I don't own Naruto - VZ

As the trio neared their destination, the medic-nin was lost in her own thoughts. Pondering on the last few days of their trip back to base. The journey back to the underground base was awkward to say the least. In Sakura's opinion, it was mostly due to Itachi' s heated looks and lingering gazes. She tried to ignore the way his eyes seem to follow her every move, she really did. Yet it was difficult to do so when his stare was so intense. Although, whenever Sakura was brave enough to return his looks, She could see something else. Something that resembled affection, maybe even a bit of tenderness. However, She was not naïve to think so. Maybe her eyes were just deceiving her. It seems so impossible, Itachi Uchiha feeling something other than amusement and tolerance for her presence. The pinkette sighed, fiddling with the sleeve of her new yukata.

It was silly really, how adamant Kisame and Itachi were. Both Akatsuki members wouldn't let her leave the hut until she was properly clothed. In all honesty, it was rather thoughtful and sweet. The mist-nin chose to watch over her while his partner set off for the nearest town. Where he bought a few dresses for her to wear. Sakura was relieved at first, happy that she wouldn't have to trek all the way back to the base in nothing but her tattered clothes and a grey blanket. But then, she noticed the colors of the garments Itachi had bought for her.

Red, black and white.

It irritated her that he made use of Akatsuki' s color scheme. Sakura felt like she might as well be wearing a collar or sign that read 'Akatsuki' s property'.

But nevertheless, She put them on and was surprised that they fit her so well. The pinkette wondered how on earth did he know her size. She shrugged, thinking it was just luck that he got such an accurate size of clothes for her.

Oh, if only she knew.

Looking at her clothed form, she realized that Itachi had taste. The yukata was simple; the silky black fabric covered her body quite nicely. The sleeves were edged with pristine white, so was the hem and neckline. The colors were naturally dull, but the brilliant red obi sash tied around her slim waist brightened it significantly.

Once again, Sakura felt it. The feeling whenever someone has his or her eyes on you. She tore her gaze away from her body and looked behind her.

Green clashed with black.

The pinkette inwardly screamed. He was doing it again! Staring at her so intensely it made her doubt whatever she thought of him before. What happened to the stoic and cold man he used to be? What changed? It was entirely irritating; perhaps he was only doing this to irk her. It was utterly unimaginable, for the dark haired man to actually take an interest to her. Sakura noticed his exterior may seem nonchalant and composed, but his eyes were the complete opposite.

No, she felt absolutely nothing when she felt his stare.

Pink brows furrowed in confusion, why did she feel like she was lying to herself?

"You can do this. You can do this. You can do this." The medic-nin kept repeating these four words, in hopes it will give her the much-needed courage to accomplish such a difficult task.

Kisame, Itachi and herself had just returned from their mission and both men had left to report to Akatsuki' s leader. Most likely to inform him of what had happened during their time away from the base.

Leaving the pinkette to fend for herself. Not that she was incapable of finding her way back to her room. It's just that for her to be able to get to her room, She'd have to cross the living room, where many of the Akatsuki members are currently lounging in. Though the door was still closed, she did not need to open it to know that Deidara, Sasori, and Hidan was in the premises. Sakura could sense their familiar chakra signatures through the thin layer of wood. Thank Kami Zetsu and Kakuzu were in their respective rooms.

Maybe if I walk fast enough, they won't even notice. She thought.

And so, she twisted the doorknob and pushed.

"You just don't get it, true art simply doesn't last more than a single moment." Deidara persisted while molding a few clay birds.

The red head across from him on the couch rolled his eyes.

"How foolish." Sasori muttered then returned to his business, carving another puppet.

The blonde's jaw dropped at his partner's reply.

"Foolish?! I'll have you know-"

The bomber was cut off by a very irritated silver haired nin.

"Shut up you bastard! Nobody cares about whatever the hell you think 'true art' is." Hidan gritted out through clenched teeth. His voice conveying how pissed of he was.

"Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck…I want to crack some heathen skulls open, not listen to your views on art." The jashin worshipper wailed to no one in particular.

"Oh yeah? Well, nobody wants to listen to your whining!" Deidara quipped with a smug smile.

Purple eyes narrowed.

But before Hidan could deliver another scathing remark, the sound of a door opening got his and everyone else's attention immediately.

To say they were shocked when a much taller, much more developed Sakura Haruno walked through the door garbed in Akatsuki colors was a severe understatement.

"Holy hell." The silver haired-nin said, this time it was free of malice and spite. Instead, he uttered those two words with something akin to reverence.

