A/N: Well! Here's the new story. And from reading another KonanxAkatsuki pairing, it gave me inspiration for this one. So R&R!
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, or any other characters, just the plot. And, I do not own any songs mentioned in this chapter, just my dreams. **Weeps.**
Warnings: Violence, gore, and swearing. Possible lemons in other chapters, rating may change.
'Harder…'
'Faster…'
'… Stronger!'
It was a chant, something she repeated to herself repeatedly to give her an extra boost when she was waiting for her match to begin, for the soul purpose of money and survival. But the crowd didn't care about any personal problems. They cared about entertainment and bloodshed, since that is the soul purpose of the underground fighting leagues.
It was her life, her purpose for existence. To be an entertainer. But it wasn't her choice. It was destiny. It had to be, being that she was an orphan from age 5, which was thrust into the world of crime at a young age, and forced to be an underground Cage fighter. But it never was anyone's choice. Who would live a life of crime that you killed at least one person legally to make enough money for food and obvious needs such as shelter, than be successful at life and get a proper education and no worries about shelter and food? Nobody with a sane mental capacity, she was sure.
But it was either living a murderer, or living a prostitute. She chose to be a murderer. She will never in a million years scoop as low to sell your body out to strangers, and risk your health for whatever reason. To her, those people here scum.
Hence why she chose to be a Cage fighter. The toughest league of the underground fighters, beginning from wrestling, to boxing, then to Cage fighting.
Wrestling she already tried when she was a child; she didn't like it very much. She had a bloodlust, even though she was merely five years old. She was strange, but after tons of whining, begging, and pleading; she got the chance to be a Cage fighter.
A cage fighter is where you fight to the death, or damn near it. You don't stop unless you're sure that your opponent won't get up, and will never have the chance to get up and challenge you again. You have three choices. One: you cripple them. You break every last bone in their body to end their carrier, two: You kill them, or three: injure them they wish to be killed.
It was simple, really. She never fails to entertain the crowd with her abnormal fighting style and looks that a goddess would be jealous. For she was Konan, and she was dubbed 'The Queen of the Cage.'
She was a legend in the undergrounds. She has been ever since her carrier from age 5, taking out opponents that nobody wished to have for themselves from danger, yet she always manages to win no matter what state she was in, be it perfectly healthy or on the verge of death. She always won.
But today may be a challenge. Today, she was facing the number one underground champion throughout the countries, and that one person was highly dangerous and on a whole different level than her other opponents so far.
She was Tayuya, 'The Music Mistress.' And she was known throughout for her beautiful melody that emanated from her flute, and paralyzed you to the spot where she will land a killing blow to the heart, lung, or stomach.
"... Hmm."
She hummed in amusement while a stage assistant came to escort her to the entrance of the ring, being that the match right before her was just won. By who? She didn't know, and honestly… She didn't care. For it was her time to shine, and beat Tayuya to a bloody pulp where she will claim the prize and honor of being the most feared woman in the undergrounds… And then maybe move to the men's league and beat some ass there, too.
But for now, she walked over to the assistant, adjusted her pure black hoodie, and began walking ahead towards her destination.
Through the shadowy hallway where the only light illuminated where the entrance to the walkway to the Cage to be, where many blood splatters and scattered bodies lay in her path. It was typical, the undergrounds didn't care for and hygiene and health of their fighters, since the dead bodies of previous losers of the matches were scattered about carelessly.
Thump.
The assistant just tripped over said bodies, where Konan simply walked ahead, leaving the assistant do as he wishes with whatever while her music blasted when she came in view, and the crowd roared to life at the sight of cobalt blue hair, and piercing amber orbs.
"I hear voices in my head,
They council me,
They understand,
They talk to me."
Konan took her first steps into the underground stadium, which seemed that every step she took, the crowd screamed louder. She absolutely loved it. She was indeed a crowd pleaser when it came to entertainment, so she would have to live up to her reputation tonight, and maybe shed some blood.
