Faze Three:
Kaida was sat in an oak chair, in what she took as an office, she couldn't really see through the darkness of the room, so she didn't judge what the room looked like.
She could just about make out the figures of her mother whom was stood opposite her, behind a huge oak desk and that man who her mother was with, he was sat in a leather chair behind the desk also.
The blinds at the windows were closed, leaving very little light to shine through and into the room.
Kaida was later informed that he was called Pein, he was a 'God', and the leader of the Rain village, and at first he demanded for her to fight him for trespassing in his domain, but after she'd stated that she'd been searching for her mother all this time, he backed off.
The reason for that?
She'd shown him the picture of what Konan looked like a year before she'd left Kaida and had, unbeknownst to her joined the Akatsuki.
The picture had set a completely different motion to her story, for he strongly believed her, no one has ever gotten a photo of Konan before, and very few people outside of the Rain village know what she looks like.
It wasn't a lie.
"You say that you're Konan's daughter?" Pein asked, still rather surprised of the circumstances that happened earlier, for there he was with his partner, looking over his village, breathing in the musky air, staring at the wondrous view, just relaxing and then something just had to occur now of all times, when Madara could easily pop out of nowhere.
Kaida's eyes narrowed somewhat and she stated with a determined voice "Yes, Konan is my mother, that picture is her. I've had it ever since she'd had it taken."
Pein looked at his partner, she was stood next to him silently, her eyes downcast, sad.
He knew it was hard for her to see her daughter again, but there was possibly no way to get Kaida out of the village, especially if she'd been travelling for so long to find her mother
"Is she your daughter Konan?" He asked calmly, allowing her time to answer, she looked up from the floor from where she was stood to Kaida who was sat in a chair opposite her, staring at her with those innocent orange eyes that reminded her too much of the past.
Konan lifted her gaze to meet his and she answered silently "Yes."
"Madara will be here very soon, what shall we do with her?" Pein questioned aloud, more to himself than anyone else.
Indeed, what would Madara do if he found, what could only be described as an Angel sat in their presence, perfectly calm and relaxed.
Konan was stood silently next to him, she hadn't said a word throughout all that had occurred, her whole being felt numb and tired, she could hardly believe what'd happened to her, she couldn't come to terms that her daughter was here, that she was alive, here, and…grown up.
Kaida was sat on the tongue of the contorted face of the statue overlooking the village just as Pein had done earlier that day, her beautiful white wings appeared to shine in a hazy glow that transfixed around them.
Some little white birds that had similar coloured wings to her own were hopping around her, chirping away, one of them had rested upon her right hand, they were shockingly very tame around her, making Pein wonder about her abilities.
For a start the Akatsuki could use someone with real wings who could most likely travel more efficiently and if was sent on missions or errands, could most likely fulfil them twice as fast as Deidara could on his huge clay bird.
She seemed to be able to have some sort of communication with birds, and that could come in handy for tracking, and the huge axe with the short handle hadn't gone unnoticed, it was rested upon her backpack, it looked very heavy, she had some agility and strength.
All added bonuses in his opinion, indeed, they could use someone like that.
"We'll keep her."
Konan gasped at the statement, her head turned to face Pein in shock, she couldn't believe he'd said that, it just wasn't possible, Pein had promised to take her away from her daughter, help her forget everything that'd happened.
And now he was going against his promise to her, she didn't know which was worse, the fact that her daughter had shown up, or that Pein had just broken his only promise to her.
"She could be a good asset to the Akatsuki, we need someone with her speed, agility and strength, someone whom has real wings to fly faster than possibly anyone else on this planet." Pein explained calmly, still watching Konan's daughter with hinted interest.
He wondered what Madara would make of her.
"I have to disagree, she could be an impostor, how can we know for sure if that's really my 'child'? She couldn't join us anyway, Madara doesn't need any more members and he's been scheming away for so long, I don't think he's going to throw all his plans away for one little girl." Konan stated coldly, she glared at her daughter, feeling the rush of hate and disgust funnelling up within her.
"She's staying, whether Madara wants her to or not, she doesn't have to become a member, she can be a subordinate, perhaps to us, she'd be very useful, if I have any information or objects that need delivering within a certain amount of time, I'm pretty sure she could finish that more efficiently than anyone else." Pein grumbled under his breath, Kaida didn't need to hear what they were discussing, she didn't need to know anything, she only needed to do whatever he told her to do and she'd be alright.
