"Nue-kun! Come on! Play with me!" Megumi whined as she knocked on the door. "Go away, Megumi!" I yelled as I was inside my bathroom. Now I know how Sasuke felt when he was trying to get Sakura off his back.  

I sat in the empty tub with my knees pulled to my chest, not wanting to be disturbed by anyone. But that was kind of impossible since Megumi was annoying the hell out of me as she kept banging on my front door.

I looked my front door so nobody would get in. I've been here for two days and I've learned Sasuke's team was staying here until everyone was healed up. I guess I wasn't the only one who suffered rough wounds from the Eight-Tails battle.

I had dyed my hand red and blue, but only the sides. Why? Because I felt like it. I hid my face in my knees as I was too scared to set foot outside my room. The only time I would go outside my room was if I was hungry. "Nue, it's me." Kisame called from outside my room.

"Kisame?" I whispered. I got out of the tub and approached my door. "What is it, Kisame?" I asked as I opened the door slightly so I could see him. "How are you feeling, kid? I heard about what happened to you, so I'd thought I'd come see how you were doing." He asked.

"Did Tobi tell you what happen?" I asked, quietly. "No, he didn't. I heard you screaming. I'm sorry." He said. "It's not your fault, Kisame. Don't blame yourself. But right now, I just wanna be left alone." I said before closing the door.

I leaned my back against it and pressed my hands against my face. "You need to calm down, Nue. You just need to relax." I told myself. My hands slipped off my face as I gazed at my dull room. "Maybe some redecorating will do me some good." I mumbled.

Tobi/Madara's POV

"You wanted to speak with me, Madara?" Kisame asked as he stood in front of me. "Where is Nue?" I asked. "Locked up in her room. Was doing something like that to her really necessary? Don't you think you might have taken it too far?" He asked.

"She had to be disciplined. She got what she deserved." I said. "Give her break, Madara. She's just a kid." Kisame defended. "She's seventeen." I stated.

"She's still just a kid."

"The reason why Nue acts the way she does is because no one has disciplined her properly. But I changed that."

"Cut her some slack, will you? She's lost just about everyone in her family."

"Her family died thirteen years ago."

"Maybe. But after Nue joined Akatsuki, we became her new family. One by one, she's lost a family member. But after losing Deidara and Itachi, can you really blame how the kid acts? How would you feel if you lost someone you loved dearly?"

'I've already lost her, though. And I can't do anything to bring her back' I thought while thinking of Rin. "This discussion is over." I said, walking past him. I made my way down to Nue's room while Megumi was in front of her door, knocking on it continuously.

"How long has she been in there?" I asked her. "Two days straight. She hasn't eaten or come out for anything." She answered. She took a few steps back as I walked over to Nue's door. "Nue, open this door now." I commanded.

"It's open." Nue called, quietly. I opened the door and noticed she did some redecorating. I guess she did this to calm herself down in a way, but I didn't expect to walk into this:

"I've see you've done some redecorating." I commented as it looked like a child's room. Nue shrugged her shoulders out of depression before eating a piece of her cake. "When did you do all this?" I asked her. Nue didn't answer as she stared off into space.

"Answer me." I ordered. Nue flinched at my tone and slowly looked at me. "I did this a while ago. I used my powers to make it this way." She answered while poking her snake doll. I've never seen her so depressed. But at least she knows her place.

Nue's POV

"So, what did you want to talk to me about?" I asked out of boredom. "There are some ninjas approaching this hideout. I need you to take care of that. Make sure they don't find this place. Eliminate them." He ordered.

"Why can't you have Team Pain-In-My-Ass (Team Taka) do it?" I mumbled, bitterly. "Are you talking back to me?" Tobi asked in a dark tone. "No, I'm just asking." I confirmed.

"I'm telling you to do it because I know you're capable of handling something like this. Now, get dressed and go." He ordered. "You're lucky I don't shove this fork up your ass." I mumbled. "What was that?" Tobi said in his dark tone.

"Nothing." I said, quickly; I didn't want to be punished again. No way, I wanna go through something like that again. "That's what I thought. Now, go." He commanded. He left the room so I could change.

I sighed, getting off my bed, and got dressed in some more suitable clothes. (See pic above)

"The faster I get this job done, the faster I can go back to my room." I told myself before leaving my room to get the job done. 

Karin's POV

"Nue, there you are. I've been looking for you." I said as she walked down the hallway. "I can't talk right now." Nue said as she quickly walked past me. "Huh?" I turned around as she continued to walk away.

