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Chapter 6: One Less Akatsuki


Asa

After she accepted the ring from her new partner, Asa had no idea what she was getting herself into. She thought if she had joined Akatsuki she would have a shot at Itachi, finally obtaining her revenge on taking his life for killing her sensei. But what she found out was less than satisfactory.

"His younger brother?" she wanted to scream and punch something, but that'd be far too immature.

Madara looked at the younger woman in subtle dismay. He knew she wanted to fight the infamous Uchiha Itachi, but someone had beaten her to it. Of course, Madara knew this would happen all along, though he doubted she would realize Akatsuki had misled her. Itachi's fight with Sasuke was inevitable, something that had been planned for years and no kunoichi could disrupt that.

He crossed his arms. "Sasuke is taking his revenge on Itachi for killing their entire clan. Surely your sensei would understand that."

Was he mocking her?

What he said ticked something off within Asa because now she was glaring at him with vibrant cobalt eyes. She turned away from him and tried to calm herself.

"If it makes you feel any better, Sasuke could lose this battle." Madara pointed out, but only received silence from Asa.

They were still at the Akatsuki hideout and Madara had plans to prevent the leaf ninja from interfering with Sasuke's fight. He impatiently looked at his irritated partner.

"Have time to think it over," he started to walk out of the darkened room until Asa quickly grabbed his coat sleeve.

He was surprised to say the least, no one ever touched him without fear or thoughts of attack, but this girl had none of that. She was angry and bloodthirsty. He couldn't help the little grin spreading under his mask.

"Sasuke better lose." She growled quietly, but it only amused Madara.

He plucked her hand from his sleeve, "I wouldn't count on it."

Asa's eyes suddenly changed to a light sea green, "You seem to already know the outcome."

The old Uchiha laughed darkly, "I expect a certain result, though for now you will stay here."

Reluctantly, she watched him disappear.


Madara

The leaf ninja were searching for Sasuke, that much was clear. While he was away with Asa in Taigakure, Deidara and Sasuke apparently got into a fight. As soon as had been informed, he knew Deidara would lose and it had become the opportune time to make the Kasaya kunoichi his partner. She was far more powerful than Deidara and it was all in his benefit. The stronger his partner was, the stronger he was and that was better for Akatsuki. Especially since they were getting low on manpower, considering how many deaths have happened. He would only need to find a way to control the damn woman, she was more difficult than he had planned… her temper was astounding.

Of course before encountering the sole survivor of the Kasaya clan, he had done his homework on their past. From what he found out between Kisame and the scrolls under her sensei's care, it was less than surprising. Unfortunately, the clan was disposed of because of their frightening "reaper" jutsu. They were annihilated and their jutsu was labeled as kinjutsu… it was so like the five Kages to make such a decision. If they feared anything, then they got rid of it in order to take control and supposedly keep the peace.

Appearing in the shadow of a tree, he masked his chakra and glanced over to see the eight Konoha shinobi. He smirked, recognizing them as the same team that they encountered before. They would most certainly be easy to distract.


Asa

How dare he just vanish in middle of a conversation! Yes, he was the great Uchiha Madara, but still… it irritated her even more. There was no way she was going to be stuck in this room like some pet. Following her instincts, she walked out the door and trailed down the long dark hallway. Small scones aligning the walls were barely enough to see inches in front of her.

Why is this place so dark? She used her chakra to see further.

'What do you expect? The Akatsuki aren't the most cheery sort.' It was the voice inside of her.

Asa realized she didn't know what to call it… this whole time she just thought whatever ate its way into her body was a jutsu. Though, as more time went on it felt more like a living creature.

'I'm a part of your Kasaya Kekkei Genkai, you can call me what you wish,' it read her mind.

She inwardly sighed. There was no way she would ever have privacy again…

What did my mother call you? She asked it.

'Jun.'

She rolled the name around her head, trying to see why her mother would name this thing "obedient." Though, come to think of it… it did what she told it to do.

I will call you that as well if you can be what the name claims, Asa decided.

'Very well, Asami.' Jun promised its host.

What did you call me? Asa stopped walking down the hall, lost in thought.

'It is your true name,' it replied, 'Asa is short for Asami.'

