The Akatsuki and the Great Oroki

Chapter 9

Disclaimer: ... -Pokes disclaimer- Hm... Oh well. This chapter will still be a bit mean to Tobi but not too much, ok? Anyway, Pein is really important in this chapter, as is Sasori, because I want to use him more. Just for the fun of it. Yay for random Sasori apperances! -Falls over from excitement-

"Bella, stay here and watch over Dei-kun, alright?" Bella, Tasha's newest minion, nodded. Tasha peered down at Deidara for a few secounds, and then over at Death. He cocked his hooded head at her and she sighed.

"Why don't you... uh... come with me. Is that alright?" Death nodded and walked after her as she left the room, a trail of dark smoke in his wake. Being followed by Death was kind of creepy, but it was better then going alone. As she walked through the living room and down to Pein's room. When she arrived she turned to Death.

"You'd like me to stay outside, correct? I don't mind. " Tasha gapped at Death as he spoke. She figured that he would know what she was thinking, but it was still really weird. The floating red orbs blinked and he waved a gloved hand at her, motioning for her to knock on the door. She nodded and knocked, waiting as the heavy sound of Pein's footsteps travled to the door. It opened slowly and Pein poked his head out of the door, raising a brow at the cloaked figure behind her.

"I'm not going to ask. Eh, come on in...Tasha." Pein opened the door wide and waited, looking at her expectantly. Tasha stared at him in shock. He just called me by my name! Oh god! The world's going to end! Pein cleared his throat and she shook her head, walking into the room. He closed the door and walked over to his chair, sitting down and folding his hands on his lap. Tasha sat in the chair across from him.

"Pein, this is about Tobi, again." Pein sighed, raising a hand to his head.

"What did he do now?"

"He tried to kill me." Pein froze, looking shocked. She cocked her head as Pein clenched a fist tightly around the arm of the chair. She gave him a worried look as he scowled.

"Um, Pein? Are you alright?" Pein nodded, clenching his jaw.

"You aren't ok. What's up?" Pein sighed, giving her a strange look.

"Nothing. I'm just trying to calm down." Tasha watched him as he silently vented until he felt better.

"Well, I have something to get you away from him before I kill him." Tasha cocked her head.

"Why would you try to kill him?"

"Because he tried to kill you damn it! That pisses me off!... What did you do?" Tasha went silent and blushed. Pein raised a brow and sighed, growling under his breath.

"That ass. Do you have any marks?" Tasha opened her mouth to reply when there was a knock at the door. Pein moved to open the door but Tasha got up.

"I'll open it." Tasha walked over to the door and slowly opened it to see Itachi and Lia. Why...?

"Um, Hi. You guys are back early..." Tasha cocked her head at the two. Pein looked at her curiously as she talked.

" Yeah. We need to talk to the Leader about our mission." Tasha scowled at Itachi as he grummbled under his breath. Lia looked confused and Tasha sighed.

"If you are going to be an ass Itachi, I'm shutting the door." Tasha narrowed her eyes and gripped the frame of the door in an attempt to calm down. He was being annoying, as usual.

"Please Tasha. We really need to talk to the Leader. It is important. We need to tell him about our mission." Itachi mummbled under his breath. Tasha rolled her eyes and opened the door farther so they could enter.

"Just be warned, he's not in the greatest of moods right now." She sighed, looking back at the scowling Pein. He had sat back down in his chair and was holding his head in one hand. Leaving the door open Tasha moved to sit across from him again, looking at the two expectantly.

"Leader, Lia and I were not able to convince Gaara to join when we were there. We left sooner then expected due to the fact that he tried to kill the both of us and I found it important for us to leave while we still had the chance to leave with our lives." Tasha stared at Itachi wide eyed as Pein sighed.

"Really now. Well then, this makes this easier. I'm sending you back. But Tasha will go with you this time." Tasha flinched as he called her by name again. She wasn't going to get used to that.

"You want me to go back to that desert without a partner, as well as stick me with that molester?" She made a face as Pein sighed again.

"Why are we going to go back? He's not going to come no matter what we do. He told us there is nothing that you could do to get him to join. No matter what! And I don't think I can go through that again." Itachi grummbled in frustration. Pein clenched his jaw and waited for a few moments as he calmed down, then looked to Itachi.

" For one, Tasha has more battle experiance then that wimp. Secound I SAID SO. End of discussion." He looked to Tasha.

"By the way, you aren't going alone. I'm sending Deidara with you." Tasha sighed with relief at first, then made a face.

"Wait, Itachi hates both of us!!" Pein nodded.

