Chapter 11

"How deep in the mountains is this place?" Hidan complained.

Akari kept a safe distance from the two Akatsuki members. Sure she was using her Transparency Jutsu but she knew better than to rely on it. These two were at a higher level than any of the other enemies she'd faced. Any closer and they were sure to notice her trailing behind them. So, as silently as she could, she followed them as they climbed some steps carved into the side of the mountain, leading them closer to the Fire Temple.

"Just a little further." Kakuzu grumbled.

He was clearly annoyed with his partner. Akari could see his hand twitching with irritation from where she hid. Any more from Hidan and he was sure to snap. It wouldn't matter though. Kakuzu couldn't kill Hidan even if he tried.

Biting her lip, Akari took each step with hesitation. She was risking a lot here. If they were to catch her, it wouldn't end well. They were more than capable of killing her. But she had to at least try. For weeks she stood back and watched them kill Jinchuriki. She slept restlessly every night, unable to forget all those dead faces. Akari didn't think she'd be able to stand herself if she were to walk away and allow them to kill another innocent. She had to at least try.

Up ahead the two men had reached the top of the mountain. She waited until they were no longer visible before she crept closer. As soon as she reached the final step she crouched behind a tree. The entrance to the Fire Temple stood in front of her. She saw a glimpse of Hidan and Kakuzu's cloaks before they disappeared at the top of yet another set of stairs that lead them inside.

Taking a deep breath, Akari began to ascend as well. Before she made it she heard a large crash. A second passed before she continued. As soon as she was at the top, she saw what had made the noise. Hidan and Kakuzu stood at the entrance with the double doors of the Fire Temple shattered at their feet. The Monks stared at them in shock. A few of them ran off clearly searching for someone.

Akari dared to get a little closer. She didn't cross the threshold though. She merely climbed the wall surrounding the temple and crouched on its ledge staring down at the scene below her. It was better if she assessed the situation before acting carelessly. That would only get her killed.

Hidan and Kakuzu hadn't made a move yet. They just stood there waiting for something. Akari scanned the crowd of monks searching for the one she had spied on. He wasn't among them. Then she spotted him as he approached from inside the Temple. He didn't look happy to see the Akatsuki.

"Huh? Looks like we've got another wanabe hero on our hands." Hidan commented.

Akari wasn't sure that he realized this man was the monk Kakuzu was after. His partner must not have shown him who their target was. Hidan tended to get upset with his partner when he killed for money. Yet he always tagged a long for a chance to murder someone. Sick bastard.

"This man is worth 30,000,000 Ryou." Kakuzu muttered.

"Hey." Hidan glanced at his partner. "Don't tell me this is the guy we're after."

Kakuzu just nodded. He didn't take his eyes off the monk.

"I knew we were coming for one of your crappy bounties but you never said it was a priest!"

"What does it matter?" Kakuzu clearly didn't care.

"Killing a priest is like a one-way ticket to hell." Hidan shook his head.

"Even hell runs on money." Kakuzu replied. "I'd be fine."

Akari was getting tired of these two and their bantering.

"I don't know what you've come her for but you need to leave." The monk finally spoke.

"You don't want unnecessary casualties huh? Well shit like that is not going to fly with my religion!"

Obviously the whole money situation didn't bother Hidan any longer. He pulled out his scythe ready to do what he did best. Kill.

"I had heard of temple in the Fire Country inhabited by ninja monks. It is said that they hold a power called "The Gift of the Gods". This man is an elite ninja who once belonged to the 12 Guardian Ninja, charge with protecting the Feudal Lord. Your sash is all the proof I need."

Akari glanced at the sash in question. It had the symbol of the Fire Country. Asuma sensei wore one similar.

"So this guy is tough huh?" Hidan smirked.

"Don't get Lazy. You will die." Kakuzu warned his partner.

"As if that was possible."

As soon as those words left his lips, the two men charged. She had hoped that the monk would have moved but he just stood there. Then slowly he took some type of stance unfamiliar to Akari. She activated her Sharingan for a closer look. Surrounding the monk was figure with hands held in front of her as if she were praying. Many arms spread around her.

