Chapter Three
The boat ride across Kazoku Sea was calm compared to the previous journey two years ago. Although it was no less angst ridden. The file in my pack weighed heavily on my mind and my heart. Despite my dire wish to just throw it into the sea and pretend as if I didn't have a clue what lay inside, I knew it would not help. It was as they say:
'Death comes for all things in the end.'
From what I saw on the death date, I had some time before I had to Reap the soul. Still, I had enough on my plate without having this piled on top.
"You doing okay?" Akira's voice sounded beside me. Compared to the sheer magnitude of chakra that the world was practically pulsing with, Akira was a black hole of spiritual energy that tempered her chakra. It was soothing to me.
"I don't like it. But I will manage. What about you?" She sighed before answering in a tired voice.
"I don't like the circumstances that will soon arise. But in the grand scheme of things, I can complete this so long as Gaara comes back." Of course she would have to Reap the one person who could bring back her loved one. "You know what this means though, don't you?"
"That my idiots will be moving out soon, yes I know. I made a deal with the man who controls Akatsuki's movements. No doubt as soon as I return he will act."
"I am going to head for Suna as fast as I can. Do I dare ask that you take your time?" I inclined my head to the side briefly to see her worried face. I reached out, initiating a hand holding session. I wasn't one for hugs unless I deemed them necessary.
"I will give as much time as I can Akira. I too have plans that need to be made before I reach Akatsuki." She grasped my hand tightly, nodding.
"Land!" The sudden cry in the air had me looking towards the shore that had appeared in the distance. With my plans resolved for the time being I kept calm as we grew closer to Konashi village.
Still my thoughts kept persisting the more I thought about returning home to my boys. Excitement was tainted by worry as I thought about the reactions of those I held dear. One could argue that loved ones always forgave but that was stupid as my loved ones were 1. Idiots and 2. Lethal mercenaries with unlimited access to sharp objects. Not to mention how much it annoyed me that feelings were such a hassle when it concerned something important. I'd gone into a multitude of spying missions for Akatsuki knowing there was a risk of me never coming out alive or getting caught and tortured, yet I was never more scared and worried about returning to the Akatsuki than I was now.
Leader-sama and Konan were the easiest to expect on their reactions to seeing me again as they knew I had returned to life and had said a proper goodbye to them. Kakuzu probably wouldn't care much as he never cared about anything unless it required or had something to do with money. Hidan was harder to place but I expected he would be happy to have someone around that could cause chaos with him. I had never felt right about his killing mercilessly but to each their own. Long as he didn't go around killing kids he was fine with me. Deidera would probably be happy to see me. I hoped. I mean I had threatened him with my katana when I'd last seen him. This is where the indecision started. And it only got worse the more I thought about it.
Kisame was more laid-back like the ocean. As long as I didn't lie to him he would probably forgive me. Of course not telling him I was alive sure counted as a pretty damning lie. Itachi was easy to expect. I had hope he would forgive me. He'd forgiven me for worse things. Despite his own personal history with his family, I'd always known that despite how dangerous he was as a shinobi, as a man he was kinder than what most people thought. It was why I'd attached myself to him. After him, it was Sasori. He was honestly a bit more hard to think about considering his issues of abandonment and being kept waiting. It could go either way with him.
I didn't really care what Obito or Zetsu thought. Obito no doubt would just be glad I was back so the plans could resume for capturing the Jinchuuriki. And Zetsu had always creeped me the fuck out.
"You ready?" Akira asked tearing me out of my thoughts. I blinked seeing that we were in port already.
"As ready as I ever will be." We hopped off the boat thanking the ferryman for the ride. The village was the same as it had always been with unrecognizable faces going past as Akira and I entered the town.
'Essentials only then we leave.' I ordered as I saw her eyeing a colorful scarf. She rolled her eyes.
'Kill joy.'
'Shut up.' She obeyed the order though and moved past the fashion stall to an actual store that had refrigerated water bottles inside along with fruits and meats. The meat would no doubt be helpful for the protein if necessary. I bought some beef jerky as that would be easier than having to cook as we would be moving fast. Akira got us two bottles of water each and some fruit. The food would last us enough to reach our destinations.
