Complications
PerkyGirl23
Author's Note: How dee minnasan? Crap, it's back to school from vacation, and it seems that I'll be able update more slowly than I thought… but don't worry guys! I'll try my best to squeeze in more time in making my fanfic between in my studies.. so, anyway, here goes my fifth chapter, and I do hope you'd like it… REVIEWS PLEASE! JA NE!
CHAPTER 5 – GLANCES
Sakura woke up with a start. She has a terrible time sleeping these days, and she wonders why. Maybe because of the new atmosphere of sleeping in a totally strange place, she thought. Nevertheless, she convinced herself to get used to the life of being an Akatsuki. She stood up and began to get ready for her first ever meeting as a fully – pledged Akatsuki member. She went downstairs and had a quick breakfast, then went straight to the meeting headquarters. All of the members were almost there already, except for Pein. They seem to be waiting for him to arrive. As she strode towards her seat beside Deidara, her glance landed briefly to Itachi. He seemed to be in deep thought, and his head was bowed. His statement the other day about not seeing her naked when they first met assured and relieved her.
" Good morning to you, Sakura – chan! " Tobi greeted cheerfully.
" Good morning to you too, Tobi, " Sakura replied, smiling. Among all the members of Akatsuki, Tobi seems to be the liveliest one, and Sakura wonders why Tobi became a member in the first place. He didn't seem to have a strong ability, and he seemed to be immature. However, she thought that she shouldn't judge a book by its cover; Tobi must have a special attribute that made him an Akatsuki.
" How was your sleep? " Deidara inquired.
" It was okay, I guess, " Sakura lied.
Deidara looked at the owie in his hand and smirked. Sakura looked away from his owie, feeling nauseated, with the sight of it. Its tongue seemed to be drooling on the side. She can't help feeling disgusted by the small mouth on Deidara's hands. However, she must get used to the fact that not all Akatsuki members were normal. Aside from Deidara who had a little special attribute, there was also Zetsu who looked like a Venus flytrap and of course, Kisame, who she thinks is half-fish.
" Good for you, because when I was new here, I cannot sleep well, " Deidara said.
" Why? " she asked.
" You are forced to join here, am I right? "
Sakura looked away. " Does it matter? "
Deidara smirked. His owie did the same. " Don't worry. We're on the same boat here. "
" What do you mean? "
" I was also forced to join here, "
Sakura gaped a him. " What? But, how come you're here? " she asked, puzzled.
Deidara sighed heavily. " It was a long time ago, " he began. " Itachi and Kisame came for me. They persuaded me to join the organization because of my special abilities that made attention to them. At first, I refused. But due to Itachi's words, I became pumped up and challenged him to a fight, "
" But how did it forced you to join? "
" I'm getting there. I challenged him to a fight. Then, I also made a deal, that if I won, they would leave me alone, but if they win, I would certainly join Akatsuki. "
" Itachi won? " Sakura guessed.
" Yes. " Deidara said. " He used his Mangekyou to me. I was so impressed that when I joined Akatsuki, I began to hate him, "
" What? You're impressed but you hate him at the same time? How come? " Sakura asked.
" I'm impressed because I know I cannot defeat him. And I hate him because he is the reason of my joining here, "
Sakura looked at Deidara closely. She didn't expect him to be opening up to her like this, when it was only a matter of time they've been introduced. Somehow, she felt as if she's at ease with him, just like when Naruto's around. She turned away and sighed. Suddenly, in her peripheral vision, she thought she caught Itachi staring at her. When she turned to look at him, however, he turned to bow his head again, back to its original position.
" Seemed Pinky and Deidara are becoming close, what do you think? " Kisame blurted out to Itachi.
" Aa, "
Just then, the door opened. Finally, Pein arrived. He turned to seat beside Konan, at the center of the high table.
He cleared his throat before speaking. " Before I begin my announcement, please welcome once again our newest member, Haruno Sakura, " he said as he raised his goblet in the air.
The members did the same. " Welcome, " they murmured.
Sakura didn't know what to say. Instead, she blurted out her safest reply. " Thanks, "
Pein nodded. " My reason for gathering you in here is to announce that there will be a changing of partners among the members, since that we have new member who have joined us, "
" Changing of partners? " Itachi asked skeptically, his face not showing any emotion.
" Yes, " Pein replied. " I have made a new list here, and I based the partnership on the abilities of each member that fully benefits both partners when in mission, "
" Hell yeah, I've been looking forward to drop this bum for years, " Deidara said, pointing to Tobi.
" Uh-oh, Tobi will miss Deidara-sempai. Tobi is a good boy, " Tobi said, pretending to make a gloomy face.
Pein stared at the two of them. " As a matter of fact, the two of you will remain to be partners, Deidara, "
" Yay! Cheers for Tobi! " Tobi cheered.
" What? No way! " Deidara cried incredulously. " I want a new partner! Can Sakura be my partner? " he asked unblushingly.
" Why? " Pein asked irritably.
" Tobi thinks Deidara-sempai has a crush on Sakura-chan. Tobi heard him muttering on his sleep last night, "
Deidara made a lunge for Tobi. " Shut up, Tobi, " he growled, reddening.
