Sakura woke up the following day in Pein's bed, and the first thing her tired eyes saw were the whole Akatsuki staring at her. She knew she was in his bed because it was the most comfortable one in the whole base (even more then her own) and she could always sleep better in here than in her own room.

The next thing she knew, a pair of strong, blue hands wrapped around her body and lifted her, screaming things about "never scaring him like that again or he'd die of a heart attack". It took a moment for the carnation haired girl to register that she was in Sushi-chan's arms, and that she was safe again with her family.

Tears started falling down her cheeks as she hugged her Sushi-chan. Sobs erupted from her throat and Kisame let her down, asking for the reason of her tears.

"I-I thought, thought you were all going to die and-and that I'd be alone again; and-" the poor girl could not continue, as more tears fell down onto her fisted hands. Sakura hid her face, ashamed of the salty water she could not control.

Then, she was being squeezed to death by Deidara, who kept telling her that they were all there (un) and that they weren't leaving her any time soon (un) and that those ninja that attacked her were never going to harm her again (un) and that it was okay to cry (un) because they knew she was scared of losing her family again, but that she was alright (un) and they were fine (un) and that for being a good girl she got to make dango with Itachi and braid his hair(un un un).

It was worth it when everyone saw her face light up with the prettiest smile they had ever seen.

555

After braiding Deidara's hair –he was pretty impressed with her ability, glad he wouldn't have tangles in his hair for a month- and making dango with Itachi –a bit too sweet for everyone's tastes, but they thought they could get used to it-, Sakura found herself at the entrance with her Kaa-san, waiting for Hidan and Kakuzu to return from their mission.

Even from her place 5 meters from the entrance door, Sakura could hear loud screams coming from the outside, which broke her concentration –she was trying to make a paper crane without her Kaa-san telling her how, as she wanted to impress her mommy-, and led her closer to the door.

"-cking bounty! I got someone to sacrifice to Jashin-sama and I ain't goin' back there just so that you can go for the fucking money you bastard!"

Konan sighed before moving to open the door…

…just in time for Sakura to see Kakuzu cutting Hidan's head off.

Then she screamed when the severed head began cursing the green eyed ninja.

Everyone heard the tud that came when the shocked girl fainted.

555

Ever since the "Head Incident" as everyone had dubbed it, Sakura avoided Hidan like the plague, running off to find her Otou-san or her Kaa-san every time she encountered him on the hallway.

But that day, the pinkette woke up blind-folded and in strong arms. The girl immediately went stiff, which made Sasori tell her it was him and that he was taking her to a special place to celebrate a special occasion.

When the red-haired man stopped and let Sakura on the ground, taking her blindfold in the process, the pinkette saw all the Akatsuki – minus Hidan – in front of a large banner that had "HAPPY BDAY SAKURA-CHAN" written in pink.

Sakura cried tears of happiness for the first time ever.