Ballet For The Shinobi

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto!

Thank you so much everyone for reviewing my odd story! I've had it in my head for a while, and refused to write it until a friend convinced me complaining I read fanfics too much (which is true). Enjoy the second chapter! Sorry for it being so late. I blame Cabal and writer's block, mainly Cabal.


Chapter 2 – Scripts and Interrupted Practice

It was a week after the Peach Blossom Festival, and everyone was busy cleaning up after Deidara's explosions. True to his words, the shape from above looked like the cloud patched onto the Akatsuki cloaks. By luck, no one got hurt, and the only damages done were parks, abandoned buildings needing to be torn down, streets and ally ways with some in the fair grounds. Tsunade, grudgingly, set to work clearing up paperwork (with a bottle or two of sake at the side) to quicken the building process permits and such.

“Tsunade-sama! I found it!” Shizune yelled, rushing into the Hokage's office with a pale yellow folder in her hand.

“'Bout time. Hand it here,” Tsunade demanded, taking the file. Without a word she opened it, and glanced down the information. “Go find Naruto-san and Kakashi-san. They need to know about this.”

“Yes Tsunade-sama.” Shizune turned to locate the two remaining members of Team 7, but it seems they did her job for her. Naruto and Kakashi stood in the entrance, a stern look on their faces. They had originally come up to see if there was any news about Sakura, and it seems they arrived just in time.

“What is it Tsunade-sama?” Kakashi asked. From what Naruto had told him he was afraid to really know if Sakura had indeed joined Akatsuki.

“After Sakura's performance Shizune-chan and I spoke with her manager who was actually their main target,” the Hokage began, bringing her hands together on top of the desk. “His name was Kinsu Iyashinbo, a slave trader. Apparently he got into some bad business with Akatsuki, and they wanted him dead. If what we have collected is true then Deidara and Sakura were the ones assigned to kill him. Mr. Kinsu always had heavy security with him wherever he went until he came here figuring he was safe with all the experienced ninja around. He gladly informed Shizune-chan and myself that he had 'discovered' her with a blond man's help, most likely Deidara, and Sakura was then 'employed'. It was the only way to get close enough to him, and using a hair clip disguised as an explosive caused his death. The question that bugs me is why would Akatsuki assign Sakura to kill him if they knew he would travel to Konoha?”

“Wave candy in front of a child, and they're sure to try and grab it,” Kakashi answered simply.

“Or maybe they didn't know,” Shizune added.

“Either way Mr. Kinsu is dead, but at least we know Sakura is alive. Once the Council hears of this they'll want to put her in the bingo book,” Tsunade said.

“What if she's held against her will?!” Naruto shouted, speaking for the first time since they entered. “The Sakura we know wouldn't betray--”

“I'm not the Sakura you knew Naruto! I've changed. My alliance is no longer with Konoha.”

Her words echoed in Naruto's mind as a sadden look cast over his face for a moment before turning into one of determination.

“We gotta get her back. Sakura and Sasuke both so we can reunite Team 7!” Naruto's energy and sudden encouragement brought a smile onto everyone's face.

“And how do you propose we do that?” Kakashi playfully asked.

“We beat their asses and drag 'em back here. Believe it!”

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It was one of those rare days where the sun was shining, the breeze was cool, and it seemed no evil could be cast. Well, that last part was partly true. Out somewhere along the border of Rain Country sat Deidara, Sakura and Tobi. They had reported to Leader-sama that early morning and dismissed them. Without any assignments or duties at the moment the three decided to relax for the day, and if they were needed Zetsu could locate them easily. It had taken maybe an hour before they reached the border where a large clearing laid with a medium size lake. Deidara and Tobi were resting underneath an oak tree watching Sakura practice ballet.

“I don't see why you do that everyday yeah,” Deidara yawned out. Sakura was dancing on the surface of the lake performing fouetté rond de jambe en tournant repeatedly. How many times she'd lost count, but it was well over fifty, more than the average ballerina could do. She stopped, bent her legs then leaped up into the air like she had done last night with Kakashi as her partner. He had done a magnificent job although it was her controlling his movements. When she had first been assigned to be Deidara's partner Sasori's old room became hers still containing his odd puppet parts and books; in one of them gave the instructions of how to control a person combining with her knowledge of the human body gave her plenty to work with. Sakura plunged into the lake's depth, her eyes closed as the water engulfed her willingly. It was the only place she could be without anybody watching her, judging her; a place where she could for a moment be by herself without those wandering eyes peering at her with that smirk. Slowly, unwantingly, unwillingly, she rose up, face first, into the outer world.

