"Can you believe it?" Gaara looked over at the strangely infuriating scene of the small girl fast asleep on top of Hidan on the couch, "How can anyone be so calm around a cold hearted criminal like that?"

Kankuro raised an eyebrow at his younger brother, he decided not to bring up the fact that he once was a cold hearted criminal too, "People can change Gaara, maybe they're not as bad as we think. Maybe they've had someone who came along and changed their complete outlook on life."

"Perhaps…"

"But I do have to admit that they're not as bad as I first thought, maybe an alliance could work between us and them."

Hidan groaned and tried to roll over but got stuck and flopped back, "Geez, you're fucking heavy."

"Heavy?" Elle groaned herself and sat up, she pulled back her hand back and punched him directly in the face before climbing onto the floor and going back to sleep, "Asshole."

"Little bitch," Hidan finally rolled over and fell back to sleep as well, either not noticing or ignoring his profusely bleeding nose. The two began softly snoring once more, completely unfazed about what just occurred.

Kankuro laughed softly and stirred his tea, "No wonder the girl is messed up."

"Agreed."

Zetsu smirked as he watched the girl fight his clones, they were obviously worn out but orders were to keep them going until one collapsed. He was guessing that May was going to fall first since she was using straight Ninjutsu and therefore more chakra than the other two. He chuckled softly as Tay went flying backwards, into a tall tree, and cried. How he loved torture and the screaming that went with it.

"Zetsu-san, we need to stop," May panted softly, she didn't know how long they had been out there but the sun was halfway through the sky now, "We can't do this anymore."

"You will go until one of you collapses, those are the orders."

"Tay's not moving."

"Then it is break time," he turned and started to melt into the scenery, "I'll be back after I've eaten my fill."

"Right."

Abi exhaled happily after he left, his clones disappearing at the same time and then turned her head to the girl lying on the ground, "Get up, we need to talk."

Tay rubbed her sore back; she faked being unconscious so they could take a break, "What's with you? You're never this serious."

"You guys are really starting to piss me off."

"What?"

"How can you just give in to him so easily, he's a bastard and we should be training to destroy him," Abi frowned deeply, it wasn't that she told off her friends but when she did, she meant business, "Not listening to and obeying every fucking word he says."

May splashed some water on her face, she wanted to tell her about what happened but she just couldn't bring herself to do it, "We can't kill him, he would kill us before we could even blink."

"If Elle was here we…"

"She's not here so we can't," Tay stamped her foot at the thought of hurting her Tobi, he promised he was going to look after them, "We should just do as we're told and things will work out just fine."

"How can you say that Tay? That man is a monster. He killed Elle."

"No he didn't, it was the scouts from Konoha."

"How blind can you be?"

"He didn't do it."

"Shut up you two," May cut her arm between the two who had moved into each other's face, they were breathing heavily having gotten so worked up, "Tay, I know you have a thing for him but he doesn't care about you, trust me when I say that man is nothing but scum. And Abi, we have to follow orders unless we want to end up like Elle, please don't go do anything stupid," She pushed them apart and sighed, she had no right to say any of this because it was out of her own selfish fear, "I don't want to see either of you get hurt because of something as stupid as not following an order, so please just do as you're told."

"I'm always following orders."

"I know, Abi?"

Abi clenched her fists and nodded, of course she wasn't going to give up now but the least she could do would be to put May's mind at ease. Zetsu climbed out of a tree, pausing only to wipe some stray blood from the side of his face, "Back to work."

"Stay inside and just concentrate on your chakra control," Itachi gave Elle a few final orders as he and Hidan packed up to go back to the hideout, "Don't be afraid to talk to the others here, we are going to form an alliance with them so you should make some friends okay?"

Elle frowned and fiddled with the rips on her on her shirt, "And you're positive I can't stay in the forest?"

"No."

"Not even if you bury me under a rock or something like that?"

"No Elle, stay here and don't be a pain."

"Okay," she looked quickly over at Hidan and gave him her best pleading look, "Are you sure I can't live under a rock?"

"Shut up, you're staying here."

"Man."