Every time she learned something new about herself she felt more lost, as if she knew nothing before. For instance, how could her sensei not have told her about her true name? Was it so important to hide it from her?

'Asami.' The creature laughed again, 'I'm sure your sensei just wanted to protect you. And I meant to apologize for being hasty earlier when we were so new with each other, but if I didn't act you wouldn't have seen my potential to your power. You would've died as well and that doesn't suit me.'

Asa didn't reply.

'Your mother was just as hard to impress.' Jun continued, 'I was with her until the moment she sealed me into the scroll. Without me, it's understandable that she died.'

How did she die? Asa finally asked, knowing this was something that plagued her mind for far too long.

'I don't know,' Jun answered with sadness in its voice, 'I was placed in the scroll before it happened. She did it for you after leaving you with Teiji.'

Asa continued to walk back down the hall as she listened to the Kasaya creature's claim.

'The old man was supposed to hide you, but it seemed Akatsuki found you out. Or… more like Madara did, such a nuisance!'

You think Madara had a hand in killing my mother and Teiji-sensei?

'Certainly in Teiji's death, but Amaya's… I'm not sure. It's true that Madara was rumored to be controlling the Fourth Mizukage and he was the one after her head.'

Anger and bitterness filled her as she realized the truth about her so-called partner Itachi wasn't the one she should blame for her sensei's death. It was Madara.

The creature laughed. "You're more testy than your mother. So, what will you do?'

Once she was at the end of the hall, she pushed open a large vault-like door and sunlight hit her face. Taking in a deep breath, there was only one thing she could do and it was the right thing. She needed to stop Madara.


(Author's Note: I recreated this scene because it was important so forgive me if I really messed it up.)

Kakashi

It had nearly been two days since his team's encounter with the Akatsuki at Takigakure. After they made their way back to Konoha, they received a message from the Hokage. It was to recover any lost information on Uchiha Itachi, prolonging the S-rank mission that was the previous assignment. The eighth man squad reluctantly did as it was told.

Just finding out their mission had been reassigned… Kakashi didn't have time to send a member of eighth man squad to return the unconscious Sai back home. Sai still hadn't woken up or showed any signs of improvement after his unfortunate event with the Akatsuki kunoichi. Sakura told Kakashi it was unlike anything she had seen, and purposed that maybe Tsunade would know what to do. Sai started to look worse as time went on so for his sake, Kakashi hoped Tsunade knew something.

Hours passed until Kiba finally picked up Sasuke's scent after his battle with Deidara.

"It's faint." Kiba claimed while sniffing around him, "But he was definitely here."

As they followed Kiba through the woods, they were suddenly interrupted. Someone in a long cloak landed on a large tree branch in front of the group. Everyone was shocked to see it was Tobi. Kakashi gritted his teeth and pushed up his headband, remembering man from before.

"Ahh wow!" Tobi giggled, "You guys again? You're not following me are you?"

"Where's your partner?" Kakashi got strait to the point, receiving odd looks from his team.

"Oh! You remember her?" he eyed the white haired jonin, "She's hard to forget I suppose… but it wouldn't be very friendly of me to just give away her location!"

As Tobi remained standing on the tree branch, Kiba called for Akamaru and charged at Tobi as a distraction.

"Yamato." Kakashi quietly ordered him while he kept a steady eye on Tobi.

"Hai." He quickly answered and did his wood style jutsu.

The thick pillars of wood climbed out of the ground and stormed after Tobi, but he clumsily dodged every one. Naruto suddenly jumped into the scene, making hand signals for his shadow clone jutsu. His clone formed Rasangan and the chakra ball swarmed in the real Naruto's hand. Leaping forward, he pressed through the Akatsuki ninja's stomach, but Naruto went right through Tobi, not even touching him. The leaf ninja stood shocked and troubled.

Yamato attacked again with his wooden branches. They swarmed around Tobi whom was still caught off guard by Naruto's assault. Successful, the wood enveloped Tobi and held him hostage. The Akatsuki let out a yelp and then randomly disappeared… his entire body somehow found its way outside of Yamato's grasp.