Once we had exited the village Akira started to tree jump. I joined her relaxed pace as the trees flew by. No doubt she was eager to get back to Suna now that we were free to rejoin civilization. I couldn't blame her for wanting to get back to her family. From Konashi it would roughly take us maybe two days to reach our separation point in Tanigakure, from there Akira would run to Suna while I took my time to reach the village to the popular Akatsuki base. I was torn on whether I wanted anyone to be there or not.
I guess I would find out soon.
The run from Konashi to Tanigakure took us two days to reach even with our short breaks. Originally we were supposed to split up in Tanzaku Gai but Akira wanted to make sure she had enough time to make it to Suna as Tanzaku Gai was closer to Ame than it was to Suna. I obliged as that same stomach inducing indecisiveness on meeting the Akatsuki again was making me sick.
"You sure you're okay?" Akira asked. We had stopped for some food before we parted. We sat outside enjoying the warmth of the afternoon sun. "You look like you're going to be sick."
"I'm fine."
"You keep saying that but I can see you are definitely not fine." I grumbled under my breath, shoving a dumpling into my mouth. "Akana, I know you like to pretend you're a wise older sister by taking command even though you're younger, and don't get me wrong, I have no problems with that as it's a nice change of pace for me, but if you need to talk, please talk to me. I'm certainly not going to judge you." I debated on this before I put my place down.
"I'm scared."
"Of the Akatsuki?" I shook my head before hesitating and then nodded meekly. Akira waited for me to voice my thoughts.
"I just left them. No explanation, no warning, just gone. And yet they came after me. I... I still left. What if they hate me? What if they think I chose someone else over them? What if they don't take me back?" I curled over putting my face in my hands as the thoughts and insecurity fought.
"How did you meet them? I don't think you've ever told me." While my misery roared in my heart, my mind latched onto the stable branch Akira offered.
"... I was eleven." The memory of seeing Itachi for the first time filled my mind. "I was living on the streets of Hirei in the Land of Fire. It's a small merchant town about 80 kilometers northwest of Konoha. I was in charge of three other kids, the youngest was about 5. I had picked up some tricks after I left Suna and was kinda good at pick-pocketing. It was how we survived day to day. Hirei didn't have an efficient Orphanage set up at the time so I tried to help as many as I could." I thought back to those days of surviving by stealing and fighting. "It wasn't very glamorous and more often than not I was summoning Hell hounds just to distract the villagers, protect us or even for comfort. One day, I don't know what the hell I was thinking but I got it into my head that a shinobi was perfect to steal from as they would have more money on them. So I ran headlong into Itachi."
"You robbed Itachi Uchiha?" Akira asked, disbelief evident on her shocked face. I rolled my eyes.
"I didn't know it was him at the time, all I knew was that here was a ninja who wore what looked like expensive fabric and seemed young so he must be successful. He was paired with Orochimaru at the time and I guess they were having issues with their partnership because Itachi didn't seem to notice I was stealing from him. I got out of there fast though."
"Surprised he didn't kill you." Akira muttered under her breath.
"He came back later that night. I thought he was going to kill me then." I continued. "I had summoned the hounds to protect the kids just in case and took Ao with me when it seemed he wanted to talk."
"You actually followed him?" Akira's foot, which had been bent on the chair so she could lean against it, slipped off the seat as she leaned forward.
"Do you want me to continue or do you want to keep interrupting?" I glared.
"Sorry." She stated not sounding sorry in the least. I rolled my eyes again but continued.
"I followed him into the nearby forest. And no, I didn't trust him I wasn't that trusting at that age, so I had other hounds following in the shadows. I wasn't a total idiot you know. He talked to me and asked me who I was and what village I served. I answered him truthfully that I was an orphan and was with no village. I wasn't going to apologize for stealing from him, that money had fed the kids more than our previous hauls. He attempted to put me in a Genjutsu but that didn't work. I'm not sure what he was thinking or why he did what he did next but he told me to go with him. I refused stating the kids were my responsibility. He left and I went back to the kids." I took a bite of another dumpling before continuing. "Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure dad had something to do with what happened next."
