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Sakura stared dimly into the darkness, sliding in and out of consciousness. Her mind was swirling with panicked thoughts as she recalled the mission she took with Tobi and Deidara 3 days ago, prior to her 'capture'.

It wasn't really a capture because… well, they didn't really capture her.

They were saving her. It was a mission that went very, very wrong.

She had told Deidara and Tobi to escape while she handled the Daimyo's guards. The mission had been completed successfully (assassinating a corrupt Daimyo who clearly had too much time on his filthy hands killing innocents and capturing young girls).

They were in the midst of escaping. Sakura was mentally counting the mission money they would receive("One thousand Ryo… Two thousand Ryo… Three thousand Ryo…") when the trio encountered ANBU-level guards.

Ever since the fateful mission had occurred, neither Deidara or Tobi had brought up anything about it, so she assumed that nothing much had happened. They were however, more uncharacteristically silent. Personally, she preferred it that way. Less words, less trouble.

Right?

So wrong. Sakura hummed quietly to herself, knowing that she was reaching her wit's end and failing miserably in her plan to evade the Akatsuki.

She recalled that fateful day telling them to go first while she handled the guards. Both Tobi and Deidara had done most of the work up to that point, so she felt she needed to pull her weight a little. She could handle them with her doujutsu. In addition, there were only 2 guards. Not wanting further unnecessary bloodshed, she decided on simply stopping them from trailing.

"Be careful, yeah. See you at the meeting point." Deidara shot her an uncharacteristically concerned look before running off with Tobi.

She did not even have time to reply, for the guards were both forming handseals. Their combined wind and earth jutsu spiralled projectiles into Sakura's abdomen and she disappeared in smoke.

Annoyed, the men darted to look for the brunette kunoichi. However, they were too slow. Behind their backs, from a distance, the yellow-eyed Sakura had already made her seals. Her figure was crouched on the ground, frowning in concentration.

Lifting her fist up high, she proceeded to slam it to the ground. "Mokuton: Taiso!" A waterfall of wood promptly erupted from the ground with vibrations the equivalent to an earthquake. Sakura remained still, placing her palms flat on the ground while she channelled her chakra to the tall wood wall that was darting for the two guards who had frozen in shock. The wood engulfed their bodies completely, creating a large dome around them that was largely resistant to chakra-based attacks.

It'll take them awhile to get out of it, Sakura mused as she stood up, stretching her arms. The move had taken most of her chakra and she already started to feel the strain. She was just about to head for the direction Deidara and Tobi had gone when she felt a flare of chakra behind her.

Her eyes widened imperceptibly as she quickly spun on her heel to give a kick at her visitor. It was another guard, who caught her chakra-enhanced kick with his hands and proceeded to slam her body to the ground.

The last thing she remembered thinking was 'I am so screwed.'

Of course, the interrogation by the guards afterwards brought much pain. The chakra-sealing binds were an unfortunate addition. They reduced her chakra to a very low level. Fortunately for her, it was enough to keep her henge. She didn't speak a word. For the next three days, she had broken 3 ribs, 3 fingers, 3 toes and 3 other bones in her area.

Sakura deduced the number 3 must have been a lucky number for the late Daimyo.

It was on the third day that she decided to speak her mind. Her voice was hoarse and raw from disuse, her throat hurt like a son of a bitch, but she decided to speak anyway.

In another time, it would have sounded sexy, but not today. She cleared her throat at her guard-of-the-hour, beckoning him with her better hand to come closer. He narrowed his eyes in a frown, but moved closer anyway. After all, what could she do?

"Ne, why do you keep me here? It's not like the Daimyo is some saint. Apparently the villagers will be happy that he's gone. I'm pretty sure YOU'RE happy too," she retorted, her eyes burning fiercely.

She was surprised when the man avoided her gaze and proceeded to look at the door cautiously. Satisfied that no one was listening, he leaned in and whispered, "Daimyo's son's orders."

"Daimyo's son?" Oh. Oh. She didn't know he had a son. She probed him a little further, curious.

"Is he… angry?" The guard looked at her almost pityingly, and said "I'm afraid yes."

She sighed. Wondering at how she could possibly escape this predicament, she looked away, signalling the end of the conversation.

