Chapter Five

Sasori glared hard at the blonde-haired male through the small opening in the door. Drawing attention to his hands, he realized that he was shaking.

'Rage,' He thought. 'These…emotions are powerful things. Surely I've underestimated them. Perhaps it was a good thing that I was returned human. I'll better understand the use of feeling - so much so that I can conquer it's power.' Sasori again looked up at the twosome in the room. 'Emotions aren't as useless as I had once believed…Deidara has already surrendered to his own. A seemingly evil, arrogant criminal actually apologized to a little girl. And for doing what ninja do best, at the very least. The power of guilt, no less. But there must be a feeling…an emotion even stronger. What would that be…?'

Sasori's thoughts were answered only with the deafening silence of the caves, and Deidara and Sakura's bickering. He clutched his hands into fists, one at his side and the other on the wall.

'A strong emotion…is what?' Sasori thought.

Sakura slapped Deidara's shoulder teasingly through her argument, desperately trying to make her point. Deidara grabbed her hand and didn't let go of it, even though she began to shake it hard. She was trying to make her voice even, but she couldn't help but utter a few giggles.

'…friendship, isn't that right? It's a powerful force. But what holds a friendship together?'

"Love."

Sasori looked up, and was surprised to see Itachi standing before him. His eyes were fixated on Deidara and Sakura.

"…what?" Sasori asked. Did he just imagine Itachi's voice?

"Companionship."

"…why say that all of a sudden?" Sasori inquired. How odd of Itachi to say something like that.

Itachi didn't answer, instead he continued looking at the twosome in the room. Sasori followed his gaze, trying to piece things together.

"…Are you implying that these two are under the 'love of friendship'? That is the stupidest thing I think I have heard of all day."

"…But isn't it true?"

"I don't know. Is it?" Sasori snapped.

Itachi returned his gaze on his comrade - hard and cold like before.

"Surely you've realized what has happened. Deidara has made amends to the girl, and she forgave him. They are not enemies. Rather, they are sharing a more mutual relationship."

"Perhaps you're right. But even so, they are not friends." Sasori rolled his eyes impatiently.

Itachi shrugged slightly. "Maybe not quite yet. But they shall be. You pretend to be oblivious to it, but I know that you realize this as well."

"So what is your point?"

"My point is that if you let things get too far, you'll loose control of her. She'll favor Deidara over you. Is that really what you want?"

"Of course not! Sakura's mine in every way. Her mind, her body - all mine. She will not be ruled over by some novice who has such awkward views about art." Sasori spat. "She's mine."

"Then make it so." Itachi turned on his heel, cloak fluttering with the sudden movement, and began descending down the hall.

Sasori growled mentally at the Uchiha. "I'm really starting to hate this guy."

________________________________________________________________________

"We are still missing two members!" Pein roared. "Where are they?"

The next day the Akatsuki had their meeting concerning Sakura's arrival. It was to be held at exactly 9:30 a.m., meaning that tardiness was not an option. But already two Akatsuki members were missing: Hidan and Zetsu.

All the members were fidgeting in their seats around the large wooden table - Sakura was placed between Deidara and Itachi, while Sasori sat across from her. He picked this seat on purpose; he had to keep his eyes on Deidara's actions.

"I thought I saw Hidan in his room, yeah…" Deidara murmured. Sakura nodded.

Deidara had led Sakura to the conference, and while they did they passed by Hidan's room. He was getting his shoes on, so they figured that he must be getting ready for the meeting. Apparently they were wrong.

Pein put a hand through his gingery locks of hair, sighing. Konan rubbed his arm comfortingly, sensing her partner's frustration.

"Why don't we just start now, yeah? We don't need those idiots to make a decision." Deidara suggested impatiently.

"Deidara makes a valid point." Kisame stated. "Hidan doesn't normally offer any useful information…in fact, he usually complains about hurrying things up. Zetsu is just…Zetsu. He's real quiet-like. Never says much. Kinda creepy if you asked me - and that in itself is saying something!"

"Yeah, especially considering that you're a giant talking fish…" Sasori muttered under his breath.

