I'm back! And I'm here with a bit of a rage inducing chapter according to my friends. So don't rage to hard like they did!

Chibi in a box

Chapter 17

3rd POV (three weeks after they visited Serenity's studio)

Deidara quietly got out of bed, careful not to wake Serenity. He looked at the clock and it read 1:00 am.

He looked down at his night wear. Serenity bought them for him, they were all black with words like C2 or Bang, all around it.

"Deidara," Serenity's soft voice spoke. "Hmm," Deidara hummed back. "What are you doing?" she asked touching his back.

"I can't sleep, I'm just going to get a drink of water and walk around a bit till I can fall asleep," Deidara lied.

"Lay down, I'll help you fall asleep. I'll tell you a story or whatever," she suggested in a hushed tone.

"I'm good," Deidara whispered leaving the room. He moved quietly down the hallways to down stairs.

Everyone was gathered in the living room except the girls.

"Is everyone here?" Pein asked in a hushed tone and looking around. Everyone nodded their heads and stared at their leader.

Deidara made his way over to Sasori and pulled on his sleeve. Sasori looked over at him and sighed.

"What?" he asked in an annoyed voice. "I woke Serenity up yeah," he whispered. Sasori groaned then shook his head.

"We'll see what happens, if leader knows he'll have your head," Sasori whispered. Deidara nodded and turned his head towards Pein, next to him stood Konan.

"Konan, Zetsu, and I have been working on a way to return to our world as you know, but our lead has disappeared. It might take longer than we have anticipated but this is no excuse to be slacking on your skill," Pein spoke with power in his voice but not to loud.

"If any of you can contribute thoughts to get back to our world do share," Pein commanded. Everyone stayed quiet and looked deep thought.

"I will continue my commandment of, do not get attached to anyone here. It would be most difficult if this were to happen. I've said it last meeting too, keep on gaurd. As we have found out there are wepons here that can harm us severely."

Deidara dozed out of the lecture and closed his eyes. He really was tired, and he really did want to stay in bed by Serenity, but he knew if he skipped the meeting Pein would have a fit.

He kept his eyes closed, as he leaned against the wall wishing he could sleep.

"Pein," Sasori voice spoke. Deidara looked up at him and then turned his head to his leader.

"Somebody here has been breaking one of your commandments." Everyone looked around the room to see who it was.

Pein's head automatically made its way to look at Hidan. "Hidan," Pein growled. "It wasn't me this time!" Hidan defended.

"Hidan is not lying, it was not him this time," Sasori said. "Then who was it?" Pein asked impatiently.

"Itachi." Deidara opened his one visible eye and looked at the Uchiha.

"What has he done?" Pein asked. "He was displaying affections to one of the girls," Sasori said looking at Itachi.

"What was he doing and which one?" Pein asked glaring slightly.

"In public at Serenity's studio he kissed June," he explained. Pein glared at Itachi. "Itachi, I except more from you, I will show mercy this time because you have been reluctant to follow my rules."

Itachi nodded his head and sighed. "You are to cut off all ties with her. If I see you with her or display any type of affection to her there will be punishment."

"He also displays affection towards the brat Serenity," Sasori glared. (A/N Sasori is such a snitch)

"How?" Pein asked rubbing his temples. "He tenderly thinks of her as a sibling."

Itachi stiffened near his partner and slipped his hand in his coat jacket. He felt the familiar feeling of a cool metal around his hand, a kunai. "Itachi, this is your last chance. Cut off the ties with these girls now or else there will be consequences," Pein barked quietly.

Itachi didn't nod this time or speak. He had conflicted feelings over this. But for once he wanted to defy his leader, he's wanted to defy him before but never before like this. It deeply troubled him this time.

Pein moved attention back to Sasori. "Anything else Sasori?"

Sasori looked down at Deidara and nudged him. "Why don't you tell him," Sasori said pushing him toward Pein.

Deidara got the idea right away. "I attend Serenity's dance studio sometimes now hmm," he stated trying his best to be bold.

"So that's where you've been," Pein muttered to himself. "You are to stay here, I will not allow you to go out," Pein ordered. "It is demeaning for a criminal, such as yourself, to be dancing."

"I would still like to go. I have fun yeah. Plus I just watch from the sides and then talk to kids my age," Deidara replied back. "I told you not to go, is there a specific reason why you want to go?"

"I already told you, I wanted to have some fun un," he muttered. "You are and S ranked criminal who has joined a organization of criminals, you are no longer a child. There is no need for fun," Pein disagreed.

