Chapter 1 Series 2 - Broken Road Part 1

The rain was relentless against the house. Shiv was downstairs whilst her injured deity was upstairs sleeping off the pains of a recent fight with Deidara. Reluctant to go upstairs after being told to leave him be she thought she would risk it anyway. She couldn't bear the thought of him alone if he was in severe pain. Starting up the stairs she heard him call her name.

"Shiv!" He said barely able to shout let alone gather the energy to speak.

She sped up the stairs to find him out of bed and standing in the doorway using the door frame as a prop to keep himself vertical.

"What are you doing out of bed? You know you shouldn't be doing this." Shiv said running to his aid.

"I… I couldn't sleep" he said, barely able to hold open his eyes.

"You have to, to keep you're strength up. You were told that by Jiraiya. Speaking of which he is coming here later on to check up on you. He promised me that he would nurse you back to health."

"I want you to do that. Not him." he said ignoring his pain and letting go of the doorframe. He knew full well he couldn't stand alone and therefore fell forwards into Shiv. Grabbing her lover, Shiv propped him upright again and helped him to bed again. He tried to pull her into bed too.

"No Nagato. Please don't…" she said even though she knew she would like nothing better than him to fuck her brains out. But she wanted him better first.

"Please? I'll be good and stay in bed" He pleaded.

"I'm sorry Nagato you know the answer." She said getting out of their bed and looking at his face.

"It's fine… just go."

"I'm sorry Nagato…" She said leaving the room.

Upon her descending of the stairs she heard the door open and Jiraiya's voice.

"Shiv? You in?"

"Yeah… hold on!"

She walked back down the remaining stairs and greeted Jiraiya with a hug.

"How's he doing?"

"Hmmm… well I think he maybe deprived of sex. He managed to get up out of bed before. Then tried it on. I told him to stay put but he was just so persistent. I didn't want to say no but it was for his own good… what's wrong?"

"Nothing…"

"Jiraiya…" Shiv said sounding worried

"You may want to sit down."

She did so and Jiraiya sat next to her. He sighed.

"Shiv… there may be a chance Deidara survived the fight"

"Wha… how?"

"I don't want you telling Pein it will only make him want to find him. I don't want to put him under pressure."

"What are we going to do? What if he comes here?" Shiv said her voice rising due to the worry

"I think… maybe you should come with me to mine. Pein too… I can look after him there and make sure that nothing can harm either of you."

"I don't know Jiraiya…" She said

"Do you want me to ask him when I look at his wounds?"

"Yeah… thank you. I don't want him going off at me"

"He wouldn't. He truly loves you. I promise to protect you both if Pein agrees to move" he said going up to check on him.

Shiv sat down on the sofa and a tear began making its way down her face. She worried for the wellbeing of her lover and Jiraiya. She didn't want either of them being in danger. Deidara was only a worry if he used his ultimate attack. Which in this case was very likely. Its funny Shiv thought, Deidara didn't usually battle with a motive but this time was different. He wanted revenge on Pein for taking Shiv off him.

Pein was injured enough what if he used his ultimate attack? Pein would be killed and maybe if her and Jiraiya were caught in the blast they wouldn't be able to bring him back again due to lack of chakra… Shiv didn't want to think about it anymore it was giving her a headache and the worry was causing her stomach ache too. Jiraiya came down the stairs, escorting her injured deity along with him. She went to help Jiraiya with Pein and they got him to the sofa.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Jiraiya asked him

"If it means… that Shiv… is safe then… yes." he struggled to speak.

"Don't stress him out… last time it cause him to bleed remember?" Shiv reminded Jiraiya.

"Hmmm I suppose… come on we should get moving" He said, putting one of Pein's arms around his neck. Shiv did the same with the other arm.

"Are… you al… alright?" He managed to ask Shiv

"I'm fine. I'm just concerned about you." She said to him.

They battled through the rain and when they eventually got to their destination, Pein was carried to Jiraiya's and laid on the sofa there.

"He's worn out.. Let him rest for now." Shiv said to him.

They sat down and Shiv watched him resting. Jiraiya got her a towel for their hair. She dried Pein's first not wanting him to get a cold or worse especially since he was injured himself. She then dried her own and looked at Jiraiya and sighs.

"I'm glad we got here when we did. That rain could have done more damage to him." Shiv said to him.

"Damn it Nagato… lay off the rain" Jiraiya cursed.