"Itachi came back but he was with Leader-sama." Or one of Leader-sama's paths. I hadn't told anyone about that and I wasn't going to now. "I noticed them around but they didn't interfere with me or the kids so I left them be. I think they followed me around for a while, a few days or weeks. Eventually the kids went their own way with their own chosen families leaving me alone so I left Hirei. Itachi and Nagato found me again. I thought they were going to do something so I summoned a pack of hounds, larger than usual. Leader-sama attacked me. The hounds did their best to keep him away and back but they were thrown away. I admit, I did use my Death Aura at that point. He froze long enough for me to get away but Itachi was waiting there. I had speed on my side but I wasn't trained to fight so I lost. I thought they were going to kill me, but Leader-sama asked if I wanted to join Akatsuki, stating I would be a valuable addition. Anything to keep from dying early I thought. So I joined them."
"Just like that?" Akira clapped her hands over her mouth. I snorted.
"God no, Leader-sama told Itachi to teach me how to fight while I showed them the extent of my 'kekkei genkei'." Akira nodded, thinking about what I'd told her.
"What about the others?" I tilted my head thoughtfully.
"I guess Itachi had joined first besides Leader-sama and Angel. After I joined, it was basically open recruitment. From what I remember Sasori joined next. Then Kakuzu and Orochimaru." I shuddered remembering Orochimaru's time in Akatsuki and then the remembrance of his seal. "After Orochimaru left Kisame was added to the roster. Deidera came last."
"So you were there to welcome them all into the Organization." I shrugged. "Explains why you may fear returning since you were there when they came and then you left them instead of them leaving you. You grew up with them." Akira snorted. I nodded in agreement. We sat silently before Akira suddenly doubled over laughing. I watched her in concern.
"H-How did you handle learning about sex and your monthly?" I felt my face instantly burn, I was sure I was red. Akira only cackled harder when she saw.
"Shut up. It wasn't that funny." It was so embarrassing learning about female menses the first time and the sex talk… ugh.
"W-who talked about that with you?"
"If you must know the period talk was with Angel. As for the sex talk," Despite the redness of my face I continued. "That was everyone else." Akira was gasping for air right now.
"I-I c-can't… breathe." I had enough with her teasing and laughing at this point so I hooked my leg under her chair and used my other leg to push while the first leg pulled. Akira toppled out of her chair onto the floor with a short scream.
"If that is all then I am going to leave." I stated calmly, refusing to acknowledge the heat that was still burning my cheeks. Akira took one last deep breath before she got up.
"Sorry but the idea of a bunch of S-rank criminals teaching a little girl about her own body and about sex is so absurdly funny." She hiccuped before saying, "Thank you for telling me this. I understand why you feel this way now. Unfortunately I can't say anything that will make you feel better about leaving but I hope you remember that despite all your embarrassing memories, they seem like a tight group."
"They really aren't." I stated thinking of Hidan and Kakuzu. "But thanks, I guess."
"Don't worry so much. It'll all work out."
"And if they decide to kill me?" I asked. Akira shrugged.
"We're already dead. Besides, you can take care of yourself. You've been doing it for years." She gave a sad smile before giving me a hug.
'Plus I doubt they have a Reaper scythe.'
'I have my doubts.' I thought of Hidan's scythe. Akira pulled away.
"You got this. Hopefully we don't have to see each other under any negative circumstances any time soon." I nodded.
"Good luck to you too sis." I did a shunshin out of the cafe and to the nearby forest.
'You could have at least paid your part of the bill.' Akira thought. I smirked.
'I hang with criminals. What did you expect?' I turned to the forest and started walking. Despite the road to Ame from Tanigakure, I didn't trust being out in the open.
Nothing left to do but take my time through this massive forest.
Three Days Later~
Figures it would be raining once I had entered Rain country. Of course I guess Leader-sama would be slacking in his job if it wasn't raining all the time. It was early dawn and I was walking through the village to the forest beyond when I felt the rain that was pelting me ease up. The drops that fell after were laced with chakra. I stopped in the town center and just tilted my head up, enjoying the feeling.
"Hello Leader-sama." I murmured. No one else would hear over the sound of rain pounding on the roofs nearby. I allowed my chakra to swirl closer to the surface as I continued walking through the forest. No doubt my spiritual powers would have changed my chakra signature a bit. Which is why I wasn't surprised when I started to feel two familiar chakra signatures coming towards me.
Itachi and Kisame.
I stopped walking to allow them to come closer. This was my first hurdle. While I would have preferred to meet with Leader-sama first, I could appreciate the fact that he was allowing us to reunite before I would no doubt have to rejoin Akatsuki.