Of course he didn't mean to deliberately hurt Konan and betray her trust, but he knew that there was no one else like Kaida in all of the countries, she was very rare.
And because of that, she'd be highly recommended to use her skills within the Akatsuki.
And he was most certain that Madara would see it that way as well, for there was no one else that had real wings.
Konan huffed to herself, she wanted her daughter gone, away from her as far as possible, although these were selfish thoughts, she couldn't deny her true feelings, she never wanted to be a young mother, she never wanted any children.
But it did happen, and now she was going to regret that until the day she dies.
"Think about it Konan…" A deep voice murmured from behind them, and they knew without having to turn around that it was Madara, for someone of his type he'd managed to keep his chakra hidden completely, it almost made Konan shiver at how skilled the old Uchiha really was, though she wasn't about to test it out.
"You don't have to love her…that's what pretence is all about, pretend to be her mother, win her over with her trust, and then we can use her in anyway possible, she'd be a valuable advantage to us." Madara smirked, whilst staring at the back of the young girl, smiling, giggling and talking to the small birds, her innocence and purity almost made him want to crush and rip her wings off, though that could be saved for later…if she ever betrays them that is…he'd have marvellous fun in 'clipping' her wings so that she never flies ever again.
Konan frowned, she didn't like this idea, she didn't like the fact that Madara was practically waving it in her face that he wanted to use her daughter-the child she'd left years ago, so it could have a better life, was going to get caught up in the Akatsuki after all.
It seemed that even trying to protect her only child from far away didn't even help.
She'd failed as a mother, not only that, but she was a cruel mother to abandon her child for so long.
"I won't force her to do anything she doesn't want to do, she's a free being-"
"She's an Angel. And she's your daughter." Madara corrected her with hinted amusement etched in his cold voice, but what Konan had just said had shown a completely different view on the situation, could is be possible that deep down beneath that cruel and harsh exterior she actually felt those maternal instincts towards her daughter?
Never the less, this worked out well for all of them.
Kaida wants to be with her mother, Konan wants to secretly protect her daughter, Pein wants Kaida's abilities and Konan to trust him, and Madara wanted them all to play along with his plans.
Having a subordinate ready and waiting for when another member eventually 'bites the dust' so to speak, then she'd be a perfect replacement, but that was after much training and studies.
He wanted this Angel with an intense rage that he was all but ready to kill Konan and Pein to get to her, but that would be reckless, pointless and a waste of time.
He'd get Konan and Pein to do all the work for him, and all he'd have to do is wait at the sidelines, watching, waiting for the perfect opportunity.
"She will join us, or I will make her. Your choice, but I want you both to introduce her to the other members and once over, start training her, she's your subordinate now, and she needs the proper training to be like one." Madara commanded before disappearing behind them without so much as a sound.
They both relaxed visibly, and Pein looked at Konan calmly and asked "Are you going to ask her, or am I to do it?"
Konan stared up at him, he already knew that answer, he nodded and backed away a couple of steps, allowing Konan to take her time and speak to her daughter.
If Madara wanted her to pretend to care about her daughter she'd do that, she could manage that, and she knew deep down that they did need her abilities, her paper wings and Deidara's clay birds were no match for her speed in the skies, for hers were the real-deal.
Konan took a deep breath, and walked calmly to her daughter, she paused however when she got right behind Kaida, looking over her shoulder she saw that Pein had disappeared, so, he'd been understanding enough to allow her time to herself, to come to terms and do this in her own way…
"Mum? Something wrong?"
Konan turned and looked down at the face of her beautiful daughter that was suddenly interested in her well-being.
She cleared her throat, better to be stern and show her you mean business, Konan thought wisely.
"I need to tell you something…" She began, but her voice failed her, she wondered if she was truly ready for taking this huge step in asking her child to join them in one of the most wanted organizations possible, but knew there was no way back.
After all, it could be considered Kaida's fault, if she hadn't shown up, Madara and Pein wouldn't have wanted her to join so much, she could live life without having to know what her mother really was; a murderess, a wanted criminal and a terrible mother.
