A/N: So I'm probably a bit late with this, but thought I might make a disclaimer; none of the characters in Naruto belongs to me, the whole shinobi world of Naruto isn't mine either. Although the plot and the original characters are mine, so if you want to use them you have to ask.

Also, I know I'm not exactly following the right timeline of Naruto. But, it's my story so I've just mixed things up a little. If something is unclear don't be afraid to ask and I'll explain in either a Sidenote chapter or in an A/N. Also, I wouldn't mind some reviews so I know if people are actually reading, it will help me greatly to finish the story, knowing people are reading it. I don't mind constructive critizism and I'm aware I need a beta, so if you're interested leave me your email in a review. I'm working on finishing the story every day and I think I've planned out how to end it, i think. So expect updates regularly. Thanks for reading! One with the story:

Chapter 7: It's Been Awhile

(Sasuke POV)

Sasuke and his team were all crouched in hiding not far from the cabin. He could feel the weak chakra of two people inside the cabin. There was something wrong, the presence of them was to weak and they were only two. He also knew none of them were Katsu, he could recognize her chakra anywhere.

"Two unidentified shinobi inside," he reported to his team in a low voice. "We don't know if the scrolls are in there, and the shinobi's might be Akatsuki."

"Let's go!" Naruto exclaimed hurriedly, as always. He made to lung towards the little building, but was held back as Shikamaru took a hold of his shirt. "Sit down, idiot," he his overly excited comrade sternly.

Naruto plumped down on the ground, leg's crossed, with a displeased "humph".

"Neji saus the two are Akatsuki," Sakura reported through the microphone. She and her team were on the other side of the house, hiding as well. "They're on their way out, what's the plan?"

Sasuke sat in contemplation for a moment. "Shikamaru use your shadow to bind one of them, we need them alive to interregate." He ordered quietly. "Ino do a mind transfer into the weaker one. Naruto, use your clones to surround them. Sai and Kiba watch out for any surprise attacks that might come." He paused for a moment, letting them confirm they had heard him with a nod. Then spoke into the microphone. "Sakura, make Shino plant a female bug on one of them, we're planning to let them go afterwards. You and your team stay in the background, your back up. If something goes wrong you intervene."

"Hai," Sakura confirmed she had heard him. There was a short silence. "Sasuke," he heard her say through the microphone. "Be careful..." Her voice was no more than a whisper and filled with worry.

He was about to tell her not to worry, everything would be fine, but fell silent as he saw the two figures emerge from the cabin. He recognized one of them as Kisame, the other one he had never seen before. Akatsuki had been inactive for a long time now and this guy was no doubt a new member. But, where was Katsu and Itachi? He didn't like this.

He made a sign for his team to start. Within a matter of seconds they had executed the plan perfectly. Shikamaru was now struggling to keep Kisame binded in his shadow, while INo had entered the unknown man's mind and was in control of him. Naruto had his clones surrounding them, just in case, while Sasuke stood infront of the two Akatsuki, his arms crossed over his chest.

"Where are the scrolls?" He demanded coldly.

Kisame gave a throathy laugh, his hands were wrapped around his large sword, but he didn't move. He didn't seem worried or alarmed at all, as if he had expected them and was thorougly amused by the situation. This worried Sasuke even more.

"A girl has the scrolls," the unknown nin said. "He calls her Kuro-chan." They all knew it was Ino speaking through the nin's mouth, she was proding around in his mind and memories for answers.

"I sugguest you remove that bitch from Keitaro's head, boy," Kisame warned with a huge grin playing on his lips. "It won't be very pleasent."

"Tell me where she is!" Sasuke growled at the shark man, his rage was boiling inside him wanting to take over control. "Ino-"

"He's block-" Ino started to say but suddenly started to cough, then the body collapsed on the ground.

"Ino!" Kiba yelled as he kneeled by the girls body, shaking her shoulders. She was unconcious, but no doubt back in her own body. There was no respons though, although her breathing was steady, she didn't wake up. "Wake up!" Kiba yelled desperatly.

