-J-

-Part 3-

I Can't Go Back to Yesterday Because I was a Different Person Then.

38: In Which Our Thought Process

December 19, Sunday

Life. It's only a four lettered word but the definition is an infinity of options. Some people go day after day, simply surviving until the next, hoping, praying that something, anything would come save them. Other's throw their fear aside and search for their own meaning of life. When it comes to me, the former is the closest, however, I had been alright with the life I'd been given. To merely survive was good enough.

But that was last week's thought pattern. One week later and that had crumbled. I am no longer that same person, the girl who could accept being just a college student and being satisfied with my lack of confidence.

Thinking back on it, I've changed alot. If someone had told me a few weeks ago, that a group of humans would find me and proceed to efficiently alter my life, I would have stared, turned, and walked away. Of course, the part that they turn into cats would sound crazy to anyone so I guess that 'normal' life didn't account for me anymore. If a group of anime characters would drop on me now, I most certainly wouldn't be surprised after the fact.

Even if there could be future others, none of them could be able to amount to the emotions that I'd built around the Akatsuki. This was proven by the sickening worry that was overtaking my system, bringing on a headache, and nearly causing me to throw up. But I kept pushing myself through the snow, willing myself home.

Thankfully, soon after Pain had fainted, he had returned to kitten form (the french fry probably having been fully digested) and had allowed for an easy exit of the store. The other Akatsuki had also returned to being their own furry selves only an hour later.

Convenient or not I was terrified for Pain. Out of all the other members, he seemed so . . .untouchable. Promise or not, I had to help him, he needed me and, damn it, I was going to help him!

The door was slammed behind me by the blustering wind that tried one last time to curl in from the slits in my shoes that were completely soaked, it was days like this that I wished I had a vehicle.

I sighed tiredly, zipping open the bag and placing it on the couch so that the rest of the Akatsuki could make their way out of the dark cavern. Leaving them to it, I rushed up the stairs, taking the small orange kitten from my pocket and cradling him to my chest. Flecks of snow turned to water on my coat and tried to drip down the fabric onto Pains body but were stopped by my free hand.

In the snow's defense I actually liked when it snowed, it was pretty and gave an excuse to never leave the comfort of my home, but nowadays it was just a hindrance. Even though the thought of being stuck at home was appealing, being stuck at home with eight Akatsuki members was not on the list of things to do.

Pain was turned instantly into human form as I opened his mouth and placed a french fry inside, he was half conscious and seemed to understand as he swallowed. Watching his cat body stretch and contort was truly...agonizing to watch. It twisted and the sound of bones snapping and reforming were loud, I remember not hearing it at the store but that was probably because I had been so nervous over the fact of meeting my furry friends all together.

I am proud to admit that when Pain had fully laid on the bed in human form I didn't look at his naked body before covering him up with my bed sheets so he was nice and covered, a nice sigh was released at the image.

"It would be so much better if they could just somehow revert back to human form With their clothing on...but that might be asking too much."

Pain's eye opened a slit as he shifted to lay on his side, gave a small groan and shifted to lay on his other side… he didn't stay lying like that either before he restlessly turned to lay on his back once more; finally he seemed to notice he wasn't alone and allowed his gaze to wonder over to me. Standing besides his bed and staring at his face I could tell he was sick; his purple eyes were watering and could barely stay open, shivers contorted his body and his fingers clutched and unclutched the top of the sheets over and over until they were badly wrinkled in his grip, his shoulders also were more...gaunt. It was a very haunting look that certainly puzzled me.

Tentatively I touched my palm to his forehead curious that his face was reddening and beginning to look moist, as if he were sweating. I pulled back my hand in alarm as my hand literally was burned by the skin above his eyes. Fear was taking over as my feet carried me towards the door, it could be possible that I might not be able to help him in this, I had never seen this before…

-tap tap-

The fear that had been raiding my brain caused me to whirl away from looking back on Pain and towards the door that was only a few feet away, a weird sound coming from the other side. Taking a deep breath I opened it slightly to see seven pair of eyes staring up at me, some with weird looks and tilts to their tiny heads.

"Pain's ill." It was all that was needed to be said for the kittens to part down the middle so that I could pass them.

Rushing down the staircase was suicidal with the wet boots but I actually managed not to kill myself (thank goodness, since Pain kinda needs my help right now). Squeaking on the wet floor by the door I made a quick turn and jumped into the kitchen.

My fingers were cold and shivering-I daresay they looked blue in tint- as they filled a bowl with hot water, grasped bottles medication for pains, one for temperatures, and one just in case he decided to throw up.

