Sakura didn't know what to do.

She didn't know what to think.

She didn't know what to say.

The fact that the Akatsuki was right there, in front of her very eyes, declaring how much they missed her, was beyond surreal. A part of her wanted to look at her teammate's reactions but it was too late.

They had already sprung into action, weapons in their hands and anger evident on their faces.

Of course, they had no problem with a confrontation. And considering how large their number was, it wasn't hard to believe how confident they were on winning this battle.

However, Sakura had to put a stop to this.

The only question was, how?

"Look out Sakura-chan!"

Suddenly, she was no longer standing in the middle of the room. Instead, she was wrapped up in Naruto's protective arms, which were keeping her close to his body.

On normal circumstances, she would be screaming at him to keep his hands off her, but she was still frozen in shock.

"Are you okay Sakura-chan? I saw that red head going after you with his creepy strings and-"

But before he could finish his sentence, a familiar yet incredibly crude voice interrupted.

"Get your fucking hands of her…unless of course, you don't want to keep them."

A bloodthirsty grin appeared on his lips. The sight was more than welcome to the girl within the blonde's arms.

"Hidan."

The pinkette hadn't meant to say his name so…happily.

Hopefully Naruto would be so absorbed into the silver haired nin in front of them that he wouldn't notice the small smile on her face or the happiness in her voice.

"I missed you bitch."

Although his words were vulgar, the affection in his oddly colored eyes were hard to miss, effectively making butterflies erupt in her stomach.

"Wait what?" Confusion was more than evident on Naruto's face.

"Whatever. Hang on Sakura-chan, I'm just going to deal with this guy first."

Just when Naruto was about to engage Hidan in an all out battle, Shikamaru appeared out of nowhere, with rage written all over his usually bored face.

"Leave him to me Naruto, he's going to pay for what he did to my teacher."

The pinkette inwardly winced, immediately recalling the injuries Asuma-sensei had to endure thanks to a certain Jashin worshiper. Thankfully, he survived, but not without suffering.

And clearly, Shikamaru wanted to make Hidan experience just as much pain as his teacher did before.

The silver haired man turned to wink at her before swinging his scythe. An obvious reply to Shikamaru's challenge.

"Bring it, you pussy."

And with that, they started, fully intent on killing the other.

It was in this moment that Sakura really saw and registered what was happening around her.

Moments ago, she denied the Akatsuki's presence relentlessly. But now, watching her teammates fight with her captors, the information finally sunk in.

Sakura slowly stood up, watching the chaos around her.

Sasori and Deidara were busy tackling Kiba. Their ammunition consisted of deadly puppets with hidden weapons and birds made out of explosive clay. After observing both men in battle, it was clear as day why the two artists were partnered up. Their movements were precise and even though they fought simultaneously, they didn't hinder one another. In fact, it seemed like they were even working together.

The puppet master would command his wooden creations to grab both canine's attention and engage them in a fight while Deidara would appear and disappear, leaving bombs around or on Kiba. A tactic that was working, much to the dog-nin's irritation.

While the trio fought with grace and accuracy only well seasoned ninja have, other battles were going on. Kisame had his huge sword unsheathed, a concentrated look on his face as he tried slicing Neji in half. Unfortunately for him, the Hyuuga was unbelievably fast and just as strong. He dodged every strike the mist nin had to offer, but it was clear that he couldn't keep this up forever.

Sakura was actually astounded that the inn could withstand this much firepower, especially with Deidara in the premises. However as her eyes scanned the room, it was clear why that the wooden establishment was still upright. Not all of the battles were taking place inside. Some of the nin were even moving outdoors.

She rolled to the side and dodged a stray kunai, which was most likely meant for Itachi, who was occupied with her blonde teammate. Thankfully he wasn't in his kyuubi state, however, if he wanted to last a fight with the Uchiha, he might have to resort to his Inner demon's chakra.

Finally, there was Shikamaru and Hidan. Both were fighting with blades, jutsu and deadly techniques.

