This is the Ninth chapter of getting freedom. I have some free time now because someone has to stay home with my new dog :). Please send me reviews I write so much better with them. I also want to thank everyone who has reviewed this story.
Italics are thoughts and ~italics~ is mind communication
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
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"You filled out all the paperwork right?" Deidara asked Ruri. Right now they were on the way to the leader's office to report on the mission. Deidara was following behind Ruri as she led the way. She told him he should only correct her when she was wrong. Apparently she wanted to stop being dependent on others.
"I'm not an idiot," Ruri said. "I finished it last night before I went to bed." Ruri tuned into the living room and started walking through it.
"You mean when you collapsed and went to bed," Deidara corrected. "Just what was that anyway?"
"It was nothing. The only thing that matters is I'm alive." Ruri looked at the two doors in front of her. One led to a hallway that would take her to the leader's office, the other was the meeting room. She correctly chose the black door on the left. Both of them entered into a dimly lit hallway.
"People don't collapse at nothing." Deidara corrected her when she tried to turn right instead of left. Straight down the hallway was the leader's office.
"That power I have," Ruri started, "hurts me when I make it so it doesn't hurt others." Deidara was going to question her more but decided against it seeing the grave expression on her face.
Ruri knocked on the door to the leader's office. They entered together after the leader called them in. Ruri squinted her eyes in hope that they would adjust to the unnecessarily dark room. There was a stream of light that went onto the leader's black desk but that was it. Ruri didn't remember it being this dark the last time she was in here.
"You're report," Pein said simply. Ruri walked and put it in his out stretched hand. He looked the papers over for a moment probably to check if everything was there. "Everything seems to be in order. Since you completed your first mission I will have a cloak prepared for you."
"The ring?" Ruri asked. She tried to make out Pein's expression through the dark. The only thing she could tell was that he was serious unmoving and cold.
"The ring you will have to get from Orochimaru," Pein said before sighing. It was obvious that this troubled him deeply but Ruri didn't know why.
"When do I leave to retrieve it?" Ruri asked. Deidara tensed beside her, she looked at what he was looking at. The leader's expression was not cold and unemotional but completely annoyed. Almost as if he wanted to kill her, but Ruri knew he probably did.
"You're not ready to take him on," he said at last. "It would look bad if you were to take him on and lose." Ruri opened her mouth but he raised his hand for silence. "You seem to underestimate Orochimaru; he is one of the three legendary Sannin. Also if a new member took on an old member and lost it would look like we are losing power. That's not an option right now. In order to get you ready training will start for you today at one. Being a member of the Akatsuki and the proper conduct for being a member will become engrained in your mind forever. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes you do," Ruri said meekly. Deidara could tell that she was surprised at his words. Clearly she wasn't used to being told she wasn't strong enough.
"In that case you are both dismissed," Pein said. Both Deidara and Ruri bowed deeply before exiting the room.
"That was a much different reaction than I was expecting," Madara's voice said. Pein glanced to his left to see the real leader of the Akatsuki.
"I agree she seemed almost disappointed." Pein now fully faced Madara. "I was expecting her to become outraged and fight for her right to go there. Maybe her intentions aren't what we suspected."
"She's here for something I'm not sure what just yet, but every ninja makes mistakes," Madara said letting a smirk cross his face. "The good ones just cover them up well; let's find out what she is capable of. We might be able to convince her to stay with us permanently if we find a way to use it against her."
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Ruri was face down on Deidara's bed just thinking. This was common for her when she had no idea what to do. For some reason she felt like she had been caught. Ruri couldn't help but wonder if someone had found out about her promises with Sasori. So far no one but him and Deidara could even imagine the power she contained. However she doubted that the Akatsuki approved of her getting absolute loyalty from a member.
Not only that, Itachi Uchiha was very aware that she had an ulterior motive. The leader could be aware as well. If the leader thought that she was against him than this training was a mask to hide his intention of killing her. Oh god she couldn't die now.
"What are you doing," Deidara asked from the doorway. He was looking at Ruri face down on the bed. Her legs slightly separated and her arms out stretched. In all honesty she looked like a moody teenager, than again she was at that age.
