A/N: Hi peeps, if there's any confusion in the last chapter in regards to Tobi being weird, then I have two words for you; 'evil' Tobi. Yes, Tobi has a dark side, so to put it bluntly, Tobi is incredibly unstable, his mind flickering from that of a happy-go-lucky-child-like-man, to an evil-dominating-violent-murderer. It'll be explained later :) Also I hope you're all enjoying these edited/re-written chapters, I think they flow so much better now, but I'd be interested to know what you guys think! :D

EDITED: 29/06/19

WARNINGS: SLIGHT self-insert, SLIGHT crack-fic (so yes, some of the characters may seem a little OOC at times, just go with it), mild language, mild nudity, mild gore and SLIGHT spoilers.

DISCLAIMER: If I owned it, Akatsuki would rule and everyone else would die.

10: OH DEAR...

It's two days later and the atmosphere has changed dramatically.

The kitten is still unconscious and hasn't even shown any signs of awakening, this makes a handful of criminals nervous.

There she lays upon the small cushion in Konan's bedroom, having not long left the medical wing after being treated for four broken ribs and a gash that needed stitching up on her left side.

Konan hasn't left Tama's side ever since she returned, she almost fainted at the sight of the kitten's blood; her mind having gone into shock at who would dare do such a thing to such a harmless creature and one under her protection no less.

Tama has many visitors over the two days. Deidara comes by frequently, as does Hidan and Kakuzu, even Pein makes a few visits - mostly just to check-up on Konan and force her to eat so she doesn't starve herself.

In fact, many of the Akatsuki worry for Konan's mental health, she's barely eaten or slept and is a shadow of her once strong self. Pein is concerned but knows better than to crowd around her, he also feels rather guilty; he knew something like this would happen to her should anything befall the kitten but he still let her keep it anyway because the little thing makes her happy.

Kakuzu remains by Konan and Tama's side most of the time to monitor the kitten's health since he's the only one to have any experience with animals. He only leaves to get himself something to eat, drink, to visit Leader for updates and at night to get some sleep.

He's aware Konan needs space and time to get to grips with what's happened, but he knows she'll appreciate all his efforts when (not if) the kitten wakes up. The only times she's really spoken to him is to ask questions concerning Tama's current state and to warily thank him for his help. Otherwise, she just sits there in her rocking chair, staring either at Tama or into the distance, eyes and expression blank.

Deidara has been visiting frequently and almost submissively asks - or rather begs Konan if there is anything he can do to cheer her up and make-up for the blunder he's caused.

It is after all, his fault for not taking proper care of Tama and he was aghast when he stumbled upon Tobi in another one of his mental breakdowns and the (at the time) assumed dead kitten laid twisted upon the floor, blood slowly forming around her body and dripping from the wall where she collided with it.

Tobi was kneeling on the floor on the other side of the room, clutching at his head, whimpering and crying. It appears that the man-child once again forgot to take his medication. Not only does Tobi suffer from ADHD but also what he fondly refers to as 'Evil Tobi', it's a split personality disorder of sorts, occasionally, when skipping out on his meds, he succumbs to 'Evil Tobi's' influence and becomes extremely and irrationally violent for no reason at all.

After a brief scuffle, Tobi was subdued and wept non-stop for several hours after the incident, begging for forgiveness.

And although Deidara and pretty much everyone else despises Tobi, they could all see that he's disgusted by his actions, he put up no fight and continues to weep.

Deidara can't help but feel a little pity for the usually hyperactive man; after all, Tobi can't help being the way he is. In fact, most of the Akatsuki can't help being the way they are.

The world is prejudiced against them since they were born, whether it's a disfigurement, a personality trait or for simply existing. They're the biggest freaks of this world.

However, that's no excuse for Tobi's actions and for not taking his medication.

As soon as Deidara secures Tobi, he rushes the kitten to Kakuzu, ignoring how the poor thing lay limp and bleeding in his hands without a sound. It disturbs him greatly.

He let the stitched man deal with her, before rushing off to inform a recently returned and rather worn Leader. Pein is understandably unhappy and goes off to deal with Tobi himself, swiftly placing the unstable man-child in a holding cell until he at least stops crying to be able to get him to form proper sentences.

By this point, Konan also returns, holding a small package in her left arm and a content smile on her face which immediately disappears upon noticing Deidara's anxious expression.

It takes nearly all of Kakuzu's strength to stop the paper ninja from going after Tobi and killing him in the most painful ways she can imagine. Her rage akin to that of a mother swan defending her babies.

She eventually calms down, but at the sight of the kitten's blood, her face turns a slight green before a ghostly white, she sways on her feet and almost faints if it wasn't for Kakuzu making her sit down in a chair with her head between her legs. Deidara brings her some water, with the promise of making her something stronger when she's feeling less faint.

Once she regains her senses...to some degree, Kakuzu informs her of the kitten's condition, suffice to say, she is speechless and struggles to grasp that it is indeed the same little, fluffy kitten she only fed some hours before.

Deidara swiftly begins his ceaseless grovelling, telling her what happened and while she doesn't blame him, she also doesn't want to be in his presence. She knows in time she'll approach him, just not right now with her brain ceasing it's normal functioning.

The blonde bomber takes off and bumps into Hidan who reeks of sweat and blood, no doubt he found a sacrifice or five and Deidara informs the Jashinist at what's transpired during his absence.

Naturally, he's gobsmacked until Hidan punches Deidara in the jaw so hard, it almost cracks under the pressure and then demands to know where Tobi is so that he can gut the little swine.

