Kori's POV
FLASHBACK-3 years earlier
I was sitting in my house crying. Why'd they throw rocks at me? I was 12 with deceased parents. I don't want their pity but this isn't what I meant. I rubbed the bruise on my left arm and looked at my right arm in my mirror. I stared at the kanji symbol that meant eternity and sat there confused. Was this symbol the reason they hate me?
Heh heh heh…maybe it is…
"Who-who said that?" I asked, now scared that someone got into my house. I stood up and searched my surroundings but didn't find anything.
I can tell you the reason you're hated…young Kori. Just listen to yourself…
I heard the voice again. "What do you mean...b-by that?"
You've got a demon inside of you. It is me, and you're not supposed to know about me. The village thought I was sealed deeper within you so I couldn't connect with you but they were wrong.
I sat there frightened. I was a demon? Not possible but...what was this voice inside my head?
Are you sick of being treated like a dirty mutt?
The demon caught me by surprise. "Yes…I guess I am sick of it." I said to it.
Then are you ready to show this weak try of a village my...your…our power?
I thought for a second before standing up and feeling stronger. "Let's do it…" I tied my sand village headband around my neck. I suddenly had an aching pain in my head and started to scream. Blood was running down my arms even though there was no wound. My light black hair became darker and my nails extended and sharpened. My teeth sharpened and I was careful not to bite my lip to stop screaming. I watched myself in the mirror and saw my eyes change from reddish to completely black with a small white pupil. The blood stained the kanji symbol red and then stopped rolling down my arms. I thought it was over, but my skin turned light gray and black wings sprouted from my back.
"It's over?"my voice came out scratchy.
Yes it's over. By the way. Call me Akuma.
I shrugged and glanced over at one wall. I felt a strange chakra surge run through me and my hand began to glow. Rasengan appeared in my hand. I ran at my wall without hesitation and threw my hand into it, causing it to explode, so I flew out of my house and softly landed on the ground. People were staring at me and I glared at them. Some people ran but others charged at me with kunai and shurikens. I simply glanced at there weapons and to the villagers surprise and mine, their weapons turned to sand or caught fire. I grinned at this, revealing 4 inch long fangs and the villagers backed away. My skin opened right above my wrist and a sword blade slid out of my skin. The handle appeared in my hand and the blade attached to it. I knew what to do and without warning I appeared in front of a man, my sword through his chest. Another chakra surge raced through me and I sent a chidori stream through the sword and into him. I took the blade out and watched him fall to the ground, dead. I looked up at the others and saw their horrified faces, and as they looked at me I licked the blood off my blade. This sent them running.
Finish off this village…
I nodded and flew up into the air, above the sand village. I made a hand sign and got ready to perform the grand fireball jutsu, but before I could something rammed into me. I flew away and turned to face it. What was it? It looked like a white bird with a blonde boy on its back.
"Well, if it isn't the blood demon of the sand," He said with a grin on his face. His hair was covering his right eye and he had a ponytail. I looked at what he was wearing, and I couldn't tell what it was.
Akatsuki, huh?
"Akatsuki?" I asked Akuma out loud, getting a look from the boy.
"Yes…that's right. I actually did some research on the blood demon of the sand, hoping to find a picture, but it said there was no exact picture seeing that it has never released itself. So do you mind I take a picture?" The boy said with a little bit of excitement in his voice.
"Um…ok?" I said as I flew down and landed in front of him. He was getting a camera ready so I stood with my claws up and showing my teeth so he could get all the details.
"Ready? Good." He took the picture then looked at the picture. "Hah, cool." Then I had an idea.
"Do you want to take a picture of my human form so I can be identified in human form?" I asked the boy.
"Wait, so you're half? You're a normal girl with the demon inside? Almost like a tailed beast!" He blabbered on and on so to get his attention I started to turn back to normal. He watched as my hair became lighter, my claws dulled and became my short nails again. My wings shrank into my back while my teeth dulled and the kanji symbol turned black again. Finally my skin turned to its normal pale, and my eyes went back to a reddish color not filling up my whole eyes.
"Whoa you're…you're…" He stared at me then shook his head. "Let's get that picture taken, un." So I posed and he took the picture. A few minutes passed before he said, "I'm Deidara…you?"
