Thanks for everyone who started reading! This is chapter two of the Tetane Mikaze tale, and I do not own Naruto or any other characters, but Tetane Mikaze. I hope you enjoy it, and please, if you've read it, like it, or comment on what you think about it. Thanks for everything! -miragechick2
. . .
02
It's been a long time since I slept peacefully.
I breathed for what felt like an eternity, and I felt my chest rising from my folded arms. My legs were straight, and my heart beat calmly, slower than usual. I was warm, caressed in blankets near a fire pit, lit perfectly so that the flames radiated onto my skin. That was a relief against the harsh conditions of the cold winds of the Akatsuki base. I opened my eyes for a new beginning. All around me were candles and different types of scents that reminded me of my bedroom in Konaha. I lifted my body, stretching my arms and yawning lazily. I gasped, shocked. All of my pain was gone, from the curse mark bite to the deeply infected bruises. My skin was the color of new peaches, showing nothing, no scars, and no further wounds. I felt my neck slowly and there was the bite of my captor, not bloody anymore, but had gaping holes in its place. I had flashbacks of my nightmares from a few days ago, and Kisame would still haunt me forever. I sank back into my sheets, surprisingly frightened, until the setting caught my eye from the light of the dancing flames.
I gazed upon the setting of the room in awe. Never had I seen such a beautiful view. I faced a window, blossoms blooming in the moonlight and mockingbird singing in such sweet melody. The forest felt damp, but my comfort was found near the flames and blankets wrapped furiously around me.
"Tetane Mikaze, the girl who lived."
I stood straight, surprised by the gentle female voice behind me. My body faced the cherry wood windowsill, but my head turned slowly. There stood a woman about thirty, but young and beautiful all the same. Her blue hair was mostly down, except for a few strands in the scalp, pulled tightly into a messy bun. She wore the Akatsuki robe, and had a black piercing that resembled Pain's below her lower lip. Her orange eyes blazed like the kindle, and a wonderfully crafted white origami flower was placed on the left side, pinned to her hair orderly.
I blinked slowly. So I'm not the only female member… interesting for her to take me in and save me.
"I hope you had your guaranteed rest. Itachi put you under his control for three days-"
"Three days?!?" I spat, frustrated that I never resisted.
The blue haired woman laughed, but not in any particular laugh. She giggled mechanically, like it was done for her. I became suspicious immediately. "Yes, as I recall, you were in his control. You accepted the terms of the Akatsuki, and he told you to stay with me for the night… or nights. It's pretty funny, though. You looked completely in his control."
"That's what's supposed to happen. Damn, I thought I got away…"
She drifted to where I lay and sat on the futon, a warm smile lit by the flames onto her face and the wind from the forest ran through her combed hair. I became jealous surprisingly. This woman was never here for my pleasures; she belongs with the people who put me in peril, I thought vigorously, lifting up the covers furiously.
"Oh, please, Miss. Mikaze, take your rest. I never intend to harm you in any way, unlike those unruly men back at the base." She drank her tea slowly and evenly, sipping sweetly, smiling in pleasure. "My name is Konan, by the way."
I sighed, letting my sore muscles relax, not thinking that she was a threat. "And you know my name. Great."
Konan placed her tea on the porcelain coaster and walked to me in silence. I shank, hesitating from her placing her gentle hand on my burning forehead. She sighed contently, apparently not happy with the results. I got up, worried, believing her reaction.
"Well? Am I well?"
Konan sighed again and began sipping her tea with ease. "You have a fever of 122, sadly. Luckily for you, that's only a little over your body temperature, being 118 at average. You'll live." She chuckled at her last comment. I nodded, impressed. Konan knew what she was doing with a first aid kit when she needed to. With all of the pointless fighting I get myself into with Kisame, I'm going to need her skills a lot to prevent further damage. She wasn't a threat, like most female nurses, but I had to keep a watchful eye on everyone at the base, even her.
Konan went to the corner of the dark room, part of it luminous with candles, and grabbed a nicely folded pair of clothes, including the Akatsuki robe, hat, and ring. I groaned, tossing myself into the open covers. "This is not a good time, Konan."
She gave me a stern look, like a mother gives a daughter. "Pain wants you to wear the cloak, pants, and ring everyday to indicate that you do belong here with us. Wear the straw hats for travel, to disguise you for any occasion. Here's your robe. It's only one size, but I'm sure that it will fit perfectly in a few days' time."
I blinked at the outfit. Never would I be caught wearing this, but the red clouds and black background symbolized a dominant clan. Maybe sometime in the future, I can use this pattern for my clothing decoration, if the Akatsuki all perish within my grasp. I thought of home again, and forgot my manners, my throat closing in from the inside. "…thank you…" I murmured almost to myself, reaching out for the attire of the unit.
Konan saw my internal pain. "The first day is always the most difficult," she spoke in words of wisdom. "All you have to do is not to think of your home and you'll become very close here."
I cringed, tears flooding through my eyes, the faces and memories of each Leaf Village person I cared for. "I miss Konaha… all of my friends, my loved ones…"
"What…? Oh, you're crying." Konan rushed over, almost drifting, the way Pain had done. She felt my hair, smoothly feeling the texture, and looked at me. I wiped the broken hearted tears off my face as best as I could. A person like me doesn't cry unless on the verge of death. Then why am I doing it in front of her? This gentle woman who took me in when I was injured and sick?
She reminded me of my past-existent mother.
"I feel sympathetic towards your situation," she commented, stroking my hair, "You become captive to an organization of criminals, and a slave to one of them, fighting for your life every day. I know that exact same feeling, sweet one."
"How would you put yourself in my position and say that I was poor at luck?"
Konan hesitated for the first time tonight, and spoke gracefully: "Because I'm in between two quarrels and I need help from a friend who can't even respond to what I say anymore. Here, since you are the only female I can talk to, let me brush your hair. It appears all tangled."
