Chapter Three

“And what is we don't?” Akito said defiantly, looking the Hidden Mist girl in the eyes. Kaiyo sighed deeply and cast a glance at her partner, and silently drew her weapon. Akane and Akito never really been in a fight by themselves and were frightened because they were much stronger then themselves.
“That's fine with, me...but I'm sure you'll change your minds eventually.” Kaiyo said, her deep blue eyes flashed with anger and annoyance. She took a step forwards, the two young girls ready. Kaiyo moved so fast, they turned around and she was right there. Kaiyo hit a place on their necks and they passed out. “That was simple. Now, Koji...do you have any rope with you?”
Hours later, Akito and Akane awoke tied to a tree and the smell of something cooking on a fire. Kaiyo and her friend were sitting on a rock; watching them. “Don't even think about escaping, 'cause we'll catch you again.” Kaiyo looked at them, they looked defeated and a hungry expression on their faces, and she sighed. She got up and cut the rope with one of her kunai knives.
“Hey?! You know how long it took to tie them? You picked the biggest tree....” Koji complained, causing Kaiyo to shoot him a look of annoyance.
“How are they supposed to eat, all tied up like that? I mean, we can't starve them.” The girls stood up and stretched their legs; they were numb from sitting too long. Kaiyo handed them a cup of instant ramen and some chop sticks to eat with. The girls were delighted to have something to eat.
“So...if you're going to kill us, why are you feeding us?” Akito asked them, Kaiyo smiled slightly. This made them feel uneasy.
“we're not going to kill you, but maybe if...we could change your minds about searching for the Akatsuki?” She was different this time, she wasn't demanding; she was begging them. “They're dangerous, I still remember that day. It was five years ago....
“My family and I were not very close, since I was the only one who cared about my brother, Maro. He was always alone and no one treated him well; except for me, his older sister. I would tell him everything and one day, when he asked me why our parents hated him...I froze. I had no idea until that point that they hated him too.
“I told him that I didn't know, being only fourteen and so young, I told him that everything will be alright and it wasn't their fault...things will change...for the better; but I was wrong....” Kaiyo took a deep breath and only Koji knew that she wanted to forget that day so much. And it hurt to bring it up; but it was the reason they were searching for the Akatsuki...for revenge.
“What happened to your brother?” Akane and Akito asked in unison they were sympathetic, but they could never understand. Koji shook his head and Kaiyo looked up at him.
“Forget about it, 'kay? You never heard anything. Her brother died, that's it; end of story.” Koji said defensively. Kaiyo started laughing and remembered the times he would defend her like he just did. He was there for her, always and loved him for it; but she was too proud to admit her true feelings. Koji and the young girls were in a vivid argument at this point.
“Ok, that's enough. I have a plan.” Kaiyo said and inconspicuously brushed away some small tears with her sleeve. “We're going to take you back to that Hidden Rock village. My mind is made up and there is no way of changing it.” They girls looked at the older teen and silently panicked, before they left for this mission...they overheard the Tsuchikage saying something about two young girls going on a mission that they won't come back from. It finally accrued to them that their own people weren't wanting them to come back, and this upset them greatly. “Let's go then, to Iwa: the Hidden Rock village.”


Author's Note: Akane and Akito misinterpreted the Tsuchikage's message and it was not them that he was talking about.