A/N: Hello again readers :)
Sorry I didn't upload again last night, Microsoft Word decided it wasn't going to work for the night.
Probably because I've been abusing it for this story this past week...
The dinner scene was inspired by Scipio96, thanks so much for your lovely reviews :)
New chapter anyway, enjoy :D
Despite Pein's sincere orders, most of the Akatsuki had felt it necessary to skip dinner that evening. Although once Pein had gotten wind of their absence he had soon driven them all into submission. It was quarter to 5, and Akira had already set about preparing a simple Sunday dinner, figuring that they'd all like at least one thing from that menu.
She laid out the table with the help of Konan, who had insisted that she definitely didn't want to miss this experience, regardless of her being excused.
Akira had already eaten before the others were due to arrive as she really didn't fancy having to dine with them all as well as having to cook. However she did decide that she would remain in the kitchen, just to be polite.
The Akatsuki filed in dead on 5:30. She watched as they squabbled aimlessly over who was sitting where and whose elbow was in whose personal space.
They eventually settled down, and she was suddenly aware that all eyes were on her. Konan cleared her throat and raised both of her eyebrows.
'Oh! You can begin?' Fiddling with a stray strand of hair, she was relieved to see them start to eat. In the silence, every sound was highlighted in an awkward family dinner manor. Knives and forks clicked and plates scraped across the wooden surface.
Feeling the uncomfortable tension, Akira directed her friendliest smile to the newcomer as he reached for one of the French loaves. 'So what brings you to the group, Tobi?'
Clearly thrilled by the attention, Tobi spun 180 in his seat to face her as she leaned on the worktop behind him, using his baguette as a baton. 'It's actually a very funny story Akira-san! It was about three weeks ago, and Tobi was walking along, minding his own business through the forest nearby–'
'Why the fuck would you ask him that?!' Hidan groaned and he head butted the table – with some force too, Akira noted. Tobi's rambling was starting to look as though it would never end, to the point where even the ever-stoic Itachi's brows had knitted together. His eyes were closed as he rubbed his temples in an apparent way of calming himself down.
The rest of the group however, were not as patient. Kisame had a murderous glint in his eyes and Kakuzu had his oblivious target locked in a hostile glare. Hidan had surprisingly not moved from his position on the table. Maybe he hit his head too hard, Akira mused silently.
A vein throbbed in Deidara's forehead and his knuckles turned white as he gripped the edge of the table. 'Tobi. Shut. Up.' He seethed through gritted teeth.
Undeterred, the masked man proceeded to babble on about how his genius ninja skills had landed him with this amazing role as a master S-rank criminal in Akatsuki.
Finally, Deidara snapped. He snatched the baguette from Tobi's grasp and, with all the force he could muster, slammed it down onto the teenager's head. It shattered on impact with a satisfying crunch, sending breadcrumbs scattering onto the floor and across the table.
For a moment, nobody dared to move for fear of encouraging Tobi into retaliation. Unfortunately for them, without the supervision of their almighty leader, Tobi was left unrestrained. Leaping up, he sent his chair flying backwards making Akira wince at the sudden clattering that broke the silence. He balled his fists into the bowl of peas beside him.
'TOBI WAS TALKING, DEIDARA SENPAIIIIII!' He hurled a million tiny green balls in the blonde's direction, who conveniently ducked, only to find to their horror that they were now bounding in Hidan's direction.
Itachi found this the perfect opportunity to take his leave, and Kakuzu, Kisame and Deidara hurriedly slunk after him. As they retreated off down the hall, an infuriated, stomach-quenching 'FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK' echoed after them.
*************** Later that night ***************
'Guess we'll be needing another table then?' Konan sighed as she helped Akira collect the last few pieces of the splintered wood, leftovers from Hidan's rage. 'I've seen him pissed, but he's never tried to sacrifice a piece of furniture before…'
Frowning at the unlady-like curse word that fell from the blue-haired woman's mouth, she nodded. 'We should probably get one with a little more space too. And maybe some arm and leg restraints?'
Konan chuckled before wandering off reluctantly to inform Pein. Slumping into one of the surviving chairs, Akira wondered if tomorrow night was going to be any better.
'You just gonna stay in here all night, yeah?' A familiar voice accused from the doorway. Her eyes flickered to the clock – 11:50 pm. She hadn't realised she'd been cleaning for that long.
She scowled. 'Well if it wasn't for you none of this would have happened and I would have been asleep at least an hour ago!'
'That fool just gets on my last nerve, yeah,' He stalked past her to fumble in the fridge. 'I'm so damn hungry though,'
'There should be some sushi on the top shelf. I made a little too much for myself earlier.' She watched out of the corner of her eye as he reached up for the tub she had saved it in. 'Found it?'
'Yeah, thanks,' He perched on the worktop and helped himself. They sat there quietly for a little while before he had polished off the tub and grinned.
'Happy now?' She asked, grinning back.
'Just about, yeah,' He hopped off the worktop and headed for the door. Pausing under the frame, he glanced back over his shoulder. 'You coming?'
'Where to?'
'Well leaving the kitchen would be a start… Unless you're sleeping here tonight, yeah?'
She stood up and her legs wobbled. A wave of exhaustion washed over her as she began to make her way forward and she noticed Deidara watching her cautiously.
'What?' She asked, puzzled.
'I'm just deciding on whether or not you're about to collapse on me again, yeah…' He said seriously, but there was a mischievous sparkle in his eye.
'Well consider this your decision made – I'm fine. I'm not as weak as you think, you know. I mean I beat you already, didn't I?'
'Ouch! Alright already, get a move on then, touchy,' He stalked off down the corridor when something sparked her memory.
'Hey, wait!' She jogged after him. 'That reminds me, how did you know about my abilities before our match?'
He hesitated, unsure of how to answer at first, then shrugged. 'I'd heard about you when out on a previous mission, yeah.' He hoped she's drop it there, but she persisted.
'From who?'
'Just some travellers, yeah. Said they'd come from the Waterfall village and there was this old couple who'd been asking if they knew you.'
Her eyes widened. Old couple? Her adoptive parents? Why were they looking for her? What if something had happened and they'd fallen ill and needed her help. She gripped her stomach and a million and one scenarios whizzed through her mind in a internal whirlpool of panic.
She was vaguely aware of a hand resting on her forehead. 'Hello in there? Earth to Akira, yeah!'
She refocused and broke out of her unseeing stare. 'S-sorry… Did they say why the old couple were looking for me?'
He shook his head. 'They mentioned your ability to share memories. Something to do with that apparently.'
She frowned as they continued towards her room. Why would that be relevant? 'Hey, Deidara?'
'Hmm?'
'Do you get holidays in this place? There's something I need to do…'
A/N: Hope you liked that one! See you in Chapter 9... or 8... Cause of the Prologue... R&R :D x