I stood speechless. I accepted her request with a nod, and wiped my tears again. This was impossible. I was treated like someone again, like at Konaha, well, being the fourth Hokage's sacred daughter. Konan was gentle hearted, too soft for the hardness of the male population of the Akatsuki. How could she be here with a fighting chance? I don't know until I ask her quaintly.
"Konan, no offence intended, but you're too nice for this gang of unwanted criminals. Why would you join them if you had nothing to do with them?"
Konan smiled mechanically, taking another sip of chai. "I'm only here for my close friend. He struggles with himself very often, and I need to be there to protect him. If I fled, I would not be able to hide the guilt. He will fall apart without me."
A spark of interest entered into my mentality… protection against all odds, for a friend who does not want her help, but needs it desperately without question.
"May I have permission to ask who?"
Konan hesitated again, an apologetic face glued to her expression. "To tell you the honest truth, I'm not allowed to tell of anything to you."
Her fingers ran through my hair like a snake on high grass. Her fingers reached my scalp, and I relaxed suddenly at ease. I gave her an apologetic face, and she smiled sweetly, running the metallic glass brush through my hair, magically straightening it with only one gentle tug.
"I forgive you, sweet. By the way, I was amused with your eye techniques."
I straightened my posture again; frowning in the case of her being entertained my eye techniques. "They are not supposed to be amusing. Sure, I made a few unfortunate jokes, but I never intended-"
"-it's fine. I never meant it that way. I was just jealous…"
Hmm, jealous, the word coming from the mouth of the former solo female Akatsuki member. She must have had at least one member drooling after her. I became concerned, but confused.
"Jealous…?" Then something in my hair snapped, my vocal chords activated, and I cringed. "Ow! I think that was a scrape you ran through with that brush."
"I'm so sorry," Konan stuttered, worried that I was actually going to die right in front of her.
I laughed it off, my voice strenuous from the screaming I did those past three days in hell. "Forgive me, I'm fine. Just please, tell me more. I want to hear how the truth is twisted into lies."
Konan blinked, confused for a slight second, the continued. "Yes, I was jealous at the meeting. You captivated everyone's attention. There are a few male members who seem to take a liking in you."
Oh boy. This affections junk is going to get me someday. What the hell makes me so attractive? I'm sarcastic, dramatic, a pain in someone's ass… I don't know anyways. I immediately thought of Hidan, and the interested canine smile he showed to me. Pervert. He probably wants to take me for granted and intentionally rape me. I'll be sure to handle him personally and painfully. But when Konan spoke the simple word "liking", I blushed light pink. Of all of the things I end up humiliating myself with, I respond to Konan blushing my face off. That's going to help a whole lot.
"Yes, I've known that Hidan is fond of me," I replied, still red hanging onto my cheeks, "I have only known him for three hours in Akatsuki meeting, but he is ruthless and a violent animal and I don't respect any words that come out of his over-used mouth."
Konan laughed mechanically again. "I agree with what you say, which the personality of one of the immortal members, but I was talking about two others."
I took a wild and obvious guess on one, not thinking on speaking immediately.
"That blonde, cocky teenager in the second row who I used in my demonstration… Deidara."
The blue haired woman nodded slightly, still running her lithe fingers through my now straightened golden hair. "He does like you. But I was also referring to Itachi Uchiha."
My mind paused on the account of shock. Uchiha, the emotionless mass murderer who had no heart, who killed his entire clan in one night and sent no apologies for what he had done, who left poor defenseless Sasuke laying in the dirt and blood of his own family. Heartless. The word describing Itachi fits perfectly. It fits perfectly with every member here, well, except Konan, and maybe the always confused Tobi.
Itachi Uchiha, the man who never blinked at danger, yet never ran away. I imagined him, very precautious, his black bangs blowing in the wind that day in Konaha, his onyx eyes staring straight at me, looking at the bigger picture, or what really came to my mind. My heart grew as my lips twisted into a small smile.
Did I ever tell you that I held affection for Itachi, ever since I saw him two years ago?
My heart raced, by god, and my sweaty hands shook slightly. I guess you could say that I wanted him. Ever since that day I turned fifteen, and when those two came to Konaha in attempt to capture my poor brother…
My heart raced in attempt to keep my irregular blood flowing properly. How could something like this happen? These two strangers wanted my brother for the sake of their power hungry ambitions, Kakashi told me, whispering at the back at the restaurant. Thank god that he was with Jiraiya at the other end of the city. Maybe those two members were confused about their sense of direction.
I sprinted across the bridge, the roses I would give to Lee were falling petal by precious petal to the wooden ground, or they were taken by the wind and drifted into the running river below. I sighed quietly and sprinted further, my feet only touching the ground for a few milliseconds. Just close enough. A mission on the date of my birth. Wonderful, so much for my ramen deal with Kakashi and some others.
My heart pounded. I'm almost there. Just hurry.
Then suddenly, the two mysterious men disguised in their straw hats. Standing completely still in front of me, emotionless. Stand tall, I whispered to myself. They might kill you.
I narrowed my eyes, making the false belief that I wasn't afraid of two S-Ranked Shinobi. "Can I help you?" I said stupidly. Way to go, Tetane. You just embarrassed yourself in only one sentence.
The two men differed from each other. The one on the left was much taller, and had muscles and biceps of nobody I knew. The one on the right was skinnier, but lither in appearance. They both stared at me, slightly smiling at my mistake. Hurry, Kakashi. Please, for the sake of my survival.
The man on the right moved slightly, only to take my breath away.
"Are you Tetane Mikaze?" he questioned in a masculine voice that stung my shield.
I stood on the balls of my feet, very watchful and very suspicious. "Why would you want to know? Have you two been on the lookout for her recently?"
The man to the left spoke, a voice like a combination of a gentleman and a growl. "We wish to have her."
My eyes widened unconsciously, giving my mystery away. Damn it. "Well, I don't know where she is right now, but you can please identify yourselves, because I have a strong feeling that both of you people don't belong here." I ended with a victorious sneer.
They both turned their heads towards each other and turned back.
