So I thought this chapter would be longer -_- i tried my best to make it as long as possible as u can tell that i tried on the details

Jeez im dissapointed in myself, i worked on this chapter during the hurricane which got me out of school for a week XD lol im happy about that haha but i think i worked harder on this story than on Two Paths, could've put more into that but oh well

enjoy

Rain was falling from the dark grey sky making the village below gloomy and depressing. The people below were all wearing cloaks protecting themselves from the rain. Hardly anyone was out; the ones that walked about were heading to either a store or home. Ninja occasionally would walk amongst the villagers looking out for their safety. Along the gates were Rain ninja looking out for any outsiders that would be a threat to their peaceful village.

Three figures emerged from a tall building wearing black cloaks with a red cloud design on them along with a bamboo hat covering their faces. Two of the three were tall while the other was small hunched over. The three walked as the rain poured down on their cloaks sliding down their hats as they headed south to their destination. While two of them were walking side by side, the other stayed a little behind.

One in particular was lagging behind watching as the rain fell down from the sky onto their hand that they were holding out in front of them. They watched as the rain hit their hand and rolled down their palm to the back of their glove covered palm. As the wind blew their short black hair it went along with the wind dancing with the wind as the rain fell. The cloaks were getting soaked clinging to each of their bodies.

As they passed the villagers they looked at them in respect. They believe that the ones wearing black cloaks with red clouds are the guards and protectors of the Angel and Lord Pain. The people of the Rain didn’t know the true intentions of the Akatsuki which they plan to stay that way. The fellow shinobi of the village would bow in respect as they passed. Usually they wouldn’t acknowledge the tallest one nodded to the Shinobi.

The one couldn’t help but remember something from their past which caused them to shiver. They couldn’t tell if it was from the coldness of the rain or the memories that haunted her mind. As they walked, they looked around the village seeing the innocent faces of the villagers who believe that the village was pure. They shook their head of how naïve they could be.

“They don’t know true pain,” They thought.

 “Hurry up back there,” The shorter one demanded.

The one lagging picked up their pace catching up to the others.

“Izuka, you seem off today un.” The tallest pointed out.

“I just want to get this over with,” Izuka replied.

“So impatient,”

“I don’t blame her,” The shorter one said.

Soon it was quiet amongst them again. Once they were out of the rain Izuka took off her hat revealing the bottom half of her face covered by a mask much like Kakashi’s. Her hair was much shorter now only going down to her shoulder blades. Her facial expression held no emotion, neither did her eyes. Her cloak wasn’t like the others. It was a lot shorter going down to her thighs making it easier to move around. She wore a leaf headband with a scratch through it on her thigh indicating that she is no longer part of her village.

Since the battle with Itachi she has been avoiding him ever since. When he recovered from his injuries he had tried to talk to her but she would disappear. In order to avoid him, she accepted any mission that was given to her including the ones that involved the tailed beasts. In order to go on missions, Pein demanded that she scratch her headband proving her loyalty. It hurt her to do so but it had to be done in order to gain their trust.

So far there have been no run-ins with the Leaf since they have been laying low. When not on missions she would usually train with the other members learning all what they could teach her. During a training exercise with Hidan he cut off her hair in the process cutting it short up to the bottom of her ears. She was angered by it, she loved her long hair for her mother would always compliment on it saying how she loved her long hair. It has only been a year since that happened and she still hasn’t forgiven Hidan.

Her relationships with everyone have changed since she first got there. She would usually be seen with either Hidan or Sasori even though Sasori doesn’t practically like her but he doesn’t like anyone. She got along with everyone in the Akatsuki since she would always need an excuse to be away from Itachi. Tobi was still a mystery to her which worried her. She hasn’t sent out a letter to the Leaf in many years not wanting to blow her cover as a spy. Sending out the last letter almost got her busted by Deidara who walked in as she just sent out a panther pup.

As they got further and further from the Rain Village, it had been getting warmer. They were now able to see the sun past the clouds which was beginning to shine on their cloaks making it even warmer. In the distance they could see the beginning of the wind country. It began to get windy which spread the sand around the area. Once they reached the desert the heat intensified.

 Izuka put her hat back on shielding her face from the blowing sand. With each step they took, the bells on their hats rang. The humidity was low making breathing difficult and painful with it being saturated with moisture. The only noise to be heard was the wind blowing the sand across the barren waste land. She couldn’t imagine how a village could survive out here where crops couldn’t be produced.

Lizards were crawling along with rattlesnakes slithering on the wheat-colored sand leaving Izuka to ponder how they could survive out here. It seems like the people who live here would be lonely with no other life source to visit them. They’re all alone in the vast wasteland they call home.

The wind blew the sand all over the place sticking to the damn cloaks. Izuka looked around seeing nothing but cacti, rocks, sand and more sand. With each step they took the sand covered it leaving no trail of them.

“Brings back memories,” She sighed remember the Chuunin exams.

“So…The ones Orochimaru manipulated are ahead..yeah. It seems for some reason, he leaked out information and turned into a traitor..” The tall one spoke up.

“We don’t have a choice, it seems. I don’t know what he’s like after using that jutsu either. Is it alright just with that bag? Our opponent uses the power of human sacrifice.” The smaller one questioned.

“My jutsus are all artistic….so I came up with my favorite number 18..yeah. Because out opponent is the one tail.”

“What about you Izuka? Are you prepared?”

“I’m always prepared Deidara,” She replied.

“True….like ANBU should..un.”
Izuka's heart ached as she thought about the village she grew up in remembering everything she did wrong to end up in the Akatsuki.

Ahead the gates to the Sand village were visible. The shinobi stationed on the wall saw the three figures.

“What’s that?” One questioned.

“Looks like red clouds and black cloaks…that’s!” He thought.

“Captain Yuura!”

“Don’t worry…it’ll be over soon.”

As the Akatsuki members approached the gates, everything was silent. A figured appeared from inside the gates with a trail of dead bodies behind him.

“Well done….you remembered me?” The smaller one asked.

“Yes sir! Of course, Sasori-sama!” He replied bowing in respect.

“Alright. If you’d forgotten, I might have had to use my jutsu….yeah…”

“Since your memories have returned, you are my faithful servant.”

“Alright then, here we go.” Deidara said holding out his hand.

A ball of clay came out of the mouth on his hand the closed it then opened it again revealing a little clay bird.

“Sasori, your husband should watch too…yeah,” Deidara teased.

He let the bird fall then made a hand sign making the bird enlarge.

“We will attack the village from above.” Deidara said jumping onto his bird. “How is it? This artistic modeling….yeah”

“I can’t wait.”

“Hop on Izuka,”

Without a word Izuka hopped onto the bird behind Deidara looking down at Sasori as they took off.

"I can't hide forever, the Leaf will be notified. I might have to face my dear friends...old friends."