Saturday (Dec 25) part 2 -Christmas-


The bed was warm as the kittens became another blanket for me, their furry bodies snuggling up against the legs and hips in a cute fashion. My fingertips were tickled when I brushed them through the fur of Choc, then of Berry.

The proof before me showed that this whole situation was real and yet at the same time my brain continued to say that this wasn't real, that I was going to wake up in this hospital bed, head trauma back, and this entire last couple of weeks were just a tapestry of dreams fashioned together. Maybe the day Jackson punched me into a locker, I had fainted on the floor and had went into a coma.

"Well if this is a dream, let me die in it, and let my final moments be with them." This thought didn't scare me as I hugged Lemon to my cheek. So many various things had gone on in these past 24 hours that felt unreal but still my body shivered at the thought of what had happened in Jackson, Wyoming. It's difficult to think that I had done all that damage to a single town full of families who hadn't deserved to lose their homes and lives.

Lemon burrowed into my neck. White Zetsu had pulled up a chair to the side of the bed and sat there like he'd not slept in days, his green eyes drooped down dangerously low until his eyelashes finally met his cheeks.

Slowly one by one all the cats dropped off into sleep, their bodies warm and alive around me.

I was happy as I stared down on this little family I'd helped create.

Berry was the only one still awake as he shifted to sit on the top of my thigh, snuggling down in a crouch and gazing up at me. Head cocked to one side he gave a tiny smile, his teeth poking out from the top lip.

We sat there for a minute, just staring. His tiny body vibrated with a purr as I scratched under his chin, the blanket falling farther down my stomach till it surrounded the front of Berry who lay his head atop it.

"I'm gonna miss you guys a lot." Berry's head rose quietly, eyes suddenly depressed. "I hope that when you guys go back… you'll be careful. Promise me that, Sasori, please?" There was a second of silence, as if all sound had been turned off. The room suddenly felt very cold and I had to fight back a shiver.

The red cat nodded.

I would talk to White Zetsu when he awoke, it had to be tomorrow. The sooner the better, I didn't want to give Black Zetsu time to rethink his truce. The sooner the Akatsuki went back, the sooner they'd have their chakra, and they could protect themselves easily without my aid.

What would life be like without them? Would it be lonely in a house all by my lonesome? I'd learned that being alone wasn't as bad as having had people and then losing them to gain loneliness.

Would things go back to being the same?

"No, no matter how this ends, things will never be the 'same' again."

"Sasori," I traced a finger up my arm before scratching at the skin, something about my skin was hurting and itching as if a creature was writhing under it, trying to break the skin causing pain yet still making it itch like nuts, "I love you." The words were firm as I dragged my nails across the skin once more.

Berry had shifted to stand up and jumped from my thigh to White Zetsu's lap where he nosed his way into a jacket pocket, White Zetsu tensed but remained asleep.

There was something in the cat's mouth as he jumped to the floor and raced to the end of the bed where he tugged on the blanket that was laid out on the bed in case more were needed throughout the night.

With a little help from me, the blanket landed on top of Berry who suddenly was very still.

". . .Was that a french fry he'd had?"

There was a weird sound as if someone had unknowingly stepped on egg shells and then continued to crush them not caring how much noise there was. As I watched, the lump of Berry grew under the blanket, it writhed as if in pain before finally, a red head popped out of the blanket to look up at me. There was a smile on his lips as Sasori shakily stood, legs trembling slightly, tiny beads of sweat were collecting onto his brow as he held the cloth around his body.

Luscious red locks shook as the puppetmaster strode around the bed, stopping at the edge to peer down at me with that same smile. Reddish brown eyes found mine, connecting instantly as he trailed a hand up the sheets, finding my hand atop it. Those eyes never left mind as his fingers crept up my arm, past the shoulder until it slid up my cheek, cupping and tilting it upwards in order for me to look up at him better.

Leaning down he brought our lips together with a sliding maneuver, both seemed to click into place as if a correct key in a lock. With a sigh Sasori brought his other hand up to cup the back of my head. His lips were smooth as they ghosted over mine, causing me to wrap my arms around him.

