A/N: Oooo it's all kicking off in this chapter!

I was going for dramatic effect here, I really hope I didn't fail.

Enjoy! x


I yawned loudly, stretching out my arms to their limits in front of me, and twisting my back with a satisfying crack. There was a light pattering sound of rain against the window, and I rolled my eyes at the predictable weather. I half-heartedly threw on some black leggings and a long, grey top, my mind fixed on finding breakfast. Grabbing my ninja pouch, I skipped downstairs and headed for the small market street I had passed on the way to the hotel last night.

Arriving at a quieter fruit stall, I rolled a green apple in my palm, feeling a slight quiver of nostalgia, before dropping it for a pre-packed bustle of red.

I paid quickly and hurried to the next vendor, not allowing any unwanted memories to seep through the gates of my locked mind. I thought back to what Akuma had suggested, a few years back.

If it hurts so bad to remember, why don't you just forget?

He was right. I could easily have erased my painful memories of Konaha and it's clan members, but there was always a tiny part of me that wanted to cling to them for dear life and never let go.

After an hour of wandering the stalls and filling my food pack, which I promptly sealed in a storage scroll, I began to make my way back to the hotel. A couple of villagers glared suspiciously at me as I passed, and I briefly wondered if this was the tension that Kirai had sensed on our journey. I shrugged it off, figuring it was probably just the paranoia of being a stranger to this town, that was making me uncomfortable.

The sun had finally decided to make an appearance, for which I was grateful. The rain and the low temperature was fast becoming my least favourite forecast, as I found it harder to warm up in such a climate than to cool down in a hot one.

When my hotel came into view, the muffled sound of angry voices found its way to my ears, and I paused outside the building to listen. The first tone I recognised as the receptionist, who possessed a very memorable and irritatingly shrill voice. She was talking to a man, with a gruff voice that reminded me somewhat of gravel.

'I understand your position, sir, but policy rules state I cannot disclose any such information.'

'Right, look here, woman. I'm on a tight schedule and I don't want any trouble, and I'm sure you're thinking the same. So let's cut to the chase, where can I find the kunoichi that goes by the name of Fū?'

'I can assure you that even if I was aware of this persons whereabouts, I am not the person you should be asking. May I ask what is your purpose of locating the Jinchuuriki?'

My eyes bulged slightly at this. I was well aware of the current status of this particular Jinchuuriki. In fact, I had passed by the mint-haired girl not too long ago at the marketplace and overheard her talking to a merchant about visiting the falls to train. Not that he had been listening. It was hard not to know who she was, the way the people had avoided her like the plague and whispering obnoxiously about how they wished she would disappear. The people of Taki weren't exactly discrete.

Unable to withstand the tension any longer, I entered the hotel. Curiosity killed the cat, so I'm told. My eyes landed on easily one of the tallest men I have ever seen. His dark blue, slicked hair was spiking upright on his head, defying gravity, but the most eye-catching feature on the stranger was the peculiar shark-grey tint to his skin. I blinked a few times to be sure that my eyes weren't playing tricks on me.

Taking a small breath, I cleared my throat noticeably, suppressing a nervous laugh as two sets of eyes turned to assess me.

'Excuse me, miss, I'll be with you in just a moment.' The receptionist called, but I ignored the fumbling woman and my gaze locked with the man's tiny white orbs.

'I couldn't help but overhear that you were looking for Fū of the Waterfall village.'

The man eyed me suspiciously, but didn't reply, so when he didn't shoot me down I continued. 'I think I may know where she's heading. I can take you if you want?'

He let out a coarse, throaty laugh, making me flinch at the sudden noise. 'Alright, girl, what's your price?'

I frowned slightly, I hadn't wanted anything in return. I was actually just trying to save the receptionist from her persistent client, since he didn't seem as though he was about to quit anytime soon. Then again, if he was expecting a price, who was I to turn him down?

'10 000 yen.'

'Done. Lead the way, girl.'

I scowled as I turned back to the doorway. 'I have a name, you know. It's Akira.'

'Yeah, yeah.'

I huffed and crossed my arms. Making my way to the west side of the village, I glanced behind me to where the tall stranger was strolling casually. Just as the tip of the waterfall began to creep into sight above the taller buildings, I slowed to fall into step beside him.

'So what's your name?' I gave him a friendly smile, trying to ease the awkward situation.

'Not important.'

'Okay then, Mr sociable. So how come you're looking for the Jinchuuriki? Most folks around here can't seem to get further away from her, let alone go looking for her.'

He smirked at his new nickname but kept his eyes forward, and I tilted my head to regard him cautiously. Eventually, he spoke.

'Will you quit looking at me like that?'

I blinked. 'Like what?'

'Like I've just grown another head!'

'I didn't realise I was… Sorry.' He seemed slightly surprised by my apology, but didn't comment. I felt a pang of guilt at the thought that I had been staring. It must be awful, having people look at you so strangely just because you had a different appearance.

'Kisame.' His voice tore me out of my thoughts and my eyebrows knitted together at the strange exclamation.

