A/N: I'm extremely sorry I took so long to update. A LOT happend. For personal reasons I felt depressed and I wasn't motivated to continue writting. But now that things are getting a little better I've been working on the new chaps. Now the relationship between Sakura and Akatsuki will begin to take different turns and things will become different not only for her but for the others too. So, I hope you enjoy this chap!

Thanks to Lady Hanaka for betaing it! Much candy to you!

Chapter 5: Now the second wind blew

The Konoha ninjas gathered around to plan on what they were going to do. Everyone had recuperated from their injuries and had all the energy possible to continue on their odyssey in search for their friend Sakura.

"Alright, I'd like to hear suggestions on what you plan on doing. I'm pretty sure you all must've planned something while I was out." Kakashi said.

Shikamaru spoke, "After analyzing the situation, we decided to change our course from Sound to Akatsuki directly."

"However, we don't know where they are. Kisame and Itachi are long gone by now and I'm sure they hid their chakra so tracking them will be nearly impossible from this point." Neji added.

"Gaara-sama said that he was sending groups to search the nearby zones that were opposite to our course. Perhaps they could've found some hints as to where Akatsuki could be. Or they could've found some small villages. I'm not certain of this but I think that Akatsuki members go to small villages in order to be less conspicuous." Hinata said.

"Makes sense. It is very possible that if we look for those kinds of villages we could find clues to where Itachi is. If we find him, we'll surely find Sakura." Ino agreed with Hinata's comment.

"Then it's settled. We'll head back to Suna and from that point on, search for Akatsuki." Kakashi said.

While they followed their trail backwards, Ino still felt troubled about everything. But little did she know that she wasn't the only one trouble, for everyone else also bared the heavy burden of guilt on their shoulders.

Hinata noticed that Ino's pace was slower than the team's. "Is something wrong Ino-chan?" she asked.

"Oh-um…it's nothing…" Ino lied.

However, a little in front of her was Shikamaru who had heard her. He narrowed his eyes as he noticed the big lie in his comrade's words. Something was bothering her…she just didn't want to show it.

Morning arrived once more. It was Haruno Sakura's sixth day as Akatsuki's prisoner. Although at first the young prisoner was deadly afraid of her capturers, she has managed to have them accept her presence and so has she. Now, they are acquaintances. That was little better than enemies, however.

Sakura woke up and noticed a box near her bed. It looked like the same one that was left the day before.

Another present? It doesn't seem to have a letter this time. Is this Itachi's doing again?

She opened it and inside there was a kimono. It was simple but the design and colors were very beautiful and they matched with her hair and eye color.

Hm…guess even Uchiha Itachi has good taste when it comes to women's clothing. I'm surprised. Though I can't deny that I'm glad I have new clothing, I honestly didn't want to wear the yukata again.

Sakura stripped from her yukata and put on the kimono. When was finished, something caught her eyes. She noticed that in a small corner beside her bed there was an object lying on the floor.

She walked towards it. It was a hair ornament; simple as well but it had a pretty design. Luckily, it matched her kimono. Near the ornament there was a note.

I got this before arriving here. I honestly, don't know what to do with it so I'd thought you might like to have it; can't very well throw it away, yeah.

A grin painted itself on Sakura's face. No doubt this is from Deidara. Hm, he sure is a lot different than Itachi. Well, almost everyone is. Sasori is very polite and well-mannered though he treats me indifferently and he's quite mysterious; can't really expect any less though. And Deidara is also different. He smiles a lot. I didn't really think Akatsuki members could even smile…

But with the same gentleness as it appeared, it faded.

Still…no matter how different they may be, they are still Akatsuki. They are still murderers. I can't let myself be fooled by them.

She put the ornament on the left side of her hair and went to eat breakfast.

As Sakura walked towards the kitchen area, she noticed Sasori sitting down on the front porch, holding what seemed like a big wooden doll. Curiosity won over hunger as she deviated and headed towards the crimson-haired Akatsuki.

"Um…is that a puppet Sasori-san?" Sakura asked with curiosity.