A wet tongue slithered across the top lips of my mouth before I smiled and opened to him, his tongue delving in to taste me.

There was a small groan as Sasori climbed on to the bed, being as careful as he could in this situation not to wake any of the other cats; finally he straddled me to the bed, his hips on either side of my stomach, his back arched down enough to still keep our mouths connected.

The taste of cinnamon met my tongue and I dove my slick appendage around his to get a better taste, outlining the top of his tongue that aroused a tremble to shake throughout Sasori's body. Our saliva's melded together to create a sweet mixture that caused us both to keep coming back for more.

There was warmth spreading from my brain, my legs, my fingers, and especially at my groin area. I was trembling as the intensity of the kiss grew and Sasori cupped my hands in his, curling our fingers together in an intimate way.

Thousands of years seemed to have passed when the puppetmaster finally pulled back, his pants strong as he only went a few feet before balancing his forehead on my shoulder where he stay panting.

"You, have no idea," there was an inhale, "how l-long I've been waiting… for that." I couldn't stop a small giggle as I wrapped my arms around his back and held him there, the gasping for breath finally subsided. I could feel him smile as he pulled back my shirt on the shoulder to kiss the skin there.

We lay like that, allowing our bodies to simmer down; the warmth remained to melt into a calming bliss as Sasori finally wiggled free to lay on my left side, the blanket had fallen slightly away revealing his naked chest that I quietly traced with my fingers.

"I love you too, May. Always will." Those were his last words before Sasori slipped into a sleep, his hand cupping my free one as the other stilled on his chest.


Two hours later

Obito had been awake for 16 minutes now, his multicolored eyes new wavering from May's face. The blonde lay huddled up to her pillow, cupping it for warmth as if a freezing presence was breathing over her shoulder. Sasori lay right beside her head, his tiny cat body curled up tightly, one of May's hands wrapped around his back in a protective manner.

There was a small muscle spasm from May, her neck twitching, face squished up in what seemed to be discomfort before relaxing once more.

Obito's eyes narrowed. This week, they'd all be returning back home from the look of things. Obito didn't want to go back, he never wanted to see that disgusting ninja world again, never follow out Madara's plan, and never leave this place. Nothing was back there aside from sorrow, depression, and anger.

There was no impulse to return.

Not even the war excited Obito. The war was no longer his obligation in his eyes.

Obito had made a silent promise to May in his mind, when he went back he'd turn everything around.\, change stuff for the better.

In the deep corners of his mind Obito knew that he'd never really love again after this. There was nothing left for him to reap and sow back home. There was no village he could return to without penalty, Kakashi hated him, he could go on for hours if Obito set his mind to it.

"Obito." His name was whispered from behind him in greeting. Obito did not turn to meet the other as Nagato came to sit next to him, his dark red fur sticking up in some places, purple eyes drooped tiredly.

"Afternoon, Nagato."

Neither spoke, only stared at the sleeping woman before them whose free hand was twisting a clump of blanket in her hands as if there was inner turmoil.

"Obito, there's something I want to ask you." At last, Obito turned towards Nagato and stared at him with unwavering attention, tail wrapping around his sitting form. Nagato ran a tongue over his sharp teeth. "When we first came to this world, everyone's last memory was death. But… I don't have any remembrance of dying. Can you tell me why I don't remember, and how I died, and-" Nagato's stare hardened on Obito, mouth clenched, "-and why Konan wasn't brought back?"
Obito sighed, his eyebrows knit together as he tried to find a way to explain.

"You went to get the nine tail's jinchuuriki, practically destroying the entire village. . .but-" Nagato gave a quick nod.

"I remember that, but my memory ends after Naruto took my chakra rods out of the Pain body." Obito could tell that Nagato was getting a little antsy, he'd obviously pondered over this memory problem many a day. There was a sense of sympathy for the rinnegan user, what would it be like to know there was something missing from your mind, something you were so desperate to recall? It would be like erasing May from his memory… would Obito be able to sense that something was missing with the lose of those precious moments? There was no desire to find out.