"Save your breath boy, she can't hear you." The bpdy of the man Kisame had referred to as Keitaro rose to it's feet, a grin across his face. "A rather stupid move I must say, letting that girl try to get into my head. I had to protect myself, of course. She is in a coma, I believe she won't wake up for at least a week or two." Keitaro explained as he brushed the dust of his cloak.

"Bastard!" Kiba growled and made ready to jump the man. His companion, Akamaru, was also growling flashing his teeth towards the blonde Akatsuki.

"Kiba!" Sasuke barked at him, making him freeze in his tracks. "Calm down!" He didn't take his eyes off the two Akatsuki members, trying to take his own advice and calm down. "Kisame, you bastard, tell me where she is!"

"With Itachi," The big man said casually. "On their way to meet up with the rest of the gang." He threw his head back and laughed when he saw the expression on Sasuke's face. "You've lost her kid."

"Now, if you excuse us, we have a meeting to get to as well," Keitaro said as he made a small bow. Before anyone could react the blonde man had preformed a serious of fast hand signs, drawn some blood from his finger, and they had both disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"Damn," Sasuke gritted his teeth. "Where are they! NEJI!" He yelled at the top of his lungs, the anger filling him up, getting the better of him.

Sakura and her team came running from the forest towards them. Neji was scanning the area with his Byakugan almost franticly.

"They're gone," Neji told them, his voice betraying the same anger that Sasuke was feeling at the moment. "Can't see them anywhere."

"HOW THE HELL DID THEY GET AWAY!" Sasuke's angry voice boomed around them, startling them all. They had never seen him this angry before.

((Katsu POV))

Katsu glanced over at Itachi as they both ran, going from branch to branch. He was getting slower, she had realized. He had always been above average fast, but he was losing some of the speed he had once had. She had always been faster then him, but she could see he was straining himself to keep up in the pace they usual kept. His face was blank of course, but she knew. She could easily read his body language.

"Ita-kun..." Her voice was soft as she contemplated how to tread carefully. "Your eyes are failing you." It wasn't a question, but a statement. She was letting him know she knew.

She got no answer from him, he just continued running, not looking at her.

"I'm sorry Kei-chan couldn't heal them," she continued, knowing she wouldn't get an answer. "If we don't do something soon you're going to lose your eyesight."

There was a long silence as they continued to make their way towards the headquarter. "I know," Itachi finally answered her.

"I can help." She said firmly, and as she did she felt him come to a complet stop. She almost fell of the branch as she stopped as well. Luckily her balance was excellent and she twirled around to face him.

"What do you want in return?" He asked her seriously, his face emotionless as always.

"I want to give the twins over to Sasuke after they're born," she answered her voice firm and steady, refusing to cring under his dangerous black stare. "After that I'm all yours."

"Fine," he agreed shortly and they continued towards their destination.

A few hours later the two of them stood before a big mansion that was being used as the current headquarter for Akatsuki. It was a house that had belonged to Keitaro's grandparents. Katsu could already sense the other members inside, with an exception of Kisame and Keitaro who hadn't arrived yet.

Deidare stepped out of the front doors to greet them. He gave Katsu a chamring smile and held his arms out, inviting her for a hug. "Welcome back Kuro-chan," he said happily as she walked into his arms, returning the hug.

"Deidare-kun, good to se you," she smiled at him, her eyes traveling to the figure behind him as they parted from the hug. "Hey Sasori-san," she greeted the man.

"Nice to have you back, Kurohoshi-san," he greeted her back, as formal as ever.

"Where are the rest?" She asked Sasori as they made their way into the mansion. Kimi and Deisuke, two of the members, had been with Akatsuki a little longer than her. They had replaced two other guys, Hadan and Kakuzu, from what she had been told. It had been a great loss to their cause appearently, but not one they grieved.

"They're r-" Sasori started but was cut off by a squealing woman running towards them.

"Kuro-chan!" Kimi yelled happily. "You're back!" She threw herself at Katsu, almost making her lose her balance. "It's been so terrible here without you, you have no idea!" Kimi complained loudly, still hugging Katsu.

