Hiroshi stood in battle stance, waiting for the slightest sound or movement to strike. He looked around, sensing a presence.

"Why so jumpy?" a breathy voice whispered in his ear. He turned around quickly, seeing an eerily beautiful girl standing before him. She walked up to him, running her hand along his face.

In an instant, she was behind him, scythe on his neck. Her arms were locked around his torso, with some unimaginable strength.

"Very good Shika, I'm impressed," Hiroshi turned around to see Kazumi standing there.

"What are you doing here?" he hissed, wincing when Shika pressed the scythe farther into his neck, drawing blood.

"You don't sound too happy now do you?" Kazumi replied chuckling, "Don't you want to know about the newest Akatsuki girl?"

It took everything in his strength to keep from gasping. The Akatsuki were supposed to be wiped out, no one had seen the infamous black and red cloak in years. Was it true that they had been there the whole time?

"Yep, we're still here," the leader said, grinning, "Did you really believe we'd be gone so easily? Please, there are heirs you know. Take Shika for example. She's not your average kunoichi. You've heard of Hidan, yes? She's his daughter."

Hiroshi couldn't believe it. Hidan? Why would he have a daughter? And with who?

"Shika is a lot like him," Kazumi went on, "She too is a Jashin--worshipper and has the same, shall we say, bloodlust as him. She finds great pleasure in the pain of causing harm to both herself and others. She also seemed to develop his foul mouth," she said, giving said Kunoichi a look, "But, unlike Hidan, she is not immortal. Her mother was Sakura Haruno. You've heard of her as well I assume? She gave birth to Shika a few months after Hidan's death and was able to successfully keep it a secret. Sakura taught her daughter well. She not only hold the power to heal as both her mother and the Hokage did, but she also has the same inhuman strength."

This was clearly news to Hiroshi. Such a small girl, able to hold such powers. No wonder Kazumi has her.

"She wields a scythe, just like her father, but is able to focus her chakra into her hands, giving a fatal blow to any opponent. Because she's also a medic-nin, she can practice Jashin just as Hidan did. But besides holding their powers, she also holds her own. Shika is a lethal fighting machine. Any opponent up against her should be saying their prayers now," Kazumi concluded, grinning.

"You ready for this, pretty boy?" Shika said, licking her scythe, "Let's go."

Two hours later Hiroshi stood with his hands on his knees. This girl's strength was unreal. It didn't even look like she had broken a sweat. But he noticed that the majority of her moves were a lot like both Hidan's and Sakura's. He was able to defend himself and even counter some of them. But the constant fighting was definitely damaging him and his chakra. If he didn't end it soon he would be done for.

"I must say, you're a bit more of a challenge than most of my opponents," he heard her say, "But with this last move you'll be finished."

Then her hands were moving, making hand seals to quick to recognize. A few words were spoken under her breath and then, something hit him. Flying against a tree Hiroshi looked up to see where she was, but she didn't to appear to have moved. With the flick of her fingers, he was brought forward up to her nose. She grinned and leaned forward, her black eyes flashing.

"I kind of like you, so I'll try to make this quick," she said, her lips grazing his ear.

In one swift motion she let him go and he was spun around. He grabbed a kunai, raising it, about to strike. But then she raised her arm and flung her hand out. Hiroshi was thrown against a tree, his head cracking.

'No, not now' he thought 'stay conscious.'

Shika moved towards him menacingly, a needle suddenly in her hand. She pressed it into his arm quickly, and licked her lips.

"Night, night," he heard her whisper. And then, it all went black.

'Am I dead?' Hiroshi wondered, his head throbbing, 'where the hell am I?'

Something was placed over his forehead, a cool cloth he realized. He tried to push himself up, but his arms felt too weak. After waiting a few moments he tried again, getting up only a couple inches before something pushed him back down.

He wearily opened his eyes and saw a gray ceiling above him. Turning his head slightly he saw someone sitting by the bed, writing in a notebook. Shika.

"W-what am I doing here?" he asked, his voice barely audible. She looked up at him, her eyes surprisingly cold.

"Kazumi's orders," she stated simply, looking down to her writing again.

"What? Why?" he asked, not understanding. He heard her sigh as she set her book down on the table beside the bed.

"Are you really that dense? Kazumi wants you here, you big dumb bastard," she scowled before continuing, "I wasn't supposed to kill you. Just knock you out so we could bring you here and then I could heal you. Leader thinks that you would be a wonderful addition to the Akatsuki."

"And if I don't accept?" Hiroshi replied, now able to sit up.

"Oh, you're going to accept," she said, smirking, "You have no choice. I can kill you in an instant, just like everyone else here. And besides, what do you have to go home to? You have no family, and no love. You really should be thanking us."

The ninja was taken aback by her rudeness. How the hell did she even know that? It was personal to him and she had no right whatsoever to bring it up.

"Of course, there are downsides to being here," Shika went on, "I have to train you, which is going to be a total drag. You might think that you're all strong and shit, but really, we can break you before you even know that it would happen. Now, get up, time to train."

