"Itami! Can't you freaking do something, hmm?" Nendo yelled, desperately dodging another lightning attack.

"Give me some time!" Itami shouted back. "I'm trying to work out a strategy!"

"Well, hurry, hmm! You know Lightning Style is my weakness!"

Ignoring Nendo, Itami stared around the battlefield. There used to be trees, but almost all of it was destroyed by Nendo's bombs and the Jinchuuriki's attacks. They couldn't rely too much on the element of surprise, unless it was underground.

Now that that part was worked out, Itami just had to organize her own abilities. Animal Path, the ability to summon a beast for help, would attract other ninjas, so that was out. Preta Path would be very helpful in this situation because it absorbs ninjutsu. Naraku Path wouldn't be much use; they weren't trying to interrogate anyone. Human Path wouldn't help at all because that would just kill the Jinchuuriki. Asura Path wasn't needed either, since Nendo was good with explosives. Deva Path would be all right as long as the Shinra Tensei wasn't too strong.

"Itami, help!" Nendo's voice cut into Itami's thoughts. Looking around, she saw him pinned against a tree with the Two-Tails' Jinchuuriki readying another Lightning Jutsu.

Using a little power from the Deva Path, Itami raced forward, planting herself in front of Nendo with one arm outstretched.

Preta Path! Yugito's Lightning attack was absorbed by the transparent sphere that appeared in front of Itami and Nendo.

"Thank God. I thought you had forgotten me, hmm."

"I've worked out a plan." Itami ignored Nendo's thanks. "Your bombs will play a large part in it."

"Finally! Hurry up and…watch out!"

Itami felt a sudden pain in her shoulder. While she had been speaking with Nendo, Yugito had taken the chance to drive a kunai into a weak spot.

Deva Path! Itami took care to use just enough power to shove Yugito and the kunai away. As much as Itami wanted revenge, Pain would kill her himself if she disobeyed orders and murdered a Jinchuuriki.

Not waiting for Yugito to get up, Itami quickly whispered her plan to Nendo, who smirked and nodded. His hands immediately began molding clay as Itami dashed forward, sliding a chakra rod from her sleeve as she went.

Yugito's attention went to Itami, claws growing out from her hands and feet at the same time. The two ninjas clashed and fought hand-to-hand combat. Meawhile, Nendo had gotten onto a clay bird and was preparing more bombs. Once the fresh batch of bombs was ready, he threw them towards the battling kunoichis.

Out of the corner of her eye, Itami saw the clay bombs dropping from the sky. Avoiding a slash from her opponent, she leaped high into the air and landed on Nendo's bird just as Nendo shouted, "Katsu!"

The bombs exploded, shrouding Yugito in a cloud of smoke.

Itami and Nendo waited impatiently for the smoke to dissipate, wanting to see what became of their target. They received a nasty surprise.

A giant cat covered in blue flames erupted from the smoke and seized the clay bird in its paws. Instinctively, Itami grabbed Nendo and the two jumped off before they were crushed. They had to jump again the moment their feet touched the ground to avoid the fireball that was aimed at them.

"She gave herself over completely, hmm!" Nendo cried.

Now Itami had no other choice. Calling to Nendo to distract the Two-Tailed Cat, she herself jumped onto the beast's back, using Deva Path to prevent herself from catching on fire. The Tailed Beast, too intent on Nendo, did not notice her.

Since Itami could not use two Paths at once, she had to stop the Deva Path. Her feet immediately started to burn. Ignoring the spreading pain, she focused chakra into the palms of her hands. The Two-Tails finally noticed her and started rearing and twisting to try to throw her off.

Itami grabbed onto the back of the Two-Tails to reduce the risk of being thrown off. Now with her hand stinging as well, she released to chakra she had gathered.

Asura Path!

The Two-Tails was slammed to the ground by the force of the explosion. The cat screeched with pain as Itami was thrown off. She landed on her injured shoulder and gritted her teeth to stop herself from screaming with the cat.

Itami laid there for a couple of seconds and then pushed herself into the sitting position. The Jinchuuriki had transformed back, and Nendo was rushing over with a worried look on his face.

"Are you all right?"

"It's just bruises, a bleeding shoulder, and burns covering my hand and feet." Itami stood, wobbling slightly. Readying another chakra rod, she staggered unsteadily to where Yugito lay and drove the rod into the unconscious Jinchuuriki's shoulder. Now Yugito would not be able to move if she woke up.

"Let's get to the base." Nendo made a second clay bird, and the three of them headed to the nearest Akatsuki base.

…

"Well done." Pain congratulated his apprentice and her partner. "You should get those wounds looked over. All the other clones are here as well."

"What? Why?" Itami couldn't see why the others should be here.

"I called them back."

"Oh, okay."

Ningyou suddenly burst into the room, followed by Karasu, who was saying, "Ningyou, you can't just intrude into other peoples' conversation…"

"Congratulations!" Ningyou completely ignored Karasu's lecture. "You caught the Two-Tails!"

"Perfect timing, Ningyou. You can lead Itami and Nendo to the room outside so you can treat their wounds. The members need to begin with the sealing." Pain formed a couple seals and summoned the Gedo Statue.

Sorry I took so long to update. I had a total of three essays due this week, and I wanted to do my best on them. But thanks a lot for waiting patiently and not sending me angry messages.

And guys, please review. I need reviews to stay motivated. Next chapter will come as soon as possible.