DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN THE AKATSUKI IN ANY WAY; ALL RIGHTS OF NARUTO CHARACTERS GO TO MASASHI KISHIMOTO! ONLY THE STORY BELONGS TO ME AND ME ONLY!

Bold typing= black side of Zetsu (when he's speaking or POV-ing)

Normal typing= white side of Zetsu (when he's speaking or POV-ing)

WARNING: contains the potty mouth of a bad Hidan

Ch. 10

Itachi POV

Aoi couldn't sit still, she kept shifting from sitting cross legged to sitting with her feet tucked in. A goofy grin was smeared on her face and she kept staring at each us and practically beaming. I mean I'm happy to see her too but she seems ecstatic to see us and anyone in general. We all sat in the living room filling up the couch, recliner, and half of us using chairs from the dining table. Aoi sat between Deidara and Sasori who were bickering on an efficient way to destroy someone from within. Everyone was in conversation chatting but Aoi didn't speak she just grinned foolishly.

I glanced at her and tucked a loose strand behind my ear. I wasn't participating much in the conversations either, none of them pertaining to me or being interesting enough for my input. Sasuke... I was deep in thought. What purpose did Orochimaru really have by recording information on these people. Compared to ninjas and the other regular humans of my world they are weak and inferior, they don't even have chakra. That damned snake, first he takes my brother and know he seeks to take my friends. Aoi having spent some time knocked out at his lair, who knows what he has already done for her. At least he hasn't come for Yukiko. But who's to say if during the time we were gone he hasn't dropped in for a visit. We did track him for a while, per Hidan's request , and managed to find the lair where we think he held Aoi. The place had been emptied beforehand except for a few failed experiments whom we put out of their misery. I sighed. The test we conducted on Aoi didn't say anything odd and her memory coming back just like that is a bit strange but if the others are happy with this, and they all seem to be, then I won't pay any mind.

Aoi POV

Excited. That word doesn't come close to how I feel. Aside from the answerless checkup I had, my questionable mental state, and the fact that we have been spied on by Oropedo for who knows how long, well I just couldn't help feeling happy. The Akatsuki was back and Yukiko was the only one who wasn't home yet.

"I say poison brat," declared Sasori glaring over me to Deidara. "Poison is the most artistic way to destroy someone from within and you know this."

"And I've told you danna that an explosion is the best, un!" Deidara huffed, "They blow up from the inside,un! So you since art is an explosion then my way is 1000 times more artistic than yours, un."

"Now listen here brat!" Sasori wagged his finger at Deidara.

I shifted my attention to Itachi who was just staring at me and grinned at him, he looked deep in thought. I next smiled towards Hana, Momo, Kisame, and Tobi who sat crowded around Momo watching what sounded like funny videos. They would burst into loud laughter every once in awhile. Akiko, Pein, Konan, and Zetsu were having what I can best describe as grown up talk. They spoke of finance, budgets for the food, schedules, and next course of actions.

The front doorknob jiggled and I jumped up and ran to the front door. Yukiko opened the door and stared at me surprised.

"Oh Aoi learning to open doors now I see," she gave me a slight pat on the head and walked inside closing the door behind her. "Sorry that I messed up your chance to try out a new technique."

"Yukiko!" I jumped and latched onto her neck pulling her down lower.

"Ack! Wait!" she dropped her bags and gave me a firm hug and a pat on the back, "Someone has learned a new hug. I bet it was that fucker Tobi who taught it to you." She shot a glare back at the masked man who scratched the back of his head and exclaimed, "Tobi is a good boy!".

The others had gotten up and stood in a semi circle around the front door . "Hi Yukiko," they chorused.

The plan was I break the news to her and until then nobody says anything. They all stayed quiet and I whispered, "secret." I unlatched myself from her and cupped my mouth.

"Oh you learned this too today huh?" Yukiko raised an eyebrow, cast a confused glance at the others, and leaned her ear to my cupped hands. Deidara and Kisame stifled a laugh and I shot a glare.

"I got my memories back~" I whispered in a sing song voice.