"He cant if he is in pain. You should know that. Let me try something…" She said resting his head on her knees and stroking his head. The rain eased slightly.

"See… all he needed was comfort." Shiv said smiling

Jiraiya tended to Pein's wounds which were weeping again. There was the big open wound on his side which caused him the most pain. He winced in pain as Jiraiya tended to it. When he was sound asleep again, Shiv and Jiraiya formed a plan of action against Deidara.

"I think we should make him think that you and Nagato aren't together anymore. That way he will open up to you about what he plans to do."

"What if he's not even alive? I would hate to think that there was no threat and we moved Nagato from the comfort of his home when he is injured."

"No… I definitely seen him for myself. He was by the entrance to the old Akatsuki hideout. I was walking when I seen him. I thought it would have been best to tell you. I wanted you both safe…"

"Well we are now. I think you're plan is the only safe one we have now."

"So you're up to it?"

"Yes. It looks like I have no choice do I?"

"You do. You could say no."

"No… I want to protect Nagato at all costs. I don't care what happens to me as long as he's safe and out of harms way"

"That's very noble of you."

"Where do you think he will be?"

"Hmmm… good question… I guess you will have to find him. I sense power in you. Strong power. You may have to train first. I'll see if I can teach you any Jutsu's. They may save you're life if it comes down to it"

"What if I cant learn any?"

"Then I will be there to help you."

"How?"

"Trust me. I'll be there…"

"Okay. I'm gonna look for him now. If I start early then I have a better chance of-"

"No. Rest. You have to be replenished to train. You're chakra must be full."

"O…kay…" she said putting Pein's head back on her knees.

"You're loyalty to Nagato is obvious, but sometimes you need to sit back and wait a while. Don't jump in a the deep end." Jiraiya said, reaching out and taking her hand.

"I guess so. I guess I will just sleep until the plan needs to be put into fruition."

"You can stay in the guest bedroom. I wont wake up Nagato simply because he needs rest"

He showed her up to the room and let her get settled in.

About 5 minutes later there was a knock on the door and Nagato was outside, with Jiraiya's help of course.

"He wouldn't settle without you." Jiraiya complained

"Bring him in…" Shiv sighed, helping Nagato towards and onto the bed. "Thanks for that I guess." she said to Jiraiya.

She lay in bed next to him when Jiraiya left the room.

"I didn't want to be away from you incase Deidara came back" he muttered

"Hmm.. I wasn't to crazy about you staying downstairs on your own either…" she replied as her eyes got heavy with lack of sleep. She gave in and fell asleep with her arm around her lover.

The next morning Jiraiya knocked on the door and after being told he could come in he informed Shiv that he had found Deidara.

"Great! Where is he?"

"Outside the house…"

Shiv's face filled with terror.

"Are you serous?"

"Take a look… carefully mind!" he said noticing her walking straight for the window.

She covertly looked through the window from the cover of the curtain. Sure enough there he was staring up at their room. She darted back to make sure that he didn't see her at all.

"What's he doing?"

"Staring up at this room… I'm scared" she said

Pein began to stir. They both acted normal to cover the fact that there was a great threat outside the house.

"Morning…" He said trying to stretch but failing due to his injuries.

"How are you feeling this morning Nagato?" Jiraiya asked him

"Alright actually. I'm not in as much pain as I was in. are you alright Angel?"

"Y… yes. I'm fine! What makes you ask?"

"I was just asking. You look like you've seen a ghost…"

"No… just worried about Deidara finding us that's all."

He went quiet.

"You're lying to me. Aren't you?"

"No she's not she's just-"

"He's outside the house!" Shiv blurted out

Jiraiya slapped a hand to his forehead.

"What! How did he find us? I thought you said we were safe here Jiraiya!" Pein yelled angrily.

"You are! I just didn't want her to tell you but the idiot yelled it out anyway." He frowned

"Don't you dare call Shiv an idiot! She doesn't like lying to me. Come on. I want to face him!"

"Not like that you don't!" Shiv objected then took in a deep breath. "I'll go"

"No! What if he hurts you again? I don't think I could live with the fact I let you go there alone"

"You are hurt… I cant risk you. Not again"

"I cant risk you either!" Pein said desperately, trying to move to get to her but failing yet again due to his god forsaken wounds.

"Listen to her Nagato! It's part of the plan we have" Jiraiya inputted

"You explain whilst I go and see to Deidara" Shiv said leaving the room.

