Chapter 55

Walking into the main sitting room I had soon discovered that most of the members were off on jobs. Meanwhile, I am still trying to get used to this. Sighing I reach up and pop the buttons on my cloak so the high collar was no longer in front of my face. They didn't have a cloak my size, of course so it was far too big. I did leave the buttons unfastened from the hem up to my belly button. This made it not so uncomfortable and I'm not tripping on it as much. I even pulled my hair up into a ponytail so it was no longer tangling up beneath it. "I see, it needs to be taken in." A woman's voice comes from one of the doorways towards my left in the room. Her blue hair disappearing from view, shown she had peeked through to see who had come in.

Following her, I soon found she was in the kitchen. The scent wafting through the room was delectable. The mixture of the different food cooking mixing together to create a delicious aroma. Though I couldn't quite tell what she was cooking. It was obviously something I never had before. "Yeah, it's rather large but, if I get my true form back it may actually prove to be too short. So, it is fine how it is for now."

"Why." She whispers almost to herself as she stirs one of the pans on the stove causing me to tilt my head as I lean against the wall to the kitchen to be out of her way. "Why what?" I ask when she did not elaborate. She just seems to stare at the food a moment. The thoughts running through her head were practically clearly visible through her tense movements. She was probably thinking about her own childhood. "Why would you choose to fight? You could have done anything." I see, they were forced to learn because they had watched so many of their friends along with their families die from being caught in the crossfire of the last shinobi war. She had no choice. She probably envies me. "I am no child. I need to be able to protect myself." I sigh and close my eyes hearing her turn to look in my direction. "Truth is. I could die and I wouldn't care, I'm old enough as it is. I fight so I can become strong enough to confront my mother." How could I tell her my full motives? She would not understand. "Just remember, things are not what they seem. You see a child. I'm anything but." Pushing from the wall I leave the kitchen to find a spot on one of the couches.

Setting in indian style I ignore the footsteps the scent of Konan's cooking was drawing in. Closing my eyes, I rest my hands on my knees. Calming my mind, ignoring the thoughts wondering how long it has been since I have done this. I fall into myself. Finding the familiar darkness. When I last came here to thwart Inoichi I realized I was no longer coming to that room within me. Almost as if whatever Damen had done also reversed the progress I had made in my meditation. I have been so caught up in training for the battles in this world. I've neglected my mind. My inner strength. Standing I look around at the darkness. I am not in sync with myself again.

Walking through the darkness I look around. Pausing only when I could see the familiar light from the door I am looking for. Taking in a steadying breath to calm my rising nerves I push forward. My life playing like movie reels around me. Keeping my attention off of them I continue walking not wanting to see any flashes of my life with Light or even the more recent memory of my being strapped to that table. Coming up to the old oak door I reach out and take the handle. Trying to turn it to open the door proved complicated. Putting more strength into it I try to ram the door open with my shoulder. Causing a thundering shutter to echo through me. It was as if the door was locked. Growling I push against it again, I even try jiggling the handle as I continue.

*3rd person*

It had been hours; the meal had already been eaten and Konan set some aside for the newest member of the Akatsuki when she couldn't get Kira's attention. Itachi set on the opposite couch watching the young female. Unmoving as if she was lost to the world. Or sleeping. He was intrigued by her meditation. Not once had he seen someone meditate so deeply they had no sense of the world around them.

As time went on more members had returned and were now lounging around on the furniture. Every now and then the usual bickering would end just to look in her direction. Curious about the newest member. Suddenly it was as if her form began to vibrate adding a hum to the atmosphere. The temperature in the room was rising as she began to flash. Her twelve-year-old form switching to that of an older version of herself and back again. The sudden spike in her power drew more of them around her as they began to wonder what was going on. As if she was having an internal fight. Pein's eyes fell on her nearly widening at the sight he was seeing.

The words she had spoken to him the night before ringing in his ears. He had not believed her then, yet now as he watches her. He could not disprove her claims. Almost as if this was meant to further prove her words. Pein could tell just in the short time he had met her that during their entire conversation she had thought through everything she was saying. As if she had planned it out beforehand. He could not tell however if what he was seeing now was premeditated or not. It did not coincide with one of her demands. For help to break the curse on her which at this moment is wavering.

