I'm baaaaack!!
Rai: Me too!!!!
Yaaaay!!! Anyway here is the much anticipated sequel to Silent Storm. If you haven't read the first one then I would advise you to do so or you may get a little confused. This is an OC story so if you complain and don't like it then GOOD for you! Keep it to yourself!
As for my awesomely AWESOME reviewers! This one's for you!!
Disclaimer… The OC's are mine… nothing more or less.
There was no logical reasoning behind this. None at all. Why in all seven hells did he ever agree to such a thing as this? Curiosity… Foolish emotion. Though he had nothing to worry about, that didn't mean he didn't like it. He had rightfully taken what was his from these people and needed nothing more from them. Not the Village, not the Hokage and not the nine-tailed fox…Not anymore that is. So why was it that he agreed to this meeting here in the middle of the forest to discuss anything with them? Like he said before, there was no logical reasoning behind this.
To his right stood a silent kunoichi with her blue locks pulled to a tight bun. Her features were soft as they always were but still had that threatening gleam that clashed with her milky complexion. She stayed focus at the few shinobi before her that she had the pleasure, or rather displeasure, of allying with momentarily nearly two month's prior. She looked to her left at Pein who stared piercingly at the blonde before him with crimson cloak and black flames at the end of the material; Hokage's attire no doubt. Seeing the clearing was absent of any busty blonde, he only assumed that this boy was now given the title of Konohagakure's leader.
"Granny Tsunade was killed," the boy said to break the tense silence as if knowing that was what was on the ruthless shinobi's mind. "That's part of the reason we asked to meet with you on parlay terms."
"I care not for your incompetence to stay alive. Even less about your village," he said coldly. After what they had done to what belonged to him, he had no sympathy.
The nine-tailed fox glared at him. "We aren't here to get your unwanted sympathy. I…I need closure and if this is what everyone in the village thinks it is then I want to find some level ground with Akatsuki."
"Ally again?" Konan asked in a dangerous low tone. "Only a fool's hope. Don't expect anything from us."
"The village was attacked the day after Rai was taken," said a new voice just left of Naruto. Pein had tried to avoid contact with this man, knowing that it wouldn't do any good to acknowledge him. Kakashi continued. "We suffered countless losses, one being Lady Tsunade, and are now making repairs although we want to know what you would know of it."
At this Pein wanted to give a wry chuckle. Where they really this thick? He didn't want anything to do with them. "I only wanted to retrieve Rai. If you think that I would want your Fox demon then here's a reality check. There are other ways to find the peace I desire. Demon's are of no concern of mine."
"Mhmm…" Kakashi nodded in agreement.
"I'll believe that," Naruto said. This earned him a confused tossed glance by Konan.
"Then why would you suspect we had anything to do with it if you would easily believe what we said?"
"We just wanted to hear it from you," Itachi explained right behind Naruto.
Pein didn't even spare him a glance. He had no use for traitors. "So get to the point of this."
"There was an attack-"
"Yes, we've clarified that."
Naruto could feel his own patience running thin but he wasn't foolish enough to talk against the Leader of Akatsuki. "It was a man that attacked with only three others under his command. The three followers died, but that's not important. What is important is that this man… rivaled your own strength, nearly burning Konoha completely to the ground." He watched during a slight pause as Pein's eyes narrowed offensively at the thought of anyone being on his same level of skill. "The man was looking for Rai and nearly tipped Konoha over just to find her. According to one of his followers that were alive for a short time afterwards, they were from Demon Country and had heard of Rai being trialed for execution… They had come to get her like you had…" Naruto paused to let that sink in.
Pein visibly bristled at the thought of some other man looking for Rai. Who was he to claim what wasn't his? The man, whoever he was, would pay dearly. The Rinnegan wielder could feel his blood boiling under his skin and all he saw was a flash of red before he took a deep breath. In, out. In, out. The need to feel this man's organs burst under his chakra would have to wait…. A little longer. "Are you sure he was after Rai and not the fox?"
"Yes," Itachi answered. "I can only assume it wasn't to just make a point across."
"….She is safe with Akatsuki." Pein said more to himself then the men in front of him. He turned to start walking away but was stopped by Kakashi's call.
