A/n: I actually like how this story is going at the moment. I hadn't really planned this chapter it just sort of came to me as I typed.
Let me know what you think! :D
Enjoy x
The hideout was eerily quiet, and Deidara had to suppress a shiver as a chilling draft hissed through the pitch-black corridors. He was used to the dimly lit hallways of the Akatsuki base with only a faint flicker of candlelight for company, but this was something else. They were, however, pleasantly surprised to find what felt like hardened mud and earth beneath their feet, which would make Tobi's job much easier.
The blonde listened carefully to Itachi and Kisame's barely audible footsteps and paused just behind them as they ceased.
'We begin here.' The Uchiha's words echoed slightly, despite his best efforts. Tobi set about digging his way beneath the ground as Deidara's palms worked on the small yet incredibly destructive centipede bombs.
They wound their way into the underground tunnels, scurrying silently to line the hideout floor. So far, they had not seen or heard anything to suggest there was any life in this abysmal place other than themselves and their own hushed breathing.
A stronger, more disturbing breeze rustled through their cloaks and Itachi narrowed his piercing crimson irises as he locked onto a faint blue figure illuminated by his Sharingan.
Kisame spoke first, sensing the change in atmosphere and balling his fists. He spread his feet apart into a threatening battle stance and reached a hand over his should for his weapon. 'He's here.'
'Deidara, continue your task. We'll cover you,' Itachi kept his voice low and calm, but Deidara didn't complain. He knew better than to disobey orders in a situation such as this.
'So nice of you to return the visit, Akatsuki…' A cold, unwelcoming voice snaked its way to their ears. 'I wonder, just what did your little plan contain, hmm? Detonating play-doh insect bombs, leave no survivors and all that jazz? Then you'll just run off home to that pathetic excuse for a leader, reporting to him like the good little minions you are… Correct?'
Orochimaru's icy voice ricocheted off the walls, slowing Deidara's actions as he tried to decide where it was coming from before it continued. 'I'm not quite sure what the purpose of bringing your pretty little maid along with you is though…'
His smirk was evident in his tone, and the blonde gritted his teeth, fighting the urge to run right back outside to check on her.
Suddenly, he hissed directly next to Deidara's ear. 'Oh don't worry, I can assure you my men will take very good care of her!'
Itachi was there in a heartbeat, and he slashed at the snake causing a loud ring to slice through the atmosphere. He drew blood, a small red line forming on sickly-white, pale skin.
Something smooth slithered around Kisame's leg and he fell to the floor with a surprised huff. The serpent's hold on his ankle tightened and the shark man wasted no time in slamming his powerful sword down into it's winding body, killing it instantly.
'Damn snakes…' He cussed under his breath and leapt to his feet, his small eyes wide as they searched the blackness in vain. 'Itachi?'
'Leave him to me.' Two sets of footsteps, hot on each other's tails bolted down the corridor.
'Kisame! Get Akira!' Deidara yelled, desperately moulding his clay as fast as his fingers could manage. All attempts at staying discrete forgotten, Kisame charged away from him towards the exit.
From beneath the ground, Tobi, who had been holding his breath almost entirely through the whole ordeal, continued silently planting his partner's insects, unnoticed.
*************** Meanwhile ***************
They had been gone almost an hour, and Akira found herself anxiously pacing the branch she was balancing on. If something had gone wrong, she would have heard something surely. She crouched down leaning her side against the trunk. Her lack of sleep the past few nights was also beginning to catch up on her, and she blinked fast in a desperate attempt to keep her stinging eyes open as the morning sun began to rise.
A few more minutes passed and she started to wonder whether she should go in after them, just in case. What if they're in trouble, and I'm just sitting out here, waiting? A small worry line creased her brow as she fought vigorously with her conscience.
Deciding it couldn't hurt to do a quick check inside the entrance, she hopped out of the tree and landed as quietly as she could.
Suddenly, a single twig snapped from behind her, and she whirled around to meet a pair of familiar red eyes staring back at her, inches from her face.
She visibly relaxed, slumping her shoulders. 'Itachi, you scared me…'
'I'm not Itachi.'
From there, everything went black.
*************** A few minutes later ***************
'Akira!' Daylight blinded his readjusting eyes, and Kisame skidded to a halt below the tree where they had left her. He squinted up at the empty branches. 'Akira, it's me, Kisame. Where are you?'
'She can't hear you, I'm afraid.'
He spun around to face the stranger, and his blood ran cold as recognition dawned upon him.
'You…' He spat. 'Where is she? What've you done to her?'
The raven-haired man stared blankly at the shark, ignoring his question. 'I hear Itachi is with you.'
'Listen, brat. If you don't tell me where the hell she is–'
'Then you'll what? Kill me? If you could kill me, you would never find her. Tell me where to find Itachi and I will personally take you to her,' His expression remained unchanging, and a deep, infuriated growl rumbled from Kisame's throat.
When he didn't reply, the stranger spoke again. 'Or, I could just force it out of you and leave her to die.'
Before Kisame could blink, the man was behind him pressing a kunai against his neck.
'You think I'll be killed that easily, kid? When you're partnered with Itachi for so many years, you pick up a few things against him,' His skin began to melt away, a drooped to the floor in a small pool of liquid.
'Tsk, substitution, huh?' His eyes flashed to the dark cave entrance as heavy footsteps could be heard retreating into the darkness.
Kisame tore through the long hallways, he had to find Itachi and warn him that he was here. They'd had their previous suspicions, but they hadn't even dreamed that he would really have showed up. How could we have been so stupid? He snarled to himself as he ran, accidentally tackling Deidara to the floor in the lack of light.
'What the hell, yeah!'
'Don't stand in the middle of the damn hall, idiot!' Kisame shook his head, refocusing. 'Nevermind that, we have to find Itachi. Sasuke is here, and he's taken Akira.'
A/N: Cliffhanger! Oh I'm cruel. Please R&R! :D x
