A/N: Why hello everyone! It's nice to be with you again ^_^ I hope you can continue to support me and my writing!

-bows-

Please continue to take care of me!

Any way's here is the prologue for "Bird and The Worm" aka the sequel for 'Cat and Mouse'

Enjoy!

Disclaimer:

Michi: Takara does not own Naruto. She'd ruin it if she did.

Takara: Liars go to hell Michi. Remember that.

Prologue: The Bird and the Worm

Dareka oshiete doko ni ikeba ii?
Dareka oshiete boku ni dekiru koto
Miagereba ame furimukeba kabe
Tada no keshiki sae setsunasa wo masu

Translation:

Someone tell me, where should I go?
Someone tell me, what can I do?
I look up and see rain, I turn around and see a wall
Even the scenery just grows more painful

-Colourful by Yamashita Tomohisa

"Kurai" Hikari whispered.

"Nani?"

Hikari bit her lip, "I'm scared."

Hikari felt her brother's arm go around her shoulder as they were hiding inside a bush.

"Kaa-san said when it was safe she'd come and find us."

"Demo…it's been hours." Hikari sniffled, "What if…what if something happened to Kaa-san?"

Hikari could feel her brother tense up, "Nothing happened to Kaa-san. She's a shinobi. Why are you saying such things Hikari?"

Hikari wiped the tears on her cheeks with her sleeve. Even though they were merely seven years old, sometimes, her brother acted much older than he was.

"I had a bad dream about Kaa-san. That scary man hurted her."

Kurai stiffened. He had the same dream as well. He took in a deep breath, "Kaa-san's on her way Hikari. Don't worry."

Hikari nodded, "I know."

The twins stiffened. They could feel a chakra signature approaching. They both sighed in relief as they recognized their Kaa-san's chakra.

"Hikari-chan, Kurai-kun, it's alright. You can come out now."

"How do we know if it's really you?" Kurai asked.

Manami smiled. She trained them well.

"Hikari thinks Kisame is the greatest but scariest Akatsuki member and Kurai wants to be like Sasori."

Manami heard Hikari giggle, "It's true! But you forgot that I like to cal him Fishy-chan behind his back Kaa-san!"

Kurai laughed, "Yeah, that's the funniest part Kaa-san!"

Manami smiled, "Gomen ne, come on out you two."

The children crawled out and took Manami's hands, "Can we see Sakura-sensei now?"

Manami's eye's saddened, "Not yet."

"You mean she hasn't finished healing Itachi-san?"

Manami shook her head, "Not yet." Manami didn't have the heart to tell her children that Sakura had run away three days ago. She knew Itachi had gone after her and neither one had yet to return.

"Kaa-san?"

"Hai Hikari-chan?"

"You were hiding us because that scary man was visiting right?"

Manami nodded, "But I won't be able to hide you two the next time."

"By then Sakura-sensei will be back and will be able to protect us…right?"

Manami hesitated, "I...I'm not sure."

Kurai looked worriedly at his Kaa-san, "Kaa-san, why aren't you scared of Shiyuu-san too?"

"Because he is actually a very nice person at times and he doesn't seem bad. " Manami said matter of factly, "Why are you two scared of him?"

Kurai looked at the ground, "He…he reminds us of someone."

"Who."

Hikari looked to the ground as well, "We don't know."

She had been running for days.

So had he.

Neither one of them seemed like stopping.

"What does he want!? I healed his eye's, there's no way I'm staying as bait for the Kyuubi."

Sakura began to list possible reasons why he was following her. One, he really was chasing her to keep her as bait for the kyuubi. Two, the leader had been informed about her and decided she knew too much and called Itachi to execute her. Three, his pride was hurt because she left him after having sex with him.

Sakura snorted from the absurdity from the latter. Then again, an Uchiha's pride is almost as big as their name. She honestly wouldn't have been too surprised if the latter was true.

Sakura sighed as she realized that he wasn't going to stop anytime soon, so Sakura stopped and waited for Itachi to catch up to her. She had to ask him what his purpose was of coming after her. Sakura turned around as she felt him approach.

