This was the sort of situation that Kumiko had never been faced with before, as such, she wasn't sure how to handle it. So being a newbie at this type of thing, her first reaction was to hit Deidara. And, no, it wasn't a 'light' tap, it was a full on smack that crumpled Deidara.

"Hm, that reaction doesn't really tell us if it worked or not..." Itachi commented.

"Uh...," Deidara moaned but quickly recovered, snatching Kumiko's hand, "Did it work? Is it you Ku?"

"O-of course it's me, who else would it be?" Kumiko asked, still a little dazed.

Itachi let out a small sigh of relief.

"What's up? What happened?" Kumiko stared blankly at the two Akatsuki members.

Both Itachi and Deidara paused, unsure of how to explain what had just happened.

"Allow me to explain." Pein intruded, followed by the rest of the Akatsuki.

"I should have known..." Itachi muttered.

"But-" Deidara started.

"A couple months ago a child came to our fortress, as I'm sure you all remember." Pein looked around the room for approval.

"Yeah, that was Ku!" Deidara stated, confused by Pein's chose of words.

"Actually it wasn't," Pein addressed Deidara, then the entire group, "That child's name was Himeko."

Deidara paled. "Himeko..."

"Hey! You introduced that brat," Hidan jabbed a finger in Kumiko's direction, "As Kumiko. So who the fuck is Himeko?"

"Himeko came to enlist her sister in the Akatsuki, actually at that time, her sister was with her." Pein added.

"There was only one brat there, so what the hell are you babbling on about!?"

"I suppose you wouldn't understand," Pein continued, ignoring the fuming Hidan, "Due to certain circumstances, Himeko and Kumiko share the same body."

"Himeko... I-I think I just met her," Everyone stopped and stared, as if they had completely forgotten about Kumiko's existence, since nobody spoke up, Kumiko continued, "I thought it was a dream when it happened, but with all that I've been just told... I must have really spoken with Himeko."

"Wait, so your telling me all this stuff is true? Are you freaking kidding me!" Hidan was flabbergasted, "This is bullshit!"

Deidara nodded. "I've also had an experience with Himeko."

Kumiko's eyes went wide, but she kept silent.

"When Kumiko first woke up, she wasn't herself." Deidara started.

"But you weren't even in the room when she woke up Deidara-sempai." Tobi pointed out.

"Shut it Tobi!" Deidara waved his fist in Tobi's direction.

"Tobi is right," Itachi spoke, "I was there when she woke up, not Deidara."

Once again there was a pause before he carried on. "She was surprisingly even more giggly and childish than usual, but then as we progressed further in the conversation she got oddly serious. The whole while I had thought it was Kumiko but she then told me 'that I must have confused her with her younger sister'. All in all, it wasn't at all like Kumiko."

Seeing that there was an opening for him to speak, Deidara took the opportunity. "And then I came in and I could tell right away that it wasn't Ku."

Itachi sighed.

Kumiko couldn't keep from smiling, hearing stuff like that felt good. There had never been anyone who knew her better than Deidara did now; Kumiko had never had many friends, actually she'd never had any friends at all. The thought hit her hard: Deidara was her first friend.

"Well, I'll consider this discussion concluded. Hidan, Kakuzu, you two should leave soon." Pein broke the silence and left, followed closely by Konan, Tobi, Kakuzu, Hidan and Kisame.

"Buh-bye Kaku-chan! Buh-bye Hi-chan! Good luck!" Kumiko called after them half-heartedly.

"Luck, yeah right." Hidan snorted, giving Kumiko a dismissive wave.

Itachi and Deidara stayed behind.

"Kumiko, may I ask you a question or two?" Itachi asked politely.

"Hey! Leave her alone, un!" Deidara snapped.

"Sure, ask away." Kumiko shrugged.

"I was just wondering about your parents, if your here, then where are they?" Itachi questioned curiously.

"It's funny that you mention that...," she scratched her head, "My mother is dead but I recently found out her maiden name was Uchiha. Isn't that your last name, Itachi-sama?"

"Indeed it is," Itachi replied, "What of your father?"

"I don't know. The man I thought was my father is still alive, but I don't think he wants me anywhere near him. Along with my mother's maiden name, I also discovered that I don't know who my father is, it seems. I guess I always suspected but..." Kumiko sighed, downcast.

"If you don't mind, what was your mother's first name?"

"It was Miharu."

"Ah." was all Itachi said before leaving the room.

"Dei-chan?"

"What is it, un?" Deidara grabbed her hand.

"I'm hungry."