"Yes it is. I'm surprised you were able to notice so quickly. Are you familiar with puppet jutsus?" Sasori replied with the calm child-like tone that he always used.

"Well, I have a friend who's a master in puppet jutsus. I've seen him fight with his puppets and he's really good. So I guess I got my knowledge thanks to him." The young girl answered in return.

"I see." A smirk appeared on Sasori's face. "Well, forgive me for saying this but his puppets are nowhere near my own. You may call him a master if you wish, but the real puppet master is me. I don't think your friend has any art in his puppets as it should be."

"Why would you say that Sasori-san?"

"Glad you asked. See, art and puppetry go together. Art is something that should last forever; if it never dies then that means that it is true art no matter how much time it passes. Puppets last forever, that is why they are art. However, even art needs to be taken care of; which is why I clean and polish my puppets from time to time." Sasori explained as he cleaned the wood of his puppet.

Sakura watched with curious and sparkling emerald eyes. Somehow, Sasori's view of art seemed to intriguing and full of truth.

"So according to what you've just said, true art is that which lasts forever and left for the future, right?"

"Exactly." The young man said.

But, the calm atmosphere suddenly dispersed as Deidara stormed outside beside them.

"No it is not, un! Art is the fleeting image of beauty; something that you can acknowledge and admire at the moment, yeah; something that you see beautiful and that it achieves it perfection on that particular moment. Then it disappears and it is gone, for then a new work of art can come and its beauty be admired, un."

Sasori closed his eyes and softly let out a groan of irritation.

"Sakura-san, how can true art be something that is forever? If it lasts forever than that means that it gets old, un. Eventually the person that makes the art will die and then, what happens to the art? It will die too. That is why I make exploding clay, yeah. I create art with my clay and turn them into bombs. And that is because I show what true art is: a fleeting image of beauty, un." Deidara continued.

"Deidara…you're being ridiculous. You cannot impose your belief on Haruno-san." Sasori added.

"Oh, so what you're saying is that she's already sided with your belief, un?" the blonde man returned.

"No. I'm just saying that you shouldn't force her to be on your side. I did not force her. She made the decision by herself, right Haruno-san?"

Deidara looked at her, awaiting her to prove Sasori wrong.

"Um…" Sakura flinched a little. I don't wanna get dragged into this… "Well, Sasori-san is right. He didn't force me."

"As I thought. You know nothing of art, un." Deidara's teal eyes narrowed, upset, as he then stormed inside the house.

After the scene, Sakura felt bad for have taken Sasori's side in the whole issue. It was clearly a delicate subject for Deidara and truthfully, she really was in no position to be taking his bad side. She's had enough with Kisame and Itachi already.

Maybe I should've just kept quiet…

"Don't let it bother you Haruno-san. He always gets like that when we discuss what true art is. He'll get over it eventually. You did nothing wrong by accepting your own belief in true art." Sasori said with his same unique expression showing that he wasn't really affected by the whole argument.

"I should go talk to him though." The rosette girl added as she decided to enter the house b the stopped before entering. "Sasori-san?"

"Hm?"

"Thank you for sharing with me your belief in art. It was most intriguing; and I really do believe it as well. Art should be something that it is to be forever. So then future generations will be able to appreciate it and admire it, even if their master and creator has passed away. Because then, the creator's spirit will always be alive in its creations." With that said, she gave Sasori a grin and went inside.

A small grin began to appear on Sasori's child-like face.

Haruno Sakura…

I guess she's more interesting that I thought.

Sakura knocked gently knocked on the door.

Knock knock.

Sakura slowly opened the door, "Deidara-san?"

"What is it, un?" Deidara answered with a rather hostile tone.

"I-uh…I just wanted to apologize. I didn't mean to make you upset." Sakura said looking away.

Deidara gave her an oblique look. He noticed that she was wearing the hair ornament he had given her. But he kept silent.

"Listen, I agreed with Sasori's belief mostly because it reminded me of one of my friends. He really liked to draw a lot well…likes. His artwork was simply beautiful and he has done thousands. And well…somehow no matter how time passes I can always find myself admiring those arts. That's why to me art is something that lasts forever." Sakura explained.