Konan smiled. " Seemed that our young man here is blushing, " she said, noticing Deidara's red face.
" Almost red as my rose, " Zetsu piped in. Sakura didn't know whether to smile or not. She just flashed a weak smile.
Kisame chuckled. Itachi, on the other hand, remained expressionless. Pein, however, remained his posture.
" There is no need for such emotions, " Pein stated coldly. Deidara muttered something ' I know, ' and slumped back on his seat.
Pein cleared his throat once again. " Again, here is my line-up of new partners, " he continued. " Konan and I will remain to be partners, as well as Deidara and Tobi, "
Tobi grinned. Deidara let out an exasperated sigh.
" Kisame's new partner would be Zetsu, " Pein said.
Sakura gaped at Pein, unbelieving. That means she and Itachi would become partners.
" What? Itachi and Sakura? That can't be! " Deidara ranted, breaking the silence.
Zetsu chuckled. " Why, Deidara? Jealous? "
Deidara blushed into deep tomato again. " You! " he growled. Itachi smirked.
" Enough, Deidara, " Pein said.
Sakura heaved a deep sigh. " But, Pein-sama, Deidara's right. I can't partner with him, "
Itachi stared directly at her. She felt suddenly small. " Why, Sakura? " Pein asked.
Sakura didn't answer.
" Is it because of the bathroom incident? " Itachi inquired.
Sakura looked up at him. Then she looked away, reddening instantly. What's happening to her? It seems that she cannot look at Itachi directly on the eyes.
It's because he looks so much like Sasuke, Inner Sakura popped up suddenly, obviously drooling on the spot. The same hot body-
" Shut up, " she murmured to herself.
" Excuse me? " Pein asked.
" Oh, uhm, nothing. " Sakura replied, embarrassed. " Sorry, "
Pein remained an impassive face. " Sakura, you knew what we have agreed on when you joined this organization remember? That when I order you something, there would be no complaints, "
Sakura nodded. " Yeah, sorry about that, "
" That means you're finally agreeing to partner with Itachi, "
She swallowed heavily, as if swallowing a huge bomb. " Yeah, I guess so, "
" Well that's it. There would be no more to discuss. Meeting adjourned, " Pein said.
All of the members began to leave. " Itachi and Sakura? " Pein said suddenly. " If you may stay behind the others? "
Itachi and Sakura looked at Pein. " Okay, " Sakura replied.
" I will tell you your first ever mission as partners, and I hope you would get along well, " Pein began as he started shuffling some papers.
" What is it? " Itachi asked.
" The two of you will be going to the Kumogakure to get an important scroll from the hidden underground palace of the Fourth Raikage. " Pein explained.
" An important scroll? " Sakura repeated.
" Yes, " Pein said. " A very important one. It contained the ancient forbidden techniques of the Kumogakure country. "
" Oh, I see, " Sakura said.
" When will be our departure? " Itachi asked.
" Since it will be a two-day mission, you can leave later before dark, " Pein answered smoothly.
Sakura cringed. The fact that only Itachi would serve as her companion in a mission sent uncomfortable shivers around her. Usually, in Konoha, she usually go on teams. Maybe being an Akatsuki meant to train her skills better, because only two ninjas were working together.
" Okay, " she said.
Pein stared at the two of them, his Rinnegan eyes boring at them. " I see there are no more problems. You may go, "
" Aa, " Itachi said as he disappeared in a form of special genjutsu. Sakura did the same, and left.
oOo
" Where is she? "
Tsunade turned to face Sasuke. He was lying on his bed, his dark eyes piercing at her.
" Who? " she asked him absentmindedly, arranging some boring-looking files on the table beside Sasuke's bed.
" Sakura, "
" Why? "
Sasuke stared at him with cold-looking eyes. " She was the one who saved me, right? She healed me when I was unconscious, "
" How did you know? " Tsunade wondered.
" I felt it. I felt her when she was tending me, before I fell unconscious, " he replied.
Tsunade looked at him, surprised. " I'm impressed, "
Sasuke however, said nothing. " I want to see her, "
" Why? " Tsunade asked. " You were the one who left her, didn't you? Why did you suddenly wish to see her? "
Sasuke looked at Tsunade, slightly surprised. " I don't know myself, " he muttered. " I just felt that I need to see her now, "
Tsunade stood from her table and walked towards the windowsill. She let the cool breeze come in. she breathed a deep sigh.
" You're too late. " she said. " Sakura's gone, "
" What? What do you mean she's gone? " Sasuke asked as he suddenly stood from his bed and in a second, he was in front of Tsunade. " Tell me, what happened? "
Tsunade looked away as she spoke. " It happened just after she healed you. Naruto and his team went on a mission. But the Akatsuki members, Kisame, and your brother, Itachi, were on their way and kidnapped Naruto, "
Sasuke's eyes were widened in shock. " Itachi? Kidnapped Naruto? " he mumbled unbelievingly. " Where's Naruto? "
" Don't worry. Naruto's safe and sound. And it's all thanks to Sakura. "
" What the hell do you mean? "
" The Akasuki left a note. They said that in order to get Naruto back, we need to give them Sakura, " Tsunade explained.
