I woke up feeling warm but still tired. I hated that left over weak and tired feeling that always seemed to linger after I had used too much chakra.

Rolling over I noticed I really had to pee but I also was too tired and very comfortable in the fluffy king sized bed. I lay there as the sunlight filtered through the slats in the window as my bladder protested until I knew I had to go otherwise I'd pee myself.

Hauling myself off the bed I staggered half awake wanting to just sleep as I entered into the bathroom dropped my pants and sat on the toilet. I nearly fell asleep on the toilet as a distinct sound caught my attention as I opened my eyes and looked to my right.

There in all of his wet naked glory was Kisame as he shoved back the shower curtain. I sat there for a moment as our eyes locked. I felt my face break out into a blush as Kisame went a nice purple colour before grabbing the shower curtain to cover himself.

'SORRY!' I yelped and threw him a towel that he caught deftly with one hand as he booked it out the bathroom door. The door slammed behind him as I thought my blush would never die. I had just seen Kisame naked, oh dear lord this was going to be awkward. I finished up in the bathroom as the image of Kisame kept playing and replaying in my mind. Oddly enough his dark blue hair seemed to be a common trait as I bashed my head off of the tiled wall to get the image out.

BAD BAD BAD BAD BAD BAD!!!!

I opened the bathroom door to see Kisame fully dressed and sitting with his back to me at the little table. I swallowed my awkwardness and crossed the room to sit across from him still in my huge sweater that came to my thighs and underwear.

He was eating and didn't look up as I noticed that his features were once again schooled flawlessly into a bored expression. Even his eyes were guarded as I noticed a faint purple blush still in his cheeks as I looked at the table. I better apologize otherwise things would continually be awkward for the rest of the trip and maybe forever.

'I'm sorry I should've knocked first' I breathed as I didn't look up as I heard his rice bowl sit down with a dull clunk. A heavy silence followed as I flinched. Kisame must've been really pissed as I heard a bowl slide across the table as a blue hand and a full rice bowl appeared in my vision. I looked up as he slid a plate of peaches and fish toward me.

Our eyes met as I just stared at him. He was being nice again, I had expected him to try to cleave my head from my shoulders but no he was just sitting there calmly.

'You're half asleep don't worry about it' he brushed the topic off as he stood and wrapped his cloak around himself. 'I'll be back later, sleep a bit alright?' he said as I nodded and he was gone. Kisame was a strange man, but then again I respected his own need of privacy, I knew I liked mine. I picked at my food eating because I knew I had to try to rebuild my chakra as I looked at the bed. It seemed fluffier and more inviting than ever as I ate the peaches and picked at the rice. I really wasn't hungry. I felt rather awkward and had an odd feeling of being watched as I headed back to bed.

I lay there surrounded in the warmth and comfort. I actually missed Kisame's warmth and his presence as I rolled onto my side. I had become so accustomed to him just being there that sleeping without him around felt strange.

I drifted in and out of sleep never sleeping solidly as everything seemed to pass by me in a haze where I wasn't sure what was reality and what was a dream. As I really woke up a few hours later to the sound of familiar heavy footsteps and the shoji door being closed quietly.

It was odd how those heavy footsteps seemed so common place now as I sat up and tried to rub the little sleep I had from my eyes.

'Did I wake you?' Kisame's voice was gruff but soft as I noticed he carried a few black bags in his hands. I shook my head as he set them in a corner of the room and stood to face me. The memory of this morning rushed back as I fought down the blush. Kisame seemed more distant as he tossed my backpack at me.

'why do I need to get dressed?' I asked as a large grin split his face. Now I was curious, why was Kisame so happy about?

'We're going out. You need a good lesson in socialization' he grunted as I glared at him. He just laughed as I stood and marched to the bathroom making sure to lock the door behind me unlike Kisame had this morning. I changed into my red hoodie and navy shorts and showered before attempting to comb through my hopelessly tangled white hair. It took me a solid 20 minutes to tame the tangles before I tied half of it up and left a few pieces to frame my face.

