Karin's POV

"Sheesh, and you just let her escape with the body. Some operation you run, Karin. Really impenetrable." Suigetsu said, sarcastically before taking a sip from his water bottle. "Oh, shut up! All you like to do is drink water. I bet you couldn't even stop her!" I snapped at him.

I explained to Sasuke how there was a girl who killed one of the prisoners and took his body away. After picking getting Jugo and explaining that story, Suigetsu was bugging the hell out of me. "What did this girl look like?" Sasuke asked me.

"She had short black hair, red eyes, and some weird looking things on her back." I answered. Now that I think about her, she looks familiar, like we've met before. Actually, I know I've met her before.

"That must've been that Nue girl we ran into, Sasuke. You think she was trying to send a message?" Suigetsu asked. "Possibly. We need to find her. She could have an idea where Itachi might be. Let's split up and ask around town if anyone's seen her or have any information on Itachi." Sasuke said.

"Right." We said in sync. I tried to team up with Sasuke so we could search together, but he nded up turning me down, so I went to search by myself.

Nue's POV

When morning arrived, I washed my face in a nearby lake to wash the dry tear stains off my face, then woke up Deidara and Tobi so we could get a move on. Deidara made two birds appear before us as we had our straw hats on.

"My arm's as good as new again, un." Deidara said, examining his arms. "So, which one are we going for? Sasuke or the Nine-Tails?" Tobi asked. I looked at Deidara for an answer. "Let's see. Which one should we go for?" Deidara wondered.

He grabbed my hand and we hopped on his bird as the bird began to fly towards the sky. "Hey, stop! Wait, Deidara! Wait up!" Tobi called as he jumped on the bird Deidara made for him. I stared straight ahead as we flew through the air.

"You never did answer the question, Deidara. Which one are we going for?" I asked. "You'll see." He said. I sighed and stared straight ahead as I thought about snakes. "I found him, Tobi, un." Deidara informed, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"No kidding? Wow, that was fast. So, which is it? The Nine-Tails or Sasuke?" Tobi asked as he held onto his straw hat.

"What a great opportunity. We'll go and seize it together, un." Deidara said. "So, which is it?" Tobi and I said at the same time. "Just come on." Deidara said and flew faster. "Right." Tobi said as he flew with us. "So, which is it, Deidara?" I asked.

"Don't you worry, kitten. You'll find out when we get there, yeah." Deidara said as he petted my head. "I'm pretty sure I told you not to call me by that name." I reminded him. After flying for a bit longer, we landed in a secluded space.

"I'll catch up with you guys later. You two go on ahead, un." Deidara said. I gave him a nod and he flew off. "Let's go this way, Tobi. I sense someone close by." I informed.

I began to lead the way as Tobi followed. The chakra source was getting stronger the further we walked. No doubt, we were getting close. I grabbed Tobi and hid behind a tree when I saw Sasuke. I narrowed my eyes at him as he walked forward until he turned his head in our direction.

"Show yourself. Who are you?" Sasuke commanded. I sighed in irritation before slapping my hand against my forehead. "What should we do now Nue-chan?" Tobi whispered. "Come on. If he does anything, strike him." I ordered.

Tobi and I stepped out and began to walk towards Sasuke. "I know those robes. You're with..." Sasuke trailed off as he stared at us. "So, you're Sasuke, huh? You really do look just like Itachi." Tobi commented. Sasuke glared at his comment making Tobi jump in fear.

"Scary!" Tobi quickly hid behind me. I sighed before looking at Sasuke with a frown. "What do you want?" I demanded. I glanced at the grass as I saw a shadow flew above my head, causing me to look up with a smirk. 

Sasuke looked up as well, seeing Deidara flying in the air. Deidara did a handsign and made the two birds we were flying on rocket towards Sasuke. It hit him right on target as Deidara jumped off his bird, landing next to me with a smirk.  "Right on target. Nice work, Deidara." I praised.

"We did it. We just took down Sasuke, un." Deidara said. "Nicely done, Deidara." Tobi commented as he stepped out from behind me. I looked at the spot Sasuke was recently at. But that seemed too easy. Something doesn't feel right. 

I narrowed my eyes as the smoke cleared. When it did, I saw a white snake protecting Sasuke. I should've known. "Yeah, real nice." Tobi mocked. "Quiet!" Deidara ordered him. The snake disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"I guess he's even stronger than we thought, huh?" Tobi said. "You have no idea." I said. "Did you fight him before, Nue-chan?" Tobi asked me. "A couple times." I answered. "Just imagine. Orochimaru being killed by a brat like him. Still can't believe it, un." Deidara said.