"You got your rules and your religion,
All designed to keep you safe,
But when rules start getting broken,
You start questioning your faith."
Another few steps where the rest of the stadium could see her attire, which consisted of a black-laced choker with a magenta trim, a pitch black sports bra that hugged her upper body and kept her breasts in place; and another black piece of baggy shorts which reached below her knees. As for her shoes, she sported a simple pair of Nike running shoes with the signature white arrow adoring each side. Her accessories included white hand wrappings to pad her knuckles when she goes to punch, her signature white rose with a light blue hue placed idly in her hair, and her piercing, four surrounding her navel, and a lip piercing.
"I have a voice that is my savior,
Hates to love and loves to hate,
I have a voice that has the knowledge,
And the power to rule your fate."
The crowd began to roar louder when she walked past certain sections, while wolf-whistles and disturbing catcalls can be heard from the stands, where only one group at ring side were seen to be keeping calm, and watching her with observant eyes.
'Strange…'
And what was stranger, was that the group consisted of men… She would have to keep an eye on them while she was fighting, if possible.
So when she walked into the cage and walked to the back right corner — her favorite corner, and simply her ritual for every night she fought — she let her hoodie drop, and pool around her feet for use later in the ring, while glancing at the group of men to her side every so often.
"I hear voices crying,
I see heroes dying,
I taste the blood that's drying,
I feel tensions rising.
I hear voices in my head,
They council me,
They understand,
They talk to me."
With that, the music faded to the background while the crowd settled down, and waited for the announcer to state her opponent — being that in the undergrounds only the fighters know who will be up against Konan, or any fighter in the matter, while the crowd was left to guess. And Konan could only think about what their reactions would be... Actually, it made a small, almost unnoticeable smile etch itself into her features in amusement.
But while the other crowd members didn't notice it, the group of unknown men had. And with sharing a knowing glance, they all simultaneously relaxed back in their seats, now being reminded why they all had come this way to see her fight.
.:Flashback! (Akatsuki POV):.
"Where is Deidara and Tobi, Zetsu?"
Pein asked his comrades, and more likely friends, while they all crowded in a rather large room. It wasn't the most nicely decorated room, but with their wages, they couldn't afford anything fancy; so they had some simply black furniture, and a 27" flat screen TV placed in the wall. Simple.
So while they all were trying to relax against the furniture, including a large couch that could fit all of the members, minus Pein, since he had the loveseat because of his highly god-like ego and arrogance, any nobody would try to go against him with his fighting skills. The legendary martial arts specialist Jaraiya trained him, and he was a natural, and even expanded his skills, as he got older.
"They should be here by now, Pein…"
Zetsu, an underground fighter known for his sharp teeth, and cannibalistic tendencies in the ring. Answered Pein with a monotone, his alter ego seemingly being rather quiet at the time.
SLAM!
"Sorry we're late, un! Tobi saw a puppy and tried to keep it… Until he hugged it and he killed it, un…"
He trailed off, gesturing behind him to where a shadowed figure seemed to be sobbing, with a limp carcass of the said dog in his arms, unmoving.
"Okay… Just.. Sit down."
Pein sighed, gesturing to the gap between the men on the couch, before Deidara, being the bold one, came running up behind the couches arm rest, jumping across four men, and landing in the appropriate spot. As for Tobi, he tried to mimic Deidara's previous actions, but ended up getting his foot caught in a crack on the floor, tripping, and sending the corpse of the once puppy into the lap of Deidara, also managing to land face first on the floor, wailing.
"Tobi, un! Look what you did, you got that fucking stinking thing on my lap, un!"
Deidara hissed, picking up the limp corpse and throwing it harshly at a wailing Tobi— before getting interrupted with a loud roar emanating from none other than Pein.
"Enough! I have an important matter to discuss with you! It involves with the matter of making Akatsuki, but for that we need another member... And I think I have someone in mind, but I will have to have your guys' opinions."
