[kararayn]

Fallen - Chapter 3: Cling to Life

*Flashback*
Hearing the soft steps of several persons, she found herself, looking up into the faces of Hoshigaki Kisame, and Itachi Uchiha. Staring up at those onyx eyes, and the blank face. His eyes narrowed, as she didn't speak, and she turned to his blue - skinned partner. He had set down his trademark, Sameheda, and knelt in front of her, meeting her on eye level. He only nodded slowly, seeming to know the question, she couldn't bring herself to ask.

Is he really gone?

Unable to hold back any longer, she screamed, her voice breaking with sheer pain. Her tears began to stream down her cheeks, and her body was wracked with sobs. Itachi glared at her fiercely, but Kisame raised his hand to stop him from saying it, shaking his head. "Let's go.." Itachi growled, annoyed. Strapping his sword to his back, he picked her up slowly. She didn't fight his hold, and simply cried into his chest; even as they took off, taking her away, while Kisame carried her in his arms, she only sobbed, finally, slowing down into a low murmur, though her tears wouldn't seem to stop.

The Uchiha had put a good bit of distance between them, after they began the long walk, to the hideout. Irritated, by the girl's muffled sobs, and even more by his partner's refusal to set her down yet. Kisame sighed, but entered the office after him, nonetheless. Walking over to the desk, he nodded to the orange-haired man, waiting for them. Itachi brushed past, hurrying away, after being dismissed, while he turned to the one known as the Leader, receiving only a raised brow.

"I see your mission was successful.." the shadowed form spoke.

"Hai, Pain - sama.." Kisame, set her to her feet now. She looked up at him, seeming to only realize now, her surroundings had changed. Glancing back, and forth between both men, her eyes went wide with fear.

"Kisame..you are dis.."

"Can he stay?" she interrupted, only to cover her mouth afterwards.

"I suppose.." the shadow nodded.

"Where am I?"

"Curious one, aren't you?"

"Um..yes?" This only made the men laugh.

"Kara Rayn...you have a choice. You can either stay here, and work for the Akatsuki, or you may choose the alternative," Pain said, becoming serious once more.

"I'll stay," she said, calmly.


"Don't you wish to hear the alternative?" His brow raised again.

"I thought it would be death, so i'd rather not have asked." Kisame smirked a little at this.

"Yes, it would have," Pein nodded, seeming satisfied with her answer. "You are going to be our medic, under Zetsu. Kisame, you will be in charge, of introducing her to others, for now."

"Which room is hers?" The shark-man asked.

"You and the others, will have to figure out who she'll room with."

"Um...Leader - sama?" she whispered.

"Yes?" He looked back over at her.

"Um...would you have a moment, where i could speak to you alone, later?"

"If your gonna try to kill him, remember there's the rest of us too," Kisame warned.

"It's not that..." she looked at the floor.

"I'll.. call for you later," Pein said, waving toward the door. "You are a part of Akatsuki now."

***

Kisame led her back out through the doors, only for her to walk straight into a red - haired puppet master. She squeaked in surprise, and apologized quickly. The man only looked at Kisame blankly. "Kara - san, this is Sasori," Kisame introduced him, with a nod. "He's..."

"I can introduce myself," Sasori stated. He looked her up and down, for a few minutes. " Well, your smarter than most fools I've met. You might actually survive here." He returned her bow slightly, before walking away.

Blinking for a bit, he motioned for her to follow, and led her down the hallway. "Down there is the Kitchen, and that's one of the bathrooms.." She could only nod, and hope to remember what he told her. She stopped in the doorway, and froze, even as he tried to waved her over to a group of men, playing cards at a table.

"K...kara - chan?" a certain blonde stammered. "Why are you here, un?" He had dropped his cards as soon as he saw her, his mind no longer on the game.

"D...Deidara-kun?" she whispered.

He stood up then, ignoring the others surprised looks, and starting walking over to her. He had noticed her face was red, and puffy from crying a long while. "Kara - chan..why are you here?" he repeated, since she didn't seem to hear the first time. "What happened, un?"

"H...hiroshi..."

"Hiroshi-san?" he blinked in surprise. "What about him, un?"

"H..he..he's g-gone..." she mumbled, clearly struggling to get the words out, before she started to cry once more, and hiding her face in her hands.

"Damn it. Would someone fucking shut that bitch up?" Hidan grumbled, annoyed.

"Shut the hell up, Hidan!" Deidara growled, surprising him.

"Why the fuck should I?" the Jashinist demanded.

"Hiroshi was her fiance, un! They were supposed to get married tomorrow!" Deidara yelled at him, before turning back to her.

"How the hell was I supposed to know.." Hidan grumbled, but softer this time.

"Kara - chan, what about the baby?" Deidara asked, patting the girl on her back, after kneeling next to her.

"What baby?" Kisame asked this time.

"She's pregnant, un," Deidara said simply, before looking at her, and sighing. He picked her up bridal style.

"Where are you going?" Kisame asked.

"She can stay with me, and Danna," Deidara replied, carrying her off.

"I'm supposed to introduce her to everyone.."

"Later, un. I'll do it."

"Alright. but you can deal with Pain, on your own if you forget."

***

He went to set her to her feet, only to realize she'd fallen asleep. Shaking his head, he opened the door, and found Sasori glance over at him curiously. "She's going to room with us," Deidara said, laying her down on his bed, and tucking her into the covers. He bit his lip, waiting for the argument, but was surprised when none came.

"We already have Tobi here.." Sasori stated.

"Danna...please.." he sighed softly. "She is the only reason you, and I are even alive, after all."

"So she's...?"

Deidara nodded, thinking back to how Tobi had explained how she had brought him back; knowing full well it was real, as he had seen her bring back Sasori, for himself. "Tobi's friends with her, un," the clay artist chuckled. "He might actually listen if she's around."