"WHAT?!" Yukiko whipped her face to me and shook my shoulders, "WHEN? HOW? WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME SOONER!"

"Let's see~ this morning, I don't know how and because I wanted to surprise you. Yay!" I opened my arms waiting for another hug.

Yukiko rushed me into her arms and gave me a long hard squeeze. The others started laughing and Tobi shouted, "Yay happy ending!"

"Fill me in on all the details," Yukiko detached herself from me and gave my hands a squeeze. She was beaming.

"Well it all started when I woke up-" Hands wrapped around my waist and I was pulled into something hard.

"Aoi!" Hidan's voiced boomed from behind.

I glanced up and sure enough there was Hidan, shirtless... with me against his shirtless chest... with me pressed against his shirtless chest. My legs felt like jelly and I'm pretty sure I was now a tomato.

"Wow!" Tobi exclaimed, "Aoi-chan looks really red!"

I wanted to die right then and there.

He walked forward and placed a gloved hand on my forehead, "Do you have a fever Aoi-chan ?"

"yeah do you have a fever, un?" Deidara snort and stifled a laugh.

"Tobi!" I exclaimed aiming a kick at him.

He stepped back quickly out of my range, "Wow wow! That was close Aoi-chan almost kick Tobi. But why kick Tobi, Tobi is a good boy. A good boy he is! I'm just worried because Aoi-chan is sooooo red."

"Let me go Hidan I'm gonna kill him!" I flung myself forward trying to reach the masked boy, at least just to strangle him.

Everyone laughed and Hidan turned me over and pushed me into his chest.

"That way no one can see you being fucking shy," he whispered huskily into my ear.

I melted and Hidan supported me by the waist, I glanced back at Yukiko who seemed ready to explode.

"Motherfucking Hidan!" Yukiko put her hands on her hip and a scowl on her face. "Aoi was just about to tell me a fucking story you cunt so give her back to me."

"Well fuck off bitch!" Hidan retorted flipping her off, "It's my fucking turn to spend time with her!"

"You were fucking here all day!"

"I was fuckign sleeping!"

"I don't care! It's my turn! " Yukiko grabbed my arm and yanked me to her chest. She wrapped her arms around my back to support me.

"HEY!" Hidan pulled me back to him and flung me over his shoulder.

"Stop! I'm not a sack of potatoes!"I shrieked.

Everyone laughed even harder this time. Deidara leaned on Sasori for support. Kisame and him were practically wheezing from laughter.

"Motherfucker!" Yukiko made a lunge towards Hidan.

Hidan stepped back and dashed up the stairs with me still tossed on his shoulder. He ran down the hall and up to the third floor. He kept running, went up to the attic, and from there to the roof. He set me down gently next to the chimney and sat next to me. The stars were just starting to appear in the sky and the sun had set a few minutes ago. The lights from the house illuminated the ground below us slightly but up in the roof our only light was the dimming sky. It was early fall and a lost summer breeze blew through the air.

I stared at him mouth agape. "I don't think there was any reason to do that. I could have spent time with you both," I pouted.

"Well if I can't fucking have you to myself then I can't do this," He leaned forward and pressed his lips against my forehead and pulled back. The dying lights barely showed the pink tint to his cheeks and the smug grin playing on his lips.

I gasped and touched my forehead where his lips had been. That part seemed to burned the most from the fire that had started within me. I really hope today isn't a dream. I scooted closer to Hidan and leaned into his chest.

He jumped slightly by the action and pulled me closer to him hesitantly.

I glanced up at him and he stared down towards me. I leaned up on my knees and he stiffened. Once our faces were level I stared into his purple orbs. I could feel my cheeks burn and Hidan stared at me with his cheeks tinted pink. I leaned forward and pushed my lips to his. My dry plump lips perfectly molding onto his moist thin lips. It only lasted a few seconds and I pulled back and stared wide eyed to him.

Hidan's lips twitched.

My heart dropped. Is this not okay? "I um-".

