A/N: This damn story won't get out of my head, which means lucky for you I've been typing away all week!

Hope you're liking the plot so far :D

Also, to make up for the lack of fluff in this chapter, I'll put extras in the next few :)

Enjoy! x


Trundling into the office with Konan in tow, Akira's stomach bubbled with a mixture of excitement and nerves.

Pein didn't waste any time, and set about giving them the mission briefing immediately, although, from the looks of it Konan already knew most of it.

'It's a simple mission of gathering information. You'll both be heading out to the Hidden Rain Village, which isn't too far from here.'

'It's about half a day's walk,' Konan confirmed, more to Akira than Pein.

'Exactly, it should take you no more than three days. The information you will be gathering is in relation to Orochimaru's recent… Visit, should we say. We received an anonymous tip-off about his whereabouts not too long ago and I feel that now is the time to act upon it, but be wary, it could very easily be a trap.' His concern was obviously expressed for the purple-haired group member, and Akira suppressed a smile at his disguised affection.

'If the ten tails really is what he is after then we should waste no time inputting an end to his antics.' He finished.

'Erm, what exactly is the ten tails?' Curiosity got the better of her and the question slipped out before she could stop it.

'I'll explain on the way,' Konan interjected before Pein could shoot her down. She glanced back up at the leader and added, 'She needs to know, Pein…'

'Hmm. Very well, you leave in 10 minutes.' He turned back to his desk and began skimming what looked like a bingo book.

*************** Later that day ***************

'We're almost there. Here, put this on,' Konan handed her a dark-red cloak and she flipped it over her shoulders, covering most of her usual plain black ninja attire. She had not yet been granted the privilege of an official Akatsuki cloak, but Akira figured it didn't matter anyway as she wasn't usually sent out on missions.

Konan swapped her own cloak for one to match Akira's, and mumbled something about the colour looking terrible against her hair.

As the village gates appeared in the near-distance, Akira swallowed her nerves and tried to keep a casual expression.

'Just relax, all we're doing is checking into an inn for a couple of nights and then we'll be on our way again. Nothing to it,' Her companion smiled and led the way.

'Konan? Why did Pein choose me for this mission?'

'Well for starters, I asked for you to accompany me. It's not good for you being cooped up in there with only the boys for company, they'll drive you up the wall!' She laughed. 'And also because Orochimaru said that maybe you could help him. Pein knows your safe with me but we thought that if there was a trap, you'd be the perfect bait.'

'Gee thanks…' She deadpanned, feeling even worse than before. 'But I guess it makes sense. So… About the ten tails?'

'Hmm. Have you heard of the nine tailed beasts, bound and contained within human prisons, the Jinchuuriki?'

'Yeah I have actually, my adoptive parents used to tell me about them when I was younger,'

'Well basically, the ten tails is what Akatsuki's ultimate goal is working towards. It's a combination of all nine tailed beast's chakra, fused into the ten tails husk, which was originally just an empty shell,' She explained very matter-of-factly.

'But what is it for? I heard it's nearly impossible to control even one tailed beast without it's Jinchuuriki.'

'Yes that's true, but this one is different. It's a summons creature, so it can be controlled, though it's location can never really be pinpointed. We plan to harness it's power, and essentially take control of the world…'

Akira's eyes widened in horror and Konan spoke up again quickly before she could respond.

'It's not what you think though! If there is only one leader in the world, there will be no more need for war or fighting and there will be no conflict! Only world peace…' She trailed off as they entered the village, and Akira lost herself in thought.

Konan booked them into the first hotel they came across. They stayed there just long enough to dump their bags in their rooms and change into casual eveningwear. Akira slipped into calf-length white leggings with a plain sky-blue dress that ended just above her knees.

They met downstairs a few minutes later, and headed to a bar that Pein had advised them about checking out. They took a corner table with a good view of the rest of the room, and ordered two white wine spritzers. Konan's eyes darted hastily from person to person, giving the scene a quick once over before turning back to Akira grinning.

'So what do we do now?'

'We blend in,' Konan sipped her drink daintily and Akira was suddenly very grateful that she hadn't been sent on this mission with someone like Itachi. Not that she didn't like the strange-eyed man, he just wasn't exactly the talkative type and in this situation it could have been very awkward.

As the hours ticked by, Konan finally sighed and decided to call it a night, finishing her drink and standing up. Akira was about to copy her companion when there was suddenly a loud commotion in the direction of the bar.

There were two men by the bar, one very obviously drunk and swaying, clutching a stool in front of him for balance. The other seemed almost completely sober, shouting angrily at the bartender.

'You know who the hell I mean. I demand to see him right this second!'

'I'm very sorry, sir, but I really can't allow that!' He held his hands up to calm the fuming male. 'Please believe me, sir, he isn't in the mood to be seen today!'

'That's the same excuse as last time! That coward thinks he can hide away like the ignorant snake he is!'

Their ears pricked up at this, and Konan gently slid back into her seat, listening intently.

'But it's the truth, sir! It wouldn't benefit anyone for you to see him like this! He just isn't feeling up to it.'

'Well you jufst tell that basssstard…' The intoxicated man began, slurring and tripping over his words. 'He ain't gonfa be gerting anyfing more out of myne men!'

Craning her neck and straining to understand his fumbled language, Akira suddenly had an idea. As the men were leaving, still shouting their abusive words back to the quivering bartender, she stood up and strolled over.

Leaning on the bar, she ordered two more drinks for the pair, fluttering her eyelashes as she did so. 'Seems like you have your hands full tonight, huh?' She flashed the older man a smile and he took the bait.

'Don't you worry yourself, missy. They won't be back for another week or so. Been asking to see the boss like this now for three months!'

'And poor you have to take the brunt of it,' She cringed inwardly at her ridiculous attempt at flirting, but the man seemed to be enjoying it.

'Aye, it's the life I chose I'm afraid!'

'Why won't he agree to seeing them?' She hoped she hadn't pushed too far.

He thought for a moment and then leaned forward, beckoning her to do the same. 'Well, I probably shouldn't tell you this, but what's a pretty girl like you gonna do, hmm?' He grinned and she bit back her disgust, forcing herself to smile back. 'Truth is, the boss isn't really feeling himself these days. He's in what you might call a transition.'

Her eyes widened slightly but she continued her flirtatious act, flicking her hair over her shoulder. 'Transition? Hmm, sounds very dangerous… You must be very brave to face him then.'

He laughed at this and stuck his nose in the air, looking down at her as he spoke again. 'You don't know the half of it, little miss. Especially with him being so vulnerable at this time, makes him all the more dangerous,' He purred the last word into her ear and she decided hastily that she could take no more of this.

She gave him an innocent smile and asked him how much she owed him.

'Have them on me, missy,' he winked. Thanking him, she retreated to take her seat at the table again. Konan was smirking, and Akira got the sinking feeling that she'd heard everything.

'Poor guy didn't know what hit him,' she sniggered, earning a embarrassed glare from her partner.


A/N: Thanks for reading! Please R&R :D x