Good day... *greeted by silent disapproval* I know this chapter is very, very late and I am really sorry, I have an excellent series of reasons that I would like to share in point form *projector screen descends and list comes up*

1. I'm back at University and I had to get resettled and start classes again.

2. I got an eye infection that had me on anti biotics for a while and off the computer.

3. I tried writing out the plot outline for the story. It was way more pressuring and time consuming that writing as I went along, which I was doing before.

Sigh, there you go. Not much of a list but my best shot. I'm really sorry but the chapter this week is a long-ish one. I hope you enjoy it.

I woke. I rolled unto my back and looked up at the ceiling wondering what could have woken me. I was contemplating going back to sleep when there was a tap at the door. Sitting up I wondered who it could be, Konan wouldn't knock would she? A very deep voice spoke.

'Are you decent?'

'I'm not naked, not sure about decent.' I muttered. 'Sure. You can come in.'

I was pulling a hand through my hair when the door slid aside to reveal Uchiha Itachi. I froze. The door closed soundlessly behind him. There was a running stream of 'Holy shit' in my head with odd interjections of 'OMG he is so hot'.

'Pein sama wishes to have a word with you.'

'Sure, just let me use the bathroom first ok?' He nodded in response.

I slid off the bed on the side farthest from him and tried to look for the bathroom and keep an eye on him at the same time.

'I am not going to harm you.' He said quietly. 'I am very curious to find out why you would accuse me of being a spy. The bathroom is over there.' He indicated a door that was obviously there once I saw it. I didn't respond, just dashed for the bathroom and closed the door behind me. There was no lock. Sighing I took care of business all the while wondering why the hell Pein would send the alleged traitor to collect the witness to said treachery. Maybe he thought that Itachi would do something damning like kill me and so give himself away? But what if Itachi sharinganed me instead and made me change my story? Could the sharingan do that? Maybe Pein would know if he did? Would Itachi try to hurt me? Why was I worried about what he would do? I had lied my pants off and I was about to be confronted about that lie...I was screwed no matter what happened...

'Hurry up.' It wasn't a request. I found toothbrushes (in packages) and toothpaste and brushed my teeth quickly. I was about to open the door when I stopped... I was terrified. I really wasn't ready to die...my only hope was to keep my cool and hope against hope that somehow, some way I would come out of this alive. I took a deep breath. The door opened before I could touch it.

'We leave now.'

'Sure. Sorry I took so long.'

He only nodded. Rather than going back down the stairs we walked to the end of the hall. Stopping at the last door just before what looked like a large living room, he opened it revealing a spiral staircase that led upward. It looked even more treacherous than the one up to the room. I sighed and started to climb. At least if I fall, I'll land on him instead of the other way around. I distracted my mind by contemplating all the things that were wrong with that statement. We got to the top soon and there was...another long corridor. This one was wider than the last and there were very nice sconces on the wall providing a mellow, hotelly feel to it.

'Move.' He said.

I moved. The door at the end of the corridor was dark and more traditional looking with a doorknob and everything. I reached down about to touch it when Itachi grabbed my hand roughly. He let me go and opened the door himself. I found myself in the same room where Deidara had spoken with Pein while we were on the road. The room was semi circular with windows covering all of the wall space. Around me I could see the city. It was drizzling hard and looked close to sunset so I couldn't see much. The room was dim but I had no difficulty recognising the figure in front of me. Pein with his rinnegan eyes was even more intimidating in person than the last time I had seen him. Konan was at his side looking grim. Scattered about the room were sofas and lamps of various heights. More pipes ran the length of the wall behind me.

'Girl, look at me.' Pein's voice all but vibrated through me. I turned to look at him.

He was leaning forward, his hands on the desk in front of me.

'How do you know about the Akatsuki?'

I couldn't answer, every nerve in my body screamed that lying would be an incredibly bad idea and my best bet was to die on my own while I had the chance. My mouth was dry and all I could do was open and close my mouth like a caught fish.

'Answer me!'

I started. 'I...I...I don't ...well that is to say that...dammit I can't tell you!' I immediately clasped my hand over my mouth as my eyes widened.

I didn't see him move but he was suddenly in front of me. He grasped my jaw roughly in his hand and squeezed. It hurt.

'You can't?'

'I can but you won't believe me...I...I don't want to get hurt but if I tell you...'

He let go of me but didn't move back.

'Tell me anyway.'

I was shaking very badly then. I didn't know what to do. I couldn't lie anymore, he would know. Why didn't I just tell the truth? I had enough proof, certainly, and most fanfiction agreed that he should believe me but...if I told him I was from another dimension and had knowledge of his world, what would he do? Would he try to use my knowledge against Konoha (Hell yeah and certainly) or would he try to, I don't know, try to conquer my world? Or (holy shit) both? And even worse than him, what would Madara do? My knees grew weak but I forced myself not to fall.

