Thank you maxriderover, Sailor2Moon, MaronTodai, and cherryfull for reviewing!

Sorry for the long wait! My husband just came home from a yearlong tour in Korea, plus we've packed up and moved to a new state. I've been super busy! Also, I've fallen in love with Gajeel and Levy from Fairy Tail. Wrote two one-shots for them if you like that pairing. Also wrote a one-shot for NatsuxLucy.


All of the Akatsuki were in the sealing chambers, the Eight Jinchuriki unconscious on the cold hard ground. Team Taka had been beaten up pretty bad. Trying to get the Eight Tails really tested Sasuke's abilities. He went in overconfident as usual and normally he had good reason to be, but that crazy rapping octopus man was no push over. It bothered him to admit that they'd almost lost. That was the first time he'd ever seen a Jinchuriki and their beast be in sync with each other like that. Killer Bee and the Eight Tails were friends. When the youngest Uchiha imagined Naruto being able to do such a thing, he smirked. Sasuke wanted his old teammate to be at his strongest the next time they fought.

Sakura had just healed all of them, but not without swelling Suigetsu's cheek again after he attempted to flirt with her while she was healing a wound on his upper thigh. He'd never learn. After watching Sakura heal his teammates, he grew curious as to her physical abilities. He was aware that his former teammate had trained underneath the Fifth Hokage, a Sannin who was known for her incredible strength and excellent medical ninjutsu. Sakura clearly had mastered the medical part, but what about the physical part?

There was another thing he wanted to talk to her about. She'd started wearing an Akatsuki robe. Did that mean she was now a member of the Akatsuki? Did she truly understand what it meant by collecting the Jinchuriki? Naruto would be next on the list along with the others that were holed up at the Leaf. Sakura was the type that cared about how she was perceived by others. Even if she was doing a counter mission for the Leaf, in order to make her friends fight her with everything they had so it was believable, she wouldn't be able to tell them that's what she was doing. The façade would have to be reality for a while.

Sasuke headed to his room for a much needed shower. His muscles, although they weren't sore due to Sakura's chakra, still felt worn. After that, a nap was warranted. Food would have to wait until later. Sasuke was just finishing up his shower and headed for his bed when Itachi came into his room.

"Don't you know how to knock?" Sasuke asked while pulling his sheets back.

His older brother leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. "That was not the Eight Tailed Jinchuriki you brought back."

Sasuke's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"

Itachi glanced over at him. "I mean you failed. That was a clone."

A clone? How was that possible? His Sharingan could see through clones and tell who was real and who wasn't. That was definitely the real Killer Bee. When did he have time to switch with a clone and if he did, why was it that he couldn't tell? He could always tell. This information was a huge shot to the ego.

"How is this possible?" Sasuke questioned, releasing the grip he had on the blanket.

"It seems that Killer Bee has the ability to make a clone so perfect that even the Sharingan cannot tell the difference."

Sasuke's eyebrows furrowed. His first mission with the Akatsuki and he failed. That didn't make him look good and he didn't like it. "When do I go after him again?"

"You will not," Itachi answered. "Kisame will be the one to go after him, but not for some time. We must regroup and create a plan that will bring the Eight Tailed Jinchuriki to our hands." Itachi began to leave the room. "Get some rest Sasuke. We'll train again when you awaken."

"Alright," he answered.

His door was closed silently with a soft click. Sasuke climbed into bed shirtless, goose bumps rising on his skin from the change in temperature. The black comforter was cool against his flesh and the tired male cured up into a ball and was asleep within seconds.


Pein stood on a ledge, rain pelting his coat as he looked over his small "kingdom". It would only grow from here. He would be the god of this new world free of war. No more would there being mothers receiving the news that their child was killed, or little ones growing up without parents. Living that life himself, Pein knew how hard it was.

Looking over his shoulder, he watched as Konan appeared. It always fascinating to him, watching her appear as little slips of origami paper until she formed. Yet her face and parts of her body would still look like separate piece of paper. It was very unique and he never got tired of watching her jutsu.

"What is it?"

"It's Jiraiya."

Pein looked out over his town once again. He hadn't heard that name in so long. It didn't surprise him that his sensei was looking into finding out more about the Akatsuki. What would he think when he saw them? What about when he realized just what was going on with the body he harbored. Would he be disappointed? There was something about the thought of disappointing his teacher that tugged at him a bit, but then Yahiko's smiling face filtered into his mind. His parent's bloodied bodies lying in the middle of his living room floor, blood soaking into the handmade rug reminded why he had taken this path.

"He isn't with us so does that make him an enemy?" Konan asked as she came to stand by him.

