Looks like I have more to add to this part after all. By the way Alternate History 0 is up and running. Please leave some comments about it because if people aren't interested in reading the prequel I won't bother writing it.

Chapter 20- New Comrade

"But I had a bath yesterday!" Sasuke exclaimed. I had managed to get him to the edge of the onsen, he wasn't getting out of it now.

I stood right behind him and he turned to face me, looking up with a childish expression of defiance.

I sighed and pushed him in. He squawked as he lost balance and fell back into the steaming water. "You're much too trusting." I commented and entered the water in a more civilized manner.

He resurfaced right next to me. "Niisan wouldn't hurt me." He said, smiling. He didn't know how right he was…still I poked his forehead in defiance.

He pouted and sniffled. I knew he wasn't being serious so I didn't worry myself over it.

"You're so mean!" he exclaimed when I didn't sympathize.

Before I could respond, I heard Kisame call down from the screens, "Oi! Leader sama and Konan sama have returned with our new member."

"We'll be a few minutes." I replied. This wasn't exactly a good thing for me. It meant I would have to take missions again, which meant I couldn't see Sasuke very often.

It also meant Kakuzu would actively take missions as well. Sasuke wouldn't be tutored as a medic nin anymore.

Admittedly he had learnt a lot in that time. At least he could still attend the Academy.

But I was quite anxious to learn about our new member. Her skills, abilities and most importantly, whether she posed any kind of threat to my brother.

I was about to enter the kitchen and dining area when I heard an unfamiliar voice.

"Ugh, do you not have any red meat around here?" it said.

I slid the door open further and saw a woman who was perhaps in her mid twenties. She had cropped blonde hair, green eyes and a tall slender frame. She was looking through our food stores, but when she heard me open the door she quickly looked up.

She relaxed slightly when she saw that I wore an Akatsuki uniform. She must've been told members wouldn't kill her. I was sure that there weren't many shinobi who'd relax when they saw these colours.

"Name's Tasha." She said, extending a hand. I noticed she had an odd accent. She also spoke in a strange pattern, as though she was constantly trying to remember how something was said. She obviously wasn't a native speaker of this language.

I frowned slightly before shaking her hand. What kind of backwater place used handshakes as a form of greeting?

Dismissing this thought I sat at the table where two dishes of food had been set out for us. Sasuke sat down next to me. Kisame and Kakuzu were also kneeling at the table.

"Well Tasha san, you can always ask Zetsu san if he'll share." Kisame smirked.

She snorted in response. "I could smell the blood on him. I don't eat meat raw or while it's still alive for that matter."

"Hm, fussy." Kisame commented. I ignored them both and began eating the food I'd been given.

As I ate, Leader spoke to me, 'There has been suspicious activity near the boarder of Amegakure. I don't think it's too serious, so you could take your brother and test him in a real life situation.'

I could tell from his tone that it wasn't a suggestion, but an order. 'Understood.'

'Kisame will take you there tomorrow then.' I felt the connection sever.

I noticed that Tasha had sat down on the table. Obviously she'd decided to eat what there was rather than nothing.

"Tasha was it?" I asked her. She looked up from her battle with the chopsticks. "Would you mind sharing some information about your abilities?" She seemed to process what I'd just said. She was probably mentally translating the meaning into her own language.

"I do mind actually. You didn't even give me your name. Why should I share information with someone like that?" she demanded.

"Indeed." I replied. It had been worth a try at any rate. "I'll just have to observe you to find out what I want."

"Like you wouldn't have anyway." She replied in a scornful tone. "Don't worry, I'm not into killing kids."

She was either very sharp, or very good at guessing to have noticed that already. I was starting to see why she'd been chosen.

I nodded, satisfied with her answer for now. "Come on Sasu chan, you're going on a mission tomorrow. You'll need the extra rest."

I got up and left the room. I hadn't ended up eating very much. Sasuke followed me, practically bouncing around in excitement.

"What do I have to do?" he asked when we reached our room.

"Well, there's a disturbance by the boarder of this village. Leader wants us to make sure it doesn't pose a threat." I replied as I sat down on my futon.

He looked happy. It had been awhile since he'd been away from this house. He saw the whole idea of this mission as a day out.

I sincerely hoped that's all it would turn out to be.

Now then, where would be the fun in that?