A/N: ALMOST A BRAND NEW CHAPTER. The majority of this chapter is new. The next chapter will be brand new. Hahaha. Then we will finish it all off. The end is near! Enjoy!

Sumire found Konan seated in their room taking out her change of clothing.

"Konan-san, are you going to the onsen now?"

"Yes, the inn staff is preparing the dining room for our dinner, so in the meantime…" her voice trailed off. "Sumire-san would you like to go to tomorrow's festival dressed up?"

Sumire dipped her hand into her bag in search of a change of clothes.

"Do you mean… in a yukata?"

"Yes."

"I've never learned how to tie one… I also don't have one."

"There's a rental shop in the area, it will be fun."

"Okay!"

Konan watched her face change into something more deep and contemplating. She asked her about it and heard a short, but rather intense story of her past. Konan listened with much patience and actually embraced her when she finished. She assured her that though the heated bath was mixed gender she would make sure none of the men came close enough to see.

They finished collecting their things and walked into the hall in time to see Hidan tripping through a rice paper sliding door. It tore, the wooden beams snapped, and he yelled multiple curses as he became tangled in the material.

"We can't go through one company activity-"

Kakuzu was standing in the opening glaring harshly at the man writhing in the destroyed shoji.

Sumire approached the man struggling on the wooden floor. She dropped into a crouch and poked Hidan's forehead.

"Hey short-shit, a little help?"

She ignored him and reached for his nose, he snapped at her finger like a bird and she drew her arm away.

"Stop wriggling and I can help you."

He stilled.

"It's coming out of your paycheck." Kakuzu snapped.

"You're the one that pushed me you old fucker!"

The men filed out, all watching as she assisted the grey haired man.

"I guess we're gonna be cold tonight." Kisame commented while examining the tattered opening.

"We can cuddle for warmth!" Tobi chirped.

"My ass," Deidara hissed under his breath.

He gently patted Sumire's shoulder and said:

"Let's go. He can figure it out himself."

She sprung up.

"Okay."

"Hey!'

"See you later!"

She hooked her arm through Deidara's, much to everyone's (including Deidara's) surprise.

"Let's go."

If I didn't know better I'd think she's hitting on me.

Hidan glared after them. She's been on him since we were at the lake, what the hell is she playing at? I thought she wasn't into anyone, but the hell is she doing?

Sumire rushed them ahead of everyone else, still clinging to his arm the whole way.

"I don't want to be a buzzkill, but…" he shrugged a bit and she let go. "What's going on with you, hm?"

"What do you mean?"

She can't be doing all this obliviously. There's no way, not after that stunt she pulled with Kakuzu.

"I don't mind it, but I don't want to accidentally misunderstand you." he started. "You've been all up on me, un."

She started giggling at his phrasing.

"Don't laugh, just answer my question!"

Instead she slipped her arms around his again, squeezing it.

"You don't mind it right?"

Is she drunk or something, this is so unlike her…

"...I don't mind it…"

"Then don't worry about it." she laughed and grinned at him.

He felt heat rising to his face, but decided to keep quiet. He thought a god must have blessed this trip, because he was being rewarded left and right. There was the tiniest bit of light left by the sun as they walked along a path that neared a cliffside. Trees were on either side of this path, but to the right the trees suddenly started down, indicating the decline in the ground. The building they approached was built into the ascending cliff on the opposite side.

"I thought this was an onsen." Sumire spoke.

"It is, it's in a cave."

"Are you serious?" her eyes became wide with awe.

"You didn't read up on it, hm?"

"No. That's amazing!"

When she glanced back she saw the rest of the group still a ways down road. She let go of Deidara's arm. Gotta go fast.

"Deidara-san, please wait for at least three minutes okay."

He was surprised by the sudden outburst but agreed he would wait outside until the rest of the group reached him. Sumire speed-walked into the onsen and was greeted by an older man. She bowed quickly then went into the bathing area. She threw her clothing off as fast as she could and placed it into a small basket along with her slippers. In the bathing area she scrubbed rapidly without waiting for the water to become warm. She stepped out in a towel, but had to pause and gaze at the space she just entered.