"You need to leave now," Ruri said in a commanding tone even though her face was buried in the bed. Deidara was annoyed at her now. This was his room and she couldn't tell him to leave. Ruri turned her head to glare at him when she didn't feel his presence leave.
"Make me." With that Deidara found himself pinned forcefully on the wall looking up at her. Deidara tried to move but her grip on his neck was tight and strong. He looked at her surprised at what he saw.
Her eyes were that amethyst color but had a sinister edge to them that could only mean anger. Her forehead was tensed in distress and her lips curled up in a snarl that gave him a glimpse of her white teeth.
Ruri's eyes turned green a second later in realization. She released the grip on his neck and Deidara adjusted to his normal height. She brushed her hair back before looking at him. She was still anything but pleased however she looked remorseful.
"Sorry I have just been on edge a little," Ruri apologized.
"Do people on edge almost kill their teammates," he countered.
"They do when they're on their period." Ruri smiled at his surprised and disgusted look. Deidara was fairly simple he forgave others easily as far as she knew. "What time is it?"
"It's about five minutes to one…" Deidara trailed off before smiling. "You better find the training area in here before you're late. Think of finding it yourself as my revenge."
Ruri broke off in a frantic run out of the room. She turned down the hallway only to run into someone. Upon further examination she realized it was Kakuzu, he didn't look to be in a bad mood but Ruri couldn't really tell if he was in a good mood either.
"If you're going to the training room you can follow me," he said simply to her. She nodded her head and silently followed. Ruri was led further into the maze of the Akatsuki base.
When Kakuzu opened the door Ruri's eyes widened in awe. It was practically an arena. However there was only one row a seating. There was a chair for every Akatsuki in a rim around the training area. The color of the place was a dull grey accept for the tan sand used to train on. At least it's not black and red Ruri thought.
"You're on time," Pein said from a particularly big chair. Ruri watched as all the Akatsuki entered in a line. All of them sat next to their 'partner' with a serious look. Ruri thought the world must be ending because Hidan was silent. "You will fight a volunteer from the Akatsuki. Now who volunteers?"
Ruri watched as none of the members made any move to fight her, Most likely they weren't afraid of her, they probably found this a waste of time. Ruri agreed that the skill set she had currently shown the Akatsuki wasn't worthy of someone to fight Orochimaru. However everyone knew she was hiding a power so why couldn't they just send her. Ruri knew she could defeat him but the lack of faith was sad.
That's when it dawned on Ruri. They don't trust her that's why she is training right now. So what they are hoping is that they will find more information about me by making me fight Ruri concluded to herself. Her eyes unconsciously narrowed.
"Is there a problem Ruri?" Pein said in a commanding tone. He knew the girl was smart but if he was correct she had figured out exactly what they were doing. The look in her eyes revealed her suspicion most likely she knew however she failed to mask her knowledge quick enough.
"No there is no problem," Ruri said.
"Apologize," Pein said. Ruri looked at him an air of superiority surrounded him. She tried desperately to keep the 'excuse me?' look from coming across her face.
"I apologize Pein-Sama." Ruri bowed surprising everyone. Sasori was especially surprised at their cheeky teammate. Never once had she thought they deserved an apology for anything wrong she had done but she had done nothing and was apologizing. The usual willfulness of her had vanished into a sort of drone like person.
When Ruri came up from the bow she stood motionless and emotionless. The Akatsuki was surprised to say the very least. She had gained access by forcing her way in but now she was obedient.
"Very well." Pein looked around wondering if anyone would volunteer but seeing no one he would have to decide. "Hidan fight her, redeem yourself from last time. Do not go easy on her."
Ruri watched as he jumped down into the dirt pit scythe in tow she followed suit and jumped down. However her mind was racing. He had gone easy on her the fight recently was a set up. Ruri had been planned on since the very beginning she entered the Akatsuki base.
