Possible
Possible
Chapter 12: New Plans
Author's Note: Whoops, sorry for the long periods taken to update. I've been so stressed, but now's the start of my school holidays, so I guess I can update this story much faster and begin its sequel, or the Twilight story that I've been thinking of. So here's chapter 12, enjoy! There's much Akatsuki inside.
"What do you suggest we do now?" asked Pein, looking intently at his leader, who was hidden in the shadows. The distinct features of an orange, spiraled mask could be seen vaguely within the darkness. The man, nicknamed Tobi, turned around to face his subordinate. "We move slowly. This Jinchuuriki comes only once in a lifetime, and I do not want to lose that chance of gaining the greatest weapon besides the Kyuubi. We could take years if we have to. I just cannot afford to lose that Jinchuuriki," he snarled, narrowing his eyes at Pein, who held a stony expression on his face, despite the fact that he was wearing a mask. Pein nodded, and said, "Of course we should."
Tobi turned his back on Pein and began walking around the chamber silently. He was thinking, of course, thought Pein. To have such a genius mind, Pein had assumed that his leader would think up of an immensely foolproof plan to nab the Jinchuuriki swiftly and quickly. Even though they had failed in getting the Kyuubi several times, Pein believed it was only because luck was on Naruto's side, and not because his leader, his mighty, notorious leader was purely inexperienced. The man had gone through everything.
His eyes followed wherever his leader went, silently observing him. What was he thinking? If only Pein could see into his mind… to see what he was thinking of every single time he fell silent again. "Our new plan," began Tobi again, turning to Pein, "it might take a long time indeed. But we have to sacrifice time to gain the very best. This is how I'd play the game now." The auburn-haired Akatsuki member nodded again, the suspense igniting his excitement. Tobi started to speak again, with him listening ever so intently. "I think I'd like to torment the young man first. Attacking his heart would make excellent bait, although it all sounds so clichéd, I believe he'll fall soon enough. He is weak." Pein could beg to differ, but in his leader's eyes, everyone else was weaker than him.
"What do you suggest we do?"
Beneath his orange mask, the man smiled. "Taking his closest friend, his most beloved treasure…" he began, pacing up and down again, as if he had just discovered a new secret, something so satisfying… "Who is the closest person he holds dear?" asked Tobi. Instead of Pein responding, it was Deidara who answered his question. "Yamanaka Ino is her name," replied the blonde with a smirk. Pein turned to face Deidara, who held deep rage in his eyes. He was probably prejudiced against the Jinchuuriki for giving him such fatal injuries. "The kunoichi that belongs to Inoichi of the Yamanaka clan?" asked Tobi, his attention fully on Deidara now. The blonde nodded. "They're in love, I expect. From the look the Jinchuuriki gave me when I knocked her out… I guess Ino's pretty much the only reason why he lives nowadays." To Pein's surprise, Tobi had started to laugh. "Interesting!" he commented, clapping his hands together.
He turned to Pein again, his laughing stopping abruptly, only leaving echoes of his delight. "We must discover what he is going to do next. Head out with Konan to spy on the Jinchuuriki, and make sure you know everything that is to happen in the next few days. Return within three days," he commanded. Pein nodded and bowed slightly with respect. "It will be done," he replied, before disappearing from the chamber. Deidara chuckled and staggered his way back to where Kisame was waiting. "Well? How'd it go?" asked the swordsman. Deidara gave him a 'thumbs up' sign and said, "That Jinchuuriki will fall soon enough, and I'll be there to kill him. Let's go, Kisame."
"Go where?" asked Kisame. "I wanted to stay here and rest. And you're injured."
Deidara shook his head. "I must be the one to kill that Jinchuuriki."
"You shall wait," said an all too familiar voice, "your turn will come." Deidara turned around, only to face Tobi. He bit his lower lip and sighed. That very member was once a foolish idiot to Deidara, and what's more, he obeyed his every command. But now, after the revelation of him being the notorious and secretive leader of this organization, Deidara soon began to feel the irony of his situation. "Alright, fine," said Deidara. "I'll wait." Kisame sighed and shook his head. Sometimes, Deidara could be the most impatient man he had ever met. As soon as Tobi left, Deidara sat down with an angry expression contorting his face. "Damn it!" he cursed, as soon as he figured that Tobi was out of earshot. "I just want to kill the Jinchuuriki now!"
"We can't kill him, Deidara," muttered Kisame. "We need the Bijuu first, before you can kill the guy."
Deidara glowered at Kisame, who shrugged in response. "I just want to see the agony in his eyes when his beloved Ino is taken away from him."
"It's just an arm, Deidara. You experienced it before."
"But this time, I'm angry."
"Why?"
Kisame smirked when Deidara didn't answer. His temper had become much worse these days, Kisame thought shrewdly. "Are you jealous of his power?" asked the fish-like swordsman. Deidara pursed his lips and rubbed his arm lightly. "Maybe I am," he replied in a lazy tone. "He is the enemy too, you know." Kisame scratched his head and said, "Whatever, man. I wouldn't understand you even if I had a hundred years more to live."
