Hey there!!! We are ready to get this story going now!

Disclaimer…Don't own anything here except Ryuu.

Tsunade rubbed her temples and sighed for the umpteenth time. Stress was a commonly used word to describe the kunoichi but today was an exception…It was an understatement. She was livid, pissed, angry, and everything in between. Of course this was obviously written all across her face but the two others in the room didn't take notice; knowing that she wouldn't dare hurt them.

Both elders stood in front of Tsunade's desk, one with cane in hand, the other grasping a chair. It had been a long thirty-two minutes and 46 seconds, but if this cursed meeting didn't end soon, someone would pay.

"It would be wise if you actually considered changing teams around and adding some shinobi from Root into them. This will strengthen our forces," ordered the old man who squinted ignorantly at the stubborn Hokage.

"And for the hundredth time, there is nothing wrong with the teams as they are. Just because Sai has been promoted doesn't mean that I will allow Danzou's students to run the teams operations. That's why we have the teams as they are," growled Tsunade.

"You are being foolish! Why do you refuse to use Root?"

"Why do you think it was band in the first place?!"

"…That was the past."

"And it will remain the same as long as I'm in charge!"

"Which won't be long if you continue building Konoha a bigger hole," promised the old woman darkly in a scratchy voice.

The blonde narrowed her eyes and pushed her chair back as she stood to her feet. In a low voice and a dark glare she said quietly, "If that is all then get out of my office."

Both elders looked to one another before turning towards the door. Only three steps later and the doors were slammed open, hitting the wall with a sickening crack as Tonton charged into the office, squealing fearfully. It skidded across the tile floor before hiding behind the heals of a dumbfounded Hokage. "What the…?"

She looked to the door but didn't wait long until the answer came. Scurrying in, in black heals herself, was none other then Shizune followed by a team of Anbu, lead by Ibiki who took long strides to stand between Tsunade and the elders.

"What the Hell is going on?" Tsunade asked.

"T-they're here," Shizune breathed in between pants. "They gave us…their word that it was f-for a meeting….and nothing else…"

"That's why we're here," Ibiki scoffed gruffly and turned to face the door. "Never take their word for anything except a lie."

Tsunade looked back and forth before the elders asked her unasked question. "Just who is it?"

There was no need to answer as two figures walked casually into the room with a soft rustle of their cloaks and a clip of high heals. Both elders' eyes widen through their usual squint and they both scurried near Tsunade's desk. Tonton squealed and leapt into Shizune's arms, shaking and shivering.

"…the hell?" Tsunade stayed standing and glared at the two new comers. "And what do I owe this…unexpected visit to?"

"Lady Tsunade," greeted the deep voice from the male. Orange spiky hair ruffled over Ame's forehead protector with a line through it. "Forgive this intrusion…But understand that this isn't what we had planned either."

"If you're after the nine-tailed then move along or expect a fight 'cause we aren't handing him over!"

"Calm yourself, Lady Tsunade," said the blue haired woman calmly. Her reply was a dark glare.

"We aren't after the nine-tailed-" The stoic man continued.

"And you expect us to believe that?" barked Ibiki added by a firm nod from Tsunade.

"…Hai. If you let me explain then there will be many explanations…and a deal that you may not want to pass off."

"And what, pray tell, do you have to prove that you aren't after Naruto?" Tsunade questioned.

"Nothing at the moment except an explanation as I said before."

"You are S-class criminals that are meant to be killed on contact," Ibiki said as if to prove a point.

"And yet here we stand before you alive and well," Pein backfired. "This meeting is an act of truce for the moment."

Tsunade glare lessoned into a wary gleam. She sighed and closed her eyes. "Fine," she waved a hand in the air. "Go ahead and take a seat."

Neither moved from their spot in front of the desk, only making Tsunade sigh. Konan knew that Pein wasn't one to listen…He hated being told what to do and even more, he hated being locked in a room with multiple shinobi who were ready to take them down. She didn't blame him. Of course he was much more at ease then she was… Though you couldn't tell on the outside.

Ibiki gave him another glare, but he still didn't budge. To Pein it was like Ibiki was sizing him up and he wouldn't back down from a game of pride. He was gambling with his own ego and life to worry about giving in. And he loved to gamble. "So, what's the deal? You're here to what—give me a complementary gift?"

"We are here to discuss…arrangements. Or agreements if you wish to call them such."