"My dear," the disguised man on the left smiled, "My only wish is to take you in, and only for pleasure. Surely you come to understand that."
I flinched. He lifted his hat in slow motion, and I realized my jaw slightly dropped.
This man was all muscle, I could tell. His irregular shade of blue skin color confused me. He held a mammoth sword covered with cotton strips, and his face appeared as a combination of a man and a shark. He possessed gills on him cheeks and unemotional gray eyes that would make even the scariest ghost shiver and sliver in fright. I've never seen anyone like this man before.
The Shark Man tilted his hat before me and knelt to the open ground on one knee. I almost spat in disgust.
"My name is Kisame Hoshigaki, my dearest."
I shrank back with awkward thoughts racing and pounding into my head. Surely the man who wanted to take me wasn't acting like a complete gentleman for my sake? I became sick, and Kisame smiled with shiny, white sharp teeth. He got up and I stood still for the longest time, never going to recover from the shock I had received. Was it the accursed gen-jutsu that glued me to the floor? No, it couldn't be.
The second man nodded to himself, and reached for the brim of his straw hat. "Tetane Mikaze, you will have to come with us."
He unmasked himself, and I almost gave out. This man was extremely good looking, almost too god like. His black as night bangs shook in his handsome face, and the rest of his hair was tied neatly into a ponytail. His eyes were of the Sharingan.
Sasuke's brother… Itachi Uchiha.
I recalled all of the evil things this man had done to his family, and he never felt guilt about what he did. His name ran into my ears, for all of the pleading screams, to the slaughter of the lambs. I would even shiver. He was a real danger to the village, and I needed to terminate both of them.
"Get away… from me…" I stuttered, stumbling back, "You don't know what I'm capable of!"
Kisame smiled evilly to me, coming in slowly, pulling out his sword. "We know all about you, Tetane. Daughter of the great fourth Hokage-"
Itachi interrupted, impatient. "-and sister of the Nine Tails, Naruto Uzumaki. Yes, no wonder Orochimaru is interested on having you back… before you resist, where might I find your brother?"
"That's funny, you bastard. I intend to resist."
Itachi smirked, as did Kisame. "Well, then, if you're indeed the famous gen-jutsu artist of the Hidden Leaf, look at me with authority."
"Again, we do not want blood on the ground," Kisame snarled, pointing his long sword at me easily with one hand, "Nor do we want a battlefield."
I sneered, again cocky with the other side. "Then put on your armor."
I ended up being defended by Kurenai and Asuma, my very close teachers at heart. The battle stung me until I saw the face of my captor again, two elapsing years later. But I never forgot the face of Itachi Uchiha, probably the sexiest man alive to date… what the hell am I thinking?!? Has Kisame poisoned my mind as well?!? Just breathe… that man is just a distraction.
I imagined the time he lifted my feet off of the open air with everything remarkable he did, not by accident, but maybe for a purpose. He and I were alike so too much. He and I descended from the Village Hidden in the Leaves, but he betrayed his village… but the way I walked out and tried to kill off Kisame, it was a semi betrayal. Wow. Talk about shame. We also are the only S-Ranked experts in gen-jutsu, which is a great accomplishment. I take that to the heart, and if Itachi thinks he is better than me, I can teach him the values of correction. We are both serious when we needed to be, and speak proper and mature English when planned. We grab the attention of the public. We are both capable of a controlling eye. We are different thinkers. We connect, in a way I will never understand.
I come out of my deep thinking and Konan looks at me in interest. She meets my eyes, and smiles sweetly, like a devoting, proud mother to her innocent and gifted daughter. "You have beautiful eyes, Tetane… like looking at the dark sunshine. A gold heart and a gold spirit. You must be very proud, to wear and possess those colors in the public, standing out like an angel in hell. Itachi must be truly blessed."
I laughed, Konan not fully grasping the internal truth hidden behind me. "I'm the last person to be titled as an angel. Ha, an angel. What a depressing statement of words for someone who knows only little facts about my history and what I'm really like in personality. Besides… Uchiha is too good looking for my standards."
Konan frowned, putting hands on hips. "He respects your abilities very deeply and wants to train you."
"I could tell," I responded, still in denial. "He admitted that his eye was weaker than mine, and pleaded for my partnership. I think this could all come of good fortune at the end of the day." Well, for me at the least. I can destroy this clan of villains.
"I know what I talk about, Tetane. My predictions are actually very accurate," she states, brushing my hair for the last time, and then holding it in place with only one hand.
"Well," I mused quietly, "if this is true, then for fact, I love him. Truly."
Konan paused for the smallest moment, and then went on like nothing happened. "And I'm done experimenting. How does it look?"
She handed me a platinum mirror glass, decorated with elegant rose patterns. I turned to the reflection in awe, believing that my eyes deceived me. All wounds from my face were gone, like they have never been touched by my notorious captor. My black eye was gone, erased from physical standpoint. I went to my neck slowly, and the curse mark will always be there, haunting me forever, the partial burden of the Ghost Jinchuuriki curse mark. I looked at what clung from behind. My hands dropped from my neck in shock. A bun was neatly pinned to my hair, but for show, a few golden bangs remained to my forehead. The bun was tied by a scarlet bow, and hung loosely. I gasped.
"Incredible. All of the cuts and punctures on my body are gone on my face… and a bun? Konan, I've never worn my hair up before in public."
Konan rested her arm on me, successful and happy that I was satisfied. "You look beautiful, Tetane. You always will with your kind spirit and determination. I would also like to include this in your hair."
Konan ran her smooth feminine fingers through my now perfect straight golden hair, her official Akatsuki ring making metallic stings on my scalp. I shivered, and Konan's hush clamed me down, almost like a sleeping gen-jutsu. She pinned something down, gentle, but held when she left my head. A smile implanted on her face, and I grinned as she did.
"A rose," I brought out, saying my mind.