"What?" he shouted, "It's been a day since that fight and you already want to get training? Are you crazy?"

"Actually, it's been a week. You've been out for-fucking-ever and it's about time you get moving." With that she walked out, obviously expecting him to follow.

Hiroshi walked into the Akatsuki Base Camp, his clothes torn and dirty. He had been in the organization for 2 weeks now and he still wasn't used to the days where he trained with Shika. To say they were brutal would be one hell of an understatement.

Lucky for him, they were only a few times a week. And he rarely saw her, so of course that was a plus. Her constant mood swings and intense attitude were really getting on his nerves. When she wasn't helping him train, she was out. He wouldn't see her for a whole day. 'Errands,' that what she had said. Errands twice a week for 2 weeks, and all day? He would need to look into that.

But until then he sat at the kitchen table, eating a rice ball with a glass of water. Just then, two of the other members, Katsu and Sora, walked in. Hiroshi had gotten to know them quite well and he automatically liked them more than Shika.

Sora had never known her parents, so her history was a mystery. All she knew was that she and her sister, Kiyoko, had been found by Kazumi when they were 13 years old. Or, that was all she had told anyone. Kiyoko was probably the exact opposite of Sora. She was moody and depressed, known for lashing out at people. She was also Shika's best friend.

Katsu had come from a far away village, but had been excepted into Akatsuki because he was Konan and Pein's adopted son. He, like Pein, had pierced his face in multiple places and had found quite an interest in oragami much like Konan. He just didn't think that pieces of paper would be a "formidable" fighting tool.

Kazumi was a whole different story from all the rest of them. Not only was she extremely skilled in combat, but she was also the leader of the Village Hidden in the Rain, Amegakure. Shika was right at her side always, obviously her most valuable weapon. Hiroshi had never seen Kazumi in an intense fight, but he was sure she was a forced to be reckoned with.

Nonetheless, he found the Akatsuki to, not necessarily make him happy, but certainly able to tolerate it and even be content at times. He had not yet been informed of the reason for the organization to be around still, but an important dinner meeting was tomorrow and he's be damned if he would miss it.

The shinobi turned his attention to Sora and Katsu, who were now seated and engrossed in some sort of conversation.

"So Kiyoko won't say anything about it?" Katsu seemed to be pressing the question on Sora, who was noticeably uncomfortable with the situation.

"Nope," she shook her head, "They're best fiends Katsu. She wouldn't want to betray Shika and her trust."

"What about Shika?" Hiroshi asked, wondering why the hell he wanted to know about her.

"We've been trying to figure out where she goes when she's not training for months now. She never tells any of us. Only Kiyoko and Kazumi know where she goes for sure," Katsu explained.

"Well... Good luck with that," he replied, "I'm going out to pick up some groceries since we're seriously running low on edible things here."

The pair laughed at him and waved him off. As Hiroshi made his way into town, Katsu's words were still in his head. Months? What would she be doing that she couldn't tell anyone anyway? He shook his head, willing the thoughts to go away as he stopped at the first produce cart.

He had returned home only an hour later, only to be sent back out. Kazumi sent him on a mission to scan over the city that night to find possible shinobi for the Aktasuki, since they were still a fairly small group. He was told to try and find only the strongest possible, it would be a wasted effort to have a weak person in the organization. He wasn't supposed to actually fight them, only recognize who they were and get some names, maybe even make some small talk.

So far Hiroshi had found one perosn, a burly man named Tsuyoshi who was apparently only visiting for a small vacation. He'd had the same wavy hair as Katsu, but the similarities ended there. His hair was jet black and his eyes were the oddest shade of blue, possessing a gem-like quality.. He had three scars on the bridge of his nose and hadn't been willing to share any information on those. Tsuyoshi had told him that he had a sister, but she wasn't there and he was told to look in the building with flashing lights and a large line.

He walked up to the building and was able to slip in unnoticed by the bouncer. Assuming that it was a club of some sort, he smoothed his shoulder length hair and explored the inside of the building, looking for Tsuyoshi's sister. It smelled like booze and sweat in the place and he was being bumped into by all sorts of people.

He made his way to the back and saw a stage with three metal poles. He was in a strip club. Why Tsuyoshi's sister would be here, he had no idea. Hiroshi willed himself to stay focused as he scanned his eyes over the large crowd. From what he could tell the show hadn't started yet and he wasn't sure he wanted to be around when it did. A fishnet-clad leg made it's way out of the curtain, signaling the start. So much for getting out.

Three barely dressed women came out, automatically taking their places on the pole. As the blaring music came to a fast beat the women started dancing and twirling. He turned his gaze away from them and towards the other person who had made her way to the main platform. Her black hair and crystal blue eyes were unmistakable. Tsuyoshi's sister. As she began her strip-tease he made his way to the front of the crowd, pulling out his wallet.

She crawled towards him and sat on his lap, running her long nails along his cheek.

"I need to see you, privately," he whispered in her ear, hoping he sounded like every other man that was there, "It's about Tsuyoshi." She nodded and took his hand to the back, ignoring the other man who waved to her.

