Hello my lovely readers! :) I know it's been a while so forgive my extremely late update, possible wrong grammar and spelling. I wanted to post this chapter as soon as possible. Enjoy!
Rain poured down heavily from the heavens, coating the earth with water. As the skies darkened, so did the atmosphere within the underground base. Which had been empty for more than a few weeks, a fact that angered yet interested the leader currently residing in his quarters. Ringed eyes rose to the ceiling.
"They have defected."
The statement that left his lips was simple and short. However it held such significance that Konan was surprised her leader could say it so casually.
"Impossible." She murmured, only her eyes betrayed the emotion she truly felt.
Grey gaze snapped to hers immediately, hard and cold, just like the rain pelting the ground above them.
"You dare go against my word?"
The blue haired girl slowly shook her head, weary of violence.
"Of course not. I just find it…. Difficult to believe."
The man before her grunted in agreement, his eyes swirling with thoughts.
"As do I."
Heavy silence followed, only to be broken by the girl's curiosity.
"Do you believe that this is the girl's doing?"
Both their thoughts wandered over to the medic who had hair the color of spring and strength that rivaled her mentor's.
"…Partly." He replied, his slim fingers weaving together.
"What shall we do?" Complete obedience was evident in Konan's voice and stance, something that pleased the man greatly.
"Assuming that they have placed their allegiance to the medic, they are now working for the leaf village. Which in turn means they are now under their power and protection."
The girl kneeling nodded, a clear sign she was listening raptly.
"It would be foolish to strike with no leverage or ammunition whatsoever…. so we must wait." His voice hardened, resolve shining in his grey eyes.
"For what exactly?" She questioned, her eyes rising to meet his.
A small, almost invisible smile appeared on Pein's lips, a sight that frightened yet intrigued Konan at the same time.
"For the girl to come to us, bringing back the power she stole."
The weather was against the group today, streaming down an endless amount of rain. Eventually, Shikamaru decided it would be best for everyone to make camp and rest for the night. Majority of the group nodded, everyone excluding the former members of Akatsuki and team Hebi.
Sakura inwardly sighed, more than irritated with the presence of Sasuke and his followers. It had only been a few hours since the red head appeared, bringing along Juugo and Suigetsu. Needless to say, it had been a pretty rough day. Filled with loud shrieks of "I love you Sasuke-kun!", bickering and grumbling thanks to the weather.
The only consolation was that they were practically home, once the skies clear up and the lazy Nara heir would lead them home.
A small smile appeared on her lips at the thought….only to vanish as soon as she realized not only would Sasuke return to the village, creating chaos, but she would be coming home with several wanted men who were all currently infatuated with her.
"Oh Kami….I'm in so much trouble!" She buried her face into the palms of her hands, eliciting a small chuckle to sound near her.
"That's the understatement of the year Sakura-chan."
Her green eyes softened somewhat for the familiar voice and features of her friend, Kiba.
"Wow, thanks for making me feel so much better!" Fake enthusiasm filled her voice, making both canines next to her howl with laughter.
"Anytime." He shrugged, crouching next to the pinkette.
"Oi Sakura-chan, can I be perfectly honest with you?" Kiba questioned, his eyes searching hers.
"Hm?" Sakura hummed, curiosity gleaming in her eyes and a soft smile on her lips.
"It's just an observation and a personal opinion so don't get too offended."
A rougish smirk appeared on his lips, which rose and flashed a sharp canine at her.
"Go ahead Kiba, I'm pretty tough. Don't need to worry."
The brunette nodded and leaned close, whispering into her ear as if he were about to share a secret with her.
"I didn't really think you'd get anywhere. As a ninja or a woman. You were always so timid, following Sasuke around, squabbling with Ino, and everyone...especially naruto, had to save you."
The pink haired medic nodded, processing and absorbing all the words. Did it hurt? Obviously. However, she was strong and wasn't as sensitive as before. If she could handle several near death experiences, then she could certainly handle some criticism.
"But now?..."
He chuckled, his husky voice filled with incredulity and awe.
"You're so freaking bad-ass!"
Green eyes widened at his rather brazen statement.
"You've got guys falling over their own feet trying to get your attention, you have enough power to heal and kill an entire army….I just want to say that I underestimated you Sakura-chan."
Kiba gave her yet another smirk and poked her cheek, letting his finger linger on her skin for a short moment.
"And I apologize for that."