Elle flopped back onto the couch and started mending her torn cloak. Hidan marched out the door behind Itachi once he was satisfied she was going to stay put. Outside, Itachi was saying some final loving words that were for his brother's ears only. Hidan scoffed to himself at the touching scene, "Are you just going to stand around or are we going back?"

"Shut up Hidan."

"Move it."

"Fine," Itachi quickly poked Sasuke in the forehead and smiled, "Don't forget to push Elle-chan, if you treat her like a doll she will try to kick your ass."

"Hn."

The two Akatsuki members left soundlessly, the only visible imprint they left was the small lingering smile on Sasuke's face. It wasn't long before the hideout was in sight and with new high spirits coursing through their veins, a new hope for freedom, the pair could not wait to see everyone again, but they were extremely careful as to not show it upon either of their faces. The hideout was unusually quiet, a quiet that could not be explained by Hidan's lack of a rude greeting alone. Itachi walked slightly faster as they entered the building and found Kisame polishing his new massive sword with a dark look on his face, "What's wrong Kisame-san?"

"You're back?" Kisame nodded lightly in greeting and dropped his sword to the ground, the floorboards groaned loudly on the verge of splintering, "It's about time, where the hell did you two go?"

"That is a matter to be discussed at a safer time. Where are the girls?"

"Don't bother, they aren't allowed to speak to anyone. Tobi-sama has them bowing to his every whim."

"You're joking."

"Do I look like I'm joking Itachi? Hey Hidan."

Hidan nodded in greeting before moving off to contemplate in his room, the other two weren't sure what it was but they knew it was going to be dark and involving a lot blood. Itachi turned his head towards the door, scanning for any sign of Tobi's chakra signal, "Where is Tobi?"

"He went to the one of the old hideouts; I think he's gone looking for a new place to stay."

"So he's not here?"

"No…"

"Good, I have some exciting news Kisame," Itachi leaned happily against the wall; the silent girls will go back to being themselves when they hear the news, "It seems our little Elle-chan is still alive."

Kisame's eyes went wide as a gruff chuckle escaped his throat, "No way! Did you see her?"

"I spoke to her, she's staying with Sasuke and, believe it or not, she actually misses us."

"How did she survive?"

"She managed to grab onto a log and stopped herself from drowning. Konoha-nin found her, patched her up and now she's very alive and kicking."

"The others will want to know all about it."

"Also I've arranged a small alliance with both the Hokage and the Kazekage, they seem appreciative of our assistance to kill Tobi and, in exchange we get a second chance in their villages."

"Things are finally starting to look up for us, aren't they Itachi-san?"

"They are indeed."

Water trickled softly, drips echoing throughout the near deserted cavern. Tobi hummed softly to himself as he remembered all the planning, the long nights, the underestimating he did in this very cavern. He would not make those mistakes again.

The reason he came was not to relive the past or dwell on unchangeable events but the menacing ninja couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to happen and he was going to lose the control he had. He needed a backup plan. And what better back up plan than to resurrect two of the most hated criminals in this shinobi world.

He spotted the rotting corpse of Kabuto and ran his hand across the pale flesh, "If you fail me this time, you will regret I ever brought you back."

All it took was a few hand signs, marking the Edo Tensei, and soon the inanimate body stirred from its eternal slumber. The head rose and looked confusingly at the man in the mask, "You brought me back?"

"I need to use you; I'm going to find Orochimaru right now. However I don't know where his body is…"

"I guess I'll show you the way then, Tobi-sama."

"That's what I thought."

Slowly manoeuvring through the busy village streets, Konan made her way past unwitting people; she was pleased that no one recognised her. All it required was a simple white dress and a small adjustment to her hairstyle. But Konan had another problem; she had no idea where or how she was going to find Naruto. Somewhere was a better place to start than nowhere. Halfway through the unfamiliar market, she spotted Itachi's younger brother walking nonchalantly down the road with a large bag of food in his arms followed him. He didn't seem to notice her tailing him all the way back to his house. He opened the door with a swung, pausing only to yell, "Dobe I'm home."

