Disclaimer: Don't own Naruto…
Big Cats
Chapter Three: The Stalker…
Pein awoke to a sense of dull confusion of how the pain in his left arm had come to be. He did however remember where he was. Big Cat Humanoid Reserve from what he recalled.
"See you're awake." Came Konan's amused airy laugh.
Pein blinked his eyes open reluctantly. "Am I in one piece?" Pein asked Konan hesitantly with a twitch of the shoulder, the full memory of his last conscious moments hitting him like a major league bat.
Konan frowned deeply before looking Pein full on in the face. "Hidan is perhaps our least manageable cat. One of the most dangerous, Kakuzu and I had foreseen the incident you were in. There was probably no way to avoid it." Konan paused.
"Out with it!" Pein commanded, the pain in his arm springing back to life as he did so.
"Well…" Konan gave a long nervous breath.
"…"
"…" Konan closed her eyes lightly.
"Well!" Pein's patience had reached its end.
"Unfortunately, we couldn't save you jacket, but you'll survive without it I'm sure."
Pein gave Konan a blank expression as his words left his lips. "That's all?"
Konan gave Pein a small smile. "I've decided to show compassion and let you have one of the zoo's as a replacement." She assured Pein with a giggle.
Pein felt his fists tighten at the irony of the woman teasing him about such trivial matters when he could have died, and then the thought hit him. "Does this happen often?" Pein asked, indicating towards his sore arm as he did so.
Konan raised her eyebrows in amusement. "Actually no…" Konan assured. "They usually die right on the spot."
Pein could only frown. "So I got lucky?" He inquired.
Konan put her finger to her chin thinking, till she found the words she was looking for. "Perhaps, but moving your arm in front of your heart is likely the reason you're still breathing."
"I see." Pein replied with a sigh.
Konan frowned. "Are you still going to insist on seeing the Uchihas?" Konan questioned, earning a sideways glance from Pein. "Don't get me wrong, surviving Hidan is impressive, but the Uchiha's are a different threat all together."
"How?" Pein asked with a toneless voice.
"Not for me to say." Konan explained. "If you truly wish to continue with your research, I will not stop you."
Pein gave Konan a skeptical look, but he saw no indications of a lie in her face. "I do wish to continue." Pein resolved.
Konan sighed, but smiled nonetheless. "Honorable. Planning to complete your work even if you die doing so."
Pein's next words took the woman completely by surprise. "No. I simply wish to prove to myself that I am worthy of the title I've been given, God of the Beasts. Yet look at me now." Pein shook his head at the irony of it.
"…I agree. Look at you now." Konan mocked, staring at Pein's chest with a mischievous glint, one which Pein noticed instantly.
Pein looked down at himself and found that he was all but naked under the hospital sheet covers. "Shit!" Pein cursed, pulling the covers back onto his exposed chest.
Konan gave Pein a light laugh before shaking her head. "My aren't you shy?" Konan's smile soon turned into a frown. "Well, back to business, since you insist on continuing your research I will inform you that there is still time for you to meet the Uchiha's trainers and take a look at the cats." Konan assured, before giving Pein a hardened look. "I warn you though…Hidan was a kitten compared to our Uchihas."
Pein gave Konan a slightly cautious sideward glance before he looked down at his hand, now adorned in bandages. He just had to wonder to himself, was it really worth it?
------Time Skip------
"I wonder where he is…" Konan asked herself as she scratched the back of her head." I could have sworn he was just here an hour ago."
"Who?" Pein questioned with a raised eyebrow, flexing his fingers as he did so.
Luckily, Pein's injuries were not so bad, so all he needed really was some bandages. Meaning he was free to move his arm about as much as he wanted, though the white cloth around his arm itched like hell.
"Kisame…" Konan answered while looking about in some flowering brush, causing Pein to raise a thin orange eyebrow at her actions.
"Is Kisame an Uchiha?" The man inquired, earning a small suppressed laugh from the woman before she turned to face him.
"Far from it Professor. Kisame is Itachi's handler." Konan giggled, continuing to move the low growing brush around in search of Kisame.
Pein shook his head at the woman and came to the conclusion that she had lost her mind completely, until he heard a quiet shifting from some bushes Konan had not yet searched.