Their eyes met and the smirk her wore disappeared, a clear sign that what he said was sincere.
"Thank you." It seemed like the best thing to say, and what else could she say?
It's not like the pinkette was accustomed to receiving a complement from a man she wasn't particularly close to.
"Like I said before….Anytime."
Sakura could feel the tension rise and the moment between them grow longer.
Surprisingly, it didn't feel awkward yet she had a feeling that it was time to get ready for bed.
"I-I better go Kiba…"
The young man tsked and let out a low breath.
"Don't deny it Sakura-chan."
"What? I didn't, I'm beyond flattered that you think I'm a capable kunoichi-"
"Don't be so dense, you know what I mean. Those guys will do just about anything for you." Kiba rolled his eyes and gestured to the former Akatsuki, who were currently setting up an impressive campsite, obviously meant for the pinkette.
The others watched with unbelieving eyes, clearly not used to the sight of infamous nin gathering wood and fishing for food.
"Oh..well, they're just setting up for the night."
Sakura bit her lip, an action that drew Kiba's eyes to her mouth. In that moment, he wanted to touch those lips. With his fingers then with his own mouth. However there was no way he would fall for the medic. Not when there was so much competition and other women in the world. Or at least, that's what he's been telling himself ever since he sniffed her panties. A fact that he hoped would never reach her ears. Lest he suffer her monstrous strength and fiery temper.
"Sakura-chan…they risked their lives coming here. I'm not saying they're good guys or anything like that, but they must care about you a lot if they're willing to die for you." With that blunt statement, Kiba smirked at her one more time and left as quickly as he came, leaving Sakura to wonder how everyone could see the former Akatsuki's affections except herself.
"Tobi misses everyone." The man with cropped hair and an orange mask murmured sadly. Soon, sniffling filled the air, which irritated the remaining Akatsuki members greatly.
"Tch…shut up before I make you." Kakuzu grumbled before returning to counting the large piles of money before him.
The last member didn't bother to speak, to busy wondering where his blossom was.
The three of them, or rather four, stayed in the underground base, awaiting orders from leader. Zetsu however, found the silence and waiting painful. Both sides of him hoped leader would order him to locate their missing members and medic. Yet nothing has happened.
"Tobi misses Deidara! And Kisame, especially Sakura-chan! She's really good at fixing up my boo-boos!"
Unfortunately for kakuzu, the wailing got louder and evidently, the greedy man had just about had enough.
Black threads reached across the room and wrapped around Tobi's neck, tight enough to ensure no more noise will disturb the silence but loose enough to ensure his survival. Sufficed to say, there was no more noise after that.
Minutes later, Kakuzu spoke, irritation and disbelief obvious in his tone.
"Tch…they're idiots for leaving."
Tobi cried some more while Zetsu quietly disappeared, following the others' example and laying his life on the line in hopes to find his blossom and keep her for himself.
Kakuzu sighed after watching the carnivorous disappear, losing count of his money for the first time in his life.
"Idiot."
After shaking his head and dumping all his hard earned money into a large sack, he disappeared, soon accompanied by Tobi who eagerly followed.
Unbeknownst to the trio who had just defected, Konan shook her head, astonishment clear in her eyes.
Her soft voice filled the almost empty underground base, understanding evident in her voice.
"This girl is a weapon in her own right. A clear threat to Akatsuki, or its salvation."
The three groups, which consisted of missing-nin, revenge driven idiots, a captive who was tied to a tree with large amounts of rope and leaf shinobi were currently circled around a large fire, courtesy of Deidara and his expert pyrotechnic skills.
Sakura had just arrived after her strange but enlightening conversation with Kiba, who was now busy playing 'fetch' with his canine friend, fully intent on removing his thoughts from a certain pink haired medic and her delectable panties.
"Oi Sakura-chan! Join us for dinner." Suigetsu gave her a toothy grin and gestured to the spot next to him. Karin however, snarled at the white haired boy, her red eyes positively feral.
"Like hell she will."
Venom dripped from her words, making the atmosphere quite tense.
Several men, all who were extremely possessive and protective of the pinkette took note of the hatred more than evident in the red head's voice. Obviously, she was a threat to their blossom's safety. And all of them were more than willing to exterminate the said threat if need be.
"Tch…bitch, why do you always have to ruin my fun?" He retorted, a frown marring his pale face.
The medic of the group ignored the bickering pair and headed towards…who?
