Once again, I'm sorry for how short this is. I've been rushing because everyone wanted the update.

I HOPE THIS MEETS ALL YOUR STANDARDS :) -xxkaaat

Another Cliche Band Fic ; An xxKaaat Original

Chapter Fourteen

It was nearly midnight when the cold and rainy southern streets of New Berry Town sounded with sirens. Various cars, police cruisers, squads and a firetruck pulled in front of a small yellow and brown cottage in the quietest part of town. Almost instantly neighbors began to crowd the streets in search of answers to why their sleep had been rudely interrupted. Before any police officer cleared the house, both Pein and Itachi took off through the front yard. It took only two tried to bust down the front door.

Once inside, Itachi and Pein found a tall and muscular man hanging from the chandelier in the front living room. It was Jugo, a boy whom the two had grown up with. After a few seconds, police made their way through and paramedics trailed behind.

Having been in that house multiple times, Itachi still remembered it like the back of his hand. With a strong feeling in his stomach, Itachi led pain and a small crowd through the house toward the back bedroom. Once everyone was inside, Itachi removed a large mirror from behind the main bedroom door. There in the wall, stood another door. Wasting no time, Itachi flipped the switch on his right and unlocked the door.

Pushing straight through and starting down the staircase, Itachi wasted no time. As soon as he reached the bottom of the metal spiral staircase he took off in a sprint toward a small wad of blankets on the floor. "Sakura!" His voice was filled the joy. Falling to his knees, Itachi leaned over the pinkette.

"I-Itachi?" Small green eyes fluttered opened to reveal a familiar face staring at her. With sudden realization Sakura shot up and wrapped her small arms around Itachi's neck, causing him to practically fall into her. Then, uncontrollable sobs came. Sakura's body shook as she clutched tightly to Itachi's body.

Pulling her closer, Itachi closed his eyes and surrendered to the tears that had begun to form. "Shh Sakura, it's okay. I'm here and everything is going to be alright. You don't have to be afraid anymore." It was clear from Sakura's visible skin that she'd been abused multiple times. There were brown, purple and yellow bruises on her back and shoulders.

Soon the two were greeted by a fireman who warmly smiled. "I'm gonna cut these chains off of your ankles okay Sakura? They're gonna take you to the hospital. There's already a spot cleared for you in the ambulance Itachi." With two small cuts, the ankle cuffs were gone. Instantly Itachi picked Sakura up in his arms, making sure to keep her bundled in the blanket.

Due to her fatigue, her stress and her aching body, Sakura was back and forth between the outside world and her dream land. As Itachi carried her, the lights became dark and then red and blue flashing lights fell upon Itachi's face. Then before she knew it, the pinkette was outside. Various bright lights illuminated Itachi's face and for a split second, various tear streaks covered Itachi's face. Once again the lights became bright and Sakura was pulled from Itachi's arms.

Two strangers towered over her small body as she looked around a tightly packed room. To her left sat Itachi who was visibly upset. "Don't worry Sakura, I'm here. It's okay." Then a jerk. Suddenly darkness overcame the pinkette and she fell back into her dream world.

Back at the cottage, Jiraiya laid a calloused hand upon Pein's shoulder. "You okay boy?" Jiraiya seemed concerned.

Pein nodded as he felt a strong arm wrap around his torso. "I'm exhausted." His orange haired head fell slightly. "It's all finally over Jiraiya. Everything is over."

From beside the two, Deidara smiled. "Sasori and I are gonna head to the hospital. Jiraiya, you take Pein back to the mansion. He needs his rest." The blonde smiled and nodded toward his slumbering friend.

Jiraiya simply nodded and pulled Pein back toward his car. Deidara then made his way to Sasori's car, some ways down the road. Inside Deidara leaned his head back and sighed.

Sasori smiled at his blonde friend and smirked. "We should be celebrating now. But it's much too late for all of that." The red head leaned back and inhaled deeply. "Deidara I-"

Quickly the blonde cut him off. "I love you Sasori. Every bit of you. Knowing that you can sleep peacefully tonight is the only thing I can honestly think about. You've been through hell, and I'm sorry I couldn't be the best that I could have. I'm sorry for never telling you.. I-I." Deidara trailed off when Sasori put a warm hand on his thigh.

"I'd be even more at peace if I could have the pleasure of sleeping next to you Deidara." Without giving the blonde a chance to reply, Sasori leaned over and gently kissed the mans lips. Slowly he pulled away with the smirk. "I've loved you since before we even started the band Deidara."

