This chapter takes place a couple of days after Kumiko joins the Akatsuki, Deidara and her haven't been on any missions. Kumiko already has nicknames for everyone exept for Kisame and Itachi, who haven't returned yet.

"Dei-chan? Dei-chan," Kumiko hollered up and down the Akatsuki's passages, "Dei-chan!"

Her blonde pigtails bobbed as she walked. She turned a corner and took a breath, ready to yell again, but released it when she saw Deidara sitting face down at the table.

"Dei-chan? Eh, Dei-chan, are you asleep? Dei-chan? Dei-chaaaaaaaan?" Deidra lay still no matter how much the blonde poked at him.

Kumiko gently grabbed Deidara pony-tail and yanked it suddenly, causing Deidra to cry out it pain.

"Kumiko! What did you do that for, uh?" Deidra cried.

"If you fake sleep again, Dei-chan, you'll find yourself with bruises that weren't there before." Kumiko hummed while braiding Deidara's hair.

"You know, you're a bit cocky for someone who just joined the Akatsuki, un?" Deidara pointed out, massaging his scalp.

"Cocky," Kumiko pouted, "You really think so Dei-chan?"

She looked up at him with her big blue eyes, pleadingly. She knew she could get whatever she wanted, and loved holding that over her partner.

"Oh, right! Pein-kun wanted to see us!" Kumiko jumped up, with Deidara's ponytail still in hand.

"Ow-ow-ow ow-ow," he howled as she yanked him down the hallway, "Kumiko! My ponytail, let go!"

"Oh my goodness," Kumiko exclaimed releasing Deidara, "I'm so sorry Dei-chan, are you alright?"

Kumiko fell to her knees next to Deidara, who lay on the floor grimacing in pain.

That's Kumiko, thought Deidra, One moment she'll be hurting me, the next coddling me.

"Eh, doesn't matter, let's get going. We don't want to keep Pein-sama waiting." Deidara huffed, standing-up.

"M-hm!" Kumiko nodded and dusted her robe off.

She jumped up, grabbed Deidara's hand and began to run. Surprised, Deidara stumbled along after her. Before Deidara even knew what was happening they had already scooted to a halt.

"Tobi-kun," Kumiko whined, "You're blocking the whole hallway, move!"

Kumiko kicked Tobi who was lying across the width of the smallest hallway in the whole Akatsuki fortress.

"Uh-uh," Tobi stood and shook his head, "I'm your sempai and I'm not going to move until you address me as such!"

Tobi beamed, and Kumiko let out sigh of frustration. Then she turned to face one of the stone walls and, positioning her foot at just the right angle, she kicked. The stone wall crumbled, revealing a very surprised Kakuzu and a very angry Joshin worshipper with a brick stuck to his forehead.

Hidan's fist shook with anger, "Damn you psycho bitch! That fucking hurt! What kind of fucking crazy person goes knocking down walls anyway!"

"Oh! Kaku-chan I didn't know you were back yet! How was the mission?" Kumiko asked, oblivious to the fuming Joshin worshipper.

"Uh, well…" Kakuzu began.

Hidan cut him off, "Hey! I'm talking to you bitch!" Hidan grabbed one of Kumiko pigtails and yanked it.

Kumiko swung around, punching Hidan in the face.

"Ah! That FUCKING hurt," Hidan yelped, "You got one hell of left hook!"

"Hi-chan!" Kumiko squealed launching herself onto Hidan and causing him to fall.

Tobi stood in the hallway arms crossed, Kakuzu sitting at his table money in hand, ready to count, Deidara standing dazed in the newly made doorway to Kakuzu room and Kumiko sitting on top of the bruised and bleeding Joshin worshipper. Itachi entered the room to see this.

"Explain." Itachi ordered.

Hidan stood up, leaving Kumiko on the floor.

"Hi-chan, who's that?" asked Kumiko quietly, tugging on Hidan robe.

"Who's this girl?" Itachi asked at the same time.

Pein wandered into the room, "Oh, there you are Kumiko. Didn't I tell you to get Deidara quickly."

So her name is Kumiko, Itachi thought, she must be Sasori's replacement.

"Pein-kun," Kumiko pouted, pointing at Itachi, "Who's that?"

"That's right, you two haven't met yet, Itachi's been on that mission with Kisame this whole time," Pein explained, "Itachi introduce yourself please, you too Kumiko."

"I am Itachi Uchiha, pleasure to meet you." Itachi introduced himself.

"I'm Kumiko, it's a pleasure to meet you too!" Kumiko smiled.

Itachi froze, Her smile, it's just like the way Sasuke used to...

"Hm, Itachi... Itachi..." Kumiko stood there scratching her chin.

"What is she doing?" Itachi asked the rest of the Akatsuki.

"Haha," Deidara laughed, "She thinking of a nickname for you, Itachi, my man!"

Deidara patted Itachi's back.

Giving Deidara the Uchiha glare, Itachi ordered, "Don't do that. Ever again."

When Itachi looked back to where Kumiko was supposed to be, he found the girl missing. He looked at the others hoping for an answer to where the girl had gone and saw them all staring at him. That was when Itachi noticed the weight on his back.

"That's it," Kumiko squealed, playing with Itachi's hair, "You're Itachi-sama!"

Hidan burst out laughing, "Looks like you got a little disciple there, don't you Itachi!"

"Shut-up," Itachi glared at Hidan, "Kumiko, get off my back."

"Okay!" Kumiko did as ordered and when she was down she grabbed Itachi's hand.

"Kumiko, what are you doing?" Itachi inquired with distaste.

"I'm holding Itachi-sama's hand!" Kumiko replied with delight.

Itchi sighed, "Can you not hold my hand."

"Of course I can!" Kumiko continued to hold Itachi's hand.

"Kumiko, please let go of my hand." Itachi asked, frustrated.

"Okay..." Kumiko conceded, the light in her eyes dimming.

I'm glad that I was able to get so many chapters out this weekend! For my first fanfic this is turning out pretty well, please review and wait for my next update!