The long pink waterfall of hair was gone, in its place was short cropped locks that framed her porcelain face perfectly. Leaving her swan like neck bare and looking very much alluring to every male in the vicinity. Though the black yukata might have appeared dreary and somber, it merely brought more attention to her creamy skin and her vibrant hair. And the striking red sash tied around her waist highlighted her slender body underneath all the black fabric. All in all, Sakura looked stunning. Well, she would've looked even more radiant if she would look up and show her expressive green eyes.

Now that Hidan thought about it, the pinkette wasn't even looking at him, or anyone else for that matter.

She kept her gaze glued to the concrete floor, away from every one else's.

Not only that, but she was even rushing to the door that led to another hallway.

The jashin worshipper decided it was best to intervene. He wouldn't let her leave that easily.

It seemed like every other Akatsuki member had the same idea, because not only Deidara but also Sasori stood up as well, fully intent on stopping the pinkette from escaping.

"Hey now, where the hell do you think you're going Sakura-chan?" Hidan stepped in front of her and hefted his blood red scythe over both his shoulders. After which, he gave the woman before him a cocky smirk. The two artists rolled their eyes at his crude words then went back to sitting on the couch, working on their respective projects. However, they did so with less concentration. Hazel and blue eyes frequently darted back and forth between their task and the medic-nin before them.

"Well?..." Hidan prompted.

Finally, green eyes lifted from the ground to meet with his purple ones.

"To my room, where else?" She said simply.

"How about mine for example?" He purred, leaning closer her, thoroughly invading her personal space.

Sakura's eyes widened and red stained her cheeks. There he goes again, teasing and flirting with her so easily. In truth, she was always so flustered whenever he'd do that. Of course, she'd rather suffer Gai' s extreme workouts than let Hidan know about her discomfort.

"In your dreams Hidan-kun." She taunted, stepping even closer to prove she wasn't scared or the least bit frightened by is proximity.

His smirk grew into a full blown grin.

"Oh, you have no idea."

His voice dropped to a much more sultry tone, and his gaze...his purple eyes looked absolutely sinful.

Sakura gulped nervously, not used to this type of flirting before. Hidan saw this and smirked knowingly.

"Hey Sakura, since when did this happen yeah?" Deidara cut in their verbal spar, standing up and gesturing to her nineteen year old body.

Inwardly, she was grateful to the blonde for his way, she wouldn't have to respond to Hidan's rather provocative comment.

"Oh, just a few days ago. The jutsu simply wore off." She said vaguely.

"That's convenient yeah." He said, his blue eyes never leaving hers.

"Haruno-san." A familiar mellow voice called out to her. The pinkette turned her attention to the red head, noting that he was working on one of his many puppets.

"Yes?" She questioned, curious to why Sasori of all people wanted to talk to her.

"I would like to spar with you."

"The fuck?! I wanted to spar with Sakura-chan first!" Hidan sneered at the puppet master.

"Hey! you already had your turn with Sakura, I was there when you were sparring with her." Deidara stated, pointing an accusing finger at the silver haired nin.

"So?! I can fight whoever the fuck I want!" The two argued with each other, forgetting about Sakura and Sasori in the process.

"Well? I would like a rematch..."

Sakura wondered if it was the smartest thing to do, fighting with Sasori of the red sand. Yes, she defeated him last time. But she had his grandmother to aid her when she was at a disadvantage. Despite that fact, She felt strong. Maybe even powerful enough to go against him. She was able to hold her own against Kisame and Hidan.

"You're on."

Hope you liked it! :)

Lots of Love and thanks to...

Sakura no Polen (Really? Amazing? Aw, I'm blushing :")

TeenageCrisis (New reviewer! Yey! Hehe, yeah…I would write you some smut if I was any good at it, trust me. And what's a lime?)

Gal Can't Help It (Yey! Yet another new reviewer J I try to update as much as possible. Since it's summer where I am, I have loads more time to focus on my story)

Shadow Wolf

Kisho101 (Another new reviewer? Goodness, I'm so blessed J thanks for all your complements!)

KyuubiHost (really? You've re-read my stories?! *hugsKyuubiHost* Awwwww)

Akemi Spangler ( yeh, I agree. I still want Kisame to call Sakura 'kid' I find it so sweet that way :) )

Emzy2k11 (I hope it's fast enough for ya girlie :))

YuYu99 (Of course he wouldn't rape poor little Sakura…..i think :O)

ThousandsOfMilesAway (thanks!)

Raganore Nevermore (Don't worry, there will certainly be some DeiSaku in the next chapter :) )

Trunksmybaby

Cherryjubilee

Dina Sana

Till next time - VZ