It was the next day when Konan awoke to see the girl crouch on top of the bed railing. Perfect balance showed in the lithe form as both women let their eyes connect. They sized each other, they studied each other's strength, but in the end, they both knew that Koko could've killed Konan in those few seconds. Instead, she injured her… pretty badly too. What did the small girl have against Pein? Why did she want to hurt the man?

"Don't look at me like that," Koko said simply. "You are not my father nor my mother. Don't look at me as though I'm a disobedient child!" She had lean in closer to the girl. Oh, this wasn't intimidation… just her acting like herself. She plucked a red apple out of the bowl and put it in her mouth. She didn't care if it was poisoned or not, it wouldn't hurt her.

"…." Konan remained silent, just watching the girl. If she didn't know personally, she'd assume that Koko was only ten… maybe less. And this wasn't about the height either. Well… she was much shorter than Dein. Which is quite an accomplishment. "But I wasn't staring-"

"Koko, damnit, what are you doing here? Trying to kill her?" Pein's voice sounded. The girl gave him a smirk as she took another bite of her apple, letting the juices run down her chin. For a moment, he would've sworn he saw blood.

"I'm doing nothing to her, my dear. Why would I want to break her bones again?" she replied walking toward him. Her hips swayed lightly, as if trying to seduce the man. Which their eyes, was totally disgusting and would never happen.

"As if I'd believe you," he spat back at her.

"Oh, Natago, Natago," she stated once more. "Didn't you get my note? I gave you fair warning ahead of time that I was coming. I mean, seriously, I would never come, unannounced, my pretty little, little god." She fiddled with a lock of his hair. Her eyes narrowed as she met his, her chakara slowly mingling with his. Or should I say, it was more like attacking his chakara.

He froze as he heard an old name being echoed to him. Why, why would she bring up those memories again? And yet, for some reason, he just couldn't stay furious with her. He supposed it was because of old times. After all, they had a LONG history together. He let out a sigh, running his hand through his hair.

"Koko," he said softly. "What do you mean by not coming unannounced?"

"Oh, I wrote a note," she replied. "I think it landed on the ground or something. I wrote it in my best handwriting." She acted proud of herself, in fact, she looked as though she had been told that she made a pretty picture.

"Could you read it?

The girl shook her head.

"Right then, it is really your best work," Pein said, but not meaning to be insulting. Koko just shrugged it off, her moment of pride gone.

"It's not like I asked to have such manly handwriting."

"Koko, no one has ever been able to even read it!"

"Yes, there has been TWO people who could! And they loved it!" An old scar was starting to bleed. "But you just couldn't butt out, could you? Oh no, and don't you dare play the big brother card, my sweetling."

"But I am your brother, dumbass!" he retorted, not really paying any attention to what he was saying.

"It's not like I have a choice to protect-"

"I so do not need protection. Especially from pigs like you Natago. For over the last years I've been doing fine on my own. I'm running my own thing; I'm a free woman. You know what, I came all this way to visit you and I find out you are having a child with a whore- no offense darling- and you got her pregnant. What am I supposed to say to that Pein?! Tell me, 'cause I really want to know!"

"Rough trip?" Konan asked, not offended at all, really.

"Oh yeah. I've never been attacked by so many genins in one day," she replied. "You'd think they were after food or something." She gave a smile, her venting down.

"You aren't… sane are you?" Konan asked softly, not trying to insult the girl.

"Nope," and this was said with a smile on her face. "I'm as sane as-" she looked at Pein then shook her head. "Nue, never mind then." The bright redhead tilted her head and reached her arms out toward the man. She stretched them as far as they would go. For a moment, Konan swore she saw a small child instead of the woman.

"Natago..." Koko said once more. "Pick me up!" No one was expecting that.

And yet, Pein walked over and held her in his arms. Actually, it looked more like he was carrying a baby than anything else. She was resting on his hip, her arms wrapped around his neck and she was snuggling against his chest.

"Uh… Koko?"

"Don't," she started to say. "I haven't seen you in ages." She didn't want to remember what she had to do. She wanted this selfish moment for herself. She wanted to remember like this. Not closing her eyes, she slowly got down and sighed. Might as well start making her apologies.

