"Owe my aching head" I complained sitting up rubbing the back of my neck "Where am I?"
I looked around the room; the walls were crimson with black furniture and accessories. There were two desks, two dressers, a large bathroom, a large walk in closet filled with clothes and two beds. Ayame was lying on the other bed. I rushed to her side lightly shaking her, sighing as her eyes fluttered open.
"Kaya?" she asked softly.
"Yeah, I'm here," I hugged her relieved she was okay.
"Good you're both awake," a new voice spoke.
I spun around to see some man with orange hair and face piercings. I didn't trust him. I didn't trust the Akatsuki, not after this little stunt that Itachi played. I was going to get Ayame out of here, even if I couldn't at least one of us will be safe.
"Now that you're here, wear these," he tossed a couple of Akatsuki cloaks and rings on the bed "I'm the leader, but call me Pein. Follow me to meet the other members."
"We're not wearing those cloaks," I reached for the rings, placing one on my right hand middle finger and passing the other one to Ayame "Why are we here?"
"You're here because you have great potential to be the best asset to the organization Kaya," Pein paused for a moment glancing at Ayame "Your friend is here because of Itachi."
"I'll do missions for the Akatsuki," I made my orders clear "But Ayame goes home. I don't want Itachi anywhere near her."
"That's not going to happen, Itachi will just find her again."
"Then she stays with me at all times. Itachi isn't going to get her."
"I can't stop Itachi from doing what he wants," Pein turned around "If you want to keep your friend close that's fine with me as long as you get your missions completed. Now come with me, I'll introduce you to everyone then Sasori will show you around."
Ayame stood up from the bed and wrapped her hands around my arm staying as close as possible as we followed Pein. I couldn't keep track of all the turns he did, it seemed he was trying to confuse us on the winding path to the room where everyone was. The Akatsuki members sat around a long table, all of them were male. Ayame's grip tightened at the sight of them.
"One at a time stand and tell the ladies your name," Pein ordered.
"I'm Hidan," the silver haired one on the left spoke first.
"Kakuzu," the green eyed one was next.
"Again, I'm Sasori."
"And I'm Deidara, un."
"Tobi really glad to meet you pretty ladies," the over excited orange masked man said childishly.
"Zetsu," the Venus flytrap looking man seemed annoyed.
"I'm Kisame," a shark man was next.
"Itachi Uchiha," he smirked eyeing me then flicked his eyes over to Ayame.
"My name is Kaya," I replied staring at each one of them in the eyes refusing to show weakness.
"I'm Ayame," she spoke just loud enough so I could hear.
I touched her hand on my arm as she hid behind me as best as she could. Itachi scared her, and having all these men starring at her scared her as well. She's had bad experiences with men in the past so I don't blame her fear. That is why I choose to protect her long ago.
"What did the pretty lady say her name was?" Tobi asked standing up.
"My friend's name is Ayame," I smiled gently at him "You'll have to excuse her she's a little scared right now, trust me she's never this quiet."
"I'll be glad to comfort her," Itachi's eyes sparkled as a ghost of a smile crossed his lips.
"You will stay away from her Uchiha," I glared at him.
Itachi smiled at me broadly like he was enjoying getting me riled up. Itachi didn't scare me, he irritated me and I couldn't wait until he did something so I could get at his throat. For now he tossed little knowing looks my way. The room was feeling heaving with the sudden silence that Itachi created by not responding to me.
Pein clapped his hands breaking that silence "Sasori will now show you around. Everyone's dismissed."
"I'll help with the tour," Deidara smiled as everyone else left "This is the meeting room, un."
Sasori took the lead with Deidara close behind us. They showed us the training room, library, pool, hot springs, kitchen, dining room and the living room. Thankfully they took simple routes for us to remember, in any case I asked for a map of their base.
Ayame let go of my arm during the tour, relaxing around these two guys. I could feel Deidara's eyes on my back as he guided us through the base. As for Sasori, he was very gentle with Ayame as he spoke and made eye contact with her. I could see the light blush that rose on her cheeks when he took her hand to stop her from falling down a set of stairs.
