"Cheers!" ~(￣▽￣)~*

"Let's celebrate for the foundation of Akatsuki studio!"

It was a sunny day when the party starts. Not so far away from the center of Ame, the old Akatsuki base had been renewed from inside to the outside. It was an old rusty tower stood upright in the rain. Now, it looks different. It was shining as the raindrops flow and splash over the surface texture colored in warm colors. Before the tower may be oblivious in the woods of rusted tower, now it was a sunflower stood in the dead trees, symbolizing the sunshine in the village.

In the middle of the living room on the second floor was a long table. There is various refreshments like dango and cake on the table for people to enjoy. Every Akatsuki member who was not busying filming was present at the celebration. Designed by Sasori and Konan, the inside decoration had made the building homey and cozy. It was hard to imagine the members worked there were rogue nins, even harder to come up with the image that so many S rank rogue could sit around a table peacefully and talking.

Well, maybe not so peaceful. Argument and conflicts are inevitable during the interactions as long as it's Akatsuki.

Even if it is just a celebration party.

"You guys should have known that we don't have much screen time left. Our source of income had been cut short and decreasing since last year. We need to find new ways of living and making money!" Kakuzu shouted, "but look at what you've done to our budget! Renovation! Celebration party! These are all money! "

"Well, we've already saved a lot on promotion so stop complaining about the money." Kisame said, "You agreed with the schedule anyways."

"You didn't tell me about the price!"

"It's very wise that our treasurer is not Kakuzu." Sasori mused, "Otherwise we won't have the money for equipment, let alone the renovation."

"The waterproof materials are perfect to prevent moistures," Deidara grinned, "More clean space for creating art, un. No more worries about storing new works. Wonderful, un. Even I want to say thank you, Itachi."

Sitting not very far from him, the said treasurer didn't say anything. As if to ignore the noise from party, Itachi focused on the tea and dango in front of him. As quiet as always, he looked up to the other side of the table before turning his head and looked back to his refreshments.

It was almost a year after the manga completed. All the staffs was glad that the plots are set so they don't have to create original stories just to prevent catching up with the manga too soon. But for the Akatsuki, however, their chance and possibilities of showing up in the anime had become unfortunately low. They had to find new jobs. That's why they renewed their base into a studio.

"Okay, since everyone is here…" The leader started.

"Hey, it's only eight of us!" Hidan shouted, "Where is everyone else?"

"…there are several things about the Studio we need to now." Pein obviously ignored Hidan and cleared his throat.

"The core purpose of the Studio will be somewhat different from before," Pein continued, "We focus on construction and creations for villages, including designs and renovation on buildings. We still take orders and missions from other countries and villages, but no more about warfare and violent unless necessary. Our present goal is to renew Ame and create a peaceful village! So no more vandalism, no destructions or terrorism." Pein thought for a brief moment, "no explosions or masochism."

Not much different from before except some more rules. Pein thought as he spoke. But it's a start.

"What?! I thought you told me we can create more art when the Studio established!" Deidara called with displeasure, "We are not a charity, un!"

"And what about Jashinism!" Hidan exclaimed.

"That," Pein paused, "depends on situations. If, and only if," he stressed, "anyone are interested in your…idea." He sighed, "The demand and orders will increase rapidly when the anime and war ends, and that's how we make money. Anyway, the details will be given to you in a few days along with your duties in the Studio. Don't be lazy and procrastinate. Our monthly goal of income and achievement are needed to be reached and archived."

"I will keep eyes on you guys." Konan looked around the present members and added. The time her eyes stayed on Deidara and Hidan was unnecessary long.

"Tch, what a pain." They both grunted.

"Did you say something?" Konan arched her eyebrow.

"No, nothing." Deidara shook his head quickly and turned his attention on the oden on table, "That's mine, danna!" he shouted when seeing Sasori grabbed the bowl of oden before he could reach it, "I ordered it and I paid the bill!"

"You asked for trouble." Sasori said in an amuzed voice and swallowed the oden, "She didn't say that was you." He smirked," And it's your own fault not to take the target on time. Remember the lesson."

"That's unfair, danna, un!" Deidara didn't manage to catch the bowl in time, "That's my oden, un! Your poor taste system doesn't know how to appreciate delicacy, un!"

On the other hand, however, "People need belief after the war!", Hidan's complain was loud as always, "Jashin-sama needs more sacrifices to ensure the peace."

"We are not filming so don't say something like that." Kakuzu face-palmed, "You can't get any money from saying that! And stop knocking the table!" He raised the voice when he realized what Hidan was knocking, "That's a grand new walnut table and cost a fortune!"

"Did he really forget that the others are not available recently?" Konan whispered to Pein.

"Who knows, but to be honest, the screen time of his is the least among us." Pein answered, "It's understandable."

Looking around and table, Kisame turned his head to Itachi beside him, "Do you think the business can develop smoothly?" the voice showed some uncertainties and worries.

Itachi sipped the tea and sighed.

"Hopefully." He said。

It soon turned out that the worry was not unnecessary.

—

Notes:

About the setting… The characters are both ninjas and actors. They live in the "Naruto" world, but at the same time "Naruto" is also the TV program. Their personalities and abilities are the same to how they are like in the manga. The experiences can be somewhat different. I know it's kind of confusing but the idea intrigued me. Well, just don't think too much about the setting and enjoy the story! ;p

Yes, the Akatsuki is still alive in this story, so does someone else.