"Leave her be. She's doing something for me." Madara said. I looked at him, then at Nue as she exited the hideout. I adjusted my glasses, then followed Nue into the woods. I hid behind a tree as Nue crouched behind a bush, summoning her katana.

"When I get back, I need a nap." She said. 'Why is she doing this mission in a dress? Then again, Madara mentioned she moved more freely in a skirt. Does that go for dresses, too?' I thought. "Help... Help me... please..."

Nue looked to her side and stood up as someone who was badly wounded came stumbling towards her. "You don't look like an enemy. Actually... Now, that I have a good look at you, you can't be the enemy. What's the matter?" Nue asked him, calmly.

"There's ninjas... coming this way. They killed... my partner.... Please, you... you have to help me." The man said. He fell forward and Nue caught him. "You're going to be okay. Don't worry." Nue said as he set the man against the tree.

"Is there a reason for these men to be after you?" Nue asked him. "They stole... what was ours. We were just... trying to get it back. But... we underestimated them." The man explained between grunts. "I see," Nue's eyes closed before she stood to her feet.

"Just sit tight. I'll be back soon." Nue said, opening her eyes. "But... you're just a kid... You won't... be able to fight them. They're too strong." He warned. "Well, that's not very nice. I'm actually seventeen, you know? You shouldn't underestimate a person's strength just by their appearance." Nue mentioned.

"After all," Nue took out her gun as her eyes flashed purple for a second. "I'm a cruel killer. I only kill unless it's necessary." She said. "You... really are brave... Braver than me." The man said before coughing. Nue glanced back at him before looking ahead.

"Just wait here for me." She instructed. How many ninjas are out there? I closed my eyes and concentrated. 10... 20... 30... 40... 50... 60... 70... 80! There's 80 of them?! There's no way Nue can kill all of them! They'll kill her before she can get the chance!

I looked at Nue as she jumped into the trees. I stayed where I was, hiding myself while I watched Nue. "Looks like I'll be sleeping in a little bit later than usual. With any luck, Megumi won't bother me." Nue said. "We're almost there. Follow me." I heard a man say.

'They're here? Already?' I thought, a little panicked. I adjusted my glass and looked at Nue. Her eyes narrowed while they changed purple. "I see you." Nue said, referring to the ninjas. "It's always got to be rogue ninjas," She sighed.

"Looks like I'm gonna need a bigger gun," My jaw dropped open when Nue's gun turned into a machine gun. She can do that with her powers?! "Yeah, this should do." She said. Nue casually laid against the tree as the 80 ninjas appeared in groups of 10.

How was she able to see them? Was it because of her kekkei genkai? It must be. I looked at Nue as she readied her gun. "I'm sorry." She whispered before pulling the trigger. She quickly shot a group of ninjas in the head and they fell to the ground. "What was that?" A member from the set of ninjas said.

"Our comrades are down!"

"Who killed them?!"

"Where did the shot come from?!"

"From up there! Up above!"

Oh no! They've spotted her! Nue casually stood on the tree branch as her eyes were closed. "Nothing personal, boys." Nue said before shooting them in the head. "Son of a bitch! Kill her! Now, dammit!" One of them said.

All of them threw kunai knives and shuriken at her as Nue stood there. 'What are you waiting for? Move!' I thought, urgently. Nue faced the weapons before falling backwards. Her eyes opened as she raised her gun out, shooting at the men, as she fell.

"That's 30 men down. She only has 50 to go." I mumbled. Nue landed in a knelling position, in front of the men, as her eyes were closed again. "What the hell? How did she...?" Nue opened her eyes, glancing at the men.

She did a backflip, leaping away from them, before running off. "After her! Don't let her get away!" The men yelled. They began to chase her, trying to catch her. I leaped through the trees, following them.

One of the men threw a kunai knife with a paper bomb attached to it towards Nue. It went off, but I'm not sure if it got her.

"Did we get her?"

"I don't know! I can't see anything!"

The smoke cleared, but Nue wasn't standing there. "Damn! Where'd she go?" Everyone was looking around, trying to find her. Even I was trying to look for her. I finally spotted her as she was in the trees.

Nue had two machine guns in her hands. Someone from the group spotted Nue and threw another paper bomb at her. Nue quickly dodged it and skidded on the ground, shooting them with her two machine guns. All I could hear from the men were grunts and cries of pain.

