Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, and gain no recognized medium of exchange from this story. No suing me please.

"Speech"

'Thoughts'

*Sound*

New Year

Red, and orange ribbons of light painted the sky as the sun slipped below the horizon. Konan watched in awe as the years last sunset faded into night. Today is New Years Eve; all the preparations for tonight's events are almost done. Like always, everything will run smoothly tonight. I hate to admit it but Tobi- Sama was very helpful. Thanks to him, Orochimaru's absence did not hinder our plans. I wonder if Pein has finished "helping" Deidara check the fireworks. *sigh* probably not, Deidara always sets up more fireworks than he could ever handle. Well I still need to check on Sasori's play. Focusing her chakra Konan transformed her body into countless butterflies and headed off to find Sasori.

"Exactly what don't you understand about a few fireworks? You have enough explosives here to level the entire village. Deidara why must we go through this every year? You know there is no way you can set off all of this tonight. "Pein asked, an embarrassed, Deidara. "You will just have to cut the show short. You have two hours to light all of this max. No more than two hours, got it?" "But that completely ruins the finally! The timing will be wrong and I won't be able to set everything off! How can you expect me to choose witch of my art works to not set off, un!" Deidara cried. "Sempai!" Screamed an orange blur just before it crashed into the fuming artist. "GAAAA! TOBI GET OFF ME, un!" Deidara roared. "Were finished burying your fucking bombs, can we go now Leader- sama?" Hidan asked as he and Kakuzu walked up behind Tobi. "Yes, you and Kakuzu may go. Tobi you stay with Deidara and help him figure out how he can shorten his firework display to, two hours. I have other work to attend to." Pein left the others and headed back home knowing that Konan was already back and working on party decorations. After the fireworks display ends at midnight all of the Akatsuki would meet back at the lair for a new years eve party.

Konan placed party hats and poppers at every place at the table. She had already finished with the decorations and was finishing setting out the party favorers. 'Pein-sama is late. I wonder if Deidara is giving him a lot of trouble again this year. It doesn't seem like pairing Tobi with Deidara has helped him to think more responsibly…'" But it has helped to wear him down. He looked pretty tired; I think I will let him take a break before sending them after another tailed beast." Pein replied as he entered the room. "You were reading my mind again?" "Deidara made to many fireworks again. I gave him two hours to set them all off. "Pein answered Konan's question before she could ask. Konan stared at Pein blankly and hid her thoughts. "Two hours is a bit long isn't it?" She asked blankly. "Yes, but I wanted to get back before the year ended. The party decorations are nice…" BOOM! BANG! Fizzle. "WHATTHEHELL! The fireworks are not supposed to start for another hour! Deidara! "Pein yelled over the explosions. Konan watched the lights flash in rainbows of color as Pein concentrated on the body he had watching Deidara.

"Tobi what did you DO!" Deidara shouted. "I set off the fireworks early so they will all be able to go off just like Sempai wanted!" Tobi smiled at the furious artist. "Leader-sama is going to kill us for this!"

*Sigh* "It's just Tobi causing trouble again." Pein silently walked over to Konan and slipped his arms around her waist. Konan continued to watch the fireworks outside. They stood together watching the fireworks knowing that soon the New Year would be upon them.