Hey again, so here is the next chapter a little bit of everything will happen and view of everyone will be seen, this will also have my first invented fight scene… so I hope you enjoy it.

I'm also still looking for a beta and if interested PM me.

Life's starting a new,

With a second chance

and a brewing war.

The future is as unnerving

as the churning sea.

Previously on Diamond Dust:

"Where is Itachi?"

"In his room, though it would be best to announce your presence before entering."

Sasori nodded before he took off.

Pein turn towards Deidara and gave him a pointed look. "This foolishness has got to end, remember Deidara that it was your temper and recklessness that brought your end."

The Iwa-nin nodded, knowing that what Pein is saying is true, yet the emotionless mask that Itachi always wears annoys him to no end and it just begs him to get a rise out of the Konoha-nin.

"I will try," was the only answer that Deidara could give his leader and Pein understands this. Deidara, though he hid it well carries his own demons and because of this he could relate to his fellow Akatsuki.

Sasori knocked on the Uchiha's door, forcing his mind to forget about his partner's wellbeing. Pein wasn't going to kill him after all the trouble he went through to bring them back.

"Come in," a soft voice responded.

The puppeteer entered and quickly looked over the Uchiha.

"What is it?"

"Pein asked me to look over your state of health."

The dark hair-nin grunted, before he opens his eyes and looked at him.

"Very well..."

The process was swift and the results were gratifying.

"Well it seems the illness has fully disappeared, your body is as healthy as a normal twenty-one years old. Though Itachi I recommend not to stress your body as you did before."

The Uchiha nodded, utterly surprised. It had been nearly a decade since he last called himself healthy.

"Thank you, Sasori."

The red head shrugged, "yeah well don't aggravate Deidara so much. You don't have to be with him when he goes into one of his tirades."

Itachi raised an eyebrow, "didn't know you care."

Sasori snorted in disgust. "I don't, I just don't want to live with a constant headache." Anyway, the puppeteer would never admit it, he does see Deidara as a younger brother. Before waiting for a reply he left the room to look for his own.

The Suna-nin grunted as he thought back to when the brat unwillingly joined the organization.

'Deidara looked no older then Itachi did when he joined Akatsuki, yet it was obvious that he did at times act his age. His determination to beat Itachi and not join Akatsuki, while admirable was completely foolish. The kid lost in a matter of seconds and I couldn't agree more when Kisame said he would die young.'

Sasori chuckled humorlessly; if he ever saw that shark again he would have to collect on that bet.

'What finally made me look at the brat was his tendency to always come back no matter the state that he would leave him. His stubbornness reminded the puppeteer of himself when he was that age; it was after such an accident and the boy dragging himself back to the base that Sasori decided that at least it would benefit him for the brat to grow into his potential. He knew that Deidara thought it unnecessary, but once the brat saw the results with the genjutsu resistance; his complaining actually tone down a few notches. He hate to even think it, but our small bickering about what fine art is…is entertaining to say the least and he is the only one that even partially understands the subject.'

Sasori scoffed, 'yeah he was never going to admit any of that.'

As he entered his room, he began to plan new designs for his new puppets. He was going to have to go out and search for new materials and create a new poison that was sure to not have an antidote.

However, first he had to figure out what part of the body should he attack; and even if he had wanted to… he doesn't have the time or resources to turn into a puppet again.

-o-o-o-

Hidan walked into one of the common rooms, where he knew that Kakuzu would be grumbling about how much money had been lost in the last months. The Jashinist walked in covered in fresh blood from his latest sacrifice.

Kakuzu looked at his partner in disdain. "What idiotic thing have you done now?"

Hidan bristle, "ah would you stuff it! I do have a brain and I can remember Pein's few rules. The prison now is overflowing with victims for me to sacrifice to Jashin, he will be satisfied soon."

"Your idiotic righteous speeches are still as meaningless and moronic as ever. Death truly didn't teach you anything about what life is really about."

The white hair nin scoffed, "your heathen ways of only thinking about money brought your end, Kakuzu. Money means nothing if you are dead, you cheap stake."

As is the norm he ignored his partner's ongoing ranting and started to recheck the Akatsuki's accounts. They needed to find a way to replenish their funds, though unfortunately all the ninjas with worthy bounties were going to be their allies and with an all-out war the bounties will soon become worthless.