Rain continued to come down but it eased up into a light sprinkle that made visuals much better. As such I was able to see the dark figures separate from the usual darkness and turn into solid humans. Red eyes glowed from one while the other was taller and had a familiar white bundle on his back. My own eyes changed to show their golden ring.
"State your business." Kisame's growl was so familiar that an involuntary smile broke out.
"My business is my own and my own is my knowledge, although I admit I do have much business that needs to be discussed with the leader of the Akatsuki. Currently though I have pressing business to reunite with a certain shark and Uchiha." They didn't move. No doubt they were gearing up to fight. I continued before they could attack. "You see, I left them both a few years ago after some unfortunate circumstances that I wish were not needed nor done under their care. I wish to make it up to them both as well as a few others. Which I guess is why Leader-sama sent you two instead of his paths."
"... Akana?" Itachi spoke.
"Hello Itachi." I let my eyes rest. The sun beyond the clouds no doubt rose higher as I could see clearer. I made no move against them or away in case they saw me as a threat. "Hello Kisame. Long time no see."
"Akana, I honestly thought we were never going to see you again." Kisame commented. "Glad to see you're not dead."
"I did say I would be back in a few years." I coughed looking to the side in discomfort before steeling myself. "And, technically, I am dead. I'm just, undead." Pretty sure that wasn't the correct term but I wasn't sure what I qualified as nowadays. I'm not sure what I had planned as an apology but what came next was not it. "I… I'm sorry about our last meeting." The same look in their eyes had haunted me for the past two years. "There's really no good way to say how sorry I am for bailing on you guys after you went all the way to Konashi for me. Which, how the hell did you even know I was alive?" I shook my head. "No, never mind, not important. The point is, I am truly, deeply sorry that you all had to watch me die and then when I came back I didn't even let you guys know after all that, that I was alive. And you dumb asses had the nerve to follow me only for me to just throw that back in your faces." It was evident that I had agonized over this for months and now I was rambling. A hand on my shoulder shocked me into shutting up to look into Itachi's dark gaze.
"You're crying again." He sighed and wiped my face. When the fuck had I started to cry?
"Sorry."
"Stop apologizing. You worry too much Chibi." Kisame stated from behind Itachi's shoulder.
"No shit." I gasped as a few more tears escaped. In a rare show of humanity, Itachi pulled me into a hug. My arms came up to hold him just so my mind could come to terms with the fact that Itachi and Kisame did not in fact hate my guts as I had feared.
When I pulled away Kisame ruffled my hair.
"You cut it, looking good." I scoffed.
"Actually I burned it accidentally. Cutting it was the only way I managed to avoid shaving my head entirely." Kisame snorted.
"Are you alone?" Itachi asked. I nodded, knowing he was asking about Shisui. Shisui had told me a few stories about he and Itachi's younger days so I had a better grasp on just who they both were and what they had done for peace.
'I'll tell you more about that later.' I thought to him. He didn't respond.
"Good, let's get you inside." Kisame said. I followed the two of them to the opening. Kisame opened the covering. I moved forward and dropped down to the hallway below. I moved to the side before Itachi came down and then Kisame. Being back down here in the hall was so satisfying to me. I followed Itachi down the hall to the common room that was still messy with take out boxes covering the coffee tables, table and counters.
"Two years and no one could be bothered to clean?" I asked in fear. "What could be growing under there?"
"Deidera found a giant centipede two weeks ago." Itachi stated. I looked at him with wide eyes. Kisame snickered.
"He screamed like a girl." I snorted.
"I wish I'd have seen that." Pretty sure I can find that in the archives and keep that. Too bad I had left my tablet in the spirit world.
"Konan made him and Hidan clean everything up." I frowned in confusion.
"They didn't get through it all. Apparently the giant centipede was a mommy." Kisame stated. I shuddered.
"Nope, nope, nope, I don't do crawly things. Tachi, can you burn everything?"
"That is a waste of chakra." I gasped bringing my hand to my chest dramatically. He smirked at me making me roll my eyes. "Leader-sama will want to see you."
"Yeah I figured." I started to walk down the hall but was stopped as a hand clamped down on my wrist. When I turned I saw Kisame had grabbed me. I frowned in confusion. "Uh Kisame, what are you doing?"