The next day, Pein and Konan had already arrived at Konoha. They used a teleportation jutsu, so that time would not have been wasted. They disguised themselves as foreign villagers who came from the Village of Grass, and as soon as they were admitted into the village, they began their search for the Jinchuuriki. "What does he look like?" asked Konan. Pein scanned the streets silently, before replying, "He should be with that Yamanaka girl." He was right. Before the pair knew it, the Jinchuuriki and Ino walked past them suddenly, their hands locked with each other's. "There he is," said Pein. They began to follow him, not forgetting to pretend as if they were viewing the shops along the way to disguise their motive.
"Maybe I'll take you with me one day," said Ichiro.
Ino's expression seemed to fade slightly as he said that. "Maybe you will…" she said slowly. "Don't start again, Ino," said Ichiro, squeezing her hand. "I really don't want to go off with a heavy heart."
The blonde kunoichi sighed. "I know that, but still…"
"I know you want me to stay," he cut in. Pein smirked from behind. Ichiro was leaving for somewhere… he just had to listen in a little longer to find out where and when. "I have to go the day after tomorrow. Just understand me," he pleaded, gazing at Ino. "I'll be back as soon as I can. I promise." Ino seemed to turn a little sadder as he had reminded her of his leaving, but she took his promise to heart and said, "You'd better keep that promise Ichiro." He smiled and pressed his lips delicately on her forehead.
"There," whispered Pein. "He's leaving the village within two days."
"But where?" asked Konan, as soon as Ichiro and Ino had left the vicinity. Pein's lips stretched into a grin. "That's what we have to find out. Let's make a move; we wouldn't want to lose him."
They had spent half an hour more following Ichiro with much ease (they had changed appearances twice). "Will you write to me?" asked Ino again. Ichiro smiled. "As soon as I reach home," he reassured her. "How long does it take for you to reach the Demon Country?" she asked. Ichiro thought for a while, before answering, "Five days. But I'll send a letter immediately when I arrive there."
Pein smiled. "The Demon Country," he whispered. He nodded to Konan and the two left the streets, leaving Ichiro and Ino alone. "Alright," she said, with a reluctant expression on her face. "You'd better send me a letter."
"Of course," said Ichiro with a teasing smile on his face. "Now let's go. It's getting late. What do you want for dinner?"
"Anything that you pay for!" she said, sticking out her tongue at him.
Ichiro rolled his eyes. "Now aren't you a cheeky one…"
Pein and Konan had settled in an old inn not far from the gate of Konoha, and they began to plan ahead. "So the boy is going back to the Demon Country," said Konan, narrowing her eyes. "Why?" Pein smirked. The answer was easy. "He belongs there. That is his home," answered the auburn-haired man. Konan raised her eyebrows at her partner. "He should hate that home," she said. "I believe that is where the Bijuu was sealed into him." Pein scratched his chin lightly with one finger and nodded. "Probably because his loyalties lie with something, or someone, there… someone else close to him," he muttered to himself. He was beginning to feel frustrated. The answer should be there, but it was yet so far, locked within the mind of that Jinchuuriki. "But he will want to capture Yamanaka Ino, instead of anyone else," said Konan. "The decision has been made."
"Indeed…" said Pein slowly. He looked to Konan, who seemed to be as deep in thought as he probably was.
Konan seemed to notice his gaze on her and looked up questioningly. "What is it?" she asked. Pein bit his lower lip. "I think it's time we went undercover."
"Oh? How so?" asked the blue-haired Akatsuki member. "We'll take turns. Leave the inn tomorrow and try to get nearer to listen in to their conversations. I need to know who else gets the attention of our Jinchuuriki here. I'll track him on the last day and hopefully, if you don't recover any information tomorrow, I'll get something out of them." Konan nodded. "We'll probably strike up a conversation with him as well, so as to know a bit more. Curious villagers, aren't we?" said Pein, smiling devilishly to his partner.
Konan merely nodded and said, "Okay, I'll be off tomorrow. What if I meet his other comrades?"
"Do what any other villager might do."
"And what might that be?"
"Say hello," replied Pein simply. "And make sure you're as friendly as possible." Konan scowled. "I just hope we get what we need fast. I'm sick of this place."
"Somewhere Jiraiya had been… or lived in – is that the reason?"
Konan sighed. "Perhaps. Don't you feel it too?"
"No."
The two wasted the time away in the room, each taking turns to look out the window, occasionally spotting Uzumaki Naruto and his friends, or the Jinchuuriki alone. Soon, very soon, the Akatsuki would have their ultimate power, and they would dominate the world easily. No more opposition would dare to defy their orders, and they would be the ultimate rulers of the world, expanding their power, and cutting down the enemy like trees in a forest.
Chapter 12, officially done! I'll be doing Chapter 13 very soon, and I'll probably create a sequel immediately after that. This will be better than Ascension, or rather, the sequel will be much better than Ascension. I can only hope it'll get me more reviews and great, constructive criticism. Do read and review please! It'll remind me to update this story!
Oh, and, I'll probably add in more pairings in the chapters to come in the sequel. I'll name the story 'Possible: The Akatsuki's Plan' Probably, I'll make it a trilogy, or just finish the story right there, if I can do over 20 chapters, or 30. More pairings then, of course.
Enjoy!