This war was sure to be a pain and he wondered if it wouldn't be better to just switch sides.

-o-o-o-

As the days followed, the members were occupied with either training or collecting the materials they would need. Sasori especially made a trip to Kawa no kuni (River Country) with a disgruntle Deidara. He wanted to see if it was possible to retrieve any of his old puppets.

As they jumped from the cliffs that face the opening of the cave, Deidara snorted. "That pink hair girl carries more of a punch then what I would have imagined. However, it is hard to believe that she and an old hag could have beaten you."

It was a statement, but he could hear the question. Sasori stayed quiet ignoring his partner. He did not feel like explaining his reasons at the moment, though mostly he wasn't sure himself.

Deidara scoffed in impatience, "fine don't tell me."

He was ignored once more.

Sasori leapt to where he remembered the girl destroyed his puppet, Third. Honestly, it was his fault for being so reckless. He rapidly collected all the viable pieces to recreate at least one of his greatest puppets. Pulling out a storage scroll and sealing away the parts, he turned to his partner and gave him a bore look.

"Ready? Great lets go… and no we are flying. You already dragged me here, on foot no less. Anyway, you know the sooner we get back the quicker you can start working, hmm."

The puppeteer shrugged, he really didn't fell like getting into an argument with the explosive expert. Deidara not waiting for a response molded a bird and release the chakra compacted within it; making the bird expand. When it was ready the ninjas jumped on and it took off.

The fly back to Amegakure was as predicted, Deidara kept the bird level as they headed into the village's territory.

"Danna, do you agree with Leader-sama's plan, un?"

The red head Akatsuki grunted, he couldn't blame the kid for wondering.

"I mean I can never trust one of the villages again and I bet you that none of us ever will. Is it truly wise to help the people that have made our lives a living hell since we could walk? Do we really owe them anything more, un?"

"No we don't," his partner answered looking down at the growing towers. "Yet, this is about getting back at an idiot who dared use us as his pawns. This world isn't perfect and we more than most have seen its darker side. We can let the villages fall, but when Madara comes looking for us, we will be at a greater disadvantage."

"So what, you are saying that the village shinobi will be our disposable pawns, for a change, un?"

"In lamer terms, yes, but Deidara you are correct to say all this. Not a single member is going to willingly work with any of those shinobi, I wouldn't put it pass them for them to stab us in the back before this war reaches its end."

"What should we do, un?"

"Follow leader's orders and if they attack us we will defend ourselves. I do not know about you, but I don't plan on dying again anytime soon."

Deidara chuckled, as he silently commanded the bird to land on the roof of their base. "Same here, Danna, same here, hmm."

The two walked down the flights of stairs and thought of ways of preparing for any battle that may arise. Deidara still had to figure out a way to overcome his weakness to lightning.

"Deidara keep your eye open for anything suspicious."

"What of Itachi, un?"

Sasori smirked, "Itachi will not betray us, and anyway you have to let this petty grudge go. There was a time that it pushed you to become stronger, but at the end it lead to your death. Your pride and temper have always been your weaknesses."

The blonde grunted, "as for you, your arrogance, hmm."

The Suna-nin shrugged, not seeing the point in denying it. At the end of the line, they were all still human.

Both artists' heads shot up, "Pein-sama is calling us."

"Yes, I wonder what he wants, un?"

Without another word they headed towards Pein's office.

-o-o-o-

As the last of the members filed in, Pein's eyes widen in surprise. Hidan's body shuffled in carrying his head, which was letting out a string of curses towards a smirking Uchiha.

He sighed; it would seem that no matter what happens certain things would never change.

"Do I wish to know what happened?"

Kakuzu grunted and gave a pointed look at the Uchiha.

Pein turned and waited for him to explain, yet to no ones' surprise he didn't.

"Very well, tomorrow everybody of the Akatsuki will meet for one last training session, after this we will head out towards Tetsu no tochi (Land of Iron)."

Sasori scoffed, great they were going to see the samurais: stupid, honorable, hypocritical, bastards, yet on the bright side he might get a new puppet.

"Itachi rumors are already spreading that your brother is heading towards that direction. I have been informed that he plans to attack all five Kage."

The headless ninja chuckled, "your brother really is an idiot. Blondie, how did you loss to him... again?"

