Disclaimer: I give up.

Hidan torture! And what a better way than soccer? Or Naruto's version of it?

Hidan was sleeping. Hidan, was in fact, for the first time, silent in his sleep. No words came out, no curses. Nothing at all. But when he had woken up from his peaceful slumber… something was missing. The world was spinning all around him. And at points he flew. Well, at least his head did!

"Big brotha! Big brotha!!" a little girl's voice cried out.

He felt himself being kicked to there.

"Go on! Kick it into the goal for me Ukkio!" the boy shouted happily as Hidan heard to more running footsteps behind him.

Goal?

Kick?

Damn it all to hell!

Xxx

Koko lounged on Pein's chair, looking over his important documents. A gray eye showing mischief. She reached over and wrote something on a piece of paper. She looked at the door once more, no, her brother wasn't there yet. Taking the paper, she read it over quickly.

A treaty.

She looked at the door once more, shaking her head. There was no way, that village would be signing it. But for a moment, her eyes went soft. She looked down, remembering the times when they were little. She let out a small smile as she remembered when she first met her brother's team. A sad look came into the happy girl's eye.

Yahiko.

The second person she loved more than her brother. And every time she saw Pein, she saw Yahiko. Every single bloody time. It caused her to feel a kick in her gut. Not that, she'd know how it felt. But it was easy to imagine. "Good times," she said softly, but it sounded like a question. "Why did you do it, Pein? Why did you?"

The promise that was broken.

Koko looked at the door and took a few more pieces of paper, before transporting out of there. She landed on a tree branch, looking at a much taller person. The hair was a darker shade of red, like dried blood and fell down to the waist. She looked similar to Koko in appearance, but it was clear, they were not related.

"Oh, Ryuu!" Koko smiled happily, wrapping her arms around the girl. "How are you?"

Ryuu patted the shorter woman's head. Apparently, she had a good day.

"Would you like to talk?"

A shake of head.

"I was wondering if you'd be willing to watch over…. Well, you know. But if you're busy, that's okay, sweetheart!" Koko replied. She gave a sweet smile. Oh yes, she did have a clone… or two. And she treated them with respect, better yet, she never possessed them, hurt them, abuse them, forced them to do things or even asked them to do things, that she would never do.

Ryuu nodded and made a movement with hand.

"I'll break the seal then, just ask Kazaku to put it on for you when you want too," she replied and kissed Ryuu's cheek. "I'll see you later then. And thanks for taking care of things for me." With that, the small girl disappeared.

She knocked on the hideout door, waiting for someone to let her in. She looked around, and wondered how anyone had not discover this place by now. The door opened and she smiled. It was Kakazu. She really didn't know that he would be here. Hey, she just turned in papers, not read them.

"Good Afternoon, Kakazu-sempai," Ryuu bowed slightly. Her hands in a prayer pose. "I hope I am not intruding." Her face was empty, devoid of any emotion. She stood up and cocked her head to the side, as if waiting for his response. But both clearly knew, she knew the answer already.

"Come in then," the gruff man sighed as he moved out the door way, so she could move. "Haven't see you in what, four- five hundred years? You still look the same." He closed the door as soon as she was inside.

"Why thank you. You still look as wonderful as ever," Ryuu smiled at the comment. Ah yes, she missed this money hungry man. She went on tip toes and gave a kiss on his cheek… well, it was more like mask but still.

"Ryuu…" the zombie looked a bit worried.

"I know, don't worry about it," she smiled once more before looking around. "So, this is where she has been staying. Kinda dumpy, if you ask me."

"…"

"No need to say anything. Don't even worry about it. Koko took off the seal off me, so I'm able to talk for a while. If I need to reseal, I'll just come to you," she said easily, as if it wasn't a big deal. Looking back at the Akatsuki member she looked around once more.

"I'll show you around."

"And I'll pay you the bet I lost."

"Good."

Xxx

"Hey, big brother, let's play tag!" a childlish giggle followed after him, as he felt added weight onto his back. "Plwease?" The black haired youth sighed, shook his head and set the short girl down.

"I can't, Koiishi. I have to go to school now," he replied, really not wanting to deal with the hyper active girl. "I'll see about after school. But I can't promise anything."

Koiishi's face turned from pure bliss to utter sadness. "That means you don't want to play with me. Mommy was right." She turned to leave. That was, until she felt someone hug her from behind.

"Brotha?"

"Aw, I'm hurt !"

"'Hiko!" she smiled at him. "Play tag?" But there was already disappointment in her eyes.

The boy smiled and replied, "Sure. But I can't do it right now. If I'm late again, I won't be able to play!" He patted her head and shook his head at the brother. It was clear Yahiko did not approve of what Natago had told the girl.

"How long?"

"Not too long. Only a few hours…" he replied, counting on his fingers. Koiishi put her hands on his left hand, and looked determinedly into his eyes.

"I come too!"

