Chapter 23:
War… It's a word that describes two or more forces fighting to the death, or so it is in the world of shinobi. That is what we are at. It was the Shinobi against Kabuto, Madara and Zetsu.
After sending the message stating I had to prove my worth to the Akatsuki to Tsunade, I had cut all connections and contact with her and the village. The Akatsuki and I had gone into hiding. We set a permanent base in the hills of an abandoned Kiri territory. It's been three years since I stabbed Mitchell; three years since I received the curse, three years since I broke contact with Konoha, three years since I broke my own heart.
I awoke from the pain the next day. Every movement caused unimaginable pain. My stomach felt like it was searing with flames. I cried out from the pain. Hidan was the first to come to my aid. He helped me sit up into a seated position. He held a syringe out in front of me.
"This is a painkiller Sasori and I improved. It should diminish the pain," he told me gently. I resisted the urge to make a comment about him not swearing because he probably wouldn't give the painkiller. "It goes into your side. Itachi suggested injected it into your scar."
He lifted the back of my shirt and expertly stuck the needle into the very center of the 'M'-shaped scar. I had received that scar the day the clan had died, and every time I saw it, I'd instantly flashback to that time. It brought on terrible memories.
Within a few seconds, the pain faded, and I could move around with little to no pain. "Don't worry about getting addicted. It's not possible," he said again. His tone changed back to it's normal one. "Now get fucking ready. We're moving to a new damn base." I smiled and nodded as he exited the room.
I quickly went through the room sealing all furniture and anything else into the scroll provided to me. Once I completed the task at hand, I quickly changed clothes and left my room behind me.
"Bailey!" I heard someone yell as I entered the living room. I was engulfed instantly into a hug.
"Ki-Kisame, I can't breathe," I stuttered out. He let go of me instantly.
Before he could say anything more, Pein entered the room. "Alright everyone, let's get moving. The faster we get out of here, the safer we are," he spoke the thoughts that everyone was thinking.
He led us out of the base and towards our new home.
The move had been relatively fast. Riku had only started crying once. Although, it was the very first time that Sasori managed to calm down his son. Other than that, it only took one trip to get to the base over the two or three Pein had predicted. Originally, he thought it'd take two because if I weren't awake, someone would have to carry me.
The new base isn't much different from the last one. However, they changed up the rooms. Since Zetsu followed Madara, we now have an extra room. It'll be Riku's room once he's old enough. My room is now in between Itachi and Kisame's and Konan and Pein's rooms.
Over the course of those three years, Pein sent me on various missions, which is to be expected, but never alone. He was sure that the second I was alone, when not in the base, that Madara would use that to activate the curse, since I was unable to administer the painkiller myself. The majority of the time, I was sent with Sasori since Deidara usually opted to stay at home to take care of Riku.
Speaking of the kid, Riku has become a very wild and curious three year old. He must have inherited Deidara's risk-taking side, but also Sasori's perfectionist ways. The boy is definitely his fathers' son. After all, on more than one occasion, he nearly blew up the base.
As the very youngest of the group, and the mother of Riku being the second youngest, I was always chosen to play with him or entertain him in some way, shape or form. According to Kisame, I was very good with kids. Sasori even commented that he was thankful because I'd always tire him out, so he'd sleep through the night.
Either way, the boy is a real hassle, but I love him anyway.
Another thing that has happened within these three years was the removal of the Junibi. The first attack after the curse being placed was awful. Because the curse is laced with Madara's chakra, the Junibi automatically wants to rip it to shreds. It's like when you receive blood that doesn't match your blood type.
I was in a coma for a week because of it. Pein then deemed it fit that it was now or never to remove her from me. The process itself was extremely painful, and the survival rate was less than 50 percent but I managed to pull through. I think it's the Uchiha in me.
The Junibi is now stored in a crystal ball that when I need it, I carry it around with me. Pein has been training me to take the chakra from the ball and manipulate it as if controlling the beast. The white chakra, when I first tried, instantly incased me in a protective barrier much like the Uchiha Susanoo. When Pein tried to touch me, the chakra licked his skin much like flames.