Now there were only 10 men standing. Nue dropped one of her machine guns to the ground and made her other machine gun turn back into a regular gun. "You bitch! I'll kill you!" One of the men said. "No, don't!" His comrade warned him.

They threw two kunai knives at her with paper bombs attached to them and Nue didn't move as she left them dash past either sides of her head. The bombs went off behind her, making a huge fire occur.

As the flames danced behind her, Nue raised her gun and shot at the men, leaving only one of them alive. Nue reloaded her gun before looking at the remaining man. "Who are you?" The man demanded, taking a kunai knife out for protection.

She didn't say anything as she stared at him with her gun aimed at him. "Who are you? Tell me!" The man shouted before throwing a dozen shuriken pieces at her. Nue lowered her head as a shadow casted over her eyes.

"It's useless." Nue murmured, but the man kept throwing weapons at her. His aim was terrible as the weapons dashed past her while Nue placed her finger on the trigger. "Last chance." She said, as if signaling him to stop throwing the weapons.

Ignoring her warning, the man continued to throw his weapons and Nue pulled the trigger, shooting the man just below the heart. "Incredible. She was able to take all 80 men down without breaking a sweat." I said, amazed.

She's just as skilled as Sasuke. Maybe even better. I watched as Nue walked towards the dying man, stopping in front of him. The man grunted as he gazed at her. "Beautiful... You're... gorgeous." The man said before closing his eyes.

"Gorgeous?" I repeated. I looked at Nue as she had closed her eyes and the wind blew through her hair. "I guess she is." I mumbled. "Huh? What is she doing now?"

Nue had kneeled down in front of the dying man and placed her hand on his cheek. "You... fought bravely. Now, you may rest in peace." Nue said, softly. I stared at Nue as she stood up and walked away, probably going back to the injured man she left behind.

Nue's POV

I went back to the wounded man I left by the tree and picked him up, bridal style. I should take him back to wherever he came from. I walked through the woods while carrying him. After walking for five minutes, he started waking up as he grunted.

I glanced down at him as she slowly blinked his eyes open. "So, are you awake?" I asked him. "Yeah, but-"

"I ended up fighting an unnecessary battle because of you." I interrupted him. "Yeah... Sorry about that." He said, weakly. He grunted from the pain of his wound. "It was a wasted effort. For both of us. And we... we didn't change anything." I said.

"My partner... He didn't make it. I know he didn't. I tried going back for him. I tried to save him... but I couldn't. I was too late. Because of me, I got both of us in danger. It's all my fault." The man explained. "You're stupid." I mentioned, calmly.

"I am stupid." He agreed. "That's what I said." I confirmed. The man chuckled lightly before grunting. "You're just so beautiful, I can't stand it. Hey... I've never been out with a pretty girl before. How about we go on a date... sometime?" The man said.

"Sure, why not?" I agreed. "I can't believe it. I'm alive... and I've got a date? I must be the luckiest ninja on earth." He said. I couldn't help but giggle. "What is it?" He asked. "It's just funny." I mentioned.

"What is?"

"It's like it's a blind date. I mean, we don't even know each other's names yet."

"That's right. Sorry about that. My name is Kyon."

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Kyon. My name is Nu-"

I paused as I looked at him. He laid there, dead in my arms as if he was sleeping peacefully. I looked at him with an emotionless gaze before closing my eyes. "My name... is Nue. Nue... Houjuu." I whispered.

Saying my last name brought back memories of how my clan, my people, were slaughtered in front of me. I want to forget that. I really do. But every time I try to forget about that event, the only thing I can hear whenever I close my eyes are the terrified screams of my people.

I buried Kyon's body far away from the hideout and made a cross from two sticks. I sat on my knees, praying for him. When I was done, I stood to my feet and walked back to the hideout.

"Is it done?" Tobi asked as he stood by the entrance of the hideout. "Yeah, I took care of it." I said, walking past him. I went to my room and placed my gun on the dresser.

Karin's POV

I stood in front of Nue's room as I needed to talk to her. I took a deep breath before knocking on her door. "Come in." Nue said from the other side. I opened her door, walking inside. "What can I help you with, Karin?" Nue asked as she sat in front of her dresser.

She was gently brushing out her hair as she looked at me from the reflection of her mirror. "How are you feeling?" I asked. "Okay, I guess. Why do you ask?" She said. "Well... I saw your battle." I mentioned. "Battle?" Nue repeated as she continued to brush her hair

"When you fought those men. I was there. I followed you and I saw your battle." I admitted. Her brush strokes stopped as she stared at herself in the mirror. "Why would you do that?" She asked. "I was just worried about you. I wanted to see if you were okay." I said.

