As White as Blood

Chapter Twenty-Five

The Akatsuki

As soon as the red head had left Sunagakure, he had spread the word that the Third Kazekage was missing. The news had expanded so quickly that it had reached Iwagakure. The village had taken advantage of the situation and had attacked Sunagakure, starting up a war between the two nations. It wasn't another world war as the other countries were staying out of the fighting.

The Kazekage lay on the table which had been moved to the centre of the River Country hotel room. He was tied securely with chains and rope, and the man had been humiliatingly stripped naked. Sasori didn't bother to gag the male; he would never cry out for help anyway. The red head was currently going over his medical equipment, making sure that he possessed all of the necessary tools. "I usually don't bother to draw out my victims suffering…" He picked up a small vial which contained an almost clear liquid, along with a sharp scalpel.

Sasori calmly turned and looked towards his helpless prey, giving a very slight smirk before traipsing towards the male. The red head immodestly climbed up onto the table, straddling the man's waist, placing his tools down on an empty space of the desk.

"…But I'm afraid that I am not so merciful to those who have wronged me~" He picked up the vial so that the unparalysed man could see it, "This is a watered-down version of my usual deadly poison. It won't kill you unless it is swallowed, but…" He pulled off the cork and tilted it, a single drop of the venom falling onto the male's chest. Jishaku winced and clenched his teeth, but made no vocal noises; he had a high pain threshold. "It hurts like a bitch."

Sasori smirked and chuckled sadistically before placing it back down on the table, picking up the scalpel. He brought the blade to the man's torso, meticulously mapping out his art…His smirk widened as inspiration struck him, and he moved the blade down, slicing into the pale skin. Sasori began to cut a trail through the flesh, blood welling up, but the Kazekage did not cry out at the sharp pain; it was nothing to him.

After a minute, Sasori had finished carving out the symbol; it was his puppeteer logo of a scorpion within a diamond. Once he finished, he heard Jishaku give a very slight sigh of relief, and the red head's sadistic smirk widened. The blood lust rose within his eyes and he chuckled very slightly, "This isn't over yet~ Things are just beginning~" Sasori began to carve out another scorpion logo, and then another, and then another, and then another, and then another…

-x-

He had covered the man's body with the markings; his chest, his arms, his legs, every bit of skin except for his face, his hands, and the part over his heart. Blood was smeared everywhere, but it wasn't enough to kill him. Sasori chuckled lightly and picked up the vial, emptying the contents onto the man's chest and into the open wounds. The Kazekage gave a half-groan-half-cry; his high pain threshold was nothing compared to the agony he was enduring.

Sasori's eyes narrowed in sickening delight, moving off of the male and back to his assortment of tools. He placed the empty vial down, listening in content to the muffled groans of the man behind him.

The red head cruelly smirked as he picked up the cleaving knife and four hair-ties, moving back over to the panting man. He didn't need to be over the male anymore, so he remained standing once he reached the table. "I usually cut my future puppets open at this point; pull out their entrails…But I think I'm going to change my order of procedures…Just for this special case~ You should feel honoured." Sasori held up the cleaver and brought it down swiftly, hacking the man's arm off at the shoulder.

The Kazekage hissed, but then gave a groan of agony once Sasori buried his hands into the wound, taking a tight hold of the broken artery. He tied one of the hair-ties around the artery, cutting off the flow of blood; Sasori didn't want to end this just yet. He moved over to the male's leg, hacking that off at the joint as well.

-x-

Sasori had finished cutting off the limbs of the man, and he was now kneeling over the male once again. Jishaku wasn't crying, but he was breathing too roughly, trying to ease his agony and his face was scrunched up in anguish. "You have quite the pain threshold…But I guess that is to be expected from a Kazekage…Your suffering will be over soon, old man. I could leave you in the state you are now; I could draw out your suffering, keeping you barely alive…But I don't have nearly enough patience to bother doing so; I've already wasted enough time as it is. So let's end your torment now."

Sasori picked the scalpel up again, moving it to the man's throat, "…Treason…" He managed to give the red head a weak, suffering smirk; even in his current state he still acted as if he were superior to Sasori, "…You're…A…Traitor…" The red head narrowed his eyes in disgust; how dare the man act as if he were still better than Sasori! The red head lost his burning temper and with one swift motion he slit the man's throat, instantly killing the arrogant mortal.

Fucking bastard!

-x-

Sasori lay safe on the bed of his inn room within the River Country, looking at the ceiling with boredom. Sasori gave a small sigh and sat up.

Revenge was no where near as fulfilling as he had hoped it to be. But at least he had his pride and his prize.