"What the hell did you just say?!"

"You heard me. It's all truth. Anyway, we should just continue with the meeting. They never contribute to our conversations as it is, so it shouldn't matter." Sasori sighed. "Just make the decision already - I hate waiting."

"Perhaps," Pein breathed. "you are right. Konan? What do you think?"

"Well, I suppose I agree with them." Konan stated matter-of-factly. "If they choose not to show up on time, that's their fault. And if they are not present to partake in our discussions, that too is their fault. I say we continue."

The others nodded in agreement.

"So we're all on good terms then? Good. Now let's begin…" Pein started. "Haruno Sakura?"

"Yes?" Sakura perked up in her seat, emerald eyes glowing with intensity.

"I have been told that you have come here on your own accord. That is correct, is it not?"

"…that is correct."

Pein laid his elbows on the table, his head resting on his entwined hands. "So why would that be? From what I understand, you're a loyal Konoha ninja. What you are doing now is treason. You will be killed if your village learns of this."

Sakura nodded solemnly. She knew this only too well. "I realize what the consequence for my actions may be. I just…heard some things, and I had to come here for myself."

"Hmm…? What have you heard of?"

Sakura looked down at her lap, biting her lip. She could feel everyone's gazes on her - especially Sasori's.

"I had gotten word that Sasori was alive again. I was the one who killed him the first time - I saw it happen with my own two eyes. And to think that people were actually saying that he was alive! I was very unsure… I just couldn't take not knowing anything. For all I knew, he was plotting some sort of revenge upon me and my village! He could've destroyed us all."

Sakura looked into Sasori's russet eyes. "Besides, I was far too curious about him. I never liked the idea of leaving everyone behind, but I figured I could get away with it. People trust me irrevocably. Nobody would ever expect me of anything. But to be perfectly honest, I never expected to find anything at all." She chuckled lightly. "That was another reason for leaving. I wanted to prove all of those rumors false. I would go out, not find anything, and return home perfectly unnoticed. I could go back and feel at ease again. But that didn't happen. I did find something."

"So in other words, you had to get the facts for yourself?"

"Exactly. And so I did."

"Ah, I see…" Pein mused, once again fingering one of his many studs. "I don't know if you're aware of this, but we were going to get you and bring you back here anyway."

"…what?" Sakura asked, mouth slightly ajar.

Sasori nodded. "Yes, it's true. I needed a good medic by my side since I was turned mortal again. You my dear, are the best in the lands. You were trained under Konoha's very own Hokage, and as such your strength and healing abilities are very impressive. And you are also young, and quite capable of learning new ideas and theories. So we all thought you were the best canidate for the task. Not that I entirely mind."

"So what, I'm going to be your own personal medic now?" Sakura asked a bit frazzled.

Sasori smiled smugly. "Yes."

Sakura slammed her hands on the table. "So what, I don't get a say in this at all? After everything, I actually have to cooperate with this guy?"

Pein nodded. "You are correct. After all, tending to him is your purpose here at Akatsuki. To go against this would force us to destroy you. But I prefer not to go to those extremes… believe it or not, I want to maintain peace here at Akatsuki. I do not want to kill you, Sakura. I really don't."

"But this isn't fair! I -"

"- Sakura, just do as he says, yeah." Deidara said, tugging on the hem of Sakura's shirt. "It's not worth getting yourself killed over."

"Deidara…" Sakura whimpered.

"It's going to be fine Sakura, I promise you." He rubbed her arm.

Sasori glared at Deidara. 'So he's comforting her now? Oh it is so on…"

"Speaking of which…" Sasori voiced.

Everyone turned to look at Sasori.

"I have gotten injured lately on my last mission. I would like to have my injuries checked out immediately." He looked at Sakura expectantly.

"Oh no no no! I'm not healing you!"

"Oh yes you are, love. It's your duty."

"Wait a minute…you didn't get hurt on that mission, yeah!" Deidara exclaimed, pointing a finger at Sasori.

Sasori rolled his eyes. "How would you know, fool?"

