A/N: Hi everyone :D this is the longest chapter I've written so far (As well as the most challenging). Some people like long chapters, some don't but I tried not to make it too tooo long, and here it is. Hope you guys enjoy it!
...
Insecurity part 2
"Senpai. Senpai!" There was knocking. Deidara paid it no mind. He was too busy staring at the reflection staring back at him. He wasn't doing this. He just wasn't.
"Deidara-Senpai, I know you're in there!" More banging on the door.
No. He had to go out there. He knew he had to. Come on Deidara, you've got this in the bag. It's all you...hm.
"Everyone's waiting for you! Pein-sama is waiting for you."
No. He wasn't doing this. Just wasn't going to happen. Let Pein kill him. He was done with wearing the name tag of the Akatsuki Joke. No amount of anything was going to stop him from changing his mind.
"Go away Tobi, hm."
"Are you ready yet?" Tobi ignored him. A few more bangs on the door of the small dressing room Deidara stood in, refusing to take his eyes from the brightly glowing mirror he stared into. There was a sigh that sounded through the door, Tobi tried the handle and before the blonde could blink an eye, he heard an: "Oh... Why didn't I do that before?" before the door swung open and two hands were grasping his shoulders, whirling him around to face the masked man. Tobi practically squealed with delight.
"Oh my.. Oh my gosh!" He gushed sounding as if he were holding back tears. He looked over his Senpai who was clad in his first outfit for the pageant. A simple yet elegant suit that was so white, it glowed like fresh snow. He also wore a blue tie that was topped with sparkling silver ninja emeralds that were near blinding; an accessory provided by the pageant women. Not exactly the blonde's taste. He wore fancy black dress shoes, and his hair was especially combed to perfection. He wore no hitai-ate, giving him an even more sophisticated look. "S-Senpai... You... Well I mean you look so..."
Deidara smacked his hands away glaring. "If you even try saying it, I pro-"
"Gorgeous!" Tobi took a few moments to do a quick trendy pose that would've made Itachi go blind before yanking Deidara from his "dressing room" nearly smacking his face into the door frame as Tobi dragged him out.
There was an enormous stage that sat in the middle of their clearing. It was rather glamorous with the whole thing a waxed and glimmering red. A silver mic stand downstage center. There were thick black curtains flanking either side of the pageant stage as well along with two life-sized stereos. Beyond the stage were about forty chairs in rows, all set for an interested audience. Most of the members were already sitting there in the front rows with some of the women. There were bouquets littered all over the grassy plain, Akatsuki decorations everywhere. Everyone had been helping out to get things set up.
"Our seats are right over here, Senpai, it's time to start.", Tobi said as he pulled him over to the already packed audience seats, everyone staring at them. "You're not supposed to go up there yet, but I'm so excited!"
"You idiot, I know how to get to a chair!" Deidara growled, plopping himself into one of the very back seats. Most of the audience's eyes never left him, turning to look at him with wide orbs. "What are you all looking at? Turn the hell back around, hm!" The bomber snapped. Everyone obliged. The stupid challenge hadn't even started yet and it was already grating on his nerves the most. He was never very insecure about his appearance, but dressing up for show and competition like this was never his thing. Nor would he ever find himself wearing anything as sparkly and ridiculous as a pageant suit anyway. Not to mention how itchy the thing was.
"Attention everyone," There was noise coming from the stereos. All the chatter and murmur went down as Pein stood on the stage tapping the mic. A familiar woman with purple hair and tan skin stood next to him in a black dress. A thought suddenly crossed Deidara's mind in how their secret camp hadn't been spotted by anyone what with all the noise and bustle going on. He almost wished they would be caught. Well, it'd be worth avoiding this whole thing.
"Can I have your attention please. We do not have all day, and preparation for this challenge has already taken long as it is," Pein spoke, his deep voice sounding perfectly over the clearing. "Thank you. Before we start I would just like to thank all these young women in helping us with this pageant. It would've been... less than decent. Now Loki has a few words for us before we begin." Loki nearly snatched the mic from the Leader's hand.