"There you are." Konan announced with a triumphant smile, reaching into the bush the sound were coming from. "Wake up Kisame." She coaxed.
There was a sudden moan, before Pein watched a half conscious man roll out from the bushes and into the walkway he and Konan were standing on. The man had blue skin and strange gill like markings on his cheeks, which Pein noticed were stained in drool.
"Wakey, wakey." Konan cheered in a gentle voice, causing the man to stir on the ground and lift his head to look her in the eyes.
"Konan?" The man, Kisame, groaned sleepily. "What are you doing here? Is it lunch time yet?"
"Afraid not. Though…perhaps we could get a bite to eat after you take Professor Pein here…" Konan giggled at the blue skinned man's drowsy expression. "…to see Itachi." Konan finished with a smirk.
The reaction was immediate. Kisame bolted off the ground and fixed Konan in a suspicious glare, before the glower floated to Pein. Now he was wide awake.
"You're joking right? Him…Itachi. He did sign the contract correct?" Kisame questioned with a concerned look written across his shark-like features.
Konan nodded solemnly before giving Kisame a genuinely serious look. "What are you're expectations of an encounter with the Professor and Itachi?" Konan asked with an observant stare.
Kisame looked over Pein and then turned back to Konan. "Honestly…Not good." Kisame replied as Konan gave him a wary glance. "He's bound to get attacked." Kisame sighed in defeat. "He's far too...What's the word again? Naive I guess." Kisame breathed out.
Konan nodded in understanding, though Pein could feel the vain on his head beginning to pulse in anger. He was not naïve! He was a, intelligent man who had a Master's degree in humanoid psychology. Who did this man…
Pein did not voice his opinion, but rather thought about Konan's and Kisame's words. He himself had never dealt with an Uchiha, and they were proven to be more deadly then panthers. Pein knew just how deadly panthers could be, he had the newly bandaged scars to prove it.
"What makes me naïve?" Pein inquired instead, figuring that he might as well know why he was being assumed as naïve.
"Kisame." Konan urged the other man to clarify.
"You see, unless you've had the proper training, it is nearly impossible for anyone to know what an Uchiha is thinking." Kisame explained while scratching his head. "I used the word naïve because ignorant sounds more like an insult." Kisame sight heavily, shaking his head lightly.
"I see." Pein assured with an impassive tone.
"Perhaps if I were to keep Itachi behind a closed fence. You'd be able to observe him, with only a 67% chance of being mauled to death." Kisame suddenly suggested in an unusually energetic tone, though the meaning behind his words did not quite fit the tone in which he had presented them.
"Sounds like a plan." Konan agreed with a large smile spreading across her face. "Also, why don't you take him to see…"
"Genius!" Kisame suddenly beamed in excitement, causing Pein to raise an eyebrow at the sudden outburst. "Itachi's always more calm when their together."
"Exactly." Konan said with a grin before waving Kisame off with a flick of her hand.
Kisame and Konan gave each other a brief nod, before Kisame mentioned for Pein to follow him. Konan waved lightly as the two began to walk off, but deep in the back of her mind, beneath her gentle smile she had to wonder. Did Pein truly know what he was getting himself into?
------Time Skip------
"Here we are. So, what do you think?" Kisame asked with a friendly smirk while pointing towards the large building he and Pein had walked to.
The building was made of dark colored wood that shone brightly in the light. So much so that Pein couldn't bring himself to look at it directly. It had many one way windows sealed tightly by steel bars and, from what Pein could see, only one door. What really caught Pein's eye though, was the sign above their heads.
"It's a nursery." Pein stated in suspicion.
"Yeah." Kisame assured.
"So Itachi's a kitten then?" Pein inquired with a quick glance towards the blue skinned man.
"I wouldn't call him full grown, but he's defiantly no kitten." Kisame laughed. "But anyway, let's get going. We aren't getting any younger." And with that, Kisame opened the door and entered the large building.
Pein was somewhat reluctant at first, seeing that he did not know what to expect. He could now feel the wound on his arm beginning to itch and throb at the reminder of what Hidan had been like. He couldn't imagine what the Uchihas must be capable of.
