Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. I'm not Japanese.

Kairi P.O.V.

We finally tracked down Konan, she was sitting on the couch in what I called the living room. When I had first laid eyes on it Konan had introduced it as the as the Akatsuki's lounge… Basically it was a room with a couch, a small low table and a T.V. This surprised me since I didn't see any thus far and I was curious about what channels they got.

She was curled up reading a book quietly. So this is what she does while I'm stuck inside the room.*sigh*

"Konan-saaaan" Tobi called. Konan looked up from her book for a second before looking back down. Almost immediately she looked back up with her eyes glued to me.

"You got out again." It was a statement not a question. I gave her a sheepish smile in response. Tobi looked between the two of us before pulling me over to the couch to sit with Konan.

"Kai-chan was worried about Konan-san so Tobi brought Kai-chan to Konan-san." He chirped.

Konan just stared at me in silence giving me a look as if asking me if all that he said was true. I grimaced at Tobi's choice of words, as if I'd ever worry about Konan.

"What'cha reading?" He asked her.

She slowly lifted her gaze away from my face and faced tobi, "A novel."

"Oooohhh a nooovel…what's a novel?" He cocked his head to the side.

"It's a fictional story." She answered.

He nodded his head, "Tobi love stories!"

"Err, what's it about Konan?" I asked.

Once again turning her eyes to me she said," It's a story about a samurai, who falls in love with a women he can never have but does everything he can to make her fall in love with him. Even though he knows it's a wasted effort."

"Sounds more like a tragic love story, like Romeo and Juliet." I muttered.

"I've only read half way through so there's still hope," she paused "Who are Romeo and Juliet?"

'Oh crap!' "They're… my cousins." I lied.

"Strange names, what makes them a tragic love story?" 'Man does she have bat hearing or what?'

"Well, Romeo and Juliet fell in love with each other but since their families didn't get along they weren't allowed to see each other, so they eloped and are happily married with a baby on the way in another village." I was surprised with how easy the lying came to me lately.

"Hmm, I'm glad they got a happy ending." She smiled.

I blanched knowing the real Romeo and Juliet were Shakespeare's characters and they didn't have a happy ending, well unless you call a double suicide happy.

"Why is it every time I leave our room you always sneak out looking for trouble?" she raised an eyebrow.

"I don't go looking for trouble." I huffed.

"Really?" she rolled her eyes to Tobi who was currently looking for the remote to the t.v.

"Contrary to popular belief, trouble finds me …I just happen to be walking around."

"I see." She sounded like she was holding in laughter. I stuck my tongue out at her.

"So how did you come across Tobi or is it the other way around?" She grinned.

I opened my mouth to answer but Tobi beat me to it, "Kai-chan saved Tobi from the other guys."

"Really Kairi saved you and why exactly did you need saving Tobi?" She questioned sweetly.

Tobi said nothing and pretended to continue to look for the remote by conveniently dropping on to his hands and knees under the low table. Rolling my eyes I said "Your leader's cronies decided to kick him around for something he accidently did" I put the emphasis on accidently to get a point across, "and I happened to be walking by."

Her face had a strange look on it; it was almost a cross of alarm and worry, Yeah right, what did she have to be alarmed or worried about. "You just happened to be walking by a group of strange violent men who were obviously angered and you just decided to intervene without thinking about the cost of your actions?!" Her voice sounded strangled. She didn't exactly shout the words to me, it was more like was trying to suppress the urge to shout them.

"Err, yeah." I shrugged my shoulders, what else could I say, sorry? No! Then that would mean I regret saving Tobi and really what could've happened?

"Do you have any idea how stupid and completely reckless that was?!" her voice rose a few octaves, "You could've been hurt or worse!"

"Konan-san please don't be angry with Kai-chan, she was only trying to help Tobi." Tobi now standing up pleaded.

Konan stood up and faced him, "Enough. This doesn't concern you at the moment."

I got to my feet and stood between them both. "Hey! Don't talk to him like that!" I told her.

Her eyes flickered to me for a moment before dismissing my comment and said to Tobi, "Report the incident to Pein-sama."

He looked like he was about to say something so she emphasized her order with a, "Now." And the narrowing of her eyes. With his head hung low Tobi quietly left the room.

