Hello again from your great and powerful overlord! ME! Jk, anyway it's been a while since I've updated and I'd like to just say that I've been a bit busy with school and getting my brother moved in with me so I have little time on my hands these days. I'm trying though and doing brainstorms in my spare time along with some photo editing. I've also decided for those of you who are following my fic called "Monster", I will be changing the cover pic as the story progresses to try and show you the different characters in their magnificent glory. All in all I'm trying here and I hope you guys don't think the quality of my stories are suffering from my pressed time. If you think they are please let me know that you think so. My muse has been pestering me to get him more screentime so I'll let him say a few words. Hidan?

Hidan: Ahem, thanks bitch. Now that the REAL star is here-

And that's Hidan guys!

Hidan: I DIDN'T GET TO FUCKING SAY SHIT!

Anywho, the song for this chapter is "Come With Me Now" by the Kongos.

Hidan: CRAZYDOESN'TOWNNARUTOORTHEREFERNCESMADEONLYTHEORIGINALCHARACTERS!

Like how I tricked him into that? Enjoy my pretties!

Chapter 5: Initiation of Realization

Konan was finishing reapplying Sumara's bandages for the day, careful to ensure that the ebony haired female was properly tended to and watched after. A certain violet eyed Jashinist had been trying to sneak in and fondle up the Uchiha since he'd been painfully sewn together and was capable of walking once more. Then again a certain blonde had also been trying to sneak a peak upon hearing that a girl his age had entered the Akatsuki. Deidara had requested to the blue haired female permission to just see the girl, perhaps even be allowed to do some sketches of her for reference for his later sculptures. He'd been turned down of course, the partner of the Akatsuki's leader thought the girl deserved at least some privacy until she was conscious to make her own introductions, female sympathy if you will. Sasori had also been in on the secret having been the one to put together her remedies, nothing major, fever reducers, pain relievers, and of course tea for when and if she awoke. He had made it clear to Konan when she took over his duties of care that Sumara would wake dehydrated and weak from lack of nutrition, understandable since she had been out cold for nearly four days.

Konan discreetly replaced the girl's amulet beneath her bandages, careful not to let the end be seen. She was sure she would inform them of her religious views when she was ready. Until then she would keep her secret from all, including her partner if need be. She turns then to clean up, brown eyes calm and in thought when a gentle knock sounds at the door. One, two, three-four... One she had developed specifically for one person Sumara had already encountered. "Come in, make sure no one sneaks past you as usual."

The door opens and shuts quickly, the figure entering through it turning his head slightly to avoid a collision with the doorway. His hood did graze it slightly but the disturbance went unnoticed by the tall man. His dual colored eyes instantly dropped from the blue haired Akatsuki to the raven female lying on the metal table, separated from the cold surface by a simple white sheet. "Evening Kakuzu, not a minute late once again."

"I make it a point to look up on someone who goes to such lengths for my life, whether they be ordered to or not," he states calmly in his deep baritone. Of course he wasn't being entirely truthful, he also held a secret admiration for such a gifted girl with such a kind smile, as he had seen in his first seconds of life just days ago. Why on earth she had graced him with such a smile was beyond his comprehension, he could not fathom it... He steps forward, stopping at the girl's side and placing a large hand on the side of the table as if to steady himself. "Has she still shown no signs of waking up?" he questions, eyes locked on her pale face. 'So young, yet so strong... An innocence yet there's also a hint of carnage in the air around her and her vacant expression...' She was a mystery all right.

"Nothing, though I did catch a few select words mumbled a few hours ago."

"What did she say?"

"She said... 'Left me to die...' " The woman had stopped what she was doing as she told him this. It had surprised her when the words had been mumbled hours before, she tried to fathom an explanation to what could have happened to the girl that she would feel she was left behind and uncared for but had come up with nothing that made sense. She had considered maybe she was a former Leaf ninja and her squad had left her on a mission...but she never mentioned the Leaf except when stating her village of origin. It had to have been before she converted to her current faith, but she couldn't think of anything except... "She was abandoned as a baby. She said that when she was being questioned by Pein," she recalls. This brings a look of understanding to Kakuzu's eyes, his lower face covered by his mask.