I stared at myself in the mirror, I didn't look like I had when I came to the Akatsuki. My hair was a little longer and I didn't look so gaunt and my eyes were less of a flat maroon and more the colour of a dark burgundy. I just looked healthier in general as I smiled to myself and traced the scar across my face.

I had accepted years ago that I would never be pretty. I never had great self confidence and my body hadn't helped that. I was short and round, very round compaired to any of the other kunoichi, not to mention my wonderfully disfiguring scar.

I scowled as there was a knock on the door.

'You alright? You've been in there for almost an hour' Kisame's voice was still masked as I pulled the door open to see him standing there quite well dressed. I blinked as I stared at the nice violet dress shirt and black pants he had on. I also noticed he had removed his forehead protector and was sporting two silver studs in each ear. I blinked, I had never suspected Kisame to have piercings as I resisted the urge to fiddle with my own.

'See something you like?' Kisame teased as I rolled my eyes. I honestly didn't have any better clothing as something was dumped over my head. 'Go change' he commanded as the door was shut in my face. Honestly sometimes I wondered if Kisame was a friend or a commander. I could never seem to piece this guy together as I took the soft fabric off of my head. It was silky and a dark red colour as I tried to figure out how to get into the slinky item.

It took me a full ten minutes before I got into the dress as I stood looking at myself in the mirror. There was no way I was going out in this! It came to mid thigh with black straps that buckled in loops around my hips and down one arm. Plus the front plunged dangerously low as a set of buckles kept it closed all the way down to my navel.

I was NOT going to wear this.

'I am NOT wearing this Kisame!' I snapped as I heard a low rolling chuckle from the doorway. I turned and glared icily at him as two black stilettos hung off of one of his fingers. I gulped, high heels, I had never worn heels other than my boots as I watched Kisame give me elevator eyes.

'I should buy more clothing for you.' He muttered as I grabbed the heels from his hand. Sure I admit the dress looked good, but I was WAY too self conscious to go out in public like this. And Kisame's open gawking was freaking me out a bit, I had never been stared at like that by anyone, it really reminded me of a predator as I stomped into the bedroom once again. Kisame followed behind me silently as I could feel his hot stare on my lower back.

'Stop staring at my ass!' I snapped turning around and pulling my hoodie over myself. I felt slightly better as Kisame's face hardened.

'Take off the sweater.' His voice was like steel as I froze. Damn, I had hit a chord it seemed as I didn't move. 'Kasumi…' He waited fierce golden eyes flashing and becoming incredibly impatient. I immediately took off the sweater and pushed down the wave of fear that had been rising in my chest as Kisame gave me a smirk.

'There are you happy that I look like a whore?' I asked as he seemed a little surprised. I sat on the bed to strap on my heels as he rubbed the back of his neck.

'I picked one of the more conservative dresses. Come on, we'll be late' he said as I looked at the clock. It was well after 11 pm, where could we be going that we would be late? I was too tired to argue though one of the problems with having massive chakra reserves was that it took a while to restock them after they had been diminished. Kisame half dragged me along after him as I staggered on the heels.

I was by no circumstance a girly girl. I hadn't even worn heels once in my lifetime and already my feet were protesting at the angle they were forced to stay at. I tromped along as he led me out of the hotel and into town. It was a decent sized town not huge but not tiny, probably around 15, 000 people or so as Kisame turned sharply and dragged me down a side alley. Well, this looked safe as he led me around garbage bags and piles of debris that looked like they had been left to rot in this dingy alley. A few squatters stared at us as we passed as I forced myself to keep up with Kisame.

We came to a large steel door as Kisame rapped on it four times. The steel echoed eerily as the screech of steel on steel made me cringe as Kisame grabbed my arm and pulled me through the door. The door slammed behind us as I looked into the most futuristic club I had ever seen. Everything was black and chrome with black lights and coloured lights as a throng of people moshed to loud metal echoing over massive speakers all around the dance floor.