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

Her heart was pounding in her chest. She could clearly hear his steps coming towards her; they were almost in complete synchronization with her heart beats, which she didn't doubt he could hear.

Step.

Step.

Step.

She didn't think she'd actually have to face him. Not yet. She thought she might have made it well past him before he woke up from the anesthetic she had given him. How did it not affect him any how? Sakura wanted to slap herself for her stupidity. He was Akatsuki. They were probably trained to withstand simple sleeping anesthetics. Next time, she'll try to get him drunk. That is, if it was even possible for an Uchiha to get drunk.

A dark shadow brought Sakura out of her thoughts. Sakura stiffened as Itachi now stood in front of her.

"You left."

Sakura looked to the side, "I did."

Itachi looked down at Sakura, noticing how she was avoiding his gaze, "Why."

Sakura bit her bottom lip and worked up the courage and looked up at Itachi, "I am no longer needed. I have healed your eyes. You can not seriously expect me to stay as bait for Naruto. Please…just, let me leave."

Sakura was repeating in her head 'Please don't stop me' but at the same time, she was wishing for just the opposite.

Itachi looked long and hard at Sakura. Her uncertainty was showing in her face. She seemed confused and she most likely didn't know where to go.

"Where would you go?" He finally asked, "Your village thinks of you as a traitor."

Sakura shifted uncomfortably, "I-I don't know. I'll probably live under the pretence of a civilian somewhere."

"The Akatsuki is in need of someone with healing expertise such as yours."

Sakura looked to the floor, "Itachi I can't, it's not-"

"You will be useful to us."

Sakura looked up at Itachi and looked at him suspiciously, "Itachi…are you…asking me to stay?"

Itachi smirked and then appeared behind Sakura, causing her to jump.

Itachi bent down to Sakura's ear, "Why did you leave?"

Sakura drew in a shaky breath from such closeness, "I have already told you."

"The Akatsuki still has matters to discuss with you."

"About?"

"You will have to see for yourself."

Sakura sighed; maybe…she could convince them not to take Naruto? That was unlikely. But she could give it a try. She could join under the pretense that she would capture Naruto. Maybe they'd assign her to him. That way, she could help Naruto…

Sakura shook her head. They wouldn't trust her so easily. But…it was still worth a try.

Sakura let out a sigh, "Alright Itachi."

Itachi nodded and walked past Sakura heading back towards the way he came. Sakura merely followed him thinking she was completely absurd for going back.

She had no other choice though, right? Her village believed she was a rogue and they probably had her face printed in the bingo books already. Treason. A serious crime anyone could commit upon their country. The act of gaining trust and throwing it away. Severing bonds. Becoming a traitor.

Just like Sasuke.

But…they still searched for Sasuke and held hope for him even after five years. So why should she be any different? Maybe…her village still wanted her. All they were doing was waiting for her to come back home. They waited for Sasuke, right? So why not wait for her?

"Sakura."

Sakura looked up as Itachi was several yards ahead of her, "Coming."

Sakura leapt onto one of the tree's branches with a tired, but fluid grace. She pushed forward with the little energy she had left, the journey back was going to be hell in her current condition.

Sakura grew nervous. Something was stirring inside her, warning her that the road ahead was not one that would be sunny and smooth. This was going to be one hell of a road with as many bumps and holes in it to stop her from getting anywhere.

Of course, she had no idea what those bumps and holes held.

"So why are you here again? You just left, yeah!"

"I'm here because, Leader-sama placed me here Deidara."

"First Tobi now you? I hate this, yeah."

"Calm yourself Deidara. It's Leader-sama's orders." Sasori said nonchalantly.

"Can we at least send Tobi back, yeah?"

"Why Senpai?! What's wrong with Tobi! Tobi's a good boy!" Tobi said as he waved his arms.

Deidara hit his head against the table, "Kisame, want to have a drinking contest, yeah?"

Kisame chuckled, "It can't be that bad Deidara."