"You took the words right out of my mouth." I replied. Sasuke didn't say anything as he glared at us. "Just look at the way he's glaring at us, guys." Deidara taunted. "Ready to go, huh, Deidara? I guess you'll have to apologize to Itachi later." Tobi said.

That made Sasuke glare even more. "I doubt an apology will be coming from Deidara." I said. I stared at Sasuke emotionlessly as he stared at us with his Sharingan activated, This is my chance. My chance to kill him.

"Sharingan huh? Oh, you're Itachi's kid brother alright. You were only able to kill Orochimaru thanks to your Uchiha blood, un. You were lucky to be born into that family and nothing more!" Deidara said. Sasuke didn't say anything as he stared at us.

"Sheesh, Deidara. Don't piss him off." I mentioned. I activated my kekkei genkai just to be on the safe side. Just as I made my eyes change purple, Sasuke ran at us. He sliced Tobi with his sword while Deidara and I jumped back onto a tree branch.

I watched as Tobi fell face first to the ground. "One down. Now chatterbox, you're going to tell me about Itachi." Sasuke said. "As if." I replied. I looked at Tobi as he sat up, resting a hand on his head. "Tobi," I jumped off the tree branch, heading towards Tobi.

"Are you all right?" I asked him, helping him stand to his feet. "What are you doing, Tobi? Don't let your guard down just because he's a kid, un." Deidara called to him. I helped Tobi to his feet.

"His Teleportation Jutsu makes it too fast for both of us." Tobi whined. "Regardless, you shouldn't have let your guard down." I said to him. "Tobi, Nue! Stay back!" Deidara called. I looked at him as he threw small bombs into the air.

"Let's move!" I said as I grabbed Tobi's wrist and ran the other way to avoid the explosives. As Tobi and I were running, Tobi clumsily tripped over his feet. He tried to stop himself while tugging my hand, taking me down with me.

"You dumbass!" I snapped at him as I noticed Deidara's bombs surrounded us. "Time out, partner! No! Don't blow him up yet!" Tobi called to Deidara. "Deidara, behind you!" I called as Sasuke was behind him.

To my surprise, Deidara came prepared as he tossed back another bomb right at Sasuke's face. Right at that moment, Deidara made a hand sign and the bomb went off, smoke covering the two of them. "Deidara!" Tobi and I said in sync.

"He may have been strict, but he was a good partner. I'll never forget him. Deidara...!" Tobi began to cry. "Okay, will you just shut up already?" Deidara said as he skidded back toward us. "You're alive." I said in relief.

"And so is he." Deidara replied, looking at Sasuke, who was just a few feet away from us. I stood up and hugged Deidara, happy that he was okay. When I broke the hug, I punched his arm. "Ow! What was that for, un?" Deidara asked as he rubbed his arm.

"For scaring me. Never do it again." I said with a small frown. "It's not like I planned it, yeah." He defended. I sighed and looked over at Sasuke. "Got a Plan B?" I asked Deidara. He smirked as his reached into his clay pouch as his hands began to chew clay.

He took his hands out of the pouches and they spit out the clay, making a weird-looking art. "I think I'll play with you for a bit, un." Deidara said to Sasuke as his art began to move towards Sasuke.

"If this doesn't work out, I get dibs for fighting him next." I said. "You doubt y art?" Deidara said. "I never said those words." I replied. Sasuke got out his sword and went to slice the clay figures, but the blade didn't go through until he used his Lightning Blade to cut through the clay.

But it didn't matter because no matter how many times he'd cut the figures because they'd just reconnect themselves. "Not done yet~." Deidara sang. Sasuke continued to fight Deidara's art while cutting them with his lightning blade.

It's no use. Hasn't he learned yet that no mater how many times he cuts them, they'll just grow back? Pretty soon, Sasuke was surrounded by Deidara's art. Deidara laughed as Sasuke began to fight them again.

Using his Sharingan, Sasuke continued to fight the clay figures. I'm amazed he was able to keep up. "It's almost time, un." Deidara said as he performed a hand sign. When Sasuke sliced a figure, it exploded. "No way." Tobi said. "What's wrong?" I asked.