Deidara narrowed his eyes at Sakura's explanation. "Ch. So you basically sided with Sasori-danna because it reminds you of old memories, un? Then you really don't know what true art is."

Sakura noticed the cocky way he looked and how he talked to her. It really bothered her. Honestly, she never really cared about cockiness in a person since her former teammates would tend to be like that sometimes, but for some reason it bothered her Deidara's sudden cocky attitude. To her, it showed her how ignorant he was to her reasons.

"Listen. Just because I'm not an expert in art doesn't mean that I'm ignorant towards it! I agree with Sasori's believe because I've seen it firsthand! It's not for some caprice I have!" She leaned closer to her and she yelled while Deidara recoiled.

"And you know what? I really don't like that cocky stubborn attitude of yours! You get pissed off because I didn't support you, and now you act as if you are now suddenly superior to me?"

"That's because I am superior to you, un!" Deidara taunted in return. "I know more about art than you will ever know. Not only do I turn my clay into works of art, I make them explode which makes me a great fighter as well, un. I am a true artist and no one, not even Itachi or Kisame can be at my level. Only Sasori-danna can compete with me, un. So in other words, you will never be an artist like me."

The rosette girl gritted her teeth and enrolled her fist, "Gah! I hate your cocky attitude!"

"And I hate your guts, un!"

"My guts? MY GUTS? Do you have a problem with them?"

"As a matter of fact I do! You're the prisoner so start acting like one, un! Go to a corner in your room and wallow in self-pity and just shut your goddamn mouth already, un!"

"Ohhhh that's very mature coming from the person that just stormed into his room with a pout on his face because someone didn't support their ideal on an irrelevant subject!"

Both agitated ninjas were breathing heavily face to face; teal glared at emerald and vice versa.

With a scoff, Sakura turned and left the room. However, Deidara just simply stayed in the same spot. For some reason, how close he was to Sakura at that moment had captivated him, for he was able to take a better look at her emerald eyes which gleamed with inner strength. He had never seen eyes such as hers. In fact, he had never been that close to her before; nor did he ever dream of being.

He just stood pensively, with that small pout on his face.

Sakura…

…annoying brat, un…

…but…

…was she always this captivating?

Sasori heard a loud stomping come closer and closer, accompanied by irritated mutterings.

"I can't believe him! He thinks he's so great! I actually thought he was different than Itachi!" Sakura cried angrily. "Guess this only shows how much of an idiot I am! Sheesh!" She pouted as she stormed, again, to the kitchen and grabbed some breakfast; still with an angry face.

"I'm so freakin' upset that now I'm even hungrier!"

Sasori watched her. She sure wasn't really what he'd expect from someone who's been captured by the infamous Akatsuki. Not only was she loud, but she didn't really have that much of a feminine aspect when she was angry. He could not deny that she caused some curiosity in him. After all, she was the one.

Just then, Kisame and Itachi arrived. But Sakura was so busy eating that she didn't really notice.

"Did you spot the Konoha shinobis?" Sasori inquired.

"No." Itachi answered stoically. He looked at Sakura; she was wearing the kimono he had brought her but suddenly, his crimson eyes caught glimpse of an object that he had not given her: the hair ornament. However, he made no sign that he cared about such a trivial thing at the moment as he simply continued his way down the hallway.

"Well after a long walk, I could really use a drink." Kisame went to the cupboard and took out a few cups and a bottle of sake. Suddenly, a pair of chopsticks landed right beside his hand, plunged into the wood of the counter.

"What the-" he turned and saw Sakura, giving him a strong glare.

"I thought I told you not to drink alcohol for a few days."

The shark-like man gritted his teeth annoyed, "So what? And why the hell are you so damn worried about me? Huh?"

"As a doctor is my duty to worry about my patient's health, regardless of who they are. Alcohol will only damage the liver that I just healed. If you want a specific number of days, I'll tell you this much. You only need to refrain from alcohol for at least two more days. That's the estimated time I think you will be completely healed." Sakura explained.

"Ch. Whatever."

