It didn't take long for me to finish packing as I had fit everything I needed inside a backpack. I looked down at it curiously before beginning to doubt myself.

Was it too big?

I looked at the backpack that had been piled up to be almost the size of me.

Perhaps.

I began to fiddle with my fingers carelessly.

The silence that was inside my cottage seemed to work against me and I swallowed hard. I didn't know why...but there seemed to be nervousness growing inside of me. I had never imagined that I would travel back to Amegakure.

It had already been 10 long years since I had stepped foot in that village and my memories from my childhood there were all fuzzy.

I never met my parents, and I don't remember anything that happened to me up until I was four years old. I would never come to know where I inherited my distinct pink hair from, but I've come to accept it.

What I do remember is being raised by a man who looked nothing like me. His long black hair, green eyes and shockingly pale skin are some of the only things cemented firmly in my memory. He raised me to be the person I am today, a bit clumsy, impulsive but overall it was because of him I had a positive outlook on the world.

Although he left me when I was fifteen, I am still grateful for all the years he spent raising me. After all, he was a complete stranger.

He never did tell me his name though.

Perhaps he didn't want me to look for him or maybe he thought I would curse him for his decision to leave me but that wasn't the case. His kindness was something I would never forget, after all when I grew up I realized that many other orphans had much crueller childhoods.

After a while, I had decided to join the Akatsuki. I wanted to socialize but at the same time, I wanted to help others and that's when I met Nagato and Konan.

I broke my train of thought as I began to unpack the backpack that was obviously overpacked.

Perhaps it was because I was letting my memories run wild, but I felt more relaxed now. My mind was now clear enough to think straight and I felt as if a boulder had been taking off my shoulders.

I took all the things that were unnecessary out of my backpack and left only the things I truly needed.

I was about to take out my notepad and pen but I couldn't shake the feeling that I would need them later on so I shoved them back in and clipped the backpack closed.

I would head out immediately. I headed towards the candle that was lighting up my bedroom and looked at it with solemn eyes. I was leaving now. I took one last look around my beautiful room before blowing out the light.

---

Three days went by before I finally made it to Amegakure. It was nighttime and the moon was out. My feet were tired from the long journey and I couldn't help but feel my eyes closing with each passing second. I was forcing them to stay open as my determination to meet up with Nagato was very strong.

I sighed, as I continued to inch my feet into the grand city. As my feet walked deeper and deeper I found myself being intrigued by the scenery. The towers that surrounded me seemed to reach the sky and I couldn't help but gawk over them. Everything here looked so different than how it used to. I found it fascinating how the village that had once been covered in rubble had been rebuilt to a place where people could live in comfort.

The air was exactly how I remembered it, so moist. It was clear to me that it was going to start raining very soon.

Suddenly, I sensed someone coming towards me at a rapid pace. I looked to my left but I didn't see anything.

I narrowed my eyes and I was about to continue walking when I sensed something behind me.

I turned around at once and what I was met with made me smile.

...

"Hello Pein."

The orange-haired man looked down at me with his purple-ringed eyes before speaking, "Sana, it's been a while."

His deep voice sent chills down my spine and strangely, I felt a bit intimidated.

I could hear crickets in the distance as the night sky seemed to mask our encounter. We were isolated and the streets were so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

"You made it here quicker than I expected, " he said as he began to walk away from me.

I ran to catch up with him as I walked beside him, "I thought it would be best to come quickly. After all, you've never asked me for anything. I was a bit worried too."

He continued his walk as he seemed to approach a very high tower. I expected him to speak but he said nothing.

I bit my lip. What type of reunion was this? It was nothing like what I had imagined.

He entered one of the towers and I followed him slowly. As soon as I was inside he shut the door and spoke.

"I have something I'd like to ask you."

I blinked a couple of times at the tone of voice he was using. He was serious.

I nodded, "Sure...go ahead."

...

...

"I want you to join the Akatsuki again," his deep voice said.

I stiffened at the sudden remark.

Where was this coming from?

My eyebrow raised at him but his facial expression remained emotionless.

"Don't you think this request is a bit.... sudden?"

"I'm aware of that."

There was a silence between us.

He wanted me to come back? But...I was enjoying my life alone so much. What good could joining the Akatsuki do me? It wasn't as if I was going to gain anything.

"I don't think I can do tha-"

"Will you really deny me?"

His sudden question seemed to catch me off guard and yet again I was forced to think.

A particular memory floated into my mind. I seemed to remember... holding a comrade's hand. Usually, the hand was warm and vibrant with heat, but it was growing cold.

The reason why I had left the Akatsuki in the first place was because I had to watch all the members die. Only me, Konan and Nagato remained.

After the incident, when I told Konan and Nagato I wanted to leave I still remember how pained and saddened they looked, but despite that, they still let me go. I was able to spend 10 years of peace in my cottage because of it.

That was why...I couldn't just refuse this request. It was coming from an old friend.

I blinked a few times, "Two years, I'm willing to join for two years. Is that good enough? Will you accept that offer?"

He nodded, "That's more than enough time for us to achieve our goals."

I nodded. I felt as if I had repaid him for letting me leave ten years ago. Now I was no longer indebted to him. Of course, he probably had no idea that I felt this way about the matter. He was a good friend.

I was snapped out of my thoughts when I saw him hand me a scroll.

"One of our members recently had his partner die leaving him alone. I'd like you to pair up with him. His name is Kisame."

I stood there in silence before accepting the scroll. Kisame?

I had heard that name before. Wasn't he...one of the seven swordsmen of the mist? I felt my body stiffen at the realization.

Pein spoke, "I'll be leaving now. I have preparations to take care of."

I watched as he began to leave but he suddenly stopped. He looked back at me.

"The next time we meet...let's talk face to face. I'd like to see you in person."

I smiled at the suggestion before nodding, "I'll look forward to it," I said.

He left the tower and I immediately took a deep breath out as I tried to clear my head.

I opened the scroll that was in front of me as I looked at the name written at the top.

Kisame, huh. I wondered what he was like.

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