"But that's not the reason we asked for this meeting." Kakashi watched as Pein turned back to face them but made no other move. "We want to eliminate this man if his goals are the same as Madara's. He'll look everywhere for Rai now that he knows she's alive. Villages will be in danger and if he attacks like he did with Konoha then a war will surely break out. You wouldn't want that…"
Pein was aware that Kakashi was trying to play the "peace" card, but as far as Pein was concerned, this was not a well thought-through reason. Another Madara, huh? That in itself was a decent reason. He refused to have another incident with Rai like the last time. And if this man was a threat then surely they would have to kill him soon. "And you suspect that he wants Rai because he wants to use her?"
"That's what we suspect."
Pein looked to Konan who stared back intently. She didn't like this news. But Pein had another remedy. Turning back to the men he started, "Her bloodline is only able to be controlled by the Sharringan. I doubt Itachi would switch to this man's side……" He slate grey eye's turned to the said Uchiha. "….but I've been wrong before."
There was a thick silence that blanketed around them snuggly, making the air stick to their lungs before Naruto cleared his throat. "But…before the demon-ninja died, he told us that they had made allies themselves…. Orochimaru and Uchiha Sasuke."
The Uchiha brat? Pein's eyes narrowed. He had failed to kill him the first few times, but the kid wouldn't get away with a breath in his lungs a third time. Snakes, he scoffed inwardly. To hell with the slimy bastards.
"I need your help," Naruto said as he stepped forward. "Konoha needs your help. This seems like the last threat and if we want everything to stay as it is we need to kill this man… or Rai. And I don't want to kill Rai."
Pein said nothing.
"Konoha needs your help. We probably don't deserve anything and shouldn't be asking but everyone makes mistakes, right?" he grinned to try and lighten the air with his hand scratching the back of his neck. Kakashi watched Naruto sadly, clearly impressed with how Naruto had matured in such a short time. The death of Tsunade had really affected him.
"So you want help to kill this man and that is it?" Konan clarified.
"Yes…"
"Very well," Pein said stoically. "I'll think about it and send word by tomorrow."
"Thank you," Naruto said with a nod of his head and sudden relief spreading through his tired body.
Pein was at least interested in killing this man, but the thought of siding with Konoha again was something he wasn't truly into. The thought alone made him want to shy away from it like a wolf with his teeth bared, but he knew he needed to suck in his pride for this one. Rai was again going to be hunted down as a weapon and he wouldn't lose her again. Not a chance in this world. With this he was almost to agree with Naruto right then and there, but chose not to. Tomorrow when he told them he would agree then he would have many plans and agreements made out for them to find their own duties through this kill. He would want information from Konoha and would give the need info in return as well as other things, but he would cover that tonight in his office.
"So we will hear from you tomorrow," Itachi nodded as he watched Pein and Konan.
"Can I ask you something?" Kakashi asked before their good byes were made. Pein only looked to him. Kakashi looked to Konan then to Pein, clearly curious that Rai hadn't come instead of Konan. "Where is Rai at? Is she doing alright?"
An innocent question. He hadn't seen her for a month. Of course he wondered how she was.
Pein though could feel his insides twists in a knot and dread filled him once the realization had made itself known. How could he have forgotten? Rai would be safe in the base….. But she wasn't at the base. She hadn't been there for almost a week. Instead she had gone to Iwa country with Deidara for a mission…. And that wasn't far from Demon country. Shit! Instead Pein said nothing and walked away from the others with Konan at his heels, leaving a confused group of Konoha-nin behind him.
Five Days Before
A week after she arrived at the base while being carried by a man only said to be dead before retrieving her, Rai found herself sitting casually on a leather couch with an arm, not her own, draped across her shoulders. Leaning back with a content sigh, she felt the fingers curl around her shoulder comfortingly. The said arm was attached to a grinning blonde with cerulean blue eyes sparkling mischievously at the man sitting across from him. Rai smiled while she listened as Kisame and Deidara chatted and schemed animatedly about the two victims returning from a mission today. Of course none of the other members were interested in tricking the two returning ninja but that just left the planning for two open minds to have less… limitations. For the victims of any scheme, that wasn't a good thing.
"I'm telling ya that Hidan will piss his pants!" Kisame laughed while slapping his knee.