I watched him with sympathy, "Jeez, you don't need to get your undies in a twist; I was only trying to do a good thing."

She just huffed and gently pushed me back on to the couch, "I apologize if I blew things a little out of proportion, but you need to understand that just because no one has hurt you thus far doesn't mean it can't happen."

"Okay, you lost me." I looked at her confusedly.

"We, the Akatsuki I mean, have been ordered not to harm you unless provoked, but since our subordinates rarely stay with us they were given no such orders."

Pronouncing each word clearly I said. "I still don't get it."

She sighed then shook her head a bit, "I was hoping I wouldn't have to spell it out for you." She sighed again then continued, "The "cronies" as you so dubbed them have no idea you are here, if they were to see you without one of us with you they would assume…" she trailed off.

She looked in another direction and her face was tinged a slight pink color, "Assume what?" I asked. I had a sickening feeling I already knew exactly what they would imagine.

She took a slow breath of air, "It's not uncommon for subordinates and some of the members to, well to… "She was struggling for words.

"Just spit it out Konan!" I exclaimed in frustration.

Taking another breath she said, "Let's see how do I put this, well they would imagine you as a, well simply put a whore."

Her cheeks had turned a dark shade of pink, whether embarrassed about the topic or simply using the word whore I wasn't sure. The sickening feeling in my stomach came back tenfold and I felt the bile rising in my throat. Taking a deep breath I exhaled slowly and said, "I see."

She watched me warily and seeing as I hadn't stood up and tried to strangle her for leaving out this crucial detail for who knows how long she said, "That is the reason I "Stick to you like glue"."

I recognized the saying I said to her a while back when I got fed up with her following me everywhere. She was like a lost puppy; I blew the hair out of my face, yeah a puppy with a small bark and a nasty bite.

"Do we have an understanding now?" she held out her hand to help me off of the couch, but it was more than just that. She never offered to help me stand up before. And I had an idea that this was more than a gesture of kindness. It seemed to me like it was more of a trust issue type thing. Like she was saying to me if I took her open hand she would then suddenly trust and respect me a little more. I just gave her a smile and stood up on my own. I didn't need her help or trust.

Konan withdrew her hand as I side stepped her and turned in the direction of our shared room. I was already half way out the door when I noticed she was still in front of the couch looking a little bit dazed. Looking behind me I inquired, "Are you coming or what?"

She snapped out of it, "Yes."

Walking the rest of the way out the door I paused and waited for Konan to step beside me. Once she did I continued down the hallway before pausing again.

"What's the matter?" She tilted her head to me.

I was contemplating whether or not to say what I was about to say. I shuffled from one foot to the other uncomfortably, painfully aware of Konan's questioning stare. I had never been in a situation like this, where I didn't know what to say. My parents and older siblings had taught me to always say what I thought was important to me and to always stand up for myself and what I thought was right. I was usually a quiet and happy person; I was always content to let others make conversation while I gave my opinion every now and then. When I was home I rarely got angry with anyone and didn't have much to complain about or had to put up with people that had no morals. Never did I have to fight so much in my life before and I'd be naïve if I thought I wouldn't have to fight any more.

"Thank you." I said finally.

Konan stepped in front of me, "What?" she was dumbfounded.

*Sigh* 'Why did she have to make this harder than it already was?' "I said Thank you."

"Uhh, For what exactly?" She angled her head to the side.

"I'm saying thank you because you told me something that clearly made you uncomfortable even though you didn't have to. I'm Thankful for your concern over my well being…" At least I think it was concern.

She gave me a warm smile, "You're very welcome."

She turned around and started down the hall again while I stood rooted to the spot I was at. What the hell did I just do?! I just thanked a criminal! Not to mention a criminal that kidnapped me! Damn my conscience to Hades! Why oh why did I have to feel compelled to say something! *sigh* Maybe it was the expression on her face earlier as she shouted at me or maybe the one where she looked out of place as I walked out of the room. But I did know a whole lot of that feeling came from when she held out her hand to me and I just ignored it. I tried to think of an excuse to justify my reason for doing so but couldn't come up with one at the moment. Was it because I felt like she was somehow mocking me for my apparent defenselessness? Did I really come across as some fragile, helpless little girl that if somehow was handled wrong I would shatter into millions of tiny irreparable pieces? Or perhaps it was my obvious hesitation to trust someone that took me from a place that even though I hadn't been there long I still felt close to? Or perhaps because it wasn't so much the place they took me from but more of the person they took me from…

"Are you coming?" Konan giggled out.