"No, Koiishi. You are staying here so mother can keep an eye on you!"

"I don't wanna! I wanna come too! Mommy doesn't like me!"

"Of course she likes you." He looked a bit irrated now. Konan settled the dispute by taking the young girl's hand.

"Well, while you boys argue, I'll walk with her," both females walked away, Konan listening to what the little black haired girl had to say about everything. They looked good together, even though Koko was much shorter than Konan.

Yahiko suddenly hit him on the shoulder. "Why so mean to her?" he asked. "She just wanted to play with you!"

Pein shook his head, as if trying to clear the memory away. He had enough problems without the past being brought around him! He had been content! He had put the past behind himself! He had put Koiishi away! She was no longer his concern...

Wasn't she?

She wasn't his problem nor a pain in his ass. She certainly wasn't his little sister. They were never close. Their mother made sure of that. He sighed softly and looked out at the ceiling, seeing a small mark that said she had been there. She wasn't his problem anymore…

Right?

Xxxx

Koko entered a huge office, everything neatly put away. It was not Pein's office that much was clear. There was a window that faced out giving the view of the whole village. She wasn't wearing what she usually did. A short dress showed off her figure, while heeled boots made her look taller. There were bandages wrapped on her legs and arms. She wore a half mask showing her face from the eyes up. Her red hair was now black and her eyes hidden in her bangs. She looked completely different. She looked like a leader.

She looked like a rag doll.

Sitting down at the desk, she took out the document she had stolen. A treaty. With this village. As a sister, she would've said yes. But as their hokage… she had to refuse. She would not bring their troubles over the sea. It was why she used the bird as quickly as she could. Closing her eyes, she took out a sheet and began to write.

'Dear Sir,

It pleases me that you have considered our village important enough for this treaty. We have rarely been acknowledged due our location. But, unfortunately, for the good of my people and their people, I must refuse. I do not feel it would benefit those I care for and would in fact, endanger their children. As a parent myself and as you are one as well, I'm sure you can understand my reluctance.

But that is not to say, we are your enemies. We are a village, and I would rather I keep out of problems that remain on your soil. Our soil is soaked enough on blood.

Oh, as that reminds me, I will have Kaiishi deliver this for me. I trust you will not punish her. Or better yet, kill anymore of her loved ones.

Ayumi Suzuki'

Koko reread the letter, the handwriting as neat as it could be. She looked over it again and then out of the window. She had to protect them. They were not immortal. Kashin usually took over when she was gone. The god's sister as much too busy attending to her worshippers. She stood up and leaned against the frame of the glass.

"Castle of sand, sing me a sweet lullaby," she sang softly. She put her forehead against the window, closing her eyes. "Castle of sand, tell me a sweet story. Show me a world in which I may hide behind your walls. And there we'd be safe, away from poisoned words and stabbing hands. Map me a place where it is a never ending maze. But the waves that crowd your moats, smash against your fragile walls. The rain that falls from the darkened sky weakens your roof. Castle of sand, you stand strong, but no secrets can stay within your walls. No creature dares enter your cursed rooms. No one but i…" A small tear slide down her face. "Castle of sand… why aren't you made of stone?"

"Ko-… kage?" a soft voice echoed in the room. The new figure was old, wrinkles gracing the old woman in all the right places. She appeared to be aging gracefully. Wisdom was molded in those eyes. She had a wooden cane that helped her moved forward. "Koiishi, whatever is the matter?" Her voice sounded of a mother. Then again, being a mother of many and a grandmother ten times over, the old woman had considered the young looking ruler as her own. Even though the younger looking one could have been as old as the world.

"Uh? Oh, Tsuki-baachan. How are you this morning?" the tear was gone and a 'Koko Smile' was on her face. "

"Child, it is midnight," the woman said moving toward the immortal. She stopped a few inches away from the girl, before moving her free hand putting it on top of the girl's left breast. She shut her eyes and appeared to focus. "Child, how is your heart?"

"It is fine. It has been much better than last time."

"That is not what I mean, girl. You always look heartbroken. Senji is long gone and Yahiko is now your brother," the woman replied, removing her hand. "I worry for you. Every time you leave, I feel as though it is the last time I will ever lay my eyes upon you."

"Oh baachan, I have lived so long, I feel as though I am an ancient rock that everyone ogles at," Koko said and looked back at the desk. She sighed and leaned against the window once more. "I do not wish to die now. But I do feel tired. Tired of seeing the same things, day after day. I am tired of seeing history repeat itself when it could be easily repented. I am tired of having to put my closest friends in graves because of old age. I am exhausted for never being able to love as I did, to disappear after a certain amount of time. To always change who I am. But most of all, I am sick and tired-"

"Kage-sama! Kage-sama!" a young boy ran into the room. His hair was black and styled in an old fashion. His one eye showed, reflecting a light blue rinagen. He was as pale as Koko but his attitude was pretty much opposite. "We intercept a message to the Tawana. They plan on ambushing the second sector on the water's border. Then to the capital."

