Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Demons amoung the Akatsuki ❯ Chapter 9

Chapter 9

The next morning…

 

Keyoko felt someone lightly shaking her; pulling her out of her dreams. She opened her eyes to Sasori's smiling face. “Good morning. I figured I'd spare your friend the trouble of waking you. You want some breakfast?” Sasori's tone was laughter-hinted. Keyoko nodded, but quickly realized that she was still wearing her skimpy nightgown. She sat up, still covering herself with the blanket. “Well, this is awkward. Sorry, I tend to oversleep sometimes. Just give me second to get dressed, and I'll met you in the kitchen, kay?” Sasori chuckled. “Don't be sorry, it was I who intruded in the first place. I'll see you in the kitchen.” He straightened his form and headed for the door. Once it'd closed behind him, Keyoko got out of bed and quickly got dressed.

She entered the kitchen a few minutes later to find Deidara, Sasori, and Akazaku waiting. All the while, Zetsu, Itachi, and Kisame were finishing the last of their breakfast. “Sorry guys, I guess I overslept.” Keyoko admitted, scratching the back of her head. Akazaku grinned. “You always were a rock-hard sleeper, Keyo. That's why I always had to be there to watch your back at night.” Keyoko stuck out her tongue. “No one likes a braggy butt, Aka. Besides, at least I don't snore like you do.” Before Akazaku could retort, Deidara motioned to the refrigerator. “Don't fight or Keyoko won't have time for breakfast.” Keyoko nodded as she stepped towards the back of the kitchen. Opening the cold metal door, she spotted a rather large green apple. She plucked it off the shelf and closed the door. `Yes, my favorite. But I don't have time to eat all this. Better just swallow.'

She raised it to her mouth, and popped it in. `Gulp,' the apple was gone and Keyoko soon found several staring eyes upon her. Sasori was the one to speak up. “You have about ten minutes before we have to go to the meeting room. You could've finished it.” Keyoko immediately grew red, but she tried to keep it cool. “Well, it's more fun that way.” The others shrugged as the members at the table cleaned off their dishes and left. Deidara took this as a hint and proceeded to lead the rest out. They reached the meeting room just as Leader was about to start. He gave them a short speech about the day's activity; the rules, the location, etc. Soon afterwards, every member headed for the entrance; just as the day before.

As the group walked, Akazaku automatically fell in step with Deidara. She frowned as she noted the worried look on his face. “What's wrong? Ya worried about me?” Deidara raised his head and smiled. “No, no; on the contrary, I was worried about myself. I know how brutal the two of you can be.” Akazaku smiled as well. “You won't take it easy on us, will you?” He shook his head. “I could never do that. I want the two of you to join us, but not if Leader doesn't deem you worthy.” She nodded in agreement. “Good, I wouldn't have it any other way.”

As the two of them continued their conversation, Sasori and Keyoko talked as well. “You nervous?” Sasori's tone was laughter-hinted; he knew that even if she was, she wouldn't admit it. Keyoko shook her head. “Nah, I've been flying since I was four. I don't much of a challenge in a large clay bird.” Sasori smiled, somewhat wickedly. “Don't get too cocky, Deidara's pretty fast. But, since you're my friend, I'll let you in on a little secret.” Her eyes lit up. “What secret? A flaw in his technique?” He nodded. “You see, his birds are very fast. However, they each have one weakness alike. Their wings are fragile on the underside. All you have to do is cut those sides, not even all that badly, and the bird's speed will at least decrease by half.” She frowned. “I don't know, isn't that cheating?” He shook his head. “No, technically all that Leader said was no teleportation jutsus. Plus, it's more of an advantage really.”

Finally, they all reached the designated spot; which had been scouted for the day before. It was a large clearing, not far from Keyoko and Akazaku's old tree house, that was nearly surrounded by trees on all sides. The leader raised a hand to halt the others. Wordlessly, he motioned for Deidara to come closer. The blonde man nodded and obediently walked forward; to the heart of the bare land before him. Since the three of them had already discussed the aerial course they planned to take, they were as ready as they'd ever be. Leader cleared his throat; signifying that he was about to make an announcement. “Alright, you three know what to do. So, whenever you're ready, go.” Deidara nodded, pulling out his little yellow backpack. He unzipped it, pulled out a palm-sized hunk of clay, and inserted it into his right hand-mouth. A tiny bird popped out a second later. He then performed his trademark hand seal; causing the bird to grow five times the size of Deidara. He leapt into the air, landing smoothly on the now-enormous bird's back.