However in Kami's name it was possible, Deidara's grin grew, crookedly of course. "But I have something better…"
The secret weapon of their plan laughed to herself. Since the day she and Pein had retuned, Deidara and Kisame had not left her side. She only expected it to be as such once Hidan and Kakuzu got back, none the less, she didn't mind. Deidara was much like a brother; their troublemaking minds nearly inseparable once it came to plans. Kisame wasn't far from that. Together the three kicked ass and asked questions later; or so it as to the white haired kunoichi. It wasn't jut the three, however. Three's a crowd, but four's a party. Hidan- though crude and violent- treated Rai like a sister but it was still a mystery as to why that was. Then again it wasn't in Rai's nature to ask questions; which was the main reason why she took part in this trick. It was a little twisted, but if anyone would be called out as the next sacrifices to Jashin, it sure as hell wouldn't be her- leaving only Deidara and Kisame. Kakuzu wouldn't react to it or so she told herself. As far as they knew about the entire ordeal, she had met her execution date with Konoha and was currently six feet under ground. "We'll meet him at the front door with Rai and then tell him that when he was gone, you and I went and saved her, un!" Dediara continued.
Kisame pondered for a moment or two before a wide grin curled his lips. This being a clear sign to Rai, she merely raised an eyebrow skeptically, while waiting for the answer she knew was sure to follow.
"That's perfect!"
"You two are suicidal," Rai commented humorously, though it was already more then clear.
"It's not a bad trait," Kisame shrugged and leaned back into his chair.
"Yeah. If it get's a reaction then go for it, un."
Rai only shook her head at them knowing this plan was a blow to Hidan's ego as well as his pride. Death was surely to come by the end of the day.
Before anything could be finalized, the second kunoichi walked into the room with dark blue hair hanging in wet waves over her shoulders. Her cloak was missing, leaving view of a light pastel grey t-shirt showing she had just come from a shower.
"Morning!" greeted a cheerful Rai.
Konan smiled. "Are you feeling better?"
Since the three days when Pein had carried the unconscious Rai back to the base, she had slowly regained her strength. Her hollow cheeks were full and her ribs had filled out with her natural tan painting over the paleness. Still she was weak, but overall she felt like she could take on any mission. "Good as new," she replied it her own smile.
Konan gave a please nod and responded, "I'm glad to hear it." Turning her attention to the blonde, she shyly looked down then back to the cerulean eyes. "Can I talk to you alone?"
Dediara blinked, wondering what was wrong with his kunoichi before he unraveled his arm from Rai's shoulder and walked over to Konan's side. "What's wrong, yeah?"
She only shook her head- a clear sign that told him "not now". Turning out of the room and down the hall, Dediara followed patiently with thoughts running through scenarios of if he did something wrong, if he forgot her birthday and many others… What could have her so down about something?
"What was that all about?" Rai asked the equally confused Kisame.
Kisame only shrugged and leaned back in his chair. Seeing as he wasn't worried about it she only felt there was no reason for her to be as well. Enjoying the silence that settled in the living room, she closed her eyes and breathed in content. It had become a habit. A relaxing habit that she hated, but couldn't seem to get rid of. Silence meant that she was alone and alone meant no more tormenting enemy. At first the silence frightened her, making her feel suffocated and hunted… But being held prisoner for nearly a fortnight broke her of the fear and replaced it with something worse. The dark.
Sure it may sound silly and childish, but it was no joke to Chigiri Rai. Darkness meant she couldn't see her enemy or attacker- yes there was a difference. It was a question of what kind of demons hid shrouded in darkness and how sharp were their claws…
"So what is between you and Leader-sama?" Kisame questioned curiously.
Confusion showed in her furrowed brows. "What do you mean?"
"Well, it's probably not my business but I've been wanting to know for a while now." That had he made a bet with Kakuzu that they were romantically involved. Not that he cared in any way.
Still Rai wasn't compliant. "That's nice to know but I still don't know what you're talking about."
Kisame couldn't help but roll his eyes which Rai frowned at. "I mean are you two bed mates?"
A fine blush tinted her cheeks and her eyes widened. "…the Hell?--"
"I just want to know if you guys are actually together," he interrupted when he saw that he wasn't going to get an answer in returned instead, a question.