I looked towards the battle and saw Sasuke jump to a nearby tree. "Just as I thought." Tobi said as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Shut up." Deidara said to him, causing me to giggle slightly. I watched as Deidara's clay began to follow Sasuke into the woods. 

"Good luck trying to get away." I said. I could hear the bombs going off in the woods until there was a big explosion. Looks like Deidara got him. "How's that?" Deidara asked. "Not bad." I commented. "Wow..." Tobi chimed in.

"Guess he's not so great after all, un." Deidara said. "You might wanna rethink that. Look," I pointed near the air as there was a log soaring through the sky until it landed on the ground, Sasuke landing behind it. "He used the Substitution Jutsu." I mentioned.

"Yep. I knew it." Tobi said, nodding his head. "Just whose side are you on?" I asked him. I gave a small sigh, closing my eyes. "Anyway, you've had your fun. It's my turn." I said, opening my eyes. I took a deep breath and activated my curse mark.

"You're using your curse mark?" Tobi asked. "Are you crazy?! If you use that, you may not go back to your old self, un!" Deidara said.

"I think I can handle it. I'm gonna create a diversion. That should give you enough time do what you need to do. If I get out of control, I want you to stop me." I said as I could feel myself slipping away. "How do we do that?" Deidara asked.

"Hit me. Real hard. Don't stop until I'm back to my old self." I said before I was completely in my curse mark form.

Sasuke's POV

So, this is Nue's curse mark form, huh? But she just looks like an ordinary woman.

I gotta say, I'm a little surprised. But how strong is she compared to when she's not using the curse mark? Black feathered wings emerged from Nue's back while a snake tail grew behind her and her arms turned into skin of a tiger with matching tiger paws. 

Nue glanced at her comrades before charging at me. I used my Lightning Blade to strike her and she jumped up into the air. I ducked as she went to kick me and began to fight me with taijutsu. She's a lot faster than she used to be.

Nue shot feathers at me and I put my guard up. I grunted slightly as a feather scratched my cheek. "Die!" I jumped back as Nue jumped into the air and smashed her fist into the ground, creating a small crater. Nue frowned as she stood to her feet.

She ran at me again and tried scratching me with her tiger paws. I used my blade to cut until she caught the blade with her paw and bit down my shoulder. I kicked her off me and jumped back. Nue stared at me with an emotionless face as blood was all over her chin.

She spit at the ground before wiping her mouth. I grunted and gripped my wounded shoulder. "Nue, get out of the way!" I looked up as a clay made in the form of a dragon darted towards me. I dodged the attack, but it came right back around.

"It's a guided missile." I mumbled. I looked at Nue as she pounded her fists into the ground and made huge red and blue crystals emerge from the ground. She threw her arms out in front of her and the crystals dashed towards me.

There's no way I block that with my blade. I have to dodge it. When I jumped up into the air, Nue was right in front of me. 'She's fast!' I thought. Nue punched me with her tiger paws, making me slid across the ground.

"Nue-chan! We're good to go! You can come back now!" The Akatsuki member with the swirly mask said. Nue glanced at him with a frown before flying over to him. "H-Hey!" He quickly shielded himself, thinking Nue was going to hurt him.

But all she did was just stand in front of him. "Huh?" The masked member unshielded himself when he realized Nue wasn't going to hurt him before sighing in relief. "Nice Nue-chan." He said, petting her head.

Nue blinked her eyes as her curse mark form began to fade. She began to sway and fell forward until her partner caught her. "Partner! I've set all of the land mine clay and we're good to go!" He called up to Deidara.

Nue's POV

"Good job, Tobi. Now, just stay out of the way." Deidara called. "Okay!" Tobi said, waving to him. "What did I miss?" I asked, holding my head with one hand. "Nue-chan doesn't remember?" Tobi asked.

"Not much. But I do remember summoning huge crystals one point in time." I said as I scratched my head. I looked at Sasuke as he looked a bit beat up. "What happened to him?" I asked. "You beat him up pretty badly in your curse mark form." Tobi said.

"I did that?" I asked. "Uh-huh! And you were really strong, too! Job well done!" Tobi cheered. I noticed Sasuke's leg was injured. I wonder if he'll be able to dodge any of Deidara's attacks now. "You can't escape!" Deidara said as another dragon rocketed at Sasuke.

The dragon exploded right on Sasuke as he used his left wing to shield himself. "That was a bad choice. Blocking that attack with his wing wasn't a smart move." I said. Sasuke's sword sailed through the air and the blade thrusted into the ground as electricity ran through it.