Downstairs Shiv nervously gripped the door handle and slowly began to open it cautiously.

"Shiv!" Deidara said with a happy surprise.

"Deidara what are you doing here? I thought you were dead?"

"No obviously not because here I am!" He smiled "Some nice woman healed me when she found me left for dead by you and Pein." He said

"I didn't mean to leave you Deidara." She lied "I wanted to heal you again but Nagato thought it was for the best"

"Yeah? Well I'll show him what's for the best!" He said trying to get into the house

"No! Don't do that! Wont it prove you're more of a man if you let him seek you out?"

"Why are you speaking against him? It's a wonder you're not trying to attack me for hurting him."

Shiv swallowed and said "We broke up. I realised he wasn't right for me and vice versa. I told him there was someone else I loved." She said looking at Deidara.

"What are you talking about? You would never leave him! Don't lie to me girl!"

"I'm not! I'm staying with Jiraiya at the moment because he offered me a place to stay whilst I find my bearings again which is why I'm here."

"So where is Pein?"

"I don't care. Probably masturbating over that bitch Konan I guess."

Deidara gave her a frown which then turned into a smile when he realised that he could have her all to himself now.

"So… do you want to get with me instead? You know I love you and I would look after you better than Pein did. At least I wouldn't let you die."

"Erm… Sure. I've always loved you too Deidara. You're the reason I left Nagato."

"Really?" He asked closing in on her the way he did the last time.

Meanwhile back upstairs with Jiraiya, Pein was coming to terms with the fact that his Angel had to pose as Deidara's new love interest.

"I don't agree with it. I wont allow it. She agreed to this!"

"Yeah. She said that she would do whatever to make sure you're safe. She didn't care about her wellbeing as long as you were fine."

"She said that? I don't want him slobbering all over my girlfriend!" Pein was getting agitated.

"Nagato just leave her. She knows what she's doing. She wants to protect you at all costs! Let her do it. At least you have someone who is willing to do this for you! Count yourself as lucky!"

Pein kept quiet as he knew that Jiraiya was right. All this stress wasn't good for his health. He struggled to walk out of the room and went into the back guest room, Pein looked out the window seeing the back landscape, knowing that the front would only cause heart ache. As he looked out Pein noticed a tear down his cheek, he wiped it away without thinking and continued to look outward. As he looked out on to the landscape his thoughts were of his angel placing herself in danger, he didn't want to lose her and the worry began to show. Trickles of rain dropped across the window as the clouds began to darken. Jiraiya walked into the room without Pein noticing.

"Nagato, are you okay?" Jiraiya said placing his arm around Pein's shoulder.

"I'm fine" He replied, still looking out the window

"I'm sorry for being very direct before, I understand this must be very hard for you to bare"

"Don't apologise Jiraiya Sensei, you just told me the truth"

"You've had so many pain's in your life, but always remember that you're a good man, with a good heart. You have the potential to do great things and have finally found stability in your life that's long overdue. I know how much you love her, and how much you want to protect her, but you also need to let her make her own choices. She chose this in the hopes of a bright future for the two of you."

"But I bring danger to us, that's all I have ever done. This is just the latest example. I just don't know what to do anymore, I don't want to cause her pain" Nagato replied

"We all wage war with ourselves, we ask ourselves what the best decision is for everything in every situation, even in hard times like these."

Pein looked at Jiraiya and sighed.

"I guess this does need to be done. But I swear to god she gets hurt again because of this I will kill him a hundred times over."

Back outside Deidara had taken Shiv in his arms and wouldn't let go of her.

"Deidara?"

"Yes my sweet?"

"Are you okay?"

"Why?"

"You're holding me rather tightly… I cant breathe properly"

Loosening his grip on her she told him that she was to go back inside now and that they should meet up tomorrow morning early on. He agreed and left her, trying to give her a kiss.

"Deidara… I'd rather not just yet." she said

"Oh… Okay then…" he said moving away from her and leaving the area.

She headed back into the house, wondering how Nagato had taken the news. She headed upstairs and entered the room where the two men were.

"How did it go?" Jiraiya asked eventually.

"Alright. How's Nagato about it all?"

"Hmm.. Alright I think. Ask him for yourself"

She walked over to where he was standing.

"Nagato?"

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry. I knew I should have talked it through with you first."

"It's not that."

"Huh?"

