"Where do we go now?"

"Not home."

"You're crying."

"Don't remind me."

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It was not a normal day in the Akatsuki base.

The missing-nin were all gathered in one place, awaiting orders. Their leader took his place, with his back towards them. Looking after him, it was just that moment that Itachi happened to glance over to his left. A flash of blue met his eye.

If the man was easily frightened, his heart would have stopped right at that moment.

It was Kotone. That is, Kotone, the female Akatsuki.

It was the first time he'd ever seen her in person. This was serious. Looking around, he noticed the other members staring in her direction as well. She shrank back slightly, obviously concerned. A sudden cough brought their attention away from the woman.

Leader turned to face them.

"We have a problem." Everyone's attention was placed on him now. "It's the rainy season, as you know. Normally, that wouldn't be an issue for us. However..." He paused. "Due to a series of..."accidents", the northern wall of the base has been severely weakened." At the word "accidents," everybody glared at Deidara. "If it breaks, then we'll be at least six feet under." If looks (from anyone besides Itachi) could kill, Deidara would be the one who was six feet under right now. From that, or from the other members putting him there with clay shoved down his throat. He wouldn't put it past them either.

The shadow continued.

"It may hold out, but I don't want to take that risk. And there's not time to fix it now. But I do have a backup plan." He focused on the criminals for a moment then closed his eyes.

"Gather your belongings and meet back here in an hour." With that closing note, the group dissipated and departed for their rooms.

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SMACK! The hour was drawing to a close and everyone was now re-gathered in the base's central cavern. Hidan was complaining, Kakuzu's eyes were popping out of his head as he thought about the costs to fix the walls, Leader was skulking around a corner, Itachi and Kisame were just sitting there, Deidara and Tobi were twitching on the floor, Zetsu was conversing with himself and Kotone was huddled in a shadowed corner, close to Leader. Most likely for protection though. You see, Kotone was unknown for a reason: no one ever saw her. When she returned to the base, however, the guys were all fascinated with her (secretly or otherwise) and since she'd arrived, Deidara had repeatedly poked her to make sure she was solid. Tobi, being the oblivious idi-I mean, good boy that he is, decided to join in. They each earned themselves a good slap to the face, hence the twitching.

"Is everyone ready?" Leader's voice cut through the calamity like a knife. Without waiting for an answer, he pulled down his hat and started towards the entrance of the cave.

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Good, Bad, what did you think?

Kotone:..I...I have an identity...

Yeah, I didn't know your real name and I got bored calling you "Unknown Member."

Kotone: Works for m-WILL YOU QUIT POKING ME! -Slaps Deidara-

Uh...anyway, I'll put up chapter II if someone wants to see it. Oh, and that Italic stuff at the very top has a part in the story. That part just hasn't been put up yet.

P.S. If anyone has any tips for me, I'd really like to hear them!

R&R or Deidara will continue to be abused!

Deidara: What the hell, un?!