The smoke cleared, revealing a little bit of the Uchiha as he only had one wing. "Shouldn't have used your wings as shields. You can't fly anymore, not with one wing." Deidara said with a slight chuckle. "You're so awesome, Deidara." Tobi praised, almost sounding like a fangirl.

"Now to settle this at last, un." Deidara said, making a hand sign. The dragon started to open its mouth again, creating another dragon. I gasped when I saw two huge shuriken pieces coming at Deidara from behind.

"Deidara, look out! Behind you!" I called up to him. Deidara saw the weapons coming and made his dragon move away from the attack. "Like that could get me, un." Deidara said as he kept his hand sign. A dragon shot out and darted at Sasuke.

Deidara smirked as Sasuke made a run for it. "It doesn't matter where you'll go. You're completely surrounded by land mines." I said with a smirk. I gasped when I saw Sasuke land on the handle of his sword.

"A foothold!" Deidara and I said at the same time. The dragon missed and Sasuke jumped up at towards Deidara's dragon, using his Lightning Blade as it struck through the wing. Sasuke pulled his arm back, cutting off the dragon's wing.

The dragon lost its balance and began to fall. "Your balance!" Tobi called to us. Yeah, no shit, Tobi! Now, I get it. Sasuke set this up from the beginning, right after his wing got destroyed. Deidara yelled out in pain as the two huge shuriken pieces pinned his arms down to the dragon's back.

"Deidara! I'm going after him!" I said to Tobi before taking off into the sky. "Nue-chan!" Tobi called after me. Once I was on the clay dragon, I used all the strength to try and pull the weapon out of his arm.

I used my wings to try and pry off the other weapon since I was occupied with the one I was dealing with. My eyes widened when we were heading toward the land mines. "Come on! Come on!" I said, pulling harder. I was running out of time!

I was finally able to get the shuriken out of his arm, including the other shuriken that my wings and tails were trying to pull off. I quickly embraced Deidara and shielded him from the explosion as we landed on top of the land mines.

Deidara's POV

"You did die of death by bombing after all! Deidara, you fool!" I heard Tobi call. I picked up Nue and flew out of the smoke, flying on a clay bird. "How many times do I have to tell you to shut up Tobi?" I yelled to him as I held Nue in my arms.

I looked at her unconscious face as blood ran down the side of her head. She risked her life to save me, and got hurt because of it. I looked at Sasuke with a glare and gritted my teeth. Just by looking into his eyes, reminds of my battle with Itachi when I first joined Akatsuki.

I growled in irritation and before looking at Nue. If I'm gonna take down this Uchiha brat, I guess that means I have to use that jutsu. But I have to get Nue out of here. I kissed her forehead, then looked at Tobi.

"Tobi, catch!" I called before tossing Nue over to him. He caught her bridal style and freaked out when he saw that was knocked on. "What happened to Nue-chan?" He asked, worriedly. "Never mind that! Just look after her, okay?" I said.

"Okay!" He called back. I will not lose to this Uchiha! I took out some detonating clay and began to eat it. Once I was finished, I started doing some handsigns.

"I've saved the best for last! This'll kill you!" I created hand signs, smirking. "Tobi, take Nue and run. Now!" I told him. He did as I said and ran off with Nue in his arms. I spit out the clay, creating my C4 Karura. I set this jutsu aside especially to kill Itachi. But, oh well.

Nue's POV

"Ugh... Ow, my head..." I slowly opened my eyes as I felt myself being carried. "What the...?" I blinked a couple times and looked up to see Tobi carrying me. What the hell? What's going on? Why is he running? And where's Deidara?

"Tobi..." I said, weakly, as my brain pounded against my skull. Damn, I have such a headache right now. "It's the C4 Karura! We've gotta get out of here!" He screamed. "Tobi, where... Where's Deidara?" I asked. "No time!" He said, and kept running.

After a while, Tobi stopped running. "Ah, there we go." Tobi said before setting me on my feet. I felt dizzy, so I leaned on him to keep my balance. "Tobi, why did we leave the battlefield? And what's the C4 Karura?" I asked, holding my head in one hand.

"The C4 Karura. Microscopic, nano-sized explosives. When the giant Deidara ruptures, the blast wave disperses explosives too small for the eye to see, scattering them all over the atmosphere. The many bombs then implant themselves within the bodies of any and all creatures that inhale them and when they explode, the multiple cellular level explosions destroy their victims from the inside out. Heh, a fearsome jutsu, indeed." Tobi explained.