The dark ceiling was high overhead and there were only a few oil lanterns placed in strategic spots throughout the large area. Naturally embedded in the rock was a large, slightly greenish, but mostly clear pool of water with steam rising from it. She wanted to study this for a little while longer, but a group of voices propelled her to step into the water. Her body stiffened, from just how hot the water was, but she pushed herself to walk in further. When she was ankle deep she bundled up her towel. With it out of the way she shuffled until she was waist deep. Following along the edge of the large bath, she found a spot far away from the door where she could settle onto her bottom. Behind her on a raised rock. she left the towel, for they were not allowed to place them into the water, and she wrapped her arms around her breasts. Her knees were up to her chest and the bottom half of her face was hidden. The steam successfully cloaked her. She knew now the hardest part would be leaving. She had to leave after everyone else, but before that, due to the high temperature, she might have to sneak out somehow. Her entire goal, was simply to not be seen anymore during this trip.

X

"I'm going to tell you all this now, before we enter." Konan's voice naturally called all of the men's attention.

She did not speak often, but when she did they knew it would be important.

"Not one of you should go near Sumire-san during your soak."

"Huh? Why not?"

"There's obviously a reason she rushed ahead of us." Itachi was one of the most perceptive of the men.

"She's a shy chick, it makes sense." Kisame added.

"That's true, but it's an onsen. It's about the bath not about being naked."

Only Pein was in deep thought. He recalled the image of her bare before him, but what stuck out most was the mark he had spotted on her pale skin. No one knows about the scar, but me. Perhaps she wants to avoid being asked about it…

Konan in her endless confidence finished washing her hair and stood. She did not wrap a towel around her body as she walked past them all. Not one dare look at her for more than a split second.

"If you care about her on any level, you will not approach her. Save your conversations for dinnertime." she spoke firmly as she opened the sliding door.

X

Konan had learned everything only an hour earlier when Sumire heard the onsen would be mixed gender.

"I'm okay with it. Well, I would be but…"

"Please don't worry about the men touching or ogling you. With Pein-kantoku there I'm sure they won't get too out of hand."

"It's… it's not that. I know the guys can be like that, I just don't… I just don't want anyone to see…"

Konan waited for her to continue.

"I have a really bad scar, in a kind of bad place."

"I see."

Sumire pointed to an inch just above the curve that leg between her legs and slowly slid it to the right side of her hip. Konan followed the motion with her eyes and nodded in agreement. That was a difficult place to have a scar. It would immediately draw peoples eyes, especially considering how pale her skin is. The men would just stare at her and likely bother her about it constantly.

"I don't… I don't really want to tell any of them just yet. Though Pein-kantoku did…"

Her face flushed at recalling her boss walking in on her.

"He mentioned what happened. He was very embarrassed about it. I hope you won't hold it against him."

"Oh no, it's fine. It really is. I'm not actually that shy about that as I may seem." she let her hand fall. "It's just a hard story to tell."

Again Konan waited. She could feel that Sumire wanted to confide in her, simply as a way to release the anxiety she had suddenly developed.

"One day I tried to break up with my ex-boyfriend." she finally began. "He became violent. He…"

Her hand covered her mouth for a moment.

"He started throwing things at me. He threw a lot of things, but a glass bottle had shattered and one of the big pieces kind of…"

Her hand sliced through the air.

"I thought I was going to die, because he just left. He ran out and left me there, but I was so tired and in so much shock I couldn't do anything… someone saved me. Someone found me and called an ambulance. It was thanks to him that I survived."

"Him?"

"Yes, him. I found out after a name, but I never got to meet him. You wouldn't believe it but he paid for my hospital bill." Sumire laughed lightly. "He was like a guardian angel. I really wish I could've thanked him in person."

"You said you learned his name. Did you not try to find him?"

"I didn't know how."

"What was his name, if I may ask?"

"Uchiha Obito."

"Uchiha? Have you tried asking Itachi about him?"

Sumire gasped aloud:

"No! It didn't even cross my mind."

She slapped her palm against her forehead.

"Gosh, I've been so focused on everything that I never thought about it."

"Well, you'll likely have a chance to ask him."

"I will."

Sumire looked down and nodded her head at the tatami in confirmation. She jumped slightly when Konan wrapped her arms around her, but she reciprocated with quite a bit of her glee.

