Shidonii-Kun: Well then, for those of you who have followed or reviewed, our deepest thanks to you. And for those who are just now joining us, I hope you enjoy the show!
Shadow-Those of you that reviewed and or are following deserve love, the rest of you deserve nothing.
Hinote
I closely followed the men, Deidara and Sasori, as well as Itami-Senpai too. The way to their base was tiring, but I enjoyed a good run in the sun. Though, by the time we got there, dark had just taken over.
"Here it is, yeah." Deidara presented. It was a dark place, large enough to house several people. Hidden deep in the woods, I wondered how the pair easily found their way back.
"Well let's get in. It's cold." I shivered, running my hands up and down my bare arms. Sasori nodded as he went to the door, holding it for me and Senpai, but leaving Deidara behind.
"Senpai, what's wrong?" I asked suddenly, turning to face Itami-Senpai. "You haven't spoken a word the whole trip." Then again though, these days it wasn't uncommon for Senpai to go days without speaking. Right now though, I could tell something was up.
She raised a brow. "I'm fine, Hinote. What have I told you before?" She inquired, keeping the same straight face as always.
"That you have no heart, yes I know this Senpai..." I sighed. I really didn't believe a piece of it, but I was smart enough to know not to question her about it.
"It seems you two fight as much as Deidara and Sasori." A new voice came. I spun on my heel to see where it came from. It was the holographic-rainbow man from before. The leader, right?
"Hello there...!" I greeted, surprised. He smiled and did the same. "That's Itami-Senpai," I pointed. "And I'm Hinote Fenikkusu!" I exclaimed. He seemed to be happy at my enthusiasm... But he looked to be more interested in Senpai.
"So who are you?" Senpai spoke up, sending an expecting gaze at the Leader.
"I am Pein. You shall refer to me as Leader-sama." I nodded, but Itami shook her head. There was a fat chance she would do that.
"Not likely, Pein." She replied. He glared at her, but something seemed to be hidden under the intense gaze of... Whoa wait a minute! Is that the Rinnegan? Oh man... He must be really powerful. Maybe even more that Itami-Senpai... No… what am I thinking?
Itami
After our introductions to Pein, Sasori lead us to get the same, blood colored cloud patterned cloak as he. Hinote, being just as small as Sasori himself, would get one around his size. I have to get a larger on, being three inches taller than her five foot four frame.
"Oh my..." Hinote mumbled, holding her arms out. "I think this may be a bit too large." The sleeves hung down past her hands.
"That one was for Itami: This one is yours." Sasori explained. Hinote giggled and slid off the cloak, handing it to me.
"Oh, thank you Sasori-Danna." She smiled. Already she had taken to calling him that, after Deidara. The two had become fast friends. Why is it my heart seemed to ache knowing this? I put on the cloak and watched as Hinote spun around.
"Well, how do I look?" Hinote asked, tilting her head. I looked her up and down.
"Like a member of the Akatsuki." I stated.
"Well, yeah! I meant do I look good."
"You look fine." I saw no problem with her appearance.
"Thanks for trying Senpai." She smiled.
"I'll show you two to your room." Sasori spoke up. Hinote skipped along beside him. I followed lagging behind. I would have to teach her to calm down every once in a while. "Here it is."
"Hey, Sasori-Danna?" Hinote looked to him. He stared back with bored eyes.
"What is it Hinote?"
"You're my friend, right?" This caught him off guard.
"... I guess." He replied. He tried to hide his loss of stoic nature, but I could tell. Hinote however, could not.
"Cool! Now shoo," She spoke, making the motion with her hands. "Girl time!" I knew what this meant... Another argument about my nonexistent emotions. After he left Hinote closed the door after him. She then turned to me.
"Itami-Senpai, why are you so emotionless?"
"I am not worthy of emotions." I stated. She shook her head at me.
"You're worthy Senpai. I would know. You're my best friend." My heart began to ache like when Hinote made friends with Sasori, and Deidara. Why? My face showed nothing as I spoke.
"Why would you want to be friends with someone so cruel and heartless like me?" I asked. She smiled at me.
"You seemed so lonely, I can't stand the thought. I've been trying to get you to act like a friend for awhile." she explained. I stared at her. All those times she was nice to me… talked to me… asked me questions… she wants to be friends? I can't have friends. I'm a monster, something created for killing.
I turned and opened the window. I looked up at the moon.
"The moon is light in darkness. In my world, there is no moon." I commented before turning to Hinote.
"I am a machine made to kill; I've done things no one else should ever have to do. I am a monster, a machine, something that deserves to die. And I would be dead, if I didn't have something to keep me going." I said before leaving through the window.
"Senpai, wait!" She called after me, holding her arm out the window. But it was too late; I was gone into the depths of the darkness.
Hinote
I sighed, flopping onto the bed. "Itami Senpai, your no monster... I guess I'll just have to be the sun in your lightless world!" I exclaimed with renewed energy.