Rai opened her mouth to say something before closing it and then opening again, but no sound came out. It was then that her luck switched when Pein walked to the living room and took the seat Deidara had previously taken. Rai smiled devilishly and looked to Kisame with a look clearly screaming, "haha! To bad for you!" The look she got in return was a string of curses under his breath at the timing. Pein stayed oblivious as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her to him. "Feeling better?
"Much," she smiled brightly. Kisame perked up and watched carefully. Maybe they would kiss or have a hot make out session, or even forget he was there and then he could see a nice little show?! With this hopeful thought his eyes bulged as he watched every move they made…. Which was none as they both stared skeptically at his obvious ogling. Pein cleared his throat at the blue ninja's strange behavior, shaking Kisame out of his many images. It was then that the blue turned to a lush magenta against his skin and he got up quickly before leaving. Rai was trying not to smile and was failing miserably.
Kisame though had left, as they had expected, however he would be back……. Oh you could be sure of that!
Pein turned back to Rai with his smile he only showed to her. It was a shame he didn't smile more often. He really was handsome and the piercings never hindered that. In fact in only made it more obvious. "I hope they aren't corrupting my girl," he said in his same deep voice though she could hear the tease. For some reason when he teased her in such a serious voice, it always ended up funnier then intended.
"Well what do you expect? You have a drinking fish man and a homicidal bomber. Bound to be some corruption somewhere."
"Just don't pick up on any habits from Hidan and we won't have any problems," he said while turning back towards the large fireplace.
"I won't be worshipping any God named Jashin," she scoffed.
"You're damn right." Before she could blink, Pein had twisted them around with Rai under him with an "eep!" escaping her lips. Brilliant blue stared up to the shimmering grey only inches from her face. "You only have one God."
"But I don't worship him," she said defiantly in her own low whispered tease.
"Oh?" he asked with a raise of his eyebrows. "Would you follow a command he gave you?"
"Depends…"
"Simple question, Rai."
"…yes. I would."
Pein smirked crookedly and leaned to her neck but didn't touch her with his lips. Instead he inhaled her scent, memorizing it, before breathing out and across her skin. Rai shivered and closed her eyes. "And if he believed in something passionately…. Would you fight for the same beliefs?" His mouth opened and he sucked on the skin of her neck lightly before leaving a trail of butterfly kisses.
"…Yes," she answered shakily, too focused on his warm body flushed against hers and the scent of rain wrapped around them.
"And… What would you do… if he died?" came his question between kisses before he took the lobe of her ear into his mouth.
"I'd… be lost."
He released her ear and chuckled, shaking Rai from her state. Confused she looked to him to see what was so funny as he sat up just enough to see her face. "You see? That's worship."
Realizing what he meant she scowled. "No. That was a trick!"
"Really?" He leaned forward. "But you sounded so passionate about it." And just like that his lips were on hers that she immediately responded to while wrapping her arms around his neck. Even with his many piercings he was a very gentle kisser, yet very dominant. She found no room to complain. She didn't like to take charge unless it was on the battle field. Not to mention that any logical thought of fighting back was thrown out the window whenever she was around him. Her sanity shortly followed whenever he kissed her.
She could feel his hands on her waist before one began to travel up but her mind was too foggy to pay attention once he deepened the kiss. Her own hand moved up to the nape of his neck and into his orange locks while he growled in satisfaction. Rai smirked against his lips and took a few shaky breaths before the started again with her other hand wandering under his shirt, and welcomed by the flexing of his smooth muscles just under his flawless skin.
Pein had begun to untie her white hair from the low braid when a sudden flash ruptured the room and both froze. Rai's right eye twitched as Pein pulled back quickly with a kunai in hand. She knew what that flash was and she was pissed. It was suddenly clear that Pein recognized it as well once his eyes fell onto Kisame peeking over the back of the couch with a camera in hand and face contorted in a "Oh shit!" expression.
"Oh shit" is right…Rai thought dryly as Pein returned to the ruthless leader once again and stared down at Kisame who seemed to shrink back. Before either could blink Kisame had disappeared behind the hallway and taken off, only leaving dust in his presence. This left only silence as both fumed at the nerve of the Mist-nin. There would be hell to pay and the retribution would commence by two angry members of Akatsuki. "I'll be back later," Pein said quietly in his deep velvet like voice before walking out of the living room.