Tobi showed up on another branch and rubbed his neck as if it were in pain, "You really shouldn't be playing games! Now I have no choice, but to fight back!" He slapped his hands together to perform a technique, calling it "hidden jutsu."

Kakashi quickly told his team to retreat and they swiftly jumped back from the mysterious Akatsuki, unaware of what he could do. The leaf ninja watched as Tobi started laughing nervously and told them he had already done the jutsu.

Naruto hissed to Kakashi, "He's messing around…."

"Our plan didn't work." Yamato then observed.

"The formation was timed perfectly," Kakashi thought out loud.

"Hai," Naruto agreed, "I was sure I hit him."

Shino stepped into the conversation, "Using some kind of jutsu, he let you slip through his body, Naruto."

Hinata finally told them she had used her Byakugan and saw Tobi's chakra disappear completely. After explaining this to the group, Kakashi grew more suspicious of the Akatsuki shinobi.

"A teleportation jutsu?" Sakura asked, but Kakashi saw it was impossible, as did the rest of the team.

"Shino." Kakashi instructed and the young shinobi nodded in understanding that it was time to use his technique.

Shino called forth his bugs and they flew forward to entrap the unusually talented Tobi. But again, he vanished and his bugs were unable to follow the man's chakra. This troubled the group even more.

Tobi appeared again, back on the same branch he was before and as amused as ever. "Oh hey!"

Kakashi glared at their opponent. If he kept toying around then he would succeed in keeping them from reaching Sasuke!

Suddenly a giant green plant-like figure slowly blossomed next to Tobi. Was that another Akatsuki? Everyone watched with careful eyes, prepared for anything.

"What's up?" Tobi asked Zetsu.

Kakashi had recognized the distinct green Akatsuki from the roster that was given to them by Kabuto and informed his squad.

"It's done, Sasuke has killed Itachi." Zetsu told Tobi.

No one was prepared for that. Everyone's eyes widened twice their original size.

"What! No way!" Tobi gasped at his comrade and then calmed down, "Just kidding… It's as I expected." He knew Asa wasn't going to like this… Too bad, he would have to deal with her later.

Sakura spoke, "Sasuke-kun killed Itachi?"

Zetsu looked at her, "He did, but he's fallen too. He's in pretty bad shape so I wonder how he is?"

Kakashi still kept his eye on Tobi while Naruto clenched his fists and narrowed his eyes at Zetsu.

"HEY!" Naruto screamed, "Aloe guy!" The Jinchuriki couldn't hide his anger, or his worry for Sasuke.

"Aloe?" Zetsu questioned the blonde boy.

With his gaze remaining fixed on Tobi, Kakashi felt his heart stop when he saw his eye through the hole of his orange mask. He thought he had imagined it before, but he should've known better. Tobi had a Sharingun! The Akatsuki's eye was locked onto Kakashi, knowing he had seen his secret for the second time. It was almost like Tobi wanted him to know for sure.

"I'll take you on another time." He said and like before, Tobi's voice had suddenly changed. It was deep and serious.

Who the hell is he! Kakashi thought uneasily.

Everyone had noticed by this point, the one named Tobi had a Sharingun. No one spoke from utter shock at the reveal.

Zetsu grinned and closed his body back together as he retreated into the ground.

Before anyone could do anything, Tobi started to slowly vanish away. "Later."


Asa

An hour had passed as she sat down by the calm stream near the Akatsuki hideout. She had shrugged off the heavy signature cloak and set it down on the rock behind her. As Asa leaned over the cool water and filled her vials on her belt she realized she foolishly left one behind. After she finished, she dipped her hands in the water and tried to subside her anger. What would she do now, kill Madara? It was risky and simply stupid… so much so that even Jun told her that.

Uchiha Madara was strong, extremely strong. Was he immortal? She wondered with a shiver going down her spine. Someone was watching her. Just as the figure stepped into the scene, Asa quickly stood with a kunai in her hand.

"So careless." She said and the figure stopped.

When a familiar laugh touched her ears, she tried to hide her fury. If he found out that she knew the truth then he'd expect her to attack him. Surely, if she did attack him then he would kill her. If she left Akatsuki, he would kill her… Asa never felt so trapped in her life.

"Always on guard, Asa?" Madara leaned on the rock where her coat was.