"Don't ask me why but I keep getting the strangest feeling that you're going to fall in love with him for real the longer this goes on. that's why am not happy with it."

"I wont… you have no reason to worry."

"You don't know that"

"No I don't but I do know my feelings for you are strong and I wouldn't leave you for anyone including Deidara"

A look of relief made its way onto Pein's face.

"That's good… I was really worried."

She went over to him and gently wrapped her arms around him.

"I think it maybe time to teach you the Jutsu's." Jiraiya said to Shiv. "First we need to know if you can learn anything at all. I need you to show me that power I can feel emanating off you."

"How do I do that?" Shiv asked curiously

"Well you will need to get yourself angry or very upset."

"I've been like that before and nothing happened. You seen me when Nagato died."

"Yes but the man you wanted revenge on was dead already."

"What about Konan?" Pein suggested

"What about that scum?" Shiv spat

"She angers you doesn't she?"

"Yes… a lot."

"We shall use her as a goad into unleashing that force she has inside her."

With Shiv's training well underway Pein watched his lover from the window. He could feel a unique power that he had never felt before. She was powerful inside. He knew that she would go far if only she could bring them out…

Suddenly there was a flash of brilliant white light coming from the area where Shiv was standing. Pein struggled to find her through the light that was currently blinding him temporarily. When the dust settled Shiv was surrounded by the white light which had lowered its brightness to a minimum. It almost looked like a faded white aura surrounding her.

"Her power is getting stronger…" Jiraiya muttered to himself in shock, then shouted over to her. "I'm going to have Nagato for myself! He doesn't love you!" he was posing as Konan to antagonise her into attacking.

"Shut up Konan! How DARE you have the nerve to say his name in front of me!" Shiv yelled angrily at Jiraiya.

"Good girl…" Pein thought to himself as he watched his lover's power get stronger and she went in for the attack.

She ran at Jiraiya and managed to land a punch square in his face sending him to the floor. Jiraiya shook it off, got back up and began to attempt to fight back by throwing punches and kicks her way. Shiv dodged all attacks and when Jiraiya threw an especially hard punch, Shiv grabbed his fist and flipped him over causing him to land flat on his back on the rock solid ground.

Arching his back in pain he looked up at her and smiled. "The power is strong in you. I knew it! You will still never be loved by Nagato. He loves Konan" Jiraiya said coaxing her once again into a fight. Pein suddenly appeared in front of Jiraiya.

"Enough Sensei. She has had enough. He may exceed her power and collapse. We can risk that happening with Deidara on the prowl."

"Just once last try." Jiraiya said ignoring Pein altogether. He stood up and took a shot with a Fire Ball Jutsu. It got closer to her and engulfed her.

"Hmm that's something that we will need to practise on…" Jiraiya thought aloud.

"Really? I don't think so. You'll pay for that one" Shiv said from behind him "Blade Jutsu!" Shiv shouted and suddenly a whirl of sharp little blades began making their way towards Jiraiya. They hit their man and brought him to the floor. Managing to use the 3 kunai on his belt and threw them at her. Raising her hand in front of her face she averted the Kunai and they landed into the concrete wall.

Pein shouted over to her "Angel stop! I don't want you getting hurt! Please stop! I love you!"

Suddenly the aura diminished and Shiv was visible again and not just a black shape. She stumbled forward and fell to the ground. Pein immediately went to her aid.

"I told you not to push her!" he yelled at Jiraiya

"Nagato please… you know she has only just unleashed her power for the first time. She will be exhausted. Remember when you unleashed you're Rinnegan for the first time?"

Realising that this was true he asked Jiraiya to carry Shiv back into the house and lay her on the bed. When she was in bed and resting, Pein asked Jiraiya what the next step was.

"We have to keep training. You will have to recover first too. The next step is you getting better incase Shiv needs you're help during battle-"

"Wait… who said she was fighting him?"

"She wants to"

"Well she's not! I know she is now capable but she wouldn't know Deidara's fighting strategy."

"So simply teach it to her then"

"I don't want her getting into anymore danger than she could get into if Deidara finds out she's lying to him"

"She can obviously handle herself. I have no idea where her power comes from. She is unbelievably strong she just needs to find out how to wield it in a fight without thinking its Konan."

"Hmmm… I guess you're right. How can I be of service to you whilst you train her?"

