I'm mega sorry it took so long to update... I've been really busy... :'( But anyway, I went back and read all the chapters to get myself caught up and found mistakes...so, I'll be fixing them soon to make this story better... I started it when I wasnt so good at writing and it shows in the chapters how drastically it changed...so, yeah. ENJOY!

chapter 14

Welcome Home

She was home. Finally. "Fishy-kun!" Sakura squeaked, running into Kisame's arms. "I missed you guys so much!" She sobbed. The small pinkette was comforted with calming words for her family. "It's okay, Sakura-chan.."

"We missed you too!"

"I'm sorry we did that, we'll never let you go again!" And the voice she needed to hear most.

"Sakura." She breathed in and let go of Kisame. "Ita...kun." She looked over at him, her eyes wide and excited. He looked as beautiful as ever. Yet, his face looked sad and etched with worry. She ran straight into his chest, toppling him to the ground. "Dont you ever leave me again, you baka!" Sakura growled. Itachi chuckled and hugged her close.

Sakura reached for her necklace that Itachi had given her, all those years ago. "See this?" She asked, cocking a thin pink brow. "This officially states that I'm yours and we're not to be separated, kay?" Itachi stared blankly, then nodded, a smirk on his face.

"Now, where is Yumiko?" Sakura asked, getting to her feet. Konan blinked. "Oh, she's outside. Why?" Sakura grinned. "Well, I have a mission for her. You see, I have a baby brother."

Kisame and Deidara gasped. Konan stared. Itachi hid his shock. Pein smiled slightly. "And?"

"And? They treat him horribly. He's coming here to live with me, where I can protect him. Plus, he has a particular gift I think Otou-san would...appreciate."

Pein perked up. "Oh? What is that?" Sakura smiled. "Akira-chan can predict the future with touch, and also see your past and show you his. If he feels threatened he can kill. But I think thats only because he's a baby and they usually cant control their powers."

Itachi narrowed his eyes. Konan pursed her lips. "Another child? That would make mommy Konan so happy! Pein, I want him! Saku-chan said they treat him bad...PLEASE!" She whined. Sakura giggled. Pein nodded. "Alright. But I want you to personally work with him, Sakura. I dont want him accidentally killing someone else."

Sakura grinned. "Hai!" She ran off to go tell Yumiko the news. Itachi watched her go. "She never runs out of energy does she, Itachi?" Kisame joked. Itachi smiled softly. "Yeah..."

Deidara was standing ashamed in a dark corner. He had put Sakura-chan in danger. He didnt deserve her kindness. He didn't deserve her love.

Sakura had instructed Yumiko to stick to the shadows and stay in the trees, which was good, because her home was close to the forest and easy to slip into. Akira would smell similar to her, because of their blood. Yumiko was to get Akira into the basket and carry her back to base as quickly as possible without alerting anyone.

Sakura watched her pet speed off into the dark forest, her face showed alot of worry. Itachi came up behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Dont worry. Yumiko wont let you down. Your brother will be fine." Sakura sighed, being very mature for her age. "Im worried about raising a baby. I mean, it's hard, right? You practically raised me and now you have petifilic tendencies." Twitch.

"I got through it, because, well I love you, and well your mom did most of the work." Sakura rolled her eyes. "I just dont want Akira to be messed up, ya know? Like alot of kids I know..." She frowned.

Itachi stared at her. "You're NOT messed up, Sakura. Age cant decide who you love and who you're limited to being. Only we can decide that. You've always been incredibly mature and smart for your age."

Sakura blinked. "Woah. That was practically a speech, Ita-kun." She giggled.

"Hn." Itachi smirked.

"Oh yeah, where's Dei-kun? I haven't seen him even once since I woke up!" Itachi's face hardened. "Sakura, Deidara was the one who told Orochimaru where you were. It's his fault you were in danger." Sakura gasped. "But...what...how? Why?"

Itachi frowned. "I'm not sure. He hasn't spoken since he confessed he told old Snakey-pants."

Sakura's brows furrowed in confusion. Why would he do that to me?

"I want to talk to him, Ita-kun. Can you bring him here, please?" Itachi looked pissed, but did as she asked. He went to find Deidara, who went unwillingly to talk to Sakura. She was standing by a tall tree, looking out for Yumiko and her Akira. "Sakura...?" She looked over at him. Her gaze was steady and gave away none of her feelings. "Why'd you tell him, Dei-kun? Did you really hate me that much?" She teased.

Deidara frowned. "I...I wanted you back and...he said he'd bring you back, un." Sakura walked up to him and when he knelt down to face her she pressed a small hand to his cheek. "Your an idiot." She was smiling. "I forgive you, okay? You're intentions were good and I would have done the same if my loved one was the one someone was offering..." She looked over at Itachi who was standing some yards away, watching them warily. Deidara shook his head. "I don't deserve your forgiveness, un." Sakura sighed.