Sasuke slumped back against the wall weakly. " But what do they need Sakura for? "
Tsunade sighed again heavily, shaking her head fretfully. " I do not know either, "
Together, they fell into unnerving silence. It was Tsunade who broke the silence.
" Sasuke, " she began. " Your fight with Itachi didn't became successful, am I right? "
Sasuke glared at her fiercely. However, his face softened slightly. " I cannot tell you the truth, "
" Tell me, Sasuke, or I may change my mind of punishing you, "
Sasuke raised his brow at her. " What for? " he asked.
Tsunade smirked. " For betraying Konoha. For leaving. For being a traitor with Orochimaru, " she replied.
Sasuke stared at her, and sighed exasperatedly. " What do you want to know? " he asked bitterly.
" What happened between your fight with Itachi? "
" I almost won against him, if not only for Zetsu's interruption. " he said.
" Zetsu? " Tsunade repeated, confused.
" He was an another Akatsuki member who looked like a plant or whatsoever. "
" I see. What else? "
" Zetsu knocked me out of my consciousness. Then I guess he took Itachi away; my brother was already badly injured from our fight. When I woke up, it was already Tobi beside me, "
" Who is Tobi? " Tsunade asked.
" Another Akatsuki. The orange masked man. I guess he had some other personality inside him. That other personality is Madara Uchiha. "
It was Tsunade's turn to be surprised. " Madara? Your ancestor? But that can't be. He's already dead, "
Sasuke shook his head. " That's what you know, "
" How could that happen? It's preposterous! "
" It's hard to explain. I can explain it later, "
Tsunade shook her head fretfully, then nodded. " Continue, "
Sasuke swallowed a hard lump on his throat and spoke. " Tobi, or Madara, was the one who explained to me that the reason why Itachi killed our clan in the first place, was because the elders of the Konoha ordered him to do so, "
" What? How can you say that? Are you telling me the truth? " Tsunade asked incredulously, unable to grasp what is being told.
" I am, but if you do not want to believe me, then I'll just stop it, okay? " Sasuke replied, irritated.
" Sorry, "
" He also told me that Itachi was only playing the double-agent role, although his loyalties truly lie on Konoha. " Sasuke explained. " I became angry at Konoha for that, using my brother to their dirty plans. I planned a revenge after, "
" That's not reasonable, Sasuke, " Tsunade said, stern.
" You can't blame me for that, " Sasuke replied through his gritted teeth.
" But what happened after? "
" I went to the Akatsuki to join them, " he said. " I want to be with my brother when I have my revenge against Konoha, "
" Then? " Tsunade breathed.
" But my plan backfired. Itachi didn't want me to pursue my plan of having my revenge. He didn't want me to be in any more trouble. He told me to go back to Konoha and lead a peaceful life-have a wife, children, and to relive the Uchiha clan. "
" What did you do? "
" I became angry. I want to make my brother realize the truth. We fought once again. But he was much stronger than me. I was defeated. He left me in the Kirigakure woods after the fight. " Sasuke answered.
Tsunade gaped at him. " So he was the one who gave you those injuries, "
Sasuke nodded. " Yes, " he replied. " But at that time, it made me realize that he just wants me all the best. He made me realize all my friends I left for power. Friends and loved ones he once never had that he wants me to treasure, "
Tsunade's gaze softened. " And then? "
" That's it. I fainted after. "
Tsunade fell silent. She didn't know what to say. She was not sure whether or not to comfort the young Uchiha. Nevertheless, she had a go. She hugged Sasuke, the way she does when consoling Naruto. Sasuke may be a traitor to Konoha, but a young man like him who hadn't experienced care and love for a long time also needs some comfort.
Sasuke was surprised. " W-What are you- "
" Ssshhh.. " Tsunade consoled, stroking Sasuke's soft hair. " Just let me comfort you for a while, to ease your hardships, "
And together, they fell silent. Sasuke was surprised, and yet, he wanted to cry out loud. However, he tried hard not to show it, he just scrunched his face and tried not to let his tears fall. He suddenly wished his mother would be right there for him, to comfort him this way; to hug him this way.
Suddenly, Tsunade had an idea. " Sasuke, " she began.
" What? " Sasuke replied, breaking from the hug.
" Do you want atonement from your crimes? "
Sasuke looked away. " I don't know, "
Tsunade smiled tenderly. " Come on, Sasuke. We both knew you want to change. I know deep in your heart your sorry for all of what happened. I know you want a new life, "
" …. "
" Do you? "
Sasuke sighed, finally giving up. " I do, "
Tsunade smiled again. " Sakura was right. You're one stubborn person, "
Sasuke smirked. Then, he suddenly remembered. " What about Sakura? How can we get her back? "
" Good question. You are going to get her back. "
Sasuke stared at her. " What do you mean? "
" You are going to join the Akatsuki, "
Author's Note: hello there guys! Hope you liked this chapter! It's a bit longer than the other chapters! It seemed that I typed longer than I thought… fortunately, while I was typing, ideas just flowed through me and I typed it all the way until here… well, anyway reviews please and stay tuned for chapter 6! JA NE!