"You can hear me? Okay. Hi Sasori-kun!" She squealed fan-girl like. Sasori acted like he didn't know her where he sat in the second row in the audience, looking over at a very interesting tree to his left. Loki cleared her throat trying to pull herself together. "Oh yeah. Back to business. Now, I present to you... The very first...!" Pein stopped Loki as he briefly whispered something in her ear. She nodded. "... And the last ever! Akatsuki Male Beauty Paaaaaageant!"
No one clapped save the other women and Tobi, who was instantly silenced after receiving a near fatal blow to the back of the head by a certain artist. Loki went on. "As you know, I'm your host Loki and today's judges will be... Konan, Sopi, and Ramigon!" Loki yelled pointing over to the judges who sat behind the judge stand a few feet away from the audience. All three of them turned waving at the crowd.
"Okay, so today we only have two contestants." Loki's eyes scanned the crowd looking for the two. "It's about time we introduce them, don'tcha think? Where are they anyway?"
"Oh! Oh, ah! Oh! Ah! Senpai-"
"Shut UP you idiot of a monkey!" Deidara hissed, lowering himself deeper in his chair instinctively. A part of him was surprised he was acting this way. He was far from a shy person. But something about the way Loki was standing up there expectantly made his stomach do cartwheels.
"But she's talking about you Senpai! Go on, get on up there!" Tobi cried. Before Deidara knew it, once more, he was being shoved up to the stage by the masked man.
"Oh, alright!" Loki said as Deidara stumbled on stage, whirling around to give Tobi the I'm-gonna-kill- you-so- hard-when-this-is-over look, only to be enveloped in an enormous hug before the idiot bounded off stage giggling. Loki was right on Deidara before he could take another breath.
"I'm so glad you could make it, um...?" Loki shoved the mic into the blonde's face.
"Deidara, un." Deidara said flatly.
"Deidara! And look at you with your spiffiness and all! Here to burn the competition, huh?"
"Sure am... yeah," Deidara muttered holding back his glare. He remembered Sasori's advice. It was best he stayed nice to all the women. The women who would determine the winner of this disaster.
"And speaking of competition... here he comes!" Loki said as a very stiff looking Kisame was being slowly walked on stage with a reassuring Itachi holding his back. He wore a dark purple tuxedo with sleek black pants and a blazer. His loafers screamed bling, they were covered in a sheen of sparkles. His hair was combed back almost resembling Hidan's, and he even wore a poppy silver diamond chain with the Akatsuki sign. Loki sprung over to him. "Why don'tcha look at you, you're absolutely dazzling this evening! Why don't you introduce yourself to the crow-"
"Oh, no no, why don't-haha, eh- yes. Indeed, let's j-just, er, skip- hehe- the introductions and just get on-" Kisame stopped to suck in a gasping breath as if he were struggling not to hyperventilate. He seemed to be getting all the more nervous as he skimmed the quiet crowd. Itachi began patting his back again, handing the shark man a brown paper bag. Kisame took it, breathing into it furiously.
Loki sweat dropped. "Um... A little nervous l see, but don't worry at all. This will all be over, and in no time. Just focus on winning and you'll turn out all good. Just let me explain the rules and we'll start, okay?" Kisame barely seemed to be paying attention as he was sweating like never before, focused solely on trying to keep the weasel from exiting the stage.
"Itachi-san," he whispered harshly. "Perhaps you could stay up here..." Itachi shook his head with the slightest of movement.
"Kisame."
"But Itachi-san..."
"Kisame," Itachi said as everyone stared. "It is my duty to leave." The Uchiha pulled on his arm as politely as he could when razor sharp nails were digging into it desperately. Kisame wasn't having any of it.
"Hehe- Itachi..." He pleaded holding onto the weasel's arm for dear life. "Please don't leave me up here alone."
Itachi sighed."Kisame," sharingan began spinning."I won't say it again." Kisame gave up on his pleading look, taking a deep breath before sharing a prolonged glance with his partner. They both nodded and Kisame released Itachi's arm. Deidara couldn't believe the Hoshigaki's behavior. Never in his entire life would he have ever guessed just how much stage fright the most intimidating looking member of the organization had.