Tsunade furrowed her brows. "And how is that? What made you change your mind about the demons and why are you here?"

"This is on a friendly matter. Orochimaru. And assistance is needed," he answered.

"…"

"…perhaps you would feel better if we spoke leader to leader instead of leader to criminal?" He didn't wait for an answer as he untied his forehead protector and shrugged his cloak off his shoulders before handing them to Konan. "Take this as collateral if you still don't trust us," he said and placed the scroll on top of Tsunade's desk. She glanced at it, wondering what he meant by collateral. What was in the scroll that was so important to the leader of Akatsuki for him to use it as a bargaining chip?

"And you think that's going to change our minds?" snorted Ibiki.

"I only need to convince one of you to start the change reaction the will inevitably lead to the trust I want." Everyone stayed silent, trying to figure what he meant. "Isn't that right, Jiriaya?"

A chuckle alerted the others to the new presence from the doorway and in came the Sage with his arms crossed over his chest. Casually he walked to stand in front of Pein and both men stared at each other, neither blinking or flinching away. Finally Jiriaya turned to Tsunade, then Ibiki. "It'll probably be best outside the office…"

"I don't think so-"

"Aww, come on Ibiki…Are you saying you don't trust two legendary Sannin to take care of themselves?"

"…We'll be right outside the door," Ibiki reluctantly said-more to Pein and Konan then to anyone else.

"Yes, we will call you in if Lady Hokage gets a paper cut," Pein replied quietly earning a glare in the back of his head before the doors softly clicked to signal that they had the room alone. Tsunade sighed and looked over to the two elders who hadn't moved by her desk. Jiriaya leaned on the front of her desk, facing the two Akatsuki members, with his legs crossed. "Shizune?"

"Y-yes?"

"Take Tonton out…He's scared to death."

"…alright."

Everyone waited until she was out of the door until Pein and Konan finally took a seat in front of the desk. Tsunade looked between the two before taking a seat as well. "Ok…Start at the beginning."

"Only a few days ago, Orochimaru sent experiments from Sound to attack our base in River…"

"And that's a problem to us…how?"

"They were after the demons that were sealed away into the statue. Apparently Orochimaru wants them for something that would undoubtedly lead to an attack."

"…Against who?" Jiriaya asked.

"…Unknown at the moment."

"So you want us to…?"

"Assist. Or so…" Konan trailed off.

"What aren't you telling us?" Tsunade asked.

"Orochimaru wasn't alone with Sound experiments. He also had mentally ill shinobi from Mist with him. The attack was in two separate waves in numbers that matched the incident here two years ago at the Chunnin exams when he had attacked."

"…Why would he send all those shinobi after you?...That was a large part of an army that he could've used on another attack or so. Orochimaru is a smart man and wouldn't attack for no reason," Jiriaya mused aloud and shifted his weight.

"Another attack would have been inevitable if we stayed in the base," Konan replied.

"So Orochimaru is looking for power—nothing new," stated the elder woman. "Just because he targeted you doesn't mean that we'll help you—"

"Shut up," Tsunade hissed out to the elders. "Your job is to only listen because I'm forced to include you in these so shut up."

"You are forgetting that not only is Sound after the demons but so is Mist. If Orochimaru has an allied country then it is obvious that he is planning something," continued Pein.

"And for it to be Mist then it has to be big," Tsunade pondered.

"We are generally the target at this point but you as Konoha have had a history of attacks from him as well….That is what we are here to discuss."

*************************************************************************************

Deidara closed his eyes from where he sat in a branch just outside of Konoha's gates. It had been a long and heated travel since they had left River Country but nothing new for a missing-nin. His cloak hung open to allow the breeze to cool him as it sent noble leaves into a dance with leaf and twig. The shadows swayed across his face and he sighed in content. He loved the warmer weather and enjoyed the silence whenever he got the chance…Which was rare considering that Tobi was always near.

Speaking of which, where was the little monstrosity…? Cracking a cerulean eye open slightly, he gazed down at the base of the tree he was in. Still in the same position, Tobi sat cross legged while plucking flowers with a happy hum. Deidara rolled his eyes. Typical Tobi…Just how was that prick a criminal, he would never know.

"Fuck this! What are we waiting here for?!" Hidan's voice cut through the silence. "The stupid Leaf-nin aren't going to listen to us, so when the fuck is leader going to get out there?!"

