The next few days were just complicated. No one knew what was going on anymore and I myself was dumbfounded. It all seemed like a really long dream, and maybe some parts were dreams. But the image of Kabuto and that man Orochimaru stayed implanted in my brain. As for the whole situation with the Akatsuki, as soon as I was brought to one of our secret bases Konan took me into the infirmary. They had given me something to sleep that seemed to have knocked me out for days, until finally three days later I open my eyes to find myself alone. Before I was brought here though Deidara had carried me without a word. He couldn't even look at me in the eye. I tried to explain myself, but he wasn't listening.

"Konan…?" I finally spoke softly looking around the empty room. The silence was eerie and I slowly lifted myself feeling the bandages on my body from the wounds Hidan had caused. Just then the door slowly opened and I saw a familiar face walk in."Dei…" He walked towards me and stood by the bed with a blank expression. I wanted desperately to explain myself and for him to understand. My thoughts just seemed to no longer make sense.

I tried to reach for him, but instead my head fell onto his chest. He placed his fake hand on my shoulder and I tried to listen to his heart beat, but couldn't.

"I need to explain what happened…" I started pulling away and put on a serious face.

"There's no need for that un, Pein wants to see you in the meeting room downstairs." Without another word he left and gave me a half smile before leaving. I pushed the covers off and placed my cloak back on. I walked out of the infirmary and followed the long hallway till I reached the staircase. I passed by Zetsu's room which was now empty of him and then all the way to the meeting room. I was wondering why they didn't want to meet in the office, but it all became clear when I pushed the door open. Everyone except Itachi and Kisame were seated. I felt a glare form on my face and saw Hidan sitting in the seat in the back corner. Pein didn't look to happy either and I held in my breath before walking towards my chair.

"I should have known it wasn't going to be easy to forget…" I thought to myself. I looked over at Deidara who was starring into space.

"Nayumei we've all discussed it and felt that you have proven you aren't ready to be part of this organization."

I felt that sinking feeling in my stomach and my fist tighten. I looked at everyone who was starring at me. Then Tobi came out from the shadows and stared towards me.

"The ring is now Tobi's!" Tobi added with a bit of excitement in his voice.

"What…?" I stuttered.

"Tobi is now replacing the missing member of this organization. We're dropping you're rank. Maybe next time, if you prove yourself. We don't have time for people who put everything at risk"

Just like that everything I worked for went down the drain. I felt my blood boil as I slipped off the ring and through it at Tobi who caught it and placed it on his finger. Hidan did sort of explain to me back when we were fighting what exactly everyone was thinking and I was glad they weren't going to make this bigger than it was. In fact it shouldn't even be that big of an issue. I guess the Akatsuki were itching for the smallest opportunity to kick me out and send me back to where I started. Hidan began to say something but I walked out of the room without another word.

~::.::.::.::.:: A few minutes later::.::.::.::.::~

"If she helps us by killing off one of the Akatsuki members, then we can let her go, restore her memory, and lift the curse mark…"

Kabuto's words had definitely sunk in, but at the time she had made the decision that she wasn't sure if she was actually going to go through with it, but after what just happened she was starting to warm up to the idea.

"Someone's going to pay for this…" I spoke softly into the empty hallway.

"But it's your fault…" I heard Hidan's smirk and watched him as he walked towards me. I stood back up on my feet and looked down at the ground without saying anything as he began with his taunts. Hidan was too busy talking to notice the look on my face. He leaned on the wall and began talking about the things I had said during our fight and he began to chuckle.

In a blink of an eye I slammed my fist into the wall right by his face. His eyes stayed calm as the cement walls around him began to crack and crumble. My fist began to drip blood and all I could do was lift my head and stare into his face with disgust.

"I'm sick and tired of your voice… Just leave me alone!"

Hidan had finally seen a side of Nayumei that was rarely ever shown. The look in her eye some people like him could say was exciting, for there was so much hatred and even a murderous intention. He watched as she slowly walked off allowing the blood to drip from her fist and looked at the massive hole she had left on the space just inches away from his face. Like she was mocking him in away and that didn't sit well with him.

...…

"It's just a stupid ring; it doesn't mean I'm any less of a person…" I told myself looking into the mirror. I looked like a completely different person now that my hair was four times shorter then ever before. But the look was growing on me. I walked over to the drawer in my room and looked for the book I had kept my drawings. Just as I thought the one of Gaara was still in there. I placed my hand on it and felt a half smile form.

"Can you tell me why…? I think so much of you…" I spoke softly starring at the drawing. I laid on the hard floor and starred at my ceiling feeling my eyes close.

Now that Tobi was the one in Sasori's place, that would mean I would return being next to Zetsu. But maybe it was for the best since Deidara and I seemed to be only angering each other. Maybe this was my chance to get a break, and the least I could do was give it a fair try at getting along with him. As for Tobi he would be Deidara's new partner in crime and I wondered how that would play out.

~::.::.::.::.:: A few weeks later::.::.::.::.::~

The days had gone by and I felt like I was on probation! No one would talk to me and I only left my room to get something to eat or use the bathroom, but other then that I made no attempt to socialize. Deidara had gone off on a mission with Tobi and I wondered how that was going since Deidara couldn't stand the kid. There was barely anyone here anyways so it was good to have some peace in quiet and have time to clear my thoughts. It was safe to say I was confused about a lot of things, but I wanted to know more about myself. How sickening it was to be robbed of memories. I looked through my pictures one more time and found one of strange woman I drew long ago.