"Thank you for sharing this with me."

"Un, thank you for listening."

X

Though her intentions were to avoid being gawked at by her male co-workers, she couldn't stop her jaw from dropping when Konan emerged. Her figure was model-worthy. She had large perky breasts, deep curves, well-proportioned hips, and long, toned legs all put together with smooth, flawless pale skin. She smiled gently at Sumire who shut her mouth before their eyes met. She stepped calmly into the water with no reaction and sat beside her, leaving a foot of space between them.

"How are you liking it so far?"

"It's really nice." Sumire straightened.

Curiosity and a bit of pervertness had Sumire glancing to her right. They're floating. Oh my gosh. They're floating! Are mine? She looked down at herself. Kinda but, not like that. Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, sorry! I'm just… thinking weird things."

Sumire you idiot.

"About what, may I ask?"

Panic ensued. Oh no. What do I say? She'll know I was looking at her. Oh no.

"Sumire-san?"

"I'm sorry Konan-san!" she slapped both of her tiny hands together above the water. "I was looking at your chest!"

Konan stifled a laugh. It had been a long time since she had felt this type of amusement. She was always surrounded by testosterone after all.

"I didn't know boobs could float." Sumire mumbled.

Konan's laughter increased in volume, further embarrassing the small woman. The sound drew the attention of the men now entering the bath. Most were intelligent and moved towards the opposite end of the bath. Most.

Tobi cannonballed into the center, causing a large wave that both women had to brace for.

He can be such a fool, Konan thought.

Sumire returned to her curled position while glaring at the man wearing a black wetsuit and his trademark orange mask. His figure was more defined and she noticed the muscles in his torso, but she was far too irritated with his actions to provide him with more than a passing glance.

Of course he'd wear something like that.

A greyed haired man tried to use the commotion to approach the women from behind, but Konan turned sharply to him.

"Over there!" Konan snapped, pointing to the other end of the steaming pool where the rest of the men had settled.

Hidan sighed loudly and dropped his towel deliberately. Sumire ducked her head underwater in that moment. It did not matter how hot it was, she refused to be flashed. After a few excruciating moments her head popped out and she took in a long deep breath.

"I hate him." she moaned.

"He is an exhausting man, but he has his good qualities."

Sumire stared at her knees instead of her surroundings. The idea that there were seven naked men and one tightly clothed man so near to her was unnerving. It was easy for her to face lecherous gazes, though they was annoying, but viewing naked men herself was a different story. Shy and nervous Sumire was deeply uncomfortable.

Like what? she wanted to growl, but the temperature of her body had increased significantly and she was feeling a bit lightheaded.

"Are you feeling alright?"

"Yes, but I should stop going underwater."

X

"We only get one chance, hm."

"If there wasn't all this damn steam."

"What do you think? Pink or brown?"

"I'm guessing pink, since she's so pale."

"Really? Brown ones are sexy too."

"Tit's are just fucking awesome all around. It doesn't matter if they droop or if they're looking at the fucking sky."

"I'm more interested in…"

"Unless she bends over we're definitely not gonna get a look there."

"I was going to say her ass."

"We're definitely on different wavelengths then." It was followed by a chuckle.

The silence lasted only as long as Pein could muster his courage:

"They're pink and brown."

All eyes were on him.

"What?" Only one person could manage to speak.

"I accidentally walked in on her changing earlier."

"What?" this time it was louder.

"They're both."

"What do you mean though?"

Itachi was the only man who had not engaged in this shameless conversation.

X

"Konan-san, if you had to date one of the members of the Akatsuki who would it be?"

"That's an interesting question."

"I don't know why I've been thinking about this. Maybe it's because of our conversation earlier, but I wanted to ask your opinion. You've known them all for much longer."

"Well, our criteria for dating might differ. We are different people after all."

"That's true, but…" she shifted a bit, as her curled up position was causing her discomfort. "I wanted to know what you think."

"Let's dissect this. One by one shall we?"

The dark haired woman was surprised by her co-workers enthusiasm.

"I must admit, I've never had a chance for this type of girl-talk, so this is quite refreshing."

Oh, I see.

"Taking age into consideration first, our oldest member is Kakuzu. He is in his late forties. I personally do not feel concern with age differences, but it is important to think of power dynamics."

