It was just like any other day in the Akatsuki. However, everyone was out on their select missions. A shadowed figure made itself presence in the room of a young, orange-haired girl, who was clutching a small plush doll. It's hair was red, just like the girl's, but was holding a rubber cleaver. It had a orange and blue striped shirt and dark blue pants. The shadowed figure spoke up, "Kenta, I am assigning a recruit mission to you. Your job is to find a girl known as Hakimori Kazumi." "Hai, onii-chan," The girl spoke up, opening her Rinnegan eyes. She sat up, smoothing out the wrinkles in her black dress, fixing it's white collar. She walked over to her closet and pulled out a familiar article of clothing, the Akatsuki robe, it's size tailored especially for her. She removed the dress and put on a simple training unifrom. She buttoned the cloak as her brother spoke, "Now, you must be careful. Your target is a rogue ninja from the Land of Tea, and her methods are very different from that of a normal shinobi." "Onii-chan, you don't have to tell me that," The girl said, looking up into similar stormy, gray eyes. With that last comment, her brother hugged her before she disappeared.

"Ne, Kenta, exactly who are we looking for?" The doll asked. It had a middle toned, smart yet obnoxious voice. Unfazed by this uncommon act, Kenta replied, "Her name is Hakimori Kazumi, Boogie-kun. Onii-chan wants her to join." "Hmph, as if we don't have enough people. Do you know what she looks like?" Boogie-kun replied. "Here's a picture, Boogie-kun." Kenta said, pulling out a picture of girl in her late teens, with messy black hair and dark brown eyes. She was grinning widely, showing off abnormally sharp canines. "She looks... interesting," Boogie added. Kenta glanced at the picture and nodded.

It was near dusk when the duo arrived in a small town, bustling with shinobi and civilians alike. Laughter and the sounds of gaming machines and noisemakers filled the air. Kenta ignored the loud racket while Boogie whined a bit. She stopped at the first inn, hoping to find her target.

"Excuse me, miss, but have you seen this girl around?" Kenta asked the aged woman at the front desk. "Why yes, dear, I have. She is on the fourth floor. Room L-3." "Thank you," Kenta said, before turning away.

She made her way up to the room. Arriving at the door, she knocked loudly on it with the back of her knuckle. A loud disgruntled sound came from within the room, followed by a loud thud and a stream of curses. Stomping made it's way towards the door before coming to a halt. "WHAAAAAAAAATTT?? I didn't order room service or any of that crap..." A voice said, as the door opened. Immediately, Kenta slipped in a tackled the girl, making sure to lock the door behind them. "Are you Hakimori Kazumi?" Kenta said as she prepared a fighting stance. "So what if I am," Kazumi said, recovering from the unexpected attack.

"I am Akatsuki no Kenta. I was sent here by our leader to recruit you as a member of Akatsuki," Kenta said, straightening up. "Oh, wow." Kazumi replied. "Force will be used if necessary," Kenta stated in a rather demanding tone. "No, no, I get it. It's just that, I was kinda looking for you guys..." Kazumi replied, putting her hands up in defense. "Oh, well then. Let's go," Kenta stated glumly, hoping for a bit of challenge. Boogie-kun whispered into her ear, "She doesn't look like much. Are you sure she's the right girl?" "Positive," Kenta whispered back. "Well, then. I guess we should go," Kazumi interjected, eyes shifting in the rather awkward situation. She was carrying an average sized backpack and a gray chain-sickle wrapped itself around her waist, the blade resting in a holster.

Kenta's eyes flashed to it for a moment, before exiting the room. 'What a strange kid,' Kazumi thought to herself. 'What a strange girl,' Kenta thought to herself. 'I want waffles,' Boogie thought to himself.

Kazumi and Kenta were out of the bustling town, now speeding through the dense forest in the dead of night. It was quiet, but Kazumi broke the silence with an awkward question.

"So, Kenta-chan, who are you exactly? I feel like I've seen your face before...Maybe in the bingo book or something," Kazumi trailed.

"As I have told you before, my name is Akatsuki no Kenta. I am second in command of the Akatsuki organization, and I believe it is my brother you would recognize," Kenta answered in a monotonous tone, inwardly smiling at the honorific.

"Oh, what's with the doll? It's kinda cute and creepy in a weird way. But I doubt it's something an S-class criminal would carry around..."

"Hnn," was all Kenta said. Kazumi sped up, and flew in front of her, now speeding backwards. Kenta looked at her questioningly. "Can I touch it?" Kazumi asked, arms reaching out.

"NO! ONLY KENTA CAAAAAAAAN!!" Boogie suddenly yelled, flailing his arms.

"Woah! That's cool! How the hell did you do that?" Kazumi asked, eyes widening in awe.

Kenta remained silent as Boogie blabbed, Kazumi all too eager to learn about the weird doll.

"You know, Kenta-chan, you're a lot more quiet than most kids around your... Er, exactly how old are you?" Kazumi said, not quite sure of what to say. Kenta kept quiet. Kazumi shrugged it off, thinking it was nothing.

"We'll stop here for the night," Kenta said, stopping abruptly, jumping into the clearing below.

"Okay," Kazumi replied, settling herself at the base of a tree. Deep brown eyes lingered to the younger girl, who held Boogie closer as she jumped into a shadowed tree.

Kazumi yawned rather loudly, and played with the spiked ball at the end of her chain-sickle. She stood up immediately at the sound of rustling bushes, the unrecognizable chakra putting her on her guard.

"Well, well, Kakuzu. Look what we have here," a voice said as two tall figures stepped out of the darkness. One had silver hair slicked back while the other was covered up entirely except for his eyes. The visible skin was tan and he was collasal in height.

"She looks perfect for my ritual," the silver haired one replied. Kazumi's heart skipped two beats as she looked into violet eyes. She inwardly howled like a wolf at the man's bare chest. Trying to keep in a nosebleed, she tore away from his face, only to realize that the two men where wearing the same clouded cloak as Kenta. "Holy crap," she muttered under her breath. "Hidan, shut up," the taller replied.

'His name is Hidan... Kami-sama, I think I'm going to die...' Kazumi replied, wishing Kenta was with her, and hoping that she wouldn't die of bloodloss from the giant nosebleed she felt coming. She snapped out of her ogling daze when a large three-bladed scythe flew her way.

"You will become part of my ritual, and I'm sure Jashin-sama will be pleased."