Deidara held in a chuckle. Hidan's patience level was nearly the same as Danna's.

"Keh, will you shut up?" Kakuzu chastised. "We don't like listening to you."

"Fuck you!"

"Hey, keep it down." Zetsu said from his spot sitting against a nearby tree. "Some Anbu are going to hear you and then we'll have to deal with leader."

"Are you afraid of getting in trouble?" asked Hidan in a mocking voice.

"You act tough when he isn't around but as soon as he is then you're minding you manners…For the most part."

"Manners? Hidan has never heard of the word," Kakuzu added.

Deidara chuckled and pulled some clay into his lap. "Ain't it true?"

"Screw off! I don't need this shit," Hidan paced the forest floor in between the trees with his scythe over his shoulder. Tobi watched interestedly from where he sat.

"Don't be a baby, un," Deidara said from his seat earning a glare.

"No one was talking to you!"

"Are you throwing a tantrum now, hm?"

Hidan growled and turned to the tree. "That's it! I'm going to sacrifice your ass!"

He pulled his scythe to his side and swung at the tree, hitting it only inches from Tobi's head.

"Aaaaahhhhhhh!! Tobi's a good boy! Tobi's a good boy!" he yelled and crawled away with his flowers in hand. Hidan paid no attention as he swung away at the tree with Deidara holding onto the branch.

"Hey! Hidan what the hell?! It was a joke, yeah!" Deidara exclaimed.

Hidan stopped and looked up the tree. An evil grin crossed his face. "Hey, Dei, look at your face!" he pointed. "You really are a fucking pansy!"

Deidara's shocked expression turned feral. "I'll show you pansy, un!" He stood to his feet and reached into his clay pack before sending a bird in his direction.

"You guys need to stop," Kakuzu ordered from where he stood next to Zetsu.

His warning only fell on deaf ears as Hidan dodged the bird and threw a kunai, catching Deidara's cloak and sticking him to the tree. Hidan chuckled and pointed a finger but stopped when Deidara's famous crooked grin curled his lips. With a hand sign, he said cockily, "Katsu."

Hidan looked down just in time to see clay spiders around his feet before an explosion sent him flying past Zetsu, Kakuzu and Tobi into a tree. Slowly he clambered and climbed to his feet with a sour expression as Deidara laughed from where he still stood stuck to the tree and Kakuzu shook his head.

Just as Hidan opened his mouth to retort, he stopped as two familiar chakras entered the clearing. "About fucking time," he said as Itachi and Kisame walked to them. "What took you so damn long?"

"Keh, nice to see you too," Kisame said with a toothy grin.

"Well isn't this a nice welcome home," said a new voice behind the two Akatsuki. Walking into the clearing was Kakashi, Yamato and Sai, followed by a silent Naruto and Sakura.

"…the fuck?"

"What are they doing here, un?!" Deidara growled out as he glared at Kakashi, Naruto and Sakura.

"Us?! What about you?!" Naruto yelled and pointed an accusing finger at the blonde. "You killed Gaara!"

"Yeah and I heard he lived so what's it to you, un?" Deidara pulled the kunai out and jumped to the ground.

"Why you bastard--"

"Naruto, calm down," Kakashi ordered in a firm voice. The last thing Kakashi wanted was to play peacemaker…Sadly he knew that was exactly what was going to happen.

Naruto sobered and bent his head, still ashamed of what happened at the bridge. There was a thick and awkward silence that layered the clearing.

"Ano…Why are we waiting here?" Sakura asked, turning everyone's attention to her.

****************************************************************************

"We want to make an alliance."

Tsunade stared expressionless at the statement.

Pein continued after letting it sink in. "You will have Akatsuki as well as Amegakure's loyalty to in what I fear to be another Shinobi War."

"…" Tsunade folded her hands and leaned forward onto her desk. "You expect us to just welcome you into Konoha where we just happen to have the last Demon you need? Do you take me as a fool?"

"That scroll there on the desk is proof enough that I am sincere."

Tsunade looked to the scroll then back at Pein and Konan then to Jiriaya who stared at the scroll. Furrowing her brows she slowly reached for the scroll before giving one last wary glance at the others and opening it. Her breathing hitched and her eyes widened.

"T-this is the seal…You sealed all of the demons in here?"

"Hai." Pein stood and walked to the front of her desk. "You hold the eight demons that we have sealed away…Is that proof enough?"

