Chapter 7

The temperature was nice out; nice enough to get out of the dark, stuffy cave that was the Akatsuki hideout. Sasori and I had already been sitting outside together just enjoying the nice day. Lately we didn't have time to see each other. He was put on a number of missions the past month, and of course I just went on my first Akatsuki mission two weeks ago. It made me happy to be spending time with Sasori again.

"Well my personal opinion of art is, you're not right, and you're not wrong. Everyone has a different view of art, some people like this style, others like that style. I mean sure, there are some styles of art that I like more than others, but you can never really be wrong when it comes to art. As long as you put your heart into whatever it is you're making, it's art." I said to Sasori while looking at the clouds in the sky.

"You know, that is a really good way of putting it." Sasori commented.

"And you have to have a good understanding of what something artistic is. Being observant really helps too," I added.

"I have a question. If you say you can't be wrong, then why do you always tell Deidara he's wrong?" Sasori asked while looking at me.

"Because I just love seeing the look on his face!" I laughed. "And you do have the better opinion Sasori." I said smiling at him.

"Thanks." Sasori said smiling a little. I liked to have conversations about art with Sasori because I've always loved art. Unlike Deidara who thought his opinion was the only one that mattered, Sasori would actually listen. I was about to continue with my discussion until a new voice interrupted.

"Hey, Hatone! The leader wants to see you." I heard Kisame call.

"Huh? What does leader want with me?" I blinked; confused as I looked at the direction where Kisame was.

"I don't know, you better go find out." Sasori told me.

"Yeah, I guess so." I sighed and hopped of the rock Sasori and I were sitting on. "I guess I'll see you in a bit. Bye Sasori." I waved at him as I went back into the hideout.

"Bye Hatone." He waved once back at me as he rested his cheek in his palm.

I walked into leader's office and noticed Itachi was standing there. Two steps into the room and I already started to feel uneasy.

"You wanted to see me, sir?" Itachi barley glanced over his shoulder at hearing the sound of my voice. A dark, shadowy hologram, which was Pein, fixed his eyes on me.

"Yes. Since you did well on your last mission, I have assigned you to assist Itachi on a new mission."

"Another mission?" My heart jumped. "Will Kikuhana come?" I asked with a tone of confusion, and slight nervousness in my voice.

"No, just you and Itachi."

I'm going to be on a mission with Itachi alone? I thought as I stood there in silence.

"As you know, a former member of the Akatsuki, Orochimaru left years ago. When he left, he took the ring that shows you're a member of the Akatsuki with him. So, it is your mission to go to Orochimaru's hideout and take back the Akatsuki ring. Hatone, I heard that you, your sister, and some ninja from the Leaf Village went to Orochimaru's hideout 3 years ago. Because you know what to expect, this should be easy enough for you. You may leave." Pein instructed. Itachi and I walked out of Pein's office.

"Get whatever you need; we'll leave in 5 minuets." Itachi said looking ahead of him.

"Okay…" I mumbled as I left to my room to get my supplies.

"I can't believe this is actually happening! Kikuhana and I have almost never been put on separate missions; probably only twice in the ninja lives! And what makes the situation even more uncomforting is that I'm going on this mission with Itachi. Itachi. Why couldn't he have chosen Sasori, Deidara, or Kisame? I actually talk to them, and I don't feel anxious around them." I talked to myself out loud, one of the many things I did on average, as I packed my supplies. "And why does it even have to be Orochimaru's hideout? I've only been there once and that place gave me the extreme creeps! Just because I've been there before won't make it easier…" I mumbled the last part just as I finished packing. I grabbed my bag and slung it over my shoulders. I opened the door, only to see my older sister standing there like she was about to enter the room.

"Oh good, you're here." Kikuhana said as she walked up to me. "I was gonna go train and I need someone to spar with." She said as she began dragging me away.

"Kiku, I can't train right now, I have to go on a mission." I said while still being dragged off by my sister. She stopped and faced me.

"What do you mean a mission?" She asked confused, furrowing her eyebrows together.

"Yeah, a mission. Pein assigned me to a new mission."

"Alone?" She asked even more confused.

"No, I'm going with Itachi." I said quietly with my hands behind my back.

"Ohhh, so you and Itachi are finally getting some alone time." Kikuhana teased me, causing me to blush.

"Stop doing that!" I said laughing. "You honestly have no idea how horrified I am right now..." I muttered. I looked from the corner of my eye and saw Itachi leaving the hideout.

"I gotta go, bye sissy." I hugged her and ran out of the cave after Itachi. Hopefully this mission will go very smoothly. I couldn't bare it if something embarrassing happened and Kiku wasn't there for me to get my mind off it. I had no idea what to expect for this mission. I was hoping dearly that it wouldn't be nearly as bad as I was imagining.