Akari watched as Kakuzu got closer and attacked. His hit was blocked instantly. Then large fists punched him continuously sending him crashing to the ground. She was sure that without her sharingan she wouldn't have seen them. Then Hidan took his turn but was dealt with the same fate. He landed roughly on the hard ground not far from his partner. It looked as if they had been beat but Akari didn't get her hopes up. Hidan began to rise, the anger was clear on his face.

"Now I'm pissed...you don't need him alive do you? Which means I can kill him right?" Hidan asked.

"Do as you like. His corpse is worth a lot of money." Kakuzu slowly rose.

"People shouldn't be in the business of trading lives for money asshole! Now don't interfere. I'm going to slaughter him."

"I am Chiriku of the Fire Temple, and I won't lose to the likes of you!" The monk cried out.

Hidan charged him once more. This time he seemed to sense the monk's attacks and dodge with ease. He lifted his scythe as soon as he saw an opening. Akari was done observing. Launching herself into the fight, she placed herself between the monk and his attacker. There was a loud clanking noise as metal met metal. She heard Chiriku gasp behind her. Hidan stared at his weapon in surprise as his scythe connected with her katana. His eyes shifted left and right unsure of what stood in his way.

"Who's there?" He growled.

There was no point in staying hidden. They knew she was there. They would find her even if they couldn't see her. Akari slowly released her transparency jutsu. Hidans eyes widened as he came face to face with a young woman who wore a cheetah mask. Then anger flashed across face. He pressed down harder with his scythe, forcing Akari to dig in her feet and hold her ground. Her arms felt the pressure of the older man's weapon against hers. Her muscles screamed in protest. She couldn't let up. Not even an inch or she would surely regret it.

"An A.N.B.U? What are you doing her girl?" Kakuzu hadn't moved to help his partner.

"Possibly getting myself killed. Either ill manage to save this guy or die trying. Not sure which just yet." She chuckled darkly.

"I'm betting it's the second one." Hidan glared at her.

Suddenly he pulled back and swung his scythe behind him. Akari leapt back and placed herself defensively in front of Chiriku. At the same time her clone made herself visible with a kunai in hand. Akari cursed under her breathe. Her clone had attacked from behind but had been detected almost immediately. She seemed okay until she tried to take a step and stumbled. The fake fell her knees clutching her stomach. Blood seeped through her fingers. Akari watched as the girl in her likeness disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Hidan cackled wildly as he licked the red liquid still dripping from his scythe.

"It may have just been a fake, but damn was her blood good. It makes me crave the real one."

He stared at Akari with disturbing lust in his eyes. She had to keep herself from fleeing like a frightened rabbit. This wasn't going to well. Hopefully the clone's blood didn't affect the original. She prayed that it didn't.

"You need to go. You'll only die if you try to help me." Chiriku whispered behind her.

"I can't. I'm in this now. There's no turning back."

She hoped that he couldn't sense the fear in her voice. She had always dreamed of the day that she could kill these bastards. But now as she stood facing them, all she wanted was to go home and hide under her blankets. Itachi had warned her that she could never beat these guys on her own. So yes, a part of her did want leave the monk to his fate. But it was only a small part. There was no way she would run away. Not without giving it a shot. She would never forgive herself is she left.

"So. Are you just going to stand there or will you try to kill me?" Hidan smiled.

"Cocky asshole." She muttered.

"Oh! A woman who swears. How blasphemous!" Hidan shook his head in disgust.

"That's rich coming from you." Kakuzu muttered.

Hidan sent his partner a dirty look. Akari took this as an opening.

"Body Flicker Technique!"

Hidan seemed a bit surprised but still manage to sidestep in time. He then flung his scythe at her while keeping his grip on the long rope attached to its handle. Akari had seen him do this plenty of times before but it was different when it was being directed towards her. Still she was able to leap out of the way. But not without injury. She grasped her left thigh as a gash appeared across it. It was fairly deep but not enough to affect her. Yet she still flinched slightly at she landed a few feet away from Hidan.

