I think I may have said this chapter would be longer. I LIED. But, as promised, there is action. Not much, but there's action. And also, my Hidan doesn't swear when he's freaked out/scared.
Chapter 13: Sharp.
Sasori knew that the Peins did not like being controlled. They didn't like the fact that Sasori had complete control over their bodies. Sasori, unfortunately for them, liked controlling them.
'Can't let them find Zetsu... gotta' keep my bro and Anko-sensei safe.'
He didn't know how much longer he would be able to keep this up; controlled two puppets was easy, but controlling actual people that fought back? And six of them? That was no easy task.
No matter how hard he tried Sasori couldn't get any of them close enough to the real Pein; the one with spiked up hair and the snake-bite piercings. Sasori clenched his teeth and dropped to one knee, 'that's it. That's my limit. I'm done.'
Kakuzu, for all his age and skill, never managed to be on time when he was really needed. Either that or Madara was causing problems. Sasori opted for the latter being the reason.
Pein walked toward him while the remaining three tried to heal the ones Sasori had killed. Blood was everywhere in the house, 'sorry, sensei. If you live, you'll have to relocate.'
"I suppose that's the last of what you can do."
Sasori glared defiantly up at Pein, "and I suppose you're going to become a murderer for no good reason at all, except the fact that the love of your life has chosen someone else over you."
A murderous look overcame Pein's features and Sasori closed his eyes, 'I'm finished.'
"SAAAASSSSSSSSSOOOOOORRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!"
Sasori smirked, 'as usual, Deidara has perfect timing.'
The crazy blonde went barreling into Pein. He opened his mouth and Sasori quickly covered his ears shouting, "VOLUME UP!"
Kakuzu, Tobi and Itachi who had come charging in skidded to a halt and covered their ears as well. Deidara let his explosive scream tear through the house, rendering the other Peins motionless and exploding their ear drums. Madara screamed along with Deidara, seemingly unaffected by Deidara's loud mouth.
Zetsu emerged from the far wall with Anko in his fly trap. His yellow eyes scanned the area and he quickly hopped out of the wall and dashed toward the other Akatsuki while the Peins were in torment from Deidara's screech.
"The screech of doom; works every time, yeah," Deidara commented, hauling Sasori to his feet. The red-head stumbled, "Sasori, get behind Tobi. Tobi; protect him."
"H-Hai, otou-san!"
Sasori was plopped behind Tobi to regain his strength. He noticed that the youngest among them was shaking like a leaf. He rested a hand on Tobi's leg.
"I know you can protect me, Tobi."
The shaking stopped. Zetsu was almost to them when the Pein with the longest hair whirled, a fist aimed right for Anko's head.
"BRO!"
Vines converged ahead of Anko and Zetsu jerked her out of the way. She clung to desperately, her nails making indents in his skin. Zetsu was slammed in the back by another Pein, and thrust in the direction of the long-haired one. Kakuzu intervened and his threads ripped the long haired Pein apart.
'Three to go.'
Itachi and the real Pein faced off. Itachi chased Pein into a different room so Sasori watched as Deidara and Madara teamed up to fight another Pein. The two remaining proved to be the most difficult two to fight.
"T-Tobi! Forget about me for now; get Anko and Zetsu out of there!"
Tobi glanced back at Sasori and looked back at Anko, then glanced back again. He whimpered and hurried forward while Kakuzu grappled with the larger of the two Peins. As Tobi was helping Anko drag Zetsu back to Sasori's position, there was a rush of wind behind Sasori.
He turned his head fearfully, eyes focused only on the glowing fist aimed for his skull.
--
Forests were very annoying for him. He did not like running through forests. He would much rather be sifting through water.
Judging from what Hidan had told him, Sasori and Zetsu were already at the house. If all was going smoothly, Kakuzu, Tobi, Itachi and Deidara would be there as well. He really needed to move more quickly.