"And also, I promised, didn't I? That when the time passed I was going to treat you for sake, right? And I never break my promises." The kunoichi gave Kisame a grin.

Kisame could do nothing but stare at it. She was different than what he had imagined. Sure, she was still an annoying brat but for some reason he couldn't really end up hating her as much as he really wanted to or did at first.

"Tell me Kisame-san, does your abdomen hurt?" Sakura asked.

The man put his arm on the spot, "Well, not really. It does feel a bit uncomfortable but it's nothing bad."

"Well that's good. It only means that you're recovering. And Kisame-san, could you please pass me my chopsticks?"

"Fine..." But just when he was about to get them, he realized what he had just done; he had just complied with the kunoichi's request. The prisoner had told him to do something and he was actually going to do it…but why? Why had his body obeyed the girl's demand? He could not understand.

Kisame turned and looked at Sakura again. She was waiting patiently, looking at him with big emerald eyes. Somehow, his body couldn't really find a way to decline her. In a normal circumstance he would've just left. But instead he didn't think much of the situation and gave Sakura her chopsticks which the girl thanked him for.

Before leaving he took one last look at the rosette girl.

Ch...I'm gonna find out just what is it that interested Itachi about you. But I'll give you this...you aren't really that hard to live with...no matter how much of a brat you are.

Once the Konoha shinobi's reached Suna, they were immediately greeted and escorted to the Kazekage tower.

"Why are you here? Is there a problem?" Gaara asked. After all, they shouldn't be in Suna. If anything, they ought to have reached Sound by now.

"We encountered Akatsuki while we were heading to Sound." Kakashi said.

Gaara looked at Kakashi attentively. "What happened?"

"We met with Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisame." The Copy-nin explained. "They were too much for us to handle as expected so they got away. But...we know where Sakura is. She has been captured by Akatsuki."

"No..." Temari gasped. "That...that can't be...are you sure Kakashi-san?"

Kakashi nodded regretfully. "Yes. Itachi told me himself."

Temari clenched her fist and looked away; trying to suppress the frustration that had began to compel her. She and Sakura had become close friends; Sakura would visit her in Suna when she had time. Temari was like Sakura's role-model; she really looked up to her and Temari really enjoyed Sakura's company. So when that happened, she knew how much Sakura had suffered. She knew that the decision she made that day, was out of despair; Sakura really didn't think of the consequences. That's why it frustrated her that Sakura was now in the hands of the enemy where death could befall her at any moment. But...she knew it wasn't fair. It wasn't fair for Sakura to have brought such a fate upon herself; why was she the one to always suffer? That's what frustrated her the most.

"Gaara, what are your orders?" Kankuro asked.

Gaara sat pensively; elbows rested in the desk, fingers intertwined and chin rested on them. He closed his eyelids. That was Kankuro's signal that he was planning something. He gave a gesture to the other ninjas, signaling them to patiently await Gaara's orders.

After a moment, Gaara finally spoke, "Kakashi-san, I will call off the ninjas I have sent to search for the Akatsuki. There is no need to keep them out now. What I want you to do is to send out your ninja dogs and track Sakura-san's scent. Sakura-san's primary destination was Sound, which tells us that in that direction she was abducted by Akatsuki. If we look at our map, she was going to Sound the opposite way, behind Suna so apparently she was going to pass through the Village Hidden in the Waterfall. If I am not mistaken, around that zone she was captured. If your dogs can find her scent and take you to that spot, then surely you will find Akatsuki's tracks."

"Of course." Kakashi nodded. "Itachi doesn't expect us to follow his tracks at this point. So we can follow his chakra starting from there."

Gaara nodded. "One more thing, Temari will accompany you as well. You will need all the help you can get. I will supply you with the best communicators we've got. They have unlimited signal so if you face trouble, you will be able to contact Kankuro directly. Now, you will all leave the day after tomorrow. We must make sure that you are both physically and mentally prepared for this. I am sure your first confrontation must have left your exhausted."

"I'll escort you to your play to stay." Temari offered.

The Konoha ninjas bowed in gratitude. "Thank you Kazekage-sama."

The ninjas left first but Gaara called Temari before she had departed.