"I hope Sakura-chan comes back soon, yeah."

"Who is this 'Sakura' anyways? Can I meet her?"

"What? So you can die? If you even think about touching her I can tell you, you won't be alive longer than a second." Kisame said as he downed a cup of Sake.

The silver haired man crossed his arms, "Please, I'm not a pervert like the rest of you."

"Then you're in the wrong organization Shiyuu." Kisame said, "I guarantee that almost everyone in this organization is a pervert."

"Eh? What's a pervert senpai?" Tobi asked.

Deidara looked over at Tobi murderously and then back at Shiyuu, "We don't need you're 'goody-goody' attitude Shiyuu, yeah."

"Well Leader-sama told me to stay with you so I'm stuck here."

Sasori let out a sigh as Deidara continued to grumble until the door opened, "Manami-san,Hikari, Kurai, welcome back." Sasori said.

Manami smiled and nodded, "Oh? Shiyuu-san? You're back so quickly?"

Everyone could hear two small little gasps.

Shiyuu's red eyes shifted to Hikari and Kurai who were hiding behind Manami trying to avoid Shiyuu.

"Leader-sama stationed me here. Oi! Kurai, Hikari! I won't bite!"

"You might…"Hikari said from behind her Kaa-san.

Shiyuu laughed, "Hikari you're such a funny girl."

"Kaa-san? Can Hikari and I go to our room?" Kurai asked.

Manami frowned, "Hai."

The two children ran up the stairs in a hurry avoiding Shiyuu's eyes.

"Gomen ne, Shiyuu-san. They're still frightened of you."

Shiyuu smiled, "It's fine. I'm not exactly friendly looking, but I'm sure once I meet this 'Sakura' and they see that she's not afraid of me they'll be alright."

"Who said we'd let you meet her, yeah?" Deidara grumbled.

"And why can't I meet someone Deidara?"

Everyone turned around to see Sakura walking in behind Itachi.

"Sakura-chan!" Deidara said as he rushed out of his seat and hugged Sakura while ignoring the slight glare he was receiving from Itachi.

"Um...Dei…dara…can't….breathe."Sakura said as she tried to inhale air.

"Ah, Gomen, yeah" Deidara said as he put the petite girl down.

Sakura smiled, "So? Who do you forbid me to meet?"

Deidara groaned, "He's annoying, yeah. Almost more than Tobi and I never thought that would be possible, yeah!"

"I'm right here you know."

Sakura looked around Deidara and saw a slightly annoyed man with shoulder length silver hair and piercing red eyes.

He looked…dangerous.

That was Sakura's first thought about the said man. When he took a step forward towards her she was cautious and wary.

That is, until he smiled at her. It seemed as if his looks did not suit his personality at all.

"I am Nakahara Shiyuu." He said as he bowed and gave Sakura a friendly grin.

Sakura smiled back and bowed in return, "Haruno Sakura."

Shiyuu nodded his head, "So you're the famous Haruno Sakura that Hikari and Kurai love so much."

Sakura laughed, "I am. Ano…where are Hikari and Kurai Manami?"

"In the room on the immediate right upstairs" Manami said.

Sakura nodded, "Will it be alright if I see them?"

"Hai, they've been waiting for you." Manami said.

Sakura smiled and looked at everyone and waved, "Ja ne."

As Shiyuu watched Sakura leave he turned to Deidara, "So that's Sakura,ne?"

Deidara looked at Shiyuu who continued to watch Sakura as she left making Deidara want to hit him for watching her in such a way.

…

In what way exactly?

Deidara rubbed his head and walked outside. There was something about Shiyuu that he didn't like and he didn't know what it was.

Sure he was a decent guy. He had more manners than anyone else in the Akatsuki. He was nice to almost everyone and no one would even guess he was dangerous once they got to know him. He seemed an all around okay person.

So why was he so unnerving?

Hikari was sitting against the wall hugging her knees, "Kurai-onii-chan…"

Kurai hopped off the bed, Hikari only called him 'Kurai-onii-chan' when she was extremely scared.

