If you are confused about Malem or any other characters mentioned visit Totalnarutofangirl85 for a description. Thank You! Also, if you want a song to go along with this— since I'm obviously doing it for other fics— listen to Tourniquet by Evanescence.

Malem's white hair blended with the snow as she lay in frozen forest. Her bare legs were paler than usual, her veins glowing blue through her skin. A snowflake fell gently onto her frosted lips. Her body wasn't warm enough to melt anything anymore. Wind rushed overhead, sending tremors up her body. Before her eyes, Malem could see clouds looming overhead, preparing for another snow fall. Black dots danced before her and nearly consumed her vision. She glanced down at her body. The damage and pain was more intense than she could have ever imagined possible. She wanted to cry. To scream for someone. Anyone. Her chapped lips cracked and bled as she parted them, she inhaled as much air as her crushed lungs would allow, getting ready to call out. She suddenly coughed up a foul tasting liquid in her mouth. She retched and turned her weak head as far as she could and spit the blood out onto the snow, staining the area around her. A silent tear slid down her cheek, then froze.

I'm going to die here. Was all she kept thinking. I'm going to die here.

Like she predicted, snow began to fall heavily. The black dots swarmed her vision and soon there was nothing left to see but a black abyss.

This is it.

Death had never been an option in her young life, never the less freezing while dying. She cursed herself for being so blind. She couldn't save herself. How could she let this happen to herself?

She couldn't help herself then.

And she can't help herself now.

She opened her eyes for one last glimpse of the world. She saw a large white bird circling overhead and that was her last sight before her eyes slammed shut and she let her numbed body relax.

She thought of all the things she'd miss from this world.

Her sister.

Her brothers.

Her friends.

Then she thought of how the world would be better off without her.

No more destruction.

No more senseless violence.

No more demons.



No more Malem.

No more Malem.

Her heart ached, but she agreed with herself. No more Malem would be best for the world.

She felt her system begin to shut down— her heart slow, her breathing coming up short, her thoughts jumbling up— she embraced this.

There were gusts of wind bearing down on her now. A rhythm of rushing air. Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh. She felt something land softly in the padded snow, then quick footsteps drawing closer. She instantly felt the warmth of the visitor's body near her shoulder. She heard the treading of another pair of footsteps and felt the warmth on the other side.

She then felt a voice that made her heart sink, "What happened?"

"I don't know. But she's missing half her neck!" the other voice responded. She wanted to laugh out loud.

Leave it to her brother to rescue her. And leave it to her other brother to make it worse.

Pein and Deidara lingered overhead.

"We should get her out of the cold, hm."

"No. We shouldn't."

There was silence between them for several minutes, then Malem could feel herself being lifted, her body instantly feeling warmer. Her neck throbbed and she grimaced in pain.

"I said leave her!" Pein snapped.

"I'm not going to leave her to die here!"

"She's going to die regardless of what you do!"

There were those words again; Going to die.

More silence, but she still felt herself being moved. She was laid gently down on a soft surface, then a blanket was laid over her freezing body. She peered through the slits of her eyes and saw Deidara's cloak covering her small figure. She saw Pein fuming in the distance and realized she was on one of Deidara's large clay birds.

She saw a large white bird circling overhead. She felt like smiling but was too weak.

Malem felt Deidara jump up onto the large bird after her.

"Leave her!" Pein screamed again.



The bird's wings beat faster, drowning out anything else Pein had to say, and soon they were airborne.

Malem shuddered as the wind blew past her face, throwing her bloodied hair wildly in all directions. Her muscles ached and her neck pained her. She wanted to close her eyes and sleep. Make it all go away. But each time she tried, a warm hand slapped her face, knocking daylight back into her eyes. Her eyelids fluttered and she felt nauseous. She felt bile rise in whatever was left of her throat. She felt a hand on her shoulder, rolling her over onto her side so she could vomit the blood over the side. If Malem had any strength or color left in her body, she would have blushed, but she just fell limply back down.

Deidara shuddered at the sight of his sister's condition. She was a mangled heap of flesh—cuts and bruises everywhere. But what really drew his eye was the open gash on her neck. It was like an animal tried to rip off her head. But it wasn't an animal wound. It was made from a weapon. He knew if he waited any longer, the pressure build up on her neck would eventually kill her, and death wasn't that far off. If she lost her head it was all over. Whoever did this knew what they were doing when they attacked her. They knew to go for decapitation.

He ran his hands up and down Malem's frozen shoulders, attempting to keep her warm. If the wound to her neck didn't kill her, the cold surely would. He ducked down closer to her and flew faster, shielding her already numb body from the freezing sting of blowing snow.

The hide-out was in sight and the entrance was open just like he asked. He breezed in and the bird landed slowly on the floor.