"Because I was with you, yeah!"

"I think I know when I'm hurting Deidara. And right now - ouch - I'm in a ton of pain."

"But I -"

"Deidara," Pein interjected. "let them go." He nodded to Sakura and Sasori to be dismissed.

"No! I don't want to heal him!" Sakura exclaimed as Sasori stole her right hand.

Her eyes darted to everyone at the table, begging for just one of them to help her - to take her side. But none complied.

She turned her gaze to Deidara, who looked at her with concern. Once light eyes turned stormy, and his brow lowered slightly. He merely nodded to her, then looked away.

With a small whimper and one last pull, Sakura was tugged off by Sasori to begin healing…or whatever he was planning.

________________________________________________________________________

"Damn you! Let me go, you monster!" Sakura struggled against Sasori's firm grip. "I refuse to heal you! Am I making myself clear?"

"Crystal, my dear."

"Then why won't you just let me go? Sakura cried.

"I'm afraid I can't do that. I need you here."

"Sasori, don't you get it?! I don't want to be here anymore!" Sakura said fiercely, her voice trembling. "Don't you understand how miserable you're making me?"

Sasori stopped walking, but still held firm onto her hand.

"I hate you…so, so much. You really don't care for anyone else but your pathetic self!" Sakura screeched, tears forming in her eyes. "I don't want to be here anymore!" She repeated.

Sasori was silent for a few moments. He stood in front of her, his hand still entwined with hers.

"Why…" He started, his tone a bit softer than before. "don't you want to be here?" An honest question.

"Because…" Sakura swallowed. "because you're being cruel! You don't ask - you just assume and force! You should understand at least what I'm feeling to a degree! You're human now, after all. But I don't see a change in you at all Sasori. You're still cold and heartless! And I despise you!" She ripped her hand away from his in an instant.

"I don't understand. What have I done to you that has been 'cruel'? What makes you say I'm still 'cold and heartless'? So far, I've been trying desperately to make an attempt at being more understanding. But still you say that this is not enough…" Sasori clicked his tongue impatiently. "What must I do?!"

Sakura flinched at the sharpness of his words, but still looked at him dead in the eyes. In those russet eyes she saw so many things. Anger and hatred were obvious. But she also saw traces of pure curiosity and wonder.

Sakura squared her shoulders and firmly said, "You must let me return home."

Sasori shook his head slowly. "No. I cannot do that."

"Yes you can! What makes you think that you need me? Surely there are other medical ninja out there! Use one of them! Just let me go home."

"But there's nobody else like you. Nobody else that I have such a…connection with."

"Hah, a connection? Is that what you call it? Sasori, we're not even acquaintances. We are enemies. And as long as we are enemies, we can't go any further. Can't you see that?"

"But what if we could change that?" Sasori said quietly.

Sakura looked at him, emerald eyes open wide. "…what do you mean?"

"You know. Become acquaintances. Just drop the enemy title. Let's be acquaintances instead."

"We can't just do that! It's not that easy!" Sakura cried, rubbing her temples with her fingers.

"Well then how do you propose we do this?"

"I don't know! Normally people work up to the term of being 'acquaintances'. You can't just receive it so quickly. And since we're technically enemies right now, it's going to take even longer."

"I hate waiting Sakura. I don't have the patience."

"Well, you're going to have to if you want to get anywhere with me - or anybody else for that matter!"

Sasori looked down at the ground. "Perhaps you're right…"

"Damn straight! Anyway," She said, looking at Sasori skeptically. "are you even hurt at all?"

Sasori shrugged. "No, not particularly."

"So why did you say that you were hurt back there?"

"It's because of Deidara. I had taken it upon myself to save you from him."

"Save?" Sakura asked, baffled. "What do you mean? What do you have against Deidara?"

Sasori crossed his arms decidedly. "I have absolutely nothing against Deidara personally. Although I must admit that his views on art are entirely wrong, but that is besides the point."

"Then what is your point!?" Sakura asked, stomping her foot.

"I don't like him near you."

