Chapter 14

Authors Note: So I actually had some spare time today and figured I would get the next chapter in! Why not right? Why have you guys wait another week! I'm so happy to that so many of you read my story! I get excited every time I see a new comment! Let me know if you guys like it!

"DAMN HER! DAMN HER AND THAT STUPID GIANT CAT!"

Akari rolled her eyes as she watched the rain dripping freely against the window pane. She sat with her legs pulled up on the window sill. Outside the Hidden Rain looked as gloomy as ever. If she looked closely enough, she could just make out the silhouettes of the many villagers going about their normal dreary day.

"WE ALMOST HAD HER! SHE WAS RIGHT THERE! GOD KNOWS HOW BADLY I WANTED TO RIP OUT HER INSIDES AND LAY THEM OUT BY HER FEET FOR HER TO SEE!"

She couldn't help but shudder slightly at the idea of her guts scattered on the ground before her. She was trying to tune out Hidan's incessant screeching, but it was hard when the man's words were clearly directed towards her. Too bad he didn't know that the girl he so badly wanted dead was a mere 10 feet away.

She tore her eyes away from the window and glared at the man as he paced back and forth across the room. Kakuzu sat at a table near by sorting through the cash he traded for Chiriku's body. How she wished she could burn the offensive green paper to ashes. Itachi caught her eye and shook his head ever so slightly too where only she could see. Rolling her eyes once more she turned her attention back to the drizzling rain.

"IF SHE HADN'T HAD THAT FUCKING CAT WITH HER I SWEAR I WOULD'VE…"

"That's enough Hidan. You're giving us all a headache with your meaningless chatter."

She didn't have to turn around to know it was Lord Pain. He sat on his thrown, cheek rested on his fist, with an irritated look on his face. He had been very annoyed to find that Hidan and Kakuzu had returned empty handed. The Akatsuki leader was expecting them back with a Jinchuriki in tow.

"Meaningless? I didn't think it was…"

She didn't catch the rest of his sentence as he sauntered off mumbling to himself.

"Kakuzu. Please explain to me why you came back with money instead of the Nine-tails?" Pain ordered.

She listened as Kakuzu retold their encounter with the monk and the girl Hidan so clearly despised. She listened for a while but then her mind wandered to her own experience.

Akari held on tightly as Shun sprinted at unnatural speed towards home. In minutes they were outside the Hidden Leaf, but the large animal didn't stop there. He took them directly to the village hospital. By then, many of the village ninja had noticed their approach and followed close behind making sure there wasn't any trouble. Lady Tsunade must have been informed because she was waiting outside the medical building when they arrived.

Seeing the shape they were in, she ordered those around them to help them inside. Asuma was immediately rushed into surgery. Izumo's wound was deep, but a bit of medical jutsu and he would be fine. Shikamaru's arm was still bleeding and his face had paled from the ride. They ushered him inside to patch him up. And probably give him some medicine for the nausea. Kotetsu didn't have any serious injuries so he was allowed to carry her inside. Before he did, she was able to thank her large animal friend who disappeared as soon as he felt she was safe.

She could no longer feel the pain in her leg anymore. Her whole body was numb. Her eyes kept shifting left and right as if she was expecting Hidan or Kakuzu to attack the hospital and everyone in it. Kotetsu was told to place her in an empty hospital room. Ironically it was the same one she had left days before. He left to check on Izumo and promised he would be back with sweets later. The doctors didn't like the idea but he gave her a mischievous grin before walking out the door.

It wasn't long before Riko burst through the door. Followed by most of her friends, excluding Team Gai and Team Asuma. She gave them the biggest smile she could manage. Unfortunately it wasn't big enough because they all gave her a worried look as they approached her bed. Naruto pulled didn't bother to pull up a chair, he merely scooted on to the bed with her being careful of her leg. Sakura chided him as she pulled up a chair and started peeing her an apple. Hinata made herself busy asking is she needed anything. If she could be of any help. The others made themselves comfy in the small hospital bed. Kiba leaned on the window ledge next to her brother who was giving her a very disapproving look. Well great. He was not very happy with her as if it was her fault that she was once again on a hospital bed. Shino and Sai sat on the empty bed beside her own.

They stayed with her talking for a good few hours. They made sure not to question her to much about what had happened. She only told them as much as she wanted to. She only told them that they had been attacked by two rogue ninja who had killed Chiriku. She told them of how they were able to get away. They in turn, told her that Asuma was still in surgery but he was going to make it. Shikamaru was stationed outside the operating room. Ino and Choji were making their way back home but it was going to take them a lot longer than a few minutes. Izumo seemed fine as well. At one point, Kotetsu barge in with a bag of forbidden sweets. He grinned as he handed them to her saying that it wasn't easy getting them past the doctors. She smiled in thanks as he left them alone again.