'Pardon?'

He sighed and rolled his eyes. 'My name. It's Kisame.'

My face lit up as I grinned. 'Nice to meet you, Kisame!' We reached the edge of the falls and I glanced up at the rocks, lifting my hand to shield my eyes from the sun. 'Well, this is where she said she'd be.'

Kisame reached for the great, bandaged sword that had been resting on his back, and slammed it to the ground causing several mini earth tremors, and I had to concentrate to remain balanced. Suddenly, a strange shadow was cast from above, blocking the sunrays from my eyes and replacing them with a fast descending human.

I let out a small yelp and leapt to the side. The girl, who I now realised was Fū, landed gracefully and almost immediately sprang forward again at the tall grey/blue man. She slashed her kunai at his face, narrowly missing and flipping her light body backwards to float on the clear waterfall pool.

'Akatsuki! What do you want with me?' She spat, her words dripping with venom as she crouched into a defensive position. I had no idea what this 'Akatsuki' was, but I was pretty sure Fū was not entirely fond of it.

'It would be a waste of time to tell you, since you don't really have much choice.' Kisame replied, coolly, a toothy grin spreading across his expression. 'You can either come quietly or we can do it the hard way.'

'You!' She turned on me now. 'You're that traveller everyone was talking about. They said to be wary of you, turning up out of the blue when we're all on high alert!'

I had not expected that. 'What are you talking about? Why are you on high alert?'

'Quit the act! It's obvious you're working with them.'

Kisame chuckled cruelly. 'Actually, you're incorrect. But she did turn out to be rather useful.' His eyes flicked to my face of confusion. 'So you're a traveller?'

I nodded slowly, not really sure why this was of any importance. Before I had any chance to question him further, he charged forward, swinging his sword back as he ran. The blade collided with the once calm surface, sending a tsunami-like wall of water crashing over the Jinchuuriki. I froze, startled by his sudden hostility as I scanned my brain for any recollection of such an organisation. None came to mind, and I could only stare helplessly as the Fū began to furiously weave a water-style hand sign.

Kisame mirrored her action but she was too quick for him, creating a giant, liquid dragon spiralling in his direction. Dodging neatly and slicing the head from the offending beast, he released his own jutsu and sent a flurry of water style bullets shooting at his opponent.

My mind screamed at me to run, but no matter how hard I tried to move, my feet remained firmly planted in place. I had a sinking feeling that once again, I had done something very stupid. There was a gargled cry from across the pool, and my eyes darted to a struggling Fū, who was thrashing desperately inside what looked like a water-filled bubble.

Shaking myself from the initial shock, I charged forward to free her, only to be stopped by a large black-cloaked figure that leapt in my way.

'She'll drown!' I practically screamed at him and his eyes narrowed.

'Don't worry, there'll be no use in killing her.'

I shook my head and dashed forward, trying frantically to manoeuvre my way around Kisame's figure. 'Fū, hang on!'

I leapt at the man, intending to sidestep around his form at the last minute. A foot connected harshly with my stomach sending me hurtling backwards until my back slammed into the rocky wall. I coughed hard, winded and in pain. No, I have to save her! This is my fault!

Scrabbling to my feet, I started to move but another presence appeared behind me, binding my hands tightly behind my back as a rough hand fisted my hair to hold me in place. I flailed weakly, only to have my hair ruthlessly yanked backward. I cried out bitterly as the pain shot through my scalp.

My eyes widened as I scanned the area, in search of the drowning kunoichi. The bubble had burst and she was now lying limply by the edge of the water, small, angry waves lapping against her side.

I turned to glare at the tall man called Kisame and gasped as he slumped the unconscious girl over his shoulder, making his way towards me. I had forgotten all about my captor until the blue man stopped before me, his gaze going past my ear.

'Took you long enough. You can probably let her go, she can't really go anywhere.' His partner shifted behind me as if debating whether or not he could trust me.

'I doubt I'd get very far even if I tried…' I hissed.

Kisame grimaced as the stranger gave me a sharp shove, and with my hands bound at my back, I was slammed heavily face first into the dust. I wriggled to my knees, spluttering dirt as I rose to examine the state of the Jinchuuriki.

'Who are you?' I snarled up at the towering figure, but it was the one behind me who answered.

'We are Akatsuki.' The voice that responded made me freeze on the spot, sending a horrified shiver trembling up my spine. My heart suddenly became very vigorous and my blood roared in my ears. My body began to turn itself stiffly and involuntarily to face the man who had spoken and my eyes bulged, refusing to close and opening wider than I thought possible.

When my vision finally landed on the culprit, my horror was confirmed. Blood red crimson eyes bore into the depths of my pupils, ripping out my soul and tearing it to pieces. I stared for a moment, unable to formulate any form of sound, before a single word escaped my lips in just-barely a mere whisper.

'Itachi…'


A/N: Woo another chapter done :D

Not much to say really... The chapter speaks for itself :)

Let me know your thoughts, flame friendly :D

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