During my days of youth of the teen years I had come down with illnesses quite often and had learned how to take care of myself through them; the sicknesses had always been simply, the flu, a cough, or a random headache which came more often than not. Pain however, was a different case and my mind would not stop going over different scenarios as I carried my lot up the staircase and into my bedroom once more. The Akatsuki kittens had remained outside the door, just looking in at Pain who was still turning in his agitated state, he seemed as if he could not lay still, as if he was in literal pain that just wouldn't go away.

May quietly sat on the side of the bed and placed the bowl of hot water on her nightstand, dipping the cloth she had managed to hold onto on her adventure up the staircase, she quietly pressed it to certain parts of Pain's head before soaking it once more and leaving it lay across his burning forehead.

Shifting silently May noticed that Swirl was at her feet, his two different colored eyes looked up into hers before he leapt up into her lap where he turned to stare at Pain. The other Akatsuki kittens took this as an 'ok' to enter the room, all leaping up to sit atop the covers.

May snickered to herself, and did a silent laugh as a thought occurred to her. Most of the kittens looked at her clearly wondering why she was laughing at a time like this.

"If I remember correctly, I believe it was just this morning that I told you that none of you were allowed in my bed… well I guess this starts a contradictory of that decision. It was obvious that Ice was snickering and he seemed to give a little laugh as he came to sit besides May who carefully grasped a bottle that had edible tablets for temperature. Leaning forward May touched Pain's shoulder who immediately opened his eye to see what she wanted, but he stayed silent as she held up the meds.

"I need you to take these Pain, it will help with the temperature…" Pain squinted his eyes at her as if he had no clue who he was really taking to before opening his mouth to take the meds.

Satisfied that he had eaten them May finally stood up.

"Come on guys, those tablets will make him drowsy, he'll soon be asleep as we all should be." Yes it indeed was still early, not even after ten yet, but it had been a very long and tiring day and May just wanted to go die on her bed… but that was taken so next up would be the couch.

Sasori gazed towards Pain for only a second before giving a quick bow of his head, saying goodnight in his own way instead of saying it allowed. Jumping off the bed was much easier than jumping up had been, the air shifted through his warm fur and placed it back nicely upon his back as he landed on the ground and took off after May who was just at the bottom of the stairs.

The stairs used to be such a problem but now Sasori jumped down them with as much vigor as he could press into his limbs, avoiding wet prints that May's shoes had left behind was easier said than done though. When the stairs were finally safely behind him Sasori gazed around for May.

The first day here, Sasori had befriended May for some reason, not really sure why he Sasori of the Red Sand, someone who made actual humans into Puppets, someone who had turned his back on his own humanity since he had had no use for it, had felt a certain pull towards the girl even though he had been suspicious of whether he should trust her or not. May's kindness towards them was nice and had been expected since she had had no clue who they were. Personally Sasori had found it interesting and had wanted to learn more about why he seemed to actually care for the weakling… now Sasori understood that just because you didn't have chakra, that didn't make you weak in any sense of the word. From what he had learned, May had been quite the shy person, but ever since they had met she had had a fierce personality and sense of assistance towards them.

Sasori would admit that he liked the given personality and was happy that May had accepted them even if it had been...a trying experience to get her to accept, but in the end she had willingly done so.

May had proved it in his mind, he knew that she would protect them in anyway, he saw and smelled her fear for Pain who lay, probably dying, upstairs in her own bed.

Sasori couldn't stop the small smile the presented itself as he found May lying on the couch, covered fully in a thick white blanket that was tucked nicely around edges so that she looked like a little bug. She was turned to the back of the couch, shoving her face into the back cushions, seeking what warmth they would give her.

Shaking his head at how she was trying to get warmth, Sasori jumped up onto the couch and made his way over the side of her stomach and slid into the little alcove that her arms had made around her head, Sasori rubbed his head against her arm and waited for May to notice.

Eyes opened for Sasori to realize that her eyes weren't just gray colored, they had many varying colors, browns, grays, blues, and many versions of green that, up close, were very specific and well detailed.

May opened her mouth to say something but stopped herself from probably saying his cat name. "..Sasori…" The name coming from her tired mouth was a nice change and Sasori grinned before shifting to curl next to her face.

May smiled and hugged him to herself, relishing in the fact that Sasori had started purring and he didn't care at all who heard.

May was so tired and happy that she drifted off to sleep but smiled once more when she felt more weight jumping up onto the couch.

Thoughts of Pain were still happening but May was going to stay optimistic this time, Pain would get better, she would make sure of it.

Sleep was welcomed as she caved into it without a second thought to the situation.

Author: Ugh, this summer was supposed to be calming...-_- yeah sure *sigh* Sorry my dear fans for the delay, the beginning of this chapter was actually done awhile go but everytime I tried to write more something was always there to stop me, now It is FINALLY DONE!

ok ok, question time... Outside of the Akatsuki, who is your fav 'Naruto' Character? Hmm...Mine would probably be...maybe Gaara, I'm not sure, there are so many good characters and I like them all.