'Of all the things for Pein to attempt... poor, poor Konan...'
He morphed into water and continued on his way.
--
Tobi's shield couldn't have been fast enough. Sasori jerked back just as the shield flickered into existence. Anko bumped into Sasori as Tobi landed in front of him. Zetsu's head was in Anko's lap.
'He won't be able to keep that up forever. Damn, when did these Peins come back to life!?'
The Pein in front of them refused to stop beating down on the shield. Every once in a while Tobi had throw his hands to one side, making the Pein falter. But that was the only thing Tobi could do; protect.
Sasori used the little bit of his strength that he had regained to barrel into the Pein. Tobi cried out, "Sasori-nii-chan!"
The Pein slammed Sasori into the wall and Tobi scampered up his back and wrapped his arms securely around the Pein's neck. The Pein proceeded to slam back against the wall, bashing Tobi again and again. Sasori didn't have the strength to stop the Pein. At this rate, Tobi would be crushed.
Sasori tried knocking the Pein over again but this time he was flung across the room. He heard Deidara scream his name before he hit the wall. Tobi fell limply from the Pein's back, and he advanced toward Anko, who was still holding Zetsu's head. She looked terrified.
Kakuzu and Deidara were too busy with the others to help her, though Kakuzu nearly reached the Pein approaching her with his threads – if he hadn't gotten punched in the stomach. He doubled over.
Sasori slowly began to lose consciousness, but not before he heard Anko yell one name, "K-KISAME!!"
--
"I suppose it could have been worse," Itachi muttered as Pein dashed away, avoiding all contact with Kisame. The blue Vampire had shown up right after Anko called his name. Kisame sighed.
"At least she called for me. I was able to teleport to her because of that."
"At least."
"How are you, Kakuzu?"
"I've been better."
"And Tobi?"
Kakuzu glared at the ground than at the young boy cradled in his arms. Blood streamed out of his mouth and down his forehead; it looked like it would never stop.
"Nearly crushed. Feels like his spine is broken."
Kisame flinched and Madara whimpered. Deidara was clinging hopelessly to Itachi's waist, staring wide-eyed at Sasori. Kisame strode over to the red-head and picked him up. When he looked over his shoulder at Anko he saw that Zetsu was getting back up.
"Zetsu."
"H-hai?" the black and white Vampire asked, turning his head slightly.
"I need you to carry Anko, if you can. Deidara's a bit traumatized, and Sasori's unconscious... Tobi is, well, not so good."
Zetsu's eyebrows furrowed back and he closed his eyes briefly. To Anko he instructed, "get on my back. You can't stay here anymore."
Anko didn't argue. She clung to Zetsu with all her might, her eyes always shifting toward Sasori. As the group hurried back to Hidan – Itachi feared that Pein might be making his way there – Kisame tried to contact his young ward.
"Hidan?"
"Is Anko okay? Did anybody else get hurt? Are people in need of healing?"
It took Kisame a moment to process all the questions, "yes, Anko is okay. Everybody else is slightly damaged. Tobi and Sasori got it worse."
"What happened to them, seriously?"
"Tobi got crushed; his shoulders and back are either shattered or fractured in multiple places. Sasori is unconscious."
"Itachi? Deidara? Kakuzu? Zetsu? You?" Hidan queried, his voice frantic.
"Everyone else is fine. And of course I'm fine. Zetsu might need you to check out his back though. I think he got elbowed pretty damn hard."
"Okay... okay... Konan's sleeping, by the way. She was freaking out so much that a put her to sleep."
"Hidan. Itachi is afraid Pein may be heading toward your house. Get Kurenai in your room if she's home."
"H-Hai."
The connection broke.
Yay for cliffhanger-ish ending. Hope you like it. This story is ending in five chapters, to be followed swiftly by Innocence's sequel, Strawberries & Cream, as well as two more new stories about Hidan and Konan. I don't like this pairing, OH NO I DON'T _