"Gomen, Kohan-kun," she said. "I didn't mean to break the bones."

"No… problem?" What were you supposed to say to that? And yet, a connection grew between the two. And Konan felt as though she knew the small frame from somewhere. A long, long time ago.

Later, Koko was sitting outside on a tree branch, her eyes shut. A hand was loosely draped across her stomach as the other held on to a strange looking weapon. Blood red hair frame her small face as the sky started to get dark.

Black hair was all she saw as red eye peered at her. She couldn't make out the face as her hand cupped his cheek. She brought her face closer and tears slowly started to fall. She felt the constraints of her dress tightening around her body. It was becoming painful.

She could feel his breath on her lips as he moved closer to her. Her other hand was holding on to his neck. She wanted to get closer to this warmth. She wanted to get closer to this body it made her feel so warm. It made her fee… safe.

"Koi," the voice said. "Be careful while I'm gone. I don't want you to get in anymore trouble."

A small giggle left her lips. There was a smile on that had not been seen for ages. A glint shone in her eye. As her hand gripped his shirt. "Trouble? Why would I cause trouble, love?"

"Because it is in your nature, my little koi. And-" the rough hand started to slip under her shirt, causing her to giggle once again.

"Nue, no touchy. I don't wanna laugh with you leaving! I wanna cry and make you stay for just one more night!" She held on to him, not wanting to let go. Even then, she acted like a selfish child, or so HE would say.

"Koi, don't act like a little brat. I'll be back in two days! Besides, I know you all too well; you'll try to find a way to sneak into the mission. For all I know, you could be the cause of it!" If anyone else but him had said it, she would've broken their fingers. A sad look came over her face.

"Yeah, I know but the thing is…" she took a deep breath. Her eyes were downcast now, as if she didn't want to say what she wanted to say. Biting her lip, a soft sheen of a tear filled her eyes. She wouldn't cry though. She wasn't capable of it.

"What do you mean my little koi?"

"I… I don't know anything about you."

"-ko…?" a voice reached her ears suddenly. Her eyes went wide as she brought her sai to the intruder's throat, her eyes narrowed. With her free hand, she brought it to the back of the male's neck. She looked at her prey. Realizing who she gripped, she shrugged before letting go. Ah, well, mistakes would happen.

"Leave me alone, you dolt! Are you trying to mess up the mission?!"

"Koko! I was worried about you!"

A cocked eyebrow.

"Alright, fine then. Maybe I wasn't. But when are you going to leave?!"

"I don't know. Either when the job is done or I completely fail," she paused for a moment before letting a small chuckle leave her mouth. "I guess, when you look at it, I won't be coming back either way." She shook her head. All these years of training and waiting… hopefully they would pay off. "Now go! I don't want them getting wind."

"Yes, leader," and with that, the figure disappeared.

"Leader, huh?" she asked no one but herself. "I kinda like that."

Entry #112123Date: _-__-_

The mission is going to plan. #000000 has injured Subject K.N. and is in the 'clinic'. #000000 has Target under control and is currently residing in Target's home. Hopefully, this mission will go as planned. Only the Target should be harmed due to death. #000000 over and out.

Koko folded the paper out and slipped it into her pocket before looking up. How clear the sky was today and she could hear the talking of a few of the Akatsuki members. They were idly complaining about their missions and what not. A smile settled on her face once more. It reminded her of the old days.

"You do realize you'll break your neck, right?" a gruff voice said to her.

"Na, na," she said. "Nue I won't! And don't baby me, Kakazu. I'm a big girl. A BBBBIIIGGGG GIRL!" With her arms stretched out… unfortunately… she found out she couldn't fly. Accidently slipping, she fell from the high branch.

The zombie ninja reacted quickly but reaching his arms out to grab the girl. She looked so small and tiny against him. She actually looked like a baby… considering her height. Wide eyes stared into his eyes. "That was awesome!" she cried out. "Sweet man, how in the hell of hells did you do that?! I gotta try that again!"

"No."

"Aw, why not?!"

A look.

"Yes sir…"

And that was the end of that.