All the entries into the float competition were gathered around the judging area with all the floats conveniently parked in a line. The announcer got up on the judges platform and made some remarks before the winners were announced. Dana and 'the leader' were standing outside the van…no one questioned the fact that 'the leader' was a floating shadowy figure…yet people did question Dana on her cute shoes.

"Alright, now it's time to announce our float winners for this year." The crowd clapped. "In fourth place, our runner up this year…The African Savannah Poachers with their 'Tiger float'." The crowd clapped and the poaching organization went up on the staging area to state their names and who was the creative force behind the float. The newspaper took their picture and they were presented with a runner up ribbon to attach to the float.

"In third place and the winner of one of three cash prizes…NASA with the 'SkyLab' float."

"I still don't understand why NASA is in this parade." Kisame said to Zetsu as they clapped for what they considered was a float not nearly as cool as theirs.

"You know, I will be pissed if Kabuto and Orochimaru's float places in the top three." Sasori said.

"Uh, yeah! They can't place they're too stupid to place!" Itachi tried to reassure him.

"Second place and the winner of our second cash prize goes to…the IRA with their 'Shamrock of doom' float."

"Oh my god, yeah. There's only one more category, yeah. Then they'll award the grand champion after first place is announced, yeah." Deidara was a nervous wreck, so nervous in fact that his hair was starting to slightly frizz from the heat. Now, it should be made known that just because you won first in the float competition, you didn't also win grand champion. You could get 3rd place and still win grand champion. It was all about how the judges viewed your float…

"First place and our largest cash award and bragging rights for a year goes to…Akatsuki with their float Akatsuki Float float!" The crowd cheered and in a moment of absolute bliss Itachi hugged Deidara. Dana screamed her lungs out and practically pounced her little brother…she skillfully avoided Itachi.

"Eat that Orochimaru! SASUKE!" Itachi yelled. The five of them clambered to the stage.

"Who's the artistic force behind this float?" The announcer asked.

"Well, I'd like to think that….oh!" Kisame punched Itachi in the stomach…he wasn't about to let Itachi take this away from Deidara.

"Well, we all did our part to pull it together, but I had the design concept, yeah." Deidara said. The crowd cheered again…Itachi decided the giant trophy they received should be placed in the living room beside the TV. All the winners were on the stage at this point.

"Lastly, the Grand Champion float of this year's parade goes to…Akatsuki, Akatsuki Float float." Once again there were screams from Dana and the five of them were now in a giant hug...it was touching.

"We are going to be so hammered tonight!" Zetsu said. The crowd began to disperse and Kisame, Itachi, Zetsu, Sasori and Deidara piled back onto the float for the victory lap. After that if would be an evening at the Italian place the leader always took them to where Sasori would order his usual clams marsala, Kisame would order fettuccini primavera, Zetsu always chose rosemary lamb with mint jelly, Itachi could never decide so 'the leader' always ordered for him, and Deidara always ordered Brushetta. This would be the dinner before the party began…Deidara would have to watch Dana extra close around drunk Itachi…

Well, that's the annual parade, this year was kind to Akatsuki. Until another day when Akatsuki ends up getting into no good…

Hope you all liked it. Just so you know…I have another Akatsuki adventure cooking right now. Look for the first chapter very soon!