"Oh, ok. So you think you're a better companion for me?" Sakura said sarcastically.

"I do not only think, I know as a fact. It is the truth."

"What would make you say something like that? I know all of you are a big bunch of killers, but Deidara seems a bit more humane than that."

"Humane?" Sasori scoffed with a short, curt chuckle. "He's part of the Akatsuki, love. There's nothing humane about him."

"You know what I mean! He seems like a descent guy, especially considering who you all are. He even apologized to me for something wrong that he did. Criminal or no criminal - he still said sorry, and for that he earns my respect. Perhaps a bit of my trust as well."

Sasori put a hand over his eyes and started to laugh.

"What's so funny?" Sakura cried, hands placed on her hips.

"So you're going to actually trust him? A member of the Akatsuki? Surely you jest."

"I'm serious, Sasori. I trust him. Or at least more than you."

Sasori took his hand down and gaped at her. "And why shouldn't you trust me, may I ask?"

"Didn't you just say that you shouldn't trust Akatsuki members?"

"Ah, touché. However, I believe that I am twice as earnest as these fools here. I would watch it if I were you Sakura. Don't place your trust in the hands of somebody who will screw you over."

"For the last time Sasori, I'm not! I'm watching myself and my actions. I will be just fine." Sakura said confidently. "But, um…since you're not hurt, can I leave now?"

"Leave? Why would you want to leave?"

"Um, no offense or anything, but you still kind of creep me out. The whole rebirth thing is still really unbelievable. I still can't believe that you're here with me now - standing right beside me." Sakura reached out, but didn't touch Sasori. "If we become better aquainted, then maybe we can spend more time together. But not as of right now. For that, I'm sorry."

"…when do you think we'll become aquainted?"

Sakura shrugged. "I don't know, Sasori. Things like this take time. You can't rush things. If you can prove to me what kind of person you really are, then I will consider you. I owe you that much, at least. Just don't mess with me, or I'll punch your guts out." She said firmly. "See ya. I can find my own way back."

And with that, Sakura turned on her heel and descended into darkness.

________________________________________________________________________

As Sakura began rummaging around the caves, she realized how little she actually knew her way around. That was to be expected of course; she had only came here a little over two days ago after all. But still, if she couldn't return home, she wanted to create a little piece of it here. The idea was a bit nonsensical, perhaps. But that's what she wanted, and she was prepared to do it.

As Sakura made her way to her new room, she thought of many things. She thought about her life back home in Konoha: Naruto, Kakashi, Tsunade, Ino, Tenten, Hinata, Kiba, Neji, Shikamaru, Shino…so many friends. But she also couldn't help but think about her new life here as well. She thought about Sasori, Deidara, Konan, Pein, Kisame…but somehow her thoughts lingered on Uchiha Itachi.

Itachi was a rather strange person. He operated completely on his own will, meaning that if he doubted his instructions, he would do what he believed was right.

Along with this, Itachi came and went as he pleased. One day he might be lounging in his room, and the next he might take a trip outside the base, even if he had no missions. When he first joined, the other members weren't quite used to his odd behavior. But as time wore on, Itachi was soon forgotten and left to do whatever he wished. Not that he minded, of course.

Sakura had very bitter feelings for Itachi. She grew up believing that he was the biggest traitor in Konoha history; he was the one who killed the entire Uchiha clan. And because of that, he ruined Sasuke's life.

For this, Sakura couldn't bring herself to forgive him, and she didn't particularly want to.

Whenever she came across him, she refused to look at him. When he asked her a question, she gave short replies.

Perhaps Sakura was acting foolish. She knew next to nothing about who Itachi Uchiha actually was, and yet she was blaming him for things he did for the greater good. However, she did not know the truth, and that is why she was acting in this manner.

"Haruno-san." Came a familiar monotone.

Sakura looked up, and gasped - it was Itachi.

"Itachi-san? What are you doing here?" Sakura asked, stopping before the Uchiha.

Itachi was significantly taller than she was - by at least a foot and a half, she was sure. And he was beautiful - though she would never admit that. His raven colored locks flowed around his pale face, and was tied back into a ponytail. Sakura was a bit surprised when her eyes met a chocolate brown instead of it's usual crimson.