I snapped my head up, "Oh yeah."

I frowned at my thoughts as I made my way over to Konan. Many of those things were good reasons to not trust her or anyone else here, but as I thought more about it I realized I was being unfair. One because well they didn't hurt me so far, except for the Deidara incident. There has yet to be a repeat performance. Two they were treating me a lot more humanely than the time I was stuck in that cell. And three even though it was unbearably annoying Konan was looking out for me.

"You're so slow." Konan mumbled.

I watched a she gently grasped my wrist and tugged me in the direction of our room. I sighed; all this thoughtful treatment was giving me a massive headache. I didn't know what to do. Should I be angry and hostile to them or just treat them with the same respect they were currently showing me. My eyes wandered over her face for a few minutes, she was really a beautiful women. She reminded me of my history class in school, when we were learning about hierarchy and how people were classified. I looked over her again and had a feeling that if we were put into classes she would be a beautiful noble women and I would be some low class maid. A small laugh pushed through my lips as I thought about how that type of situation reflected the one we were currently in at the moment. Yes, Konan was indeed the beautiful high class women with great authority and here I was the lowly servant trapped with my freedom so close yet so out of reach.

More laughter spilled from my throat. Konan had stopped our walk and turned to face me with confusion written all over her face. I ignored her and continued my laughter, someplace in the back of my mind I was aware I was dangerously close to becoming hysterical. I then felt something wet on my cheeks and realized I was crying, but these weren't tears of joy. Somewhere in my laughing fit I had begun to cry. The sounds I was making were a cross between giggling and sobbing. I didn't know whether to laugh at the irony or to cry. What happened next shocked me so much I froze in place and went completely silent. During this whole episode Konan was watching me worriedly and was at a loss of what to do. Coming to a decision she stepped up to me and wrapped her arms around me.

*sniff* "What are you doing?" I asked bewildered.

"Comforting you." She stated calmly like she did this type of thing every day.

I didn't know how to respond to that. Should I hug back? Do I shake her off? Should I stay where I am? Do I run while I can? Was it really that simple? She just wants to comfort me without a hidden motive? Even if she did have one, what did she have to gain? Her arms tightened around me and she pressed my head on to her shoulder. Coming to a conclusion I just decided to think on these things later and just try to relax…well as much as I could in a female criminals arms.

Closing my eyes I buried my face further into her shoulder and slowed my breathing. She smelled like her shampoo. Inhaling more I could smell her own more personal scent. What was it? It smelled like, like…water lily, Asian pear, basil leaves, and white musk. With a pang I suddenly remembered when I was younger that my mother liked to do gardening, and how she used to grow all types of things and I would be her assistant. And that she liked to make different kinds of scented candles for our house using what was in the garden and what she found in the aromatherapy stores. I remembered her teaching me all the different kinds of scents and what went good with what. Tears sprang to my eyes all over again and dripped down my face.

"Are you all right now?" she asked quietly.

I just nodded my head and raised my arms to grip on to her cloak. She rubbed slow gentle circles on to my back and gently started to walk with me towards the bedroom.

"Once we get inside you should lie down and take a nap before dinner. I wouldn't have told you anything if I thought you were going to go in to hysterics." It was said gently with regret. What did she regret? Oh, she assumed my tears were from the earlier conversation.

She continued, "I shouldn't have said anything, I should've just continued to watch you without having to tell you anything, even if you did become upset with me for doing so." She sighed.

We finally got to the room and she immediately guided me over to the bed. Sitting down on it I watched as she walked in to the bathroom and rummaged around in it for a few moments before walking back out with a damp wash cloth and a small clean towel.

She walked over to me and knelt down beside me. Gently she wiped my sticky cheeks and patted my red swollen eyes before wiping the left over water away. Walking back in to the bathroom she deposited the towel and cloth then came back to me to sit on the edge of the bed. Taking that as my cue to lie down I laid on my side facing the curtain covered windows and pulled my body in to a loose fetal position. I felt the bed dip and felt Konan stretch out beside me. She pulled the extra blanket at the foot of the bed over me before getting underneath it herself and getting herself comfortable on her side facing me.

