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Disclaimer: Don't own Naruto

Beta: Arcturus Antlia Black

Read the bottom note for something fun!

The others had gone back to the base since the Sound Four event didn't occur until after Jiraiya and Naruto had returned with Tsunade.

It was just Kisame and I watching over Konoha, waiting for the plot.

Itachi had left a crow that would watch over Sasuke. Just in case.

"There goes the Pervy Sage and the kyuubi kid" Kisame nodded at the gate as they left.

"Off to fetch Tsunade. I'm glad Jiji didn't have to die this time around either" I mused. "We really are making changes, Kisame".

"Good" the Shark chuckled. "I did say we were tearing that future into itty bitty pieces".

I nodded. I just hoped what we were doing was causing the changes we wanted.

The next day

I yawned as we watched Konoha. It was now officially two days after the invasion.

"The new Akatsuki's showing up soon" I mused to the Shark beside me. "Wonder who's-"

"Look Sasori-sempai! Tobi's a good boy!" came the familiar singsong.

Kisame and I froze.

"Fuck" was my only response to that. Hidan must be rubbing off on me.

"Koneko, I believe now is a good time to start running" Kisame said quietly.

I shook my head quickly. "We move, they'll see us. He'll see us". Lollipop had the Sharingan after all.

"What the hell do we do then?" he whispered back as the Akatsuki grew closer. "They'll feel our chakra and investigate if we don't do something".

"Thinking" I responded.

Akatsuki. Not that far away now, walking calmly towards Konoha, signature cloaks moving in the breeze.

Desperate, I tried something I'd never done before. Yes I'd hidden my chakra. Yes, I'd hidden other members' when needed. But both at the same time?

I'd have to hide mine, Kisame's, and Samehada's for this to work.

FML

No choice. It was do or die. Quiet literally.

I moved to shove Kisame against the tree, one hand resting on him, the other going for Samehada.

I felt the scales dig into my hand as the sword start its chakra drain.

I grit my teeth and forced our chakra signatures down to non-existance.

Tobi POV

He was unamused. Which was why he was taking great pleasure in annoying Sasori.

He wasn't the puppet's usual partner. He technically wasn't even Akatsuki right now.

Sasori's normal partner had been injured. He was merely a temporary replacement.

So, he was making the puppet's life as annoying as possible.

He was honestly surprised Sasori hadn't tried to kill him yet.

But, other than being called an annoying brat, Sasori seemed to ignore him. Playing him at his own game.

Entertaining for a puppet.

Why was Tobi unamused in the first place?

He had a thorn in his side by the name of Yūgure.

They'd stolen all the really impressive S-class nuke-nins aside from Pein, Konan, Sasori, Zetsu and himself.

But, as of yet, they hadn't really meddled in his plans.

He supposed he was acting like a child who had his toys taken away.

"Look Sasori-sempai! Tobi's a good boy!"

Didn't mean he couldn't take his ire out on a certain puppet.

Something drew his attention. Responding to his instincts, he made a show of whistling as he scanned the trees with his Sharingan.

Looking for movement and searching for chakra.

To his mild surprise he found nothing.

He paused.

"Keep up, brat" came the snap from the puppet.

Hmm.

Perhaps Madara's training had made him a bit paranoid.

"Coming sempai~" he followed after Sasori.

Back to pretending to be a useless idiot.

Normal POV

I didn't dare move until the two figures had vanished into Konoha.

Even then I waited a few moments longer.

My head... the world was spinning.

My hand was bleeding thanks to Samehada's scales.

Kisame had told me the sword liked me more than it did most people that weren't himself.

That didn't mean it was happy with me touching it.

I'd had to keep our three chakras down all while a certain blade had been attempting to eat the chakra I was using to hide it.

This had made things all the more difficult.

When Lollipop had stopped and started to scan the trees, I'd thought we were screwed.

Because one little slip on any of our signatures and he'd know we were there.

But they'd continued into Konoha.

They would soon be seeking Naruto only to find him gone.

Tobi wouldn't reveal his strength to Jiraiya. It was too soon.

Pervy Sage could handle Sasori.

Things would hopefully go mostly canon with just two different people taking Kisame and Itachi's place.

World... spinning...

Low...

chakra...

I canceled my kekkei genkai.

Why... were there four Sharks?

Kisame POV

Being shoved against the tree had been the last thing he'd expected form Koneko.

He'd realized what she'd done when he felt her shove his chakra down.

He frowned. Even without Samehada, he had a lot of chakra. Hiding his and hers would be difficult for her.

Then he'd smelled blood.

Samehada did like her... more so than it did most other people.

But the sword did not like others touching it.

She was attempting to hide all three of them? At the same time?!

Koneko must have succeeded because the Lollipop bastard had left, following after the puppet.

He felt her release his chakra after a moment.

"Well, this is an interesting position" he attempted humor. Their current situation was certainly... suggestive looking.

That's when he'd noticed that glazed look in her eyes.

Her nose started to bleed before she collapsed against him.