'Nice to see you again Kisame' the female voice made a shiver run up my spine as I turned to see a gorgeously curvy red head dressed in a long black gown that hugged all of the right curves and showed more skin than lingerie would. Kisame's shoulders tensed a little as I noticed he gave a charming grin.

'Red, I didn't think you'd be back from Stone so soon. Let me introduce my new partner Kasumi' Kisame gently tugged me more in front of him as I smiled as gave a little wave.

'Pleasure to meet you' I smiled as the busty redhead pouted and crossed her arms over her chest.

'Well, I see you'll be busy tonight Kisame. Is Itachi here as well?' she asked licking her lips as I blinked. What the hell? She was interested in Itachi?

'No, he had other matters to attend to' He said as Red looked rather put out.

'Tell Itachi I miss him' she said and made to pass Kisame as she paused right next to Kisame. 'And I miss you too' she whispered before striding off as I heard Kisame sigh. Well, well, looks like I just learnt something about the Akatsuki.

They may not have girlfriends but they definetly liked their women. I guess it made them more human as Kisame ran a hand through his still unruly hair.

'I need a drink' he muttered moving to a small bar that was up a winding steel staircase. I followed just because I saw some of the stares I was getting from some of the men in the room and I knew that if I was left alone for more than a second I'd be jumped and raped without a second thought.

Honestly I didn't think I was that pretty but then again some men would sleep with anything that'd open their legs. I cringed and followed Kisame to a booth that had a very gothic feel with black seats and a red table cloth with a bouquet of dried roses in the centre. I sat on the far side as the waitress dressed in little more than a red tube top, purple short vest and a red plaid schoolgirl skirt sauntered over and set four drinks on the table.

'The usual Kisame?' she giggled as he nodded and looked at me with interest. 'and for you?' she asked as I blinked. I had had alcohol before but nothing of this caliber as Kisame looked at me.

'Get her a corpse reviver' Kisame asked as she smiled and nodded before striding off in her thigh high black boots. I sat and stared at the table as the thrum of the loud metal from downstairs pounded in the background. I never expected Kisame to be a club goer as I noticed he had downed two of his drinks already and was working on a third as my drink arrived and another round for Kisame.

'So Kasumi, how do you like the club?' Kisame asked setting his empty glass on the table and leaning one elbow on the table.

'It's nice' I said trying my best to keep him in a good mood. The incident with the dress earlier had shaken me a little. Kisame was not a man to be crossed. He was dangerous and he knew that I knew he could kill me in a single move.

I looked at the other people in the bar, I was getting more than a few stares but most were quick when they noticed who I was with. It seems Kisame was known in these parts, well obviously if he knew Red as well as she suggested.

Kisame had downed his six drinks as I sipped at mine. It was good, sweet and had that tinge that only brandy had along with other strong alcohols. I finished my drink only to have another one placed in front of me. I have had alcohol before, I mean I was in the military, but it never had been a favourite sin of mine.

'You know. I don't understand why you put up with us' Kisame's voice was raspy as I glanced at him. His face had a slight purple tinge from the alcohol as I blinked and turned to face him. He was leaning on the table as I was sure he was straining the bolts holding it together.

'What do you mean Kisame?' I asked, utterly confused now. What a random thing to say as the waitress brought over more drinks with a sultry smile that made me want to hit her. She was one of the reasons women were so frowned upon and called sluts.

'The Akatsuki really… isn't the best place in the world. Everyone is so… so… strange! I mean we're murderers!' he looked utterly serious as I noticed his gills flailed a little at the outburst which was weird but I figured normal for him. I swirled my drink in my glass and looked at him. He was sipping at an amaretto on the rocks.

'what makes you think that's so strange? The military isn't any different, they just make it okay because they're given the okay from someone with power. Its no different than the Akatsuki really.' I said as Kisame shook his head causing a few stray hairs to stand on end like they usually did.