"Naruto came and found where you were and was able to talk to you. You decided-based on what he'd said-that you no longer wanted to be apart of the Akatsuki and betrayed the organization."
Obito almost didn't want to look at Nagato, what could be going on throughout out that man's mind, he wondered.

Quick as lightning, Obito looked out of the corner of his eye. Nagato was sitting there, his eyes intensely staring at the floor.
"W-what did he say to me?" There was a form of desperation in his words that made Obito want to crawl under a rock, but he only bent his head to look Nagato in the eyes.

"I'm not sure, but I promise you, when we get back I will personally give you your memories back." There was a twinge in his heart, for Obito knew that he would follow through on that, he'd help another… which he hadn't really made a habit off.

". . .And Konan?"

Should he tell him? Nagato would hate him either way, wouldn't he? He'd curse Obito's name, probably try and kill him now or when they returned. In truth, Obito didn't want to tell him because he didn't want to hurt his fellow member? Now that he thought about it, these men that were once Akatsuki were now no longer an actual organization, so would that make them all. . . friends?

"Konan died as well, a little while after you." There was a harsh intake of breath. "I'll be honest with you Nagato, and you're not going to like it. After you died, Konan left the Akatsuki and I… eventually… had to go," Obito flexed his claws, each sliding in and out in tense formation, "to go kill her so that I could recollect your eyes and use them in the war."
Alright, this is where Nagato would rip out Obito's throat, slash him down, kill him in anger for killing his best friend. Obito waited for this, knowing full well that he deserved it.

But the blow never came.

Obito turned to look at Nagato who was looking back at him with wide eyes. The red cat's claws were already out and seemed to be itching to launch at Obito.

"I'm sorry, Nagato. That's also the reason I couldn't risk bringing her back to life, I thought she'd be more trouble than she was worth. . .if I could go back and redo, I never would have killed her." These words fell from Obito's mouth and the black cat with an orange face was surprised to find these words were true in every sense of the world. When had he become so. . .human?

Nagato seemed to be searching Obito's face for lies, there were none.

Taking a deep breath, Nagato let all his anger out in that one whisper of air.

"Konan died for what she believed in, as did I at the time. I am proud of her; even though I am disappointed in you, I forgive you." Was Obito hearing right? He snapped his head to face the red cat. Was Nagato actually forgiving him?

Nagato gave Obito a nod before returning his gaze towards May who had twitched again.

"Since I don't really remember the end, I understand why you did what you did, am I happy with it? No, of course not. But.. after this little trip of ours, none of us are the same as we were, Obito. I believe that we're all better men, right here and now." It was a naked truth that caused Obito to shake his head with a smile and a sigh.

They certainly were all better than when they had started; for most of his life, Obito had been surrounded by murderers and had seen what they'd all done, compared to then and now. . .there were no comparison's on the horizon.

"I don't want to leave, Obito." Nagato placed a paw on May's leg that lay under the covers by him, it was trembling as if cold.

"I know, Nagato. I know."


Three hours later

May was shivering, her body felt as if she were back in the river when she'd tried to save Sasori and Deidara from the black depths. Even with the cat bodies, snuggling around her legs, and the blankets wrapped firmly, May felt as cold as death. She had to keep her mouth clamped shut to stop the chattering that would surely wake up everyone.

Just as May was about to turn over to try and fall back asleep, a weight left her leg, there was a small yawn. With careful paw steps, Lemon crawled up to May's pillow where he sat looking at her with a smile, blue eyes flashing cheerfully, his tail traced lovingly over her cheek in greeting.

Lemon gave a whispered meow, as if to say: good morning.

"Morning to you to." Trying not to move too much, May shifted and brought out her arm from under the covers and ran the fingers throughout the blonde cat's fur. This movement showed May the array of goosebumps that were protruding across the arms. The sight made her stomach give a rapid jolt, it gave a jab off pain causing May to tense her legs together and cease her hands movements.

". .L-Listen, Deidara. I have a favor to ask of you. It's a little errand, do you think you could do it for me? I'm afraid I'm not in any state to move from this bed yet." May twisted her neck to look at the window that White Zetsu had opened on request from May. The weather outside was clear, stray clouds crossed over the sun that shone down on the winter wonderland of Idaho. That was comforting, that meant that the errand May wanted Deidara to go on, would be bad weather free.

