The Heart's Battlefield

Chapter 8

"She didn't want to be rescued?" Sasuke asked himself.

He was following close enough to see them but far enough to not be found. It was difficult to keep up. Sakura had obviously leveled up in her speed because even Sai was having trouble keeping up with her and the two Akatsuki members.

When Sasuke had pointed out to the group that those members were supposed to be dead, they all freaked out and let Sasuke slip away easily. He would get Sakura back whether she wanted to come or not.

The four companions noticed no one as they ran to the next target. They were only supposed to get one bounty, but Kakuzu couldn't resist getting the second when the person was so close to them.

Of course, the target was stronger than they anticipated and at the end of the struggle, Sakura defeated him while Kakuzu was busy stitching Hidan's arms back on. Sakura let out the simplest of smiles as Hidan was cursing his luck, but that smile soon faltered into a frown. She grabbed the target, alive but just barely, and put him over her shoulder as she made her way to the two men.

Kakuzu, noticing her somber expression, took the bounty himself and put a hand on her shoulder. Sakura could feel the tears as they leaked down her cheeks. She just didn't understand. Kakuzu knelt down, and with a rare show of affection, wiped the tears away. Sakura smiled at him, and they were on their way yet again to turn in the bounty to a closer bounty house.

After a full day of traveling, Sai finally bid farewell to Sakura and her new companions. Their next stop was back to Ame after all, and Sai didn't want the others to worry too much about where he went. He wasn't going to explain where he went anyway. It wasn't for the others to know.

Sakura was in a somber mood the rest of the time, stuck in her mind and confused by the feelings she had in her heart. The others acted like they actually cared about her and that she disappeared. It had to be forced though, right? She wasn't sure anymore.

As the group got to Ame, her mood hadn't improved at all and only got more dismal with the pouring rain. She didn't even stop into the hospital like she normally did while passing it. No one said anything to her as she passed either seeing her mood. The nurses outside gave looks to Hidan and Kakuzu, but they were brushed off with a shake of Kakuzu's head.

The trek through the village was boring and no one spoke. Hidan was even saddened by the pinkette's mood, and they made their way into the Akatsuki building silently. She headed straight to her room, and as Hidan and Kakuzu watched her walk away they heard the softest of sobs come from her as she disappeared from view.

"I'll go give the report. Tell the others not to disturb Sakura," Kakuzu said quietly as he turned to the proper hallway.

Hidan just grunted as a way of answer as he made his way to the living/common room. Kakuzu only sighed and made his way to the main office to give the report, finding only Nagato in the room doing paperwork.

"Sir," Kakuzu greeted.

"Hello Kakuzu," Nagato greeted back. "How was the mission?"

"We ended up doing two bounties since we were close to a second bounty on our way back," Kakuzu said nonchalantly. "Sakura did well, and I had to stitch Hidan's arms back on."

Nagato nodded and noticed Kakuzu was more formal than normal. He was more sober when talking about the mission when normally he was a bit more animated when talking about bounties.

"That's not all that happened though, is it?" Nagato asked as he folded his hands on his desk.

Kakuzu sighed as he looked down and rubbed the back of his neck.