Hidan brought his mouth back onto mine and pushed my head forward further deepening the kiss. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach and I gripped at his neck. I pulled back again and gasped for breath.

"Why do you fucking stop?" HIdan growled capturing my lips roughly.

I pushed back against his lips, pressed my body to his, and laced my hands into his hair.

He opened his mouth and his tongue nudged at my lips.

I shook my head slightly pulling back.

Hidan tickled behind my ear while pushing my head forward and I gasped. His tongue slipped into my mouth and found my tongue. He nudged at it and explored my mouth.

My mind was in overdrive, I felt myself overheating and pushed my tongue weakly against his. A battle began. Our tongues fought for dominance and my mind blanked. I was on cloud nine and starting to get lightheaded.

Hidan pulled back, a thin trail of saliva connected our lips like a bridge. He panted lightly, skinned flushed.

Hidan POV

Aoi was pink and adorable in every fucking sense. Her lips were parted and she gasped lightly for breath. I brought her against my chest and hugged her. fuck yeah thats how its done. I grinned to myself and gave Aoi a small squeeze. I looked down to stare at her to find her already staring at me.

"H-hidan," she mumbled gazing at my face. Her cheeks were still flushed and her lips were nice and plump, ready for attacking.

"Yeah, what is it?" I asked absentmindedly.

"Thank you for not going too fast and for letting me experience the wonders of real kissing," She whispered quickly. "I've never ever done that- that stuff. The tongue battles and willingly kissing someone I mean..."

I gotta say it was really fucking surprising to hear her say this. fuck! All of this stuff is her first and here I am just trying to get what I want... I covered my face and stared away from her "Jashin, I didn't mean to rush you into all that fucking fancy kissing stuff. I sort of fuking forgot that you were- a what do you call it- a novice." I gripped her shoulders and stared at her, "But for a novice you sure do have some fucking nice kissing skills."

Aoi reddened and pulled me down by my neck. She squeezed me hard and pushed her head into the crook of my neck, "Thank you Hidan that was almost super sweet."

I wrapped my arms around her, "Well you fucking know me. I'm fucking sweeter than any fucking sugar you got!"

Yukiko POV

I was fucking pissed. That fucker Hidan took Aoi away from me just when I get home and she now has her memory back. There's so much I want to talk to her about! Like I am one of her bestest friends in the whole wide world and this fucker comes along and just takes her away from me because he spent the whole day sleeping?! I grumbled to myself. He's probably confessing his love or doing something stupid to her right now. Oh when I find him, I chuckled darkly. He'd better be ready.

The others had explained to me all the information they managed to obtain and frankly I was a tad suspicious of Aoi suddenly getting her memory back. I mean I love her and I trust her with my life a countless amount of times but I just got a nasty feeling that the fucking snake has something to do with this memory lost stuff. I mean I know that she has memory problems but seriously to the point where she suddenly goes in a coma and then wakes up without memories. I say there is something fishy in that.

"Don't you guys think that it's a little strange that Aoi has her memory back now suddenly?" I asked, "I mean it's like she woke up one day and it's bam memories!"

The others stared blankly at me.

"I've been thinking the same thing," Itachi chimed in cooly. "I say that Orochimaru has to be behind this sudden memory lapse."

"It could just be a part of her memory problems from before," Momo voiced. "There has been cases where it has happened. Not to any patients that I've had but like to some of the other doctors patients."

"But we can't rule out the possibility!" I exclaimed, "I mean it's Orochimaru. Think of what he's capable of, considering what I have read in the manga I say that we can't trust that he didn't have a hand in this."

"It's true Orochimaru is very dangerous and horrible. Snake guy is a major disgusting creep have you seen the way he vomits a sword its fucking nasty." Zetsu shuddered.

"See even the aloe vera agrees!" I exclaimed.

Zetsu shot up from his chair, "Wait- Aloe vera-"

"What Yukiko is trying to say," Itachi interrupted. "Is that we should keep an eye on Aoi for anything that can be interpreted as Orochimaru was here. So be on the lookout because I already think she's lost it with all that foolish grinning from today."