Turning around, a calm expression was plastered on her face. "Asami."

He tiled his head, waiting for her to explain.

She repeated, "It's my full name."

Madara nodded and corrected himself, "Asami. You left the hideout."

Placing her kunai back into her shinobi pouch, she kept her eyes from him and didn't answer. For some reason, she felt like he knew… he knew she wanted to kill him.

"Itachi is dead." He finally told her what he wanted to say, "His brother is in my care."

That made her look at him, but there was a confused look on her face this time. "Your care? He killed your comrade and you help him?"

"Last I checked, you wanted Itachi's life and he was supposedly your comrade." He remarked, which got a bitter 'tsk' in reply.

"You don't actually think I considered him as such." Asa snapped back, "And I could care less about his brother."

Her words surprised Madara, "Oh? I thought you'd be upset and would seek to harm Sasuke."

"How do you know I won't?" she played back.

Madara laughed, "It would be unwise… he could kill you."

She smirked and went to put her Akatsuki cloak back on, "So let him."

"No." He spoke and unexpectedly grabbed her wrist as it went through her sleeve.

Her eyebrow rose with curiosity, as she looked him in the eye, "Why not?"

"You have value in Akatsuki," he told her, "As much as it pains me to say."

"Meaning… I have value to you, Madara-san." She interpreted and he grinned.

She's a clever kunoichi, he observed.

Letting go of her wrist, he sighed before changing the subject. "I need to talk to Uchiha Sasuke about something, don't get into any trouble."

She could see his Sharingun through the hole of his mask, "I'll try my best."

Of course Asa wanted to know what Madara had to say to the young Uchiha. And the fact he would need privacy to do so… it intrigued her even more. With one last look at her, the male Akatsuki vanished.

Once he was gone Asa clumsily sat back on the rock with her thoughts stirring. She hadn't expected to be upset after realizing the truth, but she was. Itachi may have not been at fault, though that didn't stop her from wanting revenge, especially since she would doubtfully get it on Madara. He would be impossible to kill… she felt defeated, as if someone had taken her sensei from her again. A part of her wanted to question Itachi's death. Could he really be gone? She barely knew the guy and it wasn't like she was friendly towards him, but still, something didn't feel right.

Sitting there for who knows how long, Asa tried to think of a plan. Now was the time to do something rather than acting naïve, but she would have to plot quickly.

We need to think of something, she told Jun in her mind.

'You could always interfere with Madara's plan,' the Kasaya's voice reasoned.

Asa liked that idea, but how would she figure out his plan? Clearly, Jun didn't know what it was and neither did she. Maybe if she waited for him to tell her… if she tricked Uchiha Madara into trusting her.

Replying to Jun, she suggested, if I pretended to remain loyal to Akatsuki then I could gather information.

The voice purred inside of her, as if it agreed.

A small smile momentarily formed on Asa's lips while she stood and walked deeper into the forest. Jumping up into one of the large trees, she steadily leaped from branch to branch. As she raced forward the wind blew back her long hair and the coat flapped behind her. If her plan was going to work then she would need help from an outside source and only one person came to mind. She unmasked her chakra, hoping it would grasp attention as she searched for him. The village he belonged to had to be nearby… it would only be a matter of time before she found him. Once she was far away enough from the Akatsuki hideout, she decided to speed up the process with a jutsu.

Effortlessly jumping to the ground, Asa stopped and rolled up her sleeves. Biting her thumb, she used her blood to write on her wrists. After making the necessary hand signals, she used her right palm to strike the ground. A seal flashed around her and a large dragon entity formed in front of her. Being five times her size, it had to bow its head to speak with her.

The male dragon-spirit eyed her for a minute before it hissed, "Teiji is dead."

The summoned entity was made of condensed black mist and onyx scales. Its' bright yellow eyes were intimidating, but Asa was used to them. She was young when her sensei told her sign the contract with the creature as he once did.

"Hai," Asa responded, "Murdered by Akatsuki."

A loud rumble came from its teeth and replied, "What a shame… a waste of talent. But summoning me for such foolishness—"

"I need your senses to find someone for me, Tatsuya." She commanded and its' eyes widened. "His name is Hatake Kakashi, he's a Konohagakure shinobi."

