The Red Flames

*Akatsuki Hideout*

Itachi P. O. V

Me and Kisame just finished capturing Yonbi when leader called us.

- You're late. - Pain said.

- We just finished hunting the jinchuuriki. We're late because we had to bind him so he wouldn't escape. So, why are we being summoned? - Kisame said.

- There's some information I wanted to share with you right away. - Pain stated.

He must wanna tell them about Orochimaru's death.

- Orochimaru has been killed. - Pain stated.

- After leaving the Akatsuki 10 years ago, his death finally came to him, eh? That means Hotaru carried out what she promised, that kid is something. I wanted to see how he died and I wanted to see how the Zombie Twins died. - Kisame said. - Hidan and Kakuzu were still one of us. Watch your tongue. - Pain said to Kisame.

- Gomen. So the ones who killed Hidan's team back then were... - Kisame said.

- They were people from Konoha. - White Zetsu said.

- It was Kakashi and the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki platoon, including Hotaru. - Black Zetsu said.

- Hotaru-chan?! And that platoon is strong, isn't it? They punched Deidara-san full of holes, too. - Tobi stated.

- TOBI!!! YOU ASSHOLE, JUST SAY ANOTHER WORD! MY PATIENCE CONTAINER IS ABOUT TO EXPLODE, HN! - Deidara said mad.

!

- Easy, easy, easy! If your patience container is a bag of your patience, Deidara-san then like your bag of exploding clay, you'd just shred it to pieces immediately. - Tobi stated.

- DAMN YOU, TOBI! I'LL KILL...! Deidara started.

- Deidara, calm down. You'll prove Tobi right. - Pain said.

- Tch. - Deidara said.

- I made senpai angry! - Tobi said.

- And Toni, you're always saying too much. You're angering your senpai. - Pain stated.

- Hai! I'm sorry! - Tobi said.

- How will we catch the remaining Jinchuuriki like that? - Kisame asked and Pain sighed.

- Anyway, whoever killed Orochimaru must've been something else. Who was it? - Kisame asked.

- Uchiha Sasuke. - Pain answered.

- I was supposed to be the one to beat Orochimaru up, hn. - Deidara said.

- Impressive. Nothing less from Uchiha Itachi's little brother. - Kisame said.

- He's currently going around gathering companions. Moreover, they're troublesome shinobi. - White Zetsu said.

- Which means? - Kisame asked.

- You should know one of them, Kirigakure's Houzuki Brother. He's one of them. - Pain informed.

- Suigetsu, huh? That takes me back. - Kisame stated.

- Juugo of the scaled is with him as well. You need to stay alert... all of you. - Pain told us.

- Why? - Deidara asked curious.

- Because... our pupil is with him as well. - Pain answered.

They widened their eyes in surprise.

- Heee! The Red Flames is full of surprises! - Kisame exclaimed.

- Itachi, Kisame... he'll most likely be targeting you. Don't forget that Hotaru is with him, if they learn too much about Itachi and Kisame they may target the Akatsuki. - Pain explained.

- Kisame what kind of guy is he, that Suigetsu, hn? - Deidara asked.

- It was 10 years ago. He was a kid with a cute face and was always smiling. He was a prodigy who was called the second coming of the Demon Zabuza. - Kisame explained.

- They sound like an interesting group then, hn. - Deidara stated smirking.

- Hang on, hang on! Don't you have a weird interest in them? I'd rather not get involved with them! Didn't you hear Leader-sama?! HOTARU-CHAN IS THERE TOO and she's SCARY when she's angry!!! - Tobi complained. - Itachi and Kisame, hurry up and bring the Yonbi here. We're going to seal him along with the Sanbi. - Pain told us.

- Understood. - I said.

With that we left... Hotaru... Sasuke... at least you're together again.

*Meanwhile back to Team Hebi*

- I'm at my limit... can we stop for a while? - Suigetsu asked.

I sweat dropped.

- With the way you walk, we're never gonna get there! - Karin said mad.

- Yeah, sorry but unlike you, I have a delicate composition. - Suigetsu stated.

- Huh! Why don't you just evaporate, water monster?! - Karin said.

I stopped... monster... Sasuke putted a hand on my shoulder and gave me a sympathetic look... and also a "please don't kill her" look so I wouldn't lose my mind.

