1/9/2009
Greetings both new and old readers!
Some may ask, 'Why a seventh story?' but this idea has plauged my thoughts and so therefore, I shall write it.
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I do not own Naruto or "Wait for You" by Elliot Yamin.

Chapter 1: To Cleanse the Palette

Song of the Chapter:
Wait for You – Elliot Yamin
Reason: A simple misunderstanding can destroy a love…

Itachi was, by now, most in touch with the exact ways to go about the recruitment of Akatsuki members having a little experience in this department himself. He had heard rumors float around how Zetsu had been sent out to retrieve Orochimaru's membership ring but he did not expect being called into Pein's office one winter morning. He had been outside meditating when he walked in, snowflakes still glistening in his raven hair. "Leader-sama, what are your wishes?"

Pein smirked at the young arrogant Uchiha as he motioned for Konan to come with some information. She handed Itachi the folder who examined it with curiosity. "You are off to recruit a potential Akatsuki member." Itachi found a small photograph of her and raised an eyebrow in approval. Her waist length black hair was in an elegant braid while her eyes were sharp with intelligence. Itachi mused as she looked familiar to him in an odd sort of manner but he could not place how he might have known the mysterious woman. "She is to start off as a subordinate because we are unsure if she will stay with us willingly." Itachi smirked as he looked over her file. There was hardly any information on her capabilities, village association or even any ninja powers and ranks.

"Leader-sama… is there a slight chance that Madara-sama is the one who is interested in this Minori Shokumotsu?" Pein smirked as he nodded.

"Exactly what Madara-sama's interest in the woman remains unknown to me and Konan. You have wasted enough time; get Kisame and retrieve her." Itachi bowed at and still clutching the folder departs from the office. Meanwhile, Konan looks up at Pein with a look of interest in her eyes.

"We should get on with our duties; Tobi will wake up soon." Pein regarded her for a moment and nodded. They both departed on a mission and left the base.

Tobi and Madara's Dream

Madara stood at the cliff overlooking the waterfall watching her. The smile that was on her face widened seeing the sun's position and the shimmers of light reflecting off of the water. "Madara-kun, this place is so perfect."

The Uchiha stroked her face, tucking a few stray strands of hair behind her ears and leaning over to her ears, he whispered, "Only the best for you my dear." She smiled and her hands wove themselves into his long, silky hair and pulling him closer as Madara moved himself closer to her in a passionate, heated kiss. Licking her lower lip, she slightly gasped at the sensation and could not stop the moan that escaped her mouth. The sound made Madara growl in approval as he began a duel of tongues with the kunoichi in his arms. A resonating boom jarred him out of his thoughts.

Tobi thrashed around in his bed griping the covers with an unnatural grip. Deidara walked inside the room and seeing the mask wearing ninja in such a state decides to wake him up, but being Deidara a simple nudge on the shoulder will not do. Deidara molds a millipede and once it slithers under Tobi's bed, the blond walks away and once a safe distance away, explodes it. The masked shinobi is forced off of his bed and hits the wall. He groaned and looked at this bed. "Deidara-senpai interrupted a good dream…" Grumbling, the normally cheerful man stomped off towards his bathroom in displeasure.

Minori swore loudly when one of the waitresses backed into her as they attempted to navigate the narrow kitchen. One glare later and the fragile woman scurried away. Muttering about easily scared help, Minori finished preparing the salmon onigiri and not wishing to have the precious food dropped, she took it upon herself to take the food out. Walking out of the crowded back area, the other patrons had a hushed look upon their face seeing the head chef bringing out food. Unfortunately, the customer did not seem to appreciate the extra care taken into the meal or the fact that the head chef herself presented the food. She bowed her head and smiled, "Enjoy your food Takeshi-sama!"

Said man looked at the food before his lip curled into a cruel sneer. "I said no fish woman!" Minori felt a vein pop in her forehead but under her dark hair, it was not visible.

"If Takeshi-sama would like, I can remake you some onigiri this time without salmon and you keep this dish compliments of the chef." She smiled at the man and took his silence as consent. On the way back to the kitchen; she turned to the young shaken waitress. "Next time if you would Keiko-chan, get the order right." Keiko nodded quickly and as was about to walk away when Minori grabbed her wrist roughly. Keiko squeaked in surprise as the onigiri, plate and all, hit her senpai in the back of the head. Minori's eyes widened as she stumbled forward having to hold onto the waitress to maintain her grip. "Oh…" was all that escaped as she swayed.

The waitress looked at the offending patron who smirked at her. "Perhaps if this little waitress brought me my food, I would not be so particular." Keiko's eyes widened as she looked towards Minori in fear. Minori's respect and wishes to please the customer left immediately as she turned around and within an instant, was in front of the rude man, hands on her hips.

