EDIT (8-8-18): Edited for concision, clarity, and formatting.

Note: Chapters 3-5 comprise the Convention Center arc. This arc centers on world-building. If desired, feel free to head to Chapter 6, where the plot pulls full-speed ahead.

Chapter 3: Inevitable Run-Ins

It was Saturday morning, and Pain strolled downstairs to find Kisame suffocating Hidan in a headlock as they wrestled on the floor. Indifferent to the commotion of cussing and provoking, Sasori was "studying" kids shows while Tobi merrily watched curled up on one of the couches. Looking around, Pain saw no one else to break up the fight until Itachi walked in from the kitchen, a cup of freshly brewed coffee in hand. Unfortunately, the Uchiha merely looked at the duo as one would a sleeping dog before he headed toward the couch.

"Hey, Itachi! Break those two up! We can't afford any more domestic violence calls."

The man stared at his leader before heading back to Kisame and Hidan.

"One sec, Itachi-san. Lemme make him pass out first." Growled the blue man with a grin.

Hidan glared.

"Like you could ever make me pass out, bitch." He hissed, clearly losing oxygen.

Pain watched, fearing Itachi would comply, only to see the stoic man dump his fresh coffee on the wrestlers and indifferently leave. Immediately the two broke apart, screaming and hissing.

"Itachi-san!" Yelled Kisame as he tried drying his neck off.

Hidan was covering his eye, jumping about and cussing.

"Damn it, Uchiha, that fucking hurt! Agh, it fucking got in my goddamn cuts! Not to mention my fucking eye!"

Itachi picked up a magazine from the coffee table and began reading.

"When you're done bitching, don't forget my coffee."

Kisame and Hidan frowned, the latter flipping him off as well.

Pain finally descended the stairs, heading toward the kitchen to get some coffee as well. However, something caught his eye and he stopped once more.

"Itachi, where did those magazines come from?"

"Could you be more specific?"
"We aren't subscribed to any magazines… So who-"

Hidan smirked.

"Oh, those? We take 'em from the Uchihas, Phantomhives, and Suohs. We have this cycle for the whole neighborhood."

Pain selected a magazine from the coffee table and scrutinized its address. Sure enough, the Phantomhives were missing their surely beloved issue of…Pain's eyes drifted to the title. All-Cat Weekly. Shaking his head, the leader ignored their theft and continued on his way.

"Pain, there's a problem."

While pouring coffee, the ginger was again assailed by issues. To his left stood Konan.

"Which is..?"

"Many of the members are falling behind on their tasks and rent."

"What?"

Pain's eyes shot open. Sure, their slacking in Bijuu-hunting was unsurprising, but most of them had rent covered…

"I've summoned the rest of the organization to hold a meeting."

"When?"

"Now."

Pain groaned.

"Haruhi, why do you keep ducking around like that?"

Haruhi froze.

"Like what?"

Ichigo sighed and hefted the large vase he was carrying.

"It's obvious you're hiding from something or someone. You keep darting behind me."

Haruhi sighed.

"Well, I'm not exactly looking forward to this. I know for a fact that those idiots will be there. Plus, I don't trust those guys at all."

Jabbing a thumb behind her, Haruhi picked out Rin and Naruto, both talking loudly and excitedly as they sauntered down the sidewalk.

"Don't worry, they can't cause too much trouble; Yukio'll be with 'em."

"Right. Where'd you get that vase anyway?"

Ichigo shrugged.

"Ranka told me to take it. I think it was his boss's and he was told to sell it."

Haruhi sweatdropped. Leave it to her dad to push his work problems onto others.

"I see, so you'll be running a booth?"

This prospect worried her a bit as, unbeknownst to the ginger himself, Ichigo had quite the reputation.

"Hell no. I'm dropping this off at a buddy's shop where he'll sell it and give us the payment. We'll give him a small cut of it though, but that's better than sitting around all day, right?"

Haruhi nodded, satisfied with Ichigo's logic.

"Guys, look!"

A yell from Rin incited the duo to look ahead of them where, sure enough, the True Cross Convention Center sat.

"Finally! I'm starving! Sometimes I wish we had a car."

Though Naruto's perpetual hunger was annoying, Haruhi had to agree that she shared his wish for a car. Ranka borrowed one of his coworker's vehicles when he could, but even then only he could use it. Unfortunately, this left the rest of the gang to hitch rides to school, bike, or walk either the whole way or to the nearest train station.

