(My POV)
About a week after the fight with Tobi, my legs were healed and they allowed me to train. Finally! I was so happy when they told me I could. They were surprised by how fast I was healed, mostly Hidan though, because I healed about half as fast as him, which surprised me the more.
Currently, I was training with Itachi to 'improve' my Genjutsu. Any better and I'd surpass him, but he wouldn't allow that. At least, I didn't think he would, but who knows. He might actually let me surpass him! Then I could whoop Sasuke's scrawny little butt in two seconds instead of longer.
"Bailey, why is it you refuse to remove that necklace of yours?" Itachi asked me while we were taking a break. I sighed. I knew someone would ask eventually and even Konan would pry also. I looked down at the necklace clipped around my neck with the visible BAS on it in a heart.
"It was a present from Satoru-koi when I made Chunin. The letters stand for Bailey and Satoru. I wear it to show him I still care for him," I answered. He looked at me with a confused look in his usual impassive eyes.
"What happened to him?" he asked again. My eyes saddened, which he took note of. "He broke up with you, didn't he?" I looked at him in anger and he immediately shut up.
"No, he died half a year later at the next Chunin Exam. He was killed by Madara along with my other teammate Taimu Mitsudai," I replied looking down. He put a reassuring hand on my shoulder. I wasn't crying. My tears had long since dried when it came to anyone I lost.
"I apologize for asking. I didn't know it was such a touchy subject. If I'd known I wouldn't have pushed so hard," he said pulling me to hug him.
"It's okay, I knew I would have to say it at one point," I answered looking up and giving him a small, sad smile. "Since I don't want to repeat this conversation, if anyone asks, you tell them, please." He nodded in returned.
"Now, to lighten this mood, it's getting quite suffocating in here from it. Anyway, you are to get your first mission in the Akatsuki. Pein has assigned Zetsu to be your partner, most likely permanent when he's not with Tobi," Itachi said. I squealed rather girlishly and latched onto him in a hug. He patted my back awkwardly.
"So, what's the mission? When am I leaving? Will Zetsu eat me?" I kept asked random questions before he put a hand over my mouth to get me quiet.
"Pein will give you the details of the mission, along with the time you will depart. All I know is you will be with Kakuzu and Hidan instead of your partner," he explained. I nodded. "Now get going. Pein will want to see you soon. Good luck Imouto!" I smiled and got up from the bench. I waved to Itachi as I ran from the training grounds.
I walked into Pein's office shortly later. Kakuzu was already present and Hidan entered behind me. "Glad all three of you are here. The mission for you guys is a bounty mission to Suna. Bailey will get you guys in and help locate the bounty. If need be she'll help in the fight. Locate and kill Kotoba Shou in Suna," he said. We bowed and exited the office. Great! My first mission is to Suna.
"So, how do you know how to get into Suna undetected? Usually their security is pretty tight. We nearly lost Kisame last time we tried to enter," Kakuzu asked looking at the mission info.
"I know the Yondiame Kazekage's kids and I kind of made one angry while I was in Suna. You get used to the entrances and exits when you constantly run through them. I swear, he was going to kill me, but I escaped through the very exit we'll be going in," I said. They nodded.
"Gather your equipment. We leave in two hours. We infiltrate tomorrow night," Kakuzu ordered. Hidan grumbled but walked away anyway. I walked to my room as well, having nothing better to do.
I packed up my backpack. Clothes, weapons, and everything else needed for the mission. That took me less than ten minutes, so I spent the remaining time listening to music and writing a letter to Tsunade as an update. I wrote to her about all that's been happening along with how nice they've been treating me. I also attached the Akatsuki's profiles to it as well.
I summoned Kakashi's messenger dog and gave him the documents. "I'll summon you again to get the reply from Tsunade. Now go before someone sees you," I ordered. He wagged his tail and disappeared to the summoning point I had placed outside the base. Well this took most of the time. I have a couple minutes still, so I ate lunch and met them in the living room.