'but… we're all so….' He looked frustrated looking for the correct word. 'fucked up, I mean, I'm a giant shark man. Itachi's a fucking sadistic emo, Deidara is a gender confused conartist, Sasori is a fucking puppet! Don't get me started on Hidan and Kakuzu those two are just WEIRD. And Zetsu is a walking cannibalistic plant man with schitzophrenia! How the hell do you… put up with it?' he grumbled slinging back another drink. I debated about taking the glass out of his hand but thought against looking at Kisame's sharp teeth. I smiled to myself Kisame would not remember any of this with the amount of alcohol he had ingested thus far.

'Because, you people are really the only people I've ever known that just…. Let me be me…. and don't really force me to do anything other than what leader commands. Its….kinda like being in a house full of…. Friends but most of you are a little strange but who isn't these days.' I muttered, I was pondering myself what made the Akatsuki so wonderful for me. Honestly the Akatsuki were a strange bunch but they all managed to get along. It was impressive especially since most of them were mass murderers and probably had aggression issues and personal issues to deal with that made them that way.

'hunh.' Kisame grunted as he took another sip of his drink. 'What I don't understand is why you're not married to some guy back in Konoha. Sure I hate the place but there must've been buckets of guys lining up to do you' he said as I rolled my eyes. Of course, alcohol always brought out the worst conversations in men.

'No one in Konoha wanted me. I'm not that pretty and I'm fairly weak as a ninja' I said realising I had finished my drink as I picked up the newest drink the waitress had brought me.

Kisame laughed loudly and thumped his hand on the table as he actually looked like he was crying a little.

'that's rich! You think you ugly and weak!' he dissolved into scoffs of laughter as I glared at him. 'you think the Akatsuki takes weak ninja Kasumi? Honestly, you put a kunai through my foot after I backhanded you through a tree. That's not weak' he grinned as I realised that what he was saying was true. 'so, what about Kakashi? He seemed pretty interested in you at our little battle' he said as I rolled my eyes.

'If I remember correctly that 'little battle' nearly got you killed' I said as he shrugged and gave me a warm smile.

'that's why I have you with me.' He scratched one of his gills as I had to stifle the giggle that threatened to rise up. Kisame must've been a cute little kid I thought as I blinked. That had come out of the blue as he swirled the ice in his glass idly.

'Kakashi was never interested in me. I was sent out into the military just after our sensei died. Haven't seen Kakashi since but what about you Kisame? You're a decent guy surely you have a girlfriend or a wife or something' I said as Kisame looked defeated all of a sudden. My heart went out to the guy honestly as I pulled myself back, why was I so concerned about Kisame? He was an evil elite ninja I was more than sure that he could look after himself.

'I had a fiancée at one point. But it turned out all she wanted was the social status of being married to one of the most elite ninja in mist. Needless to say all she was, was a social climber and about as faithful as a snake. The bitch' he muttered glaring at his glass. He seemed really pissed off as I pressed on.

'what happened between you two?' I asked as Kisame glanced at me. His face was now a nice shade of lavender as he sighed and rolled his shoulders.

'well… about ten years ago I defected from Mist. I had been part of a group of idiots that thought it'd be a good idea to try to overthrow our government. That was an epic failure. We were ratted out and you by who?' his eyes were fierce as he stared at me. I shrugged having no clue. 'that whore I called a fiancée. She was in on the whole plot and when we got into the Mizukage's building we were ambushed. That woman had ratted us out, most of them died there but I managed to get away.' He laughed bitterly and downed another drink. He was going to be so hung over tomorrow. But I was learning something about Kisame's past. He had been a part of an elite group of ninja rebels that was something different. At last he managed to get away, it must've been a pretty epic battle is Kisame was lucky he had managed to get out alive.