"Hey!" Akiko and Momo exclaimed simultaneously.

"What she can't be happy?" I crossed her arms.

"That was a very creepy happy," Itachi glanced at me. "If you ask me she seemed giddy."

"Of course she would be 'giddy' she's happy to see you guys!" Hana exclaimed gesturing around the room at us.

"Yeah you have no idea what she went through when you guys left!" Momo added.

"You mean a lot to her," I began. "Oh and us obviously."

Everyone grinned happily, even Itachi had a small smile.

"What did happen when we left?" Pein questioned.

"Well everyone hush up and I'll tell the story!"

~A week after the Akatsuki had left in part one (AKA 1 year, 2 months, and a few days ago)~

The lack of the Akatsuki not being there was very noticeable in the daily routines of the house. There was an excess in food that had to be consumed fast as most of it was bought in bulk for 15 people, cleaning and caring for the house was a lot easier too since there were only 5 people now living there. But the most noticeable change was the overall mood of the house. Every laugh was empty ,short lived, and sounded out of place. The fun looked to have been sucked out of the house and the silence seemed to consume the house and everyone in it, conversations were minimal and everyone seemed to enjoy just staying in the presence of each other to make the rooms not seem so empty.

Hana and Momo were dealing well with this having cried for about two days straight and having no more tears in her eyes. They confessed to us that they missed the Akatsuki to which Akiko had responded that she missed them too and excused herself to the bathroom to cry. I told myself I wouldn't cry but I still felt a great sorrow and sometimes cried myself to sleep at night. The worst of all was Aoi, she had been emotionless since when we came home to find her sitting on the couch. The Akatsuki's video was in the dvd player and Aoi sat in front of the tv watching the dark screen. Her expressions was blank and there was no puff in her eyes nor tears. From what the others and I are guessing she hasn't cried at all since they left. She actually hasn't done much in terms of emotions since they left.

Aoi was similar to robot. She seem to have created a schedule for herself. She woke up each day early, ate a small breakfast, worked on a painting until noon, ate lunch, worked on writing until I came home, greet me, have dinner with everyone, and spend time with us but never saying much of anything. The Jashin pendant that Hidan had given her was left on my desk two days after the Akatsuki had left. I never questioned her about it but I placed it in a drawer in the kitchen hoping that she would see it and possibly open up but even though she did see it in the drawer, nothing ever happened.

Two weeks passed and the rest of us were more or less back to being cheerful. Aoi on the other hand, seemed like time itself had stopped, she hadn't changed from her robotic stage and was still the same. We all sat in the living room chatting, watching a movie, and eating popcorn. Suddenly, Aoi's pinged and she picked it up slowly.

Aoi gasped, "No."

I turned to her, "What happened? Did a deal fall through?"

She shook her head and tears were in her eyes. OKay this must be serious if there are emotions first of all. "Wow wait whats going on?"

"Hana stop the movie," Akiko nudged Hana and turned to face Aoi.

We all stayed silent and stared, Aoi wiped at her eyes but the tears kept building.

"H-he's dead, " she choked.

"Who? Who's dead?" Akiko croaked gripping Aoi's hand.

Aoi sniffed, "'tachi."

We all stopped and Aoi's tears started to fall down her cheeks.

"Like in the manga?" Momo whispered into the silence.

"Y-yeah but-"Aoi sniffed, "I don't want to- I just can't..." She broke into tears and sobbed, "No! I don't want to forget! I don't want to forget!" She shook hysterically and wiped at her eyes furiously. The more she shook the more she cried. "Fuck I don't want to forget!"

We all sat there shocked and akiko held Aoi to her chest. Aoi had reached her breaking point. About 30 minutes later she had finished crying and couldn't remember why she had started. We told her and she started crying again. This happened two more times before Momo went upstairs and got her emergency calming pills forcing Aoi to take two halfway through sobbing. When Aoi came to with her missing memory we explained calmly to her what had happened. She didn't cry but she looked like she really wanted to. She told us how she decided she wouldn't cry so she wouldn't forget the Akatsuki and the times she spent with them.