"What is it Gaara?"

"Don't worry about Sakura-san. We will return her safely." Gaara comforted with a small smile.

Temari grinned in return. "Thank you." And she left.

"Gaara, what are the possibilities of her being alive when they get there?" Kankuro asked.

"I don't know. Humanly speaking, the chances are dim since she has what they want. But then again, anything can happen. I will put my faith in Kakashi-san and his team that they will get to her in time. It was not Sakura-san's fault that she brought upon herself such a dreadful fate."

Gaara's sea foam eyes narrowed, "That is why she must be brought back safely; she does not deserve to die. She does not deserve to live a life of misery."

Gaara had also begun to be close to Sakura through Temari. He enjoyed Sakura's company. She had proven to be not only a strong shinobi of body and mind but also, she had proven to be a great human being. She was kind, considerate; she even offered her medic services in the village. Gaara could not really have asked for a better person to have been at such a disposition as Sakura was. She was a very interesting person, always philosophizing about nature and life, admiring nature; she was deep and yet so simple. Sakura was truly an amazing woman that deserved the best of everything she had selflessly done for others. That is why he was going to do whatever it took to get her back.

Before, Gaara was still a bit estranged to these kinds of emotions, but whenever he was around Sakura he would feel something strange inside of him.

"I just finished taking care of the ill children. They are recovering quicker than expected." Sakura said as she entered the Kazekage's office.

"I'm glad." Gaara replied with a nod and a small smile.

"Kazekage-sama? I was wondering, if it wasn't much trouble, if I could stay in Suna over the night?"

"Of course. It's no trouble at all and please, call me Gaara." Gaara said.

"Oh! I couldn't I mean…it'll sound completely disrespectful and I-" Sakura became a bit nervous but Gaara interrupted her.

"Don't worry. Besides, if you call me Gaara then it'll sound as we are even closer acquaintances. And we are, are we not?" Sakura gazed into Gaara's sea foam eyes. It still surprised her how much he had changed ever since the first Chûnin exams and she was glad; she was glad that he now was such a kind person.

The rosette girl smiled in return. "Alright… Gaara-san."

"You sure have a lot of paper work, don't you?" Sakura added; she was sitting in the chair in front of Gaara.

Gaara nodded, "Yes. The work of the Kazekage never seems to end. Kankuro usually helps me but I told him to take the day off."

"Then it's settled." She stood up. "I'll help you."

"No. It is not right for the guest to work." Gaara objected.

"Aw come on. Besides, if I help you then you'll finish faster, ne? Besides, I insist." she grinned

Gaara looked at Sakura's determined emerald eyes. Like everyone that knew Sakura well enough knew that once her eyes had that kind of shine, there wasn't a soul in the world that would make her do otherwise. So he had no choice but to accept; though he could not deny that he was glad she had offered. He did have a lot of work.

"Whew!" Sakura sighed. "That sure was a lot of work."

"Yes. But thanks to your help, we were able to finish it before nightfall."

Gaara noticed that Sakura was no longer in front of him, but by the window, looking at a flower that was in a vase.

"One of the village children gave it to me." The Kazekage said.

Sakura heard, but did not comment. Instead, she merely just gazed at the beautiful flower that lay in front of her. Gaara saw how her eyes shined with admiration; studying the flower.

The sun had begun to set; the red, orange, and yellow rays shined through the window glass, illuminating Sakura's face. The rays highlighted her smooth rosette hair, they would make her emerald eyes shine like a gem itself; she looked completely ethereal, like a maiden, and angel sent from heaven. He even wondered if such an image was even real.

"Love is like a flower. It takes some time for it to bloom, but when it does you see just how beautiful it is. However..." The expression in Sakura's eyes changed.

"…just like a flower, love is very delicate. If you force love, it will wilt. But if you don't nourish it, it will also wilt. It's like, you don't know what to do with it; if you make the simplest mistake, then…everything will go wrong and you'll not only end up getting hurt, but also getting the one you love hurt…You basically live in constant fear."