"I see, so she has the troubled background required of the Akatsuki," he says with bland humor. He couldn't help but wonder about the young woman and her past with the silver haired male she arrived with. Shin had filled the other members' heads with exciting tales of the girl and images of strength and beauty that had them rolling for a chance to see her, when in reality she had been seen by most, save for the blonde bomber and the Mist shark ninja. God only knew which of the Akatsuki's members would find her attractive. Kakuzu knew more than anyone that the organization was full of nothing but good for nothing, S-rank criminals that had nothing better to do than destroy innocent lives and hold malice for their former villages. He was no exception, but at least he admitted it. He hated to think of just which men would pursue her and how relentless they would be in their endeavors, Hidan especially worried him with his normal attitude. The cannibalistic plant man was also a headache to think of, he was only glad the freak Orochimaru was gone along with his experiments. Though he wouldn't admit it, he wanted to see that the young lady who had brought him back from death went unharmed. Anyhow, he had other things to do and Hidan would notice if he disappeared for too long. With nothing more than a glance Kakuzu discreetly exited the infirmary without a word, leaving Konan once more to her thoughts. Sumara was no chore to look after, then again she was unconscious. Honestly the woman was happy to be doing something that didn't involve plotting world domination.

It wasn't moments later however that the raven haired female stirred, a light moan escaping her barely parted lips as her eyes tightened. Konan looks up, setting down the cloth she was using to clean the countertop before watching the girl attempt to sit up. Her ebony eyes flickered open and a hand went to her head as she took in her surroundings. Uneasiness filled her as she took notice of the shrill white setting she despised so much, followed by panic when she noticed she was clad in nothing but underwear beneath the sheet and her torso was only covered by the bandages. "I changed you so you don't have to worry about the men having violated you," Konan reassures, noticing her look. Having spoken up Sumara now saw the woman that had been tending to her and relaxed noticeably.

"Thank you," she murmurs dryly, putting a hand to her parched throat. She's handed a glass of water immediately, followed by some ramen that had been made for such an occasion. She gulps it down quickly, her body deprived of the nutrients it craved, mumbling thanks once more as the older woman studied her.

"I'm Konan, our leader's partner. You are Sumara Uchiha, partner of Shin who is a former Foundation operative under Danzo," she states, showing she was informed and also earning a small grin from Sumara.

"Been blubbering like an idiot has he?"

"That being beside the point I was already aware through what Pein gathered on you." She nods and scoots to the edge of the table, sliding down slowly so as not to lose her balance. It was to no avail though because she wobbled uneasily and had to be steadied by the other woman.

"Heh sorry, guess I'm not at my best right now," she says quietly, almost respectfully.

"No need to apologize, you have every excuse to be weary." She straightened her and helped her walk a few steps before releasing her to move on her own. Luckily she adjusted quickly and was in perfect balance within minutes.

"So, how long was I out?" She was sure it had been a while since she had been out for a whole week her previous execution of the jutsu.

"Four days. You've been quarantined to the infirmary since then and have been looked after by me since Sasori finished your initial treatment." She nods and does an experimental twirl on her right foot, testing her strength for the time being.

"Better than last time. I must be getting the hang of it." Konan was watching her carefully, trying her best to understand the true emotions behind the girl's seemingly uninterested eyes. She noted she definitely was a Uchiha just by her appearance but her personality seemed to contrast the traditional conception of the clan in that she was very laid back and more prone to showing kindness and attentiveness. Her train of thought is interrupted when Sumara looks at her expectantly. "So um, now that I'm up what exactly is the plan?"

"Follow me." The blue haired woman is blunt and doesn't wait for a reply, walking from the room nonchalantly as Sumara scrambles after her, white sheet wrapped around her barely clad form. Her cheeks were flaming at the idea of one of the men walking around the corner and seeing her in her current state. She was an Akatsuki now though and followed orders without question so her mission could succeed. If it meant some embarrassment, she could handle it. She followed Konan through the labyrinth of halls, carefully memorizing the paths so as to have them handy for future reference. "He came and saw you every day," Konan suddenly says.

"Huh?" The Uchiha is confused by the comment.

"The man you brought back, Kakuzu, he visited you everyday to ensure you were healing properly. Besides Sasori he is the only one in the Akatsuki with medical capabilities as few as both their skills are in comparison to true medical ninjas."

"Oh," she murmurs, cheeks pink. "That was nice of him. And Shin?"

