This is an interesting idea I came up with a long while ago but was too lazy to write it. Kakuzu finds himself taking on more then he bargained for... a young thief working under him in exchange for her continued life. This will be short, only a few chapters. It will also have a very one-sided romantic element to it, which Kakuzu seems closer to killing her for every moment it surfaces. Enjoy...

Kakuzu eyed his target warily, noting the incredible fear in her bright green eyes. Making sure it was her was a piece of cake, her long purple hair gave that away. She looked about 17, also the correct age of his target. The girl wore a dark hooded robe and appeared to have many concealed weapons. Also part of the description, Kakuzu definitely had his target.

The fear in her eyes at being spotted in the midst of her act was almost laughable.

"It would be wise to accept your death without struggle, Ms. Setsuna." Kakuzu said, deciding to give her a fair warning about his temper should she attempt to flee.

Severina Setsunas' eyes narrowed angrily as she launched herself onto a tree branch.

"Not a chance!" She yelled, sending thousands of poisoned needles in his direction. He easily dodged, brushing off the attack. Severina panicked, sending another wave of needles as she jumped onto the shrine rooftop she had been stealing from.

Kakuzu sighed in irritation, dodging again. He was about to finish her when she teleported into the ground and tossed 5 exploding kunai at him. Yet again, they missed him. Severina dropped a smoke bomb so she could flee, yet it failed to detonate.

"Dammit!"

Kakuzu looked down at the useless smoke pellet and back at her. "Enough, I gave you a warning."

With that, he raised his hand and the telltale black threads of death began creeping out from the stitches. However, he halted his attack in curiosity as her eyes widened and she dropped to her knees.

"You're the infamous Kakuzu... please, listen before you kill me."

He paused, mildly interested at what sort of pathetic plea she would give him before he dragged her corpse back to Arushin Bifune as promised.

"I know about my bounty... its only 62,000 ryo, right? You love money, right? I can get you money, way more then Arushin would ever pay you for my head. I'll work for you, take me in as your apprentice."

Kakuzu lowered his hand. "How can I trust you, thief?" He asked, preparing to kill her if she took off now.

Severina approached him. "Hold out your hand." Kakuzu cautiously did as she asked. She pulled from her uniform a large bag, dumping the contents into his open hands. So many shiny coins and paper money poured out.

"Count it." She smiled at him, knowing she would live another day after he did.

50,000 ryo... thats pretty impressive for such a young girl to steal... Kakuzu thought to himself.

"There's plenty more where that came from, and I made that from just one week of carefully planned thievery and stealth. I'm a master at this, and in exchange for my life, I want you to be MY master. I can make you rich. Well, richer then you already are. Deal?"

"If you attempt to escape me, I won't hesitate to kill you. Don't anger me and you live. Deal..."

I know it was short, but whose interested? Show me some love and I'll deliver a tale.