Writer's Note: Hey, everyone. I'm really sorry for the laggage of chapters but I've been pretty busy lately and this chapter isn't all that good, but eh, it'll get better I promise. Things might get random, but, yeah. This chapter is just.. Well, you'll see.

Chapter 5

Sakura walked back with Sasori to the kitchen, only to see that it was empty. Sakura was about to ask where they were until she heard the guys yell in the next room (the first) connecting to the kitchen. Sasori and Sakura walked in the next room. Everyone was sitting on the couch watching TV. There were two couches in the middle of the room in front of a big screen. Along the walls were shelves and book cases of old books and Jutsus with armchairs. Sakura walked toward them and looked at the screen to see what they were watching.

"… OH MY GOD, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU GUYS!"

Sakura grabbed the remote from Itachi and turned it off.

Deidara whined, "Aw, Sakura, it was getting to the good part!"

Itachi looked up at Sakura with an Evil glare, Kisame just gave her a 'WTF' look, Kakuzu and Hidan stared at her questioningly, while Zetsu and Ryu put their heads down shamefully. Sasori was surprised and enjoying the scene as Sakura gave them a rather scary look.

"I can't believe this," Sakura breathed, "Just… Wow." The guys slowly began to understand how shocked she is, but totally unaffected by it.

"Whatever, do what you want." Sakura threw the remote at Itachi's face and walked out before they could turn it back on.

Sakura walked back into the kitchen and sat down, her face cupped in her hands. She was stressing out for she was going to be starting training with the Akatsuki. She's not exactly Strong like they are, let alone Ryu. She was worrying whether they would accept her or not. They seemed welcoming enough but things can change and she knew that all too well. She took a deep breath and sighed. She heard someone walk in and it was Sasori. Sakura looked up and smiled, "I'm glad you have some common sense not to watch that." She laughed. Sasori grinned. He realized he just smiled, and noticing this makes him feel somewhat off. He took a seat next to her and just stared at her apathetically. Sakura glanced back at him nervously. She was wondering if he was staring at her 'big forehead'. Even though that was in the past she still feels somewhat self-conscious.

But he wasn't, what he was really focusing on was her in general. He was thinking of Sakura as a puzzle, and so he had to figure her out. He grew impatient as he couldn't answer the answers to his own questions. Sakura noticed him getting irritated.

"Sasori? You okay?" She waved her hand in front of him to get his attention. Sasori blinked and sat up straight, "I'm fine. Sorry, I didn't mean to stare. I was just thinking."

Sakura raised her brow, "Thinking about what?"

Sasori smiled, "You. You're odd, but I guess that's a good thing." He caught himself smiling again. He rarely ever showed any emotion and he pondered over it to the point where he had to look at her. He didn't feel anything when he looked at her, but he had an impulse. What was it?

"Oh, well, thanks?" Sakura laughed blushing a little.

At that moment, Sakura and Sasori heard the guys in the next room, "OH-MY-GOD. I NEVER KNEW THEY COULD BE THAT BIG!" That was Deidara. They heard Hidan next, "Seriously? You could so tell you're a virgin."

Deidara started yelling at him and Hidan just laughed. They then heard Kakuzu speak, "You have no room to talk, Hidan!" That's when everyone laughed, even Sakura laughed. When the guy's voices faded, they heard Sakura laughing.

Kisame started to laugh, "I like the new recruits. They're funny." Sakura stopped laughing and said, "It feels nice to laugh again." The guys didn't hear her, except Sasori.

Sakura realized she started crying. She hated crying so much, but these tears were understandable, and could go on forever. She covered her face to try to keep Sasori from looking at her, but she was too late. He cranked his head to one side, trying to understand why she was crying, but he just left it alone, because it was none of his business. He got up and made her some tea. He didn't usually do this, but he didn't know how to act when someone was crying. She took the tea and stared at it for a moment, then thanked Sasori, "I'll be going to bed now." Sasori nodded.

"Sweet dreams…" he said awkwardly. Sakura smiled, and he couldn't help but smile back. She left the room and his expression fell into his usual apathetic look. He went over to the other room with the guys.

"Where's Sakura?" Ryu asked as Sasori sat in an armchair. Sasori told the guys she went to bed. Kisame yawned, "We should be sleeping right now, too. C'mon guys, bed."

Deidara made a 'humph!' and said, "We're not kids, Kisame. We don't have a bed time." Itachi stood up this time and said, "No, but we have training tomorrow." He motioned over to Ryu meaning the new recruits. Everyone groaned and left for bed.

The next day, Sakura was the last to wake up. Everyone was awake long before her. She felt embarrassed as she walked into the kitchen realizing it. Everyone greeted her, "Morning, Sakura," She heard Ryu say.

She turned and gave him a good morning back. Kisame gave her some tea as Itachi was getting her some cereal. Sakura giggled, "I could get used to this." Referring to having men fetch her everything.