"You are not allowed to insult my food or my coworkers in such a manner otherwise I will ensure you regret it." Takeshi laughed as he stared down the woman but the chef had enough. Her eyes acquired a steely glint and the aura around her shifted to something almost sinister as her hand twitched. Before she could grab the man's throat, the manager came and exclaimed at the scene.

"Minori-san! I know he started it but I cannot have you starting another scene again!" Minori's aura appeared to calm down but the look in her eyes did not vanish immediately, killing intent still visible. Nonetheless, she did back down and her look softened seeing Keiko shivering in fear. "Go back to the kitchen before there is yet another scene Minori-san." Nodding the chef shot the man one last glare before retreating into the kitchen. The manager looked at the man. "Sir, you will have to leave."

Takeshi's mouth flew open as he stood up suddenly and exclaimed, "That bitch started it! You should fire her if anything; I should take her with me the stupid little cu…" He was stopped when a rather blue hand placed itself at his shoulder and squeezed tightly. "Who the hell are you two?" he muttered glaring at the blue man and the young black haired man.

The dark haired man stood in front of him, black eyes suddenly blazing crimson. "It is none of your concern now please take your leave of this restaurant; you are disturbing our meal." Takeshi was about to retort when his eyes dazed for a moment and numbly handing Keiko the money for his uneaten onigiri, he stumbled out. Keiko turned towards the two men and nodded.

"I am sorry for him being troublesome. Is there anything I could do for you two gentlemen?" As scary as these men were, they did not emit an intimidating aura and both of them, even the small of the two men, had a small smile.

The bigger of the two spoke to her, smile all consuming. "That chef… can she come out so we could ask her about recommendations for dessert?" Keiko beamed as she nodded.

"Of course; Minori-senpai loves telling people about her dishes. Cooking is her passion." After she dashed off to the kitchen Kisame smirked at Itachi. Just as she opened the door to the kitchen, Kisame snickered hearing some of the profanities being spoken.

"Come on kid, you had to admit that little waitress was at least a little cute." Itachi raised his raven eyebrow and snorted. "Not in the slightest?"

"No. My interests do not lie with women Kisame." The shark ninja smirked as he took a sip of some sake.

"Ah Itachi-san, I didn't realize you swung the other way." Itachi slammed down the sake cup harder than intended and glared at his teammate. "Fine fine, I take it back. You don't have to go all Mangekyo on my ass you know."

"Hn; could have fooled me." Itachi smirked as Kisame grunted and when he was about to fling another retort, they noticed a certain chef rush towards their table.

Itachi did not know that any woman could have so deeply attracted him but the long dark hair that was in a braid put up into a bun to make cooking easier was practical and attention grabbing. He also was intrigued by the mystery in her eyes. What Kisame noticed was the grace she moved with that was typical of kunoichi and the various chef's knives she had on a belt that she was currently wearing. She gave a forced smile that would have fooled civilians as she spoke, "What desserts may I interest you two in? I can make a variety of sweets or something with fruit perhaps? I make some excellent dango if your inclination is such."

Itachi's eyes brightened hearing the dango but the former Leaf ninja knew his priorities. "Could you please bring out some dango… and if you would speak with us while we eat to possibly discuss employment opportunities for you." Minori raised an eyebrow but nodded as she swept off towards the kitchen to prepare their, or rather, Itachi's treat. Kisame could not resist chuckling which made Itachi instantly glare.

"She reminds me a lot of you Itachi-san. I swear she is like an Uchiha too or something." Itachi looked blankly at the blue ninja in half curiosity, half frozen emotion.

"You know as well as I do Kisame that there are no Uchihas left except two others not including myself." Kisame rolled his eyes and wanted to poke more fun at Itachi's expense but that was the cue for the dango to be brought to them by chef Minori.

"Your dango gentlemen. I must warn you, I cannot speak long; I do have a job currently after all." Kisame laughed as she sat watching Itachi pick at the dango. "So… what was it exactly you wanted to discuss?"

Itachi bit at a dango and looked the young woman in the eye. "We extend an invitation for you to join our illustrious organization, the Akastuki." Minori stares at the Uchiha with confusion.

"Akatsuki?" She tilts her head and looks between the two men. "The fuck's that?"

Kisame laughs as he surveys her. "A kunoichi like you surely would know." Minori shakes her head and moves her hand in a manner to dismiss the fact.

"I assure you, a ninja I am not. I am merely a humble chef that only wishes to cook until the end of her days." Itachi smirked at her as he took another bite of dango.

"What about the fact that you allowed the plate of onigiri to hit you in the forehead so that the waitress would not have her face smashed? Or the killer intent? You are hiding something and it is something Akatsuki wants." Minori stands up and glares at the two of them.

"Look, back off. I don't know what this Akatsuki stuff is but I learned when ninjas are involved, stay the fuck away. Just leave me alone." She tries to walk away when Itachi grabs her wrist and twists her arm. "Why can't you let me go you bastard?" Unfortunately, her struggles alerted the manager who dashed over.