The group slowly entered the building, passing twin statues of Johann Faust, and finally emerged into the main area. Even as early as they had come, the center was packed with the loud buzz of shoppers and onlookers selling, chatting, and bartering.

"Alright," Called Ichigo to the others over the roar, "I'm gonna drop this off at my friend's. Meet you at the statues around four."

The other three nodded and went their separate ways.

"God, is all you do bitch?"

Hidan, annoyed and in disbelief, gawked at Deidara as he reclined on the couch during their meeting. The criminals and roommates had gathered around in the living room much to Konan's joy and their irritation.

Deidara rolled his eyes from his spot on the floor.

"Have you heard yourself speak? I may bitch, but at least I don't act like one."

Hidan growled, pearly whites bared.

"You fu-"

"Anyway," Loudly declared Pain, cutting the priest off, "I have deduced a prime spot for Kyuubi-tracking."

"Um, Leader-sama? Isn't the Kyuubi only Itachi-san and Kisame-san's job?" Asked Tobi with a raised hand.

For once, the others agreed with him. Pain sighed.

"Yes, it is, but since no one is making progress with their assignments, I figured we should zero in on the target closest at hand."

"What about all the progress we have made?" Brought up Sasori with a raised eyebrow. "We've captured seven out of the nine beasts; I think that's quite monumental to our goal."

Pain slowly nodded, turning his handle-less coffee mug around in his hand.

"It is, but these last two are the easiest targets."

"The Lightning region's governor's brother?"

"Killer B may be the governor's brother, but he's also a free spirit and an up-and-coming rap artist. He's not famous enough to garner any attention. Plus, the Lightning region is the only area we haven't gotten into bad terms with."

"Well sorry for being born in some goddamned village two-hundred miles out..!"

"What was that about bitching, Hidan?"

"I wasn't bitching, bitch, I was being sarcastic."

Konan ignored him and turned to Pain once more.

"Back to what I was originally saying, aside from Killer B, the other target is an orphaned teenager living three houses down. Why the hell haven't we caught him yet?"

Pain's anger seethed out of his voice and body language. No one spoke up.

"Itachi? Kisame?"

The duo looked at each other.

"Well, Leader-sama," Started Kisame, "It's because Naruto's so close that we're having such trouble. He's pretty bold and loud, so people would know if he went missing. He also lives with six other people. And…"

"And what, Kisame?"

The blue man averted his gaze with an awkward grin.

"He's also friends with Itachi-san's brother."

Pain stared at the blank-faced Uchiha, who sat on the floor in front of Kisame, leaning against the couch.

"Itachi," He tersely began, "I need you to ignore your hatred for your brother and capture his friend, okay?"

Itachi blinked.

"With all due respect, Sasuke isn't necessarily the problem. He controls the police force, knows my face, and has access to all of our records. We are all criminals living false lives. If Sasuke even glimpses the end of my ponytail, he'll overreact and shoot that spot."

"So what you're saying is…"

"He has a point, Leader-sama. Sasuke and Naruto are around each other too often for Itachi-san to go after the latter. Also, everyone in this area knows Itachi-san's face. You remember that's why he has to stay inside so often, right?"

Pain sighed.

"Yes. I know. Meeting adjourned; as usual we made no progress."

Konan crossed her arms.

"Even so, we still need to address the rent issue."

"Right, I'm looking for a better job!" Declared Deidara.

"Instead of art, why don't you try MgRonalds?" Asked Sasori.

"What's that supposed to mean, hm?"

"Nothing. Just that you really need a job so you should broaden where you're looking."

"Sasori has a good point, Deidara. However, that goes for you and Hidan as well."

"Jashin-sama's service is reward enough," Recited Hidan satisfactorily.

Kakuzu scowled.

"At least take an offering or something… Religion's a honey pot."

"Hey, what about Tobi? Does he have a job?"

The group stared at Tobi. Deidara had a point.

"Zetsu pays for Tobi's rent."

"What does Zetsu do?"

"Something involving plants and counseling, I think. I don't remember, it might involve old people."

"What the hell? How shady is that?"

Like Deidara, the other Akatsukis eyed Pain warily.

"Look, are any of you planning on getting well-paying jobs?"

Deidara blinked and shrugged while Hidan held an expression of haughty disbelief.

"Like fuck."

Inhale.

Exhale.

Squeezing his eyes shut, Pain did this exercise a few more times before opening them.

"You know what? Good for you. You're fired."

Hidan raised an eyebrow.

"How the hell are you gonna fire me? I know all your secrets."