The dragon got closer to her face and sized her appearance. He realized her chakra had improved immensely, "You've changed."

She dismissed the comment, "Find the leaf ninja. I'm losing my patience."

Without another moment of hesitation, the entity did as she said and flew into the air. Tatsuya's long tail wisped against the wind as he disappeared through the trees. Gathering her chakra, she followed closely behind. Asa flexed her fingers hoping this was a good idea… if Madara were to find out what she was about to do then he would definitely kill her.

Jun spoke with amusement inside her body, 'an impressive summon.'

Ignoring the voice, Asa was focused on the tactics of her plan. Her feet vaulted off tree after tree until she was suddenly led into a small clearing. It had only taken them minutes to reach the area.

That didn't take much time, Asa thought as she ceased running. She didn't realize the Konoha ninja were so close by, which was suspicious.

"Tatsuya." She ordered.

The entity turned to her, "You are quite out numbered, but the one named Kakashi approaches."

She already knew she'd be outnumbered. And considering what happened when she saw him the last time… she hoped they wouldn't instantly attack her. Remaining silent, she waited until the leaf ninja reached the clearing. They suddenly picked up her chakra easily and became cautious.

Out of nowhere, mist began to fill the air and quickly blinded Asa and Tatsuya from their opponents.

Within a second, Asa closed her eyes and formed hand movements for her next jutsu.

"Water release: water shield." Her voice whispered and the mist began to clear, being absorbed into a large viscous mass in front of her.

Holding her arm out, the large water shield (formed from the moisture in the air) attached itself to her hand. A smirk appeared on her face as she simply tossed it to the ground, letting the jutsu splash back into water. When she looked up, Kakashi as well as seven others were before her.

"Hey." She said and her eyes flickered through eighth man squad.

Kakashi had his headband up with his Sharingun spinning, watching carefully. While the others swiftly got into their defensive stances, regarding Asa and Tatsuya with caution.

Asa's eyes finally fell onto the unconscious boy being held up by Kiba on Akamaru's back, who was growling at her. Seeing the pale motionless ninja, she felt regret wash over her. Slowly going to step forward, Kakashi stopped her.

"Why were you waiting for us?" he demanded with a stern tone that warned her not to make another move.

She raised an eyebrow and placed a hand on her hip, "I was waiting for you in particular if you must know."

The kunoichi's forward behavior caught him off guard. With his whole squad watching, Kakashi thought before replying, hoping this conversation didn't take an awkward turn.

His hand paused over his shinobi pouch, ready for anything. "Why?"

Asa's glanced at Sai, "To make a deal."

The group looked shocked. Before, it was Tobi's secret Sharingun and now… another Akatsuki wants to deal with them? Something strange was obviously going on within the criminal organization, but what? Everyone remained silent, besides Naruto.

"We don't deal with Akatsuki! I'm tired of being toyed with!" The young blonde jumped forward and went to attack her, but Tatsuya was fast… very fast.

Just as Naruto went to use Rasengan on her, the dragon entity slithered in front of Asa and breathed black fire at him. But Kakashi's reaction time was flawless as well as he commanded Yamato to use his wood style jutsu. The quick branches shielded Naruto just before the fire could reach him. The branches pulled the gutsy ninja back to into squad formation as Asa commanded her summon.

"Tatsuya." Asa glared and the dragon retreated. She turned her attention to the leaf ninja, "I'm running out of time, so let me speak without interruption."

Naruto growled, but with one look from Kakashi he settled. The copy-nin nodded at Asa and they waited to listen.

"I will heal your comrade and restore his chakra." She continued, "I will even give you information on Akatsuki, but under one condition."

When no one said anything, she grinned. "I want immunity."

Kakashi narrowed his eyes at her as he wondered what the girl was up to. Cautious of the dragon, he stepped forward. "We will need to take this up with the Hokage-sama."

'It's all going to plan, Asami.' Jun voiced happily and Asa couldn't agree more.

Asa nodded and backed up from the eight Konoha shinobi. As Tatsuya slinked around her with his long body, her voice echoed as they vanished. "Until next time."


Thanks for reading! I'll try to be better on updating...