"It brings out the color of your Raikugan eye for better emphasis," she stated, turning around, giving me my folded clothes from the corner. She set them down in front of me, and backed, leaving me alone in the spare room. I wanted a peak at what I appeared. My cloak was passed down from other members, already dead. Zetsu must have collected the cloaks and disposed of the corpses. I smelt the heavy fumes and rotten scent of blood, pried from the deceased member who wore it. The memories of the victim who wore it may be forgotten, but his or her blood stains this symbol of hell forever.
I next observed the straw hat. It was new, cheaper than the exclusive group cloak. A little trinket of scarlet string and beads hung loosely and freely, making a silent jingle. It was only used for traveling, and there was absolutely no way I would wear it. It would only cover the pain I have to bear, trying to capture and extract my brother. What sweet sorrow. I fought my emotions with confidence, but bitter tears cascaded from my face onto the straw hat. I peered over to Konan, and she was nowhere in sight for the time being. I sat relieved, tossing the disguise to the side.
I looked at the ring in silence. Pain had assigned me a silver ring that I was required to wear on my right index finger. The print said: "Truth".
I laughed like a maniac, maybe towards the theory of insanity… or that was the most ironic coincidence I've ever seriously experienced. My mockery echoed through the room, scaring away the mockingbirds. To my surprise, one of the Mockingbirds jumped onto the cherry windowsill, sighing in a singsong melody. I glanced at the bird in a bored expression, the turned my attention to the assigned ring. My fingertips turned the ring any direction, looking for a bond of some kind, or some implanted trickery hidden in the interior.
The little bird tweeted for my attention. It was on the ground in front of me, peeping. I narrowed my eyes. This bird was different from the others, having a black plumage and a golden underbelly. A weird color for a Mockingbird. I turned away, and the bird peeped again. I sighed deeply, almost to myself in low self-esteem, and put the ring upon my right index finger. It matched perfectly. Too perfectly.
I shook the thought from my mind. My back bent to the rare bird, my ringed finger beckoning the bird to come lay and be protected. The bird commonly hopped on, and I raised my finger to the distance.
"Little bird," I whispered, "Can you fly?"
The bird tweeted.
"No understanding, I see. Well…" I mused, talking to the Mockingbird in depth, "have you no sight of what you witness? You are beckoned by the lulling sound of my voice, and the others flew before I had the chance to greet them kindly. How weak minded… unlike you, my feathered friend."
He perched upon the windowsill, letting his yellow talons land on the side bar in comfort. He was listening, didn't matter if he was human or not. He twitched his little speckled head to the right, communicating with me to go on. I smiled.
"You stand alone among others, don't you, my little tori? A darkened heart, a tale to tell? Well, I compare to you in status, us both wanting more than needing. We both want to be free. You have the power to do that. Then, now, why won't you fly?"
I realized right away that the bird couldn't fly with a broken wing. He twitched his head to the flock of other birds, flying independently away from him, not caring or coping for his disadvantage. I felt sympathetic immediately, putting myself in the bird's place.
"We're both stuck here, broken wing meeting broken wing. Such sweet poetry. I wish for something like you do little tori. My broken wing and yours differ, but still feel the same pain. I'd wish for anything like you do, bird. For that, I will call you by the name of freedom… Jiyuu."
The bird peeped in delight, finally knowing someone who knows their standpoint. I beckoned him over, and he perched on my shoulder, right on my Akatsuki cloak. I was ready to move, and Jiyuu stood right beside me.
"I believe in something powerful, Jiyuu. Like you do… to stretch your wings and fly away with your loved ones. I am in your position of torture. That is why we must be patient and wait for the right time to strike. On my vows, I will stand above all."
Jiyuu sang sweetly, like he did understand my words.
"Time is precious now. Love is bitter, but the taste only welcomes you in patiently. After the wait, it tastes so much better. Don't worry, little Mockingbird… we'll both make it out of here. We'll be free forever."
. . .
Dawn approached quickly for a change, and I woke from a deep sleep. I turned to Jiyuu, who sang to the top of his little lungs, trying to get his attention. I sighed, leaning upright, a sarcastic smile planted on my face. "You don't stop, do you, Jiyuu?" The Mockingbird cooed, admitting. I laughed lightly, getting up from my personal coffin.
I dressed quickly, putting on the cloak, which was smaller than I had expected. My sleeves ran loosely, and the bottom did as well. Oh well. It's not for the show, is it?
I ran to the mirror, unusually jubilant. I saw myself, my transformation. The rose implanted on my head, the blonde bun, and the cloak. I look like I never rebelled, and that all my loyalties were to the Akatsuki. I sighed, taking out the rose from the strands of hair. I wanted to appear dangerous, not pretty. I sighed. Konan and her paper roses. It made me look like a twig about to be broken any minute. Sasori may have been right.
I exited the temporary bedroom with Jiyuu resting on my shoulder. Konan saw me and smiled.
"Tetane. Good morning, sweet."
I smiled calmly in return. "Good morning, Konan."
The oak door and entrance was blocking out a person, themselves knocking on it. Konan sighed lightly and opened the door. I hid once I saw a flash of blonde.
"Konan?" Deidara questioned, looking around, "Do you know where Tetane is, hmm? I need to ask her something immediately."
The last time I saw that handsome face was when I fell into implied unconsciousness, his face horror struck with sadness. I had too many flashbacks in one time that my brain pounded. Continue and move on, I thought, He just wants to see if you're well again. I peered behind my bedroom door, and Deidara painted a smile, trying to be polite to a much older Konan. She resided herself and looked grim in front of the optimistic blonde.
"She has been resting for the rest of the night," Konan stated, true as a fact could get, "If you could ask later-"
I couldn't stand my excitement from taking over me. I rushed to where Deidara was and hugged him tightly. Deidara stood petrified, almost afraid of his own shadow casting from the upcoming sun.
"Deidara!" I breathed, embracing him with all emotion. Deidara laughed, and I stood back after a priceless moment like this.
He stood breathless as well. "Oh my god, hmm…. you look amazing, like a piece of priceless artwork."