"Just making sure you aren't going to leave without telling us." The serious look on his face and the stiff posture to Itachi made regret slam into me.
"I wont. I promise I'll scream if someone tries." I tapped his hand knowing the words were worthless. I instead grabbed my dagger from the ether and handed it to Kisame. "I'll be back for that." Kisame took the dagger with a frown on his face. I gave Itachi a look. "I won't leave again. I promise." I waited.
"Let her go Kisame." I nodded before I started down the hallway to Leader-sama's office. It didn't take long before I was standing in front of the dark wood door. Unlike before, I had no anxiety or fear to see Leader-sama and Konan again. I knocked on the door.
"Enter."
"Hello Leader-sama. Hello Konan. How are you two?" Leader-sama was already waiting when I entered with his hands on the top of his desk. Konan was lounging in her usual seat off to the side with a scroll in her hands. She lowered the scroll as I entered and closed the door behind me.
"Hello Akana, it is good to see you again." I bowed before getting into a comfortable stance. "How was your training?"
"It was interesting. Long obviously."
"What did you learn?" Konan asked.
"Apparently paperwork is the only thing that follows you into death." Konan nodded while Leader-sama rolled his eyes at my antics.
"What else?" I glanced around before I knelt down, placing my hands to the floor. My chakra and spiritual energy combined in a short burst before it flowed out as tiny black lines that formed sigils on the floor. The sigils spread across the floor and up to the walls until they met in the center above me. "Sorry, this is a privacy cage that they taught while in training. It allows for a Reaper to gain some protection by spies or in battle. Although it is a bit slow in my opinion to be used in battle unless you plan to block something beforehand."
"Do you not feel safe?" Leader-sama asked.
"In your presence I am safe Leader-sama, Konan. But I have my doubts about others who may try and overhear any secrets that they should not be privy to." I reached into my pack and pulled out a sealing scroll. I opened it before I applied my chakra to one seal in particular. In a brief puff, a new thicker scroll came out. "This is all necessary information I gathered that I thought would be necessary to you Leader-sama." I packed the other scroll before I gave Leader-sama and Konan a serious look. "This scroll contains all I managed to learn about the Gedo Statue and it's history. I also added in some history on how the Bijuu came to be and how they were first sealed into the first Jinchuuriki. All accounts were verified by the Jinchuuriki themselves." I pulled out another scroll from another seal. "This scroll contains the first known blueprints on the Hidden Villages when they were first proposed. I added to them after researching some of the Villages native shinobi and their history with the villages hidden entrances. There are a surprising amount."
"You have done well." Konan stated looking in interest at the scroll that contained info about the Gedo Statue. "Were you able to obtain any other secrets?"
"Any other secrets are only available to Grim Reapers or the family of Death."
"What about your own skills?" Leader-sama asked. "When you left you were competent, I trust you have improved enough to avoid any run-in's with Orochimaru." Despite the teasing I answered seriously.
"If I do, I can promise he will not leave my sight until I have his soul."
"I wish to test this." Leader-sama commented. "Hidan and Kakuzu are on their way back as we speak. After they have had a chance to rest, I want you to face off against them."
"No one else?" I cocked an eyebrow. I had thought he would probably want to test me himself. He must have anticipated this as he answered.
"Hidan and Kakuzu are our immortal members. Whatever you do to them, at least they will be able to recover." I snorted.
"I would never try to kill you Leader-sama. I have a gentler touch than that." Konan rolled her eyes while Leader-sama nodded.
"Be that as it may, I am not in the mood to hold off our plans for much longer."
"I understand Leader-sama." I bowed once more. "Do I have your permission to rest before this challenge?" He nodded. I knelt down and tapped the sigils, releasing the privacy cage. Once the sigils disappeared I took my leave. "You should know, Sasori and Deidera will be back before Hidan and Kakuzu." I paused before touching the door. "They will be back in a few hours."
"Thank you for the heads up Leader-sama. I will be in my quarters if you need anything." I exited the room. Once the door had closed I took a deep breath and let it out. I still didn't have a plan for what I would do once Sasori was back. I was more scared to see Sasori and had to choke down the anxiety that clogged my throat. I was going to give myself a panic attack soon.
