As I trekked through the wilderness, I wasn't sure how to "join" the Akatsuki. Luckily, I knew how to survive on my own, so I just started traveling alone. I figured that I probably should not walk up and just ask to join…that would seem suspicious. Seeing a tree suitable for my purposes, I started walking up it.
What the fuck do you mean we will help them catch the tailed beasts? Kurama sounded absolutely livid.
Yawning as I scaled the tree, I tied myself into it to sleep for the night. Exactly what I said. We will help catch them and extract them. Because, we are going to work on Sasori to help contain the beasts, not eliminate them. Therefore, we are not killing them, just…relocating them.
Huh? I swear a smile twitched at my lips. I could imagine the confusion on Kurama's face.
Do you really think I would kill your family?
Well, I mean, they aren't technically my family…but yea, I do feel somewhat protective of them.
Exactly. As I drifted off to sleep, I rubbed my wrist, missing my sunshine.
()()()
"You…yea, you. Chi Kira. They sent me to find you." I heard the gravelly voice calling up to me as I looked down impassively. Staring up at me was the assassin known as Kisame. His black cloak swayed in the breeze of early morning, the clouds of red glowing in the early morning light.
"Oh? Why?" I asked mildly.
"You killed the Uchihas…the Akatsuki wants you to join." Kisame flexed his hand, forming a fist, as if he expected me to fight.
"Why would I want to do that?" I asked disinterestedly, climbing down the tree.
"You have no home, no one to rely on. Join us, have a new family, new people to rely on…a new home." Kisame said, almost as if he had memorized a script.
"I've never had a family, and have no interest in having one." I responded as Kurama grunted in surprise.
"Look, I don't want to deal with the Boss. Come back, deal with him, tell him no. I don't care. I just have a job to do and I'm going to do it." Kisame sounded as bored as I did.
Shrugging as I stared disinterestedly at Kisame. "Why do I care if you have to deal with the boss?"
Kisame sighed. "We can do this the hard way or the easy way."
Rolling my eyes, I crossed my arms. "Fine. I can listen to what they have to offer." Making sure that my gloves were in place, I followed Fishface.
()()()
I kept my anger in check staring at Pain. I knew what he planned to do, how much pain he inflicted, and I wanted to tear him apart. However, I knew that Kurama and I would stop his plans and save Naruto and the Leaf, allowing Naruto to live happily. Therefore, I stared expressionless at Pain as he explained the process and the advantages of joining the Akatsuki. I knew I couldn't just leap into the agreement…that would seem suspicious. Pain stopped. Raising an eyebrow, he waited in silence for my response. Silently analyzing Pain, I sniffed. Crossing my arms, I affected a bored look. "Seems like too much trouble. So, thanks, but no thanks." Turning I walked out.
I hope you know what the fuck you are doing.
Of course I do. I've studied this Akatsuki membership once before, and have studied and researched what I know in this timeline. One of two people will be coming. I left, not looking back.
()()()
As I perched in a tree, eating some fruit and reading, I enjoyed the sunshine. It had been two days since I rejected the Akatsuki. I was being followed, that much I knew. I just was not sure who was following me. As I kept reading, I heard the soft voice. "You just refused Pain. You refused the Akatsuki. Why?" Looking down over my book, I saw the redhead. I was hoping it was him.
"You joined the Akatsuki. Why?" I asked in response, refusing to answer.
"There is power in numbers." Was the reply. Raising an eyebrow, I eyed him skeptically. Sighing, Sasori crossed his arms. "What do you want? Everyone wants something."
Leaping down from the tree, I stood in front of Sasori. "Why do you seem so interested in my association or lack thereof with the Akatsuki?"
Sasori eyed me. "You annihilated an entire clan. Pain wants you. If I return with you, I will assure my place as a favorite of Pain." He responded simply.
Eyeing him calculatedly, I shrugged. "I want to learn about poisons. I have no desire to be a part of the Akatsuki, but if it will allow me to learn from you, then I will." I shrugged.
Sasori eyed me, staring at me with unblinking eyes. Finally, "Fine."
Nodding, I followed the puppeteer, agreeing to our unspoken contract.
()()()
I was on guard, as was Kurama. Somehow, Sasori arranged it to where Deidara became Kisame's partner, and I became his. As I moved into the room occupied by Sasori and recently vacated by Deidara, arranging my bare possessions in the dresser on the vacant side of the room, I looked at Sasori. "Do I even want to know what you did to arrange this?"
Sasori looked up at me from beneath his auburn bangs. "No." Returning his attention to his puppets, he didn't say anything else. Shrugging, I lay down on the bed, sleep claiming me.
[Sitting up, I went over to Kurama, who was lying in a bed on his back. Sitting down on the bed…wait…how did he get a bed in here?
You released the seal; I can get things sometimes, Idiot.
Sniffing indignantly, I eyed the fox. 'I see you are in a better mood.'
Chuckling, Kurama nuzzled me. Seriously, how are you going to keep them from taking me?
'Ah…I have been working on a jutsu. In fact, let me use it now…' As I cast the jutsu, Kurama stared at me.
What is this going to do? Kurama was eyeing me warily. I guess it was a testament to our relationship that he didn't automatically stop me from casting the jutsu.
'It will allow you to separate from my body if they try to extract you…killing me, but setting you free.'
Yes, but then they can just control me as I am set free, since they are capturing the beasts…well, at least that is what they have with Shukaku...and our fates are intertwined…so I'll die when you die. Kurama pointed out.