"Okay then... The rules should be easy enough to follow. For any normal pageant, we would usually hold at least three of what we call "round-challenges", but your leader has advised us to cut today's contest down due to the slim time. So, today we will only hold one round that will consist of a single activity. Now, keep in mind that pageants are not just about dressing up, but about what truly shines when we see you in action as well. The clothes are nice, but we really want to see the person wearing them, if you know what I mean. I want you both to take this very seriously." Loki cast both contestants meaningful looks.
"And of course let's not forget the most important thing concerning why we're even here today. Kisame-san," Loki said, looking at Kisame. "You are the main reason we are holding this. I want you to keep in mind that whether you win or lose, you still need to dig deep within and reach for that confidence that I know dwells down somewhere inside you."
"I'll do my best." Kisame said.
Loki smiled. "Of course, after everything is over, our judges, with the help of our women beauty council, will be deciding the ultimate winner."
Deidara gave Kisame one little glance and was surprised to feel pity wash over him. Through out the few years he'd been in the Akatsuki, Kisame had always been one of his very true companions. He was honestly the last one he wanted to face today. Which is why he felt all the more terrible knowing that there was no way he could let Kisame win. He was done losing.
"Before we start, one more thing," Loki said, invading Deidara's inner thoughts. "First, let us witness the Almighty Male Beauty Pageant Comrade Shake, and we will start!" Loki yelled into the mic, beaming at the two. They stared back at her confused. There was prolonged silence...
"For Jashin-sama's freakin' sake! The woman means SHAKE HANDS! How long could you sorry excuses for crap possibly drag this day on?! Let the damn pageant start already! I've been blown to shreds, pieced back together by the most merciless heathen alive, sittin' out here in the hot sun all- AAAGH!" Loki screamed and Deidara ducked as Hidan's head went flying right over their heads, way over the pageant stage set up and deeper into the forest's unknown.
"Home run." Kakuzu muttered darkly from where he sat in the audience next to his partner's now decapitated body.
"Oh," Kisame said, refusing to look at the crowd as he extended his hand out to Deidara. "May the best man win." He tried to smile at the blonde as terrified as he was. Deidara couldn't smile back as he knew it'd be like betraying his shark friend. This was not a friendly stroll. This was war. But he still grabbed his blue hand. It was sweaty.
"May he, hm."
...
"Alright! Our first and only round-challenge for the Akatsuki Male Beauty pageant is called... A Shinobi's fashion and wonder...!" The crowd went wild.
Deidara stood in the wing of the stage, peeking his head out as he watched the audience go crazy. He was still irritated about the fact that he was forced to change out of the outfit he was just wearing a few moments ago all for the purpose of this single round. His mind blocked out Loki's voice as she explained the rules to the crowd. This was it. Kisame, no doubt, already had a chunk of everyone's sympathy with his stupid insecurity. This would decide it all. It was time to do this.
"...and so let's welcome our first contestant with his poppin' and bangin' style... Deidara!"
Deidara forced his legs to go forward as he made himself present on stage. Everyone went silent for a moment as they took in his appearance. He wore... well, something worth remembering. A very fine silky, yet furry black coat with exotic peacock feathers sticking wildly from the back. The coat draped down past his knees, and he had on shining silver and leather leggings. He had a jazzy black hat with sassy blue sunglasses, and some... odd manly wedged shoes that made him about a foot and a half taller.
"Wooow..." An unknown voice said from the audience.
Deidara gulped down his nerves, balling his fists with determination. He began to walk.
After a few more awkward seconds, people began cheering from their seats. Suddenly the butterflies within him began to fly away, and Deidara found himself adding a bit of spring to his step. The crowd grew louder as he made his way down the run way.
"Yeah! You go Senpai! Work it, work it Deidara- that's my Senpai everyone! He looks so FABULOUS!"
"And he's off, folks. Look at him! He's decided to go with the bad and mysterious look, showing off his inner volatile vibe!" Loki screamed as she took in the bomber's look.