Sumire nodded. She knew this concept well.

"It is also important to think of someones personality. He would be difficult to get along with, but if you were someone who felt strongly for him and he felt strongly for you, then perhaps he would provide some leniency with his miserable personality."

"Hmm."

"It wouldn't be too much of a stretch I believe. He is the way he is because he finds everyone irritating. He is a bit old fashioned, but if you are comfortable accommodating him, then he would likely be pleased."

"I feel as though you are describing a marriage-match profile."

Konan smiled:

"Men are really simple, if I'm being honest."

"Really? They confuse me."

"Let's move on then," she continued. "Pein-kantoku and Sasori are the same age. Considering you don't have a strong friendly relationship with our director it would be difficult to initiate anything beyond that. But once you get to know him you would see he is a truly caring companion. Though he is shy."

She paused and put a finger to her lips.

"As for Sasori, I am not sure if it would be a good match for anyone. He has shown you he has controlling and sometimes violent tendencies. If you do something to upset him, I fear…"

Sumire's downcasted eyes made Konan's words come to a halt, but only for a second.

"Well, I don't need to say more. I would honestly avoid anything beyond co-workers with him."

She nodded slowly.

"If we continue. Kisame is a bit younger than Sasori. His personality is very playful and relaxed. He would be very easy to get along with and develop a genuine relationship with, but it would be difficult in that you would not know if he will treat you seriously. He has a habit of making a joke of everything."

"That's true."

"Tobi is…"

Said man was splashing the water like a child.

"This is not a swimming pool, damn it! Un!" Deidara's fury reached the opposite end of the pool.

"An enigma. I wouldn't know what to tell you."

Sumire giggled.

"As for the last three men, they are all closer to you in age. Since you hate Hidan, I assume it would be a no to considering him. Deidara is your age, but that comes with its own issues. I don't want to insult you, but you young people are rather reckless."

"And we come to our last candidate Uchiha Itachi."

The sound of the water lapping against their still bodies became twice as loud. The quietness lasted far longer than was necessary, but Sumire understood her meaning.

"He is a really admirable man. He is kind and gives off the impression that he would be reliable. Honest is a good way to describe him. He has incredible prospects and an enormous fortune in his future, if those are concerns. I haven't found much fault with him since meeting him. Though he is rather quiet. Quiet men might give off an air of mystery, but he doesn't. Its difficult to describe."

"It's okay. I think I understand. Thank you."

"I'm not trying to convince you to try dating him. I just wanted to be as truthful as possible."

"Yes, thank you. But you didn't answer my question…"

"Oh, right. My apologies. I shifted the focus to you. Well… Pein-kantoku."

Sumire wasn't surprised by her answer.

"If he asked me, I would go on a date with him. I've known him the longest and I would likely be more comfortable with him."

"I see."

Konan lifted her hand and saw her skin beginning to shrivel.

"Would you like to get out now?"

"Yes, please."

"Walk behind me and I'll cover you with your towel."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, please don't worry about me."

"Thank you."

Sumire and Konan pretended not to notice the chorus of groans when Konan held the towel out to block Sumire's body as she emerged from the water. When Sumire was safely back in the building, Konan shot the men a death glare. They shrunk into the water comically.

X

"You back to normal now?"

Sumire was standing near a wall. As soon as she had finished drying off and changing she stepped outside into the cool night air. She circled around to avoid meeting any of them immediately, but Deidara found her quickly. She was actually happy to see him, so she smiled.

She didn't know the blonde had come out here with one thing on his mind. He needed to be alone with her, even for just a moment.

"So what are we going to do now, hm?"

"What?" her voice was extra giddy as he backed her against the brick wall.

"I'm getting all these signals, I'm guessing I should…" he leaned down slowly. "Act on them, un."

"What signals? What are you talking about?"

There was a playful innocent quality to her words.

"You're playing a dangerous game Sumire."

She cupped his face suddenly.

"You trying to kiss me?"

His expression became smooshed. She bit her lip as he pushed forward against her hands.

"No!" It came out high-pitched and excited.

Both his arms scooped around her and she was against him in seconds.

