A/N: Okay so this chapter is really where the story begins, introductions aside and all.

I hope you like it, please feel free to R&R and let me know how I'm doing!

Thanks again :D


Two days had passed since Akira's first Akatsuki mission. Not much had happened since, except for a few awkward encounters with a certain yellow-haired member. Unfortunately for them, Kisame had been a witness to one of these moments, and she cringed inwardly on recollection…

Akira had been snoozing blissfully and undisturbed in the living room after successfully completing her mission report that Pein had asked her to do. He had insisted on her contribution, annoyance clear in his tone at their lack of discretion. Akira was convinced that she also heard disappointment tint his words as, let's face is, she had pretty much been utterly useless during their assignment and if it hadn't been for Deidara, she would have been caught.

Something clattered noisily in the kitchen next door and, startled, her eyes flickered open. Kisame was lazing across the couch opposite her, reading a tattered-looking newspaper, which he lowered as she propped herself up.

'So, it lives!' He grinned and mirrored her action, throwing his paper onto a three-legged side-table.

'Very funny,' She mumbled, stifling a yawn. She stood up to leave, eager to investigate the commotion in the kitchen. As she rounded the corner out of the doorway, her face collided with something hard, sending her stumbling backwards. Someone caught her wrist, pulling her up before she hit the ground headfirst, and as her dizziness subsided, her cobalt eyes widened as she took in the concerned expression before her.

'You alright, yeah?'

'Y-yes, I'm fine… Erm, thanks…' A crimson flush tainted her pale cheeks as Deidara let her go, not fully convinced that she wasn't just going to plummet towards the floor again when he did.

'S-sorry…' He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly and fixed a stare at his feet.

A loud, unbroken laugh erupted around them. Their eyes snapped into the living room to the blue-skinned ninja, who was clearly not bothering to hide his amusement.

'What the hell are you laughing at, fish face?!' The blonde's futile attempt at silencing the other male only made him laugh harder. 'Just shut it, yeah!'

Akira slunk off into the depth of the corridor, scowling in frustration at herself for being so careless. It shouldn't bother me anyway! It's not like anything even happened… The thought only deepened her blush as she hurried away to the safety of her bedroom.

Since then, she hadn't really left her room except to eat, and suddenly feeling very bored of the same four walls, she ventured out into the base to find her only female friend here.

Konan hadn't answered when Akira had tried her room, so she had reluctantly set off in the direction of Pein's office. As she approached the door, she was surprised to see the door was slightly ajar with voices echoing down the narrow corridor. They were muttering something unintelligible, but she could have sworn she heard her name mentioned.

Not exactly one for snooping, she turned sharply on her heel and made to leave, but as she did so she heard the door creak and delicate footsteps trotting after her.

'Akira!' Konan's feminine accent sounded behind her. 'I was just coming to find you.'

'I was looking for you too actually,' Akira admitted, innocently.

'Oh really? Is something wrong?' Her smile dissolved and a wave of unease crossed her pretty features.

'No, not at all! I was just craving company to be honest,' She reassured the blue-haired Akatsuki member.

The pair made their way to the kitchen and Konan set about making some form of odd-looking sushi.

Following Akira's gaze, she began to explain. 'It's for Pein. He gets so worked up over paperwork and pressure from the group that he often forgets to eat,' She sighed, clearly exasperated. 'He really needs to look after himself more and stop worrying about unnecessary things.'

Akira listened to her as she rambled on about their leader. It had crossed her mind before that there was some sort of connection between the pair, and the way Konan's lips curled into a smile fondly as she spoke of him only confirmed her suspicions.

She almost confronted her, but deciding against the intrusion, settled on a simple statement. 'He's lucky to have you look out for him.'

'You might think differently if you had tried my cooking…' She glanced down at her distorted concoction and frowned.

Akira crossed the kitchen and stood in front of the dish. 'May I?'

'Be my guest,' Konan withdrew from the worktop and leaned back against the dining table. She picked at a peeling corner of the aging MDF, mumbling something about it never even being used.

When Akira stood back, Konan's face lit up. The sushi look much more edible and Konan thanked her friend gratefully as they made their way back to the office.

'What was it you wanted to talk to me about?' Akira questioned, remembering her greeting.

'Oh that? Erm, let me talk to Pein first. I have a new idea for you,' Once again, Akira found herself alone and confused in the Akatsuki base, watching Konan disappear quickly down the hall. She sighed and rubbed her temples, feeling the beginnings of a migraine coming on.

************** A few hours later ***************

The Akatsuki assembled in the living room for the third time since Akira's arrival, awaiting the appearance of their leader. All eyes fixated dangerously on the armchair in the corner. Nestled quite comfortably in the cushions, was a stranger dressed all in black, with a contrasting orange mask with a spiral pattern resembling that of a lollipop. No one said a word, but Akira could almost cut the tension in the atmosphere with a knife.

Finally, after a suffocating two minutes, Pein entered with an amused-looking Konan in toe.

'I'll not waste any time, there are going to be a few changes made to the way things are around here,' Pein cleared his throat and gestured to the outsider. 'This is Tobi, he is going to be Sasori's replacement, therefore Deidara's new team-mate,'

The masked man leapt up, demonstrating an unexpected burst of energy. 'It's nice to meet everyone! Tobi hopes we can all become great friends!'

A few of the members visibly shuddered with annoyance at the perky newcomer's child-like tone.

'Furthermore, Akira will now be demoted to staying here at the base and tending to general housework. This includes doing all of the cooking, which brings me to my final point.' Akira's jaw hung open as she stared disbelievingly at the ginger haired leader. A few undisguised sniggers later, Pein continued. 'That means that every evening at 5:30, you will all gather in the kitchen and eat together, with the exception of myself, Konan and Zetsu.'

At this point, almost every jaw in the room had hit the floor. Despite everything, Akira had to hide her amusement at the fact that she'd never seen the Akatsuki so silent. Before anyone had a chance to protest, Pein and Konan had gone, leaving the group frozen solid and shocked to the core.


A/N: So I finally brought Tobi in! Now the fun really starts :P

Thanks for reading! x