IMPORTANT – please read!

Hi everyone!

I know that you've been waiting for a really really long time for updates. I too have been waiting but not for updates but inspiration which seemed constantly out of my reach. However, finally I bring to you a new chapter albeit short! And I have also revised all the previous chapters (and hopefully did a good job... :p).

Concerning future updates, I can't guarantee anything. The reason for this is that I don't have much time to myself. I'm sure you understand that this is just a hobby and that the real world outside doesn't wait for anyone! Nevertheless, I will not abandon! I will fight on to update through bad and good, but at my own pace (which might be slow, very slow). The quality of my writing is not great. However, I do prefer to update a chapter that makes sense and is relatively well written rather than update a shitty chapter. Thus I take my time.

Thank you for your understanding. I also would like to thank those who have reviewed and those who follow this story. I hope for your forgiveness for the lack of updates.

Anyways, I'll let you enjoy the newly updated chapter!

Chapter 7 : Awkwardness

The curtains flapped agitatedly as they struggle against the wind that engulfed itself into the bedroom. Protected by the wrinkled bed sheets, only a light breeze reached the slumbering ball of fur rolled into a tight ball. The playful invisible ruffled the soft black fur which tickled a little pink nose. Said nose nuzzled the covers attempting to dig itself deeper into the bed. A swift breeze once again swooped into the room.

'Sneeze'.

The little cat's eyes opened slightly as her body tensed from the aftermath of the sneeze. She then groaned as the bright morning light burned her eyes. Not a morning person, Sakura in her hopefully temporary body, brought her paws to her eyes to save them from the vicious ball of brightness that was the sun.

Still buried deep into the sheets, she started to doze off. But a crash followed by a bunch of cursing startled her from her much needed rest. In her surprise Sakura's cat-like instincts took over. She jumped high, claws all out and ready to attack. Unfortunately, her claws caught themselves into the bed sheets. And as she fell back down onto the bed, she tried to beat off the offending material.

'Stop struggling. You're only making it worse'

The deep voice caused Sakura to tense and effectively stop her struggles.

Itachi watched as the black kitten stopped all its movements. Lightly he walked up to the balled up covers and with expert hands, delivered the poor animal. He smirked at the state to which the kunoichi inhabiting the cat's body was reduced to. In a cat's body she seemed to find herself in all kinds of bad situations, and even though he knew nothing about her, no doubt her skills as a kunoichi were just as bad. Maybe she was more adapted to a cat's life. At least her cat like agility would outweigh her clumsiness.

Finally free, Sakura was thrown none too gently back onto the bed in a pile of cushions. She hissed at the Uchiha. He did not seem distressed by her anger nor did he appear embarrassed by his lack of clothing unlike Sakura. The remnants of steam escaped the bathroom and wrapped the man in a halo. His skin which was not covered by the small towel hanging dangerously low on his hips gleamed deliciously, underlining every crevice and muscle on his 'extremely fit and sensual' body.

For a second Sakura stared at his mouth watering body but quickly threw herself out the door and skid into the hallway before Inner Sakura attempted to poison her innocent mind and attempt to throw herself at him. Literally.

After a rather awkward morning, Sakura found herself roaming in the corridors of the Akatsuki headquarters.

The place was enormous and her diminutive state only enhanced this feeling. Everywhere she went she found stairs and corridors which seemed unending. And to make things worse they all looked identical. At first she walked with no clear goal, entering a few rooms making patterns in the dust that covered heavily the many surfaces of the compound. Anything to keep her mind off the frustrating Uchiha. But after an hour or so, her frustration was directed to the compound that seemed to be playing games with her.

As if in a labyrinth, she kept coming back to the same corridor, the only evidence of this being the monticules of dust that she had made to form a near perfect replica of Konoha. Finally after long moments of running around in panic, she miraculously found her way back to the common room dead on her feet.

Before going back to her room to take a much needed nap, Sakura took a turn to check on Ino and Tenten. Passing Ino's door, she nudged her head past the door. Not wanting to disturb the occupants of the room, she discretely watched as Ino was sprawled on the blonde Akatsuki's stomach. Every time the man tried to ruffle her blonde fur, Ino would playfully try to catch his hand between her teeth giving a quick nip at his fingers. Tension mingled with playfulness as the two continued their game.

Going to the room occupied by Tenten and her red headed master, Sakura found the two in a heated conversation about weapons. They seemed perfectly in sync with each other as the discussion on lethal poisons, shurikens, katanas, deadly ninjutsus made small smiles appear on their faces, the longer it continued.