Damn, so close. I just want to feel those lips again. This is my one chance, she isn't like this often, I've gotta try while I can…

"Oi."

The raspy voice of a certain red-headed man made them stop.

"Deidara-san is trying to kiss me!" she laughed.

Seriously is she on something? This is weird.

"We need to leave. They said when it gets too dark the path is hard to see and it gets easier to get lost. We all need to go in groups."

"Hai!"

Deidara let go. He speed walked away, his body filled with an intense frustration at being denied what he so desperately wanted. Sumire had expected a glare from the short man, but his expression was perfectly bored.

"You're not mad?"

"About what?"

She made a sound of surprise, but didn't question his disinterest any further. She trotted to his side as they traveled down the incredibly dark path.

They weren't kidding about…

A rustling sound made her squeak and spin around in its direction. Her fingers caught hold of the sleeve of Sasori's robe. He noticed the light touch.

"Sumire."

He wasn't accustomed to her tremors, in fact he hated them, but not in the way one would expect. His hand rose up and stopped mid air. The offer warmed her chest and she took it without a word.

Yeah. Sasori-sama is terrible, but… No trust Konan. Don't make the same mistake you made with Hisashi, him being nice once doesn't mean…

"I was mad."

"Huh?"

"I was mad, at seeing you playing with Deidara like that."

"..."

"I'm trying." his voice lowered until it disappeared.

A much more intense warmth filled her body and she gave his hand a tight squeeze.

"Thank you."

X

It turned out that Hidan was the only one who really wanted a massage. Everyone seemed uncomfortable with the concept. They were seated in robes back at the main building in a room towards the back. Sumire was still excited about it. Hidan returned to the room with a loud, satisfied groan. Deidara had laid down on the tatami, still considering having a massage, but more concerned with suffering Kakuzu's wrath. Sumire knelt beside his head, occasionally reaching out to poke his forehead. Each time her hand appeared above his head he gave her a look that was a mix of irritation and fondness.

"You're so weird, un." He finally said and she started giggling girlishly.

The sliding door opened and the head of a middle aged woman appeared.

"Who would like to go next?"

A silent moment passed and Sumire rose.

"I will go ahead."

She followed the woman to the next room over where a mat was set out.

"Please remove your robes."

She felt comfortable being alone with another woman. She undressed and laid face down on the mat.

"Do you have sensitive skin?" the woman asked.

"Yes, very."

"We have multiple kinds of massage oils. I want to make sure we use one that is not an irritant."

"Ah, hai."

The woman showed her a small basket with a number of bottles in it. Sumire immediately grabbed a vanilla scented oil.

"This should be fine."

"You did pick a warming oil."

"Warming?"

"Yes, please don't worry about making sounds."
Making sounds?

She started to pour the cool oil onto her Sumire's spine and she cried out.

X

Hidan leapt up from leaning against the wall and turned to it as though it were the source of the sound.

That sounds just like…

He grinned excitedly and pressed his ear to the thin wall. The next sound was a moan: loud, high-pitched, drawn-out.

"Damn it." Deidara said under his breath.

Sasori looked furious, Kisame amused, Itachi pensive, and Kakuzu reluctantly satisfied. Another moan came from the adjacent room and a collective shiver rushed across them.

Deidara rolled over and pressed his face into the tatami.

"I can't stand this, un."

Kakuzu let out a grunt of contempt. The blonde raised his head and glared at the taller man.

"What?"

"It's just like boy to get flustered over a few moans."

The word boy had him rising into a sitting position, his glare still locked onto Kakuzu's oddly colored eyes.

"It's just like an old geezer to get angry at guys who dicks still work, un."

Itachi was tensing now. The air in the room changed. When Kakuzu became enraged, things became unpredictable. Hidan hated Kakuzu, but fighting the blonde on his behalf filled him with a strange excitement. If things get crazy I can sneak a hit on the short red asshole. Don't think I've forgotten that you punched me!

But Deidara was smarter than Hidan. The blonde scooted back until his back hit the wall and lowered his head. Kisame, as per usual, found endless amusement in the altercations that kept arising.

That cutie has stirred the pot.

The same couldn't be said for his partner, who was exhausted by the rise and fall of tension. It was normal for them to fight, but it was occurring far more often than he would have liked, and if he had it his way, they wouldn't fight at all.