Halfway to my room I stopped as a familiar chakra signature arose. My eyes narrowed as I knew this person. My back straightened while my spiritual energy rose closer to the surface in anticipation of a confrontation. When I turned the corner to my room Obito was leaning against the door, waiting for me.
"Well if it isn't the black sheep of the Uchiha." I remarked, keeping any emotion out of my voice and off my face. "I suppose I should be honored that you came to seek me out Obito. What do you want?"
"You certainly took your time coming back." He glared with his Sharingan glowing from his eye hole. I shrugged. He still unsettled me, but from all the stories that Rin had told me, I was having difficulty with reconciling this man with the boy she had known. It was like looking at a broken mirror with jagged shards of hate.
"What can I say, I made a lot of friends in the afterlife. Some of them remembered you." I gave him a cold look. "Others remembered a murderer. Although I assume since I am back though that the search for the Jinchuuriki begins again?"
"What information did you give to Nagato?" So he had been trying to watch. Glad the privacy bubble was the first thing I had learned.
"Basic information. My family and what happens when you die. My new physical attributes. I'm sure even you've noticed that I haven't aged much beyond my unfortunate hair cut. And I apologize but 1 scroll was all that I could give out. Any more than that and I'm afraid Death would need to act." Obito stood up straight and started walking down the tunnel.
"We begin gathering the Bijuu and their jinchuuriki once again." He stated as he passed me.
"We can start tomorrow. Unless you want to miss the test match that Leader-sama has lined up for me?" I didn't turn around as he answered.
"I wouldn't dream of it."
I knew the instant Sasori and Deidera came into the base. Their chakra was so familiar to me it ached but also settled my nerves into a calmness that would have worried me if it didn't also set me on edge. I breathed in and out a few times to get myself under control. Itachi seemed to have felt my distress as I heard a knock on my door.
"Enter." I called. He entered silently and assessed me before he sighed. "Don't say it, I know I'm a mess." I groaned, flipping up my hood.
"You felt them enter the base." It wasn't a question but I still answered.
"Yeah." I looked at him in confusion. "What do I do 'Tachi? How do I face them?"
"Hn."
"Facing you and Kisame was easier. I knew you two would forgive me. You know the cost of holding a grudge." I looked down at my hands that were clenched in front of me. "I left, I know I didn't leave under the best of circumstances, but it was important. I held a sword to Deidera and left with your best friend. Don't even try to deny it Tachi. Shisui and I had many long talks about Konoha."
"Hn."
"'Doesn't matter' he says." I rolled my eyes before I narrowed them at Itachi. "I know what you're doing. Don't distract me. I'm upset."
"Hn."
"You're only half of my important people. Sasori is… more. In a different way. I've spent the past month freaking out about this. What if he rejects me?"
"I feared as much." Itachi muttered under his breath. I didn't bother to comment on that.
"So what do I do?" I groaned, tilting my head back against the wall until my head thunked the wall. I stared unseeing at the ceiling. Itachi was quiet as I boiled in my anxiety.
"Sasori may not admit it, but he has also felt your loss. He is quicker to anger. More impatient. He has also caused Deidera to cause more bombings in the morning." I had to smile at that.
"Do you think I should go to him?"
"I would prefer to not think of you and him together. But you are of age and are old enough to make your own decisions." I smirked.
"Don't worry Tachi, I can at least promise I won't do anything too stupid."
"Will you be leaving again?" My previous thoughts about Itachi and Kisame becoming possessive and overprotective arose. It was slightly endearing and annoying. Despite that I thought about the answer. With the new file I had on me I did have some time before I needed to collect the soul in it. But if the file details were anything to go by, a lot of shit would go down in the coming months.
"I don't anticipate leaving again anytime soon." I answered truthfully. "Maybe in a few months but that is far off and it's just a soul run. I need to Reap a soul in a few months."
"Who?" I gave him a blank look. We entered a staring contest before I blinked. He smirked while I scowled.
"Sorry Tachi but I can't say. I can promise it's not Sasuke." He nodded. We sat in companionable silence for a few minutes before he stood up. I felt that familiar chakra coming to my room. No doubt Itachi felt it also. Itachi looked at me once more before he got up and tousled my hair. I gave a smile before he was heading out the door.
Guess it was time for this reunion. Itachi and Sasori's chakra signatures stood outside the door for a minute before Itachi's chakra started to walk away. Sasori's chakra stayed outside a while before a knock sounded on the door.
