SweetStealer: Ok, now the action will start to begin.

Itachi: Finally.

Hinata: Finally.

Sasori: You're so passe.

Deidara: You're so cliche.

SweetStealer: That's kinda not pertainging to the subject but whatever. I don't own NAruto.

Notes: If you're confused in the future chapters, message me!

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Chapter 6: The Hellions

Hinata's pale faced turned ashen as she entered into the dismal cave. As the stone rolled shut behind her, she knew her fate in the Akatsuki was going to be sealed forever. Rumors of a sacrifice had reached her ears, but the words of Deidara flashed into her mind.

Experimentation? Please...please...don't let this be true...

Itachi pushed her on, and she managed to stay upright and force her cold feet to move deeper into the forbidding cave. Her mentor walked in front of her, keeping her in check and pulling her forward roughly whenever she tried to stop.

Down, down, down they went, never stopping, never hesitating. This was to be her new home. Away from the light, away from the people...away from Naruto.

The sudden thought about the blonde boy hit her like thousands of needles piercing her flesh.

Painful. It's painful to think about him...them.

She shuddered and felt her blood run cold. This was insane...of all the wrong times to be thinking of him. She would never...

Itachi noticed her pause and looked behind him. He grimaced, and walked behind her and pushed her forward. She wouldn't budge, much to his annoyance.

"Hinata..." he warned.

Hinata blinked. She felt the cold metal of the hitai-ate against her pale skin. The grooves and etchings of the leaf felt rough to her touch. As she clutched the piece of metal and cloth, she began to tremble.

"It's stupid...they're stupid." she hissed to the darkness and clenched her tiny hands into fists. She kept them there until she felt blood flow.

In a flash of unreleased anger, Hinata drew out a kunai and slammed it into the wall, the metallic sound echoing into the distance. Itachi blinked and looked at the small hole she had made. This would work out quite well with him plans.

"Move." Itachi whispered, his monotone voice making her cringe away from her trance.

His soft, plae hands came up to her own and he gently pried her fingers away from the kunai. He dislodged the kunai from the stone, threw it back to her and entwined his fingers with hers. Hinata blinked as she fell back to earth.

He's holding my hand.

"Let's go." he whispered, pulling her gently before letting go.

Hinata willed her feet to move on, without the memory of Naruto and her friends. They were all dead as far as she was concerned.

"So this is the new recruit, eh, Itachi?"

A man, clothed in black, his eyes gleaming in the darkness, approached them. He held a scythe with three, razor sharp blades in his left hand. In his other, was a long strand of what looked like prayer beads. His skin was as pale as hers and his height was intimidating.

Hinata stared into his eyes.

In a flash of light, his blades were against her face and she felt three smooth, even, yet shallow, cuts tainting her once white cheek.

"My name is Hidan. Don't forget it."

Hinata decided never to take his word and never forget him.

Hidan. The Pious Reaper.

A man, hunched over and leering, appreared behind Hidan. His hair was slicked back and was the color of coal. His eyes were as dark as his hair, though they seemed to stand out against his pale face which was covered by a black bandana.

Thread...a long black one hung from his body. The horrified girl began to understand and she clutched at Itachi's cloak.

"Itachi..." the man hissed, reaching out quickly and swiping blood from Hinata's cheek.

Itachi neither looked him directly in the eyes or let his hand waver from Hinata's trembling shoulder. The man observed her and examined her body with lecherous and greedy eyes.

"She would be good profit. Let's sell her..."

"No." Itachi said, coldly.

"Oh? Then sell her to me. I'll get her for more then you give-"

"No. Step aside Kakuzu." Itachi demanded, his cold voice having a steely edge to it.

"As you wish." the man bowed mockingly and stepped aside.

Hinata turned her head to look back as Itachi moved her away from the two. She saw them, sillhouted against the the dim cavern light. Hidan was standing, leaning against his scythe. Kakuzu was still grinning at her. Their eyes shone tauntingly in the darkness, leering and threatening. Kakuzu pulled the string on his body and it seemed as if he disintegraded.

At this, Hinata face foreward quickly.

Kakuzu. The Avarcious Rag-Doll.

Sasori and Deidara were waiting for them at the end of the tunnel. The room spanned into a large cavern, cold water dripping down. Its echos filled the silence.

"He wants to see her." Sasori said, his voice low and calm.

Hinata looked at him, admiration still present in her heart. He looked at her, his eyes full of pity and wonder that she even survived this far. Itachi pulled the girl closer to him.