'Well...I...I...'

I glanced around and my eyes caught a familiar red pair that stood partially obscured by the darkness falling behind him. He looked intent but bored, which was impossible of course. I looked out at the city behind him.

When I looked back, there was no one around me. The room was empty. I turned 360degrees around but I was alone. I turned and ran through the door behind me. When it closed I found myself in my room at home. It was daytime and I could hear my siblings outside in the yard and the sound of plastic waterguns pumping. My room was clean and the sheets smelled like sunshine. I felt tears well up. I was home. I fell face forward unto the bed. As I snuggled my pillow, I felt as though a huge weight had been lifted off of me.

'Where are we?' came a calm, deep voice.

I followed it to see, Itachi leaning against my windowsill looking out unto the lawn. He wasn't wearing his cloak, only a black Tshirt and black capris. It was surreal but my overall feeling was one of calm and safety.

'What are you doing here? Am I dreaming?'

'In a manner of speaking, yes. Where are we?'

'In my room, at home.' I stood up and made my way to the window and looked out. This was clearly a dream, some strange dream brought on by too much anime no doubt. I noticed that the window was open and I could smell fresh cut grass and chopped branches from the lime tree.

'Where is this?'

'Home.'I said leaning out the window to track my brothers as they ran into the house.

'My mom is going to kill them. They're soaking wet. At least I was nowhere near them. I refuse to take the blame for this one.'

'What's this?'

I turned to see Itachi picking up one the Naruto manga I kept in my bookcase. I skipped up to him and took it before sitting on the bed. I patted the space next to me. He sat cautiously.

'This is manga. It's funny that you picked this one actually, not that I have a whole lot, but anyway, this is the one where you die.' He looked confused so after a quick frown, I continued. 'Well, you fought Sasuke and you would have won if you hadn't been sick. You died and transferred your...thing, I can't remember what it's called, into him. I was really sad when I read what happened and the anime was worse. I want to cry every time I see it. I try not to watch it but...reruns.' I picked up the manga and replaced it on the shelf. I found the one after and brought it to him.

'Here. This is the one you should know about. After all your hard work and sacrifice, Madara still got to him.' He took the book without a word and began to flip through it. 'Can you read that?' I asked.

He merely nodded. Leaning against his shoulder I followed his progress through the book. He was a fast reader. He showed no reaction to what he read but I felt a fine tremor in his shoulder. I didn't care. I was too relaxed, too heavy and too sleepy to do anything but drift off. I was home and I was safe. Nothing could harm me. I was dreaming or drowsing or fantasizing or whatever and when I woke up, I would go downstairs and get an apple from the fridge.

I had just closed my eyes when I felt myself shaken and I was looking up into Pein's face from inches away. Was I still dreaming? I blinked and focused.

'She seems to be taking a long time to return to her senses Uchiha. Did you do more than I asked you?'

'No Pein sama. '

'Am I still dreaming?' I asked. I was so confused my head was spinning. 'What happened to me? I was home a second ago, where am I?'

I looked out the window to see that it was full dark and then some. Holy shit! I immediately looked at Itachi. His eyes were deactivated and he looked exhausted. He moved slowly to one of the sofas and sat down. I collapsed to my knees.

'Well, Itachi, what did you discover?'

'You were right Pein sama, she is lying. She lied to Deidara about where she got her information and he was not able to force the truth from her.'

'I see. What else?'

'She's not a spy. She lied about that too. She does not know the Sannin and she has never set foot in Konoha, as I advised in the first place.' He looked at Pein pointedly.

'Very well, then where did she get her information? You are not a spy and she is not a spy. Those two cannot both be true. Either my eyes are wrong and you were lying earlier or you are lying to me now and she is a spy with sources elsewhere. My eyes are never wrong, so where is her information source?'

I listened to the exchange with rising dread. I had been calm before but no longer. My heart was picking up pace and tears were again pricking my eyes.

'I'm so sorry.' I said, 'I felt I had to lie. Deidara was going to kill me. I needed to come up with something good to make him stop. I didn't know what to do.'

'You lying bitch, un!' Emerging out of the shadows to my right, a place I had not paid much attention to, was an enraged Deidara. I had never seen him look so crazy...ever. His hands were stuck in his pouches and his eyes were narrowed dangerously. He was bearing down on me. I tried to stand but my legs felt wobbly and I couldn't. I don't know what he had planned but he stopped suddenly and his body went limp and he fell over. I jumped at the loud thump he made as he hit the floor. A sound drew my attention and I looked back to see Itachi deactivate his sharingan and sit back down calmly as though nothing had happened.