The other members stared at Pain, waiting for his response.

"I was delusional. You can stay, but only in the house if you get a job."

"What? Are you shitting me? Are you saying I'm supposed to shack up in a dog house in the back-fucking-yard or something?"

Over a few muffled giggles, Pain sternly nodded.

"I'd better get a job fast…" Mused Deidara.

"You could always check out the regional fair going on at the True Cross Convention Center today," Chimed Sasori as he flipped through a magazine.

"What?"

"Right, there's some sort of regional or neighborhood market happening. There's a lot of selling, but it has different attractions, too," Added Kisame. "I'm sure they'll have employers as well."

"There's also an art gallery I plan on attending." Sasori remarked.

Deidara mulled all of this over.

"So there are job opportunities and they're selling things?" Asked Pain.

Kisame nodded.

"Yep. A lot of people go to it, so I'm sure things will be pretty decent."

Pain remained silent for a few moments, looking the group over, before replying.

"That's it. Since we're all broke and Deidara sucks at art, we'll go to the convention."

"Yay!" Cheered Tobi.

"Right! I'll get a job and check out some art, hm!"

Deidara jumped up, motivated for the day.

"Wait, why did you zero me out?"

"I want everyone to stay out of trouble today and enjoy themselves." Pain said, ignoring Deidara. "Since you get this break, I expect your work to be even better next week."

A few groans sounded from the men.

"Oh, and Itachi and Kisame? Your objective is to track the Nine-Tails."

Kisame's eyes widened.

"I don't expect you to capture him, I'm not that naïve, but I want you to report solid details about him and his habits that will help us in the future."

Kisame nodded and the group moved about.

"Alright, let's go."

"Hey! Urahara! It's me!"

Approaching the small tent, Ichigo looked around. Multiple bins containing the Urahara Shop's merchandise sat around the interior as a table with a white tablecloth draped over it held the cash register and a sign akin to the one pinned on the tent's exterior which proclaimed the store's name.

"Oh, Ichigo, I heard you'd be stopping in."

Tessai entered from the back of the gazebo, his height a bit troublesome in the small tent.

"Right. Kisuke said I could leave this with him and he'd sell it for me."

Tessai nodded.

"Alright, I'll take care of it. How are things going?"

Ichigo handed the man Ranka's vase.

"Pretty good, though I haven't had much luck with the investigation, so I'm trying to look for a normal job in my spare time."

Tessai nodded as he stuck a white price sticker on the vase.

"The job market's pretty bad lately, huh?"

"Yeah, crime's really impacted the willingness of employers to hire others. Like that infamous case from the Waterfall region with that old man who killed his bosses and embezzled. Stuff like that is what freaks people out."

"True. Even in Soul Society, times are hard."

Ichigo nodded.

"Tell me about it. Alright, I'd better get going if I want to eat before three. Thanks again."

With that, Ichigo left.

"Rin! It's Ichiraku!"

"What? That famous ramen shop you always go to?"

"Yeah! C'mon, let's grab some food!"

Rin looked over at the long line trailing out of Ichiraku Ramen's tent.

"I dunno, man, it looks pretty busy."

Nevertheless, the duo approached the line.

"Hey, it's Naruto!"

Peering around the people in front of them, Naruto and Rin saw a brunette with two red marks on his face poking his head out of the shop.

"Kiba! Hey! Got any room for two more?"

Kiba turned around, apparently checking something, and faced the duo.

"Yeah, no prob! C'mon in!"

The two headed inside, ignoring the glares from those who were before them. Entering the accommodating set-up, Rin and Naruto followed Kiba to a table toward the back. As they approached, Naruto recognized his classmates eating and loudly chatting.

"Damn it, Chouji, that was mine!" Growled Sakura.

"Sakura-chan, your expression is getting uglier by the second."

"Shut up, Sai!"

"Don't tell Sai to shut up!" Chirped Ino, glaring at the pinkette from across the table.

Shikamaru groaned.

"Whatever. Just leave some for the rest of us."

"Hey, it's Naruto and Rin."

The boys looked around, hearing a familiar voice that was not from the table before them.

"Bon!"

The exorcist smiled, holding a steamed bun in hand.

"Why eat here when you can cook like you do?" He asked, taking a chomp out of the bun.

"Naruto loves Ichiraku, and they are pretty good so…"

Bon shrugged, glancing at the table of Naruto's friends.

"They all go to Konoha High, right?"

Rin nodded as he watched Naruto argue with an energetic boy wearing all green.

