Chapter 2 – Konoha's Criminals – (Von's P.O.V.)

Now that I was finally 15, Kakashi decided to celebrate my birthday at Ichiraku's Ramen with all the Genin teams. It was the only day since the incident that I've seen Sasuke with a smile and remotely happy. Naruto seemed to be having a blast, and Kakashi as always was reading Makeout Paradise with no intention of taking his mask off. I had to admit, living in Konoha was such a blast that I had completely gotten off task about my mission. It didn't really matter anymore, though. Konoha was my new village and I was now under their employment, I had completely isolated myself from the idea of going back to Sunagakure. Going back there is going back to a hot desert covered in sand and no green whatsoever. Living in Konoha was filled with trees and leaves and cherry blossoms. The people here were really warming, too! In Suna, the people prefer being alone and quiet. That's what made Sand ninja's the best assassins, they were always silent and knew the best way to hide chakra and sneak up on an opponent. Which to remind myself, did not work out so well for me on my most recent mission that I had now abandoned. For some reason, I kept getting dreams of having to chase after Orochimaru again and saying "You crossed the line!" to him. This occurred every night, and it especially got irritating after a while. I did not have any desire to meet with that creeper again, he's probably a million times stronger with a new host.

My thoughts were interrupted by a loud Naruto yelling at some red head chick. She was staring at specifically Naruto and I, it was easy to tell. The embarrassment on her face was flawless; I almost started laughing, until I realized her blood carried the ability to spellbind. This made me eager to meet her. I wonder if she was staying. As soon as she left with her meal, I went back to mine, until I heard a tinkling sound. I jumped up and peeked out of Ichiraku's Ramen and saw the girl frightened by the 2 men in cloaks. I observed the 2 and I could have sworn I'd seen Itachi Uchiha, but as soon as I saw them, they disappeared chasing after the girl. When I ran back inside, everyone was staring at me suspiciously.

"Kakashi, we need to go! Itachi Uchiha and some other tall blue guy are here. I believe they are known as the 'Akatsuki' organization."

Kakashi threw money on the table and jumped to my side. "Where were they headed?"

"Just north of the village to the gates it seems."

Together we ran after the petrified girl and the 2 Akatsuki members. Suddenly I heard someone behind us and stopped to look. Sasuke glared at me with a look telling me 'you don't expect me to actually stay behind, right?' so I let him come with us.

"Have you guys seen 2 men in black cloaks and a young girl my age with red hair?" I asked the guards.

They looked at each other, nodded, and pointed in the direction they had gone in. Typical.

"Thanks!"

We ran off that direction and when we heard voices we lurked behind some trees. I had to hold Sasuke from jumping into the conversation of the girl and the men. As the conversation went on, confusion scattered around in my brain. What in the world? They were talking about friendship and missing each other... to think this was the same girl that ran from her so called 'friend' who turns out to be a villain. Gosh, I hope Kakashi never ends up like that Kisame guy! I found it funny that a big shark villain was called 'Cookie'. Who the heck gave him that ridiculous name?

A small snicker accidentally escaped my mouth. Both of the Akatsuki members were about to leave, but they heard my snicker. Sasuke lashed out of the bushes at Itachi, but Itachi saw it coming and kicked him in the stomach, sending him flying back into the tree he jumped out from. As he slid down the trunk, Kakashi and I found it best to intervene. We walked out from behind the trees and bushes as well and the girl stared at us in shock.

"You're those people from the food stand." She commented.

"No, we're hobos who live in these bushes over here." I said sarcastically, pointing to the bushes.

The girl laughed and looked at the big shark guy who was frowning.

"Oh I'm sorry do you live here?" I asked the blue man.

He glared intensely while the girl broke out in a laugh so hard her face turned red. I just giggled.

"So red head, what's your name?" I asked calmly ignoring the blue man who was giving me the stare-down of the century.

"Kiko, Kaede... yours?"

"Sinclaire, Von. Who's sushi over there?" I asked pointed to the shark dude.

"Hoshigaki, Kisame." He growled.

"Sheesh, I thought sharks didn't like human?"

"I'm not a shark!" He said irritated.

"Could have fooled me..." I mumbled, Kaede breaking out in another laughing obsession.

Kisame and Itachi turned around to leave, Kaede stopped laughing and looked at him. "Bye Kisame!" Her yell after him seemed desperate. They must be really close friends, if so why would he ditch for an organization like that? Is he planning something?

"You're not leaving as far as I'm concerned." I was surprised to hear Kakashi say.

Suddenly Sasuke got up and a fight was starting to arise. "Itachi is mine, Kakashi!"

"I don't have time for you, but if you won't leave without a fight, I have no choice. Kisame, you take Kakashi." Itachi said in a deep voice.

Kisame grinned and easily lifted his Samehada with one arm and swung it at Kakashi. Even though Kakashi jumped up just quick enough to avoid it, the next swing came at him in mid-air. I closed my eyes not wanting to see what happened. When I opened my eyes, I saw Kaede in front of the Samehada, getting her stomach torn. This cause my eyes to widen crazily as I ran over to her body that was lying on the ground pouring blood. The man called Kisame's eyes were huge when he realized what had happened. As quickly as he dropped the Samehada, he ran over to her.

"KAE! Are you alright?" Kisame, Kakashi, and I asked in unison.

"Kakashi you're alright, right?" She asked sounding flawless.

"Why would you be worrying about-"

"Because... I saw the way Von flinched when Mr. Silver haired guy was about to get hurt. And I would feel the same way if that happened to you. Plus, I am the only person other than you who won't be harmed from the Samehada's shred." She smiled the whole time.

Kisame sighed and looked at the flesh wound that was visibly healing in front of our eyes. "Itachi-san, let's just go." He said.

"Fine."

And with that the 2 left, Sasuke once again curled up on the ground in pain.