First things first: she had a migraine. Her head was killing her, and she had no idea why. It felt as if she was laying on something soft… a bed, perhaps? Yes… most likely that. And something else that was warm. Wait… she was cuddled up against something other than a bed. It was firm, but warm... a person?
An extra painful pang in her head drove out other thoughts, but couldn't help but think how a cup of coffee sounded really nice… What did she ever do to deserve such a punishment? What was this awful torture? Finally, the word came to her.
Hangover.
"Damn you, Pein…" she muttered, still half asleep. "This is all… your fault…" she opened her eyes slowly to see the warm object she was cuddling with. A shirt…? She lightly touched it, and she could tell that there was definitely someone in that shirt. Someone with a nice body, too. Someone who's strong arm was wrapped around her waist.
Her head was lying on their chest, and she slowly tried to lift it up, failing epically. She decided that sliding it would be less painful.
"…the hell?" her eyes landed on the person's face… the person's pierced face.
Sakura immediately jumped up, ignoring her headache, and fell off the bed. There was a loud thump when she hit the floor, and there was also another sharp pang in her head. Great, just great.
She groaned as she tried to pull herself up, setting her head on the edge of the bed, looking at the now awake Akatsuki leader. He was sitting up, and was watching her with a sleepy frown.
"Sorry, Sleeping Beauty, you can go back to bed," she said. He gave her a grimace before letting his head plop down on the bed. "Wait, why are you even in my bed to begin with?" he mumbled something she couldn't quite hear. "What was that?" he spoke a little louder, but it was still a mumble. "Still can't hear you."
"I didn't wanna' go back to my room." He finally said loud enough for Sakura to hear. She just sighed and walked to the bathroom door.
"Lazy…" he ignored her and went back to sleep. When she got in the bathroom, she shut the door behind her and put her back against it.
What the hell was she doing? She was getting way too comfortable with the enemy. They were friggin' drinking buddies! She slept with the leader of the infamous Akatsuki! He had saved her life, and they had fought side by side with one another. They joked with one another! And the worst part was…
She… She liked the closeness.
Sakura was shocked at the truth of it. Why would she like closeness with someone who took her dearest friend? She was no doubt attracted to the dangerous man.
Duh… because she was lonely. Naruto was the only friggin' guy she ever hung out with. Sure, there was Kakashi, but teachers don't count. Was she waiting for Sasuke? No… she gave up on him as a potential lover long ago.
So was it just a new guy? Was she just interested because she was spending time with a man other than Naruto?
Yes… that must be it.
Stupid hormones…
"What's taking you so long…? I have to pee…"
…
Yes… they were getting way too close.
They had been travelling for a while before Pein had stopped them in the middle of a clearing in the woods. Sakura knew the drill, and raised her hand in front of her face. Pein took hers, and immediately they were transported back to the base.
They were in the living room, almost as if they had never left. Sakura was almost too eager to run upstairs and into her nice, personal spa.
"Sakura, great you're back!" Deidara poked his head out of the kitchen door. "Hidan requires your assistance." Sakura mentally groaned. There goes my relaxation… She reluctantly followed the artist into the kitchen.
"OH DEAR GOD!" Hidan's head was lying on the counter, while his decapitated body sat upright in one of the table chairs.
"Yeah, Kakuzu got a little pissed and refuses to fix him." stated Deidara, quite casually.
"Right when I get my head back on, I'm gonna' give that ass-tard a piece of my mind!" shouted the silver-haired head.
Pein came in and stood next to the disturbed girl, chuckling a little at her reaction.
"You... You spiked my tea this morning, didn't you?" she asked Pain, a little uneasy. "Yeah… Yeah, that must be it…" She staggered towards the head and stared at it, hand outstretched and ready to grab it.
"Let's just get this over with. Hurry up, I don't bite." Hidan rolled his eyes, and Sakura's stomach gave a small lurch.
Sakura, you're just drunk. Hidan's head isn't really on the table. Pein just got you a little liquored up and now you're hallucinating. Sakura took a deep breath and lifted the head by the hair off the counter. Right… I'm drunk. Wait a minute… how come I can think clearly? Sakura set the man's head on his neck, holding it firmly by the hair. She twisted it until the veins lined up and then she sent her chakra into the massive wound. Or maybe I just think I'm thinking clearly. I won't remember this later. It'll be part of the hangover. I'll wake up saying something like, 'Damn, that was the weirdest dream ever!' and then I'll fix myself some coffee and maybe a bagel. Mmmm… bagels.
"There." Hidan's head was once again attached to his head. "Don't move it around too much… it should be sore."
"Yeah, yeah… I'm hungry; do we have anything to eat?" Sakura couldn't help but be surprised that he acted like this happened on a regular basis. "There's nothing in here! It's all crap! Who did the shopping?"
"You did." Pein took a sip out of a glass of water he must've gotten for himself while Hidan was being treated.
"Oh… well, damn." Hidan shut the refrigerator door with so much force that it rattled the cabinets. Sakura took a hesitant step towards the fridge.
"I may be able to make something." She opened the fridge and looked around. "How about curry?"
All three Akatsuki looked at her strangely. "You mean, like, a family dinner?" asked Deidara with a smirk on his face.
Sakura blushed. "No, I just meant, well… cooking for everyone. Just think of it as an appreciation for making my stay more pleasant than it could've been."
The medic looked at everyone's faces, and was surprised to see a smile on every one of them, including Hidan. "I think a dinner together is a great idea." said Pein. "While we wait, why don't you get Itachi and Kisame, Deidara? Hidan, you can fetch Kakuzu and Konan. I'll go and track down Zetsu." As Deidara and Hidan left the room, Sakura made preparations for a curry dinner for nine.
"Sakura?" the medic turned away from the open cabinet to look at the remaining Akatsuki member.
"Yeah?" she went back to looking for the curry powder when he continued.
"Thank you." Sakura froze for a split moment, and when she turned to see him, he was gone.
AHHH, another chapter done. I'm so sorry this is late :( I just haven't been in the fanfiction mood… but- your reviews keep me inspired :D and for you loyal readers and reviewers out there- I LOVE YOU!
Of course I didn't forget you DeiSaku lovers ;) there will be moments for them, just you wait!