The pinkette faltered in her steps, gaining the attention of some of the men around her.
Who should she stay with?
Her family?
Naruto patted the patch of grass next to him, an encouraging and almost pleading expression on his face.
It was as if her next step was a choice on who she truly wanted to be with, where she felt she truly belonged.
Or the new people she had made bonds with the past few months?
The former members of Akatsuki all had their eyes on her, some intense while others were soft. All different but similar in terms of their affection towards her.
Before she could take another step, a large hand wrapped around her wrist, firm yet gentle.
"You're staying with me."
Apparently, the choice was made for her, by none other her former crush, Sasuke Uchiha. His eyes were a deep, coal black, intense and looking intently at her.
"Don't bother denying me. We both know you don't have the energy to defy me."
Sakura rolled her green eyes, holding her ground, unaware of the eyes on them.
"Oh you'd be surprised on how much my stamina has grown Sasuke."
A dark brow quirked at her reply, amusement shining in his eyes.
"Care to prove to me how strong you've become Sakura?"
"I have nothing to prove to you."
Despite their hushed conversation, Everyone could hear every word that passed their lips. Which wasn't a surprise, considering they were all high level shinobi and were more than curious about Sasuke's sudden interest in the pink haired medic.
Above the ground, hidden among the leaves, sat the lazy genius. Who was watching the scene unfold with calculating eyes.
When he and the rest of the team left to search for their lost friend, the last thing he expected to return home with was an entire battalion of missing-nin.
As hard as he tried, he still couldn't begin to fathom how on earth Sakura, their pink haired, soft hearted medic, could gather so many infamous and dangerous men.
At first, he assumed all they wanted were her skills, however he realized they themselves had a medic who was practically a talking and walking plant.
Then he thought of her potential to be bait for Naruto, a human container for the nine tailed fox, which was something he knew that the Akatsuki wanted for a long time now. Yet there they were, hardly interested in stealing away the blonde.
After crossing out those two ideas, Shikamaru decided it must be her body they were after. But of course, there were other much more voluptuous women in the world. Why would they go after their Sakura?
Unless…. they really meant what they said in that sad excuse of an inn. Which was probably a pile of wood and rubble thanks to their brawl a few days ago.
Did the world's most infamous and wanted nin truly love Sakura Haruno?
Shikamaru sighed, finding this entire situation more than troublesome.
He knew that as soon as ANBU spotted them from the gates, they were all monumentally screwed. Hopefully Tsunade would see two things. Both of which his incredibly brilliant yet lazy brain had come up with.
One, the immense power the former members of Akatsuki would bring to the village.
Two, they're clear loyalty to Sakura would make them as harmless to the villagers as newly born kittens.
The Nara heir only hoped that the other shinobi villages wouldn't kill them for acquiring such strong and wanted nin. But then again, no one besides the village had to know.
"How about a friendly spar session. For old times sake?"
Sasuke's voice permeated the air, his voice promising everything but nostalgia.
Sakura shook her head, knowing that he just wanted another excuse to put her in another compromising position which entailed both of their bodies close together.
"I'm sure Naruto would love to practice with you Sasuke." She said, carefully avoiding his advances.
The blonde perked up at this, his whiskered face brightening immensely.
"Hell yeah! I'm finally going to kick your ass Sasuke-teme!"
"Tch..in your dreams dobe."
Despite the strange setting, complete with odd characters, the familiarity of team seven made Sakura's heart skip a beat.
"I wanna spar too! Maybe Sakura-chan will see how awesome I am and go on a date with me." Suigetsu added, rising from his spot on the ground and winking at the pinkette, much to her embarrassment.
Sasuke delivered a cold stare to his teammate, challenge clear in his eyes.
"Stick with your whores Suigetsu, Sakura is mine."
The white haired boy didn't get affected in the slightest, in fact, he found this new volatile side of his leader more than interesting.
"If you say so Sasuke. I sure hope they know that." He jerked his head to the group of missing-nin, who were busy glaring at the youngest Uchiha.
Undeterred and stubborn as always, Sasuke merely smirked, enjoying the frustration he caused his brother and his group.
"Trust me, they will."
With that, he crushed his lips to Sakura's, reveling in the surprised gasp that left her lips and the pure anger in his brother's eyes.
There ya go! Hope it was worth the wait. Don't forget to review and tell me what you all think. Don't worry, Tsundae will make an appearance in the next chapters. Anyways, love you all and till next time! - VZ