Others Ch 16

Kya~ You guys are amazing! I can hardly believe that I've gotten over SIXTY reviews for fifteen chapters! *sobs happily* You guys are the best! ;3 I can't thank you enough for all your support!

cheeky half-demon: She always seems to get into something bad. And he is awesome but kind of a jerk. His temper is really horrible, isn't it?

SnowsShadow: They will be showing up a ton~! I love them too, they're my favorites~

Kumori: *slight whine* I dunno~ It's not my fault!

Angel: *cough* Yes it is! *cough*

Kisame: *eye glint* I am a genius, aren't I?

Coke N Bleach-Lady of the Oc's: You've got me confused hon…

Likes to Smile: That would confuse me… But you're not an idiot~ 'Mori is! You will know soon!

Thanks to iamofthedesert for the favorite!

"He's not usually that violent when he gets mad," Kisame says redundantly as Tobi places his glowing green gloved hands on my shoulders. I wince at the contact but soothing heat makes me close my eyes in pleasure.

"I know," I say softly. "It's my fault,"

"Don't say that." Kisame says piercingly, making me open my eyes. He instantly looks like he regrets it. "Kakuzu's temper has always been awful. It's not your fault that he exploded," This is said much more gently.

"I shouldn't have told him about the blood," I mutter glaring down at the couch. I shift my position as Tobi moves his hands to a different part of the bruise, making the springs groan. "I should have just let it go, let him fuss over me. It was obviously making him feel better," My nails dig into my palms so hard that I draw my own life blood. Tobi's tender hands unclench my hands and put his over them, healing that too before working on my shoulders again.

"It's a good thing you told us," Kisame says making me look up. "I'm thanking Kami that you told us,"

"Why? I broke your table and got Kakuzu pissy," I feel like an idiot. Tobi lowers his hands. I look down and pull the neck of my shirt back up. Not even a blemish.

"If Mori-chan didn't tell Kakuzu-san Mori-chan got blood taken, Mori-chan could be dead right now," He says so quietly I have to strain my ears to hear him.

"W-Why?" I gasp feeling the blood rush from my face. Blanching, I think it's called. Yeah…One look from Kisame and I'm sure I've blanched. Way cooler than just sissy paling.

"When an Other takes your blood, that means they have access to your life. More likely than not there are tiny probes running around in your system, just waiting to blow you up, from the inside out. If they don't want to blow you up, they can now find you where ever you are. Whatever you're doing. No wonder Kakuzu was so mad; they obviously are going to try to use you as bait,"

"Oh Kami," I sink down into the sofa. "Oh Kami, Oh Kami, Oh Kami," It isn't long before I hear shouting again and wince, my boyfriend's voice being one of the louder ones.

"Hell f*cking no!" There's not-so-quiet yelling, but I can't make it out. "There are other ways!" More yelling. "No way in hell!" This time it's barely above talking. "I'm not putting her through that," Talking, again. "I don't care about her that way, I just don't want a human's blood on our hands," The word human is spat out like one would spit out venom. I realize the man he's talking to must be his leader, or he doesn't love me. I screw my eyes shut, trying not to let the doubt that it could be the first sink into my system.

"It's Leader-sama he's talking to," Kisame says. Reading the look on his face I can tell that he agrees with them to a point. "They're talking about changing you," My blood runs cold and I suddenly feel like I can't breathe. My heart starts pounding. I'd always dreamed that one day Kakuzu could change me so we could be together. A Protector-human relationship never, ever, ever in a million billion years would work out, even if he did Imprint on me. Protector-Protector could work. But he'd said it was painful. I don't do pain well. I gulp hard and close my eyes again as the yelling stops. A hand rests on my knee and I see Kakuzu in front of me.

"Kumori," His tone is serious. "Leader-sama needs to talk to you,"

…line…line…line…line…

The man's office is cold, icy almost. I shiver unconsciously as we walk in. Kakuzu gives me a gentle shove towards the desk and steps outside to give us privacy. By the way he shut the door I can tell he's mad again.

"Please take a seat," It isn't a request. I all but sprint to the chair and scrape it against the floor in my eagerness to comply. He doesn't even blink. "I assume you know who I am,"

"Yes sir," I say and he doesn't take acknowledge that I said anything.

"You are in danger, you know that." I nod and he blinks. I'm guessing that means he saw it. "One of our fellow Protectors has been…exposed, making him unable to work anymore, so we are short one. That also poses as a problem to us. The Others have taken an interest in you, as you know. That is a red flag for us. Others never are interested in someone unless they're dead before we can find out about it. That concerns us deeply for your safety." He sounds it.

"Sorry to sound rude, sir Leader-sama sir, but what can you do about it?" His eyes, the only visible part of him I can see, close and I think he's chuckling.

"We have decided that if you consent to it, we will turn you into one of us,"

"Into a monster," Kakuzu says, suddenly behind me. "Don't agree to this, Kumori. We can figure out another way to get them off of you."

"Remember your place Kakuzu." Leader's tone makes goosebumps materialize on my arm and I shiver again. "This is her decision. We can't afford to lose anyone else," My stomach twists into knots and I know what I have to do. The two look like they're about to start fighting again but I clear my throat.

"Do whatever you have to, to turn me into a Protector,"