The next day, the pills had worn off but Aoi seemed beyond depressed. A few days passed of her being this way and Momo placed her on antidepressants. Her mood slowly shifted and she turned back into the usual cheerful Aoi. She cried every now and then but mostly it was in her sleep. Aoi spent a while sleeping next to me, she didn't want to be alone at night and I understood this. Haunting me still were her words and her will, "I don't want to forget." This bothered me for about a month, her words echoing in my brain whenever I looked at her.

~Back to the present~

The others stared at me blankly.

"My death broke her," Itachi commented and shook his head in disbelief. "Was I at least killed by Sasuke?"

"I don't know," I admitted. "none of us had the heart to search into it too much. If you want to know really, ask Aoi but I rather you didn't 'cuz like you said it was her your death that broke her down."

"What Yukiko didn't tell you though is that her health took toll for a while too," Akiko added. "Aoi hadn't been eating properly and got the flu for a while. Matching that with her depression and her mood imbalance, it was really really bad."

"She also stopped working for a while because we needed her to relax," Hana added. "She didn't paint or draw or read for about a month."

"To tell you the truth we had to switch her a few times, " Momo chimed. "The first few antidepressants wore off quickly and we had to combine drugs and change them up in like a month or two otherwise she was down for the count. But two months before she went into a coma she was doing great. I had lowered her intake of the meds and she was doing really well!"

"I didn't realize we had such a large impact on her," Pein spoke and scratched at his chin. "We'll have to keep that in mind."

"Good then this makes this so much easier, " I cracked my knuckles. "If you guys are planning to leave do not under any circumstances do this without saying goodbye to Aoi."

The others sat there stunned.

"Hey, we did say good bye through the video remember?" Kisame exclaimed, "Is that not good enough?"

"No if you are leaving say goodbye in person and that way she won't go into the same pattern again!"

"Okay okay, un!" Deidara raised his hands in surrender, "I don't know about you guys but I'm not leaving anytime soon and if I am I will do my proper goodbye, un!"

"Yeah I'm with the brat on this one." Sasori crossed his arms and huffed, "But when I do leave I don't want to be kept waiting on my goodbyes."

I smirked and mocked, "Oh Sasori so you really do have a heart."

Everyone snickered.

"Oh hardy har har," Sasori huffed and rolled his eyes. "But I can easily arrange you living without one."

I beamed at Sasori, "Give it a try pinocchio."

Momo, Hana, and Akiko burst into a fit of giggles.

"What I really like to know now is who pinocchio is in the first place, un." Deidara looked like he wanted desperately to be part of the joke. "You mentioned him a few times before too, un."

"We'll watch the movie tonight then!" Momo responded.

"Well that's that," Pein nodded and got up. "Konan and I will be taking our leave."

"You're leaving already leader-sama?!" Tobi screeched shooting up.

"We still have business in the other world but we'll stop in every now and then." He explained, "I've gained some knowledge and changed some goals so the organization has a lot of thinking to do. Missions are suspended for now, I'll notify you when there is a change. I think we still are able to have meetings without being in the same dimension. We will try in a bit."

"Why not stay the night?" Akiko insisted.

Pein shook his head.

"Please come on!" Hana whined.

"The information is unsettling and we need time to ourselves," Konan responded.

The duo headed towards the kitchen.

"Wait!" I shouted and dashed up to them, "You can't leave without saying goodbye to us and Aoi too!"

"Yes yes, " Pein grumbled. He seriously did not look in the mood for this.

Hana dashed up to Konan gave her a hug and then gave Pein a hug. Momo, Akiko, and I followed suit.

"We just have to find Aoi so you guys can say goodbye." Momo walked upstairs to search.

"Yeah if that fucker Hidan hasn't hidden her yet!" I grumbled and stomped right after her.

Zetsu phased down from the ceiling and I jumped back bumping into Itachi.

"Fuck Zetsu don't do that!" I screeched. "Sorry Itachi didn't mean to bump into you."

"Hn," He responded. "As long as you are fine."