"He'll get over it." He growled, eyeing Itachi. Tasha sighed. Great. Stuck with the molester no matter what I do. She thought. She looked at Itachi, who seemed to be plotting something. She scowled, getting a feeling that this would be bad for Lia. She turned to Pein, getting a great idea.

"Hey, can I have permission to hurt Itachi if he tries anything?" She whispered to Pein. Pein chuckled, nodding.

"Whatever you want." He reached over and petted her head, bringing a stare.Well he's rather affectionate today. There was a thump and Tasha looked up. Lia had fallen to the floor.

"Hey! Are you alright?" Tasha lept from her seat to crouch down beside her.

"Just dizzy is all. Thanks." Lia gave her a pained smile and Tasha sighed, looking sceptic. She was sitting at least, her head in her hands. Tasha raised a brow, realizing that this situation seemed rather familiar somehow.

"You aren't used to your powers, huh?" Tasha asked, petting the girl on the head.

" No, I'm not. No one understands that I don't fight and so I never used my powers this much. At least until now. " Tasha looked thoughtful. Well certianly reminds me of when I was small.

"Well, don't stress yourself too much, alright? I'm more then willing to take half of your work load." And put it on Itachi. She thought. Ok, that'd be mean. Pein stood up.

"Then it's settled. You'll leave once... where is Deidara anyway?" Tasha went pale.

"Oh god. I have to go check on him! I'll be back!" Tasha got up swiftly and ran from the room, and straight into Death. She stumbled slightly, then made a face at him.

"Inconvenient place to stand ya know that death? Let's head to check on Dei-kun."

"He's alright. Midnight just informed me."

"I still want to see him myself." Death shrugged and followed her as she walked off to Deidara's room. Bella met her at the door, tail wagging happily.

"I have done well, yes! I have made him a hundred percent better yes!" Tasha sighed in relief, walking into the room. Deidara was dressed, sitting crosslegged on his bed. She walked over to him, grinning widely.

"I'm glad you are ok, Dei-kun." Deidara looked up as she spoke and he smiled back.

"Yeah, that little wolf of yours is a miracle worker un. I swear I was going to die un!" Tasha petted him on the head.

"Glad you didn't, or I would be bored. Any way, we have a mission, together." Deidara cheered, hugging her happily.

"But... We have to go with Itachi and Lia." Deidara froze, then scowled.

"I HATE that bastard. UN!"

"Yes yes. I know. We still have to go. If you ignore him, maybe he'll turn into a puddle of goo." Deidara snickered, and nuzzled her chest.

"Well, alright. But ONLY because you're going to be there." Tasha shook her head as she laughed, dragged him off of the bed and the two of them headed to Pein's room, Bella right behind them.They arrived at his room after a few minutes, Pein was already at the door, waiting. Midnight was sitting beside the doorway, and he looked up as Tasha reached down and petted him. Death had disappeared somewhere, but Tasha didn't mind. He creeped her out.The five of them went inside of Pein's room and sat around, waiting. Itachi and Lia arrived soon after, and Itachi looked annoyed.

"So can we get this over with, so that I don't have to deal with them any longer then necessary?" Tasha scowled, tightening her grip on Deidara's arm as he twitched. She could tell he was pissed off just from looking at Itachi.

"Calm it Dei-kun. Please." Deidara scowled and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Pein made a face at the gester, then sighed.

"Yes. You can head out now. But If I hear anything about you doing something retarded like last time, I'll kill you myself." Tasha raised a brow. Last time? Oh... The incident between Itachi and Dei-kun.

"Don't worry Pein. I won't let them get close enough to each other to make out." Pein and Deidara froze, giving her an odd look as she grinned. Itachi glowered at her and Tasha giggled. Exactly the reaction she wanted. He grabbed ahold of Lia and dragged her from the room. Alright. Now's exactly the time to let him know what I think of him. Tasha grinned evilly and Deidara and Pein backed away from her.

"Oh just leave the guy alone for once, eh master? " Midnight muttered, looking up at her from his spot at her feet. She sighed.

"Oh alright. Just for Lia's sake. Speaking of which, I think we should find them before Itachi decides to take it out on her." Tasha stood and walked out, Deidara and her wolves following her as she began to search for them.Where could they have gone? Tasha wondered as she poked her head around a corner. The hallway seemed empty. That's when she spotted them She waved cheerily.

"Heeeeyyyyy! Lia! Molester! Over here! " Midnight scowled at her as she called Itachi a molester. He knew how true it was, but still.

"Don't call me that!" Itachi muttered, and Tasha realized he had ahold of Lia. She said something to him and Tasha raised a brow.