"If he is not with us, he is against us," Pein answered solemnly. "Take me to him."


Tsunade's eyes widened when Fukasaku, the old Sage Frog came into her office with news she'd never thought she'd hear. Her mouth went dry and the sound of his voice faded out; the only thing she could hear was her pulse pounding in her ears. Her manicured nails scratched slowly against her desk as she tried to keep her composure for her ninja, mainly for Naruto. The Jinchuriki on the other hand wore his emotions on his sleeve. He couldn't believe it at first, then got mad at Fukasaku for leaving. Kakashi placed a hand on his shoulder and sternly told him that Fukasaku and Shima had done all they could do.

Tsunade looked at the door behind them as Naruto staggered back, his breath hitching and tears starting to form in his eyes. "So…he's…he's gone?"

"I'm afraid so," Fukasaku answered while hanging his head and closing his eyes. "He left a coded message on my back for you all to decode. We will have to mourn his loss later. The village is in trouble. Pein is extremely powerful, more powerful than you can imagine."

"He must be in order to defeat Jiraiya," Kakashi commented. "A picture should be taken of the code and sent to the Decoding Team in the Research Division."

Tsunade silently thanked Kakashi for speaking. If she spoke, her voice would give her away. The Hokage was currently trying to swallow the lump in her throat. Was she doomed to constantly lose the people she was closest to? It was like a never ending cycle. Something bad was destined to happen; that was clear when she won the at the slot machines fifteen times in a row, but this…Tsunade was not mentally prepared to lose her closest friend. An empty feeling filled her chest, but she tried to ignore it. She had to be strong in the face of her shinobi. They looked up to her and needed strength from her.

"Yes, we'll start with that," Tsunade spoke. "We need to prepare. They will be coming. Inform the other Jinchuriki and shinobi to get ready for battle. The evacuation plans will be used during the attack to get our civilians to safety. I want our younger gennin to be in charge of getting everyone out of the city, understand?"

Naruto ran up and slammed his hands violently on the table. "Aren't you even going to shed a tear for him?! Didn't you guys grow up together?! He was your team mate and you don't even care that he died!"

Tsunade didn't think twice before grabbing the loudmouth by his neck, hauling him up, and throwing him as hard as she could through the double doors. His fat mouth is what always got him in trouble and they were about to have some straightening right now. Tsunade ran after him and jumped into the air, smashing a hole in the wall mere inches from his head.

"Do you assume anything, you idiot!" she shouted in his face as she grasped the front of his jacket. "You don't know what I'm feeling and that isn't important right now! Stopping the Akatsuki and saving our village is! That is why Jiraiya made the effort to leave us a message! Don't you dare undermine his death by wallowing in self-pity!"

Naruto's eyes didn't change at all. His expression was still dark, blue eyes staring defiantly back at her. She held his gaze, determined not to let him win. It was similar to a wolf pack where the lesser wolves would look away from the pack leader or lie down in a form of submission. She didn't want him to be submissive, she just wanted him to understand her point.

"Yeah alright," he said quietly.

Tsunade got up and went back to her office desk. "Get started," she instructed while grabbing an unopened bottle of sake from underneath her desk, not caring who saw her. The blonde could see Shizune's sadden face, but the woman said nothing, knowing there was no point in trying to talk her out of having a drink. And if she tried, Tsunade just might take her head off for it.

"I want to take Naruto Boy back to Mount Myoboku for training," he stated. "I want to teach him the Sage Mode. He'll be just as good as Jiraiya Boy."

Tsunade thought for a moment. Naruto was strong yes, but anything to increase their abilities before this war was necessary. Tsunade turned to face that child she'd grown so fond of. The look on his face was pure anger and she knew right then and there, if anyone could take down the Akatsuki, it would be Naruto Uzumaki. The fuel he always had burning within him had been alighted with the news of Jiraiya's death. He looked like a predator that was staring down its helpless prey.

"I'll go with you Toad Sage!" Naruto said. "If this guy could defeat Pervy Sage, I know I need to get stronger. I can't let his death mean nothing!"

Naruto's expression changed and he placed his forearm over his face, his chest heaving. "They will pay. I'll make them all pay!"


Sakura had put together an oil to help with Nagato's journey to walking once more. It smelled fantastic and would help stimulate his muscles. It wouldn't be an overnight fix; he'd have to have his legs massaged and then practice walking for at least the next few weeks before he'd be able to walk with no pain or issue. The medic was heading to her little medical stash to get her concoction when she was met by Itachi. She smiled and stood on her tip toes to kiss his soft lips.

"What are you up to?" she asked as she entered her medical room.

"Sasuke and I will be sparing in a few minutes," he answered.

