organizationkhII: Since I only received one review, I will be writing a side story of my choice.

Suzaku: And what will it be about?

organizationkhII: I was thinking of a series of fights in the Akatsuki to see who is the strongest.

Shikamaru: So troublesome.

organizationkhII: I know, right? So I don't know what I'll do now.

Tobi: TOBI IS A GOOD BOY!

Deidara: Here he comes again, un.

Kisame: That guy is a pain.

Shikamaru: The one who calls himself Tobi?

Hidan: Hey, Fishsticks! Get over here so I can sacrifice you to Jashin-sama!

organizationkhII: ...

Ramen, Akatsuki, and More

"Naruto, you are wearing yourself out again," Jiraiya said, tossing a rock in a river as he watched Naruto fight with a clone. "Fighting with a clone won't work."

"It does! Look, I'm already breaking out in a sweat!" he answered, pausing to give a thumbs up to Jiraiya. The Naruto clone took that chance to punch the real one in the face and send him flying into the river. Jiraiya rolled his eyes.

"You never lose your concentration in battle, stupid! I thought you already knew that from the Academy!" he yelled as Naruto clambered onto the bank and plopped down wearily.

"Can you take me to Ichiraku's, Pervy Sage? I'm exhausted," Naruto whined.

"Fine."

"You're paying, Pervy Sage!"

XXX

"The last Chunin exam is coming up in a few days. You need to rest," Jiraiya said, taking a sip from his cup.

"But I need to train more!" Naruto answered, slurping more noodles and letting them dangle out of his mouth. "The last days are the most important, you know? If I don't do anything, then I will get out of shape."

"Naruto, do you know what it feels like to cram for a test? You feel like you are studying, but you end up very exhausted during exam day. Cramming does work sometimes, cause I've tried it," Jiraiya chuckled as he watched Naruto tilt his head in thought.

Snapping his head up, Naruto finished the bowl he was on. "Pervy Sage, you are paying- what? Hey, where did he go? YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS, JIRAIYA- SENSEI!"

XXX

Suzaku pushed the door to Rock Lee's room open. The operation was successful, but Lee was still unconscious and recovering. The lights were dimmed, and Suzaku left a sunflower in the vase nearby.

"Lee, I hope you are feeling well. Get better soon. I know you won't want to wake up finding that Naruto has gotten stronger than you," Suzaku smiled as Lee muttered something in his sleep. "The last phase of the Chunin Exams are coming up. Wish Naruto luck."

XXX

Pain stood behind the desk, back turned toward Hidan in thought. Hidan frowned. They've been like this for half an hour already.

"Hey, Leader! You don't expect me to stand here all day, do you?" Hidan barked, balancing his scythe on his back. "Jashin-sama is asking for another sacrifice-"

"I am trying to think."

"I don't care if you are trying to think-"

"Stop interrupting me, Hidan! You have let the opportunity to take Xion as a hostage slip by. What happened?" Pain said sternly.

Hidan took a step back, feeling the murderous aura coming from Pain. "That Suzaku b**** came and plugged my chakra points. I couldn't move."

"Suzaku Mizura?" Pain turned around, thinking about his next move. If he wanted to take Xion as a hostage, the Akatsuki needed to get Suzaku out of the way. However, Suzaku was one of the last to possess the Kirigan, and killing him wouldn't be smart either. But if Pain took both of them hostage, they might communicate secretly and find a way out.

"Leader-"

"You may go, Hidan. I need time to think," Pain interrupted. Hidan stormed out of the office, slamming the door behind him. Hanging his scythe on his back, he decided to find an unfortunate sacrifice.

Hidan walked out of his room wearing his cloak, he turned the corner and walked smack into Kisame.

"B****! Watch where you're going," Hidan glared at Kisame, who returned it.

"Oh? What caused you to have such a foul temper? Did Leader whoop your a**?" Kisame smirked at Hidan's angry face.

"Shut the f*** up!"

"You need to control your temper. Want to take it out on the training fields?"

"Bring it on! I'm not losing to a pussy like you," Hidan retorted.

"I'm not the pussy. You are." Kisame replied as they walked out of the base and onto the field.

"F*** you. I'm going to sacrifice your sorry a** to Jashin-sama."

-"Feel the wrath and fury of Jashin!" "Nice try."-

Pain looked out of the window, his beloved Konan standing behind him. They turned around as a person emerged from the shadows. The mysterious man had an orange mask with black swirls, a black cloak, and short, black hair. There was an eyehole on the mask so the man could see out of his right eye.

"Were your plans thwarted again, Pain?" the man asked, peering at the Akatsuki leader with his only visible eye. The Sharingan swirled actively as he stared at Pain, waiting for an answer.

"I am sorry, Madara. We had some interference from-"

"I know. I heard the conversation between you and the immortal." Madara Uchiha waved his arm in understanding. Pain could almost detect a slight smirk under the mask. "I suggest you get the Mizura kid out of the way. He is not important. We need the girl as a backup if the extractions for the tailed beasts are not successful."

"The Shimari is not enough to make all of the countries fear us. We need more." Konan stepped in, noticing where Madara was going.

"You doubt my ability to capture all of the tailed beasts, Madara. You do realize that I have never lost a battle."