Pein wondered if she even knew what happens to her body while she meditates. Just then the white-haired member of their organization lets out a holler that he had been bottling up since laying his eyes on the newest member. "Ahh. What is she doing?! Trying to burn us alive?!" He yells as he gets up readying his hold on his weapon as if he was about to strike her. Just as he was bringing his double scythe down Itachi appears before him catching the handle above Hidan's hands. His Sharingan blazing at the other member. "You will not touch her." Itachi warns causing Hidan's hold to tighten on his scythe as he tries to overpower the Uchiha.

This however did not escape the rest of the members present. It was unlike the Uchiha to so openly get in another's way. Or even try to protect a member of the organization. They were all a part of the same group be sure, but even though they were partnered in groups not a single member would go out of their way for the other. If their partner were to die it only meant they were weak and held no emotional value to the other. Pein's gaze settles on the Uchiha, curious as to why he would do something so out of character for him. "Enough." Pein finally intervenes causing Hidan to withdraw his Scythe with a cry of anger. "This fucking sucks!" He huffs before placing his Scythe on his back and storming out of the room. His confusion over what had just happened overruling his desire to kill for a change.

Itachi sets back down though this time openly sitting next to the girl who he had saved. As if daring anyone else to attempt the same as Hidan. What was even more curious yet was when Kisame takes a seat to the opposite side of the girl himself. He had not been joking when he told the girl on their trip here that he liked her. The spunk lacing her words even when she tried to portray herself as weak and even the audacity to run her mouth at him fearlessly struck a nerve with the guy. A fearlessness he knew would only get her killed with the other members of the Akatsuki whose ranks she was forced to join. No, what truly stuck with him was she didn't automatically loathe him. In fact, she met each one of his remarks in their first meeting with one of her own. As if just from their first meeting she accepted him even if she did call him. Fishface in a tone that was more playful than anything.

It was well past nightfall and most of the members had cleared the room when she even began to stir. The first sign of her coming back to the world was a low inhuman growl that echoed off the walls drawing all of their eyes again. By the time her eyes even slowly began to open her visage had ceased its fluctuations and the room temperature was returning to normal. Almost as if by the time she came up from her meditation completely nothing had transpired.

Kira first blinks her eyes a few times in order to focus her sight before even taking in the fact she was not alone. Pein was relaxing in an armchair and two men were sitting on both sides of her. She first looked to her right a blank expression at first before realization visibly dawned on her. "Fishface?" She more questions than states causing him to chuckle. "Hey, squirt." Kira wrinkles her nose at that nickname before she sighs and shakes her head. As if she didn't agree with it but she was not going to complain. She then looks to her left side. Instead of questioning as she had done with Kisame only a small smirk showed on her features for mere moments before she regained control of herself and cleared her expression of emotion. "When did you guys get here?" She questions obviously meaning the room they were in causing Kisame to laugh. "Hours ago, squirt." Her eyes nearly widen before she just simply shakes her head. "At least this time wasn't four days." She mutters causing Kisame to laugh harder as Pein continues to watch her.

It was obvious to him that she was comfortable with the two even though she knew nothing about Itachi saving her life from Hidan. Expressions that were timed accordingly during their conversation were now flowing more freely as she tries to cover her slips. If he had spoken to this girl the night before he would not have debated so deeply on what to have done with her. She was currently trying to hide her innocence that still lingers just beneath the ninja she has become. An innocence only found in civilians or children. It seems quite possible to him that she may have just wanted him to take her seriously rather than labeling her as a child she claims she is not. "Kira." Pein speaks lowly though careful to keep his tone lighter than when he had spoken to Hidan and Itachi.

Kira's eyes fall on him back to their usual emotionless depths. Her expression was void of anything that may be going on within her head. "You asked for help to break this, curse, as you call it." He continues as she tilts her head in reaction to him. "Yeah, you come up with an idea?" She finally responds to him, showing he now has her full attention. "What were you doing just now?" His question clearly confuses her as her careful mask wavers and her brows furrow. "Meditating why?" Pein places both of his feet on the floor ready to leave the room when he is done. It seems all of them had been correct she was simply just meditating this entire time. "Whatever you were doing I believe if you continue. You just may break it yourself." Pein says as he stands and leaves the room without uttering another word.