'she chased me with a group of ninja for two months all over the continent. It only came to an end when I killed her.' He muttered as I chocked on my drink. I coughed and swallowed managing to get the burning liquid out of my windpipe as Kisame gave my back a thump that nearly winded me.

'y-you killed her?' I managed to bite out as he nodded and traced one of the water rings on the table. I blinked, holy shit! I knew that Kisame was dangerous but to kill his own fiancée…

at that moment I was utterly terrified. Kisame had killed his own fiancée but my brain slowly caught up as I took in Kisame's stance. He was hunched over the table tracing little circles idly as it seemed his entire world had crashed at that moment.

'you probably think I'm a monster to be able to do that.' He muttered as I froze. Well yes I did, but then again… she had been hunting him down to try to kill him for over two months after he ran from mist. 'You see Kasumi, it was either her or me. She didn't love me, she never had. I was a convenience for her to get up the ranks and become the mizukage's wife. That bitch, she lied and stole and when it came down to it, she never wanted me, she just wanted my title.' He huffed and slammed his fist on the table making all of the glasses jump.

'I don't want to be a monster Kasumi' he looked up at me with such honesty in his golden eyes my chest seemed to stop working properly as I had to remind myself to breathe. I gave him a smile. My mind was racing trying to fit pieces together about Kisame.

A ruckus brought me back as the large glass one way mirror exploded inward. I jumped to my feet as Kisame over turned the table in his haste to get to his feet. I pulled a kunai from my dress as four ANBU ninja landed in the middle of the room.

People scurried for cover as a few of them fell to the ground kunai embedded in their backs. My hand hurt as I glanced down to see blood running freely and glass embedded in my hand. I guess I had crushed my glass in surprise as the four Anbu stood up from their attack positions. This was going to get ugly very quickly if I remembered anything about ANBU. They were ruthless and effective killers with high ranking techniques.

'You look well Miss Akahana. It seems our reports were false. You didn't die.' The leader's voice was male and monotone as I glared at the masked and robed male. I glared at him as a heard another gasp as people fell to the ground peppered in kunai.

'Looks like we have a traitor and a bounty to collect' a deep female voice said as a snake anbu mask turned to stare at me. I knew that voice. Kisame looked pissed as he stood slightly in front of me waiting. He was completely drunk but still managing to look intimidating.

'Kasumi, run and get as close to the main base as you can' Kisame whispered as I continued to stare down the ANBU patrol. I knew that I would indefintley loose any fight with ANBU and they'd kill me. In that moment I felt something I had never felt before. Anxiety. I was anxious about dying. It was the first time that I had ever felt anything about my own death. I knew that I would die, and probably sooner than later, but now I realised that I didn't want to die.

'Meet me at the border' I whispered as I glanced at him. He shook his head as I clasped my hands together.

'No, go find Itachi and Deidara and tell them what happened.' He instructed as I nodded. Kisame was the boss as I filled the room with mist. The ANBU patrol jumped as Kisame delivered a sickening punch to the first ones shoulder as I heard a crack through the thick mist I filled the room with.

'SOMEONE FIND HER!' I heard the patrol shout as I felt little flares of chakra. Barely detectable in the confusion as I moved through the fog as I heard the sharp sounds of breaking and fighting.

I didn't want to leave Kisame especially in the state he was in as I felt someone grab my arm. I immediately threw them over my shoulder as there was a crash from a table.

'nice try!' it was the female ANBU's voice as I immediately turned and ran. I found the door easily enough and took off at a sprint for the springs. I didn't feel anyone tailing me as I jumped through the window and grabbed my backpack and stuffed it before grabbing my robe and tossing Kisame's clothing into my bag as well.

A distinctive rustle made me turn to see Samehada leaning against a wall. Now I had two choices, leave Samehada and risk having Kisame come back for it or try to take it with me and give it back to Kisame but having my arms taken off by the sword.

Maybe I could explain the situation to the sword?

Did swords even have a consciousness?

Why was I debating this?!?!?