Malem saw the lighting change through her eyelids. She wanted to scream as her body was lifted again. Her head rested against her brother's arm and she felt comfortable for once. She felt herself slip in and out of consciousness and was jostled slightly when she slipped in. She instantly felt warm when she was laid on something soft with blankets layered on top of her. She heard feet shuffling and light whispers but nothing understandable. A light was flashed in each of her eyes then vanished leaving white circles blinding her. She felt her boots being pulled of simultaneously, then her dress. The fabric stung all the wounds on her body, making her grimace. A wire was attached to her heart instantly setting off a monitor.

Beep……………..beep………………….beep. The rhythm of her heart sang. She knew the rhythm wasn't right, but she also knew there was nothing she could do. It was up to someone else to save her.

There were more voices echoing around the room as more people joined in on the action. Her torso was wrapped and bandaged, an IV was placed in her arm, then something sharp and numbing was injected into her wrist.

"What are you doing?" Deidara spoke.

"If we have to help her, she'll repay us by helping us," Pein snapped.



"So what exactly is that, hm?"

"Melatonin."

"Are you insane?!" Malem's heart leaped when she heard Hidan's voice, she wanted to blush furiously when she heard the flutter of the heart monitor.

Luckily no one noticed.

"Why would you do that? Do you have a death wish?" Hidan said, coming closer.

"Not particularly," Pein responded.

"Then don't put her to sleep, hm!"

"It's a little too late now," Pein retorted.

"You bastard!" Hidan and Deidara said in unison.

"Will everyone just relax…" It was easy to recognize Itachi's calm voice, "Let's just wait and see what happens."

"But she's in no condition to handle the demon's power now." Deidara opposed.

There was silence except for the slow beat of the monitor and her own stuttered breath.

"Let's just see what happens," Itachi repeated.

Malem felt gradually weaker as time passed. All her wounds had been fixed, including the neck wound which had been stitched up miraculously by Kakuzu. But, she had lost too much blood.

She felt the melatonin sinking into her body— loosening muscles, making her drowsy— but also making her heart rate dangerously low.

The heart monitor's rhythm changed. It was slowing.

"She needs adrenaline!" Deidara yelled.

"If we give her adrenaline, her power won't work." Pein said, watching Malem's face- she looked to be on the verge of unconsciousness.

"And if we don't, she's going to die!" Hidan snapped.

More silence.

Is he going to kill me for that? No. Deidara and Hidan won't let him.

The silence was so loud it hurt.



Someone say something. Anything. Just say some"—

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP The heart monitor dragged on.

"Shit!"

"Malem!"

"What happened?"

"Her heart stopped."

"Do something!"

"What?"

The argument continued.

"Move aside," Pein ordered. He made a hand sign and touched a finger to Malem's chest. A shockwave rippled through her body.

No response.

He poked her again. Her body jerked from the shock.

Again no response.

He tried 3 more times with no avail.

"It's over." He finally said.

"No. There has to be something more!"

Pein grabbed his shirt, "Listen! She's dead! It happens and sometimes there's only so much you can do!" He turned to the rest of the group, "Mourn her if you want." He stalked out of the room, all was still except for the slamming of his door and the drone of the still heart monitor.

Itachi came up to her bedside and ran a hand over her fragile face before turning to leave. Most followed suit. Deidara, Sasori, and Hidan were the last. Sasori gripped Deidara's shoulder sympathetically before turning to leave with the rest. Hidan pulled Deidara away from Malem's body and forced him out the door.

Mid-step out of the room, the heart monitor beeped. A single beep that made Hidan turn and stare at Malem's pale face.

"Hey," he began, beep, "Hey guys…"

Deidara turned.



Beep

Suddenly, before their eyes, Malem thrashed. Her body jerking in all directions. The heart monitor spazed out.

"Hey! Help in here!" Hidan rushed and held down her arm, Deidara instantly holding down the other. Itachi and Pein rushed in seconds later, only to stare in awe at the amazement of her survival. They held her legs.

Malem grit her teeth, her eyes flashed open with a blood red stare. Her tattoo glowed through the bandages. Her muscles strained against the Akatsuki members' grip. She screamed through her teeth, the noise seeming like two separate people instead of just one. Her fingers bent like claws as she forced her muscles to calm down.

"What's happening?" Itachi asked, his voice calm but eyes wide.

"Ass! It's the melatonin!" Hidan shot an evil glare towards Pein who ignored it.

"You put her to sleep, now look what you did, hm!"

"This is exactly what I wanted to happen," He retorted, his eyes not leaving Malem's pain twisted face.

Itachi, Hidan, and Deidara stared at him, "What?"

"You'll see."

They gave him a nervous look then turned to watch the troubled girl.

The heart monitor continued to beep out of control while Malem cried tears of blood, her tattoo spreading up and down half of her body.

"How much longer can she hold up?" Hidan asked.

Deidara shrugged.

Under their touch, they felt Malem grow ice cold. They instinctively pulled away when their hands numbed.