Just when the silver haired nin was about to plunge his red blade into her friend, Sakura knew it was time to step in.

There was no way that she would act like some damsel in distress and let the men fight her battles.

She shouldn't be watching them, but joining in the action.

The only question was whose side was she on?

Her home?

Memories of her family, friends and teachers came flashing through her mind.

Tsunade's frown whenever she and Shizune would hide her sake.

The proud glint in Kakashi's eye as she held up her jounin vest.

The warmth of her parent's embrace.

And nights in Naruto's favorite ramen stand. Where she and all her other friends would drink and eat the hours away.

Or her heart?

The images of her life in konoha faded and changed into something else. New memories she had made while away from her home.

Itachi, sharing dango and a smile with her.

Sasori and Deidara, both trying to persuade her that their respective views on art were better than the other.

Kisame, being sweet and protective without even realizing it.

And of course, Hidan being an ass.

Sakura was more than conflicted on where she truly wanted to be. However she knew where she needed to be.

With her village…against them.

Just because they had her heart, didn't mean they own the rest of her.

And with that single thought, she moved.

Across the room, into the eye of the storm.

"Stop!"

She inserted herself in between the pair fighting, a serious expression on her beautiful face.

Her arms were extended on either side of her as she used her own body to shield Shikamaru who was caught by surprise at Hidan's attack.

Unfortunately for her, the jashin worshiper didn't notice her body move, effectively blocking his opponent. He was much too enraptured by his thirst for blood that he didn't realize his mistake before it was too late.

And his triple bladed scythe sliced right across her chest, cutting the fabric of her clothes effortlessly and leaving three deep marks etched into her porcelain skin.

Once Hidan realized that he had cut into a woman, no..his woman, he stopped immediately.

His movements halted, afraid to cause any more bleeding.

The blades were still embedded in her body, and Sakura was so disoriented that she didn't know what happened.

"Hidan?..."

"Oh shit….fuck no….this can't be happening." His voiced cracked on several words, making him sound so lost.

"What-" Her voice felt...stifled somehow. As if something was suppressing her voice...

"Sakura!" Shikamaru screamed, panic and guilt filling him at the gruesome sight of Sakura's body.

That one word, said in such a desperate way, got the attention of every single male in the vicinity.

A single moment of silence passed before Hidan broke it, his eyes wide with fear.

"I'm so sorry Sakura."

Green eyes lowered and scanned the damage that had been done.

Only then when she saw three blades deep within her body, so deep that the curved end of the weapon came protruding from her back, she felt the unbearable pain.

However, as much as she wanted to scream, she couldn't.

Not when she had the eyes of everyone in the premises.

Sakura promised herself that she would not show weakness and she would live up to that vow.

After taking a wheezing breath, she spoke.

"Hidan…"

The jashinist before her clenched his fists, hating the fact that he had caused this mess.

"Tch…stupid bitch, you shouldn't have interfered."

Despite his harsh words, even a fool could see the utter devotion in his eyes.

"Itachi…" She coughed, a line of blood trailing from the side of her lips to her chin.

The Uchiha started walking towards her, regardless of his opponent. His eyes were no longer blood red but a deep black that never failed to warm her heart.

"Deidara….Sasori…"

Both artists had mournful expressions on their faces.

"Don't you dare die on us Sakura-chan yeah." The blonde of the two said softly, a stubborn yet sad glint in his one blue eye.

"How can I preserve your beauty in such a state?" Sasori sighed and cluthed the left side of his chest, where he kept his heart, a part of him that ached at the sight of Sakura's body, which was bloody and torn.

Finally, she turned her head to the side so that she could meet the mist-nin's eyes.

"Kisame…"

"Angel…"

He said it so softly and for once, he looked so vulnerable.

Slowly but surely, each of the men she had named dropped their weapons and gravitated towards her.

Now that Sakura had gained their complete attention, she knew what she had to do.

It would hurt. But it had to be done.

Her loyalty was to her village, not to her heart.