I blushed unintentionally, but I never wanted to. I didn't have affections for Deidara like he did me, but he was a good friend at the presentation three short days ago. He turned his head, his long blonde bangs blocking my view from his face. I guessed that he was embarrassed.
"…r-really?" I stuttered, again, not meaning to be, "Are you honest?"
Deidara smiled, the radiance of the sun reflecting on those perfect teeth. "Yeah. You look great."
Konan grimaced, unusual for her. "You wanted to ask her a question," she spoke, almost whispering to herself. Jiyuu tweeted happily, and Deidara shook his head.
"Never mind that for a few minutes, all of the other guys need to see you. You'll be a knockout, hmm."
Oh no. No, no, no. That's not going to happen when I'm in control. I can already imagine the surprised faces that I made it out of there alive and Kisame's face twisted with disappointment. I frowned in response, narrowing my eyes, indicating if he was deadly serious or not.
"Hell no," I retorted in response. "I'm not going to all of the men and making a sexist fool out of myself. I have more important things to be doing. Besides, Kisame will never approve."
Deidara tilted his head and laughed loudly. "That foolish shark man doesn't know what will hit him. Come on, just let me guide you."
I twitched my left eye and bit my lip. Shark Man probably won't like it.
That's probably the reason why I want to do it. I smiled sarcastically.
"Fine, then. I do not have any other choice, do I? Konan, if I die of extreme embarrassment, can you come to my funeral?"
Konan laughed mechanically, kissing my cheek for a farewell. "You will be fine. Have fun, sweet."
I glared at Konan, wanting her assistance right away, but she tried to warm my heart with positive thoughts with her simple smile. I waved when I turned my back, and Deidara smiled with sweet success. I smiled, taking first glance at his face. He was certainly good looking, and I bet the world he knew that too. His blonde hair shimmered in the sunlight, and his sharp blue eye sparkled, probably meaning for me. I turned away, not appreciating the sudden rush of adrenaline and stomach ache.
I peered at the scene before us. The forest was peaceful, almost too blissful, being in the middle of an Akatsuki base. The birds and furry creatures stared and hid, obviously knowing the colors and symbol on the cloaks we both wore. Jiyuu stayed at my shoulder, quickly moving his head, observing the scene. I pet him from the underbelly and he tweeted in a singsong compliment and appreciation.
"What the hell is that?" Deidara questioned, staring at Jiyuu in confusion.
I smiled calmly, almost sighing to myself. "This is my little plumaged friend, Jiyuu. He is suffering from a broken wing, so he decided on clinging onto me until he heals. He's very loyal."
"Jiyuu… freedom?"
"Yeah, I guess."
Deidara cocked his head to the side, shaking the thoughts appearing in his head. He faced me, a face of fake sympathy in his expression. "So how are you? You okay… from three days ago, hmm?"
I turned serious for a second. "Better, I guess. I want out. Badly."
"You know, there's no way out. You know that, right? I'll tell you my story later, of how I became an accursed member, hmm. I can't tell you how much I suffered under… never mind. I don't have the guts to talk about it."
It became rather silent, only the melody of crickets whispering in the hidden strands of tall grass. It was kind of awkward for a few minutes, both of us having nothing to say to each other. Then I saw it from a distance away. My face dropped with depression and misery.
The city in front of us was practically destroyed from every part, except for this tower that stood proudly with the insignia of our group. Someone was hunched over, all seven hundred feet, and stared out into the upcoming sunrise. Deidara laughed lightly, chuckling mostly to himself.
"Leader in his usual spot, as always. Does that man have sense to guide when he stands there looking out into the open world, hmm?"
"I respect him," I disagreed, narrowing my eyes, trying to observe Pain from a farther standpoint. "He might know everything this unfortunate world has to offer. He was wise at the presentation."
"He appreciates your eye-"
"But he knows what he does, unlike you," I commented rationally and harshly, almost scolding him with words of truth, "There's a good explanation of why he is the leader of the Akatsuki, the most powerful group of villains on the face of Earth. He keeps the attention of everyone, and heck, he could run the world if he wanted. He's probably thinking of that right now as I speak to you, my friend. Just imagine… you could get your own village, to run everything by the commanding boom of your voice. Pain feels that way. He's a powerful dictator, Deidara."
He opened his loud mouth to argue, but he held his breath. "Fine," he mumbled, "I see now…"
"And I hope you appreciate it while my breath can last."
We walked again, through the ghost city and into the forest again. Deidara tossed his head, finding the hideout entrance. "It's blocked by-"
"-A gen-jutsu," I interrupted, my Raikugan already activated in the spam of a bird's wings reaching the air, "I got this."
Deidara laughed in a cruel tone, almost mocking. "You think, but you don't know. Watch this, little gen-jutsu artist." He took his palms, leaned against the entrance; chakra buzzing out of his mouths at an instant, and spoke commandingly. "Katsu!"
Something on the inside of the exterior exploded, the smoke escaping though the disguised door. It opened, unlocked, on its own, giving up the strength to hold onto the hinges. Deidara laughed evilly, and I stared at him. "What was on the interior?"
Deidara smiled like a maniac. "My art, hmm. Sometimes Nin beats Gen sometimes. Besides, art is a bang, hmm. There's no need to create without destroying it."
True words, I confessed silently. He took my hand without my approval and we leaped into the underground base. It was damp, but comforting with the scents of moist dew and morning grass. My blonde comrade scoped the entire area with his little contraption of a machine built into his left eye. He relaxed, feeling tense, and sighed to himself. He gave me an interested look, and smiled sarcastically, his bright teeth still glowing even in the darkness of the caves.
I held onto my will as I talked, not falling for any tricks or moves. "Hopefully this does not take long, Deidara. I need time to myself once in a while, you should know."
He continued smiling, looking extremely cocky… and I thought I was cocky… I thought truthfully. "I'm not letting your looks go to waste," he admitted, acting too comfortable, "Come, I want to brag."
"Brag?"