"Come in." I called. The door opened to reveal Sasori's red hair, bored brown eyes and Akatsuki cloak. His eyes seemed to focus as we stared at each other. Meanwhile my head seemed to be running in multiple directions at different speeds.
Come on girl, get it together.
"You going to come in or just stand in the door?" I finally managed to blurt. Sasori slowly entered the room and closed the door behind him. I stood up as we continued to stare at each other. I know why this reunion was important, mainly because I loved this puppet enough to look past the fact that I was naturally afraid of dolls, and I knew that due to some past experiences begging and tears had no reaction for Sasori but my voice and eyes didn't seem to want to work properly. My vision started to blur but I refused to look away from Sasori. I used my teeth to bite my tongue and that jolted me to speak.
"Hi Sasori. I know you're probably angry at me for leaving you and you certainly have a right to be. I mean I would be too if someone I cared about died on me while I was trying to save them. Not that you need to care for me or even voiced that, I'm assuming you care about me since you did try to save me but I digress. I left you Danna. And I am so sorry that I did that in such a cowardly way. I wanted to tell you I was back and I was okay. No scars or marks. But then Leader-sama told me not to so I had to leave without saying anything but you guys came anyway. Which no one has said how the hell that knowledge was leaked. Not that I regret you guys coming for me but I am so sorry that I still left and even threatened Dei when he tried to touch me. And then I just left again after some guy showed up making it seem like I was choosing him over you guys when that's not what I wanted to happen. It's just he was taking me to my family on the other side who needed to help me since I didn't actually come back, I just turned into a Reaper which is why I haven't aged and mpfh-" My long babbling was cut off as my mouth snapped shut due to a chakra string.
Sasori's eyes were shadowed. I felt more tears leaking as horrible thoughts went through my head. It honestly just pissed me off because, come on, this was the second time I had cried and babbled within five hours. I was supposed to be better than this. I stopped trying to talk as Sasori reached out with another hand and touched my cheek. Sasori's eyes were alert and gentle, there was also a hint of a smile on his face.
"You're really here." The touch turned into Sasori cupping my cheek. At this point I was in shock from his words. Did he dream or hallucinate often? "No sarcastic comments?" I became aware that he had released my vocals and my mouth to speak. I spoke slowly.
"I'll save the sarcasm for later." Sasori's hand was hard and dry as only wood could ever be and realistically there was no way he would have been able to feel my skin but I could feel his chakra core. His soul pulsed within it drawing me like a moth to a flame. It was comforting. Like coming home after a long day where everything went wrong when it was supposed to go right.
"I've missed you so much Danna." I whispered. My eyes flew open as that admission passed my lips. Well, in for a yen in for a pound. I closed my eyes before stating, "I won't be leaving again anytime soon."
"Stupid girl," He clicked his tongue. "What makes you think you're ever leaving me again?" I smirked.
"You know realistically, I can't promise to be with you forever what with Leader-sama sending us on different missions all the time after this, but I can promise you that I will always come back to you."
"Don't underestimate me." Nothing more was said as we simply stood together. "We need to talk about your absence."
"We will. But I think Dei is going to ruin this any moment now." I met his eyes as seriously as I could. His facial expression was back to being bored as he dropped his hand. "I'm back Danna."
"You know I'm back too." Deidera's drawl from the door had me snorting. "You didn't even hold a sword to his neck, un."
"Come closer brat and I'll hold a knife to your neck." Sasori threatened.
"Don't fight idiots. I just got back. Speaking of which, I'm warning you now Dei, if you set off any bombs in the morning I'm going to kill you."
"May as well get it over with now then." Sasori snorted.
"Oi! Fuck you Danna, un!"
GM NASAI: Whoo, I must say I was procrastinating a lot this past week. Well not really, my regular day job got busier with everyone trying to get ready for the Holidays. I'm just glad I get to work from home as I am mentally exhausted everyday. I get a bit too invested in the people I talk to daily and that I've been told isn't good for my mental health. I'm just glad I have the extended Holidays to look forward to. Even if I can't spend it with everyone I love at least I get some much needed rest.
That said, everyone stay safe and please please please, use common sense if you're thinking of traveling for the Holidays. I would hate if anyone got stranded anywhere they don't live.