Temptation of the Heart

Chapter Five: Apprentice

Sakura traveled with Deidara and Sasori. Neither of them said more than simple commands to Sakura. Other than asking her about her name and where she was from, Deidara and Sasori were fairly quiet traveling companions. Finally, on their third day together, Deidara addressed Sakura, "Come here dear one. Let me see if I can find out what it is about you that so shook up our poor Itachi."

Sakura hated the way Deidara always called her "dear one" but knew better than to say anything about it. Obediently, Sakura walked over to where Deidara was sitting in their camp and kneeled down in front of her.

Placing both hands on each side of Sakura's head, Deidara bowed her head and closed her eyes in concentration. At first, Sakura didn't feel anything at all. Soon, however, she began to feel a slight tingling sensation. Out of the corner of her eyes, Sakura could see the familiar blue-glow of chakra flowing out of Deidara's hands.

After a couple of minutes, Deidara let go of Sakura and sat back abruptly. Turning to face Sasori, Deidara said, "Indeed, Itachi was wise to bring this one to me. I sense another personality submerged within. She is two people trapped inside one body. No wonder she was able to break Itachi's technique. He was only able to trap one of her personalities with his hypnosis. Properly trained, this girl would be one of Itachi's most formidable enemies."

Facing Sakura, Deidara address her, "You also have great potential, Sakura. I sense you have the ability to control chakra like none other I've met before. The ability to expertly wield chakra can be more powerful than clumsily handling huge quantities of chakra.

It would be a waste to kill you so soon, with so much untapped potential. You're like a large ball of clay. I could mold you and shape you like none other. However, you'll need to make that choice now: Freely accept me as your master and teacher or die."

"Will I have to perform evil deeds?" asked Sakura. She didn't know what else to say.

Sasori answered, "We don't consider ourselves evil. Misunderstood perhaps, but we're not that bad -- certainly not evil." He turned to face Deidara, "Am I evil, Deidara?"

"Definitely not, Sasori"

"There see, I'm not evil. Neither is Deidara."

"What about killing innocent people?" asked Sakura, still trying to come to grips with what was occurring. "I can't kill innocents."

"No one is innocent dear. Everyone has sinned. Sometimes, we need to make them pay for their sins."

Sinning against whom? thought Sakura. She didn't say anything of course. What choices did she have? Become a disciple of these "misunderstood" people or die? She'd have to choose being an apprentice. Sakura had no other choice – especially if she were to escape one day and find her true love, Sasuke.

Meanwhile, Inner-Sakura was railing against this whole scenario. What do you think you're getting yourself into, Sakura? She said to herself. I don't know, she replied to herself, but I don't have any other choice now, do I? I suppose not, Inner-Sakura sighed.

Bowing her head in acceptance of her fate, Sakura addressed her new teacher, "Very well, Sensei, I will become your apprentice."

"Will you follow me in all ways and obey my every command?"

"Yes Sensei, I will."

"I will keep you to your promise. You will have to do things you won't want to do. You understand this, don't you?"

"Yes Sensei."

"Very well. We'll begin our lessons tonight. Here's what I want you to do…." And with that, Sakura began her training with an S-Ranked villain as her instructor.

(to be continued in Chapter Six: Experience is Life's Teacher)