"What is it Hikari?"

"There's someone coming."

Kurai ran towards the door and locked it, turned out the lights, and headed back over to his sister and put his hand in his kunai pouch gripping one of the kunai.

"Hikari, activate your Akaruigan."

(A/N: Akaruigan means 'Bright Eye' which is the name of their eye Kekkei Genkai that allows them to see in the dark. Heh, I realized that I never actually told you guys the name ^^')

"Hai."

Both twins activated their Kekkei Genkai and watched the door, waiting for whoever was coming.

As the door slid open Kurai pulled out his kunai and was ready to aim, but he dropped the weapon, he recognized this person.

"Why are the lights off?"

"Sakura-chan!!" both children yelled happily as they deactivated their Akaruigan, ran towards the pink haired kunoichi, and hugged her.

Sakura stumbled backwards as two little forces ran into her.

"Oi! Hikari, Kurai! Can I stand straight please?"

Sakura turned the light on and smiled down at her two favorite (and only) students, "You missed me huh?"

Hikari giggled, "Yep! Kurai did too!"

"N-no I didn't, Hikari!"

Sakura crossed her arms, "Is that so? Well then, I guess I can just leave-"

Kurai gasped and looked at Sakura in horror, "DON'T GO SAKURA-SENSEI!"

Sakura quirked an eyebrow at Kurai who was gripping onto her hand as if his life depended on it.

Sakura knelt down and patted Kurai's head as she chuckled, "Hai hai, I won't leave you two."

Hikari sighed in relief, "Good. Ano…Sakura-chan?"

"What is it, Hikari-chan?"

"Did…did you happen to meet Shiyuu-san?" Hikari said.

Sakura smiled and nodded, "Hai, I did."

"W-what did you think of him?" Kurai asked.

"I thought he looked scary at first, but he seems rather nice." Sakura said and looked down at the two children.

"Why?"

Hikari and Kurai groaned, "Not you too, Sakura-chan!"

Sakura furrowed her eyebrows, "What do you mean?"

"Sakura-sensei," Kurai said, "Hikari and I think he's…not good."

"What do you mean? You think he's an enemy?" Sakura asked.

Hikari nodded her head.

"Why do you two think that?" Sakura said confused.

"He…acts nice but…we can just feel it that he's not one of us." Kurai answered.

Sakura smiled, "I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding, alright?"

"…okay" The twins answered.

Sakura stood up and clasped her hands together, "Your Kaa-san told me to make sure that when I was done talking to the both of you that you two would go straight to bed, alright?"

The two children nodded, "Hai Sakura-chan."

Sakura walked to the door and turned out the light, "Good night you two!"

"'Night Sakura-chan!"

And with that, Sakura shut the door.

"No way, yeah!" Deidara said as he slammed his fists on the table.

"Look, they're not my orders Deidara. They're Leader-sama's." Shiyuu said.

"But…she can't be one of us! Sakura-chan…she's too innocent for this kind of organization, yeah!"

"Why not? Kitten can beat the hell out of anyone of us if she tried Deidara."

Shiyuu looked at Kisame a bit perplexed, "Kitten? What is she Kisame you're pet?"

Kisame smirked, "Actually she's-"

"Leader-sama actually requested this, Shiyuu?" Sasori said and then turned to Itachi, "Were you aware of this Itachi?"

Itachi gave a curt nod.

Tobi jumped out of his seat, "Yay! Maybe Tobi can be Sakura-chan's partner instead of Deidara-senpai's! Deidara-senpai always tries to hurt me."

"That's because you're annoying-yeah!"

Tobi waved his arms frantically, "Why Deidara-senpai?! Tobi's a good boy!"

"Should we inform her now or later?" Shiyuu asked.

"Sakura-san just came back. It may be too overwhelming for her since it is so sudden."

"What's too sudden?" Sakura said as she walked in.

Shiyuu smirked at Deidara, "Well, guess we could ask her now then."

Sakura looked confused, "Ask me what?"