Kaida waited, staring at her with those innocent bright eyes of hers, wondering what could be causing her mother so much distress.
"Kaida, have you ever heard of the Akatsuki?" Konan started off, she hoped the girl had, cause then it'd make explaining so much easier than it needed to be, and then that would mean she wouldn't have to talk to her for a long time.
Kaida frowned slightly, she looked away from her mother and up at the clouds, watching the birds, she thought intensely before answering "Yes, I've heard briefly about them, they're criminals wanted in every country right? And they're wearing similar cloaks…to yours…and that man's….."
Kaida jumped up into the air, and flew away from Konan, suddenly afraid, hurt and unsure of her decision now to be with her mother.
"Kaida…yes, I am part of the Akatsuki, I have been for many years-"
"When were you going to tell me about this?! I can't believe it! All this time I thought you'd been seriously injured, and that you couldn't make it back to me, or you'd gotten amnesia or something like that-a complete accident! Wait…did they force you to join? You don't have to be apart of them mum-let's get away! We can-"
Konan glared at Kaida, as she started rambling on about the perfect family unit, where they could live, what they could do together, and even what they could eat for dinner.
"Quiet! I was not forced to join, I came here of my own free will. Think what you like if it comforts you any, but I am talking to you now out of business, a proposition, well, more like a sentence. Kaida, you're being asked to join the Akatsuki and become a subordinate-to whom has yet been undecided. But you will work for us, and we will train you to become stronger than you are now. You will one day be worthy to fill a space in case any of the other members die. Think carefully of your answer." Konan muttered the last part, and stared coldly, whilst watching Kaida's shocked face taking all that in.
Kaida slowly floated down onto the tongue once more, where she was originally sat, shocked and speechless. She didn't know what to do.
Konan melded a paper katana in the sleeve of her cloak, nearing her daughter silently, she waited for an answer, depending on her answer depended between life and death.
"She will join us, or I will make her." Madara's words shot through her mind in a flash, making her realise that she couldn't kill Kaida, she had to back down.
And she did.
The paper katana dispersed and disappeared silently and unnoticeably within her cloak, Kaida hardly noticing anything out of the ordinary, this sudden thought made Konan wonder if her daughter could manipulate paper like she could, the idea intrigued her, and also annoyed her, but it would be nice to finally have someone appreciate her abilities, for she was sure that Kaida hadn't ever seen her mother use paper for fighting, and if Kaida could manipulate paper, it wouldn't be at Konan's level, she'd show her daughter the means to control the art of origami.
"I have no choice?" Kaida asked dazed, she was still sat there staring at the floor with sad eyes.
Konan nodded and muttered "That is how it is."
"T-then…I guess I have no other option but to join…" Kaida said numbly from her position.
For years she'd thought of her mother as the beautiful fighter and caring but calm role model, she'd always attained to become exactly like her mother, she wanted to be her.
But now…discovering that her mother was part of the most wanted and dangerous organization ever existed almost made her stomach turn, and she no longer wanted to be like her mother.
Her mother was a liar…a cold-hearted being…she never came back for her daughter, because she simply didn't want her, her mother didn't want her…
Didn't want her.
Kaida felt the tears fill up and spill from her eyes, she brought her knees up to her chest, and sobbed silently, knowing that she couldn't leave now.
She almost wished she'd never bothered to find her mother, she'd just wasted all this time searching for her, and it was all for nothing. And now she was being made to join the same organization that stole her lovely mother away from her.
She wanted no part in this, but she had little choice.
Konan stood over her and watched her quietly as she sobbed, it seemed that she'd come to a conclusion on her own about what she thought of her mother, and on that thought, Konan turned away from Kaida, and as she walked away, uncaring, she muttered quietly "You should never have come searching for me…"
All of the other seven members of the Akatsuki appeared one by one in their virtual forms, all of them annoyed and surprised by the sudden announcement of being called for a meeting.
"Heh, been a long time! Can't say I've missed you guys." A huge man wielding an equally large sword upon his back greeted them, his smirk was easy to catch within the quiet, yet damp cave.
"Who cares? Let's just get this over with, I don't want to be kept waiting anymore." A deeper voice that came from a small, hunched form spoke opposite from the other.