"I didn't want to join your organization," Deidara snapped. Sasori lightly nudged Deidara's back with the back of his hand, tell him to quit talking back.

"If you were stronger maybe you wouldn't be here," Pein barked. Deidara turned red in the face and stayed quiet.

"I will not tolerate you talking back to me this way," Pein barked. "Well that's kind of how communication works un," Deidara snapped.

Pein glared at him for a moment and sighed. "I will repeat myself on last time. Do not continue to accompany Serenity at her studio," Pein ordered.

"I think you should at least let him have a childhood," a voice said from the stairway. Everyone's head whipped towards the stairs.

Serenity stood there in a black baggy shirt and rainbow pajama pants.

"Serenity, why are you up hmm?" Deidara asked. "I thought about what you said when you said 'I can't sleep'. I thought you would like some tea and a sleep aid. Would you like that to help you sleep?" Serenity asked.

Everyone stared at her for a moment till Pein spoke up.

"Serenity, this does not concern you," Pein dismissed. "It does, your bossing others in my house."

"Brat, quiet," Sasori commanded. "No," Serenity snapped, "Deidara come here".

Deidara started walking towards Serenity but then stopped when Pein gave the commandment to come back.

"Deidara, stay where you are," he growled. "Don't listen to him, he's a meany. Come over here," Serenity soothed.

Deidara started walking towards her but stopped when Pein glared at him. "Deidara, there will be consequences if you go with her."

"Pein leave him alone, he should get to bed. Deidara is a growing boy who needs his sleep. This may sound embarrassing to him but he needs to," Serenity pleaded.

"Deidara is no child, he is a criminal," Pein growled. "Not in this world, Deidara is just a kid in this world unlike you who can be charged with abuse, the same with another one of you," Serenity stated.

"Serenity," Pein growled. "Don't threaten me. I can say four words and everything here can disappear. So don't threaten me," she commanded.

Serenity walked over to Deidara and grabbed his hand. "Now if you don't mind, I'm going to bed. It's 1:30 in the morning," Serenity yawned.

"Serenity return Deidara here. I will repeat one last time, he is not a child."

"And at this age you weren't. At least Deidara doesn't cry all the time. At least he can defend and control his power unlike you. I'm trying to give him a childhood that he never had. That we never had," Serenity said raising her voice slightly.

Deidara kind of liked being treated like a child despite his capabilities. He never had a childhood, he never had fun until now. He was free to be a child and he wasn't treated like a monster. As much as he loved the excited of explosions fireworks would just suffice to him for now.

"If you haven't noticed I've been very merciful and kind to you despite what you think is harsh. We technically only need one of you to give us aid. What is the point of keeping three around when we only need one of you?" Pein growled.

"Deiadara," Serenity whispered, "go in Ashton's room." Deidara looked to Serenity then back at Pein.

Before Deidara could move Pein barked his commands.

"Sasori," he barked. Sasori wrapped his chakra strings around Deidara with an impassive face.m

"Kisame." Kisame wrapped his arms around Itachi's. Itachi's eyes widened slightly as he realized what was about to happen.

"Hidan," Pein snapped. Hidan grabbed his scythe and walked towards Serenity. Serenity walked backwards until her back it the cold wall.

It all happened so quick, her life could end here. Three names, three mistakes.

"Sorry Serenity," Hidan whispered so only she could hear. He spun his scythe above him then brought his it down upon her.

Itachi lifted his leg to kick Kisame in his nee cap, Kisame let go of him and seemed just to let Itachi sprint to her. He ran towards Serenity but Hidan stopped.

His scythe was inches from Serenity's head. White sheets of paper covered his body, Konan let out a sigh as she let her outstretched hand fall to her side.

Serenity breathed heavily and looked around frantically, her eyes wide and wild until they met Deidara's.

His vibrant blue eyes seemed alert yet some what thrilled.

She ran towards Deidara and grabbed his hand. Deidara seemed to drag Serenity up the stairs and disappeared behind the wall of the hallway, then a door slamming was heard.

"What is the meaning of this?" Pein yelled. They looked at Hidan and his joints were covered in white sheets of paper, disabling his movements.

Pein looked over at Konan to see her hand out, paper gracefully came off of her.

"Konan!" Pein barked. "What is this?" Konan looked at him with tired, sad eyes and turned her whole body towards him.

"I only saved the life of an innocent," Konan hissed, her angelic voice was now cold.

"Go and get Serenity then bring her down along with Deidara," Pein commanded.

"No."