Both girls had waited until he had finished before sprouting their wings. (They couldn't help but stare at his awesome clay-work.) The two of them then performed their individual hand signs and focused on their backs. (They didn't need to use seals to activate their wings, but they didn't want the others to get suspicious.) Out of Akazaku's back sprouted large black and silvery phoenix wings. Keyoko's wings were broad black and violet dragon wings. They each stretched their wings out to their full wing-spans. Akazaku grinned. “It's been a while since we've used these.” Keyoko nodded. “Let's give them a work-out, then.” Deidara's head turned towards them. “Ready?” They nodded.

“3, 2, 1, Go!” The rest of Akatsuki shouted in unison. Deidara's bird flapped its enormous clay wings; gaining flight immediately. Akazaku and Keyoko did likewise, shooting upwards like a pair of bullets. The clay master flew forward while increasing his elevation. Both girls remained hot on his trail. After about ten minutes had gone by, Deidara had managed to keep his place in first. But then, both Jinchuruki appeared on either side of him. The stone nin frowned; devising a tactic to pull far ahead. He made the bird cork-screw forward, in a quick burst of speed. However, in the process the bird's left wing collided hard with Keyoko; knocking her off balance and nearly unconscious. Her body began to plummet to the ground.

Akazaku's eyes widened. “Keyo!” She shot downwards towards her falling friend; catching her in her arms. Keyoko quickly reopened her eyes to Akazaku's concerned face. “You okay, Keyo?” Keyoko smiled. “You saved me, of course I'm okay.” Akazaku looked up at Deidara's fading image. “Yeah, but Deidara's getting away…” She more mumbled to herself rather than speaking out loud, but Keyoko heard her. Keyoko's eyes suddenly filled with anger as she jumped out of her savior's arms. “That jerk tried to kill me, didn't he?! He's gonna get it!” Akazaku grew scared; she'd never seen the always-happy Keyoko this angry in one moment. Keyoko's fists began to tremble as her eyes changed once more. Then, at an unimaginable speed, she shot off towards Deidara. Akazaku was right behind her.

“Watch where you're going next time, asshole!” Keyoko's furious tone from behind caused Deidara to turn his head. His eyes widened as she closed in faster than he'd expected. He grew scared once she'd suddenly disappeared. She had flown below the bird as he blinked and began a quick series of hand seals. “Blizzard Dragon Claw Jutsu!” Her hands widened and grew sharp as ice began to spread all across them. With the ferocity of a beast, she clawed mercilessly at the bird's underbelly. Satisfied with her attack, she flew in front. She turned her head and smirked evilly; watching the bird along with Deidara plummet through the sky.

Deidara's face was full of pure terror as the bird faded away to nothingness; leaving him to fall helplessly. Akazaku, who hadn't been far off, swooped towards the second victim of the hour. She caught him in her arms as easily as she'd caught Keyoko. “Are you alright, Deidara?” He nodded shakily. “What's wrong with her?!” Akazaku shrugged as she picked up speed. “She yelled something about you trying to kill her and then she went crazy. She does have quite the temper once it's released.” She sighed as Deidara's eyes widened. “Oh no, I hit her? I thought she was far enough out that I'd miss her. I didn't mean it.” Akazaku nodded. “I know.” Deidara's face then grew embarrassed. “I didn't bring any spare clay, so do you mind flying me to the end?” Akazaku giggled. “Of course not, silly. I love ya too much to just dump you down.” He laughed as well as she increased her speed once more.

Her smiled soon faded as she was left with her own thoughts for a moment. She'd been so worried that Keyoko was going to kill Deidara earlier. `No, she'd never do that. She knows how I feel about him. But why did she only attack the bird? She was angry enough to take him out on the spot. Hmm..' Deidara raised his eye to his rescuer; observing her eyes. “Did Keyoko's eyes happen to change when she attacked my bird?” Akazaku's eyes widened once more. “What did you say?” Deidara repeated himself calmly. “Her eyes were monstrous and scary. I really thought she was going to kill me. Do your eyes change when you sprout your wings?” Akazaku nodded. “How come your eyes haven't changed?” He added to his previous question. Akazaku sighed. “Our eyes change as part of our bloodlines. We can choose to change them, but they also change automatically when we're extremely angry or hurt.” She then grew quiet to signify him to stop asking questions. She doubled her speed as she realized that she could no longer see Keyoko.

A few minutes later, the two of them rejoined Keyoko at the finish line. Keyoko's eyes had returned to normal, as did her smile. “We won Aka, we won! Now we're even closer to becoming members!” Her companion nodded and smiled nervously. She had decided not to say anything because she knew only too well what it was like to be overtaken by a demon's rage. She allowed Deidara to stand on his own feet once more before taking a good look around. The three of them were surprised that the others had decided to wait today. They had formed a circle around the three of them. Leader took a step forward. “Alright everyone, let's head back. It is apparent that Akazaku and Keyoko are victorious. We'll discuss the final task tomorrow.” He then led them all back the way they'd come; the second task was over.