Soon Deidara was owning the stage as he walked up to the very front. Before he even knew what he was doing, he was surprised to feel himself hitting a pose which was, in fact, one hundred percent manly in every way, and in no way girly. Loki continued, talking all things Deidara.
"He enjoys blowing things up, some things exploding, explosive bakudan an- AH!"
"I've got it from here, hm." Deidara smirked, snatching the mic from Loki's hands. "Now, I like all things exploding- let's get that straight, hm. I enjoy collecting clay for my masterpieces- and not to mention I love cruising on my beautiful creations during a cool summer breeze, yeah." Deidara flashed a grin at the crowd of women that went crazy screaming his name, only boosting his confidence.
Deidara held onto the mic and began nearly strutting back in forth at the front of the stage showing off his outfit and glam. He was so caught up in the moment, heart pounding in his chest. Everyone loved him, he was burning the place down. Maybe this whole thing wasn't so bad after all. He was going to win this.
Deidara kept up his trotting, soaking in the sunlight. He felt the need to continue speaking. "That's me, Deidara, former ninja of Iwagakure, now of the Akatsuki. Vote me in as your win, hm!" He struck another pose, throwing his hands into the air like a true beauty king. The crowd grew louder, if that were even possible. "Make sure you meet me backstage too! And maybe I'll think about signing auto-AAH-W-WHAA-!"
And.. just like that, his two seconds of fame was gone as quick as his beautiful art. There on the very front stage went the artist crashing down. Fell rather ungracefully flat on his face. He lay there on his face for a few moments frozen in time, not daring to move a centimeter. There was silence before the crowd erupted with laughter.
"It's okay Deidara, just... Keep it moving!" Konan said from her judge seat. The two judges beside her couldn't contain themselves.
That was it. Someone was going to die today. The blonde got to his feet in a blind rage, face as hot as an erupting volcano. "WHAT THE FREAK IS, IS-!" he grabbed the slimy culprit that was sliding slowly down his face. The artist could not cease his sputtering as he held the cause of his humiliation eyes bulging at the crowd.
"Deidara...," Pein said calmly from where he'd gotten ahold of Konan's judge mic. It would be nice if preventing another explosion were possible. "Just throw the banana peel in the trash, and cont-"
"No! Are you freakin' kidding me, un?! How the hell does a damn banana peel end up in the middle of the stage!?" Deidara bellowed, spit flying everywhere. "Someone put it there!" There was a dead silence as Deidara's eyes continued to spew imaginary fire at the audience. Suddenly Kisame spoke up from where he sat on the edge of the stage.
"Deidara, you'd really ought to calm down-"
"You all think this is funny don't you, hm?! Ohho, I know what's really funny, yeah. It's all-a you weakling's warm blood and fresh guts sliding soothingly down my face, in between my fingers as I watch your pathetic bodies blow into a work of art, now that's truly hilarious!" Deidara seethed, a twisted and insane smile stretching his lips as the crowd went dead silent after those words. The smile turned to a sneer once he caught Pein's murderous warning glare, however.
"Deidara. That. Is. Enough."
"You... You just, Gaah!" Deidara cried, dropping the mic. Everyone winced as it crashed to the stage making an earsplitting squeaking noise. The bomber tried his hardest to keep hold of the little sanity he had left. Fighting the urge to cry and scream and blow the whole place down, including the banana peel and whoever invented the banana peel- or whoever planted the cursed thing right were his foot was destined to end up. But since he wished to keep his head another day, he settled for smashing his hands together in a repeated violent clapping motion while making exploding noises like a small child. He did this while everyone just stared at him for several uncomfortable moments. Then he'd finally calmed himself down.
"I'm done, hm," he said as softly as he could into his regained mic. With that he walked slowly back to his seat next to Kisame, looking over at him. "Your turn, hm." Everyone stayed tense, positive the artist would burst into flames at any second.
Kisame sucked in a shuttering breath before his eyes glazed over with something unrecognizable. He stood up. "Alright." He strode through the curtains to change into his ultimate runway outfit and get ready.
