Disclaimer: Sadly today isn't "Opposites Day" otherwise I could get away with saying that I own Naruto. XD.

A happy author is a hardworking author so if u really want me to update this series regularly I advice you read and review.

Akatsuki Chronicles: Companion.

Although everyone else saw her and Pein as companions Konan didn't really feel comfortable classifying them as such. Sure they had very similar ideologies but that was as far as their similarities went. It is only natural that two Amegakure orphans would grow up to become pacifists. But while he believed in achieving peace through force she believed—or rather preferred—peaceful negotiations. Where he was dominant and unwilling to share power—Madara Uchiha being the only exception—she was docile and shunned leadership roles and all the power and responsibility that came with it. In short they were as different as two people got.

When two opposing forces meet one always gives way for the other. Regrettably whenever she and Pein, as he called himself these days, clashed she almost always was the one who caved in to his demands. In her opinion companions need not necessarily be friendly which each other as long as they respect the other enough to have some degree of tolerance for the other. In her eyes companions were either giving or receiving not simply doing one. Which is why she never could quite understand why people considered she and Pein companions.

Although she would never admit it, there wasn't any difference between her and the other Akatsuki members. Whenever they were at a meeting and Pein spoke she was just as clueless as to what he was going to so say as the other members. Of course it's easy to assume that it was she, the "God's Angel" as she was called, who the mysterious leader confided in and listened to. It amused her to no end to know that people thought that she asserted some sort of control over her stone-faced partner. Sure she had known him almost all her life, and sure she could read him more than others but what good was it when he still refused to open up to her.

There are days like these when Konan just sits by herself musing over the complicated nature of her relationship with the love of her life. She had long since stopped caring whether or not the feeling was mutual. However, that did nothing to alleviate her depression, if anything it only made it worse. As the deafening silence of the hideout rang in her ears her thoughts would immediately shift to the other Akatsuki members. And a small smile would cross her lips as she remembered just how much they improved the overall atmosphere of the hideout. Whenever they were out on whatever mission they had been assigned the hideout would be as quiet as a graveyard only two times gloomier. On the rare occasions that they were all assembled to seal a tailed-beast or just for a meeting, they somehow managed to make the hideout even livelier than a crowded marketplace.

Although she didn't show it she always looked forward to these meetings because not only did they give her a sense of acceptance and belonging but they made her membership very much worthwhile. Konan believes that had it not been for those meetings she would have lost her sanity long ago. Leaving the Akatsuki wasn't an option because regardless of how Pein felt for her—if he felt anything at all—she could never abandon him.

For too long she had been content with simply standing back and watching the other members squabbling and bickering amongst themselves, some louder than others. In a way she envied them for they all had something she was beginning to think she would never have; a companion. While she watched the members rip each other's heads off with words and threats of violence she couldn't help but observe the bonds they all seemed to share with their respective partners; although some were more obvious than others.

A perfect example of the obvious bond between partners was the relationship between Kisame and Itachi. Konan found it ironic how two missing-nins from rival villages could get along so well. Despite their extremely different personalities and age difference they had both somehow managed to establish a relationship based on mutual trust and respect. Anyone who stayed in the same place with the Kiri missing-nin for five minutes would have noticed his obvious violent tendencies and seemingly insatiable bloodlust. Yet he had somehow managed to find a common ground with the peace-loving Konoha prodigy. Konan deeply admired Kisame's ability to put his pride aside and readily obey the Uchiha's orders without delay. In turn the Heir of the Sharingan neither abused his partner's trust nor looked down on him for it. The raven confided in Kisame and always accompanied his orders with an explanation, that way he was never in the dark. As result they rarely ever argued although they might have disagreed with the other's beliefs. They got along so well that in fact they became very close friends. It was hard to imagine them being partnered with anyone other than themselves because their teamwork and productivity was almost flawless.

On the other hand there was Sasori and Deidara who were almost always arguing about something be it art or fighting styles. At first glance it may seem as if they are nothing more than partners who happen to share a common interest; art. Like the other Akatsuki teams Deidara and Sasori had conflicting personalities, although not to the same extent as Hidan and Kakuzu's. However, any fool with two eyes and half a brain could easily see Deidara's respect for Sasori. As the youngest Akatsuki member it was only normal that Deidara would be annoying and attention-seeking at times. But unlike Hidan who was rude, loud, obnoxious, arrogant, foul-mouthed and dim-witted, Deidara was very respectful of those who's 'talents' he appreciated. The fact that Sasori was one of these people came as no surprise seeing as they were both dedicated artists. Deidara's habit of always starting arguments with his impatient partner was proof enough that he respected Sasori enough to constantly seek acknowledgement from him. Konan suspected that an insult directed at Deidara's art would hurt the pyromaniac ten times as much if it came from Sasori's own mouth. She also knew that although Sasori usually seemed impatient with the young Iwa missing-nin he was probably quite fond of the boy deep down inside. After all why would somebody who values his time almost as much as Kakuzu values money spend his time arguing with the blond if he didn't feel that he was worth his time.