"Just let me grab your waist-"
Hell no, you pervert. You're just as bad as Hidan, and he thinks he's a womanizer... I thought, hesitating. My hand had caught grab of his upcoming snatch and pinned it to himself, myself becoming impatient, not wanting this foolishness. Deidara looked at me, trying to be cool and reserved, but nothing of him distracted me from letting him touch me. Honestly, I was never interested in this cocky blonde. Too bad… he thinks the opposite. He tried to be set free, but that made me pin it harder against his side.
"I'm not comfortable with this procedure," I noted, speaking only for myself, "If you want to make the others jealous, then I'll simply hold your hand. Is that fine for the likings of your needs?"
He sighed, cursing under his breath. I caught sound from him, making me more persuasive by more pain to his pinning. He hesitated, finally giving up on the grabbing of my waist. "Yeah, sure. That's fine. I just want to show everyone that we are close."
Jiyuu gave a purr in his chest, indicating that the blonde step back away from me.
I decided to play dumb for the fun of my pleasure and entertainment. "Close…?"
He panicked immediately, and I almost cracked up, my face turning a slight blush of red. "As friends, hmm," he stated, head held high, "Let's go, I want the superior feeling of greed in my head."
I pretended like I didn't hear that.
We both walked together, hand in hand across the main hall. I asked an observant question.
"Who's here?"
Deidara put a finger to his chin, a symbol of trying to remember. He snapped back up, eye bright and knowing. "Yeah, I know hmm. Sasori, my partner, is present. Itachi and Kisame came back an hour ago… and Tobi and Zetsu. Leader's in his usual spot and Konan's at her house, hmm."
I nodded, but one question remained in my head. Where were the two Zombie Twins? I didn't want to know, either. Sasori, great. Tobi and Zetsu… those two are so strange, and I know no information on them. I'm going to need to know immediately. I don't want any enemies. Itachi and Kisame came here an hour ago, so they must be here, waiting for me. Wonderful, I'll be back with the man who tore my heart on the open floor and the man who controlled me for three days without my consent. I thought about the positives that may come true… their deaths. I happily followed Deidara, gripping his hand. And yet…
"I do not feel comfortable about this. I think you have set up the conversion of us as a couple," I commented, lifting our hands interlinked by the fingers. I glared deeply into his eyes, and he flinched, expecting the Raikugan to haunt him again.
"Why would I do that to you, Tetane?" Deidara answered, his voice stuttering, shaking, "I want the organization to see that your loyalty to the gang is strong for the first day here."
"I was never born yesterday, but I will trust you only for a few minutes. If you want to show some authority, then give everyone the eye. They will back off like you had a disease, or something similar to that." What else could I do?
Deidara smiled evilly, becoming cocky again. "Hmm, good call. Here, someone is coming. Just act like nothing is out of the ordinary."
"You lie, but I can tell that you are nervous."
Deidara whispered in a whiney voice. "Shut up, hmm!"
A member approached us, looking casual and interested in what we were doing. With his height, he could be looking down at us from the distance. He laughed maniacally at the scene, and I spat unintentionally.
"Well, well," Kisame mused, smiling in greed, "Two happy little lovebirds strolling together in the organization. Pity, that you, Tetane, have fallen for Deidara's little plan."
I stared Kisame down, golden eyes linking to gray, sharing the maniacal hatred of each other. If I had the wish to activate the Raikugan, I would tell him to cut his dark heart out with his trusty Samehada. But I can't after that curse mark bite. I'm his. Sadly and Unfortunately.
He continued, smiling. "So how was your rest, Tetane?"
I gritted my teeth, furious, and as much I wanted to swear, I held my tongue tightly. "How's your hand?"
He laughed, pulling up his sleeve. "You thought this injury would grant you a reward, but as always, you guessed wrong." I saw a continuous stitch on the middle of his arm, the work of the Zombie Twin Kakuzu. Both of those members attacked me after my rebellion. I'll kill them both myself.
Deidara's voice of complaint brought me back to reality. "Well, I wanted to surprise you until Fish Flesh here showed up and would ruin everything."
Kisame smirked. "I don't see why he would be attracted to you, Tetane. He clearly has no taste for the right type."
I stood aflame. "And what's that supposed to mean?!?"
He chuckled to himself, eyeing the fact that we were still holding hands. I let go immediately, somewhat embarrassed and somewhat mad. "This is priceless," Kisame grimaced, trying not to laugh again, "You two are perfect for each other. You both were brought here by both of us, and you both serve as fools of love. How precious."
My blood boiled over my fever temperature. If he had the courage to say that to my face, then he should face death easily, too. Deidara glared at my opponent, him too offended.
Kisame couldn't hold it in any longer. "And you can tell the way he feels so much as his face turns bright red!"
Sadly, he was correct. The blonde teenager started blushing as much as he did in the ceremony. All I think he needs right now is confidence, and I'm sure he has plenty of it, him having a cocky and slightly selfish personality. If I decide to apart with him in terms of a relationship, then he'll be the most comfortable person. He not knowing of what affections I hold for him is what's making him crack under the continuous pressure of his peers. I thought to myself for a moment while the two men fought on two different oppositions.
"This was never your matter, Fish Head!"
"Aw, is this a private matter along with your love? I'm sorry such a waste is occupied."
"You call her waste again, and you'll have clay so far up your ass that you'll never make another hand sign in your lifetime."
"And if you stay cocky like you always intend to, friend, I will do the same, only with a six foot sword shoved so far up yours. I wouldn't be talking so rudely to my slave here… please, Deidara, act like a proper gentleman."
"At least I have a chance!"
"Yeah, that's a good one. I've never seen you care for someone other than yourself, you spoiled son of a bitch. I'm surprised that you waste time on her. She's useless, and she never holds your attention. Look, she's zoning out. She even bores herself."
"You bastard…"
"Shut the hell up… both of you…"
I decided that it was the right time to speak and give my authority. Both men turned to me, and my hands were clenched so tightly that my knuckles turned white. My hands ran with the artificial electric chakra, and my eyes turned orange, almost red, a warning that in one more move, the Raikugan would be activated, and all hell would freeze over. Both tensed, but Kisame recovered the fastest.