The red head gave a smirk and picked up one of the two scrolls from the table, opening it up. There was a puff of smoke and his new favourite puppet now stood in the middle of the room. Sasori stood up and began to examine the Third Kazekage. He had not given Jishaku the curtesy of looking human; his hands were clearly those of a puppet, and his jaw had been changed. Sasori had put the Iron Sand inside of the marionette so that it would be easy to summon, and he had graced the puppet with the usual hand-made black robe with a ruffled neck area. It was the most valuable addiction to his collection since he had turned himself into a puppet.

If the Third Kazekage marionette didn't prove his worth of being in Akatsuki then nothing would. Sasori resealed the puppet into the scroll and then sat down on the bed, putting the roll of paper back onto the table. The red head was still for a few seconds before he reached over further and picked up the other scroll which he had yet to read. Sasori opened it up and easily noticed Karura's familiar handwriting scrawled across the page.

'Dear Sasori;

If you have received this message, then that means that you tried to keep your promise, and I'm sorry for not fulfilling my side of it. Circumstances are bitter beings. I wish that you had stayed in Sunagakure, Sasori, but I do hope that you found what you were searching for beyond the walls. I have made many mistakes in my life, but staying in Sunagakure – even though it may lead to my death - is not something I regret.

I did not reveal one word about you to them, and so when I was sixteen they married me to Takeo. I was not a supporter of this…But I have grown to love him, just as he loves me. Soon I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, who I have called Temari. And then I soon gave birth to a son who I named Kankuro. I've told Yashamaru to teach him how to use the puppets that you gave to me as – unfortunately - Chiyo refused to teach him, in fear that he would turn out like you had - I personally hope that Kankuro does turn out like you. But Kankuro is smart, and I'm sure he won't need a teacher, being what a little autodidact that he is, even at his young age. Yashamaru learnt a bit about how to create Chakra Threads from watching you and I'm sure it will be a good starting point for Kankuro. I've also given Temari my fan for when she is older.

I then fell pregnant with a third child...Takeo and the Third Kazekage both made Chiyo seal a demon inside of my unborn child against my will. But I don't care for my own safety; even if this child ends up being the death of me, I only fear for his or her life. It must be a lonely life for a child to undergo, and I can't help but feel partly responsible…I don't know whether or not I will survive this pregnancy, so I am leaving this note and my bracelet just in case. I hope that one day they will reunite.' There was a change in the hand writing, as if she had decided to add the next part at a later date. 'I'll say hello to them all for you, though. I'll say hello to my unborn brother and my dead father. I'll tell Daichi how sorry you are. I'll tell your parents that they'd be so proud of you. And when I finally see you…Oh yeah, I forgot; you're going to live forever.

Please, if it ever comes to it…Protect my children and save them from harm. Even if this new child ends up being my killer, do not blame him or her, but please protect them.

I loved you, Sasori; if only we could have somehow been.

Be brave, as I always tried to be.

-Karura.'

Sasori read it over a second time before rolling the scroll back up and placing it to the side. He pulled his sleeve back to reveal the two bracelets which graced his wrist. Now he had been in possession of all three bangles at least once. Sasori looked at the Scorpion and the Wolf which adorned the unique bracelets, giving a gentle hum in thought. All he needed was the Dove he had originally owned and then they would be together once again.

He now possessed the Wolf; Loyalty, success and perseverance…Sasori now adopted the qualities as his own; the red head would never betray the Akatsuki.

-x-

Sasori turned up at the designated meeting location right on time - but the snake was a different story. The red head waited inside of Hiruko, overly annoyed; he hated to be kept waiting. Sasori had not been able to repair the damage to the puppet's sad mask, so he had carved a brand new mask that was twice as strong. The new shell was of a grinning face, as opposed to the sad broken one. Sasori believed that it suited his new content lifestyle particularly well. He no longer had the need to be sad, as he had no more worldly attachments that awaited death. Sasori had also sewn his puppet an Akatsuki cloak, copying the design of the one which he bore.

He had made up his mind; Sasori Yoshiko would no longer be Sasori of the Red Sand.

He would make that into Hiruko's identity, having put his Sunagakure headband around the puppet's neck. A slash was cut right through the gourd symbol which the metal slab bore. Only those who were lucky - or unlucky - would ever meet the real mastermind who loomed low inside of the puppet.

Sasori Yoshiko no longer existed.

The meeting place was in view of Konohagakure, and the red head was not in the mood to get into a fight. Sasori gave an annoyed sigh, but his eyes widened when he suddenly heard a loud boom in the background. The red head frowned and was about to look at where the noise had sounded from, when a voice stopped him. "Now that is a rare sight." Sasori looked to his right and saw that none other than Orochimaru stood leaning against a tree. His face was set in the direction of the village, and he was watching the looming sight of Konohagakure with interest.

Sasori made Hiruko frown and he turned to follow the snake's gaze. He was taken aback by what he saw. A giant red creature stood inside of the village walls.

