Alright, here comes my new story! Just to warn you, my writing style and characters have changed to no end. It's kinda creepy reading what I wrote not so long ago...I guess I've been through some tough times or something...

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. I don't own the Akatsuki. I don't own anyone/thing/place/IT.

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A great bird flew across the desert sky, on it's way to the Akatsuki hideout. The maker of the clay bird was on top of it, along with his partner, who was blankly staring at the small, empty bottle of sake in her hands. "Osaka-san, you shouldn't drink so much, yeah. You're way too young, yeah," the blond-haired man said to the girl.

"This stuff barely effects me. I could drink several more bottles like this and not feel a thing," she replied sharply, and glared at him. "Besides, since when do you care if I end up drunk? You're the one who suggested saki in the first place, Deidara-sama." Of course, he hadn't suggested drinking so much, but Osaka failed to mention that.

"I started caring when you were officially named my partner, yeah. If we have to fight and you're drunk, your Gensou won't be of much use, yeah."

Osaka ignored him as the bird landed, and nimbly jumped off and headed inside the Akatsuki hideout, leaving Deidara to do away with the giant bird.

Deidara made the ball of clay they had just been riding on top of disappear in a small puff of smoke, making next to no noise. As much as he loved explosions, he knew when it was necessary to keep quiet. Being next to the Akatsuki hideout was definately one of those times. He turned away from his former masterpeice to see his old partner and new staring at eachother. "Sasori no Danna, haven't you gotten a partner yet, yeah?" he asked as he approached them.

"No, I've been stuck here ever since Osaka-san became your partner. Although it's given me time to fix up my puppets. They've needed maintenance for quite a while." For once Sasori was walking around in his normal form. It didn't matter now, and hadn't before, but Deidara had always preferred working with a partner who didn't look like a giant slug.

Osaka slipped behind Sasori and into the official haunt of the Akatsuki, immediately heading for where she knew the leader would be. She left Deidara and Sasori to talk amongst themselves.

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The young man was sleeping lightly near the memorial site when he was turned over so he was laying on his back, causing his long silver hair to spread across his face. He abruptly sat up to see the hand made of sand retracting back into the user's gourd. "Ohayou, Gaara-sama, do we have a mission finally?"

"Yes. But the other two are busy with small missions necessary to keep Konoha running. It will just be you and me this time. And it's in Kirikagure." Gaara had stepped down as Kazekage in light of this recent crisis, and agreed to teach some of the most promising students. Akio was already a Chuunin, despite earning Konoha's trust only a few months ago. He could be a bit eccentric at times, but was overall a great fighter.

"Kirikagure, eh?" Akio had been relishing the thought of a real mission, and this sounded like one, but now he was looking forward to it in disdain. Back to Kirikagure. Back to where he had left, betrayed, just for the sake of freedom. Then there was the matter of his sister. She had also come from Kirikagure, and he had helped her escape without her realizing it. But she hadn't gone on to better things. If the rumors were to be believed, she had gotten involved in the organization that had caused this huge mess: the Akatsuki.

"Having second thoughts? Too bad." Gaara glared at the Kioshi boy in front of him, daring him to try and get out of it. "It's regarding your sister, and there's a chance she might be there too. You can obviously fight her, and win, from what you've told me." Akio nodded, and Gaara turned around and headed for the gates of Konoha. "We leave now."

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Some notes on translation

Deidara-sama- 'sama' is basically like a higher-up, someone better than you in one way or another. Osaka is showing her respect to Deidara by saying she considers him better than her.

Osaka-san- When Deidara says it, it's like he's calling her his equal. When Sasori says it, he's saying that she is below him and doesn't deserve respect from him.

Sasori no Danna- Deidara called Sasori this before I got my hands on this story. It basically means 'master.' Deidara acknowledges the fact that Sasori is a stronger than him by calling him 'master' in a sense.

Osaka and Sasori- It hasn't shown up yet, but Osaka calls Sasori 'Sasori-san.' This is like an insult to him, calling him equal, considering the one she calls better than her calls him 'master.' Somehow, it works out. In my head.

-Insomnia Kills

------ I had a lot of help from Spuffy is a -gasp- xemox with editing and crap. Thank you much-ness!

By the way...Yes, I do know it's rather short. Especially for a first chapter. So shoot me.