"Have anything else to share before I send you to your death, Kisame?" I asked, almost at the rank of insanity.
His hand rested on the skin of his Samehada, but remained coldly, frozen on the handle. "I want you to meet with me… now."
I turned to Deidara, my orange eyes blazing a cold fire. "If you want to share affections and connect by our relationship, I grant your permission… only because you need the training and confidence that you once had back to you. Don't make me embarrassed, and stand up for yourself, not me. You must have had to do that once in your pathetic lifetime. I will date you… but only for those conditions."
The blonde teen stood speechless, not believing his legitimate luck. I kissed him, eyeing Kisame, and by the look of both of their faces, they stood in a state of emotional shock.
"I'll see you later, Deidara. Have your heart set."
My Raikugan activated, and Deidara, as he did in the ceremony, gave me a blank stare in the time of a millisecond. His blank face only hinted a sliver of a smile, and I laughed.
"Go to your room and have a rest. You deserve it."
He left without question. I gave my captor an evil glare, him deserving it. "And that's how you use the art of manipulation."
Kisame stood, still resting his newly mended hand on his sword companion. He removed it, and spoke quietly, almost unlike the loud, irritating Shark Man I know.
"What is that… on your shoulder?"
I and Jiyuu gave each other a confused look. "An abandoned bird that's wing needs to be mended. I'm taking him in for the time being, if I can gratefully have your permission."
Kisame stared at me for a long time, having nothing to say. I glared back, the fire in my stomach not yet cooled down enough. Jiyuu tweeted, and Kisame came out of his little trance.
"I'm upset with you."
I sniffled, not surprised at all. I shared with him my sarcastic expression. "Of course, because I've been disobeying your exact orders. I have the intention on resisting, after all. You know me better than to go under your direct commands. I maybe a member of Akatsuki, but I'm not loyal. I'm here because of you, and what you've done. That's the way it went, and that's the way it will be forever."
Kisame regained his emotions, and sneered. "Upset are we? That the always victorious and legendary Tetane Mikaze is defeated by a mere S-Rank criminal? I compose that you thank me."
I became cruelly offended. "And why would I serve my gratitude to the man who ruined my life, who destroyed my dreams, and crushed my heart into the open ground?"
Kisame sighed, shaking his head slowly, denying my question in secret. "Tetane, Tetane, I am kinder than you think. You should be thankful because I stopped you from dying, and only gave the rare opportunity to be my minion. If it were not for me, you would be dead."
"And if it were not for you, I would not be in this hellhole! I am treated like your puppet, now. Everything I do is always under you. Why can't you figure out that I'm not the person you wanted?!?"
"I knew my decision and I still follow it," Kisame smiled teeth sharper than knives.
I wanted nothing more than to turn against him and slaughter him. I held my balance, but remained in battle stance. "You are more of an idiot than I thought you were. I never should have had this fate."
"Actually, there was one in consideration before I even met you," he mused, putting a finger below his chin in thought, "He was my main target until he was kidnapped by someone."
"He lived in your village?"
Kisame laughed, and then coughed furiously. "Oh hell, yes. He was a child slaughtering prodigy. In the Village of the Mist he was known as an innocent killer. He was a cute kid, though. Nice smile."
I got out of my battle stance, and became very interested, not being the only option for the transference of the curse mark. "Who was he captured by?"
Kisame saw my guard go down and continued. "Who knows? Probably someone with the strength to crush him. Besides, he was also wanted for killing the second Mizukage."
"Oh god… you're talking about Suigetsu?!?"
There were many reasons for me to know that name and that face. Suigetsu Hozuki. Tears filled my eyes with a desperate mourning. I missed him. I remember his sweet, innocent smile, embedded with his sharp white teeth, the warmth of his caress, his white hair rimmed with a blue tint, and his vibrant, purple eyes. I sighed, trying to keep the tears back. Kisame glared at me intensely.
"How would someone like you know this?" he asked, growling, "How do you know who he is?"
I replied to something that happened so long ago. "He and I were best friends when we both were trained by Oro-"
Kisame exploded, interrupting loudly. "Orochimaru?!?"
I laughed cruelly. "Don't choke. Of course it was Orochimaru; he managed to be my temporary father as an infant and child. There were so many deaths in that room, I couldn't breathe properly ever since."
My words were turn by all means necessary. I was mentally scarred when I was in my childhood, and I could never take back what I saw. Many dead, only one alive. Suigetsu, has I saw from a distance, went into that room… he never came back out. My best friend, the only person who cared for me in my past never came back out. Tears cascaded down my cheekbones, and Kisame, unlike himself, held his sympathy. He grunted, turning his head towards me in intensity, breathing hardly.
"…if we know Suigetsu is alive…" he began, tense.
"He's dead." I answered quickly. Then I exploded into a wailing cry, surrendering myself on the ground. I looked back upon myself frowning for my action, but he meant everything to me. Then Kisame did something that I never expected from my arch enemy.
He held me, swatting down from his tall posture to kneeling beside me. As I gazed through my pathetic tears, he ripped a piece of cotton from his sword cover. He handed it to me, a look of false upset trying to mask that he was concerned. Kisame had nothing to say back, so I gave into specifics.
"I'm- sure on my- life," I sobbed, not like myself, but weaker, ready to surrender, "Orochimaru- dragged him in with the corpses while he oppressed- no response. I saw his white hair turn- red with his own- blood, and his eyes were- dull… unfixed. I'm sure- his body was burned along the other- ashes…" I broke down, wiping my wet eyes with his ripped cotton strip and Kisame's beady eyes narrowed.
Kisame: "I'm willing to take that bet in a heartbeat. Suigetsu will never lose the strength he had before. I don't think he died like you saw it. It is a possibility he was unconscious."
"He had no pulse," I swore, knowing what I witnessed.
"… I'm still sticking with the true fact that he is alive to date. Besides, if he lasted longer than you did in the hellhouse, he'll be safe."
