The Flower That Will Someday Wilt |Naruto Fanfic|

Chapter 25

Ai/Itami POV

Naruto used too little chakra while Sasuke used too much. Sakura, however, was already on the first branch. I didn't bother climbing up, since I wasn't asked to.

"Ha, what are you waiting for? Oh, you can't climb the tree? I knew I was way more superior to you." Sakura bragged, looking at her nails from her tiny little branch. It wasn't even that tall, I could practically jump to it.

Sasuke and Naruto seemed intrigued so I began walking up the tree, taking my time. I went all the way to the top, and jumped over to Sakura's tree. I walked down and stood upside on her branch. "Sakura, mind if I sit there with you?" I asked, getting a surprised shriek from her. She narrowed her eyes and humphed.

"No, you could have this tree. I can go climb another." And with that, she ran down branch. I quirked a brow and walked higher so I can practice some jutsu alone. I played with paper, turning it into different things such as flowers, figures, animals, people, etc. I wanted to learn how to do this certain jutsu I've been working on, but I need help. I looked over at Kakashi.

"Kakashi-san." I called, making him climb up where I was.

"Yes?" He queried, using his crutches to support himself.

"Can you help me develop a jutsu?" I asked, almost pleadingly. He shrugged.

"Sure."

-

I already advised Kakashi what to do. He seemed reluctant, but agreed whatsoever. He charged at me with a kunai while I stood there, doing absolutely nothing. He sliced me in halves, but all the paper fluttered behind him and stacked up, creating me. It was done.

"Thanks, Kakashi." I gratefully thanked, getting a ruffle of my hair.

Third Person POV

"It seems she's getting stronger and stronger. More like Konan everyday." Zetsu mused, watching all her movements. "The only thing is that she isn't as emotionless. And Konan doesn't have to move around, being able to beat many without breaking a sweat." Black Zetsu recalled, arguing with White Zetsu. "Yeah, but she's pretty good for her age. Konan was more outgoing and happy when she was her age, which is the complete opposite to Ai." White Zetsu retorted, seemingly pouting. "Do you think it'd be best to record this and taunt Konan and Pain to move more in exchange of Ai's life?" Black Zetsu suggested, never taking his eyes off the girl. "Yeah, but we don't actually kill her. We just use it. They won't be able to find her anyway, I'm sure of it." White Zetsu added, ripping apart from Black Zetsu. "I'll stay, you go project this to them." Black Zetsu said, getting a nod.

-

"Konan and Pain, I'd like you to see this." Zetsu said to the duo, getting a suspicious glance.

"Fine. Show me." Pain nodded, watching as Zetsu placed over a seeing Genjutsu in them. It's a jutsu that allows whoever to see in someone else's eyes.

There, in their eyes, they saw a blue haired girl creating paper flowers and letting them drift off on a river. She was alone, behind her a Genin team and a Sensei. More paper left her body as she fluttered off in butterflies, landing in a tree. She jumped off and over to some blonde boy, taking out an orange flower and placing it in his hair.

"Ah, Itami-chan! This is totally girly, 'ttebayo!" He screamed, trying to get it off. She smiled, and turned towards their direction, allowing blue orbs to be seen.

Konan gasped. "Ai... That's my daughter! I know it is." She declared, studying her features. "She's so grown up now." She then took notice of her forehead protector, along with Pain.

"So she's a Leaf Ninja... Danzo must have taken her." Pain concluded, standing up in his chair to get her.

"Not so fast." Zetsu laughed, almost evilly. "If you don't move faster then she will die." He announced, showing them Black Zetsu slitting her throat. The air went tense as Pain showed a livid expression.

"You kill her, I kill you." He growled, seeing Konan's expression also change into one of hate.

"Lay one hand on her, and I will let you die painfully." She threatened, taking a good hold of his neck. Zetsu laughed again.

"I won't, only if you continue to work and get the Jinchuriki." He bargained, getting a nod from Pain.

"Fine, but if I see that she's no longer alive, I will stop this plan."

Zetsu nodded. "Very well. You might as well start working." And with that, he disappeared through the ground. Pain balled his fists.

"Konan, inform the others that a meeting will take place now." He said nicely, which was only to her. She nodded and fluttered off in a pack of butterflies.

-

Pain showed everyone a new picture of Itami he somehow managed to get in these last 30 minutes. "We must find this girl." He ordered, not even noticing Itachi's shock. Itachi knew her, he absolutely did, and now he felt utterly stupid to have not realized her resemblance to Konan.

"Oh, so that's the fucking brat? She looks a lot like bitchy Konan, don't you fucking think?" Hidan humorlessly asked, laughing a bit.

"Yes, I do see the resemblance of the brat and you, Konan. Also, she could be a good puppet since I couldn't get you." Sasori remarked, remembering his lost fight against Konan.

"As long as she has money, I'm okay with it."

"But, we must gather all the Jinchuriki before we get her." Pain added sternly, not wanting to lose his promise to Yahiko.

They all nodded.

"Then it's settled, take all the Jinchuriki and then take her. Here's her files." Konan passed all the files out as everyone read them, and Itachi pretended to.

Hey guys! A fast update, huh? Yep! I was bored, had nothing to do. Wanted something about Akatsuki, here it is! Bam! So, I'll see you on the next update!

ThatRandomLoveStory-