"You could teach her some of you're Jutsu's maybe? Almighty Push maybe a good one"

"She already knows how to block and also by the looks of things Teleportation Jutsu too. Almighty Push wont be of any use to her… that Blade Jutsu was a new one… and it does serious damage. Speaking of which how are you're cuts?"

"Alright… just slightly bleeding now"

"That's good. I think I will have a little match with her in the morning. I know how far to push her"

"But wont she let you win because she loves you?"

"Hmm.. Good point. I'll have to ask her to fight at a good time tomorrow."

"You will need rest if you are to fight her. She is strong." Jiraiya said leaving the room. Pein got into the bed next to her thinking about how he would go about fighting her. He didn't want to but she needed to train incase he wasn't strong enough to take on Deidara.

His eyes becoming heavy again he fell into a deep slumber. Shiv awoke three hours later. She got up and dressed. She had to meet Deidara this morning. If she didn't he may suspect something.

As she got to the bottom of the stairs, Jiraiya said her name. she turned around.

"Where are you going? I was coming to wake you up to train."

"I have to meet Deidara if not he may suspect something is wrong and come to find me"

"Oh…"

"I can train when I get back. I promise I will"

He sighed and let her go as he knew he had no choice. Deidara was waiting for her at the bridge.

"Shiv? I missed you last night."

"Same…" Shiv lied to him, smiling

"Come back with me. You can move in with me… That way you wont have to live with Jiraiya. You don't know what he could be doing to you in you're sleep." Deidara shuddered

"Ew… Deidara, Jiraiya wouldn't do that. He is one of my good friends"

"Yeah well… stay with me anyway. I think it would be better for you. Considering that I have already seen most of you're body it will be like you never left Pein."

"Meaning?" Shiv asked him

"Well I'm assuming he seen you naked…"

"Yeah but what's that got to do with anything"

"The fact that you would be able to do that kind of stuff without worrying about Jiraiya seeing you"

"Oh right…" She said slightly confused still.

"so will you move in with me?"

She didn't even want to say yes but something made her agree to it anyway.

"Yeah okay. Maybe it will be a nice change from the Hidden Rain Village" she said to him

"Great! Meet me tonight here again with your stuff and I will take you back to mine. And maybe to celebrate we can get reacquainted again…" He said slipping his arms around her waist and pulling her closer. Then tipping her head up he placed his lips on hers. She reluctantly kissed back. He sensed this and pulled away.

"What's wrong?"

"It's just I haven't kissed anyone other than Pein… It just feels weird. Like I'm betraying him or something."

"But you're not with him anymore right?"

"Right… its just weird that's all."

"Hmm.. Understandable because you did love him so much. But don't worry you'll learn to love me just as much as you did him…"

"Yeah of course I will" she said back to him "I have to get back now, Jiraiya wants me to help him with something. I will meet you back here at nine tonight"

"Sounds great Angel" He said

"Don't call me that Deidara… that was what he used to call me. I don't like that word"

"Sorry but it just suits you so well" he said kissing her cheek

"Well… I'll see you later then" She said to him and he pulled her in for another kiss. She pulled back and left the area quickly before he could suspect anything. She arrived back at the house and let herself back in. Pein was in the living room waiting for her.

"What are you doing up? You should be resting" she said to him

"Where did you go?"

"I had to meet Deidara. I need to talk to you and Jiraiya about something. I don't think you're going to like it…"

Jiraiya entered from the kitchen and said "Oh good you're back. Should we start training now?"

"No I need to tell you something."

"Deidara doesn't know does he?"

"Don't you think I would be dead by now if he did?"

"No I think he would have followed you back here and attempted to kill Nagato"

"What is it you wanted to tell us Angel?" Pein said to her

"Deidara wants me to move in with him because he thinks it would be better for me."

Pein was silent

"When does he want you to go?"

"Tonight…" Shiv said sadly.

"No. You're not leaving. I don't want you being alone with him for even more than a minute let alone for days on end. I'm not letting you"

"I didn't want to go anyway. I said yes to it"

"Why?" Pein shouted

"I didn't want him suspecting anything! I'm trying to protect you here!"

"Yeah but who will protect you if the time arises?"

"I can take care of myself you know Nagato" she muttered "I'm not a child"

"I never said you were! Look I'm not arguing with you, you are not leaving and that's final!" He shouted once again

"Maybe it would be for the best Nagato. I mean you don't want him coming here and attacking you when you're vulnerable."

