Author Notes: Hello everyone and thank you again for your fantastic feedback! Enjoy the next chapter :)
General Warnings: Crack. Some OOCness. A couple of spoilers for the Akatsuki members, but nothing really earth shattering.
Rating: 'T'
Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto.
- Chapter Start -
Hidan and Kakuzu were the first to arrive at the rendezvous point which - surprise, surprise! - turned out to be one of the Leaf's outpost stations.
They were greeted by Leaf Anbu who lost no time in separating the rescuers from the rescuees. Sarutobi was lifted from Kakuzu's back and onto a stretcher and then he and the genin were spirited away for 'medical attention'.
It was carried out so swiftly that Hidan and Kakuzu barely had time to acknowledge Shikamaru's nod of thanks, Ino's limpid eyed smile, and Choji's shy wave before the genin were out of sight. The two Akatsuki were then ushered down a hall to a waiting room and told that someone would be with them shortly.
The room was windowless and empty save for a table laid out with food and drink, and chairs around it. They were invited to help themselves to the refreshments while they waited, but neither Akatsuki missed the fact that they had been locked in.
Hidan switched off his charm, threw himself into a chair and started grousing about how long they would have to wait. Ignoring him, Kakuzu poured himself a glass of ice water. The chips - how on earth had that Akimichi kid stashed half a dozen packets on his person? - had made him very thirsty.
- o -
The next team to arrive at the outpost were Deidara and Sasori. They too were relieved of their rescuees in the blink of an eye. Hatake was whisked from Hiroko's back, placed on a stretcher and wheeled off by an Anbu nin while another ushered the three genin in the same direction. Sasuke and Sakura gave their rescuers brief nods of thanks, but Naruto turned around despite the Anbu's restraining hands.
"Hey, thanks a lot for rescuing us, misters! I hope we meet again soon, you know?"
Deidara managed a grin and a quick wave before the genin disappeared around the corner. Another Anbu then led him and Sasori down a hall, telling them that someone would be with them shortly.
- o -
A few minutes later, Itachi and Kisame turned up at the outpost with their rescuees in tow. They were all thankful, Kisame most of all as he was finally freed of his burden (Gai was neither short nor light) as well as the neverending recounting of the most idiotic competitions he had ever heard of (no thanks to Lee's inexhaustible supply).
Gai was placed on a stretcher and then he and the genin were hurried away. Neji and Tenten managed brief bows of thanks, their ears still red from Lee's unintentional destruction of Hatake and Gai's otherwise sterling reputations.
"Once again, my deepest thanks for bringing Gai-sensei and us to safety! I am sure Gai-sensei would want to thank you both in person so I hope our paths cross again! In fact, I shall infom him..."
Kisame glared sideways at Itachi - whose shoulders were visibly trembling - as they were ushered down the hall in the opposite direction and Lee's voice soon faded away.
- o -
Konan and Pein were the last group to arrive at the outpost due to Konan having to help Nagato keep within range of the chakra receivers they wore.
As soon as they arrived, waiting Leaf Anbu transferred Kurenai onto another stretcher and took charge of the three genin. Shino and Kiba thanked their rescuers, the latter looking put out that none of his questions were answered. Akamaru added a polite woof. Hinata gave a deep bow and a heartfelt 'Thank you so much, ma'am' to Konan before she and her teammates were hurried off.
Konan and Pein were led down a hall in the opposite direction and shown into a room. They entered to find the rest of the Akatsuki there, sitting around a table and eating, milling about or in Kakuzu's case, pacing up and down.
"About time," Kakuzu growled as soon as he saw them. "Do you realise what's happened?"
"We've been played for fools," Hidan added in a pleasant voice with a sly glance at his partner.
"The injured jounin I rescued is none other than Asuma Sarutobi!" Kakuzu's light green eyes glowed.
"We've been helping the Leaf Village all along," Deidara observed.
"Even though the missions were issued separately," Sasori added.
"... member of the Guardian Shinobi Twelve!"
"I'm glad you two are here," said Itachi mildly, reaching for another stick of dango. There was a pile of used sticks by his plate.
"... worth thirty five million Ryo!"
"They didn't serve seafood," Kisame complained, snatching the last stick of dango from Deidara and placing it on Itachi's plate. "Can we leave now?"
"Is anyone listening?! Thirty five million Ryo!"
As Kakuzu's irate voice bounced off the walls, Konan and Pein exchanged a grim look.
"Let's go," Pein said.
As one, they all rushed for the door. It was locked again.
"Stand back!"
Everyone hastily stepped back as Kakuzu aimed a fireball at the door and blasted it right off its hinges. Coughing in the resultant smoke - except for Sasori - all eight of them rushed out of the room and down the hall.
- o -
The outpost station was empty.
Deserted.
Desolate.
Devoid of life.
"Do you think they knew who we are?" Konan asked as they gathered in the entrance hall after a quick search of the place.
Pein shook his head.
"The Leaf's Hokage is one of the legendary sannin, a shrewd kunoichi. She knew the jounin and Leaf headbands would be recognised straight off."
"Well, we all know where they're headed, don't we?" Kakuzu demanded.
Pein looked around at the other expectant faces and nodded.
"Yes, we do. Let's go."
- o -
It was Itachi who stumbled first, prompting Kisame to grab his arm.
"Are you alright?"
Itachi nodded slowly.
"I feel dizzy."
Next was Deidara who groaned and put a hand to his head.
"Me too."
Hidan walked, swaying, towards the nearest tree and leaned against it, blinking hard.
"What in Jashin's name? I'm seeing double," he muttered.
As Kakuzu glared at him, Pein turned to the others.
"How do the rest of you feel?"
"I can go on," Kakuzu gritted out at once.
"Kisame?" Pein prompted.
"I'm fine," Kisame replied, sliding an arm around Itachi's waist. "I didn't eat or drink anything back there."
"Neither did I," said Sasori as Deidara leaned heavily against Hiroko's back.
Konan and Pein exchanged another look as Hidan gave a mirthless chuckle.
"It would appear the refreshments we were offered were tampered with," he said.
"Poisoned?! How dare they!" Kakuzu roared although he was a master at creating poisons.
"My guess is some sort of... chemical... to slow us down," Itachi suggested. "Another precaution."
"Well, no way are we losing out on that bounty," Kakuzu growled and hauled a protesting Hidan upright. "They can't have gotten far."
With dogged footsteps, sheer determination and some protest, the eight Akatsuki members continued in the direction of the Leaf Village.
- Chapter End -
A/N: Thank you for reading! The next chapter is the final one, please leave a review :)