ACBF

Sakura was kept in a private sector of New Berry Community Hospital. She was given morphine for her pain and plenty of liquids. It was clear that in the time she'd been missing, she'd been neglected. She was dirty, skinnier and sickly looking. It killed Itachi to see her like that. Pulling a small recliner beside the bed in the hospital, Itachi laid back and held Sakura's clammy hand. He watched her sleep for hours. Sometime along the way he called Deidara and told him to get a hotel room around because there was only allowed to be one visitor as a time. Respectfully Deidara was okay with it.

The lights of the hospital room were dark and the only real light came from those of the city. New Berry was an average sized place and being at this floor of the hospital, the lights illuminated the side of the hospital Sakura resided in. Through the blinds though, those lights brought out Sakura's features and in those hours of watching her, Itachi remembered why he'd fallen in love with her. She was beautiful.

Itachi was finally giving into the darkness when a small voice forced him to open his eyes. "I thought I'd never see you again."

He yawned. "Sakura? You should be sleeping."

Emerald eyes shined through the city beams entering through the window. "I never stopped thinking about you Itachi. I'm so sorry that I left and didn't tell you." The pinkette's voice grew distressed. "Sasori probably hates me. I drove him to go too, I just didn't... I couldn't."

Itachi put a finger to her lips and shook his head. "You have no reason to be sorry Sakura. None of this was your fault. Deep down you loved Sasuke and that's why you went. You loved him like a brother and he knew you'd go. You didn't have a reason to tell me because I think everything happened for a reason." A small smile crossed his lips. "Jugo fucked up Sasori pretty good. The doctors think he'll never be able to play the drums again. His arm is in pretty bad shape and he was in the hospital for quite awhile. On the contrary, he thinks you'll be mad at him. He cares so much about you and this whole thing has torn him up."

Sakura slowly reached her hand up and intertwined it with Itachi's. Her grip was weak. "Jugo told me that Sasuke was arrested."

Itachi nodded. "Yeah. He went to Shikamaru's house and everything happened from there. I went to where he was being held and we talked over a lot." Itachi looked down and took a deep breath. "We finally made peace after all these years... I wrote him a song and I think that's what broke through to be honest." Another pause. "I hit him... and I felt guilty... but I needed it. He needed it too. But, I won't be seeing Sasuke for a long time."

Sakura nodded. "Maybe that's what's best."

"It is."

A long pause fell upon the two. "I thought I was going to die..." Sakura paused as tears began to pour from her eyes. "I never knew pain... real pain before then. I had nothing. No strength, no will power. I figured I would die before anyone came. I fought so hard and it wasn't my best... I was so helpless. He raped me over and over again. He told me that everything he did to me was what made want Orochimaru... And I just don't understand." Sobs escaped from Sakura's body.

At once Itachi stood up and slowly sat on the open bed beside Sakura. Just like in that basement, Sakura reached up and wrapped her arms around Itachi's shoulders and she clung to him. In the darkness, Itachi smiled. "You're so strong and you don't know it. Anyone who can hold on through that.. It's indescribable Sakura. I had no idea where you were and I thought I'd never get the chance to hold you again and I couldn't go on. Without you there, I couldn't do anything... Sakura, I love you so much. You are my life now."

Slowly Sakura pulled away and stared into Itachi's dark gaze. "I love you Itachi. Every bit of you. I think, going into that room with you was the best decision I ever made. Even though these last two weeks have been hell... I wouldn't have changed a thing." The two stared into each others eyes for nearly two minutes before Itachi leaned in and kissed the pinkette's soft lips. It was passionate. The two yearned for each other.

At last Sakura pulled away and leaned her forehead against Itachi's. Her breathing was heavy and she smiled tenderly. "Sleep with me."

Itachi chuckled. "What?"

The pinkette leaned back against the hospital bed. "You heard me. Sleep with me. Just lay here and hold me." Her smile grew wider.

Itachi motioned as if he was going to lay down but he stopped. Softly he spoke, "Only on one condition."

"And that is...?" Sakura raised an eyebrow.

"Marry me." Itachi smiled widely.

"What?" Sakura's face showed shock.

Itachi leaned back and crossed his arms. "You heard me. Be my wife. Stand with me forever. Love me."

Almost instantly Sakura smiled and nodded her head. "Yes Itachi... I'll marry you." Even with a short sentence, her voice was ecstatic.

Slowly Itachi leaned down and positioned himself beside Sakura. He laid against the bed railing and Sakura practically buried herself in his arms. Almost instantly she fell back into slumber. Hearing her soft snores made Itachi chuckle. "Sleep well my fiance."

ACBF

The lock down sector of The Vermillion City Prison was on the lowest level of the building. The floor was so high on security that to go in, the workers needed to present their ID's and be escorted by a security guard. The walls and floors were stark white and each room was sound proof.

The red headed detective stopped at the security gate. "Head detective Gaara. I'm here to see Sasuke Uchiha." A brief pat down followed his introduction.