I stared blankly at him, "yeeeaaah I'm good." I shook my head and glowered at Zetsu, "There better be a good reason for this one Zetsu. You literally scared the shit out of me."

"Nasty. They are on the roof." Zetsu pointed up and phased through the ceiling again.

I laughed maniacally, "Oh hoh wait 'til I get to them!"

Aoi POV

Night had set in deeply and I sat on Hidan's lap snuggled into his chest. ME, I am sitting on his lap snuggled into his chest! I sighed happily.

"I found you now fucker!"

I shot up out of Hidan's arms and stood to see Yukiko coming out to the roof.

"Bitch you messed up my alone time with my girlfriend!" Hidan exclaimed flipping out his middle finger at Yukiko.

I facepalmed.

"G-g-girlfriend?!" Yukiko stuttered incredulous. SHe glanced frantically from Hidan to me. She dropped down to her knees and pounded her fist on the ground. She muttered a few things I didn't quite catch and immediately shot up pulling me into an embrace. "You can't fucking have her she's mine!" Yukiko hugged me into her chest and held me there.

I pulled back pleading, "YUkiko! Please be cool!"

She let me go and looked crushed, "You - you want this?"

I nodded.

"It's not like a forced thing?"

"Fuck no!" HIdan shot back.

"Fuck off HIdan, I'm talking to Aoi not you!" YUkiko flipped him off.

"Bitch what?" HIdan stomped forward and I gripped his arm.

"Stay back. I'm doing the talking here." I growled, "'kay?"

Hidan blushed and grumbled, "Fucking fine." He stepped back, crossed his arms, and huffed.

"Aoi, Are you sure?" Yukiko grabbed me by the shoulders and stared into my eyes.

I nodded.

"Well then I'm proud of you," she brought me in for another tight hug. My head was just on the crook of her neck. She looked over my shoulder and shouted, "As for you motherfucker you better fucking treat her right or I will find you and fucking castrate you!"

"I already fucking know that!" Hidan exclaimed and pulled me back into his arms, "I'm not fucking taking this lightly like she's a cheap whore or some shit. I fucking love her and will fucking take of her. I know how you're so fucking protective and shit so just fuckign calm down bitch. I got this."

They stared at each other and I glanced back and forth between the two.

YUkiko sighed and scratched the back of her head, "Fine, fine but remember my threat."

We all headed down through the window leading into the attic where the others were waiting for us. Seems like they heard everything.

"Seems like Hidan has been tamed," snickered Kisame.

"Shut the fuck up you fish fuck!" snapped Hidan turning red again.

Tobi kept cooing over me and kept repeating "So that's why you were red earlier".

"Gosh Tobi sometimes you're just so stupid,un!" Deidara had exclaimed, "It's really obvious,un."

Tobi faked cried into Zetsu arms.

"Aoi this is goodbye for now," Pein put a hand on my shoulder.

"But why?" I whined.

"I read the books and your notes. I think the organization is going in the wrong direction. I need to think for a while and make a new course of action."

"We both have a lot of thinking to do," Konan gripped Peins hand and gave it a squeeze.

"I'll miss you both," I rushed into their arms and we group hugged.

They left into the night right after that.

Yukiko POV

We all went downstairs, made a large batch of spaghetti with red sauce, and sat down to watch pinocchio. Hana, Momo, and Akiko were squeezed in together on the couch. Kakuzu sat in the recliner grumbling that he was too old for this childish stuff. Zetsu, Sasori, and Hidan sat on chairs from the kitchen. Tobi, Deidara, Aoi, and I were sitting in front of the couch with pillows at our back. Tobi and Deidara were digging into bags of microwave popcorn and slurping juice boxes. Aoi sat between my legs leaning back into my chest. I used her head to rest my chin. I would stroke Aoi's hair and Hidan would cast me a jealous deadly glare. We all decided to watch a second movie and ended up seeing cinderella. Before the movie was over, Aoi had fallen asleep on top of me, her head was in the crook of my neck. I closed my eyes and everything went dark.