'As I was saying, Deidara was not able to locate the source of her information because SHE is the source of the information.' He paused as Pein took the time to look me over again. I felt like I was hyperventilating.

'How?' he asked

'She has a very uncommon bloodline limit. She can read a person and glean information on them based on their chakra. The person needs to be incredibly strong, however. She was initially from Amegakure but her family was killed and separated during the war. She spent much of her life travelling with a man called Sam. She has for the most part avoided ninjas, but she was unlucky enough to encounter Deidara while working at a tempura stand. Her memories suggest that she has no control over the amount or type of information she acquires. When Deidara left, she mentioned meeting him to her companion and that is what Deidara heard.'

'I see. If this is true, then how did she know about you? How could she have any information about you at all?' Pein asked moving to sit behind his desk.

Itachi leaned forward. 'She knew about me, and about us because Deidara is preoccupied with me. During his interrogation, he touched her (well, that sounded dirty) and she was able to pick the information from Deidara's mind.'

Pein turned to me, his eyes speculative. 'Is that true?'

I took a deep breath before I responded, 'He said that he didn't care about the Akatuki's objectives, that he had his own. He had me up against a wall and he was going to kill me. I didn't know what to do...I panicked so I told him that I could help him bring down Itachi and since he already thought I was a spy...' I looked down at the blond and felt a wave of remorse even though he had tried to kill me. 'He tried to trick me into revealing that I didn't know Jiraiya but Hidan messed it up.'

'I see. Let me test my understanding, you can touch someone and have access to information about the individual?'

'Uh, well it's like memories, like seeing memories in my head and its only strong people, ninjas almost exclusively, actually.'

Pein looked unconvinced and I wondered if he believed me at all. The room was silent as he seemed to think. 'I want to see your ability at work. If you refuse for any reason you will be killed, do you understand me?'

I nodded.

'Konan.'

'Yes, Pein sama.'

She came to a stop in front of me and extended her hand. 'Is this enough skin contact? Or is more necessary?'

I frowned slightly. I must be feeling better because I had the urge to snicker. 'Um, yeah. Your hand should be fine.' I looked to Pein where he leaned against his desk watching us. 'I'm not refusing or anything, I just want you to know that I can't control what I remember or how much, ok?' He nodded.

I took Konan's extended left hand and wrapped it in both of mine. Closing my eyes I tried to look focused and intent. I wasn't sure how long I should take to make this look realistic so I started to count to 20 slowly. Right about 14, I started to become very aware of the fact that Konan's hand felt odd in mine. I could feel her physical hand, it was surprisingly soft and smooth, but there was something else as well. There was another...something over her physical hand and it felt vaguely buzzy or staticky. Was this her chakra? Was that what I was feeling? I felt for my own chakra and focused on gathering it to the point where our hands joined. The space between our palms felt thicker and more charged all of a sudden and Konan tried to pull away.

'Konan. Hurry up girl.' Came Pein's voice. It interrupted what I was thinking and the sensation was lost. Well damn.

I opened my eyes and opened my hand signalling that I was done. I was feeling tired all over again.

Konan stepped back and Pein stepped forward almost as though they had synchronised it. He looked down straight into my eyes. I was immediately dizzy. Wow.

'What did you see?'

I had spent count 1 to 10 deciding what I wanted him to know. I was glad I had. Looking up into his pierced pale zombie-esque face I couldn't think at all.

'Konan is the only female member of the Akatsuki. She's your...protege and a very close long time friend. There was another person who had very red hair but I don't really know where he is now. I got some weird stuff about her in a tadpole suit but I have no idea what that was about. Um...was there something specific you wanted to know?' Konan had always scared me so I didn't know much about her. I hoped to god that he didn't ask what her favourite color was or something.

Throughout my little monologue he had remained impartial and seemingly unimpressed or was that just his normal look? 'Tell me something that none of the other Akatsuki would know.'

I thought, reconsidered and then thought again. Oh hell, why not? The situation couldn't get worse could it? 'Well...I could tell you how she dies...would that count?'

'Yes.' Konan said. She looked unconcerned but she glanced at Pein before settling her gaze on me.

I turned to him. 'Should I? I mean, there is no way to verify it either way.'

'Yes. Speak.' Pein confirmed

'Ok.' I took another deep breath. 'She dies in a fight with a man wearing a strange mask. I have no clue who he is but they fight over ...you, where you were located. She creates an avalanche of paper bombs that manages to take one of his arms off but doesn't kill him. He stabs her with a huge scythe thing...'

'Enough!' I jumped and stepped back a little. Pein was frowning. Not good, not good at all. He stuck his hand out suddenly and grabbed my arm. 'Tell me what you see?'