Those simple words startled him, Konan has never said 'no' to him. She never disagreed with him or disobeyed him. She never hesitated to kill for him, to cast judgment for him.

Konan walked up to him slowly to the point where they were face to face.

"Have you took into consideration I was actually," she paused and swallowed, "happy. A word I haven't used in quite a long time."

Pein stared into her eyes with a passive looked and blinked, looking away from her.

"Sasori, Hidan, get Serenity. Kakuzu get Ashton, Kisame get-" but before he could finish his sentence Itachi was already off heading towards June's room.

"Kisame, after him!" Pein yelled.

"I want all of them in this room now!" he commanded. He pointed his hand towards the stairs and the rest were off by his command.

Itachi shot down the hallways and saw June up, by the door, rubbing her eye.

"Itachi what's go-" "June into the room," he commanded, "they're coming."

June eyes widened and stepped into the room. Itachi looked behind him to see Kisame racing up the stairs.

Itachi slammed the door shut behind himself and started pushing June's dressers in front of the door.

"Itachi, open the door," Kisame's deep voice commanded. "Give me one good reason why I should open this door."

Itachi grabbed June and put his mouth by her ear. "Go open the window," he whispered.

June scurried off to her task, but still not getting the idea.

Itachi heard Kisame sigh and say "I'm with you. I would never turn on you. We're partners."

Itachi pushed the dresser out of the way and opened the door. Kisame's big form made its way through the door frame.

He flashed a toothy smiled at Itachi. "Just try and sleep, I'll make sure nobody comes in unless it's Serenity or Ashton."

Itachi shook his head. "I'll stay up too. June, go to sleep. Everything, I promise will be all right."

"What a funny dream," she giggled walking to her bed.

June nodded her head and collapsed in bed, the blond being to tired to really comprehend what's going on. Kisame looked to June's desk to see papers upon papers, that must be why she's so tired.

Serenity ran to Ashton's room and burst in. Ashton shot up from her bed and one look from her cousin said it all, she was scared.

"Serenity lock the door," Ashton commanded. "Tell me what happened," Ashton urged, already getting a chill up her spine. "I almost died," Serenity cried. Serenity held back tears but the dam broke and tears streamed down her eyes.

A bang was heard from the other side of the door. "Ashton open the door," Kakuzu's gruff voice sounded.

"I'm changing, what do you want?" Ashton lied. "Pein wants you."

"Not right now," she sighed. "Serenity's in there isn't she. She's harboring Deidara with her too."

Ashton froze and shook her head. "No she's not, go away you b-"

Kakuzu broke down the door and threads made its way to them, obviously he didn't by her lie.

Deidara caught a thread and held it with all his might. He scanned the room, eventually looking at Ashton's nightstand. "Ashton, give me that glass of water on your nightstand hmm!"

Ashton tossed him the glass. Deidara threw it down and picked up a shard. He held it like a kunai despite it cutting his skin, a three shot to him. He stabbed it into Kakuzu's thread and it cut.

"Deidara!" Kakuzu roared. More threads made it's way towards them. Ashton pushed Serenity in back of her as a thread wrapped around Ashton's leg.

Kakuzu dragged Ashton towards him and held her upside down with his threads. Deidara gripped the piece of glass in his hand even harder.

"Serenity, get a weapon, you know where they are hmm. Get to your room by jumping out the window," Deidara commanded.

"Deidara, I, the one trying to protect you." "Serenity, I can hold my own against Kakuzu, I can do this myself. Now jump yeah," Deidara demanded.

Serenity opened the window and jumped.

Images of her life flashed in her head, her mother, father, brother. She had a moment of regret, letting the Akatsuki live here. She thought how naive she was, how foolish, but she stuck to her morals. Everyone deserves to be loved, everyone has good in them.

Her eyes closed as she hit the ground. The impact was harsh but she thankfully didnt hurt herself severely.

She raced to the side of the house with vines to her room. She climbed up with heavy panting, hoping no one would see her. She peeked her head at the edge of the small balcony.

"Where could that brat be?" Sasori asked. "I don't know, maybe she went down stairs," Hidan snapped irritatingly.

Serenity jumped over the railing and crouched near the entry. Sasori bent down to check under the bed. Serenity peeked her head through the door again.

Hidan looked over to see her. A panicked face over took him. "Oi! Puppet boy, I'll handle things in this room. Check the basement, she could of snuck away," Hidan suggested.

"Fine, make it quick though," Sasori snapped hurrying out of the room. Hidan waited a moment to make sure Sasori was gone.

