly wrapping her arms around the blonde man, Sakura hugged him as tightly as she could.

"Missed you, Pink," Deidara murmured, and released Sakura when she pulled away.

"Thank you," Sakura whispered, eyes suddenly glazed over and very somber. "Thank you so much."

Deidara's expression was shocked, and then softened. He didn't say anything, only nodded.

Pain wrapped an arm around Sakura's waist and helped her through the doorway to the large foyer. The compound served as their main Head Quarters, as well as where most of their official meetings were held with outside sources. It was the nicest of the compounds, and the least shabby. A cross between a very nice hotel, an old Victorian mansion, and military center, it was Sakura's favorite base of them all.

Their footsteps echoed through the large foyer, Deidara's hushed voice mixed with Konan's echoing through the hall. Although Sakura couldn't make out what they were saying, she knew they were there.

"Where are we going?" Sakura asked, as she was led past the large double staircase, one on each side of the room that led to the balcony above. Shouldn't they be going upstairs, to Amaya's room?

"You'll see," Pain murmured, and held onto her hip with a firm yet gentle grip.

Pursing her lips, Sakura sighed and hobbled underneath the large double staircase towards the kitchen. The intricate carvings on the staircase always managed to take her breath away, and when she found out Sasori had done it she had demanded proof. When he managed to show her his workshop, she had been dumbfounded. Skeptical at first, she had never expected someone who appeared so young to be talented. But then, Sakura shouldn't have doubted him at all, because she hated when people doubted her based on appearances.

Hobbling up to the doorway, Sakura braced herself and took a deep breath. She was exhausted, and all she wanted to do was see Amaya and then rest. What the hell was Pain bringing her to the kitchen—

"Pink's here!" shouted Kisame.

Chairs screeched backwards, people stood, and every member of the Akatsuki stepped to greet her. Most had smiles, others had looks of somber understanding, but when Sakura met their gazes she was shocked. Not only had she expected none of them to care, she hadn't expected them to be waiting late at night for their arrival. Or was it early morning? Either way, Sakura stared and was silent to their greetings.

Something dripped down Sakura's cheeks, and Kisame's large smile dampened slightly. "Ah, Pink."

Sakura quickly wiped away the tears, but they kept coming. She couldn't control the emotions swirling around inside of her all of a sudden, and everything was suddenly becoming a jumbled mess. Pain brought his other hand up to swipe the hair from her face.

"I'm sorry," she voiced eventually, trying to pull herself together and failing. "It's just… I never realized how much I missed you all."

And it was true. God, she was happy to see them all. Safe and sound, too. She had worried about Pain while she was away, but she had also worried about the friends she had made too. These S-class criminals had become her friends, and, now, she had no qualms about it.

Kisame's sharp smile returned, and he pulled her into a tight hug. "I think I speak for us all when I say we missed you too, Pink."

Sakura wrapped her arms around the large, shark-like man, and laughed. Really laughed. He lifted her up, spun her around, and set her down away from Pain. When she looked up, the rest of the group had stepped forward to give her various versions of hugs and greetings. Even Itachi, who had lingered in the back, gave her a lingering embrace.

"Look, Sakura, look! Deidara made you a—"

Suddenly, a wooden spoon smacked into Tobi's head from across the room.

"Look, stupid! I was supposed to reveal my masterpiece!" Deidara growled, and then smiled at Sakura. "I made you a welcome back cake, Sakura."

"And cookies," Kisame cut in.

Tobi jumped up, and pipped in, "And brownies!"

Deidara looked sheepish, and Sakura almost started crying again. Damn hormones. They were going to be the death of her.

"Looks like I rubbed off on you while I was here," Sakura stated, and Deidara rubbed the back of his head as he nodded.

"Maybe just a little," he replied, and then held his hand out. "Try one, yeah?"

Sakura was already ahead of him. Picking up a brownie, she bit into the morsel and almost swooned at how delicious they were. "Did you put orange extract in the batter?" Sakura asked, eyes widening when Deidara nodded. "These are friggin' fantastic, Dei!"

"Momma!"

Sakura froze, and then spun towards the doorway where Pain was standing with Amaya. If Sakura had a camera, she might have taken a picture of him at that moment. His eyes were trained at the small girl to his right, and he looked at her with the most caring, concerned look Sakura had ever seen him give to another being. Sakura knew he genuinely cared for the girl, but it still took her breath away to see it so engraved in his expression.

"Amaya," Sakura breathed, and dropped to her knees as Amaya ran into her arms. The force knocked Sakura back, and she had to grab onto the counter to try and stay upright on her knees.

"Careful, baby," Sakura reminded her daughter as she pressed up against her ever growing belly. Amaya only hugged her mother, arms tight around Sakura's neck. Another sore spot, but Sakura would always forgive her daughter. Now, all she wanted to do was hug her daughter and make sure she was okay.

"What happened, Momma?" Amaya suddenly asked, hand tracing the angry red mark at her neck. The wound was healing, and would heal without a scar, but for now it would remain angry and red and irritated.

Sakura brushed Amaya's hair back, and kissed her daughters forehead. "We'll talk about it soon, baby, okay?"

Amaya nodded, and took the cookie that Deidara offered her. "How's brother?" Amaya whispered in that child-like whisper that wasn't really a whisper.

Sakura chuckled, as did those who heard Amaya. "He's perfectly fine," Sakura reassured her daughter, and kissed her head one more time before standing.

"By the way," Sasori interjected, holding his hand up. "I think congratulations are in order for the pair of you." He motioned to Pain and Sakura, and smiled.

A round of congratulations rose up, and Sakura's cheeks got red. She looked to Pain, who looked at his group of comrades as if he wanted to silence them immediately. Sakura giggled, and his eyes immediately shot towards her and softened.

"Thanks, guys," she said, and suddenly wavered where she stood. Sakura blinked a couple times as her vision went black, and then faded back into light.

Kisame's hands quickly went out to steady her, and he looked at his Leader in concern.

"You need rest," Pain said, and strode in to pick her up. Sakura waved her hands, and took a step back.

"I can walk. Don't you dare carry me again," Sakura snapped, and glared at her significant other.

Kisame snorted.

Pain glared.

Members laughed.

It was fun. Really.

At least, it was fun until Sakura had to lean against the counter and the whole world went black.

Pain caught Sakura gently, arms wrapping around her torso and under her knees. If Sakura would have been conscious, she would have seen the desperation in his eyes that the other members missed. She would have seen his desperation to take her past, present, and future pain away.

"Mom!" Amaya shouted, and Kisame gently picked Sakura's child up.

"Kisame, will you—" Pain started, his voice steady.

"No worries, boss," Kisame interjected, nodding to his leader.

Pain glanced around at the other members, and they nodded somberly. Sakura would be all of their responsibility, and Pain saw that in their faces. Not that they were forced to feel that way, but they wanted to help take care of her. Of Amaya, too.

They would be here for her, Pain most of all.

Sorry for the very late update! I've been so busy with the outside world. I also realize the chapter is very short, and for that I apologize. Thank you all for loving this story and remaining with me through thick and thin!

Please REVIEW! Let me know what you think, because it brightens my day to hear what my readers think! Any suggestions, too, are welcome on what you'd like to see happen.

Anyways, REVIEW! Enjoy life! Hug your local Akatsuki. Eat some brownies.

~Adoration