It was then that another voice decided to speak up. It had been decidedly quiet for a good year, so she was surprised when it spoke in her head.

You can use me.

Sakura ignored his comment, proceeding to stare at her fingernails intently. The chakra-binding chains rattled with her movement. Despite being chained to the wall, the chains were long enough to provide her with some movement. Hence, she was able to place her hands on her lap.

Stop ignoring me, Sakura. I only mean to help.

You mean, help yourself. Inner Sakura gave a snort in response.

True… However, seeing as you are Naruto's friend, I will protect you as promised. Therefore you are free to use my chakra as you wish.

And let Pein or Madara sense it? I can't let that happen.

Your primary motive should be escape now, girl.

I know. I'm trying to figure it out. Sakura closed her eyes, thinking.

Then her eyes shot open. She didn't know why she didn't think of it before.

"Guard," she called softly. He glanced at her cautiously, as though appraising her.

Clearing her throat awkwardly, she said "I need to use the ladies." Throughout the whole three days, she had only gone to the toilet twice. She was dehydrated to the point where going to the toilet had become unnecessary.

He nodded again, proceeding to remove a collection of keys from his pocket. It was then that a loud rumble was heard from above, as though there was a large bomb that occurred. Senses on alert, he stood up, proceeding to dart through out of the room to check it out. His figure soon disappeared from sight, knowing she was helpless in escaping.

"Damn it!" Sakura muttered angrily. She was so close to escaping, intending to disable her henge and channel her chakra into his brain so he would fall unconscious. She intended to make it quick since she did not have much chakra with the ropes, but the distraction above had caused her plan to fail.

Then a loud explosion occurred from the level above and caused a large chunk of the ceiling to fall. Instinctively, she curled her feet towards her form to avoid being crushed.

She received the shock of her life when a blonde angel dropped from above, landing in front of her. She rubbed her eyes in disbelief.

"What happened to 'careful', hmm?" the angel said in an odd familiar voice, walking to her.

She knew that voice. Blinking twice, his form stabilised and she noticed, to her disappointment, that he wasn't an angel.

"Deidara," she acknowledged flatly.

"In the flesh, yeah." He grinned toothily at her as he reached for a tag inside his cloak. "Now stay still, I'm going to break you out of this hellhole."

"I was doing just fine before you came," Sakura muttered, annoyed.

He froze as he neared her suddenly, frowning. "Wow, you look really bad." Then he flashed her a guilty look. Sakura didn't understand why then.

She glared mutinously at him. "Yeah, it was an interrogation, not a vacation. Where's Tobi?"

As if on cue, the masked man dropped down, running to her. "Saya-chan! You are safe!" the man cried happily. Then he glanced at Deidara, who had gone motionless still holding the tag.

Casually, he pried it from a reluctant-looking Deidara. "Don't worry Deidara-sempai. Tobi can get Saya-chan out!"

Sakura looked warily between the two of them. Tobi advanced near her and placed the tag on her chains. Her eyes bulged in shock when she noticed the kanji written on it.

"What the f-? Are you trying to kill me?" Sakura yelled as she backed away.

"Don't worry, yeah. I modified it so it would just affect what it touches and nothing else," Deidara mumbled, looking away. She glared at the two of them. It was time to bring the matter out into the open.

"What are you two up to?"

Even Tobi was acting guilty. He cleared his throat before hugging her. "I'm sorry, Saya-chan."

"For?" She prompted, intending to know the reason.

"This." The last thing she saw was a guilty look before her world went black.

Sakura sighed in her dark cell, wondering how long she had to remain here. She could roughly tell that it had been slightly more than a day when she woke up and Pein and Itachi had interrogated her. Oddly, it seemed as though they were conversing instead of interrogating. They did not touch her at all and Itachi did not play with her mind.

It was a little interesting that they did nothing violent. Sakura loved figuring out mysteries like this one.

She knew they did not know of her being the new jinchuuriki because she was suppressing it. However, the fact that Pein sensed it somewhere gave her a start. Had she accidentally leaked it?

The idea that she could lose control occasionally was frightening. She had always prided herself on being steady with the kyuubi inside her.