It was enormous compared to the rest of the surroundings, and the creature looked utterly enraged. Sasori watched as what appeared to be a giant fox - or a similar creature - began to terrorize Konohagakure. The red head stared and tried to count the various whipping tails which were flying about wildly in the air above the village. He counted roughly nine, even though the tails were moving so ferociously fast. Sasori continued to watch it for a few seconds before turning back to Orochimaru. "Did you have something to do with this?"

The snake didn't take his eyes from the monster, but a smirk formed on his lips. "I wish…Such power…" He gave a chuckle and widened his smirk. "I left this village last year, and I have not been back since." Orochimaru finally looked at the hunching mass of Hiruko, letting his smirk fall. "So what have you managed to achieve in the past four years?"

"I killed the Third Kazekage and added him to my puppet collection." There was an odd silence suddenly in the air, despite the sounds of destruction and screaming which filled the background. Both Akatsuki members were still for a while, before Orochimaru gave a bemused sound.

"That is indeed impressive, Sasori. Very well; I shall accept you as my partner in the Akatsuki." He crouched down and pulled the end of Hiruko's bandana up. Sasori wearily watched as Orochimaru slipped something inside of the puppets mouth and then straightened up. "Put that on your left thumb."

Sasori came back to his own consciousness and put his hand into the gap which was Hiruko's empty mouth, picking up the object. The red head pulled it close and frowned at it. He couldn't see the ring in the darkness, but he already knew that it read 'Jewel'. Sasori did as he had been instructed and slipped it onto his left thumb. He gave a sharp gasp as an icy feeling constricted his heart capsule for a few good seconds.

It was almost like he fell unconscious, because he was no longer in the Fire Country. He sat in the middle of a cave inside of Hiruko, but he was no longer himself. Sasori was still aware of his true body which was now far away, but he didn't try to reach it. The red head looked around using Hiruko's eyes and saw others standing not too far off, including Orochimaru. They were unsolid figures that were colourfully see-through except for their eyes and the white outlines of the clouds which their outfits bore. "Introducing Sasori of the Red Sand; our newest member of the Akatsuki."

"Hey Sasori," it was an unfamiliar voice that spoke up, and the red head looked over at the image which seemed to have talked. "My name is Kisame; welcome to the Akatsuki." The male voice gave a chuckle, and his small eyes were staring intently at Hiruko. "Just don't get on my bad side, or you won't last long~"

The introductions went around one by one in a similar structure, though usually minus the threat. The other unknown figures revealed their identities as Kakuzu, Pein (though he demanded to be called leader), Zetsu, Fumaru, Konan, and Keisu. "You are now an official Akatsuki member. Wear the title with pride, and if you ever reveal our secrets, expect a painful end." Sasori simply nodded Hiruko's head in agreement. "Very well; I'll have Zetsu bring you your first mission in a few days. Is that understood?"

Both Orochimaru and Sasori gave agreements on this and then the red head was back inside of his own real body. The red head blinked his brown eyes out of habit and then once again took over Hiruko. The snake was looking back towards the village which was still under attack by the giant fox. "Well then…Let us be off." Sasori nodded Hiruko's head and Orochimaru turned away from Konohagakure. He looked at the puppet for a few seconds before he turned and began to traipse along the path which led away from the doomed village.

Sasori looked back one last time at the village and the enormous monstrous killing machine which was currently reducing Konohagakure to rubble, before he began to walk alongside the snake without any real thought about the giant demon or of helping the insignificant village.

-x-

Orochimaru and Sasori had been staying in a Vegetable Country hotel when the messenger from the Akatsuki arrived. He inhumanely seeped up through the floorboards and opened up a Venus-flytrap-like accessory which surrounded his head. The odd growth made the red head almost compare him to his old pet plant, Asuko. The 'man' was half black and half white, while the rest of his body was covered by an Akatsuki cloak. So this was the member who went by the name of Zetsu? Just being around him was intimidating for the new red head. That was the one thing which he found unsettling about the organisation so far.

He was the newest member, so did that automatically make him the weakest of the organisation?

It irked the red head off because he was used to always being looked up to and marvelled at as if he were situated upon a golden pedestal. But he would not get the same treatment in the Akatsuki, as they were all of the same power as he was, probably even more so. Sasori decided that he would just get over the stupid pestering feeling; he was not that vain, after all. He certainly did not suffer from an inferiority complex…But Sasori did have goals that he wanted to achieve. Just as he had once told the Third Kazekage…He was one day going to reach the top, and when he did, Sasori was going to stay there for all eternity.

Zetsu looked about the room, the two glowing yellow orbs which were most definitely his eyes glancing – without hesitation - from Orochimaru, who had been looking out of the window, and then to Sasori, who was currently situated inside of the dark depths of Hiruko's body, thinking. The red head was leaving the sanctuary of his puppet less and less as time slipped by, and now it was a surprising feat if he were to leave the safe shelter once a week. He even converted his puppets using Hiruko's hands rather than his own.