Koko snatched the paper from the boy's hands, reading it over. "Get the men ready. Warn those in the sector to get all those who can't protect themselves fully to get into hiding. Burn all documents, destroy all evidence. This is a high priority!" She looked at the small boy. "Well? What are you waiting for? NOW!"

The boy was gone in a puff of smoke.

"You are so hard on him," the old woman spoke once more.

"Because I have to be. He is so much like him," she stated. "He even looks more like him than me. You know, he even named him. The narsacistic bastard named him after himself!" She looked at the old woman, with a strange look in her eyes. Emotions battled in her eyes. Rage, hate, regret, hope, love… loneliness.

"Go, sleep. I will take care of the rest. You are old enough to understand your body will one day fail."

Xxx

Ryuu was sitting down on a chair, her leg crossed on top of another, the elbows of her arms resting on her knee. She stared blankly into the strange faces of the men who looked at her. Some oogled. She blinked, as if waiting for them to say something. Her red hair was pulled up into a ponytail.

"Koko… you grew!" the pumpkin masked man exclaimed. A light twinge of fear was in his voice. "You really, really grew."

"Why thank you, Tobi. And had you said the right name, you probably would've been right," she smiled as she replied, but there was something scary to it. She kept that smile until the full grown man passed out. She looked down at his fallen body. "Wimp."

"Who exactly are you?" a black haired girl asked. "I mean, you look like someone we know but… don't…" She studied Ryuu, Tori unsure what to make of her. She made Madara faint- wait, pass out. And Dein just magically disappeared the moment she made herself known.

"Let's just say that…" Ryuu paused, wondering how to phrase it. she didn't want to give herself up too quickly. Suddenly getting and idea she changed in a poof of smoke. Koko stood in front of them. But it wasn't Koko. Just her appearance. "We'll just say I'm literally apart of her."

"You mean… like a clone?"

"Like how Dein is to Pein, little lady," the clone responded.

"Wow…so you're like…what… crazy clone?" Zetzu's black side asked.

"No… more like how Dein is Pein's first clone. I'm her first. And I'm not as crazy as her. She'd be the Sein clone... I think," Ryuu responded. "And besides, regardless whether we are clones or people, she doesn't possess us nor does she treat us like we're crap. She actually asks us what we want and if we could help her." She paused thinking about the smaller girl. And so, she thought, we protect her because we want too.

"So... what exactly is your… well…" Tori trailed off.

"Well, I can go through people. And if so needed rip out their hearts!" she smiled happily, as if she enjoyed her thoughts. Where the hell did Koko find such people? Maybe it was a good thing. Maybe it was a bad thing. But Tori worried nonetheless.

Xxxx

A few days later, the door of the hideout was literally kicked off the hinges as a petite form entered, shouting loudly. "I have arrived my dears!" Koko yelled happily. She didn't reveal a single thing of what happened while she had been gone. "How have you all been?!"

"Koko," Ryuu greeted softly giving a slight bow to the head. "I will be taking my leave now. But I shall be nearby if you so need me." She knelt in front of the girl, wanting her seal back on. Koko looked unsure and a bit worried.

"You sure? You won't be able to talk, let alone eat," she replied.

"I will find ways, but just please, close my voice. It pains me so," the clone asked once more. Koko nodded. After a few hand seals, the tall clone could not speak. Both smiled at each other. If one was happy, so was the other.

"Koko!" a female yelled, encasing the small woman to her chest. "Where have you been? Pein has been on our asses, trying to figure out where you were!" The black haired woman released the girl, giving the younger a chance to answer.

"I was visiting Ayumi. She's a good friend of mine. Hateful, spiteful bitch!" she snapped, walking away. "And if you see my brother, give him this! She said that she has never met a more desperate man. And that if he ever dares to step on her land, she's going to roast his skin, skewer his innards and he'll pray to god that he dies before she's through with him!"

She stomped away, leaving a confused Tori with a treaty reply. She tilted her head to the side, and then shrugged. Maybe leader could explain. She walked toward the office and knocked on the door. "Leader? I have something for you. Koko apparently delivered it."

"Come in then," he replied. Tori walked in, handing the treaty over to Pein. She decided it was best to leave the room. She closed the door and quickly made her way to her husband. Whatever was in that reply, was surely going to be a Pandora's box.

Pein opened the letter and scanned the contents over, hoping his assumptions were correct. He then returned to the letter, to read if fully. He was surprised. It was the opposite reaction he'd been expecting. The kage there was refusing to deal with him. Then again, he had heard she was hard to plead with. Now, where had he heard such information?

Koko?

Yes, the letter did say that she would be their messenger and the in between the lines, Ayumi had wrote she trusted Koko's judgment. And she even knew about the grudge. How did the two meet in the first place? Lately, ever since his sister came that day, things seemed to be tumbling upside down. What else could go wrong?