"Ruri did I give you permission to go to the training grounds." Ruri looked at Pein and shook her head. "Then come back up here." Ruri effortlessly jumped back to where she was. The Akatsuki were watching her intently wondering just when she would snap. "Apologize."
"I apologize." Ruri spoke calmly not a hint of wildness or trace of anger in her voice. Ruri could feel everyone waiting for her to snap it was no different than meetings she had attended with Kiyoshi. After all people in power happen to be the same no matter what power it is they hold.
"For?" That time Ruri twitched a little but not noticeably to anyone.
"I apologize for not waiting for your consent." Voice unwavering head still held high, she was not an easy one to crack. That much was clear to Pein and the other members.
"You are forgiven go to the training ground." Ruri followed his order immediately. Taking a place across from Hidan without a menacing aurora to her the Akatsuki members stared. It was very interesting to see her so dismissive about things, Ruri was anything but obedient usually.
"You two are to fight until I say otherwise. Begin."
Once again Hidan charged at her but Ruri knew better than to dodge and attack. Instead when he reached out to attack her she dodged away from him and gained distance. Ruri only wondered why he hadn't used his scythe until she realized it was currently flying at her.
She ducked easily as her eyes followed the scythe as it flew behind her she looked expecting to see Hidan there to receive it but he wasn't. Ruri's eyes widened in shock when she realized it was a distraction. Ruri looked up to see him throwing kunai at her. She dodged but not enough they exploded on the ground beneath her. Her body was sent flying in the air.
"I guess she's not as good as we thought if she's fooled so easily." Kisame commented looking at Itachi who was still fully fixated on the battle in front of him.
"No she planned that," was all he said. Kisame turned his attention back to Hidan and Ruri.
Ruri was making hand signs while flying high into the air. She had used the power from the explosion to enhance her time in the air. She turned in mid air so her head was turned towards the ground. Extracting the rod they had seen before from her boot a thorny vine once again came from it. Hidan had leaped from the ground to come meet her as she fell.
Ruri separated her legs before twisting her body and spinning. Thorns began to fly as she torpedoed towards him. Hidan blocked everyone as he neared her and then they collided.
"How you like me now bitch!" Hidan smiled with triumph before Ruri disappeared in a puff of smoke leaving a particularly large thorn in her place.
Hidan barely containing his cool landed on the ground letting out a stream of curse words and insults at how much of cunt ass pussy Ruri was. He blocked Ruri's attack when she came at him with a kunai out of nowhere. She seemed to disappear again before striking back soon it was a flurry of attacks all of which were blocked.
"I never would've guessed that she was that fast…" Deidara nodded his head at Sasori. It was clear this girl was not going to do anything past the basics; she thought it was enough to beat him.
When Hidan finally counter attacked Ruri flew back with a back hand spring. She looked at him with intense eyes before smirking. She touched the ground forming a hand sign with the other hand. Everyone watched Ruri waiting for something to happen. Then the ground cracked as monstrous vines with thorns grew from the earth around Hidan.
There was no escaping it was too think to avoid as the pinned him down. The thorns began to indent in his sides as blood spilled from his wounds Hidan gasped before laughing.
"You'll have to better than this if you want to beat me." Hidan then went into hysterical laughter.
"Well I guess it's true what they say. You really can't spell slaughter without laughter. That's what this will be since I have this." Ruri held up his necklace that represented his religion. "Unless you want him to die soon you might want to stop this."
The Akatsuki all but gaped at her. Only two people in the room had noticed what she had done. The others had no idea that she had even touched him during the fight.
"You may stop fighting." With that Ruri snapped her fingers and the vines stopped moving and she tossed the necklace back over to him. Ruri looked to see Pein scowling. "That wasn't good enough."
"Excuse me? I won didn't I?" The Ruri everyone knew was back. Her spunk shone through her eyes as they tested the leader.
"The Akatsuki is not here to win. For your insolence consider yourself confined to your room." Ruri shot daggers at him with her green eyes.
"I'm not a little kid so do not treat me as one." The demand surprised the Akatsuki deeply. She had kept her temper at bay and now it seemed like it was raging out of control like a hurricane.