"Kori Hasuno…and I was wondering something…you know…since I was trying to destroy my village, could I join the Akatsuki?" I asked Deidara, hoping he'd say yes.
"Um…well you have to talk to leader but I'm pretty sure he'll say yes because of your power and your strength. Also because you abandoned your village." Deidara replied, now flying us to Akatsuki HQ.
"I thought that pity wouldn't be in there…not like I need it…I'm perfectly fine…" I muttered, hoping that Deidara didn't hear that. As I thought about it I realized that the Akatsuki members might know my dad. Maybe he was my dad by blood, maybe not but he was still a father to me, until he brought me to the sand village at a young age and left me there.
"Oh…why would you need pity?" Deidara had heard me. Just great…I have to tell him.
"Because, my mother is dead and I don't know who my father is or was…I'm not sure if he is dead or not." I wandered away in my voice as I watched the ground pass by under us.
"Well…maybe we can find your father some how." Deidara said, looking around. "Here we are," We landed and jumped down from the bird. Deidara led me into the hideout and I looked around. It was dark but I could see people. A boy walked out of the shadows and I could see him better. He had an orange mask with a hole in it.
"Sempai, who's this? Is it your girlfriend?" He asked Deidara in a mocking voice. Now a boy who seemed older then Deidara slowly walked out of the shadows. He had black hair and a ponytail, a small one, and sharingan.
"Yes Deidara, who is this?" He asked, staring at me.
"She's the blood demon of the sand. Not a tailed beast, just a normal demon." Deidara reply came out as a growl when the boy in the mask got to close to me. "Tobi you idiot, get off of her," Deidara growled with a hint of jealousy. I grinned at the boy named Tobi then looked at the older one with the sharingan, my smile fading.
"Hey guys…come meet Ms. Blood demon over here!" Tobi yelled to other figures in the shadows. One by one they came out. First an older boy with white hair and strangely colored eyes, then a tan skinned man with stitches near his mouth and on his arms and everywhere, a man with blue skin and blue hair that had shark like teeth, and what is that? A plant man? A red haired boy not much older than Deidara walked out…and I couldn't resist those gorgeous eyes. I guess he noticed because he was looking straight back at me. I looked down avoiding embarrassment but Deidara's voice brought my head back up.
"Kori, meet Hidan, Kakuzu, Kisame, Zetsu, and Sasori." He said. Then the older boy with the sharingan looked straight at me.
"Itachi Uchiha," He said, and then walked away. I stared after him then turned to Deidara.
"Um…where is your leader? Don't we need to talk to him?" I asked, looking around. Deidara chuckled and looked around too.
"He is in his quarters most likely. I can take you there." He said half smiling. He grabbed my wrist and led me through hallways until we stopped at a door. Deidara knocked on the door and a voice replied almost instantly.
"Hmmm…who is it?" The person inside asked.
"It's Deidara. There's someone you need to meet." Deidara said close to the door. It opened and a man with orange hair and many piercings walked out. He looked at me and then turned to Deidara.
"Deidara, who is this?" The man asked Deidara, but he looked at me with familiarity in his ringed eyes. Deidara simply showed the pictures.
"Blood demon of the sand. She wants to join." Deidara nearly asked, practically begging his Leader. I guess he was thinking about the advantages or something. I think I heard a voice saying that.
"Well yea, I could be an advantage," I blurted out, getting a strange look from the Leader. "Uh…what?" I asked as his curious face became confused.
"You knew what I was thinking…? Must be the power of Akuma…" He said still staring at me. Then I heard someone running and a familiar voice.
"Sempai! Sempai! Can I have some of this apple juice I found in your fridge?" Tobi was running down the hall carrying juice boxes. "Please?" He asked as he slowed his pace to a walk.
"Oh my god Tobi…you're an I-DI-OT!" Deidara yelled at the masked boy. I couldn't help laughing, but I stopped when it looked like my giggling at struck fear in the Leader. His face was pale but he shook it off as soon as I stopped. It seemed I could read his mind that first time…maybe I'll try again. I concentrated on him…but…but it seemed there was a shield blocking me.
"So anyway…Kori. I will help you get fitted into an Akatsuki cloak…" the Leader took me by surprise.
"What? Does that mean I'm in?" I squeaked at the end…I don't know why. The Leader…my Leader somewhat smiled…and he seemed too familiar…to friendly but dangerous. I couldn't have known him.