"Hey! Stop fondling her and get over here!" Tasha held in a giggle. She knew she shouldn't be doing this, but it was too much fun. The two finally caught up to them, and Tasha gave Itachi a weird look. He seemed distracted for some reason. She shrugged it off and placed her hands on her hips.

"Took ya long enough, slow poke." Tasha muttered, faking annoyance. She tilted her hips slightly and extended an arm, poking him it the forehead.

"What the HELL do you think you're doing?" Lia, who had been laughing, went silent.

"Who? Little ol' me? I was molesting your forehead of course! I can molest too ya know." She said with a grin, not afraid of Itachi in the least. Midnight sighed. Lia backed away as Itachi grew angrier with Tasha. Aww how adorable. He's so angry! Tasha thought, amused.

"Can we please just leave now?" Tasha looked over at Lia, who was shaking. She raised a brow.

"Itachi! You're scaring the kitten! Apologize!" Midnight and Bella stared at Tasha in disbelief and Deidara sighed.

"Why should I apologise to her?! She doesn't deserve to be apologised to!" Lia looked hurt and Tasha growled.

"What was that? She doesn't deserve it? " She grabbed ahold of Itachi's cloak, pulling him forcfully towards her.

"I don't care what opinion you have, you don't have the right to say that to someone. Apologize! NOW." She snarled, glaring up at him.

" It's ok, don't worry about it. I'm ok, he doesn't need to apologize for anything. Don't push it any further, please. " Tasha looked at Lia from the corner of her eye and scowled.

"No. I'm not letting this sissy get away with it." She growled through clenched teeth.

"No matter what you say or do, I'm not going to apologize to that wimp! She needs to learn to fight for herself, not have someone else do the fighting for her! You can say and do whatever you want. I'm not apologizing for something that I feel does NOT deserve an apology." Tasha let out an angry sigh, clenching the front of his shirt tighter.

"Hmm. Is that so? Well, it seems you care a lot about her. " She grinned up at him.

"That's a relief to me. Just don't molest her too badly, alright?" She reached up with her free hand, grabbed a lock of his hair and pulled his head down, planting a kiss on his forehead. She released him a few secounds later and turned to Midnight.

"Shall we let the lovely lovebirds be and start packing?" Midnight made a face. Itachi looked at her weirdly from where he stood, confused.

"I DO NOT LIKE HER!! You're sick!!" Lia looked shocked. Tasha chuckled and turned to him.

"Yeah, and that's why you're blushing." She grinned widely, sticking out her tounge. Itachi was a nice shade of red, which amused her to no end.

"You know, I've always wanted to do that... " Tasha mummbled to herself as she placed her hands behind her back in fake innocence. She watched as Itachi turned away, trying to hide his blush. Tasha cocked her head.

"Oi! Itachi! I have one more thing to tell you." She waited for him to turn around, which he did, rather slowly.

"What is it now?" Tasha chuckled as a shocked Deidara stared. The entire situation confused him.

"Oh, just this." She wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him full on the lips. After a few secounds she released him, turned and started running down the hall, amused. Midnight and Bella followed reluctantly as Deidara made a disgusted face. Itachi stood there for a moment, shocked, then snapping out of it, chased after her. Deidara sighed, shook his head and followed slowly after them.

"Ok, I think i'm going to be sick un. That girl has a twisted sence of humor un." He muttered as he walked. He paused for a moment and turned to Lia.

"Hey un? Uh, don't mind her, she's just messing with his head un. She doesn't like him very much un. Anyway, you want to walk with me un? I don't bite."

"Sorry, what did you say?" Lia seemed tobe outof it. Deidara smiled, repeating his words. He felt the strangest urge to be kind to her. He wasn't sure why.

"Sure, why not? I really don't like to be by myself in places like this anyways." Deidara smiled warmly and offered a hand.

"Oh un. You might not like that un..." He said after he thought about it, putting his hands in his pockets.

"Wouldn't like what?" Lia looked at Deidara in confusion.

"Holding my hand un." He said, looking sheepish.

"Don't worry about it un. Just forget it." Lia looked at Deidara blankly.

"Ok... Well I think we should try and find them before someone gets killed. What do you say?" Deidara chuckled and nodded, starting to walk in the direction the two had headed in.

Tasha stopped at the entrance, and leaned against the wall, panting. She was completly out of breath, and the fact that Itachi was somewhere nearby didn't help. Midnight and Bella had yet to arrive, since they were taking their time walking. The air from the open door felt nice and she relaxed slightly as she waited. A sound caught her attention and she looked up,noticing a pretty yellow bird sitting on a tree branch just outside the door. What a cute littlebird. She thought, shifting her weight slightly. It hopped down the branch and stopped at the edge, cocking it's head at her. Suddenly something grabbed her, pinning her front first to the wall.The person was pressed tightly against her back and it felt awkward.

