Disclaimer: I suppose since these are required, I must say, "I do not own anything of this fic but the idea!"

ii — orange

You know, I find myself often wondering, Just how difficult is it for a girl to finally get a break? It's bad enough that I wasn't able to stay in the Feudal Era with all my traveling companions nor go back home to Mama, Souta, Jii-chan and all my modern-day friends (I wonder if those silly air-headed girls of mine still remember me even, sigh). It's bad enough that during the prime years of my high school life, I was sucked into a mysterious pink vortex at the bottom of an old antiquated well, and emerged in a world several hundred years prior on the timeline. It's bad enough that for over a year, I risked my life daily combating bloodthirsty youkai to hunt tiny, sparkly little shards that attracted much more attention than your average fifty karat diamond ring.

Oh no, certainly even after completing the Shikon no Tama, the fates decided they hadn't had enough fun toying with me. The stupid jewel had chosen all on its own to suck me into a pink and orange-ish vortex that materialized solely out of thin air, and threw me down none too gently in an era that was overrun with—you got it, ninja. Who would have thought?

A reticent boy named Uchiha Itachi found bedraggled old me, and I suppose he took pity and that's why he stopped training (that's what he said he'd been doing) to help me. My teary, dirt-speckled face and ragged school uniform probably did the trick. It didn't help by any means that I had just participated in a fierce showdown with a megalomaniacal monster named Naraku minutes earlier. After being led by the nonchalant Uchiha Itachi to the understanding monarch of his village—Konoha, he called it, and the wizened ruler was referred to as "Sandaime Hokage"—there wasn't much else too exciting that ensued.

All in all, I had no choice but to accustom myself to this odd new world. It wasn't easy at first; trust me, I kicked and screamed til my toes were throbbing in pain and my throat hoarse and parched. That's how frustrated I was. Even now, I wish for nothing but to see the gang in Sengoku Jidai again, and my family and friends in the modern time. Unfortunately, I'm just stuck in the middle between both groups, quite literally—err, chronologically.

Now I've somehow ended up getting involved with a crime syndicate going by the name of Akatsuki, and I realize a life of leisure and relaxation is near impossible for me.

Itachi has told me that the reason he's brought me along with him is because of my healing abilities. He seems convinced that I'm much more valuable to keep around as opposed to a professional medic-nin, though I'm not so sure about that. I've learned a thing or two from Kaede that could undoubtedly come in handy in many situations, but I don't know if I can be entrusted with a bloody, gaping wound and feel confident about mending it perfectly. I hope said prospect won't ever come up, and it hasn't so far.

"Kagome."

Pein calls for me and I peer up, torn away from my contemplations. His spiky orange hair is the first thing that catches my attention, and then it is his pair of ghoulish gray eyes.

"Yes?" I ask quietly, avoiding direct eye contact and averting my gaze elsewhere. I'm not gonna lie, he is intimidating. There's something distinct that sets him apart from Naraku and the youkai I've dealt with in the past—even the formidable Sesshoumaru. This man, Pein, just seems… unearthly. He talks and carries himself like a human being, but at the same time he's not entirely human. Somewhat an intelligent corpse, like Kikyou was, yet not really, either… Hrm.

"A juvenile boy several years younger than yourself," he enunciates in that spine-chilling, imperative tone, "will soon arrive at these headquarters."

Now where is he heading with this conversation, I wonder. Not missing a beat, I reciprocate, "And what of this boy?"

"He is uncooperative and obstreperous at best. It is unlikely that he will do anything but sulk out of defiance once he is brought here. You are to amend that." Pein then turns and starts walking away with composed, deliberate steps. A head of orange emerging from the collar of a mysterious black cloak.

From the sounds of things, it seems to me that someone is about to be dragged into Akatsuki against their own will. So this odd organization isn't above kidnapping others, is it? Huh, surprise surprise. Wait, did he say—?

"Hold it!" I exclaim, holding my arm out for an added effect. "Why me?"

Orange-haired Pein doesn't even bother to turn back to me and continues on his steady path. "Because you are a woman."

How does that make sense? Just because of my gender I'm supposed to be able to placate some rowdy kid that doesn't even want to be here? Plus, I've seen one other female around this secluded hideout; she has blue hair and a silver piercing under her lip. Since she's an actual member of Akatsuki (judging by the cloak she wears), it's more so her duty than mine to do things that will benefit the group, right?

And just as I am about to voice my displeasure Pein slips into the foreboding darkness of the distant hallway, shrouded by the shadows.

But, creepy enough, though I can't discern him with my eyes, his final words somehow reach my ears.

"…and because you are kind."