Pein intervenes, having returned from the holding cell he calms the Jashin worshipper down...well, almost. Hidan is still feeling extremely violent from his sacrifices if the crazed look in his magenta eyes is anything to go by.

As much as they all don't have qualms about Hidan and Konan killing Tobi, the man-child still has his uses and not forgetting that he sort of cheers the place up a bit with his enthusiasm, he has nowhere else to go. He certainly shifts the angst in the atmosphere.

Hidan stalks off to visit Tama and Konan, wanting to see for himself the extent of the damage with his own eyes.

/*\*/*\

God...what the heck happened?

Where am I? Who am I?

Why is everything so dark? Where is everyone?

"Look, I think she's waking up!" The voice sounds so familiar, as if I've known it all my life.

Yet I can't put a face or a name to the voice, even so, my heart clenchs at the sound of Her speaking to me softly, almost as if encouraging me...to do something though I don't know what exactly.

"You...awake...me...you...remember? Jessica?" This woman's voice is becoming muffled and desperate, almost as if I'm hearing Her voice from beneath water or with cotton wool in my ears.

I know this person, but I can't find Her.

Where are you?

My eyes burn as my chest tightens, a lump forming in my throat and I feel such longing and loneliness, why do I hurt so much?

I feel my thoughts shifting, a wave of nausea hitting me and it feels as though the connection has been shut off. I'm pretty sure She is talking to me still, but I can no longer hear Her voice.

Wait! Don't go!

I don't want to be alone any more...

/*\*/*\

I heard excited voices above me, all whispering giddily about me...waking up?

My body feels heavy as does my eyes, I ache all over and there is a distinct pain along my chest and left-side, in fact, it actually hurts to breathe.

My mouth has a bitter taste to it which reminds me of taking horrible medicine as a child.

"Everyone give her some room, stop crowding round her!" That is Konan's voice; I remember distinctly.

I force my eyes open, flinching a little in pain and my mind is extremely groggy, as if I'm looking through a mist at everyone.

And by everyone, I mean, Konan, Kakuzu, Deidara and Hidan are all swarming round me with expectant, worried and relieved expressions, which leads me to wonder just how long I've been unconscious for.

Konan in particular has dark rings under her eyes and her hair looks a little unkempt, I guess she must've been the most worried for me.

Everyone smiles, well, everyone except for Kakuzu, though there is a twitch to his lips that could be mistaken for a smile.

Konan gives a long sigh of relief and leans on her hands that are holding her up on the table. Deidara and Hidan are talking so fast that I can barely keep up with what they are saying. Yet I don't protest to the gentle petting they gives upon my head, it draws my attention away from the pain.

"You had us fucking worried there, you silly she-cat!" Hidan exclaims with a smirk, though I can feel his relief and happiness in how gentle he's petting me.

I purr a little only to flinch in pain and give a pathetic meow in pain, Hidan and Deidara's hands are off me in a flash, both stand frozen and exchange worried glances.

"It looks like she's finally realising the damage, I guess being out cold for two days will do that to you," Kakuzu mutters, whilst gazing down at me with assessing eyes.

TWO DAYS?!

I make a move to get up before feeling the pain shoot through my body and I fall back against the cushion, yowling pathetically in agony, Konan and Hidan are trying their best to soothe me, whilst Kakuzu shushes them and checks over what I imagine to be my wounds.

"Maybe you should tell her what's wrong with her, hmm?" Deidara pipes-up from the sidelines as he watches on, not at all fazed when their heads snap round to stare at him incredulously.

"Oh c'mon, don't tell me you haven't noticed, un? She shows way more intelligence than an ordinary kitten! Seems to me like you're underestimating her, yeah," Deidara folds his arms over his chest as if to make a point.

Kakuzu, Hidan and Konan share looks of understanding, it seems that each of them may have noticed my common sense and intelligence is higher than that of any other beast around, whether they find that rather disturbing or not, I have no clue.

"Hmm, it is worth a shot..." Konan mumbles, before leaning towards me and whispering to me softly "You mustn't move, alright Tama? You've got four broken ribs and a gash which Kakuzu has stitched up for you in your left side, understand?"

Shock runs through me immediately; I've never been seriously injured like that before! The worst I've had are sprains and those few times where I've fainted from heat/exhaustion/fever. I never broke any bones before and I've certainly never had stitches either!

Amidst my shock-induced mind, I barely comprehend that they are still waiting for my reply and quickly nodd dumbly in understanding. They each seemed surprised that I can decipher their meanings and what they're saying without having to strain on certain words.

"So wait! You can understand every fucking word we say?" Hidan asks in disbelief and surprise.

I give a couple of nods as my eyes avert to him and hold his stare, his mouth now opens and closes in speechless wonder which would've made me laugh if I wasn't in such agony.

Konan looks pleased by this, Deidara smirks proudly for seeming to figure out the conundrum that I've been presenting since my arrival and Kakuzu's expression is thoughtful.

Damn, it seems my secret is slowly slipping out; I have to be extra-careful, if they became too suspicious of me then they might become defensive and get rid of me.

However, looking at their expressions, maybe I don't have to worry so much about that? I mean, will it really be that bad if they found out who I really am?

Only time will tell, I guess.

A/N: This is the last chapter I'll be editing today, I may start another tonight, but I won't be posting any more edited chapters until tomorrow at the earliest. Many thanks for you patience and understanding! Please spare a few moments to leave me your thoughts in a review! It will help me improve my writing and I will answer any questions you guys may have. Thanks for reading! :)