"So you must be Sasori?" The plant man snickered at the puppet, obviously being fooled into believing that Hiruko was the real missing-nin. The red head did not feel like correcting the man. The Akatsuki would probably take him more seriously if he looked as intimidating as Hiruko, so he'd let them believe what they wished to. "Shut up, this is no time for introductions; we already have gone through that all before. Besides," the Akatsuki member talked to his other personality with absurd normalcy, "we don't even know if this one will last long enough to be worth conversing with." Sasori had realised during the meeting of a few weeks ago that Zetsu possessed two different personalities, and that it was completely ordinary for the plant-man to talk to him self. "Just look at this guy! Even I'm freaked out by him, and that is saying something compared to the shit that we've seen." Sasori didn't know whether to feel insulted or complemented, "He's going to be in the Akatsuki for a long time!"

Sasori gave a harsh, annoyed sigh. "Please stop with all the debating." The twenty year old subtly narrowed Hiruko's facial features. "You have a mission for us, do you not? Do not keep me waiting." He could act just as superior as the stupid plant freak.

Orochimaru looked away from the window and the yellow flowers which sat outside of the inn, gazing over at Zetsu. "I'd do what he says," the snake gave a cunning smirk; "he is particularly impatient, so it really is best to not keep him so flustered. What is the mission from Leader?"

The Akatsuki were a mercenary group of S-Classed missing-nin from all around the world who were hired by villages for help. It was all a part of the plan on how to achieve world domination, and at the same time, world peace.

"Yes, the mission. Leader has given you a B rank mission for starters. It is simple enough, and I am sure you'll be perfectly capable of completing it. You are to travel to the Land of Apples and assassinate the Daimyo, Mamoru. Understood?" Before Sasori or Orochimaru could talk, Zetsu's other personality already cut in. "Of course they understand! We Akatsuki are missing-nin, not children."

The red head rolled Hiruko's eyes, giving another harsh sigh. "That is understood. Thank you, Zetsu." The plant-man was still for a few seconds before he looked over at Orochimaru. He nodded in content, and Zetsu glanced once more over to Sasori.

"Okay then; that is good. We shall return in a month's time. Be sure that your goal is achieved within that time period, or there will be consequences. Goodbye." Before he disappeared back into the ground, his less-serious half spoke out. "But you won't disappoint, so I'll see you both in a month when your mission is complete. See ya!" The other side gave a snicker and then the plant-man was no more, having disappeared back into the floor.

"Well," Orochimaru gave a thoughtful hum and returned to gazing at the field of yellow flowers which waved from behind the glass window, "you certainly made an odd first impression on Zetsu. Even his white side didn't trust me one bit when I first joined." He smirked and then looked over at the closed flower bud which was Hiruko, concealing inside of its grotesque body a beautiful red rose. "That puppet of yours certainly demands respect from others."

Sasori looked over at the snake, relaxing Hiruko's face into a content countenance. "My puppet isn't the only one who demands respect from others; I've been demanding it my self since I was a child in that forsaken hellhole known as Sunagakure."

Orochimaru gave a hum, before he once again returned to his window gazing. "Apple Country is a week's travel via boat, and since the deadline is in a month, it would be best if we were to start moving tomorrow. We'll spend the night here and be gone before dawn passes."

Sasori nodded Hiruko's head, "Very well." The conversation ended there and the red head returned to his usual thoughts.

-x-

Ever since he had become Orochimaru's partner, Sasori had grown so paranoid about being attacked while he was in his so called 'sleep' that he had set up a small security system to operate while he was in the suspended animation. A very slight chakra network buzzed around Hiruko while Sasori was unconscious. It was barely detectable, but very effective. If a fast moving object such as a kunai knife were to enter the chakra field then Sasori would immediately regain consciousness. The same would happen if one who had a high - or even a moderate - amount of chakra were to step foot inside of the network. Nothing small or insignificant - like a raven - would disrupt the chakra enough to awaken Sasori - unless it was flying at the same speed as a tossed kunai knife.

So when Sasori was abruptly awoken in the morning, he was quick to take control of Hiruko. Orochimaru stood within the four metre boundary, blinking slowly as the puppet suddenly came to life before giving a soft hum and a smirk. "I was just going to wake you up, Sasori; there's no need to get so tense~" The red head sneered inside of the puppet, but he didn't bother to complain. What was the use? "Let us be off; the Land of Apples awaits~"

Sasori gave a slow nod, "We'll need to go to the closest port and hire a boat or ride a ferry over the ocean. Do you know where the nearest harbour is?" Orochimaru continued to give his smirk and he nodded his head in a yes. "Good then; let's go."

And so began Sasori's very first mission as a true Akatsuki member.

He was off to the Land of Apples.