All of them at least had some sort of an idea it was about Akatsuki, even Tobi who seemed completely clueless. You see, Akatsuki was a group they were planning to make with the absolute best fighters in the undergrounds. They were planning to rule the undergrounds in doing so, but for that they would have to stay on a low profile, and make sure no information leaked until they already have all the members necessary.
"… Go on."
Sasori reminded Pein, before Pein grunted in response, and opened his mouth to speak.
"The member will be my partner. She is a female that is dubbed 'The Queen of the Cage.' I'm sure you have heard of her…"
He trailed off, looking at the considerate nods he got from the crowd of highly dangerous men, and took that as a gesture to continue.
"Her real name is Konan, and I want to see her fight tonight and evaluate her skills. You all will be accompanying me to see better judgment on the matter of if she is good enough to join Akatsuki. If she isn't, then we will leave her be. And if she is, we will do anything to get her to join, do you understand?"
He asked them, and as he got the nods of confirmation, he relaxed back in his seat. Tonight was the night he was going to meet her again… The angel he had seen in the dojo when he was a child, and the angel he had grown an admiration for while watching her fight…
.:End Flashback. (Normal POV):.
It seems as the future Akatsuki were brought back into thinking, the time spent was surprising. At the time, it seems that the other contestant was already brought into the cage, and now both were waiting for the bell to ring.
DING! DING! DING!
Then it started, and Tayuya instantly charged at Konan, who already had her fists raised, ready for an attack. They all knew about Konan's finishing shot, One she favors, the 'Five Knuckle Shuffle' where she punches her opponent three times, one in the face, one in the stomach, and one at their side, where they will be damaged enough to not notice her approach; before it is too late.
"Konan! Wooooo! You can do it! Beat her, beat her, and beat her!"
It seemed she had many supporters from the crowd, repeating many chants and mantras to cheer on her victory. Even Tobi seemed to be giving her a cheer, being he never met her, which was pretty big. But when she noticed the man with an eye patch in the strange group of men, the corners of her lips quirked into a sly smile.
She was going to win this.
SLAP!
Tayuya slapped her. But it seemed to be a distraction, being that her free fist came whirling up to Konan's side, making contact. The thing to make it worse was that a sickening crack echoed around the stadium.
"Oh no…"
Pein's voice whispered underneath his breath, fear hidden beneath the constant calm front he wore. It was fear for his childhood crush; fear for that injury would be her instant loose.
But she didn't go down… Konan was still standing with a now, sadistic smirk marking her lips, making the crowd go wild.
"My turn…"
Konan growled, sending an almost invisible shiver down Tayuya's spine, before Tayuya quickly backed away. And to her obvious disappointment, Konan followed, only to return the favor in sending a swift punch to Tayuyas ribs, earning yet another crack.
But this time, Tayuya went down… Unlike Konan.
Konan was known to be able to handle huge amounts of pain without so much as a blink, so this was no surprise to the crowd. But to Akatsuki… They already knew she was an automatic member.
As for Konan, she walked up to the slumped figure, and pulled on the watermelon hued hair to force her to look at her, only to hear the sound of a distant flute.
"No…"
She whispered to herself, frantic. So this was all a trick? Konan hissed, and instantly dropped the dummy, searching around the ring for Tayuya. But she stopped in her search once the melody hit a high note, and served to create her eardrum to explode.
"No.. No! NO!"
It was too much; Konan couldn't handle to put up the pain with her now deaf ears, and her broken ribs. But she was taught better… Other than her little outbreak, and the trickles of blood seeping out of her ear, she put on a calm front.
She wouldn't let her have the satisfaction of seeing her scream for mercy as others would, she would fight.
Taking a few steps ahead, stumbling at odd moments, she managed to grab hold of the caged sides, waiting for Tayuya to show herself. Luckily, she appeared in the middle of the ring with her flute placed idly at her lips. But that smirk Tayuya wore… It ticked her off.
"Wrong move!"
