Konoha Times {OC x Various} Naruto AU

Chapter 36

When Madara and Nami arrived at the publishing party, they turned heads. The pair was dressed to kill in their signature head-to-toe black. Nami knew it wouldn't be long until she got a text from Tobirama. She noticed phones being pulled out to snap pictures of who was around her arm.

She began to socialize with other attendees. Many people wanted to approach her but Madara stood tall above her like a body-guard. His reputation was seeping onto Nami's, making her appear fiercer than she actually was or ever would be. Nami sensed that perhaps it would be best if she made the first moves to break the ice.

She walked up to a familiar half face, "Kakashi! How are you?"

"Nami, nice to see you again, where's Tobirama?"

Madara scowled, "I'll go get us some drinks."

Nami nodded and squeezed his hand before he stepped away. She faced Kakashi again and didn't even need to speak.

"Ah, I see. Say less, Miss Umino. Congrats on the deal."

"Thank you. They already want a sequel!"

"They would be fools not to. Allow me to introduce you to some friends."

Kakashi pulled her over to none other than Zetsu and two women.

"Nami! Hello."

"Hi Zetsu. How are you?"

"Uh, I heard about you and Tobirama. I want to apologize for my role in that."

"No need. It clearly wasn't meant to be."

"Well... uh, hey, you know Kisame, Deidara, and Sasori are here?"

"Really?"

"Let's go say hi."

Zetsu pulled Nami as she excused herself from Kakashi and the two women who were suddenly all over him. Nami stopped when she saw Hidan was also with Kisame.

"You didn't say he was here!"

Zetsu just smiled. Nami realized just how much he enjoyed the pain of others.

"His band is playing tonight, I thought you knew?"

She pulled back, "No! I don't think this is a good idea."

Before she could hide, Hidan and the others spotted her. Kisame moved quickly to pull her into a friendly embrace.

"Nami! Congrats dude, you finally got signed!"

Sasori and Deidara said their hellos and hugged Nami. The three had so many questions for her.

"So you got to stay on the island throughout filming? That's so fucking cool!"

"I fucking loved it! I can't wait for the next movie. When do you start filming?"

Nami did her best to answer them but couldn't help to look in Hidan's direction, "Hi Hidan."

Hidan grunted and walked away from the group, "I've gotta get the damn equipment set up. Kisame, are you coming or what? Fuck."

"Sorry, Nami, it was good to catch up! See ya around."

Sasori and Deidara said their goodbyes and Zetsu had disappeared altogether. Nami was alone. She sat in the corner on a puffy ottoman and again felt a darkness swirl around her.

"There you are."

She looked up to see Madara holding two scotch glasses. He saw the pained look in her eyes and handed her one of the glasses. He took out a small tablet, "Since this is a far cry from an Uchiha party, what do you say if we spice it up?"