The security chief gave the man a small smile. He had red triangle tattoos upon his face and his hair was a scruffy brown color. "Sir, we never see you around these parts of the prison. Can I ask what the special occasion is?" When the red headed man smiled the guard laughed. "Terribly sorry Gaara. My name is Kiba Inuzuka. I'm the head of security for this sector."

Gaara laughed. "I've heard about you Kiba. It's been said that you're a fine young man. Although, I wish we had more guys like you in my sector." Gaara paused. "I'm guessing you've heard the whole story as to why Sasuke is down here right?"

Kiba nodded. "Of course, the press was all over that. It's been every where."

The red head nodded and leaned against the wall. "They've just found Sakura. She currently in the hospital in pretty good shape. Jiraiya called and said they walked in and found Sasuke's accomplice hanging from the chandelier. I guess it was pretty bad. But, I'm here to tell Sasuke that they found her."

The brunette smiled. "I'll lead you to his cell Gaara. It's this way." Kiba led the detective through a series of silent halls. The only sounds were of their shoes and heavy breathing. After seven turns, Gaara found himself in front of Sasuke's door.

Kiba slid back the small window and softly spoke, "Sasuke, you have a visitor here. I'd suggest that you stay back because I have a gun." With that, Kiba opened the main door and made his way inside, Gaara trailing behind.

The room was small. There was a small cot in the back corner and on the far wall there was a small sink, toilet and shower. Everything followed suit with stark white. Slowly Sasuke looked up and smiled at the familiar face. "Hello detective, here to question me some more?"

Gaara smirked. "Actually not today Uchiha." Sasuke's expression faltered slightly.

"Then why are you here?"

Gaara leaned against the wall and kept his sly smile. "I'm here to tell you that a couple clues fell through and Sakura's currently residing at New Berry Hospital. She's back in good hands, and she's in very good condition." Sasuke stared, his face blank. "When authorities showed up at the scene Jugo was found in the living room. He'd hung himself. He took the cowards way out. But as for you, the game is over Sasuke. You've lost."

Sasuke turned his head and looked down toward his hands. "No."

The red headed detective turned toward Kiba. "Alright, that was everything. Thank you Mr. Inuzuka. You've been a tremendous help." With that, Gaara turned away and started out of the room.

"Detective." Sasuke's cold voice caught Gaara's ear. At once he turned around to face the dark haired man. "Tell my brother I love him."

Swallowing, Gaara smiled. "Will do Sasuke."

ACBF

The white hummer pulled up through the driveway and came to a slow stop just outside the Vermillion mansion. One by one the front doors opened and two men slowly made their way out. Jiraiya jumped from the drivers side and quickly made his way toward the passenger door. He offered an arm to Pein who yawned and slowly accepted. When Pein turned to shut his door, Jiraiya watched as the front door of the mansion opened. A decent sized group of people piled out from the house. At once Pein and Jiraiya were joined by family and friends.

"My baby!" Aki wrapped her slim arms around her sons neck. "Are you okay? What's happened?"

The tall orange haired man sighed. "I'm fine mom, just really tired. Itachi's at the New Berry hospital with Sakura. She's fine, everything is okay."

Jiraiya smiled when Tsunade wrapped an arm around his stomach. "Sasori and Deidara got a hotel down there for the night. They'll stay down there for the time being, and when Sakura is ready to come home they'll drive."

Mrs. Uchiha took a deep breath as her husband wrapped an arm around her. "Is Itachi okay?"

Jiraiya smiled. "He's fine. I'm guessing that we won't be seeing him until Sakura's ready to come home. I doubt he'll be leaving her side any time soon." The older man yawned.

From behind the crowd, Shikamaru smiled and offered a cigarette to Pein who gladly accepted. "I'm glad everything is going to be okay Pein." The pineapple haired man forced a smile.

Pein smiled back kindly. "You can stay here as long as you'd like. Pretty much everyone lives here now."

Jiraiya laid a hand upon Shikamaru's shoulder. "I took a listen to that song you produced. You're not too bad kid. I wouldn't mind having some help in the studio." Once again the old man smiled.

"Y-You're offering me a job?" Shikamaru was shocked.

"I guess I am. After all, it's pretty clear that you're part of the family now." Jiraiya motioned to the group of people gathered. "How about it?"

Slowly the brunette took in the faces of the people surrounding him. Each of them smiled, their eyes sparkling. Instantly Shikamaru smiled. "I'll do it! Thank you!"

"No need to thank me son."

At once Pein gave a large sigh. "Okay, can we celebrate in the morning? It's been a long day and I'd like to go to sleep now." The man found himself with his arms around Konan.

With a shared laugh, the group made their way back inside the mansion. For once, everyone was at peace.