I threw my pack onto my back as I heard the door to the front of our room splinter open. Well, no choice now! I grabbed Samehada and threw it over my back with my bag. I nearly collapsed from the weight of the damn thing. It must've weighted at least as much as I did as I heard the ANBU searching our rooms.

I felt something prick me as I winced, Samehada didn't like me obviously as I jumped from the window and ran. I was considerably slower with the massive sword as I turned and headed from fire country toward lightning. I knew the guards would be doing their best to track me as I used a chakra cloaking technique developed for the military as I angled right and headed for wave for a short time.

I was hoping against hell that it would confuse them.

I kept running as the further I went from Kisame the more agitated Samehada seemed to get as the clicking of the scales seemed to sounds like rain on a tin roof. I knew it was also cutting my back to ribbons in the flimsy dress. I had lost my shoes eons ago as I ran barefoot from tree to tree hoping against hell to outrun the ANBU patrol.

This was exactly why I knew I should've just jumped off that bridge when I was 18 and let myself drown. It would've saved me a hall of a lot of problems. I turned north and ran along the coastline shielding myself from view by using the sea cliff's edge and its many rocky outcrops to shield myself from my assumed pursuers. Samehada was positively furious now as I felt the scales actually digging into my already bleeding skin through the bandaging. But I did as Kisame commanded and kept running. My chakra levels were holding steady after the nice rest at the springs at least I had that over the ANBU I could keep running for ages if need be.

Even though I hate running.

I knew I only had about another 10 miles to the border as I saw a familiar patterned cloak running nearly parallel to me on the top of the cliff.

I wasn't about to fall for that one.

I knew none of the other Akatsuki knew where I was nor Kisame was because we had been given roughly a week and a half for the mission. I stopped behind a rocky outcrop and dropped straight down landing on a small ledge just above the crashing waves as I created a water clone and sent her running in the same direction along the cliff.

The clone vanished around a bend as the cloaked Akatsuki ran along after the clone. I waited as I jumped to a more secluded ledge around the side of where I dropped in as I watched one of the tracking ANBU guards land where I had been moments ago. He wasn't 10 feet from me as I held my breath. Oh dear god, please let him not find me.

Oddly, Samehada had gone quiet and almost dormant it seemed as the ANBU guard's eyes fixed on my ledge. I quickly looked for another hiding spot but the only way to go was up and that was in full view of him. I watched as he prepared to jump before a sharp whistle made me jump and him look up. He seemed annoyed but complied and jumped back up to the ledge and carried on as I watched him vanish around the side of the cliff.

I sighed in relief as my heart hammered in my chest and I had to lean on the slimy wall for a second before I jumped back up to normal level and scaled the cliff wall to stand on the top. A few dilapidated windmills chugged sluggishly seemingly abandoned as I looked across the expanse of green never ending field. I squinted to see the rough outline of thunder country and tsunami bay in the distance as I headed inland from the coast.

Samehada had started up again as I knew it would take me at least two or three days to heal all the cuts and lacerations on my back. Not to mention the beautiful dress Kisame had bought for me was worth nothing but scrap now.

I hit the tree line and quickly turned north again zigzagging my way toward the cliff faces that I knew loomed at the begging of the mountains of thunder country. I thanked every single deity I could think of as I knew I had given the ANBU patrol the slip as I halted for a minute in the tree.

My breath was coming in gasps as Samehada rustled quietly as if notifying me of something. I jumped up higher into the thicker foliage as I felt my clone disintegrate. They had obviously caught her but where I didn't know and now they'd be on the hunt for me.

I heard a soft pat of sandal on tree as a kunai embedded itself in the tree right beside my right ear. I swung down from the tree landing in a crouch as the tracker ANBU from before landed in front of me. He was good I had to admit as I knew he was smiling under his mask.