Then they all started to trickle out of the room. They told her to get better quickly and that they would be by again to visit. First it was Kiba and Shino, then Hinata gave her a gentle hug and followed them out. Team 7 remained along with Riko. Sakura and Sai stood to leave but stared at their team member expectantly. Naruto, who had been unusually quiet, gripped her hand firmly as he stood from her bed.

"I'm glad you're okay. I…Sakura…she told me what you've been doing out there. I just wanted to say thank you. And that I'm glad I have your help in this. It's important to us that we find him but…when I heard you were in here…I was worried that…"

"That he had been the cause." She finished for him.

"Yeah. Look. I'm not as ignorant as I look. I know he's not the same. That he's dangerous. I don't care what happens to me but I do care about you. You can leave this to me you know. You don't have to risk yourself for our sakes." He squeezed her hand.

"I am doing this for you. But I'm also doing it for me. And for him. He shouldn't be out there on his own any longer. I can't just do nothing Naruto. I have to try and bring him back same as you. Don't worry. I'm stronger than I look." She assured him with a smile.

He understood. He grinned down at her with a look of gratitude. He really was glad she was as invested in Sasuke's return as he was.

"You don't have to worry either! I'm training my butt off right now you know? This new Jutsu is going to be epic and make me stronger than ever and soon I'll be out there working with you to bring him home!"

"I wouldn't expect anything less from a Hero." She grinned.

"Speaking of which! I need to get back to work! Kakashi and Yamato only gave me a few hours to visit!"

She waved at the three of them as they left her room. Then, with a nervous smile she turned to face her brother. He had been silently steaming to himself by the window the whole time. The others hadn't noticed but she knew by the way he stood, that he was pissed.

"So…I'm okay. Yay." She chuckle nervously.

"Okay? Okay? This is twice in a week that you're in the freakin hospital! Let's see what it was this time shall we?"

He snatched her medical records from the bedside table and she couldn't help but flinch. Man he was scary when he was angry.

"A broken leg. 2nd degree burn on left shoulder. Bruises spread all over torso. Slightly infected cut on left thigh." He said through gritted teeth.

"Uh…"

"Not to mention that there were signs of a chest wound that had been healed on the field!"

"Okay it wasn't that bad…"

"A CHEST W0UND AKARI!"

"Okay! Okay! It was pretty bad but I'm fine!"

"Yeah. For now. Tell me what you plan to do after you get discharged?" He said bitterly.

"I'm going to see Itachi." She didn't look him in the eye.

"You mean the Akatsuki! Damn it Akari! You're going to get yourself killed!"

"You act like you spend all your time safely within the village walls! We are ninja Riko! This is what we do! You can't tell me not to go out there when you go on missions same as me! You've been in this hospital bed before with me standing next to you plenty of times! And not once did I tell you to stop!"

"Because when I go out there I'm not meeting the man who murdered my twin sister! I don't go play nice with the most dangerous men in the world. I don't go out there alone! I have a team!"

"I have Itachi…" She bit her lip.

"Is he enough? Can he protect you from all of them? Because by the looks of it, he wasn't much help to you against Hidan today was he?"

"How did you…" She whispered.

"Know it was him? Because of the look in your eyes. All is see is anger and regret. Anger because of how he left you. And regret from not being able to kill him. You can't beat him Akari. All you're going to do is get yourself killed. Mizuko wouldn't be very happy with you now would she?"

"Riko…"

Her eyes grew hooded. Her brother had chosen the wrong time to mention their sister. He didn't seem to notice her mood change.

"You need to stop. Be an A.N.B.U, fine I don't care about that. Just stop working with Itachi. Leave the Akatsuki alone and let the older more experienced ninja handle things."

"Riko…I want to be alone. I'm tired and would like to get some sleep."

There was no emotion in her voice. She stared at nothing, felt nothing. She didn't even flinch when he slammed the door behind him. Closing her eyes she buried herself in under covers. Sleep came quickly. She woke to the sound of someone chewing. She peeked out from under her blanket, ready to tear Riko a new one. Instead she looked up at Shikamaru. He rose his eyebrow at her as he bit into his apple. His arm was bandaged but there didn't seem to be a need for a sling.

"What do you want?" She glared.

She didn't leave the safety of her blanket.

"Not in a good mood this morning?"

She grunted a reply. He smirked at her.

