Standing nearly six feet tall, barely tall enough to see over the great boulder he hid behind for cover, Aaron Verdasco- who preferred to call himself V in order to avoid comments on his odd name- observed the well hidden entrance he'd been searching for. His raven's black hair was windswept from the endless desert winds, and his unreal dark blue eyes were red rimmed from lack of sleep. It wasn't the way he had wished to first appear, and he reckoned it would be in his best interests to rest before making an attempt at the entrance before him. The setting sun was hot against his back and further darkened his brown skin. V pulled his canteen out and drank sparingly from the minute amount which remained. Over the next few minutes V arranged a sleeping place, manipulating the sand into walls around him. Observing his handiwork V hoped it would do the trick against any passerby's, though he doubted it. More likely than not if one of the persons he was searching for went by he would need to know, in order to avoid death.

The sun set on V in his hiding place. He slept intermittently, regaining the strength he'd lost in the last few weeks of searching, and keeping an eye on the entrance. The entrance marked by a massive rock, taller than two men and just as wide; bordered by three red posts and labeled with an inscription on a white seal. The entrance to the only known Akatsuki hideout he could find.

V waited till the first rays of dawn broke the desert mountains to leave his hiding place. He sent out his chakra, searching for life around the stone; finding none he cautiously approached it. The seal was like nothing he had seen before, not surprisingly for his young age. V examined it closely, deciding nothing better than to wing it. He took a wild swipe at it with his kunai, leaving not even a scratch. Grimacing V stood back and shot a tongue of fire at it; the flames left no mark. Losing his cool V sent at the boulder itself with a number of both taijutsu and ninjutsu, leaving him panting and snarling at the unrelenting entryway. He pulled out an exploding tag and wrapped it around a kunai, throwing it at the seal. The explosion sent sand flying everywhere, noise echoing off the cliff walls, but nothing. He knew he was making more noise than intended but with his goal directly before him but untouchable; it was near unbearable. V struck again and again at the rock and its seal, tried breaking around it, going under it, and even over; but the place was sealed off completely.

His white shirt was soaked with sweat and he tugged at the high collar. The navy blue pants of his usual uniform worked to keep him cooler than he would be otherwise, but did little against the desert sun. V tore the sleeves off letting them flutter away in an attempt to cool his body down. Sudden noise brought him to a halt.

"What do we have here? How bothersome to have a brat scratching at our door."

V jerked around, his heart pumping. A tall half-shark man stood before him. "Kisame." How did I not hear him?

"Oh?" Kisame gave a half grin "You know my name? Perhaps I'll play with you before I kill you. Now then, did you think we would leave this place open to intruders so easily? Allow me to show you what is wrong with your plan." He pulled the massive wrapped sword from his back

"Hold on I want to speak with you, a member of Akatsuki." V held out a hand

"Brave works from a brat no bigger than an insect."

"I want to become an apprentice in Akatsuki." V stated boldly, figuring he had little to lose. If it came to a fight, he was confident he could escape. "I'll prove my worth in a fight if I have to, let me become an apprentice."

Kisame's half-grin became a full-fledged one. "Now this is interesting. Alright, Samehada and I will fight you, if you don't die than I'll see what I can do."

"I'll hold you to it." V dropped into his stance and called chakra up, watching Kisame's moves carefully. Kisame's eyes were alight in anticipation.

"Let's begin!" Kisame charged at him. V sidestepped to dodge then cried out in agony as his arm was ripped by the wrapped sword; Kisame had swung it around in time to graze V's skin. The wrapping tore away exposing the large blade covered in shark teeth. Cursing for his slow reflexes, born of physical exhaustion, V spun and skidded across the ground. He hadn't moved an inch when Kisame threw him into the cliff behind him and drew the blade across his torso. Blood sprayed the rocks and the air was forced out of his lungs. Again came the sword and pain blinded V as his body was literally shaved raw by Samehada.

When a pause formed in the attack V blinked and focused his eyes. "Too easy" sneered Kisame "Your how old? You should still be in ninja school. It's not even fun" He complained.

Panting in pain V spat at Kisame. "I'm 15. And I'm a former Jounin of the Village hidden in the Mist." Satisfied at the look of disbelief which spread across Kisame's face V summoned the chakra and sent a jet of water, heated by fire, at Kisame. His own personal jutsu; V put enough force behind the attack to rival a tsunami. Kisame's surprise barely registered to understanding and even fear before the jet struck him full on and sent him flying into the cliff. An avalanche of rock broke loose from the cliff but was blown away by the strength of the jet. When V released the jutsu, Kisame collapsed, limp, than vanished in a pool of water. A water clone. Just in time V twisted through the air and struck Samehada away. V maneuvered and grasped the blade, ignoring the pain and landed a kick at Kisame's head. At the same time he met his mark, large teeth stabbed into his hand, protruding from the blade.

