Chapter 3 Starring the Akatsuki

Already on the move, the assassin prowled the high walls of rock hoping to find a way out. Nothing as simple as getting thrown into rocks would stop someone like him! He hadn't stopped for hours and the sun was starting set making him nervous. It wasn't safe to climb at night, especially without gear. "I can handle this easily!" Blackstar said through clenched teeth as his arm reached over a ledge. Using his strength, he was able to pull himself over and plop upon the solid, cooling ground panting. Figuring that if he laid there any longer, then his friends would surely die without him. "They can't last without me for long." He murmured standing up carefully as to avoid ruining his days work and falling back the way he originally came. His greatest concern was that of his weapon Tsubaki. She was the first to disappear from his sight when the bright light had enveloped him. Determined as ever, Blackstar pressed onwards through the never-ending path of rocks.

"You seem pretty young to be out this late." Came a mocking voice from somewhere nearby.

Blackstar jumped to the wall curiously and peered around the area. He couldn't see anyone. "Who's there?"

"You're not pretty good with sensing I can see." A laugh escaped the person's lips and before the meister knew it, a blue man was standing right in front of him with gills attached to the side of his face. What kind of thing was this?! "You realize that you're in our territory, and that makes you a target?"

"Who are you? What territory? I had no idea I was in your mountain top. I just fell from the sky and landed here. Some might even call me a shooting star after this! What gives you the right to claim a mountain anyway?" Blackstar said getting hyped on himself. This guy was looking for a fight, and though his partner wasn't here, he was itching to hop in.

"Names Kisame and this is Akatsuki property. You fell from the sky huh?" The shark man curled his lips grouchily. No one would just waltz into this area without needing information. Not to mention he was weak and inexperienced. Kisame pulled out a large sword and didn't even bother to unwrap it. The child wasn't even worth it. "I'll take you out in one swipe."

"Oh yeah? Bring it Fish head!" The assassin shouted back jumping from side to side in a threatening way. His blue eyes firmly on the other, it came as a big surprise when the fish had gotten up behind him so easily. The sword was digging into his stomach before the star had any way to block himself. Though it didn't leave any physical wounds, he thought that he might have a few broken ribs. A hand placed over his chest as he struggled to breathe. How did this guy get passed him so easily?

"Too easy. You're not even worth my time." The enemy taunted lifting his sword with both hands. He was about to finish the job when someone interfered.

"Kisame," said a deep chilling voice, "Leave him alone. He's no threat to us. I doubt he'll make it far anyway. We have a mission to go through with." The blue man bit his bottom lip angrily. This always happened. He would find some poor sap and go to demolish them, and of course, Itatchi had to jump in and save them at the last second. "You never let me have my fun." Kisame frowned setting his bandaged blade back on his back. He turned to leave and was quickly stopped by his latest enemy.

"Where do you think you're going? Leaving a fight so easily just because he said so. I'm not through with you." Blackstar edged on standing himself up and throwing his fists out defensively. He knew that this guy was strong, Kisame had already prove that. It was pretty insulting that he didn't even use his actual blade, and it made him sick. I already know someone like this. Although this man seems stronger for some reason. No matter. I'll shine passed him.

"Are you sure about this kid? You won't last much longer. You can walk away now or risk a painful death." The shark laughed excitedly. His companion only stared at the two of them in silence. He didn't seem to have anything more to say on the matter. "I'll enjoy ripping you in two."

"I'm not giving in!" Lunging full-speed ahead into the wrath of the blue man, Blackstar's movement became more durable and quicker with each step. His foe looked a little impressed. "You do have some skill after all." He smiled. "Maybe this will be interesting."

The moon had all but come out now promising a battle of two forces. The mountain side proved to be both dangerous and a bit of an advantage. He could use the shadows to blend in and strike when he least expected it. However this meant that Kisame could use it as well, and since he knew the area, the shark had an advantage. In one way or the other, the battle would end.

Samehada whipped through the air and slashed at the first sign of movement his beady eyes could follow. Rocks shattered from his brute strength, but there was no sign of the boy. "HYAHAHA!" Blackstar laughed getting ready to punch the guy from below. "What's the matter? To fast for yah?!"