"Well come on dau-…Kori" Leader stuttered…trying to find the right word. I shrugged as he started walking, and I followed him. I looked at him and it suddenly hit me. Well something did. I didn't tell him my name…did I? Did Deidara tell him? I guess I wasn't paying attention because I slammed against the door. I walked backwards then regained balance. Leader opened the door and there were Akatsuki cloak scraps and full cloaks all around the room. A few minutes later I walked out wearing the cloak, the ring, and the straw hat in my hand. I don't know where Leader went but after wandering around enough I found the other members getting ready for dinner. Sasori, Zetsu, Tobi, Hidan, Kakuzu, Itachi, Kisame, Leader, Deidara, and one girl I haven't met. I walked slowly in, trying not to draw attention but that Tobi made me jump.
"KORI! KORI SIT NEXT TO MEEEE!" Tobi screamed, waving his raised arm. Now everyone was looking at me. I heard different voices but all the words.
"Isn't that the new one?"
"Shut up, you're making her self conscious, un!"
"KORI SIT NEXT TO MEEEEE!"
"Humph…"
"Heh heh heh…"
"Well she doesn't look that powerful"
"She looks tasty"
"No, she looks nice we aren't eating her"
"…."
"Um…hi I'm Kori. I'm the blood demon of the sand…and I joined." I seriously didn't know what to say. The girl with the flower in her hair walked to me.
"I'm Konan. We haven't met yet…but I can't say that anymore." She said, then walked back to her position in the kitchen. I sighed and followed Tobi to the dinner table, seeing he wanted to sit next to me so badly. As I sat down Deidara came rushing and quickly sat on the other side of me. Everyone else came out and sat. Then Leader and Konan came out with the food, giving everyone one of everything. I really didn't feel like eating so I listened to other peoples conversations. First I heard an argument about art between Sasori and Deidara. Lame, then I heard something interesting. I thought I heard the words might, impossible, daughter, and a sigh coming from Leader and Konan's conversation. They knew they were being watched so they turned their heads, their eyes locking with mine. Leader instantly stood up and left the room. Konan had a distressed look on her face as she looked back at me. I shook my head and pushed my plate away. I crossed my arms on the table and rested my head there. All the sudden I got the chills and turned around to see Konan behind me. "I should show you to your room," She said without looking at me, "you look exhausted…" I slowly stood up.
"Um yea...I need some sleep." I lied. I probably won't sleep at all. Konan led me through the hallways in silence. She stopped after 5 minutes and pointed to a door.
"There." Konan mumbled.
"Um thanks, but are you ok? You seem gloomy…and I sensed kindness and happy in you when I first saw you…" I asked without any intention to. She just walked away without a word. I narrowed my eyes and angrily opened my door and slammed it. I heard the walls crack a little but I simply walked to my bed and sat in the corner. I fell asleep in the corner, curled up like a cat. Bad dreams now waiting for me.
It was a knocking noise that woke me up. I sat up and looked around. The knocking came again, and it was the door. "Humph…yeah what?" I growled, still in a bad mood. The door opened and it was Tobi.
"Hey…I'm sorry to disturb you but I wanted to see if you were ok." Tobi said calmly, also with a hint of worry.
"Why wouldn't I be?" I growled but then relaxed. "Sorry…but I'm ok,"
"Well okay…but why were you screaming?" Tobi came over and sat on the edge of my bed. I thought for a minute before answering.
"I was screaming? I don't remember any nightmares…" I said confused. Tobi looked at me before asking the one question I hated.
"Do you know your parents?" He asked, scooting closer to me. He had his head sideways like a confused dog. I just shook my head.
"No. No memory at all. Don't know if they are dead or alive." I confessed to him. Then he turned his head to the door. Deidara was standing there, eavesdropping.
"Oh…hey guys..." Deidara said almost embarrassed. I rolled my eyes and tried to turn but I couldn't move. Everything just went black then. It was like floating in darkness…surrounded by nothing. I believe I lost consciousness but I could hear faint voices. Screaming voices…almost saying "Help" but I had no clue. I began going deeper into the abyss. I got some sort of blurry visual of what was happening. Akuma wanted out…it was winning and I was transforming against my own will. It was attacking Tobi and Deidara during the transformation.