"Okay." Sakura picked up the clear container with the oil in it. "We should take later."

That was code for "pull me into the Sharingan world". There was much they needed to discuss like how well Nagato did after this first time trying out this treatment. Itachi was already aware of what was going on, but Sakura made sure to keep him in the loop.

"Alright," Itachi answered. Sakura's back was to him and she stood upright when she felt him pressed against her back. His lips grazed against her ear after hooking wild pink strands behind it. "We'll talk later."

With that, he was gone, leaving her cold and wanting. She was so head over heels for him it was astounding. They still had yet to have sex outside of the Sharingan world, but Sakura was secretly proud to say she was learning and felt she'd know what to do when the real thing came around. For now, she needed to concentrate on this task. Sakura really hated that she was helping Nagato gain his physical strength back, but in the back of her mind, she wondered if this would make him harder to defeat. It made sense that when he battled, he used that body instead of his own so he wouldn't be within the vicinity of the battle. Nagato running away didn't seem like something that would happen, but at least now he had the option.

Picking up her mixture, Sakura went down the familiar hallways to Nagato's location. The moment she began her descent down the stairs, she could feel his chakra radiating heavily in the room. It was dense and powerful, peaking her curiosity of just how strong this scrawny man was. She had stumbled upon him reading a book when she reached the last of the stairs.

"What are you reading?" she questioned while putting her container on the couch.

"Just a story written by someone I once knew," he answered. "What will you do today?"

Sakura opened the container. "First, we'll massage your calves for about five minutes then the same with your thighs. After that, we'll try walking. This will help promote muscle growth and hopefully make this a little less painful."

Sakura saw that the mat and pillow she said she would need were on the side of the couch. She placed them on the floor then went over to Nagato. She'd never grow used to gazing into the depths of the Rinnegan. Those eyes, there was just something about them that radiated power. More so than the Byakugan and Sharingan combined. Clearing her mind, Sakura assisted Nagato in getting out of his contraption.

"You will have to walk to the mat," she instructed. "The more practice, the better."

Nagato nodded and the two began their slow walk to the mat. Luckily it wasn't too far. The medic assisted her patient onto the floor and had him lie back, afterwards rolling up his off grey sweats. His legs were ridiculously skinny from atrophy. This would be a long process.

"I want to increase your protein intake to help build muscle," Sakura said as she reached behind her to get the container. She placed it beside her after drizzling some on the lower half of his right leg. "More fish, meat, yogurt, and seeds can help."

Serious expression crossed her features as she set to work at massaging his calf. A firm steady pressure was kept on the weak muscles while she did so. They didn't say anything and Sakura was starting to feel a bit awkward about two minutes into it.

"So what was the name of the book you were reading?" she questioned.

"It's called Tales of a Gutsy Ninja," Nagato spoke. "It's quite…juvenile, but still a good message."

Sakura smiled. "I know that book. It was written by Master Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sanin." Her smile faltered. "He actually helped train Naruto when we were younger." Sakura paused for a moment and looked up at her "leader". "Wait, didn't you say that this book was written by someone you used to know? Did you know Master Jiraiya?"

"I did," he answered, but did elaborate.

"How did you know him?" Sakura pressed while scooting up to start treatment on his thigh.

The Akatsuki leader remained silent for a while. "He was also my sensei when I was a child. Konan's as well."

Sakura eyes shot open. "What?! Why didn't you tell me that when we talked before?! You must have known that I know him!"

"I did," Nagato answered. "However, it was not pertinent to the information you wanted to know."

"I think it's very pertinent based on the type of person that Master Jiraiya is," Sakura countered. "Does he know that you and Konan are the founders of the Akatsuki?"

"He knows."

Pink eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Master Jiraiya must not have known long because he surely would have gone back and informed the Hokage. When she thought about it, that wouldn't made much of a difference at the time. The Leaf needed a strategy, not just blindly rush in. That's how you get yourself killed in the shinobi world. Still, as a teacher, what must it have felt like for him to see that the young faces he remembered had grown into the most powerful rogue ninja force on the planet? Did it make him feel like a failure as a mentor?

"It must have upset him to see you two."

"I suppose so," Nagato responded. "I have no feelings towards him or how he feels about the path I've taken. I didn't take this path to please others. I took it for peace."

Sakura couldn't wrap her mind around that. Just thinking back to the times when she used to train with her own master. When Lady Tsunade scolded her for doing something incorrect, it tore at her very being. She would work for hours on end to perfect that technique and even small praise like a simple "good work" was enough to brighten her day. Sakura wanted nothing more than to impress her master. She felt that was a normal feeling.