He found himself in the back where the ladies got ready, the make up and hair products a dead giveaway.

"What does my brother have anything to do with why you're here?" she asked, her diamond eyes burning into his.

"I was told to look for strong shinobi by Leader's orders," he replied, betraying his mission entirely. He figured the best way to talk to the girl was to be straightforward.

"The Akatsuki?" she guessed, cocking a perfect eyebrow.

"You've heard of us?"

"Everyone has. You're no secret here. If you're asking Tsuyoshi and I to join you had better believe that we've been waiting for a moment like this. I will inform him of the news," she told him.

"I will tell Leader, although no decision will be final until you two are assessed," he said, giving her a slight nod.

"Understood. My name is Akira by the way. Be here tomorrow to tell us anything else you find out. Until then, I must leave. I've been gone far too long as it is."

He nodded and watched her leave, glad that his mission was successful. Turning to leave, a flash of purple caught his eye.

Cool metal was pressed on his neck before he could even protest. He knew that chakra, unbelievably powerful and no doubt Shika's.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" she hissed, the kunai pressing just a bit harder, nearly drawing blood.

"I could ask you the same question. But I won't, considering it's most likely a personal thing. Leader wanted me to find some other possible shinobi to join the Akatsuki. I was told by Akira's brother to come here," he calmly explained.

"That black haired bitch? No way in hell is she joining. Not if I have any say. Tonight was my night, and she stole it," she growled, stopping short as she realized the mistake she had made.

"Hm, the cat's out of the bag, eh?"

"You have no idea how hard it is to make money for the organization. I had no choice. Me working here is the only thing keeping the Akatsuki alive," she fiercely replied, "If you have a problem with it than you can bet your ass I'll have you thrown out before you even knew what was happening."

He didn't doubt that. Kazumi trusted her probably more than anyone, and would certainly listen to her when she had something important to say.

"I have no problem and won't say a word to anyone," he promised, "But promise me one thing."

"And what the hell would that be?"

"Promise me you won't get hurt," he replied, and without waiting for an answer, he disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"Damn it!" Shika smashed the tree with her fist, "Fucking bastard!" She had been training all day, smashing anything in her path. She hadn't bothered with her gloves and her knuckles were split open and bleeding profusely. She could tell her chakra was low, but it still didn't stop her from kicking the next three trees in her path.

It was all Hiroshi's fault. Fuck him. She hated him. She really did. If he had picked any other night to go downtown, things would've been fine. But he didn't. Bastard.

Using the last of her chakra, she smashed the ground beneath her, the bones in her hand making a sickening crunch. The kunoichi dropped to her knees, hands shaking. Covering her mouth with her hands, she tried to muffle her screams. This wasn't supposed to happen. She wasn't supposed to be the unstable one. She was too strong, damn it!

Shika tried standing, but her limbs felt detached from her body. She fell to her knees once again, this time making no attempt to get back up. It was almost dusk anyway. Nobody would notice if she wasn't in her bed tonight.

Using the last of her strength, she curled up, falling asleep immediately.

The next day, Shika woke up to the few birds outside. She rolled onto her back, putting her hands behind her back to get ready to stand. She lifted her legs and pushing the rest of her weight to her hands, she snapped onto her feet.

Or... she tried to. The moment her hands had the majority of her weight she crumpled. Swearing under her breath, she looked at her hands, assessing the damage.

Her knuckles were split open and her fingers had a purple-ish tint to them. Both of her middle finger seemed to be broken, both were significantly more swollen than the rest of her fingers. She had a few broken knuckles and had fractured her right wrist.

As she began to heal herself, she felt a familiar chakra signature. Sora appeared at her side, already beginning to heal her broken hands.

"I'll be able to heal the breaks and I can fix your knuckles. But the bruises will have to just go down by themselves," she murmured, her gray hair covering tickling Shika's arm.

"I can heal myself," Shika growled, pulling away her hands. Sora grabbed them and began to heal her again.

"I don't think so, not only is your chakra dangerously low, but trying to heal yourself with a broken hand? Yeah right."

The purple haired ninja nodded, bracing herself as Sora set her fingers and knuckles back into place. Wincing slightly, she gave the medic-nin her left hand.

"How did you know I was here?" she asked quietly, her curiosity getting the better of her.

"I noticed you weren't at dinner last night," Sora replied as she worked, "When you weren't in your bed this morning I decided to look for you. Leader has some important information to tell you that you missed. I wanted to make sure you were here for it."

Shika nodded and thanked her as she finished. The two walked back to the house in silence. Sora had always been good about not prying, making her a great person to talk to. Shika never did, but the fact that knowing she could had always been comforting.

Sora looked back at the woman behind her. Ever since Hiroshi had joined, she had seemed much more tense than normally. Her eyes seemed to have more hatred too. She had always been a very cold individual, but it was getting kind of excessive.

She wouldn't ask though. If Shika didn't want to say anything, she didn't have to. 'Whatever works' she thought.