The Land of Rivers
(Akatsuki Base)
Deidara and Sasori returned to the base, which was located in the Land of Rivers. The blonde shinobi angrily broke the seal and the boulder, which acted as a door, rose to the air and allowed entrance to their hideout. The ex-shinobi of the Sand (Red Sand more precisely) stared at his partner before telling him that it did no good to dwell on the past and that dwelling on it would only lead to future disappointment. Deidara didn't think so but he let his anger go for the time being and just thought about how he would hurt the pretty kunoichi. They would meet again and he counted on it. Even if they didn't, he would seek her out and destroy her.
Sasori just sighed, knowing just how much of a one-track mind his partner had, before turning his attention to a hologram. The hologram was in the form of a man that had spiky hair and eyes that had multiple rings in them. This was the leader of the Akatsuki, the one who had ordered the capture of the Jinchuriki. Deidara reluctantly admitted to the leader that they had failed in their mission, but said nothing else. He was too humiliated to continue his report. His partner took up the rest of the explanation, exasperated.
"The Leaf Ninja have a new teammate." The puppet master said. "There is no known information about her."
"A kunoichi?"
Deidara growled, which earned him a reproving glance from the mysterious Akatsuki leader. The blonde shinobi was clearly having a hard time accepting the fact that he had to retreat from battle. He had to remind Deidara that retreating from battle was sometimes necessary in order to gather and compile information about unknown opponents so that they can figure out how to deal with them. Sasori reported that the kunoichi dealt in fire-based jutsus and wind-based jutsus. The leader listened very closely until he said:
"Keep an eye on her. She might become a threat in the future if she as is good as you claim she is."
"Yes, leader."
...
The Villiage Hidden in the Sand
I was dead tired. The Kazekage welcomed us to stay another day in his village, which we took up. I had taken a nice hot bath and healed most of my injuries from the battle and prepared to hit the sack. Kakashi had gone back out to send a message to the Leaf Village to tell the Hokage of our success in our mission and that the Kazekage was safe and back where he belonged. Thankfully, no one in the village noticed that the Kazekage had vanished. They had all assumed that he had some kind of mission to tend to and that he would be back in a matter of time. The Sand siblings were relieved and very thankful to have their young brother back, alive and well.
I tried to keep the attention off of me, but Naruto wouldn't have it and insisted that I should get all of the credit. I was rather embarrassed, but a bit flattered as well. Naruto was a well-meaning ninja but he was living up to his hyperactive nature and I couldn't be mad at him because of that. Kakashi told him to cool it, but he agreed that I should get all of the credit because I knew what was going to happen and that I acted on my decision to save an innocent life at the cost of altering the course of history. Who knew what was going to happen next?
The Sand Siblings thanked me for saving their younger brother and that they would be indebted to me for as long as they lived. I had no idea how to respond to that, except blush. I wasn't used to such humility and kindness but it was a good feeling to be exposed to. However, I knew that not everyone would be humble and kind. This was the ninja world, for heaven's sake! There were going to be ninja that would be extremely cruel and ruthless, just like the ones I faced off with, today.
Time to call it a day. I thought.
I turned out the lights and got underneath the covers of the blankets and fell asleep.