Gaara noticed the sadness and pain in her eyes; the eyes that shined at one moment with admiration were now gleaming with tears. He wanted to do something to comfort her, but he didn't know what. He was confused about everything he was feeling now. He had never felt like this towards anyone; how soothed he felt when she was with him, how it would cheer his day to see her smile or to simply just have a glimpse of her face; it was something that he had never felt before; something completely estranged to him. But just as he liked being with her, it also hurt him to see her sad. It wasn't often, but, there had been times where her eyes would no longer have the cheerful shine they were accustomed to or how instead of smiling and showing her happy grins, they would be forced.

He walked towards her and placed his hand on her head.

"It is true. Love it's like a flower and it's a constant contradiction. The feeling that is supposed to bring happiness can also bring suffering. However...it is not always the case. For one day, everyone will find that one flower...that one love that will bloom for eternity and never wilt."

Sakura looked at him; sea foam gazed at emerald. Sakura let out the few tears that had accumulated in her eyes and pressed her face against his chest, holding the fabric of his tunic. Gaara was stunned for a moment as he felt Sakura so close to him. He wondered if she could hear the rushing beating of his heart or how hot his body felt as the blood began to rush through his veins.

"Thank you...Gaara-san." she said.

A thought then came; he remembered seeing how people will hold each other when one was seeking comfort. Gaara held onto her as his arms moved by reflex. That day he finally understood...what true love was.

Night had fallen on the horizon; the moon was full. Because they were in Suna, there was a lack of street lights which made the stars fill the vast black sky visible. Ino sat on the building's roof; the moon was reflected in her sky-blue eyes, which filled the emptiness that was in them at the moment. She then heard the door open and saw Shikamaru.

"Couldn't sleep?" he murmured.

Ino shook her head.

"Worried?" the boy asked.

"A little. Lots of things were going on inside my head so I couldn't sleep. For some reason looking at the moon calms me. But...we can't really be sulking at this time. We need to stay strong, and stay focused. What lies ahead of us won't be easy so we need to stay strong. Just like Sakura will be. Sakura is strong so she won't let herself be easily overwhelmed by Akatsuki. So we also can't let anything overwhelm us either not fears, not sadness." Ino's voice began to break; Shikamaru noticed the cries that she was trying to suppress with all her might.

Ino had always been like that, a girl that didn't like to cry; to her, crying was weakness and she didn't like to be weak. That bothered him. He admired her strength, but it bothered him that she wouldn't open up to him. He wanted to be there for her.

"We have to bring Sakura back. We have to save her. We can't betray her. We have to show Sakura that we haven't betrayed her and that we will never betray her!"

"I don't know if I'm doing it right, so please bear with me." Shikamaru said.

"What are you-." But before she could say anything, Ino was suddenly surrounded by Shikamaru's arms as he embraced her. Ino was too stunned to react. It all happened so fast, one second they were talking and now, he was holding her.

"You may be able to fool the others, but you can't fool me Ino." Shikamaru said. "I know you too well. I know that every since this whole mission started you were feeling distressed and when you found out that Itachi had taken Sakura, your despair grew. I noticed. Ino...don't blame yourself. It wasn't your fault. Tsunade had assigned you to the critical ward and you couldn't leave. I know that if your duty was to take care of patients with lower severity, you would've left and helped Sakura. You didn't know Tsunade's intentions when you accepted the work, none of us did. If we had then we wouldn't have accepted."

"But it is my fault! I should've noticed! I should've seen it!" The blonde girl began to sob, still trying to suppress the cries and tears that were pushing against her throat, attempting to escape. "I failed Sakura, Shikamaru! I failed her as her best friend! I...I..."

"You would've failed her if you hadn't come to this mission. We were sent by Tsunade to save Sakura. But even if she hadn't sent us, we wouldn't leave to find her. Ino...you came to save Sakura; to bring her back. You didn't fail her. You have proven yourself that you indeed are her best friend. You have never betrayed her. And Sakura knows that."

Ino couldn't take it anymore as she let out all her bottled up tears and cries. She held onto Shikamaru, clutching the fabric of his shirt.

"Cry Ino...let it all out. I know you've been suppressing them all this time." Shikamaru said with a tender voice. Even if I never liked seeing you cry...