It was a few moments later of silence, that three more virtual figures appeared, the members became serious, awaiting to hear the news of what their Leader had wanted to call them for.
"Welcome, it's been a while hasn't it?" Pein murmured casually, sounding rather bored, as if his mind was on something else, indeed it was.
"Seven years…" Another large man, with bright green eyes spoke up, as if needing to make the statement clear, for it had been that many years, some of the older members felt the length of time had gone on for too long, but, at least they were here now.
"Enough of the pleasantries, I've called you all here for two reasons. The first one being that the search for the tailed beasts shall now continue once more, now is the best time to search for them, we've been quiet for too long. Get them whenever you can, and we will then extract them from their 'containers'. Second, I have someone I'd like you all to meet…" Pein's voice trailed off and his hand rested on the shoulder of a much smaller, female form that was stood next to him, but with a pair of something peculiar coming from her back.
All the members peered at her, squinting, sizing the new figure up, and they were all immediately confused and wondered why their Leader had brought such a young person to their much delayed meeting of seven years.
"Pfft! What the fuck? You brought a little kid here? I swear you're fucking crazy!" A man with intense violet eyes snarled, whilst placing his arms behind his head in a laid-back manner that indicated boredom and disinterest.
"This had better be a good reason for you to waste my time." The small man from earlier with that very deep, creepy voice spoke up again, he sounded impatient.
"This, is Kaida, she is an Angel." Pein stated calmly, despite the irritable moods that all the men were currently in, he needed to make sure that none of them tried anything funny with her, because of Madara's deep interest in her.
That caught their attention, and they remained silent until the man with the violet eyes laughed out loud again "Ha! You really are crazy! That's a good one, so why'd you really bring her here?"
"She is an Angel. These are her wings." Pein pointed down to the two ominous, huge objects sticking out from her back, it was only when the violet-eyed man laughed once more, that Kaida flexed her wings outwards, surprising all the other men, and managed to stop the man from laughing at her, they realised that she was controlling them of her own free-will and with little ease.
Her piercing orange eyes looked up sharply, she glared at all the men around her, and she knew immediately that they were all arseholes, and that she didn't want anything to do with them.
The men stared at her in 'awe', and now a red-eyed man spoke up from his corner, his voice held calm amazement in it "Where did you find such a specimen?"
Kaida glared at him, but Pein spoke up before she could tell him where to get off, "Actually, she flew over to myself and Konan, speaking of which, I would like to also introduce you to Konan's only child. Her daughter."
There was silence again, until a man with a high ponytail and one visible eye asked in confusion "Where?"
Kaida giggled lightly to herself, despite where she was, and whose presence she was in, she had to admit, they were possibly the most easiest of people to wind up and the most challenging to make fun of, both of which she was sure she'd have great amusement in doing.
"Right here!" Leader shouted at the other man in annoyance as he pointed to Kaida once more.
"Holy fucking shit. Who knew you got knocked up Konan?" The violet eyed man started roaring in laughter again, Konan looked down, feeling somewhat ashamed and sad, before Pein, noticing Konan's mood, bellowed at him to shut his mouth, which was immediately complied.
"Anyway, Kaida here is a subordinate to us now, so she is a part of this organization, I suggest you don't hurt her in anyway, for you won't have just me to answer too." The statement held an underlying threat to it, that hadn't gone unnoticed by any of them and with that Pein, Konan and Kaida disappeared from the dark and damp cave.
"Hmm…what's the betting that Kaida isn't Leader's daughter?" The man with bright green eyes spoke again, more business-like, he seemed rather interested in the young girl now that she'd left.
"Ah-shut it Kakuzu, you and your money-talk, it pisses me off!" The violet-eyed man whined loudly, before they too disappeared.
"A real Angel…hmm…sounds interesting…" The red-eyed man muttered calmly to himself, before he and the huge man with the equally large sword disappeared from the cave.
The man with the high ponytail glared at where the red-eyed man stood, the envy and hate making itself clear, before his short partner growled "Come on, Deidara, I've been kept waiting too long!"
"Yeah-yeah!" He answered annoyed, and they too disappeared, following the disappearance of the last member, the tallest one of them, with something weird around his body.
"This sounds…interesting…" And he too disappeared whilst chuckling to himself.