I, will always respect and miss Chester Bennington. My hero and idol...
Pulled me out of some hard times, depression, anger issues and aggressive behavior... Some of the crap I went through...

Rest in Peace, Buddy.

Somehow, knowing that Sakura was more stronger, smarter and faster than her did not put Izumi down. In fact it made her want to defeat the pink haired girl even more and get back Itachi for herself.

She was planning to attack again, despite the warning she got, Izumi Uchiha didn't fear any one.

Boy, she haven't seen anything yet.

Was today pick on Tsurumi day?.

That was the question going through said girls head, she swatted Kisame on his arm as he ruffled her hair, and whined in protest ad he started to follow her.

Sakura was enjoying this in particular, Tsurumi may not remember, but today Is her birthday, and it seems that the girl had indeed forgotten.
No problem, she had Kisame and Hidan distracting her so she and the girls could finish the preparations.

"Cake?." Ino asked.

"Check, two of them." Hinata said.
"Why though?."

Sasori who was seated next to her pulled her onto his lap.
"Simple." He drawled.
"I'm going to smash her face in one, while the other is to eat."

"Nii-chan." Sai said in a whine.

"Shush Sai, consider it a welcome into the family kinda thing."

Hinata laughed as Sai pouted. At least Sasori was accepting Tsurumi as his soon to be girlfriend.

Sakura rolled her eyes at her idiotic brothers as she and Temari hanged the balloons, while TenTen and Konan, with Yukina and Nanami helping with the food.

"A few more minutes and I'll go get her." Sakura said.
"Be ready peeps.".

Kiba, who had a grin on his face, high fived Sasori as they took their places.

And as soon as Tsurumi walked in, they all jumped out, causing the girl to yelp then laugh, a smile so beautiful as tears leaked out of her eyes, this was the best!

The party was a success to say at least. Sasori made full on his promise, smashing Tsurumi's head into the cake, and laughed as she rubbed some on his cheeks to

Sakura grinned at a cake covered Tsurumi when A glint caught her eye, and Sakura moved without thinking, and slid in front of Tsurumi as a bullet was suddenly ripped through her shoulder and side, warm blood splattering on Tsurumi as her eyes widen, she let out a scream as Sakura began to fall forward.

" Sakura!. " several voices shouted. And Itachi raced forward to catch his wife before she slumped to the ground.

"Baaka." Konan grumbled.
"Why didn't you say something."

"Someone has to be on guard, " Sakura rasped.
"I didn't want to ruined the day."

"Sasori." Itachi stated.

"On it." With that he teleported out of the room, as they all crowded Sakura.

"You're gonna be fine Sak." Sai said as he kissed her head, petting his little sisters hair as Itachi held her and as Konan and Ino worked on healing the wounds.

"I'm sorry." Tsurumi cried, falling besides her.
" that was probably for me."

"Its fine." Itachi said, swiping Sakura's hair back as her eyes began to droop.
"It's a natural rule once you join the Akatsuki.. Once you have been accepted, we let no one of our own get hurt, if we could help it."

"Sakura saw it coming before any of us did." Pein said, bending down to pick the pink haired girl up and allow Itachi to get up.
"And she acted upon it before us." He said, handing Itachi his slumbering wife, his eyes soft as he was his sister sleep.

"She's healed, just need to rest." Konan Said.

"How much more suffering does Sakura has to take before this is all over?" TenTen asked, fist clenched tightly.

Deidara kissed her temple.
"I don't know love, but we will be here every step of the way."

Sasori came back, dragging a man dressed in black, ty and ichiru behind him, carrying bags and a gun was visible.

" he came prepared, thought he could escape, but ichiru caught him in the back of his head before he could escape." Sasori said, jaw clenched.
"How is she?."

"Sleeping, She'll be fine." Temari said.
"So who is this fucker?." She wanted to kick his ass now.
But Pein and Yukina were holding onto her a little to tightly.

"Kensei Fujiwa..." Tsurumi whispered.
"My fathers bodyguard."

"Hmm, so the son of a bitch hasn't learned his lesson yet huh?." TenTen cracked her knuckles, stepping forward to grab the man by his hair and wrench his face upwards.
" bitch got her good too." She mumbled.

"Put him in one of the holding cells." Madara said, his voice hard and arms crossed.
"We are going to question him tomorrow as soon as he wakes up.."

And he was damn serious about it.

Sakura groaned as her eyes peeled open the next morning, crust to the sides and her eyelids still heavy.
She rubbed the crust out of her eyes and turned her head to the side, blinking as she spotted Itachi on his back, his head face the other side, she watched as his chest raised and fell with his breathing.

Her gaze wondered to her bandaged shoulder and could feel some on her sides, why does this always happen to her?.

"Ohayo." Hinata said quietly, stepping into the room with a tray on steaming soup and a cup of orange juice.

"Ohayo Hinata." Sakura smiled.
"Is it that late?."

"Just a bit after ten, want some help in the bath."

Sakura nodded, slowly sliding out of bed and allowed Hinata to help her get ready for the day. Hinata left her to get ready and bid her bye as she slipped out the door.

Sakura was on the process of putting on her bra when she twisted her shoulder and the pain bloomed
She forgotten about the injuries.

"Damn!." She was about to call for Hinata or any of the girls, when a pair of warm hands, slid across her skin, grabbed both sides of the garment and clipped it on smoothly.

"There." Itachi said softly, kissing her temple, as he let his fingertips brush against the scar on her back.
"I'll help."

He slid her shirt on, careful of her sides.
"There, finished."

She smiled up at him, they were married, no need to hide from each other.
"Thanks Tachi." He kissed her softly before heading for his own shower. .

Sakura started downstairs, everyone fussed over her, making her feel warm and loved.

"We still have Izumi to deal with though." TenTen commented.

"Yea, let's not forget about her, she's been lurking around school a bit lately." Yukina said...

"Let's not worry about her now, when we're ready for her, Izumi will get what's coming to her." Madara said.

Ain't that a statement?.

Now it was time to take matters Into her own hands, Sakura decided, she had her family, her friends and everyone she loved on her side, and now it was time for action, ask questions later.

Starting with that man in the cells of the basement.