"DEIDARA!" Kisame had not slept in two days. The humid forest had him sweating out of his already moist skin. His neck was awkwardly sore, and the soles of his feet burned, covered with cut and bruises from rocks hidden in the sand. The verdant, sun-filtered trees were gone. They had gradually been replaced with ancient, behemoth trees. The sun was filtered out, leaving it very dark. The joyous birdcalls and smooth, clear streams had been replaced with am eerie silence, broken only by the occasional drip! of water.
The dreams made him ignore his ailments. Haku. Was he still alive? Had Zabuza gotten the letter? And was Zabuza still alive? Kisame counted the people important in his life. "Mom's gone," he whispered softly, "Dad is…"
Where was his dad? He'd never really had one he supposed, but was that blue man still alive out there? Or had he been butchered in Kirigakure's civil wars. There was a good chance of that. "Maybe he just put himself off," Kisame thought. He couldn't of blamed it. He wouldn't lie. Those nights when mom was out 'playing ninja', his long, fish-cleaning blade had always tempted him.
"Dad is dead," he decided. He was feeling pessimistic. "Haku could be dead. Zabuza could be dead. Deidara could be-" Kisame stopped himself.
Deidara? Why had Deidara entered the list of Kisame's important people? Kisame had promised himself before joining Akatsuki to not make new bonds. They hurt too much when they were broken. And they almost always broke in one-way or another. But Deidara was the only member of Akatsuki with a none-leaden heart. True, he did have that odd thrill for his 'art', but he'd said himself that he didn't do it to kill people. He'd just been hired for that.
At least he wasn't like Pain, Konan, or Zetsu, the ones who seemed to have no emotion. Or Sasori and Itachi, the family-slaying duo. Or Kakuzu, the violent, greedy bastard. Tobi had sense of humor. But Tobi was a moron.
His thoughts slowly trailed off in the dark forest.
Thousands of miles away, where the rain was gone, replaced by a rising sun and dewy grass, a clay-falcon sat on a windowsill, waiting to deliver. It pecked impatiently at the window. Finally, it opened. A muscular man peered through, with short, brown hair and a mask covering the bottom half of his face. A giant sword was at his side.
"The falcon has a letter. It could be a trap. What do you think?" At first, it sounded as if he was talking to himself, but a small voice answered him.
"I think not, master."
"You'd better be right," he grunted, trying to sound rough. But he knew the letter was for him, that he was in no danger. He had simply been testing his 'tool'. He had passed the test. As usual.
Zabuza unrolled the letter. The ink words were smudged, from exposure to the rain. But the message was still understandable. He tucked it into his pocket.
The flacon flew high into the sky and exploded, while Zabuza turned to his assistant.
"Are you almost ready?" He wished he could be nice to this boy, but a promise was a promise. Kisame had taught him that long ago.
"Yes, master." He put his mask on; he was ready for anything. Such a beautiful boy. Zabuza was by no means attracted to Haku, but it would be a lie to say his features were not captivating. His parents had been the same, though.
"But wait!" Kisame had shouted that one night years ago! I know my mother is my brother's as well, but isn't Mortagai his father!? He has to be!"
Zabuza (along with the other two) had laughed. "Mortagai?" Zabuza had chuckled. "Your mother wouldn't have let the bastard lay a greasy hand on her, much less his 'private spots.' There's a lot you don't know about your mom, kid."
"That makes no sense!" spat Kisame. "Then who the hell was his father! And when did my mom get pregnant!"
The trio exploded in laughter. The tall man walked forward, and extended a long, pale, and graceful hand. His eyes danced with beautiful light, and his hands were cold. But not slimy like Mortagai's. More like a beautiful creation of ice.
"Hello," said the man, "You can call me Rain-sensei. Or your step dad. Either would be accurate." Kisame was speechless.