"Well no matter how cheery you are, I'm not leaving here until you explain what happened with those two Akatsuki guys."

"What do you mean? I told you what happened before you guys showed up." She rolled her eyes.

"I wasn't talking about the monk. I meant your sister."

Akari blinked. Then she glowered at him from the small opening she made herself in her blanket.

"I said I wouldn't leave. I'm willing to stay here all day no matter how much of a drag it will be."

Akari was in not in the mood. She hid under her covers again and waited. She expected him to leave after a while but he didn't. He sat there for two whole hours before she peeked out once more. She grumbled about how annoying he was before sitting up in her bed.

"Fine." She scowled.

He gave her an irritating smirk before scooting his chair closer.

"Hisako. Hisako!"

She was jolted back to the present. The tuna man was scowling at her. Itachi watched her with an amused glint in his eyes. Hidan had returned and stood beside his partner looking very annoyed. Konan had a small smile on her lips and Pain wasn't even looking at her. Who knew how long they'd been trying to get her attention.

"Ugh…yes?" She said weakly.

"Did you forget your damn name or something?" Kisame scoffed.

For a second she had. Her fake name anyways. But she wasn't going to let him know that.

"Just daydreaming tu…I mean Kisame." She batted her eyes sweetly.

By the look of his face she was sure that he knew what she really meant to call him. He growled but Itachi placed a hand on his shoulder.

"We're going now. The Seven-tails awaits." He told her.

"Oh. Is that all?"

She leapt off the window sill but regretted it instantly. It had been nearly two days since she left the hospital but her leg still ached. Luckily her mask hid her face as she grimaced.

"No. Had you been paying attention, you would have heard Lord Pain's orders. You have grown idle girl." Black Zetsu said gruffly.

She shrugged in apology. He was clearly still annoyed with her for being almost 6 days late. Wasn't her fault her leg had been broken. That was all Kakuzu. Unfortunately she couldn't tell him that. She was also slightly uneasy with the fact that he was right. She had become a little too comfortable around them.

"You will go with Hidan and Kakuzu. They are going back to the Fire Country to finish the job they were given. Maybe you can keep them on track." White Zetsu smiled at her. Creepy.

"Okay. Sure. So…Nine-tails huh?" She muttered.

"Yep! And maybe we will run into that stupid girl and her friends! My body tingles with the thought of using her lifeless body for my ritual." Hidan sighed.

Akari nearly gagged at the mental picture of Hidan's body trembling for her death. Hopefully he would never have the pleasure.

"Alright! Let's get going. If that Asuma character is still around I could make a little detour and bring back his bounty along with the fox kid." Kakuzu made to leave.

"No more detours! You better come back with that boy's body understood!" Pain glared at Kakuzu's back.

The man merely lifted a hand in farewell. Hidan bowed mockingly at their leader and grabbed Akari by the wrist. He pulled her along after his partner. Itachi gave her small smile of encouragement as she passed. Kisame gave her the dirty finger and she winked at him. He glowered at her as she left.

Once outside she pulled her hand away from Hidan. She felt disgusted with how easily he grabbed her. He only laughed at the look in her eyes. A dangerous look in her his face. She had never been on a mission with Hidan before. Konan had noticed how she felt for the psycho and made sure she was never alone with him. Seemed like the woman had no say in the matter this time. Thankfully Kakuzu was around. Again she felt uneasy at the idea that she was glad to have money hungry asshole with her.

"I said let's go! I want to be back to finish counting my money! Hisako, make sure you stay out of our way out there. Wouldn't want you to ruin my chances for that bounty." Kakuzu growled.

"But Lord Pain said that the Nine-tails was priority. No detours." She muttered.

"No worries lil bitch! He won't care as long as we have the fox kid with us. So as soon as we do, kakuzu can go for his bounty and I can search for the A.N.B.U bitch who plagues me so."

He touched his forehead with the back of his wrist dramatically at the last part. She rolled her eyes at his theatrics.

"She only plagues you because you don't like the idea that a girl as young as her could escape you not once, not twice, but three times." She mocked.

He was no longer smiling. He glared at her and took a step closer.

"Why you…"

"HIDAN! There is no time for that! We must go!"

Kakuzu turned his back to them and sprinted away. Akari rushed after him not wanting to be left behind with Hidan. She would admit that she probably shouldn't goad him but she couldn't help. She found it pleasing that he had no idea it was her under the mask. It wasn't even ten second before she heard him running beside her. Once again he was smiling as if he was never angry with her to begin with. With a silent scoff, she traveled with the two men she hated most in the world. Straight for home.