I was about to protest but he shook me. 'Do it!'

'Yes, of course, sorry.' He loosened his hold and I clasped his hand loosely. His skin wasn't cold but it wasn't warm either. It took me a few seconds to realise that it was the exact temperature of the room around it. Dead body...I shuddered and my hand started to sweat. His chakra, that's what it felt like, beat against my hand almost physically. My own chakra felt thin against it. It was like feeling the difference between lace and heavy quilts. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes then opened them again.

'Was...was there something specific...did you want to know, well the same thing as her? Or do you want to...'

'Tell me how I die.'

I closed my eyes again and focused on not pulling my hand away from him. When I felt enough time had passed, I opened my eyes and gently tugged my hand from his, wiping it hurried against my jeans.

'I'm sorry but I kept getting weird stuff. I kept seeing you dead but that was in the past, not in the future. I don't know what that means, exactly.'

'Is that all?' He seemed more relaxed all of a sudden.

'Yeah. It was weird, like having more than one...life in one body but that can't be right. I'm really sorry.' There, I hope the bastard was satisfied. By that point I had almost forgotten how I had gotten there and what I was trying to accomplish. I cast a glance at my unexplained accomplice as he sat silent and unmoving in his sofa chair then at Deidara still out cold not six feet away from me. It had been a long night and even though I just gotten up, I was suddenly sleepy again. I rubbed at my eyes tiredly.

'Look at me.' I looked up at Pein who was once again behind his desk. 'I have decided that your gift may be of use to us. You will stay here till we have no more use for you and if you serve us faithfully you will be freed. If there is even a hint of deception or betrayal, I will not hesitate to kill you, is that understood?'

'Yeah, yeah I understand.'

'Good. Are your ears pierced?'

'Yeah they are...why do ask?'I asked frowning.

He handed something to Konan who brought it to me. It was an earring in the same shiny metal as all of Pein's piercings.

'Put it on.' She told me.

I examined the stud closely. It was a simple stud. It looked similar to the one that Konan wore on her lip and ears. I glanced from one to other totally confused.

'Do I have to?' I asked, 'What is it for?'

Konan replied. 'It allows Pein sama to be aware of your location at all times. He will know where you are and will know if you even try to take it off. He can also, incapacitate you through it, if need be. Do you have any further questions?'

'Uh, yeah. If I don't want to wear it, are there any other options?'

'Yes, you can remain locked in this tower every day for the rest of your time here.'

I thought.

'I think I'll wear the ear ring, then. Oh, and one more thing. Any chance that I can have another of these? It would be kind of weird to be wearing one of these on one ear and gold hoop on the other.' The look they gave me was one of incredulity 'Okay then, can I get this as a belly button piercing then? It would make more sense that way? What do you think?' By this point, I wasn't if I was serious.

'No.' Pein replied before immediately dismissing my presence 'Konan, take her back to her room and get her what she needs.'

'Yes Pein sama.' She walked over to me and took the stud from me. Before I could protest she had my left hoop in my hand and had replaced it with the Pein tracker. The spoke part was thicker than any I had ever seen before and it hurt like heck when she forced it in. I squeaked but held still knowing that fidgeting would make it hurt more. When she was done she gave the stud a couple of turns.

'You should experience some discomfort at first but once it stays in, your body will adjust to won't hurt for long.' She stepped back in confusion as I started to snicker. She frowned.

'Come.' She said as she exited. Opening the door, she stepped out ahead of me and closed it behind us. She turned to me. 'You must never come here unless called for and escorted, do you understand?'

'Yeah.'

She turned and walked away. I hurried to catch up. 'Hey Konan san, what's the deal with the doorknob?' She turned to me but did not reply.

'Move and be silent.' Well okay then Ms Crankypants. Although... I could understand how hearing about her death could have unsettled her. I let her be until we were almost at my room.

'Hey Konan,' she gave me an irritated look, 'Uh, this is a serious question, really. I'm expecting my, well you know and I need to get stuff. I don't know what you ninjas use but if I have a choice...'

'Do you want to have your period?'

'What? No. Hell no. Why?'

'Be ready by 9am tomorrow morning. We will pick up the necessary supplies as well as some clothes and personal items.' She pressed her hand to my door and it slid open. 'Go to bed.'

'Sure. Thanks Konan. Have a good night.' She turned and walked away before my door even fully closed. I took a deep breath and shuddered. I was alive. I had made it. I fell unto the bed like a rock but sleep eluded me. When I finally fell asleep I was plagued with nightmares in which I was digging a hole that kept getting deeper and deeper till I lost sight of the world around me and there was only darkness. I woke up thrashing and slept no more that night.