Hope everyone enjoyed their Easter. Here's the next chapter, enjoy.
I don't own any of the Naruto characters, only Aka.
Chapter 10
Aka walked silently beside him as they made their way down the muddy road. She smiled slightly as she held her face up in the light rain. They were coming up to the turnoff towards the base entrance. She seemed different from when he had first found her.
"This way," Kakuzu stepped off the road and slipped behind the weather-worn statue of a lion. Aka followed, running her hand against the surface of the statue. The path was overgrown and difficult to traverse. Roots stuck up, hidden under foliage.
"Watch your step," Kakuzu warned.
"Very funny," Aka grumbled. She stubbed her foot on a root. She winced but continued on behind Kakuzu. They made their way to a cliff. Below ran a large river. A boulder sat jutting out of the wall opposite them just above the water.
"Jump down," and with that he jumped, landing on the surface of the water with ease. Aka followed. Ice formed beneath her feet as she landed. The surface began to freeze over as she made her way to Kakuzu who stood before the boulder. He placed a hand on the rock face and made a hand sign with the other. Slowly, the boulder lifted up and they stepped into the hidden cave. The boulder closed back up behind them.
"Now what?" Aka stretched out her chakra and felt around the cave.
"Door is over here," Kakuzu took a hold of the handle and pulled it open, "Come on."
Aka stepped over the threshold and was assailed with a variety of sounds, smells, and unfamiliar chakra signatures. Kakuzu stood beside her and sighed.
"Those idiots. When I get my hands on those two…" Kakuzu growled.
Aka heard a door open further down the hallway.
"Kakuzu," a voice called out. It sounded like a boy just going through puberty. His voice wasn't high, but it wasn't very deep yet either. The strange thing was he was almost bone dry. The only moisture was a small spot in his chest.
"Sasori," Kakuzu nodded.
"Leader-sama is looking for you. He expected you back two days ago. I assume since she isn't bound or knocked out she came willingly." The young voice was void of emotion.
"Yes, it took a little longer than planned." Kakuzu replied, his voice was almost civil. He then turned to Aka.
"Come on," he growled and pushed her forward.
She stumbled forward from the unexpected force and quickly walked ahead of him, he on her heels.
Aka glanced back at the spot that was Sasori. It remained motionless, most likely watching her as she retreated. As they continued down the hall, Aka heard two more voices in a heated conversation.
"It would only be for a small time, dear Kisame-kun." Hissed an elegant voice.
"And I already told you, you damn snake. You're not touching Samehada or my chakra. If you ask again, I don't care if Sasori is your partner, I will shred you to ribbons." A deep voice growled in reply. Kakuzu's pace behind Aka increased double-time and she had to almost run to prevent being run over by the larger man. As they passed by the bickering stopped.
"Ah, Kakuzu-kun. You are back," the elegant voice called out. Kakuzu stopped at the doorway. Kisame had Samehada drawn, the bandages wrapped around the blade wriggling. Orochimaru ignored him and stared at Kakuzu with those yellow eyes. Kakuzu pushed Aka further down the hallway out of view of those in the living room.
"If you two make a mess, I will make sure you two clean it up." He growled in a deadly voice, completely different from his civil tone he had spoken to Sasori with.
"But of course." Orochimaru bowed mockingly as Kakuzu continued to the Leader's room. Kakuzu whispered in Aka's ear.
"That was Orochimaru, beware of him." Aka nodded intently. The voice and aura from the man sent shivers down her spine. She could barely remember what fear felt like, but there it hid, deep in her chest for the smooth voiced man. Outside the door to the Leader's room Kakuzu spoke again.
"You will speak only when spoken to. Also, you will address him as Leader-sama. Understood?"
Aka nodded again and entered the room after Kakuzu who closed it immediately. Aka stood in the middle of the room. She could feel a desk a few paces in front of her. Kakuzu stood behind her in one corner. In another corner was another member. She could feel no one else in the room. Assuming this to be Leader-sama, Aka turned and bowed to the figure.
"So what Kakuzu said is true." A deep voice came from the direction of the desk. Aka jumped slightly.
"You can not see but can sense the presence of those around you." Aka nodded.
"You are not the only new member to be inducted into the Akatsuki this week. Yesterday, Kisame returned with the young Uchiha Itachi from Konoha."
Aka had heard of the famed child prodigy and his slaughtering of his entire clan aside from his younger brother.
"Both his and your skills will be most useful to the Akatsuki. For now I assign you to Kakuzu as he is without a partner until your skills are evaluated."
"Yes, Leader-sama," Aka bowed. Thoughts of Yagura came to mind as she gave herself to her new master.
"Kakuzu will give you your new uniform, and make sure you fix your village headband."
"Yes, Leader-sama." Aka closed her eyes. This was her life now. She would follow the commands of this man to the grave.
"I am your tool, to do with what you will."
"Excellent. You are dismissed." Leader waved a shadowed hand and the door opened. Aka turned and followed Kakuzu out.
"You will room with me for the time being. During that time you will stay in the room unless I am accompanying you. If anyone wishes entrance while I am away, you will keep the door closed."
Aka blinked in consent.
"Now, you can meet the other members." Kakuzu led them back to the living room.
Aka stepped into the room and almost collapsed from the overwhelming chakra signature. She gasped for breath as she grabbed the wall for support. Instead she found Kakuzu's arm.
"What's wrong with her?" the deep voice from before asked.
"Kisame," Kakuzu growled, "Turn down the chakra output, its smothering her."
"Oh," Kisame chuckled, "Sorry, I guess that damn snake got me a little more riled up than I thought."
"Yeah, he has the effect on people." Kakuzu agreed.
Aka took a deep breath as the suffocating chakra retreated. Kakuzu cleared his throat.