Kimi was a tall, dark haired beauty. She was from the Mist country just like Kisame, although she prefered that people didn't know it. She was the little sister of the late Momochi Zabuza, the Demon of the Hidden Mist. She was a sword fighter, the same as her brother, only her sword was a little more subtle and by far more deadly, just as she was. She bore no resemblens to her bigger brother what so ever, which she was very glad for.

"Hai, Kimi-chan," Katsu laughed. Kimi was a killer, yes, but she was also one of the easiest people to be around, when she wasn't mad that was. Last time Kisame had grabbed Kimi's ass he had almost lost his hand in the process. "I need to talk to you later..." She whispered in her friends ears, letting go of her.

Kimi looked at her quizingly, but nodded. "Later!" She repeated as she let Itachi drag her along with him, towards their room. He was a really unpatient guy.

"Let go of me," Katsu complained, trying to wriggle her way out of his grasp. "I'm not a dog you can just drag around!"

"I had a strong impression that you were a bitch, or am I wrong Kuro?" There was a small amount of amusememnt evident in his voice, but if you didn't know Itachi well you would never have registrered it.

"Che," Katsu rolled her eyes at him. "Look who's in a good mood," she teased with a dark tone in her voice. "You better be careful Itachi, I might decide to cut you off from getting anything tonight or any other night!"

"Ah, but there are always a long day before night," he responded without a second of hesitation, pissing her off slightly more.

"Please do shut up, Itachi dear," She said in a sugar sweet voice dripping with sarcasm. He was annoying her thourougly, she never liked it when he was in a good mood. He was always so much more willing to talk and it ruined everything when he opened his mouth.

Itachi merely chuckled. "Kisame and Keitaro will be here soon, and you need to think about what the hell you're going to tell Leader tomorrrow. You're on your own then, I can't protect you when it comes to him."

"Give me some credit, would you. I'm not a child anymore," She pushed her shoulder forward, making him lose his grip on her arm. "I can take care of myself, thank you very much," she said stubbornly, walking in front of him into the bedroom.

"Like you handled it 7 years ago when I found you half dead inside a closet?" He asked her flatly.

"Shut up," she growled. "I swear I'm going to cut that precious package of yours off in your sleep if you EVER mention that again." She warned him with a deadly glare, telling him she was not kidding.

"You're too sensitive," he murmured as he claimed her lips with his own. His kiss was rough and sensual, the way it always had been. When he pulled awat he only smirked and tossed his bag on the bed before leaving the room.

"Che," she muttered to herself. "Fucking bastard..."

(Sasuke POV)

After the complet failure of capturing the two Akatsuki, Sasuke had wanted to follow them by using the female bug Shino had planted on them, but they had gotten a summon from Godaime to return to the village. So he was now standing in her office, Godaime staring at him, her fingers entwined and toughtful eyes. She looked troubled.

"I've just got a warning from the Sand, saying the Sound is under a new leader and are starting to gather an army, they are no doubt planning to attack," she paused for a moment, trying to control her feelings and not start yelling in anger. "We cannot afford having such a large amount of valuable shinobi's out there tracking down Akatsuki. From the rapport you gave me it wouldn't be a surprise if it ended up taking up to a month tracking them down. Therefore I'm only sending a team of 4, headed by Kakashi, out. While calling back everyone else to prepare for a possible war."

"Understood," Sasuke nodded without hesitation. This was bad, they couldn't possibly retrieve the scrolls with only 5 people, but it seemed like he had no other choice. "Who's coming with me?" He directed the question at the others.

"I'm coming!" Naruto was the first to step forward.

"I refuse to take you," Sasuke shook his head. "Who else?"

"What?" Naruto yelled angrily.

"It's going to be dangerous Naruto. You have a new born baby to take care of, so there is no way I'm letting you come on a suicide mission," Sasuke scolded him harshly, looking away from him searching through the group. There was nothing more to discuss.

"I'll come," Sakura stepped forward. "Me too," Lee exclaimed as well and walked up to stand next to Sakurat. "How bothersome," Shikamaru muttered as he also stepped up to stand next to the other two.

"Very well, I will see if we can get some help from the Sand, they might be able to send some ANBU to assist," Tsunade said as she started to wave them off. "I believe Shino can tell you which direction to follow."