After a moment of contemplation, Deidara realized that maybe he still had a chance of winning. If one would forget about his last little slip-up, everything else actually went pretty well. Besides, Kisame was a strong ninja all in all, but it was very clear to see that he wasn't exactly the best when it came to stage presence.
"And now presenting...Kisame Hoshigaki!"
KIsame came right on cue. Deidara had to admit he was a bit surprised by how In style the blue man was. His hair was still slicked back, but he wore a green and silky suit that was made for disco dancing. Even so, for some reason it looked anything but hideous. On his feet were some chunky white dancing shoes that could only look fashionable on the shark man. He also wore a black bowtie made with fabric so beautiful, it had glimmer and shine to it without a single jewel.
"This Hoshigaki is one true blue fellow! He may be a bit shy, but he'll definitely submerge you into real conversation once you get him started!" Loki's voice boomed through the stereos. The crowd seemed to be going wild for Kisame just as much as for the blonde. Deidara looked on, his eyes narrowing as he watched Kisame walking down to center stage. Watched as he whirled around striking a... quite stylish pose before pivoting around with a head flick that any diva would envy.
As Kisame began strutting back towards the back of the stage where Deidara sat, the blonde caught sight of Kisame's wide shark grin and his flashing eyes. From that point on, Deidara knew something wasn't right. Kisame... He actually looked... confident. Deidara shook his head to snap himself out of it. Kisame was good... But he wasn't that good.
"Wow, and he's going for it, ladies and gentleman! It appears Kisame-san has started something he just can't stop, and now he's off like a true shark-male diva!" Loki cheered, as Kisame was making his round again, steadily getting closer to his and Deidara's seats, his toothy grin faltered after making eye contact with the bomber.
Loki looked over at Deidara. "And at this rate, Deidara is surely falling behind. Sorry Dei-san!"
"That's it!" Deidara growled as he sprang to his feet. He was tired of this same thing happening over, and over again. If the shark Shinobi was going to end up winning, he was NOT going to be there to see it. As the artist turned to make his unruly exit off stage, he did so just in time to collide painfully into the glamorous blue man. They smacked into each other pretty hard, but didn't fall.
"Sorry about that Deidara," Kisame murmured brushing past the blonde who glared after him. The crowd kept up their zeal. Stupid seemingly insecure shark people and their secret talent for wiping the floor with other beauty pageant contestants. Still something was very off about Kisame's behavior...
And that's when the bomber noticed. The earpiece. A tiny blue ear piece that lie right where the two had bumped into each other just moments before. Deidara stared down at it for a second, then looked back up at Kisame who suddenly seemed to be uncertain about his movements in front of the crowd. Hesitating before striking a... pose that's better left unmentioned. The charisma was suddenly gone. Deidara scrutinized the little thing. He picked up the earpiece, stuffing it into his ear, and...
He was enraged at what he heard.
"... And... strut and strike, and strut and strike, and strut and strike, and strut! Come on, you're faltering Kisame, what's going on? Pull it back together, you can't afford to lose this challenge, am I wrong?"
Deidara gapped so wide, his jaw practically locked in place from where he stood near his chair. Kisame had turned around again, now facing the blonde from where he stood at the front and center of the stage, frozen in place. Even from that distance, Deidara could see the horror on Kisame's face. He marched up to the front as well, glaring out at the voice hidden in the crowd. The voice went on.
"The banana peel was a rather excellent plan at its finest, and now you've still got the better of this challenge. It would be in your best interest if you kept this up Kisame...," there was a pause. "Kisame? Do you read me? Kisame, why have you ceased in your movements? May I ask why you are you staring at Deidara with terror? And I am confused as to why Deidara is glaring at me like he wants to... Oh. Hello Deidara."
Deidara had never seen Itachi look so busted in his entire life. He sat in the second row with a dango in hand. A fake looking dango. A plastic dango that he'd been talking into. The fools. They'd beeen using the all new ultra-mega dango walkie talkie spy kit!
"You cheaters, un!"