Deidara growled at the jab, not attacking the immortal, because of the chakra strings attached to his joints. Whatever... if he ever gets the chance and the Uchiha ever gets over himself; he was going to kill that brat, to enjoy that fear he saw the other time. He might've promised Sasori-danna that he was going to forget everything about Itachi, but his brother was another story. Sasuke Uchiha is going to pay from escaping his greatest masterpiece of art.

Itachi sighed, he saw the light inside the bomber's eye and he knows that Sasuke was going to get one hell of a fight and he can understand were the blonde is coming from. For once his otōto (little brother) is going to have to face the consequences of his actions and treatment of people without his Aniki's (honorable older brother) help.

"No matter what his intelligence is, until he decides otherwise he is our enemy. He is, in his moronic way helping Madara achieve his goal."

Sasori tilted his head, finally realizing something. "What of Kisame?"

"He is the source of our information, once he was told by Tobi who he really is; Kisame searched for us when he felt his chakra within the statue disappear. He instinctively figured out that it had something to do with me. After I told him what is going on, Kisame offer to be a spy and gather information on Madara and how he intends to fight this war."

Deidara chuckle and he felt the chakra thread vanished; Sasori must have decided that he wasn't going to attack anybody. "It seems Fish-face does have a brain."

Konan once more looked closer at her partner. He has so many secrets yet she knows that she barely knows half of them. Years back they both lost a person that was precious to them both; in his-own way Nagato kept Yahiko alive for them both. At first she was grateful, but at times his personality and quirky humor would show. Konan understands that at that time he needed a way to move around as well that he wasn't prepare to let his best friend go. Though, throughout the years she started to fall for him; his quiet respectable, considerate attitude was what finally worm his way into her heart. It was through their shared pain that they came to understand one another perfectly. She knows the reasons way he decides to do anything and knows that people didn't know their pain would never understand.

"What did he ask for?" she inquired, knowing that not one of the Akatsuki would de anything for free.

He turned to her and gave her a steady look, his red hair hiding his powerful fearful eyes. "He wishes that when the time comes we not kill him and that we help him escape Madara's grasp."

The blue Akatsuki nodded, as well as the others with a firm nod. Pein dismissed and reminded them that they should all meet in the underground training room at ten o'clock.

"Do you ever plan on telling them?" asked Konan once they left.

"Tomorrow, when they prove themselves... we will... at last forever forget about our past."

"What do you mean, Nagato, isn't our pass the reason of who we are today?"

"Yes and it is our past that drives us, but Akatsuki cannot work as it did before. We were taken down one by one and we are at fault for listening to Madara. Especially me, I went to him when I understood Yahiko's reason s for avoiding the man. It is time for us to change our strategy and remind our members what it means to work in a team."

Konan chuckled, "what?! Next you are going to start speaking like one of those Konoha brats."

Nagato grimace, he may have come to respect Uzumaki Naruto during his final moments... but Konoha was still a village that was packed with hypocrites and liars that honestly didn't know what true peace is. What's more they train their shinobi to be full of themselves, not telling them until it is too late what it really means to be a shinobi of the village.

"That is not funny, Konan," he said in a stern voice. He turn to finally stare at her in the eyes, death didn't manage to take the light, determination, loyalty, that has kept him company for many years. If he is honest with himself, he knows that he would have fallen deeper into the darkness and insanity.

His tenshi snickered, "forgive me Nagato, it's just..."

He smirked; he would only ever let Konan tease him in such a way. She was truly the only person he trusted full heartily and could be himself with.

"Don't worry over it, Konan you really are the one person who reminds me who I truly am."

"Who are you then?"

He smirk deepen; he knows what she is doing. She wanted to know what type of man he saw himself as.

"I am a man and nothing more; a man that has made his share of mistakes, yet a man that has been given a second chance and will not waste it. I have already lived one life within darkness, but I'm a shinobi and I know that darkness is part of my life. However, perhaps even some light can co-penetrate the deepest shadows."

Konan tilted her head and looked up into his hypnotic eyes. Could he be saying what only her heart has been hoping to hear for years now?

"Nagato...?"

He heard the question in her voice and for the first time in years... he gave her a genuine smile. "Konan, will you stand by my side once more... be my partner, my equal in every aspect within my life?"

Konan smirked, she knows the type of man he is and it is a relief that didn't start to give a cliché speech. That just isn't the Nagato she knows and loves.