"You could've put yourself in grave danger." Nue mentioned as she looked at me through the mirror. "I know." I confirmed. Nue didn't say anything for a while as she continued to brush her hair. "Please don't do that again. I don't want you putting yourself in danger because of me." Nue requested.

"I won't do it again. I promise."

"Good."

"........"

"Is there anything else you wanted to discuss?"

"Actually, there is."

"And what's that?"

"Nue... Why do you think you're a cruel killer?"

"What do you mean?"

"I heard you. You called yourself a cruel killer."

Nue set her brush down and closed her eyes with a sigh. "Because I am. All I do is kill. I end people's lives without giving it a second thought. I'm a cruel killer. It's no wonder people fear me." Nue stated as she opened her eyes.

I saw Nue's expression as she lowered her head, looking a little sad. Because humans fear her, she truly believes that she's a cruel killer. One without a heart. But she's wrong. Nue does have a heart, and she's not cruel. Nue's eyes closed as I hugged her head, feeling sorry for her. Something like this:

"You're not a cruel killer, Nue. I saw you out there. You were very kind. You're a kind killer, Nue." I said. "I'm not kind." Nue said, quickly. Nue got out of my hug while leaving her room. "You are. You're a kind killer." I said, not that she heard me.

I walked outside Nue's room and I spotted her walking down the hallway. "Hey." I looked to my left as that Megumi girl stood there with a frown on her face. "What do you want?" I asked, adjusting my glasses.

"I don't know what you're up to, but leave my Nue-kun alone." She said, getting in my face. "Excuse me?" I asked. "Nue-kun belongs to me! So, stay away from her! Got it?!" Megumi snapped. She purposely bumped her shoulder into me as she walked past him.

I frowned as I watched her leave before adjusting my glasses. "Sheesh. It's like she's obsessed with Nue." I mumbled. I honestly can't see how Nue and Megumi are lovers. Nue actually looks like she hates Megumi. A lot.

Nue's POV

I sat on the roof of the hideout as I watched the sun descend. "Am I really... kind?" I whispered before closing my eyes, enjoying the soft breeze. I have to go back to the Leaf Village. But I'm also afraid to leave here because of Tobi.  What do I do?

"Nue-kun," I quickly summoned my gun and turned around, shooting the person behind me on instinct. Yes, I was little jumpy due to the punishment Tobi gave me. Can you really blame me for being jumpy?

"Ah~... So good. Such a pleasurable feeling. I love it so much," I watched as Megumi sat up and sat on her knees, blushing as she held her face. "Please continue to hurt me some more, Nue-kun. It feels so good. Please hit me more." She begged.

'Freaking masochist. Why does she love pain so much?' I thought while gazing at her emotionlessly. "What do you want, Megumi?" I asked. "Well, while you were doing that job for Tobi, some woman came by the hideout and asked me to give this to you."

Megumi went into her pocket and tossed me something. I caught it with one hand, then looked down at the object.

"A doll?" I asked. "Yeah. Weird, right?" Megumi said, in which I shrugged my shoulders. "Leave me be, Megumi. I wanna be alone right now." I said. "Okay..." She replied, kind of disappointed. I gazed down at the doll as it smiled at me.

"This doll... looks familiar. Who would give this to me?" I mumbled. Did I have this as a child?Now, you guys are probably asking questions like: "But didn't you regain all of your memories?"

Well, if you guys remember correctly, I was stabbed in the heart by Pein. When he did that, most of my memories scattered. I know. What the hell, right? Don't worry. I remember who am I and what I am.

But my memories of me as a child... well, some of them are there and some of them are not there. Like, I can remember I was a cold and heartless person who drank alcoholic beverages at a young age.

But I don't remember the times I spent with my friends and families before I met Karin. Basically, my childhood memories are scattered. But I have this feeling... this doll means something. But what?

(A few moments earlier) Megumi's POV

"Right... So, why do you want me to give this to Nue-kun?" I asked the strange woman. "It's a gift. Please make sure she has that doll with her at all times. Okay?" She requested. "This doll must be pretty important if you want this thing to be around her all the time." I said as I gently tossed the doll up in the air, repeatedly.

The woman smirked at my comment. "Something like that. Farewell, then." She said before walking away with the straw hat over her head. I raised a brow at her as I caught the doll in my hand. "What a weirdo." I mumbled.