Pein hummed, a feeling of foreboding settling over him as he and the other members bustled about the shop for business. He glanced out the window and into the sunny skies. Today should be a good day…

"Hidan! Watch where you're going!" Kakuzu scolded a tad bit late as the silver-haired man ran into a shelf, knocking over a display of rare gold coins.

Hidan scratched the back of his head. "Whoops."

Kakuzu kneed him in the groin in reply. "Dumbass."

"YOU ASSHOLE!"

Pein sighed. Or so I hope. He looked over as Sasori, Konan, and Kisame came from the underground base, dressed in their work clothes and ready to head out- although Sasori looked kind of sore. "Where's Itachi?" he asked as they trio walked by.

Kisame shrugged. "Beats me. I think he already headed out."

"Oh- I missed it," Pein blinked. "Well, have fun at work."

"What kind of a sick joke is that?" Sasori grouched, folding his arms.

Konan pinched the redhead on the cheek with a large smile. "He really likes his job. There's a cute blonde who tutors little kids there," she told Pein.

Sasori scowled as Pein looked at him. "It's not like that," he muttered.

Pein suddenly grinned, ruffling Sasori's bangs. "Just don't crash the car I'm getting you for tonight, okay?"

Sasori pushed the older man's hand aside, stomping out the shop towards Konan's car.

Kisame laughed as he went, shaking his head before waving at his leader. "I'll see you this afternoon."

"Bye," Pein said as he left, facing Konan who had yet to go. "Are you purposely keeping Sasori waiting? Or do you just want a goodbye kiss?" he teased.

The blue-haired woman flushed a deep red before smacking him across the face and storming out the front door with an angry, "Bye!"

Pein chuckled, holding a hand to his smarting cheek. Ow.

Itachi was leaning against the school gate, shoulder bag slung around him and eyes closed as he attempted to get in last minute sleep. No one approached him- since he was seen as more of the aloof and not-to-be-bothered type. After a ten minute rest, he heard the school warning bell echo across the campus. Yawning, Itachi cracked open his eyes, rubbing the sleep from their corners. He wasn't used to arriving at the University so early in the morning, and silently cursed their new blonde recruit for making him get ready ahead of time.

As if on cue, Deidara dashed by, sticking his tongue out at the Uchiha and earning an eye roll in response. How was it possible for the blonde to leave well before him, but arrive late anyway? The teen was greeted at the top of the school steps by a silver-haired boy with old-fashioned glasses and his hair pulled into a short ponytail. The boy laughed at Deidara before motioning for him to hurry up.

Itachi blinked. Wasn't that kid-?

Deidara paused, looking over his shoulder at him. "You're gonna be late if you just stand there un!" he called down. "So hurry up you bastard!"

Itachi waved a hand half-heartedly. "I'm on my way," he answered.

The boy with the glasses peered down at Itachi to see who his friend was talking to, offering a smile before he and Deidara headed inside the building.

Itachi followed the two with his eyes, mind reeling in minor shock as he started up the steps. He's friends with Yakushi Kabuto…?

Deidara and Kabuto walked to the school parking lot after school, talking about schoolwork and missed assignments along the way. They stopped in front of the blonde's Ninja.

"Did you get my text last night about that English essay?" Deidara asked, rummaging through his school bag for his bike keys.

"Yeah," Kabuto nodded. "But wherever you were, your signal sucked."

"Sorry about that," Deidara apologetically said, triumphantly holding out his keys. "It'll probably be like that for a while until I can get the service fixed hmm."

"Oh, okay." The older boy then stared at Deidara's Ninja, a brow raised. "Did you get an enhancement for your back wheel? You know how dangerous you drive even without a speed boost."

"What are you talking about un?" Deidara raised a brow in return. "I didn't get any enhancement."

Kabuto pointed to the tiny machine plastered to the lower side of his bike by the wheel.

Deidara looked down in surprise, seeing the machine for the first time. He crouched, studying it with an analytical eye before it widened in slight shock. Itachi…

Kabuto worriedly looked at him. "What is it? Is everything alright?" he asked.

"It's fine," Deidara said without looking, eyes shadowed. "Look- could we hang out maybe tomorrow sometime instead un? I've got other business to attend to."

"Oh- um, yeah. That's okay with me," Kabuto said, scratching the back of his neck. "Actually I have other plans tonight anyway as well," he sheepishly laughed. "I'll just catch up with you tomorrow in class."

Deidara stood, turning around with a smile. "Sounds good yeah."

"Then I'm off," Kabuto smiled back, waving over his shoulder as he ran towards his own bike parked a few lots over. He vanished with another wave within the next moment, leaving a faint cloud of smoke behind him.

Deidara watched him go and then turned his attention back to his bike. His eye narrowed. "He put a tracker on my baby?" Deidara asked aloud in disbelief. Rage clouded over his features. "Che. Fuckin' untrusting bastard." He kicked the tracker off in a fit of anger, swinging a leg over his Ninja before zooming off down the road. Screw going back to the base that night.

A cruel smirk spread across his face.

He would start a fire at the city bank.