Hidan made his way to the balcony and crouched by Serenity, she panicked and started kicking her feet in fear.

Hidan held her down and groaned. "Stop," he growled letting go of her. Serenity covered her face and started tearing up.

"Look at me," Hidan commanded. Serenity kept her hands over her face and shook her head. "Look at me," Hidan snapped harsher.

He grabbed her wrist and forcibly pushed her hands down. "Stop, I'm not hurting you. Your fine woman."

Serenity's face was red and tears formed in her eyes. "Knock it off," Hidan spat.

Serenity stood up shakily and made her way to her room. She avoided Hidan like he was the plague.

Hidan being curious let her do what she was doing. After all, what could him.

She bent down by her bed and grabbed her box of dangerous items. She dug around in it and felt a cool metal.

Her hand wrapped it's way around it and pulled out a gun. The weapon though didn't faze Hidan. He didn't quite no we let her, maybe it was because he felt pity or because he wanted to show her even that could hurt him.

She cocked it back and pointed it at Hidan. "Walk out of the room and tell everybody I ran out into the neighborhood," she demanded.

Hidan shook his head and walked towards her.

"I'll fire it!" she yelled. Serenity wiped tears from her eyes as Hidan walked towards her.

She closed her eyes tight and fired the gun. The loud pulsing noise ripped through the air.

"Oi! That hurts!" Hidan yelled looking at the hole in his chest. Serenity forgot, he was immortal and her mistake could cost her, her life.

"Stop!" she cried. "Stop," she cried. Hidan walked towards her, he placed is hand on her hand and took the gun out of her hands.

Serenity started to shake as he picked her up. He threw Serenity over his shoulder like a sack.

"Stop being such a cry baby. You're not going to die, I won't let it happen. So calm down woman," Hidan comforted, well tried.

"I don't wanna die," she cried pounding on his back.

He dragged her down stairs and set her on the couch to see the living room wrecked.

Konan and Pein both looked as if they were gasping for air. Paper sheets that looked like sharp steel embedded itself around the room. Tables were pushed over and chairs. They glared at each other until Konan looked at Serenity.

"We will discuss this later," Konan snapped sitting down on the couch by Serenity.

Serenity cried loudly as Konan sat by her. Konan grabbed Serenity's chin gently and pulled it up to look at her.

Serenity whimpered and pulled back. "I won't let them hurt you," she whispered. Serenity nodded her head and let Konan cup her cheek and wipe tears away.

Serenity hugged Konan tightly feeling weak.

Next thing they knew Kakuzu was dragging Deidara and Ashton down the stairs with Sasori.

Ashton had a hand over her mouth and kicking furiously.

"I hate you yeah! Let me go! I'll blow you to bits! Just wait till I get my clay hmm! I'll kill you un!" Deidara screamed.

"Shut up brat! I'll turn you into art!" Sasori yelled back. Kakuzu had his lightning type heart wrapped around Deidara to keep him from using his earth jutsus.

They threw him onto the couch and Serenity scrambled to him.

"Are you hurt?" she asked checking him for injuries. "I'm good," he muttered.

"No your not," she scolded looking at his hands. They were cut up with glass shards and his wrist had red marks from Kakuzu's threads.

"After this is over I'll heal that up for you," Serenity offered.

"Just wait till I get my hands on you you jerks. I'll make you regret coming to this world. This is America! It's a free country, you can't do this to me! America, land of the free! I have my rights! America! The land of the free baby!" Ashton screamed as Kakuzu took his hand off her mouth.

Upstairs June was in a deep sleep as Itachi and Kisame guarded her.

They sat at the end of the bed in silence.

"You really love her don't you?" Kisame asked breaking the silence. "Yes," was Itachi's simple reply.

"Good, I've never seen you smile like that, except when I trip or your eating dango," Kisame chuckled quietly.

"I don't know how to explain it," Itachi said quietly.

"It's alright, you do t have too. I'm glad your happy. It's a nice change to see my partner smile."

"Why didn't you capture us?" Itachi asked.

"Your my partner," Kisame replied. "I hate liars and those who are not loyal. Pein lied to us, he told us he wouldn't be killing the girls. Not that I care personally for them, but I have taking a liking to June. He lied to us, I don't think I can be loyal to a lier, but you don't lie Itachi, not to me."

Itachi nodded his head and coughed lightly. "Kisame, you don't know," he whispered in a low tone.