She thanked Itachi as he gave her cereal. Everyone was seated at the table while Hidan and Kakuzu and Zetsu decided to stand. Itachi and Kisame and Deidara sat across from her. Ryu and Sasori sat beside her.

"So, me and Itachi decided to start your training tomorrow. We have business to attend to today, so we won't be here to help, which would be useless." Kisame said folding his hands. Sakura noticed that him and Itachi were in their robes. Everyone else was still in their pajamas. Sakura nodded understanding what they meant, "Got it. No problem."

She couldn't be any more relieved. Ryu seemed relieved as well, "That's cool." Kisame and Itachi rose from their seats and left the room, but before they left, Kisame looked back, "I don't want you guys watching anything. And make sure nothing goes wrong. I'm leaving Sakura in charge."

Sakura almost choked on her cereal, "WHAT!"

Kisame smirked, "You know how to keep these boys in line. Be sure not to let them do anything stupid. Knowing them, they might start a fire and kill us all." And with that Kisame left.

Deidara yelled after him, "IT WAS HIDAN, I SWEAR."

Sakura guessed this happened before and laughed. Sakura began to realize Kisame is like a father-figure. She smiled noticing the Akatsuki were like any other good person, but the difference is they have goals they're willing to go so far to reach them and she respected that, whatever they were. You could only guess why. She finished her cereal and rinsed her dish. As she was doing so, she heard Deidara come up behind her, "Morning. I promise not to do anything stupid."

She looked at him, being skeptical, "I feel a disturbance in the force."

Deidara chuckled, "Haha, very funny. I'm taking a shower."

He left the room and headed across the hallway. Sakura sat back down and sighed, still drowsy. Hidan and Kakuzu were arguing about the usual, while Ryu and Sasori and Zetsu were talking. She sighed wondering how this day was going to end. She really wanted to go outside, but she didn't want to go through that unbelievably dark tunnel just to get outside. She sighed, bored as ever.

Ryu noticed and invited her in the conversation, "I really want ice cream."

Sasori looked at him as if he just saw a unicorn, "Ice cream? That sounds so familiar."

Zetsu's eyes widened, "It's been that long, huh?" The Dark Zetsu laughed, "Where have you been?"

Sakura told the guys to shush, "As much as I agree with you guys, why are we sitting here? Let's go get ice cream!"

Hidan and Kakuzu looked at her as if she just said a really offensive remark.

"Are you serious? I'm not going to fucking waste my time getting ice cream." Hidan said crossing his arms. Kakuzu laughed, "Yeah he will, don't worry. C'mon, Hidan, Let's get ready."

Kakuzu took Hidan by the arm and was heading towards the doorway, "Let go of me you hoe bag!" And they were gone but you could still hear them down the hallway. Ryu laughed.

"Let's get ready, too." And everyone went to get ready. Once everyone was out, they told Deidara they were going to get ice cream. He freaked, "WOOHOO, ICE CREAM, YEAH!" Everyone was dressed in their regular clothing. Going about in Akatsuki robes just to get ice cream didn't seem worth the trouble, but they took their weapons and such, just in case. Kakuzu motioned at Sakura, "Your robes are in your closets, or at least they should be. Don't forget to put them on."

Sakura and Ryu nodded and went off to fetch their robes. Sakura searched her small closet and pulled out her Akatsuki robe. It fit perfectly.

'I'm really here... I didn't think it'd be this easy. I should be thankful.' She pondered over the thought for a moment and a question rose, 'who's their leader and why did he order them to recruit us? Do we have special potential? I wonder...'

"SAKURA, HURRY UP!" All the guys shouted in unison. She quickly went down the hall and met them at the caves exit.

"So... Where are we getting ice cream?" Sakura shared her questioning look.

Zetsu replied, "Not too far. It's this small village only a few miles from here. Should take us 15-20mins to get there." Dark Zetsu grinned, "The best damn ice cream around, that's for sure."

Sakura nodded, "That's nice. Let's go then."

"So, Sakura, Ryu, how's it feel to be with the big boys now?" Deidara asked.

Ryu grinned, "Pretty exciting for me."

Sakura laughed, "I have to admit, I'm enjoying myself." Sasori came up next to Sakura, "Hey Sakura, is ice cream good?"

Sakura looked at him sympathetically, but before she could answer, Deidara interrupted, "Oh yeah, I forgot. You're a puppet. Maybe that's why you don't remember these things." Ryu looked over at them overhearing Deidara.

"Sasori is a puppet? What do you mean?" Sakura asked for Ryu. Sasori kept his gaze ahead of him while Deidara was explaining, "Sasori is a living puppet. If you're lucky, you might see him for what he really is."

Sakura frowned, not liking the way Deidara said this. Ryu didn't like it either.

"I'm sorry Sasori, I wish you were able to taste it." Sakura told him, feeling bad. Sasori shook his head, "It's nothing to feel sorry about." Sakura saw that she struck a nerve and decided to leave it at that. Everyone was quiet for the rest of the way, even Hidan and Kakuzu.