"You know what? That mask of yours looks very familiar." Hidan said as he reeled in his weapon.

Hidan was never one to remember his victims. He's had so many after all. So it surprised her that he could remember her mask. And it had been nearly three years since that awful day. The day he murdered her sister. There was a time when Akari believed that she herself was to blame. But not anymore. The man in front of her was at fault. He, along with his partner, are the reason Mizuko was dead. Anger coursed through her body and all her fear melted away. There was still a chance she wouldn't survive but that didn't scare her anymore. After all, she was an A.N.B.U. She faced death nearly every day.

"Does it? Well I'm sure there are others out there with one similar." She growled.

"Hmmm. Maybe. But there is still something about you…oh well! Whatever it is doesn't matter. You'll be dead in a few moments anyways."

Hidan shrugged and brought his scythe to his lips. He didn't break eye contact with her as he swallowed her fresh blood. She was an idiot! How could she allow him to cut her! She tried not to freak out as his skin turned black. White lines trailed his body.

"What is this? What's he doing?" Chiriku questioned.

Akari hadn't realized that Hidan had placed himself between her and the monk. They had separated them.

"Chiriku! You need to run!" She cried out.

The monk turned to her as Kakuzu lunged at him. Luckily Chiriku was quick. He managed to put some distance between himself and the attacker. Then he once again took his stance. Akari couldn't really tell what happened next. Her attention had turned to Hidan who was attempting to draw a diagram of blood at his feet. There was no way she would let him complete it. She would be no use to Chiriku dead.

"Body Flicker Technique!"

In seconds she was above Hidan. He noticed her of course. Bringing up his scythe he swung at her. She saw it coming and blocked with her katana. Then with a quick turn she kicked the side of his head with the heel of her left foot. It caught him of guard and he landed a few feet away from his diagram. She landed in the middle of it and glanced down. Thankfully it was unfinished. Then she dared to sneak a peek at Chiriku. He wasn't doing well. Kakuzu was finding a way around his attacks.

Cursing to herself she turned her attention back to Hidan. He was picking himself up. He brought his hand up to his head and flinched.

"Dumb bitch! That fucking hurt!" He glared at her.

"I meant for it to asshole." She glared at him.

"I don't see why you're trying too hard to save him. You and I both know you can't win. Both of you will die today."

"Doesn't matter. At least I'll die trying." She told him.

Then, using her foot, she smeared the diagram until the shape was unrecognizable. As if she would let him finish such a dangerous technique. Hidan's eyebrows rose in surprise as he saw what she was doing. Then his brow furrowed in thought. Until his face lit up in understanding.

"You knew what I was about to do!" He pointed at her accusingly.

"I don't know what you mean." She lied.

"Stop lying to me A.N.B.U whore! How the hell do you know about my technique?" He seethed.

"Am I a bitch or am I a whore? Make up your mind will ya?" She smirked.

"How. Do. You. FUCKING. KNOW!"

He ran at her with his scythe above his head. She did the same. At the last moment before he could swing, she fell to the ground and slid between his legs. He stopped and turned to her. She lay on her back facing him with her fingers at her lips.

"Fire Style! Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"

Hidan leapt into the air but it was no use. Balls of fire under her control followed him. Not a single one missed. He fell to the ground roughly, his cloak steaming. He began to stand.

"I'm so done with…"

Before he could finish she attacked again.

"Dance of the Crescent Moon!"

She, along with her two clones, rushed at the man with katanas in hand. He was sent back and hit one of the temples pillars. It shattered and a small portion of the roof fell on him. She wasn't done.

"Fireball Jutsu!"

Akari sent her attack at Hidan before he could pull himself out from under the rubble. He caught fire and fell back in pain. Breathing heavily she turned her attention to the monk. He was holding his own but was in bad shape. She knew that Hidan wasn't dead but she need to help Chiriku. Choosing to leave the burning man she ran towards Chiriku. She didn't get far.