'You're very smart for a military ninja' he complimented me as I glared at him. 'but it still amazes me that you of all people joined the Akatsuki. You're not exactly talented in fighting, nor do you seem gifted with any bloodline limits.' He said as I didn't say anything, he was stalling for the others to catch up with him. Samehada clacked on my back as I felt a dark chakra push into me. Immediately I felt an incredible amount of rage surge forward.

I wanted this man dead.

And Samehada was looking like a pretty good option as before I knew what I was doing I pulled Samehada from my back. The bindings shredded with no effort as the ANBU seemed surprised. I held the weapon in front of me as I tried to comprehend what was going on. It seemed like my body wasn't my own as the rage fuelled my actions and I leapt at the man.

He laughed and ducked as I turned and grazed his arm with the sword. There was a pause before he grunted in pain and a spurt of blood came from his arm. He turned and threw a barrage of Kunai before leaping away and trying to come at me from a different angle. Samehada blocked me from the attack as I swung again feeling the muscles in my arms strain and surely break from the massive weapon as I managed to cut his cloak and break one of this arm guards.

I had to get away.

But he needed to die for trying to attack me and Kisame!

What was going on?!?!?!

This rage had come from nowhere as I followed each one of his moments. It seemed I had hurt him worse than he let on as he was starting to slow down and get sloppy in his movements. He was loosing too much blood from the gash in his arm.

I looked away for a split second trying to pull back the rage as I heard him over to strike. I blindly swung Samehada as I heard a smack. I had managed to smack him into a tree with the broadside of Samehada as he didn't get up.

Had I killed him?

Something pulled at me to finish the job as I quickly and forcefully shoved the rage back as much as I could and replaced Samehada before taking off for the mountains. He had delayed me long enough. The others would be getting too close for comfort soon as I used the rage to quicken my pace. Samehada made a gleeful almost clapping like sound as the sores on my back still rubbed and more seemed to be made from the lack of bandages on Samehada and the shreds my dress was in from fleeing.

I hit the mountains at a dead run as I climbed and scurried around boulders, cliffs and trees. It started to rain after I hit the first valley as within second I was soaked to the bone. The water didn't help as I slid in the mud a few times as I hit the border of lightning. The abrupt change of deciduous trees to coniferous at this altitude notified me as I stopped and slumped against a tree. I was exhausted as I leant my head against my arm. Dear god I hoped Kisame had managed to get away. I looked up through the long shadows realising I had been running for over 24 hours through the night, the day and late into the evening. My legs gave out as I collapsed into the soft pine needles at the base of the tree. I was so exhausted but I knew that I had to get back to head quarters and send out the others to help Kisame.

I forced myself to my feet as I dug around in my pack and pulled out my robe and zipped it up. It gave me a bit more warmth then my torn, soiled and sodden dress did as I hefted Samehada back onto my back and ran again.

Home was roughly eight valleys north and six to the west as I skirted yet another mountain. Home, how funny that my mind immediately jumped to the Akatsuki hideout to being home even though I was still just a newbie in the group. I jumped a ledge and landed in a small grove of trees as Samehada clacked once again. I knew it was a warning sign as I saw a large cat eyeing me up. I did not need this! I turned tail and ran heading for the next valley. Kisame needed help and at the rate I was chewing up chakra I would need help soon too.

I turned west as I had to stop on a ledge once again. I set my stuff down and sat on a rock. I was shaking and my body was protesting any movement especially my arms as I saw large bruises forming down the lengths of them. I didn't want to imagine the muscle damage I had caused swinging Samehada as I got on my feet once again. Samehada seemed 500 pounds heavier as my legs nearly buckled under its weight as I started running again.

I had to find Itachi and Deidara. Kisame needed them as I hoped against hope that Kisame had managed to get away more or less intact as the familiar clacking of bamboo reached my ears. I stood on a ledge over the last valley as I noticed that it really was a sea of bamboo and dark trees as I sighed in relief. The hideout. I was so close.