Sakura floated around some, staring at the passing clouds with little interest.

“If you take a one-day break from ballet, you will know it. If you take a two-day break the others will know it. If you take a one-week break, your audience will know it . . . Thus everyday of practice is important,” Sakura finally replied. Since her hair was up in a messy bun it wasn't laid out everywhere coasting along her practice outfit; fishnet shirt, short-sleeve crop top, slightly baggy pants with slippers – all black. On her right leg was the regular shinobi pouch containing sharp and point-e objects.

“Whatever, yeah.”

“Deidara-sempai wishes he was a ballerina in a pretty tutu!” Tobi exclaimed happily.

“I do not you idiot!” Deidara proceeded to choke Tobi, but one of his hidden ant bombs went off not to far off. “You stupid idiot! If you hadn't distracted me with your nonsense I could have sensed our enemy or enemies earlier!”

“It's Deidara-sempai's fault . . .”

“Is not you stupid idiot, yeah!”

Sakura wasn't in the least concerned about the enemy, and continued what she was doing before – staring at the clouds. A butterfly fluttered above her before landing on the tip of her nose. She smiled and giggled causing the insect to take flight again. What also caused the poor thing to fly away was the presence of evil.

“It's been awhile Sasuke-san,” Sakura simply said, not caring that her former teammate was standing two feet away from her.

“I heard rumors of a pink-headed ballerina killing Kinsu Iyashinbo, and flying off on an ugly bird,” he spoke emotionless (typical Sasuke).

“Whose bird are you calling ugly! I'll blow your ass up, yeah!” Deidara shouted from across the lake. The two former Konoha shinobi ignored him.

“And if they are?” No words needed to be exchanged as the mutual understanding was clear. Sakura performed a back flip just as Sasuke landed a punch where she once laid.

“Let's see those ballerina skills put to the test.”

Sakura instantly went into en pointe position, gracefully leaping to the side as Sasuke attempted to land a blow, but missed every time until he finally landed on one her right cheek. The blow caused Sakura to nearly fly into a tree, but before that happened she landed sideways on it and leaped from it. The tree just happened to be the one Deidara and Tobi were underneath as it fell backwards behind them.

“Shit yeah? We trained her well,” Deidara commented, mainly to himself. Tobi nodded in agreement.

Sakura came back full force at Sasuke, taking out three kunai and threw them at him, and he dodged them. Not surprising. She landed upon the lake's surface, and charged at him with a fist charged with intense chakra. Instead of Sasuke she punched the ground causing the energy to spread to the edges of the lake forcing the water high up into the air blocking any view of the fight.

“Sakura-chan. Why are you in the Akatsuki? It's unlike you,” Sasuke questioned. Sakura's face was marred with anger.

“What the hell do you know Sasuke-san? You left Konoha eleven years ago leaving Team 7 in shambles. Do you even know the damage you caused you selfish bastard?” Sakura shouted. He had no right to criticize her. “I hope Naruto drags your ass back to Konoha after a good beating.”

“What has happened to you?” Sasuke said absentmindedly. Sakura didn't answer. When the water settled down he began to walk away, the fight left as discontinued. Sakura headed towards her companions without another glance at Sasuke.

“So, who won?” Tobi asked, but Deidara shushed him. Sakura was angry, and that wasn't good since her inhuman strength could easily kill them. Deidara made a note to talk to her later about it.


“If you take a one-day break from ballet, you will know it. If you take a two-day break the others will know it. If you take a one-week break, your audience will know it . . . Thus everyday of practice is important.” - Neko-sensei (Mr. Cat), Princess Tutu

In case you haven't figured it out, Princess Tutu has encouraged me to write this lol

P.S. I suck at fight scenes. Took me forever to think of a decent one (if it can be called that).