In an instant, Konan ran towards a surprised Tayuya. Her ribs aching and begging for Konan to stop, but she didn't. She continued on, approaching Tayuya with surprising speed, and managing to reach out and grasp the flute laying in the limp hold of Konan. But she came to her senses, and grabbed back her flute, only to have Konan hand on, and slap Tayuya across her face, earning a furious red mark. Now with her distraction out of her way, Konan jerked the flute out of her grasp, and threw it to the ground with unimaginable force, shattering it at contact.
"NO!"
Tayuya, seeing her beloved flute in pieces on the cage floor screamed out, her defense and offence now useless now that the flute was disposed of. But her attention was now on Konan, who already was sending a fist to Tayuya's face.
CRACK!
Her fist had made contact with the unsuspecting face, hurtling her to the ground with a broken, and bleeding nose.
Now Konan had the upper hand, she followed Tayuya to the ground, taking her spot atop the woman, and sending a series of fists and knees to the now battered body. She was getting her ego boosted, which was what Tayuya wanted… Now, when another fist was sent towards her face, Tayuya instantly grasped Konan's wrist and twisted it, earning yet another broken bone.
During the battle between the girls, the Akatsuki all unconsciously leaned forward in their seats, waiting for the outcome.
Now, when her wrist was broken from Tayuya's hold, Tayuya had taken hold of the advantage of the pained expression of Konan, and switched positions even though her aching body screamed for submission.
"Now… Queen of the cage, you will be obliterated!"
It was a bold statement, which Konan paid no heed to. She simply smirked, her wrist and ribs were nothing compared to what she did to Tayuya, and she knew it. Now, with her unharmed hand, Konan punched Tayuya's already broken nose while she attempted to talk big, and sent her to the ground in pain. Taking the advantage, she arose from the ground, and raised her hand in the air, signaturing her finishing move.
Giving the crowd no chance to cheer her on, she fisted her fingers, and brought down the newly made fist to Tayuya's face. And creating a fist with her newly injured hand, she brought it down to the girl's gut, earning a choked gasp. And finally, she brought her uninjured fist to the girls side, digging into the girls ribs, and finally, earning a face full of blood.
Gross? Yes. But this was good; the blood meant her end was coming, from the blue haired beauty, nonetheless.
"Now… How shall I do it?"
She murmured to herself, the 'it' obviously being the way to kill Tayuya. But she picked painless, as she sent another fist to the girls ribs, the broken and shattered bones of her contestant digging into her stomach and lungs, and ripping them open.
With choked breathing, Tayuya succumbed to unconsciousness, as Konan figured soon, about five minutes, Tayuya would meet her end.
DING! DING! DING!
The bell signaling the end of the match could barely be heard over the loud applause and shouts from the crowd, while Konan stood up from her seat on the dying Tayuya, and walked to the cages door, only to walk out, and begin her walk to her room back stage. All she cared for at the moment was that she should take a shower, and get medical assistance. Doing this every day, she already had many broken bones from previous fights, and now that she was now the top female in the circuits, she wouldn't need to fight for a while, and would be aloud to let her body rest and heal.
Finally halfway down her long walk, she was stopped by her manager. He told her to go instantly to the VIP section of the stadium, where a group of men are waiting for her to offer her whatever they had in mind. She hated that she wouldn't have the chance to shower, but she nodded nevertheless, and jogged down the rest of the path. She quickly turned around to glance at the strange men, but they weren't there…
"Interesting.."
She murmured, but quickly winced from the pain of her aching body. Just a few more minutes, she told herself, before she turned a sharp left, and ran to the VIP section where she knocked sharply, only to hear a few muffled voices. And taking that as a sign to enter, she did. But what she saw wasn't expected.
"P… Pein?"
A/N: There we go! The first chapter. But being I'm too exited to proof read this at the time, excuse any errors and the crappy fight scene. Sorry for the cliffy, too. But you know, I like to have some suspense. But anyway! R&R
And tell me what you think!