"…"

Suddenly the doors opened and in rushed in the number one knuckle head. "Hey granny!" Naruto greeted but stopped at the sight of Pein and Konan. "Who are you?"

"Naruto, what do you think you're doing?! Don't you know that if the door is closed then--" She stopped in mid-sentence as Kakashi, Sakura, Yamato and Sai walked in followed by the fellow Akatsuki members.

"Well this is a great reunion," Jiriaya whispered to Kakashi who walked next to him. The white-haired shinobi sighed and leaned against the wall with his hands stuffed into his pockets.

"Not an over all idea of a party, but I'm sure Tsunade will have one hell of a hang over tomorrow."

The look on Tsunade's face didn't go unnoticed by the pink-haired medic who quickly grabbed a hidden bottle of Sake and rushed to her mentor's side.

The busty blonde's eyes widened and she eagerly took the bottle before having a long gulp and sitting back with a content sigh. "Thank you Sakura."

"No problem…"

"Is it ok to give her a drink at a meeting like this?" Kisame asked.

"Trust me when I say that the meeting will go a lot smoother…," Naruto whispered.

"…"

"Keh, hey leader—why don't you fucking drink at meetings?" Hidan asked, but immediately wished he hadn't and mumbled a quick "sorry" after the heated glare of daggers aimed at him. Deidara snickered under his breath at Hidan earning an elbow from Kakuzu.

"So I suspect that you've been filled in?" Tsunade asked to Kakashi and Yamato.

"Hai…Itachi and Kisame had explained everything," commented Yamato.

Pein turned to the Uchiha. "Have you found out anything?"

"Hai…After we left the base, we ran into Orochimaru and Kabuto. They were disappointed that they hadn't retrieved the demons."

"Retrieved?"

"Hai. Orochimaru had said that "Ryuu will be disappointed." I believe that Orochimaru has someone else other then Mist with him…"

"They also said something about getting more allies for the time being," Kisame added.

A passing moment of silence came and went. "I will need a scroll for the written arrangements," Tsunade said reluctantly to the elders.

"No. You will not be allied with these criminals!" the elder woman sworn.

"I have a room full of S-class ninja and myself saying different," Tsunade growled out.

The elders looked to all the faces pointed towards them before handing the hokage a scroll. "Alright. The agreements are going to take place now and we will both need to make sacrifices."

"Agreed." Pein turned to his men. "Wait outside." Everyone walked out with their own mumbles except for Kakashi, Yamato and Jiriaya.

"Well we can see that you are at the end of your hole, Lady Tsunade…Congratulations, you have buried Konoha under your ignorance." With that said, the elder man and women hobbled out into the hall way before slamming the door shut.

Ignoring the comment, Tsunade sat down, ready to write down the agreements. "Jiriaya…what do you think?"

The sannin looked to Tsunade for a moment then to Pein. "I don't think that keeping Akatsuki going will be wise…And keeping the scroll here in Konoha could lead to more problems…"

"Lady Tsunade…if I could suggest something," Kakashi asked. Tsunade gave a nod. "Allow Pein-san to keep the scroll in his possession and in exchange, we will…trade shinobi…"

"Trade?" Konan asked.

Tsunade mulled over the suggestion for a moment. "That would work." She looked to Konan to explain. "When we first became allies with Suna, we traded a few shinobi to show our trust."

"So you wish to take some of our Rain-nin?"

"I was actually thinking about some Akatsuki members…" Kakashi said with an eye crinkle.

Konan gave a wary look to Pein who seemed to have already come to the conclusion. "Perhaps…"

"Perhaps what?"

"We will map out our bases for your shinobi to use, but they are only to be used by the most trusted. Of course with the sudden attacks, I feel that Akatsuki will need a single place to stay. I can't afford to lose any more members so will you allow most—if not—all of them to stay here?"

"…..You would allow that?"

"Hai."

"…Very well. Then I feel that it would be best if we split them into some of our teams."

"Now I disagree. I put them into teams based on their strength and weaknesses, not to mention their tolerability level."

"But if we split some of them up then it would strengthen more of our teams." Kakashi explained.

"How so?" Konan questioned.