"Probably in the kitchen with Deidara and Tobi, they've taken a shine to him."

"Deidara...?"

"I'll explain when you're done dressing." Somehow they'd managed to come to a familiar door that Sumara had seen before, although it had been repainted with black since she had last seen it.

"Zombie Twins..."

"This is where you'll room. Each quarters consists of one living area and smaller bedrooms within. Yours is the farthest to the right. When you're done cleaning up a bit come to the kitchen and you'll be introduced to the rest of the group. Do you need directions?" She shakes her head to the woman's relief.

"I can follow your scent once you leave," she assures with a smile.

"Good. Take your time but try to make it quick. The faster we get you initiated the sooner you can get to recuperating." With a nod Sumara opens the door, turning to offer a hand to Konan in a friendly manner. She takes it with a baffled expression however, not expecting such a small gesture. It was swift but it held a warmth to it that the woman wasn't used to. She left quietly as the door shut behind the Uchiha, her thoughts ceasing altogether as she began rounding up the other members from the various training areas within the compound.

.

.

.

Sumara takes a long look around the main room of her new quarters, immediately taking in how ordinary everything was. There wasn't a sign of personality to the décor at all and everything seemed cheap in all respects although it was sturdy and looked comfortable. "You can tell guys live here," she grumbles. "I'm a hell of a lot more interesting and Shin gripes that I'M too simple minded."

'But you are."

'Still!'

It didn't take long for her to move on from the scene and to the three doors occupying the back wall. The far left one, she noticed, was darkened with what might've been bloodstains. Not hers. The middle one was lighter and was cracked in various places as if someone had hit it upon entering it each time. Again not hers. From what she could tell though her roommates would be violent brutes, then again it was the Akatsuki. Her door was medium toned mahogany, unscathed and fairly new she deduced from the fresh scent it emitted. The brass handle was shinier than the others which she took to mean some thought had been put intro her arrival. Upon entering though she wasn't surprised to find a simple twin sized bed, nightstand and lamp, and an open closet with a few hangers. The bathroom was stocked with essentials but nothing feminine, another sign of men. "It needs a woman's touch but it's workable." She drops the sheet to the tiled floor and locates her bag that had been placed beneath the sink, removing a pair of black shorts that was still clean. Unfortunately a top couldn't be found. She could wear the bandages until she could get more clothes...

'Bet you chakra the Neanderthals will become aroused on sight.'

'How much?'

'Week's worth.'

'Deal.'

She had a little more faith in the organization's members to restrain any desire they might have to at least honor their positions in the world. They were the most feared of criminals, S-ranked, rogues, ruthless... She believed they would be at least a little above something so juvenile. Of course there was still a little doggy nipping at the back of her mind telling her she'd been wrong before... She located her sais and the holsters, putting them in their rightful places on her thighs before running a brush through her tangled mass of ebony locks, attempting to look somewhat decent. Her eyes had slight shadows over them from her massive energy drain a few days earlier but the extended beauty sleep had made them look more like eye shadow, for which she was grateful for. She didn't bother with sandals or shoes for that matter since she moved better without them and they only hindered chakra control in the feet when used. As a precaution though she slipped a few shuriken into her long hair at the base of her neck, she was up against pros after all. When her appearance was deemed satisfactory she exited her new room and shut the quarters door behind her, entering the hallway before taking a deep inhale of the cool air.

'Definitely wreaks of testosterone,' the spirit comments. There was one feminine scent though, one she recognized as Konan's, that took a different path than they had earlier. She followed that, knowing that at the end of it would be her new teammates...

"So tell us more, hn."

"For the fifth time Deidara, we're in here so you can be introduced. Wait 'til she gets here for Lord's sake," Shin groans irately for what seemed like the thousandth time since he'd been there. The ex-Root was tired of being pestered about his comrade, no matter how much good he may have to say about her. The artist was curious he knew and he understood that but the actions still bothered him to no end.

"Awe come on, you're so vague when you talk about her, hn."

"Would you be quiet Deidara, you're starting to give me a migraine," a ginger haired puppeteer grumbles.

"Lighten up Sasori my man, hn. I'm just excited is all."

"I'm curious as well, can we at least get a general physical description of her." Kisame had joined in now, just as eager as the young blonde. "No offense Konan but you get tired of seeing one woman all the time when you're not attracted to her."