Lemon nodded, his grin widening at the thought of aiding May. He meowed, seeming to say: What do I have to do? His tail twitching back and forth in anticipation.

"I wrote this out earlier," May produced an envelope from the small desk on the side of the bed, "I need you to deliver this to someone. Don't give me that look, I asked White Zetsu who knows where she lives, Here let me explain. . ."


Stacey was so beyond wiped out when she drove up in the apartment's parking lot. Her irritation rose when she found that someone had parked in her spot, again! Couldn't people read! There were numbers of the apartments spray painted on the pavement; unless the person was blind, they could see it.

Taking a deep breath, Stacey drove into the slot right next to it, inwardly already practicing what to say to her neighbor when they realized she had taken their spot.

"Blame it on the morons." Getting out of the car, Stacey glared at the other car, flipped it off and went on her way. The metal stairs that connected to the second floor of the apartments, clanged a little each time Stacey rose to step up, finally she reached the top and turned to the left where her door was.

With a small yawn, Stacey zipped open her jacket's pocket and went to grasp the keys, well she would have grasped them if they were there. In a panic Stacey pulled out the inner pocket for examination, there were no holes… so then where was the-! Realizing that in her irritation at her taken spot, Stacey had dropped her keys into the purse that swung tauntingly from her shoulder.

"Damn it." Throwing away her tolerance Stacey tore the back open and effectively opened the contents on the floor. It was normal for Stacey to lose count how many times she actually had to dump the purse each day.

The keys glinted up at her causing Stacey to glare at them as if they were the reason for all misfortune in this cursed world. The rest of the random stuff were shoved back into the bag with no sense of order.

At last Stacey opened the door, closed it, and welcomed the heated environment of her cozy apartment.

"Hey Rocket, you're looking great." Yawning once more Stacey made her way down the hall, tapping the glass once on the fish tank that held a single goldfish that was laying upside down as if dead but it quickly turned over and swam around when Stacey's shadow fell on the water.

The bed was singing its siren song to Stacey as she stared at it, once she fell on that she wouldn't be waking up for a couple of hours, hell maybe tomorrow she'd move again.

"Wait," Stacey halted herself from launching at the bed. "mail first, then sleep for eternity." Legs suddenly seemed to be stone as Stacey made her way back; opening the door once more and turning to the little mailbox she had, it was basically a box with a little door to open with a key and a slot on top to slip the letters in.

Unlocking the box, Stacey slid out four letters, slammed the container shut, and slithered back into her home.

Yanking out the hair bun, the pencil thrown onto the table, Stacey looked through the mail.

"Bill, Bill, taxes, letter from Uncle Rollo… yada, yada, ya- huh?" The bottom letter had only her name written on it in a curly cursive.

Discarding the other crap mail on the table, Stacey tore open the envelope. Inside was a check.

Stacey stopped dead, her fingers turning to lead at the sight of the paper before her. The check was addressed to Stacey with May's signature near the bottom. Stacey suddenly had a hard time breathing. The total amount that was written for Stacey was: One hundred Million.

Stacey stared at the check for a minute before her legs finally gave out and she fainted to the floor.

It wasn't until a few hours later that Stacey read the note that May had put in the envelope as well.

Dear Stacey

Thank you for all your help, I know those cats can be a handful and I'm sure you were surprised that they were human, I wish I could explain to you in a way that actually sounded sane :)

Anyway, I understand why all this happened with your father, the mafia, etc. It's ok, all is forgiven. So I'm going to give this money back to its rightful owner, you need it more than I do.

You're a great friend, maybe sometime we can go see a movie. My treat.

Merry Christmas, I pray that your father is still alive.

Have a blessed one.

Sincerely May Lawford


May was lying in bed, body racking with shivers, she'd tried to limit it only to her upper half so not to wake the others, but in truth her teeth were chattering lowly, nose tip beet red, ears frozen, and the fingers cupping Berry, were numb.

Yet May knew the room was warm, the others slept peacefully, even White Zetsu-who was human as well-looked warm and pleasant.