"You weren't the one who kidnapped me, and tortured me. Even if you think you don't deserve it, you're getting it anyway, baka." She kissed her forehead quickly. Deidara stood, towering over her. He nodded politely at her, then walked away into the base. Sakura sighed and returned her gaze to the forest.

Itachi sat beside her, but said nothing. Konan brought them Onigiri, which Sakura happily ate without Itachi having a single bite.

"Ne, Itachi-kun?" Itachi yawned and looked expectantly over at her. "Did you visit me while I was sleeping?"

Yes..."No." Sakura pouted. "I was so sure you did..." Her cheeks puffed out. "Well, whatever." Just then, Kisame came out to join them. "Hey hime! It's been an hour, and Yumiko isn't back yet?" Sakura shook her head. "Nah. "Fishy-kun, why don't you an Ita-kun go to bed? I slept two days straight, I think I'll be wide awake and alert...You two need your rest."

Kisame grinned. "You heard hime, Itachi. Lets tuck you in for beddy by time." Itachi's eyes twitched. Sakura just stuck out her tongue. "Go!"

About 15 minutes later, Yumiko emerged. Sakura ran to her tiger, hugging her close. "Good job, Yumiko!" She cooed.

Yumiko purred and gently put down the basket. Sakura saw her sleeping brother and squeaked happily. "Awww!" Akira blinked open his eyes, and smiled when he saw his Sakura. "Akira-chan!" Sakura picked up the baby and took him into the base.

"Kaa-san!" Sakura called. Konan entered the room, with Pein behind her. Konan squealed and ran to hug the baby. Sakura stopped her. "Akira-chan, Konan is kaa-san...she wont hurt you. Neither will Pein, okay?" Akira just smiled and reached for Konan.

The kunoichi took the baby into her arms and started small baby-talk. "Ne, kaa-san, where will Akira-chan sleep?"

Pein smiled. "Well, Konan wants the baby to sleep in a crib in our room, since we're illegally adopting him." Sakura grinned. She wouldn't have to do all the work! Yes!

"Oh, otou-san, you should have seen how they treated him...like he was dog poo!" She frowned. "It was horrible. I was all he had."

"It's alright.." Konan said, Akira almost falling asleep. "He's in our little group of rejects..The people too powerful to be loved by normal people." Sakura sighed exasperatedly. "You're right, kaa-san."

Pein wrapped an arm around Konan's waist. "Alright, Sak. We're going to bed now, and Akira needs his rest. See you in the morning." Konan kissed her on the cheek and Pein rubbed her hair.

"Night kaa-san, tou-san. Otouto..." She smiled. Akira smiled lazily at her. After they had left, Sakura made her way to her old room. Deidara was snoring quietly in his bed on the other side of the room.

She decided to write to Konoha and explain to them why she was gone, and why they shouldn't come looking for her. She wasn't coming back. Sakura had cried as she wrote the letter, but every bit of it was true. She hoped they wouldn't hate her too much.

She crawled into bed, suddenly very exhausted.

Sasuke was simply heart broken. His Sakura was taken from him again. He didnt know by who, but someone did. The entire village was depressed, especially Aya and Hiro. Naruto comforted Hinata, but it didnt do much.

And then there was a letter that pretty much ripped them to shreds.

Dear Konoha..my beloved ones...

I can't stay there any longer. You people aren't accepting of anything you don't know or can't control. You shun my dearest Naruto-kun...you despised the Uchiha clan...and you hated my baby brother, my own flesh and blood while you adored me. Well, Akira and I have a better home now. With the Akatsuki. They are so excepting and kind to us... They have taken good care of me and helped me grow into a great kunoichi. Konan has been an inspiringly loving mother and Pein an encouraging father. I couldn't wish for more. Sasori, Deidara, and Kisame are the best of friends I could have gotten... Itachi-kun is my everything. He keeps me bound here if nothing else does. So, please, I have moved on and I ask that you all do as well. I still care about you all deeply, but I want you to stop worrying about me... I'm happy and protected here. Give up on me, and find and protect your own precious ones like I am, okay? All I want is right here.

Sincerely,

Sakura of The Akatsuki, previously but no longer Kunoichi of Leaf. S-Class Criminal.

At first, everyone was deeply hurt by this. But then they had gotten angry that Sakura had betrayed them like that. The search team for her was disbanded immediately and they gave upon bringing her home. Her parents mourned the loss of their kind, once-loyal daughter. Hiro had gone insane, rambling about how the Sakura he knew had mentally died, even though her body was still in perfect condition.

He had been admitted into the Konoha Asylum about a week after the letter was found. Sasuke and Sakura's other friends had kept quiet the entire time as the adults ranted and raved about their once beloved Sakura. They had been replaced. Simple as that.

