"We're what?" Konan asked, giving Pein a look that suggested she thought he was absolutely insane.
Pein sighed, already able to tell no one was liking his idea. "We're going to switch up the teams and I'll assign you a mission of sorts so that we can become better acquainted with one another and hopefully work together better as a team over all."
Itachi raised his hand. "I thought the teams we're already in were with the people we would get along best with... Is it really a wise decision to make S-rank criminals be forced into a mission with people they don't like?"
Several others nodded in agreement.
"The point of this is so we can learn tolerance for our fellow Akatsuki in case something happens where we need to work with someone other than our teammate." Pein told him. "Now to assign the new teams... Everyone put your name on the paper you were given and place it in the bowl."
Grumbling, they all did as they were told.
Once that was done, Pein asked, "Who'd like to go first?"
No one volunteered.
Taking a deep breath, Pein hissed, "Fine. I will."
He immediately regretted it.
Shaking slightly, he said, "It seems my new partner will be Tobi..."
Hidan burst out laughing and fell to the floor.
Now that that name was out of the bowl, suddenly everyone seemed a bit more okay with the idea of a new teammate and Konan picked next, getting Kisame's name, which neither of them had any complaints about [mostly because neither of them really knew each other very well].
Kakuzu muttered something under his breath and reached into the bowl, but gulped nervously when he read the name.
"Who'd ya get?" Hidan asked nosily, wondering why his partner had paled.
"Zetsu..."
Hidan actually gave him a sympathetic look. "Just don't piss him off, and you should be fine."
Deidara pulled out the next paper and frowned. "Hidan..."
"Ah shit, looks like you're stuck with me Blondie~" Hidan grinned.
"Anyone want to trade...?" Deidara asked, though shook his head. "Never mind..." The only ones who would be willing to trade were Pein and Kakuzu, and as much as he didn't like the thought of being with Hidan, Zetsu and Tobi scared him even more.
"Looks like me and Itachi are a team then." Sasori said, looking over at the Uchiha.
Though his expression was difficult to read, the puppet master thought he saw a hint of relief on the man's face that he hadn't gotten a very annoying teammate.
"Everyone get with your new partner so I can assign you your missions." Pein said, though scowled as Tobi skipped over to him cheerily, and he cast Konan a 'help me' look, which she simply shrugged at.
It took a bit of time, but finally the tasks were handed out to each of the groups, who were currently preparing to leave the base to complete the said tasks.
Pein was muttering curses under his breath for his luck, trying to ignore Tobi and his chatter as best that he could.
I really regret this now... I'll just get the mission done quickly and then have the teams put back to normal... He thought to himself in any attempt to keep his sanity.
Kakuzu was shifting anxiously, worried about the fact that he was partnered with Zetsu. He knew that he could be dangerous if he wanted to be, and the thought of angering the plant man brought him much fear, even despite his virtual immortality.
And I'm going to have to keep my own anger in check... I can't attack him if I get frustrated like I can with Hidan... He sighed. This will not be fun...
"Get over here and help me, hn!" Deidara yelled at the Jashinist, who had made himself comfortable on the couch and wasn't lifting a finger to help the bomber pack supplies.
"Nah, I'm fine where I am... You look like you're handling it pretty well on your own."
Deidara snarled to himself. Hidan was going to be of no help on this mission, that was for sure. Unless, of course, there was killing. Hidan would be more than happy to help with that.
"I'm looking forward to work with you, Kisame. I don't believe we've ever been introduced very well." Konan said. She was thinking fairly positively to this new development. She got to learn more about Kisame and she got a break from Pein and his annoying leader habits.
Kisame nodded his agreement. He was glad to be getting away from Itachi and his ego for a while, as well as his lack of humor and personality. The Uchiha had never appreciated his attempts at conversation or his jokes. He hoped Konan would.
Sasori packed his bag silently, not sure how to start a conversation with Itachi. He'd never been alone with him before and frankly, the thought was slightly daunting. He didn't want to do something wrong and get attacked by the Uchiha. Despite being calm and collected, he knew that Itachi had his triggers [especially the mention of Sasuke].
The puppet master nitpicked at his cloak as he waited for Itachi to finish. Don't let me screw this up...
Finally the black haired man finished and approached Sasori. "Let's go... We should get this mission over with as soon as we can..."
Sasori nodded and quickly followed him. He already missed Deidara... Despite always arguing, he still enjoyed talking to the blonde about art. He highly doubted that the definition of art would be a topic of interest to Itachi...
Let this mission be a quick, easy one....