"Yeah, they're pretty cool though. They come to the house sometimes."

Bon nodded.

"Right. Guess everyone our age is the same no matter what we're doing."

"Yeah! So are you eating here?"

Bon nodded and jabbed his thumb over his shoulder. Behind him, Rin could make out the sound of Izumo's bickering and Shima's wailing.

"Mind if I join you? Have any food left?"

Bon shrugged.

"Hell if I know. I left Renzou with the food so the odds aren't in your favor."

Puffing out his cheeks, Rin stormed off to the table, yelling at Shima.

"Hey! If you ate all the food I'll let Kuro into your room again!"

Haruhi sighed.

She had been walking around for a while and had ended up in the more high-end area of the convention.

Many broke citizens milled about, gazing longingly at expensive dishes, accessories, and even touring mock homes that had been set up for that specific purpose. Art shows and booths dotted the aisle while kimono-clad actresses strutted along, waiting for the next reenactment to start.

As she was passing a fairly large display of a feudal mansion complete with a natural yard, she heard the unfortunate.

"Haruhiiiii!"

Forcing herself not to stop, she continued on her way.

"Haruhiiii! Wait!"

Oh no. She heard the patter of feet coming after her, the smell of roses already greeting her nostrils.

"Haruhi! There you are!"

Inwardly groaning, Haruhi turned around.

"Oh, hello, Tamaki-senpai. How are you?"

Tamaki beamed.

"I'm great! Right now I'm reenacting a tea ceremony, though it's really just a picnic... Would you care to join me?"

"Actually, senpai, I'm pretty busy. I was thinking about checking out Nekozawa-senpai's booth."

Tamaki's face fell.

"Oh, I see. He's doing fortune-telling, right? That's very nice of you to stop by."

"C'mon, milord, it's clear she's lying."

Haruhi froze. As if things couldn't get any worse…

"Yeah, she's positively eager to get away from you." Cooed another, similar voice.

Turning around, Haruhi was greeted with the sight of the Hitachiin twins, grinning ear to ear.

"I am not. I just have things to do."

"Then you can do them later! Join us for tea, won't you?"

"C'mon, Haruhi, there are lots of yummy snacks. You don't want me to get Honey-senpai, do you?"

Haruhi frowned. If they got Honey-senpai involved, they would get Mori involved too, and Haruhi knew she had been hefted away by the silent man far too many times in her life.

"Fine."

The trio of rich kids cheered and quickly ushered her to the display's garden.

However, as Haruhi walked in, she again froze.

"Tamaki… Why are all of these people here?"

"It's for the reenactment. We had to have a meeting anyway, so we decided to do it here for all to see!"

Blood drained from Haruhi's face as she faced the otherworldly beings.

The Host Club was one thing but all of them too?

"Oh, hello, Fujioka."

Sipping tea from a porcelain cup, Ciel Phantomhive eyed her calmly. Before her sat not only Ciel but numerous other top-tiered families of their region.

Of course, it would happen when her father wasn't there to squeal over the moment.

"Wow! Look at all the pretty pictures!"

"Tobi, that's a multi-million dollar masterpiece; if you so much breathe on it I'll have to kill you and at least seven other A-list celebrities to pay for it. And your calling them 'pretty' is completely superficial and ignorant."

"Damn, who shoved the sparkler up your ass, Suzie?"

Sasori frowned.

He stood in a large tent filled with cutting edge pieces. However, for some reason, Tobi and Hidan had followed him inside.

"Hidan, if you're looking for porn, try the booth across the aisle. Or better yet, the country." Added Sasori in a mutter.

"Tch, the hell I'd need that for? Jashin-sama gives me all I need."

"Please stop talking."

"Ooh! Look! This is a pretty picture!"

"Tobi, what the hell did I just say about-"

"I agree! The depth the artist went to, the passion and whirl of the brush can all be seen and combined into this intriguing yet saddening piece. I can feel her torment with society and even herself."

Next to Tobi, a tall, white haired man in a kosode stood admiring the painting.

"The hell'd he say?" Loudly whispered Hidan to Sasori.

The redhead stood silently, inspecting the man who had given such an accurate description of the work.

"Excuse me, are you a fan of Jora?"

The taller man noticed him and smiled.

"Why, yes. She's a newer artist and rather peculiar, but I enjoy mulling over her work. Many say that she copies others but I can sense her own style buried deep within…"

The man's face grew serious as he again stared at the canvas, contemplating its meaning. Sasori nodded.