X

Sumire realized early on that they must have heard her. They are in the room next door for goodness sake! Once the massage was over she wrapped herself in the robe, thanked the woman, and rushed to the smaller building past the garden. She found Pein, Konan, and Tobi seated in the men's room with the door open.

"Sumire-chan!" Tobi waved at her gleefully.

"Hello." She pulled the robe tighter.

"The hot pot should be ready soon!"

The prospect of food of exciting.

"I'll be back!"

Sumire went to the women's room and quickly changed into a soft dark blue blouse and a pair of white shorts. She pulled her hair up again into a tight bun and returned to the men's room. The food was arranged here simply because it was larger room. Pein and Konan dealt with the innkeepers shock that her shoji was destroyed, but she accepted their apologies and agreements of compensation. The long wooden table was covered in dishes of raw seafood, raw meats, and various vegetables. A rice cooker was set to the side of the table and Konan was busy serving rice into bowls for the three who would be eating immediately.

Once again, Tobi was refraining from nourishment, but was eager to participate in conversation.
"Ara, Sumire-chan~"

"Hmm?"

"You smell really nice."

She blushed slightly. He leaned over to her, his mask brushed against her shoulder, and made a loud inhaling sound. She pushed him away laughing.

"That's so creepy, stop it!"

He got closer and tried again. She fell over as he neared, laughing so hard her abdomen started to ache. When he finally left her alone she sat up, covering her face.

"I'm sorry Pein-kantoku, for doing embarrassing things."

"It's fine. I'm glad to see you getting along with everyone."

She smacked Tobi's hand as he poked at her thigh.
"There was something I wished to discuss with you."

"Hai?"

"Once your internship is complete; do you have any plans?"

Sumire grabbed Tobi's hand as he tried to poke her again and she paused to think. It didn't even occur to me…

"I ask," she rose her gaze to the man that had begun speaking again, "because we currently do not have an open position at the concert hall."

The statement hit her like a ton of bricks. Her grip loosened on Tobi's hand. I didn't think I would get a job at the concert hall, but I didn't think I would be told it so bluntly.

"However," he began again, "once you graduate, I'm sure we'll have one available."

Her eyes widened.

"I hope you'll receive us kindly when we call upon you," the smile that appeared on his face was faint, but visible.

"Un!"

X

The four people got to work bringing the broth to simmer and placing the meats and vegetables into the broth. The rest of the men returned and seated themselves around the table. Itachi sat beside Sumire who was watching the bubbles in the pot.

"Did you get a massage?" she asked him.

"No," he set a small plate in front of himself, "I was preoccupied."

Sumire served him from the salad bowl and did the same for Tobi on her opposite side. Hidan dipped his chopsticks into the broth, fishing out a few hunks of meat and placing it onto his rice bowl. Sumire watched him as he shoved a couple of slices into his mouth and chewed eagerly. To her right was Itachi with his eyes slightly wide and the edge of his lip twitching.

"Would you like some meat?"

His expression changed, calmer, but still not back to his general stoicism.

"…uh…"

"You're not a fan of steak?"

"…"

She giggled and reached into the pot for the potato she knew was at the bottom.

"There's plenty else to eat, do not fret." She let her voice become sing-songy.

She placed the spud onto his plate. His lips were twitching again but she could tell he was trying to hold in a laugh. She grinned at him.

"Thank you."

"Un, un! You should also try the mushrooms!" she placed some atop the yet untouched potato.

He reached in and placed a piece of meat onto her plate.

"Please make sure you eat as well."

They proceeded like this for quite a few minutes, both with small piles of food atop their plates.

"Will you two stop messing around and eat already, un?" Deidara sounded annoyed.

As if he was expecting it, Itachi lifted a small piece of carrot and held it out to her with his chopsticks.

"You first."

She let him feed her.

"It's good."

She did the same for him. Before leaning down to bite he glanced at Deidara. The blonde was glaring at him now, crunching loudly on an undercooked piece of cabbage.

"It is." Itachi agreed.

They began to eat normally, still engaged in playful conversation.

Sumire felt some intense peace unlike anything she'd felt before, but she was so engaged in what was happening, she didn't even notice.