"When?" was his only question.

"Now, yeah." Deidara said, quickly.

"Where?"

"Here. He'll be arriving soon." Sasori looked at the pale stone doors with writing on them.

Hinata let go of Itachi's hand and wandered over to them. She ran her hands over the old writings, realizing this feeling was a lot like running her hands over her hitai-ate. She leaned her head against the stone and closed her eyes, listening to the incoherent whispers of the three men a little ways from her.

She failed to notice, a figure, rising from the ground next to her. His dark cloak kissed the ground, his hands were hidden in his cloak, his eyes nothing more then blazing orbs of a dark gold and red. His face, half black, half white: a split personality. A split mind. Venus fly trap claws surrounded his head.

"What have we here..." he hissed, grabbing Hinata.

The girl gave a shriek when he lifted her up and raised a kunai to kill her. He grazed her arm and gave up with trying to sic her. He lifted her and tried to force her into his Venus-fly trap jaws. His breath smelled of flesh and blood.

"Such a lovely meal..." the face whined and screamed at her.

Hinata, who was completely freaked out, tried to pull her right arm out of his hard grasp. When she found she couldn't, she flipped up into the air so she was momentarly defying gravity. She spun on the monster's head with her left hand which was pulsing with chakra and kicked him square in the face.

"Damn girl..." the 'thing' hissed as he dropped his hold on her.

Shuriken and a massive explosion that shook the cavern floor made Hinata unbalanced and she fell, only to be caught by Sasori. She clung to him, her eyes shut. He cradled her for a moment and then let her down next to Itachi.

"She is not be eaten, Zetsu." Itachi hissed, his red eyes flaring.

The man went back to the shadows and fused with the ground once more with a snarl.

Zetsu. The Disturbing Cannible.

How could she forget? There was a masked man next to where Zetsu had stood a few heart racing moments before. His face was covered by a wooden mask, orange and black swirls, almost like an optical illusion. He had just appeared, this mysterious man, like a ghost.

"Tobi is a good boy. Tobi will not hurt you." he said in a sickeningly cheerful way.

Hinata whimpered and drew back against the wall, wondering if this was a ploy, a lie. Sasori had let her go, to tell Itachi what had happened. She was alone with yet another...creature.

"S-stay away!" Hinata drew out her kunai and held it defensivly against her chest.

"But I am a good boy!" Tobi protested, reaching his cloaked arms out to hold her.

"GET BACK!" Hinata screamed, lunged at Tobi, the kunai flashing.

The man dodged it easily, as if he was walking on air. Hinata, furious at his taunting and her show of weakness with Zetsu, attacked again and again, but she could never get blood, only the black material.

Suddenly, she found herself pinned against the wall, her own kunai against her throat. Tobi, whose face would always be expressionless, whispered to her,

"Hinata-hime...is not a good girl."

With that, he disappeared, leaving the kunai to clatter to the stone floor, harmlessly.

Hinata stumbled back into Sasori's arms, knowing there were more surprises awaiting her in this dismal place.

Tobi. The Morality Obsessed Monster.

Hinata, who had found her way back to the group shivering, all but clung to Sasori, though Itachi's furious eyes told her to go to him. Sasori uncurled her fingers from his cloak and pushed her gently toward the vehement Akatuski member.

"It wasn't I who saved you." Sasori whispered to her, as he led her towards her mentor. "I haven't done anything."

Hinata eyes went wide as she turned from her new idol, to her old. She was in no position to be choosing favorites. Sasori's golden eyes narrowed as Hinata hurried towards Itachi who surrounded her in his cloak. He sighed, brushed off his feelings and turned his back on them to approach his partner, Deidara.

Sasori. Master of the Corpse Marionettes.

Deidara smirked and rolled his eyes. This was all too painful to watch. Disgusting, even. It was unprofessional of them to have any personal attachement. This was a change. Itachi and Sasori were never ones to covet any human companionship, and a girl's for that matter.

They all knew this. It was as bad as falling in love or turning your back on the Akatsuki. It was a sin of the Akatsuki.

He saw Hinata's eyes wander towards his and he felt his smile slip from his face. Her face was priceless. Her ivory eyes were wide and she was searching for a familiar face, even if it had to be a person she hated.

Deidara bit his lip, furious with himself. It had been a long time since he had felt any emotion, especially for a girl. Now was not a good time to start.