"What the hell?"She snarled, trying to see who had ahold of her, rather unsuccesfully.

"I guess you'll just have to find out for yourself." A voice said, and she felt a sharp pain in her neck. She made a strange squeaking sound and tried to squirm away, but she was pinned too tightly against the wall. The person pulled away and turned her around,pinning her yet again to the wall. Tasha made a face. It was Itachi. The blood from the bite wound began to run down into the cuff of her cloak and she flinched.

"Aww, what are you flinching for? Does it hurt that badly, you little mutt?" Tasha made a face as she peered up at him. Her eyes began to water and she started to bawl.

"Really now? I don't think you're really crying. I just think you're just trying to get me to apologize for biting you." Tasha attempted to make a comeback, but she couldn't. The tears were real and her throat was begining to tighten. Unsure of what to do she just continued to cry, her body begining to shake. Instead of apologizing, though it would do little good anyway, he bent down and kissed her on the lips in an attempt to stop her tears. It didn't. She got hiccups instead. It was hurting her throat, the strange combo of sobs and hiccups. Her eyes watered even more.

" Ok ok. I apologize for biting you. If you want me to, I'll kiss it for you." Tasha gave him a strange, watery eyed look, as the tears rolled down her cheek of their own accord.

"H...ho..w..." hiccup... "I..is that.." .. another hiccup..." g..going to hel..p?" Itachi looked at her strangly as she said this.

"I don't know. At least I tried. Do you want me to go get Lia to heal you?" She shook her head, slowly, trying not to hurt herself any worse.

"N...no. I'll...just g..." She hiccuped again and she made a frustrated noise. She waited a few moments, then continued. " ...get Bella to d... do it..."

"Suit yourself. Can't say that I didn't try to help you." Bella walked up as he spoke, Midnight still nowhere to be seen.

"Y..yes I can. " She muttered as Bella sat down next to the two of them, and healed Tasha's wound.

"Be careful master, yes? You shouldn't let people eat you, you know yes." Itachi laughed as Tasha's face went red.

"He's not eatting me!" That only made him laugh harder.

"Who ever said that I wasn't trying to eat you?" He laughed even harder, almost releasing her as he did. Tasha just blushed harder and made a face.

"Gah. Whatever. Lemme go already. This feels awkward. " Itachi gave her a mischevious grin that suddenly made her feel very uncomfortable.

"Who ever said that I didn't want this to be awkward for you? It seems just right to me. In fact I like it just the way it is." Tasha's brows knitted together as she started to squirm.

"C..come on Itachi! You're creeping me out. I've been molested enough for one day."

"Is that so? Because I don't think so. I think you need more." Tasha's stomach turned and she struggled as hard as she could, trying desperatly to get away. Bella sat there, looking confused.

"What a strange way to mate... yes..." Tasha stopped, and stared at Bella.

"Uh... that's not what we're doing..."

"Oh, really? So then what do you call what we are doing? Playing?" Tasha twitched.

"No... I call it a really strange argument.Mostlybecause we're still dre... I'm going to shut up now." Tasha said, stopping herself before she said what she was thinking. Bella cocked her head.

"Well it doesn't look like playing...nor does it look like an argument..yes..."

"I didn't ask you!!" Tasha scowled.

"Oh trust me, I know what you were about to say, and I can arrange that. " Tasha went pale.

"Uh...no that's ok. Thanks though. I'd rather stay clothed." Itachi gave her a strange puppy eyed look.

"Aww... Come on you know you want to do it with me." Tasha looked slightly sick.

"Yeah and Deidara wants to make out with Pein." Tasha said sarcasticly. Bella wagged her tail.

"I think it would be good for master to.."

"SHUT UP! STOP ENCOURAGING HIM!!" Tasha snarled, as Bella flattened her ears.

"Aww...Come on, let the wolf speak. I want to know what she has to say." Itachi said with a laugh.

"My ASS I will!" Tasha growled.

"I can make you let her speak."

"And I can fly."

"You never know." He said, planning to kiss her again. Tasha shivered, a bad feelingcreeping up her spine.

"Um...I don't like that look..."

"What look? Who ever said I was going to do anything..." He said as he leaned closer to her.

"Uh...you... did...? " Bella's ears twitched and she wagged her tail.

"It's very good for stress relief yes!!" Tasha twitched.

"Bella... that was NOT necessary."

"Sure it was. And how do you know what I'm going to do?" Itachi leaned even closer to her face, now only inches away.