"I have never left your side, Nagato, and I never will."

He nodded and the small smile didn't leave his face. No matter what they will face this life will be different then the last one. This time he is going to accept the love of this marvelous woman and he is going to do everything in his power to protect her.

-o-o-o-

The following morning came faster than the five Akatsuki could have imagined. Today will be the day that they make their presence known to the world, but if only they knew that they would have to pass one more test for Nagato to realize their souls into the world.

As the members made their way into the basement; they waited for Pein and Konan to appear.

"Ya know, its still weird seeing Leader-sama with that blood red hair and no body piercing, hmm," stated Deidara to no one in particular. To the blonde's great annoyance he was ignored once more.

After a few minutes of silence and a silent fuming Deidara, Konan and Pein puffed into the training grounds.

"Good you are here. Today's training will determine how strong you have gotten since your ill deaths."

Itachi quirked an eyebrow, "and what shall be this test?"

Pein smirked, a smirk that would have made lesser ninja run away.

"It will be simple, I believe... an all-out spar; the five of you against me. If you can hold your own for the next half hour, then we'll start our journey to the land of Iron. If you can't... well I believe you can figure out what will happen, ne?"

Deidara smirk drop as did the others' faces turn serious. The way Pein said that left no room for the imagination. In a regular situation, this would be simple, but Pein is not an ordinary shinobi and not an ounce of their pride would let any of them run from a challenge... not even Itachi's.

"What are the limits Pein-sama?" asked Sasori.

The rinnegan wielder shrugged, "there are none, but I do hope none of you are reckless enough to do something that'll endanger your comrades' lives."

The s-class criminals turned and glared at Kakuzu and Deidara.

"Hey, I'm not that stupid... yeah!" shouted the blonde indigently.

Hidan scoffed and crossed his arms. "Could have fucking fooled me."

Sasori and Itachi sighed, how does two ever became s-rank shinobi is beyond them. Kakuzu they can understand, a lot of high rank shinobi have wild tempers: the slug-hime is a prime example of this.

"If you're done bickering, let's begin." Pein called their attention back with a bore voice.

Determination could be seen on everyone's face, none of them could resist a challenge that measured their power. With a grin that showed the insanity that within the blonde, his hand spite out a blob of clay, which quickly transformed into a bird.

Once it expanded it he jumped aboard it, "Sasori-danna, do you require a lift?"

His partner grunted, but leapt onto the flying sculpture. Pein nodded inwards, he knows that they were going to stick to their assign partners, but it'll be interesting to see how they fight with Itachi and if both teams will work together.

Sasori looked down to their leader, he wonders how serious he really was about all of this; is he aiming to kill, if he gets the chance. No matter, drawing two scrolls from his sleeves, he summons two puppets that specialized in taijutsu and defense.

"Deidara, you focus on the offense."

"Yes Danna, but how much trouble do you think we will get in if we kill Leader-sama?" asked Deidara rhetorically.

"Brat don't get arrogant!" the puppet master scolded.

Pein grunted, "listen to your partner, Deidara, first you have to hit me." He performed a serious of seals that ended with him slamming his hand on the ground.

The Iwa-nin's eyes widen, great, he just hopes that anything but the-

A dog with two heads appeared through the smoke and jumped towards the artists.

'Shit! Why the dog... un?!' Deidara thought as he maneuvered the bird away from it. As the dog landed… the light reflecting from Hidan's scythe caught its attention, unfortunately for the immortal….

Hidan's eyes widen, jumping backwards in an attempt to get away from the feral animal. "Why the fuck, are you attacking me?! I haven't fucking done anything!"

The bomber chuckled at his teammate's misfortune. "Why are you laughing?" a calm voice asked from behind him.

Deidara turned, surprised to see Pein floating but a few feet away from them. Sasori cursed as he directed his puppet towards him. Pein easily dodge the predicted assault from the wooden creations, though in the seconds that he was distracted, Deidara threw three double wings bird at him. Pein eyes narrow, however inwardly he was please that he wasn't going to have to hold back.

The poll for who will be paired up with Sakura is still going on and at the moment there is a tie.

I will be taking suggestion until said otherwise. PM me, or review what who you wish to see her paired up with!

Well there you have it, a tad bit shorter then last time… so if you enjoyed it review and if you didn't tell me why.