One Of Us (Akatsuki Fan-fiction)

Chapter 26

"You mean to tell me... you got in the way of an attack?" Pein asked.

You had just told him the mission report, and he didn't take it too well. Maybe you shouldn't have told him about that part. But he would've asked about Hidan. "Yes."

"A chakra filled attack in the shape of a shuriken?" his eyes narrowed as he looked straight into your eyes. He rested his elbows on his desk and folded his hands in front of his face, resting his chin against his thumbs. "Are you looking to be killed?"

"No," you answered. "But I won't allow the other members to die."

"We've talked about this before, Aiko," Pein stated and closed his eyes as he took a deep breath. "I told you not to put yourself in danger to save the other Akats-"

You slammed your hands on his desk, some papers fell to the floor, and you glared at him. He opened his eyes and stared back at you, unfazed by your angry glare. "What is it with all of you!? Telling me what I can or can't do?"

He frowned and stood, glaring down at you. "You could've been killed."

You gave an exasperated sigh and threw your hands in the air. "Again with this? You already said this last time! And look at me," you displayed your hands for him. He looked at your arms emotionlessly."no injuries, I'm alive and not dead!"

"I don't care," Pein answered calmly. "What would you have done if that jutsu had hit you? What yould you have accomplished then?"

"The life of a member," you answered without a second thought. "If the jutsu had hit me, which it didn't, at least Kakuzu wouldn't have been hit. Which he wasn't hit either."

"But what would you have done then?" Pein inquired. "You said that when someone is hurt, those who held that person dear to them would seek revenge. Were you even thinking about that when you got in the way of that jutsu?"

You narrowed your eyes. "What are you saying?"

"If you had been hit by that jutsu, what do you think the Akatsuki would have done?"

You stayed silent for a bit. No doubt they would have gone to get revenge. "You would've gone after them?"

"There would be no stopping us."

"The you'll just have to forgive and forget if I do get hurt."

"Aiko-"

"I don't care if I die! As long as it saves any of you, I don't care if I die!"

"But we do!" Pein shouted. He sighed and rubbed his temple. "I forbid you from endangering yourself to protect other Akatsuki members."

"What?" you growled through clenched teeth. "Why?"

"I can't risk you getting killed."

"Why not? The other members are more powerful than I am."

"That's not true," Pein stated. "I've seen you sparring with Kisame when you have the time. You almost match his skills, you're stronger than Deidara, Hidan, Tobi, Zetsu and possibly Konan as well. That's half of the Akatsuki."

"That doesn't mean anything!" you argued, your fists so tight your nails dug into your skin. A warm drop of blood trickled down the palm of your hands. "I'm not as important as they are to the Akatsuki!"

"You're right," Pein agreed. You felt something break within you but your posture didn't falter. "You hold your own importance within the organization."