"Hey! You coming?" Kisame called from somewhere inside the building, effectively breaking Pein from his trance.
"Yeah." Pein answered emotionlessly, walking into the nursery as he did so.
The change had been immediate, and Pein had to admit, the building was a lot more comfortable then outside. The place was a tad bit cooler and there was great air circulation coursing through the room. It didn't smell half as bad as Pein would have expected either. Obviously, the nursery was well cared for.
"Oh look." Kisame suddenly beamed, pointing towards a cage as he did so.
"Pein immediately looked in the direction in which Kisame was pointing. "I don't see anything." Pein said in confusion.
"Damn, sneaky little…There you are!" The blue skinned man suddenly laughed, walking up to another cage next to the one he'd pointed to. "How'd you two get out?" Kisame inquired whatever was behind the little cage.
Pein watched in awe as Kisame lifted up two little bundles by the scruff of their necks. They were so cute. There was a little nine-tailed fox humanoid pup with shining blue eyes and a spiky mass of sun kissed hair staring cutely at Kisame and wagging his nine fluffy tails. Also, there was a little black tailed and eyed humanoid kitten with big black eyes and a head of black, spiked hair and the pup was also giving Kisame the big innocent eyes. An Uchiha pup?
"Cute, aren't they?" Kisame asked Pein, drawing Pein's eyes away from the young pups.
"Yeah." Pein relied, still slightly speechless.
"Well, here you go!"
"Wha…" Pein was suddenly cut off as the little Uchiha pup was placed in his arms.
Pein was slightly stunned, but he immediately relaxed as he felt the little Uchiha's tongue exploring over his hand. How could anything so cute be so dangerous, Pein wondered to himself. Then Pein looked up from the bundle in his head to find Kisame walking towards a large pin.
"There you go." Kisame smiled down at the little fox as the little thing was suddenly swarmed with a whole pack of humanoid youngsters. "Little brat." Kisame scolded affectionately before turning to Pein. "Let's go." Kisame said before walking towards another door towards the back of the nursery.
Pein stared blankly to Kisame's retreating back. "Is this Itachi?" Pein questioned as he watched the little Uchiha yawn and snuggle tiredly into his arm's crease.
Kisame gave Pein a knowing smirk. "No." Kisame assured. "That's Itachi's little brother. Pein, meet Sasuke." Kisame introduced Pein with a light laugh before continuing towards the door.
Pein looked down at the little sleeping bundle in his arms and felt his eyes soften. The little thing was so cute. It was almost painful. The older Uchiha's couldn't be that bad…right?
------Time Skip------
Dark. It was really dark. Pein felt a light bead of sweat form on the back of his neck. Why was it so dark? The moment he and Kisame had entered the Uchiha holding house, the room had plunged into darkness.
"Damn that Uchiha." Kisame growled.
"What happened?" Pein questioned, nervousness coating his voice as he shifted Sasuke in his hands.
"Itachi's out of his cage again." Kisame sighed in irritation. "Obviously, he wants to go hunting."
Pein felt a cold chill run up his spine. Hunting?
"Hunting." Pein choked. "Hunting what?" Pein breathed, and though he tried to hide it, it was obvious he was freighting.
"Us of course." Kisame sighed again, though not so much in disappointment. "I have to go into the next room to turn the lights on. Where are you?" Kisame asked lightly, looking about in the darkness around him.
"Here." Pein croaked, holding the young Uchiha closer to him.
"I can't see you." Kisame said in a whisper.
"Why are you whispering?" Pein inquired nervously, tucking the sleeping Uchiha kitten under his jacket.
"Just having some fun before we die. Anyway…" Kisame trailed off.
"Kisame." Pein called out, but received no answer. "Kisame."
Pein felt his breathing become taxed and his palms begin to sweat. There was an uncomfortable silence settled across the room. Pein could hear a faint ruffle of fabric about twenty feet away.
"Kisame." Pein choked out the name.
"Found it!" Kisame's voice rung out.
The lights suddenly flickered on and Pein could see the room clearly now. There were no cages, only some crates and a few doorways leading into an enclosure. Pein stiffened. Where was the Uchiha?