Reflecting back on Pein's words, she eventually concluded that Pein wanted her to join Akatsuki. She knew the ritual for securing the demons were faster with many, as Jiraiya had mentioned many years ago. She didn't know how he was privy to all the rough details, but Jiraiya was good at finding out things people didn't want revealed.

She also had a sneaking suspicion that Itachi would ask her to heal his eyes.

She was humming softly to herself still when the door opened again and a light switched on. Instinctively she shut her eyes, knowing that it would hurt to be exposed to light when she had been in the dark for more than one day. After a while, she slowly opened them, wishing she had chakra to numb the throbbing pain.

A figure walked over to her, keys jangling in his right hand. He crouched down and she was instantly blown away by a woody scent as he worked on removing the chains.

"I apologise for our harsh treatment," the figure rumbled. It was Pein. "But it was necessary to use these ropes on you in case you attempt to escape."

Her chains removed, Sakura finally felt her chakra levels return to normal. She was relieved that Pein had removed her chakra bindings. Immediately her hands proceeded to scan her injuries, working on the more serious ones.

She decided to break the silence. "I wouldn't be able to escape anyway," she muttered, staring at her injuries with a crestfallen look. She looked up at Pein, half-frightened of what she would see.

Standing over her was the most imposing man she had ever seen. His Rinnegan eyes were trained on her with an unreadable look on his face. His combat boots were black and he donned his Akatsuki cloak. In another life, Sakura would have found him good-looking, but she was just too intimidated by his abilities that she had to restrain her urge to back away from him. To her credit, she only flinched.

Then he held out a hand to her, as if to help her up.

Sakura stared at the hand in front of her eyes for a few seconds, nonplussed. Deducing that he wouldn't kill her when he needed her, she hesitantly placed her good hand in his. He pulled her up slowly and effortlessly. Much to her horror, he placed his hand on her shoulder and proceeded to help her to a chair in the middle of the room.

It was when she sat down that she noticed another figure in the room. Perched against the wall facing her, Uchiha Itachi casually observed her with his arms folded as she observed him back.

He was docked in black combat boots with pants of the same colour. His top was a navy blue shirt that was crisp and ironed, showing his lean, defined muscles at his arms. His hair was tied back.

She stared at his face, so similar to Sasuke that her heart wrenched. However, it wasn't a time to be mulling over her past as she had to focus. She looked at Pein, who had been watching her study Itachi, and decided to propel the impending unavoidable conversation. Continuing her healing session on her ribs this time, she spoke.

"You want me to join Akatsuki," she started. Pein shot her a mildly surprised look. He clearly did not expect her to start talking first.

"Yes, I am." Pein responded softly, as though not to startle her.

"And you want me to heal his eyes." Sakura's gaze moved to Itachi, shooting him a distrustful look.

Pein gave her another of his unreadable looks and replied, "Yes."

Sakura sighed as her left hand started to glow green over her three fingers, the only wound left. She had to heal in a rushed manner and with very little chakra, considering her circumstances.

"Why me?" She asked softly, looking at her fingers as she healed.

"Because you are the Godaime's apprentice. Your forte is in the medical field which we really need. You will be a good addition to the group, don't you agree?" Pein tilted his head, waiting for her answer.

Sakura tried not to panic. This was it. There was no turning back. "What makes you think I will join you?" she asked steely, though her heart was palpitating. Her eyes narrowed at Pein, hoping he'd rise to the bait.

Surprisingly, he didn't react to it. His voice was unusually calm. "I can bring back people you have lost, with their memory and soul fully intact, as if they'd never been gone."

Her escape plan flew out the window as she reeled in her shock. Sakura choked on her saliva and coughed violently, her eyes flashing with murderous intent and pumping with adrenaline. Oh, she was mad.

Shooting out from her seat as quickly as lightning, she darted to him and simultaneously activating her doujutsu. Her chakra-induced hands straightened into slicers. She just wanted to hit him so badly until he hurt, damn the consequences. He was the reason for her pain!

To her shock, she found him still as a statue with his hands left at his sides, not moving to block her from giving him a gash at his chest area. In fact, he looked rather grim and accepting.

Who is the man standing before her? Why didn't he move?

"Why didn't you move?" Sakura uttered with horrified eyes. She abandoned her stance, looking at him with her yellow eyes. A quick glance to her left found a mildly surprised Itachi looking at Pein as well. It seemed as though he had also expected Pein to dodge it.