Still, he begrudgingly admitted, she was rather cute, in a galling, revolting, way. Hinata looked away in favor of Kisame and the smirk slid back on. He let it linger on his face because he liked the way it made him look. He looked almost...crazed.

It was fun scaring the girl. She might be weak and burdening at the moment, but, he reminded himself, she should become useful in the future. No...she will become useful.

Deidara. The Insane Pyromaniac.

Kisame stayed hidden in the shadows. His disgust with his teammate was evident on his face. His arms were crossed, his eyes shut, and his mind closed to all that was taking place around him. This wasn't like Itachi at all. This was too out of character for him.

Ever since they had finished thier original mission, he had been like a cat on a hot tin roof. He was jumpy and angry, almost paranoid. When Hinata was with them, he began to become more subtle, but his eyes never stopped darting. He was really protecting her, and dragging Kisame alongfor the ride.

As he had no personal attachement to the girl, except for having his little bit of 'fun' with her, he saw no use for her.

There was no point in keeping a useless tool.

Kisame opened one eye and examined her. She was tiny, even to the average girl. Her stature had grown thin and fragile. Her ivory eyes were prominent in the darkness because of the dark rings surrounding them from lack of sleep. The two orbs darted to meet his and he looked away quickly.

He had seen the look on Deidara's face.

'So another succumbed to her. Maybe she is a weapon after all.' he thought, watching his cohorts carefully.

Kisame looked around the cavern. It was dark, damp and cold. This was no place for a girl like her. This was no place for anyone.

Except for those, like him, who were going to Hell when they died.

Kisame. The Demon from the Sea.

Itachi could feel fear radiating off of the girl who was in the complete darkness of his cloak. For now, he was protecting her, not about to kill her. The man, willed the fury away and placed his cold hand on her head. She stopped shivering for a moment and clawed at his waist, and latched onto his body.

It was a strange feeling, having her cling to him, but he let her, despite the fact he knew it was just...wrong.

He had been careless. Since when had he ever been that reckless with another human being? It was unlike him. He knew something was working around him and fighting to take hold, but he'd be damned if he let it.

'She is not my weakness.' he thought to himself, slightly annoyed.

Itachi. The Illusionist.

Suddenly, the doors opened, and in strode a tall, shadowed man, whose cold red eyes gleamed maliciously in the darkness of the cave. There was a transparancy to him and he seemed to glide over the floor, like a phantom.

Hinata cowered next to Itachi who let his hand slide from her shoulders. She wished in vain for him, or anyone, to hold her and comfort her. This...this person, was by far...the most terrifying creature she had seen in this cave of secrets and monsters.

"Hello there..." his voice slithered across her body and up her spine, sending her chills.

His voice was deep and cold, a silent harshness was hidden in the silky way he talked to the child. Hinata felt her blood run cold and her skin had goosebumps crawling up her arms.

"Why Itachi. I never expected anyone so young and beautiful to be with you. A true flower." the Leader exclaimed.

The Leader was mocking both her and Itachi. Hinata's brow furrowed and she bit her lip. She could feel Itachi stiffen as he glared at the Leader.

"She will be rooming with you from now on. You will train her every day that you do not have a mission. I expect a report from your previous assassination mission tomorrow." the Leader said, his commanding voice floating through the cave.

Hinata's pearly eyes never left the Leader's. They were the same color as Itachi's...but there was something else to them. There was something that said: I am evil itself. Shivers went down her spine, as she drew her gaze towards the ground.

"After a month of training, she will be ready for her first mission. She will practice with Orochimaru's apprentice after training with you." the Leader glided around, the dark mist creeping into the cracks of the walls.

"Hai." Itachi whispered, his hands clenching.

"I will talk to you soon." the Leader disappeared and a door leading to a tunnel closed sharply, signaling that the meeting was over.

The Leader. The Black Mist of Terror.

The members began to leave, save Kisame, Sasori and Deidara. They watched, interested, with Itachi's behavoir with Hinata. The world of girls was new to them.

"Itachi-san, so good to see you home."

A snake like voice hissed from the shadows and out stepped a pale, gaunt man with oily black hair and sick yellow eyes. Strands of dark hair fell into his eyes as he looked at the girl with intrest.

His hands were resting on the shoulders of a young boy, no older then Hinata. He had beautiful blue eyes and a peach colored face. His lips were parted in shock and Hinata stared back innocently. Itachi put a protective hand on her shoulder, as did Orochimaru.