"Then don't fight like one. I myself counted the times you could've taken him out, there were at least twelve." Ruri's eyes didn't falter from his as she continued to glower in his direction. "Leave now."
"I apologize for my insolence," Ruri said every bit sarcastically. She bowed before leaving.
The Akatsuki were silent, none of them had ever witnessed this. The Akatsuki most certainly weren't forced to be trained for their missions and never had they been confined to a room. This action was new to all of them. Then the leader sighed as if he were merely frustrated and not angry with her.
"Deidara you are to make sure she reports for training every day at one until I say otherwise. You are all dismissed."
They all left without a word. Everyone could feel the tension in the air, and it didn't come from just the leader. The members were thinking what could possibly make this girl special enough for supervised training daily.
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Deidara was going to tell Ruri what he was supposed to do but she was already sleeping by the time he got there. He knew that she had to be mad though.
Some of the things around the room were on the ground some broken. However the thing that caught his attention the most was some of the furniture in the room.
A chair looked like it had been diagonally sliced. His lamp as well had a clean cut through it. Obviously Ruri thought it was ok to take her anger out on his things. He would lecture her in the morning.
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"Just what the hell is that girl doing!" Tsuande yelled in her office. Shizune knew what she was talking about.
"Give her time she must have some sort of plan." Tsuande glared at her out of the corner of her eye.
"Naruto and Sakura have already made contact with Sasuke so she should have done the same. However she has not done so. The girl went to Suna to get information and has done nothing since then. Maybe Ruri has run away from Konoha."
"But… didn't she say wouldn't do that."
"Fine. Just get me a bottle of Sake and we will call this even…" Shizune sighed at her before she went to fetch a bottle. With times like this one could not refuse the Hokage.
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Deidara was now looking at Ruri face down on his bed once again. This was becoming a daily routine for her ever since her training had begun. Ruri would always defeat whoever it was that Pein assigned to her but yet he said it wasn't good enough. Deidara knew he didn't understand but he wondered if Ruri knew why this was happening.
Oh Ruri knew full well they were trying to push her to her breaking point. However she so far had not made any attempts at disobeying orders now. It was painfully simple and that unnerved her. Ruri more often than not had still been confined to her room. That was annoying.
Ruri could feel the relationship brewing between her and her roommate and knew she needed to stop this. It's not her fault that her teenage hormones were raging could anyone blame her though? Deidara was attractive that much was sure. His golden blonde long her look soft to the touch and tantalizing blue grey eyes it was no wonder he could so easily take women to bed.
Although he could never bring women here to sleep with it was obvious that he was sleeping with them. Some nights he would go out and not return until it was time for her to train. Ruri ignored it there was a possibility that she would be doing the same thing in a few years.
"God damn it I'm not going to still be in this room in a few years!" Ruri yelled suddenly. Deidara stood surprised at the sudden outburst she had.
"Ruri… Are you ok?" he asked moving closer in order to sit next to her.
Now he was going to comfort her, Ruri hated that. He was too nice to her. Somehow this person Ruri viewed as idiotic felt the overwhelming need to try and help her. Deidara didn't know why but he helped her because he thought somehow they were similar. However they came here for very different reasons one was forced the other chose to infiltrate the Akatsuki.
"I'm fine I was just thinking," Ruri replied not looking at him.
"You look like you're regretting something," Deidara said looking at her. He saw her eyebrow twitch he had hit the mark. Ruri forgot how much he could guess what she was feeling now these last couple weeks had almost gotten her exposed many times, including her assisting in puppet making. "You're wondering if coming here was the right way to accomplish your goals."
"What are you some magic mind reader?" Ruri gave him a joking suspicious look.
"No but you are." Ruri shrugged her shoulders, it was true. "You willingly came here. If you start doubting yourself now nothing good will come of it."
"You act like you never had a choice in the matter." Deidara sighed and scratched the back of his head.
"I didn't have a choice. I was recruited by Itachi and forcefully dragged here. As much as I protested I had no decision in the matter. I just gave in things weren't that bad for the most part."
