Lauren's POV

Remember how I said it got awkward? Well, it didn't. Actually the tension that entered the room with Sasori was dreadful, but at the time neither I nor my bomber friend noticed that.

Deidara and I both blushed, thinking that Sasori was gonna kill our asses right there and scrambled up. I used Deidara as a shield and hid behind him, trying to cover up my nearly half naked form as Sasori stepped through the doorway into the room.

"Orochimaru is closing in on the base with an army of sound ninja." He stated gravely.

"WHAT?" Deidara and I both questioned in shock. He looked at me and I looked at him and then we both ran around the room throwing our clothes on and gathering weapons.

Sasori rolled his eyes and smirked as he watched us flurry around the room. "So what were you two doing before I came into the room?" He teased.

Both Deidara and I froze for a second to stare at him and then began running around again.

"We weren't doing anything," we chorused.

"Of course you weren't," he drawled, the smirk never leaving his face. "Because when two teenagers are on the ground nearly naked, lying on top of each other, nothing is going on, right?"

Deidara and I both glared at him. "Shut up, Danna (un)."

Sasori chuckled, completely enjoying our reactions to his tantalizing. And because of that fact he decided to continue.

"Damn brat, I knew you liked her, but trying to get to home base already? Did you even kiss her yet?" He said, clicking his tongue.

Both Deidara and I froze again, but only this time Deidara blushed furiously. I stared at him in shock.

'Deidara…likes me?'

Sasori laughed and began to exit the room.

"Pein has called a meeting," he stated seriously. "Both of you need to be in the meeting room ASAP so we can discuss battle plans."

The both of us nodded and Sasori dipped his head towards us before disappearing into the hall.

I pulled on my ninja boots and tied my hair up into a ponytail, grabbing my katana from the end of the bed as Deidara strapped his bag full of clay onto his waist after buttoning his Akatsuki cloak.

Once being sure that we had all the tools needed Deidara and I both nodded at each other and headed from the room towards Pein's chambers.

On way we walked in silence. A silence that I just had to break.

"So, um…Sasori said that you liked me?" I asked hesitantly, watching as Deidara stiffened beside me.

"Y-Yeah, un, I do." He stated a light pink tint returning to his cheeks.

I smiled.

"Well that's good," I stated just as the meeting room came into view. He stopped and gave me a questionable look and I laughed, kissing his cheek swiftly before walking into the chamber where everyone else was gathered. "Because I like you too."

Deidara lingered in the hall for a second, bring a hand up to touch his warm cheek before grinning and entering the room after me.

Normal POV

Once all of the 13 members were seated Pein stood.

"I'm sure by now that all of you have heard of the approaching threat," he said, watching as all eyes turned to him. "Orochimaru is planning on attacking the base and we need to take action."

"But why the hell is that fucker attacking us anyway?" Hidan interjected.

"Because we have something, or rather, a few teenage girls that he wants," Kakuzu answered looking around the table at the three said girls.

Pein nodded. "Precisely, and because of this I'm going to have Tess-san, Taylor-san and Lauren-san stay with a pair of you at all times. Do not let Orochimaru get his hands on these girls."

The group nodded.

"I will be placing the girls with groups that there powers would best attribute in, therefore, Taylor-san," the blonde looked up, "you will be placed under the care of Kisame and Itachi because your speed will be best with their powerful attacks and genjutsu."

Taylor nodded and looked over to Itachi who gave her a reassuring nod.

"Tess-san, your powerful attacks will be best matched with Hidan and Kakuzu's, so you will be with them." Tess nodded in understanding.

"And Lauren-san, you will be with Sasori and Deidara because your short range attacks are best fitted with their long range ones."

Lauren also nodded and turned towards the bomber and puppet master who both nodded back. Everyone knew that this battle would be a hard one to win.

"Zetsu, Tobi, Konan, and I will be the first line of resistance. Hidan, Kakuzu and Tess will be guarding the entrance to the base along with Itachi, Kisame and Taylor. Deidara, Sasori, and Lauren you will be positioned on top of the base, it is your responsibility to alert the others of the enemy's position. Is this understood?"

"Hai."

"Good, the enemy will be here in approximately 20 minutes, everyone get to your post and prepare for battle. Dismissed."

All thirteen members ran from the room heading to their positions outside the base. Lauren gave Tess and Taylor's hands a reassuring squeeze and they both smiled at her before they reached the river outside the base having to spit up.

Pein and his group all ran into the tree's disappearing into the cover of the forest.

Tess and Taylor along with the rest of their group readied their weapons. Kisame unwrapped the bandages from around Samehada while Hidan grabbed his scythe and Taylor took out her flying thunder god kunai. Tess also pulled on her gloves as Itachi activated his Sharingan. And to have even more of an advantage Kakuzu released his monster heart…thingies.

Inside the forest Pein summoned the other paths and Madara activated his Sharingan, not feeling the need to use his Tobi persona around the people that already knew of him.

"I never thought it would come to this only to protect three teenage girls," he murmured.

Pein glanced at him. "Would you rather have us willingly give the girls to Orochimaru?"

Madara chuckled. "No, I meant that these girls have just become such a hassle for us. All of the member's already treat them as family and they've only been with us for 2 weeks."

Madara wouldn't ever tell anyone but he secretly liked the girls too.

…

…

Meanwhile on top of the base Sasori had summoned his puppets and Deidara and Lauren were currently scouting the sky's.

"Do you see them, un?" Deidara asked as the continued to circle around.

"Yeah," Lauren replied scanning the forest with her Sharingan, "they're about 600 ft in front on Pein and closing in."

"Alright, un," Deidara nodded and started to lower the bird, "let's go tell Zetsu."

A few seconds later Lauren and Deidara had their feet planted on the ground.

"They're about 600 feet in front of Pein," Lauren told Zetsu as she hopped off the bird.

"Alright, We'll go report to him now," he replied sinking into the ground.

Lauren sighed and rubbed her head once he was gone.

Why couldn't Orochimaru just leave them alone?

…

…

"He's about 200 feet ahead of us right now," Zetsu stated appearing from the ground.

"Alright," Pein nodded and held up his hands. It was time, the war was beginning.

"Shinra Tensei!"

DUN DUN DUNNNN!

Shit's going down.

I don't have much to say, though I'm sure some of you figured that already since I pretty much declare it every time.

But this time it's true.

Sigh, Imma go.

Oh wait!

GO LEVY X GAJEEL! XD I LOVE THEM.

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