"Could this be her?" I whispered and was startled by a knock at the door. To my surprise I found Zetsu there and he said that I was assigned a solo mission.

"A solo mission?" Zetsu nodded before walking off. It been almost two months since the Gaara incident and though I still felt sad about it I had other things to worry about. Like the fact that I decided to follow Orochimaru's orders and no one even knew what was coming. After being robbed of my position I vowed that they would see the true power I possessed and that soon Tobi would become useless and they'd beg for me back. Ever since then I kept it on the down low and rarely talked to Deidara. This was a good opportunity to show them that I can be trusted. Or least make them think I was. I still had to think over my ideas before I was to do anything. Especially since I was just accepted back. "Wait Zetsu!"

Zetsu stopped and turned slightly. "Why aren't you coming?"

"I have other things to do. Don't waste anymore time." With that he disappeared down the hallway that was poorly lit.

"Hm…"

I gathered my things and walked towards Pein's office. He briefly explained that it was a simple task and that I was merely to collect data from this man in a far away village located near the hidden leaf village. Also I was to give him an envelope that contained people's pictures and other facts. It was a rather heavy envelope. I remembered the last mission I had like this where I was assigned to kill off the man, but this time was different. We still had to capture a few of the tailed beasts and this one was relating to one. Usually I was allowed to check the files, but Pein emphasized that I was no longer allowed to know any information at the moment and if I corporate this whole thing would soon be lifted and forgotten.

"One more thing Nayumei…" Pein added as I started to head towards the door. "Don't keep me waiting."

"Don't worry about that."

...

All was said and done. I finally started to head off and at a faster pace then usual. It would take two days of travel to get to this destination, but not for me. And if anyone would try and interfere then I'd have to eliminate them. Though it been awhile since I'd actually killed someone I felt that my attitude about that was changing back to the way it was at the beginning. It shouldn't matter. To this day I still couldn't fully understand why one person changed the way I thought and acted.

"I believe the two tailed beast is next on the list… but I just don't know anymore… ehh…" I sighed and pushed myself even more looking straight ahead.

After a few hours of nonstop traveling I stopped to remove my Akatsuki cloak and stuffed it in my backpack. This way I shouldn't be stopped and there wouldn't be an unnecessary delay. I continued on towards the location feeling uneasy and realizing I hadn't eaten breakfast. I noticed a trail and jumped out from the trees and onto the ground, carefully scanning around first then noticing a few places up ahead. My stomach's growling startled me and I sighed before walking up the trail.

"I believe the village is just a little past this…" I told myself and noticed a restaurant that was a light shade of pink. Without a second thought I licked my lips at the thought of some delicious food and pushed the door open with the bell attracting people's attention. I noticed a spot at the counter and took a seat looking around.

"What can I get for you today ma'am?" An old lady asked.

"Just tea for now…and maybe some…" I started and was startled by a very loud laugh. I looked around the restaurant and spotted a group that looked like they were from the leaf village.

"Settle down Naruto!" A girl with pink hair ordered. Once I got a good look of the boy I felt my heart beat increase and the nerves kicked in. But the two guys sitting across from them weren't with them before. One with unusually pale skin and the other most likely their sensei with light brown hair. A different sensei then the one I saw before.

"Here's your tea," The lady added placing a cup in front of me. I starred down at it and at my reflection. But all I could think of were the images of that day where we killed Gaara.

"Because if it was him… He wouldn't just leave someone in need die…"

"Hang on Gaara! We're coming!"

The voices began to spiral and I held my head as I quietly sipped my tea. Occasionally looking over at the energetic blonde boy that girl called, Naruto. The one that so desperately tried to save Gaara, but was too late. But he seemed too happy being that it was so recent. Occasionally I would notice Naruto's face expression change when he talked to the paler looking boy. I'd add more honey into my tea and look around trying to listen to what they were talking about and why they were here. I'd must have been noticed because their sensei was eyeing me as well with a suspicious look. I quickly ate a rice ball and paid and began to exit, accidently bumping into Naruto. My bag dropped and out fell the envelope Pein had given me. Naruto had also dropped an envelope. I grabbed one noticing Naruto's sensei eyeing me.

"Oh so sorry…"Naruto said helping me stand up. I couldn't help, but stare. This was Gaara's friend? And he was also a host for one of the great tailed beasts as well. Naruto noticed I was starring, but seemed like he had a very childish personality and just smiled apologizing.

"It's okay…" I mumbled and noticed his sensei notice my headband that I wore around my neck. It had the scratch through it like other Akatsuki members, but maybe that wasn't a good enough reason to prove who I was, but enough for suspicion. I quickly took my things and an envelope and rushed back out. I put it back on my back and headed off towards the destination. I felt uneasy again, but shrugged it off. Still in bewilderment that I had met Naruto, the same boy that must have been the one Gaara was talking about. I held onto the envelope excited because by this rate I would definitely get back early and this would definitely get Pein and the others to get off my back.

~::.::.::.::.:: A few hours later::.::.::.::.::~

Finally reaching the village I stopped to take a break. Quite amazed at myself by making it here in one day. I looked down at the envelope and knew Pein told me not to open it for there was a jutsu on it that would let him know if I did. But there was something odd about it. Now that I was getting time to reexamine it. The color was a different shade and it seemed a lot lighter then before. Not only that, but there was the fact that Naruto also had an envelope.

"There's only one way to find out… They will understand…" I stuttered nervously and opened it. When nothing happened I began to panic and kicked my backpack to the other side of the trail.

"I took the wrong envelope!"