When Time Changes More Than One

Convinving

Aki POV

We were walking back to the Akatsuki hideout, Ace and Enzo were catching up with each other, occasionally asking me questions.

"Ya know Enzo, is was really easy to catch you this time... I've been trying to for years... it kinda hurts that you didn't come looking for me," Ace said as he placed his hand on his chest playfully acting hurt.
"I guess all the years for hiding my chakra it's slowly been tiring me out, I don't tend to hide it anymore unless necessary," Enzo said.

"You're that big of a scaredy cat that you didn't bother looking for Ace?" I asked.
"I-I'm sorry! I don't know why I was born like this, I always wished someone else took my place," Enzo cried out.
"Come on man, you're great!" Ace exclaimed.

I rolled my eyes, and turned back to them.

"Enzikins, I know you're better than this, Keiko is a nice girl. She hasn't had any Souta blood to train with... you're the only one," I said as I placed my hands on my hips.
"We'll talk it out no worries," Ace said.
"Will I be able to ask questions?" Enzo asked.
"Well you already asked one, but if you're talking about inside the hideout yes," I said as I turned back around and kept walking. "It's better if you preserve them for when we get there."

"How far are we?" Enzo asked.
"Not too far," Ace responded.
"Will people be there?"
"Most likely."

~•~

"And here we are," I said.
"Man... looks cozy," Enzo said sarcastically.
"I know right," Ace said.

"Ace Ace! Aki Aki!" I heard someone shout.

We turn to see Tobi walking towards us.

"Ah Tobi!" Ace exclaimed.
"Who's the blonde?" Hidan asked as he submerged.
"Enzo, the Phoenix," I said.
"You actually found him b*tch," Hidan said.

I nodded.

"Where's Pain and the rest of the members, we gonna sit him down and talk," I said.
"They'll be back soon," Itachi said.
"O-other people?" Enzo stuttered.
"Don't worry, they're not gonna kill you unless you say something stupid... so be careful what you say, and don't talk unless you're ask questions," I warned.

Enzo nodded in fear.

"While we wait for the other people, this is our hideout obviously, here we talk about certain stuff. We'll discuss our plan once you meet everyone else," Ace said.
"They're coming in," Kisame said.

We soon see everyone pour into the room.

"Ah so you've found him?" Pain asked.

Ace and i nodded.

"Well... Introduce," Pain said.
"Everyone this is Enzo, Enzo, that's Pain, Kisame, Tobi, Itachi, Hidan, Sasori, Deidara, Kakuzu, and Konan," I said.
"Hello," Enzo said nervously.
"Why'd you bring him to the hideout brat?" Konan asked.
"We settled this before, Ace and I were gonna find him and take him here," I said.

"Pain... you can't just let her bring in an outsider!" Konan exclaimed.
"I trust her," Pain responded.
"Tch, I'll kill her one day," Konan said as she stormed off.

"Sorry about that Enzo, Pain, is it okay if we use the meeting room so we can talk in private?" I asked.

Pain nodded.

"Great! Come on Enzo," I said as Ace and Enzo followed me.

We sat down.

"Okay, so here's the plan... you're gonna go to Konoha, and train Keiko, simple," I said and I crossed my arms.
"B-but, I'm sure she's gotten stronger on her own," Enzo stuttered.
"Okay and? It isn't Souta power. I left Keiko 3 years ago for power to protect, Maybe it wasn't the best choice but look at me now... I can kill you in an instant," I said making Enzo freeze.

"Aki, tone it down, you were chosen to be the Phoenix right?" Ace asked.

Enzo nodded.

"I just fear that I'm not strong enough," Enzo said.
"We're never strong enough... you can become stronger with her, and become an unstoppable team, I mean look at Ace and I... he's become my best friend... Keiko needs that support from someone from the side she was named after," I explained.

"Aki is right, we're meant to care and protect our subordinates... if she dies... you die... do you really want that?" Ace asked.
"N-no!" Enzo responded.
"You can do it, don't do it for Ace and I, do it for Keiko and yourself," I said.

"Mmmmm," Enzo hummed unsurely.

"Take some time to think about it, but I have questions for both of you to answer now that I have you two here," I said.

Enzo and Ace turned to me.

"Enzo you're full blood Souta, Ace you're full blood Heikima, you two were born from the enemy clan yet you worked together, did your parents know? Unless you hatched from eggs," I said.

"Enzo, you explain," Ace said as he later back in his chair.

"I was trained by your mother, from birth we didn't see each other as enemies," Enzo said.
"Oookay, but what about your parents?" I asked.
"Disclosed information," Ace said.
"Fine fine, so you were there when they killed off each other?" I asked.

Enzo nodded.

"Enzo was such a scaredy cat ha!" Ace teased and Enzo pouted.
"A lot of stuff doesn't add up," I said as I held the temples of my head.
"I know... but we aren't allowed to tell you," Ace said.
"Why not?" I asked.
"Your parents said not to," Enzo said.

"Understood then, but I'm still very confused," I said.
"You'll understand one day," Enzo said. "I have questions."
"Ask away Enzikins," I said.

"Well, should you and Keiko be close?" Enzo asked.
"We should be... she doesn't understand, shoot, even I don't understand why I decided this path if it hurt so many people... I guess we'll find the answer one day," I responded.

"Do you know any specifics on Keiko?"
"Not really, She has gotten stronger indeed," I said.
"Okay.... so what's the plan?" Enzo asked.
"Well ya se- wait wait you gonna go a long with it?" I asked.

Enzo nodded.

"I feel bad, you and Ace seem to have a great connection, I was born to be the Phoenix so I should fulfill my job. At least try to build up my confidence," Enzo said.

"And we'll help you with that, now here's the plan. You'll stay here for let's say a couple weeks... you gonna be training me, why? Because I have Souta blood running through me as well I need to at least know some techniques. After a lil training, we'll give you more details," I explained.

"I'm not apart of the Akatsuki right? It's not a commitment I can take," Enzo said.
"No worries, you just need a place to stay," Ace said.

"Another question, anyone else has been training you?" Enzo asked.
"Yes Pain, he's the one who called me to join, look more details in the morning... it's getting late and I'm exhausted," I said.
"Yeah we should rest and continue the story telling tomorrow, Enzo you'll be staying with me," Ace said.

I got up.

"See you guys," I said as I walked out the room.

I walked my way to my room and plopped down on my bed.

'We found Enzo... he'll be able to go to Keiko... finally'

I let my thoughts consume me as I drifted to sleep.