Second chapter peepz! This is basically just an introduction of Hoshi's "best friend" and beginning of the Akatsuki (kinda...not really...don't worry, we'll get there, someday...). Anyways, hope you guys like the chapter.

Misaki Suzu, everyone's dream girl. If anyone was perfect, it would be her. She was graceful, beautiful, generous, kind-hearted, powerful, everything you'd wish for in a person. Her long, silky blonde hair trailed behind her as she gently pushed open the door to the flower shop. Her heavenly emerald eyes darted across the shop until they landed on me.

"Ohayou (1) Arai-chan!" she greeted me with a smile to die for.

"Ohayou Misaki-san..." I faked a smile.

To be honest, she was my "best friend" because she was my only friend. In reality, she didn't really like me, in fact, she just pitied me. I could tell through those emerald green eyes of hers. I used to be an ANBU with her, before the tragic event of my arm. She and I were evenly matched in power, I might have even been stronger. But after the event, that all went downhill. We always competed against each other. She was my rival, we desperately tried to best the other. But after all these years, she became further and further away from my reach, while I got dragged behind further and further, unable to catch up and left in the darkness, alone. All because of that stupid missing arm.

"So how'd that S-Rank mission go?" I asked, not really interested at all.

"Oh it was so tiring...I really needa break these days. They're working me to the bone." she said as she massaged her shoulders.

I leaned on the counter with my head resting on my arm.

"Well at least it's better than being stuck here all day, with nothin' to do." I said, smiling sadly.

She looked at me with concern; pity was written all over her face. I chuckled slightly, but then sighing afterwards.

"Well, since you "have nothin' to do", wanna come and have dinner with me tonight?" she offered.

"Sure, why not?" I sighed, thinking to myself, 'At least I won't be eating alone tonight.'

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Rosy red violent mixed with peachy orange splattered across the horizon, creating a beautifully painted sunset. Violet fluffy clouds floated by. I stared at them with interest and curiosity, also with jealousy. I know, it must sound pretty lame to be jealous of the sky and clouds. But they were always changing, never the same, always having a new adventure ahead of them, while I was being stuck to work in Ino's family's flower shop. Now who'd want that? It must be pretty amazing to lie on the clouds, always staring at the beautiful sky.

Suzu stared at me as if I was a freak.

"What're you staring at?" she asked.

"The sky." I grunted, not wanting to answer a stupid question like that.

She gave me another weird look. I shrugged it off. Not much people can understand. That just goes to show you how narrow-minded most humans really are.

"So, where do you wanna eat?"

"Hn. Wherever's fine..."

"Okay then. How about that new shop that just opened up?" she grinned.

"Sure..." and we began walking towards the said shop.

And so our walk to the restaurant began. We just chatted, nothing serious, just random things like her missions and whatnot.

"It was so frightening fighting him. I would NEVER want to encounter that again. He was-"

BOOM!

Shrieks and little children crying could be heard. Overprotective mothers rushed to carry their little mons- I mean children, to safety. I almost tumble back due to the violent shake of the earth when that explosive went off.

"Arai-chan!" Misaki-san screamed my name.

She ran over to me and grabbed my hand before I could fall. I sighed with relief, mentally thanking her. She helped me to my feet and before I could say another word, another explosive occurs. This time it was more powerful and exploded some buildings. I watched in horror as the rumble from the buildings crashed onto innocent lives of the villagers. This was just like the accident years ago.

"Are you okay, Arai-chan? You look pale." Misaki-san's voice laced with concern.

"I'm fine." I muttered.

Villagers rushed passed us, hurrying for their safety among others. Just before I could ask Misaki-san to evacuate, an explosive was set off yet again. This time, it created a heavy amount of grey smoke and another mini-earthquake. I got separated from Misaki-san and before I could call out her name, I was coughing and lost in the grey mist of smoke.

Before I could move my feet towards her, I tripped and fell flat on my face. I groaned, trying to prop myself up on the ground to stand up. Unfortunately, before I could, my vision blurred, and soon it became black.

"What's-" I started to say before someone gagged me.

My screams were muffled because of the stupid gag. When I tried to run, I found my hand being twisted behind my back. More muffled screams. Before I could let out yet another scream, I felt someone wrapping their arms around my waist and hurling me. Waiting for the impact of the fall, I was surprised when I landed into a rough, yarn entwined thing. Probably a sack. WAIT! A SACK? AM I BEING KIDNAPPED?

I tried to let out a bloody murder scream this time, then realization just hit me. What's that odd smell inside this sack? Oh shit...sleeping gas...Before I could prevent inhaling any of it, it was too late. And out like a light I went.

(1) - Good morning means "Ohayou" in Japanese

Hmm, so Hoishi's been kidnapped. Finally some action. Can you figure out who kidnapped Hoshi? And what could they possibly want with her? Find out next chapter "Kidnapped". Thanks for reading!