"I am just saying that we should take the girl hostage as soon as we can, and recruit her if possible. Once she realizes our intentions to bring world peace, there is a good chance that she will understand and help us." Madara said nonchalantly. "Just ignore that Mizura boy. If he becomes a nuisance, finish him off."

Madara started to fade, but before he did, he couldn't resist a last remark. "And you two should return to Amegakure soon. Doesn't your village need you?" His chuckled lasted in the room long after Madara disappeared.

Konan walked up to Pain's back and hugged him, noticing the surprise in his face. He leaned back, savoring her warm breath on his exposed neck. She kissed him lightly. Tightening Konan's arms around his waist, Pain closed his eyes.

"That Madara thinks he can order a god around," he whispered, wanting to prolong the moment. It was too bad that the real Nagato was immobilized by the chakra rods stuck in his back. If Yuhiko hadn't died, then none of them would have been in this situation. They wouldn't be desperate for such a resort of collecting the tailed beasts.

"Don't worry. He doesn't stand a chance against you," Konan whispered back.

XXX

"CHIDORI!" Sasuke yelled, pulling back his arm and punching the rock as hard as he can. He deactivated his Chidori as the rock split in half. Surprised, he heard applause.

"Sasuke-kun! You are so awesome!" Ino squealed, an impassive Xion behind her. "That was an awesome jutsu! I bet you can take down anyone in your path with that."

"Ino, are you done rambling?" Xion mumbled, running a hand through her slick black hair, now at her shoulders. I need to cut my hair soon. It's getting too long for my liking.

"…and your hair is longer too! You look so cool with those bangs!" Ino finished with a flourish.

"Hn." Sasuke brushed past the blonde and flipped through his bag for some water. Feeling rejected, Ino slumped down on the ground.

"Why does he always have to act like this to me?" Ino whined.

"He acts like that towards everybody."

"Sasuke-kun's nice to you. You don't know how much I envy you when he talks to you."

Xion sighed. "You know, with all that's going on, I seriously don't care."

"What don't you care about?" Sasuke asked, casually zipping up his bag. Brushing his bangs out of his eyes, he looked expectantly at Xion for an answer.

Xion took a step back cautiously. Was he listening for the whole time? Suddenly feeling nervous, she looked at Ino for support, but the blonde looked at her curiously. Great, she was stuck with an unresponsive friend and an Uchiha. Nice combination.

"I…I…" Damn it! I need an answer right now!

"Well?" Sasuke questioned. Confused at why he was so persistent, Xion blurted out an answer.

"I don't care about Suzaku bashing Ari's brains out!" her knees were shaking so much that she felt she could collapse any second now.

"WHAT?" Ino yelled, surprised.

"I see," Sasuke said quietly. Xion caught a flicker of sadness and nostalgia cross over his face, followed by anger, before fading quickly into impassiveness again. "I'll see you two later. Kakashi-sensei is waiting for me."

Xion let out a deep breath. That was so close… Jumping up, Ino grabbed her shoulders and shook her hard.

"Baka! How can you let such an opportunity pass by? Did you see his expression? I think he really likes you, Xion."

"Hey! Can you stop shaking me here-"

"I won't until you come to your senses."

"Can I go home now?"

XXX

Sasuke's POV

I have to admit, the jutsu Kakashi taught me was quite impressive. I know that it only has been a month, but if I improve, I am sure I can use it against Itachi one day.

I hate it when fangirls come running after me when I take a walk in the village. It's so annoying. Not to mention the noise they make. Screaming and yelling. If only there was some way I could get rid of them without using violence.

There's this one girl that I don't find annoying. Her name is Xion. She doesn't come running after me in the streets or whenever I was training. She treats me like a distant friend, no more.

I caught her once on the top of the Hokage faces, and she told me about her past life. I can already tell that we have many things in common. Perhaps if I know more about her, I can tell her how I feel. Maybe she will even help me with my revenge on Itachi.

The last phase of the exam is tomorrow. This is my chance to show everyone that I am stronger than they think, and that I will get even stronger.

Kisame: You actually included that in the story?

organizationkhII: Yeah. I have a feeling you'll win.

Hidan: That's not fair!

Suzaku: I know. You should write a side story of me bashing Ari's brains out.

organizationkhII: I'll keep that in mind, but I want to do something away from fighting for now. Maybe some romance?

Ari: You can do some romance between Xion and Sasuke.

Xion: What about me and Sasuke?

Sasuke: Hn?

Ino: But that's not fair!

Shikamaru: *sigh*

organizationkhII: If we end up arguing about this, I-

Tobi: BUT TOBI IS A GOOD BOY!

Hidan: SHUT THE F*** UP!

Kakuzu: Don't include me in this please. Or Hidan, because he'll be very annoying.

organizationkhII: Okay! I've made up my mind! I'll write a side story of what Xion's life was like in the Organization! It will bring insight for the readers, and it'll be relevant to the main plot of the story. So no more complaints!

Xion: Roxas is my one and only lover.

Sasuke: ...

organizationkhII: ...

Naruto: Who's Roxas?

(organizationkhII facepalms)

Sakura: Read and review! organizationkhII will love everybody who does!

Hinata: A-and p-please drop in s-some feedback...

Kiba: Yeah, or Akamaru and I will kick your butt if you don't!

Akamaru: Ruff!

Neji: I doubt it. The readers live in a different universe, and the only way to link them to us is through the Internet.

Kiba: No one needs to listen to your nerdy brain, Neji!