They broke apart. V landed unsteadily, looking down on his blood soaked clothes and the ravaged skin still oozing blood. The wound was severe. Samehada had done its work brilliantly. Damn I forgot about his sword. I can't afford any more lapses.

Kisame's smile returned "Oh? The insect isn't as weak as he looks. But a Jounin of the Hidden Mist? Their level has gone down."

V bared his teeth "I'm not usually this weak." At the same time his hand touched the outline of a black gem on a necklace beneath his shirt. As much as it aided in the control and protection from his greatest enemy and friend, it also stole away much of his chakra, and blocked even more from use. He'd obtained it very recently after he was forced to leave Hidden Mist. He could feel the blood seeping out, he was losing too much, and he was still worn from the past weeks. V knew he would not lose, but he feared how badly his wound's would be if the fight went on. "I'd kill you but I'd prefer not to; i need you to get into Akatsuki." He knew his statement was arrogant, and foolish, but rash action was the only kind he could think of to use at the moment.

Kisame opened his mouth to respond when another voice interrupted and shattered the still-budding atmosphere of battle.

"I like him Kisame nee-chan!"

V and Kisame both turned to view an odd, boyish sounding figure with an orange mask. Kisame immediately glowered "Tobi…"

"Can we keep him? I like him! I'll bet Diedara will think so too. I can train him!" Tobi inquired eagerly and V was forcibly reminded of a puppy. Taking advantage of Kisame's distraction from V, he began to heal himself, staunching the blood and knitting his skin back together.

Kisame looked at loss. V was curious to know how quickly the normal 'Akatsuki' attitude had fallen away at the appearance of the odd figure with the mask. Kisame was the source of many nightmares from V's home village, and here he was stuttering and awkward before a hyper active boy-man; like an older brother before his little cousin. The contrast was all the more considering their combat only heartbeats earlier. "Kisame!" Tobi whined again...Four hours later, V stood facing the inside of the official Akatsuki hideout with Tobi bouncing by his side

Pain, the official head of the Akatsuki group, had accepted V's arrival easily after hearing Tobi's enthusiastic illustration of the fight, and Kisame's somewhat reluctant praise. His initiation was quick. Pain, using a holographic version of himself- nothing at all like a physical self, which made V interested to know what the real Pain looked like, as the copy only showed a outline and eyes- used ninjutsu to examine V. Looking for anything that may mark him as a liability to be destroyed. V passed with no trouble and Pain stuck him in the position of an apprentice. However, as a newbie to Akatsuki, he was beneath even Tobi. Neither of them were actual members and therefore they both owned neither the black and red-clouded cloak, nor the Akatsuki ring.

With Tobi assigned to escort V until Akatsuki found use for him, V swiftly picked up much about the infamous group of S-class criminals. It only took a short time to realize that the dynamics between members were highly similar to the relationships which he'd seen between normal people in his travels. In fact, it seemed as if the criminals known for their extreme blood lust and skill in undercover and open crimes, had an equally extreme opposite side to them. It took V nearly 30 minutes to fully realize that life at the formal Akatsuki hideout between missions and meetings was more like what you'd find in a ninja training school. At the moment Tobi was giving him a tour.

"That's Itachi and Kisame's room!" Tobi pointed out excitedly while kicking down the door. It was certainly an odd site that greeted them. Kisame, bandaged from the burns he'd received in the short fight, was arguing with his roommate, and current partner, Itachi Uchiha.

"You washed my bedsheets?! How dare you!" Kisame was howling, oblivious to Tobi and V. Itachi was glaring at Kisame, though V thought there might be a hint of a smile- there was, Itachi was smiling on the inside.

"It smelled. All your stuff smells. The only thing remotely clean on your side of the room is that old fish-tank with nothing in it."

"There is too something in it! His name is Paco. I already showed him to you!" Kisame protested stupidly. V remembered to shut his mouth, which had been wide-open in astonishment at the infamous Kisame's comment.

"If I can't see it with even my Sharingon then it doesn't exist." Itachi said stubbornly. Then he proceeded to spray a flowery smelling scent around the room.

"AHH!" Kisame yelled and rushed out, knocking Tobi over and still oblivious. Itachi was chuckling in a deep voice. He broke open the top of the spray can and poured the contents over Kisame's bed and tossed the can aside then turned to V and Tobi.

"What?"

Tobi shrugged, his voice bright. "I'm showing V around!"

"V?" Itachi turned his gaze to V "Ah. Kisame told me about you." The dark haired Uchiha seemed almost curious. He opened his mouth to speak but at the same time a powerful smell wafted over to V and Tobi. They gagged.