Ah yes…sweet power!
Akuma sounded louder this time….
Oh Kori…don't keep blaming me…we are one. You see how it violently changes on you?
It felt like I couldn't breathe now…I went under the abyss and couldn't get out…I was sucked into unconsciousness of the demon.
3 Years Later
"Hey Kori get up!"
"Ugh…go away Tobi…I'm tired."
"But Leader made pancaaakes!" Now that gave me reason to get out of bed! I jumped up and tackled Tobi. "Hey! No fair!" Tobi whined as I ran away from him, trying to get to the kitchen. As I approached the kitchen Deidara walked out of it and we collided.
"Oh I'm…I'm sorry Kori!" Deidara had fallen on top of me, and was blushing vigorously as he got up. I just laughed and stood up, only to get run over by Tobi. I grabbed his legs as I fell, bringing him down with me, him screaming "TOBI'S A GOOD BOY!" We both got up laughing and the three of us walked into the kitchen. Pain was still making the pancakes as we entered. He took one glance at me and burst out in laughter. "Nice bed head, Kori!" He laughed then calmed down to flip the pancakes. I just narrowed my eyes and smacked the back of those boys' heads when they started laughing. I left the kitchen to sit down in my usual in-between-Tobi-and-Deidara spot. I watched everyone slowly come one by one to the table. I don't know why but I said hi to Sasori and he replied by saying something like "you're not a morning person…this is strange." I would've smacked him but I could feel something good that was going to happen.
"Hey Kori and Deidara, I need to talk to you guys when you are done." Pain said then walked away to eat his "special" pancakes.
"You wanted to see us?" Deidara asked Pain as we walked into his room. I was brushing my hair when Pain stood up.
"I want you two to go after the nine tailed fox; Naruto Uzumaki." Pain said with a different focus on something. "Kori, you will infiltrate and find Naruto. You will be-friend him to gain his trust and once you got him where you can knock him out. Deidara, you will wait for her signal and then you will pick both of them up. Sound easy? Might be easy, but it also might not." He ended, still with something else on his mind.
"Got it, un," Deidara replied and ran out to get ready. I turned but Pains voice stopped me.
"Um, Kori. I need to tell you something." Pain started to talk. I sat in the nearest chair just 'cuz I wanted to. "Kori, I know that you don't know your parents. But I can tell you about them. You see, 6 months after you were born your mother died on a mission. Your father wanted to keep you safe so he brought you to the sand village, warned the village of your demon, and left you by the name Hasuno. He left you there to be cared by and orphanage. But Kori...you deserve to know your father is alive." It didn't seem like he fully ended.
"Well…?" I nearly screamed, "Aren't you going to tell me who my father is? How do you know him how-can you take me to meet him?" I asked rapidly, hoping for answers.
"You have met him. It's me." Pain's voice almost cracked. I couldn't speak, move, or breathe. I stared at Pain…my father…
"How…how long have you known?" I asked him, curious about what he knew.
"I knew it right when Deidara showed you to me 3 years ago." Pain smiled and patted my head. "Okay, now you need to go on your mission."
"Right!" I stood and smiled at him. At last I found my father. So I turned and ran out, taking off my cloak, ring, and anti sand headband leaving only the kanji mark on my arm and my black short shirt and gray pants. I stuffed my Akatsuki items into my backpack as well as my weapons.
"You ready girly?" Deidara asked as I exited the Akatsuki base and climbed up onto the clay bird he had made.
"Hah you bet!" I said looking at that blonde boy who was my first friend. Then the bird took flight and we flew a long flight to Konoha. I swear I fell asleep, but I guess I imagined it.
"So…you ready to face of with the Nine Tailed Fox?" Deidara asked me as we approached the Leaf Village.
"It's not like I'll actually fight him. I'll just knock him out for a long enough time…or something" I replied with my always stupid answer. I looked down to see many trees near the village. "Well I will see you later!" I said with a silly voice. I then jumped off his bird, landing on a think oak branch. I watched him fly away then crouched down. The wind was blowing my hair around so I decided to call the wind stupid. I looked down again, only to see a blonde boy with a leaf village headband walking alone.
Well okay I would say that might be almost long maybe? Reviewers get cookies and Pains "special" pancakes!