"Pein. Don't move a muscle." Kisame's voice suddenly whispered from behind Pein.
Pein felt his back go rigid and his breath catch. There was a faint breathing behind him. Light and calm. Predatory. Pein knew what it was.
Itachi took his time, leisurely coming to a four limbed stand and trotting around Pein. The air about him was menacingly calm, waiting. Pein could only watch the Uchiha circle him, but he couldn't bring himself to look Itachi in the eyes. Itachi was searching him for weaknesses.
Itachi was a magnificent creature. Lightly built and a long mane, as many would call it, hanging down in a low pony tail. His face was cold, but flawless, completed perfectly with his dark eyes.
Cold, unfeeling. The eyes of this Uchiha were clearly those of an experienced predator. He was waiting for something, his red eyes shining in the overhanging light. Pein had something he wanted.
Itachi suddenly growled deeply in the back of his throat with impatience, his ears plastering to the top of his head. Pein felt breathing hitch completely as the Uchiha glared at him with his demonic red eyes.
"Professor…Sasuke." Kisame whispered, as he eyed Itachi warily.
Pein couldn't comprehend what had been said to him at first, too stunned by Itachi's threats to do so, until it suddenly hit him. That was what the older Uchiha was waiting for. He could smell his little brother inside of his jacket.
Pein slowly placed his hands into his jacket and pulled the little kitten out from his coat. The little Uchiha whimpered slightly at the loss of heat and slowly opened his eyes. The first thing the little kitten saw was a pair of dark red eyes staring at him.
"Brother! Brother! Brother!" The little Uchiha kitten squealed cutely, wiggling in Pein's grasp.
Pein immediately released the little kitten, and watched with fascination as the little Uchiha tackled his big brother. Itachi didn't budge, but the older Uchiha did lick at Sasuke's hair affectionately.
"Brother!" Sasuke mewed, while pawing playfully at Itachi's clawed hands.
Itachi laid down on his belly and allowed his little brother to tug playfully on his hair. Sasuke tugged and pulled as his older brother merely watched him with half lidded eyes.
Pein noticed the difference immediately. Itachi's cold hard eyes had soften, not much, but just enough to notice.
"Let's go professor." Kisame warned, catching Pein's attention.
Pein nodded and quickly made his way to where Kisame was waiting near the door. There was no way in heaven or earth that Pein was going to stay long enough to risk losing his head.
------Time Skippy------
"So what's you think?" Kisame asked with a haughty laugh, slapping Pein on the back as he did so.
"He is a magnificent creature, and I never expected an Uchiha to be so…"
"Loving. Yes it is true that Uchiha can be exceptionally cold hearted, but many do have soft spots for their siblings. Heck! That's probably the only reason you're still breathing. If you hadn't had Sasuke with you, Itachi would have probably just killed you out of bordem." Kisame roared with laughter.
"Perhaps you're right." Pein admitted, looking over towards the open grassed enclosure where Sasuke was jumping up and nipping playfully at a very annoyed Itachi.
"Of course he is." Konan's voice suddenly rung from behind the two men.
Kisame smirked. "How is it that you always show up at the most curious times?" Kisame chuckled, though Konan just smiled.
"Well, if you're done with your assessment of Itachi, then why don't we get a bite to eat? I'm starving, and I heard that Zetsu is going to be there." Konan smiled at the two men.
"Sounds great! Haven't seen Zetsu for a while. I'm actually surprised he's still alive." Kisame mused out loud.
Pein stiffened at the words. "Who's Zetsu?" Pein inquired with a shallow breath.
Kisame and Konan gave Pein an amused stare before turning to one another. Konan gave Kisame a light nod and the blue skinned man grinned like a maniac.
"The best damn trainer the worlds got to offer."
Next Chapter Teaser…
Pein was somewhat shocked. "24! He's had that many trainers. How many quit?" Pein inquired with a wary glance over towards the man ahead of him.
"None." Zetsu told Pein in a light tone, looking over his shoulder to look Pein in the eyes. "They all died."
End of Teaser…
Author's Note
Yeah! Chapter three is up and now I get to move on to my favorite characters. XD I so happy! Hope you've enjoyed this chapter. Please Review…