"I wouldn't be vulnerable Sensei. I'm getting better. I can take him on"

"Yeah and then die again? Sounds like a solid plan that Nagato" Shiv said sarcastically.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh nothing. Its just the fact that you're weak and if I recall two days ago you couldn't even stand without a prop"

"So! I know I can take him on. You are not going to live with him. End of conversation"

Shiv breathed out hard and looked at Jiraiya

"What do you think I should do?"

"I think maybe you shouldn't go straightaway not until you know what his intentions are"

"What if he doesn't have any? I think he is just doing this to get her away from me! Well I'm not just going to sit back whilst he takes my girlfriend and laughs at me. I'm going to kill him. Right now" Pein says, getting up and starting towards the door.

"If you want to go and get yourself killed you will have to go through me Nagato" Shiv says, blocking his path out of the house.

"Don't do this. I don't want to have to make you move" he said, warning her that he would fight her if necessary.

"Then it looks like you'll have to move me because I'm not letting you get slaughtered. You're not in the condition to-"

"Almighty Push!" Pein shouted and the blast sent Shiv halfway across the room making her back hit the banister of the stairs. She cried out in pain and hit the floor. Not caring what he had done Pein continued on towards the door. Suddenly that same bright white light shone and Shiv stood up, her body becoming the black figure that Jiraiya and Pein had seen before.

She looked up at Pein, only her eyes were visible ay this point.

"Blade Jutsu!" Shiv shouted, sending a wave of tiny blades at him. Pein dodged as many as he could and pushed the final wave away from him.

"You'll have to do better than that Shiv" He hissed at her

She teleported right in front of him and dug a kunai into his arm causing him to reel back from her. He also yelled out as the kunai sunk into him. He tried to get it out but Shiv was using some sort of Jutsu that forced the Kunai to stay in his flesh.

"It's no use. You will have to take me down if you wish to continue" Shiv said, her eyes shining white.

"Then it shall be so. Accept Judgement!" He shouted over to her

"Never!" She growled at him

Pein darted at her and knocked her to the floor with a force.

"I wont let you kill yourself!" Shiv yelled from the ground

She pulled herself from the floor and stood up, facing Nagato.

"The choice is no longer yours, I will kill Deidara and make sure that he never hurts you again" He replied while pulling the kunai from his arm.

"Who are you doing this for? Me or you?"

Pein gave a shocked look, realising what she was implying.

"I'm not after revenge" he answered

"Then trust me, I love you and I'm doing this for you. For us"

"So am I. But he needs to die!"

"Why Nagato, why does he need to die?"

"Because he hurt you, he nearly killed me and he's a threat to us. He must die! Now move aside and stay with Jiraiya until I return"

Pein began to walk towards Shiv, hoping Shiv would step aside. As he approached her she wouldn't move, Shiv looked directly into his eyes and didn't show fear, she was prepared to fight him so long as he was safe from Deidara. Pein stopped little more then a metre away from Shiv.

"Stand aside, I wont ask again" Pein said quietly

"I…I Won't" Shiv whispered back, a tear started running down her face knowing what was coming.

Pein raised his hand at Shiv, in sight of this she leapt out of the way. Something was different, Pein could easily of blown her away then but he was slow, reluctant to take the shot. Shiv knew he didn't want to hurt her but she also knew that he wouldn't do this all day. He would eventually decide to actually attack her. The realisation was painful, knowing that these two lovers were reduced to fighting each other for the same reason. To save and protect each other. Shiv was fighting for him and Nagato was fighting for her, both stubborn, both wanting to protect each other. Even if that meant hurting each other in the process. Shiv knew what she had to do, as did he.

She looked deep into his eyes trying to persuade him without words to trust her, but all she saw was determination. Pein was going to kill Deidara and if that meant injuring Shiv to do so, then so be it. The very least she could do is try and stop him from entering a fight he may very well lose. Knowing the fight was inevitable Shiv looked up into the sky hoping for a resolution to this without conflict, then a drop of water hit her face, then another and another. It was starting to rain, with each second the rain got heavier and began to trickle down Shiv's face. Looking back down she faced Nagato now knowing that he hated doing this as much as she did.

"Stand aside!" Pein ordered

"I thought you weren't going to ask again" Shiv replied

"I don't want to hurt you but I will if you leave me no choice"

"I guess we're in the same position then aren't we?"

