Temptation of the Heart

Chapter Six: Experience is Life's Teacher

In spite of her misgivings about being trained by Deidara, Sakura found the training both interesting and useful. While she was training, the days seemed to slip by almost too fast.

Deidara and Sasori were hunting for "demon people" – demons locked away within humans. Sakura had never fully understood Naruto's red chakra and was shocked to find out Naruto himself was a "demon person."

Sakura's training progressed and time passed on and seasons changed. During this time, Sakura gained in power and skill like she'd never imagined possible. Before long, Deidara was commanding Sakura do perform tasks Deidara was too lazy to do herself. Before that time, only Deidara or Sasori would've been powerful enough to accomplish these tasks.

While Deidara made Sakura do some terrible things, she never forced Sakura to go beyond her breaking point. Sakura believed the reason for this "kindness" (if you can call it that) was something she inadvertently overheard. Deidara and Sasori were talking one night (when Sakura was supposed to be asleep in an exhausted slumber).

"Why do you not break this girl, Deidara?"

"A broken instrument has no use. You and I both know I could break her anytime I chose. However, broken, she's less than what she is now or can become. I want to see her blossom to her full potential. I will not break her. I will mold and shape. As each day passes, she becomes more like us – whether she knows it or not."

Chilled by Deidara's words, Sakura vowed not to become like Deidara. She didn't sleep much that night (in spite of her exhaustion).

Regardless of any vows she made, Sakura did indeed find herself performing tasks she'd have thought inconceivable in the past. Such tasks as assisting in the destruction of a Shinto temple while searching for a "demon person" they thought the monks were hiding there.

During such times, when Sakura found herself doing horrible things, Inner-Sakura would come out and "save" Sakura by "taking over." In essence, Inner-Sakura would do the bad things while Sakura cowered inside her own mind. Unfortunately, Sakura could still see the dreadful things Inner-Sakura did and would often watch in horror.

Sakura thought she was the only one who knew about this dual-personality switch. She was wrong. One day, Deidara noted, "I'm glad to see you're using both of your minds – one when you fight for us and one when you train with me. Both are powerful and capable of all your ninja techniques.

You'll need both if you ever intend to defeat someone like Itachi. While he captures one of your minds, you'll be able to defeat him with other. Sharigan can only capture one personality at a time, you know."

Shocked at this revelation that Deidara knew of her mind switching, Sakura realized there was nothing she could hide from her sensei. In fact, Sakura was now almost certain the training she'd been receiving and the things she was required to do were partly intended to make her switch personalities. Sakura could now switch minds at will.

What Sakura found most surprising of all were the number of new ninja techniques she'd learned. Not only did Deidara teach her techniques, but Sasori as well. Likewise, on the rare occasion when they met up with other Akatsuki, the others would sometimes teach Sakura techniques.

With her natural high intelligence and extremely fine chakra control, Sakura made an ideal student. Sakura immensely enjoyed learning even while sometimes being horrified at the destructive power of the things she was learning.

All in all, Sakura gained tremendous power and huge capacity for evil – even while fighting such ability for evil each and every step of the way.

Sakura was honestly not surprised one day to find herself at the Akatsuki headquarters. There, she was given another simple choice – join or die. Of course, she joined. Sakura still had a goal in mind and still waited for the day she was free and able to pursue her lost love – Sasuke.

Always, each day, Sakura thought of Sasuke and wondered how he was doing, where he was, and what he would do when she finally found him again. She would often day-dream and fantasize about their time together in the future.

Even though the Akatsuki made Sakura take an oath, vowing not to kill another Akatsuki member, Sakura was willing to break that vow and help Sasuke kill his older brother Itachi, if it would mean they could be together. She would now do anything to be with Sasuke.

All these things took place over a period of two years. Now, she was a member of the Akatsuki itself and an official part of the Deidara and Sasori team. She was no longer a slave to their whims.

Not a student, Sakura was now a master herself. The clay spider was long gone and forgotten. Nothing threatened to crush her spinal column. Sakura traveled with Deidara and Sasori because she wanted to. As soon as the demon collection missions were completed, Sakura would be free to find Sasuke. That was the agreement she had to make before Deidara would free her from the spider.

Their next lead on a "demon person" would take them thought Sakura's old home nation, the Fire Country.

(to be continued: A Meeting with Old Friends)