Chapter 39: K.I.D.S. and I

"Who are her partners again? It's hard to hear up there...hm." Deidara asked. Sasori eyed him.

Pain kept his eyes locked on mine. "Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki...will be her partners until further notice."

Deidara gave a sigh of relief and I broke eye contact with Pain to glance around. Everyone was staring at me and an air of discomfort filled my lungs. I kept my composure but if a bunch of criminals such as these ones didn't like the idea of the mission, I knew it would be no easy task. I hadn't come face to face with Orochimaru before but stories told me that he wasn't one you'd want to cross paths with.

My attention went back to Pain. "I'm ready. I'll retrieve the ring and bring it back...but...I'd like to go alone." Itachi's eyes widened. There was a mixture between no reaction to shocked expressions from everyone.

"She's dead." I heard Hidan say.

"Impossible. The girl is too confident." Kakuzu noted.

Hey, I'm a lady! Not a little girl...

A huge shark grin spread over Kisame's face.

Pain eyed me. "You wouldn't make it out alive."

I glanced at each person who had something to say before replying to the leader. "I don't intend to run in, jutsu blazing...I have no intention to fight the Sannin." A small smile spread over my lips. "I need to go alone because this mission will require stealth." I eyed Kisame. "No offense but you stick out like a sore thumb."

"Heh, have fun with that." He replied. I shot him a quick glare.

My eyes then met Itachi's. "...and I've heard that Orochimaru has a strange fetish for peoples bodies..." I caught a couple cringes from the corners of my eyes and smirked before looking to Pain again. "I'm better off alone for this one." My voice was confident but internally I wanted to puke.

Pain was still eyeing me. "Your partners will accompany you until you find Orochimaru, from there the three of you can decide the best course of action. You must not fail this mission." I gave a nod. "You're all dismissed." He said, before turning away. I followed Itachi and Kisame out. Everyone dispersed but not before Hidan sent me an ominous grin.

I rolled my eyes and shook my head. That guy...

When we walked a few miles, Itachi stopped and turned to me, Kisame simply turned his head in my direction. I peered at Itachi curiously.

"You won't be going in by yourself." He said without emotion.

"If all three of us walk in, it'll increase our chances of getting caught..." I replied, matching his tone. "Do you know where he's located?"

"Orochimaru has many hideouts..."

I thought for a moment. "So we start with the one closest and work our way through, then."

Itachi looked past me and I turned to see Deidara and Sasori approach. Sasori was in a disturbing disguise. It was creepier than anything I've witnessed this far...which truly says something.

"I know where to find the serpent." Sasori's voice was completely different. It was terrifying to say the least.

I tilted my head. "Does this mean you're willing to help?"

"For a price..." he replied. Deidara's expression was flat and he remained silent.

My eyelids dropped a little. "What's the price?"

"Information." Was his simple response.

My eyebrow arched a little. "What do you wish to know?"

"You will meet me alone at the clearing a mile ahead in that direction...don't keep me waiting." He started to leave.

Deidara gave me a look. "Really, don't keep him waiting...he hates it, yeah."

I watched them disappear into the thick forest and turned to Itachi and Kisame. "I'll see what he wants to know...whatever it is...it will help this mission along quickly."

Itachi seemed a bit hesitant behind his calm and collected expression but he eventually gave a nod.

It didn't take me long to catch up to the odd pair and I simply kept my distance behind them as we approached the spot Sasori spoke of. I had read details about these guys when I saw them in the Bingo Book. Both of them were extremely dangerous and I had to swallow my nervousness as they turned to me.

Sasori stared at me for what felt like forever and I stared back. He finally spoke and it gave me almost a sense of relief, the silence was killing me. "You're Shikara Yukina...of the Uchiha clan."

I gave a slight nod. "Yes..."

"You're better known as the Angel of Death."

My eyebrows creased a little. He wasn't actually asking questions right now. He was verifying my identity. I blinked. "That's...me." I glanced at Deidara and he was sporting a grin. "Is this the information that you needed?" I asked, returning my attention to Sasori.

"Nearly eight months ago you took down a drug lord along with his son and their best body guards...is that correct?"

"If you can call them the best...sure." Deidara's grin grew. I was now giving Deidara a 'wtf' look. "What is this all about?"

"Heh, you killed one of Sasori's major intel. outlets."

My jaw dropped a little. "Oh...shit..." I put my hands up with a sheepish grin. "I hope you're not upset, I already have enough problems..." I chuckled nervously.