"She's going to freeze to death at this rate." Hidan said, running a frustrated hand through his silver hair.

"How are we supposed to keep her warm if we can't even touch her?" Itachi looked worried.

"Blankets." Pein said, "Retrieve every blanket you can find. Big, small, I don't care. Bring it here."

"Right." Hidan, Itachi and Deidara hurried out of the room.



Pein stood over Malem's body. He ran a hand over her shoulder and shuddered, she was below freezing yet her hair stuck to her sweating face.

"I don't understand!" He hissed, "This should have worked!"

What should have? A raspy voice echoed around the room.

Pein looked around startled, "Who's there?"

Take a wild guess.

He inhaled sharply, "Caelan."

Bingo! She laughed once then was serious again, I guess I should thank you for this. You actually had the guts to let me out.

"If I let you out, where are you?"

Around.

His eyes flickered to the bed and Malem was gone. He circled, looking around the entire room. Nothing.

There was a rush of air by his ear, a light tapping on the floor and a tap on his shoulder that made him jump. He whirled around only to come face to face with the blood red eyes of his half sister's demon.

"Boo." She mocked.

He was still.

"Scared?"

He didn't answer.

She clicked her heels and walked around him, looking him over. He followed her with his eyes.

"Hmm..." She scrutinized him thoroughly.

"What?"

"Oh nothing," She waved off the question, "So, why exactly did you inject Malem with melatonin. If I remember correctly, you knew the consequences." She laughed, "Well, I guess for you the term is 'consequences' but for me it's probably 'freedom.'"

Pein stared at her.

"Well are you going to answer my question or not?!" She snapped, her voice velvety smooth almost hypnotic.



"I-I need your help."

"My help?" Caelan placed her hands on her hips, "I'm listening."

"I need you to catch a Jinchuuriki for me since everyone else has failed."

"My help." She repeated, "It's little Kyuubi you need, am I right." It wasn't a question. She strolled back and forth, "I guess I owe you. On the other hand, why should I take orders from you? On the other hand, fair is fair… on the other hand… I'm a demon. Why would I take orders from you?"

He stared incredulous at her, "But I released you!"

"And for that I thank you." She turned gracefully on her heels to leave.

He grabbed her shoulder. Caelan's red eyes beamed. Several arms of darkness snaked out from beneath her, seizing Pein's arms. They lifted him and threw him effortlessly into the heart monitor. Sparks flew and the machine crashed to the floor along with Pein.

Caelan giggled, "Fun? Isn't it?"

Pein groaned and attempted to stand, "Y-you're insane."

Caelan burst into another set of hysteric giggles but gagged short. Her eyelids flickered and her knees buckled. She was falling.

Hidan was the first to re-enter the room. His lavender eyes widened and he dropped the blankets he was holding to catch the girl at the last second. He gently lifted her, one hand under her knees the other arm wrapped around her shoulders. Her arm fell limply at her side and her head bobbed against his chest.

"What the fuck happened?" He snapped, noticing the destroyed heart monitor.

Deidara and Itachi rushed in with their share of blankets.

"…The demon… put her down! That's the demon!" Pein was babbling now.

Deidara laid the blankets down on the bed and went over to his sister. He lifted her eye lid to check her iris. They were their usual shade of violet and her rin'negan was in place too, "She seems normal."

"But she's still freezing…" Hidan pointed out.

"Bring her here. We brought blankets," Itachi said.

Hidan cringed away with Malem's body, "No way. I want to hold her."

"No. Give my sister back, hm!"



He shook his head stubbornly.

Deidara sighed, frustrated, "Fine. Just don't try anything weird."

Hidan sneered, "You're so funny."

Deidara grimaced.

"Besides," Hidan began, "My body heat could help keep her warm."

"But 15 blankets might work too." Itachi pointed out.

"Or both…" Hidan grinned.

"No." Deidara snapped.

"Aw come one, just this once? For her sake?"

Deidara stared long at hard at his sister's ghostly white face and sighed.

Hidan smiled.

Hidan sat on the mattress and leaned back against the wall, placing Malem limply on his lap. Itachi and Deidara wrapped numerous blankets around the two. Malem's head rested soundly against Hidan's shoulder, her abdomen slowly rising and falling. Hidan tucked her white head under his chin and rested on her. He inhaled her scent— she always smelled like ferns and cherries, nothing else. Even when she was drenched in blood or freezing in the snow, she always smelled the same.

"Remember: nothing weird," Deidara warned.

"Cool down, I got it!" Hidan responded.

"Shh. She's sleeping," Itachi said, helping the stricken Pein to his feet.

Hidan rested his chin back down on the top of her head and sighed happily.

Malem, deep down inside her sleeping, aching body, she knew what was going on. She knew Caelan had won this round. She knew she was surrounded by people who loved and cared for her. She knew she was going to live. To survive. But most importantly she was going to have to be more in touch with her inner self than ever before. Her life depended on it.