"Don't worry, I promise to help you!" I declared to no one in particular.
()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
I hunched over and placed my hands on my knees, breathless. I had taken up on Itachi's challenge the second I met him, to get my mind off of Itami-Senpai's absence.. Sadly though, it didn't seem to be working. I called the quits with Itachi, and walked inside. Along with him, I had met the other members. Kisame, Hidan, Kakuzu, Tobi, Zetsu and Konan. They were all something else, that's for sure...
I walked along to my room, to go mope about Senpai. I knew she could care for herself, but it never stopped me from worrying. I bumped into someone, almost falling back but they caught my wrist. I looked up to see Sasori holding my arm.
"Oh, sorry Danna. Thanks for catching me." I tried moving past him but once more he caught my hand.
"Hinote, what's wrong?" He questioned. "You seem down." I was easier to read than a book, a picture book at that.
"I'm just worried for Itami-Senpai, that's all Danna." I explained, looking to the ground and shifting my feet.
"I'm sure she's fine." He lifted my face with two fingers to stare him in the eyes. "Hey, Hinote." I tried to look anywhere but his face, but it was seemingly impossible. My end met his, and I couldn't look away.
"Smile for me, okay?" I flushed like a tomato, but gave a curt nod and a small smile. I fled the scene quickly to avoid any further embarrassment on my part.
"Oi, I need to be more careful..." I breathed, pulling huge grin on my face. But soon scowled once more when Itami-Senpai came to mind.
I sighed wistfully, flopping on my bed. I pulled my head up and held it up with both hands. "Senpai, you need to come back soon..." I sung in a drone voice.
The door slowly creaked open, and I peered over expecting to find Deidara, or maybe Konan. To my greatest surprise, Senpai walked through the doorway. "Senpai!" I squealed, jumping up to hug her, even through her protest. She was wet, but I didn't mind.
"You're back!" It was my delight to see her again.
Itami
I blinked at Hinote, indicating her to let go. "I came back to serve under the Akatsuki, that is my purpose now."
"Ugg, I don't like how you talk about yourself. I will convince you that you're human!" She exclaimed, falling back onto her bed with a giggle. I left her to plot some scheme, which would fail no doubt. They never worked out for her.
I walked out of the room and down the hall, passing Pein along the way. He turned and began to speak.
"Itami, follow me." I did as he said, following him out to a balcony in the rain once more. We watched as the rain fell to the ground.
"The god's are crying." I commented, looking to the cloudy sky above us. Pein looked to me with an odd expression. "I feel the gods cry when it rains." I explained.
"Why would they feel the need to do that?" He inquired, interested.
"This ninja world is one filled with hatred, war and violence The gods never wanted any of this: For that, they cry." He nodded, looking to the sky as well.
"What is your goal?" He spoke up.
"I have no goal, only a purpose. I only want one thing, and that is unattainable, and therefore does no matter."
"Want is it you want?" I could feel his gaze spread over my face. The Rinnegan bore holes as I decided whether or not to reply. I finally decided to reply, it's not like anything could hurt me anymore than I already was.
"My sister." I spoke lowly, looking down. "The only thing I'm willing to do kill for, do anything for, is her. She knows the brutality of war, and has lived through many a crisis. She had lost her innocence much too soon. She knows pains similar to mine... I only wish she could feel peace..." He looked at me, showing some pity. I had no use for pity.
"You wish for peace, Itami?" I nodded slowly as he moved a step closer. "I do as well. I intend to become the god of this world, and stop the plague of war once and for all. I will reshape this world."
"God? You could manage that." I comment with little thought and care.
"Itami-Senpai!" Hinote called, opening the door. Pein glared at her as she gave a nervous laugh. "Ahh.. Sorry leader-sama... I'll be inside... Eh ehh ehh..." She moved inside, and Pein turned to me once more.
"Do you consider Hinote a friend?"
"No, I have no friends. All those that care for me end up getting hurt in the end. I refuse to let them get hurt because of me." A small smile rose on his lips as I continued. "I am a monster, the reason the gods cry. I have done things no one would dare do." I left him behind, but not before hearing his parting words.
"Itami, you call yourself a monster... But that is not the case. You care for Hinote, unwilling to have her get hurt. You want peace for your sister... You are human, just as the rest of us." I shook my head and went into the dark hideout.
Pein
I watched as Itami left me in the rain. She was so lost. She much like me. How could I convince her of her own feelings? Show her she had a heart? I watched the heavens, as the gods shed tears.
"The gods cry because you cannot see through your own lies, Itami." I stated before retiring inside, the conversation I had with her just moments ago still fresh in my mind
AN;
Now, here is my request, review, and if this chapter is as confusing as the last please tell me. I can try to make it easier to understand. Although Shidonii wrote this chapter so its much easier to comprehend than my mass of jumbled messages and thoughts.