"On the contrary...I intended to kill him myself...you did me a favor." Sasori replied.

I breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness..." He eyed me. He seemed a bit annoyed and I put on my best serious face. "Um...anyways...you were going to tell me of Orochimaru's location?"

"Yes...it seems that we now share a common interest..."

I eyed him. "Okay...?"

"We were to kill him for betraying the Organization, however he escaped and up until recently had no idea of his location."

A small smile appeared upon my lips. "So you want to team up and we can kill two birds with one stone...so to speak?"

"Bingo." Deidara interjected, earning a glare from Sasori.

This is perfect! My small smile widened.

Sasori told me to meet him and Deidara in the Sound Village after collecting Itachi and Kisame and reminded me to not keep him waiting. He also threatened my life if I told anyone else about his late intel. source. I made serious note to myself on this detail. I'd like to live a while longer.

I met back up with my team, still with a smile upon my face. "We are headed to the Sound Village." I informed as I continued past them.

Kisame gave Itachi a confused look. "She seems...happy..." Itachi sighed and followed after me.

...

It would take a little over two days of travel to get to the Sound Village. Itachi was starting to wonder if Shikara was ready for what she intended to do. She kept a cheery attitude the whole way, despite her not saying much aside from some cross chatter between Kisame and herself. Itachi tuned in to what was being said.

Kisame was telling her how the Hidden Mist academy students used to graduate to Genin and he watched as her eyes widened in awe.

"Wow! You must be scary strong, Kisame!" She laughed, "I couldn't imagine taking out my classmates...that's crazy!"

"Heh, I'm sure you would have been fine."

She gave him a doubtful look. "You think so?" She tilted her head. "I guess if it's you or them...the choice would be obvious...right?" She shrugged. "I guess I'll never know." She then glanced back at Itachi, giving a sweet smile and then turning forwards again.

She hadn't said anything to him aside from some details about how they were going to meet with Sasori and Deidara to come up with a solid plan...as she put it...and execute two goals at once.

He felt a little better about her agreeing to teaming up with everyone...only because it was more safe for her but he felt like she was hiding something as well. The way she was avoiding him was slightly unsettling. They had agreed to keep their relationship private, however the way she was going about it was a little much and almost too obvious. He would have to find a way to speak with her alone...

The second night of their travels came and they were preparing to camp for the night. Kisame was trying to light a fire and Shikara walked up beside him, tilting her head.

"Can I help?" She asked.

Kisame looked annoyed. "What could you possibly do? The wood is wet."

Itachi recognized the sly look in her eyes before making hand signs and blowing a fireball jutsu on the firewood.

Kisame scrambled backwards. The jutsu was overkill for such a small fire pit. "Hey! Watch yourself!" Kisame scolded.

Shikara started to laugh so hard, she was holding her stomach. "I'm...so...sorry!" She said between laughs. It was completely unnecessary but the fire was now going without further issue.

"And you think I'm crazy..." Kisame muttered with a light smirk, seeing the humor of it after all.

"Aw, don't be salty...here," she handed Kisame a fish on a stick, then blushed, appearing to be embarrassed. "Um...this isn't considered as cannibalism...is it?"

Kisame glared at her then looked to Itachi. "You better get her before I kill her..."

Something is going on... while Shikara was taking several steps back and away from Kisame, Itachi focused his eyes on her. After just a moment he was able to see it. There was a light aura radiating from her, barely noticeable to the naked eye but it was definitely there.

Itachi stood from where he was sitting. "Shikara...come with me for a moment..." his eyes were closed in annoyance as she appeared to become nervous. She was hardly hiding her emotions at all which was unbecoming of a ninja.

He walked in the opposite direction from the raging fire pit and Shikara followed behind. When he was certain that they were out of hearing range he turned to her.

She still looked nervous. "Yes, Itachi-sama...?"

He could feel himself become flat. "You're acting...differently."

She beamed up at him. "I'm really happy!" She then blushed, catching herself. "But to be honest I don't know what's going on...it's like the lighter part of myself is going out of control now." She blinked. "I've never had to try to control that part of myself before. It's...much more difficult."

Itachi leaned towards her. "You need to figure it out before you decide to skip your silly way up to a deadly Sannin."

She blushed and gave a nod. "Okay, I'll pull myself together, Itachi-sama!"

He gave her a very unconvinced stare before walking passed her, poking her on the forehead as he went.