'Not with the jutsu I have created. If they try to control you, you will actually control them. A little fuck you, just for them.' As I finished casting the jutsu, Kurama's eyes widened in surprise. Giving a deliciously wicked smile, he curled up.
I like you evil. He murmured. Rolling my eyes, I went to sleep.
()()()
Living in the Akatsuki and being a rogue ninja was not much different from living in the Leaf and being an ANBU. Missions were given to teams, and they were completed. The only mission I failed was the first mission I was given. The Akatsuki believed that I could just sniff out the other beasts. That I could sense them somehow or something. Of course, that was not the case. They wouldn't believe me though. When I couldn't just walk up to Matatabi, they took it as a personal affront, especially Pain. However, Pain didn't believe I couldn't just sniff out demons…many hours, much blood, and several years (it felt like) of genjutsu later, I passed the test. I never failed a mission after that.
()()()
Five years in the Akatsuki passed quickly. I had been collecting information for the Leaf, but had never had the opportunity to give information in person. Minato had given me some scrolls with jutsu on them to relay information back to the Leaf before I left, and I had been doing so. To say that I missed the Leaf was an understatement. To say that I missed Naruto was a boldfaced lie. However, I adjusted to my new life and my permanent bachelor status.
I hoped Naruto was okay. I never asked, and was not filled in…actually, I had no updates on the Leaf, and that was probably best. Waking up early one October day, I yawned. Slipping on my robes, I walked out with Sasori to see if we had a mission. Pulling the scroll out of our slot, I read it, raising an eyebrow. Looking to Sasori, I handed the paper to him. After reading it, he nodded. "Are you going to put on a disguise?" He asked as he grabbed some rations.
I sighed heavily. "I suppose I will have to. I can't waltz into the Leaf looking like myself. Well, not if I want to go unnoticed." Pulling out my disguise, I slipped the wig and contacts on as I changed clothes. Heading off, neither of us spoke. As we neared the Leaf to meet up with the spy that was there, I grew apprehensive, though I knew not why. Frowning at the outskirts, Sasori sat down.
"I'll wait for you here. Can't really waltz in there in these clothes." Sasori noted. Nodding, I headed in. I smelled the smells of my long lost home. As I walked down the streets, I took in the sights. The Village seemed to be thriving. Looking up at the cliff face, I saw Minato's stern expression watching over the Leaf, just as the three previous Hokages were. Moving on, I suddenly stopped. Shit, today is Naruto's birthday. Walking into a shop, I purchased a few items to waste some time, as it was about fifteen minutes until I was supposed to meet the spy in this store. As I walked to a shelf, I saw the pale teen come up to me.
Shit, what is Sai doing here. Oh dear Kami, don't let Sai be the spy…
"Excuse me, could you hand me the rice?" he said, pointing to a bag just out of his reach.
"Of course." I nodded, recognizing the phrase. As I handed him the rice, I felt the paper slipped in my hand. Slipping it under my glove, I nodded.
"Thank you…" Taking the bag of rice to the checkout, Sai left. As I meandered a bit more, picking up a couple of other items, my mind was troubled with what I just learned. After grabbing a few more things, I turned and headed out. The sun was low, and I needed to be going. However, I stopped at a familiar tree. Scaling it, I peeked in the familiar bedroom. Seeing it empty, I slipped in, putting the package on the pillow. Slipping out, I was ready to leave when I could see the party going on in the backyard.
There seemed to be a big party going on. There were several villagers and teenagers there. I saw a big "13" as part of the decorations. Itachi, Sasuke, Shisui, Sakura and Hinata, as well as several other teens and preteens were there. Then, in the middle, I saw that gorgeous boy who was becoming a young man. I noticed that Naruto was maturing. Gone was the innocence in those blue eyes. He was getting taller and more muscular. Allowing myself a few minutes, I observed the party. Naruto was laughing, joy sparkling from his eyes. Mina and Kushina were there, happy as well. Hinata handed him a present and hugged him. As he kissed her gently, I felt the bile rising in my throat. I saw the script on his wrist that spelled out Hyuuga, Hinata.
Flash stepping out; I left the roll of sushi for the Hokage with the guards as thanks for the Village's hospitality. Inside the rice roll was the latest information I had gathered. Returning to the Akatsuki, I gave them the paper that Sai gave me.
Retiring for the night, I tossed and turned. Inwardly, I was upset. Sai should never be a spy. Deep down he was a good kid, he just didn't have a chance with Danzou leading and shaping him. That thought was soon pushed out of my head, as all I could see was Naruto's wrist, the heiress's name on it and him giving her a gentle kiss.
()()()
Rubbing my face, I heard the banging on my door. "Coming." I grumbled, crawling out from underneath Konan's arm. As the lavender haired woman mumbled, I threw the covers over her head. "You were much more of a morning person before we moved in together." I teased, slipping my mask on. No one in the Akatsuki, save Sasori before he died, and now Konan, knew what I looked like without my mask.
"You have another mission. It seems that you have someone chasing you, you need to stop them." Deidara stated, avoiding my state of undress. Yawning, I ran my fingers through my hair.
"Do we know who is after me and why?"
"Uzumaki, Naruto. He wants to bring the traitor home, and let justice be done." Deidara responded. "Pain wants you to bring him back here. He'll be quite a font of information, and a valuable hostage."