Pein coughed. A trickle of blood escaped his mouth, dribbling onto his coat as he hunched. "I deserve that," he said quietly, looking at her.

Sakura couldn't understand the man standing in front of him. Was it all an act to get her to join him? If it was, it was rather smart and cunning of him.

Being a liar for two years, hiding her true identity and her secret had given her a very accurate instinct to distinguish between liars and men who were telling the truth. She had always relied on it and it never failed her.

As of the present moment, her instinct was telling her that the man standing before her was not acting. She opened her mouth to respond to him, but closed it when she realised she did not know what to say.

Sakura's thoughts were halted when Pein suddenly coughed violently. The blood leaving his mouth started to dribble at a faster pace. Alarmed, Sakura walked toward him. Pein faintly noticed her expression being a mix of concern and confusion as she gestured with her hands. "Let me heal you," she said, albeit hesitantly and reluctantly. Pein nodded in acquiescence and the kunoichi proceeded to gently press her glowing hand to his wound. Seconds ticked by as he felt her chakra entering his body to stop his bleeding and close the wound. He glanced at Itachi. He seemed to have maintained some semblance of calm as he continued watching the scene as though it was intriguing.

"Sakura," Itachi began evenly in his baritone voice.

"It's Sakura-san, Itachi-san," Sakura responded, irritated. Pein understood the reason behind her anger. Over the past three days, she had been interrogated, set free and captured again and been requested to join the most imposing organization that had indirectly and directly caused many deaths.

What he didn't know was that she was mostly upset that Pein did not act like an asshole. Things would have been so much easier if he was more of an asshole, Sakura groaned inwardly.

"We really need your services, Sakura-san. If you join us, you will only need to heal us and run minor missions to increase our funds." Sakura looked at the man who had been silent the whole time.

His deep-set eyes seemed to bore into her. Sakura was surprised to find his eyes had reverted back to his usual black. "I don't want to get involved," she whispered softly, as though pleading. Her emotions were in turmoil as she remembered what Pein said he had the capability to do.

However, at the same time, the inner recesses of her mind were quickly forming a plan. It was inevitable that if she said no, she would die. From her observations, Pein was still an enigma that was difficult to decipher. She'd heard he called himself a god, indicating that he probably had superegoistic tendencies. Nevertheless, this one, significant action demonstrated that he regretted killing unnecessarily and felt guilt for it.

She also knew that her entry into the Akatsuki will mean that she had access to information that shinobi countries have been dying to know of. If she earned their trust, she would undoubtedly be a good source of information for the Kazekage who would be able to take action on her behalf.

There was, however, the fact that she was the new jinchuuriki. That risk weighed on her heavily like a rain cloud on her mind.

She just had to steel herself and suppress it fully. After all, the Kyuubi had been generously compliant after his solemn transfer.

Her mind was racing with thoughts. Inwardly, she kept chanting to herself that it wouldn't be a problem. She had to reassure herself. Besides, it was either join or die. Dying would mean a risk of her losing control of the Kyuubi for all to see.

She removed her hand from Pein's chest which had become slightly warm from the healing, taking a deep breath. Then she proceeded to look him in the eye.

"I accept."

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So now you know what Athena's power refers to. Well, it actually doesn't only mean the Kyuubi, but also her other areas of expertise, which you will see in later chapters. As you have already noticed, Sakura is a good strategist and she's smart in the medical field; she plans missions, she even created a bloodline limit for herself by altering her genetic material.

I really hope Pein is not too out of character! I decided to focus on the "good" aspect of him for Sakura to have more reasons besides the threats to join the group; after all, his intentions of Akatsuki were actually (in his opinion) good ones and made to stop war, la-dee-da. I think I got braindead halfway.. Hopefully it doesn't show much. I also tried to make the first part a little more lighthearted than the rest... I don't like too much angst and pain. Also, I prefer Sakura to be a resilient girl who would see the light in the darkness. Great, now I'm waxing poetic. (snorts)

Itachi didn't talk much because he just needed to oversee the entire thing as Pein persuaded her to join. He became really interested however.. His POV is coming soon!

Tell me what is your favourite pairing now with the review button! If you have any questions, please leave them in the review as well.