"I could ask the same of you, Haruno-san."

"Me? Well, I was going to my room actually…" Sakura replied a bit sheepishly.

"So you are lost." Itachi said, as he knew this as a fact.

Sakura nodded, a bit self-conscious that Itachi had seen her in this state.

"You have no need to be embarrassed in front of me, Haruno-san."

"I know that!" Sakura fumed. "Could you just point me in the right direction then?"

Itachi gave one faint nod, then turned around and began walking. Sakura followed him.

It was quiet for a few moments, and Sakura liked nothing more. She still hated the man, and detested any moment she had to speak with him. However her moments of salvation came to an end.

"I trust that your healing session with Sasori went well?" Itachi said smoothly.

Sakura mentally cursed herself, biting her tongue. 'He didn't even need healing!' She thought. 'But perhaps I should just go along with it…for my cover, after all."

"Yes." She replied.

"If I may ask, what was wrong with him?"

Itachi's constant questioning were making Sakura nervous.

"He…had a broken rib. I healed him completely."

"Ah. So how did he receive these injuries?"

'Shit.'

"Um…he, Sasori, I mean…he…" Sakura stuttered.

The corners of Itachi's mouth turned up slightly. "You didn't heal him."

Sakura sighed. "No, I did not. He used an excuse to get me out of Deidara's presence. Happy now?"

Itachi chuckled. "Not particularly."

"But I don't understand…how did you know?" Sakura asked, quite puzzled.

"Usually healing an injury like that takes longer than thirty minutes. I was already skeptical by the way Sasori led you out of there after Deidara started comforting you, but what you just said confirmed my beliefs."

Sakura scowled at Itachi. "Why are you so smart?"

"I am a prodigy, Haruno-san. I say this not to brag, however. It is fact." He smiled as he said this.

They were quiet for a few moments more, until the twosome reached Sakura's room.

"Here it is."

"…Thank you Itachi-san. I must admit after everthing I've heard about you, you're different than what I thought you'd be. I still have my doubts of course, but I've gained a bit of respect for you today." Sakura said, looking into Itachi's eyes. "I hope that there comes a day when you will trust me enough to tell me everything…about the past, I mean. I'd be very interested in hearing about it."

"I'm sure that day will come soon enough, Haruno-san."

"And…please, don't call me that, Itachi-san." Sakura said, wrinkling her nose.

"Is Sakura-san suitable, then?"

Sakura nodded as she reached for her doorknob. "Perfect."

She was about to close the door, but was stopped by Itachi's voice.

"I was…concerned today."

Sakura cocked her head to the side. "Hm? About what, Itachi-san?"

Itachi turned to the side, so his face wasn't visible. "When Sasori took you away, it made me a bit…anxious. I have very little trust when it comes to Sasori. But even so, I want you to act with caution when near him."

"I shall Itachi-san."

"I mean it, Sakura-san. He may pretend to be what he is not. All I ask is that you be careful. Promise me that."

Sakura nodded firmly. "I promise."

"Thank you." Itachi breathed.

And with a rustle of the cloak, he was gone with the darkness.

Sakura smiled. 'So,' She thought. 'He was worried? Maybe he's not as emotionless as I had once believed…'

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

AHA! I managed to squeeze Itachi into the story, and hopefully a tiny bit into Sakura's heart. I only hope he doesn't seem too OC... _ But whether his concern for Sakura is genuine or fake will be revealed later. So here's the main scoop: Itachi and Sasori hate eachother, Itachi and Deidara are mutual, Deidara and Sasori get jealous of eachother, but aren't quite enemies. Sakura and Deidara have a strong relationship forming, as is Sakura's relationship with Itachi. Sakura is still a bit shaky with Sasori, but that will change as the story progresses.

I hope you guys like it! I'm so nervous about it... _ Please review, and give me any suggestions/ideas you may have! I just might use them in the story.

Arigato!

Love, Getsuei-Hime