1 The Akatsuki's Pet

Prologue

Erin knew that her job was putting her family at risk. But it was the only way she knew how to keep from falling apart. Besides, she was good at it. She was just as bloodthirsty as the rest of them, although she kept that to herself. They were all insane. Adding another crazy girl wouldn't do any good. Not that she was one of the Akatsuki. She just worked for them.

Working for the Akatsuki had its perks. It gave her a reputation as a force to be reckoned with. It also gave her protection and a good salary. Not that she needed it. Her family was wealthy and she was a powerful kunoichi in her own right. She was the go-to girl if they needed information on intended targets, such as the target's location or fighting style. She was also their torture expert, able to push her conscience into another person's mind and make them torture themselves, or simply give ger the information needed.

Because of her skills, the Akatsuki thought it would be more practical to keep her as a valuable treasure rather than kill her. They gave her a small cottage in the middle of a secluded clearing, five miles away from a small village to which she could walk to get supplies. Once a week they sent someone to check on her and to do odd jobs around the house if she needed help. Mostly she gave them tea and talked. She liked the company. She found that for bloodthirsty murderers, they can be amusing.

She knew they were just using her. But she didn't mind. After all, who wouldn't want to be the Akatsuki's pet?