Watch My Back As I Move On

Chapter 35: Thank You

"F**k, I was so close into killing you. I'll just f**king kill you when we meet again." Hidan said, disappearing from Yamato's sight. "Sorry, otouto. Let's finish this next time." Itachi monotonously said, disappearing with a flock of crows. Konan disappeared with a swirl of paper, leaving a thrashing Naruto behind. "You better not make the same mistake twice." Pein menacingly said, glaring at the weakened Kakashi, disappearing with a puff of smoke.

Kakuzu lied Sakura on the bird as Deidara made the bird fly away. "Can't you heal yourself, un?" Deidara asked, raising an eyebrow. "I'm currently low on chakra." Sakura said, smiling. "Stop the bleeding first. I'll deal with it when we get back." Sasori said, tearing off his sleeve and wrapped it tightly on Sakura's shoulder, same goes to her foot.

"And what's with the burns, un?" Deidara asked, raising an eyebrow. "I used the jutsu you guys taught me. That's also why I lost a lot of chakra." Sakura said, grinning. "She made her target explode and another target unmoving with chakra strings." Kakuzu said, making Deidara and Sasori's eyes widen. "That's amazing, un." Deidara said in awe. "For you to use it on a human." Sasori said, smiling, obviously proud of their training. "Sleep first, Sakura." Sasori said. Sakura smiled as a reply and closed her eyes.

A few hours later, Sakura's eyes fluttered open. Faces welcomed her with happiness and relief. "Sakura-chan is awake! Tobi is a good boy!" Tobi said, jumping around the room. "Shut up, Tobi, un! Don't stress her out, un!" Deidara said, hitting Tobi over the head. "You're too reckless, Sakura." Kisame said, sweat dropping. "Yeah, b**ch!" Hidan said, nodding his head. "Umm..." Sakura awkwardly said, sitting up with much effort. "Kakuzu explained everything." Konan said, sitting beside Sakura's bed.

"The first kill you had was supposed to be Itachi's target for a whole different mission. The second kill was your target." Pein said, making Sakura flinch. "So the whole battle was unnecessary?" Sakura asked. "No, you just made Itachi's life easier." Zetsu said, making Itachi nod in agreement. "Because of that, I'll be sending you on a mission with the whole Akatsuki. You leave in three days." Pein said, making everyone's eyes widen. "Wait just a s**ty f**ked up moment!" Hidan shouted. "Sakura was just in the verge of death in that cell if it wasn't for Kakuzu freeing her, un!" Deidara followed. "And look at her! She looks...um...worn out!" Kisame exclaimed, making Sakura flinch. 'He hesitated again!' She thought.

"Sakura needs to relax. It's unhealthy for her." Konan said, making everyone look at her in confusion. "I'll be sending you in a resort located near Amegakure's borders." Pein said, making everyone grin. "Here are some rules." Pein started. "That's f**king boring. Call it the s**ty guidelines." Hidan said, making Pein stare at him.

"Very well. Here are some guidelines Training is prohibited. Sakura, that means you. Sacrificing is a big no-no. Hidan that means you. Scaring people underwater is not allowed. Kisame, that means you. No annoying people too much. Tobi, that means you. No eating other guests. Zetsu, that means you. No selling other people's underwear for money. Kakuzu, that means you. No explosions in the resort. Deidara, that means you. No kidnapping people and turning them into puppets. Sasori, that means you. And last but certainly is the most important. No trying to cook perfect fried eggs. Itachi. That. Means. You. Surely you remember what happened last time you tried." Pein said, making Itachi sulk in a corner.

"Then let us give you some guidelines too, Pein-sama." Sakura started, making everyone stare at her. "No working during vacation." She said, grinning. "You too, Konan-san." Sasori said, making the others nod in agreement. "No." Pein said. "We won't follow the guidelines if you don't follow yours, un." Deidara said, grinning. "Yeah, be a f**king good model." Hidan said, laughing. With that, Pein sighed and finally gave in. "Do I have to pay?" Kakuzu asked. "No." Pein bluntly answered, mamaking Kakuzu nod, happy that he'd be wasting no money.

"Well that's that." Kisame said, grinning. "Let's leave Sakura to rest." Pein said. "Tobi agrees! Tobi is a good boy!" Tobi shouted. With that, one by one the members walked out of the door. Sakura lied back down, sighing as she stared at the ceiling. "I dragged everyone into this mess." Sakura whispered to herself. "I'm still far too weak." She continued.

"You're not." A voice suddenly said, making Sakura's eyes snap open. She turned her head and saw Kakuzu counting money by her bed. "Strength isn't measured by your speed or your ability to fight. It's a measure of how much you can fight while protecting someone important to you." He continued, smiling at Sakura under his mask as she gave her a sweet smile. "Thank you."

To Be Continued...