I breathed heavily, one big choking sigh, and dried my eyes again with Kisame's sympathy gift. "I only grant that Suigetsu is alive, but the chances were not incredible." I leaned onto the ground, my palms flat onto the ground, no strength to lift myself up. Unlike me, Kisame pushed himself by his powerful knees. He casually walked over to the corner, a slight smirk on his face.
"Hmm. Well, I want to… hmm… Zetsu; get out before I really get upset."
I gripped tightly onto Kisame's gift. The strange Venus fly trap of a man was invisible, sunken into the walls of the base. I got up, narrowing my eyes. He spoke in a hoarse voice, plain and simple, but too simple. He had the makings of a fine murderer. "I'm sorry for eavesdropping," he stated, not caring, "But I happen to know about that boy you both were talking about. As of last time I checked Orochimaru's lair, Suigetsu Hozuki is alive, but held by force."
I backed away, trying to dry my eyes with a rush of the damp wind entering through the base. I became very suspicious immediately. "How do you know of this?"
Kisame laughed loudly, and Zetsu cringed silently, not enjoying our company. "Silly Tetane, he is the Akatsuki spy. He is not an ordinary person."
"God, I can tell…wait, you asked me about my father at the pre-ceremony," I mused, my eyes blazing into an orange amber color, ready to activate my Raikugan.
Zetsu's vibrant yellow eyes went inside his head, probably suffering from a pleasure seizure. "Oh yes."
I became a little afraid. This… thing had no identity that I knew of, and he could know everything about me. I asked attentively: "…how much do you know about me?"
His response was of one I never thought coming. The white side of his face didn't speak, but the black side hissed, full of more emotion that the simple white half. "I know everything about you, Tetane Mikaze. Even things you don't even know. I remember the effect of that eye… mmm… so much power to possess, for one little girl. Those bloodclones too… that jutsu is one in a million, and also that gen-jutsu… so much chakra."
I really started freaking out now, and Jiyuu flew hopped away as far away from the cannibalistic Akatsuki member as possible. Kisame laughed to his enjoyment in the background. "You saw my battle with Kisame, didn't you?"
Zetsu sank into the wall some more, afraid he had given that fact away by accident. But he smiled on both sides, each one simple or cruel to begin. My eyes widened in fright.
"Although I prefer wooded areas with many more delicious corpses to digest, yes, I saw your three day battle with Kisame Hoshigaki. All of that beach and sand was disgusting. Not good for my structure. Oh, and I am impressed with your skills. Very well trained, from a disciple of Orochimaru… I'm very interested."
I looked upon my master in horror. He shrugged, leaning back against the wall, interested in what was about to take place. He smiled, showing a thousand sharp canine teeth. I clenched my fists and bit my lip to the algae mutant who had scared me to almost real death by heart attack.
"You should get out before I start pulling out my weed killer…" I retorted. I thought back on that last comment, and Zetsu cringed in his visible white face. He frowned plainly, disappointed.
"Harsh. If you weren't in the organization, I would kill you by sucking all the chakra out of your system. Too bad, hmm Kisame?"
Kisame growled. "I'm sorry, but I also ask you to leave, Zetsu. She is under my control, and I need privacy."
I smiled evilly at Zetsu. I had made my next target among the Akatsuki member slaughter list. Zetsu shrugged, closing his eyes.
"Fine, only for you, member. And Tetane…"
He said my name using his black half, my very name coming in as cold as ice. "What…?" I responded, crushing Kisame's rag in my hand.
Zetsu saw this and smiled simply. "Don't become a ruler. Or I'll come and kill you. Good day." He sunk into the wall and disappeared within the background. I became appalled, and backed into Kisame. I turned around in surprise. Kisame grinned at me from his tall and muscular figure. "So that was Zetsu. Interesting character, isn't he?"
I narrowed my eyes, having the hatred I had when he was here. "What the hell was that about?"
"That's not important right now. I need you in demon form," Kisame grumbled, personally concerned.
I laughed, having that snug smile stuck onto my face. "Something wrong, Sempai? Afraid I might possess a glitch?"
Kisame looked cold, almost too serious. "Now."
I called upon a sacred hand sign and spoke the following words aloud: "Fine… art, demon form!"
Once that happened, my personal curse mark glowed bright blue, like it was transferring into my skin. I twitched a few minor times, and my body changed dramatically. My hair went from a luscious blonde to night time blue and my skin turned grayish with a hint of blue. My eyes changed from golden to soulless gray, and by the elapsing span of a painful thirty seconds, I had the similar physical appearances as Kisame. My cries rang out, and Kisame stood in a state of his own shock.
"I never liked doing this, Kisame. I look too much like you. If we had two of you running around the place, I think Leader would commit suicide if he could…" I stated, joking, but when I saw Kisame's reaction, I knew what he was seeing.
The blue from the transversal jutsu gave out, and covered a spam of my newly formed body. I screamed, withering in pain, and dropped to the ground in my own torture. My blood boiled, and my mind went blank with so many unanswered questions. I twitched several times, and I felt like ripping my own heart out of my own chest…
"Kisame…"I called out, struggling to form words, "Kisame!"
He stood, almost in a position of agony. He sighed, and shook his head. My pain suddenly stopped immediately, and my back lay on the ground. Jiyuu came tweeting back to me, happy I was alright. He rested his head on my shoulder, but I still frowned, still in surprise from the agony. I was back to my own self, and my blood came down on the ground. Kisame spoke for the first time, whispering to himself.
"He was right, that Zetsu. I knew this would happen...damn it."
I struggled getting up, and Kisame ran over and dragged my arm to the opposite force of gravity. I thanked him silently, and gave him a look of dazed confusion. He looked depressed, almost guilty for this whole experience to happen to me.
He muttered to me plainly, clenching fists. "You have a set death call, Tetane."
I didn't comprehend what he said. A large pounding of the transferrable blood to my brain and the sound of my heavy breathing must have affected what he said simply to me. "I don't understand…"
"You're going to need someone to pry on, or you are going to die in one year."
. . .