"…We would have more teams with stronger members then the pairs that they are in now…"

"How would you suggest we do this then?" Pein asked. "Deidara, Kisame, Hidan and Kakuzu will kill anyone who pisses them off. Zetsu will have to eat and is best alone incase he gets…hungry. Itachi doesn't work well with anyone unless he respects them and Tobi will undoubtedly go on a rampage around Konoha…"

"…"

"Are you suggesting that they are best with each other?" Yamato asked.

"Hai and that they work best in pairs…More then that and they get…testy."

"Then we will both have to cope with the new arrangements…" Tsunade began. "Of course you and Konan will be in Ame with each other so that leaves everyone out in the hall…"

"Kakuzu will need a level headed partner. Someone who won't piss him off and they should get along," Konan pondered.

"Perhaps Tenten's team?" Kakashi suggested.

"No teams." Pein reminded.

"Right….Then Tenten and Neji would suffice for Kakuzu."

"Are you sure? Remember it would be their funeral if you weren't."

Kakashi sweat dropped. "Yeah…I'm sure."

"Fine, Tenten, Neji and Kakuzu…who else?" Tsunade said as she wrote it down.

"Are there any higher ranked teams that need a member?" Jiriaya asked.

"There are but the rookie 11 are more apt to adjusting easier and not holding a grudge then any other teams out there so we'll stick with them," she explained.

"Then Hinata is too shy, Shino is too…quiet and Kiba is too loud and will surely cause a fight. They can stay together." Kakashi said

"The Lee will need to be placed somewhere…" Yamato trailed off.

"We'll worry about him later. What about Hidan?" Tsunade pushed.

Pein sighed. "He has a foul mouth and sacrifices people for his belief in Jashin. He'll need someone who can tolerate him as well as keep his respect."

Jiriaya and Kakashi exchanged grins. They knew just who to pick. "Yamanaka Ino."

Tsunade looked at the two men. "What?"

"She'll put him in his place—"

"And have his respect as soon as he sets his eyes on her," Jiriaya said while he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. Tsunade's eyebrow twitched, but she knew that they had a point. "Fine, Ino and Hidan."

"And Zetsu with Shikamaru," added Yamato. Konan and Tsunade stared at the three men.

"You're having fun with this aren't you?" Konan asked skeptically.

All she got in reply was three grins.

"Why Shikamaru?"

"Well if Zetsu get's hungry then Shikamaru's shadow jutsu will work on keeping him under control if it's needed," Yamato explained.

"Makes sense." Tsunade looked down to the list. "Who else?"

Pein shifted his weight. "Itachi, Kisame, Tobi, Deidara."

"Well…I suppose I will take Tobi…" Kakashi said slowly while rubbing the back of his head. He cried inwardly. As if he needed someone to make him feel older…

Tsunade held back a snicker. "Great!" She quickly wrote it down before Kakashi came to his senses.

"Kisame will cut anyone he doesn't like in half." Konan sat back in her chair.

"Then he will stay with Itachi for the time but what about Deidara?"

"He…could go with Sai….Never mind." Yamato quicky said.

"Naruto."

Everyone looked to Jiriaya who explained. "Naruto has matured a lot, even if it doesn't seem like it. Trust me that they'll get along sooner or later."

"Then they'll work out and all we have is Itachi and Kisame," Pein said from his spot looking out the window of the office.

"….That's a little tricky…" Yamato said.

"Sakura will work fine with them," Kakashi said quietly.

"Sakura?" Konan asked.

"Hai. The girl that was in here a moment ago."

"Are you sure that she'll work well with them?" Pein asked.

No sooner had he asked that did a "CHA!!" echo through the hall and office walls. Suddenly a body came crashing through the wall next to the door before hitting against the other side of the wall. Everyone in the office looked to the body that stood from the debris of the crumbled wall. Dusting off his cloak, Hidan stood and glared at the pink-haired woman who matched his glare from the hole in the hallway.

Naruto's head suddenly popped in the hole with a grin. "I forgot to mention not to call her a whore either…"

"Son of a bitch!" Hidan growled out and a laughter was heard next to Naruto who they found out to be Deidara and Kisame.

"You got your ass handed to you, un!!"

"Deidara—Hidan. Get out." Pein said darkly. Seconds later they were left back alone with a gaping hole in the wall.

Pein turned back to Tsunade who smirked. "Does that answer your question?"

Tadaaa!!!! There you go. Kinda boring but keh. It had to be done. Nest time will be interesting…I wonder how everyone will take to the knew teams…

Please review!