"Eh, wait, Itachi-san!" Kisame cried after Itachi as the crowd erupted in murmurs of confusion. Deidara looked just in time to see the Uchiha as he threw his plastic dango towards a nearby tree and did a few hand signs, gone in a flurry of black feathers.
"Now, everyone silence right now." Pein ordered as the crowd settled down, Loki who stood on the side of the stage looked both offended and amused. Pein went on. "Enough. I saw everything. Kisame, why would you and Itachi do such a thing?"
"Hey, now hold on-"
"What just happened is what I'd like to-"
"This is an outrage, he cheated!"
Everyone seemed to catch on, people looking at Kisame with disappointment and Kisame was left to stand on stage in his shame. Soon Konan tapped her mic, speaking into it.
"Kisame, what do you have to say for yourself?"
Silence ensued once more and a serene look fell over the shark nin's face as all eyes fell upon him. "Listen everyone," he started. "I've made a bunch of mistakes in life, I've cheated, murdered, stole..." His eyes got a cloudy look, and Deidara was surprised by how firmly in place Kisame stood onstage, unwavering. "And I'm ashamed of what I've done... But I'd do it again. I've learned something truly valuable today. I've found that it's not just about the outer beauty, but it really matters what dwells within as well; my eyes have finally been opened to that crucial concept that I've been blind to for so long." Faces softened in the crowd and Kisame smiled. "So although Itachi has abandoned me, I still thank him for encouraging me today and making me realize the truth."
There were a few gasps of admiration and sniffles from the women. Deidara had to admit. Perhaps this cheat was for the best. With it, Kisame had found himself.
"That's... truly touching Kisame." One of the judges said softly through her mic. She smiled sadly. "But I'm sorry to say that you are still disqualified for your cheating."
"Yes. You have failed your challenge, Kisame." Pein cut in. Kisame looked on unfazed.
"As expected," he nodded.
"Wait a second...hm...that... That...that means I-I...", Deidara trailed off. His mouth grew dry. His heart stopped. He never thought he'd see the day. This time he was about ready to explode with joy.
FINALLY.
"So that means it is time to announce the winner of the first ever and last Akatsuki Male Beauty Pageant." Loki said. Deidara practically skipped over to her, bouncing on his toes with excitement. Loki paid him no mind. "And the winner of the Akatsuki Male Beauty Pageant..."
"Yes, yes..."
"Is..."
"Say it, say it already, hm!"
"Us."
"Huh?!"
Deidara turned his head just in time to see a glowing purple fist flying right at his face. Loki's fist.
"What the- ?!" He yelled as Loki didn't cease her attack. She went for him again, eyes blazing red. He sprang back, trying his best to dodge it, but letting one's guard down comes with tragic penalty. He was a second too late, and Loki grazed the side of his neck making a tiny scratch. At that same moment, Itachi appeared out of nowhere, grabbing Loki from behind in a chokehold. But he was a second too late, as the damage had already been done. Though a small scratch wouldn't normally be a huge deal, something was terribly wrong, and Deidara soon came to find that out when he began to feel overwhelming wooziness wash over him. It wasn't long before his whole body was tingling and his strength was draining rapidly, the weak sensation spreading like wildfire. He fell to his knees. He could barely make out the moving figures before him as his vision of the clearing blurred.
All that could be heard were screams, crashing, corruption.
"ALL MIGHTY PUSH!"
"Pein!"
"WATER STYLE: DANCE OF A THOUSAND WATER DROPLETS!"
"Go!"
"WHAT THE HECK IS GOING-"
"SHIKIGAMAI DANCE!-"
"EARTH WIND AND FIRE-"
Deidara brought a shaky hand up to feel his neck that was slicked with sweat and the scratch was throbbing painfully. His whole body was.
How could this have happened?
He could sense how powerful her chakra was, even as she was currently being chocked by the Uchiha that stood right over him. How did he fail to sense it before? It was almost as powerful as Kisame's, but there was something dangerously edgy about it. Something that made the hairs on his neck stand. The blonde had no idea what it was, but he could tell from the moment Loki attacked that if her chakra were to touch him even in the slightest, things would turn for the worst, and it appeared he was right.