"Oh there's no offense in that at all," she droles. Her partner didn't seem to notice though, not that it was anything major on his to-do list to stand up for her at that time. There were more tasking things at hand to deal with.

"Upon her arrival you will all be on your best behavior, I don't want her first impression of you to be a bunch of ignorant children. Do I make myself clear?"

"Oh yeah? What are you going to do about Tobi then, hn?" Deidara jerks a thumb back at said man who was poking innocently at Hidan's near invisible scars from where his body was still healing from it's reassembly. Pein had to be honest, there was no changing Tobi's behavior...

"He'll just be Tobi."

"DAMN IT YOU IDIOTIC HEATHEN STOP POKING MY FUCKING CHEST!"

"Tobi's a good boy!"

"LIKE HELL YOU ARE!" The ginger simply rubs the bridge of his nose in frustration, knowing any attempt at maturing his lot would be futile. He worked with psychopathic teens as far as he was concerned.

"So nothing on Sumara?" Kisame tries once more. Tobi is happy to contribute information.

"Ooh ooh ooh! Tobi likes the pretty lady!"

"How pretty are we talking here?" 'She's probably not even that cute, not like I care or anything...'

Now free from Tobi's antics, Hidan jumps in on the chance to discuss his new favorite topic since returning to base. "Are you fucking kidding? She's smoking hot. She's got this sweet ass and these- OW FUCK!" he yelps as Kakuzu's fist comes down on his head roughly. "What the hell old man?!"

"Shut it you pea-brained zealot, for once in your pathetic life you're going to attempt to be human," the older man snaps.

"I'm not doing shit just because a chick finally came along that gave you a hard on!"

"Why you little-!"

"Um, am I interrupting something?" Eleven sets of eyes shoot up upon hearing the soft soprano of the raven haired girl. Kakuzu flushed in embarrassment at his behavior and was thankful that he was wearing his facemask, Hidan on the other hand was busy gaping at the girl's bandaged chest. Of course he wasn't the only one, another masked male, a Mist ninja, and an artistic bomber were all ogling her impressive body. Had they been wearing something other than their cloaks, their excitement would've been more obvious.

'Told you so.'

'Shut up!'

'You owe me chakra.'

'Like you need it.'

"About time you woke up Sumi." Shin stands, welcoming his comrade with a warm hug she desperately needed.

"Well you know, I like to keep people waiting anxiously for me," she teases. Pein however didn't have the patience to let them catch up.

"Sumara, this is the rest of the Akatsuki. You've already met Zetsu, Tobi, and Konan, the rest will introduce themselves now."

Predictably, the silver haired Jashinist was more than happy to step forward, his violet eyes fixed on the young woman's soft curves. Light pink dusted her cheeks at first noticing his gaze, then his broad chest that showed through his opened cloak. He was beyond handsome and had beautiful, otherworldly eyes. She also noticed he was wearing a Jashinist pendent... "Name's Hidan, wear it out as much as you'd like," he purrs.

"It's a pleasure I'm sure." This makes Shin roll his eyes and lean back against the wall as he watched his comrade flirt with the guy who, in his opinion, was the best looking in the Akatsuki. The other semi-normal looking guys were close he supposed, Deidara, Itachi, and Tobi (he assumed), but then again he wasn't a girl. He didn't particularly like Hidan in the days he'd known him, didn't like him from the moment he pulled his head out of the earth, so when Kakuzu shoved him into the cabinet he stifled a grin.

"I'm Hidan's partner, Kakuzu." A happy smile appears on her face in realization as she looks into his dual colored eyes.

"I hardly recognized you with that mask on."

"It's my normal you could say." Next up was the blonde who had been so anxiously awaiting his chance to meet her, blue eyes full of eagerness at the beauty before him.

"I'm Deidara, hn." She thought the blonde was cute too, and was about her age, something she wasn't expecting. The slight hint of a speech impediment was rather adorable too.

"So you're the one who's stolen my partner huh?"

"Yeah guess so, hn. I have a question for you though."

"Ask away."

"Well my man Sasori here and I are debating on something based on some information Shin gave us, hn. You're view on art, what is it?" She pondered this, thinking back to five years ago when she was asked that very same question...