It was a little uncomfortable knowing she was just behind me. most of the time I was already asleep by the time she went to bed and already up and about by the time I woke up. Contemplating the thought of simply getting up and napping on the floor I nearly screamed bloody murder when I felt a warm slender hand brush back my hair.

B-dump, B-dump, B-dump, went my heart. I was sure she could hear it I was so shocked. Glancing behind me I willed my heartbeat to get back under control so I could look at Konan. The glimpse I got of her told me she was intently staring at the back of my head.

I cleared my throat and ignored my still racing pluse, "What are you doing?"

"Hmm?"

"I said what are you doing?" My voice was weak like it always got after I cried.

"Your hair…" She murmured.

"My hair…?" I trailed off implying that I needed more information.

"It's such a different hair color, I haven't seen any girls with such hair before. And it's very soft…almost like silk."

"You have nice hair too." I complimented. It was common courtesy to say something nice when one got a compliment.

"Only because I make sure to take good care of it."She sighed, "You don't see many Kunoichi's with such nice hair."

My curiosity peaked, "Why's that?"

"The lifestyle doesn't really permit hair care." She said dryly. I remained silent waiting for her to explain.

"You're a kunoichi you should know just as well as I do." She sounded amused.

I was a bit disgruntled, "Humor me."

"Well between training and missions most don't have the time to worry about hair and make-up and other such things, at least for the serious kunoichi."

"What makes you think I'm serious?" I asked. All the while the hand that Konan had been stroking my hair with paused.

"You must be incredibly confident in your abilities if you're able to joke around like that."

I stayed silent, what abilities? I buried the side of my face more in to the pillow; she didn't know I was technically still new to the ninja life. The more lighthearted mood in the room had then dwindled down in to a somber one.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." I then closed my eyes and started to breathe deeper hoping to lull myself to sleep. A few minutes later she said "I'll talk to Pein-sama and we'll discuss what to do about the subordinates and you. So don't worry anymore."

A while later I felt the bed shift and heard, "You must have the potential to be an incredibly strong kunoichi." She said it so quietly I almost missed it.

Eventually I had fallen asleep. I slowly woke up seeing how Konan or someone would come busting in on me soon anyway. But I was so comfortable right now, the pillow I was laying on was soft and warm plus the nice rocking motion was soothing… wait the pillow was moving?

I cracked my eyes open to see what was causing the bed to move. My vision was bleary and all I could see was different colors running together. Let's see there was black, splotches of red, I turned my head to the other side and saw a light color and a smudge of blue. Rubbing my face in to the dark cloth I was laying on I tried to clear my eyes. Sitting up I blinked for a few seconds before I registered that konan was staring up at me.

"HOLY CRAP!!!" I threw myself off the bed in a desperate attempt to keep what was left of my now almost non-existent dignity.

"Good afternoon to you too." She said with a grin.

"WHA- WHA- WHAT WERE YOU DOING!!!!"

"What was I doing? What were you doing?" she raised her eyebrows questioningly.

"I-I-I wa-was sle-sleeping!" My face felt like it was on fire I was so humiliated!

"I knew that… what were you dreaming about that you had to crawl on top of me?" She was clearly holding back laughter.

I cleared my throat and stiffened my posture, "First of all my dreams are none of your business, second of all I did not climb on top of you , third of all my head was laying on the top of your stomach, that was the only body part that was touching you!"

A few giggles made their way past Konan's lips, "It's alright I didn't mind being a pillow."

My eye twitched and I began to curse her under my breath as she got up from the bed and excused herself to the bathroom. Making my way to the closet I opened the door to find Konan cootie less clothes.

She had been providing me with clean outfits every other day. They were mostly they same variation of the first outfit she gave me. She said they were clothes she bought for a situation just like this. Who plans on being prepared for a kidnapping? Unless… they were planning to kidnap somebody for a while now, that would explain why the out fits were different sizes…

As I pulled on a fishnet t-shirt and some long dark blue shorts I thought about my many pairs of jeans, tennis shoes and collection of band tees back in my closet in Atherton. A small cough broke me out of my daydream.