"Shit" he cursed, picking her up. Chakra exhaustion. It had been a very long time since this had happened to her.

Samehada must've been eating away at her chakra the whole time for it to be this bad.

"Damn sword. You and I are talking later" he informed the blade. Samehada had the decency to make a guilty sort of movement on his back as he carried Koneko back towards the Yūgure base as fast as he could go.

Yūgure Base – 3rd Person POV

Only Itachi and Deidara were currently present at the base when their leader duo came rushing in.

Or rather, Kisame came rushing in, holding an unconscious Toki.

"What happened, hmm?" the artist was stunned to see the kunoichi down. She was a stubborn one, able to keep up with this insanity.

"Chakra drain" Itachi answered before Kisame. He knew the signs. "But why so severe?"

"We almost had an incident with the bastard Lollipop" the Shark replied as he carried Toki towards what they'd made into the medical area.

The other two followed, wanting to both know more about the incident and the sole kunoichi's condition.

"Almost?" Itachi was not aware it was possible to escape Tobi, though both Kisame and Toki looked unscathed. There must have been something that caused her to be taken out like this.

"They didn't see us" Kisame continued. "To prevent them from noticing us, she hid our chakra signatures".

"What about her hand, yeah?" Deidara couldn't help noticing that it had been wrapped. The bandages were bloodstained.

"Samehada" the Shark growled. His sword made a clinking noise, probably in as close to fear as the sentient blade could manage. "She touched it so she could hide its chakra too".

"Three chakras at once?" Itachi was impressed the kunoichi had survived.

"While Samehada ate her chakra" Kisame finished with a nod as he set about tending to his unconscious partner.

"Wow, un" Deidara mused "No wonder she's in bad shape, yeah".

"I'm hoping that crow of yours will be enough, Itachi. It's not safe for anyone to be too close to Konoha while the Lollipop is there" Kisame sighed. He'd done all he could. Now he just had to wait for her to wake up.

"I'll make it enough" the Uchiha promised. "After the encounter with Jiraiya the Akatsuki should go back down into hiding until later, if I remember correctly". Until the events of what Toki called Shippuden.

"Good. Dei, send a signal to the others. Make sure they know not to get close to Konoha or Tanzaku" the Shark ordered. Both he and Toki were relaxed people. But they knew when to take their roles as the leaders of this organization.

"On it, un" the artist went to make some more of his birds.

Normal POV

I honestly didn't know how long I'd been out.

All I knew was that my head was killing me and I was thirsty as all hell.

A blue hand presented a glass of water.

"Kisame, you're a mind reader" I murmured, accepting it. I started to heal myself of my headache.

"No Koneko. I just remember the last time this happened to you" the Shark gave me a slight grin.

It vanished after a moment. "You worried me".

"Sorry" I apologized "It had to be done. We're not even remotely close to being able to challenge Lollipop. You know that".

"I know" he snarled "But you knocked yourself unconscious, Koneko".

"It wasn't on purpose" I protested.

"I know that too. Damn sword was eating your chakra the whole time, wasn't it?"

"...Maybe".

Kisame gave a dark chuckle. "Don't worry, Koneko. We've had a talk about that".

I couldn't help glancing at Samehada on his back.

The sword didn't have any emotions, so it was a void on the emotional radar.

Still, it somehow looked... subdued.

"Don't be mean to Samehada, Kisame" I scolded.

"The damn blade hurt you, Koneko. I can be mean to it if I want" the Shark scoffed.

"Be nice or it'll abandon you for someone else" and Kisame without his sword is just not right.

"Heh. Like the idiot rapper? I remember you told me it liked his chakra" Kisame snorted "Not happening".

"Then be nice to your sword. Make it loyal for once" I countered.

Kisame sulked. "First you go and adopt a jinchuuriki. Now you're telling me I can't punish Samehada for misbehavior?"

"I'm saying be careful in doing so" I shook my head. "And you can whine all you want, I'm keeping Tanuki-panda".

The Shark snarled to himself. There was a pause and I didn't need the emotional radar to tell Kisame was irritated. "Fine" he finally muttered.

I'm not entirely sure if he was agreeing to keeping Tanuki-panda or if he was going to follow my advice and try to make Samehada a loyal sword for once.

I hoped it was both.

Several Days Later

"My crows tell me that Tsunade has returned to Konoha with Jiraiya and Naruto" Itachi spoke simply as he entered the base. "They had a fight with Orochimaru over being healed, like before. She was then inspired by Naruto to return and accept the Gondaime position".

"It's the Land of Tea next with Idate and Aoi" I sighed. "There shouldn't be any issues there. Still, Tachi, Dei, you two get surveillance on that".

"Got it, un" Deidara nodded.

Itachi gave me a stare.

"Your otouto will be there. It's a Team 7 minus Kakashi mission" I reminded.

"Very well" the Weasel nodded. Mentioning chances to help Sasuke were usually the best way to get Itachi to do things he didn't want to do.

"After that, it's the Sound Four" I finished.

"And Orochimaru" Itachi's eyes flickered red.