"H-how, un?" Deidara said weakly, looking up at Loki who was struggling against Itachi in her chokehold. She still managed to smile evilly.
"We are the winners, Deidara. You lose. All of you idiots. You fell right into our trap, just like the dummies you are!" Loki spat, gasping for breath as Itachi's forearm tightened around her neck. "It's over, just give it up."
"Explain to us what is going on right now, or I will no longer hold back." Itachi said near robotically.
Deidara was almost too weak to-
"Itachi," he rasped. Even as his vision grew worse by the second, he could still make out Loki's glowing fingers that were gripping the weasel's arm wrapped around her neck,, the sharp chakra burning through his clothes. Itachi looked unfazed when he looked at the bomber, but the small tremors his body made and the sweat trailing down his face was very visible. He was holding on for as long as he could.
"Look around you!" Loki laughed bitterly, though it sounded more like a wheeze. The once decorative clearing was now in complete turmoil. Chairs in disarray, tables and stands broken. Members... Kakuzu, Kisame... Even Konan. They were all on the field. Lying on the ground.
They must've been grazed.
But Sasori, Tobi and the others were not in sight at the moment.
"What have you done?" Itachi spoke again, his shaking intensified, he was getting weaker, but still strong enough to keep Loki in place.
Loki ignored the question much too enraptured by the horrific sight before her. "Droppin' like flies, just as we planned! What a shame, the world's most feared and evil organization falling to us like a bunch of weaklings. The big bad Akatsuki? So overrated."
"Why don't you try saying that again, un." Deidara held back his cough. If only he had his clay... Loki peered down at him as best she could with disgust.
"Are you stupid? It's best if you just shut up. It doesn't take a genius to figure out what's happened, and you know it yourself. Our chakra is all powerful, rivaling those of jinchuriki. Even the slightest contact with it is enough to make almost anyone a goner. Connect the dots sweetheart!"
"What I'm hearing is too much nonsense and not enough of what I need to know. Tell me right now how this can be stopped." Itachi's voice never lost its steady tone.
"You must be joking! Don't get your hair in a tangle pretty boy, you'll find out soon enough all the answers you need to know. Go on, kill me if you wanna, I'll die, but you'll live to regret it, if you want to end up paralyzed for the rest of your life that is!" Itachi said nothing as he absorbed this information. What the heck was she talking about? "Aww don't feel so bad. At least you have someone to thank for this victory of ours. Your oh-so high and mighty leader. Ha, and look at him now."
Deidara looked over just in time to see Pein who was located right by the now totaled dressing booths. They lie in a thousand splintered pieces due to his previous almighty push. He'd used it in an attempt to take care of the handful of women that had come after him. Most of them were strewn in the pile of wreckage. His small success didn't stop the chakra's effect. Pein had been grazed, and in seconds, he was on the ground as well.
"Some "god" he is," Loki laughed. Deidara looked up again all to see Itachi fall to his knees as well. His time was out and he was dead to the world before his entire body even had time to make painful contact with the stage.
Deidara could no longer support himself, and his arms gave out. So this is what he got for listening to Pein? Beautiful. Certain death. When he'd wished that the organization would get caught, this wasn't exactly what he'd had in mind. The last thing he could sense was Loki's presence, as well as more women as they gathered around him. He could barely hear Loki's voice as the cackling reached his ears.
"This organization's weakness?... Utter stupidity."
THE END
...
A/N: Haha, just kidding, just kidding, it's not the end yet.
Or... Is it?
Oh. My. Gosh. Who would've ever guessed. The Akatsuki taken down... by the elite S-class Beauty Pageant Force...wow.
Well, expect the unexpected, I guess (How many of you saw that coming?) Anyway... Is this REALLY the Akatsuki's end? If not, what will happen to all the members? Where are the others? Have they all died? Find out in the later next installment, if you dare.
Thanks to all my readers who enjoy this story. I can't thank you all enough for your support :)