Letting go of Berry, May brought both hands under the covers, slid them under her shirt and wrapped them around her stomach, rubbing at the skin as hard as May could without shaking the bed.

The door to the room suddenly opened.

May looked up from her spot in the bed, hands stilling.

There stood the principal standing in the doorway, a medium sized package in his hands that cupped the edges.

The old eyes of the man looked first at the kittens, then grew surprised when he saw White Zetsu who was still in Jackson's body.

"Never thought I'd see him here." He whispered, nodding his head at the sound asleep White Zetsu.

"It's good to see you principal Jones, thanks for coming." Mr. Jones gave a smile as he looked down on her with worry.

"Of course, I'd come here, you're practically a daughter to me...and it also helps when I'm your emergency contact." May rolled her eyes, before brushing her hands up her arms with a shiver. "Anyway, I just came here to check up on you and to give you this," Mr. Jones quietly laid the box on the floor next to the bed. "It was supposed to be delivered to your house... but it somehow burned down? Do you know how that happened, May?" The blonde shook her head, May, of course, knew what had happened, White Zetsu had told her earlier.

"No, I wasn't home last night, I actually have an alibi." Mr. Jones fought back a small chuckle.

"I know... well I best be on my way. The Mrs's wasn't happy about me leaving the house on Christmas. If you were alone here, I'd feel bad about leaving, but," he looked at the cats, and at Jackson, "you seem to be in good hands." His hand found her shoulder, May's skin didn't detect the warmth but Mr Jones pulled back as if he'd been burned. "Good Lord, you're freezing May!"
So it wasn't just May's imagination, there was a tremble of fear inside her now.

"I'm... just cold. Sorry." Mr Jones nodded.

"I'll tel a nurse on the way out that you need the heat risen, alright?"

With a final goodbye, Mr Jones left.

A minute later, a nurse came in. She was barely inside two seconds before she seemed to get overly warmed and asked May in a hushed mad tone. "Why are you calling me down to turn up the heat? It's on 90!" With that the nurse left the room.

May sat in the bed for a second, cupping her hands under the shirt once more.

Beep. . .

Beep. . .

Beep. . .

Beep. . .

All movements suddenly became sluggish as the blonde's eyes slid over to look at the heart monitor, watching as the heartbeat-inch by inch-slowed down until the world was spinning around May. Fighting to catch her breath and desperately focus on the box that still remained on the floor, the blonde slowly picked it up, taking long deep breaths as it was placed in her lap.

Beep. . .Beep. . .Beep

Beep. . .Beep

Beep. . .

The monitor slowly went back to normality.

Taking a deep breath May carefully opened the box, her fingers trembling.

Even though it had passed, the dizziness remained, a vile taste on her tongue, and a cold vapor biting at her skin like a cannibal.

If May hadn't been dizzy and had looked up at the mirror she would have noticed that her lips were a blue tint, and the skin on her face was much paler than normal. She looked dead.


Author: Yet another chapter! Hope you all liked it.

It's been decided for the story to be read on youtube and I humbly ask all my lovely readers-right now- , if you can, to draw fan art for the story. Fan art for each chapter is well appreciated! If you have any art for the story, now or later please send it to his email: jinx of the desert (a sign) gmail .com

There are no spaces in that email, just so you all know. If you plan on sending in art, please put your fanfiction name on it so you can be properly thanked in the videos for your submissions.

Do your best and put your heart into it!

And if you don't wish to send in art, that is perfectly fine. Your support is enough.

Also, for when this is put up on youtube (the trailer will be out in about two to three weeks) it will be on my youtube channel: Jinx of the desert. Which has the same profile pic as the fanfiction.

This story started out not very important, just another fanfiction upload... but now it's grown into this and I must thank you all for it. If it wasn't for all of you, my readers, there would be no story of May and the Akatsuki.

The Poll is still open for most Popular character, with May in the lead... that does not surprise me :) Go and vote if you haven't.

Review if your ready for this story to be done/or if you never ever want it to be over, etc. lol

Thank you, Love ya, see ya all later!

-Jinx of the desert