"Please Angel" he pleaded

"I cant"

Pein looked down to the floor and started thinking, contemplating what he was about to do. He looked back up towards Shiv and began walking forward

"Then it looks like you've made your choice" he said

Shiv took on a battle stance, she was readying herself for any attack he threw, hoping to fend him off and possibly knock him out. Pein continued walking towards her, not showing any sign of aggressiveness.

"Almighty Push!"

Pein yelled towards Shiv. At the sound of his voice she leapt back dodging his attack if only by a hair, she landed on her feet facing him and darted towards him, knowing his long range attacks don't work as well in close quarters, she readied a kunai and as she came within mere metres of him she threw it. Completely unaware of this type of move the kunai hit Pein in the shoulder, he gave of a small growl, with another throw she hit him again, this time in the arm. Taken aback by the ferocity of her attacks he knew playing games wasn't the answer, he needed to fight as he normally would, even if it was against his own lover and oldest friend.

"Blade Jutsu!"

Pein leaped from his spot and flew into the air knowing of the power that was being unleashed upon him. As he leaped he saw hundreds of small daggers flying towards him, like miniature Kunai's. Pein knew Shiv wasn't playing games, she was trying to seriously injure him knowing that the only way from stopping him killing Deidara was to incapacitate him. Pein had to accept the fact that she was fighting with all her strength and he had to do the same.

As he landed he saw the daggers continue to fly towards him, this time more then before. Hundreds of thousands of daggers were flying towards him. He raised his arms in the air and yelled

"Almighty Push!"

The daggers were repelled but that wouldn't stop Shiv from doing it again, he needed to end this quickly and be careful of how he did it. He saw Shiv standing a fair distance away from him, her hands together as she used her power to summon more and more daggers to fly towards him. Pein had a plan but it would require perfect timing and the possibility of being hit a few times by Shiv's power. He began to walk towards her and start his plan to end this fight before it got to far.

"Universal Pull!"

Pein yelled at the top of his voice and dragged everything around him towards him, Shiv could feel the gravity of his power and dug her feet into the ground stopping herself from being pulled towards him. The daggers that Shiv summoned however were pulled towards him at an even faster speed due to the Universal Pull, with only seconds away from hitting him Pein yelled

"Almighty Push!"

The daggers flew back in the opposite way from Pein, heading back to Shiv, but not all of them were sent back, there were those that made it to Pein before he used his power and pierced his body. With daggers stabbed in Pein and daggers flying directly towards Shiv, the fight had played out the way Pein wanted it to. While he sustained more injuries then anticipated he found his plan was working, he watched the daggers fly towards Shiv.

"Blade Jutsu!"

Shiv yelled as loud as she could, with defeat and possibly death seconds away the only thing she could think of was to send daggers to collide with the daggers flying towards her hoping that it would stop this ping-pong type of strategy Pein used. The newly summoned daggers flew towards them at great speed, as Pein's flew with equal speed. With a loud clash the daggers collided each one falling to the ground, Shiv's plan seemed to of worked, she cancelled out the attack by using the same attack. With all the daggers fallen to the ground she brought her focus towards Pein but couldn't see him. She had had all her focus on the dagger problem that she lost track of Pein, starting to worry she looked around desperately but was nowhere to be seen.

"This is for you my Angel"

Suddenly Shiv felt all feeling in her body become numb, she fell to the ground but instead of hitting the floor she fell into the arms of Pein. As he lowered her body to the ground she looked up, seeing his face.

"How?" she whispered to him

"I used your power as a distraction, and I used Teleportation Jutsu to appear behind you. I simply hit you across your back. don't worry Angel, when you wake it will all be over"

Her sight was becoming blurry, she began to feel faint, Pein had hit the nerves to cause instant unconsciousness and she knew now that she could do anything to stop him. All she could do before she collapsed was say one last thing

"I… Still… Love… You… Nagato… Please… Don't…Do… This"

Nagato had the answer he wanted to know from the beginning of this fight, that afterwards would it of changed anything. Gladly though he now had it

"I still love you my Angel, that will never change, but I need to kill him"

Shiv's eyes closed and he lay her down on the ground, he removed his Akatsuki cloak and placed it over her body, keeping it warm and dry from the rain. He stood up and looked towards the distance, towards his final encounter with Deidara. Nagato looked down at Shiv and smiled

"I wont be long"

Nagato started walking away from her as he headed out of Hidden Rain Village.

End of Chapter 1