"Wow I just assumed that everyone here just volunteered to be here…" Ruri trailed off looking at his face. It was sad so sad. Ruri reached out a hand and lightly touched his cheek. He looked surprised at her. "Would you leave if you could?"
"Leaving the Akatsuki is absolutely impossible." He looked into her emerald orbs filled with a relaxing feeling.
"I said if." Ruri huffed before taking her hand off of his cheek.
"Yes I would leave if I could escape certain death, a life in prison, and all the hunter ninja after my ass."
"Okay you just had to look at the negative." Ruri smiled light heartedly at him. "If I ever leave the Akatsuki I promise to not leave without you." Ruri held out her pinky finger to pinky swear on it.
"You are really amazing in a totally different way than normal people." Ruri pouted at the comment. "I meant in a good way." He shook pinkies with her. "Your training can only get better."
"Don't even start on that. I have done everything perfectly but it's not good enough. It's not like I have positive reinforcement or anything for motivation."
"Let's fix that." Deidara gave her a quick peck on her lips. Ruri looked to her left and Deidara saw a slight tinge of pink on her cheeks. She's still just a child he thought. "That's it for now but if you want more you better start passing."
"Like hell I want more." Ruri said quickly retreating to go under the covers. "I'm going to bed." Deidara climbed in beside her and she ignored his presence.
"Good night Ruri," Deidara teased.
"Good night Dei-Dei and may you hope you hide your explosives well." With that Ruri waited for Deidara to drift off to sleep before she could carry out her plan.
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~Itachi Uchiha I need you to wake up and open your eyes very slowly. Do not attack me I am here to help~
Itachi Uchiha did just that with the sharingan activated. However his eye widened with surprise at what he saw. He could see Ruri the newest and youngest member of the Akatsuki floating over him. Her eyes were not the usual color but an unfamiliar shade of purple.
Just what the hell is going on here he thought.
~I'm communicating with you using my psychic powers. Listen I don't have a lot of time before I become exhausted. I am here because bringing your little brother back to Konoha is my mission. Don't you narrow your eyes at me Uchiha. You love your brother and were ordered by Konoha elites to kill him as wells as the rest of the Uchiha clan. Aided by Madara Uchiha in the massacre, and you were caught. Those same elites who promised that you would be a hero turned on you so you became one of the greatest villains the city has ever known~
What is your point of saying all of this? If you don't have one leave before I kill you.
~I want to reunite you and your brother in Konoha. He is going down the path of obsessive psychotic leaving behind everything you gave him. He needs to be stopped before…~
My family affairs are none of your concern.
~They become my concern when it threatens my village into breaking or when your relationship holds the key to my freedom. All I can say to convince you is that out of the ten nobles of Konoha who ordered the massacre nine are dead. I killed six of them myself it is safe for you and your brother if you allow it to be. The other one stepped down in power so no one will have a rightful reason to refuse your entrance. I have talked to the Hokage crimes will be forgiven. All you need to do is trust me that I can help you~
If I tell anyone about this you would be killed instantly. Why trust me?
~Because you and I are more alike than you would ever think. Will you agree to it? ~
I shall for now. Only for the future of the Uchiha clan.
~That's bullshit… I'm about to collapse be prepared~
With that Ruri fell out of the air and landed on Itachi's chest. He glared at the now sleeping girl. He wondered just what it was that fueled her to keep going. The girl would certainly be making enemies of very dangerous people.
He sighed before moving her under the covers of his bed. He could always inquire more about this at another time. He felt that it was okay to trust her. He felt that she could reunite him and Sasuke. He also felt the over whelming power in her.
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Well that's it for now. I realize this probably seems a bit rushed because it is. I've only read through it a couple times so I hope it is suitable to read. Please leave a review with anything you would like to see in the story
Next time:
Pein's eyes as well as the Akatsuki widened at the battle before them. Her movements were so over bearing it seemed impossible. Her eyes had changed to an impossible purple color.
"Just what is she?" Kisame voiced out loud. They were all thinking the same thing but yet no one had dared to say it in fear that Ruri's wrath would be directed at them.