Dobe? A strange nickname but it symbolised the bond ran deep. She had no other choice but to knock softly on the door and waited for it to be opened for her. The young Uchiha opened the door and stared silently at her, she smiled softly, "Hi there, I'm looking for Uzumaki Naruto."

"Hn," he turned his head and yelled over his shoulder, "Dobe it's for you."

She waited happily as the young shinobi stuck his head around the doorway, his smiled widened as she ran in and hugged him, "Hello Naruto."

"Konan-san," he laughed and returned her hug, "It's been so long."

"I know, I know, how have you been?"

"I've been great, everyone is so happy now that the war is over and even Sasuke came home."

She sat down at the kitchen table and admired the modest surroundings, "That is excellent news; however I came here to discuss other matters with you."

"Hmm?" his head bobbed to the side confusingly as he stared innocently up at her, "Itachi and Hidan left a few hours ago, they pretty much told us everything."

"They were here?"

"Yeah…didn't you know?"

"No I didn't…why were they…?" she turned her head as the bathroom door opened, her face shone when she saw the small girl looking refreshed and clean walk out in nothing more than a boys shirt, "Elle-chan!"

"Konan-san!" Elle jumped into the woman's arms and knocked her off her seat, "What are you doing here?"

She smiled and patted the small girl's head, "I originally came to talk to Naruto about an alliance between us and this village but apparently I'm a little late aren't I?"

"Just a little bit."

"Now about your clothes…"

"All mine are ripped up and I need to fix them," Elle climbed off Konan and smiled happily despite her lack of clothing, "Naruto-kun is lending this to me until I can fix all of mine. Never mind that, how are the others?"

"They're…coping…" Konan didn't have the heart to tell her that Tobi had them all wrapped around his little finger, Elle just looked so happy, "I'm so glad you're alive, you have no idea how much everyone misses you."

"I feel so loved."

"You should."

The front door opened and a gruff voice groaned from the doorway, "Don't tell me, more Akatsuki right? Fucking hell."

"Nice to meet you too," Konan nodded at the two who had entered the room and eyed her carefully, "My name is Konan, and you are?"

"None of your damn business lady."

The shorter boy with red hair growled deeply before bowing slightly to Konan, "I am Sabaku no Gaara, I am the Godaime Kazekage of Suna."

"It is so nice to finally meet you Kazekage-sama," Konan bowed deeply out of pure respect and a little bit of hope that if he thought she was no harm he would take extra care in looking after Elle, "May I apologize now for any and every trouble my association has caused you and your village."

If he was surprised about her respect and apologies for him, he didn't show it, "Accepted, now may I ask as to why you are here?"

"It seems I came here to do something that has already been done, however I see that coming here wasn't a complete loss," she smiled at Elle and placed her hand on the girl's shoulder, "I trust you will be taking good care of our little Elle-chan."

"Of course, and you will have your second chance once Tobi is dead."

"I understand," Konan gave Elle a knowing glance before brushing herself off and heading for the door, "I should get back so we can discuss the details of the plan to eliminate Tobi, I hope to see you again very soon Kazekage-sama."

"And to you Konan-san."

Konan kept quickly back through the trees, changing her clothes as she went. She knew her Pein was going to be overjoyed when he heard about Elle and the girls will have to start talking to her after that. Things were finally turning around for the Akatsuki.

They had to know. They had to know now and nothing was going to stop Deidara from telling them. He had even learnt what he was going to say in English so Zetsu would be clueless as what he was telling them. His final jump landed him at the edge of the grounds, each of the girls looked completely exhausted and at the stage of nearly passing out. The long haired blonde charged forwards but halted when Zetsu stood in his way, "What are you doing here Deidara?"

"I'm here to talk to the girls un."

"You know that Tobi-sama has forbidden them from speaking to you."

"I can still speak to them," he looked directly at the three who were looking very confused at him, "She's not dead."

Zetsu growled through clenched teeth, "When did you learn English?"

"None of your business un."

"Don't make enemies you can't beat Deidara, turn around now and I won't tell Tobi-sama about this."

Deidara stood his ground, someone had to protect the girls from Tobi, "I'm not scared of him, tell him what you want I don't care un. If he wants to stop me he's going to have to kill me."