-I don't own Naruto-

Chapter III

She woke up to screams of pain outside. Turning her head to look out the window, she saw that Hidan had started his day without her. She took a small piece of bandage that she hadn't used and put it in the book before carefully opening the window, slipping out, then closing it behind her.

She moved over to sit under the tree while Hidan finished up. Mid-stab he managed to direct at her, "You're really damn late."

"I know. I'm sorry I was up reading." "You know I'm going to punish you, right?" "Hai." Hotaru said while reopening the book after perching on a branch in the oak tree.

It was getting colder, winter was nearing. As a slight breeze blew by, Hotaru couldn't help but think she was going to be back out here in the winter too.

"What the hell are you reading about?" "Jashinism." "Seriously?" "…Hai…" "Oh fuck yeah!" Hotaru wondered if being a Jashinist made you curse excessively.

He said as if he just remembered, "Oh wait, I still have to punish you for being so late." The unexpected hit to the side of her face sent her flying out of the tree. She touched her face, there was…Blood? Had she really been hit that hard?

She took some of the blood off her cheek, licking it off her fingers. "That's mine." "M'kay." "…'kay…"

Hotaru finished cleaning her cheek and asked, "What the hell did you hit me with?" "This." Hidan held up the pole he impaled himself on. Well that explained the blood then. "Are you going to convert to Jashin?" "No." "Then why the fuck are you reading about it?" "It fascinates me." "You're really strange." "So I've been told."

In another section of the house

Mizuki was having…problems to say the least. Pein had started beating her when she got cocky with him, but managed to get out before anything too horrible happened…It's not like she was a virgin still…

Kiku was doing just fine, this…Deidara person was interesting. It was also fun to watch him and Sasori get into their arguments about art. She was pleased to sit at his feet and read her books while him and Sasori really got into their arguments.

Occasionally he would ask what she thought and she would say, "Art cannot be eternal due to the fact that over time, less people will want to see the same thing again and again. So art can only last for a few fleeting moments before disappearing in one last burst of life, so people will find it memorable."

These were the nights when she would get an extra food ration.

Yusa was still wary of being around him, since he was in the same hallway as Kisame, but she seemed to be getting along with Itachi well. She was quiet and subdued when alone with him, didn't bother him at all, was content to sit at his feet while he read on the couch.

When he was reading, sometimes he would unconsciously stroke her hair but that was it…

Somewhere in the depths of the basement

The door slams once more, signaling Peins leave for tonight. So far I have endured three weeks of this hellish torture. Tonight, he tortured me by telling me exactly, in extensive details, what went on between him and Mizuki.

Needless to say I fought back… Well… With both of my hands broken, my right arm is also broken, along with four ribs, my left foot, and my right leg… I kind of just tried to bite him…

At the next two week mark

They had been lucky again and at least dealt with their new masters for the full two weeks. The fact that at least they had all been in the same room had brought comfort to them, so it was space saving and better for the girls.

They had helped Mizuki out when she had her… Problem with Pein… And today they were supposed to be changing again.

All of them still being asleep, they didn't notice the door open…

Mizuki was flipped out of her cot, Kiku was kicked in the stomach, Yusa was punched awake, and Hotaru was pushed out the window.

Blinking in surprise as she woke up after her back smashed into the ground below, Hotaru slowly sat, then stood up trying to find the source of the pushing.

Pein leaned out the window slightly, calling out, "You have ten seconds to get back up here Hotaru" She didn't hesitate to scramble back through the window.

"Now I know I said I would leave it to all of you to get to your new masters. And I will. However there has been a new condition put into effect… You will all have to wear…" He slid his hand into one of the cloaks hidden pockets. "Collars in replacement of your sashes, and jeans in replacement of your black pants."

Nobody said anything even though they were truly wondering why the hell they would wear jeans now. The collar thing was obvious enough, it was signifying they were slaves. Suddenly as if able to read their minds, Pein started explaining about the jeans.

"The jeans will simply be more durable, and slightly easier to clean and care for." They all nodded in understanding. He took his hand out of his pocket, revealing four black collars with holes all around it.

"These collars will slowly start collecting charms on them. Based on both punishment and by owner. When you complete your time with an owner, he will give you a symbol referring to himself. If you are beaten by your owner you will gain a silver teardrop, another action will get you a red teardrop, you will attain symbols of the masters choice when you leave them. Such as… Hotaru!" "Hm?" "You served Kakuzu first. That means you will already have his symbol on your collar."

When he finished explaining everything he left. The girls turned to each other and then looked at their collars.

Hotaru had a small skull and a book on her collar, she didn't understand why she had a silver teardrop… Kiku had a small human figure along with a bird on hers and a silver teardrop. Yusa had a silver teardrop, a small triangular tooth shape, and an eye on her collar. Mizuki had a skull, lightning bolt, and a ruby red teardrop.

Lovely. At least they knew what the red teardrop signified now…

They reluctantly fastened the collars around each others necks and stared at each other. In any other circumstance, they would have burst out laughing. After slipping on the jeans, they went over to look at the calendar again…