"Orochimaru-sama." Itachi said, curtly, the steely edge slipping under the polite tones.

The former Sannin let his gaze wander to the girl next to him and his eyes gleamed with hunger. He licked his lips as Hinata cringed and tried not to let her stare waver.

"And who is this?" Orochimaru said, mockery lacing his words.

"Hinata. She is my apprentice." Itachi nearly snarled.

At this, Deidara narrowed his eyes and his gaze met with Orochimaru's. Deidara shot a warning glare to the Sannin who lifted his hands in defense. The boy next to him tugged on his master's robe, getting his attention immediatly.

"All me to introduce Kimimaru, Hina-chan. He is my apprentice."

Hinata, her kunai in her grasp, blinked and shifted his eyes to take in the image of the pale boy before her. Kisame hissed,

"He looks like a drowned rat."

"He will bloom." Orochimaru scoffed with pride, his sneer never leaving his face.

The two children stared at each other in wonder, for it seemed like forever since they had last seen someone of interest or their age.

"I will see you later, Itachi-san. Kimimaru and I have work to do."

The two disappeared into the shadows of one of the many tunnels, their footsteps echoing off of the stone walls. Itachi breathed easier and pushed Hinata towards a passage way.

Orochimaru. The Serpent.

They walked into the tunnels, slowly and carefully, while Hinata tried to take in her repetative surroundings. How strange it was, to be without light.

"This is our room."

Itachi pushed open a wooden door with many red tick marks on the door. Some were darker then others, but there was the same systamatic bloody lines that Hinata recognized as Itachi's. She did not need to ask what they were. They were telling of the people he had killed so far.

Behind the door, there were two beds, and a closet. A desk and a dresser drawer were off to one side of the room, while weapons were strewen everywhere.

"You will sleep on the bed. I will sleep on the floor." Itachi said with the first sigh Hinata had heard from him.

"But-"

He silenced her with a glare as Kisame marched into the room and snarled,

"My side is off limits brat."

"We will leave you to clean up. Be ready to begin training first thing tomorrow." Itachi said in a monotone voice.

They did not wait for an answer because they merely walked out and left her in the darkness. Hinata went over to the desk and lit the lamp. She ran her fingers over the cold mahonghony wood of the desk and polished chair. The wood had scars of old frustrations: deep grooves and burn marks. She noted the lack of pictures or personal items. Everything in the room was old and worn.

She sat on the bed and stared at the opposite side of the room. The silence was infuriating, but there was no one to talk to. No Hanabi to fight with.

One by one, tear after tear began to drip from her eyes. Hinata finally let out a sob before she collapsed into the pillows and sheets entirely. She missed her friends and surprisingly...her family.

I have to let you go. I need to live.

"It's all your fault...I-I didn't..." she was peading with herself, trying to reason.

Whispers around the room made her shrink back in fear. She bit her lip until blood drops fell and she screamed,

"It your fault! I didn't do anything..."

Exactly. You didn't do anything.

"They wouldn't let me."

Are you sure?

"Yes!"

You can't keep blaming them.

"Yes, I can!"

No you can't. You're dying and you know it.

"No, I'm not."

Inside you are.

"I just wanted love..."

That's stupid.

"Love me..."

No.

"I can't feel anything..."

Silence. No whispers, no nothing.

Hinata Hyuuga. The Broken Angel.

Here come the first steps towards insanity.

Itachi listened to Hinata cry from outside the door and knew he was making a serious mistake. His hands were resting on the wood and he let them slide down, feeling the cracks of the grain. His angel did not belong in Hell. Angels could not survive without love, light and warmth. Where would she get that down here? Certainly not from him or any of the others.

'She will die. It would be my fault.'

Itachi, in the blink of an eye, withdrew his weapons of choice and flung them into the darkness, knowing they should hit their target.

"Itachi. Itachi! Why are you getting so worked up about her?" Kisame hissed as he dodged an flying kunai with ease.

"I'm not." Itachi hissed.

He left his partner in the shadows, with confusion written on both of their faces. He spied Deidara and Sasori staring at him from their places as he passed them.

"Do you think she'll make it, senpai?" Deidara hissed to Deidara as they watched Itachi's retreating back.

Sasori shook his head.

Suddenly, the Uchiha began to realize that he was letting his angel rot in the darkness of the caverns and there was no on to blame for it but himself.

The Akatsuki. The Red Dawn Rising.

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