"Here, Kakuzu's being a miser again and refuses to turn on the heating system." Konan reached in to the closet and handed me a dark grey long sleeved shirt that would end at the bottom of my rib cage.

"Don't you have any clothes that will cover me up completely?" I took the shirt from her and proceeded to pull it on.

"Sorry, no." she shook her head.

Of course she didn't, "You know wearing these types of clothes will only encourage the subordinates more." I said straight-faced.

"I didn't think of that." She squinted her eyes and looked at the floor for a moment, "Perhaps if you behave til the end of this week I can get Pein-sama to let you go in to town with me and we could get you some clothes that actually fit you."

"Okay." I wasn't about to make any promises, lord knows how many times I wanted to slap someone around here and slapping was not good behavior.

She nodded then walked to the door. Following behind her she walked out with me and we began our trek to the dining room. It was fairly silent on the way there but that was mostly because Konan was mostly a quiet person and well I had other things to worry about than just making conversation. Tobi's so called promise was still fresh in my mind. Would he really make sure all of the members were at dinner today or was he just trying to be kind?

Endless questions ran in circles inside my mind. What are they like? Are they like Konan? Are they like their Leader? Are they like Kisame? Will they want to kill me? Did they know about my kidnapping too? Will they be bothered I'm here? So many questions…wait, where did that one come from?! Why should I care if they're bothered I'm here? I made a scathing noise in the back of my throat, their opinions shouldn't matter.

Walking in to the dining room I saw the usual people already here standing around or already seated. The only other person that wasn't usually there was Sasori. Taking a seat which to my irritation was always beside konan I sat down silently waiting for dinner to be served. I drummed my fingers on the polished table top while I waited. I was quietly grateful no one other than Sasori had shown up. While I was mentally scolding myself for getting all worked up for nothing I failed to notice the chair beside me pull out and someone drop into it.

"Itachi, so nice of you to join us." Konan said breaking my inner discussion with myself.

I froze in my seat. Slowly turning my head to the side I met the eyes of the person whom I met a few hours earlier today.

Without taking his eyes off of mine he replied. "Hn, Tobi said I should be here."

Tobi that-that- ughhh!!! I didn't know what to think, apparently Tobi kept good on his promise. And here I thought criminals didn't make promises well at least ones that didn't benefit them. Hmmm, how did a guy like Tobi get mixed in with these people anyway? He didn't seem like the kind of guy to get himself in to trouble, at least purposefully.

"Ahem…Kairi?" konan kindly shook my elbow clearing my head of thoughts. Darn it! I got absorbed in my thoughts again and every one once again thought I was staring at the man in the seat next to me! I turned my face to the front of me quickly and sunk down in my seat. Why is it that I kept embarrassing myself in front of these people today?

"Kairi are you alright?" konan's lips twitched she was clearly fighting a smile.

"I'm fine."

"Alright then." She said.

Slowly but surely the tables empty seats began to fill with the members. With everyone finally seated everyone began to eat. I glanced around the table and observed each face. I recognized everyone except for two other members.

One was tall, slightly tanned, and muscular with slicked back silver hair and the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen. They were a reddish violet color like wine. But he gave off a vibe that I couldn't quite place and was wary to think of. The other looked like something between a Venus fly trap and a human being with one side of their body white and the other black with short green hair and yellow eyes. Where did these people come from and how did they find each other? It was a mystery to me.

The silver haired one openly stared at me while I ate. While the other one was passive and didn't acknowledge my existence at all. I tried ignoring the man's intense gaze but its hard when you're trying to eat in peace and someone is practically boring holes into your head with their eyes. Giving up, I sat up straighter and put my chop sticks down then folded my arms and glared at him.

"Who the Fuck are you?" He said. Most of the members paused at the question before continuing their meal. I winced at his language. My mother had raised me to not swear and I didn't but sometimes I slipped up a bit when I was angry or frustrated. But I had never used any words that were more than mild cuss words but then I've never been angry enough to even think of using any.

"The name is Kairi and you are…?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Tch, bitch that ain't any of your business."

My eyes narrowed, "My name is kairi not bitch." I cringed at the insult.

"I'll call you whatever I wanna call you, bitch."

I guess Konan sensed my impending wrath cause she said, "Hidan, Kairi will be here with us from now on, I trust Leader-sama has informed you of this. So please try and get along." His answer was to just curse under his breath and continued eating.