As Ino cried, she felt Shikamaru's strong arms still embracing her; it comforted her. Shikamaru had always been together with her, by her side. She had developed feelings for him'; despite his lazy, care-free and sometimes cold character, he had proven himself to be a great friend. He always knew what to say to her when she was feeling down. However, she never dreamt of having them reciprocated. By just being with him, it was enough for her. But now...now that she was finally held by him, it felt as if everything was right at the moment. Like, the sadness, despair, frustration that she felt had suddenly disappeared.

"I'll always be by your side Ino. As I've always been." he added.

Ino's cries began to disperse and her sobs started to subside. Now, both of them were simply just embracing each other; feeling each other.

"Shikamaru…could you…" Ino's face reddened. "…could you please just…keep holding me like this? At least for tonight."

The boy didn't say anything, but merely just complied with Ino's request.

For some reason, Sakura couldn't sleep. No matter how much she turned on the bed, she couldn't find a way to just stay and close her eyes. She really hated those nights. It annoyed her. On those nights, she would go to the balcony of her apartment and look at the night sky. In her situation, the only thing she could do is go to the roof. At first she wouldn't dare to go outside at night but at this point, she as well as Itachi knew very well that she had no place to go.

But when she got there, she saw that her spot was already taken by none other than Deidara himself.

At first she was a reluctant about going, but she really had to talk to him. She was really in no disposition to be passing up a good acquaintance with him; after all, even if he was Akatsuki he seemed to be a better person than Itachi.

"Deidara-san?"

The blond man looked at her. "What is it, un?"

"I-uh…I just wanted to apologize for this morning. I…I shouldn't have yelled at you…I'm sorry…" She felt a bit nervous.

"Nah. I'm the one who should apologize, un. I shouldn't have yelled at you. You told me your ideal and I should've accepted it. One should never impose their ideals on someone else because then, it will take the meaning out of it, un." Deidara looked away, avoiding eye contact with Sakura. Sakura noticed that he was rather embarrassed about it, to which she couldn't help but grin.

The rosette girl, sat beside Deidara. "Well, mind if I join you?" She grinned.

Deidara got a bit startled, "Um…no…"

For some reason he couldn't understand, Deidara couldn't find himself capable of looking into Sakura's eyes. His heart beat began to speed up as he realized how close she was to him. He had never felt like this before; he obliquely looked at her. The moonbeams bounced on Sakura's body, illuminating her like a precious maiden. Her eyes shined by the moonlight and so did her hair; she looked absolutely breathtaking.

However, he took a closer look at her eyes and noticed that the shine in them was merely just products of the moonlight. They had no shine of themselves. But he also caught notice of something else: the way she looked at the night sky.

But his question was answered by a comment that came from Sakura's mouth, however it was a comment he had never expected to hear from her; especially in the dry tone that she did.

"I hate the full moon."

"Why is that, yeah?" Deidara's curiosity began to grow.

"Because I do. Because…it was on a full moon when..." She narrowed her eyes. "…when he left…"

That night, Deidara realized that there was more to her than what he'd seen. She wasn't what she had appeared to be these days, and knew that the fact that she's the one that she has that inside, was linked to the resent she felt for the full moon; for whatever happened that night.

"It's sad that you hate the full moon, un."

Sakura looked at him puzzled by the comment. "Why would you say that?"

"Because..." A smile painted on Deidara's face. "The moon really suits you. From my eyes, right now, because of the moon, I've just seen art, un."

Sakura's face reddened as the blood flushed to her face. "Th-thank you...Deidara-san." She said as she looked away grinning. She felt weird, having these kinds of feelings. For some reason, it reminded her of someone...of Naruto. She looked at Deidara again. Yes...he did resemble Naruto somewhat.

Deidara gazed at Sakura. She had an air of mysteriousness around her; she was simple at first sight, but with a deeper inspection she was complex. The intrigue he felt to know more about her kept rising. But what really bothered him was that he didn't know why.

But what they didn't know was that glaring crimson eyes watched them from a distance.