Kakuzu and Hidan were particularly different from the other two-man teams. They were the exact opposite of Kisame and Itachi in the sense that they were the most hostile towards each other. To say that Hidan and Kakuzu were as different as two people could be was a colossal understatement. They were more than different they were contradictions of each other. Hidan represented everything the miser despised; he was loud, obnoxious, dim-witted, talkative and extremely stubborn. Similarly Hidan loathed Kakuzu's love of money and his disregard for his religion. But most of all Hidan hated being ignored by Kakuzu. Like Deidara Hidan sought his partner's acknowledgement and approval even though he was far too stubborn to admit it. Hidan could often be seen rambling on and on about anything that popped into that sleek head of his in an attempt to get a rise out of Kakuzu. One could argue that Kakuzu only put up with the Jashinist because he was still yet to find a way to kill said Jashinist. However, Konan usually wondered why the miser ever bothered stitching his foul-mouthed partner back-up whenever he lost a limb in battle. Kakuzu has been known to kill his partners in a fit of rage so abandoning the obnoxious Jashinist in battle definitely wasn't beyond him. Furthermore Hidan has been known to turn to Kakuzu whenever he is faced with a particularly tough opponent, and he often allows the masked missing-nin to plan their battle strategies. Although this could be because he recognizes the older shinobi's prowess and experience in battle.

Then there was Zetsu. Although he inhabited one body nobody could argue that it wasn't inhabited by two separate entities. Thus in a way he was never alone seeing as he always had somebody to argue with—something that seems very commonplace among Akatsuki members. Under the guise of Tobi, Madara easily forces his company on the other members no matter how annoyed they often got at this. Something Konan suspected he enjoys a lot more than he lets on.

So all in all every Akatsuki member had a companion, everyone but her that is. She was tired of being the odd one out; the only female Akatsuki member, the only one who didn't have someone to talk to. Which was why she resolved in her heart to end this loneliness once and for all. If Pein was going to ignore and avoid her fine she would find someone else with whom she could confide in. Preferably someone within the organization. It didn't have to be someone she shares the same beliefs and interests with. Hell it could be Hidan or Zetsu or even Tobi for all she cared. But in order to do this she had to spend some time with the other members and get to know them. See what they're like on the inside. That was going to be a challenge itself seeing as they were never in the same place at once except during the sealing of the tailed-beats.

With the remaining two tailed-beasts proving to be a lot difficult to get than the others, it seemed like they wouldn't be meeting until a long time. Just as Konan let out a disappointed sigh she heard a voice from behind.

"I have summoned the others," came the deep monotonous voice of her orange-haired partner. The speed at which Konan turned to face him caused her to painfully snap her neck. She ignored the throbbing pain in her neck as she fixed the pierced man before her with a searching gaze. Her amber eyes travelled over his handsome features trying to find any hint of his intentions.

Had he felt her depression? If he had had she been that obvious that he had easily figured out her loneliness? If not then why was he calling the meeting and how long would it last?

"They should be here shortly." He said turning to leave.

"How long till they get here?" She asked silently thanking him regardless of what his intentions may have been.

"Two or three days, depending on how fast each team travels." He paused and turned to face her slightly. "Why did you ask?"

Konan got up and moved to join him by the door unable to hide the smile slowly spreading across her face.

"Oh, nothing. Just wanted to know how much longer until these walls come alive again." And with that she left him but not before placing a hand gently on his cheek to convey her gratitude. She didn't care to know why the meeting had been called or for how long it would last. All that mattered was that in a few days she wouldn't have to listen to the ringing silence of the halls around her. And for the first time in a long time she was content.

Meanwhile the Rinnengan user just watched her walk out of the room humming pleasantly to herself. He knew what that touch meant the only problem was that he didn't know what it was for. When he could no longer hear the sounds of her retreating footsteps he raised a hand to his cheek tracing the place she had touched earlier.

"You're welcome." He said before leaving the room as well.

STAY TUNED FOR PART II.

I really enjoyed writing this because its so funny how this story just popped into my head one morning. I love reading Akatsuki fanfics so it only makes sense that I should write one. This is my first Akatsuki fic and my 2nd fic overall. Hope you guys like it and hope Pein and Konan aren't OOC. I always try to keep the characters true to their nature because that's actually why I fell in love with them in the first place. I expect to finish typing the 2nd and 3rd parts to this story pretty soon hopefully before I go home for summer.

In the next part all the Akatsuki members make an appearance although my personal favorites are Itachi, Deidara, Kakuzu and Pein I guess I'll stick to writing from Konan's POV for now until I can trust myself with writing from their POVs. If you review who knows I might get inspired pretty quick *nudge nudge wink wink* and update this story soon.