Deidara groaned in annoyance. It wasn't that he didn't want Sakura in the Akatsuki. He thought he'd rather enjoy it. He just couldn't see someone as innocent as her involved with a group of S-Class criminals.

Shiyuu turned around in his chair and rested his chin on his hand, "How do you feel about joining Akatsuki, Haruno-san?"

Everyone watched as Sakura's body stiffened, "What?"

"Oi! Teme!"

Sasuke stirred in his sleep and threw his pillow at the intruding blonde.

"Dobe."

"TEME! DON'T CALL ME THAT!"

"Dobe why are you here?"

"Kakashi-sensei wants you to practice with us."

"Us?"

"You know, Sai, Yamato, Kakashi, and myself of course! Geez Teme, you're a bit slow in the morning."

"What time did he say we were practicing?"

"8:50"

"What time is it now?"

"9:50, so we have about another hour until he's actually there. So since you're already awake you can come to Ichiraku with me and Sai!"

"Hn. "

"Teme you're such a bastard."

Why was Narand practically slept the days away, so why the sudden change of attitude?

"Why are you in such a good mood, dobe."

Naruto sat at the window and grinned, "Tsunade-baa-chan's decided that when she steps down from being Hokage, I'll take her place."

Sasuke sat up and just stared at Naruto, "She named you Rokudaime?"(A/N: Rokudaime=6th hokage children :D)

Naruto's grin grew wider, "Yup! But…It's not really as I expected it to be you know? I had always thought that when I got the news I'd rush and tell you that you're a bastard and you were wrong about me not becoming Hokage and then I'd run over to Sakura-chan's place and barge in and then she'd punch me flying outside and then I'd explain to her that I was named Rokudaime and we'd all go out for Ramen."

Naruto looked at Sasuke, "Pretty dumb right?"

Sasuke ran a hand through his hair, "Dobe."

Naruto threw the pillow Sasuke had thrown at him earlier, "Teme just get dressed at meet us at Ichiraku's!"

"Tch. Whatever." Sasuke stood up and walked over to his dresser and pulled out his training clothes.

Naruto turned around and stood on the window ledge and turned his head towards Sasuke, "Hey…Teme? Are you still mad at Sakura because she stayed with…you know."

Sasuke paused as he was changing his shirt and thought back to his fight with Sakura. She guarded Itachi. Saved his life even when he felt that he didn't even have the right to live.

"Hn."

Naruto rolled his eyes, "Ja ne."

Sasuke pulled his shirt over his head and thought about what Naruto had said. He was still mad at Sakura. He was furious. But…she had learned to forgive him in the end. But now if he was asked to forgive Sakura, the question was…

Would he?

A/N: Woot! Prologue is done! Now to do chapter one -_-. I have a huge paper coming up. I have to do that and I'm sick. I have the stupid flu that's kicking my ass right now….curse you stupid bacteria!!

So I'm feeling a bit under the weather. Ha. THAT'S an understatement.

Ugh I have so many stories I want to put on here but I don't think I can handle multiple story updating and all.

First there's 'No mans Land' I honestly want to see how well that one would go, and then Love and Betrayal, its angsty but its plot is confusing and amazing(or so Bowbow tells me xD), Hatsukoi(one dedicated and made for my wonderful editor 3)and then I have 3 one-shots I need to finish and I have to brainstorm for sequels to Trick or Treat(it was requested and im such a nice person I cant turn people down -_-'), and the sequel for Tadase's the Jealous type. I honestly have no idea for the last one. I really need to update Hyuuga Family Portrait too…GRR I love writing so much but sometimes my ideas get the best of me.

Please pray for me! I am getting very stressed lately and its so not good for me. \/._.\/

Anyhow, thank you to my dear editor Butterbiscuits72 and all my readers!

Please leave reviews in the form of soup :)

Ummm Michi? Any words?

Mic: Her voice sounds hilarious. She can barely talk. It's like a dream come true

Takara:-hits michi- Urusai baka!

Ja ne!

Takara Makoto