"A jutsu like that does sound pretty fearsome." I agreed. I grunted slightly and leaned off of Tobi as I began to walk away. "W-What are you doing, Nue-chan?!" Tobi asked. "I'm going back to him. I'm not leaving him behind." I said.

"No! You can't! Deidara told Tobi to look after you! You'll die out there!" Tobi said as he grabbed my wrist to keep me from leaving. "I don't care! I'm not letting him die! I won't make the same mistake a third time!" I said.

I've lost Sasori, and then, Hidan and Kakuzu. There's no way I'm abandoning Deidara! I'm not letting another comrade die! "Let go, Tobi!" I tried yanked my wrist out of his hold. "Tobi! If I don't leave now, Deidara's going to die!" I said.

"Tobi understands, Nue-chan." He said. "What?" I asked as he let go of my wrist. "Nue-chan's willing to do anything for Deidara and Tobi knows Nue-chan love Deidara. She would do anything for him. Nue-chan's tries her hardest to protect the ones she loves. But this time, it's our turn to protect you." Tobi explained.

"That's unacceptable! If I don't do something, Deidara will-!

"Deidara won't die. He's a strong partner. There's no way that he'd die to someone like Sasuke." He said. "But..." I trailed off as I looked to the side.

Tobi's POV

I looked at Nue as she was deep in thought. "Deidara will come back alive. Until then, let's wait for him." I said before taking out a cloth. I cleaned the blood from Nue's wound before putting the cloth back inside my cloak sleeve.

"Let's take a walk. Deidara will catch up with us once he's done with the battle." I said, holding out my hand. "I hope you're right, Tobi." Nue said, gently taking my hand. I began to guide her further away from the battlefield.  

I glanced at her as Nue gazed down at the ground, her face full of worry for Deidara. There's no doubt Deidara will lose to Sasuke. He's strong, but not strong enough to defeat Sasuke. "Nue-chan, Deidara asked me to give this to you." I said, taking out a scroll. 

"What's this?" Nue asked, taking the scroll. "I'm not sure. Deidara just wanted me to give this to you." I said, shrugging. "Why couldn't he just give this to me himself?" She asked. I shrugged again. I glanced at the battlefield where Deidara and Sasuke was before looking at Nue. 

"Nue-chan, you need to run." I said. "Run? Why?" She asked. "You have to. Trust Tobi. He and Deidara will come back." I lied. "But-"

"Run. Now." I said, a bit darker than my fake voice. Nue looked at me, a little shocked from my tone, before running ahead of me. I hope I can find her when this is all over. I lowered my head as I knew Nue would be heartbroken.  

"Sorry, Nue. But I couldnt let you see your lover die right before your eyes." I murmured.

(Short Flashback)

"So, why did Deidara wanted to talk with Tobi before Nue gets here?" I asked Deidara. "When you get the chance,m I want you to give this Nue, un." Deidara said as he handed me a scroll. "What is it?" I asked him, taking the scroll. 

"It her birthday present."

"Ooh! Should Tobi get her something, too?!"

"Focus!"

"Sorry!"

Deidara sighed, annoyed. "Anyway, just give it to her at the right time." Deidara said. "The right time? When will that be?" I asked. "I'm sure you'll figure out when. Can I trust you, yeah?" He asked. "Of course! Absolutely! You can trust Tobi any time!" I said, saluting him. "Good."

(End of Short Flashback) Nue's POV

I followed Tobi's instructions as I ran into a town. I began to slow down and walked as I thought of Deidara. 'Deidara, you better come back to me alive. Please... I can't lose you, too' I thought. As I walked around, I was grateful no one was asking about my wings and tails.

I stopped walking and closed my eyes, thinking back to my conversation with Itachi. I want to carry out his wishes in protecting Sasuke... But I just hate that guy so much. But I have to do. I have to protect Sasuke... for Itachi. 

A huge explosion occurred from behind me, causing me to turn around and see what it was. Whoa... That is one huge explosion! Hold on a second! Deidara, Sasuke, and Tobi are still in those woods! I took a closer look at the explosion. An explosion that looks like an art piece...

My eyes widened with terror while tears began to form in my eyes. No... Please, no! There's no way he could've...!

"DEIDARA!"