"Let's get this fucking over with. I don't like babysitting," Hidan said coming up to me with his triple-bladed scythe. Kakuzu was behind him looking bored, of course. Kakuzu walked ahead and dragged Hidan behind him to exit the base.
"Keep up and listen to what I say if you don't want to die," Kakuzu threatened. I sighed, but ran to catch up to them anyway. This was going to be a long week! Less than two minutes into the journey, Hidan was already complaining, so I decided to torture him. I attached myself to his leg for him just to swing me around. I have to thank those times I tracked down Neji and Sasuke for my strong grip.
"If you quit complaining, I'll stop," I said. He fell silent and stopped moving, so I removed myself and smiled up at him. He glared but didn't say a word. I looked up to see Kakuzu staring in shock, making my smile widen. He snapped back into reality moments later and again we moved forward.
It took us two days to reach Suna that was more or less quiet. Sometimes it would be Hidan and I fighting back and forth, other times it would Hidan and Kakuzu and sometimes even me and Kakuzu, but mostly just me and Hidan. "Okay, show us in," Kakuzu said. I nodded as Suna appeared on the distance.
We walked around it and out of sight till we came to the south-east wall. I had learned it was the least unprotected because it faced river country and they weren't much of a threat to Suna. I found most villages had a blind spot much like the Byakugan and if you're able to spot it you'll get a major advantage.
We jumped onto the wall and to a hidden hole in the wall. It was also an exit for ANBU that was hidden in a Genjutsu. Before we entered, I looked to see if there were any ninjas nearby that would see us. I nodded and led them through.
The sun was setting as Hidan dragged us to a cheap hotel. It was the only thing Kakuzu would agree to. He checked us in as Hidan and I picked up food at the nearest food stand. It was actually a quite peaceful night aside from the fact I was stuck on the couch while they shared the bed.
The next morning, I was rudely awakened by being sat on. So much sudden weight was pressed on my young back. It felt like it was about to break. Kakuzu had sat himself down onto me to get me up. "Do you mind getting off of me?" He got off. Thank Kami!
"Here, wear these. You warned us that some people here knew you," he said handing me green contacts. "Hurry up and get ready. I want to at least locate him. Now get up!" He pushed me off the couch and onto my butt.
"I'm up, I'm up, stop with the abuse!" I yelled grabbing my bag, and running into the bathroom. I slid on a green shirt and black pants before rushing out into the living room where Kakuzu still was. I stood at attention in front of him with a stern look on my face.
"Fuck, woman that took like a second! How the hell did you do that?" Hidan said coming into the room. I relaxed my position and smiled mischievously. "C'mon tell me woman!" I shook my head and proceeded to run. It would be a good way to find target. He chased me out of the hotel. He had blue contacts in so we were safe.
"Not going to catch me Hachidai!" I yelled to him. We had come up with secret names. His was Hachidai which meant eight great hells so it fit. Kakuzu's was Kanpachi which is a type of fish and it means coffin. Mine was Biwako which is just a Japanese name.
"Biwako c'mon you just have to tell me!" he yelled. I glanced at him and twitched my eyebrow. It was our sign to show we saw him. He was right in front of me, mid thirties with dark brown hair and glowing brown eyes. He was wandering on the street.
"Never!" I yelled and purposely ran into him. "Oh, I'm sorry! I wasn't looking where I was going. Are you okay?" I said showing concern. His knee was slightly scratched and while I was helping him up, I obtained some of the blood for later.
"I'm fine. You should watch where you're going next time. Not all Suna people are as friendly as me," he said getting up and smiling down at me.
"Biwako you better not have hurt him or Kanpachi will seriously kill you," Hidan said coming up to next to me. "I apologize for my sister's stupidity. We tried to get her into a mental institute but she always came straight on my back." I kicked him in the leg.