Head bowed as a massive headache made her ears and frontal lobe thump ceaselessly, she trotted out of the giant headquarter oak doors that led to the outside world.

The fresh air came hard onto her face but it was nonetheless welcome. She breathed deeply and sighed as she felt her headache subside. The moon was out smiling brightly at her in an attempt to wash away all her worries.

'Oh hell no!.'

A shiver wracked Sakura's body. Was she the only one who felt uncomfortable? Right now she should be home kicking some arse. But no. Things had gone awry and while Ino and Tenten seemed to fit perfectly with the bunch of crazy criminals, Sakura just felt out of place. Loneliness and darkness were gripping at her insistently waiting for her to drown.

She didn't understand. How could they just wipe out everything? How could they forget all the pain and fear that had ruled their world for the last 5 or 6 years? The Akatsuki's wrong doings could not even be listed on a mile long scroll. So how could Ino and Tenten forget?

Sakura's hand tightened against her chest.

How would they be able to face those that had suffered at the hands of said criminals when they went back to Konoha? Kurenai had been left all alone and heavily pregnant. Sure she had Shikamaru watching over both her and the baby, but it didn't change the fact that Asuma's disappearance left a deep dark whole in the heart's of each who had known him. Gaara had nearly lost his life to the Akatsuki's hands. And only by the perseverance of one old wrinkly lady did he manage to escape death. Meanwhile, many Jinchuriki's had perished by their hands as well as many more during the akatsuki's years of activity.

She wasn't aware of each individual member's personal agenda, but surely they had committed many more crimes before the formation of the Akatsuki. Uchiha Itachi was the living proof of this - and she sure as hell wasn't ready to forgive any of them their past actions and sins.

But even so, jealousy ripped through her. Ino and Tenten, after a day and a half, already had a good relationship with their current 'masters'. She herself found that being around Itachi was very unnerving and that contact and conversations was very limited if not nearly inexistent between them. He kept to himself and sometimes she would feel his intense gaze settle on her. Sakura felt highly uncomfortable around him. And despite his past she found herself wishing that things between them would be better so to alleviate the awkwardness and her skittishness around him. At least during her stay with him.

Bringing her fingers to her mouth Sakura bit restlessly on her finger nails. Oh kami, how would she face Naruto after this ordeal? Or worse, Sasuke? He was an arsehole but nevertheless it would be unfair to him if she had any kind of friendly interactions with his hated brother. Sakura let out a painful sigh.

Her inner thoughts were cut short when the clashing of metal echoed through the air.

Itachi wheeled around as his clone came up behind him kunai at the ready. He slashed at his stomach only to be met with a puff of smoke and a log.

Sakura watched as both Itachis danced the deadly tango that a shinobi was trained to do at a young age. She had never seen anyone so stealthy, skilful, and beautiful. But that was no wonder. Most of her life was spent around Naruto who had not an ounce of stealthiness and grace - or enough brain-cells to take notice of that for that matter.

The Uchiha in front of her was stunning. She watched as Itachi ripped his shirt off as it was barely hanging on his upper body. She swallowed. He was sweating and the moonlight did nothing but enhance his beauty. How could someone so evil be so sexy? It seems only the bad boys are the beautiful ones. His muscles tensed and rippled with every effort.

He had felt her presence since the beginning but he only turned to acknowledge her once his clone was dispelled. He stared at her as she sat naked as the day she was born, her hands quickly hiding herself from his prying eyes as she realized that she had turned during her inner quarrel. Eyes glowed with curiosity and lust as they looked the other over. Their eyes glided over exposed skin that shone with an ethereal glow under the full moon. Unexpected shivers of unadulterated desire and lust for each other wracked their bodies.

Neither dared to look away as they challenged each other to a game of wills. Who will be the first to act upon their desires? Their respective reputations were on the line. So was their pride. And both felt that they would be damned if they lost to the other.

Seconds passed and the staring contest continued. Finally, both turned as Ino and Deidara called for them from the HQ doors. Sakura took a few steps in the compound's direction only to stop when she realized that she was still bare of cloths. Luckily, Itachi draped his cloak over her shoulders. Her eyes widened but she nevertheless gave a nod of thanks. She turned her head away from him in an attempt to hide the blush that heated her face while he walked away without looking back. With a small cough, she gathered her countenance and quickly followed him.

Damn. She really didn't know how she was going to face them - Naruto and Sasuke and the others. That man was just too good looking for his own good.