"You all have to leave…" As the words left her blood stained lips, their faces fell in sadness.

"No way bitch. We want you to come back with us."

Hidan said, his voice stubborn and crude as ever.

"I can't…" She said slowly, as if every word of rejection hurt her physically.

"Please Sakura-chan, we can help you-"

"You've done enough!" The pinkette gasped sharply in pain, knowing that she shouldn't exert too much effort in speaking.

Deidara looked absolutely heartbroken at her refusal but there was no other way for them to move on.

This time she would stand her ground and not be swayed by their charm or heated advances.

"…just leave."

Like I said…Idiot.

Oh dear Kami no…this isn't the time! She inwardly screamed to her inner self.

A chuckle was inner's reply.

You might be able to let them go, but who's to say they could do the same? They did follow you out here.

…Only so that they could have a medic.

Do you really believe that?

Their leader would be disappointed that the bait for the kyuubi was gone…

Bait?! Naruto is right there and every single one of them don't give a flying fuck about him.

Then why…

Look closely darling, I don't think their loyalty belongs to Akatsuki anymore.

Sakura inwardly sighed and decided to give Inner's idea a shot. Green eyes, slightly dimmed from the pain, observed the men practically circling her. For a moment, it was just quiet as she tried to figure out what was so different from then and now.

Then it hit her.

No.

No. No.

Nononono.

They left Akatsuki to find her?!

The realization was too much. On her mind and especially her heart, which was beating wildly for the men around her.

"Oh Kami….you didn't." Her voice was weak but the emotion behind it was clear as day.

Sakura glanced at each man and saw no red clouds. In fact, they looked like ordinary ninja without their trademark cloaks.

Hidan smirked at her reaction, which was a combination of shock and denial.

"Hell yes, you finally noticed."

And one by one, they all spoke, thoroughly scaring and exciting the living shit out of Sakura.

"We left Akatsuki, to find you Sakura-chan." The blonde of the group said, a small smile on his lips and the ones on his palms.

"What is an eternity of art without my precious doll?" Sasori murmured, his hazel eyes gazing at her almost reverently.

"It was pointless going back without you." Itachi spoke, his words were simple yet held such emotion she was surprised it came from an Uchiha.

"It was getting tiring listening to them whine about you, so…" Kisame said gruffly, scratching the back of his head in slight embarrassment.

"Tch..Like you didn't miss her either bastard!"

But before the mist-nin could reply, Sakura, the object of all their affections, spoke.

"I understand why you would come and find me…"

All eyes were on her now, including her teammate's, who were more than shocked to see the infamous Akatsuki, declaring their affections towards their pink haired medic.

"But you didn't have to leave Akatsuki to do it."

The pinkette coughed a bit more, wincing at the pain of having metal slicing through your skin, bones and organs. Her injuries were more than critical, but she could handle it for now. All she had to do was use her chakra and create a constant flow of it through her system. That way, even though she couldn't heal it at the moment, she could keep herself breathing.

Besides, last time she passed out due to Sasuke's sword or severe chakra depletion, her body switched forms. Simply put, she would change from a woman back to a child. It was disconcerting to say the least.

It was most likely due to the unidentified nin and his attack. It molded their jutsus and did something strange to her body and chakra pathways. The best way to address this problem was help from her mentor, the one who knows more than anyone about this jutsu because she herself uses it on a regular basis, Tsunade-sensei.

"Sakura…"

The normally gruff voice of Hidan was softer and more subdued and it effectively pulled Sakura out of her thoughts.

"Fine. We didn't have to leave leader to fucking find you."

Deidara then spoke, his one blue eye focused on her and only her.

"But isn't it obvious Sakura-chan?"

The oldest Uchiha leaned towards her and caught her gaze with his.

"We left because our allegiance no longer belongs to Akatsuki."

Itachi's voice was almost hypnotic and Sakura couldn't help but listen raptly.

"It belongs to you."

Hope you all enjoyed it :) Review and tell me what you guys think.

Till next time

-VZ