Rai grinned wickedly and straightened her shirt out. She could see it all now:
Everyone sitting at a table, ready to eat. Of course they would all dig in right away seeing as manners weren't an issue. All of them would love the food and hmm to themselves before one of them asked Pein about it.
"Leader-sama. What is this? It's really good, un," Deidara would smile.
"Just a special blend of a few things lying around the base."
"Really? I don't ever remember buying fish," Kakuzu would only reply.
"Psh. This fish is fucking great! Great flavor and fucking good texture! Tender too!"
"Yes. I agree," Pein reply.
"Hey….." Konan would look around the table. "Where's Kisame? I haven't seen him since this morning."
Perfect diabolical plan!!!
Deidara followed Konan to the bedroom where he closed the door, not wanting anyone to hear her lecturing him. She had yet to do so but Hidan said all women do it at some point. Then again…Why was he taking relationship lessons from Hidan of all people? Hidan always ended up killing his women.
Deidara shrugged it off and walked to where Konan sat on the edge of the bed. "Everything ok?"
She looked long and hard to the ground and he could feel his dread that there was something terribly wrong. It couldn't be his fault… right?
"Do you promise….I'm just scared is all…." She started slowly.
Deidara's brows furrowed deeply and he kneeled before her while taking a hand that was in her lap. "What's the matter? You know you can tell me, un." Her eyes were on the verge of tears and she could barely stare back to his cerulean blue before it was too much and she turned away.
"It's just… I don't want you to be angry…."
Deidara was at the end of his rope and nearly panicking though not an ounce of it showed on the outside. What did he do? He had never comforted a woman before! Kami! What was he getting into?! Whores, and prostitutes…. Yeah those he could handle… He was forced to handle to relieve his own sexual tension but this? A relationship? If Sasori was alive now he would be laughing his head off… literally.
"I'm... Remember the night before Rai was captured?" she started.
Deidara grinned remembering the wild night and nodded.
She continued. "Well….Um… I wasn't feeling well a few weeks ago and hadn't been getting better. I didn't think it was anything to worry about, but Zetsu and Pein told me that I needed to check into it."
The grin had long since disappeared and worry stretched across his flawless features. "Are you still sick, yeah? I know that if we need a medic we can kidnap that pink haired girl—"
"No, Dei, I'm not sick…." She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "I'm pregnant."
His heart had to have stopped and the world froze. Pregnant? Did he hear right? Pregnant? That couldn't be…. It just couldn't…. but it was!
After only hearing silence and the grip on her hand had tightened, she braved a look to Deidara to see what she expected to be anger. All she met was complete shock and overwhelming emotions whirling behind the vibrant blue like a whirl pool. "Dei… At least say something…" she nudged.
And with that, the explosion happened. She was suddenly lifted into the air by two strong arms in a tight embrace while he spun a circle and let the startled kunoichi down to the ground before cupping her face and kissing her deeply. "We're having a baby! It's a baby! I'm going to be a father, yeah!"
All previous fear suddenly lifted off of her shoulders at Deidara's cheering and passionate butterfly kisses. She hadn't expected him to be so proud and enthusiastic no matter what Pein had told her. Then again Pein was a man himself and when she told him she got a much more Pein-like reaction though happy and pleased all the same. "We'll set up his own room with us and take him everywhere! Maybe he'll have your hair, yeah! Maybe it'll be a girl!.....OH I hope not, yeah! I don't think I can handle a teenager girl, un!"
Konan only smiled happily. "Pein has already said that I can't go on missions if I'm already two months into pregnancy-"
"Two months, un?" he asked in wide eyes.
"I was going to tell you sooner, but with everything happening I got side tracked… and I wasn't sure how you would react."
"Well Leader-sama's right! You can't go out on any other missions, un."
"That's why he told me to tell you that you have a mission in Iwagakure. If I can't go you have to take someone else with you."
Deidara nodded. "I'll take Rai. She hasn't been out in a while."
It sounded simple enough…
BAM! What a way to start off, ne? Haha let's see where this story goes? I'll me honest that I have a small idea but that's, it meaning that if you have ANY suggestions or ideas then let me know!!!