Disclaimer: it's still not mine people!

Hey here's the second chapter=D anyway, I'm doing another Sakura/Sasori fic, but that one is a Harry Potter crossover. Well, keep an eye out for that one. I'm trying not to make it as cliché as the others. It might only be a one-shot.

Chapter 2

It was strange; her first real kill was a puppet. Sure, he was a criminal, but it bothered her. Her following missions became easier to stomach, easier to complete without letting her emotions get in the way. She was easy to read, her emotions always got the better of her, but somehow it all changed after her fight with Sasori. It was like nothing could compare to that battle. She could admit to herself that she actually regretted killing the puppet master. He was an interesting 'person'. She had only learnt that after his death. She wanted to know what made him tick, what went through his mind, what turned him into the monster she had fought so hard against. She knew his life wasn't all sunshine and rainbows, but it couldn't have been so bad that he would go as far as turning himself into a puppet. Sakura was very curious.

Simple missions were always the most dangerous when you were on a team with Naruto, Kakashi-sensei and herself. Yes, she noticed this every time 'simple' and 'mission' were used in the same sentence. It was like their team was cursed; trouble just always seemed to find them no matter how hard they tried to avoid it. This was why Sakura was running around her room grabbing everything that would be useful for her next mission. She had to be prepared for anything, because she just knew something bad would happen.

"Hey, Sakura-chan. Ready to go?" Naruto asked when she finally emerged from her room. "What's all that for?" he asked, noticing the many items she had on her person. He was a ninja, so he knew he had to be prepared for anything, but Sakura was going a bit overboard.

"I'm just not taking any chances. We always run into trouble," she replied.

"But Baa-chan said we just have to pick up some herbs for her in Wave. It's not even a mission. I think Baa-chan is just too lazy to get it herself and we were just there when she needed someone. She would probably have sent those two errand boys that guard the gates if we weren't there..." Naruto complained, but Sakura had already blocked out his annoying voice. He was too loud and it was just too early.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Sasori was hungry. That was all that went through his mind as wandered around. It had been weeks, but he still couldn't get used to the fact that he needed nourishment now, that he was like everyone else. He had no money and had to steal like a common thief. He still retained all his skills as an s-class criminal so stealing was easy, but he was still disgusted with the idea and only did it when absolutely necessary; and that was why he looked and felt like some poor, starved animal.

There was a stream nearby, he could hear the water. Maybe he could have some of the water, maybe catch a few fish and be on his way. That wouldn't be stealing. He approached the stream cautiously; people didn't need to know that he was alive and still at large. He was still the same Sasori, the powerful puppet master, but his puppet supply and confidence was somewhat lacking. He did not wish to endanger his new fragile body. He was not used to it and he could easily forget that he was all flesh and could die.

The area was clear, so he dropped the rag he used as a cloak and scooped water with his hands. He could feel a little strength return to his body as he drank scoop after scoop. He drank as much as his thin body would allow and drew a kunai from his leg pouch; from what he could see, there were hardly any fish, but he was hungry and he'd catch his fish even if it took him all day. He was no longer a puppet and therefore, patience was essential. He couldn't kill himself for making him wait anyway.

"BUT SAKURA-CHAN," there was that voice again, loud and annoying, always whining. It was growing louder, he could sense two people headed in his direction so he quickly masked his chakra. It was her... Sakura. She was with the Kyuubi container, that Naruto boy. Would she recognise him if they found him? He hoped not.

"No Naruto, we have to get these herbs back to Tsunade-sama. We already visited Inari, we can't stay for the festival as well," Sakura replied. So they weren't on a mission, just passing through. Sasori sighed in relief. Now, Sasori wasn't afraid, he was just not very good at close combat and one punch from Sakura would definitely kill him this time. He wasn't ready to face the darkness just yet.

"I heard something," Naruto whispered and pointed at the spot where Sasori hid.

"Not another squirrel," Sakura groaned. He'd been doing this since their journey began. He was gone before she could say anything else, so she hurriedly followed him, hoping she'd be in time to save the poor squirrel.

"Hey Sakura," he called from a tree. "There's some dirty kid hiding over here."

Sasori stared at the blonde with wide eyes. This was a good hiding place right? Right? How did they find him? And who was he calling a kid? He was like two decades older than this idiot. And Sakura, why was she giving him that look? Was that pity? Okay, so he was too skinny and really filthy, but that didn't make him a hobo! Well, he was homeless and poor and starving, but no, not a hobo. Sasori glared at them, the stupid brats.

"Um, what are you doing here, where is your family? It's really not safe to be out here on your own," Sakura said politely. So she didn't recognise him, good. She looked him up and down, "We were going to stop for lunch, you can join us if you want."

Sasori nodded. He knew it was too dangerous, but he was just so hungry. He followed them down the tree and to a spot that hid the stream behind some trees. Sakura hurried to the stream for water while Naruto found some would. With that out of the way Naruto pulled several packs of instant ramen from his bag and Sakura headed back to the stream to freshen up. The ramen wasn't difficult to prepare and they all began eating silently. Sasori was amazed, so this was how to shut the blonde up. Just feed him lots of ramen.

Yay! So chapter 2 is finally up. Thank you for reading and pleeeeeez leave a review, I'm dying to know what you think. Oh and I'm really sorry but the next chapter might take a while, college is keeping me busy, but on the plus side chapter 2 for 'the wrong side of the track' is done and just needs to be uploaded. Chapter 3 is almost done so yay=)