The shaggy haired Foundation ninja was still pondering over the events of the past couple of weeks since he had learned he had cheated death and even more, cheated an incurable illness. He had accepted his death, knew he hadn't much time on the beautiful planet he had indulged in for so long. He had been content to know that he was helping his brother by dying, sending him up the totem pole by making his superiors think he had killed him in battle. He had lived he thought, had nothing else to contribute to the world, and just like that he had left this life. When he had awakened to a beautiful girl with coal black hair and eyes, he thought he had arrived in heaven. When he realized that he was indeed breathing, and the girl above him actually weighed more than he thought, he came to the conclusion that he was alive. For hours afterward, he couldn't move, being dead for almost a week had definitely put his body in malnourished mode, and the girl had passed out almost as soon as he woke up. But a man had come and taken the both of them into his temple, he had fed Shin and watched diligently over his rescuer, going on about how she was 'favored by the merciful Lord Jashin' to have survived such a dangerous jutsu. He couldn't return to the Foundation, he was supposed to be dead, and by Root order, cremated. He was alone with nowhere to go, only that girl to truly go to, the girl who had nearly killed herself for the sake of seeing him breathe again. She awakened after the first week and they gave eachother some space and time to recuperate. Eventually he had the guts to thank her for her sacrifice and he found that if he couldn't talk to anyone he knew previously, he could attempt to bond with this new girl he owed his life to.

"So what's your name?"

"Sumara, and yours?" She had given him such a genuine smile...

"I don't have one.."

"Why not?"

"I was part of the Foundation. In Root, you have no name. You have no feelings. You have no past. You have no future. There is only the mission." He knew he had never truly grasped that motto though, he had adopted a brother and refused to kill off his emotions to the very end...

"Well, you're no longer apart of the organization. I mean once a member dies they're written of
f as some casualty right?" She was right, and he had noticed that he had freely told her about the organization without interference from his curse seal on his tongue. In fact it wasn't even there, his death had deactivated it...he was free. "You can pick your own name now. So what do you want to be called?" He knew, he had taken a liking to the last name he used on a mission...

"Shin."

"I like it."

"Sumara?"

"Yeah?"

"What do you think of art? I notice you draw a lot in that little book of yours."

"Well guys, I think art is something that should show it's beauty for years and years, preserved in time." This makes the puppeteer smile. "But, then again nothing truly lasts forever, so when art finally does go out, it should be with flair." That makes Deidara smile.

"Well Sasori, I'd say she passes the test. What do you think, hn?"

"I'd say it's acceptable, and a reasonable theory."

"All right! Now Sumara can meet Mr. Kisame!" Tobi cheers. Upon being mentioned, the shark ninja's cheeks turn a light purple, the girl's bright eyes finding him and igniting in excitement.

"Kisame as in Kisame Hoshigaki!? One of the Seven Swordsmen and known as the Tail-less Tailed Beast?"

"The one and only," he confirms. She practically fawns over the seven foot tall man, ogling his sword on his back.

"Is that Samehada? Can I see him?" With a bit of an ego boost, the male smiles his sharp-toothed smile and gives an apologetic shake of the head.

"Sorry, maybe later."

"Okay, sure."

"Anyway, this is my partner Itachi. He's from the Leaf too." Said male hadn't said a word since he had been called to the kitchen and hadn't particularly wanted to join the conversation. He had been lost in his thoughts frequently as of late and he found himself more and more baffled at his own confusion. This girl, seemed so familiar...and she was thinking the same thing.

"Hi Itachi, nice to meet you."

He nods in recognition, remaining silent. What was it that seemed so familiar?!

"Now that you know who you're dealing with I expect you to be prepared for anything. If you'll follow me to the training ground, we'll select your opponent for your initiation fight." With that Pein gestures for his subordinates to follow him, Konan at his side.

"Yes sir." She and Shin pair up and fall in place behind their leader, the rest of the members doing the same. They went down the hall for just a few yards, coming to a dead end that had five doors adorning the walls, each worn in some way. She assumed they were different training grounds for the different specialties each member may have. The one Pein led them to was a self grown forest surrounded by the cave walls with only an opening at the top to let in sunlight. Pein had the two newcomers stand out from the rest as they all filed in.