"Oh, it's no problem at all. I'm not hurt and I don't want such a nice girl killed," he joked. "Now run along." He waved as Hidan dragged me away. We turned a corner and sighed in relief. It was hard holding that act for so long.
"So, how did you change that fast?" he asked.
"I have two brothers with needs, how do you think I learned how to change fast?" I said. He was going to make a crude remark when Kakuzu walked up behind us, hitting him on the back of the head.
"Idiot! You would think she would know how," he said. "Did it go as planned?" We exchanged a look of amusement.
"He ate it up like a starved dog," I smirked. "When do I start phase two?" We started walking towards the Kazekage building. Apparently, they were going to announce the new fifth Kazekage. It was probably Baki of someone like him.
"The next time you see him. Say that I'm your foster parent and we wanted to apologize by having him over for dinner," he told me. I nodded. This was going to be fun. By now we had reached the building and were staring up.
On top of the building were Chiyo and Ebizou, the village elders. Ebizou stepped forward. "Citizens of Sunagakure! You are gathered here today to witness the instating of your Godiame Kazekage!" he yelled to the audience. I saw a young man step up behind the elders wearing the Kage robes. "Meet your Godiame Kazekage, Sabaku no Gaara!" The man removed the hat and sure enough Gaara's red hair flared out.
Gaara was Kazekage! I stood in awe before Hidan nudged me twitching his eyebrow and nudging his head to our left. I nodded and put on a stern face, watching our target from the corner of my eyes. Gaara said his speech and when he was done I approached our target.
"Hey, mister, our foster parent Kanpachi wants to invite you to dinner to apologize for me running into you early," I said. Kakuzu and Hidan walked up behind me and Kakuzu placed a hand on my head.
"Hello, I'm Kanpachi. I want to apologize for my child's foolishness. Hachidai did tell you how she has mental issues," Kakuzu said. "Anyway, we'd like to invite you back to our apartment for a meal since we destroyed your groceries earlier and made you buy them again."
"Thank you for the offer but it won't be necessary. I didn't have much and it didn't do anyone harm," he replied.
"Nonsense, it's the least we can do. It's just a meal, what harm can it do. Well, unless she is cooking," Kakuzu replied.
"Hey! I may be a little insane, but if it weren't for me, we'd be eating soup," I complained. He chuckled and patted my head again making me growl in annoyance.
"Fine, I accept your offer. I'll be at your apartment at six then?" he said. We nodded, gave him our address and we waved goodbye. "I'm Kotoba Shou by the way!" he yelled after us.
"See you at six, Kotoba!" Hidan yelled back. He waved and we again went back towards our apartment. They forced me into the kitchen, while they did who knows what. Was I the only one who could cook besides Konan in the Akatsuki? Anyway, I made something simple, like ramen. It was just for show. Once he would enter the door, we will slit his throat, take the body and leave the village.
Ten minutes till he was to come, I called Hidan to begin his ritual if he wanted to do one. I handed him the blood we collected earlier. With a lick, he began the ritual. It wasn't long that Kotoba appeared at the door.
Hidan opened it as I snuck behind him to restrain him, gagging him to make sure he wouldn't make a sound. The ritual finished quickly as Kakuzu entered the room. He grabbed the body and slugged it over his shoulder. I winced at the remembrance of when he did that to me.
"What the hell's wrong with you?" Hidan asked.
"Just remembering how much that hurts," I pointed to Kakuzu. He laughed at me as I glared it return. The rest of the trip to the bounty office was quiet, surprisingly. Hidan was satisfied from the sacrifice so he didn't complain.
Hidan and I waited outside while Kakuzu made the cash in. We both agreed that the smell was disgusting. I don't know how Kakuzu is used to it. He came out with a smug look on his face. At least someone was happy.
It took another two or so days after that to return to the base. Hidan and I just chatted really most of the time and whenever Hidan would complain of being tired, Kakuzu would actually let us rest for a few minutes. He was happy so he was more compliant.