"Minori, are you arguing with yet another customer?" Minori's mouth dropped as she pointed to the Uchiha with disdain apparent in her eyes. "Minori… please whatever you did, just apologize and get on with cooking the next meal."

"Well I would except this ass hole is not letting me go. I have work to do and they are preventing me from accomplishing it." She attempted once again to pull her wrist out of the Uchiha's grip but he instead tugged making fall against him.

"Minori… this is hard to say but you really are a liability outside the kitchen. I'm afraid I am going to have to let you go." Minori's eye widened as she watched her boss continue. "Your temper has gotten you fired from other places and although I know you really have tried to control it and not do the same, enough is enough. We are getting more people here to witness your antics than to actually sample our cuisine. I am sorry but you are through here." As the manager walked away, Minori did not register the fact that Itachi had released her wrist or the fact that he planned it to remove her attachments. Minori stood there impassive for a moment before turning to Itachi and Kisame.

"I hope you dumb fucks are proud of yourselves. This was the last place in town for me to work because of my temper. I have nothing now and the rent on my apartment is due tomorrow and without a paycheck, I don't have a home either."

She was about to storm out when she heard a small voice, "Minori-senpai?" Minori turned around and gave a small smile to Keiko who held a bracelet to her. "This is a friendship bracelet senpai. So if you ever visit again, you know you have a friend. I have one to." She pointed to her wrist as Minori held the bracelet. It was a black string with red beads around it, not expensive but the intentions behind it made up for everything. Taking her silence as acceptance, Keiko placed the bracelet around her left arm. "Since you are left handed and everything, when you do an activity, I want you to see the bracelet and remember."

Minori caved and hugged the little waitress to her. "Thank you so much Keiko-chan. You have no idea what this means to me… I will visit as much as possible but first I need to find a new job and a new home." Keiko returned the hug and smiled as her senpai released her. "I… need to go now. Can't go causing too much trouble, eh… I will see you later Keiko-chan and while I'm gone, go find yourself a good man." She laughed at Keiko's red face and she walked out of the restaurant.

Meanwhile, Kisame and Itachi were debating amongst each either. "You know Itachi-san… she is feisty and that might prove difficult on missions." The Uchiha had other thoughts on his mind.

"Kisame, she is not normal. There is something else about here and I suspect this is why Leader-sama wanted us to bring her to Akatsuki, even if she ends up only being a subordinate like Tobi." Kisame smirked at the thought of Minori working with the hyperactive Tobi. "Her temper and passion if anything will help to fuel her determination if she can be brought onto our side."

"So says the emotional ice cube." Itachi glared at his partner as they paid for their meal and walked out of the restaurant, in search of the chef.

Minori grunted as she continued to toss things into her backpack. Admittedly, she did not have very much in the way of possessions, but she had thought she had almost found a home in the Lightning Country. I did not think it possible to exhaust the employment opportunities of the restaurants in the Cloud Village and there are a lot of eateries… She put a hand to her temple and sighs at the day. She is about to open the door knob when it was jerked open. She instinctively got into a defensive stance. "Who the fuck has come to make my bad day worse?" she shouted.

When she saw the two imposing figures of Itachi and Kisame, she frowned while Kisame laughed at her. "You say that you are not a shinobi but here you are doing a defensive stance." She frowned but did not drop her stance.

"Look… you two have ruined my last job in the Cloud Village… I just want to cook alright and now I have no job and because of that, no apartment." Itachi smirked and walked closer to her as if daring her to strike him. Her position relaxed as she sighed. "Can't mess up the day worse I suppose." She turned around when Itachi grabbed her right wrist. She winced and looked at the Uchiha with annoyance.

"If anything, by coming back with us, you can cook if you wish. We have few people who are able to cook acceptably. I make ramen alright while Kisame is good at making sushi. Other that, nutrient wise, the Akatsuki diet is not up to our high standards." Minori's eyes took on a gaze of semi interest but she still was wary. Sighing she sat down on a futon and surveyed the two ninjas with curiosity and dislike apparent in her gaze.

"Fine… I will go with you two but remember I am not a ninja." Itachi smirked at her while Kisame picked up her bag. "So… when do we leave?"

"Glad to see you are cooperative; thought for a moment we had to threaten that pretty little waitress friend of yours." Kisame barely dodged a round house kick after the words carelessly left your mouth. "And you are not a ninja… right…"

Her eyes narrowed into slits and held a cold aura that Itachi found himself impressed by. "Threaten Keiko-chan and you shall suffer a long, painful death." Her eyes glared at Itachi who had raised an eyebrow at her sudden change. "Come on. If that is what is required, we must leave."

Nodding, the two Akatsuki led the raven haired chef to the Akatsuki base.