"I will select an opponent for each of you and you will handle them each individually. No lethal force will be allowed seeing as we cannot afford anymore casualties. Do I make myself cle-"

"I WANNA FIGHT THE BITCH FIRST!" The outburst from the Jashinist has everyone grasping for their ears, the sudden yell nearly piercing the jinchurichi's sensitive eardrums. When she adjusts to sound once more, her coal eyes focus on the silver-haired male from a side glance, obviously not pleased with the comment about her being a bitch. A certain look however, coming from a long haired blonde, told her to just let it go.

"He's like that, hn. I don't think he ever learned how to be a decent human being," he whispers.

"Coming from murderous criminals?"

"Hey, you're one of them now, hn." He was right, she needed to work on her attitude more. She must've seemed so tame compared to the other members. Of course Shin would disagree. He'd seen how she got when some unfortunate soul pissed her off...

"Honestly Hidan," Pein grumbles. Nevertheless, he quietly agrees to let Hidan do a warm up spar with her. "This is NOT her initiation fight." He was set on seeing the pale woman face Itachi, as was another member who was in on the lineup. Of course Sumara wasn't aware, she just smiled and agreed with Pein.

"But Sir, I think this is a special case where lethal force should be allowed, considering the circumstances. I mean he can't die and I'm trying to prove my worth to the organization anyway. What's the harm?" The pierced man pondered this. The offer was reasonable and showed she was either confident in her ability to defeat Hidan, or was just eager to put herself in dangerous situations. Either way, it was a good Akatsuki trait to have. "I'll even refrain from using my bloodline trait with him." This also intrigued the leader. An offer he couldn't refuse.

"Fine. Kisame, you're up to face Shin. Let's get at least one of these over with." The Mist ninja nods as does the ex Root.

"Lucky!" Sumara whines.

"Heh, some of us are just that lucky Sumi." She was going to comment on just how 'lucky' he was when her instincts kicked into overdrive, the hairs on her neck standing straight up and her muscles tensing. Without even turning around she takes a small, deliberate step to the right and her hand comes up just as a three bladed scythe attempts to come down on her head, her palm closing around the staff part between the second and third blades and freezing it mid-air just inches from her face. Shin gave a light chuckle almost immediately while the rest of the Akatsuki try to get a hold on what just transpired before them, even Tobi going completely silent. Hidan too was at a loss for words, only managing a "Huh?" After seeing his disillusioned expression, Kakuzu and Deidara joined Shin in his laughter.

"What's the matter Hidan? Can't even sneak up on a girl anymore, hn?" the blonde taunts. Hidan growls, not liking that Sumara evaded his attack so easily, or that his fellow Akatsuki was laughing at him. Sure he was used to it with Deidara, but Kakuzu? He never even smiled, let alone laugh...especially at him.

"GRRRRR, WHAT KIND OF A FUCKING TRICK MOVE WAS THAT?" he bellows.

"If I recall, you were the one using a trick move. I also remember that you weren't given permission to begin the fight. Am I correct Leader?" she says sweetly.

"She is correct Hidan, I did not say you could begin. For your impatience, Sumara may attack first."

"No, let him have a free-bee," Sumara protests. "He's gonna need all the help he can get." Her comment didn't go well received by the silver haired man. His muscles were bulging with need to use them, it had been about a week since he last fought and his body hadn't been put to good use since then, his desire to fight had greatly increased over that time, (as had others that were currently pushed back in his mind due to anger), and this girl was pissing him off with her innocent insults. She stepped away from him without another word, releasing his scythe and walking a couple yards ahead to face him head on. "Ready when you are Sir." Seeing that this might be more entertaining than he previously thought, Pein took a few steps back himself along with Konan before holding up a hand and closing it quickly.

"Begin Hidan." He immediately charged the younger woman with fire in his violet eyes, scythe reared back. At the last moment however he changed his mind and rotated the tool in his hand so that the butt of it was out instead of the blades. With his inhuman strength he swings at her face, hitting her across the jaw and sending her stumbling back a few feet. Almost all had to wince upon the contact and shock of how she just stood there and took it the way she did. Hidan was pretty proud of himself too until light laughter came from the girl as she turned to him smiling, blood running from the corner of her lips.

"Nice one," she purrs. "Now it's my turn." A growl escapes his throat as she is replaced with a log in a puff of smoke before him.