Kakuzu's arm shot at her from atleast 50 feet away. His hand wrapped around her neck before she could react. Tears formed in her eyes as he squeezed the breath out of her. She had forgotten about the gray tendril woven into his body.

"You won't interfere. I will have my bounty." Kakuzu glared at her.

Chiriku sent another one of his attacks at him but even more thread burst from Kakuzu knocking the monk back. Akari was beginning to see spots. Any longer and she would pass out. She clawed at his arm but it was no use. He was to strong.

"Throw the bitch this way Kakuzu! She's mine!"

Akari had messed up! She had messed up big time! How could she turn her back on Hidan the way she did! Scared out of her mind she struggled even harder even though she knew it was hopeless. She looked to Chiriku who was barely managing to pick himself up. Had she actually believed that she could save him?

"If I do you better make sure she doesn't get in my way again Hidan!" Kakuzu ordered.

"Yeah, yeah! Just send her flying already!"

She barely managed to suck in a breath as the man loosened his grip. Then she was thrown back like a rag doll. Eyes closed, she felt the rush of air before pain coursed its way through her body. Akari had hit the ground hard. Her body skidded against the rough earth before it crashed into the temple wall. It hurt. Boy did it hurt.

She heard a harsh cackle and opened her eyes. She wished she hadn't. Hidan watched her a few feet away. He gave her a wicked smile. The man had completed his diagram. And now he stood safely inside of it. Unless she wanted to kill herself, there was no way to hurt him.

"Bastard…I…I can't…stand…you. I…want you dead. I want…you dead more than anything."

Every word she spoke shot pain through her torso. Tears stung in her eyes. A piece of her mask had broken off. She was bruised and battered. Yet she still tried to stand. Using the wall as support she managed to get on her feet.

"You sound as if you know me? We have met before haven't we?" Hidan wondered.

"My sister. You…you killed…her. You took…her…away from me!" She coughed blood.

"Hmmm. What did she look like? I've killed so many people you know! It's hard to remember faces." He chuckled.

She hated him. She hated him so much. And yet she couldn't do anything. He had won. She waited for him to bring out a retractable spear. He smiled at it.

"You know what comes next don't you?" He turned to her smirking.

She glared at him. She knew this wouldn't be quick and painless. Hidan loved to see his victims suffer. She prepared herself but then movement caught her eye. Chiriku had somehow managed to break free from Kakuzu. Now he lunged at Hidan with her katana. When had she lost it?

"Chiriku! NO!" She cried out.

The monk hesitated but it was too late. Hidan turned to face him but didn't move. Not even when Chiriku pierced his chest with her own weapon. The monk had a look of triumph but it was soon erased once he heard Hidan laughing.

Akari felt a pain stronger than she ever felt before. Her hand flew to her chest in shock. She felt the warmth of her blood as it seeped its way through her fingers. She fell to her knees unable to hold herself up any longer.

Her eyes bored into Chiriku's. He stared at her in shock. Then she watched as Hidan removed the weapon from his chest and flung it at her feet. Using his spear, he plunged it deep into the monk's heart. A strange sound escaped her lips. She reached for the fallen man but she could do nothing. He was dead.

She felt the last remains of her strength leaving her. Then she crumpled to the ground. Her hand was still outstretched toward Chiriku. As if she could still help him. Her eyes were growing heavy. She could still here voices.

"We….go. You don't….for…stupid ritual."

What were they saying? She didn't have the energy to listen.

"I need….ritual! Its part…religion!"

"We…going! We don't…time. We…find….Jinchuriki. She's dying anyways."

Was she? Was she dying? No. No she couldn't be. She focused on her wound. It had missed her heart. Chiriku had hesitated at the last moment. He had missed. Ignoring the pain she forced herself to open her eyes. Only slightly. She could just barely make out the Akatsuki cloaks as the two men walked away. One of them carried Chirikus body behind them. She stared at the monk's dead face before he disappeared. Then she slowly began to heal.