"Ack! Itachi that's too much!" Tobi cried. They backed out of the room.

Itachi merely stared at them "Really? It's perfect."

"Can you even smell? Itachi, Ick!" Tobi grasped V's arm and yanked him away.

One by one V was shown the kitchen, a few bathrooms, and the multiple bedrooms. Aside from Itachi's and Kisame's room, it seemed as if everyone else had separate rooms. V asked Tobi about this. His reply was that since Itachi 's and Kisame's target was the Kyuubi, who was well-guarded, they needed more time to collaborate. Hearing this reminder of what Akatsuki was after, and of how much danger V would be in if his real strength was exposed, V's hand had twitched towards his necklace.

"This is your room" Tobi had opened the door to a simple space. Nearly completely empty aside from a desk and small bed "It's plain but you can decorate it! Huh? Hey! V-kun!" Wait, V-kun!" Tobi whined. V had left and strode away down the hallways. As Tobi ran after him he searched for the door Tobi had missed.

"We can get more stuff for your room! Wait! V-kun!" Tobi caught up and walked along side him. "Zetsu-san has a lot of stuff. He doesn't use any of it. Let's ask him?"

V ignored Tobi and stopped at a large brass door. Tobi's voice cut off at the same time. V ran his hand over the door; he could feel a large open space behind it, and bodies.

"Move." A deep voice spoke behind them. Tobi jumped but V, already aware of Itachi's presence, just stepped to the side.

"What's in there?" V asked. Itachi ignored him and formed a seal. With a click the door cracked open, through which Itachi went. Thinking fast, V concentrated his own chakra and a small cat appeared at his feet. The cat flattened to the earth and slipped under the invisible crack between the floor and door.

Tobi's eyes widened "You summoned a cat? But don't you need a scroll or blood?"

V shook his head "It's not a summoning jutsu. I manipulated my chakra into the shape of a cat. This way I can get through the door and see what's going on without being detected. The chakra doesn't flow past the cat's body and therefore will stay unnoticed by even the most talented shinobi."

"Whoa wow! Teach me that V-san!" Tobi bounced on his toes excitedly.

V shook his head "No. More specifically, you won't be able to learn it. Now let me concentrate I want to know what's happening."

"Eh? V-san?"

V shut his eyes and listened. He could pick up voices, but did not recognize any individuals aside from Kisame, Itachi, and the outline of Pain.

"Our jinchuuriki is well guarded. Konoha will not be a simple matter to break into."

"Oh? Itachi is scared of a few ninja and a half-grown idiot?"

"Quiet" (Pain's voice) "Now is not the time to make a move on Konoha. All missions will be put on hold. Kisame, though you have been ignorant so far, you surly noticed the immense chakra reserves our new 'apprentice' has."

"mm. He is young but he knows both healing techniques, and high level ninjutsu."

"Your standards have fallen if you are impressed by a boy." V cocked his head at the gruff voice. "I cannot die. I will not be underrated next to a child."

"This is good for you Hiden. Put the boy to the test."

"Don't test me Konan…"

"We will all test him." (Pain's voice) "Diedara, Hiden, Itachi, Kisame, and you Konan, will spend the next week pushing him to his limits. If he dies then so be it. But that boy has huge potential and i want to use it. He had a massive chakra reserve suppressed within him."

"Is he a jinchuuriki? hmm?"

"Of course not, we've obtained most of them, and we have the whereabouts of the last three. Don't make lame comments Diedara."
V recognized Kisame's voice.

"Seems hasty. You did not put Tobi through this." (Konan's voice)

"….Tobi is a different case..." (Pain)

"Waste time playing with some child instead of continuing our preparations?"

"You will do it."

-silence-

V pulled away and glanced at Tobi, the bright swirling orange mask he wore turned towards V. Why did Pain pause before mentioning Tobi? Their attacks on me won't be trouble; it's why I came, to get stronger. Although it is odd they would pause their work with the bijuu to check me out. I can't have them looking to closely. It could be dangerous. But that other part… What is it about Tobi?"

"What did they say? They won't let me into their meetings yet. And Sasori isn't even here anymore. There's an opening! It's been enough time, they should just let me join already. But they won't."

"Why's that?"

"Zetsu says it's not an easy process. But I don't believe him, he just doesn't like me. I wonder why?" Tobi paused then leaned against the hallways way. "Tobi's a good boy."

Those last four words were spoken in such a manner that the hairs on the back of V's neck rose. So innocent in their surface meaning, but a shiver shook V's spine. "I'm going to my room." He headed off. Tobi called after him but didn't follow.