"FUCKING SUBSTITUTION JUTSU?!" He looks up to find her sitting rather relaxed in a nearby tree, her legs swaying lightly from the branch as she laughs in his direction.

"You should've seen your face!"

"Why you!" He launches his scythe at her once more, missing by just millimeters even though she didn't move to avoid it in the slightest.

"Awe, not too keen on actually hurting me hot shot?" Pein shakes his head at the otherwise disappointing scene, focusing more on Shin and Kisame who had already begun fighting Samehada versus tanto. He was rather impressed when the ex Root activated a jutsu that sealed away his own chakra so that it couldn't be absorbed by the shark sword. Kisame too was impressed, saying so when he managed to deflect the much larger and heavier sword when it came close to grazing his arm.

Hidan attempted left and right to land a hit on the attractive young woman who was practically dancing while avoiding his every move. "Gotcha bitch!" It was taken to new levels when he embedded his scythe in the trunk of a tree after she jumped to evade it. Upon coming down on it she landed on the shaft, gracefully entering a crouch and even leaning forward to give him a teasing peck on the nose. He managed to jerk his weapon free of the wood but his prey had disappeared from it before he could attack once more. "Now where the hell did you go?" He looked around trying to locate her but got nothing until he felt a weight coming down on him. He was knocked to the ground, dropping his scythe as his face went into the dirt. She had tackled him from above, landing on his back and pinning him beneath her. Her legs immediately wrapped around his waist from behind and she locked his left arm in place against his back her silken hair brushing against his cloak as she leans forward to whisper in his ear.

"Gotcha bitch." A shudder was sent through him, now unable to deny his instant attraction to the evasive beauty that now rubbed against his back. He groans from pain in his groin, his head turning enough to look at her from the corner of his eye.

"Don't...fucking...tease me."

"Seriously Sumi, stop playing with your food!" Shin calls from his own battle. She merely giggles at the both of them though.

"Oh come on Shin, you know I love playing with my prey," she pretends to whine. In that moment of distraction however, Hidan takes the chance to reclaim his arm and push against the ground, flipping himself over and rotating their positions so that he now pinned her beneath him, hands holding down her wrists and pelvis pressed firmly against hers, earning a gasp from the latter.

"I told you not to fucking tease me didn't I?" he murmurs.

"Who's teasing?" she says back. Without any warning she rears her head back and head-butts him hard, earning an audible crack from his forehead as he yelps in pain and releases her enough to where she can kick him off and roll backwards onto her feet. As the Akatsuki members watch carefully now, some more than others since Kisame was trying to gain the upper hand on Shin, Hidan cradled his head as his skull tried to reseal beneath his bleeding skin, not a single mark on Sumara. She crossed her arms and watched him as he did so, her smile not as prominent as before or with much emotion at all. Hidan however...

He shot up from his place on the ground, hand already in his cloak with his pike in it's grasp. She barely had time to register what he was doing as the point came up at her, she was just able to guard herself with her arm and step out of his reach. He had managed to scrape her arm though, and as she put distance between them, he put his foot in the puddle of blood that had collected from his head wound, dragging it through the dirt. Sumara was beyond pissed however, or rather, Juubi was. She couldn't help herself as the aura around her became dark and certain eyes that were hidden narrowed in on her from the sidelines. She nearly let herself become engulfed in the chakra again, but managed to sooth the beast within her with sweet words. Steam did rise from her arm as the wound closed and healed, which also got everyone to focus on her, including a worried Shin who nearly got rammed into a boulder as a result of looking away from Kisame. Of course this grabbed Sumara's attention. She looked over at her friend as he was trapped against the rock, fighting back her urge to help.

"Sumi! Look out!" She turned back just in time to see the bloody diagram and the black pike heading straight for the now black and white man's heart, her heart. Shin didn't catch Samehada coming at him, which threw Kisame off guard and he found he couldn't stop himself from following through with the action. Coal eyes widened as they realized they were facing the true lethal force of the Akatsuki.

"Say goodnight bitch!"

Well darlings hopefully you enjoyed this last chapter enough to review. It took longer than expected so scold me if you wish. Anyway I really want to know if you think I need to up my game. If you think I'm slacking please feel free to chew me out and I'll take it like a big girl. Until next time!

P.S. A many a prayers for those affected by the tragedy of 9/11