Two Loves, One Fate (Itachi & Sasuke Uchiha)

№.42 :: After All These Years

REMINDER: Present Day

Chapter Forty-Two

            ⱷ Three Years Later ...ⱷ

Darkness enveloped the Akatsuki members as they surrounded the Gedo Statue; they were using an astral projection technique, which allowed them to travel in spectral form from any undisclosed location. Silence lingered among them, since this was the first time all of them had assembled in nearly three years. They each stood on one of the statue's long fingers, their wary eyes staring at their new leader.

"I still can't believe Pain killed Rei-dono just to take control." Deidara whispered so only his partner, Sasori, could hear. Sasori didn't reply, but the slight nudge of his head was enough for Deidara to understand his partner's agreement. The blonde fidgeted when Pain's Rinnegan landed on him, taking in his appearance altogether. Konan — the only female member — stood at Pain's side, her bored, yet amber eyes staring at her fellow allies. Pain looked at every member before acknowledging their meeting.

"I believe it's been a few years since you've all been together, even though your physical bodies are not here. I appreciate that you've all continued to seek the Bijuu assigned to you in pairs, but it's time for action. We must extract the Tailed-Beasts from each Jinchuriki in order from the One-Tail all the way to the Nine-Tails." Pain's gaze shifted between Deidara and Sasori, "You both were assigned to retrieve Shikaku. The Bijuu's host is the Fifth Kazekage; however, failure is not an option. Sasori, Sunakagure is your home village, so I'm only expecting the best from you in this mission."

Sasori merely nodded but Deidara's expression paled; it's true that they had all spent the last few years tracking all the Jinchuriki, but everything felt too real now that the plan was being put into motion. Pain was an intimidating force to be reckoned with, and the blonde knew that displeasing him would only result in his death. The Akatsuki had tried to lay low while they continued their search, but by actually claiming the lives of the Bijuu hosts, they would basically be alerting every hidden village of their presence. Even though he was terrified of their new leader, Deidara couldn't help but speak up.

"I understand what you want us to do, but it's going to be a difficult mission, yeah. The boy, Gaara, has recently been named Kazekage and is constantly under the village's protection. Infiltrating Sunakagure will initially put our lives in danger, hmm."

"I've placed a spy in the village as we speak. Infiltrating won't be the issue, Deidara. Taking down the Kazekage and bringing him back alive is going to be the hardest part." Sasori interrupted, knowing that Deidara's excitement could backfire on them both. The blonde bit his tongue, the dark look looming over Pain's pierced face sending a chill right through him.

"I want Shikaku's extraction to take place in a few days. I want the Jinchuriki here within the week, do you two understand that?" Pain's voice boomed throughout the cave, but no one said anything against his order. Everyone believed that their meeting was over and that they would be able to go their separate ways, but Pain's voice cut right through the thick air, stiffening everyone in their place.

"Before I got rid of Rei-dono, he relied to me some very interesting information. He spoke of a girl you've all kept hostage here, and how she might have an influence over your actions. Your dearest Serenity is now the Queen of the Snow Country, and she has allied herself with all five Great Shinobi Nations. Deidara, I want you to warn her. I don't care what threats you use, but I want her to know that there will consequences if she crosses the line and tries to thwart my plans. I'll kill her myself if I must..." Pain's voice faded as he and Konan undid their astral projection jutsu, their bodies dimming out into oblivion. Deidara's mouth was wide open in shock — he couldn't believe the task that had been given to him.