"If you lied to me it would be to protect something more than me. My loyalties lie with you more. I trust y-"

Itachi looked over at Kisame to see his eyes roll back and drop to the ground. Behind him was Zetsu holding a kunai.

Itachi jumped to his feet and whipped his head towards June.

"Shh, you don't want to wake her," a deep voice chuckled. Itachi turned his head to see Madara.

He was holding a kunai to her neck as she slept. "It would take a slip of the hand to end it all," he whispered.

"Come downstairs now, and be carful not to wake June, she would give us trouble."

Itachi growled and looked down at Kisame. "What of Kisame?" Itachi asked calmly despite in the inside being panicked.

"Don't worry, Zetsu will take him downstairs," Madara said. Itachi carefully made his way to the side of the bed and picked up June quietly.

"Don't try anything, Madara," Itachi growled pulling June closer to him.

"I wouldn't dream of hurting your June-chan," Madara taunted in his Tobi voice holding a few strands of her hair. Itachi pulled away and shielded June.

Itachi carefully made his way the door and headed downstairs.

As he walked down he held his finger to his mouth. Serenity and Ashton automatically became quiet and made room for her.

"There were many interruptions tonight. There will be consequences, especially you two," Pein spoke looking over at Serenity and Deidara.

"I was defending-" "I don't want to here it," Pein barked. He rubbed his temples and put up his finger giving her the universal signal to come here.

"Come," he demanded. Serenity skittishly got up and walked towards him.

"Kneel on the ground," he commanded. Pein wheeled back his leg and sent it forward.

"I have been kind *kick* to you. My patience *kick* has ran out *kick* though. I figured if I wasn't *kick* so commanding, you'd *kick* respond better, but you have taking us *kick* lightly. As if we were some friendly *kick* stranger."

"This world is not forgiving, this world only provides hate and pain for people like you. God is not always forgiving and merciful," Pein lectured.

"Your not God!" Serenity cried.

Serenity hung her head down not wanting to look up but Pein grabbed her by the top of her hair and pulled her head up.

"We are criminals, this isn't some fantasy. Get this through your head, we are not 'nice' people including Deidara. We have only chose to spare you because we found you useful.

Ashton tried standing up to her help her cousin but Konan held her arm out in front of her.

"She get hurt worse if you interrupt," Konan whispered. "Please!" Serenity cried. "Stop! It hurts!"

Everyone was forced to watch her endure the pain. As Pein abused her Ashton clutched her knees.

"I'm so sorry," Konan whispered. "It's not your fault," Ashton hissed. "Ashton, I know Serenity means so much to you and I-" "please just tell me she'll live." "She'll live. I'll make sure if it."

"Stand," he commanded. Serenity stood at his command only to be rewards with a punch to the gut.

"Turn around." And she turned around.

"You are to return to work covered up without a word. You are to go like nothing ever happened and not to tell anybody what happened. Understood?" Pein asked.

Serenity nodded her head as tears streamed down her eyes. "Good, for the rest of you. Let this be a lessened learned that God can be unforgiving."

Ashton shot up from the couch and slid to the ground to hold Serenity. "I'm so sorry. I'm sorry," Ashton whispered cradling her cousin's head in her lap.

Serenity coughed lightly and whispered something by Ashton's ear. "Why would you!" Ashton screamed.

This caught Pein's interest, he stopped where he was and listened. "I won't Serenity, I can't," Ashton said.

"Fine," she said looking into Serenity's eyes. "Serenity says she forgives you," Ashton said looking at Pein. "And... and... I forgive you to even though I hate you."

Pein chuckled and walked back upstairs. The second he was gone Serenity struggled to get up.

"Lay down," Ashton said picking her up and setting her in one of the chairs in the living room.

"Deidara," Serenity choked out. "Yes hmm." Deidara was attentive to right away.

"Do you still want a sleep aid and some tea?"

Deidara nodded his head and looked down. Itachi sighed and set June down on the couch.

"I'm sorry Serenity," he whispered. "It's fine," she whispered back. Itachi help Serenity sit up and let Serenity hug him.

"Does anybody need a beer over what just happened?" Ashton asked trying to rid her shock.

"Heck yeah," Serenity laughed dryly. "Grab me one," Hidan said. Almost everyone in the room agreed as Ashton walked away to get some drinks.

"I need a smoke," Ashton whispered to herself.

So rage a bit? Tell me what you think, I will try to update by next week or sooner. I have another some what serious chapter after this but it's not really. And now a fun fact!

June is such a deep sleeper that she once slept through a tornado siren blaring next to her old house.

So I'll see you soon, till then, bye!