Sakura headed to her room after her talk with Deidara. Even if he was Akatsuki, he had a charming side to him. Perhaps it was because he reminded her of Naruto. His smile was almost like his, and so was his personality. She didn't regret having gone to the roof because if she hadn't then maybe she wouldn't have seen this side of Deidara. He truly was different than Itachi and that comforted her.

But all happy thoughts came to an abrupt end, as she heard a voice speak to her once she had closed the door behind her.

"Why did you leave Konoha?"

Sakura gasped, startled as she saw Itachi behind her.

"I asked you a question."

"Because...I hate Konoha."

Itachi noticed the confidence in her words. He tried to trail a sign of insecurity but found none; she was serious.

"Do not tell me it was an insufficient answer. You asked me 'why' and I answered you." Sakura said but cursed herself afterwards. She expected Itachi to react to it, but felt relieved as she saw him in the same spot.

Itachi's eyes trailed to the ornament in her hair.

"Who gave you that hair ornament?"

She swallowed, "It...it was Deidara..."

Itachi kept silent.

"And why are you asking me that? That's none of your business. I did wear the kimono you gave me and I didn't rip it apart. So, why should it bother you that Deidara gave me the hair ornament? I am not your whore Itachi and I won't let myself be treated as one. I may be your prisoner but I won't let my dignity be taken away like that." Sakura snapped in return.

But at that moment, she cursed herself for speaking as Itachi pinned her against the bed; holding her arms. Her body began to tremble as she looked at Itachi's dark and stoic crimson eyes.

What's he gonna do to me? Oh god...why did I have to say that to him?

Itachi leaned against her; Sakura tried to turn her head away and she closed her eyes, hoping that everything would just end.

"So you say that you're not my whore?" he whispered in Sakura's ear. His breath caused chills in Sakura's body as she felt his smooth, dark, and penetrating voice.

The kunoichi's breathing started to become heavy; Itachi could hear how each breath out trembled along with her body. He looked at her; his crimson eyes trailed her body; desire shined in them.

Itachi cupped Sakura's chin and forced her to look at him; frightened emerald staring at deadly crimson. Itachi's body began to lower; Sakura could feel how his body began to press against her own. Her blood began to pump faster; her heart beat increased. Itachi's facial features were now even closer to her. He looked like Sasuke, and yet...he was nothing like Sasuke.

"It's a shame that you think of yourself that way...because that's the way I see you...my cherry blossom..." Itachis mouth roused Sakura's earlobe. She stiffened as a reflex.

Suddenly, she noticed just how close they were. Their lips almost touching; each feeling the other's breath; a silence came. Sakura felt her body temperature rising by the second.

Why is this happening? Why am I feeling like this? The only person that should cause this in me is Sasuke-kun; only Sasuke-kun…only him…

But what frustrated her most was that she was having a fight with her lips as she tried to have them recoil from Itachi's.

Itachi looked at Sakura's lips; they looked desirable. Perhaps because the shine in them told him that they have never been kissed before; and truly kissed; knowing that Sasuke had never kissed her lips caused in him a sense of superiority; a sense of victory over his younger brother. After all, he had her and he could kiss her anytime he wanted to. No matter how he put it, Itachi was always going to be Sakura's first kiss.

Still, one thing that annoyed him was the struggle he had with his own body; that it wanted to get closer to the point of kiss or maybe more. And what's more, he felt his body temperature rising. But he was not going to allow himself to fall onto such a weak level; never. Besides, it would not be half as amusing if she resisted. So for now, he'd rather wait.

The Uchiha freed Sakura as he regained his distance from her. Without a word, he stepped outside the room and closed the door behind him; leaving on the bed a disorientated and confused Sakura.

A/N: Yay! My first moment of sexual tension! So, what did you guys think? Itachi and Sakura's relationship is now going to have more tension than anything. And also, Deidara and Sakura's relationship will continue to grow as well. Of course, we will have some side romances as well. Can't very well have others not find love just because it isn't their story, now can we? Sakura's problems with Konoha will slowly be revealed so be patience. (smile)

Well, I hope you all liked it! Please Read & Review and tell me your thoughts.