Kira was completely baffled by what he had just told her as her mouth opens and closes a few times. Almost as if she was trying to think of something to say but could not quite form the words. She then looks from Itachi to Kisame wanting to know what was going on as she remembers when Ibiki had forcefully pulled her out of her meditative state, and the look he still had on his face when she had come to. "It was odd, to say the least." Itachi began before Kisame grins. "Your body was flashing from looking like yourself and looking older." Kisame tries to elaborate for Itachi which causes Kira's brow to further draw closer together. Her form was switching from being twelve to her eighteen-year-old self?

The thought was rather ridiculous to her. If it was so simple to break this curse why hadn't it occurred to her sooner? Then her eyes widen with the realization hitting her. Not once beyond with Inoichi had she even meditated this deeply since she arrived in this world. How would she know either way what would happen if she can get that door open again if she doesn't even know what happens to herself when she meditates as she had just been.

The new revelation swarms her mind as her heart begins to pound. "If that's the case. It should break if I open that door." She absentmindedly mentions aloud causing Itachi to look down at her and Kisame to make a noise of confusion. Neither one of them could quite figure out what she had meant and were left sitting there as she stands and runs out of the room.

Kira ran to her room and threw herself onto her bed. Her cloak flutters to the floor near her as she settles herself into her indian position. More than excited to try again and willing to spend as much time as she can on opening that door. She didn't expect however her bedroom door to slowly open or the man to walk inside. His dark onyx eyes are on her as he shuts her door behind him. As he sets on the edge of her bed Kira observes him closely before she rests her hands on her knees again. Not once since he tried to ask her how she knew what was going on six years ago has he tried to question her again. She bet that he probably figures she would avoid his questions just as she had the last time. "I am actually much older than I look." She finally speaks drawing his gaze to her. "You may see a child, someone the same age as your brother but I'm not. The curse Pein spoke of is true. Before I landed in Konoha, a cousin of mine turned me back into a child. That is why I seem odd compared to others that are twelve." Kira tries to explain for him and he notes how she looks away. A blush barely grazing her cheek from whatever she was thinking about.

"If falling into myself as I meditate rather than focusing on my energy or chakra causes my form to show my true self. I can only guess it is because of the door that is locked inside me. So, I'm going to continue meditating to try and undo what was done to me." She then looks back towards Itachi who had been silently waiting for her to finish her thoughts as he attempts to understand what she was revealing to him. "If I can use my energy to make a shield that repels attacks I should be able to use it somehow to unlock the door. I must do this before I can focus on anything else." Itachi's eyes widen at the mention of her shield.

"I see, then open the door." He mutters but makes no move to leave her room. Kira sits there continuing to look at him before she releases a breath as if accepting that he wasn't going to leave. She closes her eyes more than ready to fall back into herself knowing that Itachi was probably willing to wait so he can ask what he truly wanted to know about. His little brother. Little did he know that the blush he had witnessed was due to the fact he was the first guy on her bed since she shared one with Light Yagami. His presence had stirred up a memory within her that caused the familiar warmth to begin to pool in her lower stomach.

Itachi didn't quite understand everything she had told him but there was something different about her pulling at the back of his mind. Even though everything about her screams that she had cut herself off from her emotions, there are times when a small amount shows through. And the brand is now clearer than ever with her cloak having been removed and that large blue scarf no longer covering where it is. He couldn't help but feel anger begin to boil inside of him for whoever had done such a thing to the girl next to him. The very girl who helped save the lives of his parents wanting nothing in return and according to the scroll she handed him has been looking over his little brother since that night.

As if she knew that he really didn't want to do what he had done. Even now, she was able to tell he was curious about the so-called curse or the door that had been mentioned. During this time, only Kisame has been able to read him like she just did and that was after being paired on the same team for several years. Itachi just seemed to set there lost in his own thoughts even when Kira's form began to shift back and forth. The temperature rising though had him shedding his own cloak if only for the small relief this brought him. He couldn't help but wonder, however, what this girl had been to his little brother prior to her being pulled away from the leaf. For her to have gotten close enough to the obviously angry and closed-off boy that was in the pictures she placed in the scroll. She must have been something special, even if she herself did not see it.