"Pedo-snake is all yours, Itachi-san. We'll help if needed" Kisame laughed "Try not to get any blood on you. I bet he's got some nasty diseases".

"Ewww" I shuddered at the thought.

"That's fucking disturbing" Hidan agreed.

"I just want that bounty" Kakuzu was unperturbed.

"We'll be handling the others then" Haku gave a slight grimace at the thought.

"They had better be worth the fight" Zabuza grumbled, probably not wanting to admit he was disturbed too.

"Maybe I should just turn him into art, un?" the artist was making a disgusted face.

"And deprive Itachi-san of his fun?" Kisame snickered at all of us.

"You are very strange, Kisame" Itachi stated bluntly.

"Koneko's insanity is contagious" the Shark smirked.

"Don't blame me for coming up with the idea that pedo-snake has diseases!" I protested.

"What? He probably does" the Shark shrugged "I'm just the only one that took that into consideration".

Tobi POV

Yūgure had been very quiet lately.

That incident with Jiraiya and the kyuubi jinchuuriki hadn't involved them at all.

He drummed his fingers as he wondered why this was.

Perhaps he had been giving them a bit too much credit?

Sure, they'd stolen most of the shinobi he'd wanted to recruit. There were even rumors they'd helped Konoha in Orochimaru's invasion.

But other than that, they hadn't done anything particularly interesting or spectacular.

Had he just been eager to have an interesting opponent?

Truly, he'd expected more from the organization that Itachi had supposedly joined.

Then again, Itachi was a cunning man. This could all be some elaborate plot that only Itachi himself knew about.

He wouldn't put it past his fellow Uchiha.

He nodded to himself, making his decision.

For now, it was best to lay low and wait. Sasori was pissed at him for being useless against the Sage anyway.

Or rather Sasori was pissed at Tobi for being useless.

He could've handled the Sage easily. But that would've given away his game far too soon.

Yes, he'd watch and wait.

See if Yūgure was worth of being considered an opponent.

Or if they were simply playing at being a threat.

Either way, he could dispose of them easily.

So, he'd entertain himself by watching them for now.

Omake – Adopted, Gaara POV

Mewf! He blinked, hearing the odd noise.

His eyes widened to see a small gray cat with a scroll in its mouth patiently waiting at the window.

The cat was lucky the Sannin had been able to fix his seal. Otherwise Shukaku would've been demanding its blood.

It was... odd. Being able to think clearly. But had to focus on this situation.

He went to retrieve the scroll out of curiosity. Assassination attempts weren't delivered by cats.

It was a containment scroll. Upon opening it, he unsealed two items.

A letter appeared first.

Tanuki-panda-chan! He instantly knew who this was from.

Just a reminder that I've adopted you! Your adoptive Tou-san, says hi! Well, it was more like a mutter, but you get the point. Anyways, I thought you might like this! A good parent gives nice gifts to their child after all!

His eyes went to the second item. A jar. Filled with... black sand?

It's volcanic sand! Shake the jar! Trust me!

He had his sand shake it instead. Glittering white sand and bits of odd looking glass appeared. Making the jar look like it contained the night sky.

The white sand is from tropical beaches. You have no idea how much it took to get that. The glass is lightning glass. Made by taking sand and mixing it with lighting ninjutsu from yours truly. Since you're an honorary member of you-know-what, but we can't exactly give you an outfit, I thought this would symbolize your membership in another way!

He did know. Yūgure, the name displayed on her haori. He was... a member? He supposed he didn't have much choice in the matter considering who was writing him.

Feel free to add this sand to yours if you want! Not sure you can find another use for the glass though.

Love,

Your adoptive Okaa-san

Ps. Would Kaa-chan be better?

He eyed the jar in almost suspicion now. "Response?" the cat asked, making him jump. Of course the feline could talk. It was one of hers most likely.

"... Thank her" he replied. "Tell her that... Kaa-chan is acceptable".

The formality of Okaa-san didn't suit her. He also knew she wouldn't give up until he called her one or the other.

The cat nodded and disappeared. He eyed the jar of black sand again.

A bit of the sand came out upon his calling it, mixing into the sand he used normally.

The rest he left in the jar.

That way it could still resemble the night sky.

Close calls with Lollipops are the worst.

Next time – "I'm leaving and you're not stopping me, Naruto!"

"Foolish otouto. Then I will stop you instead. Going with Orochimaru is not the way to surpass me".

CONTEST! –That's right, a contest. For all of you that are more artistically inclined.

This is for a NEW cover for Clearing Mist ^^

Rules! –I'm fairly flexible. All I ask is a picture involving either KisaToki or Yūgure. If you manage both that's even better. KisaToki is preferred but not obligatory.

You can find a detailed description of Toki on my profile plus fanart to help you visualize her :)

What you get if you win! – (aka my bribes)

1st place: Your art becomes the cover (obvious). You also get not one but two Omakes.

2nd place: You get a single Omake

All submitted art will be proudly displayed on my profile ^^

Deadline! –Today is February 2. You have until February 16 Two weeks, cause I know quality art takes time.