It was time to go train with Kakashi's team. She ran with Oni to the training place and found out she would be training with Sakura. She was powerful, but Oni could take care of her. At least, Makoto felt it was that way. Oni got distracted by a noise and was punched into Makoto almost making her open her mouth. Oni was bleeding. Makoto began to shake. Sakura told her in soothing words that she would heal him. However, what Sakura didn't realize, Makoto wasn't afraid for Oni. She was afraid of those coming into Konoha.
She pressed a crystal into Oni's wound and took off carrying him in her arms. She placed him in a bush to hide him while she awaited her attackers.
"Ah!" Sakura cried hiding behind Naruto.
Two guys in army green cloaks, with black X's on them, walked out to face Makoto. "Makoto, the Lady Dragon Prism, we have come for you. Assist us once more with your talents and you'll be handsomely rewarded. We found a perfect cavern full of Dragon Crystals. What do you say? Don't tell us you're still with that red…"
The guys didn't have time to finish because Makoto opened her mouth. Sound waves deafened their ears making them cry. She held out a crystal that looked like the dragon crystals, but it was clear, as if it was empty. She licked it and watched amused as the guys retreated.
"They should know better. Not now or ever will I work with the Mausoleum. What did they mean by 'perfect cavern full of Dragon Crystals?' I'm the only one who can make them. Idiots... Oni, wake up and let's go home." Makoto smirked as her loyal friend jumped out and up, coiling around her shoulders like a serpent.
It was three AM when Sasori made his way into Makoto's room. He clasped his hand over her mouth, and she awakened startled. She smelled the familiar scent and fell at peace. Oni jumped on her head as Sasori vanishes taking Makoto and Oni with him. The three appeared in the Akatsuki's favored HQ.
The HQ was inside a cave with 5 expertly carved tunnels spreading out from the large center point of the cave, which appeared to be the living room, kitchen, and meeting hall. The tunnels had oak doors with the names of each partnered pair engraved on them. Makoto's gaze settled on Sasori and Dei's door. Oni jumped down at the sound of people coming from the tunnels.
Makoto gently pulled Sasori's hand away from her mouth, but let his arm stay circled tightly around her waist from behind. She stood at attention but rested her back against Sasori's chest, completely comfortable. Sasori showed no reaction.
"Makoto, it has been awhile. I've missed you so." Pein chuckled as he stepped out of his tunnel with Konan at his heels. "We require your services for a while so you'll be staying here for a while. We found many empty dragon crystals and souls to inhabit them. We need ten so be prepared. You may rest until it is 7 am. That is all."
It was always like this. Makoto kept silent as Oni stood in front of her protectively. Her eyes were blank as if her soul had vanished. It always amused Pein, and he showed it with a seductive grin that he knew no one would go against. He turned. Konan smiled sweetly at Makoto before she ran after Pein with her usual expression.
Sasori let go and told her, "You can sleep in Itachi's room or my room tonight. Our partners have set out to secure the sight."
Makoto turned and planted herself across the couch with Oni curled up at her feet. Her right arm was placed over her eyes casually while her other arm hung off the side of the couch straight down.
Since the shockwave incident at Konoha, Makoto threaded the Dragon crystals into a collar for Oni to wear, seeing as he had more control than her. She was thankful that Oni nagged her enough to do it then.
Sasori felt she was being difficult until he saw that Makoto's right hand was shaking violently…