Konan then turned to back to the table to quietly eat dinner. It was mostly peaceful for the rest of the dinner that is until Hidan decided to open his big mouth again…

Everyone was about finshed when Hidan suddenly asked, "Is this bitch here cause she's a whore cause from what you've said so far she ain't something special." His question wasn't directed to anyone in particular but everyone suddenly stopped what they were doing and looked in my direction.

Konan gently wrapped her hand around my upper arm; I guess she thought I was going to start yelling at him or something. But, I just sat there frozen in shock that he would just blurt something like that out loud.

"Are anyone of you shit heads gonna answer or what?" He had an impatient look on his face. "Fine, then I get first dibs on her if none of ya are gonna speak up."

I finally snapped out it and felt all of my frozen shock quickly evaporate into blazing hot rage. I felt an odd numbing sensation and before I realized it I had thrown myself across the table and tried to strangle the man. Tried being the key word here, Konan had grabbed my legs before I could lunge any further than a little more than halfway across the table top.

Everyone by then had backed out of their seats and was either trying to pull me away from the table or keeping a shocked and swearing Hidan from saying anything else or simply there for their own entertainment.

"What in the name of Jashin is the fuck wrong with her?! Why is she pissed it's her job isn't it?!" He yelled out.

"Enough Hidan, Kairi is not a pleasure girl." Their leader Pein explained.

Far from being grateful to him for pointing out the fact I tried once again to throw myself at him for even assuming I was even remotely related to the profession let alone the very topic! I struggled against Konan's hold but I couldn't find my voice to tell her to let go of me. Words had long escaped me, the only sounds coming from me were angry pants and frustrated growls that I couldn't get to the silver haired douche bag!

"Cool it shorty, Hidan is just an idiot. No need to get all offended." Kisame said amused.

"Kisame's right un. Don't let Hidan get to you."

I tried my best on listening to them but I was so mad. The adrenaline that was pumping through my system felt like lava and with the pounding in my ears I almost missed the next voice.

"Hn, perhaps it would be best if we take her elsewhere so she can cool off."

Finding my voice I quietly uttered a no. "I'm fine; just don't let him anywhere near right now." I spat out bitterly.

Konan slowly loosened her arms around me only to firmly grip my arms just in case I decided to go postal on Hidan again. Taking deep breaths I slowly counted backwards from ten.

"I think now would be a good time to remind everyone that Kairi is here for a purpose and not for bodily pleasures." At the last part Pein directed his cold gaze to Hidan.

"It's not my fault-"He was quickly silenced with a strong slap to the back of his head via Kakuzu.

"Hey... I thought Hidan wasn't allowed to you know do that cause of his religion, un?"

"I wasn't planning on fuckin' her! I needed a sacrifice and it's a bitch to go in to a nearby village to find a suitable one." At his statement Konan moved to stand in front of me in what I recognized was a protective stance. I felt oddly touched before I shook the feeling off to follow the conversation.

"And that is why you don't get first dibs on anyone un!"

Before Hidan could retort, Pein interrupted, "Seeing as you are all here, I think I will take this time to inform you all that we will being moving to a new base within the next two weeks."

"So soon?" Konan asked.

"Yes, it is rather sudden but we'll have to especially if we want to remain inconspicuous." He glanced over to me briefly then looked away. Somehow I really didn't want to know what that meant.

Feeling the day's stress start to catch up with me I leaned my head against Konan's back. Blinking sleepily I heard her mutter to someone then felt my body being lifted up in to warm arms. Lolling my head back to see the person who had me in their arms I was slightly surprised to see it was Itachi who had me. Sighing I decided it wasn't worth arguing over and just let his slow smooth walking put me to sleep.

Sorry for the really late update but I caught a bad cold so I hope it hasn't affected my writing skills plus I think this is the longest chapter I've written so far.

Oh and also thank you to No-LiiF3, Melody Kari Starlight, Im2sasuke4u, HurogWalker, Evanescible and Epic anime 77 (p.s. sorry I couldn't get your user name right for some reason it won't let me...)for my eleven reviews so far!!! And thank you to everyone else who put me on alerts or favorited me!!!

Please keep the reviews coming it's nice to hear your opinions!!!