'Found you!' I turned as I felt a kunai pierce my shoulder. Dammit! They had caught up to me! I fell to the dirt as I saw the tracker climb shakily from behind a tree. I didn't have the energy to get up as the same rage as before seemed to slam into me. The rage was fuel but my body was just too beaten and exhausted to use it as I lay there.

The tracker came closer as I panted in the dirt rocks pressing against my bruises as I felt the blood from the kunai soaking my cloak.

'You are quite the little fighter, giving us the slip and your blue friend too. I'm glad I was at least able to hunt you down even after you nearly killed me with that beast of a sword.' He spat on me as he kicked Samehada. The sword clacked in irritation as it dug into the wounds on my back through my cloak.

Kisame had managed to get away. That was good. At least Kisame had managed to run and not be killed. He was the one that really needed to live as I closed my eyes. Dear god why didn't he just kill me? Instead he circled me.

'I'm just waiting for the others tog et here so we can haul your ass in for questioning and for information about the Akatsuki' he laughed as I grunted. So that was his plan, stalling for backup. How pathetic.

'you really are pathetic' I muttered as his footsteps halted. I looked up at him. He was staring at me as I grinned. 'waiting for backup like a good puppy. That's what sickened me about Konoha. You're always waiting, wasting away, doing exactly what you hate just because they say so.' I laughed but it sounded more like a cough. He was glaring at me as he strode closer.

'what would you know traitor? You turned your back on everything everyone had done for you, everyone who loved you!' he spat as I stared at the trees behind him. Ah yes, that same old argument. 'well?!' he spat glaring at me.

'Konoha never did anything for me and everyone that loved me is dead or forgotten' I said as the man glared at me.

'you're lying' he hissed as I just lay there. I hoped someone would feel my chakra flare sometime soon as I released my chakra binding jutsu. Immediately my chakra flared incredibly high as I felt something hard and blunt make contact with my ribcage. I bit back a scream as I heard my ribs crunch from the impact as I rolled a couple of feet.

That bastard had kicked me! I lay there facing away from him as I tried to breathe shallowly hoping to god none of my ribs had punctured anything vital. They hadn't which was good as I heard him shift.

'Don't try to call your friends. It wont work! I know exactly what you're trying to do!' he said as I heard a smooth chuckle.

In all my life I never thought I'd be happy to hear that voice.

'What exactly is the bitch trying to do?' Hidan's voice was relaxed as he stepped out from a large boulder in front of me.

'FUCK!' the Anbu tracker cursed as Hidan looked highly amused.

'Fuck what? You? I highly doubt that. I think the bitch would rather fuck that giant sword than your dong' he said as I saw Kakuzu and Itachi materialize seemingly out of thin air. I heard the tracker shift in the dirt as I lay there staring at my team mates.

'So fucker, how do you want to die?' Hidan asked as Itachi cut him a glance before staring straight at Samehada still strapped to my back. I watched as Hidan grinned and ran straight at the tracker as Kakuzu moved along with Itachi to where I lay.

'cant you move?' Itachi's voice was cold as he stared at me.

'no' I gasped as I felt Kakuzu grip my arm and lift me against his chest. Then we were moving as I heard a long echoing scream fill the air. It sounded like Hidan was having fun. It seemed like no time and we were back in the Akatsuki hideout and tobi was staring at me with his orange mask as he made me drink various nasty concoctions and started healing my wounds.

'where is Kisame?' Itachi stared at me as tobi was mending my back with chakra as best he could until I could for myself later on.

'We had to split up, he told me to come here and get you and Deidara to go after him' I said as Itachi seemed thoughtful for a moment before he strode from the room soundlessly.

'Tobi is impressed that Kasumi could carry Samehada. Samehada only likes Kisame. Samehada must like Kasumi or Kisame must like Kasumi for Kasumi to be able to carry Samehada!' tobi prattled over me. I filed the little snippet of information away as I listened to the clinking of bamboo as I dropped into unconsciousness.

o.o.o.o.o.o.o.