"Exactly. Her sculptures specifically capture the present and past all in one."

The man nodded too.

"Yes, I'm glad you noticed. You must be a rather astute artist, as well, much like Jora-san."

Sasori's eyes wandered back to the abstract.

"Well, I suppose…" He murmured.

"Oh, yes! Sasori-senpai is a great artist! He makes puppets and sculptures and dolli-"

"Tobi!"

Sasori slapped a hand over the excited man's mask, giving him the notice to shut the ever-loving hell up.

"Sasori-san, is it?" The man asked. "It's very nice to meet you. I'm Jushiro Ukitake, the pleasure is mine."

Sasori nodded and shook the man's outstretched hand.

"Likewise."

"So, Haruhi, we're here as a panel for the displays! We get to judge the reenactments, best food, most unique booth, etcetera! Isn't that fun?"

Haruhi sat on a blanket surrounded by the Hosts. At her right, Tamaki excitedly jabbered away. Meanwhile, she was far too distracted by the high-class people she was surrounded by. No, not the Hosts, but the real high-rollers, those who were actually serious people.

On the middle blanket sat Byakuya Kuchiki, the head of the noble Kuchiki clan which owned businesses upon businesses and stressed tradition. To Byakuya's right sat the blanket of the Phantomhives, where Ciel's butler continued serving him tea and snacks. To Byakuya's left, the Hyuugas sat stoically, their clan too terrifying to confront. Next to them, Sasuke Uchiha relaxed, reading a magazine while ignoring the antsy patrolman hounding him about crime or something.

"Uncomfortable, Haruhi?"

The girl snapped out of her reverie to see Kyoya grinning brilliantly, his refreshing façade not slipping past her senses.

"A bit. I'm not rich or anything." She admitted, seeing no harm in unabated honesty.

"If you're judging us based off our wealth, I'll have to say that you're sorely mistaken."

A few blankets over, Byakuya Kuchiki picked up a tea cup and gracefully drank it after delivering his verdict.

"You're right, I'm sorry." Haruhi admitted with a small bow.

Unlike most of the Host Club and even the others present, she fully respected the Kuchiki clan.

"Still, if you want to leave…"

"No, let's have her stay."

This time the child master spoke up, a mischievous grin on his face. "It would be helpful to have a plebeian's input."

Fighting a frown, Haruhi replied.

"Thank you, but I really should-"

"Haru! Haru! Did you know that the Phantomhives have a toy company? They make really great ones! Maybe Ciel will let you test some!"

Behind her, the happy chirping of Honey-senpai came, dashing her hopes of leaving. She knew he deeply appreciated the Phantomhives, so it was rather difficult to leave after he mentioned that.

"They have Giant Tuna…" Murmured Mori, absently watching cherry blossom petals fall in front of him.

The Hosts stared her down, knowing she would never pass such a delicious option up.

"I'm…really...I should…"

"Here, want some?"

Ciel picked up a piece of Giant Tuna with his chopsticks, the mischievous air still surrounding his person. Dangling it in front of her like that, it was only cruelty Ciel Phantomhive could manage.

Frowning, Haruhi gazed at the food.

"How pathetic. Relying on others is pitiful," Remarked Sasuke as he rewrapped the bandages he always wore around his hands.

"I never asked for the tuna, nor did I ask to be here!"

"Haruhi, Haruhi! Let's go check out the street vendors! I want to try some takoyaki!"

A loud hmph from beside the Kuchikis drew eyes to watch Neji Hyuga rise from his blanket and wipe imaginary dirt off of his being.

"As thrilling as all of this is, some of us have things to do. I suggest we begin rating the booths before this meaningless conversation drags on any further."

Byakuya nodded, Ciel frowned, Sasuke shrugged, and the Hosts were exuberant.

"Alright! Let's move out to see the land of commoners and their way of life!"

Tamaki's eyes shone as he merrily headed out of the garden, the rest of the club minus Haruhi following. Likewise, the other nobles got up and trailed out of the vicinity as well. The last one leaving, Ciel Phantomhive stopped to look back at Haruhi, who hadn't moved an inch since her arrival.

"Well, Fujioka? Are you coming?"

An eerie presence appeared next to her, and hesitantly she turned to see Ciel's ominous butler Sebastian looming over her with a misleading smile.

"I…guess I could." She managed.

Ciel smirked and headed out. Haruhi followed with Sebastian behind her.

x

Next time...

The Uchiha brothers play mental chess, leaving paranoia and police running rampant through the convention center.