VII

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Arc VII Chapter 11

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“Are you sure we got the right person, Sasori?“ Deidara?remained?doubtful.

Sasori grumbled, “I think we can trust Kakuzu?in this matter. His tracking skills are excellent. He is Akatsuki's loyal bloodhound.“

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“Fair enough.“?Deidara shrugged his shoulders and knocked on the door. They found her inn and asked the innkeeper for her room. The owner redundantly assisted. The fear in his eyes was visible.

Deidara knocked. No reaction.

Deidara knocked?a second time.?No reaction.

Deidara?knocked once more ...

“I hear you, you fucking dimwitted cretins!!! Stop disturbing my peace.“?Asami barked. The girl sounded pissed off.

The door opened and?a girl in a fluffy satin pyjama?greeted them. Her?long unkempt?hair touched?the floor.

Asami yawned and?rubbed?her sleepy eyes. Her eyes felt tired?and her hungry stomach roared, demanding a breakfast.

Asami?glared at her guests. “Who are you to disturb my precious sleep? Why do you wake me?up at such an uncivilised?hour?"

Asami narrowed her eyes. Her illustrious guests were once again from Akatsuki. They probably didn't learn their lesson last time.

Deidara blinked. Kakuzu informed?them their target?was a girl, ... but not?about her actual age. The girl was bloody young. Petite?and innocent, a fragile porcelain doll. This girl was supposed?to be Black Princess, Konoha's fearsome kunoichi.

Deidara remained cautious. “Pardon our intrusion, but we arrived to discuss matters of great importance with you.“

Asami tilted her head. “To discuss what? What do you want?“

Deidara cleared his throat. “We are searching for a certain girl.“

Asami feigned ignorance while her?reached for her?trusted?sword. They wanted trouble. They would get trouble. “Good for you, but what does the girl have to do with me?“

Deidara smiled. “You might know her.?Her name is Asami. Her hair is black and?she loves kimonos.“

“Asami ...?Asami ...?Asami ...“

“Her name sounds familiar.“?Asami tilted her head. “Why are you searching for her?“

“We are interested?in her joining?our organisation. Her abilities and capabilites would prove useful.“?Deidara smiled. Negotiations proceeded smoothly.

Asami studied her new friends. Her distrust?didn't?diminish, but they seemed reliable.

Asami opened the door and permitted?them to enter?her private kingdom. “You may enter.“

Deidara nodded and together with master Sasori invaded her room. Empty bottles littered and the sweet fruity smell of wine permeated the air.

Asami tiptoed across her?minefield without tripping and snatched the nearest chair?and bottle. The girl filled her glass and crossed her legs.

“Might I offer you a glass??Not poisoned. Promise.“

Deidara answered with a smile. “We must sadly decline.“

“Such a shame.“ Their rejection hurt Asami.

“The wine. An excellent year.“?Her lips tasted the ruby liquor, a heavy red wine.

“Tell me more about your little organisation??What do I gain from joining your side?“

Asami leaned back in her chair?and swirled her glass. Melodrama never hurt. “What can the famed Akatsuki?offer me?“

“I heard rumours. I heard you strike fear into the hearts of your?enemies.“

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Deidara contemplated. “Protection. We can offer you protection.“

Asami raised her eyebrow. His response amused her.?“Protection ... Uninteresting.“

“Do I look as if I need protection??The entire world hunts?me, but I am still alive.“

“I neither require nor desire your paltry?protection.?I want more.“

“Try again, what do I gain from joining?“

“Money, I guess.“

Asami dismissed him. “Money?doesn't interest me. I have my ways to get everything I desire without a single coin.“

Deidara fell silent and Asami?frowned. Akatsuki bored her. They offered her nothing of interest.

Asami sighed in disappointment. “I think we should end this fruitless discussion, but for the sake of curiosity, what?is Akatsuki's goal?“

Deidara hesitated. “Pain never specified, but his goal is to change?the world.“

Assami halted her glass. Her guests elicited her undivided attention.

“To change?... the world ... “?Asami's lips curved upwards. “This Pain is certainly an ambitious man.“

“Please tell me more about him.“

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Asami admired?her bewitching figure in the?mirror. Her?new?coat fit her. The?red clouds?accentuated her eyes.

Her sleeves were loose as they didn't have her size. Her figure was too short,?but?Akatsuki?had a decent?sense of fashion?at least .

When arriving at Amegakure, she would arrange for a proper?kimono version to?be tailored.

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