"Would you tell me how you met Master Jiraiya?" Sakura asked, rubbing her knuckles along the back of his calf.

"He no longer matters," Nagato said curtly. "He is not of this world."

Sakura's fingers slowed. Her gaze slowly moved up to stare at him in the face as the realization hit her. "You…did you kill your sensei?"

"Yes."

Sakura's expression must have explained the way she felt as plain as day because Nagato asked, "What do you think of me Sakura?"

Sakura looked away and continued her task. "I don't want to say. It doesn't matter what I think."

Finally she switched to the other leg. Sakura tried not to cry as she did so. She wasn't very close to Master Jiraiya, but Lady Tsunade and Naruto definitely were. She couldn't bear the thought of them hurting so terribly like she knew they would be. She couldn't think of what that may feel like to them. A thought crossed her mind: did Pein kill Jiraiya in order to get Naruto's attention? After all, it would be easier to face one Jinchuriki instead of the three that were currently there.

Sakura tried her best not to let her current thoughts affect her treatment. Soon Konan entered. Sakura didn't even look up to greet her. The older woman still had been a little sour towards her and with the way her emotions were at the moment, it might have been better not to say anything at all. She finished massaging his other leg and stood up.

"Now it's time to try walking across the room," Sakura instructed while grasping his hands to help him to his feet. "I'd like to do just once to one end and back. Each day, we'll increase it by one fourth of the room's length. On Sunday, we'll have you rest."

Nagato was shaky on his feet. "It's been a while since you've seen me like this Konan."

"It has been," she said softly. "I'm happy for you."

They were already close to the wall by the stairs so Sakura assisted him to that end first. She turned them around. "Ready?"

"Yes," Nagato answered.

It took them about fifteen minutes to get across the room and back. Nagato needed to stop about half way through to rest, but was able to continue. By the way his face was scrunched up at the end, it was time to give his legs a break. Sakura wiped her brow and turned to leave.

"I'll see you tomorrow," she called. "Rest up and make sure you have a good amount of protein with dinner tonight."

With that, Sakura bounded up the stairs and headed to look for Kisame. It was time for another spar session. Hopefully he was in the hideout. Even though he was the hardest to fight against, Sakura really wanted to burn off some steam and who better than someone as powerful as the former Mist nin? Sakura turned around when she realized she was being followed.

"What is it Konan?" Sakura questioned.

The other woman didn't say anything. Her pale blue hair looked darker underneath the burning torches in the room. Her expression was unreadable as she approached. Sakura stood her ground, wondering what was going on in Konan's mind. When the older woman got closer, Sakura thought she saw a troubled look on her face, but it was gone as soon as she saw it.

"I'd just like to apologize for my recent behavior," she said stoically, bringing her eyes to meet Sakura's. "It has been tough seeing you able to help him in a way I am not capable of."

Sakura could understand that. When you loved someone as much as Sakura was positive that Konan loved Nagato, you wanted to do anything to make sure they were okay. Konan was a strong woman in everything she did so watching Nagato deteriorate must have been tough. Still, Sakura wanted to make sure Konan understood that there was no reason to feel that way. As medic, the young girl lived by the Hippocratic Oath and that meant treating your patient to the best of your ability.

A smile worked its way over Sakura's lips. "It's okay. I figured it must have been something like that. If you like, we can do what we did before and I can teach you what he needs for the physical therapy so you can do it and I will just check in about three times a week or if there are any concerns. How's that sound?"

Konan was silent for a while before reaching out to touch Sakura's hair. "You're going to do great things in the shinobi world Sakura Haruno."

With that, she left. Sakura was glad the air was cleared between them. It was important if she wanted to keep in Pein's good graces. Now there was the task of finding Kisame. She felt for his familiar chakra and realized he was in the lounge. She headed there and was surprised to see him watching that same show she'd caught Hidan watching, the one with the colorful ponies. When she entered, the blue man made no effort to hide what he was doing. He waved at her.

"Hey Short Stuff," he called. "Come on in and watching My Little Pony with me."

"You like this show?!" she asked incredulously.

"Don't let the way it looks fool you," he said with a wide grin. "It's pretty good!"

Sakura laughed. "I actually blackmailed Hidan a while back when I caught him watching this. He didn't want anyone to know."

"Of course he didn't because he made fun of me when he saw me watching it." Kisame chuckled. "Crazy guy."

Sakura leaned again the door way and crossed her arms. "Why don't you help me train some more?"

Kisame stood up and stretched. "Sure why not? We'll do a pre supper spar."

Sakura laughed. "Sounds good to me."


I know this was kind of filler, but it had to happen. Again I'm sorry I'm so late!