It effected them. They were numb. Even Gaara, who hadn't known her that long was upset to some extent. Okay, they would obey Sakura's wishes. They would give up on her. For now.

The next day, Sakura awoke to a loud commotion in the kitchen. Sleepily, she trudged to to the scene.

"He looks just like hime!"

"The eyes, un! The eyes!"

"Isn't Akira-kun sooooo kawai?"

"Puuuurrr!"

"Hn...so Aya and Hiro wanted to try again?"

Sakura blinked. The Akatsuki was crowded around her baby brother who was giggling like mad. "Hey, hime! Your little bro is alot like you..." Sakura tilted her head to the side and giggled. "How?"

Itachi smirked. "He has the same eyes...and attitude you had when you were a baby." Sakura frowned. "Really?" Itachi nodded. She sat beside him on the couch while everyone turned their attention back to Akira. "What was I like when I was a baby?" Her love smiled, remembering when they first met.

"Evil. Evil and mischievous. And, you were adorable. Those eyes of yours were always filled with curiosity and wonder. You were never afraid of anything...You and Sasuke loved ganging up on me..."

Sakura blinked. "Evil?" She laughed. "I can't believe you described me as evil, Ita-kun! I wasn't that bad, was I?"

Itachi smiled lightly. "You were constantly pulling my hair. Throwing stuff at me... you were even very intelligent too." He smirked. "You said my name before Sasuke's.

Sakura blushed. "Itachi, I know you don't like to talk about it, but I want you to know that you did the right thing by killing your...clan. The Hokage and you did what was best for everyone..." She looked at her hands nervously.

"Hn." Oh now I've gone and upset him...

"I'm sorry, Ita-kun! I just wanted you to know that I see the sense and concern in all your actions and I'm always here for-" He silenced her with a kiss. "You talk too much." Sakura blushed.

"Awww, Akira-san just called me mommy!" Sakura grinned over at Konan. Akira was reaching out for Deidara, who was blushing red. "What is it baby-san, un?" Akira whine until Deidara held him. Akira giggled and tugged Deidara's hair. "Ouch, un!"

Sakura giggled and Itachi chuckled. "Yeah, you were like that." Akira yawned adorably in Deidara's arms. "Aki-chan come to kaa-san!" Konan cooed. Akira whined and snuggled closer to Deidara.

Everyone blinked. Deidara blushed. Akira smiled. "Aaaahh!" He said. Sakura squealed. "Aww, Akira-chan!" Kisame burst out laughing and Sasori and Itachi smirked. Deidara was all red and Konan was fuming.

Akira climbed onto Deidara's shoulders and pulled on the blond hair. "Go!" He giggled. Deidara sweat dropped and galloped around the room like a horse.

Kisame was on the floor crying from laughing so hard. Akira kicked Deidara in the face. "The pain, un! Sakura-chan help meeeee, un!" Sakura was right next to Kisame on the floor.

"What are we going to do, Sasuke-kun?" Ino asked. Their small group was huddled under a sakura tree, their official Save Sakura Haruno Team meeting place.

Sasuke frowned and bit his lip. Shikamaru coughed. "I know what we should do." Everyone looked over at him anxiously. "We'll do what everyone expects. Grow up. Train. And when we are old enough and no one expects it we'll use our secret weapons to lure Sakura home."

Naruto gasped. "Ramen? It's ramen, isn't it?" Shikamru shook his head.

"Hinata and Sasuke." Said ninja-kids frowned. "She cares about you two deeply, so you two could be the ones to talk her back into coming back."

Recognition flashed through their eyes. "Good idea, Shika-kun!" Ino purred. Hinata smiled at Naruto and Gaara and Sasuke exchanged confident looks.

"So, everyone in?" Shikamaru asked loudly, grasping everyone attention. He put his hand out in the middle of the group. Everyone put their hands in. "For Sakura Haruno!" They cheered.

So, on that day, Sasuke Uchiha, Neji Hyuuga, Hinata Hyuuga, Shikamaru Nara, Ino Yamanaka, Gaara, and Naruto Uzumaki all swore that one day, they would bring Sakura home. Dead or alive.

Haha, yeah. Maybe the last line was a little dramatic? xD So, anyway, while I was re-reading this I realized, 'Sakura can never sleep alone in a bed, huh?' Haha! So, did my writing change alot or what? Haha. I'm kinda tired of Sakura being sooo young, so the next chapter is the last and then I'm starting the sequel which I'm calling 'Cold Crimson Red Eyes'. Lol, cute, ne? It's going to be slightly darker then this and the rating may change... Review and I'll love you forever. And ever. And ever. And ever. :) And I'll update quicker. Just know I try to make every chapter around 3,000 words...and never less than 2,500 and I'm usually to excited to post to write more than 3,500. Hope you liked. REVIEW!