The second time, it encased me once more, but I figured out how to use it to my advantage. I hardened the chakra into crystals and shot them towards a wooden dummy. They went right through it and embedded themselves deep into the wall behind it. Had I used that on Pein, he would most likely been dead. Although, the strangest thing happened during that time, according to Pein, my eyes began to glow a scary shade of light pink, similar to Hidan's.
I am very thankful that by using this power, I'll probably have the upper hand on Madara. I almost always carry the pink crystal on me whenever I leave the base.
The Akatsuki and I stood watching the battles of the 4th Shinobi World War begin. Riku stirred by didn't awake from his sleep where he was nestled tightly in Deidara's arms. I pulled my black hooded cloak tighter around myself as I felt this wave of death hit me. Ever since I had become in tune with the Junibi chakra, I had felt that more than anyone else. I felt the crystal in my bag heat up.
"Bailey…" Pein called for my attention. "Take Riku with you and go make contact with the Kages. They're not cruel enough to kill what they think is a mother and her child." I nodded and turned to Deidara.
Sasori and Deidara kissed their little boy's head before Deidara handed him over. I gently tucked him into my arms under my cloak, so as to not jostle him and wake him from his slumber.
"Good luck," I heard Itachi say as I sprinted off in the direction of the Shinobi's head quarters.
I sprinted through the trees, minding the boy in my arms. I activated my Byakugan so I could avoid any battles or confrontations on my way there. A little over halfway there, I ran into black Zetsu. I halted immediately.
For a moment, we both stood there frozen. My maternal instinct made me press Riku closer to my chest to protect him as I glared at Zetsu. He had abandoned us. He would surely kill me or strike me. It never came. Without a word spoken between us, he turned his attention away from me.
I continued on my way. For the remainder of the journey, I didn't run into anyone else. When I reached the base, I found an opening in the perimeter and entered undetected. Dodging past any and all shinobi, I managed to sneak my way past everyone and into the Kage's meeting chamber.
All conversations stopped as the guards took defensive positions in front of their respective Kage. I removed my hood allowing them to see my face. Only the Tsuchikage and Raikage didn't recognize me.
"Bailey…" I heard Tsunade mutter.
I bowed to them all. "I am here to announce that the Akatsuki wishes to ally ourselves with the Shinobi forces. We share a common enemy in this fight," I stated with maturity in my voice. I was sixteen now, but definitely wiser for my age.
"And give us one good reason why we shouldn't kill you right now," the Raikage bit out without consulting with the others first.
I held down my smirk as I opened my cloak to reveal Riku. "Because I carry a child," I answered. "This boy, Riku, is the son of two of us members in Akatsuki. He has not been kidnapped and if he is killed, you will face the rage of the Akatsuki."
The room was shocked into a stunned silence. Tsunade was looking at me as if I had grown a second head. I knew she thought he was mine. At that moment, the boy in my arms woke awoke. He rubbed his eyes. "Onee-san, where is Kaa-san?" he asked.
"Kaa-san is staying on the borders so he can guarantee your safety," I told the boy in his arms. All of us in the Akatsuki agreed. It was best not to keep something from Riku.
"Bailey…" Tsunade called. I turned most of my attention to her. "If you answer this one question and we deem your answer fit, you may consider us allies. If not, you can wither leave peacefully or we kill both of you," she stated sternly. The boy in my arms whimpered at the scariness of the woman before him. Before she continued, she caught the Mizukage's eye. "Do you love Mitchell Takeo?"
Before I could answer, the Raikage stood up in protest. He was silenced by the look in Tsunade's eyes. "Answer the question," he stated sternly retaking his seat.
All eyes were on me. I looked down at the boy in my arms. "With all my heart…" I whispered fighting back the tears. Riku, in my arms, lifted his small hand and wiped the single tear that fell down my cheek.
"Don't cry Onee-san," Riku said.
"I won't. For you I'll stay strong," I told the boy. I kissed his head and lifted my head to face the Kages once more.
"Bailey, look at me," Tsunade ordered. My eyes immediately were fixed onto her. "Welcome, ally of the Shinobi forces. Please call the remainder of the Akatsuki. We meet on equal and nonviolent terms."
I bowed and exited the room. Pein would be very pleased with this arrangement. It was one step closer towards getting all our lives back.
Mostly a flashback chapter. The next two chapters will be full of action. I just have those two and the epilogue and then this story is over. After almost three years, I'm sort of relieved.