"I...don't. But if Bella is encouraging it I'm notgonna like it... could you back up a bit maybe?" Tasha started to fidget, getting very uncomfortable. Instead of backing up he just closed the gap, dragging her into yet another kiss. His lips remained on hersfor severalminutes, and her lungs were starting to complain. She tried again to sq uirm,but finding it useless, just gave up, going limp. Bella, unfortunatly, seemed quite happy. He finally pulled back a bit and she gasped, trying to suck in as much air as she could. The kiss had made her somewhat light headed.

"You... are... a ... sadist." Tasha muttered between breaths.

"That may be true, but what of it?" Tasha sighed and looked slightly annoyed.

"May you be eaten by a goldfish."

"Really now? And what of you? Because I know you liked it, there is no use trying to deny it." Tasha stared at him,eyes narrowed.

"Honestly, that was the worst kiss I've ever had. My shoe could do better."

" Really? Care to test that theory?" Tasha raised a brow.

"Oh, no need. You've already proved it. I don't want you to be embarassed by your lack of skill."

" Oh and your any better? I think not. You really need to come to terms with yourself."

"Why? I already know i'm not too good. How often do you think I practice? I am a... " She went silent.Ok, I do NOT need to tell him that much... "...novice. Yeah that word."

"Oh dear, I think you are way off... Shall I let you try again? Because you are in denial." Tasha made a face. Did he just.. call me dear? She made an even weirder face as she thought of that.

"Uh... ya know what? I think I don't have to. There's no point. I know how much I suck. There for, I am happy." Seriously... dear? Geez... Tasha tried not to laugh as she found that suddenly rather amusing. Itachi sighed and released her. She stood there for a few seconds, slightly confused, then yelped for joy and ran for the open doorway. Itachi quickly grabbed ahold of her and pulled her back to the wall.

"Did I say that you could go anywhere?" He asked, raising a brow. Tasha sighed.

"Um... yes?"

"I don't think so.You might as well make yourself comfortable." Geh. Jerk. Tasha sighed, shrugged and leaned back against the wall.

"If you so insist, molester."

"That may be so... but that doesn't change anything. Your just egging me on." Itachi said grinning.

"I didn't realize you were so easily led. My bad." She said, rolling her eyes.

"Who ever said I was lead? Your just makingit worse for yourself."

"uhuh..." Tasha mummbled, pretending to ignore him as she played with the top button of her cloak. Itachi turned her around, looking at her with a strange expression.

"Did you want something? I was playing with this button..." She said, tugging half heartedly at the cloak.

"Maybe I did, maybe I didn't." He said, grabbing her hands and pinning them behind her.

"Aww, no fun." She fake pouted, leaning into his chest.

"You don't have to be so mean." Itachi simply looked at her and she smiled up at him.

"Ya know, this could turn out strangly." She said, looking at Bella. The wolf nodded, cocking her head at Itachi.

"Do you not know how to mate yes?" Tasha went pale as Bella said this. Ok, bad thing to say Bella... BAD thing to say... Itachi busted out laughing, falling to the floor and holding his sides. Tasha stared at Bella.

"Huh. That turned out differently then I thought. Thanks for asking him that Bella."

"But he looked so lost yes! I thought he didn't know what to do yes..." Bella's ears went flat as she looked confused. Tasha laughed.

"Eh, I'm sure he doesn't." Tasha tried to sound serious, but failed.Itachi suddenly stopped laughing and sat up.

"What did you say, MUTT?!" Tasha smiled down at him.

"Oh, just the truth." Why can I not resist egging him on? She thought to herself, as she tried not too laugh. Itachi glowered at her.

"Care to see if that really is the truth? Because I don't think you know too well."

"Oh that's alright. I'll just be disapointed for you now instead of durring." She smiled cheerily. Itachi glowered at her, but remained silent. He looked pissed, but at the moment Tasha didn't really seem to care.

"Ah, well, I'm bored with you molester. I'm going to go find some one capable." She smiled at him again and turned, walking happily towards the door for the third time that day. She walked out and sat right infront of the door on the grass that grew at her feet. The sun was warm on her skin. And here I thought this would turn out badly. She smiled, grinning at her triumph.

Deidara and and Lia were walking down the hall, feeling a bit late since they had been dragged into a conversation with Pein. Midnight had waited for them and was walking beside them when Itachi rounded the corner, running dead into them.

"Do you mind watching where you are walking?" Lia snapped, bringing a confused look from Itachi. Deidara flinched, looking at Lia worriedly.

No, actually I don't. Why don't you watch where you're going next time?" He started to raise his hand at her but suddenly stopped.

Author's notes: Fun lol