I just nodded slightly.

- Why don't you get lost?! Weren't you supposed to be going somewhere else? - Suigetsu said to Karin which made me smirk.

- We've arrived. - Sasuke said.

Such a....... nice place?!

We were walking when Sasuke stopped and so did we.

- This is it. Sasuke stated.

- This place is sketchy. - Suigetsu stated and I nodded in agreement.

- Let's go.

Sasuke said.

Just a heads up: FindNovel.net is the only place to read the complete version of this book for free. Don't miss out on the next chapter-visit us now and continue your journey!

- A hideout in these ruins? That's a first. - Suigetsu said.

- This has nothing to do with Orochimaru. This is a weapons cache used by my clan. Here, we'll prepare for the upcoming battle. - Sasuke said and I looked down thinking about that.

- These halls all look so much alike, it would be easy to get lost. - Suigetsu stated and I smirked.

- I wouldn't mind losing Karin. - I said amused and Suigetsu just laughed.

- WHAT DID YOU SAY?! - Karin.

I looked at her and smiled.

- Anyway! The air in here is so heavy, it's stifling. - Karin said.

- I'll have to apologize for that. - we heard someone say and we turned around.

- It's been a while, Denka, Hina. - Sasuke said.

- I knew it. It's that Sasuke kid. - Denka said.

- What are you here for, meow? - Hina asked.

- THEY'RE SO CUTE!!! - I said smiling and Sasuke just gave a little smile because of what I said, no one but me notice though.

-Weapons and medicine, among other things. Preparations for the battle ahead. - Sasuke explained.

- Talking tanuki, huh? Hey, come here. - Suigetsu said going towards them and putting his hand out for them.

Denka got mad and I sweat dropped.

- They're ninja cats, aren't they? - I asked Sasuke.

- Yes. - Sasuke answered.

- YOU SHOULD HAVE SAID THAT EARLIER!!! - Suigetsu said.

- Kurama, could I use your eyes for a moment?

- What for?

- I WANNA PET THEM!

- Such a lost cause.

I pouted.

- Pretty please!!!

- Fine brat.

I went towards them and started petting both of them.

- HEEEE!!! How come you can pet them and I can't?! - Suigetsu said.

I just smiled and Sasuke smirked.

- Did you bring a gift for us, meow? - Hina asked.

Just a heads up: FindNovel.net is the only place to read the complete version of this book for free. Don't miss out on the next chapter-visit us now and continue your journey! - Here, a bottle of matatabi. - Sasuke said.

Hina jumped and got it from his hand.

- Much appreciated, meow. - Hina said.

- Come with me. I'll bring you to Old Lady Cat. - Denka said.

With that we went. When we got to her Sasuke got my hand and made me go sit beside him in front of the lady.

They talked for a bit then he said.

- I am indebted to you, Old Lady Cat. - Sasuke said.

- It's been quite some time since we've last meet, yet you're still in such a rush. And I see you already found the one. - she said looking at me which made me blush a bit.

- It's a pleasure to meet you, my name is Namikaze Hotaru. - I said smiling sweetly.

She widened her eyes a bit.

- I have something important to take care of. - Sasuke said.

- As I expected, you intend to go after Itachi. I've known you both since you were little, but I never expected things to turn out this way. You 2 are all that remains of the Uchiha clan and now you'll both be fighting to the death. - she said. I looked down sad duo to what she said.

- We're leaving. Thank you for everything. - Sasuke said giving her the money which made her sigh.

We were about to leave when Denka came to my shoulder and whispered so only I could hear.

- Old Lady Cat said. Please take care of Sasuke. I'm glad he chose you... Red Flames.

I smiled and whispered.

- Tell her thank you... and I will.

With that Denka left.

- What did the cat want? - Karin asked and I glared.

- None of your business!!! - I said.

Suigetsu laughed and Sasuke smirked.

- What are you thinking about kid?

- About what the Old Lady Cat said back there.

- What about it?

- They'll be fighting to the death and I can't do anything to stop them Kurama. I know what it's going to happen but I just... Why?

- It's Itachi wish kid.

- I know, but still... it hurts.

- I'm sorry kid.

- Yeah... me too.