Is this the same kid from before? The wielder used a back kick to send the child flying to the ground, but in an instant, he was back up and already disappearing within the shadows. "He's! So fast!" But he believed he was faster and made a hand signal silently. "Water Release: Exploding Water Shockwave!" He cried and as commanded, practically a lake appeared to flood from below. Blackstar, standing in a crevice, watched in amazement and wondered just what this man was if he was one at all. He had to attack now or else risk loosing his opponents unguarded stance. Earlier the assassin had shouted and blew his cover, but this time he remained silent unlike his normal behavior and managed to get in close. "Soul shock!" His hand went deeply into the shark's back with victory all over his face, but nothing came out. "What?!" It was all he had time to cry out before a whole heck of a lot of water crashed into him. It felt like a thousand teeth biting into his skin and tearing it to shreds. This was abnormal!

Above them, the lone shinobi watched in silent admiration. This kid was able to get in close to one of the best Akatsuki members and highly marked killer without so much as fear in his eyes and even manage to connect a hit, but he was careless and loud. It was probably his worst weakness, and if controlled, he could be deadly. Maybe they could use him? His eyes took in every movement almost unblinking. He could have easily taken this boy out in one hit by now if he had wanted, but Kisame wanted a fight that the child was nice enough to oblige. What amazed him most that he found greatly intriguing is that the energetic freak was using no chakra within his attacks. It was either because he didn't know how, or he wasn't showing his full potential.

Blackstar screeched blocking Kisame's large sword, Samehada, with his hands. His strength surprising even himself when he was able to return the hit straight into Kisame's face. "Take this!" The assassin cried kicking him straight in the gut. The shark flew backwards in frustration. "You're starting to annoy me." He growled unsure about how his blade wasn't having much effect as it should.

"You don't use chakra." The chilling voice boomed once more. Both heads turned to face the bystander when he jumped down to join them. "But you have great skills. You obviously lack the ability to keep quiet, but in the end your power exceeds over it all. Maybe you would consider joining the Akatsuki. You would be a valued new member."

"Itatchi..." Kisame groaned angrily. He considered his partner as one of the best shinobi's out there, but putting a nuisance like this on the team? What was he thinking?! Maybe he was finally loosing his touch. "We don't need a little kid on our side! Just finish him off and we can get through with our lives."

Itatchi ignored him and continued to stare down the child who stared back in a glaring manner, daring him to make a move he almost wanted to commit. "Who you calling a kid fish bait?! Want me to come over there and rip your face off? Besides! Why would I want to join you? What can I get out of it? I don't even know what you do!" Blackstar's defensive stance only added in his aggression to continue the fight. At this rate, he was building himself an early grave. Itatchi could see that the straggler wanted power. That he craved it and probably forced himself into fights just to prove a point.

"The Akatsuki organization is an alleged group of S-classed ninja. Even though you're not using chakra your skills surpass even certain jonin and could probably be matched to ours within a short period. We don't allow just anyone to join, and this offer will only come once. We perform tasks that would overall, greatly enhance society of all kinds. We all seek the Jinchuriki's power and want their powers to become stronger, more efficient, and take over the lands for the greater good." Itatchi hoped that he would accept the offer, otherwise he couldn't promise Blakstar his life, but it appeared as if he caught the loudmouth's attention. Jinchuriki? Power? It was true that these guys had amazing skills, though he considered himself better, and that they could give him a greater outcome. The boy didn't know why his own attack failed earlier when he tried to use his soul shock.

Look at his eyes... He thought narrowing his own in question as he stared into the enemies. Could he trust them? Already, Blackstar knew he was out of his comfort zone in an unfamiliar area. These guys might be able to help, and with more abilities he would be able to help the others and get back home. Slowly, very slowly, he lowered his guard and folded his arms. "Considering you probably can't do much without my help anyways and that you're asking the man who'll surpass God... You've got yourselves a deal. Don't make me regret this."

Though he didn't understand his companions motives for letting a kid like this join, Kisame wouldn't question him and instead put Samehada back into place with a click of his strap and turned to face away from the two of them in a fit of anger. From under the glare of the moon's light, a dark shadow cast over the land and darkened the area from view like a light switch. The only thing manageable to see was the unmistakable red glow from Itatchi's eyes, and for a brief moment, Blackstar's own eyes flashed the lights of blue stars like a veil had just broken... and a contract signed.